Natural resource condition assessment for the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites (ROVA)

Cole, Charles; Wagner, Rebecca; Brittingham, Margaret; Ferreri, C.; Gorenflo, Larry; Kaye, Margot; Orland, Brian; Tamminga, Ken

The Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites (ROVA) is divided into three main units (HOFR, VAMA, and ELRO) and includes over 1,100 acres along the east bank of the Hudson River. The parks are located in Dutchess County, NY, north of Poughkeepsie, along the east bank of the Hudson River. All three park units were assessed using available data, rather than by specific habitats. We used parameters (Vital Signs) set forth by the Northeast Temperate Network (NETN) as our baseline and developed the local data sets to compare with those values, trying to set a reference value whenever possible. The reference conditions and threshold values were based on federal or state agency regulations and criteria, peer-reviewed research, estimates of biotic integrity, or established NPS NETN Vital Signs condition categories for natural resources or NPS ARD categories. In cases where the data was qualitative in nature, best professional judgment was used to assign a condition category. Air quality within ROVA was rated as an area of significant concern for total wet deposition of sulfur(S), total wet deposition of nitrogen (N), ozone, and visibility. Forest health showed mixed results with structural stage distribution rated as good, but snag abundance was caution for ELRO/HOFR, though VAMA rated good for snags. Tree regeneration was rated significant concern for ELRO/HOFR, with VAMA showing good. Tree pests were noted at all parks (hemlock woolly adelgid), thus leading to a caution rating. Patch size was good at HOFR but generally caution and significant concern at VAMA and ELRO. Calcium/aluminum ratios in soils at ELRO/HOFR rated caution, while VAMA rated good. ELRO/HOFR C:N rated significant concern, and VAMA rated caution. The results from samples collected in ROVA indicate that the park may be experiencing excess N saturation. Urban cover at ROVA increased 132% from 1973 to 2002, while forest cover of all types decreased from a range of 3 to 61%, depending on the area of analysis. Based on our assessment of the available spatial data regarding evolving land use patterns adjacent to ROVA, long-term development trends will continue to put pressure on the parks' natural resources. Given the change in land-use over time, our evaluation of this issue is that ROVA is under moderate threat at this time.

Natural resource condition assessment for the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites (ROVA)

Series

Collections