Pika Monitoring through a National Parks and Protected Areas Cooperative Studies

Project ID: P18AC01062

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Oregon State University

Fiscal Year: 2018

Initial Funding: $85,639

Total Funding: $296,007

Project Type: Technical Assistance

Project Disciplines: Biological

National Park: Upper Columbia Network Inventory & Monitoring

Principal Investigator: Shinderman, Matt

Agreement Technical Representative: Dicus, Gordon

Abstract: In this project, the OSU will coordinate pika monitoring, following the established UCBN pika monitoring protocol, at UCBN and KLMN parks, building on a multi-year collaboration that has sustained pika monitoring at four NPS sites. OSU will also implement pika protocol methods at an additional site, Newberry National Volcanic Monument (NEWB), which is administered by the U.S. Forest Service. Objectives include completion of pika monitoring fieldwork and data management, updates and improvements to the pika monitoring protocol and associated standard operating procedures, and development of analytical approaches for evaluating pika population trends in unique habitat environments. This work will continue to enhance OSU curricula with content about natural resources science and stewardship in parks and protected areas, and provide opportunities for OSU students and interns to gain valuable educational and professional experience.