Climate change and wildlife in the southern United States: potential effects and management options

Abstract

In the southeastern United States, climate models project a temperature increase of 2-10°C by 2100 (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007). Climate change is already evident. Since the 1970s, average temperature has risen by about 1°C, with the greatest seasonal temperature increase during winter. Average precipitation during autumn has increased by 30% since 1901, but summer precipitation has decreased (U.S. Global Change Research Program 2012). Correspondingly, drought has affected a larger portion of the Southeast over the past three decades. The patterns and severity of storms are also changing, with more heavy downpours in many areas and the power of Atlantic hurricanes increasing (U.S. Global Change Research Program 2012).

Parent Publication

• Climate change adaptation and mitigation options a guide for natural resource managers in southern forest ecosystems

Keywords

climate change, forests, silviculture, wildlife

Citation

Greenberg, Cathryn H.; Perry, Roger W.; Franzreb, Kathleen E.; Loeb, Susan C.; Saenz, Daniel; Rudolph, D. Craig; Winters, Eric; Fucik, E.M.; Kwiatkowski, M.A.; Parresol, B.R.; Austin, J.D.; Tanner, G.W. 2014. Climate change and wildlife in the southern United States: potential effects and management options. In: Climate change adaption and mitigation management optionsA guide for natural resource managers in southern forest ecosystems CRC Press - Taylor and Francis (pp.379-420) 42 p.