Monitoring

Ecological monitoring in the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network is guided by the Network's Monitoring Plan.

This plan: 1) outlines ERMN monitoring goals and the planning process used to develop the monitoring program; 2) summarizes existing information concerning park natural resources and resource management issues across the network; 3) provides a conceptual model framework for ERMN park ecosystems; 4) documents the effort to select and prioritize vital signs; 5) presents a sampling framework for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in parks; 6) summarizes monitoring protocols; 7) describes the network's approach to data management; and, 8) provides information on program administration, funding, and operations.

This document was finalized in September 2007 and available below. Please return to our homepage to learn more about the vital signs the ERMN has selected for monitoring, the explicit protocols being developed for each vital sign, or download the Oakley et al. guidelines for protocols (Wildlife Society Bulletin 2003, 31:1000 - 1003).

Ecological Monitoring Plan (1.8mb)

Executive Summary (only) (360kb)

Monitoring Plan Appendixes (12.6mb zip)

Monitoring Plan Supplemental Documents (4.7mb zip)

Data Management Plan (1.4mb)

The intent of park vital signs monitoring is to track a subset of physical, chemical, and biological elements and processes of park ecosystems that are selected to represent the overall health or condition of park resources, known or hypothesized effects of stressors, or elements that have important human values. The elements and processes that are monitored are a subset of the total suite of natural resources that park managers are directed to preserve "unimpaired for future generations," including water, air, geological resources, plants and animals, and the various ecological, biological, and physical processes that act on those resources.

In situations where natural areas have been so highly altered that physical and biological processes no longer operate (e.g., control of fires and floods in developed areas), information obtained through monitoring can help managers understand how to develop the most effective approach to restoration or, in cases where restoration is impossible, ecologically sound management. The broad-based, scientifically sound information obtained through natural resource monitoring will have multiple applications for management decision-making, research, education, and promoting public understanding of park resources.

The goals of the Inventory and Monitoring networks are to:

• inventory the natural resources and park ecosystems under National Park Service stewardship to determine their nature and status;
• monitor park ecosystems to better understand their dynamic nature and condition, and to provide reference points for comparisons with other, altered environments;
• establish natural resource inventory and monitoring as a standard practice throughout the National Park system;
• integrate natural resource inventory and monitoring information into National Park Service planning, management, and decision making;
• share accomplishments and information with others and form partnerships for reaching common goals and objectives.