Ecosystem Sector Introduction · 2018. 1. 25. · Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap...

Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap Analysis

50 Ecosystem Sector

Ecosystem Sector Introduction: The San Francisco Bay Area is a biodiversity hotspot that contains unique collections of species found

nowhere else on Earth. Climate change is anticipated to lead to substantial changes to biodiversity and

ecosystem function in the region. As the climate changes, species will be forced to adapt to these

changes in situ or move to new areas where environmental conditions are more favorable. As

individuals within populations respond to changes in climate, habitat, landscapes, and species

composition will all shift and change uniquely. These changes may potentially not be in concert, leading

to significant shifts in the way we perceive the unique habitats of the Santa Clara County (County) and

South San Francisco Bay (South Bay) region today. With this change, ecosystem services, such as flood

control, carbon storage, forage production and water supply, which are provided by natural landscapes,

will also change. This will in turn affect adjacent urban and rural developed areas and human activities.

Changes in temperature and precipitation will cause shifts in phenology, the biological timing of events

in nature that are correlated with climate and season. As a result, species are anticipated to adapt, or

shift, within the region to new favorable locations associated with shifting preferred climates (generally

to higher elevations and more northern aspects with warming and drying conditions anticipated);

however, it is anticipated that many of these changes will not happen in concert, leading to a break up

of the assemblages of species occurring today, along with the functional roles they provide. The

characteristics of landscape patterns and processes to support this movement are also anticipated to

change (e.g. suitable wildlife corridors and conditions favorable for species dispersal, plant regeneration,

etc.). Certain species will be more susceptible to climate change, particularly those on the warmer/drier

edge of their current range and those with limited mobility. Some species may be unable to adapt or

shift and may die off locally or go extinct. Many of the ecological changes are likely to be complex and

difficult to predict.

Subsequent sections in this chapter present the predicted vulnerabilities faced by the ecosystem sector

as a result of climate change, and the extent to which these vulnerabilities have been identified as

having already been or are currently being addressed by the ecosystem sector in the region.

Climate Change Vulnerabilities in the Ecosystem Sector: The ecosystem sector in the Santa Clara County region is vulnerable to six major climate change

variables1:

Sea level rise

Storm surge

Riverine Flooding

Temperature change (towards a warmer climate)

Precipitation change (including changes in seasonal timing, towards a wetter or drier climate)

1 Climate change will likely impact all habitat assets described. Here we focus on habitats particularly at risk to the

following climate change variables. For more details, see the Ecosystem Sensitivity Analysis.


Ecosystem Sector 51

Wildfire

Note that in the Vulnerability Assessment, for the Ecosystems Sector, Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge

were combined into a single category called Sea Level Rise. For more information on the nature and

projected trends in these variables, refer to Silicon Valley 2.0 Climate Change Memorandum. For the

ecosystem sector, assets are defined as primary habitat types within the Santa Clara County region.

Habitat types are summarized into 12 habitat types2, which include:

Coastal Salt Marsh / Coastal Brackish Marsh Grassland

Freshwater Lake and Pond Oak Woodland

Freshwater Wetland Hardwood Forest

Riparian and Riverine Coniferous Forest

Coastal Scrubland Redwood Forest

Chaparral / Interior Scrubland Open Water (the Bay)*

*NOTE: Open water is the Bay and was not analyzed further in this assessment. The urban environment

(developed and ruderal) and agricultural landscape were not included in this assessment.

The principle components of each habitat asset include: (1) landscape and vegetative community

(Landscape), (2) wildlife and special-status species (Wildlife & Species of Special Concern (SSC)), and (3)

ecosystem service and function (Ecosystem Fn). Climate related impacts were assessed for each

principle component of the habitat asset. All three habitat components are likely to be impacted by

climate change for each of the habitat assets listed in Table 1 below. The habitat assets of the ecosystem

sector that are affected by these climate change variables and the nature of impacts on the habitat

assets and components affected by the impacts are summarized below in Table 1.

Table 1: Climate Change Variables and Impacts relevant to the Ecosystem Sector in Santa Clara County

Climate Change Variable

Habitat Asset Affected Nature of Impact

Sea Level Rise

- Grassland (near coastline) - Riparian and Riverine - Freshwater Wetland - Coastal Saltmarsh / Coastal

Brackish Marsh

Permanent inundation of habitat assets near coastline, habitat loss, inability for upland habitat migration due to human-built environment, saltwater intrusion to freshwater systems, drinking water, loss of freshwater supplies, loss of habitat (e.g. nest failure, burrow inundation, etc.).

2 Habitat types were summarized from the approximately 50 habitat types mapped by the Bay Area Open Space

Council 2012. Available: http://www.bayarealands.org/gis/download/Vegetation_032411.pdf


52 Ecosystem Sector

Storm Surge

- Grassland (near coastline) - Riparian and Riverine - Coastal Salt Marsh / Coastal

Brackish Marsh - Freshwater Wetland - Freshwater Lake and Pond

Damage to coastal habitat assets from increased storm surge intensity and frequency, saltwater intrusion into freshwater systems, hydrology changes, crop loss, food loss, loss of habitat (e.g. nest failure, burrow inundation, etc.).

Riverine Flooding

- Chaparral and Scrubland - Riparian and Riverine - Freshwater Wetland - Coastal Salt Marsh / Coastal

Brackish Marsh - Freshwater Lake and Pond - Grassland

Flooding on slopes leading to erosion, species composition, habitat loss, increase in sedimentation in aquatic habitats, impacts to fishes through loss of spawning habitat, egg loss and failure, loss of individuals, esp. juveniles, vegetation loss in all habitats affected, including agricultural, riparian function loss, structural damage (related to habitat loss in built environment)

Temperature Change

All Habitats, especially:

- Coniferous Forest - Hardwood Forest - Oak Woodland - Riparian and Riverine - Freshwater Wetland - Freshwater Lake and Pond - Redwood Forest - Grasslands

Heat stress leading to population loss, loss of populations/species dependent on cooler environments (e.g. redwoods), phenological changes, fuel loading supporting wildfire increase, landscape species composition changes, succession - gradual shift to grassland habitats as species move to higher elevations and cooler climates, increase in invasive species, freshwater availability loss and increased competition (inc. human environment) for aquatic resources, crop loss, loss of food supply

Precipitation Change

All Habitats, especially:

- Coniferous Forest - Hardwood Forest - Oak Woodland - Redwood Forest - Riparian and Riverine - Freshwater Wetland - Freshwater lake and Pond - Grasslands

Drought, less summer precipitation, exacerbated effects to temperature change listed above, reduction in freshwater and ground water supplies, increase competition for water (including with human environment), vegetation loss leading to increases in wildfire and landslide/erosion, gradual habitat changes, phenological changes

Wildfire

- Coniferous Forest - Hardwood Forest - Redwood Forest - Oak Woodland - Coastal Wetland - Riparian and Riverine - Freshwater Lake and Pond

Loss (potentially catastrophic) of populations and species, changes to natural habitat fire cycles, loss of carbon sinks, increase of carbon dioxide in atmosphere, habitat loss/change, shade loss, increase in sedimentation, reduced water quality, food loss


Ecosystem Sector 53

Existing Efforts to Address Ecosystem Sector Vulnerabilities to Climate

Change: This section provides an overview of existing ecosystem sector climate change preparedness efforts in the county. The section is organized by climate change variable and by specific type of asset vulnerability. An overview of the asset vulnerability (e.g. impacts to coastal wetland habitat as a result of sea level rise) is provided, followed by descriptions of the existing effort(s), the level of implementation (i.e., vulnerability assessment, risk assessment, strategy development, or strategy implementation), and the relevant organizations, research groups, and government agencies involved.

Efforts Addressing Changes in Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge

Description of Habitat Vulnerabilities

Sea level rise will alter current intertidal, wetland, and coastal habitats and adjacent upland landscapes

by causing changes to water depth in the South Bay and corresponding species inundation levels, storm

effects, saltwater intrusion, and changing ecological characteristics associated with levees, dikes and

built infrastructure within the sea level rise zone. Species, including special-status and sensitive species,

within these areas will be affected, as will the flood protection and water quality services provided by

these ecosystems.

Sedimentation from within the Bay and originating from upstream watersheds is a key variable in the

ability of intertidal wetlands in the South Bay to “rise” with sea levels and continue to provide habitat

and ecosystem services similar to current levels. Sedimentation from upstream watersheds is affected

by land use characteristics in the watersheds; sediment and hydrology management activities within

flood control, stormwater, and conveyance infrastructure; and climate-driven changes such as increased

fires and vegetation change within more natural areas in the upper reaches of the watersheds. While

land use characteristics such as urban expansion, land use, and management activities can largely be

controlled by decision makers, climate change variables such as stronger winter storms, increased fire

frequency, and warmer temperatures will have important effects on these watershed hydrologic

characteristics that will in turn effect sedimentation rates and sea level rise impacts to intertidal

ecosystems. More fires in particular could have a big effect in altering sediment regimes.

The level of impact and ability of intertidal ecosystems to adapt to climate change is also dependent on

future characteristics of watersheds draining into the South Bay. See Riverine Flooding and

Sedimentation Loading for details. It will be important for plans and activities within upstream portions

of the watersheds to synergize with activities in and adjacent to the current intertidal zone to address

the sedimentation relationship in adapting to sea level rise. In summary, sea level rise may directly

disrupt coastal and adjacent upland habitat, which are critical to ecosystem function in Santa Clara

County.

Additionally, stronger storms and associated storm surges will affect hydrology and coastal ecosystem

habitats. Storm surges can cause damage to coastal habitat assets including both the physical damage

caused by the storm surge as well as saltwater intrusion into freshwater habitat and watersheds. These

climate driven changes in storm surge may surpass existing capabilities of current infrastructure because


54 Ecosystem Sector

current infrastructure is not sufficiently sized to handle the frequency, duration, and intensity of

stronger storm surge events.

Existing Climate Change Preparedness Efforts

In order to ensure the viability of coastal habitats in the face of sea level rise and storm surge in Santa

Clara County, the following policies, procedures, and actions consistent with typical stages in a climate

change adaptation planning process have been implemented.

[Note: Given that sea level rise and storm surge has the ability to impact multiple sectors at a large

geographic scale, most efforts related to sea level rise preparedness are occurring via regional

collaborations, and are not specific to ecosystem sector assets. Many of these other efforts are described

in the Shoreline Protection Infrastructure Chapter of this document.]

Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) Online Decision Support Tool for managers, planners,

conservation practitioners, and scientists

Description: Web-based tool to assist decision makers in understanding the changing favorable habitat

locations for a variety of plant and bird species under potential climate change scenarios within current

and future intertidal zones. The tool includes the ability to adjust climate variables of sedimentation and

sea level rise through the late century to view potential changes as a result. This is the most advanced

and robust web-based decision support tool understood to be available to assess climate change

exposures.

Implementation level: Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Assessment

Relevant agencies: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), United States Fish and

Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Coastal Conservancy, Bay Conservation and Development

Commission (BCDC), California Coastal Program of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Clara

County Parks

Documentation of efforts:

http://data.prbo.org/apps/sfbslr/PRBOCoastalConservancyTechnicalReport_Mar2012.pdf

San Francisco Estuary Institute Study of the Historical Tidal-Terrestrial Transition Zone in

South SF Bay

Description: The study focuses on the historical interaction between the intertidal and terrestrial

zones surrounding the South Bay. The findings aim to help guide restoration and management

activities including climate change adaptation and sea level rise adaptability of current and future

intertidal ecosystems.

Implementation level: Vulnerability and Risk Assessment; Adaptation Strategy Development

Relevant agencies: California Coastal Program of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, BCDC, California

Coastal Conservancy, CDFW

Documentation of efforts: http://www.sfei.org/TZone_SouthSFBay

http://data.prbo.org/apps/sfbslr/PRBOCoastalConservancyTechnicalReport_Mar2012.pdf

http://www.sfei.org/TZone_SouthSFBay


Ecosystem Sector 55

Parallel Efforts with Potential Climate Change Preparedness Benefits

While the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project is not an explicit climate change preparedness

initiative, the project is critically important to sea level rise planning and related wetland habitat

protection efforts in the South Bay area.

South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration

Description: The project is the largest tidal wetland restoration initiative on the West Coast. The

goal is a 15,100 acre wetland restoration strategy of former industrial salt ponds in the South Bay

to a mix of tidal marsh, mudflat, and other wetland habitats, in order to provide wildlife-oriented

public access, recreation, and flood management. It has the potential to provide both habitat

resiliency and sea level rise protection of adjacent built areas. Further study of the climate change

interactions of the project’s proposed strategies is ongoing.

Implementation level: Parallel Effort with Potential Climate Preparedness Benefits

Relevant agencies: CDFW, California Coastal Program of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, BCDC,

California Coastal Conservancy

Documentation of efforts: http://www.southbayrestoration.org/

Efforts Addressing Riverine Flooding

Description of Habitat Vulnerability

Riverine flooding can cause massive and potentially detrimental impacts to overall aquatic ecosystem

health, which also serve as key indicators in terrestrial ecosystem health. As winter storms become

stronger with the changing climate, riverine flooding, erosion, and sedimentation loading into

watersheds will become more significant issues to address. These changes to the physical environment

drive changes in species and their habitats, particularly for aquatic and riparian habitats, as it can lead to

changes in species composition, habitat loss, population reductions, sedimentation loading in the

watershed which can ultimately impact sea level rise rate, and functional loss.

Aquatic species are particularly sensitive to changes in flood regime and intensity. Riverine flooding can

impact native fish through loss of spawning habitat, egg loss and failure, loss of individuals, especially

juveniles, and sediment loading leading to a reduction in water quality. All habitats associated with

riverine flooding would be affected, including vegetation loss, ecosystem function loss due to the

physical damage or removal of key components to the habitat by the water, as well as the effects of

inundation. Since modeling to demonstrate projections of stronger storm events with climate change in

the region are relatively new and findings quantitatively demonstrating this connection are limited,

detailed planning for this variable has received little attention so far in relation to ecosystems.


In order to ensure the viability of habitats in the face of riverine flooding in Santa Clara County, the

following project has been implemented.

http://www.southbayrestoration.org/


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Climate Change Vulnerability of Native and Alien Freshwater Fishes of California: A Systematic

Assessment Approach

Description: Freshwater fishes are highly vulnerable to human-caused climate change. Since

quantitative data on status and trends are unavailable for most fish species, researchers created

a systematic approach to assess the status and future vulnerability to climate change of

freshwater fishes in California.

Implementation level: Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, Strategy Development

Relevant agencies: Army Corps of Engineers, Water Quality Control Board, Santa Clara Valley

Water District, CDFW, USFWS, NOAA


o Climate Change Vulnerability of Native and Alien Freshwater Fishes of California: A

Systematic Assessment Approach. 2013. Molye, P. B., J. D. Kiernan, P.K. Crain, and R. M.

Quinones. Plos One. Open Access, Available:

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0063883

Efforts Addressing Temperature Changes and Precipitation Changes

Description of Habitat Vulnerability

The gradual warmer climate and shifts in seasonal timing of rainfall projected over the next century will

result in changes to habitats and ecosystems. These changes are anticipated to occur as a result of

interannual, annual, and seasonal changes to precipitation and temperature patterns. Interannual

patterns include events such as multi-year droughts. Average annual temperatures are projected to

increase while overall precipitation change is unknown. While total annual precipitation may not change

significantly from current levels, seasonally, however, precipitation is projected to decrease in the spring

through fall and increase in the winter. The seasonal timing of these events is projected to include more

intensive winter rainfall and flooding, followed by hotter and drier summers and drought.

Temperature Changes

Temperature changes will impact all habitats in Santa Clara County. Examples of potential impacts

include heat stress leading to population loss, changes in phenology, fuel loading, landscape species

composition changes, succession, increase in invasive species, increased competition for freshwater

resources, crop loss, and loss of food supply.

Precipitation Changes

Precipitation changes will impact all habitats in Santa Clara County. Examples of potential impacts

include increased winter rainfall, increased summer drought, less summer and fall water availability,

increased competition for freshwater resources (including competition with the human environment),

increases in wildfire, landside, and erosion.

These gradual changes are anticipated to drive long term landscape change to habitats and ecosystem

services, and are a particular threat to species at the current southern edge of their habitat range. An

example is Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a native salmonid that typically return to their freshwater

habitats from the Pacific Ocean to spawn. Streams in the County include highly sensitive steelhead

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0063883


Ecosystem Sector 57

populations on the southern edge of their range. Little Arthur Creek near Gilroy, which is a tributary of

the Pajaro River in South Santa Clara County, has one of the last viable “inland” runs of Central Coast

Steelhead in California.

Changes to ecosystem services associated with vegetation and watershed change over time could also

result in impacts to adjacent built land uses. Changing vegetation coverage and precipitation patterns

could alter erosion, runoff, and flooding patterns in watersheds that could result in under or oversized

water infrastructure in downstream urban areas. Greenhouse gas sequestration services provided by

forests and vegetation in the region are also vulnerable as vegetation is projected to lose biomass over

the coming century. This loss could result in substantial greenhouse gas emissions.


In order to ensure the viability habitats in a warmer and drier climate, the following policies, procedures,

and actions consistent with typical stages in a climate change adaptation planning process have been

implemented.

Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan (SCV HCP)

Description: The Habitat Conservation Plan aims to protect and enhance ecological diversity and

function within Santa Clara County, while accommodating currently planned growth. The Santa

Clara Valley Habitat Agency (SCVHA) is the agency primarily responsible for overseeing the

Habitat Reserve System, protecting a variety of sensitive habitats and 18 special-status wildlife

and plant species. A limited amount of climate change analysis of was conducted in the plan’s

development. Incorporation of additional climate change science into the plan and its strategies’

could be beneficial. The plan identified sensitive resources and special-status species that occur

in the County, which could be used to assess a baseline for conservation in the County and to

identify special-status species to serve as flagship species in regards to climate change and

conservation. The plan includes a chapter on climate change, where it identifies plant and

animal species and vegetation communities that may be sensitive to climate change due to their

occurrence at the edge of their range. The preparation of the plan was overseen by Terah

Donovan of ICF International.

Implementation level: Adaptation Strategy Development

Relevant agencies: SCVHA, BAECCC, CA LCC, Santa Clara County Parklands, Santa Clara Valley

Water District, CDFW, USFWS


o http://scv-

habitatplan.org/www/Portals/_default/images/default/Final%20Habitat%20Plan/App_F

_ClimateChange.pdf

NatureServe Climate Change Vulnerability Index Tool

Description: Scientific climate change vulnerability tool for assessing vulnerability and

adaptation strategies for natural communities which includes individual assessment of species

vulnerability in changing climate. Tool inputs include species climatic requirements and natural

http://scv-habitatplan.org/www/Portals/_default/images/default/Final%20Habitat%20Plan/App_F_ClimateChange.pdf




58 Ecosystem Sector

history data and tool output is a quantitative assessment (can be based on qualitative data) of

species likelihood of vulnerability in changing climate.

Implementation level: Vulnerability Assessment

Relevant agencies: BAECCC, CA LCC, Santa Clara County Parklands, CDFW, USFWS


o NatureServe Climate Change Vulnerability Index Tool:

https://connect.natureserve.org/science/climate-change/ccvi

The Ackerly Lab at UC Berkeley

Description: UC Berkeley research laboratory led by Professor David Ackerly, PhD. Conduct

research on climate change ecology in California and SF Bay Area. The lab conducts research and

works in concert with the Conservation Lands Network to determine climate impacts to

conservation areas in the Bay Area.

Implementation level: Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

Relevant agencies: BAECCC, CA LCC, CDFW, USFWS, California State Park Lands, Santa Clara

County Parks, NOAA


The Ackerly Lab Website Homepage: http://ib.berkeley.edu/labs/ackerly/


While the Bay Area Conservation Lands Network is not an explicit climate change preparedness

initiative, the project’s network of priority conservation areas could provide considerable benefits for

ecosystem climate change preparedness planning.

Bay Area Conservation Lands Network (CLN)

Description: This is a long-term effort focused on comprehensive regional landscape-scale

conservation planning. The project has identified a robust network of priority areas for

conservation and if fully implemented, it will provide a strong resiliency framework for

accommodating biodiversity and ecosystem services with climate change. However, since the

strategy was not designed specifically around climate change, ongoing studies of climate change

interactions with the plan are recommended and modifications may be warranted.

Implementation level: Parallel Effort with Climate Change Preparedness Benefits


o Bay Area Conservation Lands Network (Climate Change - Chapter 9)

http://www.bayarealands.org/reports/

Efforts Addressing Changes to Wildfire Regimes

Description of Ecosystem Vulnerability

Santa Clara County is projected to see a substantial increase in wildfires in the coming century across the

entire county through mid-century and, particularly in the western portions of the county by late-

century. No plans to accommodate this change were identified, but the study of this topic is receiving

increased attention. In addition the potential increased risk to built assets and public health, increased

https://connect.natureserve.org/science/climate-change/ccvi

http://ib.berkeley.edu/labs/ackerly/

http://www.bayarealands.org/reports/


Ecosystem Sector 59

fires will alter habitats and ecosystem services. Fires can lead to increased sedimentation, flooding, and

landslides. Fires can result in increased greenhouse gas emissions from the landscape carbon pool as

biomass is lost to burning of biomass or changing soil carbon content.


This analysis did not identify any policies, procedures, and actions related to climate-change induced

increases in wildfire (i.e., frequency or extent) and ecosystem climate change preparedness.


While no explicit climate change-related initiatives were identified, a variety of existing policies,

procedures, and actions could be utilized to help prepare the sector for the future changes in wildfire

regimes.

California Statewide Adaption Strategy – Chapter 9 - Forestry

Description: To better assess impacts to forestry and wildfire, the California government has

created an adaptation strategy guide to assist stakeholders, foresters, and land use planners in

creating local adaptation strategies.

Implementation level: Parallel Effort with Climate Change Preparedness Benefits

Relevant agencies: Santa Clara County Parks, USFWS, CDFW


o http://resources.ca.gov/climate_adaptation/docs/Statewide_Adaptation_Strategy_-

_Chapter_9_-_Forestry.pdf

Efforts Addressing Multiple Climate Change Variables Previous sections in this chapter have shown that habitats comprising Santa Clara County ecosystems

exhibit to some extent, an existing capacity to be able to withstand anticipated impacts of climate

change. Beyond the natural landscape ability to adapt to changes in climatic regime, several initiatives

have been developed to mitigate the potential impacts to these habitats.

Some adaptation efforts initiated by agencies simultaneously address more than one type of climate

change vulnerability. For example, efforts to better manage wildfire regime can reduce the likelihood for

catastrophic wildfire, as well as reduce sediment loading in freshwater riparian habitat, coastal runoff,

and thereby increase carbon storage in the intact forest ecosystems. In addition to these efforts that

have demonstrated co-benefits, agencies, planning departments, and non-profit organizations have also

put in place policies, procedures, and actions that are aimed at facilitating the overall process of climate

change adaptation planning.

Bay Area Ecosystem Climate Change Consortium

Description: A consortium of natural resource managers, scientists, and other interested parties

to secure ecological and economic benefits for the Bay Area in the face of climate change. The

consortium was founded in 2009 and is operated by a Steering Committee of regional leaders

that supervise an Executive Coordinator. The consortium’s goals include reducing the negative

impacts of climate change on Bay Area ecosystems and wildlife, securing ecological,

recreational, and natural economic benefits, and enhancing the role of natural ecosystem

http://resources.ca.gov/climate_adaptation/docs/Statewide_Adaptation_Strategy_-_Chapter_9_-_Forestry.pdf

http://resources.ca.gov/climate_adaptation/docs/Statewide_Adaptation_Strategy_-_Chapter_9_-_Forestry.pdf


60 Ecosystem Sector

processes to sequester carbon, reduce flood impacts, moderate climate extremes, and address

related impacts of climate change on human communities.


Relevant agencies: CDFW, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California State Park

Lands, Santa Clara County Parks, Santa Clara Valley Water District, California Landscape

Conservation Cooperative (CA LCC), California State Park Lands


o BAECCC Website: http://www.baeccc.org/

California Landscape Conservation Cooperative (CA LCC)

Description: A management-science partnership created to inform and promote integrated

science, natural resource management, and conservation to address impacts of climate change

and other stressors within and across ecosystems3. The cooperative aims to develop a

community of resource managers, scientists, conservation practitioners, and others to

successfully collaborate to advance and implement actions to promote resilient and adaptable

ecosystems.


Relevant agencies: CDFW, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California State Park

Lands, Santa Clara County Parks, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Bay Area Ecosystem Climate

Change Consortium (BAECCC), California State Park Lands


o CA LCC Website: http://californialcc.org/

Key Actors and Decision Makers for Climate Change Adaptation Planning

and Implementation The natural resources sector consists of a complex network of public and private agencies, each of which

will have a critical role to play in advancing climate change adaptation planning. These agencies are

identified below, along with a description of their roles.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Scientific agency focused on oceans

and atmosphere. The agency serves as environmental steward of U.S. coastal and marine

environments, and manages fisheries, marine sanctuaries, and protects federally threatened

and endangered marine species in coordination with federal, state, local, tribal, and

international authorities.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): This agency manages fish, wildlife, and natural

habitats. Their responsibilities include enforcing federal wildlife laws, protecting endangered

species, managing migratory birds, restoring nationally significant fisheries, conserving and

restoring wildlife habitat (e.g. wetlands restoration), assisting foreign governments with

international conservation efforts and financially supporting state fish and wildlife agencies.

3 CA LCC Mission Statement, available: http://californialcc.org/about-us

http://www.baeccc.org/

http://californialcc.org/

http://californialcc.org/about-us


Ecosystem Sector 61

United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps): This agency oversees public engineering, design,

and construction largely associated with waterways, including dams, canals, and flood

protection. The Corps also provides environmental regulation, public recreation, hydropower,

and ecosystem restoration and is the permitting agency for waters of the U.S. (including

wetlands meeting jurisdictional definition).

State Regulatory Agencies

Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC): A California State commission

dedicated to the protection, enhancement, and responsible use of the San Francisco Bay.

Provide planning, including the San Francisco Bay Plan and Climate Change Planning Program.

Agency also enforces laws, policies, and regulations relating to the San Francisco Bay.

California Coastal Conservancy: State agency established in 1976 to enhance coastal resources

and access to coastal areas. Their goals include protecting and improving coastal wetlands,

streams, and watersheds, recreation, restoration and resource enhancement, coastal, and bay

lands, and to protect and support agricultural lands.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW): State agency that manages and protects

California’s fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and native habitats. The agency oversees

recreation and licensing, resource management, law enforcement, marine, spills, and education.

It is responsible for scientific data management and GIS support, including the California Wildlife

Habitat Relationship System (CWHR) and the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB).

California Environmental Protection Agency State Water Resources Control Board (State Water

Board): The Agency’s mission is to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s

water resources, and ensure their proper allocation and efficient use for the benefit of present

and future generations. Areas include agricultural programs, basin planning, brownfields,

enforcement, groundwater, permitting, stormwater, streams and wetlands, wastewater,

watershed management, water quality, and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs – action plans

to restore clean water).

California Department of Parks and Recreation – California State Park Lands: State agency

responsible for managing the state parks system, including 280 state parks on 1.4 million acres.

Regional Agencies and Other Groups

Bay Area Ecosystem Climate Change Consortium (BAECCC): A consortium of natural resource

managers, scientists, and other interested parties to secure ecological and economic benefits for

the Bay Area. It was founded in 2009 and operated by a Steering Committee of regional leaders

that supervise an Executive Coordinator. Goals include reducing the negative impacts of climate

change on Bay Area ecosystems and wildlife, securing ecological, recreational, and natural

economic benefits, and enhancing the role of natural ecosystem processes to sequester carbon,

reduce flood impacts, moderate climate extremes, and address related impacts of climate

change on human communities.

California Landscape Conservation Cooperative (CA LCC): A management-science partnership

created to inform and promote integrated science, natural resource management, and


62 Ecosystem Sector

conservation to address impacts of climate change and other stressors within and across

ecosystems4.

California Native Plant Society – Santa Clara Valley Chapter: Local chapter of the state-wide non-

profit organization dedicated to increase the understanding of and to preserve California’s

native wild plants.

California Trout – Central California Region: A non-profit organization whose mission is to

protect and restore wild trout, steelhead, salmon, and their waters throughout California.

Creekside Center for Earth Observation: Consulting firm in Santa Clara County, led by Dr. Stu

Weiss, climate ecologist and expert on Serpentine grassland habitat and associated plant and

wildlife species. Dr. Weiss is an key expert in climate change ecology in Santa Clara County.

Ducks Unlimited – Santa Clara County Chapter: Local chapter of the international non-profit

organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated uplands habitat, for

waterfowl, other wildlife, and people.

Midpeninsula Open Space District: A regional greenbelt system comprising over 62,000 acres of

land in 26 open space preserved in the Bay Area.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC): An American charitable environmental organization, whose

mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. TNC is involved locally in

several projects, including the Upper Pajaro River Floodplain Restoration Project.

Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST): A regional trust dedicated towards protecting and caring for

open space, farmland, and parkland in and around the Silicon Valley.

Regional Water Quality Control Board: Regional board responsible for water quality, may

provide information particular to areas susceptible to riverine flooding and precipitation change.

Santa Clara County Open Space Authority: An independent special district governed by an

elected board of officials, whose purpose is to preserve key portions of the natural environment

in order to balance continuing urban growth. Its jurisdiction is all of Santa Clara County with the

exception of lands and communities within the boundaries of Midpeninsula Regional Open

Space District and the city of Gilroy.

Santa Clara County Parks: County planning division responsible for managing and maintaining

regional county parklands.

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society: Local chapter of the American non-profit environmental

organization dedicated to conservation, particularly avian conservation. The local chapter

mission is to preserve, protect, and educate the community about native birds and their

ecosystems in Santa Clara County.

Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency: County agency primarily responsible for overseeing

implementation of the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan and associated Habitat Reserve System.

Santa Clara Valley Water District: Water agency that provides stream stewardship, wholesale

water supply, and flood protection for Santa Clara County.

4 CA LCC Mission Statement, available: http://californialcc.org/about-us

http://californialcc.org/about-us


Ecosystem Sector 63

Scientific Experts

Dr. Alan Launer of Stanford University, a well recognized source on serpentine grassland and

local biodiversity - [email protected]

Dr. Jerry Smith of San Jose State University, an expert on local fish and steelhead.

Dr. Sheila Berry of UC Extension, an expert on grazing, livestock, ranchlands management -

[email protected]

Dr. David Ackerly of UC Berkeley, an expert in climate ecology, with a special focus on native

plants of California (mentioned above)

Dr. Stu Weiss, private consultant, expert on Serpentine grassland habitat & associated plant and

wildlife species - Stu Weiss [email protected]

Summary of Existing Efforts to address Vulnerabilities Table 2 summarizes the existing efforts in the ecosystem sector to address anticipated impacts from

climate change. Given that the natural lands are a mosaic of publicly and privately owned in Santa Clara

County, efforts to mainstream climate change adaptation into land use management will depend greatly

on the municipalities that govern them and their ability to co-manage with private entities.

Table 2: Existing Efforts to Address Ecosystem Sector Climate Change Vulnerabilities

Climate Change Variable Asset

Macro-category of

Effort Effort

Description of Effort

Level of Regional

Climate Change Preparedness

Sea Level Rise

Coastal Habitats

Coastal Wetlands

Analysis Tool PRBO

Web-based tool to analyse current conditions under future climate change sea

level rise scenarios

Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

Sea Level Rise

Coastal Habitats

Coastal Wetlands

Historical Study

SF Estuary Study

Study of historical interaction between

intertidal and terrestrial zones in the South Bay

Vulnerability and Risk Assessment;

Adaptation Strategy Development

Sea Level Rise Coastal

Wetlands Restoration

Ecology

South Bay Salt Ponds

Restoration

15,100 acre wetland restoration project

Parallel Effort with Potential Climate

Preparedness Benefits

Precipitation Change (Riverine

Flooding)

Freshwater Aquatic

Policy/Planning/

Operations

Climate Change

Vulnerability of CA Fishes

Climate change vulnerability assessment of native and

non-native freshwater fish in California

Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, Strategy

Development

Temperature & Precipitation

Change Multiple

Habitat Conservation

Planning SCV HCP

Plan for addressing growth and conservation in Santa

Clara County



Change All Analysis Tool

NatureServe Tool

Climate change vulnerability index tool for assessing

species specific vulnerability

Vulnerability Assessment

mailto:[email protected]




64 Ecosystem Sector


Change Multiple

Climate Change

Scientific Research

Ackerly Lab Research

UC Berkeley research lab focusing on ecosystem and species impacts to climate

change in the Bay Area

Vulnerability and Risk Assessment


Change

Multiple Terrestrial

Corridor Connectivity

Bay Area CLN

Long term connectivity scientific analysis and plan to link habitat landscape

conservation

Parallel Effort with Climate Change Preparedness

Benefits

Wildfire All Forests Climate Change

Planning

California State-wide

Forestry Adaptation

Adaptation strategy guide for forestry and wildfires

Parallel Effort with Climate Change Preparedness

Benefits

Multiple Multiple Policy/Planni

ng/ Operations

BAECCC

Creation of a consortium of climate change natural

resource planners, managers, and scientists


Multiple Multiple Policy/Planni

ng/ Operations

CA LCC Periodic review of scientific literature on climate change

variables


Summary of Existing Gaps in Climate Change Preparedness Efforts in the

Ecosystem Sector Table 3 provides a summary of existing efforts and gaps in ecosystem sector climate change

preparedness efforts. The Table lists the existing vulnerabilities of various assets in the sector to climate

change variables, along with an identification of whether climate change preparedness efforts are in

place to address these vulnerabilities, as well as a qualitative rating of the level of those climate change

preparedness efforts.

Several major initiatives have been launched to accommodate climate change effects on ecosystems

and species in the region. Most emphasis thus far has been focused on the intertidal zone and adjacent

areas to accommodate sea level rise. Terrestrially focused efforts emphasize protecting sensitive species

by creating regional-scale connected networks of ecologically diverse protected areas that can

accommodate species movement and associated natural processes as the climate changes. Other

important ecosystem services in the region have received little study thus far. These include: evaluating

and minimizing the loss of biomass accompanying shifts in vegetation types in the region (and resulting

greenhouse gas emissions); the effects of vegetation, precipitation, wildfire and hydrologic changes on

stream flooding and sedimentation/erosion/landslide rates within watersheds; contributions of

landscape vegetation change and increased evapotranspiration on air quality and the urban heat island

effect in the Santa Clara Valley; and expected increases in wildfire frequency and intensity and

associated changes to planning, design, and landscape management activities.


Ecosystem Sector 65

Table 3: Level of Climate Change Preparedness Efforts in the Ecosystem Sector

Climate Change Variable Habitat Asset Affected Nature of Impact

Existing Climate Change

Preparedness Efforts?

Level of Climate Change

Preparedness Efforts

Sea Level Rise Coastal Habitat Coastal Wetland

Permanent inundation of habitat assets near coastline, habitat loss, inability for upland habitat migration due to human-built environment, saltwater intrusion to freshwater systems, drinking water, freshwater supplies, loss of habitat (e.g. nest failure, burrow inundation, etc.).

Yes Medium

Storm Surge

Coastal Habitat Riparian and Riverine Coastal Wetland Freshwater Wetland Freshwater Lake and Pond

Damage to coastal habitat assets from increased storm surge intensity and frequency, saltwater intrusion into freshwater systems, hydrology changes, impacts to infrastructure (levees, sea walls, buildings), crop loss, food loss, loss of habitat (e.g. nest failure, burrow inundation, etc.).

No None

Precipitation Change (Riverine Flooding)

Chaparral and Scrubland Riparian and Riverine Freshwater Wetland Freshwater Lake and Pond

Flooding on slopes leading to erosion, species composition, habitat loss, increase in sedimentation in aquatic habitats, impacts to fishes through loss of spawning habitat, egg loss and failure, loss of individuals, esp. juveniles, vegetation loss in all habitats affected, including agricultural, riparian fn loss, structural damage (related to habitat loss in built environment)

Yes Low

Temperature Change (Shift to a Warmer Climate)

All Habitats

Heat stress leading to population loss, loss of populations/species dependent on cooler environments (e.g. redwoods), phenological changes, fuel loading supporting wildfire increase, landscape species composition changes, succession - gradual shift to grassland habitats as species move to higher elevations and cooler climates, increase in invasive species, freshwater availability loss and increased competition (inc. human environment) for aquatic resources, crop loss, loss of food supply

Yes Low

Precipitation Change (Shift to a Drier Climate)

All Habitats

Drought, less summer precipitation, exacerbated effects to temperature change listed above, reduction in freshwater and ground water supplies, increase competition for water (including with human environment), vegetation loss leading to increases in wildfire and landslide/erosion, gradual habitat changes, phenological changes

Yes Low


66 Ecosystem Sector

Wildfire

Coniferous Forest Hardwood Forest Oak Woodland Coastal Wetland Freshwater Wetland Freshwater Lake and Pond

Loss (potentially catastrophic) of populations and species, changes to natural habitat fire cycles, loss of carbon sinks, increase of carbon dioxide in atmosphere, habitat loss/change, shade loss, increase in sedimentation, reduced water quality, food loss

No None, but

Parallel Efforts Exist

Ecosystem Sector Introduction · 2018. 1. 25. · Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap...

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