Have you ever experienced the wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains? If you have visited this national park in the past, you may not have noticed inconsistent rainfall amounts, increased temperatures, and changes in wildlife. While climate change in the Smoky Mountains is less conspicuous than in other parks, it has still made a significant impact.
One of the ways that climate change is evident in this park is through the amount of rain the park receives. Due to increased air and water temperatures in the United States, storms in the park have become significantly stronger. The intense rain and wind that accompany these storms causes floods, fallen trees, and landslides that force the parks to close roads for an extended period of time. In the past few years, the park has seen an increase in precipitation variability in addition to rain intensity. This has led to periods of drought that have left a significant impact on the soil in the park. This impact can be seen through one of the park’s eight major forest types, the Spruce-fir Forest. These trees are unable to tolerate the high heat that accompanies climate change and require moist, well-draining soil to grow properly. They rely on cloud cover and moisture in the clouds to thrive. As climate change continues, these trees will gradually move to higher elevations in search of cooler habitats.
These trees are not the only organisms affected by the warming climate. Other plants such as the Fraser Fir have demonstrated similar results. When these plants disperse their seeds in new, more habitable locations, they can disrupt the food chain. Many animals rely on plants. Especially insects and small mammals. When these creatures can no longer find their primary food sources at their usual elevations, they will wander, disrupting the ecosystem and food chain. This also allows invasive plants to make the lower elevations their home, further displacing native species.
Climate change has led to a number of environmental issues in the Great Smoky Mountains, including warmer temperatures, floods, landslides, and droughts. In order to reduce or even eliminate these issues, the park has created and initiated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Action Plan. This plan addresses energy use, transportation, and waste management. Promoting energy efficiency, switching to more efficient electronics, reducing visitor vehicle travel through shuttles, reducing fuel consumption, promoting waste reduction, and implementing recycling and composting practices are a few of the ways that the park plans to lessen the impact of climate change.
You can also help the park in this conservation initiative. By bringing reusable water bottles and discarding trash properly, you can reduce the amount of waste in the park and protect the animals that live there. By carpooling, using public transportation, or walking when possible, you can reduce the amount of carbon emissions in the atmosphere, improving air quality in the park. Conserving water and energy whenever possible, can also reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.
The Great Smoky Mountains has a lot to offer its visitors. With over 14 million visitors per year, the park makes an effort to preserve its ecosystem and wildlife. In order for the park to maintain its beauty, we must do our part in preserving the environment. By taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint, we can ensure that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be available to enjoy for many years to come.
Works Cited:
“Climate Extremes Threaten the Smokies.” Tnclimate.shorthandstories.com, tnclimate.shorthandstories.com/extreme-weather-smokies/index.html.
https://www.facebook.com/mybhg. “How to Plant and Grow Spruce.” Better Homes & Gardens, 2016, www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/tree/spruce/. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.
Gatlinburg, Mailing Address: 107 Park Headquarters Road, and TN 37738 Phone:436-1200 Contact Us. “Climate Change – Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service).” Www.nps.gov, www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/climatechange.htm.
Minnemeyer, Susan. “Weather Patterns That Fueled Great Smoky Mountains Forest Fire Could Increase with Climate Change.” World Resources Institute, 2016, www.wri.org/insights/weather-patterns-fueled-great-smoky-mountains-forest-fire-could-increase-climate-change. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.
Gatlinburg, Mailing Address: 107 Park Headquarters Road, and TN 37738 Phone:436-1200 Contact Us. “Wildland Fire – Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service).” Www.nps.gov, www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/wildlandfire.htm.
“Great Smoky Mountains National Park Action Plan.” Great Smoky Mountains National Park Action Plan. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect nor represent the Earth Chronicles and its editorial board.
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