Kenai Fjords National Park: Natural resource condition assessment
Stark KJ, Allen K, Nadeau AJ, Sopcak J, Danielson L, Komp MR, Drazkowski B. 2015. Kenai Fjords National Park: Natural resource condition assessment. Natural Resource Report. NPS/KEFJ/NRR—2015/900. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
The Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) Program provides documentation about the current conditions of important natural resources within National Park Service (NPS) units. This NRCA provides managers of Kenai Fjords National Park (KEFJ) with an assessment of a subset of important natural resources within the park, as well as supporting data products that will assist in future designations of condition. Overall, this document should help managers develop near-term management priorities, engage in partnership and education efforts, conduct park planning, and report program performance. To complete this assessment, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, GeoSpatial Services (SMUMN GSS) and the NPS engaged in a cooperative agreement. Working in partnership, SMUMN GSS and NPS defined key resource components, relevant GIS analyses, and key project outcomes. The KEFJ NRCA is unique in that multiple, detailed spatial analyses relevant to key park resource condition are included in this assessment. During project development, NPS staff identified the need and relevancy for completion of the spatial analyses presented. For non-spatial analysis of resources, SMUMN GSS worked with NPS to define existing literature and data sources to use to describe the condition of particular resource components. In addition, SMUMN GSS searched for and acquired literature not identified by NPS staff when supplemental information was needed. The condition of biological resource components assessed in this report was generally good, except for those components that condition could not be determined due to lack of data available. This assessment also includes spatial analysis of key resources within KEFJ. Specifically, datasets focusing on coastal geomorphology, Exit Creek fluvial dynamics, and coastal landing areas were developed to inform change during the recent history of the park. Coastal geomorphology in KEFJ has changed markedly during the last 50 years, as glaciers have receded and landscape-changing events, such as the 1964 earthquake, have occurred. These datasets will provide baseline data for future analysis of condition and change in KEFJ. Overall, the condition of the resources in this park is good. However, threats and stressors of high concern may cause resource impact in the near future. Specifically, climate change and oil spills could have a substantial influence on all park resources. Already, the effects of a warming climate are reflected in the recession of glaciers and exposure of new shorelines in KEFJ. Similarly, some of the effects from the Exxon Valdez oil spill still persist today.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Stark, Kevin; Allen, Kathleen; Nadeau, Andrew; Sopcak, Jonathan; Danielson, Lindsey; Komp, Michael; Drazkowski, Barry
- Date of Issue
- 2015-01
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- KEFJ , NRSS , SWAN
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Air and Climate | Weather and Climate | Weather and Climate , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Glacial Features and Processes , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Coastal/Oceanographic Features and Processes , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Stream/River Channel Characteristics , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Subsurface Geologic Processes | Seismic Activity , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Marine Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Fishes , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Birds , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals