Weather and Climate Inventory, National Park Service, South Florida/Caribbean Network
Davey CA, Redmond KT, Simeral DB. 2007. Weather and Climate Inventory, National Park Service, South Florida/Caribbean Network. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/SFCN/NRTR—2007/037. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the South Florida / Caribbean Inventory and Monitoring Network (SFCN). Climate in the SFCN is generally warm and humid, influenced strongly by the network’s proximity to water. The SFCN is characterized by hot, wet summers (the wet season) and warm, drier winters (the dry season). Drought cycles in the SFCN, particularly in south Florida, are connected to increased fire activity and decreased freshwater input vital for bay ecosystems. Major weather events such as hurricanes, tropical storms, large wind and large wave events are natural but substantial sources of disturbance for ecological communities throughout the SFCN. Possible effects of future climate changes in the SFCN include sea level rises, coral bleaching, northward expansion of tropical flora, modified migratory patterns, and possible increases in the frequency of extreme weather/climate events. Because of its influence on the ecology of SFCN park units and the surrounding areas, climate was identified as a high-priority vital sign for SFCN 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
- BICY , BISC , BUIS , CLI , DRTO , EVER , NRSS , SFCN , VIIS
- Keywords
- Weather, WRCC-Report