Developing Climate Calendars to Inform Invasive Species Management in the Northeast

Controlling the spread and impacts of invasive species is becoming more challenging as climate conditions change. More relevant information is needed to guide timely and localized management actions for these species to preserve cultural resources and ecosystem integrity.



Data products are most valuable when they are developed with input from the people who use them for invasive species management decisions. This project will invite decision makers, Tribal representatives, and natural resource managers to share the social and cultural values that influence their trust and use of data. These shared insights will be used by the project team to shape the format, delivery, and communication of a suite of map products reflecting “Thermal Calendars” for the northeast region. These calendars indicate when specific warmth levels are reached during the year, which are crucial indicators of key events in the life cycles of plants and animals like when invasive plants produce flowers or seeds, or when invasive insects hatch from eggs or emerge as adults.



These products can support state, federal, university, Tribal, and NGO partners based in northeastern states as they plan and implement management activities to control invasive species in a changing climate.