MULTIPLE SPECIES INVENTORY AND MONITORING TECHNICAL GUIDE Version 1.0 (PRE-PRINT) June 2005 Authors Patricia N. Manley, Beatrice Van Horne, Julie K. Roth, William J. Zielinski, Michelle M. McKenzie, Theodore J. Weller, Floyd W. Weckerly, and Christina Vojta Design Team Curtis H. Flather Kevin S. McKelvey Greg Hayward John R. Sauer Richard Holthausen Frank R. Thompson USDA Forest Service, Washington Office Ecosystem Management Coordination Staff Wildlife Fish Watershed Air Rare Plants Staff Wildlife Fish Watershed Air Research Staff Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Protocol Ch 1: Introduction TABLE OF CONTENTS AUTHORS ……………………………………………………………………….6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ……………………………………………………...7 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………... 9 1.1 Overview and Purpose …………………………………………………… 9 1.2 Background and Business Needs ………………………………………11 1.3 Key Concepts …………………………………………………………….. 13 1.3.1 Components of the MSIM Protocol 1.3.2 Forest Inventory and Analysis Program Linkage 1.3.3 Parameter Estimation, Prediction and Hypothesis Testing 1.4 Roles and Responsibilities ……………………………………………….16 1.4.1 Overview 1.4.2 National Responsibilities 1.4.3 Regional Responsibilities 1.4.4 Forest Responsibilities 1.5 Relationships to Other Federal I&M Programs …………………………19 1.6 Quality Control and Assurance …………………………………….…… 22 1.7 Change Management …………………………………………………….. 22 1.8 Literature Cited ……………………………………………………………..22 CHAPTER 2: NATIONAL FRAMEWORK …………………………………..24 2.1 Purpose and Objectives 2.1.1 Objectives 2.2 Sampling Design ……………………………………………………………25 2.2.1 Status and Change Parameters 2.2.2 Standards of Precision 2.2.3 FIA Grid 2.2.4 Monitoring Point Selection 2.2.5 Sampling Frequency 2.2.6 Survey Methods 2.2.7 Sample Units 2.3 Preparation and Planning …………………………………………………33 2.3.1 Regional Plans 2.3.2 Integrated Monitoring 2.4 Data Collection ……………………………………………………………..35 2.4.1 Staffing Requirements 2.4.2 Quality Control and Assurance 2.4.3 Safety 2.5 Data Management and Storage ………………………………………….37 2.6 Data Analysis ……………………………………………………………….38 2.6.1 Area of Inference 2.6.2 Analysis Techniques 2.7 Reporting ……………………………………………………………………43 2 Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Protocol Ch 1: Introduction 2.8 Evaluation and Response ……………………………………….………..44 2.8.1 Adaptive Management 2.8.2 Evaluation of Monitoring Results 2.9 Coordination ………………………………………………………………..49 2.10 Literature Cited ……………………………………………………………49 CHAPTER 3: LANDBIRD MONITORING …………………………………..52 3.1 Core Survey Methods ……………………………………………………..53 3.1.1 Point Counts 3.1.2 Terrestrial Visual Encounter Surveys 3.2 Supplemental Survey Methods …………………………………………..60 3.2.1 Point Count Augmentation 3.2.2 Automated Data Collection 3.2.3 Broadcast Surveys 3.3 Literature Cited …………………………………………………………….61 CHAPTER 4: NOCTURNAL BIRD MONITORING ……………………......63 4.1 Core Survey Methods ……………………………………………………..64 4.1.1 Nocturnal Broadcast Surveys 4.1.2 Terrestrial Visual Encounter Surveys 4.2 Supplemental Survey Methods ………………………………………......75 4.2.1 Nocturnal Broadcast Survey Augmentation 4.2.2 Diurnal Broadcast Surveys 4.2.3 Northern Goshawk Bioregional Monitoring Design 4.3 Literature Cited ……………………………………………………............77 CHAPTER 5: SMALL MAMMAL MONITORING …………………………..80 5.1 Core Survey Methods ……………………………………………………...80 5.1.1 Sherman Live Trapping 5.2 Supplemental Survey Methods …………………………………………...87 5.2.1 Sherman Live Trapping Augmentation 5.2.2 Tomahawk Live Trapping 5.2.3 Pitfall Traps 5.2.4 Trackplate and Camera Surveys 5.3 Literature Cited ……………………………………………………………..88 CHAPTER 6: MEDIUM AND LARGE MAMMAL MONITORING ………...91 6.1 Core Survey Methods ……………………………………………………...91 6.1.1 Trackplate and Camera Surveys 6.1.2 Terrestrial Visual Encounter Surveys 6.2 Supplemental Survey Methods ……………………………………………99 6.2.1 Trackplate and Camera Survey Augmentation 6.2.2 Tomahawk Live Trapping 6.2.3 DNA Methods 6.2.4 Spotlight Visual Counts 6.3 Literature Cited …………………………………………………………….103 3 Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Protocol Ch 1: Introduction CHAPTER 7: BAT MONITORING ………………………………………………106 7.1 Primary Survey Methods ……………………………………………………..106 7.1.1 Bat Mist Netting 7.1.2 Acoustic Surveys 7.2 Supplemental Survey Methods ………………………………………………117 7.2.1 Bat Mist Netting and Acoustic Survey Augmentation 7.2.2 Roost Site Monitoring 7.3 Literature Cited ………………………………………………………………...120 CHAPTER 8: TERRESTRIAL AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE MONITORING..123 8.1 Core Survey Methods …………………………………………………………124 8.1.1 Amphibian and Reptile Visual Encounter Survey 8.2 Supplemental Survey Methods ………………………………………………128 8.2.1 Amphibian and Reptile Visual Encounter Survey Augmentation 8.2.2 Pitfall Traps 8.2.3 Coverboards 8.2.4 Nocturnal Auditory Amphibian Count 8.3 Literature Cited …………………………………………………………………136 CHAPTER 9: VERTEBRATE MONITORING AT AQUATIC SITES ……........140 9.1 Aquatic Sampling Design ...……………………………………………………141 9.2 Primary Survey Methods ...…………………………………………………….142 9.2.1 Aquatic Visual Encounter Surveys 9.2.2 Aquatic Point Counts 9.3 Supplemental Survey Methods ..……………………………………………...149 9.3.1 Aquatic Visual Encounter Survey Augmentation 9.3.2 Automated Data Collection 9.3.3 Aquatic Traps 9.4 Literature Cited ...……………………………………………………………….151 CHAPTER 10: PLANT SPECIES MONITORING …………………....…………153 10.1 Primary Survey Methods ...…………………………………………………..154 10.1.1 Plot, Quadrat and Transect Surveys 10.2 Literature Cited ………………………………………………………………..162 CHAPTER 11: HABITAT MONITORING ...……………………………………...163 11.1 Terrestrial Sampling Methods ...……………………………………………...164 11.1.1 Monitoring Point Measurements 11.1.2 Point Count and Trackplate-Camera Station Measurements 11.2 Aquatic Site Sampling Methods …………………………………………..…171 11.3 Map-based Data Sources …………………………………………………....177 11.4 Data Standards ………………………………………………………………..178 11.4.1 Staffing, Training, and Safety 11.4.2 Quality Control and Assurance 11.4.3 Data Storage and Analysis 11.5 Literature Cited ………………………………………………………………..180 4 Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Protocol Ch 1: Introduction APPENDIX A: Example data forms for core animal survey methods …………182 5 Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Protocol Ch 1: Introduction Authors Patricia N. Manley -- Research Wildlife Biologist, Sierra Nevada Research Center, Pacific Southwest Research Center, USDA Forest Service, Davis, CA Beatrice Van Horne – Research Wildlife Program Leader, Wildlife, Fish, Watershed, Air Research Staff, USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC Julie K. Roth -- Wildlife Biologist, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, USDA Forest Service, South Lake Tahoe, CA Michelle M. McKenzie -- Wildlife Biologist, Redwood Science Laboratory, Pacific Southwest Research Center, USDA Forest Service, Arcata, CA William J. Zielinski – Research Wildlife Biologist, Redwood Science Laboratory, Pacific Southwest Research Center, USDA Forest Service, Arcata, CA Theodore J. Weller -- Wildlife Biologist, Redwood Science Laboratory, Pacific Southwest Research Center, USDA Forest Service, Arcata, CA Floyd W. Weckerly – Research Wildlife Biologist, Department of Biology, Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, TX 78666 Christina Vojta – Assistant National Wildlife Ecologist, Wildlife, Fish, Watershed Staff, Flagstaff, AZ 6 Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Protocol Ch 1: Introduction Acknowledgements Core Team The core team had primary responsibility for the development of the technical guide, including interweaving policy and technical considerations and writing sections of technical guide. Patricia N. Manley -- Research Wildlife Biologist, Sierra Nevada Research Center, Pacific Southwest Research Center, USDA Forest Service, Davis, CA Beatrice Van Horne – Research Wildlife Program Leader, Wildlife, Fish, Watershed, Air Research Staff, USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC Christina Vojta – Assistant National Wildlife Ecologist, Wildlife, Fish, Watershed Staff, Flagstaff, AZ Design Team The ongoing work of the MSIM Design Team provided a valuable foundation for the development of this protocol. The Design Team provided technical direction for the development of the technical guide and review comments on multiple drafts. We thank members of the group for their contributions of time, energy, and thought to this endeavor Curtis H. Flather – Research Wildlife Biologist, Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Ft. Collins, CO Greg Hayward –Regional Wildlife Biologist, Rocky Mountain Region, USDA Forest Service, Denver, CO Richard Holthausen - National Wildlife Ecologist, Wildlife, Fish, Watershed Staff, Flagstaff, AZ Kevin S. McKelvey – Research Ecologist, Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Missoula, MT John R. Sauer – Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD Frank R. Thompson – Project Leader, Research Wildlife Biologist, North Central Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Columbia, MO William J. Zielinski – Research Wildlife Biologist, Redwood Science Laboratory, Pacific Southwest Research Center, USDA Forest Service, Arcata, CA 7 Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Protocol Ch 1: Introduction Contributors Many individuals contributed to the development of ideas and substance of the technical guide, and helped secure funding and support for its completion. The primary contributors are listed below, but many others provided valuable assistance. Larissa Bailey - Research Scientist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD James A. Baldwin – Lead Statistician, Pacific Southwest Research Center, USDA Forest Service, Davis,