It seems every passing day raises new concerns about what the future might hold in light 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 remains uncertain.
In the search for answers, public lands have taken on renewed importance as living laboratories that provide opportunities to monitor, mitigate, and adapt to impacts resulting from climate change. Lessons learned from national parks, for example, can help direct and inspire future management actions at home and abroad.
Everglades National Park has long been recognized as one of our country’s most imperiled landscapes. Coupled with the century-old disruption of the area’s natural hydrology, the projected impacts from climate change threaten to further undermine the long-term health of the lowland ecosystem. Because of its geography and slight elevation, Everglades will likely feel the effects of warming temperatures and rising seas in a fashion more dramatic than other areas of the country. In fact, long-term scientific investigations indicate that changes are already being observed in the park.
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 direct planning, communications, and management in the face of a warming climate.
