Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Wildlife and Plants

Wildlife and plants face many threats from climate change, including increased competition from invasive species, loss of access to freshwater, and shifting air and water temperatures. The CASCs study how fish, wildlife, and plants are responding to climate change and how resource managers can promote species' adaptation and resilience in the face of shifting conditions. Browse our projects.

Filter Total Items: 487

Accelerating the Scale and Impact of the Southeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network (SE RISCC)

An invasive species is a species that is not native to a location and that rapidly grows and spreads in its new range, often damaging native plants and wildlife. At present, the southeastern USA harbors thousands of invasive plants and animals, which were introduced intentionally through the plant and pet trade or unintentionally through other forms of commercial trade. Many of these invasive spec
link

Accelerating the Scale and Impact of the Southeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network (SE RISCC)

An invasive species is a species that is not native to a location and that rapidly grows and spreads in its new range, often damaging native plants and wildlife. At present, the southeastern USA harbors thousands of invasive plants and animals, which were introduced intentionally through the plant and pet trade or unintentionally through other forms of commercial trade. Many of these invasive spec
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 analyses wi
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-Informed Disease Threat Assessment for Montana’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Project Overview Infectious disease poses a growing threat to wildlife and human health, and managing disease threats is complicated by climatic changes that can change levels of disease risk. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will co-develop a method to rank wildlife disease threats under climate change, providing critical useable information to Montana’s wildlife manager
link

Climate-Informed Disease Threat Assessment for Montana’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Project Overview Infectious disease poses a growing threat to wildlife and human health, and managing disease threats is complicated by climatic changes that can change levels of disease risk. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will co-develop a method to rank wildlife disease threats under climate change, providing critical useable information to Montana’s wildlife manager
Learn More

Does Less Ice Cover Lead to More Turbulent Overwinter Conditions on Great Lakes Fish Spawning Reefs?

Project Overview Declining winter ice cover in the Great Lakes can affect how winds and waves influence coldwater fish reproduction on reefs, as ice cover may shield fish from these forces. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will measure water movement and ice cover in Lake Erie to model future scenarios, helping fishery managers in the region make habitat restoration and fish stoc
link

Does Less Ice Cover Lead to More Turbulent Overwinter Conditions on Great Lakes Fish Spawning Reefs?

Project Overview Declining winter ice cover in the Great Lakes can affect how winds and waves influence coldwater fish reproduction on reefs, as ice cover may shield fish from these forces. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will measure water movement and ice cover in Lake Erie to model future scenarios, helping fishery managers in the region make habitat restoration and fish stoc
Learn More

Evaluating Corridor Conservation as a Drought Resiliency Strategy for Mule Deer Across a Gradient in Human Development

Project Overview Migratory big game species, like mule deer, are at risk due to human development and more frequent drought events that can limit access to food resources during migration. To address this, researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will collaborate with State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to examine the effectiveness of corridor conservation as a strategy to improve
link

Evaluating Corridor Conservation as a Drought Resiliency Strategy for Mule Deer Across a Gradient in Human Development

Project Overview Migratory big game species, like mule deer, are at risk due to human development and more frequent drought events that can limit access to food resources during migration. To address this, researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will collaborate with State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to examine the effectiveness of corridor conservation as a strategy to improve
Learn More

Identifying the Environmental Limits of Aquatic Species in Prairie Streams to Build Climate Resilience

Project Overview Climate change and human activities are threatening many sensitive aquatic species in prairie streams across the Great Plains region. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will combine and analyze data collected independently by Great Plains states to identify thresholds of environmental change that may lead to species loss and changes in aquatic communities. Th
link

Identifying the Environmental Limits of Aquatic Species in Prairie Streams to Build Climate Resilience

Project Overview Climate change and human activities are threatening many sensitive aquatic species in prairie streams across the Great Plains region. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will combine and analyze data collected independently by Great Plains states to identify thresholds of environmental change that may lead to species loss and changes in aquatic communities. Th
Learn More

Informing Management Options for grizzly bears in a Changing Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Project Overview The iconic grizzly bear of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has exhibited a remarkable recovery in response to concerted conservation actions implemented since its listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. However, information regarding the potential effects and timing of climate change in conjunction with increasing human recreation and development will be
link

Informing Management Options for grizzly bears in a Changing Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Project Overview The iconic grizzly bear of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has exhibited a remarkable recovery in response to concerted conservation actions implemented since its listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. However, information regarding the potential effects and timing of climate change in conjunction with increasing human recreation and development will be
Learn More

Leveraging Existing Data to Assess the Vulnerability of Native Salmonid Populations in the Greater Yellowstone Area

Project Overview: Native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYA) are ecologically and socio-economically important species, but are threatened by drought, rising water temperatures, habitat loss, and non-native species. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will use climate data and extensive population records to assess the
link

Leveraging Existing Data to Assess the Vulnerability of Native Salmonid Populations in the Greater Yellowstone Area

Project Overview: Native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYA) are ecologically and socio-economically important species, but are threatened by drought, rising water temperatures, habitat loss, and non-native species. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will use climate data and extensive population records to assess the
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 identify future v
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

Relieving the Sting: Spatial Prioritization for Pollinator Conservation Under a Changing Climate

Project Overview The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, and other native bees and pollinators, are declining due to climate change, habitat loss, and other stressors like pathogens and pesticide-use. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will study how certain stressors interact to affect the geographic distribution of Rusty Patched Bumble Bees, using mapping techniques and future climate data
link

Relieving the Sting: Spatial Prioritization for Pollinator Conservation Under a Changing Climate

Project Overview The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, and other native bees and pollinators, are declining due to climate change, habitat loss, and other stressors like pathogens and pesticide-use. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will study how certain stressors interact to affect the geographic distribution of Rusty Patched Bumble Bees, using mapping techniques and future climate data
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

Soil-climate for Managing Sagebrush Ecosystems

Soil-climate describes the temperature and moisture conditions important for plant growth and function. Soil condition patterns determine which vegetation is most abundant, thus controlling which habitats, invasive species, fuels, and economic activities are present in a region. Here, we use a model to simulate the vertical movement of water in a soil profile to provide insights into landscape...
link

Soil-climate for Managing Sagebrush Ecosystems

Soil-climate describes the temperature and moisture conditions important for plant growth and function. Soil condition patterns determine which vegetation is most abundant, thus controlling which habitats, invasive species, fuels, and economic activities are present in a region. Here, we use a model to simulate the vertical movement of water in a soil profile to provide insights into landscape...
Learn More
Was this page helpful?