PBS News Hour Reports on How Global Warming Threatens the Survival of the Saguaro Cacti

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We hear about global warming but how will it affect us locally? The PBS News hour reports on how climate change is affecting the survival of young cacti. Evidence for this affect is provided by an account of local Tohono Nation members Tanisha Tucker and Maria Francisco and findings by Saguaro National Park biologist Don Swan. and ecologist Ben Wilder. The two Tohono O'odham Nation members discuss how the traditional gathering of saguaro fruit has gotten later in the calendar year. The Saguaro National Park biologist reports that with less rain young Saguaro cacti have a shorter life span compared to older cacti that have become resilient to drought. The ecologist presents evidence of how invasive species of grass are creating potential fire zones in areas where the cacti grow. The invasive grasses also compete with cacti for water.

Have you noticed any evidence of climate change in your area?

Here is a link to the report on the PBS News Hour: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/climate-change-threatens-the-survival-of-iconic-saguaro-cactus-in-the-southwest