Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Landscapes

From boreal forests to coral reefs, the United States is home to a plethora of diverse ecosystems, each of which faces different challenges under climate change. CASC-supported scientists are examining how landscapes of all types are being affected by changing temperature and precipitation patterns and how managers can best facilitate climate adaptation. Browse our projects by landscape below. 

Filter Total Items: 325

Effects of global change on alpine and subalpine ecosystems

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition, climate change and recreation are rapidly altering high elevation ecosystems. This project will evaluate long-term biogeochemical, hydrological, and ecological trends in Rocky Mountain National Park to understand the causes and rates of change in alpine and subalpine waters, soils, and vegetation. Resource managers of high-elevation, protected lands can use the...
link

Effects of global change on alpine and subalpine ecosystems

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition, climate change and recreation are rapidly altering high elevation ecosystems. This project will evaluate long-term biogeochemical, hydrological, and ecological trends in Rocky Mountain National Park to understand the causes and rates of change in alpine and subalpine waters, soils, and vegetation. Resource managers of high-elevation, protected lands can use the...
Learn More

After the Dams: Fire Impacts and Restoration Opportunities for a Culturally Important Klamath River Willow

Project Overview The sandbar willow of the Klamath River is used within the Karuk Tribe’s ongoing cultural practices of basketweaving. The willow has been threatened by intensifying fire and dams, but restoration and the recent historical dam removals provide an opportunity to increase the quantity, quality, and access to this important resource. Researchers supported by this Southwest...
link

After the Dams: Fire Impacts and Restoration Opportunities for a Culturally Important Klamath River Willow

Project Overview The sandbar willow of the Klamath River is used within the Karuk Tribe’s ongoing cultural practices of basketweaving. The willow has been threatened by intensifying fire and dams, but restoration and the recent historical dam removals provide an opportunity to increase the quantity, quality, and access to this important resource. Researchers supported by this Southwest CASC projec
Learn More

Building Climate-Resilient Rangelands Amidst Fire, Grazing, and Ecological Invasion in California

Rangelands in California face significant challenges from climate change, wildfires, and invasive species, threatening their productivity and the benefits they provide to local communities. Researchers supported by this Southwest CASC project will develop a management framework for restoring climate-resilient rangelands in California by examining interactions between fire, grazing, and...
link

Building Climate-Resilient Rangelands Amidst Fire, Grazing, and Ecological Invasion in California

Rangelands in California face significant challenges from climate change, wildfires, and invasive species, threatening their productivity and the benefits they provide to local communities. Researchers supported by this Southwest CASC project will develop a management framework for restoring climate-resilient rangelands in California by examining interactions between fire, grazing, and plant invas
Learn More

Climate Adaptation in Northeastern Forests to Support Birds of Conservation Concern and Ecosystem Services

Climate change, invasive species, and diseases are threatening Northeastern forests, with consequences for bird populations and carbon storage. Researchers supported by this Northeast CASC project will evaluate whether already-implemented climate adaptation strategies in the region have been effective at protecting bird habitat and what the implications of carbon storage have been. The...
link

Climate Adaptation in Northeastern Forests to Support Birds of Conservation Concern and Ecosystem Services

Climate change, invasive species, and diseases are threatening Northeastern forests, with consequences for bird populations and carbon storage. Researchers supported by this Northeast CASC project will evaluate whether already-implemented climate adaptation strategies in the region have been effective at protecting bird habitat and what the implications of carbon storage have been. The analyses wi
Learn More

Climate Smart Forest Adaptation in the Wake of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is an insect causing extensive hemlock tree die-offs in the northeast, and a lack of information on climate adaptation practices is hindering effective forest management. With the overall goal of fostering resilient forests that support northeastern hemlock ecosystems and wildlife, researchers supported by this Northeast-CASC project will work with land...
link

Climate Smart Forest Adaptation in the Wake of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is an insect causing extensive hemlock tree die-offs in the northeast, and a lack of information on climate adaptation practices is hindering effective forest management. With the overall goal of fostering resilient forests that support northeastern hemlock ecosystems and wildlife, researchers supported by this Northeast-CASC project will work with land managers to
Learn More

Increasing Giant Sequoia Reforestation Success after Catastrophic Wildfire Using Soil and Microbial Indicators

Recent catastrophic droughts and wildfires have killed almost 20% of mature giant sequoia trees across California, and it is uncertain whether natural seedling regeneration will be enough to restore these forests, especially in severely burned areas. Researchers supported by this Southwest CASC project will assess whether soil conditions, such as moisture and soil microbial communities...
link

Increasing Giant Sequoia Reforestation Success after Catastrophic Wildfire Using Soil and Microbial Indicators

Recent catastrophic droughts and wildfires have killed almost 20% of mature giant sequoia trees across California, and it is uncertain whether natural seedling regeneration will be enough to restore these forests, especially in severely burned areas. Researchers supported by this Southwest CASC project will assess whether soil conditions, such as moisture and soil microbial communities can increas
Learn More

Mapping Habitat Connectivity and Climate Refugia in Headwater Ecosystems to Support Amphibian Conservation

Forests in the Pacific Northwest support an extensive network of headwater streams and critical habitats for over 50 amphibian species, but face challenges from historical resource extraction, forest management, and climate change. Researchers supported by this Northwest CASC project will identify and map climate refugia to guide conservation strategies for at-risk amphibians, producing...
link

Mapping Habitat Connectivity and Climate Refugia in Headwater Ecosystems to Support Amphibian Conservation

Forests in the Pacific Northwest support an extensive network of headwater streams and critical habitats for over 50 amphibian species, but face challenges from historical resource extraction, forest management, and climate change. Researchers supported by this Northwest CASC project will identify and map climate refugia to guide conservation strategies for at-risk amphibians, producing tools and
Learn More

Optimizing Invasive Plant Management in Grasslands with Remote Sensing and Climate Sciences

Tallgrass prairies in the U.S. Southern Great Plains are threatened by the aggressive invasive plant Lespedeza cuneata, and climate change is expected to affect its spread in complex ways. Researchers supported by this South Central CASC project will use remote sensing, climate science, and ecological modelling to detect the plant, identify climate factors driving its spread, and...
link

Optimizing Invasive Plant Management in Grasslands with Remote Sensing and Climate Sciences

Tallgrass prairies in the U.S. Southern Great Plains are threatened by the aggressive invasive plant Lespedeza cuneata, and climate change is expected to affect its spread in complex ways. Researchers supported by this South Central CASC project will use remote sensing, climate science, and ecological modelling to detect the plant, identify climate factors driving its spread, and identify future v
Learn More

Restoring Climate-Resilient Atlantic White Cedar Wetland Forests in the Northeast: Lessons from Culture and Science

Much of the cranberry bog farmland in Massachusetts used to be Atlantic white cedar ecosystems, which provide important habitat, water filtration, and cooling effects on the landscape. Researchers supported by this Northeast CASC project will experiment with modern restoration strategies and integrate Indigenous cultural stewardship practices to build and sustain climate-resilient...
link

Restoring Climate-Resilient Atlantic White Cedar Wetland Forests in the Northeast: Lessons from Culture and Science

Much of the cranberry bog farmland in Massachusetts used to be Atlantic white cedar ecosystems, which provide important habitat, water filtration, and cooling effects on the landscape. Researchers supported by this Northeast CASC project will experiment with modern restoration strategies and integrate Indigenous cultural stewardship practices to build and sustain climate-resilient Atlantic white c
Learn More

Science-Driven Methods for Scaling Afforestation of Dry Grass-Dominated Landscapes

Project Overview Restoring grass-dominated landscapes into resilient forested ecosystems is a key strategy for addressing the growing risk of wildfire Hawaiʻi. However, conventional afforestation efforts typically require regular maintenance due to the persistent invasion of grasses in planted areas. In collaboration with Native Hawaiian Organizations, researchers supported by this...
link

Science-Driven Methods for Scaling Afforestation of Dry Grass-Dominated Landscapes

Project Overview Restoring grass-dominated landscapes into resilient forested ecosystems is a key strategy for addressing the growing risk of wildfire Hawaiʻi. However, conventional afforestation efforts typically require regular maintenance due to the persistent invasion of grasses in planted areas. In collaboration with Native Hawaiian Organizations, researchers supported by this Pacific Islands
Learn More

Using Plant Functional Traits to Design and Restore Resilient Landscapes in Guam

Project Overview Guam’s forests are vital to the ecosystem and local communities, but they face threats from wildfires, water quality, and invasive species, among others. To restore these ecosystems, researchers supported by this Pacific Islands CASC project will research the roles of native plants by identifying their “functional traits,” and using that knowledge to select species for...
link

Using Plant Functional Traits to Design and Restore Resilient Landscapes in Guam

Project Overview Guam’s forests are vital to the ecosystem and local communities, but they face threats from wildfires, water quality, and invasive species, among others. To restore these ecosystems, researchers supported by this Pacific Islands CASC project will research the roles of native plants by identifying their “functional traits,” and using that knowledge to select species for restoratio
Learn More

Developing science syntheses to facilitate climate-informed land management decisions and NEPA analyses on rangelands in the sagebrush biome

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal public land managers to assess potential environmental impacts of proposed actions. The USGS, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado State University, and North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center are working together to develop science syntheses that can facilitate considerations of climate change in...
link

Developing science syntheses to facilitate climate-informed land management decisions and NEPA analyses on rangelands in the sagebrush biome

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal public land managers to assess potential environmental impacts of proposed actions. The USGS, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado State University, and North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center are working together to develop science syntheses that can facilitate considerations of climate change in...
Learn More
Was this page helpful?