8 Years of forest health monitoring in Acadia National Park
Miller K and Wheeler J. 2014. 8 Years of forest health monitoring in Acadia National Park. National Park Service, Northeast Temperate Network
Background Since 2006, the Northeast Temperate Inventory and Monitoring Network (NETN) has been monitoring forest health annually in Acadia National Park, and biennially in 9 National Historic Parks in New England, New York, and New Jersey. The monitoring program uses a protocol based on the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis program, and relies primarily on an Ecological Integrity Scorecard to interpret forest condition to park managers. The Ecological Integrity Scorecard rates condition for a suite of metrics that address forest structure, composition and function. For each metric, assessment points were defined that distinguish acceptable or expected conditions from undesired conditions based on current scientific understanding of their natural or historic range of variation. Ecological Integrity is then interpreted using three categories for each metric: Good, Caution and Significant Concern. “Good” represents acceptable or expected conditions; “Caution” indicates a problem may exist; and “Significant Concern” indicates undesired conditions that may need management action. Results/Conclusions Ecological integrity metrics in Acadia NP indicate that forests are approaching mature stages of forest succession, but are lacking late successional structure such as large snags. Forests are largely un-invaded by invasive plant species and exotic earthworms, and have adequate regeneration. Stressors that may be impacting forest health in Acadia NP include acid deposition and forest pests and diseases. Major threats to forest health in Acadia NP include introduction of forest pests such as emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and hemlock woolly adelgid, stressors induced by climate change, and new invasions of exotic plants.
- Type
- Poster
- Authors
- Miller, Kate; Wheeler, Jesse
- Date of Issue
- 2014-04-16
- Publisher
- National Park Service, Northeast Temperate Network
- Units
- ACAD
- Keywords
- Education, Forest, Forest Communities, Forest Structure, Inventory & Monitoring, Monitoring, Native Species, Plots, Research & Studies, snags, Trees
See also
- 2011-2012 Bear Brook and Tarn Watersheds Invasive Exotic Plant Management Program summary
- 2013 Bear Brook and Tarn Watersheds Invasive Exotic Plant Management Program summary
- 2013 exotic plant management program summary report Acadia National Park, Maine
- Acadia National Park Exotic Plant Management Program 2002 Annual Summary
- Acadia National Park Exotic Plant Management Program 2003 Annual Summary
- Acadia National Park Exotic Plant Management Program 2004 Annual Summary
- Acadia National Park Exotic Plant Management Program 2005 Annual Summary
- Acadia National Park Exotic Plant Management Program 2006 Annual Summary
- Acadia National Park Exotic Plant Management Program 2007 Annual Summary
- Acadia National Park Exotic Plant Management Program 2008 Annual Summary
- Acadia National Park Exotic Plant Management Program 2009 Annual Summary
- Acadia National Park Exotic Plant Management Program 2010 Annual Summary
- Exotic plant management in Acadia National Park, Maine: 2016 annual summary report
- Exotic plant management in Acadia National Park, Maine; 2015 annual summary report
- Exotic Plant Management Team
- Invasive species trends in Northeast Temperate Network park forests
- Managing exotic plants on Bar Island, Acadia National Park, ME
- Managing glossy buckthorn in the Cromwell Brook Watershed of Acadia National Park
- Six years of intensive exotic plant management in Acadia National Park
- The Norway maple forest in Acadia National Park: Initial response to management