A Stepwise Approach to Assess the Occupancy State of Larval Lampreys in Streams

Abstract

Abstract Pacific Lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus is an ecologically and culturally important anadromous species of conservation concern for which fisheries managers use information on occupancy state in streams to assess species status and inform stream management decisions. Here we developed a stepwise approach that incorporates the potential for nondetection and a preselected expected maximum probability of stream occupancy if field crews do not document larval Pacific Lamprey during sampling. Our approach includes seven steps: define the occupancy question; select the maximum acceptable probability of occupancy, if the species is not documented during sampling; define an assumed detection probability for the target organism; calculate required sampling effort; select sampling units; conduct sampling; and interpret sampling results into probabilistic occupancy conclusions. We examined detection probability of our approach for larval lamprey using data from multiple occupied streams in the Pacific Northwest. We illustrated our approach by evaluating Balm Grove Dam as a barrier to Pacific Lamprey migration in Gales Creek, Oregon. Bayesian estimates of detection probability in occupied streams ranged from 0.15 to 0.94, with an overall median of 0.70 (95% credible interval: 0.60–0.79). Assuming detection probability is at least 0.15 (i.e., lowest estimate), 19 reaches are required for the expected maximum probability of occupancy to be not more than 0.05, if the species is not documented through our sampling approach. Although detected downstream, we detected no larvae upstream of Balm Grove Dam; thus, we conclude that the maximum probability of occupancy upstream of Balm Grove Dam was not more than 0.05 at an assumed detection probability of 0.4, suggesting the dam as a barrier to adult migration. We provide an occupancy assessment tool with standardized sampling requirements that incorporates the potential for nondetection and the flexibility to select an expected maximum probability of occupancy if researchers document no larvae, to aid management and restoration in a single stream.