Incorporating Nature’s Services into Climate Adaptation Planning In California

Suzanne LangridgeStanford University

Nature’s Services for Coastal California

How will climate change and adaptation strategies affect nature’s services and the people that rely on them?

Incorporating Nature’s Services into Climate Adaptation Planning In California• Design and assess strategies • Apply, adapt and revise InVEST models • Inform decision-making • Evaluate • Communicate

SanatationPumpStations

DrainageJunctions

Coastal Vulnerability

VI

1 - 3 (Low)

3-4

4-6 (Medium)

6-10

10-16 (High)

Coastal Vulnerability

VI

1 - 3 (Low)

3-4

4-6 (Medium)

6-10

10-16 (High)

VegetationAgricultureUrban

SanitationDrainage

Elkhorn Slough

Santa Cruz

Monterey

Ecosystem Services into Climate Adaptation Planning at Three Scales

State

RegionalLocal

Local –Elkhorn Slough

• Important flatfish nursery• 750+ species• 50,000 visitors/year• Largest saltmarsh Central CA• Agricultural economy

Local –Elkhorn Slough

• Synergize economic and ecological issues in agricultural industry

• TNC Coastal Resilience Project

Regional - Integrated Regional Water Management Plans

Regional - Integrated Regional Water Management Plans

Determine vulnerability of people and infrastructure:

• water resources• infrastructure,• coastal communities• ecosystem services

Highlighting the role of habitat in reducing vulnerability

No SLR 0.4 m SLR by 2050

1.4 m SLRby 2100

Relative vulnerability to coastal storms and

3 SLR scenarios

Mill Creek

Big Creek

Willow Creek

Monterey Marina

Moss Landing

Seaside

Pt. Sur

Coastal Vulnerability

Habitats included:• Emergent marsh• Kelp• Dunes (high and low)

Coastal Vulnerability

Habitat No Habitat

Difference

Mill Creek

Big Creek

Willow Creek

Monterey Marina

Moss Landing

Seaside

Pt. Sur

Habitats included:• Emergent marsh• Kelp• Dunes (high and low)

Nature’s protection from storms and sea

level rise (1.4m)

State - California Coastal Commission

Engage, Inform, and Help Shape Climate Adaptation Planning

• Design and assess strategies • Apply, adapt and revise InVEST models • Inform decision-making • Evaluate • Communicate

Questions?

State – California Coastal CommissionBroad Beach Case Study

State - California Coastal Commission

Habitats StressorsEcosystem

Risk

Habitat RiskAssessment

Pt. Sur

Dune (backed)

Kelp

Intermittent

Dune (not backed)

Perennial

Closed

Wave ExposureSLR

Lagoons

Pt. Sur

Pt. Sur