Publications
USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center staff publish results of their research in USGS series reports and in peer-reviewed journals. Publication links are below. Information on all USGS publications can be found at the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Filter Total Items: 1934
Effects of shrub coverages on birds of North Dakota mixed-grass prairies Effects of shrub coverages on birds of North Dakota mixed-grass prairies
We studied the distribution and density of passerine birds in relation to Wolfberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) and Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata) shrub coverages on mixed-grass prairies of central North Dakota. Birds were counted along shrubby and shrubless transects during the 1982 breeding season. Species richness and total density of birds were greater on shrubby transects. Five...
Authors
T.W. Arnold, K.F. Higgins
Western Stump Lake, a major canvasback staging area in eastern North Dakota Western Stump Lake, a major canvasback staging area in eastern North Dakota
Large numbers of waterfowl, especially canvasback (Aythya valisineria), used Western Stump Lake as a staging area during most of October 1985. Selection of the lake as a conditioning site by this species likely is caused by extensive, shallow-water beds of sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) and lack of human disturbance. A brief limnological and historical account of the lake is...
Authors
H.A. Kantrud
Molt chronology of northern pintails in California Molt chronology of northern pintails in California
Intensity and chronology of molt in 10 feather groups (head, neck, breast, belly, back, rump, side, scapular, tertial, and tail) were measured using percentages of developing feathers (pinfeathers) converted to molt scores (0-100) in samples plucked monthly from northern pintails (Anas acuta) collected by shooting from August through March 1980-82 in the Sacramento Valley, California...
Authors
Michael R. Miller
Nest sites of ducks in grazed mixed-grass prairie in North Dakota Nest sites of ducks in grazed mixed-grass prairie in North Dakota
Habitat use and nesting success of seven species of dabbling ducks were evaluated in five vegetative associations within grazed mixed-grass prairie in central North Dakota. During 1976-80, 548 nests were found on 412 ha of grazed prairie for an annual average density of 27 nests/100 ha. Numbers of nests found ranged from 1/100 ha in 1977 (a drought year) to 58/100 ha in 1979 (a very wet...
Authors
Harold F. Duebbert, J. T. Lokemoen, D.E. Sharp
Waterfowl nesting on an earth-filled cement culvert Waterfowl nesting on an earth-filled cement culvert
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
K.F. Higgins, H.W. Miller, L.M. Kirsch
Potential impacts of agricultural chemicals on waterfowl and other wildlife inhabiting prairie wetlands: An evaluation of research needs and approaches Potential impacts of agricultural chemicals on waterfowl and other wildlife inhabiting prairie wetlands: An evaluation of research needs and approaches
The potential for agricultural chemicals to enter prairie-pothole wetlands and impact wildlife dependent on these wetlands for survival and reproduction appears to be great. However, the actual risk to wetland wildlife from the inputs of these chemicals cannot be adequately assessed at this time, because of insufficient data. Available data on the use of pesticides in the prairie-pothole...
Authors
C.E. Grue, L.R. DeWeese, P. Mineau, G.A. Swanson, J.R. Foster, P.M. Arnold, J.N. Huckins, P.J. Sheenan, W.K. Marshall, A.P. Ludden
Further evaluation of duck nesting on small man-made islands in North Dakota Further evaluation of duck nesting on small man-made islands in North Dakota
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
K.F. Higgins
Effects of vegetation manipulation on breeding waterfowl in prairie wetlands--a literature review Effects of vegetation manipulation on breeding waterfowl in prairie wetlands--a literature review
Literature on the effects of fire and grazing on the wetlands used by breeding prairie waterfowl is reviewed. Both dabbling and diving ducks and their broods prefer wetlands with openings in the marsh canopy. Decreased use is commonly associated with decreased habitat heterogeneity caused by tall, robust hydrophytes such as Typha spp. and other species adapted to form monotypes in the...
Authors
H.A. Kantrud
Evaluation of a mallard productivity model Evaluation of a mallard productivity model
A stochastic model of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) productivity has been developed over a 10-year period and successfully applied to several management questions. Here we review the model and describe some recent uses and improvements that increase its realism and applicability, including naturally occurring changes in wetland habitat, catastrophic weather events, and the migrational...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, L.M. Cowardin, D. W. Sparling
Spring and summer survival of female mallards from northcentral Minnesota Spring and summer survival of female mallards from northcentral Minnesota
Seasonal survival of 109 adult female mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) fitted with radio transmitters was evaluated in northcentral Minnesota during 1968-74. Survival rates for the 169-day breeding and postbreeding period were: 1.0 during nest initiation (36 days), 0.798 during incubation (28 days), 0.943 during brood rearing (51 days), 0.947 during molt (26 days), and 1.0 during...
Authors
Ronald E. Kirby, Lewis M. Cowardin
Comparison of wetland drainage during and after protection by 20-year easements Comparison of wetland drainage during and after protection by 20-year easements
We determined drainage rates for wetlands in North and South Dakota with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 20-year easements, during (1961-1980) and after (1981-1984) contract protection. Average annual drainage rates were 10 times higher during the four postcontract years than during the 20 contract years on the same tracts of land. Twenty-year easements only delayed wetland drainage, and...
Authors
K.F. Higgins, R.O. Woodward
Commercial sunflowers: food for red foxes in North Dakota Commercial sunflowers: food for red foxes in North Dakota
No abstract available.
Authors
A.B. Sargeant, S.H. Allen, J. P. Fleskes