Researchers Daniel Morris and Margaret Walls at Resources for the Future have written a background paper on "Climate Change and Outdoor Recreation Resources." In it they describe potential impacts on:
Snowpack — Extended warm seasons may result in more rainfall than snow, which would reduce skiing and snowboarding opportunities, particularly in comparatively warmer areas in California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Fresh waterways — Reduced snowpack and more rain in winter months would mean an earlier spring runoff into streams and reservoirs. That could mean less fresh water flowing in the summer months, when sportfishing and boating are most popular. Fishing depends on water temperature, streamflow levels, and ecological quality, while boating is more sensitive to lake, reservoir, and stream levels.
Noncoastal wetlands — Stretching across 216 million acres of the northern plains and Canada, these wetlands are rich sources of many species of ducks and other waterfowl. By one estimate, lower water levels due to climate change in the Upper Great Lakes could reduce regional duck populations by nearly 40 percent in the area.
Beaches — Rising sea levels over time could reduce the size of beachfront recreation areas, national seashores, and coastal waterways, the authors find. A full 85 percent of tourism-related revenues in the United States are generated by coastal states.
Forests and Parks — Tree cover, particularly in the western United States, is already feeling the impact of climate change, particularly as a result of drought. Insects have decimated millions of acres of evergreens in the Rocky Mountain region, and dryness has fueled damaging wildfires. Tree dieoffs also resulted in closures of campgrounds, trails, and picnic areas in public parks.
Interestingly, but perhaps not all too surprisingly, they find that there will be both costs and benefits to longer and warmer summers.
We have also shown that some economics literature indicates that the value of these resources for recreation purposes may be higher than ever. Recreation demand is highly dependent on climate, and several studies show that longer and warmer summers are expected to increase the demand for outdoor recreation,from hiking, fishing, and camping to simple beach visits.
Oh, and they cite some of John's North Carolina sea level rise work.
