Time Constrained Search - 2017 - Terrestrial Species Stressor Monitoring [ds2832]

Time constrained surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at 184 Great Valley study sites, and 107 Mojave Desert sites, between March and June 2017. Whenever possible, three independent surveys of 30 minutes each were conducted over the course of the month-long survey period at each site. Time constrained searches were typically conducted after completion of avian point count surveys. Once the study site lifeform was determined, the observer began their search within the stand, but could move throughout the lifeform. In narrow riparian areas, observers could search the edges of these habitats in addition to the main lifeform. Observers were free to move about anywhere within the lifeform, making sure to check any cover object that was safe to inspect; this included rock crevices, burrows, downed logs, etc. Moved cover objects were to be returned exactly as they were found. When an observation was made, observers recorded the species (six-letter code if known, otherwise full common or scientific names), time of observation, age class (hatchling, juvenile, adult) if possible, confidence level, and a GPS location. Each subsequent TCS was conducted with the same amount of intensity as previous searches.