Environmental Factors

Lava beds are an amazing natural laboratory. One can study starry night skies, the impact of climate change, wildland fires and more!
Climate Change Climate change is affecting the environment of the Lava Beds. Staff monitors cave ice, wildlife populations, and trends to detect changes. Fire Regime Wildland fire is one of the most powerful forces of nature and is often viewed as purely destructive but it serves an ecological importance. Non-Native Species Noxious weeds are a major problem throughout the West so it's important to understand the impact non-native species have on our environment. Night Skies Starry skies over the Lava Beds are a dream for amateur astronomers. Print out the current star chart for your visit (41*43'N / 121*31' W). Air Quality Monitoring Would you believe that dust storms in Mongolia can affect Lava Beds? Learn more about the air quality here at Lava Beds.