Vegetation Monitoring Protocol: Great Lakes Inventory & Monitoring Network
Sanders S, Johnson SE, Waller DM. 2008. Vegetation Monitoring Protocol: Great Lakes Inventory & Monitoring Network. Natural Resource Report. NPS/GLKN/NRR—2008/056. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Terrestrial vegetation was ranked third among all 46 Vital Signs evaluated by the National Park Service (NPS) Great Lakes Network for incorporation into a long-term monitoring strategy. Terrestrial vegetation serves as an integrated measure of terrestrial ecosystem health by expressing information about climate, soils, and disturbance, as well as browse, and exotic species invasion. Further, terrestrial vegetation serves as a trophic base for other ecosystem components. Because of this interwoven relationship between terrestrial vegetation and both biotic and abiotic components, we have developed a comprehensive protocol that incorporates the Network’s monitoring plans for terrestrial vegetation as well as those of related Vital Signs, including terrestrial pests and pathogens, problem species, succession, and soils. Because forests predominate the landscape in the Great Lakes Network national parks, this protocol will focus exclusively on forested vegetation. Protocols for non-forested terrestrial vegetation may be developed by the Network in the future, as time and funding allow.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Sanders, Suzanne; Johnson, Sarah; Waller, Donald
- Date of Issue
- 2008-09
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- APIS , GLKN , GRPO , IMDP , INDU , ISRO , MISS , NRSS , PIRO , SACN , SLBE , VOYA
- Keywords
- Forest, Great Lakes, Indiana, Long-Term Monitoring, Michigan, Minnesota, Vegetation, Vegetation Protocol, Wisconsin
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Invasive Species | Invasive/Exotic plants , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities