An intensive study of desert rock pool systems in Capitol Reef National Park
Lafrancois T. 1996. An intensive study of desert rock pool systems in Capitol Reef National Park. Park Science. 16(3):14–15
Along the Waterpocket Fold, largely within Capitol Reef National Park, tinajas or potholes have formed through erosion, providing unusual aquatic habitats. The 80 major drainages along the arid Waterpocket Fold encompass 460 tinajas. The potholes retain water, providing a water source for wildlife and supporting unique plant communities along with pool invertebrates and amphibians. In the study reported here, the author and two other researchers gave particular attention to response of these systems to disturbance. Intensive sampling documented conditions in 20 pools located in five different drainages, including identification of twice as many macroinvertebrate and anuran species as found in previous studies in the area. The baseline biological and chemical data acquired provide a basis for later comparisons and for management decisions. The systems appear to recover easily from natural disturbances, but effects of human disturbances are not yet known. With 5 references.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Lafrancois, Toben
- Units
- ARD , CARE , NRSS
- Keywords
- AIRBIB, Animal Studies, Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Studies, Capitol Reef National Park, Communities, Disturbance, Drainage, Ecology, Hydrochemistry, Inventory, Invertebrates, Limnology, Monitoring, NCPN springs literature 2003, potholes, Reptiles/Amphibians, rock pools, Tinajas, Water Quality, Wetlands/Riparian