Images

A generalized adaptation planning process depicting the stages at which various tools can be applied. For simplicity, recursive steps are not shown.

Gaudineer Knob in eastern West Virginia is home to one of the few remaining old-growth red spruce forests in the region, sitting as a unique reminder of what red spruce forests once looked like across the central and southern Appalachians. 

Roughly 32% of the ~5570 bee species native to the US are pollen specialists, making them an important part of ecosystems.

Credit: Ben Slyngstad, ORISE, National CASC

The Cranesbill miner bee helps pollinate many wild geraniums throughout woodlands and the eastern US.

Credit: Ben Slyngstad, ORISE, National CASC

The Blue calamintha bee is endemic to Florida and is typically found around sandy scrub habitats.

Credit: Ben Slyngstad, ORISE, National CASC

The Kansas squash bee aids in pollinating squash flowers.

Credit: Ben Slyngstad, ORISE, National CASC

America’s diverse ecosystems are an asset to current and future generations by supporting economically and recreationally important fish, wildlife, and lands. Healthy ecosystems support people and nature, fostering prosperity and enjoyment for all. 

America’s diverse ecosystems are an asset to current and future generations by supporting economically and recreationally important fish, wildlife, and lands. Healthy ecosystems support people and nature, fostering prosperity and enjoyment for all. 

The Prairie Pothole Wetlands:

• Provide critical habitat for many migratory bird species;
• Provide recreation opportunities;
• Hold large amounts of carbon, mitigating the effects of climate change;
• Store water and slow runoff following extreme precipitation events, reducing damage from floods.

John Tull, Assistant Regional Administrator for the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center.

Sarah Groves, data scientist with the National Climate Adaptation Science Center.

A fisher retrieving his nets in the Rio Madre de Dios in Bolivia. Previously, fishers in the area reported abundant catches but nowadays it increasingly common for fishers to return home empty-handed because of impacts from dams and gold mining. (Photo credit: Gretchen Stokes)

Five colorfully pink Chinook Salmon swim upstream over pebbles and rocks to spawn in Alaska.

While it’s easy to assume there’s not much going on in deserts and other types of drylands, the opposite is true! Come with us to learn more about these underappreciated ecosystems; once you get to know them, we are sure you will love drylands as much as we do!

A scent detection dog used in a National CASC supported project to locate winter ticks. Public Domain; from the publication: Koser, T., Hurt, A., Thompson, L., Courtemanch, A., Wise, B., & P. Cross.

Emily Fort, Shawn Carter, and Elda Varela-Minder received awards for their roles in founding the CASC network and serving the centers over the past 15 years. 

Anne Kinsinger, USGS Associate Director for the Ecosystems Mission Area, gave NCASC Senior Administrator Doug Beard the CASC Founders Award as part of the CASC Futures Forum meeting in November 2024. 

This 11x17 inch poster displays illustrations from our "Climate Cryptids" series, where we explore the impacts of climate change on cryptids and the places they (allegedly) call home. Explore individual Climate Cryptids illustrations here.

It’s not a year that ends in a 7, but that doesn’t mean it’s not time to think about the Michigan Dogman!

What happens to animals that are losing habitat because of sea level rise? They become ghost fauna. 

Just like “ghost forests” are forests of trees that couldn’t survive once the area was flooded, ghost fauna are animals that can no longer live in their homes once water covers the land.

Bad news, folks. We missed Jackalope season! We’ll have to try again next June 31. Don’t forget to apply for the proper hunting license! (It’s a real thing. Look it up, we’ll wait).