Inventories

The core inventory information required for all National Park Units has been defined in terms of 12 data sets (both biotic and abiotic ecosystem components), needed to effectively address park planning and management needs. Inventory data will be collected and maintained in accordance with clearly defined protocols and quality-assurance standards. Data will be compatible to allow for synthesis at ecosystem and other broad levels.

Completion of the 12 core data sets is ongoing for the ERMN. As of November 2008, 89% of the 108 total inventory data sets are available either through this web site, via the NPS Data Store, or by contacting ERMN personnel. NPS personnel can also search for inventory products by clicking here. We anticipate that all data sets will be complete and available by the end of FY2009. Click here for an ERMN inventory status spreadsheet.

A brief description of the component(s) for each inventory type is listed below.

1. Natural Resource Bibliography (NatureBib): a compilation of all the natural resource studies that have occurred within a park's boundaries and all historical scientific material currently stored in the park, including rare event records, maps, photographs, manuscripts, specimen collections, etc.

2. Base Cartography Data: includes digital elevation models, digital line graphs for park boundaries, topography (hypsography), hydrographic, and transportation networks.

3. Air Quality Data: data from NPS Air Resources Division and EPA monitoring stations in close proximity to parks will be used to obtain a rough assessment of air quality within individual park units. Information on visibility goals and air quality related values will also be included.

4. Air Quality Related Values: the location of NPS Air Resources Division and EPA air quality monitoring stations within close proximity (50-100 km) to park boundaries are summarized.

5. Climate Inventory: basic weather data in the inventory will consist of information on annual precipitation, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, and maximum and minimum daily temperatures.

6. Geologic Resources Inventory: maps will include both bedrock and surficial geology. Also an automated database on geologic and water resource maps, documents, specimen collections, and other related information is being complied.

7. Soil Resources Inventory: complete Order 3 soil surveys for all parks, except where more detailed surveys are required for park management purposes.

8. Water Body Location and Classification: includes the location of streams, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater supplies. Water quality use classifications based upon the Clean Water Act are also being obtained.

9. Baseline Water Quality Data: includes water quality use classifications based upon the Clean Water Act and collects several basic water quality parameters for "key" water bodies (to be determined on the basis of size, uniqueness, threats, etc.) within the park boundaries. Those water quality parameters include alkalinity, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, rapid bioassessment baseline (EPA/state protocols, involving fish and macroinvertebrates), temperature, and flow. Other constituents where important, as determined on a case-by-case basis, include toxic elements, clarity/turbidity, nitrate/nitrogen, phosphate/phosphorous, chlorophyll, sulfates, and bacteria.

10. Vegetation Inventory: every park unit involved in the Natural Resource Inventory and Monitoring Program will have a digital vegetation map based upon aerial photography no more than five years old and suitable for input into a geographic information system. Vegetation maps will have a minimum unit of 1 acre or less and a 1:24,000 map base. Vegetation classifications will be at least to the National Vegetation Classification's plant association level of detail, with an 80% minimum level of accuracy.

11. Species Lists: species lists of the biota currently known to occur within the park boundaries are being compiled and verified by taxonomic specialists. This information, maintained at individual parks, is also used to produce regional and national summaries. Priority biota groups include: 1) vascular plants, 2) vertebrates, 3) federally and state listed threatened and endangered species, and 4) species of special concern within the park, including endemic and nonnative species as well as others identified by legislation. Vascular plants and vertebrates have received inventory priority because they often require management actions, including actions related to threatened and endangered status. However, in parks containing significant ecosystems in which vascular plants and/or vertebrates are not the primary ecosystem components, such as in marine areas, nonvascular plants and invertebrates are being added to the basic species list requirements. The objective is to document the presence of at least 90% of species within the targeted groups.

12. Species Occurrence and Distribution: field surveys are being conducted to confirm the existence of currently reported plant and animal species and to document the presence of new ones. This inventory will also produce distribution maps for species of special park management concern, including threatened and endangered and nonnative species.