Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: South Dakota
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

South Dakota Project

Human Dimensiosn of Habitat Loss in the Plains & Prairie Pothole Region

August 2014 - August 2018

Personnel

Participating Agencies

  • US Fish and Wildlfie Service - Plains and Prairie Pothole Landscape Conservation Cooperative

The Plains & Prairie Potholes Landscape Conservation Cooperative (PPP-LCC) identified habitat loss (factors influencing land use and land conversion) as a key research need because this grassland-wetland ecosystem provides essential habitat for an array of wildlife, especially waterfowl. Research has identified temperate grasslands are one of the most threatened biomes worldwide, with the greatest threat being conversion to annual crop production. This project was funded by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Having an understanding of how private landowners respond to economic incentives/pressures and other driving forces behind decisions about farming/ranching practices may identify strategies to reduce habitat loss in the plains and prairie pothole region. For example, how a farmer/rancher sees their role and responsibilities related to the environment may play a significant role in decision making.

Research Publications Publication Date
Sweikert, L.A., and L.M. Gigliotti. 2018. A values-based landowner typology to improve grassland conservation initiatives. Society & Natural Resources, 32(2):167-183. December 2018
Presentations Presentation Date
Gigliotti, L. M. and L. A. Sweikert. 2018. Human dimensions of habitat loss in the Plains and Prairie Pothole Region. Iowa Wildlife Bureau Statewide Meeting. Honey Creek State Park Lodge, Moravia, IA. March 6. March 2018
Gigliotti, L. M. and L. A. Sweikert. 2018. Understanding Montana landowners’ values, attitudes and behaviors towards wildlife and wildlife habitat. 56th Annual Conference of the Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Butte, MT. February 23. February 2018
Gigliotti, L.M. & Sweikert, L.A. 2017. Human dimensions of habitat loss in the Plains and Prairie Pothole region: North Dakota landowner survey results. North Dakota Action Group Meeting, Bismarck, ND April 2017
Gigliotti, L.M., & Sweikert, L.A. 2016. Human dimensions of habitat loss in the Plains & Prairie Pothole Ecoregions: A project update. 76th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, MI. January 2016
Gigliotti, L.M., and L.A. Sweikert. 2017. Understanding Iowa landowners' values, attitudes, and behaviors towards wildlife and wildlife habitat. Paper presented at The Wildlife Society 24th Annual Conference. Albuquerque, NM, September 25, 2017. September 2017
Gigliotti, L.M., and L.A. Sweikert. 2017. Values and behaviors of landowners in the upper Midwest. Paper presented at the Pathways Conference 2017. Estes Park, CO. September 18, 2017. September 2017
Gigliotti, L.M., and L.A. Sweikert. Wildlife Value Orientations of Farmers/Ranchers in the Plains and Prairie Pothole Landscape Conservation Cooperative. 22nd International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 25 June 2016. (PRESENTED) June 2016
Sweikert, L.A. and Gigliotti, L.M. 2016. Conserving the Plains and Prairie Pothole Ecoregions: A land relations scale. The Wildlife Society South Dakota Chapter Annual meeting, Oacoma, SD. March 2016
Sweikert, L.A., and Gigliotti, L.M. 2016. Conserving the Plains and Prairie Pothole Ecoregions: A land relations scale. 76th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, MI. January 2016
Sweikert, L.A., and L.M. Gigliotti. 2017. Comparing tools for understanding land use decisions. Paper presented at the Pathways Conference 2017. Estes Park, CO. September 18, 2017. September 2017
Sweikert, L.A., and L.M. Gigliotti. 2017. Conserving the Plains and Prairie Pothole Eco-region: Using an easy way to understand landowners' decisions. Paper presented at THE Wildlife Society 24th Annual Conference. Albuquerque, NM. September 25, 2017. September 2017
Sweikert, L.A., and L.M. Gigliotti. 2017. Saving the grasslands: Using social science to inform Farm Bill Conservation Programs. U.S. - International Association for Landscape Ecology 2017 Annual Meeting. Baltimore, MD. (April 10, 2017) April 2017
Sweikert, L.A., and L.M. Gigliotti. Conserving the Great Plains: A land use value scale. 22nd International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 25 June 2016. June 2016
Theses and Dissertations Publication Date
Sweikert, Lily, A. 2017. Human dimensions of habitat loss in the Plains and Prairie Pothole Ecoregion. Ph.D. Dissertation. South Dakota State university. August 2017