Studies to understand the biological effects of air pollution on park ecosystems have been limited. Currently the park is participating in a study examining ozone damage to sensitive pine species. Complementing this work is another study identifying areas of greater ozone uptake, which will provide park management a bigger picture of potential change in forest structure as a result of ozone injury. During the summer of 2002, the park participated in a study looking at the contribution of smoke to regional haze.

Additional studies on the effects of air pollutants on Sierra Nevada ecosystems are being conducted in other areas in the southern and central portions of the Sierra Nevada range. Given the similarities of the resources, findings from these other studies will be very relevant to changes that may be occurring in Yosemite.

There are some airborne threats that we don’t understand such as pesticide and other synthetic chemicals and their effects on Sierra Nevada ecosystems. Further research will help us to better identify these chemicals and their potential effects on Yosemite’s resources.