With climate change becoming a larger and larger headline, many wonder what their part of the Midwestern landscape could look like in 20 years. A new study by The Nature Conservancy aims to answer some of those questions and show what can be done to help areas adapt. Meredith Cornett – director of conservation science for The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota – says major factors that determine an area’s adaptability are the number of local micro-climates, and the barriers separating them. The more barriers, the less resilience. “If there aren’t a lot of major barriers, like a six-lane highway, between where you’re standing and the next spot over,” says Cornett, “then you have a much better chance of being able to move and find new climate niches.” So, she says it makes sense that a number of natural areas and state parks are considered “highly resilient” to climate change. In Wisconsin, that includes much of the Northwoods and possibly the southern unit of the Kettle Moraine.
Scientists Map Most Climate-Resilient Areas of Midwest
May 4, 2018 | 10:30 AM
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