Streams monitoring protocol for the Sonoran Desert and Southern Plains networks: Version 1.0
Gwilliam E, McIntyre C, Hubbard JA, Raymond K, Bonebrake K, Palacios L. 2018. Streams monitoring protocol for the Sonoran Desert and Southern Plains networks: Version 1.0. Natural Resource Report. NPS/SODN/NRR—2018/1787. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Stream ecosystems are one of the most ecologically important, rare, and threatened natural resources in the American Southwest. This protocol outlines the justification, objectives, and procedures developed for long-term monitoring of aquatic and riparian systems in National Park Service units of the Sonoran Desert and Southern Plains networks. The protocol narrative describes the (1) background and rationale for monitoring streams, (2) program goals and objectives, (3) sampling design, (4) field methods, (5) data management, (6) analysis and reporting, (7) personnel require-ments and training, (8) operational requirements, and (9) procedures for revising and re-viewing the protocol. Detailed standard operating procedures that describe all aspects of the protocol are electronically available. Streams monitoring provides information on several high-priority vital signs in Sonoran Desert and Southern Plains network parks, including water quantity, channel morphology, riparian vegetation, water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates, and stream wildlife. Because these parameters are closely interrelated, it is necessary to monitor them in conjunction with each other to achieve a complete picture of ecological function. The overall goal of this stream monitoring project is to ascertain broad-scale changes in aquatic and riparian system properties in the context of changes in other ecological driv-ers, stressors, and processes. In design, approach, and techniques, the monitoring described in this document closely follows the work of the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water-Quality Assessment and Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program. At least one permanent monitoring site is located in each park unit where streams are moni-tored. In parks with more than 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) of perennial, intermittent, or ephem-eral stream, permanent monitoring sites are determined through a stratified, random, spa-tially balanced sampling design. At large parks, sites are sampled on a five-year panel design, in which one panel containing one-fifth of a park’s total plots is sampled each year. At small parks, all sites are sampled within the same year, and not sampled again until the five-year interval is complete. Field methods, training, laboratory analysis, and data management procedures are detailed in 29 standard operating procedures available at the National Park Service’s Integrated Resource Management Applications portal.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Gwilliam, Evan; McIntyre, Cheryl; Hubbard, J.; Raymond, Kara; Bonebrake, Kristen; Palacios, Laura
- Date of Issue
- 2018-10
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NRSS , SODN
- Keywords
- benthic macroinvertebrates, channel morphology, fish, riparian vegetation, stream ecosystems, water quality, water quantity
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Stream/River Channel Characteristics , Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Surface Water Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Water Chemistry , Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Toxics , Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Aquatic Macroinvertebrates and Algae , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Riparian Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Fishes