Mojave Desert Network integrated upland monitoring: 2012 pilot study for Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Pan, Jean; Tallent, Nita

The Integrated Upland (IU) Monitoring Protocol of the Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program (MOJN I&M) is one of the long-term monitoring protocols developed for the National Park Service “Vital Signs Monitoring Program,” a long-term ecological monitoring program that will provide scientifically-based information on the status and trends of park ecosystems. Data from this program will help park managers evaluate complex resource issues and make decisions that result in long-term protection of park resources. Information on park resource condition will also be useful for park planning, research, education, and public awareness. Twenty priority park vital signs (indicators of ecosystem health) representing a suite of ecological phenomena operating across multiple temporal and spatial scales were identified for MOJN I&M. The IU protocol addresses 7 of these vital signs, including vegetation change, invasive plants, and soil-related vital signs. The focus of the IU protocol is upland shrub communities. Shrub communities were chosen because this physiognomic class collectively represents a large proportion of each park and captures several focal communities of interest (e.g., Joshua tree, creosote bush, and sagebrush), thus providing a common theme among parks. Each of the 7 parks in the network, in collaboration with the MOJN I&M, selected a target upland community for monitoring. The creosote bush-white bursage shrubland community was selected for Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAKE). A pilot study for the IU protocol was conducted in the spring and summer of 2012. Objectives of the study were to: 1) implement and fine-tune field methods and procedures and 2) use information and time estimates from field methods in park target communities to estimate protocol cost. Findings based on the overall pilot study as well as park-specific field results for LAKE are presented. Cost estimates were generated for conducting field procedures, travel to field sites, and different crew staffing scenarios. At LAKE, one macroplot was established and field procedures implemented. Using information from macroplots in all parks, time to implement various field procedures ranged from ~30 min to ~360 min for a 2-person crew. At LAKE, the estimated cost per macroplot revisit (hike time to field site and data collection) was $612, for a total of ~$21,420 for 35 field sites. At the one LAKE macroplot, we found only the 2 shrub species characteristic of the community, detected 3 of the 6 target status and trends invasive species, and compared qualitative/quantitative soil parameters. We discuss issues and make recommendations regarding sampling return intervals, crew sizes/schedules, and sampling procedures. Primary recommendations include: 1. Increase monitoring interval for soil procedures, including basal/canopy gaps (analyze 1 soil sample per sampling point). 2. Increase monitoring interval for repeat photographs to every 3-4 monitoring periods (9-12 year intervals).

Mojave Desert Network integrated upland monitoring: 2012 pilot study for Lake Mead National Recreation Area

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