NPS/R. Weissinger
Springs, seeps, and hanging gardens provide essential water, food resources, and wildlife habitat, and are important oases of biodiversity and productivity in desert landscapes. Because of their inherent fragility, spring and seep ecosystems are sensitive to a variety of human activities that have reduced the ecological integrity of these ecosystems through recreation, groundwater diversion, and livestock grazing. Monitoring spring and seep ecosystems will enable a more thorough understanding of the impacts of human activities and climate change on these ecosystems.
The primary goal for long-term monitoring of springs, seeps, and hanging gardens is to assess trends in key indicators of spring and seep ecosystem health: water quantity, water quality, and spring-related vegetation. The National Park Service Southeast Utah Group (SEUG) has been monitoring water quality at a small number of spring sites for over 10 years. The Northern Colorado Plateau Network (NCPN) has worked closely with SEUG staff to develop a long-term springs monitoring program that augments that sampling by adding information on site vegetation and disturbance at existing monitoring sites, initiating flow sampling at additional sites, and including hanging gardens.
The Northern Colorado Plateau Network monitors seeps, springs, and hanging gardens at Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, and Natural Bridges National Monument.
Vital Signs: Springs, seeps, and hanging garden communities
Protocol Lead: Rebecca Weissinger
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- Locations: Hovenweep National Monument
- Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate, Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network
Springs are naturally and culturally important at Hovenweep National Monument. Through long-term monitoring, the Northern Colorado Plateau Network is tracking the health of three spring systems across time here. Some sites are proving more resilient than others in the face of prolonged drought and rising temperatures. But there are actions park managers can take to help conserve these resources as the climate continues to change.
- Locations: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument
- Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate, Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network
The Northern Colorado Plateau is home to a unique spring type: the hanging garden. These rare habitats are home to rare species: at Arches National Park and Natural Bridges National Monument, 8–9% of known endemic-plant species are hanging-garden specialists. But long-term monitoring shows that some populations of these special plants are changing over time.
- Locations: Arches National Park
- Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network
At Arches National Park, scientists measured discharge at three springs less than a mile from each other over 14 years. The results identified spring types that may be more stable over time and have greater ability to make it through extended drought without drying. The study showed how having access to long-term ecological monitoring data can help park managers to maximize the potential success of conservation efforts.
- Locations: Arches National Park, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, more »
- Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network
Knowing which key natural resources are found in the national parks, and whether they're stable or changing, helps decisionmakers make sound choices. The Northern Colorado Plateau Network is building that knowledge. After more than ten years of monitoring, we've learned a lot about park ecosystems, how they're changing, and what they may look like in the days to come. Find out what we’ve learned and how it’s being used to help managers plan for the future.
Publications and Other Information
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Last updated: August 18, 2023