Climate Adaptation Planning: from Vulnerability Assessment
to Strategy Identification
-A New York Workshop Case Study-
Chris HilkeClimate Change Adaptation Program
National Wildlife [email protected]
Identifying Adaptation Strategies: Utilizing the “New Hampshire
Method”
1. Identify adaptation targets (species-habitats)2. Summarize the vulnerability of the targets3. Develop full range of adaptation options4. Prioritize adaptation options5. Identify potential implementation partners6. Group, Filter, and Highlight
NY Adaptation Workshop
Stage 1: Summarize Vulnerability DataStage 2: Identify Vulnerable Targets Stage 3: Delineate Breakout GroupsStage 4: Identify “Operationally Feasible”
Adaptation StrategiesStage 6: Prioritize strategies
Adaptation Strategy Gradients
General Specific
Low cost Low engineering
High costMulti-phase
Long-termImplementation
Near-term Implementation
Identifying “Operationally Feasible” Strategies
Stage 1: Summarize Vulnerability Data
• New York Habitat Vulnerability AssessmentGalbraith, H. et al. 2012
• Vulnerability of At-risk Species to Climate Change in New York
Schlesinger, M. et al. 2011
Stage 2: Identify Vulnerable Targets
Freshwater SystemsSpecies:
• Dwarf Wedge Mussel• Bog Turtle• Lake Sturgeon• Hellbender
Habitats:• Cold water habitats• Emergent marsh• Shrub swamp• Stratified lakes
Upland SystemsSpecies:
• Spruce Grouse• Indiana Bat• Karner Blue butterfly• Moose
Habitats:• Montane Spruce-fir• N. Hardwood forests• Tundra• Boreal bog
Stage 3: Delineate Breakout Groups
• Target Vulnerability Summary
• Climate Exposure Summary
• Example Adaptation Strategies
1. Upland Systems 2. Freshwater Systems
Stage 4: Identify “Operationally Feasible” Adaptation Strategies
•30 minutes per target to identify as many strategies as possible that increase the resiliency and/or adaptive capacity of the targets
FHWA
Stage 5: Prioritize Strategies
Group, Filter and Highlight
1.Group strategies by common theme, category2.Filter groups based upon feasibility, cost, implementation potential3.Highlight a suite of top 5 strategies for each target
Montane spruce-fir•Patch clear cut management for fir regeneration•Expand Catskills to ADK to Canada connectivityN. Hardwood forests•Manage for southern spp./promote climate-resilient assemblages•Conduct deer management based on vegetation cover metricsTundra•Limit visitation impacts with trail carrying capacity limits•Monitor tundra pollinatorsBoreal bog•Reduce bog draining and peat harvest on private lands•Implement existing wetland protection strategies
Upland Systems: Habitats
Upland Systems: SpeciesSpruce Grouse•Facilitate range shift through connectivity•Monitor likely disappearance•Facilitate translocation for isolated populationsIndiana Bat•Landowner incentives to maintain snags•Increased investment in fungal disease research•Increased hibernacula protection measuresMoose•Improve connectivity across altitudinal gradients - over-underpass•Reduce deer population for disease managementKarner Blue butterfly•Continue/expand prescribed fire for habitat restoration•Protect/manage islands around core habitat to facilitate meta-population dynamics
Freshwater Systems: Habitats
Cold water habitats•Acquire intact “in fee” lands along shores and stream banks•Stream management programs for local communitiesEmergent marsh•Amend state wetland maps to include > wetlands – utilize previous wetland map expansions•Increase staff to implement current program objectivesShrub swamp•Remove obsolete impoundments to restore natural hydrology•Increase capacity-funding for existing water protection program implementationStratified lakes•Improve sewage facilities for lakeshore residents – stormwater•Expand watershed management focus for nonpoint discharges
Freshwater Systems: Species
Dwarf Wedge Mussel•Decrease in-stream disturbance•Increase aquatic connectivity - dam removal•Improve water qualityBog Turtle•Control sediment runoff•Acquisition of habitat for key populations•Develop captive breeding programLake Sturgeon•Reduce length of harvest season•Minimize water withdrawal impacts - entrainmentHellbender•Unblock migration routes – aquatic connectivity•Population re-establishment in climate-appropriate habitats
