In Arizona's Sky Islands, the biodiversity of the Arizona Trail unspools on a landscape populated with desert vegetation and wildlife like coatimundi, snakes and skunks.

Rising temperatures and other effects of climate change are stressing native species, allowing the spread of invasive grasses and pushing species like the Mount Graham squirrel closer to extinction.

Even the hardy saguaro cactus is feeling the effects of heat, which in turn threatens species like the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, which depend on saguaros.

Over seven weeks this fall, Arizona Republic climate reporter Joan Meiners is biking the length of the 850-mile Arizona Trail from Utah to Mexico to report on how climate change is affecting the state’s landscapes and communities. You can follow her journey in a se

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