Climate adaptation [Chapter L.]

Abstract

Average annual temperature over the contiguous United States has increased by 0.7 degrees Celsius (°C; 1.2 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) for the period 1986-2016 compared to 1901-1960 (Vose and others, 2017). Warming temperatures, increased frequency of heat waves, and possibly drought have likely contributed to longer fire seasons, more extreme fire weather, and consequently, larger amounts of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) burned each year. Future climate warming and alterations in timing of seasonal precipitation may impact the distribution of sagebrush and invasive plants, and further increase the frequency and severity of fires and duration of fire seasons. The degree and spatial extent of these impacts of warming climates on the sagebrush biome will depend on the degree and rate of warming and changes in timing and amount of precipitation. View entire publication here.

Citation

Adler, Peter B.; Bradford, John B.; Chalfoun, Anna; Chambers, Jeanne C.; DeCrappeo, Nicole; Evans, Jeffrey S.; Finn, Sean P.; Fleishman, Erica; Germino, Matthew J.; Griffin, Kathleen; Jackson, Steven T.; O’Donnell, Michael S.; O’Malley, Robin; Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Prendeville, Holly R.; Skone, Brandi; Svancara, Leona K.; Turner, Lee. 2021. Climate adaptation [Chapter L.]. In: Remington, Thomas E.; Deibert, Patricia A.; Hanser, Steven E.; Davis, Dawn M.; Robb, Leslie A.; Welty, Justin L. Sagebrush conservation strategy - Challenges to sagebrush conservation. Open-File Report 2020-1125. Reston, VA: U.S. Geological Survey. p. 121-137. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201125.