Skip to main content

Error message

Could not retrieve the oEmbed resource.

Mechanisms for species responses to climate change: Are there biological thresholds?

Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | 7:00 am
134 Morrill Science Center or via remote connection (see webinar information, above)
William DeLuca, Thomas Bonnot

In this talk, William DeLuca and Thomas Bonnot will share how the culmination of our research on what is driving species response to climate change improves managers’ ability to incorporate vulnerability assessments into adaptation planning.  This is an update on the NE CASC capstone project, "Mechanisms for species responses to climate change: Are there biological thresholds?” 

Climate change-driven shifts in distribution and abundance are documented in many species. However, in order to better predict species responses, managers are seeking to understand the mechanisms that are driving these changes, including any thresholds that might soon be crossed. We use the latest modeling techniques combined with robust field data to examine the impact of specific climate variables, land use change, and species interactions on the future distribution and abundance of species of conservation concern.  Focal species have included eastern tree species, songbirds, moose, Canada lynx, snowshoe hare, and southern pine beetle. Major outcomes will include 1) knowledge of the mechanisms that drive projected changes in the distribution of vulnerable wildlife and tree populations that will enable better assessment of vulnerability and adaptation planning; and 2) improving how these results are conveyed to stakeholders by identifying understandable responses in the form of thresholds.

These brown-bag talks provide brief updates on NE CASC activities and provide opportunities for participants to ask questions and join in discussions.