Springs and seeps monitoring protocol for park units in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Version 1.1
Weissinger R, Moran M, Monroe S, Thomas H. 2023. Springs and seeps monitoring protocol for park units in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Version 1.1. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NCPN/NRR—2023/2529. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2299467
Because of the scarcity of water on the Colorado Plateau and the disproportionately high use by flora and fauna, springs and seeps were quickly identified as an ecosystem of concern for the NCPN. Following the determination of network-wide vital signs, parks were asked to select their top priorities for monitoring. Four parks have implemented springs and seeps monitoring: Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments. This monitoring protocol consists of a protocol narrative and 11 standard operating procedures (SOPs) for monitoring springs, seeps, and hanging gardens (aka “springs”) in NCPN parks. The overall goal of the NCPN springs monitoring program is to determine long-term trends in hydrologic and vegetation properties in the context of changes in other ecological drivers, stressors, and processes. Specific objectives include describing the status and trends of water quantity (flow or stage as applicable), water quality (pH, specific conductance, temperature), and vegetation (endemic plant populations in hanging gardens, and vegetation species and cover). This protocol narrative describes the justification, sampling design, and field methods for NCPN springs monitoring. Details may be found in the SOPs, which are listed in Chapter 1 and available at irma.nps.gov. Other aspects of the protocol summarized in the narrative include procedures for data management, analysis, and reporting; personnel and operating requirements; and instructions for how to revise the protocol.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Weissinger, Rebecca; Moran, Mary; Monroe, Steve; Thomas, Helen
- Date of Issue
- 2023-06
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2299467
- Units
- ARCH , CANY , HOVE , NABR , NCPN
- Keywords
- endemic plants, hydrology, monitoring, seeps, springs, vegetation, water quality, water quantity
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Wetland Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Communities , NPS.gov Subject Site: Protecting Water