Water, Forests, Wetlands, and Community Resilience
Natural systems can reduce climate risk while also supporting drinking water, habitat, recreation, forestry, and local economies.
Water supplies and groundwater
Changes in precipitation, drought, and seasonal runoff can affect groundwater recharge and water availability. Protecting watersheds and recharge areas can help communities manage variability.
Forests and shade
Forests cover nearly 89% of Maine. Climate change adds stress through warmer conditions, changing precipitation, drought, pests, and reduced snowpack. In communities, tree canopy can also provide shade during hotter weather.
Wetlands and floodplains
Wetlands and floodplains can store water and slow runoff. Along the coast, salt marshes also provide habitat and natural buffering, but many marshes are threatened by sea-level rise and need room to migrate landward.