Weather and Climate Inventory, National Park Service, Rocky Mountain Network
Davey CA, Redmond KT, Simeral DB. 2007. Weather and Climate Inventory, National Park Service, Rocky Mountain Network. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/ROMN/NRTR—2007/036. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Rocky Mountain Inventory and Monitoring Network (ROMN). The ROMN encompasses a wide range of climates, including dry, continental climates and cold, moist montane and alpine climates. Climatic and physical processes in alpine and subalpine systems influence both the physiology and growth of nearly all organisms in the alpine. Climate is also a primary driver for grassland ecosystems. Extended drought conditions in recent years across much of the ROMN have highlighted the importance of fire as a driver in the grassland and montane systems of the ROMN. Climate changes are likely to have a significant impact in the Rocky Mountains over the next few decades, with effects that include reduced snowpack and glacier extent, increased fire frequency and intensity, and increasing exotic plant invasions and plant pest outbreaks. Because of its influence on the ecology of ROMN park units and the surrounding areas, climate was identified as a high-priority vital sign for ROMN and is one of the 12 basic inventories to be completed for all National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring Program (I&M) networks.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Davey, C; Redmond, K; Simeral, D
- Date of Issue
- 2007
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- CLI , FLFO , GLAC , GRKO , GRSA , LIBI , NRSS , ROMN , ROMO
- Keywords
- Weather, WRCC-Report