Monitoring cave entrance communities and cave environments in the Klamath Network: 2010 pilot study results
Thomas S. 2010. Monitoring cave entrance communities and cave environments in the Klamath Network: 2010 pilot study results. National Park Service, Klamath Network. Ashland, Oregon
In January and February of 2010, a pilot study was initiated for the Klamath Network monitoring protocol focused on Cave Entrance Communities and Cave Environments. During the pilot study, eight individual Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), corresponding to eight monitoring parameters, were implemented in caves at Lava Beds National Monument (LABE) and Oregon Caves National Monument (ORCA). The objectives of this pilot study were to evaluate the operational feasibility of the SOPs for field sampling and to collect data from a representative subsample of caves and environments at LABE and ORCA using proposed methods. Of the eight parameters proposed for monitoring, each was either measured during the pilot study or was evaluated based on past park monitoring or current procedures in place at the parks. The pilot study determined that one of the parameters (dust and lint) should be discarded due to lack of effective monitoring methods. The seven remaining parameters can be monitored as part of the protocol, although several of the methods in the SOPs will need to be modified based on recommendations in this report.