SOP for Monitoring Intertidal Bivalves in Mixed- Sediment Beaches ─ Version 2.0 Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science SOP for Monitoring Intertidal Bivalves in Mixed- Sediment Beaches ─ Version 2.0 Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network Natural Resource Report NPS/SWAN/NRR—2017/1443 ON THE COVER Aerial photograph of a mixed-sediment sampling site at Kaflia Bay in Katmai National Park and Preserve. Ben Weitzman, USGS SOP for Monitoring Intertidal Bivalves in Mixed- Sediment Beaches ─ Version 2.0 Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network Natural Resource Report NPS/SWAN/NRR—2017/1443 Benjamin P. Weitzman, 1 James L. Bodkin, 1 Kimberly A. Kloecker, 1 Heather A. Coletti2 1U. S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center 4210 University Drive Anchorage, AK 99508 2 National Park Service Southwest Alaska Network 4175 Geist Rd. Fairbanks, AK 99709 May 2017 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. This report received formal peer review by subject-matter experts who were not directly involved in the collection, analysis, or reporting of the data, and whose background and expertise put them on par technically and scientifically with the authors of the information. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U.S. Government. This report is available in digital format from the Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network website and the Natural Resource Publications Management website. To receive this report in a format that is optimized to be accessible using screen readers for the visually or cognitively impaired, please email [email protected]. Please cite this publication as: Weitzman, B. P., J. L. Bodkin, K. A. Kloecker and H. A. Coletti. 2017. SOP for monitoring intertidal bivalves on mixed-sediment beaches — version 2.0: Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network. Natural Resource Report NPS/SWAN/NRR—2017/1443. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 953/138260, May 2017 ii Contents Page Figures.................................................................................................................................................... v Tables ..................................................................................................................................................... v Appendices ............................................................................................................................................. v Abstract ................................................................................................................................................. vi Background and Objectives ................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 Rational for Monitoring Bivalves in Mixed-Sediment Beaches .................................................... 2 Measurable Objective ..................................................................................................................... 3 Sampling Design .................................................................................................................................... 4 Rationale for Sampling Design Selection ....................................................................................... 4 Selecting Sampling Units ............................................................................................................... 5 Sizes and number of sampling units per site ............................................................................. 5 Vertical stratification ................................................................................................................. 5 Number and location of sampling sites ..................................................................................... 6 Recommended Frequency and Timing of Sampling ...................................................................... 6 Level of Change That Can Be Detected ......................................................................................... 6 Field Season ........................................................................................................................................... 8 General methods ............................................................................................................................. 8 Field Season Preparation ................................................................................................................ 8 Initial Site Layout ......................................................................................................................... 10 Biennial site visits ........................................................................................................................ 11 Collection of bivalves for determination of density and size distribution ............................... 11 Collection of sediments for sediment size distribution ........................................................... 13 Post collection processing of samples and data collected ............................................................ 13 After each field day, the following tasks are to be completed: ............................................... 13 Laboratory methods for determination of sediment grain size ................................................ 14 Data Handling, Analysis and Reporting .............................................................................................. 15 Metadata Procedures .................................................................................................................... 15 iii Contents (continued) Page Overview of Database Design ...................................................................................................... 15 Data Entry, Verification and Editing ............................................................................................ 15 Routine Data Summaries and Statistical Analyses ...................................................................... 15 Report Format .............................................................................................................................. 15 Methods for Trend Analyses ........................................................................................................ 15 Data Archival Procedures ............................................................................................................. 16 Reporting Schedule ...................................................................................................................... 16 Personnel Requirements and Training ................................................................................................. 17 Roles and Responsibilities ............................................................................................................ 17 Qualifications ............................................................................................................................... 17 Training Procedures ..................................................................................................................... 17 Operational Requirements and Workloads .......................................................................................... 19 Operational Requirements ............................................................................................................ 19 Annual Workload and Field Schedule ......................................................................................... 19 Facility and Equipment Needs ..................................................................................................... 19 Procedures for Revising the Protocol................................................................................................... 20 Literature Cited .................................................................................................................................... 21 iv Figures Page Figure 1. Map of Intertidal Sampling