2002 SWG Projects
General Fish and Wildlife Projects
American Black Duck
Photo by USFWS
Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan
New York will develop a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan by October 2005, focusing on species of greatest conservation need in the state. We will work closely with partner organizations and the public to develop the plan, which will identify management needs, goals and strategies for more than 500 animal species that are rare, declining, vulnerable, or status unknown in New York State.
Biodiversity Conservation on Long Island
Puritan Tiger Beetles
Photo by USFWS
Fish and wildlife populations on Long Island (including parts of New York City) face a variety of threats to their continued existence, including loss of habitat to development, human disturbance of breeding and foraging areas, high predation rates and rising sea levels. This project would establish a regional biodiversity conservation specialist to assess the status of all "species of greatest conservation need" on Long Island, identify management needs, and help coordinate data collection.
Great Egret
Photo by USFWS
Assessment of Biodiversity In the Allegheny and Susquehanna River Corridors
These two river systems support some of the most diverse animal species assemblages and habitats in New York, with many aquatic species existing only in these drainages. This effort will oversee the planning, implementation and coordination of comprehensive biodiversity surveys in these drainages, including fish, freshwater mussels, dragonflies and damselflies, reptiles, amphibians and birds. A conservation plan for the Allegheny basin, identifying important management and conservation needs, will be one product resulting from these surveys.
Ecological Assessment Tool for Watershed-based Planning
Site-based species and habitat conservation and restoration efforts are often successful for the immediate locality in which they occur, but importance of the project on a landscape scale is not often considered. The goal of this job is to develop a GIS-based planning tool for assessing the integrity and potential for biological diversity in distinct sub-watersheds, determine what impacts are affecting species of greatest conservation need, and design conservation projects to ensure viability of the habitat.
Managing Data for Conservation Planning
Cricket Frog
Photo by USFWS
Conservation planning for "species of greatest conservation need" and their habitats can only be accomplished if information about the locations of these species and their status at each site is known, and this information is available in a consistent, accessible format. This project will ensure that data on more than 400 species are integrated into the New York Natural Heritage Program database and is available to a wide variety of conservation planning efforts.
Mammal Projects
Mark-Recapture Study of Indiana Bats
The Indiana bat, a federally endangered species, has declined from roughly 600,000 in the 1960s to about 350,000 today. Population declines in southern portions of its range, primarily Kentucky and Missouri, have far exceeded increases in the north, including New York. We hope to conduct a large scale mark-recapture study to identify causes of the decline and regional differences in population trends. The first step is a feasibility study to determine if we can adequately address assumptions of the study design.
Small-footed Bat
Winter Roosts and Summer Distribution of Small-footed and Indiana Bats
The small-footed bat is the least common bat encountered during winter surveys in the eastern U.S., and 75 percent occur in New York. The species may be more common than winter counts suggest because it hibernates in hidden locations (under rocks, in crevices). DEC plans to radio-tag a sample of these bats as they enter a major hibernaculum to determine how many are detected during routine surveys. We also plan to radio-tag Indiana and small-footed bats as they emerge from their hibernacula and follow them by airplane to determine summer distribution and habitat preferences.
Feasibility of a Statewide Summer Survey of Tree Bats
Tree bats (red, hoary and silver-haired bats) are among the least understood vertebrates in the state. We do not know the current status or distribution of any of these species, and the most comprehensive surveys were conducted more than 100 years ago. Recent technical innovations have increased the reliability of field sampling while reducing costs. We plan to conduct initial surveys to determine the costs and effectiveness of conducting a statewide status survey for tree bats in New York State.
Bird Projects
New York's 2nd Breeding Bird Atlas
Little Blue Heron
Photo by USFWS
New York completed its first Breeding Bird Atlas during 1980-1985, and the second atlas project (2000-2004) is underway. State Wildlife Grant funding will ensure completion of the second atlas, which will document the current distribution of breeding birds in New York State and quantify changes in distributions of species between the two atlas periods. Once completed, Atlas results will be made available in book and web-based formats for use by conservation biologists, planners, and the public.
Conservation of Beach-nesting Birds on Long Island
Long Island is home to regionally important populations of beach-nesting birds, including piping plover, roseate tern, least tern, common tern, American oystercatcher and black skimmer. Human activities and development threaten the survival of these species in New York State. DEC plans to provide supplies and materials, such as fencing, signs, and exclosures to cooperating property owners and organizations to help protect key nesting areas and ensure the conservation of beach-nesting birds in New York.
Grassland Bird Conservation Plan
King Rail
Photo by USFWS
Because of widespread loss and fragmentation of grassland habitat, grassland bird populations are declining in New York and throughout North America. This project will develop a comprehensive plan to guide and direct grassland bird conservation and management on public and private lands in New York State. The plan will help direct conservation efforts to the most important areas, provide guidance to grassland owners and managers, and identify monitoring and research needs for grassland birds.
Spruce Grouse Surveys, Research and Management
The spruce grouse is an endangered species in New York, where some of its spruce-fir forest habitat has been lost due to forest maturation, habitat fragmentation, and logging. Confusion with the more common ruffed grouse has led to accidental hunting, and the species' unwariness has made it vulnerable to human disturbance. Urgently needed are: surveys to determine status and distribution; research to assess factors causing rarity or declines; population or habitat protection and management to secure the species' status; and completion and implementation of a state recovery plan. This project will help address those needs.
Common Loon Migration and Wintering Areas
We know very little about where common loons, a species of special concern in New York State, spend their non-breeding periods. This project will use satellite telemetry to determine migration routes, wintering areas and seasonal movements of loons that summer in New York. The results will help identify potential threats to common loons during non-breeding periods, including coastal energy developments, exposure to Type E botulism in the Great Lakes, ocean contaminants, and commercial fishing gear.
Snowy Egret
Photo by USFWS
Conservation Plan for Common Terns in Upstate New York
Nesting populations of common tern, a threatened species in New York, occur in three upstate areas (Niagara River, Oneida Lake and St. Lawrence River). Most nesting occurs on artificial structures such as piers and navigation structures, which often require annual maintenance of nesting substrate, predator deterrents, and other measures to ensure successful nesting. In order to make management efforts more efficient, a long-term plan will be developed for conservation of common terns in upstate New York.
Golden-winged Warbler Habitat and Hybridization Study
The golden-winged warbler has declined at an annual rate of 8 percent for the last 35 years in the northeastern U.S. Possible factors in its decline include reforestation and range expansion of the blue-winged warbler. This project will investigate genetics and habitat segregation among these two species. Results will help to establish whether they should be considered distinct species and provide guidance for habitat management plans to sustain golden-winged warbler populations.
Reptile and Amphibian Projects
Tiger Salamander
Recovery Planning for the Tiger Salamander
Habitat fragmentation by roads and developments has greatly diminished tiger salamander populations which are now restricted in New York to eastern Long Island. Much work has been done to identify breeding ponds for this species, but much less is known about its upland habitat requirements. This project will quantify the upland habitat requirements and investigate ways to minimize impacts of roadways and developments. This information will be provided to local governments which have responsibility for approving development plans in towns where this endangered species occurs.
Surveys of High Priority Amphibian and Reptile Species
As a group, a higher proportion of amphibian and reptile species have suffered significant declines than any other vertebrate groups in New York State. To date, much effort has been placed on documenting distribution of these endangered and threatened species. This project will focus on collecting information on the status of known populations, following standard protocols, so that conservation efforts can be prioritized on those in greatest need.
Reducing Turtle Mortality During Nesting
Painted Turtle
Photo by USFWS
Certain turtle species experience high mortality of females when they migrate from over-wintering locations to traditional egg-laying sites. This project will investigate methods of reducing this mortality through use of subsurface tunnels for crossing roadways, creation of protected nesting sites, and predator exclusions.
Assessment of Factors Affecting Hellbender Status
The hellbender is the largest salamander in New York. It spends its entire life in aquatic habitats and may live for as long as 70 years. In New York, the hellbender is restricted to the Allegheny and Susquehanna River drainage basins. Surveys conducted since 1980 show little evidence of reproductive success. This project will focus on identifying nesting locations, habitat used by larval and immature hellbenders and environmental factors that may be limiting reproductive success, such as water chemistry, siltation, habitat disturbance and impacts of recreational fishing.
Insect Projects
Dragon Fly
Photo by USFWS
Odonate Inventory
There is a need for a comprehensive survey or inventory for odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) statewide. This project will document the current distribution of odonate species in New York State and direct more intensive sampling in selected habitats, areas with expected high odonate diversity, or habitats of rare species. The project will include general surveys conducted by volunteers as well as directed surveys that target specific species, habitats, or poorly known areas of the state.
Karner Blue Butterfly Monitoring Project
To determine whether populations of Karner blue butterflies are large enough to be considered viable under state and federal recovery criteria, and to be sure that we are accurately detecting population trends, we need a practical and reliable method of counting Karner blue populations. The goal of this project is to evaluate alternative census methods to determine the most cost-effective to use.
Fish and Marine Projects
Adirondack Round Whitefish Investigation
Round whitefish are classified as threatened in New York and their recovery plan calls for an investigation of causes for and solutions to their decline. This project will include field studies to develop sampling protocols in Adirondack lakes, evaluate existing stocking efforts, and prioritize historic waters for likelihood of successful reestablishment.
Note: A final report for this project is available. Follow the link in the right column on this page.
Conservation of Lesser Known Species of Fish
Freshwater Drum
Photo by USFWS
This project involves review of DEC and New York State Museum fish records to identify information needs about the status of rare species. Findings will be used to plan new surveys that will eventually allow a complete assessment of the status and distribution of these "lesser known" freshwater fish species of New York State.
Comprehensive Assessment of American Eel in New York State (Inland)
American eel populations have declined throughout North America, and commercial harvest continues without a clear understanding of forces responsible for the declines. A review of existing information and a set of management recommendations for inland waters of New York will be completed by summarizing available commercial catch reports, analyzing population trends by basin, identifying limiting factors, and prioritizing research needs.
American Eel
Photo by USFWS
Recruitment and Spawning Stock Characteristics of American Eel from the Marine District
The American eel occupies a key role in the ecological diversity of Atlantic coastal and inland aquatic habitats. Available data and reports from fishermen, resource managers and scientists suggest a dramatic decline in abundance of this species. Objectives of this project are to conduct surveys, collect biological information and examine trends in recruitment and out-migration in order to define escapement rates for silver eels, and if possible, define the nature of the stock/recruitment relationship for American eel.
Allegheny and Susquehanna Drainage Freshwater Mussel Surveys
The Allegheny River and Susquehanna River basins harbor a number of threatened and endangered freshwater mussel species, but distributions, population levels and trends are unknown. The goal of this project is to document the current distribution of all native freshwater mussel species in these river basins. Surveys will be performed in the main stems and tributaries of both rivers, up to the point where stream substrate, flow, depth, or other factors preclude supporting mussels.
Horseshoe Crab Population Surveys
In recent years, apparent declines in shorebird abundance has triggered concern about the status of horseshoe crab populations. Objectives of this project are to design a systematic survey of horseshoe crab spawning activity in New York State and to provide financial assistance for a continued multi-state funded survey of horseshoe crab abundance in the Atlantic Ocean. The information from these two surveys is necessary to conduct stock assessment and determine population trends.
Bay Scallop Restoration Planning and Pilot Spawner Sanctuary Evaluation
Historically, bay scallops represented an important shellfish resource in Peconic and Gardiner's Bays in eastern Long Island. Bay scallops experienced a 99 percent decline in abundance since 1985 due to occurrence of an unusual algal bloom known as "brown tide." This project will develop a Comprehensive Bay Scallop Restoration Plan and evaluate a pilot bay scallop spawner sanctuary, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Town of East Hampton and Southampton College. Results will provide vital information for the rehabilitation of bay scallop resources in New York State.
