Rosenberg Institute Seminar Series - Karen Thorne

Karen Thorne, PhD, USGS Western Ecological Research Center 

The use of Nature-based Solutions to restore and protect tidal wetland ecosystems in California 

Abstract: Climate change impacts to California’s iconic coastline include higher sea levels, changes in storm frequency and intensity, warmer air and ocean temperatures, and changes in precipitation patterns. The rates of change over the next century are expected to be significantly higher than what has been observed in the past.  Sea-level rise threatens to flood or displace tidal wetlands making them a management and conservation concern, especially given the number of endemic and rare species that live there. Tidal wetlands are uniquely adapted to respond to stressful environments and changes in flooding. Because of their ability to adapt to sea-level rise they have become the focus for restoration efforts and other nature-based solutions. Studies on tidal wetland vulnerability from sea-level rise along with approaches for climate adaptation to protect these ecosystems will be presented.  

Bio: Dr. Karen Thorne is a Research Ecologist with the USGS Western Ecological Research Center in Davis, CA. She has worked in California estuaries for over 20 years. Her research focus is on climate change impacts to coastal ecosystems. In particular, her work has included assessing sea-level rise and storm impacts to coastal ecosystems, wetland ecology, restoration, and blue carbon. She conducts field research to inform climate adaptation and planning to help managers mitigate impacts and conduct restoration. She received her Ph.D. and MS from the University of California, Davis.