Prior to conducting field work, observers are required to review the entire water quality protocol, including all SOPs listed in this protocol. Staff experienced in conducting this water quality monitoring protocol should review the protocol at least yearly. This SOP outlines steps to prepare for field work by ensuring the availability of proper equipment prior to the start of monitoring.

Water resources in the Pacific Island Network (PACN) support rich and diverse ecosystems and aquatic communities that include corals reefs, anchialine pools communities (endemic to Hawaii), and freshwater stream communities. These water resources span a range of conditions from pristine to highly impaired water bodies. Both point and non-point sources impact the waters of many of our network parks at various locations to varying degrees. Aquatic resource protection is required by all the governments of the PACN, and water quality is widely used as an indicator of aquatic resource condition by...

Appendixes---Water Quality Vital Signs Monitoring Protocol for the Pacific Island Network

The National Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program was established by the National Park Service (NPS) to identify and inventory the biological and geophysical resources of each park. It also establishes monitoring programs to quantify and understand the causes of changes in the condition of park resources. To ensure that monitoring is done effectively and consistently, the NPS requires the establishment of a set of monitoring protocols. This report describes protocols for monitoring groundwater resources in these parks. This protocol may be useful in other parks if hydrogeologic conditions,...

The purpose of this report was to document the initial status of the marine fish assemblage at KALA. First, the initial status of the entire assemblage was analyzed for species richness, density, biomass and diversity using spatial distribution maps. Second, the trophic composition of the entire assemblage was examined for both density and biomass. Finally, the top ten species in terms of density and biomass were listed to examine specific components of the assemblage.

The purpose of this report was to document the status of the marine fish assemblage at KALA in 2007 and examine changes from 2006 to 2007. First, the status of the entire assemblage in 2007 was analyzed for species richness, density, biomass and diversity using spatial distribution maps. Second, the trophic composition of the entire assemblage in 2007 was examined for both density and biomass. Third, the top ten species in 2007 in terms of density and biomass were listed to examine specific components of the assemblage. Finally, trends in the entire assemblage from 2006-2007 were plotted for...

The purpose of this report was to document the status of the marine fish assemblage at KALA in 2008 and examine changes from 2006 to 2008. First, the status of the entire assemblage in 2008 was analyzed for species richness, density, biomass and diversity using spatial distribution maps. Second, the trophic composition of the entire assemblage in 2008 was examined for both density and biomass. Third, the top ten species in 2008 in terms of density and biomass were listed to examine specific components of the assemblage. Finally, trends in the entire assemblage from 2006-2008 were plotted for...

The purpose of this report was to document the status of the marine fish assemblage at KALA in 2009 and examine changes from 2006 to 2009. First, the status of the entire assemblage in 2009 was analyzed for species richness, density, biomass and diversity using spatial distribution maps. Second, the trophic composition of the entire assemblage in 2009 was examined for both density and biomass. Third, the top ten species in 2009 in terms of density and biomass were listed to examine specific components of the assemblage. Finally, trends in the entire assemblage from 2006-2009 were plotted for...

The purpose of this report was to document the status of the marine fish assemblage at KALA in 2010 and examine changes from 2006 to 2010. First, the status of the entire assemblage in 2010 was analyzed for species richness, density, biomass and diversity using spatial distribution maps. Second, the trophic composition of the entire assemblage in 2010 was examined for both density and biomass. Third, the top ten species in 2010 in terms of density and biomass were listed to examine specific components of the assemblage. Finally, trends in the entire assemblage from 2006-2010 were plotted for...

Throughout the world, freshwater ecosystems are considered to be among the most vulnerable systems. In the isolated Pacific islands there are a relatively small number of native freshwater species, which are mainly endemic to these locations (found nowhere else in the world). These species are characterized by an amphidromous lifecycle; reproducing in the stream, with larvae drifting to the ocean and eventually returning to a stream as juveniles and spending the remainder of their lifecycle there. Throughout the region, native flora and fauna face significant threats from species...