NPS: Nature & Science » Networks: Northern Colorado Plateau Network

Climate Monitoring

Importance
Because of its crucial role in driving or regulating many biological and physical processes at the landscape scale, climate has been identified as a vital sign for all Northern Colorado Plateau Network (NCPN) parks. Rainfall and temperature are the primary factors that limit an ecosystem's structure and function. Secondary limiting factors include long-term climate patterns: the length and intensity of weather events, seasons in which they occur, and amount of variability between and among years. Together, these dynamics greatly influence the types of plant species that occur, and where; the ways in which nutrients are cycled; and the relationships between soil, plants, and water availability. They can also affect the susceptibility of an ecosystem to disturbance.

Weather Station Photo Climate Reference Network weather station,
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Long-term Monitoring
The overarching goal of NCPN climate monitoring is to compile and present climate data in a form that helps us to understand the reasons for trends seen in other network vital signs monitoring efforts. The NCPN compiles climate data from seven regional climate monitoring programs, including data from 31 weather stations in NCPN parks. Parks are then provided with monthly and annual summaries of variables such as air temperature, precipitation, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, fuel temperature, and moisture.

For more detailed information, see the In-depth Information box below.

Network park units with ongoing climate monitoring
Arches NP	Fossil Butte NM
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP	Golden Spike NHS
Bryce Canyon NP	Hovenweep NM
Canyonlands NP	Natural Bridges NM
Capitol Reef NP	Pipe Spring NM
Colorado NM	Timpanogos Cave NM
Curecanti NRA	Zion NP
Dinosaur NM
NP = National Park; NM = National Monument; NRA = National Recreation Area; NHS = National Historic Site

In-depth Information:

Monitoring Briefs:
Annual Reports:
Monitoring Protocol:	NCPN Climate Monitoring Protocol - [7MB PDF File]
Monitoring Data:	Interactive Park Climate Graphs
Contact:	Dana Witwicki, dana_witwicki@nps.gov

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