It seems every passing day raises new concerns about our future in the midst of a changing climate. And with good reason-- though the planet is unequivocally in the midst of a warming trend, how this might impact the spectrum of life on earth continues to be debated. Though scientific evidence can provide reliable grounds upon which to model future effects and make educated guesses about what may lie ahead, any prediction inherently entails some degree of uncertainty.
Our public lands will likely take on renewed importance as our nation pursues new climate change management strategies. America's national parks have already featured prominently in such discussions, and are regarded by many as the finest living laboratories in which to monitor the evolution of ongoing change.
Owing largely to its relative geography, meager elevation, and myriad present-day pressures, it is likely that Everglades National Park will feel significant impacts from climate change, possibly far earlier than other areas. Because these effects are likely to touch a wide spectrum of life in South Florida, the park is actively investigating how the ecosystem might respond. The links on this page provide more detailed information about what types of changes we might expect, as well as additional information on institutions and partnerships that are helping to inform our planning, communications, and management in a warming climate.
