Progress 10/01/03 to 10/01/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Projects included 1)submission of research publications on the importance of tropical hardwood hammocks and forested residential areas in the Florida Keys to neo-tropical migratory and resident bird populations, 2) contract and initiation of a Field Guide to Florida Mammals, 3) initiation of a book on Non-native Vertebrates in Florida, and 4) journal publication reviewing major competing hypotheses put forth to explain sex differences in behavior and ecology that leads to sexual segregation in ungulates. Educational information on Florida's environments and conservation issues was disseminated via multiple presentations on coyotes and other topics and the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) that completed 53 FMNP courses and 833 FMNP graduates and represented a total of 33,320 contact hours of education (16 freshwater wetlands courses, 250 graduates; 23 coastal systems courses, 361 graduates; and 14 upland habitats courses, 222 graduates). PARTICIPANTS: Annisa Karim, University of Florida MS graduate student. Graduated December 2007, thesis: Value of tropical hardwood hammock habitat to neotropical migratory birds in the Florida Keys. Professor TH Clutton-Brock, University of Cambridge, England. Hosted me as a visiting scholar at Cambridge while I conducted research for the paper in Ecology: Reconciling competing ecological explanations for sexual segregation in ungulates. Drs. John Hayes and Steve Johnson - co-authors on books. Florida Master Naturalist Program Instructor Network: 74 organizations and 150 certified instructors - see http://www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/info/partners.htm. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for the Florida Master Naturalist Program are adults, approximately 30% professional (biologists, park rangers, ecotour guides, teachers, consultants) and 70% lay persons (volunteers, interested citizens). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Results of the investigation of the importance of tropical hardwood hammocks and forested residential areas in the Florida Keys to neo-tropical migratory and resident bird populations resulted in completion of MS degree by student and was used by the Florida Department of Community Affairs, the Islamorada Village of Islands Department of Planning and Development Services, the Florida Keys Citizens Coalition, the Everglades Law Center, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service in planning conservation and development strategies in the Florida Keys. The publication on sexual segregation in ungulates incorporates an exhaustive review and meta-analysis of empirical data to resolve two competing hypotheses for a topic in which more than 100 peer-reviewed papers have been published and has received widespread attention in the literature. The impacts of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) determined by surveys included new jobs (7 percent), job new volunteer positions (13 percent), and increased job and volunteer responsibility (30 percent). Volunteer hours contributed by FMNP graduates exceeded 15,000 hours with roughly 250,000 dollars to the state of Florida. Knowledge gain among graduates averaged 14, 18, and 31 percent for wetland, coastal, and upland courses, respectively.
Publications
- Main, M.B. 2008. Reconciling competing ecological explanations for sexual segregation in ungulates. Ecology 89(3):693-704.
- Noss, R. F., E. Fleishman, D. A. DellaSala, J. M. Fitzgerald, M. Gross, M. B. Main, F. Nagle, S. O'Malley, and J. Rosales. 2009 (in press).Priorities for Improving the Scientific Foundation of Conservation Policy in North America. Conservation Biology.
- Karim, A., and M. B. Main. 2009 (in press). Conservation of tropical hardwood hammock habitat in the Florida Keys archipelago. Urban Ecosystems.
- Main, M. B., and J. P. Hayes. 2009 (in development). Field Guide to Florida Mammals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
- Johnson, S., and M. B. Main. 2009 (in development). Non-native vertebrates in Florida. IFAS Communication Services,University of Florida, Gainesville.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Projects included 1)submission of research publications on the importance of tropical hardwood hammocks and forested residential areas in the Florida Keys to neo-tropical migratory and resident bird populations, 2) contract and initiation of a Field Guide to Florida Mammals, 3) initiation of a book on Non-native Vertebrates in Florida, and 4) journal publication reviewing major competing hypotheses put forth to explain sex differences in behavior and ecology that leads to sexual segregation in ungulates. Educational information on Florida's environments and conservation issues was disseminated via multiple presentations on coyotes and other topics and the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) that completed 53 FMNP courses and 833 FMNP graduates and represented a total of 33,320 contact hours of education (16 freshwater wetlands courses, 250 graduates; 23 coastal systems courses, 361 graduates; and 14 upland habitats courses, 222 graduates). PARTICIPANTS: Annisa Karim, University of Florida MS graduate student. Graduated December 2007, thesis: Value of tropical hardwood hammock habitat to neotropical migratory birds in the Florida Keys. Professor TH Clutton-Brock, University of Cambridge, England. Hosted me as a visiting scholar at Cambridge while I conducted research for the paper in Ecology: Reconciling competing ecological explanations for sexual segregation in ungulates. Drs. John Hayes and Steve Johnson - co-authors on books. Florida Master Naturalist Program Instructor Network: 74 organizations and 150 certified instructors - see http://www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/info/partners.htm. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for the Florida Master Naturalist Program are adults, approximately 30% professional (biologists, park rangers, ecotour guides, teachers, consultants) and 70% lay persons (volunteers, interested citizens). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Results of the investigation of the importance of tropical hardwood hammocks and forested residential areas in the Florida Keys to neo-tropical migratory and resident bird populations resulted in completion of MS degree by student and was used by the Florida Department of Community Affairs, the Islamorada Village of Islands Department of Planning and Development Services, the Florida Keys Citizens Coalition, the Everglades Law Center, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service in planning conservation and development strategies in the Florida Keys. The publication on sexual segregation in ungulates incorporates an exhaustive review and meta-analysis of empirical data to resolve two competing hypotheses for a topic in which more than 100 peer-reviewed papers have been published and has received widespread attention in the literature. The impacts of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) determined by surveys included new jobs (7 percent), job new volunteer positions (13 percent), and increased job and volunteer responsibility (30 percent). Volunteer hours contributed by FMNP graduates exceeded 15,000 hours with roughly 250,000 dollars to the state of Florida. Knowledge gain among graduates averaged 14, 18, and 31 percent for wetland, coastal, and upland courses, respectively.
Publications
- Main, M.B. 2008. Reconciling competing ecological explanations for sexual segregation in ungulates. Ecology 89(3):693-704.
- Noss, R. F., E. Fleishman, D. A. DellaSala, J. M. Fitzgerald, M. Gross, M. B. Main, F. Nagle, S. O'Malley, and J. Rosales. 2009 (in press). Priorities for Improving the Scientific Foundation of Conservation Policy in North America. Conservation Biology.
- Karim, A., and M. B. Main. 2009 (in press). Conservation of tropical hardwood hammock habitat in the Florida Keys archipelago. Urban Ecosystems.
- Main, M. B., and J. P. Hayes. 2009 (in development). Field Guide to Florida Mammals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
- Johnson, S., and M. B. Main. 2009 (in development). Non-native vertebrates in Florida. IFAS Communication Services, University of Florida, Gainesville.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Research projects included completion of projects that included 1) investigation of the importance of tropical hardwood hammocks and forested residential areas in the Florida Keys to neo-tropical migratory and resident bird populations (disseminated as report to stakeholders, MS thesis, submitted journal publication), 2) journal publication describing nature of fish populations in isolated wetlands in south Florida, 3) journal publication describing seasonal and habitat influences on bird communities using an agricultural impoundment in southwest Florida over a 5-year period, 4) publication of book chapter that discusses how to address needs of wildlife in citrus operations, and 5) submission of a journal publication that reviews major competing hypotheses put forth to explain sex differences in behavior and ecology that leads to sexual segregation in ungulates. 6) Educational information on Florida's environments and conservation issues was disseminated via the Florida
Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) educational program that resulted in completion of 45 FMNP courses and 833 FMNP graduates and represented a total of 33,320 contact hours of education (16 freshwater wetlands courses, 250 graduates; 23 coastal systems courses, 361 graduates; and 14 upland habitats courses, 222 graduates).
Impacts
Results of the 1) investigation of the importance of tropical hardwood hammocks and forested residential areas in the Florida Keys to neo-tropical migratory and resident bird populations resulted in completion of MS degree by student and was used by the Florida Department of Community Affairs, the Islamorada Village of Islands Department of Planning and Development Services, the Florida Keys Citizens Coalition, the Everglades Law Center, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service in planning conservation and development strategies in the Florida Keys. 2) Information on fish populations in isolated wetlands in south Florida was used by the South Florida Water Management District for developing monitoring strategies to evaluate ecological health of isolated wetlands. 3) The publication describing seasonal and habitat influences on bird communities using an agricultural impoundment in southwest Florida was incorporated into an NRI proposal being submitted in 2008 that would
evaluate water storage and conservation strategies in agricultural impoundments in south Florida at a watershed scale. 4) The chapter on addressing wildlife needs in citrus management was published in a book widely distributed among the citrus industry. 5) The publication on sexual segregation in ungulates incorporates an exhaustive review and meta-analysis of empirical data to resolve two competing hypotheses for a topic in which more than 100 peer-reviewed papers have been published. 6) The impacts of the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) determined by surveys included new jobs (7 percent), job new volunteer positions (13 percent), and increased job and volunteer responsibility (30 percent). Volunteer hours contributed by FMNP graduates exceeded 15,000 hours with roughly 250,000 dollars to the state of Florida. Knowledge gain among graduates averaged 14, 18, and 31 percent for wetland, coastal, and upland courses, respectively.
Publications
- Main, M.B. 2006. Incorporating wildlife needs in citrus culture. Pages 395-400, in Florida Citrus: A comprehensive Guide (D.P.H. Tucker, J.S. Rogers, E.W. Stover, and M.R. Ziegler, editors). University of Florida IFAS Extension SP-278, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
- Main, M.B., Ceilley, D.W., and P. Stansly. 2007. Freshwater fish assemblages in isolated south Florida wetlands. Southeastern Naturalist 6:343-350.
- Main, M.B., and G.M. Allen. 2007. Seasonal and habitat influences on avifauna of an agricultural impoundment in southwest Florida: results of a 5-year monitoring program. Florida Scientist 70:219-240.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Conducted invited research sabbatical at University of Cambridge, England sex differences in the ecology and behavior (sexual segregation) of ungulates and other vertebrate taxa. Two manuscripts, both of which are under review, were prepared that resolve competing explanations and re-evaluates the role of intersexual competition as a factor influencing sexual segregation in ungulates. I also prepared two manuscripts on topics addressing research in Florida that included seasonal changes in bird communities using agricultural impoundments and fish communities associated with isolated wetlands in south Florida. Both papers have been accepted and are in press in peer-reviewed journals and will be published in 2007. I also continued to expand the Florida Master Naturalist Program, which issued approximately 650 graduate certificates during 2006.
Impacts
The ecological and behavioral impetus for sexual segregation in ungulates has been a hotly contested subject. More than 100 refereed papers have been published since Main and Coblentz (1990) proposed the reproductive strategy hypothesis as an explanation. This research included a full review and meta-analysis of work done to date to resolve this debate which has significant implications for management and conservation of ungulates, which have enormous economic impacts in regard to hunting, viewing, and agricultural damage. Research on agricultural impoundments and isolated wetland environments has direct conservation implications for the south Florida landscape which is experiencing changes both due to agricultural and a rapid expansion of urban areas.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Increased knowledge of wildlife and management of the habitats upon which they depend is needed to improve management practices and make informed land use decisions that minimize negative impacts to wildlife and ecosystem functions. This project evaluates habitat management techniques, the effect of landscape changes on wildlife populations in urban and agricultural settings, new approaches to conservation, and education of the public sector.
Impacts
Current research projects include strategies to promote conservation of neotropical migratory birds that rely upon tropical hardwood hammocks in the Florida Keys, habitat design strategies to improve golf course ponds as habitat for wetland birds, impacts of subsistence hunting on jaguar in Guatemala, reduction of road-induced mortality of wildlife in southwest Florida, behavior and ecology of expanding coyote populations in Florida, and differences in the behavior and ecology between sexes that cause ungulates to sexually segregate. These projects are expected to provide researchers, academics, policy makers, resource managers, and local communities with information that will influence community decisions that promote conservation of wildlife resources. The statewide citizen education program (Florida Master Naturalist Program) continues to grow and expand and provides continuing education of professionals (teachers, environmental educators, ecotourism guides) and
public lay audiences and promotes conservation education and action at the local and state levels.
Publications
- White, C.L., and M.B. Main. 2005 (in press). Waterbird use of created wetlands in golf course landscapes. Wildlife Society Bulletin 33:xx-xx.
- Main, M.B., and J. du Toit. 2005 (In press). Ungulates and their habitats: differences in reproductive strategies drive spatial segregation of the sexes. In, Sexual Segregation in Vertebrates (K. Ruckstuhl and P. Neuhaus, eds.). Cambridge University Press.
- Novack, A.J., Main, M.B., Sunquist, M.E, and R.F. Labisky. 2005. Foraging ecology of jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor) in hunted and non-hunted sites within the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala. Journal of Zoology 267:167-178.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Research projects investigated coyote behavior and ecology in Florida, migratory bird use of tropical hardwood hammocks and forested residential areas in the Florida Keys, wetlands bird use of golf course wetland habitats, effectiveness of educational content and delivery strategies of the Florida Master Naturalist Program.
Impacts
Research on migratory bird use of tropical hardwood hammocks and forested residential areas in the Florida Keys, and on wetlands bird use of golf course wetland habitats, is expected to provide policy makers, resource managers, and local communities with information that will influence community decisions that promote conservation of habitat and the bird populations that depend on them. The Florida Master Naturalist Program will provide continuing education of professionals (teachers, environmental educators, ecotourism guides) and public lay audiences and promote conservation education and action at the local and state levels.
Publications
- White, C. L., and M. B. Main. 2004. Habitat value of golf course wetlands to water birds. Summary Report. Southwest Florida REC Research Report, University of Florida IFAS, SWFREC-IMM-2003-03. 5 pp.
- White, C. L., and M. B. Main. 2004. Habitat value of golf course wetlands to water birds. Summary Report. Southwest Florida REC Research Report, University of Florida IFAS, SWFREC-IMM-2003-03. 5 pp.
- Main, M.B., and A. Karim. 2004. Status and use of tropical hardwood hammocks and forested residential areas as habitat for resident and migratory birds in the Florida Keys. Southwest Florida REC Research Report, University of Florida IFAS, SWFREC-IMM-2005-01. 11 pp.
- White, C.L., and M.B. Main. 2004. Habitat value of golf course wetlands to waterbirds. USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online. 3(16)1-10. August 15, 2004. ONLINE: http://usgatero.msu.edu/v03/n16.pdf
- Novack, A., and M.B. Main. 2004. The effects of hunting on the food habits of jaguar and puma in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala. Annual meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology. New York, NY.
- Thornton, D.H., Sunquist, M.E., and M.B. Main. 2004. Ecological separation within newly sympatric populations of coyotes and bobcats in south-central Florida. Journal of Mammalogy 85:973-982.
- Main, M.B. 2004. Mobilizing Grass-roots Conservation Education: The Florida Master Naturalist Program. Conservation Biology 18:11-16.
- Main, M.B., Allen, G.A., and M.E. Sunquist. 2004. Florida large carnivores. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet WEC 183. 6 pp. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW201.
- Main, M.B., et al. 2004. The ecology and economics of Florida ranches. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet WEC 186. 6 pp. UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW202.
- Allen, G.M., and M.B. Main. 2004. Bats of Florida. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet WEC 186. 5 pp. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW203.
- Hostetler, M.E., Main, M.B., and C. Demers. 2004. Improving, Restoring, and Managing Natural Resources in Florida: Sources of Technical Assistance for Urban Homeowners. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet WEC 193. 4 pp. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW212.
- Prizzia, A.M., Hostetler, M.E., and M.B. Main. 2004. Developing sign displays for conveying information. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet WEC 180. 4 pp. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW196.
- McLaughlin, J., Lanting, F., Griffis, D., and M.B. Main. 2004. The Horseshoe Crab: A Poster. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet WEC 184. Poster. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW204
- McLaughlin, J., Lanting, F., Griffis, D., and M.B. Main. 2004. The Horseshoe Crab: A Brochure. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet WEC 182. 2 pp. University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Digital Information Source (EDIS) Database, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW200.
- Main, M.B. 2004. Monitoring coyote populations in Florida: 2003 Annual Report of the Statewide Scent Station Survey. Southwest Florida REC Research Report, University of Florida IFAS, SWFREC-IMM-2003-02. 10 pp.
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