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“Climate change,” Jarvis testified “is potentially the most far-reaching and consequential challenge to our mission than any previously encountered in the entire history of the NPS.” 

  “Our national park units can serve as the proverbial canary in the coal mine, a place where we can monitor and document ecosystem change without many of the stressors that are found on other public lands.” 

rees in Yosemite are Shrinking 

 Last week, the US Geological Survey (USGS), part of the Department of the Interior, announced that large trees have declined in number in Yosemite National Park during the 20th century, and they believe that warmer climatic conditions may be playing a role. 

 The number of large diameter trees dropped 24% between 1932 (the earliest records available) and 1999. This is of consequence not just for trees. It also means habitat loss and adverse affects for species including spotted owls, mosses, orchids and fishers (a carnivore related to weasels). It also is causing a decline in the overall number of trees since large diameter trees are a seed source for new trees and also tend to be more fire resistant. Data from another National Park --  Sequoia and Kings Canyon --  home to some of the world’s largest trees, are showing similar trends in declining tree diameter.