Mapping the three models across the lower 48 U.S. states and Alaska makes it possible to identify different potential priority areas for protection, depending on the model used. As described above, each model represents distinct conservation objectives: for example, varying regions could be identified as “high value” for mitigating the impacts of climate change versus for protecting biodiversity.

One advantage of the composite model is that it balances both biodiversity and climate objectives and can be used to identify areas that are important for both. Taking conservation actions in these priority areas might provide a variety of benefits for both climate mitigation and biodiversity.