Image
California coast. Credit: David Ledig (BLM)
Project Information
Principal Investigator(s):
- Glen M MacDonald (University of California, Los Angeles)
- Karen M Thorne (USGS Western Ecological Research Center)
Cooperator/Partner(s):
- Rich Ambrose (University of California, Los Angeles)
- Patrick Barnard (USGS Pacific Science Center)
- Michael L Casazza (USGS Western Ecological Research Center)
- Susan E De La Cruz (USGS Western Ecological Research Center)
- Steven E Schwarzbach (USGS Western Ecological Research Center)
- Glenn R Guntenspergen (USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center)
- Alex Hall (University of California, Los Angeles)
- Bruce E Jaffe (USGS Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center)
- Cory T Overton (University of California, Davis)
- Karen M Thorne (University of California, Davis)
- Susan L Ustin (University of California, Davis)
- Brian Collins (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
- Kenneth Griggs (US Fish and Wildlife Service)
- Eric J Nelson (US Fish and Wildlife Service)
- Andy Yuen (US Fish and Wildlife Service)
- John Y Takekawa (USGS Western Ecological Research Center)
Fiscal Year: 2012
Overview
In California, the near-shore area where the ocean meets the land is a highly productive yet sensitive region that supports a wealth of wildlife, including several native bird species. These saltmarshes, mudflats, and shallow bays are not only critical for wildlife, but they also provide economic and recreational benefits to local communities. Today, sea-level rise, more frequent and stronger storms, saltwater intrusion, and warming water temperatures are among the threats that are altering these important habitats.
To support future planning and conservation of California’s near-shore habitats, researchers are examining current weather patterns, elevations, tides, and sediments at these sites to see how they affect plants and animals. Researchers then are projecting how changes in climate and sea-level rise might alter this delicate balance. Together, this information can be used by California’s coastal land managers to understand the vulnerability of these ecosystems to changing conditions, and plan ahead to implement adaptive management strategies.
These efforts provided the baseline information need to support a follow-on project titled “Effects of Sea-Level Rise and Extreme Storms on California Coastal Habitats: Part 2”.
To support future planning and conservation of California’s near-shore habitats, researchers are examining current weather patterns, elevations, tides, and sediments at these sites to see how they affect plants and animals. Researchers then are projecting how changes in climate and sea-level rise might alter this delicate balance. Together, this information can be used by California’s coastal land managers to understand the vulnerability of these ecosystems to changing conditions, and plan ahead to implement adaptive management strategies.
These efforts provided the baseline information need to support a follow-on project titled “Effects of Sea-Level Rise and Extreme Storms on California Coastal Habitats: Part 2”.