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Stanley H. Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to Stanley H. Anderson.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Visual counts as an index of White-Tailed Prairie Dog density

Black-footed ferrets ( Mustela nigripes ) are depended on prairie dogs ( Cynomys spp.) for food and shelter and were historically restricted to prairie dog towns (Anderson et al. 1986). Because ferrets and prairie dogs are closely associated, successful ferret management and conservation depends on successful prairie dog management. A critical component of any management program for ferrets will be monitoring prairie dog population dynamics on towns containing ferrets or on towns proposed as ferret reintroduction sites. Three techniques for estimating prairie dog population size and density are counts of plugged and reopened burrows (Tietjen and Matschke 1982), mark-recapture (Otis et al. 1978; Seber 1982, 1986; Menkens and Anderson 1989), and visual counts (Fagerstone and Biggins 1986, Knowles 1986). The technique of plugging burrows and counting the number reopened by prairie dogs is too time and labor intensive for population evaluation on a large number of towns or over large areas. Total burrow counts are not correlated with white-tailed prairie dog ( C. leucurus ) densities and thus cannot be used for populated evaluation (Menkens et al. 1988). Mark-recapture requires trapping that is expensive and time and labor intensive. Monitoring a large number of prairie dog populations using mark-recapture would be difficult. Alternatively a large number of populations could be monitored in short periods of time using the visual count technique (Fagerstone and Biggins 1986, Knowles 1986). However, the accuracy of visual counts has only been evaluated in a few locations. Thus, it is not known whether the relationship between counts and prairie dog density is consistent throughout the prairie dog's range. Our objective was to evaluate the potential of using visual counts as a rapid means of estimating white-tailed prairie dog density in prairie dog towns throughout Wyoming. We studied 18 white-tailed prairie dog towns in 4 white-tailed prairie dog complexes in Wyoming near Laramie (105°40'W, 41°20'N, 3 grids), Pathfinder reservoir (106°55'W, 42°30'N, 6 grids), Shirley Basin (106°10'W, 42°20'N, 6 grids), and Meeteetse (108°10'W, 44°10'N, 3 grids). All towns were dominated by grasses, forbs, and shrubs (details in Collins and Lichvar 1986). Topography of towns ranged from flat to gently rolling hills.

Wildlife Society Bulletin

Habitat relationships of island nesting seabirds along Coastal Louisiana

Seabirds in the saline marsh of coastal Louisiana nest on the islands that are more isolated, smaller, have lower percentages of woody vegetation, and higher percentages of herbaceous vegetation and beach habitat. Only moderate variation in these habitat features was demonstrated among years of colonization. The factors causing these preferences appear to be protection from mammalian predators and presence of suitable nesting habitat. Forster's Terns colonized islands with a lower beach percentage than those colonized by Laughing Gulls or Black Skimmers due to interspecific differences in preferred nesting substrate. Nest site tenacity was weak in that the majority (57%) of colonies was active during only one of the three years of survey. Extreme nest site tenacity is probably selected against in these highly unstable wetlands. However, those islands colonized perennially were more geographically isolated and had higher percentages of beach cover. The relationship between seabird nesting abundance and the habitat variables was low, implying a lack of fine tuning of population numbers to habitat at a local scale. Numerous islands potentially suitable for colonization by seabirds may exist along coastal Louisiana. But the presence of alternative nesting islands may be required due to the ever changing nature of these saline marsh wetlands.

Louisiana

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Lark bunting

A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model for the lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys). The model consolidates habitat use information into a framework appropriate for field application, and is scaled to produce an index between 0.0 (unsuitable habitat) to 1.0 (optimum habitat). HSI models are designed to be used with Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

FWS/OBS

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Marsh wren

A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model for the marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris). The model consolidates habitat use information into a framework appropriate for field application, and is scaled to produce an index between 0.0 (unsuitable habitat) to 1.0 (optimum habitat). HSI models are designed to be used with Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

FWS/OBS

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Snapping turtle

A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model for the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). The model consolidates habitat use information into a framework appropriate for field application, and is scaled to produce an index between 0.0 (unsuitable habitat) and 1.0 (optimum habitat). HSI models are designed to be used with Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

FWS/OBS

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Northern pintail

A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model for the northern pintail (Anas acuta). The model consolidates habitat use information into a framework appropriate for field application, and is scaled to produce an index between 0.0 (unsuitable habitat) to 1.0 (optimum habitat). HSI models are designed to be used with Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

FWS/OBS

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Lake trout (exclusive of the Great Lakes)

The lake trout is an important commercial and sport fish in North America. In the Central Rocky Mountain regi on, 1ake trout are common ly referred to as "mackinaw". There is good evidence that lake trout should be called "1 ake charr" (Morton 1980). No subspecies of lake trout is presently recognized (Robins et al. 1980). The species, however, has extreme variability throughout its range, making it difficult to draw general conclusions about its biology (Martin and Olver 1980).

FWS/OBS