Habitat Monitoring. Twenty ponds within the designated habitat preserves in the project area are surveyed bi-annually by LSA biologists for an on-going species count of CRLF adults, larvae, and egg masses. In 2017, 16 ponds provided documented CRLF presence and 15 of these ponds provided documented breeding activity. The number of ponds providing evidence of breeding in 2017 was the highest recorded in the previous 14 monitoring years and two ponds (15-P and 18-P) provided evidence of breeding for the first time. The number of CRLF observed within the constructed mitigation ponds in 2017 was consistent with other productive years and the number of CRLF observed within the enhanced ponds was the highest recorded in the previous 14 monitoring years (see Tables D and E). In 2017, adult CRLF were observed at the following six pre-project breeding locations: pond 4 (up to 3 observed), pond 5 (up to 5 observed), pond 7 (up to 23 observed), pond 10 (up to 5 observed), pond 11 (up to 2 observed), and the cistern (up to 3 observed). Adult CRLF were also observed in the following ten created breeding locations: pond 3-P (up to 2 observed), pond 4-P (up to 2 observed), pond 6-P (up to 8 observed), pond 7-P (up to 6 observed), pond 9-P (up to 2 observed), pond 15-P (up to 2 observed), pond 16-P (up to 6 observed), pond 18 P (up to 2 observed), pond 20-P (up to 2 observed), and pond 21 P (up to 2 observed). Calling male CRLF, CRLF egg masses, or CRLF larvae were observed in five existing ponds (4, 5, 7, 10, and 11) and at ten mitigation ponds (3-P, 4-P, 6-P, 7-P, 9-P, 15-P, 16-P, 18-P, 20-P, and 21-P). Tables D and E (below) summarize all observed CRLF individuals and breeding activities at mitigation ponds and enhanced ponds (respectively) by year. All 2017 adult CRLF and/or breeding activity was observed at ponds that did not meet hydrologic and/or vegetation performance criteria discussed above.
Habitat Monitoring. Habitat monitoring is a rapidly developing discipline, and will likely change during the 25 year term of this Agreement. Enrolled Landowners will monitor EMR habitat using tools that are effective and available. These might include IFMAP, photo-monitoring, coarse level metrics, Habitat Suitability Indexes or niche modeling. X’Xxxxxx (2006) discusses a variety of monitoring techniques that might be adapted to habitat monitoring for the CCAA. Enrolled Landowners may choose to evaluate and monitor EMR habitat components and vegetation structure at other sites, which may be very valuable especially if management is intense. The DNR, experts, and other conservation partners will continue to evaluate and refine monitoring techniques and analysis and protocol will be adapted accordingly. Any new applicable information from EMR research projects will also be considered in the adaptation of a monitoring protocol.
Habitat Monitoring
