Understanding the science of climate change: Talking points - Impacts to Prairie Potholes and Grasslands

Abstract

Climate changes in the Prairie Potholes and Grasslands bioregion include increased seasonal, annual, minimum, and maximum temperature and changing precipitation patterns. Because the region is relatively dry with a strong seasonal climate, it is sensitive to climatic changes and vulnerable to changes in climatic regime. For example, model simulations show that regional drought in the Prairie Pothole Region may result in loss of valuable habitat for breeding waterfowl, from an area that historically has produced 50-80% of the continent's ducks. Other impacts include potential vegetation shifts from C3 to C4 grassland communities, increased wildfires, changes in wetland hydrology, altered carbon balance, and phenological shifts.

Citation

Loehman, Rachel. 2009. Understanding the science of climate change: Talking points - Impacts to Prairie Potholes and Grasslands. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/NRR - 2009/138. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Natural Resource Program Center. 31 p.