Statewide Wildlife Management Area habitat monitoring plan and techniques guide 2018-2023

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The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (Department) manages 31 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). These WMAs are managed to provide important habitat for wildlife and to offer wildlife-based recreation. Long-term management plans were completed for each WMA in 2014. The WMA Management Plans include management direction and strategies for maintaining or improving wildlife habitat on the WMA as well as the surrounding landscape.

This Statewide WMA Habitat Monitoring Plan and Techniques Guide (Monitoring Plan) has been developed to improve the management of our WMAs using the knowledge gained from monitoring wildlife habitat resources. Monitoring will provide the data needed to assess if management objectives identified in the 2014 WMA Management Plans are being met. Monitoring habitat attributes on WMAs will lead to a better understanding of the resources we manage, help assess effectiveness of management actions, and help identify habitat threats. Monitoring will increase our knowledge of the extent, condition, and trends of the habitat resources. Monitoring data will be used to direct management decisions and actions.

The Monitoring Plan links WMA management concerns and associated objectives to the habitat attribute that should be measured to help determine if objectives are being met. The metric(s), monitoring technique(s), and analysis technique(s) to be used are identified for each habitat attribute. The monitoring guidance information is presented for wetland habitat riparian and floodplain habitat, forested upland habitat, non-forested upland habitat, aquatic habitat. and invasive plants and noxious weeds. The protocols for recommended techniques are included in the Monitoring Plan appendices. By using the same techniques statewide, data will be collected consistently and can be readily compared between time frames and across monitoring sites.

The Monitoring Plan includes information to help managers and biologists design monitoring projects. This information includes: guidance on project prioritization and monitoring interval, considerations for choosing sampling unit size and shape, sampling locations, sampling unit permanence, and the number of sampling units. The Monitoring Plan discusses the random selection of sampling units and provides information on determining sample size. Data management and reporting guidance are also addressed. Managers and biologists should also consult with headquarters staff, specifically habitat staff biologists and the wildlife biometrician, for assistance designing monitoring projects, entering and analyzing data, and reporting results.

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Reference Code: U18IFG02IDUS <br>

Full Citation: Idaho Department of Fish and Game. 2018. Statewide Wildlife Management Area habitat monitoring plan and techniques guide 2018-2023. 198 pp. <br>

Location: FLORISTIC SHELF – GENERAL; ELECTRONIC FILE - BOTANY: OTHER <br>

Keywords: Wildlife Management Area, WMA, habitat monitoring plan, techniques, Idaho <br>