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: 1930
Waterfowl nesting on an earth-filled cement culvert Waterfowl nesting on an earth-filled cement culvert
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
K.F. Higgins, H.W. Miller, L.M. Kirsch
Potential impacts of agricultural chemicals on waterfowl and other wildlife inhabiting prairie wetlands: An evaluation of research needs and approaches Potential impacts of agricultural chemicals on waterfowl and other wildlife inhabiting prairie wetlands: An evaluation of research needs and approaches
The potential for agricultural chemicals to enter prairie-pothole wetlands and impact wildlife dependent on these wetlands for survival and reproduction appears to be great. However, the actual risk to wetland wildlife from the inputs of these chemicals cannot be adequately assessed at this time, because of insufficient data. Available data on the use of pesticides in the prairie-pothole...
Authors
C.E. Grue, L.R. DeWeese, P. Mineau, G.A. Swanson, J.R. Foster, P.M. Arnold, J.N. Huckins, P.J. Sheenan, W.K. Marshall, A.P. Ludden
Further evaluation of duck nesting on small man-made islands in North Dakota Further evaluation of duck nesting on small man-made islands in North Dakota
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
K.F. Higgins
Effects of vegetation manipulation on breeding waterfowl in prairie wetlands--a literature review Effects of vegetation manipulation on breeding waterfowl in prairie wetlands--a literature review
Literature on the effects of fire and grazing on the wetlands used by breeding prairie waterfowl is reviewed. Both dabbling and diving ducks and their broods prefer wetlands with openings in the marsh canopy. Decreased use is commonly associated with decreased habitat heterogeneity caused by tall, robust hydrophytes such as Typha spp. and other species adapted to form monotypes in the...
Authors
H.A. Kantrud
Evaluation of a mallard productivity model Evaluation of a mallard productivity model
A stochastic model of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) productivity has been developed over a 10-year period and successfully applied to several management questions. Here we review the model and describe some recent uses and improvements that increase its realism and applicability, including naturally occurring changes in wetland habitat, catastrophic weather events, and the migrational...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, L.M. Cowardin, D. W. Sparling
Spring and summer survival of female mallards from northcentral Minnesota Spring and summer survival of female mallards from northcentral Minnesota
Seasonal survival of 109 adult female mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) fitted with radio transmitters was evaluated in northcentral Minnesota during 1968-74. Survival rates for the 169-day breeding and postbreeding period were: 1.0 during nest initiation (36 days), 0.798 during incubation (28 days), 0.943 during brood rearing (51 days), 0.947 during molt (26 days), and 1.0 during...
Authors
Ronald E. Kirby, Lewis M. Cowardin
Comparison of wetland drainage during and after protection by 20-year easements Comparison of wetland drainage during and after protection by 20-year easements
We determined drainage rates for wetlands in North and South Dakota with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 20-year easements, during (1961-1980) and after (1981-1984) contract protection. Average annual drainage rates were 10 times higher during the four postcontract years than during the 20 contract years on the same tracts of land. Twenty-year easements only delayed wetland drainage, and...
Authors
K.F. Higgins, R.O. Woodward
Commercial sunflowers: food for red foxes in North Dakota Commercial sunflowers: food for red foxes in North Dakota
No abstract available.
Authors
A.B. Sargeant, S.H. Allen, J. P. Fleskes
Post fledging behavior of ferruginous hawks in North Dakota Post fledging behavior of ferruginous hawks in North Dakota
Post-fledging activities of 18 Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) were studied in southcentral North Dakota during July and August 1979. The post-fledging period ranged from 10 to 40 d (mean = 23.1 d; N = 16). Haylands and native prairie grasslands were the principal land use types utilized by fledglings and adults. Mortality of young during post-fledging was 11% (N = 2).
Authors
P.M. Konrad, D.S. Gilmer
An evaluation of condition indices for birds An evaluation of condition indices for birds
A Lipid Index, the ratio of fat to fat-free dry weight, is proposed as a measure of fat stores in birds. The estimation of the index from field measurements of live birds is illustrated with data on the sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) and greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons). Of the various methods of assessing fat stores, lipid extraction is the most accurate but also the most...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, Gary L. Krapu, Kenneth J. Reinecke, Dennis G. Jorde
Evaluation of marked-recapture for estimating striped skunk abundance Evaluation of marked-recapture for estimating striped skunk abundance
The mark-recapture method for estimating striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) abundance was evaluated by systematically livetrapping a radio-equipped population on a 31.4-km2 study area in North Dakota during late April of 1977 and 1978. The study population was 10 females and 13 males in 1977 and 20 females and 8 males in 1978. Skunks were almost exclusively nocturnal. Males traveled...
Authors
Raymond J. Greenwood, Alan B. Sargeant, Douglas H. Johnson
American coot habitat in North Dakota American coot habitat in North Dakota
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
H.A. Kantrud