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USGS2004

The future of fire in California ecosystems

This chapter reviews the concepts developed in the book and challenges Californians to accept the fact that they live in fire-prone ecosystems. California’s variety of fire regimes are products of its wide diversity of vegetation, climate, topography, and ignitions. The role fire plays in an ecosystem is characterized by the fire regime attributes that describe the pattern of fire occurrence, behavior, and effects. California has a diverse flora comprised of plants that have evolved under a variety of climates and evolutionary pressures. The most universal changes to California’s ecosystems during the historic period have been the alteration of past fire regimes and changes in the pattern of fire on the landscape. Ecosystems change, and it is a mistake to manage any complex, dynamic ecosystem for a single, static state or condition.

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USGS2023

Getting Started with MODFLFOW

Numerical modeling of groundwater flow systems was once accessible only to modeling specialists in the hydrogeological community. Software such as MODFLOW—the most frequently used groundwater modeling program in the world—and associated graphical user interfaces (GUIs) have made modeling possible for most groundwater scientists. This book provides the bridge from understanding to implementing models by introducing the basics of MODFLOW version 6 and providing readers who have a working knowledge of groundwater flow with a guide through construction of their first groundwater model.

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USGS2009

Converting nonstandard fish sampling data to standardized data

Fishery biologists spend considerable effort over multiple years collecting data on fish population and community status using a particular sampling method or set of methods. However, new (and often more effective) sampling methods and technologies are continuously being developed. To incorporate these new sampling techniques, fishery biologists need a means for converting sample data collected using old methods so they can be compared with data collected using new methods. Similarly, fishery biologists often need a means to compare fish sample data collected using the same method over time (e.g., from year to year) and space (e.g., between sample sites). If fish abundance, species presence, or richness are estimated using an unbiased statistical estimator, the estimates can be validly compared, even if the fish sample data were collected with different methods. However, if unbiased statistical estimators were not used, biologists need methods for adjusting fish sampling data collected using different methods or using the same method collected under different sampling conditions. In this chapter, we describe and provide examples of statistical techniques for converting nonstandard fish sampling data to standardized data and for making comparisons of fish sampling data collected at different times or at different locations. We define standard fish sampling data as data collected using the standardized fish sampling methods described throughout this book. Any other sampling methods and associated data are thus defined as nonstandard. Before delving into the details of the statistical modeling techniques, we describe the nature of fish sample data, their uses, and their limitations. Catch-effort measures, such as relative abundance and catch per unit effort (CPUE), are more formally described as indices. Here, we define an index as any measure or count of a species or community (e.g., species richness) based on direct observation without an estimate of the ability to count individuals or species. Indices have some very desirable characteristics for use in fisheries research and management. In general (but not always), indices require less effort to collect and are usually more precise than unbiased population estimators (e.g., CPUE versus capture–recapture estimates of abundance). The proper use of indices for assessment of fish populations or communities, however, requires that the relationship between an index and the true value (e.g., fish density, species richness) is relatively constant (1) across the observable range of true values, (2) through time when evaluating trends at a single location, and (3) across space when making comparisons among locations.

Book chapter↗

USGS2009

Coldwater fish in wadeable streams

Standardizing sampling methods for fish populations across large regions is important for consistent measurement of large-scale effects of climate or geography. In addition, pooling samples creates larger sample sizes and can facilitate data sharing among scientists and land managers. Sampling freshwater fish has largely not been standardized due to the diversity of fish and habitats. USGS aquatic ecologist Jason Dunham and co-authors contributed a chapter about sampling coldwater fish in wadeable streams to a new book that details common methods, protocols, and guidelines for sampling fish across North America. Topics include three common sampling methods: electrofishing, snorkeling, and nest counts. Each method provides complementary information about different species and life stages. The information will be useful for initiating new or fine-tuning ongoing sampling programs.

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USGS2012

Telemetry techniques: A user guide for fisheries research

Telemetry provides a powerful and flexible tool for studying fish and other aquatic animals, and its use has become increasingly commonplace. However, telemetry is gear intensive and typically requires more specialized knowledge and training than many other field techniques. As with other scientific methods, collecting good data is dependent on an understanding of the underlying principles behind the approach, knowing how to use the equipment and techniques properly, and recognizing what to do with the data collected. This book provides a road map for using telemetry to study aquatic animals, and provides the basic information needed to plan, implement, and conduct a telemetry study under field conditions. Topics include acoustic or radio telemetry study design, tag implantation techniques, radio and acoustic telemetry principles and case studies, and data management and analysis. Chapters are written by biologists, technicians, and engineers from the private, academic, and government sectors, with decades of experience using these technologies.

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USGS2012

Introduction

elemetry provides a powerful and flexible tool for studying aquatic animals, making it possible to repeatedly locate and identify individuals in remote or inaccessible settings—a task that would be difficult (if not impossible) to accomplish using other methods. The use of telemetry has increased dramatically in recent years, and its application is limited only by the capabilities of the equipment and the researcher’s imagination. In spite of these advantages, telemetry is equipment-intensive and generally requires more specialized knowledge and training than many other field techniques. The electronic equipment associated with its use can often dazzle, intimidate, and confuse those just starting out. Even experienced users are often hard-pressed to keep up with the technological advances. Answers to such basic questions as “what equipment do I need?” or “how do I get started?” are not always evident or straightforward. These are valid concerns, since the equipment and methods used can affect the success of the study and the quality of information collected. The purpose of this book is to provide a guide for using telemetry to study aquatic animals—call it a user’s manual or Telemetry 101. Our principal intent is to provide the basic information to plan, implement, and conduct telemetry studies under field conditions. Considerations related to data collection and interpretations are also discussed. As with any scientific procedure, collecting usable information and accurately interpreting study results depends on an understanding of the underlying principles of the methods used. A wide range of telemetry equipment and field techniques are available. Clearly defined research objectives and knowledge of the various options, capabilities, and limitations of the equipment and methods is essential for developing projects that effectively address the research or management questions being asked. Telemetry is a tool, and like any tool it will only function effectively when used properly.

Book chapter↗

USGS2024

Converting non-standard data to standardized data

Book chapter↗

USGS2026

Culturing emerging, imperiled, and poorly understood fishes

Most fish hatcheries and farms raise fish for food, to supply the bait and ornamental fish trades, or to create or enhance recreational and commercial fishing opportunities. Culture methods for these species are well established and are described in various chapters of this book. However, a growing number of facilities are responsible for cultivation of emerging, imperiled, or lesser-known species in support of rescue or recovery efforts. “Imperiled” may refer to species that have been formally listed as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) or analogous state regulations, or it may refer to populations or other groups that are considered at-risk for other reasons (e.g., fish living in drought-affected areas). The USFWS defines an endangered species as one that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, while a threatened species is one that is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future (USFWS 2016b). There is often limited information available regarding the biology and propagation of these species. Many have never been propagated in captivity, and conventional hatchery techniques are not necessarily suited to their dietary needs, feeding habits, flow preferences, reproductive requirements, stress management, tank preferences, and use of structure (Rakes et al. 1999). To successfully maintain and propagate these fish, the fish culturist must identify the water quality, health and nutrition, spawning, and habitat needs of the species in question. Success often demands a painstaking process of mimicking natural conditions in the hatchery until suitable modifications can be developed or individuals can be habituated to more conventional rearing conditions. Rearing lesser-known species requires dedication and creativity as well as the application of new, sometimes experimental culture techniques to ensure a safe environment that provides for the well-being of imperiled species while in captivity.

Book chapter↗

USGS2013

Current perspectives in contaminant hydrology and water resources sustainability

Human society depends on liquid freshwater resources to meet drinking, sanitation and hygiene, agriculture, and industry needs. Improved resource monitoring and better understanding of the anthropogenic threats to freshwater environments are critical to efficient management of freshwater resources and ultimately to the survival and quality of life of the global human population. This book helps address the need for improved freshwater resource monitoring and threat assessment by presenting current reviews and case studies focused on the fate and transport of contaminants in the environment and on the sustainability of groundwater and surface-water resources around the world. It is intended for students and professionals working in hydrology and water resources management.

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USGS1994

Measuring and monitoring biological diversity: Standard methods for amphibians

Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity is the first book to provide comprehensive coverage of standard methods for biodiversity sampling of amphibians, with information on analyzing and using data that will interest biologists in general. In this manual, nearly fifty herpetologists recommend ten standard sampling procedures for measuring and monitoring amphibian and many other populations. The contributors discuss each procedure, along with the circumstances for its appropriate use. In addition, they provide a detailed protocol for each procedure's implementation, a list of necessary equipment and personnel, and suggestions for analyzing the data. The data obtained using these standard methods are comparable across sites and through time and, as a result, are extremely useful for making decisions about habitat protection, sustained use, and restoration—decisions that are particularly relevant for threatened amphibian populations.

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USGS2000

Heron conservation

Herons are large, popular and, in many cases, spectacular birds found in wetlands world-wide, both tropical and temperate, natural and man-made. Some populations are very small and localized, some have decreased, some have expanded their ranges, and a few are pests of human activities. In the fifteen years since the publication of the latest monographic treatment of the family, The Herons Handbook, there has been a tremendous increase in our knowledge of heron status and conservation requirements, set against a backdrop of increasing concern about the future of the world?s wetland habitats. This book provides a comprehensive update following two distinct threads. The status and conservation needs of herons are first presented on a regional basis, in a series of chapters set at a continental or subcontinental scale. Over 200 biologists and heron conservationists have contributed to the data summarized here, and the very latest census and survey results provide the most up-to-date and detailed picture of heron populations currently available. Chapters discussing several critical issues in heron conservation follow, tending to focus on the international nature of the problems.

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USGS1995

The Summer Atlas of North American Birds

The North American Breeding Bird Survey comprises a network of regularly censussed, road-based survey routes and constitutes the most comprehensive set of data on the relative abundance and population trends of these birds during the summer months. Its value was highlighted in 1989, when the data were used to confirm suspected population declines in a number of species of neotropical migrants breeding in the northeastern United States and Canada. In this book Jeff and Amy Price and Sam Droege have used these data to create detailed, computer-generated maps showing the relative abundance of 450 species that summer in the contiguous United States and southern Canada. Tabular information on distribution hotspots for these, and a further 50 or so species too local in occurrence to map effectively, are also presented. As a data-based survey, the focus of the maps is on places where occurrence has been systematically confirmed over a number of years. As such, the maps provide a baseline for future and more regionally based studies. Supporting chapters provide details on the survey methodology, the mapping procedures used, and some current concerns in North American bird conservation.

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USGS2004

Biodiversity of Fungi : Inventory and Monitoring Methods

Biodiversity of Fungi is essential for anyone collecting and/or monitoring any fungi. Fascinating and beautiful, fungi are vital components of nearly all ecosystems and impact human health and our economy in a myriad of ways. Standardized methods for documenting diversity and distribution have been lacking. An wealth of information, especially regrading sampling protocols, compiled by an international team of fungal biologists, make Biodiversity of Fungi an incredible and fundamental resource for the study of organismal biodiversity. Chapters cover everything from what is a fungus, to maintaining and organizing a permanent study collection with associated databases; from protocols for sampling slime molds to insect associated fungi; from fungi growing on and in animals and plants to mushrooms and truffles. The chapters are arranged both ecologically and by sampling method rather than by taxonomic group for ease of use. The information presented here is intended for everyone interested in fungi, anyone who needs tools to study them in nature including naturalists, land managers, ecologists, mycologists, and even citizen scientists and sophiscated amateurs. Fungi are among the most important organisms in the world; they play vital roles in ecosystem functions and have wide-ranging effects, both positive and negative, on humans and human-related activities. There are about 1.5 million species of fungi. The combination of fungal species and abundances in an ecosystem are often used as indicators of ecosystem health and as indicators of the effects of pollution and of different management and use plans. Because of their significance, it is important that these organisms be monitored. This book is the first comprehensive treatment of fungal inventory and monitoring, including standardized sampling protocols as well as information on study design, sample preservation, and data analysis.

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USGS2006

Occupancy Estimation and Modeling : Inferring Patterns and Dynamics of Species Occurrence

This is the first book to examine the latest methods in analyzing presence/absence data surveys. Using four classes of models (single-species, single-season; single-species, multiple season; multiple-species, single-season; and multiple-species, multiple-season), the authors discuss the practical sampling situation, present a likelihood-based model enabling direct estimation of the occupancy-related parameters while allowing for imperfect detectability, and make recommendations for designing studies using these models. It provides authoritative insights into the latest in estimation modeling; discusses multiple models which lay the groundwork for future study designs; addresses critical issues of imperfect detectibility and its effects on estimation; and explores the role of probability in estimating in detail.

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USGS1998

International impact research and management

To be sustainable, ecotourism requires the protection of natural environments and processes both from development and operation of the tourism infrastructure, and from the activities of ecotourists within protected areas. This book chapter reviews the international literature on the study of visitor or recreation-related resource impacts with special reference to ecotourism. Four case examples are presented to characterize the geographic scope, focus, and principal findings of this recreation ecology literature and its relevance to ecotourism management. Case examples include the Cairngorms National Nature Reserve, Scotland; the Great Barrier Reef, Australia; the Central American tropics; and wildlife viewing in Kenya?s protected areas. Implications for the management of international protected areas and ecotourism resources are discussed.

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USGS2000

Epilogue: Lessons yet to be learned

This chapter provides a summary of the book Ecotoxicology of Amphibians and Reptiles edited by Sparling, Linder and Bishop. In addition to the comparative lack of information on effects and residue burdens of known contaminants in amphibians and reptiles, there is a plethora of new chemicals being produced and released into the environment on which no data exist at all. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, there are some 75,000 chemicals produced each year, not including pesticides. Of these, 3,000 are produced in high volumes. Of the high volume chemicals, only 29% have been examined for effects of human health and only 5% have been examined for effects on the environment and wildlife. Even of these 150 chemicals, only a small handful have been examined in amphibians or reptiles. Thus there is a tremendous lack of information on the effects of environmental contaminants on these vertebrates. This chapter outlines the major research needs in the area of ecotoxicology of amphibians and reptiles and lists several reasons why these animals would make excellent subjects for monitoring the effects of contaminants.

Book chapter↗

USGS2001

Environmental contaminants

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the ecotoxicology of major classes of environmental contaminants, with respect to sources, environmental chemistry, most likely routes of exposure, potential bioaccumulation and biomagification, mechanisms of toxicity, and effects on potentially vulnerable species of mammalian wildlife. Major contaminants reviewed were selected on the basis of their use patterns, availability and potential toxicity to wild mammals. These included pesticides used in agroecosystems (organochlorines, organophosphorus and carbamate compounds, anticoagulants, herbicides and fungicides), various organic pollutants (chlorobenzenes, chlorophenols, polychlorinated biphenyls, dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), heavy metals (lead, mercury, and cadmium), agricultural drainwater mixtures, leachates and radionuclides. Many of the above aspects of ecotoxicology and contaminants will be expanded upon in subsequent chapters of this book as they relate to distinct mammalian species and potential risk.

Book chapter↗

USGS2003

The role of multiple stressor causes in declining amphibian populations: a wingspread workshop summary

Numerous studies have documented the decline of amphibian populations over the past decade and no single factor has been the linked to these widespread declines. Determining the causes of declining amphibian populations worldwide has proven difficult because of the variety of anthropogenic and natural suspect agents. A Wingspread workshop, convened by The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), brought together individuals with expertise in the areas of amphibian biology, ecotoxicology, natural resource management, and environmental policy. This workshop had three objectives: 1) create a network for future discussions on multiple stressor causes of declines; 2) characterize and prioritize technical issues critical to the analysis of the decline problem; and 3) identify and develop resource management approaches to promote sustainable and healthy amphibian populations. The workshop proceedings will be summarized in a book entitled, 'Multiple Stressors and Declining Amphibian Populations: Evaluating Cause and Effect.' This paper summarizes the results of the workshop.

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