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Publications

These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.

Filter Total Items: 16743

Identification and synthetic modeling of factors affecting American black duck populations Identification and synthetic modeling of factors affecting American black duck populations

We reviewed the literature on factors potentially affecting the population status of American black ducks (Anas rupribes). Our review suggests that there is some support for the influence of 4 major, continental-scope factors in limiting or regulating black duck populations: 1) loss in the quantity or quality of breeding habitats; 2) loss in the quantity or quality of wintering habitats...
Authors
Michael J. Conroy, Mark W. Miller, James E. Hines

Geographic variation in cowbird distribution, abundance, and parasitism Geographic variation in cowbird distribution, abundance, and parasitism

We evaluated geographical patterns in the abundance and distribution of Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater), and in the frequency of cowbird parasitism, across North America in relation to habitat fragmentation. We found no distinctive parasitism patterns at the national or even regional scales, but the species is most abundant in the Great Plains, the heart of their original range...
Authors
M.L. Morrison, D.C. Hahn

Sources of variation in survival and breeding site fidelity in three species of European ducks Sources of variation in survival and breeding site fidelity in three species of European ducks

1. We used long-term capture-recapture-recovery data and a modelling approach developed by Burnham (1993) to test a priori predictions about sources of variation in annual survival rates and fidelity within a population of individually marked females in three species of European ducks from a breeding ground study site in Latvia. 2. True annual survival was higher for diving ducks (tufted...
Authors
Peter Blums, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines

On the estimation of species richness based on the accumulation of previously unrecorded species On the estimation of species richness based on the accumulation of previously unrecorded species

Estimation of species richness of local communities has become an important topic in community ecology and monitoring. Investigators can seldom enumerate all the species present in the area of interest during sampling sessions. If the location of interest is sampled repeatedly within a short time period, the number of new species recorded is typically largest in the initial sample and...
Authors
E. Cam, J.D. Nichols, J.R. Sauer, J.E. Hines

An evaluation of population index and estimation techniques for tadpoles in desert pools An evaluation of population index and estimation techniques for tadpoles in desert pools

Using visual (VI) and dip net indices (DI) and double-observer (DOE), removal (RE), and neutral red dye capture-recapture (CRE) estimates, we counted, estimated, and censused Couch's spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii) and canyon treefrog (Hyla arenicolor) tadpole populations in Big Bend National Park, Texas. Initial dye experiments helped us determine appropriate dye concentrations and...
Authors
Robin E. Jung, Gage H. Dayton, Stephen J. Williamson, John R. Sauer, Sam Droege

The Protected Areas Visitor Impact Management (PAVIM) framework: A simplified process for making management decisions The Protected Areas Visitor Impact Management (PAVIM) framework: A simplified process for making management decisions

Ecotourism and protected area visitation in Central and South America have resulted in ecological impacts, which some protected areas managers have addressed by employing visitor impact management frameworks. In this paper, we propose the Protected Area Visitor Impact Management (PAVIM) framework as an alternative to carrying capacity and other frameworks such as Limits of Acceptable...
Authors
T. A. Farrell, Jeffrey L. Marion

Investigations of potential bias in the estimation of lambda using Pradel's (1996) model for capture-recapture data Investigations of potential bias in the estimation of lambda using Pradel's (1996) model for capture-recapture data

Pradel's (1996) temporal symmetry model permitting direct estimation and modelling of population growth rate, lambda sub i provides a potentially useful tool for the study of population dynamics using marked animals. Because of its recent publication date, the approach has not seen much use, and there have been virtually no investigations directed at robustness of the resulting...
Authors
J.E. Hines, J.D. Nichols

The use of resighting data to estimate the rate of population growth of the snail kite in Florida The use of resighting data to estimate the rate of population growth of the snail kite in Florida

The rate of population growth (lambda) is an important demographic parameter used to assess the viability of a population and to develop management and conservation agendas. We examined the use of resighting data to estimate lambda for the snail kite population in Florida from 1997-2000. The analyses consisted of (1) a robust design approach that derives an estimate of lambda from...
Authors
V.J. Dreitz, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, R.E. Bennetts, W.M. Kitchens, D.L. DeAngelis

Field testing of immunocontraception on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on Fire Island National Seashore, New York, USA Field testing of immunocontraception on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on Fire Island National Seashore, New York, USA

Application of contraception for the control of suburban populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has been much debated, but few data are available on field applications and even fewer on population effects. Between 1993 and 1997, 74-164 individually known female deer living on Fire Island, New York, USA, were treated remotely with an initial shot of 65 microg porcine...
Authors
R.E. Naugle, A.T. Rutberg, H.B. Underwood, J.W. Turner, I.K. Liu

Teaching migration routes to canada geese and trumpeter swans using ultralight aircraft, 1990-2001 Teaching migration routes to canada geese and trumpeter swans using ultralight aircraft, 1990-2001

This paper summarizes eleven years (1990-2001) of experiments to teach Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) pre-selected migration routes using ultralight aircraft. When Canada Geese were trained to follow an ultralight aircraft for southward autumn migrations of 680 or 1,320 km, 81% (83/103) returned on their own in the next spring to near their place...
Authors
William J.L. Sladen, William A. Lishman, D. H. Ellis, G.G. Shire, D.L. Rininger
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