Fellow Project: Identifying Climate Refugia for Bison through Habitat Suitability Modeling--Supporting Restoration Considerations in Colorado
Learn about the research of Emma Galofré García, a 2024 Science to Action Fellow.
Fellow Information
- Emma Galofré García, University of Colorado Boulder
- Fellowship: 2024 Science to Action Fellow
- Mentor: Sarah Weiskopf, National CASC
Project Summary
Bison are keystone species and ecosystem engineers that contribute to heterogenous and productive landscapes. As climate change increases, bison also play an important role in ecosystem resilience. As a result, there is increased interest in recovering the species across its historic range, including in Colorado where Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) are evaluating the potential to actively restore the species. However, with increases in drought conditions and extreme heat events in the state, it is important to understand how climate change impacts restoration efforts, including how habitat suitability and the species’ need for refugia change into the future. Our project aims to address these considerations by working with CPW to develop a habitat suitability model for bison in Colorado that incorporates climate change projections to understand suitability within the state and how it shifts across climate change outcomes. This model and public facing web-based application will allow CPW and other stakeholders to investigate habitat suitability for bison in Colorado, helping identify areas that can support the species over the long-term and work towards climate resilient species restoration planning.
Learn about the research of Emma Galofré García, a 2024 Science to Action Fellow.
Fellow Information
- Emma Galofré García, University of Colorado Boulder
- Fellowship: 2024 Science to Action Fellow
- Mentor: Sarah Weiskopf, National CASC
Project Summary
Bison are keystone species and ecosystem engineers that contribute to heterogenous and productive landscapes. As climate change increases, bison also play an important role in ecosystem resilience. As a result, there is increased interest in recovering the species across its historic range, including in Colorado where Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) are evaluating the potential to actively restore the species. However, with increases in drought conditions and extreme heat events in the state, it is important to understand how climate change impacts restoration efforts, including how habitat suitability and the species’ need for refugia change into the future. Our project aims to address these considerations by working with CPW to develop a habitat suitability model for bison in Colorado that incorporates climate change projections to understand suitability within the state and how it shifts across climate change outcomes. This model and public facing web-based application will allow CPW and other stakeholders to investigate habitat suitability for bison in Colorado, helping identify areas that can support the species over the long-term and work towards climate resilient species restoration planning.