Sierra Nevada Network
Monitoring
Vital Sign: Surface Water Dynamics
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Bullfrog Lake |
Below is more detailed information on Surface Water Dynamics (hydrology), one of thirteen vital signs the Sierra Nevada Network has determined will be part of its overall monitoring program.
Surface Water Dynamics is being monitored as a component of two monitoring protocols: (1) Lakes, and (2) Rivers & Streams. More information for each vital sign and monitoring protocol is presented below, including monitoring objectives.
These, and other monitoring protocol summaries for Sierra Nevada Network vital signs, are detailed in the narrative (and Appendix F: Conceptual Ecosystem Models & Appendix H: Protocol Development Summaries) of the following: Sierra Nevada Network: Vital Signs Monitoring Plan (2007).
Surface Water Dynamics
Justification: Sierra Nevada Network parks protect over 4,500 lakes and
ponds and thousands of kilometers of rivers and streams that have some of the
best water quality in the Sierra Nevada. In addition, they are popular visitor recreation and camping destinations.
(1) Lakes: Surface Water Dynamics is one of the vital signs monitored as a component of our Lake Monitoring Protocol (integrated with monitoring of Water Chemistry and Amphibian vital signs). High-elevation lakes are critical components
of the parks’ ecosystems, popular visitor destinations, and habitat for
declining amphibian species. We will be monitoring three indicators in high-elevation
lake ecosystems: water chemistry, hydrology, and amphibians. Hydrological and
water chemistry measures are good indicators of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem
condition and trend because they reflect changes within the larger watershed; in turn, amphibians can be a good indicator of changes in hydrology and water chemistry.
High-elevation lakes of the Sierra Nevada are especially sensitive to change
because the waters are oligotrophic and have very low buffering capacities. It
is well documented that amphibians are sensitive to ecosystem changes, are easy
and relatively inexpensive to monitor, and measurements are highly repeatable.
The main stressors that impact Sierra Nevada lake ecosystems include anthropogenic
nitrogen deposition, pesticide deposition, climate change, non-native fish, visitor
use, and pathogens (i.e., chytridiomycosis—an infectious disease
that affects amphibians). Changes in nutrient cycles and shifts in phytoplankton
communities in Sierra Nevada lakes have already been detected and attributed
to increased nitrogen and phosphorous inputs. Mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana
muscosa) and Yosemite toad (Bufo canorus) populations are rapidly
declining—they are candidates for listing as ‘endangered’.
Change detected in high-elevation lakes can be an early warning indication of
change that may eventually occur at other elevations and ecosystem types. Parks where lake monitoring will be implemented: Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Yosemite.
Lake Monitoring Objectives:
Survey Sites:
- Detect long-term trends in lake water chemistry and for Sierra Nevada Network lakes.
- Temp, pH, sp. conductance, dissolved oxygen, acid neutralizing capacity
- Major ions: Ca, Na, Mg, K, Cl, SO4
- Nitrate, dissolved organic nitrogen, total dissolved nitrogen
- Total dissolved phosphorus
- Particulate nitrogen, particulate phosphorus, particulate carbon
- Characterize Sierra Nevada Network lakes.
- Determine the proportion of Sierra Nevada Network lakes above threshold values for selected constituents.
- Detect presence and relative abundance of two high-elevation anurans, yellow-legged frog and Pacific tree frog, for Sierra Nevada Network lakes.
(2) Rivers & Streams:
Surface Water Dynamics is one of the vital signs monitored as part of our Rivers & Streams Monitoring Protocol (integrated with monitoring of Water Chemistry vital sign). To reiterate our justification, above, the stressors of greatest concern to the parks’ flow
(i.e., hydrologic) regimes and water quality are climate change, altered fire regimes,
air pollution (i.e. nitrogen and pesticide deposition), and local
impacts from visitor use and park operations. Parks where River & Stream monitoring will be conducted: Devils Postpile, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, and Yosemite.
River & Stream Monitoring Objectives:
The Network will identify specific monitoring objectives when Rivers & Streams protocol development begins (circa 2007-2008).
As stated above, more details on Surface Water Dynamics and current planning status can be found in the narrative (particularly Appendix F: Conceptual Ecosystem Models & Appendix H: Protocol Development Summaries) in Sierra Nevada Network: Vital Signs Monitoring Plan (2007).
Learn More About Other Topics and Projects
Climate Change
Habitat Fragmentation and Human Use
Altered Fire Regime
Air Contaminants and Atmospheric Deposition
Non-native Species
New Climate Monitoring Station at Devils
Postpile National Monument