Integrated monitoring plan development for native and non-native fishes at ASH meadows national wildlife refuge, nevadaproject period: 09 16 2024 - 12 31 2026 abstract summary: the overall goal of…

This federal Cooperative Agreement award, valued at $207,547.17, was granted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the Cooperative Research Units (CFDA 15.812) program. The primary objectives are to: 1) compile and synthesize existing fish and aquatic habitat data for Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada, 2) develop and pilot an integrated environmental DNA (eDNA) and traditional sampling approach to monitor aquatic taxa, and 3) produce a peer-reviewed integrated monitoring plan for native and non-native aquatic species at the refuge. The awardee, the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education operating through the University of Nevada, Reno, will deliver the following key products: a dataset publication, at least two peer-reviewed journal articles, and a final integrated monitoring plan submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The award period runs from September 16, 2024 through December 31, 2026.

Integrated monitoring plan development for native and non-native fishes at ASH meadows national wildlife refuge, nevadaproject period: 09 16 2024 - 12 31 2026 abstract summary: the overall goal of this research work order is to develop an integrated (edna and traditional sampling) approach to monitor occurrence and abundance of aquatic taxa at ASH meadows national wildlife refuge (amnwr). Activities to be performed - 1.compile and synthesize available fish and aquatic habitat datasets collected at amnwr, develop a standardized database, and publish as a USGS data release to a persistent data repository (e.g., USGS sciencebase). 2.develop a preliminary integrated (paired edna and traditional direct capture) sampling and monitoring design for multiple systems at amnwr and conduct pilot sampling across one year.3.based on results from objectives 1, 2, and parallel research efforts, develop a peer-reviewed integrated status and trend monitoring plan for native and non-native aquatic taxa at amnwr that incorporates edna assays, traditional fish sampling, and structured decision-making. Deliverables and expected outcomes -1.a peer-reviewed monitoring plan will be submitted to USFWS no later than 90 days after the end of the period of performance. 2.the dataset collation and database will be compiled and stored as a USGS data release on sciencebase. 3.oral or poster presentations will be given by the post-DOC or the PI at scientific conferences. 4.at least two peer-reviewed publications will result from objectives 1 and 2. Intended beneficiary(IES) -USGS, USFWS, amnwr subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award -n a