Natural resource condition assessment: Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Schwemm, Catherin; Shorrock, Donna

doi:10.36967/nrr-2279634

A subset of natural resources at Timpanogos Cave National Monument was assessed for current condition. All available information, data, and expertise were utilized to determine resource condition and to evaluate whether the condition was stable, improving, or deteriorating (trend). A level of confidence was also provided for each assessment. Results of this assessment are presented in detail in Chapter 4, and discussed in Chapter 5. The resources assessed are organized into three ecological zones within TICA: caves, upland, and riparian. Resources associated with the caves were found to be in the best condition overall. Cave water quality, cave formations, and the watershed that feeds the cave were found to be in generally good condition, while cave climate and microorganism communities were assessed as being in moderate condition. Confidence in the assessments for most cave resouces is high. The relative isolation of the caves along with diligent management have likely resulted in a high level of protection of cave resources. The caves are at risk from continued human presence, though these risks are identified and mitigation measures in place in most cases. Global climate change may negatively affect cave climate and cave water supply in coming decades. Upland resouces are generally in moderate condition, though data are lacking that would allow high confidence in these assessments. Vegetation communities are threatened by impacts of climate change including recurring and severe drought and invasive plant species. Very little information exists to determine the condition of resident small and medium-sized mammals or mammal communities overall. Bat species diversity appears to be high, and one bat species of concern—Townsends big-eared bat—seems to be present in expected numbers. Confidence in these assessments is low, however, due to the absence of sufficient data to evaluate the status of any species or group. Riparian resources are in moderate to poor condition due to altered hydrologic function and human impacts to the riparian community along the American Fork River. Habitat integrity outside of the caves is moderate to poor given the presence of the highway that bisects the park, and high recreational and commercial use throughout the canyon. Impacts from artificial light at night and anthropogenic noise are unmeasured but are likely increasing. Confidence in assessments for riparian and habitat resources is generally moderate to low.

Natural resource condition assessment: Timpanogos Cave National Monument

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