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WEDNESDAY,
APRIL 20, 2016
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Lands
in the Puget Sound region are projected to experience a continued shift in the geographic distribution
of species, changes in forest growth and productivity, increasing fire activity, and increased risks from insects,
diseases and invasive species. Changes are projected to be most noticeable at high elevations, where
increasing air temperatures and declining snowpack can degrade habitat quality for some species but
benefit others via a longer snow-free season and increased biological productivity.
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Rivers and Lakes
in the Puget Sound region are projected to experience a continued increase in water
temperatures, a shift to earlier peak streamflows, and declining snowmelt. Changes are expected to be most
noticeable in mid-elevation basins that have historically received a mix of rain and snow during the winter.
Wetland ecosystems are projected to decline in both area and number as a result of decreasing water
availability in summer.
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Ocean Habitats
will exhibit changes that are expected to have implications throughout Puget Sound’s
marine food web, affecting organisms at the bottom (e.g. phytoplankton and marine plants) and at the top
(e.g. salmon and marine mammals) of the food chain. Increasing sea surface temperatures are projected
to negatively affect salmon populations, increase the magnitude and frequency of harmful algal blooms,
but may increase growth rates in eelgrass beds. Sea level rise is projected to increase the area of some
coastal habitats (e.g. tidal flats and salt marshes), and decrease the area covered by other habitats
(e.g. estuarine beach and tidal swamp). Ocean acidification will likely harm many species found in estuaries,
especially shellfish and other organisms that form calcium-based shells. Estuaries form a transition zone
between river environments and maritime environments.
Where is our region headed?
LANDSLIDES, EROSION AND SEDIMENT
Declines in snowpack and projected increases in the frequency and intensity of heavy rain events will likely lead
to increased frequency of landslides and the rate of erosion and sediment transport in winter. Both natural climate
variability and human modification to the landscape have a strong effect on landslide and sediment processes.
CITES AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
The developed areas of Puget Sound and the transportation, drinking water, wastewater, and energy systems that
serve the region’s population will face an increasing risk of extreme weather events (e.g. heat waves, flooding,
wildfire). Consequences include flooding of low-lying infrastructure, increased corrosion of waterfront assets,
reduced energy transmission capacity during heat events and higher maintenance costs for many transportation
and other elements of the built environment.
AGRICULTURE
The Puget Sound region is projected to experience a lengthening of the growing season, but increased heat
stress, increasing water supply challenges, changing risks from pests, higher winter flood risk and an increasing
risk of saltwater intrusion.
Many people living close to the shoreline in Western Washington
are vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal storms.
Areas that are already vulnerable to flooding such as the Snoqualmie
Valley, will be especially hard hit.
Communities such as this one located on a spit in Port Susan Bay are
especially vulnerable to sea level rise and increasing storm events. A small
amount (+3 inches) of sea level rise will cause significant flooding in some
areas while impacts on coastal roads and bridges won’t emerge until much
higher amounts (>+2feet) of sea level rise occur.
