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
Demographic analysis of waterfowl populations
Assessing conservation and management actions with ecosystem services better communicates conservation value to the public
Protocols for collecting and processing macroinvertebrates from the benthos and water column in depressional wetlands
Reassessing perennial cover as a driver of duck nest survival in the Prairie Pothole Region
High abundance of a single taxon (amphipods) predicts aquatic macrophyte biodiversity in prairie wetlands
Experimental evaluation of predator exclosures on nest, chick, and adult survival of piping plovers
Foraging movements and colony attendance of Least Terns (Sternula antillarum) on the central Platte River, Nebraska, USA
Dispersal distance is driven by habitat availability and reproductive success in Northern Great Plains piping plovers
Impacts of extreme environmental disturbances on piping plover survival are partially moderated by migratory connectivity
Plasma metabolite indices are robust to extrinsic variation and useful indicators of foraging habitat quality in Lesser Scaup
Spatial variation in population dynamics of northern Great Plains piping plovers
Asymmetric benefits of a heterospecific breeding association vary with habitat, conspecific abundance and breeding stage
Low renesting propensity and reproductive success make renesting unproductive for the threatened Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 13
Demographic analysis of waterfowl populations
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center (NPWRC) has a long history of conducting broad-scale demographic analyses on available waterfowl. Our current efforts are collaborative with a variety of partners. Current studies include: 1) analysis of banding data for lesser scaup to inform the role of harvest on the continental population; 2) analysis of North American survey information of mallards to... - Data
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 64
Assessing conservation and management actions with ecosystem services better communicates conservation value to the public
Fish and wildlife populations are under unprecedented threats from changes in land use and climate. With increasing threats comes a need for an expanded constituency that can contribute to the public support and financial capital needed for habitat conservation and management. Using an ecosystem services approach can provide a framework for a more holistic accounting of conservation benefits. OurAuthorsDavid M. Mushet, Max Post van der Burg, Michael J. AnteauProtocols for collecting and processing macroinvertebrates from the benthos and water column in depressional wetlands
Freshwater aquatic macroinvertebrates are key links in food webs and nutrient cycles, and thus often serve as biological indicators of ecosystem health. Macroinvertebrate investigations in research and monitoring require consistent and reliable field and laboratory procedures. Comprehensive standard operating procedures for sampling macroinvertebrates from depressional wetlands, which can range frAuthorsBreanna R. Keith, Jake D. Carleen, Danelle M. Larson, Michael J. Anteau, Megan J. FitzpatrickReassessing 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 deliverAuthorsAaron T. Pearse, Michael J. Anteau, Max Post van der Burg, Mark H. Sherfy, Thomas K. Buhl, Terry L. ShafferHigh abundance of a single taxon (amphipods) predicts aquatic macrophyte biodiversity in prairie wetlands
Conservation programs often aim to protect the abundance of individual species and biodiversity simultaneously. We quantified relations between amphipod densities and aquatic macrophyte (large plants and algae) diversity to test a hypothesis that biodiversity can support high abundance of a single taxonomic group. Amphipods (Gammarus lacustris and Hyalella azteca) are key forage for waterfowl andAuthorsDanelle M. Larson, Demmey DeJong, Michael J. Anteau, Megan J. Fitzpatrick, Breanna R. Keith, Emily G. Schilling, Barry ThoeleExperimental evaluation of predator exclosures on nest, chick, and adult survival of piping plovers
Species of conservation concern often receive intensive management to improve vital rates and facilitate recovery. Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are federally listed in the United States and concerns over nest depredation have prompted widespread use of plover-permeable predator exclosures placed around nests (0.5–2-m radius). While effectiveness of exclosures for improving nest survival hasAuthorsMichael J. Anteau, Rose J. Swift, Mark H. Sherfy, David N. Koons, Kristen S. Ellis, Terry L. Shaffer, Dustin L. Toy, Megan RingForaging movements and colony attendance of Least Terns (Sternula antillarum) on the central Platte River, Nebraska, USA
Least Terns (Sternula antillarum) are known to forage away from nesting colonies, yet little information is available about movement rates and distances. We used VHF transmitters and a network of datalogging receivers to monitor movements of 23 Least Terns on the central Platte River, Nebraska, USA. We typically detected incubating and brood-rearing birds within 8 km of colonies during daylight hoAuthorsMark H. Sherfy, Megan Ring, Jennifer H. Stucker, Michael J. Anteau, Terry L. Shaffer, Marsha A. SovadaDispersal distance is driven by habitat availability and reproductive success in Northern Great Plains piping plovers
BackgroundDispersal is a critical life history strategy that has important conservation implications, particularly for at-risk species with active recovery efforts and migratory species. Both natal and breeding dispersal are driven by numerous selection pressures, including conspecific competition, individual characteristics, reproductive success, and spatiotemporal variation in habitat. Most studAuthorsRose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Megan Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. ToyImpacts of extreme environmental disturbances on piping plover survival are partially moderated by migratory connectivity
Effective conservation for listed migratory species requires an understanding of how drivers of population decline vary spatially and temporally, as well as knowledge of range-wide connectivity between breeding and nonbreeding areas. Environmental conditions distant from breeding areas can have lasting effects on the demography of migratory species, yet these consequences are often the least underAuthorsKristen S. Ellis, Michael J. Anteau, Francesca J. Cuthbert, Cheri L Gratto-Trevor, Joel G. Jorgensen, David J Newstead, Larkin A. Powell, Megan Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Rose J. Swift, Dustin L. Toy, David N. KoonsPlasma metabolite indices are robust to extrinsic variation and useful indicators of foraging habitat quality in Lesser Scaup
Energy acquisition and storage are important for survival and fecundity of birds during resource-limited periods such as spring migration. Plasma-lipid metabolites (i.e. triglyceride [TRIG], β-hydroxybutyrate [BOHB]) have been used to index changes in lipid stores and, thus, have utility for assessing foraging habitat quality during migration. However, such an index may be affected by energetic maAuthorsEric J. Smith, Michael J. Anteau, Heath M. Hagy, Christopher N. JacquesSpatial variation in population dynamics of northern Great Plains piping plovers
Metapopulation dynamics are determined not only by within-patch birth and death processes but also by between-patch movements of individuals (emigration and immigration). To conserve and manage a species that has a metapopulation structure, defined by local populations that are distributed among patches of suitable habitat, we need to understand each of these vital rates. For the federally listedAuthorsRose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. Toy, David N. KoonsAsymmetric benefits of a heterospecific breeding association vary with habitat, conspecific abundance and breeding stage
Heterospecific breeding associations may benefit individuals by mitigating predation risk but may also create costs if they increase competition for resources or are more easily detectable by predators. Our understanding of the interactions among hetero‐ and conspecifics is often lacking in mixed species colonies. Here, we test how the presence of hetero‐ and conspecifics influence nest and chickAuthorsRose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Erin A. Roche, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. Toy, Megan RingLow renesting propensity and reproductive success make renesting unproductive for the threatened Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Upon reproductive failure, many bird species make a secondary attempt at nesting (hereafter, “renesting”). Renesting may be an effective strategy to maximize current and lifetime reproductive success, but individuals face uncertainty in the probability of success because reproductive attempts initiated later in the breeding season often have reduced nest, pre-fledging, and post-fledging brood survAuthorsRose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Megan Ring, Dustin L. Toy, Mark H. Sherfy - 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