Natural Resource Condition Assessment for Richmond National Battlefield Park, Virginia

Schneider, Rebecca; Teets, Aaron; Dorr, Jessica

The natural resources evaluated in the assessment for Richmond National Battlefield Park were landscape dynamics, vegetation communities, wetland and riparian resources, biological integrity, water resources, and park-wide resources such as soils, air quality, visitor use, viewscape, and soundscape. Precise measurements and objective analysis are preferred for assessing the condition of natural resources. Wherever possible, we used quantitative data and established thresholds, but in some cases only qualitative measures were available to rate important categories. Rather than remove these categories all together, we simply reported on the type of data that was available and the methods used to compare these data to a desired condition. In all cases, straightforward tables, charts, maps, and geospatial data are provided to summarize findings. Based on available data, the majority of resources at Richmond NBP appear to be in good condition. One exception is the amount of exotic plant species detected at established forest monitoring plots. Recent and consistent water quality data within the park is the most striking data gap. Though data were not available for this assessment, MIDN I&M network began monthly water quality monitoring in 2010. Current data gaps also include soil chemistry and acidity, impact of visitor use on natural resources, and population trends of faunal species. The MIDN network began assessing forest soil chemistry and acidity in the forest vegetation monitoring plots in 2011, although data was not available for this assessement.

Natural Resource Condition Assessment for Richmond National Battlefield Park, Virginia

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