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Results for “Environmental Conservation”

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At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
USGS2003

A proposed international watershed research network

An “International Watershed Research Network” is to be an initial project of the Sino-U. S. Centers for Soil and Water Conservation and Environmental Protection. The Network will provide a fundamental database for research personnel of the Centers, as well as of the global research community, and is viewed as an important resource for their successful operation. Efforts are under way to (a) identify and select candidate watersheds, (b) develop standards and protocols for data collection and dissemination, and (c) specify other data sources on erosion, sediment transport, hydrology, and ancillary information of probable interest and use to participants of the Centers. The initial focus of the Network will be on water-deficient areas. Candidate watersheds for the Network are yet to be determined although likely selections include the Ansai Research Station, northern China, and the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed, Arizona, USA. The Network is to be patterned after the Vigil Network, an open-ended group of global sites and small drainage basins for which Internet-accessible geomorphic, hydrologic, and biological data are periodically collected or updated. Some types of data, using similar instruments and observation methods, will be collected at all watersheds selected for the Network. Other data from the watersheds that may reflect individual watershed characteristics and research objectives will be collected as well.

Conference Paper↗
USGS2017

National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Inventory Program: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve Vegetation Mapping Project

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 lengthier 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 whose background and expertise put them on par technically and scientifically with the authors of the information. The peer review was led according to the Fundamental Science Practices of the U.S. Geological Survey. 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 Gulf Coast Network website and the Natural Resource Publications Management website.

Louisiana↗
USGS2020

Lake trout rehabilitation in Lake Ontario, 2019

Each year we report on the progress toward rehabilitation of the Lake Ontario lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) population, including the results of stocking, annual assessment surveys, creel surveys, and evidence of natural reproduction observed from all standard surveys performed by USGS and NYSDEC. The catch per unit effort of adult lake trout in gill nets increased each year from 2008-2014, recovering from historic lows recorded during 2005-2007. Adult abundances declined each year from 2015 to 2017; and in 2017 were about 35% below the 2014 peak and 17% below the 1999-2004 mean. Adult abundance increased in 2018 by 51% over the 2017 value and increased and addition 16% in 2019. The 2019 rate of wounding by sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) on lake trout caught in gill nets (0.53 A1 wounds (fresh wound) per 100 lake trout) was below target (2 wounds per 100 lake trout). Estimates from the NYSDEC fishing boat survey indicated angler catch rate of lake trout was low in 2019 and among the lowest recorded for the time series. Condition values for an adult lake trout, indexed in September from the predicted weight for a 700mm lake trout from annual length-weight regressions and Fulton’s K for age-6 males, were among the highest levels observed for the 1983-2019 time series. Predicted weight for a 400mm lake trout from July 2019 bottom trawl catches was near the long-term average while age-2 K was among the lowest for the time series. Reproductive potential for the adult stock indexed from the CPUE of mature females ≥ 4000g was again above the target in 2019 continuing a trend observed in nine of the last ten years. The 2019 catch of young native lake trout marked the 25th observation in the last 26 years, however the low numbers of native adults observed during that time period continues to indicate substantial restoration impediments still exist.

Lake Ontario↗
USGS2020

Lake trout spawning studies: Updates, new survey, and comparison to standard September gillnet survey

In Lake Ontario, lake trout restoration efforts have not established a self-sustaining population. Herein we describe efforts to evaluate standard and new surveys, and to estimate dispersal from stocking locations, to better understand impediments to natural reproduction. In 2019, lake trout egg deposition was sampled at two locations, Stony Island Reef, and Ford Shoals. No eggs were collected at either site. Egg deposition rates at Stony Island Reef, expressed in eggs/net/day, were lower in 2019 (0) and 2017 (0.0004) than in 1987 and 1989 (1.27 and 0.27, respectively). Spawning lake trout were indexed using standard gillnets set at six locations along the southern shore. Sites were fished overnight with two nets, except Youngstown where only one net was set. When comparing the standard September gillnet survey to the spawning survey, the spawning survey caught more and older fish, but had a similar representation of strains. Both gillnet surveys revealed that, during the early to late fall, most lake trout (>72%) are caught as adults near where they were stocked as juveniles. This spawning survey demonstrated that lake trout in spawning condition are aggregating near possible spawning habitat, but the presence of adults alone cannot identify the specific spawning habitat. Egg deposition results suggest lake trout may be depositing eggs in different habitats then they have in the past. Alternatively, our egg collection methods may not be effective when egg abundance is low. Lake Ontario lake trout restoration would benefit from survey approaches that identify specific spawning habitat.

Lake Ontario↗
USGS2023

Decision analysis to advance environmental sustainability

Decision analysis provides a robust framework for complex decisions related to environmental sustainability and conservation, including for energy and water, fisheries and wildlife management, agriculture, and climate change response. The complexities of these problems stem from their large scope and scale, which leads to multiple decision makers, stakeholders, rightsholders, and other entities with potentially competing objectives. These problems often are time limited (e.g., urgent action is required to prevent species’ extinction), involve management interventions over long time scales and delayed responses to management (deep uncertainty), and are impeded by limited resources (funding, capacity, etc.). In this Special Issue on “Decision Analysis to Advance Environmental Sustainability,” we present five case studies of applications of decision analysis to complex problems in environmental sustainability and conservation. These case studies incorporate multiple objectives related to ecological and environmental sustainability, economic and social concerns, and logistics of implementation. They showcase a wide range of tools and applications to these problems. We also provide suggestions for new avenues of research and application of decision analysis to problems of environmental sustainability and conservation, including how to incorporate other decision-making tools into decision analysis processes, how to broaden the reach of decision analysis to other sustainability problems, how to incorporate more stakeholders and rightsholders into the decision process, the potential to incorporate new technology into these processes, identifying more creative alternatives, how to secure more funding, ways to move from decision to action, and how to move beyond status quo to make big transitions necessary to achieve sustainability.

Decision Analysis↗
USGS2006

Monitoring for conservation

Human-mediated environmental changes have resulted in appropriate concern for the conservation of ecological systems and have led to the development of many ecological monitoring programs worldwide. Many programs that are identified with the purpose of `surveillance? represent an inefficient use of conservation funds and effort. Here, we revisit the 1964 paper by Platt and argue that his recommendations about the conduct of science are equally relevant to the conduct of ecological monitoring programs. In particular, we argue that monitoring should not be viewed as a stand-alone activity, but instead as a component of a larger process of either conservation-oriented science or management. Corresponding changes in monitoring focus and design would lead to substantial increases in the efficiency and usefulness of monitoring results in conservation.

Trends in Ecology and Evolution↗
USGS2024

A guide to environmental DNA extractions for non-molecular trained biologists, ecologists, and conservation scientists

Ecologists, biologists, and conservation scientists are increasingly interested in the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) data for research and potentially decision-making. While commercial DNA extraction kits are typically user-friendly and accessible, they may fail to deliver the desired results with inherently complex eDNA samples, necessitating protocol optimization or educated selection of alternative approaches. To this end, knowledge of the basic steps and principles of DNA extractions is essential, but traditional education tracks in ecology, conservation, and environmental management typically do not include in-depth training in molecular methods. The primary objective of this paper is to enable scientists with an ecological background and limited molecular training to understand the four key steps of eDNA isolations, and to use this expertise to their advantage. We describe the purpose of commonly used reagents and chemicals, point out alternatives for each key step, explain the impact of certain choices regarding isolation approaches on DNA integrity and purity, and highlight the possibility of a tailor-made “mix and match” approach. We anticipate that this paper will enable field ecologists to develop a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and chemistry underlying eDNA extractions, thus allowing them to make informed decisions regarding the best eDNA extraction method for their research goals. Our intention is not to provide comprehensive, step-by-step protocols, but to offer guiding principles while highlighting alternative solutions. Finally, we hope that this paper will act as a useful resource to support knowledge transfer and teaching.

Environmental DNA↗
USGS2023

A hierarchical approach to fish conservation in semiarid landscapes: A need to understand multiscale environmental relationships

A multiscale perspective is essential for conservation planning of riverine fishes. Coarse-scale habitat (e.g., basis) can influence both finer-scale habitat characteristics (e.g., reaches and microhabitat) and associated species distributions. Finer-scale management and habitat rehabilitation efforts can fail without the consideration of coarser-scale constraints. We provide a conceptual hierarchical framework for multiscale fish conservation strategies in the semiarid Great Plains. The Great Plains stream network is highly fragmented due to dam construction, water withdrawals, and increased drought severity. Our framework uses relationships with basin-scale connectivity and streamflow and reach-scale physicochemical characteristics in the context of aiding species reintroduction and stream habitat improvements.

Book chapter↗