Michael Casazza
Mike Casazza's research program at the Dixon Field Station focuses on the ecology of waterfowl and wetland management in the Pacific Flyway.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Mike and his team are experts in wildlife telemetry and apply cutting edge tools to answer complex ecological questions. In addition, Mike’s program also focuses on threatened and endangered species in a variety of ecosystems including primary ecological research on the endangered California Ridgway's Rail in SF Bay, the endangered San Francisco Gartersnake, the threatened Giant Gartersnake in the Central Valley of California, the California state-listed Greater Sandhill Crane, and the Greater Sage-Grouse. Mike Casazza's research has targeted studies which provide critical species information to land managers responsible for maintaining diverse and healthy wildlife populations while trying to help recover special status species. Understanding key life history traits of special status species can lead to management options promoting species recovery.
EDUCATION
- 1995 M.S. California State University, Sacramento Thesis: Habitat use and movement of Northern Pintails wintering in Suisun Marsh, CA
- 1988 B.S. Wildlife Biology, U.C. Davis
Science and Products
Fate of Endangered Species in San Francisco Bay Tidal Marshes with Sea-Level Rise
Selenium concentrations in Yuma Ridgway's Rails occupying managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea
Yuma Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) Population Surveys, Rail Movement, and Potential Habitat at the Salton Sea of California
Suisun Tidal Marsh Duck Use Dataset
Migration stopover ecology of cinnamon teal in western North America
Waterfowl Disturbance in California and Nevada (2018)
Locations of Pacific Flyway Ducks in and near Commercial Livestock Facilities of the Western USA (2015-2021)
Tule Greater White-fronted Goose Migration Tracks (2019-2020) and Atmospheric Smoke Concentrations (2020).
Tracking Data for Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons)
Comparisons of Gambel's quail survey methods conducted in 2016 within the Mohave Desert of California with results and summaries
Impounded and tidal wetland plant diversity and composition across spatial scales, San Francisco Bay-Delta, California, USA (2016-2018)
Classification of Waterfowl Habitat, and Quantification of Interannual Space Use and Movement Distance from Primary Roosts to Night Feeding Locations by Waterfowl in California for October - March of 2015 through 2018
Coastal California San Francisco Gartersnake Capture-Mark-Recapture Data (2008-2013)
Changes in habitat suitability for wintering dabbling ducks during dry conditions in the Central Valley of California
Moisture abundance and proximity mediate seasonal use of mesic areas and survival of greater sage-grouse broods
Dabbling duck eggs hatch after nest abandonment in the wild
Postbreeding movements and molting ecology of female gadwalls and mallards
Predator movements in relation to habitat features reveal vulnerability of duck nests to predation
Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Spatiotemporal changes in influenza A virus prevalence among wild waterfowl inhabiting the continental United States throughout the annual cycle
Yuma Ridgway’s rail selenium exposure and occupancy within managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea
Machine learned daily life history classification using low frequency tracking data and automated modelling pipelines: Application to North American waterfowl
Invasion of annual grasses following wildfire corresponds to maladaptive habitat selection by a sagebrush ecosystem indicator species
To catch a (marsh) predator: Modified trapping methods for breeding and wintering Northern Harriers (Circus hudsonius)
Functional wetland loss drives emerging risks to waterbird migration networks
Science and Products
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Fate of Endangered Species in San Francisco Bay Tidal Marshes with Sea-Level Rise
The San Francisco Bay estuary contains the largest remaining expanse of tidal salt marshes in the western U.S. These marshes are home to a variety of federal and state protected species, such as the California clapper rail, California black rail, and the salt marsh harvest mouse. The estuary is also located on the Pacific Flyway, and is an important site for migrating and wintering birds. As clima - Data
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Selenium concentrations in Yuma Ridgway's Rails occupying managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea
Yuma Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis, hereafter, "rail" are an endangered species for which patches of emergent marsh within the Salton Sea watershed comprise a substantial portion of habitat for the species' disjointed range in the southwestern United States. These areas of emergent marsh include: 1) marshes managed by federal (particularly the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Sonny BYuma Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) Population Surveys, Rail Movement, and Potential Habitat at the Salton Sea of California
Data were obtained as part of a project assessing risk to the federal and California listed endangered Yuma Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) populations resulting from selenium contaminated agricultural runoff and to inform habitat restoration and management decisions. Four data sets were produced and used to analyze patterns of Yuma Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis, renamedSuisun Tidal Marsh Duck Use Dataset
Location data with corresponding habitat class (managed vs tidal marsh) and habitat type (permanent pond, seasonal pond, channel, or marshland) for waterfowl utilizing the Suisun Marsh region of California with species, sex, season and date information. These data support the following publication: Casazza, M.L., McDuie, F., Jones, S., Lorenz, A.A., Overton, C.T., Yee, J., Feldheim, C.L., AckeMigration stopover ecology of cinnamon teal in western North America
Identifying migration routes and fall stopover sites of cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera septentrionalium) can provide a spatial guide to management and conservation efforts, and address vulnerabilities in wetland networks that support migratory waterbirds. Using high spatio-temporal resolution GSM-GPS transmitters, we tracked the fall migration of 61 cinnamon teal across western North America ovWaterfowl Disturbance in California and Nevada (2018)
Long-term environmental management to prevent waterfowl population declines is informed by ecology, movement behavior and habitat use patterns. Extrinsic factors such as human-induced disturbance can cause behavioral changes which may influence movement, and resource needs, driving variation that affects management efficacy. To better understand the relationship between human-based disturbance andLocations of Pacific Flyway Ducks in and near Commercial Livestock Facilities of the Western USA (2015-2021)
Zoonotic diseases are of considerable concern to the human population and viruses such as avian influenza (AIV) threaten food security, wildlife conservation and human health. Wild waterfowl and the natural wetlands they use, are known AIV reservoirs, with birds capable of virus transmission to domestic poultry populations. While infection risk models have linked migration routes and AIV outbreaksTule Greater White-fronted Goose Migration Tracks (2019-2020) and Atmospheric Smoke Concentrations (2020).
April through May (spring) and August through September (fall) locations for tule greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons elgasi) marked with GPS collars at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, OR in 2018 and 2019. Locations may include pre-migration and post-migration designations. Locations occurring between September 11, 2020, and arrival at, or within 50 kilometers of the Summer Lake Wildlife AreaTracking Data for Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons)
This metadata document describes VHF tracking data for Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) that were marked annually from 1987 to 1991 in Alaska and the Klamath Basin (Oregon and California) and subsequently tracked through the Pacific Flyway (primarily in Alaska, California, and Mexico). Only tracking data for geese marked or located, at least once, in Alaska are included in this data pComparisons of Gambel's quail survey methods conducted in 2016 within the Mohave Desert of California with results and summaries
Data includes results collected in the Mohave Desert during 2016 using three survey methods (acoustic recording units, camera traps, and call-count surveys) to detect gamebirds, primarily Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii) but also including records of mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), Eurasian collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto), and chukar (Alectoris chukar). ARU data includes the SelectionsImpounded and tidal wetland plant diversity and composition across spatial scales, San Francisco Bay-Delta, California, USA (2016-2018)
These datasets provide information on plant alpha, beta, and gamma diversity, and plant species abundance at several spatial scales for tidal wetlands along a salinity gradient in the San Francisco Bay-Delta and an impounded brackish wetland complex in Suisun Marsh, California. Files include diversity metrics calculated at the patch, site, and region scales, average percent cover of wetland dominaClassification of Waterfowl Habitat, and Quantification of Interannual Space Use and Movement Distance from Primary Roosts to Night Feeding Locations by Waterfowl in California for October - March of 2015 through 2018
Technological advancements in Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry markers allow almost real-time observation of waterfowl movements and habitat selection. Telemetry data on ducks marked with GPS transmitters can be used to evaluate performance of remote sensing data (for example, dynamic open-water maps produced by Point Blue Conservation Science) for classifying habitats that are flooded anCoastal California San Francisco Gartersnake Capture-Mark-Recapture Data (2008-2013)
These data are multi-state capture histories of 273 individual San Francisco gartersnakes collected at a site before and after a portion of the site was burned. Data collection began in 2008 and continued until 2013, and the prescribed fire was applied in the fall of 2010. These data support the following paper: Halstead, B. J., Thompson, M. E., Amarello, M. , Smith, J. J., Wylie, G. D., Routman, - Multimedia
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Changes in habitat suitability for wintering dabbling ducks during dry conditions in the Central Valley of California
In arid and Mediterranean regions, landscape-scale wetland conservation requires understanding how wildlife responds to dynamic freshwater availability and conservation actions to enhance wetland habitat. Taking advantage of Landsat satellite data and structured and community science bird survey data, we built species distribution models to describe how three duck species, the Northern Pintail (AnAuthorsErin E. Conlisk, Kristin B. Byrd, Elliott Matchett, Austen Lorenz, Michael L. Casazza, Gregory H. Golet, Mark D. Reynolds, Kristin A. Sesser, Matthew E. ReiterMoisture abundance and proximity mediate seasonal use of mesic areas and survival of greater sage-grouse broods
Water is a critical and limited resource, particularly in the arid West, but water availability is projected to decline even while demand increases due to growing human populations and increases in duration and severity of drought. Mesic areas provide important water resources for numerous wildlife species, including the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse), an iAuthorsJohn P. Severson, Peter S. Coates, Megan C. Milligan, Shawn T. O'Neil, Mark A. Ricca, Steve C. Abele, John D. Boone, Michael L. CasazzaDabbling duck eggs hatch after nest abandonment in the wild
In most birds, parental incubation of eggs is necessary for embryo development and survival. Using a combination of weekly nest visits, temperature dataloggers, infrared video cameras, and GPS tracking of hens, we documented several instances of duck eggs hatching after being abandoned by the incubating female. Of 2826 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and Gadwall (Mareca strepera) nests monitored 2015AuthorsCarley Rose Schacter, Brady Lynn Fettig, Sarah H. Peterson, C. Alex Hartman, Mark P. Herzog, Michael L. Casazza, Josh T. AckermanPostbreeding movements and molting ecology of female gadwalls and mallards
The wing molt is an important annual life-history event that occurs in waterfowl and molt site selection can play an important role in determining survival. We tracked postbreeding movements of gadwall (Mareca strepera) and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) females that bred in the Suisun Marsh (Suisun) of California, USA, to determine molt site selection and wing molt chronology. We attached backpackAuthorsJeffrey D Kohl, Michael L. Casazza, Cory T. Overton, Mark P. Herzog, Josh T. Ackerman, Cliff L. Feldheim, John M. EadiePredator movements in relation to habitat features reveal vulnerability of duck nests to predation
Nest predation is the main cause of nest failure for ducks. Understanding how habitat features influence predator movements may facilitate management of upland and wetland breeding habitats that reduces predator encounter rates with duck nests and increases nest survival rates. For 1618 duck nests, nest survival increased with distance to phragmites (Phragmites australis), shrubs, telephone poles,AuthorsSarah H. Peterson, Josh T. Ackerman, Meghan P Keating, Carley Rose Schacter, C. Alex Hartman, Michael L. Casazza, Mark P. HerzogAvian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Environmental contamination is widespread and can negatively impact wildlife health. Some contaminants, including heavy metals, have immunosuppressive effects, but prior studies have rarely measured contamination and disease simultaneously, which limits our understanding of how contaminants and pathogens interact to influence wildlife health. Here, we measured mercury concentrations, influenza infAuthorsClaire Stewart Teitelbaum, Josh T. Ackerman, Mason A. Hill, Jaqueline M. Satter, Michael L. Casazza, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Walter M. Boyce, Evan James Buck, John M. Eadie, Mark P. Herzog, Elliott Matchett, Cory T. Overton, Sarah H. Peterson, Magdalena Plancarte, Andrew M. Ramey, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Diann ProsserSpatiotemporal changes in influenza A virus prevalence among wild waterfowl inhabiting the continental United States throughout the annual cycle
Avian influenza viruses can pose serious risks to agricultural production, human health, and wildlife. An understanding of viruses in wild reservoir species across time and space is important to informing surveillance programs, risk models, and potential population impacts for vulnerable species. Although it is recognized that influenza A virus prevalence peaks in reservoir waterfowl in late summeAuthorsCody M. Kent, Andrew M. Ramey, Josh T. Ackerman, Justin Bahl, Sarah N. Bevins, Andrew S. Bowman, Walter Boyce, Carol Cardona, Michael L. Casazza, Troy D. Cline, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Jeffrey S. Hall, Nichola J. Hill, Hon S. Ip, Scott Krauss, Jennifer M. Mullinax, Jacqueline M. Nolting, Magdalena Plancarte, Rebecca L. Poulson, Jonathan A. Runstadler, Richard D. Slemons, David E. Stallknecht, Jeffery D. Sullivan, John Y. Takekawa, Richard J. Webby, Robert G. Webster, Diann J. ProsserYuma Ridgway’s rail selenium exposure and occupancy within managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea
Yuma Ridgway’s rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis, hereafter, rail) is an endangered species for which patches of emergent marsh within the Salton Sea watershed comprise a substantial part of habitat for the species’ disjointed range in the southwestern United States. These areas of emergent marsh include (1) marshes managed by federal (particularly the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sonny Bono SAuthorsMark A. Ricca, Cory T. Overton, Thomas W. Anderson, Angela Merritt, Eamon Harrity, Elliott Matchett, Michael L. CasazzaMachine learned daily life history classification using low frequency tracking data and automated modelling pipelines: Application to North American waterfowl
BackgroundIdentifying animal behaviors, life history states, and movement patterns is a prerequisite for many animal behavior analyses and effective management of wildlife and habitats. Most approaches classify short-term movement patterns with high frequency location or accelerometry data. However, patterns reflecting life history across longer time scales can have greater relevance to species biAuthorsCory T. Overton, Michael L. Casazza, Joseph Bretz, Fiona McDuie, Elliott Matchett, Desmond Alexander Mackell, Austen Lorenz, Andrea Mott, Mark P. Herzog, Josh T. AckermanInvasion of annual grasses following wildfire corresponds to maladaptive habitat selection by a sagebrush ecosystem indicator species
Numerous wildlife species within semi-arid shrubland ecosystems across western North America are experiencing substantial habitat loss and fragmentation. These changes in habitat are often attributed to a diverse suite of factors including prolonged and increasingly severe droughts, conifer expansion, anthropogenic development, domestic and feral livestock grazing, and invasion of exotic annual grAuthorsBrianne E. Brussee, Peter S. Coates, Shawn T. O'Neil, Michael L. Casazza, Shawn P. Espinosa, John D. Boone, Elisabeth M. Ammon, Scott C. Gardner, David J. DelehantyTo catch a (marsh) predator: Modified trapping methods for breeding and wintering Northern Harriers (Circus hudsonius)
Although there are a variety of methods available for trapping raptors, some species, such as Northern Harriers (Circus hudsonius), are not easily captured with standard methods. We tested several existing trapping methods and modified two of them based on Northern Harrier ecology and behavior across seasons in a study population in California. No previously successful methods described in the litAuthorsShannon Skalos, Michael L. Casazza, Matthew J. Falcon, William Thein, Joshua M. HullFunctional wetland loss drives emerging risks to waterbird migration networks
Migratory waterbirds (i.e., shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl) rely on a diffuse continental network of wetland habitats to support annual life cycle needs. Emerging threats of climate and land-use change raise new concerns over the sustainability of these habitat networks as water scarcity triggers cascading ecological effects impacting wetland habitat availability. Here we use important waAuthorsJ Patrick Donnelly, Johnnie N Moore, Michael L. Casazza, Shea P Coons - Web Tools
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