Climate Change in Wisconsin: Recent Evidence and Potential Impacts to Natural 
Resources
Chris J. Kucharik*, University of Wisconsin - Madison, WI  

The national and local media in recent months has greatly increased its coverage on global 
warming and climate change, but is generally unable to communicate in an effective 
manner the magnitude of local changes and perturbations to our ecosystems in Wisconsin. 
All too often reports are geared towards the entire planet as a whole without considering the 
degree of variability that is occurring or how local natural systems have responded or might 
respond to future change. This presentation will partially review the science behind climate 
change, highlight the specifics of climate change occurring across Wisconsin, and will 
illustrate key examples that demonstrate the reaction of environmental systems. The goals 
of this talk will be to clarify misconceptions about climate change across Wisconsin, and to 
discuss the potential impacts that continued changes might have on our natural resources.
*Presenter