Michael Anteau, PhD
Michael J. Anteau serves as a research scientist and the Chief of the Wildlife and Ecosystems Branch at the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center in Jamestown, North Dakota.
Dr. Anteau conducts large-scale research studies to provide applied information for the conservation and management of wildlife and wildlife habitat. His research focuses on evaluating implications of climate and land use changes on migratory birds, wetland and riparian dependent wildlife, and wetland ecology. Through this research focus, Anteau has developed expertise in subjects such as: wetland hydrology, habitat use and selection, nutrition and energetics, breeding ecology, migration stopover ecology, and landscape ecology. In addition to research that Dr. Anteau leads at Northern Prairie, he also serves as adjunct faculty at several Universities and advises or mentors M.S. and Ph.D. students, and Post-Doctoral Researchers.
Professional Experience
2015-Present: Wildlife and Ecosystems Branch Chief and Research Wildlife Biologist, US Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND
2006-Present: Research Wildlife Biologist, US Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND
1999-2005: Graduate Research Assistant, US Geological Survey, Louisiana Cooperative Research Unit, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Louisiana State University, Jan. 2006
M.S., Wildlife Biology, Louisiana State University, May 2002
B.S., Wildlife Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Dec. 1997
B.S., Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Dec. 1997
Affiliations and Memberships*
Adjunct Professor of Biology, North Dakota State University (since 2010)
Adjunct Assistant Professor, South Dakota State University (since 2011)
Adjunct Professor, Western Illinois University (since 2017)
Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) life member
Associate Editor for Wetlands (2010-2014)
Editorial Board for Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Prairie Pothole Joint Venture Technical Team Member
Science and Products
Accuracy of the Missouri River Least Tern and Piping Plover Monitoring Program: considerations for the future
Measuring and predicting abundance and dynamics of habitat for piping plovers on a large reservoir
Wetland dynamics influence mid-continent duck recruitment
Nest survival of piping plovers at a dynamic reservoir indicates an ecological trap for a threatened population
Foraging ecology of least terns and piping plovers nesting on Central Platte River sandpits and sandbars
Do interactions of land use and climate affect productivity of waterbirds and prairie-pothole wetlands?
Selection indicates preference in diverse habitats: A ground-nesting bird (Charadrius melodus) using reservoir shoreline
Objectives, priorities, reliable knowledge, and science-based management of Missouri River interior least terns and piping plovers
Testing competing hypotheses for chronology and intensity of lesser scaup molt during winter and spring migration
Agricultural practices and residual corn during spring crane and waterfowl migration in Nebraska
Location and agricultural practices influence spring use of harvested cornfields by cranes and geese in Nebraska
Testing competing hypotheses for chronology and intensity of lesser scaup molt during winter and spring migration
Science and Products
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Accuracy of the Missouri River Least Tern and Piping Plover Monitoring Program: considerations for the future
The upper Missouri River system provides nesting and foraging habitat for federally endangered least terns (Sternula antillarum; hereafter “terns”) and threatened piping plovers (Charadrius melodus; hereafter “plovers”). These species are the subject of substantial management interest on the Missouri River for several reasons. First, ecosystem recovery is a goal for management agencies that seek tAuthorsTerry L. Shaffer, Mark H. Sherfy, Michael J. Anteau, Jennifer H. Stucker, Marsha A. Sovada, Erin A. Roche, Mark T. Wiltermuth, Thomas K. Buhl, Colin M. DovichinMeasuring and predicting abundance and dynamics of habitat for piping plovers on a large reservoir
Measuring habitat and understanding habitat dynamics have become increasingly important for wildlife conservation. Using remotely-sensed data, we developed procedures to measure breeding habitat abundance for the federally listed piping plover (Charadrius melodus) at Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota, USA. We also developed a model to predict habitat abundance based on past and projected water levels,AuthorsMichael J. Anteau, Mark T. Wiltermuth, Mark H. Sherfy, Terry L. ShafferWetland dynamics influence mid-continent duck recruitment
Recruitment is a key factor influencing duck population dynamics. Understanding what regulates recruitment of ducks is a prerequisite to informed habitat and harvest management. Quantity of May ponds (MP) has been linked to recruitment and population size (Kaminski and Gluesing 1987, Raveling and Heitmeyer 1989). However, wetland productivity (quality) is driven by inter-annual hydrological fluctuAuthorsMichael J. Anteau, Aaron T. Pearse, Michael L. SzymankskiNest survival of piping plovers at a dynamic reservoir indicates an ecological trap for a threatened population
In the past 60 years, reservoirs have reshaped riverine ecosystems and transformed breeding habitats used by the threatened piping plover (Charadrius melodus; hereafter plover). Currently, 29% of the Northern Great Plains plover population nests at reservoirs that might function as ecological traps because reservoirs have more diverse habitat features and greater dynamics in water levels than habiAuthorsMichael J. Anteau, Terry L. Shaffer, Mark H. Sherfy, Marsha A. Sovada, Jennifer H. Stucker, Mark T. WiltermuthForaging ecology of least terns and piping plovers nesting on Central Platte River sandpits and sandbars
Federally listed least terns (Sternula antillarum) and piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) nest on riverine sandbars on many major midcontinent river systems. On the Central Platte River, availability of sandbar habitat is limited, and both species nest on excavated sandpits in the river's floodplain. However, the extent to which sandpit-nesting birds use riverine habitats for foraging is unknown.AuthorsMark H. Sherfy, Michael J. Anteau, Terry L. Shaffer, Marsha A. Sovada, Jennifer H. StuckerDo interactions of land use and climate affect productivity of waterbirds and prairie-pothole wetlands?
Availability of aquatic invertebrates on migration and breeding areas influences recruitment of ducks and shorebirds. In wetlands of Prairie Pothole Region (PPR), aquatic invertebrate production primarily is driven by interannual fluctuations of water levels in response to wet-dry cycles in climate. However, this understanding comes from studying basins that are minimally impacted by agriculturalAuthorsMichael J. AnteauSelection indicates preference in diverse habitats: A ground-nesting bird (Charadrius melodus) using reservoir shoreline
Animals use proximate cues to select resources that maximize individual fitness. When animals have a diverse array of available habitats, those selected could give insights into true habitat preferences. Since the construction of the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River in North Dakota, Lake Sakakawea (SAK) has become an important breeding area for federally threatened piping plovers (Charadrius melAuthorsMichael J. Anteau, Mark H. Sherfy, Mark T. WiltermuthObjectives, priorities, reliable knowledge, and science-based management of Missouri River interior least terns and piping plovers
Supporting recovery of federally listed interior least tern (Sternula antillarum athalassos; tern) and piping plover (Charadrius melodus; plover) populations is a desirable goal in management of the Missouri River ecosystem. Many tools are implemented in support of this goal, including habitat management, annual monitoring, directed research, and threat mitigation. Similarly, many types of data caAuthorsMark Sherfy, Michael J. Anteau, Terry Shaffer, Marsha Sovada, Jennifer StuckerTesting competing hypotheses for chronology and intensity of lesser scaup molt during winter and spring migration
We examined chronology and intensity of molt and their relationships to nutrient reserves (lipid and protein) of Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) to test predictions of two competing hypotheses. The “staggered cost” hypothesis states that contour-feather molt is nutritionally costly and should not occur during nutritionally costly periods of the annual cycle unless adequate nutrients are available. TAuthorsMichael J. Anteau, A.C.E. Anteau, Alan D. AftonAgricultural practices and residual corn during spring crane and waterfowl migration in Nebraska
Nebraska's Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) is a major spring‐staging area for migratory birds. Over 6 million ducks, geese, and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) stage there en route to tundra, boreal forest, and prairie breeding habitats, storing nutrients for migration and reproduction by consuming primarily corn remaining in fields after harvest (hereafter residual corn). In springs 2005–200AuthorsMark H. Sherfy, Michael J. Anteau, A.A. BishopLocation and agricultural practices influence spring use of harvested cornfields by cranes and geese in Nebraska
Millions of ducks, geese, and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis; hereafter cranes) stop in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) of Nebraska to store nutrients for migration and reproduction by consuming corn remaining in fields after harvest. We examined factors that influence use of cornfields by cranes and geese (all mid‐continent species combined; e.g., Anser, Chen, and Branta spp.) because itAuthorsMichael J. Anteau, Mark H. Sherfy, A.A. BishopTesting competing hypotheses for chronology and intensity of lesser scaup molt during winter and spring migration
We examined chronology and intensity of molt and their relationships to nutrient reserves (lipid and protein) of Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinisK/i>) to test predictions of two competing hypotheses. The "staggered cost" hypothesis states that contour-feather molt is nutritionally costly and should not occur during nutritionally costly periods of the annual cycle unless adequate nutrients are availablAuthorsMichael J. Anteau, Andrea C.E. Anteau, Alan D. Afton - News
*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