Weather and Climate Inventory, National Park Service, Sierra Nevada Network
Davey CA, Redmond KT, Simeral DB. 2007. Weather and Climate Inventory, National Park Service, Sierra Nevada Network. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/SIEN/NRTR—2007/042. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecological processes affecting Sierra Nevada Network (SIEN) park units. Topographical influences are instrumental in defining the climate of the SIEN. Low to mid-elevations have a Mediterranean-type climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Higher elevations are dominated by much cooler conditions, with abundant snowfall. Much less precipitation falls east of the Sierra crest due to rainshadowing effects. Global-scale climate changes are already impacting SIEN ecosystems, including shifted plant growth cycles and streamflow peaks due to snowmelt. Global warming is likely to shift habitats to higher elevations in the SIEN. Some species may not adjust to these changes as readily, leading to a decline in species diversity. Increasing temperatures and more frequent droughts would affect fire regimes and pest/disease outbreaks. Because of its influence on the ecology of SIEN park units, climate was identified as a high-priority vital sign for SIEN 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 , DEPO , NRSS , SEKI , SIEN , YOSE
- Keywords
- Climate Inventory, Weather, WRCC-Report