Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Frank "Boss" Pinkley

When the climate changes enough, the vegetation communities growing in any given place will also change. Under an expanded bimodal climate zone, some plant communities in western national parks are more likely to change than others. National Park Service ecologists and partners investigated the future conditions that may force some of this change. Having this information can help park managers decide whether to resist, direct, or accept the change.

Calderas are large collapse features that can be many miles in diameter. They form during especially large eruptions when the magma chamber is partially emptied, and the ground above it collapses into the momentary void. Crater Lake and Aniakchak Crater are calderas.

Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios.

Climate and hydrology shape ecosystems and their functions, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. Sonoran Desert Network scientists monitor climate and other resources in Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument to see how they may be changing over time. This information helps park managers protect key resources. This report summarizes the results of climate monitoring in Water Year 2024.

Climate is one of many ecological indicators monitored by the National Park Service (NPS) Division of Inventory & Monitoring (I&M). Climate data help scientists to understand ecosystem processes and help to explain many of the patterns and trends observed in other natural-resource monitoring. In NPS units of the American Southwest, three I&M networks monitor climate using the scientific protocol described here.

At Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, the built environment reflects the historical importance of reliable water sources. The Sonoran Desert Network monitors climate, springs, and streams at this park. Understanding changes in these closely linked factors helps managers make informed decisions affecting both natural and cultural resources. Learn about our recent findings.

At Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, the built environment reflects the historical importance of reliable water sources. The Sonoran Desert Network monitors climate, springs, and streams at this park. Understanding changes in these closely linked factors helps managers make informed decisions affecting both natural and cultural resources. Learn about our recent findings.

Sonoran Desert Network scientists monitor key resources and weather at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument by taking measurements throughout the year to understand changes over time. This report summarizes analyses of weather and springs data from Water Year 2022. The data indicate the park had a noteworthy heavy monsoon season, and the two monitored springs continue to be wet year-round. Air temperatures were similar to previous averages.