Checking in on fossil sites: Advancing monitoring protocols and techniques for paleontological localities in National Park Service units

Paleontological site monitoring in National Park Service units can deviate from the recommended cyclical protocol because of unique challenges each unit may face. These challenges include staffing limitations or turnover, difficulty accessing remote sites, and high work volume. Insufficient monitoring of fossil sites might result in the loss of knowledge or data due to degradation or loss of resources. New monitoring protocols were tested at the Copper Canyon ichnofossil locality in Death Valley National Park (DEVA) to address the highlighted management challenges. The monitoring protocol presented here was designed to be streamlined and simple, to be utilized by paleontologists and non-paleontologists alike, and to overcome challenges, thereby, improving undermanaged sites. The monitoring protocol included baseline evaluation and imaging of the 78 track localities within Copper Canyon. Each site was assigned a sensitivity status; identifying its recommended monitoring cyclicity of high, moderate, or low. It was determined that monitors could take as few as two field trips to Copper Canyon per year and monitor between five to ten sites each trip. This could be accomplished by DEVA’s resources management, interpretation, or law enforcement staff, or a volunteer. Monitors use a portable device, pre-loaded with site-specific paleontological data, to interactively record changes at a site and complete a short seven question form with their observations. Data are stored on the device and later transferred to a central paleontological database. Through this protocol, DEVA can utilize a community-based approach to better manage fossil resources, one which could be replicated by other National Park Service units that grapple with similar monitoring challenges.