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
Forbs included in conservation seed mixes exhibit variable blooming detection rates and cost-effectiveness: Implications for pollinator habitat design Forbs included in conservation seed mixes exhibit variable blooming detection rates and cost-effectiveness: Implications for pollinator habitat design
Although forb-rich plantings for pollinator habitat are becoming more common, natural resource managers lack insight on the cost-effectiveness of forbs seeded in private land conservation programs. Additional information on the possible benefits of including more forb species in a mix may help guide the design of future pollinator habitat. We examined the detection of blooming forbs from...
Authors
Stacy C. Simanonok, Clint R.V. Otto, Rich Iovanna
High abundance of a single taxon (amphipods) predicts aquatic macrophyte biodiversity in prairie wetlands High abundance of a single taxon (amphipods) predicts aquatic macrophyte biodiversity in prairie wetlands
Conservation programs often aim to protect the abundance of individual species and biodiversity simultaneously. We quantified relations between amphipod densities and aquatic macrophyte (large plants and algae) diversity to test a hypothesis that biodiversity can support high abundance of a single taxonomic group. Amphipods (Gammarus lacustris and Hyalella azteca) are key forage for...
Authors
Danelle M. Larson, Demmey DeJong, Michael J. Anteau, Megan J. Fitzpatrick, Breanna R. Keith, Emily G. Schilling, Barry Thoele
Experimental evaluation of predator exclosures on nest, chick, and adult survival of piping plovers Experimental evaluation of predator exclosures on nest, chick, and adult survival of piping plovers
Species of conservation concern often receive intensive management to improve vital rates and facilitate recovery. Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are federally listed in the United States and concerns over nest depredation have prompted widespread use of plover-permeable predator exclosures placed around nests (0.5–2-m radius). While effectiveness of exclosures for improving nest...
Authors
Michael J. Anteau, Rose J. Swift, Mark H. Sherfy, David N. Koons, Kristen S. Ellis, Terry L. Shaffer, Dustin L. Toy, Megan M. Ring
Variation in foraging patterns as reflected by floral resources used by male vs female bees of selected species at Badlands National Park, SD Variation in foraging patterns as reflected by floral resources used by male vs female bees of selected species at Badlands National Park, SD
Female and male bees forage for different reasons: females provision nests with pollen appropriate for larval development and consume nectar for energy while males need only fuel their own energetic requirements. The expectation, therefore, is that females should visit fewer floral resource species than males, due to females’ focus on host plant species and their tie to the nest location...
Authors
Diane L. Larson, Zachary M. Portman, Jennifer Larson, Deborah A. Buhl
Are wild wolves southpaws? Including potential conservation implications Are wild wolves southpaws? Including potential conservation implications
Lateralization, or a left-right bias in behavior (e.g., handedness), was originally thought to exclusively exist in humans, but is now known to be widespread. Lateralization can exist at the individual or group level. In dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), tests of paw preference have produced inconsistent results. Because wolves (C. l.) differ genetically, morphologically, and behaviorally...
Authors
Shannon Barber-Meyer
Conservation under uncertainty: Innovations in participatory climate change scenario planning from U.S. national parks Conservation under uncertainty: Innovations in participatory climate change scenario planning from U.S. national parks
The impacts of climate change (CC) on natural and cultural resources are far-reaching and complex. A major challenge facing resource managers is not knowing the exact timing and nature of those impacts. To confront this problem, scientists, adaptation specialists, and resource managers have begun to use scenario planning (SP). This structured process identifies a small set of scenarios
Authors
Brian W. Miller, Gregor W. Schuurman, Amy Symstad, Amber C Runyon, Brecken C. Robb
Human-cougar interactions: A literature review related to common management questions Human-cougar interactions: A literature review related to common management questions
Interactions between humans and cougars (Puma concolor) present unique challenges for wildlife managers; reducing occurrences that lead to conflict is a priority for state and provincial wildlife agencies throughout western North America, including Washington. With an increase in management emphasis of human-wildlife conflict resolution, a growing body of scientific literature related to...
Authors
B. N. Kertson, S. M. McCorquodale, C. R. Anderson, Anis N. Aoude, R. A. Beausoleil, M. G. Cope, M. A. Hurley, B. K. Johnson, Glen A. Sargeant, S. L. Simek
The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus)
The keys to Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) management are maintaining expansive grasslands; preventing populations of Greater Prairie-Chickens from becoming small and isolated; managing grasslands to maintain proper grassland height, density, and vigor; and reducing woody plant invasion and excessive litter buildup. Within these grasslands, areas should contain...
Authors
W. Daniel Svedarsky, John E. Toepfer, Ronald L. Westemeier, Robert J. Robel, Lawrence D. Igl, Jill A. Shaffer
Perils of life on the edge: Climatic threats to global diversity patterns of wetland macroinvertebrates Perils of life on the edge: Climatic threats to global diversity patterns of wetland macroinvertebrates
Climate change is rapidly driving global biodiversity declines. How wetland macroinvertebrate assemblages are responding is unclear, a concern given their vital function in these ecosystems. Using a data set from 769 minimally impacted depressional wetlands across the globe (467 temporary and 302 permanent), we evaluated how temperature and precipitation (average, range, variability)...
Authors
Luis B. Epele, Marta G. Grech, Emilio A. Williams-Subiza, Cristina Stenert, Kyle I. McLean, Hamish S. Greig, Leonardo Maltchik, Mateus M. Pires, Matthew S. Bird, Aurelie Boissezon, Dani Boix, Eliane Demierre, Patricia E. García, Stephanie Gascón, Michael Jeffries, Jamie M. Kneitel, Olga Loskutov, Luz M. Manzo, Gabriela Mataloni, Musa C. Mlambo, Beat Oertli, Jordi Sala, Erica E. Scheibler, Haitao Wu, Scott A Wissinger, Darold P. Batzer
The impact of future climate on wetland habitat in a critical migratory waterfowl corridor of the Prairie Pothole Region The impact of future climate on wetland habitat in a critical migratory waterfowl corridor of the Prairie Pothole Region
Depressional wetlands are extremely sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation, so understanding how wetland inundation dynamics respond to changes in climate is essential for describing potential effects on wildlife breeding habitat. Millions of depressional basins make up the largest wetland complex in North America known as the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR). The wetland...
Authors
Owen P. McKenna
Whooping crane stay length in relation to stopover site characteristics Whooping crane stay length in relation to stopover site characteristics
Whooping crane (Grus americana) migratory stopovers can vary in length from hours to more than a month. Stopover sites provide food resources and safety essential for the completion of migration. Factors such as weather, climate, demographics of migrating groups, and physiological condition of migrants influence migratory movements of cranes (Gruidae) to varying degrees. However, little...
Authors
Andrew J. Caven, Aaron T. Pearse, David A. Brandt, Mary J. Harner, Greg D. Wright, David M. Baasch, Emma M. Brinley Buckley, Kristine L. Metzger, Matthew R Rabbe, Anne E Lacy
Supplemental vegetation monitoring plots at Wind Cave National Park to accelerate learning of the Annual Brome Adaptive Management (ABAM) model: 2021 annual report Supplemental vegetation monitoring plots at Wind Cave National Park to accelerate learning of the Annual Brome Adaptive Management (ABAM) model: 2021 annual report
This study provides data on management actions aiming to reduce invasive annual grass abundance in National Park Service units of the northern Great Plains. This report provides an annual status update on the study at Wind Cave National Park.
Authors
Amy Symstad, Steven Bekedam