Isle Royale National Park AQRV's

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Fauna/Wildlife
Aquatic invertebrates, fish, and fish-eating birds and mammals are susceptible to negative impacts associated with mercury, persistent organic pollutants, and other air toxics in the food chain. These fauna species are sensitive AQRVs at Isle Royale NP.

Night Skies
Dark night skies are considered an important air quality related value at Isle Royale NP, possessing value as a cultural, scenic, natural, and scientific resource. Air pollution and poor quality outdoor lighting degrade night skies, lessening a viewer's ability to see stars and other astronomical objects, and altering the nocturnal scene. Use of high quality lighting that produces very little scattered light can greatly improve the night sky. Reduction of haze from air pollution can also improve the night sky.

• Natural Lightscapes

Soils
There is no indication that soils in Isle Royale NP are sensitive to acidification from atmospheric deposition; however, soils and lake sediments in the park play an important role in converting atmospherically-deposited mercury to the methylmercury that enters the food chain. Therefore, soils and lake sediments in Isle Royale NP are sensitive AQRVs.

Vegetation
Several plant species that occur in Isle Royale NP are known to be sensitive to ozone, although the specific genotypes found in the park have not been tested under controlled conditions for sensitivity. These plant species are sensitive AQRVs at Isle Royale NP.

• Ozone Sensitive Plant Species Listed by Park
• Ozone Sensitive Plant Species on NPS and U.S. FWS Lands
• Ozone Bioindicators on NPS and U.S. FWS Lands

Visibility
Visibility is a sensitive AQRV at Isle Royale NP.

• IMPROVE Visibility Data
• Natural Background Estimates