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: 1952
Statistical sirens: The allure of nonparametrics Statistical sirens: The allure of nonparametrics
Although nonparametric statistical methods have a role to play in the analysis of data, often their virtues are overstated and their deficiencies overlooked. A recent Special Feature in Ecology advocated nonparametric methods because of an erroneously stated advantage that they require no assumptions regarding the distribution underlying the observations. The present paper points out...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson
Global sea surface temperatures and associated long-range predictability of the northern hemisphere circulation and local climatological variables Global sea surface temperatures and associated long-range predictability of the northern hemisphere circulation and local climatological variables
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
E.C. Kung, J.G. Chern, D.E. Smith
Effect of a commonly-used nest marker on nest success of ducks in prairie Canada Effect of a commonly-used nest marker on nest success of ducks in prairie Canada
No abstract available.
Authors
R. J. Greenwood, A.B. Sargeant
Duck nest success in the prairie potholes Duck nest success in the prairie potholes
Since the early 1970's, the numbers of some waterfowl species such as mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), blue-winged teal (A. discors), and northern pintail (A. acuta) have reached or nearly reached the lowest ever recorded. Low nest success (the proportion of nests in which one or more eggs hatch) in key breeding areas, including the U.S. Prairie Pothole region, is partly responsible for...
Authors
Terry L. Shaffer, Wesley E. Newton
Modified transmitter attachment method for adult ducks Modified transmitter attachment method for adult ducks
The value of radio telemetry for waterfowl research depends on the availability of suitable methods of attaching transmitters. In previous studies, external transmitters attached to adult Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) with sutures and glue did not stay on birds reliably. In an attempt to improve transmitter retention, a method of attachment was tested in which 4-g transmitters were...
Authors
P.J. Pietz, D.A. Brandt, Gary L. Krapu, D. A. Buhl
Our living resources: A report to the nation on the distribution, abundance, and health of U.S. plants, animals, and ecosystems Our living resources: A report to the nation on the distribution, abundance, and health of U.S. plants, animals, and ecosystems
This report on the distribution, abundance, and health of our nation's biological resources is the first product of the National Biological Service’s Status and Trends Program. This information has many potential uses: it can document successful management efforts so resource managers will know what has worked well; it can identify problems so managers can take early action to restore...
Migratory bird population changes in North Dakota Migratory bird population changes in North Dakota
The status of migratory bird populations in North America has received increased attention in recent years. Much of this consideration has been on Neotropical migrants, especially those associated with eastern forests. The status of migratory bird populations in the Great Plains has received far less attention. During the past quarter-century, populations of many species of birds that...
Authors
Lawrence D. Igl, Douglas H. Johnson
Woody vegetation and channel morphogenesis in low-gradient, gravel-bed streams in the Ozarks Plateaus, Missouri and Arkansas Woody vegetation and channel morphogenesis in low-gradient, gravel-bed streams in the Ozarks Plateaus, Missouri and Arkansas
Woody vegetation affects channel morphogenesis in Ozark streams of Missouri and Arkansas by increasing local roughness, increasing bank strength, providing sedimentation sites, and creating obstructions to flow. Variations in physiographic controls on channel morphology result in systematic changes in vegetation patterns and geomorphic functions with increasing drainage basin area. In...
Authors
R. McKenney, R. B. Jacobson, R.C. Wertheimer
Valley Habitats: A technical guidance series for private land managers in California's Central Valley Valley Habitats: A technical guidance series for private land managers in California's Central Valley
No abstract available.
Authors
M. R. Miller, J. Fleskes, Michael L. Casazza, J. E. Austin
Seasonal predator removal relative to hatch rate of duck nests in waterfowl production areas Seasonal predator removal relative to hatch rate of duck nests in waterfowl production areas
These authors report that hatch rates of duck nests were related to removal of predators from waterfowl production areas. Cost effectiveness of such efforts is questioned. The prairie pothole region (PPR) is the primary breeding ground of several species of North American ducks (Bellrose 1980). Much habitat of breeding ducks in the PPR has been destroyed or degraded by intensive...
Authors
A.B. Sargeant, M.A. Sovada, T.L. Shaffer
How much habitat management is needed to meet mallard production objectives? How much habitat management is needed to meet mallard production objectives?
We used results from simulation models to demonstrate the benefit-cost ratios of habitat management to increase the number of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) recruits produced. The models were applied to hypothetical 2-habitat landscapes comprised of managed and unmanaged habitat. Managed habitats were predator barrier fencing and CRP cover; unmanaged habitat was grassland. As the amount of...
Authors
L.M. Cowardin, T.L. Shaffer, K.M. Kraft