New studies paint disturbing picture for Montana and for other parts of the West.

Two studies released this week paint disturbing futures for the Bozeman and Livingston areas, for Montana and for other parts of the West.

One study looks at how global warming is affecting the Rocky Mountains and predicts all sorts of water problems. And since this is the West, that means social and political problems.

The other study looks at development patterns and sees a future of more sprawl and less open space, more roads and less abundant wildlife — unless people break with long-standing traditions and start regulating themselves and their neighbors.

The two trends — land use and climate change — seem increasingly connected.

"They’re obviously related," said Andy Hansen, an ecologist at Montana State University who worked on the sprawl story.

Copies of the Sonoran Institute study are on the Web at http://www.sonoran.org

Copies of the study about global warming impacts on the Rocky Mountains are available at http://www.rockymountainclimate.org

By SCOTT McMILLION, Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2005/09/25/news/01newstudies.txt