Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Aaron Pearse, PhD

Dr. Aaron Pearse is a Research Wildlife Biologist at the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center in Jamestown, North Dakota.

I have worked primarily with migratory birds and have addressed needs of natural resource managers by providing answers that lead to science-based management of wildlife species and ecosystems in which they depend.  I am responsible for identifying and conducting research relevant to agencies within the Department of the Interior and other partners including the federal government, state governments, and non-governmental organizations.  I function as a team leader and primary investigator on projects primarily in three general areas: ecology and management of North American waterfowl and cranes, natural resource survey design and application, and landscape scale studies of upland and wetland habitats in the Prairie Pothole Region.

Professional Experience

  • Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND , 2007-present

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Mississippi State University, 2007

  • M.S. University of Idaho, 2002

  • B.S. Kansas State University, 1998

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • Adjunct Research Professor, South Dakota State University, 2017-present

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 45

Balancing future renewable energy infrastructure siting and associated habitat loss for migrating whooping cranes

The expansion of human infrastructure has contributed to novel risks and disturbance regimes in most ecosystems, leading to considerable uncertainty about how species will respond to altered landscapes. A recent assessment revealed that whooping cranes (Grus americana), an endangered migratory waterbird species, avoid wind-energy infrastructure during migration. However, uncertainties regarding co
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Reassessing perennial cover as a driver of duck nest survival in the Prairie Pothole Region

Conservation plans designed to sustain North American duck populations prominently feature a key hypothesis stating that the amount of the landscape in perennial cover surrounding upland duck nests positively influences nest survival rates. Recent conflicting research testing this hypothesis creates ambiguity regarding which management actions to pursue and where to prioritize conservation deliver
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Space use and site fidelity of wintering whooping cranes on the Texas Gulf Coast

The Aransas-Wood Buffalo population (the only non-reintroduced, migratory population) of endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana) overwinters along the Texas Gulf Coast, USA. Understanding whooping crane space use on the wintering grounds reveals essential aspects of this species' ecology, which subsequently assists with conservation. Using global positioning system telemetry data from marked w
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Limited land base and competing land uses force societal tradeoffs when siting energy development

As human populations grow, decisions regarding use of the world's finite land base become increasingly complex. We adopted a land use–conflict scenario involving renewable energy to illustrate one potential cause of these conflicts and resulting tradeoff decisions. Renewable energy industries wishing to expand operations in the United States are limited by multijurisdictional regulations in findin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

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 research h
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

U.S. Geological Survey migratory bird science, 2020–21

Bird conservation as an endeavor engages a broad range of partners and a coordinated effort across State and Federal agencies, nongovernment organizations, universi­ties and, at times, international partnerships. To understand information needs and respond to the many challenges in bird conservation, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scien­tists participate in Flyway committees, on Joint Venture board
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Migrating whooping cranes avoid wind-energy infrastructure when selecting stopover habitat

Electricity generation from renewable-energy sources has increased dramatically worldwide in recent decades. Risks associated with wind-energy infrastructure are not well understood for endangered whooping cranes or other vulnerable crane populations. From 2010 to 2016, we monitored 57 whooping cranes with remote-telemetry devices in the United States Great Plains to determine potential changes in
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Identifying sustainable winter habitat for whooping cranes

The only self-sustaining population of endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana) requires a network of conservation lands for wintering along the Texas Gulf Coast (USA), so that this increasing population can reach downlisting under the Endangered Species Act (1,000 birds). We identify locations providing the highest quality and most sustainable wintering habitat for these whooping cranes throug
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Population and harvest dynamics of midcontinent sandhill cranes

Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) inhabiting the midcontinent of North America have been hunted since the 1960s under management goals of maintaining abundance, retaining geographic distribution, and maximizing sustainable harvest. Some biologists have raised concerns regarding harvest sustainability because sandhill cranes have lower reproductive rates than other game birds. We summarized dem
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Heterogeneity in migration strategies of the whooping crane

Migratory birds use numerous strategies to successfully complete twice-annual movements between breeding and wintering sites. Context for conservation and management can be provided by characterizing these strategies. Variations in strategy among and within individuals support population persistence in response to changes in land use and climate. We used location data from 58 marked Whooping Crane
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Temporospatial shifts in Sandhill Crane staging in the Central Platte River Valley in response to climatic variation and habitat change

Over 80% of the Mid-Continent Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) Population (MCP), estimated at over 660,000 individuals, stops in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) during spring migration from mid-February through mid-April. Research suggests that the MCP may be shifting its distribution spatially and temporally within the CPRV. From 2002 to 2017, we conducted weekly aerial surveys of Sand
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Roosting habitat use by sandhill cranes and waterfowl on the North and South Platte Rivers in Nebraska

Migration ecology and habitat use of spring migrating birds using the Central Platte River is a well-explored topic, yet less is known about use of the North and South Platte rivers (NSPR) in western Nebraska. The efficiency and effectiveness of conservation efforts in the NSPR could be greatly improved with access to information about where and when birds roost and landscape prioritization tools.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
link
Male mallard fitted with an Ecotone solar GSM GPS transmitter

Post-fledging movement and habitat selection by mallards in the fall and their effect on spring recruitment

Considerable scientific research has been conducted in North America on nearly all aspects of the annual cycle of mallards, primarily focused on the breeding season. However, the period between when juveniles are capable of flight to their first southward migration remains a vastly understudied time for all waterfowl species. Beginning in 2018, a graduate student from South Dakota State University...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Wildlife Program (unpublished), Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
link

Post-fledging movement and habitat selection by mallards in the fall and their effect on spring recruitment

Considerable scientific research has been conducted in North America on nearly all aspects of the annual cycle of mallards, primarily focused on the breeding season. However, the period between when juveniles are capable of flight to their first southward migration remains a vastly understudied time for all waterfowl species. Beginning in 2018, a graduate student from South Dakota State University...
Learn More
link
Wildlife biologist and veterinarian preparing to release a whooping crane.

Migration and winter ecology of the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population of whooping cranes

The only self-sustaining population of endangered whooping cranes nests within and near Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, migrates through the Great Plains, and winters primarily along the Texas Gulf Coast. Our objectives of this collaborative project are to address the entire annual life cycle of this species by advancing knowledge of breeding, wintering, and migration ecology, including...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Change Science Program, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
link

Migration and winter ecology of the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population of whooping cranes

The only self-sustaining population of endangered whooping cranes nests within and near Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada, migrates through the Great Plains, and winters primarily along the Texas Gulf Coast. Our objectives of this collaborative project are to address the entire annual life cycle of this species by advancing knowledge of breeding, wintering, and migration ecology, including...
Learn More
link
Geographic distribution of mid-continent sandhill cranes as determined by satellite telemetry

Ecology and management of midcontinent sandhill cranes

Midcontinent sandhill cranes occupy a large geographic area of central and western North America and northeastern Asia during breeding, winter, and migration. They are a species representing a unique convergence of multiple user groups with an interest in the continued health of this population. Tens of thousands of people view cranes during spring staging at the Platte River Valley in Nebraska...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
link

Ecology and management of midcontinent sandhill cranes

Midcontinent sandhill cranes occupy a large geographic area of central and western North America and northeastern Asia during breeding, winter, and migration. They are a species representing a unique convergence of multiple user groups with an interest in the continued health of this population. Tens of thousands of people view cranes during spring staging at the Platte River Valley in Nebraska...
Learn More
link
Image: Arriving Migratory Waterfowl

Development of survey methods for spring-migrating waterfowl in the Rainwater Basin

The Rainwater Basin Wetland Complex is a mid-latitude focal point of spring migration for numerous species of birds in the Great Plains. The Rainwater Basin Joint Venture (RWBJV) and partners desire geospatial models to identify characteristics of wetland complexes and understand local and landscape level factors that influence habitat selection of migrating waterfowl. To support this effort, we...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Wildlife Program (unpublished), Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
link

Development of survey methods for spring-migrating waterfowl in the Rainwater Basin

The Rainwater Basin Wetland Complex is a mid-latitude focal point of spring migration for numerous species of birds in the Great Plains. The Rainwater Basin Joint Venture (RWBJV) and partners desire geospatial models to identify characteristics of wetland complexes and understand local and landscape level factors that influence habitat selection of migrating waterfowl. To support this effort, we...
Learn More
link
Red Fox,Vulpes vulpes,

An evaluation of waterfowl breeding ecology in the context of their predator community in eastern South Dakota

Population growth in upland-nesting ducks is highly influenced by spatial and temporal variation in nest survival, and mammalian predators are the major cause of nest failure. Beginning in spring 2018, a graduate student from South Dakota State University and co-advised by a NPWRC scientist will study predator communities and their movements in landscapes with varying grassland patch composition...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Wildlife Program (unpublished), Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
link

An evaluation of waterfowl breeding ecology in the context of their predator community in eastern South Dakota

Population growth in upland-nesting ducks is highly influenced by spatial and temporal variation in nest survival, and mammalian predators are the major cause of nest failure. Beginning in spring 2018, a graduate student from South Dakota State University and co-advised by a NPWRC scientist will study predator communities and their movements in landscapes with varying grassland patch composition...
Learn More

Whooping crane migration habitat selection disturbance data and maps

These data and maps were developed to support an effort to understand how whooping cranes (Grus americana) select stopover habitat in the presence of human infrastructure. Location and associated data came from whooping cranes from the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population, 2010–2016. We marked a sample of 57 whooping cranes with leg-mounted transmitters that acquired locations via the global posi
By
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Whooping crane migration habitat selection data and distance to wind-energy infrastructure, 2010-2016

These data were developed to support an effort to understand how whooping cranes select stopover habitat in the presence of wind-energy infrastructure. Location and associated data came from whooping cranes from the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population, 2010-2016. We marked a sample of 57 whooping cranes with leg-mounted transmitters that acquired locations via the global positioning system (GPS) netwo
By
Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Location data for whooping cranes of the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population, 2009-2018

Location and associated data came from whooping cranes from the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population, 2009-2018. We marked a sample of 68 whooping cranes with leg-mounted transmitters that acquired locations via the global positioning system (GPS) network and transmitted those data through the Argos satellite system. Cranes were captured either at their natal areas in and adjacent to Wood Buffalo Natio
By
Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Fecundity data for midcontinent sandhill cranes, 2003-2006

Midcontinent sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) are the most abundant management population of cranes in the world and have a broad breeding range. Four breeding segments of midcontinent sandhill cranes have been designated based on spatial and temporal distributions throughout the year, including Western Alaska-Siberia (WA-S), Northern Canada-Nunavut (NC-N), West-central Canada-Interior Alaska
By
Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Morphological measurements and subspecies of midcontinent sandhill cranes

The midcontinent population of sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) has historically been classified into three putative subspecies, but genetic analyses have identified only two genetically distinct subspecies. Previous studies have successfully used morphometrics in combination with an individual's sex to differentiate subspecies of sandhill cranes that had been inferred based on breeding area,
By
Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Map of whooping crane migration corridor

The whooping crane (Grus americana) is a listed endangered species in North America, protected under federal legislation in the United States and Canada. The only self-sustaining and wild population of Whooping Cranes nests at and near Wood Buffalo National Park near the provincial border of Northwest Territories and Alberta, Canada. Birds from this population migrate through the Great Plains of N
By
Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Spatial data for estimating whooping crane migration corridor

The whooping crane (Grus americana) is a bird species in North America currently protected under federal endangered species legislation in the United States and Canada. The only self-sustaining and wild population of whooping cranes nests in and around Wood Buffalo National Park near the provincial border of Northwest Territories and Alberta, Canada. Cranes from this population migrate through the
By
Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Sandhill crane locations, autumn 2013 migration

Sandhill cranes are a long-lived bird species found in wetland-rich landscapes across North America. This dataset includes locations of 5 cranes during a single autumn migration from their breeding areas in northeastern Asia and south through Alaska, central Canada, and the Great Plains. The migration ends in northern Texas and northern Mexico. These data were used as a case study to highlight the
By
Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Sandhill crane phenology at the Platte River, Nebraska, 2001-2007

The central Platte River Valley represents a key mid-latitude stopover. This dataset supports a contemporary analysis of spring migration phenology at the Platte River during 2001-2007. We recorded timing of sandhill crane arrivals and departures from the Platte River.
By
Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
No results found.
link

New Publication Highlights USGS Science on Migratory Birds

At the USGS, more than one hundred staff members are dedicated to the scientific study of migratory birds. Bird biologists work with natural resource...

Read Article

Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government