Publications
These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.
Filter Total Items: 16731
Scrub-successional bird community dynamics in young and mature longleaf pine-wiregrass savannahs Scrub-successional bird community dynamics in young and mature longleaf pine-wiregrass savannahs
Public agencies are required to manage for threatened and endangered species and for biodiversity. However, at times, management for threatened and endangered species precludes consideration of other species. We investigated how managing for red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) and biodiversity at the Savannah River Site (SRS), South Carolina, affected communities of bird species...
Authors
D.G. Krementz, J.S. Christie
May the forethought (and studies) be with your campsite-protection planning! May the forethought (and studies) be with your campsite-protection planning!
Visitation has reached record levels along the Appalachian Trail, a 2000+ mile footpath extending from Maine to Georgia along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains. Camping impacts associated with this use have also expanded rapidly in recent years, particularly in popular National Parks and at attraction features such as lakes and ponds. This article reviews recreation ecology research...
Authors
J. L. Marion, R. D. Proudman
Golden Eagle predation on experimental Sandhill and Whooping Cranes Golden Eagle predation on experimental Sandhill and Whooping Cranes
There are very few published records of Golden Eagles preying upon cranes, especially in North America. During our experiments to lead cranes on migration behind motorized craft in the western United States, we experienced 15 attacks (four fatal) and believe many more attacks would have occurred (and more would have been fatal) without human intervention. We recognize eagle predation as...
Authors
D. H. Ellis, Kent R. Clegg, J. C. Lewis, E. Spaulding
Siblicide, splayed-toes-flight display, and grappling in the Saker Falcon Siblicide, splayed-toes-flight display, and grappling in the Saker Falcon
We observed two incidents of novel social behavior in the saker falcon (Falco cherrug) in Mongolia. First, we provide an account of a two-week-old saker falcon chick killing its nest mate, the first direct observation of siblicide in the genus Falco. We also report aerial combat between three adult saker falcons including observations of talon grappling, whirling, and Splayed-toes-flight...
Authors
D. H. Ellis, P.L. Whitlock, Pu Tsengeg, R.W. Nelson
Relative effects of plumage coloration and vegetation density on nest success Relative effects of plumage coloration and vegetation density on nest success
Many passerine species are highly dichromatic with brightly-colored males and cryptically-colored females. Bright plumage in males is commonly thought to arise as a result of sexual selection by females such that males with bright coloration possess high fitness. However, bright plumage potentially could expose males to increased predation risk. Consistent with this idea, males of many...
Authors
M.W. Miller
Aspects of hatching success and chick survival in Gull-billed Terns in coastal Virginia Aspects of hatching success and chick survival in Gull-billed Terns in coastal Virginia
Because of a long-term population decline in Gull-billed Terns (Sterna nilotica) nesting along the coast of Virginia, we began a three year study in 1994 to monitor hatching success and survival of Gull-billed Tern chicks at several Virginia colony sites. Colonies were located on either small, storm-deposited shellpiles along marsh fringes or large, sandshell overwash fans of barrier...
Authors
T.B. Eyler, R.M. Erwin, Daniel B. Stotts, Jeff S. Hatfield
On the decline of the Rusty Blackbird and the use of ornithological literature to document long-term population trends On the decline of the Rusty Blackbird and the use of ornithological literature to document long-term population trends
Unlike most North American blackbirds, Rusty Blackbirds (Euphagus carolensis) have shown steep population declines. Declines of approximately 90% are indicated for three recent decades from the Breeding Bird Survey, Christmas Bird Counts, and Quebec Checklist Program. Analyses of abundance classifications in bird distribution books and annotated checklists reveal an overlooked but long...
Authors
R. Greenberg, Sam Droege
Occurrence of organochlorine compounds in whole fish tissue from streams of the lower Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania and Maryland, 1992 Occurrence of organochlorine compounds in whole fish tissue from streams of the lower Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania and Maryland, 1992
Tissue samples of whole body white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) were collected at 15 sites and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) were collected at 5 sites during 1992 in the Lower Susquehanna River Basin to determine the occurrence and distribution of 28 selected organochlorine compounds as part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program...
Authors
Michael D. Bilger, Robin A. Brightbill, Harry L. Campbell
Temporal differences in point counts of bottomland forest landbirds Temporal differences in point counts of bottomland forest landbirds
We compared number of avian species and individuals in morning and evening point counts during the breeding season and during winter in a bottomland hardwood forest in west-central Mississippi. USA. In both seasons, more species and individuals were recorded during morning counts than during evening counts. We also compared morning and evening detections for 18 species during the...
Authors
W.P. Smith, D.J. Twedt
Identification of in vitro cytochrome P450 modulators to detect induction by prototype inducers in the mallard duckling (Anas platyrhynchos Identification of in vitro cytochrome P450 modulators to detect induction by prototype inducers in the mallard duckling (Anas platyrhynchos
Seven modulators of mammalian monooxygenase activity were screened for their ability to selectively stimulate or inhibit in vitro monooxygenase activities of hepatic microsomes from mallard ducklings treated with phenobarbital, β-naphthoflavone, 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl or vehicle. Microsomes were assayed fluorometrically for four monooxygenases: benzyloxy-, ethoxy-, methoxy-, and
Authors
A.E. Renauld, M. J. Melancon, L.M. Sordillo
Trash-caused mortality in Mongolian raptors Trash-caused mortality in Mongolian raptors
On four expeditions (1994, 1995, 1997, and 1998) through Mongolia, we found two kinds of mortality associated with trash gathered by parent raptors as part of the nest building process. Our observations of actual mortality were limited to three species: the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) (2 clutches of eggs), the saker falcon (Falco cherrug) (4 nestlings), and the upland buzzard (Buteo
Authors
D. H. Ellis, J.W. Lish
Using endoscopy to diagnose hatching problems in cranes Using endoscopy to diagnose hatching problems in cranes
No abstract available.
Authors
Glenn H. Olsen