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

Open-File Report 2023-1036
U.S. Geological Survey North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center
Prepared in cooperation with the University of Colorado Boulder
By: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20231036

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Abstract

Grasslands in the Great Plains are of ecological, economic, and 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 (including Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas). This synthesis was done to begin to address grassland managers’ information needs and identify research gaps. This open-file 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 open-file report also identifies areas in which further research is needed. U.S. Geological Survey funded this project.

Suggested Citation

Miller Hesed, C.D., Yocum, H.M., Rangwala, I., Symstad, A.J., Martin, J.M., Ellison, K., Wood, D.J. A., Ahlering, M., Chase, K.J., Crausbay, S., Davidson, A.D., Elliott, J., Giocomo, J., Hoover, D.L., Klemm, T., Lightfoot, D., McKenna, O.P., Miller, B.W., Mosher, D., Nagy, R.C., Nippert, J.B., Pittman, J., Porensky, L., Stephens, J., and Zale, A.V., 2023, Synthesis of climate and ecological science to support grassland management priorities in the North Central Region: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2023–1036, 21 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20231036.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Climate Change Observations and Projections
  • Water Availability and Wildfire
  • Vegetation
  • Wildlife
  • Large-Bodied Ruminants and Grazing
  • Land-Use Change
  • Remaining Research Needs
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Synthesis of climate and ecological science to support grassland management priorities in the North Central Region
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2023-1036
DOI 10.3133/ofr20231036
Year Published 2023
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center
Description ix, 21 p.
Country United States
State Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details