Progress 01/01/01 to 05/31/06
Outputs
A number of individual research projects were completed during the lifetime of the overall project, linked by a common theme of examining species ecology and the relationships between wildlife species and their habitats. A comprehensive project evaluating success of translocating Louisiana black bears for species restoration efforts was completed. Results indicated that translocating adult females with their cubs during winter was an effective way to create new, sustainable populations of bears in Louisiana. Ecological characteristics of bears, including space use, habitat selection, diet, and denning ecology were examined and reported in major journals. We found that black bears are capable of extraordinary movements once they're translocated, and that bears are capable of using fragmented forested habitats successfully. Most importantly, we determined that black bears can begin to increase populations rather quickly as translocations occur, and that these populations
appear to be viable into the future. Two projects dedicated towards improving our understanding of wild turkey ecology and habitat requirements were completed. One study determined that nesting habitat is often limited in bottomland hardwood forests, and that forest management geared towards increasing understory vegetation is favorable for turkeys. We also noted that riparian forests are critically important to turkeys in bottomland systems, and those on topographically higher sites should be conserved and managed wisely. The second study assessed survival and movements of male turkeys, and found that males use similar habitats as females, except during portions of late spring. Survival of males is dictated entirely by harvest, and illegal harvest does appear problematic on the areas we worked. However, survival rates appear strongly influenced by harvest regimes, and the controlled harvest on our study area was particularly important to ensure adequate annual survival of males. With
increasing pressure placed on turkey populations because of popularity related to turkey hunting, agencies should closely monitor male survival to ensure that harvest regimes are appropriate and capable of ensuring sustainable populations. Two studies focused on assessing relationships between silvicultural activities and land management, and northern bobwhite population ecology and abundance. We found that management dedicated towards improving populations of red-cockaded woodpeckers, which involves intensive prescribed burning, benefits bobwhites at broad spatial scales, and is positively related to bobwhite abundance. At smaller scales, a large study in north Louisiana evaluated how different vegetation management activities, such as burning, herbicide application, and mowing affect brood habitat for bobwhites. Results suggested that herbicides, in combination with fire on a 2 year rotation, produced better quality brood habitat relative to other activities. Furthermore, stands
managed specifically for red-cockaded woodpeckers witnessed the greatest net improvement in bobwhite habitat quality.
Impacts
The black bear project is unique in that innovative techniques are being applied to a threatened species of critical importance to Louisiana. Translocations have been successful, and current analytical results appear encouraging that black bear populations are responding favorably. It is possible within the foreseeable future that black bears in Louisiana may be removed from the threatened species list. Wild turkeys are an important game species in Louisiana, and results of the research to date have allowed land managers in Louisiana to refine forest management strategies to improve wild turkey production and sustainability. Current research is focusing on males, and factors that influence susceptibility of males to harvest. Results of the current research will allow managers to refine harvest strategies to ensure sustainable turkey populations over time. The fire ant project has concluded, and it appears that fire ants have cascading effects on insect and small mammal
communities throughout forested ecosystems of Louisiana. Both projects examining effects of land management on northern bobwhite have concluded, and results are currently being used to improve management of landscapes for northern bobwhites. Specifically, state and federal agencies are refining burning regimes, and considering ways to improve vegetation management on forested landscapes to better suite bobwhite requirements.
Publications
- Chamberlain, M. J. and B. D. Leopold. 2001. Survival and cause-specific mortality of adult coyotes in Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 145:4141-418.
- Conner, L. M., M. J. Chamberlain, and B. D. Leopold. 2001. Bobcat home range size relative to habitat quality. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 55:418-426.
- Greenfield, K. C., L. W. Burger, Jr., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2001. Herbicide application and prescribed fire as habitat management tools for northern bobwhite in Conservation Reserve Program fields. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 55:445-455.
- Williamson, S. C., L. W. Burger, Jr., S. Demarais, and M. J. Chamberlain. 2001. Effects of northern bobwhite habitat management on red-imported fire ants. Quail V: Proceedings of the Fifth National Quail Symposium. 5:136-140.
- Chamberlain, M. J., L. M. Connor, and B. D. Leopold. 2002. Seasonal habitat selection of raccoons in intensively managed pine forests of central Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 147:102-108.
- Greenfield, K. C., L. W. Burger, Jr., M. J. Chamberlain, and E. W. Kurzejeski. 2002. Vegetation management practices on Conservation Reserve Program fields to improve northern bobwhite habitat quality. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 30:527-538.
- Chamberlain, M. J. and B. D. Leopold. 2002. Movements and space use of gray foxes following mate loss. American Midland Naturalist. 147:409-412.
- Austin, J., M. J. Chamberlain, B. D. Leopold, and L. W. Burger, Jr. 2004. An evaluation of 2 trap types for capturing raccoons. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 32:351-356.
- Jones, J. J., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2004. Efficacy of herbicides and fire to improve vegetative conditions for northern bobwhite in mature pine forests. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 32:1077-1084.
- Chamberlain, M. J., J. Constible, B. D. Leopold, K. M. Hodges, and J. G. Burton. 2004. Relationships between landscape characteristics and space use of raccoons in two managed pine forests. Proceedings of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 58:228-237.
- Chamberlain, M. J. and B. D. Leopold. 2005. Overlap in space use among bobcats, coyotes, and gray foxes in central Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 153:178-186.
- Chamberlain, M. J. and B. D. Leopold. 2002. Spatio-temporal relationships among adult raccoons in central Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 148:297-308.
- Leopold, B. D. and M. J. Chamberlain. 2002. Predator management: Here we go again? Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 56:239-254.
- Chamberlain, M. J. and B. D. Leopold. 2003. Effects of flooding on relative abundance and diversity of small mammals in a regenerating bottomland hardwood forest. The Southwestern Naturalist. 48:306-309.
- Chamberlain, M. J., L. M. Connor, B. D. Leopold, and K. M. Hodges. 2003. Space use and multi-scale habitat selection of adult raccoons in central Mississippi. Journal of Wildlife Management. 67:334-340.
- Greenfield, K. C., M. J. Chamberlain, L. W. Burger, Jr., and E. W. Kurzejeski. 2003. Effects of prescribed burning on Conservation Reserve program fields and habitat quality for northern bobwhite in Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 149:344-353.
- Chamberlain, M. J., B. D. Leopold, and L. M. Conner. 2003. Space use, movements, and habitat selection of adult bobcats in central Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 149:395-405.
- Van Why, K. R., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2003. Mortality of Louisiana black bears associated with elevated train trestles. Canadian Field-Naturalist. 117:113-115.
- Scognamillo, D. A., M. J. Chamberlain, and G. Linscombe. 2003. Spatial and temporal trends in river otter distribution in Louisiana. Proceedings of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 57:200-207.
- Van Why, K. R., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2003. Sportsmen knowledge and opinions on restoring the Louisiana black bear. Proceedings of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 57:299-307.
- Henner, C. M., M. J. Chamberlain, B. D. Leopold, and L. W. Burger, Jr. 2004. A multi-resolution assessment of raccoon den site selection. Journal of Wildlife Management. 68:179-187.
- Benson, J. F., M. J. Chamberlain, and B. D. Leopold. 2004. Land tenure and home range replacement in bobcats. Journal of Mammalogy. 85:983-988.
- Constible, J. M., M. J. Chamberlain, and B. D. Leopold. 2006. Relationships between landscape patterns and space use of three mammalian predators. American Midland Naturalist. 155:352-362.
- Chamberlain, M. J. and L. W. Burger, Jr. 2005. Landscape-level effects of red-cockaded woodpecker management on bobwhite abundance and distribution. Proceedings of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 59:in press.
- Wilson, W. E. and M. J. Chamberlain. 2005. Survival and nest success of wild turkey females in bottomland hardwood forests of Louisiana. Proceedings of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 59:in press.
- Wilson, W. E. and M. J. Chamberlain. 2005. Space use and habitat selection of wild turkey females in bottomland hardwood forests of Louisiana. Proceedings of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 59:in press.
- Benson, J. F., M. J. Chamberlain, and B. D. Leopold. 2006. Regulation of space use in a solitary felid: population density of prey availability? Animal Behavior. 71:685-693.
- Benson, J. F. and M. J. Chamberlain. 2006. Food habits of Louisiana black bears in the Tensas river basin of northeast Louisiana. American Midland Naturalist. 156:118-127.
- Benson, J. F. and M. J. Chamberlain. 2006. Cub adoption by a translocated Louisiana black bear. Ursus. 17:178-181.
- Plowman, B. W., L. M. Conner, M. J. Chamberlain, B. D. Leopold, and L. W. Burger, Jr. 2006. Annual dynamics of bobcat home range and core areas in Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 156:386-393.
- Chodachek, K. D. and M. J. Chamberlain. 2006. Effects of predator removal on grassland fragments to benefit upland nesting ducks in North Dakota. Prairie Naturalist. 38:25-37.
- Scognamillo, D. G. and M. J. Chamberlain. 2006. Forecasting models for river otter harvest in Louisiana. Proceedings of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 60:in press.
- Chamberlain, M. J. and D. A. Miller. 2006. Effects of 2 site preparation techniques on quantity and quality of forage plants for white-tailed deer. Proceedings of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 60:in press.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
There are a number of research projects ongoing or recently completed under the umbrella project. The largest and most comprehensive project is focused on restoration, viability, and management of the Louisiana black bear. This project is entering its final phases. Translocations of adult females with cubs have been successful, and will be completed during 2006-2007. Intensive monitoring of translocated females has provided abundant information on space use, resource selection, and movements. Current research is focusing on den ecology, and development of a spatially explicit predictive model to guide land management in Louisiana in regards to planning for critical denning habitat. An additional project was begun during 2005 evaluating effects of aversive conditioning on behavior of nuisance black bears. The final phase of the black bear project involves evaluating viability of bear populations in Louisiana, and determining long-term needs for bears relative to
habitat fragmentation, genetic integrity, and population management. I have finished two projects focused on evaluating relationships between upland game birds and habitat management. The first project was dedicated towards assessing ecology and habitat relationships of female wild turkeys in a bottomland hardwood forest system. Results of that project indicated that population productivity is low, but that survival is quite high, suggesting an ecological tradeoff. More importantly, this tradeoff pointed to the importance of maintaining high adult female survival. Furthermore, females were observed using topographically higher portions of the study area, prompting land managers to target those sites for habitat improvements designed to optimize wild turkey production. A second project evaluating effects of understory vegetation management techniques on brood habitat quality for northern bobwhite produced noteworthy results. Foraging efficiency and effectiveness was greatest in
habitats managed with combinations of selective herbicides and prescribed fire, providing land managers with additional options for managing forested ecosystems for bobwhites. A comprehensive project dedicated to examining effects of different forest management regimes on neotropical bird communities was concluded. Results indicated that numerous species of conservation concern benefited from timber management strategies such as individual and group selection harvests. It was concluded that managing for structurally diverse forest communities should be the goal when managing for neotropical bird species.
Impacts
The black bear project is unique in that innovative techniques are being applied to a threatened species of critical importance to Louisiana. Translocations have been successful, and current analytical results appear encouraging that black bear populations are responding favorably. It is possible within the foreseeable future that black bears in Louisiana may be removed from the threatened species list. Wild turkeys are an important game species in Louisiana, and results of the research to date have allowed land managers in Louisiana to refine forest management strategies to improve wild turkey production and sustainability. Current research is focusing on males, and factors that influence susceptibility of males to harvest. Results of the current research will allow managers to refine harvest strategies to ensure sustainable turkey populations over time. The fire ant project has concluded, and it appears that fire ants have cascading effects on insect and small
mammal communities throughout forested ecosystems of Louisiana. Both projects examining effects of land management on northern bobwhite have concluded, and results are currently being used to improve management of landscapes for northern bobwhites. Specifically, state and federal agencies are refining burning regimes, and considering ways to improve vegetation management on forested landscapes to better suite bobwhite requirements.
Publications
- Chamberlain, M. J., and B. D. Leopold. 2005. Overlap in space use among bobcats,coyotes, and gray foxes in central Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 153:178-186.
- Richkus, K. J., F. C. Rohwer, and M. J. Chamberlain. 2005. Survival and cause-specific mortality of northern pintails in southern Saskatchewan. Journal of Wildlife Management. 69:574-581.
- Constible, J. M. , M. J. Chamberlain, and B. D. Leopold. 2005. Relationships between landscape patterns and space use of three mammalian predators. American Midland Naturalist. 155:in press.
- Chamberlain, M. J., and L. W. Burger, Jr. 2005. Landscape-level effects of red-cockaded woodpecker management on bobwhite abundance and distribution. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 59:in press.
- Wilson, W. E., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2005. Survival and nest success of wild turkey females in bottomland hardwood forests of Louisiana. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 59:in press.
- Wilson, W. E., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2005. Space use and habitat selection of wild turkey females in bottomland hardwood forests of Louisiana. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 59:in press.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
The black bear research project expanded considerably during 2004. The continuing restoration effort focused on relocating females and their newborn cubs to suitable release sites continued. A second phase of that research focused on determining effects of restoration on source bear populations also continued. A third aspect of the bear research was initiated, that being focused on determining abundance and genetic integrity of bears living in an isolated subpopulation in St. Mary and Iberia Parishes. That portion of the research will continue through 2007. Lastly, a project examining effects of aversive conditioning on nuisance behavior exhibited by bears was begun and will continue into 2007. The wild turkey project examining ecology of females relative to forest management has been completed and analyses are ongoing. A similar project examining effects of forest management on herpetiles and avifauna also has been completed and a thesis is being prepared. Two
projects focused on relationships between forest management, silvicultural regimes, and northern bobwhite populations continue; both will be completed during 2005. The fire ant project continues into it's fourth year and will continue throughout 2005 with an end date of December 2005. Finally, a river otter project focused on examining relationships between otter populations and land use has been completed and a dissertation is being prepared.
Impacts
The black bear project is unique in that a newly developed technique is being applied to a threatened species of critical importance to Louisiana. Relocating females with newborn cubs is a successful technique to ensure colonization of the site by the female. This program is simultaneously monitoring restored and source populations, which is entirely unique to carnivore restoration programs. The wild turkey is an important game species to Louisiana, and effects of forest management on turkey reproduction are unknown in bottomland forest systems. Therefore, the turkey project is providing information needed to effectively manage turkey populations for the improved benefit of society. The scope of the turkey research is being shifted towards focusing on males, and factors that influence susceptibility of males to harvest. This shift in focus has implications towards management of turkey population and harvest in Louisiana. The fire ant project continues to produce
implications to management of wildlife species, as effects of fire ants on wildlife communities are unknown. The preliminary results of the current project have allowed the development of a long-term program that will offer significant ecological and sociological findings. Both projects examining effects of land management on northern bobwhite have potential to improve bobwhite populations, which have declined steadily for the past 10 years. Lastly, the river otter project is producing models that will better determine harvest trends in otter populations and changes in otter distribution relative to land use.
Publications
- Henner, C. M., M. J. Chamberlain, B. D. Leopold, and L. W. Burger, Jr. 2004. A multi-resolution assessment of raccoon den site selection. Journal of Wildlife Management. 68:179-187.
- J. F. Benson, M. J. Chamberlain, and B. D. Leopold. 2004. Land tenure and home range replacement in bobcats. Journal of Mammalogy. 85:983-988.
- Austin, J., M. J. Chamberlain, B. D. Leopold, and L. W. Burger, Jr. 2004. An evaluation of 2 trap types for capturing raccoons. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 32:351-356.
- Jones, J. J., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2004. Efficacy of herbicides and fire to improve vegetative conditions for northern bobwhite in mature pine forests. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 32:in press.
- Chamberlain, M. J., J. Constible, B. D. Leopold, K. M. Hodges, and J. G. Burton. 2004. Relationships between landscape characteristics and space use of raccoons in two managed pine forests. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 58:in press.
- Landry, K. E., L. M. Hooper-Bui, M. J. Chamberlain, and L. E. Womack. 2004. Assessment of landscape-level impacts of red-imported fire ants on native invertebrate communities in pine-dominated forests. Annual Red-Imported Fire Ant Conference. Baton Rouge, LA. Abstract only.
- Scognamillo, D. A., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2004. River otters as an indicator of water quality in Louisiana. 9th International Otter Colloquium. Frostburg, Maryland, USA. Abstract only. Scognamillo, D. A., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2004. Trapping otters in Louisiana: temporal and spatial trends. 9th International Otter Colloquium. Frostburg, Maryland,USA. Abstract only.
- Benson, J. F., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2004. Home range and movement patterns of reintroduced Louisiana black bears. National Wildlife Society Conference, Calgary, Alberta. Abstract only.
- LeGrand, H., J. M. Constible, and M. J. Chamberlain. 2004. Herpetofauna assemblages in a managed bottomland hardwood forest in southcentral Louisiana. National Wildlife Society Conference, Calgary, Alberta. Abstract only.
- Scognamillo, D. A., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2004. River otter as an indicator of mercury levels in streams of central Louisiana. National Wildlife Society Conference, Calgary, Alberta. Abstract only.
- Benson, J. F., M. J. Chamberlain, and B. D. Leopold. 2004. Land tenure and home range replacement in bobcats. National Wildlife Society Conference, Calgary, Alberta. Abstract only.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
There are currently seven research projects operating under this program, either ongoing or recently completed. Specifically, one comprehensive project is examining restoration of the Louisiana black bear. Female black bears and their cubs are being captured and relocated to a suitable release site to create a breeding population of bears. As part of this research program, the source populations also are monitored to evaluate how removals are affecting population viability. One thesis has been completed on this project and another is currently being conducted. A wild turkey research project is entering its third year on the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area. A graduate thesis resulting from the project will focus on effects of forest management on turkey habitat use and reproductive consequences of habitat selection in bottomland hardwood systems. Survival of female wild turkeys is higher than many estimates reported in the literature, but individual production is
quite low. Hydrology appears to strongly influence space use patterns. Two bobwhite quail projects are ongoing, one examining landscape-level effects of forest management on bobwhite distribution and abundance using spatial technologies, the second examining effects of using selective herbicides to manage habitats for bobwhite at multiple spatial scales. The project examining landscape-level effects of forest management on bobwhite distribution is entering its fourth year. Bobwhite abundance is significantly greater in landscapes with greater frequency of prescribed fire, and land management programs that include growing season burning appear to create the greatest net benefit to bobwhite in pine forests. The second project is entering its third year and a thesis is currently being completed. A project examining effects of forest management on avian and herpetile communities is entering its second year and is focusing on how various forest management practices affect abundance and
distribution of these communities. River otters are important indicators of ecological health, therefore a project examining distribution of river otters has been initiated. Furthermore, a dissertation is focusing on creating spatial models of otter abundance and distribution relative to landscape features. This research also is evaluating presence of contaminants in otter tissue across watersheds in Louisiana. Lastly, a project examining effects of red-imported fire ants on faunal communities is entering its third year and a thesis is being completed. Preliminary findings suggest that fire ants have negative effects on small mammal and native insect communities.
Impacts
Each of the above-mentioned projects has considerable relevance to stakeholders and citizens interested in natural resources. For instance, the black bear research project is unique in that a newly developed technique is being applied to a threatened species of critical importance to Louisiana. Our findings indicate that relocating females with newborn cubs is a successful technique to ensure colonization of the site by the female. The fact that this program is simultaneously monitoring restored and source populations is entirely unique to carnivore restoration programs. The wild turkey is a vitally important game species to Louisiana, and effects of forest management on turkey reproduction are unknown in bottomland hardwood forest systems. Therefore, the wild turkey project will provide information needed to effectively manage turkey populations for the improved benefit of society. The fire ant research project has important implications to management of many
wildlife species, as effects of fire ants on numerous wildlife communities are unknown. The preliminary results of the current project have allowed the development of a long-term program that will likely offer significant ecological and sociological findings. Both projects examining effects of land management on northern bobwhite have potential to improve bobwhite populations, which have declined steadily for the past 10 years. Lastly, the river otter project will provide information that will allow land managers and scientists to examine effects of land use on otter distribution.
Publications
- Chamberlain, M. J., and B. D. Leopold. 2003. Effects of a flood on relative abundance and diversity of small mammals in a regenerating bottomland hardwood forest. The Southwestern Naturalist. 48:306-309.
- Chamberlain, M. J., L. M. Conner, B. D. Leopold, and K. M. Hodges. 2003. Space use and multi-scale habitat selection of adult raccoons in central Mississippi. Journal of Wildlife Management. 67:334-340.
- Greenfield, K. C., M. J. Chamberlain, L. W. Burger, Jr., and E. W. Kurzejeski. 2003. Effects of prescribed burning and discing on Conservation Reserve Program fields and habitat quality for northern bobwhite in Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 149:344-353.
- Chamberlain, M. J., B. D. Leopold, and L. M. Conner. 2003. Space use, movements, and habitat selection of adult bobcats in central Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 149:395-405.
- Van Why, K. R., and M. J. Chamberlain. 2003. Mortality of Louisiana black bears associated with elevated train trestles. Canadian Field-Naturalist. 117:113-115.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
There are currently eight research projects operating under this program, either ongoing or recently completed. Specifically, two projects examining restoration of the Louisiana black bear are ongoing. One project being concluded is examining the feasibility of relocating adult females and their newborn cubs as a method to restore black bears throughout Louisiana. Field work has been completed and a thesis is currently being prepared. Results indicate that relocating female bears with cubs is an effective method for restoring the black bear to parts of Louisiana. The willingness of the female to leave the release site appears to be limited by the presence of cubs, thereby ensuring her acclimation to the release site. A second project has begun to expand this work and is examining ecology of female black bears relocated during the restoration efforts. A wild turkey research project is entering its second year on the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area. A graduate thesis
resulting from the project will focus on effects of forest management on turkey habitat use and reproductive consequences of habitat selection in bottomland hardwood systems. Survival of female wild turkeys is higher than many estimates reported in the literature, but individual production is quite low. Hydrology appears to strongly influence space use patterns. Two bobwhite quail projects are ongoing, one examining landscape-level effects of forest management on bobwhite distribution and abundance using spatial technologies, the second examining effects of using selective herbicides to manage habitats for bobwhite at multiple spatial scales. The project examining landscape-level effects of forest management on bobwhite distribution is entering its third year. Bobwhite abundance is significantly greater in landscapes with greater frequency of prescribed fire, and land management programs that include growing season burning appear to create the greatest net benefit to bobwhite in pine
forests. The second project is entering its second year and is expected to produce a graduate thesis during 2004. An additional project just concluded focused on the feasibility and effectiveness of using predator management to improve reproductive success of waterfowl. A graduate thesis has been completed. Predator management was effective at increasing nest density and nest success, but was costly. Lastly, a project examining effects of red-imported fire ants on faunal communities is entering its second year; all pretreatment data have been collected.
Impacts
Each of the above-mentioned projects has considerable relevance to stakeholders and citizens interested in natural resources. For instance, the black bear research project is unique in that a newly developed technique is being applied to a threatened species of critical importance to Louisiana. Our findings indicate that relocating females with newborn cubs is a successful technique to ensure colonization of the site by the female. The wild turkey is a vitally important game species to Louisiana, and effects of forest management on turkey reproduction are unknown in bottomland hardwood forest systems. Therefore, the wild turkey project will provide information needed to effectively manage turkey populations for the improved benefit of society. The fire ant research project has important implications to management of many wildlife species, as effects of fire ants on numerous wildlife communities are unknown. Both projects examining effects of land management on
northern bobwhite have potential to improve bobwhite populations, which have declined steadily for the past 10 years.
Publications
- Chamberlain, M. J., and B. D. Leopold. 2002. Movements and space use of gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) following mate loss. American Midland Naturalist 147:409-412.
- Chamberlain, M. J., and B. D. Leopold. 2002. Spatio-temporal relationships among adult raccoons (Procyon lotor) in central Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 148:297-308.
- Chamberlain, M. J., L. M. Conner, B. D. Leopold, and K. M. Hodges. 2003. Space use, movements, and multi-scale habitat selection of adult raccoons in central Mississippi. Journal of Wildlife Management. 67:334-340.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Research within this program is in early stages and numerous projects are ongoing. Specifically, a research program examining landscape-level effects of herbicide application on movements and reproductive ecology of bobwhite quail has been initiated. Specific objectives of the program include determining how quail respond to habitat manipulation using herbicides and relative effects of landscape management using herbicides on quail space use and movements. A second research project has begun to examine ecology of wild turkeys in bottomland hardwood forests of Louisiana. That project is being conducted within the Atchafalaya Basin and will provide information on reproductive ecology, survival, movements, and affects of forest management on turkey ecology. Lastly, a comprehensive restoration for the Louisiana black bear has begun, which involves the relocation of female black bears with their cubs to a chosen release site. This project is designed to restore the
Louisiana black bear to former habitats, and the determine the feasibility of using this relocation technique for restoration of bear populations.
Impacts
It is expected that results of individual research projects contained within this research program will provide information on relationships between wildlife species and their habitats, interactions among wildlife species, and effects of habitat manipulations on wildlife communities. To date, 5 individual research projects detailing ecology and management of black bear, wild turkey, northern bobwhite, mammalian carnivores, and effects of red-imported fire ants on native faunal communities are ongoing.
Publications
- Chamberlain, M. J., L. M. Conner, and B. D. Leopold. 2002. Seasonal habitat selection of raccoons in intensively managed pine forests of central Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 147:102-108.
- Greenfield, K. C., L. W. Burger, M. J. Chamberlain, and E. W. Kurzejeski. 2002. Vegetation management practices on Conservation Reserve Program fields to improve northern bobwhite habitat quality. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 30:in press.
- Chamberlain, M. J., and B. D. Leopold. 2002. Movements and space use of gray foxes following mate loss. American Midland Naturalist. 147:in press.
- Chamberlain, M. J. and B. D. Leopold. 2001. Survival and cause specific mortality of adult coyotes in Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist. 145:414-418.
- Conner, L. M., M. J. Chamberlain, and B. D. Leopold. 2001. Bobcat home range size relative to habitat quality. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 55:in press.
- Williamson, S. C., L. W. Burger, S. Demarais, and M. J. Chamberlain. 2001. Effects of northern bobwhite habitat management practices on red imported fire ants. Quail 5:in press.
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