United States
Environmental Protection
Agency ' May 1999
Office of Pojicy (2171)
National Park
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CLIMATE CHANGE
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AND WILDLIFE
America's national parks were estab-
lished to preserve valuable natural
resources while providing environmen-
tally diverse settings for recreation.
They were intended for use by
Americans of all generations to come.
But these natural treasures may be at
risk from global climate change if we
do nothing to address the problem.
Other public lands, such as national
seashores, national forests, wildlife
refuges, and Bureau of Land
Management lands also could be
affected.
Global warming could have numerous
impacts on wildlife and their habitat
on public lands and the waters that
flow through those lands. Many inland
freshwater rivers, lakes, and streams
may become too warm for the fish and
other aquatic species that currently
inhabit them.
Climate change also may contribute
to a loss of wetlands, beaches, and
other habitat. As the oceans warm,
the sea level rises and erosion of
beaches and wetlands during storms
increases. Such national park units as
Padre Island, Assateague Island, Fire
Island, Cape Hatteras, and Cape Cod
could be affected by sea level rise.
States in coastal areas that cannot
enact land use planning may find
that wetlands and other coastal
ecosystems cannot migrate inland as
the sea rises. Critical wetlands in
wildlife refuges and other public
lands could be lost as a result.
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CLIMATE CHANGE:
Glacier National Park is located in a
pristine mountainous area in north-
western Montana. The park provides
habitat for an abundance of wildlife,
inci.i/tinn the densest population of
:ars (a threatened species) in
id States. Climate change
ve a serious impart on this
park. Today, the park has
approximately 50 glaciers, down from
.an estimated 150 in 1850. The reces-
, Jacier illustrates the
ent warming temperatures.
ids continue, it is esti-
lat the park will have no glaci-
030. Without glaciers, stream
peratures are twpected to rise.
her water tempfctures could affect
mtic ecosystems,-espedally tmnt
Alaska s pnstine ecosystems are espe-
cially vulnerable to climate change
since warming is projected to t
greater at higher latitudes than
other parts of the world. With suffi-
cient increases in temperature, tundra
ecosystems are expected to decline
significantly. Melting permafrost in
Alaska's ruggedly beautiful Denali
National Park could jeopardize essen-
tial habitats for caribou herds. Melting
permafrost also affects freshwater wet-
land habitats and may lead to
increased landslides and erosion. It
may clog spawning rivers with silt and
f"'nqer the loss of some boreal forests.
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PUBLIC LANDS AT RISK
Reductions in tundra and related
ecosystems also would mean the loss
of mammal and migratory waterfowl
habitats. In addition, Alaska's native
Coho, sockeye, and chinook salmon
found in Glacier Bay, Katmai, and
Wrangell-St. Elias national parks may
be affected by the warming of lakes
and rivers.
Saltwater already has intruded 5 miles
into Everglades National Park from
Florida Bay. Increased salinity resulting
from sea level rise could damage fresh-
water ecosystems in the Everglades
that provide important habitat for
birds, fish, and other wildlife.
Freshwater wetlands such as sawgrass,
slough, and wet prairie, which are
important foraging habitat for wading
birds and other wildlife, would
decrease in area. These habitat
changes could increase pressures on
endangered species such as the Florida
panther, Key deer, American crocodile,
and the Everglades mink.
Without the promise of a stable climate,
the history, heritage, wilderness, and
beauty preserved by America's public
lands are at risk. Climate change could
increase the possibility of drought and
thus kill the whitebark pines, a source
of edible nuts for grizzlies in
Yellowstone Park. Fires and flooding
also could change the composition of
Yellowstone and many other of our
nation's celebrated landscapes.
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rC
CLIMATE CHANGE
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AND ECOSYSTEMS
I housands of scientists predict
that the earth's climate will
change because human activities
are altering the chemical composi-
tion of the atmosphere through
the buildup of greenhouse gases.
The heat-trapping property of such
gases as carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, and chloroflurocar-
bons is undisputed. Greenhouse
gases are released into the atmos-
phere in large quantities by
motorized vehicles, utilities, facto-
ries, appliances, and landfills.
Although there is uncertainty
about exactly how and when the
earth's climate will respond to
higher concentrations of green-
house gases, observations indi-
cate that detectable changes are
underway. Temperatures will
most likely rise by an average of
2 to 6°F over the next century,
along with measurable changes
in precipitation, soil moisture,
and sea level. All of these
changes could have adverse
effects on many ecological sys-
tems, as well as on human
health and the economy.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Inform yourself and others. For more
information on climate change and
national parks, visit EPA's website
at www.epa.gov/globalwarming;
and dick on "impacts." Or call EPA's
National Service Center for
Environmental Publications (NSCEP)
at 1-800-490-9198 and ask for
information on climate change and
how it affects wildlife, forestry, and/or
sea level rise.
Encourage more research. If you work
for an organization that carries out
related scientific studies, suggest
including a climate change component
to the research.
Reduce greenhouse gases. Use a more
fuel-efficient (or non-motorized) mode
of transportation. CarpooL Purchase
electronic devices and appliances with the
ENERGY STAR label. Plant trees.
&EPA
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
Office of Policy (2171)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
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