Introduction to Field Introduction to Field Survey MethodsSurvey Methods

Eco surveys generally employ Eco surveys generally employ a descriptive or a descriptive or qualitativequalitative approach towards data approach towards data collection.collection.

These methods require These methods require expertise with all biotic expertise with all biotic communities so use a multi- communities so use a multi- disciplinary team approach to disciplinary team approach to collect the data. collect the data.

Use the methods in this Use the methods in this manual, or have deviations manual, or have deviations approved by OES before you approved by OES before you do the work. do the work.

A collection permit from A collection permit from ODNR-DOW is required before ODNR-DOW is required before scientific sampling or collection scientific sampling or collection of wildlife can occur.of wildlife can occur.

Multi disciplinary team.

Defining the Study Area: Smaller Defining the Study Area: Smaller ProjectsProjects

Study area is defined by ODOT or the Study area is defined by ODOT or the project sponsor, but may have to be project sponsor, but may have to be adjusted in the field for data collection.adjusted in the field for data collection.

Areas that will be disturbed by Areas that will be disturbed by construction .construction .

Buffer of at least 50 to 100 feet.Buffer of at least 50 to 100 feet.

Stream impacts, area should include all Stream impacts, area should include all representative habitats within that stream representative habitats within that stream (eg. for QHEI)(eg. for QHEI)

Large enough to encompass the area Large enough to encompass the area needed to complete the appropriate bio-needed to complete the appropriate bio-assessments (fish, mussel survey, etc..). assessments (fish, mussel survey, etc..).

300-400 feet downstream300-400 feet downstream 100-200 feet upstream100-200 feet upstream

Right-of-entry letters.Contact the districts Right-of-entry letters.Contact the districts for informationfor information..

Defining the Study Area: New Defining the Study Area: New Location ProjectsLocation Projects

Study area will be defined in the scope of services Study area will be defined in the scope of services by the Districtsby the Districts.

203.2.2 Timing of 203.2.2 Timing of FieldworkFieldwork

Weather conditions must be Weather conditions must be considered when planning field work. considered when planning field work. Stream flows should be considered for Stream flows should be considered for

aquatic surveys.aquatic surveys. Plant flowering times or animal migration Plant flowering times or animal migration

patterns may need considered for rare patterns may need considered for rare species surveys.species surveys.

Field season is defined as the period Field season is defined as the period of April 15 through October 15 of of April 15 through October 15 of each year, ODOT OES must approve each year, ODOT OES must approve deviations from this time-framedeviations from this time-frame

Wetland delineations are discouraged Wetland delineations are discouraged from November 15 through March 15 from November 15 through March 15 (need USACE approval to do (need USACE approval to do delineations during this time or the delineations during this time or the data may not be accepted)data may not be accepted).

Winter season sampling is generally Winter season sampling is generally not conducive to data collection, not conducive to data collection, except for identification of suitable except for identification of suitable Indiana bat roosting habitat.Indiana bat roosting habitat.

Winter determinations are OK as long as the ground is not frozen and/or snow covered.

Specimen VoucheringSpecimen Vouchering Vouchers may be needed for Vouchers may be needed for

positive I.D. by experts.positive I.D. by experts. Pressed plants, color photographs, Pressed plants, color photographs,

mussel shell material, and or road mussel shell material, and or road kill specimens should be retained to kill specimens should be retained to document rare species, out of range document rare species, out of range individuals, and/or individuals found individuals, and/or individuals found in uncharacteristic habitats.in uncharacteristic habitats.

OES may ask for vouchers to verify OES may ask for vouchers to verify listed or out of range species found listed or out of range species found in a project area. in a project area.

Burden of proof is ultimately the Burden of proof is ultimately the responsibility of the field responsibility of the field investigator.investigator.

Federally listed species require a Federally listed species require a section 10 permit from the USFWS. section 10 permit from the USFWS.

State scientific collection permits State scientific collection permits are the responsibility of the field are the responsibility of the field investigator.investigator.

Collected specimens should be Collected specimens should be vouchered in permanent type vouchered in permanent type collections.collections.

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?