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Scientific research is key to protecting the natural and cultural wonders of our national parks. To make sound decisions, park managers need accurate information about the resources in their care. They also need to know how park ecosystems change over time, and what amount of change is normal. But park staff can’t do it alone. Like a physician monitoring a patient's heartbeat and blood pressure, scientists with the Mojave Desert Network collect long-term data on Mojave National Preserve’s “vital signs.” They monitor key resources, like bats, desert springs, integrated upland vegetation, and spring vegetation. Then they analyze the results and report them to park managers. Knowing how key resources are changing can provide managers with early warning of potential problems. It can also help them to make better decisions and plan more effectively. Studying park vital signs is only part of the picture. Scientific research is also conducted by park staff, other state and federal scientists, university professors and students, and independent researchers. With warming temperatures and more extreme weather events, which may range from drought and severe wildfires one year to heavy rain and flooding another year, it is more important than ever to track and better understand changes occurring in national parks and use this information to inform management decisions, share information with the public, and provide for safe and enjoyable park visits.
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Last updated: August 24, 2024