Pacific Southwest Research Station
800 Buchanan Street
West Annex Building
Albany, CA 94710-0011
(510) 559-6300
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Research Topics
Climate Change - Evaluating Ecosystem Effects
Main Topic |
Climate Change |
Ecosystem Effects |
Carbon Cycle |
Mitigation & Adaptation Strategies
Climate variability and change has broad effects on physical and ecological
attributes of ecosystem composition, structure, and function at many
temporal and spatial scales. PSW research units and scientists excel
in studies that investigate relationships of ecosystems and driving
natural and anthropogenic forces, including climate.
Ongoing Research:
Vegetation Response to Climate Change
Wildlife Response to Climate Change
- Herpetology - California
Coast Ranges (Contact Hart Welsh) and
Sierra Nevada (Contacts: Amy
Lind and Kathleen Matthews)
Amphibian and reptile populations respond strongly to changes and
variability in air and water temperature, precipitation, and the hydroperiod
of their environments. Over the short-term (e.g. annually), these
factors can determine reproductive success rates and survival to metamorphosis.
Over the long term, the frequency and duration of extreme temperature
and precipitation events can influence the persistence of populations
and the overall structure of meta-populations on the landscape. Amphibian
research at PSW includes work on high elevation species that may be
especially vulnerable to predicted climate warming, such as mountain
yellow-legged frogs and Yosemite toads. Species like the foothill
yellow-legged frog and western pond turtle that inhabit riverine environments,
especially in regulated (dammed) systems are also vulnerable to projected
variability in the timing and amount of precipitation. Research on
amphibians includes development of restoration techniques which could
be used to enhance populations in areas that may be less impacted
by climate change.
- Marbeled
Murrelet and Landbird Monitoring
- Carnivore
Survey and Monitoring
Insect and Disease Response to Climate Change
- Forest Disease (Contact: Susan Frankel, sfrankel@fs.fed.us) Sudden
Oak Death
Forest plant diseases are heavily influenced by weather and climate.
For forest pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms,
the temperature and moisture conditions interacting with the host
determine infection severity and disease distribution. Extreme weather,
i.e. drought or typhoons, can kill large expanses of trees directly
by overwhelming tree physiological and structural strength. Patterns
and rates of wood decay, caused by forest fungi, are also expected
to change in response to climate changes which will influence forest
carbon cycles. Expected changes in climate coupled with the increasing
stresses of invasive species, lack of fire, and forest fragmentation
are creating conducive conditions for many forest plant diseases.
- Kliejunas, J. T.; Geils, B.; Glaeser, J. M.; Goheen, E. M.; Hennon,
P.; Mee-Sook K.; Kope, H.; Stone, J.; Sturrock, R. and Frankel,
S.J. In preparation. Climate
and Forest Diseases of Western North America: A Literature Review.
September 24, 2008. General Technical Report. PSW-GTR-XXX. USDA Forest
Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany. 36 p.
- Searchable annotated bibliography of Climate and Forest Diseases of Western North America
Physical Environment Response to Climate Change
Research is conducted by:
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