The university of montanas (UM) oconnor center for the rocky mountain west (ocrmw) proposes a cooperative agreement (i.e., cesu) with the BLM to develop ecological monitoring datasets related to lotic…

The university of montanas (UM) oconnor center for the rocky mountain west (ocrmw) proposes a cooperative agreement (i.e., cesu) with the BLM to develop ecological monitoring datasets related to lotic habitat and the development of analyses that address critical science and management questions through novel research approaches. In collaboration with the BLM, we will acquire aquatic resource data that are consistently collected, using repeatable protocols, and that accurately reflect the diversity and condition of aquatic habitats within BLM land in nevada. High quality data will facilitate sound decision making and management actions by BLM while building the large, robust datasets for ocrmw scientists to use in scientific analysis, modelling, and research development.activities to be performed under this award include:task 1. Collect data in lotic habitats using the assessment, inventory, and monitoring (aim) protocol.task 2. Address critical science and management questions through novel research approaches.deliverables will include:1. Data collection.a. Random or targeted lotic aim points associated with the nevada state, district or field office level designs.b. Other data collection for lotic projects based on BLM need and funding.2. Data analyses that address critical science and management questions through novel research approaches.a. Link a graduate student with lotic aim data collection and implement a masters level research project using lotic aim data in nevada (years 1-3).b. Conduct novel analyses that relate lotic aim data in nevada with landscape-level data and or models to address pressing issues facing aquatic resources on BLM land (e.g., climate change, grazing) (years 4-5).c. Other analyses that will be developed project-by-project by ocrmw senior scientists with feedback from the nevada state office (years 1-5).the intended beneficiaries include 1) the public, who will benefit directly and indirectly from BLM resource managers using consistent and defensible aquatic health data to plan and implement aquatic resource improvements to water supply, water quality, and aquatic habitat, as well as increasing climate resilience, 2) BLM nevada aquatic resources program, by having high quality data to advance its core functions of decision support, protection, restoration, water resource sustainability, environmental compliance, and collaboration 3) nevada BLM state office, district and local offices who will have reliable data to inform restoration planning, advance habitat suitability identification, predict water permanence, and monitor climate-induced habitat change, including habitat for BLM-sensitive and ESA species 4) ocrmw, who will benefit by increasing capacity to analyze large data sets and by increasing opportunities to recruit, train and employ field scientists, 5) other partners and stakeholders, who will benefit by more information about aquatic resources managed by theblm, and 6) the university of montana, who will benefit from a funded graduate student position.