Seeking shelter from the storm: Conservation and management of imperiled species in a changing climate

Abstract

Climate change is anticipated to exacerbate the extinction risk of species whose persistence is already compromised by habitat loss, invasive species, disease, or other stressors. In coastal areas of the southeastern United States (USA), many imperiled vertebrates are vulnerable to hurricanes, which climate models predict to become more severe in the 21st century. Despite this escalating threat, explicit adaptation strategies that address hurricane threats, in particular, and climate change more generally, are largely underrepresented in recovery planning and implementation. We provide a basis for stronger emphasis on strategic planning for imperiled species facing the increasing threat of catastrophic hurricanes. Our reasoning comes from observations of short‐term environmental and biological impacts of Hurricane Michael, which impacted the Gulf Coast of the southeastern USA in October 2018. During this storm, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, located along the northern Gulf of Mexico's coast in the panhandle region of Florida, received storm surge that was 3.0–3.6 m (NAVD88) above sea level. Storm surge pushed sea water into some ephemeral freshwater ponds used for breeding by the federally threatened frosted flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum). After the storm, specific conductance across all ponds measured varied from 80 to 23,100 µS/cm, compared to 75 to 445 µS/cm in spring 2018. For 17 overwashed wetlands that were measured in both spring and fall 2018, posthurricane conductance observations were, on average, more than 90 times higher than in the previous spring, setting the stage for varying population responses across this coastal landscape. Importantly, we found live individual flatwoods salamanders at both overwashed and non‐overwashed sites, although we cannot yet assess the demographic consequences of this storm. We outline actions that could be incorporated into climate adaptation strategies and recovery planning for imperiled species, like A. cingulatum, that are associated with freshwater coastal wetlands in hurricane‐prone regions.

Movements of marine and estuarine turtles during Hurricane Michael

“…Storm surge was estimated at 9–14 ft in Bay and Gulf Counties, Florida 11 and the combination of water and wind resulted in the destruction of man-made structures and natural habitats. An estimated 39% of longleaf pine habitat in Florida showed immediate impacts from the storm 12 and salinity of wetlands in the region was altered 13 . Marine habitats may also have been impacted, which could have negative consequences for the species that rely on them for survival 14 , 15 .…”

Prioritization of Vulnerable Species Under Scenarios of Anthropogenic-Driven Change in Georgia's Coastal Plain

“…For higher-elevation habitats that SLR is less likely to directly inundate, estimates of future urban growth indicate that development could threaten ecosystem biodiversity and productivity through habitat loss or conversion (Swenson and Franklin 2000;Seto et al 2012). Effective management of wildlife populations benefits from planning for the relative vulnerability of species to these anthropogenic factors, particularly for threatened or endangered species already at risk of potential extinction (Daniels et al 1993;Benscoter et al 2013;Walls et al 2019). A better understanding of relative vulnerability will help managers to prioritize species and habitats at greatest risk from multiple stressors (Given and Norton 1993;Miller 2006;Gauthier et al 2010;Barrett et al 2014;Walls et al 2019).…”

“…Effective management of wildlife populations benefits from planning for the relative vulnerability of species to these anthropogenic factors, particularly for threatened or endangered species already at risk of potential extinction (Daniels et al 1993;Benscoter et al 2013;Walls et al 2019). A better understanding of relative vulnerability will help managers to prioritize species and habitats at greatest risk from multiple stressors (Given and Norton 1993;Miller 2006;Gauthier et al 2010;Barrett et al 2014;Walls et al 2019).…”

Introduction to a Special Section: Captive Propagation of Imperiled Species

“…In addition, climate change is expected to increase the number of imperiled species and their extinction risk (Walls et al. ).…”

“…Threats to imperiled aquatic species include habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, and overexploitation (Arthington et al 2016). In addition, climate change is expected to increase the number of imperiled species and their extinction risk (Walls et al 2019).…”