Ecological Drought
Droughts can be defined as meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, and/or ecological. Ecological drought is when below-normal water supplies create multiple stressors across ecosystems. USGS scientists are researching the ecological impacts of drought across the country.
Ecological Drought Across the Country: Understanding the Impacts Region by Region
In 2015, the Climate Science Centers (CSCs), National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC), and university partners undertook the challenge of understanding the regional effects of drought on wildlife and ecosystems, identifing potential threats to valued resources, and prioritizing research efforts that consider potential drought effects on ecological systems. To support this initiative, NCCWSC is partnering with the University of Maryland’s Integration and Application Network (IAN) to hold a series of 8 workshops, one with each of the 8 CSC regions. These workshops are aimed at collating existing knowledge of the ecological impacts of and resistance and adaptation to drought across the U.S. These are the workshops which have taken place so far:
- Ecological Drought in Alaska: Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on a Large, Diverse, Remote Landscape
- Ecological Drought in the North Central United States: Droughts of the Future Will Not Be the Droughts of the Past
- Ecological Drought in the Northeast United States: Anticipating Changes to Iconic Species, Landscapes, and Ecosystems
- Ecological Drought in the South Central United States: Time is Not on Our Side
Assessing Vulnerability and Developing Solutions for People and Nature
An interdisciplinary working group within the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) was established by USGS, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Nature Conservancy to synthesize our current understanding of the ecological impacts of drought and its implications for human health and well-being. The SNAP working group will hold four meetings, each with an explicit purpose:
1. “The Knowns”: Synthesize our current understanding of ecological drought and locate ecosystems that are particularly sensitive to drought
2. “The Needs”: Gather stakeholders to prioritize drought management needs
3. “The Solutions”: Identify management solutions that benefit both humans and nature
4. “The Real World”: Demonstrate how the results of the first three workshops can be implemented on-the-ground in drought adaptation and preparedness efforts
More information about the working group is available on the SNAPP Ecological Drought web site.
Identifying and Evaluating Refugia from Drought and Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest
Warmer temperatures and less precipitation in the western U.S. related to climate change are harming many important natural resources, including forests, rivers, and many fish and wildlife species. Climate refugia provide a potential opportunity for conserving resources and biodiversity in the face of climate change. These refugia are places where the climate will likely change less than the surrounding landscape and/or places in a landscape where species may move to find more suitable climates.
Understanding Ecological Drought Impacts on Pacific Northwest Estuaries
In the Pacific Northwest, coastal ecosystems are highly productive areas that support millions of migratory waterbirds, shellfish, salmon and related fish. These species depend on food and habitats provided by estuaries (coastal tidal areas where streams and rivers flow into the ocean) for successful migration and breeding. Climate change effects such as drought, sea-level rise, and changing freshwater flow, precipitation, and temperatures will alter these important habitats. USGS scientists and partners are examining how changing ocean and freshwater patterns and conditions will influence estuary habitats.
Droughts can be defined as meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, and/or ecological. Ecological drought is when below-normal water supplies create multiple stressors across ecosystems. USGS scientists are researching the ecological impacts of drought across the country.
Ecological Drought Across the Country: Understanding the Impacts Region by Region
In 2015, the Climate Science Centers (CSCs), National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC), and university partners undertook the challenge of understanding the regional effects of drought on wildlife and ecosystems, identifing potential threats to valued resources, and prioritizing research efforts that consider potential drought effects on ecological systems. To support this initiative, NCCWSC is partnering with the University of Maryland’s Integration and Application Network (IAN) to hold a series of 8 workshops, one with each of the 8 CSC regions. These workshops are aimed at collating existing knowledge of the ecological impacts of and resistance and adaptation to drought across the U.S. These are the workshops which have taken place so far:
- Ecological Drought in Alaska: Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on a Large, Diverse, Remote Landscape
- Ecological Drought in the North Central United States: Droughts of the Future Will Not Be the Droughts of the Past
- Ecological Drought in the Northeast United States: Anticipating Changes to Iconic Species, Landscapes, and Ecosystems
- Ecological Drought in the South Central United States: Time is Not on Our Side
Assessing Vulnerability and Developing Solutions for People and Nature
An interdisciplinary working group within the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) was established by USGS, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Nature Conservancy to synthesize our current understanding of the ecological impacts of drought and its implications for human health and well-being. The SNAP working group will hold four meetings, each with an explicit purpose:
1. “The Knowns”: Synthesize our current understanding of ecological drought and locate ecosystems that are particularly sensitive to drought
2. “The Needs”: Gather stakeholders to prioritize drought management needs
3. “The Solutions”: Identify management solutions that benefit both humans and nature
4. “The Real World”: Demonstrate how the results of the first three workshops can be implemented on-the-ground in drought adaptation and preparedness efforts
More information about the working group is available on the SNAPP Ecological Drought web site.
Identifying and Evaluating Refugia from Drought and Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest
Warmer temperatures and less precipitation in the western U.S. related to climate change are harming many important natural resources, including forests, rivers, and many fish and wildlife species. Climate refugia provide a potential opportunity for conserving resources and biodiversity in the face of climate change. These refugia are places where the climate will likely change less than the surrounding landscape and/or places in a landscape where species may move to find more suitable climates.
Understanding Ecological Drought Impacts on Pacific Northwest Estuaries
In the Pacific Northwest, coastal ecosystems are highly productive areas that support millions of migratory waterbirds, shellfish, salmon and related fish. These species depend on food and habitats provided by estuaries (coastal tidal areas where streams and rivers flow into the ocean) for successful migration and breeding. Climate change effects such as drought, sea-level rise, and changing freshwater flow, precipitation, and temperatures will alter these important habitats. USGS scientists and partners are examining how changing ocean and freshwater patterns and conditions will influence estuary habitats.