PARENT SESSION
Symposium #17: Science in national parks: Basic research and application.
Sponsored by ESA Sustainable Biosphere Initiative
Organized by: S.T.A. Pickett and W. Robertson.
Wednesday, August 8, 2001. 1:00 PM to 4:25 PM. Madison Ballroom A

Importance of long-term data sets for managing and sustaining Park areas.

Likens, Gene¹, ¹

ABSTRACT- Long-term data can be critical components in a comprehensive strategy for effective Park development and management. Information derived from such data are useful for evaluating: 1) the occurrence and affects of extreme events, 2) the ecological impact of internal and external disturbance, 3) experimental manipulations, 4) long-term trends in environmental variables, and 5) environmental problems of local, regional, or national concern. Assessing what should be monitored on a long-term basis is difficult, but can be guided by the major questions and issues important for managing Park areas; moreover, long-term data can be used to answer ongoing, short-term questions valuable to Park management issues. Researchers need to be heavily involved in making decisions about what needs to be measured on a long-term basis.

KEY WORDS: Long-term data, Hubbard Brook, Management