Extreme Weather and Climate Events
Extreme Weather and Climate Events
Explore our projects on extreme weather and climate events.
Filter Total Items: 339
Forecasting Tools to Inform the Management of Native Fishes and Their Habitats in a Drought Sensitive Terminal Lake System
Project Overview Terminal lake systems, water sources that are confined to streams, wetlands, and seasonal lakes that do not flow into the ocean, are greatly impacted by climate effects such as drought, reduced snowpack and increased wildfire activity. As a result, managers are faced with a lack of resources to study these aquatic habitats and the residing native fish. Researchers...
From Water to Life: Impact of Climate Warming on Potential Wetland and First Foods Habitat in Traditional Use Areas of The Klamath Tribes
Project Overview First foods are integral components of the culture, spirituality, medicine, well-being, and health of the Klamath people. Throughout the Klamath Basin, climate change has substantially impacted the seasonality, abundance, and quality of first foods and other culturally important resources. These impacts compound with long-term challenges to food security and food...
Spurring Innovation in Adaptation to Altered Fire Regimes in the Sonoran Desert
Project Overview The biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert has been impacted by more frequent and more intense wildfires, as many of the plant species are unable to withstand nor regenerate after a severe fire. Researchers supported by this Southwest CASC project will aid managers by addressing knowledge gaps in ecological restoration, as well as the challenges that come with restoration in...
Translating Science to Action in Southern California’s Montane Forests
Project Overview The montane forests of Southern California provide countless ecosystem services to the surrounding region, but as they face many climate-related impacts, particularly changes to wildfire regimes, the conservation of these forests is becoming increasingly important. Researchers supported by this Southwest CASC project will leverage and extend an established collaborative...
Accelerating Science to Action Partnerships (ASAP): Implementing science-driven adaptation strategies in the 2-3-2 Landscape
Project Overview In the Southwestern U.S., decades of wildfire suppression, drought, and climate-drive aridification have resulted in unnatural fuel-loading across forests and grasslands. With wildfire severity and frequency on the rise, communities and ecosystems are seeing more post-fire impacts such as flooding and debris flow as well. Researchers supported by this Southwest CASC...
Supporting Effective Fire Risk Management Through Research: A Collaboration Between the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center and the Joint Fire Science Program
Project Overview Fire regimes are changing in multiple ways, from longer, more extreme wildfire seasons to restricted opportunities for preventative fire management. Researchers supported by this Southwest CASC collaboration will strengthen partnerships among other researchers and managers to implement science-based management approaches for adapting to changing fire regimes. Through...
Assessing the vulnerability of cultural resources to rainfall-driven erosion in the Deadman Wash and Wupatki Wash drainages of Wupatki National Monument, Arizona
Project Overview Increased precipitation events and environmental damage from wildfires have resulted in more severe flooding events in the southwest. While these events have impacts across the landscape, it has had a significant impact on cultural resources within the region’s National Parks and Monuments. Wupakti National Monument in particular has experienced adverse resource impacts...
Habitat Evaluation Framework for Eastern Hellbender Recovery in Western North Carolina Post-Hurricane Helene
Project Overview: Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and wildlife habitat in western North Carolina. Resulting disruptions to stream ecosystems have threatened species like the eastern hellbender, a fully aquatic salamander and key indicator of stream health. Scientists supported by this Southeast CASC project will compile and evaluate pre-storm habitat...
Provide Support for Midwest National Parks to Prepare for Natural Hazards and Infrastructure Management
Project Overview Climate and weather hazards are increasingly impacting National Park Service infrastructure, natural and cultural resources, and visitor use in the Midwest, with projected increases in precipitation and stormflow heightening risks to park assets and public safety. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will assess infrastructure vulnerability and climate risk...
Spread of invasive vegetation under climate change in the national parks of the Klamath Region
Project Overview: The Klamath Region of Oregon and California is a global hotspot of biodiversity, but invasive species, climate change, and severe fires threaten native biodiversity, even within national parks. Scientists supported by this Southwest CASC project will create early-warning maps of where invasive plants are most likely to spread, helping national park managers target their
Emergent threats from the interactions of heat extremes and wildland fire across Alaska
Project Overview Increasing heat and drought extremes are influencing the severity of wildfires in Alaska which, in turn, has led to an increase in smoky days. As a result, local communities are experiencing a rise in respiratory and cardiovascular issues. The researchers supported by this Alaska CASC project will collaborate with environmental health and fire management experts to...
Adding Fuel to the Fire: Determining Vegetation-Specific Drought Timescales That Enhance Fuel Flammability and Fire Potential
Project Overview Increasing severe drought events occurring across the Colorado Plateau can harm vegetation and create drier and more flammable fuel for wildfire. Researchers supported by this Southwest CASC project will analyze drought indices and satellite data to show how quickly after drought begins that different types of vegetation across the region show signs of health declines...