Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The primary target audience reached by this project included private land owners and farm oprators in Highland and Brown Counties, OH, on whose properties where our research on population habitat relationships of northern bobwhites was conducted. Target audeinces also included state, federal, and non-governmental organizations such as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy, the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Partners for Wildlife (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), the Northern Bobwhite Technical Committee, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., and Pheasants Forever. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Six M.S. students were supported on 4 separate projects, including studies of shorebird migration ecology, greater sandhill crane dispersal, migration, and habitat use, and an assessment of public health risk associated with human exposure to pathogens in Canada goose feces. Four different field technicians were also supported on the northern bobwhite project in southwestern Ohio. Preparation of manuscripts for publication by three former graduate students (M.S.) were on-going from an investigation of population dynamics and habitat use of northern bobwhites in southwestern Ohio. This work resulted in the implementation of an ongoing habitat improvement program for northern bobwhites on 2 of 4 private land study sites in southwestern Ohio. All project personnel played key roles in planning and implementation of the private land habitat improvement project. A study to evaluate response by bobwhites to the habitat improvement project supported two graduate students (M.S.) who completed their second and final year of field work on the evaluation. A third M.S. student initiated field on the project in May 2014. All six M.S. students and field technicians gained education and training in wildlfe ecology and management and gained professional experience working with state, federal, or non-governmental organizations that supported their work. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? One oral presentation and one poster were presented at the Wildlife Society Annual Conference in October 2014. Project findings were also communicated to the lay public via news releases, radio interviews, and presentations at the Ohio State University Farm Science Review and Ohio Woodlands, Wetlands, and Wildlife Conference hosted by Ohio State University Extension. Results from evaluation or analyses of population surveys for breeding northern bobwhite and marshbirds were communicated via quarterly, annual, and final project reports to the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW). ODW will use these results to modify existing or develop new wildlife population surveys across the state and to formulate their strategic and tactical plans for wetlands and early successional habitat dependent bird populations. Results from studies of energetic carrying capacity and waterfowl and shorebird utilization in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region were incorporated into a habitat conservation decision support system under development by Ducks Unlimited, Inc. This system will be made available to wildlife managers to aid strategic habitat conservation planning and implementation at local and regional scales. Results from these studies also are used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture to test planning assumptions and to update bird population goals and habitat conservation objectives under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Findings from the study of population ecology and habitat relationships of northern bobwhites were used by ODW, USFWS, and Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever to develop and implement an ongoing private land habitat improvement program for edge-dependent wildlife in southwestern Ohio. The northern bobwhite population, sandhill crane, and marshbird studies were conducted mostly or entirely on private lands with the consent and cooperation of landowners or farm operators. Informational flyers and project updates were distributed to landowners, farm operators, and amateur ornithologists to inform them about these studies and their findings. Consequently, outreach communication that occurred almost daily between project staff and landowners, farm operators, hunters, and wildlife watchers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Field work to evaluate northern bobwhite response to woodland edge treatments on two private land study sites continued for a third field season. Two M.S. students completed field work and data collection on survival, habitat and microhabitat use, and vegetation change in treated woodland edges. Data analyses and thesis prepration were on-going. A third student conducted field work to examine nesting success, brood movements, fall dispersal and covey formation and non-breeding home range establishment by bobwhites on treated and untreated study sites. Additional manuscripts are in preparation for submittal to peer-reviewed journals based on results from studies conducted during the initial phase of the northern bobwhite project. These mansucripts focus on winter survival, breeding biology, micro-habitat characteristics, and seasonal changes in useable space on four private land study sites.Field work, dataanalyses, and thesis preparation was completedfor a study of juveniledispersal, migration, and habitat use of greater sandhill cranes in Ohio. Field work and dataanalyses were completed on a study of food availability, habitat conditions, and weight gains by fall and spring migrating shorebirds in the southwestern Lake Erie Marsh region. Preparation of a M.S. Thesis on the shorebird migration ecology is underway. One M.S. students completed collections and assays of pathogens in Canada goose feces in urban and rural study sites in central Ohio. Data analyses are nearly complete andf thesis prepration was underway for the Canada goose fecal pathogen study.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Janke, A. K., R. J. Gates, and T. M. Terhune. Habitat influences northern bobwhite survival at fine spatiotemporal scales. The Condor: Ornithological Applications.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Tucker, Jason. 2014. Juvenile dispersal, migration, and habitat use of greater sandhill cranes in Ohio. M.S. Thesis, Ohio State University.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Knapik, R.T., C.A. Brooks, and R.J. Gates. Influence of winter weather on microhabitat selection and survival of Northern Bobwhites. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference. 29 October, 2014. Pittsburgh, P.A.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Brooks, C.A., R. T. Knapik, and R.J. Gates. Vegetation Response on Woodlot Edges for Northern Bobwhite in Southwest Ohio. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference. 28 October, 2014. Pittsburgh, P.A.
|
Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The primary target audience reached by this project included private land owners and farm oprators in Highland and Brown Counties, OH, on whose properties where our research on population habitat relationships of northern bobwhites was conducted. Target audiences reached via various presentations at workshop, conferences, and meetings also included the Indiana and Ohio state chapters of the Society of American Foresters, private woodland owners and metro-parks managers across Ohio. Professional consultation and expertise also was provided to other cooperators and collaborators including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy, the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Partners for Wildlife (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), the Northern Bobwhite Technical Committee, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., and Pheasants Forever. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Preparation of manuscripts for publication by three former graduate students (M.S.) were on-going from an investigation of population dynamics and habitat use of northern bobwhites in southwestern Ohio.This work resulted in the implementation of an ongoinghabitat improvement program for northern bobwhiteson 2 of 4 private land study sites in southwestern Ohio. All project personnel played key roles in planning and implementation of the private land habitat improvement project. A study to evaluate response by bobwhites to the habitat improvement project supported two graduate students (M.S.) who completed the first year of field work on the evaluation. A third M.S. student was recruited to work on this project and began taking coursework in August 2013. One undergraduate Honor's student completed a survey of breeding and post-breeding bird populations on treated and untreated woodland edges. One M.S. student completed athesis on the statewide distribution and abundance of secretive marsh birds (e.g. rails, bitterns, grebes, terns, and herons) across Ohio. Two sets of experiments were conducted to evaluate persistence of various strains of influenza virus with in vitro simulations of physical and chemical environments of Lake Erie coastal marsh wetlands. The experiments were performed by an undergraduate honors student in collaboration with the OSU Department of Veterinary Medicine. One M.S. student completed field work on a project to estimate weight gain and stopover duration of migrating shorebirds in northwestern Ohio. Another M.S. student completed field work on movements, habitat use, and recruitment of greater sandhill cranes in Ohio. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? One oral presentation and two posters were delivered at the Wildlife Society Annual Conference in October 2012. Project findings were also communicated to the lay public via news releases, radio interviews, and presentations at the Ohio State University Farm Science Review and Ohio Woodlands, Wetlands, and Wildlife Conference hosted by Ohio State University Extension. Results from evaluation or analyses of population surveys for breeding northern bobwhite and marshbirds werecommunicated via quarterly, annual, and final project reports to the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW). ODW will use these results to modify existing or develop new wildlife population surveys across the state and to formulate their strategic and tactical plans for wetlands and edge-dependent bird populations.Results from studies of energetic carrying capacity and waterfowl and shorebird utilization in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region were incorporated into a habitat conservation decision support system under development by Ducks Unlimited, Inc. This system will be made available to wildlife managers to aid strategic habitat conservation planning and implementation at local and regional scales. Results from these studies also are used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture to test planning assumptions and to update bird population goals and habitat conservation objectives under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Findings from the study of population ecology and habitat relationships of northern bobwhites were used by ODW, USFWS, and Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever to develop and implement an on-going private land habitat improvement program for edge-dependent wildlife in southwestern Ohio. The northern bobwhite population, sandhill crane, and marshbird studies were conducted mostly or entirely on private lands with the consent and cooperation of landowners or farm operators. Informational flyers and project updates were distributed to landowners, farm operators, and amateur ornithologists to inform them about these studies and their findings. Consequently, outreach communication that occurred almost daily between project staff and landowners, farm operators, hunters, and wildlife watchers. Four peer-reviewed manuscripts were published in the Proceedings of the 7th National Quail Symposium. Two manuscripts were published, one eachin the Wison Journal of Ornithology and the Journal of Wildlife Management. Two posters were presented at the 2013 annual meeting of the Northern Bobwhite Technical Committee. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Field work to evaluate northern bobwhite response to woodpland edge treatments will continue for at least one more field season. Additional manuscripts will be prepared and submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals based on results from studies conducted during the initial phase of the northern bobwhite project. These mansucripts will focus on breeding biology, micro-habitat characteristics, and seasonal changes in useable space on our four private land study sites. Two M.S. students will complete their theses: one on shorebird migration ecology, food resources,and weight gains in the southwest Lake Erie Marsh region; the second student on migration, movements, and recruitment ofbreeding and non-breeding sandhill cranes in Ohio. Data summary and analyses and preparation of manuscripts for publication emanating from completed studies of distribution, abundance, and habitat relationships of breeding marshbirds also will be on-going next year. Lab work and data analyses to evaluate persistence of various strains of influenza virus with in vitro simulations of physical and chemical environments of Lake Erie coastal marsh wetlands also will be on-going next year.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Field work was completed for the studies of shorebird migration ecology and the Lake Erie Marsh region, and the investigation of movements, habitat use and recruitment of breeding and non-breeding sandhill cranes in Ohio. Filed work was on-going for studies to evaluate response by northern bobwhites to edge enhanemcent treatments on private lands in southwestern Ohio. Data were collected on land use changes, seasonal survival, habitat use patterns, and vegetation response to edge feathering treatments. Data analysis and preparation or publication of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals was completed from studies of population-habitat relationships of northern bobwhites in southwestern Ohio and breeding marshbirds across the unglaciated portion of Ohio.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Janke, A.K. and R.J. Gates, and M.J. Wiley. 2013. Covey membership and size dynamics of a declining population of Northern Bobwhites. Wilson Journal of Ornithology.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Gates, R. J., A. K. Janke, M. R. Liberati, and M. J. Wiley. 2012. Demographic analysis of a declining northern bobwhite population in southwestern Ohio. Proceedings of the National Quail Symposium 7: 184-193.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Janke, A. K., and R. J. Gates. 2012. Temporal variability in survival of non-breeding northern bobwhites in Ohio. Proceedings of the National Quail Symposium 7:194-201.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Liberati, M. R., and R. J. Gates. 2012. Spring dispersal of northern bobwhites in southwestern Ohio. Proceedings of the National Quail Symposium 7:202-211.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Wiley, M. J., A. K. Janke, and R. J. Gates. 2012. Efficacy of targeted mist-netting to capture northern bobwhites during the non-breeding season in Ohio. Proceedings of the National Quail Symposium 7:235-240.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Janke, A. K., and R. J. Gates. 2013. Home range and habitat selection of northern bobwhite coveys in an agriculture landscape. Journal of Wildlife Management 77:405-413.
|
Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Data analyses and reporting were completed for an investigation of population dynamics and habitat use of northern bobwhites in southwestern Ohio. Two graduate students (M.S.) completed and successfully defended their theses. Results from the northern bobwhite study (4 oral presentations) were delivered at 7th National Quail Symposium in January 2012 (4 oral presentations). Four peer-reviewed manuscripts will be published in the Proceedings of the Quail Symposium. One oral presentation was delivered at the 73nd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference (MWFC) in December 2012. Project findings were also communicated to the lay public via news releases, radio interviews, and presentations at the Ohio State University Farm Science review and one sportsmen organization. Management recommendations led to implementation of a bobwhite habitat improvement program on 2 of 4 private land study sites. Project personnel also played key roles in planning and implementation of the private land habitat improvement project. A new study was initiated to evaluate response by bobwhites to the habitat improvement project. Two new graduate students (M.S.) were recruited to work on the evaluation. We also communicated findings via annual letters mailed to 44 landowners on our 4 primary study sites. One M.S. student continued data analyses and thesis preparation on a project to estimate statewide distribution and abundance of secretive marsh birds (e.g. rails, bitterns, grebes, terns, and herons) across Ohio. Two sets of experiments were conducted to evaluate persistence of various strains of influenza virus with in vitro simulations of physical and chemical environments of Lake Erie coastal marsh wetlands. The experiments were by an undergraduate honors student in collaboration with the OSU Department of Veterinary Medicine. One M.S. student continued field work on a project to estimate weight gain and stopover duration of migrating shorebirds in northwestern Ohio. Another M.S. student continued work on movements, habitat use, and recruitment of greater sandhill cranes in Ohio. Oral presentations on the shorebird project were presented to the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region (UMRGLR) Joint Venture Management Board, amateur ornithologists groups, and the 73rd MFWC. The Principle Investigator was active and provided information at meetings of the UMRGLR Joint Venture science technical committee and Northern Bobwhite Technical Committee. PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS (Individuals): Adam Janke, South Dakota State University; Jake Straub, Mississippi State University, Ben Kahler, Karen Willard, Marjorie Liberati, Mark Wiley, Keith Norris, Jason Tucker, Graduate Students, Coree Brooks, Randall Knapik, Ohio State University; Amanda Warner, Undergraduate Honors student, Ohio State University; Charles Schwarten, Veterinary Student, Ohio State University; Stephanie Landry and Courtney Cox, Field Assistants Ohio State University. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3 and Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture; Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever; Winous Point Marsh Conservancy; Black Swamp Observatory, The Nature Conservancy (Ohio). PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, COLLABORATORS, AND CONTACTS: Dr. John Coluccy, Project Director, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., David Sherman, Nathan Stricker, Ohio Division of Wildlife; Dr. Richard Slemons, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University; John Simpson, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy; James Cole, The Nature Conservancy Ohio; Mark Shieldcastle, Black Swamp Bird Observatory. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: Seven graduate students (M.S.) were supported on this project with funding from partner agencies. Two Research Assistants were employed on the project, also with funding partner agencies. One undergraduate student is completing her Honors thesis as part of this project. Results from this project are incorporated into class room instruction via lectures and laboratory experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. Paid and volunteer internship experiences are made available to undergraduate students who work in the lab and field on the various studies included under this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGET AUDEINCES: Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture partners (state, federal, and non governmental conservation and natural resource agencies). Waterfowl hunters in Ohio and the Great Lakes states. Wildlife viewers in Ohio and the Great Lakes states. Private land-owners, and farm operators. EFFORTS: Information from this project is disseminated to sponsors and cooperating agencies via professional consultation, quarterly and annual reports and professional development workshops for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Much of the work is conducted on public and private lands, working closely with local landownwers, operators, and managers. This close working relationship affords on-going opportunities for informal extension and outreach to inform local landownwers, operators, and managers about the results of the project and how resulting knowledge can be applied to solve problems. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Results from evaluation or analyses of population surveys for breeding northern bobwhite and marshbirds were used by the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW) to modify existing or develop new wildlife population surveys across the state. Results from studies of energetic carrying capacity and waterfowl and shorebird utilization in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region were incorporated into a habitat conservation decision support system under development by Ducks Unlimited, Inc. This system will be made available to wildlife managers to aid strategic habitat conservation planning and implementation at local and regional scales. Results from these studies also are used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture to test planning assumptions and to update bird population goals and habitat conservation objectives under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Findings from the study of population ecology and habitat relationships of northern bobwhites were used by ODW, USFWS, and Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever to develop and implement a private land habitat improvement program for edge dependent wildlife in southwestern Ohio. The northern bobwhite population, sandhill crane, and marshbird studies were conducted mostly or entirely on private lands with the consent and cooperation of landowners or farm operators. Informational flyers and project updates were distributed to landowners, farm operators, and amateur ornithologists to inform them about these studies and their findings. Consequently, outreach communication that occurred almost daily between project staff and landowners, farm operators, hunters, and wildlife watchers.
Publications
- Janke, A.K., and R.J. Gates. 2012. Home range and habitat selection of northern bobwhite coveys in an agriculture landscape. Journal of Wildlife Management, online; DOI 10.1002/jwmg.461.
- Straub, J.N., R.J. Gates, R.D. Schultheis, T.Yerkes, J.M. Coluccy, and J. D. Stafford. 2012. Wetland food resources for spring-migrating ducks in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:768-777.
|
Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Field work was completed for an investigation of population dynamics and habitat use of northern bobwhites in southwestern Ohio. Field data collection, summary, and analyses were completed or underway for three field seasons (2008-2011). We worked on 4-9 private-owned study sites in southwestern Ohio to obtain breeding population indices and to estimate population densities of northern bobwhites. We captured, banded, and radio-marked bobwhite covey members that were found mostly by searching study sites with pointing dogs. Radio-marked individuals were followed to determine movements, habitat use, and to estimate survival and reproductive rates. We also collected vegetation and microhabitat data at points where radio-marked covers were located by telemetry for comparison of vegetation and microhabitat characteristics at a random sample of points that were not used by bobwhite coveys. Data summary and analyses were underway or completed by three graduate students (M.S.) and the Principle Investigator. One M.S. completed and successfully defended his thesis. Results from the northern bobwhite study (4 oral presentations) were presented at the 72nd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in December 2011. Project findings and management recommendations were disseminated via presentations at 4 professional agency meetings (Pheasants/Quail Forever, Ohio Division of Wildlife, Indiana Chapter of The Wildlife Society) and 8 private landowner workshops. The latter, organized by Pheasants/Quail Forever (PF/QF and the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW) were attended by 386 workshop registrants. We also communicated findings via two annual letters mailed to 44 landowners on our 4 primary study sites. We also prepared and submitted 4 manuscripts that were submitted for publication in the Proceedings of the 7th National Quail Symposium. Project personnel also contributed to developing a brochure titled "Give Quail an Edge" for distribution to private landowners. Two M.S. students completed field work to estimate statewide distribution and abundance of secretive marsh birds (e.g. rails, bitterns, grebes, terns, and herons) across Ohio. One M.S. student completed her thesis, presented a professional paper at the North American Waterbird Society Annual Meeting, and is preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. The second M.S. student modeled statewide distribution of marshbirds in Ohio and completion of his thesis was in progress. Analyses continued of various data sets from earlier studies of the relationships between estimates of food abundance, habitat conditions, and wetland use rates (bird use-days/ha) observed during fall and spring migrating for waterfowl and other marshbirds. Data analyses and manuscript (ms) preparations emanating from other project objectives were on-going including; population-modeling and nesting ecology of wood ducks in natural tree cavities (3 ms), population and habitat focus area monitoring for grassland birds (2 ms); and a comparison of the motivations of deer hunters and wildlife mangers as they relate to deer harvest regulation (1 ms), and factors that affect nest box occupancy by barn owls in Ohio (1 ms). PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS (Individuals): Dr. Les Murray, Pennsylvania State University; Jake Straub, Mississippi State University, Ben Kahler, Karen Willard, Marjorie Liberati, Adam Janke, Mark Wiley, Keith Norris, Jason Tucker, Graduate Students, Ohio State University; Amanda Warner, Undergraduate Honors student, Ohio State University; R. Gray Anderson, Tennessee Department of Wildlife Resources; Charles Schwarten, Veterinary Student, Ohio State University; Jay Jordan, Bryce Adams, and Hannah Plumpton, Field Assistants Ohio State University. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3 and Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture; Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever; Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; Winous Point Marsh Conservancy; Black Swamp Observatory, The Nature Conservancy (Ohio). PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, COLLABORATORS, AND CONTACTS: Dr. John Coluccy, Project Director, Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; Dr. Michael Eichholz, Associate Professor Southern Illinois Univerity at Carbondale (Co-PI); David Sherman, Nathan Stricker, Kathy Shipley, Ohio Division of Wildlife; Dr. Richard Slemons, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University; John Simpson, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy; James Cole, The Nature Conservancy Ohio; Mark Shieldcastle, Black Swamp Bird Observatory. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: Seven graduate students (M.S.) were supported on this project with funding from partner agencies. Three Research Assistants were employed on the project, also with funding partner agencies. One undergraduate student is completing her Honors thesis as part of this project. Results from this project are incorporated into class room instruction via lectures and laboratory experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. Paid and volunteer internship experiences are made available to undergraduate students who work in the lab and field on the various studies included under this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGET AUDEINCES: Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture partners (state, federal, and non governmental conservation and natural resource agencies). Ohio deer and waterfowl hunters. Waterfowl hunters in the Great Lakes states. Wildlife viewers in Ohio and the Great Lakes states. Private land-owners, and farm operators. EFFORTS: Information from this project is disseminated to sponsors and cooperating agencies via professional consultation, quarterly and annual reports and a professional development workshop for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Much of the work is conducted on public and private lands, working closely with local landownwers, operators, and managers. This close working relationship affords on-going opportunities for informal extension and outreach to inform local landownwers, operators, and managers about the results of the project and how resulting knowledge can be applied to solve problems. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Results from evaluation or analyses of population surveys for breeding northern bobwhite and marshbirds are being used by the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW) to modify existing or develop new wildlife population surveys across the state). Results from studies of energetic carrying capacity and waterfowl and shorebird utilization in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region were incorporated into a habitat conservation decision support system under development by Ducks Unlimited, Inc. This system will be made available to wildlife managers to aid strategic habitat conservation planning and implementation at local and regional scales. Results from these studies also are used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture to test planning assumptions and to update bird population goals and habitat conservation objectives under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Findings from the study of population ecology and habitat relationships were used by ODW, USFWS, and Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever to develop and implement a private land habitat improvement program for edge dependent wildlife in southwestern Ohio. The northern bobwhite population and marshbird studies were conducted mostly or entirely on private lands with the consent and cooperation of landowners or farm operators. Informational flyers and project updates were distributed to landowners and operators to inform them about these studies and their findings. Consequently, outreach communication that occurred almost daily between project staff and landowners, farm operators, and hunters.
Publications
- Murray, L.D., Gates, R.J., and Spinola, R. Manuel. 2006. Evaluation of three methods to estimate density and detectability from roadside point counts. Journal of Wildlife Management. 75(5):1072-1081.
|
Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Work this year focused mostly on collecting, summarizing, and analyzing data on survival, movements, habitat use, and nesting productivity of northern bobwhites in southeast Ohio. We also analyzed call-count data used to index abundance of northern bobwhites in southeast Ohio. Using the data we have collected and analyzed to date, we are beginning to understand how local and regional land-use patterns and conservation practices affect survival and reproduction of northern bobwhites in agriculture-dominated landscapes of the upper midwest. We are collaborating with investigators working in New Jersey to demonstrate the effect of severe winter weather conditions on bobwhite populations in the northern portion of the species' range. One manuscript to be submitted for publication is in progress. An additional manuscript has been accepted for publication in 2011. Data analyses and writing continued on studies of breeding and migration ecology of wetland birds. Two doctoral students completed dissertations. Three manuscripts to be submitted for publication are in progress. Data on food abundance for spring waterfowl in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region was summarized and disseminated to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (project sponsor). These data will be used to inform and develop energetic carrying capacity models for wetlands conservation in the region. Results of these studies are disseminated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via the P.I.'s work as a member of the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture Technical Committee and Science Support Team. Results also are disseminated via presentations at professional meetings, and continuing education and extension programs and workshops. Field work was completed on a statewide survey of marshbird abundance and habitat associations in the unglaciated region of Ohio. Data analyses and manuscript preparation from this study are in progress. Data analyses and prepration of a manuscript for publication were completed from a study of vaiability/infectivity of Avian Influenza Type A virus in relation to physical characteristics of wetlands and water chemistry that susceptible waterfowl are exposed to during summer and migration. These data were the basis for a successful proposal to Ohio Sea Grant to continue this work. The newly funded study began during summer 2010 and data summary and analyses are in progress. Annual and quarterly progress reports were written and distributed to the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW), the principle sponsor of individual research initiatives included in this project. The reports contained summaries of data, findings, and tentative conclusions are used by ODW research and management staff. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Les Murray, Postdoctoral Researcher (completed); R. Manuel Spinola, Postdoctoral Researcher (completed); R. Gray Anderson, Doctoral Candidate (completed); Michael Brasher, Doctoral Candidate (completed); Jacob Straub, M.S. Candidate (completed); Benjamin Kahler, M.S. Candidate (in progress); Karen Willard, M.S. Candidate (in progress); Charles Schwarten, Veterinary Graduate Student (in progress); Adam Janke, M.S. Candidate (in progress); Marjorie Liberati, M.S. Candidate (in progress); Mark Wiley, M.S. Candidate (in progress). Partner Organizations: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Upper Mississippi River & Great Lakes Region Joint Venture; Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Great Lakes and Atlantic Region; Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever; Winous Point Marsh Conservancy. Collaborators and Contacts: Paul Rodewald-OSU/SENR, Richard Slemons-OSU/VPM, Theron Terhune-Tall Timbers Wildlife Research Station (FL), Tina Yerkes and John Coluccy-Ducks Unlimited Inc. (MI), John Simpson-Winous Point Marsh Conservancy (OH), Michael Eichholz-Southern Illinois University. This project also provided training and educational development for the graduate students listed above and undergraduate students that worked as paid or volunteer laboratory or field assistants on the projects. Non-students and recent graduates from OSU also obtained substantive paid work experience as field and laboratory technicians on these projects. TARGET AUDIENCES: State and federal Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources Management agencies. City and county Metro-parks. Non-governmental conservation organizations. Private landowners interested in managing their properties to promote wildlife and habitat conservation. Energy development and mining industries that are involved with reclamation of wetland and grassland habitats. The general public that participates in outdoor recreation activities such as hunting, fishing trapping, and wildlife viewing. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
We now better understand that low availability of food resources for spring-migrating waterfowl in the upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region is a potential energetic and nutritional bottleneck that could constrain reproduction and thereby limit growth of waterfowl populations that migrate through the region. We now also understand that food resources are very patchily distributed on the upper midwest landscape during spring. Therefore migrating waterfowl may underutilize locally abundant food resources if they do not encounter productive wetlands on their spring migration paths. This understanding is being used to develop or modify wetland habitat conservation strategies in the region, and has implications for wetland conservation across the North American continent. Ducks Unlimited, Inc. is creating computer models that will aid managers to focus their habitat management and conservations efforts where these will have the greatest benefit to migrating waterfowl populations. Work with grassland birds and northern bobwhite population surveys and monitoring is being used by the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW) to implement new population monitoring protocols and designs for birds on their grassland habitatfocus areas. Ohio Division of Wildlife is currently changing its population survey program for northern bobwhites based on our studies. We are working closely with ODW to redesign their upland gamebird survey programs. Similarly, results of statewide marshbird surveys recently completed across Ohio are being used by ODW to develop monitoring protocols and designs for their wetland habitat focus areas and the agency's contribution to the National Marchbird Monitoring program that is coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Findings from population ecology and habitat studies of northern bobwhites were incorporated into a series of extension and outreach workshops that focus on integrating habitat conservation with agricultural practices on public and private lands in Ohio. These workshops are targeted primrily for private landowners.
Publications
- Murray, L.D., R. J. Gates, and R. M. Spinola. 2011. Evaluation of Three Methods to Estimate Density and Detectability from Roadside Point Counts. Journal of Wildlife Management. Accepted.
|
Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Two field studies were on-going in 2009 to fulfill objectives of this project. The first study investigates population dynamics and habitat use of northern bobwhites in southwestern Ohio. Data collection, summary, and analyses were on-going for the second (2008) and third (2009) field seasons. We worked on 7-9 private-owned study sites in southwestern Ohio to obtain breeding population indices (whistle-counts during spring, covey-call counts during autumn) and to estimate population densities of northern bobwhites. We captured, banded, and radio-marked members of coveys that were found by searching study sites with pointing dogs. Radio-marked individuals were followed to determine movements, habitat use, and survival rates. We also used radio-marked birds to find nests and to compare nest success rates among different nesting habitat types. The second study was initiated to estimate statewide distribution and abundance of breeding marsh birds (e.g. rails, bitterns, grebes, terns, and herons) across Ohio. Two graduate students completed the first field season of work on the project. Playback calls were conducted on a stratified random sample of wetlands selected with a General Randomized Tesselation Sampling design. We also conducted playback surveys on a sample of private-owned wetlands that were restored with funding and technical support from state and federal agencies. Survey points were visited three times during the marshbird breeding season to estimate detection and occupancy rates of marshbirds. Lab work and data analyses were completed or on-going on a third study (field work completed in 2007) designed to estimate carrying capacity of wetland habitats and adjacent agricultural areas for spring-migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Waterfowl and shorebird counts and plant/invertebrate food biomass data were summarized across 6 study sites in a 4-state region (IL, WI, MI, and OH) during springs 2006-2007. We are currently quantifying plant food abundance from samples collected where selected species of ducks were collected for diet analyses. We completed analyses of statewide population survey data and field methodology used by the Ohio Division of Wildlife to monitor northern bobwhite breeding populations in Ohio. We completed a draft grassland habitat focus area monitoring plan for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. We also completed a laboratory experiment designed to test the persistence and viability of Avian Influenza Type A virus under varying physical conditions in water and wetland soil. Preparation of a manuscript for publication of the virus persitence work was completed. Results of the virus persistence experiment led to a successful grant proposal to expand this work. Data analyses and manuscript (ms) preparations emanating from other project objectives were underway including; population-modeling and nesting ecology of wood ducks in natural tree cavities (3 ms), population and habitat focus area monitoring for grassland birds (3 ms); and a comparison of the motivations of deer hunters and wildlife mangers as they relate to deer harvest regulation (1 ms), and factors that affect nest box occupancy by barn owls in Ohio (1 ms). PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS: INDIVIDUALS: Dr. Les Murray, Post-doctoral Researcher, Ohio State University; Jake Straub, Ben Kahler, Karen Willard, Marjorie Liberati, and Adam Janke, Graduate Students, Ohio State University; R. Gray Anderson, Graduate Student, Southern Illinois University; Charlotte Roy, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Charles Schwarten, Undergraduate Honors Student, Ohio State University; Christopher Grimm, Matthew Crowell, and Mark Miller, Undergraduate Students, Ohio State University. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3 and Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture; Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; Pheasants Forever/Quail Unlimited; Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; Winous Point Marsh Conservancy; COLLABORATORS AND CONTACTS: Drs. Tina Yerkes and John Coluccy, Project Director and Staff Biologist, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (Co-PI's); Dr. Michael Eichholz, Associate Professor Southern Illinois Univerity at Carbondale (Co-PI); Nathan Stricker, Steven Barry, and Kathy Shipley, Ohio Division of Wildlife; Drs. Ted Napier, Ohio State University and Richard Slemons, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University. TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGET AUDIENCES: Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture partners (state, federal, and non-governmental conservation and natural resource agencies). Ohio deer and waterfowl hunters. Waterfowl hunters in the Great Lakes states. Private land-owners and operators in Ohio. Wildlife viewers in Ohio and the Great Lakes states. EFFORTS: Information from this project is disseminated to sponsors and cooperating agencies via professional consultation, quarterly and annual reports and a professional consultation provided to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Much of the work is conducted on public and private lands, working closely with local landownwers, operators, and managers. This close working relationship affords on-going informal extension and outreach to inform local landownwers, operators, and managers about the results of the project and how resulting knowledge can be applied to solve problems. Results from this project are incorporated into class room instruction via lectures and laboratory experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. Paid and volunteer internship experiences are made available to undergraduate students who work in the lab and field on the various studies included under this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The northern bobwhite population and secretive marshbird studies are conducted mostly or entirely on private lands with the consent and cooperation of landowners or farm operators. Information flyers and project updates are distributed to landowners operators to inform them about these studies and their findings. A network of hunters and dog-handlers volunteer their assistance in finding bobwhite coveys. Consequently there is almost daily outreach communication that occurs between project staff and landowners, farm operators, hunters, and dog-handlers. Results from evaluations of birds population surveys and developing and testing habitat focus area monitoring protocols have been used to initiate or substantially modify new and on-going wildlife population surveys by the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW). Results from studies of energetic carrying capacity and waterfowl and shorebird utilization of wetlands and croplands in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region are directly incorporated into a habitat conservation decision support system being developed by Ducks Unlimited, Inc. This system will be made available to wildlife managers to inform habitat conservation planning and implementation at local and regional scales. Results from these studies also are being used by the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture to test planning assumptions and to update bird population goals and habitat conservation objectives under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Results from the deer hunter satisfaction and participation study have already been used by the ODW to expand the deer gun season to more effectively control deer populations in Ohio and to provide increased recreational opportunity for their constituents. Results from the wood duck nesting ecology and nest cavity availability studies in southern Illinois have led to an expanded study undertaken by my colleagues and collaborator to estimate abundance of tree cavities throughout the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region. Overall, this project has greatly expanded our knowledge of wood duck breeding biology in natural tree cavities where most wood ducks are produced. The study of intra-specific nest parasitism in wood duck has direct implications for managing artificial nest boxes where high rates of nest parasitism are often a problem for managers.
Publications
- Roy C.L., Parker P.G., Gates R.J. 2009. Egg Morphology is an Unreliable Indicator of Intraspecific Nest Parastism in Wood Ducks. Condor 111(2):377-381.
- Spinola, R.M. and Gates, R.J. 2009. Population Status and Trends of Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) in Ohio: 1984-2004. Ohio Journal of Science. 108(3):26-30.
|
Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: ACTIVITIES: Two new field studies were initiated to fulfill objectives of this project. The first study investigates population dynamics and habitat use of northern bobwhites in southwestern Ohio. Field data collection, summary, and analyses were completed or underway for the first and part of a second field season. The second study was initiated to estimate statewide distribution and abundance of secretive marsh birds (e.g. rails, bitterns, grebes, terns, and herons) across Ohio. Two graduate students were recruited and have begun work on the project. Wetland sites where playback calls will be conducted were selected with a General Randomized Tesselation Sampling design. Field work on the marshbird study is set to begin in late spring 2009. Lab work and data analyses were completed or on-going on a study designed to estimate carrying capacity of wetland habitats and adjacent agricultural areas for spring-migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Waterfowl and shorebird counts and plant/invertebrate food biomass data were summarized across 6 study sites in a 4-state region (IL, WI, MI, and OH) for spring 2006. Lab work and data analysis are on-going for spring 2007. Data analyses also were completed for a study designed to estimate poulations of waterfowl and shorebirds migrating through the southwestern Lake Erie marsh region during autumn and springs 2002-2003. Data analyses and manuscript preparations emanating from other project objectives were underway; including a comparison of genetic and morphological methods for distinguishing parasitic eggs of wood ducks(1 ms), nesting ecology of wood ducks in natural tree cavities (2-3 ms), population and habitat focus area monitoring for grassland birds (2-3 ms); and a comparison of the motivations of deer hunters and wildlife mangers as they relate to deer harvest regulation (1 ms), and factots that affect nest box occupancy by barn owls in Ohio (1 ms). PARTICIPANTS: INDIVIDUALS: Dr. Les Murray, Post-doctoral Researcher, Ohio State University; Jake Straub, Kyle Loper, Ben Kahler, and Karen Willard, Graduate Students, Ohio State University. Charles Schwarten, Undergraduate Honors Student, Ohio State University. Mariah Linkhart, Christopher Grimm, and Casey Wright, Undergraduate Students, Ohio State University. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3 and Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture; USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services and National Wildlife Research Center; Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; Pheasants Forever/Quail Unlimited; Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; Winous Point Marsh Conservancy; COLLABORATORS AND CONTACTS: Drs. Tina Yerkes and John Coluccy, Project Director and Staff Biologist, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (Co-PI's); Dr. Michael Eichholz, Associate Professor Southern Illinois Univerity at Carbondale (Co-PI); Dr. Charlotte Roy, Research Biologist Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources; Nathan Stricker, Steve Barry, and Kathy Shipley, Ohio Division of Wildlife; Tara Baranowski, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services; Drs. Ted Napier, Ohio State University, Dr. Richard Slemons, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: Project personnel provided consultation on population survey and monitoring designs for Ohio Division of Wildlife, and one statistical and data analysis workshop for ODW and OSU personnel. One post-doctoral researcher was supported on this project with funding from a cooperating agency. Four graduate students (M.S.) were supported on this project with funding from partner agencies. Four undergraduate students were employed part-time as student workers on the project, also with funding from the Hatch project or partner agencies. One undergraduate student is completing his Honors thesis as part of this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGET AUDIENCES: Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture partners (state, federal, and non governmental conservation and natural resource agencies). Ohio deer and waterfowl hunters. Waterfowl hunters in the Great Lakes states. Wildlife viewers in Ohio and the Great Lakes states. EFFORTS: Information from this project is disseminated to sponsors and cooperating agencies via professional consultation, quarterly and annual reports and a professional development workshop for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Much of the work is conducted on public and private lands, working closely with local landownwers, operators, and managers. This close working relationship affords on-going opportunities for informal extension and outreach to inform local landownwers, operators, and managers about the results of the project and how resulting knowledge can be applied to solve problems. Results from this project are incorporated into class room instruction via lectures and laboratory experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. Paid and volunteer internship experiences are made available to undergraduate students who work in the lab and field on the various studies included under this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Results from evaluations of birds population surveys and developing and testing habitat focus area monitoring protocols has been used to initiate or substantially modify new and on-going wildife population surveys by the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW). The northern bobwhite population and secretive marshbird studes are conducted mostly or entirely on private lands with the consent and cooperation of landowners or farm operators. Informational flyers and project updates are distributed to landowners operators to inform them about these studies and their findings. A network of hunters and dog-handlers volunteer their assistance in finding bobwhite coveys. Consequently there is almost daily outreach communication that occurs between project staff and lanwoners, farm operators, hunters, and dog-handlers. Results from the deer hunter satisfaction and participation study have been used by the ODW to support to expand the deer gun season to more effectively control deer popualtions in Ohio and to provide increased recreational opportunity for their constituents. Results from the wood duck nesting ecology and nest cavity availability studies in southern Illinois have led to an expanded study undertaken by my colleagues and collaborator to estimate abundance of tree cavities throughout the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region. Overall, this project has greatly expanded our knowledge of wood duck breeding biology in natural tree cavities where most wood ducks are produced. The study of intraspecific nest parasitism in wood duck has direct implications for managing artificial nest boxes where high rates of nest parasitism are often a problem for managers.
Publications
- Downs, J. A., Gates, R. J., and Murray, A. T. 2008. Estimating carrying capacity for sandhill cranes using habitat suitability and spatial optimization models. Ecological Modeling, (214): 284-292.
- Napier, T. L., Cockerill, C., Gates, R. J., and Arvai, J. L. 2008. The Application of Interactive Path Modeling to Deer Hunting Participation Among Ohio Hunters. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, 3-4 (6): 510-517.
- Ramey, P. C., Blackwell, B. F., Gates, R. J., and Slemons, R. D. 2008. Efficacy of Oral Rabies Vaccination of a Northern Ohio Raccoon Population: Relevance of Population Density and Pre-Bait Serology. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, (44): 553-568.
- Roy-Nielsen, C., Parker, P. G., and Gates, R. J. 2008. Partial clutch predation, dilution of predation risk, and the evolution of intraspecific nest parasitism. The Auk, 3 (125): 679-686.
|
Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Field work was completed on a study designed to estimate carrying capacity of weltand habitats and adjacent agricultural areas for spring-migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Waterfowl were counted and collected across 6 study sites in a 4-state region (IL, WI, MI, and OH). Substrate and water column samples were collected from a stratified sample of wetland habitats and crop fields. Sorting, identification, and quantification was conducted but not yet completed. Data analyses of waterfowl and shorebird counts on study plots were initiated. Other activities included data analyses, report writing, submission of manuscripts for publication, and completion of 2 graduate student (M.S.) theses for other project objectives. Manuscripts emanating from other project objectives were submitted and accepted for publication in 2008, including efficacy of oral vaccine bait distribution to control raccoon rabies (1 ms), nesting ecology of wood ducks in natural tree cavities (1 ms) habitat
modeling for sandhill cranes (1 ms), and satisfaction and attitudes of Ohio deer hunters (1 ms).
PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Tina Yerkes, Project Director, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Dr. Michael Eichholz, Co-PI Southern Illinois Univerity at Carbondale Charlotte Roy-Nielsen, Collaborator, Minnesota Dept. Natural Resources Joni Downs, Collaborator, Florida State University Kathy Shipley, Collaborator, Ohio Division of Wildlife Nathan Stricker, Collaborator, Ohio Division of Wildlife Dr. Scott Hull, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Tara Baranowski, USDA-AIPHIS-Wildife Services Dr. Ted Napier, Collaborator, Prof. Emeritus, Ohio State University Jake Straub, Graduate Student Kyle Loper, Graduate Student
TARGET AUDIENCES: Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region joint Venture partners (state, federal, and non governmental conservation and natural resource agencies. Deer hunters in the state of Ohio. Waterfowl hunters in the state of Ohio and great lakes states. Wildlife viewers in the state of Ohio and great lakes states.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None.
Impacts
Results of the waterfowl and shorebird spring migration ecology study objective are being used by Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and the Upper Mississippi River Joint Venture (U.S. Fish and Widlife Service) to develop and implement strategic plannning of wetland habitat conservation efforts in the upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region. The wood duck nesting ecology study results are similarly being used to investigate changes in tree cavity avaiability, and for habitat conservation planning in the Upper Mississippi and Great Lakes region. The deer hunter satisfaction/attitude project results were used by the Ohio Division of Wildife to make changes in deer hunting seasons to increase hunter participation. Models of sandhill crane and barn owl habitat relationships are also being used by Ohio Division of Wildife Management to restore and enhance breeding populations of these 2 species.
Publications
- Brasher MG, Steckel JD, Gates RJ Energetic carrying capacity of actively and passively managed wetlands for migrating ducks in Ohio JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 71 (8): 2532-2541 NOV 2007
- Nielsen CLR, Gates RJ, Zwicker EH Projected availability of natural cavities for wood ducks in Southern Illinois JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 71 (3): 875-883 MAY 2007
- Nielsen CLR, Gates RJ Reduced nest predation of cavity-nesting Wood Ducks during flooding in a bottomland hardwood forest CONDOR 109 (1): 210-215 FEB 2007
|
Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
I previously co-advised a doctoral student at the University of Missouri, St. Louis who used genetic techniques to investigate behavioral aspects of nest parasitism in wood ducks. Work this year focused on publishing results from this study. Two manuscripts were published in 2006, 2 were accepted for publication in 2007, and 5th is in review. One M.S. student defended and completed a thesis on wood duck nesting behavior in Illinois in 2006. A 3rd student is completing the final draft of a dissertation on wood duck population ecology and nest predation in Illinois. One manuscript was submitted for publication from a completed M.S. thesis on sandhill crane population-habitat relationships in Ohio. The manuscript was not accepted, but is undergoing revision for resubmittal in 2007. Three graduate students are completing a thesis or dissertations on waterbird habitat relationships in Ohio and Illinois. A Ph.D. student completed data analyses and is writing a dissertation
on abundance and nest success of marshbirds in northeastern Illinois. One manuscript was accepted for publication (in 2007) from a second Ph.D. student who is writing a dissertation on waterfowl utilization and food availability on managed and unmanaged wetlands in northern Ohio. A M.S. student is completing a thesis on shorebird population-habitat relationships in the Lake Erie marsh region of Ohio. We completed the first field season of a multi-state study (IL, WI, OH, MI) in collaboration with Southern Illinois University that focuses on spring migration ecology of waterfowl and shorebirds This project supports 2 M.S. students that are extending previous work on relationships between food availability and utilization of managed and unmanaged wetlands by spring-migrating shorebirds and waterfowl in the Upper Mississippi and Great Lakes region. Two manuscripts were submitted for publication from a completed M.S. thesis that investigated bait contact and seroconversion rates after
experimental distributions of oral rabies vaccines to a rabies-free population of raccoons in northern Ohio. The first manuscript was not accepted, and portions were incorprated into a second manuscript that was subsequently submitted for publication. A final project report and 2 manuscripts for publication are in preparation for a related project that evaluated habitat preferences and movements of raccoons relative to aerial bait transects. Work continued with the Ohio Division of Wildlife to analyze statewide distribution and regional variation in nesting productivity of barn owls in Ohio. Logistic regression was used to identify landscape-level habitat characteristics associated with regional variation in nest box occupancy and productivity in Ohio. Two post-doctoral researchers worked under my direction to analyze population trends and make recommendations to improve population monitoring of northern bobwhites in Ohio. We completed population trend and statistical power analyses
needed to evaluate the current monitoring program for Ohio bobwhites. We also field-tested alternative survey techniques. Two manuscripts from this have been prepared for submittal for publication in 2007.
Impacts
Studies of intraspecific nest parasitism and breeding biology of wood ducks have enhanced understanding of their breeding behavior in natural tree cavities. Results provide an important baseline for comparison with reproductive rates achieved by managing wood duck populations with artifical nest boxes. Studies that focused on habitat relationships of wetland birds, habitat conditions, and food production in wetlands across a spectrum of landscape conditions and management intensities are being applied to developing cost-effective and effective strategies to conserve and manage wetland birds and their habitats in the upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region. The broad taxonomic coverage of these studies are used to develop strategies to conserve multi-species communities of wetland-dependent birds. The study of raccoon population density, bait contact, and movement and habitat use patterns can be used to evaluate and improve oral vaccination of raccoons to stop
the spread of raccoon rabies across the eastern and midwestern U.S. Finally studies of breeding populations of grassland birds and nest-box occupancy and habitat requirement by barn owls will be directly applied to improve population monitoring, and conservation and management of grassland birds and their habitats in Ohio.
Publications
- Roy Nielsen C.R., P. G. Parker, and R.J. Gates. 2006. Intraspecific nest parasitism of wood ducks in natural cavities: costs and benefits to hosts and parasites. Animal Behaviour 72:917-926.
- Roy Nielsen C.R., R.J. Gates, and P.G. Parker. 2006. Intraspecific nest parasitism of wood ducks in natural cavities: comparisons with nest boxes. Journal of Wildife Manaagement 70(3):835-843.
|
Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
I co-advised a doctoral student at the University of Missouri, St. Louis who used genetic techniques to investigate behavioral aspects of nest parasitism in wood ducks. The dissertation was completed during fall 2003 and we are to writing 5 manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed Journals. One manuscript was accepted, 2 are in review, and 2 are in preparation. A M.S. student at OSU is writing a thesis on wood duck nesting behavior. A 3rd student is completing the final draft of a dissertation on wood duck population ecology and nest predation. Field work was previously completed for a study of wetland bird abundance, diversity, and nesting productivity. A doctoral student at OSU conducted data analyses and is writing the dissertation on abundance and nest success of marshbirds in northeastern Illinois. A M.S. thesis on sandhill crane population-habitat relationships was completed during the current year. We mapped potential sandhill crane breeding habitats across
northern Ohio. Recommendations were prepared and provided in final reports to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Two manuscripts prepared and submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals are undergoing peer review. Four graduate students worked under my direction on studies of waterbird habitat relationships in Ohio. Two had previously completed M.S. degrees; 1 Ph.D. is currently analyzing data and writing the dissertation. One manuscript was prepared for submittal for publication. New funding was obtained to continue previous work during CY 2006 and 2007. This is multi-state study (IL, WI, OH, MI) is conducted with Southern Illinois University and focuses on spring migration ecology of waterfowl and shorebirds in the Upper Mississippi and Great Lakes region. Two M.S. students are conducting the project. We developed a sampling design for the study and initiated planning of field activities. Data analyses are underway from a study of habitat availability and utilization by
migrating shorebirds in the Lake Erie region. Thesis preparation is on-going by 1 M.S. student under my direction. We completed a study of population density and habitat use of raccoons during CY 2004. One M.S. thesis was completed. Two manuscripts have undergone friendly review and are ready for submittal to peer-reviewed journals. Analyses of radiotelemetry data to estimate habitat preferences and movements relative to bait transect lines were completed. I continued working with the Ohio Division of Wildlife to analyze the statewide distribution and regional variation in nesting productivity of barn owls in Ohio. Logistic regression was used to identify landscape-level habitat characteristics associated with regional variation in nest box occupancy and productivity in Ohio. A post-doctoral researcher worked under my direction to analyze population trends and make recommendations to improve monitoring of northern bobwhites in Ohio. We completed population trend and statistical power
analyses needed to evaluate the current monitoring program for Ohio bobwhites. We also field-tested alternative survey techniques.
Impacts
Studies of intraspecific nest parasitism and breeding biology of wood ducks will enhance understanding of their breeding behavior in natural tree cavities. Results will provide an important baseline for comparison with reproductive rates achieved by managing wood duck populations with artifical nest boxes. Studies that focused on habitat relationships of wetland birds, habitat conditions, and food production in wetlands across a spectrum of landscape conditions and management intensities will make an important contribution to developing cost-effective and effective strategies to conserve and manage wetland birds and their habitats in the upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region. The broad taxonomic coverage of these studies also will lead to development of strategies to conserve multi-species communities of wetland-dependent birds. The study of raccoon population density, bait contact, and movement and habitat use patterns will be used to evaluate and improve
oral vaccination of raccoons to stop the spread of raccoon rabies across the eastern and midwestern U.S. Finally studies of breeding populations of grassland birds and nest-box occupancy and habitat requirement by barn owls will be directly applied to improve population monitoring, and conservation and management of grassland birds and their habitats in Ohio.
Publications
- Roy-Nielsen, C., R. J. Gates, and P. G. Parker. 2006. Intraspecific nest parasitism of wood ducks in natural cavities: comparison with nest boxes. Journal of Wildlife Management. In press.
|
Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
This project has 3 primary areas; (1) Breeding Biology and Productivity of Wetland Birds, (2) Ecology and Management of Wetlands-Dependent Migratory Birds, and (3) Population Ecology, Habitat Relationships, and Management of Resident Wildlife. These studies are conducted with graduate students working under the Principle Investigator. Progress in each of these three areas is summarized below. Breeding Biology and Productivity of Wetland Birds: Work continued on breeding biology of wood ducks with studies conducted by Ph.D. and M.S. students. The doctoral student recently defended her dissertation and completed degree requirements at the University of Missouri St. Louis. Three manuscripts focusing on intraspecific nest parasitism were completed; one was submitted for publication. The M.S. student continues data analysis and thesis writing, focusing on chronology of nest initiation and factors that affect nesting effort in wood ducks. A Ph.D. candidate also is analyzing
data and writing a dissertation that focuses on multi-scale habitat relationships of wetland birds in Illinois. The PI also is preparing a manuscript for publication which focuses on distribution and breeding ground derivation of mallards harvested in North America. Lastly, a M.S. student completed a study of population-habitat relationships of breeding sandhill cranes. A thesis was completed and two manuscripts are in preparation for publication. Ecology and Management of Wetlands-Dependent Migratory Birds: A Ph.D. candidate recently completed field work that focused on plant food production and utilization by waterfowl on private-owned restored wetlands in Ohio. Data from this study was combined with data from a recently completed M.S. study that focused on large, publicly-owned wetland complexes. A manuscript was prepared for publication, focusing on comparisons of food availability and waterfowl utilization across a spectrum of wetlands that vary in size, management intensity,
restoration history, and geographic location. Data analysis and thesis preparation are also underway by a M.S. student who is studying habitat utilization by shorebirds in the Lake Erie marsh region. Population Ecology, Habitat Relationships, and Management of Resident Wildlife: Activity largely focused on a study to measure contact rates by raccoons with oral rabies vaccine baits. A M.S. student recently completed field work and is analyzing data to compare densities of aerial distributed baits with raccoon population densities, and to measure seroprevalence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies after an experimental baiting of a high density raccoon population. Radio telemetry studies also were completed to estimate home range sizes habitat use patterns, and probability of bait contact by individual raccoons. A post-doctoral associate initiated analyses to improve breeding population surveys and monitoring for grassland birds in Ohio. Lastly, statistical analyses were completed to
investigation landscape-level habitat characteristics associated with nest box occupancy by barn owls throughout Ohio.
Impacts
Studies of intraspecific nest parasitism and breeding biology of wood ducks will enhance understanding of their breeding behavior in natural tree cavities. Results will provide an important baseline for comparison with reproductive rates achieved by managing wood duck populations with artifical nest boxes. Studies that focused on habitat relationships of wetland birds, habitat conditions, and food production in wetlands across a spectrum of landscape conditions and management intensities will make an important contribution to developing cost-effective and efficacious strategies to conserve and managing wetland birds and their habitats in the upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes region. The broad taxonomic coverage of these studies also will lead to development strategies to conserve multi-species communities of wetland-dependent birds. The study of raccoon population density, bait contact, and movement and habitat use patterns will be used to evaluate and improve
oral vaccination of raccoons to stop the spread of raccoon rabies across the eastern and midwestern U.S. Finally studies of breeding populations of grassland birds and nest-box occupancy and habitat requirement by barn owls will be directly applied to improve population monitoring, and conservation and management of grassland birds and their habitats in Ohio.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|