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
Coastal wetlands and climate change Coastal wetlands and climate change
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
G.R. Guntenspergen, B.A. Vairin, V.R. Burkett, D. McGrath
Natural thermal refugia for temperate warmwater stream fishes Natural thermal refugia for temperate warmwater stream fishes
The seasonal use of an Ozark spring branch by fishes was evaluated from January 1993 to January 1995. Temperatures in the spring branch were fairly constant, at 13.5 ± 1°C, and usually exceeded the temperature of a receiving stream during the November–March coldwater period. Black redhorse Moxostoma duquesnei, smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, shadow bass Ambloplites ariommus, and...
Authors
James T. Peterson, Charles F. Rabeni
Long-term declines in nest success of prairie ducks Long-term declines in nest success of prairie ducks
Increased predation on nests of ducks in prairie uplands, as a result of habitat alteration, has been hypothesized to cause decreased nest success and population sizes. We tested whether, and by how much, nest success declined using data compiled from 37 studies conducted between 1935 and 1992 at 67 sites in the Prairie Pothole Region of Canada and the United States. Nest success...
Authors
W.D. Beauchamp, Rolf R. Koford, Thomas D. Nudds, Robert G. Clark, Douglas H. Johnson
Habitat selection and productivity of least terns on the lower Platte River, Nebraska Habitat selection and productivity of least terns on the lower Platte River, Nebraska
Least terns (Sterna antillarum) were studied on the lower Platte River, Nebraska, where this endangered population nests on natural sandbar habitat and on sandpit sites created by gravel dredging adjacent to the river. Theoretically terns should select habitats according to habitat suitability. However, the introduction of sandpits and conversion of tallgrass prairies along the river...
Authors
Eileen M. Kirsch
Effects of a legal drain clean-out on wetlands and waterbirds: a recent case history Effects of a legal drain clean-out on wetlands and waterbirds: a recent case history
Repairs to legal drains in the United States may be regulated to protect adjacent wetlands under Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA). However, few studies have examined effects of legal drain clean-outs on adjacent wetlands and associated migratory waterbird populations. I compare water regimes, cover-to-open water ratios...
Authors
Gary L. Krapu
An updated comprehensive annotated list of the butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) occurring at Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge Complex Stutsman County, North Dakota 1995-1996 An updated comprehensive annotated list of the butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) occurring at Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge Complex Stutsman County, North Dakota 1995-1996
A project to produce a comprehensive, site-specific butterfly list that could serve as a basis for future monitoring of butterfly populations and as an aid in making management decisions for the area.
Authors
Ron Royer
Water-level fluctuation in wetlands as a function of landscape condition in the prairie pothole region Water-level fluctuation in wetlands as a function of landscape condition in the prairie pothole region
We evaluated water-level fluctuation (maximum water depth - minimum water depth/catchment size) in 12 temporary, 12 seasonal, and 12 semipermanent wetlands equally distributed among landscapes dominated by tilled agricultural lands and landscapes dominated by grassland. Water levels fluctuated an average of 14.14 cm in wetlands within tilled agricultural landscapes, while water levels in...
Authors
Ned H. Euliss, David M. Mushet
Effects of grazing and burning on densities and habitats of breeding ducks in North Dakota Effects of grazing and burning on densities and habitats of breeding ducks in North Dakota
Native grassland communities controlled by public agencies become increasingly important to the maintenance of many wildlife species as privately owned grasslands are destroyed or degraded for farming, mining, and development. In turn, wildlife on publicly owned grasslands are affected by the management techniques practiced by local managers. We studied the effects of grazing and...
Authors
Arnold D. Kruse, Bonnie S. Bowen
Evening flights of female northern pintails from a major roost site Evening flights of female northern pintails from a major roost site
We monitored evening flights of female Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) from Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in southwestern Louisiana during winters of 1991-1992 and 1992-1993. We analyzed the influence of female age, winter, and date within wintering period on three flight parameters: distance, duration, and departure time. Flight distance and duration increased with date within...
Authors
R. R. Cox, A. D. Afton
Using candlers to determine the incubation stage of passerine eggs Using candlers to determine the incubation stage of passerine eggs
Determining the incubation stage of bird eggs can provide important information to investigators conducting nesting studies. We describe the use of candlers in the field to determine the incubation stage in eggs of Lark Buntings (Calamospiza melanocorys) and other small birds with an incubation period of 11-13 d. Candling was accomplished easily using simple tools and did not involve the
Authors
John T. Lokemoen, Rolf R. Koford
Second record of white ibis in North Dakota Second record of white ibis in North Dakota
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
J.W. Marlow, L.D. Igl, M.R. Hartman