The Vital Signs Tables created during this process include monitoring options useful in detecting potential resource change due to stress of natural or anthropogenic origin. These suggested options are not intended as a complete list of potential monitoring procedures useful for detecting ecosystem change, and the list of options can be amended as necessary during future program assessments. In addition to these options, several field measured parameters will be required as part of any monitoring program. These required parameters include: (1) water temperature; (2) specific conductance (as well as salinity in marine systems); (3) pH; and (4) dissolved oxygen. At flowing sites, some measure of qualitative flow will be required, and an estimate of water body stage or level will be required at non-flowing/still freshwater sites. Additional required parameters at marine sites include tidal stage and estimated wave height. Guidance concerning these required parameters is available in the National Park Service Water Resources Division draft document titled “Vital Signs Long-term Aquatic Monitoring Projects: Part C, Draft Guidance on WRD Required and Other Field Parameter Measurements, General Monitoring Methods and some Design Considerations in Preparation of a Detailed Study Plan (August 2003).” This document is available on the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program website at: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/monitor/protocols/wqPartC.doc.
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