Expansion of the Southeast Alaska Network Vital Signs Monitoring Program to the Outer Coasts of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

A comprehensive expansion of the Southeast Alaska Network Vital Signs Monitoring Program to the Outer Coast regions of Wrangell-St. Elias and Glacier Bay national parks and preserves has been proposed, aiming to establish baseline conditions and inform long-term interdisciplinary monitoring efforts. This initiative addresses rapid environmental changes driven by multiple stressors, including rising temperatures, ocean acidification, glacier dynamics, isostatic rebound, and increased vessel traffic. The research leverages established protocols for vital signs such as weather and climate, glacial dynamics, landform and landcover, oceanography, marine predators, and environmental contaminants. By integrating physical, chemical, and biological data through quantitative analyses and systems-level models, the study seeks to identify ecosystem linkages, document resource status and trends, and pinpoint future monitoring needs. Results will contribute to peer-reviewed publications and guide long-term conservation strategies for these globally significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Womble, J., Amundson, C., Bliss, A., Bower, M., Danielson, S., Goodwin, D., Loso, M., Questel, J., & Ziomek, T. (2025). Expansion of the Southeast Alaska Network Vital Signs Monitoring Program to the Outer Coasts of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (, Ed.). National Park Service. https://doi.org/10.36967/2315213