Visual Survey Protocol Framework
LINK: Download as PDF
Version 1, June 2024
Western North America is home to a unique suite of freshwater mussel species that play an important ecological role in freshwater ecosystems, as well as remain culturally important to tribes. To better study, conserve, and manage these species the Xerces Society, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Forest Service have developed a visual survey protocol framework for western North American freshwater mussels. The document provides a suite of methods applicable to a wide range of purposes and waterbodies. The protocol framework also provides detailed information on survey-related practices, including minimum required quality standards and survey planning and site evaluation.
This document is intended to serve as a resource for biologists and other professionals tasked with conducting surveys or research studies and to ensure that future survey efforts will improve the ability to compare data across the many watersheds and multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces in which these species of freshwater mussels occur.
Use this protocol and data forms therein to collect data for submission to the Western Mussel Atlas Data Portal.
LINK: Western Mussel Atlas Data Portal
LINK: Download as PDF
Exploratory Method Guide
This condensed introductory guide to the Exploratory survey method, a companion to the Visual Survey Protocol Framework for Western North American Freshwater Mussels, is intended to provide specific guidance for conducting exploratory surveys for the purposes of documenting mussel presence or absence, especially at sites where instream work is being considered. Exploratory surveys are also valuable when mussel distribution is patchy or sparse, or when little or no information on mussel presence or species distribution is available for a watershed. The exploratory survey enables larger distances or areas to be covered quickly, while also capturing information across a range of microhabitats, providing important stream-level context for mussel populations. This guide provides the necessary information to conduct exploratory surveys and to report observations via the Western Mussel Atlas Data Portal and accompanying Survey123 form, in addition to the traditional paper data forms.
Notice: Below is a list of 3 important links included on this page.
2. Western Mussel Atlas Data Portal
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Version 1, June 2024
Western North America is home to a unique suite of freshwater mussel species that play an important ecological role in freshwater ecosystems, as well as remain culturally important to tribes. To better study, conserve, and manage these species the Xerces Society, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Forest Service have developed a visual survey protocol framework for western North American freshwater mussels. The document provides a suite of methods applicable to a wide range of purposes and waterbodies. The protocol framework also provides detailed information on survey-related practices, including minimum required quality standards and survey planning and site evaluation.
This document is intended to serve as a resource for biologists and other professionals tasked with conducting surveys or research studies and to ensure that future survey efforts will improve the ability to compare data across the many watersheds and multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces in which these species of freshwater mussels occur.
Use this protocol and data forms therein to collect data for submission to the Western Mussel Atlas Data Portal.
Exploratory Method Guide
This condensed introductory guide to the Exploratory survey method, a companion to the Visual Survey Protocol Framework for Western North American Freshwater Mussels, is intended to provide specific guidance for conducting exploratory surveys for the purposes of documenting mussel presence or absence, especially at sites where instream work is being considered. Exploratory surveys are also valuable when mussel distribution is patchy or sparse, or when little or no information on mussel presence or species distribution is available for a watershed. The exploratory survey enables larger distances or areas to be covered quickly, while also capturing information across a range of microhabitats, providing important stream-level context for mussel populations. This guide provides the necessary information to conduct exploratory surveys and to report observations via the Western Mussel Atlas Data Portal and accompanying Survey123 form, in addition to the traditional paper data forms.
