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At least 1,261 records · Page 70Linked to original sources
USGS2015

Angler satisfaction in South Dakota

Many industries use satisfaction measures to evaluate performance. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks identified satisfaction as one of their performance measures for evaluating fishing in South Dakota. In fisheries management, the perspectives’ of license buyers are valuable to determine if management activities are providing the benefits anticipated by biologists. Surveys of South Dakota anglers are conducted to better understand licensees in order to promote satisfying angling experiences. Internet surveys were distributed to all license buyers providing email addresses in 2011 and 2012. Angler satisfaction was analyzed by angler type (demographics and fishing characteristics) to further clarify performance measures. Most anglers (> 70%) were satisfied with their angling experiences. Nonresidents expressed higher levels of satisfaction with fishing in South Dakota in 2011 and 2012 than residents. Anglers’ rating of fishing quality was more strongly correlated with satisfaction than their reported number of fish harvested, which suggests that strategies to influence angler perceptions and expectations can also be employed to influence satisfaction (in addition to techniques influencing fish populations). This research further integrates sociological data into South Dakota fisheries management processes.

South Dakota↗
USGS1982

A 40-foot static cone penetrometer

The Navy needs a lightweight device for testing seafloor soils to sub bottom depths of 12 meters in water depths to 60 meters. To meet this need a quasistatic cone penetration device that uses water jetting to reduce friction on the cone rod has been developed. This device is called the XSP-40. The 5-ton XSP-40 stands 15 meters tall and pushes a standard 5-ton cone into the seafloor. It is remotely controlled with an electronic unit on the deck of the support vessel. All cone outputs are recorded directly as a function of penetration depth with a strip chart recorder. A full suite of gauges is provided. on the electronic unit for monitoring the XSP-40's performance during a test .. About 40 penetration tests have been performed with very good success. The XSP-40 was field tested in Norton Sound, off the west coast of Alaska. The general objective, in addition to evaluation of the device, was to gather geotechnical information on sediments that may be involved in processes potentially hazardous to offshore development. Four example penetration records are presented from gas charged sediment zones and areas near the Yukon River delta. In general it was determined that soil classification from cone data agreed well with classifications from core samples. Relative densities of the silt-sand to sandy-silt soils were usually very high. The significance of these results are discussed with respect to storm wave, liquefaction. It is concluded that the XSP-40 is a durable and reliable piece of equipment capable of achieving penetration beyond that possible when not using the water jet system.

Proceedings of the Offshore Technology Conference↗
USGS2009

Zoogeography, conservation, and ecology of crayfishes within the Cheat River basin of the Upper Monongehela River drainage, West Virginia

During summer 2008, we studied the geographic distribution and conservation status of crayfishes within the Cheat River basin of the upper Monongahela River drainage. Stream sites (n = 73) were selected with a probabilistic sampling design, whereas one reservoir (Cheat Lake) and seven terrestrial sites for burrowing crayfishes were selected non-randomly. Stream crayfishes were seined or hand-collected following standardized protocols, and physical habitat and physiochemical water quality parameters were recorded at each site. Cambarus b. bartonii , C. carinirostris , and Orconectes obscurus were initially documented within the Cheat River basin in 1956. Surveys conducted in the late 1980s documented the presence of C. carinirostris , C. dubius , C. monongalensis , and O. obscurus . Our data on crayfish distributions from 2008 are consistent with those of the late 1980s. Survey data from 1956, however, indicated depauperate populations of Cambarus throughout the basin during a time period of basin-wide habitat and water quality degradation. Currently, C. carinirostris is abundant throughout the Cheat River system, except in areas with low pH and elevated conductivity. Orconectes obscurus populations within the Cheat River basin are stable and occur primarily in higher stream orders. Future astacological efforts in the Cheat River basin, however, are needed to define the distribution of the basins two burrowing species, C. dubius and C. monongalensis .

West Vigninia↗
USGS2011

Seasonal habitat shifts by benthic fishes in headwater streams

Fish-habitat associations in streams have been widely studied; however, temporal considerations have been neglected, particularly during the winter. We quantitatively sampled perennial headwater streams in the Missouri Ozarks during the summer (n = 13) and winter (n = 4) to evaluate possible habitat shifts by three benthic fishes at two spatial scales: channel unit and microhabitat. Density of all three headwater species in streams was generally lower in winter than summer, with some species being ubiquitous in channel units of streams during the summer and almost entirely absent from the same streams during winter. Presence of each of three species during the summer varied by stream and channel unit, but patterns of channelunit use did not change depending on stream sampled. Ozark sculpin (Cottus hypselurus) was more likely to be present (> 50% probability) in riffles and runs, but not pools. Fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare) was much more likely to be found in riffles than other channel units whereas rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) was more likely to occur in runs or pools than riffles. During winter, each of the three species was equally likely to be present or absent from any of the channel units indicating a more general use of channel units. However, each of the three species used deeper microhabitats within pools and slower-velocity areas of riffles during winter compared to summer. Results of this study indicate benthic, headwater species used habitat more generally during cold-water periods compared to warm-water periods, but density estimates indicated changes in channel unit use occurred in some streams and patterns of fine-scale microhabitat shifts did occur.

Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fis↗
USGS2010

Variation in detection among passive infrared triggered-cameras used in wildlife research

Precise and accurate estimates of demographics such as age structure, productivity, and density are necessary in determining habitat and harvest management strategies for wildlife populations. Surveys using automated cameras are becoming an increasingly popular tool for estimating these parameters. However, most camera studies fail to incorporate detection probabilities, leading to parameter underestimation. The objective of this study was to determine the sources of heterogeneity in detection for trail cameras that incorporate a passive infrared (PIR) triggering system sensitive to heat and motion. Images were collected at four baited sites within the Conecuh National Forest, Alabama, using three cameras at each site operating continuously over the same seven-day period. Detection was estimated for four groups of animals based on taxonomic group and body size. Our hypotheses of detection considered variation among bait sites and cameras. The best model (w=0.99) estimated different rates of detection for each camera in addition to different detection rates for four animal groupings. Factors that explain this variability might include poor manufacturing tolerances, variation in PIR sensitivity, animal behavior, and species-specific infrared radiation. Population surveys using trail cameras with PIR systems must incorporate detection rates for individual cameras. Incorporating time-lapse triggering systems into survey designs should eliminate issues associated with PIR systems.

Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southe↗
USGS2016

Loads of nitrate, phosphorus, and total suspended solids from Indiana watersheds

Transport of excess nutrients and total suspended solids (TSS) such as sediment by freshwater systems has led to degradation of aquatic ecosystems around the world. Nutrient and TSS loads from Midwestern states to the Mississippi River are a major contributor to the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone, an area of very low dissolved oxygen concentration in the Gulf of Mexico. To better understand Indiana’s contribution of nutrients and TSS to the Mississippi River, annual loads of nitrate plus nitrite as nitrogen, total phosphorus, and TSS were calculated for nine selected watersheds in Indiana using the load estimation model, S-LOADEST. Discrete water-quality samples collected monthly by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Fixed Stations Monitoring Program from 2000–2010 and concurrent discharge data from the U. S. Geological Survey streamflow gages were used to create load models. Annual nutrient and TSS loads varied across Indiana by watershed and hydrologic condition. Understanding the loads from large river sites in Indiana is important for assessing contributions of nutrients and TSS to the Mississippi River Basin and in determining the effectiveness of best management practices in the state. Additionally, evaluation of loads from smaller upstream watersheds is important to characterize improvements at the local level and to identify priorities for reduction.

Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science↗
USGS2008

Microhabitat use by brook trout inhabiting small tributaries and a large river main stem: Implications for stream habitat restoration in the central Appalachians

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) habitat restoration is needed across a range of stream sizes; however, studies quantifying brook trout habitat preferences in streams of differing sizes are rare. We used radio-telemetry to quantify adult brook trout microhabitat use in a central Appalachian watershed, the upper Shavers Fork of the Cheat River in eastern West Virginia. Our objectives were to: 1) quantify non-random microhabitat use by adult brook trout in the Shavers Fork main stem (drainage area = 32 km2) and an adjacent tributary, Rocky Run (drainage area = 7 km2); and 2) construct stream-specific habitat suitability curves (HSCs) for four important microhabitat variables (depth, average current velocity, maximum current velocity within one meter, and distance to cover). Brook trout used a subset of available microhabitats in both the main stem and Rocky Run: trout tended to occupy microhabitats that were deeper, higher velocity, and closer to cover than expected by chance alone. Although specific microhabitat values differed between the main stem and tributary populations, the overall patterns in brook trout microhabitat use were consistent regardless of stream size. Habitat suitability curves were constructed based on brook trout microhabitat use and will be used to design and monitor the effectiveness of future habitat restoration efforts in the Shavers Fork watershed. Our results suggest that habitat enhancement projects that increase the availability of deep, high velocity microhabitats adjacent to cover would benefit brook trout in both small tributaries and larger river main stems.

Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fis↗
USGS2011

Dispersal and dam passage of sonic-tagged juvenile lake sturgeon in the upper Tennessee River

More than 90,000 state-endangered lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) have been stocked into the French Broad River, Holston River, and Fort Loudoun Lake in the upper Tennessee River system. Although incidental reports of anglers catching these fish have increased, little is known about their fate after stocking. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate lake sturgeon dispersal throughout the system. Seven submersible ultrasonic receivers were deployed in the upper Tennessee River system and 37 juvenile fish (mean fork length = 660 mm) were surgically implanted with ultrasonic transmitters in the fall of 2007. These fish were stocked at two sites in the headwaters of Fort Loudoun Lake. The receivers logged 1,345 detections of tagged fish and manual tracking located 32 of the 37 tagged lake sturgeon over 21 months. Ten (31%) tagged fish passed through Fort Loudoun Dam and were located downstream in the headwaters of Watts Bar Reservoir; the other tagged fish were still at large above Fort Loudoun Dam when tracking ceased in 2009. Of all fish stocked, three (9%) were last located in the French Broad River and none were located in the Holston River.

Tennessee↗
USGS2015

Reasons anglers did not respond to an internet survey and evaluation of data quality

Natural resource management agencies have traditionally used statewide mail surveys to gather information from anglers, but cost savings and faster returns occur using the internet. This study examined mail or internet fishery survey return rates and associated data by license type of South Dakota resident anglers. Junior anglers (ages 16-18; Junior Combination license) had the lowest internet and mail survey return rates (20% and 28%, respectively), followed by adult anglers (ages 19-64; Adult Fishing and Adult Combination licenses; 30% and 39%, respectively), and senior anglers (ages 65+; Senior Fishing and Senior Combination licenses; 42% and 66%, respectively). The three age groups were significantly different on three email use characteristics (shared email, frequency of use, and comfort level). The primary reason for not responding to the internet survey was not receiving or noticing the email request, and secondarily, being too busy to respond. Although having a relatively low response rate, data collected by the internet compared to follow-up mail surveys of internet non-respondents were similar.

Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science↗
USGS2017

Wildlife value orientation stability among South Dakota residents: Setting the stage for a longitudinal analysis

The concept of wildlife value orientations (WVOs) has been useful for understanding the diversity of public interests in wildlife management and has been shown to be a strong predictor of public attitudes towards a wide range of wildlife management actions and policies. WVOs consist of two predominant value orientations (domination and mutualism) defined by how people view their relationship with wildlife. WVO assessment, which analyzes response patterns on a series of scaled agree/disagree statements representing these two orientations, has led to the identification of four distinct types of people: a) utilitarian (high score on domination and low score on mutualism); (b) mutualist (low score on domination and high score on mutualism); (c) pluralist (high score on both WVO scales); and (d) distanced (low score on both WVO scales). The theoretical framework of WVOs is based on evidence that changing lifestyles arising from modernization contribute to a gradual shift away from domination toward mutualism. This theory suggests a longitudinal process of change that was tested in 2004 by cross-sectional analyses in 19 western states. More recent replications of WVO assessment in South Dakota in 2012 measured relatively similar proportions of WVO types (50% and 49% utilitarian, 15% and 16% mutualist, 29% and 25% pluralist, and 6% and 10% distanced in 2004 and 2012, respectively). Also, we identified similar proportions of WVO types and recreation participation comparing two counties with the largest urban populations (Minnehaha and Pennington) to the remainder of the state. Our results illustrate opportunities for continuing longitudinal analyses of WVO with an additional focus on within state changes.

Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science↗
USGS2016

A comparison of lead lengths for mini-fyke nets to sample age-0 gar species

Mini-fyke nets are often used to sample small-bodied fishes in shallow (<1 m depth) water, especially in vegetated shoreline habitats where seines are ineffective. Recent interest in gar (Lepisosteidae) ecology and conservation led us to explore the use of mini-fyke nets to capture age-0 gar and specifically how capture is affected by lead length of the fyke net. In the summers of 2012, 2013, and 2015, mini-fyke nets with two different lead lengths (4.57 m and 9.14 m) were set at random sites in backwaters and coves of the Red River arm of Lake Texoma, Oklahoma. Mean CPUE (catch-per-unit-effort; number per net night) was significantly lower for mini-fyke nets with short leads (0.52) compared to those with long leads (1.51). Additionally, Spotted Gar ( Lepisosteus oculatus ) were captured at a higher rate than the other three gar species present in Lake Texoma, although this could have been an artifact of sampling location. We found that differences in length-frequency of captured gar between gear types were nearly significant, with total length ranging from 47mm to 590mm. Mini-fyke nets with longer leads increased the efficiency of sampling for age-0 gar by increasing catch rate without affecting estimates of other population parameters and appear to be useful for this purpose.

Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science↗
USGS2017

Importance of fishing as a segmentation variable in the application of a social worlds model

Market segmentation is useful to understanding and classifying the diverse range of outdoor recreation experiences sought by different recreationists. Although many different segmentation methodologies exist, many are complex and difficult to measure accurately during in-person intercepts, such as that of creel surveys. To address that gap in the literature, we propose a single-item measure of the importance of fishing as a surrogate to often overly- or needlesslycomplex segmentation techniques. The importance of fishing item is a measure of the value anglers place on the activity or a coarse quantification of how central the activity is to the respondent’s lifestyle (scale: 0 = not important, 1 = slightly, 2 = moderately, 3 = very, and 4 = fishing is my most important recreational activity). We suggest the importance scale may be a proxy measurement for segmenting anglers using the social worlds model as a theoretical framework. Vaske (1980) suggested that commitment to recreational activities may be best understood in relation to social group participation and the social worlds model provides a rich theoretical framework for understanding social group segments. Unruh (1983) identified four types of actor involvement in social worlds: strangers, tourists, regulars, and insiders, differentiated by four characteristics (orientation, experiences, relationships, and commitment). We evaluated the importance of fishing as a segmentation variable using data collected by a mixed-mode survey of South Dakota anglers fishing in 2010. We contend that this straightforward measurement may be useful for segmenting outdoor recreation activities when more complicated segmentation schemes are not suitable. Further, this index, when coupled with the social worlds model, provides a valuable framework for understanding the segments and making management decisions.

Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science↗
USGS2018

United States bat species of concern: A synthesis

In 1994 the federal government designated 24 species or subspecies of bats in the United States (U.S.) and its territories as Category 2 candidates for listing as Endangered or Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Category 2 was eliminated in 1996, but taxa previously receiving this designation were informally considered “species of concern”. Various state and federal agencies and conservation organizations assigned bat species of concern to more formal conservation categories. Some of the original 24 taxa designated as Category 2 candidates in 1994 were later listed as Endangered, whereas others were subject to refinements in knowledge of their taxonomy and distribution. The remaining 20 species of bats have the subjects of increased research efforts over the past two decades, and are the focus of this review. Two species occur in the U.S. Territories. All of the 18 mainland species ranges include areas west of the Mississippi River (15 are found primarily in western states), and 13 occur in California (72% of the 18 mainland species). In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the literature pertinent to the conservation designations, systematics, distribution, habitats, relative abundance, foraging, diet, roosting ecology, population ecology, and management of each of these 20 species. The species of concern are distributed among four families of bats. The Samoan flying fox (Pteropus samoensis) belong to the old-world family Pteropodidae. The California leaf-nosed bat (Macrotus californicus), red fruit bat (Stenoderma rufum), and Mexican long-tongued bat (Choeronycteris mexicana) are members of the new-world family Phyllostomidae. Three species belong to the cosmopolitan family Molossidae: the greater bonneted bat (Eumops perotis californicus), Underwood’s bonneted bat (Eumops underwoodi), and the big free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops macrotis). Most bat species of concern are in the globally distributed family Vespertilionidae: Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (C. rafinesquii), spotted bat (Euderma maculatum), Allen’s big-eared bat (Idionycteris phyllotis), southeastern myotis (M. austroriparius), western small-footed myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum), long-eared myotis (M. evotis), eastern small-footed myotis (M. leibii), Arizona myotis (M. occultus), fringed myotis (M. thysanodes), cave myotis (M. velifer), long-legged myotis (M. volans), and Yuma myotis (M. yumanensis). An impressive amount of knowledge has accumulated about these species since their informal designation as species of concern, but this knowledge is unevenly distributed. Comparatively little research has been conducted on the Samoan flying fox and the red fruit bat over the past decade in tropical territories, nor on the Mexican long-tongued bat and Underwood’s mastiff bat in the southwestern U.S. Within temperate regions of the U.S., habitat use of two eastern species that roost in hollow trees or caves (southeastern myotis and Rafinesque’s big-eared bat) has been the focus of much research, as have aspects of the biology of cave-roosting and tree-roosting western species, particularly where information about management of forests, caves and abandoned mines can be used to benefit bat conservation. Comparatively less information has accrued about species that roost in rock crevices and high on cliff faces. Other major gaps in information are also identified. We anticipate that this review will help guide future research and conservation efforts directed at the bat species of concern.

Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences,↗
USGS1992

Food preferences of spring-migrating blue-winged teal in southwestern Louisiana

We studied effects of pair status, molt intensity, and year on food selection by migrating male blue-winged teal (Anas discors) in southwestern Louisiana during springs 1990 and 1991. Diets consisted primarily of animal foods; but plant material, consisting mostly of seeds, comprised as much as 44%. There was no difference in animal food consumption by paired and unpaired males; however, the proportion of animal material in the male diet was greater in 1990 than in 1991. Animal food consumption was not positively correlated with mean molt intensity. Food preferences of paired and unpaired males were similar in both years. Animal foods, especially benthos and organisms associated with vegetative substrates, were preferred to seeds and freeswimming invertebrates. We recommend that habitat management for spring-migrating blue-winged teal focus on production of invertebrates, especially long-lived forms such as dragonflies, hemipterans (except water boatmen), midges, and other dipterans.

Louisiana↗