Climatic Effects on Endangered Species

According to the World Wildlife Fund's Web site (http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/impactsandadaptation.html), "climate is changing rapidly and its effects already are being felt.  The impacts will grow and will profoundly affect us, our kids, grandkids and subsequent generations, and will affect wildlife and everything else we care about.  Our challenge:  to slow climate change, to reduce our vulnerability and to adapt.

In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported the results of its fourth assessment of climate change where it devoted a volume of its assessment to climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. According to the report there is 'observational evidence' that many natural systems on all continents and most oceans are being affected by regional climate changes, particularly temperature increases." 

The Center's researchers have always been concerned about protection of endangered species, especially fish and mussels, but now they're looking more at the effect that climate change can have on these special aquatic populations. 

 The following are endangered species-related research projects activated in the 2010-2011 fiscal year:

logo_ttualertEndangered Species Research in the 28-Mile-Long Reach Below Green River Dam
J.B. Layzer
Funding by:  U.S. Geological Survey

logo_ttualert Population Demographics of Three Endangered and Four Imperiled Mussel Species in the Duck River, Tennessee
J.B. Layzer
Funding by:  Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

logo_ttualert Predicting the Effects on Endangered Mussels from Incremental Decreases in Minimum Flows
J.B. Layzer
Funding by:  U.S. Geological Survey

 logo_ttualertPropagation and Re-establishment of Endangered Tennessee Mussels
J.B. Layzer
Funding by:  Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

 

 

Historic Climatic Effects on Endangered Species Products (PDF file)

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