Summer 2015 • Volume 32 • Number 1 • www.nature.nps.gov/ParkScience National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior PARKScience Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Integrating Research and Resource Management in the National Parks Office of Education and Outreach THE MAZAMA NEWT: CLASH WITH NONNATIVE CRAYFISH IN CRATER LAKE ALSO IN THIS ISSUE • NPS response to climate change in wilderness • Monitoring physiological stress in pikas • Interpretive primer: The Midcontinent Rift and Lake Superior parks • Geocaches as interpretation at Everglades • Tick surveillance along the Appalachian Trail • Removal of artesian wells from Great Sand Dunes • Ozone effects on ecosystem services at Great Smoky Mountains PARK SCIENCE • VOLUME 32 • NUMBER 1 • SUMMER 2015 PARKScience Integrating Research and Resource Management in the National Parks Volume 32 • Number 1 • Summer 2015 www.nature.nps.gov/ParkScience ISSN 0735–9462 From the Editor Published by U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service A theme for the ages Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Office of Education and Outreach Lakewood, Colorado The articles that follow illuminate many of the virtues of science: Director, National Park Service adaptability, repeatability, scalability, affinity for scrutiny and compound- Jon Jarvis ing, and ultimately its ability to produce knowledge. In this snapshot of Associate Director, Natural Resource seemingly unrelated studies, science is the theme, the common thread, Stewardship and Science and it is a strong bond. Raymond Sauvajot Our cover article reviews what is known about an endemic species Editor and Layout Jeff Selleck of salamander in Crater Lake and its troubling competition with an in- Copyeditor/Proofreader vasive, nonnative species of crayfish. The researchers couple this knowl- Lori D. Kranz (contractor) edge with an experiment of their own to better understand interactions Editorial board between the species, and like sunlight penetrating the lake, science spot- John Dennis—Deputy Chief Scientist, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science lights the problem and indicates the need for a management response. Charles Roman—NPS Research Coordinator, North Elsewhere social science provides a much-needed feedback loop for Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, managers of designated wilderness areas with regard to wilderness steward- University of Rhode Island ship as our climate changes. The report is a variation on a familiar theme: Editorial office whether or not to act in wilderness and the implications of an active or pas- Jeff Selleck National Park Service sive stewardship approach for the preservation of wilderness character. NRSS/OEO Researchers also investigate the abundance and distribution of P.O. Box 25287 Denver, CO 80225-0287 pathogen-carrying ticks along the Appalachian Trail. The study reveals E-mail: [email protected] the importance of providing information for hikers to take preventive Phone: 303-969-2147 measures to help ensure their health and safety as they enjoy the trail. Fax: 303-987-6704 Physical and intellectual interaction with parks is a prime oppor- Sample style for article citation Bingham, A., and E. Porter. 2015. Ozone effects on tunity awaiting visitors to the areas we manage, and the research about two ecosystem services at Great Smoky Mountains geocaches in Everglades gives us a useful perspective on this. Geocach- National Park, USA. Park Science 32(1):71–79. ing combines finding one’s way to park features and preplaced interpre- Printed on recycled paper. tive information by way of a GPS device and a list of coordinates. As the Park Science is a research and resource management researchers report, the activity can stimulate learning, provide physical journal of the U.S. National Park Service. It reports the challenge, and be designed to minimize resource damage. This informa- implications of recent and ongoing natural and social science and related cultural research for park planning, tion may help increase confidence in managers to create similar pro- management, and policy. Seasonal issues are published grams in other parks. usually in spring and fall, with a thematic issue that explores a topic in depth published in summer or winter. This collection of articles is not easily summed up in a thematic The publication serves a broad audience of national park word or phrase. It is a fascinating array of field-based studies and find- and protected area managers and scientists and provides for public outreach. It is funded by the Associate Director ings that illustrate the flexibility, usefulness, and robust nature of science for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. as our fundamental way of knowing. Articles are field-oriented accounts of applied research and —Jeff Selleck, Editor resource management presented in nontechnical language. The editor and board or subject-matter experts review content for clarity, completeness, usefulness, scientific and Article inquiries, submissions, and comments should style guide, an archive and key word searching of all technical soundness, and relevance to NPS policy. be directed to the editor by e-mail. Letters addressing articles, and subscription management. scientific or factual content are welcome and may be Facts and views expressed in Park Science are those of the edited for length, clarity, and tone. Though subscriptions are offered free of charge, voluntary authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies donations help defray production costs. A typical donation of the National Park Service. Mention of trade names or Park Science is published online at http://www.nature is $15 per year. Checks should be made payable to the commercial products does not constitute an endorsement .nps.gov/ParkScience (ISSN 1090-9966). The Web site National Park Service and sent to the editorial office or recommendation for use by the National Park Service. provides guidelines for article submission, an editorial address. 3 Contents SETH STEIN NPS PHOTO GRAHAM HICKLING 19 30 36 DEPARTMENTS RESEARCH SUMMARY From the Editor The impact of introduced crayfish on a unique population A theme for the ages / 2 of salamander in Crater Lake, Oregon 5 Expansion of introduced crayfish in Crater Lake has and likely will continue to cause declines in the abundance and distribution of the Mazama newt and ultimately could lead to the newt’s extinction. By M. W. Buktenica, S. F. Girdner, A. M. Ray, D. K. Hering, and J. Umek FEATURE The National Park Service response to climate change in wilderness 13 Parks are responding to the effects of climate change using an active approach to wilderness stewardship. This study describes the level and diversity of the stewardship responses and the effects they have on wilderness character. By Katie Nelson INTERPRETIVE PRIMER Using Lake Superior parks to explain the Midcontinent Rift 19 Explaining the spectacular scenery around Lake Superior resulting from the 1.1 billion–year–old Midcontinent Rift System gives park interpreters an opportunity to discuss some of the most important processes that shape our planet and influenced the region’s settlement and growth. By Seth Stein, Carol A. Stein, Eunice Blavascunas, and Jonas Kley RESEARCH REPORTS Satellite communications: Geocaches as interpretation 30 A pilot project in Everglades National Park examines visitor use of a park- ON THE COVER sponsored geocaching program and demonstrates interpretive benefits. A Mazama newt swims By Larry Perez and Rudy Beotegui toward the surface of Crater Lake, Oregon. This endemic species' Tick surveillance and disease prevention on the Appalachian Trail 36 liquid habitat is as clear and A study compares the occurrence of ticks in shelters and camping areas with that on the clean as nearly any on Earth, yet trailside along the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, where tickborne diseases are one it faces increasing competition of the greatest health hazards to hikers; the article also discusses preventive measures. from a nonnative predator. By Karl Ford, Robyn Nadolny, Ellen Stromdahl, and Graham Hickling COPYRIGHT JEREMY MONROE, FRESHWATERS ILLUSTRATED 4 PARK SCIENCE • VOLUME 32 • NUMBER 1 • SUMMER 2015 GABRIELLE DIAMOND COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY AND USGS/SARAH J. GARZA NPS/TAMARA BLETT 49 57 71 Parks, pikas, and physiological stress: Implications for long-term monitoring of an NPS climate-sensitive sentinel species 42 UPCOMING ISSUES Baseline values of physiological stress can be incorporated into monitoring plans for pikas, Fall 2015 providing park managers with additional information related to the vulnerability of this Seasonal issue. November release. climate-sensitive model species that occurs within a large number of western parks. In production By Jennifer L. Wilkening and Chris Ray Winter 2015–2016 Survey of an endangered bat roost at Coronado Seasonal issue. February release. Contributor’s deadline: 15 October National Memorial, Arizona 49 After installation of bat-compatible steel gates at an abandoned mine, video Spring 2016 camcorder surveys of lesser long-nosed bat activity provide valuable insight Seasonal issue. June release. into management of this species on National Park Service lands. Contributor’s deadline: 15 February By Amanda Best, Gabrielle Diamond, Joel Diamond, Debbie Buecher, Ronnie Sidner, David Cerasale, and James Tress Jr. Visit http://www.nature.nps.gov /ParkScience for author guidelines or With contributions from Linda Dansby, Jason Mateljak, Adam contact the editor ([email protected]