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Science Highlights

Detecting a Grassland Invader, Above and Below Ground 

The rolling prairie grasslands of the Southern Great Plains support unique grassland wildlife and rich vegetation. However, invasive plants are proliferating, damaging biodiversity, altering ecosystem functions, and imposing significant challenges to grassland management. Lespedeza cuneata, a highly invasive legume, is one of the most aggressive invasive plants in this region. South Central CASC-supported researchers are turning to innovative tools to better detect L. cuneata, map its spread, and assess its impacts, both above and below the soil. Learn more>>

Defining Climate Adaptation: Insights from Colorado Plateau Natural Resource Managers 

Natural resource managers apply and utilize the concept of adaptation in different ways, posing challenges for adopting effective climate adaptation actions, according to a recent publication by Southwest CASC-funded researchers. This research focused on the perspectives of natural resource practitioners on the Colorado Plateau, a region of the southwestern U.S. where ecological stressors pose significant challenges to managers working across different agencies and vast public lands. Learn more>>

Incorporating Adaptive Capacity Helps Address Unique Challenges of Freshwater Species Management 

Adaptive capacity – the ability of a species, group of species or an ecosystem to cope with or recover from climate-related stressors – is an important component of climate vulnerability assessments. In a new publication, CASC researchers and partners assess the relevance of adaptive capacity factors for three freshwater taxa, identify key opportunities and gaps in linking trait-based information into adaptive capacity assessments, and illustrate how adaptive capacity can enhance management decisions for freshwater species. Learn more>>

Improving Fisheries Management with Paddlefish Physiology 

American paddlefish can be found throughout the Mississippi River Basin and are popular with anglers, but face pressures from habitat changes, pollution, and over-harvest. The Midwest CASC is working to answer key questions about paddlefish physiology and their interactions with anglers, to provide natural resource managers with the information needed to sustain paddlefish populations and maximize benefits to the people and economies that rely on them. Learn more>>

Models Don’t Always Keep Up with Species Range Shifts 

Ecological Niche Models predict where a species can exist based on the environmental conditions (niches) that create suitable habitat. Niche models are an important tool for land and wildlife managers, but they have limitations based on what variables are included. Researchers with the National CASC compared predictions made from climatic niche models to over 9,500 actual observations of how species ranges have shifted across the land and sea, to see how well the models predicted these shifts. Learn more>>

Events and Opportunities

Apply Now! 2027 Northwest CASC Faculty Fellowship Program 

The Northwest CASC is accepting applications for their 2027 Faculty Fellowship Program. The program supports research related to climate adaptation in Northwest natural and cultural resource management as well as training in the principles and practices of co-producing decision-relevant science. The Northwest CASC invites applications from faculty and non-faculty scientists with primary investigator status from consortium institutions. An information session will be held on May 5 at 2pm ET and applications are due July 15. Learn more>> 

Apply Now! Science Communication and Synthesis Support for Climate-Pollinator Research

The Southeast CASC is seeking two student volunteers to provide science communication and synthesis support for climate-pollinator research during the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 academic terms. The “Semester of Service” Student Volunteer Program offers students a volunteer, project-based practical experience within Federal operations while supporting the advancement of targeted initiatives. Applications are due May 10. Learn more>> 

RAD Decisions in Rad Landscapes: Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness 

Ecological Drought Webinar: Collaborative Planning, Response, and Decision-Making 

The NOAA National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and the National CASC are co-hosting a webinar series focused on ecological drought, with expert speakers from the research community, Tribal Nations, and government agencies. The next webinar in the series will focus on research and tools to improve our understanding and management of drought risk in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems to inform more deliberate and expanded decision-making that supports sustainable, healthy, and resilient ecosystems. 
 
May 13 at 3pm ET. Learn more>> 

2026 Tribal Community Resilience Webinar Series 

The 2026 Tribal Community Resilience Webinar Series, co-hosted by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) and the Climate Adaptation Science Centers, launched in February. This monthly series explores how Tribal Nations are responding to resilience challenges across the U.S. Join the fourth webinar in the series, focused on water management.
  
May 14 at 3pm ET. Learn more>> 

Midwest CASC Summer Science Seminars 

Seminar: Assessing Patterns of Subterranean Biodiversity and Microclimates to Inform Cave Management and Conservation 

Changes in cave temperatures, subterranean hydrology, and relative humidity may cause negative impacts for cave-dwelling species. This Southeast CASC seminar will highlight a project where investigators collaborated with partners across the southeastern U.S. to identify high priority caves for conservation; quantify how forest cover mediates cave microclimates; and create and evaluate a portfolio of management options for improving cave ecosystem resilience under future climate change. 

May 20 at 1pm ET. Learn more>> 

News From the Community

USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day 2026: Healthy Wildlife, Enduring Traditions 

USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day launched in 2025 to highlight the actionable wildlife health science that the USGS provides to the nation. The USGS is the leading federal agency for free-ranging wildlife disease research and surveillance. USGS scientists are at the table with public and animal health agencies as they tackle diseases that affect mammals, fish, reptiles, and more, developing advanced tools for diagnosis, surveillance, risk assessment, and control. Learn more>> 

New Publication by the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society 

The Native American Fish and Wildlife Society has introduced a new publication, From the Field – Elevating Indigenous Voices, providing a platform for Tribes to share their work, perspectives, and values. The inaugural issue features Tribal research, perspectives, and community-led projects that highlight Indigenous leadership in natural resource management and includes an article about the managed relocation of two fish species better suited for warmer conditions. Learn more>> 

NOAA Hosting 2026 Hurricane Awareness Webinars 

Who We Are

The National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers partner with natural and cultural resource managers to provide science that helps fish, wildlife, ecosystems, and the communities they support adapt to a changing climate. This newsletter spotlights CASC science and relevant content from the CASC community of partners.

Learn more about our work at www.usgs.gov/casc. Have questions? Contact us at casc@usgs.gov