How to help wildlife cope with climate change

[Cara J]

Want to know what you can do to help manage wildlife cope with climate change? Government agencies and research institutions have developed an online tool that points everyone from policymakers to landowners and the common population to activities that will bolster vulnerable species from climate change-related problems. “This tool was developed to inform and inspire local action,” said Michelle Staudinger, an adjunct assistant professor of environmental conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a science coordinator with the U.S. Geological Survey. “It’s created for local decision makers.” Species in Massachusetts face a number of different climate change-related issues. Moose (Alces alces) are at the southern end of their range and could be pushed out of the state as temperatures warm up while blackpoll warblers (Setophaga striata) could face changing forest habitat conditions. Changing rainfall patterns are also affecting the marbled salamander (Amystoma opacum). The Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool website is packed with information organized around themes that divide issues into different categories based on your interest in pitching in, or what your skills or set of expertise might be. Staudinger said that the parties involved compiled information from a number of climate change vulnerability assessments for the state, [...]

 

Read more: http://wildlife.org/how-to-help-wildlife-cope-with-climate-change/