Leveraging U.S. Climate Assessment Research Gaps to Inform Science Innovation

Over three decades, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) has developed an assessment process to integrate, evaluate, and interpret scientific findings on climate change and discuss uncertainties. In six USGCRP assessments, authors have identified research gaps, or topics that assessment authors indicated required more information or study. Examining research gaps on a continual and systematic basis can aid decisions about research projects, programmatic priorities, and strategic scientific visions. The methodology presented here addresses two aims: (1) identify and categorize research gaps within a searchable database, and (2) demonstrate use of the database to inform future science planning and assessment. Results include the top 10 database themes, 18 recurring topics across assessments, and a search example for vulnerability gaps. The benefits and limitations of this approach are discussed along with recommendations to improve future U.S. climate assessment products.