Tennessee State Wildlife Action Planning

January 2015 Update

TENNESSEE ASSESSES CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITIES OF STATE WILDLIFE

Hellbender at Night in the Hiwassee River. Photo credit: Dave Herasimtschuk, Freshwaters Illustrated.

The TWRA and The Nature Conservancy are continuing efforts to update the Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan, which serves as a guidance document to direct conservation efforts to benefit species of greatest conservation need (GCN) and their habitats. In preparation for potentially changing climate impacts to valuable natural resources in Tennessee, biologists at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) are working with Patty Glick, the Senior Climate Change Specialist at the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), to determine which species and habitat may be most vulnerable. To address this need, they are using NatureServe's Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) tool, which reflects advances in understanding of how climate change affects plants and animals.

The TWRA & TNC team is also utilizing additional information to understand the potential of Tennessee's landscapes to provide resilient habitats for wildlife into the future. Data from The Nature Conservancy's recently released assessment of resilient landscapes in the Southeast U.S. is being examined alongside our species and habitat information to develop a broad understanding of the adaptation capacity of our species, habitats and landscapes here in Tennessee.

Ultimately, an understanding of the potential climate change vulnerabilities of habitats and species, and the landscapes we find them in today, informs better long-term conservation strategies and decision-making. Conservation practitioners can use the CCVI results to inform habitat management strategies to reduce threats to certain species and their vulnerability to climate change. For example, the CCVI shows that man-made structures, such as dams and a lack of trees in (riparian) areas alongside streams are threats to particular aquatic species, like the eastern hellbender. By eliminating dams and planting trees on small streams in Tennessee and providing access to cooler water, you lessen the species' vulnerability and increase its survivability. This is particularly significant, as such measures could help lessen the threats and the eastern hellbender being listed as an endangered species. Moreover, working to reduce such threats increases conservation of natural resources overall.

Final reports on all aspects of the climate vulnerability assessment for all plant and animal taxa will accompany the release of the draft State Wildlife Action Plan, expected to be out for general public review in late spring 2015.

To learn more about the CCVI, Tennessee's conservation goals and the measures necessary to recover endangered species, restore unique habitats, keep rare and imperiled species off the endangered species list, and to keep common species common, visit the Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan page. For questions about the TN SWAP update process or to make comments contact Bill Reeves, Chief of Biodiversity, 615-781-6645 or bill.reeves@tn.gov.

Images Courtesy of: Bob English (Prairie Warbler, Timbler Rattler, Barking Tree Frog), Carl Williams (Upland Burrowing Crayfish), Price Sewell (Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat), Todd Stailey, Tennessee Aquarium (Redline Darter), Jeffrey Basinger, Freshwaters Illustrated (Lamp Mussel), Nathaniel Gross (Six Spotted Tiger Beetle)

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's mission is to preserve, conserve, manage, protect, and enhance the fish and wildlife of the state and their habitats for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the citizens of Tennessee and its visitors. The Agency will foster the safe use of the state's waters through a program of law enforcement, education, and access. Visit TWRA on the Web at www.state.tn.us/twra/.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide and more than 300,000 acres in Tennessee. Visit The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee on the Web at www.nature.org/tennessee.