Images

The different components of coastal ecosystems provide services to local communities by shielding them from strong coastal winds and waves and supplying fish for industry, sport and even dinner.

You can find more Climate Illustrations here.

Mangroves absorb and store CO2, provide habitats for animals and fish, and their vast root systems prevent erosion and shield coasts from strong winds and waves.

You can fine more Climate Illustrations here.

Coastal wetlands provide a range of ecosystem services such as storing carbon, reducing flood damage and serve as important habitats for fish, birds and shellfish.

You can find more Climate Illustrations here.

Forest ecosystems are home to trees that capture and store carbon as well as game animals and edible plants provide sources of food and recreation.

You can find more Climate Illustrations here.

Three homes between tall trees and a person fishing in the water along the Kenai River, Alaska.

Researchers performing field work, pounding in wells in the shallow peat of Beaver Creek, AK.

Fishers are seen fishing in the water of the Kenai River in Alaska with trees and mountains in the background.

Three individuals are seen in a blue boat rowing over the Kenai River in late September with a forested mountain and a bit of fog in the background.

Beautiful, early morning sunrise of a reservoir located at the Fish Health Lab in Kearneysville, WV.  This photo was taken during a bird walk to participate in the nationwide Christmas Bird Count conducted by eBird.

Overhead view of the Spokane River, where adult Chinook salmon were released during a multi-tribal ceremonial fish release. During 2022 National American Fisheries Society, many scientists and citizens took part in a ceremonial fish release. Adult Chinook salmon are currently blocked by dams and unable travel upstream to their historic range.

The words "5 Ways Climate Change Affects Caribou" are written in yellow with an icon of a brown caribou with large antlers in the bottom right corner.

Text reads:

"More wildfires lead to less lichen, as lichen can take decades to recover, and is an important food source for caribou in the winter."

Five ways climate change affects manatees.

Graphic created by VSFS intern, Louise Johansson

5 Ways Climate Change Affects Bats.

Graphic created by VSFS intern Louise Johansson.

The sun setting behind the Olympic Mountains from a beach on Hood Canal, Washington.  A beautiful ending of another day.

The words "5 Ways Climate Change Affects Bears" with an image of a bear.

Text reads:

"Drought can reduce the availability of important foods like berries & seeds”

"When less food is available, bears will sometimes turn to garbage bins, bird feeders, & other sources of food found near humans, leading to human-bear conflicts"

Pacific salmon make stunning migrations, swimming hundreds of miles from the ocean up inland rivers. After using all of their energy to make this incredible journey and spawn, the salmon start to decay.

Rising sea levels inundate coastal forests across the Northeast and Southeast coasts, drowning tree roots in salty water. The seawater kills sensitive trees, leaving behind a "ghost forest" of dead and dying timber.

Created by ORISE Fellow Ben Slyngstad.

Warming temperatures and late snowfalls allow winter tick numbers to grow and overwhelm already stressed moose populations. The moose scratch at these ticks, exposing white hair and giving them a mangy and "ghostly" look.

Looking downstream at Underwood Creek at Juneau Boulevard at Elm Grove, Wisconsin in early Autumn. https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/040870855

A railroad crossing over the East Branch Penobscot River located at a streamgage 01029500 in Grindstone, Maine

Mainstem of Salmon River located in Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska. Recent observations from Arctic Alaska indicate that waters draining permafrost landscapes may be susceptible to iron and carbon mobilization following thaw.