Yale Framework

The Challenge

Debates about anthropogenic origins aside, scientific evidence demonstrates that the Earth's climate is changing. Many species are responding to this changing climate by shifting their geographic ranges. The differential rates at which species will shift their ranges will also result in a reshuffling of species relationships, ecological processes, and related ecosystem services.

As a result, conservation planners are now faced with the challenge of developing and implementing strategies that will support wildlife to adapt to climate change. The large number and diversity of models and data that can be applied to climate-impact analyses and adaptation strategies can often be confusing.

The Framework

Recognizing a need for clarity within this field, the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies convened a working group of the nation's leading conservation biologists, modelers, and policymakers to develop guidance for integrating climate-change adaptation strategies into the context of natural-resource planning and policymaking.

The product of this working group—The Yale Framework—assists conservation planners in selecting the assessment and modeling strategies that are most relevant to their specific needs. Rather than supplanting existing techniques, the Yale Framework provides simplified and flexible advice on models and data, and presents a list of commonly used datasets that can be helpful to planners. The Framework also provides a structured menu of options that assist resource managers in determining the best possible approach to conservation, as opposed to offering a prescriptive approach to natural resource management.

Data Basin and the Framework

The Yale Framework has been built using the Data Basin platform. Data Basin makes it simple to find reliable data and make compelling visualizations. Planners can locate datasets, combine multiple layers together in a visualization session, and then share maps with their colleagues. With the Data Basin data and tools, planners have everything they need to make their assessments.

How the Framework Helps Planners

• It organizes the reasoning behind the use of specific assessment approaches.
• It helps build a better understanding of the types of questions a model can credibly address.
• It ensures greater transparency with a strong foundation of data.
• It focuses assessments on the appropriate scale and planning use.
• It can serve as a tool for policymakers to evaluate the models behind proposed land use plans.