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: 1961
Lipid metabolites index habitat quality for Canvasbacks on stopover areas during spring migration Lipid metabolites index habitat quality for Canvasbacks on stopover areas during spring migration
Nutrients acquired by ducks on spring migratory stopover areas influence survival and subsequent reproduction. Accordingly, wetland loss and degradation on stopover areas can lead to reduced refueling efficiency and have demographic consequences. Lipid metabolite concentrations in blood provide a useful index of daily mass change in wild birds and can be used to make inferences about...
Authors
Andrew Bouton, Michael J. Anteau, Eric J. Smith, Heath Hagy, Joseph Lancasster, Christopher Jacques
Factors influencing autumn–winter movements of midcontinent Mallards and consequences for harvest and habitat management Factors influencing autumn–winter movements of midcontinent Mallards and consequences for harvest and habitat management
Annual phenology and distributions of migratory wildlife have been noticeably influenced by climate change, leading to concerns about sustainable populations. Recent studies exploring conditions influencing autumn migration departure have provided conflicting insights regarding factors influencing the movements of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), a popular game species. We determined...
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, M. Szymanski, Cynthia A. Anchor, Michael J. Anteau, Rocco J. Murano, David A. Brandt, Joshua D. Stafford
Submersed macrophyte density regulates aquatic greenhouse gas emissions Submersed macrophyte density regulates aquatic greenhouse gas emissions
Shallow freshwater ecosystems emit large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), yet emissions are highly variable. The role that aquatic macrophytes play in regulating aquatic GHG emissions is uncertain despite their ability to dominate shallow waterbodies. Here, we studied the effects of submersed macrophyte (Ceratophyllum demersum) density...
Authors
Meredith E. Theus, Nicholas E. Ray, Sheel Bansal, Meredith A. Holgerson
Climate-induced shifts in grassland bird nesting phenology have implications for grassland management Climate-induced shifts in grassland bird nesting phenology have implications for grassland management
Grasslands are among the most impacted ecosystems globally. In the midcontinent of North America, a > 80% loss of grasslands has made their conservation a major priority for resource managers. Grassland ecosystems evolved under periodic disturbances; consequently, grassland management often involves regular actions such as grazing, haying, or burning to maintain ecosystem integrity. The...
Authors
Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Garrett J. MacDonald, Lawrence Igl, Neal D. Niemuth, Josh Vest
Scenario-Based Decision Analysis: Integrated scenario planning and structured decision making for resource management under climate change Scenario-Based Decision Analysis: Integrated scenario planning and structured decision making for resource management under climate change
Managing resources under climate change is a high-stakes and daunting task, especially because climate change and associated complex biophysical responses engender sustained directional changes as well as abrupt transformations. This environmental non-stationarity challenges assumptions and expectations among scientists, managers, rights holders, and stakeholders. These challenges are...
Authors
Brian W. Miller, Mitchell J. Eaton, Amy Symstad, Gregor W. Schuurman, Imtiaz Rangwala, William R. Travis
Reimagining large river management using the Resist–Accept–Direct (RAD) framework in the Upper Mississippi River Reimagining large river management using the Resist–Accept–Direct (RAD) framework in the Upper Mississippi River
Background
Authors
Nicole K. Ward, Abigail J. Lynch, Erik A. Beever, Joshua Booker, Kristen L. Bouska, Holly Susan Embke, John F. Kocik, Joshua Kocik, Mary Grace T. Lemon, David J. Lawrence, Douglas Limpinsel, Madeline R. Magee, Bryan M. Maitland, Owen P. McKenna, Andrew R. Meier, John M. Morton, Jeffrey Muehlbauer, Robert Newman, Devon C. Oliver, Heidi M. Rantala, Greg G. Sass, Aaron D. Shultz, Laura M. Thompson, Jennifer L. Wilkening
Doing the same thing over and over again and getting the same result: Assessing variance in wetland invertebrate assemblages Doing the same thing over and over again and getting the same result: Assessing variance in wetland invertebrate assemblages
Past efforts to explain variation of invertebrate assemblages in freshwater wetlands have been less productive than anticipated. To explore why efforts are disappointing, we assembled large invertebrate data sets from North Dakota prairie potholes, California rock pools, and Georgia Carolina bay wetlands that addressed spatial (among wetlands) and temporal (among seasons and years)...
Authors
Sophie Reindl, Kyle I. McLean, Jamie M. Kneitel, Douglas A. Bell, Darold P. Batzer
Converting CRP grasslands to cropland, grazing land, or hayland: Effects on breeding bird abundances in the northern Great Plains of the United States Converting CRP grasslands to cropland, grazing land, or hayland: Effects on breeding bird abundances in the northern Great Plains of the United States
Recent declines of grassland bird populations in North America are linked to habitat loss and fragmentation associated with agricultural practices. One tool used to conserve soil, water and wildlife habitat on agricultural fields is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the largest agricultural conservation program in the United States. Managers and
Authors
Lawrence Igl, Deborah A. Buhl, Max Post van der Burg, Douglas H. Johnson
The challenges of success: Future wolf conservation and management in the United States The challenges of success: Future wolf conservation and management in the United States
Gray wolf (Canis lupus) recovery and conservation has been a remarkable success over the last 30 years in the United States. Remarkable success yields remarkable challenges, however. As populations expand, wolves will colonize more human-dominated landscapes and face numerous challenges, such as fragmented habitats, barriers to dispersal, and increased encounters with humans, pets, and...
Authors
David Edward Ausband, L. David Mech
Considering pollinators' ecosystem services in the remediation and restoration of contaminated lands: Overview of research and its gaps Considering pollinators' ecosystem services in the remediation and restoration of contaminated lands: Overview of research and its gaps
The concept of ecosystem services provides a useful framework for understanding how people are affected by changes to the natural environment, such as when a contaminant is introduced (e.g., oil spills, hazardous substance releases) or, conversely, when contaminated lands are remediated and restored. Pollination is one example of an important ecosystem service; pollinators play a...
Authors
James R. Meldrum, Diane L. Larson, Timothy B. Hoelzle, Jo Ellen Hinck
Geographic isolation reduces genetic diversity of a wide-ranging terrestrial vertebrate, Canis lupus Geographic isolation reduces genetic diversity of a wide-ranging terrestrial vertebrate, Canis lupus
Genetic diversity is theorized to decrease in populations closer to a species' range edge, where habitat may be suboptimal. Generalist species capable of long-range dispersal may maintain sufficient gene flow to counteract this, though the presence of significant barriers to dispersal (e.g., large water bodies, human-dominated landscapes) may still lead to, and exacerbate, the edge...
Authors
S.A. Frevol, D. R. MacNulty, M. C. Anderson, H. D. Cluff, L. David Mech, M. Musiani
Estimating population viability of the northern Great Plains piping plover population considering updated population structure, climate change, and intensive management Estimating population viability of the northern Great Plains piping plover population considering updated population structure, climate change, and intensive management
One challenge in wildlife conservation is understanding how various threats and management actions may influence long-term population viability. This is particularly evident when there is considerable uncertainty regarding population structure and vital rates. Reassessment of current knowledge and population trends is necessary for listed species to improve management actions that...
Authors
Rose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Garrett J. MacDonald, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. Toy