Background Information
Of the many types of recreation in the Great Lakes region, those associated with winter sports are likely to be most strongly impacted by climate change. Fewer freezing days, decreased snow pack, and decreased ice cover will cause the season for activities such as snowmobiling, skiing, and ice-fishing to shrink. In addition, activities associated with particular species of animals may be impacted as temperatures warm and rain patterns change. This includes such activities of trout fishing where warmer waters may make streams inhospitable to trout survival, or bird watching where increases in powerful floods and low summer water levels are expected to decrease the biologically rich wetland areas of the region.
Suggested Activities
- Climate Change and Ski Resorts
- Climate Change, Wildlife, and Wildlands Toolkit
- Project Budburst
- Thinking Like an Ecologist
Intended Learning Outcomes
- Summarize climate change impacts on tourism/recreation from lake levels, algae growth, snow sports, trout, ice fishing
Paradise Lost ? 