To contemplate an alpine lake or a ribbon of white water twisting down the face of the Rocky Mountains is to appreciate the majesty of this block of bedrock thrust up from Earth's interior, weathering eons of nature's assaults. To learn what humans, in our brief lifespan, have done here is to acquire a sobering sense of our place in the natural world. Ellen Wohl's account of a year in the life of Rocky Mountain National Park reflects a lifelong interest in these rhythms and disruptions. Informed by a deep and intimate understanding of the landscape, her Rocky Mountain journal is a lyrical distillation of experience and knowledge that shows us the century-old national park as a microcosm of the natural world in the thrall of time and humanity. Conducting readers through the park's seasons, Wohl describes the processes that unfold over the ages as continents drift and mountain ranges rise, as glaciers carve the land and profound changes in the atmosphere alter the environment. Working on the landscape in a humbler way are beavers and elk, beetles and, not so humbly, humans, who tinker with natural rhythms in ways big and small, as obvious as logging, road building, and feedlot run-off, and as subtle in the short run as climate change. Along the way, we observe the effects of nature's more violent moments: flash floods that wash out roads and inflict damage downstream, high winds that flatten whole hillsides in minutes, wildfires that strip the woods in an instant or smolder all winter long. A work of quiet power, Rhythms of Change in Rocky Mountain National Park traces Wohl's year-long journey, deftly guiding us through the changing seasons of one of America's most awe-inspiring natural places in all its curiosity and wonder—and in its exposure to the larger forces inexorably altering the natural world.

National Parks are part of the heritage of America, and this title examines one of the most compelling parks in the country, Rocky Mountain National Park. Students will examine the ecosystems, geology, and the flora and fauna that makes Rocky Mountain National Park unique. Readers will learn this park's history from early human habitation through its designation as a national park, and examine the conflict between conservation and tourism that challenges efforts to preserve this national treasure for future generations. Includes original photos from award-winning author/photographer John Hamilton. ABDO & Daughters is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

While reading this book, young learners will explore the scientific research underway in Rocky Mountain National Park. The high peaks, green meadows, and clear lakes of this park offers researchers and scientists the opportunity to study mountain ecosystems. This book covers a variety of topics from climate change to archaeology and much more. The Natural Laboratory: Scientists in National Parks series takes a look at the research and responsibilities of scientists working in U.S. national parks. Each 7.5 x 10 photo-filled book explores the topography of the park, its natural resources, the specific projects that have been undertaken there and why these projects are significant. Each 48-page book in the series also features quotes from scientists working in the featured park, to better explain to readers how and why things are done.

This book is the result of a team of approximately 100 scientists and resource managers who worked together for two years to understand the effects of climatic variability and change on water resources, fisheries, forest vegetation, non-forest vegetation, wildlife, recreation, cultural resources and ecosystem services. Adaptation options, both strategic and tactical, were developed for each resource area. This information is now being applied in the northern rocky Mountains to ensure long-term sustainability in resource conditions. The volume chapters provide a technical assessment of the effects of climatic variability and change on natural and cultural resources, based on best available science, including new analyses obtained through modeling and synthesis of existing data. Each chapter also contains a summary of adaptation strategies (general) and tactics (on-the-ground actions) that have been developed by science-management teams.