Humans & the Environment

The landscape of the American Southwest is a record of human relationships with the natural environment. It gives testimony to the contrasting values of cultures, competition for limited resources, and other environmental and cultural changes that have taken place since humans have been present. The National Park Service is mandated to preserve, protect, and manage natural resources to maintain ecosystem integrity. An essential component of this mission is vital signs monitoring, a national effort in cooperation with other federal and state agencies to determine trends in the condition of natural resources. The following are vital signs and other effects related to human use of the environment for which we currently have information.

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  Air Quality

  Air pollutants may adversely affect air quality and natural resources, including vegetation, wildlife, soils, water quality, and visibility.

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  Confronting an uncertain future

  Climate Change

  Climate models predict that over the next 100 years, the Southwest will become warmer and even more arid.

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  Water Quality

  Water quality is affected by geology and land use, including ranching, agriculture, and development.