If there is one thing that is constant in our national parks, it is change. For example, forest structure changes as the trees in that forest age or as a wildfire roars through. Bird populations may change in response. Erosion can shift stream channels or expose previously undiscovered archeological or paleontological sites. The number of visitors to parks is also in constant flux.
Understanding the changes taking place in our parks is key to protecting them for future generations. National Park Service scientists implement all manner of monitoring programs to keep track of what is changing. They also try to answer related questions about how and why changes happen. Explore what they’re monitoring, what tools and techniques they’re using, and what they’ve learned so far.
Natural Resource Monitoring
Through careful, consistent long-term monitoring, we can detect if park resources are stable or might be changing.
Natural Resource Condition Assessments
Condition assessments synthesize data about natural resources to inform planning and stewardship activities.
Taking the Pulse of National Parks
How do we know if parks are healthy? We monitor their vital signs, of course!
Socioeconomic Monitoring
How do park visitors use park lands? Socioeconomic monitoring helps the National Park Service find out.
Cultural Resources Climate Change Plan
Monitoring the impacts of climate change on cultural resources helps park managers anticipate and adapt to change.
GLORIA Monitoring in National Parks
Learn which parks participate in global monitoring of the effects of climate change on alpine vegetation and soil, and why.
Explore examples of monitoring in our parks
Showing results 1-10 of 721
- Locations: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, Point Reyes National Seashore
Working within the structure of the One Tamalpais Collaborative, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy received $400,000 in funding through the California Wildlife Conservation Board’s pollinator rescue program to invest in protection of monarch butterflies in Marin County.
- Locations: Point Reyes National Seashore
- Offices: San Francisco Bay Area Inventory & Monitoring Network
Only 16 cows and 14 nursing pups remain at the Seashore! There are still 112 males scattered around, looking for their last chance to mate. This year’s weaned pup counts are higher than average. A total of 1063 weanlings were counted on 3/6.
- Locations: Big Bend National Park, Fort Davis National Historic Site
New technology makes it possible to record hundreds of thousands of songs in a short time. That could make protecting wild birds and other at-risk animals easier.
- Locations: Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park
Despite dire evidence of rising tree death, researchers found resilience and hope deep inside western Washington's forests. But it will take 21st-century monitoring methods to keep that hope alive.
- Locations: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, Point Reyes National Seashore
- Offices: San Francisco Bay Area Inventory & Monitoring Network
Federally endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout are large, charismatic fish that play crucial roles in both stream and ocean ecosystems. The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program and its partners began monitoring coho and steelhead in Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore in 1998.
- Denali National Park & Preserve
Outside Science (inside parks): Voles at Denali National Park & Preserve
- Locations: Denali National Park & Preserve
In this episode of Outside Science (inside parks), join the team at Denali National Park and Preserve as they brave the rain to monitor voles to get a snapshot of forest health.
- Locations: Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
- Offices: Appalachian Highlands Inventory & Monitoring Network
Freshwater mussels help keep our waterways clean, among other benefits. But many mussel species are highly imperiled. Photo documentation is an important part of the work to rescue them.
- Locations: Cabrillo National Monument, Channel Islands National Park
Fog is a critical but mysterious water source for native plants during hot, dry summers at Cabrillo National Monument. Researchers used new technology to uncover the park’s fog patterns, showing the best places to restore damaged habitat.
A method to measure populations in national parks could be expanded to other areas.
The Fisheye Night Sky Imager is quick to set up and can measure sky brightness even under cloudy conditions.
Tags:
monitoring
Last updated: November 22, 2022