Disturbance and Recovery of Fens from Airboat Impacts and Wildlife Investigations on the Tanana Flats, Fort Wainwright, Interior Alaska (2002–2006)
Client Name: U. S. Army
ABR is conducting a multiyear study of the effects
of airboat traffic on habitats and wildlife on the
Tanana Flats. The specific objectives for
assessing the nature and extent of the impacts and
the potential for recovery over the 5-year study
are to:
- monitor the level of use in the zone with continued access
- determine the level of damage along the existing trail system at a large number of sites (±100) using a rapid, semi-quantitative ranking system
- map the extent of the trail network using photography acquired in 2001
- establish a smaller network of intensive monitoring plots to assess impacts and recovery over the range of disturbance levels
- assess hydrologic impacts by monitoring changes in water flow and levels in trails
- assess the impacts to wildlife using a phased-study approach that includes an initial effort to identify the best approaches to quantifying impacts the first year, followed by more intensive monitoring work in subsequent years
- conduct an experimental study of airboat traffic intensity to determine the ‘dose-response’ relationships between level of traffic and level of damage to vegetation and hydrology, and
- develop and evaluate a range of land management alternatives that identifies mitigation strategies for minimizing impacts from airboat activity and to protect land resources.
For more information on this study, contact Joanna Roth at jroth@abrinc.com.
PETROLEUM POLLUTION RISKS FOR THREATENED STELLER’S
EIDERS NEAR HARBORS IN SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA (2000)
Client: U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska and
Tetra Tech ISG
ABR conducted a comprehensive review to locate and
compile information for a risk assessment on the
occurrence and direct effects of chronic, incidental
marine pollution by refined petroleum products on
Steller’s Eider, a federally listed threatened
species of sea duck. This compilation was needed
by the Corps as a technical resource to support
preparation of biological assessments (Endangered
Species Act, Section 7 consultation) for boat harbor
construction and maintenance projects at 10 locations
in the winter range of this species in coastal southwestern
Alaska. Specific study elements included acquisition
and analysis of oilspill databases from USCG, ADEC,
and EPA; review of historical coastal shipwrecks
and spills; simple modeling for prediction of future
spills; literature review of oiling effects on marine
birds; and development of best management practices
for harbor construction and operations to avoid
marine pollution.
SITE RECONNAISSANCE AND INVENTORY OF WETLANDS,
HABITATS, AND WILDLIFE, GREAT SITKIN ISLAND, ALASKA
(1995–1996)
Client: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Hart Crowser,
Inc.
ABR investigated the occurrence and abundance of
wetlands, fish, and wildlife (primarily birds) at
the abandoned WWII-era Sand Bay Naval Fueling Station
on Great Sitkin Island in the central Aleutian Islands.
These data were incorporated into a Phase I Remedial
Investigation/Feasibility Study. The inventory identified
wetland resources and wildlife at risk from existing
contamination and potential cleanup operations.
ABR conducted field surveys to ground-truth wetland
and habitat maps, record wildlife observations in
the contaminated area, and evaluate potential receptors
species for ecological risk assessment.
Read about ABR's Ecological Risk Assessment Services
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