Landscape phenology, vegetation condition, and relations with climate at Golden Spike National Historical Park, 2000–2019

Thoma, David

doi:10.36967/2313756

Climate determines the vegetation composition in parks, and changes in climate will affect vegetation conditions and composition in the future. This study, which examined changes in climate, water availability, and vegetation from 2000 to 2019 in Golden Spike National Historical Park (NHP) in Utah, USA, evaluates vegetation sensitivity to weather and climate to understand climate–vegetation relationships that can be used to predict what vegetation types may change. Specifically, it evaluates where change is likely in the park, when change may happen, and why change may occur. This information is needed to anticipate changes and can be used to plan for inevitable change. Satellite images were analyzed with climate data to quantify vegetation sensitivity and drought tolerance. Historic trends in vegetation production and phenology were evaluated, and an analysis with climate data identified which aspects of climate were most important to annual production and phenology for different vegetation types. Since 2000, a very dry period, growing season primary production has increased in all alliance groups in Golden Spike NHP. The increase coincided with a slight increase in precipitation and a slight decrease in temperature over the same period. However, over this period, there were dry years and dry periods extending for several years that resulted in substantial declines in vegetation cover. These largely rebounded by the end of the study. The variation in vegetation condition across wet and dry years was evaluated to identify which alliance groups were most tolerant of low annual precipitation (Perennial Exotic Grassland), and which were least sensitive to variation in precipitation (Disturbed areas). The climate variable most strongly correlated with vegetation production was three years of soil moisture. The information generated in this study can be applied to long-term management and planning and help preserve the natural resources of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

Landscape phenology, vegetation condition, and relations with climate at Golden Spike National Historical Park, 2000–2019

Series