Ecological Monitoring

Researchers set up snow-depth monitoring stakes before the snow flies in Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve.

Monitoring ecosystem components is a valuable way to understand the current condition of ecosystems within a long-term context. Monitoring allows us to detect changes when they occur and understand long-term trends. Because mountain environments can be especially extreme and sensitive to change, they are important places to monitor.

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  Alpine Vegetation

  Many alpine plants are sensitive to change. Monitoring them over time can tell us how ecosystems are changing.

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  Glaciers

  Monitoring glaciers documents changes in mass balance and extent.

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  High-elevation Pines

  High-elevation pines are important food sources for alpine birds and bears.

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  Lakes and Wetlands

  Alpine lakes are important water sources.

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  Rivers and Streams

  Mountains are the sources of many major rivers.

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  Snow and Seasonal Processes

  Snow depth, snow chemistry, and seasonal processes, such as snow-on and snow-off dates are critical to montane ecosystems.