Monitoring protocols to support long-term monitoring of aquatic macroinvertebrates in National Park Service units of the northern and southern Colorado Plateau Networks

Project Number: 9716BIJ
Cooperating Agency: National Park Service
Project Chief: Anne Brasher , USGS Salt Lake City, Utah
Project Period: 2005-2006

Problem: National Park Service (NPS) units of the Northern and Southern Colorado Plateau Inventory and Monitoring Networks (NCPN and SCPN, respectively) have a need for long-term monitoring of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Monitoring the condition of aquatic ecosystems is a high-priority need because of the great significance of these resources to parks and because of their sensitivity to a wide range of human impacts. The need for monitoring protocols is particularly urgent due to the ubiquity of factors potentially impacting aquatic systems, including flow diversion, flow regulation, water pollution, and alteration to riparian habitat, up-stream development pressures, upland / upstream land-use activities, and water-rights issues.

Objectives: (1) To evaluate the utility of aquatic macroinvertebrates as reliable indicators of aquatic ecosystem conditions in dryland systems characteristic of the Colorado Plateau, and (2) to develop and test a rigorous, well-integrated set of protocols for long-term monitoring of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities found in NCPN and SCPN units.

Relevance and Benefits: The NPS NCPN and SCPN are developing long-term monitoring programs to serve 16 and 19 NPS units, respectively. This study will provide new data in support of these programs. Results will help the National Park Service manage water resources in the studied units. This study provides critical science support to the NPS, another Department of Interior Agency.

Approach: (1) Prepare literature review and conceptual models describing the functional significance of macroinvertebrates in aquatic ecosystems of NCPN and SCPN units. The models and literature review will provide the scientific framework for proposed monitoring methods and protocols. (2) Develop a DRAFT sampling design and integrated set of monitoring methods (i.e., integrating aquatic macroinvertebrates and physical habitat parameters as appropriate) for long-term monitoring of macroinvertebrate communities found in (a) riverine systems and (b) spring, seep, and hanging-garden settings. (3) Conduct pilot implementation of proposed methods at aquatic study sites selected to represent a broad range of hydrogeomorphic settings found in NCPN and SCPN parks. (4) Refine sampling design and methods, and documentation of monitoring protocols on the basis of (a) findings from pilot studies, and (b) the refinement and prioritization of specific monitoring objectives (including spatial and temporal aspects) accomplished jointly by NPS and USGS.

Products: Monitoring protocols will be documented in sections of the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Network Program reports. Protocol development and testing will be documented in at least one journal article.

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