This reference contains relational and tabular datasets for Aquatic Monitoring for Climate Change - Fish Assemblage and Habitat survey (PRIMR IDs: FF01RKTN00-035, FF01RLPO00-089, FF01RMLH00-125, FF01RWLP00-108, FF01RWMF00-084). These datasets represent ongoing long-term aquatic health and climate change monitoring at Refuges, and incorporates all continuous measures from the pilot project. Service programs (Refuges, Fish and Aquatic Conservation, and Water Resources) are collaborating to implement a long-term aquatic monitoring program for evaluating effects of climate change at National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in the Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region (IR9). The goal is to evaluate evidence of climate change on physical and habitat variables, and potentissociations al associations with changes in fish assemblages in wadeable streams. The program relies on two site specific protocols (SSPs), one addressing habitat and fish surveys (this SSP) and another addressing temperature and stream flow. For habitat and fish, objectives are to: establish a survey reach within a stream at each of five NWRs across the range of ecoregions in IR9; describe habitat in each survey reach once every five years or less; describe fish assemblages in each survey reach once every five years or less; analyze for temporal changes in habitat and fish assemblages, and assess potential temporal associations between habitat and fish assemblages. Data collected at survey reach are based on a subset of protocols developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Program (EMAP; Peck et al. 2006).

This reference was created to house geospatial data related to Aquatic Health and Climate Change: Long-term Monitoring starting in 2021. This project is the continuation of the Aquatic Health Pilot Project (2014-2019). Service programs (Refuges, Fish and Aquatic Conservation, and Water Resources) are collaborating to implement a long-term aquatic monitoring program for evaluating effects of climate change at National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in the Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region (IR9). The goal is to evaluate evidence of climate change on physical and habitat variables, and potential associations with changes in fish assemblages in wadeable streams. The program relies on two site specific protocols (SSPs), one addressing habitat and fish surveys (this SSP) and another addressing temperature and stream flow. For habitat and fish, objectives are to: establish a survey reach within a stream at each of five NWRs across the range of ecoregions in IR9; describe habitat in each survey reach once every five years or less; describe fish assemblages in each survey reach once every five years or less; analyze for temporal changes in habitat and fish assemblages, and assess potential temporal associations between habitat and fish assemblages. Data collected at survey reach are based on a subset of protocols developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Program (EMAP; Peck et al. 2006).

This reference was created to house geospatial data related to Aquatic Health and Climate Change: Long-term Monitoring starting in 2021. This project is the continuation of the Aquatic Health Pilot Project (2014-2019). Service programs (Refuges, Fish and Aquatic Conservation, and Water Resources) are collaborating to implement a long-term aquatic monitoring program for evaluating effects of climate change at National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in the Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region (IR9). The goal is to evaluate evidence of climate change on physical and habitat variables, and potential associations with changes in fish assemblages in wadeable streams. The program relies on two site specific protocols (SSPs), one addressing habitat and fish surveys (this SSP) and another addressing temperature and stream flow. For habitat and fish, objectives are to: establish a survey reach within a stream at each of five NWRs across the range of ecoregions in IR9; describe habitat in each survey reach once every five years or less; describe fish assemblages in each survey reach once every five years or less; analyze for temporal changes in habitat and fish assemblages, and assess potential temporal associations between habitat and fish assemblages. Data collected at survey reach are based on a subset of protocols developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Program (EMAP; Peck et al. 2006).

This dataset represents preliminary outputs from the pilot project to develop long term aquatic health and climate change monitoring program at Refuges that was implemented in 2014. These are archive copies of the data from the pilot project. See the IR9: Aquatic Health and Climate Change: Long-term Monitoring Project (ServCat reference ID:132454) for data from ongoing long-term monitoring starting in 2022. The long-term dataset incorporated all continuous measures from the pilot project. The long-term dataset has data from 2014-last compilation (2018).

This dataset represents preliminary outputs from the pilot project to develop long term aquatic health and climate change monitoring program at Refuges that was implemented in 2014. These are archive copies of the data from the pilot project. See the IR9: Aquatic Health and Climate Change: Long-term Monitoring Project (ServCat reference ID:132454) for data from ongoing long-term monitoring starting in 2022. The long-term dataset incorporated all continuous measures from the pilot project. The long-term dataset has data from 2014-last compilation (2018).

Continuous Temperature Data, Logger log and tools for compiling annual datasets. Data (Collected across multiple field stations (Kootenai, Little Pend Oreille, Malheur, William L. Finley, and Willapa NWRs) is compiled at a regular frequency into an annual dataset, and then a timeseries.

Continuous Temperature Data, Logger log and tools for compiling annual datasets. Data (Collected across multiple field stations (Kootenai, Little Pend Oreille, Malheur, William L. Finley, and Willapa NWRs) is compiled at a regular frequency into an annual dataset, and then a timeseries.

This fish and benthic composition database is the result of a multifaceted effort described below. The intent of this work is five fold: 1) To spatially characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance, and size of both reef fishes and macro-invertebrates (conch, lobster, Diadema); 2) To relate this information to in-situ data collected on associated benthic composition parameters; 3) To use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting; 4) To establish the efficacy of those management decisions; and 5) To work with the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program to develop data collection standards and easily implemented methodologies for transference to other agencies and to work toward standardizing data collection throughout the US states and territories. Toward this end, the Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment's Biogeography Branch (BB) has been conducting research in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands since 2000 and 2001, respectively. It is critical, with recent changes in management at both locations (e.g. implementation of MPAs) as well as proposed changes (e.g. zoning to manage multiple human uses) that action is taken now to accurately describe and characterize the fish/macro-invertebrate populations in these areas. It is also important that BB work closely with the individuals responsible for recommending and implementing these management strategies. Recognizing this, BB has been collaborating with partners at the University of Puerto Rico, National Park Service, US Geological Survey and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. To quantify patterns of spatial distribution and make meaningful interpretations, we must first have knowledge of the underlying variables determining species distribution. The basis for this work therefore, is the nearshore benthic habitats maps (less than 100 ft depth) created by NOAA's Biogeography Program in 2001 and NOS' bathymetry models. Using ArcView GIS software, the digitized habitat maps are stratified to select sampling stations. Sites are randomly selected within these strata to ensure coverage of the entire study region and not just a particular reef or seagrass area. At each site, fish, macro-invertebrates, and benthic composition information is then quantified following standardized protocols. By relating the data collected in the field back to the habitat maps and bathymetric models, BB is able to model and map species level and community level information. These protocols are standardized throughout the US Caribbean to enable quantification and comparison of reef fish abundance and distribution trends between locations. Armed with the knowledge of where "hot spots" of species richness and diversity are likely to occur in the seascape, the BB is in a unique position to answer questions about the efficacy of marine zoning strategies (e.g. placement of no fishing, anchoring, or snorkeling locations), and what locations are most suitable for establishing MPAs. Knowledge of the current status of fish/macro-invertebrate communities coupled with longer term monitoring will enable evaluation of management efficacy, thus it is essential to future management actions.