Thread by @EvergladesNPS

Like all natural areas on our planet, the Everglades and @HaleakalaNPS were born from Earth’s changing climate over vast periods of time. Earth's climate is always fluctuating between glacial cycles that both alter the terrain and influence sea level over thousands of years.

Over the last 150 years however, scientists have observed an increase in global temperature and consequentially, a rise in global sea level.

The accelerated rates at which the temperature and seas are rising threaten to outpace the ability of plants, animals, and natural processes to adapt.

As a low-lying coastal area, Everglades National Park is primarily threatened by sea level rise and increased salinization brought on by the rising seas.

Research conducted in the park over the last 50 years has observed an increase in the water level at some inland, freshwater sites that is consistent in pace with the observed increase in regional sea level suggesting that the influence of sea-level rise may reach far inland.

Also over the last 50 years in the park, coastal red mangroves have expanded their range inland (more than 0.6 miles in some areas), displacing some freshwater species.

 NPS Photo by Glenn Gardner

Red mangroves are able to grow farther inland because the exchange of fresh and saline water in the marshes has been influenced in part by sea level rise. 

For more than 16 years, managers at Everglades National Park have taken steps to respond to human-induced climate change.

Steps have included replacing most of the vehicles in our fleet with hybrid vehicles, installing solar panels at various areas throughout the park such as Flamingo and the Ernest Coe Visitor Center, and plugging canals near Cape Sable to reduce saltwater intrusion.

Seeing as the accelerated rates of climate change affect everyone, helping to reduce them will be up to the many small actions of every individual. What have you done to help reduce your carbon footprint?  

Tune in tomorrow as we wrap up exploring our #MissedConnections!

#MissedConnections #Haleakalā #Everglades #EvergladesNationalPark #Everglades75th #FindYourPark