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POSSIBLE WILD LIFE AT KEYSTONE WETLANDS

Reptiles and Amphibians Table

Bird Table

Mammal Table

Data Collection and Entry

The writer has had extensive fieldwork in archaeology implementing different survey strategies. Keystone Wetlands Research is base on those theoretical methodologies. As well as assistance from Lois, TX Park and Wild Life Urban Biologist.

Research Strategy

The specific research strategy used in this study has been to find a middle ground between those strategies built-in to the theoretical goals and those demanded by the exigencies resulting from fiscal, physical, and temporal limitations. Theoretically based strategies generally require great quantities of explicit, diverse, and wide-ranging data. Pragmatic strategies on the other hand would require a sampling technique that is economical feasible and provide sufficient data to employ an inductive approach. This approach should generate the minimal information of the sort required to estimate and evaluate the wildlife resources of the study area, Keystone Wetlands Park.

Sampling Strategy

As stated in aforementioned paragraph, the propose research design will be one that is both economical and practical with respect to the fiscal, physical, and temporal limitations. A sample method of at least 10 per cent of the area would be searched within the marsh ecosystem and desert ecosystem of Keystone Wetlands Park. This design, with any luck, would provide the minimal data necessary for quantitative and qualitative evaluation of wildlife within the study area.

The desert environment could be surveyed 100%. However, as stated before, fiscal, physical, and temporal limitations come into play.

Combining fieldwork data, archival, published sources, and ethnological interviews will provide a comparatively portrayal of wildlife resources in the study area. It would also have an effect on the relationship between past and present environment.

Authors: Michele Stafford-Levy, Shirley Davis, Albert Ortiz, and Ellen Treadway

Created for the NTEP II Fermilab LInC program sponsored by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Education Office and Friends of Fermilab, and funded by United States Department of Energy, Illinois State Board of Education, North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium which is operated by North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL), and the National Science Foundation.

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Reconnaissance Methods

The field reconnaissance will be performed by 6 crews of 4 persons and pre inservice teacher and supervised by Urban Biologist and NMSU Fermi team. At this time we do not know the time length reconnaissance period will cover. We anticipate at least 6 months will be required. The study area is approximately 10 minutes from Desert View Elementary School in Sunland Park, NM. Students will be bused to the study area.

The survey teams will be using aerial photographic coverage at scales of 1:20,000 and 10,000 to plot the sample areas. The sample areas will be investigated and recorded on Desert View/NMSU forms. All survey forms, field notes, project maps, photographs, and collected material will be turned over to the Keystone Wetlands Park.

Benchmarkers will be set up with the aid of Global Positioning Satellite Magellan Tracker. Benchmarkers will mark elevation, latitude, and longtitude.

Research Strategy

Post reconnaissance date analysis will consist mainly of survey forms, maps, notes, photos, and specimens.

Amphibians and reptiles will be sampled using the herpetological array. This array consists of a pitfall trap and a string of some 10 meters long stretching out from the pitfall. The amphibians and reptiles will move against the string until it falls into the pit.

Along with the herpetological array, visual and sound observations will be included. Breeding amphibians can be identified by monitoring frog calls.

Birds will be sampled during reconnaissance. Teams will walk a short distance, stop, and stand for 3-4 mins. During this time they will listen, observe, take notes, identify the birds, and photograph. Crewmembers will be carrying bird identification cards from the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians to make proper identification.

Mammals were going to be trapped. Unfortunately this plan will not be implemented because of the danger of contracting Hantavirus.

Instead, sampling will rely on observations and looking at mammal tracks. Students will carry a set of identification mammal tracks with them. If they come across a set of mammal, amphibians, and reptile tracks, they can id and add it to the survey form.