The Avian Incident Monitoring System

AIMS Background

The Avian Incident Monitoring System (AIMS) is a program to enable systematic identification, diagnosis, and reporting of birds physically impaired or killed due to pesticide exposure in the field. Historically under-reported, these incidents provide valuable information on the impact of pesticides on ecosystem health. Accurately documenting the extent to which birds are harmed by current use of pesticides, and identifying patterns and trends in incidents, allows users to better identify key elements for risk mitigation. The centralized AIMS database provides reliable field data on lethal and sub-lethal effects of pesticides on birds, reflecting the risk to other wildlife species as well. These data can be used for developing pesticide usage recommendations, while providing a measure of assurance that current usage recommendations and EPA label instructions do not pose an unreasonable risk to wildlife.

The AIMS database was constructed by ABC staff with input from a working group of scientists, data managers, and industry representatives. The data has been collected from government agencies, academic insititutions, and wildlife rehabilitation centers. The government contributors include state and federal agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Teh database utilizes Microsoft Access 2002 for Windows. It contains 9 primary data tables and additional reference tables, as outlined in the database documentation. Information on the individual animals involved, the exposure to pesticides, impairment observed, land use, and other relevant information is stored in the database. The AIMS database currently stores data on over 2000 incidents, involving approximately 170 species and 100 chemicals.

ABC is collaborating with USEPA's Environmental Fate and Effects Division (EFED) and Biological and Economic Analysis Division (BEAD) laboratory, the USFWS National Conservation Training Center (NCTC), and U.S. Geological Survey - Biological Resources Division (USGS-BRD) National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) and Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC), as well as various permitted wildlife rehabilitators and rehabilitation centers, to make AIMS as comprehensive and effective a system for monitoring pesticide incidents in birds as possible. An AIMS Advisory Committee is involved in directing AIMS to be as effective in gathering new pesticide information as possible. By drawing on the expertise of a wide range of wildlife professionals and working through partnerships with public and private organizations, AIMS provides a more thorough collection of useful information on the interactions of pesticides and birds in the environment.

View complete AIMS Database Documentation