Adaptation to climate change in management of prairie grasslands

Options for adaptation to climate change in management of prairie grasslands were examined as part of Terrestrial Ecosystems component of the Prairies Regional Adaptation Collaborative (PRAC). Adaptation options were structured according to the “three Rs”: Create resistance to change (short-term adaptation), Promote resilience to change (medium-term adaptation), Enable ecosystems to respond to change (long-term adaptation) In grazing management, most of the adaptations that have been discussed are based on short-term resistance to drought or other extreme events. These include reducing cattle herds, finding alternative grazing, increased feeding, and addressing stockwater shortages. Medium-term adaptations aimed at increasing the resilience of grazing operations include moderate to conservative stocking rates, maintaining litter cover, more flexible herd structure, and improving water supply systems. Long-term response options in grazing management include grassland monitoring, revision of range management standards, changes in grazing and land use strategies, and increases in management flexibility. In biodiversity conservation, most of the adaptations that have been discussed are medium- to long-term resilience and response strategies. These include incorporating climate change into conservation plans, increasing protected areas, mitigating other threats to biodiversity such as exotic invasion, and improving information on climate change. The strategies most focused on long-term response aim at facilitating the northward movement of species to adjust to the warmer climate. There are two broad approaches, with advantages and disadvantages in different situations: increasing landscape connectivity, and assisted migration of selected species. Existing government programs that directly or indirectly address climate change in grassland management are reviewed. It is recommended that government agencies use the list of adaptation options provided here to review their current policies and programs, with the aim of identifying those that could be modified or expanded to better address climate change. Options that are not addressed by any current policies should be the focus of new policy development.