Accomplishments

2007 – Analytical method for Bd detection in water – USGS ARMI and NRP scientists worked together to developed a method for environmental testing for the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) from amphibian habitats using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). There method was published in a paper titled “Quantitative PCR detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis from sediments and water” in Diseases of Aquatic Organisms.  

2006 – ARMI program 5-year report – The ARMI program published a 5-year report that summarizes the research and monitoring efforts accomplished by its scientists. The report also highlights programmatic challenges and future goals for ARMI.

2005 – ARMI program publishes special issue of Alytes – ARMI researchers published seven techical papers in the journal Alytes (Vol. 22, No. 3-4). W. Battaglin with Greg McCabe and Lauren Hay published one of the papers titled “Climate patterns as predictors of amphibian species richness and indicators of potential stress”.

2004 – ARMI program publishes conceptual work plan – ARMI researchers published a concepts and implementation report which summarized many years of program development and design discussions and provides the framework for current and future ARMI studies.

2003 – ARMI researcher at SETAC – ARMI researchers presented more than ½ of the 40 papers and posters at a special session on amphibians organized by William Battaglin and Colleen Rostad. Papers included: “Steroidal hormones at cattle grazing sites in eastern Oregon” and “Associations between amphibian diversity and climate in the continental United States”.

2002 - ARMI WEB site, Research plan, and GIS tool - The ARMI program unveiled a new Web site that provides the public with information about the program and ARMI scientists with access to GIS and data analysis tools needed to conduct their research. USGS biologists, hydrologists, and geographers proposed a plan for research efforts within ARMI. The plan calls for an approach that will help to identify amphibian species that are at risk, and the potential causes of stress to those species. Approximately 650 water samples have been collected at approximately 350 sites in support of ARMI activities in 2001-2002.

2001 – Conceptual framework developed for ARMI Program - USGS biologists, hydrologists, and geographers have developed a conceptual framework for monitoring and research by the ARMI program. The document outlines the ARMI program objectives, goals, methods, and expected products. The document currently (2003) is in review.

2000 – Biologists, hydrologists, and geographers work together to develop the National Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) - Researchers from several Department of Interior agencies including USGS, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service worked together to conceptualize a framework for a national amphibian monitoring program. Their report outlines the approach to be taken by the (ARMI). The national framework proposes to divide the Nation into 7 working regions and establish regional biologic and hydrologic research coordinators in each region. ARMI will conduct both detailed population-scale work and more regional population inventories.