1. Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) Program
Jay Carlisle
Intermountain Bird Observatory, Boise State University
With help from Chris White, Nick Van Lanen, and Christian Meny

2. NABCI “Opportunities for Improving Avian Monitoring”
Goal 1: Integrate monitoring into bird management and conservation practices.
Goal 2: Coordinate monitoring programs among organizations and integrate them across spatial scales.
Goal 3: Increase the value of monitoring information by improving statistical design.
Goal 4: Maintain bird population monitoring data in modern data management systems. 2

4. Sampling Frame
Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) Ecologically distinct regions in North America with similar bird communities, habitats, and resource management issues.

5. Overview of the Design BCR is the sampling frame Not road biased
Grid-based, scaleable sampling design
Stratified with fixed (not ephemeral) strata
Spatially balanced sample selection
Increased precision – reduces variance
Not road biased
Collect site characteristics at the sampling points
For evaluating changes in populations 5

6. Stratification
Strata are defined by areas to which we want to make inferences
Strata are based on fixed attributes
Federal/state land ownership
Elevation, latitude, soil type, eco-region
All vegetation types available for sampling
Flexible
Each state within the BCR and each BCR within a state can be stratified differently depending on local needs

8. IMBCR sampling design allows inference at multiple spatial scales:
Land Ownership
Management Units
within units
Sampling locations selected such that all scales of inference are sampled randomly and in a spatially balanced fashion X

9. Sample Unit Selection Spatially balanced sample distribution (GRTS)
All sample units ranked within each strata in selection order
Not Road biased

10. BCR & Management Boundaries In Idaho
Using BCR’s as the bounds of the sampling frame invites expanding partnerships in an approach that would be coordinated for North America.
In this example and out pilot study, we will focus on BCR 16 and specifically the Colorado and Wyoming Portions of BCR 16.
3 US Forest Service Regions would be involved in BCR 16 monitoring increasing partnership collaboration complexity but also hopefully also increasing consistent funding and higher level commitment to the project.
7 states (Co, Ut, Nm, Az and parts of Nv, Id, and Wy)
There may be opportunities to work with other entities (NABCI, JVP, ABC (multi-state grant)) to coordinate regionally and gain efficiencies.
Cost Sharing

11. 2016 IMBCR in Idaho BLM (70): USFS (97): Craters of the Moon (13)
2 Districts/6 Field Offices in SW Idaho as a pilot effort (57)
USFS (97):
Region 1 (81) – Clearwater (22), Idaho Panhandle (33), Nez Perce (22), Bitterroot (2), and Kootenai (2)
Region 4 (16) – 4 each on Boise, Payette, Sawtooth, and Salmon-Challis

15. 2017 IMBCR in Idaho (expected)
BLM ( ):
10 transects each on 14 Field Offices plus an extra 13 on Cottonwood
USFS ( ):
Region 1 (81) – Clearwater (22), Idaho Panhandle (33), Nez Perce (22), Bitterroot (2), and Kootenai (2)
Region 4 (45) – 10 each on Boise, Payette, & Sawtooth; 15 on Salmon-Challis

16. Inform Conservation Design: Informing staff of IMBCR & uses
Rocky Mountain Avian Data Center
Specialized queries available
User’s guide exists
Recorded demonstrations available
User’s guide to IMBCR program and products for USFS
In review

18. Sampling Points within Sampling Unit
Sample unit = 1 km2
• 16 points per cell
• 250 m spacing
Survey points
• Fixed radius = 125 m
• Survey area per point 4.9 ha
Six minute point-counts
• Three 2-minute intervals
Sampling technique depends on the species of interest and the question being asked.
Landbirds: 16 sampling points are evenly distributed within the cell (250 m apart).
Flams
Sage Grouse
Other taxa: bats, elk, insects
It is a monitoring design and does not have to be specific to birds.
Rule sets for eliminating transects based on safety concerns, mixed ownership, private lands access permissions
Point count layout for songbirds; sampling technique will vary with taxa, methods

19. Point Count Methods Visit 1 grid cell per day
Attempt to survey all 16 points
Ocular vegetation data collection
6 minute point count
1 minute intervals
Measure distances to each bird detected

20. Comparing trends from original and new designs
Goal is that new trend may be more precise and number may be different, but rates of change between programs can be compared.
Interrupted time series
Point 1 – can still use the old data
Post stratification of new design to compare to old design – so you are not wasting old work
Point 2 – new line s likely better
Ex: Warbling vireo in aspen
Redline – large contiguous stands
Yellow line – any point that fell in that type – better represents aspen

21. Benefits of this approach
Increases collaboration
Decreases costs of monitoring (more partners)
Ability to compare bird trend to habitat trend
Compare local trend to broader scale trend
Increases Precision
we can combine data across programs/efforts
Decrease time to detect trend

22. Benefits of IMBCR …
Increase the credibility of monitoring programs with a robust sampling design and the scientific method
Engage resource managers to ensure relevance
Multi-scale results & tool development to support project planning and unit assessments
All-lands monitoring, with the ability to generate wildlife estimates specific to management units
Provide confidence to policymakers, funders and the public by increasing accountability and leveraging resources among partners
Go beyond monitoring and meeting requirements to data application, informed management, feedback loops, metrics of success and impacts of restoration and habitat work.
X % of USFS priority species are monitoring through IMBCR and other special projects including citizen science?

23. Partnerships = Leverage $
Colorado Partnership
USFS = $80,000 + in kind
CDOW = $120,000 + in kind
CO- BLM= $34,000
RMBO = $15,000 (in kind)
NPS = Not yet incorporated
~$74,000
Total = $249,000
May increase if NPS integrates
Wyoming Partnership
USFS = $50,000 + in kind
WYFG = $50,000
WY-BLM = $45,000
WYNDD = $15,000 (in kind)
RMBO = $7,500 (in kind)
USGS = possible participation in 2008
Total = 167,500+ USGS + salary time in kind(*)