Southeast Alaska Network Inventory 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 Network Inventory 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 complex Southeast 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 Network Inventory 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 models Southeast Alaska Network Inventory 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 Network Inventory 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 Network Inventory and Monitoring Program

Southeast Alaska Network Inventory 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 Network Inventory 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 Network Inventory and Monitoring Program

Influences on Marine Systems… Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program

Primary succession in streams… Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program

Marine-derived nutrients… Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program

Intertidal zone… Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program

Everything should be made as simple as possible. But not one bit simpler. -Einstein Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program

SEAN Holistic Model: Drivers of Change Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program

Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program May 6, 2009 Marine EnvironmentsFreshwater Environments Terrestrial Environments Ungulates Breeding Landbird Populations Streamflow Macroinvertebrates and Algae Freshwater Water Quality Salmonids Humpback Whales Marine Predators Forage Fishes Harbor Seals Killer Whales Steller Sea Lions Kittlitz’s Murrelets Phenology Western Toads Wetland Communities Intertidal Communities Landcover and Landform Bald Eagles Bears Biodiversity Pests and Diseases Plant Communities

Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program May 6, 2009 Vital Signs Relation to Conceptual Models

Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program May 6, 2009 Marine EnvironmentsFreshwater Environments Terrestrial Environments Ungulates Breeding Landbird Populations Streamflow Macroinvertebrates and Algae Freshwater Water Quality Salmonids Humpback Whales Marine Predators Forage Fishes Harbor Seals Killer Whales Steller Sea Lions Kittlitz’s Murrelets Phenology Western Toads Wetland Communities Intertidal Communities Landcover and Landform Bald Eagles Bears Biodiversity Pests and Diseases Plant Communities

SEAN Core Program Core Program 1.Airborne Contaminants 2.Marine Predators 3.Weather and Climate 4.Streamflow 5.Freshwater Water Quality 6.Oceanography 7.Marine Contaminants 8.Freshwater Contaminants 9.Intertidal Communities 10.Landform and Landcover 11.Kittlitz’s Murrelets 12.Glacial Dynamics (extent) Secondary Program 1.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 Network Inventory 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 Network Inventory and Monitoring Program

Data Management Philosophy Single Authoritative Source Concept Web-based delivery Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program

Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program May 6, 2009 Design: Operation:

SEAN Core Program Core Program 1.Airborne Contaminants 2.Marine Predators 3.Weather and Climate 4.Streamflow 5.Freshwater Water Quality 6.Oceanography 7.Marine Contaminants 8.Freshwater Contaminants 9.Intertidal Communities 10.Landform and Landcover 11.Kittlitz’s Murrelets 12.Glacial Dynamics (extent) Secondary Program 1.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 Network Inventory and Monitoring Program

Southeast Alaska Network Inventory and Monitoring Program