Purpose of the Project

(adapted from Statement of Work written by Danny Boiano and Joel Despain): The Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project (1996) has identified aquatic and riparian systems as the most altered and impaired habitats of the Sierra Nevada range. Caves with karst hydrology are unique subterranean aquatic systems that are often inhabited by aquatic fauna. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) have a current inventory of 210 caves with more than 25 active karst systems, all of which potentially support endemic populations of invertebrates, representing a significant national resource in karst hydrology and cave-adapted organisms. However, these extremely valuable resources are threatened by numerous anthropogenic influences including recreational use that can frighten, trample or kill cave fauna, introductions and movement of mud that alter existing habitat and impact water clarity and quality, and diversions for water supplies that lower groundwater tables and reduce hydrologic connectivity. These altered environments are critical habitat for at least three undescribed aquatic isopods that are troglobitic (restricted to karsts) and may be endemic to their respective karst systems. SEKI cave specialists also have detected 30 troglobitic, undescribed and possible endemic terrestrial invertebrates, several species of bats and mammals and two species of salamander in only 11 caves. These unique resources are receiving considerable impacts and may be irretrievably lost before they have been fully inventoried by park managers.

Description of Recommended Project:

We propose to establish a cooperative agreement or contract with an NPS approved contractor (Jean Krejca) to inventory the aquatic and terrestrial fauna of 15 SEKI and 1 YOSE cave systems with karst hydrology through a two-step process, including systematic collection of samples of each faunal taxa detected from all 16 karst habitats, and laboratory analyses of samples consisting of identification to species or genus, genetic analysis and museum voucher preservation by species experts. The resulting biological inventory information and knowledge of seasonal faunal usage patterns will help us determine if existing management standards are adequate to prevent impairment of biological resources in SEKI and YOSE karsts, and will generate a species key and monitoring protocol.

Specifications: Methods:

A. Stratification:

Sampling locations will be stratified based on habitat, such that each substrate x food source combination in each karst will be represented in the sampling design. Rare and unique habitats will be sampled opportunistically, and when field investigators suspect the presence of fauna. Each sampling location will be geo-referenced for updating SEKI cave maps and inclusion in SEKI GIS database layers.

Aquatic environment showing roots that provide habitat and nutrients for aquatic invertebrates, such as the isopod Caecidotea sequoiae. In the background are the beautiful concentric rings of the marble walls of Crystal Cave (photo by J. Krejca).

B. Sampling Strategy and Data Analysis:

This methodology is based on sampling protocols developed by Lechuguilla Cave and Kartchner Caverns State Park. Each karst will be sampled several times per year, since the distribution and abundance of biota may be influenced by seasonal habitat differences in temperature, water levels and food availability. Karst fauna will be sampled primarily by visual inspection, and additionally by pitfall trapping, Berlese funnel extraction and sediment floats.

Database Design:

Fauna observations and sample site/habitat information will be stored in a relational Access database. Entry fields for each taxa detected will include taxa name, observer, habitat data, location, and comments. All locations will be referenced using standard cave mapping techniques. Separate databases will be used for SEKI and YOSE, but they will be consistently formatted to allow for easy data transfer and analysis.

GIS Data:

Habitat specific spatial data layers will be created for densities of all taxa detected during sampling. Associated attributes to be collected are taxa name, number encountered, all habitat variables, temperature data and comments. Distribution and density maps will be created based on data for each habitat type. Additional data layers will indicate the precise location of rare, undescribed, threatened or endangered species, or species of management concern detected.

Metadata:

The National Park Service Inventory & Monitoring Program has developed national metadata standards for natural resource datasets. These metadata provide the documentation we need to inform data managers and potential data users about the content, purpose and quality of the data so that it will continue to be useful even if its originator is not available. When the data are submitted with the final report, a number of metadata will be reported for each dataset.

Analysis:

The sampling method will yield estimates of relative abundance. Detailed habitat data collected at each sampling location will allow us to estimate taxa-specific relative abundance by overall habitat type. Statistical techniques recommended and performed by the contractor will be used to test for effects of habitat type on the occurrence patterns of selected species.

Cave Fauna
click on a picture to see larger image

Another cave spider, Hypochilus petrunkevitchi, from an alpine cave (Bulah Cave) in Sequoia National Park (photo by J. Krejca).

A cave cricket, Pristoceuthophilus sp., from Crystal Cave (photo by J. Krejca).

Terrestrial root substrate in Crystal Cave showing cave millipede and springtail (photo by J. Krejca).

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