Landscape Partnership Resources Library
Assessing the Potential Effects of Climate Change on Species in the Cumberland Piedmont Network of the National Park Service
In this study, we evaluate the climate change vulnerability of a subset of key species found in the Cumberland Piedmont Network (CUPN) of the National Park Service (NPS), an ecologically important and diverse region. We developed a list of species of conservation concern (globally and sub-nationally) within each of the fourteen NPS units in the CUPN. Next, we employed NatureServe’s Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) in order to determine which of those species may be most vulnerable to climate change, based on each species’ 1) direct exposure to climate change, 2) indirect exposure to climate change, 3) sensitivity, and 4) documented/ modeled response to climate change. CCVI results showed a range of vulnerability scores among taxonomic groups, including high vulnerability for mollusks and low vulnerability for migrant songbirds. Furthermore, we found that species of conservation concern were not necessarily those most vulnerable to climate change.
Notes from 06-12-2015 Connecticut River Pilot Core Team Meeting
Summary of discussion and outcomes, including maps used to facilitate discussion during the meeting.
Forecasting environmental change: modeling thermal refugia and brook trout abundance
Forecasting environmental change: modeling thermal refugia and brook trout abundance by Dr. Than Hitt
Presentation: Review and Lessons Learned
Slides to facilitate review meeting for the Connecticut River Pilot LCD
Connecticut River Pilot Comments and Options
Major Comments on Connecticut River Watershed Conservation Design and Potential Options to Address Them
Presentation: DSL Package Documentation, Abstracts
Powerpoint presentation slides reviewing spatial data layers and tables associated with the Connecticut River Landscape Conservation Design.
Decision Documentation (updated 04-10-2015)
Mid-depth summary of decisions made throughout the full pilot process
Document: Summary of January Core Team Meeting
Notes and summary of presentations and discussions at the January Core Team meeting.
Presentation: Climate Change in CTR Design
Presentation by Scott Schwenk on Climate Change in the Connecticut River Design
Presentation: Climate Metrics and Latest Design Drafts
Presentation by Kevin McGarigal. Reviews new climate stressor metrics and how they were incorporated to generate a new core area network design.
Decision Documentation (updated 03-27-2015) [Word]
Mid-depth summary of decisions made throughout the full pilot process. Word document for contributing edits via track changes.
Decision Documentation (updated 03-27-2015)
Mid-depth summary of decisions made throughout the full pilot process
Products Documentation - Abstracts (Word)
Word version of the products documentation with active links. Must be downloaded to a personal computer. Updated on 4/1/2015, reflecting decisions made at the March 27 core team meeting.
Products Documentation - Abstracts (PDF)
PDF version of the products documentation - posted for viewing in the browser. Most recent update: 3/21/2015
Energy Assessment News Release
A new study and online mapping tool by the Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) and The Nature Conservancy are intended to inform discussions among conservation agencies and organizations, industry, policy makers, regulators and the public on how to protect essential natural resources while realizing the benefits of increased domestic energy production.
Assessing Future Energy Development across the Appalachian LCC. Final Report
In this study funded by the Appalachian LCC, The Nature Conservancy assessed current and future energy development across the entire region. The research combined multiple layers of data on energy development trends and important natural resource and ecosystem services to give a comprehensive picture of what future energy development could look like in the Appalachians. It also shows where likely energy development areas will intersect with other significant values like intact forests, important streams, and vital ecological services such as drinking water supplies.
