Observation and Modeling

Evaluating regional climate models and datasets for Wyoming and contributing to the development of the Wyoming Climate Change Online Portal, with plans to further develop the portal, examine probabilities of extreme weather events, perform climate impact and scenario simulations, and engage in paleoclimate research to improve data-model comparisons.

Exploring the effects of climate change on lakes, reservoirs, and rivers through monitoring and field data collection. We aim to understand and model how changing temperature and precipitation regimes will affect aquatic productivity and food webs.

A cross-disciplinary professional development program designed for K-12 educators, place-based informal educators, community organizations, and university scientists to come together and co-produce the ways they will exchange pedagogical and scientific expertise for mutual benefit. 

Focusing on providing cyberinfrastructure and associated software applications aimed at facilitating data storage, sharing and visualizations amongst project personnel and our external partners, using a wide array of technologies to meet the diverse needs of the WyACT Team.

Focusing on methodological development, natural capital valuation, and integration of economics into the WyACT integrated modeling framework. The team plans to continue evaluating the non-consumptive value of Snake River cutthroat trout and model how recreational use of water bodies in Wyoming changes in response to environmental quality and climate perturbations in collaboration with other teams and agencies.

Contributing to the understanding of historical hydrological patterns in Wyoming to simulate past hydrological conditions.

Focusing on developing observational infrastructure and conducting ecohydrological modeling to quantify and model responses of watershed hydrology to climate change, forest disturbances, and management actions. The team engages in knowledge co-production with stakeholders, contributes to SEaSON through long-term monitoring, and collaborates with other teams on climate modeling, aquatic ecology, scenario planning, baseline social and economic sciences, and integrated modeling within the WyACT framework.