NECSC Projects

Critically Evaluating Existing Methods and Supporting a Standardization of Terrestrial and Wetland Habitat Classification and Mapping that Includes Characterization of Climate Sensitive Systems

This project coordinates with partners to provide a systematic comparison of existing habitat classification and mapping products within the footprint of the Northeast Climate Science Center (NECSC), a merged and improved map product as far as possible, an evaluation of habitats vulnerable to climate change within the region, and recommendations for needed improvement in habitat mapping products for the future. Tasks will be organized within the four-phase outline recommended in the addendum to the proposal solicitation. Read more »

Characterization of Spatial and Temporal Variability in Fishes in Response to Climate Change

Predicting population responses to climate change requires an understanding of how population dynamics vary over space and time. For instance, a measured indicator may vary among repeated samples from a single site, from site to site within a lake, from lake to lake, and over time. Although variability has historically been viewed as an impediment to understanding population responses to ecological changes, the structure of variation can also be an important part of the response. Read more »

Developing Fish Trophic Interaction Indicators of Climate Change for the Great Lakes

Over the past century, large variations in Great Lake’s fishery resources have occurred with many resulting in undesirable consequences for the resources stakeholders. These changes are often associated with dramatic shifts in food web structure that have consequences to the sustainability of fishery resources and the regional economies that depend on the resources. Read more »

Bringing people, data, and models together – addressing impacts of climate change on stream temperature

Few previous studies have focused on how climate change may impact headwater systems, despite the importance of these areas for aquatic refugia. The lack of these studies has resulted in the majority of climate impact assessments focusing on conservation of ecological systems at broad levels, and has not focused on turning results into useful and actionable information for managers on the ground. Read more »

Mapping the terrestrial habitats of Atlantic Canada

Many federal, state, and non-government organization (NGO) partners desire a standardized, uniform habitat classification map for the region encompassing the footprint of the Northeast Climate Science Center (NECSC), including parts of the North Atlantic, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and Eastern Tallgrass Prairie landscapes in the U.S. and adjacent areas of Canada. Read more »

A stream temperature inventory mapper and data portal for evaluating climate change effects on New England, Mid Atlantic and Great Lakes states streams

This project seeks to move towards development of a coordinated, multi-agency regional stream temperature framework and database for New England (ME, VT, NH, CT, RI, MA) and the Great Lakes States (MN, WI, IL, MI, IN, OH, PA, NY) by first compiling metadata about existing stream temperature monitoring locations and networks; developing a web-based decision support mapper to display, integrate, and share that information; building a community of contacts with interest in this effort; and developing data portal capabilities that integrate stream temperature data from several data sources.

A research and decision support framework to evaluate sea-level rise impacts in the northeastern U.S.

We propose to conduct a reconnaissance study to distinguish coastal areas of the northeastern U.S. that will experience an inundation-dominated response to sea-level rise from those that will respond dynamically due to physical and bio-physical sedimentation and erosion processes. We will use this information to develop a scientific research and decision support program that addresses the cross-cutting and unique problems in these areas.

Environmental Effects of Agricultural Practices (EEAP), Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Big Rivers Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) and Upper Midwest and Great Lakes LCC – Literature search

The purpose of this project was to conduct an extensive search for both published and ongoing research that, in general, deals with climate change and agriculture in a water quality context for the Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Big Rivers Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) and Upper Midwest and Great Lakes LCC. A bulleted topic list was provided to help narrow the search, though selection of publications/projects has been more on the liberal side so as not to omit any potentially-relevant ones. Read more »