southeast alaska network inventory and monitoring program long-term ecological monitoring in glacier...
TRANSCRIPT
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program
Long-Term Ecological
Monitoring in Glacier Bay
Mission Statement
Ecological data…
…for the parks…
…over the long-term…
…delivered publicly.
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program
OK, so, why are we here? Well, it’s complex…
• The world is not only more complex than we understand, it’s more complex than we can understand. –J. B. S. Haldane
• NPS mandate to “preserve unimpaired…”
• Decision-making, scale, and boundaries are complexSoutheast Alaska Network
Inventory and Monitoring Program
Given that complexity…
• A reasonable approach? Vital Signs.
– Subset of park resources and processes – biological, physical, chemical
– Most significant indicators of health and condition of park resources
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program
What do Vital Sign Monitoring Data Provide?
• Context and perspective; range of variation
• Trend detection
• Covariate and response variables; not subject to crisis of the day
• Aid in updating conceptual modelsSoutheast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program
What SEAN is not built to do…
• Research: Investigate causal relationships– The “how” and “why” questions
• Assess value:– Management significance– Identify thresholds for management response– Define a desired condition or state
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program
What SEAN is built to do…
• Answer questions:– What? Where? When? How much change? What
direction? What magnitude? What range?• And answer them with scientific rigor
– Embrace uncertainty– Refining understanding over the long term
• Work with park managers to understand context for change
• Provide data on select ecosystem elements that represent covariates and response variables
• Analyze, report, deliver data
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program May 6, 2009
Key Principles
• Be relevant to the Parks
• Do a few things well• Focus. Design elegantly. Work efficiently.• Overlay the optimum with reality of funding and staff
• Build a program that is longer-lived than our careers, larger than ourselves
• More than philosophy – major implications for program structure
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program May 6, 2009
Vital Sign Identification Process
1. Scoping Workshops– Marine, Freshwater, Terrestrial– Build conceptual models
Terrestrial plant succession following glacial recession…
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program
Everything should be made
as simple as possible.
But not one bit simpler.
-Einstein
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program May 6, 2009
Marine Environments Freshwater Environments
Terrestrial Environments
Ungulates
Breeding Landbird Populations
Streamflow
Macroinvertebrates and Algae
Freshwater Water QualitySalmonids
Humpback WhalesMarine Predators
Forage FishesHarbor SealsKiller Whales
Steller Sea Lions
Kittlitz’s MurreletsPhenology
Western Toads
Wetland Communities
Intertidal Communities
Landcover and Landform
Bald EaglesBears
BiodiversityPests and DiseasesPlant Communities
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program May 6, 2009
Vital Signs Relation to Conceptual Models
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program May 6, 2009
Marine Environments Freshwater Environments
Terrestrial Environments
Ungulates
Breeding Landbird Populations
Streamflow
Macroinvertebrates and Algae
Freshwater Water QualitySalmonids
Humpback WhalesMarine Predators
Forage FishesHarbor SealsKiller Whales
Steller Sea Lions
Kittlitz’s MurreletsPhenology
Western Toads
Wetland Communities
Intertidal Communities
Landcover and Landform
Bald EaglesBears
BiodiversityPests and DiseasesPlant Communities
SEAN Core Program
Core Program1. Airborne Contaminants2. Marine Predators3. Weather and Climate4. Streamflow5. Freshwater Water Quality6. Oceanography7. Marine Contaminants8. Freshwater Contaminants9. Intertidal Communities10. Landform and Landcover11. Kittlitz’s Murrelets12. Glacial Dynamics (extent)
Secondary Program1. Freshwater Macroinverts, Algae
2. Invasive and Exotic Plants
3. Western Toads
4. Humpback Whales
5. Human Use and Mode of Access
6. Underwater Sound
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program
Key Distinctions - How is this new?
• Direct funding from Washington, not thru Parks
• Protocol development process– Procedures, design, siting for long-term stability– Field testing and peer review
• Major commitment to data management and information delivery
• Reporting and Accountability
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program
Data Management Philosophy
• Single Authoritative Source Concept
• Web-based delivery
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program May 6, 2009
Design: 1-2-3-4Operation: 4-3-2-1
SEAN Core Program
Core Program1. Airborne Contaminants2. Marine Predators3. Weather and Climate4. Streamflow5. Freshwater Water Quality6. Oceanography7. Marine Contaminants8. Freshwater Contaminants9. Intertidal Communities10. Landform and Landcover11. Kittlitz’s Murrelets12. Glacial Dynamics (extent)
Secondary Program1. Freshwater Macroinverts, Algae
2. Invasive and Exotic Plants
3. Western Toads
4. Humpback Whales
5. Human Use and Mode of Access
6. Underwater Sound
Southeast Alaska NetworkInventory and Monitoring Program