Environmental Factors

Although the landscapes within Montezuma Castle National Monument may appear harsh and unchanging, the desert ecosystem is continually evolving. Weather, climatic shifts, and geologic processes continue to shape this environment as they have for millennia. More recently, human-caused factors such as air, noise, and water pollution, as well as introduced species, have had a much greater impact on natural resources world-wide. The undeveloped landscapes of Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well provide an ideal place to study how various environmental factors affect desert ecosystems, and predict what changes might be expected in the future.

 

 

Beaver Creek and the Black Hills viewed from Montezuma Castle.

NPS Photo / Nicholas Goodman

Air Pollution

Clean air helps people breathe easy and see far. It keeps our parks and planet healthy too!

Air pollution in parks can have negative consequences for how well we can see park vistas, the health of natural environments, the health of people in and around parks, and even the strength of local economies. With the exception of visibility, most of the effects in parks result from extended exposure to air pollution rather than short-term events. Learn more about the effects of air pollution in parks by viewing Park Air Profiles or the Air Quality Related Values Inventory page.

Learn more about air pollution.

 

A monsoon storm rages over Montezuma Castle.

NPS Photo

Climate Monitoring

Precipitation and temperature are primary factors that determine an ecosystem's structure and function. Secondary factors include long-term climate patterns, such as the timing, duration, and intensity of extreme weather events (such as frosts and violent downpours), and the variance in seasonal dynamics between and among years.

These drivers greatly influence which plant species occur where, habitat suitability for wildlife, surface and subsurface hydrology, how nutrients are cycled, and the relationships between soil, plants, and water availability. They can also affect how susceptible—or resilient—an ecosystem is to disturbance.

Climate change in parks

We can already see the effects of climate change in many national parks. But because national parks are protected areas, they can carry out research to help support informed decisions for protecting our resources. Parks also work to educate visitors about climate change and show them first-hand how these changes are impacting our resources.

Current research

Research at Montezuma Castle has shown that continuing changes in climate can potentially change the animal and plant populations at the monument. This means that some species will not be able to survive at the monument in the future.

Another study found that recent climatic conditions at the monument are already shifting beyond historic ranges. In the future, climate change may manifest itself not only as changes in average conditions, but also as more extreme individual weather events, like floods or storms.

Learn more about climate monitoring at the Sonoran Desert national park sites.

 

Water Quality

Many National Park Service units in the American Southwest were established to protect precious cultural resources. In most cases, however, the surrounding natural environment is an equally significant part of the story. At Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments, in central Arizona, the remains of the precontact built environment reflect the importance of reliable water sources.

 

 

Light Pollution

It may be difficult to understand at first—how could something as common as light be considered a pollutant? After all, the day is full of light, so how could a little light at night be a problem? The answer is simply that even a small amount of light can greatly change the essence of night and the natural processes that occur then. Artificial light is a powerful tool that humans wield, only becoming common with the widespread use of electricity. One needs only to glimpse upon on a nighttime view of our planet from space to see how pervasive artificial light is at night.

Learn more about light pollution.

 

Lightning can strike 60 miles away from the nearest storm. If you hear thunder, you are within striking distance!

NPS Photo

Monsoons

While the threat of flash floods and lightning strikes can seem overwhelming, monsoon season can also be a beautiful time of year. If you are planning a trip during monsoon season, stay safe during storms and check the forecast before visiting. All park trails close for 30 minutes following any lightning strikes five miles or less from the park. Heavy rainfall can cause washes and bodies of water like Beaver Creek to rise by several feet very quickly. Afterward, take a look outside to see just how much these crucial rains change the landscape. Smell the rain-soaked dirt and watch plants and flower come back to life.

Learn more about the importance and dangers of monsoons.

 

Smoke from a fire at Montezuma Well.

NPS Photo

Wildland Fire Science and Research

Fire is a powerful and enduring force that has had, and will continue to have, a profound influence on National Park Service (NPS) lands. Restoring and maintaining this natural process are both important management goals for many NPS areas. Therefore, information about the use and effect of prescribed fire on park resources is critical to sound, scientifically based management decisions. Using results from a high quality monitoring program to evaluate a park’s prescribed fire management program is the key to successful adaptive management. By using monitoring results to determine whether management objectives are being met, managers can verify that the program is on track, or conversely, discern clues as to what may not be working as planned so that appropriate changes can be made.

Learn more about wildland fire science and research.

 

What Can You Do To Help?

1. Use refillable travel mugs and water bottles, and reusable grocery bags. These items lessen the impact of disposable products on our environment. Both Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well have refill stations for water bottles.

2. When shopping, look for products that use less packaging or recyclable materials. Products made from recycled paper, plastics, and aluminum use 55-95% less energy than new materials.

3. If buying a new car, consider a higher-efficiency vehicle. You can also reduce idling time, use alternative fuels, or participate in carpooling or other climate-friendly commuting.

4. When visiting national parks, leave your vehicle behind! If available, use the park’s shuttle system or ride your bike.

5. Adjust your thermostat at home. Lowering the temperature in the winter and raising it in the summer (even by just 1-2 degrees) can help reduce your energy use.

6. Be active in your local community buy supporting the use of energy-efficient products, building designs, recycling, and mass transit. Let community leaders know that you support these actions on a larger scale.

7. Volunteer at a park or participate in citizen science projects. Helping national parks track data on climate change helps them make informed decisions on how to best protect our resources for the future.

 

Resource Monitoring in the Desert