The stone monoliths towering over the Natural Bridges National Monument are a stunning example of nature's fortitude.
Yet data from the US Geological Survey reveals that climate change may soon change the face of this dramatic landscape.
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USGS data covers an exhaustive 113 points within the borders of the national monument.
Taken together, these local measurements provide comprehensive coverage of the park's varied microclimates.
Forested regions are scarce and scattered throughout the monuments' geography.
Shrubland regions (consisting of shrubs, herbs, and brush), concentrate in the North and Northwest of the monument.
Barren areas, with little to no foliage, border the entire Northern side of the park, including many more mountainous areas.
Climate Effects
In 1980, 15 regions of the park experienced days with completely dry topsoil in summer.
In 2018, that number had grown to 20. These dry areas were especially concentrated in the park's Northeast.
In 1980, the studied regions averaged 76.5 frost days a year.
In 2018, that number had fallen dramatically to 70.4, with small losses throughout the monument.
Combined with the increasingly arid climate, it appears that the monument is experiencing hotter conditions over time.
The Future
It is likely that 10 years from now Natural Bridges will look much different, with a hotter climate that sees fewer days with frost and more with drought.
While the rock bridges will remain, the impact of climate change will undoubtedly leave its mark, as on every corner of our planet.