Climate Change
Colorado’s climate is as variable as its topography. The implications of changing climate trends for the persistence of our plants, animals, and livelihoods are key considerations in planning for the future. CNHP has produced climate change vulnerability assessments of our state’s species across a variety of geographic scales and potential future climate scenarios. We continue to work with our partners to identify possible impacts, including increasing drought, wildfire, insect outbreaks, and other effects. Our work also includes developing adaptation strategies, so that land managers and others can make decisions that will benefit the plants, animals, and people of Colorado now and into the future.
Featured Topics
Exploring Potential Future Climate Scenarios
CNHP scientists have been exploring potential future climate scenarios, developing methods for anticipating potential distribution shifts and other effects, and working with partners to highlight priorities for management and options for adaption.
Visit the Exploring Potential Future Climate Scenarios Page
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments
CNHP has evaluated vulnerability to climate change for ecosystems, animals, and rare plants of concern to help partners understand the risks posed to Colorado's biodiversity by climate change.
Visit the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments Page
Southwest Colorado Social-Ecological Climate Resilience
CNHP worked with an interdisciplinary team of social, ecological, and climate scientists to develop climate change adaptation strategies that contribute to social-ecological resilience, ecosystem/species conservation, and sustainable human communities in Southwestern Colorado.
Visit the Southwest Colorado Social-Ecological Climate Resilience Page
Gunnison Basin Climate Change Adaptation and Wetland Restoration Monitoring
Downcutting of streams, often caused by historic grazing, has lowered the water table in many seasonal wetlands in the Gunnison Basin. As part of ongoing work to address climate change in the basin, a collaborative multi-agency team is restoring seasonal wetlands through small-scale modifications to drainage. Results show that such efforts can enhance the resilience of the wetlands under changing climate conditions.
Visit the Gunnison Basin Climate Change Adaptation and Wetland Restoration Monitoring Page
Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA)
GLORIA is a long-term, global observation network for the comparative study of climate change impacts on mountain biodiversity, specifically plants. CNHP has been involved in establishing and monitoring GLORIA stations in several National Parks.
Visit the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) Page
Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI)
CNHP has assessed the vulnerability of over 100 of our rarest plant species, including all the Tier 1 and Tier 2 SWAP species of concern using the NatureServe CCVI.
Visit the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) Page
