Riparian monitoring of wadeable streams protocol for park units in the Northern Colorado Plateau Network: Version 1.06

Because of the scarcity of water on the Colorado Plateau and their disproportionately high use by flora and fauna, riparian areas were quickly identified as an ecosystem of concern for Northern Colorado Plateau Network (NCPN) parks during vital signs planning in 2003. Four vital signs were selected for riparian monitoring of wadeable streams: surface flow, groundwater dynamics, channel geomorphology, and riparian vegetation structure and composition. This monitoring protocol consists of a protocol narrative and 15 standard operating procedures (SOPs) for monitoring wadeable streams in NCPN parks. The overall goal of NCPN wadeable streams monitoring is to determine long-term trends in hydrologic, geomorphic, and vegetation properties in the context of changes in other ecological drivers, stressors, and processes. Specific objectives of the riparian monitoring protocol for wadeable streams are to determine status and trends in surface and groundwater dynamics, geomorphic processes as reflected in channel and floodplain form, and vegetation dynamics. The protocol narrative describes the sampling design for wadeable streams, which comprises the response design (data collection methods), spatial design (the population of interest and sampling locations within this population), and revisit design (timing and frequency of visits to sampling locations). It also outlines field methods for establishing a reach, and for measuring vegetation, geomorphology, and hydrology of wadeable streams. Details may be found in the SOPs, which are listed in Section 1 and available at irma.nps.gov. Other aspects of the protocol summarized in the narrative include procedures for data management and reporting, personnel and operating requirements, and instructions for how to revise the protocol.