Topics

Researchers measure stream width at Valles Caldera.

NPS/Ben Stout

Looking for a research idea? You have come to the right place! This webpage is a "vision board" of suggested research topics, questions, and ideas. Research proposals that address these suggested topics will be prioritized during the permitting process.

When your research proposal is ready, please submit it for review here: Research Permit and Reporting System (nps.gov).

Research Topics & Questions

Climate Change

• How do ecosystems respond to warming climate?

• Click for past/present climate change studies

Fire

• What are the impacts of fires on different ecosystems in the Jemez Mountains?

• Click for past/present fire studies

Biodiversity & Invasive Species

• How do different ecosystems (forests, grasslands, wetlands) differ in species communities?

• What impacts do invasive species have on existing ecosystems in the Jemez Mountains?

• Click for past/present biodiversity studies

Geology

• What has been the volcanic history of the Jemez Mountains, and what does the future hold?

• What seismic activity is happening now?

• Click for past/present geology studies

Night Skies & Astronomy

• What can we learn about our universe/galaxy/solar system?

• Click for past/present night sky studies

STEM Education & Interpretation

Can we improve STEM education programs for schools and public visitors?

The following field projects involve long-term monitoring and surveys that would contribute data to ongoing studies at Bandelier National Monument, Valles Caldera National Preserve, and the Santa Fe National Forest. These are projects that could be done by visiting school groups or volunteers on an episodic basis under the direct supervision of project managers and partners. Contact us to schedule a field day of monitoring or surveying in the Jemez Mountains for experiential education and team building!

Field Projects

Pollinator Monitoring

• Weekly field data collection

• Standardize weather conditions

• Sites on elevational gradient from Bandelier NM up to Valles Caldera NP

• Locate near weather stations

• Coordinate with citizen volunteers and school groups

Plant Phenology Monitoring

• Weekly field data collection

• Sites on elevational gradients from BAND up to VALL

• Locate near weather stations

• Coordinate with citizen volunteers

Forest Monitoring

• Mark trees of different species 
• Repeated measurements of heights, diameter, canopy
• Core trees for tree ring analyses
• Record insect and fungi presence, identifications
• Create stand maps
• Include citizen scientists and school groups

Wildlife Camera Network

• Set up in different habitats: forest, grassland, stream riparian/wetland
• Citizen science volunteers and school groups

Bat Acoustic Survey Monitoring

• Monthly nocturnal surveys 
• Record weather conditions
• Analyze for species and numbers of calls

Bird Banding with Mist Nets

• Monitor species composition and abundances
• Tag birds for repeated identifications
• Assess life spans for migratory individuals

Bird Monitoring

• Breeding bird surveys
• Feeding stations with cameras
• Hummingbird feeding stations with cameras

Threatened & Endangered Species Surveys

• Jemez mountains salamander

• Mexican spotted owl

• New Mexico meadow jumping mouse

• Gunnison prairie dogs

• Rio Grande chub, Rio Grande sucker, Rio Grande cutthroat trout

Streams & Ponds

• Water quality (sondes)

• Discharge

• Biota diversity, abundances