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.
New Behaviors
Prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) may gather to shed skin - a newly documented behavior observed by researchers at the Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Dr. Courtney Conway, and graduate student Emily Martin, initially set out to document Prairie rattlesnake movement and survival effects of translocations and ended up observing a unique behavior of these typically solitary animals – they get-together when they shed their skin! Evaluating new behaviors has big implications for managers seeking to understand how snakes adjust and move after they've been translocated to a new area. The project was supported by a National Science Foundation GRFP fellowship to Emily Martin and by Jackson Fork Ranch and Joe Ricketts.
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.
Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
California Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Pennsylvania 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.
New Behaviors
Prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) may gather to shed skin - a newly documented behavior observed by researchers at the Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Dr. Courtney Conway, and graduate student Emily Martin, initially set out to document Prairie rattlesnake movement and survival effects of translocations and ended up observing a unique behavior of these typically solitary animals – they get-together when they shed their skin! Evaluating new behaviors has big implications for managers seeking to understand how snakes adjust and move after they've been translocated to a new area. The project was supported by a National Science Foundation GRFP fellowship to Emily Martin and by Jackson Fork Ranch and Joe Ricketts.
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.
Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
California Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit