Terry Shaffer
Terry Shaffer is a Statistician (Emeritus) at the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center in Jamestown, North Dakota.
Terry Shaffer has been a career statistician with the U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center in Jamestown, North Dakota, since 1983. His many interests include statistical applications in avian and prairie ecology, sampling design, experimental design, modeling, and statistical consulting.
Professional Experience
Statistician and Supervisory Statistician, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, North Dakota
Education and Certifications
M.S., Statistics, North Dakota State University
B.S., Mathematics and Computer Science, Moorhead State University
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 38
Time-specific patterns of nest survival for ducks and passerines breeding in North Dakota
In many bird species, survival can vary with the age of the nest, with the date a nest was initiated, or among years within the same nesting area. A literature review showed that patterns of survival vary in relation to nest age and date and are often contradictory. Inconsistencies could be a result of temporal variation in the environment or life-history differences among species. We examined pat
Authors
Terry L. Shaffer, Todd A. Grant
Nest 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 habi
Authors
Michael J. Anteau, Terry L. Shaffer, Mark H. Sherfy, Marsha A. Sovada, Jennifer H. Stucker, Mark T. Wiltermuth
Foraging 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.
Authors
Mark H. Sherfy, Michael J. Anteau, Terry L. Shaffer, Marsha A. Sovada, Jennifer H. Stucker
Ducks and passerines nesting in northern mixed-grass prairie treated with fire
Prescribed fire is an important, ecology-driven tool for restoration of grassland systems. However, prescribed fire remains controversial for some grassland managers because of reported reductions in bird use of recently burned grasslands. Few studies have evaluated effects of fire on grassland bird populations in the northern mixed-grass prairie region. Fewer studies yet have examined the influen
Authors
Todd A. Grant, Terry L. Shaffer, Elizabeth M. Madden, Gordon B. Berkey
Valuing ecosystem and economic services across land-use scenarios in the Prairie Pothole Regions of the Dakotas, USA
This study uses biophysical values derived for the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North and South Dakota, in conjunction with value transfer methods, to assess environmental and economic tradeoffs under different policy-relevant land-use scenarios over a 20-year period. The ecosystem service valuation is carried out by comparing the biophysical and economic values of three focal services (i.e. ca
Authors
William R. Gascoigne, Dana Hoag, Lynne Koontz, Brian A. Tangen, Terry L. Shaffer, Robert A. Gleason
An adaptive approach to invasive plant management on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-owned native prairies in the Prairie Pothole Region: decision support under uncertainity
Much of the native prairie managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) is extensively invaded by the introduced cool-season grasses smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). The central challenge to managers is selecting appropriate management actions in the face of biological and environmental uncertainties. We describe t
Authors
Jill J. Gannon, Clinton T. Moore, Terry L. Shaffer, Bridgette Flanders-Wanner
Nest movement by piping plovers in response to changing habitat conditions
Birds that nest along reservoir or river shorelines may face fluctuating water levels that threaten nest survival. On Lake Sakakawea of the upper Missouri River, 37 and 70% of Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) nests found in 2007 and 2008, respectively, were initiated at elevations inundated prior to projected hatch date. We describe eight events at seven nests in which adult Piping Plovers appea
Authors
Mark T. Wiltermuth, Michael J. Anteau, Mark H. Sherfy, Terry L. Shaffer
The ABCs of nest survival: Theory and application from a biostatistical perspective
No abstract available.
Authors
Dennis M. Heisey, Terry L. Shaffer, Gary C. White
Determinants of mallard and gadwall nesting on constructed islands in North Dakota
Constructed islands with adequate nesting cover provide secure nesting sites for ducks because islands restrict access by mammalian predators. These islands are costly to construct and should be placed in areas that ensure the greatest use by nesting ducks. We studied mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and gadwall (A. strepera) nesting on constructed islands in North Dakota in 1996 (n = 20) and 1997 (n
Authors
Terry L. Shaffer, Ann L. Dahl, Ronald E. Reynolds, Kathy L. Baer, Michael A. Johnson, Glen A. Sargeant
Floristic quality assessment of one natural and three restored wetland complexes in North Dakota, USA
Floristic quality assessment is potentially an important tool for conservation efforts in the northern Great Plains of North America, but it has received little rigorous evaluation. Floristic quality assessments rely on coefficients assigned to each plant species of a region’s flora based on the conservatism of each species relative to others in the region. These “coefficients of conservatism” (C
Authors
David M. Mushet, Ned H. Euliss, Terry L. Shaffer
Impact of the Conservation Reserve Program on duck recruitment in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) resulted in the conversion of about 1.9 million ha of cropland to perennial grass cover in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, South Dakota, and northeastern Montana by 1992. Many wildlife managers believed this cover would provide benefits to wildlife, including upland nesting ducks. During 1992-1995, we evalua
Authors
Ronald E. Reynolds, Terry L. Shaffer, Randy W. Renner, Wesley E. Newton, Bruce D.J. Batt
Evaluations of duck habitat and estimation of duck population sizes with a remote-sensing-based system
During 1987-90, we used high-altitude photography, aerial videography, counts, and models to estimate sizes of breeding populations of dabbling ducks (Anatinae) and duck production and to identify duck habitat on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land and easements and on private land in the prairie pothole region of the United States. The study area contained about 3.1 million wetland basins (28,490
Authors
Lewis M. Cowardin, Terry L. Shaffer, Phillip M. Arnold
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Filter Total Items: 38
Time-specific patterns of nest survival for ducks and passerines breeding in North Dakota
In many bird species, survival can vary with the age of the nest, with the date a nest was initiated, or among years within the same nesting area. A literature review showed that patterns of survival vary in relation to nest age and date and are often contradictory. Inconsistencies could be a result of temporal variation in the environment or life-history differences among species. We examined patAuthorsTerry L. Shaffer, Todd A. GrantNest 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. StuckerDucks and passerines nesting in northern mixed-grass prairie treated with fire
Prescribed fire is an important, ecology-driven tool for restoration of grassland systems. However, prescribed fire remains controversial for some grassland managers because of reported reductions in bird use of recently burned grasslands. Few studies have evaluated effects of fire on grassland bird populations in the northern mixed-grass prairie region. Fewer studies yet have examined the influenAuthorsTodd A. Grant, Terry L. Shaffer, Elizabeth M. Madden, Gordon B. BerkeyValuing ecosystem and economic services across land-use scenarios in the Prairie Pothole Regions of the Dakotas, USA
This study uses biophysical values derived for the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North and South Dakota, in conjunction with value transfer methods, to assess environmental and economic tradeoffs under different policy-relevant land-use scenarios over a 20-year period. The ecosystem service valuation is carried out by comparing the biophysical and economic values of three focal services (i.e. caAuthorsWilliam R. Gascoigne, Dana Hoag, Lynne Koontz, Brian A. Tangen, Terry L. Shaffer, Robert A. GleasonAn adaptive approach to invasive plant management on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-owned native prairies in the Prairie Pothole Region: decision support under uncertainity
Much of the native prairie managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) is extensively invaded by the introduced cool-season grasses smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). The central challenge to managers is selecting appropriate management actions in the face of biological and environmental uncertainties. We describe tAuthorsJill J. Gannon, Clinton T. Moore, Terry L. Shaffer, Bridgette Flanders-WannerNest movement by piping plovers in response to changing habitat conditions
Birds that nest along reservoir or river shorelines may face fluctuating water levels that threaten nest survival. On Lake Sakakawea of the upper Missouri River, 37 and 70% of Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) nests found in 2007 and 2008, respectively, were initiated at elevations inundated prior to projected hatch date. We describe eight events at seven nests in which adult Piping Plovers appeaAuthorsMark T. Wiltermuth, Michael J. Anteau, Mark H. Sherfy, Terry L. ShafferThe ABCs of nest survival: Theory and application from a biostatistical perspective
No abstract available.AuthorsDennis M. Heisey, Terry L. Shaffer, Gary C. WhiteDeterminants of mallard and gadwall nesting on constructed islands in North Dakota
Constructed islands with adequate nesting cover provide secure nesting sites for ducks because islands restrict access by mammalian predators. These islands are costly to construct and should be placed in areas that ensure the greatest use by nesting ducks. We studied mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and gadwall (A. strepera) nesting on constructed islands in North Dakota in 1996 (n = 20) and 1997 (nAuthorsTerry L. Shaffer, Ann L. Dahl, Ronald E. Reynolds, Kathy L. Baer, Michael A. Johnson, Glen A. SargeantFloristic quality assessment of one natural and three restored wetland complexes in North Dakota, USA
Floristic quality assessment is potentially an important tool for conservation efforts in the northern Great Plains of North America, but it has received little rigorous evaluation. Floristic quality assessments rely on coefficients assigned to each plant species of a region’s flora based on the conservatism of each species relative to others in the region. These “coefficients of conservatism” (CAuthorsDavid M. Mushet, Ned H. Euliss, Terry L. ShafferImpact of the Conservation Reserve Program on duck recruitment in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) resulted in the conversion of about 1.9 million ha of cropland to perennial grass cover in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, South Dakota, and northeastern Montana by 1992. Many wildlife managers believed this cover would provide benefits to wildlife, including upland nesting ducks. During 1992-1995, we evaluaAuthorsRonald E. Reynolds, Terry L. Shaffer, Randy W. Renner, Wesley E. Newton, Bruce D.J. BattEvaluations of duck habitat and estimation of duck population sizes with a remote-sensing-based system
During 1987-90, we used high-altitude photography, aerial videography, counts, and models to estimate sizes of breeding populations of dabbling ducks (Anatinae) and duck production and to identify duck habitat on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land and easements and on private land in the prairie pothole region of the United States. The study area contained about 3.1 million wetland basins (28,490AuthorsLewis M. Cowardin, Terry L. Shaffer, Phillip M. Arnold