Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Explore Southeast CASC Projects
ExploreSoutheast CASC
Southeast CASC supported scientists are working to understand how future sea level rise will impact coastal wildlife refuges and National Park lands, how habitat conditions might change for wildlife in the Pine Rockland ecosystem of South Florida and other areas, how wildlife corridors and connectivity may be impacted by climate change, and much more.
Explore Southeast CASC Science Projects>>
Consortium
- North Carolina State University (Host)
- Auburn University
- Duke University
- University of Florida
- University of South Carolina
- University of Tennessee
Key Documents & Reports
- Science and Operational Plan
- SE CASC Five-year Review Report (March 2017)
- 2011-2016 Consortium Report
- FY18-19 Annual Report
- FY 2014 Annual Report
- FY12-13 Annual Report
- FY11-12 Annual Report
- Science Goals Fact Sheet (2011)
- Story Map: SE CASC Project Footprints
Learn more on the Southeast CASC consortium-led website
<< Learn more about the other regional CASCs
Related Content
Southeast CASC-Funded Work on Invasive Species Highlighted by NPR Affiliate WUFT
NPR affiliate WUFT spotlights new Southeast CASC research on how a warming climate may affect invasive species range shifts in the southeastern U.S.
Southeast CASC Develops Interactive Climate Visualization Tool
The Southeast CASC published an article highlighting a climate visualization platform for forestry professionals created by Southeast CASC researchers.
Hotter, Dryer Conditions are Projected Across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
The Southeast CASC recently profiled a new study that finds that Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands could experience hotter, dryer conditions in the future as a result of climate change.
Conservation Grant will Help Southeast CASC-Supported Researchers Explore Forest Connectivity Under Climate Change
The Southeast CASC and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative jointly funded a project at North Carolina State University to study how managed forests can contribute to landscape connectivity under future climate change and land use predictions.
CASC Climate, Tribal, and Partnership Work Recognized by the 2020 Climate Adaptation Leadership Awards
The Northeast and Southeast CASC Tribal Liaison and a Northwest CASC-funded project were among those honored by the 2020 Climate Adaptation Leadership Awards Given by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
New Study Finds That Focal Species in Similar Habitats will Respond Differently to Climate Change
In a recently published article, Southeast CASC supported researchers assess suitable linked habitat for focal species in the southeastern U.S. under a changing climate.
Case Study Highlights Importance of Engaging Diverse Stakeholders in Climate Adaptation Solutions
A recently-published case study by Southeast CASC scientist Mitch Eaton and co-authors describe how to engage diverse stakeholders in climate adaptation planning.
Southeast CASC Graduate Student Intern a Part of #BlackBirdersWeek
Southeast CASC Graduate Student Intern Deja Perkins teamed up with young Black naturalists and scientists to launch a social media initiative called #BlackBirdersWeek.
Communicating Future Sea-Level Rise Scenarios for Coastal Federal Lands
Low-lying public lands along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast are vulnerable to sea-level rise. Coastal planners and resource managers in the region have requested customized information that can be used to communicate local sea-level rise scenarios and identify potential impacts to the missions of resource management agencies.
Study Finds Knowledge Gaps on Protecting Cultural Sites from Climate Change
Livingston Ledger has published an article about a study from Southeast CASC-supported researchers at North Carolina State University that found significant knowledge gaps in how to protect culturally significant sites from climate change. Researchers are now working with managers to identify possible solutions to these gaps.
CASCs Represented Among Those Honored with the 2019 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award
Southeast and National CASC fellows, a Northwest CASC-funded PI, and a team supported by the Northeast CASC tribal liaison were among those honored at the 2019 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award for Natural Resources at the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Annual Meeting.
CASC Participation at the 2019 The Wildlife Society (TWS) & American Fisheries Society (AFS) Meeting
Check out these presentations at the TWS & AFS meeting from leadership and staff of the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers!
SE CASC Researcher Embarks on a Five-Day Expedition through the Colorado Basin
The Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center's USGS Research Ecologist Mitch Eaton has joined the Sesquicentennial Colorado River Exploring Expedition (...
Cape Lookout Research Could Help National Park Managers
Researchers with North Carolina State University, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Park Service collaborated on a decision support model to help with long-term preservation decisions for Cape Lookout National Seashore.
Research Explores Climate Effects on Small, Biodiversity-rich “Island” Ecosystems of the Southeast
A new SE CASC-supported paper, Ecological islands: conserving biodiversity hotspots in a changing climate, was published today in the journal, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, presenting results of work by SE CASC researcher and USGS ecologist Jennifer...
Southeast CASC Helps Produce New Study on How Sea Level Rise Affects Birds in Coastal Forests
When saltwater inundates coastal forests as sea levels rise, it kills salt-sensitive trees, leaving "ghost forests" of bare snags behind. A new study from North Carolina State University and the Southeast CASC explores how changes in vegetation affect coastal bird species.
Scientist Spotlight: Adam Terando & Addressing Climate and Land Use Change in the Southeast
A closer look at the research of Adam Terando, ecologist for the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center.
Optimizing Historical Preservation Under Climate Change: A Pilot Study at Cape Lookout National Seashore
Researchers at the Southeast CASC have developed a tool to better inform managers of climate adaptation plans for the preservation and persistence of cultural and historical resources affected by climate change.
CASC Presentations at the 2019 NAF Meeting
Are you attending the National Adaptation Forum (NAF) this spring in Wisconsin? Don't miss these presentations from staff and partners from across the CASC network!
Exotic Trees Can Serve Both Pest Management and Conservation Goals
A new study, supported by the Southeast CASC and recently published in PeerJ, explores how native and exotic trees can support pest management and conservation goals in urban areas.
CASC Presentations at the 2018 AGU Meeting
Are you attending the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting this year in D.C.? Don't miss these presentations from staff and partners from across the CASC network!
Southeast CASC Project Recognized with DOI Environmental Achievement Award
Southeast CASC project "Protecting Cultural Resources in the Face of Climate Change" has received honorable mention for the 2017 Department of the Interior Environmental Achievement Award.
News from the Tribal Resilience Liaisons
The Bureau of Indian Affairs, the USGS, and Tribal organizations have collaborated to place Tribal Resilience Liaisons at the regional CASCs. Read on to meet the Liaisons and learn about their recent activities to promote resilient Tribal communities.
Supporting Native and Indigenous Community Climate Adaptation Efforts Across the Country
In recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day, we're exploring the ways in which the CASC network is supporting and partnering with Tribal nations and Indigenous communities to address science needs, build capacity, and inform climate adaptation planning.
CASC Presentations at the 2018 Ecological Society of America (ESA) Meeting
2018 Ecological Society of America meeting (August 6-9, 2018) Session Information
10 Things You May Not Know About Drought
Learn about some of our efforts to address the challenges of drought with these 10 examples from across the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Center network.
10 Things You May Not Know About Our Coasts
Scientists with the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) are actively working to understand and monitor climate change impacts on our coasts. Learn more with these 10 examples.
New Paper Examines the Relationship between Patterns of Urban Development and Water Use
A new study published in Water Resources Research examines the influence of development patterns on water use in North and South Carolina.
New Name, Same Mission
Our program has a new name, but our mission hasn't changed. We are still hard at work delivering science to help fish, wildlife, water, land, and people adapt to a changing climate.
10 Things You May Not Know About Fish and Wildlife
Fish and wildlife play crucial roles across ecosystems and in human society. High animal diversity contributes to healthy ecosystems, and many species provide important economic benefits to our communities.
10 Things You May Not Know About Plants and Forests
Spring is here and in many places across the country, trees are beginning to bud, flowers are blossoming, and the world is starting to look a little more colorful. Look a little closer though and you’ll find that many plants are facing challenging times.
Lack of Water is Key Stressor for Urban Trees
A study out March 13 finds that urban trees can survive increased heat and insect pests fairly well - unless they are thirsty.
10 Things You May Not Know About the CSC Network
2018 marks the 10-year anniversary of the establishment of the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC). Read on to learn 10 things you might not know about NCCWSC and the Climate Science Centers!
Research Identifies Areas Where Evolution Could Rescue Animals Threatened by Climate Change
Former Global Change Fellow Marketa Zimova is co-author on a new paper published in Science.
CSC Presentations and More at the 2017 AGU Meeting
Attending the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting this year in New Orleans? Don't miss these presentations from staff and partners from our CSC network!
Host and Consortium Partners Selected for the Alaska, Northwest, and Southeast Climate Science Centers
Following an open competition and extensive review by scientific experts, host institutions and consortium partners have been selected for the Alaska, Northwest, and Southeast Climate Science Centers.
Hot Cities Spell Bad News for Bees
A new Southeast CSC supported study finds that common wild bee species decline as urban temperatures increase.
Turning Uncertainty into Useful Information for Conservation Decisions
Scientists from the USGS Georgia Coop Unit, together with the Southeast CSC and other partners are developing tools that decision makers can use to more formally account for uncertainties when moving forward with conservation and resource management.
New Paper Details What We Know About Climate Threats to Cultural Heritage and Cultural Resources
A North Carolina State University study in Climatic Change found little research exists on how to protect cultural resources like those at Cape Lookout National Seashore.
Who Wins and Loses with Warming? Where You Live Matters
Insects at higher latitudes will fare better as temperatures warm than those closer to the equator, according to a new publication from researchers working with the Southeast CSC.
Safeguarding Our Cultural Past from Future Climate Change: Stories from Cape Lookout National Seashore
The Interior Department’s Climate Science Centers, managed by USGS, are helping the National Park Service pinpoint the specific impacts of climate change on parks and their cultural and natural resources. Doing so will help managers answer a critical question: which resources will require human intervention to ensure their continued existence?
Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy Version 1.0 Kicks-off a Regional Long-Term Vision for Conservation
Version 1.0 of the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS) has been released! SECAS is a collaborative effort between state fish and wildlife agencies, and federal and non-governmental partners.
Urban Warming Slows Tree Growth, Photosynthesis
New research from North Carolina State University finds that urban warming reduces growth and photosynthesis in city trees. The researchers found that insect pests are part of the problem, but that heat itself plays a more significant role.
No Picnic for Our Parks: How Climate Change Could Impact National Parks and the Species they Protect
From retreating glaciers in Alaska to severe drought in the Southwest, climate change is set to dramatically alter our national parks. Here are 10 CSC and NCCWSC projects that provide a snapshot of our work in national parks.
Ecosystems in the Southeastern U.S. Are Vulnerable to Climate Change
“From the mountains to the coast, the southeastern U.S. contains ecosystems that harbor incredible biodiversity. Many of those ecosystems are already highly at risk from urbanization and other human land-use change. Identifying the ecosystems at risk from climate change will help inform conservation and management to ensure we don’t lose that biodiversity.” (Jennifer Constanza, report author)
USGS Climate Change and Wildlife Program Receives Award for Leadership in Climate Adaptation
The USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and Department of the Interior Climate Science Centers have been awarded honorable mention for the inaugural Climate Adaptation Leadership Award for Natural Resources for their outstanding work in raising awareness and addressing the impacts of climate change on the nation’s valuable natural resources.
No Junk-Food Diet for Urban Honey Bees
New research from Southeast Climate Science Center supported researchers finds that honey bees in urban areas stick to a flower-nectar diet, steering clear of processed sugars found in soda and other junk food.
Happy Mother’s Day to Moms of All Species
USGS wishes to honor all mothers, of all species. Many of our research findings have and are shedding light on the lives of non-human moms.
Applications Being Accepted to Host Climate Science Centers in Alaska, the Northwest, Southeast, and Midwest
This opportunity is now closed. Applications are no longer being accepted to host the Alaska, Northwest, Southeast, and (proposed) Midwest Climate Science Centers.
Strengthening Efforts to Communicate Science and "Coproduce Knowledge"
Providing scientific information that is directly useful to managers is not always as easy or straight-forward as you might think. It may even require a new way of thinking, in which scientific knowledge is “coproduced” by scientists and managers.
Eight Animals Feeling the Heat from Climate Change
From forest to grassland, desert to ocean, many wildlife species are already “feeling the heat” from climate change. Here are eight animals that provide a glimpse into how climate change is impacting wildlife across the country.
More than Meets the Eye: Ecological Effects of Mangrove Forest Expansion
A new publication shows that climate change driven expansion of mangrove forests may bring about both above-ground (more vegetation) and below-ground (more peat) changes to coastal wetland ecosystems in the Southeast U.S.
Keeping Pace: A Short Guide to Navigating Sea-Level Rise Models
A new short guide covers the importance of sea-level rise model selection, helpful concepts, model categories, and an example of how to utilize these models to address coastal issues.
Evolutionary Clock Ticks for Snowshoe Hares Facing Climate Change
New research from NCCWSC-funded scientists at North Carolina State University and the University of Montana shows that the evolutionary clock is ticking for snowshoe hares, which may not be able to keep up with the seasonal shifts caused by climate change.
Urban Environments Boost Pathogen Pressure on Honey Bees
Researchers from North Carolina State University have found that urban environments increase pathogen abundance in honey bees (Apis mellifera) and reduce honey bee survival.
New Sea-Level Rise Handbook Highlights Science and Models for Non-Scientists
Coastal managers and planners now have access to a new U.S. Geological Survey handbook that, for the first time, comprehensively describes the various models used to study and predict sea-level rise and its potential impacts on coasts.
Secretary Jewell Announces New Wildlife and Climate Studies at the Southeast Climate Science Center
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced today that Interior’s Southeast Climate Science Center is awarding nearly $150,000 to its host university and other partners for research to guide managers of parks, refuges and other cultural and natural resources in planning how to help species and ecosystems adapt to climate change.
New Research Suggests that Urbanization & Higher Temperatures Influence Butterfly Emergence Patterns
A team of researchers focused on 20 common butterfly species in Ohio to examine the effect of temperature and urban density on butterfly emergence patterns.
Interior’s Secretary Jewell Announces New Wildlife and Climate Studies at the Southeast Climate Science Center
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell has announced today that Interior’s Southeast Climate Science Center is awarding more than $800,000 to universities and other partners for research to guide managers of parks, refuges and other resources in planning how to help species and ecosystems adapt to climate change.