The University of Arizona

USA

Declining Snowpack in the West

Snow shapes the landscapes and economies of the Western United States. Snowpack generates the streamflow that allows agriculture and cities to flourish in semi-arid landscapes. The patterns of snowfall govern the distribution of glaciers and alpine meadows as well as ski resorts. We're understandably alarmed when scientists report that snowpack in the West has been steadily declining for several decades.

Short Description: 
Researchers in SNRE are using tree-rings to take the long view on snowpack trends.

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