Stream communities and ecosystems monitoring protocol for the Arctic Network, Alaska

O'Donnell, Jonathan

Streams and rivers are important components of and critical resources within arctic watersheds. Recent climate change in the Arctic has altered the magnitude and seasonality of stream discharge, stream temperature, the chemical composition of stream water, and stream habitat. Still, large uncertainties exist regarding the spatial extent of these changes and the timing of stream ecosystem responses to projected climate change. Here, we present a long-term monitoring protocol for Stream Communities and Ecosystems vital sign, one of 19 vital signs within the National Park Service’s (NPS) Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network (ARCN). The ARCN is comprised of five NPS park units, including Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Noatak National Preserve. The overarching goal of our monitoring protocol is to detect long-term change in physical, chemical, and biological components of arctic stream ecosystems. The protocol narrative describes the background and justification for our monitoring design, while the accompanying standard operating procedures (SOPs) provide detailed methods for each component of the protocol. Using findings from prior work in these watersheds, we propose a stratified sampling approach to account for spatial variability in watershed properties (e.g., permafrost ground ice content, and underlying parent material). Through this approach, we will be able to detect long-term changes in streams across space, and to identify watersheds that convey resilience versus those that are vulnerable to climate change and disturbance. Findings from this monitoring program will inform and improve NPS land management and policy.

Stream communities and ecosystems monitoring protocol for the Arctic Network, Alaska

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