Natural Resource Assessment: An Approach to Science Based Planning in National Parks

摘要: We conducted a natural resource assessment at two national parks, New River Gorge National and Shenandoah Park, to help meet the goals of Natural Resource Challenge—a program strengthen management parks. met this challenge by synthesizing interpreting information for planning purposes we identified gaps significance resources. variety resources both parks as being globally and/or nationally significant, including large expanses unfragmented, mixed-mesophytic forests that qualify wilderness protection, rare plant communities, diverse assemblages neotropical migratory birds salamanders, outstanding aquatic recreational In addition, these function, in part, ecological reserves plants wildlife. With significant mind, also developed suite recommendations light increasing threats from within outside park boundaries. hope our approach can provide blueprint conservation publically owned lands.