The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC) organizes an annual Deep Dive into an emerging climate risk. We convene researchers, practitioners and students to assess the state of knowledge and practice associated with managing that risk. Each Deep Dive aims to facilitate community development of an Actionable Science Agenda that outlines knowledge gaps and research needs and identifies opportunities to advance adaptation by linking science and practice.

Too Hot to Handle? Managing the Ecological Impacts of Extreme Heat in the Northwest

In late June and early July 2021, an extreme heat wave produced record high temperatures across much of the Northwest. All-time record highs were set in dozens of locations across Washington, Oregon and Western Idaho, with temperatures soaring to well above 100°F. These sustained extreme temperatures had dramatic impacts on Northwest species and ecosystems, including mass die-offs of shellfish, wildlife distress and heat-scorched trees. This year’s Deep Dive seeks to understand how the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave affected ecosystems and resource management so that researchers and practitioners can better anticipate the impacts of future extreme heat events and understand what, if anything, can be done to manage associated risks to natural systems.

Rising Seas and the Coastal Squeeze: Managing Inland Migration of Coastal Habitats in Response to Sea Level Rise

As climate change drives sea levels higher, coastal habitats may adapt by migrating inland. This inland shift is challenged, however, by the presence of human-made and natural barriers, which may result in considerable declines in coastal habitats and fish and wildlife populations. This is commonly known as ‘coastal squeeze’. Scientists and natural resource managers require a greater understanding of the threat posed by coastal squeeze in the Northwest. Similarly, management and policy options are needed to support the resilience of Northwest shoreline and estuarine habitats. To help address this emerging climate risk, the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center’s 2023 Deep Dive will facilitate the co-creation of a regional synthesis that 1) describes the state of the science, management and human dimensions of coastal squeeze and 2) identifies key needs for addressing gaps in knowledge and capacity.

A Deep Dive Into Shallow Waters: Managing Climate Change Effects on Stream Drying in the Northwest

Northwest streams, which provide critical habitat for our region’s fish, wildlife and ecosystems, are at risk of drying as the climate changes. Understanding which Northwest streams will be resilient to drought conditions and which will dry up — also known as streamflow permanence — can help inform climate-smart decisions to protect streams and the fish, wildlife and communities that depend on them. The 2021 NW CASC Deep Dive brought together perspectives from across the region to develop an actionable science agenda that outlines research and coordination needs for managing stream permanence in a changing climate. To inform these discussions, the Deep Dive team worked over the summer to assess the state of knowledge and practice associated with managing this emerging climate risk. 

Ecological Transformation Now? Managing Post-fire Vegetation Change in a Warming Climate

Warmer, drier and longer fire seasons in the Northwest have led to larger and more frequent wildfires. These changes in climate and fire have led to growing concern that in some areas of the Northwest, particularly in forests and shrublands east of the Cascade Range, existing plant communities may face difficulty regrowing and persisting after fires. Some of these communities may ultimately transition to different vegetation types — for example, from forests or shrublands to grasslands. The NW CASC’s 2020 Deep Dive convened natural resource managers and scientists from across the Northwest in a virtual working group process to review what is known and unknown about managing climate-driven, post-fire vegetation transitions in the Northwest and to identify actionable science and co-production priorities.

Managing Western Washington Wildfire Risk in a Changing Climate

As our climate changes, people are becoming increasingly worried about wildfires in the western United States. In Washington, dry forests east of the Cascade Mountains have historically experienced frequent wildfire, unlike the dense, wet forests of western Washington. But, in recent years, more fires in these wet and productive forests are prompting people to ask: What is the risk of wildfire in western Washington? How does climate change affect this risk? How can we manage this risk of wildfire west of the Cascades? To help answer these questions, the NW CASC and partners convened a Deep Dive workshop in 2018, which brought together almost 100 participants from city, county, state, federal and tribal agencies. This workshop provided an opportunity to identify research and coordination needs for managing westside fire risk.