Handbook of Survey Methods for Monitoring Wild Rice Tribal Water Workshop Hinckley Grand Casino, Mille Lacs October 9, 2014 Tonya Kjerland M.S. Student, Water Resources Science University of Minnesota

Goals of the project Who’s involved Timeline Uses for the data collected How to implement these methods How to get involved

Project Goal To establish a standardized method for measuring wild rice productivity. From the handbook: GLOSSARY Standardized method. A standardized method is one that defines procedures for collecting data in a statistically valid manner that can be easily reproduced and will provide consistent, accurate measurements each time. Monitoring wild rice productivity trends Relating trends to annual harvest or water quality Evaluating outcomes of management actions Informing adaptations to stressors such as climate change Quantifying success of restoration projects

The Handbook’s Philosophy Consistent, Accurate Data Standardized Methods Flexible Study Design

Who’s involved? GLIFWC 1854 Treaty Authority Fond du Lac Grand Portage Mille Lacs WCTAC Wisconsin DNR University of Minnesota Melissa Lewis, Intern with WCTAC

Timeline Feedback from Pilot Testers (Fall 2014) Advisory Committee meeting #3 Desktop version Fund-raising for publication Review and Editing Phase (Winter 2015) External reviewers UMN Graduate committee Final edits Publish Handbook - Summer 2015

Uses for the data collected Density (# stalks per square meter) Plant weight = Biomass (measure of health) Seed number, # viable seeds, seed biomass (reproductive capacity) Plant size (height, weight) Spatial variability Relationships with water quality and sediment Quantify trends in populations Relate parameters to harvest data Stressors – pests, pathogens, human impacts

What is biomass?

Population oscillation pattern on a lake in Northern Minnesota

Plant height may be measured as a shortcut to calculate biomass

Number of potential seeds is positively related to plant weight Example of uses for this data – may be used to calculate plant weight by counting pedicel number

How to implement these methods

Study Design

Using Existing Biomass Equations vs. Creating New Ones: A Comparison Advantages: - Easy to use - Saves time - Not necessary to collect plants - Useful for showing trends over time Disadvantages: - Not site-specific - Less accurate than the method of collecting plants from a particular site of interest Use Existing Biomass Equation - Site-specific - More accurate for an individual population - More time-consuming to collect, dry, and weigh plants - Requires higher level of statistical training Create New Biomass Equation

Decision Trees Deciding how many and which wild rice waters to sample Choose plot design (grid vs. line transect) Decide how to measure biomass Choose number of sample sites (also see Table 2) Pass out copies

Sample site location – Lake Line Transect - Lake Grid Map - Lake

Sample site location – River Grid Map - River Line Transect - River

Decision Tree for Selecting Plot Design

Step-by-Step Directions

Determining number of sample sites Precision Standard Error is 20% of the Mean Quadrat Area (m2) 0.5 m2 Estimated Wild Rice Biomass (grams/m2)* 9 or less 10 to 14 15 to 24 25 to 49 50 to 79 80 to 115 116+ Required # of Sample Plots 60+ 59 to 51 50 to 41 40 to 30 29 to 24 24 to 21 20 Percentage of years when this number of sample plots would be required 4% 9% 10% 16% 20% 29% Table 2. Number of sample sites required based on biomass *Based on Downing and Anderson (1985) and analysis of 15 years of data from the 1854 Treaty Authority; (Vogt, 2013; Kjerland, unpublished research.)

Process for collecting the core variables Locate sample site Crew member in back of canoe navigates using handheld GPS, map, and GPS coordinates Measure density and record field notes Count stalks → crew in front Record field notes →crew in back Identify other plants in quadrat Collect other plants if needed for identification → crew in front Record common names of plants identified →crew in back Measure sample plant and water depth Stem height, water depth, number of tillers → crew in front Record measurements → crew in back Collect wild rice plant and seed heads (optional) Collect entire wild rice plant → crew in front Or collect only the seed heads → crew in front Store collected plants on ice Process for collecting the core variables

What to do when a site does not have wild rice – Open Water Sites Open water sites are valid data points and should be included in the data collection. To avoid sampling bias, do not skip a site only because it is an open water site. Exceptions: When the site is not in suitable wild rice habitat due to an obstruction (point is on shore, floating vegetative mat, dock, etc.) Other exceptions: Pre-determined while setting up the site locations, based on historic data showing no wild rice for 10 or more years.

How to get involved Review complete version (read and provide comments, winter 2015) Review specific chapters Cultural and Spiritual Significance How to create a new biomass equation Others chapters per your interests Help with publication funding

Acknowledgements Chi Miigwetch to: John Pastor, UMN-Duluth, Graduate Advisor Valerie Brady and Rich Axler, NRRI, Graduate Committee Members Technical Advisory Committee: Peter David, Tom Howes, Elaine Ryzucki, Nancy Schuldt, and Darren Vogt Pilot Testers: Technical Advisory Committee, Melissa Lewis, and Kelly Applegate (Mille Lacs) Intern with WCTAC: Melissa Lewis Jason Fleener, Wisconsin DNR Steve Eggers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Contact Info Tonya Kjerland Water Resources Science University of Minnesota – Twin Cities kjer0016<at>umn.edu (218) 410-9319