Snow, water, and forests: monitoring phenology and climate change impacts in mountain ecosystems of the National Parks of the Pacific Northwest

Project ID: J8W07070008

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: University of Washington

Fiscal Year: 2007

Initial Funding: $9,729

Total Funding: $9,729

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Biological

National Park: Pacific West Region Washington

Principal Investigator: Lundquist, Jessica

Agreement Technical Representative: Rochefort, Regina

Abstract: North Cascades National Park and Mount Rainier National Park have some of the deepest snowpacks in the world. Deep snowpacks limit the length of the growing season but also supply water to sustain ecosystems through the dry summer. The phenology and life history strategies of Pacific Northwest (PNW) mountain ecosystems are structured around the timing of snowmelt and runoff, as well as the seasonal distribution of streamflow. The observed 20th century changes beg the question, “How wil future climate changes influence snowpack, the timing of snowmelt, and PNW ecosystems?” This project will develop partnership between the University of Washington and the National Park Service that examines the inter-relationships between snowmelt, the onsetof spring, and tree phenology to: 1) fill critical gaps in scientific knowledge, 2) lay the groundwork for a future network of coupled climate-ecosystem monitoring stations in the PNW and 3) help park staff develop educational programs that underscore the linkages between the physical environment and ecosystems.

Deliverables:

• Snow, water, and forests: monitoring phenology and climate change impacts in mountain ecosystems of the National Parks of the Pacific Northwest (Final Report)