DEVELOPING A MARSH MONITORING PROGRAM FOR PRAIRIE
HABITAT JOINT VENTURE
 
 

Goals and Objectives
This project will design a monitoring program that could be initially piloted in selected focal areas in each province, and then rolled out throughout the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture (PHJV) area once long-term funding has been identified. Specifically this project will:

  • Define protocols for a PHJV Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP) based on the continental standards but adapted to local conditions. This would include species selection and habitat types.
  • Define a spatial sampling framework taking into account existing wetland classification information and other available spatial land cover datasets (e.g., LandSat). There is no comprehensive wetland inventory database available so Bird Studies Canada (BSC) would explore alternate strategies such as using air-ground transects where long-term monitoring and land permission are already established
  • Adapt current MMP point count-specific habitat description and measurement protocols to meet conditions required for a Prairie-wide marshbird monitoring program.
  • Examine alternate delivery systems and strategies. This would include both technical and administrative/social factors.
  • Develop prototype training programs and strategies for survey participants (volunteers and professional partner personnel).

Objectives
The purpose of this proposal is to design and test a monitoring program for water birds in PHJV areas of interest based on the all aspects of continental marsh bird monitoring that the MMP is in the process of adopting. These include survey protocols and spatial sampling frameworks (regionally-specific), as well as essential components of program delivery such as partner development in the Prairie region, survey participant recruitment and training, and other elements deemed necessary to meet monitoring objectives. More specifically, this proposed project would:

  • Design and implement a program that will lead to targeted surveys and monitoring activities in focal areas, and that will eventually lead to building a database that will enable estimates of population trends for focal target wetland bird species
  • Contribute species and associated habitat use information that will guide model development and inform decision support systems to help to evaluate relative importance of wetland types and habitat types to these species
  • Inform evaluation of PHJV programs and how these affect water birds.

Activities

  • Hire a Prairie Region MMP project coordinator to begin to work with BSC HQ staff and Prairie region partners to develop and implement this pilot project
  • Determine Prairie Region office location for MMP project coordinator, negotiate office space, and begin process to familiarize project coordinator with PHJV partners and associated initiatives.
  • Establish a Prairie Region MMP Steering Committee(SC) that optimizes partner and expert representation
  • Develop Prairie Region MMP survey protocols according to continental survey protocols, prairie wetland types, and target marsh bird species
  • Consult with continental partners, PHJV partners, Prairie Region MMP SC, and others to establish suitable spatial sampling framework for monitoring marsh birds in the Prairie region
  • Consult with Canadian partners regarding availability and use of various existing land cover and habitat data layers for use to establish sampling framework, and develop data sharing agreements where needed
  • Present draft framework proposal to Prairie Region MMP SC for input, recommendations and next steps
  • Seek funds in support of implementing pilot recruitment, ground reconnaissance, field study, and project evaluation phases.

Benefits to Wildlife and Relevance to Habitat Planning, Decision Making and/or Management
For water birds, which include species groups such as grebes, rails, herons and bitterns among others, the base scientific information is considerably sparse, thus hampering the design of habitat conservation strategies and programs for these species. Lack of systematic data also limits the ability of the PHJV to assess how their existing programming is affecting these species. This pilot project involving the design and testing of a monitoring program for water birds in PHJV areas of interest will provide information to guide model development and inform decision makers that will help evaluate the importance of wetland and habitat types to these bird species.

Project Location
The project will focus on (prairie) areas of interest to the PHJV.

Project Contact
For more information on this project, please contact Dr. George Finney, President, Bird Studies Canada, Port Rowan, Ontario.