Protocols for Paleontological Resource Site Monitoring at Zion National Park
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Protocols for Paleontological Resource Site Monitoring at Zion National Park Natural Resource Report NPS/ZION/NRR—2012/595 ON THE COVER Dinosaur and mammal-like reptile tracks on a weathered block of Navajo Sandstone discovered during a survey by Utah Geologic Survey staff at Zion National Park. Photograph courtesy of Utah Geologic Survey. Protocols for Paleontological Resource Site Monitoring at Zion National Park Natural Resource Report NPS/ZION/NRR—2012/595 Erica C. Clites Glen Canyon National Recreation Area P O Box 1507 Page, AZ 86040 Vincent L. Santucci National Park Service Geologic Resources Division 1201 Eye Street NM Washington DC 20005 November 2012 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate high-priority, current natural resource management information with managerial application. The series targets a general, diverse audience, and may contain NPS policy considerations or address sensitive issues of management applicability. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. This report received formal peer review by subject-matter experts who were not directly involved in the collection, analysis, or reporting of the data, and whose background and expertise put them on par technically and scientifically with the authors of the information. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U.S. Government. This report is available from the Natural Resource Publications Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/nrpm/). Please cite this publication as: Clites, E. C. and V. L. Santucci. 2012. Protocols for paleontological resource site monitoring at Zion National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/ZION/NRR—2012/595. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 116/117670, November 2012 ii Contents Page Figures............................................................................................................................................. v Appendices ...................................................................................................................................... v Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... vi Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................ viii Background and Objectives ............................................................................................................ 1 Purpose and Organization of the Protocol ............................................................................... 1 Paleontological Resource Law and Policy .............................................................................. 1 Rationale for Paleontological Site Monitoring at Zion NP ..................................................... 2 Protocol Development ............................................................................................................. 5 Measureable Objectives ........................................................................................................... 5 Monitoring Objectives ........................................................................................................ 5 Programmatic Objectives .................................................................................................... 5 Management Objectives...................................................................................................... 6 Sampling Design ............................................................................................................................. 7 Site Selection ........................................................................................................................... 7 Sampling Frequency ................................................................................................................ 7 Sites to be Monitored in Zion National Park ........................................................................... 7 Procedures Common to all Field Activities ............................................................................. 8 Documenting a New Paleontological Locality ............................................................................. 11 Field Methods ........................................................................................................................ 11 Data Management .................................................................................................................. 11 Personnel Requirements and Training ................................................................................... 12 Operational Requirements ..................................................................................................... 12 iii Contents (continued) Page Periodic Monitoring of Paleontological Sites ............................................................................... 15 Field Methods ........................................................................................................................ 15 Data Management .................................................................................................................. 15 Personnel Requirements and Training ................................................................................... 15 Operational Requirements ..................................................................................................... 16 Long-Term Paleontological Site Monitoring Techniques ............................................................ 19 Repeat Photography ............................................................................................................... 19 Erosion Stakes ....................................................................................................................... 20 Crack Monitors ...................................................................................................................... 20 Climatic Records ................................................................................................................... 21 Geohazard Monitoring ........................................................................................................... 21 Technology-Enhanced Monitoring and Digital Mapping ...................................................... 21 Prioritizing Paleontological Sites for Monitoring ......................................................................... 23 Data Management .................................................................................................................. 23 Personnel Requirements and Training ................................................................................... 23 Operational Requirements ..................................................................................................... 23 Literature Cited ............................................................................................................................. 25 iv Figures Page Figure 1. Stratigraphic section of Zion National Park, showing geologic units that outcrop in the park and are described in this report (modified from Biek et al. 2003 and presented in Lund et al. 2010). ................................................................................................. 4 Figure 2. Rebar stake placed as a permanent locator at National Park Service prototype monitoring site (GLCA 1). Stakes are not necessary for repeat photography. ............. 19 Figure 3. Crack monitors (circled) installed across a natural joint in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GLCA 10). The rock on the left side of the joint is hollow, and there is concern that it may detach. These crack monitors were placed out of easy reach of visitors to reduce the potential for vandalism. ................................................................ 20 Figure 4. Crack monitor displaced by vandalism at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in September 2011 (GLCA 1). ............................................................................................. 21 Appendices Page Appendix A Statutory Authorities for the Management and Protection of National Park Service Paleontological Resources and Values .................................................................... 26 Appendix B Paleontological Locality Database Form.................................................................. 31 Appendix C Paleontological Locality Condition Evaluation Form ............................................