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: 1964
Estimated areal extent of colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs in the northern Great Plains Estimated areal extent of colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs in the northern Great Plains
During 1997–1998, we undertook an aerial survey, with an aerial line-intercept technique, to estimate the extent of colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) in the northern Great Plains states of Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. We stratified the survey based on knowledge of colony locations, computed 2 types of estimates for each stratum, and...
Authors
John G. Sidle, Douglas H. Johnson, Betty R. Euliss
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
Standing over and hugging in wild wolves Standing over and hugging in wild wolves
During six summers, I observed standing over (SO) and hugging in a pack of wild Wolves (Canis lupus) habituated to me. In SO, one Wolf positions its groin above a recumbent Wolf's nose. I observed SO among all yearling and older Wolves for 1-180 seconds (X? = 69 ¨± 46 S.D.; N = 16). SO appeared to be primarily female-oriented and may inform each Wolf of the reproductive status of the...
Authors
L. David Mech
International endeavor in response to global climate change International endeavor in response to global climate change
No abstract available.
Authors
F. Gao, Q. Guo
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
Coefficients of conservatism for the vascular flora of the Dakotas and adjacent grasslands Coefficients of conservatism for the vascular flora of the Dakotas and adjacent grasslands
Floristic quality assessment can be used to identity natural areas, to facilitate comparisons among different sites, to provide long-term monitoring of natural area quality, and to evaluate habitat management and restoration efforts. To facilitate the use of floristic quality assessment in North Dakota, South Dakota (excluding the Black Hills), and adjacent grasslands, we developed a...
Authors
A surface-associated activity trap for capturing water-surface and aquatic invertebrates in wetlands A surface-associated activity trap for capturing water-surface and aquatic invertebrates in wetlands
We developed a surface-associated activity trap (SAT) for sampling aquatic invertebrates in wetlands. We compared performance of this trap with that of a conventional activity trap (AT) based on non-detection rates and relative abundance estimates for 13 taxa of common wetland invertebrates and for taxon richness using data from experiments in constructed wetlands. Taxon-specific non...
Authors
Mark A. Hanson, Christiane C. Roy, Ned Euliss, Kyle D. Zimmer, Michael R. Riggs, Malcolm G. Butler
Evidence for edge effects on multiple levels in tallgrass prairie Evidence for edge effects on multiple levels in tallgrass prairie
We tested how edges affect nest survival and predator distribution in a native tallgrass prairie system in southwestern Missouri using artificial nests, natural nests of Dickcissels (Spiza americana) and Henslow's Sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii), and mammal track stations. Survival of artificial nests was lower within 30 m of forest edge. Nesting success of Dickcissels and Henslow's...
Authors
Maiken Winter, Douglas H. Johnson, John Faaborg
Accuracy and precision of estimating age of gray wolves by tooth wear Accuracy and precision of estimating age of gray wolves by tooth wear
We evaluated the accuracy and precision of tooth wear for aging gray wolves (Canis lupus) from Alaska, Minnesota, and Ontario based on 47 known-age or known-minimum-age skulls. Estimates of age using tooth wear and a commercial cementum annuli-aging service were useful for wolves up to 14 years old. The precision of estimates from cementum annuli was greater than estimates from tooth...
Authors
P. S. Gipson, W.B. Ballard, R. M. Nowak, L.D. Mech
Coyote, Canis latrans, use of commercial sunflower, Helianthus spp., Seeds as a food source in western Kansas Coyote, Canis latrans, use of commercial sunflower, Helianthus spp., Seeds as a food source in western Kansas
Food habits of Coyotes (Canis latrans) were determined by analysis of scats collected in western Kansas in 1996. Mammals were the most frequently occurring food of Coyotes (100% of scats), followed by plants (39%), insects (30%) and birds (9%). Commercial sunflower (Helianthus spp.) seeds were found in 9 of 23 scats. When present, they composed a high volume of individual scats (X= 31%)
Authors
M.A. Sovada, D.J. Telesco, C.C. Roy