The purpose of grant F23AS00124 is to conduct field work to assist with the most accurate estimation of trend in desert tortoise critical habitat units by the desert tortoise recovery office, US…

The purpose of grant F23AS00124 is to conduct field work to assist with the most accurate estimation of trend in desert tortoise critical habitat units by the desert tortoise recovery office, US fish and wildlife service. The predominate field surveys will consist of line distance transects and capture-recapture (DEMOGRAPHIC) plots. Both population estimators require strict adherence to field methods as stipulated by dtro. These requirements will be followed by kiva biological consulting.line distance transects are conducted by teams of 2 individuals. Kiva will provide enough teams so that transects will be conducted when tortoises are most active, approximately mid march to early may. On days transects are walked an individual will monitor the appropriate focal group to estimate the proportion of tortoises in the region are available to be observed.data recording, proofing, and submittal in both electronic and paper formats is of paramount importance to the project. Data needs to be incorporated into the master data set for analysis by dtro. Proofing by kiva personnel will take place twice, at the time of entry and after the transect is completed. Proofing will ensure that all data forms are fully and accurately completed, and that the electronic format is recorded identically to the paper data format. Assuming cell service is available, data will be uploaded daily or as soon as possible. We understand that all participants will have to attend training session prior to initiation of field work, typically in early to mid-march. Data forms will be provided by the dtro. Transect and plot locations will also be provided by dtro. All personnel that work on this project will have qualifications to be permitted by dtro, USFWS.two or three focal populations will be monitored monthly for each year of the project as required by the USFWS, dtro permit. Each focal tortoise will be fitted with a transmitter and monitored every month. Transmitters will be changed as needed, typically every two years. The goal is to have 12 tortoises for each focal group, six female and six males.capture-recapture plots are a very different population estimator and provide accurate density and DEMOGRAPHIC information on a small patch of habitat. To provide the most accurate information kiva will provide approximately 24 personnel for three days for each plot. The objective is to complete coverage on each one square kilometer plot with minimal immigration or emigration. Most people will walk transects to find as many tortoises as possible. As needed, when tortoises are found, one or more personnel will process each tortoise located. Processing a tortoise requires the tortoise be weighed, measured, SEX identified if possible, photographed, and a physical health assessment conducted. As with line distance transects, all data will be proofed twice, at the time of collection and at the end of the day of collection.funding will likely change for each year of the grant and kiva will provide a budget based on the funding available. Numbers of personnel will also vary and staffing will be commensurate for the number of plots and or plots conducted. Annual and final reports will be submitted as required.