Natural Resource Condition Assessment: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Bell, Jack; Hinson, Dustin

This Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) report and accompanying geodatabase is designed to give the resource managers of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (JODA) a better understanding of the condition of natural resources within and adjacent to their park. Assessment of the natural resources was accomplished by conducting a thorough literature review, evaluating existing data, and also collecting new data on areas of the park where sufficient, reliable data for an assessment was not available. Aquatic and upland habitats were assessed and treated separately in the report. Selected threats and stressors to JODA’s natural resources were evaluated for the entire park. Information gained from this report will form the basis for development of actions to reduce and prevent impairment of JODA’s natural resources and assist in the development of desired future conditions through park planning processes. The study identified 3 project areas composed of 6th level Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) watersheds surrounding each park unit with a 2 km buffer. All available geographical information (GIS) was acquired for the project area to create an ArcGIS Map Project File and Geodatabase. This product is used to make all maps used in the report and analysis of geographically based data. All site-specific data was compiled in GIS. Upland data is available in digital database and the aquatic data is attached to this report. Maps and pictures were provided for each upland and aquatic sample site along with a description of the site and assessment of condition. Upland sites were sampled at 25 sites distributed in 3 park Units; Sheep Rock, Painted Hills, and Clarno. All were evaluated based on the ecological site, as defined by soil type, and an established reference condition (Pellant 2005). Each ecological site received a 5 level rating for condition in 3 landscape attributes; soil stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity. Overall, the soil stability and hydrologic function attributes were in good condition, with all but one site rated none-slight departure from reference conditions. The biotic integrity attribute indicated many areas are not in good condition. Only 5 sites were rated in the none-slight departure category (<21%), 9 fell into the slight-moderate category (21%-40%), and 11 in the moderate category (41%-60%). The main reason for the poor condition was attributed to past land use practices, the presence of noxious weeds, and wild/prescribed fires. Evaluation of on-site aquatic resources at JODA included an assessment of instream condition and water quality of the John Day River, Rock Creek, and Bridge Creek based upon benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) indicators. BMI data were analyzed using an Eastern Oregon Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) developed for northeastern Oregon. An on-site wetland condition assessment was conducted within JODA in 2007 (NPS 2008) and included riparian (or riverine) wetlands. As such, additional riparian evaluations were not conducted as part of this study. Instead, BMI sites evaluated as part of this study were selected to overlap with riverine wetland sites assessed as part of the 2007 study in an effort to identify a relationship between instream and riparian condition. Overall, JODA has many future challenges to achieve the stated desired goal for resource management (NPS 2006). Results of this report should assist park managers in identifying when, where, and how to improve management practices, justify additional resources, and prepare for the changes in environment that will directly impact JODA natural and cultural resources.

Natural Resource Condition Assessment: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

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