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
Validating and evaluating models Validating and evaluating models
No abstract available.
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson
Habitat fragmentation effects on birds in grasslands: A critique of our knowledge Habitat fragmentation effects on birds in grasslands: A critique of our knowledge
Habitat fragmentation exacerbates problems due to habitat loss for grassland and wetland birds. Remaining patches of grassland and wetland may be too small, too isolated, and too influenced by edge effects to maintain viable populations of some breeding birds. Knowledge of the effects of fragmentation on bird populations is critically important for decisions about reserve design...
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson
Prevalence of giant kidney worm (Dioctophyma renale) in wild mink (Mustela vison) in Minnesota Prevalence of giant kidney worm (Dioctophyma renale) in wild mink (Mustela vison) in Minnesota
Of 138 wild mink (Mustela vison) from eastern Minnesota, 27% contained Dioctophyma renale, primarily in the right kidney. No significant difference between prevalence in adult male and immature male mink was found, nor between the prevalence in males versus female mink. Thirteen worms were found in one male mink, representing the highest documented infection intensity of a single wild...
Authors
L. David Mech, Shawn P. Tracy
A comprehensive review of observational and site evaluation data of migrant whooping cranes in the United States, 1943-1999 A comprehensive review of observational and site evaluation data of migrant whooping cranes in the United States, 1943-1999
This report is a comprehensive analysis of existing observational data (1943–99) and site evaluation data (1977–99) for locations used by whooping cranes (Grus americana) during migration through the United States portion of the Wood Buffalo–Aransas flyway. The apparent migration path, as outlined by the distribution of whooping crane observations, is very similar to that delineated in...
Authors
Jane E. Austin, Amy L. Richert
Black-tailed prairie dog monitoring protocol for seven prairie parks Black-tailed prairie dog monitoring protocol for seven prairie parks
No abstract available.
Authors
G. E. Plumb, Gary D. Willson, K. Kalin, K. Shinn, William M. Rizzo
Survival of female wood ducks during brood rearing in Mississippi and Alabama Survival of female wood ducks during brood rearing in Mississippi and Alabama
Knowledge of survival of female ducks is important for understanding population dynamics and managing hunted species. We estimated survival of female wood ducks (Aix sponsa) during brood rearing in different wetland environments in Mississippi (1996-1999) and Alabama (1998-1999). Survival was 0.90 ± 0.05 (Ŝ ± SE) in Mississippi and 0.92 ± 0.07 in Alabama. A composite estimate of female...
Authors
J. B. Davis, R.M. Kaminski, B.D. Leopold, R. R. Cox
Relationship of bull fertility to sperm nuclear shape Relationship of bull fertility to sperm nuclear shape
The relationship between sperm nuclear shape and bull fertility was determined. Two groups of bulls, 3 per group, were selected. Bulls differed in fertility based on lifetime nonreturn rates. Digital images of propidium iodide-stained sperm from each bull were collected and shape-evaluated by Fourier harmonic amplitudes 0 to 5. A discriminant function (P .05) was constructed based on...
Authors
G.C. Ostermeier, G.A. Sargeant, B.S. Yandell, J.J. Parrish
Early post-fire succession in California chaparral: Changes in diversity, density, cover, and biomass Early post-fire succession in California chaparral: Changes in diversity, density, cover, and biomass
For four consecutive years, following the fires in November 1993, temporal variations in species richness, cover and biomass of component plant groups in early post-fire chaparral succession were monitored on different aspects at the Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve, southern California. Plant groups were categorized based on growth form, life form, ability to fix nitrogen...
Authors
Q. Guo
Habitat characteristics and nest success of snowy plovers associated with California least tern colonies Habitat characteristics and nest success of snowy plovers associated with California least tern colonies
Nest success of Snowy Plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) was estimated at six sites in San Diego County, California, to determine the effects of habitat characteristics and social factors on predation risk. Egg predation was expected to be lower for plovers nesting among Least Terns (Sterna antillarum) because of benefits associated with nesting under the “protective umbrella” of a...
Authors
Abby N. Powell
Range expansion of pileated woodpecker in North Dakota Range expansion of pileated woodpecker in North Dakota
Natural history writings from explorers such as M. Lewis, W. Clark, J. J. Audubon, S. F. Baird, and E. Coues failed to mention the pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus ) in North Dakota throughout the 1800's. The first published reference to the species was in the early 1900's in the valley of the Red River of the North, part of the Agassiz Lake Plain of eastern North Dakota...
Authors
Jill A. Dechant
Book review: Research techniques in animal ecology: Controversies and consequences, by Luigi Boitani and Todd K. Fuller Book review: Research techniques in animal ecology: Controversies and consequences, by Luigi Boitani and Todd K. Fuller
Review of: Research Techniques in Animal Ecology: Controversies and Consequences. Edited by Luigi Boitani and Todd K. Fuller. Columbia University Press, New York, USA. 2000. xxxii + 442 pp., index. $75.00, ISBN 0231113404 (cloth); $32.00, ISBN 0231113412 (paper).
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson