Global change in wilderness areas: disentangling natural and anthropogenic changes

Abstract

Human impacts on the Earth’s ecosystems are globally pervasive. Wilderness areas, although largely protected from direct human impact at local scales, nevertheless are subject to global changes in atmospheric composition, climate and biodiversity. Research in wilderness areas plays a critical role in disentangling natural and anthropogenic changes in ecosystems by providing a network of sites where local impacts are minimized relative to adjacent, more intensely managed areas. Three case studies are discussed to illustrate the role of wilderness areas in global change research and, specifically, how paleoecological data provide baseline documentation of variability in climate and ecosystem processes.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 3: Wilderness as a place for scientific inquiry; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Graumlich, Lisa J. 2000. Global change in wilderness areas: disentangling natural and anthropogenic changes. In: McCool, Stephen F.; Cole, David N.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference—Volume 3: Wilderness as a place for scientific inquiry; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-3. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 27-32