Ecosystems × Heat
Healthy ecosystems benefit both people and nature. The benefits that ecosystems provide are often referred to as ecosystem services, which include supplying us with many of our basic needs (such as clean air and water, food and other harvestable products, temperature regulation, and essential educational and cultural experiences).
In Massachusetts, temperatures are projected to rise - with higher average daily temperatures as well as more extreme temperatures. We will experience much hotter summers, more heat waves, and warmer winter, spring, and autumn weather as well. These temperature patterns can degrade ecosystems and lead to decreased water and air quality; harm to and loss of plants, animals and other organisms; altered behaviors and habitat ranges of both native and invasive species; and increased risk of pests and pathogens. Ecosystems commonly found in the Commonwealth that may be especially impacted by heat include forests and aquatic ecosystems (lakes, ponds, streams, salt marsh, bays, beaches, and other wetlands) (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 78).
Many ecosystems that are currently unhealthy (from actions like development, chemical contamination, and removal of forests) are located in or near environmental justice or other priority populations (MA EJ Policy, 2021). With the compounding effects of increased heat due to climate change, these ecosystems may not be able to provide the cooling benefits that healthy ecosystems do.
This guide is designed to help you identify where ecosystems in your community may experience negative impacts from heat and prioritize equitable ecosystem restoration.
Healthy ecosystems benefit both people and nature. The benefits that ecosystems provide are often referred to as ecosystem services, which include supplying us with many of our basic needs (such as clean air and water, food and other harvestable products, temperature regulation, and essential educational and cultural experiences).
In Massachusetts, temperatures are projected to rise - with higher average daily temperatures as well as more extreme temperatures. We will experience much hotter summers, more heat waves, and warmer winter, spring, and autumn weather as well. These temperature patterns can degrade ecosystems and lead to decreased water and air quality; harm to and loss of plants, animals and other organisms; altered behaviors and habitat ranges of both native and invasive species; and increased risk of pests and pathogens. Ecosystems commonly found in the Commonwealth that may be especially impacted by heat include forests and aquatic ecosystems (lakes, ponds, streams, salt marsh, bays, beaches, and other wetlands) (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 78).
Many ecosystems that are currently unhealthy (from actions like development, chemical contamination, and removal of forests) are located in or near environmental justice or other priority populations (MA EJ Policy, 2021). With the compounding effects of increased heat due to climate change, these ecosystems may not be able to provide the cooling benefits that healthy ecosystems do.
This guide is designed to help you identify where ecosystems in your community may experience negative impacts from heat and prioritize equitable ecosystem restoration.
Questions to Answer
The questions and guided explorations below are designed to assist you with thinking about how heat may impact different ecosystems within your community. Use the Ecosystems x Heat worksheet to assist you with answering these questions.
The questions and guided explorations below are designed to assist you with thinking about how heat may impact different ecosystems within your community. Use the Ecosystems x Heat worksheet to assist you with answering these questions.
Bodies of water absorb
excess heat and moderate air temperatures. But, when they get too warm,
they cannot store as much oxygen as they would under
cooler conditions (USGS).
In freshwater
ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, and ponds, a lack of oxygen plus increased
temperatures leads to overgrowths of harmful algae (also known as harmful algal
blooms or HABs) (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p.
79). HABs produce toxic compounds that kill creatures living in the
water and cause closures of water bodies.
Wetlands function as
natural sponges that absorb excess rainwater and floodwater, and coastal
wetlands also buffer sea level rise and storm surge. When wetlands
degrade, they lose their ability to lower flood heights, control
erosion, and filter water to maintain healthy water quality. Poor
wetland health has cascading effects for
our water quality and the health of adjacent or downstream
rivers, streams, lakes, and swimming ponds. Additionally, all wetlands provide
important habitats for animal nesting, foraging, and raising
young.
Massachusetts’ marine
ecosystems will also be exposed to more heat, leading to shifts in sea
surface temperatures; changes in where different ocean species can be found;
changes in storm patterns and severity; and ocean acidification (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 87-88).
Guided Exploration:
This guided
exploration will have you identify the aquatic ecosystems in your community and
consider which areas may be experiencing the greatest heat impacts.
Open the GEAR Ecosystems Map and select a municipality. Expand the Climate Hazard Data group and turn on the Hot Spots layer, then expand the Ecological Resilience and Biodiversity Layers group and turn on the aquatic related data (BioMap Aquatic Core Habitat and Local Aquatic Habitats; wetlands and vernal pools data). Review wetland and stream systems and important habitat areas – it is important to understand where these connect within your municipal boundaries, and which systems you share beyond those borders.
- Which aquatic
ecosystems (MassDEP Wetlands layer) are experiencing
the highest levels of heat, and what might be happening in those
ecosystems as a result?
- What are potential
opportunities for mitigating the heat?
- What BioMap Components
have been identified in these areas? These layers, by MassWildlife and
The Nature Conservancy, identify those areas that are most critical for
biodiversity conservation at the State (BioMap Core Habitat
Components) and Local (BioMap Local Level Components)
levels. You can learn more about each of these components on the BioMap Hub.
Next, toggle on & off the layers
that are part of the EJ and Other Priority Populations group.
- Where is there overlap between
high heat, fewer aquatic ecosystems, and populations that will be most
affected by high heat?
- How does your community access
healthy aquatic ecosystems – for swimming, fishing, or health and
well-being (physical, mental, and spiritual)? How are people informed of
closures when these ecosystems are polluted or otherwise unsafe to use?
- What do community members who are most affected by high heat and/or live in environmental justice neighborhoods identify as their top priorities for ecological restoration in their neighborhoods?
Read More About Related Impacts in the
Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- Freshwater Ecosystem
Degradation page 79 (top impact Statewide; Berkshires
& Hilltowns; Greater Connecticut River Valley; Central; Eastern
Inland; Boston Harbor)
- Marine Ecosystem Degradation page
87 (top impact Statewide; Boston Harbor; North & South Shores; Cape,
Islands, & South Coast)
- Coastal Wetland Degradation page
94 (top impact Statewide; Cape, Islands, & South Coast; North &
South Shores)
- Reduction in Clean Water Supply page A60 (top impact Berkshires & Hilltowns; Cape, Islands & South Coast)expand
Bodies of water absorb
excess heat and moderate air temperatures. But, when they get too warm,
they cannot store as much oxygen as they would under
cooler conditions (USGS).
In freshwater
ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, and ponds, a lack of oxygen plus increased
temperatures leads to overgrowths of harmful algae (also known as harmful algal
blooms or HABs) (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p.
79). HABs produce toxic compounds that kill creatures living in the
water and cause closures of water bodies.
Wetlands function as
natural sponges that absorb excess rainwater and floodwater, and coastal
wetlands also buffer sea level rise and storm surge. When wetlands
degrade, they lose their ability to lower flood heights, control
erosion, and filter water to maintain healthy water quality. Poor
wetland health has cascading effects for
our water quality and the health of adjacent or downstream
rivers, streams, lakes, and swimming ponds. Additionally, all wetlands provide
important habitats for animal nesting, foraging, and raising
young.
Massachusetts’ marine
ecosystems will also be exposed to more heat, leading to shifts in sea
surface temperatures; changes in where different ocean species can be found;
changes in storm patterns and severity; and ocean acidification (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 87-88).
Guided Exploration:
This guided
exploration will have you identify the aquatic ecosystems in your community and
consider which areas may be experiencing the greatest heat impacts.
Open the GEAR Ecosystems Map and select a municipality. Expand the Climate Hazard Data group and turn on the Hot Spots layer, then expand the Ecological Resilience and Biodiversity Layers group and turn on the aquatic related data (BioMap Aquatic Core Habitat and Local Aquatic Habitats; wetlands and vernal pools data). Review wetland and stream systems and important habitat areas – it is important to understand where these connect within your municipal boundaries, and which systems you share beyond those borders.
- Which aquatic
ecosystems (MassDEP Wetlands layer) are experiencing
the highest levels of heat, and what might be happening in those
ecosystems as a result?
- What are potential
opportunities for mitigating the heat?
- What BioMap Components
have been identified in these areas? These layers, by MassWildlife and
The Nature Conservancy, identify those areas that are most critical for
biodiversity conservation at the State (BioMap Core Habitat
Components) and Local (BioMap Local Level Components)
levels. You can learn more about each of these components on the BioMap Hub.
Next, toggle on & off the layers
that are part of the EJ and Other Priority Populations group.
- Where is there overlap between
high heat, fewer aquatic ecosystems, and populations that will be most
affected by high heat?
- How does your community access
healthy aquatic ecosystems – for swimming, fishing, or health and
well-being (physical, mental, and spiritual)? How are people informed of
closures when these ecosystems are polluted or otherwise unsafe to use?
- What do community members who are most affected by high heat and/or live in environmental justice neighborhoods identify as their top priorities for ecological restoration in their neighborhoods?
Read More About Related Impacts in the
Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- Freshwater Ecosystem
Degradation page 79 (top impact Statewide; Berkshires
& Hilltowns; Greater Connecticut River Valley; Central; Eastern
Inland; Boston Harbor)
- Marine Ecosystem Degradation page
87 (top impact Statewide; Boston Harbor; North & South Shores; Cape,
Islands, & South Coast)
- Coastal Wetland Degradation page
94 (top impact Statewide; Cape, Islands, & South Coast; North &
South Shores)
- Reduction in Clean Water Supply page A60 (top impact Berkshires & Hilltowns; Cape, Islands & South Coast)expand
Forests and trees cool
their surroundings, provide shade and habitat, and purify the air. They
are essential to various economic
sectors and provide opportunities for recreation and increased
wellbeing. Forests and trees—along with soils and networks of fungi and
microorganisms that support them—also draw carbon out of the atmosphere and
store it which helps to mitigate climate change.
Warming
temperatures are leading to declines in forest health due to
higher drought and wildfire risk, increases in pests and pathogens, and shifts
in habitat ranges of tree and plant species, which make it
easier for invasive species to take over. With poor forest
health, forests have less biodiversity, more tree mortality, and less
biomass to support resilient communities (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p.
102).
The developed regions of Massachusetts, which are broader than what is
typically considered ‘urban areas’, currently have 56 percent tree coverage,
with the Boston Harbor region having a noticeably lower area of coverage than
the statewide average. Growing urban development and climate change are two of
the most significant pressures on urban tree coverage. More frequent extreme
temperature affects nutrient cycling and lowers the ability for urban trees to
survive (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A44).
Guided Exploration:
This guided
exploration will have you look at areas of tree canopy and other vegetation in
your community and consider which areas may be experiencing the greatest heat
impacts.
Open the GEAR Ecosystems Map, select a municipality, and turn on the Hot Spots layer under the Climate Hazard Data group, along with Forest Core (BioMap Core Habitat) and Forest Land Cover under the Ecological Resilience and Biodiversity Layers group.
- Identify your municipality’s
major tree stands on the base map.
- Which areas of existing tree
canopy and conservation land border the warmest temperatures, and what
might be happening in those ecosystems as a result?
- Are there any BioMap Forest
Core areas in your community? These layers, by MassWildlife and
The Nature Conservancy, represent the most intact forests of
Massachusetts, least impacted by roads and development. You can learn more
about the importance of these areas on the BioMap Hub.
Next, toggle on/off various layers in the EJ and Other Priority Populations group.
- Which areas of your community
are lacking tree canopy, wetlands, and other cooling ecosystems? Do they
coincide with households that are most affected by rising temperatures and
longer heat waves?
- Where might there be some
opportunities to provide this natural infrastructure?
- What types of trees would need
to be planted to ensure they can survive in a hotter climate?
You might also take a
moment to consider the impact of invasive plants on ecosystems in your
community. MVP does not currently have access to mapped invasive
species information, but you can read more about invasive plants in
Massachusetts here and here.
Read More About Related Impacts in
the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- Forest Health Degradation page
102 (top impact Statewide; Berkshires & Hilltowns; Central; Eastern Inland)
- Loss of Urban Tree Cover Loss of Urban Tree Cover page A43
(top impact Central; Boston Harbor)
- Shifting Distribution of Native and Invasive Species page A89 (top impact Greater Connecticut River Valley; Central)
Forests and trees cool
their surroundings, provide shade and habitat, and purify the air. They
are essential to various economic
sectors and provide opportunities for recreation and increased
wellbeing. Forests and trees—along with soils and networks of fungi and
microorganisms that support them—also draw carbon out of the atmosphere and
store it which helps to mitigate climate change.
Warming
temperatures are leading to declines in forest health due to
higher drought and wildfire risk, increases in pests and pathogens, and shifts
in habitat ranges of tree and plant species, which make it
easier for invasive species to take over. With poor forest
health, forests have less biodiversity, more tree mortality, and less
biomass to support resilient communities (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p.
102).
The developed regions of Massachusetts, which are broader than what is
typically considered ‘urban areas’, currently have 56 percent tree coverage,
with the Boston Harbor region having a noticeably lower area of coverage than
the statewide average. Growing urban development and climate change are two of
the most significant pressures on urban tree coverage. More frequent extreme
temperature affects nutrient cycling and lowers the ability for urban trees to
survive (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A44).
Guided Exploration:
This guided
exploration will have you look at areas of tree canopy and other vegetation in
your community and consider which areas may be experiencing the greatest heat
impacts.
Open the GEAR Ecosystems Map, select a municipality, and turn on the Hot Spots layer under the Climate Hazard Data group, along with Forest Core (BioMap Core Habitat) and Forest Land Cover under the Ecological Resilience and Biodiversity Layers group.
- Identify your municipality’s
major tree stands on the base map.
- Which areas of existing tree
canopy and conservation land border the warmest temperatures, and what
might be happening in those ecosystems as a result?
- Are there any BioMap Forest
Core areas in your community? These layers, by MassWildlife and
The Nature Conservancy, represent the most intact forests of
Massachusetts, least impacted by roads and development. You can learn more
about the importance of these areas on the BioMap Hub.
Next, toggle on/off various layers in the EJ and Other Priority Populations group.
- Which areas of your community
are lacking tree canopy, wetlands, and other cooling ecosystems? Do they
coincide with households that are most affected by rising temperatures and
longer heat waves?
- Where might there be some
opportunities to provide this natural infrastructure?
- What types of trees would need
to be planted to ensure they can survive in a hotter climate?
You might also take a
moment to consider the impact of invasive plants on ecosystems in your
community. MVP does not currently have access to mapped invasive
species information, but you can read more about invasive plants in
Massachusetts here and here.
Read More About Related Impacts in
the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:
- Forest Health Degradation page
102 (top impact Statewide; Berkshires & Hilltowns; Central; Eastern Inland)
- Loss of Urban Tree Cover Loss of Urban Tree Cover page A43
(top impact Central; Boston Harbor)
- Shifting Distribution of Native and Invasive Species page A89 (top impact Greater Connecticut River Valley; Central)
Investigate GEAR Map Data Layers
Explore the Ecosystems map to learn more about heat may impact different ecosystems in your community. The list at the right provides an overview of the data layers included in the map, as well as detailed descriptions of each layer.
Explore the Ecosystems map to learn more about heat may impact different ecosystems in your community. The list at the right provides an overview of the data layers included in the map, as well as detailed descriptions of each layer.
Hot spots are areas with the 5% highest Land Surface Temperature Index values in each RPA region. These areas often have increased energy costs (for cooling), more air pollution, and higher incident of heat-related illness and death.
A component of BioMap, produced by MassWildlife & TNC, Core Habitat elements identify areas that are critical for the long-term persistence of rare species, exemplary natural communities, and resilient ecosystems across the Commonwealth. Critical Natural Landscape elements identify large landscape blocks that are minimally impacted by development, as well as buffers to core habitats and coastal areas, both of which enhance connectivity and resilience.
A component of BioMap, produced by MassWildlife & TNC, local additions to
several Core and Critical Natural Landscape components inform municipalities
and others when making local decisions. These local habitats protect wildlife
and plants and provide great benefits to residents including outdoor
recreation, health and well-being, clean drinking water, storm and flood
protection, and economic opportunities.
Wetlands help prevent extreme flood events, act as natural carbon and heat
sinks, while also providing important habitat to plants and animals.
Rivers and streams supply drinking water, power
communities with hydroelectricity, and provide habitat for fish and aquatic
plants. Rivers and streams also provide flood storage during extreme
precipitation events.
Vernal pools are temporary isolated pools that
form from melting snow, spring rain, runoff, and rising groundwater at winter's
end. Vernal pools provide critical habitat, especially for species that rely on
them for breeding.
Tree canopy is an important asset in mitigating
climate hazards. As temperatures continue to rise, tree canopies provide shade,
which reduces the land surface temperatures and mitigates urban heat islands.
Environmental justice (EJ) populations, i.e., block groups are defined in Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2021 and the 2021 EEA EJ Policy. EJ populations are those segments of the population that EEA has determined to be most at risk of being unaware of or unable to participate in environmental decision-making or to gain access to state environmental resources or are especially vulnerable. 2020 block groups, updated in Nov 2022.
Actions to Consider
Communities can take a range of steps to build resilience of ecosystems
against increased heat; some types of actions are listed below. For
more examples, you can refer to the Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool.
Communities can take a range of steps to build resilience of ecosystems
against increased heat; some types of actions are listed below. For
more examples, you can refer to the Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool.
Learning about climate-adapted species that will
be able to thrive in a hotter overall environment and promoting their use in
community projects and on private property will help maintain the important
ecosystem services of trees and other plants into the future. Adopt species
specifications as part of municipal planting protocols and/or development
standards.
Create a plan for where and how to
protect forest land, restore forest ecosystems, and/or expand healthy forests,
pocket forests, food forests, or street trees in your municipality. Ensure that
the plan’s priorities and guiding principles are led by people who will be most
affected by rising temperatures, including people living in environmental
justice neighborhoods and other priority populations. Identify metrics for
expanding equitable access to healthy ecosystems and tree canopy. For example,
see the MVP-funded Holyoke, MA Urban Forest Equity Plan.
Explore this guide from the
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, which is intended to
assist communities with the process of developing local tree bylaws and
ordinances and provides examples and best practices. These fact sheets supplement this
guide and provide accessible information regarding laws, tree protection, and
tree selection for your community.
Work with community members who will be
disproportionately impacted by high heat, including residents of environmental justice
neighborhoods and other priority populations, to identify an open site in the community
that could most benefit from a pocket forest. A pocket forest is a tiny forest
that can provide a range of ecosystem services (cleaner air and water, cooler
temperatures, edible fruits) to the neighborhood. Work with residents in the
neighborhood, community-based organizations, local businesses, or other
community partners to design and construct the pocket forest.
When planning a pocket forest for your community, consider the following:
- Site placement: Are there any areas or neighborhoods in your community that are lacking in biodiversity and green space? Consider nursing homes, schools, community spaces, and other areas where environmental justice or other priority populations may frequent.
- Soil Type & Preparation: What type of soil does the site for your pocket forest contain? Does it allow water to drain easily or is it clay-like, which can impede drainage? This may help you determine the types of native plants that will thrive at this site.
- Co-Benefits: Besides mitigating the impacts of high heat, are there other benefits that your pocket forest can provide to your community? For example, are there native or climate-adapted species to plant at your site that may also attract pollinators?
Ayer and Devens have an MVP Action Grant to create a pocket
forest. Learn more here.
Protect and restore riparian
areas so that adjacent trees provide shade to
rivers and streams, keep water temperatures cooler, and the species that live
in rivers and streams can continue to thrive in the cool temperatures they are
accustomed to. Some ideas to protect these areas include:
- Reduce mowing in areas adjacent to riparian areas to allow them to return to forest
- Plant appropriate, native, and resilient trees along open banks
This guide from the National Association of Wetland
Managers provides additional insight into actions that can be taken at the local
level to protect and restore these areas.
Remove obsolete dams, enlarge culverts, or restore tidally-driven rivers, estuarine, and marinehabitats, so that animals face less disturbances
and barriers in their movement patterns and can better migrate and adapt to
changing environmental conditions, including higher temperatures. Integrate
opportunities for job training, career development, and/or youth engagement.
For example, see the MVP-funded “Housatonic Stream Restoration for Regional Flood Resilience Project” in the City of
Pittsfield and the Towns of Lenox, Stockbridge, and New Marlborough.
Strategic land protection enables habitats to thrive with safe buffers. Large blocks of undeveloped land are more likely to retain ecological integrity despite climate impacts and provide proportionally more ecosystem services than many tiny, fragmented habitats. MassAudubon has designed a scoring system to help communities identify which land parcels need to be prioritized for protection and climate resilience. Explore their Mapping and Prioritizing Parcels for Resilience Project to identify potential sites for strategic land protection in your community.
Explore MVP Projects
Explore the following MVP-funded projects below:
Explore the following MVP-funded projects below:
FY19 MVP Action Grant
$315,000 Award
Springfield conducted a detailed vulnerability and risk assessment of its urban forest, increased capacity of municipal nursery operations, and supported green job skills training through engaging local non-profits, academic institutions, and city residents.
Learn
more: Springfield FY19 Urban Forestry
FY19 MVP Action Grant
$315,000 Award
Springfield conducted a detailed vulnerability and risk assessment of its urban forest, increased capacity of municipal nursery operations, and supported green job skills training through engaging local non-profits, academic institutions, and city residents.
Learn
more: Springfield FY19 Urban Forestry
FY21 Action Grant
$250,000 Award
These three central MA communities completed an ecological climate assessment along the outer-495 corridor. All three communities have significant natural land resources that continue to experience development pressures. Comprehensive ecological planning focused on nature-based solutions for climate resilience, including a soil health assessment (putting the State Healthy Soils Action Plan to work on a downscaled regional approach), a literature review on wetlands analysis, and recommendations for policy updates and best management practices.
Project website: Apple Country- Natural Climate Solutions Project
Case study: Apple Country FY21
Ecological Climate Resiliency
FY21 Action Grant
$250,000 Award
These three central MA communities completed an ecological climate assessment along the outer-495 corridor. All three communities have significant natural land resources that continue to experience development pressures. Comprehensive ecological planning focused on nature-based solutions for climate resilience, including a soil health assessment (putting the State Healthy Soils Action Plan to work on a downscaled regional approach), a literature review on wetlands analysis, and recommendations for policy updates and best management practices.
Project website: Apple Country- Natural Climate Solutions Project
Case study: Apple Country FY21
Ecological Climate Resiliency
FY21
MVP Action Grant
$117,760
Award
Athol (FY21) embarked on a project to complete a feasibility study for critical improvements to the Lord Pond Plaza parking lot area. The project will include green infrastructure, shade trees for cooling, green space for stormwater/ flooding mitigation and open space improvements for social benefits. Daylighting a steam that runs under the project site will help restore ecosystem health of the area, as well as providing flood mitigation benefits. The project included a mural competition as part of its stakeholder engagement, and the winning submission is the picture for this case study.
Learn more: Athol FY21 Lord Pond Plaza Improvement Project
FY21
MVP Action Grant
$117,760
Award
Athol (FY21) embarked on a project to complete a feasibility study for critical improvements to the Lord Pond Plaza parking lot area. The project will include green infrastructure, shade trees for cooling, green space for stormwater/ flooding mitigation and open space improvements for social benefits. Daylighting a steam that runs under the project site will help restore ecosystem health of the area, as well as providing flood mitigation benefits. The project included a mural competition as part of its stakeholder engagement, and the winning submission is the picture for this case study.
Learn more: Athol FY21 Lord Pond Plaza Improvement Project
Related Guides
Explore how degraded air quality and other climate impacts affect human health.
Explore how degraded air quality and other climate impacts affect human health.
Explore how certain land-use types will differentially
experience increased heat, as well as how land use planning can mitigate the
effects of increased heat.
Explore how certain land-use types will differentially
experience increased heat, as well as how land use planning can mitigate the
effects of increased heat.