Seven climate science projects have been awarded federal funding for studies to be conducted with the Southeast Climate Science Center at N.C. State University.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has awarded more than $800,000 to universities and other partners in the seven projects. An eighth project will be conducted with the Northeast Climate Science Center.

The research funding will go toward research to guide managers of parks, refuges and other resources in planning how to help species and ecosystems adapt to climate change.

“The intersection of science and policymaking is always challenging, especially when dealing with complex scientific issues such as climate change, and resource allocation decisions that balance public priorities now and in the future,” Gerard McMahon, director of Interior’s Southeast Climate Science Center said in a statement. “Our intention with the projects funded by the Southeast Climate Science Center this year is to ensure that these scientific products developed by our researchers contribute information necessary for making effective decisions.”

The Southeast Climate Science Center conducts climate science research for Puerto Rico, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, of Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas.