Publications
These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.
Filter Total Items: 16731
A double-observer method to estimate detection rate during aerial waterfowl surveys A double-observer method to estimate detection rate during aerial waterfowl surveys
We evaluated double-observer methods for aerial surveys as a means to adjust counts of waterfowl for incomplete detection. We conducted our study in eastern Canada and the northeast United States utilizing 3 aerial-survey crews flying 3 different types of fixed-wing aircraft. We reconciled counts of front- and rear-seat observers immediately following an observation by the rear-seat...
Authors
M.D. Koneff, J. Andrew Royle, M.C. Otto, J.S. Wortham, J.K. Bidwell
Juvenile survival in a tropical population of roseate terns: Interannual variation and effect of tick parasitism Juvenile survival in a tropical population of roseate terns: Interannual variation and effect of tick parasitism
Many demographic studies on long-lived seabirds have focused on the estimation of adult survival, but much less is known about survival during the early years of life, especially in tropical species. We report analyses of a capture–recapture dataset of 685 roseate terns ringed as fledglings and adults between 1998 and 2005 on Aride Island, Seychelles, and recaptured/resighted at the same...
Authors
David Monticelli, Jaime A. Ramos, James E. Hines, James D. Nichols, Jeffrey A. Spendelow
Effects of methylmercury exposure on glutathione metabolism, oxidative stress, and chromosomal damage in captive-reared common loon (Gavia immer) chicks Effects of methylmercury exposure on glutathione metabolism, oxidative stress, and chromosomal damage in captive-reared common loon (Gavia immer) chicks
We quantified the level of dietary mercury (Hg), delivered as methylmercury chloride (CH3HgCl), associated with negative effects on organ and plasma biochemistries related to glutathione (GSH) metabolism and oxidative stress, and chromosomal damage in captive-reared common loon (Gavia immer) chicks reared from hatch to 105 days. Mercury-associated effects related to oxidative stress and...
Authors
K.P. Kenow, D. J. Hoffman, R. K. Hines, M.W. Meyer, J. W. Bickham, C. W. Matson, K.R. Stebbins, P. Montagna, A. Elfessi
Multi-scale occupancy estimation and modelling using multiple detection methods Multi-scale occupancy estimation and modelling using multiple detection methods
Occupancy estimation and modelling based on detection–nondetection data provide an effective way of exploring change in a species’ distribution across time and space in cases where the species is not always detected with certainty. Today, many monitoring programmes target multiple species, or life stages within a species, requiring the use of multiple detection methods. When multiple...
Authors
James D. Nichols, Larissa L. Bailey, Allan F. O’Connell, Neil W. Talancy, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Andrew T. Gilbert, Elizabeth M. Annand, Thomas P. Husband, James E. Hines
Endocrine effects of the herbicide linuron on the American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) Endocrine effects of the herbicide linuron on the American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
Certain contaminants alter normal physiological function, morphology, and behavior of exposed organisms through an endocrine mechanism. We evaluated how the herbicide linuron, an endocrine-active compound, affects physiological parameters and secondary sex characteristics of the American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis). When administered at relatively low doses (control, 1.0, 4.0, and 16.0...
Authors
K.M. Sughrue, M.C. Brittingham, J.B. French
Element patterns in feathers of nestling Black-Crowned Night-Herons, Nycticorax nycticorax L., from four colonies in Delaware, Maryland, and Minnesota Element patterns in feathers of nestling Black-Crowned Night-Herons, Nycticorax nycticorax L., from four colonies in Delaware, Maryland, and Minnesota
The pattern of elements in nestling black-crowned night-heron feathers from a rural Minnesota colony differed from colonies in industrialized regions of Maryland and Delaware. Except for chromium, however, the differences did not reflect the elements associated with waters and sediments of the Maryland and Delaware colonies. Therefore, elements in water and sediment do not necessarily
Authors
Thomas W. Custer, Nancy H. Golden, Barnett A. Rattner
Effects of human activity of breeding American Oystercatchers, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, USA Effects of human activity of breeding American Oystercatchers, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, USA
Abstract.-Increased human use of coastal areas threatens the United States population of American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus), a species of special concern. Biologists often attribute its low numbers and reproductive success to human disturbance, but the mechanism by which human presence reduces reproductive success is not well understood. During the 2003 and 2004 breeding...
Authors
J. B. Sabine, J.M. Meyers, C. T. Moore, Sara H. Schweitzer
Osmotic tolerance of avian spermatozoa: Influence of time, temperature, cryoprotectant and membrane ion pump function on sperm viability Osmotic tolerance of avian spermatozoa: Influence of time, temperature, cryoprotectant and membrane ion pump function on sperm viability
Potential factors influencing sperm survival under hypertonic conditions were evaluated in the Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) and turkey (Meleagridis gallopavo). Sperm osmotolerance (300-3000 mOsm/kg) was evaluated after: (1) equilibration times of 2, 10, 45 and 60 min at 4 ?C versus 21 ?C; (2) pre-equilibrating with dimethylacetamide (DMA) or dimethylsulfoxide (Me2SO) at either 4 ?C...
Authors
J.M. Blanco, J.A. Long, G. Gee, A.M. Donoghue, D.E. Wildt
Managing visitor impacts in parks: A multi-method study of the effectiveness of alternative management practices Managing visitor impacts in parks: A multi-method study of the effectiveness of alternative management practices
How can recreation use be managed to control associated environmental impacts? What management practices are most effective and why? This study explored these and related questions through a series of experimental ?treatments? and associated ?controls? at the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, a heavily used and environmentally fragile area. The treatments included five
Authors
L.O. Park, J. L. Marion, R.E. Manning, S.R. Lawson, C. Jacobi
Population dynamics of the Concho water snake in rivers and reservoirs Population dynamics of the Concho water snake in rivers and reservoirs
The Concho Water Snake (Nerodia harteri paucimaculata) is confined to the Concho–Colorado River valley of central Texas, thereby occupying one of the smallest geographic ranges of any North American snake. In 1986, N. h. paucimaculata was designated as a federally threatened species, in large part because of reservoir projects that were perceived to adversely affect the amount of habitat...
Authors
M.J. Whiting, J.R. Dixon, B.D. Greene, J.M. Mueller, O.W. Thornton, Jeff S. Hatfield, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines
A history of the Bird Banding Laboratory: 1920-2002 A history of the Bird Banding Laboratory: 1920-2002
No abstract available.
Authors
J. Tautin
North American Bird Banding and quantitative population ecology North American Bird Banding and quantitative population ecology
Early bird-banding programs in North America were developed to provide descriptions of bird migration and movement patterns. This initial interest in description quickly evolved into more quantitative interests in two ways. There was (1) interest in quantifying migration and movement patterns, and (2) rapid recognition that re-observations of marked birds provided information about other
Authors
J.D. Nichols, J. Tautin