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Explore photos, graphics, and illustrations related to projects from across the CASC Network. And be sure to check out our Climate Illustrations page, featuring free-to-download illustrations that help describe tricky climate concepts and explain how climate change affects the world around us. 

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A boat sits along a dock on Paradox Lake. The autumn colored trees are reflected in the placid lake.
Autumn colors reflected on Paradox Lake in the Adirondack Mountains
Autumn colors reflected on Paradox Lake in the Adirondack Mountains
Autumn colors reflected on Paradox Lake in the Adirondack Mountains

The Northeast Bedrock Mapping Project consists of scientists conducting geologic mapping and scientific research of complexly deformed crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks in the Northeastern United States. Current mapping activities are focused in New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and New York.

The Northeast Bedrock Mapping Project consists of scientists conducting geologic mapping and scientific research of complexly deformed crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks in the Northeastern United States. Current mapping activities are focused in New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and New York.

Sonoran desert scene, complete with prickly pear, saguaro, and cholla cactus species.
Sonoran Desert Cactus Guild
Sonoran Desert Cactus Guild
Sonoran Desert Cactus Guild

The iconic Sonoran Desert is home to many species of cactus, vascular plants, and wildlife, including the giant saguaro, cholla, and prickley pear cacti seen here. Plants and animals have adapted to living in such a harsh dry environment.

The iconic Sonoran Desert is home to many species of cactus, vascular plants, and wildlife, including the giant saguaro, cholla, and prickley pear cacti seen here. Plants and animals have adapted to living in such a harsh dry environment.

blue Snake River water running through an arid, high desert canyon. Two boats are travelling on the river into the distance.
Looking downstream onto Hells Canyon Reservoir
Looking downstream onto Hells Canyon Reservoir
Looking downstream onto Hells Canyon Reservoir

The Snake River is the largest tributary of the Columbia River. It drains over 108,000 square miles in mainly Idaho and portions of Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. The climate of much of the Snake River watershed is arid or semi-arid and spring snowmelt contributes substantially to the river’s flow.

The Snake River is the largest tributary of the Columbia River. It drains over 108,000 square miles in mainly Idaho and portions of Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. The climate of much of the Snake River watershed is arid or semi-arid and spring snowmelt contributes substantially to the river’s flow.

The Cle Elum River, a tributary of the Yakima River
Cle Elum River, a tributary of the Yakima River in Washington state
Cle Elum River, a tributary of the Yakima River in Washington state
Cle Elum River, a tributary of the Yakima River in Washington state

The Cle Elum River, a tributary of the Yakima River in Washington state. Sockeye salmon reintroduction efforts were initiated in the Cle Elum River by the Yakama Nation and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2009.

The Cle Elum River, a tributary of the Yakima River in Washington state. Sockeye salmon reintroduction efforts were initiated in the Cle Elum River by the Yakama Nation and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2009.

A field of peatland surrounded by spruce and other understory plants in Alaska. Mountains can be seen in the background.
Thawing Peatlands, Alaska
Thawing Peatlands, Alaska
Thawing Peatlands, Alaska

Cores were collected from various areas of thawing permafrost-peatlands in Alaska. Permafrost thaw results in ground subsidence and inundation that kills black spruce and other understory plants living on the permafrost plateau. 

Cores were collected from various areas of thawing permafrost-peatlands in Alaska. Permafrost thaw results in ground subsidence and inundation that kills black spruce and other understory plants living on the permafrost plateau. 

Image: USGS Scientist Conducting Amphibian Research
USGS Scientist Conducting Amphibian Research
USGS Scientist Conducting Amphibian Research
View of the lush green San Rafael grasslands of southern Arizona and northern Mexico, framed by a cloudy blue sky.
The Sonoran desert has grasslands, too.
The Sonoran desert has grasslands, too.
The Sonoran desert has grasslands, too.

The San Rafael grasslands are a diverse ecosystem in southern Arizona along the U.S./Mexico border region, a part of the Madrean Archipelago ecoregion.

The San Rafael grasslands are a diverse ecosystem in southern Arizona along the U.S./Mexico border region, a part of the Madrean Archipelago ecoregion.

Inland fish are found in city waterways as in Hanoi, Vietnam. 
Abby Lynch Scientist Spotlight
Abby Lynch Scientist Spotlight
Abby Lynch Scientist Spotlight

Inland fish are found in city waterways as in Hanoi, Vietnam. 

Toni Lyn Morelli and Mary Ratnaswamy Hold a Squirrel Trap in the Woods
Toni Lyn Morelli and Mary Ratnaswamy Trapping Squirrels
Toni Lyn Morelli and Mary Ratnaswamy Trapping Squirrels
Toni Lyn Morelli and Mary Ratnaswamy Trapping Squirrels

Toni Lyn Morelli (left) and Mary Ratnaswamy (right); White Mountain National Forest, NH; trapping red squirrels

A cisco
A cisco
A cisco
A cisco

A cisco

a hill on the left is covered in green grass and other plants, a hill on the right is covered in brown grass
Effect of aspect on post-fire vegetation recovery
Effect of aspect on post-fire vegetation recovery
Effect of aspect on post-fire vegetation recovery

This image taken at the site of the 2015 Soda Wildfire shows the effect of aspect on plant communities in the sagebrush steppe. Aspect refers to the direction in which a landform, like these hills, is oriented in relation to the sun's path across the sky.

This image taken at the site of the 2015 Soda Wildfire shows the effect of aspect on plant communities in the sagebrush steppe. Aspect refers to the direction in which a landform, like these hills, is oriented in relation to the sun's path across the sky.

rolling hills with some exposed rock mountains, the hills are mostly covered in brown grass with a few leafless sagebrush
Sagebrush steppe landscape at the site of the Soda Wildfire
Sagebrush steppe landscape at the site of the Soda Wildfire
Sagebrush steppe landscape at the site of the Soda Wildfire

The sagebrush steppe of the western U.S., including the site of the 2015 Soda Wildfire pictured here, is vast and encompasses landscapes with variable elevation, weather, water availability, aspect, soil type, and more.

The sagebrush steppe of the western U.S., including the site of the 2015 Soda Wildfire pictured here, is vast and encompasses landscapes with variable elevation, weather, water availability, aspect, soil type, and more.

landscape of red alder with evergreen trees
Red alder landscape
Red alder landscape
Red alder landscape

Looking out over a red alder forest with evergreen trees at Cascade Head Preserve in Oregon.

Looking out over a red alder forest with evergreen trees at Cascade Head Preserve in Oregon.

Photo of trees, setting sun
Pinyon pine near Glade Park, CO
Pinyon pine near Glade Park, CO
Pinyon pine near Glade Park, CO

Pinus edulis on a rocky outcrop near Colorado National Monument. Photo by Andreas Wion (USGS).

Volcanoes, Landslides, and Angry Gods—A Pacific Northwest Connectio...
Volcanoes, Landslides, and Angry Gods—A Pacific Northwest Connection
Volcanoes, Landslides, and Angry Gods—A Pacific Northwest Connection
Volcanoes, Landslides, and Angry Gods—A Pacific Northwest Connection

View of headscarp of Red Bluffs landslide (adjacent to the Bonneville landslide), looking northwest and showing the bedded volcaniclastic sediments (gray layers) that are dipping about 7 degrees toward the viewer and in which sliding has occurred. The slightly darker gray and orange-brown unit in the top quarter of the scarp face is Columbia River Basalt.

View of headscarp of Red Bluffs landslide (adjacent to the Bonneville landslide), looking northwest and showing the bedded volcaniclastic sediments (gray layers) that are dipping about 7 degrees toward the viewer and in which sliding has occurred. The slightly darker gray and orange-brown unit in the top quarter of the scarp face is Columbia River Basalt.

Rio Chama near La Puente, NM
Indian Paintbrush in front of the Rio Chama in New Mexico
Indian Paintbrush in front of the Rio Chama in New Mexico
Indian Paintbrush in front of the Rio Chama in New Mexico

This photo was taken during a routine site visit to measure streamflow on the Rio Chama in New Mexico. 

Adult alewife spring spawning migration at Stony Brook River in Brewster, Massachusetts.
Adult alewife spring spawning migration at Stony Brook River, MA
Adult alewife spring spawning migration at Stony Brook River, MA
Adult alewife spring spawning migration at Stony Brook River, MA

Adult alewife spring spawning migration at Stony Brook River in Brewster, Massachusetts. Credit: Michelle Staudinger

A dry forest in Guanica, Puerto Rico
Dry Forest in Guanica
Dry Forest in Guanica
Dry Forest in Guanica

Dry Forest in southern Puerto Rico (Guánica municipality). Climate change is projected to make dry landscapes such as these even drier.

Dry Forest in southern Puerto Rico (Guánica municipality). Climate change is projected to make dry landscapes such as these even drier.

delta waters with a significant amount of floating vegetation
Invasive Aquatic Vegetation, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Invasive Aquatic Vegetation, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Invasive Aquatic Vegetation, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Invasive aquatic vegetation chokes Lindsey Slough, creating a potentially challenging environment for fish and other aquatic life. The slough is the site of a 2014 restoration project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to improve freshwater tidal marsh and spawning habitat for Delta smelt and other fish.

Invasive aquatic vegetation chokes Lindsey Slough, creating a potentially challenging environment for fish and other aquatic life. The slough is the site of a 2014 restoration project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to improve freshwater tidal marsh and spawning habitat for Delta smelt and other fish.

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