Questions and Answers.docx

SNAIL SURVEY AND MONTORING

140L2222Q0009

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is considered an adequate survey in the eyes of the BLM?,How often would the surveys need to occur? (Your organization asks for updates every 2 weeks.)

Surveys should be completed using a combination of two sampling methods. 1) Opportunistic “point searches” should constitute one-third of the total search time in the project area. This method briefly samples many representative key habitat features along a survey route throughout the survey area. 2) Two thirds of the search time should be spent in a more intensive, time constrained search of a few small, well defined sample areas.

Tentative survey routes should be planned to safely traverse through the defined survey areas using the maps and photos. However, since aerial photos may not reveal the best habitat, field reconnaissance of the survey area may be necessary in order to identify the best survey route. Actual survey routes should be located to pass through a representative sample of habitat types within the survey area, focusing on any areas within it that have concentrations of the key habitat features identified for the target species. Survey routes should meander through most of the survey area, and proceed from one “sample area” to the next.

Survey routes should concentrate on areas where existing trails or disturbed areas from recreationists exist but should also include adjacent undisturbed, suitable habitat in order to maximize potential of detection and provide insight to how current use may be affecting populations.

Identify sample areas in the field along or near the survey route, approximately 5 m. (16.5 ft) radius or 78.5 sq.m. (854.9 sq.ft.) in size, which encompass areas with a number of key habitat features for the target species. In some cases, the best sample areas may be around only one feature, such as a large tree or down log. These areas do not need to be circular, but should be defined areas of the required size encompassing concentrations of the key habitat features. These are areas in which an intensive time-constrained search will be conducted. Sample areas do not need to be evenly spaced within the survey area, but they should be distributed throughout a variety of the best suitable habitat within it.

Single surveyors should search for 20 minutes in each sample area and utilizing an opportunistic point search method outside of sample areas. Opportunistically search around key habitat features within approximately 10 meters (33ft.) of the route. These short point searches may include rolling over small logs, looking under bits of bark, rocks, vegetation, and debris, picking through hardwood leaf litter and searching the needle and leaf litter at the bases of logs and shrubs. In other words, a surveyor checks a representative sample of points where snails might be expected to be found. These point searches may consist of quick, continuous sampling, with less than a minute for each feature, or may be more scattered, localized sampling of several key habitat features along the route. Each of these key features should be searched for approximately one minute or less; many short searches are more efficient than a few longer ones. No single point should be searched for longer than 5 minutes, however, the surveyor may choose to extend a point search beyond 5 minutes and treat the point as a full 20-minute sample area if – 15 – Survey Protocol for Survey and Manage Terrestrial Mollusk Species numerous specimens are found. If a survey point is converted to a sample area, the remaining time needed to satisfy the requirement of 20 minutes of point search time per ten acres must be fulfilled elsewhere.

Opportunistic point searches have been found to increase opportunities to discover species of mollusks in less-than-ideal situations and to locate species that were not expected in the search area. It also serves to distribute the search effort over the survey area and to help delineate the extent of known sites.

Each sample area should be searched for a total of 20 minutes, or until all target species have been located. Searching may include searching through talus, rolling over small logs, looking under bits of bark, rocks, vegetation, and debris, picking through hardwood leaf litter and searching the needle and leaf litter at the bases of logs and shrubs. Surveyors should endeavor to minimize trampling, replace habitat components to their original positions immediately, and to replace litter back over areas from which it was removed.

Each survey route should be surveyed at least twice, with at least one of those occurring shortly after a precipitation event, during monsoons when snail activity may be higher. Check ins do not need to be every two weeks as previously stated. However, please notify the BLM of any reconnaissance that is performed and when the survey work is performed. Spacing these survey efforts apart by two-three weeks ensures that a wider range of environmental conditions are sampled. Ideally, sampling would occur on cloudy, overcast days when soil moisture is high and a morning dew is present to maximize snail activity and increase detection.

Quality pictures with identifying features or voucher collections should be made to verify the species identification.

Outside of documenting snail occurrence, impacts by recreational users, invasive plant species, excessive erosion, or any other disturbance should also be documented and photos included.

A general description of habitat should also be included describing abiotic factors as well as biotic factors such as litter, rock type and distribution, grass and forb cover, shrub cover, and canopy cover. Predominant plant species in each area should be included.

Are there any special pieces of equipment required for this project? If so, can you provide an equipment list so we can prepare accordingly?

A small gardening rake to move substrate (leaf litter or talus). Small containers to collect voucher specimens. Appropriate equipment to document weather conditions such as wind speed, temperature, and possibly humidity.

Are there any qualifications or prior experience required that needs to be included in the response?

Any experience identifying terrestrial snails, and any experience in preparing invertebrate voucher specimens should be included in the proposal.

Are there any permits required for handling the species of interest? (Sonorella todseni is not currently listed as threatened or endangered and I am having difficulty finding the state status of this species. I have had difficulty finding current information on Ashmunella organensis and I'm starting to see information stating that this could be a local unofficial subspecies.)

No permits are required for handling the species.

Sonorella todseni is a BLM Sensitive species and restricted to the small Doña Ana mountain range. Sonorella orientis, a more widespread species may also occur in the Doña Ana mountains.

Ashmunella organensis is not a BLM sensitive species, but it has been labeled as a watch species for us before and may be on future iterations of our BLM sensitive Species list. It is an endemic species of woodland snail. Other Ashmunella that could occur in the Organs include Ashmunella todseni and Ashmunella auriculata. Please record any occurrences of these species if you come across them as well.

Metcalf's Land Snails of New Mexico is the main resource on snails in the area.

https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=p4sZCgAAQBAJ&pg=GBS.PA56&printsec=frontcover

Will the BLM provide field data sheets that reflect the information they are interested in or are we required to construct our own field data sheets?

Contractors are required to construct their own field data sheets.

They should include:

· Survey date, start and end time, UTMs for start and end locations of the survey route

· Description of weather on the day of the survey (Temperature, cloud cover, approximate wind speeds, humidity if possible)

· Locations of any snail species found and any relevant info about behavior or location of discovery

· A general description of habitat, describing abiotic factors as well as biotic factors such as litter, rock type and distribution, grass and forb cover, shrub cover, and canopy cover. Predominant plant species in each area should be included.

· Quick notes on any other vertebrate or invertebrate fauna encountered

· Notes about disturbance due to human activity including, but not limited to, the items below:

1) Increases in soil compaction, or disturbance of soil, rocks or vegetation which function as refugia or substrates for food

2) Reduction or disturbance of litter and duff, or reduction in the recruitment potential for these components

3) Introduction of exotic plant or wildlife species

4) Trail construction that has the potential to destabilize talus slopes, scree or rocky areas, or other areas that may be used by target species. Survey areas should include all upslope areas and adjacent vegetated habitat that may be affected 2 | Page