Global Warming
What is global warming?
Global warming is the phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures near the surface of Earth over the past one to two centuries.
How is global warming permanently changing this national park?
Many of the rivers and creeks that drain into Yellowstone Lake are drying up. This cuts off the native fish from their breeding grounds. The water table that supports the geysers is lowering which that means that “Old Faithful” soon will not erupt if the water runs out. Also the parks kettle ponds have been shrinking up, which affects the trumpeter swans. The swans rely on the bodies of water to escape from predators and for nesting nearby. The pikas in Yellowstone live on the cooled alpine slopes which have started to warm up which also puts them at risk. Also global warming in Yellowstone has caused the invasive pine beetles to come and prosper, which hurts the ecosystem there.