Source: UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI submitted to
ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE IN PRAIRIES, FOREST, AND AGRICULTURE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
MCINTIRE-STENNIS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0218952
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
MO-NRSL0882
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2009
Project End Date
May 30, 2014
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Kesler, DY.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
(N/A)
COLUMBIA,MO 65211
Performing Department
School Of Natural Resources
Non Technical Summary
Resources dedicated to wildlife conservation should be optimized because they are often limited, and they are nearly always public resources. Conservation decision-makers who delegate limited management resources should consider a range of options. The most beneficial administrative path will likely come from thoughtful and critical analyses of potential management directions, impacts, and project importance, and the contrasting availability of worker time, labor, and equipment. Conservation researchers and mangers can facilitate the decision making process by providing information needed for empirical analyses (formal or informal) of these critical issues. Directed and informed approaches are especially important when endangered or rare populations are involved because programmatic effectiveness is greatly reduced by delays. This research program has an agenda of identifying rare and declining populations of birds, evaluating decline trends, isolating factors underlying those declines, exploring strategies for recovery, and making directed and clear recommendations about management strategies that can address rareness.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1360860107020%
1350820107020%
1350850106010%
1357299107010%
1357210106010%
1250640107010%
1220780107010%
1220611107010%
Knowledge Area
135 - Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife; 125 - Agroforestry; 122 - Management and Control of Forest and Range Fires; 136 - Conservation of Biological Diversity;

Subject Of Investigation
0640 - Tropical forests; 0850 - Wildlife habitats; 0611 - Conifer forests of the South; 7210 - Remote sensing equipment and technology; 0860 - Endangered species; 7299 - Research equipment and methods, general/other; 0820 - Wild birds; 0780 - Grasslands, other;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology; 1060 - Biology (whole systems);
Goals / Objectives
1.) Develop demographic and movement models to assess and predict changes in endangered populations. 2.) Identify factors affecting declining bird populations in grasslands, forests, and agricultural systems. 3.) Evaluate management approaches, strategies, and tactics to reverse declines in bird populations in grasslands, forests, and agricultural systems.
Project Methods
We will use field studies and computer simulations to address the objectives above. For objective 1, we will use radio telemetry investigations of translocated and declining bird populations to model animal movement and demography in managed prairie systems, forested areas, and agriculture. We will then use results from radio telemetry and population modeling to evaluate the interaction between birds and landscape resources. Those models will then be used in simulation analyses to satisfy objective 2. Objective 3 will subsequently be addressed using the simulation modeling to evaluate multiple approaches to prairie, forest, and agricultural system management.

Progress 06/01/09 to 05/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In 2009, the bulk of my energy was aimed at working with the Missouri Department of Conservation on the restoration of Greater Prairie-Chickens to the state. The birds can and do exist in agricultural landscapes, if enough grassland is present. The department has initiated several projects to restore historic grasslands, and to encourage local farmers to develop private grasslands. In 2009, I also invested substantial effort in a project studying bird movements in fragmented habitats. We investigated the movements of dispersing Red-bellied woodpeckers in the Mark Twain National Forest, which is highly fragmented by agricultural inholdings. The aim of the work is to identify which landscape patterns promote bird movements. Results of this work are being relayed to the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mark Twain National Forest. July 2009, I helped coordinate a multi-national team of biologists in French Polynesia. We conducted a one-week site visit to the island of Makatea to investigate the ecological stability of the island and to assess potential for endangered species management and ecological restoration. At the end of this project, the residents on Makatea were reevaluating ways to grow coconut forests so that the impacts on rare birds were minimized. In 2009 I continued my research program on Wake Island. Wake is among the most isolated islands in the world. Graduate student Lisa Sztukowski conducted four months of fieldwork to assess the impacts of invasive mammals on seabirds. We produced a digital database of plants and ants for the island, as well as a monitoring protocol to evaluate all of the island's fauna. I traveled to the island in June with postdoc Walter Wehtje to help with fieldwork, advise M.S. student Lisa Sztukowski, and to discuss possible future projects with Air Force officials. The investment was worthwhile, as 2010 funding has been granted to continue the work. March 2009, I co-taught a course for students studying migratory birds. The 30 students in the course were from Mexico and Central American countries, andinstructors were from two nations. At the conclusion of the workshop, all of the attending students were equipped to conduct research on migratory birds in Mexico and the United States. In 2010, the my energy was spread among several projects. Much effort was aimed at working with the Missouri Department of Conservation on the restoration of Greater Prairie-Chickens to the state. The birds can and do exist in agricultural landscapes, if enough grassland is present. The department has initiated several projects to restore historic grasslands, and to encourage local farmers to develop private grasslands. In 2010, I also invested substantial effort in a project studying bird movements in fragmented habitats. We investigated the movements of dispersing Red-bellied woodpeckers in the Mark Twain National Forest, which is highly fragmented by agricultural inholdings. The aim of the work is to identify which landscape patterns promote bird movements in agricultural landscapes. Results of this work are being relayed to the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mark Twain National Forest. The work was the focus of a University-level press release that resulted in 76 popular press articles in Newspapers (including US News and World Reports), online sites (Science Magazine Today), and television and radio releases. The work was also translated into at least four other languages and printed in Ethiopia, China, Brazil, and other countries. March 2010, I helped coordinate a multi-national team of biologists in French Polynesia. We conducted an experimental translocation of the critically endangered Tuamotu Kingfisher in agricultural coconut plantations. In 2010 I continued my research program on Wake Island to evaluate the effect of rat eradication programs on nesting seabirds. I coordinated and co-taught a course in Brazil for students studying migratory birds. The 20 students in the course were from South American countries. I also initiated a new project evaluating the effectiveness of shortleaf pine forest restoration for habitat for Brown-headed Nuthatches. In 2011, energy was spread among several projects. Much effort was aimed at working with the Missouri Department of Conservation on the restoration of Greater Prairie-Chickens to the state grasslands. The birds can and do exist in agricultural landscapes, if enough grassland is present. The department has initiated several projects to restore historic grasslands, and to encourage local farmers to develop private grasslands. In 2011, I also concluded a project studying bird movements in fragmented habitats. We investigated the movements of dispersing Red-bellied woodpeckers in the Mark Twain National Forest, which is highly fragmented by agricultural inholdings. The aim of the work is to identify which landscape patterns promote bird movements in agricultural landscapes. Results of this work are being relayed to the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mark Twain National Forest. The work was the focus of a University-level press release that resulted in 76 popular press articles in Newspapers (including US News and World Reports), online sites (Science Magazine Today), and television and radio releases. Two publications have been submitted from that work. March 2011, I initiated field studies for a new project in collaboration with USDA Forest Service. The work is aimed at studying how resident birds use restored forests in Arkansas and Missouri. In 2011 I also continued my research program with island birds in coconut agriculture in French Polynesia and Federated States of Micronesia. One new students was recruited to study how forest changes might affect native bird communities on the island of Pohnpei. We contented work with Black-backed woodpeckers in burned and beetle infested forests of South Dakota Black Hills. I concluded work with seabirds on Wake atoll in 2011. In 2012, energy was spread among several projects. Much effort was aimed at working with the Missouri Department of Conservation on the restoration of Greater Prairie-Chickens to the state grasslands. The birds can and do exist in agricultural landscapes, if enough grassland is present. The department has initiated several projects to restore historic grasslands, and to encourage local farmers to develop private grasslands. In 2012, I also developed and published results from a project studying bird movements in fragmented habitats. We investigated the movements of dispersing Red-bellied woodpeckers in the Mark Twain National Forest, which is highly fragmented by agricultural inholdings. The aim of the work was to identify which landscape patterns promote bird movements in agricultural landscapes and our findings were published in two papers in 2012. Results of this work were relayed to the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mark Twain National Forest. I continued field studies for a new project in collaboration with USDA Forest Service that was initiated in 2011. The work is aimed at studying how resident birds use restored forests in Arkansas and Missouri. In 2012 I also published results from program with island birds in coconut agriculture in French Polynesia and Federated States of Micronesia. We published a paper relating to the demography of an endangered island bird that inhabits coconut forests in French Polynesia - the Tuamotu Kingfisher. We contented work with Black-backed woodpeckers in burned and beetle infested forests of South Dakota Black Hills. We published two text book chapters about methods for assessing animal movement and their relations to habitats (including forests, grasslands and agricultural systems).

Publications


    Progress 01/01/12 to 09/30/12

    Outputs
    Target Audience: The target audiences of the work completed in 2012 included farmers and residents of Missouri with an interest in grassland and forest restoration. Additionally, forest managers in the Missouri Mark Twain National Forest and in the Black Hills National Forest were active components of my program. Students and conservation managers at the University of Missouri, in Micronesia, and in French Polynesia were additional target audiences. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? In 2012, most opportunities for training occurred with students in my lab, who attended national meetings and presented realists of their work. Additionally, two graduate students finished their work in my lab and two new postdocs were hired and trained to evaluate animal interactions with landscapes, including forests and agricultural systems. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results were discriminated through professional journal publications (seven papers were published in 2012) and through presentations at professional meetings and a report. In 2012 members of my lab presented eleven professional publications of results. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the next reporting period, I intend to continue publications of results, and present additional results at professional meetings and to state and federal management personnel.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? In 2012, energy was spread among several projects. Much effort was aimed at working with the Missouri Department of Conservation on the restoration of Greater Prairie-Chickens to the state grasslands. The birds can and do exist in agricultural landscapes, if enough grassland is present. The department has initiated several projects to restore historic grasslands, and to encourage local farmers to develop private grasslands. In 2012, I also developed and published results from a project studying bird movements in fragmented habitats. We investigated the movements of dispersing Red-bellied woodpeckers in the Mark Twain National Forest, which is highly fragmented by agricultural inholdings. The aim of the work was to identify which landscape patterns promote bird movements in agricultural landscapes and our findings were published in two papers in 2012. Results of this work were relayed to the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mark Twain National Forest. I continued field studies for a new project in collaboration with USDA Forest Service that was initiated in 2011. The work is aimed at studying how resident birds use restored forests in Arkansas and Missouri. In 2012 I also published results from program with island birds in coconut agriculture in French Polynesia and Federated States of Micronesia. We published a paper relating to the demography of an endangered island bird that inhabits coconut forests in French Polynesia - the Tuamotu Kingfisher. We contented work with Black-backed woodpeckers in burned and beetle infested forests of South Dakota Black Hills. We published two text book chapters about methods for assessing animal movement and their relations to habitats (including forests, grasslands and agricultural systems).

    Publications

    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Laws, R. J., and D. C. Kesler. 2012. A Bayesian network approach for selecting translocation sites for endangered island birds. Biological Conservation 155:178-185.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Cox, A. S., and D. C. Kesler. 2012. Prospecting behavior and the influence of landscape on natal dispersal in a resident bird. Behavioral Ecology 23:1068-1077.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Kesler, D. C., R. J. Laws, A. S. Cox, A. Gouni, and J. D. Stafford. 2012. Survival, territory resources, and population persistence in the critically endangered Tuamotu Kingfisher. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:1001-1009.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Kesler, D. C., and J. R. Walters. 2012. Social composition of destination territories and matrix habitat affect red-cockaded woodpecker dispersal. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:1028-1035.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Cox, A. S., and D. C. Kesler. 2012. Reevaluating the cost of natal dispersal: post-fledging survival in a resident bird species. Condor 114:341-347.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Kesler, D. C. 2012. Foraging habitat distributions affect territory size and shape in the Tuamotu Kingfisher. International Journal of Zoology Article ID 632969, 7 pages:1-7.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Kesler, D. C., A. S. Cox, G. Albar, A. Gouni, J. Mejeur, and C. Plasse. 2012. Translocation of Tuamotu kingfishers, post-release exploratory behavior and harvest effects on the donor population. Pacific Science 66:467-480.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Pott, M., D. C. Kesler, and P. Oleiro. 2012. Ant Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia, Scoping trip 2012. Technical evaluation of Ant Atoll invasive species distributions for low island conservation guidance in Micronesia. (technical report prepared in cooperation with Island Conservation, and Conservation Society of Pohnpei).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: +Kesler, D. C. 2012. A Bayesian network modeling approach for guiding conservation site selection. Complexity Modeling Group. University of Missouri. (MU invited oral presentation).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: +Laws, R. J., and D. C. Kesler, 2012. Micronesian Kingfisher population status and options for assisted colonization. Invited presentation to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association Mid Year Meeting. Palm Springs, CA. (national invited oral presentation).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: +Kesler, D. C. 2012. Communications plan for the Society for Ornithology. Invited presentation to the Ornithological Council and presidents from international ornithological societies. Dallas, TX. (international invited oral presentation).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: +Kesler, D. C. 2012. Conservation when seas are rising  modeling climate change effects on island birds. Saturday Morning Science Series. University of Missouri. (MU invited oral presentation).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Stanton, R. A. Jr., D. C. Kesler, and F. R. Thompson III. 2012. Range extension and habitat restoration: does Hildens Principle apply to resident birds? 2012 North American Ornithological Conference. Vancouver, Canada (international oral presentation).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Rota, C. T., J. J. Millspaugh, D. C. Kesler, C. P. Lehman, M. A. Rumble, and C. M. Bodenof. 2012. A Bayesian modified case-control model for estimating absolute probability of use from use-availability data. 97th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Portland, OR. (national oral presentation).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Wehtje, W., and D. C. Kesler. 2012. Migration directionality of European Starlings (Sternus vulgaris) in Europe predicts the species North American migration patterns. 2012 North American Ornithological Conference. Vancouver, Canada (international oral presentation).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Cunningham, J. A., D. C. Kesler, and R. B. Lanctot. 2012. Effects of experience on male and female breeding habitat selection in arctic-breeding shorebirds. 2012 North American Ornithological Conference. Vancouver, Canada. (international oral presentation).
    • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Millspaugh, J. J., R. A. Gitzen, J. L. Belant, R. W. Kays, B. J. Keller, D. C. Kesler, C. T. Rota, J. H. Schulz, and C. M. Bodinof. 2012. Wildlife radiotelemetry and remote tracking  Analysis of Telemetry Data. Pages 480-501 in N. J. Silvy editor, Research and Management Techniques for Wildlife and Habitats. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, USA.
    • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Millspaugh, J. J., C. T. Rota, R. A. Gitzen, R. A. Montbomery, T. W. Bonnot, J. L. Belant, C. R. Ayers, D. C. Kesler, D. A. Eads, C. M. Bodinof Jachowski. in press. Analysis of resource selection by animals. in M. Morrison and H. Mathewson, editors, Wildlife Habitat Conservation: Concepts, Challenges, and Solutions. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, USA.


    Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: In 2011, my research program continued to generate new research products, and new projects were initiated as well. In the first several years at the University of Missouri, most of my efforts were aimed at obtaining grants, beginning new projects, and recruiting top-quality students. In 2011 those investments continued to yield applied science work with the publication of four peer-reviewed papers. An additional three papers are in press and three more are currently in the review process. I anticipate the submission of an additional set within the next four months. Additionally, two new projects were initiated in 2011 and two more are under development. PARTICIPANTS: In 2011, I worked with Missouri Department of Conservation, the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Defense, the government of the Federated States of Micronesia, Pohnpei Conservation Society, Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization, and the Government of French Polynesia. Our work was aimed at farmers in Missouri, forest managers in the Mark Twain National Forest, forests in Arkansas and in the Black Hills of South Dakota, managers of the Micronesian Kingfisher recovery committee, and endangered species managers in French Polynesia. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences of the projects completed in 2011 included farmers and residents of Missouri with an interest in grassland and forest restoration. Additionally, forest managers in the Missouri Mark Twain National Forest and in the Black Hills National Forest were active components of my program. Students at the University of Missouri, in Micronesia, and in French Polynesia were additional target audiences. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: no major changes.

    Impacts
    In 2011, energy was spread among several projects. Much effort was aimed at working with the Missouri Department of Conservation on the restoration of Greater Prairie-Chickens to the state grasslands. The birds can and do exist in agricultural landscapes, if enough grassland is present. The department has initiated several projects to restore historic grasslands, and to encourage local farmers to develop private grasslands. In 2011, I also concluded a project studying bird movements in fragmented habitats. We investigated the movements of dispersing Red-bellied woodpeckers in the Mark Twain National Forest, which is highly fragmented by agricultural inholdings. The aim of the work is to identify which landscape patterns promote bird movements in agricultural landscapes. Results of this work are being relayed to the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mark Twain National Forest. The work was the focus of a University-level press release that resulted in 76 popular press articles in Newspapers (including US News and World Reports), online sites (Science Magazine Today), and television and radio releases. Two publications have been submitted from that work. March 2011, I initiated field studies for a new project in collaboration with USDA Forest Service. The work is aimed at studying how resident birds use restored forests in Arkansas and Missouri. In 2011 I also continued my research program with island birds in coconut agriculture in French Polynesia and Federated States of Micronesia. One new students was recruited to study how forest changes might affect native bird communities on the island of Pohnpei. We contented work with Black-backed woodpeckers in burned and beetle infested forests of South Dakota Black Hills. I concluded work with seabirds on Wake atoll in 2011.

    Publications

    • Coulombe, G. C., D. C. Kesler, and A. Gouni. 2011. Factors influencing occurrence and habitat use of Tuamotu Kingfishers at landscape and territory scales. Auk 128:283-292.
    • Kesler, D. C. 2011. Non-permanent radiotelemetry leg harness for small birds. Journal of Wildlife Management. 75:467-471.
    • Lehman, C. P., D. C. Kesler, C. T. Rota, M. A. Rumble, E. M. Seckinger, T. M. Juntti, and J. J. Millspaugh. 2011. Hand-held netguns: a technique for capturing Black-backed Woodpeckers. Journal of Field Ornithology 82:430-435.
    • McGowan, C. P., D. C. Kesler, and M. R. Ryan. 2011. Endangered species management. Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners available online.


    Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: In 2010, my research program moved from the building stage to production. In the first several years at the University of Missouri, most of my efforts were aimed at obtaining grants, beginning new projects, and recruiting top-quality students. In 2010 those investments began to pay off as three peer-reviewed papers, one invited paper, and two book chapters were accepted for publication. An additional two papers are in press and two more are currently in the review process. I anticipate the submission of an additional five within the next four months. Further, research from my lab was noticed by the general public when a press release from the University generated 76 mass-media publications. Three new projects are currently under development as well. PARTICIPANTS: In 2010, I worked with Missouri Department of Conservation, the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Defense, and the Government of French Polynesia. Our work was aimed at farmers in Missouri, forest managers in the Mark Twain National Forest, and in the Black Hills of South Dakota, managers of the Micronesian Kingfisher recovery committee, and endangered species managers in French Polynesia. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences of the projects completed in 2010 included farmers and residents of Missouri with an interest in grassland restoration. Additionally, forest managers in the Missouri Mark Twain National Forest and in the Black Hills National Forest were active components of my program. Students at the University of Missouri, in Mexico, and in French Polynesia were additional target audiences. Wildlife mangers on Wake Island also attended my talks and workshops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

    Impacts
    In 2010, the my energy was spread among several projects. Much effort was aimed at working with the Missouri Department of Conservation on the restoration of Greater Prairie-Chickens to the state. The birds can and do exist in agricultural landscapes, if enough grassland is present. The department has initiated several projects to restore historic grasslands, and to encourage local farmers to develop private grasslands. In 2010, I also invested substantial effort in a project studying bird movements in fragmented habitats. We investigated the movements of dispersing Red-bellied woodpeckers in the Mark Twain National Forest, which is highly fragmented by agricultural inholdings. The aim of the work is to identify which landscape patterns promote bird movements in agricultural landscapes. Results of this work are being relayed to the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mark Twain National Forest. The work was the focus of a University-level press release that resulted in 76 popular press articles in Newspapers (including US News and World Reports), online sites (Science Magazine Today), and television and radio releases. The work was also translated into at least four other languages and printed in Ethiopia, China, Brazil, and other countries. March 2010, I helped coordinate a multi-national team of biologists in French Polynesia. We conducted an experimental translocation of the critically endangered Tuamotu Kingfisher in agricultural coconut plantations. In 2010 I continued my research program on Wake Island to evaluate the effect of rat eradication programs on nesting seabirds. I coordinated and co-taught a course in Brazil for students studying migratory birds. The 20 students in the course were from South American countries. I also initiated a new project evaluating the effectiveness of shortleaf pine forest restoration for habitat for Brown-headed Nuthatches.

    Publications

    • Kesler, D. C., J. R. Walters, and J. J. Kapes. 2010. Multiple movement modes and the fat-tailed distribution of dispersal distances in Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Behavioral Ecology 21:1337-1343.
    • Kesler, D. C., T. Ghestemme, E. Portier, A. Gouni. 2010. Cooperative. Breeding of the Society Kingfisher. Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 122:46-50.
    • Millspaugh, J. J., D. C. Kesler, R. W. Kays, R. A. Gitzen, J. H. Schulz, J. L. Belant, C. T. Rota, B. J. Keller, and C. M. Bodinof. 2011 Wildlife radiotelemetry and remote tracking. ENVIS Bulletin. in press.
    • Millspaugh, J. J., D. C. Kesler, R. W. Kays, R. A. Gitzen, J. H. Schulz, C. T. Rota, C. M. Bodinof, J. L. Belant, and B. J. Keller. 2011. Wildlife radiotelemetry and remote tracking - Preliminary Considerations. in N. J. Silvy editor, Research and Management Techniques for Wildlife and Habitats. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, USA.
    • Millspaugh, J. J., R. A. Gitzen, J. L. Belant, R. W. Kays, B. J. Keller, D. C. Kesler, C. T. *Rota, J. H. Schulz, and C. M. Bodinof. 2011. Wildlife radiotelemetry and remote tracking - Analysis of Telemetry Data. in N. J. Silvy editor, Research and Management Techniques for Wildlife and Habitats. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, USA.


    Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: I provided services and outreach at the university level and in Missouri, French Polynesia, Wake Island, and Mexico during my initial two years. Classes and workshops were held to promote research and avian conservation of critically endangered and migrant bird species. Additionally, I worked on a NSF-funded MIGRATE course that promotes science and conservation collaborations among countries in the North, Central, and South Americas. Outreach components are built into each research program and they extend naturally into my teaching arena as well. I fully intend to continue this integration in upcoming years, as it leads to new opportunities and it promotes the application of conservation sciences to real-world problems. Specific projects include: MISSOURI GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKENS - In 2009, I worked with the Missouri Department of Conservation on grassland habitat restorations for grassland bird species, including Greater Prairie-Chickens. Habitat management included restoring fire to the system, and working with local farmers to promote bird habitats. NCEP TEACHING MODULE - I am working with Drs. Mark Ryan and Conner McGowan to finalize a teaching module that was submitted to the Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners soon (American Museum of Natural History). The module addresses endangered species recovery and it will be freely available for download and use by teachers throughout the world. MAKATEA ISLAND KINGFISHER CONSERVATION - During in July 2009, I joined a team of biologists in an assessment of the suitability of Makatea Islands for translocation population of critically endangered Tuamotu Kingfisher. During the field visit we evaluated vegetation and habitat conditions in coconut plantations, and we met with local officials, including the Mayor and other public officials. We promoted bird conservation in coconut agriculture and made recommendations for vegetation and habitat restoration. We also gave a presentation to the island school about bird conservation. NIAU ISLANDS BIRD CONSERVATION - During 2009, I advised the government of French Polynesia on bird conservation for the island of Niau, which is primarily based on coconut agriculture. Further, my lab developed a conservation poster and presentation that will be delivered to the residents of the small island in 2010, and which will be modified to deliver to other islands in subsequent years. WAKE ISLAND SEABIRD CONSERVATION - I traveled to Wake Island for seabird research in 2009. During the visit I gave a talk to the island administrators about seabird conservation and the potential for Air Force to do ecological restoration. PARTICIPANTS: In 2009, I worked with Missouri Department of Conservation, the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Defense, and the Government of French Polynesia. Our work was aimed at farmers in Missouri, forest managers in the Mark Twain National Forest, and in the Black Hills of South Dakota, managers of the Micronesian Kingfisher recovery committee, and endangered species managers in French Polynesia. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences of the projects completed in 2009 included farmers and residents of Missouri with an interest in grassland restoration. Additionally, forest managers in the Missouri Mark Twain National Forest and in the Black Hills National Forest were active components of my program. Students at the University of Missouri, in Mexico, and in French Polynesia were additional target audiences. Wildlife mangers on Wake Island also attended my talks and workshops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

    Impacts
    In 2009, the bulk of my energy was aimed at working with the Missouri Department of Conservation on the restoration of Greater Prairie-Chickens to the state. The birds can and do exist in agricultural landscapes, if enough grassland is present. The department has initiated several projects to restore historic grasslands, and to encourage local farmers to develop private grasslands. In 2009, I also invested substantial effort in a project studying bird movements in fragmented habitats. We investigated the movements of dispersing Red-bellied woodpeckers in the Mark Twain National Forest, which is highly fragmented by agricultural inholdings. The aim of the work is to identify which landscape patterns promote bird movements. Results of this work are being relayed to the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mark Twain National Forest. July 2009, I helped coordinate a multi-national team of biologists in French Polynesia. We conducted a one-week site visit to the island of Makatea to investigate the ecological stability of the island and to assess potential for endangered species management and ecological restoration. At the end of this project, the residents on Makatea were reevaluating ways to grow coconut forests so that the impacts on rare birds were minimized. In 2009 I continued my research program on Wake Island. Wake is among the most isolated islands in the world. Graduate student Lisa Sztukowski conducted four months of fieldwork to assess the impacts of invasive mammals on seabirds. We produced a digital database of plants and ants for the island, as well as a monitoring protocol to evaluate all of the island's fauna. I traveled to the island in June with postdoc Walter Wehtje to help with fieldwork, advise M.S. student Lisa Sztukowski, and to discuss possible future projects with Air Force officials. The investment was worthwhile, as 2010 funding has been granted to continue the work. March 2009, I co-taught a course for students studying migratory birds. The 30 students in the course were from Mexico and Central American countries, and instructors were from two nations. At the conclusion of the workshop, all of the attending students were equipped to conduct research on migratory birds in Mexico and the United States.

    Publications

    • McGowan, C. P., D. C. Kesler, and M. R. Ryan. Accepted with revisions - anticipated 2010. Endangered species management teaching module, comprised of five parts, including: a) lecture slides; b) lecture notes; c) problem case; d) hands-on lab exercise; and e) a synthesis overview. American Museum of Natural History Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. (35% contribution) (submitted)
    • Kesler, D. C., T. Ghestemme, E. Portier, A. Gouni. 2010. Cooperative Breeding of the Society Kingfisher (Todiramphus veneratus). Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 122:in press. (80% contribution) (accepted)
    • *Jachowski, D. S., and D.C. Kesler. 2009. Allowing extinction: should we let species go Trends in Ecology & Evolution 24:180. (Note this was a response to a previous publication) (60% contribution) (published)