Natural Resource Condition Assessment San Juan Island National Historical Park
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Natural Resource Condition Assessment San Juan Island National Historical Park Natural Resource Report NPS/SAJH/NRR—2020/2131 ON THIS PAGE View east from Mt. Finlayson at American Camp towards Lopez Island in distance. (Photo by Peter Dunwiddie) ON THE COVER Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) on Young Hill, English Camp. (NPS) Natural Resource Condition Assessment San Juan Island National Historical Park Natural Resource Report NPS/SAJH/NRR—2020/2131 Catherin A. Schwemm, Editor Institute for Wildlife Studies Arcata, CA 95518 May 2020 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. These reports are 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 comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations. 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 informal peer review, which was provided by subject-matter experts who were not directly involved in the collection, analysis, or reporting of the data. The level and extent of peer review was based on the importance of report content or its potentially controversial or precedent- setting nature. 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 in digital format from the Natural Resource Condition Assessment Program website and the Natural Resource Publications Management website. If you have difficulty accessing information in this publication, particularly if using assistive technology, please email [email protected]. Please cite this publication as: Schwemm, C. A. (Editor). 2020. Natural resource condition assessment: San Juan Island National Historical Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/SAJH/NRR—2020/2131. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 438/170102, May 2020 ii Contents Page Figures................................................................................................................................................... xi Tables ..................................................................................................................................................xiii Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. xv Contributors ........................................................................................................................................ xix Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................... xxi Prologue .............................................................................................................................................. xxi List of Acronyms ..............................................................................................................................xxiii 1. NRCA Background Information ........................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 2. Introduction and Resource Setting ....................................................................................... 5 2.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 5 2.1.1. Enabling Legislation ........................................................................................................ 6 2.1.2. Geographic Setting .......................................................................................................... 6 2.1.3. Jurisdiction and Adjacent Land Use ................................................................................ 9 2.1.4. Cultural Significance ....................................................................................................... 9 2.1.5. Visitation Statistics ........................................................................................................ 10 2.1.6. Relevant Regional and Landscape-scale Information ................................................... 10 2.2. Physical Resources ................................................................................................................ 11 2.2.1. Air Quality ..................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.2. Climate .......................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.3. Dark Night Sky and Natural Quiet ................................................................................ 11 2.2.4. Geology ......................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.5. Hydrology/Water Quality .............................................................................................. 12 2.2.6. Fire ................................................................................................................................. 13 2.3. Biological Resources ............................................................................................................. 13 2.3.1. Vegetation Communities ............................................................................................... 13 2.3.2. Plant Diversity ............................................................................................................... 15 iii Contents (continued) Page 2.3.3. Terrestrial Invertebrates ................................................................................................. 16 2.3.4. Marine Invertebrates ...................................................................................................... 17 2.3.5. Vertebrates ..................................................................................................................... 18 2.3.6 Amphibians/Reptiles/Mammals ..................................................................................... 19 2.4. Threats to Natural Resources ................................................................................................. 19 2.4.1. Invasive Plants ............................................................................................................... 19 2.4.2. Invasive Animals ........................................................................................................... 20 2.4.3. Climate Change ............................................................................................................. 21 2.5. Resource Stewardship ........................................................................................................... 21 2.5.1. NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program ...................................................................... 21 2.5.2. General/Resource Plans and Natural Resource Documents .......................................... 21 2.6. Literature Cited ...................................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 3. Study Scoping and Design ................................................................................................. 27 3.1. Background............................................................................................................................ 27 3.2. Study Design ......................................................................................................................... 27 3.2.1. Focal Study Resources .................................................................................................. 27 3.2.2. Indicators and Reference Conditions ............................................................................. 28 3.2.3. Ecological Framework ................................................................................................... 29 3.2.4. Data and Methods .......................................................................................................... 30 3.2.5. Reporting Areas ............................................................................................................. 31 3.2.6. Condition Assessments .................................................................................................. 31 3.2.7. Report Format ...............................................................................................................