Climate and water dramatically shape ecosystems, especially in arid and semi-arid places like Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The Chihuahuan Desert Network monitors climate, groundwater, and springs at the park each year to detect changes that could be detrimental to park ecosystems. Climate change is an emerging stressor on springs in the American Southwest and a diverse array of plants and animals depend on these sparse water resources in the park.
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Article 1: Climate Monitoring at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Climate is the primary driver of ecological processes on earth, affecting soil-water relationships, plant-soil interactions, plant productivity, cycling of nutrients and water in an ecosystem, and the occurrence and intensity of disturbances. The Chihuahuan Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network monitors climate over time at Guadalupe Mountains National Park to detect changes that could have cascading effects on park ecosystems. Read more
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Article 2: Groundwater Monitoring at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Groundwater is one of the most critical natural resources in the American Southwest, including at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It provides drinking water, irrigates crops, and sustains rivers, streams, and springs throughout the region. Groundwater interacts either directly or indirectly with all key ecosystem features of the arid Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion. The Chihuahuan Desert Network monitors groundwater at six wells on the park. Read more
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Article 3: Springs Monitoring at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
We monitor six sentinel springs at Guadalupe Mountains National Park to detect broad-scale changes in these important resources. Springs are relatively rare but ecologically important natural resources in the American Southwest. Despite their small size, springs tend to be hot spots of biodiversity in arid lands. Read more