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Affect on the Gulf coast: 

 http http://www.usgcrp.gov/usgcrp/nacc/gulfcoastworkshop.htm#chapter5\\^{Image Removed}

Summary:

1. most of the climate change scenarios predict increased variability in temperature at the regional level.
2. Warming projections are based on annualized temperature changes
3. Increased variability in precipitation -->potential to greatly impact coastal fisheries by
   • affecting freshwater inflow to estuaries--> affecting flushing rates (the location of the freshwater- saltwater interface
   • the quality of coastal estuarine nursery areas for fish and shellfish.
4. Inland: increased variability in precipitation has the potential to negatively impact riverine fish  resources.
5. Gulf Coast
   • small rates of sea-level rise take on a special significance in coastal Louisiana
   •  Fishermen of the Terrebonne Fishermen's Organization expressed concern about coastal erosion  and the loss of coastal marsh habitat.
   • subsidence of delta deposits of the Mississippi River and human alteration of coastal marsh.
   •  fishermen, who depend on the marsh for their livelihood, are concerned that sea level changes  will exacerbate the current problems of coastal erosion.
   • past 20 years (research): many of the estuary dependent species (including the important coastal  fishery species) tend to use only the edges of marsh surrounding the estuary (only the first 50-150  ft).
   • Computer simulations suggest that changes in fishery production in Louisiana can be correlated  with changes in the amount of marsh edge.
     •  any change in fishery-dependent habitat, from regional climate or sea level change, that  affects the quantity or quality of marsh edge has the potential to greatly impact fishery  production.

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1. • results in redistribution of coastal marsh --> exacerbate habitat loss and fragmentation because of  the increasingly disturbed nature of the coastal zone
   • increase in severe weather-->potential to increase freshwater input (with positive or negative  impacts depending on timing and location), and damage barrier islands with negative impacts on  marsh and therefore coastal fisheries
   • Temperature variability--> potential to either negatively or positively impact remaining fish stocks,  depending on the timing (season, habitat, and life history stage affected).
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
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