Using Detection Dogs to Monitor Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Protect Aquatic Resources

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-lix

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2. Water Search Overview: Searching with Dogs in an Aquatic Environment

   • Debra Tirmenstein, Robert Freedline

   Pages 1-23

3. Detection Dogs as Ambassadors and Field Assistants to Protect Imperiled Reptiles and Amphibians

   • Robyn M. Powers

   Pages 25-69

4. Monitoring Invasive and Threatened Aquatic Amphibians, Mammals, and Birds

   • Jim Shields, Lana M. Austin

   Pages 71-117

5. Intercepting Invasive Invertebrate Species Before They Infest Waterbodies: The Inception and Implementation of Alberta’s Dedicated Canine Mussel Inspection Program

   • Cindy Sawchuk

   Pages 119-165

6. In Situ Detection of Sewage Pollution and Its Sources in Aquatic Ecosystems

   • Karen Reynolds, Scott Reynolds

   Pages 167-192

7. Using Scat Detection Dogs to Monitor Environmental Contaminants in Sentinel Species and Freshwater Ecosystems

   • Ngaio L. Richards, Gregg Tomy, Chad A. Kinney, Frankline C. Nwanguma, Braden Godwin, Deborah A. (Smith) Woollett

   Pages 193-262

8. A Glimpse into the Use of Dogs to Address Global Poaching, Overharvesting, and Trafficking of Aquatic Species

   • Birgit Braun, John Stuart

   Pages 263-286

9. Striving for Best Standards and Practices: Recommendations for Optimizing Assessment and Performance of Ecological Scent Detection Dogs

   • Brian B. Boroski, Lauralea Oliver

   Pages 287-302

10. Looking Ahead: Future Directions and Considerations for Using Detection Dogs in Aquatic Environments and Ecosystems

    • Ngaio L. Richards

    Pages 303-317

11. Back Matter

    Pages 319-337

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This book is about the varied range of emerging applications using specially trained detection dogs to monitor and protect aquatic ecosystems, animals, plants and related resources. Featuring contributions from those at the forefront of converging disciplines ranging from canine training, ecological and biological monitoring, water resource management, law enforcement, and eco-toxicology, it addresses everyone already immersed in these or related fields, and anyone seeking to gain a broader understanding of them. Chapters cover several common themes including monitoring presence/absence through biological and ecological surveys; maintaining and evaluating water quality; law enforcement and anti-poaching initiatives; public education, awareness and compliance; standards and best practices; optimal uses of dogs in relation to and in conjunction with other available tools and pragmatic considerations for selecting and working with dogs and handlers. The aim of the book is to stimulate newideas, promote the sharing and dissemination of information and findings - and, ideally, to catalyze new and innovative partnerships, to strengthen the preservation and conservation of our aquatic heritage.

• Aquatic ecosystem
• detection dogs
• ecosystem
• conservation
• freshwater ecosystems
• Monitoring Threatened Aquatic Species
• Monitoring Invasive Aquatic Species
• Sewage Pollution
• Scat Detection Dogs
• ecological survey methods
• biological survey methods
• Invasive Invertebrate Species
• Alberta’s Dedicated Canine Mussel Inspection Program
• Environmental Canine Services
• evaluating and maintaining water quality
• anti-poaching initiatives with detection dogs
• Working Dogs for Conservation (WD4C)
• Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

• Bozeman, MT, USA

  Ngaio L. Richards

Ngaio L Richards, PhD, is the Forensics & Field Specialist and a canine handler with Working Dogs for Conservation (WD4C). She has contributed extensively to the applied conservation and wildlife forensics literature and edited the seminal textbook Carbofuran and Wildlife Poisoning: Global Perspectives and Forensic Approaches. Ngaio is happiest in secluded wilderness, accompanied by a dog.

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