Grand Canyon National Park – World Heritage 2023

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is a natural heritage site located in the state of Arizona, USA. As renowned for its stunning natural scenery, Grand Canyon National Park is also a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts from all around the world. The key feature of this park is the 446-kilometre-long Grand Canyon, which is a gorge formed by the Colorado River over millions of years, has immense geological and ecological value, with unique rock formations, diverse wildlife, and numerous plant species (‘Grand Canyon National Park’, 2023).

‘Grand Canyon from the South Rim at dawn‘ by Wikipedia, photograph, 2023.

Grand Canyon National Park Introduction

‘Legacy – Grand Canyon in Depth Episode 08‘ by GrandCanyonNPS, video, 2016.

More Than A View – Grand Canyon In Depth

‘More Than A View – Grand Canyon In Depth Episode 01‘ by GrandCanyonNPS, video, 2013.

Geology

Discover the fascinating geological history of the Grand Canyon, nestled in Northern Arizona. The journey began nearly two billion years ago, with the formation of the inner gorge’s igneous and metamorphic rocks. Above them, layers of sedimentary rock chronicle the region’s environmental past.

Between 70 and 30 million years ago, plate tectonics uplifted the region, creating the high, flat Colorado Plateau. Then, just 5-6 million years ago, the Colorado River began carving its path downwards, with tributary streams contributing to the canyon’s widening.

Today, these natural forces persistently deepen and widen the Grand Canyon, making it a spectacular destination to explore and appreciate the Earth’s geological wonders (‘Grand Canyon National Park’, 2023).

How Grand Canyon Was Formed Over Time

‘How Grand Canyon Was Formed Over Time‘ by GrandCanyonNPS, video, 2021.

Geology Gallery

‘Photo Gallery – Aerial Photos of Grand Canyon National Park’ by National Park Service, photograph, 2011.

Biology and Ecology

Wildlife

The Grand Canyon National Park is home to 447 bird species, 91 mammal species, 48 reptile species, and 10 amphibian species, making it a treasure trove of wildlife diversity (National Park Service, 2017). Amidst the predominantly desert landscape, these small yet abundant critters play a crucial role in maintaining the canyon’s delicate ecosystem, showcasing the Grand Canyon as a thriving haven for nature enthusiasts.

Wildlife in Grand Canyon

‘Grand Canyon Moments: Episode 10, Wildlife’ by Grand Canyon Conservancy, video, 2020.

WILDLIFE IMAGE GALLERY

‘Wildlife’ by National Park Service, photograph, 2017.

Plants

Venture into the Grand Canyon’s botanical world, where over 1,700 plant species flourish across the park’s diverse ecosystems. From hardy desert cacti to lush riparian vegetation, the canyon’s unique microclimates support a remarkable array of flora. Admire the vivid wildflowers, towering Ponderosa pines, and resilient sagebrush that paint the landscape with rich colours and textures (National Park Service, 2021; ‘Grand Canyon National Park’, 2023).

Wildflowers in Grand Canyon

‘Red Rock Canyon Wildflowers In Depth – 4K’ by finleyholiday, video, 2020.

Plants IMAGE GALLERY

‘Plants’ by National Park Service, photograph, 2021.

Climate Threats

Climate change is causing average global temperatures to rise, leading to hotter and drier conditions in the Grand Canyon region. These increased temperatures can exacerbate droughts, leading to reduced water availability, stressed plant and animal species, and increased risk of wildfires (Lovich & Melis, 2007).

‘Forest on Fire‘ by Pixabay, photograph, 2016.

Reduced water availability:

The Grand Canyon relies on the Colorado River and its tributaries for water. Climate change-induced reduction in snowpack and earlier snowmelt in the mountains, combined with increased evaporation rates, can lead to decreased water flow in the river. This reduction in water availability can have severe consequences for the ecosystem, including reduced habitat for aquatic species, increased competition for water resources among plants and animals, and challenges for human water supply and agriculture in the region (Lovich & Melis, 2007; Grafton et al., 2013).

‘Photo of Brown Bare Tree on Brown Surface during Daytime‘ by Pixabay, photograph, 2016.

Increased risk of wildfires:

Climate change is increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of wildfires in the Grand Canyon region. Warmer temperatures and drier conditions create an environment conducive to fires, leading to more severe and extensive wildfires. These fires can cause loss of vegetation, soil erosion, and habitat destruction, negatively affecting the biodiversity of the region. Additionally, wildfires can release large amounts of carbon dioxide, further contributing to climate change (Stambaugh et al., 2018; Brooks et al., 2001).

‘Forest on Fire‘ by Pixabay, photograph, 2016.

Changes in plant and animal species:

Climate change is altering the habitats and distribution of plant and animal species in the Grand Canyon. As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns shift, some species may be forced to move to higher elevations or different latitudes to find suitable habitats. This can lead to changes in the composition of plant and animal communities, potentially disrupting ecological interactions and food webs. Moreover, some species, particularly those with narrow habitat requirements or limited mobility, may be at a higher risk of local extinction due to climate change (Peters, 1990).

‘Group of Polar Bears on Shore‘ by Dick Hoskins, photograph, 2021.

Effective Climate Change Mitigation Strategies

Wildfire Control and Prevention

The use of planned burns
The construction of firebreaks
The installation of early warning systems

(Brooks et al., 2001)

Sustainable Tourism Strategies

Setting up reasonable limit to control visitor flow
Installing more environmentally friendly facilities
Offering more environmental education programmes
Encouraging responsible tourist behaviour

(Leung, 2018)

Climate Change Education and Outreach

Displaying educational resources
Organising outreach activities to spread information about climate change
Forming collaborations with local communities and stakeholders

(Allen, 2014)

Manual Intervention in Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation

Implementing habitat restoration programmes
Controlling invasive plant and animal species
Monitoring key species populations

(Cole et al., 2018)

Sustainable Management of Water Resources

Monitoring water resources regularly
Setting up appropriate water conservation plans to save water resources by decreasing waste
Implementing advanced technologies and more water-efficient infrastructure in the local area

(Yang and Liu, 2020)

‘Close-up Photography of Leaves‘ by Alan Cabello, photograph, 2018.

Reference:

‘Grand Canyon National Park’. (2023). Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon_National_Park (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

Allen, R. (2014). Climate change and protected areas: responses from US national parks (Master’s thesis, University of Malta).

Brooks, M. L., Pyke, D. A., Galley, K. E. M., & Wilson, T. P. (2001). Invasive plants and fire in the deserts of North America. In Proceedings of the Invasive Species Workshop: The Role of Fire in the Control and Spread of Invasive Species, eds Galley KEM, Wilson TP (Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL).

Cole, D.N., Yung, L., Zavaleta, E.S., Aplet, G.H., Chapin, F.S., Graber, D.M., Higgs, E.S., Hobbs, R.J., Landres, P.B., Millar, C.I. and Parsons, D.J. (2008), January. Naturalness and beyond: Protected area stewardship in an era of global environmental change. In The George Wright Forum (Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 36-56). George Wright Society.

Dick, H. (2021). Group of Polar Bears on Shore. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-polar-bears-on-shore-6678531/ (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

finleyholiday. (2020). Red Rock Canyon Wildflowers In Depth – 4K. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-AkTpxlx4A (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

Grafton, R.Q., Pittock, J., Davis, R., Williams, J., Fu, G., Warburton, M., Udall, B., McKenzie, R., Yu, X., Che, N. and Connell, D. (2013). Global insights into water resources, climate change and governance. Nature Climate Change, 3(4), pp.315-321.

Grand Canyon Conservancy.(2020). Grand Canyon Moments: Episode 10, Wildlife. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZoTDEZdDlg (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

GrandCanyonNPS. (2013). More Than A View – Grand Canyon In Depth Episode 01. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hoGpYyn4Bs (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

GrandCanyonNPS. (2016). Legacy – Grand Canyon in Depth Episode 08. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcJez9HxUY8 (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

GrandCanyonNPS. (2021). How Grand Canyon Was Formed Over Time. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxAHJVNqueA (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

Leung, Y.F., Spenceley, A., Hvenegaard, G., Buckley, R. and Groves, C. (2018). Tourism and visitor management in protected areas: Guidelines for sustainability (Vol. 27). Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.

Lovich, J., & Melis, T. S. (2007). The state of the Colorado River ecosystem in Grand Canyon: lessons from 10 years of adaptive ecosystem management. International Journal of River Basin Management, 5(3), 207-221.

National Park Service. (2011). Photo Gallery – Aerial Photos of Grand Canyon National Park. Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/grand_canyon_nps/sets/72157626136162880/ (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

National Park Service. (2017). Wildlife. Available at: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/wildlife.htm (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

National Park Service. (2021). Plants. Available at: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/plants.htm (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

Peters, R. L. (1990). Effects of global warming on forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 35(1-2), 13-33.

Pixabay. (2016). Forest on Fire. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/forest-on-fire-51951/ (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

Pixabay. (2016). Photo of Brown Bare Tree on Brown Surface during Daytime. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-brown-bare-tree-on-brown-surface-during-daytime-60013/ (Accessed: 6 May 2023).

Stambaugh, M. C., Guyette, R. P., Stroh, E. D., Struckhoff, M. A., & Whittier, J. B. (2018). Future southcentral US wildfire probability due to climate change. Climatic Change, 147, 617-631.

Yang, T.H. and Liu, W.C. (2020). A general overview of the risk-reduction strategies for floods and droughts. Sustainability, 12(7), p.2687.