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A Synthesis of Climate Change Refugia Science and Management Actions to Inform Climate Adaptation in the Southwest

Gassy steppe with shrubs and one tree

Panoche Hills Management Area in Fresno, CA. Credit: Public Domain

Project Summary

Principal Investigator(s):

  • Toni Lyn Morelli (USGS Northeast CASC)

Co-Investigator(s):

  • Aaron Ramirez (Reed College)

Cooperator/Partner(s):

  • Theresa Crimmins (National Phenology Network)
  • Alyssa Rosemartin (National Phenology Network)
  • Connie Millar (U.S. Forest Service)
  • Sarah Sawyer (U.S. Forest Service)
  • Deanna Dulen (National Park Service)
  • Tatiana Eaves (Science Advances)

Fiscal Year: 2019

Start Date: 09/01/2019

End Date: 08/31/2021

Project Overview 

Summary:  

The impacts of climate change are widespread and accelerating. It is daunting for resource managers to determine how to use increasingly limited staff time and funding to conserve species and ecosystems. The Refugia Research Coalition is a national framework that brings together researchers and managers to identify and develop conservation strategies for “climate change refugia”, areas that remain relatively buffered from contemporary climate change over time and enable persistence of valued physical, ecological, and socio-cultural resources. 

Expanding on previous work carried out in the Northwest and Northeast regions, this project will produce a list of priority species and habitats, generated by local and regional resource managers, and a synthesis of relevant science and management actions related to climate change refugia in the Southwest region. Researchers will also identify any knowledge gaps that could be the focus of future collaborations and funding. Ultimately, this project will result in syntheses and guidelines for federal and state agency partners, tribal nations, and conservation practitioners to support the prioritization of areas for climate change adaptation that are focused on climate change refugia.

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