Environmental Threats

 

Acadia National Park is a very different place than it was at its founding more than 105 years ago. While its beauty endures, its forests, lakes and coasts have been impacted through land use, pollution, tourism, invasive species, and, most pressingly, climate change.

Acadia’s temperatures are warming, growing seasons are lengthening, we have more precipitation, with bigger storms. Sea level has risen by eight inches since 1950, and the ocean is warmer and more acidic. Invasive animals, pests, diseases, and plants are capitalizing on stressed ecosystems to spread further and deeper, outcompeting native species.

These changes are likely to continue and accelerate, with dramatic impacts on the park we all love. Together, with our partners in science at Friends of Acadia and Schoodic Institute, we are taking action to ensure that Acadia’s beauty and vitality endures.

 

Climate Change

While changes in weather take place over minutes, hours, or days, changes in climate are measured over years, decades, or centuries. Weather data have been collected in Acadia since 1916, giving us a window into long-term shifts in the park’s climate. Acadia’s climate is changing. As a result, we are applying new approaches to management that uses the future as the guide. Learn more about how climate change is impacting Acadia, and how Acadia is leading the way in using science-based management approaches so future visitors will be able to experience and enjoy the things we love most about Acadia.

 

 

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Non-Native Species

Among the greatest environmental challenges facing Acadia National Park is the presence and threat of invasive species. Non-native species, especially those considered invasive, threaten communities of native plants and animals across the United States.

Invasive species are those which do not naturally occur in a specific area and cause ecological and economic damage. The majority of invasive species are also non-indigenous but some native species can become invasive too (i.e. deer in some areas). Many different organisms can become invasive pests including invasive plants, and invasive pests, animals, and diseases.

Whether the intention is accidental or intentional, these alien invaders can wreak havoc on an ecosystem. Invasive pests are successful in establishing populations on alien turf because their natural predators (disease, herbivore/carnivores) do not exist in the new territory and therefore can out-compete native species for resources. Invasive species can eliminate their native counterparts or destroy whole populations if gone unchecked. Managing invasive species is a large committment from park staff, including scientific research, prevention, and removal.

 

 

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Air Pollution

Located along the mid-coast of Maine, Acadia is downwind from large urban and industrial areas in states to the south and west. Periodically, high concentrations of air pollutants blow into the park from these areas. Acadia is considered a Class I area under the Clean Air Act, which means that the park deserves the highest level of air-quality protection.

 

 

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Threatened & Endangered Species

Rare, threatened, at-risk and endangered species require a higher level of concern, management and care. Bats, migratory birds, insects, and rare plant populations are particularly vulnerable to the stresses of climate change, invasive species, and trampling by visitors. Bats particulary suffer from the White Nose Syndrome. Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles, and Harlequin ducks join migratory birds as some of the main at-risk species at Acadia.

 

 

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Managing Environmental Threats

You can learn more about how the park and its partners come together to manage and plan for environmental threats and other issues on the park management page. Environmental threats join a long list of other management challenges including managing cultural landscapes and resources, and managing visitors and infrastructure that are all a part of caring for Acadia National Park.