This project assesses the vulnerability of Great Lakes coastal ecosystems to climate change. The project includes analysing the historical wetland vegetation response to water level fluctuations for 11 wetlands on Lake Erie, Ontario and Huron and developing a model to project vegetation response to future water level changes. Finally, the resulting impacts on bird and fish habitat will be modelled and adaptation strategies developed.
This project documents past drought impacts and responses in southern Ontario communities. As part of project, a vulnerability index and web-based mapping tool will be developed to quantify and visualize drought vulnerability in southern Ontario.
With emphasis on Canadian cities, this research explores the link between changing weather conditions and collision rates and driver behaviour to develop approaches for improving the safety of Canadian motorists.
Through community case studies, this research examines the vulnerability and adaptability of urban regions and activities to a number of atmospheric stresses including weather, climate and air quality, and the role of stakeholders in developing effective adaptive strategies.
A white paper commissioned by the Great Lakes Water Quality Board, "Climate Change and Water Quality in the Great Lakes Region - Risks, Opportunities and Responses", explores potential changes in climate, the associated effects on ecosystems, human activities and adaptation options.
This project examines the implications of recently developed scenarios of climate change for selected bi-national and inter-provincial water agreements. AIRS contributed a review and assessment of climate change scenarios to the project.
