Climate Change and Everglades National Park: A …...Climate Change and Everglades National Park: A Park Manager’s Perspective Florida Bay and Adjacent Marine Systems Conference

EVERGLADES & DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARKS

Climate Change and Everglades National Park: A Park Manager’s Perspective

Florida Bay and Adjacent Marine SystemsConference

Naples, FloridaDecember 8, 2008

Carol Mitchell, Deputy Director for ScienceEverglades & Dry Tortugas National Parks

National Park Service



Everglades National Park


Everglades National Park


1. SEA LEVEL RISE

• IPCC: GLOBALLY AVERAGED SEA LEVEL RISE PROJECTION: 7 INCHES TO 23 INCHES BY 2100 (EXCLUDES FUTURE RAPID DYNAMIC CHANGES IN ICE FLOWS)

• UP TO 1.5 FEET BY 2050 AND 3-5 FEET BY 2100 (WANLESS, 2008)

2. IPCC: GLOBALLY AVERAGED SURFACE TEMPERATURE CHANGE BY 2100: +2-5 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT

Climate Change Predictions

3. IPCC: CHANGES IN WEATHER PATTERNS -- INCREASED CYCLONIC ACTIVITY (FREQUENCY & INTENSITY); EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS; AND REDUCED PRECIPITATION







Mustang Corner Fire 5/14-25/2008


HURRICANE WILMA




CurrentDistribution

POTENTIAL PYTHON RANGE BASEDON 2100 CLIMATE


Applicable National Park Service Laws

• “[The National Park Service] shall promote and regulate the use of … national parks … by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks … which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” (National Park Service Organic Act, 1916)

• “[Everglades National Park] shall be permanently reserved as a wilderness, and no development … shall be undertaken which will interfere with the preservation intact of the unique flora and fauna and the essential primitive natural conditions …”(Everglades National Park, Authorizing Legislation, 1934)


NPS Mgt Policies: Response to Climate Change & Disturbances

• “Earth’s climate has changed throughout history. Although national parks are intended to be naturally evolving places thatconserve our natural and cultural heritage for generations to come, accelerated climate change may significantly alter park ecosystems. Thus, parks containing significant natural resources will gather and maintain baseline climatological data for reference.” (4.7.2)

• “The Service will reestablish natural functions and processes in parks … Landscapes disturbed by natural phenomena will be allowed to recover naturally … Impacts on natural systems resulting from human disturbances … The Service will seek to return such disturbed areas to the natural conditions and processes characteristic of the ecological zone in which the damaged resources are situated.” (4.1.5)

• “The National Park Service will employ the most effective concepts, techniques, and equipment to protect cultural resources against theft, fire, vandalism, overuse, deterioration, environmental impacts, and other threats without compromising the integrity of the resources.” (5.3.1)


EVERGLADES RESTORATION

GET THE WATER RIGHT, GET THE HABITAT RIGHT, & COMPATIBILITY WITH THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT





•CLIMATE FRIENDLY PARKS PROGRAM

• US DEPT OF THE INTERIOR CLIMATE CHANGE TASK FORCE & MIAMI-DADE CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISORY TASK FORCE

•EDUCATION & OUTREACH

OTHER ACTIONS


Climate Change Research & Science Topic AreasResource Inventory, Vital Signs Monitoring, & Data Management

Evaluation of Climate Change Effects (especially regional/local)• Surface water & groundwater (QQTD including storm surge)• Vegetation & wildlife (including exotics & disease)• Wetlands & coastal geomorphology• Marine resources• Fire • Recreation (fishing/boating) & visitor enjoyment• Cultural resources & the built environment

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments

Evaluation of Adaptation Measures

Education/Outreach Tools

Assessment of Naturally-caused Climate Change vs Human-induced Climate Change


SUMMARY• RESOURCES AT EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK ARE VULNERABLE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

•MONITORING & LEARNING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE& EFFECTS

•TAKING ADAPTATION MEASURES TO RESTORE RESOURCES& MAKE THEM MORE RESILIENT TO CLIMATE CHANGE

•EDUCATION & OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

•WEALTH OF CLIMATE CHANGE-RELATEDRESEARCH & SCIENCE TOPICS


Documents

Climate Change and Everglades National Park: A …...Climate Change and Everglades National Park: A Park Manager’s Perspective Florida Bay and Adjacent Marine Systems Conference