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PubMed1997

Real time monitoring and analysis via the medical information bus, Part I.

Because of the complexity of monitored data in modern intensive care units (ICUs), and the risk of information being overlooked if medical staff have to pay attention to a multiplicity of monitoring apparatuses and alarm signals, the data for each patient may well be best presented on a single bedside screen after digestion by expert system techniques. Such central units should be able to deal with data from any monitoring apparatus, not just a predefined set. Furthermore, relay of the information from each bed to a central control station (one per ICU) is desirable for the purposes of permanent storage and for in-depth analysis. The paper describes a comprehensive system for ICU monitoring management and patient data analysis that integrates multiple expert systems and computers. The basic difficulties in applying expert system techniques to monitoring are overcome with the shell OPS/83, which allows calls to sequential C routines and allows time-driven reasoning through appropriate design of the inference engine and rules. Flexibility as regards connectable monitoring apparatus is afforded by basing data acquisition mainly, though not exclusively, on the IEEE Medical Information Bus.

Computer Systems↗
PubMed1993

Home blood glucose monitoring: effectiveness in a general population of patients who have non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether home blood glucose monitoring as used by non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients followed in primary care nonresearch clinics improves glycemic control or reduces utilization of the outpatient laboratory. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review for 229 patients receiving outpatient supplies for home testing of either blood or urine. SETTING: A variety of nonresearch clinics at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a teaching hospital affiliated with an academic university medical center. PATIENTS: Outpatient veterans followed in diabetes, primary care, internal medicine, or endocrine clinics. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean glycosylated hemoglobin for an unselected group monitoring glycemic control by urine testing only was 11.32% and for those using blood monitoring was 11.37%. Frequency and duration of monitoring had no apparent impact on glucose control. There was no decrease in the utilization of the laboratory among those patients practicing home blood glucose monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: For non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients followed in a nonresearch clinic setting, the benefits of home blood glucose monitoring remain to be proven.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

A microcomputer-based software interface for automatic acquisition of fetal monitoring data.

At University Hospital, interfaces are being designed to link-stand-alone patient care devices to Hospital Information System (HIS). The objective is to have an integrated HIS comprising of data from bedside patient monitors and from stand-alone devices such as infusion pumps, fetal monitors, and pulse oximeters. Interfaces are implemented with standard hardware and software design tools. The feasibility of designing a general purpose interface hardware based on a common microprocessor has been demonstrated for an IMED model 960 infusion pump. The present paper describes the implementation of the software component of the interface using standard microcomputer software packages. The device of choice was the Corometrics model 115 fetal monitor for implementing the software because it is used extensively at University Hospital and has built-in data communication hardware. The Corometrics model 115 fetal monitor was interfaced to an IBM Personal Computer (PC) model XT. Data acquired from the fetal monitor was used to provide data tables and graphs. The feasibility of designing and implementing a software interface capable of acquiring and processing data received from a stand-alone device (fetal monitor) was demonstrated. A description of the important aspects of the interface software design is presented in this paper. This design will eventually be part of the HIS. A brief discussion about the design modifications necessary to acquire data from multiple devices simultaneously is also included.

Fetal Monitoring↗
PubMed1996

Neuromuscular monitoring: does it make a difference?

PURPOSE: The objective of the present prospective study was to evaluate the influence of neuromuscular monitoring on the level of neuromuscular blockade from induction of anaesthesia until extubation of the trachea. METHODS: Forty-two patients aged between 18 and 73 yr undergoing a range of surgical procedures under general anaesthesia were randomly distributed into two groups of 21 patients each. In both groups a Datex NMT Monitor was used and electromyographic responses of the ulnar muscles to supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve were recorded. In Group 1, the anaesthetist could see the movements of the stimulated hand, but not the monitor. In Group 2, the anaesthetist could see neither the stimulated hand nor the monitor. The same anaesthetist administered the neuromuscular relaxants which were succinylcholine 1.5 mg.kg-1 for tracheal intubation and vecuronium 0.1 mg.kg-1 for neuromuscular relaxation during surgery, followed by 1 to 2 mg maintenance injections. Possible residual curarization was evaluated in the recovery room by head life tests and pulse oximetry. RESULTS: Patients in Group 1 had deeper neuromuscular block throughout surgery, despite the use of a comparable dose of vecuronium (10.1 mg for G1 vs 11.2 mg for G2). The EMG values of T1 and train-of-four values were not different at tracheal intubation or at extubation. No patients presented signs of residual curarization in the recovery room. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that with the same amount of vecuronium the neuromuscular relaxation was deeper with the use of a simple neuromuscular monitoring (visual evaluation of the thumb movements). Despite the deeper neuromuscular block in the monitored group, there was no residual curarization in the recovery room.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Influence of arrhythmias on accuracy of non-invasive blood pressure monitors.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitors in response to common cardiac arrhythmias. METHODS: Simulated signals of normal sinus rhythm (NSR), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), atrial fibrillation (AF) and missed beats (MB) were generated from a Cufflink (Dynatech Nevada) NIBP simulator. Using these signals, the Critikon 1846SX (C1846), Critikon 845xt (C845). Critikon Vital Signs (CVIT), and Hewlett Packard M1008a (HP1008) were studied at a standard dynamic blood pressure of 120/90/80 mmHg, in order to compare monitor accuracy and signal response times. RESULTS: The C845 monitors most closely estimated a simulated SBP of 120 mmHg, although SBP was greater during PVCs and AF than NSR (P < 0.05). The Critikon 1846, Critikon Vital Signs, and Hewlett Packard systematically underestimated SBP during these arrhythmias, but variability was modest, as reflected by small coefficients of variation (< 2% for SBP) with all monitor types. In general, MAP and DBP were less sensitive to the effects of these arrhythmias. Finally, missed beats prolonged signal response times with all four monitor types (P < 0.05), whereas PVCs and AF did not alter this parameter. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the extent to which the accuracy of NIBP monitors is altered by common cardiac arrhythmias. Differences in the electromechanical characteristics of these devices may help to explain the observed similarities and discrepancies.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1998

Electrocardiographic monitoring in healthy young adult outpatients: mandatory or optional?

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and duration of ECG abnormalities in healthy adults during short duration outpatient surgery and their relationship to important clinical events. METHOD: In 381, ASA Class I, day surgery patients undergoing short surgical procedures the ECG was monitored prospectively for evidence of abnormalities. The attending anaesthetist administered the anaesthetic and made all clinical decisions while relying on routine monitors (ECG, oximeter, BP, capnometer, oxygen analyser, low pressure alarm and anaesthetic gas monitors). Intra-operative events of clinical significance (e.g., light anaesthesia, regurgitation, coughing, hypotension, arterial desaturation, hiccoughs etc), ECG abnormalities and their duration were documented. RESULTS: Electrocardiographic abnormalities were detected in 21% of patients as follows: sinus tachycardia (11%), artifacts (7%), premature atrial contractions (1.6%), lead disconnects (1%), sinus bradycardia (0.5%) and premature ventricular contractions (0.3%). All abnormalities resolved spontaneously within three minutes. Intra-operative incidents of consequence occurred in only 2.6%: light anaesthesia (5), arterial desaturation > 5% (2), hypotension (1), hiccough (1) and regurgitation (1). All incidents were detected clinically and by pulse oximetry. The ECG did not detect any of the incidents and was normal during the events. CONCLUSION: Routine ECG monitoring did not detect intra-operative incidents in healthy adults during short outpatient procedures. Detected ECG abnormalities were benign and resolved spontaneously within three minutes. Firm conclusions as to the safety implications of withdrawing ECG monitoring cannot be drawn from this study. Guidelines may need to be reviewed to determine whether ECG monitoring in such cases should be optional rather than mandatory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Monitoring evoked potentials during spinal surgery in one institution.

PURPOSE: To review the experience of one tertiary care institution with somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring during spinal surgery in order to assess the ability to monitor and predict neurological outcome effectively. METHODS: Records of all patients undergoing spinal surgery during 18 mo were retrospectively reviewed. Information from the patient chart included preoperative neurological status, surgical procedure, anaesthetic management, and postoperative neurological outcome. Information regarding the techniques used and interpretation of all SSEP tracings were obtained from evoked potential data sheets completed for each patient. The incidences of clinically important SSEP changes and new postoperative neurological deficits were analysed. RESULTS: Somatosensory evoked potential monitoring of the lower and upper extremities with non invasive techniques was used in 309 patients undergoing surgery on the cervical (88), thoracic (52), and lumbar spine (169). Thirty seven patients (11%) did not have suitable tracings for interpretation and 17 (5.5%) had baseline tracings described as poor. An intraoperative SSEP change occurred in 16 patients (6%) with SSEP and seven (2.6%) had a new neurological deficit postoperatively. Three persistent deficits were predicted by permanent SSEP change, and one transient deficit by a transient SSEP change. False positive results occurred in 12 patients (4.4%) and false negative results occurred in three (1.1%), with a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 95%. The incidence of SSEP changes was greater in the thoracic (18%) than in the cervical (1.2%) or lumbar (5.4%) groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Effective SSEP monitoring was possible despite the many factors which may have interfered with monitoring. More improvements in the techniques and conditions of monitoring are needed to decrease the incidence of false positive and negative results.

Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory↗
PubMed2006

[Required monitoring in the intensive care unit].

Monitoring of the critically ill patient with acute heart failure still remains a special challenge for intensive care physicians. A rapid change of the patients' condition is subject to the underlying disease and even cardiac arrest may occur without preliminary warnings. The continuous monitoring of heart rate and rhythm, as well as noninvasive measurement of blood pressure, body temperature and urine elimination are obligatory components of the so-called standard monitoring. In addition, the modular concepts of the present-day monitoring systems become endorsed by techniques such as twelve-lead electrocardiogram and the obligatory echocardiography. Moreover, determination of biochemical markers depends on the clinical problem. The indications for invasive cardiovascular hemodynamic monitoring with pulmonary artery catheter or with less invasive techniques--such as pulse contour analysis or thermal dye dilution technique--must be placed critically. There is no evidence at all that prognosis is changed by implementation of a monitoring technique.

Critical Care↗
PubMed1999

[Measurement technique. Systems and methods for intracranial pressure monitoring].

GOAL: Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring has a key role within the neuromonitoring, although ICP does not monitor processes of the central neuron directly and only with delay. One of the important factors in ICP monitoring is measurement accuracy. For a better understanding of ICP probes and their differences, the function and principles of intracranial pressure transducers should be evaluated from a technical point of view. METHOD: The principles of ICP measurement were analyzed and compared. Practical applications of these principles were examined and examples of different ICP probes were discussed regarding their mode of pressure transformation. The technical advances of ICP monitoring were analyzed. RESULTS: Since LUNDBERG, a variety of different types of transducers has been developed. Ventricular ICP monitoring has been supplemented by extradural and intraparenchymatous probes. An increasing miniaturization of the transducers has emerged. Additionally, fiberoptic systems have been developed. Latest developments include multifunctional ICP probes. So far, the main problem of most types of transducers consists in the inability to assess measurement accuracy of a probe during the period of patient monitoring. CONCLUSION: ICP probes should be tested better for correct function by the manufacturer prior to sale. External controls of the measurement accuracy should be performed more frequently to ensure constant quality. Future ICP transducers have still to be more cost-effective.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Intravesicular pressure monitoring does not cause urinary tract infection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intravesicular pressure monitoring using a closed system increases the risk of nosocomial urinary tract infection. DESIGN: Retrospective chart and database review. SETTING: Surgical/trauma intensive care units of a regional level-I trauma center. PATIENTS: 3108 critically ill patients of which 122 patients underwent intravesicular pressure monitoring. INTERVENTIONS: Severity-adjusted urinary tract infection rates were compared among patients with and without intravesicular pressure monitoring. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Over a 24-month period, 122 consecutive patients had 2202 intravesicular pressure measurements performed. During 1448 urinary catheter days, 15 patients who required intravesicular pressure monitoring developed a urinary tract infection with a severity-adjusted device-related infection rate of 7.9 infections per 1000 catheter days. Of the 2986 patients who did not require such monitoring, 98 patients developed a urinary tract infection with an infection rate of 6.5 infections per 1000 catheter days (p=0.56). CONCLUSIONS: Intravesicular pressure monitoring using the closed transducer technique is safe and does not increase the risk of urinary tract infection.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1999

Biological monitoring values for occupational exposure: a United Kingdom perspective.

Policy developments in the United Kingdom have been aimed at facilitating the appropriate use of biological monitoring. Recent initiatives have established clear criteria for the interpretation of biological monitoring results, and new guidance that deals with the ethical and practical issues involved in operating an effective biological monitoring programme has been promulgated. The United Kingdom now has a system of non-statutory biological monitoring guidance values. There are two types, the health guidance value and the benchmark guidance value. Over a number of years, biological monitoring programmes have shown that they help in reducing exposure by regular monitoring and demonstrating adequate control.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2003

Clinical evaluation of a new intracranial pressure monitoring device.

BACKGROUND: Continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) still plays a key role in the management of patients at risk from intracranial hypertension. Numerous ICP-measuring devices are available. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility of the recently developed Neurovent-P(REHAU AG+CO, REHAU, Germany) ICP monitoring device. METHOD: In a prospective two-center study, a total of 98 patients with severe head injury, subarachnoid haemorrhage, intracerebral haemorrhage, and non-traumatic brain edema underwent intraparenchymal monitoring of ICP using the Neurovent-P. A control group comprising 50 patients underwent implantation of the Camino-OLM-110-4B ICP monitor. The zero drift of the probes was determined before and after the ICP recording period. Technical and medical complications were documented. The MRI compatibility of the Neurovent-P ICP probe was investigated by evaluating artifacts caused by the probe, probe function and temperature changes during MRI, and probe movement caused by the magnetic field. FINDINGS: The mean zero drift was 0.2+/-0.41 mmHg (maximum 3 mmHg) for the Neurovent-P ICP probes and 0.4+/-0.57 mmHg (maximum 12 mmHg) for the Camino-OLM-110-4B ICP probes. No significant correlation was identified between the extent of zero drift following the removal of the probes and the length of monitoring. Intraparenchymal haemorrhage spatially related to the probe occurred in 1 out of 50 (2%) patients with a Camino-OLM-110-4B probe and in 1 out of 98 (1%) with a Neurovent-P. Damage of the probe due to kinking or overextension of the cable or glass fiber occurred in 4 of the 50 (8%) Camino-OLM-110-4B ICP probes and in 5 of the 98 (5%) Neurovent-P probes. On T2-weighted MR images, the Neurovent-P ICP probe induced only small artifacts with very good discrimination of the surrounding tissue. On T1-weighted MR images, there was a good imaging quality but artifact-related local disturbances in signal occurred. There was no temperature change in the Neurovent-P probe and in the surrounding brain tissue during MR imaging. INTERPRETATION: The Neurovent-P ICP measuring system is a safe and reliable tool for ICP monitoring. Handling of the Neurovent-P system is safe when performed properly.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Efficacy and limitations of current methods of intraoperative spinal cord monitoring.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and reliability of intraoperative spinal monitoring using spinal cord-evoked and compound muscle action potentials. We reviewed 716 cases of spinal monitoring performed over 15 years. The series contained 672 patients with spinal functions that could be monitored intraoperatively; 44 (6.1%) were impossible to record. Based on the 21 impossible-to-record patients, it is evident that missing a serious case such as a Frankel B type spinal cord injury indicates the limitations of the current monitoring methods for stimulating and recording. The monitoring outcomes were true-negative in 652 patients, true-positive in 12, false-negative in four, and false-positive in four. In two of the patients with false-negative results, postoperative myelomere motor paralysis was observed temporarily even though it was possible to record the muscle-evoked potential after electrical stimulation to the brain [Br(E)-MsEP] at the end of the operation. In cases in which the spinal parenchyma or spinal nerve root might be selectively damaged, Br(E)-MsEPs may not diagnose the disorder accurately. By employing multimodal monitoring, it should be possible to eliminate patients with false-negative results and to detect spinal disorders during the early stages, as well as to examine whether the abnormality that had been recorded by a single method is false-positive.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2005

[Simultaneous noninvasive monitoring for radial forearm and fibula flaps using laser Doppler flowmetry and tissue spectrophotometry].

AIM: In the literature currently available monitoring devices are usually divided into two major groups: those for monitoring perfusion and those for measuring tissue oxygenation. The O(2)C (oxygen to see) system combines these two ways of monitoring free flap viability. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the necessity of flap revision and when unnecessary revision can be avoided. Another point of interest was the question of whether critical values for the successful course of free flaps could be defined and in addition whether such values would differ for different flap types. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study 82 free flaps (61 radial forearm flaps and 21 fibula flaps) were monitored with the O(2)C monitoring unit. Measurements were carried out intraoperatively and postoperatively up to 14 days. RESULTS: Perfusion compromise occurred in 12 (14.6%) of 82 monitored free flaps. Operative exploration was performed in seven cases, in five of them successfully. Five flaps (three radial forearm and two fibula flaps) were lost due to vascular compromise, which led to an overall success rate of 93.4%. Venous congestion was identified by a rapid increase in hemoglobin concentration of more than 30%. An abrupt decline of blood flow and hemoglobin oxygenation indicated arterial occlusion. Vascular complications were detected in all cases prior to clinical assessment with no false positive or negative results. For radial forearm flaps a hemoglobin oxygenation of 15%, a superficial flow of 10 AU, and a deep flow of 20 AU were identified as minimum values for flap viability. For fibula flaps a hemoglobin oxygenation of 10%, a superficial flow of 5 AU, and a deep flow of 15 AU were determined as minimum values. CONCLUSION: O(2)C combines laser Doppler flowmetry and tissue spectrophotometry and for the first time allows simultaneous measurement of the microcirculatory parameters including blood flow, flow velocity, hemoglobin concentration, and hemoglobin oxygenation. We found this new noninvasive technique to be a reliable and accurate method for evaluating flap viability and improving the success rate in free flap transfer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2007

Combined motor and somatosensory evoked potentials for intraoperative monitoring: intra- and postoperative data in a series of 69 operations.

The primary objective of neurophysiologic monitoring during surgery is to avoid permanent neurological injury resulting from surgical manipulation. To prevent motor deficits, either somatosensory (SSEP) or transcranial motor evoked potentials (MEP) are applied. This prospective study was conducted to evaluate if the combined use of SSEP and MEP might be beneficial. Combined SSEP/MEP monitoring was attempted in 100 consecutive procedures, including intracranial and spinal operations. Repetitive transcranial electric motor cortex stimulation was used to elicit MEP from muscles of the upper and lower limb. Stimulation of the tibial and median nerves was performed to record SSEP. Critical SSEP/MEP changes were defined as decreases in amplitude of more than 50% or increases in latency of more than 10% of baseline values. The operation was paused or the surgical strategy was modified in every case of SSEP/MEP changes. Combined SSEP/MEP monitoring was possible in 69 out of 100 operations. In 49 of the 69 operations (71%), SSEP/ MEP were stable, and the patients remained neurologically intact. Critical SSEP/ MEP changes were seen in six operations. Critical MEP changes with stable SSEP occurred in 12 operations. Overall, critical MEP changes were recorded in 18 operations (26%). In 12 of the 18 operations, MEP recovered to some extent after modification of the surgical strategy, and the patients either showed no (n = 10) or only a transient motor deficit (n = 2). In the remaining six operations, MEP did not recover and the patients either had a transient (n = 3) or a permanent (n = 3) motor deficit. Critical SSEP changes with stable MEP were observed in two operations; both patients did not show a new motor deficit. Our data again confirm that MEP monitoring is superior to SSEP monitoring in detecting impending impairment of the functional integrity of cerebral and spinal cord motor pathways during surgery. Detection of MEP changes and adjustment of the surgical strategy might allow to prevent irreversible pyramidal tract damage. Stable SSEP/MEP recordings reassure the surgeon that motor function is still intact and surgery can be continued safely. The combined SSEP/ MEP monitoring becomes advantageous, if one modality is not recordable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Environmental monitoring and assessment of a Great River ecosystem: the Upper Missouri River pilot.

Most Great River ecosystems (GREs) are extensively modified and are not receiving adequate protection to prevent further habitat degradation and loss of biotic integrity. In the United States, ecological monitoring and assessment of GREs has lagged behind streams and estuaries, and the management of GREs is hampered by the lack of unbiased data at appropriate spatial scales. Properties of GREs that make them challenging to monitor and assess include difficult sample logistics and high habitat diversity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) has developed a comprehensive, regional-scale, survey-based monitoring approach to assessment of streams and estuaries, but has not yet conducted research on applying these tools to GRE monitoring. In this paper we present an overview of an EMAP research project on the Upper Missouri River (UMR). We summarize the assessment objectives for the study, the design for selecting sample locations, the indicators measured at these sites and the tools used to analyze data. We present an example of the type of statements that can be made with EMAP monitoring data. With modification, the set of methodologies developed by EMAP may be well suited for assessment of GREs in general.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMed2005

Aerial monitoring of marine waterfowl in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea.

The purpose of this study was to design and test a monitoring protocol for marine waterfowl in the central Alaskan Beaufort Sea. The study provides an important case-study of how a long-term monitoring program may be affected by unanticipated human disturbances. Because of its overwhelming and widespread abundance, relatively sedentary behavior, ease in counting, and the extensive historical database, the long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis) was selected as the focal species. Two null hypotheses were formulated concerning potential changes in the numbers and distribution of long-tailed ducks in relation to disturbance in an industrial study area, compared to a reference study area located about 50 km to the east. A 9-year historical database (1977-1984, 1989) of long-tailed duck densities and other important data recorded during systematic aerial surveys was analyzed retrospectively using multiple regression techniques. The retrospective analyses determined which of several predictor variables recorded were significantly related to long-tailed duck density. Separate analyses were conducted for two periods: (1) the overall period when long-tailed ducks were present in the lagoon study areas, and (2) the shorter adult male molt period. The results of the two analyses indicated that 57% and 68%, respectively, of the total variation in long-tailed duck density during the two periods could be explained by variables recorded during the surveys. Predictor variables representing habitat, day of the year, time of day, amount of ice, and wave height recorded on-transect during surveys were most closely associated with long-tailed duck density. Measurement error during the surveys, and influences outside the study area such as nesting success in tundra habitats and mortality during migration and in over-wintering areas likely also had strong influences on the results, but these factors were not measurable in our study. Based on results of the retrospective analyses, a long-term monitoring protocol consisting of a program of systematic aerial surveys and an analyses of variance and covariance (ANOVA and ANCOVA) statistical procedure was designed and initially tested in 1990 and 1991. This 2-year testing phase resulted in several revisions to the monitoring protocol. Refinements were made to the original sampling procedures, to the survey schedule, and to the recommended statistical analysis procedures. Results of the ANOVA and ANCOVA indicated that there was no evidence of a change in long-tailed duck densities that could be attributable to disturbance (from any source) in the industrial study area relative to a reference area with no industrial development. Other analyses indicated that the sampling and analysis procedures would be adequate to detect long-term trends in long-tailed duck density and localized disturbance effects, but that the monitoring program should be continued well beyond two years to detect statistically significant changes. As a result, additional aerial surveys of both study areas were conducted again during 1999-2001. Results of the revised ANOVA and ANCOVA of the 1990-1991 and 1999-2001 survey data indicated that the density of long-tailed ducks had significantly declined in coastal lagoons along the central Alaskan Beaufort Sea coast during the study period. In addition, disturbances throughout the barrier island-lagoon systems used by these ducks, including both the industrial and the reference study areas, had significantly increased over the same period. However, because unanticipated disturbances from a variety of anthropogenic sources, and not just industry sources, increased in both study areas, the reference study area was not an effective statistical control. As a result, the decline in long-tailed duck density in both study areas was not attributable to industry-related activities. Although the monitoring protocol described here is an effective method to detect statistically significant changes in long-tailed duck distribution and abundance in the nearshore Alaskan Beaufort Sea, many more years of sampling would be necessary to attribute observed changes to industry-related disturbances.

Alaska↗
PubMed2006

Monitoring of biodiversity indicators in boreal forests: a need for improved focus.

The general principles of scale and coarse and fine filters have been widely accepted, but management agencies and industry are still grappling with the question of what to monitor to detect changes in forest biodiversity following forest management. Part of this problem can be attributed to the lack of focused questions for monitoring including absence of null models and predicted effects, a certain level of disconnect between research and management, and recognition that monitoring can be designed as a research question. Considerable research from the past decade has not been adequately synthesized to answer important questions, such as which species or forest attributes might be the best indicators of change. A disproportionate research emphasis has been placed on community ecology, and mostly on a few groups of organisms including arthropods, amphibians, migratory songbirds, and small mammals, while other species, including soil organisms, lichens, bats, raptors, some carnivores, and larger mammals remain less well-known. In most studies of community ecology, the question of what is the importance, if any, of the regularly observed subtle changes in community structures, and causes of observed changes is usually not answered. Hence, our ability to deal with questions of persistence is limited, and demographic research on regionally-defined key species (such as species linked to processes, species whose persistence may be affected, species with large home ranges, species already selected as indicators, and rare and threatened species) is urgently needed. Monitoring programs need to be designed to enable managers to respond to unexpected changes caused by forest management. To do this, management agencies need to articulate null models for monitoring that predict effects, focus fine-scale monitoring on key species (defined by local and regional research) in key habitats (rare, declining, important) across landscapes, and have a protocol in place to adapt management strategies to changes observed. Finally, agencies must have some way to determine and define when a significant change has occurred and to predict the persistence of species; this too should flow from a well-designed null model.

Biodiversity↗