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 Southern Plains Network (SOPN) 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.Long-term Monitoring
The overarching goal of SOPN 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 SOPN compiles climate data from seven regional climate monitoring programs, including data from 6 weather stations in and SOPN parks. An additional 229 stations near the parks have also been identified. 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.Network Park Units Where Monitoring Occurs
Climate monitoring is done at all parks within the Southern Plains Network.Quick Reads
Showing results 1-10 of 14
- Locations: Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
- Offices: Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network
At Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, Southern Plains Network scientists monitor climate and water. Understanding changes in climate, groundwater, and surface water is key to assessing the condition of park resources. This article presents monitoring results from water year 2023.
- Locations: Chickasaw National Recreation Area
- Offices: Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network
Climate and hydrology shape ecosystems and how they function. We monitor climate and water at Chickasaw National Recreation Area as part of a larger monitoring program. This report summarizes Water Year 2023 climate and water data at the park.
- Locations: Capulin Volcano National Monument
- Offices: Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network
Climate and hydrology shape ecosystems and how they function. We monitor climate and water at Capulin Volcano National Monument as part of a larger monitoring program. This report summarizes Water Year 2023 climate and water data at at the park.
- Locations: Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
- Offices: Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network
This report summarizes Water Year 2023 climate and weather data at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. We monitor climate and weather at the park using data from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Cooperative Observer Program weather station. This information provides context for understanding the status or condition of other park resources.
- Locations: Fort Larned National Historic Site
- Offices: Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network
At Fort Larned National Historic Site, Southern Plains Network scientists take measurements of key resources including climate. We analyze temperature, precipitation, and drought indices to determine if climate is changing and to better understand its affect on natural resources at the park. This report summarizes Water Year 2023 climate and weather data at the park.
- Locations: Fort Union National Monument
- Offices: Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network
Knowing how climate and water are changing is key to assessing the condition of park natural resources. We monitor climate and water at Fort Union National Monument as part of a larger monitoring program. This report summarizes Water Year 2023 climate and water data at the park.
- Locations: Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
- Offices: Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network
Southern Plains Network scientists monitor climate and how it may be changing at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site to better assess the condition of park resources. A weather station near the park has been in operation since 1907, providing reliable, long-term climate data. In this web article, we report on climate and weather at the park in Water Year 2023.
- Locations: Washita Battlefield National Historic Site
- Offices: Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network
At Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, Southern Plains Network scientists take measurements of key resources and weather. We analyze temperature, precipitation, and drought indices to determine how local climate is changing and to better understand its effect on natural resources at the park. This report summarizes Water Year 2023 climate and weather data at the park.
- Locations: Pecos National Historical Park
- Offices: Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network
The Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network monitors climate and water at Pecos National Historical Park as part of a larger monitoring program. This report summarizes Water Year 2023 climate and water data at the park. Knowing how climate and water are changing over time allows us to understand changes in other natural resources on the park.
- Locations: Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
- Offices: Southern Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network
Southern Plains Network scientists monitor key resources at Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park by taking measurements throughout the year. This report summarizes analyses of weather and groundwater data from water year 2023. Monitoring these important natural resources at the park helps us understand how they may be changing over time.
Last updated: December 9, 2022