Climate Change in the Midwest

The research presented in this volume focuses on identifying and quantifying the major vulnerabilities to climate change in the Midwestern United States. By providing state-of-the-art spatially disaggregated information regarding the historical, current, and possible future climate within the region, the contributors assess the risks and susceptibility of the critical socio-economic and environmental systems. Key sectors discussed are agriculture, human health, water, energy and infrastructure, and the vulnerabilities that may be amplified under current climate trajectories. The book also considers the challenges and opportunities to develop local and regional strategies for addressing the risks posed by climate change in the context of developing an integrative policy for the region.

Table of contents
Chapter 1 Climate Change Impacts, Risks, Vulnerability and Adaptation: An Introduction ....... 9
Chapter 2 The Midwestern USA: Socio-Economic Context and Physical Climate .................... 19
Chapter 3 Vulnerability and Adaptability of Agricultural Systems in the Southeast USA to
Climate Variability and Climate Change .......................................................................... 64
Chapter 4 Uncertainty and Hysteresis in Adapting to Global Climate Change .......................... 76
Chapter 5 Climate - Agriculture Vulnerability Assessment for the Midwestern United States .. 86
Chapter 6 Potential Future Impacts of Climate on Row Crop Production in the Great Lakes
Region ............................................................................................................................. 101
Chapter 7 Vulnerability of Soil Carbon Reservoirs in the Midwest to Climate Change .......... 114
Chapter 8 Michigan's Tart Cherry Industry: Vulnerability to Climate Variability and Change
........................................................................................................................................ 129
Chapter 9 Climate Change Vulnerability and Impacts on Human Health ................................ 147
Chapter 10 Intra-Urban Variations in Vulnerability Associated with Extreme Heat Events in
Relationship to a Changing Climate ............................................................................... 164
Chapter 11 Historical and Projected Changes in Human Heat Stress in the Midwestern USA 177
Chapter 12 Vulnerability of the Electricity and Water Sectors to Climate Change in the Midwest
........................................................................................................................................ 192
Chapter 13 The Drought Risk Management Paradigm in the Context of Climate Change ...... 212
Chapter 14 Local Adaptation to Changing Flood Vulnerability in the Midwest ...................... 226
Chapter 15 The Response of Great Lakes Water Levels and Potential Impacts of Future Climate
Scenarios ......................................................................................................................... 240
Chapter 16 Vulnerability of the Energy System to Extreme Wind Speeds and Icing ............... 252
Chapter 17 Climate Change Impacts, Risks, Vulnerability and Adaptation in the Midwestern
United States: What Next? .............................................................................................. 271