Inventories

Since summaries of existing data reveal a wide range in quality and volume of existing information on species presence in the network parks, the focus of the initial study is to complete baseline inventories for vascular plants and vertebrates. Having collected this species' distributional data, it then will be possible to develop an appropriate monitoring strategy to study selected species.

The NCCN long-term monitoring plan, whose funding starts in FY01, comprises this initial baseline inventory, the development of a plan to monitor selected species and the subsequent long-term sampling effort.

The Study Plan
Objectives

1. Compile species lists for vascular plants and vertebrates that are verified at the 90% level for all network parks.
   • Place emphasis on records less than 25 years old to describe current species status in the parks.
   • Obtain 90% verification for most taxa groups through searches of existing data such as museum records of voucher specimens, previous studies, and park databases.
   • Conduct field surveys on taxa groups for which voucher or written records are not available.
2. Input data into national-level NPSpecies databases, park GIS databases, and curatorial databases. Please browse NPSpecies Certified Data for a subset of NPSpecies records for our network.
3. Compile these data into master, web-based databases developed through the NPS Inventory and Monitoring program making them easily accessible for use in park
   • management,
   • interpretation,
   • research,
   • education, and
   • operations.
4. Conduct field surveys of selected species or groups of species to document distribution and abundance patterns. These data will be used to refine sampling protocols for long-term monitoring.

Available Inventory Products