The Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center will host a fall and winter virtual science seminar series highlighting SE CASC-funded projects supporting resource management actions across the Southeast. Each month, a SE CASC researcher will provide an overview of their work and the management implications of their research findings.

Join us in December as Brett Scheffers and Deah Lieurance, both of the University of Florida, and Wesley Daniel of the U.S. Geological Survey discuss "Southeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change."

Ecosystems in the U.S. are being transformed by two large-scale interacting threats: invasive species and climate change. Recently, regional networks of invasive species managers, state, federal and tribal agency representatives and research scientists have formed to tackle the challenges posed by the intersection of invasive species and climate change. These Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change management networks aim to reduce the joint effects of climate change and invasive species by synthesizing relevant science, sharing the needs and knowledge of managers, building stronger scientist-manager communities and conducting priority research. The Southeast RISCC was established earlier this year and joins a national network of RISCC networks in the Pacific Islands, Northwest, Northcentral and Northeast. The Southeast is particularly important because many potential invasions are currently suppressed by cooler climates and as the climate warms, the Southeast may serve as a possible source of invasion towards other RISCC regions. Additionally, the Southeast is prone to many extreme weather events that may also facilitate biological invasions.

This webinar will detail the creation of the Southeast RISCC, highlight some results from their managers' and researchers’ surveys, and discuss their integration with the other RISCC networks.