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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: 1962

Breeding canvasbacks: a test of a habitat model Breeding canvasbacks: a test of a habitat model

Schroeder (1984) proposed a habitat suitability model for breeding canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) based on the size, water regime, and emergent vegetation of wetlands. We evaluated the model with data from surveys of canvasbacks on 2265 wetlands in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. The model proved inadequate as a predictor of canvasback pair density; the correlation between...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, M.C. Hammond, T. L. McDonald, C.L. Nustad

An empirical Bayes approach to analyzing recurring animal surveys An empirical Bayes approach to analyzing recurring animal surveys

Recurring estimates of the size of animal populations are often required by biologists of wildlife managers. Because of cost or other constraints, estimates frequently lack the accuracy desired but cannot readily be improved by additional sampling. This report proposes a statistical method employing empirical Bayes (EB) estimators as alternatives to those customarily used to estimate...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson

Least squares estimation of avian molt rates Least squares estimation of avian molt rates

A straightforward least squares method of estimating the rate at which birds molt feathers is presented, suitable for birds captured more than once during the period of molt. The date of molt onset can also be estimated. The method is applied to male and female mourning doves.
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson

Body weight and composition dynamics of fall migrating canvasbacks Body weight and composition dynamics of fall migrating canvasbacks

We studied body weights and composition of canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) during fall migration 1975-77 on stopover sites along the upper Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wisconsin (Navigational Pools 7 and 8) and Keokuk, Iowa (Navigational Pool 19). Body weights varied (P 0.001) by age and sex without interaction. Weights varied by year (P 0.001) on Pools 7 and 8. Mean weights...
Authors
J.R. Serie, D.E. Sharp

Effects of fire in the Northern Great Plains Effects of fire in the Northern Great Plains

This publication is a review of selected literature about prescribed burning in the Northern Great Plains (NGP) for management of wildlife. It also will be useful to other resource managers and researchers and to persons interested in the NGP. It is more 'descriptive' than 'interpretative.'The publication is a joint effort of the South Dakota State Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research...
Authors
Kenneth F. Higgins, Arnold D. Kruse, James L. Piehl

Accumulation of lead and organochlorine residues in captive American kestrels fed pine voles from apple orchards Accumulation of lead and organochlorine residues in captive American kestrels fed pine voles from apple orchards

Pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) were collected from pesticide-treated orchards in New York and fed to 3 captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius) for 60 days to evaluate potential hazards from soil-borne persistent insecticides. Three control kestrels were fed uncontaminated laboratory mice (Mus musculus). The pine voles contained an average of 38 ppm lead, 48 ppm DDE and 1.2 ppm...
Authors
Rey C. Stendell, W. Nelson Beyer, Robert A. Stehn

Agricultural chemicals and prairie pothole wetlands: Meeting the needs of the resource and the farmer -- U.S. perspective Agricultural chemicals and prairie pothole wetlands: Meeting the needs of the resource and the farmer -- U.S. perspective

Included are the reasons for concern over the effects of agrichemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) on prairie-pothole wetlands in the United States. Summarized are the results of studies conducted to date on this topic. Identified is additional research needed to assess the impacts of agrichemicals on these wetlands. Included is a discussion of management strategies and initiatives...
Authors
C.E. Grue, M.W. Tome, T.A. Messmer, D.B. Henry, G.A. Swanson, L.R. DeWeese

Prairie basin wetlands of the Dakotas: a community profile Prairie basin wetlands of the Dakotas: a community profile

This description of prairie basin wetlands of the Dakotas is part of a series of community profiles on ecologically important wetlands of national significance. The shallow wetlands of the Dakotas form the bulk of the portion of the Prairie Pothole Region lying within the United States. This region is famous as the producer of at least half of North America's waterfowl and an unknown...
Authors
H.A. Kantrud, Gary L. Krapu, G.A. Swanson

Estimating carcass fat and protein in northern pintails during the nonbreeding season Estimating carcass fat and protein in northern pintails during the nonbreeding season

I used northern pintails (Anas acuta) collected from August through March 1979-82 in the Sacramento Valley, California to derive equations to predict ether-extracted carcass fat, carcass protein, and skeletal lean dry weight. Ether-extracted carcass fat was best predicted by total fat depot weight (wet skin, abdominal fat, and intestinal fat) (r2 = 0.94) and estimates based on carcass...
Authors
Michael R. Miller
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