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Special Session

SS 34 - Climate Adaptation Science: Defining a New Field of Science and Practice

Thursday, August 10, 2023
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM PDT
Location: D135

    Organizer(s)

  • LT

    Laura Thompson

    U.S. Geological Survey - National Climate Adaptation Science Center, United States

    • Co-organizer(s)

  • ND

    Nicole DeCrappeo

    U.S. Geological Survey, Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, United States

  • KM

    Kristine Metzger

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, United States

    • Speaker(s)

  • KM

    Kristine Metzger

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, United States

    • Co-organizer(s)

  • JB

    John B. Bradford

    Research Ecologist
    USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Arizona, United States

    • Speaker(s)

  • JB

    John B. Bradford

    Research Ecologist
    USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Arizona, United States

    • Co-organizer(s)

  • Toni Lyn Morelli

    Research Ecologist
    U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
    Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

    • Speaker(s)

  • Toni Lyn Morelli

    Research Ecologist
    U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
    Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

    • Co-organizer(s)

  • LT

    Lindsey L. Thurman, Ph.D.

    Partnerships Ecologist
    U.S. Geological Survey, Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, United States

    • Speaker(s)

  • LT

    Lindsey L. Thurman, Ph.D.

    Partnerships Ecologist
    U.S. Geological Survey, Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, United States

  • AB

    Aparna Bamzai-Dodson

    U.S. Geological Survey, North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, North Carolina, United States

    • Co-organizer(s)

  • CM

    Carol Morel

    U.S. Geological Survey, National Climate Adaptation Science Center, United States

    • Speaker(s)

  • CM

    Carol Morel

    U.S. Geological Survey, National Climate Adaptation Science Center, United States

    • Co-organizer(s)

  • ME

    Mitchell Eaton

    U.S. Geological Survey, Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, Colorado, United States

    • Speaker(s)

  • ME

    Mitchell Eaton

    U.S. Geological Survey, Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, Colorado, United States

    • Co-organizer(s)

  • JL

    Jeremy Littell

    U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, United States

    • Speaker(s)

  • JL

    Jeremy Littell

    U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, United States

Session Description: Climate adaptation science is a burgeoning discipline that centers on addressing and preparing for climate change effects on water, species, ecosystems, disturbance regimes, infrastructure, cultural resources, and human socio-economic systems. Although the potential impacts of climate change on natural resources have been studied for decades, methods for conducting that research and applying the results for purposes of adaptive management and decision making are still evolving. Recently, advances in research and engagement have improved our ability to identify, plan and implement adaptation actions across diverse sectors. This special session will highlight many of these advances, which include proposed assessment and decision-support frameworks, approaches to producing actionable science for or with decision makers, and conceptual models that incorporate human communities into knowledge production processes. Furthermore, we will foster discussion on how to be more intentional developing science and products that can support marginalized groups and communities impacted by climate change. The session will include a series of lightning talks that provide an overview of recent advances in climate adaptation science. Talks will be followed by an interactive panel discussion focused on future needs and potential paths forward for ESA and the field in general. The aim of this session is to encourage ESA membership to take a leading role in the next generation of climate adaptation science, particularly in a manner that ensures environmental justice, equity, and inclusivity.