WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE BY THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
eDNA Sequencing for Kenk's amphipod
Currently, the technique used to survey the Kenk’s amphipod is detrimental to its species as the sampled individual must be killed for identification. However, as done with the Hay’s spring amphipod, the Kenk’s amphipod can be surveyed through eDNA testing. In the case of the Hay’s spring amphipod, the testing was developed because the species was close to extinction and scientists desperately needed to understand the scope of this threat. There is no reason to hold off on developing this sort of testing for the Kenk’s amphipod, and the 2016 survey of the Fort A.P. Hill area indicates there may be a much larger Stygobromus kenki population distribution than previously predicted.
Fund More Research
At this point, almost half of the Stygobromus hayi sites are unsure, and this amphipod could be much closer to extinction than we believe. Dr. David Culver also emphasized that “there needs to be more research done on the Hay’s spring and Kenk’s amphipods in order to accurately assess their risk of extinction” (Culver, Eggen 2020) as there has been a fairly minimal number of studies done on Stygobromus compared to other endangered animals.
Create an Awareness Campaign
Throughout Rock Creek Park, there are a variety of signs both informing visitors of what trails they are on as well as facts about the local area. The National Park Service has set a strict set of guidelines for its signs that ensure information is communicated clearly and effectively as well as using materials that will not negatively impact the surrounding environment (National Parks Service 2003). Creating a series of informational trail signs containing information about the conservation of the Hay’s spring and Kenk’s amphipods and placing them at the sites where they have and could be found would easily and quickly educate the almost 3 million people who visit Rock Creek Park every year
A Threat-Level Research Plan
Similar to the habitat surveys conducted before the construction of the Purple Line, threat-level research on the Hay’s spring and Kenk’s amphipod must be done for any construction in and around habitats as well as any areas that contain or are near seepage springs with low pH levels, temperature, and flow, and high oxygen levels (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2015). Furthermore, if any amphipod species is found, construction must be significantly altered or canceled altogether.
Install Protective Technology
The construction of bioretention basins, infiltration berms, and buffers after strict delineation of Stygobromus hayi and kenki sites would not only protect the amphipods’ habitat, but benefit the surrounding ecosystem by redirecting any harmful particles or bacteria (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2015).