California Pika Survey

Adapted to cold, alpine ecosystems, the American pika is among the species most threatened by climate change. In 2015 hikers, mountain climbers and others in the Northern Sierra Nevada surveyed sites on the map below. These are locations where scientists believe pikas may be in trouble in the next 10-20 years.

By recording data related to pika straw piles, urine stains, and animal presence or absence, volunteers helped compile baseline information, allowing future studies to assess changes.