Importance / Issues

The development of the Klamath Network vital signs monitoring has emphasized the importance of documenting status and trends in the structure, function, and composition of ecosystems. Vegetation largely defines terrestrial ecosystem structure, function, and composition in the Klamath region; it dominates biomass and energy pathways; and it defines the habitat structure for many other life forms.

Vegetation ranked among the highest potential vital signs for monitoring in the Network's vital signs selection process. Vegetation is composed of primary producers upon which terrestrial and much aquatic biodiversity depend. Changes in vegetation structure, function, and composition will therefore have a profound effect on overall ecosystem structure, function, and composition and will be inextricably linked to the health of ecosystems. Therefore, monitoring vegetation change is imperative to detecting and understanding status and trends in park ecosystems.

Parks

Crater Lake National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lava Beds National Monument
Oregon Caves National Monument
Redwood National and State Parks
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

Protocol Development & Status

Through a cooperative agreement, the Vegetation Protocol is being prepared by Dennis Odion of Southern Oregon University with assistance from Klamath Network staff.

Preliminary Monitoring Objectives

1. Determine status and trends in vascular plant composition, diversity, and structure of predominant terrestrial vegetation and select special interest vegetation (e.g., sensitive high elevation, riparian and wetland vegetation) across the parks of the Klamath Network.


2. Determine status and trends in tree recruitment and in tree mortality.


3. Determine status and trends in downed-woody fuel loadings and in height to bottom of live crowns of standing trees.


4. Determine status and trends in major forms of disturbance on vegetation-monitoring plots.  Disturbances to be measured include fire, insect outbreaks, disease, and wind throw.

Potential Measures

Species Presence / Absence, Tree and Snag Diameter and Density, Tree Crown Position, Shrub Density, Photo Plots, Tree Seedling Density, Tree and Shrub Mortality, Woody Debris Size and Decay Class, Canopy Height, Fuels, Disturbance, Soil Properties, Elevation, Slope, Aspect, and Vegetation Type.

Contact Information

Project Manager

Daniel Sarr
Network Coordinator
Klamath Network
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR  97520
541-552-8575
Dan_Sarr@nps.gov