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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2018

River otter distribution in Nebraska

The river otter ( Lontra canadensis ) was extirpated from Nebraska, USA, in the early 1900s and reintroduced starting in 1986. Information is needed regarding the distribution of river otters in Nebraska before decisions can be made regarding its conservation status. Understanding distribution of a species is critically important for effective management. We investigated river otter distribution in Nebraska with occupancy modeling and maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling using 190 otter sign observations on Nebraska's navigable rivers and 380 historical otter records from November 1977 to April 2014. Both methods identified the Platte River, Elkhorn River, central and eastern Niobrara River, and southern Loup River system as core areas within the distribution of otters in Nebraska. The Maxent model provided more liberal estimates of site occupancy and identified some smaller rivers as being within the distribution of otters in Nebraska, which were not identified using occupancy modeling. We recommend that multiple data sets and analysis methods be used to estimate species distribution because this allows for the broadest geographical coverage and decreases the likelihood of overlooking areas with fewer animal records. If further reintroduction efforts or translocation efforts are to take place in the future, we recommend focusing on areas with high modeled occupancy but few historical and survey records

Nebraska↗
USGS2004

Less waste corn, more land in soybeans, and the switch to genetically modified crops: Trends with important implications for wildlife management

American agriculture has provided abundant high-energy foods for migratory and resident wildlife populations since the onset of modern wildlife management. Responding to anecdotal evidence that corn residues are declining in cropland, we remeasured waste corn post-harvest in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) of Nebraska during 1997 and 1998 to compare with 1978. Post-harvest waste corn averaged 2.6% and 1.8% of yield in 1997 and 1998, respectively. After accounting for a 20% increase in yield, waste corn in 1997 and 1998 was reduced 24% and 47% from 1978. We also evaluated use of soybeans by spring-staging sandhill cranes ( Crus canadensis ) and waterfowl during spring 1998 and 1999. Despite being widely available in the CPRV, soybeans did not occur in esophageal contents of sandhill cranes ( n= 174), northern pintails ( Anas acuta , n= 139), greater white-fronted geese ( Anser albifrons , n= 198), or lesser snow geese ( Chen caerulescens , n= 208) collected with food in their esophagi. Lack of soybean consumption by cranes and waterfowl in Nebraska in early spring builds upon previously published findings, suggesting that soybeans are poorly suited for meeting nutrient needs of wildlife requiring a high-energy diet. Given evidence that high-energy food and numerous populations of seed-eating species found on farmland are declining, and the enormous potential risk to game and nongame wildlife populations if high-energy foods were to become scarce, a comprehensive research effort to study the problem appears warranted. Provisions under the Conservation Security subtitle of The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 offer a potential mechanism to encourage producers to manage cropland in ways that would replace part of the high-energy foods that have been lost to increasing efficiency of production agriculture.

Nebraska↗
USGS2005

Brown bear habituation to people - Safety, risks, and benefits

Recently, brown bear ( Ursus arctos ) viewing has increased in coastal Alaska and British Columbia, as well as in interior areas such as Yellowstone National Park. Viewing is most often being done under conditions that offer acceptable safety to both people and bears. We analyze and comment on the underlying processes that lead brown bears to tolerate people at close range. Although habituation is an important process influencing the distance at which bears tolerate people, other variables also modify levels of bear-to-human tolerance. Because bears may react internally with energetic costs before showing an overt reaction to humans, we propose a new term, the Overt Reaction Distance, to emphasize that what we observe is the external reaction of a bear. In this paper we conceptually analyze bear viewing in terms of benefits and risks to people and bears. We conclude that managers and policy-makers must develop site-specific plans that identify the extent to which bear-to-human habituation and tolerance will be permitted. The proposed management needs scientific underpinning. It is our belief that bear viewing, where appropriate, may promote conservation of bear populations, habitats, and ecosystems as it instills respect and concern in those who participate.

Wildlife Society Bulletin↗
USGS2019

Informing sea turtle outreach efforts to maximize effectiveness

Most sea turtle (Cheloniidae) species worldwide are endangered or threatened, with threats causing harm to sea turtles predominantly human‐induced. Thus, prevention of further declines to these imperiled species will require alteration of human behaviors. Regulations, incentives, and environmental education are 3 strategies that could be used to alter human behavior. Our goal was to determine how to maximize effectiveness of one of these strategies—education efforts. We investigated knowledge deficiencies and light pollution behaviors of individuals living in a region with nesting sea turtles, in an effort to determine the best approach to promote sea turtle conservation. During 2014, we mailed a survey to 3,000 property owners in 4 coastal counties in Florida, USA, to achieve 3 objectives: assess what topic areas were misunderstood; discern who had knowledge deficiencies; and determine who had adopted turtle‐friendly lighting practices. The best predictors of knowledge included geographic factors (county, proximity of residences to the beach), demographic characteristics (age), and behaviors (individual's beach visitation rates). One practice that can reduce harm to sea turtles was common: use of window treatments to reduce light pollution. However, other practices harmful to sea turtles were prevalent, including long durations of use of outdoor lighting and use of light bulbs with wavelengths that can disturb sea turtles. Our results suggest that educational efforts could be enhanced by specifically focusing on increasing awareness of the effects of human actions on sea turtles, targeting individuals who visit the beach infrequently and live far from it to foster greater connection with these ecosystems, and publicizing a variety of options that could reduce harm to sea turtles so individuals feel a sense of freedom of choice.

Florida↗
USGS2019

Clarifying how hunt-specific experiences affect satisfaction among more avid and less avid waterfowl hunters

Marketing research methods could enhance understanding of hunter satisfaction, a key metric for state wildlife management agencies. We use three marketing research approaches—revised importance-performance, importance-grid, and penalty-reward-contrast analysis—to examine the determinants of waterfowl hunter satisfaction. These methods have seen limited application in research on hunting and other outdoor recreation activities. Using results from a 2015 mail survey, we examine the implicit and explicit motivations and overall satisfaction of Minnesota waterfowl hunters. We also differentiate how experiences relate to satisfaction for more avid and less avid hunters, differentiated by self-reported importance of the activity. Seeing ducks in the field was important to satisfaction for both avidity groups. Bagging ducks each day in the field was more important to satisfaction for less avid hunters, while bagging a lot of ducks over the season and attracting ducks with decoys were more important to the satisfaction of more avid hunters. The methods that we employ here illuminate differences between explicit and implicit motivations for participation in waterfowl hunting, clarify factors crucial to satisfaction, and identify asymmetric influences of experiences on satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

Minnesota↗
USGS2019

Applying spatially explicit capture–recapture models to estimate black bear density in South Carolina

Population density is an important component of wildlife management decisions, but can be difficult to estimate directly for an itinerant, wide‐ranging species such as the American black bear ( Ursus americanus ). In South Carolina, USA, where there has been growth in black bear populations and bear–human‐conflict reports during the past several decades, managers need robust estimates of population size to inform management strategies. We used maximum‐likelihood capture–recapture models, using hair snares to collect DNA samples, to estimate density and abundance for a harvested population of black bear in northwestern South Carolina during 2013 to 2014. Models were tested in a spatially explicit framework using the secr package in Program R. Black bear density was estimated at 0.133 bears/km 2 (SE = 0.034) in 2013 and 0.179 bears/km 2 (SE = 0.043) in 2014. Black bear abundance in our study area was estimated to be 586 bears (SE = 95) in 2013 and 680 bears (SE = 128) in 2014, which are 2–3‐fold lower than previous estimates. We suggest that these estimates be considered a baseline for state biologists to employ in the population's management and in developing future harvest‐regulation strategies. Overall our study highlighted the potential for model choice to influence density estimates, and we concluded that spatially explicit models were appropriate for this study because geographic closure could not be assumed.

south Carolina↗
USGS2019

Using morphological measurements to predict subspecies of Midcontinent sandhill cranes

The Midcontinent population of sandhill cranes ( Antigone canadensis ) has historically been classified into 3 putative subspecies, but genetic analyses have identified only 2 genetically distinct subspecies. Previous studies have successfully used morphometrics in combination with an individual's sex to differentiate subspecies of sandhill cranes that had been inferred based on breeding area, but no study has used a sample of genetically determined subspecies to discriminate and develop predictive models. Using measurements from 843 adult sandhill cranes captured throughout their range and annual cycle (in 4 States and 1 Canadian province during 1998–2007), we used linear discriminant analysis to classify genetically identified A. c. canadensis (lesser) and A. c. tabida (greater) sandhill crane subspecies, and developed a field‐ready tool to predict subspecies using common morphometric measurements without determination of an individual's sex. Our top‐ranked model was 89.5% accurate overall, and used flattened wing chord, total culmen, and tarsometatarsus lengths to correctly identify 93.1% of A. c. canadensis and 82.8% of A. c. tabida subspecies. Additionally, we identified measurement thresholds based on posterior probabilities of correct classification to aid in subspecies determination when the linear discriminant procedure provided equivocal results. We also investigated whether sex determination could increase accuracy of our top‐ranked model, and found that accuracy increased <1% when including this information. We suggest collection of the morphometric measurements used in our top‐ranked model to determine subspecies of adult Midcontinent sandhill cranes. Our method does not require determining sex of the individual to correctly classify subspecies, allows for accurate and rapid subspecies determination, and can largely avoid additional costs and time associated with genetic analyses to determine subspecies. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.

Wildlife Society Bulletin↗
USGS2020

Mule deer habitat selection following vegetation thinning treatments in New Mexico

Mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) survival and population growth in north-central New Mexico, USA, was previously reported to be limited by nutritional constraints due to poor forage conditions in degraded habitats. Management recommendations suggested thinning of pinyon–juniper to improve habitat quality for mule deer. To evaluate the influence of these vegetation treatments, we monitored habitat selection by 48 adult female mule deer from 2011 to 2013 in a population previously reported to be nutritionally limited. Monitoring occurred 1–4 years after completion of treatments that were intended to improve forage conditions, including mechanical reduction of pinyon pine ( Pinus edulis ) and juniper ( Juniperus spp.) density and senescent brush ( Quercus gambelii–Cercocarpus montanus ) cover. During the summer season, deer selected recently treated areas, but odds ratios decreased with treatment age. However, during winter, deer avoided more recently treated areas and selected thinned areas >4 years old. Deer selected mixed oak ( Quercus spp.) and pinyon–juniper savanna vegetation cover types with a moderately open canopy and ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa ) forests while avoiding grasslands and montane shrublands across all seasons. Deer selected areas closer to water and developed areas, northeast aspects, on gentle slopes, and at lower elevations. Creating a savanna-like cover type may elicit a positive deer response as a result of their strong avoidance of dense, closed canopy pinyon–juniper woodlands. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.

New Mexico↗
USGS2020

Ratcheting up rigor in wildlife management decision making

The wildlife management institution has been transforming to ensure relevance and positive conservation outcomes into the future. Continuous improvement of decision making is one aspect of this transformation, but many obstacles hinder systematic approaches to decision making. One can point to examples of formal decision science applications by state and federal agencies in the United States, but generally decision making is not as methodical as the biological, ecological, or social sciences that inform wildlife policy and management decisions. We describe our observations — based on first-hand experiences — with decision making in wildlife management, present reasons why making decisions is difficult, identify challenges faced by wildlife managers at various levels of governance, and address measures wildlife managers can employ to overcome these challenges. We acknowledge that no panacea, simple recipe or one-size-fits-all prescription exists for wildlife management decision making. Nevertheless, we hope the combination of (a) describing how a systematic framework for decision making can benefit stakeholders, managers and conservation outcomes and (b) providing specific suggestions for such a framework will encourage agencies to continue taking steps to improve decision making processes.

Wildlife Society Bulletin↗
USGS2020

Noose carpets: A novel method to capture rails

Avian research may require investigators to capture birds for many reasons, including to collect measurements and attach leg bands or transmitters. The effectiveness and efficiency of capture techniques varies by species, habitat, and time of year. Rails are particularly challenging to capture because of their secretive behavior and the dense vegetation they inhabit. As such, basic natural history questions for many rail species remain unanswered. We paired audio lures with modified noose carpets to capture and study 69 Yuma Ridgway's rails ( Rallus obsoletus yumanensis ) in the southwestern United States during 2016–2018. We compared results with other more commonly used capture methods, and our results show that noose carpets paired with audio lures can be an effective tool to capture rails, thereby facilitating studies of their ecology and life history. Noose carpets are easy to use, cheap to build and maintain, and effective over a wide range of conditions. This method could be used to capture rails other than the Yuma Ridgway's rail by adjusting the noose size, noose line weight, and audio lures to match the target species. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Arizona, California↗
USGS2020

Gene transcript profiling in desert bighorn sheep

Respiratory disease is a key factor affecting the conservation and recovery of bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ) populations. Innovative, minimally invasive tools such as gene transcription–based diagnostics have the potential to improve our understanding of the broad range of factors that can affect the health of wild sheep. Evaluation of transcript levels for genes representative of multiple internal systems enables measurement of physiological responses of individuals as well as populations to environmental stressors such as pathogens, nutritional deficiency, or contaminants. We developed real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays for 14 genes of interest representing systems including inflammation, cell signaling, detoxification, antiviral, antibacterial, or general stress. Initial results from desert bighorn sheep ( O. c. nelsoni ) sampled from the River, Muddy, and Bare mountains as well as from the Pintwater Range, in southern Nevada, USA, indicated unique transcript profiles associated with each population. This initial study provides the framework from which controlled variable or longitudinal studies can be made, thus augmenting the potential to inform management actions in the future.

Nevada↗
USGS2012

Population size of island loggerhead shrikes on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands

Island loggerhead shrikes ( Lanius ludovicianus anthonyi ) are an endemic, genetically distinct subspecies of loggerhead shrike on California's Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Santa Catalina Islands (USA). This subspecies is listed as a Species of Special Concern by the California Department of Fish and Game and has been petitioned for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. The combination of suspected low numbers and the possibility of federal listing, prompted us to undertake a study to rigorously estimate the number of remaining individuals on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands. During the 2009 and 2010 breeding seasons, we surveyed sample units on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands using a double‐observer method with independent observers to estimate joint detection probabilities ( p ), where we selected units under a stratified random sampling design. We estimated shrike abundance to be 169 in 2009 ( p = 0.476) and 240 in 2010 ( p = 0.825) for Santa Rosa Island, and 35 in 2009 ( p = 0.816) and 42 in 2010 ( p = 0.710) for Santa Cruz Island. These numbers, especially for Santa Rosa Island, are higher than previously reported but nevertheless are still low. Rapid vegetation change on both islands due to recent removal of nonnative herbivores may threaten the habitat and status of this subspecies and, therefore, we suggest that intensive demographic and habitat use research be initiated immediately to obtain additional information vital for the management of this subspecies.

California↗
USGS2020

Using ultrasonic acoustics to detect cryptic flying squirrels: Effects of season and habitat suitability

New technologies allow for more efficient and effective monitoring of rare or elusive species. However, standardizing protocol to ensure high detection rates is important prior to widespread use of a new technique. The use of ultrasonic acoustic detectors to survey for flying squirrels ( Glaucomys spp.) is a novel method that is more efficient than traditional methods. However, certain methodologies for this technique still need to be refined. During 2015, we conducted a seasonal and habitat quality study on the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel ( G. sabrinus coloratus ) in western North Carolina, USA. Our seasonal study examined differences in probability of detection (POD) and latency to detection (LTD) at 30 high-quality sites across 10 survey nights in spring, summer, and autumn. The habitat quality study focused on POD and LTD among 15 sites with varying habitat quality (5 High, 5 Medium, 5 Low) across 20 survey nights. We found POD similar between seasons, with POD 15–20% greater during spring. The LTD was comparable among seasons. We found that POD and LTD varied at sites with different habitat quality. The POD was similar between High and Medium sites (0.26 ± 0.04 SE and 0.29 ± 0.05, respectively), but greater than Low sites (0.02 ± 0.02). The LTD was not different among sites with differing habitat quality, although LTD at High sites was 2.7 and 4.5 times lower than Medium and Low sites, respectively. Trill calls, the most distinctive species-specific call type produced by species of flying squirrels, was recorded at greater rates in spring versus other times of the year. Our results indicate flying squirrels can be surveyed during any season, although habitat quality needs to be considered when determining survey length. For Carolina northern flying squirrel, the optimal time to perform acoustic surveys is during the spring season for 6–10 survey nights at sites with high or medium habitat quality.

North Carolina↗
USGS2020

Understanding sportsperson retention and reactivation through license purchasing behavior

Most state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies have access to important information about patterns in sportsperson participation through their license databases. Using transaction data from Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's electronic hunting and fishing license system, we tracked license purchases of Nebraska, USA, resident license holders in 2010 through 2017. We categorized sportspersons by gender and yearly purchases as hunting only (Hunter), fishing only (Angler), a combination of hunting and fishing (Hunter–Angler), or no purchases (Inactive). The probability of movement among active sportsperson groups was limited and varied little based on initial group participation. The Angler group had the greatest probability of an individual transitioning to the Inactive group (females = 0.39; males = 0.33). The Hunter–Angler group had the greatest probability of an individual remaining within the same group (females = 0.65; males = 0.76). There was a relatively low probability of an individual in the Hunter group moving to the Angler group and vice versa (≤0.02). The sportsperson population is dynamic and understanding patterns of sportsperson participation is important for the future of fish and wildlife management in North America. Using data readily available to most fish and wildlife agencies has the potential to significantly improve our understanding of hunter and angler participation and aid management agencies and conservation organizations in the development of more effective strategies for managing sportspersons. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.

Wildlife Society Bulletin↗
USGS2020

Using a bayesian multistate occupancy model to assess seabird and shorebird status in Glacier Bay, Alaska

The U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service is charged with both monitoring avian communities and evaluating the influence of visitors to National Parks on sensitive species; however, this task is challenging considering that sampling programs often involve multiple species, each with differing behavior, habitat requirements, and detectability. Our objectives were to build a model to describe the status of waterbirds in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, USA, and assess effects of area closures on these species. We used a Bayesian multistate occupancy model to describe the status of multiple species and make the best possible use of existing survey data. We modeled up to 5 states per species and evaluated predictors of occupancy, nesting, and abundance, as well as survey-related predictors of state-dependent detection probability. We found that occupancy probability varied across species and habitats (islands vs. glacial outwashes). For most species, occupancy probability was substantially greater at sites occupied in the year previous (site persistence). We found weak evidence that area closures affected the occurrence of species in the study, but this was largely because most sites were closed for the entirety of the study period. The probability of detecting occurrence, nesting, and abundance varied across species and survey methods (ground vs. vessel). Detection parameters provided valuable information for enhancing the efficiency of future surveys, by identifying preferred survey methods and sampling periods for specific waterbird species. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.

Alaska↗
USGS2020

Gambel’s quail survey variability and implications for survey design in the Mohave Desert

Careful design of a wildlife population monitoring strategy is necessary to obtain accurate and precise results whether the purpose of the survey is development of habitat suitability models, to estimate abundance, or assess site occupancy. Important characteristics to consider in survey design are sources of elevated variability, particularly within‐subject variability, which increases the amount of data needed to achieve statistical certainty either in terms of population trend analysis, hypothesis testing, or statistical power. However, alternative objectives, such as associating counts with habitat characteristics, may benefit from increased variation among counts when differences covary with habitat measures. This difference can result in competing needs when developing survey protocols. We investigated the relative precision of differing gamebird monitoring protocols to identify methods with the greatest statistical efficiency. We assessed call‐count transects using standard Breeding Bird Survey protocols (Passive call‐counts) and modified by including longer survey periods and call playback (Active call‐counts), autonomous recording units with supervised call detection (ARU‐recorded calls), camera traps, and roadside covey‐counts for Gambel's quail ( Callipepla gambelii ) in the Mojave Desert (CA, USA) during the spring of 2016. Active call‐counts had the lowest within‐site variation relative to estimated population index values, but Passive call‐count transects may be more efficient for some purposes because more survey stations can be completed within a single survey timeframe. The ARU‐recorded calls may provide a suitable alternative despite larger sample size needs, especially for occupancy surveys because multiple units can be deployed concurrently. The ultimate sample size required will depend on specific study objectives and scope of interest, but camera traps and breeding‐season covey counts are not likely to meet objectives in desert environments.

California↗
USGS2020

Validating deployment of aerially delivered toxic bait cartridges for control of invasive brown treesnakes

Aerial application of management tools can provide a cost‐effective means to conserve or control wildlife populations at the landscape scale. Large spatial scales, however, present difficulties when assessing in situ reliability and integrity of the devices themselves. We demonstrate application of a distance‐sampling density estimation approach to assess the performance of a newly developed toxicant bait system for the control of invasive brown treesnakes ( Boiga irregularis ). Bait cartridges were designed to open in flight to expose the toxicant‐laced bait and tangle in the forest canopy via a plastic ribbon component. Following application of 12,686 bait cartridges from an automated aerial delivery system over a 55‐ha site on Guam, USA, we employed distance sampling techniques to evaluate cartridge performance. We performed 22 line‐transect surveys for a total distance of 10.3 km, during which we recorded all observations of unopened bait cartridges, instances in which the ribbon did not remain attached to the cartridge capsule (i.e., ribbon failure), and carcasses of brown treesnakes and nontarget species. Too few undeployed bait cartridges ( n = 6), brown treesnake carcasses ( n = 1), or nontarget carcasses ( n = 0) were observed during surveys to support additional analysis. We detected 299 instances of ribbon failure. Using standard distance‐sampling analyses, we estimate that ribbon failure occurred in 3,376 ± 351 (estimate ± SE; 95% CL = 2,746–4,150) cartridges or 21.6–32.7% of the total applied. Our results demonstrate the utility of distance‐sampling density estimation techniques to validate performance and reliability of aerially applied management tools.

Wildlife Society Bulletin↗
USGS2020

Testing a new passive acoustic recording unit to monitor wolves

As part of a broader trial of noninvasive methods to research wild wolves ( Canis lupus ) in Minnesota, USA, we explored whether wolves could be remotely monitored using a new, inexpensive, remotely deployable, noninvasive, passive acoustic recording device, the AudioMoth. We tested the efficacy of AudioMoths in detecting wolf howls and factors influencing detection by placing them at set distances from a captive wolf pack and compared those recordings with real‐time, on‐site howling data between 22 May and 17 June 2019. We identified 1,531 vocalizations grouped into 428 vocal events (236 solo howl series and 192 chorus howls). The on‐site AudioMoth correctly recorded 100% of chorus and solo howls that were also documented in real‐time. The remote array detected 49.5% of chorus and 11.9% of solo howls (≥1 unit detected the event). The closest remote AudioMoth (0.54 km, 0.33 mi) detected 37% of choruses and 8.9% of solo howls. Chorus howls (9.4%) were detected at the farthest unit (3.2 km, 2.0 mi). Favorable wind (carrying source howls to the remote units) and calm (no wind) conditions increased detectability and detection distance of chorus howls. Temperature was inversely related to detection. Given the detection distances we observed, AudioMoths are probably useful in studying specific sites during periods when wolves move less frequently (e.g., during late spring and summer at homesites or potentially during winter at kill sites of very large prey). AudioMoths would also be useful in a passive sampling array (e.g., occupancy studies), especially when used in concert with other methods such as camera‐trapping. Additional research should be conducted in areas with different environmental variables (e.g., wind, temperature, habitat, topography) to determine performance under varying conditions and also when fitted with a parabolic dish.

Minnesota↗