Peer Reviews

Periodically The Wildlife Society is contracted by outside entities to conduct independent and scientific peer reviews of reports, white papers, peer reviewed literature, or policies. TWS’ Government Affairs staff facilitates the review, from selection of the review team to the submission of a final product (which may be independent comments, a summary document, or a single detailed review reflecting a coalescence of all reviewers’ comments).

While TWS coordinates the peer review process, the final product does not reflect the views of The Wildlife Society, nor should it be viewed as the official position of the Society. In addition, the comments generated by the review teams do not necessarily represent the views or positions of each reviewer’s affiliated organization or employer. For more information on TWS’ peer review process read A Guide to the Peer Review Process.

Interested in having The Wildlife Society facilitate a peer review for your agency or organization? Please contact:

Terra Rentz, AWB ®
Deputy Director of Government Affairs
terra@wildlife.org
(301) 897-9770 ext 309

Restoration of Federal Forests in the Pacific Northwest

In August 2011, The Wildlife Society contracted with Geos Institute to facilitate a peer review of Restoration of Federal Forests in the Pacific Northwest (2009) and a revised 2011 article by Drs. Norm Johnson and Jerry Franklin. The Bureau of Land Management will be utilizing these documents when developing the strategy for forest restoration on its lands in Western Oregon, with the potential for long-term influence on the forest planning and recovery of the northern spotted owl throughout the Pacific Northwest. The four-person review panel consisted of experts in fields such as fire management, spotted owl biology, and forest ecology who independently assessed the scientific integrity of the restoration principles presented in the documents over a two month time period. TWS staff summarized the review team’s comments as a final product presented to Geos Institute in October, 2011.

Golden-cheeked Warbler Population and Distribution Modeling

In the summer of 2011, The Wildlife Society coordinated a peer review of Golden-cheeked Warbler Population and Distribution Modeling and four associated manuscripts prepared by Texas Agrilife Research associated with Texas A&M University (TAMU) to provide a modeling tool and abundance and distribution estimates of the golden-cheeked warbler across the species’ breeding range. The five-person review team consisted of experts in the ecology of golden-cheeked warblers, and the use of spatially-explicit habitat modeling as an indicator of abundance and distribution of songbirds, in addition to other appropriate biological training and experience. Reviewers analyzed whether the best available science was used and interpreted in a reasonable way, and whether the findings will be useful and reliable in the management and recovery of Golden-cheeked Warblers. TWS staff summarized comments from the review team, and submitted the entire package to TAMU and the USFWS.

Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance

In the spring of 2011, The Wildlife Society facilitated a peer review of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance, which aims to assist wind energy developers and facility operators to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse effects on bald eagles and golden eagles. The review team, which included experts in ecology, behavior, and migration of bald and golden eagles, as well as the interaction of large raptors and wind power facilities and infrastructure, considered whether the Guidance was based on the best available scientific data, and provided recommendations on how the Guidance could be improved. TWS staff summarized all comments from the review team and submitted the product to the USFWS.

Draft Land-based Wind Energy Guidelines

In April 2011, The Wildlife Society coordinated a peer review of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2011 Draft Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines, which provides recommendations on measures to avoid, minimize, and compensate for effects to fish, wildlife, and their habitats. The review team included five experts in ecology, behavior, and migration of bald and golden eagles, bats, and other migratory species, wind power generation projects, and the interaction of wildlife and wind power facilities and infrastructure. Reviewers assessed whether the guidelines were well supported by the best available science, and provided suggestions on how the guidelines could be improved. TWS staff summarized and submitted the team’s comments to the USFWS in May, 2011.

Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl

In the fall of 2010, The Wildlife Society facilitated a peer review of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2010 Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl (NSO). The review panel consisted of six experts in the fields of NSO biology, forest ecology, habitat management and statistical analysis. Reviewers analyzed the scientific integrity of the draft recovery plan, identified additional critical literature, and assessed the overall perceived effectiveness of the recovery plan at meeting target recovery objectives. TWS staff summarized and submitted the review team’s comments to the USFWS.

Review of Ivory Billed Woodpecker Draft Recovery Plan

In July 2007, The Wildlife Society contracted with the FWS to review the agency’s Ivory-billed Woodpecker Draft Recovery Plan. The six-person review team consisted of experts in endangered species, recovery planning, Ivory-billed woodpeckers, and other related fields. TWS staff prepared a summary report of the team’s comments to accompany independent reviewers’ comments and submitted both to the FWS in November, 2007.

Patuxent Five-Year Strategic Review

In the spring of 2007, The Wildlife Society contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a five-year strategic review of the agency’s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC). A review panel of five independent experts in wildlife and wetlands ecology, endangered species recovery, quantitative methods and ecotoxicology evaluated current research activities and proposed research for the next five years at PWRC. In a final report to USGS, the panel offered their expert judgment and recommendations to strengthen the research programs at PWRC over the next five years.

Review of Wildlife Habitat Response Model

In November 2006, The Wildlife Society facilitated a scientific peer-review of the U.S. Forest Service’s Wildlife Habitat Response Model (WHRM), a web-based computer tool for evaluating the potential effects of fuel-reduction projects on terrestrial wildlife habitats in dry coniferous forests of the western United States. WHRM uses species-habitat associations to predict how fuel treatments may affect species habitats. TWS solicited volunteers from its 7500-plus professional members, specifically requesting reviewers with expertise in habitat modeling, fuels planning, and related fields. The three members selected to perform the review, professionals with expertise in habitat modeling, fuels planning, and related fields, submitted individual review letters to USFS.