Identifying Past and Future Climate Change Refugia for Midwestern Birds
Project Overview
In the Midwest, climate change is forcing birds to shift their ranges, raising concerns about how well protected areas provide refuge for vulnerable bird species. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will use two decades of bird monitoring data to evaluate how protected areas in the Upper Great Lakes region support birds now and in the future under changing climate and land-use conditions. The project will produce maps that identify vulnerable species and critical areas for their protection that agencies and land managers can use to prioritize conservation action in the region.
Public Summary
Throughout the Midwest, climate change is causing rising temperatures and extreme weather, forcing birds to adapt and shift their ranges. Birds play critical roles in ecosystems by dispersing seeds, pollinating plants, and supporting cultural and recreational activities. Conservation organizations invest significant time and resources into establishing and managing protected areas (e.g., natural areas or wildlife sanctuaries) to safeguard threatened species. These areas are assumed to provide refugia where species can adapt and reduce their risk of extinction. However, it is unclear whether these protected areas are effective refuges for birds now and in the future.
The goal of this project is to evaluate if protected areas in the Upper Great Lakes region reduce the vulnerability of birds to modern climate change. The team will collaborate with private organizations and government agencies to conduct these assessments. Using over two decades of bird monitoring data, protected area databases, and climate models, the researchers will track past range shifts and predict future changes in bird communities. This approach allows the researchers to identify which species are most vulnerable to climate change, where shifts are occurring, and if protected areas help preserve bird populations.
The team will produce a regional assessment, including maps of vulnerable species, areas critical for bird conservation, and scenarios of future biodiversity patterns under different climate and land-use conditions. These findings can help conservation agencies and land managers prioritize protected areas for effective protection and management of birds in the Midwest.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 6674658ad34e68d163086ba8)
Project Overview
In the Midwest, climate change is forcing birds to shift their ranges, raising concerns about how well protected areas provide refuge for vulnerable bird species. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will use two decades of bird monitoring data to evaluate how protected areas in the Upper Great Lakes region support birds now and in the future under changing climate and land-use conditions. The project will produce maps that identify vulnerable species and critical areas for their protection that agencies and land managers can use to prioritize conservation action in the region.
Public Summary
Throughout the Midwest, climate change is causing rising temperatures and extreme weather, forcing birds to adapt and shift their ranges. Birds play critical roles in ecosystems by dispersing seeds, pollinating plants, and supporting cultural and recreational activities. Conservation organizations invest significant time and resources into establishing and managing protected areas (e.g., natural areas or wildlife sanctuaries) to safeguard threatened species. These areas are assumed to provide refugia where species can adapt and reduce their risk of extinction. However, it is unclear whether these protected areas are effective refuges for birds now and in the future.
The goal of this project is to evaluate if protected areas in the Upper Great Lakes region reduce the vulnerability of birds to modern climate change. The team will collaborate with private organizations and government agencies to conduct these assessments. Using over two decades of bird monitoring data, protected area databases, and climate models, the researchers will track past range shifts and predict future changes in bird communities. This approach allows the researchers to identify which species are most vulnerable to climate change, where shifts are occurring, and if protected areas help preserve bird populations.
The team will produce a regional assessment, including maps of vulnerable species, areas critical for bird conservation, and scenarios of future biodiversity patterns under different climate and land-use conditions. These findings can help conservation agencies and land managers prioritize protected areas for effective protection and management of birds in the Midwest.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 6674658ad34e68d163086ba8)