Great Lakes

Climate change will bring warmer temperatures to the Great Lakes region, with greatest increases expected in summer maximum and winter minimum temperatures. Currently, summer surface water temperatures in the upper Great Lakes are warming even faster than air temperatures, and ice cover is declining.

 

Community Values at Risk

Both warmer temperatures and reduced ice cover promote evaporation, and most models suggest that drops in average water levels in the Great Lakes are likely. Of special concern in the region, where a major threat to freshwater systems is pollution and sedimentation from storm run-off, is the prediction of more extreme storms. Even in places where changes in precipitation do not pose a direct risk, infrastructure built by human society to manage these storm events, or increased failures of existing water-handling infrastructure (e.g., combined sewage and storm water handling systems) could have significant negative impacts on aquatic systems and biodiversity.

 

Case Studies

• Illinois’ vulnerable species—Scientists in Illinois assessed the climate vulnerability of 163 “Species in Greatest Need of Conservation” designated in Illinois’ Wildlife Action Plan. This document provides a summary of findings and a list of considerations for managers to help jump-start national 2015 Wildlife Action Plan update discussions.
• Minnesota’s Future Forests—This case study focuses on including climate change factors into forest management planning.
• Jump-starting Adaptation—This case study relays our climate adaptation decision-making process using examples from established, on-the-ground projects from New York, Minnesota and North and South Dakota. Lessons learned suggest we can and should be adapting our work now using more peer review from partners.

Collaboratory for Adaptation to Climate Change—Online portal developed with Notre Dame partners where you can find and share climate adaptation resources and tools. It is funded by the National Science Foundation and the University of Notre Dame.

Great Lakes Climate Adaptation Survey—Results from a survey that asked natural resource practitioners engaged in the Great Lakes Biodiversity Blueprint process across Lakes Ontario, Huron, Michigan, and Erie, about climate adaptation actions they are taking.

 

Partners

• Chicago Wilderness (Chicago Wilderness’ Climate Action Plan for Nature)
• Great Lakes Integrated Sciences + Assessments
• International Joint Commission Upper Great Lakes Study
• Michigan Climate Coalition
• National Wildlife Federation Working Group on Adaptation
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Midwest/Great Lakes Landscape Conservation Cooperative

 

Page Updated: April, 2012