Synthesis of Climate and Ecological Science to Support Grassland Management Priorities in the North Central Region

Abstract

Grasslands in the Great Plains are of ecological, economicand cultural importance in the United States. In response to a need to understand how climate change and variability will impact grassland ecosystems and their management in the 21st century, the U.S. Geological Survey North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center led a synthesis of peer-reviewed climate and ecology literature relevant to grassland management in the North Central region (Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas). This synthesis begins to address grassland managers’ information needs and identify research gaps. This report summarizes the impacts of climate change and variability on temperature, water availability, wildfire, vegetation, wildlife, large-bodied ruminants, grazing, and land-use change and the implications for grassland management in the North Central region. This report also identifies areas in which further research is needed.