US EPA

EPA is announcing the final (third) review draft report entitled Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.4: Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources. This Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.4 (SAP 4.4) analyzes information on the state of knowledge of adaptation options for key, representative ecosystems and resources that may be sensitive to climate variability and change.

The SAP 4.4 has been prepared by a team of experts from academia, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector in response to the mandate of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program’s Strategic Plan (2003). This report examines (1) the combined effects on ecosystems of climate changes and non-climate stressors, and consequent implications for achieving specific management goals; (2) adaptation approaches that reduce the risk of negative impacts on management goals; and (3) ways to overcome barriers or take advantage of opportunities to improve the likelihood of successful adaptation implementation. Through the provision of this information, the desired outcome of this report is an enhanced adaptive capacity to respond to future changes in climate.

This SAP, complies with the requirements of the Global Change Research Act of 1990. The implementation of this Act is under the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), to which EPA is a partner agency. There are 21 mandated SAPs, with NCEA's Global Climate Research Staff taking the lead on this report. This effort is coordinated with the CCSP Interagency Committee and the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

This synthesis and assessment report, including the title of the report, complies with the requirements of the Global Change Research Act of 1990.

EPA is finalizing this document to submit to CCSP, who expects that the complete scientific assessment will be published by May 30, 2008.

The scientific assessment will undergo an external peer review consistent with the OMB peer review guidance for a Highly Influential Scientific Assessment (HISA). For details on the scientific assessment review please go to: http://www.cio.noaa.gov/itmanagement/prplans/ID102.html.

U.S. EPA. Preliminary Review of Adaption Options for Climate Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources (Sap 4.4) (External Review Draft). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., 2008.