Monitoring Protocols
Protocols are the core of the SODN monitoring program, describing what will be measured where, how, and how often. Protocols are detailed study plans designed to ensure that changes detected by monitoring actually are occurring; that is, that they do not stem from measurement variability introduced when different people or methods are used.
Each monitoring protocol includes a narrative providing the rationale for selecting a particular resource for monitoring, a framework for making necessary decisions or revisions relative to that protocol and its development, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that explain, in a step-by-step manner, how each procedure will be accomplished. Protocols also identify supporting materials critical to their development and implementation, such as databases, reports, maps, geospatial information, species lists, species guilds, analysis tools tested, and any decisions resulting from these exploratory analyses.
Because most protocols address multiple vital signs, the SODN program is organized around protocols, rather than vital signs. The table below shows the relationship between SODN monitoring protocols and vital signs.
| Protocol(s) | Vital signs |
| Air Quality | Ozone Visibility and particulate matter Wet and dry deposition |
| Climate | Broad-scale climate Mid-scale climate |
| Groundwater | Groundwater quantity |
| Land Cover/Land Use | Land cover Land use |
| Landbirds | Landbird community dynamics |
| Seeps, Springs, and Tinajas | Core water quality parameters Exotic plant species: Early detection Exotic plant species: Status and trends Microorganisms Surface water quantity Vegetation community dynamics |
| Streams | Aquatic macroinvertebrates Channel morphology Core water quality parameters Exotic plant species: Early detection Exotic plant species: Status and trends Fish community dynamics Microorganisms Nutrient dynamics/Basic ions Pollutant metals Surface water quantity Vegetation community dynamics |
| Terrestrial Vegetation and Soils | Biological soil crusts Exotic plant species: Early detection Exotic plant species: Status and trends Soil aggregate stability Soil cover Vegetation lifeform abundance Vegetation community dynamics |
| Unique Surface Waters | Aquatic macroinvertebrates Core water quality parameters Fish community dynamics Nutrient dynamics Pollutant metals Surface water quantity |
| Visitor Use Impacts | Visitor use impacts |
| Washes | Channel morphology |
Monitoring I Monitoring Protocols | Monitoring by Park