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50 Amazing American Destinations To See Before They Change Forever (PHOTOS)

With the world around us constantly changing, several of America's most beautiful and unique destinations are facing new challenges that threaten to alter them forever. From melting glaciers to warming temperatures to the strain of tourism to habitat loss because of development, some of the country's historical monuments, parks and landmarks are beginning to change - and some of them might even disappear altogether.

(MORE: World Destinations That Could Soon Change Forever)

One of the biggest threats to these destinations, of course, is climate change. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), there are numerous national parks and landmarks that could be irreparably damaged or destroyed. "Many of the United States' iconic landmarks and heritage sites are at risk as never before," says a report by the UCS. "Sea level rise, coastal erosion, increased flooding, heavy rains, and more frequent large wildfires are damaging archeological resources, historical buildings, and cultural landscapes across the nation. The National Park Service is also concerned about the threats their parks face. Mesa Verde National Park has seen an increase in devastating wildfires over recent years, threatening its famous 600-year-old cliff dwellings; while sea level rise threatens to swallow up the site of the first permanent English colony at Jamestown, according to National Geographic.

(MORE: 50 Incredible American National Monuments)

Glacier National Park was once home to more than 150 glaciers, hence its name, but today, the park is home to fewer than 25. According to Time Magazine, climate change could shrink that number even further by the year 2030. If this happens, the entire park's ecosystem could be severly disrupted. Alaska has also been recognized as "ground zero" for climate change because the state, and specifically its national parks and wildnerness, are seeing some of the most dramatic effects, such as melting permafrost, changes in vegetation, and the reduction in polar ice pack. Wildlife, such as polar bears and caribou, have already started to be affected by these changes. Other places are seeing an increase in wildlife disease and invasive species, all of which threaten to change these parks and refuges forever, while coral reefs in Florida are being affected by coral bleaching and ocean acidification.

(MORE: Incredible Places to See Wildlife in Every State)

Other parks and monuments are under strain because of the sheer number of visitors they receive, such as Yosemite National Park - one of the most popular national parks in the country. According to AOL Travel News, Yosemite huge numbers of tourists is damaging trails and greater traffic in the park itself. Rocky Mountain National Park is also seeing an uptick in visitors. According to the Active Times, it could see more than one million visitors by 2020, which is a near one-third increase from present-day numbers. These high numbers of visitors not only affect the park's infrastructure, but also result in noise pollution and disrupt wildlife.

(MORE: America's 59 Amazing National Parks)

So from the Colombia Glacier in Alaska, to the Everglades in Florda, here are 50 beautiful places in the United States that may soon change forever. How many will you get to see before it's too late?

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