Sampling Protocol for Monitoring Abiotic and Biotic Characteristics of Mountain Ponds and Lakes

Preservation of nature in its original state and human appreciation of wilderness conditions are common themes associated with the designation of wild and protected areas (for example, wilderness areas, national parks, areas of critical environmental concern, etc.) in the United States (Cole and Landres 1996; Louter, 1998). Beyond the protection of natural ecosystems and creation of recreational opportunity, wild areas provide great value for scientific study of natural ecosystems and ecosystem processes (Peine, 1990). Studies of wild area ecosystems provide a basis for management of individual land units and an understanding of the natural world (Parsons and Graber, 1990). Arguably, a very important value of wild area studies is the reference point that these areas provide for assessing human impact on the natural world (Franklin, 1987; Peine, 1990; Cole and Landres, 1996).