This is a collection of vulnerability assessments relevant to all or portions of the Northwest Climate Hub region and specific to Climate Hub focus areas, including agriculture, forestry, and rangelands. Assessments are useful to adaptation processes since these documents synthesize available science and knowledges. These assessments examine aspects of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of key resources or systems to potential climate change impacts. The assessments have the year of publication after the title.
Fifth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 27: Northwest (2023) examines the vulnerabilities and strengths of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to climate change.
2022 Water Year Assessment (2023) is the latest in a series of annual assessments from the University of Washington's Climate Impacts Group. The goal of these assessments is to better understand the impacts of events and conditions of the previous water year on agricultural production, drinking water supply, hydropower, fisheries, recreation, forestry and more in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Fourth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 24: Northwest (2018) highlights the vulnerabilities of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington in a changing climate.
USDA Northwest Climate Hub Regional Vulnerability Assessment of Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies (2015) is an assessment that explores a wide range of vulnerabilities throughout the Northwest. It also addresses ongoing adaptation and mitigation strategies.
The Northwest Climate Assessment Report (2013) is a report that assesses climate change vulnerabilities throughout Oregon and Washington. This resource was developed by the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington.
National Climate Assessment Health Sector Workshop: Northwest Region Report (2012) is a report that synthesizes the impacts of climate change upon health in the Northwest.
Fifth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 16: Tribes and Indigenous Peoples (2023) discusses the impacts of climate change on Indigenous Peoples, as well as the ways in which Indigenous Peoples are leading climate adaptation and mitigation actions guided by Indigenous Knowledge and values.
The Status of Tribes and Climate Change (STACC) Report (2021) is a report that seeks to uplift and honor the voices of Indigenous peoples across the U.S. to increase understanding of Tribal lifeways, cultures, and worldviews, the climate change impacts Tribes are experiencing, the solutions they are implementing, and methods of support that can be employed.
Fourth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 15: Tribes and Indigenous Peoples (2018) is a chapter that discusses the impacts of climate change on indigenous peoples in the United States and how indigenous knowledges could help managers and producers adapt to a changing climate.
Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples: A Synthesis of Current Impacts and Experiences (2017) is a synthesis that brings together research pertaining to the impacts of climate change on sovereignty, culture, health, and economies that are currently being experienced by Alaska Native and American Indian tribes and other indigenous communities in the United States.
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments for Specific Tribes and Native Groups
Metlakatla Indian Community Climate Change Adaptation Plan(2019)
Samish Indian Nation Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (2019)
Climate Change and the Colville Tribes (2018)
Native Village of Georgetown, Alaska Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (2017)
Nooksack Indian Tribe Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (2017)
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for the Treaty of Olympia Tribes (2017)
Upper Snake River Tribes Foundation Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (2017)
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan (2017)
Climate Change and Our Natural Resources: Treaty Tribes in Western Washington (2016)
Puyallup Tribe of Indians Climate Change Impact Assessment (2016)
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (2015)
Stillaguamish Tribe Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (2014)
Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan (2013)
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Climate Change Initiative Impact Assessment Report (2011)
NOTE: The Pacific Northwest Tribal Climate Change Network has a Tribal Climate Change Guide which includes vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans for Tribes and is updated regularly.
Fifth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 29: Alaska (2023) provides a scientific synthesis of the current and future potential impacts of climate change in Alaska.
Juneau's Changing Climate and Community Response (2022) is a report from the Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center that describes the impacts of climate change on Juneau and Southeast Alaska.
Erosion Exposure Assessment of Alaska Coastal Communities (2021) provides information about the levels of vulnerability many Alaskan communities face due to coastal and riverine erosion.
Assessing Vulnerability of Subsistence Travel to Effects of Environmental Change in Interior Alaska (2020) is a scientific paper that documents and estimates the relative effects that specific environmental conditions are having on access to subsistence resources across Interior Alaska.
Unmet Infrastructure Needs of Alaska Native and Tribal Villages Relocating (2020) is a report that describes the limited progress made on relocating Native and Tribal villages threatened by flooding, erosion, and other climate-related events. This resource was developed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Alaska Statewide Threat Assessment (2019) identifies threats from erosion, flooding, and thawing permafrost in remote Alaska communities.
Fourth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 26: Alaska (2018) provides Alaska-specific information about climate change effects.
Chugach National Forest and the Kenai Peninsula (2017) is a climate change vulnerability assessment focused on the national forest and surrounding areas.
- Vulnerability of Alaska Native Tribes in the Chugach Region to Selected Climate and Nonclimate Stressors (2024) is a report that supplements the Chugach National Forest vulnerability assessment and assesses the vulnerability of seven Alaska Native tribes in the Chugach region.
Aleutian-Bering Climate Vulnerability Assessment (2016) is a climate change vulnerability assessment focused on the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea area of Alaska.
Aquatic Resources in the Tongass National Forest (2014) is a climate change vulnerability assessment focused on aquatic resources in the national forest.
The Idaho Climate-Economy Impacts Assessment (2021) connects the latest scientific research on Idaho’s changing climate with economic risks and opportunities that impact businesses, residents, and local and state economies.
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Intermountain Region Part I and Part II (2018) are climate change vulnerability assessments for national forests and surrounding areas in southern Idaho.
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Northern Rockies Region Part I and Part II (2018) are climate change vulnerability assessments for national forests and surrounding areas in northern Idaho.
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Blue Mountains Region(2017)is a climate change vulnerability assessment for national forests in the Blue Mountains region including western Idaho.
A Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for Resources of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest (2014) is a climate change vulnerability assessment for the national forest.
Sixth Oregon Climate Assessment Report (2023) assesses Oregon’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change. This report is from the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute in response to Oregon legislation to produce such a report every two years.
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Mount Hood National Forest, and Willamette National Forest (2022) is a climate change vulnerability assessment for the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood National Forest, and Willamette National Forest and surrounding areas.
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in Southwest Oregon (2022) is a climate change vulnerability assessment for national forests and surrounding areas in southwest Oregon.
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in Southcentral Oregon (2019) is a climate change vulnerability assessment for national forests and surrounding areas in southcentral Oregon.
Fourth Oregon Climate Assessment Report (2019) assesses Oregon’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change. This report is from the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute.
Oregon Health Authority Climate and Health Vulnerability Assessment (2015) is an assessment that focuses on the impacts of climate change on public health.
In the Hot Seat: Saving Lives from Extreme Heat in Washington State (2023) is a report from University of Washington's Climate Impacts Group that outlines specific, actionable guidance for short-term emergency response and long-term risk reduction.
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Mount Hood National Forest, and Willamette National Forest (2022) is a climate change vulnerability assessment for the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood National Forest, and Willamette National Forest and surrounding areas.
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment of the Sauk Watershed (2019) is an assessment that provides information about how climate change stands to affect salmon habitat in the Skagit River.
Social Vulnerability to Large Wildfires in the Western USA (2019) is a report that explores the social vulnerabilities of the western United States to large wildfires with a focus on north-central Washington.
An Unfair Share (2018) is a report that explores the disproportionate risks from climate change facing Washington state communities.
A Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for Washington State Parks (2017) is an assessment that explores how climate change may affect State Park properties, operations, facilities, and statewide programs.
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Blue Mountains Region (2017) is a climate change vulnerability assessment for national forests in the Blue Mountains region including southeastern Washington.
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the North Cascades Region, Washington (2014) is a climate change vulnerability assessment for the forests of the North Cascades region in Washington.
Adaptations to Climate Change: Colville and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests (2012) is a climate change vulnerability assessment for the Colville and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests.
Adapting to Climate Change at Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park (2011) is a climate change vulnerability assessment for the forests of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.
Fifth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 11: Agriculture, Food Systems, and Rural Communities (2023) discusses climate impacts and adaptation options for agriculture, food systems, and rural communities in the US.
Fourth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 10: Agriculture and Rural Communities (2018) provides timely information about how climate change is expected to impact agriculture and rural communities in the United States.
Managing Agricultural Land for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation within the United States(2016) presents an analysis of the greenhouse gas mitigation potential associated with changes in U.S. agricultural management practices.
Climate Change and Agriculture in the United States: Effects and Adaptation (2013) is a USDA report that summarizes the effects of climate change on agriculture and various adaptation strategies that can be employed by producers.
Fifth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 7: Forests (2023) discusses climate impacts and adaptation options for forests in the US.
Puget Sound region: Tree species vulnerability assessment (2023) summarizes climate change projections for the Puget Sound region and provides an assessment of tree species vulnerability in the region.
Fourth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 6: Forests (2018) describes the effects of climate change on forests throughout the United States.
Climate Change and Forest Trees in the Pacific Northwest: A Vulnerability Assessment and Recommended Actions for National Forests (2017) is a climate change vulnerability assessment for forests in the Pacific Northwest.
Predicting the Unpredictable (2016) is a Science Findings that explores potential climate change impacts on vegetation in the Pacific Northwest.
Climate Change Effects on Vegetation in the Pacific Northwest (2014) is a review and synthesis of the scientific literature and simulation model projections of climate effects on Northwest vegetation.
West Wide Wildfire Risk Assessment (2013) is a report that assesses the risk of wildfire throughout the West.
Effects of Climatic Variability and Change on Forest Ecosystems (2012) is a scientific synthesis for forests in the United States.
National Forest Climate Vulnerability Assessments:
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in Southwest Oregon (2022)
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in Southcentral Oregon (2019)
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in Southwest Washington (2019)
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Intermountain Region Part Iand Part II (2018)
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Northern Rockies Region Part I and Part II (2018)
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Blue Mountains Region (2017)
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for the Chugach National Forest and the Kenai Peninsula (2017)
A Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for Resources of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest (2014)
Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in the North Cascades Region, Washington (2014)
A Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for Aquatic Resources in the Tongass National Forest (2014)
Adaptation to Climate Change: Colville and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests (2012)
Adapting to Climate Change at Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park (2011)
Fifth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 4: Water (2023) discusses the impacts of climate change on water availability in the US.
Climate Change on the Range: Monitoring and Adaptation for Sustainability is a report from the University of Wyoming and partners that summarizes projected changes to US rangelands.
Fourth National Climate Assessment, Chapter 3: Water (2018) is a chapter that describes how water availability could shift due to climate change.
Managing Climate Change Risks in Rangeland Systems (2017) is a report that addresses the vulnerability of rangeland systems, and several adaptation strategies that could help managers adapt to changing rangeland systems.
Vulnerability of Cattle Production to Climate Change on U.S. Rangelands (2016) is an assessment of cattle production under climate change.
Estimating Climate Change Effects of Grazing Management and Beef Cattle Production in the Pacific Northwest (2014) is a scientific paper that addresses the how climate change could impact cattle production.
Climate Change and North American Rangelands (2013) is an assessment of mitigation and adaptation strategies for rangelands experiencing the effects of climate change.