Mountains of Change landscape. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Welcome to Canada's mountain national parks
A landscape in transition because of climate change
The earth’s climate is getting warmer, and Canada’s rate of warming is double the global average.
In this science-based exhibit, you will discover how climate change affects our mountain national parks, how Parks Canada is responding, and how parks offer “natural solutions” to climate change.
Mountains of Change thermometer. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Climate change is transforming the Canadian landscape in profound ways. The effects of human-created global warming are now felt across the nation―including national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas protected by Parks Canada.
In the west, big changes have been observed in mountain regions including Banff National Park as well as Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, Waterton Lakes, Glacier and Mount Revelstoke national parks.
Scientists predict that rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns and other changing conditions will increasingly impact our protected areas in the coming decades.
The Mountains of Change exhibit looks at how climate change is affecting Canada’s mountain parks, and how Parks Canada is responding.
Mountains of Change, intro. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
These mountains are changing
Average air temperature in the mountain parks has increased by about 2°C since the 1950s―roughly twice the global rate of warming. Significant changes in precipitation and extreme weather have also occurred over the past century.
Winters are shorter, warmer and wetter; summers are longer, hotter and drier. Precipitation has increased in some mountain areas―but now more of it falls as rain in the winter, so snowfall and snowpack are declining.
Wildfires are now more frequent and more severe. Storms and heavy rainfall, floods and droughts, high winds have all become more common. Heat waves are more common; winter cold snaps are less common.
Glaciers have receded significantly. Ice cover on lakes and rivers is reduced―winter freeze-up comes later, spring break-up comes earlier.
Wildlife and plants are under increasing stress. Grizzlies, caribou, mountain goats and bighorn sheep are affected; so are many small animals, birds, fish and trees.
A warmer, drier future
Climate models for the mountain parks predict even more warming and weather change over the coming decades. Average temperatures will rise another 2 to 8°C by 2100. This will have major consequences across the mountain environment.
Mountain summers will be even longer, warmer and drier. The summer recreation season will expand. Winters will be shorter, milder and wetter, but there will be less snow. Snowpack will decrease. Glaciers will continue to shrink. Many will disappear.
Rivers and streams east of the Rockies (e.g., Bow River) will flow less due to less meltwater from glaciers and snow. Prairie cities, agriculture and industry will have less water as a result.
Extreme weather events like drought, heat waves and flooding will be more common. Rainstorms, hailstorms, ice storms and blizzards may be more intense. Wildfires will be even more frequent and intense due to warmer, drier conditions. Length of the wildfire season will increase.
Many species of wildlife and vegetation (especially those reliant on cold) will experience stress and habitat loss. Some will survive and adapt. Others will need to relocate or face extinction.
Many species of wildlife and vegetation (especially those reliant on cold) will experience stress and habitat loss. Some will survive and adapt. Others will need to relocate or face extinction.
Some wildlife species will disappear from the mountain parks. New types of animals, trees and plants will move in from other regions. Mountain ecosystems will significantly change.
Species at risk
Canaries in the coal mine
Species at Risk graphic. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Species at risk—canaries in the coal mine
The world inhabited by mountain wildlife is changing―fast. As temperatures rise, habitats will be transformed, and it will be tough for some species to survive in this shifting landscape. Things will be especially hard for creatures that rely on cold and snow.
Some native species will adapt to new conditions; others will move elsewhere or face extirpation―even extinction. At particular risk will be species that can’t adjust their behaviours, cope with new environmental stresses or migrate to new locations.
Pika―nowhere to go but up!
American pika (cute!) live only on high mountainsides, where they depend on snow and frozen alpine tundra to survive. Currently, they are doing well in the mountain parks. But these tiny “rock rabbits” are sensitive to environmental changes.
Pika can’t tolerate high summer temperatures without overheating. Their frozen habitat is also expected to thaw, shrink and move up-slope as the climate warms. If this happens, pika may eventually have nowhere higher to go!
American pika. (2018-08-18) by Amar AthwalParks Canada
Park managers are now monitoring this species as an important indicator of alpine ecosystem health.
Species at Risk graphic. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Alpine tundra animals―I melt with you
Pika aren’t the only creatures that rely on cold, snow and frozen ground. Marmot and ptarmigan also depend on alpine tundra, and big mammals like grizzly bear, mountain goat, bighorn sheep and endangered woodland caribou visit this habitat often.
Grizzly bear cubs. (2003-12-31) by Wayne LynchParks Canada
But alpine tundra is expected to shrink in the mountain parks due to rising temperatures, thawing permafrost and rising treelines.
Mountain goats, Jasper National Park. (2012-09-03) by Ryan BrayParks Canada
Park managers are currently monitoring mountain goat numbers in the Lake Louise area, because this sensitive species can be a useful indicator of alpine ecosystem health.
Species at Risk graphic. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Banff Springs Snail―bridge over troubled water
The Banff Springs Snail is another species threatened by climate change. This heat-loving gastropod lives only in a few small hot springs in Banff National Park. But, recently, changing rainfall and droughts in the mountains have caused some of their pools to go temporarily dry!
Detail of Banff Springs snails. (2019-02-23) by Kahli April PhotographyParks Canada
The good news is that park managers have successfully re-introduced the snails in springs where they’ve disappeared.
Species at Risk graphic. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Whitebark pine―restoring a keystone species
Whitebark pine is a subalpine conifer facing a serious fungal disease (white pine blister rust) as well as several climate-related challenges, including mountain pine beetle, severe wild fires and encroachment by other tree species.
Planting a whitebark pine seedling. (2017-09-17) by Ryan BrayParks Canada
Park managers are now using prescribed fires and seedling planting programs to restore this keystone species in Banff and other mountain parks.
Clark's Nutcrackers. (2022-01-24) by Amar AthwalParks Canada
This preserves biodiversity and helps animals that eat whitebark pine seeds, like the Clark’s nutcracker, red squirrel, black bear and grizzly.
Graphic of elk and pika. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Tracking change
From alpine tundra to trout streams and mineral hot springs, park managers are monitoring changes in wildlife and natural systems to understand their vulnerability to climate change.
This data helps Parks Canada make decisions that give species-at-risk, and entire ecosystems, the best chance to adapt and survive.
Pests and diseases
Seeing red needles
Pests and diseases graphic. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Pests and diseases—seeing red needles
Outbreaks of insects, pests, diseases, parasites and invasive species will become more frequent in the mountain parks because of climate change. This will affect plants, animals and even people!
Lookin' for a home
Infestations of mountain pine beetle have dramatically increased in the mountain parks. These native bark beetles kill pine trees (the needles turn red, then fall off).
Trees affected by mountain pine beetle. (2019-05-28) by Rogier GruysParks Canada
Bark beetles are part of the natural cycle of life in mountain forests. But climate change and warmer temperatures are increasing their impact. The result is an epidemic that’s been transforming forests in parts of western Canada for many years.
Pests and diseases graphic. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Bug city
Human beings may encounter more diseases in the mountain parks thanks to climate change. For example, insect-transmitted diseases are expected to become more common.
This includes Lyme disease spread by ticks, and mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus― which may also infect many species of mountain wildlife!
Cariboooooooooou!
Diseases and parasites that affect mountain wildlife are expected to increase due to warmer temperatures and new animal species migrating up from the south.
Caribou in Jasper National Park. (2014-09-21) by Ryan BrayParks Canada
For example, the already-endangered woodland caribou may be impacted by diseases transported by deer, and by more biting insects and parasites.
Pests and diseases graphic. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Parks Canada―managing pests and diseases
Parks Canada works hard to limit the spread of pests, diseases and non-native species within the mountain parks. For example, park managers use prescribed fires to improve the forest’s resilience to insect outbreaks.
Caging whitebark pine cones, Kootenay National Park. (2018-07-05) by Roslyn JohnsonParks Canada
They also manage and restore species threatened by diseases and insects, like the endangered whitebark pine. Most of all, they work to keep ecosystems healthy, because healthy ecosystems are more resilient to climate change and other disturbances.
Whitebark pines, Jasper National Park. (2017-06-14) by Iain ReidParks Canada
For example, an ecosystem with many diverse plant species can more easily recover from bark beetle infestations.
Wildfire
The heat is on!
Wildfire graphic. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Wildfire—the heat is on!
Wild fires are becoming more frequent and intense in the mountain parks as our climate warms. Hotter, drier summers lead to drier forests. When forests get dry, human activity (the main cause of fires) and lightning are more likely to spark wild fires.
Fires can also burn more intensely and severely, and for longer periods of time. Longer summers also create a longer fire season, leading to more fires overall. These changes will impact both people and nature.
It's getting hot in here!
Severe heat or drought can create conditions where wild fires become more difficult to manage.
Mount Nestor prescribed fire, Banff National Park, 2009. (2009-09-23) by Parks CanadaParks Canada
Parks Canada works hard to suppress wild fires that pose risks to people and infrastructure, but the cost of putting them out is increasing as their frequency, intensity and duration rises.
Wildfire graphic. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Smoke gets in your eyes
Smoke from summer wildfires can trigger air quality warnings and affect human health. More frequent wildfires also means increased risk to park buildings and towns. For example, in 2017, the Kenow Fire threatened the village of Waterton in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Fortunately, most of the town (including the historic Prince of Wales Hotel) was spared because of proactive planning, fuel breaks and other preventative measures implemented by Parks Canada and supporting local agencies.
Wildfire graphic. (2019-08-12) by Daughter CreativeParks Canada
Fire management and climate change
Climate change isn’t the only reason wildfires are now more common in the mountain parks. Before the parks were created, forests burned naturally. But decades of fire suppression led to thick, overgrown forests that are now more susceptible to wildfire.
Fire crew, Jasper. (2013-09-14) by Ryan BrayParks Canada
Drier climate conditions add to this vulnerability. Fortunately, park managers have adapted their practices. Today, they allow natural wildfires to burn (if it’s safe) and use prescribed fires to increase species diversity.
Prescribed fire, Banff National Park, 2022. (2022-05-08) by Alexandria JonesParks Canada
This improves ecosystem health and makes forests more resilient to climate change impacts. Prescribed fires are also used to create breaks that protect towns and infrastructure.