Download - Evidence – Air Temperature Air temperatures up 0.74 degrees C in the past 100 years Copyright IPCC
Evidence – Air Temperature• Air temperatures up 0.74 degrees C in the past 100 years
Copyright IPCC
Evidence – Precipitation• Droughts have increased in duration and frequency
Copyright IPCC
Drought Index Trend
Evidence – Sea Level Rise• Since 1993 rate of sea level rise has nearly doubled• Sea level Increases are variable
Copyright IPCC
Sea Level Rise High on North American Coasts
Evidence – Glaciers• Glaciers declining across the globe
Copyright IPCC
Glacial Mass
• Air temperatures will continue to rise• Snowfall will
decrease• The speed at
which glaciers and sea ice melts
will increase• The ocean
temperature will rise further• Precipitation
patterns will shift
The Future Threat
Photo courtesy of South Dakota Department of Tourism
What It Means in the Field• Rising sea levels• Extreme weather events• Change in vegetative types• Drought• Milder winters• Dry conditions• Warmer temperatures
Example from the Field
• Contraction in range of coldwater fish
From: Flebbe et al. 2006
Predicted Distribution of Wild Brook Trout
Current Distribution of Wild Brook Trout
Waterfowl
Factors Affecting Waterfowl Habitat• Precipitation changes
• Drought
• Sea-level rise
Consequences for the Future • Prairie Pothole region: 90% wetlands lost
• Upper Great Lakes: 39% waterfowl lost
• LA’s Chenier Plain: 99% waterfowl lost
• Atlantic and Pacific Coastal Zones: major breeding and migration habitats lost
• Western Boreal Forest: 12-15M waterfowl threatened
What It Means in the Field
• Fewer birds, shorter seasons
• Change in migration patterns
• More conservation efforts by hunters and governments
Example from the Field
Vanishing
Prairie
Potholes
Freshwater Fish
Factors Affecting Freshwater Fish Habitat• Rise in water temperature
• Flooding
• Drought
• Sea level rise
Photo courtesy of South Dakota Department of Tourism
Consequences for the Future
• 42% of trout and salmon habitat lost
• Pacific Northwest salmon populations slashed up to 40%
• In localized areas bull trout reduced up to 90%
• Lower Appalachians up to 97% reductions
• Expansion of noxious weeds
What It Means on the Water• Fishing spots will change
• Favorite fish will relocate
• Public water rights will conflict with private interests
• Limits and management practices will change
Example from the Field• Trout at Risk
Big Game
Factors Affecting Big Game Habitat•Precipitation: rain, snow and runoff.
•Temperature: global rise and regional adjustments
Consequences for the Future • Increased parasite
infestation
• Reduced food quality and habitat
• Habitat fragmentation
Upland Birds
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Factors Affecting Upland Bird Habitat• Increased air temperature
• Rain
• Snowfall
• Invasive species
Consequences for the Future• Major reductions numbers
• An influx of invasive species
• Shrinking numbers of bobwhite quail
Photo courtesy of South Dakota Department of Tourism
What It Means in the Field• Fewer birds in the bag
• Birds concentrated in reduced cover
• Habitat dependent on human intervention
• Partnerships between hunters and public agencies
Example from the Field
• Reduced pheasant egg hatchability during first
48 hrs. of incubation(Yeatter 1950)
Strategies for Hope
83% Agree Issue is Serious
Americans Are Growing More ConcernedAbout Global Warming
(How serious a problem would you say is global warming?)
9 12
30
40
713
29
45
6 8
27
56
0
20
40
60
80
100
Not at all serious Not very serious Somewhat serious Very serious
Pe
rce
nt
2004 2005 2007
Source: Yale Environmental Poll, Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy
71% Expect Decrease in GameHow concerned are you that the wildlife or fish populations in
the areas where you typically hunt or fish will decrease significantly or disappear in the next 10 years?
2
27
27
44
0 20 40 60 80 100
Veryconcerned
Somewhatconcerned
Not at allconcerned
Don't know
Percent
National sportsmen (n=1031)
71% are concerned
What’s Needed
• Mandatory cap
• Funding for research and projects
• An aggressive implementation plan
Photo courtesy of South Dakota Department of Tourism
Take Responsibility• Support existing conservation programs
• Promote new public policy initiatives
• Insist that global warming be considered
• Demand action