Tidewater goby (TG) is sensitive to climate threats including increases in the amount of precipitation during storm event and associated flooding, as well as increased frequency and severity of drought conditions (Hutto et al. 2015; USFWS 2007b). Sea-level rise could benefit tidewater goby by increasing the amount of available shallow water pool habitat, although it may also transform pre-existing shallow water pools into deep water pools leading to a decrease in suitable habitat (Hutto et al. 2015). The impacts of sea-level rise will likely vary and depend on specific local habitat conditions (Hutto et al. 2015). Tidewater goby is sensitive to displacement from extreme storm events, which may also be beneficial or detrimental depending on local conditions, as they do not actively disperse (Hutto et al. 2015).

Multiple climate change vulnerability assessments have been conducted for tidewater goby, and results vary from “Highly Vulnerable” to “On Path to Extinction” (Moyle et al. 2012), as shown in Table 5 33., to “Moderate” (Hutto et al. 2015). Hutto et al. (2015) also conducted climate vulnerability assessments of exposure and sensitivity factors:

Sensitivity to Climate and Climate Driven Change (Exposure)

• Precipitation–Mid High
• pH-Low
• Sea-Level Rise–Low
• Coastal Erosion–Low

Sensitivity of Change in Disturbance Regimes (Exposure)

• Flooding– Mid High

Sensitivity and Current Exposure to Non-Climate Stressors

• Land Use Change–Moderate
• Invasive Species– Low