Science Seminar: Managing for Aquatic Ecological Drought

Wednesday, August 27 at 1pm ET
via Zoom

Abstract:

The southeastern United States is a global hotspot for aquatic biodiversity and many regional endemic species are threatened in part by changing drought conditions. The complex pressures of population growth, climate, and land use change require a systems level approach to managing for drought. This requires bringing together varied perspectives including water supply managers, hydrologists and climatologists and biologists, and natural resource managers to improve planning and preparedness. A joint USGS-NOAA workshop was held in January 2025 to convene this unique community and identify concrete opportunities for collaboration and synthesis moving forward.

Speakers:

Catherine (Kasia) A. Nikiel, Ph.D.

Nikiel is a Climate Adaptation Service Scientist with the Climate Adaptation Technical Services (CATS) initiative of the USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center. She works to provide tailored science to help departmental partners incorporate climate adaptation science into planning and decision making. Through her education and post-doctoral work, she has explored land-use/land-cover change impacts, water availability trends, drought, heat stress, and future hydrology, as well as best practices for accurate and actionable use and presentation of climate data.