Long-Term Surveillance of Cloud Formations and Tree Lines: AMC's Extensive History of Observational Data Collection
Hiking in the White Mountains: Then and Now
Hiking along the Crawford Path in Mt. Washington, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, can be a breathtaking experience. But what was it like 50 years ago? back then, the view was often shrouded in pollution, obscuring the splendid vistas from even the highest peaks.
Thankfully, the environmental quality in the White Mountains and across the country has seen significant improvements in recent years. This change is largely due to the enactment of environmental legislation like the Clean Air Act of 1970, and its amendments in 1977 and 1990. These laws set strict limits for fine particulate matter and ozone pollution, addressed sources of haze and acid rain, and curtailed air pollution levels harmful to both human and environmental health - all while promoting cleaner skies.
But how did we come to know all this? Who's been measuring climate conditions and our environmental quality over all these years? How do we enforce pollution limits?
AMC and its partners have the answers and more.
Long-run Environmental Observations
Scientists, researchers, and government officials track the quality of our environmental resources like air, water, snowfall, and populations of important species. However, collecting all this data is a daunting task, often requiring the help of partners for data collection and monitoring. Here, AMC steps in.
"Long-term observations" means collecting scientific data for a place or project over an extended period. Instead of capturing a snapshot of one particular summer, researchers return to the same location over the course of years to collect measurements. Long-term observations are crucial because they collect a data set over time and allow scientists to observe trends or changes in the data.
For almost a century, AMC has been monitoring the White Mountains, gathering temperature and weather data with various partners. Today, they also perform air quality, soil science, snow monitoring, and plant phenology research, expanding their efforts to other regions like Maine and New York. Through long-term observations, they can track numerous changes and observe them in the historical record, especially beneficial as we witness the effects of climate change on cherished landscapes.
Current Projects
AMC is currently engaged in a host of long-term monitoring projects. For instance, they monitor air quality in New Hampshire's Presidential Range by sampling stream water and even "catching" clouds at the Lakes of the Clouds hut. They also research the alpine zone and how mountain treeline changes in response to climate change. Another project led by Dr. Sarah Nelson, AMC's Director of Research, is the Merrimack Dragonfly Mercury Project, part of a nationwide monitoring program in National Park and Forest waterways that she co-founded in the early 2000s. Additionally, AMC partners with mountain clubs, state parks, and community scientists to use iNaturalist to track phenology changes along the Appalachian Trail, an extension of the AMC's Mountain Watch program that began in 2004. Furthermore, AMC's Policy Team advocates for sustained investment in the agencies responsible for monitoring the health of our environmental resources.
AMC research team members collecting alpine plant seeds in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. These seeds will be used for continued research on understanding the impacts of climate change on alpine plant communities. Photo by Kyler Phillips.
Challenges
Maintaining long-term monitoring projects requires time, dedicated resources, and unwavering commitment, which inevitably brings challenges. One of the biggest challenges is that long-term monitoring needs a considerable period to yield any meaningful conclusions or observations. This means projects require continuous funding, personnel, and stakeholder interest over a long time. Obtaining funding for research can be challenging, and both personnel and public interest may wane as results take time.
Another challenge faces long-term research: support over time. Elections are crucial: the officials we choose to represent us at the federal, state, and local levels significantly impact the funding available for environmental monitoring. Long-term monitoring remains effective only if scientists can continue collecting data, and without sustained support for environmental monitoring, the data may become difficult to use or even outdated.
Upholding the Momentum
By actively monitoring and advocating for long-term research, AMC bridges gaps where government and private agencies can't always reach. Founded in 1876, AMC's longevity and infrastructure uniquely position it to maintain long-term monitoring in critical landscapes. Given the growing effects of climate change, supporting long-term monitoring is increasingly important. Long-term monitoring provides a window into the state of our environment, which is crucial for our ability to advocate for the outdoors. Without research, we lack the scientific evidence to back our efforts to protect cherished landscapes and ensure their wellbeing for generations to come, one of AMC's strategic priorities.
You can support AMC's long-term monitoring efforts in various ways. Firstly, join AMC as a member to support their mission and research endeavors. Secondly, stay politically active: Vote for officials who will work to ensure government funding for research. Lastly, keep informed about local science that impacts your environment and recreation choices by following or regularly checking the pages of your favorite preserves, state, and national parks.
Long-term research helps us track changes in our environment, but it also helps us advocate to preserve clean, healthy environments for future generations. This makes it a long-term win-win.
Enrichment Insights:
Contributions to Climate Change Understanding
- Monitoring Trails and Ecosystems: AMC's trail maintenance and conservation efforts in the White Mountains have provided valuable insights into how climate change affects local ecosystems. Changes in trail conditions, such as erosion and vegetation shifts, serve as indicators of broader environmental impacts[1].
- Climate Research and Resiliency: AMC's involvement in climate research helps in understanding how climate change affects the region's biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. This research supports efforts to develop strategies for adapting to climate-driven changes in the White Mountains[1].
Evaluating Environmental Legislation
- Clean Air Act Impacts: Long-term monitoring by AMC and other organizations in the White Mountains can help assess the effectiveness of legislation like the Clean Air Act. By tracking improvements in air quality and reductions in acid rain, researchers can evaluate how well these laws have mitigated environmental degradation in sensitive ecosystems[1].
- Conservation Efforts: AMC's conservation work, partly supported by legislation aimed at protecting natural resources, demonstrates the importance of sustained environmental protection. This includes efforts to preserve wilderness areas and protect biodiversity, which are crucial for maintaining ecosystem health in the face of climate change[1].
Partnerships and Collaboration
AMC collaborates with other organizations, such as the Mount Washington Observatory, to advance environmental understanding and protection. These partnerships enhance the effectiveness of monitoring and conservation efforts by leveraging diverse expertise and resources[4].
Conclusion
The AMC's long-term environmental monitoring and conservation efforts in the White Mountains have been instrumental in understanding climate change impacts and assessing the effectiveness of environmental legislation. Their work underscores the importance of sustained conservation and research initiatives in protecting natural resources and promoting environmental resilience.
- The air quality improvement in the White Mountains is a testament to how technological advancements and environmental science, such as the Clean Air Act of 1970 and its subsequent amendments, have positively impacted climate-change mitigation and the protection of the environment.
- In the realm of environmental science, AMC's long-term research and monitoring projects, including air quality studies, alpine zone research, and the Merrimack Dragonfly Mercury Project, are essential in combating climate change and understanding its effects on the environment.
