Natural resource condition assessment: Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Bates, Peter; Miller, Jerry; Styers, Diane; Burda, Carey; Davis, Ron; Martin, Thomas; Hovis, Gabriella; Kloeppel, Brian

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of natural resources at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park (GUCO). The primary goals of the NRCA were to: 1) document the current conditions and trends for important park natural resources, 2) list important data and knowledge gaps, and 3) identify some of the factors that are influencing park natural resource conditions. The information delivered in this NRCA can be used to communicate current resource condition status to park stakeholders. It will also be used by park staff to support the implementation of their integrated approach to the management of park resources. We followed the NPS ecological framework approach and grouped resources into five general categories: air and climate, geologic resources, water, biological integrity, and landscapes. Each of these general categories, referred to as level-one, are further subdivided into level-two and level-three categories. Biological integrity, a level-one category for example, is divided into 3 level-two categories: invasive species, focal species or communities, and at-risk biota. Focal species or communities, in turn, include five level-three categories: wetland communities, riparian communities, forest/woodland communities, aquatic communities, and terrestrial vertebrates. As the categories move from level-one to level-three, the resolution of the data involved also increases. These proposed assessment metrics reflect the input obtained during scoping meetings and site visits, as well as data availability. To the extent possible, each assessment metric was evaluated quantitatively with a final condition level determined by: 1) the amount of deviation from established reference conditions, 2) overall trends, and 3) comparison with other parks or other regional conditions. This NRCA includes assessments of 23 level-three resources. Since the primary purpose of the NRCA is to provide a snapshot of current conditions we focused largely on the most recent data available. However, temporal trends are important when assessing current conditions for most metrics, such as, LULC changes, climate, air and water quality, thus trends were evaluated where possible. Where relevant inventory and monitoring data were available, these were applied directly to the assessment of resource condition. Where such data are lacking, we relied upon synthesis from existing assessment reports and, in some cases, geospatial analyses (i.e., in assessing adjacent land-cover changes). Reference conditions are based upon both state and federal standards (where available) or target conditions identified by NPS staff. Where reference or target conditions have not yet been established, values and conditions were defined specifically for this NRCA. As a unit of the National Park System, GUCO is responsible for the management and conservation of its natural resources as mandated by the National Park Service Organic Act of 1916. As a National Historic Site within the National Park Service, GUCO is fundamentally a cultural park under the Historic Sites Act of 1935. Guilford Courthouse comprises approximately 101 hectares (250 acres) within the City of Greensboro in Guilford County, NC and is contained in the upper Cape Fear River drainage. Elevation ranges from approximately 241 to 265 meters (790 to 870 feet) above sea level with land cover consisting of mature hardwood forests, grassland/meadows, two small streams, and a trail system. GUCO faces a number of resource related issues, many of which are related to its urban setting. The park’s resources are threatened by adjacent commercial and residential land uses. Many of the park’s vegetative communities have been highly disturbed by past agricultural practices and development, and are considered to be so human-modified that they are of minimal conservation value.

Natural resource condition assessment: Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

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