A new study has found that climate change in the Rocky Mountains could lead to the extinction of the Colorado wildflower, which could in turn affect other species and change the ecosystem. The research, which used infrared heaters to simulate a 3-degree warming of the area, found that the earlier melting of snow and decreased soil moisture caused by higher temperatures led to a decline in the wildflowers. The study also found that the decline of the northern rock jasmine was less pronounced in control plots that were not heated. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation, but scientists have warned that their current funding situation is bleak.