Southern Plains Natural Resource Condition Assessments

Natural Resource Condition Assessments (NRCAs) are syntheses of natural resource information, focused at the park level, designed to assist park managers in several ways. First, they are a compilation of existing data, published references and expert opinion on the current condition of priority natural resource issues. These syntheses provide managers with the most recent information on the current status of critical resources and ecosystem functions. Secondly, they provide natural resource information that can be referenced or included in NPS and multi-agency efforts focused on long-range planning, applied resource management and restoration, inventory and monitoring of resources, and research. Finally, they identify the primary data and information gaps related to priority resource issues, allowing managers to pursue funding and collaborative ventures to obtain necessary data. As of 2012, three parks have completed assessments in the Southern Plains Network (SOPN), and two more are underway.