Climate Sensitivities of National Parks in the Rocky Mountains
LoPresti AL , Gross J, Carr W. 2025. Climate Sensitivities of National Parks in the Rocky Mountains. Science Report. NPS/SR—2025/368. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2315986
National Park Service units across the United States have been affected by climate change, and impacts are expected to intensify. Understanding the vulnerability of park resources, assets, and values to climate change is critical for effective and adaptive park management. Climate change vulnerability is a result of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. This report provides information on climate sensitivity: the degree to which changes in climate drivers affect a resource, asset, or value, either adversely or beneficially. Here, we present regional-scale information for an area congruent with the Rocky Mountain and Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Networks, which encompasses areas from southern Colorado to the Montana–Canadian border. We provide regional trends for past, present, and projected future climate drivers, including gradual changes and extreme events. We then summarize the impacts of these climate trends on natural resources, cultural resources, visitor experience, and infrastructure. Throughout the report, we include park-specific examples illustrating sensitivities and their implications for park management. The purpose of this report series is to document current understanding of key climate trends and resource sensitivities to inform park management decisions and provide information that can be readily incorporated into planning.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- LoPresti, Anna; Gross, John; Carr, Wylie
- Date of Issue
- 2025-12
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2315986
- Units
- BEAR , BICA , FLFO , GLAC , GRKO , GRSA , GRTE , GRYN , JODR , LIBI , NRSS , ROMN , ROMO , YELL