Guidelines for Using the NatureServe Climate Change Vulnerability IndexGuidelines for Using the NatureServe Climate Change Vulnerability Index

Abstract

Motivated by the need for a means to rapidly assess the vulnerability of species to climate change, NatureServe developed a Climate Change Vulnerability Index. The Index uses a scoring system that considers a species ’ predicted exposure to climate change within its range and factors associated with climate change sensitivity, each supported by published studies: 1) indirect exposure to climate change, 2) species-specific factors (including dispersal ability, temperature and precipitation sensitivity, physical habitat specificity, interspecific interactions, and genetic factors), and 3) documented response to climate change. Assessing priority species with this Index facilitates grouping taxa by their relative risk to climate change and identifies causal factors. The results provide valuable input for revisions of state wildlife action plans to address climate change and can help land managers evaluate the likely effectiveness of alternative strategies to increase the resilience of species to climate change. This document briefly explains the Index, how to use it, and how to interpret the results. Box 1. Key characteristics of the Index * Programmed in an Excel workbook * Uses downscaled climate predictions provided by the Climate Wizard * Requires knowledge about current distribution and natural history of the species being assessed * Predicts whether a species will decline, remain stable, or increase in numbers or distribution * Identifies factors causing vulnerability * Complementary to NatureServe Conservation Status Ranks