Other Research Information
Impacts and Adaptation Studies
Climate change is expected to have a wide range of impacts on California’s natural resources, ecosystems, infrastructure, health systems, and the economy. In order to prepare for these challenges, planners must have better information about the risks to vulnerable systems and how effective adaptation can lessen any adverse impacts. Therefore, research under the PIER program is underway to identify potential impacts and effective adaptation methods for California, particularly with regards to ecological resources, water resources, and human health.
Agricultural and Forest Resources. Agricultural crops and natural vegetation are sensitive to changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events. Research is being conducted to identify vulnerable species and early signs of stress, predict their response under a range of expected climate scenarios, and determine ways that farmers and natural resource managers can best prepare for these changes.
Water Resources. Identifying and preparing for impacts to water resources is also a key objective of PIER research. A reliable water supply is critical to agriculture, electric power, industry, households, and natural systems in the state. With the additional stresses of a growing population and ongoing development, a better understanding is needed of how hydrological processes will be impacted under all of these changing conditions, which regions or sectors of the economy will be most affected, and what steps can be taken to adapt to these oncoming challenges.
Preparing for a Changing Climate. PIER also seeks identify potential affects to the health and welfare of Californians. The historical range of mosquito- and vector-borne diseases may shift with a changing climate. More intense extreme weather events such as heat waves, flooding, landslides and wildfires, will directly impact human health. Successful research in this area will identify the increasing risks to human health, which segments of the population are most vulnerable, and how risks to their health can be reduced.