The Northern Rockies Adaptation Partnership (NRAP) identified climate change issues relevant to resource management in the Northern Rockies (USA) region, and developed solutions intended to minimize negative effects of climate change and facilitate transition of diverse ecosystems to a warmer climate. The NRAP region covers 183 million acres, spanning northern Idaho, Montana, northwestern Wyoming, North Dakota, and northern South Dakota, and includes 15 national forests and 3 national parks across the U.S. Forest Service Northern Region and adjacent Greater Yellowstone Area. U.S. Forest Service scientists, resource managers, and stakeholders worked together over 2 years to conduct a state-of-science climate change vulnerability assessment and develop adaptation options for national forests and national parks in the Northern Rockies region. The vulnerability assessment emphasized water, fisheries, wildlife, forest and rangeland vegetation and disturbance, recreation, cultural heritage, and ecosystem services which are regarded as key resource areas for local ecosystems and communities. Resource managers used the assessment to develop a detailed list of ways to address climate change vulnerabilities through management actions. The large number of adaptation strategies and tactics, many of which are a component of current management practice, provide a pathway for slowing the rate of deleterious change in resource conditions.

Introduction [Chapter 1]; Biogeographic, cultural, and historical setting of the Northern Rocky Mountains; [Chapter 2]; Historical and projected climate in the Northern Rockies Region [Chapter 3]; Effects of climate change on snowpack, glaciers, and water resources in the Northern Rockies Region [Chapter 4]; Climate vulnerability of native cold-water salmonids in the Northern Rockies Region [Chapter 5]; Effects of climate change on forest vegetation in the Northern Rockies Region [Chapter 6]