Steven C Hess, Ph.D. (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 58
The history of mammal eradications in Hawai`i and the United States associated islands of the Central Pacific
Many eradications of mammal taxa have been accomplished on United States associated islands of the Central Pacific, beginning in 1910. Commonly eradicated species are rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), rats (Rattus spp.), feral cats (Felis catus), and several feral ungulates from smaller islands and fenced natural areas on larger Hawaiian Islands. Vegetation and avifauna have demonstrated dramatic r
Authors
S.C. Hess, J.D. Jacobi
Survival of European mouflon (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in Hawai'i based on tooth cementum lines
Reliable techniques for estimating age of ungulates are necessary to determine population parameters such as age structure and survival. Techniques that rely on dentition, horn, and facial patterns have limited utility for European mouflon sheep (Ovis gmelini musimon), but tooth cementum lines may offer a useful alternative. Cementum lines may not be reliable outside temperate regions, however, be
Authors
S.C. Hess, R.M. Stephens, T.L. Thompson, R.M. Danner, B. Kawakami
Is the model a misfit in Hawaii? The North American model in our most recent state
No abstract available.
Authors
Christopher A. Lepczyk, Edwin D. Johnson, Steven C. Hess
Sheep vs. Palila on Mauna Kea: after 200 years of damage, can these native birds recover?
No abstract available
Authors
Steven C. Hess, Paul C. Banko
By land and by sea: The widespread threat of feral cats on Hawaiian wildlife
No abstract available.
Authors
Steven C. Hess
Survival of feral cats, Felis catus (Carnivora: Felidae), on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i, based on tooth cementum lines
Feral cats (Felis catus) have spread throughout anthropogenic and insular environments of the world. They now threaten many species of native wildlife with chronic depredation. Knowledge of feral cat population dynamics is necessary to understand their ecological effects and to develop effective control strategies. However, there are few studies worldwide regarding annual or lifetime survival rate
Authors
Raymond M. Danner, Chris Farmer, Steven C. Hess, Robert M. Stephens, Paul C. Banko
Effects of ungulate management on vegetation at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawai'i Island
We compiled and analysed data from 1987-2004 on vegetation monitoring during feral ungulate management at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, a tropical montane rainforest on the island of Hawai'i All areas in the study had previously been used by ungulates, but cattle (Bos taurus) were removed and feral pig (Sus scrofa) populations were reduced during the study period. We monitored six line-
Authors
S.C. Hess, J.J. Jeffrey, L.W. Pratt, D.L. Ball
An adaptive strategy for reducing feral cat predation on endangered Hawaiian birds
Despite the long history of Feral Cats Felis catus in Hawai'i, there has been little research to provide strategies to improve control programmes and reduce depredation on endangered species. Our objective Was to develop a predictive model to determine how landscape features on Mauna Kea, such as habitat, elevation, and proximity to roads, may affect the number of Feral Cats captured at each trap.
Authors
S.C. Hess, P.C. Banko, H. Hansen
Home range and movements of feral cats on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i
Feral cats Felis catus in dry subalpine woodland of Mauna Kea, Hawai?i, live in low density and exhibit some of the largest reported home ranges in the literature. While 95% fixed kernel home range estimates for three females averaged 772 ha, four males averaged 1 418 ha, and one male maintained a home range of 2 050 ha. Mean daily movement rates between sexes overlapped widely and did not differ
Authors
Dan M. Goltz, S.C. Hess, K.W. Brinck, P.C. Banko, R.M. Danner
Design and evaluation of a simple signaling device for live traps
Frequent checks of live traps require enormous amounts of labor and add human scents associated with repeated monitoring, which may reduce capture efficiency. To reduce efforts and increase efficiency, we developed a trap-signaling device with long-distance reception, durability in adverse weather, and ease of transport, deployment, and use. Modifications from previous designs include a normally o
Authors
F.L. Benevides, H. Hansen, S.C. Hess
Wild sheep and deer in Hawai'i: a threat to fragile ecosystems
The unique native flora of the Hawaiian Islands, which evolved in the absence of ungulates (grazing animals), is highly vulnerable to damage by trampling and browsing. Wild ungulates introduced into Hawai'i in the past 150 years, including mouflon, axis deer, and mule deer, have severely harmed the native flora. Control measures used against feral animals do not work as well against these wild ani
Authors
Steven C. Hess
Diet of feral cats in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
We documented the diet of feral cats by analysing the contents of 42 digestive tracts from Kilauea and Mauna Loa in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Small mammals, invertebrates, and birds were the most common prey types consumed by feral cats. Birds occurred in 27.8-29.2% of digestive tracts. The total number of bird, small mammal, and invertebrate prey differed between Kilauea and Mauna Loa. On
Authors
S.C. Hess, H. Hansen, D. Nelson, R. Swift, P.C. Banko
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 58
The history of mammal eradications in Hawai`i and the United States associated islands of the Central Pacific
Many eradications of mammal taxa have been accomplished on United States associated islands of the Central Pacific, beginning in 1910. Commonly eradicated species are rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), rats (Rattus spp.), feral cats (Felis catus), and several feral ungulates from smaller islands and fenced natural areas on larger Hawaiian Islands. Vegetation and avifauna have demonstrated dramatic r
Authors
S.C. Hess, J.D. Jacobi
Survival of European mouflon (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in Hawai'i based on tooth cementum lines
Reliable techniques for estimating age of ungulates are necessary to determine population parameters such as age structure and survival. Techniques that rely on dentition, horn, and facial patterns have limited utility for European mouflon sheep (Ovis gmelini musimon), but tooth cementum lines may offer a useful alternative. Cementum lines may not be reliable outside temperate regions, however, be
Authors
S.C. Hess, R.M. Stephens, T.L. Thompson, R.M. Danner, B. Kawakami
Is the model a misfit in Hawaii? The North American model in our most recent state
No abstract available.
Authors
Christopher A. Lepczyk, Edwin D. Johnson, Steven C. Hess
Sheep vs. Palila on Mauna Kea: after 200 years of damage, can these native birds recover?
No abstract available
Authors
Steven C. Hess, Paul C. Banko
By land and by sea: The widespread threat of feral cats on Hawaiian wildlife
No abstract available.
Authors
Steven C. Hess
Survival of feral cats, Felis catus (Carnivora: Felidae), on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i, based on tooth cementum lines
Feral cats (Felis catus) have spread throughout anthropogenic and insular environments of the world. They now threaten many species of native wildlife with chronic depredation. Knowledge of feral cat population dynamics is necessary to understand their ecological effects and to develop effective control strategies. However, there are few studies worldwide regarding annual or lifetime survival rate
Authors
Raymond M. Danner, Chris Farmer, Steven C. Hess, Robert M. Stephens, Paul C. Banko
Effects of ungulate management on vegetation at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawai'i Island
We compiled and analysed data from 1987-2004 on vegetation monitoring during feral ungulate management at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, a tropical montane rainforest on the island of Hawai'i All areas in the study had previously been used by ungulates, but cattle (Bos taurus) were removed and feral pig (Sus scrofa) populations were reduced during the study period. We monitored six line-
Authors
S.C. Hess, J.J. Jeffrey, L.W. Pratt, D.L. Ball
An adaptive strategy for reducing feral cat predation on endangered Hawaiian birds
Despite the long history of Feral Cats Felis catus in Hawai'i, there has been little research to provide strategies to improve control programmes and reduce depredation on endangered species. Our objective Was to develop a predictive model to determine how landscape features on Mauna Kea, such as habitat, elevation, and proximity to roads, may affect the number of Feral Cats captured at each trap.
Authors
S.C. Hess, P.C. Banko, H. Hansen
Home range and movements of feral cats on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i
Feral cats Felis catus in dry subalpine woodland of Mauna Kea, Hawai?i, live in low density and exhibit some of the largest reported home ranges in the literature. While 95% fixed kernel home range estimates for three females averaged 772 ha, four males averaged 1 418 ha, and one male maintained a home range of 2 050 ha. Mean daily movement rates between sexes overlapped widely and did not differ
Authors
Dan M. Goltz, S.C. Hess, K.W. Brinck, P.C. Banko, R.M. Danner
Design and evaluation of a simple signaling device for live traps
Frequent checks of live traps require enormous amounts of labor and add human scents associated with repeated monitoring, which may reduce capture efficiency. To reduce efforts and increase efficiency, we developed a trap-signaling device with long-distance reception, durability in adverse weather, and ease of transport, deployment, and use. Modifications from previous designs include a normally o
Authors
F.L. Benevides, H. Hansen, S.C. Hess
Wild sheep and deer in Hawai'i: a threat to fragile ecosystems
The unique native flora of the Hawaiian Islands, which evolved in the absence of ungulates (grazing animals), is highly vulnerable to damage by trampling and browsing. Wild ungulates introduced into Hawai'i in the past 150 years, including mouflon, axis deer, and mule deer, have severely harmed the native flora. Control measures used against feral animals do not work as well against these wild ani
Authors
Steven C. Hess
Diet of feral cats in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
We documented the diet of feral cats by analysing the contents of 42 digestive tracts from Kilauea and Mauna Loa in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Small mammals, invertebrates, and birds were the most common prey types consumed by feral cats. Birds occurred in 27.8-29.2% of digestive tracts. The total number of bird, small mammal, and invertebrate prey differed between Kilauea and Mauna Loa. On
Authors
S.C. Hess, H. Hansen, D. Nelson, R. Swift, P.C. Banko