NALDC

Assessment of Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies in the Southwest and California

Author:

Emile Elias, Caiti Steele, Kris Havstad, Kerri Steenwerth, Jeanne Chambers, Helena Deswood, Amber Kerr, Albert Rango, Mark Schwartz, Peter Stine, and Rachel Steele

Year:

2017

Abstract:

This report describes the potential vulnerability of specialty crops, field crops, forests, and animal agriculture to climate-driven environmental changes. Here, vulnerability is defined as a function of exposure to climate change effects, sensitivity to these effects, and adaptive capacity. The exposure of specific sectors of the agricultural and forestry industries varies across the region because the Southwest is climatically and topographically diverse. There is also variability in the sensitivity of different systems to the effects of climate change. Most significantly, there is potential within agricultural and forestry systems to adjust to climate-related effects either through inherent resilience or through conservative management practices. The purpose of this analysis is to describe regional vulnerabilities to climate change and adaptive actions that can be employed to maintain productivity of working lands in the coming decades.

Format:

1 online resource (76 pages)

Language:

English

Publisher:

USDA Southwest Climate Hub

Collection:

USDA publications

Permanent URL:

https://doi.org/10.32747/2017.6965582.ch

Persistent Link:

10.32747/2017.6965582.ch

https://doi.org/10.32747/2017.6965582.ch