CLIMATE CHANGE REFUGIA
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Data
Summary
Current results from the Climate Change Refugia project made possible by volunteers like you!
a map of modeled refugia which are along the coast and on mountain summits a picture of black crowberry, one of the focal species a picture of three-toothed cinquefoil, one of the focal species
Project Background
a picture of black crowberry, one of the focal species
a map of modeled refugia which are along the coast and on mountain summits
a picture of three-toothed cinquefoil, one of the focal species
This study monitors black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum; left) and three-toothed cinquefoil (Sibbaldiopsis tridentata; right) populations in and out of locations thought to be refugia. What are refugia? Refugia are regions that remain relatively buffered from climate change, therefore allowing for persistence of native species that could otherwise become locally extinct. It is important to determine refugia so we can better monitor and manage our native species, especially for populations outside of these identified refugia.
Cinquefoil and crowberry are considered arctic disjunct plants, meaning that they typically grow in northern arctic tundra or alpine environments, but have some separate populations further south. The Acadia National Park region has the potential to continue supporting these species under future climate conditions because of the more stable and cooler temperature range that exists on mountain summits and along the coast.
2024 Progress Overview
80%
of sites sampled this year
2nd
year of the project
737
total samples
9.9 min
average survey duration
Cells surveyed by site
Site name Site code Refugia?
Acadia Mountain ACMO no
Bernard Mountain BEMO no
Big Moose Island BMIS yes
Blueberry Hill BLHI yes
Cadillac Base CABA no
Cadillac Mountain CAMO yes
Penobscot Mountain PEMO no
Schoodic Head SCHE yes
Schoodic Woods SCWO no
Ship Harbor SHHA yes
a map showing the sites surveyed so far this year
Species Breakdown
What percentage of cells contain the target species?
Black crowberry
(Empetrum nigrum)
a picture of black crowberry, one of the focal species
Refugia
47%
Non-refugia
6%
Three-toothed cinquefoil
(Sibbaldiopsis tridentata)
a picture of three-toothed cinquefoil, one of the focal species
Refugia
49%
Non-refugia
61%