Natural Resource Condition Assessments for Stones River National Battlefield

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The Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) Program provides framework, funding, and publishing support to parks to aid in the synthesis and documentation of natural resource conditions. Condition assessment reports are a tool to describe selected park resources, and record a snapshot of their current condition, identify trends, and identify potential or current threats and stressors. Understanding the condition and trend of natural resources is key for parks and NPS planners to appropriately prioritize and allocate stewardship resources.

 

Sunrise at the McFadden Farm.

NPS photo/Buddy Secor.

The Stones River National Battlefield is located in the center of Tennessee within the Inner Nashville or Central Basin. The National Battlefield was created to commemorate the battle of Stones River of the Civil War, a key moment in the struggle to control Central Tennessee. Limestone and cedar glades are characteristic of this region, in addition to an assemblage of rare or sensitive plant species, over 100 bird species, fish, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

NRCA reports completed for this park:

Traditional NRCA: 2016

Traditional NRCA Report: 2016

In an effort to better understand the natural resources and processes within Stones River National Battlefield, a Natural Resource Condition Assessment was conducted and published in 2016. This project was a collaborative effort between the National Park Service and Middle Tennessee State University. This team evaluated the current needs of the park and chose six resources to assess:

		- Air quality
		- Weather and climate
		- Geology
		- Surface water
		- Biological integrity
		- Landscape dynamics

Based on the assessment, Stones River National Battlefield is in moderate condition overall. Landscape dynamics was given a condition rating of significant concern; air quality, surface water, and biological integrity were given condition ratings of moderate concern; and weather and climate and geology were not given condition ratings. Additional monitoring and long-term data collection would benefit Stones River National Battlefield and allow managers and partners to care for the natural resources within it far into the future.

Links to other NRCA Products
Materials produced by the park and the NRCA Program.

For other reports and natural resource datasets visit the NPS Data Store.

Source: Data Store Collection 7765 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.