Sierra Nevada Network vital signs monitoring plan
Mutch LS, Goldin Rose M, Heard AM, Cook RR, Entsminger GL. 2008. Sierra Nevada Network vital signs monitoring plan. Natural Resource Report. NPS/SIEN/NRR—2008/072. National Park Service. Ft. Collins, Colorado
This document describes the long-term monitoring plan for four National Park Service (NPS) units in the Sierra Nevada of central California: Devils Postpile National Monument, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and Yosemite National Park. Together these parks comprise the Sierra Nevada Network (SIEN), one of 32 networks of parks that the NPS created for the purpose of establishing and implementing an ecological inventory and monitoring program. Development of large-scale monitoring programs, to be carried out over long periods, requires investment in iterative strategic planning, over a period of several years. Establishment of the monitoring portion of the SIEN program is directed by national-level guidance as well as local park management needs. The focus of the SIEN vital signs monitoring program will be to monitor ecosystems and biotic elements to detect long-term change in ecological condition. The most significant stressors affecting Sierra Nevada ecosystems are: (1) altered fire regimes, (2) non-native invasive species, (3) air pollution, (4) habitat fragmentation, and (5) rapid anthropogenic climatic change. Many additional, more localized, stressors present significant management issues. These are summarized in this monitoring plan. This plan provides the conceptual framework for a long-term monitoring program. It includes ecological context, conceptual ecosystem models, monitoring goals and objectives, the vital signs selection process, and plans for data management, analysis and reporting, and administration of the program.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Mutch, Linda; Goldin Rose, Meryl; Heard, Andrea; Cook, Rosamonde; Entsminger, Gary
- Date of Issue
- 2008-09
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- DEPO , NRSS , SEKI , SIEN , YOSE
- Keywords
- Devils Postpile National Monument, Kings Canyon National Park, Monitoring Plan, Sequoia National Park, SIEN Planning, Sierra Nevada Network, Vital Signs, Yosemite National Park