The Climate Change Adaptation Library for the Western United States

External Tool Developers: Jessica Halofsky, Summer Kemp-Jennings

Description

The Climate Change Adaptation Library was recently developed to assist resource managers and planners with responding to climate change effects. The Library was derived from four climate change vulnerability and adaptation projects encompassing 21 national forests and six national parks in the western United States. Adaptation strategies (general approaches) and tactics (on-the-ground actions) were developed for vegetation, hydrology and infrastructure, fisheries, wildlife, and recreation. Nearly 1000 participants in 14 workshops identified 145 adaptation strategies and 468 adaptation tactics. These strategies and tactics were compiled into a Climate Change Adaptation Library for the Western United States, to be used as a resource for others interested in climate change adaptation in natural resources.

Purpose and Scope

Adaptation options in the Library are intended to inform sustainable management of natural resources, reduce the negative effects of climate change, transition ecosystems to a warmer climate, and help integrate climate change in natural resource management, planning, and business operations of federal land management agencies. Adaptation options in the library were developed in the Pacific Northwestern U.S. and Rocky Mountains, but many of the options are applicable in other regions.

Use

This collection of adaptation options in the Library can be used in a variety of applications, including planning documents (e.g., land management plans), resource management strategies (e.g., conservation plans), project design (e.g., activities at specific locations), and resource monitoring evaluations (e.g., monitoring objectives).