Terrestrial Vegetation and Soils Monitoring Protocol and Standard Operating Procedures: Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Desert Networks, Version 1.1
Hubbard JA, McIntire CL, Studd SE, Nauman T, Angell D, Beaupré K, Vance B, Connor MK. 2012. Terrestrial Vegetation and Soils Monitoring Protocol and Standard Operating Procedures: Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Desert Networks, Version 1.1. Natural Resource Report. NPS/SODN/NRR—2012/509. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
This protocol outlines the justification, objectives, and procedures developed for long-term monitoring of terrestrial vegetation and soils throughout the National Park Service (NPS)’s Sonoran Desert Network (SODN) and Chihuahuan Desert Network (CHDN). The protocol narrative describes the (1) background and rationale for monitoring of terrestrial vegetation and soils, (2) program goals and objectives, (3) sampling design, (4) field methods, (5) data management, (6) analysis and reporting, (7) personnel requirements and training, (8) operational requirements, and (9) procedures for revising and reviewing the protocol. Detailed standard operating procedures that describe how all aspects of the protocol are implemented are electronically attached to this document, along with copies of field data sheets. Monitoring of terrestrial vegetation and soils provides information on several high-priority vital signs in CHDN and SODN parks, including vegetation dynamics, plant life form abundance,status and trends of established invasive exotic plants, soil compaction, soil aggregate stability, soil cover (including bare ground), and biological soil crust cover. Because vegetation and soils are closely interrelated, it is necessary to monitor them in conjunction with each other in order to achieve a more complete picture of ecological function. The overall goal of SODN/CHDN terrestrial vegetation and soils monitoring is to ascertain broad-scale changes in vegetation and dynamic soils properties in the context of changes in other ecological drivers, stressors, and processes, as well as focal resources of interest. The monitoring of vegetation and soils described in this document closely follows the work o fHerrick and others (2005a and 2005b) and Belnap and others (2001) in design and approach.The locations of permanent monitoring plots are determined in each SODN and CHDN park through a stratified, random, spatially-balanced sampling design. Plots are sampled on a five-year panel design, in which one panel containing one-fifth of a park’s total plots is sampled each year for large parks. For small units, we will sample all plots within the same year,and not sample again until the five-year interval is complete. In the field, data are collected on vegetation and soil cover, vegetation frequency and density, biological soil crust cover and frequency, surface soil aggregate stability, and soil and site characteristics. Field methods,training, laboratory analysis, and data management procedures are described in detail in 14 standard operating procedures electronically attached to this document.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Hubbard, J; McIntire, Cheryl; Studd, Sarah; Nauman, Travis; Angell, Deborah; Beaupré, Kristen; Vance, Betsy; Connor, Mary
- Date of Issue
- 2012-04
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- AMIS , BIBE , CAVE , CHDN , FODA , GUMO , IMDP , NRSS , SODN , WHSA
- Keywords
- Grassland, Plant Communities, plant composition, plant cover, Plant diversity, Soil Chemistry, Soil Compaction, Soil Erosion, Soils, Sonoran Desert, Sonoran Desert Network, Vegetation Protocol
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Soil Quality | Soil Function and Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Sparsely Vegetated Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Desert Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Grassland/Herbaceous Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Shrubland Communities