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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: 1964

Aquatic invertebrate ecology during a simulated botulism epizootic in a Sacramento Valley wetland Aquatic invertebrate ecology during a simulated botulism epizootic in a Sacramento Valley wetland

We investigated the effect of decomposing duck carcasses on aquatic invertebrate numbers, biomass, and taxonomic composition in a seasonally flooded, impounded wetland in the Sacramento Valley, California during August–November 1988 and 1989. Major invertebrate taxa were copepods (Cyclopoida, occurred in 8.3% of samples), water fleas (Daphnidae, 8.9%), water boatmen (Corisella, 10.4%)...
Authors
Jane M. Hicks, Ned H. Euliss, Stanley W. Harris

Population and movement characteristics of radio-collared striped skunks in North Dakota during an epizootic of rabies Population and movement characteristics of radio-collared striped skunks in North Dakota during an epizootic of rabies

We observed a total of 102 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) from March to July of both 1991 and 1992 in Stutsman County, North Dakota (USA) during an experiment with food supplementation. Twenty-three apparently healthy skunks in 1991 and 56 in 1992 were equipped with radio-collars. In 1991, one of the 23 was tested and found to be rabid. In 1992, 50 of 56 were tested; 35 (70%) were...
Authors
Raymond J. Greenwood, Wesley E. Newton, Gary L. Pearson, George J. Schamber

Wetland use, settling patterns, and recruitment in mallards Wetland use, settling patterns, and recruitment in mallards

The correlation between number of May ponds in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America and size of the continental mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) breeding population the following spring weakened from the 1950s to the 1980s, suggesting possible changes in suitability of prairie ponds for meeting reproductive needs. We studied wetland use and preferences of radioequipped female...
Authors
Gary L. Krapu, Raymond J. Greenwood, Chris P. Dwyer, Kathy M. Kraft, Lewis M. Cowardin

Occurrence of zebra mussels in near-shore areas of western Lake Erie Occurrence of zebra mussels in near-shore areas of western Lake Erie

We measured biomass, percent coverage, and length-frequency of zebra mussels in near-shore areas of western Lake Erie between 16 September and 10 November 1993 as part of a larger study on the ecological relationship between diving ducks and zebra mussels. Wet weight biomass of zebra mussels, determined by SCUBA diving, ranged from 0 to 3,611 g/m2 and averaged ( ± 1 SE) 1,270 ± 380 g/m2...
Authors
Christine M. Custer, T. W. Custer

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

An introduction to the Woodworth Study Area An introduction to the Woodworth Study Area

The Woodworth Study Area (WSA) was purchased by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) during the early 1960's as a waterfowl production area. Unlike most such areas, its primary purpose was not to provide waterfowl breeding habitat directly, but instead it was dedicated for use as a research area to develop information for better management of upland and wetland habitats. This article
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, Kenneth F. Higgins, Robert O. Woodward

Management of northern prairies and wetlands for the conservation of neotropical migratory birds Management of northern prairies and wetlands for the conservation of neotropical migratory birds

Grasslands and wetlands of the northern prairies provide important breeding habitat for a number of birds. Deciding which species deserve most attention in managing those habitats depends, in part, on the importance of the area to the species. Many species in northern prairies are more common elsewhere and need no special consideration in that area. Several species, however, are...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson
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