Publications

Research Publications

Research Publications	Publication Date
Paukert, C., E. Kleekamp, and R. Tingley. 2020. Identifying Candidate Reference Reaches to Assess the Physical and Biological Integrity of Wadeable Streams in Different Ecoregions and Stream Sizes. Ecological Indicators 111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105966	April 2020
Şen, B., C. Che-Castaldo, H. J. Lynch, F. Ventura, M. A. LaRue and S. Jenouvrier. 2024. Detecting stochasticity in population time series using a non-parametric test of intrinsic predictability. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 15:1834–1846. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14423. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	August 2024	1. Many ecological systems dominated by stochastic dynamics can produce complex time series that inherently limit forecast accuracy. The ‘intrinsic predictability’ of these systems can be approximated by a time series complexity metric called weighted permutation entropy (WPE). While WPE is a useful metric to gauge forecast performance prior to model building, it is sensitive to noise and may be biased depending on the length of the time series. Here, we introduce a simple randomized permutation test (rWPE) to assess whether a time series is intrinsically more predictable than white noise.<br><br>2. We apply rWPE to both simulated and empirical data to assess its performance and usefulness. To do this, we simulate population dynamics under various scenarios, including a linear trend, chaotic, periodic and equilibrium dynamics. We further test this approach with observed abundance time series for 932 species across four orders of animals from the Global Population Dynamics Database. Finally, using Adélie (<i>Pygoscelis adeliae</i>) and emperor penguin (<i>Aptenodytes forsteri</i>) time series as case studies, we demonstrate the application of rWPE to multiple populations for a single species.<br><br>3. We show that rWPE can determine whether a system is significantly more predictable than white noise, even with time series as short as 10 years that show an apparent trend under biologically realistic stochasticity levels Additionally, rWPE has statistical power close to 100% when time series are at least 30 time steps long and show chaotic or periodic dynamics. Power decreases to ~10% under equilibrium dynamics, irrespective of time series length. Among four classes of animal taxa, mammals have the highest relative frequency (28%) of time series that are both longer than 30 time steps and indistinguishable from white noise in terms of complexity, followed by insects (16%), birds (16%) and bony fishes (11%).<br><br>4. rWPE is a straightforward and useful method widely applicable to any time series, including short ones. By informing forecasters of the inherent limitations to a system's predictability, it can guide a modeller's expectations for forecast performance.
Zydlewski, J. (2021). Book Review: “From catastrophe to recovery: stories of fisheries management successes” edited by Krueger, Taylor and Youn. Fisheries. DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10604 \| Download	June 2021
Zydlewski, J., Bailey, M. Roy, S., Sheehan, T., Sprankle, K. Stich, D. (2021) What have we lost? American shad’s impounded history. Frontiers in Marine Science. Volume 8:734213. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.734213 \| Download	October 2021
Zydlewki, J. (2023) American Eel. Chapter (Species Essay) in “Our Maine”, edited by Aram Calhoun, Mac Hunter and Kent Redford.	July 2023
Zulian, V, K Pacifici, NM Bacheler, JA Buckel, WF Patterson III, BJ Reich, KW Shertzer, NJ Hostetter. 2024. Applying mark-resight, count, and telemetry data to estimate effective sampling area and fish density with stationary underwater cameras. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2023-0373 \| Abstract	August 2024	Accurate estimates of abundance and density within geographically open populations must account for sampling gear effective sampling area (ESA). We describe a Marked N-Mixture model to estimate ESA and density (number of individuals/unit area) from repeated counts of unmarked and marked individuals, integrating mark-resight, camera counts, and telemetry data of red snapper (<i>Lutjanus campechanus</i>)<i> </i>at a 1.6 km<sup>2</sup> reef off North Carolina, USA. Cameras recorded observations of unmarked and marked individuals, whereas telemetry data indicated the number of tagged fish present on the reef. We estimated density (95 individuals/km<sup>2</sup>, 95%CI.:58–149), ESA (which was lower when current direction was towards the camera), detection probability (0.06, 95%CI.: 0.03–0.09), and covariate relationships. Simulation studies under different scenarios of data quality and space use identified positive bias in density estimates from N-mixture models due to fish movement, while the Marked N-Mixture model returned unbiased estimates of density and ESA. Our approach allowed the estimation of density, improved precision, and reduced the bias of parameter estimates, even under scenarios of poor data and animal movement, and can be applied to other geographically open populations where count and telemetry overlap in space and time.
Zuckerman, G. et al. Diverse migratory portfolios drive inter-annual switching behavior of elk across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem	December 2023
Zipkin, E.F., & G. V. DiRenzo. 2022. Biodiversity is decimated by the cascading effects of the amphibian-killing fungus. PLoS Pathogens, 18(7), e1010624. DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010624.	July 2022
Zipkin, E. F., DiRenzo, G. V., Rossman, S., Ray, J. M, & K. R. Lips. 2020. Tropical snake community collapses following pathogen-induced amphibian loss. Science 367: 814-816. DOI: 10.1126/science.aay5733 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2020	Biodiversity is declining at unprecedented rates worldwide. Yet cascading effects of biodiversity loss on other taxa are largely unknown because baseline data are often unavailable. We document the collapse of a Neotropical snake community after the invasive fungal pathogen <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> caused a chytridiomycosis epizootic leading to the catastrophic loss of amphibians, a food source for snakes. After mass mortality of amphibians, the snake community contained fewer species and was more homogeneous across the study site, with several species in poorer body condition, despite no other systematic changes in the environment. The demise of the snake community after amphibian loss demonstrates the repercussive and often unnoticed consequences of the biodiversity crisis and calls attention to the invisible declines of rare and data-deficient species.
Zimmerman, G. S., B. A. Milsap, F. Abadi, J. V. Gedir, W. L. Kendall, and J. R. Sauer. 2022. An integrated population model to inform exploitation management for bald eagles. Journal of Wildlife Management 86:e22158, https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22158. \| Abstract	January 2022	Effectively managing take of wildlife resulting from human activities poses a major challenge for applied conservation. Demographic data essential to decisions regarding take are often expensive to collect and are either not available or based on limited studies for many species. Therefore, modeling approaches that efficiently integrate available information are important to improving the scientific basis for sustainable take thresholds. We used the prescribed take level (PTL) framework to estimate allowable take for bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)in the conterminous United States. We developed an integrated population model (IPM) that incorporates multiple sources of information and then use the model output as the scientific basis for components of the PTL framework. Our IPM is structured to identify key parameters needed for the PTL and to quantify uncertainties in those parameters at the scale at which the United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages take. Our IPM indicated that mean survival of birds >1 year old was high and precise (0.91, 95% CI = 0.90–0.92), whereas mean survival of first‐year eagles was lower and more variable(0.69, 95% CI = 0.62–0.78). We assumed that density dependence influenced recruitment by affecting the probability of breeding, which was highly imprecise and estimated to have declined from approximately 0.988 (95% CI = 0.985–0.993) to 0.66 (95% CI = 0.34–0.99) between 1994 and 2018. We sampled values from the posterior distributions of the IPM for use in the PTL and estimated that allowable take (e.g., permitted take for energy development, incidental collisions with human made structures, or removal of nests for development) ranged from approximately 12,000 to 20,000 individual eagles depending on risk tolerance and form of density dependence at the scale of the conterminous United States excluding the Southwest. Model‐based thresholds for allowable take can be inaccurate if the assumptions of the underlying framework are not met, if the influence of permitted take is under‐estimated, or if undetected population declines occur from other sources. Continued monitoring and use of the IPM and PTL frameworks to identify key uncertainties in bald eagle population dynamics and management of allowable take can mitigate this potential bias, especially where improved information could reduce the risk of permitting non‐sustainable take.
Zhao, Q., A.K. Fuller, and J.A. Royle. 2022. Spatial dynamic N-mixture models with interspecific interactions. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13936	July 2022
Zhang, Y., Y. Feng, S. Wang, Z. Tang, Z. Zhai, R. Viegut, E. Webb, A. Raedeke and Y. Shang. Deep Learning Models for Waterfowl Detection and Classification in Aerial Images. Information \| Abstract	March 2024	Waterfowl populations monitoring is essential for wetland conservation. Lately, deep 1 learning techniques have shown promising advancements in detecting waterfowl in aerial images. In 2 this paper, we present performance evaluation of several SOTA supervised and semi-supervised deep 3 learning models for waterfowl detection in aerial images using four new image datasets containing 4 197,642 annotations. The best-performing model, Faster R-CNN, achieved 95.38% accuracy in terms 5 of mAP. Semi-supervised learning models outperformed supervised models when the same amount 6 of labeled data were used for training. Additionally, we present performance evaluation of several 7 deep learning models on waterfowl classifications on aerial images using a new real-bird classification 8 dataset consisting of 6,986 examples and a new decoy classification dataset consisting of about 10,000 9 examples per category of 20 categories. The best model achieved accuracy of 91.58 % on the decoy 10 dataset and 82.88% on the real-bird dataset.
Zhang, Q., J. Jin, P. Budy, S.E. Null, and X. Wang. 2021. Predicting the response of Arctic lake thermal processes to a whole-lake warming manipulation. Geophysical Research Letters, 48, e2021GL092680. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL092680. USGS FSP IP-127181. \| Abstract	December 2021	We investigated how lake thermal processes responded to whole-lake warming manipulation in a lake in the Alaskan Arctic through observations and numerical modeling. The warming manipulation was conducted by artificially heating the epilimnion as a proxy for climate warming. We performed numerical modeling and used an improved lake scheme based on the Community Land Model (CLM). We simulated a control run (CTL) without warming and a warming manipulation simulation (WARM). Results indicated the WARM simulation accurately captured observed lake temperature profiles where water stratification was extended in time, and water stability was strengthened. Two additional sensitivity tests with different warming onset dates and of the same warming duration showed that earlier onsets of warming are predicted to make the lake water column more stable and less easily mixed relative to a later onset of warming. The results of this study provide a more complete understanding of lake thermal processes in arctic freshwater lake systems and how they will respond to predicted future warming.
Zentner, D., D. Shoup, and S.K. Brewer. 2023. Effects of Sucker Gigging on Fish Populations in Oklahoma Scenic Rivers. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-151-2023, Washington, D.C. https://doi.org/10.3996/css882119	July 2023
Zentner, D. L., S. L. Wolf, S. K. Brewer and D. E. Shoup. 2021. A review of factors affecting PIT-tag detection using mobile arrays and use of mobile antennas to detect PIT-tagged suckers in a wadeable Ozark stream. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41: 697-710.	February 2021
Zentner, D. L., J. J. Spurgeon, S. E. Lochmann, C. L. Graham. 2021. Tag type and location-dependent retention impart varied levels of bias on mark-recapture parameter estimates. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:474-483.	November 2020
Zeller, K.A., D.W. Wattles, J.M. Bauder, and S. DeStefano. 2020. Forecasting seasonal connectivity in a developing landscape. Land 9:233. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	April 2020	Connectivity and wildlife corridors are often key components to successful conservation and management plans. Connectivity for wildlife is typically modeled in a static environment that reflects a single snapshot in time. However, it has been shown that, when compared with dynamic connectivity models, static models can underestimate connectivity and mask important population processes. Therefore, including dynamism in connectivity models is important if the goal is to predict functional connectivity. We incorporated four levels of dynamism (individual, daily, seasonal, and interannual) into an individual-based movement model for black bears (Ursus americanus) in Massachusetts, USA. We used future development projections to model movement into the year 2050. We summarized habitat connectivity over the 32-year simulation period as the number of simulated movement paths crossing each pixel in our study area. Our results predict black bears will further colonize the expanding part of their range in the state and move beyond this range towards the greater Boston metropolitan area. This information is useful to managers for predicting and addressing human–wildlife conflict and in targeting public education campaigns on bear awareness. Including dynamism in connectivity models can produce more realistic models and, when future projections are incorporated, can ensure the identification of areas that offer long-term functional connectivity for wildlife.
Zebro, L.R., J.T. Mrnak, S.L. Shaw, S.R. Chipps, and G.G. Sass. 2022. Density-Dependent, Cannibalism, and Environmental Influences on Juvenile Walleye Survivorship in Northern Wisconsin Lakes. Fisheries Management and Ecology 29:897-910. \| Abstract	October 2022	Walleye (<i>Sander vitreus</i>) natural recruitment has declined in many populations within the Ceded Territory of Wisconsin (CTWI) over the past twenty years. Using CTWI age-0 and age-1 walleye relative abundance (CPE) data during 1990-2019, we tested for abiotic and biotic (density dependence, cannibalism) factors influencing age-0 to age-1 walleye mortality. Age-0 to age-1 walleye mortality was strongly density-dependent. Juvenile walleye mortality was always elevated at high age-0 CPE and highly variable at low age-0 CPE. Cannibalism effects did not influence age-0 to age-1 walleye mortality. Mixed effects modeling results suggested that age-0 CPE (positive), May surface water temperature (positive), and peak surface water temperature (negative) were the strongest predictors of age-0 to age-1 walleye mortality. Our results suggest that density-dependence and environmental factors influencing spawning and ontogenetic phenology (climate change, variable ice-off dates), trophic mismatches, and metabolic and consumptive demand may dictate age-0 to age-1 walleye mortality. Our results also showed elevated age-0 to age-1 walleye mortality at low age-0 CPE, which supports previous findings of depensatory recruitment dynamics in CTWI walleye populations. Given observed natural recruitment declines observed in CTWI walleye populations over time, stocking has been primarily used to rehabilitate stocks. Our findings suggest that stocking on top of natural recruitment would further increase density-dependent juvenile walleye mortality rates. Additional research is needed to specifically address elevated juvenile walleye mortality at low adult stock sizes and/or with declining natural recruitment to inform conservation management decisions.
Zatkos L., Murphy C.A., Pollock A., Penaluna B.E., Olivos J.A., Mowlds E., Moffitt C., Manning M., Linkem C., Holst L., Cárdenas B., and Arismendi I. 2020. AFS Roots: Dr. Emmeline Moore, All Things to All Fishes. Fisheries 45(8). DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10501	August 2020
Zaluski, S., L.M. Soanes, J.A. Bright, A. George, P.G.R. Jodice, K. Meyer, N. Woodfield-Pascoe, J.A. Green. 2019. Potential threats facing a globally important population of the magnificent frigatebird. Tropical Zoology 32: 188-201. /doi/full/10.1080/03946975.2019.1682352 \| Download	December 2019
Zaidel, P.A., A.H. Roy, K.M. Houle, B. Lambert, B.H. Letcher, K.H. Nislow, and C. Smith. 2020. Impacts of small dams on stream temperature. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106878 \| Publisher Website	September 2020
Yurek S, Eaton MJ, Lavaud R, Laney RW, DeAngelis D, Pine III, WE, La Peyre MK, Martin J, Frederick P, Wang H, Lowe MR, Johnson F, Camp EV, Mordecai R. 2021 Modeling structural mechanics of oyster reef self-organization including environmental constraints and community interactions. Ecological Modelling 440:109389 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2021	Self-organization in reef-building systems is a process of establishing reef morphology on aquatic landscapes from substrate generated by the population, and reinforcing these structures through interactions between internal processes and external factors. In oyster reefs, internal dynamics include production of calcareous shell, which serves as settlement substrate for larval recruits. External factors include environmental conditions and predation, which regulate overall population size through growth and mortality, but also regulate settlement dynamics by exposing interior shell surfaces through mortality. Oyster reefs are also highly spatially constrained by aquatic conditions, thus their efficiency for producing settlement habitat under these constraints may be critical to self-organization and long term persistence. We developed an individual based model that simulates engineering of oyster reefs through individual contributions of shell, which slowly degrade and consolidate to form reef structure. Reef habitat has two aspects in this model, one for elevating the population above the benthos, and another for making exposed shell surfaces available for settlement. We applied the model to examine how these two aspects relate to the live population as a coupled system with complex feedbacks. In particular, we examined how temporal dynamics of the reef proceed through time as the size structure of the live population and relative composition of shell types change through time. To represent these dynamics, we simulated single restoration events and tracked ensuing dynamics over subsequent decades without additional enhancement, for an example study site in South Carolina (USA). To estimate uncertainty in restoration performance, we followed a biological ensemble modeling approach, varying selected model parameters over five scenarios of predator community composition. Our goal was to identify trends that were robust across simulations, which could serve as hypotheses and predictions for future field studies. The overall temporal pattern of simulations was three distinct phases: initial transient dynamics of the stocked population, followed by growth and saturation of the life population, and then saturation of settlement habitat several years later. All simulations incurred considerable loss of shell biomass during the transient phase when the live population was establishing and shell degradation exceeded production. Simulations with predators were able to recover from this decline through production of live oysters, while simulations without predators continued to decline throughout simulation runs. These results indicate that reefs can be productive with respect to the live population, but decline overall in reef substrate. We conclude with hypotheses relating the efficiency of generation of settlement habitat to measures of biomass and individual density, which suggest levels that may lead to reef self-organization.
Young, J.K, A.R. Butler, J.D. Holbrook, H. Shamon, and R. C. Lonsinger. 2023. Mesocarnivores of western landscapes in LB McNew, DK Dahlgren, and JL Beck, editors. Rangeland Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34037-6_16. \| Abstract	September 2023	This book chapter reviews the current state of knowledge on mesocarnivores in working landscapes of western North America, including, natural history of mesocarnivores, the ecological role of mesocarnivores, and the influence or ranching, harvest, and predator control on mesocarnivores. This chapter will be included in the book Wildlife Ecology in Working Landscapes of the West
Yiu, S-W., N. Owen-Smith, and J.W. Cain III. 2022. How do lions move at night when they hunt? Journal of Mammalogy 103:855-864 \| Download	August 2022
Yarra, A.N. and D.D. Magoulick. 2020. Effect of stream permanence on predation risk of lotic crayfish by riparian predators. Southeastern Naturalist 19:673-691. doi.org/10.1656/058.019.0407	November 2020
Yang, Y., S. E. Hobbie, R. R. Hernandez, D. Tilman, S. M. Grodsky, Y-G. Zhu, Y. Luo, T. M. Smith, J. Fargione, J. M. Jungers, M. Yang, W-Q Chen. 2020. Restoring abandoned farmland to mitigate climate change on a full Earth. One Earth. 3:176–186. doi:10.1016/j.oneear.2020.07.019.	August 2020
Yackel Adams AA, NJ Hostetter, WA Link, and SJ Converse. 2024. Identifying Pareto-efficient eradication strategies for invasive populations. Conservation Letters: e13051.	September 2024
Y. Yang, J. Zhenong, N. D. Mueller, R. R. Hernandez, S. M. Grodsky, L. Sloat, M. Chester, Y. G. Zhu, and D. Lobell. 2022. Climate feedbacks from irrigation inform sustainable adaptation. Nature Food.	September 2023
Xu, W., L.C. Gigliotti, R. Royauté, H. Sawyer, and A.D. Middleton. 2023. Fencing amplifies individual differences in movement with implications on survival for two migratory ungulates. Journal of Animal Ecology 92(3): 677-689. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13879	March 2023
Xu, L., Z. Feiner, P. Frater, G. Hansen, R. Ladwig, C. Paukert, M. Verhoeven, L. Wszola, and O Jensen. 2024. Small wins, big losses: asymmetric impacts of climate change on preferred thermal habitat of inland lake fishes. Nature Communications 15:10273. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54533-2	November 2024
Wu, H., C. Flynn, C. Hall, C. Che-Castaldo, D. Samaras, M. Schwaller and H. J. Lynch. 2024. Penguin colony georegistration using camera pose estimation and phototourism. PLOS ONE 9(10): e0311038. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311038 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	October 2024	Satellite-based remote sensing and uncrewed aerial imagery play increasingly important roles in the mapping of wildlife populations and wildlife habitat, but the availability of imagery has been limited in remote areas. At the same time, ecotourism is a rapidly growing industry and can yield a vast catalog of photographs that could be harnessed for monitoring purposes, but the inherently ad-hoc and unstructured nature of these images make them difficult to use. To help address this, a subfield of computer vision known as phototourism has been developed to leverage a diverse collection of unstructured photographs to reconstruct a georeferenced three-dimensional scene capturing the environment at that location. Here we demonstrate the use of phototourism in an application involving Antarctic penguins, sentinel species whose dynamics are closely tracked as a measure of ecosystem functioning, and introduce a semi-automated pipeline for aligning and registering ground photographs using a digital elevation model (DEM) and satellite imagery. We employ the Segment Anything Model (SAM) for the interactive identification and segmentation of penguin colonies in these photographs. By creating a textured 3D mesh from the DEM and satellite imagery, we estimate camera poses to align ground photographs with the mesh and register the segmented penguin colony area to the mesh, achieving a detailed representation of the colony. Our approach has demonstrated promising performance, though challenges persist due to variations in image quality and the dynamic nature of natural landscapes. Nevertheless, our method offers a straightforward and effective tool for the georegistration of ad-hoc photographs in natural landscapes, with additional applications such as monitoring glacial retreat.
Wu, Donghai; Steven M. Grodsky; Wenfang Xu; Naijing Liu; Rafael M. Almeida; Liming Zhou; Lee M. Miller; Xiang Zhao; Somnath Baidya Roy; Geng Xia; Anurag A. Agrawal; Benjamin Z. Houlton; Alexander S. Flecker; Xiangtao Xu. 2023. Large wind farms reduce grassland productivity and carbon sequestration via atmospheric drying. Science Bulletin.	July 2023
Wszola, L.S., V.L. Simonsen, L. Corral, C.J. Chizinski, and J.J. Fontaine. 2019. Simulating detection-censored movement records for home range analysis planning. Ecological Modelling 392:268-278.	December 2019
Wszola, L.S., L.N. Messinger, L.F. Gruber, E.F. Stuber, C.J. Chizinski, and J.J. Fontaine. 2020. Use and expenditures on public access hunting lands. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism 29:100256.	December 2020
Wszola, L.S., E.F. Stuber, C.J. Chizinski, J.J. Lusk, and J.J. Fontaine. 2019. Prey availability and accessibility drive hunter movement. Wildlife Biology 2019:wlb.00526. https://doi.org/10.2981/wlb.00526	December 2019
Wszola, L., N. A. Sievert, A. J. Lynch, H. S. Embke, A. L. Kaz, M. D. Robertson, S. R. Midway, C. P. Paukert. Lake temperature and morphometry shape the thermal composition of recreational fishing catch. 2024. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 2024:1-17. IP-154515. BAO Approval 07/12/2024.DOI: 10.1002/tafs.10481	June 2024
Wszola, L. S., A. L. Madsen, E. F. Stuber, C. J. Chizinski, J. J. Lusk, J. S. Taylor, K. L. Pope, and J. J. Fontaine. 2020. Public access for pheasant hunters: understanding an emerging need. Journal of Wildlife Management 84:45-55. \| Download	January 2020
Wright, A., Bernard, R. F., Mosher, B. A., O'Donnell, K., Braunagel, T., DiRenzo, G. V., Fleming, J., Shafer, C., Brand, A., Zipkin, E., Grant, E. H. C. 2020. Moving from decision to action in conservation science. Biological Conservation 249: 108698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108698 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2020	Biodiversity loss is a major threat to the integrity of ecosystems and is projected to worsen, yet the path to successful conservation remains elusive. Decision support frameworks (DSFs) are increasingly applied by resource managers to navigate the complexity, uncertainty, and differing socio-ecological objectives inherent to conservation problems. Most published conservation research that uses DSFs focuses on analytical stages (e.g., identifying an optimal decision), making it difficult to assess and learn from previous examples in a conservation practice context. Here, we (1) evaluate the relationship between the application of decision science and the resulting conservation outcomes, and (2) identify and address existing barriers to the application of DSFs to conservation practice. To do this, we develop a framework for evaluating conservation initiatives using decision science that emphasizes setting attainable goals, building momentum, and obtaining partner buy-in. We apply this framework to a systematic review of amphibian conservation decision support projects, including a follow-up survey of the pertinent conservation practitioners, stakeholders, and scientists. We found that all projects identified optimal solutions to reach stated objectives, but positive conservation outcomes were limited when implementation challenges arose. Further, we identified multiple barriers (e.g., dynamic and hierarchical leadership, scale complexity, limited resource availability) that can inhibit the progression from decision identification to action implementation (i.e., ‘decision-implementation gap’), and to successful conservation outcomes. Based on these results, we provide potential actionable steps and avenues for future development of DSFs to facilitate the transition from decision to action and the realization of conservation successes.
Wood, J.M., A.K. Tegeler, and B.E. Ross. Vegetation management on private forestland can increase avian species richness and abundance.	August 2020
Wood, C.M., S.T. McKinney, C.S. Loftin, and Z. Loman. 2020. Testing prediction accuracy in a short-term ecological study. Basic and Applied Ecology 43:77-85.	March 2020
Woo, I, MJ Davis, SEW De La Cruz, L Windham-Myers, JZ Drexler, KB Byrd, EJ Stuart-Haëntjens, FA Anderson, BA Bergamaschi, G Nakai, CS Ellings, and S Hodgson. 2021. Carbon flux, storage, and wildlife co-benefits in a restoring estuary: case study at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington, USA. In K Krauss, Z Zhilang, and C Stagg (eds.) Wetland Carbon and Environmental Management. Wiley Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119639305.ch5 \| Publisher Website	October 2021
Wolfson, D.W., J.R. Fieberg, and D.E. Andersen. 2020. Juvenile sandhill cranes exhibit wider ranging and more exploratory movements than adults during the breeding season. Ibis 162:556-562 DOI:10.1111/ibi.12786.	October 2020
Wolfson, D.W., D.E. Andersen, and J.R. Fieberg. Using piecewise regression to identify biological phenomena in biotelemetry datasets. Journal of Animal Ecology 91:1755–1769. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13779 \| Publisher Website	September 2022
Wolfenkoehler, W., J.M. Long, R. Gary, R.A. Snow, J.D. Schooley, L. A. Bruckerhoff, and R.C. Lonsinger. 2023. Viability of side-scan sonar to enumerate Paddlefish, a large pelagic freshwater fish, in rivers and reservoirs. Fisheries Research 261:106639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2023.106639	January 2023
Wolf, S., R. Mollenhauer, and S. K. Brewer. 2019. Coldwater periods in warmwater streams: microhabitat shifts from autumn to winter by Smallmouth Bass. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 39:1360-1372.	December 2019
Wolf, S., D. Swedberg, E. Tanner, S. Fuhlendorf, and D. Brewer. 2022. Using fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing in fisheries applications: An example from the Ozark Highlands. Fisheries Research, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106542	November 2022
Wolf, S. and S. K. Brewer. 2021. Survival and movement patterns of Rainbow Trout stocked in a groundwater-influenced warmwater stream. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10566	January 2021
Wohner,W.J, A. Duarte, J. Wikert, B. Cavallo, S.C. Zeug, and J.T Peterson. Integrating monitoring and optimization modeling to inform flow decisions for Chinook salmon smolts. Ecological Modeling \| Abstract	July 2022	Monitoring is usually among the first actions taken to help inform recovery planning for declining species, but these data are rarely used formally to inform conservation decision making. For example, Central Valley Chinook salmon were once abundant, but anthropogenic activities have led to widespread habitat loss and degradation resulting in significant population declines. Juvenile Chinook salmon survival through the southern Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in particular, may be a limiting factor for juveniles outmigrating from the San Joaquin River and tributaries. However, survival and routing monitoring data have not been formally used to inform water management. Here, we illustrate how estimates derived from monitoring data can be used to inform water management and as a basis for developing adaptive management for flows. Specifically, we conducted a meta-analysis of Chinook salmon smolt survival and routing estimates through the south Delta. We then used the resulting parameter estimates to develop a survival and routing simulation model to estimate optimal flows for the San Joaquin River during smolt outmigration from February–May. We found that large flow pulses at predictable times during the spring are projected to be optimal for increasing Chinook salmon smolt survival to the Bay and that optimal scenarios differed somewhat with water year type. Sensitivity analysis revealed temperature and smolt outmigration timing are driving optimal pulse distribution and that water allocation changes little with parameter uncertainty. This case study highlights the utility of the decision-analytic framework for solving conservation problems.
Wohner, PJ, SA Laymon, JE Stanek, SL King, RJ Cooper. 2021. Challenging our understanding of western Yellow-billed Cuckoo habitat needs and accepted management practices. Restoration Ecology 29(3): e13331. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13331 \| Abstract	March 2021	<b>Riparian restoration in the southwestern United States frequently involves planting cottonwood (<i>Populus</i> spp.) and willow (<i>Salix</i> spp.) cuttings or seedlings. In the absence of flooding and gap-forming disturbance, planted forests often senesce without further young tree recruitment. This has largely been the case in riparian systems in California that historically supported state endangered western Yellow-billed Cuckoo (<i>Coccyzus americanus</i>; Cuckoo). Associated with riparian forest maturation has been around an 85% decline in Cuckoo population numbers in approximately the past thirty years. Other riparian species of concern show a concomitant decline, indicating the problem is not specific to Cuckoo. Although varying hypotheses exist for the recent decline, alternative management practices have not been sufficiently explored to rule out breeding ground habitat quality as a major contributing factor. Few intensive Cuckoo datasets currently exist to test hypotheses about breeding habitat quality due to extremely low populations in the remaining occupied sites. We used a historical (1986–1996) spot mapping dataset from the South Fork Kern River Valley, California to identify vegetation characteristics related to Cuckoo and five other sensitive riparian bird territory densities. We found Cuckoo densities were positively associated with increased vertical vegetative structure 1–5 m above ground with a threshold for mean tree height. Sensitive species densities were also related to vertical structure and started to decline with stand height greater than 6–8 m. Low and mid canopy vertical structure started declining after about age eight. Naturally regenerated sites had higher densities of most sensitive bird species than planted sites. We provide ideas for restoring mature forest with little low to mid canopy vertical structure.</b>
Wohner, P.J., R.F. Thurow, and J.T. Peterson. 2024. Evaluating streamflow and temperature effects on migration and survival of a cold-water fish with spatial capture-recapture models. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society153(3): 326-346. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10464 \| Publisher Website	April 2024
Wohner, P.J., P.D. Scheerer, M.H. Meeuwig, and J.T. Peterson. 2023. A comprehensive multi-state conditional occupancy model for evaluating interactions of non-native and native species. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 10, p.1288. \| Abstract	January 2023	A major challenge in ecology is disentangling interactions of non-native, potentially invasive species on native species. Conditional two-species occupancy models are used to examine the effects of dominant species (e.g., non-native) on subordinate species (e.g., native) while considering the possibility that occupancy of one species may affect occupancy and/ or detection of the other. Although conditional two-species models are useful for evaluating the influence of one species on presence of another, it is possible that species interactions are density dependent. Therefore, we developed a novel two-species occupancy model that incorporates multiple abundance states (i.e., absent, present, abundant) of the native species. We showcase the utility of this model that has the capacity to incorporate random effects and covariates on both occupancy and detection and that can help disentangle species interactions given varying occupancy and detection in different abundance states. As a case study, we use snorkel survey data from the Umpqua basin, Oregon, where it is hypothesized that smallmouth bass <i>Micropterus dolomieu</i>, a non-native piscivore, exclude Umpqua chub <i>Oregonichthys kalawatseti</i>, a small endemic minnow. Our conditional two-species multi-state (2SMS) model allowed us to conclude that in general, average occupancy was low for both fishes, and that when non-native bass were present, overall native chub occupancy in the present (0.18 ± 0.05 SD) and abundant (0.19 ± 0.03) states was higher than when non-natives were absent (0.14 ± 0.02/ 0.08 ± 0.02), indicating the non-native was not excluding the native species. By incorporating a species interaction factor into the model, we found a positive association (6.75 ± 5.54 SD) between native chub and non-native bass. The covariates strongly related to occupancy were elevation, algae, and land cover type (urban and shrub). Detection probability was relatively high for both species (0.21–0.82) and was most strongly related to the covariates day of year, water temperature, gravel substrate, and stream order/ magnitude. Incorporation of detection probability and covariates enabled interpretation of interactions between the two species that may have been missed without their inclusion in the modeling process. Our new 2SMS occupancy model can be used by scientists and managers with a broad range of survey and covariate data to disentangle species interactions problems to help them inform management decisions.
Wohner, P.J., A. Duarte, and J.T. Peterson. 2024. An integrated analysis for estimation of survival, growth, and movement of unmarked juvenile anadromous fish. Ecological Modeling 495, p.110780. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2024.110780 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	September 2024	Managers invest substantial resources to promote recovery of declining anadromous fish stocks. Recovery strategies are manifold and often include management actions intended to stimulate somatic growth, increase in-river survival, and motivate juvenile outmigration during favorable environmental conditions. Evaluating the efficacy of these management actions is difficult, however, because monitoring data that explicitly track individuals from egg deposition to juvenile outmigration are typically lacking. We developed an integrated population model that links two different and often collected types of anadromous fish monitoring data: spawning ground surveys and rotary screw trap juvenile catch data. The integrated model accounts for incomplete detection and uses the two sources of data to estimate juvenile demographic parameters in a multistate framework. We evaluated the model’s performance using simulated data under a range of conditions typically encountered in similar surveys. Simulation results indicated that the model estimated juvenile survival, growth, and movement with no-to-minimal bias (i.e., ≥ 50% of simulations ± 0–0.05). As an example case study, we fit the model to empirical fall-run Chinook Salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) monitoring data collected in California’s Central Valley, U.S.A. In doing so, we evaluated the influence of environmental conditions (e.g., discharge, water temperature) and habitat availability on juvenile demographic rates. We demonstrated that through our integrated approach we could estimate state transition probabilities that are typically inestimable for naturally produced, unmarked juvenile fish when using traditional statistical approaches to analyze these types of monitoring data. Furthermore, the structure of our model can serve as a useful foundation for decision-support models within adaptive management programs by directly linking management actions, decision-support-model predictions, and monitoring.
Winship A.J., Thorson J., Clarke E., Coleman H., Costa B., Georgian S., Gillett D., Grüss A., Henderson M., Hourigan T.F., Huff D., Kreidler N., Pirtle J., Olson J.V., Poti M., Rooper C.N., Sigler M.F., Viehman S., and Whitmire C.E. in review . Good practices for species distribution modeling of deep-sea corals and sponges: data collection, analysis, validation, and communication. Submitted to Frontiers in Marine Science. \| Abstract	May 2020	Resource managers in the United States and worldwide are tasked with identifying and mitigating trade-offs between human activities in the deep sea (e.g., fishing, energy development, and mining) and their impacts on habitat-forming invertebrates, including deep-sea corals and sponges (DSCS). Related management decisions require information about where DSCS occur and in what densities. Species distribution modeling (SDM) provides a cost-effective means of identifying potential DSCS habitat over large areas to inform these management decisions and data collection. Here we provide recommendations of good practices for DSCS SDM, especially in the context of data collection and management applications. Managers typically need information regarding DSCS encounter probabilities, densities, and sizes, defined at sub-regional to basin-wide scales and validated using subsequent, targeted data collections. To realistically achieve these goals, we recommend integrating available data sources in SDMs including fine-scale visual sampling and broad-scale resource surveys (e.g., fisheries trawl surveys). When possible, we recommend models fitted to presence-absence and density data rather than models fitted only to presence data, which are difficult to validate and can confound estimated probability of occurrence or density with sampling effort. Ensembles of models can provide robust predictions, while multi-species models leverage information across taxa and facilitate community inference. We also recommend that analysts include environmental predictor variables representing multiple spatial scales, model residual spatial autocorrelation, and quantify prediction uncertainty. To facilitate the use of models by managers, predictions should be expressed in units that are widely understood and should be validated at an appropriate spatial scale using a sampling design that provides strong statistical inference. We present three case studies for the Pacific Ocean that illustrate good practices with respect to data collection, modeling, and validation; these case studies demonstrate it is possible to implement our recommendations in real-world settings.
Winemiller KO, Keppeler FW, Bower LM, Cunha ER, Quintana Y, Saenz DE, Lopez‐Delgado EO, Bokhutlo T, Arantes CC, Andrade MC, Robertson CR, Mayes KB. Can spatial food web subsidies associated with river hydrology and lateral connectivity be detected using stable isotopes? Food Webs. 2023. \| Abstract	March 2023	Hydrology, lateral connectivity and stable isotope ratios of fishes and mussels in the Guadalupe River, Texas, were analyzed for evidence of spatial food web subsidies between the active channel and oxbow lakes in the floodplain. During and following lateral connections, aquatic organisms residing in the channel may assimilate material from sources imported from oxbows, and oxbow residents may consume and assimilate material imported from the channel. During surveys conducted between March 2016 and April 2017, fish, mussel, algae, and riparian plants samples were collected in and around two oxbows and adjacent channel sites for analysis of stable isotope ratios. Biplots of d<sup>13</sup>C and d<sup>15</sup>N were graphed for basal sources and specimens of Longnose Gar <i>Lepisosteus osseus, </i>Gizzard Shad <i>Dorosoma cepedianium, </i>Threadfin Shad <i>Dorosoma petenense, </i>Bullhead Minnow <i>Pimephales vigilax, </i>Smallmouth Buffalo <i>Ictiobus bubalus, </i>White Crappie <i>Pomoxis annularis</i>, sunfishes (<i>Lepomis</i> species combined), and two mussel species (combined) captured from oxbows and the channel. Within each graph, a source polygon was drawn to indicate the space occupied by animals that could have assimilated feasible combinations of source materials from the oxbows or river channel. Based on positions of animals within source polygons, riparian plants were the most important source of organic matter supporting biomass of fishes and mussels both within the channel and oxbows during every survey period, with algae contributing minor percentages. Most organisms had isotopic signatures consistent with assimilation of <i>in situ</i> sources, or else were inconclusive with regard to cross-habitat exchanges. Between-habitat food web subsidies were indicated for 7.6% of 314 organisms from oxbows and 11.2% of 231 from the channel, and these cases followed high flow pulses that connected oxbows for extended periods. Several issues that compromise inferences from stable isotope analysis were identified, and attempts to estimate spatial food web subsidies in fluvial systems could be enhanced by analyzing additional biomarkers, such as isotopic ratios of other elements and compound-specific stable isotopes, as well as additional sources, time-specific biotracers, and experimental approaches that directly track movement of sources and organisms in spatially structured food webs.
Wineland, S. M., R. Fovargue, B. York, A. J. Lynch, C. P. Paukert, and T. M. Neeson. 2020. Is there enough water? How bearish and bullish outlooks shape decision-maker perspectives on environmental flows. Journal of Environmental Management 280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111694	November 2020
Wilson, R. E., and S. A. Sonsthagen. Species-specific responses to landscape features shaped genomic structure within Alaska galliformes. IUCN Galliformes Specialists Group Newsletter	July 2022
Wilson, R. E., S. W. Boyd, S. A. Sonsthagen, D. H. Ward, P. Clausen, K. M. Dickson, B. S. Ebbinge, G. A. Gudmundsson, G. K. Sage, J. R. Rearick, D. V. Derksen, and S. L. Talbot. 2024. Where east meets west: phylogeography of the high Arctic North American brant goose. Ecology and Evolution.14: e11245. doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11245	April 2024
Wilson, R. E., S. M. Matsuoka, L. L. Powell, J. A. Johnson, D. Demarest, D. Stralberg, and S. A. Sonsthagen. 2021. Implications of historical and contemporary processes on genetic differentiation of a declining boreal songbird: the rusty blackbird. Diversity. 13:103.	February 2021
Wilson, R. E., S. A. Sonsthagen, P. Lavretsky, A. Majewski, E. Arnason, K. Halldórsdóttir, A. W. Einarsson, K. Wedemeyer, and S. L. Talbot. 2022. Low levels of hybridization between sympatric cold-water adapted Arctic cod and Polar cod in Beaufort Sea confirms genetic distinctiveness. Arctic Science. doi.org/10.1139/AS-2021-0030	February 2022
Wilson, R. E., S. A. Sonsthagen, N. Sme, A. J. Gharett, A. Majewski, K. Wedemeyer, R. J. Nelson, and S. L. Talbot. 2020. Mitochondrial genome diversity and population mitogenomics of Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and Arctic dwelling gadoids. Polar Biology. 43:979–994.	June 2020
Wilson, R. E., S. A. Sonsthagen, J. M. DaCosta, M. D. Sorenson, A. D. Fox, M. Weaver, D. Skalos, A. Kondratyev, K. T. Scribner, A. Walsh, C. R. Ely, and S. L. Talbot. 2022. As the goose flies: Migration routes and timing of strategies influence genetic diversity patterns of a circumpolar goose. Diversity. 14:1067. doi.org/10.3390/d14121067	December 2022
Wilson, L., G. Lonsdale, J.D. Curlis, E.A. Hunter, and C.L. Cox. 2022. Predator-based selection and the impact of edge sympatry on components of coral snake mimicry. Evolutionary Ecology https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-021-10143-8.	January 2022
Williams, J. R., C. S. Guy, T. M. Koel, P. Bigelow. 2020. Targeting aggregations of telemetered lake trout to increase gillnetting suppression efficacy. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:225-231.	January 2020
Williams, J. R., C. S. Guy, P. E. Bigelow, and T. M. Koel. 2021. Quantifying the spatial structure of invasive lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Yellowstone Lake to improve suppression efficacy. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42:50-62 DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10712.	December 2021
Will, A., H. McFarland, C. Latty, and A. Powell. 2024. Geolocators, stable isotopes, and citizen science identify migratory timing, route, and spring molt of Smith’s Longspurs. Avian Conservation and Ecology 19(1):13. [online] URL: https://www.ace-eco.org/vol19/iss1/art13 \| Abstract	April 2024	Climate change is disproportionately impacting the Arctic. For Arctic breeding birds, basic knowledge of their annual cycle, specifically the timing, route, and movement behavior of migration, is needed to understand when and where populations may experience threats. We use a combination of geolocators and stable isotope analysis to identify route and timing of migration in Smith’s Longspurs (<i>Calcarius pictus</i>) that breed in Alaska’s Brooks Range. We trapped males on their breeding grounds in 2011-2014 and collected head feathers for stable isotopes of hydrogen (δ<sup>2</sup>H). We deployed 22 geolocators on a subset of individuals and retrieved four, which all overwintered in southern Texas. Individual start dates for fall migration based on geolocators were more variable than for the spring, and individuals were highly mobile while on their wintering grounds. Geolocators and stable isotope values were comparable across years and indicated that birds from the Brooks Range undergo their pre-nuptial molt in central Canada. We compared geolocator and stable isotope inferred locations to observations submitted to e-Bird and found that longspurs were distributed farther south during the winter months, but farther north during the spring than most eBird observations. Concurrent deployments of geolocator tags across Smith’s longspur’s breeding range would clarify whether migratory behaviors and routes are population specific or shared widely across breeding locations.
Wilkinson, Christine E., Alex McInturff, Maggi Kelly, and Justin S. Brashares. "Quantifying wildlife responses to conservation fencing in East Africa." Biological Conservation 256 (2021): 109071. \| Abstract	April 2021	The fencing of protected areas is increasing worldwide. However, the implementation of fences for conservation has outpaced scientific assessment of their effectiveness, non-target impacts, and long-term costs. We assessed landscape predictors of fence crossing sites and employed camera traps over a one-year period to investigate wildlife responses to a conservation fence around Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. Specifically, we measured the impact of the fence on wild mammal movement, and the temporal impacts of fence maintenance on wildlife crossings and behavior. Cameras captured more than 65,000 detections of animals approaching fences, with 3626 observed crossings over 2818 trap nights at 19 sites. Using these data, we developed a guide to classifying fence-specific mammal behaviors. Thirty-eight wild mammal species approached known weak points in the fence, and 27 species were recorded crossing the fence. No single environmental variable predicted detection or fence crossing points for all species, but seasonality, human activity, habitat visibility, and proximity to an adjacent protected area were each correlated with species-specific crossing locations. Additionally, breaches of repaired fence-crossing locations occurred within days of maintenance. We conclude that popular, ‘one-size-fits-all’, conservation fence designs may be ineffective and costly for restraining movement of many wildlife species. We recommend that those deploying conservation fences start with clearly articulated management goals, that fence maintenance be informed by taxa-specific tendencies to breach fences, and that managers consider the strategic creation of wildlife corridors, overpasses, or ungulate-proof fences to link fenced protected areas with surrounding habitat.
Wilkinson, B.P., and P.G.R. Jodice. Support for the fasting endurance hypothesis of partial migration in Brown Pelicans. 2023. Ecosphere 2023;14:e4365. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4365 \| Abstract \| Download	February 2023	Partial migration occurs when only a certain fraction of a population or species migrates instead of all individuals. Considered an evolutionary precursor, understanding why some individuals choose to undertake migration while others do not may serve to inform general migratory theory. While several hypotheses currently exist for explaining the maintenance of partial migration, empirical support for many is limited. To address this gap, we analyzed telemetry data acquired from individual brown pelicans (<i>Pelecanus occidentalis</i>; <i>n</i> = 74), a partially migratory seabird, nesting on six colonies in the South Atlantic Bight over the course of four autumn migrations using a Cox’s proportional hazards model. We estimated that approximately 74% of pelicans nesting within the study area may be migratory on an annual basis, with the remainder staying within the surrounding marine ecoregion year-round. Mean date of migration initiation was 9 November, although movements occurred from September – December. Modeling results indicated significant effects of rising sea-surface temperatures and decreased body condition on migration rate. We suggest that the ontogenetic migration of the primary forage species of brown pelicans from estuarine to pelagic environments causes a seasonal reduction in prey, and that individuals in poor body condition are unable to meet the energetic demands potentially associated with this decrease in prey availability (i.e., the fasting endurance hypothesis of partial migration). Although we did not find evidence for a density-dependent migratory response, the effects of intraspecific competition on migration in pelicans appears to warrant consideration.
Wilkinson, B.P., and P.G.R. Jodice. 2022. Interannual colony exchange among breeding Eastern Brown Pelicans. J. Field Ornithology. 93(1) 5. https://doi.org/10.5751/JFO-00074-930105 \| Download	April 2022
Wilkinson, B.P., A.R. Robuck, R. Lohmannm, H.M., Packard, P.G.R. Jodice. 2022. Urban proximity while breeding is not a predictor of perfluoroalkyl substance contamination in the eggs of brown pelicans. Science of the Total Environment 803 (2022) 150110 \| Download	September 2021
Wilkinson, B.P., A.M. Haynes-Sutton, L. Meggs, and P.G.R Jodice. 2020. High spatial fidelity among foraging trips of Masked Boobies from Pedro Bank, Jamaica. PLoOS ONE 15(4): e0231654. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231654 \| Download	April 2020
Wilkinson, B., H. A. Lassiter, A. Abd-Elrahman, R. R. Carthy, P. Ifju, E. Broadbent, and N. Grimes. 2019. Geometric targets for UAS Lidar. Remote Sensing 11(24), 3019; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11243019	December 2019
Wilkins, K., Pejchar, L., Carroll, S. L., Jones, M. S., Walker, S. E., Shinbrot, X. A., ... & Reid, R. S. (2021). Collaborative conservation in the United States: A review of motivations, goals, and outcomes. Biological Conservation, 259, 109165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109165 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2021	For centuries, communities around the globe have worked together to manage resources—a process often referred to as community-based conservation. More recently in the US, diverse stakeholders have partnered to address complex environmental issues that span land ownership or administrative boundaries, calling these efforts collaborative conservation. Reviews of community-based and collaborative conservation have historically focused on developing countries. To synthesize published information on U.S.-focused groups, we conducted a literature review with the following objectives: 1) characterize geographic distribution, types of participants, and sources of funding for these groups; 2) assess issues motivating group formation, goals, activities to achieve those goals, and outcomes; 3) identify whether these goals, activities, and outcomes were biophysical, social, and/or economic. To accomplish these objectives, we searched for relevant peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and reports in online databases from 1800's-2017. Our review resulted in 245 documents describing 296 collaborative conservation groups across all 50 states (primarily the Western U.S.) and the District of Columbia. The top three issues motivating collaborative group formation included impacts of land and resource degradation on livelihoods, water quality and management, and managing land and resources across ownership boundaries. We found that there was little published information on the outcomes of group activities (16% of groups). For the limited number of groups for which the literature reported outcomes, there was no relationship between positive outcomes and group characteristics. Our findings suggest that renewed efforts to evaluate the impact of collaboration on conservation are warranted and could support learning and improved action.
Wilder, Benjamin T; Amanda T. Becker, Adrian Munguia-Vega, Melanie Culver. 2021. Tracking the desert's edge with a Pleistocene relict. Journal of Arid Environments, DOI.org/10.1016/j.jaidenv.2021.104653 \| Abstract	October 2021	A series of 900–1200 m desert peaks surrounded by arid lowlands occur throughout the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico where temperate affiliated species occur at highest elevations. The presence of disjunct long-lived plant taxa on under-explored summits, especially Isla Tiburón at 29º latitude in the Gulf of California, suggests a more southerly extent of Ice Age woodlands than previously understood. The phylogeography of the desert edge species <i>Canotia holacantha</i> (Celastraceae) was investigated to test the hypothesis that insular desert peak populations represent remnants of Pleistocene woodlands rather than recent dispersal events. Sequences of four chloroplast DNA regions totaling 2,032 bp were amplified from 74 individuals of 14 populations across the entire range of <i>C. holacantha</i> as well as nine individuals that represented the other two species in its clade (<i>C. wendtii</i> and <i>Acanthothamnus aphyllus</i>) and two outgroups. Results suggest that a <i>Canotia</i> common ancestor occurred on the landscape, which underwent a population contraction ca. 15 kya. The Isla Tiburón <i>C. holacantha</i> population and the Chihuahuan Desert microendemic <i>C. wendtii</i>have the greatest genetic differentiation, are sister to one another, and basal to all other <i>Canotia</i> populations. Three haplotypes within <i>C. holacantha</i> were recovered, which correspond to regional geography and thus identified as the Arizona, Sonora, and Tiburón haplotypes, within which <i>Acanthothamnus aphyllus</i> is nested rather than as a related genus. These results indicate a once broad distribution of <i>Canotia </i>/<i> Acanthothamnus</i> during the Pleistocene, now present in relict populations on the fringes of the southern desert, in the Chihuahuan Desert, with scattered populations on desert peaks and a common or abundant distribution at the norther ecotone of the Sonoran Desert. These results suggest <i>Canotia</i> has tracked the shift of the desert’s edge both in latitude and elevation since the end of the last Ice Age.
Wiens, JD, KM Dugger, M Higley, DB Lesmeister, AB Franklin, KA Hamm, GC While, KE Dilione, DC Simon, RR Bown, PC Carlson, CB Yackulic, JD Nichols, JE Hines, RJ Davis, DW Lamphear, C McCafferty, TL McDonald, and SG Sovern. 2021. Invader removal triggers competitive release in a threatened avian predator. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 118 (31): e2102859118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2102859118	July 2021
Whittum, K., Zydlewski, J., Coghlan, Jr., S., Hayes, D., Watson, J., and Kiraly, I. (2023) Fish Assemblages in the Penobscot River: A Decade after Dam Removal. Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science 15:e10227. DOI: 10.1002/mcf2.10227 \| Download	January 2023
Whittier, J., J. Westhoff, C. Paukert, and R. Rotman. 2020. Use of multiple temperature logger models can alter conclusions. Water2(3), 668; doi.org/10.3390/w12030668	March 2020
Whitlock, S.L., T.M. Lewis, and J.T. Peterson. 2020. Using a Bayesian Multistate Occupancy Model to Assess Seabird and Shorebird Status in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Wildlife Society Bulletin https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1100	October 2020
Whitlock, S.L, J.N. Womble, and J.T. Peterson. Modelling Pinniped Abundance and Distribution Using Counts at Terrestrial Sites and In-Water Sightings. Ecological Modelling	March 2020
Whitesell, M.J., E.A. Hunter, D.C. Rostal, and J.M. Carroll. 2022. Direct and indirect pathways for environmental drivers of hatching success in the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Marine Ecology Progress Series 701: 119-132.	November 2022
White, S.L., M.S. Eackles, T. Wagner, M. Schall, G. Smith, J. Avery, and D.C. Kazyak. 2021. Optimization of a suite of flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) microsatellite markers for understanding the population genetics of introduced populations in the northeast United States. BMC Research Notes 14:314.	August 2021
White, S.L., J. Keagy, S. Batchelor, J. Langlois, N. Thomas, and T. Wagner. 2024. Movement beyond the mean: decoupling sources of individual variation in brook trout movement across seasons.Environmental Biology of Fishes 106:2205-2218. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-023-01501-2	January 2024
White, S.L., E.M. Hanks, and T. Wagner. 2020. A novel quantitative framework for riverscape genetics. Ecological Applications. https://doi-org.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/10.1002/eap.2147	May 2020
White, S.L., D.A. DeMario, L.R. Iwanowicz, V.S. Blazer, and T. Wagner. 2020. Tissue distribution and immunomodulation in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) following dietary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl Aroclors and food deprivation. Int J Environ Res Public Health: 17(4). pii: E1228. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17041228	February 2020
White, S.L. and T. Wagner. 2020. Behavior at short temporal scales drives dispersal dynamics and survival in a metapopulation of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Freshwater Biology.	November 2020
White, S., E. Faulk, C. Tzilkowski, A.S. Weber, M. Marshall, and T. Wagner. 2020. Predicting fish species richness and habitat relationships using Bayesian hierarchical multispecies occupancy models. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77:602-610.	January 2020
White, S., D. DeMario, L. Iwanowicz, V. Blazer, and T. Wagner. 2020. Tissue distribution and immunomodulation in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) following dietary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl Aroclors and food deprivation. Int J Environ Res Public Health: 17(4). pii: E1228. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17041228	February 2020
White, L.M., S.J. Gifford, G. Kaufman, E. Gese, M.A. Peyton, R.R. Parmenter, and J.W. Cain III. 2024. Seroprevalence, blood chemistry, and patterns of canine parvovirus, distemper virus, plague, and tularemia in free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) in northern New Mexico, USA. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 60:14–25. \| Download	January 2024
White, K. M., J. D. Stafford, and R. C. Lonsinger. 2023 The first documented interaction between a long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) and a plains spotted skunk (Spilogale interrupta) carcass. Ecology and Evolution 13(1):e9758. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9758 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2023	A novel interaction between a long-tailed weasel (<i>Mustela frenata</i>) and a plains spotted skunk (<i>Spilogale interrupta</i>) carcass is detailed. In November 2020, a farmer in Edmunds County in north-central South Dakota sent in a video recording of a long-tailed weasel with a spotted skunk carcass. Location of the event, carcass condition, and recorded behavior of the long-tailed weasel offers probable, but unconfirmed, evidence that the spotted skunk was killed by the long-tailed weasel.
White, K. M., A. M. Cheeseman, J. D. Stafford, and R. C. Lonsinger. 2024. Pasture and diurnal temperature are key predictors of regional Plains Spotted Skunk (Spilogale interrupta) distribution. Journal of Mammalogy 105(6): 1278–1288. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyae063 \| Abstract	June 2024	The plains spotted skunk (<i>Spilogale interrupta</i>) is a small carnivore native to central North America that has experienced significant population reductions, and there is a lack of information about the species that could inform conservation efforts. Our study aimed to address knowledge gaps about the distribution and habitat associations of the species in South Dakota using species distribution modeling. We used species location data collected from state natural resource managers, trappers, and members of hunting and wildlife social groups, environmental predictors, and six predictive modeling algorithms (i.e., artificial neural networks, artificial classification tree analysis, generalized boosting models, maximum entropy, multivariate adaptive regression splines, and random forests) to develop climate and landcover ensemble distribution models. The most important climate and landcover predictors were mean temperature diurnal range and proportion of area classified as pasture. Ensemble model concordance identified approximately 31,300 km<sup>2</sup> of potential plains spotted skunk habitat primarily in eastern South Dakota and between the watersheds of the Missouri and James River. Our results offer insights that can guide conservation efforts and inform effective management strategies for conserving plains spotted skunk populations in the northern Great Plains. The promotion of low-intensity agricultural practices, such as maintaining pastures, farm buildings, and fences rows and the management of woodland encroachment may improve habitat suitability and facilitate the recovery of plains spotted skunks in the region.
White, J.S., Peterson, J.T., Stratton Garvin, L.E., Kock, T.J., and Wallick, J.R., 2022, Assessment of habitat availability for juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss) in the Willamette River, Oregon: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2022–5034, 44 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20225034 \| Abstract	March 2022	The Willamette River, Oregon, is home to two salmonid species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Streamflow along the Willamette River is largely controlled by upstream dams, 13 of which are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as part of the Willamette Valley Project. In 2008, these dams were found to have a deleterious effect on ESA-listed salmonids (NOAA Fisheries, 2008), resulting in USACE taking mitigatory actions. Included in these actions was setting seasonal streamflow targets at various locations along the river to improve survival and migration of juvenile salmonids. Though these targets were established with the best available information at the time, recent data and models have advanced understanding of river dynamics and allow a more robust analysis of the affect of streamflow on downstream habitat. This study leverages these recent datasets to build high-resolution models of useable habitat for juvenile Chinook Salmon and steelhead trout to assess how this habitat varies with streamflow. Habitat models rely on hydraulic models developed in White and Wallick, 2021, and temperature models developed in Stratton Garvin and others, 2021b, both paired with literature supplied data on habitat preferences. Findings a non-uniform response to streamflow, where habitat in some reaches of the Willamette consistently increases with additional streamflow, while other reaches see habitat decrease when streamflows increase from low to moderate flows. These differences are explained by local geomorphology in each reach, particularly the transition of the river from a relatively dynamic, multi-threaded river to a simpler and more confined river downstream. The upstream reaches generally have more habitat available per unit stream distance than their counterparts, but all reaches display greatest amounts of habitat at the highest streamflows. Finally, results show that water temperature in summer greatly reduces the amount of habitat available to the focal species, particularly downstream of Corvallis. Together, these findings serve to inform flow management by providing a quantitatve assessment of the affects of streamflow on habitat.
White, C. LeAnn, Lankton, Julia S., Walsh, Daniel P., Sleeman, Jonathan M., Stephen, Craig. 2020. An ecological and conservation perspective. One health: The theory and practice of integrated health approaches (2nd edition) : 25-38.	January 2020
Whitby, M. D., T. J. Kieran, T. C. Glenn, and C. Allen. 2020. Agricultural pests consumed by common bat species in the United States corn belt: The importance of DNA primer choice. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 303:107105.	August 2020
Whelan, G.E., D.M. Day, J. Casselman, L. Gephart, C.J. Hall, J. Lichatowich, M. Matylewich, L.E. Miranda, L. Roulson, P.D. Shirey, N. Mercado-Silva, J. Waldman, and D. Winters. 2020. Tracking fisheries through time: The American Fisheries Society as an historical lens. Fisheries 45:392-426. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10457 \| Abstract	May 2020	The historical context of current environmental conditions offers vital guidance to North American fisheries professionals as they strive to develop effective management plans and policies. Through this retrospective we highlight the remarkable historic fisheries resources and causative reasons for establishing public fisheries agencies and the American Fisheries Society (AFS). Through a review of primary historical documents and literature for North America, this paper identifies: factors contributing to the founding of AFS and public fish commissions; shows how selected resource issues evolved; and documents how and why selected fisheries and aquatic habitat policies changed in response to those issues. Overexploitation, landscape-scale habitat alterations, mining, and dams were the causative agents for emergence of fisheries agencies and the AFS, and these factors remain relevant today. Beginning in the 1960s, North Americans grew tired of degraded waters and fisheries and forced policy changes that have directly and indirectly affected the fisheries we manage today. The historical events and resulting corrective legislation are taken for granted by those unaware that AFS has actively participated in developing policies to address these environmental issues. Further, AFS continues to play a vital role in identifying key issues, providing conduits for information to cope with impairments, and advocating for policies to conserve intact habitats and improve degraded systems. The struggles documented in this paper offer crucial lessons as we continue to be challenged by legacy resource issues and face emerging environmental stressors such as climate change as well as regression in long-standing environmental protection policies.
Wheeler, M.E., J.A. Barzen, S.M. Crimmins, and T.R. Van Deelen. 2021. Population responses to harvest depend on harvest intensity, demographics, and mate replacement in sandhill cranes. Global Ecology and Conservation 30: e01778 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01778	August 2021
Wheeler, M., J. Barzen, S. Crimmins, and T.R. Van Deelen. 2019. Effects of territorial status and life history on sandhill crane population dynamics in south central Wisconsin. Canadian Journal of Zoology 97:112–120.	December 2019
Wheeler, K., Kuhn, E., Bruckerhoff, L., Udall, B., Wang, J., Gilbert, L., Goeking, S., Kasprak, A., Mihalevich, B., Neilson, B. and Salehabadi, H., 2021. Alternative Management Paradigms for the Future of the Colorado and Green Rivers. Center for Colorado River Studies, White Paper, (6), pp.1-85. https://qcnr.usu.edu/coloradoriver/files/WhitePaper6.pdf	January 2021
Westhoff, J.T., Berkman ,L.K., Klymus, K.E., Thompson, N.L. and Richter, C.A. 2022. A comparison of eDNA and visual survey methods for detection of Longnose Darter Percina nasuta in Missouri. Fishes 2022, 7, 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes7020070 \| Abstract	March 2022	The longnose darter Percina nasuta is a rare and cryptic fish that recently disappeared from much of its historic range. We developed and used an environmental DNA (eDNA) assay for longnose darter paired with visual surveys to better determine the species’ range and compare detection probability between sampling approaches in an occupancy modeling framework. We detected longnose darter eDNA further upstream in the mainstem St. Francis River than previously reported and in a tributary for the first time. Our multi-scale occupancy approach compared models where detection was constant against a model that allowed detection to vary by survey method. The constant model received the most support indicating survey method was not a strong predictor and detection was estimated at 0.70 (0.45–0.86; 95% CI) across both methods. Our study produced effective longnose darter eDNA primers and demonstrated the application of eDNA for sampling small-bodied, cryptic fish. We detected longnose darter eDNA 27 km upstream of their known range and determined that snorkel surveys are the most efficient sampling method if water clarity allows. We recommend target sample sizes to achieve various detection goals for both sample methods and our results inform future design of distributional and monitoring efforts.
Westhoff, J. T., H. A. Abdelrahman, and J. A. Stoeckel. 2023. Upper thermal tolerance of two native and one invasive crayfish in Missouri, USA. Freshwater Crayfish 28:27-36. https://doi.org/10.5869/fc.2023.v28-1.27 \| Abstract	December 2023	The spread of invasive crayfish requires invaded habitats to be thermal suitable and differences in thermal tolerances among species could provide refugia for native crayfish affected by the invader. We estimated upper thermal tolerance for the invasive <i>Faxonius hylas</i> and native <i>F. peruncus</i> and <i>F. quadruncus</i> using critical thermal maxima (CTM) methodology to determine if there are ecologically exploitable differences in estimates among species and if there are areas within their distributional ranges that exceed their thermal maximums. We found no differences in CTM estimates among species or sexes but did observe significant differences in CTM estimates among acclimation temperatures. Additionally, crayfish size had a small, yet significant effect on CTM estimates whereby smaller individuals had lower CTM estimates than larger individuals. The similarity among CTM estimates suggests that for at least upper thermal tolerance, areas thermally available to the native species will also be thermal suitable for the invasive. We did not observe water temperatures in the field that exceeded CTM estimates for any species. However, areas within the mainstem St. Francis River did have warming tolerance estimates of less than 5 °C suggesting spread of the invasive through the mainstem could be limited by water temperature.
West L, K Rafiq, SJ Converse, AM Wilson, NR Jordan, KA Golabek, JW McNutt, and B Abrahms. 2024. Droughts reshape apex predator space use and intraguild overlap. Journal of Animal Ecology 93:1785-1798.	October 2024
Werdel, T. J., C. W. Piper, A. M. Ricketts, M. S. Peek, D. S. Sullins, and A. A. Ahlers. 2023. Strategic grassland conservation for swift foxes in multi-use landscapes. Biological Conservation 277:109864. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2023.109864.	October 2023
Wenger, S.J., E.S. Stowe, K.B. Gido, M.C. Freeman, Y. Kanno, N.R. Franssen, J.D. Olden, N.L. Poff, A.W. Walters, P.M. Bumpers, M.C. Mims, M.B. Hooten, and L. Lu. Accepted. Simple statistical models can be useful for testing hypotheses with population time series data. Ecology and Evolution http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9339	September 2022
Wenger, A.S., E. Gómez Juárez, J. Thomas, T. Amaya, C. Corbin, J. Edmond, K. Falinski, J. Hill, A. Jenkins, S.D. Jupiter, C.D. Kuempel, J.B. Lamb, E.M. Nalley, S. Omwenga, T. Oza, E.N. Perez, L.J. Tuttle Raz, S. Sarkozy-Banoczy, A. Wakwella. 2023. A guide for integrated conservation and sanitation programs and approaches. Wildlife Conservation Society. Pp. 1-143. https://doi.org/10.19121/2023.Report.49832 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2023	Human and ecosystem health are inextricably linked, yet strategies to improve both are addressed in siloed ways (Wakwella et al., 2023). For instance, the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector focuses on the provision of services for safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene to improve human health and wellbeing. However, although there is substantial evidence to show that unsafely managed sanitation degrades ecosystems and makes them more vulnerable to climate change (Wear et al., 2023), and that ecosystem loss and degradation negatively impacts human health (Herrera et al., 2017; Wakwella et al., 2023), the sanitation and conservation sectors rarely work in a coordinated and strategic way to achieve their interconnected goals. The Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) Improving Coastal Health working group formed in 2020 to develop resources to help marine conservation and sanitation practitioners work together on integrated conservation and sanitation programs. Informed by the outcomes of a needs assessment launched in 2021 to better understand the challenges and opportunities related to integrated programs, we created this document as a first step towards providing advice on implementing integrated conservation and sanitation programs. The purpose of this guide is: -Create awareness among stakeholders about the impacts of poor sanitation and wastewater pollution on ocean health and the importance of more integrated solutions. -Outline the benefits of an integrated approach for achieving human and ecosystem health goals and simultaneously improving climate resilience. -Provide guidance to the conservation and sanitation sectors on how to work in partnership. The information contained in this guide is primarily aimed at actors who could participate in the sanitation-conservation interface, including practitioners from both sectors, investors, governments, research scientists, and private businesses. We focus on domestic wastewater pollution impacts on tropical coastal marine ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs, although we reference other coastal systems when relevant. This resource is also flexible enough for the guidance to be adapted for other coastal and marine environments. Freshwater ecosystems are considered in this guide in their role as transportation of diffuse pollution, but the specific impacts of wastewater pollution on freshwater aquatic life are not included. Other land-based sources of pollution, including from agriculture and development (e.g., agrochemicals, chemical contaminants, sediments) are also outside the scope of this guide, as there are already several resources on addressing these sources of pollution. We hope this is the first of many resources to help guide collaboration and coordination across sectors to achieve human and ecosystem health goals.
Welsh, S.A., K.J. Zipfel, A.W. Peters, D.C. Hoffman and C.M. Layne. 2024. Paddlefish movement and dam passage in the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, West Virginia. West Virginia Academy of Science 96:12-19.	October 2024
Weller, F.W., W.S. Beatty, E.B. Webb, D.C. Kesler, D.G. Krementz, K. Asante, L.W. Naylor. Environmental drivers of autumn migration departure decisions in midcontinental mallards. Movement Ecology \| Abstract	January 2022	<i><u>Background</u><br>The timing of autumn migration in ducks is influenced by a range of environmental conditions that may elicit individual experiences and responses from individual birds, yet most studies have investigated relationships at the population level. We used data from individual satellite-tracked mallards (<i>Anas platyrhynchos</i>) to model the timing and environmental drivers of autumn migration movements at the landscape scale.<br><u>Methods</u> <br>We combined two sets of location records (2004-2007, and 2010-2011) from satellite-tracked mallards migrating to winter in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, and identified records that indicated the start of long-range (≥ 30 km) southward movements during the migration period. We developed candidate models to predict the departure date, conditional on daily mean environmental covariates (temperature, snow and ice cover, wind conditions, precipitation, cloud cover, and pressure), at a 32×32 km resolution. We modeled selection of departure date by individual mallards using a discrete choice model accounting for heterogeneity in individual preferences. We ranked model performance with the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC).<br><u>Results</u> <br>Departure was best predicted (60% precision) by a “winter conditions” model containing temperature and snow cover depth and duration. Models conditional on wind speed, precipitation, pressure variation, and cloud cover received lower support. Number of days of snow cover, recently experienced (snow days), and current snow cover had the strongest positive effect on departure likelihood, followed by experienced days of freezing temperature (frost days) and current low temperature. Distributions of dominant drivers and of correct vs incorrect prediction along the movement tracks indicate that these responses applied throughout the latitudinal range of migration. Among recorded departures, most were driven by snow days (65%) followed by current temperature (30%). <br><u>Conclusions</u> <br>Our results indicate that the dominant environmental driver of departure decision in autumn-migrating mallards was the onset of snow conditions, and secondarily the onset of temperatures close to, or below, the freezing point. Mallards are likely to relocate southwards quickly when faced with foraging that is impeded by snow, and could use declining temperatures as a more graduated early cue for departure. Our findings provide further insights into the functional response of mallards to weather and climate factors during the migration period that ultimately determine distribution.</i>
Weller, F.G., E.B. Webb, W.S. Beatty and D.C. Kesler. Agent-based modeling of movements and habitat selection of mid-continent mallards. Final report	September 2022
Weller, F.G., E.B. Webb, S. Fogenburg, W. S. Beatty, D. Kesler, R.H. Blenk, K.M. Ringelman, M.L. Miller and J.M. Eadie. An agent-based model to quantify energetics, movements and habitat selection of mid-continent mallards in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Ecological Modeling \| Abstract	September 2023	The dynamics of wintering waterfowl populations at the landscape scale are the result of complex interactions of environmental, behavioral and energetic drivers. Agent-based models provide a method to directly link these factors in a spatially explicit framework and allow the emergence of subtle or non-linear patterns from the aggregation of individual agent actions. We adapted the Spatially-explicit Waterbird Agent-based Model Program (SWAMP), originally developed for waterbirds in central California, to simulate a basin-scale population of mallards (<i>Anas platyrhynchos</i>) wintering in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley over a four-month period (November–February). Simulated agents move within the landscape, foraging on areas made available conditional on a probabilistic inundation status, and depleting food resources. The model uses a high-resolution map of eastern Arkansas waterfowl habitats and incorporates a hierarchical habitat selection system that enables mallards to relocate at increasing scales in response to changing food availability. We validated the performance of modeled mallard body condition and behavioral metrics under different environmental conditions against expected outcomes, and found that the simulation produced realistic representations of changes in flight distances, energy expenditure, lipid storage, and foraging habitat use in response to depleting food resources over time. We discuss the model's applicability as a tool to quantify waterfowl response to a range of environmental conditions and evaluate scenarios of landscape composition and configuration in the context of waterfowl population management.
Wegleitner, E., J. Raabe, D. Dembkowski, N. Legler, and D. Isermann. In Press. Wild juvenile salmonid abundance in Wisconsin tributaries indicates limited contributions to Lake Michigan fisheries. Journal of Great Lakes Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2021.10.005	December 2021
Wedgeworth, M.,R. Mollenhauer, and S. K. Brewer. 2023. Spatial and temporal dynamics of successful Prairie Chub spawning in the upper Red River basin. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43: 1246-1259, https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10842	August 2023
Webster AJ, Douglas TA, Regier P, Scheuerell MD, Harms TK. Multi-scale temporal patterns in stream biogeochemistry indicate linked permafrost and ecological dynamics of boreal catchments. Ecosystems 25: 1189–1206 \| Abstract	October 2021	Temporal patterns in stream chemistry provide integrated signals describing the hydrological and ecological state of whole catchments. However, stream chemistry integrates multi-scale signals of processes occurring in both the catchment and stream. Deconvoluting these signals could identify mechanisms of solute transport and transformation and provide a basis for monitoring ecosystem change. We applied trend analysis, wavelet decomposition, multivariate autoregressive state-space modeling, and analysis of concentration-discharge relationships to assess temporal patterns in high-frequency (15 min) stream chemistry from permafrost-influenced boreal catchments in Interior Alaska at diel, storm, and seasonal time scales. We compared catchments that varied in spatial extent of permafrost and fire history to identify biogeochemical signals characteristic of these regimes. An unburned catchment with high spatial extent (54%) of permafrost was characterized by increasing nitrate concentration through the thaw season, an abrupt increase in nitrate and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) and declining specific conductivity in late summer, and flushing of nitrate and fDOM during summer rain storms. In contrast, these patterns were absent, of lower magnitude, or reversed in catchments with lower permafrost extent (<19%) and recent fire. Solute dynamics revealed a positive influence of permafrost on fDOM export and the role of shallow, seasonally dynamic flowpaths in delivering solutes from high-permafrost catchments to streams. Lower spatial extent of permafrost resulted in static delivery of nitrate and limited transport of fDOM to streams. Shifts in concentration-discharge relationships and seasonal trends in stream chemistry toward less temporally dynamic patterns might therefore indicate reorganized catchment hydrology and biogeochemistry due to permafrost thaw.
Webb, M. A. H., C. S. Guy, H. B. Treanor, K. W. Wilson, C. D. Mellon, P. Abate, H. J. Crockett, J. Hofmeier, C. Pasbrig, P. Isakson. 2023. Prioritizing imperiled native aquatic species for conservation propagation. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-22-040.	October 2023
Webb, E.B., E.B. Hill, K.M. Malone and D. Mengel. Use of a dynamic occupancy model to evaluate secretive marsh bird habitat associations at spring migration stopover sites. Journal of Wildlife Management \| Abstract	March 2022	Despite several secretive marsh bird (SMB) species being listed as “Critically Imperiled” throughout the mid-continent of North America, there is limited information on SMB distribution and habitat use within primary migratory corridors, resulting in uncertainty on contributions of wetlands in mid-latitude states toward SMB annual cycle needs. Our objectives were to quantify patterns of SMB wetland occupancy during spring migration at a mid-latitude state and evaluate the relationships between SMB colonization probability and water-level management practices, as well as the resulting habitat conditions during spring migration. We conducted a two year dynamic occupancy study (2013-2014) that included six rounds of repeated call-back surveys to detect the presence of five SMB species (Virginia rail (<i>Rallus limicola</i>), sora (<i>Porzana carolina</i>), King rail (<i>R. elegans</i>), least bittern (<i>Ixobrychus exilis</i>) and American bittern (<i>Botaurus lentiginosus</i>)) during spring and summer (April-July) on 107 wetlands across 8 Conservation Areas and 4 National Wildlife Refuges throughout Missouri. Sora were detected most frequently, followed by Least Bittern, American Bittern, Virginia Rail, and King Rail. Colonization probability for all species was positively associated with emergent vegetation cover and negatively associated with amount of open water. Open water was the most important factor for American Bittern site colonization, to which they were negatively associated. Virginia Rail colonization had a strong positive association with vegetation height, whereas Least Bittern and Sora site colonization were influenced positively by water depth and agriculture, respectively. Based on the habitat associations within and among SMB species identified in this study, wetland managers can tailor management strategies to optimize spring migration habitat for single- or multi-species objectives.
Webb, E. B. and M. Brasher. 2021. Changing Distributions of Migrating and Wintering Waterfowl? Studies contribute to a growing understanding of changes in waterfowl patterns during fall and winter. Ducks Unlimited Magazine	December 2021
Weaver, D., Sigourney, D., Delucia, M., Zydlewski, J. (2021) Characterizing Downstream Migration Timing of American Eels Using Commercial Catch Data in the Penobscot and Delaware Rivers. Marine and Coastal Fisheries, 13(5): 534-547. \| Download	October 2021
Watson, K.A., D.U. Greene, and C.W. Boal. 2019. Breeding and diet of white-tailed kites (Elanus leucurus) in the Texas panhandle. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 131:844-849.	December 2019
Waterhouse, Lynn, Scott A. Heppell, Christy V. Pattengill-Semmens, Croy McCoy, Phillippe Bush, Bradley C. Johnson, and Brice X. Semmens. 2020. Recovery of critically endangered Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) in the Cayman Islands following targeted conservation actions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 117(3): 1587-1595. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1917132117 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2020	Many large-bodied marine fishes that form spawning aggregations, such as the Nassau grouper (<i>Epinephelus striatus</i>), have suffered regional overfishing due to exploitation during spawning. In response, marine resource managers in many locations have established marine protected areas or seasonal closures to recover these overfished stocks. The challenge in assessing management effectiveness lies largely in the development of accurate estimates to track stock size through time. For the past 15 y, the Cayman Islands government has taken a series of management actions aimed at recovering collapsed stocks of Nassau grouper. Importantly, the government also partnered with academic and nonprofit organizations to establish a research and monitoring program (Grouper Moon) aimed at documenting the impacts of conservation action. Here, we develop an integrated population model of 2 Cayman Nassau grouper stocks based on both diver-collected mark–resight observations and video censuses. Using both data types across multiple years, we fit parameters for a state–space model for population growth. We show that over the last 15 y the Nassau grouper population on Little Cayman has more than tripled in response to conservation efforts. Census data from Cayman Brac, while more sparse, show a similar pattern. These findings demonstrate that spatial and seasonal closures aimed at rebuilding aggregation-based fisheries can foster conservation success.
Waterhouse, L., White, J., See, K., Murdoch, A., and B. X. Semmens. 2020. A Bayesian nested patch occupancy model to estimate steelhead movement and abundance. Ecological Applications 30(8):e02202. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2202 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2020	Anthropogenic impacts on riverine systems have, in part, led to management concerns regarding the population status of species using these systems. In an effort to assess the efficacy of restoration actions, and in order to improve monitoring of species of concern, managers have turned to PIT (passive integrated transponder) tag studies with in-stream detectors to monitor movements of tagged individuals throughout river networks. However, quantifying movements in a river network using PIT tag data with incomplete coverage and imperfect detections presents a challenge. We propose a flexible Bayesian analytic framework that models the imperfectly detected movements of tagged individuals in a nested PIT tag array river network. This model structure provides probabilistic estimates of up-stream migration routes for each tagged individual based on a set of underlying nested state variables. These movement estimates can be converted into abundance estimates when an estimate of abundance is available for a location within the river network. We apply the model framework to data from steelhead (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>) in the Upper Columbia River basin and evaluate model performance (precision/variance of simulated population sizes) as a function of population tagging rates and PIT tag array detection probability densities within the river system using a simulation framework. This simulation framework provides both model validation (precision) and the ability to evaluate expected performance improvements (variance) due to changes in tagging rates or PIT receiver array configuration. We also investigate the impact of different network configurations on model estimates. Results from such investigations can help inform decisions regarding future monitoring and management.
Waterhouse, L., L. Ailloud, R. Austin, W. J. Golet, A. Pacicco, A. Andrews, K. Diouf, Y. Ndiour, K. Krusic-Golub, G. da Silva, and J. M. Hoenig. 2022. Updated Integrated Growth Model for Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean. Fisheries Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106317 \| Abstract \| Download	December 2022	The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) concluded the Atlantic Ocean tropical Tuna Tagging Programme (AOTTP) in 2021. This project had the objectives of enhancing food security, stimulating economic growth, and improving management through research on tropical tuna resources in the Atlantic Ocean, including bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus). Here, we combine tagging data and otolith data from the AOTTP program, Panama City Lab and the Pelagic Fisheries Lab at the University of Maine with historical tagging data and otolith data from ICCAT and other sources to fit integrated growth models with the goal of providing the most complete growth curve (in terms of data inclusion and validation of age-at-length) for bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean. Both Richards and von Bertalanffy growth models were fitted. A variety of models were fitted to subsets of the data to investigate the consistency of growth information. In all cases for the integrated model, the Richards and von Bertalanffy models were very similar with the von Bertalannfy model being preferred for parsimony. The preferred model, based on fit to old fish, was the von Bertalanffy curve based on length-age pair data from multiple sources. The addition of tagging data to create an integrated model showed patterns of lack of fit to both the tagging and otolith data suggesting conflict between the tagging and otolith data. The preferred model (length-age pair data only) gave the estimates: asymptotic length L∞ (fork length) equals 161.21 cm (95% bootstrap CI 154.39, 166.84), growth parameter K equals 0.392 yr− 1 (95% bootstrap CI 0.355, 0.441), and the time-axis intercept t0 equals − 0.239 yr (95% bootstrap CI –0.306, − 0.175). For the best fitting integrated model, the asymptotic length L∞(fork length, in cm) was estimated to be 185.78 (SD 6.298), the growth parameter K was 0.252 yr− 1 (SD 0.014), and the time-axis intercept t0 was − 0.524 yr (SE 0.025). The value for asymptotic length L∞ from the integrated model was larger than the lengths of all the old fish in the sample whereas the value for the curve based on otoliths passes through the cloud of points for old fish.
Warlick, AJ, Johnson, D., Gelatt, T., Converse, SJ. 2022. Environmental drivers of demography and potential factors limiting the recovery of an endangered marine top predator. Ecosphere 13:e4325. \| Abstract	December 2022	Understanding what drives changes in wildlife demography over time is fundamental to the conservation and management of depleted or declining populations, though making inference about the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence survival and reproduction is challenging as they can change over time and space. Here we use almost 20 years of mark-resight data from 2000-2018 to examine the effects of environmental variability on age-specific survival and natality for the endangered western distinct population segment of Steller sea lions (<i>Eumetopias jubatus</i>) in Alaska, USA. Though this population has been studied extensively over the last four decades, the causes of divergent abundance trends that have been observed across the range of this population remain unknown. We developed a Bayesian multi-event mark-resight model that accounts for female reproductive state uncertainty. Results indicated that survival rates for male pups (0.44; 0.36-0.53), female yearlings (0.63; 0.49-0.73), and male yearlings (0.62; 0.51-0.71) born in the western portion of the range, estimated here for the first time, were lower than those estimated for male pups (0.69; 0.65-0.74), female yearlings (0.76; 0.71-0.81), and male yearlings (0.71; 0.65-0.78) born in the eastern portion of the range. Additionally, pup mass had a positive effect on pup survival in the eastern portion of the range and a negative effect in the western portion of the range. Local and basin-scale oceanographic features such as the Aleutian Low, the Arctic Oscillation Index, the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation, chlorophyll concentration, upwelling, and wind in certain seasons exhibited correlations with vital rates. However, strong inference is challenging given that relationships between ocean conditions and an adaptive top predator in a highly dynamic ecosystem are exceedingly complex. This study provides the first demographic rate estimates for the western portion of the population range where abundance estimates continue to decline. This work can inform ongoing research and management and will advance efforts to identify factors driving regionally divergent abundance trends with implications for population-level responses to future climate variability.
Warlick AJ, GK Himes Boor, TL McGuire, KEW Shelden, EK Jacobson, C Boyd, PR Wade, AE Punt, SJ Converse. 2024. Identifying demographic and environmental drivers of population dynamics and viability in an endangered top predator using an integrated model. Animal Conservation 27:240-252. \| Abstract	April 2024	Knowledge about the demographic and environmental factors underlying population dynamics is fundamental to designing effective conservation measures to recover depleted wildlife populations. However, sparse monitoring data or persistent knowledge gaps about threats make it difficult to identify the drivers of population dynamics. In situations where small, depleted populations show continued evidence of decline for unknown reasons, integrated population models can improve our understanding of demography, provide fundamental insights into factors that may be limiting recovery, and support conservation decisions. We used mark-resight and aerial survey data from 2004-2018 to build an integrated population model for the Cook Inlet population of beluga whales (<i>Delphinapterus leucas</i>), which is listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. We examined the relationships between beluga vital rates and prey availability and environmental conditions and conducted a population viability analysis to predict extinction risk across a range of hypothetical changes in beluga survival and reproduction. Our results indicated that while survival of breeding females (0.97; 95% CrI 0.95-0.99) and young calves (0.92; 0.80-0.98) was relatively high, survival of non-breeders (0.94; 0.91-0.97) and fecundity (0.27; 0.21-0.35) may be depressed. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that if vital rates and environmental variability remain similar to estimates from the latter part of the study period, the population will likely continue to decline, with a 19-32% probability of extinction in 150 years. Our model framework highlights the utility of integrated population modeling for identifying factors contributing to the failure of protected populations to recover.
Warlick AJ, DS Johnson, KL Sweeney, TS Gelatt, and SJ Converse. 2023. Examining the effect of environmental variability on the viability of endangered Steller sea lions using an integrated population model. Endangered Species Research 52:343-361.	December 2023
Ward, N. K., A. J. Lynch, E. A. Beever, J. Booker, K. L. Bouska, H. Embke, et al. 2023. Reimagining large river management using the Resist–Accept–Direct (RAD) framework in the Upper Mississippi River. Ecological Processes 12:48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-023-00460-x \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2023	<i>Background</i>: Large-river decision-makers are charged with maintaining diverse ecosystem services through unprecedented social-ecological transformations as climate change and other global stressors intensify. The interconnected, dendritic habitats of rivers, which often demarcate jurisdictional boundaries, generate unique management challenges. Here, we explored how the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework may enhance large-river management by promoting coordinated and deliberate responses to social-ecological trajectories of change. The RAD framework identifies the full decision space, wherein managers may <i>resist </i>change to maintain historical conditions, <i>accept </i>change toward different conditions, or <i>direct </i>change to a specified future with novel conditions. In the Upper Mississippi River System, managers are facing ecosystem transformations from more frequent and extreme high-water events. We illustrate how RAD-informed basin-, reach-, and site-scale decisions could: 1) provide river continuum and cross-spatial scale framing; <i>and</i> 2) open the entire decision space of possible approaches; <i>to</i> 3) enhance coordinated inter-jurisdictional management in response to the trajectory of the Upper Mississippi River hydrograph.<br><i>Results</i>: The RAD framework helps identify plausible long-term trajectories in different reaches (or subbasins) of the river and how the associated social-ecological transformations could be managed by altering site-scale conditions. Strategic reach-scale objectives may reprioritize how, where, and when site conditions (e.g., habitat connectivity, diversity, redundancy) could be altered to contribute to the basin goal, given the basin’s plausible trajectories of change, and vice versa.<br><i>Conclusions</i><b>: </b> When faced with long-term systemic transformations (e.g., > 50 years), RAD helps explicitly consider whether or when the basin vision or goals may no longer be achievable, and <i>direct </i>options may open yet unconsidered potential for the basin. Embedding RAD in hierarchical decision making clarifies that the selection of actions in space and time should be derived from basin-wide goals and reach-scale objectives to ensure that site-scale actions contribute effectively to the larger river habitat mosaic. Embedding RAD thinking in large-river decisions can provide the necessary conduit to link flexibility and innovation at the site scale with stability at larger scales for adaptive governance of changing social-ecological systems.
Ward, M.J. and S.R. Chipps. 2020. Availability and timing of Fathead Minnow supplementation influence Largemouth Bass survival and production in rearing ponds. Open Journal of Animal Science 10:337-345.	May 2020
Ward EJ, Marshall KN, Scheuerell MD. Regularizing priors for Bayesian VAR applications to large ecological datasets. PeerJ \| Abstract	December 2022	Using multi-species time series data has long been of interest for estimating inter-specific interactions with vector autoregressive models (VAR) and state space VAR models (VARSS); these methods are also described in the ecological literature as multivariate autoregressive models (MAR, MARSS). To date, most studies have used these approaches on relatively small food webs where the total number of interactions to be estimated is relatively small. However, as the number of species or functional groups increases, the length of the time series must also increase to provide enough degrees of freedom with which to estimate the pairwise interactions. To address this issue, we use Bayesian methods to explore the potential benefits of using regularized priors , such as Laplace and regularized horseshoe, on estimating interspecific interactions with VAR and VARSS models. We first perform a large-scale simulation study, examining the performance of alternative priors across various levels of observation error. Results from these simulations show that for sparse matrices, the regularized horseshoe prior minimizes the bias and variance across all inter-specific interactions. We then apply the Bayesian VAR model with regularized priors to a output from a large marine food web model (37 species) from the west coast of the USA. Results from this analysis indicate that regularization improves predictive performance of the VAR model, while still identifying important inter-specific interactions.
Waraniak, J. M.S. Eackles, J. Keagy, G.D. Smith, M. Schall, S. Stark, S.L. White, D.C. Kazyak, T. Wagner. 2024. Population genetic structure and demographic history reconstruction of introduced flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) in two US mid-Atlantic rivers. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15888	August 2024
Wampole. E, Farris, Z, and Gerber, BD. 2021. A synthesis of life-history, functionaltraits, and consequences of anthropogenic pressures on Madagascar’s threatened carnivorans,Eupleridae. Mammal Review, 51: 402-419 https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12234 \| Download	January 2021
Wampole, EM, Gerber, BD, Farris, ZJ, Razafimahaimodison, JC, Andrianarisoa, MH, Ralazampirenena, CJ, Wright, PC, et al. 2022. Madagascar Terrestrial Camera Survey Database 2021: A collation of protected forest camera surveys from 2007-2021. Ecology, 103:e3687. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3687	March 2022
Wampole, E.M., Farris, Z.J., Razafy, P. and Gerber, B.D. (2023), Forest carnivores living on the edge with invasive predators. Animal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12926 \| Download	December 2023
Walther, E.J., Zimmerman, M.S., Falke, J.A., and P.A.H. Westley. Species distributions and the recognition of risk in restoration planning: A case study of salmonid fishes in the Chehalis River, Washington, USA.	August 2022
Walters, A.W., N.G. Clancy, T.P. Archdeacon, S. Yu, J.S. Rogosch, and E.A. Rieger. Early view. Development of a refuge identification framework that promotes fish persistence during climate-related drought. Fish and Fisheries doi/10.1111/faf.12860	September 2024
Walters, A.W., N.G. Clancy, T.P. Archdeacon, S. Yu, J.S. Rogosch, and E.A. Rieger. Early view. Development of a refuge identification framework that promotes fish persistence during climate-related drought. Fish and Fisheries doi/10.1111/faf.12860	September 2024
Walter, W.D., A. Fameli, K. Russo-Petrick, J.E. Edson, C.S. Rosenberry, K.L. Schuler, M.J. Tonkovich. Large-scale assessment of genetic structure to assess risk of populations of a large herbivore to chronic wasting disease. Ecology and Evolution 14, e11347. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11347. \| Abstract	May 2024	Chronic wasting disease (CWD) can be spread by direct and indirect transmission with direct transmission easier to predict and assess using landscape genetics. Identifying subpopulations of a wild large herbivore allows identification of focal areas to target for effective intervention. Our aim was to assess population structure of white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) in the northeastern United States at a regional scale to inform managers of gene flow throughout the region. We used ten microsatellites to genotype 5,701 samples collected from wild deer in Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia from 2014 to 2022. We conducted a spatial principal component analysis to assess distribution of genetic variability and assessed population genetic structure using two methods: non-spatial Bayesian clustering algorithm (BCA) and spatial BCA. We used results of these clustering methods to create simulated populations of 500 individuals representing each cluster and also created simulated populations representing a captive deer population, among other anthropogenically-derived spatial units to conduct genetic assignment tests. We conducted genetic assignment tests using these simulated reference populations as potential sources, calculating the probability of samples being assigned to their corresponding genetic cluster, state, or physiographic province. Non-spatial BCA identified widespread gene flow with only 2 clusters across the region, while spatial BCA suggested further partitioning into a maximum of nine clusters. Our assignment tests were able to correctly assign deer to captive or wild origin in most cases (94%), as reported in a previous study, but performance varied when trying to assign wild deer to spatial units. Assignments to genetic clusters performed well where the potential sources represented clusters inferred with non-spatial BCA, but efficiency was greatly reduced when assigning samples to clusters inferred via spatial BCA. This indicates that differences between spatial BCA clusters are not strong enough to make assignment tests a reliable method for unequivocally inferring geographic origin of deer using 10 microsatellites. However, genetic distinction between clusters is still important to consider when managing for disease. Future research on what landscape barriers may be leading to these divisions and species-specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms will further our understanding of potential subpopulations in the region.
Walter, W. D., B. Hanley, C. E. Them, C. I. Mitchell, J. Kelly, D. Grove, N. Hollingshead, R. C. Abbott, and K. L. Schuler. 2024. Predicting the odds of chronic wasting disease with Habitat Risk software. Spatial and Spatio-temporal Epidemiology 49:100650. \| Abstract	April 2024	Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that was first detected in captive cervids in Colorado, United States (US) in 1967, but has since spread into free-ranging white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) populations across the US and Canada. In some areas, the disease is considered endemic in wild deer populations, and governmental wildlife agencies have employed epidemiological models to understand long-term environmental risk. However, continued rapid spread of CWD into new regions of the continent has underscored the need for extension of these models into broader tools applicable for wide use by wildlife agencies. Additionally, efforts to semi-automate models will facilitate access of technical scientific methods to broader audiences. We introduce software (<i>Habitat Risk</i>) designed to link a previously published epidemiological model with spatially referenced environmental and disease testing data enabling agency personnel to make up-to-date, localized, data-driven predictions regarding the odds of CWD infection in surrounding areas after an outbreak is discovered. <i>Habitat Risk</i> requires pre-processing publicly available environmental datasets and standardization of disease testing (surveillance) data, after which an autonomous computational pipeline terminates in a user interface that displays an interactive map of disease risk. We demonstrated the use of the <i>Habitat Risk </i>software with surveillance data of white-tailed deer from Tennessee, US. Software to pre-process environmental data is openly available at <i>doi.org/10.7298/2tt1-yy48</i>, while <i>Habitat Risk</i> software is available at <i>doi.org/10.7298/rcz8-nw50</i>.
Walsworth, T. and P. Budy. 2021. Hydrologic controls on abundance and distribution of a highly imperiled desert fish. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Volume 78. doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2020-0353. USGS FSP IP-121942. \| Abstract	May 2021	Increasing water demand, water development, and on-going climate change have driven extensive changes to the hydrology, geomorphology and biology of arid-land rivers globally, driving an increasing need to understand how annual hydrologic conditions affect the distribution and abundance of imperiled desert fish populations. We analyzed the relationship between annual hydrologic conditions and the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow in the Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico, USA, using hurdle models to predict both presence and density as a function of integrated annual hydrologic metrics. Both presence and density were positively related to spring high flow magnitude and duration and negatively related to summer drying, as indicated by an integrated flow metric. Simulations suggest hydrologic conditions near the wettest observed in the data set would be required to meet recovery goals in a single year in all reaches. We demonstrate how the models developed herein can be used to examine alternative water management strategies, including strategies that may currently be socially and logistically infeasible to implement, to identify strategies minimizing trade-offs between conservation and other management goals.
Walsh, H.L., V.S. Blazer and P.M. Mazik. 2022. Development of a multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization to identify coinfections in young-of-the-year smallmouth bass. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 34:12-19 https://doi.org/10.1002/aah.10144	January 2022
Walsh, H.L., V.S. Blazer and P.M. Mazik. 2021. Identification of Aphanomyces invadans, the cause of epizootic ulcerative syndrome, in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from the Cheat River, West Virginia, USA. Journal of Fish Diseases 44:1639-1641.	August 2021
Wallin, T. and C.A. Caldwell. Comparative assessment of laboratory-derived thermal maxima of Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) with current stream temperatures. The Southwestern Naturalist 66(4):317-326. \| Abstract	February 2022	Gila Trout (<i>Oncorhynchus gilae</i>) represents an iconic species of the American Southwest. The salmonid has survived extensive logging, livestock grazing, and mining, and is currently threatened by climate change, wildfire, and extended drought. Long term conservation and recovery of the species and its unique lineages rely on stocking and translocation into historically inhabited streams. Thus, the fish’s thermal tolerance is essential in determining suitable habitat and potential vulnerability to a warming climate. We compared laboratory-derived temperature metric, critical thermal maximum (CTMax), in hatchery-reared Gila Trout from three lineages (Main Diamond, South Diamond, and Whiskey Creek) to determine if CTMax differed among the lineages. The average initial (28.9, SD = 0.81°C) and final (29.2, SD = 0.74°C) loss of righting responses did not differ across the lineages. We compared the CTMax values with stream temperatures across three drainages representative of extant Gila Trout populations from spring 2015 to fall 2018. The East Fork Gila River drainage was represented by more extreme stream temperatures. The maximum daily maximum temperature (i.e., single highest temperature) varied from 24.1 to 33.4°C, exceeding CTMax in four of the five streams. The maximum daily temperature range varied from 12.1 to 28.6°C, and the mean weekly maximum temperature varied from 19.9 to 31.1°C. Mean weekly maximum temperature in Lower Diamond Creek exceeded CTMax on eleven occasions. Stream temperatures were cooler within the Middle and the West Fork Gila River drainages and did not exceed CTMax. Intermittency loggers within the East Fork Gila River Drainage, which supports Main Diamond and South Diamond lineages of Gila Trout, recorded over 300 days of intermittency during a drought. Continued long term monitoring of stream temperature and comparison to CTMax of Gila Trout could assist with decisions of which streams in the Gila Drainage are suitable for Gila Trout recovery, stocking, and translocation.
Wallin, T. and C.A. Caldwell. Comparative assessment of laboratory-derived thermal maxima of Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) with current stream temperatures. The Southwestern Naturalist 66(4):317-326. \| Abstract	February 2022	Gila Trout (<i>Oncorhynchus gilae</i>) represents an iconic species of the American Southwest. The salmonid has survived extensive logging, livestock grazing, and mining, and is currently threatened by climate change, wildfire, and extended drought. Long term conservation and recovery of the species and its unique lineages rely on stocking and translocation into historically inhabited streams. Thus, the fish’s thermal tolerance is essential in determining suitable habitat and potential vulnerability to a warming climate. We compared laboratory-derived temperature metric, critical thermal maximum (CTMax), in hatchery-reared Gila Trout from three lineages (Main Diamond, South Diamond, and Whiskey Creek) to determine if CTMax differed among the lineages. The average initial (28.9, SD = 0.81°C) and final (29.2, SD = 0.74°C) loss of righting responses did not differ across the lineages. We compared the CTMax values with stream temperatures across three drainages representative of extant Gila Trout populations from spring 2015 to fall 2018. The East Fork Gila River drainage was represented by more extreme stream temperatures. The maximum daily maximum temperature (i.e., single highest temperature) varied from 24.1 to 33.4°C, exceeding CTMax in four of the five streams. The maximum daily temperature range varied from 12.1 to 28.6°C, and the mean weekly maximum temperature varied from 19.9 to 31.1°C. Mean weekly maximum temperature in Lower Diamond Creek exceeded CTMax on eleven occasions. Stream temperatures were cooler within the Middle and the West Fork Gila River drainages and did not exceed CTMax. Intermittency loggers within the East Fork Gila River Drainage, which supports Main Diamond and South Diamond lineages of Gila Trout, recorded over 300 days of intermittency during a drought. Continued long term monitoring of stream temperature and comparison to CTMax of Gila Trout could assist with decisions of which streams in the Gila Drainage are suitable for Gila Trout recovery, stocking, and translocation.
Walker, R.H., G.D. Smith, S.B. Hudson, S.S. French, and A.W. Walters. 2020. Warmer temperatures interact with salinity to weaken physiological facilitation to stress in freshwater fishes. Conservation Physiology https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/coaa107	December 2020
Walker, R.H., C.E. Girard, S.L. Alford, and A.W. Walters. 2020. Individual and interactive effects of hydrology and surface disturbance on fish populations. Journal of Applied Ecology 57: 149-159. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.13517	January 2020
Walker, R.H., A.C. Belvin, J.B. Mouser, A. Pennino, S. Plont, C.D. Robinson, L.B. Smith, J. Thapa, C.E. Zipper, P.L. Angermeier, and S.A. Entrekin. 2023. Global review reveals how disparate study motivations, analytical designs, and focal ions limit understanding of salinization effects on freshwater animals. Science of the Total Environment 20:892:164061. \| Abstract	September 2023	Global salinization of freshwaters is adversely affecting biotic communities and ecosystem processes. We reviewed six decades (1960–2020) of literature published on animal responses to increased salinities across different taxonomic and ecological contexts and identified knowledge gaps. From 585 articles, we characterized 5924 responses of mollusks, macro-crustaceans, zooplankton, non-arthropod invertebrates (NAI), insects, fishes, and amphibians to salinization. Insects and fishes were the most studied taxa; Na<sup>+</sup> and Cl<sup>-</sup> were the most studied ions<sup>-</sup>. Collectively, concentrations of examined ions typically spanned five orders of magnitude. Species’ invasiveness was a key motivation for studying mollusks, macro-crustaceans, and fishes; threats of urbanization and road salts were key motivations for studying NAI, zooplankton, and amphibians. Focal life stages in laboratory studies varied widely but juveniles and adults were represented similarly in field studies. Studies of mollusks, NAI, and macro-crustacean focused on adults; studies of zooplankton, insects, fishes, and amphibians focused on juveniles. Organismal- and population-level responses measuring solute uptake, internal chemistry, body condition, or ion concentrations predominated laboratory studies; population- and assemblage-level responses measuring abundance, spatial distribution, or assemblage composition predominated field studies. Negative responses to salinization predominated but positive and unimodal responses were apparent across all taxa and organizational levels. Key topics for further research include: a) salinity responses by more taxa, b) responses to especially toxic ions (i.e., K<sup>+</sup>, HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>, SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>), c) mechanisms causing positive and unimodal responses, d) traits underpinning responses, e) effects transcending organizational levels, f) ion-specific response thresholds, and g) interactions between salinity and other stressors. Our review suggests inter-taxa variation in salinization sensitivity reflects occurrence of certain biological traits, including gill-breathing, semi-permeable skin, multiple life stages, and limited mobility. We propose a traits-based framework to predict salinization sensitivity from shared traits. This evolutionary approach could inform management aimed at preventing or reducing adverse impacts of freshwater salinization.
Walker, Nelson, Hefley, Trevor J., Ballmann, Anne, Russell, Robin E., Walsh, Daniel P. 2021. Recovering individual-level spatial inference from aggregated binary data. Spatial Statistics, 44: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spasta.2021.100514 \| Abstract	January 2021	Binary regression models are commonly used in disciplines such as epidemiology and ecology to determine how spatial covariates influence individuals. In many studies, binary data are shared in a spatially aggregated form to protect privacy. For example, rather than reporting the location and result for each individual that was tested for a disease, researchers may report that a disease was detected or not detected within geopolitical units. Often, the spatial aggregation process obscures the values of response variables, spatial covariates, and locations of each individual, which makes recovering individual-level inference difficult. We show that applying a series of transformations, including a change of support, to a bivariate point process model allows researchers to recover individual-level inference for spatial covariates from spatially aggregated binary data. The series of transformations preserves the convenient interpretation of desirable binary regression models that are commonly applied to individual-level data. Using a simulation experiment, we compare the performance of our proposed method under varying types of spatial aggregation against the performance of standard approaches using the original individual-level data. We illustrate our method by modeling individual-level probability of infection using a data set that has been aggregated to protect an at-risk and endangered species of bats. Our simulation experiment and data illustration demonstrate the utility of the proposed method when access to original non-aggregated data is impractical or prohibited.
Waldrop, T., S. Summerfelt, P. Mazik, P.B. Kenney and C. Good. The effects of swimming exercise and dissolved oxygen on growth performance, fin condition and survival of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Aquaculture Research https://doi.org/10.1111/are.14600h	July 2020
Walden, M.A., K.J. Loope, E.A. Hunter, S.J. Divers, J.R. Comolli, T.C. Esque, K.T. Shoemaker. 2023. Testosterone identifies hatchling sex for Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). Scientific Reports 13: 14818.	May 2023
Wagner, T., P. McLaughlin, K.E. Faunce, S. Austin, K. Smalling. 2024. The effects of wastewater reuse on smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) relative abundance in the Shenandoah River Watershed, USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5849	March 2024
Wagner, T., N.R. Lottig, M.L. Bartley, E.M. Hanks, E.M. Schliep, N.B. Wikle, K.B.S. King, I. McCullough, J. Stachelek, K.S. Cheruvelil, C.T. Filstrup, J.F. Lapierre, B. Liu, P.A. Soranno, P-N. Tan, Q. Wang, K. Webster, and J. Zhou. 2019. Increasing accuracy of lake nutrient predictions in thousands of lakes by leveraging water clarity data. Limnology and Oceanography Letters. https://doi.org/10.1002/lol2.10134	December 2019
Wagner, T., McLaughlin, P., Smalling, K., Breitmeyer, S., Gordon, S., and Noe, G.B., 2021. The statistical power to detect regional temporal trends in riverine contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, USA. Science of the Total Environment 812:152435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152435	December 2021
Wagner, T., G.J.A. Hansen, E. Schliep, B. Bethke, A. Honsey, P. Jacobson, B.C. Kline, and S.L. White. 2020. Improved understanding and prediction of freshwater fish communities through the use of joint species distribution models. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77(9): 1540-1551. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2019-0348	August 2020
Wagner, T., E.M. Schliep, J.S. North, H. Kundel, J.K. Ruzich, C.A. Custer, and G.J.A. Hansen. 2023. Predicting climate change impacts on poikilotherms using physiologically guided species abundance models. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: 15: e2214199120 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2214199120	April 2023
Wade, M., K. Moore-O'Leary, S. M. Grodsky, and M. Meek. 2022. Of Mojave milkweed and mirrors: The population genomics of a species impacted by solar energy planning. Conservation Science and Practice.	June 2023
Waddle, J.H., Grear, D.A., Mosher, B.A., E. H. Campbell Grant, M. J. Adams, A. R. Backlin, W. J. Barichivich, A. B. Brand,G. M. Bucciarelli, D. L. Calhoun, T. Chestnut, J. M. Davenport, A. E. Dietrich, R. N. Fisher, B. M. Glorioso, B. J. Halstead, M. P. Hayes, R. K. Honeycutt, B. R. Hossack, P. M. Kleeman, J. A. Lemos-Espinal, J. M. Lorch^,B. McCreary, E. Muths, C. A. Pearl, K. L. D. Richgels, C. W. Robinson, J. C. Rowe, B. H. Sigafus, I. Stasiak, S. Sweet, S. C. Walls, G. J. Watkins-Colwell, C. L. White, L. A. Williams,M. E. Winzeler. Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) not detected in an intensive survey of wild North American amphibians. Sci Rep 10, 13012 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69486-x \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	August 2020	The salamander chytrid fungus (<i>Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans</i> [Bsal]) is causing massive mortality of salamanders in Europe. The potential for spread via international trade into North America and the high diversity of salamanders has catalyzed concern about Bsal in the U.S. Surveillance programs for invading pathogens must initially meet challenges that include low rates of occurrence on the landscape, low prevalence at a site, and imperfect detection of the diagnostic tests. We implemented a large-scale survey to determine if Bsal was present in North America designed to target taxa and localities where Bsal was determined highest risk to be present based on species susceptibility and geography. Our analysis included a Bayesian model to estimate the probability of occurrence of Bsal given our prior knowledge of the occurrence and prevalence of the pathogen. We failed to detect Bsal in any of 11,189 samples from 594 sites in 223 counties within 35 U.S. states and one site in Mexico. Our modeling indicates that Bsal is highly unlikely to occur within wild amphibians in the U.S. and suggests that the best proactive response is to continue mitigation efforts against the introduction and establishment of the disease and to develop plans to reduce impacts should Bsal establish.
Voss, N. S., R. Al-Chokhachy, A. J. Sepulveda, C. E. Verhille, M. P. Ruggles, and A. V. Zale. 2022. The importance of phenology and thermal exposure to early life history success of non-native Smallmouth Bass in the Yellowstone River. Transactions of the American Fisheris Society 151:527-542. DOI: 10.1002/tafs.10364 \| Abstract	July 2022	Knowledge of the potential spread of an introduced species is critical to direct management efforts to where they will provide the greatest benefits. The Smallmouth Bass <i>Micropterus dolomieu</i>, is an example of a fish that has been introduced globally, often spreads following introduction, and has substantial predatory impacts on fish assemblages. We evaluated Smallmouth Bass spread in the free-flowing Yellowstone River, Montana, where this non-native fish has expanded from warmer, downstream sections of river into colder, upstream sections. We hypothesized that progressively colder upstream climates would limit age-0 growth and overwinter survival in the Yellowstone River, thereby curbing potential upstream spread. We documented the phenology, growth, and overwinter survival of age-0 Smallmouth Bass across a gradient of temperature and population densities. Age-0 individuals were rare or absent throughout the uppermost upstream distribution of adults, suggesting that something limits or discourages reproduction farther upstream. However, we found no support for colder water temperatures alone as the limiting factor. Age-0 body size at the onset of winter did not differ significantly among the uppermost 200 km of their distribution. Rather, the earlier hatching timing exhibited by some age-0 individuals in colder, upstream sections allowed them to experience longer growing seasons than many individuals in warmer, downstream sections. This counter-intuitive hatching phenology mediated much of the negative effect of colder upstream climates on growth. Furthermore, evidence of successful overwinter survival and simulations of age-0 starvation mortality indicated that age-0 individuals at the upstream extent of their distribution successfully recruited to the age-1 year-class in four consecutive years. Taken together, our results suggest that Smallmouth Bass have not yet reached the thermal limit of their upstream distribution in the Yellowstone River, and that further spread will probably be driven by complex interactions between density dependence, spawn timing, and ambient thermal and hydrologic regimes.
Voss, N. S., B. J. Bowersox, and M. C. Quist. 2023. Reach-scale associations between introduced Brook Trout and juvenile and stream-dwelling Bull Trout in Idaho. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 152:835-848.	November 2023
Volski, L., McInturff, A., Gaynor, K. M., Yovovich, V., & Brashares, J. S. (2021). Social Effectiveness and Human-Wildlife Conflict: Linking the Ecological Effectiveness and Social Acceptability of Livestock Protection Tools. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 42. \| Abstract	August 2021	Human-wildlife interactions are embedded within socio-ecological systems (SES), in which animal behavior and human decision-making reciprocally interact. While a growing body of research addresses specific social and ecological elements of human-wildlife interactions, including conflicts, integrating these approaches is essential for identifying practical and effective solutions. Carnivore predation on livestock can threaten human livelihoods, weaken relationships among stakeholders, and precipitate carnivore declines. As carnivores have received greater protection in recent decades, researchers and managers have sought non-lethal tools to reduce predation and promote coexistence between livestock producers and carnivores. For these tools to be successful, they must effectively deter carnivores, and they must also be adopted by producers. Relatively few studies examine the practical and context-specific effectiveness of non-lethal tools, and even fewer simultaneously consider their social acceptability among producers. To address this gap, we suggest that a tool's ecological effectiveness and social acceptability be analyzed concurrently to determine its <i>social effectiveness</i>. We thus paired an experimental study of a carnivore predation deterrent called Foxlights<sup>®</sup> with qualitative interviews of livestock producers in Northern California. We placed camera traps in sheep pastures to measure the response of coyotes (<i>Canis latrans</i>) to experimentally deployed Foxlights and interviewed livestock producers before and after the experiment. Our experiment revealed weak evidence for reducing coyote activity with Foxlights, but interviews revealed that the potential adoption of tools had as much to do with their social acceptability and implementation feasibility as with evidence-based measurements of tool effectiveness. Interviewees viewed Foxlights as potentially effective components of husbandry systems, despite the data suggesting otherwise, demonstrating that scientific reductionism may lag behind producer practices of systems-thinking and that isolated demonstrations of a tool's ecological effectiveness do not drive tool adoption. Future empirical tests of non-lethal tools should better consider producers' perspectives and acknowledge that data-based tests of ecological effectiveness alone have a limited place in producer decision-making. Iteratively working with producers can build trust in scientific outputs through the research process itself.
Volkel, S., K.F. Robinson, D.B. Bunnell, M. Connerton, D. Hondorp, J. Holden, B. Weidel. 2021. Slimy sculpin depth distribution shifts and habitat squeeze following round goby invasion in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research 47:1793-1803. DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2021.08.017	December 2021
Vogel, S., Jansujwicz, J., Sponarski, C and Zydlewski, J. (2020) Science in action or science inaction? Evaluating the implementation of "best available science" in hydropower relicensing. Energy Policy 143:1-10. DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111457 \| Download	August 2020
Vitale, N., J. Brush, and A. Powell. 2021. Factors limiting reproductive success of American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) in Florida’s Southern Big Bend. Waterbirds 44(4): 449-462.	December 2021
Vitale, N., Brush, J. and A. Powell. 2021. Loss of coastal islands along Florida’s Big Bend Region: Implications for breeding American Oystercatchers. Estuaries and Coasts 44:1173–1182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-020-00811-3	September 2020
Vilella, F.J., and R. Gonzalez. 2023. Multi-resolution habitat models of the Puerto Rican Nightjar Antostromus noctitherus. Bird Conservation International. Bird Conservation International 33:e74 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270923000278 \| Abstract \| Download	September 2023	The Puerto Rican Nightjar <i>Antrostomus </i><i>noctitherus</i> is an endemic Caprimulgid found in dry coastal and lower montane forests of southwestern Puerto Rico. Information on the species (abundance, nesting biology) has been mostly restricted to forest reserves (i.e., Guánica Forest, Susúa Forest) with limited information available from private lands. We collected stand-level vegetation structure and geographic information to model habitat suitability and distribution for the Nightjar. Results of the stand-level model indicated forest type and midstory vegetation density best predicted Nightjar habitat. Our spatial model predicted considerably more Nightjar habitat (17,819.64ha) was located outside protected areas than previously reported. Further, the model highlighted several localities of importance for the species across southern Puerto Rico, all located within private lands. We used a patch occupancy approach to assess regions identified by the landscape-level model as suitable for the Nightjar and documented presence of the species in 32 of 55 sites, located in 12 of 18 municipalities across southern Puerto Rico. The protection and restoration of forest across the southern coast of Puerto Rico would help ensure the long-term persistence of the Nightjar across a considerable portion of its range. Addressing habitat needs may be the single most effective mechanism to achieve recovery of the species.
Vilella, F.J., and R. Gonzalez. 2023. Multi-resolution habitat models of the Puerto Rican Nightjar Antostromus noctitherus. Bird Conservation International. Bird Conservation International 33:e74 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270923000278 \| Abstract \| Download	September 2023	The Puerto Rican Nightjar <i>Antrostomus </i><i>noctitherus</i> is an endemic Caprimulgid found in dry coastal and lower montane forests of southwestern Puerto Rico. Information on the species (abundance, nesting biology) has been mostly restricted to forest reserves (i.e., Guánica Forest, Susúa Forest) with limited information available from private lands. We collected stand-level vegetation structure and geographic information to model habitat suitability and distribution for the Nightjar. Results of the stand-level model indicated forest type and midstory vegetation density best predicted Nightjar habitat. Our spatial model predicted considerably more Nightjar habitat (17,819.64ha) was located outside protected areas than previously reported. Further, the model highlighted several localities of importance for the species across southern Puerto Rico, all located within private lands. We used a patch occupancy approach to assess regions identified by the landscape-level model as suitable for the Nightjar and documented presence of the species in 32 of 55 sites, located in 12 of 18 municipalities across southern Puerto Rico. The protection and restoration of forest across the southern coast of Puerto Rico would help ensure the long-term persistence of the Nightjar across a considerable portion of its range. Addressing habitat needs may be the single most effective mechanism to achieve recovery of the species.
Vilella, F.J., J.A. Cruz-Burgos, R.M. Kamisnki, H.R. Murkin, J.B. Davis, S.L. Weitzel, and F. Vizcarra. 2020. Avian community response to vegetation and water level management in restored wetlands at the Humacao Nature Reserve, Puerto Rico. Caribbean Naturalist 72:1-24. \| Abstract \| Download	February 2020	Coastal wetlands of the Caribbean have been greatly reduced in area and quality, and information on wildlife responses to management is lacking. We applied wetland management practices (disking, water level management) in a site historically disturbed by <i>Saccharum spp.</i> L. (sugarcane) cultivation at the Humacao Nature Reserve, southeastern Puerto Rico, and evaluated avian community response. We conducted weekly bird surveys and nest searches on disked and non-disked plots within recently constructed impoundments. The avian community shifted from 16 upland dominated species pre-restoration, to 67 wetland-dependent species at the end of our study (2001-2002). Ordination analysis indicated avian guild use of plots varied with environmental variables. Bird species diversity was not influenced by treatment, month, or salinity levels but was influenced by water depth and vegetation cover. Bird abundance was influenced by water depth, but not by treatment, month, salinity or vegetation cover. Furthermore, water depths of 0.10 – 0.20 m and salinity ≤ 15 ppt promoted habitat conditions suitable for a diverse wetland avian community. We located 268 nests of 8 wetland bird species and observed adults with young of various other waterbirds, including species of conservation concern such as <i>Dendrocygna arborea</i> (West Indian Whistling Duck) and <i>Porzana flaviventer</i> (Yellow-breasted Crake). Bird community responses suggest that management practices (i.e., water level management and soil disturbance) can improve wetland biodiversity in abandoned sugarcane fields of Puerto Rico. Moreover, these practices may benefit wetland biodiversity in other Caribbean islands with a similar history of land use and habitat degradation.
Vilchez, M., J. Dattilo, and S. K. Brewer. 2024. Length-weight relationships of big-river fishes in the lower Red River catchment, USA. Journal of Applied Ichthyology https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5578825	September 2024
Viegut, R.A., E.B. Webb, A.H. Raedeke, Z. Tang, Y.Zhang and Y. Shang. Nonbreeding waterfowl behavioral response to crewed and uncrewed aerial surveys on conservation areas in Missouri. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies \| Abstract	June 2024	Monitoring waterfowl populations provides the basis for improving habitat quantity and quality, establishing harvest regulations, and ensuring sustainable waterfowl populations through components of state natural-resource management objectives, joint-venture objectives, and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Waterfowl biologists currently use a variety of population and habitat monitoring methods ranging from informal ground observations to more systematic approaches, including low-level crewed aerial surveys. Although uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) may provide safer and more precise alternatives to traditional aerial survey techniques that are less disturbing to waterfowl and safer for people and waterfowl, there is limited information on how waterfowl in winter respond to UAS. We compared the behavioral responses of waterfowl to helicopters and UAS on Missouri Department of Conservation wetland conservation areas flown during waterfowl surveys October – February 2021-2022. Helicopter surveys were flown using an Airbus H125 helicopter at heights of 100 – 350 meters, with UAS surveys flown using a DJI Mavic 2 Pro UAS at 15 – 90 meters. Waterfowl behavior was categorized using flock-scan surveys recorded for 10-minute periods before, during, and after the surveys. Behaviors were categorized as alert, swim, fly, or abandonment and the proportion of time flocks spent in each behavior during- or post-survey were compared to pre-survey behaviors. Waterfowl behavior increased time spent swimming, flying, and abandonment in response to helicopter flights, whereas UAS flights did not influence waterfowl behavior regardless of survey height, guild or hunting season (open or closed). UAS may be a good alternative to traditional survey methods and are not likely to affect waterfowl distributions or energy expenditures during the survey periods.
Viegut, R.A., E.B. Webb, A.H. Raedeke, Z. Tang, Y. Zhang, Z. Zhai, Z Liu, S. Wang J. Zheng and Y. Shang. Detection probability and bias in machine-learning-based unoccupied aerial system non-breeding waterfowl surveys. Drones \| Abstract	February 2024	Unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) may provide cheaper, safer, and more accurate and precise alternatives to traditional waterfowl survey techniques while also reducing disturbance to waterfowl. We evaluated availability and perception bias on machine-learning-based nonbreeding waterfowl count estimates derived from aerial imagery collected using a DJI Mavic Pro 2 on Missouri Department of Conservation intensively managed wetland Conservation Areas within the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Priority Area across Missouri, USA. UAS imagery was collected using a proprietary software for automated flight path planning in a back-and-forth transect flight pattern at 10 m/s, no earlier than two hours after sunrise and ending by 1:00 pm at 15 - 90 m in altitude above ground level (AGL) (ground sampling distance 0.38-2.29 cm/pixel). Waterfowl in images were labeled using LabelMe by trained labelers. These same images were simultaneously analyzed using a computer algorithm developed to detect and classify waterfowl in aerial images by species and sex. We developed and evaluated three generalized linear mixed models with Bernoulli distributions: one to model the probability that a bird present in the image area was visible in the image (availability), one to model the probability that a bird visible in the image was detected by the algorithm, and one to model the probability that a machine-learning generated detection was actually a false-positive and not an actual bird. Variation in waterfowl availability was best explained by the interaction of vegetation cover type, sky condition, survey altitude, and individual bird characteristics of species and sex, with more complex and taller vegetation cover types reducing availability by up to 70 percent at higher survey altitudes. The probability of the algorithm correctly detecting available birds showed no pattern within vegetation cover type, survey altitude, or sky condition, with the algorithm correctly detecting 85 percent of available birds. The probability of the algorithm generating incorrect false-positive detections was best explained by vegetation cover types with features similar in size and shape to the birds, especially lotus (<i>Nelumbo lutea</i>), with up to 58 percent of detections being false-positive detections in lotus cover types. Overall, the algorithm achieved counts an average of 6.70 percent greater than the human labeled counts, and upon applying correction factors using a modified Horvitz-Thompson estimator, the corrected estimates were an average of 5.59 percent lower than the human labeled counts. Our results indicate that vegetation cover type, sky condition, and survey altitude influence the availability and detection of waterfowl in UAS surveys; however, using well-trained machine learning algorithms may produce accurate counts per image under a variety of survey conditions.
Vhay, M.P., D.A. Haukos, D.S. Sullins, and M.B. Rice. 2024. Landscape-scale changes in lesser prairie-chicken habitat. PLoS ONE	June 2024
Vhay, M. P., D. A. Haukos, D. S. Sullins, and M.B. Rice. 2024. Broad-scale changes in lesser prairie-chicken habitat. Plos one 19: e0304452. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304452	May 2024
Vest, J.L., D.A. Haukos, N.D. Niemuth, C.M. Setash, J.H. Gammonley, J.H. Devries, and D.K. Dahlgren. 2023. Waterfowl and wetland birds. Chapter 13 in L.B. McNew, D.K. Dahlgren, and J.L. Beck, editors. Rangeland Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Springer Publishing, New York, New York, USA.	September 2023
Verheijen, B.H.F., E.B. Webb, M.G. Brasher and H.M. Hagy. 2024. Spatiotemporal dynamics of waterfowl harvest distributions in the Central and Mississippi Flyways from 1960–2019. The Journal of Wildlife Management	February 2024
Verheijen, B.H.F., E.B. Webb, M.G. Brasher and H.M. Hagy. 2024. Long-term changes in autumn-winter harvest distributions vary among duck species, months, and subpopulations. Ecology and Evolution	June 2024
Verheijen, B.H.F., D.M. Varner, and D.A. Haukos. 2020. Future losses of playa wetlands decrease network structure and connectivity of the Rainwater Basin, Nebraska. Landscape Ecology 35:453–467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-019-00958-w	January 2020
Verheijen, B. H. F., R. T. Plumb, C. K. J. Gulick, C. A. Hagen, S. G. Robinson, D. S. Sullins, and D. A. Haukos.2021. Breeding space use by lesser prairie-chickens varies among ecoregions and breeding stages. American Midland Naturalist 185: 149–174. DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-185.1.149.	January 2022
Verheigen, B.H.F., R.T. Plumb, C.K.J. Gulick, C.A. Hagen, S.G. Robinson, D.S. Sullins, and D.A. Haukos. 2021. Breeding season space use by lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) varies among ecoregions and breeding stages. American Midland Naturalist 185:149-174. \| Abstract	April 2021	Large-scale declines of grasslands ecosystems in the conterminous United States since European settlement have led to substantial loss and fragmentation of lesser prairie-chicken (<i>Tympanuchus pallidicinctus</i>) habitat and decreased their occupied range and population numbers by ~85%. Breeding season space use is an important component of lesser prairie-chicken conservation, because it could affect both dynamics and carrying capacity of local populations. Previous estimates of breeding season space use are largely limited to one of the four currently occupied ecoregions, but potential extrinsic drivers of breeding space use, such as landscape fragmentation, vegetative structure and composition, and density of anthropogenic structures, can show large spatial variation. Moreover, habitat needs vary greatly among the lekking/prelaying, nesting, brooding, and postbreeding stages of the breeding season, but space use by female lesser prairie-chickens during these stages remain relatively unclear. We tested whether home range area and daily displacement of female lesser prairie-chickens varied among ecoregions and breeding stages at four study sites in Kansas and Colorado, USA, representing three of the four currently occupied ecoregions. We equipped females with very-high-frequency (VHF, <i>n</i> = 39) or GPS transmitters (<i>n</i> = 157), and estimated home range area with kernel density estimators or biased random bridge models, respectively. Across all ecoregions, breeding season home range area averaged 190.4 ha (± 19.1 ha SE) for birds with VHF and 283.6 ha (± 23.1 ha) for birds with GPS transmitters, while daily displacement averaged 374.8 m (± 14.3 m). Average home range area and daily displacement were greater in the Short-Grass Prairie/CRP Mosaic Ecoregion (VHF: 233.0 ± 34.7 ha, GPS: 420.8 ± 52.8 ha, 468.5 ± 29.4 m) compared to sites in the Mixed-Grass Prairie Ecoregion (VHF: 146.4 ± 16.4, 158.6 ± 25.2 ha, GPS: 183.9 ± 21.2, 183.3 ± 13.9 ha, 281.0 ± 16.0, 319.5 ± 13.8 m). Home range area and daily displacement were greatest during lekking/prelaying (252.8 ± 23.0 ha, 539.7 ± 223.0 m) and smallest during the brooding stage (81.4 ± 11.5 ha, 221.3 ± 63.7 m), when female movements are restricted by mobility of chicks. Ecoregion- and breeding stage-specific estimates of space use by lesser prairie-chickens will help managers determine the spatial configuration of breeding stage-specific habitat on the landscape. Furthermore, ecoregion- and breeding stage specific estimates are crucial when estimating the amount of breeding habitat needed for lesser prairie-chicken population to persist.
Veon, J.T., E. Lassiter, E. Johansson, M. Shaw, L. McTgue, R. Gibson, A. Massey, and B.A. DeGregorio. 2023. Influence of Human Development and Predator Abundance on Virginia Opossum Occupancy, Abundance, and Activity Patterns. Journal of Zoology. doi:10.1111/jzo.13111 \| Abstract \| Download	August 2023	As human development increases across the globe, wildlife are either pushed out of developed areas or adapt to survive in these novel, human-dominated landscapes. Many mammalian mesopredators, such as the Virginia opossum (<i>Didelphis virginiana</i>), have adapted to living alongside human development in order to take advantage of human-subsidized food, water, and shelter and may also benefit from being “shielded” by humans from their natural predators if those predator species are less able to coexist with humans or if they alter their behavior when living in proximity to humans (the human shield hypothesis). The human shield hypothesis has been used to explain the co-existence of dominant and subordinate mesopredators in some of North America’s largest cities. Our objective was to evaluate if patterns of Virginia opossum occupancy, abundance, and activity conformed to patterns consistent with the presence of a human shield. We used data from a coordinated continent-wide camera trapping study, Snapshot USA to estimate Virginia opossum occupancy, abundance, and activity and relate these measures to surrounding landscape and urbanization variables. We found that opossum occupancy was positively associated with an index of human activity (anthropogenic sound), although at very high levels of sound, opossum occurrence decreased. Furthermore, opossum in heavily forest areas were more likely to be detected in areas with nearby anthropogenic sound indicating a preference towards settling near humans. In areas with a high density of human housing, opossum relative abundance and predator abundance both increased suggesting that opossum were shielded from predators, whereas at low or moderate levels of housing density, opossum abundance did not increase although predator abundance did. We found that opossum were strictly nocturnal (99% of detections) and that they shifted their activity to being active earlier in the evening in the presence of high predator abundance. We found evidence that Virginia opossum are likely shielded by humans from their predators and this was most apparent when examining abundance and to some extent occupancy. These results help to explain why the Virginia opossum is such a successful urban-exploiter.
Veon, J.T., D.G. Krementz, L.W. Naylor, B.A. DeGregorio. 2023. Effects of landscape composition on winter mallard (Anas platyrhnchos) body condition in Eastern Arkansas. Journal of Wildlife Management \| Abstract \| Download	November 2023	Overwintering waterfowl with a higher body condition index are thought to be more likely to survive the winter and have increased productivity during the following breeding season. Body condition index in waterfowl should reflect the resources available to them locally. Here, we analyze the relationship of landscape composition on mallard (<i>Anas platyrhynchos</i>)<i> </i>body condition using a mass by wing length index (BCI) within the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley of Arkansas. We measured hunter-harvested mallards during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 duck hunting seasons. We found that mallards collected from areas with high proportions of water cover, woody wetlands, and open water within a 30-km radius had higher BCI. Conversely, we found that mallards collected from areas with higher proportions of herbaceous wetlands or human disturbance had lower BCI. Management actions focused on maintaining water levels for waterfowl to access food resources, while providing ample habitat that allows for resting, loafing, and other life cycle events free of human disturbance, will most likely increase BCI in mallards wintering in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley.
Veon, J.T., B.A. DeGregorio, L.W. Naylor, K.J. Reinecke, B.C. Dabbert, D.W. Demarest, K.M. Hartke, and D.G. Krementz. 2023. Body mass dynamics in wintering mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in the lower mississippi alluvial valley. Global Ecology and Conservation 41: e02368 \| Download	January 2023
Veggerby K, Scheuerell MD, Sanderson B, Kiffney P. Stable isotopes reveal intertidal fish and crabs use bivalve farms as foraging habitat in Puget Sound, Washington. \| Abstract	January 2024	Bivalves such as oysters and clams have been farmed in the Puget Sound region of the Salish Sea for thousands of years. Indigenous peoples have traditionally used systems called clam gardens to modify stretches of shoreline habitat to create ideal conditions for edible bivalves. More recently, oysters, clams, and other bivalves have been grown by both First Nation and non-First Nation farmers using a variety of gear types in intertidal zones across Puget Sound and the coast of Washington. These gear types create complex vertical structure and attachment points for aquatic epiphytes and invertebrates which increases habitat structural complexity, but may alter eelgrass cover in areas where bivalve farms and eelgrass meadows overlap. Eelgrass meadows are highly productive and ecologically foundational nearshore habitats that provide valuable ecosystem services including sediment deposition and stabilization, and the provision of nursery, refuge, and foraging habitat throughout much of the Puget Sound. Eelgrass meadows overlap with bivalve farming activities across many intertidal areas of Washington State. Many nearshore species of fish and crab inhabit both bivalve farm and eelgrass habitats, but how they are using the farm habitat and the importance of bivalve farm habitat for foraging and predator refuge relative to unfarmed eelgrass meadows is unclear. We used stable isotope mixing models to estimate, for several species of nearshore fish and crab in two areas of North Puget Sound, Washington, the percent diet originating from eelgrass meadows, pelagic planktonic sources, and oyster farm habitats. Our results indicate that several species of nearshore fish derive a significant proportion of their diets from farm areas, while others derive most of their diets from eelgrass habitat or planktonic sources. The results indicate that foraging habitat uses are species specific, and that modifying habitat will likely change both species composition and species usage of an area. Having an adequate amount of habitat diversity is needed to support the community of fishes and invertebrates that inhabit these intertidal areas.
Veggerby K, Scheuerell MD, Sanderson B, Kiffney P, Ferriss B. Shellfish aquaculture farms as foraging habitat for nearshore fishes and crabs.	March 2024
Vega-Castillo, S. I., J. A. Collazo, A. R. Puente-Rolón, and E. Cuevas. 2020. Influence of habitat structure and prey abundance on occupancy and abundance of two anoles ecomorphs, Anolis cristatellus and Anolis krugi, in Secondary Karst Forests in Northern Puerto Rico. J. of Herpetology 54(1) : 107-117. doi.org/10.1670/19-009	March 2020
Vargas K, Kraberger S, Custer JM, Paietta EN, Culver M, Munguia-Vega A, Dolby GA and A Varsani 2023. Identification of novel polyomavirus in wild Sonoran Desert rodents of the family Heteromyidae. Archives of Virology, 168:253. doi: 10.1007/s00705-023-05877-5. \| Abstract	October 2023	Rodents are the largest and most diverse group of mammals. Covering a wide range of structural and functional adaptations, rodents successfully occupy virtually every terrestrial habitat, and are often found in close association with humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Although rodents are known to be reservoirs of zoonotic viruses and a significant amount of research has focused in this area, there has been less emphasis on viral ecology of rodents in general. Here, we utilized a viral metagenomics approach to investigate the DNA virome of wild rodent from Baja California Peninsula, Mexico using fecal samples. As part of this study, we identified a novel polyomavirus (PyV) in fecal samples from two rodent species, a spiny pocket mouse (<i>Chaetodipus spinatus</i>), and a Dulzura kangaroo rat (<i>Dipodomys simulans</i>). These two polyomaviruses represent a new species in the genus <i>Betapolyomavirus</i>. Sequences of this polyomavirus phylogenetically cluster with other rodent polyomaviruses and two other non-rodent polyomaviruses (WU and KI) that have been identified in the respiratory tract of young humans. Through our continued work on seven species of rodents, we endeavor to explore viral diversity associated with wild rodents in Baja California Peninsula and expand on current knowledge of their ecology and evolution.
VanderBloemen, S. L.E. Miranda, G.G. Sass, M. Colvin, and N. Faucheux. 2023. Influence of invasive bigheaded carps on Gizzard Shad in the Tennessee River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10442 \| Abstract	August 2023	The Tennessee River basin and its cascade of reservoirs are home to some of the most diverse fish assemblages in the world. This unique system is threatened by the ongoing invasion of Silver Carp <i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i> and Bighead Carp <i>H. nobilis</i>, hereafter bigheaded carps. Bigheaded carps may directly compete for food resources with native clupeid species such as Gizzard Shad <i>Dorosoma cepedianum</i>, and this potential interaction could have damaging ecological and economic consequences. High relative abundances of Gizzard Shad are crucial to the Tennessee River food web and associated fisheries because of their role as a forage base for piscivorous species. We analyzed an extensive dataset of annual gillnetting and electrofishing data extending from 1990 to 2017, to test whether Gizzard Shad relative abundances have changed in Tennessee River reservoirs since the invasion of bigheaded carps. Our analyses indicate that Gizzard Shad abundances have been declining and were already declining prior to the discovery of bigheaded carps in the Tennessee River. The Tennessee River system needs to be continually monitored for any signs of possible interactions between bigheaded carps and Gizzard Shad.
Vanausdall, R. A., W. L. Kendall, D. P. Collins, and Q. R. Hays. 2024. Time of year and weather influence departure decisions of sandhill cranes at a primary stopover. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 12:1279279, doi: 10.3389/fevo.2024.1279279.	March 2024
Van Vleet, N. P., Ward, D. M., Som, N. A., Barton, D. C., Anderson, C., & Henderson, M. J. (2024). It's about time: A multistate semicontinuous time mark–recapture model to evaluate seasonal survival and movement rates of juvenile Coho Salmon in a small coastal watershed. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 153, 541–1. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10471 \| Abstract	August 2024	It is important to have an accurate understanding of species habitat use and demographics as managers prioritize restoration efforts and develop recovery plans for depleted salmon populations. Previous research on threatened populations of Coho Salmon has suggested that overwinter survival is a major limiting factor for population recovery in some watersheds, but these survival estimates are often confounded with emigration to alternative rearing habitats, such as estuaries. Furthermore, emigration to alternative rearing habitats can occur continuously throughout the fall and winter, which is ignored by most types of mark-recapture models. To refine previous survival estimates, we developed a multi-state mark-recapture model that allows separately estimated emigration and survival rates throughout the year. To do this, we used weekly time-varying occasions paired with discrete spatial states. We conducted extensive simulation trials to validate the use of a multi-state model on an existing 4-year PIT tag dataset in a northern California watershed. Results from our model suggest that overwinter survival rate for fish that overwinter in stream habitat and migrate as spring smolts ranged from 0.72-0.83, which is higher than expected for Coho Salmon in this region. We estimate that a substantial proportion of smaller juveniles (0.21-0.28 annually) are emigrating from upstream rearing habitat before the spring smolt migration. This implies that previous estimates of low overwinter survival of Coho Salmon could be due to high emigration rates to alternative rearing locations. Given the apparent juvenile life-history diversity of Coho Salmon, multiple emigration patterns should be considered in the design of future research, monitoring, and restoration projects.
Van Tatenhove, A.M., Neill, J., Norvell, R.E., Stuber, E.F. and Rushing, C.S., 2024. Scale‐dependent population drivers inform avian management in a declining saline lake ecosystem. Ecological Applications, p.e3021.	September 2024
Van Ee, J.J. C.A. Hagen, D.C. Pavlacky Jr., D.A. Haukos , A.J. Lawrence, A.M. Tanner, B.A. Grisham, K.A. Fricke, L.G. Rossi, G.M. Beauprez, K.E. Kuklinski, R. Martin, M.D. Koslovsky, T.B. Rintz, M.B. Hooten. 2024. Melded integrated population models. Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics doi.org/10.1007/s13253-024-00620-2	May 2024
Van Doren, B.M., Willard, D.E., Hennen, M., Horton, K.G., Stuber, E.F., Sheldon, D., Sivakumar, A.H., Wang, J., Farnsworth, A. and Winger, B.M., 2021. Drivers of fatal bird collisions in an urban center. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(24). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2101666118	April 2021
Van Buskirk, A., C. S. Rosenberry, B. D. Wallingford, E. J. Domoto, M. E. McDill, P. Drohan, and D. R. Diefenbach. 2021. Modeling how to achieve localized areas of reduced white-tailed deer density. Ecological Modelling 442:109393 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109393 \| Download	February 2021
Valentine GP, Lu X, Childress ES, Dolloff CA, Hitt NP, Kulp MA, Letcher BH, Pregler KC, Rash JM, Hooten MB, Kanno Y. 2024. Spatial asynchrony and cross-scale climate interactions in populations of a coldwater stream fish. Global Change Biology. 30:e17029. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.17029	January 2024
Valente, J.J., V. Jirinec, and M. Leu. 2024. Thinking beyond the closure assumption: designing surveys for estimating biological truth with occupancy models. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 15:2289-2300.	December 2024
Valente JJ, Gannon D, Hightower J, Kim H, Leimberger K, Macedo R, Rousseau J, Weldy M, Zitomer R, Fahrig L, Fletcher R, Wu J, Betts MG. 2023. Toward conciliation in the habitat fragmentation and biodiversity debate. Landscape Ecology. 38, 2717-2730. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-023-01708-9. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2023	Landscape-scale conservation planning is urgent given the extent of anthropogenic land-use change and its pervasive impacts on Earth’s biodiversity. However, such efforts are hindered by disagreements over the effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity that have persisted since the mid-1970s. We contend that nearly 50 years later, these disagreements have become a locked-in debate characterized by polarized, unproductive discourse and a lack of consistent guidance for landscape managers and policy makers. Here, we highlight the need for a unified set of principles regarding conservation in fragmented landscapes, identify potential reasons for disparate conclusions in fragmentation research, and suggest ways for the ecological community to advance research that leads to consensus rather than the perpetuation of disagreement. Explicit efforts to develop and test multiple competing hypotheses, inter-laboratory collaborations, and acknowledgement of multiple interacting effects will be vital for moving the fragmentation debate forward. We argue that we in the ecology community should be responsible for helping to reconcile different views across scales, systems, and methodological approaches to advance conservation planning within a landscape ecology framework.
Valente JJ, Adrean LJ, Nelson SK, Betts MG, Roby DD, and Rivers JW. 2024. Presence-absence surveys yield spatially imprecise information about nesting sites of an endangered, forest-nesting seabird. PLoS ONE 19:e0315531.	December 2024
Vaisvil, A., D. Shoup, and S.K. Brewer. 2023. Striped Bass Exploitation in Tailwater Habitats of East-Central Oklahoma. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-152-2023, Washington, D.C. https://doi.org/10.3996/css83805350	October 2023
Vaisvil, A., C.A. Caldwell, and E. Frey. Effects of water-level fluctuations and water temperature on young-of-year Largemouth Bass in a southwest Irrigation reservoir. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 12(2):534-543. \| Abstract	August 2022	The effects of a warming climate will alter the hydrological cycles of arid southwestern U.S. reservoirs which primarily support agricultural needs, provide flood control, and generate hydroelectric power while secondarily supporting fish communities and sport fishing opportunities. The success of littoral spawning fishes depends on the timing and variability of water levels. The onset of drought between 2017 and 2018 provided an opportunity to evaluate the timing of hatch dates and relative abundance of young-of-year Largemouth Bass<i> Micropterus salmoides </i>across two water years of varying water temperatures and water levels in a southwestern U.S. reservoir. A retrospective analysis of otoliths in young-of-year Largemouth Bass revealed similar hatch dates in 2017 (14 April–29 May) and 2018 (13 April–28 May) despite differences in water temperature and water level rate-of-change. Median water temperature during hatch dates was greater in 2017 (median 19.0°C, range 14.3–24.4°C) than 2018 (17.6°C, range 13.5–21.7°C). Water level rate-of-change during hatch dates in 2017 was positive (+3.1– +13.1 cm/d), which reflected reservoir filling. In contrast, water level rate-of-change during hatch dates in 2018 was negative (-8.5– -0.6 cm/d), which reflected reservoir receding. Relative abundance of young-of-year fish was greater in 2017 (21.7 fish/h) when the reservoir was filling compared to relative abundance in 2018 (6.8 fish/h) when the reservoir was receding. The median growth rate was greater in 2017 (1.02 mm/d) when the reservoir was filling than in 2018 (0.82 mm/d) when the reservoir was receding. Despite differences in water temperature and contrasting reservoir levels between the two water years, the Largemouth Bass population in a southwest U.S. reservoir exhibited similar hatch dates reported for the species in southeastern and northeastern U.S. reservoirs. While water demand in the 21<sup>st</sup> century may exceed availability, the opportunity exists to collaborate with water managers to benefit Largemouth Bass populations in southwestern reservoirs.
Ureta, J. C., Ureta, J. U., Bower, L. M., Peoples B. K, & Motallebi, M. (2024). The value of improving freshwater ecosystem services: South Carolina residents’ willingness-to-pay for improved water quality. Journal of Ecological Economics. \| Publisher Website	February 2024
Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States, Volume 4. Kauffman et al.	April 2024
Ulrich, T. L., and S. A. Bonar. 2020. Inexpensive, Underwater Filming of Rare Fishes in High Definition. Fisheries 45:121-130.	March 2020
Ulaski, M. E., and M. C. Quist. 2021. Filling knowledge gaps for a threatened species: age and growth of Green Sturgeon of the southern Distinct Population Segment. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 12:234-240.	August 2021
Ulaski, M. E., S. E. Blackburn, Z. J. Jackson, and M. C. Quist. 2022. Management goals for conserving White Sturgeon in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River basin. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 13:334-343.	January 2023
Ulaski, M. E., J. L. McCormick, M. C. Quist, and Z. J. Jackson. 2023. Leveraging angler effort to inform fisheries management: using harvest and harvest rate to estimate abundance of White Sturgeon. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 14:324-336.	December 2023
Tábora-Sarmiento, S., Patiño, R., Portillo-Quintero, C., Coldren, C. 2022. Air, land, and water variables associated with the first appearance and current spatial distribution of toxic Prymnesium parvum blooms in reservoirs of the Southern Great Plains, USA. Science of the Total Environment 836, 155567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155567 \| Publisher Website	May 2022
Twining, JP, Zalewski, A, Cove, MV, Birks, J, Wearn, O, Haysom, J, Wereszczuk, A,Manzo, E, Bartolommei, P, Mortelli, A, Evans, B, Gerber, BD, McGreevy, TJ,Ganoe, L, Masseloux, J, Mayer, A, Wierzbowska, I, Akins, J, Drummey, D, McShea,W, Kays, R, Schuttler, S, Pardo, L, Boyce, A, Trujillo, AJV, L´opez-Gonz´alez, C, Lara-D´ıaz, NE, Sukmasuang, R, Whatton, M, Cosby, O, Giman, B, Ragai, RB, Li, S, Bu,H, Wang, D, Wang, F, Waggershauser, C, Bamber, J, Stewart, F, Fisher, J, Fuller,A, Perkins, K, Sutherland, C, and Powell, RA. In Press. Sociality in unexpected places: Using global remote camera data to evaluate the drivers of social complexity.Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. 121, e2312252121. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2024	The social system of animals involves a complex interplay between physiology, natural history, and the environment. Long relied upon discrete categorizations of “social” and “solitary” inhibit our capacity to understand species and their interactions with the world around them. Here, we use a globally distributed camera trapping dataset to test the drivers of aggregating into groups in a species complex (martens and relatives, family <i>Mustelidae</i>, Order <i>Carnivora</i>) assumed to be obligately solitary. We use a simple quantification, the probability of being detected in a group, that was applied across our globally derived camera trap dataset. Using a series of binomial generalized mixed-effects models applied to a dataset of 16,483 independent detections across 17 countries on four continents we test explicit hypotheses about potential drivers of group formation. We observe a wide range of probabilities of being detected in groups within the solitary model system, with the probability of aggregating in groups varying by more than an order of magnitude. We demonstrate that a species’ context-dependent proclivity toward aggregating in groups is underpinned by a range of resource-related factors, primarily the distribution of resources, with increasing patchiness of resources facilitating group formation, as well as interactions between environmental conditions (resource constancy/winter severity) and physiology (energy storage capabilities). The wide variation in propensities to aggregate with conspecifics observed here highlights how continued failure to recognize complexities in the social behaviors of apparently solitary species limits our understanding not only of the individual species but also the causes and consequences of group formation.
Twining, J.P., V.L. Springer, E.G. Cooch, and A.K. Fuller. Landscape-scale drivers of tayra abundance in the Ecuadorian Andes. Biodiversity and Conservation.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-023-02636-5	June 2023
Twining, J.P., J.L. Brazeal, P.G. Jensen, and A.K. Fuller. 2024. Intraguild interactions and abiotic conditions mediate occupancy of mammalian carnivores: co-occurrence of coyotes-fishers-martens. Oikos. https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.10577	March 2024
Twining, J.P., Fuller, A.K., Sun, C.C., Calderon-Acevedo, C., Schlesinger, M.D., Berger, M., Kramer, D., Frair, J.L. 2024. Integrating presence-only and detection/non-detection data to estimate distributions and expected abundance of difficult-to-monitor species on a landscape-scale. Journal of Applied Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14633	March 2024
Twining, J.P., D. Kramer, K.A. Perkins, and A.K. Fuller. 2024. Landscape-scale population trends in the occurrence and abundance of wildlife populations using long term camera-trapping data. Biological Conservation.	January 2024
Twining, J.P., B.C. Augustine, J.A. Royle, and A.K. Fuller. Abundance-mediated species interactions. Ecology. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ecy.4468 \| Abstract	December 2024	Species interactions shape biodiversity patterns, community assemblage, and the dynamics of wildlife populations. Ecological theory posits that the strength of interspecific interactions is fundamentally underpinned by the population sizes of the involved species. Nonetheless, prevalent approaches for modelling species interactions predominantly centre around occupancy states. Here, we use simulations to illuminate the inadequacies of modelling species interactions solely as a function of occupancy, as is common practice in ecology. We demonstrate erroneous inference into species interactions due to bias in parameter estimates when considering species occupancy alone. To address this critical issue, we propose, develop, and demonstrate an occupancy-abundance model designed explicitly for modelling abundance-mediated species interactions involving two or more species. We present Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) samplers tailored for diverse ecological scenarios, including intraguild predation, disease or predator mediated competition, and trophic cascades. Illustrating the practical implications of our approach, we compare inference from modelling the interactions in a three-species network involving coyotes<i>, </i>fisher, and American marten in North America as a function of occupancy states, and as a function of abundance. When modelling interactions as a function of abundance rather than occupancy, we uncover previously unidentified interactions. Our study emphasizes that accounting for abundance-mediated interactions rather than simple co-occurrence patterns can fundamentally alter our comprehension of system dynamics. Through an empirical case study and comprehensive simulations, we demonstrate the importance of accounting for abundance when modelling species interactions, and we present a statistical framework equipped with MCMC samplers to achieve this paradigm shift in ecological research.
Twining, J.P. C. Sutherland, A. Zalewski, M.V. Cove, J. Birks, O.R. Weaarn, J. Haysom, A. Wereszcuk, E. Manzo, P. Bartolommei, A. Mortelliti, B. Evans, B.D. Gerber, T.J. McGreevy, L.S. Ganoe, J. Masseloux, A. Mayer, I. Wierzbowska, J. Loch, J. Akins, D. Frummey, W. McShea, R. Kays, S. Manke, L. Pardo, A. Boyce. S. Li, R.B. Ragai, A.J.V. Trujiilo, C. Lopez-Gonzalez, N. Lara-Diaz, O. Cosby, C. Waggershauser, J. Bamber, F. Stewart, J. Fisher, A.K. Fuller, K. Perkins, and R.A. Powell. Using global remote camera data of a "solitary" species complex to evaluate the drivers of group formation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI 10.1073/pnas.2312252121 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2312252121	March 2024
Twardek, W. M., I.G. Cowx, N. Lapointe, C. P. Paukert, T. D. Beard, E. M. Bennett, D. Browne, A. K. Carlson, K. D. Clarke, Z. Hogan, K. Lorenzen, A. J. Lynch, P. B. McIntyre, P. Pompeu, M. Rogers, A. Sakas, W. W. Taylor, T. D.Ward, Z. Basher, and S. J.Cooke. 2022. Bright spots for inland fish and fisheries to guide future hydropower development. Water Biology and Security .https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watbs.2022.100009.	February 2022
Twardek, W. M., I. G. Cowx, N. Lapointe, C. Paukert, T. D. Beard, E. M. Bennett, D. Browne, A. K. Carlson, K. D. Clarke, Z. Hogan, K. Lorenzen, A. J. Lynch, P. B. McIntyre, P. Pompeu, M. Rogers, A. Sakas, W. W. Taylor, T. D. Ward, Z. Basher, and S.J. Cooke^. Bright spots for inland fish and fisheries to guide future hydropower development. Water Biology and Security 1(1):100009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watbs.2022.100009	February 2022
Tuttle, LJ, and MJ Donahue. 2022. Effects of sediment exposure on corals: a systematic review of experimental studies. *Environmental Evidence*. 11(4). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13750-022-00256-0	February 2022
Tuttle, LJ, RW Lamb, and AL Stringer. 2021. Differential learning by native versus invasive predators to avoid distasteful cleaning mutualists. *Functional Ecology*. 35(7): 1481-1490. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13806	April 2021
Tuttle, LJ, C Johnson, S Kolinski, D Minton, and MJ Donahue. 2020. How does sediment exposure affect corals? A systematic review protocol. *Environmental Evidence*. 9: 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13750-020-00200-0	August 2020
Tuttle Raz, L. J., T. B. Grabowski, and R. Masse. 2024. Analysis and Review of Fishery-Dependent Data for Hawaiian Nearshore Noncommercial Fisheries. Report to State of Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources. 97 p.	January 2024
Turnley, M. T. , T. A. Hughes, R. T. Larsen, K. R. Hersey, M. S. Broadway, M. C. Chitwood, W. S. Fairbanks, R. C. Lonsinger, and B. R. McMillan. 2024. A fine-scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates. Ecology and Evolution 14(7): e11703. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11703 \| Abstract	July 2024	1. Parturition timing has long been a topic of interest in ungulate research. However, few studies have examined parturition timing at fine scale (e.g., <1 day). Predator activity and environmental conditions can vary considerably with diel timing, which may result in selective pressure for parturition to occur during diel times that maximize the likelihood of neonate survival.<br>2. We monitored parturition events and early-life survival of elk (<i>Cervus canadensis</i>) and mule deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus</i>) in Utah, USA to better understand diel timing of parturition in temperate ungulates.<br>3. Diel timing of parturition was highly synchronous among conspecifics and influenced by environmental variables on the date of parturition. For elk, parturition events were most common during the morning crepuscular period and generally occurred later (i.e., closer to 12:00) when a relatively large proportion of the moon was illuminated. For mule deer, parturition events were most common during the diurnal period and generally occurred later (i.e., closer to 15:00) on cold, wet dates.<br>4. Diel timing of parturition did not influence neonate survival, but larger data sets may be required to verify the apparent lack of influence.<br>5. Although additional work could evaluate alternative variables that might affect parturition timing, our data provide an improved and finer-scale understanding of reproductive ecology and phenology in ungulates.
Turner, W.C., S. Périquet, C.E. Goelst, K. Vera, E.Z. Cameron, K.A. Alexander, J.L. Belant, C.C. Cloete, P. du Preez, W.M. Getz, R.S. Hetem, P.L. Kamath, M. Kasaona, M. Mackenzie, J. Mendelsohn, J.K.E. Mfune, J.R. Muntifering, R. Portas, H.A. Scott, W. M. Strauss, W. Versfeld, B. Wachter, G. Wittemyer, and J.W. Kilian. 2022. Africa’s drylands in a changing world: Challenges for wildlife conservation under climate and land-use changes in the Greater Etosha Landscape. Global Ecology and Conservation, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02221. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2022	Proclaimed in 1907, Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is an iconic dryland system with a rich history of wildlife conservation and research. A recent research symposium on wildlife conservation in the Greater Etosha Landscape (GEL) highlighted increased concern of how intensification of global change will affect wildlife conservation based on participant responses to a questionnaire. The GEL includes Etosha and surrounding areas, the latter divided by a veterinary fence into large, private farms to the south and communal areas of residential and farming land to the north. Here, we leverage our knowledge of this ecosystem to provide insight into the broader challenges facing wildlife conservation in this vulnerable dryland environment. We first look backward, summarizing the history of wildlife conservation and research trends in the GEL based on a literature review, providing a broad-scale understanding of the socioecological processes that drive dryland system dynamics. We then look forward, focusing on eight key areas of challenge and opportunity for this ecosystem: climate change, water availability and quality, vegetation and fire management, adaptability of wildlife populations, disease risk, human-wildlife conflict, wildlife crime, and human dimensions of wildlife conservation. Using this model system, we summarize key lessons and identify critical threats highlighting future research needs to support wildlife management. Research in the GEL has followed a trajectory seen elsewhere reflecting an increase in complexity and integration across biological scales over time. Yet, despite these trends, a gap exists between the scope of recent research efforts and the needs of wildlife conservation to adapt to climate and land-use changes. Given the complex nature of climate change, in addition to locally existing system stressors, a framework of forward-thinking adaptive management to address these challenges, supported by integrative and multidisciplinary research could be beneficial. One critical area for growth is to better integrate research and wildlife management across land-use types. Such efforts have the potential to support wildlife conservation efforts and human development goals, while building resilience against the impacts of climate change. While our conclusions reflect the specifics of the GEL ecosystem, they have direct relevance for other African dryland systems impacted by global change.
Turner, W.C., P.L. Kamath, H. van Heerden, Z. Barandongo, Y.-H. Huang, S.A. Bruce and K. Kausrud. 2021. The roles of environmental variation and parasite survival in virulence-transmission relationships. Royal Society Open Science, 8: 210088. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.210088 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2021	Disease outbreaks are a consequence of interactions among the three components of a host-parasite system: the infectious agent, the host, and the environment. While virulence and transmission are widely investigated, most studies of parasite life history trade-offs are conducted with theoretical models or tractable experimental systems where transmission is standardized and the environment controlled. Yet, biotic and abiotic environmental factors can strongly affect disease dynamics, and ultimately, host-parasite coevolution. Here we review research on how environmental context alters virulence-transmission relationships, focusing on the off-host portion of the parasite life cycle, and how variation in parasite survival affects the evolution of virulence and transmission. We review three inter-related “approaches” that have dominated the study of the evolution of virulence and transmission for different host-parasite systems: i) evolutionary trade-off theory, ii) parasite local adaptation, and iii) parasite phylodynamics. These approaches consider the role of the environment in virulence and transmission evolution from different angles, which entail different advantages and potential biases. We suggest improvements to how to investigate virulence-transmission relationships, through conceptual and methodological developments and taking environmental context into consideration. By combining developments in life history evolution, phylogenetics, adaptive dynamics, and comparative genomics, we can improve our understanding of virulence-transmission relationships across a diversity of host-parasite systems that have eluded experimental study of parasite life history.
Turner, R.M., C. Loftin, A. Revello, L.R. Kline, M.A. Lewis, and S.Y. Sekeh. 2021. Modeling and Using Context, vol. 21 no. 4 (CONTEXT-21 Special Issue).	July 2021
Tuma, M. E. and A. N. Powell. 2021. The southeastern U.S. as a complex of use sites for nonbreeding rufa Red Knots: fifteen years of band-encounter data. Wader Study 128(3): 265-273. doi:10.18194/ws.00256 \| Abstract	December 2021	Shorebirds have been banded for decades and monitoring programs have helped to accumulate large band-encounter datasets from across the globe; however, many of these datasets are left largely unused, particularly those collected by citizen scientists. These datasets can provide valuable insight into<br>the migration and movement strategies of shorebirds and the threats they face throughout their migratory cycle. We used long-term (2003–2018) band-encounter data of Red Knots Calidris canutus rufa in North America to determine: (1) the spatiotemporal distribution during the nonbreeding season, (2) site fidelity to nonbreeding sites, and (3) migratory connectivity of knots using the southeastern United States (Southeast), an important overwintering and stopover area for this subspecies. Annual mean site fidelity ranged from 0% to 86% across 24 sites. We found movement between sites across the Southeast during migratory and wintering periods, indicating that knots are using the region as interconnected sites, as opposed to relying on a single site or a cluster of adjacent sites. We identified ‘hop migration’ as a common strategy for knots in the region, and showed regular within-year movement between sites in South Carolina, Georgia,<br>and Florida. The Southeast is an understudied part of the rufa range; our results show the importance of the region to the subspecies both as a stopover and wintering area. Despite the inherent biases in the data and imperfect detection due to inconsistent survey effort, the data showed large-scale movements and confirmed the region as a complex of sites connected by knots.
Tucker, A.M., C.P McGowan, B.L. Nuse, J.E. Lyons, C.T. Moore, D.R. Smith, J.A. Sweka, K.A. Anstead, A. DeRose-Wilson, and N.A. Clark. 2023. Estimating recruitment rate and population dynamics at a migratory stopover site using an integrated population model. Ecosphere. \| Abstract	February 2023	Consideration of the full annual cycle population dynamics can provide useful insight for conservation efforts but collecting data needed to estimate demographic parameters is often logistically difficult. For species that breed in remote areas, monitoring is often conducted during migratory stopover or at nonbreeding sites and the recruitment rate of new breeding adults can be difficult to estimate directly. Here we present an integrated population model that uses mark-resight and count data collected during migratory stopover to estimate population growth rate and recruitment rate for an Arctic-breeding shorebird of conservation concern, the red knot (<i>Calidris canutus rufa</i>), from data collected during spring stopover in Delaware Bay, USA from 2005-2018. At this site, red knot feed primarily on the eggs of spawning horseshoe crabs (<i>Limulus polyphemus</i>), a legally harvested species. We used this model to estimate the relationship between horseshoe crab abundance and red knot demographics, which informed a recent revision to framework used to establish horseshoe crab harvest regulations. Our analysis indicates that the red knot population was most likely stable from 2005-2018 (average l = 1.04, 95% CRI: 0.997, 1.07) despite low recruitment rates (average = 0.093, 95% CRI: 0.036, 0.015). Adult survival probability was positively associated with horseshoe crab abundance (β = 0.35, 95% CRI: 0.09, 0.63), but we found no effect of horseshoe crab abundance on recruitment (β = -0.08, 95% CRI: -0.41, 0.38). Our approach demonstrates the utility of integrated population models for understanding full annual cycle population dynamics, even when data are only available from one point of the annual cycle.
Tucker, A.M. and M.C. Runge. 2021. Optimal strategies for managing wildlife harvest under system change. Journal of Wildlife Management, 85(5): 847-854. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22047	April 2021
Tucker et al. and 150 others. Changes in human presence during COVID-19 lockdowns altered the spatial behavior of terrestrial mammals	June 2023
Tucker AM, McGowan CP, Mulero E, Angeli N, Zegarra JP. 2020. A demographic projection model to support conservation decision making for an endangered snake with limited monitoring data. Animal Conservation 24 (2): 291-301. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12641	October 2020
Tucker AM, McGowan CP, Lyons JE, Derose-Wilson A, Clark NA. 2021. Species-specific demographic and behavioral responses to food availability during migratory stopover. Population Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/1438-390X.12094	July 2021
True, M.C., R.W. Perry and W.M. Ford. 2021. Forecasting the Distribution of a Range-Expanding Bat Reveals Future Response to Climate Change and Habitat. Acta Chiropterlogica 23(1) : 139-152	July 2021
True, M.C., R.J. Reynolds and W.M. Ford. 2021. Monitoring and Modeling Tree Bat (Genera: Lasiurus, Lasionycteris) Occurrence Using Acoustics on Structures Off the Mid-Atlantic Coast—Implications for Offshore Wind Development. Animals 11(11), 3146; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113146	November 2021
True, M.C., K.M. Gorman, H. Taylor, R.J. Reynolds and W.M. Ford. 2023. Fall migration, oceanic movement, and site residency patterns of the eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) on the mid-Atlantic Coast. Movement Ecology 2023) 11:35https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-023-00398-x	June 2023
Triano, B., K. M. Kappenman, T. E. McMahon, M. Blank, K. C. Heim, A. E. Parker, A. V. Zale, and K. Plymesser. 2022. Attraction, entrance, and passage efficiency of Arctic Grayling, trout, and suckers at Denil fishways in the Big Hole River Basin, Montana. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 151:453-473. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10362 \| Abstract	May 2022	The Big Hole River basin in southwest Montana supports the only indigenous, self-sustaining fluvial population of Arctic Grayling <i>Thymallus arcticus</i> in the conterminous United States. Denil fishways were installed at 63 low-head irrigation diversion dams in the basin to provide grayling and other fishes year-round access to critical habitats; however, their efficiency has not been evaluated comprehensively. We quantified all components of fishway efficiency (approach, attraction, entrance, and passage) for hatchery-reared grayling, wild trout (Brook Trout <i>Salvelinus fontinalis </i>and Brown Trout <i>Salmo trutta</i>), and wild suckers (White Sucker <i>Catostomus commersonii</i> and Longnose Sucker <i>C. catostomus</i>) during 14 field trials conducted at six Denil fishways over a representative range of fishway slopes and hydraulic conditions using passive integrated transponder telemetry. Attraction (60.4-84.3%) and entrance (44.3-78.6%) efficiencies were variable across test conditions and reduced overall fishway efficiencies (19.1-55.8%). In contrast, upon entry, passage efficiencies were high (96.2-97.0%) for all taxa across all test conditions. Attraction of hatchery-reared grayling was limited at fishways with shallow upstream depths (low fishway discharges) and low attraction flows, but wild fish were less limited by these conditions. Entrance of grayling and trout was limited at deep upstream depths (high fishway discharges) and fishways with steep slopes, especially when plunging entrance conditions associated with shallow downstream depths were present. However, both grayling and trout were more likely to enter fishways with deep downstream depths than those with shallow downstream depths, and deep downstream depths demonstrated promise for increasing entrance at fishways with high discharges and steep slopes. Our results indicate that Denil fishways have enhanced aquatic connectivity for fishes in the Big Hole River basin, and maintaining high attraction flows and deep downstream depths could increase attraction and entrance, thereby improving overall fishway efficiency.
Treanor, H. B., C. S. Guy. J. E. Ilgen, W. M. Sealey, A. T. Dove, and M. A. H. Webb. 2024. Survival and growth of larval pallid sturgeon are improved by a live diet. North American Journal of Aquaculture http://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10340	March 2024
Tracy, E. E., M. J. Brouder, A. C. Iles, C. N. Teal and S. A. Bonar. 2024. Indices for Common North American Fishes. Pages 441 to 786 in S. A. Bonar, N Mercado-Silva, and K. L. Pope, editors. Standard methods to sample North American freshwater fishes. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2024
Tracy, E. E, C. N. Teal, S. J. Ingram, C. J. Jenney, J. D. Grant, and S. A. Bonar. 2021. The Impact of COVID-19 on Freshwater Fisheries Fieldwork and Data Collection. Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10636	July 2021
Tracy, E. E, C. N. Teal, S. J. Ingram, C. J. Jenney, J. D. Grant, and S. A. Bonar. 2021. The Impact of COVID-19 on Freshwater Fisheries Fieldwork and Data Collection. Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10636	July 2021
Torvinen, E.S., Falke, J.A., Arp, C.D., Jones, B.M., Whitman, M.S., and C.E. Zimmerman. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) otoliths indicate effects of climate and lake morphology on growth patterns in Arctic lakes. Ecology of Freshwater Fish.	September 2022
Torolski, H.M., J.M. Long, R.C. Lonsinger, and L.A. Bruckerhoff. 2024. Updated distribution for two freshwater mussel species of conservation concern in Oklahoma. Southeastern Naturalist 23:N44-N49.	September 2024
Tonkin, J.D., J.D. Olden, D.M. Merritt, L.V. Reynolds, J.S. Rogosch, and D.A. Lytle. 2021. Designing flow regimes to support entire river ecosystems. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, fee.2348. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2348	May 2021
Ton, R., and T. E. Martin. 2019. Nest Predation and Adult Mortality Relationships with Post-natal Metabolic Rates and Growth among Temperate and Tropical Songbirds. Journal of Experimental Biology 223: doi: 10.1242/jeb.226563. \| Abstract	September 2020	Variation in life history expression is thought to arise from selection acting through physiological mechanisms, but selection pressures may differ or even conflict between life stages. High offspring predation risk can favor fast growth rates among species that may be achieved by faster post-natal metabolic rates. Faster metabolism, on the other hand, may create costs for adults, such that species with low adult mortality rates may be expected to minimize such adult costs through slower metabolism. Thus, mortality at the two different life stages may differentially influence offspring metabolism. We tested these possibilities among 43 songbird species studied on three continents. We found that nest predation risk and adult mortality probability were indeed interactive in their association with offspring metabolic rates across species. Our results provide a rare example of ecological sources of mortality during different life stages being correlated with post-natal metabolic rate as a mechanism underlying offspring growth.
Toews, D.P.L., G.R. Kramer, A.W. Jones, C.L. Brennan, B.E. Cloud, D.E. Andersen, I.J. Lovette, and H. Streby. 2020. Genomic identification of intergeneric hybrids in New World wood-warblers (Aves: Parulidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 131:183–191. doi10.1093/biolinnean/blaa085 \| Publisher Website	July 2020
Todd Zaragoza MI, AJ DuVall, JA Howard, DM Mazurkiewicz, and SJ Converse. 2023. Laying sequence and oceanographic factors affect egg size in Scripps's Murrelets Synthliboramphus scrippsi at Santa Barbara Island. Marine Ornithology 51:1-9.	April 2023
Thurow, R.F., J.T. Peterson, G.L. Chandler, C. M. Moffitt, and T. C. Bjornn. 2020 Concealment of Juvenile Bull Trout in Response to Temperature, Light, and Substrate: Implications for Detection. PloS ONE https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237716	September 2020
Thurner SD, SJ Converse, and TA Branch. 2021. Modeling opportunistic exploitation: increased extinction risk when targeting more than one species. Ecological Modelling 454:109611.	August 2021
Thorne, E.D., M.L. Fies and W.M. Ford. 2024. Home-Range Size and Resource Use by Eastern Spotted Skunks in Virginia. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 11:206–214	May 2024
Thorne, E.D., K.E. Powers, R.J. Reynolds, M.E. Beckner, K.A. Ellis and W.M. Ford. 2022. Comparison of survey methods to maximize detection of a declining rodent, the Allegheny woodrat Neotoma magister, in Virginia. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management.13:396-406	December 2022
Thorne, E.D., K.E. Powers, R.J. Reynolds, M.E. Beckner, K.A. Ellis and W.M. Ford. 2022. Comparison of survey methods to maximize detection of a declining rodent, the Allegheny woodrat Neotoma magister, in Virginia. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management.13:396-406	December 2022
Thorne, E.D. and W.M. Ford. 2021. Contemporary *Distribution of the Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius) in Virginia* . Southeastern Naturalist 20:39-51	July 2021
Thompson, T.J., M.A. Briggs, P.J. Phillips, V.S. Blazer, K.L. Smalling, D.W. Kolpin, T. Wagner. 2020. Groundwater discharges as a source of phytoestrogens and other agriculturally derived contaminants to streams. Science of the Total Environment.	October 2020
Thompson, T.J., M.A. Briggs, P.J. Phillips, V.S. Blazer, K.L. Smalling, D.W. Kolpin, T. Wagner. 2020. Groundwater discharges as a source of phytoestrogens and other agriculturally derived contaminants to streams. Science of the Total Environment.	October 2020
Thompson, L. M., A. J. Lynch, E. A. Beever, A. C. Engman, J. A. Falke, S. T. Jackson, T. J. Krabbenhoft, D. J. Lawrence, D. Limpinsel, R. T. Magill, T. A. Melvin, J. M. Morton, R. A. Newman, J. Peterson, M. T. Porath, F. J. Rahel, S. A. Sethi, J. L. Wilkening. 2021. When is resistance futile? Resisting, accepting, or directing ecosystem transformation. Fisheries. 46:8-21. DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10506	January 2021
Thompson, C.J. and J.W. Cain III. 2024. Biological feasibility of introducing bighorn sheep to the Jicarilla Apache Nation. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS–159–2024, Washington, D.C. \| Download	November 2024
Thompson BK, SJ Converse and JD Olden. 2021. Mechanistic invasive species management models and their application in conservation. Conservation Science and Practice 3:e533. \| Abstract	September 2021	Management strategies to address the challenges associated with invasive species are critical for effective conservation. An increasing variety of mathematical models offer insight into invasive populations, and can help managers identify cost effective prevention, control, and eradication actions. Despite this, as model complexity grows, so does the inaccessibility of these tools to conservation practitioners making decisions about management. Here, we seek to narrow the science-practice gap by reviewing invasive species management models (ISMMs). We define ISMMs as mechanistic models used to explore invasive species management strategies, and include reaction-advection-diffusion models, integrodifference equations, gravity models, particle transport models, non-spatial and spatial discrete-time population growth models, cellular automata, and individual-based models. For each approach, we describe the model framework and its implementation, discuss strengths and weaknesses, and give examples of conservation applications. We conclude by discussing how ISMMs can be used in concert with adaptive management to address scientific uncertainties impeding action and with multiple objective decision processes to evaluate tradeoffs among management objectives. We undertook this review to support more effective decision-making involving invasive species by providing conservation practitioners with the information they need to identify tools most useful for their applications.
Themelin, M., C. A. Ribic, K. Melillo-Sweeting, and K. M. Dudzinski. 2020. A new approach to the study of relationship quality in dolphins: framework and preliminary results. Behavioural Processes 181:104260. doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2020.104260	December 2020
Tharp, RM, NJ Hostetter, AB Paxton, JC Taylor, JA Buckel. 2024. Artificial structure selection by economically important reef fishes at North Carolina artificial reefs. Frontiers in Marine Science 11:1373494. doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1373494.	April 2024
Tetzlaff, S.J., Sperry, J.H. and DeGregorio, B.A., 2022. You can go your own way: No evidence for social behavior based on kinship or familiarity in captive juvenile box turtles. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 248, p.105586. \| Download	February 2022
Tetzlaff, S.J., Estrada, A., DeGregorio, B.A. and Sperry, J.H., 2020. Identification of Factors Affecting Predation Risk for Juvenile Turtles Using 3D Printed Models. Animals, 10(2), p.275. \| Download	February 2020
TenHarmsel, H. J., B. B. Boley, B. J. Irwin, and C. A. Jennings. 2021. Perceived constraints and negotiations to trout fishing in Georgia based on angler specialization level. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:115-129. doi:10.1002/nafm.10540 \| Abstract	February 2021	Anglers face constraints that influence participation and dropout rates. Some recreational anglers may be able to negotiate constraints by altering the timing or frequency of participation, acquiring new skills, or modifying non-recreational aspects such as family or work responsibilities. We consider data collected via a mail survey from Georgia-resident trout license holders to identify both perceived constraints and strategies used to negotiate them. To capture variation among anglers, survey responses were grouped by level of angler specialization using K-means cluster analysis, which resulted in a three-cluster solution of most, moderate, and least specialized anglers. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were used to detect potential differences among the three specialization clusters. Tests revealed the least specialized anglers experienced constraints more frequently (mean=1.74 on a 4-point scale) than the most (1.55) or moderately (1.64) specialized anglers. Likewise, lease specialized anglers negotiated constraints (mean=2.81 on a 5-point scale) less frequently than the most (3.00) or moderately (2.75) specialized anglers. The least specialized anglers used negotiation strategies involving overcoming perceived lack of skill more frequently than their counterparts. The most commonly experienced constraints overall were lack of time due to work or family obligations and distance of Georgia’s trout waters from home. The most frequently used negotiation strategies overall were “learn to enjoy being outside and stress less about catching fish” (mean=3.86/5) and “encourage family or friends to go fishing with me” (mean=3.61/5). This research benefits fishery managers by providing a method of identifying angling groups that perceive more constraints and are less likely to overcome these constraints through constraint negotiation strategies. With this information, managers may choose to tailor efforts towards reducing constraints for angling groups that have low participation and may drop out of the activity all together.
TenHarmsel, H. J., B. B. Boley, B. J. Irwin, and C. A. Jennings. 2021. Perceived constraints and negotiations to trout fishing in Georgia based on angler specialization level. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:115-129. doi:10.1002/nafm.10540 \| Abstract	February 2021	Anglers face constraints that influence participation and dropout rates. Some recreational anglers may be able to negotiate constraints by altering the timing or frequency of participation, acquiring new skills, or modifying non-recreational aspects such as family or work responsibilities. We consider data collected via a mail survey from Georgia-resident trout license holders to identify both perceived constraints and strategies used to negotiate them. To capture variation among anglers, survey responses were grouped by level of angler specialization using K-means cluster analysis, which resulted in a three-cluster solution of most, moderate, and least specialized anglers. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were used to detect potential differences among the three specialization clusters. Tests revealed the least specialized anglers experienced constraints more frequently (mean=1.74 on a 4-point scale) than the most (1.55) or moderately (1.64) specialized anglers. Likewise, lease specialized anglers negotiated constraints (mean=2.81 on a 5-point scale) less frequently than the most (3.00) or moderately (2.75) specialized anglers. The least specialized anglers used negotiation strategies involving overcoming perceived lack of skill more frequently than their counterparts. The most commonly experienced constraints overall were lack of time due to work or family obligations and distance of Georgia’s trout waters from home. The most frequently used negotiation strategies overall were “learn to enjoy being outside and stress less about catching fish” (mean=3.86/5) and “encourage family or friends to go fishing with me” (mean=3.61/5). This research benefits fishery managers by providing a method of identifying angling groups that perceive more constraints and are less likely to overcome these constraints through constraint negotiation strategies. With this information, managers may choose to tailor efforts towards reducing constraints for angling groups that have low participation and may drop out of the activity all together.
Teitelbaum, C.S. (2024). Species diversity links land consolidation to rodent disease. Nature Ecology & Evolution. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02584-5	November 2024
Teige, E.C., N.J. Parker, M.P. Vhay, and D.A. Haukos. 2022. Durability and longevity of Tympanuchus pallidicinctus (Lesser Prairie-Chicken) fence tags in Kansas and Colorado. Ecological Restoration 40:83-87. doi:10.3368/er.40.2.83	June 2022
Teige, E.C., L.A. Berigan, C.S.H. Aulicky, J.H. Reitz, D.A. Haukos, D.S. Sullins, K.A. Fricke, K.A. Schultz, and L.G. Rossi. 2023. Assessment of lesser prairie-chicken translocation through survival and lek counts. Wildlife Society Bulletin 2023:e1493.	October 2023
Teige, E. C., L. A. Berigan, C. Aulicky, J. H. Reitz, D. A. Haukos, D. S. Sullins, K. A. Fricke, K. A. Schultz, L. G. Rossi. 2023. Assessment of lesser prairie-chicken translocation through survival and lek surveys. Wildlife Society Bulletin 47:e1493. DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1493.	October 2023
Teal, C.N., Schill, D.J., Bauder, J.M., Fogelson, S.B., Fitzsimmons, K., Stewart, W.T., Culver, M. and Bonar, S.A., 2024. The effects of estradiol‐17β on the sex reversal, survival, and growth of Red Shiner and its use in the development of YY individuals. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 86(1), pp.110-129. https://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10314	January 2024
Teal, C. N., D. Katharine Coykendall, Matthew R. Campbell, Thomas A. Delomas, Daniel L. Eardley, John A. Erwin, Daniel J. Schill, Javan M. Bauder, Scott A. Bonar and Melanie Culver. 2023. The development of genetic sex identification markers and evidence of a male heterogametic sex determination system in Red Shiner Cyprinella lutrensis. North American Journal of Aquaculture 85:(1)74-86.	October 2022
Teal, C. N., D. J. Schill, S. B. Fogelson, C. M. Roberts, K. Fitzsimmons, J. M. Bauder, W. T. Stewart and S. A. Bonar. 2023. The effects of estradiol-17β on the sex reversal, survival, and growth of green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus. Aquaculture. 562, 738853	January 2023
Teal, C. N., D. J. Schill, S. B. Fogelson, C. M. Roberts, K. Fitzsimmons and S. A. Bonar 2022. Development of Aquaculture Protocols and Gonadal Differentiation of Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus). Aquaculture 547 (2022) 737515	January 2022
Teal, C. N., D. J. Schill, S. B. Fogelson, C. M. Roberts, K. Fitzsimmons and S. A. Bonar 2022. Development of Aquaculture Protocols and Gonadal Differentiation of Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus). Aquaculture 547 (2022) 737515	January 2022
Teal, C. N., D. J. Schill, S. B. Fogelson and S. A. Bonar. 2021. Development of aquaculture protocols and gonadal differentiation of Red Shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis). North American Journal of Aquaculture. Early View.	January 2021
Taylor, W. W., C. P. Ferreri, A. K. Carlson, and A. Bennett. 2020. Preface. In: Lessons in Leadership: Integrating Courage, Vision, and Innovation for the Future of Sustainable Fisheries. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874608	August 2020
Taylor, W. W., A. K. Carlson, A. Bennett, and C. P. Ferreri, editors. 2020. Lessons in Leadership: Integrating Courage, Vision, and Innovation for the Future of Sustainable Fisheries. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. 418 pages.	August 2020
Taylor, R. B., Mather, M. E., Smith, J. M., Gerber-Boles, K. 2021. Can identifying discrete behavioral groups with individual-based acoustic telemetry advance the understanding of fish distribution patterns? Frontiers in Marine Science (section Global Change and the Future Ocean). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.723025 \| Abstract	October 2021	Complex relationships between human and natural ecosystems in human-dominated coastalscapes can be negotiated through science-based, data-driven conservation. To be effective for biodiversity and other issues, however, conservation needs to address processes related to field-based patterns of organismal distribution. Organismal distribution patterns in geographically-large, spatially-heterogeneous, and temporally-dynamic field environments can be challenging to identify using existing approaches. Here we show how dynamic-distribution telemetry data<b> </b>can provide a detailed temporal record of how individuals are distributed that provides new directions for a range of basic and applied questions beyond those issues traditionally explored by telemetry. To illustrate the advantages that accrue from this approach, we explored the connection between discrete groups of coexisting, same-species, same-size individuals and patterns of field distribution. We quantified locations of 59 acoustically-tagged striped bass (<i>Morone saxatilis) </i>within a 26-stationary unit telemetry receiver estuarine array in Plum Island Estuary. We then used cluster analyses on spatial and temporal-spatial metrics from this dataset to (1) assess if distinct groups of individuals coexisted, (2) quantify group characteristics, and (3) test associations between groups and distribution (e.g., physical site types and regions). Four discrete, co-occurring groups of similar-sized, individual striped bass were defined by different patterns of spatio-temporal use of physical habitat types and estuarine regions. Thus, our approach provides a different view of spatial distribution patterns, in a geographic area adjacent to dense human settlements, that has relevance to a wide range of ecological, evolutionary, behavioral, and conservation questions relevant to human-dominated coastalscapes.
Taylor, R. B., M. E. Mather, J. M. Smith, and K. M. Gerber. 2019. Confluences function as ecological hotspots: geomorphic and regional drivers can identify patterns of fish predator distribution within a seascape. Marine Ecology Progress Series. MEPS 629:133-148. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13088.	December 2019
Taylor, J.M., N.M. Roberts, and S.M. Crimmins. 2022. Assessing Winter Habitat by River Otters Using Aerial Surveys. Wildlife Society Bulletin 46:e1349 https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1349.	September 2022
Taylor, D.A.R., R.W. Perry, W.M. Ford and D.A. Miller. 2020. Bats and forest management. Bat Conservation International, Austin, TX and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service White-nose Syndrome Program, Hadley, MA. 25 p.	November 2020
Taylor, C., La Peyre MK, Sable S., Kiskadon E, Baustian M. 2020. Gear Comparison Study for Sampling Nekton in Barataria Basin Marshes. 66 pp. https://thewaterinstitute.org/reports	June 2020
Taylor, AT, MR Bangs, and JM. Long. 2021. Sibship reconstruction from single-nucleotide polymorphisms illuminates the scope of a cryptic aquatic species invasion. Biological Invasions 23:569-580. doi:10.1007/s10530-020-02384-5	November 2020
Taylor, A.T., T. Hafen, C.T. Holley, A. Gonzalez, and J.M. Long. 2020. Spatial sampling bias and model complexity in stream-based species distribution models: a case study of Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) in the Arkansas River basin, U.S.A. Ecology and Evolution 10:705-717. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5913	January 2020
Taylor, A.T., J.M. Long, R.A. Snow, and M.J. Porta. 2020. Hybridization and population genetics of Alligator Gar in Lake Texoma. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:544-554.	June 2020
Taylor, A.T., A.M. Peeper, B. Chapagain, O. Joshi, and J.M. Long. 2022. Modern reporting methods for angler tag-return studies: trends in data quality, choice of method, and future consideration. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42:189-199. DOI: 10.1002/nafj.10738	January 2022
Taylor, A. T., and J. M. Long. 2022. Assessment of invasion extent of Asian Swamp Eels in ponds and backwater marshes adjacent to the Chattahoochee River, with consideration of management and control strategies. Natural Resource Report NPS/CHAT/NRR—2022/2357. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.	February 2022
Taylor CB, Nyman JA, La Peyre MK. 2022. Effects of freshwater inflow on nekton assemblages and blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, populations in southeastern Louisiana. Aquatic Biology DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00748 \| Abstract	January 2022	High fisheries production within estuaries is associated with coastal upwelling, tidal mixing, and land-based runoff including river inflows that vary from climate and human activities. Understanding how estuarine nekton respond to changing river flows remains critical to manage these systems to maintain fisheries production. To compare effects of different river inflows on nekton, we quantified nekton assemblages in marsh edge and open water sites within an active and inactive delta system. Crustaceans dominated assemblages with Palaemonid shrimp contributing 44% to 65% of total catch, differing only by season, and not delta; summer and fall generally supporting higher densities. In contrast, fish density and assemblages differed seasonally between deltas with the largest differences occurring during extended and high spring river discharge into the active delta. During this period, the active delta experienced lowered salinity, temperature, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) biomass, and reduced fish densities and richness compared to the inactive delta. Active delta sites supported greater biomass of <i>Callinectes sapidus</i> during the fall at marsh edge sites compared to other season and delta combinations. Nekton densities and habitat use patterns across deltas and seasons reflect a combination of life history characteristics of dominant species and habitat conditions. The high spring river discharge in 2019 impacted habitat availability (reduced SAV biomass), habitat quality (decreased temperatures and salinity), and potentially displaced nekton to un-sampled habitat areas (i.e., interior marsh surface) within the active delta. Understanding how altered inflow impacts environmental and habitat variables supporting estuarine nekton production remains critical to support management.
Tang, Z., Y. Zhang, Y. Wang, Y. Shang, R. Viegut, E. Webb, A. Raedeke and J. Sartwell. Drones and Machine Learning Integration in Waterfowl Population Surveys. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Tools With Artificial Intelligence \| Abstract	December 2021	The rapid technological development of drones has led to an increase in capabilities of aerial image collection and analysis for wildlife monitoring. Historically, wildlife abundance estimates were based on manual counts from the ground or from the air using fix-winged aircraft over the regions, both of which are expensive and potentially dangerous methods. However, drones can help easily collect aerial images with a limited budget and increased flexibility, as it creates less disturbance to the wildlife, allowing us to get closer to the target animals and providing clearer images. In this paper, we propose a new, integrated system of drones and machine learning for waterfowl population surveys, which provides a user-friendly interface for data collection and integrates data post-processing using deep learning methods to detect and count waterfowl automatically. Our system has proved to be an efficient and accurate approach of collecting, analyzing, and providing outputs of waterfowl abundance estimates using drones and machine learning.
Takahashi, F., F. Sanders, and P.G.R. Jodice. 2021. Spatial and Temporal Overlap between Foraging Shorebirds and Spawning Horseshoe Crabs (Limulus polyphemus) in the Cape Romain - Santee Delta Region of the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Wilson Journal of Ornithology. https://doi.org/10.1676/21-00009 \| Download	October 2021
Tabak, Michael A., Norouzzadeh, Mohammad S., Wolfson, David W., Newton, Erica J., Boughton, Raoul K., Ivan, Jacob S., Odell, Eric, Newkirk, Eric S., Conrey, Reesa Y., Stenglein, Jennifer L., Iannarilli, Fabiola, Erb, John, Brook, Ryan K., Davis, Amy J., Lewis, Jesse S., Walsh, Daniel P., Beasley, James C, Vercauteren, Kurt C., Clune, Jeff, Miller, Ryan S. 2020. Improving the accessibility and transferability of machine learning algorithms for identification of animals in camera trap images: MLWIC2. Ecology and Evolution 10: 10374-10383. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6692	January 2020
T Mitchell, B Folt, J Hall. 2021. Dumpsters and other anthropogenic structures as habitat for invasive African rock agama lizards in Florida. Biological Invasions 23: 2689–2693. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02537-0	April 2021
Şen, B., C. Che-Castaldo and H. R. Akçakaya. 2024. The potential for species distribution models to distinguish source populations from sinks. Journal of Animal Ecology, 00:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365- 2656.14201 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	October 2024	1. While species distribution models (SDM) are frequently used to predict species occurrences to help inform conservation management, there is limited evidence evaluating whether habitat suitability can reliably predict intrinsic growth rates or distinguish source populations from sinks. Filling this knowledge gap is criti- cal for conservation science, as applications of SDMs for management purposes ultimately depend on these typically unobserved population or metapopulation dynamics.<br><br>2. Using linear regression, we associated previously published population level es- timates of intrinsic growth and abundance derived from a Bayesian analysis of mark-recapture data for 17 bird species found in the contiguous United States with SDM habitat suitability estimates fitted here to opportunistic data for these same species. We then used the area under the ROC curve (AUC) to measure how well SDMs can distinguish populations categorized as sources and sinks. We built SDMs using two different approaches, boosted regression trees (BRT) and generalized linear models (GLM), and compared their source/sink predictive per- formance. Each SDM was built with presence points obtained from eBird (a web- available database) and 10 environmental variables previously selected to model intrinsic growth rates and abundance for these species.<br><br>3. We show that SDMs built with opportunistic data are poor predictors of species demography in general; both BRT and GLM explained very little spatial variation of intrinsic growth rate and population abundance (median R2 across 17 species was close to 0.1 for both SDM methods). SDMs, however, estimated higher suit- ability for source populations as compared to sinks. Out of 13 species which had both source and sink populations, both BRT and GLM had AUC values greater than 0.7 for 7 species when discriminating between sources and sinks.<br><br>4. Habitat suitability have the potential to be a useful measure to indicate a popula- tion's ability to sustain itself as a source population; however more research on a diverse set of taxa is essential to fully explore this potential. This interpreta- tion of habitat suitability can be particularly useful for conservation practice, and identification of explicit cases of when and how SDMs fail to match population demography can be informative for advancing ecological theory.
Sévêque, A., R. C. Lonsinger, L. P. Waits, K. E. Brzeski, L. M. Komoroske, C. N. Ott-Conn, S. L. Mayhew, D. C. Norton, T. R. Petroelje, J. D. Swenson, and D. J. Morin. In Review. Sources of bias in applying close-kin mark–recapture to terrestrial game species with different life histories. Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.4244 \| Abstract	January 2024	1. Close-kin mark–recapture (CKMR) is a method analogous to traditional mark–recapture but without requiring recapture of individuals. Instead, multilocus genotypes (genetic marks) are used to identify proportions of related individuals detected in a single sampling occasion. An advantage of this novel method is that it enables the opportunistic use of samples from harvested wildlife. While the CKMR framework is mathematically straightforward, meeting key model assumptions is required to yield reliable results. Thus, it is important to explore the strengths and limitations of this emerging method under a range of scenarios to reveal potential obstacles and evaluate implications of violating model assumptions.<br>2. We used forward-in-time, individual-based simulations to evaluate the accuracy and precision of CKMR abundance and survival estimates in species with different longevities, mating systems, and sampling strategies. Simulated populations approximated a range of life histories among long-lived game species of North America with lethal sampling to evaluate the potential of using harvested samples to estimate population size. We conclude with a simulated example using a harvested Michigan black bear <i>Ursus americanus</i> population.<br>3. Our simulations show that CKMR can yield non-trivial biases in both survival and abundance estimates if deviations from the core assumptions are not explicitly incorporated in the modeling framework. The number of related kin pairs observed in the sample, in combination with the type of close kin estimator used (parent-offspring pairs or half-sibling pairs), can affect the precision and accuracy of the estimates. The Michigan black bear population exemplifies our findings, with biases in estimated population abundance ranging from -12% to +99%.<br>4. CKMR is a promising method that will likely see an increasing number of applications in the field as costs of genetic analyses continue to decline. However, our work highlights the importance of evaluating and accounting for all relevant parameters linked to the species of interest and the protocol through which individuals were sampled. Population simulations will be key to developing and validating increasingly complex models and making CKMR applicable to a greater number of species and systems.
Syslo, J. M., T. O. Brenden, C. S. Guy, T. M. Koel, P. E. Bigelow, P. D. Doepke, J. L. Arnold, and B. E. Ertel. 2020. Could ecological release buffer suppression efforts for non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park? Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77:1010-1025.	June 2020
Sweka, J.A. and T. Wagner. 2021. Influence of seasonal extreme flows on Brook Trout recruitment. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10347	December 2021
Sweet, A.D., R. Wilson, J. Reakoff, S. Sonsthagen, C. Hurst, and S. Pirro. The Complete Genome Sequence of Splendidofilaria pectoralis (Onchocercidae, Rhabditida, Chromadorea, Nematoda). Biodiversity Genomes. doi: 10.56179/001c.126786	December 2024
Sweet, A. D., R. E. Wilson, S. A. Sonsthagen, and K. P. Johnson. 2020. Lousy grouse: Comparing evolutionary patterns in Alaska galliform lice to understand host evolution and host-parasite interactions. Ecology and Evolution. 10:8379–8393.	July 2020
Swedberg, D., R. Mollenhauer, and S. K. Brewer. 2023. Factors driving spring associated species in naturally isolated ecoregions. Ecology and Evolution 13, e10701. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10701	December 2023
Swearingen, T. C., R. W. Klaver, C. R. A. Anderson, and C. N. Jacques. 2023. Influence of camera model and alignment on the performance of paired camera stations. Wildlife Society Bulletin 47:NIL_1-NIL_11.	June 2023
Swam LM, La Peyre MK, Couvillion B, Callam B, La Peyre JF. 2022 Defining oyster resource zones across coastal Louisiana for restoration and aquaculture. Ocean and Coastal Management \| Abstract	April 2022	Eastern oysters (<i>Crassostrea virginica</i>) are a critical ecological and commercial resource in the northern Gulf of Mexico facing changing environmental conditions from river management and climate change. In Louisiana, USA, development of restored reefs, and off-bottom aquaculture would benefit from the identification of locations supportive of sustainable oyster populations (<i>i.e.,</i> metapopulations) and high consistent production. This study defines four oyster resource zones across coastal Louisiana based on environmental conditions known to affect oyster survival, growth, and reproduction. Daily data from 2015 – 2019 were interpolated to generate salinity and temperature profiles across Louisiana’s estuaries, which were then used to classify zones based on monthly and annual salinity mean and variance. Zones were classified as supportive of (1) broodstock sanctuary reefs (i.e., support reproductive populations), (2) productive reefs during dry (salty) years, (3) productive reefs during wet (fresh) years, and (4) off-bottom aquaculture development. Of the 38,000 km<sup>2</sup> investigated, over 11,000 km<sup>2</sup> of potential oyster zone area was identified across the Louisiana coast. The Broodstock Sanctuary Zone was the smallest (~540 km<sup>2</sup>), as salinity variance limited this zone in many areas, as it is driven largely by riverine inputs across many estuaries. Located up-estuary (Dry Restoration Zone) and down-estuary (Wet Restoration Zone) of the Broodstock Sanctuary Zone, Dry and Wet Restoration Zone areas covered ~2,400 km<sup>2</sup> and ~3,900 km<sup>2</sup>, respectively. Existing mapped reefs in Louisiana currently exist largely within the Dry Restoration zones, suggesting a potential strategy to focus reef development in Wet Restoration zones to ensure reef network sustainability through years with high precipitation and river inflow. The off-bottom Aquaculture Zone was the largest (~6,400 km<sup>2</sup>) zone identified, with much of this area located more down-estuary and off-shore. Accounting for variable water quality conditions enables the development of a network of reefs resilient to environmental variability, and more stable areas for consistent off-bottom aquaculture production. Spatial planning and identification of oyster resource zones reduces focus on individual reef success and supports management of oyster metapopulation outcomes, while identifying zones supportive of off-bottom aquaculture.
Swam L, Marshall D, La Peyre MK. 2022. Five years of monitoring of bio-engineered living shoreline oyster reef development. Cooperator Science Series 139-2022.	February 2022
Swam L, La Peyre MK, Callam B, La Peyre JF. 2022 Local populations of eastern oyster from Louisiana differ in their tolerance to low salinity. North American Journal of Aquaculture. \| Abstract	July 2022	Eastern oysters support a critical commercial industry and provide many ecosystem services to coastal estuaries yet are currently threatened by changing estuarine conditions. A changing climate alongside river and coastal management strategies are affecting freshwater inflows into productive oyster areas, causing more frequent and extreme salinity exposure. Although oysters are tolerant to a wide range of salinity means and variation, more frequent and extreme exposure to low salinity (< 5) impacts oyster populations and aquaculture operations. This study assessed four Louisiana, USA oyster stocks to explore population-specific responses to low salinity exposure. Hatchery-produced progeny (< 25 mm) were deployed in baskets kept off-bottom on longline systems in a low salinity (mean ± 1 SEM daily salinity of 8.7 ± 0.2, ranging 1.2 – 19.0) and a moderate salinity (mean ± 1 SEM daily salinity of 16.8 ± 0.3, ranging 4.8 – 30.0) environment for one year with growth and mortality determined monthly. Significant differences in cumulative mortality between stocks at the end of the study were found at the low salinity site, with the greatest increase in cumulative mortality occurring mid-July to mid-August. Mortality differences between stocks suggest that discrete oyster populations may be better suited to low salinity or low salinity events than others. This difference may be attributed to similarity between site of origin and grow out site conditions and/or to greater salinity variability and therefore higher phenotypic plasticity in some oyster populations compared to others. The identification of oyster stocks able to survive under extreme low salinity conditions would facilitate the development of “low salinity tolerant” broodstock to support aquaculture in areas experiencing and predicted to experience low salinity events.
Suraci, Justin P., et al. "Disturbance type and species life history predict mammal responses to humans." Global change biology 27.16 (2021): 3718-3731. \| Abstract	August 2021	Human activity and land use change impact every landscape on Earth, driving declines in many animal species while benefiting others. Species ecological and life history traits may predict success in human-dominated landscapes such that only species with “winning” combinations of traits will persist in disturbed environments. However, this link between species traits and successful coexistence with humans remains obscured by the complexity of anthropogenic disturbances and variability among study systems. We compiled detection data for 24 mammal species from 61 populations across North America to quantify the effects of (1) the direct presence of people and (2) the human footprint (landscape modification) on mammal occurrence and activity levels. Thirty-three percent of mammal species exhibited a net negative response (i.e., reduced occurrence or activity) to increasing human presence and/or footprint across populations, whereas 58% of species were positively associated with increasing disturbance. However, apparent benefits of human presence and footprint tended to decrease or disappear at higher disturbance levels, indicative of thresholds in mammal species’ capacity to tolerate disturbance or exploit human-dominated landscapes. Species ecological and life history traits were strong predictors of their responses to human footprint, with increasing footprint favoring smaller, less carnivorous, faster-reproducing species. The positive and negative effects of human presence were distributed more randomly with respect to species trait values, with apparent winners and losers across a range of body sizes and dietary guilds. Differential responses by some species to human presence and human footprint highlight the importance of considering these two forms of human disturbance separately when estimating anthropogenic impacts on wildlife. Our approach provides insights into the complex mechanisms through which human activities shape mammal communities globally, revealing the drivers of the loss of larger predators in human-modified landscapes.
Sun, C.C., J.E. Hurst, and A.K. Fuller. 2021. Citizen science data collection for integrated wildlife population analyses. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2021.682124	June 2021
Sullivan, L., Jones, M. S., Jimenez, M. F., Dodgson, K. R., & Storrs, E. L. (2022). Justice discourses in the mainstream environmental movement, 30 years after the SWOP letter. Environmental Justice. https://doi.org/10.1089/env.2022.0025 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	November 2022	Calls for the mainstream environmental movement to engage more closely with the work of social justice have been pervasive for over three decades, marked by demands for large environmental organizations to diversify their staff and center the voices of those living in frontline communities. These calls, first made prominent by the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) in 1990, have grown in intensity in recent years as rampant inequalities compound environmental crises, illustrating that environmental protection cannot be decoupled from social justice. In this paper, we draw on public statements released by large environmental organizations in the wake of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests to examine how their use of language around racial and social justice today reflects early calls for the environmental movement to address its own problematic legacies and align its aims with the work of environmental justice. Our findings suggest that organizations are leaning into four distinct discourses around justice that evoke ideas of <i>solidarity, heroism, internal reform, and redress of problematic legacies</i>, but also indicate a relative lack of attention to ideological or structural change within the movement. We explore the historical context of these findings, paying particular attention to the ways in which the neoliberalization of the non-profit sector over the last 30 years may have limited opportunities for more emancipatory discourses to emerge. We conclude with a call for mainstream environmental organizations to revisit the SWOP letter and explore new ways to couple internal cultural change with deeper institutional reform.
Sullivan, C.J., K.E. Whitlock, J.F. Hansen, and D.A. Isermann. 2020. Assessing the potential to mitigate climate-related expansion of largemouth bass populations using angler harvest. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77:520-533. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2019-0035	January 2020
Sullivan, C. J., M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce, and C. A. Camacho. A comparison of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) population characteristics upstream and downstream of Lock and Dam 19 of the Upper Mississippi River. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11(1):99-111. https://doi.org/10.3996/062019-JFWM-046.	June 2020
Sullins, D.S., W.C. Conway, D.A. Haukos, and C.E. Comer. 2019. Using pointing dogs and hierarchical models to evaluate American woodcock winter habitat. Proceedings of American Woodcock Symposium 11:154-167.	December 2019
Sullins, D.S., D. A. Haukos, J. D. Kraft, J. M. Lautenbach, J. D. Lautenbach, R. T. Plumb, S. G. Robinson, J. M. Shawn Hutchinson, M. B. Rice, and B. K. Sandercock. 2019. Strategic regional conservation for lesser prairie-chickens among landscapes of varying anthropogenic influence. Biological Conservation 238:108213. (Shortlisted for The Wildlife Society's best journal article of 2020)	December 2021
Sullins, D. S., W. C. Conway, D. A. Haukos, and C. E. Comer. 2019. Using pointing dogs and hierarchical models to evaluate American woodcock winter habitat. Proceedings of the American Woodcock Symposium 11:154–167. No DOI available.	October 2020
Sullins, D. S., M. Bogaerts, B. H. F. Verheijen, D. E. Naugle, T. Griffiths, and C. A. Hagen. 2021. Increasing durability of voluntary conservation through strategic implementation of the Conservation Reserve Program. Biological Conservation 259:109177. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109177	November 2022
Suarez B & TB Grabowski. 2021. Estimating detection and occupancy coefficients for the Pacific Islands coral reef fish species. Hawaii Cooperative Fishery Research Unit Technical Report Series HCFRU-001. University of Hawaii at Hilo. Available online at: hdl.handle.net/10790/5553 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2021	The data-limited stock assessment models used to monitor the status of coral reef fish species in the Western Pacific region are dependent upon accurate estimates of standing stock biomass generated from underwater visual surveys of reefs. However, the imperfect detection of and variable occupancy of habitat by reef fishes are not currently accounted for in these estimates. Therefore, the objective of this project was to estimate detection and occupancy coefficients for the species listed in the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Fishery Ecosystem Plans by analyzing the Pacific Island Fishery Science Center-Coral Reef Ecosystem Program Reef Fish Dataset. These detection and occupancy coefficients would then be applied to refine standing stock biomass estimates. In general, species with higher detection probabilities and/or lower occupancy rates tended to exhibit the greatest differences in the estimates of standing stock biomass calculated with and without accounting for detection and occupancy. The standing stock biomass of most reef fish species seem to be underestimated when detection and occupancy are not accounted for. However, the standing stock biomass of larger-bodied targeted species, such as jacks, snappers, and groupers, seem to be over-estimated relative to the estimates generated when accounting for occupancy and detection. Based on the re-estimated standing stock biomass. While there are still issues to resolve regarding how well the current data collection methods meet the underlying assumptions of the detection and occupancy modeling approach, the inclusion of detection and occupancy coefficients seems likely to improve estimates of standing stock biomass of coral reef fish species.
Stuber, EF, BC Carlson, and B Jesmer. 2022. Many avenues for spatial personality research: a response to comments on Stuber et al. 2022. Behavioral Ecology 33(3): 492-3 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac018 \| Abstract	June 2022	NA
Stuber, E.F., O. Robinson, E.R. Bjerre, M.C. Otto, B.A. Millsap, G.S. Zimmerman, M. G. Brasher, K. M. Ringelman, A.M.V. Fournier, A. Yetter, J.E. Isola, V. Ruiz-Gutierrez. The potential of semi-structured citizen science data as a supplement for conservation decision-making: Validating the performance of eBird against targeted avian monitoring efforts. 270, p.109556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109556	June 2022
Stuber, E.F., Gruber, L.F. 2020. Recent Methodological Solutions to Identifying Scales of Effect in Multi-scale Modeling. Current Landscape Ecology Reports 5, 127–139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40823-020-00055-8	January 2020
Stuber, E.F., C.J. Chizinski, J.J. Lusk, and J.J. Fontaine. 2019. Multivariate models and analyses. Pp. 32-62 in L.A. Brennan, A.N. Tri, and B.G. Marcot (editors). Quantitative Analyses in Wildlife Science. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.	December 2019
Stuber, E.F. and J.J. Fontaine. 2019. How characteristic is the species characteristic selection scale? Global Ecology and Biogeography 28:1839-1854. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12998	December 2019
Stuber, E., B. Carlson, and B. Jesmer. Spatial Personalities: a meta-analysis of consistent individual differences in spatial behavior. Behavioral Ecology. 33(3): 477-86. DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab147 \| Abstract	June 2022	Individual variation in behavior, particularly consistent among-individual differences (i.e., personality), has important ecological and evolutionary implications for population and community dynamics, trait divergence, and patterns of speciation. Nevertheless, individual variation in spatial behaviors, such as home range behavior, movement characteristics, or habitat use has yet to be incorporated into the concepts or methodologies of ecology and evolutionary biology. To evaluate evidence for the existence of consistent among-individual differences in spatial behavior – which we refer to as “spatial personality” – we performed a meta-analysis of 200 repeatability estimates of home range size, movement metrics, and habitat use. We found that the existence of spatial personality is a general phenomenon, with consistently high repeatability (r) across classes of spatial behavior (r = 0.67 - 0.82), taxa (r = 0.31 - 0.79), and time between repeated measurements (r = 0.54 - 0.74). These results suggest: (1) repeatable spatial behavior may either be a cause or consequence of the environment experienced and lead to spatial personalities that may limit the ability of individuals to behaviorally adapt to changing landscapes; (2) interactions between spatial phenotypes and environmental conditions could result in differential reproduction, survival, and dispersal, suggesting that among-individual variation may facilitate population-level adaptation; (3) spatial patterns of species’ distributions and spatial population dynamics may be better understood by shifting from a mean field analytical approach towards methods that account for spatial personalities and their associated fitness and ecological dynamics.
Strickfaden, K.M., M.L. Behan, A.M. Marshall, L.K. Svancara, D.E. Ausband, and T. Link. 2023. Virtual snow stakes: a new method for snow depth measurement at remote camera stations. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 47: e1481. \| Abstract	August 2023	Remote cameras are used to study demographics, ecological processes, and behavior of wildlife populations. Cameras have also been used to measure snow depth with physical snow stakes. However, concerns that physical instruments at camera sites may influence animal behavior limit installation of instruments to facilitate collecting such data. Given that snow depth data are inherently contained within images, potential insights that could be made using these data are lost. To facilitate camera‐based snow depth observations without additional equipment installation, we developed a method implemented in an R package called edger to superimpose virtual measurement devices onto images. The virtual snow stakes can be used to derive snow depth measurements. We validated the method for snow depth estimation using camera data from Latah County, Idaho, USA in winter 2020–2021. Mean bias error between the virtual snow stake and a physical snow stake was 5.8 cm; the mean absolute bias error was 8.8 cm. The mean Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency score comparing the fit of the 2 sets of measurements within each camera was 0.748, indicating good agreement. The edger package provides researchers with a means to take critical measurements for ecological studies without the use of physical objects that could alter animal behavior, and snow data at finer scales can complement other snow data sources that have coarser spatial and temporal resolution.
Strickfaden, K.M., A. Marshall, L. Svancara, D.E. Ausband, and T. Link. 2023. Identifying snow refugia in complex forested terrain using camera data. Environmental Research Letters. 18:044014. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acbb90. \| Abstract	March 2023	Knowledge of snow cover properties on fine scales is imperative both for estimation of hydrologic processes and for habitat management for wildlife species that rely on snow cover. Identification of snow refugia, or places with relatively late snow disappearance dates compared to surrounding areas, are especially important as climate change continues to alter snow cover timing and duration. However, many snow data products are either too coarse-scale to capture variations in snow cover or are too expensive or logistically challenging to collect over broad spatial extents. The purpose of this study was to use remote cameras to collect snow data at fine spatial and temporal scales in a complex forested terrain for the identification of snow refugia. We built generalized linear models to relate the snow disappearance dates (SDDs) at the camera sites to their topographic and vegetation characteristics. We built a model to describe SDDs of camera sites which contained elevation, aspect, and an interaction between canopy cover and cold-air pooling potential. This model could predict SDDs to within 2 weeks and to within 1 week of true SDD for 93% and 71% of the camera sites, respectively. This model contains only data which are readily available as spatially distributed datasets, which allowed for mapping of SDDs across the entire study site. This model and map can be used to guide forest management for the retention of snow, increase the accuracy of hydrologic models, and inform habitat management for snow-dependent wildlife species.
Streker, R.A., J.S. Lamb, J. Dindo, and P.G.R. Jodice. 2021. Fine-scale weather patterns drive reproductive success in the Brown Pelican. Waterbirds 44:153-166. \| Download	January 2022
Stratton, M.E., Finkle, H., Falke, J.A., and P.A.H. Westley.Tracking adult Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) to investigate the presence of stock structure and extent of premature migration in the Buskin River Watershed, Alaska. North American Journal of Fisheries Management.	July 2021
Stout, J.B., M.M. Conner, P. Budy, P. Mackinnon, and M. McKinstry. 2020. Keeping it classy: Classification of live fish and ghost PIT tags detected with a mobile PIT tag interrogation system using an innovative analytical approach. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77:1564-1573. \| Abstract	June 2020	The ability of PIT tag data to improve demographic parameter estimates has led to the rapid advancement of PIT tag systems. However, ghost tags create uncertainty about detected tag status (i.e. live fish or ghost tag) when using mobile interrogation systems. We developed a method to differentiate between live fish and ghost tags using a random forest classification model with a novel data input structure based on known fate PIT tag detections in the San Juan River, NM, CO, and UT, USA. We used our model to classify detected tags with an overall error rate of 6.8% (1.6% ghost tags error rate and 21.8% live fish error rate). The important variables for classification were related to distance moved and response to flood flows; however, habitat variables did not appear to influence model accuracy. Our results and approach allow the use of mobile detection data with confidence and allow for greater accuracy in movement, distribution, and habitat use studies, potentially helping identify influential management actions improving our ability to conserve and recover endangered fish.
Stoczynski, L., Scott, M. C., Bower, L., & Peoples, B. Effects of environment and metacommunity delineation on multiple dimensions of stream fish beta diversity. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 11, 182. \| Abstract	March 2023	In a metacommunity context, beta diversity is driven by the interplay between abiotic factors and dispersal as represented by spatial distance among communities. Most existing studies have considered only ‘natural’ abiotic factors and have ignored anthropogenic factors such as land cover change and pollution. Most studies have focused only on taxonomic beta diversity, and few have considered functional or phylogenetic beta diversity. Including anthropogenic factors and multiple dimensions of biodiversity may explain additional variation in beta diversity, providing new insight into how metacommunities are structured across the landscape. In this study, we used a 350 site stream fish abundance dataset from South Carolina, USA to quantify variation in beta diversity explainable by dispersal, as well as natural and anthropogenic abiotic variables. We investigated metacommunity drivers along three spatial delineations by breaking up the dataset into a metacommunity at the whole state level, two geomorphologically distinct metacommunities of the upstate and lowlands, and four natural watershed metacommunities. Within each of these metacommunities we calculated taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic beta diversity and used variation partitioning to determine explained variation. We explained 25-81% of beta diversity for stream fish metacommunities. We observed differing importance of spatial, natural, or anthropogenic factors based on the spatial delineation and diversity dimension. We detected distinct structuring of stream fish communities in South Carolina occurring between the upstate and the lowlands. When accounting for the geomorphic differences the fall line creates, we observed a significant anthropogenic signal in the upstate and lowland metacommunities. Spatial, environmental, and anthropogenic factors explained slightly more variation in beta diversity for the taxonomic dimension compared to the functional and phylogenetic dimensions. Our study highlights the importance of including anthropogenic factors when trying to determine mechanisms for stream fish community structure and the significance of spatial delineation in how researchers interpret their results.
Stock, B.C., Heppell, S. A., Waterhouse, L., Dove, I. C., Pattengill-Semmens, C. V., McCoy, C. M., Bush, P. G., Ebanks-Petrie, G., and B. X. Semmens. 2021. Pulse recruitment and recovery of Cayman Islands Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus) spawning aggregations revealed by in situ length-frequency data. ICES Journal of Marine Science 78(1): 277-292. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsaa221 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2021	Fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) are vulnerable to overexploitation, yet quantitative assessments of FSA populations are rare. We document an approach for how to conduct such an assessment, evaluating the response of Critically Endangered Nassau Grouper (<i>Epinephelus striatus</i>) to protections in the Cayman Islands. We assessed pre-protection status on all islands using length data from fishery catch. We then used 17 years of noninvasive length-frequency data, collected via diver-operated laser calipers, to estimate recruitment and spawning biomass of Nassau Grouper on Little Cayman following protection. Bimodal length distributions in 2017–2019 indicated a large recruitment pulse (4–8× average) derived from spawning in 2011. Biomass recovered to 90–106% of the pre-exploitation level after 16 years, largely driven by the strong 2011 year class. Length distributions were also bimodal in 2017–2019 on nearby Cayman Brac, implying a synchronous recruitment pulse occurred on both islands. Our results demonstrate that: (i) <i>in situ</i> length data can be used to monitor protected FSAs; (ii) spatiotemporal FSA closures can be effective, but success takes time if population recovery depends upon sporadic recruitment; and (iii) FSA fishery management targets may need to be higher than commonly recommended (i.e. spawning potential ratio >0.6 instead of 0.4).
Stillman, A.N., P.E. Howell, G.S. Zimmerman, E.R. Bjerre, B.A. Millsap, O.J. Robinson, D. Fink, E.F. Stuber, V. Ruiz-Gutierrez. Leveraging the strengths of citizen science and structured surveys to achieve scalable inference on population size.	November 2023
Stiller, J.C., W.F. Siemer, K.A. Perkins, and A.K. Fuller. 2022. Choosing an optimal duck season: Integrating hunter values and duck abundance. Wildlife Society Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1313 \| Abstract	June 2022	State wildlife agencies have long struggled to identify optimal hunting season dates for migratory game bird species that meet the diverse and often competing interests of stakeholders. Many approaches have been used to ensure the regulated community is involved in the decision-making process, including public hearings, hunter season-date preference surveys, and hunter task forces or committees. Although these approaches include portions of the regulated community (i.e., typically the most avid) they may not necessarily reflect the opinions and values of all stakeholders. Additionally, these approaches rely heavily on limited anecdotal observations that may be unduly influenced by hunter avidity (e.g. days spent afield), hunter density, species preferences, and property access. To address these challenges, we used a structured decision-making framework that included a duck hunter survey to elucidate values of a representative sample of the regulated community in each duck hunting zone in New York State. Rather than asking duck hunters about their specific duck hunting season date preferences, we asked them to rank 6 objectives describing what they value in their hunting experience (e.g., maximizing the opportunity to see mallards [<i>Anas platyrhynchos</i>] and black duck [<i>Anas rubripes</i>], maximizing the number of weekend days, etc.). Four of the 6 objectives described duck species availability (i.e., abundance or immigration). We used spatiotemporal abundance models derived from eBird citizen science data to estimate abundance and immigration rates of ducks in each waterfowl zone. We evaluated up to 9 unique season date alternatives developed by duck hunter task forces to determine which season date alternative best satisfied the competing objectives of duck hunters in each zone. The approach we developed allowed for selection of optimal duck hunting season dates and successfully involved avid duck hunters in the development stages, while ensuring that the values of a representative sample of all stakeholders were directly considered through a clear and transparent decision-making process.
Stewart, D.R., T. Hafen, D.A. Hendrickson, A.T. Taylor, A. Varela-Romero, D.H. Mason, J.C. Dysthe, T.W. Franklin, M.K. Young, K.S. McKelvey, M.K. Schwartz, and J.M. Long. 2024. Development and application of environmental DNA (eDNA) markers to assess factors affecting occupancy of the endangered Yaqui Catfish and non-native Channel Catfish in the Yaqui River basin, Mexico. Endangered Species Research 53:569-586. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01320	April 2024
Stewart, D. R., K. M. Broms, K. G. Gerow, M. A. Allen, and M. C. Quist. 2024. Statistical analysis. Pages 285-338 in S. Bonar, N. Mercado-Silva, and K. Pope, editors. Standard methods for sampling North American freshwater fishes, second edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2024
Stevens, J.N., C.E. Barshinger, J.J. Spurgeon, M.A. Eggleton, and S.E. Lochmann. 2024. Comparison of two otolith processing methods for Silver Carp age estimation. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. \| Abstract	April 2024	Accurate age estimates are critical in the development, implementation, and assessment of silver carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>) management plans. Lapilli otoliths are the most commonly used hard structures for silver carp age estimation, though data regarding the precision of two established preparation methods (i.e., grind-and-burn, thin-section) are lacking. To compare the two methods, we assessed within-reader, between-reader, and between-method precision for 125 silver carp collected from six rivers throughout the Lower Mississippi River Basin (Arkansas, Cache, Mississippi, St. Francis, White, and Yazoo). Additionally, we compared the effort and material costs associated with each method. Overall, the grind-and-burn method (mean age ± SE = 5.97 ± 0.18 years) resulted in younger estimated ages than the thin-section method (mean age ± SE = 6.90 ± 0.18 years), particularly in older individuals. The thin-section method (average coefficient of variation = 7.964) displayed slightly greater between-reader precision than the grind-and-burn method (average coefficient of variation = 8.072), but raw data plots revealed lower precision at older ages relative to younger ages. This discrepancy between methods may be a result of misidentification of annuli near the otolith margin as both readers reported that sectioned otoliths offered clearer views than burned and ground otoliths. Processing times and material costs were similar for the two methods and are likely not limiting when choosing an aging protocol. Our results indicate that managers may be able to use the grind-and-burn method to estimate silver carp age in younger populations where older fish are uncommon. However, the thin-section method for silver carp age estimation may lead to less biased age estimates for established populations with greater abundances of older individuals.
Stevens, B., and C.J. Conway. 2020. Predictive multi-scale occupancy models at range-wide extents: effects of habitat and human disturbance on distributions of wetland birds. Diversity and Distributions 26:34-48. doi: 10.1111/ddi.12995	December 2019
Stevens, B. S., and C. J. Conway. 2021. Mapping habitat quality and threats for eastern black rails. Waterbirds 44:245-256.	October 2021
Stevens, B. S., and C. J. Conway. 2020. Mapping habitat suitability at range-wide scales: spatially-explicit distribution models to inform conservation and research for marsh birds. Conservation Science and Practice 2:e178. doi: 10.1111/csp2.178	February 2020
Stevens, B. S., S. B. Roberts, C. J. Conway, and D. K. Englestead. 2023. Effects of large-scale disturbance on animal space use: Functional responses by sage-grouse after megafire. Ecology and Evolution 13:ece3.9933.	April 2023
Stevens, B. S., C. J. Conway, K. Sawyer, and L. Kershek. 2024. Developing a range-wide sampling framework for endangered species: a case study with light-footed Ridgway’s rail. Biodiversity and Conservation 33:3703-3726. 10.1007/s10531-024-02919-5	August 2024
Stevens, B. S., C. J. Conway, K. Luke, A. Weldon, C. Hand, A. Schwarzer, F. Smith, C. Watson, and B. D. Watts. 2022. Large-scale distribution models for optimal prediction of Eastern black rail habitat within tidal ecosystems. Global Ecology and Conservation 38:e02222.	July 2022
Stevens, B. S., C. J. Conway, J. M. Knetter, S. B. Roberts, and P. Donnelly. 2023. Multi-scale effects of land cover, weather, and fire on Columbian sharp-tailed grouse. Journal of Wildlife Management 87:e22349. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22349	January 2023
Stevens, B. S., C. J. Conway, C. Tisdale, K. Denny, A. Meyers, and P. Makela. 2023. Backpack satellite transmitters reduce survival but not nesting propensity or success of greater sage-grouse. Ecology and Evolution 13:e10820.	December 2023
Sterrett, S., A. Roy, P. Hazelton, B. Swartz, E. Nedeau, J. Carmignani, and A. Skorupa. 2022. Standard Operating Protocol for Mark and Recapture Monitoring of Brook Floater in Streams. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-142-2022, Washington, D. C. https://doi.org/10.3996/css67282137 \| Publisher Website	July 2022
Sterling, E., Sigouin, A., Betley, E., Zavaleta Cheek, J., Solomon, J., Landrigan, K., . . . Jones, M. (2021). The state of capacity development evaluation in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. Oryx, 1-12. doi:10.1017/S0030605321000570 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2021	Capacity development is critical to long-term conservation success, yet we lack a robust and rigorous understanding of how well its effects are being evaluated. A comprehensive summary of who is monitoring and evaluating capacity development interventions, what is being evaluated and how, would help in the development of evidence-based guidance to inform design and implementation decisions for future capacity development interventions and evaluations of their effectiveness. We built an evidence map by reviewing peer-reviewed and grey literature published since 2000, to identify case studies evaluating capacity development interventions in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. We used inductive and deductive approaches to develop a coding strategy for studies that met our criteria, extracting data on the type of capacity development intervention, evaluation methods, data and analysis types, categories of outputs and outcomes assessed, and whether the study had a clear causal model and/or used a systems approach. We found that almost all studies assessed multiple outcome types: most frequent was change in knowledge, followed by behaviour, then attitude. Few studies evaluated conservation outcomes. Less than half included an explicit causal model linking interventions to expected outcomes. Half of the studies considered external factors that could influence the efficacy of the capacity development intervention, and few used an explicit systems approach. We used framework synthesis to situate our evidence map within the broader literature on capacity development evaluation. Our evidence map (including a visual heat map) highlights areas of low and high representation in investment in research on the evaluation of capacity development.
Stephenson, M.D., L.A Schulte, R. W. Klaver, and J. Niemi. 2021. Miniature temperature data loggers increase precision and reduce bias when estimating the daily survival rate for bird nests. Journal of Field Ornithology 92:492-505 \| Abstract \| Download	November 2021	Demographic studies of many bird species are challenging because their nests are cryptic, resulting in few nests being found. To maximize statistical power, methods are needed that minimize disturbance while yielding as much information per nest as possible. One way to meet these objectives is to use miniature thermal data loggers to precisely date nest fates. Our objectives, therefore, were to (1) examine the possible effect of thermal data loggers on nest success through hatching by grass- and shrub-nesting songbirds that differed in their parasite egg-accepting and -rejecting behavior, (2) examine the effect of using daily temperature data versus less frequent nest-visit data on statistical power, bias, and precision when estimating the daily survival rate (DSR) for nests, and (3) compare these two approaches using a simulation study and field data. We monitored the survival of nests located in agricultural landscapes and used a binomial logistic regression with main effects for data-loggers and parasite-accepting or -rejecting status and their interaction. We also compared maximum likelihood–derived DSR for differences in estimated rates, precision, and sample sizes with both data collected in the field and simulated with varying sample sizes and visit frequencies. We found no evidence that thermal data loggers had any effect on hatching rates either for all species or for parasite egg-accepting and -rejecting species, separately. Both our simulation and analysis of real nest data indicated that use of data loggers increased the statistical power from each nest studied by increasing effective sample sizes and precision of DSR estimates compared to in-person visits. We also found a negative bias in DSR estimates with longer visit intervals, which use of data-loggers removed. Both the results of simulated- and field-data analyses suggest that future studies of nest survival can be improved by automated nest monitoring by removing a source of bias and providing more time to find additional nests
Stephenson, M. D., L. A. Schulte, and R. W. Klaver. 2024. The relative contributions of habitat area, configuration, and vegetative diversity on snake and lizard presence in agricultural landscapes. Conservation Science and Practice:16.	May 2024
Stephenson, M. D., K. L. Yuza, L. A. Schulte, and R. W. Klaver. 2024. Habitat amount and edge effects, not perch proximity, nest exposure, or vegetation diversity affect cowbird parasitism in agricultural landscapes. Landscape Ecology 39:69-69.	March 2024
Stell, E.G., S. K. Brewer, L. M. Horne, R. A. Wright, and D. R. DeVries. 2023. Using the electron transport system as an indicator of organismal thermal tolerance and respiratory exploitation. Canadian Journal of Zoology 102(2): 155-165. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2023-0027.	August 2023
Steffensmeier, Z.D., M. Wedgeworth, L. Yancy, N. Santee, S. K. Brewer, and J. S. Perkin. 2022. Paradigm versus paradox on the prairie: Testing competing stream fish movement frameworks using a highly imperiled Great Plains minnow. Movement Ecology 10, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-022-00306-9.	August 2022
Steffensmeier, Z., S. K. Brewer, M. Wedgeworth, T.A. Starks, A. Rodger, E. Nguyen, and J. Perkin. 2023. Conservation at the Nexus of Niches: Multidimensional Niche Modelling to Improve Management of Prairie Chub. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43: 1205-1224. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10860	September 2023
Stears, K., M.H. Schmitt, W.C. Turner, D.J. McCauley, E.A. Muse, H. Kiwango, D. Matheyo and B.M. Mutayoba. Hippopotamus movements structure the spatiotemporal dynamics of an active anthrax outbreak, Ecosphere, 12(6):e03540. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3540 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2021	Anthrax outbreaks across Africa pose serious threats to people, livestock, and wildlife and can be exacerbated by environmental change. However, little is known about how the quantitative spatial dynamics of host movement and environmental change may affect the spread of <i>Bacillus anthracis</i> – the causative agent of anthrax. Here, we use real-time observation and high-resolution tracking data from a population of common hippopotamus (<i>Hippopotamus amphibius</i>) to explore the relationship between changing river hydrology, <i>H. amphibius</i> movement, and the spatiotemporal dynamics of an active anthrax outbreak. We found that changes in water availability indirectly facilitated the spread of <i>B. anthracis</i> by modulating <i>H. amphibius</i> movements. Our findings reveal that anthrax spread upstream in the Great Ruaha River, which followed the movement patterns of infected <i>H. amphibius</i>, who moved upstream as the river dried in search of remaining aquatic refugia. Moreover, infection by <i>B. anthracis</i> did not appear to influence <i>H. amphibius</i> movement behaviours. Contact rates between <i>H. amphibius </i>and <i>B. anthracis-</i>infected river pools are heterogeneous and the frequency and duration of contacts increase the probability of mortality. While difficult to obtain, the quantitative insights that we gathered during a real-time anthrax outbreak are critical to better understand, predict, and manage future outbreaks.
Starkloff, N. C., W. C. Turner, A. M. FitzGerald, M. C. Oftedal, E. S. Martinsen, and J. J. Kirchman. 2021. Disentangling the effects of host relatedness and elevation on haemosporidian parasite turnover in a clade of songbirds. Ecosphere. 12(5):e03497 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	May 2021	The persistence of a parasite species in an ecological community is determined together by its environmental tolerance and host breadth. The relative contribution of these niche characteristics to parasite community structure is challenging to parse because host persistence is also a consequence of extrinsic environmental factors. We investigated haemosporidian parasites (genera Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus) in a clade of avian hosts in eastern North America. This clade of Catharus thrushes contains species that occupy specific elevational bands in a non-phylogenetically determined manner. This allowed us to tease apart the effects of host relatedness and elevation on parasite diversity, community structure and infection prevalence. We screened blood and tissue samples from 414 birds from four mountain ranges in the Appalachian Highlands for blood parasites using a cytochrome-b nested PCR protocol and identified parasite lineages by sequencing. We found an overall infection prevalence of 88.4% and identified a total of 38 parasite lineages including seven novel lineages. Host relatedness rather than elevational zone predicted the beta turnover and phylobetaturnover of Leucocytozoon parasites, where closely related host species had more similar parasites. While this pattern was not seen in Plasmodium parasites, the diversity of this parasite genus varied considerably in the high elevational zones among mountain ranges, i.e. a sky-island effect. Additionally, the alpha diversity of Haemosporidians did not vary by host species or elevational zone, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon infection prevalence was determined by one or two of these predictors, respectively. Haemoproteus parasites were rare in this study system. Our study suggests that the mechanisms that underlie the community structuring vary between haemosporidian genera due to differences in the degree of host sharing among lineages.
Stark, S., M.K. Schall, G.D. Smith, A.P. Maloy, J.A. Coombs, T. Wagner, J. Avery. 2024. Feeding Habits and Ecological Implications of the Invasive Flathead Catfish, Pylodictis olivaris, in the Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 153:591-610. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10480	August 2024
Stantial, M.L., A.M.V. Fournier, A.J. Lawson, B.G. Marcot, M.S. Woodrey, J.E. Lyons. 2024. RE-ARMing Salt Marshes: A Resilience-Experimentalist Approach to Prescribed Fire and Bird Conservation in High Marshes of the Gulf of Mexico. Frontiers in Conservation Science 5: 1426646. doi: 10.3389/fcosc.2024.1426646 \| Publisher Website	August 2024
Stantial, M.L., A.J. Lawson, A.M.V. Fournier, P.J. Kappes, C.S. Kross, M.C. Runge, M.W. Woodrey, and J.E. Lyons. 2023. Qualitative value of information provides a transparent and repeatable method for identifying critical uncertainty. Ecological Applications:e2824. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	February 2023	Conservation decisions are often made in the face of uncertainty because the urgency to act can preclude delaying management while uncertainty is resolved. In this context, adaptive management is attractive, allowing simultaneous management and learning. An adaptive program design requires the identification of critical uncertainties that impede the choice of management action. Quantitative evaluation of critical uncertainty, using the expected value of information, may require more resources than are available in the early stages of conservation planning. Here, we demonstrate the use of a new qualitative index to the value ofinformation (QVoI) to prioritize which sources of uncertainty to reduceregarding the use of prescribed fire to benefit Eastern Black Rails(Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis), Yellow Rails (Coterminous noveboracensis), and Mottled Ducks (Anas fulvigula; hereafter, focal species) in high marshes of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Prescribed fire has been used as a management tool in Gulf of Mexico high marshes throughout the last 30+ years; however, effects of periodic burning on the focal species and the optimal conditions for burning marshes to improve habitat remain unknown. We followed a structured decision making framework to develop conceptual models, which we then used to identify sources of uncertainty and articulate alternative hypotheses about prescribed fire in high marshes. We used QVoI to evaluate the sources of uncertainty based on their magnitude, relevance for decision making, and reducibility. We found that hypotheses related to the optimal fire return interval and season were the highest priorities for study, whereas hypotheses related to predation rates and interactions among management techniques were lowest. These results suggest that learning about the optimal fire frequency and season to benefit the focal species might produce the greatest management benefit. In this case study, we demonstrate that QVoI can help managers decide where to apply limited resources to learn which specific actions will result in a higher likelihood of achieving the desired management objectives. Further, we summarize the strengths and limitations of QVoI and outline recommendations for its future use for prioritizing research and to reduce uncertainty about system dynamics and the effects of management actions.
Stahlecker, D.W., Z.P. Wallace, D.G. Mikesic, C.W. Boal, R.K. Murphy, W.H. Howe, and M.B. Ruehmann. 2022. Golden Eagle Breeding Distribution in Wind Energy Landscapes of the Southern Great Plains. Journal of Raptor Research 54:1-11. \| Abstract	September 2022	Abstract.–– Deaths of four Golden Eagles (<i>Aquila chrysaetos</i>) due to collision trauma at a new wind energy facility in east central New Mexico during 2004–2005 prompted concerns about the species’ population status in the encompassing Southern Great Plains region, primarily because its breeding distribution there was poorly documented and wind energy was expanding. Therefore, we conducted aerial searches for Golden Eagle nests across northeastern New Mexico, northwestern Texas and western Oklahoma, and adjacent portions of Colorado and Kansas during 2006–2009 and 2015–2020. We delineated five Golden Eagle Nest Search Areas (NSAs) with unique physiographic/geological origins. Individual NSAs were searched partly or entirely for up to 8 yr. Collectively, we identified 123 breeding areas (BAs) occupied by Golden Eagles ≥1 yr, 95 (77.2%) of which were in northeastern New Mexico. The most BAs (40) were in the 11,720-km<sup>2</sup> Highlands NSA. Greatest BA density (126.6 km<sup>2</sup>/BA) and shortest BA nearest neighbor distance (7.4 km) were in the 3,533-km<sup>2</sup> Northern Caprock NSA. Wind energy was developing rapidly in the region. Wind turbines existed near (within 3.2 km) 21 nests distributed among six of 28 BAs in the Northern Caprock and were planned for siting near another BA. Elsewhere, only planned turbines were near nests and only within six BAs. Our findings indicate that the Southern Great Plains supports many Golden Eagle pairs at the eastern margin of the species’ breeding range in western North America. Our data provide a solid basis for protecting breeding habitat from potential threats, particularly those posed by wind and fossil-fuel energy development, and provides a foundation for long-term population monitoring.
Stacy, J., R.L. Ryan, A.H. Roy, and A. Milman. 2021. Homeowners' willingness to adopt environmentally beneficial landscape practices in an urbanizing watershed. Cities and the Environment 14(1). DOI: 10.15365/cate.2021.140102 \| Publisher Website	July 2021
Stachelek, J. W. Weng, C.C. Carey, A.R. Kemanian, K.M. Cobourn, T. Wagner, K.C. Weathers, P.A. Soranno. 2020. Granular measures of agricultural land-use influence lake nitrogen and phosphorus differently at macroscales. Ecological Applications 30, e02123.	April 2020
Spurgeon, J.J. 2022. Defining habitat: implications for management of altered freshwater systems. Lakeline 42: 6-9.	April 2022
Spurgeon, J., J. Kaiser, C. Graham, and S. Lochmann. 2022. Trout responses to stocking rates and river discharge within a southeast U.S. hydropeaking tailwater. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42:926-938.	April 2022
Spurgeon, J. J., M. A. Pegg, K. L. Pope, and L. Xie. 2020. Ecosystem-specific growth responses to climate pattern by a temperate freshwater fish.Ecological Indicators 112:106130. \| Download	January 2020
Spurgeon, J, M. Rhodes, J. W. Neal, and K. Evans. 2021. Aquatic habitat changes within the channelized and impounded Arkansas River, Arkansas, USA. River Research and Applications 37:462-474.	December 2020
Sorensen, G.E., D.W. Kramer, J.W. Cain III, C.A. Taylor, P.S. Gibson, M.C. Wallace, R.D. Cox, and W.B. Ballard. 2020. Mule deer habitat selection following vegetation thinning treatments in New Mexico. Wildlife Society Bulletin 44:122-129. \| Download	March 2020
Sorensen, A.E., J. Brown, A. Alred, J.J. Fontaine, and J.M. Dauer. 2020. Student representations and conceptions of ecological versus social sciences in a conservation course. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences 2020:1-11.	December 2020
Sorel MH, RW Zabel, DS Johnson, AM Wargo Rub, and SJ Converse. 2021. Estimating population-specific predation effects on Chinook salmon via data integration. Journal of Applied Ecology 58:371-381. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13772 \| Abstract	February 2021	1) Recent success in the conservation of many marine mammals has resulted in new management challenges due to increasing conflict with fisheries. Increasing predation by pinnipeds on threatened salmon is of particular concern. Seemingly, pinniped conservation is now in conflict with the recovery of threatened salmon, creating a dilemma for managers. <br><br>2) We use the Lower Columbia River as a case study for examining the relationship between seasonal California sea lion (<i>Zalophus californianus</i>) abundance and survival of threatened salmon. To quantify mortality associated with increasing sea lion abundance, we examined the effect of seasonal sea lion abundance on adult Chinook salmon<i> </i>(<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>)<i> </i>survival during migrations through the Lower Columbia River. We integrated data on survival with data on population-specific migration timing, allowing quantification of the relationship between sea lion abundance and survival in 18 populations of spring-summer Chinook salmon listed as Threatened or Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.<br><br>3) Of the 18 populations examined, earlier migrating populations experienced lower survival in association with increased exposure to higher sea lion abundance. We estimated that in years with high sea lion abundance, the nine earliest-migrating populations experienced an additional 21.1% (16.3, 26.1) mortality compared to years with baseline sea lion abundance, while the nine latest migrating populations experienced an additional 10.1% (7.5, 13.0). <br><br>4)<i> Synthesis and Application.</i> Integrating datasets on seasonal survival and migration timing made it possible for us to estimate population-specific mortality associated with increased sea lion abundance in the Lower Columbia River. This information could not be produced from any one data set, highlighting the utility of data integration approaches. The mortality experienced by early migrating Chinook salmon suggests the potential for demographic and evolutionary consequences. Management actions such as hazing, relocating, or removing individuals that are frequent predators on salmon have been proposed. Identifying the management actions that will allow for socially and legally acceptable tradeoffs between multiple conservation and other social values will be facilitated by development of explicit multi-species management frameworks. Continued monitoring will help to reduce the substantial uncertainty about the effect of pinnipeds on salmon and the predicted outcomes of alternative management actions.
Sorel MH, JC Jorgensen, RW Zabel, MD Scheuerell, AR Murdoch, CM Kamphaus, and SJ Converse. 2024. Incorporating life history diversity in an integrated population model to inform viability analysis. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 81:535-548.	March 2024
Sorel MH, AR Murdoch, RW Zabel, JJ Jorgensen, CM Kamphaus, and SJ Converse. 2023. Juvenile life history diversity is associated with lifetime demographic heterogeneity in a migratory fish. Ecosphere 14:e4366. \| Abstract	January 2023	Differences in the life history pathways of juvenile animals are often associated with differences in demographic rates in later life stages. For migratory animals, different life-history pathways often result in animals from the same population occupying distinct habitats subjected to different environmental drivers. Understanding how demographic rates differ among animals expressing different life history pathways may reveal fitness tradeoffs that drive the expression of alternative life history pathways and enable better prediction of population dynamics in a changing environment. To understand how demographic outcomes and their relationships with environmental variables differ among animals with different life history pathways, we analyzed a long-term mark-recapture dataset for Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) from the Wenatchee River, Washington, USA. Distinct life history pathways represented in this population include either remaining in the natal stream until emigrating to the ocean as a one-year-old (<i>natal-reach rearing</i>) or emigrating from the natal stream and rearing in downstream habitats for several months before completing the emigration to the ocean as a one-year-old (<i>downstream rearing</i>). We found that downstream-rearing fish emigrated to the ocean 19 days earlier on average and returned as adults from the ocean at higher rates. We detected a positive correlation between rate of return from the ocean by downstream-rearing fish and coastal upwelling in their spring of outmigration, whereas for natal-reach-rearing fish we detected a positive correlation with sea surface temperature during their first marine summer. Different responses to environmental variability should lead to asynchrony in adult abundance among juvenile life history pathways. A higher proportion of downstream-rearing fish returned at younger ages compared to natal-reach-rearing fish, which contributed to more variability in age at reproduction and greater mixing across generations. Our results provide an example of how diversity in juvenile life history pathways is associated with heterogeneity in demographic rates during subsequent life stages. This demographic heterogeneity can in turn affect variance in the aggregate population abundance and population response to environmental change. Our findings underscore the importance of considering life history diversity in demographic analyses and lay the foundation for the development of population models that account for different life history pathways.
Sorel MH, AR Murdoch, RW Zabel, CM Kamphaus, ER Buhle, MD Scheuerell, and SJ Converse. 2023. Effects of population density and environmental conditions on life-history prevalence in a migratory fish. Ecology and Evolution 13:e11087. \| Abstract	May 2023	Individual variation in life-history traits can have important implications for the ability of populations to respond to environmental variability and change. In migratory animals, flexibility in the timing of life-history events, such as juvenile emigration from natal areas, can influence the effects of population density and environmental conditions on population dynamics. We evaluated the functional relationships between population density and environmental covariates and the abundance of juveniles expressing different life-history pathways in a migratory fish, Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>), in a river basin in Washington State, USA. We found that the abundance of younger emigrants from natal streams was best described by an accelerating or near-linear function of spawners, whereas the abundance of older emigrants was best described by a decelerating function of spawners. This supports the hypothesis that emigration timing varies in response to density in natal areas, with younger-emigrating life-history pathways comprising a larger proportion of emigrants when densities of conspecifics are high. We also observed positive relationships between winter stream discharge and abundance of younger emigrants, supporting the hypothesis that habitat conditions can also influence the expression of different life-history pathways. Our results suggest that early emigration, and a resultant increase in the use of downstream rearing habitats, may increase if winter precipitation increases in the future as is projected due to climate warming. Characterizing relationships between life-history expression and environmental conditions is a necessary first step in understanding the dynamics of species with diverse life-history strategies. As environmental conditions change – due to climate change, management, or other factors – resultant life-history changes are likely to have important demographic implications that will be challenging to predict if life-history diversity is not accounted for in population models.
Soranno, P.A., K.S. Cheruvelil, B. Liu, Q. Wang, P-N. Tan, J. Zhou, K.B.S. King, I.M. McCullough, J. Stachelek, M. Bartley, C.T. Filstrup, E.M. Hanks, J-F. Lapierre, N.R. Lottig, E.M. Schliep, T. Wagner, K.E. Webster. 2020. Ecological prediction at macroscales using big data: Does sampling design matter? Ecological Applications 30:e02123.	September 2020
Sonsthagen, S. A., T. Swem, S. Ambrose, M. Flamme, C. M. White, G. K. Sage, and S. L. Talbot. 2022. The DDT-induced decline influenced genetic diversity in two naturally recovered populations of peregrine falcons nesting within the Alaska Arctic and eastern Interior. The Ibis. 164:1265-1272. doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13095	July 2022
Sonsthagen, S. A., R. E. Wilson, and S. L. Talbot. 2022. Species-specific responses to landscape features shaped genomic structure within Alaska galliformes. Journal of Biogeography, 49:261-273. doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14294	January 2022
Sonsthagen, S. A., R. E. Wilson, R. Turner, M.-J. Fortin, G. Gilchrist, and V. Friesen. 2024. Wintering grounds leave their mark: where birds winter influences genomic structure in Arctic nesting common eiders. Conservation Genetics. doi.org/10.1007/s10592-024-01654-2	November 2024
Sonsthagen, S. A., C. Jay, R. S. Cornman, A. Fischbach, J. Grebmeier, and S. L. Talbot. 2020. DNA metabarcoding to infer summer diet of Pacific walrus. Marine Mammal Science. 36:1196-1211.	July 2020
Sonsthagen, S. A., C. Haughey, M. G. Sexson, D. V. Solovyeva, M. R. Petersen, and A. Powell. 2020. Temporal variation in genetic structure within the threatened spectacled eider. Conservation Genetics. 21:175–179.	January 2020
Song, C, O’Malley, A., Zydlewski,J., and Mo, W (2020) Balancing fish-energy-cost tradeoffs through strategic basin-wide dam management. Resources, Conservation & Recycling.Resources, Conservation & Recycling 161:1-12. DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104990 \| Download	April 2020
Somers, LN, DH Jackson, KM Dugger, and JD Burco. 2023. A mixture of Nalbuphine, Azaperone, and Medetomidine for Immobilizing Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 59(4):610-615. DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-23-00006. \| Download	October 2023
Som, N.A. 2024. Applications of a disease-induced mortality model to inform regulatory compliance of the Klamath Project. \| Download	March 2024
Solokas, M., Z. Feiner, R. Al-Chokhachy, P. Budy, J. Tyrell DeWeber, J. Sarvala, G.G. Sass, S.A. Tolentino, T. Walsworth, and O.P. Jensen. 2023. Shrinking body size and climate warming: Many freshwater salmonids do not follow the rule. Global Change Biology 2023;29:2478–2492. USGS FSP under Al-Chockhachy, IP-146706. \| Abstract	January 2023	Declining body size is believed to be a universal response to climate warming andhas been documented in numerous studies of marine and anadromous fishes. TheSalmonidae are a family of coldwater fishes considered to be among the most sensitivespecies to climate warming; however, whether the shrinking body size responseholds true for freshwater salmonids has yet to be examined at a broad spatial scale.We compiled observations of individual fish lengths from long-termsurveys acrossthe Northern Hemisphere for 12 species of freshwater salmonids and used linearmixed models to test for spatial and temporal trends in body size (fish length) spanningrecent decades. Contrary to expectations, we found a significant increase in lengthoverall but with high variability in trends among populations and species. More thantwo-thirdsof the populations we examined increased in length over time. Secondaryregressions revealed larger-bodiedpopulations are experiencing greater increases inlength than smaller-bodiedpopulations. Mean water temperature was weakly predictiveof changes in body length but overall minimal influences of environmentalvariables suggest that it is difficult to predict an organism's response to changingtemperatures by solely looking at climatic factors. Our results suggest that decliningbody size is not universal, and the response of fishes to climate change may be largelyinfluenced by local factors. It is important to know that we cannot assume the effectsof climate change are predictable and negative at a large spatial scale.
Soller, J.M., D.E. Ausband, and M.S. Gunther. 2020. The curse of observer experience: error in noninvasive genetic sampling. PLOS ONE. 15(3): e0229762. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229762	March 2020
Sofaer, HR, CS Jarnevich, EK Buchholtz, BS Cade, JT Abatzoglou, CL Aldridge, PJ Comer, D Manier, LE Parker, and JA Heinrichs. 2022. Potential cheatgrass abundance within lightly invaded areas of the Great Basin. Landscape Ecology 37, 2607–2618. doi.org/10.1007/s10980-022-01487-9 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2022	<b>Context: </b>Anticipating where an invasive species could become abundant can help guide prevention and control efforts aimed at reducing invasion impacts. Information on potential abundance can be combined with information on the current status of an invasion to guide management towards currently uninvaded locations where the threat of invasion is high.<br><b>Objectives: </b>We aimed to support management by developing predictive maps of potential cover for cheatgrass (<i>Bromus tectorum</i>), a problematic invader that can transform plant communities. We integrated our predictions of potential abundance with mapped estimates of current cover to quantify invasion potential within lightly invaded areas.<br><b>Methods: </b>We used quantile regression to model cheatgrass abundance as a function of climate, weather, and disturbance, treating outputs as low to high invasion scenarios. We developed a species-specific set of covariates and validated model performance using spatially and temporally independent data.<br><b>Results: </b>Potential cheatgrass abundance was higher in areas that had burned, at low elevations, and when fall germination conditions were more favorable. Our results highlight the extensive areas across the Great Basin where cheatgrass abundance could increase to levels that can alter fire behavior and cause other ecological impacts.<br><b>Conclusions:</b> We predict potential cheatgrass abundance to quantify relative invasion risk. Our model results provide high and low scenarios of cheatgrass abundance to guide resource allocation and planning efforts across shrubland ecosystems of the Great Basin that remain relatively uninvaded. Combining information on an invasive species’ current and potential abundance can yield spatial predictions to guide resource allocation and management action.
Snyder, S., C.S. Loftin, and A.S. Reeve. 2023. Predicting the presence of Groundwater Influenced Ecosystems in the northeastern United States with ensembled correlative distribution models. Water. 15, 4035. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15234035	November 2023
Snyder, S., C.S. Loftin, A.S. Reeve. Vulnerability assessment of groundwater influenced ecosystems in the Northeastern United States. Water, 2024, 16, 1366. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16101366	May 2024
Snow, R.A., J.M. Long, and M.J. Porta. 2020. Marking otoliths of Alligator Gar by immersion in oxytetracycline. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:669-674.	June 2020
Snow, R.A., D.R. Stewart, M.J. Porta, and J.M. Long. 2020. Feeding ecology of age-0 gar at Lake Texoma inferred from analysis of stable isotopes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:638-650. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10436	June 2020
Snavely, B.M., and R.C. Lonsinger. 2023. The Factors Affecting Female Black Bear Harvest Rates in Pennsylvania. Final Report to the Pennsylvania Game Commission: Cooperative Agreement #4000024645. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-150-2023, Washington, D. C. https://doi.org/10.3996/css88880882 .	July 2023
Smith, Kyle, A.C. Landon, D.C. Fulton. A self-determination approach to understanding leisure identity salience among lapsed hunters. Leisure Science. \| Abstract	June 2023	This study extended a framework based on self-determination theory (SDT) to study hunting identity salience in lapsed hunters. SDT suggests that multiple forms of motivation can influence levels of self-determination and subsequent behavioral intentions and addresses how social-contextual factors support or thwart individual satisfaction of needs. In the context of hunting, SDT posits that individuals initially interested in the activity will habitually seek out positive hunting experiences and, when supported, will integrate deer hunting as part of their identity. Data were drawn from a survey of lapsed hunters in Minnesota, United States conducted during the winter of 2021. Results suggested that socio-contextual constraints were negatively associated with intrinsic motivation and support amotivation. Subsequently, these differing forms of motivation had a variable influence on identity salience. These findings have implications for recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) efforts and highlight the need to understand the influence of social-contextual factors and individual motivation in the context of continued hunting participation.
Smith, K., S.A. Schroeder, A.C. Landon, L.J. Cornicelli, D.C. Fulton, and L.E. McInenly. (2020). A replication of proximity to chronic wasting disease, perceived risk, and social trust in managing between hunters in Minnesota and Illinois. Human Dimensions of Wildlife (published online without volume/page numbers). DOI: 10.1080/10871209.2020.1860270	December 2020
Smith, K., A. Landon, D.C. Fulton, and G. Kyle. 2024. Self-determination theory as an alternate conceptual foundation for motivation in natural resource recreation. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. \| Abstract	March 2024	Motivation is a topic that receives substantial interest across the social sciences. However, in the human dimensions literature, scholars have primarily treated motivation as a unitary construct defined by the individual's desired goal state. In contrast, self-determination theory (SDT) suggests that multiple forms of motivation can influence levels of self-determination, integration of identities, and subsequent behavioral intentions, and has been utilized in multiple realms to understand human behaviors. SDT forms a consistent and well-understood mechanism for human psychological development and optimal function and allows for the formulation of out-of-sample prediction, a cornerstone of science. In this manuscript, we review the basic theories that make up SDT and provide insight for its application to human dimensions of wildlife research.
Smith, G.D., Massie, D.L., Perillo, J., Wagner, T. and Pierce, D., 2021. Range expansion and factors affecting abundance of invasive Flathead Catfish in the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers, Pennsylvania, USA. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:S205-S220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10628	April 2021
Smith, G.D., Massie, D.L., Perillo, J., Wagner, T. and Pierce, D., 2021. Range expansion and factors affecting abundance of invasive Flathead Catfish in the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers, Pennsylvania, USA. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:S205-S220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10628	April 2021
Smith, D.M., S.A. Welsh, and C. HIlling. 2021. Seasonal Movement Patterns and Distribution of Walleye in a Central Appalachian Hydropower Reservoir. Pages 209-237 in J. Bruner and R. DeBruyne (eds.) Biology, Management, and Culture of Walleye, Sauger, and Yellow Perch: Status and Needs, Springer	November 2021
Smith, D.M., S.A. Welsh, C.D. Hilling. Environmental correlates of spawning related movements of walleye in an Appalachian hydropower reservoir. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 10:36-44.	January 2023
Smith, D., Newhard, J., McGowan, C. and Butler, A., 2020. The Long-Term Effect of Bleeding for Limulus Amebocyte Lysate on Annual Survival and Recapture of Tagged Horseshoe Crabs. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7, p.1133.	December 2020
Smith, D. M., C. D. Hilling, S. A. Welsh, and D. I. Wellman, Jr. 2022. Differences in population characteristics and modeled response to harvest regulations in reestablished Appalachian Walleye populations. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 46:612–629.	June 2022
Smith, C.R., V.S. Blazer, C.A. Ottinger, H.L. Walsh and P.M. Mazik. 2023. Immune function of wild smallmouth bass collected from sites within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, 2016-2021. U.S. Geological Survey Data Release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9FTUPPX \| Abstract	June 2023	<b>Abstract: </b>The utility of a functional immune assay for wild smallmouth bass (<i>Micropterus dolomieu</i>) was evaluated in context with other aspects of host and environmental health. The mitogenesis assay utilized imaging flow cytometry with advanced machine learning for cell cycle analyses, 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation into replicating DNA for detection of proliferation and an anti-smallmouth bass IgM monoclonal antibody to distinguish lymphocyte type. The assay was field-tested with fish collected from three sites, in two river drainages within West Virginia, as part of fish health assessments occurring in spring (pre-spawn; April – May) and fall (recrudescence; October – November). Leukocytes were isolated from anterior kidney tissue and exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from <i>E.coli</i> O111:B4 or mitogen-free media, which served as the negative control and a measure of unstimulated background lymphocyte proliferation as a baseline for wild fish. Mitogenic responses were dependent upon the collection site and season in which the fish were collected. Factors such as sex, age, tissue parasites, and macrophage aggregates were also evaluated. The differences in lymphocyte mitogenesis among smallmouth bass populations emphasizes the need for integrated assessments to determine not only environmental stressors but also infectious agents that may modulate the immune response in immunotoxicological studies.
Smith, C.R., Ottinger, C.A., Walsh, H.L., Mazik, P.M. & Blazer, V.S. 2023. Application of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mitogenesis assay in Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) to augment wild fish health studies. Fishes, 8(3), 159. https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/8/3/159 \| Abstract	June 2023	A mitogenesis assay was developed for smallmouth bass (<i>Micropterus dolomieu</i>) which distinguishes between proliferation of immunoglobulin M (IgM<sup>+</sup> and IgM<sup>-</sup>) lymphocytes and utilizes imaging flow cytometry and advanced machine learning for cell cycle analyses. Mitogenesis was detected by 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation into replicating DNA and lymphocytes were differentiated with an anti-smallmouth bass IgM monoclonal antibody. The assay was field tested in fish collected from three sites, in two river drainages within West Virginia, as part of fish health assessments occurring in spring before spawning and fall during recrudescence. Leukocytes were isolated from anterior kidney tissue and exposed to the mitogens concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from <i>E.coli</i> O111:B4 for the mitogenesis assay. Mitogenic responses were dependent upon specific mitogen used, collection site, and season in which the fish were collected. To provide a better understanding of factors affecting these responses, tissue parasites and macrophage aggregates were quantified. Wild fish are inherently exposed to stressors, including disease, parasites, and fluctuations in environmental parameters such as temperature, water quality and contaminants. The differences in lymphocyte mitogenesis among smallmouth bass populations observed in this study validate the utility of this improved method for future ecotoxicological studies and fish health assessments. It also emphasizes the need for integrated assessments to determine not only environmental parameters but also infectious agents that may modulate the immune response.
Smit, R. B., Goodman, D. H., Boyce, J., & Som, N. A. 2024. Effects of 2D hydrodynamic model resolution on habitat estimates for rearing Coho Salmon in contrasting channel forms. River Research and Applications 40(10): 1912-1924. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.4341	July 2024
Smalling, K.L., Romanok, K.M., Bradley, P.M, Morriss, M.C., Gray, J.L., Kanagy, L.K., Gordon, S.E., Williams, B.W., Breitmeyer, S.E., Jones, D.K., DeCicco, L.A., Eagles-Smith, C.A., and Wagner, T., 2023, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in United States Tapwater: Comparison of Underserved Private-Well and Public-Supply Exposures and Associated Health Implications, Environment International, p. 108033, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2023.108033	June 2023
Smalling, K.L., O.H. Devereux, S. Gordon, P. Phillips, V.S. Blazer, M.L. Hladik, D.W. Kolpin, M.T. Meyer, A. Sperry, and T. Wagner. 2021. Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of contaminants in agricultural watersheds with implications for land management. Science of the Total Environment 145687.	February 2021
Slevin, M. C., E. E. Bin Soudi, and T. E. Martin. 2020. Breeding Biology of Mountain Wren-Babbler (Gypsophila crassus). Wilson Journal of Ornithology 132(1):124-133.	January 2020
Sleugh, T., McCoy, C.M., Pattengill-Semmens, C.V. et al. 2023. Migratory behavior of aggregating male Tiger Grouper (Mycteroperca tigris) in Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. Environ Biol Fish 106, 1195–1206 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-023-01399-w \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2023	Tiger Grouper (<i>Mycteroperca tigris</i>) form fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) around the winter full moons (typically January through April) in the central Caribbean. Males defend territories to attract mates in a lek-like reproductive strategy. Prior studies have documented rapid declines in populations with FSA associated fisheries. This study examines the migratory behavior and spatial ecology of adult male Tiger Grouper in Little Cayman, Cayman Islands, to better understand the localized impacts of aggregation fishing. As part of the Grouper Moon Project, we acoustically tagged ten spawning male Tiger Grouper at the western end of Little Cayman in February 2015. Using an array of hydrophones surrounding the island, we tracked the movements of the ten tagged fish over a 13-month period. We observed 3 migratory strategies: resident fish (n = 2) that live at the FSA site, neighboring fish (n = 5) that live within 4 km of the site, and commuter fish (n = 3) that travel over 4 km for spawning. Fish began aggregating two days before the full moon and typically left between ten and twelve days after the full moon, January through May. Regardless of migratory strategy, all tagged fish that returned to spawn in2015 after the February tagging effort came back to the west-end FSA. However, in January2016, one fish appeared to attend a different FSA closer to its presumed home territory. Unlike other larger-bodied grouper, it appears that Tiger Grouper establish multiple FSAs around Little Cayman, and males attend FSAs near their home territories. Protracted spawning seasons, FSA site infidelity, and putative FSA catchments should all be brought into management consideration to ensure sustainable fisheries for this important species.
Sleezer, L.J., P.L. Angermeier, E.A. Frimpong, and B.L. Brown. 2021. A new composite abundance metric detects stream fish declines and community homogenization during six decades of invasions. Diversity and Distributions 27: 2136-2156. http://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13393	September 2021
Skorupa, A.J., D. Perkins, A.H. Roy, and J.E. Ryan. 2023. Watershed selection to support freshwater mussel restoration: An open-loop decision guide. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/149-2023, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.3996/css85533320 \| Publisher Website	May 2023
Skorupa, A.J., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D. Perkins, and T. Warren. 2022. Evaluation of host fishes for the Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) from populations in Massachusetts and Maine. Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 25:91-102. DOI:10.31931/fmbc-d-21-00011 \| Download \| Publisher Website	November 2022
Skorupa, A.J., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D. Perkins, T. Warren, and B.S. Cheng. 2024. Food and water quality impact in situ growth of a freshwater mussel: implications for population restoration. Freshwater Science 43(2):107-123. \| Download	April 2024
Skorupa, A.J., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D. Perkins, T. Warren, and A. Fisk. 2024. Abundance of five sympatric stream dwelling mussels varies with physical habitat. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 2024:e4069. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4069 \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2024
Sirén, A.P.K., Michael Hallworth, J. Kilborn, C.A. Bernier, N.L. Fortin, K.D. Gieder, R. Patry, R.M. Cliché, L.S. Prout, S. Gifford, S. Wixsom, T.L. Morelli, T.L. Wilson. 2024. Monitoring animal populations with cameras using open, multistate, N-mixture models. Ecology and Evolution. \| Abstract	December 2024	Remote cameras have become a mainstream tool for studying wildlife populations. For species whose developmental stages are identifiable in photographs, there are opportunities for tracking population changes and estimating demographic rates. Recent developments in hierarchical models allow for the estimation of ecological states and rates over time for unmarked animals whose stages are known. However, this powerful class of models has been underutilized as they are computationally intensive and model outputs can be difficult to interpret. Here, we use simulation to show how camera data can be analyzed with open, multistate, N-mixture (hereafter multistate DM) models to estimate abundance, survival, and recruitment. We evaluated 4 commonly encountered scenarios arising from camera trap data (low and high abundance and 25% and 50% missing data) each with 18 different sample size combinations (camera sites = 40, 250; surveys = 4, 8, 12; and years = 2, 5, 10) and evaluated the bias and precision of abundance, survival, and recruitment estimates. We also analyzed our empirical camera data on moose (<i>Alces alces</i>) with multistate DM models and compared inference with telemetry studies from the same time and region to assess the accuracy of camera studies to track moose populations. Most scenarios recovered the known parameters from our simulated data with higher accuracy and increased precision for scenarios with more sites, surveys, and/or years. Large amounts of missing data and fewer camera sites, especially at higher abundances, reduced accuracy and precision of survival and recruitment. Our empirical analysis provided biologically realistic estimates of moose survival and recruitment and recovered the known pattern of moose abundance across the region. Multistate DM models can be used for estimating demographic parameters from camera data when developmental stages are clearly identifiable. We discuss several avenues for future research and caveats for using these models for large-scale population monitoring.
Sirén, A.P.K., J. Berube, L.A. Clarfeld, C.F.Sullivan, B. Simpson, T.L. Wilson. 2024. Accounting for missing ticks: Use (or lack thereof) of hierarchical models in tick ecology studies. Ticks and Tickborne Diseases 15:102342. DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102342. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	April 2024	Ixodid (hard) ticks play important ecosystem roles and have significant impacts on animal and human health via tick-borne diseases and physiological stress from parasitism. Tick occurrence, abundance, activity, and key life-history traits are highly influenced by host availability, weather, microclimate, and landscape features. As such, changes in the environment can have profound impacts on ticks, their hosts, and the spread of diseases. Researchers recognize that spatial and temporal factors influence activity and abundance and attempt to account for both by conducting replicate sampling bouts spread over the tick questing period. However, common field methods notoriously underestimate abundance, and it is unclear how (or if) tick studies model the confounding effects of factors influencing activity and abundance. This step is critical as unaccounted variance in detection can lead to biased estimates of occurrence and abundance. We performed a descriptive review to evaluate the extent to which studies account for the detection process while modeling tick data. We also categorized the types of analyses that are commonly used to model tick data. We used hierarchical models (HMs) that account for imperfect detection to analyze simulated and empirical tick data, demonstrating that inference is muddled when detection probability is not accounted for in the modeling process. Our review indicates that only 5 of 412 (1 %) papers explicitly accounted for imperfect detection while modeling ticks. By comparing HMs with the most common approaches used for modeling tick data (e.g., ANOVA), we show that population estimates are biased low for simulated and empirical data when using non-HMs, and that confounding occurs due to not explicitly modeling factors that influenced both detection and abundance. Our review and analysis of simulated and empirical data shows that it is important to account for our ability to detect ticks using field methods with imperfect detection. Not doing so leads to biased estimates of occurrence and abundance which could complicate our understanding of parasite-host relationships and the spread of tick-borne diseases. We highlight the resources available for learning HM approaches and applying them to analyzing tick data.
Sirch, M.W., D.S. Sullins, N.J. Parker, D.A. Haukos, J.D. Kraft, C.A. Hagen, and K.A. Fricke. 2022. Woody species mortality due to a megafire within the mixed-grass prairie. Prairie Naturalist 54:11-23. https://www.eaglehill.us/prna-pdfs-regular/prna-54/prna-008-Sirch.pdf \| Abstract	July 2022	Lack of fire in contemporary grasslands has contributed to the invasion of woody plants that often survive low- to moderate-intensity fire upon maturity. Knowledge of the effect of megafires (>40,000 ha) on grassland tree mortality and role of megafires in maintaining large grasslands is limited. We first quantified severity and spatial extent of a megafire using remote sensing techniques and then evaluated the effect of the megafire on woody canopy cover and tree mortality within the mixed-grass prairie of Clark County, Kansas, USA. We also used remote sensing techniques to estimate woody cover change and performed ground surveys to estimate woody species mortality, top-kill rates of woody species, size of remaining woody vegetation, postfire herbaceous composition, and the influence of herbicide and wildfire interaction on non-native saltcedar (<i>Tamarix ramosissima </i>Ledeb.). The megafire killed 33 ± 2% of saltcedar and 18 ± 1% (mean ± SD) of all other trees, including all eastern redcedar (<i>Juniperus virginiana</i> L.), and another 54 ± 2% of trees were top-killed and resprouted. Herbicide treatments in the burned area before the fire did not reliably increase saltcedar mortality. We conclude that further postfire management may be required to limit woody encroachment following megafire.
Sirch, M. W.*, D. S. Sullins, N. J. Parker, D. A. Haukos, J. D. Kraft, C. A. Hagen, and K. A. Fricke. 2022. Woody species mortality due to a megafire within the mixed-grass prairie. Prairie Naturalist 54: 11–23. No DOI available.	November 2022
Sipe HA, IN Keren, and SJ Converse. 2023. Integrating community science and agency-collected monitoring data to expand monitoring capacity at large spatial scales. Ecology and Evolution 14: e4585. \| Abstract	June 2023	Monitoring species to better understand their status, ecology, and management needs is a major expense for agencies tasked with biodiversity conservation. Community science data have the potential to improve monitoring for minimal cost, given appropriate analytical frameworks are established. We describe a framework for integrating data from the eBird community science platform with agency-collected monitoring data using a multi-state occupancy model. Our novel occupancy model accounts for the structural differences in eBird data and agency-collected monitoring data and allows for estimation of both occupancy and breeding probabilities. The framework was applied to Common Loons (Gavia immer) in Washington State. Common Loons are state listed in Washington as Sensitive and identified as a species of greatest conservation need, and little is known about their breeding distribution beyond the locations of known nesting pairs. Based on our model, we predicted that only 6.5% (95% Bayesian credible interval, BCI = 1.6%, 50.9%) of the 2324 sites in our sampling frame were occupied by Common Loons, though Common Loons were predicted to be breeding at 95% (95% BCI = 71.2%, 99.9%) of the lakes they occupied. We identified only 1 abiotic covariate – elevation – that was a useful predictor of occupancy or reproduction probabilities in Common Loons; improvements in the predictive power of our model might be achieved with information on difficult-to-monitor biotic covariates, such as fish community metrics. We found that state agency biologists were 16 times more likely to detect breeding Common Loons during a visit than were eBird users (94.2%, 95% BCI = 77.9%, 98.9% for agency biologists vs. 8.2%, 95% BCI = 6.3%, 10.4% for eBird users). However, the amount of effort expended by eBird users meant that they confirmed Common Loons at 94 sites while agency biologists confirmed them at just 24 sites. Importantly, though, certain information – namely, evidence of reproduction – was only contributed by agency biologists. Our results provide a better understanding of the distribution of Common Loons in Washington, while further demonstrating that community science data can be a valuable complement to agency-collected data, if appropriate frameworks are developed to integrate these data sources.
Sink, CE, KM Dugger, CA Hagen and JN Vradenburg. 2024. Living on the edge: identifying demographic bottlenecks in an isolated sage-grouse population. Wildlife Biology 2024: e01242, https://doi.org/10.1002/wlb3.01242.	September 2024
Simonsen, V., E. Stuber, and J.J. Fontaine. (2022) Examining the effects of patch size and nest density on artificial nest survival. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology -* 134(2): 182–192. https://doi.org/10.1676/19-00063	May 2022
Silver-Georges, I., S. A. Ceriani,M. Ware, M. Lamb, M. Lamont, J. Becker, R.R. Carthy, C, Matechik, J. Mitchell, R. Pruner, M. Reynolds, B. Smith, C. Snyder, and M. M. P. B. Fuentes. 2021. Using systems thinking to inform management of imperiled species: a case study with sea turtles. Biological Conservation 260: 109201 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2021	Management of imperiled species facing spatiotemporally dynamic threats is difficult. Systems thinking can inform their management by quantifying the impacts that they face. We apply systems thinking to the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGM) loggerhead (Caretta caretta) Recovery Unit (RU), one of the smallest subpopulations of loggerheads nesting in the USA. We characterized disturbances to nests, management actions, and hatchling production across 12 nesting beaches used by this RU to explore how hatchling production would increase if disturbances were mitigated. Annual hatchling production at sites ranged from 470 to 18,191 hatchlings/year. Wash overs (19.3% nests/year), washouts (17.9% nests/year), and predation (13% nests/year) were the most common annual disturbances across sites. Focusing on the most impactful disturbances at just five sites could increase annual NGM RU hatchling production by 2.2–6.7%. Efforts to mitigate wash overs and washouts are ongoing in Alabama, but these may be futile against tropical cyclones, which accounted for >80% of washouts in the present study, and further require careful examination of associated adverse side-effects. Efforts to mitigate predation are common throughout this RU, but require improved knowledge of predator ecology to reach full potential. Systems thinking allowed us to create a simple model for assessing disturbances and management strategies in terms of hatchling sea turtles. This model can be augmented to run dynamic simulations of how disturbances and management actions impact hatchling production, and can be applied to other species with similar reproductive strategies.
Sievert, N., C. P. Paukert, J. B. Whittier, W. Daniel, D. M. Infante, and J. Stewart. 2022. A broad-scale stream fish community risk assessment based on predicted changes in climate in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. Ecological Indicators 144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109493	November 2022
Sievert, N. A., C. P. Paukert, and J. B. Whittier. 2020. A Framework to Incorporate Established Conservation Networks into Freshwater Conservation Planning. Frontiers in Environmental Science: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.515081	December 2020
Sievert, N. A., A. J. Lynch, H. S. Embke, A. Robertson, M. Lang, A. L. Kaz, M. D. Robertson, S. R. Midway, L. Wszola, C. P. Paukert. 2023. CreelCat, a Catalog of United States Inland Creel and Angler Survey Data. Scientific Data 10: 762 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02523-2. IP-152029. BAO Approval 8/13/2023.	November 2023
Siemiantkowski, M. J., C. S. Guy, T. M. Koel, L. M. Tronstad, C. R. Fredenberg, and L. R. Rosenthal. 2022. Combination of acoustic telemetry and side-scan sonar advances suppression efforts for invasive lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in a submontane lake. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10855	December 2022
Siemer, W.F., T. B. Lauber, R.C. Stedman, Jeremy E. Hurst, Catherine C. Sun, Angela K. Fuller, Nicholas A. Hollingshead, Jerrold L. Belant, and Kenneth Kellner III. Perception and Trust Influence Acceptance for Black Bears More Than Bear Density or Conflicts. Frontiers in Conservation Science.	February 2023
Siegel, J.V., S.A. Welsh, N.D. Taylor, and Q.E. Phelps. Size Structure, Age, Growth, and Mortality of Flathead Catfish in the Robert C. Byrd Pool of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 10:10-16.	January 2023
Shi, Y., J.J. Homola, P.T. Euclide, D.A. Isermann, D.C. Caroffino, M.V. McPhee, and W.A. Larson. 2022. High-density genomic data reveal fine-scale population structure and pronounced islands of adaptive divergence in lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) from Lake Michigan. Evolutionary Applications. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13475	August 2022
Shi, Y., Dick, C.M., Karpan, K., Baetscher, D., Henderson, M.J., Sethi, S.A., McPhee, M.V., Larson, W.A. Towards absolute abundance for conservation applications: estimating the number of contributors via microhaplotype genotyping of mixed-DNA samples. submitted to Molecular Ecology Resources. \| Abstract	May 2023	Molecular methods including metabarcoding and qPCR have shown promises for estimating species abundance by quantifying the concentration of genetic material in field samples. However, the relationship between specimen abundance and detectable concentrations of genetic material is often variable in practice. DNA mixture analysis represents an alternative approach to quantify specimen abundance based on the identity of unique alleles in a sample. The DNA mixture approach provides novel opportunities to inform ecology and conservation by estimating the absolute abundance of target taxa through molecular methods; yet, challenges with genotyping many highly variable markers in mixed-DNA samples have prevented its widespread use. To advance molecular approaches for abundance estimation we explored the utility of microhaplotypes for DNA mixture analysis by applying a 125-marker panel to 1,179 Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) smolts from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. We assessed the accuracy of DNA mixture analysis through a combination of mock mixtures containing DNA from up to 20 smolts and a trophic ecological application enumerating smolts in predator diets. Mock DNA mixtures of up to 10 smolts could reliably be resolved using microhaplotypes and increasing the panel size would likely facilitate identification of more individuals. However, while analysis of predator gastrointestinal tract contents indicated DNA mixture analysis could discern the presence of multiple prey items, poor DNA quality prevented accurate genotyping and abundance estimation. Our results indicate that DNA mixture analysis can perform well with high-quality DNA, but methodological improvements in genotyping degraded DNA are necessary before this approach can be used on marginal quality samples.
Shepard, B. B., P. Clancey, M. L. Nelson, C. G. Kruse, R. T. Al-Chokhachy, D. Drinan, M. L. Taper, and A. V. Zale. 2021. Evaluation of remote site incubators to incubate wild- and hatchery-origin Westslope Cutthroat Trout embryos. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:844-855. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10588 \| Download	June 2021
Sheffer, R.J., S.R. Hogler, and D.A. Isermann. Submitted. Mark-recapture models accurately predict growth trajectories of known-age muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10757	February 2022
Sheehan, K.R. and S.A. Welsh. 2021. Comparison of geographically weighted regression of benthic substrate modeling accuracy on large and small wadeable streams. Journal of Geographic Information System 13:194-209. DOI: 10.4236/jgis.2021.132011	April 2021
Shamon, Hila. Et Al. 2024. Snapshot USA 2021: A third coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States - first trends. Ecology.doi.org/10.1002/ecy.4318 \| Abstract \| Download	May 2024	SNAPSHOT USA is a multi-contributor camera trap survey designed to survey mammals across the United States. The growing Snapshot dataset is useful for tracking wildlife populations responses to changes in land use, land cover, and climate across spatial and temporal scales. Here we present the SNAPSHOT USA 2021 dataset, the third national camera trap survey across the U.S. Data were collected across 109 camera trap arrays and consists of 1715 camera sites, 1849 camera deployments, the effort equaled 73,959 camera trap nights, and resulted in 172,957 observations of free-ranging mammals, birds, and humans. As an example of the potential uses, we analyze all 3 years of survey data to examine the proportion of change in occupancy of two sympatric common carnivores and two sympatric common ungulates: red fox (Vulpes vulpes), coyote (Canis latrans), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We considered annual arrays to be comparable if separated by < 10 km and represented similar habitat. White-tailed deer occupancy remained stable across all years (mean proportion 2021/2019: 1.03 ± 0.38 SD). Occupancy proportions (mean proportion 2021/2019) between years for the other species appear stable for mule deer (0.93 ± 0.8 SD), increasing for coyote (1.34 ± 0.56 SD), and decreasing for red fox (0.74 ± 0.79 SD), but in each case the variability between regions precludes significance at the national level. Data collected across years can detect changes in species occurrence, but assessment at the national level require examination of occurrence in relation to land cover and climate gradients.
Shamon, Hila, Roi Maor, Michael V. Cove, Roland Kays, Jessie Adley, Peter D. Alexander, David N. Allen, et al. 2024. “ SNAPSHOT USA 2021: A Third Coordinated National Camera Trap Survey of the United States.” Ecology e4318. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.4318	May 2024
Shamaskin, A.V., M.E. Colvin, L.E. Miranda. 2023. Evaluating regional length limits in freshwater fisheries. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2022-0179 \| Abstract	April 2023	Length limits are often used in recreational fisheries management to prevent overharvest and manipulate fish size distributions. These regulations are ideally customized to meet water-specific stock dynamics and fishery objectives. However, in districts with numerous discrete waters, fisheries are commonly managed with a universal regional regulation. Evaluating alternative regional length limits requires consideration of management objectives that may not be important at the single-system level, but that emerge as relevant at the regional scale, such as uniformity of regional harvest, diversity of average catch sizes, and opportunity to harvest. We developed a flexible tool for evaluating regional length limits. The tool joins the well-established Beverton-Holt yield-per-recruit model with elements of decision-support methods. The model quantifies regional management objectives as utility functions that are weighted and summed into a single value used to evaluate alternative length limits. The flexibility of the tool stems from its capacity to consider a mixture of stock parameters and associated uncertainty to evaluate multiple length limits, weighing an array of regional fishery objectives quantified by various performance metrics. This adjustability affords flexibility to consider a diversity of options that can stimulate innovation in setting regional length limits. We demonstrate the model by evaluating varying length limits on fishery objectives related to the management of hypothetical Yellow Perch populations and real Black Crappie populations.
Shaftel, R., Mauger, S., Falke, J., Rinella, D., Davis, J., and L. Jones. Thermal diversity of salmon streams in the Matanuska-Susitna Basin, Alaska. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 56(4) 630-646. https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.12839.	August 2020
Severud, W.J., D.Wolfson, J. Fieberg, and D.E. Andersen. 2022. Sandhill crane colt survival in Minnesota. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-21-097 \| Abstract	April 2022	Age-structured population models require reliable estimates of cohort-specific survival rates, yet vital rates of younger age classes are often difficult to estimate because of the logistical challenges of monitoring young animals. As part of a study of sandhill cranes <i>Antigone canadensis </i>in the zone of contact between breeding distributions of the Eastern Population and Mid-continent Population in Minnesota, United States, we monitored first summer survival of 34 sandhill cranes (hereafter, “colts”) using VHF and/or GPS-GSM transmitters. We estimated daily survival probabilities from 19 to 120 days post-hatch using a generalized linear model accounting for interval censoring, resulting in an estimated period survival rate of 0.52 (90% confidence interval 0.36–0.71) over summer (100 days). Estimated daily probabilities of survival increased as colts became older and fledged (at 70–75 days post-hatch), when they presumably became less vulnerable to predation. Causes of mortality were mostly unknown aside from one case of a collision with a vehicle. There is a scarcity of published colt survival rate estimates for sandhill cranes and what is available varies widely by study site. Region-specific sandhill crane colt survival rate estimates can inform future management efforts and inform population dynamics research and overall natural history knowledge of sandhill cranes.
Sethi, S. A., A. J. Poulton, A. Koeberle, D. Linden, D. R. Diefenbach, F. E. Buderman, M. J. Casalena, K. Duren. 2024. Multistage time-to-event models improve survival inference by partitioning mortality processes of tracked organisms. Scientific Reports 14:14628. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-64653-w \| Download	June 2024
Sethi SA, Carey MP, Gerken J, Harris B, Cunningham C, Wolf N, Restrepo F, Ashline J (2022) Juvenile salmon habitat use drives variation in growth and highlights vulnerability to river fragmentation. Ecosphere 13:e4192. \| Abstract	July 2022	Widespread stream network fragmentation from dams and culverts has altered habitat connectivity in river ecosystems and presents an acute threat to migratory fish. To support watershed management for an iconic migratory fish group, we assessed juvenile salmon growth outcomes across habitat use strategies and characterized how these life histories may be impacted by stream connectivity loss. Juvenile coho salmon (<i>Oncorynchus kisutch</i>) in the Big Lake drainage, Alaska, U.S.A., were individually tracked over 2012-2013 and categorized into habitat use behaviors, with fish either remaining in streams throughout freshwater residency or migrating seasonally to overwinter in lake habitats. Size, growth rate, and body condition of smolts (n=1,113) were compared across habitat use strategies. Juvenile coho salmon that moved seasonally to lake overwintering habitats, the most frequently observed strategy, grew faster and were significantly larger as smolts compared to their counterparts who remained in streams exclusively (spring age 1 fish: 18% larger by weight, 9% faster growth rate; spring age 2+ fish: 26% heavier, 11% faster growth). Environmental data from a subset of overwinter lakes indicate that greater foraging opportunity and lower energy costs may be implicated in growth advantages conferred by lentic overwintering strategies. Habitat use strategies requiring seasonal migrations, however, increased exposure to stream connectivity loss, and fish blocked from accessing a potential overwinter headwater lake by a culvert and dam had lowest body condition among study groups. Stream network fragmentation restricts access to preferred overwinter habitats, and our findings suggest this may constrain freshwater rearing strategies associated with strong juvenile coho salmon growth. As size at smolt has been implicated as a driver of salmon survival through ocean residency, reduced freshwater habitat connectivity during juvenile stages may have deleterious impacts on later marine life stages. Consequently, conservation of stream connectivity across lentic and lotic habitats represents an important watershed management priority for juvenile salmon.
Sethi SA, Ashline J, Harris B, Gerken J, Restrepo F. (2021) Connectivity between lentic and lotic freshwater habitats identified as a conservation priority for coho salmon. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 31:1791-1801. \| Abstract	July 2021	1. Juvenile Pacific salmon exhibit diverse habitat use and migration strategies to navigate high environmental variability and predation risk during freshwater residency. Increasingly, urbanization and climate-driven hydrological variability present further stressors for these anadromous species, emphasizing a need to conserve freshwater habitat integrity to support life history diversity as a buffer against ongoing ecosystem changes.<br>2. To inform catchment management for salmon, information on the distribution and movement dynamics of juvenile fish throughout the annual seasonal cycle is needed. While a number of studies have assessed the ecology of juvenile coho salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus kisutch</i>) during summer and fall seasons, catchment use by this species throughout the annual cycle is less well characterized, particularly in high latitude systems.<br>3. Here, <i>n</i> = 3,792 tagged juvenile coho salmon were tracked throughout two complete annual cycles to assess basin-wide distribution and movement behavior of this species in a subarctic, ice-bearing catchment.<br>4. Juvenile coho salmon in the Big Lake, Alaska, basin exhibited multiple habitat use and movement strategies across seasons; however, summer rearing in lotic mainstem environments followed by migration to lentic overwinter habitats was identified as a prominent behavior, with two thirds of tracked fish migrating en masse to concentrate in a small subset of upper catchment lakes for the winter. In contrast, the most significant tributary overwintering site (8% of tracked fish) occurred below a culvert and dam blocking juvenile fish passage to a headwater lake, indicating these fish may have been restricted from reaching preferred lentic overwinter habitats.<br>5. These findings emphasize the importance of maintaining aquatic connectivity to lentic habitats as a conservation priority for coho salmon during freshwater residency.
Setash, C. M., W. L. Kendall, and D. Olson. 2020. Nest site selection influences cinnamon teal nest survival in Colorado. Journal of Wildlife Management 84:542-552.	January 2020
Setash, C. M., W. L. Kendall, and D. Olson. 2020. Nest attendance patterns during incubation influence reproductive success of a ground-nesting bird. Ibis DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12838.	March 2020
Serota, M.W., K.J. Barker, L.C. Gigliotti, S.M.L. Maher, A.L. Shawler, G.R. Zuckerman, W. Xu, G. Verta, E. Templin, C. Andreozzi, and A.D. Middleton. 2023. Incorporating human dimensions improves wildlife translocation outcomes. Nature Communications 14(1): 2119.	April 2023
Sergeant, C.J., Falke, J.A., Bellmore, J.R., Bellmore, R.A., and R.L. Crumley. 2020. A classification of streamflow patterns across the coastal Gulf of Alaska. Water Resources Research. e2019WR026127. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR026127.	February 2020
Sergeant, C.J., Bellmore, J.R., Bellmore, R.A., Falke, J.A., Mueter, F.J., Westley, P.A.H. 2023. Hypoxia vulnerability in the salmon watersheds of Southeast Alaska. Science of the Total Environment. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165247	October 2023
Sepulveda, A., R. Al-Chokhachy, M. B. Laramie, K. Crapster, L. Knotek, B. Miller, A. V. Zale, and D. S. Pilliod. 2021. It’s complicated…environmental DNA as a predictor of trout and char abundance in streams. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 78:422-432. doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2020-0182. \| Download	April 2021
Sells, S.N., M.S. Mitchell, K.M. Podruzny, D.E. Ausband, D.J. Emlen, J.A. Gude, T.D. Smucker, D.K. Boyd, and K.E. Loonam. 2022. Competition, prey, and mortalities influence gray wolf group size. Journal of Wildlife Management. 86: e22193.	February 2022
Sells, S.N., M.S. Mitchell, D.E. Ausband, A.D. Luis, D.J. Emlen, K.M Podruzny, and J.A. Gude. 2022. Economical defense of resources structures territorial space use in a cooperative carnivore. Proceedings of the Royal Society, B. 289: 20212512. \| Abstract	January 2022	Ecologists have long sought to understand space use and mechanisms underlying patterns observed in nature. We developed an optimality landscape and mechanistic territory model for gray wolves (<i>Canis lupus</i>) to understand mechanisms driving space use and how wolves structure territories. In the model, simulated packs selected territories to economically meet resource requirements by selecting patches with greatest net value, accounting for benefits, costs, and tradeoffs of defending and using space on the optimality landscape. Economical territory selection successfully predicted the population’s distribution, territory sizes of packs, and how spatial requirements are influenced by local ecosystems, prey density, competitor density, and human-caused mortality risk. Economical territory selection is a mechanistic bridge between space use and animal distribution on the landscape. This knowledge can inform conservation.
Sells, S. N., and M. S. Mitchell. In press. The economics of territory selection. Ecological Modelling.	October 2020
Sells, S. N., C. M. Costello, P. M. Lukacs, L. L. Roberts, & M. A. Vinks. 2023. Predicted connectivity pathways between grizzly bear ecosystems in Western Montana. Biological Conservation, Volume 284, 110199, ISSN 0006-3207, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110199 \| Abstract \| Download	July 2023	Habitat and corridor mapping are key components of many conservation programs. Grizzly bear populations in the continental US are fragmented and connectivity among federal recovery areas is a conservation goal. Building on recent work, we modeled movements to predict areas of connectivity, using integrated step selection functions (iSSFs) developed from GPS-collared grizzly bears (F = 46, M = 19) in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE). We applied iSSFs in a >300,000 km<sup>2</sup> area including the NCDE, Cabinet–Yaak (CYE), Bitterroot (BE), and Greater Yellowstone (GYE) Ecosystems. First, we simulated directed movements (randomized shortest paths with 3 levels of exploration) between start and end nodes across populations. Second, we simulated undirected movements from start nodes in the NCDE, CYE, or GYE (no predetermined end nodes). We summarized and binned results as iSSF classes (1 = lowest relative predicted use; 10 = highest relative predicted use) and evaluated predictions using 127 outlier grizzly bear locations. Connectivity pathways were primarily associated with mountainous areas and secondarily with river and stream courses in open valleys. Values at outlier locations indicated good model fit and mean iSSF classes at outlier locations (≥7.4) and Spearman rank correlations (≥0.87) were highest for undirected simulations and directed simulations with the highest level of exploration. Our resulting predictive maps will facilitate on-the-ground application of this research for prioritizing habitat conservation, human-bear conflict mitigation, and transportation planning. Additionally, our overall modeling approach has direct utility for myriad species and conservation applications.
Sells SN, Costello CM (2024) Predicting future grizzly bear habitat use in the Bitterroot Ecosystem under recolonization and reintroduction scenarios. PLOS ONE 19(9): e0308043. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308043 \| Abstract \| Download	September 2024	Many conservation actions must be implemented with limited data. This is especially true when planning recovery efforts for extirpated populations, such as grizzly bears (<i>Ursus arctos</i>) within the Bitterroot Ecosystem (BE), where strategies for reestablishing a resident population are being evaluated. Here, we applied individual-based movement models developed for a nearby grizzly bear population to predict habitat use in and near the BE, under scenarios of natural recolonization, reintroduction, and a combination. All simulations predicted that habitat use by grizzly bears would be higher in the northern half of the study area. Under the natural recolonization scenario, use was concentrated in Montana, but became more uniform across the northern BE in Idaho over time. Use was more concentrated in east-central Idaho under the reintroduction scenario. Assuming that natural recolonization continues even if bears are reintroduced, use remained widespread across the northern half of the BE and surrounding areas. Predicted habitat maps for the natural recolonization scenario aligned well with outlier and GPS collar data available for grizzly bears in the study area, with Spearman rank correlations of ≥0.93 and mean class values of ≥9.1 (where class 10 was the highest relative predicted use; each class 1 – 10 represented 10% of the landscape). In total, 52.4% of outlier locations and 79% of GPS collar locations were in class 10 in our predicted habitat maps for natural recolonization. Simulated grizzly bears selected habitats over a much larger landscape than the BE itself under all scenarios, including multiple-use and private lands, similar to existing populations that have expanded beyond recovery zones. This highlights the importance of recognizing and planning for the role of private lands in recovery efforts, including understanding resources needed to prevent and respond to human-grizzly bear conflict and maintain public acceptance of grizzly bears over a large landscape.
Seguy, L. and J.M. Long. 2021. Perceived ecological threats and economic benefits of non-native black bass in the United States. Fisheries 46:56-65. DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10520	November 2020
Scott, A. M., and A. K. Carlson. 2024. A new water temperature modeling approach to predict thermal habitat suitability for nonnative cichlids in Florida rivers. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 39(1):e2405721.	October 2024
Scott L. Morford, Brady W. Allred, Dirac Twidwell, Matthew O. Jones, Jeremy D. Maestas, Caleb P. Roberts, David E. Naugle. Herbaceous production lost to woody encroachment in U.S. rangelands. Journal of Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14288 \| Abstract	October 2023	Rangelands of the United States provide ecosystem services that sustain biodiversity and rural economies. Native tree encroachment is a recognized and long-standing conservation challenge to these landscapes, but its impact is often overlooked due to the slow pace of tree invasions and the positive public perception of trees. Here we show that tree encroachment is a dominant change agent in U.S. rangelands; tree cover has increased by more than 76,000 km2 over 30 years, and more than 25% of U.S. rangelands are now experiencing sustained tree cover expansion. Further, we use machine learning methods to estimate the potential herbaceous production (forage) lost to tree encroachment. Since 1990 roughly 315 Tg of herbaceous biomass has been lost, totaling some $5 billion in foregone revenue to agricultural<br>producers. These results suggest that tree encroachment is similar in scale and magnitude to row-crop conversion, another primary cause of rangeland loss in the U.S. Prioritizing conservation efforts to prevent tree encroachment in rangelands can bolster ecosystem and economic sustainability of these landscapes, particularly among privately-owned lands threatened by land-use conversion.
Scoggins, M., D.B. Booth, M. Fork, R. Hale, R.J. Hawley, A.H. Roy, E.E. Bilger, N. Bond, M.J. Burns, T. Fletcher, A. Gonzalez, K.G. Hopkins, K.H. Macneale, E. Marti, S.K. McKay, M.W. Neale, M.J. Pail, B. Rios-Touma, K.L. Russell, R.F. Smith, S. Wenger, and S. Wagner. 2022. Community-powered urban stream restoration: A framework for sustainable and resilient urban ecosystems. Freshwater Science 41: 404-419. https://doi.org/10.1086/721150 \| Publisher Website	September 2022
Schweiger, B.R., J.K. Frey, and J.W. Cain III. 2021. A case for multiscale habitat selection studies of small mammals. Journal of Mammalogy 102:1249-1265. \| Download	October 2021
Schwabenlander, M.D., J.C. Bartz, M. Carstensen, A. Fameli, L. Glaser, R.J. Larsen, M. Li, R. Shoemaker, G. Rowden, S. Stone, W.D. Walter, T.M. Wolf, P.A. Larsen. 2024. Prion forensics: a multidisciplinary approach to investigate CWD at an illegal deer carcass disposal site. Prion, 18(1):72-86; DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2024.2343298. \| Abstract	April 2024	Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is confirmed in 30 US states, three Canadian provinces, and in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and South Korea. Although its geographic origin is speculative, much of the disease spread in North America over the past seven decades is attributed to human activities that include the movement of live animals and animal carcasses. Given the potential for CWD-causing prions to remain infectious within the environment, the disposal of CWD-positive animal remains, whether from free-ranging or captive sources, can play an important role in the transmission of CWD. Regulatory agencies provide guidance and proper disposal opportunities for the control of CWD in endemic areas and to reduce the risk of introduction to new areas. Upon the discovery of an illegal carcass dumping site associated with a CWD-positive captive cervid facility, we employed a veterinary forensics approach to investigate the existence of CWD-positive materials within the site. Animal remains were examined to determine species, age, sex, relatedness, and CWD status. We utilized advanced anatomic, entomologic, genetic, and prion amplification methods to discover CWD-positive remains across multiple age classes of white-tailed deer. CWD prions were detected via RT-QuIC in 13 of 49 carcass samples with 9 of 13 from fawns, 1 of 13 from a yearling, 2 of 13 from adults, and 1 of 13 from a deer of unknown age. We also identified CWD-positive fly larvae associated with positive remains. Our multi-methods approach provides the foundation for the veterinary forensic investigation of CWD spread by means of cervid carcasses.
Schwabenlander, M.D., J.C. Bartz, M. Carstensen, A. Fameli, L. Glaser, R.J. Larsen, M. Li, R. Shoemaker, G. Rowden, S. Stone, W.D. Walter, T.M. Wolf, P.A. Larsen. 2024. Prion forensics: a multidisciplinary approach to investigate CWD at an illegal deer carcass disposal site. Prion, 18(1):72-86; DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2024.2343298. \| Abstract	April 2024	Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is confirmed in 30 US states, three Canadian provinces, and in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and South Korea. Although its geographic origin is speculative, much of the disease spread in North America over the past seven decades is attributed to human activities that include the movement of live animals and animal carcasses. Given the potential for CWD-causing prions to remain infectious within the environment, the disposal of CWD-positive animal remains, whether from free-ranging or captive sources, can play an important role in the transmission of CWD. Regulatory agencies provide guidance and proper disposal opportunities for the control of CWD in endemic areas and to reduce the risk of introduction to new areas. Upon the discovery of an illegal carcass dumping site associated with a CWD-positive captive cervid facility, we employed a veterinary forensics approach to investigate the existence of CWD-positive materials within the site. Animal remains were examined to determine species, age, sex, relatedness, and CWD status. We utilized advanced anatomic, entomologic, genetic, and prion amplification methods to discover CWD-positive remains across multiple age classes of white-tailed deer. CWD prions were detected via RT-QuIC in 13 of 49 carcass samples with 9 of 13 from fawns, 1 of 13 from a yearling, 2 of 13 from adults, and 1 of 13 from a deer of unknown age. We also identified CWD-positive fly larvae associated with positive remains. Our multi-methods approach provides the foundation for the veterinary forensic investigation of CWD spread by means of cervid carcasses.
Schwabenlander, M.D., G. Rowden, S. Stone, R. Shoemaker, L.L. Lindsey, J.D. Oliver, L. Glaser, M. Carstensen, J.C. Bartz, W.D. Walter, R.J. Larsen, T.M. Wolf, P.A. Larsen. 2022. Implementing a veterinary forensics approach to investigate chronic wasting disease at a deer carcass disposal site. Wildlife Disease Association Meeting, Madison, WI, 23-29 July 2022. \| Abstract	July 2022	Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is confirmed in 29 US states, three Canadian provinces, and in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and South Korea. Although its geographic origin is speculative, much of the disease spread in North America over the past seven decades is attributed to human activities that include the movement of live animals and animal carcasses. Given the potential for CWD-causing prions to remain infectious within the environment, the disposal of CWD-positive animal remains, whether from free-ranging or captive sources, can play an important role in the transmission of CWD. Regulatory agencies provide guidance and proper disposal opportunities for the control of CWD in endemic areas and to reduce the risk of introduction to new areas. Upon the discovery of an illegal carcass dumping site associated with a CWD-positive captive cervid facility, we employed a veterinary forensics approach to investigate the existence of CWD-positive materials within the site. Animal remains were examined to determine species, age, sex, relatedness, and CWD status. We utilized advanced anatomic, entomologic, genetic, and prion amplification methods to discover CWD-positive remains across multiple age classes of white-tailed deer. CWD prions were detected via RT-QuIC in 13 of 49 carcass samples with 9 of 13 from fawns, 1 of 13 from a yearling, 2 of 13 from adults, and 1 of 13 from a deer of unknown age. We also identified CWD-positive fly larvae associated with positive remains. Our multi-methods approach provides the foundation for the veterinary forensic investigation of CWD spread by means of cervid carcasses.
Schuyler, E.M., C. A. Hagen, C. R. Anthony, L. J. Foster, and K. M. Dugger. 2022. Habitat recovery after large-scale wildfire leads to mismatch in space use by sagebrush obligate. Ecosphere 2022;13:e4179. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4179.	September 2022
Schuster, C.J., T. Kreul, E. Al-Samarrie, J.T. Peterson, J.L. Sanders, M.L. Kent. Progression of infection and detection of Pseudoloma neurophilia in zebrafish Danio rerio Hamilton by PCR and histology. Journal of Fish Diseases https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13675 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2022	<i>Pseudoloma neurophilia</i> is an important threat to the zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>) model, as it is the most common infectious agent found in research facilities. This parasite can cause clinical disease, but more importantly is a causative agent of non-protocol induced variation in research utilizing zebrafish as an animal model. In this study, we tracked the progression of infection using PCR and histological diagnostic tests. The first experiment compared the application of diagnostic tools for detection of <i>P. neurophilia</i> and showed that whole-body analysis by qPCR (WB-qPCR) can be a standardized process and is comparable to previously published assays using neural tissue. We also evaluated the course of infection in experimentally infected fish, revealing that WB-qPCR is much more sensitive than histology. the parasite was detectable as early as 4 days post exposure (dpe) with WB-qPCR, whereas it was undetected by histology until 92 dpe. In this study, we also added a second slide for histologic analyses, and this increased detection in our combined data set from experiments from 24% to 26%.
Schuster, C.J., M.L. Kent, J. Peterson, and J.L. Sanders. 2022. Multi-state occupancy model estimates probability of detection of an aquatic parasite using environmental DNA: Pseudoloma neurophilia in zebrafish aquaria. Journal of Parasitology https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.02.16.480730 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2022	<i>Pseudoloma neurophilia</i> is the most common pathogen reported in zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>) research facilities. Assays for prevalent zebrafish pathogens are continually expanding, however for <i>P. neurophilia</i>, the only diagnostic methods available are through lethal sampling, often requiring euthanasia of the entire population for accurate estimates of prevalence in small populations. Thus, there is a need to develop non-lethal screening methods that are both sensitive and informative. Here, we describe a nonlethal assay to detect <i>Pseudoloma neurophilia</i> in tank water using a previously developed qPCR assay that was adapted to the droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) platform. The assay detected concentrations as low as 77.5 spores/L and was specific for<i> P. neurophilia.</i> The assay was then validated by testing water from five tanks with infected zebrafish over a three-month period. Each tank was tested using three different water sampling methods: water from flowing tanks, static water, or water from static spawning events. Prevalence data and occupancy modeling revealed that samples collected in static conditions were more informative than samples from flow-through conditions, with prevalence of positive samples at 80% or higher compared to 47%, respectively. Prevalence of positive water samples correlated with prevalence of infection in fish, determined by qPCR.
Schumann, D.A., M.E. Colvin, L.E. Miranda, and D.T. Jones-Farrand. 2020. Occurrence and co-occurrence patterns of gar in river-floodplain habitats: methods to leverage species interactions to benefit distributional models. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:622-637. https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/nafm.10402	June 2020
Schumann, D.A., K.N.B. Graeb, J. Pfrimmer, J.D. Stafford, and S.R. Chipps. 2021. The local responses of aquatic ecosystems to adjacent grassland conversion: can streams of dreams exist in a degraded riverscape? Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 31:2481-2495.	October 2021
Schulz, J.H., A.C. Totoni, S.A. Wilhelm Stanis, C.J. Li, M. Morgan, D.M. Hall and E.B. Webb. In review. Policy comparison of lead hunting ammunition bans and voluntary nonlead programs for California condors. Wildlife Society Bulletin \| Abstract	June 2023	California condors (<i>Gymnogyps californianus</i>) are critically endangered and negatively affected by lead poisoning from spent lead-based hunting ammunition. This issue is surrounded by complex policy discussions, multiple mitigation options, and differing stakeholders’ values. Because lead poisoning is the primary factor affecting condor population growth, California Fish and Game Commission banned lead hunting ammunition during 2008 in southern California. Another regulation for a statewide lead hunting ammunition ban was adopted in 2013 and fully implemented 2019. Alternatively, Arizona Game and Fish Department instituted an outreach and awareness program encouraging voluntary use of nonlead hunting ammunition in the northern portion of the state during 2005; a similar program was initiated in Utah during 2009 and accelerated in 2012. Given the data linking condor mortality to lead bullet fragments, environmental groups petitioned several federal agencies during 2010–2016 to ban lead hunting ammunition on public lands. Federal agencies declined to regulate lead ammunition and federal courts ruled against petitioner’s requests, but advocacy from environmental groups has persisted. Currently, fragmented outreach and awareness programs encouraging voluntary use of nonlead exist around the country with little or no strategic planning. Human health is also an environmental justice issue through ingestion of lead bullet fragments in ground venison from hunter donations of game meat. Evaluating policy effectiveness in the three-state region includes monitoring condor blood lead levels, population status, and hunter awareness of the issue and use of nonlead hunting ammunition.
Schultz, J.H., S.A. Wilhelm Stanis, M. Morgan, C.J. Lie, D.M. Hall and E.B. Webb. 2021. Perspectives from natural resource professionals: Attitudes of natural resource professionals about voluntary use of nonlead hunting ammunition. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism 33:100341	March 2021
Schultz, J.H., S.A. Wilhelm Stanis, D.M. Hall and E.B. Webb. 2021. Until it's a regulation, it's just not my fight: Complexities of a voluntary nonlead hunting ammunition program. Journal of Environmental Management 277:111438 \| Abstract	January 2021	Wildlife and human health are at risk of lead exposure from lead ammunition used for deer hunting. Lead exposure persists for bald eagles due to bullet fragments in game animal gut piles and unretrieved carcasses, and is also a human health risk when venison is procured using lead ammunition. Programs encouraging the voluntary use of nonlead ammunition have become a popular approach mitigating these effects. This study explored attitudes and experiences of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) staff implementing an outreach program encouraging deer hunters to voluntary use nonlead ammunition on 54 National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in the Upper Midwest U.S. to understand factors affecting program implementation by field staff. During 2017–2019, we conducted 29 semi-structured interviews of FWS staff along with 365 responses from an open-ended question on an online survey. Twelve themes emerged from the data and grouped into three broad categories: (1) challenges of dealing with complex issues, (2) importance of messengers and messages, and (3) push-back from staff. Challenges of dealing with complex included administrative restraint and uncertainty, scope and scale of program, human health not an agency responsibility, contextual political influences, and public-private collaborations. Importance of messengers and messages included the importance of experience, and salience of human health risk. Finally, push-back from staff included skepticism of the science and motives behind the program, competing priorities for refuge staff, differing perceptions of regulatory and voluntary approaches, cost and availability of nonlead ammunition, and disregard by some about lead ammunition and human health risks. These findings suggest staff identified numerous challenges implementing a voluntary nonlead ammunition program, many of which are external factors beyond the control of the participants. Understanding the factors and their influence on program implementation may help guide a more rigorous program evaluation examining long-term efforts encouraging the voluntary use of nonlead ammunition by deer hunters.
Schultz, J.H., S.A. Wilhelm Stanis, C.J. Lie, M. Morgan and E.B. Webb. Exploring factors affecting staff support of a voluntary, nonlead ammunition outreach program. Applied Environmental Education and Communication \| Abstract	June 2021	Exposure to spent lead ammunition is a serious issue for bald eagles in the Upper Midwestern U.S. An outreach program was initiated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to address this concern by encouraging deer hunters to voluntarily use nonlead ammunition. This paper analyzes some factors influencing program support among USFWS staff in 2017 and 2018, including the use of nonlead ammunition and lead poisoning in wildlife. Results from pooled multiple imputation showed attitudes toward eagles’ lead risk and importance of informational materials had the strongest effect on program support, followed by an individual’s innovation score. Although previous studies have focused on influencing hunter behavior, our research explored attributes among staff and their support for the outreach program. To enhance program support, different types of staff training might be necessary, depending on perceived eagles’ lead risk, importance of informational materials, and individuals’ innovativeness. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Schroeder,S. A. D. C. Fulton, L. Cornicelli, and L.E. McInenly. 2020. Recreation conflict, coping, and satisfaction: Minnesota grouse hunters’ conflicts and coping response related to all-terrain vehicle users, hikers, and other hunters,Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism,Volume 30,100282 DOIL 10.1016/j.jort.2020.100282	May 2020
Schroeder, S.A., Landon, A., Cornicellis, L, Fulton, D.C. and McInenly, L.2021. Institutional trust, beliefs and evaluation of regulations, and management of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 26, 228-244. DOI: 10.1080/10871209.2020.1808915	August 2020
Schroeder, S.A., A.C. Landon, D.C. Fulton, L. McInenly. 2021. Social identity, values, and trust in government: How stakeholder group, ideology, and wildlife value orientations relate to trust in a state agency for wildlife management. Biological Conservation, 261 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109285 \| Abstract	September 2021	Our objective was to understand how social identity and values influenced general public and stakeholder trust in a state wildlife management agency (SWMA). In particular, we wanted to examine how stakeholder group, ideology, and wildlife value orientation influenced trust in a SWMA. Data were derived from a study of state residents, hunters and livestock producers related to wolf management. Results suggest differences in agency trust correlated with all three factors and the interaction between stakeholder group and wildlife value orientation. Livestock producers reported lower levels of trust in the agency, compared to hunters and the general public. Individuals with conservative or middle-of-the-road ideologies reported less trust in the agency than liberals did. Respondents with traditional wildlife values also had less trust in the agency compared to mutualist, pluralist, and distanced respondents. Results suggested parallels in the ideologies and wildlife value orientations of livestock producers and hunters, although these groups differed significantly in their trust in the agency. Agencies face the challenge of managing common-pool resources for stakeholders who hold different values and ideologies, and who are differentially affected by management decisions.
Schroeder, S.A., A. Landon, L.J. Cornicelli, D.C. Fulton, L. McInenly. 2021. Cognitive and behavioral coping in response to wildlife disease: The case of hunters and chronic wasting disease. Human Dimensions of Wildlife (Published online 4/30/2021). DOI: 10.1080/10871209.2021.1919340 \| Abstract	April 2021	Studying recreation coping is important because some coping may provoke distress, and lead to departure from participation. The transactional stress coping model has been used to examine response to social conditions (e.g., conflict, crowding) in outdoor recreation. Building on this work, we explored how Minnesota deer hunters coped with the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the state. Results are based on a survey of 2018 firearm deer hunters. We examined hunters’ reported behavioral intentions in scenarios related to the presence of CWD, and if the disease affected human health. Results suggest that most hunters would cope using product shift (i.e., eating meat after a “CWD not detected” test result) rather than displacement (i.e. hunting elsewhere or not hunting). Hunters who may cope by quitting hunting reported lower levels of involvement and higher levels of concern about CWD. Results have implications for CWD management in the state.
Schroeder, S., L. Cornicelli, D.C. Fulton, A. Landon, L. McInenly, & S. Cordts. Explaining Support for Mandatory versus Voluntary Conservation Actions among Waterfowlers. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 26(4): 337-355. DOI: 10.1080/10871209.2020.1830205	October 2020
Schroeder, S. A., Landon, A. C., Fulton, D. C., & McInenly, L. E. 2022. On the Multiple Identities of Stakeholders in Wolf Management in Minnesota, United States. FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 10. \| Abstract	June 2022	Social identity theory offers a means to understand attitudes about wolves, with consequences for management support. Using data from a mail survey about wolves, we explored relationships among seven identities (i.e., wolf advocate, hunter, environmentalist, nature enthusiast, farmer, trapper, conservationist) using multidimensional scaling (MDS) and principal components analysis (PCA). We examined how identities correlated with political orientation, trust in a wildlife management agency, wildlife value orientations (WVOs) and attitudes about wolves, and we evaluated whether WVOs mediated the relationship between identities and attitudes. PCA suggested two factors, while MDS and correlations found diversity beyond these factors. Hunter identity was most strongly associated with a domination WVO and conservative political ideology. Farmer identity was most strongly associated with agency distrust and negative wolf attitudes. Wolf advocate was most strongly associated with a mutualism WVO, agency trust, and positive wolf attitudes. Conservationist identity was positively correlated with all other identities. WVOs partially mediated the relationship between identities and attitudes.
Scholl, E. A., W. F. Cross, and C. S. Guy. 2022. Connecting geomorphology, biodiversity, and ecosystem function in large riverscapes. Oikos http://doi.org/10.1111/oik.09431	October 2022
Scholl, E. A., W. F. Cross, C. V. Baxter, and C. S. Guy. 2020. Uncovering process domains in large rivers: Patterns and potential drivers of benthic substrate heterogeneity in two North American riverscapes. Geomorphology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107524	December 2020
Scholl, E. A., W. F. Cross, C. S. Guy, A. J. Dutton, and J. R. Junker. 2023. Landscape diversity promotes stable food-web architectures in large rivers. Ecology Letters 26:1740-1751. http://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14289	July 2023
Schmidt, J.S., L.A., Bruckerhoff, H., Salehabadi, and J., Wang. 2022. Chapter 10: The Colorado River. In: Large Rivers: Geomorphology and Management. (eds) A. Gupta. Wiley-Blackwell.https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119412632.ch10	February 2022
Schmidt, J.H., W.L. Thompson, T.L. Wilson, J.H. Reynolds. 2022. Understanding the impacts of the detection process on distance sampling surveys: selecting among approaches and minimizing total error. Wildlife Monographs 210: e1070. https://doi.org/10.1002/wmon.1070 \| Abstract	July 2022	Wildlife population estimators often require formal adjustment for imperfect detection of individuals during surveys. Conventional distance sampling (CDS) and its extensions (mark‐recapture distance sampling [MRDS], temporary emigration distance sampling [TEDS]) are popular approaches for producing unbiased estimators of wildlife abundance. However, despite extensive discussion and development of distance sampling theory in the literature, deciding which of these alternatives is most appropriate for a particular scenario can be confusing. Some of this confusion may stem from an incomplete understanding of how each approach addresses the components of the detection process. Here we describe the proper application of CDS, MRDS, and TEDS approaches and use applied examples to help clarify their differing assumptions with respect to the components of the detection process. To further aid the practitioner, we summarize the differences in a decision tree that can be used to identify cases where a more complex alternative (e.g., MRDS or TEDS) may be appropriate for a given survey application. Although the more complex approaches can account for additional sources of bias, in practical applications one also must consider estimator precision. Therefore, we also review the concept of total estimator error in the context of comparing competing methods for a given application to aid in the selection of the most appropriate distance sampling approach. Finally, we detail how the use of more advanced techniques (i.e., informed priors, open‐population distance sampling models, and integrated modeling approaches) can further reduce total estimator error by leveraging information from existing and ongoing data collection .By synthesizing the existing literature on CDS, MRDS, TEDS and their extensions, in conjunction with the concepts of total estimator error and the components of the detection process, we provide a comprehensive guide that can be used by the practitioner to more efficiently, effectively, and appropriately apply distance sampling in a variety of settings.
Schmidt, J.H., T.L. Wilson, W.L. Thompson, B.A. Mangipane. 2022. Integrating distance sampling survey data with population indices to separate trends in abundance and resource use. Journal of Wildlife Management 86:e22185. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22185 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2022	Managers rely on accurate estimators of wildlife abundance and trends for management decisions. Despite the focus of contemporary wildlife science on developing methods to improve inference from wildlife surveys, legacy datasets often rely on index counts that lack information about the detection process. Data integration can be a useful tool for combining index counts with data collected under more rigorous designs (i.e., designs that account for the detection process), but care is required when datasets represent different population processes or are mismatched in space and time. This can be particularly problematic in cases where animals aggregate in response to a spatially or temporally limited resource because individuals may temporarily immigrate from outside the study area and be included in the abundance index. Abundance indices based on brown bear (<i>Ursus arctos</i>) feeding aggregations within coastal meadows in early summer in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA, are one such example. These indices reflect the target population (brown bears residing within the park) and temporary immigrants (i.e., bears drawn from outside the park boundary). To properly account for the effects of temporary immigration, we integrated the index data with abundance data collected via park-wide distance sampling surveys, the latter of which properly addressed the detection process. By assuming that the distance data provide inference on abundance and the index counts represent some combination of abundance and temporary immigration processes, we were able to decompose the relative contribution of each to overall trend. We estimated that the density of brown bears within our study area was 38–54 adults/1,000 km<sup>2</sup> during 2003–2019 and that abundance increased at a rate of approximately 1.4%/year. The contribution of temporary immigrants to overall trend in the index was low, so we created 3 hypothetical scenarios to more fully demonstrate how the integrated approach could be useful in situations where the composite trend in meadow counts may obscure trends in abundance (e.g., opposing trends in abundance and temporary immigration). Our work represents a conceptual advance supporting the integration of legacy index data with more rigorous data streams and is broadly applicable in cases where trends in index values may represent a mixture of population processes.
Schmidt, J.H., J. Putera, T.L. Wilson. 2020. Direct and indirect effects of temperature and prey abundance on bald eagle reproductive dynamics. Oecologia. 192: 391-401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-019-04578-8 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2020	Understanding the mechanisms by which populations are regulated is critical for predicting the effects of large-scale perturbations. While discrete mortality events provide clear evidence of direct impacts, indirect pathways are more difficult to assess but may play important roles in population and ecosystem dynamics. Here, we use multi-state occupancy models to analyze a long-term dataset on nesting bald eagles in south-central Alaska with the goal of identifying both direct and indirect mechanisms influencing reproductive output in this apex predator. We found that the probabilities of both nest occupancy and success were higher in the portion of the study area where water turbidity was low, supporting the hypothesis that access to aquatic prey is a critical factor limiting the reproductive output of eagles in this system. As expected, nest success was also positively related to salmon abundance; however, the negative effect of spring warmth suggested that access to salmon resources is indirectly diminished in warm springs as a consequence of increased glacial melt. Together, these findings reveal complex interrelationships between a critical prey resource and large-scale weather and climate processes which likely alter the accessibility of resources rather than directly affecting resource abundance. While important for understanding bald eagle reproductive dynamics in this system specifically, our results have broader implications that suggest complex interrelationships among system components.
Schmidt, J.H., H.A., Coletti, K.A. Cutting, T.L. Wilson, B.A. Mangipane, C. Schultz, D.T. Schertz. 2024. The effects of spatiotemporal variation in marine resources on the occupancy dynamics of a terrestrial avian predator. Ecosphere: e70078. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70078. \| Abstract	November 2024	Identifying relationships between population dynamics and system drivers such as weather, climate, habitat, and resource availability is critical in understanding how populations respond to changing conditions. In coastal areas, the transfer of nutrients across the marine and terrestrial interface leads to further complexity. Nesting populations of bald eagles along the Pacific coast, although terrestrial, are largely dependent on marine resources during the breeding season and therefore represent a good focal species for understanding linkages of nutrients between terrestrial and marine systems. However, coastal areas are susceptible to a variety of perturbations, from both land and sea, which can be further exacerbated by climate change. For example, the northeast Pacific Marine Heatwave (PMH) of 2014-2016 had wide-ranging impacts on the marine ecosystem, providing a convenient natural experiment for further exploring how marine conditions can impact terrestrial systems. We used a spatially-explicit multi-state occupancy modeling framework to analyze >30yrs of bald eagle nest occupancy data collected in 4 large national parks along a coastal-interior gradient in Alaska, USA. We assessed occupancy state in relation to weather conditions, salmon abundance, access to alternate prey resources, and the PMH event to help elucidate the factors affecting bald eagle occupancy dynamics over time. We found that occupancy probability was higher in areas where prey resources were concentrated (e.g., near seabird colonies, where bears facilitate access to salmon carcasses), and the probability of success was higher during warmer, drier springs with higher-than-average salmon abundance. After the onset of the marine heatwave, success declined in the areas most dependent on non-salmon marine resources. These findings confirm the importance of spring weather conditions and access to salmon resources during the critical chick-rearing period, but also reveal that marine heatwaves may have important secondary effects through a reduction in the overall quantity or quality of prey available to bald eagles. Given ongoing warming at high latitudes and the expectation that marine heatwaves will become more common, our findings are useful for understanding ongoing and future changes in the transfer of nutrients from marine to terrestrial ecosystems and how such changes may impact terrestrial species such as bald eagles.
Schmidt, AE, A Lescroël, S Lisovski, M Elrod, D Jongsomjit, KM Dugger, and G Ballard. 2023. Sea ice concentration decline in an important Adélie penguin molt area. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 120 (46) e2306840120 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2306840120.	November 2023
Schmidt, A.E., G. Ballard, A. Lescroël, K. M. Dugger, D. Jongsomjit, M.L. Elrod, D.G. Ainley. 2021. The influence of subcolony-scale nesting habitat on reproductive success of Adélie penguins. Scientific Reports 11:15380, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94861-7.	August 2021
Schindler, AR, DA Haukos, CA Hagen, and BE Ross. A multi-species approach to manage effects of land cover and weather on upland game birds. Ecology and Evolution. 10:14330-14345.	December 2020
Schindler, A.R., D.A. Haukos, C.A. Hagen, B.E. Ross. 2020. A decision-support tool to prioritize candidate landscapes for lesser prairie-chicken conservation. Landscape Ecology 35:1417-1434.	May 2020
Schilder, L.J., L.J. Heintzman,N.E. McIntyre, S. Harryman, C.A. Hagen, R. Martin, C.W. Boal, and B.A. Grisham. 2022. Structural and Functional Landscape Connectivity for Lesser Prairie-Chickens in the Sand Shinnery Oak Prairie Ecoregion of the Southern High Plains. Journal of Wildlife Management 2022;86:e22146. Https://soi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22146	February 2022
Schepker, T.J., E. B. Webb, D. Tillitt and T. LaGrange . 2020. Neonicotinoid insecticides in agricultural wetlands and associations with aquatic invertebrate communities. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 287:106678	January 2020
Scharhag, J.M., C. Sartini, S.M. Crimmins, S.E. Hygnstrom, and J.B. Stetz. 2021. Characteristics of non-fatal attacks by black bears: conterminous United States, 2000-2017. Human-Wildlife Interactions 15:191-202.	April 2021
Schall, M.K., G.D. Smith, V.S. Blazer, H.L. Walsh, and T. Wagner. 2024. Factors influencing the prevalence of hyperpigmented melanistic lesions in smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu in the Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania. Journal of Fish Diseases. http://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.14033	October 2024
Schall, M.K., G.D. Smith, V.S. Blazer, H.L. Walsh, Y. Li, and T. Wagner. 2020. A fishery after the decline: The Susquehanna River Smallmouth Bass story. Fisheries 45:576-584.	August 2020
Schall, M.K., G.D. Smith, V.S. Blazer, H.L. Walsh, T. Wertz, D. Shull, and T. Wagner. 2023. Assembling the right pieces: developing an interdisciplinary team to study disease, decline, and recovery of a world-class Smallmouth Bass fishery. Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10922	May 2023
Sawyer et al. Tradeoffs with utility-scale solar development and ungulates on western rangelands.	April 2022
Satgé, Y.G., S. Janssen, E. Rupp, B. Patteson, C. Gaskin, P.G.R. Jodice. 2024. Mesopelagic diet as pathway of high mercury levels in body feathers of the endangered Diablotin Black-capped Petrel. Marine Ornithology 52:261-274. \| Download	October 2024
Satgé, Y.G., E. Rupp, A. Brown, and P.G.R Jodice. 2020. Habitat modelling locates nesting areas of the Endangered Black-capped Petrel Pterodroma hasitata on Hispaniola and identifies habitat loss. Bird Conservation International 1-18. doi:10.1017/S0959270920000490 \| Download	November 2020
Satgé, Y.G., B. Keitt, C. Gaskin, P.G.R. Jodice. 2023. Spatial segregation between phenotypes of the diablotin black-capped petrel Pterodroma hasitata during the non-breeding period. Endangered Species Research. 51:183-201. doi: 10.3352/esr01254 \| Download	July 2023
Sarah N. Sells, Cecily M. Costello, Paul M. Lukacs, Frank T. van Manen, Mark Haroldson, Wayne Kasworm, Justin Teisberg, Milan A. Vinks, Dan Bjornlie. 2023. Grizzly bear movement models predict habitat use for nearby populations. Biological Conservation, Volume 279, 109940, ISSN 0006-3207, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.109940.	March 2023
Santolo, G.M., and C.W. Boal. 2024. Variation in Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Eggshell Thickness: DDT, Measurement Methods, and Location. Journal of Raptor Research 58:	September 2024
Sandbach, C. J.K. Young, M.M. Conner, E. Hansen, and P. Budy. 2024. Beaver Dam Analogues did not Improve Translocation Outcomes in a Desert River. Restoration Ecology. doi: 10.1111/rec.14107. USGS FSP IP-155481, BOA Date: November 7, 2023. \| Abstract	February 2024	Stream restoration programs employ beaver-related restoration techniques, including beaver translocations and installation of beaver dam analogs (BDAs), to create complex in-stream habitat. Our goal was to investigate whether BDA installations improved the probability of translocated beavers surviving and colonizing a section of degraded desert river. We translocated beavers fitted with VHF and/or PIT tags to the Price River in east-central Utah, for two years before and after BDAs were installed. We monitored survival and site fidelity of VHF-tagged beavers across all four years to estimate apparent survival, using model selection to evaluate models with BDA, flow, and other factors hypothesized to be related to apparent survival. We found similar apparent survival (<i>φ</i>) eight weeks post-release of pre-BDA beavers (<i>φ </i>= 0.50 ± 0.08 SE) and post-BDA beavers (<i>φ</i> = 0.41 ± 0.06 SE). Fifteen predation-caused mortalities occurred, and 43 beavers emigrated outside of the study site. Top models indicated apparent survival was negatively related to mean flow. Of the 70 BDAs that were constructed, we observed signs of beaver activity on two structures and the number of intact natural dams decreased due to monsoon floods. Our results suggest BDAs may not improve survival or site fidelity of translocated beavers in desert river systems. However, the negative relationship between flow and apparent survival suggests survival or fidelity may be improved if beaver translocations are timed to avoid high-flow events. Additional research is needed to understand how habitat, individual behavior, and resident conspecifics influence beaver translocation success.
Samuel, W.T., Yancy, L.E., Hinkle, E.G., and J.A. Falke. 2024. Validating morphometrics as a non-lethal tool to determine Arctic Grayling sex. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 44:70-78.	January 2024
Samuel, W.T., Yancy, L.E., Hinkle, E.G., and J.A. Falke. 2024. Validating morphometrics as a non-lethal tool to determine Arctic Grayling sex. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 44:70-78.	January 2024
Sall, I., Jarchow, C.J., Sigafus, B.H., Eby, L.A., Forzley, M.J. and Hossack, B.R. (2021), Estimating inundation of small waterbodies with sub-pixel analysis of Landsat imagery: long-term trends in surface water area and evaluation of common drought indices. Remote Sens Ecol Conserv, 7: 109-124. https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.172 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2020	Small waterbodies are numerically dominant in many landscapes and provide several important ecosystem services, but automated measurement of waterbodies smaller than a standard Landsat pixel (0.09 ha) remains challenging. To further evaluate sub-Landsat pixel techniques for estimating inundation extent of small waterbodies (basin area: 0.06–1.79 ha), we used a partial spectral unmixing method with matched filtering applied to September 1985–2018 Landsat 5 and eight imagery from southern Arizona, USA. We estimated trends in modeled surface water area each September and evaluated the ability of several common drought indices to explain variation in mean water area. Our methods accurately classified waterbodies as dry or inundated (Landsat 5: 91.3%; Landsat 8: 98.9%) and modeled and digitized surface water areas were strongly correlated (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.70–0.92; bias = −0.024 to −0.015 ha). Estimated surface water area was best explained by the 3-month seasonal standardized precipitation index (SPI03; July‒September). We found a wide range of estimated relationships between drought indices (e.g. SPI vs. Palmer Drought Severity Index) and estimated water area, even for different durations of the same drought index (e.g. SPI01 vs. SPI12). Mean waterbody surface area decreased by ~14% from September 1985 to September 2018, which matches declines in local annual precipitation and regional trends of reduced inundation extent of larger waterbodies. These results emphasize the importance of understanding local systems when relying on drought indices to infer variation in past or future surface water dynamics. Several challenges remain before widespread application of sub-pixel methods is feasible, but our results provide further evidence that partial spectral unmixing with matched filtering provides reliable measures of inundation extent of small waterbodies.
Sainsbury, K.A., Harshaw, H.W., Fulton, D.C. et al. What waterfowl hunters want: exploring heterogeneity in hunting trip preferences. Wetlands 44, 35 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-023-01744-w \| Abstract	February 2024	Canadian and American waterfowl hunters were surveyed to identify their hunting trip preferences. Respondents were individuals that were or had participated in waterfowl hunting, and most had hunted the majority of the last five years. We identified four latent classes of waterfowl hunters that varied in their preferences for harvest, access effort, length of travel, quantity of waterfowl seen, and the potential for interference/ competition. We found a diminishing return associated with the number of waterfowl harvested, and that devoted and local hunters did not perceive appreciable benefit from harvesting more birds beyond harvesting a single bird. Results highlight the importance of not only considering population size, but also the location of habitat for people and waterfowl. Our results provide waterfowl managers important insights into the heterogeneity of North American waterfowl hunters by highlighting differences in priorities for waterfowl hunting trips. Notably, to address this heterogeneity, managers could consider the balance of objectives, actions and resources designed to satisfy current waterfowl hunters to that of attracting new individuals. Managing access to improve the likelihood that hunters will see and have opportunities to harvest some waterfowl has benefit to hunters.
SNAPSHOT USA 2020: A second coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 2022. Ecology. DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3775 Roland Kays^1,2, Michael V. Cove², Jose Diaz³, Kimberly Todd³, Claire Bresnan³, Matt Snider¹,Thomas E. Lee, Jr.⁴, Seth C. Crockett⁴, Anthony P. Crupi⁵, Katherine C.B. Weiss^6,7, Helen Rowe⁸, Tiffany Sprague⁸, Jan Schipper⁷, Christopher A. Lepczyk⁹, Jean E. Fantle-Lepczyk⁹, Jon Davenport¹⁰, Zach Farris¹⁰, Jacque Williamson¹¹, M. Caitlin Fisher-Reid¹², Drew Rezendes¹², Alexandra J. Bebko¹², Petros Chrysafis¹³, Alex J. Jensen¹⁴, David S. Jachowski¹⁴, Katherine C. King¹⁵, Brandon McDonald¹⁵, Daniel J. Herrera¹⁶, Marius van der Merwe¹⁷, Robert V. Horan III¹⁹, Michael S. Rentz²⁰, LaRoy S.E. Brandt²¹, Christopher Nagy²², Sean P. Maher²⁴, Andrea K. Darracq²⁵, George Hess³, Matthew E. Gompper²⁶, Stephen L. Webb²⁷, John P. Vanek²⁸, Diana J. R. Lafferty²⁹, Tru Hubbard²⁹, Jorie Favreau³¹, Jack Fogarty³¹, Steven Hammerich³³, Michelle Halbur³³, Morgan Gray³³, Christine C. Rega-Brodsky³⁴, Caleb Durbin³⁴, Elizabeth A. Flaherty³⁵, Jarred Brooke³⁵, Stephanie S. Coster³⁶, Richard G. Lathrop³⁷, Katarina Russell³⁷, Daniel A. Bogan³⁸, Hila Shamon¹, Robert C. Lonsinger⁴², M. Teague O'Mara⁴³, Justin A. Compton⁴⁴, Melinda Fowler⁴⁴, Erika L. Barthelmess⁴⁵, Katherine E. Andy⁴⁵, Jerrold L. Belant⁴⁶, Dean E. Beyer, Jr.⁴⁷, Daniel G. Scognamillo⁴⁸, Chris Schalk⁴⁸, Caroline N. Ellison⁵⁰, Chip Ruthven⁵⁰, Sarah Fritts⁵¹, Jaquelyn Tleimat⁵¹, Mandy Gay⁵¹, Christopher A. Whittier⁵², Sean A. Neiswenter⁵³, Robert Pelletier⁵³, Brett A. DeGregorio⁵⁴, Erin K. Kuprewicz⁵⁵, Miranda L. Davis⁵⁵, Carolina Baruzzi⁵⁷, Marcus A. Lashley⁵⁶, David Mason⁵⁶, Derek R. Risch⁵⁸, Maximilian L. Allen^59,60, Laura S. Whipple⁶⁰, Jinelle H. Sperry⁶¹, Patrick Wolff⁶¹, Robert H. Hagen⁶², Alessio Mortelliti⁶³, Amay Bolinjcar⁶³, Marketa Zimova⁶⁸, Sean T. Giery⁷⁰, Summer D. Higdon⁷², Ronald S. Revord⁷², Christopher P. Hansen⁷³, Joshua J. Millspaugh⁷³, Adam Zorn⁷⁴, Nathaniel H. Wehr⁷⁵, Brian D. Gerber⁷⁷, Kylie Rezendes⁷⁷, Jessie Adley⁷⁷, Jennifer Sevin⁷⁸, Austin M. Green⁷⁹, Çağan H. Şekercioğlu^79,80, Mary E. Pendergast⁸¹, Kayleigh Mullen⁸¹, Tori Bird^81b, Andrew J. Edelman⁸², Tim Hawig⁸², Joanne R. Wasdin⁸², Andrea Romero⁸³, Brian J. O'Neill^83b[KR1] , Noel Schmitz^83b, Rebecca A Vandermus⁸³, Jesse M. Alston⁸⁴, Kellie M. Kuhn⁸⁵, Damon B. Lesmeister⁸⁶, Cara L. Appel⁸⁷, Christopher Rota⁸⁸, Jennifer L. Stenglein⁸⁹, Christine Anhalt-Depies⁸⁹, Carrie Nelson⁹⁰, Robert A. Long⁹¹, Paula MacKay⁹¹, Kathryn R. Remine⁹¹, Mark J. Jordan⁹², Mark Elbroch⁹³, Dylan Bergman⁹⁴, Sara Cendejas-Zarelli⁹⁵, Kim Sager⁹⁵, Haydée Hernández-Yáñez³, William J. McShea³ \| Abstract \| Download	April 2022	<b>Abstract</b>: Managing wildlife populations in the face of global change requires regular data on the abundance and distribution of wild animals but acquiring these over appropriate spatial scales in a sustainable way has proven challenging. Here we present the data from Snapshot USA 2020, a second annual national mammal survey of the United States of America. This project involved xx scientists setting camera traps in a standardized protocol at 1481 locations across 102 arrays in 43 states for a total of 51,988 trap-nights of survey effort. Most (58) of these arrays were also sampled during the same months (September and October) in 2019, providing a direct comparison of animal populations in two years that include data from before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. All data were managed by the eMammal system, with all species identifications checked by at least two reviewers. In total we recorded 114,749 detections of 77 species of wild mammals, 9200 detections of at least 25 species of birds, 15,847 detections of seven domestic animals and 23,705 detections of humans or their vehicles. Spatial differences across arrays explained more variation in the relative abundance than temporal variation across years for all 38 species modeled, although there are examples of significant site-level differences between years for many species. Temporal results show how species allocate their time and can be used to study species interactions, including between humans and wildlife. These data provide a snapshot of the mammal community of the USA for 2020 and will be useful for exploring the drivers of spatial and temporal changes in relative abundance and distribution, and the impacts of species interactions on daily activity patterns.
SNAPSHOT USA 2020: A second coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 2022. Ecology. DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3775 Roland Kays^1,2, Michael V. Cove², Jose Diaz³, Kimberly Todd³, Claire Bresnan³, Matt Snider¹,Thomas E. Lee, Jr.⁴, Seth C. Crockett⁴, Anthony P. Crupi⁵, Katherine C.B. Weiss^6,7, Helen Rowe⁸, Tiffany Sprague⁸, Jan Schipper⁷, Christopher A. Lepczyk⁹, Jean E. Fantle-Lepczyk⁹, Jon Davenport¹⁰, Zach Farris¹⁰, Jacque Williamson¹¹, M. Caitlin Fisher-Reid¹², Drew Rezendes¹², Alexandra J. Bebko¹², Petros Chrysafis¹³, Alex J. Jensen¹⁴, David S. Jachowski¹⁴, Katherine C. King¹⁵, Brandon McDonald¹⁵, Daniel J. Herrera¹⁶, Marius van der Merwe¹⁷, Robert V. Horan III¹⁹, Michael S. Rentz²⁰, LaRoy S.E. Brandt²¹, Christopher Nagy²², Sean P. Maher²⁴, Andrea K. Darracq²⁵, George Hess³, Matthew E. Gompper²⁶, Stephen L. Webb²⁷, John P. Vanek²⁸, Diana J. R. Lafferty²⁹, Tru Hubbard²⁹, Jorie Favreau³¹, Jack Fogarty³¹, Steven Hammerich³³, Michelle Halbur³³, Morgan Gray³³, Christine C. Rega-Brodsky³⁴, Caleb Durbin³⁴, Elizabeth A. Flaherty³⁵, Jarred Brooke³⁵, Stephanie S. Coster³⁶, Richard G. Lathrop³⁷, Katarina Russell³⁷, Daniel A. Bogan³⁸, Hila Shamon¹, Robert C. Lonsinger⁴², M. Teague O'Mara⁴³, Justin A. Compton⁴⁴, Melinda Fowler⁴⁴, Erika L. Barthelmess⁴⁵, Katherine E. Andy⁴⁵, Jerrold L. Belant⁴⁶, Dean E. Beyer, Jr.⁴⁷, Daniel G. Scognamillo⁴⁸, Chris Schalk⁴⁸, Caroline N. Ellison⁵⁰, Chip Ruthven⁵⁰, Sarah Fritts⁵¹, Jaquelyn Tleimat⁵¹, Mandy Gay⁵¹, Christopher A. Whittier⁵², Sean A. Neiswenter⁵³, Robert Pelletier⁵³, Brett A. DeGregorio⁵⁴, Erin K. Kuprewicz⁵⁵, Miranda L. Davis⁵⁵, Carolina Baruzzi⁵⁷, Marcus A. Lashley⁵⁶, David Mason⁵⁶, Derek R. Risch⁵⁸, Maximilian L. Allen^59,60, Laura S. Whipple⁶⁰, Jinelle H. Sperry⁶¹, Patrick Wolff⁶¹, Robert H. Hagen⁶², Alessio Mortelliti⁶³, Amay Bolinjcar⁶³, Marketa Zimova⁶⁸, Sean T. Giery⁷⁰, Summer D. Higdon⁷², Ronald S. Revord⁷², Christopher P. Hansen⁷³, Joshua J. Millspaugh⁷³, Adam Zorn⁷⁴, Nathaniel H. Wehr⁷⁵, Brian D. Gerber⁷⁷, Kylie Rezendes⁷⁷, Jessie Adley⁷⁷, Jennifer Sevin⁷⁸, Austin M. Green⁷⁹, Çağan H. Şekercioğlu^79,80, Mary E. Pendergast⁸¹, Kayleigh Mullen⁸¹, Tori Bird^81b, Andrew J. Edelman⁸², Tim Hawig⁸², Joanne R. Wasdin⁸², Andrea Romero⁸³, Brian J. O'Neill^83b[KR1] , Noel Schmitz^83b, Rebecca A Vandermus⁸³, Jesse M. Alston⁸⁴, Kellie M. Kuhn⁸⁵, Damon B. Lesmeister⁸⁶, Cara L. Appel⁸⁷, Christopher Rota⁸⁸, Jennifer L. Stenglein⁸⁹, Christine Anhalt-Depies⁸⁹, Carrie Nelson⁹⁰, Robert A. Long⁹¹, Paula MacKay⁹¹, Kathryn R. Remine⁹¹, Mark J. Jordan⁹², Mark Elbroch⁹³, Dylan Bergman⁹⁴, Sara Cendejas-Zarelli⁹⁵, Kim Sager⁹⁵, Haydée Hernández-Yáñez³, William J. McShea³ \| Abstract \| Download	April 2022	<b>Abstract</b>: Managing wildlife populations in the face of global change requires regular data on the abundance and distribution of wild animals but acquiring these over appropriate spatial scales in a sustainable way has proven challenging. Here we present the data from Snapshot USA 2020, a second annual national mammal survey of the United States of America. This project involved xx scientists setting camera traps in a standardized protocol at 1481 locations across 102 arrays in 43 states for a total of 51,988 trap-nights of survey effort. Most (58) of these arrays were also sampled during the same months (September and October) in 2019, providing a direct comparison of animal populations in two years that include data from before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. All data were managed by the eMammal system, with all species identifications checked by at least two reviewers. In total we recorded 114,749 detections of 77 species of wild mammals, 9200 detections of at least 25 species of birds, 15,847 detections of seven domestic animals and 23,705 detections of humans or their vehicles. Spatial differences across arrays explained more variation in the relative abundance than temporal variation across years for all 38 species modeled, although there are examples of significant site-level differences between years for many species. Temporal results show how species allocate their time and can be used to study species interactions, including between humans and wildlife. These data provide a snapshot of the mammal community of the USA for 2020 and will be useful for exploring the drivers of spatial and temporal changes in relative abundance and distribution, and the impacts of species interactions on daily activity patterns.
S.M. Deeley, W.M. Ford, N. Kalen, S. R. Freeze, M. St. Germain, M. Muthersbaugh, E.L. Barr, A.B. Kniowski, A. Silvis and J. De La Cruz. 2022. Relating echolocation call data with reproduction data in mid-Atlantic bats. Diversity 14, 319. doi.org/10.3390/d14050319	April 2022
S.C. Hedden, L.A. Bruckerhoff, and K.B. Gido. 2021. Assessing Linkages Between Small Impoundments and Long-term Trajectories of Prairie Stream Fish Assemblages. American Midland Naturalist 185 (2):187-200. https://doi.org/10.1674/0003-0031-185.2.187 \| Abstract	April 2021	Most stream fish communities have changed over time in response to common anthropogenic disturbances. Impoundments are a widespread anthropogenic stressor that can negatively impact stream fishes as they alter flow regimes, block movements, and act as fountainheads for the introduction and spread of invasive species. Recent studies, however, have reported the occurrence and reproduction of native fishes in impoundments, suggesting they might benefit some native fishes. Our primary objective was to evaluate whether impoundment construction has led to changes in fish community structure in prairie streams. To accomplish this, we compared fish occupancy in small impoundments (,5 ha) to temporal trends in stream occupancy among species to test whether species' increases in stream occupancy were related to their occupancy in impoundments. We examined stream fish communities in the Upper Cottonwood River basin, Kansas, from 1948–2018, and sampled small impoundments in 2016 and 2017. A third (32%) of fish communities in impoundments were similar to stream assemblages, whereas most impoundments (68%) were dominated by sport or bait fishes. In streams, six species showed increases in occupancy and four species showed decreases since small impoundment construction. Of the species that exhibited increased stream occupancy, five showed a positive, logistical relationship between a species' impoundment occupancy and its increase in stream occupancy. Species declining in stream occupancy experienced continued linear declines and may still be declining. Our research suggests stream fish communities have changed since impoundment construction, and are associated with locally-invasive, native species reaching a new stable state in streams accompanied by declines in other native stream fish species.
Ryan, J.E., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D.L. Perkins, T. Warren, C. Walsh, and R. Wick. 2022 Assessing methods for mitigating fungal contamination in freshwater mussel in vitro propagation. Hydrobiologia 849:2487-2501. DOI: 10.1007/s10750-022-04865-1 \| Download	April 2022
Ruzicka, R. E., D. Rollins, W. L. Kendall, and P. F. Doherty, Jr. 2024. Effects of release strategy, source population, and age on reintroduced scaled quail reproduction. Journal of Wildlife Management, DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22660.	August 2024
Ruzicka, R. E., D. Rollins, P. F. Doherty, Jr., and W. L. Kendall. 2023. Longer holding times decrease dispersal bur increase mortality of translocated scaled quail. Journal of Wildlife Management 2023;e22498, DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22498.	September 2023
Ruzi, S.A., E. Youngsteadt, A. Cherveny, J. Kettenbach, H. K. Levenson, D.S. Carley, J.A. Collazo, and R.E. Irwin. 2023. Bee species richness through time in an urbanizing landscape of the southeastern USA. Global Change Biology.. \| Abstract	December 2023	Compared to non-urban environments, cities host ecological communities with altered taxonomic diversity and functional trait composition. However, we know much less about how these urban changes take shape over time. Using historical bee (Apoidea: Anthophila) museum specimens supplemented with online repositories and researcher collections, we investigated whether bee species richness tracked urban and human population growth over the past 118 years. We also determined which species were no longer collected, and whether those species shared certain traits. Additionally, we looked at collector behavior over time. We focused on Wake County, North Carolina, US where human population size has increased over 16 times along with the urban area within its largest city, Raleigh, which has increased over four times. We estimated bee species richness with occupancy models, and rarefaction and extrapolation curves to account for imperfect detection and sample coverage. To determine if bee traits correlated with when species were collected, we compiled information on native status, nesting habits, diet breadth, and sociality. We used non-metric multidimensional scaling to determine if collectors contributed different bee assemblages over time. In total, there were 328 species collected in Wake County. We found that while bee species richness varied there was no clear trend in bee species richness over time. However, recent collections (since 2003) were missing 195 species and there was a shift in trait composition over time, particularly an increase in above-ground nesters. The top collectors in the dataset differed in how often they collected bee species, but this was not consistent between historic and contemporary time periods as some contemporary collectors grouped closer than others together potentially due to focusing on urban habitats. Use of historic collections and complimentary analyses can fill knowledge gaps to help understand temporal patterns of species richness for taxonomic groups that may not have long-term data.
Rutter, J.D., A.A., Dayer, H.W. Harshaw, N.W. Cole, J.N. Duberstein, D.C. Fulton, A.H. Raedeke, and R.M. Schuster. 2021. Racial, ethnic, and social patterns in the recreation specialization of birdwatchers: An analysis of Untied State eBird registrants. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 35: 100400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2021.100400	June 2021
Ruthven, J.S., and J. Leonard, and A.W. Walters. 2023. Assessment of invasive Brook Stickleback Culaea inconstans occupancy, habitat drivers, and overlap with native fishes in the North Platte River drainage, Wyoming. Hydrobiologia doi.org/10.1007/s10750-023-05262-y	June 2023
Ruthven, J.S., and A.W. Walters. 2023. Invasive Brook Stickleback Culaea inconstans has limited effects on the trophic ecology of native fishes in Wyoming, USA. Food Webs 35 e00275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2023.e00275	June 2023
Ruther, E.V., M Asher, G. Christie, C. Gale, A. Massey, C. Massery, C.R. Middaugh, J. Veon, and B.A. DeGregorio. 2021. Northern Bobwhite Occupancy Patterns on Multiple Spatial Scales Across Arkansas. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 12: 502-512 \| Download	December 2021
Russell, Robin E., Walsh, Daniel P., Samuel, Michael D., Grunnill, Martin S., Rocke, Tonie E. 2021. Space matters: incorporating spatial structure into models of plague transmission. Ecological Modelling 443:. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109450	January 2021
Russell, R., DiRenzo, G. V., Alger, K., Grant, E. H. C., & J. Szymanski. 2020. Principles and mechanisms of disease resistance and resilience in wildlife. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 8: 344. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2020.569016. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2020	Emerging infectious diseases can result in species declines and hamper recovery efforts for at-risk populations. Generalizing considerations for reducing the risk of pathogen introduction and mitigating the effects of disease remains challenging and inhibits our ability to provide guidance for species recovery planning. Given the growing rates of emerging pathogens globally, we identify key principles and mechanisms for maintaining sustainable populations in the face of emerging diseases (including minimizing the risk of pathogen introductions and their future effects on hosts). Our synthesis serves as a reference for minimizing the risk of future disease outbreaks, mitigating the deleterious effects of future disease outbreaks on species extinction risk, and a review of the theoretical and/or empirical examples supporting these considerations.
Rush, S. A., K. F. Gaines, W. R. Eddleman, and C. J. Conway. 2020. Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.clarai11.01	March 2020
Runge, Michael C., Campbell Grant, Evan H., Coleman, Jeremy T. H., Reichard, Jonathan D., Gibbs, Samantha E. J., Cryan, Paul M., Olival, Kevin J., Walsh, Daniel P., Blehert, David S., Hopkins, M. Camille, Sleeman, Jonathan M. 2020. Assessing the Risks Posed by SARS-CoV-2 in and via North American Bats-Decision Framing and Rapid Risk Assessment. Open-File Report 2020-1060, 43 p. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201060	January 2020
Runge, M.C., P.K. Devers, G.S. Boomer, J.E. Lyons, A.M. Tucker, Q. Zhao, and J.A. Diamond. 2023. Managing waterfowl harvest under climate change. Report to the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center.	September 2023
Runge MC, SJ Converse, JE Lyons, and DR Smith. 2020. Structured decision making: case studies in natural resource management. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, USA.	May 2020
Runge MC and SJ Converse. 2020. Introduction to risk analysis. Pages 149-155 in Runge MC, SJ Converse, JE Lyons, and DR Smith. Structured decision making: case studies in natural resource management. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, USA.	May 2020
Ruiz‐Gutierrez, V., Bjerre, E.R., Otto, M.C., Zimmerman, G.S., Millsap, B.A., Fink, D., Stuber, E.F., Strimas‐Mackey, M. and Robinson, O.J., 2021. A pathway for citizen science data to inform policy: A case study using eBird data for defining low‐risk collision areas for wind energy development. Journal of Applied Ecology, 58(6), pp.1104-1111. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13870	April 2021
Ruggirello, J. E., S. A. Bonar, O. G. Feuerbacher and L. H. Simons. 2020. Use of underwater videography to quantify conditions utilized by endangered Moapa Dace while spawning. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:17-28.	March 2020
Ruegg, K.C. Ruegg, M. Brinkmeyer,C.M. Bossu, R. Bay,E.C. Anderson, C.W. Boal, R.D. Dawson, A. Eschenbauch, C.J.W. McClure, K.E. Miller, L. Morrow, J. Morrow, M.D. Oleyar, B. Ralph, S. Schulwitz,T. Swem, J.F. Therrien, T.B. Smith, J.A. Heath. 2021.The American Kestrel Genoscape (Falco sparverius): Implications for Monitoring, Management, and Subspecies Boundaries. Ornithology 138:1-14. DOI: 10.1093/ornithology/ukaa068. \| Abstract \| Download	April 2021	Identifying population genetic structure is useful for inferring evolutionary process as well as defining subspecies boundaries and/or conservation units that can aid in species management. The American Kestrel (<i>Falco sparverius</i>) is a widespread species with two described North American subspecies, (<i>F. s. sparverius </i>and <i>F. s. paulus</i>), the latter in the southeastern United States and the former across the remainder of its distribution. In many parts of their range, American Kestrels have been declining, but it has been difficult to interpret demographic trends without a clearer understanding of gene flow among populations. Here we sequence the first American Kestrel genome and scan the genome of 197 individuals from 12 sampling locations across the range of the two North American subspecies to identify population structure. To validate signatures of population structure and fill in sampling gaps across the breeding range we screen 192 outlier loci in an additional 376 samples from 34 sampling locations. Overall, our analyses support the existence of 5 genetically distinct lineages within American Kestrels—Eastern, Western, Texas, Florida, and Alaska.Interestingly, we find that while our genome-wide genetic data support the existence of previously described subspecies boundaries, genetic differences across the species’ range correlate more with putative migratory phenotypes (resident, long-distance, and short-distance migrants) rather than a priori described subspecies boundaries per se. Based on our results, we suggest the resulting five genetic lineages serve as the foundation for American Kestrel conservation and management in the face of future threats.
Rubin, SP, MJ Davis, EE Grossman, I Woo, SEW De La Cruz, G Nakai, and JY Takekawa. 2024. Benthic macroinvertebrate response to estuarine emergent marsh restoration across a delta-wide environmental gradient. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 12:xx-xx. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2024.1356679	April 2024
Rubenstein, S., Peterson, E., Christman, P., and Zydlewski, J. (2022) energetic consequences to migrating Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) delayed below dams. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. DOI: TBD. IP-137191, BAO approval date August 15, 2021. [C:100, D:10, I:30, W:10]. \| Download	October 2022
Royle JA and SJ Converse. 2020. Estimating abundance from capture-recapture data. Pages 103-122 in Murray D and B Sandercock, editors. Population ecology in practice: underused, misused, and abused methods. Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, USA.	December 2019
Roy, S., Daignault, A, Zydlewski, J., Truhlar, A., Smith, S., Jain, S., and Hart, D. (2020) Coordinated river infrastructure decisions enhance social-ecological resilience. Environmental Research Letters. On Line Aug 7.	September 2020
Roy, A.H., E. Bjerre, J. Cummings, K. Kalasz, J. Carmignani, P. Hazelton, M. Kern, D. Perkins, L. Saucier, A. Skorupa, R. Katz, and C.C. Coghlan. 2022. Brook floater restoration: Identifying locations to reintroduce or augment populations with propagated mussels. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series.FWS/CSS-141-2022. doi.org/10.3996/css40468057 \| Publisher Website	March 2022
Roug, A., E. Doden, T. Griffin, J. Young, X. Waldem, N. Norman, P. Budy, and A.J. Van Wettere. 2022. Health screening of American beavers (Castor canadensis) in Utah, USA. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Short Communications. DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-22-00020. USGS FSP IP-139356.	August 2022
Roth, C. J., Z. S. Beard, J. M. Flinders, and M. C. Quist. 2020. Population ecology and evaluation of suppression scenarios for introduced Utah Chub. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:133-144.	February 2020
Rossettie, T.S., T.W. Perry, and J.W. Cain III. 2022. Noninvasive sampling of mountain lion hair by modified foothold traps. Wildlife Society Bulletin 46:e1257. \| Download	April 2022
Ross, P, Patel, E, Ferguson, B, Ravelijaona, R, Raoloniana, G, Wampole, E, Gerber,BD, and Farris, Z. 2020. Assessment of the threatened carnivore community in the recently expanded rainforest protected area Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve, Madagascar. Endangered Species Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01055. \| Download	May 2020
Rosenthal, WC, EG Mandeville, AM Pilkerton, PC Gerrity, JA Skorupski, AW Walters, and CE Wagner. 2024. Influence of dams on sauger population structure and hybridization with introduced walleye. Ecology and Evolution 14(7): e11706 https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11706	July 2024
Rosenthal, W.R., J.M. Fennell, E.G. Mandeville, J.C. Burckhardt, A.W. Walters, and C.E. Wagner. 2022. Effects of reproductive fitness in a hybridizing trout population. Molecular Ecology http://doi.org/10.1111/mec.16578	June 2022
Rosenfield, R.N., S.A. Sonsthagen, W.E. Stout, T.G. Driscoll, A.C. Stewart, P.N. Frater, and S.L. Talbot. Combined high rates of alternative breeding strategies unexpectedly found among populations of a solitary nesting raptor. Ecology and Evolution. 14: e70190 doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70190	August 2024
Rosenfield, R. N., S. A. Sonsthagen, A. E. Riddle-Berntsen, and E. Kuhel. 2021. Record fledging count from a seven-egg clutch in the Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii). The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 132:460-463.	November 2020
Rosenblatt, E., R. Mickey, S. Creel, K. Gieder, J. Murdoch, and T. Donovan. 2023. Advances in wildlife abundance estimation using pedigree reconstruction. Ecology and Evolution 13(10):e10650. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	October 2023	The conservation and management of wildlife populations, particularly for threatened and endangered species are greatly aided with abundance, growth rate, and density measures. Traditional methods of estimating abundance and related metrics represent trade-offs in effort and precision of estimates. Pedigree reconstruction is an emerging, attractive alternate approach because its use of one-time, noninvasive sampling of individuals to infer the existence of unsampled individuals. However, advances in pedigree reconstruction could improve its utility, including forming a measure of precision for the method, establishing required spatial sampling effort for accurate estimates, ascertaining the spatial extent of abundance estimates derived from pedigree reconstruction, and assessing how population density affects the estimator's performance. Using established relationships for a stochastic, spatially explicit simulated moose (<i>Alces americanus</i>) population, pedigree reconstruction provided accurate estimates of the adult moose population size and trend. Novel bootstrapped confidence intervals performed as expected with intensive sampling but underperformed with moderate sampling efforts that could produce abundance estimates with low bias. Adult population estimates more closely reflected the total number of adults in the extant population, rather than number of adults inhabiting the area where sampling occurred. Increasing sampling effort, measured as the proportion of individuals sampled and as the proportion of a hypothetical study area, yielded similar asymptotic patterns over time. Simulations indicated a positive relationship between animal density and sampling effort required for unbiased estimates. These results indicate that pedigree reconstruction can produce accurate abundance estimates and may be particularly valuable for surveying smaller areas and low-density populations.
Rosenblatt, E., K. Gieder, T. Donovan, J. Murdoch, T. Smith, M. Heaton, T. Kalbfleisch, B. Murdoch, S. Bhattarai, E. Pacht, E. Verbist, V. Basnayake, and S. McKay. 2023. Genetic diversity and connectivity of moose (Alces alces americana) in eastern North America. Conservation Genetics 24:235-248. \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2023
Rosenblatt, E., J. DeBow, J. Blouin, T. Donovan, J. Murdoch, S. Creel, W. Rogers, K. Gieder, N. Forti, and C. Alexander. Juvenile moose (Alces alces) stress and nutrition dynamics relate to landscape characteristics, climate-mediated factors, and survival. Conservation Physiology 9:coab048. \| Abstract \| Download	July 2021	Moose populations in the northeastern United States have declined over the past 15 years, primarily due to the impacts of winter ticks. Research efforts have focused on the effects of winter tick infestation on moose survival and reproduction, but stress and nutritional responses to ticks and other stressors remain understudied. We examined the influence of several environmental factors on moose calf stress hormone metabolite concentrations and nutritional restriction in Vermont, USA. We collected 407 fecal and 461 snow urine samples from 84 radio-collared moose calves in the winters of 2017–2019 (January–April) to measure fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM) concentrations and urea nitrogen:creatinine (UN:C) ratios. We used generalized mixed-effects models to evaluate the influence of individual condition, winter ticks, habitat, climate and human development on stress and nutrition in calf moose. We then used these physiological data to build generalized linear models to predict calf winter survival. Calf fGCM concentrations increased with nutritional restriction and snow depth during adult winter tick engorgement. Calf UN:C ratios increased in calves with lighter weights and higher tick loads in early winter. Calf UN:C ratios also increased in individuals with home ranges composed of little deciduous forests during adult winter tick engorgement. Our predictive models estimated that winter survival was negatively related to UN:C ratios and positively related to fGCM concentrations, particularly in early winter. By late March, as winter ticks are having their greatest toll and endogenous resources become depleted, we estimated a curvilinear relationship between fGCM concentrations and survival. Our results provide novel evidence linking moose calf stress and nutrition, a problematic parasite and challenging environment and winter survival. Our findings provide a baseline to support the development of non-invasive physiological monitoring for assessing environmental impacts on moose populations.
Rosenblatt, E, Cook, J. D., DiRenzo, G.V., Grant, E.H.C., Arce, F., Pepin, K. M., Rudolph, J.F., Runge, M.C., Shriner, S., Walsh, D., and Mosher, B.A. 2023. Epidemiological modeling of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) reveals conditions for introduction and widespread transmission. biorxiv.	September 2023
Rosenblatt, C.J. Ashley A Dayer, Jennifer N Duberstein, Tina B Phillips, Howard W Harshaw, David C Fulton, Nicholas W Cole, Andrew H Raedeke, Jonathan D Rutter, Christopher L Wood, Highly specialized recreationists contribute the most to the citizen science project eBird, Ornithological Applications, 2022;, duac008, https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duac008 \| Abstract	February 2022	Contributory citizen science projects (hereafter “contributory projects”) are a powerful tool for avian conservation science. Large-scale projects such as eBird have produced data that have advanced science and contributed to many conservation applications. These projects also provide a means to engage the public in scientific data collection. A common challenge across contributory projects like eBird is to maintain participation, as some volunteers contribute just a few times before disengaging. To maximize contributions and manage an effective program that has broad appeal, it is useful to better understand factors that influence contribution rates. For projects capitalizing on recreation activities (e.g., birding), differences in contribution levels might be explained by the recreation specialization framework, which describes how recreationists vary in skill, behavior, and motives. We paired data from a survey of birders across the United States and Canada with data on their eBird contributions (<i>n</i> = 28,926) to test whether those who contributed most are more specialized birders. We assigned participants to 4 contribution groups based on eBird checklist submissions and compared groups’ specialization levels and motivations. More active contribution groups had higher specialization, yet some specialized birders were not active participants. The most distinguishing feature among groups was the behavioral dimension of specialization, with active eBird participants owning specialized equipment and taking frequent trips away from home to bird. Active participants had the strongest achievement motivations for birding (e.g., keeping a life list), whereas all groups had strong appreciation motivations (e.g., enjoying the sights and sounds of birding). Using recreation specialization to characterize eBird participants can help explain why some do not regularly contribute data. Project managers may be able to promote participation, particularly by those who are specialized but not contributing, by appealing to a broader suite of motivations that includes both appreciation and achievement motivations, and thereby increase data for conservation.
Rosenberger, A.E. and G.A. Lindner. 2022. Use of a riverscape-scale model of fundamental physical habitat requirements for freshwater mussels to quantify mussel declines in a mining-contaminated stream: the Big River, Old Lead Belt, Southeast Missouri. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-147-2022, Washington, D. C. https://doi.org/10.3996/css78904468 \| Abstract \| Download	November 2022	The research described in this report was conducted as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration process in the Big River. Our purpose was to refine understanding of the habitat features and landscape factors that are crucial for the establishment of mussel concentrations in the Big River by using the adjacent and relatively healthy Bourbeuse and Meramec rivers as reference streams. The study will help to establish expected baseline conditions related to mussel habitat in the Big River, which will assist.injury determination in the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District Natural Resource Damage Assessment case.
Rosen, MR, SEW De La Cruz, KD Groover, I Woo, SA Roberts, MJ Davis, and CY Antonino. 2023. Selenium hazards in the Salton Sea environment—summary of current knowledge to inform future wetland management. USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2023-5042. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235042	July 2023
Roop, H. J., N. C. Poudyal, and C. A. Jennings. FSP initiated. Fishing preferences, angling behavior, and attitudes towards management: a comparison between White and Non-white Anglers. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2020.1794082 \| Abstract	July 2020	Recent trends in outdoor recreation in the United States show declining participation in consumptive outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing, primarily because of a decline in per capita participation among certain ethnic groups, largely due to structural change in demography. In Georgia, the proportion of Whites, which have comprised the largest segment of the recreation resource user base, is declining while the share of other racial groups (i.e., Non-whites) is increasing. Fishery managers benefit by knowing if White anglers differ from Non-white anglers in attributes such as demographic characteristics and fishing behavior and preferences. In this study, we compared the racial differences on angling metrics and other attitudinal variables from an intensively managed fishery. There significant differences between user groups in many of the attributes measured. Differences in demographics, sportfish preference, and harvest-orientated behavior confirm that the White and Non-white anglers constitute two distinct segments of this fishery, and these findings, albeit from one study area, may be applicable to other similar fisheries.
Rolls, R.J., J.S. Rogosch, and L.M. Kuehne. 2022. How Shall We Meet? Embracing the Opportunities of Virtual Conferencing. Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10765	July 2022
Rolek, B.W., D.J. Harrison, D.W. Linden, C.S. Loftin, P.B. Wood. 2021. Habitat associations of breeding conifer-associated birds in managed and regenerating forested stands. Forest Ecology and Management.	October 2021
Rogosch, J.S., and J.D. Olden. 2020. Invaders induce coordinated isotopic niche shifts in native fish species. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 77(8): 1348–1358. doi:10.1139/cjfas-2019-0346.	April 2020
Rogosch, J.S., H.I.A. Boehm, R.W. Tingley, K.D. Wright, E.B. Webb, C.P. Paukert. 2024. Evaluating effectiveness of restoration to address current stressors to riverine fish. Freshwater Biology, 69, 607-622. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.14232 \| Abstract	May 2024	1. River restoration programmes with the goal of conserving and rehabilitating inland fishes have a multi-decadal history, but evaluation and synthesis of past restora-tion actions have been limited by a lack of monitoring and reporting. Given that calls for both monitoring and systematic reviews of restoration have increased, we were interested in the influence that restoration has had on improving condi-tions for riverine fishes resulting from long-standing and increasingly prominent stressors. Our objectives were to (1) identify which stressors were targeted in river restoration efforts, (2) determine the proportion of published studies that articulate restoration goals and develop comparative monitoring designs for as-sessing the effects of restoration on fishes, and (3) conduct a meta-analysis to synthesise fish responses to restoration projects.<br>2. We assessed restoration effectiveness for increasing fish density and richness from peer- reviewed papers published over the past decade using a global system-atic review and meta-analysis.<br>3. We found that restoration actions addressed major stressors primarily by improv-ing in- stream habitat (37%), increasing in-stream longitudinal connectivity (26%) and increasing lateral floodplain connections (9%). Although 81% of studies had comparative monitoring designs (i.e., before/after and control/impact) and stated restoration goals, only 40% of those studies reported sufficient data to be in-cluded in the meta-analysis. Projects which increased in-stream connectivity had the largest positive effect size on fish density and richness compared to in-stream habitat improvements and increasing floodplain connections. Time since restora-tion and restoration size (i.e., geographical footprint) were not strong predictors of fish response effect sizes.<br>4. Restoration effectiveness was highly variable among project types. Authors of studies included in the meta-analysis often identified spatial or temporal scale of monitoring, overriding catchment conditions, and recolonisation potential as sources of variability and effectiveness in restoration outcomes. Systematic re-porting of these and other covariates may help guide processes in restoration evaluation and provide valuable research insights. Despite increased emphasis on monitoring, incomplete data reporting limited the number of studies that could be included for quantitative meta-analysis. Persistent emphasis on setting specific criteria (e.g., measurable outcomes of fish response) for restoration goals, project monitoring, data reporting, information sharing and collaborative projects is likely to continue to improve understanding of restoration effectiveness transferable to future endeavours.<br>5. Our results can be used to support river restoration practitioners with evidence- based information to evaluate the cost–benefit ratio of competing restoration priorities, and inform restoration planning and implementation for riverine fish.
Rogosch, J.S. and J.D. Olden. 2021. Comparing opportunistic and strategic removal efforts to manage invasive fish species using a dynamic multi‐state occupancy model. Journal of Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14012	September 2021
Rogan, J.E., M.R. Parker, Z.B. Hancock, A.D. Earl, E.K. Buchholtz, K. Chyn, J. Martina, & L.A. Fitzgerald (2023). Genetic and demographic consequences of range contraction patterns during biological annihilation. Scientific Reports 13, 1691. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28927-z. \| Abstract	January 2023	Species range contractions both contribute to, and result from, biological annihilation, yet do not receive the same attention as extinctions. Range contractions can lead to marked impacts on populations but are usually characterized only by reduction in extent of range. For effective conservation, it is critical to recognize that not all range contractions are the same. We propose three distinct patterns of range contraction: shrinkage, amputation, and fragmentation. We tested the impact of these patterns on populations of a generalist species using forward-time simulations. All three patterns caused 86–88% reduction in population abundance and significantly increased average relatedness, with differing patterns in declines of nucleotide diversity relative to the contraction pattern. The fragmentation pattern resulted in the strongest effects on post-contraction genetic diversity and structure. Defining and quantifying range contraction patterns and their consequences for Earth’s biodiversity would provide useful and necessary information to combat biological annihilation.
Rodgers, P.A. et al. Rifle hunting alters habitat use but does not trigger migration in mule deer. for Journal of Wildlife Management	December 2021
Rodgers et al. Sex-specific migratory behaviors in a temperate ungulate. for Ecosphere	December 2021
Rodger, A. W., , S. L. Wolf, T. A. Starks, J. P. Burroughs, and S. K. Brewer. 2021. Seasonal diet and habitat use of large, introduced Rainbow Trout in an Ozark Highland stream, North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:1764-1780. https://doi.org/10.1002/najfm.10694	December 2021
Rockweit, JT, KM Dugger, DB Lesmeister, RJ Davis, AB Franklin, and JM Highley. 2024. Changing Fire Regimes and Nuanced Impacts on a Critically Imperiled Species. Biological Conservation 296 (2024) 110701, DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110701. \| Download	July 2024
Rockweit, JT, JM Jenkins, JE Hines, JD Nichols, KM Dugger, AB Franklin, PC Carlson, WL Kendall, DB Lesmeister, C McCafferty, SH Ackers, LS Andrews, LL Bailey, JB, KP Burnham, T Chestnut, MM Conner, KE Dilione, RJ Davis, ED Forsman, EM Glenn, SA Gremel, KA Hamm, DR Herter, JM Higley, RB Horn, DW Lamphear, TL McDonald, JA Reid, CJ Schwarz, DC Simon, SG Sovern, JK Swingle, JD Wiens, H Wise, and CB Yackulic. 2022. Range-wide Sources of Variation in Reproductive Rates of Northern Spotted Owls. Ecological Applications 000:000-000, doi:10.1002/eap.2726.	August 2022
Robison, V., Jones, M., Erickson, B., & Biedenweg, K. (2024). Communication Approaches and Specialists that Can Improve Fisheries Management. Fisheries, 49(7), 319-326. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.11090 \| Abstract	April 2024	This paper aims to expand fisheries managers’ and scientists’ understanding of how the science of communication can facilitate effective fisheries management. To do this, in this paper we define and create distinctions around common but often conflated fisheries communication approaches: Outreach, Education, Social Marketing, and Engagement. Further, we explain key scientific principles that support each communication approach and offer practical examples of their application. Finally, we highlight different communication research fields that can produce science that practitioners can use in their fisheries communication. These explanations support our claim that communication is required to meet the professional needs of fisheries managers but must also meet the needs of their audiences.
Robinson, K.F., S.M. Miehls, M.J. Siefkes. 2021. Understanding sea lamprey populations in the Great Lakes prior to broad implementation of sea lamprey control. Journal of Great Lakes Research, Special Issue on Sea Lamprey International Symposium III (SLIS III) 47 (Supplement 1):S328-334. DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2021.04.002 \| Download	December 2021
Robinson, K.F., P.J. Alsip. D.A.R. Drake, Y.-C. Kao, M.A. Koops, D.M. Mason, E.S. Rutherford, H. Zhang. 2021. Reviewing uncertainty in bioenergetics and food web models to project invasion consequences: four major Chinese carps in the Great Lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research, Special Issue: Research and management efforts on invasive Asian carps in the Laurentian Great Lakes 47:83-95. DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2020.11.003	February 2021
Robinson, K.F., M.R. DuFour, J.L. Fischer, S.J. Herbst, M.L. Jones, L.R. Nathan, T.J. Newcomb. 2023. Lessons Learned in Applying Decision Analysis to Natural Resources Management for High Stakes Issues Surrounded by Uncertainty. Decision Analysis 20: 326-342. https://doi.org/10.1287/deca.2023.0015. \| Abstract	December 2023	Management agencies are tasked with difficult decisions for conservation and management of natural resources. These decisions are difficult because of ecological and social uncertainties, the potential for multiple decision makers from multiple jurisdictions, and the need to account for the diverse values of stakeholders. Decision analysis provides a needed framework for accounting for these difficulties when making conservation and management decisions. We discuss the benefits of the application of decision analysis for these types of issues and provide insights from three case studies from the Laurentian Great Lakes. These case studies describe applications of decision analysis for decisions within an agency (management of double-crested cormorant), among agencies (response to invasive grass carp), and among agencies and stakeholders (sustainable fisheries harvest management). These case studies provide insight into the ways that decision analysis can be useful for conservation and management of natural resources, but we also highlight future needs for decision making for these resources. In particular, applications of decision analysis for conservation and management would benefit from enhanced integration of both ecological and social science, inclusion of a broader base of stakeholders, and partnering with Indigenous peoples to better include traditional knowledge in these important decisions.
Robinson, K.F., M.L. Jones, R. Clark, B. Roth, J. Jonas, I. Tsehaye, M. Kornis, B. Turschak, D. O'Keefe, B. Brenton. 2023. Updated decision analysis to inform multi-species salmonine management in Lake Michigan. NCTC Cooperator Science Series. \| Download	November 2023
Robinson, K.F., M. DuFour, M. Jones, S. Herbst, T. Newcomb, J. Boase, T. Brenden, D. Chapman, J. Dettmers, J. Francis, T. Hartman, P. Kocovksy, B. Locke, C. Mayer, J. Tyson. 2021. Using decision analysis to collaboratively respond to invasive species threats: a case study of Lake Erie grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Journal of Great Lakes Research, Special Issue: Research and management efforts on invasive Asian carps in the Laurentian Great Lakes 47:108-119. DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2020.03.018	February 2021
Robinson, K.F., E. Baker, E. Ewing, V. Hemming, M. Kenney, M. Runge. 2023. Decision analysis to advance environmental sustainability. Decision Analysis 20:243-251. https://doi.org/10.1287/deca.2023.intro.v20.n4.	December 2023
Robinson, K.F., C.R. Bronte, D.B. Bunnell, P. Euclide, D. Hondorp, J. Janssen, M. Kornis, S. Riley, M. Vinson, S. Volkel, B. Weidel. 2021. A synthesis of the biology and ecology of sculpin species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and implications for the adaptive capacity of the benthic ecosystem. Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture 29:96-121. DOI: 10.1080/23308249.2020.1782341	January 2021
Robinson, K.F., A.K. Fuller, and M.L. Jones. 2021. Using structured decision making to incorporate ecological and social values into harvest decisions: case studies of white-tailed deer and walleye In: Harvest of Fish and Wildlife: New Paradigms for Sustainable Management. CRC Press.	June 2021
Robinson, K.F. (2024) Review of the SFHA SDM Process: a Report to the Delta Science Program. Delta Stewardship Council. San Francisco, CA. \| Download \| Publisher Website	June 2024
Robinson, D.H., Henderson, M.J., H.E., Goodman, Perry, R.W., Som, N.A. From site to system: approaches for producing system-wide estimates of fish habitat in large rivers. To be submitted to River Research and Applications. \| Abstract	October 2021	Worldwide, many productive rivers are dam-regulated and rely on flow management strategies that must balance support of ecological processes with human water use. One component of evaluating this balance is to understand ecological consequences of alternative flow management strategies, which has often been accomplished by coupling population dynamics models with models that relate streamflow to habitat availability and quality. Numerous methods assign habitat availability to locations within a river basin: these include fine-scale field-measured values that are extrapolated to other locations within the basin having similar physical characteristics, or equation-driven values created by functions of model-predicted values of physical characteristics. The array of options for creating habitat models is evolving rapidly as high-resolution remote sensing data becomes more accessible and computational capacity improves. Our objective was to identify tradeoffs among approaches that assign habitat relationships to large rivers, and to create a decision support tool to supplement choices of extent and granularity. Using a selection of case studies that represent a breadth of scales and diverse tradeoffs, we demonstrate the need for a transparent process of data evaluation and assessment to determine the appropriate fit for model scope or context that best supports management needs and recognize sources of uncertainty. The structured approach proposed here aims to improve future model development and refine population dynamics models that inform management of rivers.
Robertson, M. D., S. R. Midway, H. S. Embke, A. L. Kaz, M. Lang, C. P. Paukert, N. A. Sievert, L. Wszola, A. J. Lynch. 2024. Estimating Lentic Recreational Fisheries Catch and Effort Throughout the United States. Fisheries Management and Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12650.	July 2024
Robertson, E. P., D. P. Walsh, J. Martin, T. M. Work, C. A. Kellogg, J. S. Evans, V. Barker, A. Hawthorn, G. Aeby, V. J. Paul, B. K. Walker, Y. Kiryu, C. M. Woodley, J. L. Meyer, S. M. Rosales, M. Studivan, J. F. Moore, M. E. Brandt, and A. Bruckner. 2023. Rapid prototyping for quantifying belief weights of competing hypotheses about emergent diseases. Journal of Environmental Management 337: 117668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117668. \| Abstract	July 2023	Emerging diseases can have devastating consequences for wildlife and require a rapid response. A critical first step towards developing appropriate management is identifying the etiology of the disease, which can be difficult to determine, particularly early in emergence. Gathering and synthesizing existing information about potential disease causes, by leveraging expert knowledge or relevant existing studies, provides a principled approach to quickly inform decision-making and management efforts. Additionally, updating the current state of knowledge as more information becomes available over time can reduce scientific uncertainty and lead to substantial improvement in the decision-making process and the application of management actions that incorporate and adapt to newly acquired scientific understanding. Here we present a rapid prototyping method for quantifying belief weights for competing hypotheses about the etiology of disease using a combination of formal expert elicitation and Bayesian hierarchical modeling. We illustrate the application of this approach for investigating the etiology of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) and discuss the opportunities and challenges of this approach for addressing emergent diseases. Lastly, we detail how our work may apply to other pressing management or conservation problems that require quick responses. We found the rapid prototyping methods to be an efficient and rapid means to narrow down the number of potential hypotheses, synthesize current understanding, and help prioritize future studies and experiments. This approach is rapid by providing a snapshot assessment of the current state of knowledge. It can also be updated periodically (e.g., annually) to assess changes in belief weights over time as scientific understanding increases. <i>Synthesis and applications</i>: The rapid prototyping approaches demonstrated here can be used to combine knowledge from multiple experts and/or studies to help with fast decision-making needed for urgent conservation issues including emerging diseases and other management problems that require rapid responses. These approaches can also be used to adjust belief weights over time as studies and expert knowledge accumulate and can be a helpful tool for adapting management decisions.
Roberts, N.M., M.J. Lovallo, and S.M. Crimmins. 2020. River otter (Lontra canadensis) status, management, and distribution in the United States: Evidence of large-scale population increase and range expansion. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11:279-286.	December 2020
Roberts, C.P., Naugle, D., Allred, B.W., Donovan, V.M., Fogarty, D.T., Jones, M.O., Maestas, J.D., Olsen, A.C., Twidwell, D. New possibilities to track rangeland productivity at multiple scales and quantify conservation outcomes. Journal of Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116359. \| Abstract	December 2022	Historically, relying on plot-level inventories impeded our ability to quantify large-scale change in plant biomass, a key indicator of conservation interventions in rangeland systems. Recent technological advances enable assessment at scales appropriate to inform management by providing spatially comprehensive estimates of productivity that are partitioned by plant functional group across all contiguous US rangelands. We partnered with the Sage Grouse and Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiatives and the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project to demonstrate the ability of these new datasets to quantify multi-scale changes and heterogeneity in plant biomass following mechanical tree removal, prescribed fire, and prescribed grazing. In Oregon’s sagebrush steppe, for example, juniper tree removal resulted in a 21% increase in one pasture’s productivity and an 18% decline in another. In Nebraska’s Loess Canyons, perennial grass productivity initially declined 80% at sites invaded by trees that were prescriptively burned, but then fully recovered post-fire, representing a 492% increase from nadir. In Kansas’ Shortgrass Prairie, plant biomass increased 4-fold (966,809 kg/ha) in pastures that were prescriptively grazed, with gains highly dependent upon precipitation as evidenced by sensitivity of remotely sensed estimates (SD ±951,308 kg/ha). Our results emphasize that next-generation remote sensing datasets empower land managers to move beyond simplistic control versus treatment study designs to explore nuances in plant biomass in unprecedented ways. New remotely-sensed products also accelerate adaptive management and communicate wildlife and livestock forage benefits from management to diverse stakeholders.
Roberts, C. P., Scholtz, R., Fogarty, D. T., Twidwell, D., & Walker Jr, T. L. (2022). Large‐scale fire management restores grassland bird richness for a private lands ecoregion. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 3(1), e12119. \| Abstract \| Download	January 2022	Of all terrestrial biomes, grasslands are losing the most biodiversity the most rapidly, so there is a critical need to document and learn from large-scale restoration successes. In the Loess Canyons ecoregion of the Great Plains, USA, an association of private ranchers and natural resource agencies has led a multi-decadal, ecoregion-scale initiative to combat the continued loss of grasslands to woody plant encroachment by restoring large-scale fire regimes. Here, we use 14 years of fire treatment history with 6 years of grassland bird monitoring and remotely-sensed tree cover data across 136,767 hectares of privately-owned grassland to quantify outcomes of large-scale grassland restoration efforts. Grassland bird richness increased across 65% (90,032 ha) of the Loess Canyons, and woody plant cover decreased up to 55% across 25% (7,408 ha) of all fire-treated areas. This was accomplished with extreme fire treatments that killed mature trees, were large (mean annual area burned was 3,100 ha), spatially clustered, and straddled boundaries between invasive woodlands and remaining grasslands—not heavily-infested woodlands. Findings from this study provide the first evidence of human management reversing the impacts of woody encroachment on grassland birds at an ecoregion scale.
Roberts, C. P., Donovan, V. M., Wonkka, C. L., Powell, L. A., Allen, C. R., Angeler, D. G., Wedin, D. A., & Twidwell, D. (2019). Fire legacies in eastern ponderosa pine forests. Ecology and evolution, 9(4), 1869-1879. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4879 \| Abstract \| Download	December 2019	Disturbance legacies structure communities and ecological memory, but due to increasing changes in disturbance regimes, it is becoming more difficult to characterize disturbance legacies or determine how long they persist. We sought to quantify the characteristics and persistence of material legacies (e.g., biotic residuals of disturbance) that arise from variation in fire severity in an eastern ponderosa pine forest in North America. We compared forest stand structure and understory woody plant and bird community composition and species richness across unburned, low‐, moderate‐, and high‐severity burn patches in a 27‐year‐old mixed‐severity wildfire that had received minimal post‐fire management. We identified distinct tree densities (high: 14.3 ± 7.4 trees per ha, moderate: 22.3 ± 12.6, low: 135.3 ± 57.1, unburned: 907.9 ± 246.2) and coarse woody debris cover (high: 8.5 ± 1.6% cover per 30 m transect, moderate: 4.3 ± 0.7, low: 2.3 ± 0.6, unburned: 1.0 ± 0.4) among burn severities. Understory woody plant communities differed between high‐severity patches, moderate‐ and low‐severity patches, and unburned patches (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). Bird communities differed between high‐ and moderate‐severity patches, low‐severity patches, and unburned patches (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). Bird species richness varied across burn severities: low‐severity patches had the highest (5.29 ± 1.44) and high‐severity patches had the lowest (2.87 ± 0.72). Understory woody plant richness was highest in unburned (5.93 ± 1.10) and high‐severity (5.07 ± 1.17) patches, and it was lower in moderate‐ (3.43 ± 1.17) and low‐severity (3.43 ± 1.06) patches. We show material fire legacies persisted decades after the mixed‐severity wildfire in eastern ponderosa forest, fostering distinct structures, communities, and species in burned versus unburned patches and across fire severities. At a patch scale, eastern and western ponderosa system responses to mixed‐severity fires were consistent.
Roberts, C. P., Allen, C. R., Angeler, D. G., & Twidwell, D. (2019). Shifting avian spatial regimes in a changing climate. Nature Climate Change, 9(7), 562-566.	December 2019
Roberts, A.D., J. Besser, J. Hundley, D. Mosby, A. Rosenberger, K. L. Bouska, B. Simmons, L. Lueckenhoff, S. E. McMurray, S. Faiman, and L. Lueckenhoff. 2023. An assessment of the relation between metal contaminated sediment and freshwater mussel populations in the Big River, Missouri. Science of the Total Environment. 876: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162743. \| Abstract \| Download	June 2023	The Big River in east-central Missouri drains the largest lead mining area in the United States. Releases of heavy metal contaminated sediments into this river is well documented and suspected to be suppressing freshwater mussel populations. During this study, we characterized the spatial extent of metal contaminated sediments and evaluated its relationship with mussel populations in the Big River. Mussels and sediments were collected at 34 sites in the Big River and 3 reference sites in the Big, Bourbeuse, and Meramec rivers in 2008 and 2013. Analysis of sediment samples with X-ray fluorescence showed that lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) exceeded background concentrations by between 1.5 and 65 times for 168 km downstream of Pb mining releases. Mussel abundance decreased acutely downstream of releases of large volumes of heavy metal mine waste and showed consistent increases with distance downstream. We compared Big River species richness with historical surveys and with all data from 3 similar nearby rivers with similar physical habitat characteristics and threats to mussels, minus Pb mining impacts. Big River species richness predicted by these regressions was only about one-half that expected on average and 70-75% lower in reaches with high median Pb concentrations. Sediment Pb, Zn, and cadmium had significant negative correlations with species richness and abundance. The association of sediment metal concentrations with mussel community metrics in otherwise high quality habitat indicates that Pb and Zn toxicity are responsible for the observed mussel population declines within the Big River. We used concentration-response regressions of mussel density vs sediment Pb to determine that Big River mussel community was adversely affected when sediment Pb concentrations were above 160 ppm, the concentration associated with 20% decreases in mussel density. Thus, based on this sediment metal and mussel fauna assessment, our findings indicate that approximately 140 km of the Big River has a toxic effect to mussels from Pb and other heavy metals.
Roberts CP, Uden DR, Allen CR, Angeler DG, Powell LA, Allred BW, Jones MO, Maestas JD, Twidwell D. 2022. Tracking spatial regimes in animal communities: implications for resilience-based management. Ecological Indicators. doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.108567 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2022	Spatial regimes (the spatial extents of ecological states) exhibit strong spatiotemporal order as they expand or contract in response to retreating or encroaching adjacent spatial regimes (e.g., woody plant invasion of grasslands) and human management (e.g., fire treatments). New methods enable tracking spatial regime boundaries via vegetation landcover data, and this approach is being used for strategic management across biomes. A clear advancement would be incorporating animal community data to track spatial regime boundaries alongside vegetation data. In a 41,170-hectare grassland experiencing woody plant encroachment, we test the utility of using animal community data to track spatial regimes via two hypotheses. (H1) Spatial regime boundaries identified via independent vegetation and animal datasets will exhibit spatial synchrony; specifically, grassland:woodland bird community boundaries will synchronize with grass:woody vegetation boundaries. (H2) Negative feedbacks will stabilize spatial regimes identified via animal data; specifically, frequent fire treatments will stabilize grassland bird community boundaries. We used 26 years of bird community and vegetation data alongside 32 years of fire history data. We identified spatial regime boundaries with bird community data via a wombling approach. We identified spatial regime boundaries with vegetation data by calculating spatial covariance between remotely-sensed grass and woody plant cover per pixel. For fire history data, we calculated the cumulative number of fires per pixel. Setting bird boundary strength (wombling <i>R<sup>2</sup></i> values) as the response variable, we tested our hypotheses with a hierarchical generalized additive model (HGAM). Both hypotheses were supported: animal boundaries synchronized with vegetation boundaries in space and time, and grassland bird communities stabilized as fire frequency increased (HGAM explained 38% of deviance). We can now track spatial regimes via animal community data pixel-by-pixel and year-by-year. Alongside vegetation boundary tracking, tracking animal community boundaries can inform the scale of management necessary to maintain animal communities endemic to desirable ecological states. Our approach will be especially useful for conserving animal communities requiring large-scale, unfragmented landscapes—like grasslands and steppes.
Roberts CP, Ludwig A, Fogarty DT, Stuber E, Uden DR, Walker TJ, Twidwell D. *Population increases of the threatened American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) linked to large-scale conservation strategies in a private lands ecoregion*. Biological Conservation. 301: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110865 \| Abstract	November 2024	Woody plant encroachment and row-crop agricultural land conversion are existential threats to species that rely on grassland ecosystems. The American burying beetle (<i>Nicrophorus americanus</i>) is a threatened species whose largest remnant populations are predominantly located in grassland ecoregions comprised of privately-owned ranching lands. Here, we seek to determine functional scaling patterns and population trends of the American burying beetle in the face of conservation threats and grassland restoration. We used 13 years (2007 – 2019) of American burying beetle abundance data collected from permanent sampling locations across the Loess Canyons ecoregion (Nebraska, USA), where a network of ranchers have been restoring large-scale grasslands. To estimate beetle abundance relative to land cover variables, we developed a Bayesian N-mixture model, incorporating the Bayesian latent indicator scale selection (BLISS) method to probabilistically determine at which scales land cover variables best explained beetle abundance. American burying beetle abundance significantly increased across the ecoregion, despite high interannual variation in abundance. Increases in beetle abundance were associated with large-scale (1,149 ha extent) grassland cover. Decreases in abundance were associated with large-scale crop conversion (590 ha extent) and large-scale increases in woody cover (1,149 ha extent). This study provides the first evidence of ecoregion-scale population increases of the American burying beetle. These increases are tied to landscape variables that are managed in a large-scale, coordinated private lands grassland restoration effort. Our results suggest that successful grassland restoration will depend on coordinating across property boundaries to implement conservation at scales necessary to conserve species that require large-scale, unfragmented grasslands.
Roberts CP, Grant WE, Horton ML, LaBrie LAP, Peterson MR, Rogosch JS, Wang H. 2024. Balancing ecology and practicality to rank waterbodies for preventative invasive species management. Ecological Solutions and Evidence. \| Abstract	August 2024	1. Early detection and rapid response (EDRR) is the most successful framework for preventative invasive species management, but prioritizing localized EDRR actions with limited resources is challenging. An approach that ranks individual locations, such as waterbodies, for EDRR by combining an invasive species’ establishment risk with the practicality of managing it could help set reasonable priorities.<br>2. Here, we worked with regional practitioners in Arkansas, USA and the broader Southeastern USA to co-produce a workflow for preventative aquatic invasive species management that 1) estimates establishment risk under current and future climates with a species distribution model, 2) scores waterbodies according to difficulty of eradicating an aquatic invasive species if it were introduced, and 3) combines establishment risk and eradication difficulty scores to rank waterbodies according to preventative management priority. As our focal species, we used giant salvinia (<i>Salvinia molesta</i>), a floating aquatic fern ranked among the worst weeds in the world due to its negative socioecological impacts and difficulty to eradicate once established.<br>3. Current establishment risk is low for much of our study area, but under future climate scenarios (RCP 8.5), areas with > 60% giant salvinia establishment risk increased from 546 km<sup>2</sup> to 30,219 km<sup>2</sup> between 2023 and 2040 in Arkansas.<br>4. We found giant salvinia establishment risk and eradication difficulty are independent of each other (<i>r</i> = 0.28), and it follows that, alone, early detection tools such as species distribution models are insufficient for managers to prioritize sites for EDRR.<br>5. We envision our approach fitting into a potential EDRR workflow that cascades from broad- to local-scale. To illustrate, 1) horizon scanning and/or climate matching generates lists of high-risk invasive species; 2) species lists are narrowed according to eradication feasibility scores; 3) for all remaining species, all waterbodies across a geography of interest receive prioritization rankings based on establishment risk and eradication difficulty scores. Given that climate change makes predicting invasive species’ distributions a moving target, combining co-produced eradication difficulty scoring with species distribution modeling will balance rigor with practicality when prioritizing locations for EDRR.<br><br>
Roberts CP, Grant WE, Horton ML, LaBrie LAP, Peterson MR, Rogosch JS, Wang H. 2024. Balancing ecology and practicality to rank waterbodies for preventative invasive species management. Ecological Solutions and Evidence. \| Abstract	August 2024	1. Early detection and rapid response (EDRR) is the most successful framework for preventative invasive species management, but prioritizing localized EDRR actions with limited resources is challenging. An approach that ranks individual locations, such as waterbodies, for EDRR by combining an invasive species’ establishment risk with the practicality of managing it could help set reasonable priorities.<br>2. Here, we worked with regional practitioners in Arkansas, USA and the broader Southeastern USA to co-produce a workflow for preventative aquatic invasive species management that 1) estimates establishment risk under current and future climates with a species distribution model, 2) scores waterbodies according to difficulty of eradicating an aquatic invasive species if it were introduced, and 3) combines establishment risk and eradication difficulty scores to rank waterbodies according to preventative management priority. As our focal species, we used giant salvinia (<i>Salvinia molesta</i>), a floating aquatic fern ranked among the worst weeds in the world due to its negative socioecological impacts and difficulty to eradicate once established.<br>3. Current establishment risk is low for much of our study area, but under future climate scenarios (RCP 8.5), areas with > 60% giant salvinia establishment risk increased from 546 km<sup>2</sup> to 30,219 km<sup>2</sup> between 2023 and 2040 in Arkansas.<br>4. We found giant salvinia establishment risk and eradication difficulty are independent of each other (<i>r</i> = 0.28), and it follows that, alone, early detection tools such as species distribution models are insufficient for managers to prioritize sites for EDRR.<br>5. We envision our approach fitting into a potential EDRR workflow that cascades from broad- to local-scale. To illustrate, 1) horizon scanning and/or climate matching generates lists of high-risk invasive species; 2) species lists are narrowed according to eradication feasibility scores; 3) for all remaining species, all waterbodies across a geography of interest receive prioritization rankings based on establishment risk and eradication difficulty scores. Given that climate change makes predicting invasive species’ distributions a moving target, combining co-produced eradication difficulty scoring with species distribution modeling will balance rigor with practicality when prioritizing locations for EDRR.
Roberts CP, Doser JW, Berry LL, Fowler A, Marshall PM, Middaugh C, Rowe K, Schmit JM, Shaw M, Wilson K. Scenario planning and multi-species occupancy models reveal positive avian responses to restoration of afforested woodlands. Restoration Ecology. 32(1), e13998. \| Abstract	April 2023	Scenario planning is a powerful approach for assessing restoration outcomes under alternative futures. However, developing plausible scenarios remains daunting in complex systems like ecological communities. Here, we used Bayesian multi-species occupancy modeling to develop scenarios to assess woodland restoration outcomes in afforested communities in seven wildlife management areas in Arkansas, USA. Our objectives were (1) define plausible woodland restoration and afforestation scenarios by quantifying historic ranges of variation in mean tree cover and tree cover heterogeneity from 1986 - 2021, and (2) predict changes in bird species richness and occupancy patterns for six species of greatest conservation need under two future scenarios: complete afforestation (100% tree cover) and woodland restoration (based on remotely-sensed historic tree cover). Using 35 years of remotely-sensed tree cover data and six years of bird monitoring data, we developed multi-species occupancy models to predict future bird species richness and occupancy under the complete afforestation and woodland restoration scenarios. Between 1986 and 2021, tree cover increased in all study areas–with one increasing 70%. Under the woodland restoration scenario, avian species richness increased up to 20%, and four of six species of greatest conservation need exhibited gains in occupancy probability. The complete afforestation scenario had negligible effects on richness and occupancy. Overall, we found decreasing tree cover to historic levels prior to widespread afforestation would provide community-level benefits and would do little harm even to forest-dependent species of conservation concern. Applying multi-species occupancy modeling within a scenario planning framework allows for comparing multi-scale tradeoffs between plausible futures.
Robb, B. et al. Nowhere to run: pronghorn space use impacted by semi-permeability of barriers	April 2022
Rivera-Burgos, A. C., J. A. Collazo, A. J. Terando, and K. Pacifici. 2021. Linking demographic rates to local environmental conditions in support of Climate Adaptation Strategies for Eleutherodactylus frogs. Global Ecology and Conservation 28 (2021) e01624. \| Abstract	May 2021	Conducting managed species translocations and establishing climate change refugia are adaptation strategies to cope with projected consequences of global warming, but successful implementation requires on-the-ground validation of demographic responses to transient climate conditions. Here we estimated the effect of nine abiotic and biotic factors on local occupancy and an index of abundance (few or chorus) for four amphibian species (<i>Eleutherodactylus wightmanae</i>, <i>E. brittoni</i>, <i>E. antillensis,</i> and <i>E. coqui</i>) in Puerto Rico, USA. We also assessed how the same factors influenced reproductive activity of <i>E. coqui</i> and how species responded to hurricane María (20 September 2017). As predicted, occupancy and abundance of <i>E. wightmanae</i>, <i>E. brittoni</i> and <i>E. coqui</i> were positively and strongly influenced by abiotic covariates (e.g., relative humidity) that characterize high elevation, mesic habitats. <i>E. antillensis</i> exhibited the opposite pattern, with highest probabilities (≥0.6) recorded at ≤300 m and with average relative humidity <75%. Biotic covariates (e.g., canopy cover) had a weak influence on both parameters, regardless of species. High probabilities (≥0.9) of detecting an <i>E. coqui</i> chorus and active nests occurred at sites experiencing average relative humidity of >80% and temperature of ≤26° C. Moderate to high probabilities of detecting a chorus (0.4 - 0.7) were recorded at sites with average temperatures >26°C, but no reproductive activity was detected, implying that monitoring abundance alone could misrepresent the capacity of a local population to sustain itself. The possibility underscores the importance of understanding the interplay between local demographic and environmental parameters in the advent of global warming to help guide monitoring and management decisions, especially for high elevation specialists. Hurricanes can inflict marked reductions in population numbers, but impacts vary by location and species. We found that the abundance (chorus) of <i>E. antillensis</i> and <i>E. brittoni</i> increased after the hurricane, but the abundance of the other two species did not differ between years. Lack of impacts was probably mediated by low structural damage to forest tracts (e.g., 9% canopy loss). Our findings help assess habitat suitability in terms of parameters that foster local population growth, which provides a basis for testing spatio-temporal predictions about demographic rates in potential climate refugia and for designing criteria to help guide managed translocations.
Rivera, S.J., K.M. Alpi, J. A. Collazo, M. K. Stoskopf. 2022. Statistical Methods Used In Research Concerning Endangered and Threatened Animal Species of Puerto Rico: A Meta-study. Caribbean Journal of Science. \| Abstract	January 2022	A concern about statistics in wildlife studies, particularly of endangered and threatened species, is whether the data collected meet the assumptions necessary for the use of parametric statistics. This study identified published papers on the nine endangered and six threatened species found only on Puerto Rico using 5 different databases. The results from the database Zoological Record identified the most articles, including all identified by the other databases. Of the 220 articles identified, 113 included some form of statistics, 28 used only descriptive statistics, 42 included parametric statistics, 24 used only nonparametric statistics, and 19 reported both parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses. This meta-study showed that the percentage of articles with no statistical treatment decreased in the most recent 20 years and that although parametric statistics continue to be most commonly used in published wildlife studies of Puerto Rican wildlife, there has been a distinct increase in the use of nonparametric statistics over time.
Rivera, S.J., K.M. Alpi, J. A. Collazo, M. K. Stoskopf. 2022. Statistical Methods Used In Research Concerning Endangered and Threatened Animal Species of Puerto Rico: A Meta-study. Caribbean Journal of Science. \| Abstract	January 2022	A concern about statistics in wildlife studies, particularly of endangered and threatened species, is whether the data collected meet the assumptions necessary for the use of parametric statistics. This study identified published papers on the nine endangered and six threatened species found only on Puerto Rico using 5 different databases. The results from the database Zoological Record identified the most articles, including all identified by the other databases. Of the 220 articles identified, 113 included some form of statistics, 28 used only descriptive statistics, 42 included parametric statistics, 24 used only nonparametric statistics, and 19 reported both parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses. This meta-study showed that the percentage of articles with no statistical treatment decreased in the most recent 20 years and that although parametric statistics continue to be most commonly used in published wildlife studies of Puerto Rican wildlife, there has been a distinct increase in the use of nonparametric statistics over time.
Rivera, K., Garcia-Quijano, C., Sonnet, V., & Gerber, B. D. (2024). Applying a hierarchical Bayesian framework to reveal how fear and animal ownership drive human's valuation of and interactions with coyotes. Conservation Science and Practice, e13177. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13177 \| Download	August 2024
Rivera, K, Fidino, M, Farris, ZJ, Murphy, A, Magle, S, and Gerber, BD. 2022. Rethinking habitat occupancy modeling and the role of diel activity in an anthropogenic world. American Naturalist, 200, 4, 556-570. https://doi.org/10.1086/720714	August 2022
Rivera, D., JP Zegarra, CE Figuerola-Hernández, JL Herrera-Giraldo, N Arocho-Hernández, NJ Hostetter, J Collazo, RC Bell. 2023. Contemporary record and photographs of the rarely seen and poorly known Mona Blind Snake, Antillotyphlops monensis (Serpentes: Typhlopidae), with comments on ecology and conservation. Herpetology Notes 16:915-918. \| Abstract	November 2023	NA
Rivera, D., JP Zegarra, AR Puente-Rolon, N Arocho-Hernández, NJ Hostetter, JA Collazo, RC Bell. 2024. Multiple Records of the Introduced Parthenogenetic Smooth-scaled Tegulet (Gymnophthalmus underwoodi Grant 1958) in Puerto Rico. Reptiles & Amphibians 31:e21466–e21466. doi.org/10.17161/randa.v31i1.21466. \| Abstract	March 2024	NA
Rivera, D, JB Henderson, AW Lam, NJ Hostetter, JA Collazo, RC Bell. 2024. High-quality, chromosome-level reference genomes of the viviparous Caribbean skinks Spondylurus nitidus and S. culebrae. Genome Biology and Evolution evae079. doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evae079.	April 2024
Ritter, T. D., A. V. Zale, G. Grisak, and M. J. Lance. 2020. Groundwater upwelling regulates thermal hydrodynamics and salmonid movements during high temperature events at a montane tributary confluence. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10259 \| Abstract	August 2020	The Smith River is a popular recreational sport fishery in western Montana, but salmonid abundances there are thought to be limited by riparian land-use alterations, irrigation water withdrawals, and high summer water temperatures. We used integrated networks of temperature loggers, PIT-tag antenna stations, and in-situ temperature mapping to investigate thermal hydrodynamics and associated movements of PIT-tagged salmonids at the confluence of Tenderfoot Creek, a major, unaltered coldwater tributary of the Smith River. Contrary to expectations, Tenderfoot Creek itself was not used as a thermal refuge by salmonids during periods of high main-stem water temperatures; rather, its cool outflow into the Smith River was used instead. Mean outflow water temperatures were 2.9 °C lower than those of the Smith River during summer and ranged from 0.5 °C to 6.1 °C less. Moreover, measured and estimated temperatures in the outflow were cooler (by up to 2.8 °C) than in Tenderfoot Creek itself at times as a result of groundwater upwelling at the confluence. Detections of PIT-tagged fish in the thermal plume increased, especially at night, when daily mean water temperatures exceeded 20°C in the main stem Smith River; 4 times as many PIT-tagged fish were detected in the plume (<i>N = </i>52) than along the opposite bank (<i>N = </i>12), which ostensibly afforded better cover. Coldwater tributary confluences may provide superior thermal refuges for salmonids—cooler and more secure than the tributaries themselves—when water temperatures in river main stems are stressful.
Ritenour, K., S.L.King, S. Collins, and M. D. Kaller. 2022. FACTORS AFFECTING NEST SUCCESS OF COLONIAL NESTING WATERBIRDS IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA. Estuaries and Coasts. 45:897-912. \| Publisher Website	August 2021
Riley, Shawn. J., and Angela K. Fuller. 2023. “Integrating social and environmental science in decision making for endangered species management.” In The codex of the Endangered Species Act: the next fifty years (Volume II). L. E. Baier, and J. F. Organ, Editors. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield): Chapter 14.	November 2023
Riley, I. P., and C. J. Conway. 2020. Methods for estimating vital rates of greater sage-grouse broods: A review. Wildlife Biology 2020:wlb.00700.	September 2020
Riley, I. P., C. J. Conway, B. S. Stevens, and S. Roberts. 2021. Survival of greater sage-grouse broods: survey method affects disturbance, detection probability, and ability to detect age-specific mortality. Journal of Field Ornithology 92:88-102. doi: 10.1111/jofo.12356	April 2021
Riley, I. P., C. J. Conway, B. S. Stevens, and S. Roberts. 2021. Aural and visual detection of greater sage-grouse leks: implications for population trend estimates. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:508-519. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21991	January 2021
Riepe, T.B., V. Vincent, Vicki Milano, E.R. Fetherman, and D.L. Winkelman. Evidence for the use of mucus swabs to detect Renibacterium salmoninarum in Brook Trout. Pathogens 10, 460. https://doi.org/10.3390/ pathogens10040460 \| Download	April 2021
Riepe, T.B., E.R. Fetherman, B. Neuschwanger, T. Davis, A. Perkins, and D.L. Winkelman. 2023. Vertical Transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum in Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii). Journal of Fish Diseases DOI:10.1111/jfd13745 \| Download	December 2022
Riepe, T.B., B.W. Avila, and D.L. Winkelman. 2022. Effects of 17a-ethinylestradiol and Density on Juvenile Fathead Minnow Growth and Survival. Journal of Aquatic Pollution and Toxicology 6:60 DOI:10.21767/2581-804X.22.6.60 \| Download	October 2022
Rieber, C.J., T.J. Hefley, and D.A. Haukos. 2024. Treed Gaussian processes for animal movement modelling. Ecology and Evolution 14:e11447.	June 2024
Richardson, E.T. and Patiño, R. 2021, Growth of the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum (Prymnesiophyceae), after gradual and abrupt increases in salinity. Journal of Phycology 57, 1335–1344. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13172. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	August 2021	<i>Prymnesium parvum</i> is a euryhaline, toxin‐producing microalga. Although its abundance in inland waters and growth potential in the laboratory are reduced at high salinity (>20), the ability of inland strains to adjust their growth after long‐term residence in high salinity is uncertain. An inland strain of <i>P. parvum</i> maintained at salinity of 5 in modified artificial seawater medium (ASM‐5) was subjected to the following treatments over five sequential batch‐culture rounds: ASM‐5 (control); modified ASM at salinity of 30, raised with NaCl; modified ASM at salinity incrementally increased to 30 with NaCl; and Instant Ocean® at salinity of 30 (IO‐30). Exponential growth rate (<i>r</i>) was reduced when salinity was increased from 5 to 30 in ASM but returned to control values during the second round. When salinity was incrementally increased, a reduction in <i>r</i> still occurred when salinity reached 25‐30. Maximum density was reduced at salinity of 30 in ASM upon abrupt transfer or incremental increase, and compensation did not occur. Growth performance in IO‐30 was comparable to control values. In conclusion, (1) long‐term compensation for acute inhibitory effects of high salinity occurred for <i>r</i> but not maximum density, (2) incremental increases in salinity did not prevent growth inhibition, suggesting the existence of a salinity threshold of 25‐30 for onset of salinity stress, and (3) the presence of a seawater‐like salt mixture prevented growth inhibition by high salinity. These findings provide new insights on <i>P. parvum</i>’s long‐term ability to adjust its growth in environments of different salinity and ionic composition.
Richardson, E.T. and Patiño, R. 2021, Growth of the harmful alga, Prymnesium parvum (Prymnesiophyceae), after gradual and abrupt increases in salinity. Journal of Phycology 57, 1335–1344. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13172. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	August 2021	<i>Prymnesium parvum</i> is a euryhaline, toxin‐producing microalga. Although its abundance in inland waters and growth potential in the laboratory are reduced at high salinity (>20), the ability of inland strains to adjust their growth after long‐term residence in high salinity is uncertain. An inland strain of <i>P. parvum</i> maintained at salinity of 5 in modified artificial seawater medium (ASM‐5) was subjected to the following treatments over five sequential batch‐culture rounds: ASM‐5 (control); modified ASM at salinity of 30, raised with NaCl; modified ASM at salinity incrementally increased to 30 with NaCl; and Instant Ocean® at salinity of 30 (IO‐30). Exponential growth rate (<i>r</i>) was reduced when salinity was increased from 5 to 30 in ASM but returned to control values during the second round. When salinity was incrementally increased, a reduction in <i>r</i> still occurred when salinity reached 25‐30. Maximum density was reduced at salinity of 30 in ASM upon abrupt transfer or incremental increase, and compensation did not occur. Growth performance in IO‐30 was comparable to control values. In conclusion, (1) long‐term compensation for acute inhibitory effects of high salinity occurred for <i>r</i> but not maximum density, (2) incremental increases in salinity did not prevent growth inhibition, suggesting the existence of a salinity threshold of 25‐30 for onset of salinity stress, and (3) the presence of a seawater‐like salt mixture prevented growth inhibition by high salinity. These findings provide new insights on <i>P. parvum</i>’s long‐term ability to adjust its growth in environments of different salinity and ionic composition.
Ribic, C.A., D.J. Rugg, K. E. Ellison, N. Koper, and P.J. Pietz. 2021. Diel patterns of predation and fledging at nests of four species of grassland songbirds. Ecology and Evolution 11:6913–6926, DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7541.	June 2021
Ribeiro J. W., Siqueira, T., DiRenzo, G. V., Lambertini, C., Lyra, M. L., Toledo, L. F., Haddad, C. F. B., Becker, C. G. 2020. Assessing infection risk in tropical amphibians while accounting for imperfect detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Oecologia 193: 237-248. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2020	Ecologists studying emerging wildlife diseases need to confront the realism of imperfect pathogen detection across heterogeneous habitats to aid in conservation decisions. For example, spatial risk assessments of amphibian disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has largely ignored imperfect pathogen detection across sampling sites. Because changes in pathogenicity and host susceptibility could trigger recurrent population declines, it is imperative to understand how pathogen prevalence and occupancy vary across environmental gradients. Here, we assessed how Bd occurrence, prevalence, and infection intensity in a diverse Neotropical landscape vary across streams in relation to abiotic and biotic predictors using a hierarchical Bayesian model that accounts for imperfect Bd detection caused by qPCR error. Our model indicated that the number of streams harboring Bd-infected frogs is higher than observed, with Bd likely being present at ~ 43% more streams than it was detected. We found that terrestrial-breeders captured along streams had higher Bd prevalence, but lower infection intensity, than aquatic-breeding species. We found a positive relationship between Bd occupancy probability and stream density, and a negative relationship between Bd occupancy probability and amphibian local richness. Forest cover was a weak predictor of Bd occurrence and infection intensity. Finally, we provide estimates for the minimum number of amphibian captures needed to determine the presence of Bd at a given site where Bd occurs, thus, providing guidence for cost-effective disease risk monitoring programs.
Rhynd, Kamara J. R., Walsh, Daniel P., Arthur-Banfield, Linnell C. M. 2021. Efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin against Trichuris spp. in African green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) in Barbados West Indies. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 60: 475-483. https://doi.org/10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-20-000103	January 2021
Rhea, A. M., and A. D. Chalfoun. 2023. Experimental reduction of a primary nest predator fails to decrease nest predation rates of sagebrush songbirds. Ornithological Applications 1:10 - 23. \| Abstract	September 2023	The use of predator removal to increase the reproductive success of a prey species of concern is relatively common in wildlife management. The efficacy of such an approach, however, depends partly on the extent to which predation risk is additive or compensatory, which remains unknown for many systems. We experimentally reduced the local abundance of deer mice (<i>Peromyscus maniculatus</i>), a primary nest predator of three sagebrush-obligate songbirds (Brewer’s Sparrow [<i>Spizella breweri</i>], Sagebrush Sparrow [<i>Artemisiospiza nevadensis</i>], and Sage Thrasher [<i>Oreoscoptus montanus</i>]) in western Wyoming, USA to assess whether nest predation risk was additive or compensatory, and whether nest predator removal could comprise a potentially effective management tool. Deer mouse removal did not affect the daily nest survival of songbirds, despite a reduction of 68 ̶ 85% in the deer mouse population within treatment areas. Nest mortality in this system therefore likely operates in a compensatory way, in which new immigrants or other species of nest predator can maintain similar levels of nest predation risk regardless of the prevalence of a dominant predator. We caution that predator removal may not be an effective management tool in open systems with many potential predator species, even when a single species typically is responsible for the majority of predation events.
Rhea, A. M., J. D. Carlisle, and A. D. Chalfoun. Intrabrood variation in nestling size among three sagebrush-associated songbirds. Wilson Journal of Ornithology. \| Abstract	June 2022	The young of some altricial bird species hatch asynchronously, sometimes leading to considerable size differences among siblings. Asynchronous hatching may comprise a bet-hedging strategy whereby adults can maximize the probability of successfully fledging at least one young from the nest even when resources are limited. Despite the potential importance of intrabrood variation in nestling size to the breeding strategy of altricial birds, the extent of this phenomenon remains largely unclear for many species. We weighed 453 nestlings from 148 nests of three sympatric, sagebrush-associated songbird species in Wyoming, USA to describe the magnitude of intrabrood size differences for these species. Intrabrood differences in nestling mass were greatest for the largest species, the Sage Thrasher (<i>Oreoscoptes montanus</i>), for which the smallest nestling in a brood was on-average 26.2% smaller than the largest. The smaller Vesper Sparrow (<i>Pooecetes gramineus</i>) and Brewer’s Sparrow (<i>Spizella breweri</i>) exhibited similar intrabrood size ratios, with the smallest nestling being 17.4% and 18.4% smaller on average than the largest for the two species, respectively. For each additional nestling within a brood, the smallest nestling was an additional 6.6 ̶ 13.6% smaller than the largest nestling, depending on species. Understanding the extent of intrabrood variation in nestling traits has important implications for the productivity of sensitive species facing increasingly unpredictable environments.
Remiszewski,T.T., P. Budy, and W. W. Macfarlane. In review. Examining the Impacts of Extreme Geomorphic Change on Habitat Diversity in a Historically Degraded Desert River. Submitted to River Research and Applications. DOI: 10.1002/rra.4213. USGS FSP IP: 147695. \| Abstract \| Download	September 2023	Widespread hydrologic alterations have simplified in-stream habitats in rivers globally, driving population declines and local extirpations of many native fishes. Here, we examine how extreme geomorphic change in a historically degraded desert river has impacted habitat diversity and persistence. Due to the introduction of a sediment plug from a tributary wash in 2010, a large reach of the degraded and simplified San Rafael River, Utah, began to actively change from a single-thread channel to a complex, multi-threaded riverscape. We combined field measurements and drone-collected imagery to document habitat changes due to this new habitat feature and monitored habitat use by native and endemic fishes. Our results demonstrate the habitat feature is more diverse than any other stream reach along the lower SRR, with reaches located at the edge of the expanding wash feature containing 17% more complex habitat (e.g., pools, riffles, backwaters) on average than reference reaches, and containing 641% more diverse habitat overall than 5 years prior to the start of our study. The wash feature is also retaining water for periods beyond what is expected during seasonal drying, with the total extent of inundation within the riverscape increasing by over 2,800%. Since the formation of the 2010 sediment plug, riparian habitat has increased by 230% since 2009, and channel networks have expanded from a single thread channel to more than 50 distinct channels throughout the sediment plug’s zone of influence. These results will inform management and conservation of habitat for imperiled desert fishes and encourage the use of process-based restoration tools such as “low-tech” habitat restoration in order to mitigate the impacts of simplification and increase habitat persistence in the face of increasing aridity in the desert Southwest.
Reitsma, L. R., M. T. Hallworth, M. McMahon, and C. J. Conway. 2020. Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis), version 2.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald and B. K. Keeney, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.canwar.02	May 2020
Reid, A. J., A. K. Carlson, D. E. L. Hanna, J. D. Olden, S. J. Ormerod, and S. J. Cooke. 2020. Conservation challenges to freshwater ecosystems. In: Goldstein, M.I., DellaSala, D.A. (Eds.), Encyclopedia of the World's Biomes, vol. 4. Elsevier, pp. 270–278. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-409548-9.11937-2	January 2020
Rehm, T.R., S.R. Chipps, and J.L. Davis. 2020. Effects of density reduction on age-specific growth of stream-dwelling Brown Trout Salmo trutta. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:1355-1366.	December 2020
Regehr EV, MC Runge, A Von Duyke, RR Wilson, L Polasek, KD Rode, NJ Hostetter, and SJ Converse. 2021. Demographic risk assessment for a harvested species threatened by climate change: polar bears in the Chukchi Sea. Ecological Applications: e02461.	September 2021
Reed, K., L. Izzo, T. Binder, T. Hayden, D. Dembkowski, S. Hansen, D. Caroffino, C. Vandergoot, C. Krueger, and D. Isermann. 2023. Initial insights on the thermal ecology of Lake Whitefish in northwestern Lake Michigan. Journal of Great Lakes Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2023.03.002	June 2023
Reddell, C.D., G.W. Roemer, D.K. Delaney, T. Karish, and J.W. Cain III. 2023. Anthropogenic subsidies influence resource use during a mange epizootic in a desert coyote population. Oecologia 201:435–447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-023-05328-7 \| Download	February 2023
Reddell, C.D., F. Abadi, D.K. Delaney, J.W. Cain III, and G.W. Roemer. 2021. Urbanization’s influence on the distribution of mange in a carnivore revealed with multistate occupancy models. Oecologia 195:105-116. \| Download	February 2021
Rebholz, P.F., L.P. Waits, and D.E. Ausband. 2024. Gray wolf breeders are more vulnerable to harvest during the breeding season. Wildlife Society Bulletin. \| Abstract	November 2024	In cooperatively breeding carnivores, the composition (i.e., the number of different sex and age classes) and size of a group influence recruitment and group survival. For group living canids like gray wolves (<i>Canis lupus</i>), breeders are vital to perpetuating the group, and the death or removal of an individual breeder can greatly affect a group’s composition, genetic content, and short-term population growth (Ausband et al. 2015; Ausband et al. 2017). Monitoring these parameters in remote populations through traditional approaches such as radio-telemetry and direct observation is difficult and costly due to geographic obstacles, large home ranges, and reduced sampling opportunities for cryptic and elusive species. Understanding how many breeders are harvested from a population may better our understanding of how mortality can affect groups of cooperative breeders like gray wolves that are exposed to annual harvest; and may be useful for altering management and conservation actions. We estimated the frequency of breeders in harvest and whether breeders were more vulnerable to harvest during the breeding season. We demonstrate a novel approach for using genetic data collected opportunistically from harvested wolves to determine if/when breeders are more vulnerable to harvest and to estimate the minimum number of breeders harvested annually in Idaho, USA, using pedigree analyses. We genotyped and aged 229 adult wolves and 203 pups using tissue and tooth samples, respectively, from wolves harvested between 2014 and 2016. We identified a minimum count of 36 breeders (n = 18 in 2014 and 18 in 2015) and found that breeders were disproportionately harvested (<i>P</i> = 0.08) during the breeding season (January; 25% of all breeders harvested during 2014 and 2015 harvest seasons). We estimate that a minimum of 16% of adult wolves harvested annually are breeders, or roughly 1 in 6. Our estimate of the number of breeders harvested annually is conservative because the pedigree analysis is dependent on both a pup and breeder from the same group having been harvested in the same year, and samples were excluded from the analysis if they were missing age and harvest month data or had <16 confirmed loci. Our results demonstrate that breeders are routinely harvested and that their behavior during breeding season may increase their vulnerability to harvest.
Ray, Andrew M., Blake R. Hossack, William R. Gould, Debra A. Patla, Stephen F. Spear, Robert W. Klaver, Paul E. Bartelt, David P. Thoma, Kristin L. Legg, Rob Daley, P. Stephen Corn, Charles R. Peterson. 2022. Multi-species amphibian monitoring across a protected landscape: Critical reflections on 15 years of wetland monitoring in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Ecological Indicators 135: 108519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.108519 \| Abstract \| Download	February 2022	Widespread amphibian declines were well documented at the end of the 20th century, raising concerns about the need to identify individual and interactive contributors to this global trend. At the same time, there was growing interest in the use of amphibians as ecological indicators. In the United States, wetland and amphibian monitoring programs were launched in some national parks as a necessary first step to evaluating the status and trends of amphibian populations within some of North America’s most protected areas. In Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, a multi-species amphibian monitoring program was launched by many of the authors in 2006 and continues to this day. This Viewpoint Article serves as a self-evaluation of our journey from conception through implementation of an ongoing, long-term monitoring program. This self-evaluation should provide a framework and guidance for other monitoring programs. We address whether we are fulfilling the program’s main objective of describing status and trends of the four amphibian species, discuss how a one-size-fits-all monitoring approach does not serve all species equally, and describe opportunities to bolster our core work using emerging statistical approaches and thoughtful integration of remote sensing and molecular tools. We also describe how the data generated over the program’s first 15 years have been useful beyond our initial goal of characterizing status and trend. Notably, our integration of climate datasets has allowed us to describe wetland and species-specific amphibian responses to variations in climate drivers. Documenting climate links to amphibian occurrence and their primary habitats has allowed us to identify which species, habitat types, and subregions within this large, protected landscape are most vulnerable to anticipated climate change. Recognizing that tools and threatschange over time, it will be important to adapt our original monitoring design to maximize opportunities and use of resulting information. Maintaining engagement by multiple stakeholders and expanding our funding portfolio will also be necessary to sustain our program into the future. Finally, collaboration has become standard for longterm, cross-jurisdictional, landscape-scale monitoring. We argue that collaborative monitoring facilitates resource sharing, leveraging of limited funds, completion of work, and mutual learning. Such collaboration also increases the efficacy of conservation.
Ranney, SH, SR Chipps and DH Wahl. 2024. Effect of feeding history on routine metabolic rate of largemouth bass: implications for bioenergetics models. Can. J. Zool. 102: 207–216 dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2023-0047 \| Abstract	December 2023	Metabolic rate is a key parameter in fish energy budgets that strongly influences the output of bioenergetics models. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that metabolic rate varies with growth history of age-1 largemouth bass. Two groups of fish were fed alternating maintenance or <i>ad libitum</i> rations of fathead minnow, so that<i> </i>over a 9-week period, initial and ending size of fish was similar. After 9 weeks, oxygen consumption was measured using static, closed respirometry. Although final body weight was similar between the two groups (means, 104 to 108 g), specific oxygen consumption for fish fed maintenance rations (0.094 mg O<sub>2</sub> g<sup>-2</sup> h<sup>-1</sup>) was 38% less than that measured for fish fed <i>ad libitum</i> (0.152 mg O<sub>2</sub> g<sup>-2</sup> h<sup>-1</sup>). Bioenergetic estimates of food consumption were similar to observed values for fish fed <i>ad</i> <i>libitum</i> (~7% error), but for fish fed maintenance rations, the model overestimated food consumption by 65%. By accounting for changes in metabolic rate owing to reduced feeding, error in model estimates of food consumption was reduced. These findings shed new insight on factors associated with consumption-dependent error in bioenergetic models and highlight the importance of feeding history on metabolic rate of fish. Incorporating growth-dependent metabolism into bioenergetics models can improve model accuracy and allow fisheries biologists to make more informed decisions regarding fish growth and energetics.
Ramsey, P.Q.,J. Dattilo, D. Devries, and S. K. Brewer. 2024. Context dependency in nursery habitants of juvenile in a large river. Rivers Research and Applications 40(5): 761–779. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.4259	March 2024
Ramos, S. and M. Culver. 2024. Integrating the Seemingly Disparate in Molecular Ecology: Indigenous Research Methodologies, Traditional Ecological Knowledge and molecular scatology in a wildlife survey on Yurok Tribe Ancestral Lands. Molecular Ecology Respouces, May 2024 Molecular Ecology Resources DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13963	May 2024
Ramos, R., V.H. Paiva, Z. Zajkova, C. Precheur, A.I. Fagundes, P.G.R. Jodice, W. Mackin, V. Neves, F. Zino, V. Bretagnolle, J. Gonzalez-Solis. 2020. Spatial ecology of closely related taxa: the case of the little shearwater complex in the North Atlantic Ocean. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society XX 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa045 \| Download	May 2020
Ramirez-Reyes, C., M. Nazeri, G. Street, D. Todd Jones-Farrand, F.J. Vilella, and K.O. Evans. 2021. Embracing ensemble species distribution models to inform at-risk species status assessments. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 12(1):98-111. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	May 2021	Effective conservation planning requires reliable information on the geographic distribution of species, which is often incomplete due to limited availability of presence data. Species distribution models (SDMs) and associated tools have proliferated in the past decades and have proven valuable in evaluating suitability of habitat for species. However, practitioners have yet to fully adopt the potential of SDMs to inform surveys and other conservation efforts for information-limited species. Instead, most efforts rely on expert knowledge and other traditional methods to locate extant populations. In particular, the Species Status Assessment (SSA) framework of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service would benefit from incorporating SDM approaches to facilitate conservation decisions. Here, we describe an SDM approach for at-risk species that would benefit SSAs and similar species conservation efforts. We applied four modeling techniques (generalized additive, maximum entropy, generalized boosted, and weighted ensemble) to recent monitoring data for three at-risk species proposed for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (<i>Papaipema eryngii, Scutellaria ocmulgee, Balduina atropurpurea</i>) in the Southeastern U.S. The ensemble models reduced uncertainty caused by differences among modeling techniques and improved the predictive accuracy of fitted models. Incorporating an ensemble modeling approach into the SSA framework would benefit monitoring efforts and provide more robust status assessments for at-risk species. We emphasize the importance of producing SDM in close collaboration among the stakeholders involved in use of model outputs.
Ramirez-Reyes, C., F.J. Vilella, K.O. Evans, G. Street, C. Pacheco, O. Monzon, and A.L. Morales Perez. 2023. Geographic distribution of the Puerto Rican Harlequin Butterfly (Atlantea tulita): an ensemble modeling approach. Caribbean Journal of Science 53(1):37-44. \| Abstract	May 2023	Species distribution models have become increasingly important tools for species conservation. This modeling approach can help guide conservation practitioners and inform decisions. Distribution models are particularly relevant for rare species, whose habitat associations are often not well understood. Using species occurrence data, and a variety of predictor variables, we developed three individual distribution models and a weighted ensemble model for the Puerto Rican harlequin butterfly (<i>Atlantea tulita</i>). The ensemble model had the greatest accuracy (AUC = 0.92). Further, the ensemble model indicated 7.1% of the main island of Puerto Rico encompassed suitable habitat for the harlequin butterfly. However, only 0.5% was classified as including the greatest suitability. Using an ensemble modeling approach to delineate areas of the island with suitable environmental conditions may improve habitat conservation efforts for the species.
Ramirez-Reyes C., G. Street, F.J. Vilella, D.T. Jones-Farrand, M.S. Wiggers, and K.O. Evans. 2021. Ensemble species distribution model identifies survey opportunities for at-risk bearded beaksedge (Rhynchospora crinipes) in the southeastern United States. Natural Areas Journal 41(1):55-63. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	February 2021	Locating additional occurrences of at-risk species can inform assessments of their status and conservation needs (including potential legal protections). The perennial bearded beaksedge (<i>Rhynchospora crinipes</i>) has been found from Mississippi to North Carolina, but known occurrences are limited. Because of the species’ apparent rarity, a model to identify areas with a high likelihood of locating additional occurrences will allow conservationists to effectively prioritize and allocate scarce surveying resources. We used known occurrence records, a suite of environmental datasets, and four species distribution modeling techniques (generalized additive, GAM; maximum entropy, MaxEnt; generalized boosted, GBM; and weighted ensemble) to generate maps to inform surveys for <i>R. crinipes</i>. The ensemble approach improved predictive performance (AUC-PR = 0.95) compared to other techniques (individual model AUC-PR ranged from 0.7 to 0.8). We also obtained quantitative insights on the species’ habitat relationships, including the likelihood of <i>R. crinipes</i>’s presence near Atlantic white cedar (<i>Chamaecyparis thyoides</i>) habitat and floodplains, which is consistent with prior field observations. The ensemble model indicated that 3.6% of the study area could be suitable habitat, but only 0.38% had high suitability. Small stream riparian habitats and Atlantic swamp forests in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia had the highest proportion of suitable areas. Prioritizing surveys in areas with model-indicated high habitat suitability is expected to reveal additional <i>R. crinipes</i> occurrences. We suggest surveying efforts for other at-risk species may benefit from using an ensemble modeling approach to identify and prioritize survey areas and improve ecological knowledge of these species.
Ramberg-Pihl, N., Klemmer, A., Zydlewski, J., Coghlan, Jr.,S., and Greig, H. (2023) Unraveling the impacts of competition and warming on juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) performance in Maine streams. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. 32:606–617. DOI: 10.1111/eff.12711 \| Download	April 2023
R Etzel, M Cornish, MS Kifer, L Nuñez, G Valladao, BFolt. 2020. Subterranean advertisement and duet calling behavior in Ptychohyla legleri (Legler’s Stream Frog). Alytes 37(3–4): 57–61.	March 2020
Quist, M. C., M. E. Ulaski, K. M. Manuell, Z. J. Jackson, and T. Gatewood. 2023. Precision of structures used to estimate age and growth of Apache Trout from Arizona. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 14:188-194.	August 2023
Quist, M. C., D. K. McCarrick, and L. M. Harris. 2022. Comparison of hard structures used to estimate age and growth of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 13:554-551.	January 2023
Quinzin M.C., Sandoval-Castillo, J., Miller, J.M., Beheregaray, L.B., Russello, M.A., Hunter, E.A., Gibbs, J.P., Tapia, W., Villalva, F., and Caccone, A. 2019. Genetically informed captive breeding of an extinct species of Galapagos tortoise. Conservation Biology 33:1404-1414. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13319	December 2019
Quinn TP, Scheuerell MD, Losee JP, Hanada D. 2022. Multi-decadal trends in body size of Puget Sound Chinook salmon: Analysis of data from the Tengu Derby, a culturally unique fishery. Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science 14:e10205 https://doi.org/10.1002/mcf2.10205 \| Abstract \| Download	May 2022	In Pacific salmon, downward trends in size and abundance have been reported for species and stocks for over 40 years, but the patterns are inconsistent among regions and species. Interpretation of these trends is complicated by the many possible contributing factors, including short time series, data comprising a mix of stocks, and varying gear types. Here, we present data on the mass of individual Chinook salmon, <i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>, caught in the winter from 1946 to 2019 in central Puget Sound, Washington by participants in what may be the longest running salmon derby in North America, the Tengu Derby. In this annual recreational fishing competition, established by Japanese-Americans immediately after release from internment camps at the end of World War II, participants follow strict gear, area, and methods regulations, and catch almost exclusively salmon originating from and remaining in Puget Sound. Records revealed an overall decline in fish mass over the decades with a high degree of variability throughout the time series. Specifically, resident Chinook salmon exhibited several shifts, including an increase in size from a high in the 1950s to a low around 1980, followed by an increase to another high around 1990, and then a decline over the most recent 30 years. These salmon, displaying a form of differential migration by remaining in Puget Sound rather than migrating to the ocean coast, showed dissimilar trajectories compared with size trends of Puget Sound Chinook salmon as a whole reported previously. These distinct patterns in size for Chinook salmon from common origins associated with different migration patterns exemplify yet another important factor to be considered in the analysis and interpretation of such trends.
Quinlan, B.A., J.P. Rosenberger, D.M. Kalb, H.N. Abernathy, E.D. Thornes, W.M. Ford and M.J. Cherry. 2022. Drivers of habitat quality for a reintroduced elk herd. Scientific Reports Using home range composition and size as a proxy of habitat quality for female elk. Scientific Reports (2022) 12:20960 doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25058-9IP-142951.	December 2022
Quinlan, B.A., J.P. Rosenberger, D.M. Kalb, E.D. Thorne, W.M. Ford and M.J. Cherry. 2022. Estimating elk abundance in Buchanan County, Virginia using Lincoln-Petersen Indices. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 10:135–141.	March 2023
Qui, Q., Y. Xu, S.S. Matsuzaki, K. Komatsu, Z. Liang, T. Wagner. 2021.A statistical framework to track temporal dependence of chlorophyll–nutrient relationships with implications for lake eutrophication management. Journal of Hydrology 603:127134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.127134	November 2021
Prude, C.H. and J.W. Cain III. 2021. Habitat diversity influences puma Puma concolor diet in the Chihuahuan Desert. Wildlife Biology wlb.00875. https://doi.org/10.2981/wlb.00875 \| Download	October 2021
Prosdocimi, L., N. Teryda, G. Navarro, and R. R. Carthy. 2020. Use of remote sensing tools to predict focal areas for sea turtle conservation in the Southwestern Atlantic. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 2020:1–11. DOI: 10.1002/aqc.3478 \| Abstract	December 2020	1. Fisheries bycatch of non- target species in the commercial fleet is a major source of anthropogenic injury and mortality for sea turtles and marine megafauna. 2. The Río de la Plata, Maritime Front (RLPMF) and its adjacent international waters - comprising part of the Argentine and Uruguayan exclusive economic zones (EEZs), is a highly important fishing ground in the South-western Atlantic Ocean (SWAO) as well as feeding and development grounds for sea turtles. 3. This paper analyses the distribution of the bottom and pelagic trawling fishery within the RLPMF using information from Vessel Satellite Monitoring System (VMS). With this information, areas of highest trawling intensity were defined and further evaluated their overlap with sea turtle habitat-use areas from available sea turtle satellite tracking information.4. Results besides identifying high-susceptibility areas for sea turtle bycatch by the commercial trawler fleet along the RLPMF, provide predictive tools to identify vulnerable areas to interaction of sea turtles and the commercial fishing fleet.5. Implementation of bycatch mitigation measures, such as reduced fishing effort areas by the Argentine and Uruguayan fisheries management agencies has the potential to benefit the fisheries as well as marine megafauna. Furthermore, there is a need for additional research on the impact this fleet can have on sea turtles present in the area.
Pronkevich, V. V., P. N. Maleko, K. S. Maslovsky, and J. C. Slaght. 2022. Trapping shorebirds using bow-net tables: An example with Endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank. Wader Study 129(1): 56-60. doi:10.18194/ws.00262	March 2022
Proctor, M.F., D. Garshelis, P. Thatte, R. Steinmetz, B. Crudge, B. McLellan, W. McShea, D. Ngoprasert, M. Ali Nawaz, S.T. Wong, S. Sharma, A.K. Fuller, N. Dharaiya, K.E. Pigeon, M. Hwang, G. Fredriksson, D. Wang, and S. Li. 2022. Review of field methods for monitoring Asian bears. Global Ecology and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02080	January 2022
Price, N. B., C. J. Chizinski, J. J. Fontaine, K. L. Pope, M. Rahe, and J. Rawlinson. 2020. An open-sourced, web-based application to improve our ability to understand hunter and angler purchasing behavior from license data. PLoS ONE 15(10):e0226397. \| Download	October 2020
Price, A.N., M.A. Zimmer, A.J. Bergstrom, A.J. Burgin, E.C. Seybold, C.A. Krabbenhoft, S. Zipper, M.H. Busch, W.K. Dodds, A.W. Walters, J.S. Rogosch, R. Stubbington, R.H. Walker, J.C. Stegen, T. Datry, M.L. Messager, J.D. Olden, S. Godsey, M. Shanafield, D.A. Lytle, R.M. Burrows, K.E. Kaiser, G.H. Allen, M.C. Mims, J.D. Tonkin, M. Bogan, J. Hammond, K.S. Boersma, A.N. Myers-Pigg, A.G. DelVecchia, D.C. Allen, S. Yu, A. Ward, 2024. Biogeochemical and community ecology responses to the wetting of non-perennial streams. Nature Water 2: 815-826. https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-024-00298-3	September 2024
Prentice, M.B., M.L.J. Gilbertson, D.J. Storm, W.C. Turner, D.P. Walsh, M.E. Pinkerton, P.L Kamath. 2024. Metagenomic sequencing sheds light on microbes putatively associated with pneumonia-related fatalities of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Microbial Genomics, 10:001214. https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.001214	March 2024
Pregler KC, Obedzinski M, Gilbert-Horvath EA, White B, Carlson SM, Garza JC. 2023. Assisted geneflow from outcrossing shows the potential for genetic rescue in an endangered salmon population. Conservation Letters. 16:e12934. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12934 \| Download	April 2023
Pregler KC, Lu X, Valentine G, Kim S, Kanno Y. 2023. Temperature variation generates sympatric synchrony but spatial asynchrony in survival for freshwater fish communities. Ecology & Evolution. 13:e10700. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10700	November 2023
Pregler KC, Clemento A, Grill M, Adelizi P, Carlson SM, Garza JC. 2024. Reintroduction of spring-run Chinook salmon in the San Joaquin River: evaluating genetic and phenotypic effects of captive breeding. Conservation Science & Practice. 6:e13176. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13176	September 2024
Prado, S. G., J. A. Collazo, M. H. Marand, R. E. Irwin. 2021. The influence of floral resources and microclimate on pollinator visitation in an agro-ecosystem. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 307 (2021) 107196. \| Abstract	January 2021	As agriculture expands to meet the needs of a growing global population, natural ecosystems are threatened by deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Tropical agroforestry systems offer a sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture by providing food for production while also supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Previous studies have shown that these systems may even improve crop pollination, but the mechanisms of how these improvements occur are still poorly understood. Using coffee as a focal crop, we explored how microclimatic conditions affected nectar traits (sugar and caffeine concentration) important for pollinator visitation. We also studied how microclimate, floral traits, floral availability at the coffee plant level, availability of floral resources provided by other plant species in the agroecosystem (“neighborhood floral availability”), and the presence of other bees affected the amount of time bees spent foraging on coffee flowers and the proportion of coffee pollen carried on their bodies. We explored these factors using the two dominant coffee species farmed on Puerto Rico, <i>Coffea canephora</i> and <i>C. arabica</i>, under sun and shade management.<i> </i>We found that high nectar sugar concentration and temperature were important predictors of short floral visits (<15 seconds), while increased numbers of bees and open coffee flowers were important predictors of longer floral visits (16-180 seconds). High nectar caffeine concentration was an important predictor of longer visits on <i>C. arabica </i>flowers while the opposite was observed for <i>C. canephora </i>flowers. For both species, high coffee floral availability was the main predicting factor for the proportion of coffee pollen on the bees’ bodies. Surprisingly, neither neighborhood floral availability nor the type of coffee plantation (agroforest/shade or sun) were important predictors of bee visitation. These results suggest non-coffee flowering plants in coffee plantations were neither competitors nor facilitators of coffee plants for pollinators. Additionally, most of the bees surveyed were carrying ≥80% pollen from one species (<i>C. arabica </i>or <i>C. canephora</i>), likely resulting in little heterospecific pollen deposition between <i>Coffea</i> and non-<i>Coffea</i> flowers. Shade trees in coffee plantations do not detract from pollinator visitation to coffee flowers, suggesting that the provision of multiple ecological and wildlife conservation benefits by shade trees is not in conflict with a grower’s ability to maximize the benefits of insect pollination on fruit production.
Pracheil, B. M., P. J. Braaten, E. B. Macias, C. S. Guy, D. P. Herzog, M. J. Hamel, J. C. Justice, A. R. Loeppky, J. M. Mollish, J. W. Simmons, S. J. Tripp. 2024. Warmwater fish in rivers. Pages 85 – 110 in S. A. Bonar, N. Mercado-Silva, and K. L. Pope, editors. Standard methods for sampling North American freshwater fishes, 2nd edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2024
Powers, K.E., W.M. Ford, R.J. Reynolds, W.D. Orndorff, D.E. Yates, and T.E. Malabad. 2024. Reproductive Trends in Little Brown Bats Before and After the Onset of White-nose Syndrome in Virginia. Journal of North American Bat Research 6:1-12.	September 2024
Powers, K.E., M.T. Mengak, R.R. Sherry, W.M. Ford and R.J. Reynolds. 2020. Bot Fly Parasitism of Allegheny Woodrats (Neotoma magister) in Virginia. American Midland Naturalist 184:62-72.	August 2020
Powers, K.E., E.D. Thorne, L.R. Platt, K.M. Nelson, L. Van MEter, C.M. Wozniak, R.J. Reynolds and W.M. Ford. 2023. Activity patterns of Allegheny woodrats (Neotoma magister) and two potential competitors in Virginia. Northeastern Naturalist 30(1):41-58	February 2023
Poutanen, J., A.K. Fuller, J. Pusenius, J.A. Royle, M. Wikström, and J.E. Brommer. 2023. Density-habitat relationships of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Finland. Ecology and Evolution. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9711	January 2023
Poulet, C., Lassalle, G., Jordaan, A., Limburg, K., Nack, C., Nye, J., O’Malley, A., O’Malley-Barber, B., Stich,D., Waldman, J., Zydlewski, J. and Lambert, P. (2023) Effect of dispersal capacities and reproductive strategies/tactics on the structure of American shad populations across the species native range: an exploration based on a mechanistic species distribution model. Ecosphere 14(12): 1-21. DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4712	October 2023
Poudel, S., Twining, J. P., Stedman, R. C., Ghimire, S. K., & Fuller, A. K. (2023). Ecological and anthropogenic drivers of leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) attack occurrence on humans in Nepal. People and Nature, 00, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10536 \| Abstract	September 2023	In Nepal, human-leopard conflict manifests primarily as livestock depredation and attack on humans, creating an important social, ecological, and management issue. In this study, we estimate the probability of leopard attack occurrence on humans and assess the influence of social and environmental variables on these attacks by analyzing reported cases of conflict. The data collected from online news and articles on incidents of leopard attack on humans were used in an occupancy model to evaluate the effect of the proportion of vegetation (forest, shrubs, and bushes), livestock density, and human population density on the probability of attack occurrence on humans. We searched online news reports from 2015-2019 for leopard attacks on humans in 59 districts across Nepal that generated 72 reports of leopard attacks (n = 49 human injury, 23 human death). The proportion of shrubs and bushes (other wooded lands) within a district was positively associated with the probability of leopard attack occurrence ψ (SE) = 0.58 (0.12). This could be a result of migration induced land abandonment in the hills which has led to the succession of farmlands to shrubs and bushes, which now offers habitat to wild animals. Leopards using shrub habitat potentially encounter humans collecting fodder and grazing livestock which could escalate conflict. Understanding leopard ecology and human dimension inquiry regarding conflict across different leopard habitat types will be crucial for achieving the goals of mitigating conflict and leopard conservation in Nepal.<i> </i>
Post van der Burg, M., Smith, D.R., Cupp, A.R., Rogers, M.W., and Chapman, D.C., 2021, Decision analysis of barrier placement and targeted removal to control invasive carp in the Tennessee River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2021–1068, 18 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20211068.	June 2021
Portillo-Quintero, C., B. Grisham, D. Haukos, C. Boal, C. Hagen, Z. Wan, and N. Menkiti. 2022. Trends in lesser prairie-chicken habitat extent and distribution on the Southern High Plains. Remote Sensing (Special Issue Wildlife Ecology for a Dynamic Future). Remote Sens. 2022, 14, 3780. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14153780	August 2022
Porath, M.T., T.J. Kwak, B.C. Neely, and D.E. Shoup. 2021. Catfish 2020, A clear vision of the future. Invited, special issue on Catfish Conservation and Management. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41(Special Issue 1): S1-S10. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10688	October 2021
Pope, K. L., and L. A. Powell. 2021. Preface. Pages xi–xv in K. L. Pope and L. A. Powell, editors. Harvest of fish and wildlife: new paradigms for sustainable management. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.	June 2021
Pope, A.C., Kock, T.J., Perry, R.W., Cogliati, K.M., O'Malley, K.G., Murphy, C.A., Hance, D.J., Fielding, S.D. Using parentage based tagging to estimate survival of Chinook salmon fry in a large storage reservoir. Environmental Biology of Fishes.	July 2024
Popa, D., Waterhouse, L., Duchnick, J., Neuman, T., and P. Witucki. 2021. Performance of the Uni-Vent Eagle(TM) Model 754 ventilator under hyperbaric conditions. Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc. 48(4):409-416. PMID: 34847304. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2021	Critically ill patients needing mechanical ventilation may require hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Some institutions still use ventilators that were available prior to the advent of hyperbaric-specific units, such as the Uni-Vent Eagle™ Model model 754. Here we examine the performance of the Uni-Vent model 754 under hyperbaric conditions and investigate concerns of an oxygen leak in the ventilator housing, which poses a fire risk. We studied the ventilator at 1.0, 2.4 and 2.8 ATA in assist control mode using a Michigan test lung and a variety of tidal volumes and respiratory rates. We recorded the delivered volumes, peak pressures, and oxygen percentages within the hyperbaric chamber at 2.4 and 2.8 ATA and within the ventilator housing. At those pressures the ventilator delivered approximately 25% less volume than at 1.0 ATA. We observed breath stacking at high respiratory rates, but this was blunted at both 2.4 and 2.8 ATA. Oxygen levels did not rise in the housing during our investigation. In addition, we fit a linear regression to the data comparing set tidal volumes and delivered tidal volumes in order to model the changes observed. Hyperbaric conditions caused decreased delivered tidal volumes in a depth-dependent fashion, and oxygen levels within the housing did not rise. The Uni-Vent Eagle model 754 performed safely and effectively at depth but requires spirometry to correctly program desired ventilator settings.
Poole, A. S., T. M. Koel, N. A. Thomas, and A. V. Zale. 2020. Benthic suffocation of invasive Lake Trout embryos by fish carcasses and sedimentation in Yellowstone Lake. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10492 \| Abstract	July 2020	Introduced Lake Trout <i>Salvelinus namaycush</i> threaten native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout <i>Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri</i> in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, where gill nets have been used to suppress subadult and adult Lake Trout since 1995. However, survival of embryonic and larval life history stages can have profound effects on population dynamics of Lake Trout. Inducing additional mortality at those stages, especially if used in concert with intensive gillnetting of older fish, could enhance overall suppression efforts. Therefore, we conducted controlled field experiments at Yellowstone Lake to systematically evaluate the effects of sediment deposition and ground Lake Trout carcass deposition on Lake Trout embryos in prepositioned incubators. Sediment deposition caused dissolved oxygen concentrations to decline below lethal levels for a prolonged period (92 d) overwinter. Embryo mortality among overwintering incubators varied from 97 ± 5.3% at the substrate surface to 100 ± 0.0% 20 cm below the substrate surface. Decomposition of ground carcass material on spawning sites caused dissolved oxygen concentrations to decline to lethal levels (<3.4 mg/L) for about 9 days following biomass application rates of 14 and 28 kg/m2 in treatment plots. Exposure to ground carcass material resulted in 100 ± 0.0% (mean ± SE) embryo mortality at the substrate surface and within interstices 20 cm below the surface in 14 and 28 kg/m2 biomass treatments. Embryo mortality was probably caused by hypoxic conditions within substrates in both experiments. The deposition of sediment and ground Lake Trout carcass material on Lake Trout spawning sites in Yellowstone Lake could provide an additional source of mortality in ongoing Lake Trout suppression efforts. These methods may also be beneficial in other systems when incorporated in an integrated pest management approach (IPM) targeting multiple life history stages of invasive freshwater fish.
Poole, A. S., T. M. Koel, A. V. Zale, and M. A. H. Webb. 2023. Rotenone induces mortality of invasive Lake Trout and Rainbow Trout embryos. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 152:3-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10394	January 2023
Poli, C., E. P. Robertson, J. Martin, A. N. Powell, and R. J. Fletcher Jr. 2022. An invasive prey provides long-lasting silver spoon effects for an endangered predator. Proc. R. Soc. B 289: 20220820. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.0820	May 2022
Plymesser, K., M. Blank, M. Conley, K. Kappenman, J. Cahoon, D. Dockery, and A. V. Zale. 2022. A scaled Denil fishway for upstream passage of Arctic Grayling. Journal of Ecohydraulics https://doi.org/10.1080/24705357.2022.2105756	August 2022
Plumpton, H.M., S.G. Gilliland, and B.E. Ross. 2020. Geographic differences in the winter movements of the Atlantic population of Black Scoters. Submitted to Avian Conservation and Ecology. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-01654-150206	August 2020
Pluemer, M., S. Dubay, D. Drake, S. Crimmins, T. Veverka, H. Hovanec, M. Torkelson, and M. Mueller. 2019. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and coyotes (Canis latrans) in an urban landscape: prevalence and risk factors for disease. Journal of Urban Ecology 5:1 juz022	December 2019
Pitman, J.W., J.W. Cain III, W.R. Gould, N.T. Tatman, and S.G. Liley. 2024. Habitat selection and survival of elk neonates. Southwestern Naturalist 67:205–215. \| Download	September 2023
Piel III, R. B., S. E. Veneziano, E. Nicholson, D. P. Walsh, A. D. Lomax, T. A. Nichols, C. M. Seabury, and D. A. Schneider. 2024. Validation of a Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) Assay Protocol to Detect Chronic Wasting Disease using Rectal Mucosa of Naturally Infected, Pre-Clinical White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus). PLoS ONE 19(6): e0303037. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303037 \| Abstract	June 2024	Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease of cervids spreading across North America. More effective mitigation efforts may require expansion of the available toolkit to include new methods that provide earlier antemortem detection, higher throughput, and less expense than current immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods. The rectal mucosa near the rectoanal junction is a site of early accumulation of CWD prions and is safely sampled in living animals by pinch biopsy. A fluorescence-based, 96-well format, protein-aggregation assay—the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay—is capable of ultra-sensitive detection of CWD prions. Notably, the recombinant protein substrate is crucial to the assay's performance and is now commercially available. In this blinded independent study, the preclinical diagnostic performance of a standardized RT-QuIC protocol using a commercially sourced substrate (MNPROtein) and a laboratory-produced substrate was studied using mock biopsy samples of the rectal mucosa from 284 white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus)</i>. The samples were from a frozen archive of intact rectoanal junctions collected at depopulations of farmed herds positive for CWD in the United States. All deer were pre-clinical at the time of depopulation and infection status was established from the regulatory record, which evaluated the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes (MRPLNs) and obex by CWD-IHC. A pre-analytic sample precipitation step was found to enhance the protocol’s detection limit. Performance metrics were influenced by the choice of RT-QuIC diagnostic cut points (minimum number of positive wells and assay time) and by deer attributes (preclinical infection stage and prion protein genotype). The peak overall diagnostic sensitivities of the protocol were similar for both substrates (MNPROtein, 76.8%; laboratory-produced, 73.2%), though each was achieved at different cut points. Preclinical infection stage and prion protein genotype at codon 96 (G = glycine, S = serine) were primary predictors of sensitivity. The diagnostic sensitivities in late preclinical infections (CWD-IHC positive MPRLNs and obex) were similar, ranging from 96% in GG96 deer to 80% in xS96 deer (x = G or S). In early preclinical infections (CWD-IHC positive MRPLNs only), the diagnostic sensitivity was 64-71% in GG96 deer but only 25% in xS96 deer. These results demonstrate that this standardized RT-QuIC protocol for rectal biopsy samples using a commercial source of substrate produced stratified diagnostic sensitivities similar to or greater than those reported for CWD-IHC but in less than 30 hours of assay time and in a 96-well format. Notably, the RT-QuIC protocol used herein represents a standardization of protocols from several previous studies. Alignment of the sensitivities across these studies suggests the diagnostic performance of the assay is robust given quality reagents, optimized diagnostic criteria, and experienced staff.
Pickzak, M.L., J.A. Robichaud, P. Morrison, A.M. Rous, I.M. Mulder, C.J. Hill, T.S. Prystay, H. Rosner-Katz, K.F. Robinson, J.R. Bennett, S.J. Cooke. 2024. Structured decision making remains underused in ecological restoration despite opportunities. Environmental Systems and Decisions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-023-09940-z	September 2023
Phillips, E.C., C.P. Lehman, R.W. Klaver, A.R. Jarding, S.P. Rupp, J.A. Jenks, and C.N. Jacques. Evaluation of an elk detection probability model in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Western North American Naturalist79:551-565. \| Abstract \| Download	December 2019	Since 1993, elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) abundance in the Black Hills of South Dakota has been estimated using a detection probability model previously developed in Idaho, though it is likely biased because of a failure to account for visibility biases under local conditions. To correct for this bias, we evaluated the current detection probability across the Black Hills during January and February 2009–2011 using radio-collared elk. We used logistic regression to evaluate topographic features, habitat characteristics, and group characteristics relative to their influence on detection probability of elk. Elk detection probability increased with less vegetation cover (%), increased group size, and more snow cover (%); overall detection probability was 0.60 (95% CI 0.52–0.68), with 91 of 152 elk groups detected. Predictive capability of the selected model was excellent (ROC = 0.807), and prediction accuracy ranged from 70.2% to 73.7%. Cross-validation of the selected model with other population estimation methods resulted in comparable estimates. Future applications of our model should be applied cautiously if characteristics of the area (e.g., vegetation cover >50%, snow cover >90%, group sizes >16 elk) differ notably from the range of variability in these factors under which the model was developed.
Pfab, F., DiRenzo, G. V., Gershman, A., Briggs, C. J., & R. Nisbet. 2020. Energy budget for tadpoles approaching metamorphosis. Ecological Modeling 436: 109261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109261 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2020	We describe a dynamic energy budget (DEB) model for tadpoles over the course of metamorphosis. The model accounts for details in the tadpoles feeding behavior, as feeding and indirectly respiration are reduced in the late developmental stages preceding metamorphosis to an immature froglet.<br>We propose two versions of our DEB model, one where the energy reserves of the organism are accounted for explicitly (a variant on Kooijman’s ”standard” DEB model), and one where reserves and structural biomass are lumped together so that only the size of the organism is tracked (a variant on DEBkiss). Both models are parameterized using a time series of measurements on a cohort of tadpoles of the Pacific tree frog, <i>Pseudacris regilla</i>. The models describe tadpoles from the middle of their development as tadpoles until they emerge as froglets. Visually, both models fit the growth and respiration empirical data reasonably well; statistically the fit to the full DEB model is slightly better.<br>The models highlight the metabolic changes during the life of a tadpole and demonstrate how morphological changes in developing organisms can be accomodated in the DEB framework.
Petracca LS, B Gardner, BT Maletzke, and SJ Converse. 2024. Merging integrated population models and individual-based models to project population dynamics of a recolonizing species. Biological Conservation 289:110340. \| Abstract	January 2024	Recolonizing species exhibit unique population dynamics, namely dispersal to and colonization of new areas, that have important implications for their management. One challenge is how to simultaneously model demographic and movement processes so that recolonizing species can be accurately projected over both time and space. Integrated population models (IPMs) have proven useful for making inference about population dynamics by integrating multiple data streams related to population states and demographic rates. However, traditional IPMs are not capable of representing complex dispersal and colonization processes, and the data requirements for building spatially explicit IPMs to do so are often prohibitive. Contrastingly, individual-based models (IBMs) have been developed to describe dispersal and colonization processes but do not traditionally integrate an estimation component, which is a major strength of IPMs. We introduce a framework for spatially explicit projection modeling that answers the challenge of how to project an expanding population using IPM-based parameter estimation while harnessing the individual-based movement modeling made possible by an IBM. Our model has two main components: [1] a Bayesian IPM-driven age- and state-structured population model that governs the population state process and estimation of demographic rates, and [2] an IBM-driven spatial model describing the dispersal of individuals and colonization of new territories. We applied this model to estimate current and project future dynamics of gray wolves (<i>Canis lupus</i>) in Washington State, USA. We used data from 74 telemetered wolves and yearly pup and pack size counts to parameterize the model, and then projected statewide dynamics over the next 50 years. Mean population growth was 1.29 (95% CRI 1.26-1.33) during initial recolonization from 2009 - 2020 and decreased to 1.03 (95% Prediction Interval 1.00-1.05) in the projection period (2021-2070). Our results suggest that gray wolves have a very high (>99%) probability of colonizing the last of Washington State’s three specified recovery regions by 2030, depending on alternative assumptions about how dispersing wolves select new territories. The spatially explicit modelling framework developed here can be used to project the dynamics of any species for which spatial spread is an important driver of population dynamics.
Peterson, S.M., H.M. Streby, G.R. Kramer, J.M Feura, and D.E. Andersen. 2022. Patterns of parental care and movement in divided broods of golden-winged warblers. Journal of Avian Biology 2022:e02938. https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.02938	March 2022
Peterson, J.T., J.A. Pease, L. Whitman, J. White, L. Stratton Garvin, S. Rounds, and R. Wallick. 2022. Integrated tools for identifying optimal flow regimes and evaluating alternative minimum flows for recovering at risk salmonids in a highly managed system. River Research and Applications 38: 293-308. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3903 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2021	Water resource managers are faced with difficult decisions on how to satisfy human water needs while maintaining or restoring riverine ecosystems. Decision sciences have developed approaches and tools that can be used to break down difficult water management decisions into their composite parts. An essential aspect of these approaches is the use of quantitative models to evaluate alternative management strategies. Here, we describe four integrated decision support models for evaluating the effect of flows on two life history stages of Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) and Steelhead trout (<i>O. mykiss</i>). We then use constrained nonlinear optimization to identify optimal flow regimes for the water year type with the least available water. These flow regimes were then used by managers to develop candidate minimum flow strategies that were evaluated using forward simulation and sensitivity analyses. We found that optimal flow regimes differed markedly from existing regulations and varied among species and life history stages. However, evaluation of tradeoffs among the four competing objectives indicated relatively minimal losses for most objectives when the optimal flows were based on equally weighting the objectives. Sensitivity analysis indicated that water temperature was the primary driver of estimated outcomes and suggested that managers consider alternative means of managing temperatures. Decision sciences have created multiple analytical tools and approaches that simplify complex problems, such as water resource management and we believe that water resource management would benefit from their increased use.
Peterson, J.T., E. McCreless, A. Duarte, P. Wohner, S. Hamilton, J. Medellin-Azuara, and A. Escriva-Bou. Structured Decision Making for Scientific Management in the San Francisco Bay-Delta. Environmental Science and Policy. 157, p.103775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2024.103775 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	May 2024	A structured decision making (SDM) approach can help evaluate tradeoffs between conservation and human-benefit objectives by fostering communication and knowledge transfer among stakeholders, decision makers, and the public. However, the process is iterative and completing the full process may take years to accomplish. Thus, it can be difficult to initiate an SDM effort when problems seem insurmountable. In many instances, SDM may not even be the best or correct approach for addressing the conservation problem at hand. We describe the implementation of an SDM process to help inform difficult decisions related to competing objectives. We convened a diverse stakeholder group from the largest estuary in the western United States; the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Bay-Delta). The stakeholder group consisted of representatives from local, state, and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and recreational fishermen. The stakeholder group agreed on a problem statement and identified four priority objectives related to Chinook salmon, delta smelt, water availability and reliability, and agricultural water use. Furthermore, they proposed 14 candidate management actions to achieve their objectives. The group then used existing quantitative models and data to evaluate trade-offs in proposed management actions to identify areas of agreement of proposed candidate actions. The clear communication of the problem statement and objectives among the stakeholder group, along with evaluation of tradeoffs and uncertainty via decision-support models suggest that SDM may work in the Bay-Delta. We further communicate lessons learned during our implementation of SDM to help guide future SDM efforts in the region and elsewhere.
Peterson, J.T. and A. Duarte. 2024. An evaluation of tradeoffs in restoring ephemeral vs. perennial habitats to conserve animal populations. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 5, p.1428697. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1428697 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2024	Habitat loss and degradation pose significant threats to global fish and wildlife populations, prompting substantial investments in habitat creation and restoration efforts. Not all habitats provide equal benefits, leading to challenges in prioritizing restoration actions. For example, juvenile anadromous salmonids require high quality rearing aquatic habitats to achieve the physiological requirements needed to successfully migrate to the ocean. However, there are profound disagreements among anadromous salmon restoration managers whether it is best to focus efforts restoring in-channel habitats that are available for the entire rearing period or floodplain habitats that, while facilitating greater growth and survival than in-channel habitats, are available for a few weeks at a time. To address this uncertainty, we used a fall-run Chinook Salmon decision model to evaluate under what conditions floodplain restoration would provide greater benefits than in-channel habitat restoration. The simulations results indicated that in-channel habitat restoration was always the best habitat restoration action when there was no existing in-channel despite simulating a wide range of flood frequency, duration, and growth and survival benefits. Floodplain restoration was generally best when there was sufficient in-channel habitat available to successfully rear most of the juveniles produced by the returning adult salmon. We hypothesize that in-channel and floodplain habitats have different roles in salmon population maintenance with in-channel habitats regulating the overall population size and floodplains acting as recurrent resource pulses. Our study provides a quantitative framework to evaluate the benefit of these two habitat types and provides generalizable rulesets that can be used by managers when implementing habitat restoration strategies for species that inhabit both in-channel and floodplain habitats.
Peterson, J.T. and A. Duarte. 2020. Decision analysis to develop and evaluate restoration strategies for Chinook salmon in California’s Central Valley. Restoration Ecology https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13244 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	November 2020	A considerable amount of resources have been invested in ecological restoration projects across the globe to restore ecosystem integrity. These restoration strategies are often diverse and have been met with mixed success. In this paper, we describe the Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) decision-support models developed by the Central Valley Project Improvement Act Science Integration Team as part of a larger structured decision making effort aimed at maximizing natural adult production of Chinook salmon in California’s Central Valley, USA. We then describe the decision analytic tools the stakeholder group used to solve the models and explore model results, including stochastic dynamic programming, forward simulation, proportional scoring, relative loss, expected value of perfect information, response profile analyses, and indifference curves. Using these tools, the stakeholder group was able to develop and quantitatively evaluate restoration strategies for multiple Chinook salmon runs simultaneously, a first for the restoration program. Furthermore, information uncovered during this process was then used to direct efforts towards targeted research/monitoring to reduce critical uncertainties and make better restoration decisions moving forward. The decision sciences have established a wide range of analytical tools and approaches to simplify complex problems into key components, and we believe the concepts described in this paper are of great interest to many restoration practitioners that undoubtedly face similar difficulties when implementing restoration strategies for complex systems.
Peterson, J.M., J.E. Earl, S.D. Fuhlendorf, D. Elmore, D.A. Haukos, A.M. Tanner, and S.A. Carleton. 2020. Estimating response distances of lesser prairie-chickens to anthropogenic features during long-distance movements. Ecosphere 11(9):e03202. 10.1002/ecs2.3202	September 2020
Peterson, E., Thors, R., Frechette, D., Zydlewski, J. (2023) Efficiency of adult sea lamprey approach and passage at the Milford Dam fishway, Penobscot River, Maine, United States. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 43:1052–1065. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10919 \| Download	August 2023
Peterson, E., Sheehan, T., and Zydlewski, J. (2021) Verification of circulus deposition rates in Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar, smolts from three Maine rivers. Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science, Vol. 52: 19–27. DOI: 10.2960/J.v52.m733 \| Download	September 2021
Pershyn, N.A., Gese, E.M., Stuber, E.F. and Kluever, B.M., 2024. Kit foxes demonstrate adaptive compromise characteristics under intraguild predation pressure by coyotes in the Great Basin desert. Scientific Reports, 14(1), p.14446.	June 2024
Perry, G., C.W. Boal, R. Verble, and M.C. Wallace. 2020. “Good’ and ‘bad’ urban wildlife. Pages 141-170 in Problematic Wildlife Vol. 2: New conservation and management challenges in the human-wildlife interactions (F.M. Angelici and L. Rossi, editors). Springer International Publishing, Switzerland.	June 2020
Perkin, J. S., Brewer, S. K., Echelle, A. A., & Kočovský, P. M. (2023). Avoiding a macabre future for Macrhybopsis—A special section on improving management and conservation of chubs. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 43, 1145–1150. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10950	October 2023
Pepin, K. M., T. J. Smyser, A. J. Davis, R. S. Miller, K. C. VerCauteren, W. L. Kendall, and C Slootmaker. 2020. Optimal spatial prioritization of control resources for elimination of invasive species under demographic uncertainty. Ecological Applications, in review.	March 2020
Pepin, K. M., A. J. Davis, R. S. Epanchin-Niell, A. M. Gormley, J. L. Moore, T. J. Smyser, B. Shaffer, W. L. Kendall, K. Shea, M. C. Runge, and S. McKee. 2022. Optimizing management of invasions in an uncertain world using dyamic spatial models. Ecological Applications 32:e2628. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2628.	April 2022
Pennock, C.A., W.C. Saunders, and P. Budy. 2022. High densities of conspecifics buffer native fish from negative interactions with an ecologically similar invasive. Biological Invasions https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02725-y. USGS FSP IP-130496. \| Download	January 2022
Pennock, C.A., P. Budy, and N. Barrett. 2021. Effects of increased temperature on arctic fish is mediated by food availability: Implications for climate change. Freshwater Biology 66:549-561. DOI: 10.1111/fwb.13659. USGS FSP ID-121940. \| Download	March 2021
Pennock, C.A., P. Budy, and N. Barrett. 2021. Effects of increased temperature on arctic fish is mediated by food availability: Implications for climate change. Freshwater Biology 66:549-561. DOI: 10.1111/fwb.13659. USGS FSP ID-121940. \| Download	March 2021
Pennock, C.A., Budy P, Macfarlane, WW. 2022. Effective conservation and restoration of desert riverscapes requires conservation and restoration of in-stream flows with rehabilitation approaches tailored to water availability. Invited: Frontiers in Environmental Science 10:870488. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.870488. USGS FSP IP- 138466. \| Abstract	May 2022	Desert riverscape restoration practitioners must contend with compounding effects of increasing human water demand, persistent drought, nonnative species establishment, and climate change, which further stress desert riverine ecosystems such as rivers in the Colorado River basin, USA. Herein, we provide our perspective on the importance of natural flows, large floods in particular, for successful conservation and restoration of riverscapes. We present ideas developed from our experience with restoration projects across multiple desert tributary rivers with varying levels of habitat degradation and water abstraction. We propose broad-scale measures such as protection of in-stream flows, tailoring restoration efforts to available annual water availability, and working with nature using low-tech process-based techniques to more completely address the mechanisms of habitat degradation, such as flow reduction and vegetation-induced channel narrowing. Traditionally, restoration efforts in the Colorado River basin take place at relatively fine-scales, at convenient locations and, largely focus on reducing nonnative plant and fish species. We suggest that we need to think more broadly and creatively, and that conservation or restoration of natural flow regimes is crucial to long-term success of almost all management efforts for both in-stream and riparian communities.
Pennock, C.A. and Bruckerhoff, L.A., 2020. Qualitative observations of successful spawning by two species of small-bodied minnows following PIT tagging. Western North American Naturalist, 80(2), pp.253-256. https://doi.org/10.3398/064.080.0213	April 2020
Pennock, C.A, L. Bruckerhoff, K.B. Gido, A.L. Barkalow, M.J. Breen, P. Budy, W.W. Macfarlane, and D.L. Propst. 2022. Failure to achieve recommended environmental flows coincides with declining fish populations: Long-term trends in regulated and unregulated rivers. Freshwater Biology https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.13966. USGS FSP IP- 134441 (LB). \| Abstract	July 2022	Dams can be operated to mimic components of the natural flow regime to minimize impacts on downstream ecosystems. However, infrastructure, societal needs, and watershed runoff constrain which and when flow regime attributes can be mimicked. We compared fish assemblage responses, including native and nonnative species, over two decades of managed environmental flows to those in a river retaining a relatively natural flow regime. Both of these arid-land rivers are within the Colorado River basin and have experienced declines in watershed runoff over the past twenty years. We predicted fish-flow relationships would be conserved across time and between managed and unmanaged rivers. Declines in flow in both rivers coincided with declines in some native fishes, and more native and nonnative fish species exhibited declines in the managed river than in the unmanaged river. Our ability to detect previously documented native fish-flow relationships diminished in the managed river system because established environmental flow targets were not met due to water management, but we detected these fish-flow relationships in the unmanaged river. Our results suggest declining watershed runoff and increased consumptive water use could reduce the effectiveness of environmental flows that have lower priority in most years.
Pennock, C., P. Budy, W.W. Macfarlane, M.J. Breen, J. Jimenez, and J.C. Schmidt. 2021. Native fish need a natural flow regime, not more water development. Fisheries, ‘Perspectives’ Article 47:118-123. DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10703. USGS FSP IP-130996.	November 2021
Pennock, C. A., and K. B. Gido. 2021. Spatial and temporal dynamics of fish assemblages in a desert reservoir over 38 years. Hyrdrobiologia 848:1231-1248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-021-04514-z	March 2021
Pennock, C. A., P. Budy, S. A. Bonar, T. E. Dowling, K. B. Gido, E. I. Gilbert, B. R. Kesner, C. P. Paukert, M. C. Quist, J. Stahli, T. F. Turner, and D. L. Ward. 2022. Assessment of potential augmentation and management strategies for Razorback Sucker Xyrauchen texanus in Lake Mead and Grand Canyon: A Science Panel Summary. UTCFWRU 2022 (3):1-3	September 2022
Pennock, C. A., P. Budy, S. A. Bonar, T. E. Dowling, K. B. Gido, E. I. Gilbert, B. R. Kesner, C. P. Paukert, M. C. Quist, J. Stahli, T. F. Turner, and D. L. Ward. 2022. Assessment of potential augmentation and management strategies for Razorback Sucker Xyrauchen texanus in Lake Mead and Grand Canyon: A Science Panel Summary. (No FSP possible).	April 2022
Pennock CA, Ahrens ZT, McKinstry MC, Budy P, Gido KB. 2021. Trophic niches of native and nonnative fishes along a river-reservoir continuum. Scientific Reports 11:12140 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91730-1 \| Download	June 2021
Penland, T.N., W.G. Cope, T.J. Kwak, M.J. Strynar, C.A. Grieshaber, R.J. Heise, and F.W. Sessions. 2020. Trophodynamics of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the food web of a large Atlantic Slope river. Environmental Science and Technology 54: 6800-6811. DOI:10.1021/acs.est.9b05007	June 2020
Pell, C.J., S.L. King, T. Hawkins, and M. Symmank. 2025. Determining the effects of reduced water availability on seed germination of five bottomland hardwood tree species. Forest Ecology and Management 577, 122410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122410	February 2025
Pease, B., K. Pacifici, and J. A. Collazo. 2021. Survey design optimization for monitoring wildlife communities in areas managed for federally endangered species. Animal Conservation 24:756–769.	March 2021
Pease AA, JE Pease, PT Bean, & TB Grabowski. 2022. Endemic Guadalupe Bass (Micropterus treculii) are supported by isotopically distinct resources in tributary versus mainstem river food webs. River Research and Applications. doi: 10.1002/rra.4015 \| Abstract	June 2022	We used stable isotope analysis to investigate differences in Guadalupe bass<i> Micropterus treculii</i> resource use that might be associated with population-level variation in main-stem river versus tributary stream habitats. <i>Micropterus treculii</i> from main-stem sites had more enriched δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>15</sup>N signatures compared to those collected in tributaries, likely reflecting greater importance of algae as a basal resource and influences of urban wastewater in main-stem habitats. Documenting ecological variation across ecosystem types is important to inform fish conservation efforts, especially for species that occupy a range of stream sizes.
Pearse, A.T., M.L. Szymanski, C.A. Anchor, M.J. Anteau, R.M. Murano, D.A. Brandt, and J.D. Stafford. 2023. Factors influencing autumn-winter movements of midcontinent Mallards and consequences for harvest and habitat management. Ecology and Evolution DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10605.	October 2023
Pearman-Gillman, S., M. Duveneck, J. Murdoch, and T. M. Donovan. 2020. Species distribution changes under alternative landscape futures: Using a scenario framework to identify drivers and consequences of landscape change on wildlife in New England. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 8:164. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00164. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	June 2020	In an era of rapid climate and land transformation, it is increasingly important to understand how future changes impact natural systems. Scenario studies can offer the structure and perspective needed to understand the impacts of change and help inform management and conservation decisions. We implemented a scenario-based approach to assess how two high impact drivers of landscape change influence the distributions of managed wildlife species (<i>n</i> = 10) in the New England region of the northeastern United States. We used expert derived species distribution models (SDMs) and scenarios developed by the New England Landscape Futures Project (NELFP) to estimate how species distributions change under various trajectories (<i>n</i> = 5) of landscape change. The NELFP scenarios were built around two primary drivers – Socio-Economic Connectedness (SEC) and Natural Resource Planning and Innovation (NRPI) – and provide plausible alternatives for how the New England region may change over 50 years (2010–2060). Our models generally resulted in species occurrence and richness declines by 2060. The majority of species (7 of 10) experienced declines in regional occurrence for all NELFP scenarios, and one species experienced a projected increase in mean regional occurrence for all scenarios. Our results indicate that the NRPI and SEC drivers strongly influenced projected distribution changes compared to baseline projections. NRPI had a greater impact on distribution change for five species (coyote, moose, striped skunk, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey), while SEC had a greater impact on four species (American black bear, bobcat, raccoon, and red fox); one species (gray fox) was equally influenced by both NRPI and SEC. These results emphasize the importance of integrating both natural resource planning and socio-economic factors when addressing issues of distribution change and offer insights that can inform proactive management and conservation planning.
Pearman-Gillman, S., M. Duveneck, J. Murdoch, and T. Donovan. 2020. Wildlife resistence and protection in a changing New England landscape. PLOS ONE 15(9): e0239525. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239525 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	September 2020	Rapid changes in climate and land use threaten the persistence of wildlife species. Understanding where species are likely to occur now and in the future can help identify areas that are resistant to change over time and guide conservation planning. We estimated changes in species distribution patterns and spatial resistance in five future scenarios for the New England region of the northeastern United States. We present scenario-specific distribution change maps for nine harvested wildlife species, identifying regions of increasing, decreasing, or stable habitat suitability within each scenario. Next, we isolated areas where species occurrence probability is high (p > 0.7) and resistant to change across all future scenarios. Resistance was also evaluated relative to current land protection to identify patterns in and out of Protected Areas (PAs). Generally, species distributions declined in area over the 50-year assessment period (2010–2060), with the greatest average declines occurring for moose (-40.9%) and wild turkey (-22.1%). Species resistance varied considerably across the region, with coyote demonstrating the highest average regional resistance (91.81% of the region) and moose demonstrating the lowest (0.76% of the region). At the state level, average focal species resistance was highest in Maine (the largest state) and lowest in Massachusetts. Many of the focal species showed high overlap in resistance and land protection. Coyote, white-tailed deer, and black bear had the highest probability of resistance, given protection, while moose and wild turkey had the highest probability of protection, given resistance. Overall, relatively small portions of New England—ranging between 0.25% and 21.12%–were both protected and resistant for the focal species. Our results provide estimates of resistance that can inform conservation planning for commonly harvested species that are important ecologically, economically, and culturally to the region. Expanding protected area coverage to include resistant areas may provide longer term benefits to these species.
Pearman-Gillman, S, J. E. Katz, R. Mickey, J. Murdoch, and T. Donovan. 2020. Predicting wildlife distribution patterns in New England USA with expert elicitation techniques. Global Ecology and Conservation 21:e00853. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2020	Understanding the impacts of landscape change on species distributions can help inform decision-making and conservation planning. Unfortunately, empirical data that span large spatial extents across multiple taxa are limited. In this study, we used expert elicitation techniques to develop species distribution models (SDMs) for harvested wildlife species (n = 10) in the New England region of the northeastern United States. We administered an online survey that elicited opinions from wildlife experts on the probability of species occurrence throughout the study region. We collected 3396 probability of occurrence estimates from 46 experts, and used linear mixed-effects methods and landcover variables at multiple spatial extents to develop SDMs. The models were in general agreement with the literature and provided effect sizes for variables that shape species occurrence. With the exception of gray fox, models performed well when validated against crowdsourced empirical data. We applied models to rasters (30 × 30 m cells) of the New England region to map each species’ distribution. Average regional occurrence probability was highest for coyote (0.92) and white-tailed deer (0.89) and lowest for gray fox (0.42) and moose (0.52). We then stacked distribution maps of each species to estimate and map focal species richness. Species richness (<i>s</i>) varied across New England, with highest average richness in the least developed states of Vermont (<i>s</i> = 7.47) and Maine (s = 7.32), and lowest average richness in the most developed states of Rhode Island (s = 6.13) and Massachusetts (s = 6.61). Our expert-based approach provided relatively inexpensive, comprehensive information that would have otherwise been difficult to obtain given the spatial extent and range of species being assessed. The results provide valuable information about the current distribution of wildlife species and offer a means of exploring how climate and land-use change may impact wildlife in the future.
Pearce, J. M., P. L. Flint, M. E. Whalen, S. A. Sonsthagen, J. Stiller, V. P. Patil, T. Bowman, S. Boyd, S. S. Badzinski, H. G. Gilchrist, S. G. Gilliland, C. Lepage, P. Loring, D. McAuley, N. R. McLellan, J. Osenkowski, E. T. Reed, A. J. Roberts, M. O. Robertson, T. Rothe, D. E. Safine, E. D. Silverman, and D. Spragens. 2019. Visualizing populations of North American Sea Ducks—Maps to guide research and management planning: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2019-1142, 50 p., plus appendixes.	December 2019
Pearce, D.L., J.E. Edson, C.S. Jennelle, and W.D. Walter. 2024. Evaluation of DNA yield from various tissue and sampling sources for use in single nucleotide polymorphism panels. Scientific Reports 14, 11340. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56128-9 \| Abstract	May 2024	Genetics studies are used by wildlife managers and researchers to gain inference into a population of a species of interest. To gain these insights, microsatellites have been the primary method, however, there currently is a shift from microsatellites to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). With the DNA requirements between microsatellites and SNPs being different, an investigation into which samples can provide adequate DNA yield is warranted. Using samples that were collected from previous genetic projects from regions in the USA from 2014 to 2021, we investigated the DNA yield of eight sample categories to gain insights into which provided adequate DNA to be used in ddRADseq or already developed SNP panels. We found four sample categories that met the DNA requirements for use in all three panels, three sample categories that only met the DNA requirements for two panels, and one sample category that did not meet any of the three panels requirements. Additionally, we used linear random-effects models to determine which covariates would have the greatest influence on DNA yield. We determined that all covariates, tissue type, storage method, preservative, DNA quality, time until DNA extraction and time after DNA extraction could influence DNA yield.
Payton Q, AF Evans, NJ Hostetter, DD Roby, BM Cramer, and K Collis. 2020. Measuring the additive effects of predation on prey survival across multiple spatial scales. Ecological Applications. 30:e02193. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2193	June 2020
Payne, N., Combrink, L., Kraberger, S., Fontenele, R.S., Schmidlin, K., Cassaigne, I., Culver, M., Varsani, A., and Van Doorslaer, K. 2023. DNA virome composition of two sympatric wild felids, bobcat (Lynx rufus) and puma (Puma concolor) in Sonora, Mexico. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, October 14:esad057. doi: 10.1093/jhered/esad057. \| Abstract	April 2023	With viruses often having devastating effects on wildlife population fitness and with wild mammals serving as pathogen reservoirs for potentially zoonotic diseases, determining the viral diversity present in wild mammals is both a conservation and One Health priority. Additionally, transmission from more abundant hosts could increase the extinction risk of threatened sympatric species. We leveraged an existing circular DNA enriched metagenomic dataset generated from bobcat (<i>Lynx rufus</i>, n = 9) and puma (<i>Puma concolor</i> , n = 13) scat samples non-invasively collected from Sonora, Mexico, to identify viruses in fecal viromes of each species and determine the extent that viruses are shared between them. Using the metaWRAP pipeline to co-assemble viral genomes for comparative metagenomic analysis, we observed diverse circular DNA viruses in both species, including circoviruses, genomoviruses, and anelloviruses. We found that differences in DNA virome composition were partly attributed to host species, although there was overlap between viruses in bobcats and pumas. Pumas exhibited greater levels of alpha diversity, possibly due to bioaccumulation of pathogens in apex predators. Shared viral taxa may reflect dietary overlap, shared environmental resources, or transmission through host interactions, although we cannot rule out species-specific host-virus coevolution for the taxa detected through co-assembly. However, our detection of integrated feline foamy virus (FFV) suggests Sonoran pumas may interact with domestic cats. Our results contribute to the growing baseline knowledge of wild felid viral diversity. Future research should aim to clarify host associations and determine the pathogenicity of detected viruses.
Payne N, Kraberger S, Fontenele RS, Schmidlin K, Bergeman MH, Cassaigne I, Culver M, Varsani A and K Van Doorslaer. 2020, Novel circoviruses detected in feces of Sonoran felids. Viruses, 12(9), 1027; https://doi.org/10.3390/v12091027 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	September 2020	Sonoran felids are threatened by drought and habitat fragmentation. Vector range expansion and anthropogenic factors such as habitat encroachment and climate change are altering viral evolutionary dynamics and exposure. However, little is known about the diversity of viruses present in these populations. Small felid populations with lower genetic diversity are likely to be most threatened with extinction by emerging diseases, as with other selective pressures, due to having less adaptive potential. We used a metagenomic approach to identify novel circoviruses, which may have a negative impact on the population viability, from confirmed bobcat (Lynx rufus) and puma (Puma concolor) scats collected in Sonora, Mexico. Given some circoviruses are known to cause disease in their hosts, such as porcine and avian circoviruses, we took a non-invasive approach using scat to identify circoviruses in free-roaming bobcats and puma. Three circovirus genomes were determined, and, based on the current species demarcation, they represent two novel species. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that one circovirus species is more closely related to rodent associated circoviruses and the other to bat associated circoviruses, sharing highest genome-wide pairwise identity of approximately 70% and 63%, respectively. At this time, it is unknown whether these scat-derived circoviruses infect felids, their prey, or another organism that might have had contact with the scat in the environment. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate the host of these viruses and assess health impacts in felids
Payne N, JA Erwin, J Morrison, J Dwyer and M Culver. 2023. Genomic Insights into Isolation of the Threatened Florida Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus). J Heredity, 14:esad057. doi: 10.1093/jhered/esad057. \| Abstract	October 2023	We conducted a population genomic study of the crested caracara (<i>Caracara</i> <i>plancus</i>) using samples (n = 290) collected from individuals in Florida, Texas, and Arizona, USA. Crested caracaras are non-migratory raptors ranging from the southern tip of South America up to the southern United States, including a federally protected relict population in Florida long thought to have been isolated since the last ice age. Our objectives were to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure of Florida’s apparently isolated population and to evaluate taxonomic relationships of caracaras at the northern edge of their range. Using DNA purified from blood samples, we conducted double-digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing and sequenced the mitochondrial <i>ND2</i> gene.<b> </b>Analyses of population structure using over 9000 SNPs suggest two major clusters are best supported, one cluster including only Florida individuals and the other cluster including Arizona and Texas individuals.<b> </b>Both SNPs and mitochondrial haplotypes reveal the Florida population to be highly differentiated genetically from Arizona and Texas populations, whereas Arizona and Texas populations are moderately differentiated from each other.<b> </b>The Florida population’s mitochondrial haplotypes form a separate monophyletic group, while Arizona and Texas populations share mitochondrial haplotypes.<b> </b>Results of this study provide substantial genetic evidence that Florida’s crested caracaras have experienced long-term isolation from caracaras in Arizona and Texas, representing a distinct evolutionary lineage possibly warranting distinction as an Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) or subspecies. Inclusion of these results will aid development of conservation strategies focused on long-term survival of Florida’s distinct, panmictic population.
Paukert, C., E. Webb, D. Fowler, and C. Hilling. 2021. Harvest as a Tool to Manage Populations of Undesirable or Overabundant Fish and Wildlife Species. Pages 249 to 262 in: L. Powell and K. Pope, editors. Harvest of Fish and Wildlife: New Paradigms for Sustainable Management. CRC Press.	June 2021
Paukert, C. P., J. D. Olden, A. J. Lynch, D. Brashears, R. C. Chambers, C. Chu, M. Daly, K. L. Dibble, J. Falke, D. Issak, P. Jacobson, O. P. Jensen, and D. Munroe. 2021. Climate change effects on North American fish and fisheries to inform adaptation strategies. Fisheries 46: 449-464. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10668	September 2021
Paukert, C. P. 2020. Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Learning to Let Go. in: Lessons in Leadership: Integrating Courage, Vision, and Innovation for the Future of Sustainable Fisheries. American Fisheries Society	August 2020
Paufve MR, Sethi SA, Weidel BC, Lantry BF, Yule DL, Rudstam LG, Jonas JJ, Berglund E, Connerton MJ, Gorsky D, Herbert M, Smith J. (2022) Diversity in spawning habitat use among Great Lakes Cisco populations. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 31: 379-388. \| Abstract	April 2022	Cisco (<i>Coregonus artedi</i>) once dominated fish communities in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Restoring the abundance and distribution of this species has emerged as a management priority, yet our understanding of Cisco spawning habitat use is insufficient to characterize habitat needs for these populations and assess whether availability of suitable spawning habitat could be a constraint to recovery. We characterized the distribution of incubating Cisco eggs <i>in situ</i> across gradients of depth and substrate types to describe the spawning habitat used by three Great Lakes populations. In Chaumont Bay, Lake Ontario, eggs were concentrated on shallow bedrock shoals and not found on deeper silt or sand substrate. In contrast, eggs in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, and Elk Rapids, Lake Michigan, were found on deeper fine grain sediments with low utilization of shallow rocky and cobble habitats. These patterns of egg incubation habitat use suggest a broad spawning habitat niche at the species level but distinct spawning habitat preferences at the population level. While our results indicate some historical diversity in spawning habitat use has been maintained across the species’ range in the Great Lakes, comparisons of contemporary spawning habitat utilization against historical accounts raise questions as to whether some spawning habitat use behaviors may no longer be prevalent within specific lakes. Thus, characterizing the portfolio of spawning strategies remaining within lakes may improve our understanding of habitat needs and identify opportunities to maintain population diversity while supporting Cisco rehabilitation.
Paufve MP, Sethi SA, Rudstam L, Weidel BC, Lantry BF, Chalupnicki M. (2020) Differentiation between Lake Whitefish and Cisco eggs based on diameter. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 46:1058-1062. \| Abstract	July 2020	Cisco (Coregonus artedi) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) are native fish species of management concern in the Laurentian Great Lakes that often overlap in spawning locations and timing. Thus, species-level inference from in situ sampling requires methods to differentiate their eggs. Genetic barcoding and rearing of live eggs to visually identify larvae are used but can be time and cost intensive. Observations in published literature indicate that in the Great Lakes, lake whitefish eggs may be larger than those of cisco, but this has not yet been substantiated. Samples from shared spawning grounds are unlikely to contain similarly sized or colored eggs from other species. Thus, we assessed whether their eggs could be separated based on size alone. Fertilized, hardened eggs were collected in situ during spawning at Elk Rapids, Lake Michigan and Chaumont Bay, Lake Ontario and preserved in ethanol. Individual eggs were measured and genetically identified. Mean diameter for cisco (2.45 mm, SD = 0.22, n = 444) was smaller than for lake whitefish (3.21 mm, SD = 0.20, n = 99). We used classification trees to identify a species-separating size threshold of 2.88 mm (95% bootstrap CI = [2.88, 2.95]), which classified eggs with an accuracy rate of 96%. Differences between species across other samples from the same locations were mostly consistent with the threshold size, but we suggest validation if applying this method to other populations. Separation of cisco and lake whitefish eggs by diameter can be accurate, efficient, and especially suitable for large sample sizes.
Patton, P. T., K. Pacifici, and Jaime A. Collazo. 2022. Modeling and Estimating Co-occurrence between generalist brood parasites and host communities. Biological Invasions.	March 2022
Patton, BA, Nyman JA, La Peyre MK. 2020. Living on the edge: Multi-scale analyses of waterbird habitat use in coastal wetlands of Barataria Basin, Louisiana, USA. Wetlands doi: 10.1007/s13157-020-01324-2,	July 2020
Patiño, R., Christensen, V.G., Graham, J.L., Rogosch, J.S, and Rosen, B.H. 2023. Toxic algae in inland waters of the conterminous United States—A review and synthesis.Water, 15(15), 2808. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15152808. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	August 2023	Cyanobacteria are the most common toxigenic algae in inland waters. Their toxins can affect the health of aquatic and terrestrial organisms, including humans. Other algal groups, such as haptophytes (e.g., Prymnesium parvum) and euglenoids (e.g., Euglena sanguinea), can also form harmful algal blooms (HABs) whose toxins cause injury to aquatic biota but currently have no known effects on human health. Prymnesium parvum, however, is responsible for some of the worst HAB-related ecological disasters recorded in inland waters. Here, we provide an overview of the primary toxigenic algae found in U.S. inland waters: cyanobacteria (planktonic forms), P. parvum, and E. sanguinea with the objective of describing their similarities and differences in the areas of HAB ecology, algal toxins, and the potential for future range expansion of HABs. A detailed account of bloom habitats and their known associations with land cover and use is provided from the perspective of water quality. This review revealed that salinity may have an influence on inland cyanobacterial blooms and cyanotoxins that had not been fully recognized previously.
Pasternak, G., C.A. Ribic, E. Spanier, and D. Zviely. Stormwater systems as a source of marine debris: a case study from the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Journal of Coastal Conservation 25: article 27 (Online). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-021-00818-3	February 2021
Parker, S. W., T. S. Coleman, A. K. Carlson, and J. R. Fischer. 2023. Characterization of fish assemblages in eleven multi-use reservoirs from North Carolina, USA. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 38(1):2241494.	August 2023
Parker, N.J., D.S. Sullins, D.A. Haukos, K.A. Fricke, and C.A. Hagen. 2022. Recovery of working grasslands following a megafire in the southern mixed-grass prairie Global Ecology and Conservation 36 (2022) e02142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02142	May 2022
Parker, N.J., D.S. Sullins, D.A. Haukos, K.A. Fricke, and C.A. Hagen. 2022. Demographic effects of a megafire on a declining prairie grouse in the mixed-grass prairie. Ecology and Evolution 12:e9544.	November 2022
Parker, N. J.*, D. S. Sullins, D. A. Haukos, K. A. Fricke, and C. A. Hagen. 2022. Recovery of working grasslands following a megafire in the southern mixed-grass prairie. Global Ecology and Conservation 36: e02142. DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02142.	October 2022
Parker, N. J.*, D. S. Sullins, D. A. Haukos, K. A. Fricke, and C. A. Hagen, A. A. Ahlers. 2022. Demographic effects of a megafire on a declining prairie grouse in the mixed-grass prairie. Ecology and Evolution 12: e9544. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9544	November 2022
Parikh, G.L., R.C. Karsch, J.W. Cain III, E.M Rominger, and E.J. Goldstein. 2024. Neonate morphometrics and lambing season characteristics of desert bighorn sheep. Mammalia 2024-0074. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2024-0074 \| Download	December 2024
Paprocki, N., and C. J. Conway. 2025. The underlying causes of differential migration: assumptions, hypotheses, and predictions. Biological Reviews 100:in press.	November 2024
Paprocki, N., S. Blair, C. J. Conway, J. Adams, S. Nerkowski, J. Kidd, and L. P. Waits. 2024. Comparison of seven DNA metabarcoding sampling methods to assess diet in a large avian predator. Environmental DNA 6:e70000.	August 2024
Paine, R.T.R., M.W. Rogers, and A. E. Rosenberger. 2024. Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance of the federally threatened Slender Chub (Erimystax cahni) in the Clinch River and Powell River. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-156-2024, Washington, D.C. https://doi.org/ 10.3996/css55463605 (IP-156546) \| Abstract	July 2024	The slender chub (<i>Erimystax cahni</i>) is a federally threatened fish native to and geographically restricted to eastern North America. More specifically, the Powell, Clinch, and lower Holston Rivers in Tennessee were historical collection areas. Habitat degradation from multiple sources, including surface mining, agriculture, dams, and urbanization, is associated with the decline of this species - an obligate inhabitant of gravel shoals in large rivers. As of 1964, only 15 voucher specimens were known and no living specimens were documented for decades. A federal recovery plan and Species Status Assessment were developed to determine if slender chub still exists and could be restored. Given the lack of recent observations using conventional sampling to search for its presence, we used environmental DNA sampling to determine their potential presence. Our specific objectives were to (1) develop a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay aimed at species-specific detection and (2) sample historically known areas of collection. We sampled 43 sites in the Clinch and Powell Rivers. For the first time in almost two decades, we provide the first evidence for the continued existence of a putatively extinct species. We detected evidence of <i>E. cahni</i> in both the Powell and Clinch Rivers, but only at a few sites. We cannot confirm the presence of <i>E. cahni</i>, and positive eDNA matches could be attributed to amplification from a hybrid. Our results do indicate presence of slender chub DNA perseveres in the system and can inform resource agencies of localities to pursue on-the-ground searches for the slender chub with conventional methods (e.g., snorkeling) and potential restoration and recovery sites.
Paine, R. T. R., Hurt, C. R., & Mattingly, H. T. (2021). Monitoring a minuscule madtom: Environmental DNA surveillance of the endangered pygmy madtom (Noturus stanauli Etnier & Jenkins 1980) in the Duck and Clinch rivers, Tennessee. Environmental DNA, 3(4), 745-759. DOI: 10.1002/edn3.179 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	February 2021	Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection has been shown to be an effective biosurveillance tool for freshwater fishes, but further research is needed to apply eDNA detection tools to small and rare fishes in large rivers. We developed an eDNA surveillance assay and protocol for monitoring the presence of the pygmy madtom (<i>Noturus stanauli</i>), a federally protected freshwater fish endemic to the Clinch and Duck rivers in Tennessee (United States, North America). <i>Noturus stanauli</i> is a diminutive fish that is exceedingly rare throughout its range; it is currently known only from a 115-river-km section of the Duck River and a 5-river-km section of the Clinch River. The aim of this research was to develop an eDNA assay to detect the presence of <i>N. stanauli</i> in both the Duck and Clinch rivers. We used this newly developed eDNA protocol to assess detection as a function of water depth and to further delineate the distribution of <i>N. stanauli</i> in both the Duck and Clinch rivers. Field sampling was performed to delineate the extent of <i>N. stanauli</i>'s range in both rivers. Our results indicated that samples collected from three areas within the water column, as well as a sediment core samples, yielded equal detection rates. Our assay detected the presence of <i>N. stanauli</i> at a previously unknown site outside the current distribution in the Clinch River, located approximately 2.5-river-km downstream from the Tennessee-Virginia state line. We demonstrated that eDNA detection is a promising tool for delineating the distribution of <i>N. stanauli</i>; however, further research is needed to assess environmental and life history variables that influence eDNA detection probability of small fish in large rivers.
Paige E. Howell, Blake R. Hossack, Erin Muths, Brent H. Sigafus, Richard B. Chandler "Informing Amphibian Conservation Efforts with Abundance-Based Metapopulation Models," Herpetologica, 76(2), 240-250, (23 June 2020) \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2020	Science-based management strategies are needed to halt or reverse the global decline of amphibians. In many cases, sound management requires reliable models built using monitoring data. Historically, monitoring and statistical modeling efforts have focused on estimating occupancy using detection–nondetection data. Spatial occupancy models are useful for studying colonization–extinction dynamics, but richer insights can be gained from estimating abundance and density-dependent demographic rates. We developed an integrated abundance-based metapopulation model of the processes contributing to spatiotemporal variation in patch population density. We fit our model to a combination of detection–nondetection and count data from a 14-yr study of a reintroduced metapopulation of federally threatened Chiricahua Leopard Frogs (Lithobates chiricahuensis). Pond-specific population growth rate was influenced by pond hydroperiod and frog density, such that permanent and semipermanent ponds with low densities of adult frogs experienced the highest annual population growth rates. Immigration rate declined as the distance among ponds increased. After reintroduction in 2003, metapopulation-level abundance increased and appeared to stabilize around 1300 adult frogs (95% CI = 1192–1471) by year 2015. Further, changes in metapopulation abundance were driven mostly by changes in abundance at a few ponds. These high-density populations, which would not have been identifiable with traditional occupancy-based metapopulation models, are likely especially important for species recovery in the area. Abundance-based metapopulation models can be widely applied to inform conservation efforts, by providing higher quality information needed to prioritize habitat patches for management and can be used to make more accurate predictions of metapopulation extinction risk.
Padilla, C.J., J.T. Martin, J.W. Cain III, and M.E Gompper. 2024. Abiotic and demographic drivers of flea parasitism on deer mice in a recovering mixed-conifer forest a decade post-fire. Journal of Parasitology 110:375-385. \| Download	August 2024
Padilla, C.J., C.Q. Ruhl, J.W. Cain III, and M.E Gompper. 2024. Effects of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, abundance, and environmental conditions on bighorn sheep lamb:ewe ratios and adult survival in New Mexico. Ecosphere 15:e70095. DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.70095 \| Download	December 2024
Oyler-McCance, S.J., Ryan, M.J., Sullivan, B.K. et al. Genetic connectivity in the Arizona toad (Anaxyrus microscaphus): implications for conservation of a stream dwelling amphibian in the arid Southwestern United States. Conserv Genet (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-024-01606-w \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2024	The Arizona Toad (Anaxyrus microscaphus) is restricted to riverine corridors and adjacent uplands in the arid southwesternUnited States. As with numerous amphibians worldwide, populations are declining and face various known or suspectedthreats, from disease to habitat modification resulting from climate change. The Arizona Toad has been petitioned to belisted under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and was considered “warranted but precluded” citing the need for additionalinformation – particularly regarding natural history (e.g., connectivity and dispersal ability). The objectives of this studywere to characterize population structure and genetic diversity across the species’ range. We used reduced-representationgenomic sequencing to genotype 3,601 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 99 Arizona Toads from ten drainages across itsrange. Multiple analytical methods revealed two distinct genetic groups bisected by the Colorado River; one in the northwesternportion of the range in southwestern Utah and eastern Nevada and the other in the southeastern portion of the range incentral and eastern Arizona and New Mexico. We also found subtle substructure within both groups, particularly in centralArizona where toads at lower elevations were less connected than those at higher elevations. The northern and southernparts of the Arizona Toad range are not well connected genetically and could be managed as separate units. Further, thesedata could be used to identify source populations for assisted migration or translocations to support small or potentiallydeclining populations.
Owen, R.K., E.B. Webb, D.A. Haukos, and K.W. Goyne. 2020. Projected climate and land use changes drive plant community composition in agricultural wetlands. Environmental and Experimental Botany 175 (2020) 104039.	April 2020
Owen, R.K., E.B. Webb, D.A. Haukos, F.B. Fritschi and K.W. Goyne. 2020. Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli) emergence and growth in a changing climate in Great Plains wetlands. Wetlands Ecology and Management https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-019-09693-0	January 2020
Overpeck, J. T., and S. A. Bonar. 2021. Southwestern fish and aquatic systems: the climate challenge. In D.L. Propst, J.E. Williams, K.R. Bestgen, and C.W. Hoagstrom, eds. Standing between life and extinction: ethics and ecology of conserving aquatic species in the American Southwest. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. IP-088747	March 2021
Overduijn, K. S., C. M. Handel, and A. N. Powell. 2020. Does habitat partitioning by sympatric plovers affect nest survival? The Auk 137:1-16. DOI: 10.1093/auk/ukaa018	May 2020
Ottinger, M.A., T. Maness, J.K. Grace, R. Wilson, P.G.R. Jodice. 2019. Strategic Avian Monitoring Plan for the Gulf of Mexico: Avian Health Assessments. In Wilson et al. (eds.). Strategic Bird Monitoring Guidelines for the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Extension Research Bulletin 1228, Mississippi State University. \| Download	January 2020
Oteyza, J. C., J. C. Mouton, and T. E. Martin. 2021. Adult survival probability and body size affect parental risk-taking across latitudes. Ecology Letters 24:20-26.	January 2021
Ortega, A.C., Dwinnell, S.P.H., LaSharr, T.N., Jakopak, R.P., Denryter, K., Huggler, K., Hayes, M., Aikens, E.O., Verzuh, T., May, A., Kauffman, M.J., and Monteith, K.L. (2020). Effectiveness of Partial Sedation to Reduce Stress in Captured Mule Deer. Journal of Wildlife Management, 84: 1445–1456. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21929. \| Abstract	July 2020	Information garnered from the capture and handling of free-ranging animals helps advance understanding of wildlife ecology and can aid in decisions on wildlife management. Unfortunately, animals may experience increased levels of stress, injuries, and death resulting from captures (e.g., exertional myopathy, trauma). Partial sedation is a technique proposed to alleviate stress in animals during capture, yet efficacy of partial sedation for reducing stress and promoting survival post-capture remains unclear. We evaluated the effects of partial sedation on physiological, biochemical, and behavioral indicators of acute stress and probability of survival post-capture for mule deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus</i>) that were captured via helicopter net-gunning in the eastern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Wyoming, USA. We administered 10–30 mg of midazolam and 15 mg of azaperone intramuscularly (IM) to 32 mule deer in 2016 and 53 mule deer in 2017, and maintained a control group (captured but not sedated) of 38 mule deer in 2016 and 54 mule deer in 2017. To evaluate indicators of acute stress, we measured heart rate, blood-oxygen saturation, body temperature, respiration rate, and levels of serum cortisol. We recorded number of kicks and vocalizations of deer during handling and evaluated behavior during release. We also measured levels of fecal glucocorticoids as an indicator of baseline stress. Midazolam and azaperone did not reduce physiological, biochemical, or behavioral indicators of acute stress or influence probability of survival post-capture. Mule deer that were administered midazolam and azaperone, however, were more likely to hesitate, stumble or fall, and walk during release compared with individuals in the control group, which were more likely to trot, stot, or run without stumbling or falling. Our findings suggest that midazolam (10–30 mg IM) and azaperone (15 mg IM) may not yield physiological or demographic benefits for captured mule deer as previously assumed and may pose adverse effects that can complicate safety for captured animals, including drug-induced lethargy. Although we failed to find efficacy of midazolam and azaperone as a method for reducing stress in captured mule deer, the efficacy of midazolam and azaperone or other combinations of partial sedatives in reducing stress may depend on the dose of tranquilizer, study animal, capture setting, and how stress is defined.
Ortega etal. Expenditure of energy in a large herbivore is non-linear over winter	April 2023
Ortega et al. Migrating mule deer compensate en route for phenological mismatches	April 2023
Ortega et al. A test of the frost wave hypothesis in a temperate ungulate	January 2024
Orning, EK, KM Dugger, and DG Clark. 2021. Gray wolf (Canis lupus) predation patterns following recent recolonization in a multi-predator, multi-prey system. Canadian Journal of Zoology 99: 902–911. doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2021-0027 .	July 2021
Oppel S, BL Clark, MM Risi, C Horswill, SJ Converse, CW Jones, AM Osborne, K Stevens, V Perold, AL Bond, RM Wanless, R Cuthbert, J Cooper, PG Ryan. 2022. Demographic consequences of invasive species predation and management on the population of a long-lived seabird species. Journal of Applied Ecology 59:2059-2070.	June 2021
Olson, L.O., T.R. Van Deelen, D.J. Storm, and S.M. Crimmins. 2021. Understanding environmental patterns of canid predation on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Canadian Journal of Zoology 99:912-920. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2021-0024	September 2021
Olah, A. M., C. A. Ribic, K. Grveles, S. Warner, D. Lopez, and A. M. Pidgeon. 2022. Kirtland’s Warbler breeding productivity and habitat use in red pine-dominated habitat in Wisconsin, USA. Avian Conservation and Ecology 17(1):3. [online] https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-02009-170103	February 2022
Okun, N., McGuire, J., Henderson, M., Gallagher, S., Lang, E. and Mackey, E. Large Wood Restoration Effectiveness Monitoring in a Coastal Northern California Stream: A Paired Watershed Before-After-Control-Impact Study. Final Report to California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Restoration Grant Program May 2021.	August 2021
Odom, R.H. and W.M. Ford. 2021. Developing species-age cohorts from forest inventory and analysis data to parameterize a forest landscape model. International Journal of Forestry Research 6650821(2021) doi.org/10.1155/2021/6650821 16 p	March 2021
Odom, R.H. and W.M. Ford. 2020. Assessing the vulnerability of military installations in the coterminous United States to potential biome shifts resulting from rapid climate change. Environmental Management doi.org/10.1007/s00267-020-01331-3. 27 p.	July 2020
Odom, R.H. and W.M. Ford. 2020. Assessing the vulnerability of military installations in the coterminous United States to potential biome shifts resulting from rapid climate change. Environmental Management doi.org/10.1007/s00267-020-01331-3. 27 p.	July 2020
Ochs, C., C. Johnston, P. Hartfield, A. Harrison, J. Baustian, B. Piazza, C. Justis, D. Larsen, A. Michelson, J. Spurgeon. Chapter 6 - Lower Mississippi River Tributaries. In: J. Delong, T. Jardine (eds) Rivers of North America (2nd edition).	April 2023
Ochoa, A; David P. Onorato, Melody E. Roelke-Parker, Melanie Culver, and Robert Fitak. 2022. Give and Take: Effects of Genetic Admixture in Endangered Florida Panther Mutation Load. Journal of Heredity, 113, 491-499 doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esac037 \| Abstract	February 2022	Genetic admixture is a biological event inherent to genetic rescue programs aimed at the long-term conservation of endangered wildlife. Although the success of such programs can be measured by the increase in genetic diversity and fitness of subsequent admixed individuals, little is known about the fine-scale costs of admixture at the molecular level. In this study, we analyzed nonsynonymous variation from conserved genes to quantify and compare mutation load levels (i.e., proportion of deleterious alleles and genotypes carrying these alleles) among endangered Florida panthers with different genetic backgrounds and non-endangered Texas pumas. Specifically, we used canonical (i.e., non-admixed) Florida panthers, Texas pumas, and F<sub>1</sub> (canonical Florida x Texas) panthers dating from a genetic rescue program, including Florida panthers with Central American ancestry resulting from an earlier admixture event. We found genetic drift had no significant effect in reducing overall proportions of deleterious alleles in the severely bottlenecked canonical Florida panthers. Furthermore, these deleterious alleles were distributed into a disproportionately high number of homozygous genotypes due to close inbreeding and inefficient purifying selection in this group. Conversely, admixed Florida panthers (either with Texas or Central American ancestry) presented reduced levels of homozygous genotypes carrying deleterious alleles but increased levels of heterozygous genotypes carrying these variants. Although admixture is likely to alleviate the load of standing deleterious variation present in homozygous genotypes, our results highlight concerns that introduced novel deleterious alleles (temporarily present in heterozygous state) could potentially be expressed in subsequent generations of rescued populations if their effective sizes remain small.
Ochai, S.O., L. Snyman, A.C. Dolfi, A. Ramoelo, B.K. Reilly, J.M. Botha, P.L. Kamath, E. Archer, W.C. Turner, H. van Heerden. 2024. The roles of host and environment in shift of primary anthrax host species in Kruger National Park, PLOS ONE, 19(12): e0314103. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314103 \| Abstract	December 2024	Environmental and climatic factors, as well as host demographics and behaviour significantly influence the exposure of herbivorous mammalian hosts to pathogens such as <i>Bacillus anthracis</i>, the causative agent of anthrax. Until the early 1990s in Kruger National Park (KNP), kudu (<i>Tragelaphus strepsiceros</i>) was the host species most affected by anthrax, with outbreaks occurring predominantly in the dry season, particularly during drought cycles. However, the most affected host species shifted to impala (<i>Aepyceros melampus</i>), with more frequent anthrax outbreaks during the wet season. This study investigates the roles of environmental variation and other host species in this shift in KNP. Temporal trends in environmental variables such as precipitation, soil moisture, temperature, and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) were analyzed in relation to anthrax occurrence (presence/ absence and counts). Additionally, correlations between host species’ densities and anthrax mortalities over time were examined. Anthrax cases in 1990 were concentrated in the central and northern regions of KNP(excluding Pafuri), primarily affected kudus; while subsequent mortalities affected mostly impala and were restricted to the far north, in Pafuri. Significant correlations were found between kudu anthrax mortality and a decrease in NDVI, average temperature, SPI-6 and SPI-12 (Standardised Precipitation Index in various time intervals. Conversely, anthrax occurrence in impalas was associated with a decline in SPI-3, and temperature rise, with increased mortality during the rainy season. Elephant density showed negatively correlation with kudu mortality, but a positively correlation with both impala mortality and impala density. The study concludes that environmental variables and species’ densities may alter the diversity and frequency of hosts exposed to <i>B. anthracis.</i> Climate extremes and alterations therein may exacerbate anthrax severity by modifying species susceptibility and their probability of exposure over time.
Ochai, S.O., J.E. Crafford, P.L. Kamath, W.C. Turner, H. van Heerden. 2023. Development of conjugated secondary antibodies for wildlife disease surveillance. Frontiers in Immunology, 14: 1221071. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2023	Disease monitoring in free-ranging wildlife is a challenge and often relies on passive surveillance. Alternatively, proactive surveillance that relies on the detection of specific antibodies could give more reliable and timely insight into disease presence and prevalence in a population, especially if it occurs below detection thresholds for passive surveillance. An example is the Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA)-ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) that was used for surveillance of anthrax exposure in impala (Aepyceros melampus) and kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. However, serological biosurveillance is hampered by a lack of species-specific conjugates that can be used in assays. In this study we developed anti-kudu and anti-impala immunoglobulin specific conjugates in chickens and examined their binding, compared to the binding of commercially available protein-G and -AG conjugates, to different herbivore species using an ELISA-based avidity index. The conjugates were evaluated for cross-reaction with other wild herbivores to assess future use in diagnostic ELISAs for other species. The developed conjugates had a high relative avidity of > 70% against kudu and impala sera. The commercial conjugates (protein -G and -AG) had significantly low relative avidity (<20%) against these species. Eighteen other wildlife species demonstrated cross-reactivity with a mean relative avidity of >50% with the impala and kudu conjugates and <40% with the commercial conjugates. These results demonstrate the need for species-specific conjugates to improve the quality of immunoassays currently in use in wildlife, thus providing better tools for the surveillance of zoonotic agents along the livestock-wildlife-human interface.
Ochai, S.O., J. Crafford, A. Hassim, C. Byaruhanga, Y.-H. Huang, A. Hartmann, E.H. Dekker, O.L. van Schalkwyk, P.L. Kamath, W.C. Turner, and H. van Heerden. 2022. Immunological evidence of variation in exposure and immune response to Bacillus anthracis in herbivores of Kruger and Etosha National Parks. Frontiers in Immunology, 13:814031. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.814031 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	February 2022	Exposure and immunity to generalist pathogens differ among host species and vary across spatial scales. Anthrax, caused by a multi-host bacterial pathogen, <i>Bacillus anthracis,</i> is enzootic in Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa and Etosha National Park (ENP), Namibia. These parks share many of the same potential host species, yet the main anthrax host in one (greater kudu (<i>Tragelaphus</i> <i>strepsiceros</i>) in KNP and plains zebra (<i>Equus</i> <i>quagga</i>) in ENP) is only a minor host in the other. We investigated species and spatial patterns in anthrax mortalities,<i> B. anthracis</i> exposure, and the ability to neutralise the anthrax lethal toxin to determine if observed host mortality differences between locations could be attributed to population-level variation in pathogen exposure and/or immune response. Using serum collected from 20 individuals per primary host species (zebra, kudu), except for kudu in KNP (low incidence = 18, high incidence = 19) in high and low incidence areas of each park, we estimated pathogen exposure from anti-protective antigen (PA) antibody response using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and lethal toxin neutralisation with a toxin neutralisation assay (TNA). Serological evidence of pathogen exposure followed mortality patterns within each system (kudus: 95% positive in KNP versus 40% in ENP; zebras: 83% positive in ENP versus 63% in KNP). Animals in the high-incidence area of KNP had higher anti-PA responses than those in the low-incidence area, but there were no significant differences in exposure by area within ENP. Toxin neutralizing ability was higher for host populations with lower exposure prevalence, i.e., higher in ENP kudus and KNP zebras than their conspecifics in the other park. These results indicate that host species differ in their exposure to and adaptive immunity against <i>B. anthracis</i> in the two parks. These patterns may be due to environmental differences such as vegetation, rainfall patterns, landscape or forage availability between these systems and their interplay with host behaviour (foraging or other risky behaviours), resulting in differences in exposure frequency and dose, and hence immune response.
Ochai, S.O., A. Hassim, E.H. Dekker, T. Magome, E. Lekota, S.M. Makgabo, L.-M. de Klerk-Loris, O.L. van Schalkwyk, P.L. Kamath, W.C. Turner, H. van Heerden. 2024. Comparing microbiological and molecular diagnostic tools for the surveillance of anthrax. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 18(11): e0012122. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012122	November 2024
Oates and others. Spatially explicit demography reveals disparate influences of resource limitation and predation on population growth of a large herbivore	December 2021
O. Robinson, J. Socolar, E. F. Stuber, T. Auer, A. Berryman, P. H. Boersch-Supan, D. Brightsmith, A. Burbidge, S. Butchart, C. L. Davis, A. M. Dokter, A. S. Di Giacomo, A. Farnsworth, D. Fink, W. M. Hochachka, P. E. Howell, F. A. La Sorte, A. C. Lees, S. Marsden, R. Martin, R. O. Martin, J. F. Masello, E. T. Miller, Y. Moodley, A. Musgrove, D. Noble, V. Ojeda, P. Quillfeldt, J. A. Royle, V. Ruiz-Gutierrez, J. L. Tella, P. Yorio, C. Youngflesh, A. Johnston. Extreme uncertainty and unquantifiable bias do not inform population sizes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 119 (10) e2113862119 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2113862119	March 2022
Nunez, T. et al. A statistical framework for modeling migration corridors	September 2022
Nunes, L.A., C.A. Ribic, and B. Zuckerberg. 2021. Integration of citizen science and spatial simulations identifies mismatches between conservation area networks and hotspots of declining grassland birds. Ecology and Evolution 11:16006-16020. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8270	November 2021
Nowak, J. J., Hurley, M. A., Lukacs, P. M., Walsh, D., & White, C. L. (2023). Population Monitoring. In Ecology and Management of Black-tailed and Mule Deer of North America (pp. 291-306). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003354628-19 \| Abstract	April 2023	This chapter describes the importance of population monitoring, a complex task with many interrelated parts. The theoretical foundation for monitoring lies in the random sample and the field of statistics. Effective survey design provides the building blocks for monitoring all relevant quantities in a general and reusable fashion. Population models help to formalize hypotheses, design monitoring programs, find efficient uses of resources, and make proactive assessments of management actions. By combining the guidance received from population models with strict sampling procedures, the state of the population can efficiently be established, which facilitates adoption of the scientific method and rigorous decision making.
Notch J.J., McHuron A.S., Michel C.J., Cordoleani F., Johnson M., Henderson M.J., and Ammann A.J. (in press) Outmigration survival of wild Chinook salmon smolts through the Sacramento River during historic drought and high water conditions. environmental biology of fishes. \| Abstract	May 2020	Populations of wild spring-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in California’s Central Valley, once numbering in the millions, have dramatically declined to record low numbers in recent years. Dam construction, habitat degradation, and altered flow regimes have all contributed to depress populations of spring-run salmon, which currently persist in only a few tributaries to the Sacramento River. Mill Creek (Tehama County) continues to support these threatened fish, and contains some of the most pristine spawning and rearing habitat available in the Central Valley. Despite this pristine habitat, the number of spring-run salmon returning to spawn has declined to record low numbers, and is likely attributed to poor outmigration survival rates. Using miniature acoustic tags, it is now possible to track out-migrating juveniles throughout the freshwater migration corridor. From 2013-2017 we captured and acoustic tagged 334 smolts out-migrating from Mill Creek, tracking their movement and survival rates over 250 kilometers through the Sacramento River. During this study California experienced both an unprecedented drought and record rainfall, resulting in dramatic fluctuations in year-to-year river flows and water temperature. Cumulative survival of tagged smolts from Mill Creek through the Sacramento River was 9.5% (±1.6) during the study, with relatively low survival during historic drought conditions in 2015 (4.9% ± 1.6) followed by increased survival during high flows in 2017 (42.3% ± 9.1). From these data, we modeled survival in Mill Creek and the Sacramento River over a range of flow values, which indicated that higher flows in each region result in increased survival rates. Data gathered in this study can help focus management and restoration actions over a relatively long migration corridor to specific regions of low survival, and provide guidance for management actions in the Sacramento River aimed at restoring populations of threatened Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon.
Northrup, J., Vander Wal. E, Bonar, M, Fieberg, J, Laforge, MP, Leclerc, M, Prokopenko,C., and Gerber, BD. 2021. Conceptual and methodological advances in habitat5selection modeling: guidelines for ecology and evolution. Ecological Applications,32:e02470. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2470 \| Download	October 2021
Northrup, J, Anderson, C, Gerber, BD, and Wittemeyer, G. 2021. Behavioral and demographic responses of mule deer to energy development on winter range. WildlifeMonograph, 208, 1-37. https://doi.org/10.1002/wmon.1060 \| Download	January 2021
North, J.S., E.M. Schliep, G.J.A. Hansen, J. Kundel, C.A. Custer, P. McLaughlin, and T. Wagner. 2024. Accounting for spatiotemporal sampling variation in joint species distribution models. Journal of Applied Ecology 61:186-201. http://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14547	November 2023
Norris, D.M., M.E. Colvin, L.E. Miranda, and M.A. Lashley. 2021. Supplemental habitat is reservoir dependent: Identifying optimal planting decision using Bayesian Decision Networks. Journal of Environmental Management. doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114139 \| Abstract	December 2021	Environmental management often requires making decisions despite system uncertainty. One such example is mudflat mediation in flood control reservoirs. Reservoir mudflats limit development of diverse fish assemblages due to the lack of structural habitat provided by plants. Seeding mudflats with agricultural plants may mimic floodplain wetlands once inundated and provide fish habitat and achieve habitat management objectives. However, planting success is uncertain because of unpredictable water level fluctuations that affect plant survival and growth. Decision support tools can account for uncertainty that influences decision outcomes and reduce the risk in reservoir mudflat planting decisions. We used Bayesian decision networks and sensitivity analyses to quantify uncertainty surrounding mudflat plantings as supplemental fish habitat in four northwest Mississippi reservoirs. When averaged across all uncertainty, planting was the optimal decision only in Enid Lake. Response profiles identified planting decisions depended on elevation contours within Enid, Sardis, and Grenada reservoirs. No planting was optimal at all elevations for Arkabutla Lake. These results provide a quantified basis for establishing best management practices and identifying key system states that influence decision outcomes. The process used in this study to evaluate planting decisions can be applied to any reservoir by modifying reservoir dependent inputs to evaluate planting decisions to provide supplemental fish habitat.
Norris, D.M., Hatcher, H.R., Colvin, M.E., Coppola, G., Lashley, M.A., and Miranda, L.E. 2020. Assessing establishment and growth of agricultural plantings on reservoir mudflats. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:394-3405. doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10419 \| Abstract	April 2020	Winter drawdowns in flood control reservoirs create expansive mudflats that lack the vegetation typical of littoral zones, which reduces the amount of structure available for fish habitat. This study investigated the feasibility of establishing agricultural plantings as a management action to ameliorate mudflats by providing structural cover following reservoir refilling. We tested cool‐season annual grasses and clovers applied in several mixed and monoculture treatments that were sown on the mudflats of Enid Reservoir, Mississippi, during the winter drawdown in three consecutive years. Soil samples were taken for analysis of pH and macronutrients prior to planting. Plantings were monitored until the following spring to evaluate effectiveness of establishment through ground coverage, height, and stem density sampling. Plots were assigned a seeding treatment of either grasses (ryegrass <i>Lolium</i> spp. or triticale <i>x Triticosecale</i> sp.), clovers (balansa clover <i>Trifolium michelianum</i> or berseem clover <i>Trifolium alexandrinum</i>), or both (mixed plantings) or left as an unseeded control. Differences among plant treatments were assessed via repeated measures analysis of variance and differences among means evaluated with Tukey's honestly significant difference test. Soil productivity within the study area was poor all 3 years. Grasses germinated both when disked into the soil and when top sown, while clover only germinated when disked. Plots seeded with grasses performed better than control plots with respect to stem density, height, and ground coverage, while plots seeded with grass and clover mixtures performed better than control plots only with respect to height, and plots seeded with only clover did not perform significantly better than control plots. Results serve as an evaluation of the efficacy of agricultural plant establishment on the mudflats of a flood control reservoir, inform the direction of future research, and identify considerations regarding the application of agricultural plantings as a management tool to create fish habitat.
Noring, A.M., G.G. Sass, S.R. Midway, J.A. VanDeHey, J.K. Raabe, D.A. Isermann, J.M. Kampa, T.P. Parks, J. Lyons, and M.J. Jennings. 2021. Pelagic forage versus abiotic factors as drivers of walleye growth in northern Wisconsin lakes. In Jared Meyers (Ed), Biology and Management of Coregonid Fishes - 2017: 13th International Symposium on the Biology and Management of Coregonid Fishes, Bayfield, USA (p 207-223). Schweizerbart Science Publishers.	December 2021
Noonan et al. Body-size-dependent underestimation of mammalian area requirements.	May 2020
Nocera, T., W.M. Ford, A. Silvis and C.A. Dobony. 2020. Temporal and spatial changes in Myotis lucifugus acoustic activity before and after white-nose syndrome on Fort Drum Army Installation, New York, USA. Acta Chiropterlogica 22:135-146	July 2020
Nocera, T., W.M. Ford, A. Silvis and C.A. Dobony. 2019. Let’s Agree To Disagree: Comparing Auto-Acoustic Identification Programs for Northeastern Bats. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 10:346-361.	December 2019
Nixon, B.A. and R.W. Klaver. Evaluation through Harvest Data of Habitat Use and Availability for River Otter in Iowa. Wildlife Society Bulletin.	October 2024
Niemiec, R., Jones, M. S., Mertens, A., & Dillard, C. (2021). The effectiveness of COVID-related message framing on public beliefs and behaviors related to plant-based diets. Appetite, 165, 105293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105293 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2021	Shifting the public towards plant-based diets is critical for achieving environmental and public health outcomes. Increasingly news articles and organizations have begun using the saliency of the COVID-19 crisis to highlight the link between animal agriculture, pandemic risks, and other widespread public health threats. Yet, little is known about the effectiveness of this messaging strategy for motivating dietary change. We conducted a randomized trial with an online sample to examine the impact of: (1) a message that uses the saliency of the COVID-19 pandemic to highlight the risk of disease transmission from factory farms, and (2) a message that uses the saliency of the COVID-19 pandemic to highlight the threat to worker's health created by factory farms. We examine whether these messages are more effective at changing beliefs about and behavioral intentions towards plant-based eating, as compared to more traditional messages that highlight the environmental, personal health, or animal welfare implications of factory farmed meat consumption. We find that all messages differentially influenced beliefs about the various negative consequences of meat consumption. However, these altered beliefs did not differentially motivate changes in respondents' intentions to reduce meat consumption and choose plant-based alternatives. This was possibly due to the numerous other barriers to behavior change identified in qualitative survey responses, such as cost, taste, and social factors. We did find that messages that highlight the personal health benefits of reduced meat consumption were more effective at increasing public trust in the message deliverer. Our results suggest that highlighting personal health benefits in messaging and addressing the additional identified barriers to behavior change may be critical for building trust and shifting the public towards plant-based diets.
Niemiec, R. M., McCaffrey, S., & Jones, M. S. (2020). Clarifying the degree and type of public good collective action problem posed by natural resource management challenges. Ecology and Society 25 (1): 30., 25(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-11483-250130 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2020	Increasingly, scholars have sought to understand the role of collective action across property boundaries to address natural resource management challenges. Although the growing focus on collective action for natural resource management has led to many new and potentially useful insights for governance and outreach, we suggest that researchers and practitioners may benefit from taking a step back to think about the degree and type of collective action that is needed for each particular social-ecological context. We use the examples of invasive species management, fire management, and habitat conservation to argue that categorizing certain natural resource management challenges by the degree and type of public good collective action problem (i.e., continuous and step level) they create can provide insight into effective policy and management solutions for each problem. In so doing, we build on experimental psychology and economics research that suggests that outreach and governance solutions that work for one type of public good collective action problem may be less effective for addressing another type of problem that does not require collective action. We conclude by arguing for more studies examining: (1) how aspects of the social and ecological context determine the degree and type of public good collective action problem posed by natural resource management challenges, and (2) how the drivers of land manager decision making and the resulting effective governance solutions vary by the type and degree of public good collective action problem.
Niemiec, R, Jones, MS, Lischka, S, Champine, V. (2021). Efficacy-based and normative interventions for facilitating the diffusion of conservation behavior through social networks Conservation Biology. 00: 1−13. https://doi.org/10.1002/cobi.13717 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	February 2021	Research suggests that encouraging motivated residents to reach out to others in their social network is an effective strategy for increasing the scale and speed of conservation action adoption. However, little is known about how to effectively encourage large numbers of residents to reach out to others about conservation causes. We examined the influence of normative and efficacy-based messaging at motivating residents to engage in and to encourage others to participate in native plant gardening in their community. To do so, we conducted a field experiment with messages on mailings and tracked native plant vouchers used. Efficacy messages tended to be more effective than normative messages at increasing residents’ willingness to reach out to others to encourage conservation action, as indicated by a several percentage point increase in native plant voucher use by residents’ friends and neighbors. Messages sometimes had different impacts on residents based on past behaviors and perceptions related to native plant gardening. Among these subgroups, efficacy and combined efficacy and norm messages most effectively encouraged individual and collective actions, as indicated by increased voucher usage. Our findings suggest that interventions that build residents’ efficacy for engaging in a conservation behavior and for reaching out to others may be a promising path forward for outreach. However, given our results were significant at a false discovery rate cutoff of 0.25 but not 0.05, more experimental trials are needed to determine the robustness of these trends.
Niedringhaus, K.D, L.S. Ganoe, M. Lovallo, W.D. Walter, M.J. Yabsley, J.D. Brown. 2022. Fatal infection by Versteria sp. in a muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) with implications for human health. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigations 34(2): 314–318. \| Abstract	March 2022	The <i>Taeniidae</i> tapeworms are a family of helminths that have a similar life cycle with intermediate hosts developing characteristic cysts in visceral organs. Recently, a new genus in this family, <i>Versteria,</i> has been implicated as the cause of severe morbidity and mortality in humans and animals in North America. This report describes a case of fatal <i>Versteria</i> infection in a muskrat (<i>Ondatra zibethicus</i>) which has not been previously reported to develop disease associated with infection. Postmortem examination revealed widespread tissue loss and replacement by solid-bodied cestode larvae with minimal adjacent inflammation in many visceral organs, most severe in the lungs, liver, and brain. Characteristic morphological features via histology included multiple cephalic structures and short rostellar hooklets, which are characteristic for the genus. Genetic characterization confirmed the cestode as being an undescribed lineage of <i>Versteria</i> that has been implicated as the cause of severe morbidity and mortality in humans and non-human primates in North America. Considering the zoonotic significance of this pathogen, this report expands on the limited literature regarding disease caused by <i>Versteria </i>and emphasizes the need to identify the causative tapeworm more accurately, especially in rodent intermediate hosts as all previous reports do not have molecular confirmation of species.
Nichols, J. D., M. K. Oli, W. L. Kendall, and G. S. Boomer. 2021. A better approach for dealing with reproducibility and replicability in science. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118(7): e2100769118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2100769118	February 2021
Niall G. Clancy, Jonathan A. McFarland, Megan G. Ahern, Annika W. Walters. 2024. Functional turnover and fish-community trends over 130 years in a prairie watershed. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10479	August 2024
Newsome, C.N., and E.A. Hunter. 2022. Habitat edges influence the distribution of nest predators for Seaside Sparrows, but not nesting decisions or success. Ornithological Applications 124:duac023. \| Abstract	May 2022	Nest failure for coastal marsh bird species is primarily caused by predation and nest flooding. As sea level rise makes nest flooding more likely, the threat of nest predation will constrain the potential adaptive responses of marsh nesting species. Thus, understanding the predictors of nest predation is important for conservation and management of birds inhabiting coastal marshes, such as Seaside Sparrows (<i>Ammospiza maritima</i>). Predator activity may be influenced by landscape features (particularly edges between marshes and other habitats), potentially making nest predation predictable. We aimed to understand the predictability of Seaside Sparrow nest predation relative to two major landscape features: distance to roads and distance to tidal rivers, as both of these edges may be entryways or attractants for predators in the marsh. In coastal Georgia, USA, we assessed mammalian predator activity relative to the two features of interest, and hypothesized that predator activity would be greater close to roads and tidal rivers. We also recorded Seaside Sparrow nest locations and nest predation events and hypothesized that nest predation events would increase with increasing predator activity. Consistent with our hypothesis, predator activity increased close to roads and tidal rivers, but mammalian predator distribution did not explain the spatial variation in Seaside Sparrow nest predation. Seaside Sparrows also placed their nests in locations with increased predator activity, indicating that the ability to avoid nesting in high risk areas may be constrained by habitat or resource limitations. Additionally, mammals may not be the primary nest predators, as we found that one bird species (Marsh Wren, <i>Cistothorus palustris</i>) contributed substantially to nest predation rates. Understanding the predictability of mammalian predator distribution can contribute to predation risk management for Seaside Sparrows, which could relax the constraint of nest predation on the species’ ability to respond to the intensifying threat of sea level rise.
Newsome, C.D., Evans, K.M., and E.A. Hunter. 2020. Birds versus fish: Nest flooding introduces predator-prey interactions in Georgia’s coastal marshes. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 132:481-485.	December 2020
Newkirk, B.M., E.R. Larson, A.D. Walker, and A.W. Walters. 2023. Winners and losers over a half century of change in crayfish communities of Wyoming, U.S.A. Freshwater Science 42(2): 146-160. https://doi.org/10.1086/725318	June 2023
Neuswanger, A Rosenberger, J, M Wipfli, and N Hughes. 2023. Territories within groups: the dynamic competition of drift-feeding juvenile Chinook Salmon in 3-dimensional space. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 80: https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2022-0112. \| Abstract \| Download	January 2023	Salmonid populations are often regulated by territorial competition among juveniles for food and space. In the canonical view, salmonid territories are spaced horizontally across the river bottom in a two-dimensional mosaic. However, some juveniles instead feed in tight, three-dimensional (3-D) social groups. To investigate whether territoriality is possible within such groups, we applied a new concept—the momentary home range—to quantify the size, exclusivity, and temporal dynamics of 3-D space use by juvenile Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) in the Chena River, AK. Individual strategies spanned a broad continuum of exclusivity and stationarity. However, some of the largest, most dominant fish in each group aggressively defended stationary, exclusive feeding spaces and thus were unambiguously territorial. Transient floaters entered and left the group quickly. A majority of fish were not aggressive but nevertheless occupied exclusive, stationary spaces that probably function as territories with regard to resource distribution and population regulation. The presence of territoriality within social groups, in a 3-D configuration, expands the known domain of this important behavior.
Neupane, R.C., J.A. Powell, and T.C. Edwards. 2021. Connecting regional-scale tree distribution models with seed dispersal kernels. Applied Mathematics and Computation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amc.2021.126591	August 2021
Nervino, S., T. Polley, J.T. Peterson, C.B. Schreck, M.L. Kent, and J.D. Alexander. 2024. Intestinal Lesions and Parasites Associated with Senescence and Prespawn Mortality in Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Journal of Fish Disease 47(2) https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13876 \| Abstract	January 2024	Prespawn mortality (PSM) presents a major problem for population recovery of spring Chinook Salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) of the Willamette River basin in Oregon. In certain reaches and years, pre-spawning mortality has exceeded 90%. An archived collection of histologic slides of intestines from over 664 spring Chinook salmon collected since 2009 were evaluated. These included tissues collected from live, PSM, as well as post-spawned fish from the river, and artificially spawned broodstock fish held in captivity that were collected earlier in the summer. One consistent change observed during histopathological evaluation was degeneration of the intestinal epithelium and loss of villous structure, with concurrent severe enteritis. We discovered a natural progression of decline in epithelial integrity (EI) spawning and subsequent death. The majority of apparently healthy fish collected from the river in the summer exhibited high EI scores, with a mean of 68% intact epithelium across the study. Sexually mature fish (“broodstock”) that were spawned in captivity in September exhibited variable EI scores, with a mean EI score of about 35%. Fish that spawned naturally in the river and died later in the year (post-spawn river; late September – October), exhibited severe loss of EI, with a mean EI score of about 14%. When accounting for calendar day, there was a prominent accelerated loss of the intestinal epithelium strongly associated with PSM fish – i.e., while collected mostly in August, the intestines had similar EI scores (mean 13.5) to fall-collected post-spawn river. Hence, we suggest this accelerated gut degeneration is linked to premature senescence and is a histologic marker of PSM. Regarding parasites, <i>Ceratonova shasta</i> and <i>Enterocytozoon schreckii</i> were common in all groups of the salmon, although neither were statistically linked to either PSM or a decline in EI.
Nemec, Z. C., L. N. Lee and S. A. Bonar. 2021. Development and evaluation of habitat suitability criteria for native fishes in three Arizona streams. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 41:661-677.	June 2021
Neal, T. M.L. Kent, J. Sanders, C.B. Schreck, and J.T. Peterson. 2021. Laboratory infection of juvenile Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) with parasitic copepod (Salmincola californiensis). Journal of Fish Diseases 44:1423-1434 https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13450 \| Abstract	May 2021	Pacific salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus </i>spp<i>.</i>) rearing in lakes and reservoirs above dams have been known to become heavily infected with an ectoparasitic copepod (<i>Salmincola californiensis</i>). Little is known about the factors that affect the parasite infection prevalence and intensity. However, previous research suggests that the parasite may negatively affect the fitness and survival of the host fish. The effect of water temperature, confinement, and the density of the free-swimming infectious stage of <i>S. californiensis</i>, the copepodid, on infection prevalence and intensity was evaluated by experimentally exposing juvenile Chinook Salmon (<i>O. tshawytscha</i>). Infection rates observed in wild populations were achieved under certain treatment conditions: warm water (15-16<sup>o</sup>C) and high copepodid densities (150-300/L). During the infection experiment, 4.5% of infected fish died within 54 days with mortality significantly related to copepod infection intensity. The potential for autoinfection were compared to cross infection by cohabitation of infected fish with naïve fish. Previously infected fish had significantly greater infection intensity compared to naïve fish, indication that infected fish can be reinfected and that they may be more susceptible than naïve fish.
Ndu, U., J.S. Lamb, S. Janssen, R. Rossi, Y. Satgé, and P.G.R Jodice. 2020. Mercury, cadmium, copper, arsenic, and selenium measurements in the feathers of adult Eastern Brown Pelicans and chicks in multiple breeding grounds in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Environmental Research Letters 192, 286. \| Download	April 2020
Naveda-Rodriguez A., K.L. Bildstein, D.R. Barber, J.F. Therrien, M.L. Avery, B.M. Kluever, S.A. Rush, and F.J. Vilella. 2023. Turkey Vulture survival is reduced in areas of greater road density. Ornithological Applications 125:duad024. \| Abstract \| Download	July 2023	Annual survival of Turkey Vultures (<i>Cathartes aura</i>) may be influenced by landscape heterogeneity and anthropogenic disturbance. We quantified the effects of landscape composition (Shannon’s diversity index) and configuration (contagion, edge density and largest patch index), and human footprint (road density) on the survival probabilities of the three North American breeding populations (western, central and eastern) of Turkey Vultures wintering in the Neotropics during a 17-year period. We used Cox’s proportional hazards models with time-varying covariates to estimate spatial and temporal changes in survival rates of adult Turkey Vultures. Human footprint, but not landscape composition and configuration, influenced survival rates in space and time. Overall annual survival averaged 0.87 (95% CI = 0.74 – 0.98). Mortality risk was low in western and central populations (hazard ratio <1) but was 3.7 times greater for vultures in the eastern population. Risk of mortality for all vulture populations increased with road density, and this was greater during the non-breeding and return migration seasons. The spatial variation in road density across America may generate a network of ecological traps for Turkey Vultures induced to stop in areas of greater road-kill abundance. The negative impact of roads on Turkey Vultures goes beyond the ecological aspect. Roads acting as a magnet for vultures can increase the occurrence of vulture-vehicle collisions and potentially aggravate human-wildlife conflicts. Further analysis are needed to address survivorship and mortality factors of young birds. We emphasize the need for studies focusing on the impact of other linear infrastructures (<i>e.g.</i> railways and power lines) and the management of human-vulture conflicts (through vultures depredation permits) that may can compromise the long term survival of Turkey Vultures and other avian scavengers.
Navarro, N., D. R. Diefenbach, M. E. McDill, E. J. Domoto, C. S. Rosenberry, and P. J. Drohan. 2023. Species and physiographic factors drive Indian cucumber root and Canada mayflower plant chemistry: Implications for white-tailed deer forage quality. Journal of Environmental Management 326:11645 \| Download	January 2023
Nams, V., et al. 2023. Spatial patterns of large African cats: a large-scale study on density, home range size, and home range overlap of lions Panthera leo and leopards Panthera pardus. Mammal Review 53:49–64. \| Download	March 2023
Nalley, EM, LJ Tuttle, AL Barkman, EE Conklin, DM Wulstein, RH Richmond, and MJ Donahue. 2021. Water quality thresholds for coastal contaminant impacts on corals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Science of the Total Environment*. 794, 148632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148632	November 2021
Nalley, EM, LJ Tuttle, AL Barkman, EE Conklin, DM Wulstein, M Schmidbauer, and MJ Donahue. 2023. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the direct effects of nutrients on corals. *Science of the Total Environment*. 856(1): 159093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159093 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2023	Chronic exposure of coral reefs to elevated nutrient conditions can modify the performance of the coral holobiont and shift the competitive interactions of reef organisms. Many studies have now quantified the links between nutrients and coral performance, but few have translated these studies to directly address coastal water quality standards. To address this management need, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies, public reports, and gray literature that examined the impacts of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN: nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP: phosphate) on scleractinian corals. The systematic review resulted in 47 studies with comparable data on coral holobiont responses to nutrients: symbiont density, chlorophyll <i>a</i> (chl-<i>a</i>) concentration, photosynthesis, photosynthetic efficiency, growth, calcification, adult survival, juvenile survival, and fertilization. Mixed-effects meta-regression meta-analyses were used to determine the magnitude of the positive or negative effects of DIN and DIP on coral responses. Zooxanthellae density (DIN & DIP), chl-<i>a</i> concentration (DIN), photosynthetic rate (DIN), and growth (DIP) all exhibited positive responses to nutrient addition; maximum quantum yield (DIP), growth (DIN), larval survival (DIN), and fertilization (DIN) exhibited negative responses. In lieu of developing specific thresholds for the management of nutrients as a stressor on coral reefs, we highlight important inflection points in the magnitude and direction of the effects of inorganic nutrients and identify trends among coral responses. The responses of corals to nutrients are complex, warranting conservative guidelines for elevated nutrient concentrations on coral reefs.
Nagy, A. J., M. C. Freeman, B. J. Irwin, and S. J. Wenger. 2024. Life history connections to long-term fish population trends in a species-rich temperate river. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. http://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12767 \| Abstract	February 2024	Fish exhibit a diverse range of traits encompassing life history strategies, feeding behaviors, and spawning behaviors. These traits mediate fish population responses to changing environmental conditions such as those caused by anthropogenic stressors. The Conasauga River, located in northwestern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee, USA, hosts a diverse assemblage of over 75 species of freshwater fish, some of which are locally or regionally endemic, and many of which are imperiled. Annual monitoring data have shown population declines in multiple fish species of conservation concern in the Conasauga River since at least the 1990s, raising the possibility that other taxa could be declining as well. We quantified temporal change in fish communities at six shoal sites sampled annually in most years from 1996 to 2022, and asked whether species traits hypothesized to underlie population vulnerability to environmental alteration were correlated with species-specific trends for 32 taxa. We estimated that total counts of fish in annual samples declined by ~ 2% per year, although declines were uneven among species and generally greater for less abundant taxa. Tests for species traits corresponding to temporal population trends provided evidence that crevice-spawning minnows and smaller-bodied taxa had steeper declines compared with broadcast spawners and larger, longer-lived, more fecund taxa. Lower abundance, reliance on a particular habitat feature, and life-history traits that may limit population resilience to disturbance may all prove useful for identifying riverine fishes at particular risk of future population decline.
Naficy, C E GW Meigs, MJ Gregory, R Davis, DM Bell, K Dugger, JD Wiens, and MA Krawchuk. 2022. Fire refugia in old-growth forests—Final report to the USGS Northwest Climate Adaptation Center. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. 39 p.	April 2022
N.A. Pershyn, E.M. Gese, E.F. Stuber, and B.M. Kluever. Coyotes in the Great Basin Desert Do Not Exhibit a Spatial Response Following Removal of Anthropogenic Water Sources. Journal of Arid Environments - Submitted	February 2024
Murphy, R.K., B.A. Millsap, D.W. Stahlecker, C.W. Boal, B.W. Smith, S.D. Mullican, and C.C. Borgman. 2023. Ectoparasitism and energy infrastructure limit survival of preadult Golden Eagles in the Southern Great Plains. Journal of Raptor Research 57:505-521.	December 2023
Murphy, C.A., Pollock, A.M.M., Strecker, A., Johnson, S.L. 2022. Minimal diel vertical migration and consistent zooplankton capturability in low productivity reservoirs, Oregon. Journal of Plankton Research https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbac060 \| Abstract	November 2022	Diel migrations of zooplankton occur throughout marine and freshwater systems, and can complicate inferences from studies that focus on daytime observations. Sampling only during daytime can mischaracterize zooplankton distributions and abundances if populations perform vertical or horizontal diel migrations. Zooplankton often display reduced capture avoidance at night in addition to occupying areas easier to sample near the surface and away from littoral structure and the benthos. We examined zooplankton during daytime and nighttime new moon periods using discrete depth sampling in oligo-mesotrophic reservoirs in Oregon, USA. These reservoirs have limited littoral structure, but support populations of zooplanktivorous fishes that we expected to drive diel vertical migrations. Contrary to our expectations, most zooplankton taxa were within 2 meters of their daytime distributional peak and did not display significant differences in abundance from day to night sampling. We consider factors that may help predict whether diel migration occurs in a system. Where daytime sampling is sufficient for characterizing zooplankton densities and distributions, costs and risks specific to nighttime sampling may be avoided. Improving our understanding of zooplankton dynamics, particularly in ecosystems with limited diurnal variability, is an important part of understanding lake and reservoir food webs and can optimize the efforts of future studies.
Murphy, C.A., Pollock, A.M., Johnson, S.L., and Arismendi, I. Linked foraging and bioenergetics modeling may inform fish parasite infection dynamics. Environmental Biology of Fishes \| Abstract	May 2023	The parasitic copepod <i>Salmincola californiensis</i> infects Pacific salmon and trout (<i>Oncorhynchus </i>spp.) and often reaches high prevalence and intensity in reservoirs compared to stream systems. Recent research has indicated an important role of temperature in copepod development and fish susceptibility. Here, we examine the role of temperature on relative infection risk for juvenile Chinook Salmon in multiple reservoirs of the upper Willamette River Basin, Oregon. We used and expanded the GrowChinook model (a linked foraging and bioenergetics model) to estimate juvenile salmon infection risk. Based on salmon vertical migration patterns, we added estimates of copepod generations produced and thermal strata metrics for the infectious copepodid lifestage that appear associated with copepodid aggregations and increased infection risk. Our model predicted that Chinook Salmon in Lookout Point Reservoir consistently presented the greatest infection hours and estimated copepod generations, especially compared to Cougar Reservoir. This relative modelled risk is consistent with recent models of infection driven mortality and the severe damage caused by the infectious copepodid, a lifestage that is not readily visible in the field and thus has not been included in traditional infection prevalence and intensity counts. We discuss model limitations, potential for future research, and the potential for application of the copepod expansion equations to existing linked foraging and bioenergetics models or observed behaviors of salmonids in other lentic systems. We demonstrate that using a temperature sensitive model framework to test our existing knowledge and assumptions about copepod infection dynamics is useful in interpreting other lines of evidence, such as mortality estimates. Collectively, this work provides a testable framework for future comparisons of infection potential by this parasite infecting Pacific salmon and trout species.
Murphy, C.A., Gerth, W.G., Neal, T., Antonelli, K., Sanders, J.L., Williams T., Roennfeldt, R-L., Crowhurst, R., Arismendi, I. Evidence for infection influencing survival of the freshwater copepod Salmincola californiensis, a parasite of Pacific salmon and trout. https://doi.org/10.1002/aah.10206 \| Publisher Website	November 2023
Murphy, C.A., A. Pollock, I. Arismendi, and S.L. Johnson. HABs and HAB nots: Inconsistent timing of phytoplankton blooms across upper Willamette Reservoirs, Oregon, USA. \| Publisher Website	November 2023
Murphy, B., T. Walsworth, P. Belmont, M.M. Conner, and P. Budy. 2020. Dynamic Habitat Disturbance and Ecological Response (DyHDER)-PVA: modeling fish population dynamics in response to landscape disturbance. Ecosphere 11(1):e03023. 10.1002/ecs2. 3023. USGS FSP IP-110023.	January 2020
Murphy, A. M., D. R. Diefenbach, M. Ternent, M. Lovallo, D. Miller. 2021. Threading the needle: How humans influence predator-prey spatiotemporal interactions in a multiple-predator system. Journal of Animal Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13548 \| Download	January 2021
Murphy RD, Hagan JA, Harris BP, Sethi SA, Smeltz TS, Restrepo F. (2021) Can Landsat thermal imagery and environmental data accurately estimate water temperatures in small streams? Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management. 12:12-26. \| Abstract	February 2021	The ability to monitor water temperature is important for assessing changes in riverine ecosystems resulting from climate warming. Direct in situ water temperature collection efforts provide point-samples but are cost-prohibitive for characterizing stream temperatures across large spatial scales, especially for small, remote streams. In contrast, satellite thermal infrared imagery may provide a spatially extensive means of monitoring riverine water temperatures, however, the accuracy of these remotely sensed temperatures for small streams is not well understood. Here, we investigated the utility of Landsat 8 thermal infrared imagery and both local and regional environmental variables to estimate subsurface temperatures in high latitude small streams (2 – 30 m wetted width), from a test watershed in southcentral Alaska. Our results suggested that Landsat-based surface temperatures were biased high, and the degree of bias varied with hydrological and meteorological factors. However, with limited in-stream validation work, results indicated it is possible to reconstruct average in situ water temperatures for small streams at regional-scales using a regression modelling framework coupled with publicly-available Landsat or air temperature information. Generalized additive models built from stream stage information from a single gage and air temperatures from a single weather station in the drainage fit to a limited set of in situ temperature recordings could estimate average stream temperatures at the watershed-level with reasonable accuracy (root mean square error = 2.4°C). Landsat information did track closely with regional air temperatures and could also be incorporated into a regression model as a substitute for air temperature to estimate in situ stream temperatures at watershed scales. Importantly, however, while average watershed-scale stream temperatures may be predictable, site-level estimates did not improve with the use of Landsat information or other local covariates, indicating that additional information may be necessary to generate accurate spatially explicit temperature predictions for small order streams.
Murphy C.A., Zatkos L., Antonelli K., Cárdenas B., Linkem C., Manning M., Olivos J.A., Pollock A., Penaluna B.E., and Arismendi I. 2020. AFS Roots: Mothers of Fishes. Fisheries 45(7): 369-376. DOI:10.1002/fsh.10485	July 2020
Murphy C.A., Romer J.D., Arismendi I., Emig R., Monzyk F., Stertz K. and Johnson S.L. 2021. Damming Chinook Salmon fry: Evidence for predation by non-native warmwater fishes in in reservoirs. Ecosphere 12(9):03757. DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3757	September 2021
Murphy C.A., Johnson S.L., Gerth W., Pierce, T. and Taylor G. 2021. Unintended consequences of selective water withdrawal: Thermal restoration may restructure downstream macroinvertebrate communities. DOI: 10.1029/2020WR029169 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2021	Regulated rivers downstream of dams often exhibit highly modified thermal regimes in addition to modified hydrologic regimes; downstream river temperatures can be seasonally much warmer or cooler than unregulated streams. Selective water withdrawals can be used to minimize thermal impacts to downstream reaches. However, other water quality parameters, in-reservoir production, and species composition also vary with depth. In the South Fork McKenzie River, in the Pacific Northwest of North America, an existing large dam was retrofitted to mix and export water from multiple depths, allowing dam operators to adjust the outflow temperatures to be in sync with the upstream thermal regime. We examined benthic macroinvertebrate responses after implementation of selective water withdrawal, comparing it to thermally similar flow-through conditions, expecting to see shifts in the community over time to resemble upstream, undammed reaches. However, species composition and traits downstream of the dam became more dissimilar to upstream and to flow-through after selective water withdrawal. These changes included increases in non-insect taxa and taxa known to feed on plankton and detritus. The most likely explanation for this transition is that selective water withdrawal from multiple depths of a stratified reservoir included epilimnetic releases, which resulted in increased export of plankton and organic material downstream. This strategy favored taxa able to capitalize on resource subsidies from the reservoir. Our findings highlight the interconnected nature of responses to dams and dam operations, including the importance of considering biotic communities in addition to temperature and flow when planning water management strategies.
Murphy C.A., Gerth W., Pauk K., Konstantinidis P. and Arismendi I. 2020. Hiding in plain sight: Historical fish collections aid contemporary parasite research. Fisheries 45(5): 263-270. DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10411	May 2020
Murphy C.A., Gerth W., Neal T. and Arismendi I. 2022. A low-cost rigid plankton light trap design with specific wavelength LEDs and modifications for shallow and deep deployment. Neobiota. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.73.76515	April 2022
Murphy C.A., Gerth W., Arismendi I. 2020. Hatching and survival of the salmon gill maggot Salmincola californiensis (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae) reveals extreme thermal dependence and undocumented naupliar stage. Parasitology. DOI: 10.1017/S0031182020001109	October 2020
Murphy C.A., Evans A., Coffin B., Arismendi I. and Johnson S.L. 2019. Resilience of zooplankton communities in temperate reservoirs with extreme water level fluctuations. Inland Waters 10(2). DOI: 10.1080/20442041.2019.1657349	December 2019
Munger, J. E., D. P. Herrera, S. M. Haver, L. Waterhouse, M. F. McKenna, R. P. Dziak, J. Gedamke, S. A. Heppell, J. H. Haxel. 2022. Machine learning analysis reveals relationship between pomacentrid calls and environmental cues. Marine Ecology Progress Series 681:197-210. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13912 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2022	Sound production rates of fishes can be used as an indicator for coral reef health, providing an opportunity to utilize long-term acoustic recordings to assess environmental change. As acoustic datasets become more common, computational techniques need to be developed to facilitate analysis of the massive data files produced by long-term monitoring. Machine learning techniques demonstrate an advantage in the identification of fish sounds over manual sampling approaches. Here we evaluate the ability of convolutional neural networks to identify and monitor call patterns for pomacentrids (damselfishes) in a tropical reef region of the western Pacific. A stationary hydrophone was deployed for 39 months(2014-2018) in the National Park of American Samoa to continuously record the local marine acoustic environment. A neural network was trained—achieving 94%identification accuracy of pomacentrids—to demonstrate the applicability of machine learning in fish acoustics and ecology. The distribution of sound production was found to vary on diel and interannual timescales. Additionally, the distribution of sound production was correlated with wind speed, water temperature, tidal amplitude, and sound pressure level. This research has broad implications for state--of--the--art acoustic analysis and promises to be an efficient, scalable asset for ecological research, environmental monitoring and conservation planning.
Mumme et al. (In Review) Wherever I may roam – Human activity alters movements of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and elk (Cervus canadensis) across two continents. Global Change Biology \| Abstract	June 2023	Human activity and associated landscape modifications alter the movements of animals with consequences for populations and ecosystems worldwide. Species performing long-distance movements are thought to be particularly sensitive to human impact. Despite the increasing anthropogenic pressure, it remains challenging to understand and predict animals‘ responses to human activity. Here we address this knowledge gap using 1,206 Global Positioning System (GPS) movement trajectories of 815 individuals from 14 red deer (<i>Cervus elaphus</i>) and 14 elk (<i>Cervus canadensis</i>) populations spanning wide environmental gradients, namely the latitudinal range from the Alps to Scandinavia in Europe, and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) in North America. We measured individual-level movements relative to the environmental context, or ‘movement expression’, using the standardized metric ‘Intensity of Use’, reflecting both the directionality and extent of movements. We expected movement expression to be affected by resource (NDVI) predictability and topography, but those factors to be superseded by human impact. Red deer and elk movement expression varied along a continuum, from highly segmented trajectories over relatively small areas (high Intensity of Use), to directed transitions through restricted corridors (low Intensity of Use). Human activity (Human Footprint Index: HFI) was the strongest driver of movement expression, with a steep increase in Intensity of Use as HFI increased, but only until a threshold was reached. After exceeding this level of impact, the Intensity of Use remained unchanged. These results indicate the overall sensitivity of <i>Cervus</i> movement expression to human activity and suggest a limitation to plastic responses under high human pressure, despite the species also occurring in human-dominated landscapes. Our work represents the first comparison of metric-based movement expression across widely distributed populations of a deer genus, contributing to the understanding and prediction of animals‘ responses to human activity.
Mummah, R. O., Hoff, N. A., Rimoin, A. W., & Lloyd-Smith, J. O. (2020). Controlling emerging zoonoses at the animal-human interface. One Health Outlook, 2(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-020-00024-5	September 2020
Muletz-Wolz, C. R., S. E. Barnett, G. V. DiRenzo, K. R. Zamudio, L. F. Toledo, T. Y. James, & K. R. Lips. 2019. Diverse genotypes of the amphibian killing fungus produce distinct phenotypes through plastic responses to temperature. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 32, 287–298. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeb.13413 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2019	Phenotypes are the target of selection and affect the ability of organisms to persist in variable environments. Phenotypes can be influenced directly by genes and/or by phenotypic plasticity. The amphibian‐killing fungus <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> (Bd) has a global distribution, unusually broad host range, and high genetic diversity. Phenotypic plasticity may be an important process that allows this pathogen to infect hundreds of species in diverse environments. We quantified phenotypic variation of nine Bd genotypes from two Bd lineages (Global Pandemic Lineage [GPL] and Brazil) and a hybrid (GPL‐Brazil) grown at three temperatures (12, 18 and 24°C). We measured five functional traits including two morphological traits (zoospore and zoosporangium sizes) and three life history traits (carrying capacity, time to fastest growth and exponential growth rate) in a phylogenetic framework. Temperature caused highly plastic responses within each genotype, with all Bd genotypes showing phenotypic plasticity in at least three traits. Among genotypes, Bd generally showed the same direction of plastic response to temperature: larger zoosporangia, higher carrying capacity, longer time to fastest growth and slower exponential growth at lower temperatures. The exception was zoospore size, which was highly variable. Our findings indicate that Bd genotypes have evolved novel phenotypes through plastic responses to temperature over very short timescales. High phenotypic variability likely extends to other traits and may facilitate the large host range and rapid spread of Bd.
Muir, A.M., J.R. Bernhardt, N.W. Boucher, C. Cvitanovic, J.M. Dettmers, M. Gaden, J.L.M. Hinderer, B. Locke, K.F. Robinson, M.J. Siefkes, N. Young, S.J. Cooke. 2023. Confronting a post-pandemic new-normal— threats and opportunities to trust-based relationships in natural resource science and management. Journal of Environmental Management 330:117140. 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117140	March 2023
Mrnak, J.T., L.B. Heironimus, D.A. James, and S.R. Chipps. 2020. Effect of water velocity and temperature on energy use, behavior, and mortality of pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus larvae. Journal of Fish Biology 97:1690-1700.	October 2020
Mouton J. C., B. W. Tobalske, N. A. Wright, and T. E. Martin. 2020. Compensatory plasticity offsets performance and survival costs of predation risk across life stages. Functional Ecology https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13650.	September 2020
Mouser, J., S. K. Brewer, M. L. Niemiller, R. Mollenhauer, and R. A. Van Den Bussche. 2021. Refining sampling protocols for cavefishes and cave crayfishes to account for environmental variation. Subterranean Biology 39: 79-105doi: 10.3897/subtbiol.39.64279	July 2021
Mouser, J., J. Glover, and S. K. Brewer. 2020. Age Estimates For North American Crayfish And The Influence Of Temperature On Gastric Mill Band Formation. Freshwater Crayfish.	April 2020
Mouser, J. B., S. K. Brewer, M. L. Niemiller, R. Mollenhauer, and R. A. Van Den Bussche. 2022. Lithology and disturbance drive cavefish and cave crayfish occurrence in the Ozark Highlands ecoregion. Scientific Reports (2022)12:19559	November 2022
Mouser, J. B., D. C. Ashley, D. L. Zentner, and S. K. Brewer. 2022. Seasonal context of bristly cave crayfish Cambarus setosus habitat use and life history. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies v. 84, no. 3, p. 85-95. DOI:10.4311/2021LSC0110	September 2022
Mott, R., A. E. Rosenberger, and D. Novinger. 2021. Use of non-lethal endpoints to establish water quality requirements and optima of the Topeka Shiner (Notropis Topeka). Environmental Biology of Fishes 104: 1215-1233. \| Abstract \| Download	October 2021	Water quality standards based on sub-lethal effects and performance optima for aquatic organisms, rather than onset of mortality, are more ecologically relevant for management of species of conservation concern. We investigated the effects of hypoxia, temperature (with acclimation), nitrogenous chemical compounds, and chloride on Topeka shiners (<i>Notropis topeka</i>) by monitoring behavioral responses to a reduction in oxygen and, using swimming speed, determining thermal optima and onset of effect for concentrations of nitrogenous compounds and chloride. We found ASR<sub>50</sub> (i.e., dissolved oxygen concentrations where 50% of fish use aquatic surface respiration) to be 1.65 mg/L and ASR<sub>90</sub> to be 1.08 mg/L of dissolved oxygen. Optimum temperatures for the species ranged from 17.7 to 28.0 °C, while predicted 100% mortality ranged from 33.7 to 40.3 °C, depending on the temperature at which fish were acclimated prior to experiments. Ammonia and sodium chloride reduced swimming speed at concentrations below known LC<sub>50</sub> values, while nitrite concentrations did not correspond with swimming speed, but rather, post-experiment mortality. This provides insight into where Topeka shiners can not only persist, but also thrive. Although swimming speed may not be a suitable metric for determining the effects of all contaminants, our focus on optima and sub-lethal effects over tolerance allows selections of the most suitable reintroduction site matching the species’ physiological profile.
Morrison, T. A., Merkle, J. A., Hopcraft, J. G. C., Aikens, E. O., Beck, J. L., Boone, R. B., Courtemanch, A. B., Dwinnell, S. P., Fairbanks, W. S., Griffith, B., Middleton, A.D., Monteith, K.L., Oates, B., Riotte‐Lambert, L., Sawyer, H., Smith, K. T., Stabach, J. A., Taylor, K. T., and Kauffman, M. J. (2021). Drivers of site fidelity in ungulates. Journal of animal ecology, 90(4), 955-966. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13425. \| Abstract	April 2021	While the tendency to return to previously visited locations—termed ‘site fidelity’—is common in animals, the cause of this behaviour is not well understood. One hypothesis is that site fidelity is shaped by an animal's environment, such that animals living in landscapes with predictable resources have stronger site fidelity. Site fidelity may also be conditional on the success of animals’ recent visits to that location, and it may become stronger with age as the animal accumulates experience in their landscape. Finally, differences between species, such as the way memory shapes site attractiveness, may interact with environmental drivers to modulate the strength of site fidelity. We compared inter-year site fidelity in 669 individuals across eight ungulate species fitted with GPS collars and occupying a range of environmental conditions in North America and Africa. We used a distance-based index of site fidelity and tested hypothesized drivers of site fidelity using linear mixed effects models, while accounting for variation in annual range size. Mule deer <i>Odocoileus hemionus</i> and moose <i>Alces alces</i> exhibited relatively strong site fidelity, while wildebeest <i>Connochaetes taurinus</i> and barren-ground caribou <i>Rangifer tarandus granti</i> had relatively weak fidelity. Site fidelity was strongest in predictable landscapes where vegetative greening occurred at regular intervals over time (i.e. high temporal contingency). Species differed in their response to spatial heterogeneity in greenness (i.e. spatial constancy). Site fidelity varied seasonally in some species, but remained constant over time in others. Elk employed a ‘win-stay, lose-switch’ strategy, in which successful resource tracking in the springtime resulted in strong site fidelity the following spring. Site fidelity did not vary with age in any species tested. Our results provide support for the environmental hypothesis, particularly that regularity in vegetative phenology shapes the strength of site fidelity at the inter-annual scale. Large unexplained differences in site fidelity suggest that other factors, possibly species-specific differences in attraction to known sites, contribute to variation in the expression of this behaviour. Understanding drivers of variation in site fidelity across groups of organisms living in different environments provides important behavioural context for predicting how animals will respond to environmental change.
Morris, S.A., C.W. Boal, and R. Patino. 2021. Assessing Cormorant Populations and Associations with Fish Stocking in Texas. Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society 54:1-8	February 2022
Morris RL, La Peyre MK, Webb BM, Marshall DA, Bilkovic DM, Cebrian J, McClenachan G, Kibler KM, Walters LJ, Bushek D, Sparks EL, Temple NA, Moddy J, Angstadt K, Goff J, Boswell M, Sacks P, Swearer SE. 2021. Large-scale variation in wave attenuation of oyster reef living shorelines and the influence of inundation duration. Ecological Applications. doi:10.1002/eap.2382. \| Abstract	January 2021	One of the paramount goals of oyster reef living shorelines is to achieve sustained and adaptive coastal protection, which requires meeting ecological (i.e., develop a self-sustaining oyster population) and engineering (i.e., provide coastal defence) targets. In a large-scale comparison along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, the efficacy of various designs of oyster reef living shorelines at providing wave attenuation and shoreline stabilization was evaluated. Historical aerial imagery (to quantify shoreline change) combined with on-ground wave attenuation measurements of 15 oyster reef living shorelines, and paired controls, was analyzed. Oyster reef living shorelines varied in age, construction material (oyster shell or pre-cast concrete units), reef dimensions (i.e. length, width, height) and placement (i.e., tidal height, wave exposure, distance from shore) among sites. At six sites oyster reefs showed significantly greater wave attenuation than the paired controls, and the reduction in wave height at those oyster reefs varied between 13 – 55%. The oyster reefs in the other sites were not effective at wave attenuation and substantial continued shoreline erosion was observed. Wave attenuation was greatest at reefs where either (1) the crest height was at or above the water depth; or (2) the reef had a wider footprint. However, some of the tall reefs exceeded the tolerable aerial exposure for oysters (i.e., the amount of time a reef can spend out of the water) and, thus, the peak of such reefs was not suitable oyster habitat. There is, therefore, a trade-off between maximizing coastal protection or oyster habitat when designing an oyster reef living shoreline. Yet our results provide evidence that oyster reefs may be designed to deliver both substantial coastal protection and oyster habitat through further study of the relationship between reef structural attributes (height and width) and oyster habitat suitability. Verification of these observations under storm conditions, which drive erosive events, will be important to inform appropriate design and wider implementation of living shorelines globally.
Moritsch, MM, KB Byrd, MJ Davis, A Good, JZ Drexler, I Woo, JT Morris, L Windham-Myers, G Nakai, EE Grossman, K Poppe, and J Rybczyk. 2022. Can coastal ecosystems rise to the challenge? Shifts in distribution and carbon accumulation of deltaic ecosystems in response to sea-level rise and management in a South Puget Sound estuary. Estuaries and Coasts xx:xx-xx. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-022-01087-5	May 2022
Morin, D.J., J. Boulanger, R. Bischof, D.C. Lee, D. Ngoprasert, A.K. Fuller, B. McLellan, R. Steinmetz, S. Sharma, D. Garshelis, A. Gopalaswamy, M.A. Nawaz, and U. Karanth. 2022. Comparison of methods for estimating density and population trends for low-density Asian bears. Global Ecology and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02058	February 2022
Moriarity M, Sethi SA, Pedreschi D, Smeltz TS, McGonigle C, Harris BP, Wolf N, Greenstreet SPR. (2020) Combining fisheries surveys to inform marine species distribution modelling. ICES Journal of Marine Science 77:539-552. \| Abstract	March 2020	Ecosystem-scale examination of fish communities typically involves creating spatio-temporally explicit relative abundance distribution maps using data from multiple fishery-independent surveys. However, sampling performance varies by vessel and sampling gear, which may influence estimated species distribution patterns. Using GAMMs, the effect of different gear–vessel combinations on relative abundance estimates at length was investigated using European fisheries-independent groundfish survey data. We constructed a modelling framework for evaluating relative efficiency of multiple gear–vessel combinations. 19 northeast Atlantic surveys for 254 species-length combinations were examined. Space-time variables explained most of the variation in catches for 181/254 species-length cases, indicating that for many species, models successfully characterized distribution patterns when combining data from disparate surveys. Variables controlling for gear efficiency explained substantial variation in catches for 127/254 species-length data sets. Models that fail to control for gear efficiencies across surveys can mask changes in the spatial distribution of species. Estimated relative differences in catch efficiencies grouped strongly by gear type, but did not exhibit a clear pattern across species’ functional forms, suggesting difficulty in predicting the potential impact of gear efficiency differences when combining survey data to assess species’ distributions and highlighting the importance of modelling approaches that can control for gear differences.
Morandini, V., K.M. Dugger, D.G. Ainley and M. Ferrer. 2020. Rockhopper Penguin-Imperial Cormorant mixed colonies in the Falkland Islands: a stroke of luck for late breeders. Eosphere 11(11):e03272. doi: 10.1002/ecs2.3272	November 2020
Morandini, V., K.M. Dugger, A. Lescroel, A. Schmidt and G. Ballard. 2021. Maintenance of nest quality in Adélie penguins: an additional benefit to life in the center. Polar Biology 44:1553-1562, DOI://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-021-02894-5	June 2021
Morandini, V, KM Dugger, AE Schmidt, A Varsani, A Lescroël, G Ballard, PO'B Lyver, K Barton and DG Ainley. 2024. Sex-specific recruitment rates contribute to male-biased sex ratio in Adélie penguins. Ecology and Evolution 2024;14:e10859. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10859 \| Download	February 2024
Morandini, V, KM Dugger G Ballard, M Elrod, A Schmidt, V Ruoppolo, A Lescroël, D Jongsomjit, M Massaro, J Pennycook, GL Kooyman, K Schmidlin, S Kraberger, D Ainley, and A Varsani. 2019. Identification of a novel Adélie penguin circovirus at Cape Crozier (Ross Island, Antarctica). Viruses 11, 1088; doi:10.3390/v11121088	December 2019
Moran, M.L., W. Boyd, J.L. De La Cruz, A.S. Bertke and W.M. Ford. 2023. Oral Sampling of Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) Maternity Colonies for SARS-CoV-2 in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, USA. Animals 2023, 13, 550. doi.org/10.3390/ani13040550	February 2023
Moore, S.A., A.W. Dwire, T.J. Prebyl, T.M. Schneider, and E.A. Hunter. 2024. Using remote sensing to identify habitat for wintering Henslow’s Sparrows (Centronyx henslowii). Wilson Journal of Ornithology 136 (4): 436–447.	December 2024
Moore, M., C. Paukert, and T. Moore. 2021. Effects of latitude, season and temperature on Lake Sturgeon movement. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41: 916-928. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10416.	August 2021
Moore, M., C. Paukert, B. Brooke, and T. Moore. 2021. Lake Sturgeon Seasonal Movements in Regulated and Unregulated Missouri River Tributaries. Ecohydrology http://doi.org/10.1002/eco.2362	October 2021
Moore, M., C. P. Paukert, S. Owens, and T. Moore. 2021. Habitat selection in a southern Lake Sturgeon population: implications of temporal, spatial, and ontogenetic variation for restoration. Restoration Ecology http://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13602	December 2021
Moore, M. J., C. P. Paukert, T. Bonnot, B. Brooke, and T. Moore. 2021. Does where they start affect where they finish? A multi-method investigation of the role of stocking location on survival and dispersal of hatchery-reared Lake Sturgeon in Missouri River tributaries. River Research and Applications 38:627-638. http://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3925	December 2021
Moore, M. J., C. P. Paukert, T. Bonnot, B. Brooke, and T. Moore. 2021. Does where they start affect where they finish? A multi-method investigation of the role of stocking location on survival and dispersal of hatchery-reared Lake Sturgeon in Missouri River tributaries. River Research and Applications 38:627-638. http://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3925	December 2021
Moore, J.D., D.E. Andersen, T. Cooper, J.P. Duguay, S.L. Oldenburger, C.A. Stewart, and D.G. Krementz. 2021. Migratory phenology and patterns of American woodcock in central North America derived using satellite telemetry. Wildlife Biology 2021: wlb.00816. https://doi.org/10.2981/wlb.00816	March 2021
Moore, J. D., T. R. Cooper, R. Rau, D. E. Andersen, J. P. Duguay, C. A. Stewart, and D. G. Krementz. 2019. Assessment of the American Woodcock Singing-Ground Survey zone timing and coverage. Pages 181-192 in Krementz, D.G., D. E. Andersen, and T.R. Cooper (eds.). Proceedings of the 11th American Woodcock Symposium, University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. DOI:10.24926/AWS.0124. \| Abstract \| Download	December 2019	The American woodcock (Scolopax minor) Singing-Ground Survey (SGS) was developed to inform management decisions by monitoring changes in the relative abundance of woodcock. The timing of the designated survey windows were designed to count woodcock that have settled in an area while minimizing the counting of migrating woodcock to the best extent possible. Since the implementation of the SGS in 1968, concerns over survey protocols that may bias data have been raised and investigated; however, the extent of survey coverage , the timing of the survey window zones, and whether double counting might occur within and among survey zones have not been critically investigated We used three years of data collected from satellite-marked male and female woodcock to assess the timing of the SGS survey windows and to what extent there was potential to double count woodcock among the survey zones. SGS coverage encompassed the majority of woodcock breeding-period sites within the U.S. (n = 17, 92%) and approximately half of the breeding period sites in Canada (n = 6, 43%). Thirteen of the 37 monitored woodcock with known breeding-period site arrival dates (35%) were migrating through a survey zone during an active survey window, all in the northernmost four out of five SGS zones. Thirteen woodcock arrived at breeding period sites after the start of surveys, all but one with breeding-period sites in the northernmost two zones. The combination of these situations may result in the SGS weighing too heavily the contribution of routes in southern portion of the primary breeding range while weighing too lightly the routes in the northern portion of the primary breeding range. We believe that we have demonstrated enough concerns about zone window timing to suggest that additional information is necessary to evaluate whether current zone window dates are sufficient, or whether they need to be changed.
Moore, D. M. and S. K. Brewer. 2021. Evaluation of VIE, PIT, and p-Chip tagging methods in a small bodied minnow species. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:1066-1078.	June 2021
Moore, C. T., and J. C. Maerz. 2020. Accelerating conservation of at-risk species in the longleaf system. Final project memorandum to Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center. \| Download	August 2020
Moore, C. T., and E. A. Hunter. 2021. Gopher tortoise demographic variables estimated from long-term mark-recapture data. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:615-616. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22039 \| Download	May 2021
Moore, C. T., J. J. Gannon, and T. L. Shaffer. 2018. NPAM predictive model improvements and piloting NPAM on partner lands. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-130-2018, Washington, D.C. https://doi.org/10.3996/css74130649	April 2022
Moore, C. T., J. J. Gannon, T. L. Shaffer, and C. S. Dixon. 2020. An adaptive approach to vegetation management in native prairies of the northern Great Plains. Pages 246-257 in M. C. Runge, S. J. Converse, J. E. Lyons, and D. R. Smith, eds., Structured Decision Making: Case Studies in Decision Analysis for Natural Resources Management. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.	May 2020
Moon, J.A., S.E. Lehnen, K.L. Metzger, M.A. Squires, M.G. Brasher, B.C. Wilson, W.C. Conway, D.A. Haukos, B.E. Davis, F.C. Rohwer, E.M. Wehland, and B.M. Ballard. 2021. Projected impact of sea-level rise and urbanization on mottled duck (Anas fulvigula) habitat along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas through 2100. Ecological Indicators Ecological Indicators 132 (2021) 108276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.108276	October 2021
Mollenhauer, R., S. K. Brewer, D.Moore, D. Swedberg, and M. Wedgeworth. 2022. A hierarchical approach to fish conservation in semiarid landscapes: A need to understand multiscale environmental relationships In: River Basin Management - Under a Changing Climate, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.105602	September 2022
Mollenhauer, R., J. B. Mouser, V. L Roland, and S. K. Brewer. 2022. Increased landscape disturbance and streamflow variability threaten fish biodiversity in the Red River catchment, USA. Diversity and Distributions, 28, 1934– 1950. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13595	July 2022
Mollenhauer, R., A. Miller, J. Goff, and S. K. Brewer. 2020. Population size and body size varies in relation to reach-scale groundwater contribution for warmwater stream fishes. Southeastern Naturalist 19:308-324.	January 2020
Mollenhauer R., S. K. Brewer, J. S. Perkin, D. Swedberg, M. Wedgeworth, and Z. D. Steffensmeier. 2021. Connectivity and flow regime direct conservation priorities for pelagophil fishes. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems	July 2021
Molina-Moctezuma, A., and Zydlewski, J. (2020) A decision making tool for evaluating biological and statistical thresholds for survival analysis. River Research and Applications 2020:1–9. DOI: 10.1002/rra.3616 \| Download	February 2020
Molina-Moctezuma, A., Peterson, E., and Zydlewski, J. (2021) Movement, Survival, and Delays of Atlantic Salmon Smolts in the Piscataquis River, Maine, USA. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 150(3), 345-360. DOI: 10.1002/tafs.10289 \| Download	May 2021
Molina-Moctezuma, A., Stich, D., and Zydlewski, J. (2022) Effects of dam-induced delays on survival of Atlantic salmon juveniles in the Penobscot River. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. DOI: TBD. IP-129261, BAO approval date August 31, 2022. [C:60, D:10, I:20, W:10]. \| Download	November 2022
Miyazono S, AA Pease, S Fritts, & TB Grabowski. 2020. Ontogenetic shifts in mesohabitat use of young-of-year Rio Grande Blue Sucker in the Big Bend region of the Rio Grande. Environmental Biology of Fishes 103:1471-1480. doi: 10.1007/s10641-020-01038-8 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2020	Changes in flow regime by anthropogenic activities is one of the primary environmental problems in riverine systems. It is important to understand how hydrologic conditions can affect ontogenetic habitat shifts of imperiled fishes in order to develop conservation and management strategies for each life-history stage. To better understand the factors affecting ontogenetic habitat shifts of an imperiled aridland river fish, we examined relationships between the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) Rio Grande Blue Sucker and various abiotic variables in the Trans-Pecos region of the Rio Grande in Texas, USA using open <i>N</i>-mixture modeling. In addition, we examined differences in Rio Grande Blue Sucker total length among three mesohabitat types (pool, riffle, and run). The results of open <i>N</i>-mixture modeling suggested that as pool area increased, the recruitment of Rio Grande Blue Sucker increased. Total length of YOY Rio Grande Blue Sucker also significantly differed among the three mesohabitat types. The total lengths of YOY Rio Grande Blue Sucker in pool habitats were lower than in other mesohabitats, suggesting that YOY Rio Grande Blue Sucker undergo ontogenetic habitat shifts into greater current velocity habitats as they grow. The habitat associations we documented support the growing body of research emphasizing the importance of maintaining sufficient and appropriately timed flows to avoid prolonged low flows that limit habitat availability for native fish species during sensitive life stages in the Rio Grande and other aridland rivers.
Mitchell, N.R., C.W. Boal, and B.R. Skipper. 2020. Distribution, density, and land cover associations of wintering golden eagles in the southern Great Plains. Western North American Naturalist 80:452-461.	January 2021
Mitchell, C.I., D.A. Friend, L.T. Phillips, E.A. Hunter, J.E. Lovich, M. Agha, S.R. Puffer, K.L. Cummings, P.A. Medica, T.C. Esque, K.E. Nussear, and K.T. Shoemaker. 2021. ‘Unscrambling’ the drivers of egg production in Agassiz’s desert tortoise: climate and individual attributes predict reproductive output. Endangered Species Research 44:217-230. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01103	March 2021
Mirochnitchenko, N., E. Stuber, and J.J. Fontaine. 2021. Biodiversity scale-dependence, and opposing multi-level covariance lead to mismatches among taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity. Journal of Biogeography, 48, 2989– 3003. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14248	January 2022
Miranda, L.E., and N.M. Faucheux. 2022. Climate change alters aging patterns of reservoir fish habitats. Climatic Change 174(9). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-022-03432-w \| Abstract	September 2022	Two slow-moving developments are threatening reservoir aquatic habitats globally: aging and climate change. These events are projected to transform reservoir aquatic habitats in various and often unpredictable ways. Aging affects in-lake habitats directly, whereas climate change affects both in-lake and off-lake conditions. Climate change is expected to accelerate and, in some instances, possibly decelerate aging. Aging can be indexed as functional age, an index that signals the position of a reservoir along its lifespan relying on in lake descriptors of aquatic habitat. Using existing habitat datasets and climate projections, we developed semi-quantitative predictions about the effect of climate change on reservoir functional age in the USA. Driven by increased warming, functional age was predicted to increase latitudinally from south to north with no obvious longitudinal gradient. Functional age also changed with precipitation, increasing latitudinally from south to north and longitudinally in the east and west but decreasing in the central USA. Our projections are tentative because of the uncertain nature of reservoir aging and climate change sciences, as well as the inexactness of available data and models. We review general strategies suitable for systematically dealing with the unpredictable and constantly changing conditions expected to occur this century as reservoirs certainly continue to get older, within the scope of uncertain climate change projections.
Miranda, L.E., and K.J. Killgore. 2020. Longitudinal distribution of uncommon fishes in a species-rich basin. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3262	January 2020
Miranda, L.E., and D.J. Dembkowski. 2024. Fish size structures in lakes of the Mississippi River floodplain. Freshwater Biology 69:1390-1398. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.14313 \| Abstract	August 2024	The Lower Mississippi River has a floodplain that includes more than 1,350 permanent lakes carved by shifts in river courses and other hydro-fluvial processes over eons. Notwithstanding their similar provenances, these bodies of water exhibit an immense variety of morphologies and successional stages that illustrate their natural transformation from aquatic to forested wetlands. A result of this geographical, morphological, and temporal diversity is dynamic and varied fish communities. Our goal was to examine how size structures of fish communities in these floodplain lakes were associated with key in-lake and off-lake environmental drivers. In a sample of 30 lakes, an abundance of smaller fish was typically associated with increasing levels of turbidity, chlorophyll-<i>a</i>, phycocyanin, and surrounding agriculture, with the latter likely influencing the preceding three variables. Typically, shallow, hypereutrophic floodplain lakes associated with agricultural landscapes and reduced connectivity experienced harsher physicochemical environments. These conditions appeared to hinder the formation of sustained fish communities but may confer a survival advantage to juveniles or small short-lived species. Conversely, larger fish were associated with increasing lake depth, water clarity, connectivity, and extent of surrounding forests-wetlands. Enhanced stability and size structure was observed in communities residing in deeper and clearer lakes, suggesting that these conditions facilitated the development of longer-lived species spanning multiple age groups. The enhanced connectivity that facilitates this increased stability also permitted the presence of larger itinerant species. Size structure assessments can serve as a valuable ecological and biodiversity indicator in floodplain lakes. These assessments could further supplement, or even supplant, conventional taxonomic analyses that would facilitate enhanced surveillance of this enormous natural resource.
Miranda, L.E., N.M. Faucheux, and K.M. Lakin. 2021. Fishing gear performance nearshore is substantiated by spatial analyses. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 31:977–987. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-021-09683-7 \| Abstract	September 2021	We estimated whether the fish assemblages nearshore represented by electrofishing and gillnetting indexed location of reservoirs in a river basin. We expected that location in the basin would reflect a multiplicity of factors that determine fish habitat and fish assemblage composition, and therefore also anticipated a correlation between fish species composition and spatial variables if the gear type reflected legitimate differences in fish assemblages. We collected 1.6 million fish of 129 species in 22 reservoirs of the Tennessee River basin, USA. Standardized electrofishing represented different aspects of the fish assemblages than standardized gillnetting. Nevertheless, the assemblages documented by each gear type were correlated with the spatial location of the reservoirs in the river basin. Thus, even as these gear types reflected different aspects of existing fish assemblages, they each tracked spatial differences, suggesting that they reflected standing fish assemblages. Our study endorses the use of standardized boat electrofishing and gillnetting as proper means for monitoring fish assemblages at large spatial scales. Our results further suggest that a well-designed and standardized sampling protocol can in fact provide an informative bird’s eye view of fish assemblages at regional, national, or continental scales suitable for informing conservation programs.
Miranda, L.E., M.C. Rhodes, Y. Allen, and K.J. Killgore. 2021. An inventory and typology of permanent floodplain lakes in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley: A first step to conservation planning. Aquatic Sciences https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-020-00775-3 \| Abstract	January 2021	The alluvial valley of the Mississippi River is an extensive area harboring hundreds of lakes created by fluvial dynamics. These floodplain lakes are scattered throughout the valley and carved over thousands of years by shifting river courses and other hydro-fluvial processes associated with contemporary and prehistoric rivers. These lakes have significant ecological importance as they support a large component of North American biodiversity. We used remote sensing to catalog lakes, to characterize morphology, and to construct a typology via cluster analysis. We identified over 1,300 permanent lakes totaling over 100,000 ha. The lakes were classified into 12 types according to lake size, shape, depth, connectivity, inundation frequency, and surrounding landcover. We anticipate that biotic characteristics differ among the 12 types, but large-scale systematic analyses of biotic assemblages of floodplain lakes in the region are mostly absent. Our typology can provide the framework essential for organizing research to define water dynamics, water quality, and ecological conditions such as forests, mussel, fish, and avian communities to construct conservation plans. The typology encourages a large-scale view of the properties of floodplain lakes in the alluvial valley. It is a functional tool that can be used to begin identifying conservation and research needs, adapt monitoring and management programs, customize environmental programs, and use conservation resources more effectively to achieve large-scale management objectives.
Miranda, L.E., K.M. Lakin, and N.M. Faucheux. 2021. Habitat associations of black bass in a reservoir system. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 150:538-547. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10302 \| Abstract	April 2021	Habitat associations of three black bass (<i>Micropterus</i>) species were examined in six habitat types (i.e., sediment, gravel, rock, riprap, brush, aquatic plants) along a cascade of ten reservoirs in the Tennessee River. We tested whether black bass habitat selection differed among species, and if species co-occurrence depended on habitat type. We found that some species occurred in some habitats in proportion to habitat availability, some at higher frequencies, some at frequencies lower than availability, and that juveniles and adults exhibited similar occurrence patterns. Our habitat selection results largely corroborate previous descriptions of black bass habitat associations and generally track preference for lithic habitats as reported in native streams. We expected black bass species to show negative co‐occurrence to avoid competitive interactions. Nevertheless, we found that with few exceptions, adults co-occurred in habitats mostly as expected by chance, and juveniles co-occurred more often than expected by chance. Our findings imply that environmental filtering, rather than competitive interactions that dominate in natural environments, may be the dominant mechanism shaping black bass assemblages in reservoirs of the Tennessee River. The observed patterns of habitat selection and co-occurrence further suggest that conservation and management of black bass assemblages in reservoirs can be supported through habitat management activities. Protecting and enhancing the remaining lithic habitat in the reservoirs as well as recovering habitat blanketed by sediment could provide desirable environments for all black bass species.
Miranda, L.E., K.I. Bonvechio, J. Koch, R. Moncayo-Estrada. 2014 Chapter 3: Warmwater fish in large standing waters. Standard methods for sampling North American freshwater fishes, second edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874295	September 2024
Miranda, L.E., J.B. Reynolds, J.C. Dean, C.R. Dolan, and J.D. Buckwalter. 2024. Chapter 18: Standardizing electrofishing power. Standard methods for sampling North American freshwater fishes, second edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874295	September 2024
Miranda, L.E., J. Tompkins, C.G. Dunn, J. Morris, and M.C. Combs. 2023. Patterns of zero and nonzero counts indicate spatiotemporal distributions, aggregation, and dispersion of invasive carp. Management of Biological Invasions 14(2): 363-377. https://doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2023.14.2.12 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	February 2023	Bigheaded carp Hypophthalmichthys spp. are invasive species native to Asia expanding in the Mississippi River Basin in North America. An understanding of spatiotemporal distribution and aggregation of invasive carp is key to establishing when and where to focus surveillance designed to monitor expansion, and to managing harvest programs designed to curb population densities. We applied a two-stage hurdle model to assess three aspects of bigheaded carp ecology: distribution, relative abundance, and aggregation. Stage 1 was a binary 0/1 model that represented fish presence (p), and stage 2 was a truncated count distribution that had no zeros and included counts ≥ 1 only (C). Estimates of p and C varied temporally and spatially, but not in harmony and sometimes in opposing directions, indicating temporal and spatial swings in fish distributions and aggregations. Intense fish aggregations in channels in spring shown by low p’s and high C’s, eventually scattered by summer and fall as shown by high p’s and low C’s. An alternative but complementary interpretation of our observations is that p indexes incidence of aggregations and C indexes size of aggregations. Partitioning catch into its zero and nonzero components provided insight into population ecology that can inform development of monitoring and management of harvesting programs targeted at lessening potential effects of the invasion.
Miranda, L.E., H.G. Funk, M. Palmieri, J.D. Stafford, and M.E. Nichols. 2024. Length in assessing status of freshwater fish populations: a review. North American Journal of Fisheries Management .DOI: 10.1002/nafm.11041 \| Abstract	September 2024	Effective policy formulation regarding the conservation of freshwater fish necessitates an understanding of water-specific prevailing conditions and trends. Monitoring fish inventories in inland aquatic systems is challenging and costly due to the considerable number of autonomous systems that necessitate evaluation. Therefore, numerous freshwater systems are beset by insufficient data and the lack of systematic assessments of their status. To alleviate this deficiency, the objective of this study was to review length-based metrics that may have utility in evaluating the well-being of freshwater fish stocks. Length measurements can serve as proxies for a range of ecological and population dynamics attributes that are essential for the effective management of fish and associated fisheries. An overview of the historical development of length measurements in fish conservation is provided, along with an examination of the potential biases that may arise from the use of lengths in practical contexts. In addition, we examine techniques that enable the spatial and temporal visualization of length data sets, as well as a range of indices and metrics that can be computed using length measurements.
Miranda, L.E., G. Coppola, and J. Boxrucker. 2020. Reservoir fish habitats: a perspective on coping with climate change. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture 28:478-498. https://doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2020.1767035 \| Abstract	May 2020	Climate change is the defining environmental problem for our generation. The effects of climate change are increasingly evident and are anticipated to profoundly affect our ability to conserve fish habitats and fish assemblages as we know them. Preparing to cope with the effects of climate change is developing as the central concern of aquatic resources conservation and management. Reservoirs are important structures for coping with projected shifts in water supply, but they also provide refuge for riverine fishes and retain distinct fish assemblages that support diverse fisheries. The effects of climate change on reservoirs are unique among aquatic systems because reservoirs have distinctive habitat characteristics due to their terrestrial origin and strong linkage to catchments. We review (1) the projected effects of rising temperature and shifting precipitation on reservoir fish habitats, and (2) adaptation strategies to cope with the anticipated effects. Climate warming impacts to reservoirs include higher water temperatures and shifts in hydrology that can result in reduced water levels in summer and fall, altered water residence cycles, disconnection from upstream riverine habitats and backwaters, increased stratification, eutrophication, anoxia, and a general shift in biotic assemblages including plants, invertebrates, and fishes. We suggest that what is needed to cope with these changes is a perspective that focuses on maintaining ecosystem functionality rather than on retaining a certain species composition. To that end, we identify various strategies organized into planning, monitoring, and managing compartments. The coping strategies we identify are broad and general and represent a starting line applicable for developing creative alternatives relevant to local conditions.
Miranda, L.E., G. Coppola, H.R. Hatcher, M.B. Jargowsky, Z.S. Moran, and M.C. Rhodes. 2020. A bird’s-eye view of reservoirs in the Mississippi Basin tips a need for large-scale coordination. Fish and Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12509 \| Abstract	September 2020	Reservoirs are mostly managed at local scales as spatially independent units. A basin-scale perspective may increase awareness at a broader scope and generate insight not evident at local scales. We examined the diversity of reservoir attributes and fisheries in the Mississippi Basin to identify management opportunities. The basin is the third largest in the world and includes over 1,700 reservoirs >100 ha, the most of any river basin anywhere. Our bird’s-eye view reveals a piecemeal approach where reservoirs are mostly administered at the local level. Basin-wide or catchment coordination to holistically address problems that recur across the basin is mostly lacking. A basin-wide coordination arrangement akin to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan could facilitate various facets of reservoir management. Such an arrangement may steer reservoir fisheries management through a potentially turbulent 21st century as reservoirs age beyond their useful life and climate shifts render status-quo management ineffective.
Miranda, L.E., D.J. Shoemaker, and R.M. Krogman. 2024. Impairment ratings of US reservoirs based on expert opinion. Frontiers in Environmental Sciences 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1488955 \| Abstract	October 2024	A comprehensive understanding of the prevalent impairments in reservoirs is necessary nationally to analyze patterns and allocate national resources effectively. Many of these impairments are associated with sedimentation, nutrient contamination, and other pollution factors. The costs involved in performing on-site surveys of multiple locations are a potential obstacle in obtaining empirical data on impairment at a large spatial extent. In this case, input from specialists may be required to tackle the absence of empirical data that is required to determine the impairment status of thousands of geographically dispersed reservoirs. Our aim was to assess if expert opinion could offer a comprehensive view of the impairment status of reservoirs in the conterminous United States. We designed and executed an internet-based survey of reservoir specialists to get their rating of visually evident elements of reservoir impairment. To evaluate the ratings, we searched for correlations with factors known to have an impact on reservoir impairment. Canonical correlation analyses indicated that nine metrics, which were used by experts to rate impairment levels in an ordinal scale, were correlated with metrics descriptive of physical qualities of the reservoirs, land use in catchments, and the prevailing local climate. We conclude that expert opinion may facilitate assessment of impairment levels over large geographic areas. Lastly, we define the circumstances under which it is permissible to rely on expert opinion and propose criteria that may improve the quality of the data collected.
Miranda, L.E. 2024. Fish size structure analysis via ordination: a visualization aid. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 44:1092-1110. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.11041 \| Abstract	November 2024	Visual aids like length-frequency histograms are widely used to examine fish population status and trends; however, comparing multiple histograms simultaneously becomes cumbersome and inefficient. Complicating matters further, overlaying covariates on histograms to highlight connections with length frequencies can be challenging. An alternative is to display length distributions as an ordination using similarity indexes; in many cases this allows for improved visual organization and representation of relationships with covariates. I review the application of ordination methods for analysis of size structures using alternative visualizations that may facilitate the identification of connections that are concealed when analyzing a series of histograms. After a brief introduction to similarity indexes, types of ordinations, and sample sizes, I examine four case studies to illustrate size structure analysis via similarity indices: (1) unconstrained ordination to identify “bass-crowded” populations in a set of 34 small fishing lakes; (2) unconstrained ordination to evaluate the impact of three consecutive length limits on a Largemouth Bass <i>Micropterus salmoides</i> population over a span of 28-years; (3) constrained ordination to assess the relationships between fish community size structure and in-lake and off-lake environmental descriptors in 30 oxbow lakes; and (4) constrained ordination to identify what aspects of Largemouth Bass size structure were related to six types of reservoir habitats. Size structure analysis via similarity indexes enabled the exploration of extensive length frequency data. It is important to acknowledge that ordinations serve solely as a visual aid for assessing size structure – no statistical testing is involved. Ordination techniques and software are advancing at a quick pace, holding great promise for the future of size structure analysis via similarity indices.
Miranda, L.E. 2023. Fish life-history traits predict abundance-occupancy patterns in artificial lakes. Frontiers in Freshwater Science. DOI: 10.3389/ffwsc.2023.1270939 \| Abstract	September 2023	Life-history traits of a species have been postulated as a factor in abundance and occupancy patterns. Understanding how traits contribute to the ubiquity and rarity of taxa can facilitate the development of effective conservation policy by establishing a connection between species requirements and resource. I evaluated fish assemblages in artificial lakes for evidence of the abundance-occupancy patterns reported in natural environments and, if evident, to explore if observed patterns of abundance and occupancy could be attributed to species traits. Consistent with reports for many other taxonomic groups in natural environments, there was a positive association amidst 114 fish species between abundance and occupancy in artificial lakes (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.78). This result indicates that the synthetic fish assemblages that develop in this anthropized environments follow the fundamental abundance-occupancy patterns uncovered in natural environments, despite assemblages having been disfigured by the dramatic rearrangement of habitats brought by impoundment. Moreover, a redundancy analysis focusing mostly on reproductive and habitat traits adequately predicted abundance-occupancy patterns of fish assemblages in artificial lakes (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.69). Species abundance-occupancy is influenced by the interplay between life-history traits and habitat availability, even in artificial lakes, and by extension, possibly other artificial ecosystems.
Miranda, L.E. 2023. Facing our freshwater crisis via fluid and agile communication: A Grand Challenge. Frontiers in Freshwater Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffwsc.2023.1068115 \| Abstract	May 2023	No abstract needed
Miranda, L.E. 2023. Aging, climate, and invasions threaten reservoirs in the Mississippi Basin. Fisheries 48:499-514. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10990 \| Abstract	December 2023	Reservoirs in the Mississippi Basin are facing three momentous threats. The first two, aging and climate change, are relatively slow-moving and their signal can be hard to discern given their stretched temporal scales. The third, species invasions, is faster-paced and discernable within shorter temporal scales and restricted spatial scales. Aging and climate directly impact reservoir environments and indirectly their biotic communities. Climate change is expected to interact with aging to speed up and, in some instances, slow down aging. Conversely, invasions primarily imperil biotic communities but can also impact environmental elements. This triple jeopardy is expected to transform reservoir environs and their biotic assemblages in various, often uncertain, ways. I take a broad view of these threats within the Mississippi Basin. A basin-scale perspective, in contrast to a single reservoir or regional scale, may enhance awareness of reservoirs at a larger level and produce understanding less evident at local levels, hence possibly offering a wider range of choices for confronting threats. My aim was to (1) provide a synopsis of the assemblage of reservoirs and their attributes over the Mississippi Basin, (2) describe the issues related to aging, climate change, and invasions, and (3) consider a conservation framework suitable for confronting these pressures. Given the overlapping temporal, spatial, and ecological effects of these threats, it is essential to address their effects simultaneously.
Miranda, L.E. 2023. Abundance-occupancy patterns of black bass in an impounded river. Fisheries 48:29-37. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10839 \| Abstract	January 2023	A positive relationship has been documented for a wide diversity of taxa between the percentage of transects sampled in which a species is recorded (i.e., occupancy) and the average abundance of the species at transects where recorded. This positive relationship implies that abundance increases faster than occupancy, so populations that occupy more sites also tend to occupy them at higher abundances. Plainly, there is a limit to the sites available for a species to occupy, so as the population expands numerically, abundance at a site must also increase. The pattern may differ across species and geography depending on aspects such as species vital rates, resource use, and resource availability. I investigated abundance-occupancy patterns of three black basses Micropterus (Centrarchidae) in reservoirs of the mainstem Tennessee River, USA. The dataset included relative abundance estimates made at 7,237 sites in nine reservoirs sampled during 1997–2018 for 43,243 black bass including 67% Largemouth Bass M. salmoides, 14% Smallmouth Bass M. dolomieu, and 19% Spotted Bass M. punctulatus. As relative abundance increased due to natural annual population fluctuations, occupancy also increased but faster for Largemouth Bass and more slowly for Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass. Largemouth Bass abundance was spread more thinly over many sites, and Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass abundance was spread more thickly over fewer sites. The recognition that black bass populations that decline in occupancy face the additional burden of disproportionally larger decreases in abundance per site, or that black bass that decline in abundance per site face decreases in occupancy, has various conservation and habitat management implications
Min, M. A., Cope, J. M., Lowry, D., Selleck, J., Tonnes, D., Andrews, K., Pacunski, R., Hennings, A., & Scheuerell, M. In prep. Data-limited fishery assessment methods shed light on the exploitation history and population dynamics of ESA-listed Yelloweye Rockfish in Puget Sound, Washington.	September 2023
Milsap, B. A., G. S. Zimmerman, W. L. Kendall, ,J. G. Barnes, M. A. Braham, B. E. Bedrosian, D. A. Bell, P. H. Bloom, R. H. Crandall, R. Domenech, D. Driscoll, A. E. Duerr, R. Gerhardt, S. E. J. Gibbs, A. R. Harmata, K. Jacobson, T. E. Katzner, R. N. Knight, J. M. Lockhart, C. McIntyre, R. K. Murphy, S. J. Slater, B. W. Smith, J. P. Smith, D. W. Stahlecker, and J. W. Watson. 2022. Age-specific survival rates, causes of death, and allowable take of golden eagles in the western United States. Ecological Applications 32:e2544, https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2544.	April 2022
Miller. B, M.C. McKinstry, P. Budy, C.A. Pennock. 2024. Wood you believe it? Experimental nonnative wood addition enhances instream habitat for native arid-land fishes. River Research and Applications. DOI: 10.1002/rra.4334. USGS FSP IP- 160668 \| Abstract	July 2024	Flow regulation, water abstraction, and riparian vegetation encroachment are causing habitat simplification with severe consequences for native fishes. We experimentally added wood to simplified habitat in a large, arid-land river to assess the effectiveness of enhancing simplified habitat. We added wood at 19 paired treatment and reference (no wood added) subreaches (50 - 100m) within the main channel of the San Juan River (SJR). Using a before-after-control-impact design, we sampled fishes and macroinvertebrates, and quantified habitat complexity. After wood addition, native fish densities were 2.2x higher in treatments compared to references, whereas nonnative fish densities exhibited no response. Macroinvertebrate densities were 6.8x higher, and habitat variation increased in treatments. The number of geomorphic features in treatments increased from 1 to a maximum of 11 following wood addition, whereas the number of features in references remained unchanged. The results suggest wood addition as a viable management strategy, enhancing native fish habitat by increasing food sources and facilitating habitat complexity at fine scales. As flow management faces challenges due to water overallocation and increased aridity, managers may consider integrating non-flow alternatives like abundant, invasive wood addition to improve habitat conditions.
Miller-Butterworth, C. M., D. R. Diefenbach, J. E. Edson, L. A. Hansen, J. D. Jordan, T. M. Gingery, and A. L. Russell. 2021. Demography and loss of genetic diversity in two insular populations of the bobcat (Lynx rufus). Global Ecology and Conservation 26:e01547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01457 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2021	In the Felidae, only 6 of 38 species have stable or increasing populations, and most felid species are threatened by anthropogenic influences, especially habitat loss and fragmentation. We documented changes in genetic diversity in an isolated, reintroduced population of bobcats on Cumberland Island (CUIS), Georgia, USA, compared to another bobcat population on Kiawah Island, South Carolina that was naturally established and experiences limited immigration from the mainland. The CUIS population declined from 32 reintroduced bobcats in 1989 to 10–24 individuals during 2012–2019, and observed heterozygosity declined from 0.72 (SE = 0.024) to 0.63 (SE = 0.039). Observed heterozygosity of bobcats on Kiawah was 0.699 (SE = 0.026). We estimated that one bobcat immigrated to Kiawah Island every 5.3 years. We compared the predictions of a population viability analysis (PVA) to empirical estimates of abundance and genetic diversity on CUIS and used the PVA to identify management actions that are likely to support long-term viability. Mean heterozygosity from the PVA (0.588, SD = 0.065) was within 1 standard deviation of the empirical estimate. The PVA estimated the population would decline following population restoration due to loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding depression. Translocations of one female every four years would stabilize allele heterozygosity, but even translocations of two females every two years would not restore heterozygosity. The PVA predicted no management action would result in a one in five probability of extinction within 50 years of reintroduction, but all translocation strategies nearly eliminated extinction risk through 100 years.
Miller, W.M., C.M. Miller-Butterworth, D.R. Diefenbach, and W.D. Walter. 2020. Assessment of spatial genetic structure to identify populations at risk for infection of an emerging epizootic disease. Ecology and Evolution 10(9):3977–3990; https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6161 \| Download	May 2020
Miller, W.L. and W.D. Walter. 2020. Can genetic assignment tests provide insight on the influence of captive egression on the epizootiology of chronic wasting disease? Evolutionary Applications. 13:715–726; https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12895. \| Publisher Website	March 2020
Miller, A. and S. K. Brewer. 2022. Movement and habitat use by Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu velox in a dynamic Ozark Highlands riverscape. Journal of Fish Biology 101( 1), 100– 114. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15076	July 2022
Miller, A. and S. K. Brewer. 2021. Riverscape nesting dynamics of Neosho Smallmouth Bass: To cluster or not to cluster? Diversity and Distributions 27: 1005– 1018. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13250	February 2021
Miller, A. and S. K. Brewer. 2020. Spatiotemporal variation in age-0 Smallmouth Bass abundances depends on physicochemical conditions and network position. Ecosphere 11( 9):e03245. 10.1002/ecs2.3245	September 2020
Miller Hesed, C.D., Yocum, H.M., Rangwala, I., Symstad, A.J., Martin, J.M., Ellison, K., Wood, D.J. A., Ahlering, M., Chase, K.J., Crausbay, S., Davidson, A.D., Elliott, J., Giocomo, J., Hoover, D.L., Klemm, T., Lightfoot, D., McKenna, O.P., Miller, B.W., Mosher, D., Nagy, R.C., Nippert, J.B., Pittman, J., Porensky, L., Stephens, J., and Zale, A.V., 2023, Synthesis of climate and ecological science to support grassland management priorities in the North Central Region: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2023–1036, 21 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20231036. \| Publisher Website	April 2023
Mikkelsen, AJ, DB Lesmeister, KM O'Reilly, and KM Dugger. 2021. Feather corticosterone reveals developmental challenges in a long-term study of juvenile northern spotted owls. Functional Ecology 00:1–13, DOI:10.1111/1365-2435.13944.	November 2021
Mikkelsen, A. J., D. B. Lesmeister, K. M. O’Reilly, and K. M. Dugger. 2023. Juvenile Northern Spotted Owls with higher mass and intermediate levels of corticosterone have greater long-term survival. Ornithological Applications 125:duad015. DOI: 10.1093/ornithapp/duad015	April 2023
Midway, S. R., N. A. Sievert, A. J. Lynch, J. B. Whittier, and K. L. Pope. 2022. Asking nicely: best practices for requesting data. Ecological Informatics 70:101729. \| Download	June 2022
Middleton and others. Conserving ungulate migrations requires transboundary science, policy, and management	December 2019
Michel, E. S., B. K. Strickland, S. Demarais, J. L. Belant, T. M Kautz, J. F. Duquette, D. E. Byer, Jr., M. J. Chamberlain, K. V. Miller, R. M. Shuman, J. C. Kilgo, D. R. Diefenbach, B. D. Wallingford, J. K. Vreeland, S. S. Ditchkoff, C. S. DePerno, C. E. Moorman, M. C. Chitwood, and M. A. Lashley. 2020. Relative reproductive phenology and synchrony affect neonate survival in a nonprecocial ungulate. Functional Ecology 34:2536–2547. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13680 \| Download	October 2020
Michel, CJ, Henderson, MJ, Loomis, CM, Smith, JM, Demetras, NJ, Iglesias, IS, Lehman, BM, Huff, DD. Fish Predation on a Landscape Scale. Submitted to Ecological Applications. \| Abstract	June 2020	Spatial patterns and environmental predictors of predator-prey dynamics are often investigated at discrete locations, limiting our ability to extrapolate to broader landscape scales. At these broader scales, landscapes often contain multiple complex and heterogeneous habitats, thus a spatially balanced sample throughout the different habitats is necessary to sufficiently represent them. This challenge is especially pronounced in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, where the landscape scale impact of fish predators on native prey fish is information needed by managers to protect multiple imperiled populations. During the spring of 2017, we quantified relative predation risk in the southern half of the Delta (South Delta) using floating baited tethers that record the exact time and location of predation events. We selected 20 study sites (1-km long) using a generalized random tessellation stratified survey design, which allowed us to infer relationships between the environment and predation across a broader spatial scale compared to previous studies. In addition to estimating relative predation risk at each study site, we also collected relevant environmental covariates including distance to nearest predators, water temperature, turbidity, depth, bottom slope, bottom roughness, water velocity, and distance to nearest riverbank and nearest submerged aquatic vegetation. We employed model selection to determine the environmental covariates that best predicted predation risk. Our most parsimonious model included water temperature, time of day, mean predator distance, and river bottom roughness. Using this model, we estimated predation risk for the entire South Delta at a 1-km resolution. This effort identified certain predation risk hotspots - the most important of which was corroborated by other studies - and allowed us to generate predicted survival rates for migrating fish transiting the South Delta. Because the 2017 water year was unusually wet, this methodology should be repeated across a suite of hydrologically distinct years to further develop the relationships.
Michael, P.E., K.M Hixson, J.S. Gleason, J.C. Haney, Y.G. Satgé, P.G.R. Jodice. 2024. Black tern beyond the breeding grounds: temporal occurrence, relative density, and habitat associations in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 136:220-236. \| Download	July 2024
Michael, P.E., K.M Hixson, J.S. Gleason, J.C. Haney, Y.G. Satgé, P.G.R. Jodice. 2023. Migration, breeding area, and seascape features shape seabird communities in the northern Gulf of Mexico. . PLoS ONE 18(6): e0287316. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287316. \| Download	June 2023
Michael, P.E., K.M Hixson, J.C. Haney, Y.G. Satgé, J.S. Gleason, P.G.R. Jodice. 2022. Seabird vulnerability to oil: exposure potential, sensitivity, and uncertainty in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Frontiers in Marine Science 9:880750. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.880750 \| Download	September 2022
Michael J. Forzley, Mason J. Ryan, Ian M. Latella, J. Tomasz Giermakowski, Erin Muths, Brent H. Sigafus, Blake R. Hossack; Staggered-Entry Analysis of Breeding Phenology and Occupancy Dynamics of Arizona Toads from Historically Occupied Habitats of New Mexico, USA. Ichthyology & Herpetology 1 October 2021; 109 (3): 851–859. doi: https://doi.org/10.1643/h2020133 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2021	For species with variable phenology, it is often challenging to produce reliable estimates of population dynamics or changes in occupancy. The Arizona Toad (<i>Anaxyrus microscaphus</i>) is a southwestern USA endemic that has been petitioned for legal protection, but status assessments are limited by a lack of information on population trends. Also, timing and consistency of Arizona Toad breeding varies greatly, making it difficult to predict optimal survey times or effort required for detection. To help fill these information gaps, we conducted breeding season call surveys during 2013–2016 and 2019 at 86 historically occupied sites and 59 control sites across the species' range in New Mexico. We estimated variation in mean dates of arrival and departure from breeding sites, changes in occupancy, and site-level extinction since 1959 with recently developed multi-season staggered-entry models, which relax the within-season closure assumption common to most occupancy models. Optimal timing of surveys in our study areas was approximately 5–30 March. Averaged across years, estimated probability of occupancy was 0.58 (SE = 0.09) for historical sites and 0.19 (SE = 0.08) for control sites. Occupancy increased from 2013 through 2019. Notably, even though observer error was trivial, annual detection probabilities varied from 0.23 to 0.75 and declined during the study; this means naïve occupancy values would have been misleading, indicating apparent declines in toad occupancy. Occupancy was lowest during the first year of the study, possibly due to changes in stream flows and conditions in many waterbodies following extended drought and recent wildfires. Although within-season closure was violated by variable calling phenology, simple multi-season models provided nearly identical estimates as staggered-entry models. Surprisingly, extinction probability was unrelated to the number of years since the first or last record at historically occupied sites. Collectively, our results suggest a lack of large, recent declines in occupancy by Arizona Toads in New Mexico, but we still lack population information from most of the species' range.
Miao, Z., Gaynor, K.M., Wang, J., Liu, Z., Muellerklein, O., Norouzzadeh, M.S., McInturff, A., Bowie, R.C., Nathan, R., Yu, S.X. and Getz, W.M., 2019. Insights and approaches using deep learning to classify wildlife. Scientific reports, 9(1), p.8137	December 2019
Mezebish Quinn, T., P. W. Paton, B. D. Gerber, J. E. Kilburn, and S. R. McWilliams. 2024. Habitat selection of non-breeding American black ducks in an urban estuary. Journal of Wildlife Management e22649. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22649 \| Download	August 2024
Meyer, BE, MS Wipfli, ER Schoen, DJ Rinella, JA Falke. 2023. Landscape characteristics influence projected growth rates of stream-resident juvenile salmon in the face of climate change in the Kenai River watershed, south-central Alaska. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 152: 169-186.	February 2023
Metcalfe, A.N., T.A. Kennedy, G.A. Mendez and J.D. and Muehlbauer. 2022. Applied citizen science in freshwater research. WIREs Water e1578:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1578 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2022	Worldwide, scientists are increasingly collaborating with the general public. Citizen science methods are readily applicable to freshwater research, monitoring, and education. In addition to providing cost-effective data on spatial and temporal scales that are otherwise unattainable, citizen science provides unique opportunities for engagement with local communities and stakeholders in resource management and decision-making. However, these methods are not infallible. Citizen science projects require deliberate planning in order to collect high data quality and sustain meaningful community partnerships. Citizen science practitioners also have an ethical responsibility to ensure that projects are not putting the safety of participants at stake. We discuss here how citizen science is being applied in freshwater research, emerging challenges in project planning and implementation, as well as how citizen science is shaping public understanding, policy, and management of freshwaters.
Metcalfe, A. N., J. D. Muehlbauer, M. A. Ford, and T. A. Kennedy. 2023. Colorado River Basin. Pages 462-509 in M. D. Delong, T. D. Jardine, A. C. Benke and C. E. Cushing (editors). Rivers of North America. Academic Press, San Diego, California, USA.	April 2023
Metcalfe, A. N., C. A. Fritzinger, T. J. Weller, M. J. Dodrill, J. D. Muehlbauer, C. B. Yackulic, P. B. Holton, C. M. Szydlo, L. E. Durning, J. B. Sankey, and T. A. Kennedy. 2023. Insectivorous bat foraging tracks the availability of aquatic flies (Diptera). The Journal of Wildlife Management 87:e22414. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22414 \| Abstract	May 2023	Approximately 70% of bats are insectivores and are commonly observed foraging over rivers and streams, presumably feeding on emergent aquatic insects. In this study, we collaborated with recreational river runners and other citizen scientists in Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA to record bat activity and sample riparian insects for one hour at dusk from April through October in 2017-2020. Citizen scientists collected 1,428 paired samples on 611 sampling nights at 410 sampling sites throughout a 470 km segment of river. Light traps collected a total of 71 insect taxa and acoustic monitors detected 19 bat species. We hypothesized that bat activity would be positively related to insect catch rates. Additionally, we predicted that bat activity in the riparian zone would be unrelated to terrestrial insect abundance. We fit Bayesian regression models to test these hypotheses as well as other competing hypotheses regarding the potential effects of quantify the relation between and environmental variables including time-of-year, time-of-day, distance downstream from Glen Canyon Dam, channel width, riparian vegetation density, air temperature, and lunar phase. We found that bat activity was positively related to the abundance of aquatic flies (Diptera), which outcompeted other prey categories in our models. We also found that activity of small Myotis (Myotis californicus and M. yumanensis) was higher later in the evening and that canyon bats (Parastrellus hesperus), conversely, were more active earlier in the evening. Activity of canyon bats also varied seasonally, with peak activity in August. Our results highlight the importance of aquatic flies as prey for bats along a large, regulated river corridor and demonstrate the power of citizen science as a tool for ecosystem monitoring.
Messinger, L.N., E.F. Stuber, C.J. Chizinski and J.J. Fontaine. 2019. Mortality, perception, and scale: Understanding how predation shapes space use in a wild prey population. Plos One 14:e0222272. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222272	December 2019
Messager, M.L., L. Comte, T.B.A. Couto, E.D. Koontz, L.M. Kuehne, J.S. Rogosch, R.R. Stiling, and J.D. Olden. 2022. Course-based undergraduate research to advance environmental science and management. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2507 \| Abstract	May 2022	Every year, field excursions engage students of ecology in experiential learning that results in wide- ranging and well- documented pedagogical benefits. Much less appreciated, however, is the potential for these excursions to contribute long- term data that advance scientific knowledge and natural resource management. Here we explore this potential by providing a global synthesis of field data collection, mapping the geography, temporal extent, and type of data collected by students worldwide, and calling attention to the associated benefits and challenges for course instructors. We then offer perspectives on how undergraduate courses in ecology can more broadly contribute to science, management, and policy. Finally, we highlight how several aspects – namely, existing frameworks, resources, and networks; enhanced institutional support; and synergies with the broader science community – can help undergraduate ecology courses achieve their full potential for contributing to both education and science for society.
Messager, M.L., J. D. Olden, J.D. Tonkin, R. Stubbington, J.S. Rogosch, M.H. Busch, C.J. Little, A.W. Walters, C.L. Atkinson, M. Shanafield, S. Yu, K. Boersma, D.A. Lytle, R.H. Walker, R.M. Burrows, and T. Datry. 2023. A metasystem approach to designing environmental flows. BioScience biad067, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biad067 \| Abstract	September 2023	Accelerating the design and implementation of environmental flows (e-flows) is essential to curb the rapid, ongoing loss of freshwater biodiversity and the benefits it provides to people. However, the effectiveness of e-flow programs may be limited by a singular focus on ensuring adequate flow conditions at local sites, which overlooks the role of other ecological processes. Recent advances in metasystem ecology have shown that biodiversity patterns and ecosystem functions across river networks result from the interplay of local (environmental filtering and biotic interactions) and regional (dispersal) processes. No guidelines currently exist to account for these processes in designing e-flows. We address this gap, providing a step-by-step operational framework of how e-flows can be designed to conserve or restore metasystem dynamics. Our recommendations are relevant to diverse regulatory contexts and can improve e-flow outcomes even in basins with limited in situ data.
Merkle, J. et al. Migration Mapper: Identifying movement corridors and seasonal ranges for large mammal conservation	September 2022
Merkle, J. A., Abrahms, B., J. B. Armstrong, H. Sawyer, D. P. Costa, and A. D. Chalfoun. Site fidelity as a maladaptive behavior in the Anthropocene. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. \| Abstract	January 2022	Site fidelity, or returning to previously visited locations, is a behavior observed across taxa and ecosystems. By developing familiarity with a particular location, site fidelity provides a range of benefits and is advantageous in stable or predictable environments. Yet, the Anthropocene is characterized by rates of environmental change that outpace the evolutionary history of extant taxa. Such change can drive site fidelity to become maladaptive. Here we outline the theoretical underpinnings for maladaptive site fidelity and synthesize empirical research supporting its occurrence. We examine maladaptive site fidelity in the context of a related concept, ecological traps, whereby organisms exhibit maladaptive behavior in habitat selection. We discuss adaptive mechanisms that may enable species with site fidelity to persist in the Anthropocene. With ongoing environmental change, researchers and practitioners should expect fidelity-induced ecological traps to become relatively common, and initiate projects to identify, understand, and conserve this widespread and ecologically important behavior.
Merkle et al. Conserving habitat for migratory ungulates: how wide is a migration corridor?	July 2023
Mensinger, M., Hawkes, J., Goulette, G., Mortelliti, A., Blomberg, E., and Zydlewski, J. (2024) Dams facilitate predation during Atlantic salmon smolt migration. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 81 (1): 38-51. DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-2023-0175	January 2024
Mensinger, M., Brehm, A., Mortelliti, A., Blomberg, E., Zydlewski, J. (2021) Eel personality and body length influence passage success in experimental fishway. Journal of Applied Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14009 \| Download	August 2021
Mensinger, M., Blomberg, E., and Zydlewski, J. (2021) The consequences of dam passage for migrating American eel in the Penobscot River, Maine. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 78(8):1181-1192. \| Download	June 2021
Mendgen P, SJ Converse, AT Pearse, CS Teitelbaum, and T Mueller. 2023. Differential shortstopping behaviour in Whooping Cranes: habitat or social learning? Global Ecology and Conservation 41:e02365.	January 2023
Melstrom, R. T., M. A. Kaemingk, N. W. Cole, J. C. Whitehead, C. J. Chizinski, and K. L. Pope. 2023. Valuing angling on reservoirs using benefit transfer. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43:400-416. \| Download	April 2023
Melendez Perez, A.A., D. Camarena, J.M.H. Ford, L.A.W. Gapinski, A.M. Hatch, B.E. Klossing, A.A. Yappert, R.W. Klaver. Book Review: America’s Public Lands: From Yellowstone to Smokey Bear and Beyond. Journal of Wildlife Management. \| Download	October 2023
McTigue, L.E., E.V. Lassiter, M. Shaw, E. Johansson, K. Wilson, and B.A. DeGregorio. 2023. Does daily activity overlap of mesocarnivores vary with human development? PLoS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288477 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2024	Predation and competition can influence the behavior and activity patterns of co-occurring species. Often subordinate species will alter their activity patterns to avoid being active at the same time as larger, dominant species. Human development can complicate interspecies interactions, as not all wildlife responds to human activity in the same manner. While some species may alter their activity to avoid being active when humans are, others may be unaffected or may benefit from being active at the same time as humans to reduce predation risk or competition. To further explore this phenomenon, we used data from a coordinated national camera-trapping program (Snapshot USA) to explore the temporal activity overlap of a large, dominant mesocarnivore, the coyote (<i>Canis latrans</i>) with two subordinate species, Virginia opossum (<i>Didelphis virginiana</i>) and Northern raccoon (<i>Procyon lotor</i>) along a gradient of human development. We found all three species to be predominantly nocturnal and while the subordinate species showed modest changes to their activity patterns in response to increasing human development, the dominant coyote did not alter activity patterns in response to surrounding development. As a result, temporal activity overlap was generally high between all species regardless of development. It appears that competitive and predatory pressures between these three generalist species were insufficient to cause any of them to strongly alter their activity patterns.
McTigue, L. and B.A. DeGregorio. 2023. Effects of Landcover on Mesocarnivore Density Along an Urban to Rural Gradient. Global Ecology and Conservation. \| Abstract \| Download	November 2023	Human development has major implications for wildlife populations with urban-exploiters benefiting from human subsidized resources whereas urban-avoiders can vanish from the wildlife communities in highly developed areas. Therefore, understanding how the density of different species varies in response to landcover associated with human development can provide important insight into how wildlife communities are likely to change and provide a starting point for predicting the consequences of those changes. Here, we use estimated the population density of five common mesocarnivore species (coyote (<i>Canis latrans</i>), bobcat (<i>Lynx rufus</i>), red fox (<i>Vulpes vulpes</i>), raccoon (<i>Procyon lotor</i>), and Virginia opossum (<i>Didelphis virginiana)</i>) along an urban to rural gradient in a rapidly developing area of the United States. At each study site, we applied the random encounter model to data from motion-triggered cameras to calculate the density of our five focal species. We then evaluated variation in density for each species based on natural and anthropogenic landcover variables. Coyotes and raccoons occurred in the greatest densities in areas with high estimated anthropogenic noise, suggesting that both species are synanthropic and able to co-exist in areas of high human activity. High densities of these species in proximity to human activity has potential repercussions for wildlife-human conflict. Alternatively, Virginia opossum and red fox attained the greatest densities in open, developed areas (lawns, golf courses, cemeteries, and parks) and were absent (red fox) or rare (opossum) in natural areas. Opossum and red fox were capable of living alongside humans but did so by an association with these novel, human-created and maintained environments. We found no evidence that bobcat density varied along the urban to rural gradient studied but suggest that this may have been confounded by the small spatial scale of many of our sites in relation to this wide-ranging species. The density estimates we report here based on game camera data of unmarked animals were consistent with reports from the literature for these same species. Furthermore, our results show that several mesopredators attain very high densities in close proximity to humans which certainly has implications for increased conflict with humans and our pets, their role as predators in human-dominated environments, and the risk of disease transmission in and around people. Finally, our results show that the novel environments that spread with the human footprint support large numbers of mesopredators that may be absent or occur in low densities in undeveloped areas.
McLaughlin, P., R. Alexander, J. Blomquist, O. Devereux, G. Noe, K. Smalling, and T. Wagner. 2022. Power Analysis for Detecting the Effects of Best Management Practices on Reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fluxes to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, USA. Ecological Indicators 136:108713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.108713	February 2022
McLaughlin, P., K. Krause, K. Maloney, T. Woods, and T. Wagner. 2024. Evaluating the effectiveness of joint species distribution modeling for freshwater fish communities within large watersheds. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2023-0385	May 2024
McLaren, J. S., R. W. Van Kirk, A. J. Mabaka, S. Brothers, and P. E. Budy. 2023. Drawdown, habitat, and kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka populations in a western U.S. reservoir. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10879. USGS FSP IP- 136834. \| Abstract	January 2023	Increased drought frequency and severity due to climate change can compound development pressures on water storage reservoirs throughout the western U.S. with uncertain effects on economically and ecologically valuable fisheries. Island Park Reservoir is a mid-sized hypolimnetic-release water storage reservoir on the Henrys Fork River in Idaho that supports a popular sport fishery for kokanee <i>Oncorhynchus nerka</i>. A region-wide drought in 2021 provided an opportunity to use Island Park Reservoir as a case study to examine how drought-induced drawdown affects kokanee habitat. We hypothesized that drawdown reduces the volume of water in the reservoir featuring “optimal” water quality for kokanee. We monitored water quality at five locations in Island Park Reservoir from spring turnover to fall turnover, from which we calculated the approximate volume of “optimal” (<17 C, >5 mg/L O<sub>2</sub>), “survivable” (<20C, >3 mg/L O<sub>2</sub>), and “lethal” (>20 C, <3 mg/L O<sub>2</sub>) conditions for kokanee. We found severe drawdown had a disproportionately negative impact on kokanee habitat availability. Although there was spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the availability of optimal and survivable conditions, drawdown for downstream water supply was the central mechanistic driver of declines in optimal and survivable conditions. Our findings explain interannual patterns in long-term kokanee spawning run return numbers, which were higher with higher reservoir carryover. Water conservation and precision management in the Henrys Fork watershed saved ~39 million m<sup>3 </sup>(32,000 acre-feet) in Island Park Reservoir in 2021, resulting in a ~150% increase in future spawning kokanee numbers from ~250 to ~650 in the 4,500 m study reach. Our study highlights the effects of drawdown on fisheries in water storage reservoirs and illustrates the degree to which hydrologic management, including projects to reduce water consumption, can benefit reservoir fish populations.
McLaren, J. S., R. W. Van Kirk, P. Budy, and S. Brothers, and. In press. The reach-scale biogeomorphic effect of submerged macrophytes on trout habitat suitability. Hydrobiologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-024-05671-7. USGS FSP IP 157531 BAO Date: June, 18, 2023. \| Abstract	August 2024	Physical and biotic processes affecting trout habitat extent and quality often vary differentially across scales with the net effect oftentimes uncertain. For example, submerged macrophytes have conflicting effects on overall trout habitat by reducing preferred habitat extent within a river channel while simultaneously increasing a river channel’s productivity and growth potential. In the Henrys Fork River, Idaho, USA, we hypothesized higher submerged macrophyte coverage at the reach scale would exert a negative influence on the proportion of preferred trout habitats—defined as “habitat extent”—but would improve biotic habitat quality as measured by reach-scale models of Net Rate of Energy Intake (NREI). We therefore hypothesized a neutral or positive relationship between reach-scale submerged macrophyte coverage and a measure of net trout habitat suitability. Through random habitat sampling, aerial imagery, and snorkel surveys, we found macrophyte coverage resulted in a complementary riverscape of five habitat types. Macrophyte clumps created geomorphic forces that gave rise to intermacrophyte spaces and contributed to the formation of the remaining habitat types: gravel bars, emergent margins, and the thalweg. When testing the relationship between submerged macrophyte coverage and trout habitat, we found our hypothesized models of how habitat metrics interact with submerged macrophyte coverage appeared to fit the data well. Habitat extent declined quadratically with increasing submerged macrophyte coverage, whereas habitat quality increased exponentially. As a result, weighted trout habitat suitability changed little. As our study only featured a moderate range of macrophyte coverage (from 32 to 94% available surface area), future testing across a wider range of coverages may provide a more thorough test of our hypotheses. Nonetheless, our results highlight the importance of submerged macrophyte coverage to trout habitat via geomorphic effects. Our results also highlight the importance of trout habitat plasticity as well as habitat quality in determining overall habitat suitability.
McKnight, D.T., K. Ard, R.J. Auguste, G. Bardahiva, M.F. Benard, P. Boban, M. Dillon, C.T. Downs, B.A. DeGregorio, B.M. Glorioso, R. Goodman, C. hird, E. Hollender, M. Kennedy. R. Kidman, A. Massey, P.McGovern, M. Muhlenhaupt, K. Ostovar, D. Podgorski, C. Price, B.A. Reinke, L. Streeting, J. Venezia, J. Young, and E.J. Nordberg. 2023. Nocturnal Basking in Turtles: A Global Perspective. Global Ecology and Conservation. p.e02444 \| Download	April 2023
McKnight, A., D.B. Irons, C.S. Loftin, S.T. McKinney, and B.J. Olsen. 2020. Combined influence of intrinsic and environmental factors in shaping seabird productivity in a small pelagic gull, the Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 633:207-223. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13162	January 2020
McKenna, J.R., A. Bowen, J.R. Farver, J.M. Long, J.G. Miner, N.D. Stott, and P.M. Kocovsky. 2023. Hypothesized spawning locations of Silver Chub in Lake Erie. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43:1166-1179. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10870	October 2023
McKee, R. K., K. A. Buhlmann, C. T. Moore, M. C. Allender, N. I. Stacy, and T. D. Tuberville. 2022. Island of misfit tortoises: Waif gopher tortoise health assessment following translocation. Conservation Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/coac051 \| Download	July 2022
McKee, R. K., K. A. Buhlmann, C. T. Moore, J. Hepinstall-Cymerman, and T. D. Tuberville. 2021. Waif gopher tortoise survival and site fidelity following translocation. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:640-653. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21998 \| Download	May 2021
McInturff, Alex, Clare EB Cannon, Peter S Alagona, David N Pellow. "Meeting at the crossroads: An environmental justice framework for large carnivore reintroductions and recoveries." Elementa. \| Abstract	December 2021	As global environmental changes continue to accelerate, research and practice in the field of <i>conservation biology</i> may be essential to help forestall precipitous declines in the earth’s ability to sustain a diversity of life. However, many conservation programs have faced scrutiny for the social injustices they create, especially within the paradigm of demarcating protected lands. Currently, a new conservation paradigm emphasizing landscapes shared by people and wildlife is emerging, and with it, an opportunity to ensure that justice for both human and beyond-human groups is given consideration. Here, we examine a practice emblematic of this new conservation paradigm, the reintroduction and recovery of large carnivore species, and draw from theories and practices from <i>environmental justice</i> to detail the many forms of justice at stake in this practice. Our analysis shows that a pluralistic application of justice is required to ensure that new conservation practices do not produce and reproduce injustices for people. In addition, we show that the success of these emerging programs in meeting their conservation goals in fact depends on meaningfully addressing a range of justice concerns. By developing this framework, we also identify domains in which environmental justice scholarship can expand its scope. To this end, we introduce the novel concept of affective environmental justice, which describes the complex role of emotions as an environmental harm, as a disruptor of understanding other forms of justice, and as a link between logics of oppression. Our framework offers a comprehensive resource to work through in planning and implementing a large carnivore reintroduction and recovery, and we conclude by describing the challenges and opportunities for further aligning conservation and environmental justice in research and practice.
McInturff, A., Kaitlyn Gaynor, Briana Abrahms, Alison Smith, Justin Brashares. "Hunting mode and habitat selection mediate the success of human hunters." in review at Movement Ecology. \| Abstract	December 2024	As a globally widespread apex predator, humans have unprecedented lethal and non-lethal effects on prey populations and ecosystems. Yet compared to non-human predators, little is known about the drivers and consequences of human hunting behavior.<b> </b>Here, we characterized the hunting modes, habitat selection, and harvest success of 483 rifle hunters in California using high-resolution GPS data. We used Hidden Markov Models to characterize fine-scale behavior, and k-means clustering to group hunters by hunting mode, on the basis of their time spent in each behavioral state. Hunters exhibited three distinct and successful hunting modes (“coursing”, “stalking”, and “sit-and-wait”), with stalking as the most successful strategy. Across hunting modes, there was variation in patterns of selection for roads, topography, and habitat cover, with important differences in habitat use of successful and unsuccessful hunters across modes. Our study indicates that hunters can successfully employ a diversity of harvest strategies, and that hunting success is mediated by the interacting effects of hunting mode and landscape features. Such results highlight the breadth of human hunting modes, even within a single hunting technique, and lend insight into the varied ways that humans exert predation pressure on wildlife.
McGowan, C.P., Angeli, N.F., Beisler, W.A., Snyder, C., Rankin, N.M., Woodrow, J.O., Wilson, J.K., Rivenbark, E., Schwarzer, A., Hand, C.E. and Anthony, R., 2020. Linking monitoring and data analysis to predictions and decisions for the range-wide eastern black rail status assessment. Endangered Species Research, 43, pp.209-222.	October 2020
McGowan DW, Branch TB, Haught S, Scheuerell MD. 2021. Multi-decadal shifts in the distribution and timing of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) spawning in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science 78:1611-1627 https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2021-0047 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	April 2021	The location and timing of spawning plays a critical role in pelagic fish survival during early life stages and can affect subsequent recruitment. Spawning patterns of Pacific herring (<i>Clupea pallasii</i>) were examined in Prince William Sound (1973–2019) where the population collapsed in 1993 and has failed to recover. Abrupt shifts in spawn distribution preceded the rapid increase in population size in the 1980s and later its collapse by one and two years, respectively. As the population declined, spawning contracted away from historically productive regions towards southeastern areas of the Sound, and the proportion of occupied spawning areas declined from 65% to <9%. Spatial differences in spawn timing variation were also apparent, as the median spawn date shifted earlier by 26 days in eastern and 15 days in western areas of Prince William Sound between 1980 and 2006, and then shifted later by 25 (eastern) and 19 (western) days over a 7-year period. Effects of contracted spawning areas and timing shifts on first-year survival and recruitment are uncertain and require future investigation.
McGowan CP, Price Tack JL, Silvano A, Grand JB, In Review, Models for managing harvests to maintain deer and hunter populations, Review initiated, intended outlet, WIldlife Society Bulletin	September 2023
McGowan CP, Lyons JE, and Smith DR. 2020 Adaptive management of horseshoe crab harvest in Delaware Bay: decision implementation and the double-loop process, in Runge MC, Converse SJ, Lyons JE, Smith DR. (eds) Case Studies in Decision Analysis for Natural Resources Management, Johns Hopkins University Press.	April 2020
McGowan CP, Allan NL, Smith DR, In Press, The species status assessment: a framework for assessing species status and risk to support endangered species management decisions, in Baier L and Organ J (eds) The Codex of the Endangered species Act: The Next 50 Years, Volume II. Rowan and Littlefield, USA (expected April 2023.	December 2023
McGovern, P. A., K. A. Buhlmann, B. D. Todd, C. T. Moore, J. M. Peaden, J. Hepinstall-Cymerman, J. A. Daly, and T. D. Tuberville. 2020. The effect of size on post-release survival of head-started Mojave desert tortoises. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11:494-506. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-20-014 \| Download	December 2020
McGovern, P. A., K. A. Buhlmann, B. D. Todd, C. T. Moore, J. M. Peaden, J. Hepinstall-Cymerman, J. A. Daly, and T. D. Tuberville. 2020. Comparing husbandry techniques for optimal head-starting of the Mojave Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Herpetological Conservation and Biology 15:626-641. http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_15/Issue_3/McGovern_etal_2020.pdf \| Download	December 2020
McGarvey, L. M., L. J. Halvorson, J. E. Ilgen, C. S. Guy, J. G. McLellan, and M. A. H. Webb. 2020. Gametogenesis and assessment of non-lethal tools to assign sex and reproductive condition in Burbot Lota lota. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 149:225-240.	February 2020
McGarvey, L. M., J. E. Ilgen, C. S. Guy, J. G. McLellan, and M. A. H. Webb. 2022. Non-lethal tools to identify mass ovarian follicular atresia in Burbot Lota lota. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 13:552-561. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-22-018.	December 2022
McGarvey, L. M., J. E. Ilgen, C. S. Guy, J. G. McLellan, and M. A. H. Webb. 2021. Gonad size measured by ultrasound to assign stage of maturity in burbot. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 12:241-249.	July 2021
McEachran, M. C., Harvey, J. A., Mummah, R. O., Bletz, M. C., Teitelbaum, C. S., Rosenblatt, E., ... & Cook, J. D. (2024). Reframing wildlife disease management problems with decision analysis. Conservation Biology, e14284.	May 2024
McEachern, M.C., A. Hofelich, T. Lindsay, D.C. Fulton, and N. D. Phelps. Patterns of live baitfish use and release among recreational anglers in a regulated landscape. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42 (2), 295-306 \| Abstract	March 2022	The release of live baitfish by anglers has been identified as a high-risk pathway for aquatic invasive species due to the potential for invasive fish, invertebrates, or pathogens to be released simultaneously with the baitfish. Consequently, the release of live baitfish is illegal in many jurisdictions, but little is known about compliance rates or motivations for illegal release. To assess the incidence of live baitfish release in Minnesota, USA, a state with significant live baitfish use and substantial recreational fisheries, we administered a mailed survey to a random sample of anglers who held a 2018-2019 annual fishing license and received 671 completed responses. To mitigate potential recall bias, we also administered 345 intercept surveys at waterbody access sites around the state asking anglers about the current day’s behaviors. Four hundred and eighty-one (72%) of the mailed survey respondents reported that they used live baitfish and of those, 99 (20%) reported that they release their leftover live baitfish into the water at least some of the time. Of the anglers surveyed at waterbody access sites, 59 (19%) were using live baitfish on the day they were surveyed and of those, 11 (18%) released their leftover baitfish into the water. The reasons provided for release included convenience and a misperception that released baitfish benefit the recipient ecosystem. Given the millions of fishing trips that occur every year, the current rate of baitfish release results in many chances for invasive species introduction. However, there is also significant opportunity for management interventions aimed at changing perceptions and providing convenient disposal alternatives to illegal release to reduce the risk presented by this pathway.
McCullough, K., D.A. Haukos, and G. Albanese. 2021. Regal fritillary sex ratio in tallgrass prairie: effects of survey timing and management regime. Submitted to American Midland Naturalist 185:57-76.	February 2021
McCullough, I.M., J.A. Brentrup, T. Wagner, J-F. Lapierre, J. Henneck, A.M. Paul, M. Belair, M.A. Mortiz, C.T. Filstrup. 2023. Fire characteristics and hydrologic connectivity influence short-term responses of north temperate lakes to wildfire. Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL103953	August 2023
McCullough, I.M., Hanly, P.J., King, K.B.S., and T. Wagner. 2022. Freshwater corridors in the conterminous US: a coarse-filter approach based on lake-stream networks. Ecosphere e4326. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4326	December 2022
McCormick, J. L., J. Vincent, B. High, D. K. McCarrick, and M. C. Quist. 2022. Informing management of Henrys Lake, Idaho, using an integrated catch-at-age-model. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42:857-873.	August 2022
McClure, C.M., K.L. Smalling, V.S. Blazer, A.J. Sperry, M.K. Schall, D.W. Kolpin, P.J. Phillips, M.L. Hladik, and T. Wagner. 2020. Spatiotemporal variation in occurrence and co-occurrence of pesticides, hormones, and other organic contaminants in rivers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, United States. Science of The Total Environment 728:138765.	April 2020
McClure, C., M. C. Quist, J. R. Kozfkay, M. P. Peterson, and D. J. Schill. 2020. Movement dynamics of Smallmouth Bass in a large western river system. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:154-162.	February 2020
McClintock BT, B Abrahms, RB Chandler, PB Conn, SJ Converse, RL Emmet, B Gardner, NJ Hostetter, and DS Johnson. 2022. An integrated path for spatial capture-recapture and animal movement modeling. Ecology 103:e3473.	October 2022
McCarrick, D. K., J. C. Dillon, B. High, and M. C. Quist. 2022. Spatial and temporal distribution and habitat selection of native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and nonnative Utah Chub. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42:939-951.	August 2022
McCarrick, D. K., J. C. Dillon, B. High, and M. C. Quist. 2022. Population dynamics of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in Henrys Lake, Idaho. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 13:169-181.	August 2022
McCann, N. P., Walberg, E. M., Forester, J. D., Schrage, M. W., Fulton, D. C., & Ditmer, M. A. (2021). Integrating socioecological suitability with human–wildlife conflict risk: Case study for translocation of a large ungulate. Journal of Applied Ecology, 58, 2810– 2820. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14021	December 2021
McBaine, K.E., P.L. Angermeier, and E.M. Hallerman. 2022. Genetic structure across isolated Virginia populations of the endangered candy darter. Fishes 8(10), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8100490. \| Abstract	October 2023	Candy darter Etheostoma osburni, a federally endangered non-game fish, has been extirpated from most of its historic range in Virginia and now occurs in four isolated populations in the New River drainage. Understanding of population genetic structure will provide insights into the recent natural history of the species and can inform conservation management. Our objectives were to: characterize population genetic structure, estimate and compare effective population sizes (N<sub>e</sub>), and use this information to infer recent population history. Variation at mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences among 150 individuals showed 10 haplotypes separated by 1–14 mutational steps, some shared and some unique to particular populations. Variation at 12 microsatellite loci among 171 individuals showed lower variation in Dismal Creek than in other populations. All populations showed evidence of having experienced a genetic bottleneck and were highly differentiated from one another based on both types of DNA markers. Population genetic structure was related to stream position in regard to the New River, suggesting that populations were once connected. N<sub>e</sub> estimates for all populations were less than the 500 recommended to maintain evolutionary potential, but most estimates were greater than the 100 needed for use as source populations. Our findings indicate that habitat management to allow expansion of populations, and translocations to exchange genetic material among populations, may be effective tactics to promote conservation of candy darter in Virginia.
McBaine, K.E., E.M. Hallerman, and P.L. Angermeier. 2022. Direct and molecular observation of movement and reproduction by Candy Darter, Etheostoma osburni, an endangered benthic stream fish in Virginia, USA. Fishes https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/7/1/30/pdf. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	February 2022	Direct and indirect measures of individual movement provide valuable knowledge regarding a species’ resiliency to environmental change.<b> </b>Information on patterns of movement can inform species management and conservation, but is lacking for many imperiled fishes. The Candy Darter, <i>Etheostoma osburni</i>, is an endangered stream fish with a dramatically reduced distribution in Virginia in the eastern United States, now known from only four isolated populations. We used visual implant elastomer tags and microsatellite DNA markers to directly describe movement patterns in two populations. Parentage analysis based on parent-offspring pairs was used to infer movement patterns of young-of-year and age-1 individuals, as well as the reproductive contribution of certain adults. Direct measurements of movement distances were generally similar between methods, but microsatellite markers revealed greater distances moved, commensurate with greater spatial frames sampled. Parent-offspring pairs were found throughout the species’ 18.8-km distribution in Stony Creek, while most parent-offspring pairs were in 2 km of the 4.25-km distribution in Laurel Creek. Sibship reconstruction allowed us to characterize the mating system and number of spawning years for adults. Our results provide the first measures of movement patterns of Candy Darter as well as the spatial distribution of parent-offspring pairs, which may be useful for selecting collection sites in source populations to be used for translocation or reintroductions. Our results highlight the importance of documenting species movement patterns and spatial distributions of related individuals as steps toward understanding population dynamics and informing translocation strategies. We also demonstrate that the reproductive longevity of this species is greater than previously described, which may be the case for other small stream fishes.
Maynard-Bean, E. E. M. Kaye, T. Wagner, E.P. Burkhart. 2020. Citizen scientists record novel leaf phenology of invasive shrubs in eastern U.S. forests. Biological Invasions 22:3325–3337.	August 2020
Maynard, L.D., W.M. Ford, J.D. Parker, and S.R. Whitehead. 2023. Biotic and abiotic factors shaping bat activity in Maryland soybean fields. Ecosphere https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4575	July 2023
Mayer, C.M., K.F. Robinson, J.M. Dettmers. 2021. Research and management efforts to control or prevent invasion by invasive Asian carps in the Great Lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research, Special Issue: Research and management efforts on invasive Asian carps in the Laurentian Great Lakes 47:1-2. DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2020.12.001	February 2021
Mayer, AE, McGreevy, TJ, Sullivan, M, Brown, C, Husband, T, and Gerber, BD. 2021. Population genetics and ecology of bobcats (Lynx rufus) in a high human density landscape of New England. Northeast Naturalist, 28, 408-429. https://doi.org/10.1656/045.028.0401	November 2021
Mayer, A. E., Ganoe, L. S., Brown, C., & Gerber, B. D. (2023). Diel activity structures the occurrence of a mammal community in a human-dominated landscape. Ecology and Evolution, 13, e10684. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10684 \| Download	November 2023
Mayer, A, McGreevy, TJ, Brown, C, Ganoe, L, and Gerber, BD. 2022. Transientpersistence of bobcat (Lynx rufus) occurrence throughout a human-dominated landscape.Population Ecology, 64, 323-335. https://doi.org/10.1002/1438-390X.12123 \| Download	March 2022
Mattocks, S., S. Bittner, V. Luzanau, H. Mohammadi, A.H. Roy, M. Staudinger, and A. Jordaan. 2024. River herring influence perch morphology, physiology, and life history. Environmental Biology of Fishes 107: 1179-1201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-024-01595-2 \| Download \| Publisher Website	November 2024
Matt, K.J., S.A. Welsh, and D.M. Smith. 2021. Spawning characteristics of Yellow Perch during periods of water level fluctuations in a hydropower reservoir. Pages 3-32 in J. Bruner and R. DeBruyne (eds.) Biology, Management, and Culture of Walleye, Sauger, and Yellow Perch: Status and Needs, Springer	November 2021
Matsche, M. A., V. S. Blazer, E. L. Pulster and P. M. Mazik. "High prevalence of biliary neoplasia in white perch Morone americana from Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA: potential roles of bile duct parasites and environmental contaminants." Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 141:195-224.	September 2020
Matsche, M. A., V. S. Blazer, E. L. Pulster and P. M. Mazik (2021). "Biological and anthropogenic influences on macrophage aggregates in white perch Morone americana from two tributaries of Chesapeake Bay, USA." Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 143:79-100.	April 2021
Matsche, M. A., V. S. Blazer, E. L. Pulster and P. M. Mazik. 2021. Biological and anthropogenic influences on macrophage aggregates in white perch Morone americana* from Chesapeake Bay, USA. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 143:79-100.	February 2021
Matocq, M.D., E.A. Hunter, P.J. Murphy, and K.T. Shoemaker. 2024. Increased admixture and reproductive interference as a consequence of climate-induced changes in mate availability. Evolution DOI:10.1093/evolut/qpae110	August 2024
Mather^,Martha., Gabe Granco, Jason Bergtold, Marcellus Caldas, Jessica Heier Stamm, Aleksey Sheshukov, Matthew Sanderson, Melinda Daniels^..2023. Achieving Interdisciplinary Success with RISE: A Widely-Implementable, Iterative, Multi-step Structured Process for Mastering Team Collaboration. \| Abstract	September 2023	Experts from different disciplines often have difficulty meshing their specialized perspectives into the shared mindset that is needed to address complex environmental problems. Existing training programs neither provide a systematic way to develop team skills nor offer a protocol for identifying increasingly connected interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary (IT) questions. Here, we illustrate a tractable, widely-implementable process that accelerates the development of these missing skills. Our <b><i>RISE </i></b>process<b><i> </i></b>(<b>R</b>oute to <b>I</b>dentifying, learning, practicing IT team <b>S</b>kills to address complex <b>E</b>nvironmental problems) can be used by diverse teams as a tool for training, research, or professional interactions. <i>RISE</i> helps professionals with different expertise learn from each other by repeatedly asking jointly developed questions that are tested quantitatively using a common IT dataset. The output of these quantitative tests are then discussed and synthesized. As a result, individual perspectives, originally informed by disciplinary training, are replaced by a shared understanding.
Mather, M.E., C. Moffitt, M. Fabrizio, D. Parrish, B. Penaluna, B. Brown, S. Nesbit. 2022. Diversity and inclusion: a strategy to implement change for 2021 and beyond: symposium summary. Fisheries 47(1):28-34 \| Abstract	February 2022	Human diversity is as essential to the effectiveness and survival of professional organizations as fish diversity is to the function and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems. To accelerate the progress of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) towards diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), ten presentations and a group discussion provided context for our present efforts and suggested opportunities for synthesis that can enhance future successes. An introduction highlighted the value of coordinating existing strengths. A temporal perspective encouraged intergenerational teams to build on past achievements. Contributions of the Equal Opportunities Section, recommendations of the AFS DEI standing committee, citizen science educational programs, and the structure provided by historically black colleges and universities are existing strengths on which AFS can build. Although addressing power-differentials and institutional constraints are challenges, individuals have personal power to implement change. Furthermore, enhancing diversity can make individuals more successful, help professional teams solve difficult problems, and enhance AFS’s effectiveness in resource conservation. Taking a long view temporally with a wide lens across within-society specializations, this symposium highlighted the advantages of a framework to coordinate ongoing activities as a component of a longer term strategic plan.
Mather, M. E., and J. M Dettmers. Adaptive problem maps (APM): connecting data dots to build increasingly informed and defensible environmental conservation decisions. Journal of Environmental Management 312 (2022) 114826 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114826	March 2022
Mather, M. E., J. M. Smith, K. M. Boles, R. B Taylor, C. G. Kennedy, S. M. Hitchman, J. S. Rogosch, and H. M. Frank. 2021. Merging scientific silos: Integrating specialized approaches for thinking about and using spatial data that can provide new directions for persistent fisheries problems. Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10645	June 2021
Mather, M. E., J. Bergtold, M. Caldas, E. Bernick, T. Moore, G. Granco, A. Sheshukov,, I. Ciampitti, ^. Rowing in the Same Direction: Using MIX - A Tool to Initiate the Melding of Individual Disciplinary Experts Into an Integrated Interdisciplinary Team \| Abstract	November 2024	<b>Abstract: </b><br>A common problem for sustainability research is that scientists, trained in different disciplines, are often not rowing a boat effectively in the same direction. Few tools exist for the implementation of a team “melding” process. Here our purpose is to illustrate our <b><u>M</u></b>ulti-step <b><u>I</u></b>ntegrated graphical and structured discussion e<b><u>X</u></b>ercise (MIX), a tool that, if used, blends diverse disciplinary experts into an interdisciplinary team. We adapt the famous story of blind men who encounter an elephant for the first time into a tool for sustainability team formation. Our MIX tool includes four steps. The main foci of step-specific structured discussions are to get each individual to repeatedly query (a) whether their topic, discipline, or question is a trunk, tail, leg (piece of a complex problem) or the elephant (the whole multi-faceted problem), and then (b) work together to assemble disciplines into a graphical vision of a meaningful holistic approach. In our sample output that resulted from using MIX for a biologically-involved sustainability project, we show that focusing natural resource sustainability (water, biota, land) on only economic yield (trunk), ecological conservation (legs), or human values (tail) misrepresents the holistic sustainability problem (elephant). Thus, our MIX tool helps expand perspectives and initiate the team formation process.
Massie, D.L., Y. Li, and T. Wagner. 2021. A framework for detecting macroscale drivers on fish growth. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 78:165-172. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2019-0296	November 2020
Massie, D.L., Hansen, G.J., Li, Y., Sass, G.G. and Wagner, T., 2021. Do lake-specific characteristics mediate the temporal relationship between walleye growth and warming water temperatures? Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 78: 913-923. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2020-0169	February 2021
Masseloux, J, Tan Le, Q, Burr, J, and Gerber, BD. 2022. Forest structure shapestropical mammal communities in a historically disturbed protected area. Ecosphere, 13:e3999. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3999 \| Download	March 2022
Masseloux, J, Tan Le, Q, Burr, J, and Gerber, BD. 2022. Estimating arboreality and the effects of forest structure on tropical tree-dwelling meso-mammals using arboreal camera traps. Animal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12822	September 2022
Massarella, K., Nygren, A., Fletcher, R., Büscher, B., Kiwango, W.A., Komi, S., Krauss, J.E., Mabele, M.B., McInturff, A., Sandroni, L.T. and Alagona, P.S., 2021. Transformation beyond conservation: How critical social science can contribute to a radical new agenda in biodiversity conservation. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 49, pp.79-87. \| Abstract	April 2021	Multiple proposals for transforming biodiversity conservation have been put forward, yet critical exploration of how transformative change is conceptualised in this context is lacking. Drawing on transformations to sustainability scholarship, we review recent proposals for transformative change in biodiversity conservation, considering the suggested goals and means of transformation. We outline the crucial role for critical social scientific inquiry in transformative change by highlighting two core contributions. First, critical social science is an analytical device that politicises and pluralises debates and second, it can help facililitate the identification of transformative alternatives. We then show how such a critical social science approach is operationalised within the CONVIVA (Towards Convivial Conservation: Governing Human-Wildlife Interactions in the Anthropocene) project to pursue transformative change in biodiversity conservation.
Maslovsky, K.S., P. N. Maleko, V. V. Pronkevich, J. C. Slaght and A. N. Powell. 2023. First nests of endangered Nordmann's Greenshank found in over 40 years in the Russian Far East. Bird Conservation International 33: e43, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095927092200051X	January 2023
Maskill, P. A. C., J. A. Crossman, M. A. H. Webb, M. M. Carrello, and C. S. Guy. 2021. Accuracy of histology, endoscopy, ultrasound, and plasma sex steroids in describing the reproductive sturgeon of hatchery-origin and wild white sturgeon. Journal of Applied Ichthyology DOI:10.1111/jai.14280.	October 2021
Mary, M.A., Rashel, R.H., Patiño, R. 2021. Growth inhibition of the harmful alga Prymnesium parvum by plant-derived products and identification of ellipticine as highly potent allelochemical. 33, 3853–3860. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02545-6 \| Abstract	October 2021	<i>Prymnesium parvum</i> is a toxin-producing harmful alga that has caused ecological and economic damage worldwide. Effective methods to control blooms of this species in the field, however, are unavailable. This study examined five natural compounds present in the invasive plant <i>Arundo donax</i> and one synthetic derivative (5,6-dichlorogramine) for their effect on <i>P. parvum</i> growth. All compounds except one inhibited growth in the following order of potency: ellipticine>>5,6-dichlorogramine>1 H-indole = 2,4,6-trimethyl-benzonitrile>gramine. Ellipticine was by far the most potent inhibitor, with full algicidal activity at concentrations as low as 0.04 mg L<sup>-1</sup> and 3- and 9-day IC<sub>50</sub> values of 0.012 and 0.007 mg L<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. A reduction in chlorophyll content and swimming activity and an increase in length and volume (swelling) were documented in algal cells exposed to 0.01–0.02 mg ellipticine L<sup>-1</sup>. These results show that ellipticine is among the most potent natural algicides identified to date. The sixth compound tested, oleamide, unexpectedly stimulated algal growth above control levels. Overall, these observations confirm the existence of highly potent anti-<i>P. parvum</i> allelochemicals in giant reed and demonstrate potential for using products derived from this plant in the development of natural, environmentally friendly methods to control harmful algal blooms.
Mary, M., Tábora-Sarmiento, S., Nash, S., Crago, J., Mayer, G., Patiño, R. 2024. Plant-derived products selectively suppress growth of the harmful alga Prymnesium parvum. Water, 16:930. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16070930. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2024	<i>Prymnesium parvum</i> is a harmful alga found in brackish waters worldwide whose toxins can be lethal to aquatic organisms. Established field methods to control blooms of this species, however, are unavailable. Earlier studies showed that various extracts of giant reed (<i>Arundo donax</i>) can suppress <i>P. parvum</i> growth and that ellipticine, an allelochemical present in giant reed, is a potent algicide against this species. The unintended effects of giant reed products on nontarget organisms, however, are not fully understood. This study determined the effects of giant reed leachate (aqueous extract of dried chips) and ellipticine on growth of <i>P. parvum</i> and the green microalga <i>Chlorella sorokiniana</i>; survival and reproduction of the planktonic crustacean<i> Daphnia pulex</i>; and hatching success, larval survival, and larval swimming behavior of the teleost fish <i>Danio rerio</i>. Leachate made with 3 g chips L<sup>-1</sup> was lethally toxic to<i> P. parvum</i> and<i> D. pulex</i>, stimulated <i>C. sorokiniana</i> growth, and impaired <i>D. rerio</i> behavior. Leachate at 1 g L<sup>-1</sup> fully suppressed <i>P. parvum</i> growth, had moderate effects on <i>D. pulex</i> reproductive output, and had no effects on <i>D. rerio</i>. Ellipticine at 0.01 mg L<sup>-1</sup> irreversibly inhibited <i>P. parvum</i> growth, acutely but reversibly inhibited<i> C. sorokiniana</i> growth, slightly delayed <i>D. pulex</i> reproduction, and had no effects on <i>D. rerio</i>. These observations suggest that when applied at appropriate concentrations, natural products derived from giant reed can be used as tools<i> </i>to specifically control <i>P. parvum</i> growth with minimal effects on nontarget species.
Martinez-Lanfranco, J.A., F.J. Vilella, and D.A. Miller. 2022. Avian community response to a novel environment: commercial forestry in the Campos grasslands of South America. Forest Ecology and Management 503:119765 \| Abstract	January 2022	Establishing commercial tree plantations in native grassland ecosystems introduces a fundamentally different structural and functional vegetation cover type, with expected implications for biodiversity. To better understand biodiversity responses to afforestation, we conducted a resource-use study, with birds as a focal group, during the 2013–2014 breeding season in the Northern Campos grasslands of Uruguay. We sampled birds in native environments and plantations of loblolly pine (<i>Pinus taeda</i>) and flooded gum (<i>Eucalyptus grandis</i>) at different rotation stages. We recorded 103 species during 1,573 10-min visits to 570 stratified sampling units. Grasslands and forests exhibited greater diversity and had greater variability in species composition than structurally homogeneous plantations. Avian communities in plantations had distinct species combinations and relative abundances not found in native conditions. Avian communities in older plantations were more similar to native forests while those of newly-planted stands were more like grasslands. However, communities in plantations were dominated by habitat generalists and some forest-dependent species, with negligible use by grassland specialist birds. Our results suggest the best conservation opportunities for grassland-dependent birds in afforested systems may depend on targeting larger and diverse landscape-level measures rather than stand-level management practices. Albeit our research constituted a comprehensive assessment of bird taxonomic alpha and beta diversity, research on complementary diversity facets and multi-scale resource selection and demographic studies are needed to better understand opportunities for conserving and managing grassland birds in afforested landscapes.
Martinez, Deniss, Clare Cannon, Alex McInturff, Peter Alagona, David Pellow. "Back to the Future: Indigenous Relationality, Kincentricity and the North American Model of Wildlife Management." Environmental Science and Policy. 2023. \| Abstract	December 2023	For more than a century, wildlife conservation in the United States has been built on the notion that nonhuman animal populations are resources to be regulated by law and managed efficiently, according to the best available science and in the public trust. This approach, known as the North American Model of Wildlife Management, has proved effective by many metrics, but it has come under increasing criticism for excluding diverse viewpoints that have the potential to advance both conservation and environmental justice goals. How might the greater inclusion of Indigenous worldviews and Indigenous Studies concepts, such as radical relationality and kincentricity , improve traditional wildlife management? In this paper, we review three case studies of tribal wildlife stewardship programs in California—the Maidu Summit Consortium’s beaver restoration project, the Karuk Tribe’s elk management program, and the Yurok Tribe’s condor recovery effort—that illuminate generative connections among ecological restoration, Indigenous cultural practices, community wellbeing, and environmental justice. Radical relationality and kincentricity offer enormous potential for informing stewardship and recovery efforts that produce more just outcomes for both people and wildlife.
Martin, Z.P., P.L. Angermeier, S. Ciparis, D.J. Orth. 2021. Coal-mining intensity influences species and trait distributions of stream fishes in two Central Appalachian watersheds. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 30: 347-365. DOI:10.1111/eff.12588. \| Abstract	February 2021	Documenting responses of biotic assemblages to coal-mining impacts is crucial to informing regulatory and reclamation actions. However, attributing biotic patterns to specific stressors is difficult given the dearth of pre-impact studies and prevalence of confounding factors. Analyzing species distributions and abundances, especially stratified by species traits, provides insights into how assemblage composition shifts occur. We evaluated stream habitats and fish assemblages along a mining intensity gradient in 83 headwater (2nd- and 3rd-order) streams of the upper Clinch and Powell river basins in Virginia. Our multivariate gradient (MINE.PC1) was based on percentages of watershed area covered by surface mine, underground mine, and valley fill to represent spatial variance in mining intensity. MINE.PC1 was positively correlated with conductivity and percentage of substrate as cobble. Forty fish-assemblage metrics were analyzed via boosted regression trees to assess assemblage responses to mining intensity, while accounting for environmental variation and spatial structure among sites. Conductivity and MINE.PC1 were strongly negatively related to occurrences of Fantail Darter (Etheostoma flabellare) and sculpin (Cottus) spp. Several taxonomic, trophic, and reproductive metrics of assemblage composition responded strongly to mining intensity or its instream correlates. For example, coal mining favored omnivore-herbivores, but inhibited invertivores, simple lithophils, and nonsimple nonlithophils. We revealed distinct threshold responses to mining-related stressors, which suggest changes to macroinvertebrate prey availability and/or contaminant loads contribute to fish extirpations in coalfield streams. Future assessments of mining impacts on fish assemblages could be more instructive by including characterizations of physicochemical stressors and regionally-calibrated biotic metrics with demonstrated sensitivity to mining.
Martin, T. E. and J. C. Mouton. 2020. Longer-lived tropical songbirds reduce breeding activity as they buffer impacts of drought. Nature Climate Change 10: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-020-0864-3.	September 2020
Marshall, DA, La Peyre MK. 2020. Effects of inundation duration on oyster reefs in southeastern Louisiana. Experimental Results. 1, e30, 1-8; doi:10.1017/exp.2020.35. \| Abstract	July 2020	Understanding the effects of predicted rising sea levels, combined with changes in precipitation and freshwater inflow, on key estuarine ecosystem engineers such as the eastern oyster would provide critical information to inform restoration design and predictive models. Using oyster ladders with shell bags placed at three heights to capture a range of inundation levels, oyster growth of naturally recruited spat was monitored over the course of 6 months. Oyster numbers and heights were consistently highest in bottom and mid bags experiencing greater than 50% inundation (mid: 63 ± 7 %; bottom: 95 ± 3 %). Identifying thresholds for optimal oyster growth and survival to enhance restoration engineering would require finer scale evaluation of inundation levels.
Marshall, D.A., Sutor, M., La Peyre, J.F., La Peyre M.K. 2020. Using reproductive potential to assess Louisiana oyster population sustainability. Restoration Ecology doi:10.1111/rec.13225. \| Abstract	July 2020	<b>Abstract</b>Ensuring that oysters remain sustainable in the face of significant coastal restoration activities, high local subsidence rates, and predicted sea level rise requires a deeper understanding of basic population demographics including reproductive potential.We quantified fecundity (eggs ind<sup>-1</sup>) of oysters at high and low salinity sites during a fall and spring spawn season. We assessed the relationships between oyster size, the relative proportion of females across size classes, and fecundity. Finally, we quantified reproductive potential (eggs m<sup>-2</sup>) of an engineered reef by connecting fecundity with annual oyster population demographic data as a means to assess population sustainability.The proportion of females generally increased with shell height, achieving a population with >50% females in Biloxi oysters >75 mm, and Grand Isle oysters >100 mm. Fecundity across both sites and seasons ranged from ~2,000 to >55 million eggs oyster<sup>-1</sup>. Mean fecundity generally increased with shell height, varying significantly by site with Grand Isle (high salinity) oysters having greater fecundity than Biloxi (low salinity) oysters. Fecundity did not differ by season. Mean reproductive potential (eggs m<sup>-2</sup>) was driven by density (i.e., reef type) and size distribution. Reef technologies with high densities and higher counts of market oysters had reproductive potential 5X greater than those with low densities and low counts of juvenile oysters.Synthesis and applications: With increasing changes in water quality from coastal management and climate, impacts on oyster reproduction may critically impact population sustainability. Reproductive potential provides critical data to assess individual reef ecosystem services, and potential for maintenance of local metapopulations.
Marshall, D., M.K. La Peyre, T.A. Palmer, G. Guillou, B.D. Sterba-Boatwright, J. Beseres-Pollack, B. Lebreton. 2021. Freshwater inflow and responses from estuaries across an extensive gradient: an assessment of northwestern Gulf of Mexico estuaries based on stable isotopes. Limnology and Oceanography. doi: 10.1002/lno.11899 \| Abstract	June 2021	Estuaries exist across a large climatic gradient in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, capturing a range of hydrologic conditions and estuarine functioning. We examined freshwater inflow, salinity and stable isotope compositions (δ<sup>13</sup>C, δ<sup>15</sup>N) of oysters, suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM), and surface sediment organic matter (SSOM) from five estuaries across the hydrologic gradient. All five estuaries experienced large decreases in freshwater inflow over the last 40 years, with three estuaries being subject to freshwater inflow reductions of more than 85%. Generally, these freshwater inflow decreases were associated with estuarine salinity increases. Across the spatial gradient, average salinity generally increased from northeast to southwest estuaries. SPOM in the northeastern, lower salinity estuaries generally contained more continental organic matter and was of higher quality (i.e., lower C/chlorophyll <i>a </i>ratio), as compared to southwestern, higher salinity estuaries. Similarly, both SSOM and oyster δ<sup>13</sup>C values were positively correlated with salinity, further highlighting that food webs in lower salinity estuaries are more greatly influenced by continental organic matter than those in higher salinity estuaries. A decrease in the connectivity between continental and coastal habitats may have broad consequences for flows of organic matter, and estuarine function and health. Conducting studies across large-scale hydrologic gradients can provide a useful approach to informing and predicting shifts in estuarine functioning.
Marshall DA, La Peyre MK. 2020 Project and programmatic level assessment of oyster restoration type projects. Extended Abstract. Report to Monitoring and Adaptive Management Trustee Implementation Group. NRDA.	October 2020
Marshall DA, Coxe NC, La Peyre MK, Walton W, Beseres Pollack J, Kelly M, La Peyre JF. 2021. Tolerance of northern Gulf of Mexico eastern oysters to chronic warming at extreme salinities. Journal of Thermal Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j/jtherbio.2021	August 2021
Marshall DA, Casas SM, Walton WC, Rikard FS, Palmer TA, Breaux N, La Peyre MK, Pollack JB, Kelly M, La Peyre JF. 2021. Divergence in salinity tolerance of northern Gulf of Mexico oysters under field and laboratory exposure. Conservation Physiology 9:10.1093/conjphys/coab065. \| Abstract	May 2021	The eastern oyster, <i>Crassostrea virginica,</i> is a key foundation species within U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GoM) estuaries that has experienced substantial population declines. As changes from management and climate are expected to continue to impact estuarine salinity, understanding how local oyster populations might respond, and identifying populations with specific adaptations to more extreme changes in salinity will inform resource management, including restoration, and aquaculture programs. Wild oysters were therefore collected from four estuarine sites from Texas (Packery Channel = PC: 35.5 ± 5.1 annual mean salinity, Aransas Bay = AB: 23.0 ± 6.9) and Louisiana (Calcasieu Lake = CL: 16.2 ± 2.8, Vermilion Bay = VB: 7.4 ± 1.6) and spawned. The progeny were compared in field and laboratory studies under different salinity regimes. For the field study, oysters were deployed at low (6.4 ± 5.1) and moderate (16.5 ± 6.5) salinity sites in Alabama, USA. Growth and mortality were measured monthly. Condition index (CI), dermo infection intensity and shell height to weight ratio were measured quarterly. For the laboratory studies, oysters were exposed to salinities of 2.0, 4.0, 20.0 (or 22.0), 38.0 and 44.0 with and without acclimation and mortality recorded. The results of these field and laboratory studies with (acclimation) indicated that PC oysters are adapted to high salinity conditions, and do not tolerate very low salinities. The AB stock seemed to show the highest plasticity as it performed as well as the PC stock at the high salinities and as well as the Louisiana stocks at the lowest salinity. The Louisiana stocks did not perform as well as at the Texas stocks at high salinities. Different results were obtained with oysters with no salinity acclimation which likely reflects their ability to withstand extended valve closures rather than their adaptability of survival in different salinities.
Marschall, E.A., D.C. Glover, M.E. Mather, and D.L. Parrish. 2021. Modeling larval American Shad recruitment in a large river. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41: 939-954. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10460 \| Abstract	May 2020	We used an bioenergetics-based modeling approach to track American Shad Alosa sapidissima offspring within a template of spatial and temporal habitat conditions defined by a combination of abiotic conditions and prey availability models. We simulated spawning at each river kilometer (RKM 138-280) on each day (1 April-31 August) to understand how spawning date and location drive larval recruitment differentially across years and decades. For both temperature and flow, inter-annual variation was large in comparison to interdecadal differences. Variation in simulated recruitment was best explained by a combination of season-specific temperature and location in along the course of the river. Greatest potential recruitment occurred in years in which June temperatures were relatively high. In years when June and July were warmer than average, maximum recruitment resulted from spawning taking place at the upstream portion of the modeled reach. Model scenarios (stationary or passive-drift larvae and dams or no dams) had predictable effects. When dams were present, but offspring were stationary, the area directly above the dams resulted in poor recruitment, due to the habitat being inappropriate for eggs. When offspring exhibited passive drift, they traveled far downstream. If dams were present, they frequently ended their movement at the dams. When larvae moved downstream but their movement was not limited by dams, spatial differences in expected recruitment relative to spawning sites were reduced. Our results demonstrate the importance of spatiotemporal environmental heterogeneity for producing positive recruitment over the longterm. In addition, our results suggest the importance of successful passage of spawners to historical spawning sites upstream of Vernon Dam in the Connecticut River, especially as conditions shift with climate change.
Maron, M. W., N. Paprocki, J. P. Owen, and C. J. Conway. 2024. Differential effects of chewing lice on body condition across host age and sex in Rough-legged Hawks (Buteo lagopus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 60:991–995. \| Abstract	June 2024	Chewing lice infesting avian hosts can significantly affect host health and fitness. Here, we present quantitative data on host body condition and louse abundance observed from 121 Rough-legged Hawks sampled across their North American nonbreeding range. Among hawks examined, louse prevalence was 71% with a mean abundance and intensity of 9.1 and 12.8 lice, respectively. We identified lice as <i>Craspedorrhynchus </i>ssp. and comment on potential for taxonomic revision. Female and juvenile hawks had greater louse intensity and prevalence compared to male and adult hawks, respectively. Host body condition, measured as a breast muscle score (keel score), was negatively correlated with louse abundance after controlling for host age and sex. We discuss the hypotheses that may explain these patterns, including sex-biased louse transfer between adults and nestlings, body size differences between males and females, and preening limitations in females and juveniles. Our results corroborate previous studies suggesting the primary sources of intraspecific variation in louse abundance are host body size and preening limitations.
Marks-Fife, C.A., E.D. Forsman, and K.M. Dugger. 2020. Age structure of red tree voles in spotted owl pellets estimated with regression models of molar tooth development. Northwest Science 93:193-208, https://doi.org/10.3955/046.093.0304	January 2020
Markle, D.F., A. Janik, J.T. Peterson, A. Choudhry, D.C. Simon, V.V. Tkach, M.R. Terwilliger, J.L. Sanders, and M.L. Kent. 2020. Odds ratios and hurdle models: a long-term analysis of parasite-host infection patterns in endangered young-of-the-year suckers from Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. International Journal for Parasitology https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.02.001	April 2020
Mark A. Kirk, Bryan M. Maitland, Brian T. Hickerson, Annika W. Walters, and Frank J. Rahel. 2022. Climatic drivers and ecological impacts of a rapid range expansion by non-native smallmouth bass in a Wyoming river. Biological Invasions https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02724-z \| Abstract	January 2022	Smallmouth bass (<i>Micropterus dolomieu</i>) are an invasive fish species that have experienced widespread range expansions in recent decades and can have deleterious effects on native fish communities. Rapidly assessing their invasions will aid conservation and management actions geared towards controlling their spread and mitigating their impacts. Smallmouth bass have recently experienced a rapid upstream expansion in a Great Plains river (Laramie River, Wyoming, USA), which provided an opportunity to determine the drivers and impacts of this expansion by using a modified before-after, control-impact (BACI) design. Our objectives were to determine whether climatic drivers were responsible for this range expansion and subsequent effects of the expansion on native fish communities. Smallmouth bass abundance in a local reservoir spiked following a climatically extreme wet year, with statistically extreme amounts of spring-time and June precipitation creating high discharge events that coincided with the upstream expansion. Unlike previous studies highlighting the invasive nature of smallmouth bass, the modified BACI analysis revealed no declines in species richness induced by the expansion. However, there was evidence that native small-bodied minnow species (family <i>Cyprinidae</i>) declined in relative abundance and that community-level and species-level trophic niches were compressed for invaded sites. Our findings provide important insight into how climatic extremes can prompt biological invasions and how some invasions may not produce immediate negative effects on community diversity.
Marjadi, M.N., A.H. Roy, M.T. Devine, B.I. Gahagan, A. Jordaan, J. Rosset, and A.R. Whiteley. 2023. Alewife that stay longer mate longer: An investigation of adult freshwater residence time in an anadromous fish species. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 80: 563-576. DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-2022-0086 \| Publisher Website	January 2023
Marjadi, M.N., A.H. Roy, M.G. Slocombe, J.J. Sheppard, S. Batchelder, R. Govostes, and J.K. Llopiz. 2024. A video monitoring and computational system for estimating juvenile fish abundance. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods 22:295-310. https://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10607 \| Download	March 2024
Margenau, E.L., P.B. Wood, and D.J. Brown. Efficacy and biases of cover object survey design for sampling eastern red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) at forest edge and interior locations. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 15 (2): 440-447.	August 2020
Marcy-Quay B, Sethi SA, Therkildsen NO, Kraft CE. (2020) Expanding the feasibility of fish and wildlife assessments with close-kin mark-recapture. Ecosphere, 11:e03259. \| Abstract	October 2020	Close-kin mark-recapture is a powerful new method for the assessment of fish and wildlife populations. Unlike traditional mark-recapture techniques, the use of kinship as an identifying “mark” is robust to many forms of capture heterogeneity including variation in gear efficiency and tagging-based effects such as loss and differential mortality. In addition, close-kin methods can be applied to a wider range of sampling designs than traditional methods including single-occasion surveys, can provide retrospective historical abundance estimates, and can produce survival estimates from as few as two sampling occasions. We evaluated the ability of close-kin mark-recapture to provide estimates of abundance and adult survival, and then compared results to those from traditional mark-recapture. This analysis incorporated data from a three year study of lake resident brook trout (<i>Salvelinus fontinalis</i>) where individuals were both physically (Passive Integrated Transponder, PIT) tagged and genotyped for 44 <i>de novo</i> developed microsatellites with high throughput sequencing. Traditional mark-recapture estimates were derived using Pollock’s Robust Design, relying upon three primary “open” sampling occasions and four secondary “closed” occasions. We found that close-kin methods produced contemporary estimates of adult abundance and survival that were similar to those produced by traditional mark-recapture in both magnitude and precision. Furthermore, close-kin mark-recapture provided abundance estimates for multiple years prior to sampling and, when restricted to data from a single year, could still produce reliable abundance estimates for at least one and as many as three years. Retrospective abundance estimates corresponded with those from a separate historical two-sample mark-recapture dataset. This study provides support for the use of close-kin mark-recapture as a robust and sampling-efficient alternative to traditional mark-recapture methods of assessing population parameters.
Manning JA, Edwards T, Clemons J, Leavitt DJ, Goldberg C, and M Culver. 2022. Herbivorous reptile scat as a source of DNA for population monitoring. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, 12, e9415 https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9415 \| Abstract	October 2022	Sampling fecal droppings (scat) to genetically identify individual animals is an established method for monitoring mammal populations and could be highly useful for monitoring reptile populations. Whereas existing protocols for obtaining DNA from reptile scat focus on analyses of whole, fresh scat deposited during animal handling, the collection of scat naturally deposited by reptiles <i>in situ</i>, as required for non-invasive population monitoring, requires protocols to extract highly degraded DNA. Using surface swabs from such scats can reduce PCR inhibition, ecological impacts of removing scat, and zoonotic risks. We report on three related but independently designed studies of DNA analyses from scat swabs of herbivorous reptiles under natural desert conditions: two free-ranging desert tortoise species (Agassiz's desert tortoise, <i>Gopherus agassizii</i>, California, US, and Morafka's desert tortoise, <i>G. morafkai</i>, Arizona, US) and the common chuckwalla (<i>Sauromalus atar</i>) (Arizona, US, and Sonora, MX). We analyzed samples from both tortoise species with the same set of 16 microsatellites and chuckwalla samples with four mtDNA markers; studies also varied in swab preservation medium and DNA extraction method. Microsatellite amplification success per sample, defined as ≥9 loci with amplification, varied between studies, with 15% for Agassiz's desert tortoise and 42% Morafka's desert tortoise. For chuckwallas, we successfully amplified and sequenced 50% of samples. We recovered fragments up to 400 bp for tortoises and 980 bp for chuckwallas from scat swab samples. This study demonstrates that genotypes can successfully be obtained from swabs of herbivorous reptile scat collected in the field under natural environmental conditions and emphasizes that repeat amplifications are necessary for genetic identification of individuals from non-invasive samples.
Manfredo, M.J., Teel, T.L., Don Carlos, A.W., Sullivan, L., Bright, A.D., Dietsch, A.M., Bruskotter, J. and Fulton, D.C. (2020), The changing sociocultural context of wildlife conservation. Conservation Biology. 34(6): 1549-1559. DOI:10.1111/cobi.13493	March 2020
Manes, C., R. R. Carthy, and V. Hull. 2023. A coupled human and natural systems framework to characterize emerging infectious diseases- the case of fibropapillomatosis in marine turtles. Animals 2023, 13(9), 1441; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091441 \| Abstract	April 2023	Emerging infectious diseases of wildlife have markedly increased in the last few decades. Unsustainable, continuous, and rapid alterations within and between coupled human and natural systems have significantly disrupted wildlife disease dynamics. Direct and indirect anthropogenic factors, such as climate change, pollution, encroachment, urbanization, travel, and trade, can hinder wildlife immune systems and exacerbate disease vulnerability. These factors can also increase the probability of viral spillover as well as zoonotic disease transmission and propagation at large scales. In this review, we present a novel framework to study anthropogenic impacts within coupled human and natural systems that facilitate emerging infectious disease outbreaks involving wildlife. We demonstrate the utility of the framework by applying it to Fibropapillomatosis disease of marine turtles. We aim to articulate the intricate and complex nature of anthropogenically-exacerbated wildlife infectious diseases as multifactorial as Fibropapillomatosis. This paper encourages the adoption of a One Health approach and invites the collaboration of multiple disciplines for the achievement of effective and long-lasting conservation and wildlife disease mitigation outcomes.
Manes, C., R. R. Carthy, R. M. Herren, D. J. Duffy, J. A. Farrell, A. Page-Karjian, C. Skibicki, F. Dunlap, and I. Capua. 2023. Green turtle Fibropapillomatosis: tumor morphology and growth rate in a rehabilitation setting. Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(7), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10070421 \| Abstract	July 2023	Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a neoplastic disease most often found in green turtles (<i>Chelonia mydas</i>). Symptomatic turtles are burdened with potentially debilitating tumors concentrated externally on the soft tissues, plastron, and eyes, and internally on the lungs, kidneys, and the heart. Clinical signs occur at various levels, ranging from mild disease to severe debilitation. Tumors can both progress and regress in affected turtles, with reports ranging from death due to the disease to complete regression. Despite its official discovery in 1938, tumor growth rates are rarely reported. In addition, FP tumors come in two very different morphologies yet, to our knowledge, there have been no quantified differences in growth rates between tumor types. This distinction has been further strengthened throughout years of FP case reports. FP tumors are often ‘rugose’ in texture, with a polypoid to papillomatous morphology, and may or may not be pedunculated. In other cases, tumors are ‘smooth’ with a skin-like surface texture, and little to no papillose structures. In our study, we assessed growth rate differences between tumor morphologies in a rehabilitation setting. We measured biweekly mean tumor growth over time in juvenile green turtles undergoing rehabilitation at the Whitney Laboratory Sea Turtle Hospital in St Augustine, Florida, and compared growth rates between rugose and smooth tumors. Our results demonstrate that both rugose and smooth tumors follow a similar progression pattern, but rugose tumors grew at significantly faster rates (P<0.05) than smooth ones. We also documented regression across several examined tumors, ranging from -0.19% up to -26% biweekly average negative growth. Our study offers a first ever assessment of differential growth rates between tumor morphologies and an additional diagnostic feature that may lead to more accurate disease outcomes. We suggest that tumor morphological categorization (rugose versus smooth) be documented in future FP hospital and field-based health assessments.
Mandujano Reyes, J. F., T. F. Ma, I. P. McGahan, D. J. Storm, D. P. Walsh and J. Zhu. 2023. Spatio-temporal ecological models via physics-informed neural net- works for studying chronic wasting disease. Spatial Statistics 62:100850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spasta.2024.100850 \| Abstract	August 2024	To mitigate the negative effects of emerging wildlife diseases in biodiver-<br>sity and public health it is critical to accurately forecast pathogen dissemi-<br>nation while incorporating relevant spatio-temporal covariates. Forecasting<br>spatio-temporal processes can often be improved by incorporating scientific<br>knowledge about the dynamics of the process using physical models. Eco-<br>logical diffusion equations are often used to model epidemiological processes<br>of wildlife diseases where environmental factors play a role in disease spread.<br>Physics-informed neural networks (PINN) are deep learning algorithms that<br>constrain neural network predictions based on physical laws and therefore<br>are powerful forecasting models useful even in cases of limited and imperfect<br>training data. In this paper, we develop a novel ecological modeling tool<br>using PINNs, which fits a feedforward neural network and simultaneously<br>performs parameter identification in a partial differential equation (PDE)<br>with varying coefficients. We demonstrate the applicability of our model by<br>comparing it with the commonly used Bayesian stochastic partial differential<br>equation method and traditional machine learning approaches, showing that<br>our proposed model exhibits superior prediction and forecasting performance when modeling chronic wasting disease in deer in Wisconsin. Furthermore,<br>our model provides the opportunity to obtain scientific insights about spatio-<br>temporal covariates affecting spread and growth of diseases. This work con-<br>tributes to future machine learning and statistical developments with the<br>objective of studying spatio-temporal processes enhanced by prior physical<br>knowledge.
Malone, K.M., E.B. Webb, D.C. Mengel, L. Kearns, A.E. McKellar, S.W. Matteson and B.R. Williams. Wetland management practices and secretive marsh bird habitat in the Mississippi Flyway: a review. The Journal of Wildlife Management	September 2023
Malone, K.M., E.B. Webb, D. Mengel, L. Kearns, S. Matteson, A.E. McKellar. In review. Secretive marsh bird habitat associations in the Mississippi Flyway: a meta-analysis. Avian Conservation and Ecology	August 2021
Maleko, P. N., V. V. Pronkevich, and K. S. Maslovsky (2021). Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer), version 2.0. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, P. G. Rodewald, and B. K. Keeney, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.norgre1.02	March 2021
Maldonado, M.L., T.H. Mahmood, D.P. Coulter, A.A. Coulter, S.R. Chipps, M.K. Siller, M.L. Neal, A. Saha, and M.A. Kaemingk. 2024. Water-level changes impact angler effort in a large lake: implications for climate change. Fisheries Research https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2024.107156 \| Abstract	August 2024	Climate change is predicted to influence aquatic habitats and associated fish populations, yet we know little about the impact on anglers. We used remotely sensed and creel survey data for Devils Lake, ND, USA, from 1992-2019 to develop a waterbody size-angler effort model to understand how future changes in waterbody surface area will impact angler effort. Waterbody surface area reliably predicted changes in angler effort (r<sup>2</sup> = 0.60). Waterbody size-angler effort models could provide managers the ability to predict changes in angler effort via climate-related hydrological cycles that affect the size and distribution of waterbodies on the landscape.
Malanchuk, J.B., B.E. Ross, D.A. Haukos, T.F. Bidrowski, and R. Schultheis. 2021. Translocation, survival, and recovery of Kansas-banded Canada geese. Ecosphere 12(7):e03659	July 2021
Majumder, R.*, Terando, A.J., Hiers, J.K., Collazo, J.A., and B.J. Reich. Accepted. (2024). A spatiotemporal optimization engine for prescribed burning in the Southeast US. Accepted, Ecological Informatics. \| Abstract	December 2024	Many ecosystems in the Southeast US are dependent upon frequent low-intensity surface fires to sustain native biodiversity, ecosystem services, and endangered species populations. Today, landscape-scale prescribed fire is required to manage these systems for conservation objectives and to mitigate wildland fire risk. Successful application of prescribed fire in this region requires careful planning and assessment of the risks and tradeoffs involved when deciding whether or not to conduct a burn. Many of these risks are closely tied to ambient environmental conditions and are reflected in sets of ‘prescription’ parameters that define safe and effective operating conditions to meet objectives or regulatory requirements. To facilitate effective decision making and acknowledging growing uncertainties related to climate change effects on wildland fire operations, we developed a spatiotemporal recommendation engine to identify near-term optimal burning opportunities for prescribed fire implementation. By mining historical 3-day numerical weather forecasts and observation-based weather data for 2015–2021, we have developed a Bayesian hierarchical model for forecast verification that provides calibrated daily weather forecasts and joint uncertainty estimates on meteorological variables of interest, with the latter serving as a measure of risk associated with prescribed fire activities. Burn allocation decisions are then optimized by considering this risk jointly with the utility of burning a particular habitat parcel. The initial iteration of the recommendation engine is demonstrated through a case study of short-term meteorological conditions for Eglin Air Force Base, located in Florida, USA. Results indicate agreement between the recommendation engine and the observed past decision-making, with the largest divergences likely arising primarily from differences between utility functions presumed important and used to develop the recommendation engine versus the true utility functions driving management behavior in practice.<br><i>Keywords: </i>Prescribed burning, Bayesian inference, Geostatistics.
Main, A.R., Webb, E.B., Goyne, K.W., and D. Mengel. 2020. Reduced species richness of native bees in field margins associated with neonicotinoid concentrations in non-target soils. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 287:106693	January 2020
Main, A.R., M.L. Hladik, E.B. Webb, K.W. Goyne and D. Mengel. 2020. Beyond pesticides - wild pollinators are exposed to a range of pesticides while foraging in agroecosystems. Science of the Total Environment	November 2020
Main, A.R., E.B. Webb, K.W. Goyne, R. Abney and D. Mengel. 2021. Wild bee communities are negatively affected by neonicotinoids in field soils: a two year field experiment. Science of the Total Environment 786:147299	October 2021
Magruder, A.C., G.M. Barrile, S. Siddons, J. Walrath, and A.W. Walters. Early view. Seasonal movements between mainstem and tributaries may facilitate the persistence of Roundtail Chub and Flannelmouth Sucker within an altered stream system. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society* doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10489	July 2024
Magoulick, D.D., S.W. Hodges, M.P. Dekar, M.K. Scott, M.R. Rabalais and C.M. Bare. 2021. Hydrologic variation influences stream fish assemblage dynamics through flow regime and drought. Scientific Reports 11:10704. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89632 \| Download	May 2021
Magoulick, D.D., K.C. Wynne and J. Clark. 2022. Morphological traits related to potential invasiveness of two subspecies of the crayfish Faxonius neglectus. River Research and Applications 38:1-9. DOI:10.1002/rra.4024	July 2022
Madsen, A.E., L. Corral and J.J. Fontaine. 2020. Weather and exposure period affect coyote detection at camera traps. Wildlife Society Bulletin 44:342-350.	December 2020
Madenjian, C.P., S.R. Chipps, and P.J. Blanchfield. 2021. Time to refine mercury mass balance models for fish. Facets 6:272-286.	March 2021
Madenjian, C.P., S.R. Chipps, D. Deslauriers, J.J. Guitard, and N.J. Daigle. 2024. Fish Bioenergetics Modeling. In S.E. Alderman and T.E. Gillis (eds.), Encyclopedia of Fish Physiology, Second Edition, Academic Press.	March 2024
Madden, H., Y.G. Satgé, B.P. Wilkinson, P.G.R. Jodice. 2022. Foraging ecology of Red-billed Tropicbirds in the Caribbean during early chick-rearing revealed by GPS tracking. Marine Ornithology 50:165-175. \| Download	November 2022
Madden, H., M. Leopold, F. Rivera-Milan, K. Verdel, E. Eggermont, P.G.R. Jodice. Reproductive success of Red-billed Tropicbirds on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands is affected by temporal and oceanographic factors, but not by factors at the nest site. Waterbids. \| Download	December 2022
Macías-Duarte, A., and C. J. Conway. 2021. Geographic variation in dispersal of western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) populations. Behavioral Ecology 32:1339-1351. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arab100	October 2021
Macías-Duarte, A., C. J. Conway, and M. Culver. 2020. Agriculture creates subtle genetic structure among migratory and non-migratory populations of Burrowing Owls throughout North America. Ecology and Evolution 10:10697–10708. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6725	September 2020
M. McClure, M.A. Haltuch, E. Willis-Norton, D.D. Huff, E.L. Hazen, L.G. Crozier, M.G. Jacox, M.W. Nelson, K.S. Andrews, L.A.K. Barnett, A.M. Berger, S. Beyer, J. Bizzarro, D. Boughton, J.M. Cope, M. Carr, H. Dewar, E. Dick, E. Dorval, J. Dunham, V. Gertseva, C. Greene, R.G. Gustafson, O.S. Hamel, C.J. Harvey, M.J. Henderson, C.E. Jordan, I.C. Kaplan, S.T. Lindley, N.J. Mantua, S.E. Matson, M.H. Monk, P. Moyle, C. Nicol, J. Pohl, R.R. Rykaczewski, J.F. Samhouri, S. Sogard, N. Tolimieri, J. Wallace, C. Wetzel, S.J. Bograd. 2023. Vulnerability to climate change of managed stocks in the California Curret large marine ecosystem. Frontiers in Marine Science. 10, 1103767. \| Abstract	February 2023	Understanding how abundance, productivity and distribution of individual species may respond to climate change is a critical first step towards anticipating alterations in marine ecosystem structure and function, as well as developing strategies to adapt to the full range of potential changes. This study applies the NOAA Fisheries Climate Vulnerability Assessment method to 64 federally-managed species in the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem to assess their vulnerability to climate change, where vulnerability is a function of a species’ exposure to environmental change and its biological sensitivity to a set of environmental conditions, which includes components of its resiliency and adaptive capacity to respond to these new conditions. Overall, two-thirds of the species were judged to have Moderate or greater vulnerability to climate change, and only one species was anticipated to have a positive response. Species classified as Highly or Very Highly vulnerable share one or more characteristics including: 1) having complex life histories that utilize a wide range of freshwater and marine habitats; 2) having habitat specialization, particularly for areas that are likely to experience increased hypoxia; 3) having long lifespans and low population growth rates; and/or 4) being of high commercial value combined with impacts from non-climate stressors such as anthropogenic habitat degradation. Species with Low or Moderate vulnerability are either habitat generalists, occupy deep-water habitats or are highly mobile and likely to shift their ranges. As climate-related changes intensify, this work provides key information for both scientists and managers as they address the long-term sustainability of fisheries in the region. This information will inform near-term advice for prioritizing species-level data collection and research on climate impacts, help managers to determine when and where a precautionary approach might be warranted, in harvest or other management decisions, and help identify habitats or life history stages that might be especially important to protect or restore.
López-Altarriba, E., Patiño, R., Vázquez-Sauceda, M.L., Pérez-Castañeda, R., Arellano-Méndez, L.U., Ventura, R., Heyer, L. 2020. Water quality and ecological risk assessment of intermittent streamflow through mining and urban areas of San Marcos River sub-basin, Mexico. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management 14, 100369.	December 2020
López, E., Patiño , R., Vázquez-Sauceda, M.L., Pérez-Castañeda, R., Arellano-Méndez, L.U., Ventura, R., Heyer, L. Water data of intermittent streamflow through mining and urban areas. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management.	October 2020
Lyons, J.E., K.S. Kalasz, G. Breese, and C.W. Boal. 2020. Resource allocation for coastal wetland management: confronting uncertainty about sea level rise. Chapter 10 in Case studies in decision analysis for natural resource management (M.C. Runge, S.J. Converse, J.E. Lyons, and D.R. Smith, eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.	June 2020
Lyon, CA, J. Davis, M.J. Fincel and S.R. Chipps. 2022. Effects of capture depth and water temperature on walleye hooking mortality. Fisheries Management and Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402381.2022.2130118	November 2022
Lynch, A. J., N. A. Sievert, H. S. Embke, A. M. Robertson, B. J. E. Myers, M. S. Allen, Z. S. Feiner, F. Hoogakker, S. Knoche, R. M. Krogman, S. R. Midway, C. L. Nieman, C. P. Paukert, K. L. Pope, M. W. Rogers, L. S. Wszola, and T. D. Beard, Jr. 2021. The U.S. inland creel and angler survey catalog (CreelCat): development, applications, and opportunities. Fisheries 46:574-583 DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10671. \| Download	November 2021
Lynch, A. J., D. M. Bartley, T. D. Beard, Jr., D. B. Bunnell, S. J. Cooke, I. G. Cowx, S. Funge-Smith, C. P. Paukert, M. W. Rogers, and W. W. Taylor. 2020. InFish: A research network to promote global conservation and responsible use of inland fish. Fisheries https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10419	April 2020
Lynch, A. J., B. J. E. Myers, J. P. Wong, C. Chu, R. W. Tingley III, J. A. Falke, T. J. Kwak, C. P. Paukert, and T. J. Krabbenhoft. 2022. Reducing uncertainty in climate change responses for inland fisheries: a decision-path approach. Conservation Science in Practice, e12724. https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/csp2.12724	June 2022
Lynch, A. J., A. DiSanto, J. D. Olden, C. Chu, C. P. Paukert, D. Gundermann, M. Lang, R. Zhang, T. J. Krabbenhoft^. 2023. Climate impacts to inland fishes: Shifting research topics over time. PLoS One Climate.	December 2023
Lynch A. J., L. M. Thompson, J. M. Morton, E. A. Beever, M. Clifford, D. Limpinsel, R. T. Magill, D. R. Magness, T. A. Melvin, R. A. Newman, M. T. Porath, F. J. Rahel, J. H. Reynolds, G. W. Schuurman, S. A. Sethi, J. L. Wilkening. RAD adaptive management for transforming ecosystems. Bioscience, 72:45-56. \| Abstract	January 2022	Intensifying global change is propelling many ecosystems towards irreversible transformations. Natural resource managers face the complex task of conserving these important resources under unprecedented conditions and expanding uncertainty. As once familiar ecological conditions disappear, traditional management approaches that assume the future will reflect the past are becoming increasingly untenable. Here, we place adaptive management within the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework to assist informed risk-taking for transforming ecosystems. This approach empowers managers to use familiar techniques associated with adaptive management in the unfamiliar territory of ecosystem transformation. By providing a common lexicon, it gives decision makers agency to revisit objectives, consider new system trajectories, and discuss RAD strategies in relation to current system state and direction of change. Operationalizing RAD adaptive management requires periodic review and update of management actions and objectives; monitoring, experimentation, and pilot studies; and bet hedging to better identify and tolerate associated risks.
Lynch A. J., L. M. Thompson, E. A. Beever, A. C. Engman, S. T. Jackson, T. J. Krabbenhoft, D. J. Lawrence, D. Limpinsel, R. T. Magill, T. A. Melvin, J. M. Morton, R. A. Newman, J. Peterson, M. T. Porath, F. J. Rahel, S. A. Sethi, J. L. Wilkening. (2021) Managing for a R-A-Dical Future: Resisting, Accepting, or Directing Ecosystem Transformation. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 19:461-469. \| Abstract	October 2021	Ecosystem transformation involves the emergence of a self-organizing, self-sustaining, ecological or social-ecological system that diverges, dramatically and irreversibly, from prior ecosystem structure and function. Such transformations are occurring at increasing rates across the globe owing to rapid changes in climate, land use, and prevalence of introduced species. Consequently, a dynamic view of ecosystem processes that accommodates rapid, irreversible change will be critical for effectively conserving fish, wildlife, and other species. However, managing ecosystems toward states with novel structure and function is an inherently unpredictable and difficult task. We suggest that managers navigating ecosystem transformation consider broader objectives beyond a traditional focus on resisting ecosystem change, and also consider whether accepting inevitable change or directing it to some desirable outcome is more appropriate under some circumstances (R-A-D strategies). By explicitly acknowledging system transformation and implementing an iterative R-A-D approach, natural-resource managers can be deliberate and strategic in addressing radical ecosystem changes.
Luukkonen, B.Z, O.E. Jones, and R.W. Klaver. Survival and recovery rates of Canada geese banded in urban and rural areas of Iowa, USA. 2021. Journal of Wildlife Management 85: 283 - 292 \| Abstract \| Download	March 2021	Once extirpated from much of their North American range, temperate‐breeding Canada geese(Branta canadensis maxima) have reached high abundance. As a result, focus has shifted from restoration to managing harvest and addressing human‐goose conflict. Conflict persists or is increasing in urban areas throughout the Mississippi Flyway. Managers need more information regarding demographic rates to determine how hunting affects geese breeding in urban areas and what management actions may be required to achieve management goals. We estimated survival, dead recovery, live recapture, and fidelity probabilities using data from 77,872 Canada geese banded in Iowa, USA, during 1999–2019 using Burnham joint live-dead band recovery models. Factors predicted to affect parameters in candidate models included age (juvenile, subadult, adult), banding site (urban, rural), time, trend, harvest regulation index, and winter severity index. We predicted Canada geese banded in urban areas would have higher survival and lower dead recovery rates than geese banded at rural sites. The top model indicated support for age and banding site effects, and trends in survival and recovery rate (Brownie parameterization). Adult survival was similar for urban (0.75;range=0.60–0.92) and rural (0.75; range=0.66–0.82) geese and relatively constant across years. Mean juvenile survival was lower in urban (0.74; range=0.48–0.93) than rural (0.85; range=0.68–0.92) areas. Survival increased for urban‐banded juveniles and recovery rates increased during liberalization of harvest regulations and decreased after regulations stabilized. Recovery rates of subadults increased for the urban and rural groups. Our results suggest Canada geese breeding in urban areas contribute to harvest and specialized regulations can affect these populations. Harvest regulations in place during our analysis may not have reached a threshold required to observe substantial changes in survival. Current human‐goose conflict in urban areas suggests survival has not decreased to a level required to completely address conflict via reduction in goose abundance. Managers may consider additional liberalization of harvest regulations and monitoring via banding to determine to what degree hunter harvest contributes to reducing human‐goose conflict and what additional management actions will be required to achieve goals.
Lundblad, CG, CR Anthony, T Dungannon, KA Haab, EM Schuyler, CE Sink, KM Dugger, and CA Hagen. 2024. Evaluating Satellite-Transmitter Backpack-Harnesses Effects on Greater Sage-Grouse Survival and Device Retention in the Great Basin. The Wildlife Society Bulletin 2024;48:e1523m https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1523. \| Download	February 2024
Lundblad, C.G., and C. J. Conway. 2021. Nest microclimate and limits to egg viability explain avian life-history variation across latitudinal gradients. Ecology 102:e03338. doi: 10.1002/ecy.3338.	June 2021
Lundblad, C.G., and C. J. Conway. 2021. Intraspecific variation in incubation behaviours along a latitudinal gradient is driven by nest microclimate and selection on neonate quality. Functional Ecology 35:1028-1040. doi: 10.1111/1365-2435.13772	July 2021
Lundblad, C.G., and C. J. Conway. 2021. Ashmole’s hypothesis and the latitudinal gradient in clutch size. Biological Reviews 96:1349-1366. doi: 10.1111/brv.12705	July 2021
Lundblad, C.G., and C. J. Conway. 2020. Variation in selective regimes drives intraspecific variation in life history traits and migratory behavior along an elevation gradient. Journal of Animal Ecology 89:397-411. doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.13134	February 2020
Lundblad, C.G., and C. J. Conway. 2020. Testing four hypotheses to explain partial migration: balancing reproductive benefits with limits to fasting endurance. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 74(2):26. doi: 10.1007/s00265-019-2796-3	January 2020
Lundblad, C.G., C. J. Conway, K. Cruz-McDonnell, D. Doublet, M. J. Desmond, C J. Navis, and K. Ongman. 2021. Long-term population fluctuations of a Burrowing Owl Population on Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Journal of Raptor Research 55:241-254. doi: 10.3356/JRR-20-08	June 2021
Lundblad, C. G., and C. J. Conway. 2023. Investing in a nest egg: Intraspecific variation in the timing of egg-laying across a latitudinal gradient. Oecologia 202:83-96.	May 2023
Lundblad, C. G., and C. J. Conway. 2023. Delayed incubation leads to hatching failure of a Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) nest. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 135:400-405. doi: 10.1676/22-00089	January 2024
Lujan, D. R., L. M. Tronstad, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2022. Response of nutrient limitation to invasive fish suppression: how carcasses and analog pellets alter periphyton. Freshwater Science https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/718647	January 2022
Lujan, D. R., L. M. Tronstad, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, H. C. Glassic, C. G. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2024. Novel technique for suppressing an invasive apex predator minimally alters nitrogen dynamics in Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, USA. Hydrobiologia https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-023-05450-w	January 2024
Ludsin, S. A., A. K. Carlson, C. M. Febria, J. H. Hartig, W. A. Kellogg, C. K. Minns, M. Munawar, S. Nolan, M. Van der Knaap, E. M. Verhamme and K. C. Williams. 2024. The Ecosystem Approach in the 21st Century: guiding science and management – a synthesis. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 27(2):108–116.	December 2024
Ludlam, J.P. and A.H. Roy. 2020. Understanding effects of small dams on benthic metabolism and primary production in temperate forested streams. Fundamental and Applied Limnology. DOI: 10.1127/fal/2020/1260 \| Publisher Website	January 2020
Lucchesi, D.O., S.R. Chipps, and D.A. Schumann. 2022. Effects of Seasonal Hypoxia on Macroinvertebrate Communities in a Small Reservoir. Lakes & Reservoirs: Science, Policy and Management for Sustainable Use. https://doi.org/10.1111/lre.12395	March 2022
Lubenau, W. J., M. C. Quist, B. J. Bowersox, T. Copeland, J. L. McCormick, and T. R. Johnson. 2024. Encounter rates and catch-and-release mortality of steelhead in the Snake River basin. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 44:3-20.	January 2024
Lu, X., P.J. Williams, M.B. Hooten, J.A. Powell, J.N. Womble, and M.R. Bower. (2020). Nonlinear reaction-diffusion process models improve inference for population dynamics. Environmetrics, 31: e2604.	February 2020
Lowe, W. H., T. E. Martin, D. K. Skelly, and H. A. Woods. 2020. Metamorphosis in an era of increasing climate variability. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 36: 360-375. \| Abstract	January 2021	Most animals have complex life cycles including some form of metamorphosis, a life stage transition in which individuals may be particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors.<b><i> </i></b>With climate change, individuals will be exposed to increasing thermal and hydrologic variability during metamorphosis, which may affect survival and performance through physiological, behavioral, and ecological mechanisms.<b> </b>Furthermore, because metamorphosis entails changes in traits and vital rates during a period of particular sensitivity, it is likely to play an important role in how populations respond to increasing climate variability. To identify mechanisms underlying population responses and associated trait and life history evolution, we need new approaches to estimate changes in individual traits and performance throughout metamorphosis, as well as new analytical models integrating metamorphosis as an explicit life stage.
Loughman, Z.L., A.M. Sykes, M.I. McKinney, and S.A. Welsh. 2021. Epigean crayfish of the Potomac River basin in West Virginia: Zoogeography, natural history, and conservation. Freshwater Crayfish 26:37-49.	April 2021
Loope, K.J., R.A. Cozad, D.B. Breakfield, M.J. Aresco, and E.A. Hunter. 2024. Unexpected effect of geographic origin on post-translocation survival in a long-lived reptile. Animal Conservation DOI: 10.1111/acv.12946.	June 2024
Loope, K.J., J.N. Desha, K.T. Shoemaker, M.J. Aresco, and E.A. Hunter. 2024. Common garden experiment reveals outbreeding depression and region-of-origin effects on reproductive success in a frequently translocated tortoise. Animal Conservation. DOI: 10.1111/acv.12977	August 2024
Loope, K.J., J.N. DeSha, G.R. Lawson, and E.A. Hunter. 2021. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) Twinning. Herpetological Review 52:846-847.	March 2022
Loope, K.J., D.C. Rostal, M.A. Walden, K.T. Shoemaker, and E.A. Hunter. 2022. A comparison of non-surgical methods for sexing young gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). PeerJ: e13599.	May 2022
Loonam, K. L., P. M. Lukacs, D. E. Ausband, M. S. Mitchell, and H. R. Robinson. 2021. Assessing the robustness of a new method for estimating wildlife abundance using remote cameras. Ecological Applications. e02388. 10.1002/eap.2388	August 2021
Loonam, K. E., D. E. Ausband, P. M. Lukacs, M. S. Mitchell, and H. R. Robinson. 2021. Estimating abundance of an unmarked, low-density species using camera traps. Journal of Wildlife Management. 85: 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21950	March 2021
Lonsinger, R., B. M. Kluever, L. K. Hall, R. T. Larsen, E. M. Gese, L. P. Waits, and R. N. Knight. 2020. Conservation of kit foxes in the Great Basin Desert: A review and recommendations. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11(2):679–698. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-20-025. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2020	The kit fox Vulpes macrotis is a species of concern to land managers in the Great Basin Desert of North America. Once common, kit foxes have declined from historical levels. Research on kit foxes in western Utah has spanned nearly 70 years and has potential to inform management and conservation within the Central Basin and Range Ecoregion of the Great Basin Desert. We conducted a systematic literature review on the northern kit fox subspecies V. m. nevadensis. We focused on studies conducted in the Central Basin and Range Ecoregion, which represents the majority of the Great Basin Desert, and provided a comprehensive summary of their ecology and demographics for resource managers. To guide future monitoring, we also reviewed techniques used for kit fox monitoring and research, and evaluated the strengths, limitations, and advances of these techniques. We identified four key factors that deserve consideration when selecting monitoring techniques for kit foxes: estimable parameters, reliability, cost, and rate of data return. Finally, we identify four primary management recommendations. We recommend that managers (i) expand kit fox monitoring and population assessments more broadly across the Great Basin Desert. To ensure future monitoring meets the needs of resource managers, we recommend (ii) the application of a structured decision-making process to identify key parameters and approaches. To better understand the factors limiting kit fox populations we recommend (iii) population viability and parameter sensitivity analyses to identify drivers of population change. Finally, based on evidence that genetic diversity of kit fox populations has been maintained by undescribed patterns of gene flow, we recommend (iv) a broad-scale assessment of population connectivity to identify corridors supporting metapopulation dynamics. These recommendations will facilitate proactive conservation of kit foxes and management practices to reduce future population declines.
Lonsinger, R. C., and G. W. Roemer. 2024. Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) in JLE Cartron and JK Frey, editors. The Wild Carnivores of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, NM, USA. \| Abstract	November 2023	This book chapter summarizes what the current state of knowledge related to ringtails (<i>Bassariscus atutus</i>), including their form and function, behavior, ecology, taxonomy and management. This represents Chapter 30 in the upcoming book The Wild Carnivores of New Mexico.
Lonsinger, R. C., R. N. Knight, and L. P. Waits. 2021. Detection criteria and post-field sample processing influence results and cost efficiency of occupancy-based monitoring. Ecological Application 31(7): e02404. doi: 10.1002/eap.2404 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2021	Optimization of occupancy-based monitoring has focused on balancing the number of sites and surveys to minimize field efforts and costs. When survey techniques require post-field processing of samples to confirm species detections, there may be opportunities to further improve efficiency. We used scat-based noninvasive genetic sampling for kit foxes (<i>Vulpes macrotis</i>) in Utah, USA, as a model system to assess post-field data processing strategies, evaluate the impacts of these strategies on estimates of occupancy and associations between parameters and predictors, and identify the most cost-effective approach. We identified scats with three criteria that varied in costs and reliability: (i) field-based identification (expert opinion), (ii) statistical-based morphological identification, and (iii) genetic-based identification (mitochondrial DNA). We also considered four novel post-field sample processing strategies that integrated statistical and genetic identifications to reduce costly genetic procedures, including (iv) a combined statistical-genetic identification, (v) a genetic removal design, (vi) a within-survey conditional-replicate design, and (vii) a single-genetic-replicate with false-positive modeling design. We considered results based on genetic identification as the best approximation of truth and used this to evaluate the performance of alternatives. Field-based and statistical-based criteria prone to misidentification produced estimates of occupancy that were biased high (~1.8 and 2.1 times higher than estimates without misidentifications, respectively). These criteria failed to recover associations between parameters and predictors consistent with genetic identification. The genetic removal design performed poorly, with limited detections leading to estimates that were biased high with poor precision and patterns inconsistent with genetic identification. Both statistical-genetic identification and the conditional-replicate design produced occupancy estimates comparable to genetic identification, while recovering the same model structure and associations at cost reductions of 67% and 74%, respectively. The false-positive design had the lowest cost (88% reduction) and recovered patterns consistent with genetic identification but had occupancy estimates that were ~32% lower than estimated occupancy based on genetic identification. Our results demonstrate that careful consideration of detection criteria and post-field data processing can reduce costs without significantly altering resulting inferences. Combined with earlier guidance on sampling designs for occupancy modeling, these findings can aid managers in optimizing occupancy-based monitoring.
Lonsinger, R. C., M. M. Dart, R. T. Larsen, and R. N. Knight. 2023. Efficacy of machine learning image classification for automated occupancy-based monitoring. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation 10(1): 56-71. https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.356 \| Abstract	July 2023	Effective conservation requires near-real-time multi-species monitoring at broad scales. Remote cameras have become a widespread data-collection tool for terrestrial mammals, but classifying images can be labor intensive and limit the usefulness of cameras for rapid, broad-scale population assessments. Machine learning algorithms for automated image classification can expedite data processing, but image misclassifications may influence inferences. Here, we used camera data for three sympatric species with disparate body sizes and life histories—black-tailed jackrabbits (<i>Lepus californicus</i>), kit foxes (<i>Vulpes macrotis</i>), and pronghorns (<i>Antilocapra americana</i>)—as a model system to evaluate the influence of competing image classification approaches on estimates of occupancy and inferences about space use patterns. We classified images with: (i) single review (manual), (ii) double review (manual by two observers), (iii) an automated-manual review (machine learning to cull empty images and single review of remaining images), (iv) a pre-trained machine-learning algorithm that classifies images to species (base model), (v) the base model accepting only classifications with ≥95% confidence, (vi) the base model trained with regional images (trained model), and (vii) the trained model accepting only classifications with ≥95% confidence. We compared species-specific results from alternative approaches to results from double review, which reduces the potential for misclassifications and was assumed to be the best approximation of truth. Despite high classification success, species-level misclassification rates for the base and trained models were sufficiently high to produce erroneous occupancy estimates and inferences related to patterns of space use across species. Increasing the confidence thresholds for image classification to 95% did not consistently improve performance. Classifying images as empty (or not) offered a reasonable approach to reduce effort (by 97.7%) and facilitated a semi-automated workflow that produced reliable estimates and inferences. Thus, camera-based monitoring combined with machine learning algorithms for image classification could facilitate near-real-time monitoring with limited manual image classification.
Lonsinger, R. C. 2022. Co-occurrence models fail to infer underlying patterns of avoidance and aggregation when closure is violated. Ecology and Evolution 7: e9104. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9104 \| Abstract	June 2022	Advances in multi-species monitoring approaches have led to an increase in the use of multi-species occupancy analyses to assess patterns of co-occurrence among species, even when data were collected at spatial or temporal scales that likely violated the assumption that sites were closed to changes in occupancy state for the target species. Violating the closure assumption may lead to erroneous conclusions related to patterns of co-occurrence among species. Patterns of occurrence for two hypothetical species were simulated under patterns of avoidance, aggregation, or independence, when the closure assumption either was or was not met. Simulated populations were sampled at two levels (<i>N = </i>250 or 100 sites) and two scales of temporal resolution for surveys. Sample data were analysed with conditional two-species occupancy models and performance was assessed by comparing the proportion of simulations recovering the true pattern of co-occurrence. Estimates of occupancy were unbiased when closure was met, but biased when closure violations occurred; bias increased when sample size was small and encounter histories were collapsed to a large-scale temporal resolution. When patterns of avoidance and aggregation were simulated, conditional two-species models tended to correctly find support for non-independence when closure was met and estimated species interaction factors aligned with predicted values. Models tended to incorrectly infer a pattern of independence when closure was violated and power to detect simulated patterns of avoidance or aggregation decreased with smaller sample size. Simulation results suggest that when the closure assumption is violated, occupancy-based models of co-occurrence often fail to detect underlying patterns of avoidance or aggregation and incorrectly identify a pattern of independence among species, which could have negative consequences for our understanding of species interactions and conservation efforts. When closure is not met, inferred patterns of independence from multi-species occupancy models should be interpreted cautiously. In contrast, when violations of the closure assumption likely occur, evidence of avoidance or aggregation is likely a conservative estimate of true pattern or interaction.
Longing, S.D. and D.D. Magoulick. 2023. Flight capacity and response to habitat drying of endemic diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in Arkansas (USA). Hydrobiology 2:354-362. doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology2020023 Special Issue: Ecology of Aquatic Invertebrates in Springs and Headwater Streams: Imperiled Habitats in a Changing World	May 2023
Long, J.M., R.A. Snow, and M.J. Porta. 2020. Effects of temperature on hatching and early development of Alligator Gar and Spotted Gar in a laboratory setting. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:661-668. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10397	June 2020
Long, J.M., R.A. Snow, D.E. Shoup, and J.B. Bartnicki. 2023. Validation and comparison of age estimates for Smallmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) in Oklahoma based on otoliths, pectoral spines, and opercula. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.108651	June 2023
Long, J.M., R.A. Snow, B.M. Pracheil, and B.C. Chakoumakos. 2021. Morphology and composition of Goldeye (Hiodontidae; Hiodon alosoides) otoliths. Journal of Morphology 282:511-519. DOI: 10.1002/jm or.21324	February 2021
Long, J.M., P. Joyce, L.A. Bruckerhoff, R.C. Lonsinger, and W. Wolfenkoehler. 2024. Using down-scan capabilities from recreational -grade side-scan sonar systems to sample Paddlefish and evaluate depth use in a reservoir. Fisheries Research 269:106872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2023.106872	September 2023
Long, J.M., A.T. Taylor, and V. Buonaccorsi. 2021. A conservation-oriented SNP panel for Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu), with emphasis on Interior Highlands lineages. Conservation Genetics Resources 13:47-59. DOI:10.1007/s12686-020-01170-8	September 2020
Long, J.M. and L.B. Seguy. 2024. Global status of non-native Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides, Centrachidae) and Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu, Centrarchidae): disparate views as beloved sportfish and feared invader. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture 32:81-98. DOI: 10.1080/23308249.2023.2244078	August 2023
Long, E. S., D. R. Diefenbach, C. L. Lutz, C. S. Rosenberry, B. D. Wallingford. 2021. Risky movements? Natal dispersal does not decrease survival of white-tailed deer. Ecology and Evolution 11:2731–2740. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7227 \| Download	March 2021
Londe, D.W., C.A. Davis, S.R. Loss, E.P. Robertson, D.A. Haukos, and T.J. Hovick. 2023. Climate change causes declines and greater extremes in wetland inundation in a region important for wetland birds. Ecological Applications doi.org/10.1002/eap.2930	December 2023
Loman, Z.G., W.V. Deluca, D. Harrison, C.S. Loftin, W.S. Schwenk, and P.B. Wood. 2021. How well do proxy species models inform conservation of surrogate species? Landscape Ecology 36:2863-2877. Data DOI: 10.1111/jav.01779	July 2021
Loman, Z., C.S. Loftin, C. Spiegel, and R. Boettcher. Trends in Atlantic Flyway Breeding Colony Sizes for Five Colonial Waterbird Species. CSS 155-2024.	February 2024
Liu, H., C. Gou, X. Qu, F. Xiong, C. P. Paukert, Y. Chen, and W. Su. 2021. Fish diversity, endemism, threats, and conservation in the Jinsha River basin (upper Yangtze), China. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:967-984. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10441	August 2021
Liu, H. Y. Chen, R. E. Gozlan, X. Qu, W. Xia, F. Cheng, L. Wang, C. Paukert, J. Olden, and S. Xie. 2022. Fish diversity reduction and community structure homogenization in lakes: a case study on unselective fishing in China. Water Biology and Security. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watbs.2022.100055	June 2022
Lituma, C.M, J.J. Cox, S. Spears, J.W. Edwards, J. De La Cruz, L.I. Mueller and W.M Ford. 2020. Terrestrial wildlife in the post-mined landscape: status and opportunities. Pages 135-166 in: C. Zipper and J. Skousen (eds). Ecology and Management of Appalachian Coal-Mined Landscapes. Springer Publishing. \| Abstract	December 2020	Coal mining has been one of many anthropogenic stressors that have impacted terrestrial and semi-aquatic wildlife and their habitats in the Appalachian Plateau since European settlement of the region. Creation of large grassland and early-successional habitats resulting from mining in a largely forested landscape has resulted in novel, non-analog habitat conditions throughout the Appalachian Plateau. Depending on the taxa, extent of mining at the local and landscape level, and reclamation practices, effects have ranged across a gradient of wholly negative to positive. Forest-obligate species such as woodland salamanders and forest-interior birds and/or those that depend on aquatic systems for part or all of their life cycle have been most affected. Others, such as grassland and early-successional bird species have responded favorably. Some bat species, for example, as an unintended consequence, can use legacy deep mines as winter hibernacula in a region with limited Karst geology. Recovery and recolonization of impacted wildlife that often depends not only on life strategies and species’ vagility, but also on the altered or arrest successional processes on the post-surface mine landscape. Forest-obligate species will benefit from Forest Reclamation Approach practices going forward. In the future, managers will be faced with decisions about reforestation versus maintaining open habitats depending on the conservation need of species considered. Lastly, the post-mined landscape currently is the focal point for a region-wide effort to reintroduce and restore elk (<i>Cervus elaphus</i>) in the Appalachian region.
Linner-Warren, K., B.D. Bibles, and C.W. Boal. 2023. Seasonal abundance and habitat associations of American kestrels on the Southern High Plains of Texas. Journal of Raptor Research 57:251-263. \| Abstract	June 2023	ABSTRACT.—The American Kestrel (<i>Falco sparverius</i>) is in general decline across its North American distribution but the population in the Southern High Plains region currently appears to be stable. Historical evidence suggests the region had a very low presence of kestrels, and that their current abundance is due to landscape changes associated with European settlement. We conducted monthly surveys for American Kestrels across two years to estimate seasonal densities and identify land cover associations in the Southern High Plains of Texas. We found an overall estimated density of a 0.99/km<sup>2</sup> (95% CI = 0.406, 1.582). across the two-year period with seasonal estimated densities highest in autumn and winter (0.92 – 2.53/km<sup>2</sup>), and lowest in spring (0.49 – 0.67/km<sup>2</sup>). Whereas other studies have found temperature influenced detection of wintering kestrels, we found an interaction of drought conditions and snow most strongly influenced detection rates in our study area. Kestrels largely used land cover types in proportion to availability but there was some evidence of seasonal shifts. In generally, they appeared to select against cotton fields and select for areas with woodlots, abandoned or occupied houses, and barns, all of which likely provided nesting and roosting opportunities. Our study provides the first contemporary assessment of seasonal abundance and habitat associations of American Kestrels in the Southern High Plains where their presence and abundance is has been unintentionally facilitated by landscape changes following settlement. We provide a baseline for population monitoring and studies assessing response to additional landscape changes (e.g., wind energy) and a changing climate.
Lindsey A. Bruckerhoff, Kevin Wheeler, Kimberly L. Dibble, Bryce A. Mihalevich, Bethany T. Neilson, Jian Wang, Charles B. Yackulic, and John. C. Schmidt. 2022. Water Storage Decisions and Consumptive Use May Constrain Ecosystem Management under Severe Sustained Drought . Journal of the American Water Resources Association. https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.13020 \| Abstract	June 2022	Drought has impacted the Colorado River basin for the past 20 years and is predicted to continue. In response, decisions about how much water should be stored in large reservoirs and how much water can be consumptively used will be necessary. These decisions have the potential to limit riverine ecosystem management options through the effect water-supply decisions have on reservoir elevations. We used projected hydrology and river temperatures to compare the outcome of combinations of water storage scenarios and consumptive use limits on metrics associated with ecosystem management of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. Ecosystem management metrics included the ability to implement designer flows, temperature suitability for fishes, and fragmentation. We compared current water management operations to prioritizing storage in either Lake Mead or Lake Powell combined with three levels of consumptive use. Projected reservoir levels limited environmental flow delivery and increased fragmentation regardless of where water was stored if consumptive use was not limited. Warmer river temperatures associated with low reservoir levels are likely, creating suitable conditions for non-native species of concern, such as smallmouth bass. Water storage decisions provided variability and management flexibility, but water storage was less important when less water was available, highlighting the importance of keeping water in the system to provide flexibility for achieving ecosystem goals.
Lindelien S., A.C. Dutterer, P. Schueller, and C.C. Anderson. 2021. Evidence dorsal spine removal is nonlethal and unharmful for Largemouth Bass in Florida. J Fish Wildl Manag. 12(1):190–196.	June 2021
Lin, H., K.F. Robinson, L. Walter. 2020. Trade-offs among road-stream crossing upgrade prioritizations based on connectivity restoration and erosion risk control. River Research and Applications 36:371-382. DOI:10.1002/rra.3593	February 2020
Liang, Z., Y. Xu, Q. Qiu, Y. Liu, W. Lu, and T. Wagner. 2021. Developing Joint Nutrient Criteria Using Quantile Regression for Lake Eutrophication Management. Journal of Hydrology 594:125883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.125883	January 2021
Liang, Z., Y. Xu, G. Zhao, W. Lu, Z. Fu, S. Wang, and T. Wagner. 2023. Approaching the upper boundary of stressor-response relationships: Identifying factors using a novel framework integrating quantile regression with interpretable machine learning. Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering 17:76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-023-1676-2	January 2023
Liang, Z., P.A. Soranno, T. Wagner. 2020. The role of phosphorus and nitrogen on chlorophyll a: evidence from hundreds of lakes. Water Research 185:116236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116236	July 2020
Liang, Z., Liu, Y., Xu, Y. and Wagner, T., 2021. Bayesian change point quantile regression approach to enhance the understanding of shifting phytoplankton-dimethyl sulfide relationships in aquatic ecosystems. Water Research, p.117287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.117287	August 2021
Li, Y., V.S. Blazer, L.R. Iwanowicz, M.K. Schall, K. Smalling, D. Tillitt, and T. Wagner. 2020. Ecological risk assessment of environmental stress and bioactive chemicals to riverine fish populations: an individual-based model of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu. Ecological Modelling 438:109322.	October 2020
Lewis, M. C., C. S. Guy, E. W. Oldenburg, and T. E. McMahon. 2022. Individual characteristics and abiotic factors influence out-migration dynamics of juvenile bull trout. Fishes. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes7060331.	November 2022
Lewis, M. C., C. S. Guy, E. W. Oldenberg, T. E. McMahon. 2022. Temporal variation in capture efficiency underrepresents spring out-migrating Bull Trout in a trap-and-haul program. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10817	September 2022
Lewandoski, S.A., K.F. Robinson, T.O. Brenden, R. Booth, P. Horsey, J.B. Hume, T.C. Pratt, A.M. Scott, M. Symbal, C.M. Wagner, N.S. Johnson. 2025. Decision analysis of integrated pest management: a case study on invasive sea lamprey in the Great Lakes basin. Journal of Environmental Management 373(2025):123666. \| Download	December 2024
Levine et al. Estimating nutritional condition across its full range for moose.	February 2023
Lescroël, A., A. Schmidt, D.G. Ainley,K.M. Dugger, M. Elrod, D. Jongsomjit, V. Morandini, S. Winquist, and G. Ballard. 2023. High-resolution recording of foraging behaviour over multiple annual cycles shows decline in old Adélie penguins’ performance. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 290: 20222480, DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2480.	March 2023
Lescroël, A, P O’B Lyver, D Jongsomjit, S Veloz, KM Dugger, P Kappes, BJ Karl, AL Whitehead, R Pech, TL Cole, G Ballard. 2020. Individual quality and sex are the main drivers of inter-individual differences in the foraging behavior of breeding Adélie penguins. Marine Ecology Progress Series 636: 189–205, DOI: /10.3354/meps13208	February 2020
Leppi, JC, JA Falke, DJ Rinella, MS Wipfli, AC Seitz, MS Whitman. Landscape Geomorphology and Local-Riverine Features Influence Broad Whitefish (Coregonus nasus) Spawning Habitat Suitability in Arctic Alaska. For submission to Ecosystems. \| Abstract	April 2022	Landscape-level geomorphic processes influence the spatial and temporal arrangement of fish habitats in freshwater ecosystems and fish move across riverscapes selecting a suite of habitats to maximize fitness. Here, we explore the influence of geomorphology on stream channel attributes and assess Broad Whitefish (<i>Coregonus nasus</i>) spawning habitat potential in the Colville River, in Arctic Alaska. Using high-resolution digital surface models (5 m<sup>2</sup>), we quantified the stream network extent and summarized channel habitat attributes continuously across the drainage network. Next, we developed an intrinsic potential (IP) model for Broad Whitefish by using geomorphic channel parameters previously understood to be associated with spawning habitats (channel width, median substrate size, and channel braiding) to estimate the potential of streams across the Colville River watershed to provide spawning habitat. Our model results show the majority of habitat with high IP (≥ 0.6) was located within the braided sections of the main channel, which encompass > 1,548 km, but only 2 % of the total channel network. The IP model was tested by tracking radio-tagged Broad Whitefish using aerial surveys. Prespawn fish moved into the watershed starting mid-July and mostly used habitat with moderate to very high IP in the middle and lower watershed. Several individuals were relocated in smaller anastomosing channels that contained very low IP (≤ 0.2), suggesting that other factors, such as hyporheic flow, may also influence spawning habitat selection. Our study demonstrates that IP modeling offers a useful method to quantify spawning habitat potential in data-poor riverscapes, providing useful information for managers to assess potential anthropogenic impacts, and develop conservation plans to protect essential Broad Whitefish habitat.
Leppi, J.C., M.S. Wipfli, A.K. Liljedahl, D.J. Rinella, M.S. Whitman, J.A. Falke, and A.C. Seitz. 2023. Climate Change Risks to Freshwater Subsistence Fisheries in Arctic Alaska: Insights and Uncertainty Revealed from Broad Whitefish (Coregonus nasus) Ecology. Fisheries 48:295-306.	January 2023
Lennox, R., G.A. Bravener, Lin, H., C.P. Madenjian, A.M. Muir, C.K. Remical, K.F. Robinson, A.M. Rous, M.J. Siefkes, M.P. Wilkie, S.J. Cooke. 2020. Potential changes and challenges to the biology and management of invasive sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus in the Laurentian Great Lakes due to climate change. Global Change Biology 26:1118-1137. DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14957 \| Download	March 2020
Legett, H.D., A. Jordaan, A.H. Roy, J.J. Sheppard, M. Somos-Valenzuela, and M.D. Staudinger. 2021. Daily patterns of river herring (Alosa spp.) spawning migrations: environmental drivers and variation among coastal streams in Massachusetts. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10301 \| Publisher Website	May 2021
LeCheminant A.G., G.M. Barrile, S.E. Albeke, A.W. Walters. 2021. Movement dynamics and survival of stocked Colorado River cutthroat trout Oncohynchus clarkii pleuriticus. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 10.1002/tafs.10322	September 2021
Lawson, A.J., P.G.R. Jodice, T.R. Rainwater, K.D. Dunham, M. Hart, J.W. Butfiloski, P.M. Wilkinson, K.W. McFadden, C.T. Moore. 2022. Hidden in plain sight: integrated population models to resolve partially observable latent population structure. Ecosphere 13(12):e4321 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2022	State uncertainty of individuals within sampled populations is a ubiquitous problem in applied conservation, particularly for stage- or size-structured species subject to consumptive use. We constructed a Bayesian integrated population model (IPM) for American alligators (<i>Alligator mississippiensis</i>) in Georgetown County, South Carolina, USA using records of mark-recapture-recovery, clutch size, harvest, and nightlight survey counts collected locally, and auxiliary information on fecundity, sex ratio, and growth from other studies. We created a multistate mark-recapture-recovery model with six size classes to estimate survival probability, and we linked it to a state-space count model to derive estimates of size class-specific detection probability and abundance. Because we worked from a count dataset in which 60% of the original observations were of unknown size, we treated size class as a latent property of detections and developed a novel observation model to make use of information where size could be partly observed. Detection probability was positively associated with alligator size and water temperature, and negatively influenced by water level. Survival probability was lowest in the smallest size class (hatchlings) but was relatively similar among the other five size classes (>0.90 for each). While the two nightlight survey count sites exhibited relatively stable population trends, we detected substantially different patterns in size class-specific abundance and trends between each site, including 30–50% declines in the largest size classes at the site with greater hunting activity. Here, we illustrate the use of IPMs to produce high resolution output of latent population structure that is partially observed during the monitoring process.
Lawson, A.J., K. Kalasz, M.C. Runge, A.C. Schwarzer, M.L. Stantial, M. Woodrey, J.E. Lyons. 2022. Application of qualitative value of information to prioritize uncertainties about eastern black rail population recovery. Conservation Science and Practice 4:e12732. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	May 2022	Natural resource management decisions are often made in the face of uncertainty. The question for the decision maker is whether the uncertainty is an impediment to the decision and, if so, whether it is worth reducing uncertainty before or while implementing actions. Value of information (VoI) methods are decision analytical tools to evaluate the benefit to the decision maker of resolving uncertainty. These methods, however, require quantitative predictions of the outcomes as a function of management alternatives and uncertainty, predictions which may not be available at early stages of decision prototyping. Here we describe the first participatory application of a new qualitative approach to VoI in an adaptive management workshop for Atlantic coast eastern black rail populations. The eastern black rail is a small, cryptic marsh bird that was recently listed as federally Threatened, with extremely little demographic data available. Workshop participants developed conceptual models and nine hypotheses related to the effects of habitat management alternatives on black rail demography. Here we describe the qualitative VoI framework, how it was implemented in the workshop, and the outcomes of the analysis, and offer lessons learned so that others may improve upon implementation of these methods in the future.
Lawson, A.J., Clinton T. Moore, Thomas R. Rainwater, Frances M. Nilsen, Philip M. Wilkinson, Russell H. Lowers, Louis J. Guillette Jr., K.W. McFadden, and Patrick G.R. Jodice. 2020. Nonlinear patterns in mercury bioaccumulation in American alligators are a function of predicted age. Science of the Total Environment 707:135103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135103 \| Download	March 2020
Lawson AJ, Folt B, Tucker AM, Erickson FT, McGowan CP. 2021. Decision context is a necessary component of population viability analysis appraisal. Conservation Biology 35, 1683–1685, doi: 10.1111/cobi.13818 \| Publisher Website	August 2021
Lavretsky, P., R. E. Wilson, S. L. Talbot, and S. A. Sonsthagen. 2021. Phylogenomics reveals ancient and contemporary gene flow contributing to the evolutionary history of sea ducks (Tribe Mergini). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 161:107164.	August 2021
Lavaud R, La Peyre MK, Justic D, La Peyre JF. 2021. Dynamic Energy Budget modelling to predict eastern oyster growth, reproduction, and mortality under river management and climate change scenarios. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science. \| Abstract	January 2021	Eastern oysters growing in deltaic Louisiana estuaries in the northern Gulf of Mexico must tolerate considerable salinity variation from natural climate variability (e.g., rainfall and stream run-off pushing isohalines offshore; tropical storms pushing isohalines inshore) and man-made diversions and siphons releasing freshwater from the Mississippi River. These salinity variations are predicted to increase with future climate change because of the increased frequency of stronger storms and also in response to proposed large-scale river diversions. Increased Mississippi River flow into coastal estuaries from river diversions, along with potential changes in rainfall and stream run-off from climate change will alter spatial and temporal salinity patterns. In this study we used an individual Dynamic Energy Budget model to predict growth and reproductive potential of eastern oysters across observed and simulated salinity gradients corresponding to different climate and river management scenarios. We used validated model outputs of salinity from a coupled hydrology-hydrodynamic model to assess the current impacts of Davis Pond diversion discharge on oysters located downstream. Under a high diversion discharge scenario oyster growth potential was reduced by 9%, 4%, and 1% in Upper, Mid, and Lower Bay locations, respectively, as compared to a limited discharge year. Reproductive outputs decreased by 34% and 2% in the Upper and Lower Bay locations, respectively, and increased by 2% at the Mid Bay site. In scenarios combining predicted increased temperature with the effect of diversions, all oysters located in the Upper and Mid Bay sites died due to severe summer conditions (high temperatures combined with low salinity). Overall, oysters in down-estuary locations, influenced by both estuarine river management and gulf conditions demonstrated significant tolerance to changing salinity and temperature conditions from diversions alone and when combined with climate change. In contrast, oysters located up-estuary, and exposed to more extreme salinity impacts from river management, demonstrated potentially lethal impacts through direct mortality, and reduced sustainability through decrease in reproductive effort. These predictions at the individual level may translate into less sustainable populations in the most extreme scenarios; restoration and production plans would benefit from accounting for these impacts on reproductive output particularly as decision makers seek to restore critical oyster areas.
Lavaud R, La Peyre MK, Couvillion B, Beseres Pollack J, Brown V, Palmer T, Keim B. 2024. Predicting restoration and aquaculture potential of an ecological engineer through an eco-physiological mechanistic model. Ecological Modeling 489:110603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110603 \| Abstract	December 2023	A simple, non-negotiable truth of ensuring success in restoration of ecological engineers (EE) and the functions they support remains the need for the focal species to survive, grow and reproduce. The use of mechanistic modeling, such as a dynamic energy budget (DEB), to map an EE’s fundamental niche provides supports restoration and management predictive of EE resilience under current and future conditions. One EE, the eastern oyster, <i>Crassostrea virginica</i>, provides critical estuarine habitat, and supports a valuable fishery across the northern Gulf of Mexico. Recent declines in oyster populations in this region from human activities, as well as short-term and extreme events have led to significant efforts to restore wild, self-sustaining broodstock reefs, and develop off-bottom aquaculture. To explore potential outcomes for oyster restoration and aquaculture development, we used an individual bioenergetic model based on DEB theory to derive an aquaculture index, based on survival and time to market size, and restoration index, based on survival and reproductive output, across six key Texas and Louisiana estuaries under current (2014–2020) and future predicted environmental conditions (2041–2050). Aquaculture scores using daily averaged current conditions reproduce an observed gradient of oyster growth success increasing from upper estuary to offshore areas, with lower variation in Texas estuaries compared to Louisiana. Restoration scores under daily averaged current conditions showed similar trends with more variability than the aquaculture index due to spawning potential, which is of importance for reef sustainability. In general, Louisiana estuaries showed higher growth rates, and reproduction compared to Texas estuaries, but due to the higher variability and more frequent extremes in salinity and temperature, Louisiana estuaries were more likely to experience mortal conditions any given year, as compared to Texas estuaries. Comparison between current and future conditions indicated that oyster aquaculture and restoration potential in presently occupied areas will possibly decrease in a future climate. However, the spatial resolution of currently available climate model outputs within coastal and estuarine areas limits planning information. This represent a necessary area of improvement to better evaluate the physiological response of EE to future conditions, especially since most aquaculture and restoration developments are likely to occur close to the coastline. Finally, this work demonstrates the potential of mechanistic modeling to inform future planning under environmental conditions likely not currently within the realized niche of EE.
Lavaud R, La Peyre MK et al. 2023. Final Project Report: A roadmap for developing resilient coastal shellfish populations: using spatial and process-based modeling for restoration under current and predicted future water quality conditions. DOI Climate Adaptation Center FInal Report. \| Abstract	August 2024	Our estuaries support valuable recreation, fisheries and aquaculture dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems. Along the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGoM), estuaries sustain local economies through their high productivity. At the same time, they receive over 50% of the US watershed discharge, and water quality within these estuaries is impacted by local management of rivers, and climate change. Within nGoM estuaries, eastern oysters serve as both critical fisheries, and ecosystem engineers, providing nursery and feeding grounds, and improving water quality. Recent declines in oyster populations from anthropogenic activities and extreme events have led to significant efforts to restore wild, self-sustaining broodstock reefs, and develop aquaculture. In this project we extended a model predicting oyster survival, growth and reproduction across 6 important oyster growing estuaries in Texas and Louisiana. We used this model to provide restoration and aquaculture suitability scores within the coastal waters to help inform managers and the oyster industry. The resulting suitability scores reflect likelihood of oyster survival and reproduction (restoration) and likelihood of oyster growth and survival (aquaculture) under current and future (2041-2050) conditions. Louisiana estuaries showed higher growth rates and reproduction than Texas estuaries, but due to the higher variability and more frequent extremes in salinity and temperature, Louisiana estuaries were more likely to experience mortal conditions. Comparison between current and future conditions indicated that oyster aquaculture and restoration potential in presently occupied areas might decrease in the future; however, the spatial resolution of currently available climate model outputs within coastal and estuarine areas limits planning information. These suitability maps help managers and stakeholders assess the current and future value of specific locations for oyster restoration and aquaculture. This work also identifies the need for improved within-estuary water quality projections and highlights the need to continue to quantify oyster responses to extreme and novel conditions.
Lavaud R, Archer SK, La Peyre MK, Campanino FM, Casas SM, La Peyre JF. 2024. In situ valve opening response of eastern oysters to estuarine conditions. Marine Biology 171:174; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-024-04488-1. \| Abstract	June 2024	High-frequency recording of valve opening behavior (VOB) in bivalves has been widely used to detect changes in environmental conditions. Generally, though, focus is put on a single variable such as temperature, salinity, the presence of a toxicant, or harmful algae in the surrounding water. Description of routine VOB under non-stressful conditions is also important to interpret responses to changes in surrounding conditions. Here we present the first detailed quantitative investigation of the in-situ VOB response of eastern oysters to environmental variables and their rates of change under conditions typically considered not stressful. The VOB of 8 eastern oysters (<i>Crassostrea virginica</i>) was monitored continuously for 7 weeks in a Louisiana estuary. We examined the relationship between VOB metrics (inter-individual variability, the probability of an oyster being closed, and the rate at which oysters closed their valves), and abiotic variables (temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll-<i>a</i> (chl-<i>a</i>) concentration), the rate of change in those abiotic variables, and the rate of change in water depth. The relationship between oyster VOB responses and environmental variables was analyzed through statistical models including no rate of change variables, the change from the previous measurement, and rates of change over 1-, 6-, 12-, and 24-hour time steps. All responses were best explained by the 12-hour time step model. The interaction between salinity and the rate of change of salinity had the most impact on inter-individual variability. Salinity had the most impact on the rate of valve closure, with oysters closing faster at higher salinities; chl-<i>a</i> had the most impact on the probability of oyster being closed, with oysters more likely be closed at lower chl-a concentrations. Significant interactions were found between many environmental variables, indicating the high level of complexity of oyster behavior in the natural environment. These interactions provided some insight into potential links between the VOB and the energetic physiology of oysters. For example, we showed that even with low salinities (< 5), oysters can remain open when enough food (chl-a) is available to support the costs of osmoregulation. VOB thus appears as a determinant factor in the capacity of oysters to maintain and conserve their metabolic and physiological functions in response to ever-changing conditions. This study contributes to the better understanding of the impact of environmental parameters variations on oyster behavior and could help inform predictive tools for restoration initiatives and fisheries practices.
Lautenbach, J.D., D.A. Haukos, J.M. Lautenbach, and C.A. Hagen. 2021. Ecological disturbance through patch-burn grazing drives lesser prairie-chicken space use. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:1699–1710; 2021; DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22118 \| Abstract	September 2021	Across portions of the western Great Plains, fire has been removed from grassland ecosystems, decreasing vegetation heterogeneity and allowing woody encroachment. This has implications for many grassland species that require diverse vegetation patches and structure throughout their life or patches that have limited availability in the absence of fire. The lesser prairie-chicken (<i>Tympanuchus pallidicinctus</i>) is a declining species of prairie-grouse that require heterogeneous grasslands throughout their life-history and fire has been removed from much of their range. Patch-burn grazing is a management strategy that introduces fire to a system and increases grassland heterogeneity. We sought to understand the effects of patch-burn grazing on lesser prairie-chicken space-use, habitat, and vegetation selection during a 4-year field study from 2014–2017. We found that female lesser prairie-chickens selected 1- and 2-year post fire patches during the lekking season, >3-year post-fire patches during the nesting season, and year-of-fire and 1-year post-fire patches during post-nesting and nonbreeding seasons. Vegetation selection was similar to available vegetation in patches that were selected during the nesting and nonbreeding season. Vegetation selection during the lekking and post-nesting seasons was not similar to available vegetation in selected patches, suggesting that lesser prairie-chickens are cuing in on other factors during this season. Because lesser prairie-chickens selected all available patches during their life-history, patch-burn grazing may be a viable management tool to maintain heterogeneity on the landscape and help control woody encroachment in the eastern portion of their range.
Latif, QS, JJ Valente, A. Johnston, KL Davis, FA Fogarty, AW Green, GM Jones, M Leu, NL Michel, DC Pavlacky, EA Rigby, CS Rushing, JS Sanderlin, MW Tingley, and Q Zhao. 2024. Designing count-based studies in a world of hierarchical models. Journal of Wildlife Management, 88:e22622. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22622.	June 2024
Lassiter, E.V., J.H. Sperry, and B.A. DeGregorio. 2023. Movement ecology of adult and juvenile spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) in a seasonally dynamic environment. Wildlife Research \| Abstract	April 2023	<i>Context.</i> Understanding the temporal and spatial scale at which wildlife move is vital for conservation and management. This is especially important for semi-aquatic species which make frequent inter-wetland movements to fulfill life-history requirements.<br><i>Aims. </i>We investigate the drivers of movement and space-use of the imperiled spotted turtle (<i>Clemmys guttata</i>), an ephemeral wetland specialist, in three large, isolated wetland complexes in Virginia, U.S.A.<br><i>Methods. </i>We use VHF radio-transmitters to radio-locate adult and juvenile turtles and estimate movement and space-use during their active and aestivation seasons (March - August). We then use generalized linear mixed models to examine how movement and space-use varied based on intrinsic turtle characteristics and extrinsic wetland and climatic features.<br><i>Key results. </i>We showed that on average individual spotted turtles used 5 wetlands per year (range 3 – 13) and that their inter-wetland movement and daily movement distance varied seasonally in accordance with wetland availability and breeding phenology. Spotted turtle movement and space-use was influenced by the arrangement and size of the wetland complexes, with turtles moving farther and occupying larger home-ranges as size and distance between wetlands increased. Inter-wetland movement was not influenced by intrinsic turtle effects but larger adult turtles moved further, used more wetlands, and had larger home-ranges than smaller turtles.<i> </i><br><i>Conclusions. </i>Turtle response to variation in season and wetland configuration highlight the need for complex and dynamic landscapes that are required to sustain this species.<br><i>Implications. </i>This study has important conservation implications showing that spotted turtles rely on a large number of diverse wetlands as well as upland habitat to fulfill their resource needs and that these habitat associations vary seasonally. And more broadly, results from our study can aid in the understanding of the spatial and temporal variation in patch characteristics (e.g. quality and extent) and inter-patch movement by organisms, which is critical for the conservation and management of semi-aquatic species and other species that occupy patchy habitat systems.<i> </i>
Laske, S. M., A.E. Rosenberger, M.S. Wipfli, and C.E. Zimmerman. 2019. Surface water connectivity controls fish food web structure and complexity across local-and meta-food webs in Arctic Coastal Plain lakes. Food Webs https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2019.e00123. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2019	The need for theories that address food web assembly and complexity over multiple spatial scales are critical to understanding their stability and persistence. In a meta-food web – an integrated network of local food webs – spatial heterogeneity in physical processes may have profound effects on food web function and energy flow. In the Arctic, surface water connectivity plays a vital role in determining fish assemblage composition, and potentially, food web structure. We examined lentic food web complexity associated with heterogeneity in surface water connectivity among Arctic lakes at the local scale, by contrasting lakes over a stream-lake connectivity gradient, and at the regional scale, by contrasting two locations with different surface water conditions (i.e., wet and dry) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. Among lakes and across locations, increased hydrologic connectivity between streams and lakes increased the number of fish species and increased the complexity of the food web. The interaction of the region's hydrologic connectivity, local stream-lake connections, and the trophic niches of relevant fish species produced integrated, complex meta-food webs. Fully understanding mechanisms that support meta-food web stability are crucial when assessing future changes to Arctic stream-lake networks and the function and persistence of aquatic food webs.
Lasharr, Kelsie, D.C. Fulton, L. Cornicelli. Experience Preferences and Place Attachment of Minnesota Wildlife Management Area Visitors. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. Published online May 26, 2022 https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2022.2077480 \| Abstract	May 2022	Hunters in the United States are motivated to obtain and benefit from diverse experiences or experience preferences. Using a mail survey conducted during the 2015–2016 hunting season, we examined goal-oriented, introspective, and leadership experiences among hunters on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Management Area (WMAs). We used k-means cluster analysis to identify six clusters based on experience preferences. We defined these clusters using their ranked experience preferences and segregated them into categories of either participants or enthusiasts. These clusters showed differences in demographic characteristics, as well as support for management actions on WMAs. Hunters in clusters with lower importance ratings of experience preferences also reported less attachment to WMAs. High levels of support for management actions were closely related to high levels of place attachment. Using information gained from describing the heterogeneity of desired experiences, managers may be better able to understand their constituents and prioritize management goals to provide a variety of hunting experiences.
Larson, W.A., D.A. Isermann, Z.S. Feiner. 2020. Incomplete bioinformatic filtering and inadequate age and growth analysis lead to an incorrect inference of harvested-induced changes: a comment on Bowles et al. (2020). Evolutionary Applications. DOI: 10.1111/eva.13122.	September 2020
Larson, M.S., A. Choudhury, E.N. Gardner, P. Konstantinidis, C.A. Murphy, M.L. Kent, J.T. Peterson, and C.E. Couch. 2024. Diet and Philonema oncorhynchi infections in reservoir-rearing juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Transactions of the American Fisheries Society153(3): 312-325. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	May 2024	Dams and reservoirs can alter juvenile growth and survival of migratory salmonids through several physical and biological mechanisms. Juvenile Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>)<b> </b>produced above large hydropower dams may have associated passage mortality, but reservoirs created by these dams can support rapid growth. Characterizing the biotic drivers of growth and mortality in reservoirs may aid in understanding the cumulative effects of river impoundments on migratory salmonid populations. The purpose of this study is to understand how reservoirs facilitate rapid growth in juvenile Chinook salmon by characterizing diet composition throughout the summer and fall. We found that juvenile Chinook salmon frequently consume young-of-year centrarchids, which likely contributes to rapid growth. Piscivory was highest from July through September and decreased with surface temperature beginning in late September and continuing through December. Correspondingly, zooplankton and arthropod consumption increased in November and December. We also recorded prevalence of the parasitic nematode <i>Philonema oncorhynchi</i> in the coelom. Prevalence of macroscopic <i>P. oncorhynchi</i> infections was high (35%) but decreased over time and was lower in the larger fish, indicating parasite-associated mortality.
Lapointe, N.W.R., R.K. Saylor, and P.L. Angermeier. 2019. Diel feeding and movement activity of Northern Snakehead (Channa argus). Proceedings of 1st International Snakehead Symposium. American Fisheries Symposium 89: 69-81 \| Abstract	December 2019	Understanding the diel activity of a species can shed light on potential interactions with other species and inform management practices. To understand the diel activity of Northern Snakehead <i>Channa argus</i>, feeding habits and movement patterns were observed. Two hundred seventy-three Northern Snakehead were captured by boat electrofishing during May and June of 2007 and 2008. Their gut contents were extracted and preserved. The level of digestion of each prey item was estimated from fresh (1) to >50% digested (4) or empty (5). Random forest models were used to predict feeding activity based on time of day, tide level, date, water temperature, fish total length, and sex. Diel movement patterns were assessed by implanting Northern Snakehead with radio transmitters and monitoring them every 1.5 hours for 24 hours in both March and July 2007. Movement rates were compared between March and July and among four daily time periods. Independent variables accounted for only 6% of the variation in feeding activity; however, temporal feeding patterns were apparent. No fresh items were observed in guts between 12:30 and 7:30 am, and the proportion of empty stomachs increased at the end of May coinciding with the onset of the spawning season. Overall, fish moved greater distances during the July tracking period compared to March. Fish showed a greater propensity to move during daylight hours than at night during the March tracking period. A similar but non-significant (<i>P</i> > 0.05) pattern was observed in July. Movement and feeding data both indicated greater activity during daylight hours than at night, suggesting that Northern Snakehead is a diurnal species. Based on our preliminary findings, we hypothesize that a) diurnal species are more susceptible than nocturnal species to predation by Northern Snakehead and b) Northern Snakehead are more likely to compete for food with diurnal than nocturnal predators.
Lapierre, J-F., S.M. Collins, S.K. Oliver, E.H. Stanley, T. Wagner. 2021. Inconsistent browning of Northeastern US lakes despite increased precipitation and recovery from acidification. Ecosphere 12 e03415.	March 2021
Lapierre JF, Webster KE, Hanks E, Wagner T, Soranno PA, McCullough IM, Reinl KL, Domka M and Lotting NR. 2023. A continuous classification of the 476,697 lakes of the conterminous US based on geographic archetypes. Limnology and Oceanography. http://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12457	November 2023
Landon, A.C., K. Smith, L. Cornicelli, D.C. Fulton, L.E. McInenly, S.A. Schroeder. Examining Landowners’ Preferences for a Chronic Wasting Disease Management Program. Wildlife Society Bulletin	December 2022
Landon, A. C., D.C. Fulton, A. Pradhananga, L. Cornicelli, and M. Davenport. Community attachment and stewardship identity influence responsibility to manage wildlife. 2021. Society & Natural Resources 34 (5): 571-584. DOI: 10.1080/08941920.2020.1852636	December 2020
Lance, M. J., T. D. Ritter, A. V. Zale, G. G. Grisak, J. A. Mullen, S. J. Walsh, K. C. Heim, and R. Al-Chokhachy. 2024. Spatial and temporal variability of movements among sympatric salmonids in an un-fragmented, inland watershed. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 153: 611-629 doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10485.	September 2024
Lamont, M. M. D. Johnson, and R. R. Carthy. 2020. The incubation environment of nests deposited by a genetically distinct group of loggerhead sea turtles in Northwest Florida. Global Ecology and Conservation 23: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01070 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	September 2020	The warming climate presents a challenge to conservation of all threatened and endangered species but particularly to those that exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination such as sea turtles. Changes in temperature may result in changes in the sex ratio of the population which can directly affect reproductive rate, abundance and population dynamics. The NW Atlantic loggerhead turtle population is listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and one of the smallest subpopulations in this assemblage nests in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Here, we describe the incubation environment of northern Gulf of Mexico loggerheads nesting at several different beaches in Northwest Florida. Temperature dataloggers were placed inside and adjacent to nests on different nesting beaches across Northwest Florida. In addition, incubation durations were recorded from nests deposited on those same beaches. Internal nest temperatures were higher than those in the sand, however sand temperatures were correlated with incubation durations. Sand temperatures differed along the vertical beach profile and according to depth. Temperatures also differed along a geographic gradient across Northwest Florida and in relation to distance from the Apalachicola River. Incubation durations followed a similar pattern. Mean monthly temperatures at all sites were at or lower than 29 °C (range 23.1 °C–29.6 °C at the dunes; 23.8 °C–29.4 °C at mid-beach) which suggests nests in Northwest Florida may be producing a significant number of males, in contrast to the large number of females being produced on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The temperatures and incubation durations on these nesting beaches may be regulated by differing sources of sand and beach orientations across Northwest Florida.
Lamb, J.S., Y.G. Satgé, R.A. Streker, and P.G.R. Jodice. Ecological drivers of Brown Pelican movement patterns, health, and reproductive success in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA. OCS Study BOEM-2020-036. 232 pp. \| Download	July 2020
Lamb, J.S., Y.G. Satgé, P.G.R. Jodice. 2020. Seasonal variation in environmental and behavioral drivers of annual-cycle habitat selection in a nearshore seabird. Diversity and Distributions. doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13015 \| Download	December 2019
Lai, QT, ER Irwin and Y Zhang. 2020. Estimating nitrogen removal services of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in Mobile Bay, Ecological Indicators 117(2020) 106541	May 2020
Lai QT, ER Irwin, Y Zhang. 2020. Quantifying harvestable fish and crustacean production enhancement and associated economic values from oyster reefs in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Oceans and Coastal Management 187:105104 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105104	February 2020
Lachman, D. A., C. J. Conway, K. T. Vierling, and T. Matthews. 2020. Drones provide a better method to find nests and estimate nest survival for colonial waterbirds: a demonstration with western grebes. Wetlands Ecology and Management 28:837–845. doi: 10.1007/s11273-020-09743-y	September 2020
Lachman, D. A., C. J. Conway, K. T. Vierling, T. Matthews, and D. Evans Mack. 2022. Drones and bathymetry show the importance of optimal water depth for nest placement within breeding colonies of Western and Clark's Grebes. Wetlands 42:110.	November 2022
Lachance Linklater, E., S. A. Sonsthagen, G. J. Robertson, L. Colston-Nepali, F. Vigfúsdóttir, and V. L. Friesen. 2024. Reduced representation sequencing reveals weak genetic differentiation between Canadian and European Larus hyperboreus (Glaucous Gull). Ornithological Applications. doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duae037	August 2024
LaSharr et al. Evaluating Risks Associated with Animal Capture and Handling for Individual-Based and Long-Term Research	November 2022
LaRose, J., E.B. Webb, and D. Finke. 2020. Comparing native bee communities on reconstrcuted and remnant prairie in Missouri. The Prairie Naturalist	December 2020
LaRoche, D. D., C. J. Conway, and C. Kirkpatrick. 2022. Small-scale variation in trap placement affects arthropod capture rates on sticky traps in riparian woodlands. Southwestern Naturalist 66:275-279.	November 2022
LaCava, M. E., Aikens, E. O., Megna, L. C., Randolph, G., Hubbard, C., & Buerkle, C. A. (2020). Accuracy of de novo assembly of DNA sequences from double‐digest libraries varies substantially among software. Molecular ecology resources, 20(2), 360-370. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13108. \| Abstract	March 2020	Advances in DNA sequencing have made it feasible to gather genomic data for non-model organisms and large sets of individuals, often using methods for sequencing subsets of the genome. Several of these methods sequence DNA associated with endonuclease restriction sites (various RAD and GBS methods). For use in taxa without a reference genome, these methods rely on <i>de novo</i> assembly of fragments in the sequencing library. Many of the software options available for this application were originally developed for other assembly types and we do not know their accuracy for reduced representation libraries. To address this important knowledge gap, we simulated data from the <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> and <i>Homo sapiens</i> genomes and compared <i>de novo</i> assemblies by six software programs that are commonly used or promising for this purpose (ABySS, CD-HIT, Stacks, Stacks2, Velvet and VSEARCH). We simulated different mutation rates and types of mutations, and then applied the six assemblers to the simulated data sets, varying assembly parameters. We found substantial variation in software performance across simulations and parameter settings. ABySS failed to recover any true genome fragments, and Velvet and VSEARCH performed poorly for most simulations. Stacks and Stacks2 produced accurate assemblies of simulations containing SNPs, but the addition of insertion and deletion mutations decreased their performance. CD-HIT was the only assembler that consistently recovered a high proportion of true genome fragments. Here, we demonstrate the substantial difference in the accuracy of assemblies from different software programs and the importance of comparing assemblies that result from different parameter settings.
La Peyre, M.K., Marshall, D.A., and Sable, S.E., 2021, Oyster model inventory: Identifying critical data and modeling approaches to support restoration of oyster reefs in coastal U.S. Gulf of Mexico waters: U.S. Geological SurveyOpen-File Report 2021–1063, 40 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20211063.	August 2021
La Peyre MK, Sable S., Taylor C, Watkins KS, Kiskaddon E, Baustian M. 2021. Effects of sample gear on estuarine fish assemblage assessments and food web models. Ecological Indicators 133:108404 https://doi.org/10.106.j.ecolind.2021.108404. \| Abstract	December 2021	Long-term fisheries-independent sampling data inform population status and trends of species specific biomass and are often used to drive biomass-based food web models such as the Comprehensive Aquatic Systems Model (CASM). Indicators such as total biomass and mean trophic level derived from these data and from CASM outputs inform management and facilitate assessments of on-going and predicted coastal change and restoration activities on fisheries, but rely on consistent sampling to enable comparisons across space and time. Changes in coastal estuarine gradients, combined with the availability of new sampling technologies, highlight a need to assess the potential consequences of changing sampling technologies on fisheries data and the cascading impact on model outputs. In Louisiana, USA, CASM models are used to inform coastal restoration projects, relying on 40 years of fisheries independent data derived from 50’ seine sampling. However, alternative use of electrofishers as a sampling method has been proposed to replace the seine sampling. In this study, we examine data from concurrent seine and electrofisher sampling in Barataria Basin, Louisiana, and compare biomass, assemblage data and CASM outputs related to species biomass, food web structure and energy cycling. In a paired comparison of data in 2018-2019, the electrofisher captured higher total catch and diversity compared to the seine. The electrofisher samples were dominated by shrimp (grass, white, brown) and larger bodied fish, while seine samples were dominated by smaller-bodied fish (i.e., anchovy, menhaden). Ecosystem indicators derived from running the CASM using biomass data from seine and electrofisher sampling separately provide contrasting results. Although initializing the CASM biomasses for key species using seine and electrofisher data to begin the model simulations did not cause large or long-running changes in the simulated biomasses over time, results using the electrofisher biomasses substituted into the original calibrated CASM on day 500 in a different simulation resulted in changes in biomass structure, with a doubling of total food web biomass due to the increased shrimp count, and a 13% increase in total energy flow (TST) through the food web. Conversions based on area and gear efficiency for overall catch may be useful in maintaining the continuity of historical data. However, differences in species-specific catch due to gear selectivity could have large consequences for constructing and calibrating fish and ecosystem models and remain difficult to reconcile. These differences in assemblages, and estimated biomasses for key food web species, suggest careful consideration in changing gears.
La Peyre MK, Sable S, Marshall DA, Irwin E, Hanson C. 2024. The use of conceptual ecological models to identify critical data and uncertainties to support numerical modeling:The northern Gulf of Mexico eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) example. Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science. 204;16:e10297 https://doi.org/10.1002/mcf2.10297. \| Abstract	May 2024	Managing fisheries species of conservation, production and habitat value remains challenging. Increasing reliance on numerical simulation models to help inform management and restoration choices benefits from careful consideration of critical early steps in model development. These early steps include identification of priority management questions, consideration of the key physiological responses and vital rates and primary driving variables, acknowledgment of uncertainty, and focused investment in basic research to reduce uncertainty. Along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the eastern oyster, <i>Crassostrea virginica</i>, fulfills important ecological and economic roles. Using the eastern oyster as an example, we draw on several recent frameworks outlining best practices for model development and application for fisheries restoration, conservation and management to identify priority model questions, outline a conceptual ecological model (CEM) to guide numerical model development and use this framework to identify uncertainties and research needs. The CEM uses a nested design identifying explicit vital rates, processes, attributes and outcomes at the level of the individual oyster, the reef (population) and at a metapopulation level (a network of reef populations) in response to drivers and changing environmental factors. Most management actions related to reef restoration and harvest impact reef (population) attributes, but drivers (i.e., climate change, coastal and water resource engineering) impact environmental factors that alter vital rates and attributes of individual oysters, populations and metapopulations. Investment in studies targeting individual oyster and population (reef) level multi-stressor responses (filtration, respiration, growth, reproduction), and improving hydrodynamic and environmental models targeting drivers influencing metapopulation vital rates and attributes (i.e., connectivity, substrate persistence) would contribute to reducing critical uncertainties. Development of numerical models covering the entire oyster life cycle and connectivity of populations (reefs) using hydrodynamic models of current and predicted conditions to provide key abiotic and biotic factors influencing larval movement, recruitment, and on-reef oyster vital rates, would assist in balancing goals of conservation and production management of this foundational estuarine species.
La Peyre MK, Marshall DA, Buie SCL, Hijuelos A, Steyer GD. 2022. Are we falling short on restoring oysters at a regional scale? Environmental Managementhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-022-01691-y \| Abstract	April 2022	AAcross coastal areas of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the <i>Deepwater Horizon</i> oil spill resulted in significant ecological injury and over 8 billion USD directed to restoration activities. Oyster restoration projects were implemented with regional goals of restoring oyster abundance, spawning stock, and population resilience. Measuring regional or large-scale ecosystem restoration outcomes challenges traditional project-specific monitoring and outcome reporting. We examined the outcomes of oyster restoration at the project-level and discuss potential pathways to measure progress toward region-level goals. An estimated 15 km<sup>2</sup> of oyster habitat was restored across 11 different estuaries with 62 individual reef footprints created, ranging in size from ~ 0.2 to >1.45 km<sup>2</sup>. Individual sites were distributed across the salinity gradient, and all reefs were subtidal. One-year post-restoration, mean total oyster density across all sites was 53.0 ± 60.7 ind m<sup>-2</sup> of which 38.4 ± 42.2 ind m<sup>-2</sup> were adult (> 25 mm shell height) oysters. Recent data available for all sites indicates reduced densities of total oysters (44.6 ± 70.9 ind m<sup>-2</sup>) and adult oysters (14.6 ± 21.6 ind m<sup>-2</sup>). These data provide insight into project specific outcomes, suggesting an overall enhancement in oyster abundance from restoration, but fall short of informing outcomes at the regional level that incorporate cumulative effects on adjacent and connected reef populations, or resiliency of the regional oyster resource. Developing outcome measures that incorporate cumulative and synergistic impacts of individual projects will require reconciliation and consideration of project-level planning and monitoring performance targets with broader spatial and temporal monitoring requirements.
La Peyre MK, Buie SCL, Rossi R, Roberts BJ. 2022. Long-term assessments are critical to determining persistence and shoreline protection from oyster reef nature-based coastal defense. Ecological Engineering https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2022.106603 \| Abstract	March 2022	Nature-based coastal defense using bivalve reefs provide a potentially self-sustaining approach for regions facing high coastal land loss, sea level rise and increasing frequency and intensity of storms. Success of such nature-based coastal defense depends on the reef-building species’ life history, habitat requirements, and ability to thrive through short-term and longer-term environmental variation, yet few projects have reported on outcomes beyond the first few years. In coastal Louisiana, USA, <i>Crassostrea virginica</i> (oyster) is an ecosystem engineer, creating self-sustaining, vertically accreting reefs that also provide ecosystem services. Here, we examine the short (< 3 years) and medium (> 10 years) term outcomes of experimental reefs constructed in 2009 for nature-based coastal defense in a Louisiana estuarine lake. Oyster reef density, demography, along with adjacent salt marsh, and shoreline movement were compared at six fringing shoreline reefs and paired reference sites over the first three years post-construction (2009-2011), and a decade later (2019-2020). Oyster density measured in 2019-2020 (< 60 ind m<sup>-2</sup>) was less than 10% of density measured during 2009-2011 (> 1000 ind m<sup>-2</sup>). This density difference largely reflected a lack of new recruits and small oysters (< 75 mm shell height) in later samples, with adult oyster densities similar between 2011, 2019 and 2020. Lack of smaller oysters in recent sampling likely reflected the impact of multiple extended low salinity events in this region in recent years, including the record-breaking low salinity in 2019. No differences in shoreline characteristics were detected in marsh vegetation, soil properties or nutrient concentrations between reef and reference sites. Similarly, shoreline erosion at both reef and reference sites immediately post-construction, and 10 years later, was high (~1m y<sup>-1</sup>). These findings highlight the need to consider both current and future conditions, including the effect of extreme years, when implementing nature-based coastal defense. On the other hand, the persistence of reproductive-sized oysters on the reef, indicate reef resilience and potential for reef development and shoreline benefits, should better site conditions return in future years. Determining restoration success within variable and dynamic environments requires understanding of responses to short and longer-term environmental variation.<br>
L. S. Saul-Gershenz, S. M. Grodsky, and R. R. Hernandez. 2020. Ecology of the Western Queen Butterfly Danaus gilippus thersippus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. Insects. 11:315. doi:10.3390/insects11050315.	May 2020
Kwak, T.J. and M.T. Porath, editors. 2021. Catfish 2021, Communicating Catfish Science: Proceedings of the Third International Catfish Symposium. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41: Special Issue 1, 439 pages. * Open access at https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/15488675/2021/41/S1.	October 2021
Kwak, T.J. 2020. Being led and leading in science and life: an Index of Mentor Quality. Pages 333-338 in W.W. Taylor, A.K. Carlson, A. Bennett, and C.P. Ferreri, editors. Lessons in leadership: integrating courage, vision, and innovation for the future of sustainable fisheries. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	November 2020
Kurz, David J., Arthur D. Middleton, Melissa S. Chapman, Bruce R. Huber, Alex McInturff, Jeremy Sorgen, Kyle S. Van Houtan, Christine E. Wilkinson, Lauren Withey, and Justin S. Brashares. "Including Rural America in academic conservation science." Accepted, Frontiers in Conservation Science. \| Abstract	August 2023	Conservation has made great strides by embracing DEIJ efforts, but these efforts can improve the science and practice of conservation further by attending to rural populations. Here we offer strategies for strengthening inclusion of rural Americans in conservation science and practice. We suggest three pathways toward this goal: (i) emphasize knowledge co - production and partnerships that resonate with rural lifestyles and values; (ii) recruit and train rural students in conservation science degree programs; and (iii) reshape academic advancement criteria to promote rural engagement. We suggest that investments in academic - rural collaboration hold potential to build knowledge, trust, inclusion, and justice in the United States.
Kumar, A., A.H. Roy, K. Andreadis, X. He, and C. Butler. 2024. LakeLevel Tracker: A Google Earth Engine-based web application for characterizing lake water levels. LakeLine 43(4): 21-25. \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2024
Kumar, A. A.H. Roy, K. Andreadis, X. He, and C. Butler. 2024. A multi-sensor approach to characterize winter water level drawdown patterns in lakes. Remote Sensing 16:947. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16060947 \| Publisher Website	March 2024
Kuechle, K. J., E. B. Webb, D Mengel and A.R. Main. 2022. Seed-treatments containing neonicotinoids reduce aquatic insect abundance in managed floodplain wetlands. \| Abstract	February 2022	Neonicotinoid insecticides are commonly used as seed-treatments on major agricultural row crops (e.g., corn). Indeed, neonicotinoid treated agricultural crops are often planted directly in floodplain wetlands managed for wildlife, specifically waterfowl. Numerous studies have documented impacts of neonicotinoids to aquatic invertebrates in laboratory and mesocosm settings; however, there is limited information on impacts to aquatic invertebrates in field settings. We investigated invertebrate community response to planting of neonicotinoid-treated seed in managed wetland ecosystems in Missouri. In 2016, we sampled water, sediment, and aquatic invertebrates from 22 paired wetlands during spring (pre-wetland drawdown) and fall (post-wetland flood-up) followed by a third sampling period (spring 2017). During summer, portions of study wetlands were planted with either seed treated corn (treated) or untreated corn (control). Water and sediment concentrations of the three most common neonicotinoids were used to calculate overall neonicotinoids toxicity equivalents (NI-EQs) based on an additive model of neonicotinoids toxic equivalency factors. Mean total NI-EQs for sediment (0.58 μg/kg) were an order of magnitude greater than water (0.02 μg/L). Water quality parameters and insecticide concentrations were used to evaluate effects of neonicotinoid and fungicide concentrations on aquatic macroinvertebrates using a series of generalized linear mixed effects models. Results indicate an overall decrease in aquatic insect richness and abundance with increasing NI-EQs in both wetland water and sediments, as well as a similar negative relationship with sediment fungicide concentration. Post-treatment, treated wetlands had lower insect richness and abundance compared to untreated wetlands, but a recovery in abundance and richness followed in spring 2017. Our results have implications for aquatic invertebrates and wetland-dependent species (e.g., migrating waterbirds) as neonicotinoids, although below lethal concentrations, are impacting wetland ecosystems. Research results will be useful to wetland managers in making decisions regarding use of neonicotinoid seed-treatments, and potentially, provide broader considerations of the role agricultural production has in future wetland management and conservation planning.
Kubicek, K. M., Britz, R., Pinion, A. K., Bower, L. M., & Conway, K. W. (2022). Three scleral ossicles in the West African Denticle herring Denticeps clupeoides (Clupeiformes: Denticipitidae). Journal of Fish Biology, 100(3), 852-855. \| Abstract	February 2022	The eyes of teleostean fishes typically exhibit two ossifications, the anterior and posterior sclerotics, both associated with the scleral cartilage. The West African Denticle Herring <i>Denticeps clupeoides </i>has three scleral ossifications, including the typical two associated with the scleral cartilage (anterior and posterior sclerotic) and a third ossification (Di Dario’s ossicle), spatially separated from the scleral cartilage and located within the anteromedial wall of the sclera. The medial rectus muscle inserts on the medial surface of Di Dario’s ossicle, suggesting that this third sclerotic may play a role in forward rotation of the eye in this surface feeding fish.
Kroschel, W.A., and S.L. King. 2021. Floodplain forest tree seedling response to variation in flood timing and duration. Forest Ecology and Management 502:119660. . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119660	December 2021
Kremer, L., and C.A. Caldwell. Wildfire effects on mass and thermal tolerance of Hydropsyche oslari (Trichoptera) in southwestern montane grassland streams. Freshwater Science. 41:62-76. \| Abstract	March 2022	Large-scale disturbances, such as wildfire, can markedly affect streams for years. As terrestrial areas within a watershed slowly recover, stream environments and biota can experience repeated and long-lasting challenges. In 2011, the Las Conchas wildfire burned <sup>1</sup>/<sub>3</sub> of the Valles Caldera National Preserve in northern New Mexico, USA. Seven y post-fire, streams located near the burn perimeter continue to experience varying levels of alteration (e.g., channel alteration with large diel temperature swings), whereas the terrestrial uplands have begun to recover. Extreme temperatures in stream systems may affect the aquatic community, including ectotherms such as caddisflies. These post-fire temperature ranges may increase an ectotherm’s breadth of thermal adaptation, but at metabolic costs that diminish organismal performance, such as growth, development, and fecundity. In this study we characterized in situ effects of varied thermal regimes across preserve streams on the performance of the caddisfly <i>Hydropsyche oslari</i> Banks, 1905. We measured mass and critical thermal maximum (CT<sub>max</sub>) in <i>H. oslari</i> larvae from preserve streams affected by wildfire (high temperature range) and in streams minimally affected by wildfire (low temperature range). We predicted that increased daily temperature maxima and reduced daily temperature minima (i.e., large diel temperature swings) would be associated with reduced <i>H. oslari</i> mass because of the limiting effects of suboptimal temperatures on growth. As predicted, in the weeks prior to their emergence as terrestrial adults, 5<sup>th</sup>-instar larvae within the high-temperature-range stream had reduced mass (mean 3.3 ± SE 0.55 mg) relative to larvae from the low-temperature-range stream (6.2 ± 0.69 mg). We also predicted that CT<sub>max</sub> of <i>H. oslari</i> would reflect stream thermal history. Indeed, larvae <i>H. oslari</i> from the high-temperature-range stream exhibited increased CT<sub>max</sub> (35.4 ± 0.17°C) compared with larvae from the low-temperature-range stream (34.4 ± 0.28°C). We demonstrated that the effects of wildfire on caddisflies can be long lasting, as evidenced by the reduced size at maturity and higher thermal tolerance in a caddisfly population 7 y post-fire.
Krementz, D.G., D. E. Andersen, and T.R. Cooper (eds.). 2019. Proceedings of the 11th American Woodcock Symposium, University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. ISBN: 978-1-946135-60-5: eISBN: 978-1-946135-59-9 \| Publisher Website	December 2019
Kreling, S. E., Gaynor, K. M., McInturff, A., Calhoun, K. L., & Brashares, J. S. (2021). Site fidelity and behavioral plasticity regulate an ungulate’s response to extreme disturbance. Ecology and evolution, 11(22), 15683-15694. \| Abstract	November 2021	With rapid global change, the frequency and severity of extreme disturbance events are increasing worldwide. The ability of animal populations to survive these stochastic events depends on how individual animals respond to their altered environments, yet our understanding of the immediate and short-term behavioral responses of animals to acute disturbances remains poor. We focused on animal behavioral responses to the environmental disturbance created by megafire. Specifically, we explored the effects of the 2018 Mendocino Complex Fire in northern California, USA, on the behavior and body condition of black-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus columbianus</i>). We predicted that deer would be displaced by the disturbance or experience high mortality post-fire if they stayed in the burn area. We used data from GPS collars on 18 individual deer to quantify patterns of home range use, movement, and habitat selection before and after the fire. We assessed changes in body condition using images from a camera trap grid. The fire burned through half of the study area, facilitating a comparison between deer in burned and unburned areas. Despite a dramatic reduction in vegetation in burned areas, deer showed high site fidelity to pre-fire home ranges, returning within hours of the fire. However, mean home range size doubled after the fire and corresponded to increased daily activity in a severely resource-depleted environment. Within their home ranges, deer also selected strongly for patches of surviving vegetation and woodland habitat, as these areas provided forage and cover in an otherwise desolate landscape. Deer body condition significantly decreased after the fire, likely as a result of a reduction in forage within their home ranges, but all collared deer survived for the duration of the study. Understanding the ways in which large mammals respond to disturbances such as wildfire is increasingly important as the extent and severity of such events increases across the world. While many animals are adapted to disturbance regimes, species that exhibit high site fidelity or otherwise fixed behavioral strategies may struggle to cope with increased climate instability and associated extreme disturbance events.
Krejsa, D. M., S. L. Talbot, G. K. Sage, S. A. Sonsthagen, T. S. Jung, A. J. Magoun, and J. A. Cook. 2021. Dynamic landscapes in northwestern North America structured populations of wolverines (Gulo gulo). Journal of Mammalogy. 3:891-908.	May 2021
Krebs, J.E., E.J. Brandt, D.J. Dembkowski, D.A. Isermann. 2021. Relative effectiveness of D-Frame dip nets, quatrefoil light traps, and towed ichthyoplankton nets for larval Muskellunge. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10645	June 2021
Krausman, P.R., and J.W. Cain, III, editors. 2022. Wildlife Management: Contemporary Principles and Practices. Second Edition. The Wildlife Society and Johns Hopkins University Press.	September 2022
Kramer. G.R., R. K. Pagel, K. Maley, C. Ziegler, S. M. Peterson, D. E. Andersen, D. A. Buehler, and H. M. Streby. 2020. Say what? Bivalent singing in Vermivora warblers. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. 101:Article e01627. DOI:10.1002/bes2.1627. \| Download	January 2020
Kramer, G.R., R.K. Pagel, K. Maley, C. Ziegler, S.M. Peterson, D.E. Andersen, D.A. Buehler, P.B. Wood, and H.M. Streby. 2019. Say what? Bivalent singing in Vermivora warblers. Ecology. DOI:10.1002/ecy.2881.	January 2020
Kramer, G.R., K.O. Daly, H.M. Streby, and D.E. Andersen. 2019. Association between American woodcock seasonal productivity and landscape composition and configuration in Minnesota. Pages 107-121 in Krementz, D.G., D. E. Andersen, and T.R. Cooper (eds.). Proceedings of the 11th American Woodcock Symposium, University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. DOI:10.24926/AWS.0115. \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2019
Kramer, G.R., D.E. Andersen, D.A. Buehler, J.A. Lehman, P.B. Wood, S.M. Peterson, K.R., Aldinger, L.P. Bulluck, S. Harding, J.A. Jones, J.P. Loegering, C. Smalling, R. Vallender, and H.M. Streby. 2023. Exposure to risk factors experienced during migration is not associated with recent Vermivora warbler population trends. Landscape Ecology DOI:10.1007/s10980-023-01701-2 \| Download	June 2023
Kraft, J. D., D. A. Haukos, M. R. Bain, M. B. Rice, S. Robinson, D. S. Sullins, C. A. Hagen, J. Pitman, J.M. Lautenbach, R. Plumb, and J.D. Lautenbach. 2021. Using grazing to manage herbaceous structure for a heterogeneity-dependent bird. Journal of Wildlife Management 85: 354–368. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21976.	March 2021
Kraft, J. D., D. A. Haukos, M. R. Bain, M. B. Rice, S. G Robinson, D. S. Sullins, C. A. Hagen, J. Pitman, J. Lautenbach, R. Plumb, and J. Lautenbach. 2021. Managing herbaceous structure for a heterogeneity-dependent bird. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:354–368. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21984	February 2021
Kraberger, Simona; Laurel EK Serieys, Cécile Richet, Nicholas M Fountain-Jones, Guy Baele, Jacqueline M Bishop, Mary Nehring, Jacob S Ivan, Eric S Newkirk, John R Squires, Michael C Lund, Seth PD Riley, Christopher C Wilmers, Paul D van Helden, Koenraad Van Doorslaer, Melanie Culver, Sue VandeWoude, Darren P Martin, and Arvind Varsani. 2021. Complex evolutionary history of felid anelloviruses. Virology, 562:176-189 \| Abstract	July 2021	Anellovirus infections are highly prevalent in mammals but prior to this study only a handful of anellovirus genomes had been identified in members of the Felidae family. Here characterise anelloviruses in pumas (<i>Puma concolor</i>), bobcats (<i>Lynx rufus</i>), Canada lynx (<i>Lynx canadensis</i>), caracals (<i>Caracal caracal</i>) and domestic cats (<i>Felis catus</i>). The complete anellovirus genomes (n=220) recovered from 149 individuals were diverse. ORF1 protein sequence similarity network analyses coupled with phylogenetic analyses, revealed two distinct clusters that are populated by felid-derived anellovirus sequences, a pattern mirroring that observed for the porcine anelloviruses. Of the two-felid dominant anellovirus groups, one includes sequences from bobcats, pumas, domestic cats and an ocelot, and the other includes sequences from caracals, Canada lynx, domestic cats and pumas. Coinfections of diverse anelloviruses appear to be common among the felids. Evidence of recombination, both within and between felid-specific anellovirus groups, supports a long coevolution history between host and virus.
Krabbenhoft, T., Myers, B., Wong, J., Chu, C., Tingley, R., Falke, J., Kwak, T., Paukert, C., and A. Lynch. 2020. Fish and Climate Change (FiCli) Database: Informing management actions for responding to climate change effects in fishes. Scientific Data. 7:124. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-020-0465-z.	April 2020
Kough, A.S., Gutzler, B.C., Tuttle, J.G., Palma, N., Knowles, L.C., and L. Waterhouse. 2022. Anthropause shows differential influence of tourism and a no-take reserve on the abundance and size of two fished species. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 1– 17. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3856 \| Abstract	December 2022	1. Marine reserves are essential spatial conservation tools that have been shown to work alongside fishery management strategies to provide benefits to ecosystems and communities. Reserves often incentivize local tourism, which can provide the impetus for reserve creation but may have negative impacts on the ecosystem.<br>2. The COVID-19 pandemic paused global travel and provided an unprecedented opportunity to compare short-term changes in exploited populations, during the reprieve from visitation provided by this ‘anthropause’, with the results of long-term conservation management.<br>3. Repeated surveys of Caribbean spiny lobster and Nassau grouper were conducted at popular dive and snorkel locations within a Bahamian no-take reserve and surrounding areas during peak visitation prior to travel restrictions and immediately after restrictions were lifted. Repeated survey results were referenced against surveys over a broader area, including another Bahamian Bank, to examine the consistency of effects and how the ease of access for fishers impacted abundance.<br>4. In the reserve, lobsters were encountered in significantly greater abundances, and significantly greater sizes of both lobster and grouper were observed in repeated surveys. Significantly more grouper were encountered during the repeated survey within the reserve after travel restrictions, but lobster abundances did not change significantly.<br>5. Over a broader scale, lobster abundance was significantly greater further from population centres. Observed lobster abundance was affected by habitat and inferred fishing pressure, whereas observed grouper abundance was affected by survey depth, effort, and habitat.<br>6. Marine reserves had clear benefits for both species and likely facilitated an increase in grouper abundance during the anthropause. Lobsters are a sustainably managed stock in The Bahamas, whereas grouper are a threatened species that appear to have benefited from an unplanned fishery restriction. Well-managed marine reserves enhance populations long term and can have additive effects with fisheries management over short timescales.
Kolstrum, R., T. L. Wilson, and L. M. Gigliotti. 2020. Using the Delphi process to gather information from a bald eagle expert panel. National Resource Report NPS/SEAN/NRR-2020/2128.	June 2020
Kolstrom, R., T. L. Wilson, and L.M. Gigliotti. 2020. Using a Structured Decision Analysis to Evaluate Bald Eagle Vital Signs Monitoring in Southwest Alaska National Parks. Ecology and Evolution, Open Access: Manuscript ID: ECE-2019-10-01387.R1 https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6499 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2020	Monitoring programs can benefit from an adaptive monitoring approach, where key decisions about why, where, what, and how to monitor are revisited periodically in order to ensure programmatic relevancy. The National Park Service (NPS) monitors status and trends of vital signs to evaluate compliance with the NPS mission. Although abundant, The Southwest Alaska Network (SWAN) monitors bald eagles because of their inherent importance to park visitors and role as an important ecological indicator. Our goal is to identify an optimal monitoring program that may be standardized among participating parks. We gathered an expert panel of scientists and managers, and implemented a Delphi Process to gather information about the bald eagle monitoring program. Panelists generated a list of means objectives for the monitoring program: minimizing cost, minimizing effort, maximizing the ability to detect change in bald eagle populations, and maximizing the amount of accurate information collected about bald eagles. We used a swing-weighting technique to assign importance to each objective. Collecting accurate information about bald eagles was considered the most important means objective. Combining panelist-generated information with objective importance, we analyzed the scenarios and defined the optimal decision using linear value modeling. Through our analysis, we found that a “Comprehensive” monitoring scenario, comprised of all feasible monitoring metrics, is the optimal monitoring scenario. Even with greatly increased cost, the Comprehensive monitoring scenario remains the best solution. We suggest further exploration of the cost and effort required for the Comprehensive scenario, to determine whether it is in the parks’ best interest to begin monitoring additional metrics.
Koenigs, R.P., D.J. Dembkowski, C.D. Lovell, D.A. Isermann, and A. Nickel. 2020. Diets of Double-crested Cormorants in the Winnebago System, Wisconsin. Fisheries Management and Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/fme.12466 \| Download	August 2020
Koenig, L.D., D.J. Dembkowski, S.P. Hansen, I. Tsehave, T.J. Paoli, T.G. Zorn, and D.A. Isermann. 2022. Diet composition and overlap for walleye, lake whitefish, and yellow perch in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Journal of Great Lakes Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2022.09.005	December 2022
Koel, T. M., P. D. Doepke, D. J. MacDonald, N. A. Thomas, C. W. Vender, H. C. Glassic, A. S. Poole, C. S. Guy, and A. V. Zale. 2023. Aerial application of organic pellets eliminates lake trout recruitment from a primary spawning reef in Yellowstone Lake. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10872	March 2023
Koel, T. M., N. A. Thomas, C. S. Guy, P. D. Doepke, D. J. MacDonald, A. S. Poole, W. M. Sealey, and A. V. Zale. 2020. Organic pellet decomposition induces mortality of lake trout embryos in Yellowstone Lake. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 149:57-70.	January 2020
Koel, T. M., J. L. Arnold, P. E. Bigelow, T. O. Brenden, J. D. Davis, C. R. Detjens, P. D. Doepke, B. D. Ertel, H. C. Glassic, R. E. Gresswell, C. S. Guy, D. J. MacDonald, M. E. Ruhl, T. J. Stuth, D. P. Sweet, J. M. Syslo, N. A. Thomas, L. M. Tronstad, P. J. White, and A. V. Zale. 2020. Yellowstone Lake ecosystem restoration: a case study for invasive fish management. Fishes. . https://doi.org/10.1111/jai.14067	June 2020
Koel, T. M., C. R. Detjens, and A. V. Zale. 2020. Two Ocean Pass: An alternative hypothesis for invasion of Yellowstone Lake by lake trout, and implications for future invasions. Water [online serial] 12(6), 1629. doi.org/10.3390/w12061629	June 2020
Kluever, B. M., M. B. Main, S. W. Breck, R. C. Lonsinger, J. H. Humphrey, J. W. Fischer, M. P. Milleson, and A. J. Piaggio. 2022. Using noninvasive genetics for estimating density and assessing diet of urban and rural coyotes in Florida, USA. Urban Naturalist 9(51): 1-24. https://www.eaglehill.us/URNAonline2/access-pages/051-Kluever-accesspage.shtml \| Abstract	May 2022	Coyotes (<i>Canis</i><i> latrans</i>) are expanding their range and due to conflicts with the public and concerns of coyotes affecting natural resources such as game or sensitive species, there is interest and often a demand to monitor coyote populations. A challenge to monitoring is that traditional invasive methods involving live-capture of individual animals are costly and can be controversial. Natural resource management agencies can benefit from contemporary noninvasive genetic sampling approaches aimed at determining key aspects of coyote ecology (e.g., population density and food habits). However, the efficacy of such approaches under different environmental conditions is poorly understood. Our objectives were to 1) examine accumulation and DNA degradation rates of coyote scats in metropolitan and rural sites in Florida to help optimize methods to estimate population density; and 2) explore new genetic methods for determining diet of coyotes based on vertebrate, plant, and invertebrate species DNA identified in scat. Recently developed DNA metabarcoding approaches make it possible to simultaneously identify DNA from multiple prey species in predator scat samples, but an exploration of this tool for assessing coyote diet has not been pursued. We observed that scat accumulation rates (0.02 scats/km/day) did not vary between sites and fecal DNA amplification success decreased and genotyping errors increased over time with exposure to sun and precipitation. DNA sampling allowed us to generate a coyote density estimate for the urban environment of eight coyotes per 100 km<sup>2</sup>,<sup> </sup>but lack of recaptures in the rural area precluded density estimation. DNA metabarcoding showed promise for assessing diet contributions of vertebrate species to coyote diet. Feral swine (<i>Sus scrofa</i>) were detected as prey at higher frequencies than expected. We identify several considerations that can be used to optimize future noninvasive sampling efforts for coyotes in the southeastern United States. We also discuss strengths and drawbacks of utilizing DNA metabarcoding for assessing diet of generalist carnivores such as coyotes.
Klobucar, S.L., and P. Budy. 2020. Trophic structure of apex fish communities in closed versus leaky lakes of arctic Alaska. Oecologia Early Online. doi.org/10.1007/s00442-020-04776-9. USGS FSP IP-109849. \| Abstract	October 2020	With low species diversity and primary production across arctic lakes, trophic structure (e.g., top predator species, predator size) is surprisingly variable. We investigated trophic structure in lakes of arctic Alaska containing arctic char <i>Salvelinus alpinus</i> using predator diets and stable isotopes in two geographically-close but hydrologically-distinct lake clusters to investigate how these fishes may interact and compete for limited food resources. Aside from different lake connectivity patterns (‘leaky’ versus ‘closed’), differing fish communities (up to five versus only two species) between lake clusters allowed us to test food web hypotheses including: 1) arctic char are more piscivorous, and thereby grow larger and obtain higher trophic positions, in the presence of other fish species; and, 2) across arctic char size classes, resource polymorphism is more prominent, and thereby trophic niches are narrower and overlap less, in the absence of other predators. Regardless of lake cluster, we observed little direct evidence of arctic char consume other fishes, but char were larger (mean TL = 468 vs. 264 mm) and trophic position was higher (mean TP = 4.0 vs 3.8 for large char) in lakes with other fishes. Further, char demonstrated less intraspecific overlap when other predators were present whereas niche overlap was up to 100% in closed, char only lakes. As hydrologic characteristics (e.g., lake connectivity, water temperatures) will change across the Arctic owing to climate change, our results provide insight regarding potential concomitant changes to fish interactions and increase our understanding of lake trophic structure to guide management and conservation goals.
Klobucar, S.L., J.A. Rick, E.G. Mandeville, C.E. Wagner, and P. Budy. 2021. Investigating the morphological and genetic diversity of arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) populations in distinct groups of foothill lakes in arctic Alaska. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7211.	December 2020
Klein, Z. B., M. C. Quist, and C. S. Guy. 2023. Suppression of invasive fish in the West: synthesis and suggestions for improvement. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43:369-383.	March 2023
Klein, Z. B., M. C. Quist, D. J. Schill, A. M. Dux, and M. P. Corsi. 2020. Influence of population density and length structure on angler catch rate in kokanee fisheries. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:182-189.	February 2020
Klein, Z. B., M. C. Quist, A. M. Dux, and M. P. Corsi. 2020. Ontogenetic-mediated resource competition in a kokanee-Mysis diluviana system. Hydrobiologia 847:3951-3966.	October 2020
Kleeberg, B. A., W. S. Fairbanks, and R. C. Lonsinger. 2024. White-backed hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus leuconotus) occurrence in the panhandle of Oklahoma. Southwestern Naturalist 69(1): 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-69.1.9 \| Abstract	October 2024	The white-backed hog-nosed skunk (<i>Conepatus leuconotus</i>) is an understudied mesocarnivore thought to be declining throughout its range in southwestern United States. A live record of a hog-nosed skunk has not been documented in Oklahoma since the 1940s. We conducted a camera trapping survey in Cimarron County, Oklahoma during summer 2022 and confirmed the presence of a hog-nosed skunk in Oklahoma. This finding provides the first evidence of a live hog-nosed skunk in Oklahoma in nearly 80 years and is within the range of a poorly documented subspecies (<i>C. l. figginsi</i>) believed to be in decline.
Kirsch, J.E., J.T. Peterson, A. Duarte, D. Barnard, A. Goodman, S. Hugentobler, J. Julienne, M. Meek, R.W. Perry, C. Phillis, L. Smith, and J. Stewart. 2024. Fish misidentification and incomplete detection affects inferences from data informing water operation decisions. North American Journal of Fish Management https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10974 \| Abstract	February 2024	The alteration of river flow regimes and water diversions caused by water management infrastructure is a major stressor to freshwater fishes. The gate-controlled Delta Cross Channel (DCC) at Walnut Grove, California was constructed to divert fresh water from the Sacramento River to supply freshwater to two export facilities that pump water into canals for agricultural and domestic uses. The alteration of river flows due to the operation of these gates can negatively influence the migration pathways and survival of endangered juvenile Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon <i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>. Count data of these salmon at fixed monitoring sites in the Sacramento River has informed DCC operations during October through December since 1996. Although clear guidelines were developed for DCC operations using the salmon count data, there is uncertainty about how environmental conditions influence salmon occupancy and if those relationships could be affected by fish sampling and identification error. We assessed the effect of environmental conditions along with incomplete detection and misidentification error on juvenile winter-run Chinook salmon occupancy by analyzing data collected at nine monitoring sites from 1996 to 2019 using hierarchical multi-state occupancy models. To incorporate misidentification into the modeling framework, we used accuracy data derived from fish identification examinations along with genetic sampling. We found that occupancy varied considerably and was related to flow characteristics, water clarity, weather, time of year, and whether occupancy was detected during the previous sampling day. However, we found that these relationships and their significance changed considerably when we accounted for incomplete detection and the nominal probability (0.056) of misidentifying individual salmon. Detection was relatively low and influenced by factors including a site effect, flow, water clarity and volume sampled. Our study demonstrates the need to account for identification and detection error while using monitoring data to assess factors influencing fish occupancy and inform future management decisions.
Kinney, D., D. Bunnell, M. Rogers, A. Lynch, D. Beard, S. Funge-Smith. Submitted. 2020. Inland commercial fisheries in the United States: carp, catfish, and gaps in national reporting. Fisheries.	July 2020
King, S.L., M. Laubhan, P. Tashjian, J. Vradenburg, and L.H. Fredrickson. 2021. Wetland conservation: challenges related to water law and farm policy. Wetlands 41:54 https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-021-01449-y \| Publisher Website	May 2021
Killgore, K.J., J.J. Hoover, W.T. Slack, J.P. Kirk, B.R. Lewis, S.G. George, and L.E. Miranda. 2024. Population characteristics of silver carp from the source of their North American introduction in the Lower Mississippi River. Aquatic Invasions 19:329-343. https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2024.19.3.133295 \| Abstract	October 2024	Silver carp, <i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>, escaped into the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) over 50 years ago, established reproductive populations, and spread across the Mississippi River basin. Demographic rates of silver carp are needed to inform decisions on control and management of this invasive species, but have not been published for the LMR. The purpose of this paper is to report silver carp age and growth estimates from fish collected in riverine (mainstem) and backwater (lake) habitats in the LMR during the period 2011-2019, to compare our results with populations from other geographic areas in the upper Mississippi River drainage, and to evaluate latitudinal and habitat differences in demographic parameters. Silver carp gained weight with increasing length similarly throughout the lower and upper basin. However, annual growth rates were higher in the LMR compared to northern rivers including the Illinois, Wabash, Missouri, and Middle Mississippi Rivers. In the LMR, regression analyses demonstrated that females were heavier in lakes than males or females in the mainstem and that females in lakes had the lowest instantaneous mortality (-0.186). Maximum age was 8 and 10 years for females and males, respectively. The largest male observed was 1022 mm total length (TL), weighed 13.8 kg, and was 7 years old. The largest female was 1036 mm TL, weighed 14.0 kg, and was 7 years old. Rapid growth rates, larger sizes, and lower mortality in the LMR, in combination with limited commercial fishing, extensive river-floodplain connectivity, and vast amounts of spawning areas, ensure that LMR silver carp will continue to act as a source of fast-growing invasive individuals for other reaches and other rivers throughout the Mississippi River Basin.
Killgore, K.J., J.J. Hoover, L.E. Miranda, and W.T. Slack. 2024. Fish conservation in streams of the agrarian Mississippi Alluvial Valley: conceptual model, management actions, and field verification. Frontiers in Freshwater Science. doi.org/10.3389/ffwsc.2024.1365691 \| Abstract	February 2024	Agriculture and flood control practices accrued over more than a century have impaired aquatic habitats and their fish communities in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, the historic floodplain of the Lower Mississippi River prior to leveeing. As a first step to conservation planning and adaptive management, we developed and tested a conceptual model of how changes to this floodplain have affected stream environments and fish assemblages. The model is deliberately simple in structure because it needs to be understood by stakeholders ranging from engineers to farmers who must remain engaged to ensure effective conservation. Testing involved multivariate correlative analyses that included descriptors of land setting, water quality, and fish assemblages representing 376 stream samples taken over two decades and ranging in Strahler stream order from 1 to 8. The conceptual model was adequately corroborated by empirical data, but with unexplained variability that is not uncommon in field surveys where gear biases, temporal biases, and scale biases prevent accurate characterizations. Complete restoration of this floodplain may not be an acceptable option to the agriculture community. However, in most cases the application of even the most basic measures can support the return of key aquatic species. To this end our conceptual model distinguishes three types of conservation actions relevant to large agricultural floodplains: reforestation of large parcels and riparian zone conservation, in-channel interventions and connectivity preservation, and flow augmentation. We suggest that together these types of conservation actions can bring improved water properties to impacted reaches, higher reach biodiversity, more intolerant species, and more rheophilic fishes.
Kientz, J.L., J.L. Davis, S.R Chipps, G. Simpson. 2020. Effect of environmental factors on the movement of rainbow trout in the Deerfield Reservoir system. Journal of FisheriesSciences 14(1) 1-6.	January 2020
Kienast Felix, Gosteli Selina, Edwards, Thomas C., Jr., Martius Gregor. Lessons learned from the first worldwide accessible e-learning in Landscape Ecology. Published, Landscape Online 83 https://doi.org/10.3097/LO.202083	October 2020
Khouri, R.M, D.C. Wagner, and W. D. Walter. 2022. Efficacy of secondary electric fences at preventing direct contact among white-tailed deer. Wildlife Society Bulletin 46:e1350 \| Abstract	September 2022	Although direct contacts at fences separating free-ranging and captive cervid herds are at risk for chronic wasting disease transmission, no study has explored the use of a secondary electric fence to prevent these contacts in white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>). Using a captive herd of white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania, USA, we tested the efficacy of two electric fence designs (one three-strand and one six-strand) constructed along separate primary fence lines (each composed of 20 m of chain link and 20 m of woven wire fencing) dividing paddocks of captive deer. From June to November 2019, we conducted three trials of variable lengths to assess how season, age, and sex impacted behavior and motivation of deer to breach the electric fence. When no electric fence was in place, we observed direct contact through both woven wire and chain link fences. With the electric fences in place, we observed electric fence breaches (some of which led to direct contact between deer) only by weaned fawns (37 breaches, 4 direct contacts) and males in the mid- and late-rut (2 breaches, 1 direct contact). The majority of these breaches occurred across the three-strand-fence. Our results suggest that no style of primary fence alone is sufficient to prevent direct contacts and that the addition of a secondary, properly designed electric fence constructed along the primary fence of captive white-tailed deer facilities could prevent direct contact between captive and free-ranging deer.
Khalighifar, A., B. S. Gotthold, E. Adams, J. Barnett, L. O. Beard, E. R. Britzke, P. A. Burger, K. Chase, Z. Cordes, P. M. Cryan, E. Ferrall, C. T. Fill, S. E. Gibson, G. Scott Haulton, K. M. Irvine, L. S. Katz, W. L. Kendall, C. A. Long, O. M. Aodha, T. McBurney, S. McCarthy, M. W. McKown, J. O'Keefe, L. D. Patterson, K. A. Pitcher, M. Rustand, J. L. Segers, K. Seppanen, J. L. Siemers, C. Stratton, B. R. Straw, T. J. Weller, and B. E. Reichert. 2022. NABat ML: Utilizing deep learning to enable crowdsourced development of automated, scalable solutions for documenting North American bat populations. Journal of Applied Ecology 59:2849-2862, doi:10.1111/1365-2664.14280.	November 2022
Key, K.N., A.E. Rosenberger, G.A. Lindner, K. Bouska, and S.E. McMurray. 2021. Riverscape-Scale Modeling of Fundamentally Suitable Habitat for Mussel Assemblages in an Ozark River System, Missouri. Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 24: 43-58. \| Abstract	October 2021	Identification of the physical habitat characteristics associated with riverine freshwater mussel assemblages is challenging but crucial for understanding causes of mussel declines. The occurrence of mussels in multi-species mussel beds suggests that common physical factors influence or limit the occurrence of multiple species. Fine-scale geomorphic and hydraulic factors (e.g., scour, bed stability[A1] [A2] ) are predictive of mussel bed occurrence, but they are computationally challenging to represent at intermediate, or riverscape scales. We used maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling to evaluate associations between riverscape-scale hydrogeomorphic variables and mussel bed presence along 530 river km of the Meramec River basin, USA, to identify river reaches that are fundamentally suitable and unsuitable for mussels. Locations of mussel beds were obtained from an existing, multi-year dataset, and river variables were derived from high-resolution, open-source datasets of aerial imagery and topography. Mussel beds occurred almost exclusively in reaches identified by our model as suitable, which were characterized by laterally stable channels, absence of adjacent bluffs, proximity to gravel bars, higher stream power, and larger areas of contiguous water (a proxy for drought vulnerability). We validated our model findings based on model sensitivity using a set of mussel bed locations not used in model development. These findings can inform how resource managers allocate survey, monitoring, and conservation efforts.
Ketz, A. C., D. J. Storm, R. E. Barker, A. D. Apa, C. Oliva-Aviles, and D. P. Walsh. 2023. Assimilating ecological theory with empiricism: Using constrained generalized additive models to enhance survival analyses. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 14, 952– 967. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14057. \| Abstract	January 2023	1. Integrating ecological theory with empirical methods is ubiquitous in ecology using hierarchical Bayesian models. However, there has been little development focused on integration of ecological theory into models for survival analysis. Survival is a fundamental process, linking individual fitness with population dynamics, but incorporating life history strategies to inform survival estimation can be challenging because mortality processes occur at multiple scales. 2. We develop an approach to survival analysis, incorporating model constraints based on a species' life history strategy using functional analytical tools. Specifically, we structurally separate intrinsic patterns of mortality that arise from age-specific processes (e.g. increasing survival during early life stages due to growth or maturation, versus senescence) from extrinsic mortality patterns that arise over different periods of time (e.g. seasonal temporal shifts). We use shape constrained generalized additive models (CGAMs) to obtain age-specific hazard functions that incorporate theoretical information based on classical survivorship curves into the age component of the model and capture extrinsic factors in the time component.3. We compare the performance of our modelling approach to standard survival modelling tools that do not explicitly incorporate species life history strategy in the model structure, using metrics of predictive power, accuracy, efficiency and computation time. We applied these models to two case studies that reflect different functional shapes for the underlying survivorship curves, examining age-period survival for white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus in Wisconsin, USA and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus in Colorado, USA. 4. We found that models that included shape constraints for the age effects in the hazard curves using CGAMs outperformed models that did not include explicit functional constraints. We demonstrate a data-driven and easily extendable approach to survival analysis by showing its utility to obtain hazard rates and survival probabilities, accounting for heterogeneity across ages and over time, for two very different species. We show how integration of ecological theory using constrained generalized additive models, with empirical statistical methods, enhances survival analyses.
Kerkhove, A.M., A. Trudeau, O.P. Jensen, D.A. Isermann, P.A. Dombrowski, A.M. Latimer, and Z.S. Feiner. 2024. Understanding the role of recreational angling technology in angler expectations of catch, trip catch and angler satisfaction. Fisheries. doi:10.1002/fsh.11157	September 2024
Kenneth F. Higgins, Kurt J. Jenkins, Kent C. Jensen, Robert W. Klaver, David E. Naugle, Jack E. Norland, Lora B. Perkins, and Daniel W. Uresk . Vegetation sampling and measurements	November 2020
Kennedy, T.A., A.N. Metcalfe, B.R. Deemer, M.A. Ford, C.M. Szydlo, C.B. Yackulic, and J.D. Muehlbauer. 2022. Little bugs, big data, and Colorado River adaptive management—Preliminary findings from the ongoing bug flow experiment at Glen Canyon Dam. Boatman's Quarterly Review. 35:26-31. \| Publisher Website	October 2022
Keim, R.F., L. Dugue, K.D. Latuso, S. Joshi, S.L. King, and F.L. Willis. 2022. Influences of floodplain modification on expansion of woody vegetation into Catahoula Lake, Louisiana, USA. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5328	January 2022
Keating L, L Randall, R Stanton, C McCormack, M Lucid, T Seaborn, SJ Converse, S Canessa, and A Moehrenschlager. 2023. Using decision analysis to determine the feasibility of a conservation translocation. Decision Analysis 20: 295-310.	March 2023
Keagy, J., C. Drummond, K. Gilbert, C. Grozinger, J. Hamilton, H. Hines, J. Laske, C. Logan, R. Sawers, and T. Wagner. 2023. Landscape transcriptomics as a tool for addressing global change effects across diverse species. Molecular Ecology Resources. http://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13796	April 2023
Kazyak DC, AM Flowers, NJ Hostetter, JA Madsen, M Breece, A Higgs, LM Brown, JA Royle, DA. Fox. 2020. Integrating side-scan sonar and acoustic telemetry to estimate the annual spawning run size of Atlantic sturgeon in the Hudson River. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77:1038–1048.	January 2020
Kays, Roland, Cove, Michael V., Diaz, Jose, Todd, Kimberly, Bresnan, Claire, Snider, Matt, Lee, Thomas E., et al. 2022. “ SNAPSHOT USA 2020: A Second Coordinated National Camera Trap Survey of the United States during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Ecology 103(10): e3775. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3775	June 2022
Kays, R., Snider, M. H., Hess, G., Cove, M. V., Jensen, A., Shamon, H., McShea, W. J., Rooney, B., Allen, M. L., Pekins, C. E., Wilmers, C. C., Pendergast, M. E., Green, A. M., Suraci, J., Leslie, M. S., Nasrallah, S., Farkas, D., Jordan, M., Grigione, M., … Parsons, A. (2024). Climate, food and humans predict communities of mammals in the United States. Diversity and Distributions, 00, e13900. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13900 \| Download	July 2024
Kays et al. 2024. Climate, food, and umans Predict Mammal Communities in the United States. Diversity and Distributions 30(9): e13900. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13900 \| Abstract	August 2024	The assembly of species into communities and ecoregions is the result of interacting factors that affect plant and animal distribution and abundance at biogeographic scales. Here, we empirically derive ecoregions for mammals to test whether human disturbance has become more important than climate and habitat resources in structuring communities. We analyzed data from 25 mammal species recorded by camera traps at 6,645 locations across the conterminous United States in a joint modeling framework to estimate relative abundance of each species. Climate was the most important predictor of mammal abundance overall, while human population density and agriculture were less important, with mixed effects across species. Seed production by forests also predicted mammal abundance, especially hard-mast tree species. We used a clustering analysis to describe eight broad and 16 narrow mammal communities. The mammal maps are similar to those of plants, with an east-west split driven by different dominant species of deer and squirrels. Communities vary along gradients of temperature in the east and precipitation in the west. Most fine-scale mammal community boundaries aligned with established plant ecoregions and were distinguished by regional specialists or shifts in the relative abundance of widespread species. Maps of potential ecosystem services provided by these communities suggest high herbivory in the Rocky Mountains and eastern forests, high invertebrate predation in the subtropical south, and greater predation pressure on large vertebrates in the west. Our results highlight the importance of climate to modern mammals and suggest that climate change will have strong impacts on mammal communities in the future.
Kauth, H. R., R. C. Lonsinger, A. J. Kauth, and A. J. Gregory. 2020. Low-cost DIY GPS trackers improve upland game bird monitoring. Wildlife Biology 2020(2):1–7. https://doi.org/10.2981/wlb.00653 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	April 2020	We tested the possibility and feasibility of assembling Arduino GPS trackers without previous engineering experience and modified them for upland game birds under extreme environmental conditions. Low-cost GPS trackers were assembled and deployed on ring-necked pheasants <i>Phasianus colchicus</i> in conjunction with an ongoing winter survival study. To assess GPS receiver accuracy, we deployed trackers in a static test. The static test fix rate was 1.0, median error was 2.5 m and mean error was 13.3 m (SD = 39.5). During the mobile test, wild pheasants were captured using walk-in funnel traps baited with corn from January to March 2019. During winter, 407 VHF locations and 1574 GPS locations of 35 individuals were collected, resulting in a 287% increase in data density at only 23% increase in cost. The fix rate during the mobile test averaged to 0.83. To determine if trackers were low-cost, we calculated cumulative costs of equipment and supplies required to recreate the GPS tracking unit. GPS costs were $47.60 per unit with an additional $202.00 for the supplemental VHF transmitter.
Kauth, H. R., A. J. Gregory, A. J. Kauth, S. Harsh, T. J. Runia, and R. C. Lonsinger. 2022. Snow alters pheasant survival and land use in South Dakota. Journal of Wildlife Management 86: e22243. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22243 \| Abstract	May 2022	We examined survival of ring-necked pheasants (<i>Phasianus colchicus</i>) occupying fragmented landscapes within the Prairie Pothole Region in South Dakota where severe winter weather events historically limited pheasant population growth due to increased mortality. Recent landscape transformations could further impact overwinter adult female survival by reducing critical winter resources. Assessing the influence of time-dependent landscape features on survival at small focal scales may reveal spatially important relationships. We captured and monitored 321 adult female pheasants from 2017–2019 and recorded 110 pheasant winter mortalities. Female pheasant winter survival was 0.66 (85% CI = 0.62–0.70) and was inversely correlated to snow depth. We generated cox-proportional hazard models to determine risk of mortality associated with landscape features. Pheasants using landscapes other than concealment (e.g., emergent wetland, tall vegetation, woody, and food plot) experienced 222% increased risk of raptor predation than pheasants using concealment landscape features. Additionally, pheasants experienced a 58% reduced risk of weather mortality when using emergent wetlands. We analyzed resource selection ratios to understand how perceived landscape risks at the population level scaled down to land use preference at the individual level. Female pheasants selected for emergent wetlands, showed no selection for woody features, and avoided tall vegetation (>75 cm non-aquatic herbaceous vegetation) during severe winters. Pheasants would greatly benefit from conservation of emergent wetlands and integrating concealment opportunities into harvested fields.
Kaushal, S.S., M.J. Fork, R.J. Hawley, K.G. Hopkins, B. Rios-Touma, and A.H. Roy. 2023. Stream restoration milestones: monitoring scales determine successes and failures. Urban Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-023-01370-8 \| Publisher Website	May 2023
Kauffman, M.J. and others. Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States. USGS Scientific Investigations Report	October 2020
Kauffman, M.J. and others. Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States, Volume 3. USGS Scientific Investigations Report	December 2022
Kauffman, M.J. and others. Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States, Volume 2. USGS Scientific Investigations Report	April 2022
Kauffman, M., Lowrey, B., Beaupre, C., Bergen, S., Bergh, S., Blecha, K., Bundick, S., Burkett, H., Cain, J.W., III,Carl, P., Casady, D., Class, C., Courtemanch, A., Cowardin, M., Diamond, J., Dugger, K., Duvuvuei, O., Ennis, J.R.,Flenner, M., Fort, J., Fralick, G., Freeman, I., Gagnon, J., Garcelon, D., Garrison, K., Gelzer, E., Greenspan, E.,Hinojoza-Rood, V., Hnilicka, P., Holland, A., Hudgens, B., Kroger, B., Lawson, A., McKee, C., McKee, J.L., Merkle, J.R.,Mong, T.W., Nelson, H., Oates, B., Poulin, M.-P., Reddell, C., Ritson, R., Sawyer, H., Schroeder, C., Shapiro, J.,Sprague, S., Steiner, E., Steingisser, A., Stephens, S., Stringham, B., Swazo-Hinds, P.R., Tatman, N., Wallace, C.F.,Whittaker, D., Wise, B., Wittmer, H.U., and Wood, E., 2024, Ungulate migrations of the Western United States,volume 4: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2024–5006, 86 p., 1 pl., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245006.	April 2024
Kauffman, M., Lowrey, B., Beaupre, C., Bergen, S., Bergh, S., Blecha, K., Bundick, S., Burkett, H., Cain, J.W., III, Carl, P., Casady, D., Class, C., Courtemanch, A., Cowardin, M., Diamond, J., Dugger, K., Duvuvuei, O., Ennis, J.R., Flenner, M., Fort, J., Fralick, G., Freeman, I., Gagnon, J., Garcelon, D., Garrison, K., Gelzer, E., Greenspan, E., Hinojoza-Rood, V., Hnilicka, P., Holland, A., Hudgens, B., Kroger, B., Lawson, A., McKee, C., McKee, J.L., Merkle, J.R., Mong, T.W., Nelson, H., Oates, B., Poulin, M.-P., Reddell, C., Ritson, R., Sawyer, H., Schroeder, C., Shapiro, J., Sprague, S., Steiner, E., Steingisser, A., Stephens, S., Stringham, B., Swazo-Hinds, P.R., Tatman, N., Wallace, C.F., Whittaker, D., Wise, B., Wittmer, H.U., and Wood, E., 2024, Ungulate migrations of the Western United States, volume 4: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2024–5006, 86 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245006.	April 2024
Kauffman, M., B. Lowrey, J. Berg, S. Bergen, D. Brimeyer, P. Burke, T. Cufaude, J.W. Cain III, J. Cole, A. Courtemanch, M. Cowardin, J. Cunningham, M. DeVivo, J. Diamond, O. Duvuvuei, J. Fattebert, J. Ennis, D. Finley, J. Fort, G. Fralick, E. Freeman, J. Gagnon, J. Garcia, E. Gelzer, M. Graham, J. Gray, E. Greenspan, L. Embere Hall, C. Hendricks, A. Holland, B. Holmes, K. Huggler, M.A. Hurley, E. Jeffreys, A. Johnson, L. Knox, K. Krasnow, Z. Lockyer, H. Manninen, M. McDonald, J.L. McKee, J. Meacham, J. Merkle, B. Moore, T.W. Mong, C. Nielsen, B. Oates, K. Olsen, D. Olson, L. Olson, M. Pieron, J. Powell, A. Prince, K. Proffitt, C. Reddell, C. Riginos, R. Ritson, S. Robatcek, S. Roberts, H. Sawyer, C. Schroeder, J. Shapiro, N. Simpson, S. Sprague, A. Steingisser, N. Tatman, B. Turnock, C. Wallace, and L. Wolf. 2022. Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States, Volume 3. Scientific Investigations Report 2022-5088. 114 pp. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20225088	December 2022
Kauffman, M., B. Lowrey, J. Beck, J. Berg, S. Bergen, J. Berger, J. Cain, S. Dewey, J. Diamond, O. Duvuvuei, J. Fattebert, J. Gagnon, J. Garcia, E. Greenspan, E. Hall, G. Harper, S. Harter, Stan, K. Hersey, P. Hnilicka, M. Hurley, L. Knox, A. Lawson, E. Maichak, J. Meacham, J. Merkle, A. Middleton, D. Olson, L. Olson, C. Reddell, B. Robb, G. Rozman, H. Sawyer, C. Schroeder, B. Scurlock, J. Short, S. Sprague, A. Steingisser, and N. Tatman. 2022. Ungulate migrations of the western United States, Volume 2: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2022–5008, 160 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20225008.	April 2022
Kauffman, M. J., Cagnacci, F., Chamaillé-Jammes, S., Hebblewhite, M., Hopcraft, J. G. C., Merkle, J. A., et. al. (2021). Mapping out a future for ungulate migrations. Science, 372(6542), 566-569. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abf0998.	May 2021
Kauffman, M. J., Aikens, E. O., Esmaeili, S., Kaczensky, P., Middleton, A., Monteith, K. L., Morrison, T., Mueller, T., Sawyer, H., and Goheen, J. R. (2021). Causes, consequences, and conservation of ungulate migration. *Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics*, 52, 453-78. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-012021011516. \| Abstract	October 2021	Our understanding of ungulate migration is advancing rapidly due to innovations in modern animal tracking. Herein, we review and synthesize nearly seven decades of work on migration and other long-distance movements of wild ungulates. Although it has long been appreciated that ungulates migrate to enhance access to forage, recent contributions demonstrate that their movements are fine tuned to dynamic landscapes where forage, snow, and drought change seasonally. Researchers are beginning to understand how ungulates navigate migrations, with the emerging view that animals blend gradient tracking with spatial memory, some of which is socially learned. Although migration often promotes abundant populations—with broad effects on ecosystems—many migrations around the world have been lost or are currently threatened by habitat fragmentation, climate change, and barriers to movement. Fortunately, new efforts that use empirical tracking data to map migrations in detail are facilitating effective conservation measures to maintain ungulate migration.
Kauffman et al. Mule deer migration. for forthcoming book on mule deer.	January 2023
Kathryn E. Battle, Krishna Pacifici, Jaime Collazo, and Brian Reich. 2020. Using biodiversity metrics to guide conservation planning in altered tropical landscapes. Caribbean Naturalist 77:1-17. ISSN 2326-7119. \| Abstract	July 2020	Biodiversity metrics are frequently used to guide conservation planning because they can summarize biogeographical attributes of plant and animal communities quickly and at multiple scales. Attributes include habitat features of high conservation value, representativeness and redundancy of biological communities. We conducted a rapid ecological assessment of resident avian species in the west-central mountainous region of Puerto Rico in 2015, a landscape dominated by coffee cultivation. We focused on this landscape because shade and shade-restored coffee plantations offer an opportunity to complement protected habitat (e.g., reserves) to enhance species persistence. We used species richness, which tallies the number of unique species, and a quadratic entropy index of diversity, which incorporates interspecific taxonomic differentiation to evaluate species representativeness and redundancy across sun and shade coffee plantations and secondary forest. We surveyed 120 sites, calculating both metrics using species-specific occupancy probabilities estimated from community-level occupancy models. Species representativeness and redundancy was high as neither metric was able to discriminate among habitat classes, possibly because plant communities were redundant and the avian community was dominated by species adept at exploiting altered habitats. Similarly, we could not discriminate among avian communities modeling each biodiversity metric as a function of site-specific habitat covariates. Our findings and available knowledge on avian community demographics suggest that conservation strategies could couple protected habitat (e.g., reserves) and restored habitat (e.g., coffee plantations) to enhance species diversity and persistence across human-modified landscapes.
Karish, T., G.W. Roemer. D.K. Delaney, and J.W. Cain III. 2023. Habitat selection and water dependency of feral burros in the Mojave Desert. Journal of Wildlife Management 87:e22429 \| Download	July 2023
Karban, C. C., J. E. Lovich, J. R. Ennen, S. M. Grodsky, and S. M. Munson. 2023. Predicting the Effects of Solar Energy Development on Wildlife and Plants in the Desert Southwest, USA. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.	August 2024
Kappes PJ, KM Dugger, A Lescroël, DG Ainley, G Ballard, KJ Barton, PO’B Lyver, PR Wilson. 2021. Age-related reproductive performance of the Adélie Penguin, a long-lived seabird exhibiting similar outcomes regardless of individual life-history strategy. Journal of Animal Ecology 2021;90:931-942, https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13422">https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13422.	January 2021
Kao, Y.C., M.W. Rogers, D.B. Bunnell, I.G. Cowx, S.S. Qian, et al. 2020. Assessing effects of climate and land-use changes on global lake fisheries. Nature Communications	May 2020
Kanno Y, Kim S, Pregler KC. 2023. Sub-seasonal correlation between growth and survival in three sympatric aquatic ectotherms. Oikos. 2023:e09685. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.09685	March 2023
Kane, D. S., M. A. Kaemingk, C. J. Chizinski, and K. L. Pope. 2020. Spatial and temporal behavioral differences between angler-access types. Fisheries Research 224:105463. \| Download	December 2020
Kane, D. S., K. L. Pope, K. D. Koupal, M. A. Pegg, C. J. Chizinski, and M. A. Kaemingk. 2022. Natural resource system size can be used for managing recreational use. Ecological Indicators 145:109711. \| Download	December 2022
Kane, D. S., K. L. Pope, K. D. Koupal, M. A. Pegg, C. J. Chizinski, and M. A. Kaemingk. 2023. Waterbody size predicts bank- and boat-angler efforts. Fisheries Research 267:106801. \| Download	November 2023
Kaminski, A.R., D.M. Bauer, K.P. Bell, C.S. Loftin, and E. Nelson. 2021. Using landscape metrics to characterize towns along an urban-rural gradient in New England, USA. Landscape Ecology. DOI: 10.1007/s10980-021-01287-7	July 2021
Kalen, N.J., M.S. Muthersbaugh, J.B. Johnson, A. Silvis and W.M. Ford. 2022. Northern long-eared bats in the Central Appalachians following white-nose syndrome: failed maternity colonies? Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 9: 159-167	March 2022
Kaemingk, M. A., R. Arlinghaus, M. H. Birdsong, C. J. Chizinski, R. Lyach, K. L. Wilson, and K. L. Pope. 2022. Matching of resource use and investment according to waterbody size in recreational fisheries. Fisheries Research 254:106388. \| Download	June 2022
Kaemingk, M. A., K. L. Hurley, C. J. Chizinski, and K. L. Pope. 2020. Harvest-release decisions in recreational fisheries. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77:194-201. \| Download	January 2020
Kaemingk, M. A., C. N. Bender, , C. J. Chizinski, A. J. Bunch, and K. L. Pope. 2021. Temporal invariance of social-ecological catchments. Ecological Applications 31(2):e02272. \| Download	March 2021
Kabengele, K., W.C. Turner, P.E. Turner, C.B. Ogbunugafor. 2024. A meta-analysis highlights the idiosyncratic nature of trade-offs in laboratory models of virus evolution. Virus Evolution, veae105, https://doi.org/10.1093/ve/veae105	December 2024
Julien Martin, Matthew S. Richardson, Davina L. Passeri, Nicholas M. Enwright, Simeon Yurek, James G. Flocks, Mitch J. Eaton, Sara L. Zeigler, Hadi Charkhgard, Bradley J. Udell, Elise R. Irwin. Decision science as a framework for combining geomorphological and ecological modeling for the management of coastal systems. Ecology and Society.	April 2023
Joy, PJ, CA Stricker, R Ivanof, SY Wang, MS Wipfli, AC Seitz, J Huang, MB Tyers. 2020. Juvenile coho and Chinook salmon growth, size, and condition linked to watershed-scale salmon spawner abundance. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. doi:10.1002/tafs.10233	April 2020
Joshi, O., B. Chapagain, J.M. Long, B. York, and A.T. Taylor. 2021. A revealed preference and contingent behavior approach to estimate potential effect of fish quantity and size on economic value of fishing in Ozark Highland streams. Fisheries Research. DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106116	September 2021
Jorge, M.H., W.M. Ford, S.E. Sweeten, S.R. Freeze, M.C. True, M. J. St. Germain, H.Taylor, K.M. Gorman¹, M. J. Cherry, and E.P. Garrison. 2021. Winter Roost Selection of Lasiurine Tree Bats in a Pyric Landscape. PLoS ONE 16(2): e0245695. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245695	February 2021
Jorge, M.H., S.E. Sweeten, M.C. True, S.R. Freeze, M.J. Cherry, E.P. Garrison, H. Taylor, K.M. Gorman and W.M. Ford. 2021. Fire, land cover and temperature drivers of bat activity in the winter. International Journal of Fire Ecology. (2021) 17:19 /doi.org/10.1186/s42408-021-00105-4	June 2021
Jongsomjit, D, A Lescroël, A Schmidt, S Lisovski, D Ainley, E Hines, M Elrod, KM Dugger, G Ballard. 2024. Going with the floe: Sea-ice movement affects distance and destination during Adélie penguin winter movements. Ecology 2024;105:e4196. DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4196 \| Download	January 2024
Jones, MS. (2024). Integrating the human dimensions into fish and wildlife management depends on increasing managers’ social science fluency. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2024.2301965. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2024	It is a common experience in human dimensions to hear people say, “wildlife management is people management.” Good people management requires the full integration of the human dimensions into natural resources work. This means going beyond <i>conducting</i> human dimensions research to <i>understanding and applying</i> lessons learned from social science. A key step here is building managers’ fluency in social science concepts so they can more easily relate existing literature to their own practical questions. I use three example issues from human-wildlife conflict – calibrating trust, managing anger, and fostering autonomy – to illustrate how increased fluency in psychology could inform conflict management in the context of larger sociopolitical discourses. I conclude with ideas for how organizations and scientists could help managers build this integrative capacity in order to better achieve a shared objective of a wildlife management profession that works well with people for the good of humans and wildlife.
Jones, M.D., L.L. Smith, K.G. Richardson, J.N. Desha, T. Castellon, D. Hipes, A. Kalfin, N.T. Halstead, and E.A. Hunter. 2023. Simulation modeling to assess line transect distance sampling under a range of translocation scenarios. Journal of Wildlife Management 14: 385-399.	December 2023
Jones, M.D., A. Larsen-Gray, S.P. Prisley, H.L. Munro, and E.A. Hunter. 2024. HabplanR: A multi-objective approach for timber harvest scheduling to include management of at-risk species and spatial configuration objectives. PLoS ONE 19:e0302640.	October 2024
Jones, M. S., Teel, T. L., Solomon, J., & Weiss, J. (2021). Evolving systems of pro-environmental behavior among wildscape gardeners. Landscape and Urban Planning, 207, 104018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.104018 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2021	Cities are important sites for encouraging more widespread adoption of pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) that benefit humans and wildlife alike. Wildscaping, a type of stewardship PEB in which people create wildlife-friendly gardens, has been promoted by conservation organizations, yet fundamental questions remain about what wildscaping entails and what factors contribute to sustained involvement. We used a social-ecological systems (SES) framework to examine behavior change among urban residents in Colorado who had received wildscape gardening certification and training. We employed semi-structured interviews (n = 11), quantitative surveys (n = 63), participant observation, and document analysis, and analyzed data using grounded theoretical techniques. We found that program participants engaged in 14 gardening behaviors targeting habitat creation on their properties, and 11 advocacy behaviors targeting social change. These behaviors were driven by 10 interconnected motivations, including mutual refuge with wildlife, changing norms, aesthetic beauty, and sense of place. Engagement in wildscaping was sustained over time by multi-scalar contextual factors, including social interactions and formal program participation. These findings offer the first SES understanding of how urban residents begin and expand their engagement in wildscape gardening and advocacy. Future research should focus on how understanding of SES characteristics can enable more effective behavior change programs in urban landscapes. Possible ways that conservation outreach could consider SES include encouraging evolving feedback loops between participants’ motivations and behaviors, emphasizing reciprocal benefits to individuals and their social-ecological context, and promoting coordinated involvement by different types of actors at multiple scales of the system.
Jones, M. S., Teel, T. L., Martinez, D. E., & Solomon, J. (2020). Conflict and adaptation at the intersection of motherhood and conservation leadership. Biological Conservation, 243, 108487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108487 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2020	Conservation leadership science has focused on identifying behaviors and characteristics that make individual leaders effective, but has yet to address contextual challenges that differentially shape various groups' pathways to leadership positions. We sought to understand one such challenge, how motherhood affects women's careers, by conducting interviews with 56 women conservation leaders in the United States and analyzing the data using grounded theory. All participants described how conflict between motherhood and conservation expectations affects women's leadership, particularly for mothers of young children. Mothers in conservation reported experiencing stress from this conflict and so pursued adaptive responses, including gradually returning from maternity leave, restructuring schedules, working part-time, reducing travel, foregoing opportunities, and occasionally changing jobs. These adaptations were shaped by multilevel systems factors at individual, family, organization, and conservation profession scales. We found that having to navigate these factors can undermine women's wellbeing and lead them to restructure their careers, which may jeopardize organizations' abilities to fulfill their conservation objectives. Conversely, our results suggest that greater compatibility between women's motherhood and conservation leadership work may make conservation practitioners and institutions more effective. As more women advance in conservation leadership, the profession should consider ways to better integrate motherhood to support a more sustainable and diverse conservation movement.
Jones, M. S., & Niemiec, R. M. (2020). Social-psychological correlates of personal-sphere and diffusion behavior for wildscape gardening. Journal of Environmental Management, 276, 111271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111271 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2020	Achieving conservation outcomes requires concerted engagement from many people across diverse societies. However, many conservation practitioners struggle to engage new audiences. Research suggests one effective strategy to reach nonengaged individuals is to encourage interested conservation actors to share information, provide resources and assistance, and organize local events to recruit others; we call these “diffusion behaviors.” Previous studies suggest few conservation actors who engage in personal-sphere PEB also engage in diffusion PEB, potentially because these behaviors have unique barriers which have yet to be identified. We investigated if there are different psychosocial drivers of diffusion and personal-sphere PEB by surveying residents in Colorado, USA about their personal-sphere wildscape behaviors (e.g. planting native plants) and diffusion wildscape behaviors (e.g. helping a friend plant native plants). Including diffusion-specific psychosocial variables led to better predictions of both personal-sphere and diffusion PEB. Diffusion-specific self-efficacy, social and environmental response efficacy, and reputational concerns about perceived competence were significant predictors of diffusion behavior. Diffusion-specific environmental response efficacy and injunctive norms enforced through sanctioning significantly predicted personal-sphere behavior. Personal-sphere self-efficacy and dynamic norm beliefs predicted both behavior types. Our findings suggest that research should consider personal-sphere and diffusion PEB as distinct domains and should investigate the power of diffusion-specific perceptions. Conservation outreach programs seeking to encourage diffusion of PEB may benefit from designing programming to try to change these perceptions.
Jones MS & Niemiec RM. (2023). Motivating relational organizing behavior for biodiversity conservation. Conservation Science & Practice. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12880 \| Abstract	January 2023	As biodiversity loss and climate change accelerate, more people worldwide are engaging in conservation behaviors to ‘do their part.’ Yet individual behavior change alone is insufficient for the large-scale, rapid change needed to address these crises. Relational organizing, which involves individuals reaching out to others in their social network, can enhance the speed and scale of conservation behavior change and address the complex, collective action nature of many conservation problems. However, many people practicing conservation behaviors in their own lives don’t engage in relational organizing about conservation issues. Here, we suggest this may be the result of specific social-psychological factors inhibiting people from reaching out to others. We summarize the evidence and offer a research and practice agenda to prioritize 1) understanding the social-psychological barriers that prevent relational organizing, and 2) addressing these barriers through targeted outreach interventions to help scale and accelerate community action for conservation. <b><br></b><b><br> </b>
Johnson, M.A., M.K. Jones, M.R. Falcy, J. Spangler, R.B. Couture, and D.L.G. Noakes. 2023. Can angler-assisted broodstock collection programs improve harvest rates of hatchery-produced steelhead? Environmental Biology of Fishes 106: 1079-1092. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	February 2023	Fish that exhibit high foraging activity or bold behavior can be particularly vulnerable to angling. If these traits are heritable, harvest by angling can select on them, eventually rendering a target population less vulnerable to angling and consequently impacting the quality of the fishery. In this study, we used parental-based tags to investigate whether vulnerability to angling might be heritable in steelhead trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>) spawned at a hatchery in western Oregon, U.S.A. We found no evidence to support the hypothesis that vulnerability to angling is a heritable trait in steelhead. In fact, steelhead whose parents had been collected by anglers were less likely to be caught by anglers than expected. Moreover, we found that steelhead collected with in-river traps produced nearly twice as many adult offspring as steelhead collected by anglers. The underlying mechanisms for this difference in adult-to-adult production remain to be identified, though effects from collection stress and time in captivity prior to spawning offer candidate explanations. Our findings suggest that hatcheries could optimize the fitness of fish they spawn by using traps to collect broodstock, in favor of angler-assisted collection programs. We suggest that future research investigate the mechanisms contributing to fitness differences between broodstock fish collected with traps and by anglers.
Johnson, J.R., A.T. Taylor, and J.M. Long. 2020. Estimating the invasion extent of Asian Swamp Eel (Monopterus: Synbranchidae) in an altered river of the southeastern United States. Marine and Freshwater Research. DOI: 10.1071/MF20257	December 2020
Johnson, D. H., C. Anderson, R. Applegate, L. Bailey, E. Cooch. J. Fieberg, A. Franklin, R. Gutierrez, K. Miller, J. D. Nichols, N. Niemuth, D. Otis, C. A. Ribic, M. M. Rowland, and T. L. Shaffer. 2021. A perspective on the Journal of Wildlife Management. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:1305–1308. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22110	September 2021
Johansson, E.P., and B.A. DeGregorio. 2023. The Effects of Landscape and Yard Features on Mammal Diversity in Residential Yards. Urban Ecosystems. \| Abstract \| Download	October 2023	The human footprint is rapidly expanding, and wildlife habitat is continuously being converted to human residential properties. Most wildlife residing in developing areas are displaced to nearby undeveloped areas. However, some animals can co-exist with humans and acquire the necessary resources (food, water, shelter) within the human environment. This may be particularly true when development is low intensity, as in residential suburban yards. Yards are individually managed “greenspaces” that can provide a range of food (e.g., bird feeders, compost, gardens), water (bird baths and garden ponds), and shelter (e.g., brush-piles, outbuildings) resources and are surrounded by varying landscape cover. To evaluate which landscape and yard features influence the richness and diversity of the herbivores and mesopredators within residential yards in a rapidly developing region; we deployed wildlife game cameras in 46 residential yards in summer 2021 and 96 yards in summer 2022. We found that mesopredator diversity was negatively impacted by fences and positively influenced by the number of bird feeders present in a yard. Mesopredator richness increased with the amount of forest within 400m of the camera. Herbivore diversity and richness were positively influenced by the area of forest within 400m of the yard and by the area of garden space within the yard, respectively. Our results suggest that while landscape does play a role in the presence of wildlife in a residential area, homeowners also have agency over the richness and diversity of mammals using their yards based on the features they create or maintain on their properties.
Johansson, E.P. and B.A. DeGregorio. Predators in residential yards: influence of yard features on the occupancy, detections rates, and overlap of coyotes (Canis latrans), gray fox (Uyrocyon cinereoargenteus), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Wildlife Research \| Abstract \| Download	October 2024	Mammalian predators have historically been persecuted and struggle to persist in areas of human development. Our study aimed to find if predators were utilizing residential yards, how certain features influenced their occupancy, detection rates, and temporal activity overlap with each other. We found that predator occupancy of residential yards was influenced by yard level features as opposed to surrounding landscape composition. This means that homeowners have some agency to attract or deter predators from their yards primarily through the use of fences to deter coyote and maybe other predators. As residential lawns become a more prominent landcover type worldwide, managers could benefit from understanding how these lawns provide resources that benefit predators and other wildlife existing in suburban settings and how yard features can create hot spots of conflict with these species of wildlife.
Jodice, P.G.R., P.E. Michael, J.S. Gleason, J.C. Haney, Y.G. Satgé. 2021. Revising the marine range of the endangered black-capped petrel Pterodroma hasitata: Occurrence in the northern Gulf of Mexico and exposure to conservation threats. Endangered Species Research. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr001143. \| Abstract \| Download	September 2021	The black-capped petrel (<i>Pterodroma hasitata</i>) is an endangered seabird endemic to the western north Atlantic. Although estimated at ~1,000 breeding pairs, only ~100 nests have been located at two sites in Haiti and three sites in the Dominican Republic. At sea, the species primarily occupies waters of the western Gulf Stream in the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. Due to limited data, there is currently not a consensus on the geographic marine range of the species although no current proposed ranges include the Gulf of Mexico. Here, we report on observations of black-capped petrels during two vessel-based survey efforts throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico from 2010 - 2011 and from 2017 - 2019. During 558 days and ~54,700 km of surveys we tallied 40 black-capped petrels. Most observations occurred in the eastern Gulf, although birds were observed over much of the east-west and north-south footprint of the survey area. Predictive models indicated that habitat suitability for black-capped petrels was highest in areas associated with dynamic waters of the Loop Current. We used the Extent of Occurrence (EOO) and Area of Occupancy (AOO) concepts to delimit the geographic range of the species within the northern Gulf of Mexico. We suggest that the marine range for black-capped petrels be modified to include the northern Gulf of Mexico, recognizing that distribution may be more clumped in the eastern Gulf and that occurrence in the southern Gulf remains unknown due to a lack of surveys there. To date, however, it remains unclear which nesting areas are linked to the Gulf of Mexico.
Jodice, P.G.R., J.S. Lamb, Y.G. Satgé, C.R. Perkins. 2023. Spatial and individual factors mediate the tissue burden of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in adult and chick brown pelicans in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 11:1185659. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1185659. \| Download	June 2023
Jodice, P.G.R., J.S. Lamb, Y.G. Satgé, C.E. Fiorello. 2022. Blood biochemistry and haematology of adult and chick Brown Pelicans in the northern Gulf of Mexico: Basleine health values and ecological relationships. Conservation Physiology 10(1): coac064; doi:10.1093/conphys/coac064 \| Download	September 2022
Jodice, P.G.R., E.M. Adams, J.S. Lamb, Y. Satge, J. Gleason. 2019. Strategic Bird Monitoring Guidelines for the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Seabirds. Pages 133 – 172. In Wilson et al. (eds.). Strategic Bird Monitoring Guidelines for the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Extension Research Bulletin 1228, Mississippi State University.2019. \| Download	March 2020
Jesmer, B.R. et al. Life-history theory provides a framework for detecting resource limitation: a test of the Nutritional Buffer Hypothesis. for Ecological Application	December 2021
Jesmer et al. A test of the niche variation hypothesis in a ruminant herbivore.	September 2020
Jensen, M.B., S. K. Willson and A.N. Powell. 2022. How effective is the Birdsbesafet cat collar at reducing bird mortality by domestic cats? Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 13(1)182–191; e1944-687X. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM- 21-055	June 2022
Jensen, A.J., S.J. Dundas, and J.T. Peterson. 2022. Phenomenological and mechanistic modeling of recreational angling behavior using creel data. Fisheries Research 249: 106235. \| Abstract	May 2022	Improved understanding of angling behavior in recreational fisheries can help managers account for partial controllability in systems in which angling effort is not directly regulated. Relevant aspects of angling behavior include fishing participation, site choice, and catch-and-release actions and can be considered at scales of both aggregate fishing effort and individual-decision-making. Using creel survey data collected across eight fishery seasons, we predicted aggregate angling effort (e.g., daily number of boating trips engaged in fishing) and characterized influences of individual trip-based site choice for recreational fisheries acting on fall-run Chinook salmon and coho salmon near the mouth of the Columbia River, United States. We applied an overdispersed Poisson likelihood-based generalized linear model with an autoregressive structure to aggregate boating effort and a multinomial logit model to trip-based site choice decisions among separate ocean and estuary fishing zones. Predictive models explained 71% and 79% of out-of-sample and in-sample variability in aggregate effort, respectively, and included the covariates weekend status, Chinook salmon catch rate, tidal range, and pre-season expectations of fish abundance. Site choice model selection revealed the influence of weather, expected fishery season lengths, and the individual-specific characteristics of boat length and guide status on decision-making. Model results provide predictive models for short-term fishery planning, revealed underlying influences of individual decision-making, and highlight the value of standardized creel data for evaluating angling behavior.
Jensen, A.J., C.B. Schreck, and J.T. Peterson. 2021 Rapid Phenotypic Stock Identification of Chinook Salmon in Recreational Fishery Management. Marine and Coastal Fisheries 13: 99-112. https://doi.org/10.1002/mcf2.10145 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	April 2021	Rapid phenotypic stock identification in mixed-stock fisheries can provide a useful alternative to more time-intensive methods (e.g., genetics) in assessing harvest and informing management decisions. We leveraged anecdotal knowledge and understanding of life history differences to develop rapid stock identification tools for fall-run Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) encountered in the Buoy 10 recreational fishery at the mouth of the Columbia River. Specifically, we sought to differentiate between the fishery’s two dominant genetic lineages: lower river tules and upriver brights. We sampled recreationally landed Chinook salmon in 2017, 2018, and 2019, assigned sampled individuals to genetic group using a probabilistic approach and single nucleotide polymorphisms, and collected measurements on phenotypic traits. Using traits including pigmentation patterns (e.g., spotting), fin morphology, characters indicative of sexual maturity, and muscle lipid content, random forest classification models provided consistently high classification success across and within genetic groups (i.e., up to 90% in certain cases). Classification success remained consistent over time within fishery seasons and between years, but showed meaningful bias between sexes. Based on observed classification success, we developed and evaluated a categorical visual identification guide capable of facilitating more rapid trait observations and on-site stock identification. The resulting classification key, built using classification trees and visual guide observations from 2019, achieved slightly lower classification success across and within genetic groups and highly variably success among samplers. Trade-offs among stock identification methods offer unique management applications for each alternative, including their complementary use in harvest assessment alongside standard data collection methods. Rapid phenotypic stock identification methods offer the potential for increased precision and timeliness in harvest assessments.
Jensen, A.J., B. Cox, and J.T. Peterson. 2022. Evaluating tag-reliant harvest estimators in Chinook salmon mixed-stock fisheries using simulations. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 99(999):1-15. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2021-0197 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2022	Management of mixed-stock recreational fisheries requires balancing fishery access and conservation of vulnerable stocks. Although accurate, timely estimates of stock-specific harvest are crucial in achieving competing objectives, limited sample sizes of stock assignments (e.g., physical tag recoveries) can limit the utility of estimates. Using empirically-based simulations of a high-effort Chinook salmon fishery in the Columbia River, we assessed the performance of competing model frameworks, sources of prior information, extents of data aggregation, and monitoring actions using limited tag-based stock assignments. We sought to improve accuracy for point estimates of cumulative harvest and harvest trajectories over time. Using simulated datasets, Bayesian likelihood-based models performed similarly to existing models and provided novel estimates of uncertainty. Incorporation of prior information most benefited stocks with fewer tag returns and produced the most accurate harvest trajectories with limited data aggregation. Among management actions yielding similar sample sizes, enhancing low tagging rates resulted in the greatest estimate precision. Analysis results highlight new assessment practices for the fishery, and our approach to model assessment may be applied to similar mixed-stock fisheries.
Jensen, A.J., B. Cox, and J.T. Peterson. 2022. Evaluating tag-reliant harvest estimators in Chinook salmon mixed-stock fisheries using simulations. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 99(999):1-15. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2021-0197 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2022	Management of mixed-stock recreational fisheries requires balancing fishery access and conservation of vulnerable stocks. Although accurate, timely estimates of stock-specific harvest are crucial in achieving competing objectives, limited sample sizes of stock assignments (e.g., physical tag recoveries) can limit the utility of estimates. Using empirically-based simulations of a high-effort Chinook salmon fishery in the Columbia River, we assessed the performance of competing model frameworks, sources of prior information, extents of data aggregation, and monitoring actions using limited tag-based stock assignments. We sought to improve accuracy for point estimates of cumulative harvest and harvest trajectories over time. Using simulated datasets, Bayesian likelihood-based models performed similarly to existing models and provided novel estimates of uncertainty. Incorporation of prior information most benefited stocks with fewer tag returns and produced the most accurate harvest trajectories with limited data aggregation. Among management actions yielding similar sample sizes, enhancing low tagging rates resulted in the greatest estimate precision. Analysis results highlight new assessment practices for the fishery, and our approach to model assessment may be applied to similar mixed-stock fisheries.
Jensen, A. J., C.B. Schreck, J.E. Hess, S. Bohn, K.G. O'Malley, and J.T. Peterson. 2021. Genetic Advances in Recreational Fisheries Management. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:130-141. DOI:10.1002/nafm.10542. \| Publisher Website	February 2021
Jennings, S., KM Dugger, G Ballard, and DG Ainley. 2021. Effects of diet and provisioning behavior on chick growth on Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae). Waterbirds 44:55-67. \| Abstract	March 2021	When provisioning chicks, parents make trade-offs toward allocating time, energy, and other resources to maximize reproductive success. As parents adjust investment to maximize their own fitness, impacts on offspring growth can occur. We investigated the relationships between provisioning (an index of parental investment) and chick growth of Adélie penguins <i>Pygoscelis adeliae</i> at a large, high latitude colony, where competition for food affects foraging effort and limits chick growth. We measured average amount of food delivered per day, quality of prey delivered, and foraging trip duration, and compared them to mass and skeletal growth rate of chicks during two breeding seasons of contrasting conditions. We used mixed-effects models to test the prediction that increased parental investment would lead to increased growth rates, while accounting for confounding effects of parent age, chick sex, year, brood size, hatching order, and the lack of independence between siblings. Little evidence indicated an effect of parent age. All measures of provisioning were important in predicting growth of at least one morphological character but, especially during the year of normal reproductive success, no measure of provisioning strongly or consistently predicted growth across a majority of morphological characters. However, during the difficult year a positive relationship existed between growth rates and parental investment, especially for male chicks <i>—</i> only the male chicks fed a high-fish diet grew as fast as the overall average male growth rate in the normal year. Growth of male chicks may be more sensitive to variation in parental investment, particularly under challenging conditions, and the results at least partially agree with theory about offspring-sex-based variation in parental investment. The observed variation in growth rates between males and females, and between years of contrasting apparent resource availability, was large enough to lead to size differences that may subsequently affect post-fledging survival and ultimately population processes.
Jennings, S, KM Dugger, G Ballard, and DG Ainley. 2023. Faster growth and larger size at crèche onset are associated with higher offspring survival in Adélie Penguins. Ornithology 140: 1-11. DOI: 10.1093/ornithology/ukad006. \| Download	March 2023
Jennings, C. A., M. Allen, C. Belcher, R. Bringolf, D. Dennerline, T. Goar, K. Kuklinski, J. Long, P. Mazik, D. Riecke, and M. Rogers. Congratulations on Your Promotion to Management: Considerations for New Supervisory Biologists. 2020. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 7:103-113. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2020	During the past decade, many senior leaders in natural resource management organizations retired and new leaders were recruited to replace them. The new supervisory biologists now find themselves tasked with operational responsibilities (e.g., personnel, budgets, procurement, safety) with limited formal training in those areas. This sudden role change can be jolting, but need not be debilitating. Here we present information and guidance on various topics ranging from recruiting new personnel and conducting performance evaluations to maintaining a sound safety program as well as legal considerations regarding personal and institutional liabilities for job-related issues. Often, your first task as the new supervisor is to oversee a recruitment effort to fill your old position. This first task is best accomplished by working closely with the designated human resources staff to meet all administrative requirements and deadlines. After the successful hire, effective team leadership is achieved by learning how each staff member is motivated, what they are best able to contribute to the team, and areas for which they may need support. As a new supervisor, you are now responsible for promoting your agency’s safety program to mitigate potential job-related hazards. Despite institutional safeguards, accidents happen or interpersonal interactions can go poorly, and the aggrieved party may litigate for due compensation or to punish the perceived wrongdoer. As a supervisor, you may be a party to these litigations, and understanding your responsibilities in these situations is important for keeping you, your supervisees, and your institution safe and free of liability and help to hold any responsible party accountable when accidents, harassment, bias, or bullying occur. We hope the information provided here will facilitate a smooth transition from mid-career biologist to a supervisory biologist who can efficiently carryout their agency’s mission in natural resource stewardship.<br>
Jennings, C. A., M. Allen, C. Belcher, R. Bringolf, D. Dennerline, T. Goar, K. Kuklinski, J. Long, P. Mazik, D. Riecke, and M. Rogers. Congratulations on Your Promotion to Management: Considerations for New Supervisory Biologists. 2020. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 7:103-113. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2020	During the past decade, many senior leaders in natural resource management organizations retired and new leaders were recruited to replace them. The new supervisory biologists now find themselves tasked with operational responsibilities (e.g., personnel, budgets, procurement, safety) with limited formal training in those areas. This sudden role change can be jolting, but need not be debilitating. Here we present information and guidance on various topics ranging from recruiting new personnel and conducting performance evaluations to maintaining a sound safety program as well as legal considerations regarding personal and institutional liabilities for job-related issues. Often, your first task as the new supervisor is to oversee a recruitment effort to fill your old position. This first task is best accomplished by working closely with the designated human resources staff to meet all administrative requirements and deadlines. After the successful hire, effective team leadership is achieved by learning how each staff member is motivated, what they are best able to contribute to the team, and areas for which they may need support. As a new supervisor, you are now responsible for promoting your agency’s safety program to mitigate potential job-related hazards. Despite institutional safeguards, accidents happen or interpersonal interactions can go poorly, and the aggrieved party may litigate for due compensation or to punish the perceived wrongdoer. As a supervisor, you may be a party to these litigations, and understanding your responsibilities in these situations is important for keeping you, your supervisees, and your institution safe and free of liability and help to hold any responsible party accountable when accidents, harassment, bias, or bullying occur. We hope the information provided here will facilitate a smooth transition from mid-career biologist to a supervisory biologist who can efficiently carryout their agency’s mission in natural resource stewardship.
Jennings, C. A. 2020. BOOK REVIEW Paddlefish: Ecology, Aquacultural, and Regulatory Challenges of a Global Resource. DOI:10.1002/fsh.10418. Fisheries 45(6). 334. \| Abstract	June 2020	N/A
Jenney, C. J., Z. C. Nemec, L. N. Lee, and S. A. Bonar.2022. Increased juvenile native fish abundance following a major flood in an Arizona river. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 37:1-14.	February 2022
Jenney, C. J., J. M. Bauder, and S. A. Bonar. (2023). Native fish abundance and habitat selection changes in the presence of nonnative piscivores. Ecology of Freshwater Fish, e12742. https://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12742	August 2023
Jennelle, C.S., W.D. Walter, J. Crawford, C.S. Rosenberry, B.D. Wallingford. 2022. Movement of white-tailed deer in contrasting landscapes influences management of chronic wasting disease. Journal of Wildlife Management 86:e22306. \| Abstract	October 2022	For several decades, chronic wasting disease (CWD) has exhibited an unabated expansion in distribution and intensity across North America. Upon detection, either for the first time in a novel area or in a region with an existing outbreak, wildlife management agencies are tasked with responding to mitigate the disease. This often entails creation or modification of a management zone within which rules and regulations can be modified that support an agency’s disease management plan. To help inform the process of creating an appropriately-sized CWD management zone, assuming that wild deer movements are the primary risk factor for disease spread, we used data from GPS-collared white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) in southeastern Minnesota and southcentral Pennsylvania to estimate long-distance movements associated with dispersal and migratory behaviors. These contrasting study areas with active CWD outbreaks permit an evaluation of deer movement dynamics in different parts of their range. We quantified the proportion, distribution, timing, and orientation of dispersing and migratory deer. We observed 21% of female and 58% of male yearlings disperse from their apparent natal home range in Minnesota, while in Pennsylvania, 4% of female and 68% of male yearlings dispersed. We also documented 20% of females and 6% of males migrated between seasonal home ranges in Minnesota, while in Pennsylvania, no females and 5% of males migrated. The average distance deer dispersed or migrated in Minnesota was 20 km and 11 km, respectively, while in Pennsylvania deer dispersed or migrated only about 4km. Both sexes in Minnesota tended to disperse in a consisent, westerly direction; however there was no directional preference observed for migratory deer, nor for dispersing deer in Pennsylvania. We found differences in natal and adult home range size for both sexes in Minnesota, but not for males in Pennsylvania. Our results identify the considerable variability in disperal and migration dynamics of white-tailed deer in disparate landscapes, which is important to agencies managing CWD. We summarize the distribution of these long-distance movements and suggest agencies use this information to decide on an optimal management zone size that meets their needs. We encourage the development of formalized assesments of the tradeoffs associated with optimizing decisions about creation of CWD management zones across white-tailed deer populations that exhibit variation in dispersal behavior and caution against an arbitrary size/shape or one-size fits-all approach to creation of disease management zones.
Jenkins, JMA, DB. Lesmeister, ED Forsman, KM Dugger, SH Ackers, LS Andrews, CE McCafferty, MS Pruett, JA Reid, SG Sovern, RB Horn, SA Gremel, JD Wiens, and Z Yang. 2019. Social status, forest disturbance, and barred owls shape long-term trends in breeding dispersal distance of Northern Spotted Owls. The Condor 121:1–17, DOI: 10.1093/condor/duz055	December 2019
Jenkins JMA, DB Lesmeister, ED Forsman, KM Dugger, SH Ackers, LS Andrews, SA Gremel, B Hollen, CE McCafferty, MS Pruett, JA Reid, SG Sovern, and JD Wiens. 2021. Conspecific and congeneric interactions shape increasing rates of breeding dispersal of northern spotted owls. Ecological Applications e02398, http://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2398.	July 2021
Jayasekera, D. H., R. T. Melstrom, and K. L. Pope. 2024. Economic losses to inland recreational fisheries from harmful algal blooms. Journal of Environmental Management 372:123238. \| Download	November 2024
Jankowski, K. J., Houser, J. N., Scheuerell, M. D., & Smits, A. P. (2021). Warmer winters increase the biomass of phytoplankton in a large floodplain river. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 126, e2020JG006135 https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JG006135 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2021	Winters are changing rapidly across the globe but the implications for aquatic productivity and food webs are not well understood. In addition, the degree to which winter dynamics in aquatic systems respond to large-scale climate versus ecosystem-level factors is unclear but important for understanding and managing potential changes. We used a unique winter data set from the Upper Mississippi River System to explore spatial and temporal patterns in phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll <i>a</i>, CHL) and associated environmental covariates across 25 years and ∼1,500 river km. To assess the role of regional climate versus site-specific drivers of winter CHL, we evaluated whether there were coherent long-term CHL dynamics from north to south and across lotic-lentic areas. We then estimated the degree to which these patterns were associated with climate variability (i.e., the Multivariate El Nino-Southern Oscillation Index), winter severity (freezing degree days), river discharge, or site-specific environmental variables (ice depth, snow depth, and nutrient concentrations). We found that winter CHL was typically highest in ice-free reaches and backwater lakes, occasionally exceeding summer values. We did not find highly synchronous CHL dynamics across the basin, but instead show that temporal trends were independent among river reaches and lotic-lentic areas of the river. Moreover, after accounting for these spatial dynamics, we found that CHL was most responsive to winter air temperature, being consistently higher in years with warmer winters across the basin. These results indicate that although productivity dynamics are highly dynamic within large river ecosystems, changes in the duration and severity of winter may uniformly increase wintertime productivity.
Janke, A.K., T.R. Shirley, M. Figura, and J.D. Stafford. 2024. Can cover crops help grassland breeding birds? Insights from Iowa. NRCS CEAP Conservation Insight.	April 2024
Jalbert, C., Falke J.A., Lopez, J.A., Dunker, K.J., Sepulveda, A.J., and P.A.H. Westley. 2021. Vulnerability of Pacific salmon to invasion of northern pike (Esox lucius) in Southcentral Alaska. PLOS ONE 16(7): e0254097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254097. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2021	The relentless role of invasive species in the extinction of native biota requires predictions of ecosystem vulnerability to inform proactive management strategies. The worldwide invasion and range expansion of predatory northern pike (<i>Esox lucius</i>) has been linked to the decline of native fishes and tools are needed to predict the vulnerability of habitats to invasion over broad geographic scales. To address this need, we coupled an intrinsic potential habitat modelling approach with a Bayesian network to evaluate the vulnerability of five culturally and economically vital species of Pacific salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus</i> spp.) to invasion by northern pike. This study was conducted along 22,875 stream km in the Southcentral region of Alaska, USA. Pink salmon (<i>O</i>. <i>gorbuscha</i>) were the most vulnerable species, with 15.2% (2,458 km) of their calculated extent identified as “highly” vulnerable, followed closely by chum salmon (<i>O</i>. <i>keta</i>, 14.8%; 2,557 km) and coho salmon (<i>O</i>. <i>kisutch</i>, 14.7%; 2,536 km). Moreover, all five Pacific salmon species were highly vulnerable in 1,001 stream km of shared habitat. This simple to implement, adaptable, and cost-effective framework will allow prioritizing habitats for early detection and monitoring of invading northern pike.
Jaeger WK, Scheuerell MD (2023) Return(s) on investment: Restoration spending in the Columbia River Basin and increased abundance of salmon and steelhead. PLoS ONE 18(7): e0289246. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289246 \| Abstract	July 2023	The decline in salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River Basin has been well documented, as have the decades-long, $9 billion restoration spending efforts by federal and state agencies. These efforts are mainly tied to Endangered Species Act (ESA) mandates for recovery of wild, naturally-spawning threatened or endangered fish species. The impact of these efforts remains poorly understood; many observers, including the federal courts, have long been concerned by the lack of evidence of recovery. Most studies evaluating restoration efforts have examined individual projects for specific species, reaches, or life stages, which limits the ability to make broad inferences at the basin level. There is a need to ask: is there evidence of an overall increase in wild fish abundance associated with the totality of these recovery efforts? To that end, the current study estimates fixed-effects panel regression models of adult returns of four species. Results indicate that restoration spending combined with hatchery production are associated with substantial increases in returning adult fish. Evidence of benefits to wild fish alone, however, require indirect approaches given the commingling of restoration spending with spending on hatchery releases, the impacts of spending on hatchery fish survival, and the density dependence effects of hatchery releases. To accomplish this, the model’s predicted adult returns (both hatchery and wild fish) attributed to both spending and hatchery releases are compared to independent estimates of returning hatchery fish based on hatchery survival estimates (smolt-to-adult ratios). The comparison finds the model-predicted levels of adult returns due to spending and hatchery releases do not exceed the survival-rate based estimates for hatcheries alone, so that we are unable to reject the hypothesis of no benefits to wild fish from the restoration spending.
Jacques, C.N.; R.W. Klaver; C.S. DePerno; A.P. Rockhill. 2024.Comparing the efficacy of two immobilization drug combinations for the chemical restraint of bobcats. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 60:86-94 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2024	Chemical immobilization agents that provide rapid induction time, short duration of action, wide margin of safety, and post reversal recovery are important attributes to the handling process of immobilized animals. We evaluated differences in induction, recovery, and physiologic parameters in 23 (13 female, nine adults and four yearlings; 10 male, nine adults and one yearling)free-ranging bobcats (Lynx rufus) chemically immobilized with an intramuscular combination of ketamine (10 mg/kg) and xylazine (KX; 1.5 mg/kg; n¼11) or a combination of butorphanol (0.8 mg/kg), azaperone (0.27 mg/kg), and medetomidine (BAM; 0.32 mg/kg; n¼12). Induction parameters, time to first effect, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, and anesthesia between bobcats administered KX and BAM were similar. Pulse rate was significantly higher for KX than for BAM. Time to standing and full recovery after reversal were faster for bobcats administered BAM than KX. Six of 11 (55%)bobcats given KX were effectively immobilized with a single injection, and five required additional drugs to allow adequate time for processing. Of 12 bobcats given BAM, six (50%) were effectively immobilized with a single injection, three (25%) individuals were not completely immobilized and required additional doses to allow adequate time for processing, and three (25%) required additional doses after complete arousal during processing. We found that BAM provided reduced sedation and processing times (,30 min), whereas KX provided extended sedation and processing times beyond30 min. We suggest that researchers increase initial BAM drug volumes for yearling and adult bobcats at time of processing and consider taking appropriate safety precautions when handling free-ranging bobcats.
Jacobson, R., K. Bouska, E. Bulliner, G. Lindner, and C. Paukert. 2022. Geomorphic Controls on Floodplain Connectivity, Ecosystem Services, and Sensitivity to Climate Change: An Example from the Lower Missouri River. 2022. Water Resources Research 58, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021WR031204	May 2022
Jackson, J.K., S.A. Entrekin, H.S. Greig, and A.H. Roy. 2023. Atlantic Rivers-- Northeast United States. Chapter 2 in Delong, M., T. Jardine, A. Benke, and C. Cushing (editors). Rivers of North America. Second Edition. Elsevier. ISBN: 9780128188477 \| Publisher Website	April 2023
Jackson RT, Marshall PM, Burkhart C, Schneck J, Kelly G, Roberts CP. Risk of invasive waterfowl interaction with poultry production: understanding potential for avian pathogen transmission via species distribution models. Ecology and Evolution. \| Abstract	July 2024	Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have devastated poultry production across the United States, with more than 77 million birds culled in 2022-2023 alone. Wild waterfowl, including various invasive species, host numerous pathogens, including HPAI, and have been implicated as catalysts of disease outbreaks amongst native fauna and domestic birds. In a state like Arkansas, USA, where poultry production is a major economic activity (>$4 billion USD in 2022), understanding the risk of invasive waterfowl interactions with domestic poultry is critical. Here, we assessed risk of invasive waterfowl-poultry interaction in Arkansas by comparing density of poultry production sites (chicken houses) to areas of high habitat suitability for two invasive waterfowl species, (Egyptian goose [<i>Alopochen aegyptiaca</i>] and mute swan [<i>Cygnus olor</i>]), known to host significant pathogens, including HPAI. The percentage of urban land cover was the most important habitat characteristic for both invasive waterfowl species. At the 95% confidence interval, chicken house densities in areas highly suitable for both species (Egyptian goose = 0.91 ± 0.11 chicken houses/km<sup>2</sup>; mute swan = 0.61 ± 0.03 chicken houses/km<sup>2</sup>) were 3-5 times higher than chicken house densities across the state (0.17 ± 0.01 chicken houses/km<sup>2</sup>). We show that northwestern and western Arkansas, both areas of high importance for poultry production, are also at high risk of invasive waterfowl presence. Our results suggest that targeted monitoring efforts for waterfowl-poultry contact in these areas could help mitigate the risk of avian pathogen exposure in Arkansas and similar regions with high poultry production.
Izzo, L.K., G.B. Zydlewski, J.E. Marsden, and D.L. Parrish. 2022. Seasonal movements and spatial overlap of juvenile and adult lake sturgeon in Lake Champlain. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10378 \| Abstract	July 2022	The Lake Sturgeon <i>Acipenser fulvescens </i>is a large, long-lived, potamodromous species that is widely distributed throughout freshwater systems in the central part of North America. In this study, we used acoustic telemetry to examine seasonal distribution and movement patterns of endangered Lake Sturgeon in Lake Champlain, Vermont. Acoustic tags were implanted in 29 juvenile (453–874 mm TL) and 19 adult Lake Sturgeon (1215–1615 mm TL) from the Winooski River and nearby areas of Lake Champlain between 2015 and 2019; tags were detected with 23 passive acoustic receivers deployed in the river and delta area and an additional 34 throughout Lake Champlain. Home range analysis using a lattice-based density estimator (LDE) indicated that the size of juvenile home ranges was the same as adult home ranges in spring and summer but was statistically larger than adult home ranges in winter (Mann Whitney U-test, P < 0.05). Cumulative home range analysis showed that juvenile and adult home ranges overlapped in shallow (< 10 m) water in the summer and fall. In winter and spring, cumulative home ranges from juveniles included deep-water sites (> 25 m), while adults remained in shallow water near the mouth of their spawning river. Some juveniles (n = 7) made long-range movements (18–34 km) during the winter and spring months, and some juveniles (n = 13) moved back into the lower section of their natal river after overwintering in Lake Champlain. This study is the first to directly compare adult and juvenile Lake Sturgeon distribution, home range size, movements, and habitat use in a large lake system, and provides a baseline for further research on the movement ecology of Lake Sturgeon in Lake Champlain.
Izzo, L.K., D.L. Parrish, and G.B. Zydlewski. 2021. Multi-run migratory behavior of adult male lake sturgeon in a short river. Journal of Great Lakes Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2021.06.012 \| Abstract	July 2021	Lake sturgeon (<i>Acipenser fulvescens</i>) can migrate long distances to spawn, but many populations currently spawn in systems where the length of accessible riverine migratory habitat has been greatly reduced by dam construction. With the increased prevalence of shortened rivers, focusing on migratory dynamics in short rivers (<30 km) is beneficial to understanding the migratory needs of lake sturgeon populations. Here we document male lake sturgeon movements during the spawning period in the Winooski River, Vermont, USA; a river with only 17 km to the first natural upstream barrier. Male lake sturgeon were acoustically tagged (n = 25, 1215–1470 mm TL) and tracked using five to nine stationary receivers from 2017 to 2019. River discharge, temperature, the lagged effect of temperature (3-day), and time of day were significant factors describing upstream movements of tagged fish. Migrating male lake sturgeon (n = 10 in 2017, n = 18 in 2018, and n = 17 in 2019) displayed general movement patterns during the spawning period that included a single run upstream to the spawning site (60%), upstream and downstream movements throughout the river during the season (20%), or multiple runs made up the entire length of the spawning tributary to the spawning site (20%). No multi-run males were observed during 2018 when discharge was less flashy (i.e., fewer steep increases and declines in discharge) than in 2017 and 2019. These results suggest that the prevalence of multi-run spawning behavior of male lake sturgeon is related to flow conditions.
Izzo, L.K., D.L. Parrish, G.B. Zydlewski, and R. Koenigs. 2021. Second fin ray shows promise for estimating ages of juvenile but not adult Lake Sturgeon. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41: 217-228. doi: 10.1002/nafm.10561. \| Abstract	February 2021	The first marginal pectoral fin ray (fin spine) is the most common structure used for estimating the age of sturgeons, including listed Lake Sturgeon <i>Acipenser fulvescens </i>populations. However, conflicting results on the effects of fin spine removal have made some managers hesitant about the practice. We investigate if the second pectoral fin ray, which can be removed in a less invasive procedure, could be used for estimating ages of Lake Sturgeon. Ages estimated from fin spine and second fin ray samples were compared for 53 wild (470 to 1981 mm total length, TL) and 16 stocked, known-age (ages 8 – 18) Lake Sturgeon. Mean coefficient of variation (CV) for all samples was 12.4% for the fin spine and 17.5% for the second fin ray. In known-age fish, 17% of estimated ages for the fin spine and the second fin ray matched true age. For the remaining estimates, the difference between the second fin ray and true age was greater than the difference between the fin spine and true age (<i>P </i>< 0.05, Wilcoxon signed rank test). In juvenile fish (n = 24), 75% of ages estimated from fin spines and second fin rays were within ± 4 annuli, which was similar to differences in reader agreement for the same fin spine. Age estimates for adult Lake Sturgeon (n = 45) were less when using the second fin ray relative to the fin spine (up to -34 years). Additionally, poor annulus clarity was observed in > 70% of the second fin rays sampled from adult fish. Our results suggest that the second fin ray does not provide reliable age estimates for adult Lake Sturgeon but may have some utility for estimating age of juvenile Lake Sturgeon. Additional research with a larger sample size would be required to provide more conclusive results.
Izzo, L.K., D.D. Dembkowski, T. Hayden, T. Binder, C. Vandergoot, S. Hogler, M. Donofrio, T. Zorn, C. Krueger, D. Isermann. 2023. Spawning locations, movements, and potential for stock mixing of Walleye in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10883	May 2023
Izzo, L. K., G. B. Zydlewski, and D. L. Parrish. 2021. Combining fixed location count data and movement data to estimate abundance of a lake sturgeon spawning run: A framework for riverine migratory species. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. doi/10.1139/cjfas-2021-0140 \| Abstract	November 2021	Estimating abundance of migrating fishes is challenging. While sonars can be deployed continuously, improper assumptions about unidirectional migration and complete spatial coverage can lead to inaccurate estimates. To address these challenges, we present a framework for combining fixed-location count data from a dual-frequency identification sonar (DIDSON) with movement data from acoustic telemetry to estimate spawning run abundance of lake sturgeon (<i>Acipenser fulvescens</i>). Acoustic telemetry data were used to estimate the probability of observing a lake sturgeon on the DIDSON and to determine the probability that a lake sturgeon passing the DIDSON site had passed the site previously during the season. Combining probabilities with DIDSON counts, using a Bayesian integrated model, we estimated the following abundances: 99 (42–215 CI) in 2017, 131 (82–248 CI) in 2018, and 92 (47–184 CI) in 2019. Adding movement data generated better inferences on count data by incorporating fish behavior (e.g., multiple migrations in a single season) and its uncertainty into abundance estimates. This framework can be applied to count and movement data to estimate abundance of spawning runs of other migratory fishes in riverine systems.
Ivan, JS, Newkirk, ES, and Gerber, BD. 2023. Differential impacts of spruce beetle outbreaks on snowshoe hares and red squirrels in the southern Rocky Mountains. Forest Ecology & Management, 544, 121147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2023.121147	June 2023
Isermann, D.A., M.J. Belnap, K. Turnquist, B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, S.P. Hansen, and D. Caroffino. 2020. Defining the need for genetic stock assignment when describing stock demographics and dynamics: an example using lake whitefish in Lake Michigan. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 149:398-413. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10235	May 2020
Isermann, D.A., J.K. Raabe, E.G. Easterly, J.C. Schulze, N.J. Porter, D.J. Dembkowski, M.C. Donofrio, D.R. Kramer, and R.F. Elliot. 2022. Lake Sturgeon movement after trap and transfer around two dams on the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10379	August 2022
Isermann, D.A., H. Embke, J. Vander Zanden, S. Carpenter, D. Dembkowski, G. Coppola, and C. Sullivan. 2022. A Safe Operating Space for Walleye: Adapting Inland Recreational Fisheries for Climate Change. Final Report.	August 2022
Isermann, D.A. Submitted. Regulation and Recovery: Conserving North America’s Sauger Populations. In-Fisherman.	February 2021
Isermann, D.A. 2021. USGS-Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit Contribution to Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts Fisheries Working Group Report. Expansion of largemouth bass in Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts Fisheries Working Group Report which is produced on a periodic basis.	February 2022
Isermann D.A., and R.P. Davis. 2024. Supply-and-demand dynamics associated with using stocking to maintain Walleye fisheries in the face of climate change. Final Report.	June 2024
Isenhour, Z. W., Harris, G.L., Stewart, R.L., Hampton, E.D., Scafini, M.R., Turner, G.G., and Bergsten, S.E. 2024. Dietary flexibility of insectivorous bats, Eptesicus fuscus and Myotis lucifugus during Magicicada spp. Brood X emergence. Canadian Journal of Zoology 102(11): 888-895.	July 2024
Irwin, E, R. Ramesh and A. Alam 2022. Oyster restoration: acknowledgement of uncertainty and lessons learned for future decision-making. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-XXX-2022, Washington, D.C.	March 2022
Irwin, B. J., M. M. Tomamichel, M. E. Frischer, R. J. Hall, A. D. E. Davis, T. H. Bliss, P. Rohani, and J. E. Byers. 2024. Managing the threat of infectious disease for sustainable seafood production. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2695 \| Abstract	December 2023	Fisheries and aquaculture provide food and economic security, especially in the developing world, but both face challenges from infectious disease. We approach disease management through a structured-decision-making perspective. For both wild fisheries and aquaculture, management objectives generally aim to mitigate the severity and economic burden of disease outbreaks. In wild fisheries, options include regulating harvests, reducing system connectivity, and habitat conservation or improvement. In aquaculture, options include using pharmacological treatments, biocontrol strategies, bio-secure facilities and controlling density or increasing disease resistance through selective breeding. Developing and implementing disease-management strategies involve considering uncertainties and balancing competing stakeholder interests and risk tolerances; therefore, management strategies have tended to vary greatly depending on each unique situation. Although a transferable multipurpose solution to managing disease is unlikely for diverse fisheries and aquaculture enterprises, we suggest a path forward that could be broadly relevant to decision makers facing issues related to disease.
Irwin ER, Coffman KMO, Godsey ES, Enwright NM, Lloyd MC, Joyner K, and Lai, Q. 2020. Consequences of Restoration Actions to Faunal Conservation and Other Stakeholder Values: Dauphin Island, Alabama. Available online at https://gom.usgs.gov/DauphinIsland/Reports.aspx	June 2020
Irvine, K.M., K.M. Baner, C. Stratton , W.M. Ford and B.E. Reichert. 2022. Statistical assessment on determining localized bat species presence for rare species. Ecosphere. doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4142 .	June 2022
Irizarry, A. D., J.A. Collazo, J. Vandermeer, and Ivette Perfecto. 2021. Coffee plantations, hurricanes and avian resiliency: insights from occupancy, and local colonization and extinction rates in Puerto Rico. Global Ecology and Conservation 27 (2021) e01579 \| Abstract	April 2021	Insights on impacts and resiliency of avian species with respect to hurricanes in the Caribbean have largely focused on responses measured in protected habitats. We assessed avian responses in non-protected habitat, specifically shade-restored coffee plantations, because their structural complexity retains many attributes of secondary forests, and may contribute to landscape scale species resiliency. We tallied species richness and estimated occupancy probability of 12 resident avian species, after adjusting for imperfect detection, to assess the impact of hurricane Maria (20 September 2017) in shade-restored coffee plantations. For five of those species, we also estimated local colonization and extinction probabilities to assess their prospect of rebounding (resiliency) in the context of two stages of shade restoration. We used survey data collected March-June 2015-2017 (pre-hurricane) and 2018 (post-hurricane) in 58 coffee farms and satellite imagery to assess vegetation structure. Restored farms were grouped into two categories based on time-since-restoration: newly-restored and fully-restored. We predicted that mean percent forest cover in fully-restored farms (~30-40%) would revert to levels in newly-restored farms (<15%), with concomitant changes in occupancy by avian species. As predicted, mean percent forest cover (16.17 ± 4.27%) in fully-restored farms post-hurricane reverted to pre-hurricane levels in newly-restored farms (15.00 ± 5.61%). The loss represented 30-38% relative to the pre-hurricane cover levels. Detections of focal species dropped an average of 41% post-hurricane, with associated reductions in occupancy for 9/11 species. Occupancy of the Puerto Rican Bullfinch and Puerto Rican Spindalis reverted to levels detected in newly-restored plantations prior to the hurricane as predicted. Prospects of rebounding were more likely for species with invariant or increases in colonization probability (e.g., Yellow-faced Grassquit, Northern Mockingbird, Puerto Rican Spindalis). Rebounding for frugivores like the Puerto Rican Bullfinch would be protracted given that colonization rates dropped from 0.56 ± 0.12 (pre-hurricane) to 0.04 ± 0.2 (post-hurricane), regardless of restoration stage. Our work showed that the avian community associated with restored coffee farms exhibited a high degree of ecological resistance as the similarity in species composition before and after the hurricane was 81%, and all 12 focal species continued to occupy farms under both restoration stages. The prospect of the focal species to rebound (resiliency) was species-specific, and in some cases, mediated by their affinity to a particular farm restoration stage. The strength of hurricanes is projected to intensify with global warming. Pockets of undamaged or partially damaged shade-grown or fully-restored coffee plantations may contribute to species resiliency by increasing landscape level habitat redundancy, and facilitate habitat shifts to secure food resources or harbor source populations to colonize recovering, hurricane-damaged habitat tracts.
Inzalaco, H.N., F. Bravo Risi, R. Morales, D.P. Walsh, D.J. Storm, W.C. Turner, S.S. Lichtenberg. 2023. Ticks harbor and excrete chronic wasting disease prions. Scientific Reports, 13:7838. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	May 2023	Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by infectious prions (PrP<sup>CWD</sup>) affecting cervids. Circulating PrP<sup>CWD</sup> in blood may pose a risk for indirect transmission by way of hematophagous ectoparasites acting as mechanical vectors. Cervids can carry high tick infestations and exhibit allogrooming, a common tick defense strategy between conspecifics. Ingestion of ticks during allogrooming may expose naïve animals to CWD, if ticks harbor PrP<sup>CWD</sup>. This study investigates whether ticks can harbor transmission-relevant quantities of PrP<sup>CWD</sup> by combining experimental tick feeding trials and evaluation of ticks from free-ranging white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>). Using the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay, we show that black-legged ticks (<i>Ixodes scapularis</i>) fed PrP<sup>CWD</sup>-spiked blood using artificial membranes ingest and excrete PrP<sup>CWD</sup>. Combining results of RT-QuIC and protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), we detected seeding activity from 6 of 15 (40%) pooled tick samples collected from wild CWD-infected white-tailed deer. Seeding activities in ticks were analogous to 10 –1,000 ng of CWD-positive retropharyngeal lymph node collected from deer upon which they were feeding. Estimates revealed a median infectious dose range of 0.3 – 42.4 per tick, suggesting that ticks can take up transmission-relevant amounts of PrP<sup>CWD</sup> and may pose a CWD risk to cervids.
Inzalaco, H.N., E.E. Brandell, S. Wilson, M. Hunsaker, D.R. Stahler, K. Woelfel, D.P. Walsh, T. Nordeen, D.J. Storm, S.S. Lichtenberg, W.C. Turner. 2024. Detection of prions from spiked and free-ranging carnivore feces, Scientific Reports, 14: 3804. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44167-7 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	February 2024	We assessed recovery and detection of PrP<sup>CWD</sup> by experimental spiking of PrP<sup>CWD </sup>into carnivore feces from 9 species sourced from CWD-free populations or captive facilities. We then applied this technique to detect PrP<sup>CWD</sup> from feces of predators and scavengers in free-ranging populations. Our results demonstrate that spiked PrP<sup>CWD</sup> is detectable from feces of free-ranging mammalian and avian carnivores using RT-QuIC. Results show that PrP<sup>CWD </sup>acquired in natural settings is detectable in feces from free-ranging carnivores, and that PrP<sup>CWD </sup>rates of detection in carnivore feces reflect relative prevalence estimates observed in the corresponding cervid populations. This study adapts an important diagnostic tool for CWD, allowing investigation of the epidemiology of CWD at the community-level.
Inzalaco, H., F. Bravo-Risi, R. Morales, R., D. P. Walsh, D. J. Storm, J. Pedersen, W. C. Turner, and S. Lichtenberg. 2023. Ticks harbor and excrete chronic wasting disease prions. Scientific Reports 13, 7838 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34308-3.	May 2023
Ingram, S. J., J. D. Grant, Z. S. Beard, N. Berg, A. M. Ringelman, and S. A. Bonar. 2023. Estimating age and growth of Largemouth Bass in Southwestern Reservoirs using otoliths and scales. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 14(2): 315-323. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-23-006	August 2023
Iannarilli, F., Gerber, B. D., Erb, J., & Fieberg, J. R. (2024). A ‘how-to’ guide for estimating animal diel activity using hierarchical models. Journal of Animal Ecology, 00, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.14213 \| Abstract \| Download	November 2024	Animal diel activity patterns can aid understanding of (a) how species behaviour-ally adapt to anthropogenic and natural disturbances, (b) mechanisms of speciesco-existence through temporal partitioning, and (c) community or ecosystem ef-fects of diel activity shifts.2. Activity patterns often vary spatially, a feature ignored by the kernel density es-timators (KDEs) currently used for estimating diel activity. Ignoring this source ofheterogeneity may lead to biased estimates of uncertainty and misleading conclu-sions regarding the drivers of diel activity. Thus, there is a need for more flexiblestatistical approaches for estimating activity patterns and testing hypotheses re-garding their biotic and abiotic drivers.3. We illustrate how trigonometric terms and cyclic cubic splines combined withhierarchical models can provide a valuable alternative to KDEs. Like KDEs, thesemodels accommodate circular data, but they can also account for site-to-site andother sources of variability, correlation amongst repeated measures, and variablesampling effort. They can also more readily quantify and test hypotheses relatedto the effects of covariates on activity patterns.4. Through empirical case studies, we illustrate how hierarchical models can quan-tify changes in activity levels due to seasonality and in response to biotic and abi-otic factors (e.g. anthropogenic stressors and co-occurrence). We also describefrequentist and Bayesian approaches for quantifying site- specific (conditional)and population-averaged (marginal) activity patterns.5. We provide guidelines and tutorials with detailed step-by-step instructions forfitting and interpreting hierarchical models applied to time-stamped data, such asthose recorded by camera traps and audio recorders. We conclude that this ap-proach offers a viable, flexible, and effective alternative to KDEs when modellinganimal activity patterns.
Hzyz, B., R.E. Russell, A. Silvis, W.M. Ford, J. Riddle and K. Russell. 2020. Occupancy of Northern long-eared bats in the Lake States Region. Wildlife Society Bulletin https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1138	December 2020
Hyzy, B., R.E. Russell, A. Silvis, W.M. Ford, J. Riddle, and K. Russell. 2020. Investigating maternity roost selection of Northern long-eared bats at three sites in Wisconsin. Endangered Species Research. 41:55-65.	January 2020
Hyde, M., E. Payan, J. Barragan, D. Stasiukynas, S. Rincon, W. L., Kendall, J. Rodriguez, K. R. Crooks, S. W. Breck, and V. Boron. 2023. Tourism-supported working lands sustain a growing jaguar population in the Colombian Llanos. Scientific Reports 13, 10408 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36935-2.	June 2023
Huntsman, B.M., L. Flynn, C.A. Caldwell, A.J. Lynch, and F. Abadi. 2023. Density effects on native and non-native trout survival in streams. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 32:464-476. \| Abstract	April 2023	Environmental stressors associated with a changing climate and non-native fish, individually, represent significant threats to native fish conservation. These threats can exacerbate risks to native fishes when conditions interact at the trailing edge of a population’s distribution. We collected capture-mark-recapture data for Rio Grande cutthroat trout (RGCT, <i>Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis</i>) at the trailing edge of all cutthroat trout distributions from eight northern New Mexico populations. We used a factorial sampling design from streams characterized as “cool” or “warm” and whether RGCT were sympatric with non-native brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i>). We tested competing hypotheses that warm temperatures, reduced flows, high densities, and sympatry with brown trout would negatively impact RGCT apparent survival rates. We found the strongest evidence for a non-native trout interaction with total trout density affecting RGCT apparent survival rates. Our results are consistent with patterns observed in northern cutthroat trout populations where non-native salmonids negatively impacted apparent survival rates. We also found that a negative density effect was observed on allopatric RGCT and sympatric brown trout apparent survival, but a positive density effect was observed for sympatric RGCT. These results suggest higher density populations of RGCT may be more resilient to displacement by non-native trout than low density populations.
Huntsman, B.M., A.J. Lynch, C.A. Caldwell, and F. Abadi. 2021. Intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of life-history variability for a southwestern cutthroat trout. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 30:100-114. https://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12567 \| Abstract	August 2020	The impacts of climate change on cold water fishes will likely negatively manifest in populations at the trailing edge of their distributions. Rio Grande cutthroat trout (<i>Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis</i>, RGCT) occupy arid southwestern U.S.A. streams at the southern-most edge of all cutthroat trout distributions, making RGCT particularly vulnerable to the anticipated warming and drying in this region. We hypothesized that RGCT possess a portfolio of life-history traits that aid in their persistence within streams of varying temperature and stream drying conditions. We used otolith and multistate capture-mark-recapture data to determine how these environmental constraints influence life-history trait expression (length- and age-at-maturity) and demography in RGCT populations from northern New Mexico, U.S.A. We found evidence that RGCT reached maturity fastest at sites with warm stream temperatures and low densities. We did not find a strong relationship between discharge and any demographic rate, although apparent survival of mature RGCT decreased as stream temperature increased. Our study suggests plasticity in trait expression may be a life-history characteristic which can assist trailing edge populations like RGCT persist in a changing climate.
Huntsman, B. M., A. J. Lynch, and C.A. Caldwell. 2021. Interacting Effects of Density-dependent and Density-independent Factors on Growth Rates in Southwestern Cutthroat Trout Populations. Transactions of the American Fisheries 150:651-664. doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10319 \| Abstract	September 2021	Density-dependent (DD) and density-independent (DI) effects play an important role in shaping fish growth rates, an attribute that correlates with many life-history traits in fishes. Consequently, understanding the extent to which DD and DI effects influence growth rates is valuable for fisheries assessments because it can inform managers how populations may respond as environmental conditions continue to change (e.g., threats from climate change). We used a Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (<i>Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis</i>, RGCT) capture-mark-recapture data set collected over two years along a temperature and density gradient in northern New Mexico streams to test the extent to which DD and DI effects interact to affect specific growth rates. We found that temperature (DI) and density (DD) interacted with RGCT life stage (i.e., immature or mature) to affect growth rates. We only detected evidence of a negative DD effect on RGCT growth for the immature fraction of a population when exposed to the warmest stream temperatures. Our results suggest that competition most strongly affected the immature portion of RGCT populations, and this effect was only detectable when temperatures were warmest and energetic stress was likely at its highest. The quadratic relationship between temperature and growth rates also demonstrated that stream temperatures were below as well as above optimal growth temperatures for RGCT. Growth rates in our RGCT populations were influenced by complex interactions of DD and DI effects and our results suggest that the negative consequences of warming trends associated with climate change on RGCT populations may be exacerbated by DD effects.
Huntsman, B. M., A. J. Lynch, and C.A. Caldwell. 2021. Interacting Effects of Density-dependent and Density-independent Factors on Growth Rates in Southwestern Cutthroat Trout Populations. Transactions of the American Fisheries 150:651-664. doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10319 \| Abstract	September 2021	Density-dependent (DD) and density-independent (DI) effects play an important role in shaping fish growth rates, an attribute that correlates with many life-history traits in fishes. Consequently, understanding the extent to which DD and DI effects influence growth rates is valuable for fisheries assessments because it can inform managers how populations may respond as environmental conditions continue to change (e.g., threats from climate change). We used a Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (<i>Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis</i>, RGCT) capture-mark-recapture data set collected over two years along a temperature and density gradient in northern New Mexico streams to test the extent to which DD and DI effects interact to affect specific growth rates. We found that temperature (DI) and density (DD) interacted with RGCT life stage (i.e., immature or mature) to affect growth rates. We only detected evidence of a negative DD effect on RGCT growth for the immature fraction of a population when exposed to the warmest stream temperatures. Our results suggest that competition most strongly affected the immature portion of RGCT populations, and this effect was only detectable when temperatures were warmest and energetic stress was likely at its highest. The quadratic relationship between temperature and growth rates also demonstrated that stream temperatures were below as well as above optimal growth temperatures for RGCT. Growth rates in our RGCT populations were influenced by complex interactions of DD and DI effects and our results suggest that the negative consequences of warming trends associated with climate change on RGCT populations may be exacerbated by DD effects.
Hunter, E.A., S. Blake, L.J. Cayot, and J.P. Gibbs. 2020. “Role in Ecosystems.” In J.P. Gibbs, L.J. Cayot, and W. Tapia (Eds.), Galapagos giant tortoises (pg. 299-312). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-817554-5.00006-X	January 2021
Hunter, E.A., K.J. Loope, K.K. Drake, K. Hanley, D.N. Jones, Jr., K.T. Shoemaker, and D.C. Rostal. 2021. Warming conditions boost reproductive output for a northern gopher tortoise population. Endangered Species Research 46:215-226. \| Abstract	December 2021	The effects of climate change on at-risk species will depend on how life history processes respond to climate and whether the seasonal timing of local climate changes overlap with species-specific windows of climate sensitivity. For long-lived, iteroparous species like gopher tortoises (<i>Gopherus polyphemus</i>), reproductive processes are more likely to be climate-sensitive than adult survival. Our objective was to estimate the timing, magnitude, and direction of climate-driven effects on gopher tortoise reproductive output using a 25-year dataset collected in southeastern Georgia, USA, near the northern edge of the species’ range. We assessed the timing of climate effects on reproductive output (both probability of reproduction and clutch size) by fitting models with climate covariates (maximum temperature, precipitation, and temperature range) summarized at all possible time intervals (at one-month increments) within the 24-month period prior to the summer census date. We then fit a final model of reproductive output as a function of the identified climate variables and time windows using a Bayesian mixture model. Probability of reproduction was positively correlated with the prior year’s April-May maximum temperature, and clutch size was positively correlated with the prior year’s June maximum temperature. April-May and June maximum temperatures have increased over the past three decades at the study site, which likely led to an increase in clutch size of approximately 1 egg (15% increase over mean 6.5 eggs). However, the net effect of climate change on gopher tortoise population dynamics will depend on whether there are opposing or reinforcing climate responses for other demographic rates.
Hunter, E.A., J.P. Gibbs, L.J. Cayot, W. Tapia, M.C. Quinzin, J.M. Miller, A. Caccone, K.T. Shoemaker. 2020. Seeking compromise across competing goals in conservation translocations: The case of the “extinct” Floreana Island Galapagos giant tortoise. Journal of Applied Ecology 57:136-148. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13516	December 2020
Hunter, E.A., A. Dwire, and T.M. Schneider. 2022. Demography and site fidelity of a grassland bird, the Henslow's Sparrow, in powerline right-of-way habitat. Journal of Field Ornithology 93:art9.	March 2022
Hunter, E.A. and J.P. Gibbs. 2020. “Habitats.” In J.P. Gibbs, L.J. Cayot, and W. Tapia (Eds.), Galapagos giant tortoises (pg. 281-297). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-817554-5.00001-0	January 2021
Hunter, E.A. and D.C. Rostal. 2021. Fire management effects on long-term gopher tortoise population dynamics. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:654-664. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22033	May 2021
Hume, J.B., P.R. Almeida, C.M. Buckley, L.A. Criger, C.P. Madenjian, K.F. Robinson, C. Wang, A.M. Muir. 2021. Managing native and non-native sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) populations in the face of anthropogenic change: a prospective assessment of key threats and uncertainties. Journal of Great Lakes Research, Special Issue on Sea Lamprey International Symposium III (SLIS III) 47 (Supplement 1):S704-722. DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2020.08.015 \| Download	December 2021
Hull, J. M., G. K. Sage, S. A. Sonsthagen, M. C. Gravley, B. L. Martinico, T. L. Booms, T. Swem, and S. L. Talbot. 2020. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in merlins (Falco columbarius) and cross-species amplification in gyrfalcons (F. rusticolus) and peregrine falcons (F. peregrinus). Molecular Biology Reports 47:8377–8383.	October 2020
Huberman, D. B, B. J. Reich, K. Pacifici, and J. A. Collazo. 2020. Estimating The Drivers Of Species Distributions With Opportunistic Data Using Mediation Analysis. Ecosphere 11(16):e03165. 10.1002/ecs2.3165.	June 2020
Huber, A. F., W. A. Fitzsimmons, and J. T. Westhoff. 2023. The Smaller, the Better? First evaluation of growth and mortality in crayfish internally tagged with p-Chips. Journal of Crustacean Biology 43: 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruad071 \| Abstract	November 2023	Small-bodied aquatic organisms present a challenge to researchers seeking to uniquely mark individuals for scientific study. Microtransponder tags, such as p-Chips, represent the smallest electronic animal tags available to meet this need. However, the use of p-Chips to tag freshwater crayfish has not been explored. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the effects of p-Chip tagging on growth and survival of crayfish in a controlled laboratory environment. Furthermore, we investigated potential influences from variables such as sex, reproductive form, and the number of molt events on mortality. We internally tagged woodland crayfish <i>Faxonius hylas</i> (12.2 to 26.6 mm carapace length; CL) with either one p-Chip (single-tag) or one p-Chip and one Visual Implant Elastomer tag (double-tagged) and observed the effects over a period of 90 days. Survival probability over time was not statistically different among tagging groups, sex, and reproductive form. The survival rates were similar across all tagging groups, with 75% in the control group, 77% in the double-tagged group, and 78% in the single-tag group. However, a strong correlation was observed between survival and the number of molt events. Additionally, there was a negative correlation between survival and crayfish size (CL), indicating a higher risk of mortality for larger individuals. There were no statistically significant differences in growth among the tagging groups. We conclude that p-Chips are a viable tagging option for the study of crayfish given their size, readability, and retention through molting cycles. However, we recommend that future studies repeat this experiment using smaller individuals to determine the minimum crayfish size compatible with p-Chip tagging. Additionally, it is important to test p-Chips with other crayfish species and compare the growth and mortality of crayfish tagged with p-Chip in natural habitats.
Huang, Y.-H., N. Owen-Smith, M.D. Henley, P.L. Kamath, J.W. Kilian, S.O. Ochai, H. van Heerden, J.K.E. Mfune, W.M. Getz, W.C. Turner. 2023. Variation in herbivore space use comparing two savanna ecosystems with different anthrax outbreak patterns in southern Africa. Movement Ecology, 11:46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-023-00385-2 \| Abstract	July 2023	<u>Background</u><br>The distribution of resources can affect animal range sizes and, hence, may alter infectious disease dynamics in heterogenous environments. The risk of pathogen exposure or the spatial distribution of disease outbreaks may vary as a result of changing host range size. This study examined the host range sizes of mammalian herbivore species in two ecosystems with different observed patterns for disease outbreaks of a multi-host environmentally transmitted pathogen.<br><u>Methods</u><br>We examined the spatial extent of anthrax outbreaks and range sizes for seven host species in Etosha National Park, Namibia and Kruger National Park, South Africa, where the main host species and outbreak sizes differ. We estimated the spatial distribution of annual anthrax mortalities using the local convex hull (LoCoH) method and evaluated whether outbreak distribution was correlated with case numbers of a given host species. We estimated host range sizes at different temporal scales, individual temporal range overlap, and evaluated relationships between range size and resource availability by species.<br><u>Results</u><br>The spatial distribution of anthrax mortalities was similar between parks but less variable in Etosha than Kruger, where outbreaks varied from locally clustered to large areas, with more cases and species affected. Herbivore space use differed among species and study areas, with individuals in Etosha having larger ranges than in Kruger due to an inverse relationship between range size and resource productivity. In Kruger the main host species had small range sizes and high range overlap, which may heighten exposure when outbreaks occur in their ranges. In contrast, the main host in Etosha had large range sizes. Case numbers of secondary host species with larger range sizes were positively correlated with the extent of anthrax outbreaks.<br><u>Conclusions</u><br>Our results provide new information on the spatiotemporal structuring of ranging movements of prominent mammalian herbivores in two savanna ecosystems, with comparative values for four species in both systems. While our anthrax results are correlative, they suggest that differences in host space use may have implications for disease dynamics; and, though partial and proximate, space use factors likely contribute to other factors known to affect disease transmission.
Huang, Y.-H., K. Kausrud, A. Hassim, S.O. Ochai, O.L. van Schalkwyk, E.H. Dekker, A. Buyantuyev, C.C. Cloete, J.W. Kilian, P.L. Kamath, H. van Heerden, and W.C. Turner. 2022. Environmental drivers of biseasonal anthrax outbreak dynamics in two multi-host savanna ecosystems. Ecological Monographs. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecm.1526 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	April 2022	Seasonality in wildlife infectious diseases is common, however bi-seasonality or bimodal seasonality in infections is less commonly reported. Bi-seasonality may involve multi-host interactions and environmental drivers, with multiple triggers. We explored patterns in anthrax infections in two multi-host systems in southern Africa: Etosha National Park, Namibia, and Kruger National Park, South Africa. We assessed possible transmission mechanisms behind anthrax dynamics, by examining 1) within- and between-species correlations of cases, and 2) associations between anthrax mortalities and environmental factors (rainfall and a remotely-sensed vegetation index). Anthrax cases in Kruger had wide inter-annual variation in intensity, and large outbreaks seemed to follow a largely decadal cycle. In contrast, anthrax outbreaks in Etosha were smaller in magnitude and occurred annually. In Etosha, the host species composition of outbreaks remained consistent over several decades, although plains zebra (<i>Equus quagga</i>) became more dominant. In Kruger, turnover of the main host species occurred, where the previously dominant host species, greater kudu (<i>Tragelaphus strepsiceros</i>), was replaced by impala (<i>Aepyceros melampus</i>), a species that rarely contributed to historical outbreaks. In both parks, anthrax infections showed two seasonal peaks, with each species having only one peak in a year. Anthrax mortalities in host species shared between the two parks peaked in the same season in both systems. Even though the relationships among species may be complex, especially in Kruger, species within the same seasonal (wet or dry) group could have synchronization of anthrax mortalities, implying common or similar transmission mechanisms or infectious sources. We found that with higher vegetation greenness, there were more zebra anthrax mortalities in Etosha, whereas there were fewer elephant cases in both parks. These suggest that host behavioral responses to environmental conditions are important for anthrax transmission. Comparing across species and systems, different seasonal peaks are potentially governed by divergent mechanisms of anthrax transmission and dynamics. This divergence of mechanisms is likely to lead to the multi-host anthrax seasonality and dynamics. This study reveals anthrax dynamics and potentially their driving forces in the two parks, which may help us better understand anthrax transmission worldwide.<br> <br><br>
Huang, Y.-H., K. Kausrud, A. Hassim, S.O. Ochai, O.L. van Schalkwyk, E.H. Dekker, A. Buyantuyev, C.C. Cloete, J.W. Kilian, P.L. Kamath, H. van Heerden, and W.C. Turner. 2022. Environmental drivers of biseasonal anthrax outbreak dynamics in two multi-host savanna ecosystems. Ecological Monographs. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecm.1526 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	April 2022	Seasonality in wildlife infectious diseases is common, however bi-seasonality or bimodal seasonality in infections is less commonly reported. Bi-seasonality may involve multi-host interactions and environmental drivers, with multiple triggers. We explored patterns in anthrax infections in two multi-host systems in southern Africa: Etosha National Park, Namibia, and Kruger National Park, South Africa. We assessed possible transmission mechanisms behind anthrax dynamics, by examining 1) within- and between-species correlations of cases, and 2) associations between anthrax mortalities and environmental factors (rainfall and a remotely-sensed vegetation index). Anthrax cases in Kruger had wide inter-annual variation in intensity, and large outbreaks seemed to follow a largely decadal cycle. In contrast, anthrax outbreaks in Etosha were smaller in magnitude and occurred annually. In Etosha, the host species composition of outbreaks remained consistent over several decades, although plains zebra (<i>Equus quagga</i>) became more dominant. In Kruger, turnover of the main host species occurred, where the previously dominant host species, greater kudu (<i>Tragelaphus strepsiceros</i>), was replaced by impala (<i>Aepyceros melampus</i>), a species that rarely contributed to historical outbreaks. In both parks, anthrax infections showed two seasonal peaks, with each species having only one peak in a year. Anthrax mortalities in host species shared between the two parks peaked in the same season in both systems. Even though the relationships among species may be complex, especially in Kruger, species within the same seasonal (wet or dry) group could have synchronization of anthrax mortalities, implying common or similar transmission mechanisms or infectious sources. We found that with higher vegetation greenness, there were more zebra anthrax mortalities in Etosha, whereas there were fewer elephant cases in both parks. These suggest that host behavioral responses to environmental conditions are important for anthrax transmission. Comparing across species and systems, different seasonal peaks are potentially governed by divergent mechanisms of anthrax transmission and dynamics. This divergence of mechanisms is likely to lead to the multi-host anthrax seasonality and dynamics. This study reveals anthrax dynamics and potentially their driving forces in the two parks, which may help us better understand anthrax transmission worldwide.<br>
Huang, Y.-H., H. Joel, M. Küsters, Z. Barandongo, C.C. Cloete, W.M. Getz, A. Hartmann, P.L. Kamath, J.W. Kilian, J.K.E. Mfune, G. Shatumbu, R. Zidon, and W.C. Turner. 2021. Disease or drought: environmental fluctuations release zebra from a potential pathogen-triggered ecological trap. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, B. Biological Sciences, 288: 20210582. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.0582 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2021	Habitat selection that exposes hosts to areas of high disease risk can have an adverse effect on host populations. When a transmission hotspot for an environmentally persistent pathogen establishes in otherwise high-quality habitat, the disease may exert stronger impact on the host population, and potentially forms an ecological trap. However, fluctuating environmental conditions lead to heterogeneity in habitat quality and animal habitat preference, which may interrupt the overlap between selected and risky habitats. We evaluated spatiotemporal patterns in anthrax mortalities in a plains zebra (<i>Equus quagga</i>) population in Etosha National Park, Namibia, incorporating remote-sensing and host telemetry data. A higher proportion of anthrax mortalities was detected in open habitats than in other habitat types. Resource selection functions showed that the zebra population shifted habitat selection in response to changes in vegetation productivity and rainfall. Average to high rainfall years supported larger anthrax outbreaks, with animals congregating in preferred open habitats, while a severe drought forced animals into otherwise less preferred habitats, leading to few anthrax mortalities. Thus, the timing of anthrax outbreaks was congruent with preference for open plains habitats and a corresponding increase in pathogen exposure. Given shifts in habitat preference, the overlap in high-quality habitat and high-risk habitat is intermittent, reducing the adverse consequences for the population.
Hostetter, NJ, AF Evans, Q Payton, DD Roby, DE Lyons, and K Collis. 2023. A Review of Factors Affecting the Susceptibility of Juvenile Salmonids to Avian Predation. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 43:244–256. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10862	February 2023
Hostetter NJ, Q Payton, DD Roby, K Collis, and AF Evans. 2022. Predation probabilities and functional responses: How piscivorous waterbirds respond to pulses in fish abundance. Ecosphere 13:e4220. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4220	September 2022
Hostetter NJ, NJ Lunn, ES Richardson, EV Regehr, and SJ Converse. 2021. Age-structured Jolly-Seber model expands inference and improves parameter estimation from capture-recapture data. PLOS ONE 16:e0252748. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252748	June 2021
Hostetter NJ, EV Regehr, RR Wilson, JA Royle, and SJ Converse. 2022. Modeling spatiotemporal abundance and movement dynamics using an integrated spatial capture-recapture movement model. Ecology:e3772.	May 2022
Hostetter NJ, D Ryan, D Grosshuesch, T Catton, S Malick-Wahls, TA Smith, and B Gardner. 2020. Quantifying spatiotemporal occupancy dynamics and multi-year core-use areas at a species range boundary. Diversity and Distributions. 26:795–805. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13066 \| Abstract	March 2020	Aim<br>Many species face large-scale range contractions and predicted distributional shifts in response to climate change, shifting forest characteristics and anthropogenic disturbances. Canada lynx (<i>Lynx canadensis</i>) are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and were recently recommended for delisting. Predicted climate-driven losses in habitat quality and quantity may negatively affect the north-eastern Minnesota lynx population, one of the six remaining resident populations in the contiguous United States. We develop a large-scale monitoring protocol and dynamic occupancy modelling framework to identify multi-year core-use areas and track spatiotemporal occurrence at the southern periphery of the species range.<br>Location<br>North-eastern Minnesota lynx geographic unit, Superior National Forest and designated critical habitat, Minnesota, USA.<br>Methods<br>Spatially and temporally replicated snow track surveys were used to collect lynx detection/non-detection data across five winters (2014–15 to 2018–19) covering >17,000 km within the 22,100 km<sup>2</sup> study area. We used a dynamic occupancy model to evaluate lynx occupancy, persistence, colonization and habitat covariates affecting these processes.<br>Results<br>Lynx occupancy probabilities displayed high spatial and temporal variability, with grid cell-specific probabilities ranging from 0.0 in periphery regions to consistently near 1.0 in multi-year core-use areas, indicating low turnover rates in those areas. Lynx colonization and persistence increased in areas with more evergreen forest and greater average snowfall, while forest characteristics (3–5 and 10–30 m vegetation density) had mixed relationships with occupancy dynamics. We identified 55 grid cells classified as multi-year core-use areas across relatively contiguous regions of high average snowfall and per cent conifer forest.<br>Main conclusions<br>Our study demonstrates a landscape-scale multi-year monitoring programme assessing the effects of habitat characteristics and anthropogenic factors on species distributional changes and landscape-level occupancy dynamics. Our framework incorporating landscape-scale resource selection, core-use area concepts and dynamic occupancy models provides a flexible approach to identify population-level mechanisms driving species persistence and key areas for conservation protection.
Hostetter NJ and JA Royle. 2020. Movement-assisted localization from acoustic telemetry data. Movement Ecology. 8:15–26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-020-00199-6	January 2020
Hossack, Blake R., Oja, Emily B., Owens, Audrey K., Hall, David, Cobos, Cassidi, Crawford, Catherine L., Goldberg, Caren S., et al. 2023. “ Empirical Evidence for Effects of Invasive American Bullfrogs on Occurrence of Native Amphibians and Emerging Pathogens.” Ecological Applications 33(2): e2785. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2785 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2022	Invasive species and emerging infectious diseases are two of the greatest threats to biodiversity. American Bullfrogs (Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana),which have been introduced to many parts of the world, are often linked with declines in native amphibians via predation and the spread of emerging pathogens such as amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd])and rana viruses. Although many studies have investigated the potential role of bullfrogs in the decline of native amphibians, analyses that account for shared habitat affinities and imperfect detection have found limited support for clear effects. Similarly, the role of bullfrogs in shaping the patch-level distribution of pathogens is unclear. We used eDNA methods to sample 233 sites in the southwestern USA and Sonora, Mexico (2016–2018) to estimate how the presence of bullfrogs affects the occurrence of four native amphibians, Bd, and rana viruses. Based on two-species, dominant-subordinate occupancy models fitted in a Bayesian context, federally threatened Chiricahua Leopard Frogs (Rana chiricahuensis) and Western Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium) were eight times (32% vs. 4%) and two times (36% vs. 18%), respectively, less likely to occur at sites where bullfrogs occurred. Evidence for the negative effects of bullfrogs on Lowland Leopard Frogs (Rana yavapaiensis)and Northern Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens) was less clear, possibly because of smaller numbers of sites where these native species still occurred and because bullfrogs often occur at lower densities in streams, the primary habitat for Lowland Leopard Frogs. At the community level, Bd was most likely to occur where bullfrogs co-occurred with native amphibians, which could increase the risk to native species. Rana viruses were estimated to occur at 33% of bullfrog only sites, 10% of sites where bullfrogs and native amphibians co-occurred, and only 3% of sites where only native amphibians occurred. Of the 85 sites where we did not detect any of the five target amphibian species, we also did not detect Bd or rana viruses; this suggests other hosts do not drive the distribution of these pathogens in our study area. Our results provide landscape-scale evidence that bullfrogs reduce the occurrence of native amphibians and increase the occurrence of pathogens, information that can clarify risks and aid the prioritization of conservation actions.
Hossack, B. R., P. E. Howell, A. Owens, C. Cobos, C. S. Goldberg, D. Hall, S. Hedwall, S. MacVean, M. McCaffery, A. H. McCall, C. Mosley, E. B. Oja, J. C. Rorabaugh, B. H. Sigafus, and M. J. Sredl. 2022. Identifying factors linked with population persistence: Lessons learned from 25 years of amphibian translocations. Global Ecology and Conservation 35: e02078. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2022	Conservation translocations are increasingly used to help recover imperiled species. However, success of establishing populations remains low, especially for amphibians. Identifying factors associated with translocation success can help increase efficiency and efficacy of recovery efforts. Since the 1990s, several captive and semi-captive facilities have produced Chiricahua Leopard Frogs (Rana chiricahuensis) to establish or augment wild populations in Arizona and New Mexico, USA. During this same time, personnel associated with several programs surveyed translocation and non-translocation sites for presence of amphibians. We used 25 years (1995–2019) of survey and translocation data for the federally threatened Chiricahua Leopard Frog to identify factors linked with population persistence. Our dataset included approximately 40,642 egg masses or animals translocated in 314 events to 115 distinct sites and > 5800 visual encounter surveys from 641 sites; 120 of these sites were also surveyed with environmental DNA methods in 2018. We used a hierarchical dynamic occupancy model that accounted for imperfect detection to identify patch- and landscape-level attributes associated with site occupancy, and then used predictions from that model to evaluate factors associated with population persistence at translocation sites.
Hossack, B. R., Lemos-Espinal, J. A., Sigafus, B. H., Muths, E., Carreón Arroyo, G., Toyos Martinez, D., Hurtado Félix, D., Padilla, G. M., Goldberg, C. S., Jones, T. R., Sredl, M. J., Chambert, T., & Rorabaugh, J. C. (2021). Distribution of tiger salamanders in northern Sonora, Mexico: comparison of sampling methods and possible implications for an endangered subspecies. Amphibia-Reptilia, 43(1), 13-23. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685381-bja10072 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	November 2021	Many aquatic species in the arid USA-Mexico borderlands region are imperiled, but limited information on distributions and threats often hinders management. To provide information on the distribution of the Western Tiger Salamander (<i>Ambystoma mavortium</i>), including the USA-federally endangered Sonoran Tiger Salamander (<i>Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi</i>), we used traditional (seines, dip-nets) and modern (environmental DNA [eDNA]) methods to sample 91 waterbodies in northern Sonora, Mexico, during 2015-2018. The endemic Sonoran Tiger Salamander is threatened by introgressive hybridization and potential replacement by another sub-species of the Western Tiger Salamander, the non-native Barred Tiger Salamander (<i>A. m. mavortium</i>). Based on occupancy models that accounted for imperfect detection, eDNA sampling provided a similar detection probability (0.82 [95% CI: 0.56-0.94]) as seining (0.83 [0.46-0.96]) and much higher detection than dip-netting (0.09 [0.02-0.23]). Volume of water filtered had little effect on detection, possibly because turbid sites had greater densities of salamanders. Salamanders were estimated to occur at 51 sites in 3 river drainages in Sonora. These results indicate tiger salamanders are much more widespread in northern Sonora than previously documented, perhaps aided by changes in land and water management practices. However, because the two subspecies of salamanders cannot be reliably distinguished based on morphology or eDNA methods that are based on mitochondrial DNA, we are uncertain if we detected only native genotypes or if we documented recent invasion of the area by the non-native sub-species. Thus, there is an urgent need for methods to reliably distinguish the subspecies so managers can identify appropriate interventions.
Hossack, B. R., Hall, D., Crawford, C. L., Goldberg, C. S., Muths, E., Sigafus, B. H., & Chambert, T. (2023). Successful eradication of invasive American bullfrogs leads to coextirpation of emerging pathogens. Conservation Letters, 00, e12970. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12970 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	July 2023	Interventions of the host–pathogen dynamics provide strong tests of relationships, yet they are still rarely applied across multiple populations. After American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) invaded a wildlife refuge where federally threatened Chiricahua leopard frogs (R. chiricahuensis) were reintroduced12 years prior, managers launched a landscape-scale eradication effort to help ensure continued recovery of the native species. We used a before-after-control impact design and environmental DNA sampling of 19 eradication sites and 18control sites between fall 2016 and winter 2020–2021 to measure community-level responses to bullfrog eradication, including for two pathogens. Dynamic occupancy models revealed successful eradication from 94% of treatment sites. Native amphibians did not respond to bullfrog eradication, but the pathogens amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) and rana viruses were coextirpated with bullfrogs. Our spatially replicated experimental approach provides strong evidence that management of invasive species can simultaneously reduce predation and disease risk for imperiled species.
Horne, L., DeVries, D, Wright, R, Irwin, E, Staton, B, Abdelrahman, H, Stoeckel, J. 2022. Effects of increasing temperature on the potential metabolic activity of seven Alabama fishes. Submitted to: Experimental Zoology-A.	October 2022
Hopper, G.W., K.B., Gido,C.A., Pennock, S.C.., Hedden, J.P., Guinnip, M.A.., Fisher, C.M.., Tobler, C.K., Hedden, and L.A. Bruckerhoff. 2020. Biomass loss and change in species dominance shift stream community excretion stoichiometry during severe drought. Freshwater Biology, 65(3): 403-416. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.13433 \| Abstract	March 2020	Animals contribute significantly to nutrient cycling through excretion, but most studies consider their effects under relatively benign abiotic conditions. Disturbances such as drought may alter animals’ nutrient contributions through shifts in species composition and biomass. Headwater streams are particularly vulnerable to extreme climate events and thus might show rapid changes in stream biota and their ecosystem effects. We tested how biomass and subsequent ecosystem effects (nutrient cycling) of an intermittent prairie stream community changed during a drought. We quantified the biomass and contributions to nutrient cycling for assemblages comprising fishes, crayfish, and tadpoles in 12 isolated pools over 3 months encompassing the harshest drought on record for Kings Creek, KS, U.S.A. We predicted that macroconsumer biomass would decline with pool surface area and that differences in macroconsumer biomass and taxonomic composition would lead to different contributions of pool assemblages to nutrient cycling. The biomass of pool assemblages declined with decreasing pool size, a pattern apparently driven by mortality, emigration, or metamorphosis. We also observed a change in assemblage structure of drying pools during drought relative to pool size, shifting dominance toward species with more drought-resistant traits. Accordingly, assemblage nitrogen (N) excretion rates declined as pool biomass was reduced, leading to a 58% reduction in N available to epilithic biofilms. Phosphorus (P) excretion rates declined from June to July, but increased in August, as species with high P excretion rates maintained similar proportional biomass and biomass of a non-native fish increased. Molar N:P of pool assemblage excretion declined significantly throughout the drought and coincided with loss of southern redbelly dace (<i>Chrosomus erythrogaster</i>: Cyprinidae). Animal-mediated nutrient cycling was altered by the loss of biomass and stoichiometric traits of taxa that differed in their occurrences and ability to tolerate abiotic conditions during drought. Elevated availability of dissolved N in isolated pools may increase N uptake rates by biofilms during drought conditions, indicating the importance of N excreted by aggregated macroconsumers, especially those with unique stoichiometric traits. While the significance of shifts in the composition of freshwater communities to ecosystems is not entirely known, additional losses in ecosystem function and changes in community structure may follow episodes of severe drought.
Hopper, G.W., Gido, K.B., Pennock, C.A., Hedden, S.C., Guinnip, J.P., Fisher, M.A., Tobler, C.M., Hedden, C.K. and Bruckerhoff, L.A., 2020. Biomass loss and change in species dominance shift stream community excretion stoichiometry during severe drought. Freshwater Biology, 65(3), pp.403-416. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.13433	December 2020
Hopper, G.W., Gido, K.B., Pennock, C.A., Hedden, S.C., Frenette, B.D., Barts, N., Hedden, C.K. and Bruckerhoff, L.A., 2020. Nowhere to swim: interspecific responses of prairie stream fishes in isolated pools during severe drought. Aquatic Sciences, 82(2), pp.1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-020-0716-2	March 2020
Hooten, M.B., X. Lu, M.J. Garlick, and J.A. Powell. (2020). Animal movement models with mechanistic selection functions. Spatial Statistics, 37: 100406.	February 2020
Homola, J.J. and J.M. Vander Zanden. 2022. USGS-Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit Contribution to Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts Fisheries Working Group Report. Climate change will amplify the spread and impact of aquatic invasive species in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts Fisheries Working Group Report which is produced on a periodic basis.	February 2022
Hollweg, T.A., K. Sauby, M.C. Christman, J. Cebrian, and M. La Peyre. 2019. Understanding Nekton Use of Shallow Estuarine Habitats in the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Guidebook for Resource Managers and Restoration Practitioners. Abt Associates, Boulder, CO. June. https://www.abtassociates.com/files/insights/reports/2020/2020.01.23.goma_nekton_guidebook_low_res.pdf	March 2020
Hoffman, J.C., V.S. Blazer, H.H. Walsh, C.H. Shaw, R. Braham, and P.M. Mazik. 2020. Tracing habitat use with stable isotopes for tumor assessment of a demersal fish in an urban, coastal river. Science of the Total Environment712 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136512,	May 2020
Hoff, S., C.J. Pendergast, L. Johnson, E. Olson, D. O'Dell, Z. Dowling, K.M. Gorman, C. Herzog and W.C. Turner. 2024. Seasonal roost characterization and fall behavior of coastal northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) populations, Journal of Mammalogy, 105:(2): 277-288. DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyad102 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	November 2023	Temperate bats exhibit seasonal and sex differences in resource selection and activity patterns that are associated with ambient conditions. During fall, individuals face energetic tradeoffs as they make choices relating to migration, mating and hibernation that may diverge for populations throughout their range. However, research efforts in North America have largely focused on the summer maternity and winter hibernation seasons, whereas the pre-hibernation period remains understudied. Northern myotis (<i>Myotis septentrionalis</i>) have experienced precipitous population declines from white-nose syndrome (WNS), leading to their protected status in the United States and Canada. Therefore, understanding their behavioral patterns is paramount to inform conservation efforts. Our study compared seasonal roosts and documented fall behaviors between study sites and sexes on three islands: Long Island, New York, and Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. Between 2017 – 2020, we radio-tracked 54 individuals to analyze activity patterns and characterize fall roosts to compare with summer roosts documented in previous studies on each island. Summer tree roosts were of smaller diameter, later stages of decay, and lower canopy closure, while bats of both sexes selected trees of similar diameter and decay stage during fall. Anthropogenic roost use was documented in both seasons but use of anthropogenic structures was greater during fall and increased as the season progressed. Bats made short inter-roost movements with males traveling greater distances than females on average. Activity on the landscape occurred until late November, with males exhibiting a longer active period than females. Current timing of restrictions on forest management activities may be mismatched based on the pre-hibernation bat activity observed in these coastal populations. A portion of tagged bats were tracked to local hibernacula in subterranean anthropogenic structures and the farthest distance traveled from capture location to hibernaculum was 6 km. Use of anthropogenic structures for roosts and hibernacula may facilitate survival of this species in coastal regions despite the presence of WNS infections.
Hoff, S., B.A. Mosher, M. Watson, L. Johnson, E. Olson, D. O'Dell, C.J. Pendergast, D.A. Bogan, C.J. Herzog and W.C. Turner. 2024. Widespread occupancy of the Endangered northern myotis on Northeastern Atlantic Coastal Plain islands, Endangered Species Research, 54:141-153. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01335 \| Abstract	June 2024	Northern myotis <i>Myotis septentrionalis</i> are one of the bat species most affected by white-nose syndrome (WNS), and disease-induced declines may cause compounding effects when combined with other threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation. Recent evidence suggests that peripheral populations are persisting in post-WNS years, however the environmental factors that influence the occurrence of this species along the Atlantic Coastal Plain are virtually unknown. We conducted a large-scale acoustic survey on three islands: Long Island, New York, and Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA, and used a multi-scale occupancy modeling approach to determine the landscape and abiotic factors affecting the distribution of northern myotis. Our estimates of occupancy and detection probability suggest widespread presence across the islands. At the local (200 m) scale, we identified strong negative effects of development on Long Island and Nantucket and a strong positive effect of forest habitat on Martha’s Vineyard. None of the variables we measured sufficiently explained the landscape (1 km<sup>2</sup>) occupancy of this species, which was very high ( = 0.81-0.97), representing an outlier for this species in the post-WNS landscape. The lack of association at the landscape scale suggests that general differences in land cover are not a driving factor of higher occupancy of peripheral northern myotis populations, while local site-specific conditions may be supporting critical foraging or roosting habitat. Because islands are particularly vulnerable to human-driven habitat alteration due to the constraint of limited space, and development pressure is likely to increase, this study provides a baseline to enable managers to assess the effects of future environmental disturbances and monitor population trends to support long-term survival of northern myotis.
Hixson, K. M. , S. J. Slater, R. N. Knight, and R. C. Lonsinger. 2022 Seasonal variation in resource selection by subadult golden eagles in the Great Basin Desert. Wildlife Biology 2022(1): e01002. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	November 2021	Golden eagles (<i>Aquila chrysaetos</i>) are a long-lived and wide-ranging species believed to be stable or in slight decline across North America. Golden eagles have an extended subadult stage (4–5 years) that is critical to maintaining recruitment into the breeding population and population viability. Compared to adult golden eagles, the ecology of subadults has received little attention. We investigated patterns of resource selection for subadults in the Great Basin Desert of the western United States during summer and winter, 2013–2019. We monitored 46 subadults with GPS transmitters and related locational data (<i>n </i>= 99,037) with spatial predictors hypothesized to influence seasonal patterns of space use with mixed-effects logistic regression. Subadults selected for ridges and upper slopes in both seasons, but higher elevations in summer. Subadults showed weak selection for lower ridge density in summer, which was likely facilitated by selection for areas with greater thermal wind current potential. In contrast, subadults showed strong selection for higher ridge density in winter. Subadults selected areas further from roads in summer and closer to roads and electrical transmission lines in winter, which may be related to winter scavenging of road-killed ungulates. Resource selection functions suggested subadults selected for shrublands and woodlands in both seasons, but odds ratios revealed that during winter subadults avoided shrublands and increased selection of woodlands. Subadults tended to select for areas with infrequent fires in both seasons; areas with frequent fires were avoided in summer but selected for in winter. Seasonal changes in resource selection suggest that subadults used woodlands more than expected, and this may reflect spatial partitioning by subadults to lower-quality habitats to minimize competition with breeding adults during winter when energetic demands were higher and prey more limited. Our models had high predictive power and can inform natural resource planning to promote golden eagle conservation.
Hitchman, Sean, M., Martha E. Mather, Joseph M. Smith. 2021. Does type, quantity, and location of habitat matter for fish diversity in a Great Plains riverscape? Fisheries. https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fsh.10634	August 2021
Hitchman, S, M., M. E. Mather, and J. M. Smith. 2024. Empirical assessments of the type and strength of stream fish habitat associations can advance understanding of functional diversity and promote effective conservation. Diversity. \| Abstract	November 2024	<b>Abstract</b><br>The ability to accurately quantify biodiversity is fundamental to understanding ecological trends, identifying drivers of declines, and selecting effective conservation options. Scientists and resource managers have grappled with what metrics best show relevant biodiversity patterns and are still practical enough to aid on-the ground resource conservation. Our purpose is to construct empirically-derived, functional habitat guilds for prairie stream fish, then recommend future directions for constructing and using diversity metrics that aid field-based conservation. Working in the Upper Neosho River, KS, USA, we used univariate methods, cluster analysis, non-metric multi-dimensional scaling and an analysis of similarity to group stream fish taxa. The 11 most abundant fish species grouped into seven ecological guilds: riffle specialist, pool specialist, riffle generalist, pool generalist, riffle-run generalist, pool-run generalist, and generalist. Combining habitat type and strength of association added ecological accuracy to our species groups. Employing multiple statistical methods increased confidence and generality in our grouping results. Moving forward will require a coordinated, coalition-driven, conservation-related master plan on which researchers and practitioners, working in a specific system, collaborate to synthesize diverse empirical results, organize general principles of structure and function, and balance accuracy with practicality.
Hirschler, M., A. Villamagna, P.L. Angermeier, and E. Laflamme. 2024. Deposited sediment influences occurrence of functional traits of stream fishes. Ecology of Freshwater Fish https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/eff.12768. \| Abstract	May 2024	Aim: To better understand stream-fish sensitivity to fine sediment, we documented assemblage-wide responses by selected traits along a sedimentation gradient. We then discuss the management implications of these “dose-response” relations in the contexts of biotic assessments and conservation of sediment-sensitive species.<br>Location: We identified a spatial gradient in sediment deposition among streams within the upper Piedmont of the Roanoke River basin in North Carolina and Virginia.<br>Methods: We assessed fine-sediment sensitivity of 81 species based on eight species traits stratified by four attributes: food preference, feeding location, spawning substrate, and spawning behavior. We then ranked each trait and scored each species with respect to its sediment sensitivity. Using data from electrofishing surveys during 2018 – 2019, we calculated proportional abundances of traits observed at 30 sites throughout the study area and grouped species by their aggregate sensitivity scores. We assessed relations between embeddedness and silt cover and occurrences of species and traits using a combination of regression and ordination approaches.<br>Results: All traits tested responded to embeddedness or silt cover, or both. Feeding traits exhibited the strongest responses to embeddedness, while reproductive traits exhibited the strongest responses to silt cover. Our findings indicate that negative responses of the probability of presence for high-sensitivity traits to embeddedness and silt cover were linear, with no apparent thresholds. Additionally, proportional abundances of species with multiple high-sensitivity traits were inversely related to embeddedness and silt cover. Overall, our findings regarding population-level responses to sedimentation were consistent with our findings for trait-specific responses.<br>Main Conclusions: Our analysis of species sensitivity to fine sediment corroborated the patterns we saw in our trait-specific analyses, indicating that population responses to sedimentation can be predicted from combinations of species traits. The “dose-response” relations we documented may be applicable to managing sediment impacts on fishes, especially in the contexts of biotic assessments and conservation of sediment-sensitive species.
Hirohara, T., Tsuri, K., Miyagawa, K., Paine, R. T. R, & Yamanaka, H. (2021). The application of PMA (Propidium Monoazide) to different target sequence lengths of Zebrafish eDNA: A new approach aimed toward improving environmental DNA ecology and biological surveillance. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9, 277. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.632973 \| Abstract \| Download	June 2021	Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has enabled more sensitive and efficient biologicalmonitoring than traditional methods. However, since the target species is not directlyobserved, interpretation of results cannot preclude process Type I errors. Specifically,there may be a spatial or temporal gap between the target eDNA and the eDNAsource in the sampled area. Moreover, eDNA surveillance lacks the ability to distinguishwhether eDNA originated from a living or non-living source. This kind of Type I error isdifficult to control for, in part, because the relationship between the state of eDNA (i.e.,intracellular or extracellular) and the degradation rate is still unclear. Here, we appliedPMA (Propidium monoazide) to eDNA analysis which enabled us to differentiate “intactcells” from “disrupted cells.” PMA is a dye that has a high affinity for double-strandedDNA and forms a covalent bond with double-stranded DNA and inhibits amplification ofthe bonded DNA molecules by PCR. Since PMA is impermeable to the cell membrane,DNA protected by an intact cell membrane can be selectively detected. In this study,we investigated the workability of PMA on vertebrate eDNA using zebrafish, Danio rerio.Aquarium water was incubated for 1 week to monitor the eDNA degradation process ofboth intracellular and extracellular eDNA.We developed ten species-specific quantitativePCR assays for D. rerio with different amplification lengths that enabled independentquantification of total eDNA (sum of intracellular and extracellular eDNA, commonlymeasured in other studies) and intracellular eDNA (DNA in intact cells) and allow foranalyses of sequence length-dependent eDNA degradation in combination with PMA.We confirmed that PMA is effective at differentiating “intact” and “disrupted” fish cells.We found that total eDNA and intracellular eDNA have different degradation processes that are dependent on the length of target sequence. For future conservation effortsusing eDNA analyses, it is necessary to increase the reliability of the analysis results. Theresearch presented here provides new analysis tools that expand our understanding ofthe ecology of eDNA, so that more accurate and reliable conclusions can be determined.
Hirama, S., B. Witherington, K. Kneifl, A. Sylvia, M. Wideroff, and R. R. Carthy. 2021. Environmental factors predicting the orientation of sea turtle hatchlings on a naturally lighted beach: A baseline for light-management goals. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 541 (2021) 151568. \| Abstract	May 2021	On sea turtle nesting beaches, artificial lighting associated with human development interferes with hatchling orientation from nest to sea. Although hatchlingdisorientation has been documented for many beaches, data that managers can use in understanding, predicting, and managing the issue are of limited detail. Thepresent study provides baseline hatchling orientation data that can be compared to those from beaches with artificial lighting to prioritize light-management effortsthere. In 2014, the precision of hatchling orientation was quantified for 87 nests on a naturally lighted beach that had little to no artificial lighting. Precision ofhatchling orientation was regressed against seven environmental variables: beach slope, distance from nest to dune, dune height, apparent dune silhouette heightrelative to nest site, moon illumination percentage, cloud cover percentage, and relative humidity. Results favored a regression model that included distance fromnest to dune, with shorter distances from the dune predicting a narrower angular range (i.e., greater precision) of hatchling orientation. The study confirmed findingsof an earlier laboratory experiment that highlighted the importance to accurate hatchling orientation of a dark silhouette (dune) on the side of the nest site oppositethe ocean side. Reducing artificial light and promoting the planting of pioneer plants that assist dune formation can increase hatchling survival.
Hirama, S. B. Witherington, S. Hirsch, A. Sylvia, and R. R. Carthy. 2023. Accuracy and precision of hatchling sea-finding orientation as a function of dune proximity in hatchlings of two species of sea turtles. Marine and Freshwater Research (IF 1.8) , DOI:10.1071/mf23052. \| Abstract	June 2023	Sea turtle hatchlings emerge at night from nests on sand beaches and immediately orient using visual cues. The purpose of this study was to understand how dune proximity (distance from nest to dune silhouette) affected hatchling orientation, and if differences existed in nesting locations in three sea turtle species sharing the same nesting beach. We measured accuracy and precision of hatchling orientation in hatchling loggerheads, green turtles, and leatherbacks, using tracks left in beach sand. Generalized linear models were used to investigate the effect of dune proximity on sea turtle hatchling orientation. A Kruskal-Wallace analysis of variance was employed to further understand differences in dune proximity of nests across species. The results indicated a significant decrease in hatchling orientation accuracy and precision across species as the distance between nests and dune increased, while green turtles and loggerheads showed similar orientation ability when in the same proximity to dune. We conclude that dune features are likely to provide important cues for hatchling orientation on sea turtle nesting beaches. Considering the importance of beach dunes to sea-finding success of hatchlings, we suggest management strategies to maintain natural beach profiles on sea turtle nesting beaches.
Hinrichs, M. P., N. B. Price, M. P. Gruntorad, K. L. Pope, J. J. Fontaine, and C. J. Chizinski. 2020. Understanding sportsperson retention and reactivation through license purchasing behavior. Wildlife Society Bulletin 44:383-390. \| Download	June 2020
Hinderer, J.L.M., S.J. Cooke, E. Dunlop, Z. Blevins, A. Muir, N. Young, D. Stang, K.F. Robinson. 2021. Insights from a novel, user-driven science transfer program for natural resources management. Socio-Ecological Practice Research 3:337-362. DOI: 10.1007/s42532-021-00093-4. \| Download	October 2021
Himes Boor GK, TL McGuire, AJ Warlick, RL Taylor, SJ Converse, JR McClung, AD Stephens. 2023. Estimating reproductive and juvenile survival rates when offspring ages are uncertain: a novel multievent mark-resight model with beluga whale case study. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 14:631-642.	February 2023
Hillmann, ER, Rivera-Monroy, VH, Nyman, JA La Peyre MK. 2020. Estuarine submerged aquatic vegetation habitat provides organic carbon storage across a shifting landscape Science of the Total Environment 717:137217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137217 \| Abstract	January 2020	Within estuaries, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) thrives across the salinity gradient providing valuable ecosystem services. Within the saline portion of estuaries, seagrass areas are frequently cited as hotspots for their role in capturing and retaining organic carbon (C<sub>org</sub>); non-seagrass SAV, located in the fresh to brackish estuarine areas, may also retain significant soil C<sub>org</sub>, yet their role remains unquantified. Given rapidly occurring landscape and salinity changes, landscape level carbon pool estimates would benefit from estuarine SAV habitat blue carbon estimates. We assessed C<sub>org</sub> stocks in SAV habitats from estuarine freshwater to saline habitats (interior deltaic) to saline barrier islands (Chandeleur Island) within the Mississippi River Delta Plain (MRDP), Louisiana, USA. SAV habitats contain C<sub>org</sub> stocks (56-231 Mg C<sub>org</sub> ha<sup>-1</sup>) equivalent to those reported for other estuarine vegetation types (seagrass, salt marsh, mangrove). Interior deltaic SAV C<sub>org</sub> stocks (231.6 ± 19.5 Mg C<sub>org </sub>ha<sup>-1</sup>) were similar across the salinity gradient, and significantly higher than at barrier island sites (56.6 ± 10.4 Mg C<sub>org</sub> ha<sup>-1</sup>). Within the MRDP, shallow water SAV habitat covers up to an estimated 26, 500 ha, indicating that soil C<sub>org</sub> storage is potentially 6.1 ± 0.1 Tg representing an unaccounted C<sub>org</sub> pool. Extrapolated across Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico, this represents a major soil C<sub>org </sub>storage.
Hilling, C. D., Y. Jiao, M. C. Fabrizio, P. L. Angermeier, A. J. Bunch, R. S. Greenlee, and D. J. Orth. 2023. A size-based stock assessment model for monitoring invasive Blue Catfish in a Chesapeake Bay subestuary. Fisheries Management and Ecology 30:70-88. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12601.	February 2023
Hill, N.M., D.H. Johnson, T.R. Cooper, Althea A. Archer, and D.E. Andersen. 2023. Secretive marshbird response to herbicide control in northwestern Minnesota. Journal of Wildlife Management 87:e22484. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22484 \| Download	August 2023
Heun, C.M., H.L. Schley, and S.M. Crimmins. 2022. River otter feeding habits in Wisconsin, USA: evidence of microbead contamination. American Midland Naturalist 187:279-286. https://doi.org/10.1674/0003-0031-187.2.279	April 2022
Hessler, T. M., D. C. Chapman, C. P. Paukert, J. C. Jolley, and M. E. Byrne. 2023. Movement Ecology of Diploid and Triploid Grass Carp in a Large Reservoir and Upstream Tributaries. PLoS One18 (3), e0281128	March 2023
Hessler, T. M., D. C. Chapman, C. P. Paukert, J. C. Jolley, and M. E. Byrne. 2021. Winter habitat selection of diploid and triploid Grass Carp in a large reservoir and use of the Judas method for capture. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43:1889-202. https://doi.10.1002/nafm.10693.	October 2021
Hernandez, R. R., A. E. Cagle, S. M. Grodsky, G. Exley, and S. M. Jordaan. 2021. Comments on: Land use for United States power generation: A critical review of existing metrics with suggestions for going forward. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.	September 2022
Hennig, J.D., K.A. Schoenecker, J.W. Cain III, G.W. Roemer, and J.L. Laake. 2022. Accounting for residual heterogeneity in double-observer sightability models to decrease bias in feral burro abundance estimates. Journal of Wildlife Management 86:e22239. \| Download	June 2022
Henderson, M.J., Loomis, C., Michel, C., Smith, J., Iglesias, I., Lehman, B., Huff, D. Estimates of predator densities using mobile DIDSON surveys: implications for survival of Central Valley Chinook salmon. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43: 628-645. \| Abstract	June 2023	The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (the Delta) is one of the most invaded estuaries in the world, and non-native predators may be a major factor in the observed decline of Central Valley Chinook salmon over recent decades. In order for managers to take actions that might reduce predation related mortality for these ecologically, culturally, and economically valuable salmon, it’s important to understand the factors influencing the distribution and abundance of piscivores in the Delta. In this study, we use a multibeam imaging sonar (i.e., DIDSON) to conduct mobile surveys and quantify the abundances of piscivores in the Delta. We then used these data to identify the habitat features that are correlated with the abundance of piscivores. Prior to conducting the surveys, we used DIDSON data from captured fish to develop an algorithm to distinguish piscivores from non-piscivores with high confidence (98% accuracy). Results from the surveys indicated that predator abundances were most associated with areas of increased submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) patches, sites that are straighter, and sites with increased bathymetric complexity. When applied to the entire survey area, this model was successfully able to predict known areas of high predator densities. These results indicate that one approach to reduce predator densities along these migration corridors, and improve juvenile salmon outmigration survival, is to reduce the extent of invasive SAV. Because experimental predator removals have been largely ineffective in the Delta, efforts to manipulate habitat to discourage non-native predator recruitment and favor native species recruitment may be more effective.
Henderson, M.J., Huff, D.D., and Yoklavich, M.M. 2018. Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Taxa Increase Demeral Fish Diversity and the Probability of Fish Presence. Frontiers in Marine Science 7:593844. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2020.593844 \| Abstract \| Download	November 2020	Fish are known to use deep-sea coral and sponge (DSCS) species as habitat, but it is uncertain whether this relationship is facultative (circumstantial and not restricted to a particular function) or obligate (required for a species to persist). To address this uncertainty, we analyzed underwater video transects collected over a ten-year period, documenting the locations and abundance of DSCS and demersal fishes in the Southern California Bight. Non-metric multidimensional scaling, indicator species, and cluster analyses revealed six distinct DSCS assemblages based on depth and substratum, and we identified 44 fish taxa that were predominantly associated with a particular assemblage. We then used logistic regression to identify the ecological drivers most associated with the presence of individual fish taxa throughout the study area. Factors related to fish presence included depth, substratum relief, latitude, fish density, coral cover, coral height, and the abundance of individual coral and sponge taxa. Even after controlling for depth and substratum relief, multiple fish taxa were much more likely to be found in locations containing specific DSCS taxa. Of particular interest, young-of-the-year rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) were more than twice as likely to be found in locations with Placogorgia spp., suggesting that this gorgonian coral serves as nursery habitat. Our results provide valuable information on the relationships between environmental conditions and demersal community assemblages, which is necessary to understand how future oceanic conditions may influence the abundance and distribution of DSCS and associated fishes.
Hemming V, AE Camaclang, M Adams, M Burgman, K Carbeck, J Carwardine, I Chades, L Chalifour, SJ Converse, LNK Davidson, GE Garrard, R Finn, J Fleri, J Huard, HJ Mayfield, E McDonald Madden, I Naujokaitis-Lewis, H Possingham, L Rumpff, MC Runge, D Stewart, VJD Tulloch, T Walshe, and TG Martin. 2022. An introduction to decision science for conservation. Conservation Biology 36:e13868.	December 2021
Helmstetter, N. A., C. J. Conway, S. Roberts, J. R. Adams, P. D. Makela, and L.P. Waits. 2024. Predator-specific mortality of sage-grouse nests based on predator DNA on eggshells. Ecology and Evolution 14:e70213.	September 2024
Helmstetter, N. A., C. J. Conway, B. S. Stevens, and A. R. Goldberg. 2021. Balancing transferability and complexity of species distribution models for rare species conservation. Diversity and Distributions 27:95-108. doi: 10.1111/ddi.13174	December 2020
Helman, S. K., Mummah, R. O., Gostic, K. M., Buhnerkempe, M. G., Prager, K. C., & Lloyd‐Smith, J. O. (2020). Estimating prevalence and test accuracy in disease ecology: How Bayesian latent class analysis can boost or bias imperfect test results. Ecology and Evolution, 10(14), 7221–7232. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6448	March 2020
Heller, M. R., J. C. Dillon, and M. C. Quist. 2022. Occurrence, abundance, movement, and habitat associations of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout in tributaries to Bear Lake, Idaho-Utah. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42:684-700.	June 2022
Heller, M. R., J. C. Dillon, S. A. Tolentino, C. J. Watkins, and M. C. Quist. 2022. Population dynamics and harvest management of the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout fishery in Bear Lake, Idaho-Utah. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42:701-712.	June 2022
Heiman, J., J. Tucker, S. Sells, J. Millspaugh, M. Schwartz. Leveraging local wildlife surveys for robust occupancy trend estimation.	December 2024
Heilpern S, Fiorella K, Canas C, Flecker A, Moya L, Naeem S, Sethi SA, Uriarte M, DeFries R. (2021) Substitution of inland fisheries with aquaculture and chicken undermines human nutrition in the Peruvian Amazon. Nature Food, 2:192-197. \| Abstract	March 2021	Maintaining nutrient supplies in the face of declining capture fisheries production may require substituting wild fish with economically comparable farmed animals. Although such dietary transitions are commonplace across global inland and coastal communities dependent on small-scale fisheries, their nutritional consequences are unknown. Here, using detailed human demographic and fish nutritional data from the Peruvian Amazon, we show that substituting wild fisheries with aquaculture and chicken has the potential to limit iron and fatty acid access. However, chicken, in particular, can increase zinc and protein supplies. Considering that farmed foods may contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and land use, strategies that work to maintain access to wild resources while improving the quality, diversity and environmental impacts of farmed foods can contribute to the long term diversity and sustainability of food systems.
Heilpern S, DeFries R, Fiorella K, Flecker A, Sethi SA, Uriarte M, Naeem S. (2021) Declining diversity of wild-caught species puts dietary nutrient supplies at risk. Science Advances, 7:eabf9967. \| Abstract	May 2021	Freshwater fisheries provide many globally with a primary sources of essential nutrients, but are increasingly impacted by overharvesting and habitat loss. Although biodiversity’s role in maintaining ecosystem functions is well established, biodiversity is notably absent from consideration on fisheries and food security. Here we analyze how fish biodiversity loss affects the probability of failing to sustain fish-based nutrient supplies, or nutritional vulnerability, in the Amazon, Earth’s most diverse river basin. Non-random biodiversity loss, in which small sedentary species replace large migratory species, increases the potential to meet intake thresholds for several key nutrients (e.g., fatty acids), but decreases others (e.g., zinc, iron). Biodiversity loss, however, often comes at the cost of increased nutritional vulnerability, but the magnitude depends on biomass compensation, how species vary in their functional traits and the ability of people to substitute fish with other animal foods. In contrast to findings from numerous biodiversity studies, functional diversity could either buffer or exasperate nutritional vulnerability depending on the extent to which species are nutritionally unique and vary in their tolerance to river threats.<b> </b>These results imply that prioritizing biomass production together with multiple dimensions of freshwater biodiversity, including taxonomic and functional diversity, may maximize long-term nutritional benefits from fisheries.
Heckel, J. W., M. C. Quist, C. J. Watkins, and A. M. Dux. 2020. Life history structure of Westslope Cutthroat Trout: inferences from otolith microchemistry. Fisheries Research 222.	February 2020
Heckel, J. W., M. C. Quist, C. J. Watkins, and A. M. Dux. 2020. Distribution and abundance of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in relation to habitat characteristics at multiple spatial scales. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:893-909.	September 2020
Heath-Acre, K.M., C.W. Boal, D.P. Collins, W.C. Conway,and W.P. Johnson. 2022. Using automated telemetry to identify population connectivity and migration phenology of Snowy Plovers breeding in the Southern Great Plains. Journal of Field Ornithology 92:461-474. https://doi.org/10.1111/jofo.12393.	January 2022
Heath, K.M., W.C. Conway, C.W. Boal, D.P., Collins, G. Hensley, W.P. Johnson, and P.M. Schmidt. 2021. Detectability and abundance of snowy plovers at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma. J. Fish and Wildlife Management 12:50-60. \| Abstract	April 2021	Abstract In the past two decades, Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) has been increasingly recognized as important habitat for both breeding and migratory shorebirds. Snowy plovers (<i>Charadrius nivosus</i>) in particular rely on the nearly 5,000 ha salt flat at Salt Plains NWR, which thousands use as breeding and stopover habitat. Elsewhere on the Southern Great Plains (SGP), decadal declines up to 75% within snowy plover subpopulations have been documented and attributed to vegetation encroachment, increased rates of nest predation, and decreased availability of fresh surface water. Despite many attempts to estimate this species’ abundance across the continent, to date, no known attempt at distance sampling of snowy plovers has occurred. To address this paucity of data, this study was designed to assess feasibility of distance sampling methods to accurately estimate snowy plover abundance and to determine their detectability. Distance sampling surveys (2017-2018) indicated high detection probability (<i>P</i> = 0.81) and the population abundance estimate across the salt flat extrapolated to 3,246 individuals. The distance sampling population abundance estimate is lower than population abundance estimates determined by Thomas et al. (2012) and the 2013-2017 refuge annual surveys (Hensley et al. unpublished data), but far greater than 2,105 estimated for the entire Great Plains (Morrison et al. 2006). Overall, distance sampling snowy plovers at Salt Plains NWR proved to be an effective addition to pre-established survey protocols but further investigation is needed to compare accuracy and precision of methods used in this study, annual surveys conducted by the refuge, and other potential snowy plover surveys.
Healy, B.D., R. C. Schelly, C. B. Yackulic, E. C. Omana Smith, P. Budy. 2020. Remarkable response of native fishes to invasive trout suppression varies with trout density, temperature, and annual hydrology. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77(9):1446-1462. USGS FSP IP-117490. \| Abstract \| Download	June 2020	Invasive species and habitat loss are among the greatest threats to riverine biodiversity. Novel habitats created through extensive river regulation, characterized by altered flow, sediment, and thermal regimes often favor invasive fishes over native species. Consequently, invasive fish suppression is a key component of endangered fish recovery programs in the Colorado River, but outcomes are often confounded by environmental variation. We studied the response of desert fishes to a brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i>) and rainbow trout (<i>Oncorhychus mykiss</i>) suppression program in a Colorado River tributary with natural flow patterns, and longitudinal variation in thermal characteristics similar to a tailwater. We investigated trends in fishes related to salmonid suppression, and drivers of native fish distribution and abundance across thermal and hydrological gradients using generalized-linear mixed-effects models. We observed declines in salmonid abundance of 89.3%, and concurrent increases in native fishes of ~480%; greatest increases occurred in warmer reaches and in years with spring flooding. Our results suggest recovery of imperiled native fishes can be achieved through suppression of salmonids, but outcomes may vary with temperature and flow characteristics. Thus, invasive species suppression, and efforts to mimic natural flow and thermal regimes may allow for the recovery of native fishes.
Healy, B. D., P. Budy, C. B. Yackulic, B. P. Murphy, M. C. McKinstry, R. C. Schelly. 2022. Exploring management options for a metapopulation of a global invader in a river network under climate change. Conservation Biology 2022;e13993. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13993. USGS FSP IP-138467. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	September 2022	Invasive species can dramatically alter ecosystems, but eradication is difficult, and suppression is expensive once they are established. Uncertainties in the potential for expansion and impacts by an invader can lead to delayed and inadequate suppression, allowing for establishment. Metapopulation viability models can aid in planning suppression actions to improve responses to invaders and lessen invasive species’ impacts, which may be particularly important under climate change. We used a spatially-explicit metapopulation viability model to explore suppression strategies for an ecologically-damaging invasive fish, brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i>), established in the Colorado River and a tributary within Grand Canyon National Park. Our goals were to: 1) estimate the effectiveness of strategies targeting different life stages and subpopulations within a metapopulation, 2) quantify the effectiveness of a rapid response to a new invasion relative to waiting until establishment; and 3) estimate whether future hydrology and temperature regimes related to climate change and reservoir management affect metapopulation viability and alter the optimal management response. We included scenarios targeting different life-stages with spatially-varying intensities of electrofishing, redd destruction, incentivized angler harvest, piscicides, and a weir.<b> </b>Quasi-extinction (QE) was obtainable only with metapopulation-scale suppression targeting multiple life-stages; subpopulations were most sensitive to age-0 and large adult mortality. The duration of suppression needed to reach QE for a large established subpopulation was triple compared to a rapid response to a new invasion. Isolated subpopulations were vulnerable to suppression; however, tributary subpopulations enhanced metapopulation persistence by serving as climate refuges. Water shortages driving changes in reservoir storage and subsequent warming would cause brown trout declines, but metapopulation QE was only achieved by re-focusing and increasing suppression. Our modeling approach improved our understanding of invasive brown trout metapopulation dynamics, which could lead to more focused and effective invasive species suppression strategies, and ultimately, maintenance of populations of endemic fishes.
Healy, B. D., P. Budy, M. M. Conner, E. Omana Smith. 2022. Life and death in a dynamic environment: invasive trout, floods, and intra-specific drivers of translocated populations. Ecological Applications 2022;e2635. DOI: 10.1002/eap.2635. USGS FSP IP-133488. \| Abstract	April 2022	Understanding the relative strengths of intrinsic and extrinsic factors regulating populations is a longstanding focus of ecology and critical to advancing conservation programs for imperiled species. Conservation could benefit from an increased understanding of factors influencing vital rates (somatic growth, recruitment, survival) in small, translocated populations, which is lacking owing to difficulties in long-term monitoring of rare species. Translocations, herein defined as the transfer of wild-captured individuals from source populations to new habitats, are widely employed for species conservation, but outcomes are often minimally monitored, and translocations that are monitored often fail. To improve our understanding of how translocated populations respond to environmental variation, we developed and tested hypotheses related to intrinsic (density-dependent) and extrinsic (introduced rainbow trout <i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>, streamflow and temperature regime) causes of vital rate variation in endangered humpback chub (<i>Gila cypha</i>) populations translocated to Colorado River tributaries in Grand Canyon (GC), USA. Using biannual re-capture data from translocated populations over 10 years, we tested hypotheses related to seasonal somatic growth, and recruitment and population growth rates with linear mixed-effects models and temporal symmetry (TSM) mark-recapture models. We combined data from re-captures and re-sights of dispersed fish (both physical captures and continuously recorded antenna detections) from throughout GC to test survival hypotheses, while accounting for site fidelity, using joint live-recapture/live-resight (JLRR) models. While recruitment only occurred in one site, which also drove population growth (relative to survival), evidence supported hypotheses related to density-dependence in growth, survival, and recruitment, and somatic growth and recruitment were further limited by introduced trout. Mixed-effects models explained between 67 – 86% of the variation in somatic growth, which showed increased growth rates with greater flood pulse frequency during monsoon season. Monthly survival was 0.56 – 0.99 and 0.80 – 0.99 in the two populations, with lower survival during periods of higher intra-specific abundance and low flood-frequency. Our results suggest translocations can contribute toward the recovery of large-river fishes, but continued suppression of invasive fishes to enhance recruitment may be required to ensure population resilience. Further, we demonstrate the importance of flooding to population demographics in food-depauperate, dynamic, invaded systems.<br><br>
Healy, B. D., P. Budy, M. M. Conner, E. Omana Smith. 2022. Life and death in a dynamic environment: invasive trout, floods, and intra-specific drivers of translocated populations. Ecological Applications 2022;e2635. DOI: 10.1002/eap.2635. USGS FSP IP-133488. \| Abstract	April 2022	Understanding the relative strengths of intrinsic and extrinsic factors regulating populations is a longstanding focus of ecology and critical to advancing conservation programs for imperiled species. Conservation could benefit from an increased understanding of factors influencing vital rates (somatic growth, recruitment, survival) in small, translocated populations, which is lacking owing to difficulties in long-term monitoring of rare species. Translocations, herein defined as the transfer of wild-captured individuals from source populations to new habitats, are widely employed for species conservation, but outcomes are often minimally monitored, and translocations that are monitored often fail. To improve our understanding of how translocated populations respond to environmental variation, we developed and tested hypotheses related to intrinsic (density-dependent) and extrinsic (introduced rainbow trout <i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>, streamflow and temperature regime) causes of vital rate variation in endangered humpback chub (<i>Gila cypha</i>) populations translocated to Colorado River tributaries in Grand Canyon (GC), USA. Using biannual re-capture data from translocated populations over 10 years, we tested hypotheses related to seasonal somatic growth, and recruitment and population growth rates with linear mixed-effects models and temporal symmetry (TSM) mark-recapture models. We combined data from re-captures and re-sights of dispersed fish (both physical captures and continuously recorded antenna detections) from throughout GC to test survival hypotheses, while accounting for site fidelity, using joint live-recapture/live-resight (JLRR) models. While recruitment only occurred in one site, which also drove population growth (relative to survival), evidence supported hypotheses related to density-dependence in growth, survival, and recruitment, and somatic growth and recruitment were further limited by introduced trout. Mixed-effects models explained between 67 – 86% of the variation in somatic growth, which showed increased growth rates with greater flood pulse frequency during monsoon season. Monthly survival was 0.56 – 0.99 and 0.80 – 0.99 in the two populations, with lower survival during periods of higher intra-specific abundance and low flood-frequency. Our results suggest translocations can contribute toward the recovery of large-river fishes, but continued suppression of invasive fishes to enhance recruitment may be required to ensure population resilience. Further, we demonstrate the importance of flooding to population demographics in food-depauperate, dynamic, invaded systems.
He, Xinchen, K. Andreadis, A.H. Roy, A. Kumar, and C. Butler. 2023. Developing a hydrological modeling framework for lake water level drawdown management. Journal of Environmental Management 345: 118744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118744 \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2023
He, H., Buchholtz, E., Chen, F., Vogel, S. and Yu, C.A.A., 2022. An agent-based model of elephant crop consumption walks using combinatorial optimization. Ecological Modelling, 464, p.109852. doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109852 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	February 2022	<b>Conceptual context: </b>Wildlife crop consumption is a worldwide problem. This paper builds on the theoretical framework of profit and utility maximization from economics as established in the theory of optimal foraging, bringing this perspective to the issue of wildlife crop consumption by testing whether elephants forage for crops in an optimal way.<br><br><b>Methodological approach: </b>Using combinatorial optimization in an agent-based model, in which elephants’ objective is to find a valid walk that maximizes their energy balance. We used empirical data from GPS collars on African savanna elephants to train and test the model.<br><br><b>Main results and conclusions: </b>When we focused solely on which terrain blocks the elephants of GNP visit and spend time in, our ABM got 56 percent of these blocks correct. Our ABM performed roughly 25 percent better than two alternative models, including the random walk model. In both subsamples of data that we looked at, the ABM performed better in terms of fitting the data on real walks than the alternative models. The ABM's performance improved, and the alternative models’ performance worsened, when we only looked at data on real walks that involve crop consumption. This suggests that there is more randomness involved when elephants are engaged in foraging activity that do not include crop consumption. At the same time, elephant walks involving crop consumption seem to more closely follow optimizing principles.<br><br>Findings from this ABM approach support ecological understanding of elephant crop foraging, highlighting the optimal movements involved in crop foraging events as well as the importance of trespassing costs and landscape configuration. It may give conservationists and policy-makers a starting point to use in formulating policies to minimize the harms and costs that result from elephant crop consumption.
Hayes Hursh, S., J.M. Bauder, M. Fidino, and D. Drake. 2023. An urban cast of characters: landscape use and cover influencing mammal occupancy in an American midwestern city. Landscape and Urban Planning 229:104582. doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104582">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104582 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2022	With future human population growth concentrating in urban areas, cities are working to counterbalance ecological disturbances resulting from development by incorporating green space that supports greater biodiversity. An initial line of inquiry into designing wildlife-inclusive green space involves evaluating landscapes that are associated with the habitat use of urban species. In this study, we utilized occupancy modeling to estimate select terrestrial mammal presence in a fast-growing mid-sized midwestern city to determine possible taxa-specific associations with multiple land use and cover variables, specifically those associated with higher degrees of human activity. Using motion-triggered infrared trail cameras over eight seasons from winter 2017 to fall 2018, we applied a single-species, single-season stacked design to estimate occupancy for eight urban dwelling mammals. Taxa-specific models contained one of three possible detection variables (null, percent green space, or percent impervious surface) and combinations of three species-specific variables, natural and anthropogenic. We hypothesized that large species, coyote (Canis latrans) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), would exhibit the most positive association to natural land cover and the most negative association to anthropogenic land cover. We also hypothesized that small and medium sized species, eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), opossum (Didelphis virginiana), raccoon (Procyon lotor), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), would demonstrate a neutral association to land cover type, anthropogenic or natural. Our results indicated that the presence of anthropogenic features rather than any particular natural landcover may be driving wildlife distribution in our study area, as none of our species demonstrated a positive association to natural land cover (percent recreation, residential yards, vacant land, or woodland). Species with a wide range of body sizes, showed a negative association with residential yards, indicating that this type of green space may be an unnecessary or unsuitable subsidizing resource in our study area. With our results in mind, we recommend increasing the amount of natural or less manicured green space to offset the intensity of impervious surface as well as encouraging the establishment of native vegetation in existing and newly con-structed residential development to better connect urban green space and residential yards to larger adjoining tracts of natural landscapes. For our study area and other cities in similar phases of development, these suggestions may be essential first steps to reduce biodiversity loss and strengthen community ecology as urban areas continue to grow.
Hawkinson, A.J., R.A. Montgomery, C.L. Roy, L.M. Shartell, D.E. Andersen, T.K. Stevens, L.J. Knosalla, and L.E. Frelich. 2024. Bird-habitat associations and local-scale vegetation structure in lowland brushlands. Journal of Wildlife Management. doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22568	February 2024
Havera, S.P., K.E. Roat, A.M.V. Fournier, H.M. Hagy, and J.D. Stafford. 2024. Forbes Biological Station: The Past and the Promise - Celebrating 130 Years. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication No. 32. 52 pp.	June 2024
Hauptfeld R, Jones MS and Skylander K. (2022). Building capacity for individual and systems-level collaborative conservation impacts: Intentional design for transformative practice. Society & Natural Resources. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2022.2111738 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	August 2022	Conservation for and with local communities and stakeholders is essential. Despite the importance of community-oriented approaches and calls for capacity building in conservation, the impacts and inputs of training in relational fields like collaborative conservation remain unclear. We used mixed methods to conduct one of the first evaluations of a collaborative conservation capacity building program, and present an empirically-based causal model of the programmatic inputs supporting long-term changes. We found moderate to transformational impacts on participants’ practice and professional trajectories, and on multiple dimensions of capacity, including comfort, conviction, and identity. Flexible funding, immersion into a safe community of practice, and the obligation and opportunity to experiment with collaborative approaches fostered these changes. We also found evidence of a developing landscape of practice, and perceived benefits to communities where fellows worked. We suggest programs incorporate intentional design, including networked communities of practice and heuristics, to enhance individual and systems impact.
Haukos, D.A. 2022. Applying key concepts: management of harvested species. Chapter 12 in E. Gomez, C. Bishop, and J. Organ, editors. Introduction to Wildlife Management and Conservation in North America: An Overview. Great River Learning, Dubuque, Iowa, USA.	December 2022
Haughey, C. L., A. Nelson, P. Napier, R. N. Rosenfield, S. A. Sonsthagen, and S. L. Talbot. 2020. Genetic confirmation of a natural hybrid between a Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and a Cooper’s Hawk (A. cooperii). The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 131:838–844. https://doi.org/10.1676/1559-4491-131.4.838	January 2020
Hartman, J.N., A.E. Rosenberger, K. Key, and G. Lindner. 2023. Assessing potential habitat for freshwater mussels by transferring a habitat suitability model within the Ozark Ecoregion, Missouri. Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 26:32-44. \| Abstract \| Download	March 2023	The freshwater mussel fauna of the United States, while extraordinarily rich, has the highest imperilment rate of any group of organisms. However, environmental factors that allow for their establishment and persistence in large, multispecies mussel beds remain unknown. Riverscape-scale (spatially and longitudinally continuous) instream correlates of large, hydrogeomorphic features have been used successfully in predicting suitable habitat for the Meramec Basin in the Ozark Ecoregion in Missouri. We tested the transferability of this habitat suitability model in 2 other rivers in the Ozark ecoregion that have similar hydrogeomorphic variables that may be influencing mussel distributions, in the absence of other limiting factors such as human disturbance. We tested 3 different model transferability techniques that represent different levels of dependence on the original Meramec habitat suitability model. The best fit models for each river were produced by the transferability technique with the least dependence on the original model, and instead, relied on adapting and customizing each model to each individual river. This comparative study demonstrates the influence of the range of hydrogeomorphic characteristics within the river system on the range of characteristics identified as suitable habitat. This study emphasizes the need for more wide-spread, available, and ecologically meaningful riverscape-scale data in habitat modeling with the understanding that levels of importance and range of hydrogeomorphic characteristics will vary across drainages and instream processes.
Harsh, S., A. Gregory, and R. C. Lonsinger. 2022. Habitat amount or landscape configuration: Emerging HotSpot analysis reveals the importance of habitat amount for a grassland bird in South Dakota. PloS ONE 17(9): e0274808. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.02748088. \| Abstract \| Download	September 2022	Habitat loss and fragmentation are two important drivers of biodiversity decline. Understanding how species respond to landscape composition and configuration in dynamic landscape is of great importance for informing the conservation and management of grassland species. With limited conservation resources, prescribed management targeted at the appropriate landscape process is necessary for effective management of species. We used pheasants (<i>Phasianus colchicus</i>) across South Dakota, USA as a model species to identify environmental factors driving spatiotemporal variation in population productivity. Using an emerging Hotspot analysis, we analyzed annual count data from 105 fixed pheasant brood routes over24-year period to identify high (HotSpot) and low (ColdSpot) pheasant population productivity areas. We then applied classification and regression tree modeling to evaluate landscape attributes associated with pheasant productivity among spatial scales (500 m and 1000 m). We found that the amount of grassland at a local spatial scale was the primary factor influencing an area being a HotSpot. Our results also demonstrated non-significant or weak effects of fragmentation per se on pheasant populations. These findings are in accordance with the habitat amount hypothesis highlighting the importance of habitat amount in the landscape for maintaining and increasing the pheasant population. We, therefore, recommend that managers should focus on increasing the total habitat area in the landscape and restoring degraded habitats. Our method of identifying areas of high productivity across the landscape can be applied to other species with count data.
Harrity, E.J., B.S. Stevens, and C.J. Conway. 2020. Keeping up with the times: mapping range-wide habitat suitability for endangered species in a changing environment. Biological Conservation 250:108734. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108734	September 2020
Harrity, E. J., and C. J. Conway. 2020. Satellite transmitters reveal previously unknown migratory behavior and wintering locations of Yuma Ridgway’s Rails. Journal of Field Ornithology 91:300-312. doi: 10.1111/jofo.12344	September 2020
Harrity, E. J., and C. J. Conway. 2020. Noose carpets: a novel method to capture rails. Wildlife Society Bulletin 44:15-22. doi: 10.1002/wsb.1068	January 2020
Harrity, E. J., L. E. Michael, and C. J. Conway. 2021. Sexual dimorphism in morphology and plumage of endangered Yuma Ridgway’s Rails: a model for documenting sex. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 12:464-474. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-20-095	October 2021
Harris, G.M., M.J. Butler, D.R. Stewart, and J.W. Cain III. 2022. The abundance and persistence of Caprinae populations. Scientific Reports 12:13807. \| Download	August 2022
Hardy, R. S., T. J. Ross, K. N. McDonnell, M. C. Quist, C. Holderman, and B. S. Stevens. 2022. Nutrient restoration of a large, impounded, ultra-oligotrophic western river to recover declining native fishes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42:977-993.	August 2022
Haralson-Strobel, C.L., C.W. Boal, and C.C. Farquhar. 2020. Nest site selection of White-tailed Hawks (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) on Texas barrier islands. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 132:668-677.	February 2021
Hansen, M. J., C. S. Guy, C. R. Bronte, and N. A. Nate. 2021. Life history and population dynamics. Pages 253-286 in A. M. Muir, C. C. Krueger, M. J. Hansen, and S. C. Riley, editors. Lake Charr Salvelinus namaycush: biology, ecology, distribution, and management. Fish & Fisheries Series, D. L. G. Noakes, editor. Springer.	March 2021
Hansen, H. H., E. Forzono, A. Grams, L. Ohlman, C. Ruskamp, M. A. Pegg, and K. L. Pope. 2020. Exit here: strategies for dealing with aging dams and reservoirs. Aquatic Sciences 82:2. \| Download	January 2020
Hansen, G.J.A., T.D. Ahrenstorff, B.J. Bethke, J. Dumke, J. Hirsch, K.E. Kovalenko, J.F. LeDuc, R.P. Maki, H. Rantala, and T. Wagner. 2020. Walleye growth declines following zebra mussel and Bythotrephes invasion. Biological Invasions 22:1481–1495.	January 2020
Hansen, G.J.A., J. Ruzich, C.A Krabbenhoft, H. Kudel, S. Mahlum, C.I. Rounds, A.O. Van Pelt, L.D. Eslinger, D.E. Logsdon, D.A. Isermann. 2022. It’s complicated and it depends: A review of the effects of ecosystem changes on Walleye and Yellow Perch populations in North America. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10741	January 2022
Hansen, A.J., A. East, Z. Ashford, C. Crittenden, O. Jakabosky, D. Quinby, L. Gigliotti, F.T. van Manen, M.A. Haroldson, A. Middleton, N. Robinson, and D.M. Theobald. 2024. Which private lands in Greater Yellowstone are highest priorities for biodiversity conservation? Natural Areas Journal 44(3): 157-171	July 2024
Hanley, B. J., Carstensen, M., Walsh, D. P., Christensen, S. A., Storm, D. J., Booth, J. G., ... & Schuler, K. L. (2022). Informing Surveillance through the Characterization of Outbreak Potential of Chronic Wasting Disease in White-Tailed Deer. Ecological Modelling, 471, 110054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110054 \| Abstract	September 2022	Understanding the role that an environmental prion reservoir plays in the outbreak dynamics of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in free ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is critical for the allocation of disease surveillance resources by state and provincial wildlife agencies. We hypothesized that demographic, ecological, and epidemiological configurations naturally attenuate epidemic risk despite the introduction of infectious prions into a susceptible population of deer, but the magnitude of infectious prions in the environmental prion reservoir complicate outbreak expectations. We developed a Susceptible-Latent-Exposed-Infective (SLEI) compartment model to represent the dynamics of CWD epidemics in free-ranging white-tailed deer, then used the basic reproductive ratio (�0) to pinpoint counties under which pathogenic introduction (transport of infectious bodily fluids, tissues, and carcasses through natural or anthropogenic means) naturally produced (or failed to produce) an epidemic. We found that the outlook for an epidemic hinged on transmission rates, the magnitude of environmental contamination, and system type (density-, frequency-, or density/frequency-dependent). CWD can persistently infect individuals living in a contaminated environment even if direct transmission is insufficient to sustain circulation. Theoretical results show that transmission of CWD cannot be exclusively density dependent, and must behave as either a mix between frequency and density dependent, or strictly frequency dependent. While the compartment model is a simplistic representation of reality and did not contain many complicating biological considerations, it was immediately useful in hypothesis generation, motivating the collection of additional data for use in more biologically detailed models, and in the allocation of finite surveillance resources to place emphasis on data collection in areas where an introduction of infectious prions is comparatively more likely to result in an epidemic.
Hamilton S.L., Murphy C.A., Johnson S.L. and Pollock A. 2022. Water quality ramifications of temporary drawdown of Oregon reservoirs to facilitate juvenile Chinook salmon passage. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402381.2021.2017082 \| Publisher Website	January 2022
Hamel, M., J. Spurgeon, K. Steffensen, M. Pegg. 2020. Uncovering unique life history of an endangered centenarian fish. Scientific Reports 10.12866	April 2020
Halstead, B. J., P. M. Kleeman, G. V. DiRenzo, & J. P. Rose. 2022. Occurrence of Shasta salamanders (Hydromantes spp.) in little-studied portions of their range, with implications for optimizing survey design. Journal of Herpetology 56, 218-228. DOI: 10.1670/20-119.	August 2022
Hallisey, N, Buchanan, SW, Gerber, BD, Corcoran, LS, and Karraker, NE. 2022.Addressing Imperfect Detection in Road Mortality Hotspot Models: A Case Studywith Amphibians and Reptiles. Land, 11, 739. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11050739	May 2022
Hahn EE, Klimova A, Munguia-Vega A, Clark KB, and Culver M. 2020. Use of museum specimens to refine historical pronghorn subspecies boundaries. J. Wildlife Management, https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21810 \| Abstract	January 2020	Endangered Sonoran (<i>Antilocapra americana sonoriensis</i>) and Peninsular (<i>A. a. peninsularis</i>) pronghorn persist largely because of captive breeding and reintroduction efforts. Recovery team managers want to re‐establish pronghorn in their native range, but there is currently uncertainty regarding the subspecies status of extinct pronghorn populations that historically inhabited southern California, USA, and northern Baja California, Mexico. To address this uncertainty, we genotyped museum specimens and conducted phylogenetic and population genetic analyses of historical data in the context of 3 contemporary pronghorn populations. The historical northern Baja California pronghorn share the most ancestry with contemporary Peninsular pronghorn, whereas pronghorn in southern California share more ancestry with contemporary American (<i>A. a. americana</i>) pronghorn. For reintroductions into northern Baja California, the Peninsular subspecies is more appropriate based on museum genetic data. For reintroductions into Southern California, ecological and genetic factors are both important, as the subspecies most genetically related to historical populations (American) may not be well‐adapted to the hot, low‐elevation deserts of the reintroduction area.
Hahn EE and M Culver. 2021. Genetic diversity and structure in Arizona pronghorn following conservation efforts. Conservation Science and Practice, doi:10.1111/csp2.498	July 2021
Hafen, T., A.T. Taylor, D.A. Hendrickson, D.R. Stewart, and J.M. Long. 2021. Environmental conditions associated with occurrences of the threatened Yaqui Catfish in the Yaqui River basin, Mexico. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41(S1): S54-S63. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10653	July 2021
H.W. Harshaw, Nicholas W. Cole, Ashley A. Dayer, Jonathan D. Rutter, David C. Fulton, Andrew H. Raedeke, Rudy M. Schuster, and Jennifer N. Duberstein. 2020. Testing a continuous measure of recreation specialization among birdwatchers, Human Dimensions of Wildlife. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2020.1843741 \| Abstract	November 2020	Recreation specialization is a framework that can be used to explain the variation among recreationists’ preferences, attitudes, and behaviors. Recreation specialization has been operationalized using several approaches, including summative indices, cluster analysis, and self-classification categorical measures. While these approaches have their benefits, there remains a need for a continuous (interval) measure of recreation specialization that reflects the influence of the different dimensions of the framework by accounting for individual variation among the dimensions. This research note illustrates an approach that uses second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) factor scores as weights to determine a person’s degree of recreation specialization and compares the CFA-based results to a cluster analysis approach. Data were collected from an online survey of eBird registrants from the United States. This CFA approach provides increased consistency in the operationalization and application of recreation specialization.
Gyug, L. W., R. C. Dobbs, T. E. Martin, and C. J. Conway. 2020. Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.wilsap.01	March 2020
Guy, C. S., T. L. Cox, J. R. Williams, C. D. Brown, R. W. Eckelbecker, H. S. Glassic, M. C. Lewis, P. A. C. Maskill, L. M. McGarvey, and M. J. Siemiantkowski. 2021. A paradoxical knowledge gap in science for critically endangered fishes and game fishes during the sixth mass extinction. Scientific Reports 11:8447. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87871-y \| Download	April 2021
Gunn, J.C., L.K. Berkman, J. Koppelman, A.T. Taylor, S. Brewer, J.M. Long, and L.S. Eggert. 2022. Genomic divergence, local directional selection, and complex demographic history may inform management of a popular sportfish species complex. Ecology and Evolution 12:e9370. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9370.	October 2022
Gunn, J.C., L.K. Berkman, J. Koppelman, A.T. Taylor, S. Brewer, J.M. Long, and L.S. Eggert. 2022. Genomic divergence, local directional selection, and complex demographic history may inform management of a popular sportfish species complex. Ecology and Evolution 12:e9370. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9370.	October 2022
Gunn, J.C., L.K. Berkman, J. Koppelman, A.T. Taylor, S. Brewer, J.M. Long, and L.S. Eggert. 2020. Complex Patterns of Genetic and Morphological Differentiation in the Smallmouth Bass subspecies (Micropterus dolomieu dolomieu and M. d. velox) of the Central Interior Highlands. Conservation Genetics 21:897-904.	August 2020
Gunn, J.C., A.T. Taylor, J.J. Buckingham, A.I. Kern, and J.M. Long. 2023. Limited hybridisation and introgression despite stocking among endemic Interior Highlands black basses (Centrarchidae: Micropterus). Diversity and Distributions 29:1205-1320. DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13759	August 2023
Gundermann, K.P., D. R. Diefenbach, W. D. Walter, A. M. Corondi, J. E. Banfield, B. D. Wallingford, D. P. Stainbrook, C. S. Rosenberry, and F. E. Buderman. 2023. Change-point models for identifying behavioral transitions in wild animals. Movement Ecology 11:65. \| Download	October 2023
Gruntorad, M. P., M. P. Vrtisksa, C. J. Chizinski, J. N. Duberstein, D. C. Fulton, H. W. Harshaw, A. H. Raedeke, and J. Spaeth. 2024. Duck hunters and difficulty complying with harvest regulations. Wildlife Society Bulletin 48:e1505. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1505 \| Abstract	January 2024	Due to the steady decline of duck hunter participation, several studies have investigated means to bolster the duck hunter population. Researchers and wildlife professionals have assumed that simpler regulations would attract new and unconfident hunters to participate in duck hunting. In light of this, we sought to identify what portion of the duck-hunting population had difficulty understanding species-specific bag limits or complying with species-specific bag limits in the field. We also sought to describe hunters who had difficulty complying with specific bag limits and how their difficulties were associated with elements related to demography, attitude, and behavior. We found most hunters had no difficulty understanding or complying with species specific bag limits, but flyway, number of ducks harvested, and number of years hunted were important to predicting hunter difficulty with compliance. Hunters who can overcome their difficulties understanding and complying with species-specific bag limits may be more likely to be integrated into the duck hunting culture, and ultimately more likely to continue duck hunting in the future. More species identification tools and fewer species-specific bag limits may be appropriate for the 18% of the duck hunter population who indicated that bag-specific regulations were difficult to understand and the 26% who indicated that it was difficult to comply with species-specific bag limits in the field. A closer look at how the trade-offs associated with the combination of species-specific bag limits in combination with the variety of duck season zone and split options states employ, license/stamp requirements, area-specific regulations, and trespass laws may influence duck hunter experiences may be warranted.<br><b>KEYWORDS </b>attitude, behavior, demographics, human dimensions, hunting constraints, waterfowl hunting.
Grunblatt, J, BE Meyer, MS Wipfli. 2019. Riparian Vegetation Influences Aquatic Winged Adult Insect Contributions to Juvenile Salmon Diet in Three Alaska Steams. Journal of Freshwater Ecology. xx:xx-xx	January 2020
Gruber, L.F., E.F. Stuber, L.S. Wszola and J.J. Fontaine. 2019. Estimating use of public lands: Integrated model of open populations with convolution likelihood ecological abundance regression. Bayesian Analysis 14:1-27.	December 2019
Groeschel JR, S Miyazono, TB Grabowski, BD Cheek, & GP Garrett. 2020. Growth and habitat Use of Guadalupe Bass in the South Llano River, Texas. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11:33-45. doi: 10.3996/022018-JFWM-015 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2020	Predicting how stream fishes may respond to habitat restoration efforts is difficult due, in part, to an incomplete understanding of how basic biological parameters such as growth and ontogenetic habitat shifts interact with flow regime and riverscape ecology. We assessed age-specific Guadalupe bass habitat associations at three different spatial scales in the South Llano River, a spring-fed stream on the Edwards Plateau of central Texas, and the influence of habitat and flow regime on growth. Substrates were classified using a low-cost side-scan sonar system. Scale microstructure was used to determine age and back-calculated size at age. Over 65% of captured Guadalupe bass were age-2 or age-3, but individuals ranged from 0-7 years of age. There was considerable overlap in habitat associations among age classes 1-3+, but age-0 Guadalupe bass tended to associate with greater proportions of pool and run mesohabitats with submerged aquatic substrates. While habitat metrics across multiple scales did not have a large effect on growth, discharge was negatively correlated with growth rates. Understanding age-specific Guadalupe bass habitat associations at multiple scales will increase the effectiveness of restoration efforts directed at the species and the use of low-cost side scan sonar seemed to provide an effective means of generating these data that can be adapted for other stream fishes.
Grodsky, S.M. 2021. Matching clean energy and conservation goals for a sustainable future. One Earth. 4, 924-926.	July 2021
Grodsky, S. M., R. R. Hernandez, J. W. Campbell, K. R. Hinson, O. Keller, S. R. Fritts, J.A. Homyack, and C. E. Moorman. 2019. Ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) response to harvest residue retention: Implications for sustainable forest bioenergy production. Forests. 11:48. doi:10.3390/f11010048.	December 2019
Grodsky, S. M., L. S. Saul-Gershenz, K. A. Moore-O’Leary, and R. R. Hernandez. 2020. Her Majesty’s desert throne: The ecology of queen butterfly oviposition on Mojave milkweed host plants. (Special Issue: Butterfly Conservation and Management). Insects. 11:257. doi:10.3390/insects11040257.	April 2020
Grodsky, S. M., K. Tanner, J. Whitney, and R. R. Hernandez. 2020. Desert plant response to solar energy development: Trophic interactions, rare and invasive species, and management implications.CEC-500-2020-076. California Energy Commission.	December 2020
Grodsky, S. M., K. A. Roeder, J. W. Campbell. 2023. Effects of solar energy development on ants in the Mojave Desert. Ecosphere.	October 2023
Grodsky, S. M., J. W. Campbell, and R. R. Hernandez. 2021. Effects of solar energy development on flower-visiting beetles, flies, moths, and wasps in the Mojave Desert. Special Issue: Renewable Energy and Biological Conservation in a Changing World. Biological Conservation. 263, 109336.	September 2021
Grodsky, S. M., J. W. Campbell, K. A. Roeder, E. Waite, and A. Johnston. 2024. Mixed responses of tenebrionid beetles to solar energy development in the Mojave Desert. Journal of Arid Environments.	September 2024
Grodsky, S. M., C. E. Moorman, and K. R. Russell. 2023. Forest Wildlife Management in Ecological Forest Management Handbook. 2nd edition. G. LaRocque (ed.). Taylor Francis Group/CRC Press.	August 2024
Grodsky, S. M. 2023. Join the revolution: For wildlifers, renewable energy offers unprecedented challenges--and opportunities. The Wildlife Professional.	May 2024
Grodsky, S. M. & R. R. Hernandez. 2020. Reduced ecosystem services of desert plants from ground-mounted solar energy development. Nature Sustainability. doi:10.1038/s41893-020-0574-x.	December 2020
Grimshaw, J.R., D. Donner, R. Perry, W.M. Ford, A. Silvis, C.J. Garcia, R.D. Stevns and D.A. Ray. 2024. Disentangling genetic diversity of Myotis septentrionalis: population structure, demographic history, and effective population size. Journal of Mammalogy 105: 854–864 \| Download	July 2024
Griffin, C., Mummah, R., & deForest, R. (2021). A finite population destroys a traveling wave in spatial replicator dynamics. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, 146, 110847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chaos.2021.110847	May 2021
Grieshaber, C.A., W.G. Cope, T.J. Kwak, T.N. Penland, R.J. Heise, and J.M Law. 2021. Survival and contaminants in imperiled and common riverine fishes assessed with an in situ bioassay approach. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 40: 2206-2219. DOI: 10.1002/etc.5104	August 2021
Greiman, S. E., R. E. Wilson, B. Sesmundo, J. Reakoff, and S. A. Sonsthagen. 2022. Detection of Splendidofilaria sp. (Onchocercidae: Splendidofilariinae) microfilaria within Alaskan ground dwelling birds in the grouse subfamily Tetraoninae using TaqMan probe based real-time PCR. Journal of Parasitology. 108:192-198.	April 2022
Greiman, S. E., J. A. Cook, T. Odom, K. Cranmer, S. W. Liphardt, D. M. Menning, S. A. Sonsthagen, and S. L. Talbot. 2020. Microbiomes From Biorepositories? 16S rRNA Bacterial Amplicon Sequencing of Archived and Contemporary Intestinal Samples of Wild Mammals (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae). Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 8:555386.	September 2020
Gregory KM, Darst C, Lantz SM, Powelson K, Ashton D, Fisher R, Halstead B, Hubbs B, Lovich JE, McGowan CP, 2024, Population viability analysis for two species of imperiled freshwater turtle, Chelonia Conservation.	June 2024
Gregory KM, Darst C, Lantz S M, Powellson K , McGowan CP. 2024. Effects of drought, invasive species, and habitat loss on future extinction risk of two species of imperiled freshwater turtle, Climate Change Ecology.	January 2024
Gregory K, Mcgowan CP, 2023, Modeling appendix for the northwestern and southwestern pond turtle (A.marmorata, A.pallida), a report for the Species Status assessment of the Northwestern and Southwestern pond turtle, USFWS	September 2023
Greenwald, K., A. Stedman, D. Mifsud, M. Stapleton, K. Larson, I. Chellman, D. L. Parrish, and C. W. Kilpatrick. 2020. Phylogeographic analysis of Mudpuppies (Necturus maculosus). Journal of Herpetology 54: 78-86. doi: 10.1670/19-070 \| Abstract	March 2020	The geology of the Pleistocene, and particularly the Last Glacial Maximum approximately 26.5 ka, is a critical driver of species’ present-day distributions and levels of genetic diversity in northern regions. Using mitochondrial DNA sequence data, we tested several predictions relating to the postglacial recolonization of the northern United States and southern Canada by Mudpuppies (Necturus maculosus). Our analyses revealed a significant split between western and eastern lineages, with the divide corresponding to the location of the Mississippi River. Our data support the presence of one or more Mississippian glacial refugia, with subsequent expansion and diversification of a western clade into the upper Midwest, and an eastern cluster into the eastern Great Lakes and New England. As predicted in cases of postglacial colonization, each of these clades contains a single widespread and common haplotype, along with numerous low-frequency, closely related haplotypes. Given recent conservation concerns about amphibians in general, and Mudpuppies specifically, we discuss our results in light of species conservation. Knowledge of a species’ genetic diversity allows for informed management and facilitates decisions that preserve local adaptation and evolutionary potential.
Greene, D.U., B.A. Grisham, C.W. Boal, D.A. Haukos, R.D. Cox, S.R. Fritts, and W.R. Heck. 2024. Lesser Prairie-Chicken Brood Ecology on the Southern High Plains of Texas. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 11:110-118.	May 2024
Grant, J. D., S. J. Ingram and S. A. Bonar. 2023 Influence of electrofishing boat operation and driving techniques on reservoir fish catches. Fisheries. 48: 368-376. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10964	July 2023
Grant, E. H. C., Mummah, R., Mosher, B. A., Evans, J., & G. V. DiRenzo. 2023. Inferring pathogen presence and prevalence under sample misclassification and partial observation. Methods in Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14102. \| Abstract	April 2023	Surveillance programs are essential for detecting emerging pathogens and often rely on molecular methods to make inference about the presence of a target disease agent. However, molecular methods rarely detect target DNA perfectly. For example, molecular pathogen detection methods can result in misclassification (i.e., false positives and false negatives) or partial detection errors (i.e., detections with ‘ambiguous’, ‘uncertain’, or ‘equivocal’ results). Typically, these partial observations are either discarded or censored from the data; this, however, disregards information that may be exploited to make inference to the true state. Here, we develop a Bayesian hierarchal framework that accommodates false negative, false positive, and uncertain detections to improve inference to the occupancy of a pathogen. We apply our modeling framework to a case study of the fungal pathogen <i>Pseudogymnoascus destructans</i> (Pd) identified in Texas bats at the invasion front of white-nose syndrome. To improve future surveillance programs, we provide guidance on sample sizes required to be 95% certain a target organism is absent from a site. We found that the presence of uncertain detections increased the variability of resulting posterior probability distributions of pathogen occurrence, and estimates of required sample size were very sensitive to prior information about occupancy and prevalence. In the Pd case study, we found that the posterior probability of occupancy was very low in 2018, but approached 1 in 2020, reflecting increasing prior probabilities of occupancy and prevalence elicited from a manager.Our modeling framework provides the user a posterior probability distribution of pathogen occurrence, which allows for subjective interpretation by the decision-maker. To help readers apply and use the methods we developed, we also provide an interactive RShiny app that generates target species occupancy estimation and sample size estimates to make these methods more accessible to the scientific community. This modeling framework and sample size guide will be useful to improving inferences from molecular surveillance data about emerging pathogens, non-native invasive species, and endangered species where misclassifications and ambiguous detections are known to occur.
Grant, E. H. C., A. Brand, & G. V. DiRenzo. 2023. Abtioic and biotic factors reduce the viability of a high-elevation salamander in its native range. Journal of Applied Ecology 60:1684–1697.	December 2022
Granco, G., J.L. Heier Stamm, J.S. Bergtold, M.D. Daniels, M.R. Sanderson, A.Y. Sheshukov, M. Mather, M.M. Caldas, S.M. Ramsey, R. Lehrter, D. Haukos,J. Gao, S. Chatterjee, J. Nifong, and J. Aistrup. 2019. Evaluating environmental change and behavioral decision-making for sustainability policy using an agent-based model: a case study for the Smoky Hill River Watershed, Kansas. Science of the Total Environment 695, 133769 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133769	December 2019
Granco, G. M. M. Caldas, J. . Bergtold, J, Heier-Stamm, M. E. Mather, M. R. Sanderson, M. D. Daniels, A. Y. Sheshukov, D. A. Haukos, and S. M. Ramsey. 2022. Local environment and individuals’ beliefs: the dynamics shaping public support for sustainability policy in an agricultural landscape. Journal of Environmental Management 301 (1) 113776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113776	January 2022
Grady, J. T., Bower, L. M., Gienger, C. M., & Blanton, R. E. (2022). Fish scale shape follows predictable patterns of variation based on water column position, body size, and phylogeny. Evolutionary Ecology, 36(1), 93-116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-021-10142-9 \| Abstract	January 2022	The influence of environment and phylogeny on morphological characteristics of organisms is well documented. However, little is known about how these factors influence scale shape in fishes, a feature which may be important for drag reduction. We evaluated the impact of both on scale shape variation in the primarily benthic, riverine darter clade (Percidae: Etheostomatinae) of fishes. We predicted that darters with close phylogenetic relationships and/or shared ecologies would have more similar scale shapes, but this relationship would be mediated by use of the substrate boundary layer. We used geometric morphometrics and seven homologous landmarks for 92 species of darters representing all genera and 37 terminal clades within genera to measure scale shape. Phylogenetic relationships and ecological categories describing habitat, spawning mode, and maximum body size of each species were summarized from the literature. We used ordinations to examine scale shape variation among phylogenetic and ecological groups. We conducted Phylogenetic Generalized Least Squares analyses to test for relationships between scale shape and ecological characteristics. Scale shape variation occurred within and among darter clades, and was significantly related to phylogeny. However, we found divergent scale shapes between close relatives and similar scale shapes between distantly related species. After accounting for phylogenetic signal, size and water column position were related to scale shape. Extra-large, hyperbenthic species had longer, narrower scales that may decrease laminar drag. Sub-benthic darters had scales that were narrower at the insertion, and with enlarged ctenial margins that may facilitate burying. Among benthic darters, size was significantly related to scale shape though a lack of clustering among many taxonomic and ecological groups may indicate that boundary layer use has reduced selective pressures from drag. Our results are consistent with others that have found both environment and phylogeny influence Teleost fish morphology.
Grabowski TB, R Tabandera, N Greenwald, A Larson. 2024. Assessing fish habitat and population dynamics of fisheries resources at Kaloko Fishpond. Final report to the National Park Service (Contract #G19AC00348). 78 pp. \| Abstract	December 2024	Throughout Hawai'i, fishponds are considered by their local communities as important cultural touchstones, a source of local, sustainably produced food, and an important component to the development of community-based management for nearshore fisheries. Within Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park the restoration of Kaloko Fishpond for traditional aquaculture management is a goal of both the National Park Service (NPS) and Hui Kaloko-Honokōhau, a community-based group of kiaʻi (native Hawaiian cultural practitioners). However, existing data on the demographics and condition of the fish populations within the pond, and the fish-habitat quality are poor to non-existent. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to catalog fish species composition and distribution in the pond, estimate the abundance of focal species/taxonomic groups, and evaluate the occupancy patterns of the invasive algae <i>Acanthophora spicifera</i> and Upside-down Jellyfish <i>Cassiopea andromeda. </i>As part of these objectives, a survey protocol and analysis framework were designed and evaluated to ensure that the NPS and community group would be able to refine and implement it to continue their monitoring efforts. Dual-observer shore-based visual surveys were conducted multiple times per week during September-October 2020 and April-September 2022. A total of 41 species/taxonomic groups were recorded over the course of the surveys. The largest number of species/taxonomic groups were observed at survey stations located on or near the kuapā, or wall separating the fishpond from the ocean. <i>N</i>-mixture models fitted to the data estimated a total population of 353 – 392 mullets, 134 – 192 flagtails (āholehole), and 189 – 277 Milkfish (Awa) <i>Chanos chanos</i> occurring within the 1.2-ha portion of Kaloko Fishpond that could be surveyed visually from the shoreline. Multi-season occupancy models fitted to the surveyed presence of <i>A. spicifera</i> and Upside-down Jellyfish indicted moderate and relatively stable patterns of occupancy throughout much of the pond, except for the northeast corner of the pond (Kaloko Iki) where colonization rates were lower and extinction rates higher than other areas within Kaloko. The visual survey method developed for this study provides a low-cost and effective starting point for the development of methodology that can be used both by NPS personnel and volunteers from the community group. However, it is only able to estimate fish populations for approximately 24% of the area of Kaloko Fishpond. Given that the deeper areas of Kaloko Fishpond are completely inaccessible to the visual survey method used, generating population estimates for the entire pond based on the parameters estimated in the current study is not recommended without further investigation into fish movement and habitat use. Various means to refine this protocol to better meet the needs and abilities of the NPS and community group are proposed.
Grabowski TB, HM Williams, R Verble, A Pease, & JE Pease. 2019. Guadalupe Bass flow-ecology relationships; with emphasis on the impact of flow on recruitment. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series XXX-XXX. Washington, D.C. \| Abstract	December 2019	Guadalupe Bass Micropterus treculii is an economically and ecologically important black bass species endemic to the Edwards Plateau ecoregion and the lower portions of the Colorado River in central Texas. It is considered a fluvial specialist and as such, there are concerns that the increasing demands being placed upon the water resources of central Texas by growing human populations have the potential to negatively impact Guadalupe Bass populations. As such, this study assessed the relationship between Guadalupe Bass growth, feeding ecology, and streamflow. Sagittal otoliths were removed from Guadalupe Bass collected from throughout their range during 2015-2017 and used to estimate the age and back-calculate the growth trajectory of each individual. Additionally, young-of-year (YOY) Guadalupe Bass were collected every 10-14 days from two second-order streams, the North Llano River and South Llano River, in the Colorado Basin on the Edwards Plateau. Stomach contents of these individuals were identified and the effect of streamflow on the occurrence of the taxa comprising the stomach contents assessed. <br>Guadalupe Bass growth was greater in the Colorado and Guadalupe River basins, independent of stream order, and tended increase with increasing stream order within a basin. Growth was higher in streams and during years with lower spring and summer monthly median flows, lower minimum and maximum flows, slower rise and fall rates, and higher baseflows. Growth was not influenced by years with higher monthly median flows in winter. These results would seem to contradict previous research, but seem to be influenced by the fact that previous studies were conducted during a period of extensive drought, while the current study was conducted during relatively wet conditions. Taken together with previous studies, the current study suggests that Guadalupe Bass growth is sensitive to flow conditions and is lower in years with flow conditions that fall outside a basin- and stream order-specific optimal range for the species.<br>A total of 21 unique taxonomic groups were recovered from the stomachs of YOY Guadalupe Bass collected from the North Llano River and South Llano River. Aquatic insects, especially larval mayflies (Ephemeroptera), damselflies (Odanata: Zygoptera), and caddisflies (Trichoptera), were the most frequently encountered taxa. While there was no difference between the two rivers in stomach content composition, there was a strong longitudinal gradient in both systems with aquatic insects predominating at upstream sample sites and fishes being more common at downstream sites. Stream discharge during the 24 hours prior to collection did not have any influence on the probability of a taxa being found in Guadalupe Bass stomachs. <br>The results of this study support efforts to manage Guadalupe Bass populations at a sub-watershed basis and suggests that populations occupying the same stream order within a basin are likely to have similar responses to annual flow conditions. In addition, these results indicate that the lower Colorado River population may inhabit a unique set of conditions that has supported the development of a trophy Guadalupe Bass fishery. Further, this study highlights the need to incorporate a sufficient range of annual flow conditions to ensure that the influence of stream flow on fish growth is adequately assessed. While interannual variation in growth rates are seem to be capable of serving as a proxy for recruitment and year-class strength, long-term monitoring of recruitment paired with assessment of growth is necessary to further clarify the relationship between population density, flow regime, recruitment and growth and allow the construction of predictive models.
Grabowski TB, Benedum ME, Curley A, Dill De-Sa C, & Shuey ML. 2023. Pandemic-driven changes in the Hawaiian nearshore noncommercial fishery: analysis of catch photos posted to social media captures changing fisher behavior in response to disruptive events. PeerJ 11:e14994. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14994 . \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2023	How does a global pandemic alter fishing behaviors in Hawaiian nearshore fisheries? Using social media, we collect evidence for how nearshore fisheries are impacted by the global pandemic in Hawai’i. We later confirm our social media findings and obtain a more complete understanding of the changes in nearshore non-commercial fisheries in Hawaiʻi through a more conventional approach - speaking directly with fishers. We find that resource users posted nearly three times as often during the pandemic with nearly double the number of fishes pictured per post. We also find that individuals who fished for subsistence were more likely to increase the amount of time spent fishing and relied more on their catch for food security. Furthermore, we find that individuals fishing exclusively for subsistence were more likely to fish for different species during the pandemic than individuals fishing recreationally. Traditional data collection methods are resource-intensive and this study shows that social media data can be used to rapidly collect data and predict changes in nearshore fisheries due to large scale disturbances. As climate change threatens additional disturbances, it will be necessary for resource managers to collect reliable data efficiently to prevent species collapse and to better target monitoring and management efforts.
Gould, M.J., J.W. Cain III, T.C. Atwood, L.E. Harding, H.E. Johnson, D.P. Onorato, F.S. Winslow, and G.W. Roemer. 2022. Pleistocene-Holocene vicariance not Anthropocene landscape change, explains the genetic structure of American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico. Ecology and Evolution 12:e9406 . https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9406	October 2022
Gostic, K., Gomez, A. C., Mummah, R. O., Kucharski, A. J., & Lloyd-Smith, J. O. (2020). Estimated effectiveness of symptom and risk screening to prevent the spread of COVID-19. ELife, 9, e55570. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.55570	February 2020
Gostiaux, J., H.I.A. Boehm, N.J. Jaksha, D.J. Dembkowski, J.M. Hennessy, D.A. Isermann. 2021. Recruitment Bottlenecks for Age-0 Walleye Sander vitreus in Northern Wisconsin Lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10683	October 2021
Gorman, K.M., S.M. Deeley, E.L. Barr, S.R. Freeze, N. Kalen, M.S. Muthersbaugh, and W.M. Ford. 2022. Broad-scale geographic and temporal assessment of northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colony landscape association. Endangered Species Research 47:119-130.	February 2022
Gorman, K.M., E.L. Barr, T. Nocera and W.M. Ford. 2023. Network analysis of northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colony in a suburban forest patch. Journal of Urban Ecology 2023, 9(1), juad005. \| Download	May 2023
Gorman, K.M., E.L. Barr, T. Nocera and W.M. Ford. 2022. Characteristics of northern long-eared bat day-roosts in coastal New York. Northeastern Naturalist 29(2):153-170.	May 2022
Gorman, K, W.M. Ford, E.L. Barr and L. Ries. 2021. Bat Activity Patterns Relative to Temporal and Weather Correlates in a Temperate Coastal Environment. Global Ecology and Conservation 30: doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01769 13 p.	October 2021
Gordon, S., T. Wagner, K. Smalling, and O. Devereux. 2023. Estrogenic activity response to best management practice implementation in agricultural watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Journal of Environmental Management 326:116734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116734	November 2022
Gordon Jr, A. B., Drummey, D., Tur, A., Curtis, A. E., McCumber, J. C., Jones, M. T., ... & DiRenzo, G. V. (2024). The Effect of Myiasis on Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) Body Condition, Movement, and Habitat Use at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts. Northeastern Naturalist, 31(sp12), T55-T76.	July 2024
Gordon Jr, A. B., Drummey, D., Tur, A., Curtis, A. E., McCumber, J. C., Akresh, M. E., & DiRenzo, G. V. (2024). Long-Term Monitoring Reveals Management Effects on Prairie Warbler Colonization, Local Extinction, and Detection in a Massachusetts Pine Barren. Northeastern Naturalist, 31(3), 418-434.	October 2024
Goode ABC, Rivenbark E, Gilbert J, McGowan CP, in review, Prioritization of species status assessments for decision support. Decision Analysis	November 2023
Goodbred, S.L., Patiño, R. Alvarez, D.A., Johnson, D., Hannoun, D., Echols, K.R., Jenkins, J.A. Fish health altered by contaminants and low water temperatures compounded by prolonged regional drought in the Lower Colorado River Basin, USA. Toxics, 12, 708. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100708	September 2024
Goodbred S, Rosen MR, Patiño R, Alvarez D, Echols K, King K, Umek J. 2021. Movement of synthetic organic compounds in the food web after the introduction of invasive quagga mussels (Dreissema bugensis) in Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona, USA. Science of the Total Environment 752, 141845.	January 2021
Gonzalez, A., J.M. Long, N.J.C. Gosch, A.P. Civiello, and T.R. Gemeinhardt. 2022. Factors affecting interannual variation in diet and body lipid content of age-0 Scaphirhynchus sturgeon in the lower Missouri River, USA. River Research and Management 38:1167-1178. DOI: 10.1002/rra.3984	May 2022
Gonzalez, A., J.M. Long, N.J.C. Gosch, A.P. Civiello, T.R. Gemeinhardt, and J. Hall. 2021. Spatial and temporal variation in length-weight relationships of age-0 Scaphirhynchus sturgeon in the lower Missouri River. American Midland Naturalist 186: 106-121. DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-186.1.106	July 2021
Gonzalez, A., J.M. Long, N.J.C. Gosch, A.P. Civiello, T.R. Gemeinhardt, J. Hall, and P.J. Braaten. 2023. Dietary comparison of age-0 sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus sp.) between upper and lower Missouri River basins. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 38:1, 2219689, DOI: 10.1080/02705060.2023.2219689	June 2023
Gonzalez, A., C.L. Barnes, S.M. Wilder, and J.M. Long. 2020. Macronutrient content of common aquatic macroinvertebrates available as prey for juvenile fishes in the lower Missouri River. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 35:191-202. DOI: 10.1080/02705060.2020.1767705	May 2020
Gonzalez Perez, A., B. Wilkinson. A. Abd-Elrahman, R. R. Carthy, and D.J. Johnson. 2022. Deep and machine learning image classification of coastal wetlands using unpiloted aircraft system multispectral images and lidar datasets. Remote Sensing, 14(16), 3937; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14163937 \| Abstract	August 2022	The recent developments of new deep learning architectures create opportunities to accurately classify high-resolution Unoccupied Aerial System (UAS) images of natural coastal systems and mandate continuous evaluation of algorithm performance. We evaluated the performance of four machine learning techniques applied to UAS multispectral aerial imagery and canopy height models (CHM) prepared using both, UAS-acquired lidar, and structure-from-motion (SfM) point clouds combined with a DTM from a publicly accessible lidar dataset. We assessed the performance of the U-Net and DeepLabv3 deep convolutional network architectures and two traditional machine learning techniques (support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF)) applied to seventeen coastal land cover types in the Wolf Branch Creek Coastal Nature Preserve located in west Florida. Twelve combinations of spectral bands and CHMs were used to train the classifiers. The classification algorithms were trained with a total of 3,094 polygons created from an object-based image segmentation step. A total of 747 random, ground-truth accuracy assessment points, representing all 17 classes, were used to assess the classification results. Our results using the spectral bands showed that the U-Net (83.80% - 85.27% overall accuracy) and the DeepLabV3 (75.20% - 83.50% overall accuracy) deep learning techniques outperformed the SVM (60.50%-71.10% overall accuracy) and the RF (57.40% -71.0%) machine learning algorithms. Adding the CHM to the spectral bands slightly increased the overall accuracy as a whole in the deep learning models, with some vegetation classifications benefitting from the additional information, while the addition of a CHM notably improved the SVM and RF results. Similarly, using bands outside the three spectral bands, namely near infrared and red edge, increased the performance of the machine learning classifiers with minimal impact on the deep learning classification results. The difference in the overall accuracies produced by the use of UAS-based lidar and SfM point clouds, as supplementary geometrical information, in the classification process were minimal across all classification techniques. Our results highlight the advantage of using deep learning networks to classify high resolution UAS images in highly diverse coastal landscapes. We also found that low-cost, three-visible-band imagery is feasible without risking a significant reduction in the classification accuracy when deep learning models are adopted.
Gomez, L.M., V.A. Meszaro, W.C. Turner and C.B. Ogbunugafor. 2020. The epidemiological signature of pathogen populations that vary in the relationship between free-living survival and virulence. Viruses, 12(9):1055. https://doi.org/10.3390/v12091055 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	September 2020	The relationship between parasite virulence and transmission is a pillar of evolutionary theory that has implications for public health. Part of this canon involves the idea that virulence and free-living survival (a key component of transmission) may have different relationships in different host–parasite systems. Most examinations of the evolution of virulence-transmission relationships—Theoretical or empirical in nature—Tend to focus on the evolution of virulence, with transmission being a secondary consideration. Even within transmission studies, the focus on free-living survival is a smaller subset, though recent studies have examined its importance in the ecology of infectious diseases. Few studies have examined the epidemic-scale consequences of variation in survival across different virulence–survival relationships. In this study, we utilize a mathematical model motivated by aspects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) natural history to investigate how evolutionary changes in survival may influence several aspects of disease dynamics at the epidemiological scale. Across virulence–survival relationships (where these traits are either positively or negatively correlated), we found that small changes (5% above and below the nominal value) in survival can have a meaningful effect on certain outbreak features, including R<sub>0</sub>, and on the size of the infectious peak in the population. These results highlight the importance of properly understanding the mechanistic relationship between virulence and parasite survival, as the evolution of increased survival across different relationships with virulence may have considerably different epidemiological signatures.
Goldberg, A., D. E. Biggins, S. Ramakrishnan, J. W. Bowser, C. J. Conway, D. A. Eads, and J. Wimsatt. 2022. Deltamethrin reduces survival of non-target small mammals. Wildlife Research 49:698-708.	May 2022
Goldberg, A. R., and C. J. Conway. 2021. Hibernation behavior of a federally-threatened ground squirrel: climate change and habitat selection implications. Journal of Mammalogy 102:574-587. doi: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab021	July 2021
Goldberg, A. R., C. J. Conway, and D. E. Biggins. 2021. Effects of experimental flea removal and plague vaccine treatments on survival of northern Idaho ground squirrels and two coexisting sciurids. Global Ecology and Conservation 26:e01489. doi: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01489.	February 2021
Goldberg, A. R., C. J. Conway, and D. E. Biggins. 2020. Flea sharing among sympatric rodent hosts: implications for potential plague effects on a threatened sciurid. Ecosphere 11(2):e03033. doi: 10.1002/ecs2.3033	February 2020
Goldberg, A. R., C. J. Conway, D. Tank, K. Andrews, D. S. Gour, and L. Waits. 2020. Diet of a rare herbivore based on DNA metabarcoding of feces: selection, seasonality, and survival. Ecology and Evolution 10:7627-7643. doi: 10.1002/ece3.6488	June 2020
Goldberg, A. R., C. J. Conway, D. Evans Mack, and G. Burak. 2020. Winter versus summer habitat selection in a threatened ground squirrel. Journal of Wildlife Management 84:1548–1559. doi: 10.1002/jwmg.21936	August 2020
Goforth, K. M. and R.R. Carthy. 2022. Tidally-driven gas exchange in beaches: implications for sea turtle nest success. Journal of Coastal Research. 38 (3): 523–537, https://doi.org/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-21-00082.1 \| Abstract	February 2022	The success of individual sea turtle nests is influenced by nest location on the beach and the resulting incubation environment. Several abiotic factors affect nest incubation, and thus nest success, but tides and gas exchange are two of the most important. The effects of tides on nest success have been well documented in regard to overwash and inundation events. However, the possible effect of tidally-driven gas exchange has received little attention. The incursion and retreat of the saltwater wedge may cause substantial movement of gases through the beach during the tidal cycle. This study quantifies the differences in tidally-driven gas exchange among beach types and shoreline elevation levels. Carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) efflux was used as a means of measuring gas movement through the beach to examine tidal effects across different beach zones and among different beach types. CO<sub>2</sub> efflux was measured throughout the tidal cycle at three distinct beaches (accreting, eroding, and nourished) at Cape San Blas, Florida. There was a general pattern of CO<sub>2</sub> efflux rising and falling throughout the tidal cycle on each beach and a difference in the CO<sub>2</sub> efflux observed among beaches and beach zones. Efflux patterns at the nourished and eroding beaches were similar, but the nourished beach exhibited a decreased and dampened CO<sub>2</sub> efflux pattern throughout the course of the tidal cycle. Analyses of the hatchling turtle emergence success data from 2011 to 2014 for the three beaches found that emergence success differed among the three beaches. The highest emergence success was on the nourished beach, which exhibited a relatively consistent efflux pattern. These results suggest that tidally-driven gas exchange may have implications on nest incubation and survival and are a consideration in beach restoration management and best practices for coastline conservation.
Goebel, K.M., N.M. Davros, P.J. Rice, and D.E. Andersen. 2024. Effects of insecticide spray drift on arthropod prey resources of birds in grasslands in Minnesota. Journal of Wildlife Management. doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22572	March 2024
Goebel, K.M., N.M. Davros, D.E. Andersen, and P.J. Rice. 2022. Tallgrass prairie wildlife exposure to spray drift from commonly used soybean insecticides in Midwestern USA. Science of the Total Environment 818:151745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151745	November 2021
Godar, A. A. Piernicky, D. Haukos, and J. Prendergast. 2023. Ring-necked pheasant brood habitat selection and movements in an intensive agricultural landscape. Prairie Naturalist 56:107-123.	October 2023
Glassic, H. C., J. R. Junker, C. S. Guy, D. R. Lujanm, L. M. Tronstad, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, T. O. Brenden, T. Walsworth, and T. M. Koel. 2024. An invasive predator substantially alters energy flux without changing food web functional state or stability. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4240	September 2024
Glassic, H. C., D. D. Chagris, C. S. Guy, L. M. Tronstad, D. R. Lujan, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, T. O. Brenden, T. E. Walsworth, and T. M. Koel. 2023. Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout recovery in Yellowstone Lake: complex interactions among invasive species suppression, disease, and climate change. Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10998	October 2023
Glassic, H. C., C. S. Guy, T. M. Koel. 2021. Diets and stable isotope signatures of native and nonnative Leucisid fishes advances our understanding of the Yellowstone Lake food web. Fishes https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes6040051.	October 2021
Glassic, H. C., C. S. Guy, L. M. Tronstad, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, D. R. Lujan, and T. M. Koel. 2023. Decomposition rates of suppression-produced fish carcasses in a large, deep, high-elevation lake in North America. Fishes. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8080385	July 2023
Glassic, H. C., C. S. Guy, J. J. Rotella, C. J. Nagel, D. A. Schmetterling and S. R. Dalbey. 2020. Fort Peck paddlefish population survival and abundance in the Missouri River. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 36:559-567. https://doi.org/10.1111/jai.14067	June 2020
Glassic, H. C., C. S. Guy, D. R. Lujan, L. M. Tronstad, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, T. M. Koel. 2023. Diet plasticity in an invasive predator has implications for native species conservation & invasive species suppression. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279099	February 2023
Glaid, J., P. C. Gerrity, and C. S. Guy. 2021. Burbot (Lota lota) exhibit plasticity in life-history traits in a small drainage at the southwestern-most extent of the species' native range. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jai.14243	June 2021
Gladkikh, T. M., J A. Collazo, A. Torres-Abreu, A. M. Reyes, M. Molina. 2020. Factors that influence participation of Puerto Rican coffee farmers in conservation programs. Conservation Science and Practice 2020;e172.; DOI: 10.1111/csp2.172 \| Abstract	January 2020	Sustainable, conservation-oriented agricultural practices like shade coffee and agroforestry can enhance conservation objectives in tropical landscapes. Adoption of these practices, however, is influenced by numerous factors. We conducted a survey of 89 coffee farmers in Puerto Rico to understand their farming practices, experience with existing incentives, and willingness to participate in conservation programs. Quantitative analysis showed that current farming practices, farm size, and annual income from farming were associated with willingness to participate in conservation programs. Qualitative results suggested that financial considerations, conflicting state and federal incentives, lack of information about conservation programs, distrust in government, and land use restrictions might hinder participation. Some farmers perceived that sun farming – a practice incompatible with sustainable conservation - was required to be eligible for state agricultural incentives. The way some farmers practiced shade farming differed from the way suggested for conservation purposes, particularly in the type of shade trees and their cover density. Farmers highlighted the need for financial incentives to encourage adoption of shade farming. They also expressed concerns that participation in conservation programs could limit their land management autonomy. We suggest that availability of financial incentives, reconciliation of institutional barriers, increased outreach, and involvement of farmers in design of conservation programs can increase adoption and retention of conservation practices.
Gingery, T. M., D. R. Diefenbach, C. E. Pritchard, D. C. Ensminger, B. D. Wallingford, and C. S. Rosenberry. 2020. Survival is negatively associated with glucocorticoids in a wild ungulate neonate. Integrative Zoology 16:214-225. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12499 \| Download	November 2020
Gilligan-Lunda , E.K., A. Duarte, and J.T. Peterson. 2024. Habitat use of anadromous and amphidromous sturgeons in North America: a systematic review. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 81(5): 508-524. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2023-0222 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	May 2024	Sturgeons are among the most endangered fishes in the world. Although habitat restoration is often a primary mechanism to restore sturgeon populations, there is a paucity of information to identify habitat across broad scales to support these efforts due to typical small sample sizes, inadequate replication of studies, and limited spatial extent. We synthesized information across five species of amphidromous and anadromous sturgeon throughout North America to identify species-specific knowledge gaps and conduct a quantitative comparison of species-habitat relationships. Combined species habitat suitability indices indicate excellent sturgeon spawning habitat as depths between 4 – 11 meters and velocities of 0.6 – 1.4 m/s. River habitat for non-spawning fish is depths between 5.5 – 15.5 meters and velocities of 0.2 – 0.4 m/s. Estuary habitat is depths between 4 – 11 meters. No estuary velocity estimates were documented by any of the evaluated species. We provide some of the first baseline estimates of habitat use for many populations that can contribute towards development of empirically grounded decision support tools used for management decision making and to prioritize information needs for recovery.
Gilligan, E., Stich, D., Mills, K., Bailey, M., Mills, K., and Zydlewski, J. (accepted) Climate change may cause shifts in growth and instantaneous natural mortality of American Shad throughout their native range. \| Download	May 2021
Gilbertson, M.L.J., L.J. Long, H.N. Inzalaco, W.C. Turner, D.J. Storm. 2024. Effective field sampling of rectoanal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue for antemortem chronic wasting disease testing in white-tailed deer, Journal of Wildlife Diseases. https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-24-00020 \| Abstract	July 2024	Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease of cervids which has spread across much of North America. While gold standard CWD diagnostics involve postmortem testing of medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes or obex (brainstem), a key tissue sample for antemortem testing is rectoanal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (RAMALT). However, collection of an adequate sample (i.e., enough lymphoid follicles) may be affected by factors such as deer age, repeated sampling, skill of the sampler, and adverse conditions during collection. Here, we document the protocol used to train personnel for RAMALT collection in a large study of free-ranging white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) in Wisconsin, USA, and determine factors that contributed to the occurrence of inadequate RAMALT samples. Our training protocol included hands-on experience with postmortem tissues, as well as a mentored collection process in the field. RAMALT collection under field conditions was highly successful, with 763 of 806 (94.7%) samples deemed adequate for subsequent testing. While inadequate samples were rare, they were more likely to occur with older deer and when samples were collected at dusk (i.e., limited ambient lighting). We conclude that RAMALT collection can be highly successful under adverse field conditions, including with technicians with limited prior veterinary experience, and we provide details of our training program to facilitate repeatability in other ante-mortem CWD testing efforts.
Gilbertson, M.L.J., E.E. Brandell, M. Pinkerton, N. Meaux, M. Hunsaker, D. Jarosinski, W. Ellarson, D.P. Walsh, D.J. Storm, W.C. Turner. 2022. Cause of death, pathology, and chronic wasting disease status of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) mortalities in Wisconsin, Journal of Wildlife Diseases, https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-21-00202 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2022	White-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus) are a critical species for ecosystem function and wildlife management. As such, studies of cause-specific mortality among WTD have long been used to understand population dynamics. However, detailed pathological information is rarely documented for free-ranging WTD, especially in regions with a high prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD). This leaves a critical gap in understanding how CWD affects the prevalence of other disease processes or comorbidities which may subsequently alter broader population dynamics. In this study, we investigated unknown mortalities among GPS or VHF collared WTD in southwestern Wisconsin, an area of high CWD prevalence. We tested for associations between CWD and other disease processes and used a network approach to test for clusters of co-occurrences of disease processes. Predation and infectious disease were top causes of death, with high prevalence of CWD (42.4%; n = 245) and pneumonia (51.2%; n = 168) in our sample. CWD prevalence increased with age, before decreasing among older individuals, with more older females than males in our sample. Females were more likely to be CWD positive, and while this was not statistically significant when accounting for age, females were significantly more likely to die with end-stage CWD than were males and may consequently be an underrecognized source of CWD transmission. Diagnosis of CWD was associated with emaciation, atrophy of marrow fat, and ectoparasitism (lice, ticks). Occurrences of severe infectious disease pathologies clustered together (e.g., pneumonia, CWD), as compared to non-infectious or low severity processes (e.g., sarcocystosis). However, pneumonia cases were not fully explained by CWD status. With the prevalence of CWD increasing across North America, our results highlight the critical importance of understanding the role of CWD in favoring or maintaining disease processes of importance for deer population health and dynamics.
Gilbertson, M.L.J., A. Ketz, M. Hunsaker, D. Jarosinski, W. Ellarson, D.P. Walsh, D.J. Storm, W.C. Turner. 2022. Agricultural land use shapes dispersal in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Movement Ecology, 10:43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-022-00342-5 \| Abstract	October 2022	<b>Background:</b> Dispersal is a fundamental process to animal population dynamics and gene flow. In white-tailed deer (WTD; <i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>), dispersal also presents an increasingly relevant risk for the spread of infectious diseases. Across their wide range, WTD dispersal is believed to be driven by a suite of landscape and host behavioral factors, but these can vary by region, season, and sex. Our objectives were to (1) identify dispersal events in Wisconsin WTD and determine drivers of dispersal rates and distances, and (2) determine how landscape features (e.g., rivers, roads) structure deer dispersal paths.<br><b>Methods: </b>We developed an algorithmic approach to detect dispersal events from GPS collar data for 590 juvenile, yearling, and adult WTD. We used statistical models to identify host and landscape drivers of dispersal rates and distances, including the role of agricultural land use, the traversability of the landscape, and potential interactions between deer. We then performed a step selection analysis to determine how landscape features such as agricultural land use, elevation, rivers, and roads affected deer dispersal paths.<br><b>Results: </b>Dispersal predominantly occurred in juvenile males, of which 64.2% dispersed, with dispersal events uncommon in other sex and age classes. Juvenile male dispersal probability was positively associated with the proportion of the natal range that was classified as agricultural land use, but only during the spring. Dispersal distances were typically short (median 5.77km, range: 1.3 - 68.3km), especially in the fall. Further, dispersal distances were positively associated with agricultural land use in potential dispersal paths but negatively associated with the number of proximate deer in the natal range. Lastly, we found that, during dispersal, juvenile males typically avoided agricultural land use but selected for areas near rivers and streams.<br><b>Conclusions: </b>Land use—particularly agricultural—was a key driver of dispersal rates, distances, and paths in Wisconsin WTD. In addition, our results support the importance of deer social environments in shaping dispersal behavior. Our findings reinforce knowledge of dispersal ecology in WTD and how landscape factors—including major rivers, roads, and land-use patterns—structure host gene flow and potential pathogen transmission.<br><br>
Gilbertson, M.L.J., A. Ketz, M. Hunsaker, D. Jarosinski, W. Ellarson, D.P. Walsh, D.J. Storm, W.C. Turner. 2022. Agricultural land use shapes dispersal in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Movement Ecology, 10:43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-022-00342-5 \| Abstract	October 2022	<b>Background:</b> Dispersal is a fundamental process to animal population dynamics and gene flow. In white-tailed deer (WTD; <i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>), dispersal also presents an increasingly relevant risk for the spread of infectious diseases. Across their wide range, WTD dispersal is believed to be driven by a suite of landscape and host behavioral factors, but these can vary by region, season, and sex. Our objectives were to (1) identify dispersal events in Wisconsin WTD and determine drivers of dispersal rates and distances, and (2) determine how landscape features (e.g., rivers, roads) structure deer dispersal paths.<br><b>Methods: </b>We developed an algorithmic approach to detect dispersal events from GPS collar data for 590 juvenile, yearling, and adult WTD. We used statistical models to identify host and landscape drivers of dispersal rates and distances, including the role of agricultural land use, the traversability of the landscape, and potential interactions between deer. We then performed a step selection analysis to determine how landscape features such as agricultural land use, elevation, rivers, and roads affected deer dispersal paths.<br><b>Results: </b>Dispersal predominantly occurred in juvenile males, of which 64.2% dispersed, with dispersal events uncommon in other sex and age classes. Juvenile male dispersal probability was positively associated with the proportion of the natal range that was classified as agricultural land use, but only during the spring. Dispersal distances were typically short (median 5.77km, range: 1.3 - 68.3km), especially in the fall. Further, dispersal distances were positively associated with agricultural land use in potential dispersal paths but negatively associated with the number of proximate deer in the natal range. Lastly, we found that, during dispersal, juvenile males typically avoided agricultural land use but selected for areas near rivers and streams.<br><b>Conclusions: </b>Land use—particularly agricultural—was a key driver of dispersal rates, distances, and paths in Wisconsin WTD. In addition, our results support the importance of deer social environments in shaping dispersal behavior. Our findings reinforce knowledge of dispersal ecology in WTD and how landscape factors—including major rivers, roads, and land-use patterns—structure host gene flow and potential pathogen transmission.
Gilbertson, M. L., Ketz, A. C., Hunsaker, M., Jarosinski, D., Ellarson, W., Walsh, D. P., ... & Turner, W. C. (2022). Agricultural land use shapes dispersal in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Movement Ecology, 10(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-022-00342-5 \| Abstract	October 2022	Dispersal is a fundamental process to animal population dynamics and gene flow. In white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus), dispersal also presents an increasingly relevant risk for the spread of infectious diseases. Across their wide range, WTD dispersal is believed to be driven by a suite of landscape and host behavioral factors, but these can vary by region, season, and sex. Our objectives were to (1) identify dispersal events in Wisconsin WTD and determine drivers of dispersal rates and distances, and (2) determine how landscape features (e.g., rivers, roads) structure deer dispersal paths.
Gilbertson, M. L., Brandell, E. E., Pinkerton, M. E., Meaux, N. M., Hunsaker, M., Jarosinski, D., ... & Turner, W. C. (2022). CAUSE OF DEATH, PATHOLOGY, AND CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE STATUS OF WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) MORTALITIES IN WISCONSIN, USA. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 58(4), 803-815. https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-21-00202 \| Abstract	October 2022	White-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus) are a critical species for ecosystem function and wildlife management. As such, studies of cause-specific mortality among WTD have long been used to understand population dynamics. However, detailed pathological information is rarely documented for free-ranging WTD, especially in regions with a high prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD). This leaves a significant gap in understanding how CWD is associated with disease processes or comorbidities that may subsequently alter broader population dynamics. We investigated unknown mortalities among collared WTD in southwestern Wisconsin, USA, an area of high CWD prevalence. We tested for associations between CWD and other disease processes and used a network approach to test for co-occurring disease processes. Predation and infectious disease were leading suspected causes of death, with high prevalence of CWD (42.4%; of 245 evaluated) and pneumonia (51.2%; of 168 evaluated) in our sample. CWD prevalence increased with age, before decreasing among older individuals, with more older females than males in our sample. Females were more likely to be CWD positive, and although this was not statistically significant when accounting for age, females were significantly more likely to die with end-stage CWD than males and may consequently be an underrecognized source of CWD transmission. Presence of CWD was associated with emaciation, atrophy of marrow fat and hematopoietic cells, and ectoparasitism (lice and ticks). Occurrences of severe infectious disease processes clustered together (e.g., pneumonia, CWD), as compared to noninfectious or low-severity processes (e.g., sarcocystosis), although pneumonia cases were not fully explained by CWD status. With the prevalence of CWD increasing across North America, our results highlight the critical importance of understanding the potential role of CWD in favoring or maintaining disease processes of importance for deer population health and dynamics.
Gigliotti, L.M., T. L. Teel, and S. J. Riley. 2020. Human dimensions of cougar management: Public attitudes and values. In J. A. Jenks, editor. Managing Cougars in North America, 2nd Edition. Jack H. Berryman Institute, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA.	September 2020
Gigliotti, L.M., Sweikert, L.A., Cornicelli, L. Fulton, D.C. 2020. Minnesota landowners’ trust in their department of natural resources, salient values similarity and wildlife value orientations. Environment Systems and Decisions 40:577-587. DOI: 10.1007/s10669-020-09766-z \| Abstract	March 2020	Due to extensive land conversion over the last century, much of the native prairie pothole ecosystem has been converted to agricultural or other human uses. The prairie pothole ecosystem is found in the northern plains of Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. Because most of the land in this region is privately owned and used for agricultural production, most impacts to wildlife habitat are the result of decisions by individual landowners. Landowner trust in natural resource management agencies is important for agencies to effectively accomplish their mission. We measured the nature (competence and fairness) and level of trust that western Minnesota landowners have in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) and landowners’ wildlife value orientations (WVO). Landowners rated MnDNR slightly higher in competence than fairness; however, these two dimensions were strongly correlated. We developed a MnDNR trust scale (six items) and a three-cluster model dividing landowners along the MnDNR trust scale, which we named Negative (28%), Neutral (43%), and Positive (29%). We provide evidence supporting the salient values similarity (SVS) model that states people have trust in agencies holding similar values; landowners reporting greater importance for wildlife consideration when making land-use decisions also reported greater trust in the MnDNR. In addition, mutualist landowners had the highest trust in the MnDNR and utilitarian landowners the lowest level of trust, which is opposite of the trust relationship reported for the general public with state wildlife agencies. Based on the SVS model, our results suggest that mutualist landowners perceive greater congruence with MnDNR goals related to wildlife habitat compared to utilitarian landowners.
Gigliotti, L.C., W. Xu, G. Zuckerman, M.P. Atwood, E. Cole, A. Courtemanch, S. Dewey, J. Gude, P. Hnilicka, M. Hurley, M.J. Kauffman, K. Kroetz, A. Lawson, B. Leonard, D. MacNulty, E. Maichack, D. McWhirter, T. Mong, K. Proffitt, B. Scurlock, D. Stahler, and A.D. Middleton. 2022. Wildlife migrations highlight importance of both private lands and protected areas in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Biological Conservation 275: 109752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109752	November 2022
Gigliotti, L.C., L. Keener, L.H. Swanepoel, C. Sholto-Douglas, A. Hunnicutt, and G. Curveria-Santos. 2023. Positive but un-sustained wildlife community responses to reserve expansion and mammal reintroduction in South Africa. Biological Conservation 287: 110277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110277.	November 2023
Gigliotti, L.C., E.S. Boyd, and D.R. Diefenbach. 2024. Delayed positive responses of snowshoe hares to prescribed burning in a fire-adapted ecosystem. Animal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12959 \| Download	June 2024
Gigliotti, L. G., and L. A. Sweikert. 2019. Age, succession planning and wildlife values of upper Midwest landowners. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science, 98:53-75.	December 2019
Gigliotti, L. C., N. D. Berg, R. Boonstra, S. M. Cleveland., D. Diefenbach, E. M. Gese, J. S. Ivan, K. Kielland, C. J. Krebs, A. V. Kumar, L. S. Mills, J. N. Pauli, H B. Underwood, E. C. Wilson, M. J. Sheriff. 2020. Latitudinal variation in snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) body mass: A test of Bergmann’s Rule. Canadian Journal of Zoology 98:88-95. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2019-0184 \| Download	January 2020
Gigliotti, L. C., M. P. Atwood, E. K. Cole, A. Courtemanch, S. Dewey, J. A. Gude, M. Hurley, M. Kauffman, K. Kroetz, B. Leonard, D. MacNulty, E. Maichak, D. McWhirter, T. W. Mong, K. Proffitt, B. Scurlock, D. Stahler, and A. D. Middleton. 2023. Multi-level avoidance thresholds of residential and agricultural land use for elk across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Journal of Applied Ecology 60(6): 1089-1099.	June 2023
Gigliotti et al. Wildlife migrations highlight importance of both private lands and protected areas in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem	November 2022
Giese, J.C., M. Agee, C.G. Campbell, A. Hatch, C. Mitsdarfer, Ann-Ultelie Poincon, R. C. Russell, H. N. Chamberlain-Irwin, M. Kastner, D. Franklin, and R.W. Klaver. 2023. Book Review: Restoring the Balance: What Wolves Tell Us About Our Relationship with Nature. Journal of Mammalogy 104:425-427 \| Download	April 2023
Giese, J. C., L. A. Schulte, and R. W. Klaver. 2024. Bird community response to field-level integration of prairie strips. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 374:9075-9075.	July 2024
Gicklhorn, T.S., C.W. Boal, and P.K. Borsdorf. 2020. Lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) use of man-made water sources. Southwestern Naturalist 65:197-204.	January 2022
Ghoddousi, A., Buchholtz, E.K., Dietsch, A.M., Williamson, M.A., Sharma, S., Balkenhol, N., Kuemmerle, T. and Dutta, T., 2021. Anthropogenic resistance: accounting for human behavior in wildlife connectivity planning. One Earth, 4(1), pp.39-48. doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2020.12.003 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2021	Maintaining or restoring connectivity among wildlife populations is a primary strategy to overcome the negative impacts of habitat fragmentation. Yet, current connectivity planning efforts typically assess landscape resistance, the ability of organisms to cross various biophysical elements in a landscape, while overlooking the various ways in which human behaviors influence connectivity. Here, we introduce the concept of “anthropogenic resistance” to capture the impacts of human behaviors on species' movement through a landscape. We discuss psychological and socioeconomic factors that influence the degree of anthropogenic resistance, such as the economic value or the risks posed by a species, and suggest methods to estimate and include anthropogenic resistance in connectivity analyses. Finally, we highlight how addressing anthropogenic resistance through a social-ecological perspective can lead to better outcomes for both humans and wildlife. We call for multidisciplinary approaches in connectivity planning to ensure the functionality of landscapes and sustainability of populations in the long term.
Ghere, C. L., R. S. Hardy, S. M. Wilson, and M. C. Quist. 2024. Validation of techniques for estimating the age and growth of known-age White Sturgeon. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 44:880-889.	August 2024
Ghere, C. L., M. C. Quist, R. S. Hardy, M. Willmes, L. S. Lewis, S. M. Wilson, and T. W. Smith. 2024. An evaluation of fin ray microchemistry to describe movement of White Sturgeon in the Kootenai River basin: insights and limitations. Frontiers in Freshwater Science 2:1475115. doi: 10.3389/wsc.2024.1475115	September 2024
Gese, E.M., P.A. Terletzky, H.S. Cooley, F.F. Knowlton, and R.C. Lonsinger. Survey and Monitoring Methods for Furbearers in T.L. Hiller, R.D. Applegate, R.D. Bluett, S.N. Frey, E.M. Gese, and J.F. Organ (Eds.). Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America (2^nd Edition). Wildlife Ecology Institute. https://doi.org/10.59438/QXDE4827	January 2024
Gerth, W.J., Murphy, C.A., and Arismendi, I. 2023. Caddisfly dives for oviposition: Record-shattering depths and poor life choices in a dammed river system. Freshwater Science. https://doi.org/10.1086/724053	January 2023
Gerth W., Li J., Van Driesche, R., Murphy C., Ganio L. and Skaugset A. 2022. Local and sub-basin effects of timber harvests on stream macroinvertebrates in Hinkle Creek watershed. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119923 \| Publisher Website	February 2022
Geremia, C. et al. Reply to Joseph M. Craine: Bison redefine what it means to move to find food. for PNAS	April 2020
Gerber, BD, Mosher, B, Bailey, L, Muths, E, Crockett, H, and Converse, SJ. 2023.Optimal management decisions are robust to unknown dynamics in an amphibian metapopulation plagued by disease. Animal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12877	May 2023
Gerber, BD and Northrup, JM. 2020. Improving spatial predictions of animal resourceselection to guide conservation decision making. Ecology, 101:e02953. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2953 \| Download	January 2020
Gerber, B. D., Devarajan, K., Farris, Z. J., & Fidino, M. (2024). A model-based hypothesis framework to define and estimate the diel niche via the ‘Diel.Niche’ R package. Journal of Animal Ecology, 00, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.14035 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2024	How animals use the diel period (24-h light–dark cycle) is of fundamental importance to understand their niche. While ecological and evolutionary literature abound with discussion of diel phenotypes (e.g. diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular, cathemeral), they lack clear and explicit quantitative definitions. As such, inference can be confounded when evaluating hypotheses of animal diel niche switching or plasticity across studies because researchers may be operating under different definitions of diel phenotypes. We propose quantitative definitions of diel phenotypes using four alternative hypothesis sets (maximizing, traditional, general and selection) aimed at achieving different objectives. Each hypothesis set is composed of mutually exclusive hypotheses defined based on the activity probabilities in the three fundamental periods of light availability (twilight, daytime and night-time). We develop a Bayesian modelling framework that compares diel phenotype hypotheses using Bayes factors and estimates model parameters using a multinomial model with linear inequality constraints. Model comparison, parameter estimation and visualizing results can be done in the Diel.Niche R package. A simplified R Shiny web application is also available.We provide extensive simulation results to guide researchers on the power to discriminate among hypotheses for a range of sample sizes (10–1280). We also work through several examples of using data to make inferences on diel activity, and include online vignettes on how to use the Diel.Niche package. We demonstrate how our modelling framework complements other analyses, such as circular kernel density estimators and animal movement modelling.Our aim is to encourage standardization of the language of diel activity and bridge conceptual frameworks and hypotheses in diel research with data and models. Lastly, we hope more research focuses on the ecological and conservation importance of understanding how animals use diel time.
Gerber BD, BA Mosher, LL Bailey, E Muths, HJ Crockett, and SJ Converse. 2024. Optimal management decisions are robust to unknown dynamics in an amphibian metapopulation plagued by disease. Animal Conservation 27:65-77.	February 2024
Gehrt, J.M., D.S. Sullins, and D.A. Haukos. 2020. Looking at the bigger picture: how abundance of nesting and brooding habitat influences lek-site selection by lesser prairie-chickens. American Midland Naturalist 183:52-77.	January 2020
Gehrt, J.M., D.A. Moon, S.C. Stratton, and D.A. Haukos. 2022. Role of landscape features in resource selection by female Greater Prairie-chickens within a constrained environment. Global Ecology and Conservation 38 (2022):e02267.	August 2022
Gehrt, J.M, D.S. Sullins, B.H.F. Verheijen, and D.A. Haukos. 2023. Extrinsic variables most influence incubation behavior and nest success of an imperiled grouse species. Ecology and Evolution 13:e10509.	September 2023
Gehrt, J. M., D. S. Sullins, B. H. F. Verheijen, and D. A. Haukos. 2023. Lesser Prairie-chicken incubation behavior and nest success most influenced by nest vegetation structure. Ecology and Evolution, 13: ece3.10509. DOI:10.1002/ece3.10509.	March 2023
Gehrt, J. M.*, D. S. Sullins, and D. A. Haukos. 2020. Looking at the bigger picture: how abundance of nesting and brooding habitat influences lek-site selection by lesser prairie-chickens. American Midland Naturalist 183:52–77. DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-183.1.52.	January 2021
Gedir, J.V., J.W. Cain III, T.L. Swetnam, P.R. Krausman, and J.R. Morgart. 2020. Extreme drought and adaptive resource selection by a desert mammal. Ecosphere 11(7):e03175. \| Abstract \| Download	July 2020	We examined habitat selection in desert bighorn sheep in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona, USA, at multiple spatial and temporal scales to gain insight into how desert ungulates respond to variations in climatic conditions. This study highlights the importance of identifying resource selection at both spatial and temporal scales when investigating the interrelationship between species and their environment. It provides insight into the dynamics of resource selection in a desert ungulate, and how they respond to constraints imposed on them by their environment. This work provides an adaptive framework that can serve to inform strategies for managing and conserving species living in arid environments when faced with climate change.
Gedir, J.V., J.W. Cain III, B.C. Lubow, T. Karish, D.K. Delaney, and G.W. Roemer. 2021. Estimating abundance and simulating fertility control in a feral burro population. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:1187-1199. \| Download	July 2021
Gaynor, K. M., McInturff, A., & Brashares, J. S. (2022). Contrasting patterns of risk from human and non‐human predators shape temporal activity of prey. Journal of Animal Ecology, 91(1), 46-60. \| Abstract	January 2022	Spatiotemporal variation in predation risk arises from interactions between landscape heterogeneity, predator densities and predator hunting mode, generating landscapes of fear for prey species that can have important effects on prey behaviour and ecosystem dynamics. As widespread apex predators, humans present a significant source of risk for hunted animal populations. Spatiotemporal patterns of risk from hunters can overlap or contrast with patterns of risk from other predators. Human infrastructure can also reshape spatial patterns of risk by facilitating or impeding hunter or predator movement, or deterring predators that are themselves wary of humans. We examined how anthropogenic and natural landscape features interact with hunting modes of rifle hunters and mountain lions <i>Puma concolor</i> to generate spatiotemporal patterns of risk for their primary prey. We explored the implications of human-modified landscapes of fear for Columbian black-tailed deer <i>Odocoileus hemionus columbianus</i> in Mendocino County, California. We used historical harvest records, hunter GPS trackers and camera trap records of mountain lions to model patterns of risk for deer. We then used camera traps to examine deer spatial and temporal activity patterns in response to this variation in risk. Hunters and mountain lions exhibited distinct, contrasting patterns of spatiotemporal activity. Risk from rifle hunters, who rely on long lines of sight, was highest in open grasslands and near roads and was confined to the daytime. Risk from mountain lions, an ambush predator, was highest in dense shrubland habitat, farther from developed areas, and during the night and crepuscular periods. Areas of human settlement provided a refuge from both hunters and mountain lions. We found no evidence that deer avoided risk in space at the scale of our observations, but deer adjusted their temporal activity patterns to reduce the risk of encounters with humans and mountain lions in areas of higher risk. Our study demonstrates that interactions between human infrastructure, habitat cover and predator hunting mode can result in distinct spatial patterns of predation risk from hunters and other predators that may lead to trade-offs for prey species. However, distinct diel activity patterns of predators may create vacant hunting domains that reduce costly trade-offs for prey. Our study highlights the importance of temporal partitioning as a mechanism of predation risk avoidance.
Gaya, H. E., L. L. Smith, and C. T. Moore. 2022. Accounting for spatial heterogeneity in visual obstruction in line-transect distance sampling of gopher tortoises. Journal of Wildlife Management e22338. http://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22338	November 2022
Gaughan, S., J. A. Kyndt, J. D. Haas, K. D. Steffensen, P. M. Kočovský, and K. L. Pope. 2023. Using the gut microbiome to assess stocking efforts of the endangered Pallid Sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus. Life 13:309. \| Download	January 2023
Gaughan, S. J., K. L. Pope, J. A. White, C. A. Lemen, and P. W. Freeman. 2020. Mitochondrial genome of northern long-eared bat. Mitochondrial DNA, Part B 5:3610-3611. \| Download	October 2020
Gatch, A. Z. Biesinger, E. Bruestly, C. Karboski, K. Lee, T. Wagner, M. Bartron, D. Gorsky. 2021. Discovery of Successful River Spawning by Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in the Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario.	January 2021
Gary, R.A., J.M. Long, B.T. Eachus, A.R. Dzialowski, and J.D. Schooley. 2024. Factors associated with Paddlefish restoration success in Oklahoma. Fisheries Management and Ecology 31:e12677. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12677	December 2023
Garwood, Tyler, Lehman, Chadwick P., Walsh, Daniel P., Cassirer, E. Frances, Besser, Thomas E., Jenks, Jonathan A. 2020. Removal of chronic Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae carrier ewes eliminates pneumonia in a bighorn sheep population. Ecology and Evolution 10: 3491-3502. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6146	January 2020
Garton, E. O., J. L. Aycrigg, C. J. Conway, and J.S. Horne. 2020. Research and Experimental Design. Pages 1-39 in The Wildlife Techniques Manual, Volume 1:Research, 8th Edition (N. J. Silvy, ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.	July 2020
Garshelis, D.L., K. Pigeon, M. Hwang, M. Proctor, W.J. McShea, A.K. Fuller, and D.J. Morin. The need to step-up monitoring of Asian bears. Global Ecology and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02087	January 2022
Garrett, M., S. Nerkowski, S. Blair, N. Campbell, S. Barbosa, C. J. Conway, P. Hohenlohe, and L. P. Waits. 2024. Development and validation of a GT-seq panel for genetic monitoring in a threatened species using minimally invasive sampling. Ecology & Evolution 14:e11321.	May 2024
Gardner B, BT McClintock, SJ Converse, and NJ Hostetter. 2022. Integrated animal movement and spatial capture-recapture models: simulation, implementation, and inference. Ecology:e3771.	May 2022
Garcia, V., C. J. Conway, and C. Nadeau. 2024. Experimental changes in food and ectoparasites affect dispersal timing in juvenile burrowing owls. PLoS ONE 19(7): e0306660.	December 2024
Ganoe, L.S., M.J. Lovallo, J.D. Brown, and W.D. Walter. 2020. Ecology of an isolated muskrat population during regional population declines. Northeastern Naturalist. 28(1);49-64. DOI: 10.1656/045.028.0104 \| Abstract	February 2021	Evidence indicating a decline in muskrat populations in the United States during the past 40 years has led to speculation in regard to factors influencing muskrat survival. In order to understand population dynamics and survival, it is important to first understand the ecology of local populations. We investigated the dwelling structure use, movements, home range, and survival of radio-tagged muskrats (n = 17) in an urban wetland complex in central Pennsylvania. We used locations collected from intensive radio telemetry monitoring to determine number of lodging structures used, hourly movement, and size and percent area overlap of home ranges. Muskrats shared an average of nine lodging structures and on average 68% of a muskrat’s home range overlapped other muskrat home ranges. We used four home range estimators (Kernel Density Estimator (KDE) <i><sub>href</sub></i>, KDE<i><sub>ad hoc</sub></i>, KDE<i><sub>plug-in</sub></i>, and Local Convex Hull estimator) to assess the ability of each estimator in representing muskrat home ranges. The KDE<i><sub>plug-in</sub></i> that constrained the estimate of home range to habitat boundaries provided the more appropriate home range size for muskrats in a linear-non-linear habitat matrix. We also calculated overwinter survival estimates using known-fate models in Program MARK®. Our top model indicated a positive effect of the average weekly precipitation on survival with an overwinter survival estimate of 0.59 (SE = 0.16). The main cause of muskrat mortality was mink (n = 6). Our model suggests that snowfall may be an important factor in muskrat survival. Our study provides novel data on muskrat ecology in Pennsylvania as well as preliminary evidence for future investigations of climate’s impact on muskrat survival during the winter months.
Ganoe, L.S., J.D. Brown, M.J. Yabsley, M.J. Lovallo, and W.D. Walter. 2020. A review of pathogens, diseases, and contaminants of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) in North America. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7:233. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00233. \| Abstract	May 2020	Over the last 50 years, significant muskrat (<i>Ondatra zibethicus</i>) harvest declines have been observed throughout North America. Several theories for the decline have been proposed, including increased parasite infections and disease within muskrat populations. No existing wholistic review of muskrat exposure to pathogens, contaminants, and diseases exists. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a thorough review of existing literature on muskrat pathogens, contaminants, and diseases across their natural range. This review is comprised of 129 articles from 1915-2019were and from 27 U.S. states and 9 Canadian provinces. A wide diversity of contaminants, toxins, and pathogens were reported in muskrats, with the most common diseases being cysticercosis, tularemia, Tyzzer’s disease, and biotoxin poisoning from cyanobacteria. This review provides a summary of muskrat pathogens, contaminants, and disease over a century that has observed significant population declines throughout the species’ range in North America. Such data provides baseline data for understanding the potential role of disease in these declines. In addition, these data highlight critical knowledge gaps that warrant future research efforts.
Ganoe, L.S., J.D. Brown, M.J. Lovallo, M.J. Yabsley, K.B. Garrett, A.T. Thompson, R.H. Poppenga, M.G. Ruder, and W.D. Walter. 2021. Surveillance for diseases, pathogens, and toxicants of muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) in Pennsylvania and surrounding regions. PlosONE 16(12):e0260987. \| Abstract	December 2021	Using diagnostic data and contemporary sampling efforts, we conducted surveillance for a diversity of pathogens, toxicants, and diseases of muskrats (<i>Ondatra zibethicus</i>). Between 1977 and 2019, 26 diagnostic cases were examined from Kansas and throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, USA. We identified multiple causes of mortality in muskrats, but trauma (8/26), Tyzzer’s disease (5/6), and cysticercosis (5/26) were the most common. We also conducted necropsies, during November 2018 - January 2019 Pennsylvania muskrat trapping season, on 380 trapper-harvested muskrat carcasses after the pelt was removed. Tissue samples and exudate were tested for presence of or exposure to a suite of pathogens and contaminants. Gastrointestinal tracts were examined for helminths. Intestinal helminths were present in 39.2% of necropsied muskrats, with <i>Hymenolepis</i> spp. (62%) and echinostome spp. (44%) being the most common. Molecular testing identified a low prevalence of infection with <i>Clostridium piliforme </i>in the feces and <i>Sarcocystis</i> spp. in the heart. We detected a low seroprevalence to <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> (1/380)<i>.</i> No muskrats were positive for <i>Francisella tularensis </i>or <i>Babesia </i>spp. Cysticercosis was detected in 20% (5/26) of diagnostic cases and 15% (57/380) of our trapper-harvested muskrats. Toxic concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, or mercury were not detected in tested liver samples. Copper, molybdenum, and zinc concentrations were detected at acceptable levels comparative to previous studies. Parasite intensity and abundance were typical of historic reports; however, younger muskrats had higher intensity of infection than older muskrats which is contradictory to what has been previously reported. A diversity of pathogens and contaminants have been reported from muskrats, but the associated disease impacts are poorly understood. Our data are consistent with historic reports and highlight the wide range of parasites, pathogens and contaminants harbored by muskrats in Pennsylvania. The data collected are a critical component in assessing overall muskrat health and serve as a basis for understanding the impacts of disease on recent muskrat population declines.
Ganoe, L. S., Mayer, A. E., Brown, C., & Gerber, B. D. (2024). Mesocarnivore sensitivity to natural and anthropogenic disturbance leads to declines in occurrence and concern for species persistence. Ecology and Evolution, 14, e70043. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70043 \| Download	July 2024
Ganoe, L, Mayer, AE, Brown, C, and Gerber, BD. 2024. Fisher activity patterns show potential for behavioral adaptations to human modified landscapes. Global Ecology and Conservation, e03225, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03225 \| Abstract \| Download	October 2024	Animals alter their diel activity in response to physiological constraints and ecological conditions. Fisher (<i>Pekania pennanti</i>) activity is known to vary through the diel cycle and change in response to cold stress and generally through both the climatic and biological seasons. However, less is known whether thermoregulatory effects impact fisher activity in milder climates and in areas of high human disturbance. We focused on two distinct research objectives to understand the 1) physiological constraints, and 2) ecological components of fisher activity in a highly disturbed landscape with a relatively mild climate. We used accelerometer data from 34 individual live-captured fisher in Rhode Island, USA from 2021-2023. We found that fisher activity patterns were primarily driven by diel cycle with higher activity levels at night than during the day. We did not observe any physiological influence of ambient temperature on fisher activity; daily minimum temperatures did not constrain fisher activity in the colder months, nor did daily maximum temperatures in warmer months. We did find that female activity levels differed by breeding status with non-pregnant females having higher activity levels than pregnant females. Considering ecological components, we found fisher decreased activity levels in higher road density areas during warmer months that coincide with higher traffic volumes. For fisher living in areas with lower road densities, we saw higher activity in the breeding season and summer than in winter. In contrast, fisher living in areas with high road densities had lower activity in the breeding season and summer than in winter. We conclude that fisher largely do not shift their activity to mitigate thermoregulatory costs in areas where temperatures do not reach extremes for extended periods of time. However, our findings suggest that behavioral shifts in activity are impacted by human disturbance and fisher minimize activity in risky areas.
Gallo, T, Fidino, M, Gerber, BD, Ahlers, AA, Angstmann, JA, et al. 2022. Mammals adjust diel activity across gradients of urbanization. eLife, 11:e74756. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.74756 \| Download	March 2022
Gallman, C.W., T.W. Arnold, E.S. Michel, and J.D. Stafford. 2023. Evaluation of fall-seeded cover crops for grassland nesting waterfowl in eastern South Dakota. Wildlife Society Bulletin. e1484. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1484	September 2023
Galbraith, S.M., Valente, J.J., Dunn, C.J. and Rivers, J.W. (2024), Both Landsat- and LiDAR-derived measures predict forest bee response to large-scale wildfire. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation 10: 24-38. https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.354 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	July 2023	Large-scale disturbances such as wildfire can have profound impacts on the composition, structure, and functioning of ecosystems. Bees are critical pollinators in natural settings and often respond positively to wildfires, particularly in forests where wildfire leads to more open conditions and increased floral resources. The use of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) provides opportunities for quantifying habitat features across large spatial scales and is increasingly available to scientists and land managers for post-fire habitat assessment. We evaluated the extent to which LiDAR-derived forest structure measurements can predict forest bee communities after a large, mixed-severity fire. We hypothesized that LiDAR measurements linked to post-fire forest structure would improve our ability to predict bee abundance and species richness when compared to satellite-based maps of burn severity. To test this hypothesis, we sampled wild bee communities within the Douglas Fire Complex in southwestern Oregon, USA. We then used LiDAR and Landsat data to quantify forest structure and burn severity, respectively, across bee sampling locations. We found that the LiDAR forest structure model was the best predictor of abundance, whereas the Landsat burn severity model had better predictive ability for species richness. Furthermore, the Landsat burn severity model was better at predicting the presence and species richness of bumble bees (<i>Bombus spp.</i>), an ecologically distinct and economically important group within the Pacific Northwest. We posit that the divergent responses of the two modeling approaches are due to distinct responses by bee taxa to variation in forest structure as mediated by wildfire, with bumble bees in particular depending on closed-canopy forest for some portions of their life cycle. Our study demonstrates that LiDAR data can provide information regarding the drivers of bee abundance in post-wildfire conifer forest, and that both remote sensing approaches are useful for predicting components of wild bee diversity after large-scale wildfire.
Galat, D. L., P. Braaten, C. S. Guy, T. Horton, D. Moser, C. Pukert. 2023. Missouri River. Pages 411– 453 in M. Delong, T. Jardine, A. Benke, and C. Cushing, editors. Rivers of North America. Elsevier, Oxford. ISBN: 9780128188477	April 2023
Gagnon, P., L. Battaglia, B. Hanberry, W. Conner, and S.L. King. 2021. Chapter 6. Fire in floodplain forests of the southeastern United States. Pages 201-242 In: B Collins and C.H. Greenberg, eds. Fire Ecology and Management: Past, Present, and Future of US Forested Ecosystems. Vol. 39. Springer/Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73267-7_6	June 2021
Futia, M.H., Binder, T.R., Henderson, M.J., J.E. Marsden. Modelling broad-scale occupancy of fishes using acoustic telemetry: a model comparison framework applied to lake trout. Submitted to Animal Biotelemetry. \| Abstract	September 2024	Acoustic telemetry is a common tool used in fisheries management to estimate fish space use (i.e., occupancy) from a local habitat scale to entire systems. Numerous analytical models have been developed to estimate different aspects of fish movement from telemetry datasets, yet evaluations of model performance and comparisons among models are limited. Here, we develop a framework to evaluate model estimates of regional occupancy in large and fragmented systems using an acoustic receiver array in Lake Champlain. We simulated the tracks of 100 acoustically tagged fish using a random walk function and created detection events based on receiver positions and distance-based detection probability. Regional occupancy for the simulated data was estimated by six movement models that ranged in analytical complexity, and results were compared to the true distributions for each simulated track to evaluate model error. The six movement models included (1) a basic residency index using detections alone, (2) a residency index using last-observation-carried-forward, (3) a centers of activity model, (4) linear and non-linear interpolations (i.e., least-cost paths), and (5 and 6) two dynamic Brownian bridge movement models generated using separate packages in R. We developed a model selection process to compare model performance and select the optimal analysis based on simulation error. This process showed significant differences in model performance among the six movement models based on model error. Overall, the model generating least-cost paths using linear and non-linear interpolations consistently provided the most accurate regional occupancy estimates. Based on these simulation results, we applied this model to a case study that evaluated patterns in the regional distribution of stocked lake trout (<i>Salvelinus namaycush</i>) in Lake Champlain, which demonstrated distinct regional occupancy of two stocked lake trout groups. These results demonstrate potential for substantial variability in interpretation of acoustic telemetry data for describing regional fish distribution dependent on the analytical method used.
Furey, K. M., H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, T. M. Koel, J. L. Arnold, P. D. Doepke, and P. E. Bigelow. 2020. Diets of longnose sucker in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A. Journal of Freshwater Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2020.1807421	August 2020
Fuller, A.K., and L.M. Lai. 2021. Systematic review of patient decision aids for breast cancer surgery decision: how do patients evaluate tradeoffs among objectives? 2021 Annual Meeting Official Proceedings. Annals of Surgical Oncology. \| Abstract	April 2021	Many breast cancer patients are faced with making a decision among several surgical treatment options. Making an informed decision necessitates that patients receive information on the risks and benefits of their surgical options so they can evaluate tradeoffs among their objectives. However, women frequently report not being completely informed about their treatment options prior to making a decision. There is a recent emphasis on shared decision making; use of decision aiding tools can result in increased dialog between physician and patient and can help inform patients about the costs and benefits of viable treatments that meet their objectives. Decision aids have demonstrated reduced decisional conflict and improved patient knowledge and satisfaction with their surgery decision. The purpose of this study was to review and synthesize existing breast cancer surgical decision aids with a focus on describing how tradeoffs among objectives are evaluated to arrive at a decision among viable surgical options.
Fuller, A.K., and L.M. Lai. 2020. A decision analytic approach for optimal surgical treatment in early-stage breast cancer. 2020 Annual Meeting Official Proceedings, Volume XXI. Annals of Surgical Oncology 27:254-255.	May 2020
Fuller, A.K., D.J. Decker, M. Schiavone, A. Forstchen. Ratcheting up rigor in wildlife decision making. Wildlife Society Bulletin. \| Download	February 2020
Fuller, A.K., B.C. Augustine, D.J. Morin, K. Pigeon, J. Boulanger, D.C. Lee, F. Bisi, and D.L. Garshelis. The occupancy-abundance relationship and sampling designs using occupancy to monitor populations of Asian bears. Global Ecology and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02075	January 2022
Fuller, A. K., J. C. Stiller, W. F. Siemer, and K. A. Perkins. 2021. Engaging hunters in selecting duck season dates when using decision science: problem framing, objective setting, devising management alternatives. Pages 115–127 in K. Pope, and L. Powell, editors. Harvest of Fish and Wildlife: New Paradigms for Sustainable Management. CRC Press.	June 2021
Freeze, S.R., M. Shirazi, N. Abaid, W.M. Ford, A. Silvis and D. Hakkenberg. 2021. Effects of Environmental Clutter on Synthesized Chiropteran Echolocation Signals in an Anechoic Chamber. Acoustics. 3:391–410 doi.org/10.3390/acoustics3020026	June 2021
Freeman, MC, KR Bestgen, D Carlisle, EA Frimpong, NR Franssen, KB Gido, ER Irwin, Y Kanno, C Luce, SK McKay, MC Mims, JD Olden, NL Poff, DL Propst, L Rack, AH Roy, E Stowe, A Walters, and SJ Wenger. 2022. Towards improved understanding of streamflow effects on freshwater fishes. Fisheries 47:290-298. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10731 \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2022
Frater, P.N., Z.S. Feiner, G.J.A. Hansen, D.A. Isermann, A.W. Latzka, O.P. Jensen. 2024. The Incredible HALK: Borrowing Data for Age Assignment. Fisheries 49:117-128.	March 2024
Franz, M., L. Whyte, T. Atwood, D. Menning, S. Sonsthagen, S. Talbot, K. Laidre, E. Gonzalez, and M. McKinney. 2023. Fecal DNA metabarcoding shows credible short-term prey detections and explains variation in the gut microbiome of two polar bear subpopulations. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 704:131–147. doi.org/10.3354/meps14228	January 2023
Frantz, M.W., P.B. Wood, S. Latta, and A. Welsh. 2020. Epigenetic response of Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) to shale gas development. Ibis. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12833	March 2020
Fox, J.T. and D.D. Magoulick. 2024. Fish beta diversity associated with hydrologic and anthropogenic disturbance gradients in contrasting stream flow regimes. Science of the Total Environment 945:1-13. doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173825	June 2024
Fox, J.T. and D.D. Magoulick. 2022. Hydrologic and environmental thresholds in stream fish assemblage structure across flow regimes. Ecological Indicators doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109500	September 2022
Fowler, D.N., E.B. Webb, and M.P. Vrtiska. 2020. Condition Bias of Decoy-Harvested Light Geese During the Conservation Order. The Journal of Wildlife Management 84:33-44.	January 2020
Fowler, D.N., E.B. Webb, M.P. Vrtiska and K.A. Hobson. 2020. Winter carry over effects on spring body condition in a long distant migrant and implications for survival: a test using lesser snow geese. Avian Conservation and Ecology	December 2020
Fowler, D,N, Winiarksi, J,M, Pollentier, C,D, and R.C. Gatti. 2023. The influence of landscape composition and configuration on breeding pair abundance of blue-winged teal and mallards in Wisconsin. Wildlife Society Bulletin. \| Abstract	January 2024	Habitat loss and fragmentation have negatively impacted breeding birds at large. Across guilds, grassland-dependent birds have experienced the largest proportional loss of their breeding population while wetland-dependent birds have realized overall net gains in part because of focused conservation efforts. However, some species even within the wetland-dependent guild have a strong dependence on non-wetland land cover types during the annual cycle and therefore may be equally sensitive to landscape reductions in the composition and altered configuration of upland landcover, such as grasslands. We explored the influence of land cover composition and configuration on the number of breeding pairs of a breeding habitat generalist, the mallard (<i>Anas platyrhynchos</i>) and a grassland-dependent breeding species, the blue-winged teal (<i>Spatula discors</i>) in agriculturally intensive landscapes of Wisconsin, USA, to inform management actions that seek to improve breeding waterfowl habitat. Because of the extensive landscape alteration and habitat fragmentation that has occurred, we expected mallards to have a more utilitarian response to varying landscape composition compared to a grassland nesting obligate like blue-winged teal. We used helicopter surveys conducted across 8 years (2001–2003, 2006–2009, and 2012) and remotely sensed land cover data to investigate the influence of habitat associations on relative breeding pair abundance. Model selection indicated that landscape composition models outperformed landscape configuration and null models for both species. Consistent with our predictions, we found that mallard pair counts were positively influenced by a greater number of land cover covariates compared to blue-winged teal. Both blue-winged teal and mallard breeding pairs were positively related to increased composition of emergent and scrub-shrub wetlands as well as upland grassland. Additionally, we found that mallard pairs were positively related to forested, cattail (<i>Typha </i>sp.), and open water wetland types, whereas predicted blue-winged teal pair abundance was negatively related to forested wetlands and had a non-linear relationship and declined when surveyed land sections were comprised of more than 30% cattail-dominated wetlands and 20% open-water wetlands. Increased quantities of cattail-dominated and open-water wetland cover types comparatively provide less habitat for blue-winged teal and may reflect broader shifts in habitat composition that have likely resulted from agricultural intensification and stabilized hydrology. Conservation activities that preserve existing nesting land cover types or restore hydrologically dynamic emergent wetlands in proximity to upland grassland cover could mutually benefit both species.
Fournier, R.J., N.R. Bond and D.D. Magoulick. 2021. Modeling effects of disturbance across life history strategies of stream fishes. Oecologia 196:413-425. doi.org/10.1007/s00442-021-04941-8	May 2021
Fournier, R.J. and D.D. Magoulick. 2022. Drought and nutrient pollution produce multiple interactive effects in stream ecosystems. PLoS ONE 17(7):e026922. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269222	July 2022
Fork, M.L., K.G. Hopkins, J. Chappell, R. Hawley, S. Kaushal, B. Murphy, B. Rios-Touma, and A.H. Roy. 2022. Urbanization and stream ecology: Moving the bar on multidisciplinary solutions to wicked urban stream problems. Freshwater Science 41:398-403. https://doi.org/10.1086/721470 \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2022
Ford, W.M., J. De La Cruz, E.D. Thorne, A. Silvis, M.P. Armstrong, and R. Andrew King. 2024. Second guessing the maximum likelihood estimator values for bat surveys. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 11:177–184. \| Download	May 2024
Ford, W.M., E.D. Thorne, A. Silvis, E.L. Barr, M.P. Armstrong and R.A. King. 2023. Maximum likelihood estimator and nightly acoustic count values as weight of evidence of bat maternity activity. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 10:100–106.	March 2023
Ford, W.M., C.A. Dobony, D.S. Jachowski, L.S. Coleman, T. Nocera and E.R. Britzke. 2020. Case Study One: Acoustic Surveys at Fort Drum Military Installation – the Value of Long-term Monitoring. Pages 78-81in: E.E. Fraser, A. Silvis, R.M. Brigham and Z. Czenze (eds). Bat Echolocation Research: a Handbool for Planning Acoustics Studies. Bat Conservation International, Austin TX. 116 p.	May 2020
Ford, J. M. H., A. A. M. Perez, L. A. W. Gapinski, J. M. Kaloczi, M. Rohde, T. Siddons, R. O. Wilson, A. A. Yappert, and R. W. Klaver. 2024. Wildlife Stewardship on Tribal Lands: Our Place is in Our Soul. Journal of Wildlife Management 88:NIL_18-NIL_21.	July 2024
Fontaine, J.J., A.D. Fedele, L.S. Wszola, L.N. Messinger, C.J. Chizinski, J.L. Lusk, K.L. Decker, J.S. Taylor, and E.F. Stuber. 2019. Hunters and their perceptions of public access: a view from afield. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 10:589-601.	December 2019
Folt B., McGowan CP, Steen DA, Hoffman M, Godwin J, Guyer C, 2020, Modeling strategies and evaluating success during repatriations of an elusive and endangered species, Animal Conservation 23: 273-285.	January 2020
Folt B, Marshall M, Emanuel JA, Dziadzio M, Cooke J, Mena L, Hinderliter M, Hoffman S, Rankin N, Tupy J, McGowan C, In Review, Using Predictions from Multiple Anthropogenic Stressors to Estimate Future Population Conditions of an Imperiled Species, For submission to PLOS 1.	August 2022
Fogelman, Kaelyn, Archambault, Jennifer, Irwin, Elise, Maureen Walsh, Brewer, Shannon, and Stoeckel, James A. 2023. A review of lethal thermal tolerance among freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) within the North American faunal region. Environmental Reviews https://doi.org/10.1139/er-2022-0077	January 2023
Flye, M., Sponarski, C., McGreavy, B., and Zydlewski, J. (2024) Does Leadership have a role in collaborative environmental governance? People and Nature. Journal of Environmental Management, 348, 119203. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119203	July 2024
Flye, M., Sponarski, C., Zydlewski, J. and McGreavy, B. (2021) Understanding collaborative governance from a communication network perspective: A case study of the Atlantic salmon recovery framework. Environmental Science and Policy. 115 (2021): 79-90. DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2020.10.001 \| Abstract	January 2021	The Atlantic Salmon population in Maine remains critically low despite hatchery supplementation and habitat improvement efforts. In 2000 the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment was listed as an endangered species, with joint listing authority shared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Complexity surrounding leadership is a challenge common in fisheries management. Because regulators and managers from federal, state, and Penobscot Nation contexts operate with independent authorities, recovery decisions depend upon effective communication and coordination. Using a mixed-methods approach, we surveyed and interviewed members of the Atlantic Salmon Recovery Framework (ASRF), the governance structure responsible for Atlantic Salmon management and recovery in Maine. The Communication Network Analysis (CNA) used survey results to better understand the flow of information and communication among members of ASRF. Survey and interview results revealed three areas of concern: 1) slow and ineffective decision-making, 2) confusion surrounding leadership and accountability, and 3) lack of adaptive capacity. Despite these challenges, ASRF members reported a commitment to maintaining a collaborative governance structure. Individuals reported long-standing relationships and a history of working together within and among organizations. This coupled with the high degree of current communication shows that transmission pathways exist and may be built upon over time. As management organizations work to restructure the ASRF, the following considerations may serve to improve collaborative efficiency: 1) encouraging inter-agency collaborations within Boards and Teams, 2) alignment of ASRF and organizational decision-making and power structures, 3) formalizations of information flow and 4) formalization of the program implementation process. As more species become threatened/endangered and management resources become scarcer, the need to work collaboratively across jurisdictions will become increasingly essential to environmental management and recovery. Understanding collaborative governance structures from a structural perspective may provide a means to assessing collaborative efficiency and highlighting areas for improvement.
Flinn, S., T. Brenden, K.F. Robinson. In review. Predicting the response of fish populations to changes in river connectivity using individual-based models. Journal of Great Lakes Research.	November 2024
Fletcher, T., M.J. Burns, K. Russell, P. Hamel, S. Duchesne, F. Cherqui, and A. Roy. In Press. The changing drivers and expectations of urban hydrology. Nature Reviews. \| Publisher Website	October 2024
Flammang, M. K., D. E. Shoup, P. H. Michaletz, and K. L. Pope. 2009. Warmwater fish in small standing waters. Pages 23-43 in S. A. Bonar, N. Mercado-Silva, and K. L. Pope, editors. Standard methods for sampling North American freshwater fishes, 2nd edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2024
Flack, A., Aikens, E. O., Kölzsch, A., Nourani, E., Snell, K. R. S., Fiedler, W., Linek, N., Bauer, H., Thorup, K., Partecke, K., Wikelski, M., and Williams, H. J. (2022). New frontiers in bird migration research. Current Biology, 32(20): R11787-R1199. \| Abstract	October 2022	Bird migrations are impressive behavioral phenomena, representing complex spatiotemporal strategies to balance costs of living while maximizing fitness. The field of bird migration research has made great strides over the past decades, yet fundamental gaps remain. Innovative technologies have sparked a transformation in bird migration research by providing new insights into long-standing questions on a diverse range of topics. Here, we aim to encourage broad discussions and promote future studies by highlighting research fields that are characterized by major knowledge gaps or conflicting evidence, namely the fields of navigation, social learning, individual development, energetics, and conservation. We approach each topic by summarizing the current state of knowledge and provide a future outlook of ideas and state-of-the-art methods to further advance the field.
Fitzpatrick, R.M., D.L. Winkelman, and B.M. Johnson. Using isotopic data to evaluate Esox lucius (Linnaeus, 1758) natal origins in a hydrologically complex river basin. 2021. Fishes 2021, 6, 67. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes6040067 \| Abstract \| Download	November 2021	Otolith microchemistry has emerged as a powerful technique with which to identifythe natal origins of fishes, but it relies on differences in underlying geology that may occur over large spatial scales. An examination of how small a spatial scale on which this technique can be implemented, especially in water bodies that share a large proportion of their flow, would be useful for guiding aquatic invasive species control efforts. We examined trace isotopic signatures in northern pike (<i>Esox lucius</i>) otoliths to estimate their provenance between two reservoirs in the Upper Yampa River Basin, Colorado, USA. This is a challenging study area as these reservoirs are only 11-rkm apart on the same river and thus share a high proportion of their inflow. We found that three isotopes (86Sr, 137Ba, and 55Mn) were useful in discriminating between these reservoirs, but their signatures varied annually, and the values overlapped. Strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) were different between sites and relatively stable across three years, which made them an ideal marker for determining northern pike provenance. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of otolith microchemistry for natal origin determination within the same river over a relatively small spatial scale when there are geologic differences between sites, especially geologic differences underlying tributaries between sites.
Fitzpatrick KB, Weidel BC, Connerton MJ, Lantry J, Holden JP, Yuille M, Lantry B, LaPan S, Rudstam LG, Sullivan P, Brenden TO, Sethi SA. (2022) Balancing prey availability and predator consumption: a multispecies stock assessment for Lake Ontario. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 79:1529-1545. \| Abstract	September 2022	Trophic interactions are drivers of ecosystem change and stability, yet are often excluded from fisheries assessment models. Incorporating predator-prey interactions directly into population models may improve estimates of species dynamics and predictions of future fishery sustainability. In Lake Ontario, popular recreational salmonine fisheries, including Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) and lake trout (<i>Salvelinus namaycush</i>), are dependent on a single prey species, alewife (<i>Alosa pseudoharengus</i>). To incorporate these tight predator-prey relationships into our assessment model, we built a multispecies population dynamics model that links, and simultaneously estimates, the dynamics of both predators and alewife. We found that prey availability has recently declined due to decreased alewife recruitment and a spike in Chinook salmon recruitment in 2016, leading to higher alewife mortality rates and lower predator growth rates. We then used the model to explore future predator-prey dynamics, specifically the impact of Chinook salmon stocking reductions on the potential for alewife population growth. Combined with other assessment tools, multispecies models can provide information on how trophic interactions and ecosystem dynamics may affect future fishery sustainability.
Fitzgerald, K.A., Bellmore, J.R., Fellman, J.B., Cheng, M.L.H., Delbecq, C.E., and J.A. Falke. 2024. Pink salmon spawning patterns impart biennial growth disparities to juvenile coho salmon. Freshwater Biology 69:1583-1595. DOI: 10.1111/fwb.14328.	September 2024
Fitzgerald, K.A., Bellmore, J.R., Fellman, J.B., Cheng, M.L.H., Delbecq, C.E., and J.A. Falke. 2023. Hydrologic variability and a pulse subsidy shape juvenile salmonid foraging patterns in a southeast Alaska watershed. Journal of Animal Ecology 92:2386-2398.	January 2023
Fitzgerald, D., M. Freeman, K. Maloney, J.Young, A. Rosenberger, D. Kazyak, and D. Smith. Accepted with Revisions. Multispecies approaches to status assessments in support of Endangered Species classifications. Conservation Science and Practice DOI:10.111/csp2.12825. \| Abstract \| Download	September 2022	Multispecies risk assessments have developed within many conservation policies, reflecting a widespread need for efficiency in status assessments. While some frameworks adopt procedures for assigning threatened status to ecological communities or ecosystems, multispecies assessments under the United States Endangered Species Act ultimately lead to species-level listing decisions. This presents a range of potential benefits and consequences, and guidance is needed for how multispecies approaches can be incorporated into ESA risk assessments. To aid development of such guidance, this study reviewed multispecies assessments conducted between 1993–2019 in support of ESA listing decisions to identify the ecological basis for combining species, the assessment approach used, and the policy factors that may influence their efficacy. Forty-two unique cases were identified, covering 359 individual species. Most assessments (81%) included between 2–5 species, although some contained as many as 82. A common theme among reviewed cases was grouping narrow endemics or habitat specialists based on taxonomic relatedness, similar distributions, and common threats to persistence, although what constituted similar distributions varied from zero to nearly 100% overlap in ranges. All assessments included a combined threats analysis, but relatively few employed a similar species’ response model or expert elicitation process. While ESA risk assessments are distinct from policy decisions, majority of assessments resulted in decisions that all species warranted endangered status. The challenge with developing guidance for selecting species based on qualitative proxies such as common geographies or threats is that ecological patterns and processes are scale dependent. We therefore argue for a tiered approach that recognizes these assessments as a collection of methods with varying degrees of potential bias and gains in efficiency. The ESA presents several unique challenges for implementing multispecies risk assessments, but a flexible approach may provide opportunities to realize increased efficiency while minimizing the risk of biasing decisions.
Fitzgerald, D., A. Henderson, K. Maloney, M. Freeman, J. Young, A. Rosenberger, D. Kazyak, and D. Smith. 2021. A Bayesian framework for assessing extinction risk based on ordinal categories of population condition and projected landscape change. Biological Conservation 253: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108866 \| Abstract	December 2020	Many at-risk species lack standardized surveys across their range or quantitative data capable of detecting demographic trends. As a result, extinction risk assessments often rely on ordinal categories of risk based on explicit criteria or expert elicitation. This study demonstrates a Bayesian approach to assessing extinction risk based on this common data structure, using three freshwater mussel species being considered for listing under the US Endangered Species Act. The probability that a population is classified under each risk category was modeled as a function of projected landscape change using ordered probit regression, assuming observed categories reflect a latent, continuous probability of persistence. All three species were more likely than not (mean probability > 0.5) to be classified as extirpated or low condition throughout their range based on effects of urban development and hydrologic alteration. Spatial variation in estimates revealed strongholds and high-risk areas relevant to conservation decision making. Projected change in probabilities of each risk category based on multiple land-use and climate models was generally small relative to high baseline risk resulting from past landscape changes. Assessing extinction risk based on probabilities of ordinal condition as a function of landscape patterns may provide a flexible and robust approach for many at-risk taxa by adjusting species’ demographic criteria to match relative risk categories, following standardized criteria, or using expert elicitation for data-deficient species. This approach provides decision makers with a useful measure of uncertainty around ordinal classifications and provides a framework for estimating future risk based on projections of anthropogenic stressors.
Fischer, J., L. Nathan, J. Buszkiewicz, J. Colm, D.A.R. Drake, M. DuFour, J. Francis, P. Kočovsky, D. Marson, E. Smyth, R. Young, K.F. Robinson. 2022. Using surrogate species to inform control methods for invasive grass carp. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 42:151-163. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10724	January 2022
Fiorello, C., P.G.R. Jodice, J.S. Lamb, Y.G. Satge, K. Mills, M. Zicardi. 2021. Post-release survival of California Brown Pelicans following oiling and rehabilitation after the Refugio oil spill. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 57(3). DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-20-00171 \| Download	April 2021
Fino, S.R., L.M. Gigliotti, A.T. Pearse, and J.D. Stafford 2023. Landowner and biologist perceptions of game bird predators and management. Wildlife Society Bulletin 47:e1443. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1443	May 2023
Figueroa-Muñoz, G., Olivos, J.A., Arismendi, I., Fabiano, G., Laporta, M., Silveira, S., González-Bergonzoni, I., Pavez, G., Ernst, B., Ciancio, J.E., Harrod, C., Di Prinzio, C.Y., Chalde, T., Murphy, C.A., and Gomez-Uchida, D. Contemporary distribution of non-native Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in South America. Biological Invasions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-023-03083-7	May 2023
Fetters, J., A. Rosenberger, K.I. Womble, A. Ford, B. Bajo. 2022. Increased population size of the federally endangered Ptychobranchus subtentus in the Wolf River, TN (Fentress and Pickett Co.). Ellipsaria 24: 21-24.	February 2022
Fetherston, S. C., R. C. Lonsinger, L. B. Perkins, C. P. Lehman, J. R. Adams, and L. P. Waits. 2024. Genetic analysis of harvest samples reveals population structure in a highly mobile generalist carnivore. Ecology and Evolution 14(5): e11411. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11411 \| Abstract	May 2024	Delineating wildlife population boundaries is important for effective population monitoring and management. The bobcat (<i>Lynx rufus</i>) is a highly mobile generalist carnivore that is ecologically and economically important. We sampled 1,215 bobcats harvested in South Dakota, USA, (2014–2019) and used 17 microsatellite loci to assess genetic diversity and infer population genetic structure. We assigned individuals to genetic clusters (<i>K</i>) using spatial and nonspatial Bayesian clustering algorithms, and quantified differentiation (<i>F<sub>ST</sub></i> and <i>G”<sub>ST</sub></i>) among clusters. Across loci, mean allelic richness was 10.8 (range: 7–19) and mean expected heterozygosity (0.80) exceeded mean observed heterozygosity (0.74). We found support for population genetic structure at <i>K</i> = 2 and <i>K</i> = 4, with pairwise <i>F<sub>ST</sub></i> and <i>G”<sub>ST</sub></i> values indicating weak to moderate differentiation, respectively, among clusters. For <i>K</i> = 2, eastern and western clusters aligned closely with historical bobcat management units and were consistent with a longitudinal suture zone for bobcats previously identified in the Great Plains. We did not observe patterns of population genetic structure aligning with major rivers or highways. However, genetic divergence observed at <i>K</i> = 4 aligned roughly with ecoregion breaks and may be associated with environmental gradients. Our findings indicated that despite having a broad distribution, high movement capacity, and generalist tendencies, bobcats in South Dakota were not a single panmictic population. Rather, bobcats were genetically differentiated into eastern and western populations, with evidence of further differentiation within the western population.
Ferrall, E.A., S. Perea, K.M. Morris, P.E. Pattavina, B.J. Irwin, J. Hepinstall-Cymerman, and S.B. Castleberry. (in review). Disparities in body mass of Perimyotis subflavus between cave and culvert winter roost sites in Georgia, USA. Ecology and Evolution. \| Abstract	December 2024	The tricolored bat (<i>Perimyotis subflavus</i>), once a common species in the eastern United States prior to the arrival of white-nose syndrome (WNS) to North America, has experienced significant disease-related mortality throughout much of its global range where it predominately hibernates in caves and mines. In coastal regions of the southeastern U.S., where there is a scarcity of caves and mines, tricolored bats often utilize road culverts as hibernacula. Previous research demonstrated that bats with higher body mass at the onset of hibernation have a higher probability of surviving repeated arousal events from WNS. Therefore, our objectives were to investigate the prevalence of <i>Pseudogymnoascus destructans</i> (<i>Pd</i>) in culverts, evaluate tricolored bat winter body mass metrics by roost type, and identify culvert characteristics that may be drivers of varying body mass throughout hibernation. From 2018-2022, we measured the mass of 754 individuals in early and late hibernation across 32 culverts (n = 497) and four caves (n = 257). Our study revealed a southward spread of <i>Pd</i> over multiple years, culminating in the first confirmed case of WNS incidence in a Georgia culvert in 2022. Tricolored bats of both sexes utilizing caves weighed more in early hibernation than those in culverts, and in late hibernation those in culverts weighed greater than those in caves. Across all sites, we observed intersexual differences in both early and late hibernation mass, with female tricolored bats entering and leaving hibernation heavier than males. Despite having greater late-hibernation body mass, females experienced higher proportion of mass loss during hibernation, potentially due to differences by sex in torpor-arousal patterns and WNS infection rates. Furthermore, we observed that tricolored bats lost more mass as culvert length increased, suggesting a potential link between habitat characteristics and hibernation physiology. Overall, our results highlight the importance of sex in late-hibernation body mass dynamics and the combined influence of sex and culvert length on mass loss during winter hibernation. Investigating characteristics in culvert structures that impact bat body mass can aid our understanding of winter physiology in these hibernacula and ultimately aid in more targeted management strategies to mitigate WNS impacts. Additionally, understanding risk variables unique to individual tricolored bat colonies can guide managers on where to focus winter WNS monitoring efforts and potential treatments.
Fennell, J.M., W.C. Rosenthal, C.E. Wagner, J.C. Burckhardt, and A.W. Walters. 2022. Temporal segregation in spawning between native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and introduced rainbow trout. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. http://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12672	June 2022
Feiner, Z.S., A.D. Shultz, G.G. Sass, A. Trudeau, M.G. Mitro, M.A. Luehring, C.J. Dassow, A.W. Latzka, D.A. Isermann, B.M. Maitland, J.J. Homola, H.S. Embke, M. Preul. 2022. Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) considerations for climate change adaptation in fisheries: the Wisconsin experience. Fisheries Management and Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12549	March 2022
Faucheux, N.M., L.E. Miranda, J.M. Taylor, and J.L. Farris. 2023. Impact of dams on stream fish diversity: a different result. Diversity 15(6), 728. https://doi.org/10.3390/d15060728 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2023	Impoundments can drastically change the physical and biological characteristics of fluvial systems. Changes in the physical characteristics, such as reductions in flow, increased sediment deposition, and increased surface area, often influence the system’s biological components, including plant, macroinvertebrate, and fish assemblages. In addition to having direct effects on impounded waterbodies, impoundments can also have wide-ranging effects at the watershed scale, particularly on upstream tributary streams. The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of these effects. We analyzed historical data from 26 streams distributed across five sub-basins in the Bluff Hills region of the Yazoo Basin, MS, USA. All five major tributary rivers in this region are impounded by large(11,240–26,143 hectares) reservoirs for flood control. We compared fish assemblages in streams located upstream and downstream of the four reservoirs using PERMANOVA, and contrary to expectations, we found no significant differences between the upstream and downstream assemblages. We explore several possible explanations for this discrepancy and suggest that stream assemblage response to impoundment may be nuanced by the regional species pool, the history of stream conditions in the watershed, and the resistance of the streams to periodic disturbances.
Faucheux, N.M., A.R. Sample, C.A. Aldridge, D.M. Norris, C. Owens, V.R. Starnes, S. VanderBloemen, and L.E. Miranda. 2022. Reservoir attributes display cascading spatial patterns along river basins. Water Resources Research. 10.1029/2021WR029910 \| Abstract	January 2022	Considering reservoirs as linear fragments in a basin's river network could improveunderstanding, predictability, and management efficiency. We looked for general cascading spatial patternsacross five categories of reservoir attributes: land cover, morphology and hydrology, fish habitat, fishassemblages, and fisheries. Attributes were pulled from various databases for large reservoirs (>100 ha) locatedin the United States. 16 widely distributed river basins, each including a minimum of 15 large reservoirs, wereselected for analysis. Using analysis of covariance with basin as the class variable, we tested each attribute as alinear function of catchment area, which is an index of reservoir position in the basin. The majority of reservoirattributes displayed log-linear patterns as catchment area increased, indicating that reservoirs act as membersof a larger network just as river reaches do. Several patterns were detected including attributes with no apparentlengthwise arrangement along the basin; cascading spatial patterns in which attributes increase or decreasefrom upstream to downstream within a basin; and attributes that increase with catchment area in some basins,decrease in others, or may simply remain constant throughout the basin. We conclude that each pattern mayhave different implications for management, and that the effectiveness with which most management activitiesinfluence reservoirs is likely to increase or decrease along river basins.
Farwell, L.S., P.B. Wood, R. Dettmers, and M. Brittingham. 2020. Threshold responses of songbirds to forest loss and fragmentation across the Marcellus-Utica shale gas region of central Appalachia, USA. Landscape Ecology 35:1353–1370. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-020-01019-3	April 2020
Farris ZJ, Gerber, BD, Karpanty, S, Murphy, A, Wampole, E, Ratelolahy, F, and Kelly, M. 2020. Exploring and interpreting spatiotemporal interactions among native -invasive carnivores across a gradient of rainforest degradation. Biological Invasions,22, 2033-2047. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-020-02237-1 \| Download	February 2020
Farley, Z.J., C.J. Thompson, S.T. Boyle, N.M. Tatman, and J.W. Cain III. 2024. Behavioral trade-offs and multitasking by elk in relation to predation risk from Mexican gray wolves. Ecology and Evolution 14:e11383. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11383 \| Download	May 2024
Faquhar, C.C., and C.W. Boal. 2022. The Raptors of Texas. Texas A&M Publ., College Station, TX.	April 2022
Fameli, A, J. Edson, J.E. Banfield, C.S. Rosenberry, W.D. Walter. 2022. Variability in prion protein genotypes by spatial unit to inform susceptibility to chronic wasting disease. Prion 16 (1):254–264. \| Abstract	October 2022	Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, encephalopathy affecting North American cervids. Certain alleles in host’s prion protein gene are responsible for reduced susceptibility to CWD. We assessed for the first time variability in the prion protein gene of elk (<i>Cervus canadensis</i>) present in Pennsylvania, a reintroduced population for which CWD cases have never been reported. We sequenced the prion protein gene (PRNP) of 565 elk samples collected over seven years (2014-2020), and found two polymorphic sites (codon 21 and codon 132). The allele associated with reduced susceptibility to CWD is present in the population, and there was no evidence of deviations from H-W equilibrium in any of our sampling years (<i>p</i>-values between 0.14 and 1), consistent the lack of selective pressure on the PRNP. The less susceptible genotypes were found in a frequency similar to the ones reported for elk populations of Wyoming and South Dakota before CWD was detected. We calculated the proportion of less susceptible genotypes in each hunt zone in Pennsylvania as a proxy for their vulnerability to the establishment of CWD repeating the process for different hunt zone delineations implemented in previous years. We interpolated these results to obtain a surface representing expected proportion of the less susceptible genotypes across the area. We found significant correlation between the results obtained for different hunt zone delineations (p-value<0.001), showing consistency in the pattern regardless of the hunt zone delineation used. Based on this analysis, hunt zones located in the southern part of our study area have a low proportion of less susceptible genotypes, which is discouraging for elk persistence in Pennsylvania given that these hunt zones were adjacent to the deer Disease Management Area 3, where CWD has been present since 2014.
Fallon, J.A., E.P. Smith. N. Shoch, J.D. Paruk, E.A. Adams, D.C. Evers, P.G.R. Jodice, W.A. Hopkins. 2020. Ultraviolet-assisted oiling assessment improves detection of oiled birds experiencing clinical signs of hemolytic anemia exposed to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Ecotoxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-020-02255-8 \| Download	August 2020
Falke, J.A., Dunham, J.B., Rosenberger, A.E., Thurow, R.F., Dolloff, A., Howell, P.J., and W.C. Saunders. 2024. Coldwater fish in wadeable streams. In Bonar, S., Pope, K., and Silva-Mercado, N. editors. Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD, USA.	August 2024
Falke, J.A., Dunham, J.B., Rosenberger, A.E., Thurow, R.F., Dolloff, A., Howell, P.J., and W.C. Saunders. 2024. Coldwater fish in wadeable streams. In Bonar, S., Pope, K., and Silva-Mercado, N. editors. Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD, USA.	August 2024
Falcy, M.R., and R.J. Constable Jr. 2024. Quantifying uncertainty in the relationship between snorkel counts and mark-recapture estimates of juvenile salmonids. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 81: 1279-1291. \| Abstract	July 2024	Snorkel surveys are frequently used to monitor stream-dwelling fish. Inferring total abundance from snorkel surveys is complicated by two primary factors: the snorkelers’ fish detection probability and the relative abundance of fish in habitat types where snorkel counts can and cannot be conducted. We examined these factors across three salmonid species (<i>Oncorhynchus </i>spp<i>.</i>), 4 years, and 113 location-years distributed randomly across the Oregon coast. We used Bayesian data augmentation techniques to integrate snorkel counts into the fitting of mark-recapture models in a unified analysis of all location-years for each species. We explored several mark-recapture model formulations. We developed mathematically explicit expressions that convert a new snorkel count into a probability density of abundance in a generalized habitat unit where snorkeling cannot be done. Snorkelers detected 63%, 33%, and 40% of juvenile coho, cutthroat trout, and steelhead [CR1] [FM(2] estimated by mark-recapture, respectively, but uncertainty within and among sampling units was large. Coho abundance in pools where snorkeling is possible was 3.3 times greater than abundances in fast-water units where snorkeling is not possible. Cutthroat and steelhead had more equitable abundances between the two stream types, and abundance estimates were more uncertain because of low sample size. We did not find significant evidence for density-dependent habitat selection between pool and fast-water stream units for any of the three species. The proportion of juvenile salmonids seen by snorkelers generally declined with increasing abundance for coho and cutthroat trout but not necessarily steelhead. Our quantification of uncertainty arising from using snorkel counts as a proxy for abundance will help managers make decisions that balance monitoring cost and biological risk.
Falcy, M.R. 2023. Inferring hatchery effects using spawner-recruit data: Comment on Courter et al. (2022). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 80: 420-421. \| Abstract	January 2023	Courter <i>et al.</i> (2022) address one of the most complicated and disputed topics in fisheries management- the effects of hatchery-origin fish on natural-origin fish. I contend that Courter <i>et al</i>. misinterpret and misstate evidence, adding confusion to a topic that needs clarity.
Falcy, M.R. 2021. Using social values in the prioritization of research: quantitative examples and generalizations. Ecology and Evolution 11: 18000-18010. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8394 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2021	Identifying critical uncertainties about ecological systems can help prioritize research efforts intended to inform management decisions. However, exclusively focusing on the ecological system neglects the objectives of natural resource managers and the associated social values tied to risks and rewards of actions.I demonstrate how to prioritize research efforts for a harvested population by applying expected value of perfect information (EVPI) to harvest decisions made with a density-independent matrix population model. Research priorities identified by EVPI diverge from priorities identified by matrix elasticity analyses that ignore social utility. Using a density-dependent harvest model, the value of information about the intrinsic productivity of a population is shown to be sensitive to the socially determined penalty for implementing a harvest rate that deviates from the goal because of imperfection in estimation. <i>Synthesis and applications.</i> The effect of including social values into harvest decision-making depends on the assumed population model, uncertainty in population vital rates, and the particular form of the utility function used to represent risk/reward of harvest. EVPI analyses that includes perceived utility of different outcomes can be used by managers seeking to optimize monitoring and research spending. Collaboration between applied ecologists and social scientists that quantitatively measure peoples' values is needed in many structured decision-making processes.
Facka, A. N., R. C. Lonsinger, G. W. Roemer. 2024. Abundance estimates of Gunnison’s prairie dogs compared to the number of active burrows. Wildlife Society Bulletin 48(1): e1513. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1513 \| Abstract	February 2024	Reliable prairie dog (<i>Cynomys </i>spp.) monitoring programs are important for assessing the status of prairie dog populations and selecting sites to reintroduce black-footed ferrets (<i>Mustela nigripes</i>). Estimating the density of active prairie dog burrows has been used as an index of prairie dog abundance. Indices derived from active burrow counts were developed for black-tailed (<i>C. ludovicianus</i>) and white-tailed (<i>C. leucurus</i>) prairie dogs, but their efficacy has not been evaluated for all prairie dog species and studies affirming their validity with more robust abundance estimators are few. We estimated the abundance of Gunnison’s prairie dogs (<i>C. gunnisoni</i>) in the Aubrey Valley, Arizona in 2006 at 2 different time periods using 4 different methods: maximum above ground counts (MAGC), minimum number known alive (MNKA), capture-mark-recapture (CMR), and mark-resight and compared these estimates to active burrow counts. We found no positive relationship between active burrow density and any metric of abundance. Mark-resight consistently produced estimates of abundance that were greater than the MNKA and were positively correlated with both the MNKA (<i>r</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.30) and CMR estimates (<i>r</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.49); other estimators were often biased low. Our results indicate that applying rigorous estimation methods may be necessary to accurately estimate prairie dog abundance and assess habitat quality for ferret management including reintroduction.
Fabrizio, M.C., Henderson, M.J., Rose, K., Petitgas, P. Editorial: Habitat and Distribution Models of Marine and Estuarine Species: Advances for a Sustainable Future. Submitted to Frontiers in Marine Science. \| Abstract	October 2022	The physical and biological characterization of suitable habitats and species-specific models to estimate the extent of available suitable habitats are valuable for conservation and fisheries management. As exploited species and habitats face challenges from anthropogenic influences, such as fishing and climate change, the identification and protection of habitats becomes increasingly important. Most of the papers within this special topic issue used some form of species distribution model (SDM) to identify habitats used by fishes (Asch et al. 2022, Crear et al. 2020, Fabrizio et al. 2021, Freidland et al. 2021, Zydlewski et al. 2021), marine mammals (Astarloa et al. 2021), nearshore invertebrates (Cristiani et al. 2021, Behan et al. 2021), or deep-sea communities (Bowden et al. 2021, Saunders et al. 2021). A few papers focused on developing methods to better describe habitats (Griffin et al. 2021, Henderson et al. 2020, Cecino et al. 2021), while others investigated model performance and incorporation of new statistical methods to improve model accuracy (Asch et al. 2022, Behan et al. 2021, Bowden et al. 2021). Below we provide a synthesis of these papers and examine data sources used for analyses, statistical methods, stationarity and model performance, connectivity, and management implications; we conclude with a consideration of opportunities for advancing this field of study.
Fabiano, E., C. Sutherland, A. Fuller, E. Eizirik, and L. Marker. 2020. Trends in cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) density in north-central Namibia. Population Ecology. https://esj-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/1438-390X.12045	February 2020
Ewen JG, S Canessa, SJ Converse, and KA Parker. 2023. Decision making in animal translocations: biological considerations and beyond. Pages 108-148 in MJ Gaywood, JG Ewen, PM Hollingsworth, and A Moehrenschlager. Conservation Translocations. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom.	January 2023
Evans, D. R., R. A. Valverde, C. Ordóñez , and R. R. Carthy. 2021. Identification of the Gulf of Mexico as an important high-use habitat for leatherback turtles from Central America. Ecosphere 12(8):e03722. 10.1002/ecs2.3722	May 2021
Evans, D. R., L. Pemberton, and R. R. Carthy. 2024. Wide ranging dispersal of hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) from nesting beaches on the island of Nevis. Marine Biology, 171:171; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-024-04491-6 \| Abstract	August 2024	Satellite telemetry is being used to learn about the movements and foraging behavior of seas turtles. Little is known about the foraging characteristics of the hawksbill turtles nesting on the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, an important nesting site for hawksbill turtles in the eastern Caribbean. To examine the migration and foraging behavior of hawksbill turtles a switching state–space model (SSSM) was used to estimate the behavioral state of tracked locations. Between 2006 and 2022, satellite transmitters were attached to 28 post-nesting hawksbill turtles. Internesting, migrating and foraging activity periods were determined based on the SSSM. Of the satellite tagged turtles, 25 were tracked long enough to establish a foraging area and 21 provided internesting movements. Turtles were tracked between 83 and 2,171 days, displaying migration distances between 5.3 and 2,799.5 km, with an average speed of 44.6 km day<sup>-1</sup>, and an average navigational efficiency of 75%. Nevis hawksbills crossed through 29 different Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), including zones with legal sea turtle fisheries or an exemption for traditional subsistence use. Core foraging areas (KDE 50% Percentage Volume Contour) ranged between 3.8 – 69.0 km<sup>2</sup>, with turtles occupying up to three core areas. Of the turtles with an identified foraging centroid, nearly 25% were within a Marine Protected Area (MPA), while 20% were within a legal sea turtle fishery EEZ. Of the 21 turtles with an internesting area, 11 were closer to a different nesting beach than the one where they were encountered nesting. Internesting core area ranged from 1.9 – 28.2 km<sup>2</sup>, with an average centroid distance to shore of 1.4 km, and average distance to the nearest nesting beach of 3.0 km. While MPAs are providing protection for some foraging areas, a similar number of foraging areas are with EEZs that allow either a legal or traditional use take of sea turtles. Hawksbills nesting on Nevis disperse to local, regional, and Caribbean wide foraging grounds, emphasizing the necessity of cooperative efforts to protect turtles and habitats to ensure the recovery of hawksbill turtles throughout the wider Caribbean.
Evans, AF, Q Payton, NJ Hostetter, K Collis, B. Cramer, and DD Roby. 2022. Cumulative effects of piscivorous colonial waterbirds on juvenile salmonids: a multi predator-prey species evaluation. PLOS ONE 17:e0272875. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272875	August 2022
Evan Booher and Annika Walters. Identifying translocation sites for a climate relict population of Finescale Dace (Chrosomus neogaeus). Transactions of the American Fisheries Society \| Abstract	March 2022	Native freshwater fishes are increasingly imperiled by biological invasions, habitat loss, and rapid alteration of hydroclimatic regimes. Translocation is a management strategy which addresses these threats by seeking to establish additional extant populations for species of conservation concern. Finescale Dace <i>Chrosomus neogaeus</i> populations in the Great Plains may benefit from translocation as they exhibit a climate relict natural history that has led to a disjunct distribution and minimal dispersal opportunities. We assessed the translocation suitability of sites for Finescale Dace in the Belle Fourche Basin using a multi-model approach. We used multivariate analyses (MVA) to evaluate dissimilarity in fish occurrence and habitat between sites with and without Finescale Dace in contemporary surveys from 2018 – 2019 (<i>n </i>= 68). We further evaluated the intrinsic potential (IP) for sites to support Finescale Dace using predicted probability of occurrence values from species distribution models (SDM) fit with basin-wide fish occurrence surveys from 2008 – 2019 (<i>n </i>= 124) and spatially continuous environmental variables including forecasted stream temperature scenarios. Sites with Finescale Dace tended to occur close to lentic waterbodies, contain emergent vegetation cover, and did not exhibit large overlap in species-space with either native or nonnative species. Predicted probability of Finescale Dace occurrence exhibited non-linear relationships to mean August stream temperature, channel slope, and baseflow index. The amount of suitable habitat (i.e., high IP scores) declined with forecasted stream warming scenarios. We ranked potential translocation sites based on: distance measures from occupied sites in the 1) habitat MVA, 2) fish community MVA, and 3) extracted IP scores for current and future warming scenarios. Our highest ranked translocation sites provide a basis for management actions aimed at safeguarding an at-risk climate relict fish population into the future and our approach may be transferable to other wild animal populations with restricted distributions.
Esmaeili, S., Jesmer, B.R., Albeke, S.E., Aikens, E.O., Schoenecker, K.A., King, S.R.B., et. al. (2021) Body size and digestive system shape resource selection by ungulates: A cross-taxa test of the forage maturation hypothesis. Ecology Letters, 24, 2178– 2191. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13848. \| Abstract	October 2021	The forage maturation hypothesis (FMH) states that energy intake for ungulates is maximised when forage biomass is at intermediate levels. Nevertheless, metabolic allometry and different digestive systems suggest that resource selection should vary across ungulate species. By combining GPS relocations with remotely sensed data on forage characteristics and surface water, we quantified the effect of body size and digestive system in determining movements of 30 populations of hindgut fermenters (equids) and ruminants across biomes. Selection for intermediate forage biomass was negatively related to body size, regardless of digestive system. Selection for proximity to surface water was stronger for equids relative to ruminants, regardless of body size. To be more generalisable, we suggest that the FMH explicitly incorporate contingencies in body size and digestive system, with smallbodied ruminants selecting more strongly for potential energy intake, and hindgut fermenters selecting more strongly for surface water.
Erwin JA, RR Fitak, and M Culver. 2021. PumaPlex100: An expanded tool for puma genotyping with low-yield, poor quality DNA. Conservation Genetics Resources, DOI: 10.1007/s12686-021-01206-7.	April 2021
Erickson, K., P. Sakaris, H. Conner and E. Irwin. 2021. Hydrologic Effects on Growth and Hatching Success of Age- 0 Channel Catfish in the Tallapoosa River Basin: Implications for Management in Regulated Systems. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:S118-S132.	October 2021
Erickson RA, Thomson HM, Kageyama S, Andriacchi GM, Patiño R, Amberg JJ. 2023. Assessing the suitability of YY males and ZZ females as an invasive species population control method across life histories. Biological Invasions, 25:3737–3751. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-023-03137-w. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	August 2023	Natural resource managers use tools to control invasive species. In theory, stocking YY males or ZZ females would allow managers to skew sex ratios until populations collapse. In combination with other suppression methods, such as removal, this approach could be incorporated into Integrated Pest Management plans. For example, fishery managers have stocked YY males to control isolated non-native brook trout (<i>Salvelinus fontinalis</i>) populations. However, life histories and demographic factors (e.g., lifespans) vary across species and could affect the feasibility of skewing sex ratios as an effective control strategy for a given population. Likewise, some species may have sex determinations that do not allow population control through sex-skewing methods. We compared five representative aquatic invasive species with global invasion ranges for potential control by skewing the sex ratio through closed population simulations: red swamp crayfish <i>(Procambarus clarkii</i>), zebra mussels (<i>Dreissena polymorpha</i>), lake trout (<i>Salvelinus namaycush)</i>, silver carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>), and Nile tilapia (<i>Oreochromis niloticus</i>). We determined that Nile tilapia, red swamp crayfish, and zebra mussels would be the most suitable to control through skewing the sex ratio assuming appropriate sex determination exists in the species. Lake trout could be eliminated by stocking YY males but would require either long stocking periods or high stocking numbers because of the long lifespan of the species. Silver carp populations were more difficult to crash because they live longer and produce many recruits. Broadly, these patterns demonstrated that short lived species lend themselves to control by skewing the sex ratio.
Ensminger, D.C., C. Pritchard, T. Langkilde, T. Gingery, J.E. Banfield, W.D. Walter. 2020. The influence of hunting pressure and ecological factors on fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in wild elk. Wildlife Biology 2020(2); https://doi.org/10.2981/wlb.00683. \| Abstract	June 2020	Climate change and human population growth have increased anthropogenic threats to biodiversity and habitat fragmentation. Ecologists and conservationists need tools to assess the effect of these ecological and environmental perturbations on organismal fitness. One possibility is glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol and corticosterone) which integrate various factors such as anthropogenic disturbances, predation, food, or environmental stressors. Here we tested the hypothesis that fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations (GCMs) in wild female elk (<i>Cervus canadensis</i>) increased as the hunting season progressed. We also examined the influence of year, food availability, and elk group size on fecal GCMs. We found that as the hunting season progressed, fecal GCMs tended to decrease. We also found that as the number of cows in a group increased, GCMs decreased, and found a strong effect of year on fecal GCMs, with samples collected in 2016 having lower fecal GCMs than those collected in 2015, 2017, and 2018. However, yearly variation was not driven by availability of hard mast forage. The lack of positive association between hunting pressure and fecal GCMs and identifying what is driving yearly variation in fecal GCMs warrants further study. We highlight the negative influence of group size, possibly due to vigilance, on fecal GCMs and the importance of examining ecologically relevant covariates to accurately identify main treatment effects.
Ennis, J.R., and J.W. Cain III. 2023. Elk and mule deer spring migration in New Mexico: movement strategies for navigating through a monsoonal landscape- Extended Abstract. Animal Production Science 16:viii-x.	November 2023
Engman, A.C., T.J. Kwak, and J.R. Fischer. 2021. Big runs of little fish: first estimates of run size and exploitation in an amphidromous postlarvae fishery. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 78: 905-912. dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2020-0093	July 2021
Engman, A.C. and A.H. Roy. 2023. Fishes and Aquatic Invertebrates. Chapter IIIF in Nilon, C. and M. Aronson (eds). Routledge Handbook of Urban Diversity. London, UK: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003016120 \| Publisher Website	October 2023
Edwards HA, SJ Converse, KD Swan, and A Moehrenschlager. 2022. Trading off hatching success and cost in the captive breeding of Whooping Cranes. Animal Conservation 25:101-109.	July 2021
Edson, J., J. Brown, W.L. Miller, and W. D. Walter. 2021. Comparison of sample types from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for DNA extraction and analyses. Scientific Reports 11, 10003. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89390-2 \| Abstract	May 2021	Collection of biological samples for DNA is necessary in a variety of disciplines including disease epidemiology, landscape genetics, and forensics. Quantity and quality of DNA varies depending on the method of collection or media available for collection (e.g., blood, tissue, fecal). Blood is the most common sample collected in vials or on Whatman FTA cards with short- and long-term storage providing adequate DNA for study objectives. The focus of this study was to determine if biological samples other than blood stored on Whatman FTA Elute cards were a reasonable alternative to traditional DNA sample collection, storage and extraction. Tissue, nasal swabs, and ocular fluid were collected from white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>). Tissue samples acted as a control to compare extraction and DNA suitability for microsatellite analysis for nasal swabs and nasal swabs and ocular fluid extracted from FTA Elute cards. We determined that FTA Elute cards improved the extraction time and storage of samples and that nasal swabs and ocular fluid containing pigmented fluid were reasonable alternatives to traditional tissue DNA extractions. Also, DNA extractions from nasal swabs provided ample DNA but did not improve extraction time or storage of samples.
Eddy, M. C., Lord, B., Perrot, D., Bower, L. M., & Peoples, B. K. (2022). Predictability of flow metrics calculated using a distributed hydrologic model across ecoregions and stream classes: Implications for developing flow–ecology relationships. Ecohydrology, 15(2), e2387. \| Abstract	March 2022	Developing environmental flow standards requires an empirical understanding of the relationship between species’ ecology and instream flow. However, when congruent biological and hydrologic data are lacking, the accurate simulation of hydrologic metrics (HMs) corresponding to the locations of biological data is needed. Methods to predict HMs vary in formulation (i.e., statistical vs. process-based hydrologic models), ability to simulate HMs across the full range of the hydrologic regime (i.e., magnitude, duration, frequency, rate of change, and timing), and ability to transfer HMs from gaged to ungaged locations. Yet despite the breadth of modeling approaches, less attention has been paid to the variability in HMs associated with each approach. In this study, we apply a distributed hydrologic model to the diverse watersheds of South Carolina to examine the predictability of HMs from simulated daily time series of streamflow across ecoregions, stream classifications, and level of human alteration. In doing so, we contextualize the predictability of HMs, giving managers and researchers in South Carolina the flexibility of choosing HMs that are best suited for quantifying flow-ecology relationships based on the location, flow regime components of interest, and uncertainty of HMs. We found that at least one HM within each of the five flow regime components (out of a selected subset of 41 non-redundant HMs) was consistently and accurately predicted across the diverse streams of the study area. We discuss the patterns of predictability related to site characterizations and individual HMs and their implications for developing environmental flow standards.
Eddleman, W. R. and C. J. Conway. 2020. Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus), version 1.0. In Birds of The World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.ridrai1.01	March 2020
Eckelbecker, R. W., N. M. Heili, C. S. Guy, and D. A. Schmetterling. 2023. Relative-condition parameters for fishes of Montana, USA. Fishes. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8010028	January 2023
Eberhardt, E., Murphy, C.A., Gerth, W., Konstantinidis, P., and Arismendi, I. Documenting historical anchorworm parasitism of introduced warmwater fishes in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon. Northwest Science 97:2.	June 2024
Eaton, M.J., K.E. Jenni, A.J. Lawson, S. Yurek. 2024. An evaluation framework to inform National Park Service coastal infrastructure investment decisions. U.S. Geological Survey Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report.	September 2024
Eaton, M.J., A.J. Terando, J.A. Collazo. 2024. Adaptation Strategies for Conserving Puerto Rico’s Sensitive Herpetofauna: a demonstrative case study using the plains coqui (coqui llanero, E. juanariveroi). Frontiers in Conservation Science, section Animal Conservation. \| Abstract	October 2024	The challenges of selecting strategies to adapt to climate change and other anthropogenic impacts is further complicated by the presence of irreducible uncertainties regarding future conditions. Decisions on long-term investments in land protection to achieve conservation objectives contain significant risk of failure due to these uncertainties. To address this challenge, decision makers need an arsenal of sophisticated but practical tools to help guide spatial conservation strategies. Theory asserts that managing investment risks can be achieved by diversifying an investment portfolio to include assets that are neutral or negatively correlated under a given set of conditions. We demonstrate an approach for formalizing the diversification of conservation assets (land parcels) by using their correlation structure to quantify the degree of risk for any proposed reserve design. We then apply this metric to identify optimal spatial investment portfolios by appropriately balancing risk with the expected conservation benefit. We illustrate a framework for identifying potential future habitat refugia to manage an endangered amphibian by integrating species distribution modeling, scenarios of climate change and sea level rise, and impacts to critical habitat. Using the plains coqui (“coqui llanero”), known from only three small wetland populations on Puerto Rico’s coastal plains, we evaluate the distribution of refugia for eight future scenarios and apply portfolio theory to help guide investment strategies to mitigate climate risks and increase the persistence of this species in the face of an uncertain future. Modeling projects substantial loss of Puerto Rican wetlands and reductions in species distribution, but conditional on the future scenario and with losses not equally distributed across the northern coast. Currently protected areas in the north, while offering limited protection of current llanero distribution, may contribute considerable value to future refugia. Optimizing a protected-area design with the objective of managing risk provides insights on possible benefits and limitations relative to an alternate strategy focused on maximization of cumulative conservation benefits. Some apparent limitations in outcomes of the risk-benefit optimization may be due to the availability of only a small percentage of negatively correlated parcels with which to reduce risk.
Eaton, M. D., P. Benites, L. Campillo, R. E. Wilson, and S. A. Sonsthagen. 2022. Gull plumages are, and are not, what they appear to human vision. Annales Zoologici Fennici 59:187-203.	June 2022
Easterly, E.G., D.A. Isermann, J.K. Raabe, J.W. Pyatskowit. 2020. Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) movement and survival after removal of two dams on the West Branch of the Wolf River, Wisconsin. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 29: 311-324. https://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12516	January 2020
E.P. Johansson and B.A. DeGregorio. 2023. Effects of Landscape Cover and Yard Features on Free-roaming Cat (Felis catus) Distribution, Abundance, and Activity Patterns in a Suburban Area. Journal of Urban Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jue/juad003 \| Abstract \| Download	May 2023	Feral and outdoor domestic cats (<i>Felis catus</i>) are invasive predators throughout the world. In some areas, cats occur in higher densities than native mammalian predators and can have severe impacts upon prey populations. We set 51 wildlife game cameras in residential yards in Arkansas USA to understand which landscape and yard features influenced the cat abundance occurring in yards. Additionally, we quantified the daily activity patterns of cats and explored how habitat features and human or predator activity influenced the timing of cat activity. We found that cats were present in 65% of yards with an average of 3 recognizable individuals per yard. Abundance of cats was higher than all native mesopredators except for raccoon (<i>Procyon lotor</i>) and Virginia opossum (<i>Didelphis virginiana</i>). Cat abundance increased as housing unit density and agricultural land use surrounding homes increased. We found no relationship between cat abundance and yard features. Cats were active at all times of the day but tended to be more diurnal in areas closer to city centers or in agricultural settings. Conversely, cats were more nocturnal later in the summer and in areas that had high levels of human or predator activity. Our results suggest that cats are widespread in this region and their relative abundance is driven more by landscape features than it is by yard features. Cats may alter their activity to better coexist with humans and predators. Alteration of yard features is likely not an effective deterrent for cats and more direct control measures may be necessary.
Dzul, Maria Christina, William Louis Kendall, Charles Brandon Yackulic, Dana L. Winkelman, David Randall Haverbeke, and Michael Yard. 2021. Partial migration and spawning movements of humpback chub in the Little Colorado River are better understood using data from autonomous PIT tag antennas. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 78:1057-1072. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2020-0291 \| Download	February 2021
Dzul, M. C., W. L. Kendall, C.B. Yackulic, D.R. Van Haverbeke, P. Mackinnon, K. Young, M. Pillow, P. Rinker, and J. Thomas. 2024. Estimating migration timing and abundance of both residents and migrants in partial migratory systems by integrating continuous antenna detections with physical captures. Journal of Animal Ecology, DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14076.	April 2024
Dzul, M. C., C. B. Yackulic, W. L. Kendall, D. L. Winkelman, M. Connor, and M. Yard. 2021. Incorporating antenna detections into abundance estimates of fish. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2021-0003	August 2021
Dyer, J., and S. K. Brewer. 2020. Seasonal movements and tributary-specific fidelity of blue sucker in a Southern Plains riverscape. Journal of Fish Biology	June 2020
Dwyer, JF, Gerber, BD, Petersen, P, Armstrong, WE, and Harness, R. 2020. Powerpole density and avian electrocution risk throughout the western United States. Journalof Raptor Research, 54:93–109. https://doi.org/10.3356/0892-1016-54.2.93 \| Download	March 2020
Dwyer, J.F., R.K. Murphy, D.W. Stahlecker, A.M. Dwyer, and C.W. Boal. 2020. Golden Eagle perch site use in the U.S. southern plains: reducing mortality risk uncertainty. Journal of Raptor Research 54:126-135.	May 2020
Dwyer, C., S. Gilliland, and S. A. Sonsthagen. 2021. SDJV Annual Report #150: Improving our understanding of the population structure and harvest composition of American common eiders in the US and Canada. https://seaduckjv.org/	October 2021
Dwinnell, S. et al. Short-term responses to a human-altered landscape do not affect fat dynamics of a migratory ungulate. for Functional Ecology	December 2021
Durboraw, T. D., C. W. Boal, M. S. Fleck, and N. S. Gill. 2022. A century of varying-severity fire and forest structure recovery in Mexican spotted owl nesting habitat. Fire Ecology 18, 31 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-022-00158-z \| Abstract	December 2022	<b>Abstract </b>Dry mixed-conifer forests of the southwestern United States are being rapidly reshaped by anthropogenically-driven fire regime change. Prior to EuroAmerican settlement, these forests experienced frequent surface fires but are now vulnerable to uncharacteristically large, high severity fires. Fire directly influences the structure and composition of these forested systems and, in turn, the wildlife that inhabit them. Thus, the changing fire regime results in uncertain consequences for vegetation dynamics and wildlife habitat. A southwestern mixed-conifer forest inhabitant of particular note is the Mexican spotted owl (<i>Strix occidentalis lucida</i>), which is federally listed as threatened. High-severity fire has been cited as the owl’s primary threat, but uncertainties surround the impacts of high severity fire on the threatened subspecies, particularly across a timeframe longer than a few years. Our objective was to explore the <i>long-term </i>(i.e., 100-year timeframe) effects of fire severity on elements of forest structure vital for Mexican spotted owl nesting. To accomplish this, we quantified desirable structural attributes for nest/roost habitat across burned (varying severity levels) and unburned (control) mixed-conifer forests within the last century. High severity fire has the strongest deleterious impact on elements of forest structure vital to Mexican spotted owl nesting, and although the structural differences between severity classes diminish with time, it took ≥80-100 years to reach the structural conditions desired for Mexican spotted owl nesting after stand-replacing fires. The most important attribute measured, canopy cover, required 90-100 years after high severity fires to reach levels known to support Mexican spotted owls. As fires increase in frequency, severity, and size compared to the last century, forests of the Sacramento Mountains will face an overall decrease in the structural conditions needed for Mexican spotted owl nesting habitat. Uncharacteristic high severity fire in particular poses an imminent threat to nesting habitat far into the future.
Dunn, C.G., M.J. Moore, N.A. Sievert, C.P. Paukert, and R.J. DiStefano. 2021. Co-occuring lotic crayfishes exhibit variable long-term responses to extreme-flow events and temperature. Freshwater Science 40:626-643: https://doi.org/10.1086/717486 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2021	Crayfish serve critical roles in aquatic ecosystems as engineers, omnivores, and prey. It is unclear how increasingly frequent extreme-flow events and warming air temperatures will affect crayfish populations, partly because there are few long-term crayfish monitoring datasets. Using a unique 10-year dataset, we asked: 1) whether recruitment of crayfish in summer responded to extreme-flow events and air temperature during spring brooding and summer growing periods, and 2) whether responses were similar among 3 co-occurring crayfish species. Golden <i>Faxonius luteus</i> (Creaser, 1933), Ozark <i>Faxonius ozarkae</i> (Williams, 1952), and Spothand <i>Faxonius punctimanus</i> (Creaser, 1933) crayfishes were sampled in quadrats at 2 sites each in the Big Piney (1993–2000) and Jacks Fork (1992–2001) rivers (Missouri, USA; <i>n</i> = 3355 1-m<sup>2</sup> quadrats). We used zero-inflated generalized linear models to relate variability in quadrat-level age-0 counts to mean daily maximum air temperatures and flow metrics (variability, magnitude, and frequency of extreme high- and low-flow events). Species ranged from a small-bodied, abundant, habitat generalist (Golden Crayfish) to large-bodied, uncommon, habitat specialists (Ozark, Spothand crayfishes). Golden Crayfish occurred in higher-velocity habitats (riffles, runs) and had variable recruitment that increased during years with few spring and summer high-flow events and summers with lower flows and warmer temperatures. In contrast, annual recruitment variability of Ozark and Spothand crayfishes was low and explained by positive effects of cooler summers and by varying flow metrics. Spothand Crayfish recruitment decreased in years with frequent spring and summer high-flow events, whereas lower summer minimum flow was the only flow metric that explained slight increases in Ozark Crayfish recruitment. Relationships with the preceding year’s recruitment were quadratic for Ozark and Spothand crayfishes, suggesting potential density dependence at higher recruitment levels. Species-specific responses suggest that closely related crayfishes could respond idiosyncratically to changes in temperature and flow. Temperature- and flow-related disturbances may be key mechanisms mediating competition and, thus, may help maintain crayfish diversity. However, warming air temperatures and increasingly frequent extreme-flow events could disadvantage some species, thereby altering future crayfish assemblages.
Dunn, C.G., D.A. Schumann, M.E. Colvin, L.J Sleezer, M. Wagner, D.T. Jones-Farrand, E. Rivenbark, S. McRae, and K. Evans. In 2024. Using resiliency, redundancy, and representation in a Bayesian belief network to assess imperilment of riverine fishes. Ecosphere. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4738 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2024	Conservation-prioritization frameworks are used worldwide to identify species at greatest risk of extinction and to allocate limited resources across regions, species, and populations. Conservation prioritization can be impeded by ecological knowledge gaps and data deficiency, especially in freshwater species inhabiting highly complex aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, we developed a flexible approach that calculates a species’ imperilment risk based on the conservation principles of resiliency, redundancy, and representation (i.e., the “three R’s”). Our approach organizes data on species traits, distributions, population connectivity, and threats within a Bayesian belief network capable of predicting resiliency and redundancy within representative ecological settings. Empirical data and expert judgement inform the model to provide robust and repeatable risk assessments for rare and data-deficient species. The model calculates resiliency at hierarchical spatial scales from distributional trends and population strength. Redundancy is estimated from numbers and connectivity among extant populations. Resiliency, redundancy, and species’ inherent vulnerability based on species traits collectively estimate extirpation risk within each unique ecological setting. Extirpation risks across ecological settings characterize representation and are aggregated to estimate global imperilment risk. We demonstrate the model’s utility with Piebald Madtom (<i>Noturus gladiator</i>), a species petitioned for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Our results revealed that resiliency, redundancy, and extirpation risks can vary spatially across the species’ range while identifying populations where additional sampling could disproportionally reduce uncertainty in estimated global imperilment risk. Our approach could standardize and expedite conservation status assessments, identify opportunities for early management intervention of at-risk species and populations, and strategically reduce uncertainty by focusing monitoring and research on priority information gaps.
Dunn, C. G., and C. P. Paukert. 2021. Accounting for dispersal and local habitat when evaluating tributary use by riverine fishes. Ecosphere. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3711. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	August 2021	Conservation practitioners increasingly recognize the conservation value of tributaries for supporting mainstem, large-river specialist fishes. A tributary’s discharge at its mouth is a coarse indicator of the richness of large-river specialists found within the tributary, but the relative influences of regional dispersal and local habitat underpinning this species–discharge relationship are often unknown. We sampled large-river specialist fishes at sites within two nonwadeable tributaries of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers with contrasting prairie (Grand River) vs. upland (Meramec River) habitats to address four research questions: (1) Do alpha diversity (mean site-level species richness) and beta diversity (among-site species compositional differences) vary between tributaries? (2) Does mean annual discharge correlate with local habitat and downstream distance to mainstem rivers (i.e., mainstem connectivity)? (3) Are slopes of species–discharge relationships consistent between tributaries? And (4) Do local habitat and downstream distance explain residual richness at sites beyond variation already explained by species–discharge relationships? We detected 30 of 42 potential large-river specialist fishes, demonstrating most mainstem species use tributaries. Mean site richness was higher in the Grand River (12.5 species vs. 9.8 species in Meramec River), but partitioning of lower reaches (sites < 116 km from river mouth) and dispersal limitation in upper reaches (sites ≥ 145 km from river mouth) caused Meramec River beta diversity to be three times higher. Mean annual discharge correlated with habitat availability at sites and downstream distance to a mainstem. Although site-level alpha richness generally increased with discharge in both tributaries, slopes of species–discharge relationships varied between tributaries. Analyzing species–discharge residuals revealed downstream distance explained additional variation in site-level richness not accounted for by local discharge. For example, discharge alone underrepresented richness in lower-discharge sites accessible to dispersers (maximum underestimate = 8.7 species) and overrepresented richness in isolated sites (maximum overestimate = 5.8 species). Thus, predictive performance of species–discharge relationships can be improved by accounting for varying habitats among tributaries and downstream distance of sites to mainstems when valuing tributaries for fishes with dispersal-dependent life cycles.
Dunn, C. G., and C. P. Paukert. 2020. A Flexible Survey Design for Monitoring Spatiotemporal Fish Richness in Non-wadeable Rivers: Optimizing Efficiency by Integrating Gears. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77(6): 978-990. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2019-0315. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	February 2020	We designed a flexible protocol for monitoring fish species richness in nonwadeable rivers. Nine sites were sampled seasonally with six gears in two physiographic regions in Missouri (USA). Using resampling procedures and mixed-effects modeling, we quantified richness and compositional overlap among gears, identified efficient gear combinations, and evaluated protocol performance across regions and seasons. We detected 25–75 species per sample and 89 185 fish. On average, no single gear detected >62% of observed species, but an optimized, integrated-gear protocol with four complementary gears on average detected 90% of species while only requiring 51.9% of initial sampling effort. Neither season nor physiographic region explained low spatiotemporal variation in percent richness detected by the integrated-gear protocol. In contrast, equivalent effort with an electrofishing-only protocol was 53.5% less efficient, seasonally biased and imprecise (36.1%–82.3% of richness), and on average detected 15.9% less of observed richness. Altogether, riverine fish richness is likely underestimated with single-gear survey designs. When paired with existing wadeable-stream inventories, our customizable approach could benefit regional monitoring by comprehensively documenting riverine contributions to riverscape biodiversity.
Dunlop, K, M Wipfli, R Muladal, G Wierzbinski. 2020. *Terrestrial and semi-aquatic scavengers on Pacific pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) carcasses in a riparian ecosystem in northern Norway.* Biological Invasions. doi.org/10.1007/s10530-020-02419-x	December 2020
Dunlop, K, AP Eloranta, E Schoen, MS Wipfli, JL Jensen, R Muladal, GN Christensen. 2020. Evidence of energy and nutrient transfer from the invasive pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) spawners to juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) in northern Norway. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. doi.org/10.1111/eff.12582	November 2020
Dunham, K.D., P.K. Devers, A.J. Lawson, J.E. Lyons, C.P. McGowan, J.A. Royle. 2023. Strategic monitoring to minimize misclassification errors from conservation status assessments. Biological Conservation 286:110260. \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2023
Dunham, K.D., A.M. Tucker, D.N. Koons, A. Abebe, F.S. Dobson, and J.B. Grand. 2021. Demographic responses to climate change in a threatened Arctic species. Ecology and Evolution 11(15): 10627-10643. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7873	July 2021
Dunham J., Arismendi I., Murphy C.A, Koeberle A., Olivos J.A., Pearson J., Pickens F., Roon D.A. and Stevenson J. 2020. What to do when invaders are out of control? WIRES Water 7(5). DOI:10.1002/wat2.1476	October 2020
Duncan, M. B., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2021. Movements of selected minnows between the lower Yellowstone River and its tributaries. Canadian Journal of Zoology 99:45-56. doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2020-0040	January 2021
Dula, B., A. Kaeser, C. A. Jennings, and A. Fox. Effects of Hurricane Michael on Annual Recruitment and Mortality of Gulf Sturgeon in the Apalachicola River, FL. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society (Virtual). September 2020. \| Abstract	September 2020	This is an extended abstract and the file is attached.
Dukes, C. G., M. L. Allen, L. E. Dodd, A. J. Edelman, S. N. Harris, S. H. LaRose, D. S. Jachowski, R. C. Lonsinger, and D. B. Sasse. 2022. A review of camera trapping methodologies for Eastern spotted skunks. Journal of Fish & Wildlife Management 13(1):295-305. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-21-073 \| Abstract	March 2022	<i>Spilogale putorius</i> (Eastern Spotted Skunk) is an understudied species that has experienced range-wide declines. Over the past 16 years, camera traps have become an increasingly common tool to monitor and understand the current distribution of Eastern Spotted Skunks. To inform best surveying practices, we reviewed 16 camera trap studies specifically targeting this species. We focused on reported latency to initial detection and 3 main aspects of study design: seasonality of detections, baits and lures, and camera trap brands. Latency to initial detection ranged from 1–82 days with a mean of 17.1 days (SD = 9.1). Attractants varied among projects, but most (75%) used sardines as bait. The highest percentage of skunk detections occurred in March (92%). Studies using Moultrie brand camera traps were the most widely used, but Bushnell camera traps had a higher detection rate (mean = 24%, SD = 18.5, <i>n =</i> 4) than other brands included in our review. We conclude by outlining effective surveying techniques that will aid in developing more efficient methods to address key knowledge gaps for this elusive species.
Dugger, Katie M., Alan B. Franklin, Damon B. Lesmeister, Raymond J. Davis, J. David Wiens, Gary C. White, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines, Charles B. Yackulic, Carl J. Schwarz, Steven H. Ackers, L. Steven Andrews, Larissa L. Bailey, Robin Bown, Jesse Burgher, Kenneth P. Burnham, Peter C. Carlson, Tara Chestnut, Mary M. Conner, Krista E. Dilione, Eric D. Forsman, Scott A. Gremel, Keith A. Hamm, Dale R. Herter, J. Mark Higley, Rob B. Horn, Julianna M. Jenkins, William L. Kendall, David W. Lamphear, Christopher McCafferty, Trent L. McDonald, Janice A. Reid, Jeremy T. Rockweit, David C. Simon, Stan G. Sovern, James K. Swingle, and Heather Wise. 2021. Estimating northern spotted owl pair detection probabilities based on call-back surveys associated with long-term mark-recapture studies. USGS Open Source Report.	July 2023
Dugger, KM. 2022. The Northern Spotted Owl: the conservation history of an iconic Oregon species. Pages 138-143 in SM Haig, DD Roby, and TA Haig, eds. As the Condor Soars: conserving and restoring Oregon's birds. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR.	December 2022
Dugger, K.M. 2021. ADPE PROJECT ANT-1543459: Collaborative: Adélie Penguin response to climate change in the Ross Sea region - a full lifecycle approach. Project Outcomes Summary for Lay Public.	July 2021
Dudzinski, K.M., C.A. Ribic, H.M. Manitzas Hill, and T.T. Bolton. 2021. Bottlenose dolphin calf initiated pectoral fin contact exchanges with mother, other kin and non-kin. Animal Behavior and Cognition 8:376-390. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26451/abc.08.03.04.2021	August 2021
Dudzinski, K. M., C. A. Ribic, H. M. Hill, and T. T. Bolton. 2021. Evidence for maternal style among adult female dolphins when sharing pectoral fin contacts with their calves. Animal Behavior and Cognition 8: 52-68. https://doi.org/10.26451/abc.08.01.05.2021	February 2021
Duchac, LS, DB Lesmeister, KM Dugger, and RJ Davis. 2021. Differential landscape use by forest owls two years after a mixed-severity wildfire. Ecosphere 12(10):e03770. 10.1002/ecs2.3770	October 2021
Duchac, L.S., D.B. Lesmeister, K.M. Dugger, Z.J. Ruff, and R.J. Davis. 2020. Passive acoustic monitoring effectively detects Northern Spotted Owls and Barred Owls over a range of forest conditions. The Condor 122: 1–22, DOI: 10.1093/condor/duaa017.	April 2020
Duarte, A., J.T. Peterson, C.A. Pearl, J.C. Rowe, B. McCreary , S.K. Galvan, and M.J. Adams. 2020. Estimation of metademographic rates and landscape connectivity for a conservation-reliant anuran. Landscape Ecology 35: 1459–1479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-020-01030-8 \| Abstract	April 2020	<i>Context </i>Amphibian conservation efforts commonly assume populations are tied to waterbodies that collectively function as a metapopulation. This assumption is rarely evaluated, and there is a need to understand the degree of connectivity among patches to appropriately define, manage, and conserve biological populations. <br><i> </i><br><i>Objectives </i>Our objectives were to quantify local persistence, colonization, and recruitment (metademographic rates) in relation to habitat attributes, evaluate the influence of the spatial arrangement of patches on landscape-scale population dynamics, and estimate the scale at which metapopulation dynamics are occurring for Oregon spotted frog (<i>Rana pretiosa</i>).<br><i> </i><br><i>Methods </i>We collected <i>R. pretiosa</i> detection/non-detection data and habitat information from 93 sites spread throughout the species’ core extant range in Oregon, USA, 2010–2018. We developed a spatial multistate dynamic occupancy model to analyze these data.<br><i> </i><br><i>Results </i>Results indicated the proportion of sites occupied by <i>R. pretiosa</i> was relatively stable despite regular turnover in site occupancy. <i>Rana pretiosa</i> were likely to colonize a site if it was within 4.49–7.70 km, and <i>R. pretiosa</i> populations within 1 km are at the appropriate spatial scale for effective population management. <i>Rana pretiosa</i> metademographic rates were strongly tied to water availability, vegetation characteristics, and beaver dams.<br><i> </i><br><i>Conclusions </i>Our analysis provides critical information to identify the appropriate spatial scale for effective population management, estimates the distance at which populations are connected, and quantifies the effects of hypothesized threats to species at a landscape scale. We believe this model will prove to be useful to inform conservation and management strategies for multiple species.
Duarte, A. and J.T. Peterson. 2021. Space‐for‐time is not necessarily a substitution when monitoring the distribution of pelagic fishes in the San Francisco Bay‐Delta. Ecology and Evolution 11:16727-16744. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8292 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2021	Occupancy models are often used to analyze long-term monitoring data to better understand how and why species redistribute across dynamic landscapes while accounting for incomplete capture. However, this approach requires replicate detection/non-detection data and many long-term monitoring programs lack temporal replicate surveys at a sample unit. In such cases, it has been suggested that surveying subunits within a larger sample unit may be an efficient substitution (i.e., space-for-time substitution). Still, the efficacy of fitting occupancy models using a space-for-time substitution has not been fully explored and is likely context dependent. Herein, we fit multistate occupancy models to Delta Smelt (<i>Hypomesus transpacificus</i>) and Longfin Smelt (<i>Spirinchus thaleichthys</i>) catch data collected by two different monitoring programs in the San Francisco Bay-Delta, USA. We demonstrate how our inferences concerning the distribution and relative abundance of these species changes when using a space-for-time substitution. Specifically, we found the probability that a sample unit was occupied and contained a large number of fish was much greater when using a space-for-time substitution, presumably due to the change in the spatial scale of our inferences. Furthermore, our results indicate that as the spatial scale of our inferences increased our ability to detect environmental effects on system dynamics decreased, which we suspect is related to the tradeoffs associated with spatial grain and extent. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of considering how the unique characteristics of monitoring programs influences inferences, which has broad implications for how to appropriately leverage existing long-term monitoring data to understand the distribution and relative abundance of species.
Duarte, A, M.J. Weldy, D.B. Lesmeister, Z.J. Ruff, J.M.A. Jenkins, J.J. Valente, and M.G. Betts. 2024. Passive acoustic monitoring and convolutional neural networks facilitate high-resolution and broadscale monitoring of a threatened species. Ecological Indicators, 162:112016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112016 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	April 2024	Population monitoring is an essential component of biodiversity conservation and management, but low detection probabilities for rare and/or cryptic species makes estimating abundance and occupancy challenging. Passive acoustic monitoring combined with machine learning algorithms represents a potential path forward to effectively and efficiently monitor the occurrence of rare vocalizing species across entire forest landscapes. Our objectives were to develop and implement a convolutional neural network (PNW-Cnet) to identify vocalizations of a rare and threatened forest nesting bird species – the marbled murrelet (<i>Brachyramphus marmoratus</i>) – in the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A., 2018–2021. We used PNW-Cnet predictions from broadscale passive acoustic monitoring data to examine spatiotemporal patterns in the distribution of murrelets. PNW-Cnet showed sufficiently high prediction accuracy (overall precision > 0.9) to enable broadscale population monitoring. Spatiotemporal analysis showed that annual peak murrelet call abundance occurs in ordinal weeks 28–32 (late July–Mid August) but this varied by study area. The greatest number of detections typically occurred in the Olympic Peninsula and Oregon Coast Range where late-successional forest dominates and nearer to ocean habitats. We demonstrate that passive acoustic monitoring can be used to understand intensity of use across broad scales for a rare and cryptic species in addition to the typical detection/non-detection data that are often collected. Passive acoustic monitoring combined with PNW-Cnet offers considerable promise for species distribution modeling and long-term population monitoring for rare species.
DuFour, M., K.F. Robinson, M. Jones, S. Herbst. 2021. A matrix population model to aid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) management in the Great Lakes Basin – Lake Erie. Journal of Great Lakes Research, Special Issue: Research and management efforts on invasive Asian carps in the Laurentian Great Lakes 47:69-82. DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2020.06.022	February 2021
Du Clos, Brianne, F. Drummond, and C.S. Loftin. 2020. Landscape context across a single crop system affects wild bee communities. Environmental Entomology. 49: 502-515. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvaa001	January 2020
Du Clos, B., F.A. Drummond, and C.S. Loftin. Effects of an early mass‑flowering crop on wild bee communities and traits in power line corridors vary with blooming plants and landscape context. Landscape Ecology; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-022-01495-9	August 2022
Driscoll, S. C., H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2021. Presence of microplastics in the food web of the largest high-elevation lake in North America. Water. 13, 264. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13030264 \| Download	January 2021
Drexler, JZ, MJ Davis, I Woo, and SEW De La Cruz. 2020. Carbon sources in the sediments of a restoring vs. historically unaltered salt marsh. Estuaries and Coasts 43:1345-1360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-020-00748-7	April 2020
Douglas L. Zentner, Shannon K. Brewer, Daniel E. Shoup; Environment Affects Sucker Catch Rate, Size Structure, Species Composition, and Precision in Boat Electrofishing Samples. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 1 June 2023; 14 (1): 135–152. doi: https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-22-052	June 2023
Dougherty, E.R., D.P. Seidel, J.K. Blackburn, W.C. Turner, W.M Getz. 2022. A framework for integrating inferred movement behavior into disease risk models. Movement Ecology, 10, 31. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2022	Movement behavior is an important contributor to habitat selection and its incorporation in disease risk models has been somewhat neglected. The habitat preferences of host individuals affect their probability of exposure to pathogens. If preference behavior can be incorporated in ecological niche models (ENMs) when data on pathogen distributions is available, then variation in such behavior may dramatically impact exposure risk. Here we use data from the anthrax endemic system of Etosha National Park, Namibia, to demonstrate how integrating inferred movement behavior alters the construction of disease risk maps. We used a Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model that associated soil, bioclimatic, and vegetation variables with the best available pathogen presence data collected at anthrax carcass sites to map areas of most likely <i>Bacillus anthracis</i> (the causative bacterium of anthrax) persistence. We then used a hidden Markov model (HMM) to distinguish foraging and non-foraging behavioral states along the movement tracks of nine zebra (<i>Equus quagga</i>) during the 2009 and 2010 anthrax seasons. The resulting tracks, decomposed on the basis of the inferred behavioral state, formed the basis of step-selection functions (SSFs) that used the MaxEnt output as a potential predictor variable. Our analyses revealed different risks of exposure during different zebra behavioral states, which were obscured when the full movement tracks were analyzed without consideration of the underlying behavioral states of individuals. Pathogen (or vector) distribution models may be misleading with regard to the actual risk faced by host animal populations when specific behavioral states are not explicitly accounted for in selection analyses. To more accurately evaluate exposure risk, especially in the case of environmentally transmitted pathogens, selection functions could be built for each identified behavioral state and then used to assess the comparative exposure risk across relevant states. The scale of data collection and analysis, however, introduces complexities and limitations for consideration when interpreting results.
Dornak, L.L., J. L. Aycrigg, J. Sauer, and C. J. Conway. 2020. Assessing the efficacy of protected and multiple-use lands for bird conservation in the U.S. PLOS ONE 5(9):e0239184.	September 2020
Donovan. T. M., C. Balantic, J. Katz, M. Massar, R. Knutson, K. Duh, P. W. Jones, K. Epstein, J. Lacasse-Roger, and J. Dias. 2021. Remote Ecological Monitoring with Smartphones and Tasker. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 12:163–173. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	June 2021	Researchers have increasingly used autonomous monitoring units to record animal sounds, track phenology with timed photographs, and snap images when triggered by motion. We piloted the use of smartphones to monitor wildlife in the Riverside East Solar Energy Zone (California) and at Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana). For both efforts, we established remote autonomous monitoring stations in which we housed an Android smartphone in a weather-proof box mounted to a pole and powered by solar panels. We connected each smartphone to a Google account, and the smartphone received its recording/photo schedule daily via a Google Calendar connection when in data transmission mode. Phones were automated by Tasker, an Android application for automating cell phone tasks. We describe a simple approach that could be adopted by others who wish to use nonproprietary methods of data collection and analysis.
Donovan, V. M., Roberts, C. P., Wonkka, C. L., Beck, J. L., Popp, J. N., Allen, C. R., & Twidwell, D. (2020). Range-wide monitoring of population trends for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Biological Conservation, 248, 108639. \| Abstract \| Download	August 2020	Species conservation requires monitoring and management that extends beyond the local population, yet studies evaluating population trends and management outcomes across the spatial range of a species remain rare. We conducted the first range-wide assessment of population trends for the iconic Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (<i>Ovis canadensis canadensis</i>) of North America to investigate links between population trends and translocation history. Millions of US dollars have been spent translocating bighorn sheep to achieve conservation objectives, yet a range-wide assessment is lacking. We collected bighorn sheep population estimates for 217 populations across ten US states and two Canadian provinces. We categorized each population by translocation status: native (populations received no translocations), augmented (native populations supplemented with translocation), or reintroduced (populations beginning from translocation). Fifty-eight percent of populations increased in recent years. While most reintroduced and native populations increased in the last 5 years of records, almost double the number of augmented populations declined compared to increased. Reintroduced and augmented populations from the north-central portion of bighorn sheep range declined the most in the last 5 years of records, while southern populations tended to be more stable. Although Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep appear to be a conservation and restoration success, the threat of local population loss remains high in certain regions. We show how amalgamating multi-jurisdictional population data can assist in determining wildlife status and assessing broad-scale management outcomes.
Donovan, T., J. Hines, and D. MacKenzie. 2024. occupancyTuts: Occupancy Modeling Tutorials with RPresence. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 10.1111/2041-210X.14285 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2024	Abstract<br><br>1. The occupancy modelling framework offers tremendous flexibility in estimating species abundance and distribution patterns while accounting for imperfect detection, and has seen rapid growth and adoption since its introduction at the beginning of the century.<br><br>2. At the same time, in an era of big data, there are increasing demands on developing quantitative skills and proficiency in young ecologists, many of whom lack the quantitative training needed to conduct research professionally.<br><br>3. We introduce <i>occupancyTuts</i>, an R package that features 28 <i>learnr </i>tutorials that teach the statistical underpinnings of several occupancy models. The tutorials include written content, instructional videos, R exercises, and quiz elements, covering a range of topics including statistical underpinnings, single- and dynamic-occupancy models, study design and several of the ‘spin-off’ models that extend the basic framework.<br><br>4. We plan for development of new tutorials that use <i>RPresence</i> as the analysis engine, and welcome new tutorial contributions that use other R packages as the analysis engine as well.
Donovan VM, Beck J, Wonkka CL, Roberts CP, Allen CR, Twidwell D. Declining pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) population productivity caused by woody encroachment and oil and gas development. Global Ecology and Conservation. e02848 . \| Abstract	February 2024	Conservation is increasingly focused on preventing losses in species’ populations before they occur. Tracking changes in demographic parameters that can impact a population’s resilience in response to drivers of global change can support early conservation efforts. We assessed trends in population productivity (late summer juveniles per 100 females) relative to drivers of global change in 40 pronghorn (<i>Antilocapra americana</i>) herds across sagebrush (<i>Artemisia</i> spp.) steppe in Wyoming. Pronghorn are an iconic rangeland species that have been exposed to increasing levels of anthropogenic, climatic, and land-use change. Using data collected across the state of Wyoming, we (1) assessed long-term trends in population productivity, (2) identified patterns in large-scale drivers of global change (i.e., climate, land cover change) across pronghorn habitat, and (3) determined the relationship between drivers of global change and population productivity over a 35-year (1984-2019) period. While Wyoming hosts some of the most abundant populations of pronghorn in North America that have been largely stable in recent years, we found many herds are experiencing long-term declines in productivity. Long-term declines in productivity were associated with increases in oil and gas development and woody encroachment. Although increasing across almost all herd units, woody vegetation cover remains at low levels, suggesting that pre-emptive management may help to prevent losses in pronghorn populations.
Donnelly, JP, SL King, NL Silverman, DP Collins, EM Carrera-Gonzales, A Lafon-Terrazas, and JN Moore. 2020. Climate and human water use diminish wetland networks supporting continental waterbird migration. Submitted to Global Change Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15010	January 2020
Doll CF, SJ Converse, and CB Schultz. 2022. Non-target effects of herbicides on the Zerene silverspot butterfly, a surrogate for the Oregon silverspot butterfly. Journal of Insect Conservation 26:1-15.	January 2022
Doll CF, SJ Converse, CB Edwards, and CB Schultz. 2022. Using structured decision making to guide habitat restoration for butterflies. Journal of Insect Conservation 26:219-230.	March 2022
Dolfi, A., K. Kausrud, K. Rysava, C. Champagne, Y-H Huang, Z.R. Barandongo, W.C. Turner. 2024. Season of death, pathogen persistence and wildlife behavior alter the number of anthrax secondary infections from environmental reservoirs, Proceedings of the Royal Society B - Biological Sciences, 291: 20232568. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.2568 \| Abstract	February 2024	An important part of infectious disease management is predicting factors that influence disease outbreaks, such as <i>R</i>, the number of secondary infections arising from an infected individual. Estimating <i>R</i> is particularly challenging for environmentally transmitted pathogens given time lags between cases and subsequent infections. Here, we calculated <i>R</i> over a decade of <i>Bacillus anthracis</i> infections arising from anthrax carcass sites in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Combining host behavioral data, pathogen concentrations, and simulation models, we show that <i>R</i> is spatially and temporally variable, driven by spore concentrations at death, host visitation rates and early preference for foraging at infectious sites. While spores were detected a decade after death, most secondary infections occurred within two years. Transmission simulations under scenarios combining site infectiousness and host exposure risk under different environmental conditions led to dramatically different outbreak dynamics, from pathogen extinction (<i>R</i><1) to explosive outbreaks (<i>R</i>>10). These heterogeneities in transmission may explain variation in anthrax outbreak dynamics observed globally, and more generally, the critical importance of environmental variation underlying host-pathogens interactions. Notably, our approach allowed us to estimate the lethal dose of a highly virulent pathogen non-invasively from observational studies and epidemiological data, useful when experiments on wildlife are undesirable or impractical.
Doden, E. P. Budy, T. Avgar, and J.K. Young. 2022. Movement Patterns of Resident and Translocated Beavers at Multiple Spatiotemporal Scales in Desert Rivers. Frontiers in Conservation Science: Animal Behavior in Novel Environments 3:777797. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88976-152-4. * USDA manuscript approval process - Young. \| Abstract	May 2022	Wildlife translocations alter animal movement behavior, so identifying common movement patterns post-translocation will help set expectations about animal behavior in subsequent efforts. American and Eurasian beavers (<i>Castor canadensis; C. fiber</i>) are frequently translocated for reintroductions, to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, and as an ecosystem restoration tool. However, little is known about movement behavior of translocated beavers post-release, especially in desert rivers with patchy and dynamic resources. We identified space-use patterns of beaver movement behavior after translocation. We translocated and monitored nuisance American beavers in desert river restoration sites on the Price and San Rafael Rivers, Utah, USA, and compared their space use to resident beavers after tracking both across two years. Resident adult beavers were detected at a mean maximum distance of 0.86 ± 0.21 river kilometers (km; ±1 SE), while resident subadult (11.00 ± 4.24 km), translocated adult (19.69 ± 3.76 km), and translocated subadult (21.09 ± 5.54 km) beavers were detected at substantially greater maximum distances. Based on coarse-scale movement models, translocated and resident subadult beavers moved substantially farther from release sites and faster than resident adult beavers up to six months post-release. In contrast, fine-scale movement models using 5-minute location intervals showed similar median distance traveled between resident adult and translocated beavers. Our findings suggest day-to-day activities, such as foraging and resting, were largely unaltered by translocation, but translocated beavers exhibited coarse-scale movement behavior most similar to dispersal by resident subadults. Coarse-scale movement rates decreased with time since release, suggesting that translocated beavers adjusted to the novel environment over time and eventually settled into a home range similar to resident adult beavers. Understanding translocated beaver movement behavior in response to a novel desert system can help future beaver-assisted restoration efforts to identify appropriate release sites and strategies.
Do Bark-Beetle Affected Forests Provide Elk a Refuge to Elude Hunters?	January 2020
Dillon, K. G., and C. J. Conway. 2021. Elevational pattern in avian species richness replicated throughout North America is driven by habitat heterogeneity, temperature, and productivity. Ecology and Evolution 11:5985-5997. doi: 10.1002/ece3.7341	May 2021
Dillon, E. M., Lafferty, K. D., McCauley, D. J., Bradley, D., Norris, R. D., Caselle, J. E., DiRenzo, G. V., Gardner J. P. A., & O’Dea A. 2020. Dermal denticle assemblages in coral reef sediment correlate with conventional shark surveys. Methods in Ecology & Evolution 11: 362–375. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13346 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2020	It is challenging to assess long‐term trends in mobile, long‐lived and relatively rare species such as sharks. Despite ongoing declines in many coastal shark populations, conventional surveys might be too fleeting and too recent to describe population trends over decades to millennia. Placing recent shark declines into historical context should improve management efforts as well as our understanding of past ecosystem dynamics. A new palaeoecological approach for surveying shark abundance on coral reefs is to quantify dermal denticle assemblages preserved in sediments. This approach assumes that denticle accumulation rates correlate with shark abundances. Here, we test this assumption by comparing the denticle record in surface sediments to three conventional shark survey methods at Palmyra Atoll, Line Islands, central Pacific Ocean, where shark density is high and spatially heterogeneous. We generally found a significant positive correlation between denticle accumulation rates and shark abundances derived from underwater visual census, baited remote underwater video and hook and line surveys. Denticle accumulation rates reflected shark abundances, suggesting that denticle assemblages can preserve a signal of time‐averaged shark abundance in low‐energy coral reef environments. We offer suggestions for applying this tool to measure shark abundance over long time‐scales in other contexts.
Diggins. C.A. and W.M. Ford. 2021. Spatial Behavior of Northern Flying Squirrels in the Same Social Network. Ethology DOI: 10.1111/eth.13130 18 p.	April 2021
Diggins, C.A., M.A. Castellano and W.M. Ford. 2020. Hypogeous, sequestrate Fungi (Genus Elaphomyces) found at small-mammal foraging sites in High-elevation conifer forests of West Virginia. Northeastern Naturalist 27:N40-N47	July 2020
Diggins, C.A., G.G. Turner, L.M. Gilley, and W.M. Ford. 2020. Ultrasonic acoustic surveys of state endangered northern flying squirrels in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11(2):644-653.	November 2020
Diggins, C.A., G.G. Turner, L.M. Gilley, and W.M. Ford. 2020. Ultrasonic acoustic surveys of state endangered northern flying squirrels in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11(2):644-653.	November 2020
Diggins, C.A. and W.M. Ford. 2022. Seasonal bat activity patterns in high-elevation conifer sky islands Acta Chiropterlogica 24(1): 91–101.	June 2022
Diggins, C.A. and W.M. Ford. 2021. Effects of surveying for the federally endangered Spruce-fir Moss Spider (Microhexura montivaga Crosby & Bishop)on its bryophyte habitat. Southeastern Naturalist 20(1):77-91	January 2021
Diggins, C.A. L.M. Gilley, C.A. Kelly and W.M. Ford. 2020. Using Ultrasonic Acoustics to Detect Cryptic Flying Squirrels: Seasonality and Survey Length. Wildlife Society Bulletin 44:300-308.	June 2020
Diefenbach, D. R., W. M. Knox, and C. S. Rosenberry. 2021. The Future of Managing Ungulate Species: White-tailed Deer as a Case Study. Pages 327-340 in K. Pope and L. Powell, editors. Harvest of fish and wildlife: new paradigms for sustainable management. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA. \| Download	June 2021
Dick, C., Larson, W.A., Karpan, K., Baetscher, D.S., Shi, Y., Sethi, S., Fangue, N.A., Henderson, M.J. Prey ration, temperature, and predator species influence digestion rates of prey DNA inferred from qPCR and metabarcoding. Submitted to Molecular Ecology Resources. \| Abstract	August 2023	Diet analysis is a vital tool for understanding trophic interactions and is frequently used to inform conservation and management. Molecular approaches can identify diet items that are impossible to distinguish using more traditional visual-based methods. Yet, our understanding of how different variables, such as predator species or prey ration size, influence molecular diet analysis is still incomplete. Here, we conducted a large feeding trial to assess the impact that ration size, predator species, and temperature had on digestion rates estimated with visual identification, qPCR, and metabarcoding. Our trial was conducted by feeding two different rations of Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) to two piscivorous fish species (striped bass [<i>Morone saxatilis</i>] and channel catfish [<i>Ictalurus punctatus</i>]) held at two different temperatures (15.5°C and 18.5°C) and sacrificed at regular intervals up to 120 hours from the time of ingestion to quantify digestive tract contents. We found that ration size had the largest influence on digestion rate followed by prey species and temperature. DNA based analyses were able to identify salmon smolt prey in predator gut samples for much longer than visual analysis (~6 hours for visual analysis versus ~72 hours for molecular analyses). Notably, metabarcoding results had substantially less variance than qPCR results and produced better quantitative estimates of evacuation rates that could be more confidently integrated into modeling efforts. Our study provides evidence that modeling the persistence of prey DNA in predator guts for molecular diet analyses may be feasible using a small set of controlling variables for many fish systems.
Diaz, L., A. Duarte, M. Beakes, and J.T. Peterson. 2023 Ontogenetic niche partitioning in a facultatively anadromous salmonid: implications for population dynamics. Biological Conservation 49: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02770 \| Abstract	October 2023	Species management and conservation efforts are often based on range-wide trends, assuming dynamic equilibrium across space and time, even though fine-scale variability may be driving local dynamics. <i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i> is a globally introduced, facultatively anadromous salmonid that is experiencing demographic shifts characterized by greater proportions of population remaining in freshwater. The degree of niche overlap between age classes of <i>O. mykiss</i> in freshwater environments may dictate how resources are partitioned within populations. We conducted a meta-analysis of age-specific <i>O. mykiss</i> habitat use to evaluate the degree of niche-partitioning between age classes and how age-specific habitat use relates to global in-stream and landscape level habitat variation. <i>O. mykiss</i> used deeper habitats as they grew towards maturity but do not partition habitat based on water velocity or substrate composition. As annual precipitation increased, <i>O. mykiss</i> used deeper and shallower habitats, and as summer air temperature increased, O. mykiss used shallower habitats. <i>O. mykiss</i> of native origin used deeper habitats than nonnative <i>O. mykiss</i>. However, A large proportion (42-99%) of variation in habitat use was associated with study or ecoregion, making climactic predictors unreliable for predictive species distribution or population dynamics models. Although the exact mechanism driving geographic variability in <i>O. mykiss</i> habitat use are not fully understood, our results provide the data to aid our understanding of how demographic shifts affect population resilience under climate change. Further research incorporating individual competitive behavior in predictive population models may elucidate the links between resource availability, demographic rates, and long-term <i>O. mykiss</i> population stability.
Diaz, A. L., A. E. Ortega, H. Tingle, A. Pulido, O, Cordero, M. Nelson, N. Cocoves, J. Shin. R. R. Carthy, B. E. Wilkinson, and P. G. Ifju. 2022, The Bathy-drone: An autonomous Uncrewed drone-tethered sonar system. Drones 6(10), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6100294 \| Abstract	October 2022	A unique drone-based system for underwater mapping (bathymetry) was developed at the University of Florida. The system, called the "Bathy-drone," is comprised of a drone that drags, via a tether, a small vessel on the water surface in a raster pattern. The vessel is equipped with a recreational commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) sonar unit that has down-scan, side-scan, and chirp capabilities and logs GPS referenced sonar data onboard or transmitted in real-time with a telemetry link. Data can then be retrieved post-mission and plotted in various ways. The system provides both isobaths and contours of bottom hardness. Extensive testing of the system was conducted on a 5-acre pond located at the University of Florida Plant Science and Education Unit in Citra, FL. Prior to performing scans of the pond, ground truth data was acquired with an RTK GNSS unit on a pole to precisely measure the location of the bottom at over 300 locations. An assessment of the accuracy and resolution of the system was measured by comparison to the ground truth data. The pond ground truth had an average depth of 2.30m while the Bathy-drone measured an average 21.6cm deeper than the ground truth, repeatable to within 2.6cm. The results justify integration of RTK and IMU corrections. During testing, it was found that there are numerous advantages of the Bathy-drone system compared to conventional methods including ease of implementation and the ability to initiate surveys from the land by flying the system to the water or placing the platform in the water. The system is also inexpensive, lightweight, and low volume, thus making transport convenient. The Bathy-drone can collect data at speeds of 0-24 km/h (0-15 mph), and thus can be used in waters with swift currents. Additionally, there are no propellers or control surfaces underwater, so the vessel does not tend to snag on floating vegetation and can be dragged over sandbars. An area of more than 10 acres was surveyed using the Bathy-drone in one battery charge and in less than 25 minutes.
DiStefano RJ, D. Ashley, S. K. Brewer, J. Mouser, and M. Neimiller. 2020. Preliminary investigation of the critically imperiled Caney Mountain Cave Crayfish Orconectes stygocaneyi (Decapoda: Cambaridae) (HOBBS III 2001) in Missouri, USA. Freshwater Crayfish 25. 47-57. 10.5869/fc.2020.v25-1.047.	January 2020
DiRenzo, G.V., Longo, A.V., Muletz-Wolz, C.R. et al. 2021. Plethodontid salamanders show variable disease dynamics in response to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans chytridiomycosis. Biological Invasions 23: 2797-2815.. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02536-1 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2021	Emerging infectious diseases are among the leading drivers of the sixth mass extinction. The recent invasion of a highly pathogenic chytrid fungus, <i>Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans</i> (<i>Bsal</i>), across Europe has led to salamander mass mortality. To date, it remains unclear whether <i>Bsal</i> will cause salamander mass mortalities in North America. Here, we tested the <i>Bsal</i> susceptibility of eight wild-caught salamander species (<i>Plethodon cinereus</i>, <i>P. glutinosus</i>, <i>P. montanus</i>, <i>P. cylindraceus</i>, <i>Desmognathus fuscus</i>, <i>D. wrighti, Eurycea wilderae</i>, and <i>Notophthalmus viridescens</i>) by inoculating individuals sequentially with a low (10,000 zoospores) and high (500,000 zoospores) <i>Bsal</i> dose<i>.</i> Overall, we found rapid and complete mortality of <i>N. viridescens</i> accompanied with high-<i>Bsal</i> infections (> 200,000 <i>Bsal</i> zoospores) and severe <i>Bsal</i> lesions distributed across the body and deep within the skin. In contrast, we found low mortality of plethodontid salamanders, where only 5 of 60 (8%) <i>Bsal</i>-exposed individuals died over the course of the experiment. In general, plethodontid salamanders experienced moderate <i>Bsal</i> infections (~ 4000 <i>Bsal</i> zoospores) with small numbers of <i>Bsal</i>-type lesions limited to the head and lateral body. Following the first <i>Bsal</i> inoculation, we found that <i>Bd</i> co-infections negatively affected <i>Bsal</i> infections, suggesting cross reactivity of the immune system or competitive exclusion, but this pattern did not persist following the second inoculation. We also found that <i>Bsal</i> infection intensity decreased over time following the second higher <i>Bsal</i> inoculation, suggesting evidence of immune priming. Throughout the experiment, all species and treatments experienced stable or increasing body condition over time. Lastly, ancestral state reconstruction of <i>Bsal</i> susceptibility indicated that although the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of the family Plethodontidae is resistant to <i>Bsal</i>, the MRCA of the genus <i>Plethodon</i> is tolerant of <i>Bsal</i>. This highlights the variation in <i>Bsal</i>-infection outcomes across Plethodontidae. Collectively, our results suggest that Plethodontidae salamanders differ in their <i>Bsal</i> susceptibility, with some species less impacted than others, which will likely have consequences for their conservation and management.
DiRenzo, G. V., Miller, D. A. W., Hossack, B. R., Sigafus, B. H., Howell, P. E., Muths, E., & E. H. C. Grant. 2021. Accommodating the role of site memory in dynamic species distribution models. Ecology 102: e03315. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2021	First-order dynamic occupancy models (FODOMs) are a class of state-space model in which the true state (occurrence) is observed imperfectly. An important assumption of FODOMs is that site dynamics only depend on the current state and that variations in dynamic processes are adequately captured with covariates or random effects. However, it is often difficult to understand and/or measure the covariates that generate ecological data, which are typically spatiotemporally correlated. Consequently, the non-independent error structure of correlated data causes underestimation of parameter uncertainty and poor ecological inference. Here, we extend the FODOM framework with a second-order Markov process to accommodate site memory when covariates are not available. Our modeling framework can be used to make reliable inference about site occupancy, colonization, extinction, turnover, and detection probabilities. We present a series of simulations to illustrate the data requirements and model performance. We then applied our modeling framework to 13 yr of data from an amphibian community in southern Arizona, USA. In this analysis, we found residual temporal autocorrelation of population processes for most species, even after accounting for long-term drought dynamics. Our approach represents a valuable advance in obtaining inference on population dynamics, especially as they relate to metapopulations.
DiRenzo, G. V., Hanks, E., & D. A. W. Miller. 2022. A practical guide to understanding and validating complex statistical models using simulations. Methods in Ecology & Evolution 00: 1–15. DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.14030.	November 2022
DiRenzo, G. V., D. M. W. Miller, & E. H. C. Grant. 2022. Ignoring species availability biases occupancy estimates in single-scale occupancy models. Methods in Ecology & Evolution 13: 1790-1804. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13881 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	May 2022	1. Most applications of single-scale occupancy models do not differentiate between availability and detectability, even though species availability is rarely equal to one. Species availability can be estimated using multi-scale occupancy models, and the availability process includes elements of species movement, behavior, and phenology. However, for the practical application of multi-scale occupancy models, it can be unclear what a robust sampling design looks like and what the statistical properties of the multi-scale and single-scale occupancy models are when availability is less than one.<br><br>2. Using simulations, we explore the following common questions asked by ecologists during the design phase of a field study: (Q1) what is a robust sampling design for the multi-scale occupancy model when there are <i>a priori</i> expectations of parameter estimates?, (Q2) what is a robust sampling design when we have no expectations of parameter estimates?, and (Q3) can a single-scale occupancy model with a random effects term adequately absorb the extra heterogeneity produced when availability is less than one and provide reliable estimates of occupancy probability?.<br><br>3. Our results show that there is a tradeoff between the number of sites and surveys needed to achieve a specified level of acceptable error for occupancy estimates using the multi-scale occupancy model. We also document that when species availability is low (< 0.40 on the probability scale), then single-scale occupancy models underestimate occupancy by as much as 0.40 on the probability scale, produce overly precise estimates, and provide poor parameter coverage. This pattern was observed when a random effects term was and was not included in the single-scale occupancy model, suggesting that adding a random-effects term does not adequately absorb the extra heterogeneity produced by the availability process. In contrast, when species availability was high (> 0.60), single-scale occupancy models performed similarly to the multi-scale occupancy model.<br><br>4. As a companion, we provide an RShiny app that allows users to further explore our results and sampling designs across a number of different scenarios https://gdirenzo.shinyapps.io/multi-scale-occ/. Our results suggest that unaccounted for availability can lead to underestimating species distributions when using single-scale occupancy models, which can have large implications on ecological inference and predictions for practitioners, such as those working at the front lines of invasion ecology, disease emergence, and species conservation.
DiRenzo, G. V., Chen, R. Ibsen, K., Toothman, M., Miller, A. J., Gershman, A., Mitragotri, S., & C. J. Briggs. 2020. Investigating the potential use of an ionic liquid (1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) as an anti-fungal treatment against the amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. PloS One 15: e0231811. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231811 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2020	The disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the pathogenic chytrid fungus, <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis</i> (Bd), has contributed to global amphibian declines. Bd infects the keratinized epidermal tissue in amphibians and causes hyperkeratosis and excessive skin shedding. In individuals of susceptible species, the regulatory function of the amphibian’s skin is disrupted resulting in an electrolyte depletion, osmotic imbalance, and eventually death. Safe and effective treatments for chytridiomycosis are urgently needed to control chytrid fungal infections and stabilize populations of endangered amphibian species in captivity and in the wild. Currently, the most widely used anti-Bd treatment is itraconazole. Preparations of itraconazole formulated for amphibian use has proved effective, but treatment involves short baths over seven to ten days, a process which is logistically challenging, stressful, and causes long-term health effects. Here, we explore a novel anti-fungal therapeutic using a single application of the ionic liquid, 1-Butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMP-NTf2), for the treatment of chytridiomycosis. BMP-NTf2 was found be effective at killing Bd <i>in vitro</i> at low concentrations (1:1000 dilution). We tested BMP-NTf2 <i>in vivo</i> on two amphibian species, one that is relatively tolerant of chytridiomycosis (<i>Pseudacris regilla</i>) and one that is highly susceptible (<i>Dendrobates tinctorius</i>). A toxicity trial revealed a surprising interaction between Bd infection status and the impact of BMP-NTf2 on <i>D</i>. <i>tinctorius</i> survival. Uninfected <i>D</i>. <i>tinctorius</i> tolerated BMP-NTf2 (mean ± SE; 96.01 ± 9.00 μl/g), such that only 1 out of 30 frogs died following treatment (at a dose of 156.95 μL/g), whereas, a lower dose (mean ± SE; 97.45 ± 3.52 μL/g) was not tolerated by Bd-infected <i>D</i>. <i>tinctorius</i>, where 15 of 23 frogs died shortly upon BMP-NTf2 application. Those that tolerated the BMP-NTf2 application did not exhibit Bd clearance. Thus, BMP-NTf2 application, under the conditions tested here, is not a suitable option for clearing Bd infection in <i>D</i>. <i>tinctorius</i>. However, different results were obtained for <i>P</i>. <i>regilla</i>. Two topical applications of BMP-NTf2 on Bd-infected <i>P</i>. <i>regilla</i> (using a lower BMP-NTf2 dose than on <i>D</i>. <i>tinctorius</i>, mean ± SE; 9.42 ± 1.43 μL/g) reduced Bd growth, although the effect was lower than that obtained by daily doses of itracanozole (50% frogs exhibited complete clearance on day 16 vs. 100% for itracanozole). Our findings suggest that BMP-NTf2 has the potential to treat Bd infection, however the effect depends on several parameters. Further optimization of dose and schedule are needed before BMP-NTf2 can be considered as a safe and effective alternative to more conventional antifungal agents, such as itraconazole.
DiRenzo, G. V., C. Che-Castaldo, S. P. Saunders, E. H. C. Grant, & E. F Zipkin. 2019. Disease-structured N-mixture models: A practical guide to model disease dynamics using count data. Ecology & Evolution 9, 899–909. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4849 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2019	Obtaining inferences on disease dynamics (e.g., host population size, pathogen prevalence, transmission rate, host survival probability) typically requires marking and tracking individuals over time. While multistate mark–recapture models can produce high‐quality inference, these techniques are difficult to employ at large spatial and long temporal scales or in small remnant host populations decimated by virulent pathogens, where low recapture rates may preclude the use of mark–recapture techniques. Recently developed <i>N</i>‐mixture models offer a statistical framework for estimating wildlife disease dynamics from count data. <i>N</i>‐mixture models are a type of state‐space model in which observation error is attributed to failing to detect some individuals when they are present (i.e., false negatives). The analysis approach uses repeated surveys of sites over a period of population closure to estimate detection probability. We review the challenges of modeling disease dynamics and describe how <i>N</i>‐mixture models can be used to estimate common metrics, including pathogen prevalence, transmission, and recovery rates while accounting for imperfect host and pathogen detection. We also offer a perspective on future research directions at the intersection of quantitative and disease ecology, including the estimation of false positives in pathogen presence, spatially explicit disease‐structured <i>N</i>‐mixture models, and the integration of other data types with count data to inform disease dynamics. Managers rely on accurate and precise estimates of disease dynamics to develop strategies to mitigate pathogen impacts on host populations. At a time when pathogens pose one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, statistical methods that lead to robust inferences on host populations are critically needed for rapid, rather than incremental, assessments of the impacts of emerging infectious diseases.
DiRenzo, G. V., & E. H. C. Grant. 2019. Overview of emerging amphibian pathogens and modeling advances for conservation-related science. Biological Conservation 236, 474–483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.05.034 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2019	One of the leading causes of global amphibian decline is emerging infectious disease. In this review, we summarize the disease ecology of four major emerging amphibian infectious agents: chytrids, ranaviruses, trematodes, and Perkinsea. We focus on recently developed quantitative advances that build on well-established ecological theories and aid in studying epizootic and enzootic disease dynamics. For example, we identify ecological and evolutionary selective forces that determine disease outcomes and transmission pathways by borrowing ideas from population and community ecology theory. We outline three topics of general interest in disease ecology: (i) the relationship between biodiversity and disease risk, (ii) individual, species, or environmental transmission heterogeneity, and (iii) pathogen coinfections. Finally, we identify specific knowledge gaps impeding the success of conservation-related decisions for disease mitigation and the future of amphibian conservation success.
DiRenzo G. V., D. A. W. Miller, B. R. Hossack, B. H. Sigafus, P. E. Howell, E. Muths, and E. H. C. Grant. 2021. Accommodating the role of site memory in dynamic species distribution models. Ecology 102(5):e03315. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3315 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	February 2021	First-order dynamic occupancy models (FODOMs) are a class of state-space model in which the true state (occurrence) is observed imperfectly. An important assumption of FODOMs is that site dynamics only depend on the current state and that variations in dynamic processes are adequately captured with covariates or random effects. However, it is often difficult to understand and/or measure the covariates that generate ecological data, which are typically spatiotemporally correlated. Consequently, the non-independent error structure of correlated data causes underestimation of parameter uncertainty and poor ecological inference. Here, we extend the FODOM framework with a second-order Markov process to accommodate site memory when covariates are not available. Our modeling framework can be used to make reliable inference about site occupancy, colonization, extinction, turnover, and detection probabilities. We present a series of simulations to illustrate the data requirements and model performance. We then applied our modeling framework to 13 yr of data from an amphibian community in southern Arizona, USA. In this analysis, we found residual temporal autocorrelation of population processes for most species, even after accounting for long-term drought dynamics. Our approach represents a valuable advance in obtaining inference on population dynamics, especially as they relate to metapopulations.
Devine, M.T., S. Bittner, A.H. Roy, B.I. Gahagan, M.P. Armstrong, and A. Jordaan. 2024. Population density and zooplankton biomass influence juvenile river herring growth in freshwater lakes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 107:755-770.	July 2024
Devine, M.T., J. Rosset, A.H. Roy, B.I. Gahagan, M.P. Armstrong, A.R. Whiteley, A. Jordaan. 2020. Feeling the squeeze: Adult run size and habitat availability limit juvenile river herring densities in lakes. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 150:207-221. DOI: 10.1002/tafs.10282 \| Download \| Publisher Website	November 2020
Deshwal, A., R. Kannan, S. L. Stephenson, J. D Willson, B. DeGregorio, and P. Panwar. 2022 Importance of Microhabitat Guilds for Conservation of Scrubland Birds in the Eastern Ghats of India. Ecology and Evolution: 1-12: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9192 \| Download	July 2022
Dertien, J., S. Self, R. Baldwin, B. Ross, and K. Barrett. 2020. Spatial variability of biodiversity and wetland density in the conterminous United States. PLoS ONE 15:e0232052.	May 2020
Dembkowski, D.J., J.S. Shrovnal, T.P. Parks, G.G. Sass, J. Lyons, D.A. Isermann. Accepted. Cisco population characteristics in Wisconsin lakes in relation to lake- and landscape-level factors. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.	October 2023
Dembkowski, D.J., J.A. Kerns, E.G Easterly, D.A. Isermann. Submitted. Electrofishing encounter probability, survival, and dispersal of stocked age-0 Muskellunge in Wisconsin lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:383-393. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10418	March 2020
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, C.S. Vandergoot, S.P Hansen, and T.R. Binder. 2020. Short-term survival of lake whitefish following surgical implantation of acoustic transmitters using two forms of anesthesia. Advances in Limnology - Proceedings of the 13th Symposium on the Biology and Management of Coregonid Fishes.	March 2020
Delgado Rivas, M., N. Ferrari, A. Fanelli, S. Muset, C. L. Thompson, C. L. White, D. P. Walsh, C. Wannous, and P. Tizzani. 2023. Wildlife health surveillance: gaps, needs and opportunities. World Organisation for Animal Health The Scientific and Technical Review. 41 (2). \| Abstract	March 2023	Disease emergence represents a global threat for public health, economy, and biological conservation, most of the emerging zoonotic diseases have an animal origin of which the majority of these are from wildlife. To prevent their spread and to support the implementation of control measures, disease surveillance and reporting systems are needed, and due to globalisation, these activities should be carried out at the global level. To define the main gaps effecting the performances of wildlife health surveillance and reporting systems globally, we analysed data from a questionnaire sent to National Focal Points of the World Organisation for Animal Health that inquired on structure and limits of wildlife surveillance and reporting systems in their territories. The response from 103 Members, covering all world areas, showed that 54.4% of them have a wildlife disease surveillance programme and 66% implemented a strategy to manage disease spread. The lack of dedicated budget affected the possibility of outbreak investigations, sampling collection, and diagnostic testing. Although most Members maintain records relating to wildlife mortality or morbidity events in centralised databases, data analyses and disease risk assessment are reported as priority needs. Our evaluation of surveillance capacity showed an overall low level with marked variability between Members that was not restricted to specific geographical area. Increased wildlife disease surveillance globally would help in understanding and managing risks to animal and public health. Moreover, consideration of the influence of socio-economic, cultural, and biodiversity aspects could improve disease surveillance under a One Health approach.
Delbecq, C., Fellman, J.B., Bellmore, R.J., Whitney, E., Hood, E., Fitzgerald, K., and J.A. Falke. Seasonal patterns in riverine carbon form and export from a temperate forested watershed in Southeast Alaska. Biogeochemistry: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-024-01175-7.	August 2024
Delaune, K.D., Pease, A.A., Patiño, R., Barnes, M.A. 2024. Gulf Killifish (Fundulus grandis) in the Pecos River: unique ecological traits in a nonnative, inland population. The Southwestern Naturalist, 68:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-68.1.1.	March 2024
Deibner-Hanson, J.D. and Henderson, M. Life Cycle Monitoring of Coho Salmon in Prairie Creek 2017-2020. Final Report to Fisheries Restoration Grant Program Project Number P1610520. April 2021. \| Abstract	October 2021	Prairie Creek, tributary to Redwood Creek in norther Humboldt County, California, drains an extremely important watershed acting as a stronghold for many plant and animal species living in its pristine old-growth redwood forest. Vital to the ecology of the forest are several keystone salmonid species including Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout. This report summarizes the cumulative work we accomplished across three years of monitoring juvenile and adult populations of Coho Salmon in Prairie Creek. The primary purpose of this project was to provide estimates of the four critical Coho Salmon population parameters needed to maintain the status of Prairie Creek as a Life Cycle Monitoring station including (1) adult salmonid redd abundance, (2) outmigrant smolt abundance, (3) freshwater survival and (4) marine survival. Each year, we PIT tagged juveniles throughout Prairie Creek in October, we conducted spawning ground surveys in Prairie Creek from November through March, we trapped and tagged smolts on their way to the ocean from March through July, and we operated several PIT tag antenna arrays year-round. Additionally, data collected in our monitoring projects enabled us to describe other life cycle attributes including early emigration analysis and overwinter growth estimation. During the three monitoring seasons, total redd estimates for Coho Salmon ranged from very low (127 in 2019-20) to high (429 in 2017-18) and outmigrant smolt abundance ranged from average (17,036 in 2018) to extremely high (34,807 in 2020). Apparent overwinter survival estimates were mostly consistent with previous years between 0.30-0.35, though a record high of 0.44 was estimated in 2019-20. We estimated smolt-to-adult return rates for the Coho Salmon smolt cohorts that emigrated in 2018 (1.06%) and 2019 (1.16%) which were consistent and fell within the expected range. Our three seasons of work from 2017-2020 extended the monitoring period in Prairie Creek to more than a decade.
Deemer, B.R., C.B. Yackulic, R.O. Hall, M.J. Dodrill, T.A. Kennedy, J.D. Muehlbauer, D.J. Topping, N. Voichick, and M.D. Yard. 2022. Experimental reductions in sub-daily flow fluctuations increased gross primary productivity for 425 river kilometers downstream. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Nexus pgac094. https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac094 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2022	Aquatic primary production is the foundation of many river food webs. Dams change the physical template of rivers, often driving food webs toward greater reliance on aquatic primary production. Nonetheless, the effects of regulated flow regimes on primary production are poorly understood. Load following is a common dam flow management strategy that involves sub-daily changes in water releases proportional to fluctuations in electrical power demand. This flow regime causes an artificial tide, wetting and drying channel margins and altering river depth and water clarity, all processes that are likely to affect primary production. In collaboration with dam operators, we designed an experimental flow regime whose goal was to mitigate negative effects of load following on ecosystem processes. The experimental flow contrasted steady-low flows on weekends with load following flows on weekdays. Here, we quantify the effect of this experimental flow on springtime gross primary production (GPP) 90-to-425 km downstream of Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, AZ, USA. GPP during steady-low flows was 41% higher than during load following flows, mostly owing to non-linear reductions in sediment-driven turbidity. The experimental flow increased weekly GPP even after controlling for variation in weekly mean discharge, demonstrating a negative effect of load following on GPP. We estimate that this environmental flow increased springtime carbon fixation by 0.27 g C m<sup>–2</sup> d<sup>–1</sup>, which is ecologically meaningful considering median C fixation in 356 U.S. rivers of 0.44 g C m<sup>–2</sup> d<sup>–1</sup> and the fact that native fish populations in this river are food-limited.
Deeley, S.M., N.J. Kalen, S.R. Freeze, E.L. Barr and W.M. Ford. 2021. Post-white-nose syndrome passive acoustic sampling effort for determining bat species occupancy within the mid-Atlantic region. Ecological Indicators 125 (2021) 107489	February 2021
Deeley, S.M, L. Kang, P. Michalak, E. Hallerman and W.M. Ford. 2022. DNA Metabarcoding-based Evaluation of the Diet of Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in the Mid-Atlantic Region Northeastern Naturalist 29(4):454–473	December 2022
Deeley, S., J.B. Johnson, W.M. Ford and J.E. Gates. 2021. White-nose syndrome-related changes to Mid-Atlantic bat communities across an urban-to-rural gradient. BMC Zoology (2021) 6:12 doi.org/10.1186/s40850-021-00079-5	May 2021
DeWeber, J.T. and J.T. Peterson. 2020. Identifying and implementing environmental flows through structured decision-making: case study from the Willamette River, Oregon, USA. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 1– 16. https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.12845	April 2020
DeMarco K, Hillman E, Couvillion B, Nyman JA, La Peyre MK. 2021.Defining aquatic habitat zones across northern Gulf of Mexico estuarine gradients through submerged aquatic vegetation species assemblage and biomass data \| Abstract	September 2021	Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) creates highly productive habitats in coastal areas, providing support for many important species of fish and wildlife. Despite the importance and documented loss of SAV globally, we lack consistent baseline data on SAV resources across the estuarine gradient, particularly in northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) estuaries. To understand SAV distribution in the NGOM, SAV biomass and species identity were collected at 384 sites inter-annually (Jun-Sept; 2013-2015) from Mobile Bay, Alabama to San Antonio Bay, Texas, USA. Coast-wide, SAV distribution and biomass were consistent across years, covering an estimated 87 000 ha, and supporting approximately 15.5 ± 8.3% total cover with an average biomass of 24.5 ± 1.9 g m<sup>-2</sup>. Differences in hydrology (i.e., precipitation, freshwater input, water depth) and exposure (i.e., wave and wind energy) manifested in unique SAV assemblages and biomass distributions across the regional (i.e., Coastal Mississippi-Alabama, Mississippi River Coastal Wetlands, Chenier Plain, Texas Mid-Coast) and estuarine gradient (i.e., marsh zones defined as fresh, intermediate, brackish, saline). Mediod SAV species were associated with combined salinity, turbidity, and depth conditions unique to different region and marsh zone combinations in the NGOM. While the presence of SAV is often used as an indicator of ecological health, identifying mediod species in aquatic habitats can also be applied to describe estuarine conditions in more detail, and develop aquatic habitat zones. Exploration and use of this type of field data could be developed as means to track, manage, and define aquatic habitats across regional and estuarine gradients. Identifying aquatic zones through a representative mediod associates SAV species with locations defined by both long-term salinity and as well as salinity variability, water depth, and exposure and is a powerful potential tool for managers and restoration decision-makers.
DeGregorio, Wolff, and Rice. 2021. Evaluating hydrophones for detecting underwater-calling frogs: implications for monitoring imperiled species. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 16(3):513–524. \| Download	December 2021
DeGregorio, B.A., Veon, J.T. and Massey, A.. 2022. Wildlife associates of nine‐banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) burrows in Arkansas. Ecology and Evolution, 12(5), 8858. \| Download	June 2022
DeGregorio, B.A., Myers, H., and R. Moody. 2020. SOFT RELEASE TRANSLOCATION OF TEXAS HORNED LIZARDS (PHRYNOSOMA CORNUTUM) ON AN URBAN MILITARY INSTALLATION IN OKLAHOMA, USA. Animals. 10.3390/ani10081358 \| Download	August 2020
DeGregorio, B.A., M. McElroy, and E.P. Johansson. 2023. Occupancy and Activity Patterns of Nine-Banded Armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) in a Suburban Environment. Diversity 15: https://doi.org/10.3390/d15080907. \| Download	July 2023
DeGregorio, B.A., J.D. Willson, and A. Massey. Assessing the density, demography, and resilience to commercial harvest of aquatic turtles in the Mississippi Delta region of Arkansas. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Final Report \| Abstract	March 2022	N/A
DeGregorio, B.A., C. Gale, E. Lassiter, A. Massey, C. Roberts, and J. Veon. 2021. Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasyrus novemcinctus) Activity Patterns are Influenced by Human Activity. Ecology and Evolution: 0-8. \| Abstract \| Download	November 2021	As the human footprint upon the planet expands, wildlife seeking to avoid human contact are losing the option of altering their spatial distribution and instead are shifting their daily activity patterns to be active at different times than humans. In this study, we used game cameras to evaluate how human development and activity was related to the daily activity patterns of the nine-banded armadillo (<i>Dasyrus novemcinctus)</i> along an urban to rural gradient in Arkansas, USA during the winter of 2020-2021. We found that armadillos had substantial behavioral plasticity in regard to the timing of their activity patterns; >95% of armadillo activity was nocturnal at six of the study sites whereas between 30 and 60% of activity occurred during the day at 3 other sites. Distance to downtown Fayetteville (the nearest population center) and estimated ambient sound level (both indices of human activity) best explained the likelihood of diurnal armadillo activity with armadillos being most active during the day at quiet sites far from Fayetteville. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this activity shift may be in response to not only human activity but the presence of domestic dogs. Our results provide further evidence that human activity has subtle nonlethal impacts on even common, widespread wildlife species. Because armadillos have low body temperatures and basal metabolism, being active during cold winter nights likely has measurable fitness costs. Nature reserves near human population centers may not serve as safe harbors for wildlife as we intend, and managers should benefit from considering these nonlethal responses in how they manage recreation and visitation in these natural areas.
DeFilippo LB, Buehrens TW, Scheuerell M, Kendall NW, Schindler DE. 2021. Improving short-term recruitment forecasts for natural origin coho salmon using a spatiotemporal integrated population model. Fisheries Research 242: 106014 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106014 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	October 2021	Fishery managers often rely on forecasts of future population abundance to set allowable harvest quotas or exploitation rates. While there has been substantial research devoted to identifying environmental factors that can predict recruitment for individual populations, such correlations often degrade over time, thereby limiting their utility for management. Conversely, examining multiple populations at once to detect shared, spatially structured patterns can offer insights into their recruitment dynamics that are advantageous for forecasting. Here, we develop a population dynamics model for coho salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus kisutch</i>) stocks in Washington State that leverages spatial and temporal autocorrelation in marine survival to improve one-year-ahead forecasts of adult returns. Executed in a Bayesian hierarchical integrated modelling framework, our spatiotemporal approach incorporates multiple data types and shares information among stocks to estimate key biological parameters that are informative for forecasting. Retrospective evaluation of one-year-ahead forecast skill indicated that the spatiotemporal integrated population model outperformed existing forecasts of Washington state coho salmon returns by ~25-38% on average. Our results add to a growing body of work demonstrating the utility of spatiotemporal and integrated approaches for modelling population dynamics, and the framework developed here has broad applications to the assessment and management of coho salmon in Washington State and throughout their range.
DeBow, J., J. Blouin, E. Rosenblatt, K. Gieder, W. Cottrell, J. Murdoch, and T. Donovan. 2021. Effects of winter ticks and internal parasites on moose survival in Vermont, USA. Journal of Wildlife Management. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22101 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	August 2021	Moose (<i>Alces alces</i>) have experienced considerable declines along the periphery of their range in the northeastern United States. In Vermont, the population declined 45% from 2010 to 2017 despite minimal hunter harvest and adequate habitat. Similarly, nearby populations recently experienced epizootics characterized by >50% mortality. Declines have largely been associated with the effects of winter ticks (<i>Dermacentor albipictus</i>), but uncertainty exists about the effects of environmental and other parasite-related conditions on moose survival. We examined patterns of moose survival among a radio-collared population (<i>n</i> = 127) in Vermont from 2017 to 2019. Our objectives were to estimate causes of mortality and model survival probability as a function of individual and landscape variables for calves (<1 yr) and adults (≥1 yr). Observed adult survival was 90% in 2017, 84% in 2018, and 86% in 2019, and winter calf survival was 60% in 2017, 50% in 2018, and 37% in 2019. Winter tick infestation was the primary cause of mortality (91% of calves, 25% of adults), and 32% of all mortalities had evidence of meningeal worm (<i>Parelaphostrongylus tenuis</i>). Other sources of mortality such as vehicles, harvest, predation, deep snow, and other parasitic infections were negligible. The best supported calf model included sex differences and negative effects of tick engorgement (%/week) and parasite level (roundworm and lungworm). The best supported adult model included the effect of cumulative tick engorgement (cumulative %/week), which negatively affected survival. Our results indicate that winter tick engorgement strongly affects survival, and is probably compounded by the presence of meningeal worm and other parasites. Reduced tick effects may be achieved by decreasing moose density through harvest and managing late winter habitat to minimize tick density. Management of white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) density may also affect the transmission of meningeal worm.
DeBow, J., J. Blouin, E. Rosenblatt, K. Gieder, J. Murdoch, and T. Donovan. 2023. Birth Rates and Calf Survival in a Parasite Rich Moose Herd in Vermont, USA. Alces 58: 51–73. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	February 2023	Moose (<i>Alces alces</i>) populations have recently declined across the southern portion of their geographic range in North America. In Vermont and other northeastern U.S. states, declines have been attributed to low survival rates driven primarily by winter tick (<i>Dermacentor albipictus</i>), which may also affect birth rate and survival of new calves. We radio-collared and monitored 75 female moose (38 calves and 37 adults) in Vermont from 2017 to 2020 and examined the effects of physiological conditions and spatial and temporal factors on adult birth rates. Physiological measures included fecal glucocorticoid metabolites concentrations (fGCM), which reflect stress, and urine urea nitrogen:creatinine ratio (UN:C), which proxies nutritional state. The pregnancy rate at capture across years was 0.67 (95% CI = 0.50 – 0.80), and negatively influenced by the presence of lungworm (<i>Dictyocaulus </i>spp.). Birth rates, calculated as the average number of offspring delivered per adult female, were < 1.0 overall, did not differ among years (2017-2020, LCI = 0.22, UCI = 0.86), but differed by adult age class, where rates increased with age. We further evaluated daily calf survival rates to age 60 days, the point at which calves become independent of direct care. Logistic exposure models indicated that daily calf survival increased as Julian birth date and days since birth increased (log odds = 0.0819, SE = 0.0215). The per capita independence rate (the rate at which adult females add independent calves to the population) was negatively influenced by average UN:C ratios and positively influenced by fGCM levels. Further, this rate was related to the habitat conditions in home ranges of adult females during the fall, when ticks attach to moose. Specifically, female adults whose fall home ranges were characterized by high levels of mature (canopy) evergreen forests and wetland habitats, and low levels of mixed forests and elevation, had a higher, average binomial success rate in adding an independent calf into the population than those whose home ranges consisted of high levels of mixed forest at high elevation. Our results suggest that winter ticks negatively affect fecundity, and that efforts to reduce parasite loads on individual moose (e.g., directly by reducing moose density or indirectly through habitat alteration) may improve productivity and recruitment.
De La Cruz, J.L., W.M. Ford, S.C. Jones, J.B. Johnson and A. Silvis. 2023. Distribution of Summer Habitat for the Indiana Bat on the Monongahela National Forest. West Virginia Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 10:125–134.	March 2023
De La Cruz, J.L., W.M. Ford, S.C. Jones, J.B. Johnson and A. Silvis. 2023. Distribution of Northern Long-eared Bat Summer Habitat on the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 10:114–124.	March 2023
De La Cruz, J.L. M.C. True, H. Taylor, D.C. Brown, and W.M. Ford. 2022. Unique land cover classification to assess day-roost habitat selection of northern long-eared bats on the Coastal Plain of North Carolina, USA. Forests 13(5), 792. doi.org/10.3390/f13050792	June 2022
De La Cruz, J., R.J. Reynolds, W. Orndorff, T. Malabad, K.K. Ficco, K.E. Powers and W.M. Ford. 2024. Seasonal Drivers of Activity in the Endangered Northern Long-eared Bat in Western Virginia. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 11:196–205 \| Download	May 2024
De Amaral, F., R. E. Wilson, S. A. Sonsthagen, R. Sehgal. 2023. Diversity, distribution, and methodological considerations of Haemosporidian infections among Galliformes in Alaska. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 20:122-132. doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.01.008	January 2023
Davy, CM, Von Zuben, V, Kukka, P, Gerber, BD, Slaught, B, and Jung, T. 2022.Rapidly declining body size in an insectivorous bat is associated with increased precipitation and decreased survival. Ecological Applications, 32: e2639. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2639 \| Download	April 2022
Davis, R.P., and D. Isermann. 2024. Assessing factors related to Walleye stocking success in the midwestern United States. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.11030	September 2024
Davis, R.P., L. Simmons, S.L. Shaw, G.G. Sass, N.M. Sard, D.A. Isermann, W.A. Larson, J.J. Homola. 2024. Analyzing demographic patterns in reproductive success of walleye (Sander vitreus) in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. Evolutionary Applications 17:e13665.	January 2024
Davis, MJ, KL Poppe, JM Rybczyk, EE Grossman, I Woo, JW Chamberlin, M Totman, T Zackey, F Leonetti, S Shull, and SEW De La Cruz. 2024. Vulnerability to sea-level rise varies among estuaries and habitat types: lessons learned from a network of surface elevation tables in Puget Sound. Estuaries and Coasts. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-024-01335-w	March 2024
Davis, MJ, JW Chamberlin, JR Gardner, KA Connelly, MM Gamble, BR Beckman, and DA Beauchamp. 2020. Variable prey consumption leads to distinct, regional differences in Chinook salmon growth during the early marine critical period. Marine Ecology Progress Series 640:147-169. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13279	April 2020
Davis, MJ, J Anthony, EJ Ward, J Firman, and C Lorion. 2023. Coherence among Oregon Coast coho salmon populations highlights increasing relative importance of marine conditions for productivity. Fisheries Oceanography 32:293-310. https://doi.org/10.1111/fog/12630	February 2023
Davis, MJ, I Woo, SEW De La Cruz, CS Ellings, and G Nakai. 2024. Allochthonous marsh subsidies support food web productivity in a large-river delta and its surrounding ecosystem mosaic. PLoS ONE 19:e0296836. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0296836	February 2024
Davis, MJ, I Woo, CS Ellings, S Hodgson, DA Beauchamp, G Nakai, and SEW De La Cruz. 2021. A climate-mediated shift in the estuarine habitat mosaic limits prey availability and reduces nursery quality for juvenile salmon. Estuaries and Coasts 45:1445-1464. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-021-01003-3 \| Publisher Website	October 2021
Dattilo, J., D. Shoup, and S. K. Brewer. 2019. Age and growth of Freshwater Drum and Gizzard Shad occupying two reservoir-river complexes with different groundwater contributions. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 39(6): 1132-1142.	December 2019
Dattilo, J. D. Shoup, and S. K. Brewer. 2021.Flow dynamics influence fish recruitment in connected river-reservoir landscapes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:1752-1763.	September 2021
Datry, T., A. Truchy, J.D. Olden, M.H. Busch, R. Stubbington, W.K. Dodds, S. Zipper, S. Yu, M.L. Messager, J. Tonkin, K. Kaiser, J. Hammond, E.K. Moody, R.M. Burrows, R. Sarremejane, A. DelVecchia, M.L. Fork, C.J. Little, R.H. Walker, A.W. Walters, D. Allen. 2022. Causes, responses, and implications of anthropogenic versus natural flow intermittence in river networks. BioScience 73(1): 9-22. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biac098 .	December 2022
Dassow, C., A. Latzka, A. Lynch, G. Sass, R. Tingley III, and C. Paukert. 2022. A RAD tool for walleye (Sander vitreus) management in Wisconsin. Fisheries Management and Ecology 29: 378-391 https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12548	April 2022
Dart, M. M. , L. B. Perkins, J. A. Jenks, G. Hatfield, and R. C. Lonsinger. The effect of scent lures on detection is not equitable among sympatric species. Wildlife Research 50(3): 190–200. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR22094 \| Abstract	November 2022	Camera trapping is an effective tool for cost-efficient monitoring of rare and elusive species over large temporal and spatial scales and is becoming an increasingly popular method for investigating wildlife communities and trophic interactions. Camera trapping research targeting rare and elusive species can be hampered by low detection rates. Consequently, researchers often employ attractants in an effort to increase detection without accounting for how attractants may differentially influence detection of species across trophic levels. We evaluated the influences of a commonly used non-species-specific olfactory lure (i.e., sardines) and sampling design on detection of four species (i.e., bobcat [<i>Lynx rufus</i>], coyote [<i>Canis latrans</i>], raccoon [<i>Procyon lotor</i>], and eastern cottontail [<i>Sylvilagus floridanus</i>]) that represented a range of foraging guilds in an agricultural landscape in southcentral South Dakota. We evaluated the influence of the lure at three temporal scales of detection (i.e., daily probability of detection, independent sequences per detection, and triggers per sequence). The influence of the lure on detection varied among trophic levels and across temporal scales. The lure tended to positively influence detection of coyotes and negatively influenced detection of bobcats. The lure also tended to positively influence detection of raccoon, an intermediate omnivore, and negatively influenced detection of eastern cottontail, an herbivorous prey.
Danielson-Oweczynsky, H., H. Madden, P.G.R. Jodice. In prep. Filial infanticide by egg destruction in Red-billed Tropicbirds on the Caribbean Island of Sint Eustatius. Marine Ornithology 51:261-264. \| Download	October 2023
Daly, K.O., D.E. Andersen, W.L. Brininger, and T.R. Cooper. 2019. Evaluating techniques for estimating post-breeding-season age ratios for American woodcock. Pages 35-44 in Krementz, D.G., D. E. Andersen, and T.R. Cooper (eds.). Proceedings of the 11th American Woodcock Symposium, University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. DOI:10.24926/AWS.0107. \| Download	December 2019
Daly, K.O., D.E. Andersen, W.L. Brininger, and T.R. Cooper. 2019. Breeding season survival of American woodcock at a Habitat Demonstration Area in Minnesota. Pages 45-63 in Krementz, D.G., D. E. Andersen, and T.R. Cooper (eds.). Proceedings of the 11th American Woodcock Symposium, University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. DOI:10.24926/AWS.0108. \| Download	December 2019
DaRugna, O. A., M. A. Kaemingk, C. J. Chizinski, and K. L. Pope. 2022. Heterogeneity of recreationists in a park and protected area. PLoS ONE 17(5):e0268303. \| Download	May 2022
DaRugna, O. A., C. J. Chizinski, K. L. Pope, L. A. Powell, and M. A. Kaemingk. 2022. Visualizing social-ecological intensities for sustainable management of complex systems. Journal of Environmental Management 304:114224. \| Download	January 2022
D'Amico, T.W., D.L. Winkelman, T.R. Swarr, and C.A. Myrick. Retention of Passive Integrated Transponder tags in a small-bodied catfish. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:187-195. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10550 \| Download	January 2021
Czuba, J.A., M. Hirschler, E.A. Pratt, A. Villamagna, and P.L. Angermeier. 2022. Bankfull shear velocity predicts embeddedness and silt cover in gravel streambeds. River Research and Applications 38: 59-68. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3878.	November 2021
Cutler, L.M., S.R. Chipps, B.G. Blackwell, and A.A. Coulter. 2024. Importance of a Lake-Wetland Complex for a Resilient Walleye Fishery. Wetlands (2024) 44:69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-024-01815-6	June 2024
Custer, C.A., J.S. North, E.M. Schliep, M.R. Verhoeven, G.J.A. Hansen, T. Wagner. 2024. Predicting climate change effects using a joint species, spatially dependent physiologically guided abundance model. Ecology, Statistical Report. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.4362	June 2024
Custer, C.A., D.P. Fischer, G. Smith, A. Henning, M.K. Schall, M. Shank, T.A. Wertz, and T. Wagner. 2024. Quantifying the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors in landscape-based models of stream fish distributions. Community Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42974-024-00183-9	May 2024
Cusack C, Sethi SA, Rice A, Warren J, Fujita R, Ingles J, Flores J, Garchitorena E, Mesa SV. (2021) Marine ecotourism for small pelagics provides alternative income generating activities to fisheries in a tropical community. Biological Conservation, 261:109242. \| Abstract	September 2021	Overharvest has led to marine ecosystem degradation and declining fishery catches in many tropical communities. To allow stocks to recover and provide increased flows of food and income, reductions in fishing effort may be required. The development of Alternative Income Generating Activities can help to reduce the economic reliance of coastal communities on fishing, potentially reducing pressure on fish stocks. Here we assess the local conditions which have enabled the creation of Alternative Income Generating Activities to fishing based on marine ecotourism in Moalboal, Philippines. Importantly, while marine ecotourism typically centers around charismatic megafauna, a combination of nearshore fringing reefs, the establishment of nearshore marine protected areas and the occurrence of a massive herring aggregation provide a large tourism draw to this community. Using a combination of regional and local economic statistics and stakeholder surveys, we implement an economic valuation of the Moalboal marine ecotourism for 2018 and compare this valuation to an independent estimate of the extractive value of the herring aggregation. The Moalboal case indicates that a combination of strong community engagement in the governance of the ecotourism resource, a network of locally managed marine protected areas and the retention and distribution of economic benefits within the local community have led to a significant marine ecotourism sector. We contextualize these conditions into a set of potential enabling conditions for marine ecotourism as an Alternative Income Generating Activity to fishing to contribute insights to diversifying livelihood opportunities beyond extractive fishing for coastal communities in the tropics.
Culver M, H Ernest, RB Gagne, and KD Gustafson. 2023. Chapter 4. Conservation Genetics as Relevant to Cougar Management; In: WAFWA Cougar Management Guidelines Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Cougar Working Group and Jack H. Berryman Institute Press, \| Abstract	January 2023	N/A
Cruz, J., S.K. Windels, W.E. Thogmartin, S.M. Crimmins, L.H. Grim, and B. Zuckerberg. 2019. Repatriating top predator hinder the joint recovery of competitor species. Journal of Animal Ecology 88:1054–1065.	December 2019
Cruz, J., S. Windels, W.E. Thogmartin, S.M. Crimmins, and B. Zuckerberg. 2023. Survival of Common Loon chicks appears unaffected by Bald Eagle recovery in northern Minnesota. Avian Ecolgoy and Conservation 18(1):7. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-02395-180107 \| Abstract	June 2023	Recovering species are not returning to the same environments or communities from which they disappeared. Conservation<br>researchers and practitioners are thus faced with additional challenges in ensuring species resilience in these rapidly changing ecosystems.<br>Assessing the resilience of species in these novel systems can still be guided by species’ ecology, including knowledge of their population<br>size, life history traits, and behavioral adaptations, as well as the type, strength, and number of ways that they interact with other species<br>in the community. We summarized broad trends of Common Loons (Gavia immer) breeding at Voyageurs National Park from 1973 to<br>2009, and evaluated the effects of increased risk from recovering Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) on chick survival from 2004<br>to 2006. Adult Common Loons appear to have increased over time. Using Bayesian survival models that accounted for imperfect<br>detection of unmarked individuals, we determined that chick survival of Common Loons was high from year to year and was unrelated<br>to predation risk from Bald Eagles because chicks in territories closer to active nests did not experience greater mortality than those<br>farther away. We suggest that Common Loon chicks were unaffected by the recovery of this top predator during the three years of<br>sampling. Previous research indicates that Bald Eagles and other predators are an important source of egg losses, but Common Loons<br>can compensate by re-nesting. Despite current uncertainties from anthropogenic threats, knowledge of a species’ ecology remains<br>instrumental in determining its resilience during recovery.
Cronin MR, Zavaleta ES, Beltran RS, Payne A, Termini V and Jones MS. (2024). Testing the effectiveness of interactive training on sexual harassment and assault in field science. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 523. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49203-0 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2024	Fieldwork is a critical tool for scientific research, particularly in applied disciplines. Yet fieldwork is often unsafe, especially for members of historically marginalized groups and people whose presence in scientific spaces threatens traditional hierarchies of power, authority, and legitimacy. Research is needed to identify interventions that prevent sexual harassment and assault from occurring in the first place. We conducted a quasi-experiment assessing the impacts of a 90-min interactive training on field-based staff in a United States state government agency. We hypothesized that the knowledge-based interventions, social modeling, and mastery experiences included in the training would increase participants’ sexual harassment and assault prevention knowledge, self-efficacy, behavioural intention, and behaviour after the training compared to a control group of their peers. Treatment–control and pre-post training survey data indicate that the training increased participants’ sexual harassment and assault prevention knowledge and prevention self-efficacy, and, to a lesser extent, behavioural intention. These increases persisted several months after the training for knowledge and self-efficacy. While we did not detect differences in the effect of the training for different groups, interestingly, post-hoc tests indicated that women and members of underrepresented racial groups generally scored lower compared to male and white respondents, suggesting that these groups self-assess their own capabilities differently. Finally, participants’ likelihood to report incidents increased after the training but institutional reports remained low, emphasizing the importance of efforts to transform reporting systems and develop better methods to measure bystander actions. These results support the utility of a peer-led interactive intervention for improving workplace culture and safety in scientific fieldwork settings.
Crockett, J. G., C. Brown, and B. D. Gerber. 2024. Muskrat occurrence in Rhode Island shows little evidence of land use change driving declines. Journal of Wildlife Management e22668. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22668 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	October 2024	Muskrat (<i>Ondatra zibethicus</i>) populations have been in apparent decline across their native range in North America for decades. Several hypotheses exist for the causes of these declines, including loss of wetlands. We used time-to-detection data from 925 surveys from 276 sites across Rhode Island, USA, between 2021–2023 to fit an occupancy model that related the probability of muskrat occupancy at a site to land cover classification. We found that muskrat occupancy was higher in areas with more open water, urban land cover, or a second-order or larger stream, and lower in areas with salt water. We estimated changes in wetland area throughout Rhode Island using the National Land Cover Database classifications from 2001 and 2019 and found a net loss in wetland cover of 219 ha. We calculated the distance between wetland patches in each of these periods and found that patches were closer together than the dispersal distance of muskrats, suggesting isolation is unlikely to be driving muskrat declines. Additionally, when we used our model to predict changes in muskrat occupancy between 2001 and 2019, both mean and median predicted occupancy changed by <0.005. These results indicate that muskrat declines are not driven by habitat loss, and suggest future research is needed that focuses on other hypothesized mechanisms of muskrat declines such as disease, declining habitat quality, predation, and competition.
Crimmins, S.M., and T.R. Van Deelen. 2019. Limited evidence for large-scale mesopredator release following wolf recovery in Wisconsin, USA. Wildlife Biology wlb.00511	December 2019
Crayton, S.M., P.B. Wood, D.J. Brown, A.R. Millikin, T.J. Simpson, K.M. Ku, and YL Park. 2020. Bioaccumulation of the Pesticide Imidacloprid in Stream Organisms and Sublethal Effects on Salamanders. Global Ecology and Conservation 24 (2020) e01292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01292	November 2020
Crawford, B. A., M. Olds, J. C. Maerz, and C. T. Moore. 2020. Estimating population persistence for at-risk species using citizen science data. Biological Conservation 243:108489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108489 \| Download	March 2020
Crawford, B. A., J. C. Maerz, and C. T. Moore. 2020. Expert-informed habitat suitability analysis for at-risk species assessment and conservation planning. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11:130-150. https://doi.org/10.3996/092019-JFWM-075 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	June 2020	The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for reviewing the biological status of hundreds of species to determine federal status designations under the Endangered Species Act. The longleaf pine <i>Pinus palustris</i> ecological system supports many priority at-risk species designated for review, including five species of herpetofauna: gopher tortoise <i>Gopherus polyphemus</i>, southern hognose snake <i>Heterodon simus</i>, Florida pine snake <i>Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus</i>, gopher frog <i>Lithobates</i> [<i>Rana</i>] <i>capito</i>, and striped newt <i>Notophthalmus perstriatus</i>. To inform status decisions and conservation planning, we developed habitat suitability models to 1) identify habitat features that best predict species presence and 2) estimate the amount and distribution of suitable habitat across each species' range under current conditions. We incorporated expert judgment from Federal, State, and other partners to capture variation in ecological settings across species' ranges, prioritize predictor variables to test in models, mitigate data limitations by informing the selection of pseudo-absence points, qualitatively evaluate model estimates, and improve the likelihood that experts will trust and use model predictions for conservation. Habitat suitability for all species was strongly influenced by soil characteristics, land cover, and fire interval. Suitable habitat was distributed on known species strongholds, as well as private lands without known species records. Between 4.7% (gopher frog) and 14.6% (gopher tortoise) of the area in a species' range was classified as suitable habitat, and between 28.1% (southern hognose snake) and 47.5% (gopher frog) of suitable habitat was located in patches larger than 1 km2 (100 ha) on publicly-owned lands. By overlaying predictions for each species, we identified areas of suitable habitat for multiple species on protected and unprotected lands. These results have direct applications to management and conservation planning: partners can tailor site-level management based on attributes associated with high habitat suitability for species of concern; allocate survey effort in areas with suitable habitat but no known species records; and identify priority areas for management, land acquisitions, or other strategies based on the distribution of species records, suitable habitat, and land protection status. These results can aid regional partners in implementing effective conservation strategies and inform listing decisions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Crawford, B. A., J. C. Maerz, V. C. K. Terrell, and C. T. Moore. 2022. Population viability analysis for a pond-breeding amphibian under future drought scenarios in the southeastern United States. Global Ecology and Conservation 36:e02119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02119 \| Download	August 2022
Crawford, B. A., A. L. Farmer, K. M. Enge, A. H. Greene, L. Diaz, J. C. Maerz, and C. T. Moore. 2022. Breeding dynamics of gopher frog metapopulations over 10 years. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management XX:XXX-XXX. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-21-076 \| Download	July 2022
Cravens A., Jones M. S., Ngai C., Zarestky J., and Love, H. (2022). Science facilitation: navigating the intersection of intellectual and interpersonal expertise in scientific collaboration. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications, 9, 256. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-022-01217-1 \| Abstract	July 2022	Today’s societal challenges, such as climate change and global pandemics, are increasingly complex and require collaboration across scientific disciplines to address. Scientific teams bring together individuals of varying backgrounds and expertise to work collaboratively on creating new knowledge to address these challenges. Within a scientific team, there is inherent diversity in disciplinary cultures and preferences for interpersonal collaboration. Such diversity contributes to the potential strength of the created knowledge but can also impede progress when teams struggle to collaborate productively. Facilitation is a professional practice-based form of interpersonal expertise that supports group members to do their best thinking. Although facilitation has been demonstrated to support group functioning in a wide range of contexts, its role in supporting scientific teams has been largely overlooked. This essay defines scientific facilitation as a form of interactional expertise and explains how facilitating scientific teams requires skills in managing interpersonal interactions as well as understanding how different types of disciplinary knowledge integrate in the creation of new knowledge. Next, it explains how this science facilitation expertise may be developed through metacognition. Finally, it provides examples of how scientific facilitation could be more widely incorporated into research by describing three pathways to expand the use of facilitation theory and techniques in collaborative scientific research: developing facilitation skills among scientists leading teams, using broadly trained facilitators, and using specialised science facilitators. The strengths and risks of each path are discussed, and criteria are suggested for selecting the right approach for a given team science project.
Coxe N, Mize G, Casas S, La Peyre MK, Lavaud R, Callam B, Rikard S, JF La Peyre. 2023. Hypoxia and anoxia tolerance in diploid and triploid eastern oysters at high temperature. Journal of Shellfish Research	January 2023
Coxe N, Casas SM, Marshall DA, La Peyre MK, Kelly MW, Pollack J, La Peyre JF. 2023 Differential hypoxia tolerance of eastern oysters from the northern Gulf of Mexico at elevated temperature. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 559:151840. \| Abstract	January 2023	Increasing prevalence of hypoxia in shallow waters of US Gulf of Mexico (GoM) estuaries can pose a serious threat to eastern oysters (<i>Crassostrea virginica</i>). Their tolerance to hypoxia, however, is not well characterized, especially at elevated temperature (>30°C) typical of GoM estuaries in summer. Moreover, it is unknown whether differences in hypoxia tolerance exist between GoM oyster populations growing in estuaries differing in local environmental conditions. Wild oyster broodstocks were collected from four estuarine sites in Texas (Packery Channel, PC and Aransas Bay, AB) and Louisiana (Calcasieu Lake, CL and Vermilion Bay, VB) and their adult progenies (F1) were tested (Study 1) under continuous hypoxia (< 2.0 mg O<sub>2</sub> L<sup>-1</sup>) at 32<sup>°</sup>C. Significant differences in hypoxia tolerance were found between F1 populations with calculated median lethal time (LT<sub>50</sub>) ranging from 3.9 to 12.5 days. PC and CL oysters were the most and least tolerant populations, respectively. The study was repeated twice more (Studies 2 and 3) using PC and CL oysters, and their responses at the organismic, cellular, and biochemical levels were investigated. Valve movement was monitored, and oysters were sampled to measure hemocyte density, plasma protein, calcium and glutathione concentrations, and digestive gland alanine and succinate concentrations after either 3-5 days (Study 2) or 1-3 days (Study 3) of hypoxia exposure. From the onset of hypoxia until their death, oysters stayed opened 13-32% of the time compared to 53-64% under normoxia, but no differences between populations were detected under hypoxia. PC oyster but not CL oyster plasma glutathione concentrations increased significantly in both studies. Under longer (3-5 days) hypoxia exposure, plasma calcium and glutathione concentrations of PC oysters were significantly higher than CL oysters. These results suggest PC oysters were better able to protect tissues against acidosis and oxidative damage during hypoxia and high temperature stress than CL oysters. Overall, our results suggest that oyster populations originating from the GoM respond differently to hypoxia and high temperature stress and possess differential tolerance.
Cox, T. L., M. J. Lance, L. K. Albertson, M. A. Briggs, A. J. Dutton, and A. V. Zale. 2023. Diet composition and resource overlap of sympatric native and introduced salmonids across neighboring streams during a peak discharge event. PLoS ONE https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280833	January 2023
Cox, T. L., C. S. Guy, L. M. Holmquist, and M. A. H. Webb. 2023. Spawning locations of pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River corroborate the mechanisms for recruitment failure. Fishes https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8050243	May 2023
Cox, T. L., C. S. Guy, L. M. Holmquist, and M. A. H. Webb. 2022. Ovarian follicular atresia of hatchery-origin pallid sturgeon is associated with puberty. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 38 391–402. https://doi.org/10.1111/jai.14339	July 2022
Cove, M. V., R. Kays, H. Bontrager, C. Bresnan, M. Lasky, T. Frerichs, R. Klann, T. E. Lee Jr., S. C. Crockett, A. P. Crupi, K. C. B. Weiss, H. Rowe, T. Sprague, J. Schipper, C. Tellez, C. A. Lepczyk, J. E. Fantle‐Lepczyk, S. LaPoint, J. Williamson, M. C. Fisher‐Reid, S. M. King, A. J. Bebko, P. Chrysafis, A. J. Jensen, D. S. Jachowski, J. Sands, K. A. MacCombie, D. J. Herrera, M. van der Merwe, T. W. Knowles, R. V. Horan III, M. S. Rentz, L. S. E. Brandt, C. Nagy, B. T. Barton, W. C. Thompson, S. P. Maher, A. K. Darracq, G. Hess, A. W. Parsons, B. Wells, G. W. Roemer, C. J. Hernandez, M. E. Gompper, S. L. Webb, J. P. Vanek, D. J. R. Lafferty, A. M. Bergquist, T. Hubbard, T. Forrester, D. Clark, C. Cincotta, J. Favreau, A. N. Facka, M. Halbur, S. Hammerich, M. Gray, C. C. Rega‐Brodsky, C. Durbin, E. A. Flaherty, J. M. Brooke, S. S. Coster, R. G. Lathrop, K. Russell, D. A. Bogan, R. Cliché, H. Shamon, M. T. R. Hawkins, S. B. Marks, R. C. Lonsinger, M. T. O'Mara, J. A. Compton, M. Fowler, E. L., K. E. Andy, J. L. Belant, D. E. Byer Jr., T. M. Kautz, D. G. Scognamillo, C. M. Schalk, M. S. Leslie, S. L. Nasrallah, C. N. Ellison, C. Ruthven, S. Fritts, J. Tleimat, M. Gay, C. A. Whittier, S. A. Neiswenter, R. Pelletier, B. A. DeGregorio, E. K. Kuprewicz, M. L. Davis, A. Dykstra, D. S. Mason, C. Baruzzi, M. A. Lashley, D. R. Risch, M. R. Price, M. L. Allen, L. S. Whipple, J. H. Sperry, R. H. Hagen, A. Mortelliti, B. E. Evans, C. E. Studds, A. P. K. Sirén, J. Kilborn, C. Sutherland, P. Warren, T. Fuller, N. C. Harris, N. H. Carter, E. Trout, M. Zimova, S. T. Giery, F. Iannarilli, S. D. Higdon, R. S. Revord, C. P. Hansen, J. J. Millspaugh, A. Zorn, J. F. Benson, N. H. Wehr, J. N. Solberg, B. D. Gerber, J. C. Burr, J. Sevin, A. M. Green, Ç. H. Şekercioğlu, M. Pendergast, K. A. Barnick, A. J. Edelman, J. R. Wasdin, A. Romero, B. J. O'Neill, N. Schmitz, J. M. Alston, K. M. Kuhn, D. B. Lesmeister, M. A. Linnell, C. L. Appel, C. Rota, J. L. Stenglein, C. Anhalt‐Depies, C. Nelson, R. A. Long, K. J. Jaspers, K. R. Remine, M. J. Jordan, D. Davis, H. Hernández‐Yáñez, J. Y. Zhao, and W. J. McShea. 2021. SNAPSHOT USA 2019: a coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States. Ecology 102(6): e03353. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3353 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	April 2021	With the accelerating pace of global change, it is imperative that we obtain rapid inventories of the status and distribution of wildlife for ecological inferences and conservation planning. To address this challenge, we launched the SNAPSHOT USA project, a collaborative survey of terrestrial wildlife populations using camera traps across the United States. For our first annual survey, we compiled data across all 50 states during a 14‐week period (17 August ‐ 24 November of 2019). We sampled wildlife at 1509 camera trap sites from 110 camera trap arrays covering 12 different ecoregions across four development zones. This effort resulted in 166,036 unique detections of 83 species of mammals and 17 species of birds. All images were processed through the Smithsonian’s eMammal camera trap data repository and included an expert review phase to ensure taxonomic accuracy of data, resulting in each picture being reviewed at least twice. The results represent a timely and standardized camera trap survey of the USA. All of the 2019 survey data are made available herein. We are currently repeating surveys in fall 2020, opening up the opportunity to other institutions and cooperators to expand coverage of all the urban‐wild gradients and ecophysiographic regions of the country. Future data will be available as the database is updated at eMammal.si.edu/snapshot‐usa, as well as future data paper submissions. These data will be useful for local and macroecological research including the examination of community assembly, effects of environmental and anthropogenic landscape variables, effects of fragmentation and extinction debt dynamics, as well as species‐specific population dynamics and conservation action plans. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this paper when using the data for publication.
Cove, M et al. 2021. SNAPSHOT USA 2019: the firstcoordinated national camera trap survey of the United States. Ecology, 102:e03353. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3353	May 2021
Courtney, K.R., Falke, J.A., Cox, M.C., and J. Nichols. 2020. Energetic status of Alaskan Chinook Salmon: interpopulation comparisons and predictive modeling using bioelectrical impedance analysis. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 40:209-224. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10398.	February 2020
Counihan, T.D., K.L. Bouska, S.K. Brewer, R. Jacobson, A.F. Casper, C.G. Colin, I.R. Waite, K. Sheehan, M. Pyron, E. Irwin, K. Riva-Murray, A. McKerrow, and J. Bayer. 2022. Identifying monitoring information needs that support the management of fish in large rivers. PLoS ONE 17(4): e0267113. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267113	April 2022
Counihan, K., L. Bowen, B. Ballachey, H. Coletti, T. Hollmen, B. Pister, T.L. Wilson. 2019. Physiological and gene transcription assays to assess responses of mussels to environmental changes. Peerj 7:e7800. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7800 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2019	Coastal regions worldwide face increasing management concerns due to natural and anthropogenic forces that have the potential to significantly degrade nearshore marine resources. The goal of our study was to develop and test a monitoring strategy for nearshore marine ecosystems in remote areas that are not readily accessible for sampling. Mussel species have been used extensively to assess ecosystem vulnerability to multiple, interacting stressors. We sampled bay mussels (<i>Mytilus trossulus</i>) in 2015 and 2016 from six intertidal sites in Lake Clark and Katmai National Parks and Preserves, in south-central Alaska. Reference ranges for physiological assays and gene transcription were determined for use in future assessment efforts. Both techniques identified differences among sites, suggesting influences of both large-scale and local environmental factors and underscoring the value of this combined approach to ecosystem health monitoring.
Couch, C.E., T.N. Neal, C.L. Herron, M.L. Kent, C.B. Schreck, and J.T. Peterson. 2023. Gut microbiome composition associates with chronically elevated corticosteroids and morbidity in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Scientific Reports 13(1), 2567. \| Abstract	June 2023	Pacific salmon experience prolonged elevation in corticosteroid hormones during important life history events including migration, reproduction, and senescence. These periods of elevated corticosteroids are known to correspond with changes to immunity and energy metabolism, therefore fish may be particularly vulnerable to mortality due to disease, thermal stress, and other external stressors at these times. Understanding and predicting survival and performance of fish with chronically elevated corticosteroids is important for understanding the potential impacts of anthropogenic stressors and management decisions on salmon population health. Numerous studies in human and laboratory systems have demonstrated mechanistic links between corticosteroids and host-associated microbial communities, and recent studies suggest that stress-induced increased cortisol associates with microbial community shifts in salmonids. In this work, we experimentally evaluated the relationships between gut microbiome composition, chronically elevated corticosteroids, and mortality in juvenile Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>). We found that treatment with slow-release implants of the corticosteroids cortisol or dexamethasone resulted in significant changes to the gut microbiome that persisted up to 7 weeks post-treatment. We also found that morbidity in cortisol- and dexamethasone-treated fish strongly associated with microbiome composition, suggesting that the gut microbiome reflects individual differences in how fish respond to chronic elevation of corticosteroids. Additionally, we analyzed a small number of samples from adult fish in various stages of senescence and found that the microbiome of corticosteroid treated juveniles resemble those of senescent adults. Overall, findings from this work point toward the gut microbiome as a potential biomarker of mortality risk during periods of chronic corticosteroid elevation.
Couch, C.E., M. Colvin, R.L. Chitwood, J.T. Peterson, C.B. Schreck. 2022. Scope of the cortisol stress response in Chinook salmon during maturation. Fisheries Research 254: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106416 \| Abstract	October 2022	In semelparous Pacific salmon, increased cortisol levels accompany sexual maturation and may be related to the rapid senescence and death that occur after spawning. In fish with extremely high cortisol, pre-spawning mortality is more likely. This may be because elevated cortisol is accompanied by energy depletion and reduces the immune capacity of sexually maturing individuals, thus increasing their susceptibility to parasites and pathogens. Several studies have measured cortisol levels in Pacific salmon during the last few weeks prior to spawning, but there is a lack of information regarding longer-term cortisol dynamics of migrating adult Pacific salmon, as well as how cortisol dynamics manifest under low stress conditions. A better understanding of interrenal secretory capacity during sexual maturation could contribute to understanding the extremely high pre-spawning mortality experienced by some threatened<i> </i>populations of Pacific salmon. The objective of this study was to determine the scope of the cortisol stress response in spring Chinook salmon as well as the dynamics of resting cortisol during maturation. We found that resting and stressed cortisol levels increased during the last three months prior to spawning, and that sexually maturing Chinook salmon are able to mount a cortisol response to acute stressors when resting levels are elevated during maturation. We also found that there is significant inter-individual variation in the effects of stress and time on cortisol dynamics, which has implications for population resilience to anthropogenic stressors in wild populations.
Couch, C.C., J.T. Peterson, and P. H. Heimowitz. 2023. Evaluating the institutional and ecological effects of invasive species prevention policy: a case study from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Management of Biological Invasions 14(2). https://doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2023.14.2.06 \| Abstract	March 2023	Wildlife and natural resource institutions play key roles in invasive species monitoring and management. Paradoxically, the extensive fieldwork undertaken by these institutions and their partners may result in the inadvertent movement and spread of invasive species within and between sensitive ecosystems. Internal guidelines and policies designed to prevent the spread of invasive species by management institutions and their partners could therefore be high-leverage tools for invasive species prevention. However, as large, complex organizations seek to implement policies to limit the spread of invasive species, they may face challenges related to accommodating the wide diversity of programs, activities, and ecosystems they manage. Prevention policies may also be met with resistance due to the costs of implementation unless concrete benefits can be demonstrated. Assessing and communicating the effects of prevention policies could motivate improved implementation and adherence by institutional units and partners and could help inform adaptive policy changes. However, assessing the effectiveness of invasive species prevention presents a unique set of challenges, including incomplete data on invasive species distribution and pathways, that make it difficult to measure the effects of prevention efforts. In this work, we present a conceptual framework for evaluating institutional policies for invasive species prevention. We describe a flexible, multifaceted approach that considers policy implementation and adherence as well as ecological outcomes. We discuss potential application of this framework using a policy recently implemented by Interior Regions 9 and 12 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a case study.
Cossu, C.A., Ochai, S., Troskie, M., Hartmann, A., Godfroid, J., de Klerk, L.-M., Turner, W.C., Kamath, P.L., van Schalkwyk, L. O., Cassini, R., Bhoora, R., van Heerden, H. Detection of tick-borne pathogen coinfections and coexposure to foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis and Q fever in selected wildlife from Kruger National Park, South Africa, and Etosha National Park, Namibia, Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2417717. https://doi.org/10.1155/tbed/2417717 \| Abstract	December 2024	<b>Background:</b> Although the rate of emerging infectious diseases that originate in wildlife has been increasing globally in recent decades, there is currently a lack of epidemiological data from wild animals.<br><b>Methodology:</b> We used serology to determine prior exposure to foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), <i>Brucella </i>spp.<i>, </i>and <i>Coxiella burnetii, </i>and used genetic testing to detect blood-borne parasitic infections in the genera <i>Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Theileria</i> and <i>Babesia</i> from wildlife in two national parks, Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa and Etosha National Park (ENP), Namibia. Serum and whole blood samples were obtained from free-roaming plains zebra (<i>Equus quagga</i>), greater kudu (<i>Tragelaphus strepsiceros</i>), impala (<i>Aepyceros melampus</i>) and blue wildebeest (<i>Connachaetes taurinus</i>). Risk factors (host species, sex, sampling park) of infection for each pathogen were assessed, as well as the prevalence and distribution of co-occurring infections.<br><b>Results:</b> In KNP, none of the 13/29 (45%; CI: 26-64%) kudu that tested positive for FMD. For brucellosis, seropositive results were obtained for 3/29 (10%; CI: 2-27%) kudu samples. Antibodies against <i>C. burnetii</i> were detected in 6/29 (21%; CI: 8-40%) kudu, 14/21 (67%; CI: 43-85%) impala and 18/39 (46%; CI: 30-63%) zebra. A total of 28/28 kudu tested positive for <i>Theileria </i>spp. (100%; CI: 88-100%) and 27/28 to <i>Anaplasma/Ehrlichia </i>spp. (96%; CI: 82-100%) whereas 12/19 impalas (63%) and 2/39 zebra (5%) tested positive for <i>Anaplasma centrale</i>. In ENP, only 1/29 (3%; CI: 0-18%) wildebeest samples tested positive for FMD. None of the samples tested positive for brucellosis while <i>C. burnetii</i> antibodies were detected in 26/30 wildebeest (87%; CI: 69-96%), 16/40 kudu (40%; CI: 25-57%) and 26/26 plains zebra (100%; CI: 87-100%). A total of 60% <i>Anaplasma/Ehrlichia </i>spp. and 35% <i>Theileria/Babesia</i> spp. in kudu; 37% wildebeest tested positive to <i>Theileria</i> sp. (sable), 30% to <i>Babesia occultans, </i>3-7% to <i>Anaplasma spp.</i> The seroprevalence of Q fever was significantly higher in ENP, while <i>Brucella</i> spp., <i>Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Theileria</i> and <i>Babesia</i> species were significantly higher in KNP. Significant co-infections were also identified.<br><b>Conclusion:</b> This work provided baseline serological and molecular data on 40+ pathogens in four wildlife species from two national parks in southern Africa.
Corrigan, C., Jones, M., Sandbrook, C., Nelson, F., Copsey, J., & Doak, N. (2020). New collaborations for conservation leadership development. Oryx, 54(2), 151-152. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605319001418 \| Publisher Website	February 2020
Corral, L., E. Stuber, T. Frink, A. Bishop, and J.J. Fontaine. Scale-dependent land cover relationships, not intraguild occupancy explains canid community habitat relationships. Landscape Ecology 37, 249–266 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-021-01350-3	October 2021
Cordes, L, Blumstein, DT, Armitage, KB, CaraDonna, PJ, Childs, DZ, Gerber, BD,Martin, JGA, Oli, MK, and Ozgul, A. 2020. Contrasting effects of climate change onseasonal survival of a seasonally active mammal. Proceedings of the National Academyof Science, 117, 18119-18126. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1918584117 \| Download	July 2020
Coppola, G., L.E. Miranda, M.E. Colvin, H.R. Hatcher, and M.A. Lashley. 2019. Submergence responses of cool-season annual plants and potential for fish habitat. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 39:1269-1276. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10359	December 2019
Coppola, G., L.E. Miranda, M. Colvin, H. Hatcher, M Lashley. 2021. Selection of habitat-enhancing plants depends on predator-prey interactions. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 12:294-307. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-20-083 \| Abstract	December 2021	Shallow areas of drawdown reservoirs are often void of adequate fish habitat due to degradation associated with unnatural and relatively invariable cycles of exposure and flooding. One method of enhancing fish habitat in these areas is to sow exposed shorelines with agricultural plants to provide structure once flooded. It remains unclear if some plants may be more suitable than others to provide effective fish habitat. To determine the fish habitat potential of various crops we performed a replicated tank experiment evaluating the selection of agricultural plants by prey and predator fishes with and without the presence of the other. We submerged diverse treatments of potted plants in outdoor mesocosms stocked with prey and/or predator fish and monitored selection of plant species, stem density, and stem height over 0.5-h trials. Prey fish selected the densest vegetation and selection was accentuated when a predator was present. Predators selected the second highest stem density and were more active when prey were present. Prey schooling was increased by predation risk suggesting that cover was insufficient to outweigh the advantages of increased group size. Our data indicates that the perception of cover quality is reciprocally context-dependent on predator-prey interactions for both predator and prey. Applications of the two most selected plant treatments in this study could enhance structural habitat for both predator and prey fishes in reservoirs, adding to their already reliable functionality as supplemental forage crops for terrestrial wildlife.
Cope, W.R., T.J. Kwak, T.R. Black, K. Pacifici, S.C. Harris, C. Miller, M.E. Raley, and E.M. Hallerman. 2021. Genetic structure and diversity of the endemic Carolina madtom and conservation implications. Invited, special issue on Catfish Conservation and Management. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41(Special Issue 1): S27-S41. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10589	October 2021
Cooke, S. J., E. Nyboer, A. Bennett, A. J. Lynch, D. M. Infante, I. G. Cowx, T. D. Beard, Jr., D. Bartley, C. P. Paukert, A. J. Reid, S. Funge-Smith, E. Gondwe, E. Kaunda, J. D. Koehn, N. J. Souter, G. L. Stokes, L. Castello, N. J. Leonard, C. Skov, S. Berg, W. W. Taylor. 2021. The Ten Steps to Responsible Inland Fisheries in Practice: Reflections from Diverse Regional Case Studies Around the Globe. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 31(4), 843-877 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-021-09664-w	December 2021
Cook GM, Prince DJ, O’Rourke SM, King TL, Miller MR, Lewis CJ, Eackles MS, Lemons PR, Sethi SA, Olsen JB, Wenburg JK. (2020) A little SNP of this, a little SNP of that: the discovery of 116 single nucleotide polymorphism markers to enable the rapid identification of individual Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). Conservation Genetics Resources, 12:555-565. \| Abstract	October 2020	We developed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to support a genetics-based capture-mark-recapture (CMR) project implemented for the management of Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). Using a combination of Restriction-site Associated DNA sequencing (RADSeq) and genome resequencing, 57,504 single nucleotide variants were identified from Pacific walrus DNA. RADSeq was performed on genomic DNA from 192 walruses (63 males; 94 females; 35 unknown sex) whereas genome resequencing was performed on 41 individual walruses (21 males, 20 females). All read mappings were subjected to quality-based variant detection and screened for SNPs. These efforts generated a pool of 909 putative SNPs from which 217 unique TaqMan® assays were developed for validation. Ultimately, 116 validated, biallelic SNPs were combined to create a genetic tag for identifying individual walrus during the multi-year CMR project. Conversion to a 116-SNP TaqMan® OpenArray® enabled use of a high-throughput genotyping qPCR platform, which expedited accurate discrimination of individual walrus and reduced the probability of genotyping errors, thereby providing improved resolution for assessing the size and demographic rates of this population.
Conway, C. J., C. P. Nadeau, and M. A. Conway. 2020. Broadcasting regional call dialects has little influence on the effectiveness of call-broadcast surveys for marsh birds. Wetlands 40:2055-2059. doi: 10.1007/s13157-020-01367-5	December 2020
Conway, C. J. 2020. Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.virrai.01	March 2020
Converse SJ. 2020. Prioritizing uncertainties to improve management of a reintroduction program. Pages 214-224 in Runge MC, SJ Converse, JE Lyons, and DR Smith. Structured decision making: case studies in natural resource management. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, USA.	May 2020
Converse SJ. 2020. Introduction to multi-criteria decision analysis. Pages 51-61 in Runge MC, SJ Converse, JE Lyons, and DR Smith. Structured decision making: case studies in natural resource management. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, USA.	May 2020
Converse SJ, BT McClintock, and PB Conn. 2022. Special Feature: Linking capture-recapture and movement. Ecology: e3770.	May 2022
Converse SJ, B Gardner, and S Morey. 2020. Reserve design for prairie-dependent taxa in South Puget Sound. Pages 124-134 in Runge MC, SJ Converse, JE Lyons, and DR Smith. Structured decision making: case studies in natural resource management. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, USA.	May 2020
Converse SJ and HA Sipe. 2021. Finding the win-win strategies in endangered species conservation. Animal Conservation 24:161-162.	April 2021
Conner, M.M., P. Budy, R. Wilkion, M. Mill, D. Speas, P. MacKinnon, and M. McKinstry. 2020. Estimating population abundance with a mixture of physical capture and passive PIT tag antenna detection data. Submitted to Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77:1163-1171. \| Abstract	March 2020	The inclusion of passive interrogation antennas (PIA) detection data has promise to increase precision of population abundance estimates (). However, encounter probabilities are often higher for PIAs than for physical capture. If the difference is not accounted for, may be biased. Using simulations, we estimated the magnitude of bias resulting from mixed capture and detection probabilities, and evaluated potential solutions for removing the bias for closed capture models. Mixing physical capture and PIA detections (<i>p<sub>det</sub></i>) resulted in negative biases in . However, using an individual covariate to model differences removed bias and improved precision. From a case study of fish making spawning migrations across a stream-wide PIA (<i>p<sub>det</sub></i> ≤ 0.9), the coefficient of variation (CV) of () declined 39-82% when PIA data were included, and there was a dramatic reduction in time to detect a significant change in For a second case study, with only modest <i>p<sub>det</sub></i> (≤0.2) at randomly placed, smaller PIAs, CV( declined 4-18%. Our method is applicable for estimating abundance for any situation where data are collected with methods having different capture/detection probabilities.
Connelly, J. W., and C. J. Conway. 2021. Managing wildlife at landscape scales. Pages 143-157 in Wildlife Management and Landscapes: Principles and Applications (W.F. Porter, C.J. Parent, R.A. Stewart, and D.M. Williams, eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press in affiliation with The Wildlife Society, Baltimore, MD, USA.	May 2021
Combrink, L.L., W.C. Rosenthal, L.J. Boyle, J.A. Rick, A.C. Krist, A.W. Walters, and C.E. Wagner. 2023. Parallel shifts in trout feeding morphology suggest rapid adaptation to alpine lake environments. Evolution 77(7): 1522-1538. https://doi.org/10.1093/evolut/qpad059	July 2023
Combe, F. J., L. Jaster, A. Ricketts, D. Haukos, and A. G. Hope. 2022. Population genomics of free ranging Great Plains white-tailed and mule deer reflects a long history of inter-specific hybridization. Evolutionary Applications 15:111-131. http://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13330	January 2022
Collins, SF, CV Baxter, AM Marcarelli, L Felicetti, S Florin, MS Wipfli, G Servheen. 2020. Reverberating effects of resource exchanges in stream-riparian food webs. Oecologia, 192:179–189. doi.org/10.1007/s00442-019-04574-y	January 2020
Collins, D. P., G. S. Zimmerman, S. A. Carleton, W. L. Kendall, and C. L. Coxen. 2023. Survival rates of band-tailed pigeon in New Mexico estimated using passive integrated transponder tags. Journal of Wildlife Management 87:e22385, https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22385.	February 2023
Collazo, J.A., A. J. Terando, M. J. Eaton, E. Martinez, R.C. Bell, A. Puente-Rolon. 2023. Strategic Habitat Conservation and Adaptive Strategies for Recovery and Pre-listing Conservation of Eleutherodactylus (coqui) Amphibians in Puerto Rico. Cooperator Report (ScienceBase). \| Abstract	January 2024	We synthesized ecological data to inform decision makers on when climate-vulnerable amphibians should be translocated and where climate-resilient habitat should be protected. In objective 1, we showed critical thermal limits (CT<sub>Max</sub>)estimates conformed to the known distribution of focal species. Climate projections suggested that focal species will not be exposed to reported CT<sub>Max</sub> until at least 2060. Instead, species will be affected through long-exposure to elevated sub-lethal temperatures (≥25°C ≤36°C). Experimental releases indicated that there is no difference in initial, post-release daily survival rates between control and translocated individuals (DSR = 0.999 ± 0.001), and are not an added source of mortality, thus, it is a useful adaptation tool. In objective 2, genetic analyses for the endangered <i>Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi </i>suggested that the two known populations harbor unique genetic diversity, and were likely exchanging migrants in the past, but have more recently become isolated from one another. Other range-restricted <i>Eleutherodactylus</i> species exhibited extensive genetic structure in a principal components analysis of genetic variation, suggesting that they may require a finer scale of population management in recognition of genetic variability and to ensure resilience to future global change. In objective 3, we evaluated current habitat conditions and forecasted habitat change under future climates using <i>E. juanariveroi</i> as an illustrative example to demonstrate a framework for developing conservation strategies for climate sensitive-species. Temperature-mediated evapotranspiration, declining freshwater input, and sea level rise will promote saltwater intrusion and the transition of fresh marsh habitats in Puerto Rico. Conditional on scenarios of future biotic and abiotic conditions, uncertainty, and decision-maker risk attitudes, we developed a spatial reserve-design planning tool to optimize species persistence and manage risk<i>. </i>The multi-disciplinary project we described represents a sound approach to draw appropriate inferences about organismal and habitat vulnerability to non-stationary climate conditions, help identify alternative actions to deal with potential impacts, and assist decision makers in the formulation of long-term strategies for species conservation by considering climate-induced uncertainty and risk.
Collazo, J.A,. A.J. Terando, A.C. Engman, P.F. Fackler, and T.J. Kwak. 2019. Toward a Resilience-Based Conservation Strategy for Wetlands in Puerto Rico: Meeting Challenges Posed by Environmental Change. Wetlands 39: 1255-1269. DOI 10.1007/s13157-018-1080-z	February 2020
Collazo, J. A. 2021. Climate Change Implications for the Conservation of Amphibians in Tropical Environments. Cooperator Report for the Southeast Climate Science Center. \| Abstract	February 2021	The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources want to develop a plan of actions to protect 12 species of coqui frogs (<i>Eleutherodactylus</i> spp.) that are currently considered at risk of being considered threatened or endangered, requiring additional protections under the Endangered Species Act. Actions center on two possible adaptation strategies: a) translocations to suitable, unoccupied habitat, and b) identifying climate-resilient habitats to ensure the persistence of species. Knowledge required to implement these strategies includes understanding how microhabitat and microclimatic factors – the local environmental conditions around individual frogs influence their occupancy (distribution), abundance, and reproduction; these were estimated by focusing on four representative species (<i>E. wightmanae</i>, <i>E. brittoni</i>, <i>E. antillensis,</i> and <i>E. coqui</i>). The abundance of all species but <i>E. antillensis</i> was positively and strongly influenced by moisture levels. As expected, <i>E. antillensis</i> exhibited an opposite relationship. Similarly, the reproductive activity of <i>E. coqui</i> was influenced by higher relative humidity and the presence of a chorus of other individuals. We found that our four focal species were not affected (e.g., abundance, reproduction) by the passing of hurricane Maria in September 2017, possibly because fallen debris creates conditions of increased food and shelter. Our findings help to assess habitat suitability, potential climate refuges, and inform timing for<i> </i>managed translocations.
Coletti, H.A., L. Bowen, B. Ballachey, T.L. Wilson, S. Waters, M. Booz, K. Counihan, T. Hollmen, and B. Pister. 2022. The mysterious case of the missing razor clams: using gene transcription to uncover clues to razor clam population differences. Frontiers for Young Minds 10: 715425. doi: 10.3389/frym.2022.715425 \| Publisher Website	October 2022
Coletti, H., L. Bowen, B. Ballachey, T.L. Wilson, S. Waters, M. Booz, K. Counihan, T. Hollmen, B. Pister. 2021. Gene expression profiles in two razor clam populations: discerning drivers of population status. Life 11:1288. DOI: 10.3390/life11121288 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	November 2021	With rapidly changing marine ecosystems, shifts in abundance and distribution are being documented for a variety of intertidal species. We examined two adjacent populations of Pacific razor clams (Siliqua patula) in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska. One population (east) supported a sport and personal use fishery, but this has been closed since 2015 due to declines in abundance, and the second population (west) continues to support commercial and sport fisheries. We used gene expression to investigate potential causes of the east side decline, comparing razor clam physiological responses between east and west Cook Inlet. The target gene profile used was developed for razor clam populations in Alaska based on physiological responses to environmental stressors. In this study, we identified no differences of gene expression between east and west populations, leading to two potential conclusions: (1) differences in factors capable of influencing physiology exist between the east and west and are sufficient to influence razor clam populations but are not detected by the genes in our panel, or (2) physiological processes do not account for the differences in abundance, and other factors such as predation or changes in habitat may be impacting the east Cook Inlet population
Coleman, T. S., R. W. Eckelbecker, A. K. Carlson, D. R. DeVries, R. A. Wright, B. A. Staton, S. W. Parker, C. R. Chittam, R. G. Lovell, and M. J. Catalano. 2024. Evaluation of shoreline rotenone application to control Largemouth Bass recruitment in small impoundments. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 44(1):57–69.	February 2024
Coleman, N., D Fox, A Horne, NJ Hostetter, J Madsen, M O'Brien, I Park, C Stend, D Secor. 2024. Spawning run estimates and phenology for an extremely small population of Atlantic Sturgeon in the Marshyhope Creek–Nanticoke River system, Chesapeake Bay. Marine and Coastal Fisheries 16:e10292. doi.org/10.1002/mcf2.10292	July 2024
Cole, N., Wilkins, E., Clements, K., Schuster, R., Dayer, A., Harshaw, H., Fulton, D. C., Duberstein, J., Raedeke, A., 2024. Perceived Constraints to Participating in Wildlife-based Recreation. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. 45. March 2024, 100712 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2023.100712	March 2024
Colborne, S.F., M.D. Faust, T.O. Brenden, T.A. Hayden, J.M. Robinson, T.M. MacDougall, H.A. Cook, D.A. Isermann, D.J. Dembkowski, M. Haffley, C.S. Vandergoot. Submitted. Estimating internal transmitter and external tag retention by Walleye (Sander vitreus) in the Laurentian Great Lakes over multiple years.	October 2023
Coates, T.A. and W.M. Ford. 2022. Fuels and vegetation changes in portions of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA, 2003-2019. Journal of Forestry Research doi.org/10.1007/s11676-022-01515-z 12 p.	July 2022
Clipp, H.L., S.M. Pesi, M.L. Miller, L.C. Gigliotti, B.P. Skelly, and C.T. Rota. 2024. White-tailed deer detection intensity increases when coyotes are present. Ecology and Evolution 14(3): e11149. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11149	March 2024
Clinton, S.M, J. Hartman, K.H. Macneale, and A.H. Roy. 2022. Stream macroinvertebrate reintroductions: A cautionary approach for restored urban streams. Freshwater Science 41:507-520. https://doi.org/10.1086/721471 \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2022
Clifford, B.J., J.M. Bauder, and M.N. Marchand. 2020. Tree removal at basking sites improves thermal habitat quality for an imperiled timber rattlesnake population at the northern edge of its range. Northeastern Naturalist 27:746-762. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2020	Lack of natural disturbance in many forests in northeastern North America has resulted in increased canopy cover and a reduction of open-habitat patches. <i>Crotalus horridus</i> (Timber Rattlesnake) in this region depends upon open basking and gestation sites, and its populations have declined markedly. We evaluated the utility of mechanical tree removal to restore potential basking habitat for a highly imperiled Timber Rattlesnake population in New Hampshire. We used a before–after, control–impact study to test for the effects of tree removal on environmental temperature and Timber Rattlesnake and other wildlife use of 3 potential basking sites. Mean temperatures were significantly higher and more variable post-treatment, while minimum temperatures were relatively unaffected. The number of temperature readings within the span of selected body temperatures of gravid female Timber Rattlesnakes (25.2–31.7 °C) increased post-treatment. Using time-lapse cameras, we detected rattlesnakes during 5 days at post-treatment sites but on only 1 day at a control site. Detections of potential rattlesnake prey species did not change following treatment, and few potential rattlesnake predators were detected pre- or post-treatment. Our results suggest that tree removal around potential basking sites likely improves thermal habitat quality for Timber Rattlesnakes.
Clendenin, H.R., J. Adams, D.E. Ausband, J.A. Hayden, P. Hohenloe, and L. Waits. 2020. Combining harvest and genetics to estimate reproduction in wolves. Journal of Wildlife Management. 84: 492-504. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21820	January 2020
Clayton, J.B., Patiño, R., Rashel, R.H., Tábora-Sarmiento, S. 2021. Water quality associations and spatiotemporal distribution of the harmful alga Prymnesium parvum in an impounded urban stream system. Journal of Urban Ecology 7(1) juab011, https://doi.org/10.1093/jue/juab011	May 2021
Clawson, C.M., Falke, J.A., Bailey, L.A., J.A., Rose, J., Prakash, A., and A.E. Martin. 2022. High-resolution remote sensing and multistate occupancy estimation identify drivers of spawning site selection in fall chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) across a sub-Arctic riverscape. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 79:380-394. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2021-0013.	March 2022
Clarke, C, R Baumbusch, T Garcia, KM Dugger, and JD Wiens. 2021. Taricha granulosa (Rough-Skinned Newt). Predation. Herpetological Review 52(3) 2021. \| Publisher Website	October 2021
Clark, BC, et al. Global assessment of plastic encounter risk for marine birds. Nature. \| Download	July 2023
Clark Barkalow, S., M. J. Chavez, S. P. Platania. 2021. Otolith Microstructure Analysis Elucidates Spawning and Early Life Histories of Federally Endangered Fishes in the San Juan River. Ichthyology and Herpetology 109:860-873. https://doi.org/10.1643/i2020011 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2021	The short larval ontogenetic phase has a large impact on success or failure of fish populations due to naturally high mortality rates. Yet, for the federally endangered fishes Colorado Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius and Razorback Sucker Xyrauchen texanus, information about this sensitive life stage is limited. We determined species-specific age–length functions, spawning periodicity, and environmental factors related to growth and the onset of spawning by these species in the San Juan River of the Colorado River basin. Daily ages were determined from lapillar otoliths, and growth rates were calculated for subsamples of San Juan River larval Colorado Pikeminnows and Razorback Suckers collected from 2009 through 2017 and six candidate age–length functions were fit to evaluate the relationship between age and growth. Spawning periodicity estimates from the best-fit-model and published function were compared to those from observed otolith ages and differences were analyzed. The responses of spawning periodicity and growth to abiotic and temporal conditions were evaluated. For both species, spawning dates produced by otolith ages and best-fit functions were significantly different from those produced by the published functions, but not from each other. Age–length functions determined in this study enable more accurate back-calculation of ages and prediction of spawning periodicity than published functions. The spawning periodicity estimate of San Juan River Colorado Pikeminnow and Razorback Sucker were both impacted by multiple parameterizations of temperature and discharge. For both species, fish age had the biggest influence on growth. Accurate knowledge of spawning periodicity and factors affecting fish growth can improve timing of management activities to maximize benefit to Colorado Pikeminnows and Razorback Suckers in the San Juan River.<br>
Clarfeld, L., A. Sirén, B. Mulhall, T. Wilson, E. Bernier, J. Farrell, G. Lunde, N. Hardy, K. Gieder, R. Abrams, S. Staats, S. McLellan, and T. Donovan. 2023. Evaluating a tandem human-machine approach to labelling of wildlife in remote camera monitoring. Ecological Informatics 77:e102257 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2023.102257. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	August 2023	Remote cameras (“trail cameras”) are a popular tool for non-invasive, continuous wildlife monitoring, and as they become more prevalent in wildlife research, machine learning (ML) is increasingly used to automate or accelerate the labor-intensive process of labelling (i.e., tagging) photos. Human-machine hybrid tagging approaches have been shown to greatly increase tagging efficiency (i.e., time to tag a single image). However, those potential increases hinge on the extent to which an ML model makes correct vs. incorrect predictions. We performed an experiment using a ML model that produces bounding boxes around animals, people, and vehicles in remote camera imagery (MegaDetector) to consider the impact of a ML model's performance on its ability to accelerate human labeling. Six participants tagged trail camera images collected from 12 sites in Vermont and Maine, USA (January–September 2022) using three tagging methods (one with ML bounding box assistance and two without assistance). We used a generalized linear mixed model to examine the influence of ML model performance and tagging method on tagging efficiency. We found that ML bounding boxes offer significant improvement in tagging efficiency when labelling data compared to unassisted tagging. Additionally, the time taken to label with bounding boxes was not statistically different from an unassisted tagging approach. However, we found that gains in efficiency are contingent on the ML algorithm's performance and that incorrect ML predictions, particularly the 4.2% false positive and 3.6% false negative predictions, can slow the tagging process compared to a non-hybrid approach. These findings indicate that although practitioners usually forgo the production of bounding boxes when selecting a data labelling process due to the increased effort, ML bounding box-assisted tagging can offer an efficient method for labeling. More broadly, ML-assisted data labelling offers an opportunity to accelerate the analysis of trail camera imagery, but an assessment of the ML model's performance can illuminate whether the hybrid-tagging approach is ultimately a help or hinderance.
Clancy, N.G., J. Dunnigan, and P. Budy. 2022. Relationship of trout growth to frequent electrofishing and diet collection in a headwater stream. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Management Brief 42:109–114. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10728. USGS FSP IP-133486. \| Abstract	January 2022	Research on fishes sometimes requires that individual fish be captured and subjected to invasive procedures multiple times over a relatively short time span. Electrofishing is one of the most common techniques used to capture fish and is known to cause injury to fish under certain circumstances. We evaluated the relationship of Columbia River Redband Trout <i>Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri </i>growth rates to the number of times captured via electrofishing and gastrically-lavaged during the summer of 2018 in a mountainous, headwater stream. We captured fish between two and seven times over the course of 86 days using continuous (smooth) DC backpack electrofishing. We observed no relationship between Redband Trout growth rate and number of times captured or gastrically-lavaged. While these findings contrast with hatchery electrofishing experiments, they may represent the greater resiliency of wild fishes. However, it appears researchers can use electrofishing and gastric lavage in cold waters at least once-per-month, and potentially up to twice-per-month, without greatly affecting the growth of wild Redband Trout.
Clancy, N.G., J. Brahney, J. Dunnigan, and P. Budy. 2021. Effects of a diatom ecosystem engineer (Didymosphenia geminata) on stream food webs: implications for native fishes. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 78: 154–164 (2021) dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2020-0121. USGS FSP: IP-118864. \| Abstract	January 2021	Stream habitat changes affecting primary consumers often indirectly impact secondary consumers such as fishes. Blooms of the benthic algae <i>Didymosphenia geminata</i> (Didymo) are known to affect stream macroinvertebrates, but the potential indirect trophic impacts on fish consumers are poorly understood. In streams of the Kootenai River basin, we quantified the diet, condition, and growth rate of trout, charr, and sculpin. In 2018, macroinvertebrate taxa composition was different between a stream with Didymo and a stream without, but trout diets, energy demand, and growth rates were similar. Trout abundance was higher in the stream with Didymo, but the amount of drifting invertebrates was higher in the stream without. In 2019, we surveyed 28 streams with a gradient of coverage. Didymo abundance was correlated only with the percent of aquatic invertebrates in trout diets and was not related to diets of charr or sculpin or condition of any species. Thus, we found no evidence for a trophic link between Didymo blooms and the condition or growth of trout, charr, or sculpin in mountainous headwater streams.
Cincotta, D.A. and S.A. Welsh. 2024. An Update of the Ichthyofauna of West Virginia with Notes on Historic Sportfish Stockings. Northeastern Naturalist 31:(monograph 24):1-48.	July 2024
Chávez Montes, R.A., Mary, M.A., Rashel, R.H., Fokar, M., Herrera-Estrella, L., Lopez-Arredondo, D., Patiño, R. 2024. Hormetic and transcriptomic responses of the toxic alga Prymnesium parvum to glyphosate. Science of the Total Environment 954, 176451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176451 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2024	Growth of the toxic alga<i> Prymnesium parvum</i> is hormetically stimulated with environmentally relevant concentrations of glyphosate. The mechanisms of glyphosate hormesis in this species, however, are unknown. We evaluated the transcriptomic response of <i>P. parvum</i> to glyphosate at concentrations that stimulate maximum growth and where growth is not different from control values, the zero-equivalent point (ZEP). Maximum growth occurred at 0.1 mg l<sup>−1</sup> and the ZEP was 2 mg l<sup>−1</sup>. At 0.1 mg l<sup>−1</sup>, upregulated transcripts outnumbered downregulated transcripts by one order of magnitude. Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses indicated that the upregulated transcriptome is primarily associated with metabolism and biosynthesis. Transcripts encoding heat shock proteins and co-chaperones were among the most strongly upregulated, and several others were associated with translation, Redox homeostasis, cell replication, and photosynthesis. Although most of the same transcripts were also upregulated at concentrations ≥ZEP, the proportion of downregulated transcripts greatly increased as glyphosate concentrations increased. At the ZEP, downregulated transcripts were associated with photosynthesis, cell replication, and anion transport, indicating that specific interference with these processes is responsible for the nullification of hormetic growth. Transcripts encoding the herbicidal target of glyphosate, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), were upregulated at concentrations ≥ZEP but not at 0.1 mg l<sup>−1</sup>, indicating that disruption of EPSPS activity occurred at high concentrations and that nullification of hormetic growth involves the direct interaction of glyphosate with this enzyme. Results of this study may contribute to a better understanding of glyphosate hormesis and of anthropogenic factors that influence <i>P. parvum</i> biogeography and bloom formation.
Christie, K., R. E. Wilson, J. A. Johnson, C. Friis, C. Harwood, L. McDuffie, E. Nol, and S. A. Sonsthagen. 2023. Movement and genomic methods reveal mechanisms promoting connectivity in a declining shorebird: the lesser yellowlegs. Diversity. 15:595. doi.org/10.3390/d15050595	April 2023
Christianson, K.R., B.M. Johnson, M.B. Hooten, and A.S. Denning. (2020). Compound effects of water clarity, inflow, wind, and climate warming on mountain lake thermal regimes. Aquatic Sciences, 82: 6.	February 2020
Christensen, E.M., A.J. Lawson, E. Rivenbark, P.K. London, D. Castellanos, J.C. Culbertson, S.M. DeMay, C. Eakin, L.S. Pearson, K. Soileau, J.H. Waddle, C.P. McGowan. 2024. Accounting for multiple uncertainties in a decision-support population viability assessment. Biological Conservation 299:110811. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110811 \| Publisher Website	November 2024
Chowdhury MSN, La Peyre MK, Coen LD, Morris RL, Luckenbach MW, Ysebaert T, Walles B, Smaal AC. 2021. Ecological engineering with oysters enhances coastal resilience efforts. Ecological Engineering 169:106320 \| Abstract	June 2021	Coastal areas are especially vulnerable to habitat loss, sea-level rise, and other climate change effects. Oyster-dominated eco-engineered reefs have been promoted as integral components of engineered habitats enhancing coastal resilience through provision of numerous ecological, morphological, and socio-economic services. However, the assessed ‘success’ of these eco-engineered oyster reefs remains variable across projects and locations, with their general efficacy in promoting coastal resilience, along with related services, often mixed at best. Understanding factors influencing the success of these eco-engineered habitats as valuable coastal management tools could greatly inform related future efforts. Here, we review past studies incorporating reef-building oysters for coastal resilience and enhanced ecosystem services. Our aims are to better understand their utility and limitations, along with critical knowledge gaps to better advance future applicability. Success depends largely on site selection, informed by physical, chemical and biological factors, and adjacent habitats and bottom types. Better understanding of oyster metapopulation dynamics, tolerance and adaptation to changing conditions, and interactions with adjacent habitats will help to better identify suitable locations, and design more effective eco-engineered reefs. These eco-engineered reefs however provide a useful tool to assist in developing coastal resilience in the face of climate change and sea level rise.
Chipps, SR, DH Bennett, D Deslauriers and LG Rudstam. 2022. The cost of avoiding predators: A bioenergetic analysis of diel vertical migration by the opossum shrimp (Mysis diluviana). Hydrobiologia 849:1871-1884.	April 2022
Chipps, SR, D Deslauriers, & CP Madenjian. 2022. Bioenergetics. Pages 270-280, Encyclopedia of Inland Waters, Second Edition, K Tockner and T Mehner, editors. Elsevier, Netherlands.	May 2022
Chilton, J., A.E. Rosenberger, and R.J. DiStefano. 2020. Habitat associations and distributions of two endemic crayfishes, Cambarus (Erebicambarus) maculatus (Hobbs & Pflieger, 1988) and Faxonius (Billecambarus) harrisonii (Faxon, 1884) (Decapoda: Astacoidea: Cambaridae), in the Meramec River drainage, Missouri, USA. Journal of Crustacean Biology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruaa033 \| Abstract \| Download	May 2020	Understanding the habitat associations and distributions of rare species is important to inform management and policy decisions. <i>Cambarus </i>(<i>Erebicambarus</i>)<i> maculatus</i> (Freckled Crayfish; Hobbs & Pflieger, 1988) and <i>Faxonius </i>(<i>Billecambarus</i>) <i>harrisonii</i> (Belted Crayfish; Faxon, 1884) are two of Missouri’s narrowly endemic crayfish species. Their distributional overlap offers an opportunity for multi-species research to address gaps in information required for conservation. Both species are listed as Vulnerable (S3) on Missouri’s Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist due to their limited range within the Meramec River drainage (MRD) and the impact of anthropogenic activities therein. During the summers of 2017 and 2018, we sampled 140 sites throughout the MRD for crayfishes and associated habitat variables, which we related to crayfish presence in an occupancy modeling framework. We found <i>C. maculatus </i>occupancy was associated with larger stream orders, boulder substrate, dolomite geology, aquatic vegetation beds, dissolved oxygen, and pool mesohabitat. <i>Faxonius harrisonii </i>occupancy increased with boulder substrate, aquatic vegetation beds, the presence of <i>C. maculatus</i>, and decreased in 3<sup>rd</sup> order streams. We also expanded the known range for both species within the MRD. This study represents the opportunity for simultaneous assessment of multiple species with overlapping distributions to inform future management and policy decisions regarding them.
Chestnut- Faull, K. C., M. Mather, Q. Phelps, D. Shoup. 2022. A review of empirical evidence related to the effectiveness of harvest regulation evaluations: a systematic, standardized collaborative approach to data collection. Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10808 \| Abstract	August 2022	<b>Abstract</b><br>Harvest regulations are important tools that fisheries professionals use to impact fish abundance, alter population size structure, and improve fishing opportunities.<b> </b>Fisheries professionals often assume that specialized harvest regulations will have specific effects on target fish populations, but these predictions are not always realized because theory and practice don’t always match.<b> </b>To identify trends that can improve the future success of harvest regulations, we reviewed a representative sample of harvest regulation evaluations for inland sportfish (i.e., 62 evaluations from 41 studies). Our review revealed gaps related to quantitative predictions, statistical design, evaluation duration, researcher-manager collaboration, and data standardization. We encourage fisheries professionals to join together to systematically evaluate every change in harvest regulations. Shared and thoughtful data collection designs and protocol standardizations, which include the recommendations made in this call-to-action, can transform every regulation application into an empirical evaluation that provides generality across locations and time periods with similar effort and cost.
Cheruvelil, K.S., K. Webster, K. King, A. Poisson, T. Wagner. 2022. Taking a macroscale perspective to improve understanding of shallow lake total phosphorus and chlorophyll a. Hydrobiologia https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-022-04811-1	March 2022
Chen, E.K. and Henderson, M.J. 2021. Reduced recruitment of Chinook salmon in a leveed bar-built estuary. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 78: 894-904. \| Abstract \| Download	July 2021	Estuaries are commonly touted as nurseries for salmonids, providing numerous advantages for smolts prior to ocean entry. In bar-built estuaries, sandbars form at the mouth of rivers during periods of low stream flow, closing access to the ocean and disrupting outmigration. We evaluated how summer residency in a leveed bar-built estuary affects the growth, survival, and recruitment of a Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) population. We performed a mark-recapture study on outmigrants to determine juvenile estuary abundance, growth, and survival. We used returning adult scales and otoliths to determine the relative abundance of summer estuary residence in spawning adults. Juveniles in the estuary grew less after mouth closure, and ultimately summer estuary residents had lower smolt-to-adult survival and contributed disproportionately less to the spawning population than fish rearing in the ocean. Mouth closure may lower food availability and deteriorate estuary conditions by reducing marine prey influx and estuary circulation. This research demonstrates the complexity of estuary dynamics and function as salmonid nurseries, particularly when considering the extensive modification of estuaries.
Chaudoin, A. L., O. G. Feuerbacher, S. A. Bonar and P. J. Barrett. 2022. Environmental Factors in Spawning of Wild Devils Hole Pupfish Cyprinodon diabolis (Teleostei: Cyprinodontidae). Ichthyology & Herpetology, 110:502-510.	August 2022
Chaparro, C., A.C. Rivera-Burgos, M. J. Eaton, A. J. Terando, E. Martinez, and J. A. Collazo. 2024. Post-release Survival of Eleutherodactylus coqui: Advancing Managed Translocations as an Adaptive Tool for Climate-vulnerable Anurans. Herpetologica. \| Abstract	December 2024	Translocating amphibians to alternative, suitable habitat is an adaptation strategy aimed at minimizing the risk of extinction due projected global warming and drying. Projected conditions could undermine their physiological performance, and thus, survival and reproduction. Translocations minimize risks of extinction by increasing spatial redundancy across climate-resilient habitats, particularly for species with low vagility. However, outcomes of amphibian translocation attempts are poorly documented, and their effectiveness remains unclear. We released and tracked 34 radioed <i>Eleutherodactylus coqui</i> to determine initial, post-release survival under two treatments: non-translocated or control group (<i>n</i> = 14) and translocated group (<i>n </i>= 20) to a different location 0.8 km away, but sharing similar habitat and environmental conditions in west-central Puerto Rico in 2021. We defined “initial” as the first 17 d post-release, a period during which we hypothesized translocated individuals would have lower survival rates as they transitioned from known-familiar habitat to novel unfamiliar habitat. There was no evidence in the data to support our hypothesis. Daily survival rates (DSR) were better explained by a model with constant survival and no treatment effect (DSR = 0.999 ± 0.001). The best supported model (DAICc ≤ 2) indicated that daily survival was negatively influenced by i<i>n-situ</i> temperature (i.e., where frogs perched when captured), but the effect was weak (95% CIs overlapped 0). After 17 d, all but one of the recaptured frogs gained weight (avg = 0.28 ± 0.13 g), suggesting that transmitter/harness setup did not impede foraging behavior. Average daily movements did not hinder survival even though translocated individuals travelled more often and farther (1.19 ± 0.35) than non-translocated ones (0.15 ± 0.12 m). Findings suggested that managed translocations have the potential to become a useful conservation tool. We outlined challenges that remain before translocations of <i>Eleutherodactylus</i> species can be broadly applied.
Chapagain, B., J.M. Long, A.T. Taylor, and O. Joshi. 2021. Variation in black bass angler characteristics by stream size and accessibility in Oklahoma's Ozark Highland streams. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:585-599. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10565	March 2021
Chandler, H.C., D. Steen, J. Blue, J.E. Bogan, M.R. Bolt, T. Brady, D.R. Breininger, J. Buening, M. Elliott, J. Godwin, C. Guyer, R.L. Hill, M. Hoffman, N.L. Hyslop, C.L. Jenkins, C. Lechowicz, M. Moore, R.A. Moulis, S. Piccolomini, R. Redmond, F.H. Snow, B.S. Stegenga, D.J. Stevenson, J. Stiles, S. Stiles, M. Wallace, J. Waters, M. Wines, and J.M. Bauder. 2023. Evaluating Growth Rates of Captive, Wild, and Reintroduced Populations of the Imperiled Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) Herpetologica 79(4):220-230. https://doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-0004 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2023	Reintroduction of species at sites where populations have been extirpated has become a common technique in wildlife conservation. To track progress towards reintroduction success, effective postrelease monitoring is needed to document vital rates of individuals and the corresponding impact on population trajectories. We assessed growth and body size in Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi) using a data set from multiple projects across the species’ distribution, including free-ranging wild snakes, snakes reared in captive-breeding programs, and snakes released at two reintroduction sites. We used these data to fit a von Bertalanffy growth model in a Bayesian framework to quantify differences in growth among three broad categories of snakes (wild, captive, and reintroduced), while accounting for measurement error across various projects. We also compared changes in body mass of captive-born individuals from four captive rearing facilities. Asymptotic snout–vent length across all groups was 185 cm (95% credible interval = 177–194 cm) for males and 157 cm (95% credible interval = 153–161 cm) for females. Reintroduced snakes had a higher growth coefficient than either captive or wild snakes (e.g., captive females = 1.20 [1.06–1.35] d1 ; wild females = 1.22 [0.95–1.49] d1 ; reintroduced females = 1.62 [1.21–2.05] d1 ), indicating that current captive-breeding and rearing efforts for indigo snakes produce similar or faster growth trends compared to wild populations. Furthermore, daily changes in juvenile body weight relative to body size were similar in three of the four captive rearing facilities (mean for females at Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation = 0.57 [0.48–0.65]; Zoo Atlanta = 0.55 [0.37–0.72]; Welaka National Fish Hatchery = 0.55, [0.36–0.73]; Auburn University = 0.39 [0.21–0.58]). Long-term project success for indigo snake reintroductions will depend on continuing to implement best practices in an adaptive management framework.
Chandler, H.C., C.L. Jenkins, and J.M. Bauder. 2022. Accounting for geographic variation in habitat associations during habitat suitability and connectivity modeling: A case study with the imperiled eastern indigo snake. Ecological Applications 2022:e2504. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2504 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2022	Range-wide species conservation efforts are facilitated by spatially explicit esti-mates of habitat suitability. However, species-environment relationships oftenvary geographically and models assuming geographically constant relation-ships may result in misleading inferences. We present the first range-wide hab-itat suitability model (HSM) for the federally threatened eastern indigo snake(Drymarchon couperi) as a case study illustrating an approach to account forknown latitudinal variation in habitat associations. Specifically, we modeledhabitat suitability using interactive relationships between minimum wintertemperature and several a priori environmental covariates and compared ourresults to those from models assuming geographically constant relationships. Wefound that multi-scale models including interactive effects with winter tempera-ture outperformed single-scale models and models not including interactiveeffects with winter temperature. Our top-ranked model had suitable range-widepredictive performance and identified numerous large (i.e.,≥1000 ha) potentialhabitat patches throughout the indigo snake range. Predictive performance wasgreatest in southern Georgia and northernFlorida likely reflecting more restric-tive indigo snake habitat associations inthese regions. This study illustrates howmodeling interactive effects between temperature and environmental covariatescan improve the performance of HSMs across geographically varying environ-mental gradients.
Champine, V. M., Jones, M. S., Lischka, S., Vaske, J. J., & Niemiec, R. M. (2022). Understanding individual and diffusion behaviors related to native plant gardening. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 101798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101798 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2023	While studies have examined factors influencing individual pro-environmental behavior, less research has examined the drivers of “diffusion behaviors” that disseminate new information via social networks. We conducted a survey of single-family households (<i>n</i> = 337) using an expanded Integrated Model of Behavioral Prediction to investigate the social-psychological drivers of individual and diffusion behavioral intentions for native plant gardening. We also examined how intentions related to actual behavior and potential moderators of the intention-behavior relationship. We found that while individual behavior-specific knowledge and attitude predict both individual and diffusion intentions, behavior-specific personal norms and self-efficacy predicted diffusion intention, and behavior-specific personal norm influenced individual intention. Contrary to theory, diffusion intentions were influenced by a combination of behavior-specific and non-specific predictors. These results suggest that to motivate diffusion intention, outreach interventions may need to enhance diffusion-specific personal norm and self-efficacy beliefs, rather than just individual behavioral perceptions. Intentions predicted indicators of actual diffusion behavior, as measured through native plant voucher use by individuals and their friends and family. However, these indicators of behavior were not predicted directly by social-psychological variables. Diffusion-specific self-efficacy and subjective knowledge appear to moderate the relationship between diffusion intentions and successful diffusion behavior.
Champine V, Jones MS and Niemiec R. (2023). Encouraging social diffusion of pro-environmental behavior through online workshop-based interventions. Conservation Science & Practice, 5(10), e13016. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13016 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2023	Motivating people to take environmentally friendly action, especially collective actions that promote greater social engagement, is important for addressing environmental issues like biodiversity loss. We conducted an online workshop-based field experiment to target social-psychological perceptions to motivate people to plant native plants and encourage others to do the same. To shift these perceptions, we added 13 microinterventions to half the workshops, including normative messaging, public commitment-making, and providing feedback on the impact of reaching out to others. We used a voucher system to track real-world behavior by partnering with native plant nurseries. Compared to an information-only control workshop, our intervention workshops initially increased certain social-psychological perceptions related to encouraging others to plant native plants. However, they did not change behaviors, or many perceptions, compared to control workshops. Additional exploratory analyses revealed differing patterns of behavioral perceptions 2 months after the workshops. Further research is needed that implements experimental methods and real-world measures of conservation behavior to evaluate the impacts of theory-based outreach tactics on collective actions.
Chambers, S., M. L. Villarreal, O. Duane, S. M. Munson, E.F. Stuber, G. Tyreef, E. K. Waller, and M.C. Duniway. Conflict of Energies: Mapping Mule Deer’s Caloric Expenditure in Response to Oil and Gas Development. Landscape Ecology – In Press.	September 2022
Chalfoun, A. D., Tracey N. Johnson, and Jill Shaffer. Rangeland Songbirds. In Rangeland Wildlife Ecology & Conservation. Editors L. McNew, D. Dahlgren, and J. Beck. \| Abstract	September 2023	Songbirds that occur across the diverse types of North American rangelands constitute many families within the Order Passeriformes, and hundreds of species. Most are declining, and many are considered potential indicator species for rangeland ecosystems. We synthesized information on the natural and life history, habitat requirements, conservation status, and responses to management of songbirds associated with North American grasslands and sagebrush steppe, two of the most geographically extensive types of rangelands. We provide a more targeted examination of the habitat associations and management considerations for two focal species, the grassland-obligate grasshopper sparrow (<i>Ammodramus savannarum</i>) and sagebrush-obligate Brewer’s sparrow (<i>Spizella breweri</i>). Grassland- and sagebrush-obligate species rely on expansive stands of grasslands and sagebrush, respectively, and we discuss how key ecological processes and rangeland management approaches—grazing, fire, and mechanical treatments—influence rangeland songbirds. Rangeland management practices can affect breeding songbirds considerably, primarily through the resultant structure and composition of vegetation, which influences the availability of preferred nesting substrates, refugia from predators, and foraging success. Optimal management strategies to limit negative consequences to rangeland songbirds will depend on the target species and local topoedaphic and climatic conditions. The maintenance of large, contiguous patches of native habitats and restoration of previously degraded areas will help facilitate the population persistence of rangeland-associated songbirds. Maintaining structural heterogeneity of habitats within landscapes, moreover, can facilitate local species diversity. Information pertaining to periods outside of the nesting stage is severely lacking for most species, which is concerning because effective management necessitates understanding of threats and limiting factors across the full annual life cycle. Moreover, information on disease effects and prevalence, the effects of a changing climate, and how both may interact with management strategies, also comprise key gaps in knowledge.
Chalfoun, A. D. Responses of vertebrate wildlife to oil and natural gas development: patterns and frontiers. Current Landscape Ecology Reports. \| Abstract	May 2021	<b>Abstract</b><br><b>Purpose of Review: </b><br>I reviewed the recent literature (2014–2019) focused on the responses of avian, mammalian and herpetofaunal species to oil and natural gas development, a widespread and still-expanding land use worldwide. My primary goals were to determine whether generalities in species’ responses to development have emerged, and summarize remaining gaps in knowledge. To do so, I evaluated the directionality of a wide variety of responses in relation to taxon, location, development type, development metric, habitat type, and spatiotemporal aspects.<br><b>Recent Findings:</b><br>Studies (N = 70) were restricted to the U.S. and Canada, and taxonomically biased towards birds and mammals. Longer studies, but not those incorporating multiple spatial scales, had a higher probability of detecting significant responses. Negative responses of all types were present in relatively low frequencies across all taxa, locations, development types, and development metrics, but were context-dependent. The same species often displayed distinct responses across studies or development metrics. <br><b>Summary:</b><br>The state of knowledge about wildlife responses to oil and natural gas development has developed considerably, though many biases and gaps remain. Studies outside of North America and that focus on herpetofauna are lacking. Tests of mechanistic hypotheses for effects, long-term studies, assessment of response thresholds, and experimental designs that isolate the effects of different stimuli associated with development, remain critical. Moreover, tests of the efficacy of habitat mitigation efforts have been rare. Finally, investigations of the demographic effects of development across the full annual cycle were absent for non-game species, and are critical for the estimation of population-level effects.
Chad N. Teal, D. Katharine Coykendall, Matthew R. Campbell, Daniel L. Eardley, Thomas A. Delomas, Daniel J. Schill, Scott A. Bonar and Melanie Culver^.2022. Sex-specific markers undetected in green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing. Journal of Fish Biology 100:1528-1540.	April 2022
Celestino, L.F., Sanz-Ronda, F.J., Miranda, L.E., M.C. Makrakis, J.H. Pinheiro Dias, and S. Makrakis. 2020. Bidirectional connectivity via fish ladders in a large Neotropical river: response to a comment. River Research and Applications 36:1377-1381. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3687 \| Abstract	August 2020	In a recent article we applied electronic tags to the fish <i>Prochilodus lineatus</i> to document how a fishway connected aquatic habitats downstream and upstream of a major dam. Moreover, given that tagged fish remained upstream or downstream for periods extending months and years before returning to the fishway, and that observed patterns of passage were consistent with seasonal migratory cycles, and building on existing literature, we speculated that the fishway allows fish access to spawning habitats upstream and feeding habitats downstream. Our interpretation of the movement data provoked several comments from Pelicice, Pompeu, & Agostinho (2020) and they set various reasons by which, in their opinion, some of our conclusions may be mistaken. Their critique is threefold. First, they argue that the percentage of fish attracted into the fishway is too low to consider the fishway an effective link between the reservoir and the river downstream. We counter that without estimates of population size it is impossible to judge if 28% passage is limited; possibly absolute numbers may still be enough to maintain a viable population. Second, they assert that because receivers were located only in the fishway, it is unknown if fish that used the fishway remained near the dam, or if they continued on their migration. We counter with a brief literature review that documents <i>P. lineatus</i> migrating through reservoirs and spawning in tributaries. Third, they advocate for a broader conservation perspective and for additional research. We had already expressed in the article that fishways are only a temporary fix and that we support their use only as an element of a broader environmental management package. We agree with the need for more research but argue that procrastinating on conservation action may not be wise because we don’t know if the research will be done, how long it will take, or what is the cost of waiting. We do thank Pelicice et al. (2020) for their interest and comments on our article.
Cayot, L.J., and E.A. Hunter. 2020. “Floreana and Pinta Islands: Restoring tortoise populations through lost lineage recovery.” In J.P. Gibbs, L.J. Cayot, and W. Tapia (Eds.), Galapagos giant tortoises (pg. 465-479). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-817554-5.00003-4	January 2021
Cavallin, J.E., W.A. Battaglin, J. Beihoffer, B.R. Blackwell, P.M. Bradley, A.R. Cole, D.R. Ekman, R. Hofer, J. Kinsey, K. Keteles, R. Weissinger, D.L. Winkelman, D.L. Villeneuve. Effects-Based Monitoring of Bioactive Chemicals Discharged to the Colorado River Before and After a Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Replacement. Environmental Science and Technology 55:974-984. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c05269 \| Publisher Website	January 2021
Cavallin, J.E., J. Beihoffer, B.R. Blackwell, A.R. Cole, D.R. Ekman, R. Hofer, A. Jastrow, J. Kinsey, K. Keteles, E.M. Maloney, J. Parman, D.L. Winkelman, D.L. Villeneuve. In review. Effects-Based Monitoring of Bioactive Compounds Associated with Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Discharge to the South Platte River, Colorado, USA. Environmental Pollution. \| Abstract	August 2021	Previous studies have detected numerous organic contaminants and in vitro bioactivities in surface water from the South Platte River near Denver, Colorado, USA. To evaluate the temporal and spatial distribution of selected contaminants of emerging concern, water samples were collected throughout 2018 and 2019 at 11 sites within the S. Platte River and surrounding tributaries with varying proximities to a major wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Water samples were analyzed for pharmaceuticals, pesticides, steroid hormones, and wastewater in- dicators and screened for in vitro biological activities. Multiplexed, in vitro assays that simultaneously screen for agonistic activity against 24 human nuclear receptors detected estrogen receptor (ER), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) bioactivities in water samples near the WWTP outflow. Targeted in vitro bioassays assessing ER, GR, and PPARγ agonism corroborated bioactivities for ER (up to 55 ± 9.7 ng/L 17β-estradiol equivalents) and GR (up to 156 ± 28 ng/L dexamethasone equivalents), while PPARγ activity was not confirmed. To evaluate the potential in vivo significance of the bioactive contaminants, sexually-mature fathead minnows were caged at six locations upstream and downstream of the WWTP for 5 days after which targeted gene expression analyses were performed. Significant up-regulation of male hepatic vitellogenin was observed at sites with corresponding in vitro ER activity. No site-related differences in GR-related transcript abundance were detected in female adipose or male livers, suggesting observed environ- mental concentrations of GR-active contaminants do not induce a detectable in vivo response. In line with the lack of detectable targeted in vitro PPARɣ activity, there were no significant effects on PPARɣ-related gene expression. Although the chemicals responsible for GR and PPAR-mediated bioactivities are unknown, results from the present study provide i relative to short-term in situ fish exposures.
Cathcart, C.N., Falke, J.A., Fox, J., Henszey, R., and K. Lininger. 2024. Multiscale processes drive formation of logjam habitats and use by juvenile Chinook salmon across a boreal stream network in Alaska. River Research and Applications. DOI: 10.1002/rra.4387	October 2024
Castellon, T.D., A.C. Deyle, A.L. Farmer, J.M. Bauder, E.A. Roznik, and S.A. Johnson. 2022. Effects of translocation on gopher frog survival and movement. Herpetologica 78:161-168. https://doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-20-00061 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	September 2022	Translocation is increasingly used to move animals of conservation concern away from sites where habitat will be destroyed(mitigation translocation), but outcomes have rarely been adequately monitored, particularly for amphibians. We used radio telemetry monitoring to assess survival and movement of 23 experimentally translocated, adult Gopher Frogs (<i>Lithobates capito</i>) at a recipient site in north-central Florida, USA. Although post-translocation monitoring was our primary goal, we also compared our results with those of 24 nontranslocated frogs that were monitored in three previous efforts, conducted at different locations and times. For both translocated and nontranslocated frogs, movement was the most important predictor of mortality, with translocated frogs having a significantly higher probability of movement and higher mortality during the first month following release. However, there was no effect of translocation on survival after controlling for probability of movement because movement was dangerous for both translocated and nontranslocated frogs. Movement by translocated frogs was likely a behavioral response to the translocation experience, whereas movement by nontranslocated frogs was associated with breeding pond visitation, which was not observed within the translocated group. Survival was high for both groups once they settled into underground refugia and movement declined. Despite the comparatively high mortality of translocated frogs immediately following release, more than half survived to the end of monitoring and remained in the vicinity of the release site, meeting an early benchmark of translocation success.
Cassaigne, I, Thompson, RW, Medellin, RA, Culver M, Ochoa A, Vargas K, Childs JL, Galaz, M and Sanderson J. 2021. Augmentation of natural prey reduces cattle predation by puma (Puma concolor) and jaguar (Panthera once) on a ranch in Sonora, Mexico. Southwest Naturalist, 65:123-130.	October 2021
Casas SM, Comba D, La Peyre MK, Rikard S, La Peyre JF. 2023. Triploid eastern oysters are slower to osmoconform than their diploid half-siblings. Aquaculture. \| Abstract	October 2023	Triploid eastern oysters (<i>Crassostrea virginica</i>) suffer greater mortalities than diploids in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico estuaries when extreme low salinities (<5) and elevated temperatures (≥28 ºC) coincide. To investigate potential causes, changes in plasma osmolality, hemolymph pH, valve opening and mortality in diploid and triploid oyster half-siblings were compared during a step-down gradual acclimation from a salinity of 5 to 1 (5, 2.5, 2, 1.5, 1) at 23°C (expt 1) and at 28°C (expt 2). To further explore differences in diploid and triploid oyster responses to changing salinity, we compared their plasma osmolality following an abrupt decrease in salinity from 20 to 10 or 5, followed by an increase in salinity from 5 or 10 to 20 once oysters had osmoconformed to the lowered salinities (expt 3). Lastly, changes in wet weights of mantle tissue explants were compared between diploid and triploid oysters every 10 minutes for 40 minutes after being transferred from a salinity of 20 to 10 (expt 4). Oysters of both ploidies were able to osmoconform with ambient water at salinities between 5 and 1.5. After a decrease in salinity, triploid oysterswere slower to open their valves and osmoconform, were less efficient in maintaining acid-base status, endured longer periods of acidic hemolymph pH, and were less efficient in regulating tissue water content compared to half-sibling diploid oysters. At a salinity of 1.0, plasma of both diploid and triploid oysters remained hyperosmotic, their hemolymph acidic and their valves closed. Oysters osmoconformed faster at 28°C than at 23°C, but the combination of low salinity (≤ 1.5) and higher temperature caused rapid mortalities regardless of ploidies. Triploid oysters, however, started dying earlier and at greater percentages when salinity of 1.5 and temperature of 28°C were combined. Triploids have been embraced as a means to support higher production, but results suggest superimposed stressors, such as low salinity and high temperature, may be more lethal to triploid than diploid oysters.<br>
Carter, W, McGreevy TJ, Mayer, AE, Sullivan, ME, Tefft, BC, Gerber, BD, and Husband, TP. 2022. High similarity in diet between imperiled New England cottontail and invasive eastern cottontail. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management.https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-22-05.	May 2022
Carroll, J.M., R. Dashiell, J.C. Watts, and E.A. Hunter. 2021. Tidal level affects the prevalence and impacts of pests and parasites on oysters (Crassostrea virginica) on intertidal reefs in Georgia, USA. Marine Biology 168:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03848-5	April 2021
Carroll, J.M., Furman, B., Jackson, L., Hunter, E.A., and Peterson, B. 2019. Propagule risk in a marine foundation species: seascape effects on Zostera marina seed predation. Journal of Ecology 107:1982-1994. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13154	December 2019
Carroll J.M., M.J. Whitesell, E.A. Hunter, and D.C. Rostal. 2022. First time’s a charm? Loggerhead neophyte mothers have higher hatch success. Southeastern Naturalist 21: 291-298.	November 2022
Carmignani, J.R., A.H. Roy, J. Stolarski, and T. Richards. 2021. Hydrology of annual winter water level drawdown regimes in recreational lakes of Massachusetts, U.S.A. Lake and Reservoir Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402381.2021.1927268 \| Publisher Website	June 2021
Carmignani, J.R. and A.H. Roy. 2021. Annual winter water level drawdowns influence littoral zone physical habitat structure and macrophytes in Massachusetts lakes. Ecosphere: eo3442. \| Publisher Website	April 2021
Carlson, T.L., L.A.P. LaBrie, J.S. Wesner, S.R. Chipps, A.A. Coulter, and B.J. Schall. 2023. Receiver mount design, tag depth, and wind speed affect detection probability of acoustic telemetry tags in a Missouri River tributary. Animal Biotelemetry 11:6 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40317-022-00313-y \| Abstract	February 2023	One of the most important considerations for acoustic telemetry study designs is detection probability between the transmitter and the receiver. Variation in river conditions and flow regimes among river systems can lead to differences in detection probability between systems. In this study we evaluate the detection probabilities of two acoustic tag models at various distances from stationary receivers, for two different mount designs, at two different tag depths, and across varying wind speed. InnovaSea V16-6H (hereafter V16) and V13-1L (hereafter V13) tags were deployed in the James River, SD at a deep depth of 0.36 m above the benthic surface or at shallow depths of 2.29 m (V16 tag) or 1.98 m (V13 tag) above the benthic surface downstream of stationary receivers at distances of 100, 200, or 300 m. Two receiver mount designs that included a fixed position on bridge pilings in a PVC pipe or in a midriver frame, were used to detect acoustic signals. Tags were deployed for 72 hrs at each location, and hourly detections were summarized and compared to the expected number. We assessed downstream distance, receiver mount design, tag depth, and wind effects on tag detection using Bayesian logistic regression.
Carlson, A. K., and M. V. Hoyer. 2023. Bluegill population demographics as related to abiotic and biotic factors in Florida lakes. Fishes 8(2):e100.	February 2023
Carlson, A. K., and M. V. Hoyer. 2022. Redear Sunfish occurrence, abundance, growth, and size structure as related to abiotic and biotic factors in Florida lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42:775–786. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10764	March 2022
Carlson, A. K., and B. M. Gaffey. 2024. Cold blood in warming waters: effects of air temperature, precipitation, and groundwater on Gulf Sturgeon thermal habitats in a changing climate. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 44(5):987–1007.	August 2024
Carlson, A. K., W. W. Taylor, and S. M. Hughes. 2020. The metacoupling framework informs stream salmonid management and governance. Frontiers in Environmental Science 8:27. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.00027	March 2020
Carlson, A. K., W. W. Taylor, and D. M. Infante. 2020. Modelling effects of climate change on Michigan brown trout and rainbow trout: Precipitation and groundwater as key predictors. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 29(3):433–449. https://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12525	July 2020
Carlson, A. K., W. W. Taylor, M. R. Cronin, M. J. Eaton, L. E. Eckert, M. A. Kaemingk, A. J. Reid, and A. Trudeau. 2020. A social-ecological odyssey in fisheries and wildlife management. Fisheries 45(5):238–243. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10439	May 2020
Carlson, A. K., W. W. Taylor, D. R. DeVries, M. R. Wuellner, and M. T. Kinnison. 2020. Leadership in action: Lessons from a multistate fisheries collaboration. In: Lessons in Leadership: Integrating Courage, Vision, and Innovation for the Future of Sustainable Fisheries. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874608	August 2020
Carlson, A. K., W. W. Taylor, D. R. DeVries, C. P. Ferreri, M. J. Fogarty, K. J. Hartman, D. M. Infante, M. T. Kinnison, S. A. Levin, R. T. Melstrom, R. M. Newman, M. L. Pinsky, D. I. Rubenstein, S. M. P. Sullivan, P. A. Venturelli, M. J. Weber, M. R. Wuellner, G. B. Zydlewski. 2022. Stepping up: A U.S. perspective on the Ten Steps to Responsible Inland Fisheries. Fisheries 47:68–77. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10695	February 2022
Carlson, A. K., W. W. Taylor, D. I. Rubenstein, S. A. Levin, and J. Liu. 2020. Global marine fishing across space and time. Sustainability 12(11):4714. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12114714	June 2020
Carlson, A. K., W. J. Boonstra, S. Joosse, D. I. Rubenstein, S. A. Levin. 2022. More than ponds amid skyscrapers: Urban fisheries as multiscalar human-natural systems. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 25:49–58. https://doi.org/10.14321/aehm.025.01.49	March 2022
Carlson, A. K., T. Young, M. A. Centeno, S. A. Levin, and D. I. Rubenstein. 2021. Boat to bowl: Resilience through network rewiring of a community-supported fishery amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmental Research Letters 16:034054. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abe4f6	February 2021
Carlson, A. K., N. J. Leonard, M. Munawar, and W. W. Taylor. 2024. Assessing and implementing the concept of Blue Economy in Laurentian Great Lakes fisheries: Lessons from Coupled Human and Natural Systems (CHANS). Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 27(2):74–84.	December 2024
Carlson, A. K., D. M. Krueger, W. W. Fetzer, J. S. Stewart, S. M. Westenbroek, L. Wang, K. E. Wehrly, D. Wieferich, Y.-P. Tsang, H. Yu, W. W. Taylor, and D. M. Infante. 2024. Application of a fine-scale modeling approach to assess broad-scale changes in stream salmonid thermal habitat in a changing climate. In: J. Lobón-Cerviá, P. Budy, R. Gresswell, editors. Advances in the Ecology of Stream-Dwelling Salmonids.	March 2024
Carlson, A. K., D. I. Rubenstein, and S. A. Levin. 2021. Modeling Atlantic herring fisheries as multiscalar human-natural systems. Fisheries Research 236:105855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105855	April 2021
Carlson, A. K., D. I. Rubenstein, and S. A. Levin. 2020. Linking multiscalar fisheries using metacoupling models. Frontiers in Marine Science 7:614. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00614	July 2020
Carlson, A. K., A. Bennett, W. W. Taylor, and C. P. Ferreri. 2020. Summary. In: Lessons in Leadership: Integrating Courage, Vision, and Innovation for the Future of Sustainable Fisheries. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874608	August 2020
Carlisle, J. D., and A. D. Chalfoun. 2020. The abundance of Greater Sage-Grouse as a proxy for the abundance of sagebrush-associated songbirds in Wyoming, USA. Avian Conservation and Ecology. 15(2):16. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-01702-150216 \| Abstract	December 2020	Surrogate-species concepts are prevalent in animal conservation. Such strategies advocate for conservation by proxy, wherein one species is used to represent other taxa to obtain a conservation objective. The efficacy of such approaches has been rarely assessed empirically, but is predicated on concordance between the surrogate and sympatric taxa in distribution, abundance, and ecological requirements. Our objective was to identify whether the abundance of a high-profile umbrella species (Greater Sage-Grouse, <i>Centrocercus urophasianus</i>, hereafter sage-grouse) was associated with the abundance of six other members of the avian community for which it is presumed to be a surrogate, including three sagebrush-obligate and three sagebrush-associated songbird species. We predicted that sage-grouse abundance would align most closely with the breeding abundance of other sagebrush-obligate birds. We used two different indices of sage-grouse abundance for comparisons: field-collected counts of fecal pellets (primarily indexing abundance in the nonbreeding season) and a spatially explicit index of breeding population size. Neither index of sage-grouse abundance was consistently predictive of co-occurring songbird abundance, with one species more abundant (Horned Lark [<i>Eremophila alpestris</i>]) and one species less abundant (Vesper Sparrow [<i>Pooecetes gramineus</i>]) where sage-grouse pellet counts were higher, and no relationship evident between songbird abundance and the spatially explicit sage-grouse population index. Ours is one of few assessments of the efficacy of sage-grouse as a surrogate species to consider abundance, and not habitat overlap alone. We suggest that the utility of sage-grouse as a surrogate species likely varies across spatial scales. Within the scale examined here (10–15 ha sites), however, indices of sage-grouse abundance were unreliable proxies for the abundance of six declining songbird species.
Carlisle, J. D., K. T. Smith, J. L. Beck, M. A. Murphy, and A. D. Chalfoun. 2023. Beyond overlap: Considering habitat preference and fitness outcomes in the umbrella species concept. Animal Conservation. DOI10.1111/acv.12899. \| Abstract	September 2023	Umbrella species and other surrogate-species approaches to conservation provide an appealing framework to extend the reach of conservation efforts beyond single species. For the umbrella species concept to be effective, populations of multiple species of concern must persist in areas protected on behalf of the umbrella species. Most assessments of the concept, however, focus exclusively on geographic overlap among umbrella and background species, and not measures that affect population persistence (e.g., habitat quality or fitness). We quantified the congruence between the habitat preferences and nesting success of a high-profile umbrella species (greater sage-grouse, <i>Centrocercus urophasianus</i>, hereafter “sage-grouse”), and three sympatric species of declining songbirds (Brewer’s sparrow [<i>Spizella breweri</i>], sage thasher [<i>Oreoscoptes montanus</i>], and vesper sparrow [<i>Pooecetes gramineus</i>]) in central Wyoming, USA during 2012 – 2013. We used machine-learning methods to create data-driven predictions of sage-grouse nest-site selection and nest survival probabilities by modeling field-collected sage-grouse data relative to habitat attributes. We then used field-collected songbird data to assess whether high-quality sites for songbirds aligned with those of sage-grouse. The types of nest sites selected by songbirds did not coincide with sage-grouse nesting preferences, with the exception that Brewer’s sparrows preferred similar nest sites to sage-grouse in 2012. Moreover, the areas that produced higher rates of songbird nest survival were unrelated to those for sage-grouse. Our findings suggest that management actions at local scales that prioritize sage-grouse nesting habitat will not necessarily enhance the reproductive success of sagebrush-associated songbirds. Measures implemented to conserve sage-grouse and other purported umbrella species at broad spatial scales likely overlap the distribution of many species, however, broad-scale overlap may not translate to fine-scale conservation benefit beyond the umbrella species itself. The maintenance of microhabitat heterogeneity important for a diversity of species of concern will be critical for a more-holistic application of the umbrella species concept.
Carlin, M., and A. D. Chalfoun. Temporal dynamics of sagebrush songbird abundance in relation to energy development. Biological Conservation. \| Abstract	April 2021	Spatial aspects of wildlife responses to human-induced habitat change have been examined frequently, yet the temporal dynamics of responses remain less understood. We tested alternative hypotheses for how the abundance of a suite of declining songbirds in relation to energy development changed over time. We conducted point counts at two natural gas fields during two periods spanning a decade (2008–2009 and 2018–2019), and compared the abundance of sagebrush songbirds across a gradient of surface disturbance between study periods (trend-by-time). We also assessed changes in the abundance of birds between study periods relative to additional development that had occurred (trend-over-time). We predicted that abundance responses to surface disturbance would be more negative during the second period, regardless of additional disturbance that had occurred, because of previously observed inverse relationships between surface disturbance and nest survival at our sites. Contrary to our predictions, abundance responses attenuated by the second time period for two of three species, Brewer’s sparrow and sage thrasher (the latter at one energy field only). Sagebrush sparrow abundance, however, consistently decreased with surface disturbance within and between periods. Sage thrasher abundance consistently decreased with surface disturbance at one of the gas fields, and the probability of colonization by thrashers between study periods was lower where additional surface disturbance had occurred. Our results highlight the importance of revisiting wildlife responses to anthropogenic habitat changes over time, to clarify the severity and longevity of effects.
Carlin, M. and A. D. Chalfoun. 2023. Congruence among multiple indices of habitat preference for species facing human-induced rapid environmental change: a case study using the Brewer’s sparrow. Ecological Solutions and Evidence 3: e12175. \| Abstract	October 2022	Accurate evaluations of habitat preference are key to understanding optimal conditions for wildlife survival and reproduction. Habitat selection, however, is usually evaluated using a single index of preference, and congruence among multiple, relevant indices of preference is examined rarely. We assessed the concordance between patterns of habitat preference using three different indices of breeding site preference in a migratory songbird. Specifically, we compared the chronology of territorial establishment, pair formation, and reproductive initiation of the Brewer’s sparrow (<i>Spizella brewerii</i>), along a gradient of surface disturbance associated with natural gas development in Wyoming, USA during 2019. We expected all three indices to demonstrate a preference for breeding sites with less surface disturbance, where reproductive success is known to be higher. By contrast, however, preferences were consistently invariant with respect to surface disturbance across all indices. If the pattern of suboptimal selection of breeding sites that we identified is generalizable across other populations of migratory birds affected by energy development, the resultant lower fitness in those areas may exacerbate population declines. Our results suggest that traditional, single-index approaches to the study of habitat selection, if chosen carefully, may provide adequate inference on habitat preferences. The simultaneous examination of multiple indices of preference across a diversity of systems, however, would help clarify the contexts under which preference metrics could become decoupled.
Carey, K.C., M. Kent, C. B. Schreck, C. E. Couch, L. Whitman, and J. T. Peterson. Modeling the effects of stream temperature and human disturbance on prespawn mortality of spring Chinook salmon in an adaptive management framework. North American Journal of Fisheries Management \| Abstract	November 2024	Premature mortality of adult Chinook salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</i>) is a major barrier to population recovery. Previous studies have attributed population declines to loss of habitat caused by water impoundments and other forms of development. The Willamette River Basin, OR typifies the problems faced by fishery managers in the Pacific Northwest. Although adult salmon are trapped and transported upstream of dams so they can access historic spawning grounds, annual rates of prespawn mortality (PSM) are high (often >40%) and may limit recovery of natural populations if not reduced. The purpose of this study was to identify and develop potential factors related to PSM into a conceptual model with the aim of incorporating future monitoring data to facilitate adaptive management of outplanting operations. We evaluated PSM in Fall Creek of the Willamette River Basin prior to transport facility improvements in summer and fall of 2010-2017 and post-improvement in 2020-2021. We estimated PSM and conducted exploratory analyses to identify possible non-transport sources of stress that may contribute to the observed high PSM rates. Candidate factors included long-term elevated temperature exposure, elevated temperature exposure below the trap, total number outplanted fish, and monthly human disturbance of outplanted fish. We then developed and fit three models each representing a hypothesis of the factor influencing PSM, incorporated them into a single decision model, and conducted sensitivity analyses. PSM averaged 66% over the study period and was greater for females. The top two management actions based on simulation results were to exclude human activity from Fall Creek in August and July, which reduced expected PSM rates to 37% and 38%. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the most influential decision model component was the choice of alternative model. We illustrate how annual monitoring data can be used to update the decision model and improve management, which can ultimately support recovery efforts.
Cardas, A., E. L Hewett Ragheb, K. E. Miller, and A. N. Powell. 2023. Evidence of a load-lightening helper effect in Florida Scrub-Jays: Implications for translocation. Avian Conservation and Ecology 18(2):17. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-02552-180217 \| Abstract	December 2023	The Florida Scrub-Jay (<i>Aphelocoma coerulescens</i>) is an imperiled cooperatively breeding species endemic to Florida scrub habitats. Translocation of non-reproductive helpers has been proposed as a conservation tool to increase population size and connectivity. However, the potential consequences of helper removal on the source population remain unclear because the benefits provided by helpers are complex and not consistently observed. We used nest monitoring and nest camera data to examine the effects of helpers on provisioning rates, nestling mass, nest survival, and productivity for 111 family groups at Ocala National Forest, which supports the largest remaining population of Florida Scrub-Jays. In groups with helpers, male breeders and helpers provisioned nestlings at higher rates than did female breeders. The provisioning rate of female breeders was reduced by half in groups with helpers compared to groups without helpers, revealing a load-lightening helper effect in this population. The compensatory benefit of helpers on maternal provisioning rates in this study may have easily been overlooked without the use of nest cameras. Helpers provisioned less and nestling mass was lower in 2019 than 2018. The presence of helpers did not influence nestling mass, nest survival, or nest productivity, suggesting that the effect of helpers on these metrics is either minimal or masked by other environmental factors. Future study is needed to understand how indirect helper benefits may affect female breeder survival and future productivity. In the meantime, the load-lightening effect of helpers on maternal provisioning and its potential effect on the donor population should be acknowledged when evaluating the net benefits of future translocation projects proposing the removal of helpers.
Cappello, C.D., K.V. Jacobson, J.T. Driscoll, K.M. McCarty, and J.M. Bauder. 2024. Evaluating the effects of nest management on a recovering raptor using integrated population modeling. Ecosphere 15:e4943. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	October 2024	Evaluating population responses to management is a crucial component of successful conservation programs. Models predicting population growth under different management scenarios can provide key insights into the efficacy of specific management actions both in reversing population decline and in maintaining recovered populations. Bald eagle (<i>Haliaeetus leucocephalus</i>) conservation in the United States has seen many successes over the last 50 years, yet the extent to which the bald eagle population has recovered in Arizona, an important population within the Southwest region, remains an area of debate. Estimates of the species’ population trend and an evaluation ofongoing nest-level management practices are needed to inform management decisions. We developed a Bayesian integrated population model (IPM) and population viability analysis (PVA) using a 36-year dataset to assess Arizona bald eagle population dynamics and their underlying demographic rates under current and possible future management practices. We estimated that the population grew from 77 females in 1993 to 180 females in 2022, an average yearly increase of 3%. Breeding sites that had trained personnel(i.e., nest watchers) stationed at active nests to mitigate human disturbance had a 28% higher reproductive output than nests without this protection. Uncertainty around population trends was high, but scenarios that continued the nest watcher program were less likely to predict abundance declines than scenarios without nest watchers. Here, the IPM-PVA framework provides a useful tool both for estimating the effectiveness of past management actions and for exploring the management needs of a delisted population, highlighting that continued management action may be necessary to maintain population viability even after meeting certain recovery criteria.
Cantu de Leija, A., and S.L. King. 2023. Relationships among rare plant communities and abiotic conditions in managed spring-fed arid wetlands. Restoration Ecologydoi: 10.1111/rec.14011.	September 2023
Cantu de Leija, A., S.L.King, and T.S. Hawkins. 2022. Seed germination requirements and responses to salinity for three rare wetland plants of spring-fed arid systems. Journal of Arid Environments 199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2021.104705	April 2022
Cannon, C.E., McInturff, A., Alagona, P. and Pellow, D., 2023. Wild Urban Injustice: A Critical POET Model to Advance Environmental Justice. Environmental Justice. \| Abstract	February 2023	<b><i>Background:</i></b> People and wildlife can both be the subjects of environmental injustice. Although their experiences are clearly not the same, shared logics of oppression often impose harms through the environment on vulnerable and marginalized people and free-living nonhuman animals. Critical environmental justice provides a matrix for analyzing and addressing arrangements of power across categories of difference, whereas human ecology approaches offer frameworks for analyzing interactions across human and environmental systems in urban contexts. We develop a new analytical model—critical population, organization, environment, technology (POET)—to strengthen approaches to studying human–environmental problems by integrating the four pillars of critical environmental justice with the four dimensions of the human ecology POET model.<br><b><i>Methods:</i></b> This article uses a case study approach of coyotes living in urban areas to demonstrate one use of the critical POET model to analyze linkages between injustices across humans, wildlife, and the environment.<br><b><i>Results:</i></b> Urbanization as a core spatial logic—through the twin forces of institutional racism and speciesism—has perpetrated harms against people of color and coyotes.<br><b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Identifying shared logics of oppression is a key step toward the realization of a robust multispecies approach to environmental justice.<br><b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The critical POET model provides a matrix for analyzing interactions and relationships that produce and maintain social and environmental injustices for historically and contemporarily marginalized groups, both human and nonhuman.
Cannell, B. L., W. L. Kendall, J. Tyne, M. Bunce, Y. Hetzel, D. Murray, and B. Radford. 2023. Marine heatwaves affect breeding, diet and population size but not body condition of a range-edge Little Penguin colony. Marine Ecology Progress Series DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14425.	November 2023
Campos-Cerqueria, M., A. J. Terando, B. Murray, J. A. Collazo, and T. M. Aide. 2021. Climate change is creating a mismatch between protected areas and suitable habitats for frogs and birds in Puerto Rico. Biodiversity and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02258-9	October 2021
Campbell, Lewis J., Daniel P. Walsh, David S. Blehert, Jeffrey M. Lorch. 2020. Long-term survival of pseudogymnoascus destructans at elevated temperatures. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 56(2):278-287. https://doi.org/10.7589/2019-04-106 \| Abstract	March 2020	White-nose syndrome is an emerging fungal disease that has devastated hibernating bat populations across eastern North America. The causal pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (PD), is a psychrophilic fungus with a known maximal growth temperature of 20 C. Although it is widely speculated that PD is primarily spread between hibernacula by the movement of bats, experimental evidence is lacking to demonstrate that PD can endure temperatures experienced by active bats for periods of time that would facilitate dispersal of viable fungus. We used an in vitro culture-based approach to study the survival of PD conidia on three artificial growth media and bat fur. The fungus was incubated at three temperatures it might realistically be exposed to on nonhibernating bats or in the environment outside of caves and mines (24 C, 30 C, and 37 C). When incubated on artificial media, we found that PD conidia were able to survive for a maximum of 150 d when exposed to temperatures of 24 C, 60 d at 30 C, and 15 d at 37 C. At all temperatures, maximal survival duration was recorded when conidia were incubated on brain–heart infusion agar with 10% volume of sheep (Ovis aries) blood. When incubated on bat fur, viable PD was recovered at 180 d, 60 d, and 5 d when exposed to temperatures of 24 C, 30 C, and 37 C, respectively. Our results suggest that viable PD conidia may be able to survive on or within the bodies of bats, which may facilitate long-distance dispersal. The long-term viability of the fungus on various fomites may differ, and therefore must be assessed for each potential substrate.
Campbell, J.W., S.M.Grodsky, M. Milne, P. Viguiera, C.C. Viguiera, E. Stern, and C.H. Greenberg. 2022. Prescribed fire and other fuel-reduction treatments increase spider abundance in a Southern Appalachian hardwood forest. Forest Ecology and Management.	April 2022
Campbell, J. W., S. M. Grodsky, A. P. Monroe, and J. A. Martin. 2021. Bee (Apoidea) community response to perennial grass treatments managed for livestock production and conservation. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 313, 107391. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2021.107391.	March 2021
Camp, E. V., M. A. Kaemingk, R. N. M. Ahrens, W. M. Potts, W. E. Pine, III, O. L. F. Weyl, and K. L. Pope. 2020. Resilience management for conservation of freshwater recreational fisheries. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 7:498. \| Download	January 2020
Calhoun, Kendall, Thomas Connor , Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Amy Van Scoyoc, Alex McInturff, Samantha E.S. Kreling, Justin S. Brashares. "Movement behavior in a dominant ungulate underlies successful adjustment to a rapidly changing landscape following megafire." Movement Ecology. \| Abstract	December 2024	Background:<br>Movement plays a key role in allowing animal species to adapt to sudden environmental shifts. Anthropogenic climate and land use change have accelerated the frequency of some of these extreme disturbances, including megafire. These megafires dramatically alter ecosystems and challenge the capacity of several species to adjust to a rapidly changing landscape. Ungulates and their movement behaviors play a central role in the ecosystem functions of fire-prone ecosystems around the world. Previous work has shown behavioral plasticity is an important mechanism underlying whether large ungulates are able to adjust to recent changes in their environments effectively. Ungulates may respond to the immediate effects of megafire by adjusting their movement and behavior, but how these responses persist or change over time following disturbance is poorly understood.<br>Methods:<br>We examined how an ecologically dominant ungulate with strong site fidelity, Columbian black-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus columbianus</i>), adjusted its movement and behavior in response to an altered landscape following a megafire. To do so, we collected GPS data from 21 individual female deer over the course of a year and used resource selection functions (RSFs) and hidden Markov movement models (HMMs) to assess changes in behavior and habitat selection.<br>Results:<br>We found compelling evidence of adaptive capacity across individual deer in response to megafire. Deer avoided exposed and severely burned areas that lack forage and could be riskier for predation immediately following megafire, but they later altered these behaviors to select for areas that burned at higher severities, potentially to take advantage of enhanced forage.<br>Conclusions:<br>These results suggest that despite their high site fidelity, deer can navigate altered landscapes to track rapid shifts in predation risk and resource availability. This successful adjustment of movement and behavior following extreme disturbance could help facilitate resilience at broader ecological scales.
Calhoun, Kendall, Benjamin R. Goldstein, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Alex McInturff, Leonel Solorio, Justin S. Brashares. "Mammalian resilience to megafire in western U.S. woodland savannas." In press. Ecological Applications \| Abstract	December 2022	Increasingly frequent megafires are dramatically altering landscapes and critical habitats around the world. Across the western United States, megafires have become an almost annual occurrence, but the implication of these fires for the conservation of native wildlife remains relatively unknown. Woodland savannas are among the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems and provide important food and structural resources to a variety of wildlife, but they are threatened by megafires. Despite this, the great majority of fire impact studies have only been conducted in coniferous forests. Understanding the resistance and resilience of wildlife assemblages following these extreme perturbations can help inform future management interventions that limit biodiversity loss due to megafire. We assessed the resistance of a woodland savanna mammal community to the short-term impacts of megafire using camera trap data collected before, during, and after the fire. Specifically, we utilized a 5-year camera trap data set (2016–2020) from the Hopland Research and Extension Center to examine the impacts of the 2018 Mendocino Complex Fire, California’s largest recorded wildfire at the time, on the distributions of eight observed mammal species. We used a multispecies occupancy model to quantify the effects of megafire on species’ space use, to assess the impact on species size and diet groups, and to create robust estimates of fire’s impacts on species diversity across space and time. Megafire had a negative effect on the detection of certain mammal species, but overall, most species showed high resistance to the disturbance and returned to detection and site use levels comparable to unburned sites by the end of the study period. Following megafire, species richness was higher in burned areas that retained higher canopy cover relative to unburned and burned sites with low canopy cover. Fire management that prevents large-scale canopy loss is critical to providing refugia for vulnerable species immediately following fire in oak woodlands, and likely other mixed-forest landscapes.
Calhoun, Kendall L., et al. "Spatial overlap of wildfire and biodiversity in California highlights gap in non‐conifer fire research and management." Diversity and Distributions 28.3 (2022): 529-541. \| Abstract	March 2022	Aim <br>Global change has spurred the escalation of megafires in California over the last 20 years throughout a variety of ecosystems. Here, we examine the spatial distribution of California wildfires and megafires from the last two decades (2000–2020) in relation to ecosystem types and biodiversity metrics. We offer insights into the prevalence of fire across vegetation types and its potential implications for biodiversity, and for fire and land management. These results challenge the prevailing discourse that wildfire in California is chiefly an issue of forest management.<br> <br>Location <br>California, United States of America.<br> <br>Methods <br>We calculated burned area across vegetation types from 2000 to 2020 by integrating fire perimeter and land cover data and compared this to a content analysis of coverage of wildfires by media and scientific research across California. We then compared the distribution of fire perimeters across biodiversity metrics (richness and endemism) for five terrestrial taxonomic groups (birds, reptiles, plants, mammals and amphibians) and against the distribution of the wildland-urban interface (WUI).<br> <br>Results <br>Total burned area from 2000 to 2020 was highest in shrubland ecosystems (38%), followed by conifer (36%), hardwood (17%) and grasslands (9%). In aggregate, ecosystems other than conifer make up the majority (64%) of the area burned in wildfires over the last 20 years. Fires most likely to impact endemic species, overlap areas of high species richness or burn within the WUI occurred predominantly in non-conifer ecosystems.<br> <br>Main Conclusions <br>Fires outside of forests have burned biodiverse areas critical to endemic species, but recent research and management in fire ecology continues to focus disproportionately on forests.<br> Non-conifer forested areas in California represent an important gap in fire research and management. As fire regimes shift dramatically in the state, other ecosystem types must be part of the wider conversation on fire management and policies to better protect people and biodiversity.
Caleb P Roberts. Using large-scale fire management to restore grassland bird richness on private lands. Great Plains Fire Science Exchange. Science Brief. \| Abstract \| Download	January 2022	There is no abstract
Cain, J.W., III, P.R. Krausman, S.T. Boyle, and S.S. Rosenstock. 2022. Water and Other Welfare Factors, Pages 239-267 in P.R. Krausman and J.W. Cain III, Editors. Wildlife Management: Contemporary Principles and Practices, 2nd Edition. The Wildlife Society and Johns Hopkins University Press.	September 2022
Cain, J.W., III, J.H. Kay, S.G. Liley, and J.V. Gedir. 2024. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) resource selection: trade-offs between forage and predation risk. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 12:1121439 https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2024.1121439 \| Download	April 2024
Cagle, A., A. Armstrong, G. Exley, S. M. Grodsky, J. Macknick, J. Sherwin, and R. R. Hernandez. 2020. The land sparing, water surface use efficiency, and water surface transformation of floating photovoltaic solar energy installations. Sustainability. 12:8154. doi:10.3390/su12198154.	October 2020
Cagle, A. E., M. Shepard, S. M. Grodsky, A. Armstrong, S. M. Jordaan, and R. R. Hernandez. 2023. Standardized metrics to quantify solar energy-land relationships: A global systematic review. Frontiers in Sustainability.	April 2023
C Guyer, JM Goessling, B Folt. Annual and lifetime home ranges reveal movement patterns within and among local populations of gopher tortoises. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 23(1):81–91. https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-1603.1	June 2024
Byrd, KB, I Woo, L Hall, E Pindilli, M Moritsch, A Good, S De La Cruz, MJ Davis, and G Nakai. 2024. Birdwatching preferences reveal synergies and tradeoffs among recreation, carbon, and fisheries ecosystem services in Pacific Northwest estuaries, USA. Ecosystem Services 69:101656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2024.101656	September 2024
Butler, M.J., K.L. Metzger, C.R. Sanspree, J.W. Cain III, and G.M. Harris. 2022. Whooping and sandhill cranes visit upland ponds proportional to migration phenology on the Texas coast. Wildlife Society Bulletin 46:e1290. \| Download	July 2022
Burton, AC, et al. 2024. Mammal responses to global changes in human activity vary by trophic group and landscape. Nature Ecology and Evolution 8: 924-935. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02363-2	March 2024
Burton, A.C., Beirne, C., Gaynor, K.M. et al. Mammal responses to global changes in human activity vary by trophic group and landscape. Nat Ecol Evol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02363-2 \| Download	March 2024
Burgener, K. R., Lichtenberg, S. S., Lomax, A., Storm, D. J., Walsh, D. P., & Pedersen, J. A. (2022). Diagnostic testing of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) by RT-QuIC using multiple tissues. Plos one, 17(11), e0274531. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274531 \| Abstract	November 2022	Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease affecting cervids (deer, elk, moose). Current methods to monitor individual disease state include highly invasive antemortem rectal biopsy or postmortem brain biopsy. Efficient, sensitive, and selective antemortem and postmortem testing of populations would increase knowledge of the dynamics of CWD epizootics as well as provide a means to track CWD progression into previously unaffected areas. Here, we analyzed the presence of CWD prions in skin samples from two easily accessed locations (ear and belly) from 30 deceased white-tailed deer (Odocoileus viginianus). The skin samples were enzymatically digested and analyzed by real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC). The diagnostic sensitivity of the ear and belly skin samples were both 95%, and the diagnostic specificity of the ear and belly skin were both 100%. Additionally, the location of the skin biopsy on the ear does not affect specificity or sensitivity. These results demonstrate the efficacy of CWD diagnosis with skin biopsies using RT-QuIC. This method could be useful for large scale antemortem population testing.
Burgener K., S. S. Lichtenberg, D. P. Walsh, H. Inzalaco, A. Lomax, and J. Pedersen. 2024. Prion seeding activity in plant tissues detected by RT-QuIC. Pathogens 13, 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13060452. \| Abstract	May 2024	Prion diseases such scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and chronic wasting disease (CWD) affect domesticated and wild herbivorous mammals. Animals afflicted with chronic wasting disease, the TSE of cervids (deer, elk, moose), shed prions into the environment, where they may persist and remain infectious for years. These environmental prions may remain in soil, be transported in surface waters, or assimilated into plants. Environmental sampling is an emerging area of TSE research and can provide more information about prion fate and transport once shed by infected animals. In this study, we have developed the first published method for extraction and detection of prions in plant tissue using the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay. Incubation with a zwitterionic surfactant followed by a precipitation with sodium phosphotungstate concentrates the prions within samples and allows for sensitive detection of prion seeding activity. Using this protocol, we demonstrate that prions can be detected within plant tissues and on plant surfaces using the RT-QuIC assay.
Budy, P., T. Walsworth, G.P. Thiede, P.D. Thompson, M.D. McKell, P.B. Holden, P.D., Chase, W.c. Saunders. 2021. Remarkably rapid recovery of native trout following removal of a dominant non-native trout sub-population: evidence of resilience and conservation potential. Conservation Biology: Conservation Practice and Policy 2021;3:e325. doi.org/10.1111/csp2.325. \| Abstract	January 2021	While the importance of reducing the impacts of non-native species is increasingly recognized in conservation, the feasibility of such actions is highly dependent upon the stage of invasion and the size of the ecosystem being restored. As such, invasive species management actions face three questions regarding the ultimate success of the action: (1) will the removal efforts be successful (i.e., will the invasive species remain absent), (2) will the native species respond positively to non-native species removal, and (3) how long after restoration activities can the native species be expected to reach a recovered state without further intervention. Here, we present the results of a multi-year, non-native brown trout (Salmo trutta) removal and native Bonneville cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah) recovery in a small tributary in the Intermountain West, USA. We monitored trout populations for nine years prior to the onset of eradication efforts, which included two years of mechanical removal followed by two years of chemical treatment. Cutthroat trout populations were then seeded with low numbers of both eggs and juvenile trout. We monitored population demographics and estimated population growth rates and carrying capacities for both populations from long-term depletion estimate data, assuming logistic growth. Prior to eradication, brown trout populations fluctuated around their carrying capacity. Following brown trout eradication and initial seeding efforts, cutthroat trout populations have demonstrated exponential growth. Within five years, cutthroat trout have approached their estimated carrying capacity. Population projections suggest that cutthroat trout are between 70 and 80% of their carrying capacity and are likely to be at 90% of their carrying capacity within 10 years. Additionally, at least four age-classes are present including adults large enough to satisfy angling demand. These results demonstrate native trout species have substantial capacity to rapidly recover following the removal of invasive species in otherwise minimally altered habitats. While these locations are likely limited in extent individually, collectively they may serve as source populations for larger connected systems. In such cases, these source populations may provide additional conservation potential through biotic resistance.
Budy, P., P.D. Thompson, M.D. McKell, G.P. Thiede, T. Walsworth, and M.M. Conner. 2020. A multi-faceted reconstruction of the metapopulation structure and life history expressions of a remnant metapopulation of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah): implications for maintaining intermittent connectivity. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 49: 443-461. \| Abstract	April 2020	Fishes that evolutionarily demonstrated a fluvial life history expression and migrated to spawning and rearing habitat using lotic corridors are increasingly impacted by fragmentation. The overall goal of this study was to identify the contemporary importance of mainstem connectivity and tributaries to maintaining life history expression, population structure, and viability of a large metapopulation of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout (BCT; <i>Oncorhynchus clarkii utah</i>) persisting in the Weber River, a highly fragmented Utah river. We used a multifaceted approach including active sampling, mark-recapture, passive PIT-tag detection, otolith microchemistry, and genetics. We collected BCT in all tributaries and the mainstem, encountering age-0 fish in three tributaries, indicating successful reproduction. In tributaries, the size structure was bimodal and consisted of smaller fish deemed to be resident and larger fish deemed to be fluvial, whereas all sizes and ages (≥ age-1) were present in the mainstem. We identified up to eight age classes; tributaries were dominated by ages 2 and 8, and the mainstem was dominated by ages 2, 5, 6, and 7. Tributary BCT had lower growth rates than BCT in the mainstem. We observed a surprising degree of fluvial life history expression, and fish also demonstrated very complex movement patterns across their life span. Average apparent survival (33%) was within the range estimated in similar studies for BCT, and resight rate was best explained by angler management regulations. The fact that BCT in the Weber River and tributaries still reproduce successfully in most years and are still able to grow into large, fluvial fish, suggests connectivity must be occasionally available despite considerable fragmentation. Therefore, this metapopulation may need little further human intervention if barriers to fish passage could be removed and thus connectivity could be improved and represents a high priority metapopulation for conservation, thus also highlighting the utility of our approach.
Buderman, F. E., T. M. Gingery, D. R. Diefenbach, L. C. Gigliotti, D. Begley-Miller, M. E. McDill, B. D. Wallingford, C. S. Rosenberry, and P. J. Drohan. 2021. Caution is warranted when using animal space-use and movement to infer behavioral states . Animal Movement 9:30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-021-00264-8">https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-021-00264-8 \| Download	June 2021
Buckwalter, J.D., P.L. Angermeier, J. Argentina, S. Wolf, S. Floyd, and E.M. Hallerman. 2019. Drift of larval darters (Family Percidae) in the upper Roanoke River basin, USA, characterized using phenotypic and DNA barcoding markers. Fishes 4(4), 59; doi:10.3390/fishes4040059. \| Abstract	December 2019	Larval ﬁsh ecology is poorly characterized because sampling is diﬃcult and tools for phenotypically identifying larvae are poorly developed. While DNA barcoding can help address the latter problem, ‘universal’ primers do not work for all ﬁsh species. The Roanoke River in the southeastern United States includes seven darters (Family Percide: Tribe Etheostomatini). We made 393 collections of larval ﬁshes in 2015 and 2018, examined darter larvae for morphometric and pigmentation traits, developed PCR primers amplifying darter DNA, and evaluated three gear types for collecting larval darters. Ampliﬁed DNA sequences for 1351 larvae matched archived mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I sequences for darters occurring in the ecosystem. Larval darters were classiﬁed to genus with 100% accuracy using the ratio of pectoral ﬁn length to body length; however,identiﬁcationtospeciesusingmorphometricsalonewassubjecttoamisclassiﬁcationrateof 11.8%, which can be resolved by considering pigmentation patterns. Gear-types varied considerably in their capture eﬃcacy for larval darters; most Percina larvae were collected in drift nets. Larval Percina species appeared in the drift before Etheostoma species in both study years. Application of molecular genetic and phenotypic tools to larval ﬁsh identiﬁcation can advance understanding of larval darter ecology.
Buckwalter, J.D., E.A. Frimpong, P.L. Angermeier, and J.N. Barney. 2020. Species traits predict stream-fish invaders in an Appalachian (U.S.A) river basin. Freshwater Biology 65: 552-564. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/fwb.13453 \| Abstract	February 2020	We compared the influence of biological traits (morphology, physiology, reproduction, and life history), ecological traits (geographic distribution, habitat associations, food habits), and introduction attributes (propagule pressure, human use of a species, residence time) on invasion success of native and introduced stream fishes during the colonisation and spread stages in an Appalachian (U.S.A.) river basin.Colonisation success was positively related to residence time, benthic feeding, an equilibrium life‐history strategy, and nest spawning. Successful spread was associated with tolerance to increased temperature and an equilibrium life‐history strategy. The spread of introduced fishes was negatively related to gamefish status. No effect of propagule pressure was detected.Traits linked to invasion success were consistent with the hypothesis that human land‐use practices increase the invasibility of highland catchments by creating novel conditions better suited to lowland and equilibrium invaders.We found biological traits to be more useful than ecological traits in predicting invasion success and suggesting invasion mechanisms. Parental care and nest association can facilitate invasions over large spatial extents for both native and introduced fishes. Analyses of suites of traits can reveal mechanisms of invasions and tactics for controlling them; such mechanisms and tactics may be system‐specific and scale‐dependent.
Buchholtz, E.K., Stronza, A., Songhurst, A., McCulloch, G. and Fitzgerald, L.A., 2020. Using landscape connectivity to predict human-wildlife conflict. Biological Conservation, 248, p.108677. doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108677 \| Abstract	August 2020	Human-wildlife conflict has serious conservation consequences, both for populations of wildlife and for the people who live alongside them. Connectivity analyses can incorporate species-specific landscape resistance, and therefore have the potential to be used to understand where wildlife moves and causes conflict with people. We used circuit theory to develop connectivity models for the African savanna elephant in northwestern Botswana based on step-selection functions of movement data for 15 elephants and tested whether areas of high connectivity were correlated with occurrences of crop raiding. We used government records and field assessments of crop-raiding incidents between 2010 and 2016 to quantify conflict, which we predicted would correlate with landscape connectivity. The step-selection model revealed that linear boundaries such as rivers, fences, and dune crests were barriers to movement that impacted connectivity, while high vegetation index values and distance from villages were strong positive predictors of movement. Connectivity values were positively and significantly correlated with frequency of conflict incidents (<i>p</i> < 1.5e−06) over a six-year time span. However, connectivity had no predictive value for whether fields were raided (<i>p</i> < .54) or how frequently a field was raided (<i>p</i> < .77) during a single growing season. This study shows that connectivity may be a useful metric for predicting patterns of conflict occurrence over broad temporal scales, but may have limited predictive power at shorter time scales. It is crucial that conservation and conflict mitigation efforts recognize that methods may be appropriate for different purposes at different scales.
Buchholtz, E.K., Spragg, S., Songhurst, A., Stronza, A., McCulloch, G. and Fitzgerald, L.A., 2021. Anthropogenic impact on wildlife resource use: Spatial and temporal shifts in elephants’ access to water. African Journal of Ecology, 59(3), pp.614-623. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12860 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2021	Expansion of human settlements and development have undeniable impacts on wildlife and habitats. Yet wildlife continues to persist in human-modified environments. While shifting patterns of wildlife landscape use in response to development is well established, less is known about how risk avoidance by animals impacts their resource access. Our research addresses this question by assessing spatial and temporal patterns in access to water resources for savannah elephants (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>) relative to anthropogenic features in the Okavango Panhandle of Botswana. We combined GPS collar data from 39 elephants (2014–2018) with spatial data on permanent water sources and human development to quantify patterns of water access. We modelled a multi-scale resource selection function that showed elephants selected water access points in areas with less human development (<i>p</i> < 0.0151). Elephants visited water more evenly across day and night in areas with no buildings nearby, but shifted to a significantly more nocturnal pattern in areas of higher building density (ANOVA, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Analysing spatial and temporal patterns of elephant resource access in the context of anthropogenic features provides compelling insight into the potential consequences of human-modified landscapes on the behaviour, fitness, and persistence of threatened species and our coexistence with them.
Buchholtz, E.K., M. McDaniels, G. McCulloch, A. Songhurst, and A. Stronza (2023). A mixed-methods assessment of human-elephant conflict in the Western Okavango Panhandle, Botswana. People and Nature. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10443 \| Abstract	February 2023	Human-wildlife conflict, where interactions have negative impacts on both people and animals, is complex with underlying drivers and broad ecological and social impacts. From individual incidents and perceptions, to contemporary patterns and long-term trends, a range of information about human-wildlife conflict can help understand and manage challenges. However, many studies focus on a single data type or spatiotemporal scale. In the Western Okavango Panhandle in Botswana, people in rural farming communities share and compete for resources with a growing African savanna elephant population. Few previous studies have focused on human-wildlife interactions in this region. We assessed spatiotemporal trends in human-elephant conflict using reported conflict incidents (2008–2016), surveys of individual perceptions of conflict encompassing the late 1990s–2016, and detailed field raid assessments from 2016. We found complementary patterns among the data types at different geographic and spatial scales. We found that the number of annual HEC incidents have increased over time, although not evenly across space, with increases primarily in the northern region of the Panhandle. Crop raiding presents both chronic and acute challenges for farmers, with the amount of damage incurred per incident largely dependent on the size of elephant group involved rather than factors within the farmers' control such as guarding or types of crops grown. Our results provide a characterization of contemporary conflict incidents and long-term trends, despite scarce historical data. Combining the reporting and assessment data with surveyed local ecological knowledge offered a multidimensional understanding of human-wildlife conflict for a region where this information was lacking. It is an important precursor to effective and collaborative conflict management and mitigation. When possible, this mixed-methods approach may facilitate understanding for complex human-wildlife interactions and support the diverse communities and stakeholders involved with conflict-related challenges.
Buchholtz, E.K., J. Kreitler, D. Shinneman, M. Crist, & J. Heinrichs (2023). Assessing large landscape patterns of potential fire connectivity using circuit methods. Landscape Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-022-01581-y. \| Abstract	April 2023	Minimizing negative impacts of wildfire is a major societal objective in fire-prone landscapes. Models of fire connectivity can aid in understanding and managing wildfires by analyzing potential fire spread and conductance patterns. We define ‘fire connectivity’ as the landscape’s capacity to facilitate fire transmission from one point on the landscape to another. Our objective was to develop an approach for modeling fire connectivity patterns representing potential fire spread and relative flow across a broad landscape extent, particularly in the management-relevant context of fuel breaks. We applied an omnidirectional circuit theory algorithm to model fire connectivity in the Great Basin of the western United States. We used predicted rates of fire spread to approximate conductance and calculated current densities to identify connections among areas with high spread rates. We compared existing and planned fuel breaks with fire connectivity patterns. Fire connectivity and relative flow outputs were characterized by spatial heterogeneity in the landscape’s capacity to transmit fire. We found that existing fuel break networks were denser in areas with relatively diffuse and impeded flow patterns, rather than in locations with channelized flow. This approach could be paired with traditional fire behavior and risk analyses to better understand wildfire spread as well as direct strategic placement of individual fuel breaks within larger networks to constrain fire spread. Thus, our findings may offer local- to landscape-level support for management actions that aim to disrupt fire spread and mitigate the costs of fire on the landscape.
Buchholtz, E.K., J. Heinrichs, & M. Crist (2023). Landscape and connectivity metrics as a spatial tool to support invasive annual grass management decisions. Biological Invasions. doi.org/10.1007/s10530-022-02945-w \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2023	The spatial context of invasions is increasingly recognized as important for the success and efficiency of management actions. This information can be key for managing invasive grasses that threaten native ecosystems. While methods for quantifying invasive grass presence and abundance advance, few options have been explored in characterizing and comparing spatial patterns of extent and connectivity. We calculated landscape metrics and circuit-based centrality for invasive grasses using a weighted-average product (30m resolution) in the Great Basin, USA. We found variation among extent metrics (mean class and patch area, number of patches, largest patch index) and connectivity metrics (nearest neighbor, contiguity, aggregation index, centrality); most of the extent and connectivity metrics were not strongly correlated with dominant abundance class and so provided additional information at the sampled grid and local scales. We also illustrated how thresholding relevant metrics could be used to identify areas needing different management strategies, for example, where strategies could proactively protect uninvaded cores, disconnect fine fuel patches, or contain established invasions. The landscape metric approach can be applied across scales to spatially target patches locally, provide broader context within a single region, as well as to compare metrics and spatial variation in patterns among different regions.
Buchholtz, E., Fitzgerald, L., Songhurst, A., McCulloch, G. and Stronza, A., 2020. Experts and elephants: local ecological knowledge predicts landscape use for a species involved in human-wildlife conflict. Ecology and Society, 25(4). doi.org/10.5751/ES-11979-250426 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2020	Local ecological knowledge (LEK) has been increasingly invoked in biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts. Although methods involving LEK have become more widespread in ecology, it remains an undervalued source of information in understanding the ecology of wildlife in the context of human-wildlife conflict. People who regularly interact with wildlife, and often with notable consequences, as is the case with human-wildlife conflict, will likely build up ecological knowledge of that species. We gathered LEK on the landscape use of the African elephant (<i>Loxodonta Africana</i>) in a region where its range overlaps with human land use and results in conflict, the western Okavango Panhandle of Botswana. We interviewed community-defined local experts and used participatory ranking activities to gather information on landscape use of elephants. The scores from the rankings were then incorporated with environmental data following resource selection function methods common in ecology. The resulting LEK-based model had high predictive ability for elephant locations when modeled at a local scale (25 km, Spearman's rho = 0.98, <i>P</i> < 0.0001). We also calculated resource selection models using elephant telemetry data combined with the same environmental data as the LEK models. These models showed a complementary pattern, with better predictive ability at the regional scale (Spearman's rho = 0.98, <i>P</i> < 0.0001) than at the local scale (rho = 0.92, <i>P</i> < 0.0031). In addition to being used for the resource selection functions, each method provided different kinds of information on elephant landscape use. Our results support the use of LEK as a tool for understanding local patterns of wildlife landscape use in the context of human-wildlife conflict, where the knowledge can be used to complement other data across scales and the use of which can itself contribute to better conservation outcomes.
Buchholtz, E. K., O’Donnell, M. S., Heinrichs, J. A., & Aldridge, C. L. (2023). Temporal Patterns of Structural Sagebrush Connectivity from 1985 to 2020. Land, 12(6), 1176. https://doi.org/10.3390/land12061176 \| Abstract	June 2023	The sagebrush biome within the western United States has been reshaped by disturbances, management, and changing environmental conditions. As a result, sagebrush cover and configuration have varied over space and time, influencing processes and species that rely on contiguous, connected sagebrush. Previous studies have documented changes in sagebrush cover, but we know little about how the connectivity of sagebrush has changed over time and across the sagebrush biome. We investigated temporal connectivity patterns for sagebrush using a time series (1985-2020) of fractional sagebrush cover and used an omnidirectional circuit algorithm to assess the density of connections among areas with abundant sagebrush. By comparing connectivity patterns over time, we found that most of the biome experienced moderate change; the amount and type of change varied spatially, indicating that areas differ in the trend direction and magnitude of change. Two different types of designated areas of conservation and management interest had relatively high proportions of stable, high-connectivity patterns over time and stable connectivity trends on average. These results provide ecological information on sagebrush connectivity persistence across spatial and temporal scales that can support targeted actions to address changing structural connectivity and to maintain functioning, connected ecosystems.
Buchholtz E. People in a biodiverse region experienced varying types and timing of conflict with multiple wildlife species. Tropical Conservation Science. 2024;17. doi:10.1177/19400829241233479	April 2024
Buchanan B, Sethi SA, Cuppett S, Lung M, Jackman G, Zarri L, Duvall E, Dietrich J, Sullivan P, Dominitz A, Archibald J, Flecker A, Rahm B. (2022) A machine learning approach to identify barriers in stream networks demonstrates high prevalence of unmapped riverine dams. Journal of Environmental Management, 302:113952. \| Abstract	January 2022	Restoring stream ecosystem integrity by removing unused or derelict dams has become a priority for watershed conservation globally. However, efforts to restore connectivity are constrained by the availability of accurate dam inventories which often overlook smaller unmapped riverine dams. Here we develop and test a machine learning approach to identify unmapped dams using a combination of publicly available topographic and geospatial habitat data. Specifically, we trained a random forest classification algorithm to identify unmapped dams using digitally engineered predictor variables and known dam sites for validation. We applied our algorithm to two subbasins in the Hudson River watershed, USA, and quantified connectivity impacts, as well as evaluated a range of predictor sets to examine tradeoffs between classification accuracy and model parameterization effort. The random forest classifier achieved high accuracy in predicting dam sites (true positive rate = 89%, false positive rate = 1.2%) using a subset of variables related to stream slope and presence of upstream lentic habitats. Unmapped dams were prevalent throughout the two test watersheds. In fact, existing dam inventories underestimated the true number of dams by ~80-94%. Accounting for previously unmapped dams resulted in a 62-90% decrease in dendritic connectivity indices for migratory fishes. Unmapped dams may be pervasive and can dramatically bias stream connectivity information. However, we find that machine learning approaches can provide an accurate and scalable means of identifying unmapped dams that can guide efforts to develop accurate dam inventories, thereby informing and empowering efforts to better manage them.
Brusa JL, MT Farr, J Evenson, E Silverman, B Murphie, TA Cyra, H Tschaekofske, KA Spragens, and SJ Converse. 2024. Correcting for measurement errors in a long-term aerial survey with auxiliary photographic data. Ecosphere 15:e4961.	August 2024
Bruggeman, J.E., P.L. Kennedy, D.E. Andersen, S. Deisch, and E. Dowd Stukel. Evaluating habitat suitability of a species of concern in a timber production landscape using non-systematic data. Journal of Raptor Research 57:595-616. doi.org/10.3356/JRR-22-116	December 2023
Bruckerhoff, L.A., Kamees, L.K., Holycross, A.T. and Painter, C.W., 2021. Patterns of Survival of a Communally Overwintering Rattlesnake Using an Artificial Hibernaculum. Ichthyology & Herpetology, 109(1), pp.64-74. https://doi.org/10.1643/h2019301	March 2021
Bruckerhoff, L.A., Gido, K.B., Estey, M. and Moore, P. 2021. Disentangling effects of predators and landscape factors as drivers of stream fish community structure. Freshwater Biology 66(4): 656:658. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.13668	April 2021
Bruckerhoff, L.A., Connell, R.K., Guinnip, J.P., Adhikari, E., Godar, A., Gido, K.B., Boyle, A.W., Hope, A.G., Joern, A. and Welti, E., 2020. Harmony on the prairie? Grassland plant and animal community responses to variation in climate across land‐use gradients. Ecology, 101(5), p.e02986. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2986	May 2020
Bruckerhoff, L.A., C. A. Pennock, and K.B. Gido. 2021. Do fine-scale experiments underestimate predator consumption rates?. Journal of Animal Ecology. doi:0.1111/1365-2656.13549 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	May 2021	Understanding ecological processes across spatial scales helps link observations and predictions from experiments to ecological patterns occurring at coarser scales relevant to management and conservation. Using fish, we experimentally manipulated the size of arenas to test the spatial scaling of predator–prey interactions. We measured variation in predator consumption and prey behaviour (prey aggregation, spatial overlap with predators and movement) across arena sizes. Variation in prey behaviour across arena sizes was hypothesized to drive consumption patterns by altering prey vigilance and encounter rates with predators. Per capita consumption and movement were highest in the largest arena relative to the smallest and we observed a mismatch between where bass were present and the highest densities of prey across all arena sizes. We hypothesize more movement in largest arenas increased encounter rates and drove the observed increase in consumption with increasing arena size. Consumption estimates obtained in experimental studies may underestimate consumption, but understanding the mechanisms driving bias across scales helps predict the outcomes of predator–prey interactions in natural systems.
Bruckerhoff, L.A., C. A. Pennock, and K.B. Gido. 2021. Do fine-scale experiments underestimate predator consumption rates?. Journal of Animal Ecology. doi:0.1111/1365-2656.13549 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	May 2021	Understanding ecological processes across spatial scales helps link observations and predictions from experiments to ecological patterns occurring at coarser scales relevant to management and conservation. Using fish, we experimentally manipulated the size of arenas to test the spatial scaling of predator–prey interactions. We measured variation in predator consumption and prey behaviour (prey aggregation, spatial overlap with predators and movement) across arena sizes. Variation in prey behaviour across arena sizes was hypothesized to drive consumption patterns by altering prey vigilance and encounter rates with predators. Per capita consumption and movement were highest in the largest arena relative to the smallest and we observed a mismatch between where bass were present and the highest densities of prey across all arena sizes. We hypothesize more movement in largest arenas increased encounter rates and drove the observed increase in consumption with increasing arena size. Consumption estimates obtained in experimental studies may underestimate consumption, but understanding the mechanisms driving bias across scales helps predict the outcomes of predator–prey interactions in natural systems.
Bruce, S.A., Y-H. Huang, P.L. Kamath, H. van Heerden and W.C. Turner. 2021. The roles of antimicrobial resistance, phage diversity, isolation source and selection in shaping the genomic architecture of Bacillus anthracis, Microbial Genomics, 7:000616. DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000616 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	August 2021	<i>Bacillus anthracis</i>, the causative agent of anthrax disease, is a worldwide threat to livestock, wildlife and public health. While analyses of genetic data from across the globe have increased our understanding of this bacterium’s population genomic structure, the influence of selective pressures on this successful pathogen is not well understood. In this study, we investigate the effects of antimicrobial resistance, phage diversity, geography and isolation source in shaping population genomic structure. We also identify a suite of candidate genes potentially under selection, driving patterns of diversity across 356 globally extant <i>B. anthracis </i>genomes. We report ten antimicrobial resistance genes and eleven different prophage sequences, resulting in the first large-scale documentation of these genetic anomalies for this pathogen. Results of random forest classification suggest genomic structure may be driven by a combination of antimicrobial resistance, geography and isolation source, specific to the population cluster examined. We found strong evidence that a recombination event linked to a gene involved in protein synthesis may be responsible for phenotypic differences between comparatively disparate populations. We also offer a list of genes for further examination of <i>B. anthracis </i>evolution, based on high-impact single nucleotide polymorphisms and clustered mutations. The information presented here sheds new light on the factors driving genomic structure in this bacterium and may act as a road map for future studies aimed at understanding functional differences in terms of <i>B. anthracis</i> biogeography, virulence, and evolution.
Brown, M., C. Canham, T. Buchholz, J. Gunn, and T. Donovan. 2024. Net carbon sequestration implications of intensified timber harvest in northeastern U.S. forests. Ecosphere 15(2): e4758. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4758 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	February 2024	U.S. forests, particularly in the eastern states, provide an important offset to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Some have proposed that forest-based natural climate solutions can be strengthened via a number of strategies, including increases in the production of forest biomass energy. We used output from a forest dynamics model (SORTIE-ND) in combination with a GHG accounting tool (ForGATE) to estimate the carbon consequences of current and intensified timber harvest regimes in the Northeastern United States. We considered a range of carbon pools including forest ecosystem pools, forest product pools, and waste pools, along with different scenarios of feedstock production for biomass energy. The business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, which represents current harvest practices derived from the analysis of U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis data, sequestered more net CO<sub>2</sub> equivalents than any of the intensified harvest and feedstock utilization scenarios over the next decade, the most important time period for combatting climate change. Increasing the intensity of timber harvest increased total emissions and reduced landscape average forest carbon stocks, resulting in reduced net carbon sequestration relative to current harvest regimes. Net carbon sequestration “parity points,” where the regional cumulative net carbon sequestration from alternate intensified harvest scenarios converge with and then exceed the BAU baseline, ranged from 12 to 40 years. A “no harvest” scenario provides an estimate of an upper bound on forest carbon sequestration in the region given the expected successional dynamics of the region's forests but ignores leakage. Regional net carbon sequestration is primarily influenced by (1) the harvest regime and amount of forest biomass removal, (2) the degree to which bioenergy displaces fossil fuel use, and (3) the proportion of biomass diverted to energy feedstocks versus wood products.
Brown, J. I., P. Lavretsky, R. E. Wilson, C. L. Haughey, W. S. Boyd, D. N. Elser, S. L. Talbot, and S. A. Sonsthagen. 2020. High fidelity does not equate to population structure and low inter-specific gene flow for common goldeneye and barrow’s goldeneye in North America. Journal of Avian Biology 51:e02600.	October 2020
Brown T, Sethi SA, Rudstam L, Holden J, Connerton M, Gorsky D, Karboski CT, Chalupnicki M, Sard NM, Roseman EF, Prindle SE, Sanderson JM, Evans TM, Cooper A, Reinhart DJ, Davis C, Weidel B. (2022) Contemporary spatial extent and environmental drivers of larval coregonine distributions across Lake Ontario. Journal of Great Lakes Research 48:359–370. \| Abstract	April 2022	Coregonine fishes are important to Laurentian Great Lakes food webs and fisheries and are central to basin-wide conservation initiatives. In Lake Ontario, binational management objectives include conserving and restoring spawning stocks of cisco (<i>Coregonus artedi</i>) and lake whitefish (<i>C. clupeaformis</i>), but the spatial extent of contemporary coregonine spawning habitat and the environmental factors regulating early life success are not well characterized. In Spring 2018, we conducted a binational ichthyoplankton assessment to describe the spatial extent of coregonine spawning habitat across Lake Ontario. We then quantified the relative importance of a suite of biophysical variables hypothesized to influence coregonine early life success using generalized additive mixed models and multimodel inference. Between April 10 – May 14, we conducted 1,092 ichthyoplankton tows and captured 2,350+ coregonine larvae across 17 sampling areas, predominantly within embayments. Although 95% of catches were in the eastern basin, coregonine larvae were also found in historical south shore spawning areas. Most coregonine larvae were cisco; less than 6% were lake whitefish. Observed catches of both species across sampling areas were strongly and similarly associated with ice cover duration, but the importance of site-specific characteristics varied, such as distance to shore and site depth for cisco and lake whitefish, respectively. These results suggest that regional-scale climatic drivers and local environmental habitat characteristics interact to regulate early life stage success. Furthermore, strong regional and cross-species variation in larval distributions emphasize the importance of lake-wide assessments for monitoring both the current eastern basin populations and potential expansions into western Lake Ontario habitats.
Brost, B.M., M.B. Hooten, and R.J. Small. (2020). Model-based clustering reveals patterns in central place use of a marine top predator. Ecosphere, 11: e03123.	May 2020
Brittany J. Nordberg, Elizabeth G. Mandeville, Annika W. Walters, Jason C. Burckhardt, and Catherine E. Wagner. 2021. Historical data illustrate the complex effects of stocking in Cutthroat Trout populations. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 10.1002/nafm.10593	February 2021
Briggs, M. A., L. K. Albertson, D. R. Lujan, L. M. Tronstad, H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2022. Fish carcass deposition to suppress invasive lake trout causes limited, non-target effects on benthic invertebrates in Yellowstone Lake. Aquaculture, Fish, and Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.72	October 2022
Briggs, M. A., L. K. Alberston, D. R. Lujan, L. M. Tronstad, H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2021. Carcass deposition to suppress invasive lake trout causes differential mortality of two common benthic invertebrates in Yellowstone Lake. Fundamental and Applied Limnology 194:285-295.	February 2021
Briggs, M. A., H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, S. T. Opitz, J. J. Rotella, D. A. Schmetterling. 2024. Adapting standardized trout monitoring to a changing climate for the upper Yellowstone River, Montana, USA. North American Journal of Fisheries Management https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.11026	August 2024
Briggs, E.L, C. Baranski, O. Munzer, G. Garrison, J. A. Collazo, and E. Youngsteadt. 2022. Estimating bee abundance: Can mark-recapture methods validate common sampling protocols? Apidologie.	February 2022
Brewer, S.K., J. Dattilo, P. Ramsey, and B. Birdsall. 2023. Evaluating the spatial and temporal distribution and ecology of Bighead and Silver Carp and native fishes of the lower Red River basin. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-153-2023, Washington, D.C. https://doi.org/10.3996/css88134777	October 2023
Brewer, S.K., D. Swedberg, R. Mollenhauer, and J. Dattilo. 2020. Assessing the distribution and habitat needs of the Least Darter and sympatric species of the Ozark and Arbuckle Mountain ecoregions. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-146-2020, Washington, D.C.	September 2022
Brewer, S. K., and A. Miller. 2020. Assessing the spawning movement and habitat needs of riverine Neosho Smallmouth Bass. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-145-2020, Washington, D.C.	September 2020
Brewer, S. K., R. Mollenhauer, J. Alexander, and D. Moore. 2021. Critical thermal maximum of stream fishes including distinct populations of Smallmouth Bass. North American Journal of Fisheries Management	October 2021
Brewer, S. K., M. Wedgeworth, J. Perkin, R. Mollenhauer, and Z. Steffensmeier.2021. Movement, recruitment, and abundance relationships of Prairie Chub: An endemic Great Plains Cyprinid. Cooperators Science Series 138-2021.	October 2021
Brewer, S. K., J. B. Mouser, and R. Van Den Bussche. 2020. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) to assess the presence of cavefish and cave crayfish populations in the Ozark Highlands. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-135-2020, Washington, D.C.	December 2020
Brewer, S. K., G. Fox, Y. Zhou, and J. Alexander. 2020. Understanding the impacts of surface-groundwater conditions on stream fishes under altered baseflow conditions. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-136-2020, Washington, D.C.	September 2020
Brennan, J.C., R.W. Gale, D.A. Alvarez, J.K. Leet, Y. Li, T. Wagner, D.E. Tillitt. 2020. Factors affecting sampling strategies for design of an effects-directed analysis for endocrine-active chemicals. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 39:1309-1324. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4739	May 2020
Breck, J.E., C.P. Simon, E.S. Rutherford, B.S. Low, P.J. Lamberson, M.W. Rogers. 2020. The geometry of reaction norms yields insights on classical fitness functions for Great Lakes salmon. PLOS ONE.	March 2020
Branigan, P. R., M. C. Quist, B. B. Shepard, and S. C. Ireland. 2022. Resource selection and species interactions between native and nonnative fishes in a simulated stream system. Fisheries Management and Ecology 29:627-637 \| Abstract	September 2022	Effective fishery management necessitates a general understanding of resource partitioning by fishes that inhabit complex systems composed of biotic and abiotic features. Evaluations of nonnative species introductions have continually demonstrated adverse effects associated with abundance and distribution of native fishes. As such, garnering an understanding of resource selection and interactions between native and nonnative species is important for recovery efforts involving native fishes. We evaluated habitat use by two native (Largescale Sucker <i>Catostomus machrocheilus </i>and Mountain Whitefish <i>Prosospium williamsoni</i>) and one nonnative (Pumpkinseed <i>Lepomis gibbosus</i>) fish species of the Kootenai River, Idaho, in a laboratory stream system. Trials were conducted in allopatry and in sympatry with and without the presence of wood to describe and evaluate competitive interactions in the context of on-going habitat rehabilitation efforts. Competitive interactions were evident between native Largescale Sucker and nonnative Pumpkinseed concerning use of a woody structure and current velocity. Mountain Whitefish used low-velocity habitats and selected locations that were further from wood when in sympatry with Pumpkinseed. Logistic regression models containing all habitat variables provided the most support to explain the effect of interspecific competition for all species, indicating that competition is a complex process composed of multiple interactions that occur simultaneously.
Brandt, E.J., Z.S. Feiner, A.W. Latzka, D.A. Isermann. 2022. Similar environmental conditions are associated with Walleye and Yellow Perch recruitment success in Wisconsin lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10729	January 2022
Brandell, E.E., D.J. Storm, T.R. Van Deelen, D.P. Walsh, W.C. Turner. A call to action: standardizing white-tailed deer harvest data in the Midwestern United States and implications for quantitative analysis and disease management, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10:943411. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.943411 \| Abstract	October 2022	Recreational hunting has been the dominant wildlife management and conservation mechanism in the United States for the past century. However, there are numerous modern-day issues that reduce the viability and efficacy of hunting-based management, such as fewer hunters, overabundant wildlife populations, and emerging infectious diseases in wildlife. Quantifying the drivers of recreational harvest by hunters is necessary to identify potential solutions for these issues, but this is seldom accomplished because data collection practices limit analytical applications. Additionally, managing large-scale issues, such as infectious diseases, requires collaborations across management agencies, which is challenging or impossible if data are not standardized. Here we discuss modern issues with the prevailing wildlife management framework from an analytical point of view with a case study of white-tailed deer in the Midwest. We have four aims: (1) describe the interrelated processes that comprise hunting and suggest improvements to current data collections systems, (2) summarize data collection systems employed by state wildlife management agencies in the Midwestern United States and discuss potential for large-scale data standardization, (3) assess how aims 1 and 2 influence managing infectious diseases in wildlife, and (4) suggest actionable steps to help guide data collection standards and management practices. To achieve these goals, we designed and disseminated a questionnaire to state wildlife agencies, and we report and compare their harvest management structures, data collection practices, and responses to chronic wasting disease. We hope our “call to action” encourages re-evaluation, coordination and improvement of harvest and management data collection practices with the goal of improving the analytical potential of these data. A deeper understanding of the strengths and deficiencies of our current management systems is critical for developing comprehensive and collaborative management and research initiatives (e.g., adaptive management) for wildlife and their diseases into the future.
Brandell, E. E., Storm, D. J., Van Deelen, T. R., Walsh, D. P., & Turner, W. C. (2022). A call to action: Standardizing white-tailed deer harvest data in the Midwestern United States and implications for quantitative analysis and disease management. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10, 943411. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.943411 \| Abstract	November 2022	Recreational hunting has been the dominant game management and conservation mechanism in the United States for the past century. However, there are numerous modern-day issues that reduce the viability and efficacy of hunting-based management, such as fewer hunters, overabundant wildlife populations, limited access, and emerging infectious diseases in wildlife. Quantifying the drivers of recreational harvest by hunters could inform potential management actions to address these issues, but this is seldom comprehensively accomplished because data collection practices limit some analytical applications (e.g., differing spatial scales of harvest regulations and harvest data). Additionally, managing large-scale issues, such as infectious diseases, requires collaborations across management agencies, which is challenging or impossible if data are not standardized. Here we discuss modern issues with the prevailing wildlife management framework in the United States from an analytical point of view with a case study of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the Midwest. We have four aims: (1) describe the interrelated processes that comprise hunting and suggest improvements to current data collections systems, (2) summarize data collection systems employed by state wildlife management agencies in the Midwestern United States and discuss potential for large-scale data standardization, (3) assess how aims 1 and 2 influence managing infectious diseases in hunted wildlife, and (4) suggest actionable steps to help guide data collection standards and management practices. To achieve these goals, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources disseminated a questionnaire to state wildlife agencies (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin), and we report and compare their harvest management structures, data collection practices, and responses to chronic wasting disease. We hope our "call to action" encourages re-evaluation, coordination, and improvement of harvest and management data collection practices with the goal of improving the analytical potential of these data. A deeper understanding of the strengths and deficiencies of our current management systems in relation to harvest and management data collection methods could benefit the future development of comprehensive and collaborative management and research initiatives (e.g., adaptive management) for wildlife and their diseases.
Braham, M.A., S.A. Welsh, D.M. Smith. 2024. An experimental study of benthic habitat selection in yellow-phase American eels (Anguilla rostrata). Environmental Biology of Fishes 107:513-522.	June 2024
Boyd, D.K., D.E. Ausband, H.D. Cluff, J.R. Heffelfinger, J.W. Hinton, B.R. Patterson, and A.P. Wydeven. 2023. North American wolves. Pages 32.1–32.68 in T.L. Hiller, R.D. Applegate, R.D. Bluett, S.N. Frey, E.M. Gese, and J.F. Organ, editors. Wild furbearer management and conservation in North America. Wildlife Ecology Institute, Helena, Montana, USA. https://doi.org/10.59438/FYHC8935	August 2023
Boxler, B., C.S. Loftin, and W.B. Sutton. Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Roost Site-Selection Criteria and Locations East of the Appalachian Mountains. Journal of Insect Behavior. Journal of Insect Behavior https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-023-09844-5.	February 2024
Bowyer, R.T., K.M. Stewart, J.W. Cain III, and B.R. McMillan. 2023. Competition with other ungulates. Pages 141-157 in J.R. Heffelfinger and P.R. Krausman, Editors. Ecology and Management of Black-tailed and Mule Deer in North America. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA.	April 2023
Bower, L. M., Stoczynski, L., Peoples, B. K., Patrick, C. J., & Brown, B. L. (2023). Multiple dimensions of functional diversity affect stream fish taxonomic β‐diversity. Freshwater Biology, 68(3), 437-451. \| Abstract	March 2023	<b>Abstract:</b><br><i>Aims</i>: When investigating community assembly, functional differences among species are assumed to be as important as environmental differences between sites in determining β-diversity. However, few studies have examined the influence of functional diversity on β-diversity. Our study examines the relative importance of regional functional diversity partitioned by niche dimensions and environmental variation in structuring β-diversity of stream fishes using a large dataset.<br><i>Location</i>: One hundred and sixty-eight watersheds in the eastern United States.<br><i>Time period</i>: 1990 to 2013<br><i>Major taxa studied</i>: Freshwater fishes (Teleostei)<br><i>Methods</i>: We predicted that both functional diversity and environmental variation play a role in determining β-diversity. We tested this prediction by modeling the patterns of stream fish β-diversity as a function of environmental variation, functional diversity, and γ-richness across 10,220 sites for 329 fish species using a series of conceptual path models.<br><i>Results</i>: Environmental variation consistently affected β-diversity across all models, while functional diversity and γ-richness influenced β-diversity only in some models. We show that including relevant trait differences among species in path models can improve their ability to explain β-diversity, suggesting that functional traits played a role in determining β-diversity.<br><i>Main conclusions</i>: The ability of path models to predict β-diversity varied depending on the trait grouping included in the model, demonstrating how specific path models representing different niche dimensions can improve the model’s ability to explain β-diversity. Additionally, parsing traits into different niche dimensions revealed alternate patterns of functional diversity-β-diversity relationships that have been otherwise missed.
Bower, L. M., Peoples, B. K., Eddy, M. C., & Scott, M. C. (2022). Quantifying flow–ecology relationships across flow regime class and ecoregions in South Carolina. Science of The Total Environment, 149721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149721 \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2022
Bower, L. M., Marion, C. A., Scott, M., Kubach, K., and Gelder, A. Fish assemblage and functional trait responses to the removal of two dams on a southeastern river. Freshwater Biology. 2024. \| Abstract	April 2024	As one of the greatest threats to freshwater biodiversity, dams are being removed in greater number to restore riverine systems. Dam removal studies have primarily focused on taxonomic responses to larger dam removals with little work on the functional trait responses of fish to small dam removals, limiting the application of results to different biogeographic regions. We explored taxonomic and functional trait responses of fish assemblages to two small dam removals over ten years using a Multiple Before After Control Impact design at a dammed and an undammed river. Eight life history traits were used to calculate functional diversity (RaoQ) and determine the position of each fish species within a multivariate life history space relative to three life-history strategy endpoints: opportunistic, periodic, and equilibrium. The distance of each species relative to these endpoints was used to calculate community weighted means (CWM), allowing us to examine the shift in life history strategy of a given assemblage after dam removal. For the dammed river, we observed changes in assemblage structure at both the control and impact sites driven primarily by shifts from a lentic to lotic assemblage, with the most apparent change occurring in the formerly impounded sites. These changes tended to occur within about one year suggesting rapid colonization by lotic species after habitat change. In contrast, no change in assemblage structure was found for the undammed river, suggesting that dam removal was the driver of the shifts in assemblage structure observed in the dammed river. Based on CWM, we showed a shift in life history strategies in response to dam removal at impounded sites where equilibrium strategists decreased and opportunistic strategists tended to increase after the impounded sites changed from a stable lentic environment to an unstable lotic environment, supporting the predictions made by life history theory. We found no change in the CWM of periodic strategists or RaoQ of all life history traits at any site after dam removal. This study suggests that small dam removal may provide ecological benefits by restoring fish assemblages to a more natural riverine state and reversing the negative effects of dam construction. We also demonstrate that combining both taxonomic and trait-based approaches can improve our understanding of the impacts of dam removal on fish assemblages and provide complementary tools to uncover general ecological patterns as well as provide data more applicable to local management than one approach alone.
Bower, L. M., & Peoples, B. K. (2022). Microhabitat use of larval fish in a South Carolina Piedmont stream. Journal of Freshwater Ecology, 37(1), 583-596. \| Abstract	November 2022	Understanding habitat use and nursery areas of larval fish is a key component to managing and conserving riverine fishes. Yet, freshwater researchers often focus only on adult fishes, resulting in a limited understanding of the habitat requirements for the early life stages of freshwater fishes. The goal of this study was to quantify the larval fish microhabitat use of three fish families in Twelvemile Creek, a fifth-order tributary of Lake Hartwell (Savannah River basin) in the Piedmont ecoregion of South Carolina, USA. We used handheld dipnets to sample larval fishes along 20 equidistant transects spaced 10 m apart weekly from May to July 2021 along a 200 m stream reach. We also collected microhabitat data at each larval fish capture location. Most captured individuals were in the metalarval stage and were identified to the family level. A partial distance-based redundancy analysis indicated that water velocity contributed to changes in larval fish assemblage structure. Larval fishes occupied a subset of the available habitat that was characterized by low water velocity, non-<i>Podostemum</i> substrate, and shallow habitats close to the shore or bed rock structure. We also detected temporal patterns in larval fish counts, with peak Percidae and Leuciscidae counts in late July and the highest Catostomidae counts in late May–early June. Our results suggest that larval fishes select habitats with low water velocity and shallow habitats close to shore microhabitat characteristics, and that riffle-pool sequences may serve as a nursery habitat for Percidae, Catostomidae and Leuciscidae metalarvae.
Bowen, L., K. Counihan, B. Ballachey, H. Coletti, T. Hollmen, B. Pister, T.L. Wilson. 2020. Monitoring nearshore ecosystem health using Pacific razor clams (Siliqua patula) as an indicator species. Peerj: e8761. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8761 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2020	An emerging approach to ecosystem monitoring involves the use of physiological biomarker analyses in combination with gene transcription assays. For the first time, we employed these tools to evaluate the Pacific razor clam (<i>Siliqua patula</i>), which is important both economically and ecologically, as a bioindicator species in the northeast Pacific. Our objectives were to (1) develop biomarker and gene transcription assays with which to monitor the health of the Pacific razor clam, (2) acquire baseline biomarker and gene transcription reference ranges for razor clams, (3) assess the relationship between physiological and gene transcription assays and (4) determine if site-level differences were present. Pacific razor clams were collected in July 2015 and 2016 at three sites within each of two national parks in southcentral Alaska. In addition to determining reference ranges, we found differences in biomarker assay and gene transcription results between parks and sites which indicate variation in both large-scale and local environmental conditions. Our intent is to employ these methods to evaluate Pacific razor clams as a bioindicator of nearshore ecosystem health. Links between the results of the biomarker and gene transcription assays were observed that support the applicability of both assays in ecosystem monitoring. However, we recognize the need for controlled studies to examine the range of responses in physiology and gene transcripts to different stressors.
Bowden, J.H., A. J. Terando, V. Misra, A. Wootten, A. Bhardwaj, R. Boyles, W, Gould, J.A. Collazo, T. L. Spero. 2021. High-resolution dynamically downscaled rainfall and temperature projections for ecological life zones within Puerto Rico and for the US Virgin Islands. International Journal of Climatology, https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.6810	January 2021
Bouska, K., B. Healy, M. Moore, C. Dunn, J. Spurgeon, and C. Paukert. 2023. Diverse portfolios: investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes in the Anthropocene. Frontiers in Environmental Science 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1151315 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2023	Rehabilitation of large Anthropocene rivers requires engagement of diverse stakeholders across a broad range of sociopolitical boundaries. Competing objectives often constrain options for ecological restoration of large rivers whereas fewer competing objectives may exist in a subset of tributaries. Further, tributaries contribute toward building a “portfolio” of river ecosystem assets through physical and biological processes that may present opportunities to enhance the resilience of large river fishes. Our goal is to review roles of tributaries in enhancing mainstem large river fish populations. We present case histories from two greatly altered and distinct large-river tributary systems that highlight how tributaries contribute four portfolio assets to support large-river fish populations: 1) habitat diversity, 2) connectivity, 3) ecological asynchrony, and 4) density-dependent processes. Finally, we identify future research directions to advance our understanding of tributary roles and inform conservation actions. In the Missouri River USA, we focus on conservation efforts for the state endangered lake sturgeon, which inhabits large rivers and tributaries in the Midwest and Eastern USA. In the Colorado River, Grand Canyon USA, we focus on conservation efforts for recovery of the federally threatened humpback chub. In the Missouri River, habitat diversity focused on physical habitats such as substrate for reproduction, and deep-water habitats for refuge, whereas augmenting habitat diversity for Colorado River fishes focused on managing populations in tributaries with minimally impaired thermal and flow regimes. Connectivity enhancements in the Missouri River focused on increasing habitat accessibility that may require removal of physical structures like low-head dams; whereas in the Colorado River, the lack of connectivity may benefit native fishes as the disconnection provides refuge from nonnative fish predation. Hydrologic variability among tributaries was present in both systems, likely underscoring ecological asynchrony. These case studies also described density dependent processes that could influence success of restoration actions. Although actions to restore populations varied by river system, these examples show that these four portfolio assets can help guide restoration activities across a diverse range of mainstem rivers and their tributaries. Using these assets as a guide, we suggest these can be transferable to other large river-tributary systems.
Bourquin, R., Moore, M. J., Orth, D. J., & Hallerman, E. M. (2023). Conservation Genetics of Clinch Dace Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori. Fishes, 8(7), 365. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8070365 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	July 2023	Clinch Dace (Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori) is a newly recognized and yet-undescribed species of minnow with a restricted and fragmented distribution in the upper Tennessee River basin in southwestern Virginia, USA. We collected Clinch Dace from seven streams and observed variations at nine selectively neutral microsatellite DNA loci to infer population genetic processes and identify units for conservation management. Bayesian cluster analysis showed that three of the seven surveyed populations were genetically distinct, while the other four populations showed signs of recent admixture. Estimated effective population sizes and m-ratios were low within most populations, suggesting loss of alleles due to recent genetic drift. Positive F<sub>IS</sub> values, high average individual inbreeding coefficients, and high degrees of inferred relatedness among individuals suggested that inbreeding is taking place in some populations. F<sub>ST</sub> values were high, and analysis of molecular variance indicated genetic divergence among populations. These indicators suggest that Clinch Dace populations are subject to the genetic processes that are characteristic of small and isolated populations.
Borg, B.L., Arthur, S.A., Falke, J.A., and L.R.Prugh. Accepted. Determinants of gray wolf (Canis lupus) sightings in Denali National Park. https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic72208	March 2021
Bopp, J., L. Nathan, J.D. Robinson, K. Scribner, J. Kanefsky, S. Herbst, K.F. Robinson. 2024. Assessing grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) occupancy and detection probability within Lake Erie from environmental DNA. Management of Biological Invasions 15:51-72. doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2024.15.1.04 \| Download	March 2024
Boonstra, W. J., N. Boucquey, A. K. Carlson, L. Drakopulos, J. Fly, S. Joosse, S. Panchang, M. N. Marjadi, A. Rieser, and H. C. Wernersson. 2022. Urban fishing reveals underrepresented diversity. Nature Food 3:295(2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-022-00501-2	April 2022
Booher, E. and A.W. Walters. 2021 Biotic and abiotic determinants of finescale dace distribution at the southern edge of their range. Diversity and Distributions 10.1111/ddi.13227	January 2021
Bonvechio, T.F., and K.I. Bonvechio. 2021. Proposed standard weight (Ws) equation and standard length categories for Lake Chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10655	December 2021
Bonvechio, T.F., K.I. Bonvechio, and S.M. Sammons. 2019. Proposed standard weight (W_s) equation and standard length categories for Shoal Bass Micropterus cataractae. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 39:933-938. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10325	December 2019
Bonvechio, K. I., R. Paudyal, C. Crandall, and A. K. Carlson. 2023. Survey evaluation of Florida’s Freshwater Fisheries Long-term Monitoring program. Fishes 8(4):e216.	April 2023
Bondo, K.J., D. Montecino-Latorre, L. Williams, M. Helwig, K. Duren, M. Hutchinson, W.D. Walter. 2023. Spatial modeling of two mosquito vectors of West Nile virus using integrated nested Laplace approximations. Ecosphere 14(1): e4346. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4346 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2023	The abundance of <i>Culex restuans</i> and <i>Culex pipiens</i> in relation to ecological predictors is poorly understood in regions of the United States where their ranges overlap. It is suspected that these species play different roles in spreading West Nile virus in this region, but few studies have used Bayesian hierarchical spatial models to examine the abundance and predict the distribution of these species. Using mosquito surveillance data collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection from 2002–2016, we used Bayesian hierarchical spatial models to predict mosquito abundance and make predictive risk maps of each of these mosquito vectors throughout Pennsylvania in relation to several ecological and land-use variables that have been found to be important predictors of the abundance of these mosquito species. Developed habitat, temperature, and precipitation were important predictor variables for the abundance of <i>Culex restuans</i>, whereas forested habitat, snow water equivalent and normalized water difference index were important predictor variables for the abundance of <i>Culex pipiens</i>. The spatial distribution of each of these species differed from one another, including a negative relationship between the abundance of <i>Culex</i> r<i>estuans </i>and developed habitat, and a negative relationship between the abundance of <i>Culex pipiens </i>and forested habitat. Julian date was modelled as a temporal trend for both species and showed <i>Culex restuans</i> to be more abundant from late April through late June and <i>Culex pipiens </i>to be more abundant from July through September. A seasonal cross-over was observed between these two species, and it occurred in late June. Our results suggest that modelling the spatial abundance of each of these species separately can help gain further insight into understanding the epidemiology of WNV in human and susceptible animal populations in regions where these two mosquito vectors co-exist.
Bondo, K.J., D. Montecino-Latorre, L. Williams, M. Helwig, K. Duren, M. Hutchinson, W.D. Walter. 2023. Spatial modeling of two mosquito vectors of West Nile virus using integrated nested Laplace approximations. Ecosphere 14(1): e4346. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4346 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2023	The abundance of <i>Culex restuans</i> and <i>Culex pipiens</i> in relation to ecological predictors is poorly understood in regions of the United States where their ranges overlap. It is suspected that these species play different roles in spreading West Nile virus in this region, but few studies have used Bayesian hierarchical spatial models to examine the abundance and predict the distribution of these species. Using mosquito surveillance data collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection from 2002–2016, we used Bayesian hierarchical spatial models to predict mosquito abundance and make predictive risk maps of each of these mosquito vectors throughout Pennsylvania in relation to several ecological and land-use variables that have been found to be important predictors of the abundance of these mosquito species. Developed habitat, temperature, and precipitation were important predictor variables for the abundance of <i>Culex restuans</i>, whereas forested habitat, snow water equivalent and normalized water difference index were important predictor variables for the abundance of <i>Culex pipiens</i>. The spatial distribution of each of these species differed from one another, including a negative relationship between the abundance of <i>Culex</i> r<i>estuans </i>and developed habitat, and a negative relationship between the abundance of <i>Culex pipiens </i>and forested habitat. Julian date was modelled as a temporal trend for both species and showed <i>Culex restuans</i> to be more abundant from late April through late June and <i>Culex pipiens </i>to be more abundant from July through September. A seasonal cross-over was observed between these two species, and it occurred in late June. Our results suggest that modelling the spatial abundance of each of these species separately can help gain further insight into understanding the epidemiology of WNV in human and susceptible animal populations in regions where these two mosquito vectors co-exist.
Bondo, K.J., C.S. Rosenberry, D. Stainbrook, W.D. Walter. Comparing risk of chronic wasting disease occurrence using Bayesian hierarchical spatial models and different surveillance types. Ecological Modeling 493:110756. \| Abstract	May 2024	One of the most important measures in controlling wildlife diseases is understanding risk of disease transmission. Risk of wildlife disease transmission in relation to environmental variables is often modeled and predicted using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, which are unsuitable for large datasets and those covering large spatial extents. Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) and stochastic partial differential equations (SPDE) have become popular alternatives to MCMC for Bayesian inference because of its fast computational time and ability to process large datasets. Studies investigating risk of disease in wildlife, to our knowledge, have not yet compared model performance of various Bayesian hierarchical spatial models over large spatial extents using real world data. Using chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance from white-tailed deer collected in Pennsylvania as a case study, we demonstrate how parameter estimates compare using MCMC, INLA, and INLA-SPDE spatial models, and use INLA-SPDE to model CWD over a much larger spatial extent than has been conducted previously for this disease to determine how surveillance type (e.g. hunter harvest, roadkill, or targeted) influences model parameters and predicted risk at locations not sampled. Covariates considered in the models included deer age and sex, elevation, slope, distance to streams, percent clay, and proportion of habitat classes in three categories known to influence deer movements (forest, open, and developed). We found INLA to produce comparable estimates to MCMC and permit modeling large datasets covering expansive spatial extents much faster and more efficiently than MCMC. We identified potential biases in surveillance types, indicating the value of including all surveillance types rather than only a single type in the models. Understanding biases between surveillance samples and tools available for modeling and mapping diseases of wildlife in relation to ecological variables at large spatial extents will help guide future surveillance efforts for CWD and other wildlife diseases.
Bonar, S. A., N. Mercado-Silva, and K. L. Pope. 2024. Preface. Pages xxix-xxxix. in S. A. Bonar, N. Mercado-Silva and K. L. Pope, Editors. Standard methods for sampling North American Freshwater Fishes, 2nd Edition.	September 2024
Bonar, S. A., N. Mercado-Silva, and K. L. Pope. 2024. Standard methods to sampling North American freshwater fishes, 2nd ed. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2024
Bonar, S. A., J. D. Conroy, S. Contreas-Balderas and A. C. Iles. 2024. An introduction to standardized sampling. Pages 1-22 in S. A. Bonar, N. Mercado-Silva, and K. L. Pope, Standard methods to sampling North American freshwater fishes, 2nd ed. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2024
Bonar, S. A. 2021. Differences between Arizona and American Fisheries Society standard fish sampling protocols, Fisheries Research Report 12-20. Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit	January 2021
Bonar, S. A. 2020. Exploring your personal fisheries history: The USFCS Albatross and Clinton K. Curtis. Fisheries.45:145-150. \| Abstract	March 2020	No Abstract
Bombaci, S.P., M.J. St. Germain, W.M. Ford, S.C. Loeb, R.E. Russell, C.A. Dobony and D.J. Jachowski. 2021. Pathogen-mediated competition explains remnant bat community responses to white-nose syndrome. Ecosphere 12(11) https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3825 \| Download	November 2021
Bolt, M.R., J.M. Bauder, M.L. Legare, C.L. Jenkins, B.B. Rothermel, and D.R. Breininger. 2023. Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) shelter site selection in peninsular Florida and implications for habitat conservation. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 18:362-373. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	August 2023	Shelters are critical for many species as protection from predators and extreme temperatures. Successful conservation of reptiles requires understanding both shelter site requirements and availability. The Eastern Indigo Snake (EIS; <i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) is endemic to the southeastern U.S. and is federally listed. Recovery has focused on maximizing unfragmented landscapes, with less attention on fine-scale features such as shelter sites. In the northern EIS range, Gopher Tortoise (<i>Gopherus polyphemus</i>) burrows are used extensively for shelter. Although EIS in peninsular Florida often shelter in tortoise burrows, they also use other shelters where tortoise burrows are scarce or absent. Solely focusing EIS survey and management efforts where Gopher Tortoises are present may overlook occupied habitats and misallocate resources. We investigated the importance of different shelter sites in central Florida using data from radio-tracked EIS. We modeled the use of shelter categories as a function of sex, season, and habitat using Bayesian multinomial Generalized Linear Models. Results showed that EIS in peninsular Florida used Gopher Tortoise burrows across all seasons and habitats. Tortoise burrow use was highest in xeric habitats and lowest in mesic habitats where burrows are most and least abundant, respectively. There was less variability in shelter site use in disturbed habitats and flatwoods. Tortoise burrow use by EIS in the cool season across sexes and habitats in our study was much lower than in southern Georgia. Our results indicate that EIS are less dependent on Gopher Tortoise burrows in peninsular Florida and that suitable habitats with few or no tortoise burrows could still provide conservation value for EIS.
Boehm, H.I.A., J.C. Gostiaux, G.J. Hansen, J.M. Hennessy, D.A. Isermann. 2020. Indexing age-0 walleye abundance in northern Wisconsin lakes before fall electrofishing. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:910-921. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10452	July 2020
Boehm, H.I.A., D.A. Isermann, M.J. Ermer, L.D. Eslinger, G.J.A. Hansen, and D.E. Logsdon. 2022. Special section overview: Effects of ecosystem change on North American percid populations. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10791	June 2022
Bodinof Jachowski, C.M., B.E. Ross, and W.A. Hopkins. Evaluating artificial shelter arrays as a minimally invasive monitoring tool for the hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis. Endangered Species Research.	February 2020
Boal, C.W., MA. Thornley, and S.D. Mullican. 2021. Food habits of American kestrels in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Journal of Raptor Research 55:574-583.	December 2021
Boal, C.W., C.L. Haralson-Strobel, and C.C. Farquhar. 2024. Breeding ecology of white-tailed hawks (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) on Texas barrier islands. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 136:237-245.	June 2024
Boal, C.W., B.D. Bibles, and T.S. Gicklhorn. 2023. Patterns of water use by raptors in the Southern Great Plains. Journal of Raptor Research 57:444-455. \| Abstract	August 2023	There is a paucity of data evaluating water use by raptors. Although raptors are believed to satisfy their water requirements through metabolic processes, they are known to experience reduced reproductive success during periods of drought, and there is evidence of water being important for site occupancy in arid landscapes. Several raptor species have a seasonal or year-round presence in west Texas, a drought-prone, semi-arid region of the southern Great Plains. We used cameras at man-made water sources to examine species-specific timing of free water use by common raptors in this region, and to explore environmental conditions associated with water use over a 48-month period. We collected 4,549 camera trap-days of data across 4 years at man-made water sources placed for cattle. We recorded 1,182 detections of 14 species of raptors visiting these water sources. Of the 1,177 detections of raptors identified to species, 1,084 (92.1%) were of individuals perching at tanks, and 93 (7.1%) flying by tanks. Of the raptors that perched at tanks, 63.5% were drinking and 20.8% both bathed and drank. Barn Owls (<i>Tyto alba</i>; 35.6%), Swainson’s Hawks (<i>Buteo swainsoni</i>; 32.0%), and Northern Harriers (<i>Circus hudsonius</i>; 21.0%) were the predominate species detected. Barn Owls were detected year-round, Northern Harriers were detected from August to April, and Swainson’s Hawks were detected from March to October. We found visits by Northern Harriers and Swainson's Hawks were best predicted by temperature and precipitation. Visits by Barn Owls were best predicted by drought severity. Further, we found that detections per 100 trap-days increased substantively across our 4-year study period during which the region experienced one of the worst droughts on record. Although our data does not demonstrate these raptors require free water, it does reveal an increasing use in relation to hotter and drier conditions. How this influences survival and reproduction remains unknown, but may become a pressing question, as current climate models predict the study area will experience increases in heat and decreases in precipitation.
Boal, C.W., B.D. Bibles, and J.M. Tomacek. 2022. Predator-Prey Relationships and Management. In Wildlife Management and Conservation: contemporary principles and practices (P.R. Krausman and J.W. Cain, III, editors). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.	September 2022
Boal, C.W., B.D. Bibles, M.M. Pryor, and B.R. Skipper. 2022. Mississippi Kite nest defense: is there an influence of nest phenology or human activity? Journal of Raptor Research 56:356-361.	August 2022
Boal, C.W. 2023. Scavenging of roadkill by Mississippi Kites (Ictinial mississippiensis). Journal of Raptor Research 57:121-122.	March 2023
Boal, C.W. 2019. Urban nesting by a broad-winged hawk pair in the southern High Plains of Texas. Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society.	February 2020
Boal, C. W. and H. M. Madden, 2021. Bridled Quail-Dove (Geotrygon mystacea), version 2.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/brqdov1/2.0	January 2022
Boal, C. W. 2023. Nest usurpation by a female Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis). Journal of Raptor Research 57:485-488.	August 2023
Blouin, J., J. DeBow, E. Rosenblatt, J. Hines, C. Alexander, K. Gieder, N. Fortin, J. Murdoch, and T. Donovan. 2021. Moose habitat selection and fitness consequences during two critical winter tick life stages in Vermont, USA. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 9:642276. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	May 2021	Moose (<i>Alces Alces</i>) are a charismatic species that has been in decline across much of their southern range.<b> </b>In New England, USA, the reduction has been attributed, in part, to winter tick (<i>Dermacentor albipictus</i>) infestations. Winter ticks tend to be fairly immobile throughout all life stages, and therefore their distribution patterns at any given time are shaped largely by the occurrence of moose across the landscape during the peak of two critical time periods; fall questing (when ticks latch onto a moose, which coincides with the rut) and spring drop-off (when engorged female ticks detach from moose and lay their eggs in leaf litter). We used recent land cover and lidar data within a dynamic occupancy modeling framework to estimate first-order habitat selection (use vs non-use) of female moose (n = 74) during the questing and drop-off periods. Patch (1 km<sup>2</sup>) extinction and colonization rates during spring drop-off periods were strongly influenced by habitat and elevation, but these effects were diminished during the questing period when moose were more active across the landscape. In the spring drop-off period, patches where colonization was high and extinction low (highest probability of female moose occupancy) had higher proportions of young (shrub/forage) mixed forest at greater elevations. We evaluated the fitness consequences of individual-based habitat selection (second-order habitat selection) by comparing Resource Selection Functions (RSF) for 5 females that successfully reared a calf with 5 females whose calf perished. Second-order habitat selection analyses showed adult female moose whose offspring perished selected patches during the questing period that matched the first-order selection during the spring drop-off period. In contrast, adult female moose whose offspring survived selected areas with proportions of young deciduous habitats, as well as higher proportions of mature (canopy) evergreen forests and wetlands at lower elevations, i.e., their second-order habitat selection patterns deviated from the overall patterns illuminated by the multi-season occupancy analysis. Our model coefficients and mapped results define “hotspots” that are likely encouraging the deleterious effects of the tick-moose cycle. Knowledge about the composition and structure of these hotspots may influence more direct (i.e. hunter harvest) and indirect (i.e. conservation, modification, or formation of habitats) management decisions.
Blouin, J., J. DeBow, E. Rosenblatt, C. Alexander, K. Gieder, J. Murdoch, and T. Donovan. Modeling moose habitat use by age, sex, and season in Vermont, USA using high-resolution lidar and National Land Cover data. Alces 57:71-98. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2021	Moose (<i>Alces alces</i>) populations have experienced unprecedented declines along the southern periphery of their range, including Vermont, USA. Habitat management may be used to improve the status of the population and health of individuals. To date, however, Vermont wildlife managers have been challenged to effectively use this important tool due to the lack of fine-scale information on moose space use and habitat characteristics. To assess habitat use, we combined more than 40,000 moose locations collected from radio-collared individuals (n = 74), recent land cover data, and high resolution, 3-dimensional lidar (light detection and ranging) data to develop Resource Utilization Functions (RUF) by age (mature and young adult), season (dormant and growth), and sex. Each RUF linked home range use to average habitat conditions within 400 m or 1 km of each 30 m2pixel within the home range. Across analyses, the top RUF models included both composition (as measured through the National Land Cover Database) and structure (as measured through lidar) variables, and significantly outperformed models that excluded lidar variables. These findings support the notion that lidar is an effective tool for improving the ability of models to estimate patterns of habitat use, especially for larger bodied mammals. Generally speaking, female moose actively used areas with proportionally more regenerating forest (i.e., forage < 3.0 m) and more mature forest (i.e., canopy structure > 6.0 m), while males actively used more high elevation, mixed forest types. Further, moose exhibited important seasonal differences in habitat use that likely reflect temporal changes in energetic and nutritional requirements and behavior across the year. Moose used areas with proportionally more regenerating forest (i.e., forage < 3.0 m) during the growth period and female moose had strong positive associations with lidar-derived canopy structure during the growth (but not the dormant) period. Ultimately, the resultant maps of habitat use provide a means of informing management activities (e.g., the restoration or alteration of habitats to benefit moose) and policies around land use that may contribute to population recovery.
Bletz, M. C., Grant, E. H. C., & DiRenzo, G. (2024). Quantitative support for the benefits of proactive management for wildlife disease control. Conservation Biology, e14363.	May 2024
Blakey, R.V., R.B. Siegel, E.B. Webb, C.P. Dillingham, J.M. Johnson, and D.C. Kesler. Multi-scale habitat selection by Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in a fire-prone forest. Biological Conservation 241:108348	January 2020
Blakey, R.V., R.B. Siegel, E.B. Webb, C.P. Dillingham, J.M. Johnson, and D.C. Kesler. 2020. Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) home range, movement and forays revealed by GPS-tracking. Journal of Raptor Research	December 2020
Blakey, R.V., E.B. Webb, D.C. Kesler, R.B. Siegel, D. Corcoran Barrios, J.S. Cole and J.M. Johnson. 2021. Scale dependent influences of forest cover and fire on bat richness in a fire-maintained coniferous forest. Landscape Ecology	January 2021
Blackburn, S. E., M. L Gingras, J. DuBois, Z. J. Jackson, and M. C. Quist. 2019. Population dynamics and evaluation of management scenarios for White Sturgeon in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River basin. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 39:896-912.	December 2019
Black, A.N., K.J. Bondo, A. Mularo, A. Hernandez, Y. Yu, C.M. Stein, A. Gregory, K.A. Fricke, J. Prendergast, D. Sullins, D. Haukos, M. Whitson, B. Grisham, Z. Lowe, and J.A. DeWoody. 2023. A highly-contiguous and annotated genome assembly of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). Genome Biology and Evolution 2023: evad043. doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evad043	March 2023
Black, A.N., A.J. Mularo, J.Y. Jeon, D. Haukos, K.J. Bondo, K.A. Fricke, A. Gregory, B. Grisham, Z.E. Lowe, and J.A. DeWoody. 2024. Discordance between taxonomy and population genomic data can complicate conservation policies. PNAS Nexus 3:298. https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae298	July 2024
Black, A. R., Z. S. Beard, J. M. Flinders, and M. C. Quist. 2021. Standard weight (Ws) equation and length categories for Utah Chub. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:1299-1308. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10636	September 2021
Black, A. R., J. D. Walrath, M. Willmes, and M. C. Quist. 2023. Natal contributions of kokanee salmon to Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming-Utah: an evaluation using otolith microchemistry. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 14:90-107.	August 2023
Black, A. N., K. J. Bondo, A. Mularo, A. Hernandez, Y. Yu, C. M. Stein, A. Gregory, K. A. Fricke, J. Prendergast, D. S. Sullins, D. A. Haukos. 2023. A highly-contiguous and annotated genome assembly of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). Genome Biology and Evolution. 2023 Mar 14:evad043. DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad04.	March 2023
Bjorck, J., Q. Shi, C. Brown-Lima, J. Dean, A. Fuller, and C. Gomes. Learning augmented methods for matching: Improving invasive species management and urban mobility. Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. \| Abstract	April 2021	With the success of machine learning, integrating learned<br>models into real-world systems has become a critical challenge.<br>Naively applying predictions to combinatorial optimization<br>problems can incur high costs, which has motivated<br>researchers to consider learning augmented algorithms that<br>can make use of faulty or incomplete predictions. Inspired by<br>two matching problems in computational sustainability where<br>data are abundant, we consider the learning augmented min<br>weight matching problem where some nodes are revealed online<br>while others are known a priori, e.g., by being predicted<br>by machine learning. We develop an algorithm that is able<br>to make use of this extra information and provably improves<br>upon pessimistic online algorithms. We evaluate our algorithm<br>on two settings from computational sustainability – the<br>coordination of opportunistic citizen scientists for invasive<br>species management, and the matching between taxis and riders<br>under uncertain trip duration predictions. In both cases,<br>we perform extensive experiments on real-world datasets and<br>find that our method outperforms baselines, showing how<br>learning augmented algorithms can reliably improve solutions<br>for problems in computational sustainability.
Bjorck, J., B.H. Rappazzo, Q. Shi, C. Brown-Lima, J. Dean, A. Fuller, and C. Gomes. Accelerating ecological sciences from above: Spatial contrastive learning for remote sensing. Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence.	April 2021
Bishop, N., Polisar, J., Eliazar, P.J., Carthy, R.R., & Bjorndal, K.A. 2022. Diet of Dermatemys mawii, an aquatic turtle that relies heavily on terrestrial vegetation. Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 21 (1): 37–45. https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-1467.1 \| Abstract	March 2022	<i>Dermatemys mawii</i> is a critically endangered freshwater turtle endemic to Central America. In the wild, these turtles are thought to be wholly herbivorous as adults and feed on a variety of vegetation; however, no studies have quantitatively assessed potential dietary differences based on biotic and abiotic factors. The purpose of our study was to describe and quantify the wild diet of <i>D. mawii</i> and assess differences based on habitat, maturity, and sex. We evaluated the stomach contents of 66 turtles legally harvested by local hunters for personal consumption throughout the country of Belize. Percent volume (by displacement) and percent frequency of each stomach item were used to calculate an index of relative importance (IRI). One algal and six plant families contributed to an overall diet composition consisting of leaves, flowers, stems, seedpods, seeds, and fruit. Rocks and invertebrates were also consumed, although we believe these to be incidental consumption. The leaves of the riparian tree <i>Inga edulis</i> were present in 73.1% of turtle stomachs and accounted for almost half of the total volume of all stomach contents combined. We used Spearman rank correlation coefficients to test the null hypothesis that there was no correlation in the rankings of stomach items (i.e. there were differences) when comparing turtles by habitat, age, and sex. There were significant differences in the ranking of food items between river and lagoon habitats, with lagoon turtles relying heavily upon the algae <i>Nitella </i>sp.; however, the stomach contents from both habitats were equally diverse (H<sub>rivers</sub> = 1.68, H<sub>lagoons</sub> = 1.64). There were no differences in IRIs between adults and juveniles or between males and females. Our results emphasize the importance of habitat in <i>D. mawii </i>diet selection and the importance of leaves from riparian plants species that are shed into their aquatic habitats.
Bishop, N. D., Hudson, R., Marlin, J., Pop, T., Rainwater, T., Boylan, S., Atkinson, B., and Carthy, R. R. 2021. Using growth rates to estimate the minimum age and size at sexual maturity in a captive population of the critically endangered Central American river turtle Dermatemys mawii. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, 9(3), 150–156. https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v9i3.432 \| Abstract	July 2021	The Central American river turtle (<i>Dermatemys mawii</i>) is a critically endangered species that has incurred substantial losses over the last several decades due to overhunting. This species is now being considered for head-starting programs (i.e. captive breeding of turtles for wild release). However, relatively little is known about their life history characteristics, especially with respect to growth and sexual maturation. A robust knowledge of <i>D. mawii</i> life history traits is important in developing conservation management plans. Our research is the first known study to maintain hatchlings, juveniles, and adults in captivity with regular morphometric data collection. We quantified growth rates (cm yr-1) and calculated growth parameters (e.g. growth coefficients) to estimate body size and age at onset of sexual maturity in a group of wild-caught but captive-held and captive-bred <i>D. mawii</i> in Belize. Sizes at the onset of sexual maturity were inferred by segmented linear regressions that identified changes in growth rate by body size. Asymptotic sizes and growth coefficients were calculated using the Fabens method and the Wang method. Parameters from these models were then applied to a modified von Bertalanffy growth equation to estimate age at the onset of sexual matuarity. Male and female <i>D. mawii</i> begin sexual maturation at ca. 38.0 cm and 40.0 cm straight-line carapace length, respectively. We estimated ages associated with these sizes at 13.5-16.9 yrs (males) and 13.6-17.3 yrs (females). No previous literature on growth rates or age at maturation for wild or captive <i>D. mawii</i> has been reported, so our results serve as a starting point in conservation management. Given the life history trait of delayed sexual maturity (>10 years), <i>D. mawii</i> may be more sensitive to losses of the adult population. Therefore, the importance of captive breeding and head-starting programs is concomitant with protecting wild, adult populations.
Birdsall, B., Dattilo, J., Fuqua, Z., & Brewer, S. K. (2024). Processing time and precision of aging structures for Bighead Carp and Silver Carp in the lower Red River catchment in the southern Great Plains. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 00, 1–1. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.11027	September 2024
Bidder, O.R., di Virgilio, A., Hunter, J.S., McInturff, A., Gaynor, K.M., Smith, A.M., Dorcy, J. and Rosell, F., 2020. Monitoring canid scent marking in space and time using a biologging and machine learning approach. Scientific reports, 10(1), pp.1-13.	December 2020
Bidder et al. Forage senescence and disease influence elk pregnancy across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. for Ecosphere	December 2023
Betts, MG, Northrup, JM, Bailey Guerrero, JA, Adrean, LJ, Nelson, SK, Fisher, JL, Gerber, BD, Garcia-Heras, MS, Yang, Z, Roby, DD, and Rivers, J. 2020. Squeezed by a habitat split: warm ocean conditions and old-forest loss interact to reduce long term occupancy of a threatened seabird. Conservation Letters, 13:e12745. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12745 \| Download	August 2020
Betts, BG, Yang, Z, Hadley, AS, Rousseau, JS, Northrup, JM, Nocera, JJ, Taylor, PD,Gorelick, N, and Gerber, BD. 2022. Forest degradation, not loss, drives wide spread avian population declines in eastern Canada. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 6, 709-719. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-022-01737-8	April 2022
Besson, J.C., L.E. Miranda, M.E. Colvin, C.G. Dunn, and D.K. Riecke. 2024. Spatial distribution patterns of invasive silver carp can inform removal efforts in an oxbow lake of the Mississippi River. Management of Biological Invasions 15:505–518. \| Abstract	December 2024	Oxbow lakes are highly productive waterbodies that host multiple life stages of many freshwater aquatic species. These lakes also provide foraging and rearing habitat to the invasive silver carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>) enabling populations to grow in biomass and abundance that can add propagule pressure to connected waterways and oxbows within the Mississippi River Basin. Ecologically these fish are undesirable because they overlap in diet and may compete for resources with native fishes and negatively impact recreational fisheries. Our goal was to evaluate silver carp distribution patterns in a major Mississippi River oxbow lake to inform removal programs and precision harvesting. We implanted 35 adult silver carp with acoustic tags and released them into the lake. Periodic tracking over 365 d revealed that fish were predominantly found in lake areas with water depths ranging from 2.0 to 5.9 m during all seasons, despite the availability of shallower and deeper water. Silver carp tended to aggregate in the wintertime (December-February) relative to other seasons. This information about lake area uses and seasonal aggregations could inform removal efforts in invaded waterbodies by exploiting natural behavioral and temporal vulnerabilities of this highly invasive and difficult-to-capture fish.
Besson, J.C., J. Neary, J.D. Stafford, C.G. Dunn, L.E. Miranda. 2023. Fish functional gradients along a reservoir cascade. Freshwater Biology 68:1079-1091. DOI: 10.1111/fwb.14087 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	April 2023	The transformations caused by reservoir cascades can be severe at the reach scale, but basin-wide scale effects are less clear, although the River Continuum Concept provides a framework for predicting basin-scale effects. To determine if predictions made by the River Continuum Concept relative to the function of fish assemblages are sustained in a temperate river transformed into a reservoir cascade, we examined longitudinal trends in the distribution of traits over 23 reservoirs of the Tennessee River, USA. In all, 115 species were recorded representing 56 traits, with trait richness increasing longitudinally in a downstream direction. Trophic, reproductive, and habitat traits showed various increasing and decreasing patterns up and down the reservoir cascade. The observed gradients in trait richness and trait distributions were generally consistent with those expected in unregulated rivers, with few unexpected results. The transformation of lotic systems into lentic ones has changed habitats and sources of food and encouraged the proliferation of certain feeding (e.g., detritivores, planktivores, invertivores, piscivores), reproduction (e.g., nest spawners polyphils, broadcast spawners phytolithophils), and habitat (slow current, lacustrine, large river) traits. In essence, reservoirs have expanded downstream habitats in an upstream direction, and thus allowed upstream expansion of species and traits that would have normally not been well represented in upper reaches of the Tennessee River basin. Nevertheless, the impounded Tennessee River has maintained much of its functional integrity, despite extensive alterations to the riverscape. We suggest that while reservoirs have been shown to have major local-scale effects on riverine fish assemblages, with access to riverine habitats, and with proactive conservation strategies, fish functional richness can remain remarkably high at the basin scale.
Berube, J., A.P.K. Sirén, B. Simpson, K.B. Klingler, T.L. Wilson. 2024. Monitoring off-host winter tick abundance on traditional moose hunting lands. Journal of Wildlife Management 88:e22630. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22630. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2024	An important symbolic and subsistence animal for many Native American Tribes, the moose (<i>Alces alces</i>; mos in Algonquin, Penobscot language) has been under consistent threat in the northeastern United States because of winter tick (<i>Dermacentor albipictus</i>) parasitism over the past several decades, causing declines in moose populations throughout the region. This decline has raised concern for Tribes and agencies that are invested in moose. Given this concern, it is increasingly important to effectively monitor and develop strategies to manage winter ticks to address consistent population declines of moose due to winter ticks. The Penobscot Nation developed a novel strategy to sample questing winter ticks (i.e., ticks that are actively seeking hosts) using a plot-based sampling protocol that may be suitable for heterogeneous habitats. We deployed this protocol in the northeastern United States in 2022 during the tick questing period (Sep–Dec) on Penobscot Nation sovereign trust lands, the White Mountain National Forest and Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, and western-central Massachusetts, USA. We analyzed the data using occupancy and N-mixture models. Detection probability peaked during mid-October and tick occupancy and abundance were greatest at sites with intermediate understory vegetation height. The sampling protocol was successful at sampling ticks in Massachusetts, where abundances were expected to be low, indicating that it may be useful for studies planning to monitor winter tick distribution and abundance in areas with sub-optimal moose habitat and where winter tick abundance is expected to be low. This approach may also benefit managers or researchers intending to monitor many species of hard ticks, and where imperfect detection is expected.
Beringer, C.J., K.W. Goyne, R.L. Lerch, E.B. Webb and D. Mengel. 2020. Clothianidin decomposition in Missouri wetland soils. Journal of Environmental Quality \| Abstract	November 2020	Neonicotinoid pesticides can persist in soils for extended time periods; however, they also have a high potential to contaminate ground and surface waters. Studies have reported negative effects associated with neonicotinoids and non-target taxa, including aquatic invertebrates, pollinating insect species, and insectivorous birds. This study evaluated factors associated with clothianidin (1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl) methyl]-3-methyl-2-nirtoguanidine, CTN) degradation and sorption in Missouri wetland soils to assess the potential for wetland soils to mitigate potential environmental risks associated with neonicotinoids. Solid-to-solution partition coefficients (<i>K</i><sub>d</sub>) for CTN sorption to eight wetland soils were determined via single-point sorption experiments, and sorption isotherm experiments were conducted using the two most contrasting soils. Clothianidin degradation was determined under oxic and anoxic conditions over 60 d. Degradation data were fit to zero- and first-order kinetic decay models to determine CTN half-life (<i>t<sub>0.5</sub></i>). Sorption results indicated CTN sorption to wetland soil was relatively weak (average <i>K<sub>d </sub></i>= 3.58 L kg<sup>-1</sup>); thus, CTN has potential to be mobile and bioavailable within wetland soils. However, incubation results showed anoxic conditions significantly increased CTN degradation rates in wetland soils (anoxic average <i>t<sub>0.5</sub> </i>=27.2 d; oxic average<i> t<sub>0.5</sub></i> = 149.1 d). A significant negative correlation was observed between anoxic half-life values and soil organic carbon content (r<sup>2</sup>=0.782; <i>p</i>=0.046). Greater CTN degradation rates in wetland soils under anoxic conditions suggests that managing wetlands to facilitate anoxic conditions could mitigate CTN presence in the environment and reduce exposure to non-target organisms.<br><b><br> </b><b> </b>
Berigan, L.A., C.S.H. Aulicky, E.C. Teige, D.S. Sullins, D.A. Haukos, K.A. Fricke, J.H. Reitz, L.G. Rossi, K.A. Schultz, and A.M. Ricketts. 2022. Availability of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Nesting Habitat Impairs Restoration Success. Wildlife Society Bulletin 2022:e1379	October 2022
Berigan, L.A. C.S.H. Aulicky, E.C. Teige, D.S. Sullins, D.A. Haukos, K.A. Fricke, J.H. Reitz, L.G. Rossi, K.A. Schultz, M.B. Rice, E. Tanner, and S.D. Fuhlendorf. 2024. Lesser prairie-chicken dispersal after translocation: implications for restoration and population connectivity. Ecology and Evolution 14:e10871.	January 2024
Berigan, L. A., C. S. Aulicky, E. Teige, D. S. Sullins, D. A. Haukos, K. A. Fricke, K. A., A. M. Ricketts 2022. Availability of lesser prairie-chicken nesting habitat impairs restoration success. Wildlife Society Bulletin 46:e1379. DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1379.	December 2022
Berigan, L. A., C. S. Aulicky, E. C. Teige, D. S. Sullins, K. A. Fricke, J. H. Reitz, and D. A. Haukos. 2024. Lesser prairie‐chicken dispersal after translocation: Implications for restoration and population connectivity. Ecology and Evolution, 14: e10871. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10871.	January 2024
Bergtold, J. S., M. M. Caldas, S. R. Ramsey, M. R. Sanderson, G. Granco, and M. E. Mather. 2022. The gap between experts, farmers and non-farmers on perceived environmental vulnerability and the influence of values and beliefs. Journal of Environmental Management 316 (2022) 115186 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115186 \| Abstract	May 2022	<b>Abstract. </b>Science has played a mixed role in guiding conservation and sustainability-oriented decision-making by individuals, policymakers, institutions, and governments. Not all science-based conservation and sustainability initiatives that address issues facing humanity and ecosystems and global problems have gained public support. Conservation decisions and policy prescriptions are and may be based on perceptions about and experiences with the environment, local land use, and ecosystems that may not align with or be grounded in science or evidence from experts in the field. Social values, perceptions, and beliefs associated with nature play a critical role in how individuals view biodiversity conservation, sustainability, and natural resource management. This study first examines the gap between the public and scientists/experts about the state of water and land resources, wildlife and associated habitats, and aquatic biodiversity in the Smoky Hill River Watershed in western Kansas. Second, the study examines the role that values and beliefs play in shaping environmental perceptions for farmers and non-farmers. Analysis confirms that a gap between experts and farmers/non-farmers does exist, especially with respect to the state of the Ogallala Aquifer, playas on the High Plains, native fish populations and non-hunted wildlife species. Ordered-logistic regression analyses, meanwhile, indicate that farmer/non-farmer perceptions about the state of the local environment are influenced by traditional and self-interested values as well as environmental values, while less influence is found for beliefs such as religiosity and political ideology. Despite broad takeaways, results exhibited heterogeneity across the farmer and non-farmer subpopulations. If environmental professionals can’t align ecological data, stakeholders values/perceptions, and policies, then the existing body of technical research and management on sustainability in natural and social sciences may be of little value.<b> </b>
Bergh, S.M. and D.E. Andersen. 2019. Detection probability and occupancy of American woodcock during Singing-ground Surveys. Pages 200-208 in Krementz, D.G., D. E. Andersen, and T.R. Cooper (eds.). Proceedings of the 11th American Woodcock Symposium, University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. DOI:10.24926/AWS.0126. \| Download	December 2019
Bergh, S. M. and D. E. Andersen. 2019. Estimating density and effective area surveyed for American woodcock. 11th American Woodcock Symposium. Pages 193-199 in Krementz, D.G., D. E. Andersen, and T.R. Cooper (eds.). Proceedings of the 11th American Woodcock Symposium, University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. DOI:10.24926/AWS.0125. \| Download	December 2019
Bellmore, J.R., C.J. Sergeant, R.A. Bellmore, J.A. Falke, and J.B. Fellman. 2023. Modeling coho salmon population response to streamflow and water temperature extremes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 80:243-260. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2022-0129. \| Abstract	February 2023	In the northern latitudes of western North America, climate change is altering patterns of streamflow and water temperature via elevated air temperature, increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, and glacier retreat. The subsequent increases in stream temperature, flooding, and drought can alter the population dynamics of culturally and economically important aquatic species such as Pacific salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus</i> spp.). Modeling approaches designed to assess the vulnerability of salmon to climate change tend to focus on average environmental conditions and typically do not account for extreme events lasting days to weeks. To explore how these short-duration disturbances impact salmon populations, we developed a life cycle model that mechanistically links coho salmon (<i>O. kisutch</i>) abundance to daily streamflow and thermal regimes. Model design was motivated by two questions: 1) how does coho salmon abundance respond to short-duration floods, droughts, and elevated water temperatures in glacier-, snow-, and rain-fed streams? 2) How does the temporal resolution of streamflow and water temperature data influence modeled abundance? In our simulations, salmon populations in rain-fed streams were the most sensitive to winter floods that increased egg mortality and drought conditions that concentrated juvenile salmon in warm, isolated pools. Salmon populations in similarly sized snow- and glacier-fed streams were relatively resilient to all but the most extreme flood and drought scenarios. These findings suggest that salmon abundance in the thousands of rain-fed streams draining to coastal Alaska and British Columbia may become more variable year-to-year depending on the future frequency and severity of winter floods and summer droughts. Aggregating streamflow and temperature time series from daily into weekly and monthly averages dampened the influence of extreme events and predicted impacts on populations. Our model can be adapted to additional climate change scenario planning exercises for any salmonid-bearing stream with sufficient measurements of habitat characteristics, streamflow, and water temperature.
Bellier, Edwige, Dylan C. Ferreira, David M. Kalb, Laken S. Ganoe, Amy E. Mayer, and Brian D. Gerber. 2024. A Statistical Population Reconstruction Model for Wildlife Populations: A Case Study with White-Tailed Deer and Fisher. Ecosphere 15(6): e4878. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4878 \| Download	July 2024
Begley-Miller, D., D. R. Diefenbach, E. J. Domoto, P. J. Drohan, P. Jones,M. E. McDill, C. S. Rosenberry, A. Sabo, B. D. Wallingford. 2024. Response of understory forest plant communities to management actions: herbivore exclusion, soil amendment, and herbicide application. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 54:1367-1375. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2024-0034 \| Download	October 2024
Beever E, Sethi SA, Prange IS, DellaSalla DA. Chapter I: Introduction, in Disturbance Ecology and Biological Diversity: Scale, Context, and Nature. E. Beever (Ed.), Taylor and Francis, New York. \| Abstract	August 2020	Disturbances drive ecosystems, and our understanding of how disturbances interact with biological diversity and scales of space, time, and ecological complexity has matured over a century of advancement in ecology since early ideas of perturbations and community organization were first formalized. Throughout this book, we approach a set of unifying framing questions for disturbance ecology, including: How can disturbances be categorized in meaningful ways? How do we address scale in disturbance ecology? How does geographic context influence ecological consequences of disturbance, in the near and longer terms? In this introductory chapter, we provide an overview of disturbance ecology and the related topics of diversity and scale that are fundamental to understanding the dynamics of perturbed ecosystems. Subsequently, we outline recent advances in disturbance ecology, which have facilitated greater understanding about dynamic systems and context dependencies. These, in turn, have provided richer insights into the complex manner in which ecosystems change under stress. We survey analytical and methodological advances that are expanding the data flows available to inform disturbance ecology as well as the statistical tools available to investigate disturbance dynamics and ecosystem structure and function. Finally, we lay out four core themes threaded through the remainder of the book: 1) fundamental mechanisms related to ecological theory drive complex system behaviors, including the existence of thresholds; 2) dynamics of ecological disturbance are context-dependent and can be unpredictable, 3) antecedent conditions and the legacies of past disturbances influence contemporary ecosystem dynamics, and 4) natural and anthropogenic disturbances interact in complex ways. Summaries are provided for each of the book’s remaining chapters, highlighting how that material relates to these four core themes. In sum, in this introductory chapter we seek to set a foundation for concepts to ground the remainder of the book. By highlighting constraints in past research and identifying research frontiers, we hope to provide a path towards moving the field of disturbance ecology forward, both throughout the book and beyond.
Beatty WS, Lemons PR, Sethi SA, Everett J, Lewis CJ, Lynn RJ, Cook GM, Garlich-Miller JL, Wenburg JK. (2020) Panmixia in a sea ice-associated marine mammal: evaluating genetic structure of the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) at multiple spatial scales. Journal of Mammalogy 101:755-765. \| Abstract	July 2020	The kin structure of a species at relatively fine spatial scales impacts broad-scale patterns in genetic structure at the population level. However, kin structure rarely has been elucidated for migratory marine mammals. The Pacific walrus (<i>Odobenus rosmarus divergens</i>) exhibits migratory behavior linked to seasonal patterns in sea ice dynamics. Consequently, information on the spatial genetic structure of the subspecies, including kin structure, could aid wildlife managers in designing future studies to evaluate the impacts of sea ice loss on the subspecies. We sampled 8,303 individual walruses over a 5-year period and used 114 single-nucleotide polymorphisms to examine both broad-scale patterns in genetic structure and fine-scale patterns in relatedness. We did not detect any evidence of genetic structure at broad spatial scales, with low <i>F</i><sub>ST</sub> values (≤ 0.001) across all pairs of putative aggregations. To evaluate kin structure at fine spatial scales, we defined a walrus group as a cluster of resting individuals that were less than one walrus body length apart. We found weak evidence of kin structure at fine spatial scales, with 3.72% of groups exhibiting mean relatedness values greater than expected by chance, and a significantly higher overall observed mean value of relatedness within groups than expected by chance. Thus, the high spatiotemporal variation in the distribution of resources in the Pacific Arctic environment likely has favored a gregarious social system in Pacific walruses, with unrelated animals forming temporary associations.
Beatty W, Lemons P, Everett JP, Lewis CJ, Taylor RL, Lynn RJ, Sethi SA, Quakenbush L, Citta J, Kissling M, Kryukova N, Wenburg JK (2022) Estimating Pacific walrus abundance and survival with multievent mark-recapture models. Marine Ecology Progress Series 697:167-182.	September 2022
Bayuzick, S., D. Guarin, A. Bonhage, F. Hirsch, D. R. Diefenbach, M. McDill, T. Raab, and P. J. Drohan. 2022. Small anthropogenic landforms from past charcoal production control moisture dynamics and fertility in northcentral Appalachian soils. Geomorphology 415:108379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108379 \| Download	October 2022
Bayuzick, S., D. Guarin, A. Bonhage, F. Hirsch, D. Diefenbach, M. McDill, T. Raab, and P. Drohan. Soil and geomorphic patterns within relict charcoal hearths could represent unique ecosystem niches. Geomorphology 422:108525 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108525	February 2023
Baynes, A.Y., Freeman, M.C., McKay, S.K., and Wenger, S.J. (2022). Habitat associations of riverine fishes among rocky shoals. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. Advance online publication. doi.org/10.1111/eff.12690.	November 2022
Bayer, L.M., R.J. Fournier and D.D. Magoulick. 2021. Modeling effects of crayfish invasion and drought on population dynamics of generalized crayfish life history strategies. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems DOI: 10.1002/aqc.3516	February 2021
Baumbusch, RC, KM Dugger, and JD Wiens. 2023. Estimating fat content in barred owls (Strix varia) with predictive models developed from direct measures of proximate body composition. Conservation Physiology 11(1): coad069; doi:10.1093/conphys/coad069.	September 2023
Baum, C.M., D.L. Winkelman, and R.M. Fitzpatrick. 2023. Temperature and winter duration requirements for reproductive success in johnny darter Etheostoma nigrum in the South Platte River Basin, Colorado. Freshwater Biology DOI: 10.1111/fwb.14100	May 2023
Bauder, J.M., Ruid, D., Roberts, N.M., Kohn, B. and Allen, M.L. 2021. Effects of translocation on survival of nuisance bears. Animal Conservation 24:820-831. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12684 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2021	Effective mitigation of human–wildlife conflict should aim to reduce conflicts while also minimizing wildlife mortality. Translocation is often used to mitigate human–wildlife conflict but translocated individuals may have reduced survival, which could negatively affect population growth and social acceptance of translocation as a management tool. Yet, non-translocated nuisance individuals may also have low survival due to inherent risks associated with nuisance behavior. We used a 38-year dataset of 1233 marked and translocated nuisance American black bears (<i>Ursus americanus</i>) as a model system with which to evaluate the impacts of translocation on nuisance bear survival. We used multi-state mark-recapture models to estimate annual harvest and non-harvest mortality rates and tested for effects of translocation distance and harvest rate on recapture and both mortality rates. Recapture probability increased with translocation distance but 75% of translocated bears were translocated ≤75 km and recapture probabilities were <0.05 across these distances. Survival was 0.43 for adult males, 0.56 for adult females, and 0.38–0.40 for yearlings. However, increasing translocation distance reduced both harvest and non-harvest mortality (β = −0.0044, 95% CI = −0.0081 to −0.0006 and β = −0.0020, 95% CI = −0.0051 to 0.0011, respectively) showing that increasing translocation distance does not negatively impact survival. Our survival estimates were generally lower than those reported for non-nuisance American black bear populations (0.67–0.83), which likely reflects risks associated with nuisance behavior, such as proximity to human dwellings, agriculture, or roads which in turn may increase harvest and/or road mortality. Our results show that translocation is a useful approach for mitigating human–bear conflict that does not always negatively affect survival. Lower survival of nuisance bears suggests that biologists should focus efforts on reducing the incidences of human–wildlife conflicts (e.g., removing anthropogenic food sources).
Bauder, J.M., N.M. Roberts, D. Ruid, B. Kohn, and M.L. Allen. 2020. Nuisance black bear translocation indicates increased effectiveness by translocation distance and landscape context. Wildlife Research 47:426-435. https://www.publish.csiro.au/wr/WR19161. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2020	<b>Context: </b>Translocation is a widely used non-lethal tool to mitigate human–wildlife conflicts, particularly for carnivores. Multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors may influence translocation success, yet the influence of release-site landscape context on the success of translocations of wildlife involved in nuisance behaviour is poorly understood. Moreover, few studies of translocated wildlife involved in nuisance behaviour have provided estimates of translocation success under different scenarios.<br><b>Aims: </b>We evaluated the role of intrinsic (age, sex) and extrinsic (translocation distance, landscape composition) features on translocation success of American black bears (<i>Ursus americanus</i>) involved in nuisance behaviour and provide spatially explicit predictions of success under different scenarios.<br><b>Methods: </b>We analysed data from 1462 translocations of 1293 bears in Wisconsin, USA, from 1979 to 2016 and evaluated two measures of translocation success: repeated nuisance behaviour and probability of returning to a previous capture location.<br><b>Key results: </b>Translocation distances ranged from 2 to 235 km (mean = 57 km). Repeated nuisance behaviour was recorded following 13.2% of translocation events (192 of 1457) and was not significantly affected by translocation distance. Bears repeated nuisance behaviour and were recaptured at their previous captures site (i.e. returned) after 64% of translocation events (114 of 178). Return probability decreased with an increasing translocation distance, and yearling bears were less likely to return than were adults. The proportions of agriculture and forest within 75 km and 100 km respectively, of the release site had positive and negative effects on return probability.<br><b>Conclusions: </b>Mangers can use bear characteristics and landscape context to improve translocation success. For example, achieving a 10% predicted probability of return would require translocation distances of 49–60 km for yearlings in low-agriculture and high-forest landscapes. In contrast, estimated return probability for adults was ≥38% across all translocation distances (0–124 km) and almost all landscape contexts.<br><b>Implications: </b>Our results emphasise the importance of considering the effects of landscape conditions for developing spatially explicit guidelines for maximising translocation success.
Bauder, J.M., M.L. Allen, T.J. Benson, C.A. Miller, and K.W. Stodola. 2021. An approach for using multiple indices for monitoring long-term trends of mesopredators at broad spatial scales. Biodiversity and Conservation 30:3529-3547. doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02259-8 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2021	Indices of relative abundance are routinely used to monitor and manage wildlife, yet all indices contain observation error and have unknown relationships with true abundance. State-space models (SSM) allow estimation of observation error while concordance in trends among multiple indices from different sampling methods may reflect true trends in abundance. We used multiple decades of data from roadkill surveys, nocturnal spotlight surveys, and observations from hunters along with trapper harvest data for six mesopredators in Illinois, USA, to evaluate concordance (i.e., similarity in trend direction and magnitude) across count- and harvest-based indices, while controlling for observation error using Bayesian SSM. We assumed that increased concordance among trends from different sampling methods would increasingly mirror trends in true abundance. We observed positive trends for raccoon and coyote, negative trends for gray and red fox, and stable trends for skunk, consistent with spatiotemporal patterns of distribution and abundance of these species within midwestern USA. Concordance among count-based indices and harvest-based indices adjusted for temporal changes in trapper numbers was generally high. In contrast, total annual trapper harvest often showed discordance with other trends. Sampling variability was similar across methods but was highest across the shortest time series highlighting the importance of methodologically or analytically controlling for sampling variability. Our results suggest that concordant broad-scale (e.g., statewide) trends in index data may be best used for evaluating relatively general trends and using relatively drastic changes as justification for more in-depth studies.
Bauder, J.M., M.L. Allen, A.A. Ahlers, T.J. Benson, C.A. Miller, and K.W. Stodola. 2022. Long-term data reveal equivocal evidence for intraguild suppression among sympatric canids. Biodiversity and Conservation 31:2965-2979. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-022-02465-y">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-022-02465-y \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	September 2022	Interspecific interactions among predators can shape ecological communities across trophic levels, including among predator guilds. The strength and directions of these interactions, however, may vary spatially and temporally in regions undergoing widespread landscape changes (e.g., urbanization, agricultural production). We investigated intraguild effects of coyotes (<i>Canis latrans</i>), a de facto apex predator, and land-cover changes on abundance indices of red foxes (<i>Vulpes vulpes</i>) and gray foxes (<i>Urocyon cinereoargenteus</i>) using two long-term and independent time series: direct observations of canids by archery deer hunters (26 years) and harvest data from canid trappers (41 years) from across Illinois, USA. Abundance indices from both time series for red and gray foxes declined whereas coyote abundance indices increased, suggesting increasing coyote abundance may have led to decreases in fox population abundances. Empirical support among candidate models explaining fox declines was generally equivocal yet differed between fox species. Models including effects of coyote abundance were generally competitive for red foxes and estimated negative coyote effects even after controlling for declining farm size. The empirical support among our landscape hypotheses also varied by species despite increasing forest cover and farm size during our study. The estimated effects of coyote in our study were weaker than reported at more northerly latitudes suggesting that increasing coyote populations may not be fully responsible for observed declines in fox populations in the midwestern USA.
Bauder, J.M., M.L. Allen, A.A. Ahlers, T.J. Benson, C.A. Miller, and K.W. Stodola. 2020. Identifying and controlling for variation in canid harvest data. Journal of Wildlife Management 84:1234-1245. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21919 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2020	An accurate understanding of harvest trends is required for effective wildlife management. Trapper harvest data represent valuable long-term data for evaluating patterns and trends for wildlife species at broad spatiotemporal scales. Inferring accurate trends from harvest data, however, first requires identifying and controlling for confounding factors that vary independent of abundance. We investigated trends in 43 years of trapper harvest data (1976–2018) from Illinois, USA, for red fox (<i>Vulpes vulpes</i>), gray fox (<i>Urocyon cinereoargenteus</i>), and coyote (<i>Canis latrans</i>) while controlling for factors that may affect trapper effort, including number of effective (i.e., successful) trappers, pelt price, gasoline price, winter unemployment, and winter weather conditions. Annual trapper harvest for red and gray foxes declined and was affected by gasoline price and winter unemployment, whereas annual trapper harvest for coyotes increased and was not strongly affected by other covariates. After adjusting for pelt price, harvest of red foxes was relatively stable, but harvest of gray foxes declined and harvest of coyotes increased. Effects of covariates on harvest per successful trapper varied by species; nevertheless, we detected an increasing trend for coyotes and decreasing trends for gray foxes and red foxes. Concordance across indices for gray foxes and coyotes was consistent with hypothesized declines for gray foxes and increases for coyotes in the midwestern United States. Trends for red foxes varied depending on how we accounted for potential confounding factors and it is unclear if these trends suggest population declines or distribution shifts to urban areas with reduced trapping susceptibility. Our results highlight the importance of understanding sources of variation in harvest data and that their effects can vary across species.
Bauder, J.M., K.W. Stodola, T.J. Benson, C.A. Miller, and M.L. Allen. 2023. Modeling 18 years of community science data reveals extensive bobcat recolonization in Illinois, USA. Landscape Ecology 38:597-611. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-022-01567-w \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2022	Context. Many terrestrial mammals have undergone substantial distribution changes in recent decades; yet collecting broad-scale occurrence data for carnivores is difficult due to their low densities and cryptic behaviors. Carnivore observations from community (i.e., citizen) science programs can be a potentially valuable approach for understanding changes in carnivore distributions over long time periods.<br>Objectives. We used 18 years of bobcat (<i>Lynx rufus</i>) observations collected by archery deer hunters (participants) across Illinois, USA, to estimate spatiotemporal patterns in occurrence and determine how landscape features influenced patterns of recolonization.<br>Methods. We developed Bayesian spatial and non-spatial multi-scale dynamic occupancy models to estimate county-level occupancy, persistence, and colonization and participant-level occupancy. We modeled county-level parameters as a function of multiple <i>a priori</i> landscape covariates and compared model performance using cross-validation.<br>Results. Our non-spatial occupancy model had greater predictive support than our spatial occupancy model. Mean annual statewide county-level occupancy increased from approximately 0.43 to 0.83 while mean annual participant-level occupancy increased from approximately 0.07–0.28. Bobcats were primarily restricted to southern Illinois during the early 2000s but by 2018 occurred throughout western and southern Illinois. Landscape covariates had relatively weak effects on model parameters.<br>Conclusions. Our study illustrates how community science observations analyzed with hierarchical occupancy models can be used to model spatiotemporal changes in species distributions. Bobcats have recolonized much of Illinois, but this colonization was not strongly mediated by county-level landscape features at the scales we measured.
Bauder, J.M., K.W. Stodola, T.J. Benson, C.A. Miller, and M.L. Allen. 2020. Raccoon pelt price and trapper harvest relationships are temporally inconsistent. Journal of Wildlife Management 84:1601-1610. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21928 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2020	Trapping data have a long and rich history of use in monitoring furbearer populations in North America but understanding the influences of variation in trapper harvest is important. Many factors besides abundance can cause variation in trapper harvest, including socioeconomics, weather, and motivation. The relationships between these extrinsic factors and trapper harvest may change temporally, which may obscure the causal understanding of variation in trapper harvest. We tested for changes in the relationships between pelt price and trapper numbers, and pelt price and harvest per trapper for raccoons (<i>Procyon lotor</i>) in Illinois, USA, from 1976–2018 while controlling for other socioeconomic (gasoline price, unemployment) and weather (temp, snow depth) factors. The annual raccoon harvest showed no clear trend, whereas the number of raccoon trappers declined markedly from approximately 1976–1990 in conjunction with pelt prices, after which the number of trappers remained relatively stable and were not significantly affected by pelt price. In contrast, harvest per trapper increased markedly during the 1990s and showed a significant negative relationship with pelt price pre-1990 but a positive relationship post-1990. We propose that declines in pelt prices resulted in a loss of less experienced or economically incentivized trappers, whereas contemporary trappers may continue trapping primarily for non-economic reasons. Our study highlights the potential for using non-linear relationships between trapper harvest data and socioeconomic covariates to help understand the influences of temporal variation in trapper harvest data.
Bauder, J.M., H.C. Chandler, M. Elmore, and C.L. Jenkins. 2022. Incorporating habitat suitability, landscape distance, and resistance kernels to estimate conservation units for an imperiled terrestrial snake. Landscape Ecology 37: 2519–2533. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-022-01510-z \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	August 2022	Context<br>Wildlife distributions are often subdivided into discrete conservation units to aid in implementing management and conservation objectives. Habitat suitability models, resistance surfaces, and resistant kernels provide tools for delineating spatially explicit conservation units but guidelines for parameterizing resistant kernels are generally lacking.<br>Objectives<br>We used the federally threatened eastern indigo snake (<i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) as a case study for calibrating resistant kernels using observed movement data and resistance surfaces to help delineate habitat-based conservation units.<br>Methods<br>We simulated eastern indigo snake movements under different resistance surface and resistant kernel parameterizations and selected the scenario that produced simulated movement distances that best approximated the maximum observed annual movement distance. We used our calibrated resistant kernel to model range-wide connectivity and compared delineated conservation units to Euclidean distance-based population units from the recent eastern indigo snake species status assessment (SSA).<br>Results<br>We identified a total of 255 eastern indigo snake conservation units, with numerous large (2500–5000 ha of suitable habitat) conservation units across the eastern indigo snake distribution. There was substantial variation in the degree of overlap with the SSA population units likely reflecting the spatial heterogeneity in habitat suitability and landscape resistance.<br>Conclusion<br>Our calibration approach is widely applicable to other systems for parameterizing biologically meaningful resistant kernels. Our conservation units can be used to prioritize future eastern indigo snake conservation efforts, identify areas where more survey work is needed, or identify small, isolated populations with high extinction risks.
Bauder, J.M., D.R. Breininger, M.R. Bolt, M.L. Legare, C.L. Jenkins, B.B. Rothermel, and K. McGarigal. 2020. Movement barriers, habitat heterogeneity or both? Testing hypothesized effects of landscape features on home range sizes in eastern indigo snakes. Journal of Zoology 311:204-216. https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12777 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2020	Animal home ranges are influenced by diverse intrinsic and extrinsic factors. For example, habitat heterogeneity may affect the spatial distribution of resources leading to larger home ranges where resources are spatially dispersed or, conversely, smaller home ranges where resources are concentrated or abundant. Other landscape features may lead to smaller home ranges by constraining or restricting animal movements. Understanding the relative importance of these two processes is increasingly important given the prevalence of anthropogenic features across contemporary landscapes. We test the relative importance of habitat heterogeneity and movement restriction on the home range size of a wide-ranging, habitat and dietary generalist, the federally threatened eastern indigo snake (<i>Drymarchon couperi</i>). We used data from 83 radio-tracked individuals in a multi-scale analysis of home range size as a function of multiple landscape features representing land cover and habitat heterogeneity. We found that home range size was negatively correlated to habitat heterogeneity (i.e., the standard deviation of normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI]) and urban intensity. Smaller home ranges in areas with high habitat heterogeneity and low urban intensity likely reflected reduced resource dispersion through the concentration of diverse foraging habitats. Home ranges were smallest in urban landscapes which, combined with previously documented avoidance of urban habitats by eastern indigo snakes, suggests that urban land cover restricts home range size. Our results demonstrate the importance of considering both the influence of resource dispersion and movement barriers in understanding animal space use. Moreover, we highlight the need to consider the potential role of anthropogenically subsidized resources (e.g., prey, shelter sites) to understand variation in eastern indigo snake home range sizes within urban areas.
Bauder, J.M., C.S. Anderson, H.L. Gibbs, M.J. Tonkovich, and W.D. Walter. 2021. Landscape features fail to explain spatial genetic structure in white-tailed deer across Ohio, USA. Journal of Wildlife Management 85(8):1669-1684. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22120 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2021	Landscape features influence wildlife movements across spatial scales and therefore have the potential to influence the spread of disease. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease affecting members of the family Cervidae, particularly white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>), and the first positive CWD case in a wild Ohio deer was recorded in 2020. While landscape genetics approaches are increasingly utilized to better understand potential pathways for CWD spread in white-tailed deer, little is known about genetic structure of white-tailed deer in Ohio. The objectives of our study were to evaluate spatial genetic structure in white-tailed deer across Ohio and compare the support for isolation by distance (IBD) and isolation by landscape resistance (IBR) models in explaining this structure. For genetic data we used microsatellite genotypes from 619 individuals from 24 counties across Ohio genotyped at 11 loci and a 547-bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA Control Region from the same individuals. We used spatial and non-spatial genetic clustering tests to evaluate genetic structure in both types of genetic data and empirically optimized landscape resistance surfaces to compare IBD and IBR using microsatellite data. Non-spatial genetic clustering tests failed to detect spatial genetic structure while spatial genetic clustering tests indicated subtle spatial genetic structure. IBD models consistently outperformed IBR models including land cover, traffic volume, and streams. Our results indicated widespread genetic connectivity of white-tailed deer across Ohio and negligible barrier effects of landscape features. These patterns likely reflect some combination of minimal resistive effects of landscape features on white-tail deer movement in Ohio and the effects of regional recolonization or translocation. We encourage continued CWD surveillance in Ohio, particularly in the proximity of confirmed cases.
Bauder, J.M., A. Pawlicki, and M. Goode. 2024. Northern Mexican gartersnake demographics and movement ecology. Final report for Task Order 23-3 to Arizona Game and Fish Department. \| Abstract \| Download	October 2024	The northern Mexican gartersnake (<i>Thamnophis eques</i>; hereafter NMGS) is a federally threatened species occurring in riparian areas in central and southeast Arizona and west-central New Mexico. While previous studies have examined the ecology of this species in central Arizona, less is known about NMGS ecology in grassland landscapes of southeast Arizona. This project continues a long-term mark-recapture study of NMGS in the upper Santa Cruz River in the San Rafael Valley of southeast Arizona. We analyzed mark-recapture data collected by Arizona Game and Fish Department from 2008–2019 and included data we collected during 2022 and 2023. We also studied NMGS movement ecology using a combination of externally attached GPS transmitters and surgically implanted VHF transmitters. We had 517 NMGS captures over 26 survey sessions across the entire study, 186 of which were captures of previously marked snakes. Most of our captures were females and evidence of a statistically significant female-biased sex ratio was present on three survey sessions. Trapping success was generally highest June-September and catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) was strongly correlated with the number of individuals captured. We used mark-recapture data from 288 individuals to estimate annual apparent survival and session-specific recapture probabilities. Annual apparent survival was higher for females (0.72, 95% highest posterior density intervals [HPDI] = 0.63–0.81) than for males (0.58, 95% HPDI = 0.44–0.72). Session-specific recapture probabilities were similar for males and females and were highly correlated with CPUE. During 2023, we monitored the movements of 13 adult females using GPS transmitters, two adult males using VHF transmitters, and one adult female using a GPS transmitter followed by a VHF transmitter. GPS transmitters were deployed from 7-18 days at a time as limited by battery life. After filtering out low-quality GPS locations, we obtained a total of 1,688 hourly GPS locations. Mean and maximum distances moved per hour ranged from 5.54–10.92 m and 15.24–135.71 m, respectively, across GPS transmitter attachment periods. Space use estimates from 100% minimum convex polygons ranged from 0.04–1.16 ha across GPS transmitter attachment periods. All documented NMGS movements during 2023 were relatively close (< 100 m) to the Santa Cruz River. These results continue to build upon our knowledge of NMGS ecology and suggest the continued presence of a relatively robust population within the upper Santa Cruz River.
Bauder, J.M., A. Cervantes, A. Avrin, L. Whipple, M.J. Farmer, C.A. Miller, T.J. Benson, K.W. Stodola, and M.L. Allen. 2021. Mismatching spatial scales limits the utility of citizen science data for estimating wildlife-habitat relationships. Ecological Research 36:97-96. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1703.12173 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2021	While most carnivore populations are declining worldwide, some species are successfully living in human-modified landscapes. For example, coyotes (<i>Canis latrans</i>) have expanded their range across North America and into many urban areas making it important to understand factors influencing broad-scale patterns of occurrence. We used citizen science data in the form of coyote observations by archery deer hunters from throughout the state of Illinois to evaluate factors affecting coyote detection and occupancy. Our statewide participant-level occupancy estimate (0.63) was 58% greater than our naïve occupancy estimate (0.40) while detection probability was <0.25, highlighting the importance of using modeling frameworks that account for imperfect detection when modeling occupancy of cryptic species with low detection rates. Time period (AM/PM) had the largest effect on detection of coyotes, with detections greater in the AM. The number of hours hunted (analogous to effort) also impacted coyote detection, with more hours hunted increasing coyote detections. In contrast, none of the landscape covariates examined had strong effects on coyote occupancy. While coyote ubiquity and generalist habitat use may at least partially explain our results, we suspect it also is because the landscape covariates were measured at the county level, as more precise participant location data were unavailable, whereas participants effectively surveyed a much smaller area. Since scale affects the strength and direction of species-habitat relationships, this scale mismatch is likely an important limitation when using many sources of citizen scientist observations to infer species-habitat relationships for widespread generalist species when precise participant location data are unavailable.
Bauder, J.M. and C.L. Prewitt. 2023. Control of introduced American bullfrogs and support of Chiricahua leopard frog conservation in southeast Arizona. Final report for Task Order 23-5 to Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. \| Abstract \| Download	June 2024	1. This report summaries field surveys conducted during July 2023 through April 2024 to control introduced American bullfrogs (Lithobates [Rana] catesbeianus; hereafter bullfrog) and support Chiricahua leopard frog (Lithobates [Rana] chiricahuensis) conservation in southeast Arizona. We conducted 394 field surveys across 141 sites in Chiricahua leopard frog Recovery Units 1 and 2 during this survey period.2. During these surveys, we detected bullfrogs at 36 sites and removed a total of 452 bullfrogs. Bullfrog reproduction was only observed during this survey period at sites on private property where we did not have landowner permission to remove bullfrogs. We found bullfrogs and Chiricahua leopard frogs co-occurring at only a single site (Chulo Tank). Only a single bullfrog was present at this site, and it was removed.3. Within the Cobre Ridge/Recovery Unit 1 region, we detected Chiricahua leopard frogs at 15 sites, with reproductive activity confirmed at two sites. We performed or assisted with Chiricahua leopard frog translocations at five sites. We detected Chiricahua leopard frog overwinter survival at two sites in this region although moribund and dead frogs were observed at one of these two sites.4. We did not detect Chiricahua leopard frog within our Canelo Hills Buffer Zone or stock tanks along the foothills of the San Rafael Valley. We detected Chiricahua leopard frogs at four sites on the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch with reproduction documented at two sites. We also removed two adult bullfrogs from a single site on the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch.5. We detected Chiricahua leopard frogs at 17 sites on the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (LCNCA). While Chiricahua leopard frog reproduction was not confirmed during July–November of 2023, as of 24 April 2024 we detected Chiricahua leopard frog reproduction at three sites. We did detect a moribund Chiricahua leopard frog at Lower Empire Gulch in March 2024. No bullfrogs were detected on the LCNCA and a single adult bullfrog was removed from one site in the Elgin Buffer Zone.6. We began bullfrog removal efforts at a new eradication site along the Babocomari River on the Babacomari Ranch. This planned four-year eradication project will remove a significant non-urban bullfrog source population that threatens existing Chiricahua leopard frog metapopulations.
Bauder, J. M., Peterman, W. E., Spear, S. F., Jenkins, C. L., Whiteley, A. R., & McGarigal, K. 2021. Multiscale assessment of functional connectivity: Landscape genetics of eastern indigo snakes in an anthropogenically fragmented landscape in central Florida. Molecular Ecology, 30, 3422-3438. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15979 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2021	Landscape features can strongly influence gene flow and the strength and directionof these effects may vary across spatial scales. However, few studies have evaluatedmethodological approaches for selecting spatial scales in landscape genetics analyses,in part because of computational challenges associated with optimizing landscaperesistance surfaces (LRS). We used the federally threatened eastern indigo snake(Drymarchon couperi) in central Florida as a case study with which to compare the importanceof landscape features and their scales of effect in influencing gene flow. Weused genetic algorithms (ResistanceGA) to empirically optimize LRS using categoricalland cover surfaces, multiscale resource selection surfaces (RSS), and four combinationsof landscape covariates measured at multiple spatial scales (multisurfacemultiscale LRS). We compared LRS where scale was selected using pseudo-andfulloptimization. Multisurface multiscale LRS received more empirical support than LRSoptimized from categorical land cover surfaces or RSS. Multiscale LRS with scale selectedusing full optimization generally outperformed those with scale selected usingpseudo-optimization.Multiscale LRS with large spatial scales (1200–1800m) receivedthe most empirical support. Our results highlight the importance of considering landscapefeatures across multiple spatial scales in landscape genetic analyses, particularlybroad scales relative to species movement potential. Different effects of scale onhome range-levelmovements and dispersal could explain weak associations betweenhabitat suitability and gene flow in other studies. Our results also demonstrate the importanceof large tracts of undeveloped upland habitat with heterogenous vegetationcommunities and low urbanization for promoting indigo snake connectivity.
Batavia, C., Nelson, M.P., Bruskotter, J.T., Jones, M.S., Yanco, E., Ramp, D., Bekoff, M. and Wallach, A.D. (2021), Emotion as a source of moral understanding in conservation. Conservation Biology, 35: 1380-1387. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13689 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2021	Recent debates around the meaning and implications of compassionate conservation suggest that some conservationists consider emotion a false and misleading basis for moral judgment and decision making. We trace these beliefs to a long-standing, gendered sociocultural convention and argue that the disparagement of emotion as a source of moral understanding is both empirically and morally problematic. According to the current scientific and philosophical understanding, reason and emotion are better understood as partners, rather than opposites. Nonetheless, the two have historically been seen as separate, with reason elevated in association with masculinity and emotion (especially nurturing emotion) dismissed or delegitimated in association with femininity. These associations can be situated in a broader, dualistic, and hierarchical logic used to maintain power for a dominant male (White, able-bodied, upper class, heterosexual) human class. We argue that emotion should be affirmed by conservationists for the novel and essential insights it contributes to conservation ethics. We consider the specific example of compassion and characterize it as an emotional experience of interdependence and shared vulnerability. This experience highlights conservationists’ responsibilities to individual beings, enhancing established and widely accepted beliefs that conservationists have a duty to protect populations, species, and ecosystems (or biodiversity). We argue compassion, thus understood, should be embraced as a core virtue of conservation.
Bassing, S.B., D.E. Ausband, M.S. Mitchell, M. Schwartz, J.J. Nowak, G.C. Hale, and L. Waits. 2020. Immigration does not offset harvest mortality in a cooperatively breeding carnivore. Animal Conservation. 23: 750-761. doi:10.1111/acv.12593	May 2020
Bassing, S. B., D. E. Ausband, M. S. Mitchell, M. Schwartz, Michael, J. J. Nowak, G. Hale, and L. Waits, 2020. Immigration Does Not Offset Harvest Mortality in a Cooperatively Breeding Carnivore. Animal Conservation.	May 2020
Bartz, K.K., M.P. Hannam, T.L. Wilson, R.F. Lepak, J.M. Ogorek, D.B., Young, C.A. Eagles-Smith, D.P. Krabbenhoft. 2023. Understanding drivers of mercury in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), top-predator lake fish from southwest Alaska parklands. Environmental Pollution 330: 121678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121678 \| Abstract	May 2023	Mercury (Hg) is a widespread element and persistent pollutant, harmful to fish, wildlife, and humans in its organic, methylated form. The risk of Hg contamination is driven by factors that regulate Hg loading, methylation, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification. In remote locations, with infrequent access and limited data, understanding the relative importance of these factors can pose a challenge. Here, we assessed Hg concentrations in an apex predator fish species, lake trout (<i>Salvelinus namaycush</i>), collected from 14 lakes spanning two National Parks in southwest Alaska, U.S.A. We then examined factors associated with the variation in fish Hg concentrations using a Bayesian hierarchical model. We found that Hg concentrations in lake water were uniform and very low. Conversely, Hg concentrations in lake trout were variable and, in some lakes, very high, exceeding Alaska’s human consumption threshold at half of our study sites. Additionally, model results indicated that fish age and, to a lesser extent, body condition best explained variation in Hg concentration among fish within a lake, with Hg elevated in older, thinner lake trout. Other factors, including plankton methyl Hg content, fish species richness, volcano proximity, and glacier loss, best explained variation in lake trout Hg concentration among lakes. Collectively, these results provide evidence that multiple, hierarchically nested factors control fish Hg levels in these lakes.
Bartley, M.L., E.M. Hanks, E.M. Schliep, P.A. Soranno, and T. Wagner. Identifying and characterizing extrapolation in multivariate response data. PLOSE ONE.	December 2019
Bartelt, P.E., P.E. Thornton, and R.W. Klaver. 2022. Modelling Physiological Costs to Assess Impacts of Climate Change on Amphibians in Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A. Ecological Indicators 135:108575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.108575 \| Abstract \| Download	February 2022	Amphibians are vital elements of ecosystems, serving as predator and prey. Their biphasic nature makes them dependent on aquatic and terrestrial habitats; as wet-skinned ectotherms, they are vulnerable to a range of environmental threats, including climate change. Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is becoming warmer and drier, and some wetlands important to amphibians have diminished. Continued climate change is predicted to reduce snowpack, soil moisture, and forest cover. We used data from models of future climate and vegetation cover to mechanistically model how climate change might affect the movements of Western Toads (Anaxyrus boreas) across the landscape of three test areas in YNP for the years 2050 and 2090, compared to 2000 as a baseline. Least-cost path analysis produced mixed results: for 2050 and 2090, physiological costs of movement increased in one test area and decreased in another; they were mixed in the third. These changes generally reflect the preference by toads for more open forests. Estimating costs for other species of YNP amphibians produced more negative results. For Columbia Spotted Frogs (Rana luteiventris) and Boreal Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris maculata) (both more aquatic and less adapted to terrestrial habitats), movement costs increased by about 2–15X.Reduced frequency or duration of rain events might limit the nocturnal movements of Western Tiger Salamanders(Ambystoma mavortium). Climate change may not have negative impacts on all amphibians throughout YNP, but increased movement costs for terrestrial habitats will accentuate effects of drying wetlands in at least parts of YNP. Land management actions that preserve habitat structure of both forest and low shrub cover may help mitigate continued drying conditions of climate change.
Bartelt, P.E., A.T. Devries, and R.W. Klaver. 2023. Response of tiger salamanders (Ambystoma t. tigrinum) to wetland restoration on a Midwestern agricultural landscape, U.S.A. Ichthyology and Herpetology 111:571-583. \| Abstract \| Download	December 2023	Since the early 1990s, > 3,000 ha of wetlands (and adjacent prairie) have been restored on the row-crop agricultural landscape of Winnebago County, Iowa, U.S.A. From 2014–2016, we surveyed 45 wetlands among 19 easements for occupancy by Eastern Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum) and used radio-telemetry to measure their patterns of movement and habitat use. Rates of occupancy increased with wetland age, from < 25% for wetlands 1–2years old to ∼75% for wetlands > 11 years old. A two-year survey (2014 and 2015) of ten wetlands restored in 2013showed that nine were occupied after two years; we did not find a relationship between distance to the nearest salamander population and occupancy of newly restored wetlands by salamanders. We tracked 30 salamanders after they left their breeding wetlands for an average of 69637 d (range 5 14–109 d) and relocated them a total of 393 times. Typically, once a salamander left its breeding wetland, it traveled 50–350 m over several days, found a suitable burrow, then remained for much of the rest of the season. Mean daily distances traveled by salamanders were 7.965.6 m(range 5 0–135 m); the range of maximum straight-line distances moved was 26–659 m; only one individual salamander traveled in a statistically linear path, relative to a random walk. While ∼90% of the landscape was composed of row-crop fields, salamanders used protective grassy habitats (e.g., restored prairie, road ditches) on ∼88% of our observations. Only three salamanders used row-crop fields, and two of them were killed by heavy equipment. Regardless of the terrestrial habitat types used by salamanders, we found them underground on 336 (84.8%) of our observations.
Barshinger, C.E., M.A. Eggleton, and J.J. Spurgeon. 2024. Use of otolith microchemistry to determine natal origin for silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in the lower Mississippi River basin. Biological Invasions.	June 2024
Barrile, G.M., D.J. Augustine, L.M. Porensky, C.J. Duchardt, K.T. Shoemaker, C.R. Hartway, J.D. Derner, E.A. Hunter, and A.D. Davidson. 2023. A big data–model integration approach for predicting epizootics and population recovery in a keystone species. Ecological Applications 33: e2827.	February 2023
Barrile, G.M., A.W. Walters, M. Webster, and A.D. Chalfoun. 2021. Informed breeding dispersal following stochastic changes to patch quality in a pond-breeding amphibian. Journal of Animal Ecology 10.1111/1365-2656.13503 \| Abstract	April 2021	1. The unidirectional movement of animals between breeding locations (i.e., breeding dispersal) has profound implications for the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of spatially structured populations. In spatiotemporally variable environments, individuals are expected to adjust their dispersal decisions in accordance with fitness prospects in a given breeding patch.<br>2. A paucity of empirical work limits our understanding of the ability of animals to depart from low quality breeding patches and settle in high quality breeding patches (i.e., adaptive breeding dispersal). We examined the capacity of individuals to respond to stochastic changes in habitat quality via adaptive breeding dispersal in a pond-breeding amphibian.<br>3. We conducted a five-year (2015–2019) capture-recapture study of boreal toads <i>Anaxyrus boreas boreas</i> (<i>n</i> = 1100) that breed in beaver ponds in western Wyoming, USA. During early spring of 2017, an extreme flooding event destroyed several beaver dams and resulted in the loss of breeding habitat. We used multi-state models to investigate how temporal changes in pond characteristics influenced breeding dispersal and determined whether movement decisions were adaptive with respect to prospects for reproductive fitness.<br>4. Boreal toads exhibited adaptive breeding dispersal; individuals more often departed from low quality breeding ponds (without successful metamorphosis) and settled in high quality breeding ponds (with successful metamorphosis). Movement decisions were associated with pond characteristics altered as a result of beaver dam destruction, including decreases in pond depth and increased emergent vegetation. Individuals were more likely to depart from shallow ponds with high vegetation cover and settle in deep ponds with low vegetation cover. Similarly, the probability of metamorphosis was greater in deep ponds with low vegetation cover, suggesting boreal toads may use pond depth and vegetation cover as cues to assess the fitness prospects of a breeding patch and adjust movement decisions accordingly.<br>5. We demonstrate that stochastic variability in environmental conditions and habitat quality can underpin dispersal behavior in amphibians. Our study highlights the mechanistic linkages between habitat change, movement behavior, and reproductive success, which is critical to our understanding of how wild animals respond to rapid environmental change.
Barrile, G.M., A.D. Chalfoun, A.W. Walters. 2021. Infection status as the basis for habitat choices in a wild amphibian. American Naturalist 197: 128-137. https://doi.org/10.1086/711927 \| Abstract	January 2021	Animals challenged with disease may select speciﬁchabitat conditions that help prevent or reduce infection. Whereas preinfection avoidance of habitats with a high risk of disease expo- sure has been documented in both captive and free-ranging animals, evidence of switching habitats after infection to support the clearing of the infection is limited to laboratory experiments. The extent to which wild animals proximately modify habitat choices in response to infection status thus remains unclear. We investigated preinfection behavioral avoidance and postinfection habitat switching using wild, radio-tracked boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) in a population challenged with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a pathogenic fungus responsible for a catastrophic panzootic affecting hundreds of amphibian species worldwide. Boreal toads did not preemptively avoid microhabitats with conditions conducive to Bd growth. Infected individuals, however, selected warmer, more open habitats, which were associated with elevated body temperature and the subsequent clear- ing of infection. Our results suggest that disease can comprise an im- portant selective pressure on animal habitat and space use. Habitat selection models, therefore, may be greatly improved by including variables that quantify infection risk and/or the infection status ofindividuals through time.<br><br><br>
Barrile, G.M., A.D. Chalfoun, A.W. Walters. 2021. Infection status as the basis for habitat choices in a wild amphibian. American Naturalist 197: 128-137. https://doi.org/10.1086/711927 \| Abstract	January 2021	Animals challenged with disease may select speciﬁchabitat conditions that help prevent or reduce infection. Whereas preinfection avoidance of habitats with a high risk of disease expo- sure has been documented in both captive and free-ranging animals, evidence of switching habitats after infection to support the clearing of the infection is limited to laboratory experiments. The extent to which wild animals proximately modify habitat choices in response to infection status thus remains unclear. We investigated preinfection behavioral avoidance and postinfection habitat switching using wild, radio-tracked boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) in a population challenged with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a pathogenic fungus responsible for a catastrophic panzootic affecting hundreds of amphibian species worldwide. Boreal toads did not preemptively avoid microhabitats with conditions conducive to Bd growth. Infected individuals, however, selected warmer, more open habitats, which were associated with elevated body temperature and the subsequent clear- ing of infection. Our results suggest that disease can comprise an im- portant selective pressure on animal habitat and space use. Habitat selection models, therefore, may be greatly improved by including variables that quantify infection risk and/or the infection status ofindividuals through time.
Barrile, G.M., A. D. Chalfoun, and A.W. Walters. 2021 Livestock grazing, climatic variation, and breeding phenology jointly shape disease dynamics and survival in a wild amphibian. Biological Conservation 261: 109247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109247 \| Abstract	July 2021	Wildlife responses to infectious disease can be influenced by environmental stressors that alter host-pathogen dynamics. We investigated how livestock grazing, climatic variation, and breeding phenology influence disease prevalence and annual survival in boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) populations challenged with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a fungal pathogen implicated in global amphibian declines. We conducted a five-year (2015–2019) capture-recapture study of boreal toads (n = 1301) inhabiting pastures grazed by cattle in western Wyoming, USA. We employed structural equation models to determine whether the effects of climatic variation on Bd prevalence were direct or mediated through effects on breeding phenology and multi-state models to explore the interplay of grazing, weather, and Bd infection on adult survival. Higher winter snowpack was linked with shorter spring breeding seasons, which were associated with lower Bd prevalence. Boreal toads infected with Bd suffered increased mortality, but only at relatively cool temperatures. Although cattle grazing created warmer microclimates, likely by reducing vegetation cover, grazing-induced habitat changes did not scale up to influence adult survival. Our results suggest that boreal toads in cooler environments face increased risk of disease-induced mortality, possibly because infected individuals are not able to elevate body temperature to reduce or clear infection. More generally, we demonstrate that host-pathogen dynamics can be shaped jointly by independent and interactive effects of livestock grazing, breeding season length, and climatic variation. Future investigations of wildlife responses to disease therefore may benefit from considering anthropogenic land use and climatic regimes, including the effect of weather on host phenology.
Barrile, G. M., Walters, A. W., and Chalfoun, A. D. 2022. Stage-specific environmental correlates of reproductive success in Boreal Toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas). Journal of Herpetology, 56(1), 34–44. https://doi.org/10.1670/21-023 \| Abstract	March 2022	Compensatory recruitment can facilitate the persistence of populations experiencing high adult mortality. Because early life-stages of many taxa, including amphibians, are difficult to mark and recapture, sources of variation in survival at these stages often are unknown, which creates barriers to improving in<i> </i>situ recruitment rates. We leveraged count data and open N-mixture models to examine the environmental factors associated with the hatching of egg clutches, tadpole survival, and probability of metamorphosis in Boreal Toads (<i>Anaxyrus boreas boreas</i>) that inhabit pastures leased for cattle grazing in western Wyoming, USA. We conducted weekly surveys and measured a suite of environmental variables at 20 breeding ponds during May–September 2018. The hatching of egg clutches was most strongly related to pond surface area, as clutches often desiccated at smaller ponds. Weekly tadpole survival was lowest in ponds with a high abundance of aquatic predators. Predation did not preclude metamorphosis, however, which was more strongly associated with higher dissolved oxygen and vegetation cover. Cattle grazing reduced vegetation cover in and around breeding ponds, which resulted in lower levels of dissolved oxygen. Grazing-induced habitat changes therefore likely negatively influenced tadpole metamorphosis both via indirect effects on dissolved oxygen, and direct effects on vegetation cover, which also serves as feeding sites and escape cover from predators and reduces exposure to UV radiation. We demonstrate that the success of three critical phases in early life-stage development (egg hatching, tadpole survival, metamorphosis) was associated with different environmental factors. The inclusion of stage-specific responses in demographic analyses is therefore critical for a thorough understanding of what limits populations.
Barrile, G. M., Walters, A. W., and Chalfoun, A. D. 2022. Stage-specific environmental correlates of reproductive success in Boreal Toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas). Journal of Herpetology, 56(1), 34–44. https://doi.org/10.1670/21-023 \| Abstract	March 2022	Compensatory recruitment can facilitate the persistence of populations experiencing high adult mortality. Because early life-stages of many taxa, including amphibians, are difficult to mark and recapture, sources of variation in survival at these stages often are unknown, which creates barriers to improving in<i> </i>situ recruitment rates. We leveraged count data and open N-mixture models to examine the environmental factors associated with the hatching of egg clutches, tadpole survival, and probability of metamorphosis in Boreal Toads (<i>Anaxyrus boreas boreas</i>) that inhabit pastures leased for cattle grazing in western Wyoming, USA. We conducted weekly surveys and measured a suite of environmental variables at 20 breeding ponds during May–September 2018. The hatching of egg clutches was most strongly related to pond surface area, as clutches often desiccated at smaller ponds. Weekly tadpole survival was lowest in ponds with a high abundance of aquatic predators. Predation did not preclude metamorphosis, however, which was more strongly associated with higher dissolved oxygen and vegetation cover. Cattle grazing reduced vegetation cover in and around breeding ponds, which resulted in lower levels of dissolved oxygen. Grazing-induced habitat changes therefore likely negatively influenced tadpole metamorphosis both via indirect effects on dissolved oxygen, and direct effects on vegetation cover, which also serves as feeding sites and escape cover from predators and reduces exposure to UV radiation. We demonstrate that the success of three critical phases in early life-stage development (egg hatching, tadpole survival, metamorphosis) was associated with different environmental factors. The inclusion of stage-specific responses in demographic analyses is therefore critical for a thorough understanding of what limits populations.
Barrile, G. M.*, Chalfoun, A. D, Estes-Zumpf, W., and Walters, A. W. 2022. Wildfire influences individual growth and breeding dispersal, but not survival and recruitment in a montane amphibian. Ecosphere, 13(8), e4212. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4212	September 2022
Barrick, A., S. Parham, P. Johnson, S. Brewer, and T. Hoang. 2024. Sensitivity of Alabama Freshwater Gastropod Species to Nickel Exposure. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5985	September 2024
Barr, E.L., A. Silvis, M.P. Armstrong and W.M. Ford. 2021. White-nose syndrome and environmental correlates to landscape-scale bat presence. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 1–12; 2021; doi: 10.1002/wsb.1215	October 2021
Barnes, M.A. and Patiño, R. 2020. Predicting suitable habitat for dreissenid mussel invasion in Texas based on climatic and lake physical characteristics. Management of Biological Invasions 11: 63-79. \| Download	February 2020
Bard, S.M., and J.W. Cain III. 2020. Investigation of bed and den site selection by American black bears (Ursus americanus) in a landscape impacted by forest restoration treatments and wildfires. Forest Ecology and Management 460 Article 117904. \| Download	March 2020
Barbosa, S., K. Andrews, A. Goldberg, D. Singh-Gour, P. A. Hohenlohe, C. J. Conway, and L. Waits. 2021. The role of neutral and adaptive genomic variation in population diversification and speciation in two ground squirrel species of conservation concern. Molecular Ecology 30:4673–4694. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1111/mec.16096	September 2021
Barandongo, Z.R. A.C. Dolfi, Y-H. Huang, K. Rysava, S.A. Bruce, P.L. Kamath, H. van Heerden and W.C. Turner. 2023. The persistence of time: the lifespan of Bacillus anthracis spores in environmental reservoirs, Research in Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104029 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2023	Anthrax is a lethal bacterial zoonosis primarily affecting herbivorous wildlife and livestock. Upon host death<i> Bacillus anthracis</i> vegetative cells form spores capable of surviving for years in soil. Anthrax transmission requires host exposure to large spore doses. Thus, conditions that facilitate higher spore concentrations or promote spore survival will increase the probability that a pathogen reservoir infects future hosts. We investigated abiotic and pathogen genomic variation in relation to spore concentrations in soils at 40 plains zebra <i>(Equus quagga)</i> anthrax carcass sites in Namibia. Specifically, how initial spore concentrations and spore survival were affected by seasonality, temperature and rainfall associated with the timing of host mortality, local soil characteristics, and pathogen genomic variation. Zebras dying of anthrax in wet seasons—the peak season for anthrax—had soil spore concentrations 1.36 orders of magnitude higher than those that died in dry seasons. No other variables considered affected spore concentrations, and spore survival rates did not differ among sites. Soils at these pathogen reservoirs remained culture positive for 3.8 – 10.4 years. Future research could evaluate if seasonal patterns in spore concentrations are driven by differences in sporulation success or levels of terminal bacteremia.
Balint, S., M. Schwartz, D. N. Fowler, S. Linnekogel, C. Cromratie, and L Burkemper. 2024. Experimental assessment of elemental analyzer isotope ratio mass spectrometry normalization methodologies for environmental stable isotopes. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. Volume 38, Issue 17 https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.9837 \| Abstract	June 2024	<b>RATIONALE</b>: In stable isotope mass spectrometry, isotope values are normalized to internationally recognized reference scales using a combination of certified and in-house isotope reference materials. Numerous techniques exist for performing this normalization, but these methodologies need to be experimentally assessed to compare their impact on reproducibility of isotope results.<br><b>METHODS</b>: We tested normalization methods by the number of reference materials used, their matrix, their isotopic range, and whether normalization required extrapolating beyond the isotopic range. We analyzed 8 commercially-available isotope reference materials on a ThermoFinnigan Delta-V IRMS and Elementar VisION IRMS for nitrogen and carbon isotope composition via solid combustion with an elemental analyzer and computed every possible isotope normalization (<i>n</i> = 612). Additionally, we assessed how sample matrix impacted linearity effects on both instruments using 5 in-house reference materials.<br><b>RESULTS</b>: Normalizations exhibited the best performance when the reference materials spanned an isotopic range of at least 20‰, were matrix matched with the samples, and did not require extrapolation beyond the calibration curve. When these conditions were not met, the number of reference materials used had a significant effect on accuracy, with normalizations composed of two reference materials exhibiting particularly inconsistent performance at isotopic ranges below 20‰. Linearity effects were found to exceed instrument precision by two orders of magnitude irrespective of matrix type and were not predicted by working gas diagnostics.<br><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>: Interlaboratory comparability of isotope results are improved when operators of EAIRMS systems select reference materials spanning an isotopic range of at least 20‰. Additionally, using 3 or more isotopic reference materials, avoiding extrapolation beyond the range of the normalization curve, and matching the matrix of the reference materials to the samples improves normalizations.
Baldock, J.R., R. Al-Chokhachy, T.E. Walsworth, and A. Walters. 2023. Redd superimposition mediates the accuracy, precision, and significance of redd counts for cutthroat trout. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2022-0267	January 2023
Baldock, J.R., R. Al-Chokhachy, M.R. Campbell, and A.W. Walters. 2023. Timing of reproduction underlies fitness trade-offs for a salmonid fish. Oikos e10184 https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.10184	September 2023
Balantic, C., and T. Donovan. 2020. AMMonitor: Remote monitoring of biodiversity in an adaptive framework with R. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 11:869-877. DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.13397 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	April 2020	1. Ecological research and management programs are increasingly using autonomous monitoring units (AMUs) to collect large volumes of acoustic and/or photo data to address pressing management objectives or research goals. The data management requirements of an AMU-based monitoring effort are often overwhelming, with a considerable amount of processing to translate raw data into models and analyses that have research and management utility.<br><br>2. We created the r package AMMonitor to simplify the process of moving from remotely collected data to analysis and results, using a comprehensive SQLite database for data management that tracks all components of a remote monitoring program. This framework enables the tracking of analyses and research/ management objectives through time.<br><br>3. We illustrate the AMMonitor approach with the example of evaluating an occurrence-based management objective for a target species. First, we provide an overview of the database and data management approach. Next, we illustrate a few available workflows: temporally adaptive sampling, automated detection of species sounds from acoustic recordings and aggregation of automated detections into an encounter history for use in an occupancy analysis, the outcome of which can be analysed with respect to the motivating management objective.<br><br>4. Without a comprehensive framework for efficiently moving from raw remote monitoring data collection to results and analysis, monitoring programs are limited in their capacity to systematically characterize ecological processes and inform management decisions through time. AMMonitor provides an option for such a framework. Code, comprehensive documentation and step-by-step examples are available online at https://code.usgs.gov/vtcfwru/AMMonitor
Baker, M. A., E. C. Ingram, D. L. Higginbotham, B. J. Irwin, and A. G. Fox. 2023. Refining capture-recapture recruitment estimation methods for Atlantic Sturgeon. Endangered Species Research 51: 203-214. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01250 \| Abstract	July 2023	<sup>The Atlantic Sturgeon (<i>Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus</i>) was once of great commercial importance in many coastal rivers of the eastern U.S.A. Over the 19<sup>th</sup>–20<sup>th</sup> centuries, most historical stocks of Atlantic Sturgeon were depleted by human activities. Estimating recruitment for the remaining populations is challenging due to sampling constraints, limited age data, and natural variability. However, recruitment estimates could inform recovery efforts. The objectives of this study were to compare two modeling approaches to estimate recruitment of age-1 Atlantic Sturgeon and provide an updated index of abundance across more than a decade of sampling in the Altamaha River, GA. First, we constructed capture histories of river-resident juveniles, using capture-mark-recapture data collected from 2008–2020, and assigned ages based on length-frequency analysis. Second, we compared more traditional Huggins closed population models and a recent nonlinear extension of Huggins models – vector generalized additive models (VGAMs) – to estimate abundance of age-1 fish. Both model types suggested similar yearly age-1 abundance estimates, which varied from 163 in 2017 to 3,839 in 2010, but the VGAMs provided more direct interpretation for factors that might affect capture probability (e.g., sampling effort, temperature, fish length). This study indicates that the Altamaha River Atlantic Sturgeon population has remained relatively stable over the past decade, and provides a long-term baseline which will better allow managers to assess the effects of either future restoration actions or environmental disturbances on the population.</sup>
Baebler, E. N., C. P. Paukert, M. D. Lobb III, B. Landwer, and T. W. Bonnot. 2020. Seasonal selection of riverine habitat by Spotted Bass and Shorthead Redhorse in a regulated river in the Midwestern U.S. River Research and Applications: doi.org/10.1002/rra.3637	April 2020
Baden, A, Oliveras, J, and Gerber, BD. 2021. Sex-segregated range use by black-andwhiteruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.Folia Primatologica, 92, 12-34. https://doi.org/10.1159/000510965	November 2020
Bach, Bryan H., et al. "Identifying individual ungulates from fecal DNA: a comparison of field collection methods to maximize efficiency, ease, and success." Mammalian Biology (2022): 1-12. \| Abstract	February 2022	Non-invasive genetic sampling can facilitate the identification of individual animals across a landscape, with applications to management and conservation. Fecal material is a readily available source of DNA, and various methods exist for collecting fecal samples for DNA preservation. In particular, swab methods offer considerable promise, but their utility in real-world field contexts remains relatively untested. We systematically compared multiple genetic fecal sampling methods across all stages of data collection and analysis, including sampling in the field, DNA extraction in the lab, and identification of individuals using microsatellite genotyping. We collected 112 fecal samples from black-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus columbianus</i>) in the field in Mendocino County, California, across a range of sample conditions of unknown age. We systematically compared the efficiency, ease, and genotyping success of three methods for field collection and storage of ungulate fecal samples: whole pellets in ethanol, whole dry pellets in paper envelopes, and cotton swabs in buffer. Storage method, sample condition, and their interaction predicted genotyping success in the top binomial GLMMs. We found that swabbing pellets resulted in the greatest percentage of individually identifiable genotypes (81%, compared to 60% for dry samples and 56% for ethanol), despite lower DNA concentrations. While swabbing pellets requires a greater time investment in the field, the samples are easier and safer to store and transport, and subsequent labwork is more efficient as compared to whole-pellet collection methods. We, therefore, recommend the swab method for most contexts. We provide additional recommendations and field protocols based on subsequent collection of 2284 swab samples for a larger monitoring study of the deer population, given that this large number of samples spanned a range of sample conditions and time spent in storage.
B Folt, J Goessling, AM Tucker, C Guyer, S Hermann, E Shelton-Nix, CP McGowan. 2021. Contrasting patterns of demography and population viability among gopher tortoise populations in Alabama. Journal of Wildlife Management 85(4): 617–630.	June 2021
Avila, B.W., K.P. Huyvaert, D.L. Winkelman, and E.R. Fetherman. Factors affecting post-challenge survival of Flavobacterium psychrophilum in susceptible Rainbow Trout. Pathogens 2022, 11, 1318 DOI:10.3390/pathogens11111318 \| Download	August 2022
Avila, B.W., D.L. Winkelman, and E.R. Fetherman. Biotic and abiotic factors affecting survival of two Rainbow Trout strains. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43:786-793. DOI:10.1002/nafm.10895 \| Download	March 2023
Avila B.W., D.L. Winkelman, and E.R. Fetherman. 2022. Dual Resistance to Flavobacterium psychrophilum and Myxobolus cerebralis in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) . Journal of Fish Diseases DOI:10.1111/jfd.13605 \| Abstract \| Download	February 2022	Aquatic pathogens are a major concern for fish hatchery production, fisheries management, and conservation, and disease control needs to be addressed. Two important salmonid pathogens are <i>Myxobolus cerebralis</i> and <i>Flavobacterium psychrophilum</i> that cause whirling disease and bacterial coldwater disease (BCWD), respectively. Innate disease resistance is a potential option for reducing disease-related mortality in hatchery-reared rainbow trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>, Walbaum). Two experiments were conducted to assess pathogen resistance of first-generation (F1) rainbow trout created by crossing <i>M. cerebralis</i>- and <i>F. psychrophilum</i>-resistant strains. In the first experiment, we exposed two rainbow trout strains and one F1 cross to six treatments: control (no exposure), mock injection, F. psychrophilum only, <i>M. cerebrali</i>s only, <i>F. psychrophilum</i> then <i>M. cerebralis</i>, and <i>M. cerebralis</i> then <i>F. psychrophilum</i>. Results indicated that the F1 cross was not resistant to either pathogen. In the second experiment, we exposed five rainbow trout strains and four rainbow trout crosses to <i>F. psychrophilum</i>. The second experiment indicated that at least one rainbow trout cross was <i>F. psychrophilum</i>-resistant. Achieving dual resistance may be possible using selective breeding but only some multigenerational strains are suitable candidates for further evaluation.
Ausband, D.E., and S.B. Bassing. 2024. Helpers show plasticity in their responses to breeder turnover. Behavioral Ecology. 35: arae048, https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arae048 \| Abstract	June 2024	Nonbreeding helpers can greatly improve the survival of young and reproductive fitness of breeders in many cooperatively breeding species. Breeder turnover, in turn, can have profound effects on dispersal decisions made by helpers. Despite its importance in explaining group size and predicting population demography of cooperative breeders, our current understanding of how individual traits influence animal behavior after disruptions to social structure is incomplete particularly for terrestrial mammals. We used >10 years of genetic sampling and group pedigrees of gray wolves (<i>Canis lupus</i>) in Idaho, USA, to ask questions about how breeder turnover affected the apparent decisions by mature helpers (>2 year old) to stay or leave a group. We found that helpers showed plasticity in their responses to breeder turnover. Most notably, helpers varied by sex and appeared to base dispersal decisions on the sex of the breeder that was lost as well. Male and female helpers stayed in a group slightly more often when there was breeder turnover of the same sex. Males, however, appeared to remain in a group less often when there was breeding female turnover likely because such vacancies were typically filled by related females from the males’ natal group (i.e., inbreeding avoidance). We show that helpers exploit instability in the breeding pair to secure future breeding opportunities for themselves. The confluence of breeder turnover, helper sex, and dispersal and breeding strategies merge to influence group composition in gray wolves.
Ausband, D.E., and M.S. Mitchell. 2021. The effect of group size on reproduction in cooperatively breeding gray wolves depends on density. Animal Conservation. 24: 994-1000. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12701	May 2021
Ausband, D.E., and L.Waits. 2020. Does harvest affect genetic diversity in gray wolves? Molecular Ecology. 29: 3187-3195. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15552	March 2020
Ausband, D.E., and L.D. Mech. 2023. The challenges of success: Future wolf conservation and management in the United States. BioScience. 73: 587-591. \| Abstract	August 2023	Gray wolf<i> </i>(<i>Canis lupus</i>) recovery and conservation has been an unprecedented success over the last 30 years in the United States (U.S.). Unprecedented success yields unprecedented challenges, however. As populations expand, wolves will colonize more human-dominated landscapes and face numerous challenges such as fragmented habitats, barriers to dispersal, and increased encounters with humans, pets, and livestock. In such areas, conflicts between humans and wolves will increase. We summarize several major scientific and social challenges that wolf conservation, recovery, and management will face in the coming years. Additionally, we suggest actions to help address each challenge. Future wolf conservation in the U.S. will be affected by the ability of managers to 1) predict colonization and dispersal dynamics, 2) reduce hybridization and disease transmission, 3) mitigate and deter wolf-livestock conflicts, 4) harvest wolves sustainably while satisfying diverse stakeholders, 5) ensure that urbanization or disinterest in nature do not reduce tolerance for wolves, and 6) engage diverse stakeholders in wolf conservation to avoid management by ballot initiative or legislative and judicial decrees.
Ausband, D.E., and J. M. Krohner. 2022. Carnivores in color: Pelt color patterns among carnivores in Idaho. Journal of Mammalogy. 103: 598-607. doi: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab166.	March 2022
Ausband, D.E., S.J. Thompson, B.A. Oates, S.B. Roberts, M.A. Hurley, and M.A. Mumma. 2023. Examining dynamic occupancy of gray wolves in Idaho after a decade of managed harvest. Journal of Wildlife Management. 87:e22453. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22453. \| Abstract	June 2023	Gray wolves (<i>Canis lupus</i>) were reintroduced to Idaho, USA, in 1995–1996. The removal of Endangered Species Act protections in 2011 transferred wolf management to the state where wolves were subsequently classified as a harvested (i.e., hunted and trapped) big game species. We implemented a camera-based survey across Idaho from 2016–2021 as part of a population monitoring program and used the resulting camera trap images in a multi-year, dynamic occupancy model to assess influences on wolf distribution. Our objective was to understand how habitat, prey, humans, harvest, and livestock and prey-related wolf removals affected wolf occupancy, as well as colonization and extinction of areas between years. Wolf occupancy did not change appreciably over the course of our study, with an estimated high of 0.44 (SE = 0.03) in 2018 and a low of 0.39 (SE = 0.03) in 2020. Wolf colonization (i.e., probability that a cell switched from unoccupied to occupied between years) was positively associated with forest cover, images of humans, and percent of neighboring cells that were occupied. Cell extinction (i.e., probability of switching from occupied to unoccupied between years) was negatively associated with neighboring cell occupancy. There was a non-linear relationship between wolf harvest and both colonization and extinction. Wolf harvest often occurs in areas where wolves are abundant or in areas of repeat conflict (e.g., areas where recolonizing wolves are repeatedly removed due to conflicts with livestock). Thus, harvest is linked with local wolf abundance at lower levels of mortality, but higher levels of mortality reduce the probability of colonization while increasing the probability of local extinction. Our results indicate that although harvest might influence wolf occupancy at local scales, wolves remained widely distributed throughout Idaho after more than a decade of harvest.
Ausband, D.E., S.B. Bassing, and M.S. Mitchell. 2020. Environmental and social influences on wolf howling behavior. Ethology. 126:890-899. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.13041	June 2020
Ausband, D.E., P.F. Rebholz, and L. Petrillo. 2024. The effects of human-caused mortality on mammalian cooperative breeders: a synthesis. Biological Reviews. doi: 10.1111/brv.13133.	September 2024
Ausband, D.E., P.F. Rebholz, S. Riley, and J. Moriarty. 2024. Treat yourself: Pilot testing a new method to treat mange in wild carnivores. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 60:507-512.	April 2024
Ausband, D.E., P. Lukacs, M. Hurley, S. Roberts, K. Strickfaden, and A. Moeller. 2022. Estimating wolf abundance from cameras. Ecosphere. 13:e3933. \| Abstract	February 2022	Monitoring the abundance of rare carnivores is a daunting task for wildlife biologists. Many carnivore populations persist at relatively low densities, public interest is high, and the need for rigorous data is great. Recent advances in trail camera technology provide an unprecedented opportunity for biologists to monitor rare species economically. Few studies, however, have conducted rigorous analyses of our ability to estimate abundance of low-density carnivores with cameras. We used remotely triggered trail cameras and a space to event model to estimate gray wolf (<i>Canis lupus</i>) abundance across three study areas in Idaho, USA, 2016-2018. We compared abundance estimates between cameras and noninvasive genetic sampling that had been extensively tested in our study areas. Estimates of mean wolf abundance from camera and genetic surveys were within 22% of one another and 95% CI’s overlapped in 2 of the 3 years. Camera surveys were less than half the cost of genetic surveys once initial camera purchases were made. Our results suggest that cameras can be a viable method for estimating wolf abundance across broad landscapes.
Ausband, D.E. 2024. Lifetime reproductive characteristics of gray wolves. Journal of Mammalogy. gyae042, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyae042 \| Abstract	May 2024	Males and female cooperative breeders can use different strategies to maximize reproduction and fitness over their lifetimes. Answering questions about the combined effects of mate selection, group size, and genetic diversity on lifetime reproductive success often requires long-term studies. Despite the potentially negative effects of mortality on group-living animals, many of the exemplary long-term studies on cooperative breeders have been conducted on species that are not harvested. Gray wolves (<i>Canis lupus</i>) are cooperative breeders that are hunted annually in Idaho, USA. I asked how breeding tenure, number of mates, and young produced varied over a lifetime as a function of the genetic diversity of breeders and their relatedness to helpers, group size, and sex of the breeder in a hunted population of gray wolves. Wolves who secured breeding positions generally bred for two seasons and had more than one partner if they were able to maintain their breeding position longer. The minimum lifetime reproductive output averaged approximately 9.5 pups for both males and females but varied greatly among individuals. The genetic relatedness between breeders and helpers in a group appeared to benefit lifetime reproductive output suggesting kin selection positively influences reproduction in wolves. Female wolves with above average lifetime reproductive output appeared to benefit from sharing breeding opportunities with other females in the group. Sharing breeding within a group may benefit a dominant breeder because it increases cooperation and may reduce the chance of being wholly overthrown by subordinate female(s). This may be particularly true when the individuals sharing breeding are genetically related, as found for wolves in my study. Sharing of breeding opportunities rarely lasted longer than one season, however, thus there may be limits to how much cooperation such sharing produces over the long-term.
Ausband, D.E. 2022. Offspring sex ratios are male-biased reflecting sex-biased dispersal in Idaho, USA, wolves. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 76: doi.org/10.1007/s00265-022-03243. \| Abstract	September 2022	Offspring sex ratios can vary widely across species and the reasons for such variation have long intrigued ecologists. For group-living animals, predicting offspring sex ratios as a function of group and environmental characteristics can be challenging. Additionally, mortality of group members can upend traditional theory used to explain offspring sex ratios observed in populations. Gray wolves (<i>Canis lupus</i>) in Idaho, USA, are an excellent study species for asking questions about offspring sex ratios given their group-living behavior and persistent exposure to human-caused mortality. I hypothesized that offspring sex ratios would be influenced by characteristics of individuals, groups, and populations. I generated genotypes for 419 adult and 400 pup wolves during 2008-2018. There was a significant male-bias in litters of wolf pups with nearly 12% more male pups born than females. The individual, group, and population variables I considered did not have significant associations with offspring sex ratios. Local resource competition helped explain offspring sex ratios in wolves in my study system, but not local resource enhancement theory. Although female helpers have been shown to help slightly more than males, offspring sex ratios did not favor the helping sex suggesting that the overall benefit of female helpers may have been negligible in wolf groups during my study. Three wolf groups consistently overproduced males, the dispersing sex, suggesting that habitat quality was poor on their territories. The male-biased offspring sex ratios observed throughout this population reflect sex-biased dispersal in wolves in Idaho. Such a pattern suggests breeding females may be reducing local resource competition (e.g., mates and successful reproduction) by producing more males than females.
Ausband, D.E. 2022. Inherit the kingdom or storm the castle? Breeding strategies in gray wolves. Ethology. 128:152-158. \| Abstract	January 2022	<br>1. Breeding opportunities are inherently limited for animals that live and breed in groups. Individuals use various strategies to secure breeding positions in such populations ranging from inheritance within their group to dispersing to an existing group or establishing a new group. Turnover in breeding positions can have marked effects on groups of cooperative breeders, particularly social carnivores.<br>2. We generally know little about how breeding vacancies are filled and what factors might influence an individual’s ability to successfully fill a vacancy.<br>3. I used data from gray wolves to ask whether breeding vacancies were filled by individuals from within groups or by adoptees from outside the group. I hypothesized sex, group size, and genetic relatedness would influence how breeding vacancies were filled.<br>4. Across 37 breeding vacancies, females were three times more likely than males to inherit breeding positions within their group. Group size did not influence whether a breeding vacancy was filled by an adoptee or inherited by an individual from within the group. Genetic relatedness, however, was 30% higher in groups when females were adopted into breeding positions than when they inherited breeding positions from within groups.<br>5. Female wolves appear to bide their time waiting for a breeding position thus, they may be expected to show more helping behavior than males in their natal groups. Increased body size can be advantageous for males to secure a breeding position in a new group thus, males may act selfishly and consume more food and provision pups or help less in their natal group. Dispersing and monopolizing a breeding position is not the only avenue to increased fitness, however. Male wolves can also gain fitness benefits from extra-pair paternity while waiting for breeding vacancies to open elsewhere as has been observed in this population. Because of their strong reliance on dispersal to secure a breeding position, male wolves appear to be the primary vector promoting genetic diversity in populations of gray wolves.
Ausband, D.E. 2022. Genetic diversity and mate selection in a reintroduced population of gray wolves. Scientific Reports. 12:535. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-04449-4 \| Abstract	January 2022	The genetic composition of an individual can markedly affect its survival, reproduction, and ultimately fitness. As some wildlife populations become smaller, conserving genetic diversity will be a conservation challenge. Many imperiled species are already supported through population augmentation efforts and we often do not know if or how genetic diversity is maintained in translocated species. I wanted to know if genetic diversity remained high in a population of gray wolves > 20 years after reintroduction. Additionally, I wanted to know if a potential mechanism for such diversity was individuals with below average genetic diversity choosing mates with above average diversity. Further, I hypothesized that mated pairs with above average heterozygosity would have increased survival of young. Females with below average heterozygosity did not choose mates with above average heterozygosity and pup survival was not higher for mated pairs with above average heterozygosity. The dominant variables predicting pup survival were harvest rate and years pairs were mated. Ultimately, genetic diversity (i.e., heterozygosity) was 7% higher > 20 years after reintroduction. The mechanism for maintaining such diversity does not appear related to individuals preferentially choosing more genetically diverse mates, however.
Ausband, D.E. 2021. Wolf use of humanmade objects during pup-rearing. Animal Behavior and Cognition. 8: 405-414. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26451/abc.08.03.06.2021 \| Abstract	August 2021	Some animals use humanmade objects for building and constructing nests or shelter and even for play. Gray wolves (<i>Canis lupus</i>) gather and use humanmade objects discovered in their natural environment. Gathering humanmade objects is a peculiar behavior particularly when there is no immediately apparent benefit to survival or reproduction. I opportunistically documented 46 different types of humanmade objects with plastic bottles and aluminum cans being the most common item found at wolf pup-rearing sites. Many objects were made of materials that appeared suitable to alleviate pain in teething pups. For some objects, however, it was not immediately obvious that they would alleviate teething pain due to their unpliable material. Additionally, such objects were quite rare in wolves’ natural environment although it was not uncommon to find them at pup-rearing sites. Rare humanmade objects may provide a novelty that stimulates pups more than common objects. I hypothesize that objects used by wolf pups 1) alleviate pain from teething, and 2) provide adults respite from energetic pups. The latter is an important distinction because it implies the benefit of object play is to the adults and not the juveniles per se. Gathering novel objects that occupy energetic and hungry pups may influence the overall ability of social carnivores to leave young unattended while they hunt, to rest upon their return, and ultimately rear young successfully.
Ausband, D. E. and M. S. Mitchell. Submitted. The effect of group size on recruitment depends on population density in a cooperatively breeding carnivore. Journal of Animal Ecology.	April 2021
Augusto da Silva Coelho, F., S. Gill, C. M. Tomlin, M. Papavassiliou, S. D. Farley, J. A. Cook, S. A. Sonsthagen, G. K. Sage, T. H. Heaton, S. L. Talbot, and C. Lindqvist. 2023. Ancient bears provide insights into Pleistocene ice age refugia in Southeast Alaska. Molecular Ecology. 32:3641-3656. doi.org/10.1111/mec.16960	April 2023
Augustine, B.C., J.A. Royle, D.W. Linden, and A.K. Fuller. 2020. Spatial proximity moderates genotype uncertainty in genetic tagging studies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.01.01.892463 \| Abstract	July 2020	Accelerating declines of an increasing number of animal populations worldwide necessitate methods to reliably and efficiently estimate demographic parameters such as population density and trajectory. Standard methods for estimating demographic parameters from noninvasive genetic samples are inefficient because lower-quality samples cannot be used, and they assume individuals are identified without error. We introduce the genotype spatial partial identity model (gSPIM), which integrates a genetic classification model with a spatial population model to combine both spatial and genetic information, thus reducing genotype uncertainty and increasing the precision of demographic parameter estimates. We apply this model to data from a study of fishers (<i>Pekania pennanti</i>) in which 37% of hair samples were originally discarded because of uncertainty in individual identity. The gSPIM density estimate using all collected samples was 25% more precise than the original density estimate, and the model identified and corrected three errors in the original individual identity assignments. A simulation study demonstrated that our model increased the accuracy and precision of density estimates 63 and 42%, respectively, using three replicated assignments (e.g., PCRs for microsatellites) per genetic sample. Further, the simulations showed that the gSPIM model parameters are identifiable with only one replicated assignment per sample and that accuracy and precision are relatively insensitive to the number of replicated assignments for high-quality samples. Current genotyping protocols devote the majority of resources to replicating and confirming high-quality samples, but when using the gSPIM, genotyping protocols could be more efficient by devoting more resources to low-quality samples.
Aubin, G.R., C.C. Nye, J.H. Rohm, T. Stamps, W.M. Ford and M.J. Cherry. 2022. Survival of White-tailed Deer Fawns on Marine Corps Base Quantico. Journal of Wildlife Management https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22180.	March 2022
Arthur, D.E., Falke, J.A., Blain-Roth, B.J., and T.M. Sutton. Alaskan Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) fecundity revealed through an automated egg count and digital imagery method.	May 2022
Arnold, L., M. D. Scheuerell, and T. Busch Isaksen. 2022. Mortality associated with extreme heat in Washington State: The historical and projected public health burden. Atmosphere 13: 1392. https:// doi.org/10.3390/atmos13091392 \| Download	August 2022
Armstrong, B.A.W., C.A. Caldwell, M.E. Ruhl, and J.H. Bohling. Stream-wide evaluation of survival and reproduction of M_YY and wild Brook Trout populations. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. .doi:10.1002/nafm.10844 \| Abstract	September 2022	Brook Trout (<i>Salvelinus fontinalis</i>) have been widely introduced across the western U.S. where the species competes with and often replaces native salmonids. Non-native Brook Trout are difficult to eradicate; thus, complementary removal strategies are needed to manage invasive populations. One novel methodology is the M<sub>YY</sub> integrated pest management approach, which couples partial removal of a wild Brook Trout population with the stocking of M<sub>YY</sub> Brook Trout. If M<sub>YY</sub> fish survive to reproduce with wild female Brook Trout, their progeny will be 100% male, which will shift the sex ratio and theoretically extirpate the population. However, the effectiveness of the approach depends on the survival and reproduction of M<sub>YY</sub> fish relative to the surviving wild conspecifics. From 2018–2020, we annually removed 50% of the wild Brook Trout populations from three streams and replaced with fingerling M<sub>YY</sub> Brook Trout (mean TL = 94 mm, range = 61–123 mm). Annual survival for M<sub>YY</sub> and wild Brook Trout was similar in Leandro Creek (M<sub>YY</sub> 0.63 and wild 0.63) and Rito de los Piños (M<sub>YY</sub> 0.37 and wild 0.46), but lower in Placer Creek (M<sub>YY</sub> 0.28 and wild 0.75). We evaluated the reproductive success of M<sub>YY</sub> Brook Trout by comparing sexually mature M<sub>YY</sub> fish during the spawning season to hybrid (M<sub>YY</sub> x wild) F<sub>1 </sub>progeny produced in 2019 and 2020. By the second spawning season (2020), M<sub>YY</sub> fish comprised 59.8%, 50.4%, and 34.5% of the milt producing Brook Trout, which resulted in 55.1%, 33.3%, and 0% hybrid progeny in Leandro Creek, Rito de los Piños, and Placer Creek, respectively. We demonstrated M<sub>YY</sub> fish exhibit similar vital rates compared to wild conspecifics; however, differences among streams highlights unforeseen variables that influence M<sub>YY</sub> survival and reproduction. The study offers promising results of the M<sub>YY</sub> approach to eradicate unwanted Brook Trout populations.
Anthony, CR, LJ Foster, CA Hagen, and KM Dugger. 2021. Acute and lagged fitness consequences for a sagebrush obligate in a post mega-wildfire landscape. Ecology and Evolution 2021;00:1-12, DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8488	December 2021
Anthony, C.R., C.A. Hagen, K.M. Dugger, and R.D. Elmore. 2021. Greater Sage-Grouse nest bowls buffer microclimate in a post-megafire landscape although effects on nest survival are marginal. Ornithological Applications 123:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duaa068.	February 2021
Anthony, C.R., C.A. Hagen, K.M. Dugger, and R.D. Elmore. 2020. The effects of fire on the thermal environment of sagebrush communities. Journal of Thermal Biology 89:102488, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.102488">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.102488	February 2020
Annis, W.K., Hunter, E.A., and J.M. Carroll. 2022. Within-marsh and landscape features structure ribbed mussel distribution in Georgia, USA, marshes. Estuaries and Coasts. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-022-01090-w \| Abstract	June 2022	Context<br>For species distribution modeling to be most effective, models often require inputs across multiple spatial scales. Validated models can help locate sites for restoration efforts and management strategies. Ribbed mussels are marsh fauna that are sought after for use in coastal habitat management and restoration due to beneficial interactions with marsh fauna.<br>Objectives<br>To improve mussel restoration efforts, it is imperative to understand the environmental factors that drive mussel distributions to be able to predict areas where restoration will be successful.<br>This study sought to estimate the effects of within-marsh (4m) and landscape (500m) factors on mussel distribution.<br>Methods<br>Mussel densities were surveyed at 11 sites along the coast of Georgia, USA, and overlaid with spatial data for within-marsh factors (elevation, distance to marsh features, slope) as well as landscape factors (percent cover of creek, forest, and development). The distribution model was then validated using three previously unsurvey marshes.<br>Results<br>The model explained 55% of variance in mussel abundance. Mussel densities were most sensitive to changes in elevation but were also sensitive to changes in distance to subtidal creeks and percent cover of forests. Highest mussel densities were found in mid elevation areas, far from subtidal creeks and in marshes surrounded with forest.<br>Conclusion<br>The species distribution model developed for ribbed mussels was affected by factors on both scales examined, highlighting the importance of including multiscale factors these models. This work suggests that restoration should focus on appropriate elevations and at locations away from the marsh-creek ecotone.
Annaratone, B., C. Larson, C. Prater, A. Dowling, D.D. Magoulick, and M.A. Evans-White. 2023. Predicting habitat and distribution of an Interior Highlands regional endemic winter stonefly (Allocapnia mohri) in Arkansas using random forest models. Hydrobiology 2:196–211. doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology2010013	February 2023
Anlauf-Dunn, K., B.J. Clemens, M.R. Falcy, and C. Zambory. 2024. Spatio-temporal distribution of adult Pacific lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus relative to habitat fragmentation. River Research Applications 1-14. \| Abstract	July 2024	Pacific lamprey (<i>Entosphenus tridentatus</i>), a fish species native to the Pacific Northwest (USA), have distinctive cultural and ecological value. In this study, we used counts of Pacific lamprey redds, adults, and adult carcasses to understand the species’ distribution, abundance and occurrence, and access across the Oregon Coast. Potential barriers (i.e., dams, culverts) were cumulatively tallied through the network of streams in each coastal basin, from the Pacific Ocean to the headwaters, and used as a model covariate to understand how they might impede access to habitats and alter distribution. Based on the best supported model, lamprey abundance was generally lower in high gradient streams that were further from the ocean. A north-south gradient was evident, with more northerly reaches and those with higher total spring precipitation in the Oregon Coast observing lower abundance overall. In addition, locations with lower winter precipitation had a lower probability of lamprey occurrence. The total number of potential barriers encountered was included as a predictor in the best model, with lamprey occurrence decreasing as encounters with potential barriers along the stream network increased. Beyond understanding distribution throughout Oregon coastal basins, one of the goals of this analysis was to identify locations where barrier removal or restoration could benefit Pacific lamprey populations by increasing the probability of passage and thus access to upstream habitats. We found that focusing restoration and/ or removal of barriers on watersheds in the Mid-South region of the Oregon Coast (i.e., Alsea, Coos, Coquille, Sixes rivers and the Umpqua to a lesser extent) could prioritize use of limited funds, increasing the probability of benefiting Pacific lamprey and potentially other native lampreys and migratory (e.g., salmon, steelhead; <i>Oncorhynchus</i>) species.
Angermeier, P.L., L.A. Krometis, M.J. Stern, and T.L. Hemby. 2021. Exploring relationships among stream health, human well-being, and demographics in Virginia, USA. Ecological Indicators 121 107194. DOI.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107194.	February 2021
Angeler, D. G., B. C. Chaffin, S. M. Sundstrom, A. Garmestani, K. L. Pope, D. R. Uden, D. Twidwell, and C. R. Allen. 2020. Coerced regimes: management challenges in the Anthropocene. Ecology and Society 25(1):4. \| Download	January 2020
Andres KA, Sethi SA, Lodge D, Andres J. (2021) Nuclear eDNA estimates population allele frequencies and abundance in experimental mesocosms and field samples. Molecular Ecology, 30:658-697. \| Abstract	February 2021	Advances in environmental DNA (eDNA) methodologies have led to improvements in the ability to detect species and communities in aquatic environments, yet the majority of studies emphasize biological diversity at the species level by targeting variable sites within the mitochondrial genome. Here, we demonstrate that eDNA approaches also have the capacity to detect intraspecific diversity in the nuclear genome, allowing for assessments of population-level genetic diversity and estimates of the number of genetic contributors in a sample. Using a panel of microsatellite loci, we evaluated intraspecific genetic diversity in the round goby (<i>Neogobius melanostomus</i>) using eDNA samples from experimental mesocosms. First, we tested the similarity between eDNA and individual tissue-based estimates of allele frequencies. Subsequently, we used a likelihood-based DNA mixture framework to estimate the number of unique genetic contributors in mesocosm eDNA samples and in simulated mixtures of alleles. Allele frequencies from eDNA accurately reflected allele frequencies from genotyped round goby tissue samples, indicating nuclear markers can be reliably amplified from water samples under controlled conditions. DNA mixture analyses were able to estimate the number of genetic contributors from eDNA samples and simulated mixtures of DNA from up to 58 individuals, with the degree of positive or negative bias dependent on the filtering scheme of low-frequency alleles. This study is the first to document the application of eDNA and multiple amplicon-based methods to obtain intraspecific nuclear genetic information and estimate the absolute abundance of a species in mesocosms. With proper validation, this approach has the potential to advance non-invasive survey methods to characterize populations and broadens the application of eDNA methodologies to inform population-level management objectives.
Andres K, Sethi SA, Duskey E, Lepak JM, Rice AN, Estabrook B, Fitzpatrick K, George E, Marcy-Quay B, Paufve M, Perkins K, Scofield AE. (2020) Seasonal habitat use indicates depth may mediate the potential for invasive round goby impacts in inland lakes. Freshwater Biology 65:1337-1347. \| Abstract	August 2020	<b>1.</b> The round goby (<i>Neogobius melanostomus</i>) is among the fastest-spreading introduced aquatic species in North America and is radiating inland from the Great Lakes into freshwater ecosystems across the landscape. Predicting and managing the impacts of round gobies requires information on the factors influencing their distribution in habitats along the invasion front, yet this information is not available for many recently-invaded ecosystems.<br><b>2.</b> We evaluated the seasonal habitat use and biomass of round gobies in an inland temperate lake to define the spatiotemporal scope of biological interactions at the leading edge of the round goby invasion.<br><b>3.</b> Using novel statistical approaches, we combine hierarchical models that control for imperfect species detection with flexible smooth terms to describe nonlinear relationships between round goby abundance and environmental gradients. Subsequently, we generate accurate detection-corrected estimates of the standing stock biomass of round gobies.<br><b>4.</b> Our results show seasonally differentiated habitat niches, where suitable round goby habitat in summer months is restricted to shallow depths (<18.4 m) with a mixture of vegetative and mussel cover. We found high round goby biomass of 122 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> in occupied habitats during the summer, with a total lake-wide biomass of 766,000 kg. In winter, gobies migrate to deep offshore habitats and disperse, dramatically altering their scope for biological interactions with resident aquatic species across summer and winter seasons.<br><b>5.</b> The results of this study indicate that the scope of biological interactions in inland lakes may be seasonally variable, with potential for high round goby biomass in shallow lakes or at the periphery of deep lakes in the summer months. Such shallow-water habitats may therefore present higher risk of ecological impacts from round gobies in invaded lentic ecosystems. As round gobies expand inland, consideration of seasonal habitat use may be an important factor in predicting the impacts of this pervasive invader.
Andersson, K., C.A. Davis, G. Harris, and D.A. Haukos. 2022 Changes in waterfowl migration phenologies in central North America: implications for future waterfowl conservation. PLoS ONE 17(5): e0266785. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0266785	May 2022
Anderson, Robert M., Susan Charnley, Kathleen Epstein, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Jeff Vance Martin, Alex McInturff. "The socioecology of fear: a critical geographical consideration of human-wolf-livestock conflict." The Canadian Geographer (intended). \| Abstract	December 2023	Animal fear can be an important driver of ecological community structure: predators affect prey not only through predation, but by inducing changes in behavior and distribution—a phenomenon evocatively called the “ecology of fear.” The return of wolves to the western United States is a notable instance of such dynamics, yet plays out in a complex <i>socio</i>-ecological system where efforts to mitigate impacts on livestock rely on manipulating wolves’ fear of people. Examining Washington state’s efforts to affect wolf behavior to reduce livestock predation, we argue that this approach to coexistence with wolves is predicated on relations of fear: people, livestock, and wolves can arguably share landscapes with minimal conflict, as long as wolves are adequately afraid. We introduce the “socioecology of fear” as an interdisciplinary framework for examining the interwoven social and ecological processes of human-wildlife conflict management. Beyond frequently-voiced ideas about wolves’ “innate” fear, we examine how fear is (re)produced through human-wolf interactions and deeply shaped by human social processes. We contribute to the Critical Physical Geography project by integrating critical social analysis with ecological theory, conducted through collaborative interdisciplinary dialogue. Such integrative practice is essential for understanding the complex challenges of managing wildlife in the Anthropocene.
Anderson, C.C., M.V. Hoyer, and D.E. Canfield Jr. 2020. Assessing factors that influence lake water–column total phosphorus variability in Florida’s nutrient zones. Florida Scientist 83:64-74.	June 2020
Andersen, D.E. 2021. Review of: A Most Remarkable Creature: The Hidden Life and Epic Journey of the World’s Smartest Birds of Prey. Journal of Field Ornithology. DOI: 10.1111/jofo.12377.	September 2021
Andersen, D. E. 2019. Review of Sky Dance of the Woodcock: Habits and Habitat of a Strange Little Bird. Prairie Naturalist 51:79-80.	December 2019
Amburgey, SM, DAW Miller, CJ Rochester, KS Delaney, SPD Riley, CS Brehme, SA Hathaway, RN Fisher. 2021. The influence of species life history and distribution characteristics on species responses to habitat fragmentation in an urban landscape. Journal of Animal Ecology 90: 685-697. \| Abstract	March 2021	Fragmentation within urbanized environments often leads to a loss of native species diversity; however, variation exists in responses among-species and among-populations within species.We aimed to identify patterns in species biogeography in an urbanized landscape to understand anthropogenic effects on vertebrate communities and identify species that are more sensitive or resilient to landscape change.We investigated patterns in species richness and species responses to fragmentation in southern Californian small vertebrate communities using multispecies occupancy models and determined factors associated with overall commonness and sensitivity to patch size for 45 small vertebrate species both among and within remaining non-developed patches.In general, smaller patches had fewer species, with amphibian species richness being particularly sensitive to patch size effects. Mammals were generally more common, occurring both in a greater proportion of patches and a higher proportion of the sites within occupied patches. Alternatively, amphibians were generally restricted to larger patches but were more ubiquitous within smaller patches when occupied. Species range size was positively correlated with how common a species was across and within patches, even when controlling for only patches that fell within a species' range. We found sensitivity to patch size was greater for more fecund species and depended on where the patch occurred within a species' range. While all taxa were more likely to occur in patches in the warmer portions of their ranges, amphibians and mammals were more sensitive to fragmentation in these warmer areas as compared to the rest of their ranges. Similarly, amphibians occurred at a smaller proportion of sites within patches in drier portions of their ranges. Mammals occurred at a higher proportion of sites that were also in drier portions of their range while reptiles did not differ in their sensitivity to patch size by range position. We demonstrate that taxonomy, life history, range size and range position can predict commonness and sensitivity of species across this highly fragmented yet biodiverse landscape. The impacts of fragmentation on species communities within an urban landscape depend on scale, with differences emerging among and within species and populations.
Amburgey SM, AA Yackel Adams, B Gardner, NJ Hostetter, SR Siers, BT McClintock, and SJ Converse. 2021. Validation of camera trap-based abundance estimators for unmarked populations. Ecological Applications 31: e02410. \| Abstract	October 2021	Estimates of species abundance are critical to understand population processes and to assess and plan management actions. However, capturing and marking individuals for abundance estimation can be economically and logistically prohibitive, particularly for cryptic species. Camera traps can collect data at temporal and spatial scales necessary for estimating abundance, but the use of camera traps comes with limitations when target species are not uniquely identifiable (i.e., “unmarked”). Abundance estimation is particularly useful in the management of invasive species, and herpetofauna are being recognized as some of the most pervasive and detrimental invasive species. However, the use of camera traps for these taxa comes with additional challenges with relevancy across multiple taxa. It is often necessary to use lures to attract animals in order to obtain sufficient observations, yet lure-attraction can influence species’ landscape use and potentially induce bias in abundance estimators. We investigated these challenges and assessed the feasibility of obtaining reliable abundance estimates using camera trapping data on a population of invasive brown treesnakes (<i>Boiga irregularis</i>) in Guam. Data were collected using camera traps in an enclosed area where snakes were subject to high-intensity capture-recapture effort, resulting in presumed abundance of 116 snakes (density = 23/ha). We then applied Unmarked Spatial Capture-Recapture (USCR), Random Encounter and Staying Time, Space to Event, and Instantaneous Sampling estimators to photo-capture data to estimate abundance and compared estimates to our presumed abundance. We found that all estimators for unmarked populations performed poorly, with inaccurate or imprecise abundance estimates that limit their usefulness for management. We further investigated the sensitivity of these estimators to increasing lure attraction (i.e., violating the assumption that animal behavior is unchanged by sampling) and camera density. Increasing lure attraction and camera density both resulted in higher abundance estimates, with the USCR estimator particularly sensitive to changing camera density while other estimators were more sensitive to increasing lure attraction. Each estimator rarely recovered truth or suffered from convergence issues. Our results indicate that, when limited to unmarked estimators and the use of lures, camera traps alone are unlikely to produce abundance estimates with utility to managers.
Amburgey SM, AA Yackel Adams, B Gardner, B Lardner, AJ Knox, SJ Converse. 2021. Tools for increasing visual encounter probabilities for invasive species removal: a case study of brown treesnakes. Neobiota 70: 107-122. \| Abstract	December 2021	Early detection and rapid response (EDRR) are essential to identifying and decisively responding to the introduction or spread of an invasive species, thus avoiding population establishment and improving the probability of achieving eradication. However, detection can be challenging at the onset of a species invasion as low population densities can reduce detection probability and conceal the true extent of the situation until the species is well established. This is doubly challenging if the invading species displays cryptic behavior or is nocturnal, thus further limiting opportunities for its discovery. Survey methods that maximize a searcher’s ability to detect an incipient population are therefore critical for successful EDRR. Brown treesnakes (<i>Boiga irregularis</i>) on Guåhan are a classic cautionary example of the dangers of not detecting an invasion early on, and the risk of their introduction to other islands within the Marianas, Hawai’i and beyond remains. Nocturnal visual surveys are known to detect brown treesnakes of all sizes and are the primary detection tool used by the Brown Treesnake Rapid Response Team, but detection probability remains low in complex forest habitats. As such, we investigated the use of two potential enhancements to nocturnal visual surveys – a live mouse lure and spray scent attractant – that may create hotspots of increased detection probability during surveys. We found that, while brown treesnake detection probabilities were low for all surveys, visual surveys conducted on transects with live mouse lures resulted in detection probabilities that were 1.3 times higher than on transects without live mouse lures. Conversely, the spray scent attractant did not increase the probability of detecting brown treesnakes compared to transects without scent, and in fact had detection probabilities that were 0.66 times lower, though the reasons for this phenomenon are unclear. Unlike scent attractants, live mouse lures likely provide both visual and olfactory cues that attract brown treesnakes to transects and thus provide more opportunities to detect and capture them. These enhancements were trialed on Guåhan, where prey populations are depressed. It remains unclear whether live mouse lures will be as effective for EDRR applications in prey-rich settings.
Alves, F., N. Queiroz, P.G.R. Jodice. 2023. Ecological and behavioral traits of apex predators in oceanic insular ecosystems - Advances and challenges in research and conservation. Frontiers in Marine Science. 10.1252360. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2023.1252360 \| Download	July 2023
Alvarez, G. A., D. Grundy, B. J. Irwin, C. A. Jennings, and A. Fox. 2020. Using video survey to examine the effect of habitat on gag grouper encounter. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual. August 28 - September 03. \| Abstract \| Download	September 2020	The document is an extended abstract and can be seen in the file below.
Almeida, R. M., R. Schmitt, S. M. Grodsky, A. S. Flecker, C. P. Gomes, L. Zhao, H. Lu, N. Barros, R. Kelman, and P. B. McIntyre. 2022. Floating solar. Evaluate trade-offs. Nature.	June 2022
Almeida R, Fleischmann A, Brêda JPF, Cardoso DS, Angarita H, Collischonn W, Forsberg B, García-Villacorta R, Hamilton SK, Hannam PM, Paiva R, Poff NL, Sethi SA, Shi Q, Gomes C, Flecker AS. (2021) Climate change may impair electricity generation and economic viability of future Amazon hydropower. Global Environmental Change, 71:102383. \| Abstract	November 2021	Numerous hydropower facilities are under construction or planned in tropical and subtropical rivers worldwide. While dams are typically designed considering historic river discharge regimes, climate change may induce large-scale alterations in river hydrology. Here we analyze how anticipated future climate change may affect river hydrology, electricity generation, and economic viability of >350 potential hydropower dams across the Amazon, Earth’s largest river basin and a global hotspot for future hydropower development. Midcentury projections for the RCP 4.5 and 8.5 climate change scenarios show basin-wide reductions of river discharge (means, 13 and 16%, respectively) and hydropower generation (19 and 27%). Declines are sharper for dams in the Brazilian Amazon, which harbors 60% of the proposed projects. Climate change may result in more frequent low-discharge interruption of hydropower generation and less frequent full-capacity operation. Consequently, the estimated minimum electricity sale price for projects to break even more than doubles at many proposed dams, impacting anticipated costs of proposed hydropower relative to alternative energy sources such as wind and solar.
Allison, A.Z.T., A. Morris, and C.J. Conway 2023. Why hibernate? Tests of four hypotheses to explain intraspecific variation in hibernation phenology. Functional Ecology 37:1580-1593. doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14322	March 2023
Allison, A. Z. T., and C. J. Conway. 2022. Daily foraging activity of an imperiled ground squirrel: effects of hibernation, thermal environment, body condition, and conspecific density. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 76:28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-022-03142-4	May 2022
Allison, A. Z. T., C. J. Conway, and A. R. Goldberg. 2024. Weather influences survival probability in two coexisting mammals directly and indirectly via competitive asymmetry. Ecology 104:e4229.	December 2023
Allison, A. Z. T., C. J. Conway, A. Morris, A. R. Goldberg, K. N. Lohr, R. Richards, and J. A. Almack. 2024. Hit snooze: an imperiled hibernator assesses spring snow conditions to decide whether to terminate hibernation or re-enter torpor. Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology 97:53-63. doi: 10.1086/729775	April 2024
Allen, M.L., and S.M. Crimmins. 2019. Sea otters from the northern and southern populations may find each other in Humboldt County, California. IUCN Otter Bulletin 36:69–72.	December 2019
Allen, M.L., N.M. Roberts, and J.M. Bauder. 2020. Catch-per-unit-effort metrics and their value as indices for wildlife abundance. PLoS One 15:e0233444. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0233444 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2020	Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) is often used to monitor wildlife populations and to develop statistical population models. Animals caught and released are often not included in CPUE metrics and their inclusion may create more accurate indices of abundance. We used 21 years of detailed harvest records for bobcat (<i>Lynx rufus</i>) in Wisconsin, U.S.A., to calculate CPUE and ‘actual CPUE’ (ACPUE; including animals caught and released) from bobcat hunters and trappers. We calibrated these metrics to an independent estimate of bobcat abundance and attempted to create simple but effective models to estimate CPUE and ACPUE using harvest success data (i.e., bobcats harvested/available permits). CPUE showed virtually no relationship with bobcat abundance across all years, but both CPUE and ACPUE had stronger, non-linear, and negative relationships with abundance during the periods when the population was decreasing. Annual harvest success strongly predicted composite ACPUE and CPUE from hunters and trappers and hunter ACPUE and CPUE but was a poorer predictor of trapper ACPUE and CPUE. The non-linear, and sometimes weak, relationships with bobcat abundance likely reflect the increasing selectivity of bobcat hunters for trophy animals. Studies calibrating per-unit-effort metrics against abundance should account for population trajectories and different harvest methods (e.g., hunting and trapping). Our results also highlight the potential for estimating per-unit-effort metrics from relatively simple and inexpensive data sources and we encourage additional research into the use of per-unit-effort metrics for population estimation.
Allen, M.L., L.M. Elbroch, J.M. Bauder, and H.U. Wittmer. 2023. Food caching by a solitary large carnivore reveals the importance of intermediate-sized prey. Journal of Mammalogy. 104:457-465. doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyad013 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2023	Pumas (<i>Puma concolor</i>) are solitary large carnivores that exhibit high energetic investments while hunting prey that often take multiple days to consume. Therefore, pumas should behave in a way to maximize their energetic gains, including using caching, which is a behavior used by many mammal species to preserve and store food or to conceal it from conspecifics and scavengers to limit their losses. Yet pumas do not always cache their kills. In order to understand caching behavior, we used variables associated with the kills such as prey mass, search time, climate, and habitat to test 20 ecological models (representing four a priori hypotheses: food perishability, resource pulse, consumption time, and kleptoparasitism deterrence) in an information-theoretic approach of model selection to explore factors related to the caching behavior. Models were run with information from tracked radio-collared pumas in California over a 2.5-year period and identified a total of 352 kills. Overall, we documented pumas caching 61.5% of their kills, including 71.6% of Black-tailed Deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus columbianus</i>), their primary prey in the study area. The model with a quadratic effect of adjusted mass of prey on puma caching probability had all of the empirical support (<i>w</i> = 1.00). Specifically, pumas were most likely to cache intermediate-sized prey, such as yearling and adult female deer, and also fed from cached kills for longer periods of time. Larger prey may be too large to easily cache, making it less energetically efficient—while small prey can often be consumed quickly enough to not require caching. This suggests that intermediate-sized prey may be the optimal size for caching, allowing a puma to feed for multiple days while not greatly increasing energetic output. The hypotheses we tested were not mutually exclusive and pumas caching their prey may occur for several reasons; nevertheless, our study demonstrated that pumas use caching to extend their foraging time and maximize energetic gains when preying on intermediate-sized prey.
Allen, M. L., A. C. Avrin, M. J. Farmer, L. S. Whipple, E. P. Alexander, A. M. Cervantes, and J. M. Bauder. 2021. Limitations of current knowledge about the ecology of Grey Foxes hamper conservation efforts. Journal of Threatened Taxa 13:19079-19092. https://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/7102 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	July 2021	Species-specific conservation is important for maintaining the integrity of ecological communities but is dependent on sufficiently understanding multiple aspects of a species’ ecology. Species-specific data are commonly lacking for species in geographic areas with little research and species perceived to have insufficient charisma or economic importance. Despite their widespread distribution across central and North America and status as a furbearing mammal, little is known about the ecology of Grey Foxes Urocyon cinereoargenteus compared to other species of furbearing mammals. To understand what is known about this species, especially factors affecting population dynamics, we performed a systematic review of the scientific literature. We found 234 studies about Grey Foxes, with studies increasing substantially over time but with geographic gaps in the Great Plains and most of Mexico and central America. Most studies we reviewed examined relative abundance or occupancy (n= 35), habitat associations (n= 30), primarily as part of larger mammalian community studies, or spatiotemporal effects of other mammalian carnivores (n= 19), predominately Coyote Canis latrans. Grey Foxes were primarily forest-associated although associations with specific forest communities or anthropogenically disturbed habitats varied among studies. Multiple studies across ecoregions reported this fox as among both the most- and least-abundant mammalian carnivore. The inter-specific effects of Coyote were often, but not exclusively, negative and were likely mediated by landscape composition and human development. Importantly, very few studies examined population-effects of coyotes on Grey Foxes. Studies of population trends, demographics, and space use of Grey Foxes were comparatively rare and small inter- and intra-study sample sizes limited our ability to infer broader patterns. We suggest multiple avenues for future research to better understand the population status of this species throughout their range.
Allen, D.C., Larson, J., Murphy, C.A., Garcia, E.A., Anderson, K.E., Busch, M.H. et al. (2024) Global patterns of allochthony in stream–riparian meta-ecosystems. Ecology Letters, 27, e14401.	March 2024
Allen CR, Roberts CP. 2024. Futures of the Sandhills. Book chapter in The Nebraska Sandhills. \| Abstract	March 2024	NA
Alford, S.L. and A.W. Walters. 2021. Rapid colonisation post-displacement contributes to native fish resilience. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. DOI: 10.1111/eff.12634	September 2021
Alexander, J.A., W.H. Fick, S.B. Ogden, D.A. Haukos, J. Lemmon, G.A. Gatson, and K.C. Olson. 2021. Effects of prescribed fire timing on vigor of sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) total forage biomass accumulation, plant-community composition, and native fauna on tallgrass prairie in the Kansas Flint Hills. Translational Animal Science 5:1-16 doi:10.1093/tas/txab079	April 2021
Aldridge, C.A., L.E. Miranda, and M.E. Colvin. 2021. Themes of contemporary inland fisheries goals. Fisheries 46:34-39.. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10507 \| Abstract	January 2021	Goals are important for the effective performance of state inland fisheries agencies, but formulating meaningful goals is not simple. Often agencies look to sister agencies in neighboring states when crafting goals for their own freshwater resources. Herein, we review agency goal themes relying on publicly available documents and guided by earlier literature. We test whether goals exhibit geographic patterns presuming that differences and similarities in climate, natural resources, and people determine, to various degrees, the goal themes across the U.S. We identified nine distinct goal themes but found that they do not form clear geographic patterns, inconsistent with a similar analysis conducted in the 1970s. What seems apparent is that since the 1970s agency goals have diversified and regionalism in goals has vanished. We suggest that changes in perspectives and communication technology, as well as provisions within nationwide funding mechanisms have led to goals becoming more homogenous across the U.S. and more diverse within each agency.
Aldridge CA, Norris DM, Hatcher HR, Coppola G, Colvin ME, Miranda LE. 2022. Retention and dimensional changes of evergreen brush piles within a flood control reservoir. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 13(1):223– 235; e1944-687X. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-21-033 \| Abstract	June 2022	Brush piles (i.e., trees and large woody debris) are often installed in reservoirs to supplement fish habitat. The retention and dimensional change of brush piles after installation is important information that can be used to maximize the effectiveness of this management action. We evaluated the retention and dimensional change of 70 eastern red cedar <i>Juniperus virginiana</i> and bald cypress Taxodium distichum brush piles in an embayment of a drawdown reservoir up to four annual cycles of submergence and exposure. We used satellite imagery to supplement our onsite measurements of retention. We also examined spatial patterns of brush pile retention and dimensional change. Brush piles were lost at 10% per year, and their volume was lost at 14% per year. We compared our rates of brush pile retention and dimensional change with those from a holdout data set of 50 brush piles. Estimates between data sets did not differ statistically. Spatial patterns of retention and dimensional change coincided with morphological features in our study area, suggesting that retention and dimensional change is influenced by variable physical forces (e.g., wave action and flow) at installation locations. Our estimates of brush pile retention and dimensional change can be used to generally sustain desirable brush densities. For example, to maintain a fixed total volume of brush in our study embayment, roughly 23% of the total brush volume installed would need to be replaced annually. Similar research in reservoirs managed for other purposes is needed, as length and cycle of inundation could lead to variable rates of retention and dimensional change. Additionally, advancements into computer-assisted detection and volume estimation could reduce the time and effort needed to monitor brush piles.
Aikens, E.O., Wyckoff, T.B., Sawyer, H., and Kauffman, M.J. (2022). Industrial energy development decouples ungulate migration from the green wave. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 6(11):1733-1741. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-022-01887-9. \| Abstract	November 2022	The ability to freely move across the landscape to track the emergence of nutritious spring green-up (termed ‘green wave surfing’) is key to the foraging strategy of migratory ungulates. Across the vast landscapes traversed by many migratory herds, habitats are being altered by development with unknown consequences for surfing. Using a unique long-term tracking dataset, we found that when energy development occurs within mule deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus</i>) migration corridors, migrating animals become decoupled from the green wave. During the early phases of a coalbed natural gas development, deer synchronized their movements with peak green-up. But faced with increasing disturbance as development expanded, deer altered their movements by holding up at the edge of the gas field and letting the green wave pass them by. Development often modified only a small portion of the migration corridor but had far-reaching effects on behaviour before and after migrating deer encountered it, thus reducing surfing along the entire route by 38.65% over the 14-year study period. Our study suggests that industrial development within migratory corridors can change the behaviour of migrating ungulates and diminish the benefits of migration. Such disruptions to migratory behaviour present a common mechanism whereby corridors become unprofitable and could ultimately be lost on highly developed landscapes.
Aikens, E.O., Mysterud, A., Merkle, J.A., Cagnacci, F., Rivrud, I.M., Hebblewhite, M., et. al. (2020). Wave-like patterns of plant phenology determine ungulate movement tactics. *Current Biology*, 30(17): 3444–3449.e4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.032. \| Abstract	September 2020	Animals exhibit a diversity of movement tactics. Tracking resources that change across space and time is predicted to be a fundamental driver of animal movement. For example, some migratory ungulates (i.e., hooved mammals) closely track the progression of highly nutritious plant green-up, a phenomenon called “green-wave surfing”. Yet general principles describing how the dynamic nature of resources determine movement tactics are lacking. We tested an emerging theory that predicts surfing and the existence of migratory behavior will be favored in environments where green-up is fleeting and moves sequentially across large landscapes (i.e., wave-like green-up). Landscapes exhibiting wave-like patterns of green-up facilitated surfing and explained the existence of migratory behavior across 61 populations of four ungulate species on two continents (n = 1,696 individuals). At the species level, foraging benefits were equivalent between tactics, suggesting that each movement tactic is fine-tuned to local patterns of plant phenology. For decades, ecologists have sought to understand how animals move to select habitat, commonly defining habitat as a set of static patches. Our findings indicate that animal movement tactics emerge as a function of the flux of resources across space and time, underscoring the need to redefine habitat to include its dynamic attributes. As global habitats continue to be modified by anthropogenic disturbance and climate change, our synthesis provides a generalizable framework to understand how animal movement will be influenced by altered patterns of resource phenology.
Aikens, E.O., Monteith, K.L., Merkle, J.A., Dwinnell, S.P., Fralick, G.L., and Kauffman, M. J. (2020). Drought reshuffles plant phenology and reduces the foraging benefit of green‐wave surfing for a migratory ungulate. Global Change Biology, 26(8), 4215-4225. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15169. \| Abstract	June 2020	To increase resource gain, many herbivores pace their migration with the flush of nutritious plant green-up that progresses across the landscape (termed “green-wave surfing”). Despite concerns about the effects of climate change on migratory species and the critical role of plant phenology in mediating the ability of ungulates to surf, little is known about how drought shapes the green wave and influences the foraging benefits of migration. With a 19 year dataset on drought and plant phenology across 99 unique migratory routes of mule deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus</i>) in western Wyoming, United States, we show that drought shortened the duration of spring green-up by approximately twofold (2.5 weeks) and resulted in less sequential green-up along migratory routes. We investigated the possibility that some routes were buffered from the effects of drought (i.e., routes that maintained long green-up duration irrespective of drought intensity). We found no evidence of drought-buffered routes. Instead, routes with the longest green-up in non-drought years also were the most affected by drought. Despite phenological changes along the migratory route, mule deer closely followed drought-altered green waves during migration. Migrating deer did not experience a trophic mismatch with the green wave during drought. Instead, the shorter window of green-up caused by drought reduced the opportunity to accumulate forage resources during rapid spring migrations. Our work highlights the synchronization of phenological events as an important mechanism by which climate change can negatively affect migratory species by reducing the temporal availability of key food resources. For migratory herbivores, climate change poses a new and growing threat by altering resource phenology and diminishing the foraging benefit of migration.
Aikens, E.O., Bontekoe, I., Blumenstiel, L., Schlicksupp, A., and Flack, A. (2022) Viewing animal migration through a social lens. *Trends in Ecology and Evolution*, 37(11):985-996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2022.06.008. \| Abstract	August 2022	Evidence of social learning is growing across the animal kingdom. Researchers have long hypothesized that social interactions play a key role in many animal migrations, but strong empirical support is scarce except in a few unique systems and species. Here, we aim to catalyze advances in the study of social migrations by synthesizing research across disciplines and providing a framework for understanding why, when, and how social influences shape the many decisions animals make during migration. Integrating research across the fields of social learning and migration ecology will advance our understanding of the complex behavioral phenomena of animal migration and help to inform conservation of animal migrations in a changing world.
Aikens, E. and others. Migratory tactic structures while resource allocation refines timing of birth for a large herbivore. for Ecology	June 2021
Aikens, E. O., Dwinnell, S. P., LaSharr, T. N., Jakopak, R. P., Fralick, G. L., Randall, J., Kaiser, R., Thonhoff, M., Kauffman, M.J. and Monteith, K. L. (2021). Migration distance and maternal resource allocation determine timing of birth in a large herbivore. Ecology, 102(6), e03334. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3334. \| Abstract	June 2021	Birth timing is a key life-history characteristic that influences fitness and population performance. For migratory animals, however, appropriately timing birth on one seasonal range may be constrained by events occurring during other parts of the migratory cycle. We investigated how the use of capital and income resources may facilitate flexibility in reproductive phenology of migratory mule deer in western Wyoming, USA, over a 5-yr period (2015–2019). Specifically, we examined how seasonal interactions affected three interrelated life-history characteristics: fetal development, birth mass, and birth timing. Females in good nutritional condition at the onset of winter and those that migrated short distances had more developed fetuses (measured as fetal eye diameter in March). Variation in parturition date was explained largely by fetal development; however, there were up to 16 d of plasticity in expected birth date. Plasticity in expected birth date was shaped by income resources in the form of exposure to spring green-up. Although individuals that experienced greater exposure to spring green-up were able to advance expected birth date, being born early or late with respect to fetal development had no effect on birth mass of offspring. Furthermore, we investigated the trade-offs migrating mule deer face by evaluating support for existing theory that predicts that births should be matched to local peaks in resource availability at the birth site. In contrast to this prediction, only long-distance migrants that paced migration with the flush of spring green-up, giving birth shortly after ending migration, were able to match birth with spring green-up. Shorter-distance migrants completed migration sooner and gave birth earlier, seemingly trading off more time for offspring to grow and develop over greater access to resources. Thus, movement tactic had profound downstream effects on birth timing. These findings highlight a need to reconsider classical theory on optimal birth timing, which has focused solely on conditions at the birth site.
Ahrestani, F.S, M.A. Ternent, M.J. Lovallo, and W. David Walter. 2020. Resource use by American black bears in suburbia: a landholder step-selection approach. Human-Wildlife Interactions 14(2): 216-227. \| Abstract	November 2020	The spread of suburbia and the continued conversion of forested lands for people’s needs has meant less land for growing bear populations, resulting in increased human-bear conflict. With a focus to investigate the viability of using hunting as a tool to manage nuisance bears in suburbia, this study investigated the resource selection by bears across Pennsylvania, USA. This study distinguishes itself from earlier studies of recourse selection of bears by incorporating results from a survey of owners of private properties, large enough to accommodate hunting, on whether they support hunting of bears on their lands. This study used the Step Selection Function (SSF) approach, which utilizes consistent location data of short intervals from GPS collars better than older, traditional Resource Selectin Functions. In addition to the data from the survey of private land-owners, the statistical models tested by the SSF approach assessed the influence that housing density, land use type, slope, elevation, and aspect had on movement by the 31 GPS-collared bears monitored in 10-day periods prior to, during, and after the annual bear hunting season in 2010-2012. We analyzed resource selection for each of these three periods by pooling data across study sites and years, and found that the bears selected for: forested lands in all three periods; grasslands in the pre-hunt and hunting periods; east and south facing slopes in the pre-hunt and hunting periods; flatter terrain in the pre-hunt, but steeper terrain the hunting period; and private properties in the post-hunt period that did not permit hunting. Selection of private properties by bears in the post-hunt period suggests that increasing hunting on private properties may be a viable management option. The selection of forest habitats in all three periods is consistent with need for bears to fatten up with fallen mast from trees just before the den for the winter.
Ahmad, H., L.E. Miranda, C.G. Dunn, M.R. Boudreau, and M.E. Colvin. 2024. Connectivity patterns between floodplain lakes and neighboring streams in the historical floodplain of the Lower Mississippi River. Ecological Indicators 169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112808 \| Abstract	November 2024	Hydrologic connectivity, the intricate network of water pathways linking diverse aquatic habitats, plays a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of aquatic species and materials between the main river channels and adjacent waterbodies. This study quantified hydrologic connectivity for 1,283 floodplain lakes within the historical floodplain of the Lower Mississippi River using metrics derived from satellite imagery, stream gauge, and geospatial information. Our goal was to assess patterns of connection frequency between lakes and streams in this floodplain. We estimated eight metrics descriptive of the temporal aspects of hydrologic connectivity and identified trends in the connectivity characteristics of lakes by lake features and by the sizes of adjacent linked streams. We found that each lake maintained a signature recurring pattern of connection, with specific months of connectivity followed by periods of disconnection, which is likely tied to the interaction between lake characteristics and precipitation seasonality. Larger lakes typically exhibited increased hydrologic connectivity compared to their smaller counterparts. This effect is likely due to the larger surface area and volumetric capacity that large lakes inherently have, which facilitates interaction with adjacent waterbodies. Conversely, smaller lakes may experience limited or no hydrologic connectivity, particularly if they are geographically isolated. Additionally, because of smaller volumes, smaller lakes are more vulnerable to losing storage during dry periods, which can result in temporary or long-term isolation from neighboring rivers. Regardless of size, lakes connected to large streams exhibited more prolonged, recurring, and seasonally indistinct connections, as well as a higher degree of continuity in their hydrologic interactions. There was often reduced connectivity in lakes surrounded by increased agriculture. However, these generalizations are subject to many exceptions since local factors and human-induced changes such as levees, artificial channel, and weirs may override the general trends. The insight gained from this hydrologic connectivity analysis offers the possibility to augment floodplain management actions, for example, by allowing the building of strategic frameworks for restoring connectivity and ecologic integrity, or to inform the control of invasive species spread that typically plagues agricultural floodplains.
Adkins, K., D.L. Roy, D.E. Andersen, and R.G. Wright. 2020. Simulating strategic implementation of the CRP to increase greater prairie-chicken abundance. Journal of Wildlife Management 85:27-40. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21960. \| Download	December 2020
Adams, C.M., D.L. Winkelman, and R.M. Fitzpatrick. 2023. Impact of wastewater treatment plant effluent on the winter thermal regime of two urban Colorado South Platte tributaries. Frontiers in Environmental Science 11:1120412. DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2023.1120412. \| Download	March 2023
Adams, C.M., D.L. Winkelman, P.A. Schaffer, D.L. Villeneuve, J.E. Cavallin, M. Ellman, K.S. Rodriguez, and R.M. Fitzpatrick. 2022. Elevated winter stream temperatures below wastewater treatment plants shift reproductive development of female Johnny Darter Etheostoma nigrum: A field and histological approach. Fishes:7-361 DOI: 10.3390/fishes7060361. \| Download	November 2022
Acre MR, TB Grabowski, DJ Leavitt, NG Smith, AA Pease, PT Bean, & D Geeslin. 2022. Mismatch between temperature and discharge disrupts spawning cues in a fluvial specialist, Blue Sucker Cycleptus elongatus. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 32:305-321. https://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12687 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	October 2022	Seasonal movements cued by environmental variables are a critical component of riverine fish life-history. Life history events for species such as blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus are likely cued by discharge and temperature and may be disrupted if those life-history events and environmental regimes are mismatched. However, this effect may be dependent upon habitat occupied when environmental cues are received by individuals. We tracked telemetered blue sucker in the Colorado River, Texas, USA from 2015-2017 and modeled the relative effects of discharge, temperature, and habitat structure on seasonal movement patterns. Tagged fish varied in their propensity to move, though most returned to original tagging locations. Decreasing temperatures and increasing discharge resulted in increased seasonal movements. Temperature and discharge had the largest effect on movement behavior but the magnitude of movements was largely dependent on year. Temperatures between 12-19 °C and discharges between 10-240 m<sup>3</sup>s<sup>-1</sup> resulted in greater probabilities of spawning movements. Spawning was most probable in 2015 and reduced or halted in 2016 and 2017. Future climate scenarios suggest North America will experience increased drought, warmer temperatures, and more variable weather patterns. These future scenarios could negatively impact blue sucker by disrupting environmental cues and habitat availability for seasonal life-history events. Our results suggest temperature and discharge are critical cues for the species, but that their combined effect is largely dependent on occupied habitat.
Acre MR, TB Grabowski, DJ Leavitt, NG Smith, AA Pease, & JE Pease. 2021. Blue Sucker movement and habitat use in a regulated Texas River: implications for conservation and restoration. Environmental Biology of Fishes 104:501-516. doi: 10.1007/s10641-021-01093-9 \| Abstract	April 2021	Species conservation requires a clear understanding of the availability of suitable habitat and the subsequent use of those habitats. In cases where species declines have occurred and gone undetected to conservation managers, habitat alteration, fragmentation and loss are often the largest contributors. River fragmentation often results in altered flow regimes, which is considered the primary variable determining riverine habitat availability. Blue Suckers <i>Cycleptus elongatus</i> are associated with riffle and run habitat, a habitat type that is especially impacted when river flows are altered. The objective of this research was to identify the extent of suitable habitat and mobility for Blue Sucker in the Colorado River, Texas. To understand habitat selection and use, Blue Suckers (N = 49) were surgically implanted with combined acoustic radio transmitter tags. During 2015-2017, thirty-eight attempts were completed to relocate individuals using mobile tracking. Optimized hotspot analysis identified three river reaches critical for Blue Sucker that accounted for 20% of the study area. Blue Sucker used these locations year-round including during spawning. Habitats used by Blue Sucker were composed of gravel, cobble, boulder, and bedrock typically in riffle and run habitat. Additionally, mobility, as measured by home range size, increased as riffle density decreased. The larger home ranges were presumably to find suitable habitat to complete aspects of their life history. The results of this study suggest that suitable habitats are limited throughout the fragmented riverscape. Conservation action in the form of habitat construction or increased stream connectivity through barrier mitigation could have positive impacts on the future of Blue Sucker in the lower Colorado River, Texas.
Abrahms, Briana, Neil H. Carter, T.J. Clark-Wolf, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Erik Johansson, Alex McInturff, Anna Nisi, Kasim Rafiq, Leigh West. "Climate change as a global amplifier of human-wildlife conflict." Nature Climate Change. In review \| Abstract	December 2023	Climate change and human-wildlife conflict are both pressing challenges for biodiversity conservation and human wellbeing in the Anthropocene. Climate change is a critical yet underappreciated amplifier of human-wildlife conflict, as it exacerbates resource scarcity, alters human and animal behaviors and distributions, and increases human-wildlife encounters. We synthesize evidence of climate-driven conflicts occurring among 10 taxonomic orders, on six continents, and in all five oceans. Such conflicts disrupt both subsistence livelihoods and industrial economies, and may accelerate the rate at which human-wildlife conflict drives wildlife declines. We introduce a framework describing distinct environmental, ecological, and sociopolitical pathways through which climate variability and change percolate through complex social-ecological systems to influence patterns and outcomes of human-wildlife interactions. Identifying these pathways allows for developing mitigation strategies and proactive policies to limit the impacts of human-wildlife conflict on biodiversity conservation and human wellbeing in a changing climate.
Abrahms, B., Aikens, E. O., Armstrong, J. B., Deacy, W. W., Kauffman, M. J., and Merkle, J. A. (2021). Emerging perspectives on resource tracking and animal movement ecology. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 36(4), 308-320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2020.10.018. \| Abstract	November 2020	Resource tracking, where animals increase energy gain by moving to track phenological variation in resources across space, is emerging as a fundamental attribute of animal movement ecology. However, a theoretical framework to understand when and where resource tracking should occur, and how resource tracking should lead to emergent ecological patterns, is lacking. We present a framework that unites concepts from optimal foraging theory and landscape ecology, which can be used to generate and test predictions on how resource dynamics shape animal movement across taxa, systems, and scales. Consideration of the interplay between animal movement and resource dynamics not only advances ecological understanding but can also guide biodiversity conservation in an era of global change.
Abrahms B, CS Teitelbaum, T Mueller, and SJ Converse. 2022. Ontogenetic shifts from social to experiential learning drive avian migration timing. Nature Communications 12:7326.	December 2021
Abernethy, E.F., J.D. Muehlbauer, T.A. Kennedy, J.D. Tonkin, R. Van Driesche and D.A. Lytle. 2021. Hydropeaking intensity and dam proximity limit aquatic invertebrate diversity in the Colorado River Basin. Ecosphere 12: e03559, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3559 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2021	River biodiversity is threatened globally by hydropower dams, and there is a need to understand how dam management favors certain species while filtering out others. We examined aquatic invertebrate communities within the tailwaters 0–24 km downstream of seven large hydropower dams in the Colorado River Basin of the western United States. We quantified aquatic invertebrate dominance, richness, abundance, and biomass at multiple locations within individual tailwaters and across the basin and identified biological community responses associated with dam operations and distance from dam. We found that each tailwater was dominated by 3–7 invertebrate taxa, accounting for 95% of total abundance. Half of these dominant taxa were non-insect, non-flying species and thus were unavailable to terrestrial consumers. Consistent with previous studies, aquatic insects and sensitive taxa were negatively associated with hydropeaking intensity (magnitude of daily flow fluctuations associated with hydropower generation), which limits the composition and potentially the quality of the invertebrate food base. While total invertebrate abundance and biomass did not change with increasing distance downstream from dams, insect and sensitive taxa richness, abundance, and biomass all increased, suggesting that impacts of hydropeaking are most acute immediately downstream of dams. Our results demonstrate that tailwaters experiencing hydropeaking support high abundances of aquatic invertebrate, but the diversity of these communities is low.
Abernethy, E. F., J. D. Muehlbauer, T. A. Kennedy, K. E. Dziedzic, H. Elder, M. K. Burke, and D. A. Lytle. 2023. Population connectivity of aquatic insects in a dam‐regulated, desert river. River Research and Applications 39:364-374. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3972 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2023	Humans have exaggerated natural habitat fragmentation, negatively impacting species dispersal and reducing population connectivity. Habitat fragmentation can be especially detrimental in freshwater populations, whose dispersal is already constrained by the river network structure. Aquatic insects, for instance, are generally limited to two primary modes of dispersal: downstream drift in the aquatic juvenile life stages and flight during the terrestrial winged adult stage. Yet the impacts of large hydropower dams can make rivers uninhabitable for incoming (drifting) juvenile insects, with remaining refugia found only in tributaries. The ability of adult aquatic insects to traverse such river stretches in search of suitable tributary habitat likely depends on factors such as species-specific dispersal ability and distance between tributaries. To explore the intersection of natural and human-induced habitat fragmentation on aquatic insect dispersal ability, we quantified population genetics of three taxa with varying dispersal abilities, a caddisfly (Hydropsychidae, <i>Hydropsyche oslari</i>), a mayfly (Baetidae: <i>Fallceon quilleri</i>), and a water strider (Veliidae: <i>Rhagovelia distincta</i>), throughout tributaries of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. Using 2bRAD reduced genome sequencing and landscape genetics analyses, we revealed a strong pattern of isolation by distance among mayfly populations. This contrasts with caddisfly and water strider populations, which were largely panmictic. Analysis of thousands of informative single nucleotide polymorphisms showed that realized dispersal ability may not be accurately predicted by species traits for these widespread species. Principal components analysis revealed a strong division between caddisfly populations upstream and downstream of Havasu Creek (279 km through the 390 km study reach), suggesting that the geography of the Grand Canyon imposes a dispersal barrier for this species. Our use of genetic tools in the Grand Canyon to understand population structure has enabled us to elucidate dispersal barriers for aquatic insects. Ultimately, these data may be useful in informing effective conservation management plans for understudied organisms of conservation interest.
Abbott, K.M., P.A. Zaidel, A.H. Roy, K.M. Houle, and K.H. Nislow. 2022. Investigating impacts of small dams and dam removal on dissolved oxygen in streams. PLoS ONE 17: e0277647. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277647 \| Publisher Website	November 2022
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, F.J. Magilligan, K.H. Nislow, and R. Quinones. 2024. Incorporating climate change into restoration decisions: Perspectives from dam removal practitioners. Ecology and Society 29(3):21 https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-15182-290321 \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2024
Abbott, K., A. Roy, and K. Nislow. 2022. Restoring aquatic habitats through dam removal. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/148-2022, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.3996/css92498424 \| Publisher Website	November 2022
Abbate, A. P, J. W. Campbell, S. M. Grodsky, and G. R. Williams. 2023. Assessing the attractiveness of native wildflower species to bees (Hymenoptera) in the southeastern United States. Ecological Solutions and Evidence.	July 2024
AR Krohn, B Folt, JJ Apodaca, C Guyer, J Goessling. 2024. Using genomic data to estimate population structure and health for gopher tortoises. Conservation Genetics 25:755–770. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-024-01601-1	February 2024
AJ Lawson, B Folt, AM Tucker, F Erickson, CP McGowan. 2021. Decision context as a necessary component of population viability analysis appraisal. Conservation Biology 35(5):1683–1685. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4632	October 2020
A.B. Franklin, K.M. Dugger, D.B. Lesmeister, R.J. Davis, J.D. Wiens, G.C. White, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Hines, C.B. Yackulic, C.J. Schwarz, S.H. Ackers, L.S. Andrews, L.L. Bailey, R. Bown, J. Burgher, K.P. Burnham, P.C. Carlson, T. Chestnut, M.M. Conner, K.E. Dilione, E.D. Forsman, E.M. Glenn, S.A. Gremel, K.A. Hamm, D.R. Herter, J.M. Higley, Rob B. Horn, J.M. Jenkins, W.L. Kendall, D.W. Lamphear, C. McCafferty, T.L. McDonald, J.A. Reid, J.T. Rockweit, D.C. Simon, S.G. Sovern, J.K. Swingle, and H. Wise. 2021. Range-wide declines of Northern Spotted Owls populations in the Pacific Northwest: a meta-analysis. Biological Conservation Volume 259, DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109168.	May 2021
PennockC.A., G.P. Thiede, P. Budy. 2023 Density-dependent processes and population dynamics and feeding ecology of native sculpin in a mountain river. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. DOI: 10.1111/eff.12710. USGS FSP IP-147035. \| Abstract	February 2023	Understanding the processes governing population regulation is important for effective conservation and management. Disentangling the relative role of density-dependent versus density-independent population regulation is often made difficult by the inability to control for abiotic or biotic factors, but long-term datasets are invaluable in this pursuit. We used a 14-year dataset from the Logan River, Utah to assess long-term trends in abundance and evidence of density-dependent and density-independent population regulation of Paiute sculpin (<i>Cottus beldingii</i>) across six sites. Additionally, we evaluated the feeding ecology of sculpin over four years. Sculpin densities generally increased from downstream to upstream, and the per capita rate of increase was negatively and significantly correlated with sculpin density at four of six sites. We also observed a negative relationship between per capita consumption and sculpin density, providing a potential mechanism for density-dependent population regulation. Sculpin displayed a generalist feeding strategy, and interannual differences in diet composition appeared to be influenced by interannual differences in flow, particularly years with higher magnitude flow. The observed spatial patterns in sculpin abundance throughout the watershed matched those of invasive brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i>), which are the top piscivore in the Logan River. Our results suggest sculpin populations are regulated largely by density-dependent processes and match those from other studies on sculpin population dynamics including a range of species and habitats that differ vastly in abiotic conditions.
Mouser, J. B., J. Johnston, M. L. Niemiller, and S. K. Brewer. 2023. A Fisherman’s Tale: An Unusual Observation of the Ozark Cavefish Troglicthys rosae (Eigenmann, 1898). Southeastern Naturalist https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:258062974	April 2023
Erwin JA, Logan KA, Trumbo DR, Funk WC, M Culver. 2023. Effects of hunting on mating, relatedness, and genetic differentiation in a puma population. Molecular Ecology, http://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17237 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2023	Hunting mortality can affect population abundance, demography, patterns of dispersal and philopatry, breeding, and genetic diversity. We investigated the effects of hunting on the reproduction and genetic diversity in a puma population in western Colorado, USA. We genotyped over 11,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), using double-digest, restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) in 291 tissue samples collected as part of a study on the effects of hunting on puma population abundance and demography in Colorado from 2004−2014. The study was designed with a reference period (years 1−5), during which hunting was suspended, followed by a treatment period (years 6−10), in which hunting was reinstated. Our objectives were to examine the effects of hunting on: (1) paternity and male reproductive success; (2) the relatedness between pumas within the population, and (3) genetic diversity. We found that hunting reduced the average age of male breeders. The number of unique fathers siring litters increased each year without hunting and decreased each year during the hunting period. Mated pairs were generally unrelated during both time periods, and females were more closely related than males. Hunting was also associated with increased relatedness among males and decreased relatedness among females in the population. Finally, genetic diversity increased during the period without hunting and decreased each year when hunting was present. This study demonstrates the utility of merging demographic data with large-scale genomic datasets in order to better understand the consequences of management actions. Specifically, we believe that this study highlights the need for long-term experimental research in which hunting mortality is manipulated, including at least one non-harvested control population, as part of a broader adaptive, zone management scheme.
Erwin JA, Logan KA, Trumbo DR, Funk WC, M Culver. 2023. Effects of hunting on mating, relatedness, and genetic differentiation in a puma population. Molecular Ecology, http://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17237 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2023	Hunting mortality can affect population abundance, demography, patterns of dispersal and philopatry, breeding, and genetic diversity. We investigated the effects of hunting on the reproduction and genetic diversity in a puma population in western Colorado, USA. We genotyped over 11,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), using double-digest, restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) in 291 tissue samples collected as part of a study on the effects of hunting on puma population abundance and demography in Colorado from 2004−2014. The study was designed with a reference period (years 1−5), during which hunting was suspended, followed by a treatment period (years 6−10), in which hunting was reinstated. Our objectives were to examine the effects of hunting on: (1) paternity and male reproductive success; (2) the relatedness between pumas within the population, and (3) genetic diversity. We found that hunting reduced the average age of male breeders. The number of unique fathers siring litters increased each year without hunting and decreased each year during the hunting period. Mated pairs were generally unrelated during both time periods, and females were more closely related than males. Hunting was also associated with increased relatedness among males and decreased relatedness among females in the population. Finally, genetic diversity increased during the period without hunting and decreased each year when hunting was present. This study demonstrates the utility of merging demographic data with large-scale genomic datasets in order to better understand the consequences of management actions. Specifically, we believe that this study highlights the need for long-term experimental research in which hunting mortality is manipulated, including at least one non-harvested control population, as part of a broader adaptive, zone management scheme.
Zydlewski, J., Coghlan. Jr., S., Dillingham, C., Figueroa-Muñoz, G., Merriam, C., Smith, S., Smith, R., Stich, D., Vogel, S., Wilson, K., and Zydlewski, G. (2023) Seven dam challenges for migratory fish: insights from the Penobscot River. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 11, 1253657. DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1253657	October 2023
Wohner, P.J., S.A. Laymon, J.E. Stanek, S.L. King, and R.J. Cooper. 2021. Early successional riparian vegetation is important for Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo nesting habitat. Restoration Ecology 29(5):e13376. doi: 10.1111/rec.13376	March 2021
Thorne, E.D. and W.M. Ford. 2022. Redundancy analysis reveals complex den use patterns by eastern spotted skunks, a conditional generalist. Ecosphere 13(1) doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3913	January 2022
Taylor, H., K.E. Powers, W. Orndorff, E.M. Hallerman and W.M. Ford. 2023. Sources of Yearly Variation in Gray Bat Activity in the Clinch River Watershed, Virginia Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 10:107–113.	March 2023
Scherr, T. M. and A. D. Chalfoun. Taming the temperature: Do sagebrush songbirds modulate microclimate via nest-site selection? Ornithology. \| Abstract	February 2022	Developing a better understanding of species responses to temperature change via behavior, and the factors affecting the extent of behavioral responses, is a critical and timely endeavor given the rapid pace at which the climate is changing. Young of altricial songbirds are particularly sensitive to temperature, and parents may modulate temperatures at nests via selection of nest sites, albeit to a largely unknown extent. We examined whether sagebrush-obligate songbirds that reproduce within an open ecosystem with wide temperature fluctuations and span a range of body sizes, selected nest sites on the basis of temperature. We further investigated whether predation risk and ambient conditions modulated temperature-based choices. We placed temperature loggers at nest sites and in unused but available niches and shrubs along a known predation-risk gradient and used nearby weather stations to determine ambient temperatures. Brewer’s Sparrows and Sagebrush Sparrows, the two smaller-bodied birds, selected nest sites that were warmer and less variable relative to available sites, whereas Sage Thrashers generally did not select nest sites on the basis of temperature. Both Brewer’s Sparrows and Sage Thrashers increased selection for cooler nest sites relative to available sites with increased ambient temperatures during the prospecting period. None of the three species altered nest-site selection with respect to temperature in response to ambient temperature variability or our index of nest predation risk. The microhabitat characteristics that most influenced temperatures at nests varied across species. Our results suggest that songbirds can modulate temperatures at nests to some extent, and such responses can vary depending on the conditions experienced prior to nest initiation. Responses varied across species, however, likely reflecting different physiological tolerances. The extent to which breeding birds will be able to continue to proximately influence temperature via nest site choices likely will depend on the extent and rate of future climatic shifts.
McInturff, A., Xu, W., Wilkinson, C.E., Dejid, N. and Brashares, J.S., 2020. Fence ecology: Frameworks for understanding the ecological effects of fences. BioScience, 70(11), pp.971-985.	December 2020
McInturff, A., Miller, J.R., Gaynor, K.M. and Brashares, J.S., 2021. Patterns of coyote predation on sheep in California: A socio‐ecological approach to mapping risk of livestock–predator conflict. Conservation Science and Practice, 3(3), p.e175.	December 2021
Guill, M.H., J. De La Cruz, M. Puckett, S.D. Klopfer, B. Martin and W.M. Ford. 2024. Southeastern Fox Squirrel Occupancy and Habitat Associations of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain Regions of Virginia. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 11:215–222 \| Download	May 2024
Ford, W.M., J.B. Johnson, and M. Thomas-Van Gundy. 2021. Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) Day-Roost Loss in the Central Appalachian Mountains Following Prescribed Burning. International Journal of Forestry Research doi.org/10.1155/2021/5512044 6p.	June 2021
Ford, W.M., C.A. Diggins, J. De La Cruz and A. Silvis. 2022. Distribution Probability of the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel in the High Allegheny Mountains. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 9:168-175	March 2022
Folt B, Marshall M, Emanuel JA, Dziadzio M, Cooke J, Mena L, Hinderliter M, Hoffmann S, Rankin N, Tupy J, McGowan C. 2024. Strengths and opportunities in gopher tortoise population modeling: Reply to Loope et al. Global Ecology and Conservation, e03093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03093	July 2024
Donnelly, J.P., S. L. King, J. Netter, J.H. Gammonley, V.J. Dreitz, B.A. Grisham, M.C. Nowak, and D.P. Collins. 2021. Water scarcity drives ecological bottlenecks in continental migration networks supporting greater sandhill cranes. Ecosphere 12(6): 12(6):e03543. 10.1002/ecs2.3543 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	June 2021	Preserving avian flyway connectivity has long been challenged by our capacity to meaningfully quantify continental habitat dynamics and bird movements at temporal and spatial scales underlying long-distance migrations. Waterbirds migrating hundreds or thousands of kilometers depend on networks of wetland stopover sites to rest and refuel. Entire populations may rely on discrete wetland habitats, particularly in arid landscapes where the loss of limited stopover options can have disproportionately high impacts on migratory cost. Here, we examine flyway connectivity in water-limited ecosystems of western North America using 108 GPS tagged greater sandhill cranes. Bird movements were used to reconstruct wetland stopover networks across three geographically unique sub-populations spanning 12 US-Mexican states and Canadian provinces. Networks were monitored with remote sensing to identify long-term (1988-2019) trends in wetland and agricultural resources supporting migration and were evaluated using centrality metrics as a measure of stopover site importance to flyway connectivity. Sandhill crane space-use was analyzed in stopover locations to identify important ownership and landscape factors structuring bird distributions. Migratory efficiency was the primary mechanism underpinning network function. A small number of key stopover sites important to minimizing movement cost between summering and wintering locations were essential to preserving flyway connectivity. Localized efficiencies were apparent in stopover landscapes given prioritization of space-use by birds where the proximity of agricultural food resources and flooded wetlands minimized daily movements. Model depictions showing wetland declines from 16-18% likely reflect a new normal in landscape drying that could decouple agriculture-waterbird relationships as water scarcity intensifies. Sustaining network resilience will require conservation strategies to balance water allocations preserving agricultural and wetlands on private lands that accounted for 67-96% of habitat use. Study outcomes provide new perspectives of agroecological relationships supporting continental waterbird migration necessary to prioritize conservation of landscapes vital to maintaining flyway connectivity.
DeGregorio, B.A., J.H. Sperry, and P.J. Weatherhead. 2021 Factors Influencing the Use of Water-filled Tree Cavities by Eastern Ratsnakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis). Herpetological Conservation and Biology 16(1):173-182. \| Download	April 2021
De La Cruz, J.L., N.J. Kalen, E.L. Barr, E.D. Thorne, R.J. Reynolds and W. M Ford. 2024. Seasonal Drivers of Activity in the Endangered Northern Long-eared Bat in Eastern North Carolina and Virginia. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 11:185–195 \| Download	May 2024
Clevinger, G.B., W.M. Ford, M.J. Kelly ,R. Alonso, R. W. DeYoung, N.W. LaFon and M.J. Cherry. 2023. Survival, Cause-specific Mortality, and Population Growth of White-tailed Deer in Western Virginia. Journal of Wildlife Management. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22528	November 2023
Butler, AR., A. Edelman, R. Eng, S. N. Harris, E.D. Thorne, W.M. Ford, and David S. Jachowski. 2021. Demography of the Appalachian Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius putorius). Southeastern Naturalist 20:95-109	August 2021
Budy, P., G.P. Thiede and N. Heredia and E. Horgen. 2021. Exploring the contemporary relationship between predator and prey in a culturally-important Lahontan Cutthroat Trout population in Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 150:291–306. DOI: 10.1002/tafs.10291. USGS FSP IP-119395. \| Abstract	January 2021	Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT) <i>Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi</i> have experienced some of the most marked reductions in abundance and distribution of Cutthroat Trout. In Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA the population of LCT has returned from the brink of extirpation, and although highly managed via stocking, is thriving, and has recently started to reproduce naturally. Our objectives were to determine: 1) if predator and prey remain tightly coupled, 2) whether LCT are food limited, and 3) the status of the LCT population with regard to the potential prey-based contemporary carrying capacity. We used a multi-faceted approach including intensive field fish sampling, bioenergetic modeling, cohort reconstruction, and comparisons of prey availability to consumption. We estimated the average population of LCT in Pyramid Lake is 1.2 million, average annual stocking is 650,000, and fish angled ranges from 5,000 – 14,000/yr (90% release rate). Driven by seasonal and size variation in consumption, individual annual consumption of LCT varied from 667 - 992 g/yr for small LCT (200 – 400 mm) and 2,388 - 3,057 g/yr for large LCT (> 400 mm). LCT are consuming on average, 14 – 63% of the standing crop of Tui Chub <i>Gila bicolor</i> annually, indicating that LCT are currently not exceeding their prey-based carrying capacity. LCT in Pyramid Lake remain tightly coupled to their primary native prey, Tui Chub, despite considerable changes to the ecosystem. This means managing for a robust population of LCT translates largely to managing for forage fish. This supply versus demand issue is a particular concern in Pyramid Lake given there is indication the density of Tui Chub is declining concordant with declining lake elevation. Given the conservation importance of this population of LCT, careful monitoring is critical; however “predation inertia” indicates effective short-term management in response to fluctuations in forage fishes is likely possible.
Budy, P. , C. Pennock, A. Giblin, C. Luecke, D. White, and G. Kling. 2021. Understanding the effects of climate change via disturbance on pristine arctic lakes; multi-trophic level response and recovery to a twelve-year, low-level fertilization experiment. To be submitted to Limnology and Oceanography, Special Issue on “Nonlinear dynamics, resilience, and regime shifts in aquatic communities and ecosystems.” 2021: 1-18. doi: 10.1002/lno.11893. USGS FSP IP-129828. \| Abstract	August 2021	Effects of climate change-driven disturbance on lake ecosystems can be subtle; indirect effects include increased nutrient loading that could impact ecosystem function. We designed a low-level fertilization experiment to mimic persistent, climate change-driven disturbances (deeper thaw, greater weathering, or thermokarst failure) delivering nutrients to arctic lakes. We measured responses of pelagic trophic levels over 12 years in a fertilized deep lake with fish and a shallow fishless lake, compared to paired reference lakes, and monitored recovery for six years. Relative to pre-fertilization in the deep lake, we observed a maximum pelagic response in chl <i>a</i> (+201%), dissolved oxygen (DO, -43%), and zooplankton biomass (+88%) during the fertilization period (2001-2012). Other responses to fertilization, such as water transparency and fish relative abundance, were delayed, but both ultimately declined. Phyto- and zoo-plankton biomass and community composition shifted with fertilization. The effects of fertilization were less pronounced in the paired shallow lakes, because of a natural thermokarst failure likely impacting the reference lake. In the deep lake there was (a) moderate resistance to change in ecosystem functions at all trophic levels, (b) eventual responses were often non-linear, and (c) post-fertilization recovery (return) times were most rapid at the base of the food web (2-4 years) while higher trophic levels failed to recover after 6 years. The timing and magnitude of responses to fertilization in these arctic lakes were similar to responses in other lakes, suggesting indirect effects of climate change that modify nutrient inputs may affect many lakes in the future.
Budy, P. G.P. Thiede, K. Chapman, and F. Howe. 2022. Potential conflicts among protected native birds and valuable sport fishes: pelican predation effects in a novel environment. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 79: 1–16. dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2021-0228. USGS FSP IP-125267. \| Abstract	February 2022	Reservoirs are one example of novel ecosystems which have developed into popular sport fisheries; these systems are also becoming seasonal refuges for migratory birds including piscivorous species such as the American white pelican (<i>Pelecanus erythrorhynchos</i>). We determined (1) the proportion of Bonneville cutthroat trout (<i>Oncorhynchus clarkii utah</i>) and other species consumed by pelicans, (2) whether pelicans have an adverse effect on cutthroat trout spawning movement, and 3) the relative importance of pelican predation toother sources of fish mortality on Strawberry Reservoir, Utah, USA. Greater than 85% of the pelican diet samples consisted of Utah sucker (<i>Catostomus ardens</i>), 6% were Utah chub (<i>Gila atraria</i>) and 3% contained cutthroat trout. We estimated pelicans consumed £ 2,600 individual cutthroat trout (~ 1% of population) in contrast to over 42,000 sucker, 19,000 chub, and > 6,000 crayfish. Bird-related mortality rate ranged 1 – 6% for PIT-tagged adult cutthroat trout and 4 – 16% for stocked subadult cutthroat trout. Pelicans primarily consume abundant non-game fish, thus any management action taken to control pelican predation would need to be carefully weighed against the benefits of non-game fish removal and the protected status of pelicans.
Budy, P., G.P. Thiede, R. Shields, and T. Neebling. In review. Chapter 10: Warmwater and coldwater fish in two-story standing waters. Invited. Pages XX-XX in S. Bonar, W.A Hubert, and D.W. Willis, editors. Standard methods for sampling North American freshwater fishes II. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. \| Abstract	October 2023	NA
B Folt. 2020. Population demography of Rhinoclemmys funerea (Black River Turtle) at a protected forest reserve in Costa Rica. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 15(3):611–619. https://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_15/Issue_3/Folt_2020.pdf	December 2020
B Folt, M Marshall, JA Emmanuel, M Dziadzio, J Cooke, L Mena, M Hinderlichter, S Hoffman, N Rankin, J Tupy, CP McGowan. 2022. Using predictions from multiple anthropogenic threats to estimate future population persistence of an imperiled species. Global Ecology and Conservation 36: e02143. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4632	May 2022
B Folt, KA Schoenecker, LS Ekernas, DR Edmunds, M Hannon. 2023. PopEquus: a predictive modeling tool to support management decisions for free-roaming horse populations. Ecosphere e4632. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4632	September 2023
B Folt, K Schoenecker, LS Ekernas. 2022. Multi-objective modeling as a decision-support tool for free-roaming horse management. Human-Wildlife Interactions 16(2):233–250.	September 2022
B Folt, J Goessling, AM Tucker, C Guyer, S Hermann, E Shelton-Nix, CP McGowan. 2021. Contrasting patterns of demography and population viability among gopher tortoise populations in Alabama. Journal of Wildlife Management 85(4): 617–630. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21996	February 2021
B Folt, CP McGowan, DA Steen, S Piccolomini, M Hoffman, J Godwin, C Guyer. 2020. Modeling strategies and evaluating success during repatriations of elusive and endangered species. Animal Conservation 23: 273–285. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12537	June 2020
B Folt, C Guyer. 2021. Habitat-dependent effects of predators on prey frogs in a Neotropical wet forest. Journal of Tropical Ecology 37(5): 214-221. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467421000274	June 2021
McLaren, J. S., P. E. Budy**, S. Brothers, R. W. Van Kirk. 2023. The scale-dependent role of submerged macrophytes on trout habitat. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 80:1533–1546. doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2022-0182. USGS FSP IP-139190. \| Abstract	July 2023	Submerged macrophyte communities are prevalent in low-gradient rivers around the world and interact with rivers and their biota in complex ways; the net effect of these interactions on trout habitat provision remains poorly understood. We used snorkel surveys and bioenergetics to study trout habitat selection and potential mechanisms driving habitat selection in the submerged macrophyte-rich Henrys Fork, ID, USA. At smaller spatial scales (i.e., individual microhabitats), we hypothesized trout would select for locations with more submerged macrophytes that provide overhead cover from predators, drifting macroinvertebrates as food, and lower swimming costs. In contrast, we found individual trout selected for microhabitats without submerged macrophytes (, with deeper water ( and with greater bioenergetic potential (. At larger spatial scales (i.e., reach-scale), submerged macrophytes acted as a living substrate, indirectly creating a riverscape of complimentary microhabitats by increasing depth (), bioenergetic potential (), and by influencing reach-scale ecosystem dynamics which modulated trout habitat selection. Our study improves understanding of the complex relationship between submerged macrophytes and trout habitat, explaining conflicting results among previous studies and revealing potential management actions to improve trout productivity. Continued study of abiotic and biotic processes across multiple scales may continue to reveal unexpected scale-dependent effects and mechanisms controlling trout habitat quality, quantity, and preferences.
Heilpern S, Sethi SA, Barthem RB, Doria CRC, Garcia-Vasquez A, Goulding M, Isaac V, Batista V, Duponchelle F, Naeem S, Flecker AS (2022) Biodiversity underpins fisheries resilience to exploitation in the Amazon river basin. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 389:20220726 \| Abstract	July 2022	Inland fisheries provide nutrition and livelihoods for many globally, yet their status is rarely assessed due to their socio-ecological complexity and pervasive lack of data. Here we leverage an unprecedented landings time series from the Amazon, Earth’s largest river basin, together with theoretical models to examine (i) taxonomic and trait-based signatures of exploitation in inland fish landings, and (ii) implications of changing biodiversity for fisheries resilience. We find multispecies exploitation typical of diverse inland fisheries results in a hump-shaped landings evenness curve. Along this trajectory, the sequential replacement of abundant and large species with faster growing and smaller species can maintain harvest for a period of time. But, continued biodiversity depletion reduces the pool of compensating species and consequently diminishes fisheries resilience. Importantly, higher biodiversity can delay fishery collapse. We conclude that a hump-shaped trajectory in landings evenness could characterize multispecies inland fisheries and aid in assessing their sustainability.

Technical Publications

Technical Publications	Publication Date
Zeigenfuss, L.C., Aikens, E., Aldridge, C.L., Anderson, P.J., Assal, T.J., Bowen, Z.H., Chalfoun, A.D., Chong, G.W., Eddy-Miller, C.A., Germaine, S.S., Graves, T., Homer, C.G., Huber, C.C., Johnston, A., Kauffman, M.J., Manier, D.J., McShane, R.R., Miller, K.A., Monroe, A.P., Ortega, A., Walters, A.W., and Wyckoff, T.B., 2019, U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2017 annual report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2018–1188, 57 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20181188	December 2019
Wenger, AS, EA Gómez Juárez, J Thomas, T Amaya, C Corbin, J Edmond, K Falinski, J Hill, A Jenkins, SD Jupiter, CD Kuempel, JB Lamb, EM Nalley, S Omwenga, T Oza, EN Perez, LJ Tuttle Raz, and A Wakwella. A guide for integrated conservation and sanitation programs and approaches. Wildlife Conservation Society. Pp. 1-119. https://doi.org/10.19121/2023.Report.49832	October 2023
Wang H, Enwright NM, Soniat M, Hermann JE, La PEyre MK, Kim SC, Bunch B, Stelly SJ, Dalyander PS, Mickey RC. 2020. Chapter B. Oyster Habitat Suitability Modeling for the Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment at Dauphin Island. IP-113347	January 2020
Wang H, Enwright NM, Darnell KM, La Peyre MK, Cebrian J, Kim SC, Bunch B, Stelly SJ, Couvillion BR, Dalyander PS, MIckey RC, Segura M. 2020. Chapter C. Seagrass Habitat Suitability Modeling for the Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment at Dauphin Island. IP-113355	January 2020
Walsworth, T.E. and Budy, P. 2020. DRAFT: Hydrologic control on abundance and dsitribution of the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow in the Middle Rio Grande. USGS Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Report. 2020: 1-35.	January 2020
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2020. Final Report: Bald Eagle Population Size: 2020 Update. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Washington, D.C. U.S.A.	March 2021
Tuttle, LJ and MJ Donahue. Thresholds for sediment stress on corals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *NOAA Technical Report*, September 28, 2020. 75 p. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.35176.70403	September 2020
Trujillo, J., and C.A. Caldwell. 2020. Differential survival of two size classes of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and the predatory impact of Northern Pike Esox lucius in a high elevation New Mexico reservoir. Interim Agency Report to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 8 pp.	June 2020
Trujillo, J. and C.A. Caldwell. 2021. Differential Survival of Two Size Classes of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and the Predatory Impact of Northern Pike Esox lucius in a High Elevation New Mexico Reservoir. Interim Agency Report to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 5 pp.	September 2021
Teal, C., and Diaz, L. (2024). Understanding Fish Habitat Selection Using Snorkel Surveys. River Field Studies Network, QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/6Q7X-6Q90	January 2024
Taylor, C., La Peyre MK, Sable S, Kiskaddon E, Baustian M. 2020. Gear Comparison Study for sampling nekton in Barataria Basin Marshes. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Report. 61 pp. Coastal Inventory and Monitoring System, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana. https://cims.coastal.louisiana.gov/DocLibrary/DocumentSearch.aspx?Root=0&Folder=0	April 2020
Steen, V.A., J.T. Peterson, A. Duarte. 2023. Integrated modeling for insights into spatially dynamic abundance patterns for a rare fish species. Annual report to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.	March 2023
Rogue-South Coast Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan. 2021. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.	December 2021
Reddell, C.D., and J.W. Cain III. 2024. Barrier behavior analysis: Pronghorn of north central New Mexico. Report for New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.	August 2024
Peterson, J.T., J. Sanders, M.L. Kent, T. Neal, and C.B. Schreck. 2019. Effects of acute and chronic stressors on survival and dam passage of juvenile Chinook salmon infected with a parasitic copepod, Salmincola californiensis: implications for fish collection facilities. Draft Annual Report for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Portland OR.	December 2019
Peterson, J.T., A. Duarte, K. McDonell. 2019. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT OF CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT FISHERIES PHASES I - V. Draft final report to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Central Valley Improvement Act Program, Sacramento CA.	January 2020
Peterson, J.T., 2022. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Alternative Willamette River Flow Regimes for Supporting At-risk Salmonids. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District, Portland OR (October 2022)	October 2022
Pennock, C. A., W. W. Macfarlane, P. Budy, J. Jimenez, and J. Goodell. 2021. Conservation, restoration and monitoring plan for the lower White River, Utah. UTCFWRU 2022(1):1-78.	January 2022
Parks, M., K. Podruzny, S. Sells, T. Parks, N. Lance, W. Cole, T. Smucker. S. Bhattacharjee 2023. Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management 2022 Annual Report. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Helena, Montana. 53 pages.	June 2023
Paine, R.T.R., M.W. Rogers, A.E. Rosenberger. 2024. Early Detection and Rapid Response to the African Walking Catfish in Puerto Rico: Identification and Removal. Final Report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.	March 2024
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2021. Biological review, occupancy and abundance, and sampling considerations for Umpqua Chub status and trend monitoring. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife – Science Bulletin 2021-01, Salem, OR	March 2021
Noe, G., P.L. Angermeier, L.B. Barber, J. Buckwalter, M.J. Cashman, O. Devereux, T.R. Doody, S. Entrekin, R.M. Fanelli, N. Hitt, M.E. Huber, J.R. Jasmann, K.O. Maloney, T.G. Mohs, S. Sabat- Bonilla, K. Smalling, T. Wagner, J.C. Wolf, and K.E. Hyer. 2024. Connecting conservation practices to local stream health in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2024–3030, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20243030.	June 2024
Noe, G., Angermeier, P.L., Barber, L.B., Buckwalter, J., Cashman, M.J., Devereux, O., Doody, T.R., Entrekin, S., Fanelli, R.M., Hitt, N., Huber, M.E., Jasmann, J.R., Maloney, K.O., Mohs, T.G., Sabat-Bonilla, S., Smalling, K., Wagner, T., Wolf, J.C., and Hyer, K.E., 2024, Connecting conservation practices to local stream health in the Chesapeake Bay watershed: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2024–3030, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20243030	June 2024
Nalley, EM, LJ Tuttle, EE Conklin, AL Barkman, DM Wulstein, MC Schmidbauer, and MJ Donahue. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the direct effects of nutrients on corals. *NOAA Technical Report*, September 2022. 72 p.	September 2022
Nalley, EM, LJ Tuttle, AL Barkman, EE Conklin, DM Wulstein, and MJ Donahue. Pollutant Thresholds for the Development of Management Guidelines for Corals: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. *NOAA Technical Report*, September 2021. 72 p.	September 2021
Monzyk, F.R., A.S. Harrison, and J.T. Peterson. 2024. Warner Sucker eDNA Field Evaluations. ODFW Science Bulletin Fish Research Project Oregon	August 2024
McLaren, J., Budy, P., Van Kirk, R., Mabaka, A.J. 2021. Drought and drawdown create a house of horrors: shrinking habitat potentially impacts fish populations in a river-reservoir system in Idaho. NALMS LakeLine Magazine 41(3). https://www.nalms.org/lakeline-magazine/	October 2021
McLaren, J., Brothers, S., Budy, P., Van Kirk, R. 2020. Improving Fish Habitat in the Henry’s Fork of the Snake in Idaho: A Growing Problem. WDAFS Tributary 44(4). https://wdafs.org/newsletter/past-editions/">https://wdafs.org/newsletter/past-editions	December 2020
McLaren, J. 2022. The Upper Henry’s Fork Project: uncovering the diamond in plain sight. Henry's Fork Foundation Blog. https://www.henrysfork.org/post/the-upper-henry-s-fork-project-uncovering-the-diamond-in-plain-sight"	February 2022
McLaren, J. 2022. The Upper Henry’s Fork Project: bottlenecks limiting fish populations. Henry's Fork Foundation Blog. https://www.henrysfork.org/post/the-upper-henry-s-fork-project-bottlenecks-limiting-fish-populations	March 2022
Mather, M.E., C. Moffitt, M. Fabrizio, D. Parrish, B. Penaluna, B. Brown, S. Nesbit. Diversity and inclusion: a strategy to implement change for 2021 and beyond: symposium summary. Fisheries	November 2021
Mather, M.E., C. Aymami, O. Rode. 2022. Developing a strategic planning process for native fish restoration. (Grant # F20AF00207 T-59-R-1 Mod. #1). Annual Report – Submitted November 2022.	November 2022
Mather, M. E., and O. Rode. 2023. Guiding Present and Future Native Fish Restoration	June 2023
Mather, M. E., O. Rode, S. Kuck. 2024. Guiding Present and Future Native Fish Restoration	June 2024
Maguffee, A., K.F. Robinson, T. Brenden, D.G. Fielder. 2023. Development of a basis for allocation of fish production between management needs and double-crested cormorant predation within their nesting range. Final report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.	January 2023
M.W. Rogers. 2020. Asian carp in the Tennessee River and Cumberland River: Relative density and movement. USGS Fact Sheet	August 2020
Loftin, C.S, and R. Carey. 2021. The Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and University of Maine Department of Wildlife Ecology 2020 Annual Report to Cooperators. 65 pp.	March 2021
Loftin, C.S, and R. Carey. 2020. The Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and University of Maine Department of Wildlife Ecology 2019 Annual Report to Cooperators. 64 pp.	January 2020
Limberg, K., Gibson, J., Haskill, C., Henderson, M., Huynh, Q. 2020. American Shad Benchmark Stock Assessment Peer Review Report. Stock Assessment Report of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.	August 2020
Lavaud R, La Peyre MK, Couvillion B, Brown V, Pollack JB, Palmer T, Keim B. 2023. Eastern oyster Dynamic Energy Budget model outputs under current (2014-2020) and projected (2041-2050) temperature and salinity conditions in Texas and Louisiana estuaries and along northern GUlf of Mexico coast: U.S. Geological Survey data releases, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9YS78DY.	September 2023
La Peyre MK, Marshall DA, Sable S. 2020. Oyster model inventory: identifying critical data and modeling approaches to support restoration of oyster reefs in U.S. coastal Gulf of Mexico waters. Excel tables, gis maps, report	November 2020
Kauffman, M.J. and others. Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States. USGS Scientific Investigations Report	April 2020
Kalen, N. J. 2023. Bats of Richmond National Battlefield Park following white-nose syndrome: Public version. Natural Resource Report NPS/RICH/NRR—2023/2520. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2299295	May 2023
Kalen, N. J. 2023. Bats of Petersburg National Battlefield following white-nose syndrome. Natural Resource Report NPS/PETE/NRR—2023/2513. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2299217	May 2023
Kalen, N. J. 2023. Bats of Colonial National Historical Park following white-nose syndrome: Public version. Natural Resource Report NPS/COLO/NRR—2023/2534. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2299465NPS 333/	June 2023
Jones, ML, KF Robinson. 2023. Using stock assessment information to inform harvest policy in data-limited fisheries. Completion report to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Project 2021_Jon_770210.	July 2023
Harried, B. J. Westhoff, and C. Paukert. 2024. Linking stream fish thermal ecology and adaptive capacity to inform watershed-based management and Species Status Assessments. Final Report, U.S. Geological Survey, Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center.	October 2024
Greene, CM, E Beamer, J Chamberlin, G Hood, M Davis, K Larsen, J Anderson, R Henderson, J Hall, M Pouley, T Zackey, S Hodgson, C Ellings, and I Woo. 2021. Landscape, density-dependent, and bioenergetic influences upon Chinook salmon in tidal delta habitats: Comparison of four Puget Sound estuaries. ESRP Report 13-1508. Report prepared for the Washington State Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program, Olympia, Washington, USA.	January 2021
Gido, K.B., L.A. Bruckerhoff, J.S. Perkin, G. Suleiman, and J. Luginbill. 2021. Barrier prioritization to enhance habitat for Topeka shiner in Flint Hills Streams, Kansas. Final report to USFWS, Manhattan, KS.	September 2021
Elk River Fall Chinook: Status Assessment Update. 2020. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.	June 2020
Dugger, KM, S Andrews, et al. 2022. Demographic Characteristics and Ecology of Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) in the Southern Oregon Cascades. Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (OCFWRU), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Annual Progress Report. 30pp.	December 2022
Dugger, KM, S Andrews, et al. 2021. Demographic Characteristics and Ecology of Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) in the Southern Oregon Cascades. Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (OCFWRU), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Annual Progress Report. 30pp.	December 2021
Dugger, KM, S Andrews, et al. 2020. Demographic Characteristics and Ecology of Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) in the Southern Oregon Cascades. Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (OCFWRU), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Annual Progress Report. 28pp.	December 2020
Dugger, KM, S Andrews, et al. 2019. Demographic Characteristics and Ecology of Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) in the Southern Oregon Cascades. Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (OCFWRU), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Annual Progress Report. 27p.	February 2020
Dugger, KM, S Ackers, et al. 2022. The Demography of Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) on the Willamette National Forest, Oregon. Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (OCFWRU), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Annual Progress Report, 68pp.	December 2022
Dugger, KM, S Ackers, et al. 2021. The Demography of Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) on the Willamette National Forest, Oregon. Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (OCFWRU), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Annual Progress Report, 68pp.	December 2021
Dugger, KM, S Ackers, et al. 2020. The Demography of Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) on the Willamette National Forest, Oregon. Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (OCFWRU), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Annual Progress Report, 66pp.	December 2020
Dugger, KM, S Ackers, et al. 2019. The Demography of Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) on the Willamette National Forest, Oregon. Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (OCFWRU), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Annual Progress Report, 66pp.	December 2019
Dugger KM, LS Andrews, and T. Tippin. 2019. Apparent occupancy and the reproductive rates of Northern Spotted Owls in the Ashland Watershed, Siskiyou Mountains, southern Oregon 1993-1997, 2005-2018. Annual Report. Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (OCFWRU), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. 16pp.	March 2020
Doden, E. Budy, P., Young, J.K. 2019. Beaver re-introduction - Passive desert river restoration. Performance Report for the period January 1, 2019 to December 1, 2019 to the Bureau of Land Management. Agreement number L18AC00121.	December 2019
Deeley, S.M., and W.M. Ford. 2022. Summary Assessment of USFWS Capture Data for Little Brown, Northern Long-eared, and Tricolored Bat Species Status Assessment. Chapter A in Straw, B.R, J. A. Martin, J.D Reichard, and B.E Reichert, editors. Analytical Assessments in Support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 3-Bat Species Status Assessment. Cooperator Report prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Bat Conservation International. https://doi.org/10.7944/P9B4RWEU	January 2022
Davenport TM, Comba DA, Dalyander PS, Enwright NM, Palmsten ML, Steyer GD, La Peyre MK. In Review. Cumulative effects assessment on restoration programs: a framework to assess achievement of regional and programmatic goals. Cooperator Science Series Report.	July 2024
Cook, J.D., K. Flynn, D.A. Bell, M.E. Jaeger, J. Warren, R. Kreiner, J. Payne, J. Andrews, A. Brummond, E.H. Campbell Grant, and S.N. Sells	March 2023
Carlson, A. K. In press. Taylor-made: The meaning of mentorship in fisheries. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management.	January 2025
Carey, R. and J. Zydlewski. 2024. The Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and University of Maine Department of Wildlife Ecology 2023 Annual Report to Cooperators. 70 pp.	September 2024
Carey, R. and J. Zydlewski. 2024. The Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and University of Maine Department of Wildlife Ecology 2022 Report to Cooperators. 80 pp.	July 2024
Budy, P., and G. P. Thiede. 2020. Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat trout and tui chub monitoring and evaluation. Annual Monitoring Report to USFWS Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex, Reno, Nevada. December 2020. UTCFWRU 2020 (3):1-40.	December 2020
Budy, P., M.J. Chavez, C. Pennock, G.P. Thiede, and Peter MacKinnon. 2021. Rio Grande Silvery Minnow movement dynamics in the Middle Rio Grande. Annual Report to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Albuquerque Area Office. UCFWRU 2021(1):1-30.	June 2021
Budy, P., Giblin, A. and Crump, B. 2023. Final “Outcomes Report”, to National Science Foundation: Collaborative Research: An exploration of the direct and indirect effects of climatic warming on arctic lake ecosystems.	September 2023
Bonar, S. A. 2020. The amazing 150th anniversary of the American Fisheries Society. Fisheries 45:387. DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10454	August 2020
Bonar, S. A. 2020. Ode to the civil servant. Fisheries 45:175-176. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10433	March 2020
Bonar, S. A. 2020. Make your science go further with standard procedures! Fisheries 45:59-60. DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10402	February 2020
Bonar, S. A. 2020. Learn the basics, save the world. Fisheries 45:3. DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10383	January 2020
Bonar, S. A. 2020. Coronavirus, climate change, and a bit of hope. Fisheries 45:223-224. DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10444	May 2020
Bonar, S. A. 2020. An ecosystem, if you can keep it. Fisheries 45:115. DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10420 .	February 2020
Bonar, S. A. 2020. American Fisheries Society approves joining World Aquatic Scientific Societies' Statement on Human-Caused Climate Change. Fish Soup. Newsletter of the AZ-NM Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Volume 54 - Summer 2020.	July 2020
Bonar, S. A. 2020. AFS making history during an historic year. Fisheries 45:291.DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10482	May 2020
Bonar, S. A. 2019. Having a rough conversation? Try this! Fisheries 44:563. DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10381	December 2020
Bernknopf, R., C. Broadbent, I.S. Burns, J.W. Cain III, C.F. Casey, D. Goodrich, O. Olofinsao, B. Peterson, T. Smith, and V. Tidwell. 2023. Informing wildfire policy with forest pre-fire conservation investment to reduce expected fire loss: a retrospective analysis of the Rim fire in the Sierra Nevada, California. Final project report for USGS Grant G13AC00076.	June 2023
Armstrong, Benjamin, and C. A. Caldwell. 2020. Trojan YY-Male Brook Trout as an Eradication Tool of Wild Brook Trout Populations in New Mexico. Interim Report to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 8 pp.	June 2020
Armstrong, B., and C.A. Caldwell. 2021. Trojan YY-Male Brook Trout as an Eradication Tool of Wild Brook Trout Populations in New Mexico. Interim Agency Report to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 39 pp.	June 2021
Anderson, P.J., Aldridge, C.L., Alexander, J.S., Assal, T.J., Aulenbach, S., Bowen, Z.H., Chalfoun, A.D., Chong, G.W., Copeland, H., Edmunds, D.R., Germaine, S., Graves, T., Heinrichs, J.A., Homer, C.G., Huber, C.C., Johnston, A., Kauffman, M.J., Manier, D.J., McShan, R.R., Eddy-Miller, C.A., Miller, K.A., Monroe, A.P., O’Donnell, M.S., Ortega, A., Walters, A.W., Wieferich, D., Wyckoff, T.B., and Zeigenfuss, L., 2021, U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2018 annual report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2021–1067, 33 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20211067.	July 2021
Mather, M.E., C. Aymami, O. Rode. 2021. Developing a strategic planning process for native fish restoration. (Grant # F20AF00207 T-59-R-1 Mod. #1). Annual Report – Submitted November 2021	November 2021

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