FEMC Regional Project

IMPACTS OF RECREATION ON FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

Methods Decision Tree

This tool helps to identify the most appropriate experimental design for your project based on topic, data output, and available resources. Within each method description, suggestions are made on ways to adapt your experimental design to best assess impacts of recreation.

Select your topic of interest:

Birds

Ovenbird fledgling in White Clay Creek State Park, Delaware.

These methods for monitoring birds are suggested by the Methods for Monitoring Landbirds from the U.S. National Park Service based on the objectives below.

What is your objective?

(select all that apply)

Inventory

Rapid assessment

Determining species presence in a short time frame. While useful for common species, rapid assessments may not detect rare or secretive species and should be supplemented with historical records and habitat assessments.

Abundance Trends and Habitat Use

Relative abundance and population trend data correlated with habitats or other sites

Understanding relative abundances, population trends, and correlations between abundance data and habitats or other sites. These surveys are repeated over time to track changes and trends, providing valuable data for understanding habitat relationships and population dynamics.

Comparing abundance trends at specific locations, and/or a transect line is difficult to maintain

Comparing changes in bird observations over time at specific locations, or where maintaining a transect line is difficult, fixed point counts are used. Observers record all birds detected during a fixed period at specific locations. This method helps track temporal changes in bird populations, even in challenging terrain.

I have enough resources for 2 observers for every bird observation

With two simultaneous observers per bird observation, this method allows for estimation of detection probabilities and improves the accuracy of abundance estimates. This method reduces biases related to observer variability and detectability issues.

I want to cover a large area and assess habitat structure using transects

For covering a large area and assessing habitat structure, transect surveys are ideal. Observers walk along fixed routes, recording all birds detected within a certain distance from the transect. This method provides data on species abundance and distribution across various habitats, allowing for assessments of extensive geographic areas or habitats, often encompassing a variety of environmental conditions and ecosystems.

Behavior and habitat usage of territorial birds

Observing and recording the activities and habitat preferences of individual birds, providing insights into breeding behavior, territory use, and habitat requirements.

Population Demographics

Estimates of adult population size, survivorship, productivity, and recruitment

Estimating adult population size, survivorship, productivity, and recruitment. Data collected provides insights into population dynamics, health, and reproductive success.

General monitoring of bird populations

Gathering data on species abundance and distribution to track population trends and assess the overall health of bird communities.

Intensive monitoring of specific species

Providing in-depth data on population dynamics, survival rates, and reproductive success, offering critical insights into the biology and conservation needs of target species.

Nest success and proximate causes of nest failures for target species

Locating and tracking nests throughout the breeding season to estimate nest success rates and determine the causes of nest failures.

Suggested Methods

show all methods considered_birds

Inventory

Area searches +

Description:

Observers roam freely for a fixed time in a specified area, tallying numbers of each species detected. Suited to volunteer observers and public outreach events. Unlike other techniques, it allows rare or secretive species to be actively pursued.

How to Adapt to Recreation:

Conduct surveys in recreational hotspots during peak visitor hours and compare with times of minimal human activity to assess the impact of recreational disturbance on bird presence and behavior.

Data Output:

Which species are in an area; Qualitative measure of relative abundance (rare, common, etc.) of each species in an area.

Limitations:

Individual birds may be counted multiple times; not suitable for tracking bird numbers over time. Varies with observer skill level.

Abundance Trends and Habitat Use

Check additional checkboxes to refine suggestion

Point counts: Double-observer with detectability estimation +

Description:

Two observers simultaneously conduct point counts to calculate detection probabilities.

How to Adapt to Recreation:

Perform counts in both high-traffic recreational areas and secluded sites to compare detection probabilities and infer potential disturbances from recreation.

Data Output:

Species in an area; Distribution and relative abundance; Trends in population size; Comparative abundances.

Limitations:

Results may vary with observer ability and habitat characteristics; Challenges in pooling data from different observers or habitats.

Point counts: Variable circular plots with distance estimation +

Description:

Observer records distances to each bird, allowing for detection probability analysis and bird density estimates.

How to Adapt to Recreation:

Conduct surveys at varying distances from recreational areas to establish a gradient of human impact on bird density.

Data Output:

Species in an area; Distribution and relative abundance; Trends in population size; Comparative abundances; Habitat data.

Limitations:

Distance estimation can be challenging, leading to errors in density estimation; Varied results based on observer ability and habitat.

Transects: Fixed-width strip transects with detection probability +

Description:

Observers record all birds detected within a fixed distance of the transect. Provides efficient bird counting by covering a greater survey area with higher detection rates.

How to Adapt to Recreation:

Establish transects that intersect with recreational trails and compare data to transects in less disturbed areas to assess recreation's influence on bird distribution and abundance.

Data Output:

Species in an area; Distribution and relative abundance; Trends in population size; Comparative abundances; Habitat data.

Limitations:

Fails to link bird detections to specific points, missing habitat associations. Weakened statistical power due to fewer independent data points. Feasible only in relatively gentle terrain.

Spot mapping +

Description:

Marks locations, movements, and interactions of birds to map breeding territories. Offers density estimates and detailed natural history information.

How to Adapt to Recreation:

Intensify mapping around recreational trails and facilities compared to undisturbed plots to evaluate changes in breeding territory and bird interactions due to human activity.

Data Output:

Trends in population size; Comparative abundances; Habitat data.

Limitations:

Expensive per data point; Limited to circumscribed study areas; Subjective territory boundary inference may vary among observers.

Population Demographics

Check additional checkboxes to refine suggestion

Constant effort mist netting +

Description:

Uses the MAPS protocol to allow comparison of bird populations across North America. Incorporates mark-recapture techniques for estimating adult survivorship and recruitment. Facilitates additional natural history data collection.

How to Adapt to Recreation:

Set up mist netting stations near recreational areas and compare capture rates to stations in undisturbed areas to determine the impact of human activity on bird survivorship and recruitment.

Data Output:

Post-fledging productivity; Estimates of adult population size, survivorship, and recruitment for target species.

Limitations:

Spatially limited; intensive approach, covering approx. 20-ha with ten 12 m mist nets. Reflects larger landscape reproductive success.

Nest monitoring with color banding +

Description:

Combines nest monitoring with color banding and systematic resighting. Provides thorough demographic data by following nesting attempts and fledgling fates.

How to Adapt to Recreation:

Conduct color banding in areas adjacent to recreational zones to monitor fledging success and movements in response to human presence.

Data Output:

Post-fledging productivity; Adult population size, survivorship, and recruitment estimates for target species.

Limitations:

Extremely labor-intensive, suitable only for high-priority species or areas.

Nest monitoring +

Description:

Facilitates the study of nest sites or characteristics and their correlation with nest success or failure.

How to Adapt to Recreation:

Monitor nests in areas with different levels of human activity to assess the impact of recreation on nest success rates and causes of failure.

Data Output:

Nest success rates for target species; Proximate causes of nest failures for target species.

Limitations:

Spatially and habitat diversity limited. Yields fledging success rates specific to the study plot. Labor-intensive, requiring frequent nest visits.

Invertebrates

Coming soon!

Rove Beetle — Rove beetle in early spring in St. George, Vermont.

Amphibians and Reptiles

American Toad — American toad in Baxter State Park, Maine.

Methods for monitoring amphibians and reptiles rely heavily on what the objectives are and target species. The decision tree below is adapted from the Species Techniques Table found in the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) Inventory and Monitoring: Recommended Techniques for Reptiles and Amphibians report. This report is recommended as an additional reference to the information that we provide.

What is your objective?

(select all that apply)

Inventory

Rapid assessment

A quick evaluation aimed at identifying species presence in a short time frame. While useful for common species, Rapid Assessments may not detect rare or secretive species and should be supplemented with historical records and habitat assessments.

Comprehensive survey

An extensive effort to document all species within a managed area. These surveys provide a thorough inventory of both common and rare species, requiring significant time, skill, and resources.

Monitoring

Presence / absence

Presence / absence surveys determine whether particular species are present or absent in a given area. This method is useful for tracking species distribution over time but does not provide detailed population data.

Population demographics

Population demographics monitoring focuses on understanding the structure and trends of target populations. This method requires long-term commitment and provides insights into population dynamics (age structure, sex ratio, and reproductive success, etc.), health, and responses to environmental changes.

When will you be monitoring?

Season:

Spring Summer Autumn Winter

Any time of year

Are you targeting specific species or taxa?

Consider all amphibians and reptiles across the Northeast

States:

CT MA ME NH NY RI VT clear all

Select a state to list species found in that state.

Select target species or taxa:

Amphibians −

Frogs and Toads +

Scaphiopodidae

Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii)

Bufonidae

American Toad (Bufo americanus)

Fowler's Toad (Bufo fowleri)

Hylidae

Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans)

Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)

Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris feriarum)

Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata)

Ranidae

Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris)

Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)

American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

Green Frog (Rana clamitans)

Mink Frog (Rana septentrionalis)

Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica)

Salamanders +

Cryptobranchidae

Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

Proteidae

Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)

Plethodontidae

Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus)

Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus)

Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)

Wehrle's Salamander (Plethodon wehrlei)

Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata)

Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda)

Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus)

Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)

Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)

Ambystomatidae

Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum)

Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale)

Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)

Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)

Salamandridae

Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)

Reptiles −

Lizards +

Scincidae

Coal Skink (Eumeces anthracinus)

Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)

Phrynosomatidae

Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)

Snakes +

Colubridae

Eastern Worm Snake (Carphophis amoenus)

Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata)

Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon)

Dekay's Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi)

Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata)

Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus)

Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)

Short-headed Garter Snake (Thamnophis brachystoma)

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus)

Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)

Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)

North American Racer (Coluber constrictor)

Smooth Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis)

Viperidae

Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)

Turtles +

Emydidae

Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)

Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)

Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)

Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii)

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)

Diamond-backed Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin)

Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)

Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta)

Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris)

Kinosternidae

Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)

Chelydridae

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Trionychidae

Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera)

Suggested Methods

show all methods considered

Inventory: Rapid Assessment

Inventory: Comprehensive Survey

Monitoring: Presence / Absence

Monitoring: Population Demographics

Select a species or taxa.

Mammals

Coming soon!

Invasive Plants

Coming soon!

Soils

Coming soon!

Project Quick Facts

Start Date:

1/1/2022

End Date:

12/31/2024

Current FEMC Staff:

Elissa Schuett

Alison Adams

Soren Donisvitch

Matthias Sirch

Have Questions?

Contact FEMC

FEMC Regional Projects

Using the FEMC data archive, our regional projects synthesize data from multiple datasets to provide additional analysis and insights. To view our various special projects visit https://vmc.w3.uvm.edu/vmcdevel/cooperative/regional_projects.

IMPACTS OF RECREATION ON FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

Methods Decision Tree

Birds

Suggested Methods

Invertebrates

Amphibians and Reptiles

Suggested Methods

Mammals

Invasive Plants

Soils

Project Quick Facts

Start Date:

End Date:

Reports

Literature Review

Recreation Expert Interview Report

Geospatial products technical report

Current FEMC Staff:

Have Questions?