Climate Adaptation Science

The rate and range of climate change impacts today calls for the initiative of leadership across disciplines. Recognizing this need, IEMM's collective climate science expertise is leveraged to strategically analyze and address both climate impacts on our ecosystems and how our ecosystems can help us buffer these impacts.

IEMM's Climate Adaptation Science specialization draws on our strengths in two areas of research expertise: payment for ecosystem services and climate change impacts and adaptation.

Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation

IEMM supports the development of climate resilience plans tailored to local ecosystems and communities. We achieve this through multidisciplinary research on climate-related impacts on ecological systems and the identification of targeted adaptation strategies aimed at mitigating these effects.

Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)

This area of IEMM research expertise examines the ecological, socioeconomic, and policy implications of PES programs. Emphasizing ecosystem services such as climate change mitigation, watershed management, and biodiversity conservation, these programs address pressing policy concerns.

Southern California Montane Forest Conservation Strategy

This project aims to enhance our understanding of the challenges facing Southern California's montane forests due to escalating threats worsened by climate change. Through multi-jurisdictional collaboration, we are identifying strategies to bolster forest resilience.

Collaborative of Native Nations for Climate Transformation and Stewardship (CNNCTS)

CNNCTS advances a model of Indigenous-led land stewardship for climate adaptation and resilience. This project includes integrated support of coastal resilience, cultural and prescribed fire, climate-informed restoration, and land rematriation efforts.

Developing a Framework for Valuing Carbon Sequestration in San Diego’s Natural Lands

In this project, IEMM is focused on understanding how the restoration of natural and working lands can be used effectively to help San Diego County achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Climate Resilient Connectivity for California’s South Coast Ecoregion

This project produced connectivity linkage maps for the South Coast Ecoregion that serve to support practical, proactive management of biodiversity under climate change.

Fisheries and Climate Toolkit (FaCeT)

FaCeT is a bi-coastal platform co-created by IEMM that allows users to track fisheries-relevant physical and biological ocean features. This tool is part of an ongoing NASA Biodiversity and Ecological Forecasting project supporting climate-ready and sustainable fisheries practices.

San Diego County Ecosystems: Ecological Impacts of Climate Change on a Biodiversity Hotspot

A team of ecologists and climatologists reviewed and reported on the most current, regionally specific climate information. This was paired with current research on species and habitats of the South Coast that are at risk due to climate and other stressors.