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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>USDA Forest Service</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Rocky Mountain Research Station</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>240 W. Prospect Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80526</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/rmrs">www.fs.fed.us/rmrs</a> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:26.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>NEWS RELEASE</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Primary Contact</b>s:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'>Erika Gallegos</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'>Public Affairs Specialist</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>970.498.1349; <a href="mailto:erikagallegos@fs.fed.us">erikagallegos@fs.fed.us</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'>Cass Cairns</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'>Public Affairs Officer</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'>970.498.1370; <a href="mailto:cfcairns@fs.fed.us">cfcairns@fs.fed.us</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'><b><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Climate Change in Grasslands, Shrublands, and Deserts of the Interior American West: A Review and Needs Assessment</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>FORT COLLINS, Colo.</b>, Aug. 27, 2012 - Climate change poses as much risk to public and private grassland and shrubland ecosystems as it does to forested ecosystems yet receives less attention by the public and key stakeholders. Consequently, most climate change research concentrates on forested ecosystems, leaving grassland and shrubland managers with insufficient information to guide decision making.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station published a comprehensive report summarizing climate change research and potential effects on grassland, shrub, and desert ecosystems. The report, “Climate Change in Grasslands, Shrublands, and Deserts of the Interior American West: A Review and Needs Assessment,” highlights current knowledge and future research essential to mitigate the prospective detrimental effects of climate change. It addresses animal, plant, and invasive species models and responses, vulnerabilities and genetic adaption, animal species and habitats, and decision support tools for restoration and land management.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In 2010, RMRS Grasslands, Shrublands, and Deserts Ecosystems Science Program Manager, Dr. Deborah Finch, encouraged program scientists to evaluate existing knowledge and research needs through the framework of climate change to ignite interest, develop new studies and add a valuable dimension to existing work. In response, 19 scientists and researchers from the Rocky Mountain Research Station collaborated across six states including New Mexico, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Nevada and Utah, and with colleagues from the University of New Mexico, University of Arizona, University of Wisconsin, and Dryland Institute, to summarize the current literature, conduct a needs assessment review, and develop decision support guidelines applicable for land management.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Research has revealed direct evidence of the effects of climate change on ecosystems and many plant and animal species. Birds are migrating further north, some plant and animal species are distributed further up mountains than 20-30 years ago, and rivers and marshes in the Southwest are impacted by long-term drought,” Finch said. “Rivers are critical areas for migrating and breeding birds and other animals, contributing to high biological diversity, and are important for irrigation, recreation, and human settlement.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Findings from the report include: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo1'>Transformations in native and invasive flora and fauna—by the turn of the century, climate in the western U.S. may be incompatible with current vegetation types, resulting in shifting patterns of terrestrial ecosystems. <o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'>In arid and semi-arid shrublands and deserts, invasive grass species with higher flammability, like cheatgrass, will spread and increase both fire frequency and extent. <o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to the health and sustainability of ecosystems worldwide—invasive species control costs the U.S. an estimated $137 billion annually.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4'>Climate affects timing, migration, and reproduction cycles of plant and animal species—increased temperatures can affect insect development time and result in significant increases in generations per year/per habitat and expose new environments to colonization.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5'>Increasing water scarcity such as disruption of water flow regimes, and river and wetland drying, are likely to become overriding conservation issues.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'> <o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l5 level1 lfo6'>Native intact cold desert shrublands can store 30 percent more carbon than the average regional flora and be restored as an alternative source of carbon sequestration. <o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To read the report online, visit <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr285.html">http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr285.html</a>, or to request a printed copy (available after Sept. 3, 2012) call (970) 498-1392 or email <a href="mailto:rschneider@fs.fed.us?subject=Publications%20Order&body=__________Name:%0D%0A________Address:%0D%0ACity,%20State%20and%20Zip:%0D%0A________Country:%0D%0A__________Email:%0D%0A_________Phone:%0D%0A%0D%0APublication%20title%20and%20number%20(ex.RMRS-P-41):">rschneider@fs.fed.us</a> and reference RMRS-GTR-285. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The RMRS is one of seven regional units that make up the U.S. Forest Service Research and Development organization – the most extensive natural resources research organization in the world. The Station maintains 12 field laboratories throughout a 12-state territory encompassing the Great Basin, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, and parts of the Great Plains, and administers and conducts research on 14 experimental forests, ranges, and watersheds, while maintaining long-term databases for these areas. RMRS research is broken into seven science program areas that serve the Forest Service as well as other federal and state agencies, international organizations, private groups, and individuals. To find out more about the RMRS go to <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/rmrs">www.fs.fed.us/rmrs</a>. You can also follow us on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/rmrs_hq">www.twitter.com/rmrs_hq</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>###<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:10.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'>Cass Cairns</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'>Public and Legislative Affairs Officer</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'>Rocky Mountain Research Station</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'>240 W. Prospect Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80526</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'>P: 970-498-1370; C: 970-817-1336</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'>email: </span></i><a href="mailto:cfcairns@fs.fed.us"><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'>cfcairns@fs.fed.us</span></i></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/rmrs"><span style='color:#215868;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=23 height=26 id="Picture_x0020_7" src="cid:image001.gif@01CD85DF.3B749630" alt="Description: Description: Description: shield_color-icon"></span></a><a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/"><span style='color:#4A442A;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="Picture_x0020_6" src="cid:image002.gif@01CD85DF.3B749630" alt="Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: blogger.gif"></span></a><span style='color:#4A442A'> </span><a href="http://twitter.com/rmrs_hq"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=25 height=25 id="Picture_x0020_5" src="cid:image003.jpg@01CD85DF.3B749630" alt="Description: Description: Description: Twitter Icon"></span></a><span style='color:#4A442A'> </span><a href="http/www.youtube.com/usdaforestservice"><span style='color:#4A442A;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=23 height=24 id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image004.gif@01CD85DF.3B749630" alt="Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Social_Youtube.gif"></span></a><span style='color:#4A442A'> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/collections/72157623679016496/"><span style='color:#4A442A;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image005.gif@01CD85DF.3B749630" alt="Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: flickr.gif"></span></a><span style='color:#4A442A'> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/usda"><span style='color:#4A442A;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image006.gif@01CD85DF.3B749630" alt="Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: facebook.gif"></span></a><span style='color:#4A442A'> </span><a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome"><span style='color:#4A442A;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=35 height=24 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image007.gif@01CD85DF.3B749630" alt="Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: usda logo.gif"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#215868'> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Deborah Finch, Ph.D.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Program Manager<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>USDA Forest Service<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Rocky Mountain Research Station<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>222 Broadway SE, Suite 115<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Albuquerque, NM 87102<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tel: 505-724-3671<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cell: 505-401-0580<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/grassland-shrubland-desert/">http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/grassland-shrubland-desert/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><br><br><br><br>This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>