A model-based approach to monitoring in the southwest Alaska network
Urban DL and Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University. 2005. A model-based approach to monitoring in the southwest Alaska network. Durham, NC
We used biophysical proxies for key environmental contraints as a basis for designing a sampling and monitoring program for the Southwest Alaska Network (SWAN), focusing on Katmai National Park and Preserve. Biophysical proxies are variables that are readily measured -- in this case estimated from digital terrain data -- and strongly correlated with the target contraints. We selected proxies to reflect key terms of the climatic water balance; in particular, elevation (a proxy for temperature as well as precipitation, via lapse rates), analytic hillshading (a proxy for radiation load), and topographic convergence (a proxy for hydrologic drainage). We then estimated the local diversity in contrasting rank values on these variables, and located regions in the study area where sampling stations could capture a variety of topo-edaphic settings within a small footprint. We further restricted the candidate locations in terms of ease of access, finally highlighting four regions where sampling stations would provide maximum information with minimum logistical expense. We discuss implementation of this design for SWAN.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Urban, Dean; Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University
- Date of Issue
- 2005-12
- Units
- SWAN
- Keywords
- biophysical proxies, climate sensitivity, model-based assessment, Monitoring, Sampling Design, sampling efficiency