Threats to Mountain Meadows
Habitat Loss and Degradation
Increasing recreation in North Cascades mountain meadows will degrade plant and pollinator habitats. Trampling of vegetation in high use areas, creation of unsanctioned hiking and biking trails, expansion of parking lots and visitor facilities, and disturbance in pollinator nesting areas will have cumulative negative impacts.
Climate Change
A warming climate will have a major impact on North Cascades mountain meadows. Tree encroachment in meadows may cause a 75% decline in meadow acreage and fragment meadows into sky islands. Meadow loss will reduce pollen and nectar available to pollinators. Fragmentation will inhibit foraging to distant meadows when resources decline in late season.
Viral Diseases
Research has shown that bumble bees are susceptible to some of the same diseases that effect honeybees. Placement of honeybee colonies near bumble bee foraging meadows provides a source of pollen and nectar for honeybees, but also creates the risk of native bumble bee contamination with viral diseases.
