Prairie Dogs in Peril

"En Garde!" Photo Credit: Cynergist

Colorado receives a failing grade from the watchdog group WildEarth Guardians. Prairie dogs are important to grassland ecosystems because they are food sources for hawks and the like. Though not high alpine animals Colorado’s failing grade raises questions. For example how will Colorado react to the situation of the pika or alpine ecosystems in danger because of climate change when these areas are often out of public view?

Alpine Studies of Larkspur Wildflower Show Climate Changes Negative Impacts

"Zig Zag Larkspur - Delphinium patens" Photo Credit: larry&flo

Researchers predict that high-altitude sites will be especially impacted by global warming because plants have a short growing season. Innovative research since 1994 has shown the negative impact warming has on early-spring purple larkspur.

“Long-term observational studies in subalpine meadows of the Colorado Rocky Mountains have shown a strong positive correlation between snowpack and flower production by the forb Delphinium nuttallianum. If a warmer climate reduces annual snowfall in this region then global warming might reduce fitness in D. nuttallianum,” the study said.

I have seen this flower in abundance on spring hikes above Nederland, Colo. The flower was named after the Latin word for Dolphin because it was thought the buds resembled the aquatic mammals. Personally, I don’t see the resemblance, do you?

Since 1994 the study has shown that warming the flowers has reduced their abundance and production. This purple staple of the Rockies matters for more than its dolphin like shape, if it is lost it could have wide reaching impacts on bugs that pollinate the flowers.

Here are some interesting tidbits:

• The larkspur is a sign of spring that pops out of the ground right after the snow melts.
• Humming birds and bees pollinated the flower at the study site
• The study was conducted with heaters and warming lights – pretty cool!
• billy barr provided the snow data over the years (see post below!)

This study and others have shown that climate change doesn’t just mess with one specific species it impacts entire ecosystems and alpine climates are often the first to experience that change.

For the full PDF study click here.

Images of Crested Butte, Colorado

I recently went on a trip to Crested Butte and Gothic Colorado. I went to these mountain towns to interview Ian Billick, PhD Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and billy barr, accountant and snow data collector.

Below are some images of the town Crested Butte, Colorado:

Photo Credit: Joanna Nasar

Photo Credit: Joanna Nasar

Tip: If you go to visit stop by Camp 4 Coffee for Americano and pastries!