Together with topography and geology, climate is a primary sculptor of the North Cascades ecosystem, affecting all biotic and abiotic ecosystem components. Available weather data within and in the vicinity of the park are sparse and not integrated. There are very few data from higher elevation and remote locations in North Cascades NP. Access problems limit the ability to acquire data throughout much of the park, making it necessary to interpolate from existing data, use proxy data sources, and develop models that can be used to quantify climatic parameters in mountainous terrain.

Climate generally transitions from marine-dominated phenomena to continental along a west-to-east gradient. Most of the park is characterized by a high-snowfall environment, cold temperatures at high elevations, and cold temperatures within steep drainages. Historic climatic information is needed to complement glacial, vegetation history, and archeologic records in quantifying past spatial and temporal variation in climate. Current weather and climatic data can be interpreted within the context of this spatial and temporal variation to infer the role of climate in ecosystem dynamics and to guide natural resource monitoring.

North Cascades NP is subject to long-distance transport of air pollutants from various sources, including the Fraser River valley, the greater metropolitan Seattle region, and possibly from Asia. While the air quality of the region is generally considered superior to other areas of the United States, there is potential for both long-term and short-term degradation that could affect human health, vegetation, and aquatic resources. Of particular concern are: (1) tropospheric ozone, which is highest during the summer months and is higher at higher elevations of the park, potentially damaging vegetation and reducing respiratory function in humans; (2) acidic deposition, which could increase the acidity of poorly buffered aquatic systems over the long term, potentially affecting fish and amphibians; and (3) particulate pollutants, which reduce visibility for park visitors.

Monitoring/Research Question:  What is the spatial and temporal variation in climate in complex mountainous terrain? How can modeling be used to provide a framework for monitoring and data integration?

Stressors and Related Factors: Global climatic change, climatic extremes.

What To Monitor: Ambient air and soil temperature (continuous); precipitation, including rain and snow; spatial and temporal variation in distribution of snow pack; UV/solar radiation, energy flux; soil moisture, air moisture (relative humidity, dew point), wind speed and direction.

Where To Monitor: Use existing weather stations with long periods of record, wherever possible, as base stations, then use them to identify which additional sites could be used to optimize spatial distribution of measurements. High-elevation locations would probably be emphasized, particularly near monitoring sites at selected glaciers, high mountain lakes, etc.

Justification and Other Information: There are global and regional teleconnections to spatial and temporal variation in climate within mountain watersheds. Climatic variation has a large impact on both terrestrial and aquatic resources. Models can be used as a framework for data collection and integration, thereby allowing a sparse network of measurements to be extrapolated spatially. Existing data from various agencies and locations should be synthesized prior to monitoring.

Potential Partners: NOAA, USGS-Biological Resources Division, USDA Forest Service, Seattle City Light.

Monitoring/Research Question: What are current sources of air pollution? What are current and potential future air qualities? What air pollution components (e.g., cloud water) are potentially important but not being measured effectively? How can modeling be used more effectively to identify quantities and sources of air pollutants?

Stressors and Related Factors: Wet and dry deposition (potentially nitrogen), gaseous pollutants (especially ozone), toxics (e.g., organochlorines), particulate matter (PM2.5) as it affects visibility. Terrestrial and aquatic air quality related values must be considered as recipients, integrators, and potential responders to air pollution. For example, snowpack can be a good integrator of wet and dry deposition.

What To Monitor: Continue ongoing NADP/NDDN, ozone, and IMPROVE measurements. Conduct additional snowpack monitoring to improve quantification of nitrogen inputs. Consider additional measurements of ozone with passive samplers.

Where To Monitor: Continue ongoing west-side measurements. Emphasis should be on quantifying spatial variation better, and on east-side and high-elevation locations.

Justification and Other Information: Although air quality is generally good, episodes and low-level chronic exposure from some pollutants (e.g., ozone) can affect sensitive plant species. Long-term deposition of nitrogen could have impacts on both terrestrial and aquatic systems. There are some known longitudinal and elevation gradients of air pollutants (e.g., ozone) that can be used to guide monitoring.

Stressors and Related Factors: Industrial emissions, vehicle emissions, biomass burning (site preparation, agricultural residues, etc.), wildfires.

What To Monitor: Continue ongoing IMPROVE and nephelometer measurements; it is probably not realistic to install additional nephelometers due to expense and maintenance costs.

Where To Monitor: Possibly Cascade Pass, Diablo Overlook, Ross Lake Overlook.

Justification and Other Information: Visibility is a highly valued resource by park visitors.

Monitoring/Research Question:  How does air pollution affect the chemical and biological components of aquatic systems?

Stressors And Related Factors:  Increased nitrogen and acidity at high-elevation sites.

What To Monitor:  Physical, chemical, and biological properties of high-elevation lakes, especially those with no outlets and in granitic watersheds; streams in areas that have soils with low buffer capacity; snowpack in watersheds with potentially sensitive aquatic resources.

Where To Monitor:  Most monitoring should take place in specific watersheds where other resources are being monitored as well.

Justification And Other Information:  Biological diversity in aquatic systems is a highly valued resource and a good indicator of the ecological integrity of those systems. NPS has a legal mandate to protect AQRVs.

Potential Partners: USGS-Biological Resources Division, University of Washington.

Monitoring Component: Air Quality — Terrestrial Air Quality Related Values (AQRVs)

Potential Partners: USDA Forest Service, USGS-Biological Resources Division, NPS-Air Resources Division.

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