Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are projected to continue rising. In addition, crop related NO2 emissions in the Northern Plains region is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases. Elevated levels of greenhouse gases like CO2 and NO2 can lead to environmental impacts such as increased temperatures and varied patterns of precipitation. These environmental changes can causes changes in growing seasonality, pest and weed pressure, and sporadic precipitation. These documents outline the above best management practices in detail that have been supported by research to potentially improve cropping systems in Colorado., Casey Shawver, Jim Ippolito, Reagan Waskom, Brad Udall, and Nolan Doesken., Online resource; title from PDF caption (viewed January 2025)
The Colorado office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has been charged with developing a climate adaptation strategy for BLM lands within the state. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program conducted climate change vulnerability assessments of plant and animal species, and terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems ("targets") within a time frame of mid-21st century. Our assessments 1) evaluate the potential impact of future climate conditions on both species and ecosystems by identifying the degree of change expected between current and future climate conditions within the Colorado range of the target, and 2) address the potential impact of non-climate factors that can affect the resilience of the target to climate change, or which are likely to have a greater impact due to climate change., "December 2015.", Online resource; title from PDF cover (viewed January 2021)
The 5 million-acre San Juan Region lies in southwest Colorado and is considered part of the Four Corners area. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program tracks 122 plant species within this region. Recently published climate models for the Southern San Juan Region project a median decrease in May precipitation across southwestern Colorado and a 4.3⁰ F increase in average annual temperatures, suggesting drought may become problematic for these species in the future. As of 2014, we have conducted Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments for 60 of the tracked plant species known from the region, primarily focused on federally listed or agency sensitive species., "May 2014.", "Report Prepared for: Tres Rios Bureau of Land Management & San Juan U.S. Forest Service.", Online resource; title from PDF title page (viewed January 2021)
