Climate change vulnerability and adaptation for infrastructure and recreation in the Sierra Nevada

Abstract

A vulnerability assessment was conducted on the effects of climate change on infrastructure and outdoor recreation in the Sierra Nevada, including adaptation options that minimize negative impacts of climate change and facilitate a transition to a warmer climate. At vulnerable or flood-prone sites, resilience near stream crossings and in floodplains can be enhanced by designing infrastructure to withstand more frequent and severe flood events, and by upsizing or upgrading existing infrastructure to withstand flooding. Some roads and other infrastructure can be decommissioned or moved to mitigate risks. Following wildfires, managers can prioritize slope stabilization projects for infrastructure near unstable slopes and riverbanks, increase monitoring of soil and slope conditions, and restrict public access to sites where unstable soils create safety hazards. Increased recreation is projected for the Sierra Nevada, so adequate staffing and resources will be needed to aid delivery of recreation opportunities and to maintain visitor safety. Limits on visitation through determination of carrying and social capacity may be increasingly necessary, as will communication about alternative recreation areas, alternative activities, and warnings about potential crowding. Expanding partnerships among federal, state, and local agencies will increase the capacity of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and other organizations to maintain functional ecosystems, water resources, and recreation and transportation infrastructure.

Titles contained within Climate change vulnerability and adaptation for infrastructure and recreation in the Sierra Nevada

• Introduction
• Climate change effects in the Sierra Nevada
• Climate change effects on hydrologic processes and water resources in the Sierra Nevada
• Climate change and infrastructure in the Sierra Nevada
• Effects of climate change on outdoor recreation in the Sierra Nevada
• Adapting infrastructure and recreation in the Sierra Nevada to climate change
• Conclusions

Citation

Halofsky, Jessica E.; Peterson, David L.; Buluç, Lara Y.; Ko, Jason M., eds. 2021. Climate change vulnerability and adaptation for infrastructure and recreation in the Sierra Nevada. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-272. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 275 p. https://doi.org/10.2737/PSW-GTR-272