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Fish, Wildlife & Biodiversity Conservation—Current Projects
The goal of this project is to develop and test a protocol for conducting
a biodiversity assessment at the watershed level using Geographic
Information System (GIS) coverages and landscape ecological techniques.
This project is one phase of a larger effort designed to develop
a generic decision-support system (DSS) for prioritizing parcels
for biodiversity conservation. The Biodiversity Assessment Project
involves the development of: (1) a cost-effective method for mapping
natural communities, (2) a dynamic framework and state-of-the-art
methodology for conducting a coarse-filtered assessment of biodiversity
that allows for the quick and easy incorporation of new information
(e.g., land use updates) and improved scientific understanding, and
(3) a method for conducting watershed-level assessments that can
easily be combined into a seamless statewide coverage that provides
an integrated assessment of biodiversityacross the state. This is
the first step towards the completion of a thorough and effective
statewide biodiversity assessment.
Objectives
- Develop a comprehensive ecological characterization of Massachusetts
landscapes, including, but not limited to, a map of all rare, unique,
exemplary, and common natural communities consistent with the Massachusetts
Natural Heritage Program’s natural community classification
- Develop a quantitative evaluation of the biodiversity potential
of every location based on a combination of coarse-filter (i.e.,
ecosystem-based) analyses
- Distribute the results of these biodiversity assessments and
provide training on their use for conservation planning
- Develop prioritized lists of sites for conservation action based
on the quantitative biodiversity assessment and other stakeholder
concerns
Habitat and Biodiversity Conservation
This initiative provides education, training and technical assistance
covering a variety of topics, including: wildlife and wildlife habitat
requirements, wildlife habitat evaluation, protection strategies
for conservation of rare species, the importance of biodiversity,
strategies and techniques for conserving biodiversity, landscape
assessment, land conservation planning, and involving volunteers
in wildlife inventory and monitoring.
Objectives
- Provide educational materials and programs on the importance
of natural systems for the production of natural resources, biodiversity
conservation and quality of life
- Promote ecosystems-based approaches to land and resource management
- Provide training in specific management and assessment techniques
- Demonstrate new technologies for resource inventory, landscape
analyses and landscape based planning
- Provide issues analysis and recommendations related to natural
resource policy and regulation
- Involve volunteers in biological inventory and monitoring programs
Wetland Habitat Assessment and Protection
NREC personnel and affiliated faculty in the Department of Natural
Resources Conservation have developed wetland habitat assessment
methodologies to assist in conservation planning and wetland protection.
NREC is responsible for the modification and updating of these methodologies,
production and distribution of these and related materials, and providing
training and technical assistance in their use.
Objectives
- NREC has developed procedures, field data forms and standards
for conducting wildlife habitat evaluations under the Massachusetts
Wetlands Protection Act, and provides training and technical assistance
in the use of these procedures. NREC personnel serve on an ad hoc
committee convened by the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
to develop a guidance document for protecting wildlife habitat
under the MA Wetlands Protection Act.
- Wethings and Wethings-Birds are two habitat evaluation methodologies
and resource guides developed at the University of Massachusetts
for assessing the suitability of wetlands habitat for wildlife.
NREC is responsible for modification and updating, production and
distribution, training, and technical assistance for these methodologies.
Impacts of Roads and Highways on Wildlife
NREC conducts research and provides information and technical assistance
on the impacts of roads, highways, and railways on wildlife and ecosystems.
An extensive literature review and investigation of highway mitigation
projects in Europe and North America serves as a basis for this research
and outreach program aimed at mitigating the impacts of transportation
infrastructure on animal movements and ecological processes.
Objectives
- Review the literature on impacts of roads and highways on wildlife
and techniques for mitigating those impacts
- Document the impacts of transportation infrastructure on wildlife
and ecosystems
- Evaluate animal passage projects that are currently in use and
provide detailed assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of
various designs
- Develop effective and practical strategies for mitigating impacts
of transportation infrastructure on wildlife and ecosystems
- Provide specific recommendations for highway mitigation projects
Massachusetts Calling Amphibian Survey
NREC coordinates the MA Calling Amphibian Survey as part of the
North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP). Currently, 29
volunteers monitor 22 pre-selected routes in Massachusetts. Each
year data are collected according to specific protocols and provided
to the NAAMP organizers. The goal of the project is to provide long-term
monitoring data that will allow scientists to better understand the
conservation status and population trends for calling amphibians
in North America.
Objectives
- Develop national protocols for monitoring calling amphibians
- Establish a network of viable amphibian monitoring routes in
MA
- Recruit and train volunteers to adopt long-term monitoring routes
- Collect long-term data that can be used to determine status
and trends for amphibian populations
Southeastern Massachusetts Aquaculture Center (SEMAC):
SEMAC supports the sustainable development of aquaculture in five
Massachusetts counties from Plymouth County to the Rhode Island border.
The center coordinates efforts involving various partners to provide
education, research, demonstration projects, and technical and economic
assistance to promote best management practices. It has set up resource
centers in nine public libraries, organized workshops, and expanded
services for detecting site and disease problems. SEMAC also coordinates
a small grants program to promote innovation in marine aquaculture.
Objectives
- To promote public awareness of coastal resource issues
- To provide the existing shellfish culture industry a forum for
technology transfer, instruction, identification of current needs,
and networking
- To instruct individuals as to the potential of technology and
options available within the shellfish and finfish aquaculture
- To provide educational to aquaculturists, local health officials,
and seafood processors about HACCP regulations
- Provide technical and economic assistance to enhance marine
aquaculture and promote best management practices
Coastal Explorer Program:
The "Coastal Explorer" is a 31-foot class "A" motor
coach that was custom-built for use as a marine science educational
vehicle. The Coastal Explorer is equipped with a computer for use
with interactive CD-ROMs, a TV/VCR for showing marine life videos,
microscope with video-flex attachment for viewing marine life on
the TV screen, saltwater/freshwater aquariums, a blue shark model
displaying both external and internal anatomy, and other hands-on
exhibits. Coastal Explorer serves Barnstable County schools, with
average visits lasting one week. During the summer, Coastal Explorer
makes one-day visits to Barnstable County beaches, libraries and
youth camps.
Objectives
- Schedule, maintain and direct the Coastal Explorer program, which
includes teaching, exhibit and aquarium maintenance, coordinating
volunteers as needed, marketing and scheduling, and coordinating
any maintenance for the vehicle
- To develop marine and environmental science curriculum and educational
resource materials, serving as a reference for area schools. Reference
materials are available for teachers' use within the marine science
vehicle
- To increase knowledge and awareness among youth in the areas
of marine organisms and their threatened habitats, coastal processes,
and water quality
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