Atch_1_Gray_Bat_Telemetry_Project_SOW.pdf

Scope of Work

Arnold Air Force Base

Foraging and Roosting Ecology of Gray Bats (Myotis grisescens)

I. Purpose

The Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens) Recovery Plan recommends that possible impacts to gray bat foraging habitat be considered when planning any action within 25 km of a roost. In addition to the Woods Reservoir colony, four known gray bat colonies off AAFB have foraging areas that overlap portions of AAFB.

Previously, at the request of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Cookeville Field Office (CFO), gray bats were captured and banded at these caves in conjunction with mist net surveys and banding on the base. It was hoped that the interconnectivity of colonies and gray bats foraging on base could be elucidated over time. This effort expanded in cooperation with other state and federal agencies in response to White-nose Syndrome in 2008. While, banding and subsequent recaptures at these and other caves permitted data to be gathered about gray bat migration, there was limited success connecting bats foraging on AAFB to roost caves. A more complete understanding of the foraging habits on AAFB would assist in better defining foraging habitat for future revisions of AAFB’s programmatic agreement. Knowledge of the roosting caves used by gray bats foraging on AAFB would assist in developing partnerships for the conservation of the species. In addition, capture and transmitter attachment of individuals roosting in the dam would further knowledge needed to understand the roost/foraging habits of the species on AAFB.

II. Work elements

The contractor shall perform the following work elements for the project:

A. Study Plan Preparation: Prepare a draft study plan that presents the detailed study approach, GIS mapping procedures, sampling methods, and proposed data analysis techniques. After approval of draft by AAFB, produce a final study plan.

B. Field Surveys and Data Analysis: Capture gray bats between 1 June and 31 July in mist nets from foraging locations on base and from the Woods Reservoir Dam (if present). A Section 10 Permit is required. Mist-net sites will be selected with the aid of AAFB. Biological and morphometric data will be recorded for each individual captured (e.g., time of capture, capture net, species, sex, age class, reproductive condition, mass, and forearm length).

Captured bats of all species other than tricolored bats will be banded with a uniquely numbered aluminum lipped band provided by AAFB. Tricolored bats will be banded with TWRA 2.4 mm uniquely numbered aluminum lipped bands. Attach transmitters to male and female gray bats with an emphasis on pregnant or lactating females. At least 20 gray bats will be tracked by aerial telemetry via manned aircraft with demonstratable experience in addition to ground truthing via triangulation if deemed necessary. An aerial crew can collect foraging data faster than multiple ground crews and can both survey several potential foraging areas as well as track multiple bats in one night. For this reason, the documented long distances gray bats can travel in a single night, and as a Best Practice of the Regulatory Agency, tracking in this study must be done using manned airplane (s). Track all individuals to identify primary foraging habitat(s).Track via radio telemetry all individual bats to roost caves/structures for the life of the transmitter (~14 days). Perform at least one emergence count of all identified caves/structures, if not hindered by type of structure or landowner restrictions, to confirm location of transmittered bat and estimate number of individuals in roost. Data analysis will evaluate the landscape characteristics of the foraging habitat based on the underlying GIS vegetation and landscape geomorphology layers provided by AAFB underlying the calculated total foraging area (95% confidence fixed kernel), intermediate foraging area (75% confidence fixed kernel), and core foraging area (50% confidence fixed kernel) for each bat.

C. Report Preparation: Prepare a scientifically formatted report presenting the findings of the project.

III. Reporting

A. The contractor will provide weekly phone updates as to the progress of the project. The contractor will notify conservation personnel the day following any captures of Indiana or Northern long-eared bats.

B. The contractor shall provide a draft report (electronic copy) including all data collected, maps of survey sites with overlain results of tracked bat multiple home ranges, roost sites, and any other collected data, copies of data sheets. A summary and interpretation of data also will be provided

C. Upon review (and subsequent return) of the draft report, comments will be addressed and the final report will be submitted to AAFB.

D. All geographic data will be provided for entry into the AAFB GIS database.

Format will be in SDSFIE 3.1 or determined in consultation with AAFB GIS specialist.

IV. Schedule

The project shall be implemented according to the following schedule:

Task Date Study Plan Preparation & Submittal April – May

Field Surveys June – July

Data Analysis and Report Preparation & Submittal August –April

V. Deliverables

A. Study Plan (Draft and Final): The draft and final study plan shall include the following sections: Introduction; Method, including survey protocols, GIS mapping procedures, and data collection; and schedule for project implementation. At one month after Receipt of Order, submit study plan draft for two week inspection and feedback period by government. Final study plan due one month after government review period.

B. Progress Reports: The contractor will provide minutes from weekly phone updates by one week post call. The contractor shall prepare quarterly progress reports to include a summary of progress and results in all phases of the project, including any anticipated schedule alterations and a summary of resources consumed by one month post quarter.

C. Final Report (Draft and Final): The final report shall be prepared in electronic and two hard copies, including but not limited to the following:

• Introduction describing the basis for the project and overall study approach;

• Methods section including data collection procedures, maps and descriptions of the study areas, survey methods, and data analysis techniques;

• Results section providing details of the study including data analysis;

• Discussion section interpreting the study findings;

• Management Recommendations section

• Recommendations for Future Study section detailing potential projects;

• Electronic data delivered in a format coordinated early in the project with AAFB GIS staff to ensure integration into AAFB’s GIS.

D. At 10.5 months after Receipt of Order, submit draft final report for two week inspection and feedback period by government. Final report due at 12 months after Receipt of Order.

Duration of project is expected to be twelve months.