Ecological Research and Biological Monitoring

The biological community is intimately connected to the ecosystem function, structure, and integrity of its habitat, and the condition and health of an ecosystem is projected through the biological community. Therefore, monitoring and quantifying biological community characteristics provides essential tools to develop appropriate recovery goals, determine the health of an ecosystem, and measure the success of a restoration project. We employ the most rigorous standards and protocols to evaluate these complex relationships for both vegetation and wildlife communities.

Services Offered

Endangered Species Plans
Including those for southwestern willow flycatcher and Yuma clapper rail.

Project Monitoring Plans
Including evaluating vegetation growth rates and cover, endangered species surveys, wildlife community recovery, monitoring location and design and determining restoration project success.

Biological Community Research
Including avian, herpetofaunal, invertebrate and mammalian monitoring, community evaluation and surveys. Environmental assesments, impact statements and biological evaluations

Project Experience

'Ahakhav Tribal Preserve
- Yuma clapper rail and southwestern willow flycatcher surveys
- Avian community monitoring in restoration sites
- Revegetation growth monitoring
- Monitoring native plant recruitment and non-native recolonization
- Development of a research design to measure mammalian, herpetofaunal, avifaunal, and invertebrate community characteristics in different stages of restoration
Click for 'Ahakhav Tribal Preserve slide show

Yuma East Wetlands Restoration Project
- Development of project biological evaluation and environmental assesments
- Yuma clapper rail and southwestern willow flycatcher surveys
- Avian community monitoring in restoration sites
- Revegetation growth monitoring
- Monitoring native plant recruitment and non-native recolonization
- Development of a research design to measure mammalian, herpetofaunal, avifaunal, and invertebrate community characteristics in different stages of restoration
Click for Yuma East Project slide show
Click to view a video of the Yuma East Wetlands before restoration
Click to view a video of the Yuma East Wetlands after restoration

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Southwestern willow flycatcher surveys
- Avian community monitoring