According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Forest Service has confirmed climate change is killing yellow cedars, an ecologically and economically valuable tree, in the Alaskan Panhandle. Normally, these trees can live for more than 1,000 years, but they rely on snow to protect their shallow roots from freezing through insulation. As less snow accumulates on the ground due to rising average temperatures, more yellow cedars are dying off. The trees have long been valued by indigenous peoples and by logging companies because the wood is naturally resistant to rot.
With the Forest Service confirming the impacts of climate change on this important tree, here are some other instances of ecological resources being impacted by climate warming in the U.S.
The Great Lakes
Recent research indicates the water level in the Great Lakes system is extremely sensitive to changes in climate, noted an article from Science Daily. Scientists concluded that at least once in the past 10,000 years, dry climate caused lake levels to take a large drop, which led to the lakes being disconnected. Another report indicated that rising temperatures are causing eroding shorelines, decreasing winter ice cover, and a crowding out important plant and animal species, according to ENS. The U.S. Global Change Research Program reports that not only does climate warming have ecological impacts, but there are also the negative impacts on industries, like tourism and fishing, which rely on the Great Lakes.
Yellowstone National Park
Reuters reported Yellowstone National Park is experiencing rising temperatures at a greater rate than that being experienced worldwide. Higher average temperatures is increasing the risk and severity of wildfires in the park, in addition to affecting snow-dependent animal species and trees that are already ailing, such as whitebark pines. Similarly, the changes in temperatures also extend the summer season, which is already allowing pine beetles, a species that ravages pine trees, to reproduce more than once and lowers the chance that they will be killed off by deep freezes, added OregonLive
Chesapeake Bay
The nation's largest estuary is also feeling the consequences of climate warming, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The ecologically-fragile estuary is home to numerous plant and animal species, which are under the threat of losing habitat because of rising temperatures. The Washington Post added that low-lying islands are at risk and that over the last century, the bay's water has risen by about 12 inches. Warming waters potentially harm species that rely on a certain water temperature and specific amounts of dissolved oxygen and other nutrients.
Rachel Bogart provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. As a college student from the Chicago suburbs pursuing two science degrees, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.
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