The potential for long-term changes in the global atmospheric environment to affect park resources is uncertain. Increased temperature and altered precipitation, which are currently predicted for the next century as the result of increased greenhouse gases, would have significant effects on the distribution and abundance of terrestrial and aquatic biota, as well as ecosystem processes such as carbon cycling. Increased ultraviolet radiation could also affect the physiological function and mutagenic rates of some organisms. There is additional concern that long-term deposition of nitrogen could affect terrestrial vegetation and aquatic ecosystems. High-elevation locations would probably be emphasized, particularly near monitoring sites at selected glaciers, high mountain lakes, etc.
Climatic variation has a large impact on both terrestrial and aquatic resources.
Models can be used as a framework for data collection and integration, thereby allowing a sparse network of measurements to be extrapolated spatially. Existing data from various agencies and locations should be synthesized prior to monitoring. Terrestrial and aquatic air quality related values must be considered as recipients, integrators, and potential responders to air pollution. For example, snowpack can be a good integrator of wet and dry deposition. Conduct additional snowpack monitoring to improve quantification of nitrogen inputs.