CMC Faculty Member Co-Authors Landmark Study on Climate Resilience in the Amazon

June 28, 2026

Colorado Mountain College faculty member Ian McCullough is helping shape the global conversation around climate change and biodiversity conservation. McCullough, Associate Professor and Program Chair of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Colorado Mountain College, is a co-author of a recently published study that provides the first region-wide assessment of climate-resilient corridors across the Amazon rainforest. The research, featured by Mongabay and published in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation, identifies pathways that could help plant and animal species migrate to cooler habitats as temperatures continue to rise. The study examined the entire Amazon biogeographic region, spanning millions of square kilometers across South America. Using advanced GIS analysis and large-scale spatial datasets, researchers evaluated elevational gradients, forest cover, fragmentation, protected areas, and other environmental factors to identify corridors that may support species movement and long-term ecological resilience. According to the Mongabay article, McCullough and fellow researcher Christopher Beirne analyzed data from 11 ecological provinces throughout the Amazon, overlaying information on elevation, forest connectivity, protected lands, deforestation, oil and gas concessions, and other landscape features. Their work helped identify regions where biodiversity may have the best chance of adapting to a changing climate. The findings highlight the importance of connected landscapes, particularly in the western Amazon, where mountain elevations and existing protected areas may provide critical pathways for species seeking cooler conditions. The research also identifies threats to those corridors, including habitat fragmentation, infrastructure development, and extractive industries. For students in CMC’s GIS program, McCullough’s involvement demonstrates the real-world impact of geospatial technologies. GIS tools are increasingly used to address complex challenges in conservation, climate science, natural resource management, and land-use planning. Studies like this one illustrate how spatial analysis can inform policy decisions and help guide conservation efforts on a global scale. McCullough’s contribution to this international research effort reflects the… Read more: CMC Faculty Member Co-Authors Landmark Study on Climate Resilience in the Amazon

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