What We're DoingIn general, Service programs are already addressing climate change. Here are a few examples: The National Wildlife Refuge System is looking at their Comprehensive Conservation Plans – a plan required of every refuge – to consider climate change in future planning. The system is also looking at how projected sea level rise could affect selected coastal refuges and how wildfire could change as the result of a warming climate. This is particularly important since 177 refuges are on the coast. The Migratory Bird Program is currently examining how climate change will impact migratory birds. The program is considering ways to incorporate climate change influences into existing activities and identifying future actions that may be needed. The Endangered Species Program’s largest need with regard to climate change is for specific scientific information related to species and habitat changes, as this information is essential in evaluating the status of species, including establishing baseline conditions. The Program will work in coordination with Federal scientists and other experts to support efforts to obtain such information. The Program also will develop interim guidance regarding relevant aspects of ESA implementation involving climate change, with a focus on how to evaluate and include the best available scientific information on climate change information in the decision making process. The Fisheries Program is expanding its efforts to monitor and assess fish populations and aquatic habitat to provide vital information for adaptive management and planning efforts. Information will be used to:
The National Fish Habitat Action Plan also may provide a model for future coordinated climate change efforts by identifying ways to include climate change more effectively NFHAP partnership projects. The Fisheries Program will continue its comprehensive efforts to detect and track emerging fish health issues through the National Wild Fish Health Survey, with assistance from State, Tribal, and other Federal partners. The National Fish Hatchery System also is well positioned to develop captive propagation techniques for aquatic species impacted by climate change. It will further focus on its role in recovery by providing refugia and rearing opportunities for restoration and recovery programs nationwide. The Habitat Conservation program has accelerated its coordination and collaboration with other agencies, tribes, and non-governmental organizations, to help promote development of renewable energy sources. The program employs strategic habitat conservation principles to provide landscape level conservation and planning assistance to abate the impacts of growth and development related to climate change and/or sea-level rise. Activities focus on ensuring habitat connectivity; mitigating the effects of climate change, such as flooding or storm surge; and coastal land protection and conservation. The program also is expanding partnerships with private landowners to increase opportunities for strategic habitat conservation and restoration. The technical expertise of Environmental Contaminants biologists, toxicologists, and chemists is unique in the Service and will be of critical value in the face of increasingly complex environmental contaminant related threats to Service trust resources. The program assists in understanding predicted climate change impacts geographically and temporally by applying its capability for national level biotic monitoring, such as Abnormal Amphibian Monitoring Program. The EC program also has increased its involvement in pre-spill/contingency planning and preparedness as spill responders. These skills will become increasingly important as sea levels rise and climate fluctuates. Last updated:
December 14, 2007
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