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Bureau of Land Management Research Needs
TITLE:
Determination of Habitat Suitability for
Aplomado Falcons on Public Lands in Southern New Mexico
SUBMITTING BUREAU: BLM New Mexico
Originating Offices: Las Cruces District, Caballo, Mimbres, and Socorro R.A.s
DATE SUBMITTED: May 21, 1997
BIN NUMBER: BLM07CR98
BRD REGION: Central
DESCRIPTION OF NEED: The Las Cruces District, in cooperation with the New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at New Mexico State University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Park Service, White Sands Missile Range, Fort Bliss, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and the University of Chihuahua (Mexico) is initiating a 5 year project to model the habitat requirements, map the habitat, and rate the suitability of habitat for the aplomado falcon in southern New Mexico. The project will combine the use of habitat component measurements and population monitoring with spatial analysis techniques including the use of satellite imagery and aerial photography in conjunction with a GIS. Results of the project will be applied to BLM and Department of Defense (DoD) lands in southern New Mexico. In addition, data relating to the effects of grazing use on aplomado habitat will be collected and used in the modelling exercise. These data should also have stand alone utility in making land use decisions with regard to grazing activities and other habitat disturbing activities.
Hypotheses of the Research presented in the Coop Unit Proposal:
1. Habitats used by nesting aplomado falcons in northern Mexico are sufficiently unique that they can be distinguished with the assistance of satellite imagery analysis and selected habitat components applied in layers in a GIS format.
2. Digitized information that uniquely represents nesting territory habitat for aplomado falcons in northern Mexico can be accurately compared to similarly digitized habitat components on BLM and DoD lands in Southern New Mexico.
Specific objectives related to those hypotheses and presented in the Coop Unit Proposal are:
1. Survey for aplomado falcons within desert grasslands/savannahs and associated habitats on Mexico's northern plateau where adjacent to the U.S./Mexico border to delineate distribution and abundance.
2. Delineate habitat components within nesting territories of aplomado falcons in northern Mexico.
3. Document breeding ecology within nesting territories of aplomado falcons in northern Mexico.
4. Develop a digitized model that best describes aplomado falcon nesting habitat in Northern Mexico using satellite imagery and GIS data layers.
5. Develop methodology to accurately compare habitats of aplomado falcon nesting territories in northern Mexico and habitats on BLM and DoD administered lands in southern New Mexico.
6. Develop a numerical index of suitability that would rate habitats on BLM and DoD lands in southern New Mexico with potential for habitation by aplomado falcons.
MANAGEMENT PROBLEM WITH NEED: The BLM Las Cruces District has been tasked with collection of ecological data and delineation habitats for the aplomado falcon in Biological Opinions from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service resulting from Formal Consultation on all 3 District Resource Management Plans. Concern was expressed in the FWS opinions regarding land use activities, including grazing and oil and gas leasing and development, and their impact on historic aplomado habitat. Aplomados sightings have recently increased within the region and may indicate at a trend of recolonization from occupied habitat in adjacent Mexico. The District has approximately 2 million acres of land that have been tentatively identified as potential habitat for the species. Cooperating agencies also have several million acres of land with similar information needs. The initial determination of BLM potential habitat was made using 15 year old IHICS (Integrated Habitat Inventory and Classification System - BLM wildlife habitat inventory method) data based on professional judgement and vague habitat descriptions from the literature combined with general habitat mapping data. We do not have a good understanding of the habitat components and specifics of what comprises suitable habitat for aplomado use. As a result, we were unable to discuss specific impacts of land use activities in the Consultations. In addition, we are not able to adequately plan recovery actions for this subspecies, in the face of potentially controversial competing land use interests. The proximity of occupied habitat in Chihuahua, Mexico presents an opportunity to gather meaningful data and apply it to land management activities that avoid, to the extent possible, controversy with competing land uses. We have chosen to develop and implement a habitat model for Chihuahuan Desert Grasslan sensing, as a method of covering large land areas, in conjunction with traditional ecological studies and habitat inventory methods. Additional funding to support this project is crucial.
BUREAU CONTACT: Mike Howard , Phone (505)525-4348, mhoward@nm0151wp.nmso.nm.blm.gov
Dr. Phil Zwank, , (505) 646-5944, pzwank@nmsu.edu
BRD PRIMARY CENTER: NM Cooperative Research Unit (FORT)
BRD CENTER CONTACT: Bruce Thomson (Mike Bogan)
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY99): A research work order supported jointly by BLM and Department of Defense is ongoing to investigate falcon occurrence in adjacent Chihuahua, Mexico. Data from field detection of falcon occurrence will be used to train satellite imagery analysis and GIS model development to predict potential falcon habitat on public lands in southern New Mexico and possibly elsewhere in the arid southwest. Pilot surveys during 308 hours on 1,300 km2 in 1998, conducted jointly with cooperators at the University of Chihuahua, detected 13 falcons on or adjacent to 10 survey sites. Aerial reconnaissance during December 1998 identified additional habitat blocks to further refine sample site placement during field work in March - October 1999. Preliminary indications are that falcons are detected most readily in areas populated by several other raptor species, a relationship produced by falcon use of nests of other raptors for nesting. Progress thus far would be impossible without the effective working relationship with the University of Chihuahua from which the field crew of Mexican nationals is recruited and coordinated to promote continued acceptance of the research by landowners. BLM staff are included in an Aplomado Falcon Working Group that is facilitated by the New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to promote effective communication among researchers and resource agency professionals with interests in the falcon and study areas.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: February 22, 1999
PREPARED BY: Report was prepared by the principal investigator at the New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit responsible for specific BRD research addressing this BIN.
Dr. Bruce Thompson, Leader
USGS-BRD, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit,
P.O. Box 30003 MSC 490l, Las Cruces, NM 880003
Phone is (505) 646-6093 FAX is (505) 646-1281 bthompso@nmsu.edu
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY98): Discussions with Phil Zwank and Bruce Thompson, NMCWRU, revealed that the major part of this BIN, including the GIS portion, is now being addressed. A proposal for this work (5 yrs), written by NMCWRU, is being funded primarily by BLM and DOD with minor adds from FWS and Peregrine Fund. However, funding is on a year-to-year basis with no absolute guarantee that total funding will be obtained. However, Work is underway, quarterly meetings are being held among the partners (BRD, BLM, DOD [White Sands], FWS, Peregrine Fund, State of NM, NM State Univ., and others), and a newsletter is being prepared to provide updates. Current research and funding needs now relate more to trying to better understand the biology of the species in Chihuahua and the adjacent U.S. The FWS is able to provide only limited funding to address the biology of the species. It appears as though this BIN should be re-evaluated and perhaps revised to focus more tightly on aplomado biology (versus aspects of habitat determination and GIS support). It might be desirable for BLM to work with FWS to develop joint proposals and BIN listings to enhance future funding success.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: October 31, 1997
PREPARED BY: Michael A. Bogan, Fort Collins Science Center, Southern Rocky Mountain Ecosystems Section, Albuquerque Field Station, Albuquerque, NM (505)766-3903; e-mail mbogan@unm.edu
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://biology.usgs.gov/cro/98blm-7.htm
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