Mojave Desert Network selected large springs pilot study: Texas Spring springsnail and benthic macroinvertebrate data
Moret GJ, Caudill CC, Levandowski ML. 2014. Mojave Desert Network selected large springs pilot study: Texas Spring springsnail and benthic macroinvertebrate data. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/MOJN/NRDS—2014/703. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
The National Park Service (NPS) Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program (MOJN I&M) is developing a protocol to monitor the hydrology and ecology of large springs in the MOJN parks. The MOJN Selected Large Springs (SLS) protocol will cover springs in Death Valley National Park (DEVA), Great Basin National Park (GRBA), Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR), Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAKE), Mojave National Preserve (MOJA), and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (PARA). The monitored springs have been selected for their high discharges, stability, biological importance, and in cooperation with park staff to address the parks’ resource management priorities. As part of the SLS protocol, MOJN will collect samples of benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) and monitor springsnail populations in several springs. The purpose of this monitoring is twofold: - to provide data regarding the overall health of the aquatic ecosystems in the monitored springs, and - to monitor the endemic species present in the springs. These data will be useful in determining the effects of any observed changes in hydrology or vegetation, and will provide baseline information that can be used to evaluate management actions at the springs. In March of 2012, a MOJN field crew visited Texas Spring in DEVA to test the methods initially proposed for benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) sampling and springsnail monitoring. This report presents the results of these pilot tests.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Moret, Geoff; Caudill, Chistopher; Levandowski, Mary.
- Date of Issue
- 2014-09
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- DEVA , MOJN , NRSS
- Keywords
- benthic macroinvertebrate, Death Valley National Park, Ecology, Endemic Species, Hydrobiidae, Mojave Desert Network, Monitoring, Selected Large Springs Report, Spring, springsnail, Texas Spring
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Groundwater Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Surface Water Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Aquatic Macroinvertebrates and Algae , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Invertebrates