Progress 07/01/98 to 12/31/04
Outputs
A. Ecology /Conservation Of The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. Significant Dispersal (SD) Movements of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers on Fort Bragg and Other Areas in the North Carolina Sandhills. The purpose is to quantify the frequency of SD movements of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) in the North Carolina Sandhills, emphasizing movements within Fort Bragg, and between Fort Bragg and other portions of the Sandhills. SD's are bird movements that link geographically distinct portions of the Sandhills woodpecker population located considerable distances apart. The purpose in examining SDs is to assess genetic and demographic connectivity between different portions of the Sandhills population. Our analyses are based on breeding season monitoring that follows a consistent protocol, described in detail in Walters et al. (1988a). The protocol includes census of monitored Red-cockaded Woodpecker groups in which individuals are identified from color band combinations and
assigned status within their group based on their behavior, age and kin relationships with other group members. B) Studies of black bears in Hyde County. Objectives: to 1) produce population estimates for the August-September 2002, May-June 2003, August-September 2003 sampling periods, and May-June 2004. This objective will serve to test the efficacy of using hair snares and DNA marking to compile large-scale population estimates of black bears in the North Carolina Coastal Plain. 2)This study also determines genetic relatedness of individuals and the heterozygosity of potentially isolated concentrations of bears, 3) produces population estimates using the 2002 to 2004 hunter harvested bear data collected by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. We captured 35 bears in spring 2004, and placed Satellite radio-transmitters on 19 bears to estimate capture probabilities for the hair corrals. This is a new application of GPS technology. We have already analyzed movement data
from 10 bears collared during 2002. We continue genetic analyses of hair collected in snares during 2002 & 2003, & 2004. Hurricane Isabel (9/03) destroyed one of our primary sampling periods so we added a sampling period in spring 2004. This will delay project completion. We also conducted a hair snare study to assess affects of using edible baits at snares. We suspect use of baits at hair snares may cause corral visitation probabilities to differ among bears, depending upon previous experience with baits. C) Initiated study of white-tailed deer use of underpass where New Hope Creek is bridged by US15-501. We use digital-video camera & recording system to monitor all wildlife use of the underpass. Objectives are to compare wildlife use of the underpass for a year prior to construction of longer bridge, and then re-evaluate wildlife use for a year after construction. The camera system was deployed in mid-November 2003, so we have a full year of videography, currently being analyzed;
video sampling will continue to April 2005. A vegetation sampling protocol was developed to characterize habitat under and adjacent to the bridge.
Impacts
Our study of the use of underpasses by deer and other wildlife will help to answer the question "How big or long should highway bridges be to encourage deer to safely pass beneath roads rather than risk crossing them. Bigger bridges cost more, but deer-vehicle collisions cost money and lives.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
A. Ecology /Conservation Of The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. Significant Dispersal (SD) Movements of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers on Fort Bragg and Other Areas in the North Carolina Sandhills. The purpose is to quantify the frequency of SD movements of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) in the North Carolina Sandhills, emphasizing movements within Fort Bragg, and between Fort Bragg and other portions of the Sandhills. SD's are bird movements that link geographically distinct portions of the Sandhills woodpecker population located considerable distances apart. The purpose in examining SDs is to assess genetic and demographic connectivity between different portions of the Sandhills population. Our analyses are based on breeding season monitoring that follows a consistent protocol, described in detail in Walters et al. (1988a). The protocol includes census of monitored Red-cockaded Woodpecker groups in which individuals are identified from color band combinations and
assigned status within their group based on their behavior, age and kin relationships with other group members. B) Studies of black bears in Hyde County. Objectives: to 1) produce population estimates for the August-September 2002, May-June 2003, August-September 2003 sampling periods, and May-June 2004. This objective will serve to test the efficacy of using hair snares and DNA marking to compile large-scale population estimates of black bears in the North Carolina Coastal Plain. 2)This study also determines genetic relatedness of individuals and the heterozygosity of potentially isolated concentrations of bears, 3) produces population estimates using the 2002 to 2004 hunter harvested bear data collected by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. We captured 35 bears in spring 2004, and placed Satellite radio-transmitters on 19 bears to estimate capture probabilities for the hair corrals. This is a new application of GPS technology. We have already analyzed movement data
from 10 bears collared during 2002. We continue genetic analyses of hair collected in snares during 2002 & 2003, & 2004. Hurricane Isabel (9/03) destroyed one of our primary sampling periods so we added a sampling period in spring 2004. This will delay project completion. We also conducted a hair snare study to assess affects of using edible baits at snares. We suspect use of baits at hair snares may cause corral visitation probabilities to differ among bears, depending upon previous experience with baits. C) Initiated study of white-tailed deer use of underpass where New Hope Creek is bridged by US15-501. We use digital-video camera & recording system to monitor all wildlife use of the underpass. Objectives are to compare wildlife use of the underpass for a year prior to construction of longer bridge, and then re-evaluate wildlife use for a year after construction. The camera system was deployed in mid-November 2003, so we have a full year of videography, currently being analyzed;
video sampling will continue to April 2005. A vegetation sampling protocol was developed to characterize habitat under and adjacent to the bridge.
Impacts
Our study of the use of underpasses by deer and other wildlife will help to answer the question "How big or long should highway bridges be to encourage deer to safely pass beneath roads rather than risk crossing them. Bigger bridges cost more, but deer-vehicle collisions cost money and lives.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
A. Ecology /Conservation Of The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. Significant Dispersal Movements of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers on Fort Bragg and Other Areas Within the North Carolina Sandhills. The purpose of this project was to quantify the frequency of significant dispersal movements of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) within the North Carolina Sandhills, emphasizing especially movements within Fort Bragg, and between Fort Bragg and other portions of the Sandhills. Significant dispersals are defined as movements that link geographically distinct portions of the Sandhills woodpecker population located considerable distances apart. The purpose in examining significant dispersals is to assess genetic and demographic connectivity between different portions of the Sandhills population. Quantifying the frequency of dispersal between subpopulations, as we do in this analysis, is adequate to determine whether movement is sufficient to prevent loss of genetic variability.
Our analyses are based on breeding season monitoring that follows a consistent protocol, described in detail in Walters et al. (1988a). The protocol includes a census of monitored Red-cockaded Woodpecker groups in which individuals are identified from their color band combinations and assigned status within their group based on their behavior, age and kin relationships with other group members. B) Studies of black bears in Hyde County with Objectives: to 1) produce population estimates for the August-September 2002, May-June 2003, and August-September 2003 sampling periods This objective will serve to test the efficacy of using hair snares and DNA marking to compile large-scale population estimates of black bears in the North Carolina Coastal Plain. This objective will also explore the applicability of hair snares and DNA marking to address how human land uses affect bear populations in Hyde Co.. 2) determine genetic relatedness of individuals and examine the heterozygosity of
potentially isolated concentrations of bears, 3) produce population estimates using the 2002 and 2003 hunter harvested bear data collected by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. We captured 42 bears in summer 2003, using Aldrich foot snares and placed Satellite radio-transmitters on 19 bears to estimate capture probabilities for the hair corrals. This is a new application of the GPS technology. We have already partially analyzed movement data from 10 bears collared during 2002. We continue genetic analyses of hair collected in snares during 2002 & 2003. Hurricane Isabel (9/19/03) destroyed one of our primary sampling periods and we now need to add a sampling period in spring 2004. This will delay completion of the project. C) Initiated study of white-tailed deer use of underpass where Hope Creek is bridged by US15-501. We are using digital-video camera & recording system to monitor all wildlife use of the underpass. Objectives are to compare wildlife use of the underpass
for a year prior to construction of new, longer bridge, and then re-evaluate wildlife use for a year after construction. The camera system was deployed in mid-November 2004.
Impacts
Our study of the use of underpasses by deer and other wildlife will help to answer the question "How big or long should highway bridges be to encourage deer to safely pass beneath roads rather than risk crossing them. Bigger bridges cost more, but deer-vehicle collisions cost money and lives.
Publications
- Walters, J.R., Daniels, S.J., Carter, J.H.III, and Doerr, P. D. 2002. Defining quality of Red-cockaded Woodpecker foraging habitat based on habitat use and fitness. Journal of Wildlife Management 66:1064-1082.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
Ecology /Conservation Of The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. 1) To test the effectiveness of adding artificial cavities to occupied sites in enhancing productivity, we analyze the response of RCW groups with artificial cavities and preliminary data indicated there was little benefit to the birds but result seems confounded by population density; several more years data may be needed to discriminate among variable effects. 2) We continue to monitor impacts of habitat management actions on recovery of the RCW. B. Foraging Habitat Requirements Of Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers 1)Determination of fitness characteristics of RCW sites (1980 to 2001), and relationship to forest stand characteristics, is complete. One manuscript accepted, and 2 more in press. Large old trees are positively associated with high fitness for woodpeckers. The old 10" dbh standard provides no benefit to RCW fitness: rather a 14" or larger standard should be used. C Prescribed fire and Sandhills bird
communities during migratory periods and in winter. The final report identified habitat correlates of bird species and guilds; and characterized the ecology of mixed species foraging flocks of birds in winter; two papers from this study still in review. Details were presented in 2001 report. D) Initiated new studies of black bears in Hyde County with Objectives: to 1) produce population estimates for the August-September 2002, May-June 2003, and August-September 2003 sampling periods This objective will serve to test the efficacy of using hair snares and DNA marking to compile large-scale population estimates of black bears in the North Carolina Coastal Plain. This objective will also explore the applicability of hair snares and DNA marking to address how human land uses affect bear populations in Hyde Co.. 2) determine genetic relatedness of individuals and examine the heterozygosity of potentially isolated concentrations of bears, 3) produce population estimates using the 2002 and
2003 hunter harvested bear data collected by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. We capture 30 bears in summer 2002, using Aldrich foot snares and placed Satellite radio-transmitters on 10 bears to estimate capture probabilities for the hair corrals. This is a new application of the GPS technology.
Impacts
Can management of black bears in eastern North Carolina be improved? To address this question we monitored black bear populations with hair sampling for genetic identification and will use this a mark to estimate the bear population size in Hyde county NC. We are used barbed wire corrals to "capture" black bear hairs from which we can identify individual animals. Subsequent recapture periods will allow us to determine a marked to unmarked ratio in that 2nd period which is used to estimate the number of bears in the population. Such knowledge of this important game species is especially critical in areas where agriculture and artificial feeding may seasonally inflate resources and where harvest pressure may also be intense. While recent harvest data from coastal North Carolina suggest bear populations are doing well, this apparent incongruity requires comprehensive understanding to make the best management decisions We placed Satellite radio-transmitters on 10 bears in
2002 to estimate capture probabilities for the hair corrals. This is a new application of the GPS technology
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
A. Ecology /Conservation Of The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. 1) To test the effectiveness of adding artificial cavities to occupied sites in enhancing productivity, we analyze the response of RCW groups with artificial cavities and preliminary data indicated there was little benefit to the birds but result seems confounded by population density; several more years data may be needed to discriminate among variable effects. 2) We continue to monitor impacts of habitat management actions on recovery of the RCW. B. Foraging Habitat Requirements Of Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers 1) Determination of fitness characteristics of RCW sites (1980 to present), and relationship to forest stand characteristics, is complete.A Maunuscript submitted. Large old trees are positively associated with high fitness for woodpeckers. The old 10" dbh standard does provides no benefit to RCW fitness: rather a 14" or larger standard should be used. C Prescribed fire and Sandhills bird communities during
migratory periods and in winter. The final report identified habitat correlates of bird species and guilds; and characterized the ecology of mixed species foraging flocks of birds in winter; two papers from this study still in review. MSFs were over twice as large on fire intense sites as on fire suppressed sites. The Brown-headed Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco and Pine Warbler all occurred in larger monospecific groups on burned sites than on fire suppressed sites within MSFs. The Pine Warbler, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Dark-Eyed Junco and Red-cockaded Woodpecker occurred more frequently on burned sites than on fire-suppressed sites (point count data), while the Tufted Titmouse, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Carolina Chickadee were the most frequently observed species within MSFs on fire suppressed sites. MSFs travelled faster on fire-suppressed sites than burned sites and flock size was correlated with flock speed, and where flocks with more birds (on both treatment types) moved faster than
flocks with fewer birds. D) Initiated new studies of black bears in Hyde County with Objectives: to 1) produce population estimates, including sex ratios, for the August-September 2002, May-June 2003, and August-September 2003 sampling periods This objective will serve to test the efficacy of using hair snares and DNA marking to compile large-scale population estimates of black bears in the North Carolina Coastal Plain. This objective will also explore the applicability of hair snares and DNA marking to address how human land uses affect black bear populations. 2) determine genetic relatedness of individuals and examine the heterozygosity of potentially isolated concentrations of bears, 3) produce population estimates using the 2002 and 2003, hunter harvested bear data collected by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Impacts
Issue: Are black bears being over-harvested in eastern North Carolina?. To adress this question we will Monitor black bear populations with hair sampling for genetic identification and use this a mark to estimate the bear population size in Hyde county NC. We are using barbed wire corrals to "capture" black bear hairs from which we can identify individual animals. Subsequent recapture periods will allow us to determine a marked to unmarked ratio in that 2nd period which is used to estimate the number of bears in the population. Such knowledge of this important game species is especially critical in areas where agriculture and artificial feeding may seasonally inflate resources and where harvest pressure may also be intense. While recent harvest data from coastal North Carolina suggest bear populations are doing well, this apparent incongruity requires comprehensive understadning to avoid over-harvest.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/00
Outputs
A. Ecology /Conservation Of The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. 1) To test the effectiveness of adding artificial cavities to occupied sites in enhancing productivity, we analyze the response of RCW groups with artificial cavities and preliminary data indicated there was little benefit to the birds but result seems confounded by population density; several more years data may be needed to discriminate among variable effects. 2) Evaluation of reintroduction of growing season fire into longleaf forest is complete, but poor agency implementation has clouded results. We continue to monitor impacts of habitat management actions on recovery of the RCW. B. Foraging Habitat Requirements Of Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers 1) Determination of fitness characteristics of RCW sites (1980 to present), and relationship to forest stand characteristics, is complete. Final report submitted. Large old trees are positively associated with high fitness for woodpeckers. The old 10" dbh standard does
provides no benefit to RCW fitness: rather a 14" or larger standard should be used. C. Landscape Strategies for Conservation of the red-cockaded woodpecker and other biota of the longleaf system in the Sandhills. A landscape scale conservation plan and interactive computer model for red-cockaded woodpeckers is in beta form and is out for review. This will be a continuing (iterative) process with numerous feedback loops. The plan & model may be developed in the coming year as a World Wide Web page. D. Prescribed fire and Sandhills bird communities during migratory periods and in winter. The final report identified habitat correlates of bird species and guilds; and characterized the ecology of mixed species foraging flocks of birds in winter; two papers from this study still in review. MSFs were over twice as large on fire intense sites as on fire suppressed sites. The Brown-headed Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco and Pine Warbler all occurred in larger monospecific groups on burned sites than
on fire suppressed sites within MSFs. The Pine Warbler, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Dark-Eyed Junco and Red-cockaded Woodpecker occurred more frequently on burned sites than on fire-suppressed sites (point count data), while the Tufted Titmouse, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Carolina Chickadee were the most frequently observed species within MSFs on fire suppressed sites. MSFs travelled faster on fire-suppressed sites than burned sites and flock size was correlated with flock speed, and where flocks with more birds (on both treatment types) moved faster than flocks with fewer birds.
Impacts
The foraging habitat study strongly suggests current and proposed (new agency draft recovery plan) federal habitat guidelines are inadequate to ensure recovery of red-cockaded woodpeckers and must be modified.
Publications
- Davenport, D., R.A. Lancia, P.D. Doerr, and J.R Walters. 2000. Red-cockaded Woodpeckers: a relationship between reproductive fitness and habitat in the North carolina Sandhills. The Wildlife Society Bulletin. 28(2):426-431.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
A. Ecology /Conservation Of The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. 1) To test the effectiveness of adding artificial cavities to occupied sites in enhancing productivity, we analyzed the response of RCW groups with artificial cavities and preliminary data indicated there was little benefit to the birds, but seems confounded by population density, and several more years data may be needed to discriminate among variable effects. 2) Evaluation of reintroduction of growing season fire into longleaf forest is complete, but poor agency implementation of fire clouded the results. B. Foraging Habitat Requirements Of Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers 1) Determination of fitness characteristics of RCW sites (1980 to present), and relationship to forest stand vegetative characteristics, is complete. Final report preparation is nearly complete. C. Landscape Strategies for Conservation of the red-cockaded woodpecker and other biota of the longleaf system in the Sandhills. A landscape scale
conservation plan and interactive computer model for red-cockaded woodpeckers is in draft form and will be sent out for review in Spring 2000. This will be a continuing (iterative) process with numerous feedback loops. The plan & model may be developed in the coming year as a World Wide Web page. D. Prescribed fire and Sandhills bird communities during migratory periods and in winter. A Report on the study "To Determine abundance, distribution and composition of winter bird communities"; and evaluate potential management and conservation needs for bird communities based on habitat distribution, occurrence, land use/management (fire intensity) and species conservation priorities was submitted. The report identifies habitat correlates of bird species and guilds; and characterizes the ecology of mixed species foraging flocks of birds in winter; In addition studies of the foraging ecology of mixed species flocks in winter were expanded to the boreal forests of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.
Protocol developed in the NC Sandhills to study Mixed Species Flocks were applied there and data from the 10 week study are analyzed. Report preparation nearly complete.
Impacts
Study of winter birds in longleaf pine forests gives land managers data needed to conserve habitat of birds which regularly use the forest. Benefitted would be endangered species such as red-cockaded woodpeckers, year round residents (eg, chickadee), wintering birds (eg, dark-eyed junco) and neotropical migrants (eg. warblers) which may nest here and/or pass through in migration.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
A. Ecology /Conservation Of The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. 1) To test the effectiveness of adding artificial cavities to occupied sites in enhancing productivity, we analyzed the response of RCW groups with artificial cavities and preliminary data indicated there was little benefit to the birds, but seems confounded by population density, and several more years data may be needed to discriminate among variable effects. 2) Evaluation of reintroduction of growing season fire into longleaf forest is not yet completed. B. Foraging Habitat Requirements Of Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers 1) Determination of fitness characteristics of RCW sites (1980 to present), and relationship to forest stand vegetative characteristics, is nearly complete. Final report preparation is underway. C. Landscape Strategies for Conservation of the red-cockaded woodpecker and other biota of the longleaf system in the Sandhills. A landscape scale conservation plan and interactive computer model for
red-cockaded woodpeckers is in draft form and will be sent out for review in Spring 1999. This will be a continuing (iterative) process with numerous feedback loops. The plan & model will hopefully developed in the coming year as a World Wide Web page. D. Prescribed fire and Sandhills bird communities during migratory periods and in winter. A Report on the study "To Determine abundance, distribution and composition of winter bird communities"; and evaluate potential management and conservation needs for bird communities based on habitat distribution, occurrence, land use/management (fire intensity) and species conservation priorities; is complete. The report identifies habitat correlates of bird species and guilds; and characterizes the ecology of mixed species foraging flocks of birds in winter; In addition studies of the foraging ecology of mixed species flocks in winter were expanded to the boreal forests of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Protocol developed in the NC Sandhills to
study Mixed Species Flocks were applied there and data >from the 10 week study are currently being analyzed.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Jessie M. Schillaci. 1998. Abundance, Distribution, Habitat Use Patterns, And Mixed-Species Flock Characteristics Of The Nonbreeding Season Avian Community On A Fire Maintained And Fire Suppressed Longleaf Pine (Pinus Palustris) Ecosystem On The Fort Bragg Military Installation, North Carolina. MS Thesis. NCSU 176pp.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
Cavity experiment: In springs 1992-94, we constructed cavities in 10 sites which were cavity limited and left 10 sites we removed encroaching understory vegetation. We have monitored response of the birds the last 2 breeding seasons (1997-98). Prior results suggested cavity tree availability as a limiting factor which characterizes habitatquality can be enhanced in metapopulations by adding new cavities to cavity tree clusters. We continue monitoring population trends, nesting success, movements, survival of 100 RCW sites on Fort Bragg, 200 sites in Sandhills Gamelands & Moore County. B. Studies of Winter bird communities of Longleaf pine system initiated 10/95. Objectives include determination of role of prescribed fire strategies (eg, natural growing season fires) incomposition of avian communities, including mixed species foraging groups in winter. Field work is done and we are analyzing data, interpreting results. C. Continued analysis of military impacts on RCW;
have shown high intensity human activity negatively effects several parameters. We are applying individual-based population model to real populations to assess viability. Completed construction of Geographic Information Systems landscape model of North Carolina Sandhills to integrate with spatially explicit individual-based demographic population model and are completing Longleaf PIne Conservation Reserve design for the Sandhills Counties. GRADUATE STUDENTS=6.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Cobb, D.T. and Doerr. P.D 1997. Reproduction in an eastern wild turkey population subjected to flooding. J. Wildl. Manage. 61(2): 285-294 Barr, R.P. 1997. Red-cockaded woodpecker habitat selection and landscape productivity in the North Carolina Sandhills. Msc.
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
We continued assessment of Military impacts on woodpecker demographics and have shown that high intensity human activity negatively effects several parameters. We continued to test management impacts on populations. We continued to apply our individual-based population model to real populations to assess viability. We contninued a project to construct a Geographic Information Systems landscape model of the North Carolina Sandhills to integrate with our individual based population model. The landscape model is complete.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- REED, J.M. and WALTERS, J.R. 1996. Helper effects on variance components of fitness in the cooperatively breeding red-cockaded woodpecker. Auk 113:608-616.
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
Research was conducted in two North Carolina study areas: (1) the Sandhills (225groups), and (2) Camp LeJeune and the Croatan National Forest (75 groups). We collected data on breeding success and census data from both study areas, adding to our already extensive demographic database. We continued collection of data necessary to describe the relationship between foraging habitat and fitness parameters. We continued assessment of Military impacts on woodpecker demographics and have shown that high intensity human activity negatively effects several parameters. We continued to test management impacts on populations. We continued to apply our individual-based population model to real populations to assess viability. We initiated a project to construct a Geographic Information Systems landscape model of the North Carolina Sandhills to integrate with our individual based population model.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- BLACKWELL, B.F., DOERR,P.D., REED, J.M. and WALTERS, J.R. 1995. Inbreeding rate and effective population size: a comparison of estimates from pedigree analysis and a demographic model. Biological Conservation. 71:299-304.
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Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94
Outputs
Research was conducted in two North Carolina study areas: (1) the Sandhills (225groups), and (2) Camp LeJeune and the Croatan National Forest (75 groups). We collected data on breeding success and census data from both study areas, adding to our already extensive demographic data base. We initiated collection of data necessary to describe the relationship between foraging habitat and fitness parameters. We completed our study of the evolutionary basis of helping behavior and produced a draft manuscript describing this work. We were able to show that although helpers derive indirect fitness benefits through raising kin, these benefits are not necessary to maintain the behavior. We showed that experience as a helper does not improve success as a breeder, although breeding experience and age both do. We began to apply our individual-based population model to real populations to assess viability.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- HAIG, S. M., J. R. WALTERS and J. H. PLISSNER. 1994. Genetic evidence for monogamy in the cooperatively breeding red-cockaded woodpecker. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 34:383.
- HEPPELL, S. S., J. R. WALTERS and L. B. CROWDER. 1994. Evaluating management alternatives for red-cockaded woodpeckers: a management approach. Journal of Wildlife Management 58:479-487.
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Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93
Outputs
Research was conducted in two North Carolina study areas: (1) the Sandhills (225groups), and (2) Camp LeJeune and the Croatan National Forest (75 groups). We collected data on breeding success and census data from both study areas, adding to our already extensive demographic data base. We completed an experiment evaluating one aspect of the new management guidelines for the species, use of artificial cavities. We showed that partial cavities constructed by a simple process can be effective in inducing formation of new groups in uninhabited areas, but not as effective as complete cavities constructed through a more difficult and time-consuming process. We completed our study of parentage using DNA fingerprinting, and demonstrated that the species is monogamous, with no matings by helpers. A paper describing this work has been accepted for publication. A paper describing the stage-based matrix population model we developed is in review, and we completed our individual
based simulation model.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- WALTERS, J.R., COPEYON, C.K., and CARTER, J.H., III. 1993. A test of the ecological basis of cooperative breeding in red-cockaded woodpeckers. Auk 109:90-97.
- EVERHART, S.H., DOERR, P.D., and WALTERS, J.R. 1993. Snag density and interspecific use of red-cockaded woodpecker cavities. Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 109:37-44.
- REED, J.M., WALTERS, J.R., EMIGH, T.E., and SEAMAN, D.E. 1993. Effective population size in red-cockaded woodpeckers: population and model differences. Conservation Biology 7:302-308.
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Progress 07/01/92 to 12/30/92
Outputs
Research was conducted in two North Carolina study areas in the central coastal plain: (1) the Sandhills (225 groups), and (2) Camp LeJeune and the Croatan National Forest (75 groups). We collected data on breeding success and census data from both study areas, adding to our already extensive demographic data base. We completed a management plan for the Croatan National Forest, and implemented the initial phase of the plan so that we will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of new management guidelines instituted by the U.S. Forest Service in subsequent years. In the Sandhills, we completed blood sampling of woodpeckers and DNA fingerprinting analysis using those blood samples. We will now use the fingerprints obtained and pedigrees based on our demographic data to determine parentage of young and the relationship between fingerprint patterns and relatedness. Initial analyses indicate that red-cockaded woodpeckers practice strict monogamy, that is, that females do
not mate with males outside their group or with helper males within their groups. We have completed one of the two population models we intend to develop, a stage-based matrix model, and have a working version of the second, an individual-based simulation model.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- NO PUBLICATIONS REPORTED THIS PERIOD.
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