Forests occur in every region of the United States, and the response of a specific forested ecosystem will depend on a variety of factors, including changes in temperature, precipitation and species composition.
Observed and predicted climate change impacts to forests may include:
Additional information about predicted climate change impacts to forested habitats, ecosystems and wildlife can be found in the following places:
Climate change is already altering the species composition of forests across the United States, allowing some trees to extend their ranges further north or to higher elevations, for example. These changes — and others — will continue throughout the coming century.
Land trusts that manage forested habitats may wish to:
Specific recommendations for the adaptation of forested habitats to climate change include:
Drought, floods and severe storms will impact grasslands in the Great Plains region and elsewhere. The impacts of climate change will vary based on the location, current climate and species composition of an individual grassland, but may include the encroachment of new species, and a greater risk of wildfire brought on by hotter, drier summers.
Observed and predicted climate change impacts to grasslands may include:
Additional information about predicted climate change impacts to grasslands can be found in the following places:
Warmer winters, drier summers and the encroachment of new species all present serious challenges to the plants and animals that rely on grasslands and prairies.
Land trusts that manage grasslands may wish to:
Specific recommendations for the adaptation of grasslands to climate change include:
Mountainous habitats can be found in eastern, western and Pacific states, including New England, Alaska and Hawaii. The impacts of climate change will vary based on the location, elevation and species composition, but may include species migration and extinction, reduced snow cover and the earlier arrival of spring, among others.
Observed and predicted climate change impacts to mountainous habitats may include:
Additional information about predicted climate change impacts to mountainous habitats, ecosystems and wildlife can be found in the following places:
Warmer winters, decreased snowpack and the encroachment of new species all present serious challenges to the plants and animals that rely on high-elevation habitats.
Land trusts that manage mountainous habitats may wish to:
Specific recommendations for the adaptation of mountainous habitats to climate change include:
Freshwater habitats include large lakes, ponds, rivers, wetlands, streams and seasonal vernal pools. The response of these ecosystems to climate change impacts will vary based on current conditions, regional changes in temperature and precipitation, and more.
Observed and predicted climate change impacts to freshwater habitats may include:
Additional information about predicted climate change impacts to freshwater habitats, ecosystems and wildlife can be found in the following places:
Warmer water, earlier snowmelt and the increased severity and frequency of both floods and droughts will impact freshwater ecosystems across the United States.
Land trusts that manage freshwater habitats may wish to:
Specific recommendations for the adaptation of freshwater habitats to climate change include: