FY 2000 proposal 20014
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Evaluate Songbird Use of Riparian Areas During Fall Migration |
| Proposal ID | 20014 |
| Organization | University of Idaho, Department of Biological Sciences (UI) |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator |
| Name | Dr. Patricia Heglund |
| Mailing address | Moscow, ID 83844 |
| Phone / email | 2088852665 / pheglund@uidaho.edu |
| Manager authorizing this project | |
| Review cycle | FY 2000 |
| Province / Subbasin | Mainstem/Systemwide / Systemwide |
| Short description | Evaluate songbird use of native (Willow-dominated) and non-native (Russian-olive dominated) riparian areas as fall migration stopover areas in the Mid-Columbia River Basin. |
| Target species | Neotropical migratory songbirds, and North American migratory songbirds. |
Project location
| Latitude | Longitude | Description |
|---|
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)
Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:
| Reviewing agency | Action # | BiOp Agency | Description |
|---|
Section 2. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishment |
|---|
| 1998 |
Songbird surveys at six study sites |
| 1998 |
Insect surveys at six study sites |
| 1997 |
Songbird surveys at six study sites |
| 1997 |
Vegetation surveys at six study sites |
Section 3. Relationships to other projects
| Project ID | Title | Description |
|---|
Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2000 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|
Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase
Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2000 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase
Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2000 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase
Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2000 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
Section 8. Estimated budget summary
Itemized budget
| Item | Note | FY 2000 cost |
|---|
| Personnel |
One graduate research assistantship,
five research assistants |
$19,720 |
| Fringe |
1% for research assistantship, 13% for research assistants |
$1,757 |
| Supplies |
Mist net and insect survey supplies |
$1,500 |
| Travel |
Scientific meetings |
$1,000 |
| Indirect |
Overhead of 20.7% for University of Idaho, and 3.5% for Dept. of Biological Sciences |
$6,383 |
| Other |
Research assistant tuition and fees |
$2,400 |
| $32,760 |
Total estimated budget
| Total FY 2000 cost | $32,760 |
| Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds | $0 |
| Total FY 2000 budget request | $32,760 |
| FY 2000 forecast from 1999 | $0 |
| % change from forecast | 0.0% |
Cost sharing
| Organization | Item or service provided | Amount | Cash or in-kind |
|---|
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Three field vehices |
$875 |
unknown |
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Housing for six field workers |
$1,750 |
unknown |
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Publication costs |
$1,000 |
unknown |
|
|
$0 |
unknown |
Reviews and recommendations
This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.
Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Jun 15, 1999
Comment:
Recommendation:
Fund (innovative for the FWP, medium priority)
Comments:
This proposal requests funding for a fourth and final year of a project to assess the influence of riparian vegetation on migratory songbird use. It proposes to continue monitoring and evaluating songbird utilization and insect prey availability in native and non-native vegetation. Six study sites in Mid-Columbia River riparian areas are designated. During fall migration songbirds, insects and riparian vegetation will all be measured for species richness and abundance. This is a straightforward proposal that responds to the ISRP recommendation for more research on wildlife related activities. It has limited scope and is well written with clear measurable objectives, methods and rationale. Sources of bias and lack of precision in net sampling gear are adequately explored. The budget is modest.
However, the proposal has some shortcomings that need correction. The sample size may be too small to detect small differences in species richness or abundance. Statistical methods appear to be inappropriate for the type of data collected. We recommend that statistical advice be sought. The focus on songbirds may neglect other species, such as North American migratory species, that might have opposing preferences for tree species. How will this work contribute to establishing management goals for exotic tree species if actions favoring songbirds are detrimental to other native bird species? Interactions between bird abundance and insect abundance have not been properly addressed. The description of insect investigations does not acknowledge the "standing crop" problem, where low abundance of insects could be due to consumption by songbirds. Further, the lack of hypotheses regarding which orders of insects are preferred by songbirds leads to the opposite problem where high abundance of insects may not necessarily mean good forage base for the songbirds, but rather that the songbirds have an aversion to the kinds of insects captured. Possible interactions between bird and insect abundance need to be considered.
The specific benefits of the project are unclear because the authors do not identify the NPPC Program measures, which this project addresses, nor do they identify any other planning document to establish its utility to wildlife programs in the basin. But when used in conjunction with information on other species of birds and preferences of songbirds for insect species as food, the project could provide useful management information for future riparian restoration efforts. For example, results from this study could provide information on the practice of eliminating non-native Russian Olives that many FWP restoration activities pursue.
Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Aug 20, 1999
Comment:
Recommendation:
Not Fundable
Date:
Aug 20, 1999
Comment:
Research criteria applied - rejected
Recommendation:
Rank 29
Date:
Oct 8, 1999
Comment:
Rank Comments:
This is valid well-structured research that studies the link between riparian areas and songbirds. The results of the study could have systemwide application on the management of native (Willow-dominated) and non-native (Russian-olive dominated) riparian areas in the basin.
Recommendation:
Rank 29
Date:
Oct 8, 1999
Comment:
This is valid well-structured research that studies the link between riparian areas and songbirds. The results of the study could have systemwide application on the management of native (Willow-dominated) and non-native (Russian-olive dominated) riparian areas in the basin.
Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Mar 1, 2000
Comment:
[Decision made in 2-2-00 Council Meeting];