Spring Semester 2012

I am enrolled for an independent study! I get to study wild turkey populations, their habitat and write a wildlife management plan for Horsetooth Mountain Park. I can't wait for the spring semester to start on Tuesday.

Lab 9 – WHEG for Mule Deer at HTMP

This is the lab I wrote for "Forestry Field Research. 

Lab 9 – WHEG for Mule Deer at HTMP

1. Background Information

            Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Guide (WHEG) is a tool used by wildlife managers to assess and improve an existing habitat. It assigns values to an ecosystem or habitat, in this case a forest. WHEG models can made for specific ecosystems i.e. – Forest, Riparian, Grassland, etc. or for they can be species specific i.e. – Mule Deer, Elk, Dove, Turkey, etc.

The benefit of a WHEG in forestry is it can be used as a tool for a pre-burn and post-burn inventory to evaluate improvement of habitat for an indigenous forest species. Using a WHEG can help to evaluate climate change in a forest by being able to assess change to the forest from one time period to another.

Why mule deer at HTMP? In a previous lab you learned about mountain lions at HTMP and why it is important to study them and their relationship with the encroachment of the urban interface. Mule deer are a primary food source for mountain lions. An assessment of the forest habitat at HTMP for mule deer habitat can be a tool to address issues that may need improvement and benefit overall forest health.

2. Method

   A. Part One

            1. Begin to fill in form.

2. Locate your study site on a map.

            3. Locate your plot center and take a GPS reading.

            4. Find the Game Management Unit (GMU). (You may need to research this.)

            5. As a group begin to evaluate your plot using the WHEG.

 

 B. Part Two

 Write a “Refection” using complete sentences. In the first paragraph, clearly describe what you did and what learned. In the second paragraph, discuss questions or problems you had with the procedure. In the third paragraph, be a mule deer and describe what you think about your habitat, what issues are impacting you most and what changes you would like to see made.

   In between these sections is the format for the WHEG. It places values on different habitat components i.e. - Plant Communities, Cover, Water, Browse (Food), etc. Examples of WHEGs can be found at : http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/fotg/section-2/whegs.html 
If you are interested in what one looks like just click on any specie listed and you can view it.
Thanks-
Doug

Reflection

I started this lab project by researching for different WHEGs. I started at the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) web site and ran a search. That web site is very difficult to navigate and I had no luck in finding the WHEG there. Good news was they asked me to evaluate their site so I was able to express my frustration. Next I ran a Google search for “wildlife habitat evaluation guide” and ended up at the NRCS – New Mexico site (http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/fotg/section-2/whegs.html). There they have 19 WHEGs for a variety of species and ecosystems. Very cool! The WHEG I referenced is for NM mule deer. It is modeled for a juniper-pinion forest. I modeled mine for the ponderosa-lodgepole forest at HTMP. I used the labs from our “textbook” and past experience with WHEGs to format my lab.

I feel our plot at HTMP would score above average on the WHEG. The GMU for HTMP is 19. It has varied plant communities, good terrain for mule deer, and plenty of cover and browse. Water is a small concern. It is less than a mile away with a good deal of grassland to the edge of Horsetooth Reservoir. Houses on the mountain make fair cover to the shoreline. Fragmentation in the area will eventually be a concern unless measures are taken to avert this issue.

If I were a mule deer I think that I have a good place to live. The people in the area are nice except for their dogs, which are noisy and scare me. They grow and water tasty green grass long after the other grass has died. Life on the mountain is pretty good too. I have lots of places to browse for food and hide from all the hikers and bicyclists. There are many places on the mountain and by the houses to sun. If I could change things the first thing I would do is get rid of the darn mountain lions. All they do is eat my family. I think next would be better access to the water or get the humans to install rain collectors on the mountain. Next is to ask the people to try and get a handle on the management of my mountain and the climate. Maybe they could limit the amount of people who can move into my range. Many trees are sick and my mountain is changing, I am not sure how much longer I can stay here. I like it here and would like to stay.

Illegal Bear Trade and Traditional Medicine

Illegal Bear Trade and Traditional Medicine

Introduction

The use of bears (Ursidae spp.) and their parts dates back to almost 3500 b.c., when the use of bear fat was employed by Shen Nong (the father of Chinese medicine). The use of bear gall bladder may have entered around 3,000 years ago (Mills & Servheen, 1991). Asiatic bears are a walking pharmacy for TM. Hair, bones (hand), teeth, bile, gall bladder, brain, fat and spinal cord are used to remedy various ailments. The bile from bears, gram for gram, can exceed the cost of narcotics (TRAFFIC NETWORK, 1995).

Bear gall, containing the active ingredient ursodeoxycholic acid, is highly coveted as a "cold" medicine used to treat fever, lower body temperature, and reduce inflamed tissues. Other bear parts including bone, fat, brain, blood, and lungs are used to treat arthritis, skin disorders and hearing loss, and to increase strength and sexual potency. Bear paws, meat, and fat are also eaten and considered delicacies. Teeth, claws, and skulls are sold to tourists as curios or souvenirs or made into artifacts or jewelry. Asian bears-including the Asiatic black bear, sloth bear, and sun bear-were once the sole sources of such potions, medications, and other products.

The use traditional Asian medicines (TM) are increasing and the use of these homeopathic medicines in the western world is clearly developing. Many countries, cultures and health care systems use wild fauna and flora as medicine. In fact, plant and animal ingredients are common in traditional medicines as well as in allopathic or so-called “western” medicines. But where western medicine depends largely on synthetic versions of these ingredients, traditional medicines by definition, depend on ingredients from nature (CITES, 1996 ).

With the elevated attention and practice of TM, supplying these natural ingredients legally has become increasingly difficult. Many species of the flora and fauna used to produce these ingredients are either endangered or protected because of the poaching and destruction of habitat, due to human encroachment. However, this demand is fueling a criminal enterprise consisting of poaching, trafficking and consumption of protected wildlife.

The scale of illegal wildlife trade is disturbing. The nature of the illicit wildlife trade makes estimating the value difficult but, some experts estimate the trade at 10 – 20 billion U.S. dollars annually (ASEAN-WEN, 2009). It is second only to the illegal narcotics trade (et al).

Discussion

Bears are a widespread family comprising of eight species populating a variety of ecosystems across four continents: Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Of the eight species, four are prevalent to Asia: the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) and giant panda (Ailuopoda melanoleuca). Two others occur in Asia but are not prevalent, the brown bear (Ursus arctos) and the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Three bears are specifically targeted for the bear bile trade, the Asiatic black bear, sun bear and brown bear.

The Asiatic black bear has a patchy distribution across 18 countries and overlaps the distribution of Sun Bears in South-east Asia and as far south as Thailand. Asiatic black bears are classified as Vulnerable with a decreasing population trend by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 1990. Asiatic Black Bears are nationally protected in many range countries as well as internationally protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and has listed the bears in Appendix I since 1979. The type and extent of threats to the Asiatic black bear vary across its range. Habitat loss and degradation affect bears in parts of their range where annual rates of forest loss are high. However, the major threat to the species in China and South-east Asia is the viable trade in live bears and their parts. The demand for bear products has increased over the past several years and is very likely to be unsustainable, causing populations to decline.

Sun Bears are native to 11 Asian countries and is extinct in Singapore. It is suspected that sun bear populations have dropped by more than 30% over the past 30 years, due to considerable deforestation and uncontrolled exploitation for TM trade. Conservation practices vary by country and specific priorities for sun bears have not been set. Sun Bears have been listed in Appendix I of CITES since 1979 and international commercial trade in them or their parts is therefore illegal.

Brown bears are found in at least 45 countries around the world. However, the natural distribution was larger in the past. Brown Bears are possibly extinct in Bhutan, and are considered extinct in the wild in 15 other Asiatic range states. While some populations of Brown Bears are well known, the dynamics of others remain poorly understood. The Brown Bear is considered to be of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List with a stable population trend, this assessment is greatly influenced by healthy North American and European Populations. Asiatic brown bear populations are threatened and have been impacted by habitat fragmentation, connectivity, human encroachment and poaching for their parts. 

Black bears (Ursus americanus) exist throughout most of North America north of central Mexico and Florida. However, the species has been eliminated from most of the Midwest by intensive agriculture and human settlement. Now it occurs primarily in remaining large forested tracts (NatureServe, 2011). As Asian bear populations decrease, either through poaching, lack of legal protection, or loss of habitat, some Asian consumers turned to imports from North American bears to satisfy their needs.

In 1992, the American black bear was listed on Appendix II of the CITES, not because of the status of the bear, but because of its similarity to endangered bear species listed on Appendix I of CITES. All species of bear are now listed on either Appendix I or II. Listing under Appendix II requires the signatory countries to monitor commercial trade in bears and bear parts and to issue permits for such exports. Such lawful export is apparently minimal.

Gall prices as high as $64,000 USD have sometimes been quoted but are misleading and are back-calculated from the price per gram on the street market. In 1995, black bear gall prices paid to North American hunters range from $20 to $250 USD (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 2011). More recent prices range from $50+ USD/ gram to $1,000+ USD/ kilogram for bear gall bladders. Prices vary greatly and depend on the size and quality of the product.   Research in August 2007 by Animals Asia investigators in Sichuan Province revealed that the wholesale price of bear bile powder was US$410 per kg. A whole gall bladder in South Korea sells for about US$10,000, whilst in Japan the average price for a wild bear gall bladder is US$33 per gram.

The increase in demand and gross profits to be made many criminal organizations added illegal wildlife trafficking to their repertoire of piracy, narcotics and human trafficking. Trafficking of wildlife is made easier by corrupt officials, disguising animal parts in packaging that looks like medicine. Sea ports and airports located around the Pacific Rim can be easily utilized by illegal wildlife, chemical precursor and drug smugglers using false declarations for their cargoes, or other means, to pass through customs. Poachers readily supply these organizations because of the premium prices they are able to offer. The prices criminal organizations offer makes the risk of arrest or confinement worth the illegal effort.

Obstacles to conservation efforts are the socio-economics of the TM health care system and its acceptance in western cultures. According to one study more than one-fifth of the world’s population depends on various degrees of TM for health care. Simply because TM does not fit in with the western health care system does not mean it can be dismissed as superstition or lack medical basis (CITES, 1996 ). Many western medicines have been discovered in TM. One example mentioned earlier in this paper is ursodeoxycholic acid, which is found in bear bile, is now synthesized from cow bile and used to dissolve gallstones without surgery.

Conveying the ecological importance of an animal, forest or ecosystem in Asia and its importance to the ecosystem in North America or globally is part of the socio-economic ideology that is an obstacle in many countries. Ecosystems, some more fragile than others, are irrevocably damaged by the loss of many species for profits by poaching and illegal timber harvest.

Unregulated trafficking of wildlife can spread diseases and viruses that endanger human life. Avian flu and SARS were transferred to humans from wild animals. (ASEAN-WEN, 2009)

Although the point is often overlooked, illegal wildlife trafficking leads to considerable revenue loss to a state through the loss of monies that would have been collected in duties and taxes, if the exports and imports had been done legally.

Conclusion

            Traditional Asian medicine and its remedies are not the evil in question. The problem will continue to be the criminal enterprise of poaching, trafficking and consumption of protected wildlife. Organizations (government and non-government), allegiances and treaties between countries and legislation by individual countries are the answer to the many criminal enterprises involved in the illegal wildlife trade.

            Organizations like TRAFFIC, World Wildlife Fund, International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora are able to fund, research, recommend and educate politicians and citizens about the impacts of illegal wildlife trade and its other enterprises. The changing or adjustment of TM practices and remedies toward the use of alternatives available over the use of traditional medicines made from threatened or endangered animals is a very difficult task.

             Legislation enacting tougher and stricter laws regulating the sale or trade of wildlife is a step in the right direction.  Concerns over the differing laws from state to state regulating the sale or trade of bear parts spawned a campaign to enact a federal law in the United States banning all trade in bear gallbladders and other “viscera.” Legislation entitled “The Bear Protection Act” has been proposed in the past several sessions of the U.S. Congress and was reintroduced in 2001. The last effort was H.R. 3480: Bear Protection Act of 2009 which did not pass.

            Continued perseverance from law enforcement cracking down on the criminal organizations that deal in and support the illegal wildlife trade can make a difference. By cracking down on poaching, trafficking and consumption of threatened wildlife and parts, the consequences and economics may make it easier to change the attitudes of the consumers and TM industry. Law enforcement agencies like INTERPOL – Wildlife Crime Division, ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Colorado Division of Wildlife are tasked with protection of wildlife for future generations.

            The use of bear parts is an important part of TM but alternative options are available. Bears will continue important part of TM until attitudes change. The loss of these individual bear species to the illegal wildlife trade is a threat to the ecosystems they are a part of and a global concern.

Bibliography

ASEAN-WEN. (2009). Illegal Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia Factsheet. ASEAN-WEN, Program Coordination Unit. ASEAN-WEN.

CITES. (1996 ). Doc. 10.79 - A DISCUSSION PAPER ON TRADITIONAL EAST ASIAN MEDICINE. TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND CITES Convention (pp. 869-883). CITES.

ICUN. (2010). List of animal species used in traditional medicine. Gland, Switzerland: International Union for Conservation of Nature(ICUN).

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, M. (2011). FAQ. Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Mills, J. A., & Servheen, C. (1991). The Asian Trade in Bears and Bear Parts. (W. W. Fund, Ed.) Landover, Maryland: Corporate Press Inc.

NatureServe. (2011). NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application] (7.1 ed.). Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe.

TRAFFIC NETWORK. (1995). The Bear Facts: The East Asian. Washington D.C.: TRAFFIC.

Internship aka What I did this summer

My dipper cup with Aedes vexans and Culex tarsalis moquito larve

From: Doug Nolde

Re: Internship Summary with Colorado Mosquito Control Inc. – Summer 2011

Date: 24 August 2011

            My internship was with Colorado Mosquito Control Inc. as a field technician. My duties as a field technician included: Aquatic wetland sampling for larval mosquitos, Identification of larval and adult mosquitos using taxonomic keys, Public relations work (Explanation of: zoonosis cycles, mosquito biology, larvacidal mode of action, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and vector control), Data keeping methods in compliance with MSDS literature and requirements by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Enviomental Protection Agency regulations, Understanding the components of vector management through the selection of applicable control methods using IPM framework. It sounds like a lot to know and do but the responsibilities of a field tech can best be summarized like this “We find ’em. We identify ‘em. We kill ‘em! For a safer community” I did not have an interest in the job before I started but during the first day training my enthusiasm grew and continued throughout the season.

            The people I worked with are what made the job special. Jess Schurich is the Operations Manager for Northern Colorado. Jess is a great boss.  She hired me, helped train me, pulled me out of a slough (without getting angry) and took the time to help me outline my duties with proper terminology. Chris Arnold and Matt Bennetts were the field supervisors. They kept the crews organized, always had advice or tips for safety and would help in any they could. I made good friends with the other techs. I look forward to keeping in touch with them and working with them next season. My highlights of the 2011 season would be:

1.    Gaining the limited knowledge (there is a lot more entamology) of mosquito biology, zoonosis cycles and environmental factors that affect mosquitos.  

2.    Observation of the seasonal cycle of wetlands and riparian habitats in Colorado plains and urban ecotones from late spring to mid-summer.

3.    Observing resident and migrational birds and wildlife; keying them out and observing the interaction and territoriality of different species.

4.    Setting and collection of mosquito traps, keying out Culex tarsalis mosquitos from Aedes vexans, Culex pipiens and other mosquito species from collected samples, Rearing adults for bioassay trials for detection of resistance to Permethrin insecticides.

This job was physically and mentally demanding because of the environment. I.e. Wading through 10 – 15 foot tall cattails, in knee deep mud and waist deep stagnant pond water with a 50 pound applicator on my back in 90 plus degree heat. I still would not consider it a downfall. The entire experience was incredible and I hope they ask me to come back next season!

      Working for Jess and Colorado Mosquito Control, I my opinion, is what employment in natural resources is about. This job would not have been my first, second or third choice had other opportunities been available, it picked me. If I had turned it down I would have lost an incredible opportunity to apply what I have learned from the Natural Resource courses at FRCC. I learned to never turn down an offer in this or any related field because you can’t be sure of the results. Showing up with an open mind, prepared to work and helping in any way I possibly can lead to surprising results. To stay in this field I need to continue my education, hone my observation skills and lose weight so I don’t sink so deep in the mud.

 Barb thank you for making me take this internship. Sorry I was so reluctant to do this. I grew a lot this summer! Your priceless!!!   

Don't think I need say more!

Wow I can't believe its been 4 months...

So, its been over 4 months since my last post. Forgive me for my lack of discipline. All of a sudden time just started flying by and the next thing I knew, BAM, summer. 


I have made alot of tracks since then and will give just an overview without a bunch of details. 


First college, Spring semester ended with good grades (an A and a B) and a summer internship! It's a cool internship and I will elaborate more in my next post. Honors program was an interesting journey into mountain lion behaviors. I will also elaborate more later.

Piping Plover

Least Tern

Next adventures, went to Southeastern Colorado and added 1 endangered species, 1 threatened species to my bird list. The Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) is endangered. The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus circumcinctus) threatened. Cool huh! I had to borrow pics 'cause I couldn't get a good ones. 



Next adventure was camping up on the Laramie River Rd. over the 4th of July. Lots to see and lots of people. 


Fat mink with a fresh crawdad dinner

  

 














Mountain bluebird protecting what "His"




I WILL be adding more soon. Thank you for your patience. I will be more diligent in the future. So with these pics I will sign off.

Spring Break

So I have been on spring break this past week. Spent time catching up on homework but that takes on a whole new definition. Seriously... it's wildlife biology and the introduction at that. Lots of time spent making observations and evaluating habitat outdoors! Not so rough to do.


Gotta love spring time in Colorado. The bright sky blues, new greens of plant life, murky water waking up with the splashes of fish snatching the first bugs of spring, all the species of birds migrating through, animals coming out of hibernation and yet the sunsets hold on to the long shadows of winter and light the world up with the gold of a Colorado evening. I love living here.


I have never paid much attention to birds, unless they are of the tasty variety, but I took an ornithology (bird studies) class this spring and enjoy it. My awakening came when I "discovered" the variety of species that reside, nest or migrate through the Front Range. I have completed 5 or 6 natural histories and my first illustration/sketch. I have sighted about 20 species that I never paid attention too. Birds are tough little creatures. They can survive foraging for food all winter, (how much food or seeds do you see around here), the colds tempratures are just a nuisence to most and the others fly hundreds or thousands of miles in search of their happy place. Most songbirds could mailed for cost of 2 stamps thats how little they weigh. I almost forgot those winter and spring time winds. So I have been impressed by the fortitude and resourcefulness of these critters. They can also sing to songs at the SAME time, I can only carry one but I need a bucket to do it. A great link for bird identification is  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189 (just in case your curious about something you may see).


My backyard is in need of a remodel so I think I am going to place an emphasis on bird and wildlife habitat. Besides its a big backyard so a natural look and less groomed will be simple to maintain and use less water. 


Just one last thing.... Hot damn it's spring and camping/backpacking is almost here!!!

Self Pity

I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. 

A bird will fall frozen dead from a bough

without ever having felt sorry for itself.

D. H. Lawrence
English novelist (1885 - 1930)

Football, Life and Walt - My good bye to a friend

Yesterday I went to the "celebration of life" for a man who was a confidant, mentor and friend. He helped me through some tough times and shared in some very good times. My friend was always full of advice and quotes, some better than others.He lived a life of adventure and compassion for his fellow man. On the 23rd of February my friend Walt lost his battle with lymphoma. One of the "stories"/advice that he gave often to those who hurt, a little lost or confused and that I try to practice goes something like this.....


"Life, he would say, is like a football team and you are the quarterback. You are in charge of calling the plays and the leader on the field. Your not alone out there God is the coach over on the sideline and you can talk to him anytime you want to get plays, advice or direction. But, you are the QB. God has picked a great team to help you get down the field. You are not alone, God is your coach and you have a hand picked team. But, you are the quarterback it's your job to get down field."


" You are the quarterback you are in charge of team. Your running backs are Faith and Hope. On your line your guards are Strength and Courage. Your tackles are Love and Patience. God is the coach, you can talk to anytime you want, you are QB and you have to get your team down the field. Now God has picked your most important player, the center. On your count he snaps you the ball and starts the play in motion. He is willingness. Lastly, the endzone and goalpost thats heaven." 


"Remember, in life there are no timeouts. God is your coach and you can always talk to him and get the right plays. Your team is assembled and ready. But YOU are the quarterback and YOU are in charge, the play starts when YOU say so, whether YOU have talked to the Coach or not. So, go get the RIGHT play and get going." - Walt Chaney 1938-2011


I will miss my friend! But, I will pass on the advice, quotes and antidotes that Walt gave me to others. I have survived some pretty dark and tough times (often only in my own head) but, it was guidance like this, from Walt and others, that got me through them.


Walt, Thank you for sharing your life with me. 


Time to get the play and get going.......