About Dot Alpine

Today, carbon dioxide concentrations are above 380 parts per million in the atmosphere, which is above the amount for a historically warm climate.  In the western U.S. this warming climate is translating to real changes on the ground.  Aspen forest are becoming spruce-fir forests, the  pine tree is overtaking the black spruce tree’s range, stream discharge has decreased in the Colorado river basin, the warming of snow in the mountains has changed the size and timing of water events, and more rain than snow is falling in the Western U.S. according to the IPCC’S Fourth Assessment Report. Scientists are working to understand how these large scale climate changes will impact specific regional flora and fauna.

In Dot Alpine reporter Joanna L. Nasar examines the impact of climate change on high alpine ecosystems in Colorado. Colorado is famously home to 53 mountains above 14,000 feet in elevation and Colorado makes up three-fourths of the United States land area above 10,000 feet in elevation says the U.S.G.S. web site. Alpine topography is part of the lifestyle and environment for plants, animals and people of Colorado. Nasar tracks relevant science and explores findings with readers in an interactive manner.