Effects of global change on alpine and subalpine ecosystems
Synthesizing a data legacy to provide scientific and management insight for Rocky Mountain National Park and beyond
Atmospheric nitrogen deposition, changing environmental patterns, and recreation are rapidly altering high elevation ecosystems. This project will evaluate long-term biogeochemical, hydrological, and ecological trends in Rocky Mountain National Park to understand the causes and rates of change in alpine and subalpine waters, soils, and vegetation. Resource managers of high-elevation, protected lands can use the resulting knowledge to better protect these ecosystems.
Statement of Problem
Mountain ecosystem changes that began in the mid-20th century are continuing and accelerating today, altering ecosystem processes and species assemblages, especially in high elevation lakes, forests and the alpine tundra. Resource managers have been using our research and monitoring data on Rocky Mountain National Park’s alpine and subalpine lakes since 1983. Now that we have over forty years of data, we need to synthesize ecosystem change patterns and processes across decades to distinguish natural from human-caused changes, and identify potential tipping points that may harm these iconic landscapes. The results will be shared with our collaborators to create or alter management activities that can protect and restore mountain ecosystems in a changing world.
Why this Research is Important
Scientists and resource managers can use this synthesis to project future ecosystem behavior. Our findings will also inform the broader scientific community about how high elevation ecosystems may change. We plan to compare site-specific results to other high elevation locations to build a larger understanding of pattern shifts across high elevation ecosystems. Finally, we will work with resource managers to apply findings for framing resist-accept-direct (RAD) and similar management actions.
Objective
Synthesize more than 40 years of research and monitoring information of the alpine-subalpine Loch Vale watershed in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Methods
We will use a combination of data science, ecosystem ecology, biogeochemical insights, statistics and remote sensing. The comprehensive approach will be used to identify past, present, and projected future patterns of biogeochemical and ecological change and their causes. Results will be shared with our NPS partners and with the broader scientific community.
Atmospheric nitrogen deposition, changing environmental patterns, and recreation are rapidly altering high elevation ecosystems. This project will evaluate long-term biogeochemical, hydrological, and ecological trends in Rocky Mountain National Park to understand the causes and rates of change in alpine and subalpine waters, soils, and vegetation. Resource managers of high-elevation, protected lands can use the resulting knowledge to better protect these ecosystems.
Statement of Problem
Mountain ecosystem changes that began in the mid-20th century are continuing and accelerating today, altering ecosystem processes and species assemblages, especially in high elevation lakes, forests and the alpine tundra. Resource managers have been using our research and monitoring data on Rocky Mountain National Park’s alpine and subalpine lakes since 1983. Now that we have over forty years of data, we need to synthesize ecosystem change patterns and processes across decades to distinguish natural from human-caused changes, and identify potential tipping points that may harm these iconic landscapes. The results will be shared with our collaborators to create or alter management activities that can protect and restore mountain ecosystems in a changing world.
Why this Research is Important
Scientists and resource managers can use this synthesis to project future ecosystem behavior. Our findings will also inform the broader scientific community about how high elevation ecosystems may change. We plan to compare site-specific results to other high elevation locations to build a larger understanding of pattern shifts across high elevation ecosystems. Finally, we will work with resource managers to apply findings for framing resist-accept-direct (RAD) and similar management actions.
Objective
Synthesize more than 40 years of research and monitoring information of the alpine-subalpine Loch Vale watershed in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Methods
We will use a combination of data science, ecosystem ecology, biogeochemical insights, statistics and remote sensing. The comprehensive approach will be used to identify past, present, and projected future patterns of biogeochemical and ecological change and their causes. Results will be shared with our NPS partners and with the broader scientific community.