Studies
Fisheries Studies
For more information on recent fisheries studies, please view our Fisheries Page. The most recent studies are listed below:
Wildlife Studies
The Environmental Resource Section conducts wildlife studies and monitoring activities to support ongoing Agency operations and projects. Some of these reports may be downloaded or viewed from the links provided below.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT USE OF WESTERN POND TURTLES IN A SEASONAL IMPOUNDED RIVER
This study determined the distribution and habitat use of western pond turtles above the Mirabel inflatable dam and in the Wohler Pool, along the Russian River. Turtles had a broad range of age classes, including 26.9% juveniles. Western pond turtles are resident of the Wohler pool; however, their numbers decreased downstream. Important factors in the persistence of turtles are probably the temporary nature of the dam and the gradual effects of the Wohler Pool from upstream to downstream. This is consistent with the observed relatively high abundance of turtles in the upper reach of the Wohler pool and the gradual decrease with proximity to the dam where the effects of the impoundment are greatest.
Wetlands Studies
The Environmental Resource Section conducts wetland studies and monitoring activities to support ongoing Agency operations and projects. Some of these reports may be downloaded or viewed from the links provided below.
THE USE OF RECLAIMED WATER FOR ENHANCING AND CREATING WETLAND AND WILDLIFE HABITAT: EFFICACY AND EFFECTS, HUDEMAN SLOUGH MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT WETLANDS CASE STUDY
The Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District began implementing the Hudeman Slough Wetland Enhancement Project in 1991. Secondary-treated wastewater is used to inundate seasonal wetland management units and constructed ponds that are managed as waterbird habitat. Reclaimed water areas in Hudeman Slough tended to have higher water nutrient levels, particularly phosphates, although ammonia and nitrate were often highest in other wetland areas. Sediment nutrient and contaminant concentrations were lowest in reclaimed water units. No significant differences in median waterbird densities were detected between reclaimed water and muted tidal study plots. High zooplankton and low benthic invertebrate densities suggested that zooplankton, epifauna, and macrophytes were the major prey items available among all study areas. Managed wetlands exhibited the highest zooplankton densities. Low infaunal densities in all areas were likely due to anoxic conditions in the predominantly clay substrates. We conclude that water management may be of greater importance than the source of water to the overall ecological health of managed wetlands.