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Code and
Index Definitions
Protocol
| Route Creation | Seasonal
Sampling Conditions | Nightly Sampling
Conditions | Data Collection
| Stop Inaccessibility, Relocation, and Retirement
| Data Review Process | Index
and Code Definitions | Groundtruthing Guidelines
Placement of Stops Along Routes
You have a new route that has never been run. A provided map shows a set of initial roads, randomly chosen by the computer, but to complete the route 10 stops need to be established. The route needs to be groundtruthed during an early spring/late winter day to locate potential amphibian breeding sites that are within 200 meters of the road.If the starting point is a potential amphibian-breeding site, then, that is Stop # 1. If not, then travel along the marked roads until a potential breeding site is found, this would be Stop # 1. To find Stop # 2, look at your car odometer and travel 0.5 miles. After traveling 0.5 miles begin looking for the next appropriate potential breeding site (which could actually be right there at this point); that becomes Stop # 2. This continues until all 10 stops are in place, described, and marked on the map.
The USGS NAAMP office has mapped each route; routes are approximately 15 miles long, which allows plenty of room for the placement of 10 stops, at least 0.5 miles apart. Once the route has been groundtruthed, please send a copy of any revisions to the USGS NAAMP office for re-mapping.
When might routes need to be altered?
Some example problems: road does not exist, road is private (no entry allowed), road too dangerous (due to traffic levels), or inability to hear (due to traffic or industry noise). All of these problems would require alterations to the route. Ideally, the Regional Coordinator would make any necessary alterations. When this is not possible, it is necessary for the Regional Coordinator to work with the volunteers to ensure the alteration guidelines are followed and to ensure duplicate use of roadways does not occur.How to alter routes.
When a route has been determined to require alteration due to reasons listed above, please follow the guidelines listed here to ensure proper substitution. The site generation includes a starting point and direction of travel, to maintain these parameters please alter routes by shifting to the nearest set of appropriate roads that travel in the same direction. Busy connecting roads can be used to bridge sections of “good” roads. Some hypothetical examples are included with this guideline to help interpret the flexibility and intent of route alterations.Example #1: Partial Alteration. Sometimes it is determined that only a part of the original route needs adjustment. In this case, preserve the portion of the route that is appropriate and then look for an intersection or adjoining road with suitable conditions that allows the observer to avoid the inappropriate portion of the original route. This more suitable road may or may not reconnect with the original route. Remember that the same general direction of the original route must still be followed and that the route must be at least 10 miles long. (Click Here for an Example Map [53K])
Example #2: Complete Alteration. During groundtruthing, it is sometimes found that the entire assigned route is placed on roads that are either too busy or too dangerous to listen for amphibians. In this case it is necessary to completely alter the route. Look for a smaller road that is close to the original road in order to alleviate the traffic noise/danger issues. It is very important that the new route run in the same general direction and have a starting location that is as near as possible to the starting location of the original route. The new route does not have to be 15 miles long, but it must run at least 10 miles to allow enough space for the 10 stops. (Click Here for an Example Map [76K])
