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Some areas within California's Yosemite National Park may be naturally protected from climate change, according to new research by the National Park Service. According to 10News, research shows that some parts of Yosemite are more resilient to the impacts of global warming than others.
Certain areas may be more drought-resistant or simply geographically situated so that they stay out of direct sunlight, which means they are less impacted by rising temperatures. Being able to identify areas of land that are more insulated means the Park Service can put more effort toward preserving these areas.
"The more we can learn, the better job we can do at planning for the future," Nicole Athearn, the Division Lead for Resources Management and Science at Yosemite National Park told 10News. "If we don’t manage these areas these animals and plants will have no place to go."
As climate change continues to worsen, preserving these areas may be key in helping protect endangered plants and animals by relocating them to places less impacted. Athearn continued, "If we’re going to protect these species long-term, we need to have a better understanding of how that action is happening and where it’s likely to happen faster or slower."