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
The usefulness of GPS telemetry to study wolf circadian and social activity The usefulness of GPS telemetry to study wolf circadian and social activity
This study describes circadian and social movement patterns of 9 wolves and illustrates capabilities and limitations of Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry for analysis of animal activity patterns. Global Positioning System telemetry was useful in determining when pack members were traveling together or apart and how long a breeding female wolf spent near her pups (e.g., 10-month...
Authors
Samuel B. Merrill, L. David Mech
American avocet nesting on constructed islands in North Dakota American avocet nesting on constructed islands in North Dakota
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
A.L. Dahl, Douglas H. Johnson, L.D. Igl, K.L. Baer, M. A. Johnson, R. E. Reynolds
Conclusion Conclusion
Wolves can live almost anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, and almost everywhere they do, they are an issue. In the vast emptiness of the northern tundra or the Arabian desert, on the outskirts of a European town or in the safety of an American national park, in meager agricultural lands in India or in mountains in rich Norway or Switzerland, wolves always attract people’s attention...
Authors
L. David Mech, Luigi Boitani
Den site activity patterns of adult male and female swift foxes, Vulpes velox, in northwestern Texas Den site activity patterns of adult male and female swift foxes, Vulpes velox, in northwestern Texas
Activity of Swift Foxes (Vulpes velox) at den sites was studied in northwestern Texas during pup rearing seasons in 2000 and 2001 to determine role of males in parental care. Twenty-four percent of radio-collared females with a potential to breed successfully raised pups to eight weeks of age. We intensively monitored presence and absence of male and female Swift Foxes at two den sites...
Authors
Patrick R. Lemons, Warren B. Ballard, Robert M. Sullivan, Marsha A. Sovada
Breeding season of wolves, Canis lupus, in relation to latitude Breeding season of wolves, Canis lupus, in relation to latitude
A significant relationship was found between Wolf (Canis lupus) breeding dates and latitudes between 12 deg. and 80 deg. N, with Wolves breeding earlier at lower latitudes, probably because of differences in seasonality.
Authors
L. David Mech
Effects of management practices on wetland birds: Yellow Rail Effects of management practices on wetland birds: Yellow Rail
Information on the habitat requirements and effects of habitat management on wetland birds were summarized from information in more than 500 published and unpublished papers. A range map is provided to indicate the relative densities of the species in North America, based on Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data. Although the BBS may not capture the presence of elusive waterbird species, the...
Authors
Christopher M. Goldade, Jill A. Dechant, Douglas H. Johnson, Amy L. Zimmerman, Brent E. Jamison, James O. Church, Betty R. Euliss
A critique of wildlife radio-tracking and its use in National Parks: a report to the National Park Service A critique of wildlife radio-tracking and its use in National Parks: a report to the National Park Service
Because of the naturalness of National Parks and because of the public’s strong interest in the parks, the National Park Service (NPS) must gather as much information as needed to help understand and preserve the natural functioning of its ecosystems, and especially of its wildlife. The most useful technique for studying wildlife is radio-tracking, or wildlife telemetry. Radio-tracking...
Authors
L. David Mech, Shannon M. Barber
Records of northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, occurrences in North Dakota during the Twentieth Century Records of northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, occurrences in North Dakota during the Twentieth Century
The Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a common bird in the southern United States that has been expanding its breeding range into the northern United States and southern Canada. During the twentieth century, there were 128 reports of Northern Mockingbird occurrences in North Dakota, including 106 reports during the breeding season (15 April to 31 August) and 22 during the...
Authors
L.D. Igl, R.E. Martin
Evaluation of management practices in wetland meadows at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho, 1997-2000 Evaluation of management practices in wetland meadows at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho, 1997-2000
We assessed the relative values of 4 management practices (idle, late season grazing, fall prescribed burning, and rotation of idle and summer grazing) to biotic resources of the grassland-wetland meadow ecosystem at Grays Lake during 1997-2000. Three replicates of each treatment were randomly assigned to 12 experimental units that bordered the deep emergent marsh. Biotic factors...
Authors
J. E. Austin, W.H. Pyle, J.R. Keough, Douglas H. Johnson
Using aquatic invertebrates to delineate seasonal and temporary wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America Using aquatic invertebrates to delineate seasonal and temporary wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America
Tillage can destroy or greatly disturb indicators of hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation, making delineation of tilled wetlands difficult. The remains of aquatic invertebrates (e.g., shells, drought-resistant eggs, and trichopteran cases) are easily identifiable and persist in wetland substrates even when wetlands are dry. Additionally, these remains are not easily destroyed by...
Authors
Ned H. Euliss, David M. Mushet, Douglas H. Johnson
Breeding season of Wolves, Canis lupus, in relation to latitude Breeding season of Wolves, Canis lupus, in relation to latitude
A significant relationship was found between Wolf (Canis lupus) breeding dates and latitudes between 12?? and 80??N, with Wolves breeding earlier at lower latitudes, probably because of differences in seasonality.
Authors
L.D. Mech
The importance of replication in wildlife research The importance of replication in wildlife research
Wildlife ecology and management studies have been widely criticized for deficiencies in design or analysis. Manipulative experiments--with controls, randomization, and replication in space and time--provide powerful ways of learning about natural systems and establishing causal relationships, but such studies are rare in our field. Observational studies and sample surveys are more common...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson