Climate scientists and wildlife managers are meeting Tuesday in San Diego. They're working on ways to handle the effects of climate change on California's wildlife and natural resources.
Climate scientists and people who oversee public lands and waters for fish, wildlife and plants are hoping to develop tools on how to manage those areas in the future.
Scott Flaherty with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said scientists are learning more every day about the potential effects of climate change on natural resources.
He said sea level rise and changing weather patterns are among the climate change challenges facing California.
"Sea level rise will have an impact on coastal cities and so it's important that climate science be used in planning for cities now in order to reduce the effects later on," said Flaherty
Scientists predict sea level rise may also change the landscape of San Diego's coastal lagoons, now home to many bird and fish species.
They predict rising temperatures, altered rain patterns and an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires will also disrupt wildlife habitat.
The workshop is sponsored by the California Landscape Conservation Cooperative. The cooperative was formed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and includes other federal and state agencies.
