Science & Research

A person wearing an NPS ballcap crouches on a snow-covered glacier, writing on a datasheet.
Monitoring the status of park glaciers can give the park an early indication of changes to downstream ecosystems that rely on cold glacial meltwaters.

NPS/Bill Baccus

Olympic is vast—a largely roadless area nearly the size of Rhode Island encompassing complex natural systems from the rocky Pacific coast to glacier-capped peaks. To understand and protect this ever-changing wilderness, park managers need information. What changes are we observing? How much change is normal?

Like a doctor feeling a patient’s heartbeat, scientists monitor ecological “vital signs” in Olympic and throughout the parks of the North Coast & Cascades Network. Shifts in vegetation, glaciers, intertidal communities, bird populations, and other sensitive environmental indicators can provide early signals of change.

Tracking vital signs is only part of the picture. Olympic scientists also conduct a wide range of research and monitoring in collaboration with tribal, state, and federal agencies; university researchers; and other park partners. Some research, like northern spotted owl monitoring, is just one puzzle piece in a much larger conservation effort spanning the species’ range. Other projects, like the volunteer teams that collect observations of endemic Olympic marmots, are led by park biologists.

Results from scientific study allow park managers to make better decisions and plan ahead to protect Olympic’s ecosystems against emerging issues. But data collected here is also valuable beyond park boundaries.

Olympic’s geography means that clean air from the Pacific Ocean and unpolluted water from mountain snowmelt provide a baseline for water and air quality elsewhere. Meanwhile, low levels of human disturbance in the wilderness allows us to pinpoint signs of ecological disruption from human and other causes. As we move into a future beyond historical climate norms, scientific study will continue to provide us with the tools to be informed stewards of this living laboratory—and our interconnected planet.

 
A researcher skis across a glacier
Glaciers and Climate Change

Scientists continually monitor the condition of Olympic's glaciers for climate change research. How are they changing?

Volunteer as a Marmot Monitor
Marmot Monitoring Volunteers

Marmot monitoring in Olympic happens with the help of teams of volunteers. Learn more about their work or how to participate.

Park biologist plants a fir tree sapling.
Elwha River Restoration

Discover the history and science of the largest dam removal in U.S. history.

A small dark brown furry face with round ears
Fisher Reintroduction

Learn about how this species returned to the Olympics after an absence of around 100 years.

A fuzzy footprint on white paper
Fisher Monitoring Map

Learn where fishers went after their release.

A man in a green uniform and red life jacket holding a piece of field equipment made out of PVC pipe
Meet the Scientists

Science Minute Videos offer a peek behind the scenes into the work of researching and managing Olympic National Park

 

Quick Reads

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    Published Science Reports

     
    Graph showing an increase in the projected average annual temperature for two climate futures.
    Olympic Climate Futures Summary

    Temperatures are currently rising in Olympic at 3.4°F per century. This 2024 report outlines what climate futures mean for the park.

    Colorful map of eight potential vegetation zones found on the Olympic Peninsula
    Natural Resource Condition Assessment

    This 2016 report details the status and trends of Olympic's natural resources—from Roosevelt elk to razor clams to river geomorphology.

     

    The NPS DataStore archives studies and reports by park scientists or produced in collaboration with the NPS. Some reports below are part of the NPS Natural Resource Report Series or Science Report Series and are only published in the DataStore. Explore scientific journals and databases to find studies by researchers unaffiliated with the park.
    To learn more or request information, please contact the North Coast & Cascades Research Learning Center.

    Source: Data Store Saved Search 5093 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

     

    Park Species List

     

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    Visit NPSpecies for more comprehensive information and advanced search capability. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? Let us know.

     
    Researchers bend over to examine rocks in the intertidal zone.
    Inventory & Monitoring Network

    Learn how long-term ecological monitoring is used to track the health of Olympic and national parks across the Pacific Northwest.

    A colorful map of the Pacific Northwest using non-visible wavelengths taken from a satellite.
    North Coast & Cascades Science Days 2025

    Join us for a three-day virtual symposium in February featuring science that spans parks, ecosystems, and fields of study.

    A person in a straw hat and high-visibility vest with the words "researcher in the park" on the back
    Conduct Research in the Park

    A permit is required for most scientific research activities in the park. Learn more and apply here.

    Last updated: September 17, 2024

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