Understanding Climate Adaptation on Public Lands in the Upper Midwest: Implications for Monitoring and Tracking...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Natural Resource Management
• Climate Change Adaptation

Background:

• Systematic monitoring of climate change adaptation in natural resource management is limited.
• Substantial investments in adaptation initiatives lack clear progress tracking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize climate change adaptation at the public land manager level in the Upper Midwest.
• To understand managers' experiences with climate change impacts, planning, and implemented actions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized and problematized a rational decision-making framework.
• Conducted in-depth interviews with 29 biologists and foresters.

Main Results:

• Most managers perceived climate change impacts but expressed uncertainty in interpreting signals.
• Less than half reported planning efforts, often disconnected from local management.
• Implemented actions included both proactive and coping strategies.
• Cross-scale dynamics significantly influenced the adaptation process.

Conclusions:

• Current measures for tracking adaptation, such as planning documents, may not accurately reflect public land manager efforts.
• Understanding managers' perceptions and local contexts is crucial for effective adaptation monitoring.