This data package contains North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) Inventory and Monitoring Program forest vegetation tabular data collected during 2005-2018 in Mount Rainier National Park (MORA), North Cascades National Park (NOCA), Olympic National Park (OLYM), and Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (LEWI). The protocol, publications, and all other associated links can be found in the project reference at: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2182054. The diverse environmental conditions of the Pacific Northwest support various forest types, from coastal rainforests to subalpine fir forests, often containing mature forests that have not experienced recent stand-replacing disturbances. The North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) encompasses eight National Park Service units in the Pacific Northwest, with five parks featuring significant forest areas: Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (LEWI), Mount Rainier National Park (MORA), North Cascades National Park Service Complex (NOCA), Olympic National Park (OLYM), and San Juan Island National Historical Park (SAJH). Mature forests are integral to the character of these parks, and represent essential carbon stores and carbon sequestration potential. As such, forest vegetation has been identified as a key park ecosystem component in the development of NCCN's monitoring protocols. The primary objectives of the NCCN's forest monitoring program include tracking trends in tree recruitment, growth, mortality, and overall forest structure and composition, all as measures of forest health and integrity. Monitoring occurred in permanent one-hectare plots designed to align with the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program methodologies, incorporating a hierarchy of subplots for efficient data collection. These plots were designed to represent various forest types across the three large parks, focusing on warm-wet, cold-dry, and mid-elevation environments. Additionally, forests in the smaller parks were monitored with broader definitions of forest types. Specific parameters that were monitored include tree dimensions and health indicators, snag density and size, and environmental factors such as soil properties and landscape position. Complete measurements occurred every five years, while previously tagged trees were monitored annually for mortality to be able to detect short-term changes in tree condition. This comprehensive monitoring approach provides insights into the ecological dynamics of forest ecosystems, aiming to minimize the effects of succession while recognizing the significance of changing disturbance patterns (which have been monitored using remotely sensed imagery following a separate protocol, see https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2097545). This program aimed to detect subtle ecological changes, offering critical data for effective management of Pacific Northwest ecosystems amid ongoing environmental challenges.

This data package contains North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) Inventory and Monitoring Program forest vegetation tabular data collected during 2005-2018 in Mount Rainier National Park (MORA), North Cascades National Park (NOCA), Olympic National Park (OLYM), and Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (LEWI). The protocol, publications, and all other associated links can be found in the project reference at: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2182054. The diverse environmental conditions of the Pacific Northwest support various forest types, from coastal rainforests to subalpine fir forests, often containing mature forests that have not experienced recent stand-replacing disturbances. The North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) encompasses eight National Park Service units in the Pacific Northwest, with five parks featuring significant forest areas: Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (LEWI), Mount Rainier National Park (MORA), North Cascades National Park Service Complex (NOCA), Olympic National Park (OLYM), and San Juan Island National Historical Park (SAJH). Mature forests are integral to the character of these parks, and represent essential carbon stores and carbon sequestration potential. As such, forest vegetation has been identified as a key park ecosystem component in the development of NCCN's monitoring protocols. The primary objectives of the NCCN's forest monitoring program include tracking trends in tree recruitment, growth, mortality, and overall forest structure and composition, all as measures of forest health and integrity. Monitoring occurred in permanent one-hectare plots designed to align with the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program methodologies, incorporating a hierarchy of subplots for efficient data collection. These plots were designed to represent various forest types across the three large parks, focusing on warm-wet, cold-dry, and mid-elevation environments. Additionally, forests in the smaller parks were monitored with broader definitions of forest types. Specific parameters that were monitored include tree dimensions and health indicators, snag density and size, and environmental factors such as soil properties and landscape position. Complete measurements occurred every five years, while previously tagged trees were monitored annually for mortality to be able to detect short-term changes in tree condition. This comprehensive monitoring approach provides insights into the ecological dynamics of forest ecosystems, aiming to minimize the effects of succession while recognizing the significance of changing disturbance patterns (which have been monitored using remotely sensed imagery following a separate protocol, see https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2097545). This program aimed to detect subtle ecological changes, offering critical data for effective management of Pacific Northwest ecosystems amid ongoing environmental challenges.

This dataset represents the forest vegetation monitoring from 2006-2024 collected by the National Capital Region Network (NCRN) Inventory and Monitoring Program. Data were collected from over 400 forest plots randomly scattered throughout National Parks in the NCR. Each of the plots was monitored a single time within a four-year return cycle. Data related to forest structure and plant community composition is reported for the region as a whole and each individual park. This data package includes information about: Trees, Shrubs, Herbaceous Vegetation, Coarse Woody Debris, Vines, and Conditions including Pests and Diseases.

This dataset represents the forest vegetation monitoring from 2006-2024 collected by the National Capital Region Network (NCRN) Inventory and Monitoring Program. Data were collected from over 400 forest plots randomly scattered throughout National Parks in the NCR. Each of the plots was monitored a single time within a four-year return cycle. Data related to forest structure and plant community composition is reported for the region as a whole and each individual park. This data package includes information about: Trees, Shrubs, Herbaceous Vegetation, Coarse Woody Debris, Vines, and Conditions including Pests and Diseases.

Geodatabase representing the sample design for the North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) elk monitoring project at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (LEWI). The goal for the elk monitoring project is to detect changes in the magnitude and spatial patterns of elk use of landscapes at several spatial and temporal scales within, and adjacent to, the Fort Clastop unit of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (LEWI). The geodatabase is the spatial representation of elk pellet survey plot locations and standard road driving routes, with tenth mile reference markers, used to conduct elk surveys. Changes in elk relative use and the proportion of area occupied (PAO) by elk will be based on pellet group surveys conducted in the Fort Clatsop unit of LEWI. We will monitor trends in the relative use by elk in winter through the estimation of pellet group density as measured during late winter surveys each year. We will infer trends in elk viewing opportunities in selected areas adjacent to the Fort Clatsop unit by monitoring the rate at which elk are sighted in roadside surveys on specified routes. The road survey sighting rate is a direct index to the rate that park visitors driving the selected set of roads would be expected to see elk. By recording the seasonal patterns of elk herd sightings we will document trends in elk viewing opportunities for visitors during different seasons.

The geodatabase represents the sampling design used to meet the project's purpose. The sampling design relies upon systematic sampling for smaller parks (LEWI and SAJH) and spatially balanced, GRTS sampling for larger parks (MORA, NOCA, OLYM). The objectives of the landbird monitoring program are to 1) detect trends in the density of as many landbird species (including passerines, near-passerines, and galliformes) as possible throughout accessible areas of five NCCN parks during the breeding season and 2) track changes in the breeding season distribution of landbird species throughout accessible areas of the large wilderness parks. The geodatabase represents the sampling design used to meet the project's objectives. The sampling design relies upon systematic sampling for smaller parks (Lewis and Clark National Historical Park [LEWI] and San Juan Island National Historical park [SAJH]) and spatially balanced, Generalized Random Tesselation Stratified (GRTS) sampling for larger parks (Mount Rainier National Park [MORA], North Cascades National Park [NOCA], Olympic National Park [OLYM]). The GRTS sample design was created using stratified equal probability survey design. Potential transect starting locations were defined based on road and trail networks. The sample design formed the basis for office and field evaluation of selected locations and the subsequent establishment of long-term monitoring transects.

The geodatabase represents the sampling design used to meet the project's purpose. The sampling design relies upon systematic sampling for smaller parks (LEWI and SAJH) and spatially balanced, GRTS sampling for larger parks (MORA, NOCA, OLYM). The objectives of the landbird monitoring program are to 1) detect trends in the density of as many landbird species (including passerines, near-passerines, and galliformes) as possible throughout accessible areas of five NCCN parks during the breeding season and 2) track changes in the breeding season distribution of landbird species throughout accessible areas of the large wilderness parks. The geodatabase represents the sampling design used to meet the project's objectives. The sampling design relies upon systematic sampling for smaller parks (Lewis and Clark National Historical Park [LEWI] and San Juan Island National Historical park [SAJH]) and spatially balanced, Generalized Random Tesselation Stratified (GRTS) sampling for larger parks (Mount Rainier National Park [MORA], North Cascades National Park [NOCA], Olympic National Park [OLYM]). The GRTS sample design was created using stratified equal probability survey design. Potential transect starting locations were defined based on road and trail networks. The sample design formed the basis for office and field evaluation of selected locations and the subsequent establishment of long-term monitoring transects.

This data package contains North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) Inventory and Monitoring Program prairie vegetation monitoring tabular data collected during 2007-2017 at the American Camp Unit of San Juan Island National Historical Park (SAJH). The protocol, publications, and all other associated links can be found in the NCCN Monitoring Prairie Vegetation project reference at: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2193720 San Juan Island National Historical Park protects some of the last remaining prairies in Washington state. Over 60% of the American Camp unit is dominated by grasslands that have persisted since the end of the Pleistocene. In 2007, the National Park Service initiated monitoring to document status and trends in cover and ecological condition of vegetation communities using repeatable, rapid assessment of physiognomic class and vegetation quality along line-intercept belt transects. Transect-based sampling was designed to address a hierarchy of monitoring questions linked to management objectives, including the maintenance of the vegetation structure (e.g., forest versus herbaceous) associated with the cultural landscape and the continued ecological integrity of plant communities. The ecological condition of prairies is threatened by persistent, introduced grasses and exotic shrubs. Monitoring objectives included: 1) detect change in the extent of physiognomic cover types, 2) detect change in the proportion of areas dominated by exotic plant species, 3) detect change in the quality of herbaceous cover types, and 4) detect changes in composition and diversity of herbaceous cover types. Monitoring was implemented at the American Camp unit of SAJH, since 90% of all prairies are located within this section of the park. Transects proved to be an economical and reliable method for monitoring long-term trends in landscape cover with transient crews, but detailed vegetation monitoring (i.e., species frequency and relative abundance) is needed to better assess prairie condition over time. Data within this package include point sampling locations, sampling effort and conditions, transect vegetation structure data, and phenological observations. The associated spatial transect lines and segments can be found at https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2305031.

This data package contains North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) Inventory and Monitoring Program prairie vegetation monitoring tabular data collected during 2007-2017 at the American Camp Unit of San Juan Island National Historical Park (SAJH). The protocol, publications, and all other associated links can be found in the NCCN Monitoring Prairie Vegetation project reference at: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2193720 San Juan Island National Historical Park protects some of the last remaining prairies in Washington state. Over 60% of the American Camp unit is dominated by grasslands that have persisted since the end of the Pleistocene. In 2007, the National Park Service initiated monitoring to document status and trends in cover and ecological condition of vegetation communities using repeatable, rapid assessment of physiognomic class and vegetation quality along line-intercept belt transects. Transect-based sampling was designed to address a hierarchy of monitoring questions linked to management objectives, including the maintenance of the vegetation structure (e.g., forest versus herbaceous) associated with the cultural landscape and the continued ecological integrity of plant communities. The ecological condition of prairies is threatened by persistent, introduced grasses and exotic shrubs. Monitoring objectives included: 1) detect change in the extent of physiognomic cover types, 2) detect change in the proportion of areas dominated by exotic plant species, 3) detect change in the quality of herbaceous cover types, and 4) detect changes in composition and diversity of herbaceous cover types. Monitoring was implemented at the American Camp unit of SAJH, since 90% of all prairies are located within this section of the park. Transects proved to be an economical and reliable method for monitoring long-term trends in landscape cover with transient crews, but detailed vegetation monitoring (i.e., species frequency and relative abundance) is needed to better assess prairie condition over time. Data within this package include point sampling locations, sampling effort and conditions, transect vegetation structure data, and phenological observations. The associated spatial transect lines and segments can be found at https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2305031.

Geodatabase representing the sample design for the North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) elk monitoring project at Mount Rainier National Park (MORA) and Olympic National Park (OLYM). The goal of this project is to monitor trends in raw counts, abundance, composition, and spatial distribution of migratory Roosevelt elk in Mount Rainier National Park and in Olympic National Park summer range, and to monitor elk abundance and distribution in selected low elevation late winter/early spring ranges in Olympic. The geodatabase is the spatial representation of elk survey polygons used to conduct elk surveys using observers in helicopters. Polygons were originally created in 2007 and slightly modified after initial field sampling to better reflect elk habitat (completed in 2012). The Olympic late winter/early spring survey areas were originally developed in 1983, but were modified (2007-2010) to better reflect elk movements, based on GPS collar data, within river valleys.