Trends associated with a warming climate are occurring rapidly in the Rocky Mountain region. These trends will affect the spatial and temporal distribution of water resources, habitats, and disturbance in aquatic ecosystems. Threats from reduced runoff, increased flow variability, increased stream temperatures, increased wildfires, lost snowpack storage, and reduced vegetation cover will affect water users and aquatic biota alike. The complex challenges posed by climate warming will require proactive, informed management if significant alteration of valuable natural resources is to be avoided. To learn more about how forests can successfully adapt to a changing climate, please see the webcast from the Climate Change in Aquatic Ecosystems Workshop.

There are also many relevant webinars available at the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Webinar page.

Climate change maps by national forest