Climate Risk Management Practices
Climate Risk Management Practices Prepared by: J.J. Ho is a research economist, University of Washington, College of the Environment, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Box 352100, Seattle, WA 98195-2100; J.E. Halofsky is a research ecologist, University of Washington, College of the Environment, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Box 352100, Seattle, WA 98195-2100; D.L. Peterson is a senior research biological scientist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 400 N 34th St., Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98103. 1 Abstract Climate change is a major challenge for resource management decision making because of the uncertainties of how future conditions may unfold. Past techniques for responding to environmental challenges may not be as effective in the future. Adaptation options generated through a series of climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation workshops in the Western United States were synthesized and are presented here as key climate change sensitivities and risk management practices for: forest vegetation, non-forest vegetation, water and infrastructure, fisheries and fish habitat, wetlands and riparian areas, wildlife, and recreation. These practices can be applied in resource management planning and on-the-ground projects. 2 Climate Risk Management Practices -- Introduction Climate change is a major challenge in natural resource management, both because of the magnitude of potential effects and because of the uncertainty associated with climate change projections and effects. Adapting resource management to changing conditions is critical to reduce the vulnerability of key natural and human systems to negative climate change effects, and to ensure continued functionality of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the future.
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