How to Prioritize Key Areas for Conservation in a Changing Climate

A look at 'Climate Refugia' Toni Lyn Morelli, Northwest Climate Science Center

When making important resource management decisions in the face of accelerating impacts from climate change, managers and conservation practitioners must prioritize areas for adaptation actions. 'Climate Refugia' are often highlighted as potential target areas for conservation because they are buffered from climate change and therefore can help to ensure greater protection of wildlife and resources. This presentation will summarize the physical processes that create climate refugia, discuss a new framework for locating and managing them, and use examples to illustrate ways to identify and verify climate refugia.