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Hazard

Shifting Species, Habitats, and Ecosystems

Changes in temperature and precipitation affect where species can live, how they interact, and the timing of biological events. Ecosystem changes can be driven by physical factors such as thermal stress, biological responses such as changing ranges, or both, often interacting with stressors from human activities. Multiple stressors can have complex interactive or amplifying effects on ecosystems.

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Related Case Studies & Action Plans

lobster boat near shore

  • Photo attributed to Ryssby and English Wikipedia. Incorporated here under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. No endorsement by licensor implied.

    • Promoting Climate Awareness and Adaptive Planning in Three Atlantic Fisheries Communities Using the VCAPS Process and System Dynamics Model - Maine Lobster Fishery
    group of people pointing to a map on a table

  • Adam Whelchel, The Nature Conservancy

    • Bridgeport, Connecticut Climate Preparedness Workshops
    a group of tree planters hiking

  • Photo attributed to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters. Incorporated here under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. No endorsement by licensor implied.

    • Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge/Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula Climate Adaptation Project
    polar bear walking

  • Photo attributed to Ansgar Walk. Incorporated here under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. No endorsement by licensor implied.

    • Polar Bear Designation Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act
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