Evaluation and proposed refinement of the sampling design for the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program's fish component
Dates
Publication Date
2002-10
Summary
Environmental monitoring programs are frequently designed to track changes in key physical, chemical, and biological features of an ecosystem. As such, these programs provide critical information for detecting changes in system state, investigating ecological relations, and making resource management decisions. However, monitoring programs require significant investments of time, money, and human resources to implement and maintain. Periodic evaluations are necessary to assess whether the sampling design adequately addresses program goals and objectives, and whether adequate and useful information can continue to be provided for changing management and science needs. We evaluated the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) sampling [...]
Summary
Environmental monitoring programs are frequently designed to track changes in key physical, chemical,
and biological features of an ecosystem. As such, these programs provide critical information for detecting
changes in system state, investigating ecological relations, and making resource management decisions. However,
monitoring programs require significant investments of time, money, and human resources to implement and
maintain. Periodic evaluations are necessary to assess whether the sampling design adequately addresses program
goals and objectives, and whether adequate and useful information can continue to be provided for changing
management and science needs. We evaluated the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) sampling
design for fish by analyzing data from stratified random samples collected from 1993 to 1999 in six Trend
Analysis Areas (TAAs). Specifically, we investigated whether the sampling design could provide similar
information with fewer sampling gears. Our goals were to identify and quantify information provided by each
gear used to monitor fish in the LTRMP, develop alternative sampling design scenarios based on our analyses
and expert opinion, and engage program partners in a discussion on the relative value of each gear within the
present sampling design. We forward a proposal to systemically eliminate four of the ten sampling gears presently
used to monitor the status and trends in fish resources within the LTRMP.
