Understanding the science of climate change: Talking points - impacts to the Pacific Coast

Abstract

The Pacific Coast is an area of incredible biodiversity and diverse landscapes that are subject to a range of effects as regional climates shift. Changes that have already been observed within this bioregion include warmer average temperatures, earlier runoff season, rising sea levels, coastal erosion, species migration, and a longer growing season. In the next century, sea level rise is expected to threaten human communities, natural areas, and cultural resources with erosion and flooding. Developing seawalls and other infrastructure to protect developed areas from inundation may have negative consequences for coastal wetlands that will be blocked from migrating inland as the seas encroach. Groundwater sources may prove unable to meet water demands, and the quality of groundwater may be compromised as seawater infiltrates aquifers. Overall conditions are likely to be drier, though uncertainty exists over whether winter precipitation will trend higher or lower. Summer temperatures will rise more dramatically than winter temperatures, resulting in more frequent and longer-lasting heatwaves. Summer recreational seasons may lengthen due to a longer warm season.

Citation

Schramm, Amanda; Loehman, Rachel. 2012. Understanding the science of climate change: Talking points - impacts to the Pacific Coast. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/CCRP/NRR-2012/513. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Natural Resource Program Center. 35 p.