Biological Research and Monitoring Subactivity

Prairie Wetlands - The principal breeding ground for water birds in the Great Plains is the prairie-pothole region that serves as a staging area for migratory sandhill cranes, shorebirds, and arctic-nesting waterfowl. USGS is evaluating the status of prairie wetland ecosystems, investigating factors influencing wetland use by birds, amphibians, and macroinvertebrates, and quantifying the characteristics of restored wetlands. Research on landscapes, including the interactions of wetland biota with hydrology, geochemistry, and sediments, is focused at the basin scale because prairie-pothole wetlands occur in fragmented grassland habitats.

Forested Wetlands - Forested wetlands are the most rapidly declining wetland type in North America. USGS research focuses on wetland regeneration and restoration in the southeastern United States, including site selection and preparation; seeds, seedlings, and biodiversity enhancements; planting and management procedures; and monitoring. Research is providing information for managing forested wetland flora and fauna, including economically valuable species and species at risk. Scientists are quantifying the role forested wetlands play in nutrient cycling, the retention of nutrients, and the regulation of nutrients entering waterways. Global Change (estimates for FY 2001, $5.5 million; FY 2002, $5.5 million; FY 2003, $5.5 million) - Biologists in the U.S. Global Change Research Program perform research in six topical areas to address global climate change effects on coastal and interior wetlands; western mountains; arid lands; sensitive species and island ecosystems; bird/habitat interactions; and watershed biogeochemistry. Specific projects include the effects of climate change on Great Lakes wetlands; the response of desert vegetation to climate change in the Southwest; sealevel rise and impacts on Atlantic Coast migratory birds; and the effects of climate change on carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry in national parks. Research goals are to (1) determine sensitivity and response of ecosystems to climate and environmental factors at local, landscape, and regional levels; (2) predict future global change impacts on the structure, function, and viability of natural systems; and (3) assess implications of change for resource management.

Recent Accomplishments

Greenhouse Gas Storage and Sediment Accumulation in Wetlands - USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center (NPWRC) and USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists collaborated to study the potential of prairie pothole region (PPR) wetlands to sequester carbon emitted into the atmosphere. Results suggest that wetlands traditionally functioned as sinks for atmospheric carbon but that cultivation, the current principal land use, has shifted their function to be sources of atmospheric carbon. Data suggests that equal or greater amounts of atmospheric carbon can be stored in wetlands, through restoration programs, than on cropland even though the acreage of wetlands is much smaller. In complementary work, NPWRC scientists evaluated the impact of agricultural land use and practices on rates of sedimentation in PPR wetlands. Sediment is a primary pollutant of all wetlands and poses unique threats to prairie wetlands. Results suggest that up to 50 percent of the wetland volume in the PPR will be lost over the next 200 years and loss of wetland depth and volume will have serious ecological and economic implications. Agricultural practices that mitigate erosion of agricultural soils (e.g.. conservation tillage, filter strips) near wetlands are required to maintain agricultural productivity and the ecological integrity of prairie wetlands.

Managing Shrubsteppe Ecosystems in the intermountain West with Sagemap - Scientists at the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center study many facets of sagebrush-steppe ecosystem biology, including the role of fire, invasive species impacts, vegetative cover mapping, and determining the habitat needs of species such as the sage

Biological Research

grouse. To meet the needs of BLM and other managers, USGS has opened a Web site containing spatial data that can be downloaded and used for research and management of shrubland ecosystems. The site (http://SAGEMAP.wr.usgs.gov) was developed primarily in response to BLM and other agency needs to have maps, and other spatial information such as vegetation coverage or species ranges, for managing shrubsteppe lands and sage grouse habitats. The project, with support from BLM and other partners, provides various spatial data sets, downloadable .pdf (portable document file) versions of documents, such as the Sage Grouse Management Guidelines; a Listserv for information on issues important to shrubsteppe management and sage grouse populations; and a listing of upcoming meetings. New data layers are added continually to the site to provide current and comprehensive coverages available for shrubland regions of the Intermountain West.

Global Change Effects on Coastal Ecosystems - USGS global change research conducted at the National Wetlands Research Center has shown species-specific differences in growth and productivity of coastal marsh plants related to elevated carbon dioxide in greenhouse experiments. Results suggest potential changes in coastal marsh vegetation dominance under an elevated carbon dioxide environment. Other researchers evaluating effects of global and regional rates of sea-level rise and subsidence on coastal wetlands have shown that some wetlands "keep up" with sea-level rise by accumulating elevation via underground production of roots and rhizomes. Other wetlands require inputs of mineral sediments via overland flow of sediment-laden water. Experiments on the relationships of below-ground production to elevation change are underway. Results from these recent and long-term studies have been incorporated into ongoing research on both Hurricane Mitch recovery in Central America and salt marsh dieback in the Gulf of Mexico. Other researchers assessing changes in seagrass and freshwater submerged aquatic vegetation throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico documented two new invasive species invading lower salinity sites. In more saline locations they documented a macroalga, Caulerpa toxifolia, which is known to be aggressively invading coastlines around the world.

Application of Science Information to Management

(estimates for FY 2001, $9.6 million; FY 2002, $9.8 million; FY 2003, $9.8 million)

Decision-support systems that harness enormous amounts of scientific data and present it to decisionmakers in an understandable form are being developed and enhanced by USGS researchers. The "Applications" program works in partnership with natural resource agencies and others to develop the knowledge and technology to assist land managers in making informed management decisions. The efforts include models and tools that assist decisionmaking in such areas as land-use planning, land and water management, fish and wildlife management, invasive-species prevention and control, and other areas involving human interactions with biological resources. These tools incorporate the best available economic, social, and ecological science information to offer alternative ways to balance social and economic needs with natural resource management and conservation.

High Priority Research for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (estimates for FY 2001, $3.4 million; FY 2002, $3.4 million; FY 2003, $3.4 million - The USGS continues to address critical research needs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service such as species at risk, invasive species, inventory and monitoring protocols, and fisheries and aquatic resources. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service looks to USGS for science-based decisionmaking approaches to address Its resource management needs. The USGS is developing priority research and monitoring tools and technology such as inventory and monitoring protocols to assist wildlife refuges; status

Biological Research and Monitoring Subactivity

and trends of the genetic diversity of salmon and trout species and evaluation of other sensitive fish species; tools to measure the effects of land management practices on habitats of declining and at-risk species; and technical assistance to help determine the needs for habitat conservation planning in the Southwestern and Western United States.

Pacific Northwest Forest Plan (estimates for FY 2001, $3.0 million; FY 2002, $3.0 million; FY 2003, $3.0 million) - The Pacific Northwest Forest Plan calls for major changes in the management of Pacific Northwest forests on Federal lands to ensure that species associated with old-growth and riparian areas have suitable habitat throughout their ranges. USGS research biologists identify the essential habitats and specific life history requirements of sensitive species required to implement the plan.

Quick Response Program (estimates for FY 2001, $0.5 million; FY 2002, $0.5 million; FY 2003, $0.5 million) – This program was established in FY 1994, to provide quick turn around research or technical assistance identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Studies undertaken by this program involve scientific research that is short-term and provides critical information required for making credible and effective resource-management decisions. The research addresses many issues, including management of public lands, environmental contaminants, threatened and endangered species, anadromous fish, and aquatic and terrestrial invasives.

Natural Resource Preservation Program (NRPP) (estimates for FY 2001, $2.8 million; FY 2002, $2.8 million; FY 2003, $2.8 million) – USGS biologists conduct short-term, tactical research to meet natural resource management needs of the National Park Service. NRPP funds help fill gaps in applied biological research in the Nation's national parks and allow USGS to address research needs significant to park resource managers. Park superintendents are provided results that analyze the issue, evaluate management options, and provide a variety of possible solutions. The National Park Service provides comparable funding that enables them to implement management actions recommended by USGS. An example of the research includes the development of a technique using DNA to monitor grizzly and black bear populations in Glacier National Park. By using a monitoring tool such as DNA analysis, the wild animals are not disturbed by handling and marking.

Predictive Population Modeling – Through development of predictive population models, this program assists resource managers in making difficult decisions by reducing the uncertainty associated with population responses to habitat and environmental change. In essence, these models allow managers to project the likely outcome of various management alternatives on populations of plants and animals.

Science for Decision-Support Systems - Land and other natural resource managers require strong scientific, social, and economic information to make justifiable management decisions. However, the gap between quality information and management decisionmaking is often pronounced. Decision-support systems are computer-based tools that bridge that gap by bringing the best scientific and human dimensions information to bear on specific natural resource issues. This program develops and advances the science associated with decisionsupport systems, thereby ensuring that results from scientific research are directly funneled back into the decisionmaking process of natural resources agencies.

State and Tribal Conservation Management - Projects promoted through State partnerships between State and Tribal institutions and USGS field units address high priority conservation and management issues. Projects focus on providing scientific information needed to develop

Biological Research

habitat and ecosystem restoration plans, and on enhancing the accessibility of scientific data and information products to State and Tribal land managers.

Adaptive Management - As more and more scientific data accumulate and natural resource managers learn from their previous management actions, a process of integrating that knowledge into future decisionmaking is essential. Adaptive management provides the conceptual foundation upon which future management issues can be successfully addressed. It is a process of evaluating a management problem, determining project objectives, implementing a remedial strategy, monitoring the outcome, and then revising the strategy, if necessary, to achieve stated objectives. This program area forms the foundation for a new era of partnerships, investigation, and management between the science arm of private and public entities and that arm responsible for management and conservation of the Nation's natural resources. its aim is to close the gap between scientific knowledge and application of that knowledge through strong, on-the-ground collaboration between scientists and State, Federal, and private natural resource managers.

Human Dimensions and Socioeconomics – Natural resources management requires a firm understanding of biological, economic, and social issues and processes. interaction between human communities and their natural surroundings through consumptive and non-consumptive activities can introduce various changes to ecosystems. Human dimensions studies are used to better understand those human-induced changes, determine the environmental conditions desired by local communities and users of natural resources, and develop information that assists decisionmakers in sustaining or restoring healthy ecosystems.

Recent Accomplishments

Wetland and Grassland Birds Response to Management – Much habitat management of national wildlife refuges and other Federally managed lands are directed toward improving the habitat for waterfowl. The consequences of those management practices on other species of birds have not been well summarized. To remedy that situation, USGS scientists with major support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other cooperators, have synthesized information for more than 40 species of birds that rely on grasslands and wetlands. An account for each species describes the kinds of habitats favored during the breeding season and how the species respond to a variety of management practices. These accounts have been made available on the World-Wide Web: www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/literatr/grasbird/grasbird.htm

Endangered and At-Risk Species

(estimates for FY 2001, $14.0 million; FY 2002, $14.6 million; FY 2003, $14.3 million) Reversing the rapid loss of biological diversity remains one of the greatest challenges to natural resource managers. Reasons for species decline include habitat loss from development, agriculture, road building, reservoirs, and mining operations; habitat degradation from fire suppression, livestock grazing, damming and other changes in the amount and quality of water; invasive species; and health effects such as disease and contaminants. Restoring dedining populations thus depends on an integrated program of research to develop critical information on the biology of individual species and the ecological relationships between those species and their habitats. Through improved data collection and analysis focused on linking physical, chemical, and biological factors with others contributing to alterations in species composition and health, the USGS is providing land and resource managers with additional tools for addressing these issues.

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Biological Research and Monitoring Subactivity

Endangered and at-risk species research focuses on determining the status and trends of rare species, detecting the point at which species fall into the status of being at risk; identifying factors responsible for the decline of threatened and endangered species; and assisting in the development of management plans and methods to restore depleted populations and to prevent further declines. Most USGS endangered species research supports recovery of species already having legal status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. To help managers achieve the goals of recovery plans, USGS scientists investigate the life requirements of listed species and factors limiting their populations. Better knowledge of both requirements and limitations is needed for managers to act effectively to promote restoration of populations.

Collaborative studies among the USGS National Wildlife Health Center, California Department Fish and Game, and the USGS Western Ecological Research Center were designed and are currently underway to determine causes of the recent population decline of the Southern sea otter, determine the importance and impact of diseases and contaminants, and integrate separate research studies on live and dead otters. Due to the complexity of the factors contributing to the decline of this species, these investigations will have to continue for several more years before scientific findings might support recovery.

Congress appropriated an additional $300,000 in FY 2002 for research on life history requirements and habitat preferences of the endangered pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River. The USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center is using these funds to expand current investigations to include new work that will locate and monitor pallid sturgeon to document habitat relationships and requirements of all life stages necessary for successful population growth in the Missouri River basin. These studies will document habitat use and response to environmental variables, including flow, temperature, substrate, and structure. The studies will also show how sturgeon distribution and abundance change in response to flood-created and engineered modifications of within channel habitat.

Endangered Species (estimates for FY 2001, $13.2 million; FY 2002, $13.9 million; FY 2003, $13.6 million) - USGS endangered species research provides biological information needed to restore currently listed populations, to support de-listing wherever possible, or to preclude future listings by clarifying species' status or suggesting timely preventive actions. Ongoing research provides Federal, State, and private-sector managers more effective tools to restore populations. The key to both protecting species and preventing the listing of additional species occupying the same habitats is habitat conservation planning. In partnership with DO! resource management bureaus and with State and local governments, USGS scientists are providing the kinds of sophisticated technical knowledge required to develop and implement effective habitat conservation plans.

Species at Risk (estimates for FY 2001, $0.7 million; FY 2002, $0.7 million; FY 2003, $0.7 million) USGS scientists are also involved in efforts to conserve species before they become listed, thereby avoiding associated constraints and conflicts. Species at Risk projects lead to conservation options and actions that reduce the need for listing species as threatened or endangered. Projects focus on species for which there is concern over possible endangerment or additional field evidence is needed to assess the risk. Projects involving population viability analyses and investigations of factors causing the decline of species generate new information to support species protection and restoration efforts.