A Collage of Climates
Scroll to learn moreElevation Influences Climates
Look at the varied climates you can see from here! The vast changes in altitude result in different climates. These climate variations contribute to hundreds of diverse habitats where different plants and animals thrive.
Climate in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Documenting Change
Some of the ways climate change is affecting our world can be found in the range of habitats at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Observations over time—photographs, surveys, and monitoring plants and animals—show us that climate change is happening here. See some examples of changes documented at Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
Temperatures and Trees
Temperatures recorded daily here for over 80 years show warming.
Monitoring the same forest showed that trees are dying at a faster rate now than 30 years ago.
Scars left by fires on tree rings, combined with historic temperature records, indicate that fires burn more frequently during warm periods. As warming continues, wildfires will likely increase.
Habitats in Motion
A 100-year-old study that was repeated recently shows that the locations and ranges of animals have shifted.
Climate Change in National Parks: Species Range Shifts
Melting Glaciers
1904
2004
2008
Picture our Parks
Scientists use photographs as records of a scene. We need your help to document the plants, clouds, and seasons—and how they are changing. Use the picture post to take photos and upload them here.
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