National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Monitoring Stream Ecosystems in the Central Alaska Network Standard Operating Procedures Version 1.0 ON THE COVER Stream sampling at Little Stony Creek, Denali National Park and Preserve Photograph by: Trey Simmons/NPS Monitoring Stream Ecosystems in the Central Alaska Network Standard Operating Procedures Version 1.0 Trey Simmons Central Alaska Network National Park Service 4175 Geist Road Fairbanks, Alaska 99709 May 2017 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Central Alaska Network Fairbanks, Alaska 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 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 National Park Service, Central Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network (http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/cakn/) and the IRMA Stream Monitoring Project Page (https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2215908). Please cite this publication as: Simmons, T. 2017. Monitoring stream ecosystems in the Central Alaska Network: standard operating procedures version 1.0. Standard Operating Procedures Report, National Park Service, Fairbanks, Alaska. ii Contents Page Tables ........................................................................................................................................... xiii Figures.......................................................................................................................................... xvi Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... xviii Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................ xxi List of Acronyms ....................................................................................................................... xxiii SOP 1: Field Season Preparation .................................................................................................. 26 General Preparation and Review ........................................................................................... 26 Scheduling Field Work .......................................................................................................... 27 Logistics ................................................................................................................................. 28 References .............................................................................................................................. 31 SOP 2: Sampling Design and Site Selection................................................................................. 33 Survey Design ........................................................................................................................ 33 Rationale for survey design selection ............................................................................... 33 Stream population to be sampled ...................................................................................... 35 Construction of sampling frame for synoptic sites ........................................................... 36 Stream selection ................................................................................................................ 36 Reach selection ................................................................................................................. 38 Sampling frequency and rotation schedule ....................................................................... 38 Planning Annual Sampling .................................................................................................... 39 SOP 3: Continuous Monitoring of Temperature ........................................................................... 71 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 71 Required Equipment .............................................................................................................. 71 Procedures .............................................................................................................................. 72 iii Testing HOBO loggers ...................................................................................................... 72 Launch HOBO data loggers ............................................................................................. 72 Site selection ..................................................................................................................... 74 Deploy HOBOs ................................................................................................................. 74 Mark logger location ........................................................................................................ 75 Retrieval ............................................................................................................................ 75 References .............................................................................................................................. 77 SOP 4: Training ............................................................................................................................ 78 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 78 Required Safety Training ....................................................................................................... 78 Training Program for Stream Monitoring .............................................................................. 79 Orientation ........................................................................................................................ 79 Skill Development ............................................................................................................. 80 Practical Testing ............................................................................................................... 82 References .............................................................................................................................. 83 SOP 5: Field Trip Mobilization .................................................................................................... 84 General Preparation and Review ........................................................................................... 84 Prior to Leaving the Office .................................................................................................... 85 References .............................................................................................................................. 85 SOP 6: Using the GPS .................................................................................................................. 86 Purpose .................................................................................................................................. 86 Prior to Deployment .............................................................................................................. 86 Notes: ................................................................................................................................ 88 In the Field ............................................................................................................................. 89 Point Positioning .............................................................................................................. 90 iv Feature Logging................................................................................................................ 90 After Field Work .................................................................................................................... 90 Metadata ..........................................................................................................................