How geology and climate control vegetation composition and distribution in the Yellowstone Geoecosystem
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Cathy Whitlock, Regents Professor with the Department of Earth Science and the Paleoecology Lab at Montana State University. In Yellowstone, geology and ecology go hand in hand. In fact, the geology of Yellowstone can be mapped by its vegetation! For example, the glacial clays in the Lamar and Hayden valleys are rich in nutrients, like calcium and magnesium, and have high water-holding capacity; these qualities favor growth of grassland and sagebrush steppe. These landscapes are called the “Serengeti
New flood hazard products to support coastal climate adaptation planning in Humboldt County, California
Across the US, coastal communities face increasing threats from flooding, erosion, and rising groundwater tables due to accelerating sea-level rise and changing storm patterns. CoSMoS is a dynamic modeling approach that allows for detailed projections of coastal flooding due to both future sea level rise and storms. It is integrated with long-term coastal evolution (i.e., beach changes and cliff retreat) over large geographic areas (100s of kilometers). CoSMoS models all the relevant physics of a coastal storm (e.g., tides, waves, and storm surge), which are then scaled down to local flood projections for use in community-level coastal planning and decision-making.
Perspective: California’s Coastal Challenges Amid Climate Change
Maintaining coastal sustainability will require a unified, whole-of-society response. The report calls on research institutions, urban planners, policy makers, and community organizations to come together to address threats like habitat loss, saltwater intrusion, and risks to infrastructure. The authors hope to foster collaboration on innovative policies for coastal development, conservation strategies, and risk management. To ensure California’s coastal zones remain viable, the report encourages community-level action and policy reforms that address these challenges head-on. This includes expanding research into how ecosystems respond to stressors, identifying sustainable land-use practices, and implementing protective measures that build climate resilience. Although the challenges may
Intensified Coastal Hazards from Climate Change on U.S. Southeast Coast
While previous research has largely focused on flooding, the new study highlights additional threats such as groundwater hazards, land subsidence, and beach erosion. These hazards, often underappreciated in climate discussions, will be amplified by sea levels projected to rise by one meter over the next century. The study estimates that up to 70% of coastal residents and $1 trillion in property could face challenges from shallow and emerging groundwater. This risk is 15 times greater than the exposure to daily tidal flooding alone. Figure a, Coastal flooding (no storm), shallow groundwater exposure and erosion (unimpeded model case) for one meter
FEMA Celebrates Climate Week NYC, Officials Across the Agency Participate in Events, Promote FEMA’s Year of Resilience
FEMA Celebrates Climate Week NYC, Officials Across the Agency Participate in Events, Promote FEMA’s Year of Resilience WASHINGTON – As extreme weather events caused by climate change continue to increase across the nation, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, FEMA Deputy Administrator for Resilience Victoria Salinas, and FEMA Regional Administrator Region 2 David Warrington will attend Climate Week NYC and lead FEMA’s largest contingent of FEMA officials to ever attend the annual gathering. During the week, FEMA officials will highlight FEMA’s Year of Resilience, host several engagements, and participate in Climate Week NYC Events. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell