2007 Annual Report - Institute for Environmental Monitoring and ...

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P a g e 1 2 I n s t i t u t e f o r E n v i r o n m e n t a l M o n i t o r i n g a n d R e s e a r c h 2 0 0 7 A n n u a l R e p o r tData CompilationThrough a cost sharing agreement between the WildlifeDivision of the government of Newfoundland andLabrador and the Institute, a one year Data Coordinatorposition was advertised and filled in 2007. As apartner, the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centrehas agreed to administer this position and providetechnical support. The focus of the small mammaldata compilation project is to compile all informationand data sources on small mammal studies completedin Newfoundland and Labrador from 1960 to 2005.Small Mammal Trapping ProgramIn 2007 the Institute partnered with the governmentof Newfoundland and Labrador, Innu Nation,Nunatsiavut government, and the Metis Nation to putin place a small mammal trapping program. In Junethe Institute hosted a training session to introducethe trapping protocol to ensure that data wascollected and comparable across all study sitesduring the fall trapping program. As a partner tothe program, the Institute conducted a trappingcampaign at Park Lake and Anne Marie Lake.A small mammal identification and databasingworkshop was held on the samples received. Thisjoint partnership program was very effective andthere is agreement to continue this program on anannual basis.Status:• The Institute entered into a cost-sharing agreementwith the government of Newfoundland andLabrador to conduct a data compilation survey onsmall mammal from 1960-2005.• The compiled data set will be housed at the AtlanticCanada Conservation Data Centre in Corner Brook.The data will provide a reference background forfuture small mammal studies in Newfoundland andLabrador.• The results of the 2007 small mammal trappingprogram are currently being compiled and theresults will be published to the Institute’s web siteonce the analysis is completed.Snow mouseArctic Hare• The government of Newfoundland and Labradorwill be responsible for the management and storageof all data and samples associated with the smallmammal monitoring network.• In 2008 the Institute will continue a small mammaltrapping program at two sites within the trainingarea as part of its contribution to the monitoringnetwork.• The Institute will continue to collaborate with thegovernment of Newfoundland and Labrador todevelop a trapping protocol and training video to beused by all the participants in the network.• The Institute will continue to assist interestedAboriginal groups in setting up small mammalmonitoring networks within their communities byproviding the traps and co-sponsoring with thegovernment of Newfoundland and Labrador atraining workshop on small mammal trapping.BARROW’S GOLDENEYEBarrow’s Goldeneye nest at high altitudes withinfishless lakes and therefore could be exposed to noisedisturbance associated with future militaryactivity, such as supersonic training. As thisspecies is presently considered as a species of specialconcern under the SARA, it is important that theappropriate mitigation measures are implemented.Information on the occurrence, distribution andabundance of this species is required beforeappropriate mitigation and avoidance measures canbe taken; therefore, in 2007 the Institute awarded acontract to LGL Limited for a preliminary assessmentof Barrow’s Goldeneye nesting within the proposedsupersonic training area CYA 732. The Institute isdeveloping a monitoring program in collaborationwith CWS to conduct a field survey within CYA 733for the 2008 field season.
Status:• The report “Barrow’s Goldeneye HabitatIdentification and Population Survey” was acceptedas presented and has been filed to the Institute’slibrary and web site.• In collaboration with CWS, the Institute willconduct a field study in 2008 to define the statusof the Barrow’s Goldeneye particularly in CYA 733.The objectives for this field study would be to:o Develop a field monitoring protocol for surveysto assess a sample of sites with high potential forbreeding Barrow’s Goldeneye.o Undertake a field monitoring program to confirmthe occurrence or absence of breeding Barrow’sGoldeneye.GOLDEN EAGLESIn anticipation of supersonic training, a surveyprogram was initiated in the LLTA for Golden Eaglenests in 2005. The objective of this work was tore-examine previously known nests and to locate newnests and to assess their status and condition. Activenest sites were documented for consideration duringplanning of future monitoring studies for supersonictraining.In 2006, a monitoring program was conducted tocollect baseline observations of nesting Golden Eaglesin the absence of (prior to) noise and visualdisturbance associated with future training activities.Only one active nest was found and it was notdeemed suitable for observations. It is noted that thepoor nesting success may be related to the declinein small mammal populations in 2005, and thus thedecreased food supply that persisted into 2006. In2007 the Institute awarded a contract to MinaskuatLtd. to conduct a survey within the LLTA. The studyteam visited fourteen Golden Eagle nests, of whichthree were found active. Given the currentdistribution of Golden Eagles in CYA 732 and theirlocation for observation, future effects monitoringwould need closer access and more sophisticatedobservation blinds for evaluating ‘subtle’ aspectsof nesting behaviour.Status:• The 2007 field study report “Baseline Monitoring ofGolden Eagle in the LLTA” has being reviewed bythe SRC and will be recommended for approval bythe Board in 2008.• Given the sensitivity associated with nest location,the geo-referencing data is filed at the Instituteoffice.• The SRC is reviewing the feasibility of conductingGolden Eagle, Bald Eagle, and Osprey habitatidentification and monitoring program for the 2008field season.Picturesque ViewFIELD TESTING OFNEST MONITORSThe environmental effects monitoring related to thelow-level military aircraft training at 5 Wing GooseBay has addressed a variety of issues dealing withseveral species of avifauna. Conducted with supportfrom DND, studies have been directed at priorityspecies and have addressed parameters of interestaccording to their ability to be measured objectivelyand based on the biological significance of the effectbeing measured.The Institute has continued to work with thecompany TenXsys Inc. to develop an egg-shapedNestMonitor (“thermister”) in its efforts to continueto investigate the potential adverse effects of militarytraining. This device will help researchersdetermine if and for how long an adult remains off anest following a disturbance using changes inambient temperature as an indicator. Ambienttemperatures and noise exposures can be measureddirectly from the nest with accuracy verified by fieldobservations. The use of NestMonitors would obviatethe need for visual observations, thereby reducingbiases induced by researcher disturbances. TheNestMonitors are capable of measuring decibel levelsand nest temperature (at the surface of the ‘egg’) andwill also be equipped with a VHF signal to facilitaterelocation should the nest be raided by a predator.In 2006 the Institute contracted the services of theconsulting company Minaskuat Ltd. to field test theNestMonitors on Canada Geese, Bald Eagle andOsprey. As this technology was highly experimental,it was proposed to test the NestMonitors incombination with visual observations. During theinitial program, technical problems were reportedand in March 2007 a workshop was arranged withTenXsys Inc. to address these concerns.2 0 0 7 A n n u a l R e p o r t I n s t i t u t e f o r E n v i r o n m e n t a l M o n i t o r i n g a n d R e s e a r c h P a g e 1 3
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