2004 Sample Design Workshop for River Ecosystems

July 13-14 2004, Columbia, MO

Purpose: To identify specific elements of a spatial and temporal survey design for river ecosystems (i.e. one dimensional features) that unifies ongoing monitoring protocol development efforts and future data collection. The overall survey design will promote efficiency in implementation while accommodating the unique biological, logistical and statistical sampling considerations of each monitoring project.

• Design Worksheets
• Participants
• Background Reading
• Workshop Report

Agenda

Tuesday, July 13, 8:30 – 12:30
Purpose: To educate participants regarding: 1) the scope of the workshop within the broader context of the I&M program; 2) popular spatial survey designs for linear systems; and 3) protocol specific objectives, design requirements, and sample logistics.

• Introduction, overview and workshop objectives – Mike DeBacker (40 min)
• Introduction to Ozark National Scenic Riverways – Victoria Grant (20 min)
• Introduction to Buffalo National River – Faron Usrey (20 min)
• Review of ongoing protocol development projects (20 min)
  • The Ozark Hellbender – Chris Phillips
  • Contaminants (lead and mercury) – Chris Schmitt
  • Fish communities – Jim Petersen
• Break (10:00 – 10:30)
• Continue review of ongoing protocol development summaries (20 min)
  • Macroinvertebrates – Faron Usrey
  • Geomorphology – Bob Pavlowsky
• Comparison of systematic and stratified random approaches to sampling one-dimensional features – Paul Geissler (30 min)
• The generalized random-tessellation stratified design (GRTS) and other options for sampling linear systems – Tony Olsen (30 min)
• Potential uses of aquatic GAP data for survey design – Scott Sowa (30 min)

Tuesday, July 13, 1:30 – 5:00
Purpose: In small groups working with one project at a time, outline a spatial survey design that meets the particular objectives and logistics of each project. Identify common and divergent elements among the various project specific designs.

• 1:30 - 3:00 Break out group sessions
  • Develop recommendations for a spatial survey design that meet the particular objectives and logistics of each project area. Following some discussion, each group will outline a draft spatial survey design for their projects on a flip chart.
• 3:00 - 3:30 Break
• 3:30 - 5:00 Review results of break out groups
  • Each group will present a summary of their draft sampling design followed by a discussion of common features and how efficiency may be improved by co-locating sites for multiple projects.

Wednesday, July 14, 8:00 – 10:00
Purpose: In one large group, identify common themes among the spatial survey designs formulated for each project and discuss areas of divergence. Through discussion and debate, develop general recommendations.

Wednesday, July 14, 10:30 – 2:30
Purpose: Develop recommendations for a temporal survey design (revisit plan) that meet the particular objectives, and logistics of each project area. Identify common and divergent elements among the various project specific designs.

• 10:30 – 11:00 Review of environmental monitoring survey designs – Trent McDonald
• 11:00 – 12:15 Break out group sessions
  • Develop recommendations for a revisit plan that meet the particular objectives and logistics of each project area. Following some discussion, each group will outline a draft revisit plan for their projects on a flip chart.
• 12:15 – 1:15
• Lunch 1:15 – 2:30
  • Summary of table discussions, presentation of straw dog survey designs Each group will present a summary of their revisit plan followed by a discussion of common features and how efficiency may be improved by coordinating visits for multiple projects.
• 2:30 – 3:00 Break

Wednesday, July 14, 3:00 – 5:00
Purpose: Wrap up – Trent McDonald will lead a discussion to begin formulating draft recommendations.

• What protocols are appropriate for co-location?
• Document basic pros and cons of various sample designs discussed during the workshop.
• What deviations from the design are necessary to accommodate project specific circumstances?

Background Reading

• Examples of Park Sampling Designs 2000
• Systematic and Stratified in Sampling Designs in Long-Term Ecological Monitoring Projects 2004
• Review of Environmental Monitoring Methods
• NPS General Guidelines 2000
• Olympic Workshop Summary
• Spatially Balanced Sampling of Natural Resources
• Survey Design Questions from the EPA
• Vcp Protocol Narrative
• Vcp SOP 4.00
• Background documents (ZIP)