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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.
Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap 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
Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap Analysis
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
Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap Analysis
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
Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap Analysis
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
Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap Analysis
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.
Existing Climate Change Preparedness Efforts
In order to ensure the viability of habitats in the face of riverine flooding in Santa Clara County, the
following project has been implemented.
Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap Analysis
56 Ecosystem Sector
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
Documentation of efforts:
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
Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap Analysis
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.
Existing Climate Change Preparedness Efforts
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
Documentation of efforts:
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
Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap Analysis
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
Documentation of efforts:
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
Documentation of efforts:
The Ackerly Lab Website Homepage: http://ib.berkeley.edu/labs/ackerly/
Parallel Efforts with Potential Climate Change Preparedness Benefits
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
Documentation of efforts:
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
Silicon Valley 2.0 - Climate Preparedness Gap Analysis
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.
Existing Climate Change Preparedness Efforts
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.
Parallel Efforts with Potential Climate Change Preparedness Benefits
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
Documentation of efforts:
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
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60 Ecosystem Sector
processes to sequester carbon, reduce flood impacts, moderate climate extremes, and address
related impacts of climate change on human communities.
Implementation level: Adaptation Strategy Development
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
Documentation of efforts:
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.
Implementation level: Adaptation Strategy Development
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
Documentation of efforts:
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
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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
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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
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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 -
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
Adaptation Strategy Development
Temperature & Precipitation
Change All Analysis Tool
NatureServe Tool
Climate change vulnerability index tool for assessing
species specific vulnerability
Vulnerability Assessment
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64 Ecosystem Sector
Temperature & Precipitation
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
Temperature & Precipitation
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
Adaptation Strategy Development
Multiple Multiple Policy/Planni
ng/ Operations
CA LCC Periodic review of scientific literature on climate change
variables
Adaptation Strategy Development
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.
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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
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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