| Wildlife Research & Management |
Wildlife Surveys RSF Proceedings
With our unique combination of ecologists and biometricians, WEST is outstanding in the field of wildlife and natural resource studies. WEST ecologists have many years of experience designing and conducting a wide variety of natural resource studies and are skilled in numerous field methods and techniques. WEST biometricians have many years experience designing studies and analyzing data for a variety of natural resource issues and utilize state-of-the-art statistical methods and computers. The combination of expertise provides our clients with credible, objective, and responsible solutions to natural resource problems.
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WEST expertise includes
- Estimation of Animal Abundance and Biodiversity
- Resource Selection Analyses
- Population and Community Level Studies and Gap Analysis
- Terrestrial, Avian and Aquatic Resources Impact Assessments
- Management and Conservation Plans
- Field studies
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Representative Projects
- Water for Wildlife Foundation Strategic Plan and program development; Water for Wildlife Foundation.
- Resident and migratory bat surveys - use of mist nets and bat echolocation detectors (Anabats) to survey bat populations in and near wind resource areas in southwest Minnesota.
- Neotropical Migratory Bird Survey and Nest Searching, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Indiana; U.S. Navy.
- Raptor nest monitoring and relocation, State of Wyoming Abandoned Mine Lands program and Wyoming Department of Transportation projects; proposed and constructed Wind Plants, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington.
- Mountain Plover surveys and nest monitoring in agriculture settings, wind resource areas, BLM lands, Wyoming
- Wintering Waterfowl Studies, South Platte River, Denver, Colorado - evaluated waterfowl abundance, species composition, habitat use, behavior and food habits.
- Evaluation of Timber Management on Nongame Birds, Ashland Wildlife Research Area; Missouri Department of Conservation.
- Prairie Dog Management Plan, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation; Bureau of Indian Affairs.
- Cellular tower site investigations for threatened, endangered, and species of concern. Research related to impacts of "short" towers on migratory birds.
- Large Mammal Studies and Research
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| Vegetation Sampling and Plant Surveys |
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WEST has conducted numerous research studies to quantify vegetation using line transect, point transect, quadrat and plotless techniques. These studies have been conducted to obtain quantitative baseline data for use in future comparisons, to monitor success of reclamation, and to monitor success of created wetlands. WEST has also prepared numerous vegetation maps in a variety of habitats, along with both quantitative and qualitative descriptions of habitat types. WEST has conducted numerous searches for federally-listed plant species, including blowout penstemon, Ute's ladies'-tresses, and Colorado butterfly plant, as well as searches for U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and state-listed rare plants. WEST has also conducted qualitative plant surveys for NEPA projects and prepared extensive plant lists to describe a variety of habitats. Several WEST employees have completed formal training in plant identification.
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WEST has conducted projects involving vegetation sampling or rare plant surveys throughout the western United States. Representative clients include
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BP Amoco
Wyoming Department of Transportation
Montana Department of Transportation
Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities
Wyoming Water Development Commission
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
Merit Energy Company
Union Pacific Resources
Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District
Northwestern Wind Power
Bonneville Power Administration
Renewable Energy Systems
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| REPRESENTATIVE VEGETATION SAMPLING AND PLANT SURVEY PROJECTS |
- Documented baseline condition (species composition, percent cover, height and age classes) of willows and alders using line transect surveys along 7.5 miles of woody riparian areas to be used for riparian mitigation south of Rawlins, Wyoming.
- Conducted an intensive, quantitative vegetation survey on two properties totaling 6,670 acres adjacent to the Platte River in central Nebraska. Eight habitat types were sampled using the modified step-point sampling method and the point-center quarter plot method.
- Prepared vegetation maps for six wind power turbine sites in Washington and Oregon. Habitat types were mapped on black and white aerial photography in the field; maps were then digitized using ArcView™.
- Monitored success of reclamation of 41-mile Wahsatch Sour Gas Gathering System pipeline on Utah/Wyoming border through quantifying vegetation species composition and percent cover using line transects and Daubenmire frames.
- Developed extensive species lists and collected quantitative vegetation data using point intercept technique at the site of a former refinery in Casper, Wyoming to provide data required to prepare a wildlife risk assessment.
- Developed plant species lists, conducted rare plant survey and prepared vegetation and sensitive plant species portions of Environmental Assessments for 30 abandoned mine reclamation projects under Wyoming's Abandoned Mine Lands Program.
- Mapped vegetation types, developed plant species lists, conducted rare plant surveys and prepared the vegetation portion of an EIS for highway reconstruction project in Fremont and Teton Counties, Wyoming.
- Conducted surveys for the endangered blowout penstomon (Penstemon haydenii) and threatened Ute Ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) and Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana) for numerous sites in southeast Wyoming.
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