roadkills of texas · 2019. 10. 30. · •mnt road crews – private citizens ... 2019 txdot...

2019 TxDOT Environmental Conference 9/12/2019

ROADKILLS OF TEXAS2019 TxDOTENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE iNaturalist Workshop

September 12, 2019


WHY COLLECT CARCASS DATA?

Integrating Wildlife Crossings into TxDOT’s Planning and Design Process

– What?

• Protected species

• Traffic hazards

• Sensitive populations

– Where?

• Hotspots

• Protected lands

• Urban/rural

– Why?

• Seasonal movements

• Barriers/traps

• Wildlife corridors

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WHY iNATURALIST?

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Because it’s there

– Numerous state-specific platforms

• Duplication of effort

• Not cross-compatible

• Large ungulates

– Attempts at nation-wide platform

• Complicated

• Time-consuming

• Not well-coordinated

– Current Transportation Bill

• Funding for new nationwide effort

• 3-5 years to be developed

• Will hopefully integrate previous data


WHAT IS iNATURALIST?

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iNaturalist is an citizen science project and online network of naturalist, citizen scientists, and biologists built on the concept of mapping and sharing observations of biodiversity across the globe. iNaturalist may be accessed via its website or from its mobile apps. Observations recorded with iNaturalist provide valuable open data to scientific research projects, conservation agencies, other organizations, and, the public. The project has been called "a standard-bearer for natural history mobile applications."

Roadkills of Texas

AboutIn the United States, ecological effects of roads are extensive, affecting nearly one fifth of the country. The purpose of this project is to enhance our understanding on the impacts of roads on the animals of Texas and to understand the patterns and vulnerabilities among different groups of animals. This information can help prevent loss of wildlife and make roadways safer.

• Easy to use.• Easy in integrate.• Open source.


LIMITATIONS OF CITIZEN SCIENCE

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Uneven sampling

– Observer location

• Where do observers live/work?

– Observer interest

• Herps may be over-sampled

– Observer bias

• More likely to stop for specimens

that are out-of-the-ordinary


LIMITATIONS OF CITIZEN SCIENCE

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Uneven sampling

– Non-random

• Bias toward rural roadways

• Bias toward low ADT roadways

• Bias toward rarity

– Not systematic

• Unknown level of effort

• Lack of negative data

– Data quality

• Selection for intact specimens

• Possible duplication

• Low level of data vetting


SAFETY

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ALWAYS observe standard TxDOT safety precautions

– PPE

– Vehicle lights

– Driving

• Avoid sudden stops

• Avoid U-turns


OBSERVERS

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Who can collect carcass data?

– TxDOT Environmental staff

• ENV

• Districts

– TxDOT Maintenance staff

• MNT road crews

– Private citizens

• Always exercise extreme caution

Remember to check for bird bands, animal collars, etc.


iNATURALIST APP

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https://www.inaturalist.org/

Sign up


iNATURALIST APP

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Create profile Notify me of your

profile name


iNATURALIST APP

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Search “Roadkills of Texas”

Select “Community” Select “Projects”


iNATURALIST APP

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Join


iNATURALIST MOBILE APP

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Download appTake photo(s) (Device Location setting must be “On”)


iNATURALIST APP – STEPS REQUIRED FOR OBSERVATION

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Open appAdd observation “+”

Select “Choose Image” Choose Image



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Uploading SelectedUploaded

After image is uploaded, no further steps are required; however, if you want to you can add more data.


Find a match


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Uploaded Select “Suggest ID”

Select


Include “D.O.R.” or “roadkill” (not always obvious)


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Add remarks Done


Upload 2 or more photos (this is easier in mobile app)

iNATURALIST APP – OBSERVATION WITH MULTIPLE PHOTOS

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Often helpful to have multiple shots

Will not always guess correctly on first try


iNATURALIST APP – OBSERVATION WITH MULTIPLE PHOTOS

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Same steps


iNATURALIST APP – ADD TO ROADKILLS OF TEXAS PROJECT

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Select “Add to project(s)”

Select “Roadkills of Texas”

All data fields are optional but notice “TxDOT Staff?”


Task 1 Results

Task 1 – Create road crossing database for 46 SGCN in Texas

– 59 SGCN on roads

– Dot and Heat Maps

• Statewide

– 2 maps

• By Region (Districts)

– 8 maps

• Dead vs. Alive (Task 2)

– 8 maps

• Potentially 18 maps per SGCN

roadkills of texas · 2019. 10. 30. · •mnt road crews – private citizens ... 2019 txdot...

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