Ecosystem
Hope for a Healing Ecosystem
The Great Salt Lake ecosystem is a complex web of life that supports millions of migratory birds, a thriving brine shrimp industry that fuels global fisheries, and delicate microbial communities. But as water levels drop, this unique ecosystem faces collapse.
What’s at stake?
Protecting the lake isn’t just about water—it’s about saving an entire ecosystem. Keeping water flowing into the lake means preserving biodiversity, wetlands, and the species that call Great Salt Lake home.
Disrupted Food Chain
Rising salinity kills algae, starving brine shrimp and brine flies and threatening the birds that depend on them.
Ecosystem Collapse
If the lake continues to decline, the entire interconnected web of life—from microbes to fish to birds—faces an uncertain future.
Migratory Bird Decline
The lake is a critical stopover for 10-12 million of migratory birds. Without enough food, species like eared grebes and Wilson’s phalaropes could plummet towards endangerment or even extinction.
Wetland Degradation
Shrinking water levels and invasive species are damaging wetlands, making them less hospitable for birds and other wildlife.