U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

**Climate Monitoring Protocol for the Central Alaska Network**

**Denali National Park and Preserve, Yukon-Charley Rivers National
Preserve, and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve**

Prepared by:

Pamela J. Sousanes (Environmental Specialist)

Guy Adema (Physical Scientist)

Central Alaska Network

Denali National Park and Preserve

PO Box 9

**Denali Park, AK 99755**

and

Prepared for:

National Inventory and Monitoring Program,

National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior

**Version 1.00**

**October 28, 2004**

**Important Note:** **This sampling protocol consists of this Protocol
Narrative and the following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):**

SOP 1: Locating Climate Station

SOP 2: Initiating Compliance and permitting

SOP 3: Acquiring Climate Station Equipment

SOP 4: Climate Station Specifications/Sensor matrix

SOP 5: Datalogger Software Instructions

SOP 6: Campbell Scientific Programming

SOP 7: Obtaining a GOES/DCS ID

SOP 8: Programming the HDR GOES Transmitter

SOP 9: Deployment Instructions

SOP 10: Installation of CAKN Climate Station

SOP 10a: Campbell Scientific, Inc. Tripod Station Installation Manual

SOP 11: Links to All Instruction Manuals

SOP 12: Climate Station Data Collection -- PDA

SOP 13: Climate Station Data Collection -- Loggernet

SOP 14: Climate Station Data Collection -- Storage Module

SOP 15: Station Maintenance/Calibration Schedule

SOP 16: Site Visit Documentation Checklist

SOP 17*:* Photographical Documentation Checklist

SOP 18*:* Keeping Maintenance Logs

SOP 19: Data quality -- Accessing ASCADS

SOP 20: Entering Metadata into ASCADS

SOP 21: Data Access and Archiving

SOP 22: Reporting

SOP 26: Revising the Protocol

**Table of Contents:**

**I. Background and Objectives**

Issue being Addressed and Rationale for Monitoring Climate

Historical Development of Climate Monitoring

Climate Models

Measurable Objectives

**II. Sampling Design**

Existing Suite of Information

Site Selection

Parameters being Monitored

**III. Installation Methods**

Equipment Purchase

Equipment Deployment

Datalogger programming

Satellite Communications

Collecting Climate Data

Maintenance and Calibration

**IV. Data Management**

Overview of Data Flow

Data Quality Assurance/Quality Control

Metadata Procedures

Data Archiving Procedures -- National and Network

Accessing Data

**V. Analysis and Reporting**

Annual Reporting

Climate Data Analysis

**VI. Personnel Requirements and Training**

Roles and Responsibilities

Qualifications and Training

**VII. Operational Requirements**

Annual Workload and Field Schedule

Facility and Equipment needs

Startup Costs and Budget Considerations

Procedures for Making Changes to and Archiving Previous Versions of the
Protocol

**VIII. References**

**Supplementary Materials**

**Appendix A.** Existing Climate Stations in and around the CAKN

**Appendix B:** Ten Climate Principles

**Appendix C.** CAKN Climate Site Evaluation Review Document 2004

**Appendix D.** Western Regional Climate Center Cooperative Ecosystems
Study Unit

Agreement

**Appendix E**: Reporting Sample - *2002 Long Term Ecological Monitoring
Climate Data Summary Denali National Park and Preserve*

## I. Background and Objectives

### Issue being Addressed and Rationale for Monitoring Climate and Snowpack

Climate, by determining the temperature and precipitation regimes for
any ecosystem, is widely recognized as one of the most fundamental
drivers of ecological condition. A predominate feature of climate in
high latitude regions is the presence of a seasonal snowpack. The
snowpack is a major influence on hydrology, vegetation, and faunal
communities (*Jones et al.,* 2001). Accordingly, the Central Alaska
Network identified climate, and snowpack\--as the dominating feature of
the regional climate\--as an important Vital Sign (*MacCluskie and
Oakley* 2003). Although snowpack is inherently related to climate the
sampling methods for monitoring snow vary enough from those of climate
monitoring to warrant a separate protocol.

The Central Alaska Network (CAKN) encompasses strong climate gradients,
from the maritime climates in the southern parts of Wrangell -- St.
Elias national Park and Preserve (WRST) where it borders the North
Pacific Ocean, to the strongly continental climates found in northern
parts of Denali National Park and Preserve (DENA) and Yukon --Charley
Rivers National Preserve (YUCH). These climate gradients are intrinsic
to the ecosystem patterns, and vegetative and faunal communities found
in CAKN parks. In general, Alaska has a sparse dispersion of climate
monitoring sites (Simpson et al. 2002). Currently, the few permanent
long-term climate monitoring sites in the CAKN region are biased towards
low elevation areas of human habitation bordering the parks, and there
are large regions within CAKN parks (with their complex topography) with
no climate monitoring stations at all (e.g., YUCH, WRST).

Records of precipitation are especially important to documenting climate
and understanding climate effects on ecosystems, but measuring
precipitation, where most of the precipitation comes in the form of
snow, and where it is windy, is technically quite difficult. Total
annual precipitation is often greatly underestimated, and comparisons of
precipitation patterns among years are difficult because estimates are
biased. Strategic deployment of climate stations in the CAKN parks will
provide data not heretofore available on the climate patterns in the
parks, which is necessary for understanding changes in the freshwater
and terrestrial plant and animal communities. In addition, the climate
stations will provide real-time weather data which is of immediate use
to park management and park operations. Climate data from the CAKN will
also contribute significantly to the understanding of Alaska climate by
filling in some of the big gaps in the existing multi-agency climate
monitoring station network, and by contributing accurate measurements of
winter precipitation.

### Historical Development of Climate Monitoring 

The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Third Assessment Report
summarized the evidence that the Earth's, and more particularly the
Arctic's, climate is changing more rapidly and persistently than at any
time since the beginning of civilization. Alaska has warmed
substantially over the 20th century, particularly over the past few
decades (*Overpeck, et al.,* 1997). Average warming since the 1950s has
been 4°F (2°C). The largest warming, about 7°F (4°C), has occurred in
the interior of Alaska in winter (*Chapman and Walsh*, 1993; Weller et
al., 1998). The growing season has lengthened by more than 14 days since
the 1950s (*Keyser et al.,* 2000). Some records suggest that much of the
recent warming occurred suddenly around 1977, coincident with the most
recent of the large-scale Arctic atmosphere and ocean regime shifts
(*Weller and Anderson*, 1998).

Alaska has also grown wetter recently, with precipitation over most of
the state increasing 30% between 1968 and 1990 (*Parson,* 2000). The
observed warming is part of a larger trend through most of the Arctic
corroborated by many independent measurements of sea ice, glaciers,
permafrost, vegetation, and snow cover. In contrast to other regions,
the most severe environmental stresses in Alaska at present are
climate-related.

It is difficult to tell how much of Alaska\'s climate change is due to
global warming and how much is due to natural climate cycles. The
Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) - an El Niño-like fluctuation of
temperatures between the north and tropical Pacific that takes place
over 20-30 years - flipped Alaska into a warming phase in the 1970s. The
North Atlantic Oscillation has also contributed to warmer winters in
Alaska since the late 1960s (*Thompson and Wallace*, 2001).

Dramatic melting of snow and ice in Alaska has been occurring over the
last few decades due to the warming climate. Warming has caused melting
of permafrost and permanent snowfields as well as a reduction in
seasonal snowfall and shorter seasons of river and lake ice. Permafrost
temperatures over most of the sub-Arctic land areas have increased by
several tenths of a degree C up to 2°C during the past few decades, and
the depth of the layer that thaws each year is increasing in many areas.
Over the coming hundred years, these changes are projected to continue
and their rate to increase, with permafrost degradation projected to
occur over 10-20% of the present permafrost area, and the southern limit
of permafrost is projected to shift northward by several hundred
kilometers. Continued warming will cause further reductions in snow
cover, permafrost and a corresponding shift in landscape processes.

One of the most important outcomes of the winter climate of the
subarctic is the creation of a snow cover. This snow cover protects and
insulates the ground and low-lying plants, reduces desiccation, and
maintains ground temperatures that range from 5° to 30°C higher than air
temperatures. Active-layer thickness and spring snowmelt run-off, often
the peak discharge of the year, all depend on the amount and
distribution of the snow (*Olsson et al.,* 2002).

The major subarctic vegetation zones include the boreal forest and
tundra. Models predict community shifts from tundra to forest, black
spruce to deciduous forest, and forest to grasslands, bogs and wetlands
(*Starfield and Chapin,* 1996, *Alaska Regional Assessment Group*,
1999). This change, along with rising sea levels, is projected to shrink
tundra area to its lowest extent in at least the past 21,000 years,
potentially reducing the breeding area for many migratory bird species
and the grazing areas for land animals that depend on the open landscape
of tundra. Half the current tundra area is projected to disappear in
this century. Caribou herds depend on the availability of abundant
tundra vegetation and good foraging conditions, especially during the
calving season. Warmer temperatures will result in a longer growing
season, and changes in precipitation and community types will result in
changes in wildlife distribution and habitat use. Riparian areas,
wetlands, dry habitats, and areas with discontinuous permafrost are the
most vulnerable to warming temperatures and will provide the best
signals of change (*Weller and Lange* 1999).

Recent warming has also been accompanied by unprecedented increases in
forest disturbances, including insects, blow-downs and fire. Increases
in fire frequency and intensity, both related to summer warming, have
occurred. Simultaneously, the potential damage from forest fires has
increased due to a rapid increase in dispersed human settlement in
forests.

### 

### 

### Climate Models

Mean monthly climate maps of surface temperature and precipitation in
Alaska produced by the Australian National University Spline
Interpolator (ANUSPLIN, Hutchinson, 1995) and Parameter-elevation
Regression on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) models were analyzed in
2002 and 2003 (Simpson et al., 2002; 2003). The PRISM model (*Daly et
al.*, 1994; 2001; 2002) assumes that for a localized region elevation is
the most important factor in the distribution of temperature and
precipitation. ANUSPLIN (*Vose et al.,* 1992) uses elevation as an
independent third variable with latitude and longitude to define
interpolated surfaces. This allows regional climate variations
associated with latitude and continentality to be taken into account
simultaneously with elevation and rain shadow effects, provided that
these are captured sufficiently by the station network (*Fleming et
al.,* 200). ANUSPLIN uses a spatially sparser input data set compared to
that used by PRISM, with a varying period of record that ranges from
10-50 years or more. Differences between the two data sets provide
guidance for an improved operational climate services program currently
under implementation and described below. There are some serious
limitations, especially for the absolute values of precipitation that
affect both ANUSPLIN and PRISM to varying degrees. The very sparse
precipitation gauge network in Alaska suffers from the same systematic
errors and inhomogeneities in precipitation measurements observed
elsewhere (*Sevruk, 1982*). Inhomogeneity is especially severe in
Alaska. This information can, in turn, be used to design a better
climate observing system for Alaska. The PRISM model data set provides
the best currently available spatial coverage. Figure 1 shows the mean
annual precipitation, the January mean temperature, and the July mean
temperature maps of Alaska

![](media/image1.png){width="3.691666666666667in"
height="2.816666666666667in"}

![](media/image2.png){width="3.75in" height="2.8583333333333334in"}

![](media/image3.png){width="3.620833333333333in"
height="2.7444444444444445in"}

Figure 1 PRISM maps of Alaska -- Precipitation and Surface temperature

James Simpson from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography presented
information on long-term climate patterns in Alaska from two recent
publications (*Simpson et al.,* 2002 and 2003). The summary of his
presentation was valuable for the development of the CAKN climate
monitoring program. Key points are listed below:

-   Alaska is divided into an interior zone with a small coastal
    extension in south central Alaska with consistent seasonal
    differences (extremes in temperature; moderate variation in
    precipitation) that contrasts with the consistent seasonal
    differences in the coastal domain (moderate variation in
    temperature; extremes in precipitation).

-   The boundary between these zones is a region of maximum interannual
    variability (little year to year consistency in temperature and
    precipitation) but low mean long term variability.

-   The annual cycle, El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), reversals in
    the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Arctic Oscillation (AO),
    continentality, and seasonal changes in the direction of storms into
    Alaska explain most of the variability in Alaska climate.

-   Interior Alaska and Western Canadian temperatures are more strongly
    influenced by PDO.

-   AO also influences precipitation more than temperature, especially
    along the northern coast and interior Alaska.

-   The first Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)-based
    Alaska vegetation map defined four ecosystems (coastal rainforest,
    western coastal shrub tundra, Arctic tundra and Interior boreal
    forest).

-   One major transition zone exists between the boreal forest and the
    coastal rainforest, formed by Cook Inlet and Copper River basins.

-   The total energy balance, precipitation and their temporal phase
    explains much of the climate/vegetation relations.

### Conceptual models

The conceptual models discussed in both the Central Alaska Network Vital
Signs Monitoring Plan, Phase I and Phase II Reports are integral to
understanding the complexity of the climate variations of elevational
and latitudinal gradients within the parks. The CAKN parks fall within
the continuum of a maritime climate to an interior boreal forest regime
with transitional climate regions between the two complicated by major
mountain ranges which act not only as the environmental controls to
drive climate but also contribute to the highly localized climates found
in complex mountain terrain (Figure 2). There is a vast region where
additional climate stations can greatly enhance our knowledge of the
Alaskan climate, and in particular the climate dynamics of the
ecoregions of the CAKN.

# ![](media/image1.wmf)

Figure 2 Climatic and environmental relationships among ecoregions in
Alaska (from Nowacki et al. 2002). Ecoregions found in Central Alaska
Network parks are shown grouped by ecoregion regime.

In an attempt to better understand climate variation as well as possible
long-term changes in ecosystems of the Central Alaska Network, new
long-term climate monitoring stations will be installed throughout the
three parks in the coming years. These stations will be added to the
existing array of climate stations within and around the three parks
operating under various federal and state programs.

### Program Objectives 

A main objective of the strategy is to monitor and record weather
conditions at representative locations in order to quantify one of the
drivers in Alaskan ecosystems, identify long and short-term trends,
provide reliable climate data to other researchers, and to participate
in larger scale climate monitoring and modeling efforts.

Specific Objectives:

1.  Record long-term trends in temperature and precipitation through
    fully instrumented sites placed in the parks at representative
    areas, and maintain the integrity of existing National Weather
    Service (NWS) Cooperative sites with long-term records \[additional
    upland sites in interior Alaska and sites on the leeward side of the
    Wrangell-St.Elias mountain range will fill considerable gaps in
    climate knowledge of the network as well as the state of Alaska\].

    a.  *Measurements of temperature and precipitation will provide
        information on the primary driver of an ecosystem that in turn
        affects all other components being monitored within the program*

2.  Record long-term trends in secondary climate drivers such as wind
    speed, solar radiation, and relative humidity. These measurements
    provide information on the localized climate. These data are also
    very useful indicators for fire ecology.

    a.  *These measurements are standard measurements that can easily be
        added to an existing station that is recording air temperature
        and precipitation. These data re useful for a variety of
        research projects including vegetation studies, avian
        monitoring, fire ecology, as well as management issues such as
        building specifications, aviation, and safety.*

3.  Evaluate the influence of local and global climate cycles on
    resources within the ecosystem.

    a.  *The CAKN has prioritized the need to monitor the potential of
        global climate change and climate patterns to influence species
        and ecosystems within the parks.* *The existing long-term
        dataset at a number of National Weather Service Cooperative
        Observer Stations in and around DENA, WRST, and YUCH offer a
        substantial history and a head start toward meeting this
        objective, additional climate stations will provide more
        information in the remote areas that lack basic data. These
        stations once placed will provide critical climate information
        with the intent of operating undisturbed for the next 50-100
        years.*

The CAKN Climate Monitoring program objectives will greatly enhance our
knowledge of the changing climate system and provide a robust baseline
to assess changes directly related to changes in the physical
environment.

## II. Sampling Design

### Existing Suite of Information

Existing weather stations within the Central Alaska Network and around
the state of Alaska are generally located in communities and along the
road system at low-lying elevations. There are few sites at higher
elevations or in remote locations. Weather stations that currently exist
in and around the Central Alaska Network are managed by various federal
agencies and private entities. It will be a priority for the network to
ensure that climate stations with long-term data sets continue to
operate indefinitely so that valuable datasets are not compromised. The
stations are operated and maintained by the National Weather Service,
Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources
Conservation Service and the Federal Aviation Administration. These
stations are part of larger networks with existing operating procedures
and protocols. As part of the Central Alaska Network they will continue
to operate under the same guidelines. The programs are described in
Appendix A.

The CAKN climate monitoring program will build upon the foundation of
the program originally designed for the Long-term Ecological Monitoring
(LTEM) program in Denali. Five climate stations have been in operation
in the Rock Creek watershed located near headquarters since 1993-1994.
The locations of the stations are also described in Appendix A.

### Site Selection

The U.S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN) is a network of climate
stations now being developed as part of a National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration ([NOAA](http://www.noaa.gov/)) initiative.
Its primary goal is to provide future long-term homogeneous observations
of temperature and precipitation that can be coupled to long-term
historical observations for the detection and attribution of present and
future climate change. If fully implemented, the network will consist of
about 300 stations nationwide. The philosophical-technological base of
the USCRN is derived from the *Climate Monitoring Principles* as
initially formulated with and reviewed by the government and academic
climate communities in 1992 (see Appendix B).

In 2003, the National Weather Service began to optimize the design of an
improved Alaskan climate observing system in support of its new Climate
Services Program (*Livezy,* 2003), which included the development of the
USCRN within the state of Alaska. Simpson *et al.* (2002 and 2003)
analyzed mean monthly climate maps of surface temperature and
precipitation in Alaska produced by the ANUSPLIN and PRISM models. Based
on the analyses of these models and in response to the NWS objective,
the following suggestions were made for improving the climate
observation system in the state:

1.  Variability in surface temperature and precipitation is not uniform
    throughout Alaska. Therefore, we believe that a uniformly-spaced
    grid is not appropriate.

2.  The regions of largest uncertainty in Alaskan climate variables are
    in some of the most remote places (e.g. the Brooks Range, the North
    Slope, the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains, portions of interior Alaska
    and western Canada, the Aleutian Islands). Upgrading an Alaskan
    climatic observing network should emphasize the instrumentation
    (with satellite-telemetry capability) of such remote and under
    sampled areas.

3.  In locating new observing stations, attention should be given to the
    vast upland areas of the Alaskan interior. In winter, the interior
    atmosphere is often decoupled vertically, due to persistent
    inversions. It is possible that large scale atmospheric variations
    such as ENSO and PDO will affect low-lying areas within the
    inversion layer very differently than upland areas in the free
    atmosphere above this layer. Currently, observational data represent
    low-lying areas almost exclusively.

4.  Precipitation gauges in Alaska should be shielded to minimize
    undercatch. Undercatch of precipitation, especially during winter,
    is now known to be a source of significant measurement uncertainty,
    which can confound analyses of precipitation amount and variability
    both in space and time.

5.  Given the magnitude and cost of the task, partnerships should be
    actively sought with other agencies which share similar needs and
    objectives.

6.  A common set of quality instruments, calibration, analyses, and
    reporting procedures should also be adapted by partnering agencies.

7.  care should be exercised to avoid placing sites in convenient but
    unrepresentative locations (e.g. near airports) simply because they
    are easy to access and maintain or meet other objectives.

8.  Common metadata standards should be defined and implemented by
    partnering to ensure easy access and use of climate data by the
    community.

9.  Electronic delivery of data should be encouraged. All data belong in
    the public domain.

These recommendations were presented at a workshop in Anchorage, Alaska
in 2003 as a preliminary step to the placement of new USCRN sites in the
state. The NPS can play a critical role in the nationwide effort by
collaborating with NOAA on site selections for (Climate Reference
Network) sites. NPS units are preferred locations for long-term
monitoring efforts due to their protected status.

This workshop and Simpson's recommendations coincided with the planning
stages for the development of the climate monitoring plan for CAKN and
plays a crucial role in the development process for the site evaluation
plan carried out in 2003-2004 for the network. Preliminary scoping and
site selection occurred in 2002 and 2003. In 2004, a presentation and
descriptive report documenting the potential sites selected in the
network was given to a network of climatologists for review. The report
also described, in detail, the instrumentation, programming and power
systems recommended for the climate stations. The review panel was asked
to provide a list of prioritized sites for new climate monitoring
stations and provide feedback on the design development of the process
to date. The feedback was positive and a prioritized list of sites for
each of the three parks was formulated. This initial scoping process can
be used to site more stations in the future as time and budgets permit.

The USCRN is in the next stage of development for Alaska and will be
looking at the possibility of placing new sites within NPS units. The
collaboration of NPS and NOAA makes strategic sense and satisfies the
objectives of both programs. A key point that has bearing on climate
monitoring for the CAKN are the notable gaps in the spatial coverage of
the data points used in the climate models for Alaska.

New climate site locations were selected as described in Appendix C:
Climate Monitoring Site Evaluation. Briefly, new sites will be selected
based on a list of criteria developed by NPS staff which was developed
with recommendations from NPS scientists, climate experts, and through
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate
Reference Network site criteria (*NOAA,* 2003). Maps showing the
locations of the new sites selected are in SOP #1, "Climate Station
Locations". SOP #2, "Initiating Compliance and Permitting" addresses the
issue of permitting and compliance within NPS guidelines.

### Parameters being monitored

Temperature and precipitation were identified as the most important
variables or drivers in the ecosystem context, followed by wind, solar
radiation, and relative humidity. The standards used are based on the
World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) Guide to Meteorological
Instrument and Observing Practices (WMO, 1971) and the National Science
Foundation (NSF) Long-term Ecological Research Site Climate Protocols
*(Greenland*, 1986). The list of equipment necessary for procurement for
a climate station is described in SOP #3, "Acquiring the Equipment" and
the climate station specifications are outlined in a matrix in SOP #4,
Climate Station Specifications/Sensor Matrix".

Measuring precipitation in Alaska is inherently difficult. While
rainfall in summer is relatively easy to measure the transitional fall
and winter precipitation events and the snowfall in winter are difficult
to measure accurately, especially when a station is remote. It has been
well documented that wind-induced gauge undercatch of precipitation,
among other known systematic errors, is the greatest source of bias in
precipitation observation (*Yang et al.,* 1999). To reduce the wind
induced undercatch various types of shields can be used depending on the
location and wind exposure. The initial CAKN climate stations will have
shielded tipping buckets on site to record summer rainfall and an
ultrasonic distance sensor that will record the current snowpack depth.

In order to accurately measure year-round precipitation CAKN will work
cooperatively with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The NRCS has been successfully running remote SNOTEL sites, or snow
telemetry sites, in the state of Alaska for many years. The details of
snowpack monitoring are described in the Snowpack Monitoring Protocol
for the Central Alaska Network.

## III. Installation Methods

### Equipment Purchase

Campbell Scientific, Incorporated (CSI) research-grade meteorological
instrumentation is being used for the CAKN climate stations. Although
the equipment is purchased through this vendor the sensor array is not
limited to this manufacturer. For example, a R. M. Young Wind Monitor is
used to measure wind speed and direction, but the instrument is sold
through CSI for compatibility with their data logger. SOP #3 identifies
the initial equipment list that was purchased for this project.
Equipment was purchased in FY2002 and assembled and operated locally for
trouble-shooting and assessment. During FY2003, two stations were also
tested in field locations in cooperation with other park projects. In
2004, remote stations were deployed for further testing within the
design development phase. This testing phase is an extremely valuable
stage for the network. Inherent bugs in programming, instrumentation,
power systems, and many other miscellaneous problems will be identified
before the stations are fully operational. The stations were
specifically designed for remote, high latitude, extreme cold
conditions.

### Datalogger Programming

A CSI CR10X datalogger is being used for the initial installation.
Technological advances in this type of equipment should be expected and
planned for in the budget. The CR10X data logger is currently programmed
with the software LoggerNet produced by Campbell Scientific,
Incorporated. See SOP #5, "Datalogger Software Instructions". The
version used during the climate station installation in 2004 is Version
2.1C. This version will most likely be updated within the next year. It
is important to keep the software current. Downloads of patches for
upgrades are generally available on the CSI website at
[http://www.campbellsci.com](http://www.campbellsci.com/) It is
recommended that CSI technicians be contacted at least once a year to
verify which versions of software are being used; they also make this
information available via their website and mailings.

CSI CR21X dataloggers are being used for the LTEM sites located in
Denali. These dataloggers are retired, but still supported by CSI. These
dataloggers will be replaced with CR10X dataloggers when CSI will no
longer do repairs. Instructions manuals for these older dataloggers are
available via hardcopy at DNP&P or by request at CSI. The current
software described below supports these older models.

EDLOG is the name of the programming function within LoggerNet that
allows for individually tailored programs to be compiled by the station
operator depending upon the sensors used and the time intervals desired
for measurements. This programming tool provides flexibility not found
in other instrumentation. The initial program developed for the design
phase deployment is named CAKN_1 and is included in SOP #6, "Campbell
Scientific Programming" along with a brief explanation of the functions
of the EDLOG software. The nomenclature for future programming versions
should include a date but the file name cannot exceed 8 characters, an
example would be V1_104 where V1_1 is Version 1.1 created in 2004,
subsequent versions would increment to the next number, i.e. V1.\_205.
The CR10X Measurement and Control System's Operator's Manual should be
made available to anyone programming the dataloggers. These manuals come
with the original purchase of the datalogger or can be obtained by
contacting CSI.

### Satellite Communication

The hourly data from the climate stations are transmitted via satellite
telemetry. Prior to programming a satellite transmitter a Geostationary
Operational Environmental

Satellites (GOES) Data Collection System (DCS) ID needs to be obtained
from the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration's (NOAA)
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
(NESDIS). The GOES Data Collection System (DCS) is a relay system used
to collect information from earth-based platforms. These platforms
transmit an electronic signal, containing the environmental data
observed by the sensors on the platform, at predefined wavelengths and
times. The transponder on board the satellite detects this signal, and
then rebroadcasts it so that it can be picked up by the ground equipment
at the Wallops Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) station, in Wallops
Island, Virginia. Use of the GOES Data Collection System is regulated,
by law, to the collection of environmental data by U.S. federal, state,
and local government agencies, and by international government agencies
and research organizations with a U.S. government sponsor. A prospective
user must first apply for and be granted a System Use Agreement (SUA) by
NESDIS, which is typically renewable every 5 years (2 years for
manufacturers). Once the SUA has been approved and signed, the user must
purchase equipment that has been certified to be compatible with the
GOES DCS. A request for thirteen new IDs was made in 2002; currently 11
of the 13 are assigned to specific locations. SOP #7, "Obtaining a
GOES/DCS ID" includes the DCS System User Agreement form that needs to
be included in the application for new user IDs along with the user
agreements and the current IDs assigned for the CAKN climate stations.

A Seimac High Data Rate (HDR) satellite transmitter is being used for
the initial installation of climate stations. There will be periodic
updates to the software of the transmitter. Prior to any field visit
contact Campbell Scientific, Inc., to inquire about the latest upgrades.
The transmitter is programmed using DCPComm for Windows distributed by
Seimac Limited. The software is included with the purchase of the
transmitter. Version 1.9 build 2 was used during the initial
installation. The current operating program used in the transmitters is
Version 3.2.4 current as of August 2004. The version of the operating
program will be continually updated. SOP #8, "Programming the HDR GOES
Transmitter" describes the methods used to program the SAT HDR GOES
Transmitter using DCPComm software.

### Equipment Deployment

Prior to going to the field to install a station a number of steps need
to be taken. All equipment must be prepared, packed, and double checked
before the trip commences. SOP #9, "Deployment List" describes the
method to packing the equipment that will ensure the package is complete
for transport and the tool list required for installation and
maintenance of CAKN climate stations. The climate station will be
installed according to the CSI Instruction Manual entitled "Tripod
Weather Station", installation procedures specific to CAKN climate
stations is described in SOP #10, "Installation of a CAKN Climate
Station" and SOP #10a, "Campbell Scientific, Inc. Tripod Instruction
Manual" is the complete CSI Instruction Manual.

The complete tower or tripod can be procured through Campbell
Scientific, Inc. This package will include a tripod, grounding rod,
ground cables, lightning rod, and tripod rebar pegs. This set-up can
also be built, but will require the purchase of all hardware necessary
for a complete tripod installation. The power system, including deep
cycle sealed lead acid batteries, arctic grade wire, and solar panels,
was purchased within the state of Alaska. Procurement of a solar panel
that will power the current array of sensors is required. At the time of
the initial installation a combination of solar panels with a total
wattage of between 60 -- 75 watts was being used. Two 100 amp hour 12
Volt batteries were used at each site with terminal connectors
connecting the batteries in parallel. Arctic grade wire, resistant to
freezing and UV damage was used for all wiring connections. Slight
modifications to some of the sensor mounting devices were made to ensure
accurate measurements. Because a larger solar panel was mounted on the
tripod this necessitated moving the air temperature sensor away from the
tripod mast so as not to be affected by the shading or warming produced
by the panel. The extended arm for the air temperature sensor used
channel unistrut for a mounting device and was counter balanced with the
snow depth sensor extending in the other direction between two of the
tripod legs. This placement was necessary so that the snow depth sensor
would not read the leg of the tripod when sending an ultrasonic reading
towards the ground to determine snowpack depth. A four foot pipe was
used to mount the tipping bucket away from the tripod, and flexible
conduit was used to protect the 25' sensor lead. Soil temperature probes
were placed at .5 and 1 meter depths using a combination of a soil auger
and digging bar. In some cases a square meter pit was dug and the probes
pushed into the soil horizon at the appropriate depth. The use of the
soil auger method is preferred because it requires fewer disturbances to
the ground. Standard mounting arms were used for the wind monitor and
pyranometer.

Each of the sensors used as part of climate station have individual
instruction manuals that contain important information on the sensor
specifications, including, wiring diagrams, programming examples, and
maintenance requirements. It is convenient to have two copies of each
instruction manual for each sensor, one for the office and one for the
field. These manuals can also be downloaded from the CSI website. SOP
#11, "Links to Instruction Manuals" contains links to all of the current
instruction manuals used for the initial deployment.

The CR10X datalogger should be programmed before the field deployment.
The program will be available via laptop and PDA if this step is left
out. The GOES High Data Rate transmitter (or current transmitter) should
also be programmed before field deployment. It is recommended that both
the program and the satellite communication set-up be tested at the
office at least a week before the installation.

Station deployment requires the logistical coordination of a fixed-wing
airplane, helicopter or vehicle depending upon the site selected. The
weight of a complete station, including tools is approximately 550 lbs.
The equipment fits well in a Cessna 206, but would require two trips in
a Cessna 185. Depending on the size of the helicopter and the personnel
involved it might require multiple trips to complete an installation.
For maintenance trips one flight should be adequate. Each park and
adjacent land owner follows different protocols or guidelines for
flights within their jurisdiction. All proper protocols need to be
followed, make arrangements well before the before the trip is scheduled
to take place. This will require inquiries as to the conditions of
remote airstrips, fuel locations and availability, potential hazards,
required OAS training, the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
On the day of the trip, flight plans should be filed with the
appropriate authority involved whether it is the park communication
center or the Federal Aviation Administration.

### Collecting Climate Data

The CR10X dataloggers have a memory capacity of 2 MB. This capacity can
store the current amount of generated data for more than a year before
beginning to overwrite the earliest information. The data are processed
hourly within the datalogger and moved to a final storage area. Each
hour the datalogger is programmed to send the data stream to the GOES
transmitter for a satellite transmission. These data will remain in
final storage until the datalogger is accessed via computer or laptop
and manually downloaded. These data should be downloaded each time the
site is visited and stored appropriately in appropriate files. SOP #12,
"Climate Station Data Collection -- PDA" details the file download
procedures using a Palm Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and SOP #13,
"Climate Station Data Collection -- LoggerNet" describes the procedures
for data download using a laptop computer with LoggerNet software. These
data will be sent via File Transfer Program (FTP) to the Western
Regional Climate Center for permanent archiving. This will ensure that
the transmitted data (received automatically by WRCC) matches the data
record from the datalogger. It is likely that there will be missed
transmissions, but the record in the datalogger will be complete.

The CR21X data loggers used for the LTEM climate stations in Denali NP&P
store the data onsite in SM192/SM716 Storage Modules. These storage
modules need to be manually swapped every couple months. SOP #14,
Climate Station Data Collection-Storage Module" details the methods for
collecting data using a CSI Storage Module.

The GOES transmitter is programmed to relay the data via the GOES west
satellite each hour. The data are then received by the NOAA NESDIS
Wallops Command and data Acquisition Station in Wallops Island, VA. The
Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station is responsible for ensuring
scheduled data flow from NOAA satellites to designated user subsystems.
It acquires, maintains, and distributes a continuous flow of
meteorological satellite data. At this point anyone who has the
satellite ID for a specific climate station can access the data. The
data is stored onsite at Wallops for 72 hours and is available via the
internet at <http://dcs.noaa.gov/default.asp>. The site requires each
new user to fill out an application for accessing the site. The agencies
that have access to the site that are cooperating with the NPS are the
BLM National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, ID, the Western
Regional Climate Center (WRCC) in Reno, NV, and the National Weather
Service (NWS), Alaska Region.

The climate stations of the CAKN have been set-up to go through the
existing Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) system headquartered at
NIFC. There are a few advantages to the data flowing through NIFC, they
are 1) the data have quality control through a built-in watchdog system,
2) NIFC has a software program that can post process the data, 3) the
data are automatically set up to link to WRCC and NWS. 4) the existing
RAWS depot infrastructure is capable of handling additional stations 5)
the Automated Sorting, Conversion and Distribution System **(**ASCADS)
takes the selected data from Wallops Island Data Collection System and
sorts it into a relational database, 6) WRCC and NWS automatically
receive the data from NIFC so additional work is unnecessary, and 7) the
ASCADS software system tracks changes to the site including maintenance
trips, sensor serial numbers, sensor types and a narrative section for
any comments pertaining to the station

### Maintenance and Calibration

Although these systems are automated they need human oversight and
continued attention to provide the quality of data that will be useful
to a long term climate record. The acquisition and deployment costs are
a small fraction of the lifetime costs that include maintenance, quality
control and data handling. In order to ensure accurate weather readings,
a program of regularly scheduled maintenance/calibration (annual
rehabilitation), and timely response to system failures (emergency
repair) is required. This maintenance plan requires every CAKN station
to receive at a minimum, an annual rehabilitation/maintenance site
visit.

All sensors are calibrated before installation using NIST-traceable
standards. The data loggers are calibrated over their environmental
range by the manufacturer using NIST-traceable standards of voltage and
frequency. The sensors are then calibrated on a schedule suitable to the
individual sensor described in SOP #15, "Station Maintenance/calibration
schedule". Annual maintenance trips will be scheduled to deal with
routine maintenance issues, sensor calibration rotations, and data
downloads. Additionally, if a station goes offline for any period of
time emergency maintenance might be required to repair the station as
soon as possible so that data gaps are minimal. This might require
additional expenses in the winter when aviation contractors and use of
aircraft is somewhat prohibitive due to availability of aircraft and
temperature extremes. All visits to the sites will be well documented
and included with the metadata for the site. SOP #16, "Site Visit
Documentation Checklist" and SOP #17, Photographical Documentation
Checklist" contain the information needed to do a complete station visit
including photographical documentation. An appropriate maintenance
frequency and intensity will be recommended following completion of the
pilot project to assess within and between year maintenance needs. At
least one annual maintenance trip per site will be necessary to download
data and calibrate sensors. Each maintenance trip will be logged in two
places. One is within the ASCADS system, and the other is the station
operator's maintenance logs SOP #18, "Keeping maintenance Logs"

## IV. Data Management

Management and stewardship are some of the most important activities to
be undertaken in climate monitoring in order to ensure that high-quality
climate data records are collected, retained and are accessible for
analysis and/or re-analysis by current and future generations of
scientists. The preservation of the data for future use requires
facilities and infrastructure to ensure the long-term storage of the
data. Once data are in electronic format, the data must be continually
migrated to newer storage devices and access software or consistent
format in order to preserve the data for sustained future use. Another
key component of data management includes adequate monitoring of the
data stream. This includes timely quality control of the observations
and notification to observing system operators and managers of both
random and systematic errors, so that corrective action can occur.

### Overview of Data Flow

The data from the climate stations is transmitted via satellite to
Wallops Island, Virginia and from there is intercepted by NIFC where it
is processed and sent on to WRCC for archiving and NWS for weather
forecasting and archiving. All data is stored in the datalogger on site
and downloaded via computer on an annual basis. The dataset from the
datalogger is sent to WRCC to ensure the data archive is complete. The
data are then available via clickable link through the WRCC website
which will be linked to the CAKN website. Near real-time data will be
available as well as archived data.

### Data Quality Control

The CAKN climate data is automatically set up to be ingested by ASCADS.
ASCADS has three primary functions:

-   Retrieve data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental
    Satellite (GOES), convert it to a format compatible with various
    national systems and forward the data to those systems.

-   Track entire RAWS network, regardless of agency, regardless of
    telemetry method. This database includes comprehensive metadata
    about the stations.

-   Provide an on-line shared database containing documentation of
    annual calibration and maintenance of each individual automated
    weather station operated by the wildland fire community.\*

\*The NPS CAKN stations are included in this database.

To assure data quality for CAKN climate stations the system will be
monitored at all levels of data acquisition and storage. The site
operator/program manager is responsible for the first level of quality
assurance including:

-   ensuring that maintenance is performed and individual maintenance
    logs are kept up to date

-   documentation of activities on each station is completed in ASCADS.

-   visually checking outputs from the station on a regular basis
    (daily) to assure that the information is reflective of actual
    conditions.

Quality of the data is checked through the ASCADS watchdog summary
reports that are sent weekly to the station operators. These summaries
flag anomalies in the data stream and alert the operator. The ASCADS
system logs all anomalies which are available for review by the station
operator. It is imperative that the current station operator's name,
phone number, and e-mail are included in the database. Datasets can be
reconciled at a later data after the datalogger is downloaded manually.
If there are obvious anomalies, for example if the soil temperature at
.5 meters reads -53°C, there is obviously a problem with the sensor or
the programming. These data will be flagged within the dataset and the
anomaly will be recorded in the metadata associated with the station.
The contacts for NIFC, including the user agreement form that must be
completed before using ASCADS is detailed in SOP #19, " Data Quality-
Accessing ASCADS" and SOP #20, "Entering metadata in ASCADS" describes
using ASCADS.

Once a problem is detected it is the responsibility of the station
operator/program manager to determine the response time for repair. If
the manager is relatively confident that the problem is with the
telemetry, he/she may choose to wait for a logistically opportune time
to visit the site knowing that the data logger is most likely recording
the hourly data on-site. For example, if the station stops transmitting
in January and there is a memo regarding the potential failure of the
satellite transmitter, it might be more logistically and financially
feasible to wait until warmer weather so that the visit is more
productive. This section of the protocol regarding response time needs
to be developed further after a few years of remote testing gives a more
realistic view of average repair frequency.

According to the CAKN Data Management Plan:

*A statement addressing data quality for a given I&M project will be
written by the project lead immediately after completion of data
verification and validation. The data quality statement will be included
in the project metadata. Subsequent data collection, entry and
validation events executed under the same I&M project will be
accompanied by additional data-quality statements by the project lead.
Each iteration of data collection, entry and validation will be clearly
recorded in the project metadata such that all such data events for the
project are discernible.*

To accomplish this task for climate data, ideally every month the
climate monitoring specialist would monitor the data availability
statistics generated by the WRCC data analysis tool. Stations that have
had less than 97% data availability for the month are flagged. During
the next site visit the data are downloaded and sent to WRCC and the
data availability is checked again. The annual report will include the
data availability for all CAKN stations and reasons behind any missing
data will be recorded in the metadata.

### Metadata Procedures

Many inconsistencies and apparent biases and inhomogeneities in the data
can be addressed if adequate metadata information is available.
International standards and procedures for the storage and exchange of
metadata are in the process of being developed and implemented for world
wide climate observing systems. In 2004, the WMO Commission for
Climatology (CCl) published guidelines for metadata and homogeneity that
begins to address this concern. The CAKN climate monitoring plan has
made every effort to be consistent with the current climate observation
standards and will stay abreast of any developments in the field so that
the stations can record the most consistent and comparable data.

Complete documentation on each system down to the individual sensor
level is integral for the program. Documentation on site visits will be
a standard procedure that follows the guideline described in SOP 18 and
19. The metadata will include site photos and panoramas; lists of all
instruments by serial number; dates of installation and removal of
instruments; sensor calibration histories; site installation and
maintenance histories; procedures for installation, calibration, and
maintenance, and any and all other details associated with the
instrument, site, data stream, etc. remembering that it is not possible
to over document.

These site visit checklists will be filed as hardcopies and used by the
program manager to update ASCADS upon return to the office. The period
of update should be no longer than 5 days after the site visit so that
the details of the trip are fresh. Any requests by WRCC, NCDC, or NIFC
for metadata should be complied with in a timely manner.

### Data Archiving Procedures -- National and Network

Climate data archives, more so than any other monitoring component, will
be accessed long after the current station operators and program
managers are gone. It is imperative that the climate data recorded by
the CAKN stations are assimilated into national databases so that these
data can be accessed by the public. All CAKN climate data that are
transmitted via satellite telemetry will automatically be archived with
the Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC) and the National Climatic
Data Center (NCDC).

> *The mission of the WRCC is to disseminate high quality climate data
> and information pertaining to the western United States; foster better
> use of this information in decision-making; conduct applied research
> related t o climate issues; and improve the coordination of
> climate-related activities at state, regional and national scales. The
> WRCC, inaugurated in 1986, is one of six regional climate centers in
> the United States. The regional climate center program is administered
> by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Specific
> oversight is provided by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) of
> the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
> (NESDIS).*

NCDC is the world's largest active archive of weather data. NCDC
supports a three tier national climate services support program - the
partners include: NCDC, Regional Climate Centers, and State
Climatologists.

> *The mission of the NCDC is to manage the Nation\'s resource of global
> climatological in-situ and remotely sensed data and information to
> promote global environmental stewardship; to describe, monitor and
> assess the climate; and to support efforts to predict changes in the
> Earth\'s environment. This effort requires the acquisition, quality
> control, processing, summarization, dissemination, and preservation of
> a vast array of climatological data generated by the national and
> international meteorological services. NCDC\'s mission is global in
> nature and provides the U.S. climate representative to the World
> Meteorological Organization, the World Data Center System, and other
> international scientific programs. NCDC also operates the World Data
> Center for Meteorology, Asheville.*

All other climate data collected by the CAKN climate monitoring program,
which are not transmitted via satellite, will be transferred to the WRCC
via file transfer at periodic intervals. This is outlined in the
cooperative agreement initiated in 2004 and included as Appendix D.
These data will then be disseminated via the WRCC/CAKN website and
archived at WRCC and NCDC. These data, mainly the LTEM prototype data
from Denali will be transferred in their entirety to the WRCC archives
so that the electronic data archive is complete and in one place. This
specific task is addressed in the 2004 cooperative agreement with WRCC

### 

### Accessing Data

These data are available via request from either location. Annual
compilations can be requested from WRCC for hard copy storage on site
with either the program manager or the network data manager. Electronic
files can be downloaded on an annual basis for inclusion in the network
database if desired, however the NPS system is currently not set up for
a database of this size. The continuous flow of climate data on an
hourly basis from all of the CAKN climate stations would require the use
of a larger system, such as Oracle, capable of handling large volumes of
data. SOP #21, "Data Access and Archiving" describes the data access and
archiving process.

## V. Analysis and Reporting

### Annual Reporting

These data will be used in unlimited ways by researchers, park
scientists, park managers, various federal and state agencies, and the
general public. However, a standard reporting format should be agreed
upon that will provide the reader with a general concept of a given
climate year. A report of this nature would include a general climatic
synopsis derived from climate summaries from around the state paired
with specific data from the sites such as mean annual air temperature,
extreme temperatures, precipitation totals, growing degree days, average
wind speeds and direction, snow depth and duration, and incoming solar
radiation during the growing season. Correlations could be made to the
30-year climate norms available for major cities and towns with long
climate records. The procedures for reporting are described in SOP #22,
"Reporting".

### Climate Data Analysis

The details of the data analysis are being developed through a data
analysis contract concurrent with the protocol development and will be
finalized in 2005. The reporting tools are also being developed through
a cooperative agreement with the Western Regional Climate Center.
Critical tasks outlined in the cooperative agreements and contracts
pertaining to data analysis include the following:

WRCC agreement: (Due December 31, 2004)

-   Develop web based tools for analysis of CAKN climate data by
    December 31, 2004. Products may include capabilities to produce and
    analyze data derived from original climate data, including
    departures from normal, interim averages and trends, trends and
    manipulations (averages, etc) of individual data streams. An ability
    to compare data with derived data. Chart and table production and
    download capability (in common file formats). A packaged report
    suite that could serve as a period report for CAKN parks (i.e.:
    "annual station report for CAKN" might include charts parameter with
    all stations on the chart, a table of station averages and
    departures from normal, comparisons to longer-term Alaska stations
    (FAI, ANC).)

Climate data Analysis Contract (Due June 2005)

-   Analyze existing data -- mean, maxima, and minima temperatures,
    diurnal temperature ranges, and total precipitation for all sites
    using statistical methods most suitable to the dataset which may
    include, linear trends using time series modeling, spectral
    analysis, quadratic regressions, Autoregressive (AR) and
    Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models using an
    iterative process, Autocorrelation functions (ACF) and Partial
    Autocorrelation functions (PACF). Produce climate norms for weather
    stations with data sets with 30+ year records, and highlight years
    where there were marked shifts from the norm. A full narrative
    description of the steps involved in the analysis will be included
    in the findings.

The data management plan outlined in this protocol has been discussed
with both Doug Wilder, CAKN data manager and Jon Paynter, Denali GIS
specialist, and both agreed that this action for data dissemination and
archiving of climate data seems logistically sound. The process should
be reviewed after the data contracts and cooperative agreements are
completed and the program is fully operational.

## VI. Personnel Requirements and Training

### Roles and Responsibilities

Program Manager --The climate monitoring specialist will take the lead
in implementing this monitoring program supervised by the Physical
Scientist at Denali National Park and Preserve. The program manager is
responsible for appropriate site selection and placement of climate
stations, station maintenance, and assurance that accurate observations
are taken and transmitted via satellite. This includes reading and
assuring appropriate response to "watchdog" reports, addressing
maintenance issues with promptness, and visual checks of data on a
frequent basis to assure that station readings are reflective of actual
conditions. The data management aspect of the monitoring is the joint
responsibility of the project manager, CAKN data manager and the
entities under agreement with the climate monitoring program for climate
data archiving and dissemination. Data QA/QC is the responsibility of
the program manager and the contractors and partners under agreements.
The program manager will be the technical representative on all
contracts related to climate data archiving and dissemination and will
stay up to date on technological advances in the field, ensuring that
the CAKN climate monitoring program is consistent with other national
programs. The program manager is also responsible for climate monitoring
reporting on an annual basis.

These are the additional positions that should be considered in the
future if climate monitoring is addressed on a regional basis rather
than at the network level.

> Field Support Technician/First Responder - Responsible for performing
> annual site
>
> maintenance and for responding to system failures in a timely manner,
> and documenting in
>
> ASCADS. Provides status reports to Program Manager.

Agency/Regional Climate Coordinator - Responsible for agency/regional
level

> oversight and quality control. This includes spot checks for data
> accuracy and station
>
> status. Assures that training is available at the regional/local level
> as needed. Assists with station operation and lifecycle management
> planning. Integrates climate monitoring program with other I&M
> disciplines at the regional level.
>
> Maintenance Depot Manager - Responsible for regional level oversight
> of climate station maintenance. Maintains warehouse of sensors and
> equipment necessary for station maintenance. Manages logistics and
> maintenance schedules. Field support technicians would be based out of
> the maintenance depot.

### Qualifications and Training

Before engaging in CSI datalogger programming, it is highly recommended
that the station manager attend the three day CR10X/Loggernet training
course offered by CSI. There is a high level of technical skill required
to keep the climate stations running. Effective troubleshooting must be
done in the field to eliminate redundant site visits that incur high
logistical costs such as helicopter time. The quality of the data
produced is determined by the attention to maintenance details by the
program manager.

The data quality is also dependant on outside agencies and contractors
that will be represented by the program manager. Understanding how the
data flow through the various steps of the process is integral to making
the program run smoothly and efficiently. If there is a problem, the
program manger must determine at which level the problem is occurring,
and how best to manage the problem if it resides outside of the agencies
responsibilities. The success of the climate monitoring program is built
upon partnerships and how they are effectively managed.

## VII. Operational Requirements

### Annual Workload and Field Schedule

Climate monitoring is ongoing and constant. Data are transmitted every
hour, of every day, 365 days a year. However, it is preferable that
annual maintenance trips be scheduled between May and September to avoid
working in extreme conditions. Travel to remote locations is generally
safer in the summer months when surviving the elements is not as
critical. Each station in the CAKN climate monitoring network needs to
be visited for maintenance and calibration at least once a year. It is
preferable to visit stations once in the spring and again in the fall
before the long winter. If a station is offline, that station should
have priority and be visited as soon as reasonably possible. A response
time for station repairs needs to be determined after a few years of
"burn in" time to determine the frequency of potential repairs. One day
per station should be allotted for maintenance. The LTEM stations in
Denali require a site visit at least every two months. Problems with
these stations are only discovered when the site is visited since there
is no telemetry involved. This requires two days to access all of the
sites and perform basic maintenance.

### Facility and Equipment Needs

The inventory for the climate monitoring program consists of sensor
replacements, tools, field equipment, batteries, solar panels, steel
pipes, channel unistrut, plywood, and other miscellaneous equipment.
This equipment now occupies an entire office at Denali NP&P. This office
is scheduled to be removed in 2005. A replacement storage area is needed
to house this equipment. It is preferable to have a heated storage area
so that the space can double as a workspace for anticipated electronic
repairs and testing. An office for the program manager including a
computer and limited equipment storage is provided at Denali.

A vehicle will be necessary for the field visits between the three
parks. This vehicle will travel between Denali and Fairbanks and Denali
and Glenallen with periodic trips to Anchorage. Equipment needs are
listed in SOP #18 Maintenance Checklist.

Future considerations for a climate depot that would house the program
manager, maintenance manager, and maintenance crew for the Alaska region
are being discussed with partner agencies. This type of facility would
serve the NPS climate monitoring programs as well as the BLM, NWS, and
other federal and state climate monitoring programs for the state of
Alaska.

### Startup Costs and Budget Considerations 

For the operational phase costs the personnel expenses are based on one
field technician for the summer season between May and September. The
dates will vary from year to year. The fieldwork travel includes the
program manager plus the field technician's travel between the three
parks in the network, plus any filed time within the individual parks.
The OAS costs include travel to and from remote sites via fixed-wing
aircraft or helicopter. The initial equipment was purchased in 2002 and
is itemized in SOP 3 -- Initial Equipment List. The annual equipment and
supplies cost will include sensor calibrations, sensor replacements,
upgrades, maintenance, and new equipment when necessary. Cooperative
agreements for data archiving and data dissemination will be initiated
with the Western Regional Climate Center and renewed every 5-10 years.

  -------------------------------------------- ------------ ---------------
  **Estimated Costs**                          **Design     **Operational
                                               Phase**      Phase**

  Field Work (Technician Salary)               11,000       11,000

  Field Work (Travel)                          3,000        5,000

  OAS Aircraft Costs                           18,000       15,000

  Startup Equipment Costs                      100,000      

  Annual equipment/supplies                                 10,000

  Cooperative Agreement WRCC/Data Contract     34,000       5,000

  **Total**                                    166,000      46,000
  -------------------------------------------- ------------ ---------------

### 

### Procedures for making changes to and Archiving Previous Versions of the Protocol

Over time, revisions to both the Protocol Narrative and to specific
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are to be expected. Careful
documentation of changes to the protocol, and a library of previous
protocol versions are essential for maintaining consistency in within
the program.

The rationale for dividing a sampling protocol into a Protocol Narrative
with supporting SOPs is based on the following:

-   The Protocol Narrative is a general overview of the protocol that
    gives the history and justification for doing the work and an
    overview of the sampling methods, but that does not provide all of
    the methodological details. The Protocol Narrative will only be
    revised if major changes are made to the protocol.

-   The SOPs, in contrast, are very specific step-by-step instructions
    for performing a given task. They are expected to be revised more
    frequently than the protocol narrative.

-   When a SOP is revised, in most cases, it is not necessary to revise
    the Protocol Narrative to reflect the specific changes made to the
    SOP.

-   All versions of the Protocol Narrative and SOPs will be archived in
    a Protocol Library.

The steps for changing the protocol (either the Protocol Narrative or
the SOPs) are outlined in SOP \# 23, "Revising the Protocol". Each SOP
contains a Revision History Log that should be filled out each time a
SOP is revised to explain why the change was made, and to assign a new
Version Number to the revised SOP. The new version of the SOP and/or
Protocol Narrative should then be archived in the CAKN Protocol Library
under the appropriate folder. (*Peitz, et al*., 2002)

## VIII. References

Alaska Regional Assessment Group. 1999.

Bjorn, L. O., T.V. Callaghan, C.Gehrke, D. Gwynne Jones, B.Holmgren, U.
Johanson, and

> M.Sonesson, Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on sub-Arctic
> vegetation, In *Ecology of Arctic Environments*, edited by S.
> J.Woodin, and M.Marquiss, Blackwell Science, Oxford, United Kingdom,
> pp.241-253, 1997.

Callaghan,T.V., C. Korner, S.E.Lee, and J. H.C. Cornelison, Part 1:
Scenarios for ecosystem

> responses to global change,in *Global Change in Europe's Cold*
> *Regions*, edited by O.W. Heal,T.V. Callaghan, J. H.C. Cornelissen,C.
> Korner and S.E.Lee,pp.11-63, European Commission Ecosystems Research
> Report 27, Luxembourg,1998.

Chapman, W. L., and J. E.Walsh, Recent variations of sea ice and air
temperature in high latitudes,

*Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 74,* 1, 33-47, 1993.

Greenland, D. editor, 1986. Standardized Meteorological Measurements for
Long Term Ecological Research Sites. Prepared by The Long term
Ecological Research Climate Committee. Niwot Ridge/Green Lakes Valley
Site. University of Colorado, 33p.

Jones, H.G., J.W. Pomeroy, D.A. Walker, and R.W. Hoham. 2001. Snow
ecology. An

interdisciplinary examination of snow-covered ecosystems. Cambridge
University Press.

Karl, T.R., V.E. Derr, D.R. Easterling, C.K. Folland, D.J. Hoffman, S.
Levitus, N.Nicholls, D.E. Parker, and G.W. Withee, 1995: Critical issues
for long-term climate monitoring. *Climatic Change*, 31, 185-221.

Keyser, A.R., Kimball JS, Nemani RR, and Running SW. 2000. Simulating
the effects of climatic

> change on the carbon balance of North American high-latitude forests.
> *Global Change* *Biol* 2000: 185--95.

Livezey, R. (2003) NWS climate Services. Presentation to NWS Regional
Directors, February 7, 2003.

MacCluskie, M. and K. Oakley, 2002. Central Alaska Network Vital Signs
Monitoring Plan

Phase I Report. 126 pp.

MacCluskie, M. and K. Oakley, 2003. Central Alaska Network Vital Signs
Monitoring Plan

Phase II Report. 114 pp.

National Research Council (NRC), 1999: [Adequacy of Climate Observing
Systems](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/good-bye.pl?src=http://books.nap.edu/books/0309063906/html/R1.html),
National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2002. U.S.
Climate Reference Network Site Information Handbook. National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Climatic Data Center
(NCDC), 17 p.

Olsson, Peter Q., L.D. Hinzman, M. Sturm, G.E. Liston, D.L. Kane. 2002.
Surface Climate and

Snow -- Weather relationships of the Kuparuk basin on Alaska's Arctic
Slope. Cold

> Regions Research and Engineering laboratory. Technical Report
> ERDC/CRREL TR-02-10. 50 p.

Overpeck, J., K. Hughen, D. Hardy, R. Bradley, R. Case, M. Douglas, B.
Finney, K. Gajewski, G.

> Facoby, A. Jennings, S. Lamoureaux, A. Lasca, G. MacDonald, J. Moore,
> M. Retelle, S. Smith, A. Wolfe, and G. Zielinski, 1997. Arctic
> environmental change of the last four centuries. *Science* 278,
> 1251-1256.

Parson, E.A., L. Carter, P. Anderson, B. Wang, G. Weller, 2000.
Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change for Alaska.
U.S. National Assessment of the Potential Consequences of Climate
Variability and Change, Chapter 10. National Assessment Synthesis Team,
2000. 283-312.

# Pietz, D.G., S.G. Fancy, L.P. Thomas, B. Witcher. 2002. Bird Monitoring Protocol for Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska and Tallgrass Praire National Preserve, Kansas. Praire Cluster Prototype Monitoring Program. Prepared for: National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 24p.

Simpson, J.J., G.L. Hufford, M. Fleming, J.S. Berg and J.B. Ashton.
2002, Long-term climate

> patterns in Alaskan surface temperature and precipitation and their
> biological consequences, *IEEE Trans. Goes. Rem. Sens*., 40, 1164-1184

Simpson, J.J., G.L. Hufford, C. Daly, J.S. Berg, M.D. Fleming. 2003.
Submitted to *Weather and*

*Forecasting*. Two Views of Alaskan Surface temperature and
Precipitation: Implication

> for the Development of an Improved Operational Climate Monitoring
> System.

Starfield, A.M. and F.S. Chapin. 1996. Model of transient changes in
arctic and boreal vegetation

in response to climate and land use change. Ecological Applications
6:842-854.

Taalas, P., J. Damski,E. Kyro,M.Ginzburg,and G. Talamoni,The effect of
stratospheric ozone

> variations on UV radiation and on tropospheric ozone at high
> latitudes, *Journal of Geophysical Research*, *102*(D1),
> 1533-1543,1997.

Thompson, D. W. J., and J. M. Wallace, 2001: Regional Climate Impacts of
the Northern

Hemisphere Annular Mode. *Science*, 293, 85-89.

Weller, G., and M. Lange, eds.,1999. Impacts of global climate change in
the Arctic regions.

> Report from a Workshop on the Impacts of Global Climate Change, 25-26
> April 1999, Tromsø, Norway. International Arctic Science Committee,
> Oslo, 59 pp.

Weller,G.A.,and P.A.Anderson (Eds.),Implications of global change in
Alaska and the Bering

> Sea region, Proceedings of a Workshop, June 3-6 1997,Center for Global
> Change and Arctic System Research,University of Alaska Fairbanks,1998.

Weller,G.,A. Lynch,T. Osterkamp,and G.Wendler, Climate trends and
scenarios,in Implications

> of Global Change in Alaska and the Bering Sea Region: Proceedings of a
> Workshop, June 3-6 1997,edited by G.A.Weller and P.A.Anderson,Center
> for Global Change

and Arctic System Research,University of Alaska, Fairbanks,Alaska,1998.

Wilder, D.,editor, 2004. Data Management Plan, Central Alaska Network.
National Park Service. Inventory and Monitoring Program, Fairbanks, AK.
xx pg

WMO, 1971. Guide to Meteorological Instrument and Observing practices,
4^th^ edition,

WMO No 8, TP3. World Meteorological Organization, Geneva.

[Appendix A]{.underline}