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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

Wind turbines at Pawnee National Grassland by Michael Menefee.
Wind turbines at Pawnee National Grassland by Michael Menefee.

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

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High Park Fire above Grey Rock by Michael Menefee.
High Park Fire above Grey Rock by Michael Menefee.

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

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Navajo Canyon
Navajo Canyon

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

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Gunnison restoration work
Gunnison restoration work

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

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GLORIA plot
GLORIA plot

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

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Kawuneeche Valley after a pine beetle infestation.
Kawuneeche Valley after a pine beetle infestation.

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

Learn more

Our Work

Ecology
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Climate Change
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Web Projects

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  • About Us
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    • About Us
      ▼
      • Biennial Report
      • Strategic Plan
    • Conserving Biodiversity
    • Contact Us
    • Staff Directory
    • Careers
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      • Employment
      • Internship
      • Volunteer
    • Meetings
    • The NatureServe Network
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  • Our Services
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  • Our Data
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    • About CNHP Data
    • Request Data
    • Contribute Data
    • Download Data
    • Tracking Lists
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  • Maps
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    • (CODEX) Conservation Data Explorer
    • CNHP Spatial Layers
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  • Library
    ▼
    • Reports
    • Tracking Lists
    • Potential Conservation Areas
    • Field Guides
      ▼
      • Rare Plant Guide
      • Colorado Wetland Field Guides
  • Blog
  • Use CODEX Conservation Data Explorer

  • Donate Now
  • About Us
    ▼
    • About Us
      ▼
      • Biennial Report
      • Strategic Plan
    • Conserving Biodiversity
    • Contact Us
    • Staff Directory
    • Careers
      ▼
      • Employment
      • Internship
      • Volunteer
    • Meetings
    • The NatureServe Network
    • Partners
  • Our Work
    ▼
    • Ecology
    • Wetlands
    • Plants
    • Animals
    • Climate Change
    • Education
    • Invasive Species
    • Statewide Natural Heritage Survey
  • Our Services
    ▼
    • Database Development
    • GIS Analysis & Modeling
    • Mapping
    • Surveys & Inventories
    • Monitoring & Assessment
    • Conservation Planning
    • Private Lands Conservation
  • Our Data
    ▼
    • About CNHP Data
    • Request Data
    • Contribute Data
    • Download Data
    • Tracking Lists
    • Potential Conservation Areas
    • Help & Documentation
  • Maps
    ▼
    • (CODEX) Conservation Data Explorer
    • CNHP Spatial Layers
    • Wetlands Mapper
    • COMaP
  • Library
    ▼
    • Reports
    • Tracking Lists
    • Potential Conservation Areas
    • Field Guides
      ▼
      • Rare Plant Guide
      • Colorado Wetland Field Guides
  • Blog
  • Use CODEX Conservation Data Explorer

  • Donate Now