Science & Research

A park scientist monitors vegetation in a grassy valley.

NPS/L. Ray

Valles Caldera’s unusual setting—high elevation, caldera topography, unfragmented habitats, and key hydrologic role at the top of the watershed—serves as an important outdoor, landscape-scale laboratory and classroom for the study of natural processes and their intersection with prehistoric, historic, and contemporary human land use. The continuation of the preserve’s robust science and education programs provides opportunities for direct experiential learning for visitors, citizen-science projects, enhanced science interpretation, and contributions to the state of human knowledge, understanding, and discovery.

Valles Caldera National Preserve partners with numerous agencies, universities, and research organizations in a collaborative science consortium called the Jemez Mountains Research Learning Center (JMRLC). A website for the JMRLC is currently in the works. In the meantime, check out the articles below about ongoing science and research at Valles Caldera.

 

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  Science Spotlight: Jemez Mountains Salamander Surveys

  Valles Caldera is home to one of the rarest and most endangered species in the world: the Jemez Mountains salamander. Whereas hundreds of these salamanders used to be found in the Jemez Mountains during each season, only 5 were found by scientific survey crews in 2023. Learn more about this sensitive and secretive species in this science spotlight video.

  Duration:

  3 minutes, 55 seconds