Climate change vulnerability assessment for rare plants of the San Juan Region of Colorado
Date
2014-05
Authors
Grunau, Lee, author
Rondeau, Renée Jane, author
Kuhn, Bernadette, author
Handwerk, Jill, author
Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The 5 million-acre San Juan Region lies in southwest Colorado and is considered part of the Four Corners area. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program tracks 122 plant species within this region. Recently published climate models for the Southern San Juan Region project a median decrease in May precipitation across southwestern Colorado and a 4.3° F increase in average annual temperatures, suggesting drought may become problematic for these species in the future (Lukas et al. 2014). As of 2014, we have conducted Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments using methodology developed by NatureServe for 60 of the tracked plant species known from the region, primarily focused on federally listed or agency sensitive species. Our results indicate that nearly 60% (36 species) of these plant species are extremely vulnerable to climate change. The most vulnerable species were from alpine, cliff and canyon, barrens, and groundwater dependent wetland habitats. Spruce-fir and ponderosa pine forests, and montane grasslands had the least amount of vulnerable species. Of the 60 species assesed, 37% (22 species) are endemic to the Four Corners region and most (19 species) are extremely vulnerable. Barrens support the highest number of endemic species of any habitat (7), and all but one barrens species is extremely vulnerable. We recommend developing climate adaptation strategies for extremely and highly vulnerable species and as time permits, assessing additional rare species.
Description
Prepared for: Tres Rios Bureau of Land Management and San Juan U.S. Forest Service.
May 2014.
Includes bibliographical references.
May 2014.
Includes bibliographical references.
Rights Access
Subject
sensitivity
exposure
San Juan Region
Colorado
climate change
rare plant species
NatureServe Climate Change Vulnerability Index