How is Climate Changing at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site?

 

Key Messages about Climate Change

 

Adapted from a graphic by Carolyn Caggia, NPS. Graphic art by Jen Strona, NPS.

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According to scientific consensus, Earth’s climate is warming, and effects of climate change are being observed across the globe. The National Park Service recognizes climate change as a major threat to national park units and is taking a holistic approach in responding to climate change—climate change considerations are being incorporated into all aspects of daily operations. The agency has developed a Climate Change Response Strategy that describes goals and objectives to guide its actions under four integrated components:
1) science (to increase understanding of climate change),
2) adaptation (to adapt to climate change with planning and management strategies),
3) mitigation (to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with high standards for energy efficiency), and
4) communication (to communicate about how climate change can affect resources in parks).

A changing climate impacts not only natural resources, but also cultural resources, such as historic buildings and artifacts, as well as scenic views, park infrastructure, visitor experience, and human safety. At many park units, including Martin Van Buren National Historic Site (NHS), natural resources are an integral part of the cultural landscape.

What types of effects are occurring now at Martin Van Buren NHS or are expected in the future? And how are we planning for and dealing with the effects of climate change?

 

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site and its Resources

Martin Van Buren NHS preserves and interprets the rural estate of the eighth President (1837-1841) of the United States. Martin Van Buren and his family lived at Lindenwald, the name the President gave the house and farm, from 1841 to 1862. The historic site is located in the Hudson River Valley in the town of Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York. It interprets Van Buren’s life and career, issues facing the nation in the decades prior to the Civil War, and historical and modern progressive farming. The 285-acre historic site is a working agricultural landscape. Roxbury Farms, which owns and operates an organic vegetable farm, also leases 20+ acres of the park under conservation easement and in cooperation with the NPS.

Resources at the historic site that could be affected by climate change include both natural and cultural resources, such as water resources (like Kinderhook Creek, which flows through the park, wetlands, and constructed water features), trees and other plants (including a historic sycamore tree), agriculture, the Lindenwald mansion and outbuildings, archeological resources, and historic views. Climate change can also affect phenology, which is the timing of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to animal and plant life; changes in phenology could affect native plants and the animals dependent on them, and agricultural crops and their pollinators (read more about this below).

 

A view of Martin Van Buren NHS from above, with the mansion to the left of center (left).
Agricultural field at Martin Van Buren NHS (right).

NPS Photos.

How has the climate at Martin Van Buren NHS changed over the last 100 years? And what are projections for the future?

• Over the last century, the climate around the park has become warmer and wetter. These trends are projected to continue over the next century, with the greatest increases in temperature and precipitation projected for the winter months.

• The increase in temperature has also lengthened the growing season, with spring thaw occurring earlier in the year. The growing season in Columbia County has lengthened by about 20 days since 1950, and projections are for the growing season to lengthen further.

• Although the number of extreme temperature days (or hot days greater than 90 °F) did not change in Columbia County from 1950 to 2020, projections are for large increases in the number of hot days by 2100.
• In the northeastern U.S. in recent decades, precipitation events have become more variable and intense. The average number of days of extreme precipitation (more than 1 inch) in Columbia County doubled from 1950 to 2020, and this number is projected to increase more in the region by 2100.
• Streamflow in the northeastern U.S. has increased over recent decades, and flooding events along rivers and streams have also increased. Projected increases in temperature and precipitation at Martin Van Buren NHS are projected to drive increased runoff (overland water flow) in late winter and may increase the frequency and magnitude of flooding events at the park.

 

Climate change actions at Martin Van Buren NHS

Martin Van Buren NHS is taking action and implementing the NPS Climate Change Response Strategy. We conducted an assessment to synthesize information about current and projected climate change-related impacts at the park. The assessment report (Tierney 2021) is helping us understand, plan, and manage for climate change.

Our overall approach is to integrate climate change considerations with our planning, management, stewardship, and interpretive activities for the park’s natural and cultural resources, including agriculture.

 

Here are some of the things we’re doing:

Historic Orchard

We are planning to restore a historic, 5-acre orchard near the mansion. We are carefully considering what types of fruit trees to plant, as some will be better at adapting to the area’s changing climate. For instance, climate change may lead to a shift to earlier bloom dates of fruit trees in the region. Such a shift could increase damage from early spring cold temperatures, as well as create a potential mismatch between emergence times of flowers and key pollinators. In addition to selecting tree cultivars (or varieties) that are resistant to frost and drought, we will also consider the placement of plantings and the use of coverings or windbreaks to maximize frost protection.

 

 

Trees

Native trees are a natural resource and an important component of the cultural landscape at Martin Van Buren NHS. To plan for potential climate change impacts on trees, the recent climate assessment looked at which tree species at the park and in the region are most susceptible to climate change. Based on U.S. Forest Service modeling, the study found that about one-third of tree species currently occurring in the park are capable of adapting to projected regional climate change by 2100 (such as American sycamore and red maple), while another one-third of park tree species have poor capability to adapt (such as Eastern white pine and green ash). We are already monitoring the condition of trees that are part of the historic landscape; going forward, this monitoring will continue and probably expand. The future landscape may look different, and monitoring will enable visitors to see how much it has changed since Martin Van Buren’s time.

 

Historic Structures

Historic structures such as the mansion and related buildings will be subjected to rising temperatures, increased rainfall and extreme weather events, higher relative humidity, increased freeze/thaw cycles, and more seasonal drought and flooding. Structures may experience various effects, such as:

• direct wind or water damage,
• increased cracking and material deterioration,
• erosion of soil supporting or surrounding foundations,
• increased moisture absorption by wood, brick and porous materials,
• increased activity of termites and other insect pests,
• increased demand for air conditioning that impacts the appearance of the interior and exterior of the building,
• increased demand for modern drainage systems outside of buildings, and
• damage to pipes from temperature swings.

Some damage has already occurred to the basement rooms in the mansion (see photos below).

 

Basement rooms in Lindenwald, showing moisture/water damage.

NPS Photos.

Ways that we are dealing with these threats include the replacement and upgrade of the roof gutters on Lindenwald. Just like on your home, gutters collect and divert rain and storm water landing on the roof away from the foundation. This prevents erosion of the soil and seepage of water down along the foundation, decreasing the risk of basement leaks and foundation damage. During this project, upgrades were also made to improve drainage at ground and below ground level.

To better understand the building’s behavior with regard to the exterior climate, we have been tracking humidity and temperature levels in the mansion for several years. In 2021, we added Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi-enabled monitors so environmental conditions can be monitored remotely. The data obtained are used by NPS staff to track conditions, trends, and areas in the building where the microclimate is problematic to the collection. The system also generates on-line alerts when environmental conditions pose risks to certain types of collection items, such as paper or fabric.

 

Phenology

In partnership with the Farmscape Ecology Program, we developed interpretive panels for a walking trail at the historic site. The panels educate visitors on changes in phenology that are occurring. For example, people have been recording the life cycle stages of pear trees in Kinderhook and surrounding areas since before Martin Van Buren lived at Lindenwald. An observation over this time period (from 1830 to 2021) is that pear trees are now flowering approximately 2 weeks earlier than in 1830.

 

Agriculture

Agriculture is an integral part of the cultural landscape at Martin Van Buren NHS, so impacts to agriculture are of great interest to park managers. Climate change can cause:

• heavy precipitation events that delay planting, damage crops, and increase soil erosion;
• hotter summers and warmer night temperatures that limit crop growth and decrease yields (but it is also possible that a longer growing season may offer opportunities for increased crop yields);
• higher temperature and moisture levels that lead to increased pathogen and fungal infection of leaves and roots;
• warmer winters that can improve overwinter survival rate of plant pests and pathogens;
• earlier spring thaws that may lead to increased frost damage and disruption of plant-pollinator interactions; and
• altered ranges and intensities of pest and weed species.

 

Many of the strategies already in use at Roxbury Farm will benefit crop production as the climate continues to change. These strategies include planting a variety of crop types, improving soil health, and managing water availability. For example, crop rotation is a vital component of the sustainable agriculture being practiced and is used to manage pests, weeds, and diseases while promoting soil health. Water management practices include methods of conserving water, irrigating crops, coping with flooding, draining fields as necessary, and managing surface water (such as farm ponds) at the historic site.

We have also partnered with the Farmscape Ecology Program to monitor animals such as bees. Bees are important pollinators of native plants, orchard trees, and farm crops.

 

Flooding of Kinderhook Creek resulted in high water on the lower terrace in the park.

Photo by Roxbury Farm.

 

Additional actions and programs

In 2021, the NPS Northeast Archeology Resources Management Program piloted the Volunteer Archeology Monitoring Program at the historic site. This program will continue into the future and will help us with monitoring all threats, including ones exacerbated by climate change, to archeological sites.

 

LEARN MORE about climate change in national parks

Learn how climate change is impacting other national parks across the country on this NPS page and in this recent publication (Gonzalez 2020, Human-caused climate change in United States national parks and solutions for the future, Park Stewardship Forum).

 

Things YOU CAN DO about climate change

There are things you can do to take action against climate change and support sustainable practices. These actions include ones you can take when visiting national parks, as well as at home. The links below are full of good ideas. Check them out to learn more!

This NPS page focuses on ways to have a “green” visit to national parks and during your other travels. Ideas for shrinking your carbon footprint include:

• Drive your most efficient vehicle and/or install solar panels on your camper or RV.
• Use an alternative form of travel in the park, such as a bike, walking, or the park’s shuttle system (if available).
• If you do drive into the park, turn your car off when stopped rather than idling your vehicle; this will use less gas and reduce noise and air pollution.

 

The NPS also has a page on supporting sustainability in national parks, which includes ways to minimize your environmental impact (such as on plants and animals) when visiting.

If you’d like still more ideas on what individuals can do about climate change, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a page that addresses actions in several different areas, including transportation, energy, water, and waste.

 

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Information in this article was summarized mainly from G. Tierney. 2021. Climate Change Trends and Impacts at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site: Focused Condition Assessment Report. Natural Resource Report NPS/MAVA/NRR—2021/2344. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

 

References

* Information in this article that is specific to climate change and impacts at Martin Van Buren NHS came from Tierney (2021). Other references listed here are as cited in Tierney (2021).

Battaglin, W., L. Hay, D.J. Lawrence, G. McCabe, and P. Norton. 2020. Baseline conditions and projected future hydro-climatic change in national parks in the conterminous United States. Water 12:1704. doi:10.3390/w12061704.

Climate Smart Farming (CSF). 2020. An online toolkit designed to help farmers in the Northeast US [web application]. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Available at: http://climatesmartfarming.org/tools/ (accessed 16 November 2020).

Dudley, R.W., G.A. Hodgkins, M. McHale, M.J. Kolian, and B. Renard. 2017. Trends in snowmelt-related streamflow timing in the conterminous United States. Journal of Hydrology 547:208–221. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2017.01.051.

Gonzalez, P., F. Wang, M. Notaro, D.J. Vimont, and J.W. Williams. 2018. Disproportionate magnitude of climate change in United States national parks. Environmental Research Letters 13:104001. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/aade09.

Hayhoe, K., D.J. Wuebbles, D.R. Easterling, D.W. Fahey, S. Doherty, J. Kossin, W. Sweet, R. Vose, and M. Wehner. 2018. Our changing climate. In Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II [Reidmiller, D.R., C.W. Avery, D.R. Easterling, K.E. Kunkel, K.L.M. Lewis, T.K. Maycock, and B.C. Stewart (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, pp. 72–144. doi:10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH2.

Horton, R., D. Bader, C. Rosenzweig, A. DeGaetano, and W. Solecki. 2014. Climate change in New York State: Updating the 2011 ClimAID climate risk information. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Albany, New York.

Rosenzweig, C., W. Solecki, A. DeGaetano, M. O'Grady, S. Hassol, an P. Grabhorn (Eds.). 2011. Responding to climate change in New York State: the ClimAID integrated assessment for effective climate change adaptation. Technical report. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Albany, New York.

Tamuddun, K, A. Kalra, and S. Ahmad. 2016. Identification of streamflow changes across the continental United States using variable record lengths. Hydrology 3(2):24. doi:10.3390/hydrology3020024.

Tierney, G. 2021. Climate change trends and impacts at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site: Focused condition assessment report. Natural Resource Report NPS/MAVA/NRR—2021/2344. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.