Source: FOREST AND WILDLIFE RES CENTER submitted to
POPULATION BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF VERTEBRATE AND INVERTEBRATE ORGANISMS.
Sponsoring Institution
Other Cooperating Institutions
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0192256
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
MISZ-082050
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 1, 2002
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2006
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Dinsmore, S. J.
Recipient Organization
FOREST AND WILDLIFE RES CENTER
(N/A)
MISSISSIPPI STATE,MS 39762
Performing Department
DEPT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
Non Technical Summary
As human population growth continues, many native ecosystems will become increasingly threatened and there will be a need for managing rare and declining species. This project will provide biologists and managers with population and community-level information and techniques necessary to manage and recover declining organisms.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1350820107033%
1350830107033%
1350860107034%
Goals / Objectives
Project objectives: 1. Study ecology of non-game organisms in Mississippi, with emphasis on their population biology and reproductive ecology, and ways to promote their long-term conservation. Emphasis will be placed on ways to effectively sample and monitor populations, estimating parameters such as annual survival, measuring population trends, and developing recommendations to promote species conservation. 2. Study community structure of upland and bottomland ecosystems in Mississippi, including measures of species diversity, competition, and abundance. Particular emphasis will be placed on avian communities and how they are influenced by habitat changes (e.g., forest management), competition (e.g., introduced species), and other natural processes (e.g., flooding and fire). 3. Study ecology of game birds (e.g., Wild Turkey, waterfowl) in Mississippi with emphasis on their population biology, nesting ecology, and habitat requirements. Possible topics to be addressed include effects of habitat management, survey and sampling techniques for selected species, and impacts of differing harvest strategies on their populations. 4. Study population biology of threatened and endangered wildlife and relate declines to a range of environmental factors, which can later be incorporated into recovery and management plans.
Project Methods
Study 1. Ecology and population biology of Least Terns nesting along the Lower Mississippi River (LMR). Interior Least Terns are federally listed as Endangered and occur along the Missouri and Lower Mississippi Rivers and their tributaries. The specific study objectives are: 1) to initiate an intensive nesting study that examines the factors influencing the productivity of Least Terns along the LMR, 2) to study the population biology of Least Terns along the LMR using capture-recapture techniques, and 3) to investigate interchange between Gulf Coast and Interior populations of Least Terns. This study will occur along the LMR from Vicksburg, Mississippi north to Cairo, Illinois. Using detailed nest survival models, less biased estimates of nesting success will be generated as a function of several covariates. Large numbers of terns will be individually color banded annually to estimate annual survival and population size using Program MARK. Study 2. Nesting ecology of Wild Turkeys in northern Mississippi. The Wild Turkey is an important game bird in many parts of the United States. In Mississippi, they are a locally common resident statewide and are the focus of intensive management. The specific study objectives are to: 1) determine Wild Turkey hen nesting use and preference for wildlife openings, 2) estimate Wild Turkey nesting success, and 3) evaluate efficacy of using thermal imaging cameras to identify and monitor nesting hens. Wild Turkeys hens will be captured and fitted with backpack-style radio transmitters. Radioed hens will be monitored intensely during the reproductive period to determine nesting effort, nest site selection, nesting success, and brood habitat use. Nesting hen Wild Turkeys also will be located from the ground during incubation using a thermal imaging camera. Nesting success will be estimated in Program MARK, and will help assess the importance of managed wildlife openings for turkeys. Study 3. The population biology and conservation of freshwater mussels in Mississippi. Freshwater mussels represent a diverse taxonomic group with at least 281 species occurring in North America, which as a group are very imperiled and in need of some form of protection. The specific study objectives are to: 1) estimate seasonal and annual survival rates, as a function of covariates such as age and site characteristics, for two mussel species at an isolated mussel bed in northeast Mississippi, and 2) estimate annual population size for each of these species at this site. The proposed study will be conducted at a mussel bed on the Tombigbee River near Columbus in Lowndes County, Mississippi. Two species (Obliquaria reflexa and Plectomeres dombeyanus) are relatively common and will be the focus of this study. Mussels will be sampled by filtering the substrate of the entire mussel bed using fine mesh sieve. All captured mussels will be identified as to species, aged, and measured (length and mass), individually marked, and then released alive. Using encounter histories generated from captures and recaptures, annual age-specific survival and annual population size will be estimated using the robust design approach in Program MARK.

Progress 07/01/02 to 12/31/06

Outputs
My research in avian population biology produced a number of products, most notably 3 M.S. theses. Excerpts from the theses of those graduate projects include: NESTING ECOLOGY OF SNOWY AND WILSON'S PLOVERS IN THE LOWER LAGUNA MADRE REGION OF TEXAS I studied Snowy and Wilson's Plovers in the lower Laguna Madre region of Texas during the 2003 and 2004 breeding seasons. The estimate for Snowy Plovers was 416 adults (95% CI = 394, 438) and for Wilson's Plovers was 279 adults (95% CI = 262, 296). Daily survival of Snowy Plover nests was a function of location, time of season, daily age of the nest, the presence of an object near the nest, and the spatial heterogeneity of vegetation within 25 m of the nest. Nest survival of Wilson's Plovers was best explained by the amount and spatial arrangement of vegetation at the immediate nest site. MOUNTIAN PLOVER ABUNDANCE AND NEST SURVIVAL IN NORTHEASTERN MONTANA I estimated the abundance of Mountain Plovers in three strata in north-central Montana. Most (N = 768, 95% CI = 668, 960) occurred on active Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies with fewer on a Bureau of Land Management Area of Critical Environmental Concern (N = 160, 95% CI = 100, 285) and in surrounding habitats (N = 85, 95% CI = 60, 119). Incubation period survival ranged from 0.54 to 0.68. Daily nest survival was a function of quadratic temporal variation within years, year, daily precipitation, landscape shrub and bare ground coverage, nest macrohabitat heterogeneity, and microhabitat bare ground patch density. These results provide the first abundance estimates for this region, identify important influences on nest survival, and provide a model for evaluating those effects and predicting nest survival under differing conditions. SURVIVAL, HABITAT USE, AND NEST-SITE CHARACTERISTICS OF WILD TURKEYS IN CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI Wild Turkey survival, habitat use, and nest-site characteristics were studied on Malmaison Wildlife Management Area, Mississippi, 2003-2004. Survival rates were 0.55, 0.0004, 0.26, and 0.30 for jakes, adult gobblers, juvenile hens, and adult hens, respectively for the entire study. Spring survival for all groups was 0.51 (95% CI 0.36, 0.65) and was least among seasons. Brood hens used bottomland hardwood stands, pine plantations, and old fields more than expected during the post-nesting period. Non-brood hens used bottomland hardwood stands more than expected during the pre- and post-nesting periods. Vegetation height was 0.3-0.6 m for all nest sites. Vertical screening cover for all nests was in the 21-40% obscurity category at 1 m and 41-60% category at 3 and 5 meters. Vine composition differed between successful (2%) and unsuccessful (20%) nests (P = 0.03). Collectively, these projects increased our understanding of aspects of avian population biology, provided tools for managers to make more informed decisions, particularly regarding habitat management, and information that will ultimately benefit the management of these and other bird species.

Impacts
This research provided an understanding of population and community biology and how this relates to contemporary conservation issues. It also provided a basic understanding of avian population processes and linked them to contemporary wildlife management issues.

Publications

  • Childers, M. C. 2006. Mountain Plover Abundance and Nest Survival Relationships to Habitat in Northeastern Montana. Thesis, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Mississippi State University.
  • Dinsmore, S.J. and D.H. Johnson. 2005. Population analysis in wildlife biology. Chapter 6 in Techniques for Wildlife Investigations and Management edited by Clait E. Braun. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, MD. Pages 154-184.
  • Dinsmore, S.J. 2006. Mountain Plover population responses to black-tailed prairie dogs in Montana. Journal of Wildlife Management. In press.
  • Holder, B. D., and S. J. Dinsmore. 2005. Wild Turkey Habitat Use in Central Mississippi. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. In review.
  • Holder, B. D. 2006. Survival, Habitat Use, and Nest-site Characteristics of Wild Turkeys in Central Mississippi. Thesis, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Mississippi State University.
  • Hood, S. L., and S. J. Dinsmore. 2006. The Influence of Habitat on Nest Survival of Snowy and Wilson's Plovers in the Lower Laguna Madre Region of Texas. Studies in Avian Biology. To be published.
  • Hood, S. L. 2006. Nesting Ecology of Snowy and Wilson's Plovers in the Lower Laguna Madre Region of Texas. Thesis, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Mississippi State University.
  • Smith, M. D., P.J. Barbour, L.W. Burger, Jr., and S.J. Dinsmore. 2005. Density and diversity of overwintering birds in managed field borders in Mississippi. Wilson Bulletin 117:258-269.


Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
During the past year, work has continued on several projects in the area of avian population biology. A Mountain Plover project in Montana continued for the tenth year and recent accomplishments include additional modeling of sex-specific annual survO'Keefe, D. M., G. Berryhill and D. C. Jackson. 2004. Assessment of paddlefish in the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Annual Report No. 235. Grant No. T-1. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Jackson. 52pp. ival rates, modeling occupancy of prairie dog colonies based on a range of colony features, and initial work on the influence of habitat at several scales on reproductive success. A related project on Wilson's and Snowy Plovers in Texas saw the second (and final) field season completed and work on estimating abundance and modeling nest survival of both species is continuing. A project looking at reproductive behavior and survival of wild turkeys in Mississippi also saw fieldwork completed, but analyses of the data are just beginning. The number of graduate students funded by these projects is 4.

Impacts
An understanding of population and community biology is integral to many contemporary conservation issues. My research continues to provide a basic understanding of avian population processes and links them, where appropriate, to contemporary management issues.

Publications

  • Iko, W. M., S. J. Dinsmore, and F. L. Knopf. 2004. On determining the sex of Mountain Plovers (Charadrius montanus) from morphometric measurements. Western North American Naturalist 64:492-496.
  • Rotella, J. J., S. J. Dinsmore, and T. L. Shaffer. 2004. Modeling nest-survival data: a comparison of recently developed methods that can be implemented in MARK and SAS. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 7:1-19.


Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
During 2003, work continued on 4 projects related to the population biology and conservation of birds. Two shorebird projects (Mountain Plovers in Montana and Snowy/Wilson's Plovers in Texas) completed fieldwork that will provide a better understanding of the influence of external variables on nesting success and estimate the size of local breeding populations of these species. A winter waterfowl project in Mississippi continues to increase our understanding of waterfowl abundance and distribution in the Delta region and will ultimately aid managers in making decisions regarding large-scale habitat management and hunting seasons. A Wild Turkey project in Mississippi provided baseline information on reproduction and habitat use and will ultimately aid wildlife managers in meeting habitat management goals for this species. Each of these projects is scheduled to continue in 2004.

Impacts
An understanding of population and community biology is integral to many contemporary conservation issues. This project continues to focus on estimating parameters associated with these classifications, and on using that information for conservation measures and management issues.

Publications

  • Dinsmore, S. J., G. C. White, and F. L. Knopf. 2003. Annual survival and population estimates of Mountain Plovers in Phillips County, Montana. Ecological Applications 13:1013-1026.
  • Dinsmore, S. J., and J. A. Collazo. 2003. The influence of body condition on local apparent survival of spring migrant Sanderlings in coastal North Carolina. Condor 105:465-473.


Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
This is a new project, so many of the specific research goals are either just being initiated, or will be initiated in the near future. Funding is in place for projects working with Wild Turkey nesting ecology, breeding biology of Snowy and Wilson's Plovers, and population biology of Mountain Plovers. The first two projects will have field work begin in 2003; the Mountain Plover study had its first field season in 2002.

Impacts
Each project is aimed at providing biologists and other scientists with sound information on aspects of population biology with the hope that this information will aid in future decision-making.

Publications

  • Dinsmore, S. J., G. C. White, and F. L. Knopf. 2002. Advanced techniques for modeling avian nest survival. Ecology 83:3476-3488.