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Crown of the Continent and Climate Change

November 2010

The Crown of the Continent region’s diverse habitats, vast expanses of public lands, and connections to other wild lands should make the region more likely to successfully respond to the changing climate.

In this report, we studied the possible effects of climate change on two “snow-pack” dependent sectors of the economy – downhill skiing and recreational fishing.  These sectors are very likely to be negatively affected by climate change, which in this region includes rising temperatures, more rain, and less moisture stored in snowpack.  These sectors are harbingers of potential impacts on other sectors—such as irrigated agriculture and forestry—that are vulnerable to changes in snowpack, river flows, and temperature.

Through a combination of quantitative techniques (economic impact analysis) and qualitative methods (interviews), an interesting story unfolds on the impacts of climate change, and how these industries will need to adapt in order to survive.  We conclude the report with a number of management recommendations.

Report, Conclusion, Socioeconomic Profile, and Map

  • Report: Crown of the Continent and Climate Change (PDF)
  • Crown Conclusion and Recommendations Only (PDF)
  • Crown Region Socioeconomic Profile (PDF)
  • Map of the Montana Portion of the Crown

Related Visualization

Related data visualizationDataViz

Resources

Report Real Climate Economics Story  Climate Change Research
Published on November 25, 2010Posted under Economic DevelopmentTags: Climate Change Adaptation, The Value of Public Lands, Trends & Performance

Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

  rayrasker@gmail.com       406.570.7044

Ray is the co-founder and former Executive Director of Headwaters Economics. Ray retired in 2021 and can be reached at rayrasker@gmail.com or 406 570-7044

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