Bob Klaver, PhD
Unit Leader - Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Bob is a Wildlife Biologist who moved to Iowa in January 2012 from the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While at EROS, he worked in collaboration with faculty and students at South Dakota State University.
Previously, he was the regional GIS coordinator for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Portland, OR. He also served as a wildlife biologist on the Flathead Indian Reservation working with multiple species and coordinated wildlife activities with other resources like forestry and range management
Research Interests
Bob's research spans a wide variety of collaborative projects on multiple wildlife taxa, from birds to bears. Much of this work has integrated remote sensing data with population biology and habitat use and selection.
Teaching Interests
Bob will be teaching an analysis of habitat selection class Spring 2013. He has taught classes in the analysis of mark-recapture data.
Professional Experience
Unit Leader, Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2012-
Education and Certifications
Ph D South Dakota State University 2001
MS University of Montana 1977
BS University of Montana 1974
BS Iowa State University 1971
Science and Products
Survival of white-tailed deer neonates in Minnesota and South Dakota
Evaluating the effect of predators on white-tailed deer: Movement and diet of coyotes
Female white-tailed deer survival across ecoregions in Minnesota and South Dakota
Drought effect on selection of conservation reserve program grasslands by white-tailed deer on the Northern Great Plains
Predicting breeding habitat for amphibians: a spatiotemporal analysis across Yellowstone National Park
Timing of seasonal migration in mule deer: effects of climate, plant phenology, and life-history characteristics
Predicting breeding habitat for amphibians: A spatiotemporal analysis across Yellowstone National Park
Habitat selection by female swift foxes (Vulpes velox) during the pup-rearing season
Modeling amphibian energetics, habitat suitability, and movements of western toads, Anaxyrus (=Bufo) boreas, across present and future landscapes
Bed site selection by neonate deer in grassland habitats on the northern Great Plains
Seasonal movements and home ranges of white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota
Seasonal movements and Home-range use by female pronghorns in sagebrush-steppe communities of western South Dakota
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 80
Survival of white-tailed deer neonates in Minnesota and South Dakota
Understanding the influence of intrinsic (e.g., age, birth mass, and sex) and habitat factors on survival of neonate white-tailed deer improves understanding of population ecology. During 2002–2004, we captured and radiocollared 78 neonates in eastern South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota, of which 16 died before 1 September. Predation accounted for 80% of mortality; the remaining 20% was attribAuthorsT.W. Grovenburg, C. C. Swanson, C.N. Jacques, R. W. Klaver, T.J. Brinkman, B.M. Burris, C.S. Deperno, J.A. JenksEvaluating the effect of predators on white-tailed deer: Movement and diet of coyotes
Coyotes (Canis latrans) may affect adult and neonate white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) survival and have been implicated as a contributor to the decline of deer populations. Additionally, coyote diet composition is influenced by prey availability, season, and region. Because coyote movement and diet vary by region, local data are important to understand coyote population dynamics and theiAuthorsM.M. Turner, A.P. Rockhill, C.S. Deperno, J.A. Jenks, R. W. Klaver, A.R. Jarding, T.W. Grovenburg, K. H. PollockFemale white-tailed deer survival across ecoregions in Minnesota and South Dakota
Survival and cause-specific mortality of female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have been well documented in forested and agricultural landscapes, but limited information has been collected in grassland habitats typical of the Northern Great Plains. Our objectives were to document and compare survival and cause-specific mortality of adult female white-tailed deer in four distinct ecoregAuthorsT.W. Grovenburg, C. C. Swanson, C.N. Jacques, C.S. Deperno, R. W. Klaver, J.A. JenksDrought effect on selection of conservation reserve program grasslands by white-tailed deer on the Northern Great Plains
Limited information exists regarding summer resource selection of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in grassland regions of the Northern Great Plains. During summers 2005-2006, we analyzed habitat selection of adult female white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota. We collected 1905 summer locations and used 21 and 30 home ranges during 2005 and 2006, respectively, to estimate habitAuthorsT.W. Grovenburg, C.N. Jacques, R. W. Klaver, J.A. JenksPredicting breeding habitat for amphibians: a spatiotemporal analysis across Yellowstone National Park
The ability to predict amphibian breeding across landscapes is important for informing land management decisions and helping biologists better understand and remediate factors contributing to declines in amphibian populations. We built geospatial models of likely breeding habitats for each of four amphibian species that breed in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). We used field data collected in 2000AuthorsPaul E. Bartelt, Alisa L. Gallant, Robert W. Klaver, Christopher K. Wright, Debra A. Patla, Charles R. PetersonTiming of seasonal migration in mule deer: effects of climate, plant phenology, and life-history characteristics
Phenological events of plants and animals are sensitive to climatic processes. Migration is a life-history event exhibited by most large herbivores living in seasonal environments, and is thought to occur in response to dynamics of forage and weather. Decisions regarding when to migrate, however, may be affected by differences in life-history characteristics of individuals. Long-term and intensiveAuthorsKevin L. Monteith, Vernon C. Bleich, Thomas R. Stephenson, Beck M. Pierce, Mary M. Conner, Robert W. Klaver, R. Terry BowyerPredicting breeding habitat for amphibians: A spatiotemporal analysis across Yellowstone National Park
The ability to predict amphibian breeding across landscapes is important for informing land management decisions and helping biologists better understand and remediate factors contributing to declines in amphibian populations. We built geospatial models of likely breeding habitats for each of four amphibian species that breed in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). We used field data collected in 2000AuthorsPaul E. Bartelt, Alisa L. Gallant, Robert W. Klaver, C.K. Wright, Debra A. Patla, Charles R. PetersonHabitat selection by female swift foxes (Vulpes velox) during the pup-rearing season
The swift fox (Vulpes velox) was historically distributed in western South Dakota including the region surrounding Badlands National Park (BNP). The species declined during the mid-1800s, largely due to habitat loss and poisoning targeted at wolves (Canis lupis) and coyotes (C. latrans). Only a small population of swift foxes near Ardmore, South Dakota persisted. In 2003, an introduction program wAuthorsIndrani Sasmal, Jonathan A. Jenks, Troy W. Grovenburg, Shubham Datta, Greg M. Schroeder, Robert W. Klaver, Kevin M. HonnessModeling amphibian energetics, habitat suitability, and movements of western toads, Anaxyrus (=Bufo) boreas, across present and future landscapes
Effective conservation of amphibian populations requires the prediction of how amphibians use and move through a landscape. Amphibians are closely coupled to their physical environment. Thus an approach that uses the physiological attributes of amphibians, together with knowledge of their natural history, should be helpful. We used Niche Mapper™ to model the known movements and habitat use patternAuthorsPaul E. Bartelt, Robert W. Klaver, Warren P. PorterBed site selection by neonate deer in grassland habitats on the northern Great Plains
Bed site selection is an important behavioral trait influencing neonate survival. Vegetation characteristics of bed sites influence thermal protection of neonates and concealment from predators. Although previous studies describe bed site selection of neonatal white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in regions of forested cover, none determined microhabitat effects on neonate bed site selectionAuthorsT.W. Grovenburg, C.N. Jacques, R. W. Klaver, J.A. JenksSeasonal movements and home ranges of white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota
Knowledge of movement patterns of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) inhabiting landscapes intensively modified by agricultural systems is important to the present and future understanding of deer ecology. Little information exists regarding daily and seasonal movements of white-tailed deer in north-central South Dakota. Therefore, our goal was to determine movement pattAuthorsT.W. Grovenburg, J.A. Jenks, Robert W. Klaver, C. C. Swanson, C.N. Jacques, Dennis TodeySeasonal movements and Home-range use by female pronghorns in sagebrush-steppe communities of western South Dakota
Knowledge of seasonal movements by pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) within the easternmost extension of sagebrush-steppe communities is limited. Current hypotheses regarding movement patterns suggest that pronghorns initiate seasonal movements in response to severe winter weather, snowfall patterns, spatial and temporal variation in forage abundance, and availability of water. From January 2002AuthorsC.N. Jacques, J.A. Jenks, R. W. KlaverNon-USGS Publications**
Smith, J.B., S.K. Windels, T. Wolf, R.W. Klaver, J.L. Belant. 2016. Do transmitters affect survival and body condition of American beavers (Castor canadensis)? Wildlife Biology 22:117 - 123Sasmal, I., R.W. Klaver, J.A. Jenks, and G.M. Schroeder. Age-specific survival of reintroduced swift fox in Badlands National Park and surrounding lands. Wildlife Society Bulletin
Jacques, C.N., J.A. Jenks, T.W. Grovenburg, and R.W. Klaver. 2015. Influence of habitat and intrinsic characteristics on survival of neonatal pronghorn. PLoS ONE 10: e0144026Datta, S., J. A. Jenks, K. C. Jensen, C. C. Swanson, R. W. Klaver, I. Sasmal, and T. W. Grovenburg. 2015. Mate Replacement and Alloparental Care in Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis). The Prairie Naturalist 47:36–37Jacques, C.N., J.A. Jenks, T.W. Grovenburg, R.W. Klaver, and S.A. Dubay. 2015. Influence of ecological factors on prevalence of meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) infection in South Dakota, USA. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 51: 332-340**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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