Monitoring Snowmobile Effects on Wildlife
Collecting information to help managers make decisions
Round 2   

Welcome to Round 2

This website is the second in a series of three rounds of questions in an inquiry about determining the effects of snowmobiles on wildlife. Here you will be asked to rank the priority of information needs for each of seven guilds of animals. The information needs were distilled from responses about general issues as well as reasons people gave for focusing monitoring efforts on those species.

Many people described issues and concerns related to the social impacts of snowmobiles, for example visitor conflict. Others were concerned about the socio-economic effects of snowmobile regulation. These are important questions of great concern to managers and citizens. In the report from this study, we will summarize the comments received about those issues in depth.

Purpose of Round 2

This round of questions deals exclusively with monitoring the biological effects of snowmobiles on wildlife. This more narrow focus is necessary to help ensure that focused and thorough results will be available for use during the April workshop. As you recall, that workshop will be devoted to establishing monitoring protocols to study the effects of snowmobiles on wildlife.

The questions below deal with the effects of snowmobiles on specific guilds or species.

Please respond by submitting this form by March 1, 2001.

 

You can be assured of complete confidentiality. The data you submit will be summarized and your name will not be associated with any of your answers.
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Instructions:     

In questions 2 through 8 below first please RANK the importance of information needs for designing a program to monitor the effects of snowmobiles on wildlife for each species guild (1 = most important,  6 = least important. Use each number only once).  Then, please check the biological level at which it would be most useful to collect each type of information. To see our definition of biological level, please click here: DEFINITIONS

(You can click on the Species Guild to go to a list of the species that were nominated and the reasons that were given for monitoring each, then return by clicking on "'Go Back.")

2.
 

Rank the top 6 most important information needs


At what level is it most useful to collect information in order to effectively manage snowmobiles?
Rank
Aquatic Organisms & Reptiles
 		Individual Behavior Individual Physiological Individual Cumulative  Population

  • What are the indirect effects of chemical pollution on amphibians and fish?

  • What are the indirect effects of sedimentation/erosion on amphibian breeding?

  • Do snowmobiles crossing vernal pools affect cold-blooded vertebrates?
  • What are the indirect effects of disturbance of substrates/sedimentation/ erosion on fish breeding?
  • What are the effects of chemical pollution on macroinvertebrates and aquatic organisms other than fish?
  • What are the effects of loud noise on aquatic organisms?
           
  Other:  Do you think there is some other useful type of information about Aquatic Organisms & Reptiles that needs to be collected that was not included in the list above?


3.
 

Rank the top 6 most important information needs


At what level is it most useful to collect information in order to effectively manage snowmobiles?
Rank
Birds
 		Individual Behavior Individual Physiological Individual Cumulative  Population
  • What are the effects of noise disturbance to nesting/breeding species (e.g. raptors, owls, Trumpeter swans,  ptarmigan)?

 
  • What are the effects of physical proximity of snowmobiles to nesting/breeding species?
  • What are the effects on foraging birds?
  • What are the effects of snowmobile presence on wintering birds (e.g. Trumpeter swans)?
  • What are the effects on harvest, due to greater access to game birds?
  • Does snow compaction benefit avian predators with potential exposed prey?
  • To what extent are species habituated to human foods (ravens, magpies, jays, etc)?
           
  Other:  Do you think there is some other useful type of information about Birds that needs to be collected that was not included in the list above?

 

4.
 

Rank the top 6 most important information needs


At what level is it most useful to collect information in order to effectively manage snowmobiles?
Rank
Small Mammals
 		Individual Behavior Individual Physiological Individual Cumulative  Population
  • What are the effects of snowmobile trails (compaction) on the movement of subnivean species?

 
  • What are the effects of snowmobile trails (compaction) on food availability for subnivean species?
  • What are the effects of compaction on thermal environment?
  • What are the effects of noise on echolocation among bats?
  • What are the effects of noise on terrestrial small mammals?
  • Do snowmobiles allow increased predator access due to trails (e.g. hares, red squirrels)?
           
  Other:  Do you think there is some other useful type of information about Small Mammals that needs to be collected that was not included in the list above?

 

5.
 

Rank the top 6 most important information needs


At what level is it most useful to collect information in order to effectively manage snowmobiles?
Rank
Ungulates
 		Individual Behavior Individual Physiological Individual Cumulative  Population
  • Do snowmobiles reduce predator threats to wintering ungulates by displacing predators?

 
  • Do snowmachine tracks increase predation because predators have easier access?
  • What are the effects of intentional harassment by snowmobilers?
  • What are the effects of unintentional or intentional proximity of vehicles to animals?
  • What are the effects of use near deer yarding areas?
  • What are the indirect effects of snow compaction on availability of forage?
  • Do species habituate to some types or amounts of use?
  • Do snowmachine tracks change ungulate movement patterns (e.g. bison use different areas)?
  • Does disturbance displace animals from critical winter habitat?

  • What are the effects of chemical pollutants accumulating in body tissues?
  • What are the effects on harvest, due to greater access to ungulates (e.g. caribou)?
           
  Other:  Do you think there is some other useful type of information about Ungulates that needs to be collected that was not included in the list above?

 

6.
 

Rank the top 6 most important information needs


At what level is it most useful to collect information in order to effectively manage snowmobiles?
Rank Forest Carnivores
   (Felids, Mustelids)
 		Individual Behavior Individual Physiological Individual Cumulative  Population
  • What is the effect of noise or physical presence on denning wolverines?

 
  • Does snowmobile use displace animals from natural habitat and range?
  • What are the indirect effects of snowmobiles on prey availability for these species (e.g. lynx)?
  • Do compacted trails increase competition by allowing carnivore (e.g., coyote, fox) movements into new areas?
  • What are the effects of legal harvest, due to greater access?
  • What are the effects of trash/food brought by snowmobilers on martens?
           
  Other:  Do you think there is some other useful type of information about Forest Carnivores that needs to be collected that was not included in the list above?

 

7.
 

Rank the top 6 most important information needs


At what level is it most useful to collect information in order to effectively manage snowmobiles?
Rank
Canids
 		Individual Behavior Individual Physiological Individual Cumulative  Population
  • What are the effects of noise?

 
  • What are the effects on denning animals?
  • What are the effects of intentional harassment (esp. on wolves)?
  • Does snowmobile use displace animals from typical travel routes (wolves)?
  • What are the indirect effects due to changes in prey species abundance?
  • What are the effects of trash/food brought by snowmobilers on coyotes, foxes?
           
  Other:  Do you think there is some other useful type of information about Canids that needs to be collected that was not included in the list above?

 

8.
 

Rank the top 3 most important information needs


At what level is it most useful to collect information in order to effectively manage snowmobiles?
Rank
Ursids
 		Individual Behavior Individual Physiological Individual Cumulative  Population
  • What is the effect of noise/vibration disturbance on hibernating animals?

 
  • What is the effect of snowmobile presence on emerging animals?
  • What is the effect of increased access on spring bear hunting?
           
  Other:  Do you think there is some other useful type of information about Ursids that needs to be collected that was not included in the list above?

 

9.
Monitoring Protocols:

  We need your help to identify any existing monitoring protocols that have already been developed for specific species.  If you know of any good monitoring protocols that you believe could be used for monitoring the effects of snowmobiles on wildlife would you please provide us with a reference so that copies could be obtained for a workshop on monitoring.  

Species:
Reference or citation:
 

(If you have more information than will fit in the space provided above, or if it is more convenient, please feel free to email your information to us or send it as a file attachment.)

Email us at:  monitoring@uidaho.edu

 

 

10.

Biological Level for monitoring:

  For the following types of species, at what biological level must negative impacts occur and be demonstrated in order to make better decisions about how to effectively manage snowmobiles?    (Check all that apply)


Type of Species:

Biological Level
  Individual Behavior Individual Physiological Individual Cumulative Population

Threatened & endangered species

Sensitive species 
  

Game species
  
Species in National Parks
Species in National Forests

Species on BLM land

Species on state lands
 

 

11. Overall importance of snowmobile impacts on wildlife:

In your opinion, where does the issue of potential snowmobile impacts to wildlife rank among all natural resource issues in the land unit where you work (e.g. park, forest, resource district, wildlife refuge)?  (Check one answer)
Very High
 High Medium High Low Very Low


12. How do you feel about the amount of information, authority and public support you possess to enable you to manage snowmobile use to minimize or eliminate impacts on wildlife?
     (Check one answer for each)
  I possess
Sufficient amount of		 I possess
Insufficient amount of		 I have
No opinion
Information/data
Authority
Public Support



THANK YOU for taking time to complete these questions!

When you have finished, please click the "Submit" button below:


 

 

THE END

 




For more information please feel free to contact:

Dr. Troy Hall
Department of Resource Recreation and Tourism
College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID  83844-1139

Email:  troyh@uidaho.edu    Phone:  208-885-9455

 

 


Biological Level Definitions:                         (Click here to Go Back)
Individual Behavior Individual behavioral effects include immediate responses to snowmobiles such as flight, changes in activity budgets, or habitat displacement.
Individual Physiological Individual physiological effects include relatively proximate changes in key physiological variables, such as higher heart rates or higher stress hormone levels than animals that are not exposed to snowmobiles.
Individual Cumulative Individual cumulative effects include reduced weight, habituation, reduced reproduction, or mortality.
Population Population effects include changes in the abundance, distribution, or connectivity of the species at the population level.


LIST OF SPECIES AND REASONS
 

BIRDS

 

Owls  
 (including Spotted, Boreal, Great Gray & others)

  1. Snow compaction exposes prey species
  2. Nest abandonment due to disturbance (Spotted & Boreal Owls)
  3. Disturbance may affect breeding behavior
  4. Threatened and Endangered (Spotted Owl)
  5. Lack of information (Great Gray Owl)    Go Back

Turkeys

  1. Lack of information.     Go Back

Bald Eagle

  1. Threatened and Endangered
  2.  Top Predator
  3.  Lack of information
  4.  Easily disturbed while nesting     Go Back

Northern Goshawk
  1. Disturbance may affect breeding behavior
  2.  Easily disturbed while nesting

  3.  Lack of information                    Go Back

Trumpeter Swans

  1. Snowmobile routes may disturb swan winter habitat     Go Back

Raptors

  1. Possibility of foraging patterns being altered
  2. Disturbance may affect fledging success and population vitality  
        Go Back

Grouse

  1. Lack of information
  2. Habitat overlaps areas used by snowmobiles     
 

UNGULATES

 

Bighorn Sheep

  1. Readily impacted by disturbance in winter range/ Energy Costs
  2. Concentrate in small areas during winter months   Go Back

Bison

  1. Groomed Snowmobile surfaces have altered the ecological carrying capacity of the species
  2. Groomed Snowmobile surfaces allow bison to disperse beyond protected areas      Go Back

Deer --
White-tailed &
Mule deer

  1. Readily impacted by disturbance in winter range/ Energy Costs
  2. Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater predation
  3. Abundant
  4. Winter range overlaps areas used by snowmobiles
  5. Compaction of vegetation by snowmobiles in summer range  
  6. Possible displacement from secure winter range   Go Back

Mountain Goat

  1. Noise and human presence increase stress during winter months/ Energy Costs     Go Back

Moose

  1. Travel in Snowmobile trails/ increased stress when they encounter a snowmobile
  2.  Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater predation
  3. Winter range overlaps areas used by snowmobiles 
  4. Possible displacement from secure winter range     Go Back

Elk

  1. Readily impacted by disturbance in winter range/ Energy Costs
  2. Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater predation
  3.  Possible displacement from secure winter range
  4. Winter range overlaps areas used by snowmobiles       Go Back

Caribou

  1. Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater predation
  2. Readily impacted by disturbance in winter range/ Energy Costs
  3. Limited range (Woodland Caribou) increases the severity of disturbance on winter range
  4. Winter range overlaps areas used by snowmobiles 
  5. Possible displacement from secure winter range     
CANIDS  

Coyote

  1. Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater predation
  2. Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater exploitation of habitat     Go Back

Fox

  1. Readily impacted by disturbance during winter months/ Energy Costs
  2. Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater predation 
        Go Back

Wolves

  1. Threatened and Endangered.
  2.  Top Predator
  3. Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater predation.
  4.  Snowmobile disturbance may affect denning behavior/ Energy Costs
  5. Habitat overlaps areas used by snowmobiles     
URSIDS  

Ursids (Bears)

  1. Threatened and Endangered (Grizzly)
  2. Travel on groomed snowmobile surfaces: Human/ Bear conflicts may increase
  3. Snowmobile disturbance may affect denning behavior/ Energy Costs
  4. Denning areas overlap areas used by snowmobiles     Go Back
FOREST CARNIVORES (Felids & Mustelids)

Wolverines

  1. Sensitive to human disturbance during reproduction/ coincides with snowmobile season
  2. Snowmobile disturbance may affect denning behavior/ Energy Costs
  3.  Denning areas overlap areas used by snowmobiles
  4.  Loss of breeding habitat/ may not return to areas previously disturbed     Go Back

Bobcat

  1. Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater predation
  2. Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater exploitation of habitat     Go Back

Mountain Lion

  1. Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater predation
  2.  Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater exploitation of habitat
  3.  Indicator for large mammal food source     Go Back

Lynx 
  1. Threatened and Endangered
  2.  Groomed snowmobile surfaces favor competitors
  3.  Readily impacted by disturbance during winter months/ Energy Costs
  4. Snowmobile disturbance may affect denning behavior/ Energy Costs
  5. Displacement from hunting habitat due to increased disturbance  
        Go Back

Fisher

  1. Trapping access via snowmobiles thought to have increased mortality
  2.  Lack of information     Go Back

Marten

  1. Lack of information
  2.  Denning areas overlap areas used by snowmobiles
  3.  Population numbers may relate to the amount of development within a particular habitat     
SMALL MAMMALS

Subnivean  Mammals

  1. Snow Compaction reduces movement/ isolative value of snow/ survival
  2. Concentration of toxins in snow from snowmobile emissions may affect species
  3.  Base of the food chain
  4.  Habitat overlaps areas used by snowmobiles
  5.  Food availability is decreased by snow compaction
  6.  Readily impacted by disturbance/ Energy Costs     Go Back

Rabbits

  1. Important prey species
  2. Groomed snowmobile surfaces allow for greater predation
  3. Population numbers affect lynx numbers     

AQUATIC ORGANISMS & REPTILES

Fish

  1. Increased toxins due to snowmobile emissions
  2.  Increased erosion
  3.  Lack of information     Go Back

Amphibians/Aquatic Invertebrates 

  1. Increased toxins due to snowmobile emissions
  2. Decreased water quality     Go Back

Boreal Toad

  1. Threatened and Endangered
  2. Impacts caused by snowmobiles on high elevation riparian areas  
        Go Back
   
   



 

 

 

  

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