Fish and wildlife research is essential for understanding ecosystems and protecting biodiversity. It provides the data needed to manage habitats, conserve species, and address challenges like climate change and invasive species. By studying these natural systems, we ensure healthy environments that support both wildlife and human communities.
Bald Eagles
Electrocution is still a leading cause of death in bald eagles but one which is preventable by retrofitting power lines. Retrofitting requires time and money on the part of the utility companies so tools that can help them prioritize which power lines to retrofit is important. Dr. Bauder used GPS telemetry data on subadult bald eagles in Arizona to develop models of how eagles selectively use different parts of the landscape based on land cover and topography. Habitat selection results were then used to predict what areas bald eagles were likely to use in the greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in central Arizona. The resulting map of predicted eagle use can be used by utility companies to prioritize areas in which to retrofit power lines.
California Waterfowl
Using GPS telemetry data from 10 species of ducks and geese in California's Central Valley, Dr. Teitelbaum, investigated landscape features that affect overlap between wild birds and poultry in this agriculturally important region of the United States. In general, wild birds avoided locations suitable for poultry farming, but were more likely to spend time near poultry farms if farms were near wetlands, rice fields, or protected areas. These results suggest that current placement of poultry farms in the Central Valley is generally effective for limiting risk of contact with wild birds - and therefore transmission of diseases, including avian influenza, between wild birds and poultry. However, some farms may consider increased biosecurity depending on season and nearby habitats. This work was conducted in collaboration with scientists at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center and Western Ecological Research Center and used data produced by researchers at USDA.
Whooping Cranes
The Eastern Migratory Population of the endangered Whooping Crane is critical to the species' recovery. To date, however, there has been no assessment of the habitat used by this population during the nonbreeding season. Without such data, recovery efforts are hampered and slowed. Dr. Pat Jodice and his lab at the South Carolina Cooperative Research Unit tracked satellite-tagged cranes and demonstrated that in the states of IL, IN, KY, TN, and AL cranes often used agricultural lands, particularly flooded fields. This knowledge can be used by those working to recover cranes to better manage and conserve the appropriate types of habitat.
Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit
West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Fish and wildlife research is essential for understanding ecosystems and protecting biodiversity. It provides the data needed to manage habitats, conserve species, and address challenges like climate change and invasive species. By studying these natural systems, we ensure healthy environments that support both wildlife and human communities.
Bald Eagles
Electrocution is still a leading cause of death in bald eagles but one which is preventable by retrofitting power lines. Retrofitting requires time and money on the part of the utility companies so tools that can help them prioritize which power lines to retrofit is important. Dr. Bauder used GPS telemetry data on subadult bald eagles in Arizona to develop models of how eagles selectively use different parts of the landscape based on land cover and topography. Habitat selection results were then used to predict what areas bald eagles were likely to use in the greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in central Arizona. The resulting map of predicted eagle use can be used by utility companies to prioritize areas in which to retrofit power lines.
California Waterfowl
Using GPS telemetry data from 10 species of ducks and geese in California's Central Valley, Dr. Teitelbaum, investigated landscape features that affect overlap between wild birds and poultry in this agriculturally important region of the United States. In general, wild birds avoided locations suitable for poultry farming, but were more likely to spend time near poultry farms if farms were near wetlands, rice fields, or protected areas. These results suggest that current placement of poultry farms in the Central Valley is generally effective for limiting risk of contact with wild birds - and therefore transmission of diseases, including avian influenza, between wild birds and poultry. However, some farms may consider increased biosecurity depending on season and nearby habitats. This work was conducted in collaboration with scientists at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center and Western Ecological Research Center and used data produced by researchers at USDA.
Whooping Cranes
The Eastern Migratory Population of the endangered Whooping Crane is critical to the species' recovery. To date, however, there has been no assessment of the habitat used by this population during the nonbreeding season. Without such data, recovery efforts are hampered and slowed. Dr. Pat Jodice and his lab at the South Carolina Cooperative Research Unit tracked satellite-tagged cranes and demonstrated that in the states of IL, IN, KY, TN, and AL cranes often used agricultural lands, particularly flooded fields. This knowledge can be used by those working to recover cranes to better manage and conserve the appropriate types of habitat.
Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit
West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit