Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World

Feature:
Irreplaceable Wildlife in A Warming World
Graphic of irreplacable species, emperor penguin.
We are connected to each other, to our environment. From faraway places to our own backyard. But climate change is now changing the Earth as we know it, and animals and plants from the Arctic to the Everglades are feeling the consequences.
Key Resources:

Sugar Maple

The sugar maple lends its lively fall colors to New England and provides sap to make delicious maple syrup. These trees have thrived in New England and in parts of the Midwest, where the winter climate is perfect for promoting sap production.
Photo Credit:
Art Wolfe / ILCP (Part of Irreplaceable Wildlife Photo Exhibit)
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Sugar Maple

Scientific Name: 
Acer saccharum
IUCN Red List: 
Not Evaluated
Endangered Species Act List: 
No data

With lively fall colors that blanket much of the eastern United States, the sugar maple plays a critical role in maintaining healthy forests. It draws water from deep, moist layers of soil and spreads it to drier layers near the top, which benefits other plant species. As one of the most economically important trees in the U.S., the sugar maple is the source for maple syrup and its hard, dense wood is highly prized in furniture-making and flooring.

Climate Change Impacts

A projected 6 to 10 degree temperature rise due to global warming would result in drier conditions in the Northeast, which do not favor the sugar maple. These trees prefer colder, wetter climates, and would lose their current range to tree species that can tolerate drier conditions, such as oak, hickory, and pine. If that happens, New England and much of the Midwest could lose one of the most enduring symbols of autumn.

Irreplaceable in Your Neighborhood

The Earthjustice traveling photo exhibit, Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World, is available to bring education, scholarship and research to your community. For more information on booking the exhibit, including fees, exhibit specifications, requirements and descriptions, please contact Nadine de Coteau at 1-800-584-6460.