Environmental
Monitoring is an essential component of effective land management. A
well designed monitoring program provides feedback on how
management strategies are working as well as opportunities
to manage more effectively. Wildlands
Conservation helps clients establish monitoring programs
utilizing standardized protocols that allow comparison of
data sets; we conduct general inventories and detailed surveys
as part of those monitoring efforts. Wildlands Conservation
also conducts applied research to measure the effects of
specific management techniques, such as wildlife utilization
of restored habitat or the effectiveness of methods for removing
invasive plants.
Baseline Surveys
When a new property is acquired,
surveys establish a “baseline” inventory of the
species present. Generally,
these preliminary assessments start with a list of plants
and animals that are potential residents based on available
information about regional species and ranges. Scientists
then use a variety of techniques to compile a comprehensive
list of species identified, noting when and where a species
has been documented.
Species Surveys
Baseline surveys often lead to
more specialized surveys by uncovering species of special interest. For
example, property owners may consider restoring or protecting
habitat to accommodate rare or endangered plants or wildlife. Species-specific
surveys provide the in-depth information on which such decisions
can be based. Wildlands Conservation has conducted surveys
on most listed wildlife species found in Florida.
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