Protocol implementation plan for monitoring stream condition in the Mediterranean Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network of Southern California

Federico, Felicia; Mazor, Raphael; Lee, Lena; Ostermann-Kelm, Stacey

The National Park Service’s Mediterranean Coast Network of the Inventory and Monitoring Program Vital Signs Monitoring Plan (Cameron et al. 2005) identified freshwater monitoring as a vital sign for Channel Islands National Park (CHIS) and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SAMO). The conceptual models presented by Cameron et al. (2005) identified water as a significant driver in these two network parks. The presence of water determines the presence and abundance of much of the native and exotic flora and fauna in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. In this protocol implementation plan, we describe the use of peer-reviewed, published, and well-established methodology to monitor stream condition using a rapid assessment method, and where water is present, we will also use water chemistry, physical habitat and benthic macroinvertebrate sampling. The California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM) is a cost-effective and scientifically defensible rapid assessment method for monitoring the conditions of wetlands throughout California that does not require the presence of water. It is designed for assessing ambient conditions within watersheds, regions, and throughout the state. Where conditions are suitable (i.e., the presence of a wadeable stream), we will also sample physical habitat and benthic invertebrates, which are effective ways to measure stream health (Harrison et al. 2004). Benthic invertebrates have diverse life histories that make them sensitive to a variety of stressors and can integrate responses over space and time in a way that traditional measures of stream health (e.g., water chemistry) cannot. Limited water chemistry sampling will also be conducted when feasible to help identify stressors to streams on NPS-managed lands. The overarching programmatic goal of the MEDN I&M Stream Condition Monitoring Program is to obtain information that will aid in the assessment, conservation, and restoration of surface water resources. This monitoring program addresses the following management questions: 1. What is the regulatory status of SAMO streams under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act? 2. What is the status of and what are the trends in the overall health of the streams in SAMO and CHIS? 3. What is the relationship between aquatic amphibian presence/abundance and stream health at SAMO and CHIS? Riverine wetland conditions will be monitored using the CRAM for wetlands (California Wetlands Monitoring Workgroup 2013). Macroinvertebrate assemblages, physical habitat conditions and stream water chemistry will be monitored using the bioassessment protocols designed by the California Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP; Ode 2007). These monitoring approaches are California State standards, considered best practice, and have been used at thousands of monitoring locations throughout the state including Southern California. The aim of the sampling design is to provide statistical and scientific rigor, given safety, fiscal and logistical constraints, as well as the ability to integrate data with other NPS monitoring programs (e.g., aquatic amphibian monitoring). The alignment of water quality monitoring sites with the aquatic amphibian monitoring sites at SAMO required that the sampling design for SAMO water quality follows the amphibian monitoring design. At CHIS, given our limited resources, we focused water quality monitoring on Santa Rosa Island. Because of the emphasis on understanding the physical recovery process of the island’s streams following the removal of non-native animals, a measure of riverine wetland function (CRAM) was selected as the primary metric, with the additional use of a bioassessment metric, amphibian presence/absence monitoring, and limited water chemistry at a subset of the sites. Monitoring will alternate between CHIS and SAMO every three years. At CHIS, 30 randomly selected sites on Santa Rosa Island will be monitored over a 3-year period.

Protocol implementation plan for monitoring stream condition in the Mediterranean Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network of Southern California

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