Warming, Smog Will Wipe Out Joshua Trees In Monument In 100 Years

[hatrack]

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK - Writhing stands of Joshua trees like the ones that mesmerize visitors to Joshua Tree National Park have survived thousands of years in the notoriously inhospitable climate just north of the Coachella Valley.
Whether the surreal trees can withstand impacts of air pollution and global warming on the park that bears their name is another story.

New climate models highlighted in a report released today indicate, within 100 years, Joshua trees could be all but vanquished from the national park in the Mojave desert. "Global warming isn't new. What is alarming is the rate of change," said Luke Sabala, the park's physical scientist as he overlooked a spot where, in 1999, fire wiped out a huge stand of Joshua trees.

Since then, invasive weeds, fueled by nitrogen deposits from automobile tailpipes and other sources, have grown over the landscape. "It is just happening so fast," Sabala said of the changes.

The report by the National Parks Conservation Association, a Washington, D.C., group that advocates on behalf of national parks, highlights the possible disappearance of Joshua trees from the park and other ways air pollution and global warming contribute to hazy skies, scarred vegetation and habitat disruption from the Smoky Mountains to Southern California.

EDIT

http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060816/NEWS07/608160320/1006

[phantom power]

1. Which really means 50 years. Or 25.

Because the new rule is: it's always worse than the models predicted.

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. yep. Day After Tomorrow

is really about 10:15 tomorrow morning.

I always used to wonder how anyone could ever get hit by a train, when it is so obviously approaching with a bright light and loud horn, and it can't move off the track.

Well, lately I feel I'm on that track watching the train barrel down on me and I can't move.