Vital Sign Monitoring: Climate
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Description & Rational
Climate is widely recognized as a major driver for terrestrial as well as marine ecosystems. In the Pacific Island Network (PACN) the interplay of island topography and global wind patterns often produces dramatically different climate zones over short distances. Island ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate variability and change. Of particular concern in the PACN are effects of increasing solar radiation and temperatures on coral reefs, the effects of prolonged El Nino-related droughts on groundwater, and the spread of vector borne diseases due to changes in precipitation patterns. Furthermore, the public safety impacts from climatic conditions are of interest to park managers, from the effects of moisture on fires and fuels and the propagation of airborne volcanic hazards, to the impacts of hurricanes (cyclones) on ecosystems and public safety. Long-term monitoring will allow us to generate reports on trends and patterns of climate parameters to aid researchers and park managers.
Brief Monitoring Questions & Objectives
Objective 1: Determine variability and long-term trends in climate for PACN parks through monthly and annual summaries of descriptive statistics for selected weather parameters.
Objective 2: Determine frequencies and patterns of extreme climatic conditions for selected weather parameters.
Core weather parameters will include: air temperature, precipitation, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity. Other variables measured may include solar radiation as well as soil moisture and temperature.
NOTE: Given the small size of many PACN units and the relevance of data from nearby stations, data from stations outside park boundaries will be included in the data analysis. Climate Vital Sign monitoring in the PACN will take advantage of existing weather stations which are operated by various agencies and institutions such as the Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS), National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administrations (NOAA) Cooperative Observer (COOP) program, the NPS Gaseous Pollutant Network, the Haleakala Climate Network, and others.
Vital Sign Monitoring Status & Trends
The Climate monitoring protocol is currently undergoing revisions after peer review. Monitoring implementation started in the spring of 2009.
Products and Related Links:
- PACN Climate Monitoring Protocol Development Summary
- PACN Climate Inventory
- Protocol Documents (in development)
- Haleakala Climate Network
- Western Regional Climate Center
- NOAA ESRL Coastal Processes &Climate
Education and Outreach:
- Climate Monitoring Resource Brief
- Climate Monitoring Photo Gallery - Coming Soon!
Contact Information
Principal Investigator
Karin Schlappa, Hawaii-Pacific Islands CESU
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
P.O. Box 52
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718
karin_schlappa <at> contractor.nps.gov