Climate change is affecting the abundance and distribution of species world-wide. These changes are forcing natural resource managers, ranging from local land-trusts to federal agencies, to adapt their management priorities and plans. However, there is still much uncertainty about how species will respond to climate change and this uncertainty is limiting the progress of climate change adaptation planning. Scientists can play an important role in reducing uncertainty to improve planning efforts, but only if their research addresses questions relevant to managers and is communicated appropriately.

     In this special session, we will bring together a diverse working group of managers and scientists concerned about climate change. Together we will discuss strategies that natural resource managers are using to address climate change. We will then articulate key uncertainties limiting progress in climate change adaptation planning and identify a list of research priorities that could reduce those uncertainties. This special session will help scientists better understand what is limiting progress in climate change adaptation planning and help formulate new research ideas to reduce those limitations. It should also give managers an opportunity to hear about novel research that could reduce uncertainty in adaptation planning. Ultimately, we hope this special session will be the start of long-lasting partnerships that will help mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. We invite anyone interested in the biological impacts of climate change to attend.