Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) Utility Index

For natural history information of bird species, visit the Patuxent Bird Identification Infocenter page. For other species, visit the University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web

A. Exposure Potential

1. Primary Dietary Preference
(Check more than one if applicable)

Fish or moderately-sized terrestrial vertebrates
Small terrestrial vertebrates
Invertebrates
Both animals and vegetation (omnivore)
Vegetation

2. Longevity
(Based upon maximum recorded lifespan of free-ranging individuals;
assume intensely hunted species are short-lived.)

For birds, you can consult the Patuxent Bird Banding Laboratory
Longevity Records.

Long lived (>15 years)
5-15 years
<5 years

3. Use of agricultural, industrial, or urbanized areas

Readily inhabits and/or forages in these areas
Will occasionally utilize these areas
Avoids these areas

B. Geographic Occurrence

1. Range

Present throughout entire study area
Present throughout more than half of study area
Present throughout about half the study area
Present throughout less than half the study area
Present in small part of study area only

2. Residency

Year-round resident (does not migrate)
Migrates within study area
Migrates beyond study area (present during breeding)
Migrates beyond study area (present during winter)
Transient (present during migration only)

C. Ease of Collection

(Take into account the season of collection)

1. Social structure

Highly colonial or gregarious
Semi-colonial or semi-gregarious
Solitary

2. Accessibility of sampling unit
(Consider logistical and economic constraints)

Individuals or nests are easily accessible
Individuals or nests are moderately accessible
Individuals or nests are difficult to access

3. Ease of capture

Low mobility (e.g., nestbound young or eggs available)
Moderate mobility (e.g., independently foraging young)
High mobility (e.g., only mobile adults available)

4. Abundance in study area

Abundant (numerous in suitable habitat)
Common (certain to be in suitable habitat)
Uncommon (presence expected, but not a certainty)
Occasional (presence possible, but not expected)
Rare (not normally present)

5. Federal or State Management Status in Study Area
(Consult the US Fish and Wildlife Service Listings. If the species is listed,
consult the "population to which this status applies" in the species account.)

Not protected
Protected (managed population)
Threatened
Endangered

D. QUANTITY OF EXISTING EXPOSURE AND EFFECTS DATA

Substantial data
Some data
Very few data

Click button to calculate the Utility Index Scores:

Utility Index Scores (Scale = 3.75 - 20)

Species:

Persistent Organic Pollutant Utility Score: View Rankings

Enter another species:

Ranking of Species Utility Index Scores, From Highest to Lowest

Rank	Species	Score

What do these scores mean?

URL: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/contaminants-online/
Contact: Barnett Rattner
Last modified: 10/08/2003
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