Climate Change in NY
How do we know we are experiencing climate change? Visit Nasa’s Causes of Climate Change website for the facts and to learn what the causes of climate change are.
Climate Change in the Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley is highly susceptible to the effects of climate change.
Learn more about how the natural resources and communities around you may be at risk by visiting the Ulster County Cornell Cooperative Extension webpage and the New York State Climate Impacts Assessment, their Climate Impact Spotlight for the Catskills Region, and fact sheets about the effects of climate change on sectors such as "human health, and safety" buildings and energy.
Invasive Species and Climate Change
Invasive species and climate change are two major global environmental issues that are closely interconnected. Climate change can create new habitats or alter existing ones, which can make it easier for invasive species to establish and spread. In turn, invasive species can exacerbate the impacts of climate change by altering ecosystems, reducing biodiversity, and damaging infrastructure.
For example, as temperatures warm, some invasive species that were once confined to tropical or subtropical regions may be able to survive and spread into new areas. This can lead to a loss of biodiversity, as native species are outcompeted for resources. Invasive species can also alter ecosystems by changing the frequency and intensity of fires, reducing soil quality, and impacting water resources. Moreover, invasive species can also contribute to climate change by releasing large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. For instance, the invasive plant species known as purple loosestrife can cause significant carbon emissions by outcompeting native vegetation and reducing carbon sequestration.
Invasive Species in the Hudson Valley:
The Hudson Valley is home to several invasive species, which can cause harm to native ecosystems and biodiversity. Here are a few examples:
- Japanese Knotweed: Japanese Knotweed is a tall, fast-growing plant that can quickly overtake native vegetation. It forms dense thickets that can block waterways and alter the ecosystem. It is prevalent in the Hudson Valley and Catskills regions, and its control and removal can be challenging.
- Emerald Ash Borer: The Emerald Ash Borer is a small, metallic green beetle that feeds on and kills ash trees. It is a significant threat to the ash tree population in the region, and efforts are underway to control its spread.
- Spotted Lanternfly: The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect that feeds on the sap of plants, causing damage to fruit trees, grapevines, and hardwood trees. It was first detected in the region in 2020 and is considered a significant threat to agriculture.
- Mile-a-Minute Vine: The Mile-a-Minute Vine is a fast-growing, invasive vine that can smother native vegetation and alter the ecosystem. It has spiky stems covered in barbs that can make it difficult to control and remove.
- Zebra Mussel: Zebra Mussels are small, freshwater mollusks that can attach to and damage water infrastructure, boats, and other structures. They can also outcompete native species for resources and alter the ecosystem. They were first detected in the region in the early 2000s and have since spread to several waterways in the Hudson Valley and Catskills regions.
Efforts are underway to control and prevent the spread of these and other invasive species in the region. Community members can help by learning to identify invasive species, reporting sightings to local authorities, and taking steps to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species, such as cleaning boats and equipment before entering waterways.
Resources:
- New York Invasive Species Information: This website provides comprehensive information about invasive species in New York, including identification, management, and prevention strategies. It also offers a variety of educational resources, such as videos, posters, and fact sheets.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC): The DEC is responsible for managing and protecting New York's natural resources, including invasive species. Their website offers a wealth of information about invasive species, including an identification guide, a list of prohibited and regulated species, and information about management and control.
- NY iMapInvasives: This is an online mapping tool that allows users to report and track invasive species sightings. It is a collaborative effort between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and citizen scientists, and is designed to help identify and manage invasive species populations. Community members can use the tool to report invasive species sightings in their area and contribute to the overall effort to combat invasive species in New York.
- New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP): NYNHP works to facilitate the conservation of New York’s biodiversity by providing comprehensive information and scientific expertise on rare species and natural ecosystems to resource managers and other conservation partners.
Bear Encounters
Living in rural areas means the potential for wildlife encounters. Learn how to stay safe if you encounter a bear on your property by following the BearWise tips. If you do encounter a black bear on your property keep in mind that they rarely become aggressive. Make sure the bear has a clear escape route. Once you are a safe distance from the bear make loud noises. Prevent future encounters by removing any attractants such as open trash, bird seed, or pet food.
Flooding
With increased oceanic and atmospheric temperatures, it is likely that residents will encounter increased precipitation, heatwaves, and substantial likelihood of extreme flood events. All residents should be aware of risks and know how to find information and help when flooding occurs. Whether you live in the flood zone or not, being prepared for an emergency is important. Visit this checklist to find important information before you take steps to repair your flooded home.
Flood Risk:
Visit FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to know types of flood risk in your area. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
View your location relative to flood zones on maps published by FEMA. Enter your address in the Ulster County Parcel Viewer and under the heading ‘Map Layers – Water Resources’ click the button for ‘FEMA Adopted Flood Hazards.’ The map identifies different flood zones that indicate the probability a flood will occur within the zone in any given year. Zone AE is called the ‘100-year flood zone’ because this zone has at least a 1% chance of being inundated by floodwaters in any given year. While that may not sound like much risk, this rarer and deeper flood has a 26% chance of occurring over the life of your 30-year mortgage. Structures within this zone may also be at risk during shallower and more frequent floods.
For owners and managers of public river access sites, visit the NYS DEC’s Flood Resilience Handbook for guidelines to reduce damage, costs, and other consequences associated with the effects of climate change, and begin planning for resilience.
Lower Esopus Stream Management Plan:
In the summer of 2024 the Lower Esopus Stream Management Plan was published with the primary goals of: supporting ecosystem health and biodiversity, enhancing stream function, engaging local communities, promoting floodplain management, improving water quality, and encouraging sustainable recreation. Go here to view the full plan.
Flood Insurance:
Homeowner’s insurance policies do NOT cover flooding. It is recommended that residents in flood-prone areas purchase or renew a flood insurance policy. Policies typically go into effect 30 days after purchase. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
For information and resources related to repairing your flooded home, visit Health.ny.gov.
Post Flood Resources:
MyCoast NY is a statewide portal used to collect and analyze photos of flooding, storm damage, and coastal change. When a photo report is submitted, it is automatically linked to data from the closest weather, river, and tidal or lake gauge to help provide context to the photo and is then posted to the website for anyone to see. Photo reports can be submitted through the app (iPhone / Android) or the website with a registered account. The three photo report types are:
- Flood Watch: Tracking flooding across the state. This includes inland and coastal flooding.
- Storm Reporter: Documenting storm damage across the state.
- Coast Snap: Capturing the changing shoreline- currently at three locations.
Use MyCoast as a repository for photos of flood and storm impacts that can help raise awareness, build political will, inform municipal planning and emergency management, and complement other data and mapping. MyCoast brings together community members, local officials, state agencies, researchers, and NGOs in sharing and using the information.
To learn more about MyCoast NY, contact Jessica Kuonen at jak546@cornell.edu.
