What We Monitor

Long-term monitoring in national parks is key to managing and understanding ecosystems. Monitoring involves repeated sampling over time, using specific methods. We monitor vital signs which are a subset of physical, chemical, and biological elements and processes of park ecosystems. These are selected to represent the overall health or condition of park resources, effects of stressors, or elements that have important human values.

Information obtained through monitoring can help park managers understand how to develop effective approaches to resource management and restoration. Managers are better able to respond to emerging problems with this scientifically based information.

The Klamath Network’s monitoring plan describes our monitoring strategy in detail. Click on a vital sign to learn more about our network’s monitoring programs.

Vital Signs

Last updated: July 13, 2018

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