National parks in the United States are revered for their natural beauty and wildlife. They are fragile ecosystems that are cared for and preserved for future generations. Because of their fragile nature, they are also places where scientists are beginning to see the effects of climate change or global warming. VOA's Jeff Swicord reports from Glacier National Park in the Western state of Montana.
Since the early 20th century, Montana's Glacier National Park has attracted visitors to the majestic beauty of its peaks and valleys. But today's visitor is witnessing a rapidly changing landscape.
Dan Fagre is an ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, the government's earth and biological science organization.
"The namesake glaciers for Glacier National Park are disappearing rapidly," he said. "Especially in the last several decades. These glaciers that numbered 150 when the park was first formed are now less than 27."
More than 7,000 years ago, glaciers 900 to 1,500 meters thick covered this landscape. The constant ice flow carved out these jagged peaks and deep valleys.
Now, Dan Fagre says the remaining glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. He blames global warming. "One glacier by itself can not invoke climate change. But, when you have all the glaciers in almost all of the mountain ranges of the entire globe responding the same way, then you know you have global phenomena. And in this case, the glaciers are responding to warming."
Fagre says if the current melting trend continues all of the glaciers will be gone within 20 years.
"Just below the clouds is Salamander Glacier," he said. "It is a long thin dirty glacier with a waterfall pouring off it. And that use to be joined to Grinnell Glacier, which is much larger. And it came all the way down to the top of the double waterfalls. It was a thousand feet high when it was discovered in 1887."
This is grizzly bear country. Surprising one along the trail can be a fatal mistake. Hikers often make noise to let the bears know they are in the area. Today, Glacier National Park is a stunningly rich ecosystem with a myriad of unique plants and animals. That could change if the glaciers and dense winter snow pack disappear.
"Climate change affects a lot more than just glaciers," said Fagre. "It also affects our forests. And in the back here you can see a large swath where snow avalanches have carved out large gaps in the forest. And what grows in those gaps all the forbs [flowering plants] and everything are what bears eat, and what other organisms eat, birds and a whole host of organisms that would not be able to forage in the dense forest."
The water supply that feeds this mountain ecosystem is drying up, which is what happened to this dry creek bed. Some of these high altitude lakes are rich with Bull Trout, a hearty species that can only survive in the cold glacial waters. Their habitat is also in danger.
Scientists say change has always been a part of life on Earth and many species have survived dramatic change over thousands of years. But Dan Fagre says this time will be different.
"What is different now is that we have these national parks that are these protected areas that are changing rapidly in many cases. But, the organisms don't have anywhere else to go," he said. "The landscapes outside these parks have been converted to other uses by humans."
Fagre believes in the long run, the earth will adapt to climate change. As for the U.S. national parks, they will probably survive but their landscapes and wildlife will not be same as before.
