Headquarters Research: Projects, Research Publications, Presentations, Thesis and Dissertations, Technical Publications

Headquarters Research Activities

Northern Pintail Drake at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

The Cooperative Research Units Program conducts research on a wide range of disciplines related to fish, wildlife, and natural resource management. Our 40 Units collectively conduct research on virtually every type of North American ecological community. Most research projects are carried out by graduate students participating with and/or under the direction of unit or other university scientists. Collectively, the Units typically have more than 1,000 research projects under way and generate 250-300 scientific publications annually.

Unit research may be of local, regional, national, or international interest. The research programs conducted by units are approved as directed by the Coordinating Committee overseeing each unit.

Check out our current and completed research projects by clicking a link below. You can also find a complete list of publications by clicking on the Publications link on the main menu.

Projects

Project	Completion Date
Fish community response to commercial operation of the Richard	September 2007	We propose to reinstate the fish community monitoring conducted previously on J. Strom Thurmond and Richard B. Russell by the Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. The goals for this 5-year effort are two fold. First, evaluate the effects of commercial pump-back operation of the Russell Project; and second, provide statistically-rigorous, scientifically-sound information on which to base management decisions about the operation of the Russell Project. The proposed study will encompass a variety of hydrological and climatological conditions and several year-classes of blueback herring and threadfin shad. The main tasks and objectives of this study are to: Task One: Evaluate fish community response in J. Strom Thurmond and Richard B. Russell Reservoirs to commercial operation of the Russell Project Objective: Monitor trends in fish populations in the Savannah River Arm of the Reservoir and the lower third of Richard B. Russell Reservoir. Task Two: Evaluate response of pelagic fishes to the installment and operation of a dissolved oxygen diffuser system in J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir. Objective: Determine if pelagic species with high dissolved oxygen requirements use habitat created by the operation of dissolved oxygen diffuser installed in J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir	None
Fish community response to commercial operation of the Richard B Russell pump-storage hydropower facility on the Savannah River, GA-SC	September 2010	The purpose of this project is to continue the research into the fish community response to full commercial operation of the J. Strom Thurmond and Richard B. Russell hydropower project; this work will be used to evaluate data collected previously on JST and RBR by the Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. The goals for the 5-year effort are two fold. First, evaluate the effects of full commercial pump-back operation of the Russell Project; and second, provide statistically-rigorous, scientifically-sound information on which to base management decisions about the operation of the Russell Project. The proposed study will encompass a variety of hydrological and climatological conditions and several year-classes of blueback herring and threadfin shad. Objectives and Methods: Task One: Evaluate fish community response in JST and RBR reservoirs to commercial operation of the Russell Project. Objective: Monitor trends in fish populations in the Savannah River Arm of Reservoir and the lower third of Richard B. Russell Reservoir. Task 1-A Routine Gill Net Surveys Task 1-B Supplemental Gill Net Surveys Task 1-C Electrofishing Task 1-D Cove Rotenone Task Two: Evaluate response of pelagic fishes to the installment and operation of a dissolved oxygen diffuser system in JST Reservoir. Objective: Determine if pelagic species with high dissolved oxygen requirements use habitat created by the operation of dissolved oxygen diffuser installed in JST Reservoir. Task 2-A Diffuser System Gill Net Surveys	None
Control of sucker spawning migrations in a major tributary of the Gunnison River to increase the production of native sucker larvae	September 2021	Non-native suckers in the Upper Colorado River are a major threat to the persistence of native suckers. Our project seeks to manage that threat by removing non-native suckers during the spawning migration. The project consists of 2 goals. First, we will preclude entry of non-native and hybrid suckers to the native spawning run, thus increasing the proportion of native sucker larvae produced in Roubideau Creek. Second, we will PIT tag some of the expected 10,000s of fishes to study the spawning tributary fidelity of Bluehead Sucker, Flannelmouth Sucker and Roundtail Chub. If these fishes exhibit spawning system fidelity the odds of long-term success via exclusion of non-native is possible.	Non-native suckers in the Upper Colorado River are a major threat to the persistence of native suckers. Our project seeks to manage that threat by removing non-native suckers during the spawning migration. The project consists of 2 goals. First, we will preclude entry of non-native and hybrid suckers to the native spawning run, thus increasing the proportion of native sucker larvae produced in Roubideau Creek. Second, we will PIT tag some of the expected 10,000s of fishes to study the spawning tributary fidelity of Bluehead Sucker, Flannelmouth Sucker and Roundtail Chub. If these fishes exhibit spawning system fidelity the odds of long-term success via exclusion of non-native is possible.<br><br>The research is being conducted in collaboration with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. <br><br>Data from our study will be used to inform management decisions regarding native suckers in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
Assessing attitudes and impacts to society associated with the use of nontoxic ammunition for hunting on National Wildlife Refuges	December 2019	Despite extensive scientific evidence of the detrimental effect of spent lead ammunition on wildlife and potential for human exposure, reducing the use of lead-based ammunition for hunting activities can be a controversial and contentious issue. Through the implementation of mail-back surveys and group interviews, this project aims to understand hunters’ perceptions towards a voluntary transition to non-lead ammunition use for hunting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on targeted National Wildlife Refuges in the Northeast U.S. Specifically, this project aims to identify the practical barriers associated with a voluntary transition to non-lead ammunition use and what factors would influence hunters to switch. Assessment of the practical barriers to transitioning to non-lead ammunition will allow the National Wildlife Refuge System to direct targeted outreach and education strategies to achieve behavioral change in hunter ammunition choice.	Since the 1960s, the recognition of the negative effect of lead on humans and wildlife has resulted in regulations to reduce both human exposure and the amount of lead introduced into the environment. Federal restrictions on lead-based ammunition for waterfowl hunting were implemented in 1991. Since then restrictions on lead-based ammunition use have expanded in some states, however, lead is still a primary component of ammunition used for non-waterfowl hunting in the U.S. The continued use of lead-based ammunition for hunting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), in particular, facilitates completed pathways to lead exposure for hunters, their family members, and for non-target species that scavenge the gut piles and carcasses of deer left in the field. Voluntary approaches to reducing lead-based ammunition use have been shown to garner increased support from hunters and have been recognized as a viable option for mitigating the impacts of lead from hunting activities. In collaboration with the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, USGS, and the USFWS, we have conducted mail-back surveys and group interviews with hunters at targeted National Wildlife Refuges in the Northeast U.S. This project aims to identify the practical barriers associated with a voluntary transition to non-lead as perceived by hunters, and what factors would influence hunters to switch to non-lead alternatives. Identifying the barriers and influences to non-lead use will help the National Wildlife Refuge System direct more targeted outreach and education strategies in order to better achieve behavioral change in regard to hunter ammunition choice.
Using Genomics to Understand Population Dynamics and Enhance the Management of Canada Lynx Populations in the Contiguous United States	December 2019	Management of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) populations occurring at the edge of the species range has been informed by limited regional studies mostly focused on demographics and ecology. Tools are needed to provide baseline metrics of population health and an understanding of landscape dynamics to inform regional and range-wide management and monitoring strategies. Next-generation sequencing produces a high density of genetic markers (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms, structural variants, mutations) that enhance the precision and reliability of population demographic parameter estimates relevant to conservation practitioners. In September of 2018 we produced the first-ever reference genome for Canada lynx, which will serve as a publicly available community resource and a powerful tool for population-level assessments. Ultimately this work will provide baseline metrics for managing Canada lynx populations in the lower 48 states and management recommendations that conserve or enhance population fitness and resiliency. This project is a multi-disciplinary collaboration including the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit at UMass Amherst, the Vertebrate Genomes Laboratory at Rockefeller University, the State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and the Smithsonian Institution.	Management of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) populations occurring at the edge of the species range has been informed by limited regional studies mostly focused on demographics and ecology. Tools are needed to provide baseline metrics of population health and an understanding of landscape dynamics to inform regional and range-wide management and monitoring strategies. Next-generation sequencing produces a high density of genetic markers (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms, structural variants, mutations) that enhance the precision and reliability of population demographic parameter estimates relevant to conservation practitioners. In September of 2018 we produced the first-ever reference genome for Canada lynx, which will serve as a publicly available community resource and a powerful tool for population-level assessments. Ultimately this work will provide baseline metrics for managing Canada lynx populations in the lower 48 states and management recommendations that conserve or enhance population fitness and resiliency. This project is a multi-disciplinary collaboration including the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit at UMass-Amherst, the Vertebrate Genomes Laboratory at Rockefeller University, the State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Comparative Ecology and Conservation of Bears in North and South America	December 2020	The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and American black bear (Ursus americanus) are considered to be representative landscape species, meaning that large scale conservation benefits can result from conservation efforts for these species and the areas they inhabit. However, the general lack of information about spectacled bears, particularly their distribution in Peru, makes it difficult to develop conservation plans. This research aims to create a spectacled bear distribution model and verify the species' presence in areas without current records in order to obtain reliable distribution predictability. In contrast, distribution, ecology, and management strategies for the American black bear are well known, and can serve to inform the same topics for the somewhat similar spectacled bear, for which relatively little is known. Results will contribute to the national plan for the conservation of spectacled bears being implemented by our major collaborator, the Peruvian forest and wildlife service (Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre - SERFOR), and allow a comparative study among these two bear species.	The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and American black bear (Ursus americanus) are considered to be representative landscape species, meaning that large scale conservation benefits can result from conservation efforts for these species and the areas they inhabit. However, the general lack of information about spectacled bears, particularly their distribution in Peru, makes it difficult to develop conservation plans. This research aims to create a spectacled bear distribution model and verify the species' presence in areas without current records in order to obtain reliable distribution predictability. In contrast, distribution, ecology, and management strategies for the American black bear are well known, and can serve to inform the same topics for the somewhat similar spectacled bear, for which relatively little is known. Results will contribute to the national plan for the conservation of spectacled bears being implemented by our major collaborator, the Peruvian forest and wildlife service (Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre - SERFOR), and allow a comparative study among these two bear species.

Research Publications

Research Publications	Publication Date
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.
Wirth, L., A. Rosenberger, A. Prakash, J. Margraf, and T. Hamazaki. 2012. A remote sensing/GIS-based approach to identify and model spawning habitat for fall chum salmon in a sub-arctic, glacially-fed river. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 141:1349-1363. \| Download	December 2012
Williams, B.K., R.C. Szaro, and C.D. Shapiro. 2007. Adaptive Management: U.S. Department of the Interior Technical Guide. Adaptive Management Working Group, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.	June 2007
Williams, B.K., M.D. Koneff, and D.A. Smith. 1999. Evaluation of waterfowl conservation under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Journal of Wildlife Management 63:417-440. \| Abstract	April 1999	In 1986, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (Plan) was signed by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and the Canadian Minister of the Environment, with a goal of restoring waterfowl populations to levels of the 1970s iia habitat conservation. Central to the Plan is a set of ambitious continental population goals and habitat objectives to be met through broad-based public-private partnerships. Inadequate attention has been paid to evaluation of the Plan, despite the fact that Plan delivery can be enhanced via improved understanding of the effects of habitat conservation on waterfowl population dynamics. Several factors confound the effort to evaluate the Plan at regional and continental levels, including difficulties in accounting for national land-use policies. To date, evaluation has proceeded along 2 avenues of investigation: (1) the study of conservation actions at local-regional levels, and (2) statistical assessment of Plan assumptions. Among other things, results thus Ear indicate duck production from the U.S Northern Great Plains has increased in recent years, and intensive treatments such as planted cover have had positive effects on local reproductive success. Many duck species currently exceed Plan population goals; however, population levels of some species, most notably northern pintail (Anas acuta), remain below expectations based on historic relationships with precipitation. Management implications include the need for ongoing and more carefully prioritized conservation efforts, broader partnerships, and improved understanding of the linkages between habitats and biological processes. Delivery of the Plan must involve collaboration among the Continental Evaluation Team, joint venture partners, the Adaptive Management and Assessment Team of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other conservation groups. Although the challenges and projected costs of Plan conservation efforts are considerable, the longterm potential benefits to waterfowl conservation are great.In 1986, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (Plan) was signed by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and the Canadian Minister of the Environment, with a goal of restoring waterfowl populations to levels of the 1970s iia habitat conservation. Central to the Plan is a set of ambitious continental population goals and habitat objectives to be met through broad-based public-private partnerships. Inadequate attention has been paid to evaluation of the Plan, despite the fact that Plan delivery can be enhanced via improved understanding of the effects of habitat conservation on waterfowl population dynamics. Several factors confound the effort to evaluate the Plan at regional and continental levels, including difficulties in accounting for national land-use policies. To date, evaluation has proceeded along 2 avenues of investigation: (1) the study of conservation actions at local-regional levels, and (2) statistical assessment of Plan assumptions. Among other things, results thus Ear indicate duck production from the U.S Northern Great Plains has increased in recent years, and intensive treatments such as planted cover have had positive effects on local reproductive success. Many duck species currently exceed Plan population goals; however, population levels of some species, most notably northern pintail (Anas acuta), remain below expectations based on historic relationships with precipitation. Management implications include the need for ongoing and more carefully prioritized conservation efforts, broader partnerships, and improved understanding of the linkages between habitats and biological processes. Delivery of the Plan must involve collaboration among the Continental Evaluation Team, joint venture partners, the Adaptive Management and Assessment Team of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other conservation groups. Although the challenges and projected costs of Plan conservation efforts are considerable, the longterm potential benefits to waterfowl conservation are great.
Williams, B.K., M. Eaton, and D.R. Breininger. 2011. Adaptive resource management and the value of information. Ecological Modelling 222:3305-3456.	September 2011
Williams, B.K. and J.D. Nichols. 2001. Systems identification and the adaptive management of waterfowl in the United States. Wildlife Biology 7:129-142. \| Abstract	September 2001	Waterfowl management in the United States is one of the more visible conservation success stories in the United States. It is authorized and supported by appropriate legislative authorities, based on large-scale monitoring programs, and widely accepted by the public. The process is one of only a limited number of large-scale examples of effective collaboration between research and management, integrating scientific information with management in a coherent framework for regulatory decision-making. However, harvest management continues to face some serious technical problems, many of which focus on sequential identification of the resource system in a context of optimal decision-making. The objective of this paper is to provide a theoretical foundation of adaptive harvest management, the approach currently in use in the United States for regulatory decision-making. We lay out the legal and institutional framework for adaptive harvest management and provide a formal description of regulatory decision-making in terms of adaptive optimization. We discuss some technical and institutional challenges in applying adaptive harvest management and focus specifically on methods of estimating resource states for linear resource systems.Waterfowl management in the United States is one of the more visible conservation success stories in the United States. It is authorized and supported by appropriate legislative authorities, based on large-scale monitoring programs, and widely accepted by the public. The process is one of only a limited number of large-scale examples of effective collaboration between research and management, integrating scientific information with management in a coherent framework for regulatory decision-making. However, harvest management continues to face some serious technical problems, many of which focus on sequential identification of the resource system in a context of optimal decision-making. The objective of this paper is to provide a theoretical foundation of adaptive harvest management, the approach currently in use in the United States for regulatory decision-making. We lay out the legal and institutional framework for adaptive harvest management and provide a formal description of regulatory decision-making in terms of adaptive optimization. We discuss some technical and institutional challenges in applying adaptive harvest management and focus specifically on methods of estimating resource states for linear resource systems.
Williams, B.K. 2011. Resolving structural uncertainty in natural resources management using POMDP approaches. 222:1092-1102. \| Abstract	March 2011	In recent years there has been a growing focus on the uncertainties of natural resources management, and the importance of accounting for uncertainty in assessing management effectiveness. This paper focuses on uncertainty in resource management in terms of discrete-state Markov decision processes (MOP) under structural uncertainty and partial observability. It describes the treatment of structural uncertainty with approaches developed for partially observable resource systems. In particular, I show how value iteration for partially observable MDPs (POMDP) can be extended to structurally uncertain MDPs. A key difference between these process classes is that structurally uncertain MDPs require the tracking of system state as well as a probability structure for the structure uncertainty, whereas with POMDPs require only a probability structure for the observation uncertainty. The added complexity of the optimization problem under structural uncertainty is compensated by reduced dimensionality in the search for optimal strategy. A solution algorithm for structurally uncertain processes is outlined for a simple example in conservation biology. By building on the conceptual framework developed for POMDPs, natural resource analysts and decision makers who confront structural uncertainties in natural resources can take advantage of the rapid growth in POMDP methods and approaches, and thereby produce better conservation strategies over a larger class of resource problems. Published by Elsevier B.V.In recent years there has been a growing focus on the uncertainties of natural resources management, and the importance of accounting for uncertainty in assessing management effectiveness. This paper focuses on uncertainty in resource management in terms of discrete-state Markov decision processes (MOP) under structural uncertainty and partial observability. It describes the treatment of structural uncertainty with approaches developed for partially observable resource systems. In particular, I show how value iteration for partially observable MDPs (POMDP) can be extended to structurally uncertain MDPs. A key difference between these process classes is that structurally uncertain MDPs require the tracking of system state as well as a probability structure for the structure uncertainty, whereas with POMDPs require only a probability structure for the observation uncertainty. The added complexity of the optimization problem under structural uncertainty is compensated by reduced dimensionality in the search for optimal strategy. A solution algorithm for structurally uncertain processes is outlined for a simple example in conservation biology. By building on the conceptual framework developed for POMDPs, natural resource analysts and decision makers who confront structural uncertainties in natural resources can take advantage of the rapid growth in POMDP methods and approaches, and thereby produce better conservation strategies over a larger class of resource problems. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Williams, B.K. 2011. Passive and active adaptive management: Approaches and an example. Journal of Environmental Management 92:1371-1378. \| Abstract	May 2011	Adaptive management is a framework for resource conservation that promotes iterative learning-based decision making. Yet there remains considerable confusion about what adaptive management entails, and how to actually make resource decisions adaptively. A key but somewhat ambiguous distinction in adaptive management is between active and passive forms of adaptive decision making. The objective of this paper is to illustrate some approaches to active and passive adaptive management with a simple example involving the drawdown of water impoundments on a wildlife refuge. The approaches are illustrated for the drawdown example, and contrasted in terms of objectives, costs, and potential learning rates. Some key challenges to the actual practice of AM are discussed, and tradeoffs between implementation costs and long-term benefits are highlighted. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Adaptive management is a framework for resource conservation that promotes iterative learning-based decision making. Yet there remains considerable confusion about what adaptive management entails, and how to actually make resource decisions adaptively. A key but somewhat ambiguous distinction in adaptive management is between active and passive forms of adaptive decision making. The objective of this paper is to illustrate some approaches to active and passive adaptive management with a simple example involving the drawdown of water impoundments on a wildlife refuge. The approaches are illustrated for the drawdown example, and contrasted in terms of objectives, costs, and potential learning rates. Some key challenges to the actual practice of AM are discussed, and tradeoffs between implementation costs and long-term benefits are highlighted. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Williams, B.K. 2011. Adaptive management of natural resources: Framework and issues. Journal of Environmental Management 2011:1346-1353. \| Abstract	May 2011	Adaptive management, an approach for simultaneously managing and learning about natural resources, has been around for several decades. Interest in adaptive decision making has grown steadily over that time, and by now many in natural resources conservation claim that adaptive management is the approach they use in meeting their resource management responsibilities. Yet there remains considerable ambiguity about what adaptive management actually is, and how it is to be implemented by practitioners. The objective of this paper is to present a framework and conditions for adaptive decision making, and discuss some important challenges in its application. Adaptive management is described as a two-phase process of deliberative and iterative phases, which are implemented sequentially over the timeframe of an application. Key elements, processes, and issues in adaptive decision making are highlighted in terms of this framework. Special emphasis is given to the question of geographic scale, the difficulties presented by non-stationarity, and organizational challenges in implementing adaptive management. Published by Elsevier Ltd.Adaptive management, an approach for simultaneously managing and learning about natural resources, has been around for several decades. Interest in adaptive decision making has grown steadily over that time, and by now many in natural resources conservation claim that adaptive management is the approach they use in meeting their resource management responsibilities. Yet there remains considerable ambiguity about what adaptive management actually is, and how it is to be implemented by practitioners. The objective of this paper is to present a framework and conditions for adaptive decision making, and discuss some important challenges in its application. Adaptive management is described as a two-phase process of deliberative and iterative phases, which are implemented sequentially over the timeframe of an application. Key elements, processes, and issues in adaptive decision making are highlighted in terms of this framework. Special emphasis is given to the question of geographic scale, the difficulties presented by non-stationarity, and organizational challenges in implementing adaptive management. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Williams, B.K. 2009. Markov decision processes in natural resources management: Observability and uncertainty. Ecological Modelling 220:830-840. \| Abstract	March 2009	The breadth and complexity of stochastic decision processes in natural resources presents a challenge to analysts who need to understand and use these approaches. The objective of this paper is to describe a class of decision processes that are germane to natural resources conservation and management, namely Markov decision processes, and to discuss applications and computing algorithms under different conditions of observability and uncertainty. A number of important similarities are developed in the framing and evaluation of different decision processes, which can be useful in their applications in natural resources management. The challenges attendant to partial observability are highlighted, and possible approaches for dealing with it are discussed. Published by Elsevier B.V.The breadth and complexity of stochastic decision processes in natural resources presents a challenge to analysts who need to understand and use these approaches. The objective of this paper is to describe a class of decision processes that are germane to natural resources conservation and management, namely Markov decision processes, and to discuss applications and computing algorithms under different conditions of observability and uncertainty. A number of important similarities are developed in the framing and evaluation of different decision processes, which can be useful in their applications in natural resources management. The challenges attendant to partial observability are highlighted, and possible approaches for dealing with it are discussed. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Williams, B.K. 2007. Optimal management of non-Markovian biological populations. Ecological Modelling 200:234-242. \| Abstract	January 2007	Wildlife populations typically are described by Markovian models, with population dynamics influenced at each point in time by current but not previous population levels. Considerable work has been done on identifying optimal management strategies under the Markovian assumption. In this paper we generalize this work to non-Markovian systems, for which population responses to management are influenced by lagged as well as current status and/or controls. We use the maximum principle of optimal control theory to derive conditions for the optimal management such a system, and illustrate the effects of lags on the structure of optimal habitat strategies for a predator-prey system. Published by Elsevier B.V.Wildlife populations typically are described by Markovian models, with population dynamics influenced at each point in time by current but not previous population levels. Considerable work has been done on identifying optimal management strategies under the Markovian assumption. In this paper we generalize this work to non-Markovian systems, for which population responses to management are influenced by lagged as well as current status and/or controls. We use the maximum principle of optimal control theory to derive conditions for the optimal management such a system, and illustrate the effects of lags on the structure of optimal habitat strategies for a predator-prey system. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Williams, B.K. 2006. Adaptive harvest management: where we are, how we got here, and what we've learned thus far. Transactions, North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 71.	June 2006
Williams, B.K. 2003. Policy, research, and adaptive management in avian conservation. The Auk 120:212-217.	January 2003
Williams, B.K. 2003. A research agenda for bird conservation. Transactions, North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 68: 304-311.	June 2003
Williams, B.K. 2001. Uncertainty, learning, and optimization in wildlife management. Environmental and Ecological Statistics 8:269-288. \| Abstract	September 2001	Wildlife management is limited by uncontrolled and often unrecognized environmental variation, by limited capabilities to observe and control animal populations, and by a lack of understanding about the biological processes driving population dynamics. In this paper I describe a comprehensive framework for management that includes multiple models and likelihood values to account for structural uncertainty, along with stochastic factors to account for environmental variation, random sampling, and partial controllability. Adaptive optimization is developed in terms of the optimal control of incompletely understood populations, with the expected value of perfect information measuring the potential for improving control through learning. The framework for optimal adaptive control is generalized by including partial observability and non-adaptive, sample-based updating of model likelihoods. Passive adaptive management is derived as a special case of constrained adaptive optimization, representing a potentially efficient suboptimal alternative that nonetheless accounts for structural uncertainty.Wildlife management is limited by uncontrolled and often unrecognized environmental variation, by limited capabilities to observe and control animal populations, and by a lack of understanding about the biological processes driving population dynamics. In this paper I describe a comprehensive framework for management that includes multiple models and likelihood values to account for structural uncertainty, along with stochastic factors to account for environmental variation, random sampling, and partial controllability. Adaptive optimization is developed in terms of the optimal control of incompletely understood populations, with the expected value of perfect information measuring the potential for improving control through learning. The framework for optimal adaptive control is generalized by including partial observability and non-adaptive, sample-based updating of model likelihoods. Passive adaptive management is derived as a special case of constrained adaptive optimization, representing a potentially efficient suboptimal alternative that nonetheless accounts for structural uncertainty.
Williams, B.K. 2000. Perspectives on regulation of the sport harvest of wildlife. Transactions, North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 65:61-64.	June 2000
Williams, B. K., and J. D. Nichols. 2001. Systems identification and the adaptive management of waterfowl in theUnited States. Wildlife Biology 7:129-142.	September 2001
Williams, B. K., M. D. Koneff, and D. A. Smith. 1999. Evaluation of waterfowl conservation under the north american waterfowl plan. Journal of Wildlife Management. 63(2):417-440.	January 2000
Williams, B. K., J. D. Nichols, and M. J. Conroy. 2002. Analysis and management of animal populations. Academic Press.	April 2002
Williams, B. K., J. D. Nichols, and M. J. Conroy. 2002. Analysis and management of animal populations. Academic Press .	April 2002
Williams, B. K. 2001. Uncertainty, learning, and the optimal management of wildlife. Env. Ecol. Stat. 8:269-288	June 2001
Williams, B. K. 2000. Perspectives on regulation of the sport harvest of wildlife. North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 65:61-64.	November 2000
White, H. B., T. Decker, M.J. O’Brien, J.F. Organ and N. M. Roberts. 2015. Trapping and furbearer management in North American wildlife conservation, International Journal of Environmental Studies, DOI: 10.1080/00207233.2015.1019297	March 2015
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.
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
Szaro, R.C. and B.K. Williams. 2008. Climate change: Environmental effects and management adaptations. In: Fenech, A., D. MacIver, and F. Dallmeier (eds.). Climate Change and Biodiversity in the Americas. Environment Canada, Toronto, Ontario.	February 2008
Stolarski, J. T, F. J. Margraf, J. G. Carlson, and T. M. Sutton. Lipid and moisture content modeling of amphidromous Dolly Varden Char using bioelectrical impedance analysis. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 34:471-481.	April 2014
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
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., 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.
Rayl, N.D., T.K. Fuller, J.F. Organ, J.E. McDonald, Jr., R.D. Otto, G. Bastille-Rousseau, C.E. Soulliere and S.P. Mahoney. 2015. Spatiotemporal variation in the distribution of potential predators of a resource pulse: black bears and caribou calves in Newfoundland. Journal of Wildlife Management 79(7): 1041-1050.	August 2015
Powell, L.A., A.J. Tyre, M.J. Conroy, J.T. Peterson, and B.K. Williams. 2011 Integrating adaptive management into wildlife curricula. The Wildlife Professional 5(2): 74-76.	April 2011
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.
Organ, John F., and R.E. McCabe. 2018. History of state wildlife management and conservation. Chapter 1, pages 1 - 23 in T.J. Ryder, editor, State Wildlife management and Conservation. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. LCCN 2017017327	February 2018
Organ, J.F., T.A. Decker, and T.M. Lama. 2016. The North American model and captive cervid facilities-what is the threat? Wildlife Society Bulletin 40(1):10-13	March 2016
Organ, J.F. The North American model of wildlife conservation and wild turkey management: the future. Pages 19-23 in D.E. Miller, editor, Proceedings of the eleventh national wild turkey symposium. Allen Press, Lawrence, Kansas, USA. \| Abstract	December 2015	Seven principles comprise the concept known as the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Each of these principles has been employed for restoring and managing wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). Today, we enjoy abundant populations and hunting opportunities, but potential threats could erode these in the future. These include trends towards commercialization and privatization, reduced land access for hunting, erosion of science, public antipathy towards hunting, and reduction of forest habitat quality due to limitations on forest management practices. Herein, I discuss each of these elements and challenges of maintaining relevance of the North American Model to wild turkey management.
Organ, J.F. 2018. The North American model of wildlife conservation and the public trust doctrine. Chapter 13, pages 125 – 135 in B.D. Leopold, W.B. Kessler, and J.L. Cummins, eds., North American Wildlife Policy and Law. Boone and Crockett Club, Missoula, Montana, USA. DOI 10: 111234	August 2018
Organ, J.F. 2018. Federal aid in wildlife and fisheries conservation. Chapter 16, pages 163-175 in B.D. Leopold, W.B. Kessler, and J.L. Cummins, eds., North American Wildlife Policy and Law. Boone and Crockett Club, Missoula, Montana, USA. DOI: 10: 198765	August 2018
Organ, J.F. 2016. Book Review: Inside the Equal Access to Justice Act: Environmental Litigation and the Crippling Battle over America's Lands, Endangered Species, and Critical Habitats. Journal of Wildlife Management 80: early view	June 2016
Nichols, J.D., M.D. Koneff, P.J. Heglund, M.G. Knutson, M.E. Seamans, J.E. Lyons, J.M. Morton, M.T. Jones, G.S. Boomer, and B.K. Williams. 2011. Climate change, uncertainty, and natural resource management. Journal of Wildlife Management 75:6-18. \| Abstract	January 2011	Climate change and its associated uncertainties are of concern to natural resource managers. Although aspects of climate change may be novel (e.g., system change and nonstationarity), natural resource managers have long dealt with uncertainties and have developed corresponding approaches to decision-making. Adaptive resource management is an application of structured decision-making for recurrent decision problems with uncertainty, focusing on management objectives, and the reduction of uncertainty over time. We identified 4 types of uncertainty that characterize problems in natural resource management. We examined ways in which climate change is expected to exacerbate these uncertainties, as well as potential approaches to dealing with them. As a case study, we examined North American waterfowl harvest management and considered problems anticipated to result from climate change and potential solutions. Despite challenges expected to accompany the use of adaptive resource management to address problems associated with climate change, we conclude that adaptive resource management approaches will be the methods of choice for managers trying to deal with the uncertainties of climate change. (C) 2011 The Wildlife Society.Climate change and its associated uncertainties are of concern to natural resource managers. Although aspects of climate change may be novel (e.g., system change and nonstationarity), natural resource managers have long dealt with uncertainties and have developed corresponding approaches to decision-making. Adaptive resource management is an application of structured decision-making for recurrent decision problems with uncertainty, focusing on management objectives, and the reduction of uncertainty over time. We identified 4 types of uncertainty that characterize problems in natural resource management. We examined ways in which climate change is expected to exacerbate these uncertainties, as well as potential approaches to dealing with them. As a case study, we examined North American waterfowl harvest management and considered problems anticipated to result from climate change and potential solutions. Despite challenges expected to accompany the use of adaptive resource management to address problems associated with climate change, we conclude that adaptive resource management approaches will be the methods of choice for managers trying to deal with the uncertainties of climate change. (C) 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Nichols, J.D., M.C. Runge, F.A. Johnson, and B.K. Williams. 2007. Adaptive harvest management of North American waterfowl populations: A brief history and future prospects. Journal of Ornithology 148:S343-S349. \| Abstract	December 2007	Since 1995, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has used an adaptive approach to the management of sport harvest of mid-continent Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in North America. This approach differs from many current approaches to conservation and management in requiring close collaboration between managers and scientists. Key elements of this process are objectives, alternative management actions, models permitting prediction of system responses, and a monitoring program. The iterative process produces optimal management decisions and leads to reduction in uncertainty about response of populations to management. This general approach to management has a number of desirable features and is recommended for use in many other programs of management and conservation.Since 1995, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has used an adaptive approach to the management of sport harvest of mid-continent Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in North America. This approach differs from many current approaches to conservation and management in requiring close collaboration between managers and scientists. Key elements of this process are objectives, alternative management actions, models permitting prediction of system responses, and a monitoring program. The iterative process produces optimal management decisions and leads to reduction in uncertainty about response of populations to management. This general approach to management has a number of desirable features and is recommended for use in many other programs of management and conservation.
Nichols, J.D. and B.K. Williams. 2006. Monitoring for conservation. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 21:668-673. \| Abstract	December 2006	Human-mediated environmental changes have resulted in appropriate concern for the conservation of ecological systems and have led to the development of many ecological monitoring programs worldwide. Many programs that are identified with the purpose of 'surveillance' represent an inefficient use of conservation funds and effort. Here, we revisit the 1964 paper by Platt and argue that his recommendations about the conduct of science are equally relevant to the conduct of ecological monitoring programs. In particular, we argue that monitoring should not be viewed as a stand-alone activity, but instead as a component of a larger process of either conservation-oriented science or management. Corresponding changes in monitoring focus and design would lead to substantial increases in the efficiency and usefulness of monitoring results in conservation.Human-mediated environmental changes have resulted in appropriate concern for the conservation of ecological systems and have led to the development of many ecological monitoring programs worldwide. Many programs that are identified with the purpose of 'surveillance' represent an inefficient use of conservation funds and effort. Here, we revisit the 1964 paper by Platt and argue that his recommendations about the conduct of science are equally relevant to the conduct of ecological monitoring programs. In particular, we argue that monitoring should not be viewed as a stand-alone activity, but instead as a component of a larger process of either conservation-oriented science or management. Corresponding changes in monitoring focus and design would lead to substantial increases in the efficiency and usefulness of monitoring results in conservation.
Nichols, J. D., M. C. Runge, et al. 2006. Adaptive Harvest Management of North American Waterfowl Populations - Recent Successes and Future Prospects. Journal of Ornithology 147(5): 28-28.	August 2006
Nestler, J. M., R. A. Goodwin, T. M. Cole, D. Degan, and D. Dennerline. 2002. Simulating movement patterns of blueback herring in a stratified southern impoundment. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 131:55-69.	January 2002
Nathaniel D. Rayl, Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, John F. Organ, Matthew A. Mumma, Shane P. Mahoney, Colleen E. Soulliere, Keith P. Lewis, Robert D. Otto, Dennis L. Murray, Lisette P. Waits, and Todd K. Fuller. 2018. Spatiotemporal heterogeneity in prey abundance and vulnerability shapes the foraging tactics of an omnivore. Journal of Animal Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12810 \| Abstract	March 2018	Prey abundance and prey vulnerability vary across space and time, but we know little about how they mediate predator-prey interactions and predator foraging tactics. To evaluate the interplay between prey abundance, prey vulnerability, and predator space use, we examined patterns of black bear (Ursus americanus) predation of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) neonates in Newfoundland, Canada using data from 317 collared individuals (9 bears, 34 adult female caribou, 274 caribou calves). During the caribou calving season, we predicted that landscape features would influence calf vulnerability to bear predation, and that bears would actively hunt calves by selecting areas associated with increased calf vulnerability. Further, we hypothesized that bears would dynamically adjust their foraging tactics in response to spatiotemporal changes in calf abundance and vulnerability (collectively, calf availability). Accordingly, we expected bears to actively hunt calves when they were most abundant and vulnerable, but switch to foraging on other resources as calf availability declined. As predicted, landscape heterogeneity influenced risk of mortality, and bears displayed the strongest selection for areas where they were most likely to kill calves, which suggested they were actively hunting caribou. Initially, the per-capita rate at which bears killed calves followed a type-I functional response, but as the calving season progressed and calf vulnerability declined, kill rates dissociated from calf abundance. In support of our hypothesis, bears adjusted their foraging tactics when they were less efficient at catching calves, highlighting the influence that predation phenology may have on predator space use. Contrary to our expectations, however, bears appeared to continue to hunt caribou as calf availability declined, but switched from a tactic of selecting areas of increased calf vulnerability to a tactic that maximized encounter rates with calves. Our results reveal that generalist predators can dynamically adjust their foraging tactics over short time scales in response to changing prey abundance and vulnerability. Further, they demonstrate the utility of integrating temporal dynamics of prey availability into investigations of predator-prey interactions, and move towards a mechanistic understanding of the dynamic foraging tactics of a large omnivore.
Mumma, M.A., J.D. Holbrook, N.D. Rayl, C.J. Zieminski, T.K. Fuller, J.F. Organ, S.P. Mahoney, and L.P. Waits. 2017. Examining spatial patterns of selection and use for an altered predator guild. Oecologia DOI 10.1007/s00442-017-3971-8 \| Abstract	October 2017	Anthropogenic disturbances have altered species’ distributions potentially impacting interspecific interactions. Interference competition is when one species denies a competing species access to a resource. One mechanism of interference competition is aggression, which can result in altered space-use of a subordinate species due to the threat of harm, otherwise known as a ‘landscape of fear’. Alternatively, subordinates might outcompete dominant species in resource-poor environments via a superior ability to extract resources. Our goal was to evaluate spatial predictions of the ‘landscape of fear’ hypothesis for a carnivore guild in Newfoundland, Canada, where coyotes recently immigrated. Native Newfoundland carnivores include red foxes, Canada lynx, and black bears. We predicted foxes and lynx would avoid coyotes because of their larger size and similar dietary niches. We used scat-detecting dogs and genetic techniques to locate and identify predator scats. We then built resource selection functions and tested for avoidance by incorporating predicted values of selection for the alternative species into the best supported models of each species. We found multiple negative relationships, but notably did not find avoidance by foxes of areas selected by coyotes. While we did find that lynx avoided coyotes, we also found a reciprocal relationship. The observed patterns suggest spatial partitioning and not coyote avoidance, although avoidance could still be occurring at different spatial or temporal scales. Furthermore, Newfoundland’s harsh climate and poor soils may swing the pendulum of interspecific interactions from interference competition to exploitative competition, where subordinates outcompete dominant competitors through a superior ability to extract resources.
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
Mason, J.R., L. Carpenter, M. Cox, J. Devos, J. Fairchild, D. Freddy, J.R. Heffelfinger, R. Kahn, S, McCorquodale, D. Pac, D. Summers, G.C. White, and B.K. Williams. 2006. The case for ungulate survey analysis and data management. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34(4):1238-1242.	November 2006
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
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.
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
Johnson, F.A., and B.K. Williams. 1999. Protocol and practice in the adaptive management of waterfowl harvests. Conservation Ecology 3(1): 8. [online] URL: http://www.consecol.org/vol3/iss1/art8/	June 1999
Johnson, F., and K. Williams. 1999. Protocol and practice in the adaptive management of waterfowl harvests. Conservation Ecology. 3(1):8. [online] URL: http://www. consecol. org/vol3/iss1/art8	January 2000
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>
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
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
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., 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
Hightower, J.E., W.J. Fleming and M.A. Hayman. 1999. Effects of contaminated sediments on brown bullhead condition, growth, and mortality in a North Carolina tidal creek. Proc. Catfish 2000 Symposia.	January 1999
Goguen, A.D., S.J. Riley, J.F. Organ, and B.A. Rudolph. 2017. Wild-harvested venison yields and sharing by Michigan deer hunters. Human Dimensions of Wildlife DOI: 10.1080/10871209.2017.1409372 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2017	An increased societal focus on wildlife as food and recent policy deliberations regarding legal markets for wild-harvested meat are encouraging wildlife managers and researchers to examine the amount, use, and distribution of meat yielded through recreational hunting. We used responses to questions on the Michigan Deer Harvest Study to estimate the maximum yield of edible venison and assess hunters’ sharing behaviors. We estimated 11,402–14,473 metric tons of edible venison were procured during the 2013 hunting season. Of hunters who harvested a deer, 85% shared their venison. Hunters who shared did so with an average of 5.6 people (SD = 4.5). Sharing occurred most frequently within tight social networks: members of hunters’ households (69%), relatives (52%), and friends, neighbors, or coworkers (50%). In the absence of legal markets, venison is distributed widely by hunters and greatly amplifies the number of people benefiting from hunting. Nonetheless, we also identified the potential breadth of exposure to disease or contaminants from wildharvested meat.
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
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
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
Duda, M.D., T. Beppler, and J.Organ. 2017. The growth of sport shooting participation: what does this mean for conservation revenue? The Wildlife Professional 11(2): 38-41. \| Download	March 2017
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
Dennerline, D.E., C.A. Jennings, and D.J. Degan. 2012. Relationships between hydroacoustic derived density and gill net catch: Implications for Fish Assessments. Fisheries Research 123-124: 78-89. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2012	In this paper, we describe our assessment of whether gill nets and hydroacoustics provided similar inferences on the local abundance of fishes and whether gill net catch could be used to predict acoustic-derived abundances. We collected hydroacoustic and gill netting samples from a restricted area of large hydropower reservoir in the southeastern United States. We used mixed linear models in an information theoretic framework to model acoustic-derived abundances as a function of gill net catch and a variety of biological and environmental covariates. Overall, gill net catch was a poor predictor of acoustic-derived abundance and the best model only accounted for 39.6% of the within year variation. In fact, a gill net catch (e.g., 100 fish/net) was approximately equally likely across several orders of magnitude in fish abundance. This result suggests that gill net catch was unable to reliably discern substantive changes in fish abundance. Consequently, the most appropriate role for gill nets in fisheries research assessments may be to: (1) supplement hydroacoustic data by providing information on species composition and fish sizes and (2) provide information on metrics other than fish abundance, such as fish growth and condition.
Dennerline, D. E., and M. J. Van Den Avyle. 2000. Sizes of prey consumed by two pelagic predators in US reservoirs: implications for quantifying biomass of available prey. Fisheries Research 45:147-154. \| Publisher Website	March 2000
Decker, D.J., J.F. Organ, A.B. Forstchen, M.V. Schiavone, and A.K. Fuller. 2018. Wildlife management is science based: myth or reality? The Wildlife Professional 12(4): 30-32.	July 2018
Decker, D.J., J.F. Organ, A.B. Forstchen, C.A. Jacobson, W.F. Siemer, C.A. Smith, P.E. Lederle, and M.V. Schiavone. 2017. Wildlife governance in the 21st century - will sustainable use endure? Wildlife Society Bulletin 41:821-826. DOI10.1002/wsb.830 \| Abstract \| Download	December 2017	In light of the trajectory of wildlife governance in the United States, the future of sustainable use of wildlife is a topic of substantial interest in the wildlife conservation community. We examine sustainable-use principles with respect to “good governance” considerations and public trust administration principles to assess how sustainable use might fare in the 21st century. We conclude that sustainable-use principles are compatible with recently articulated wildlife governance principles and could serve to mitigate broad values and norm shifts in American society that affect social acceptability of particular uses. Wildlife governance principles emphasize inclusive discourse among diverse wildlife interests, which could minimize isolated exchanges among cliques of like-minded people pursuing their ambitions without seeking opportunity for sharing or understanding diverse views. Aligning governance practices with wildlife governance principles can help avoid such isolation. In summary, sustainable use of wildlife is likely to endure as long as society 1) believes the long-termsustainability of wildlife is not jeopardized, and 2) accepts practices associated with such use as legitimate. These are 2 criteria needing constant attention. 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Decker, D.J., A.B. Forstchen, E.F. Pomeranz, C.A. Smith, S.J. Riley, C.A. Jacobson, J.F. Organ, and G.R. Batcheller. 2015. Stakeholder engagement in wildlife management: does the public trust doctrine imply limits? J. Wildl. Manage. 79:174-179.	February 2015
Decker, D., C. Smith, A. Forstchen, D. Hare, E. Pomeranz, C. Doyle-Capitman, K. Schuler, and J. Organ. 2016. Governance principles for wildlife conservation in the 21st century. Conservation Letters. DOI: 10.1111/conl.12211 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2016	Wildlife conservation is losing ground in the U.S. for many reasons. The net effect is declines in species and habitat. To address this trend, the wildlife conservation institution (i.e., all customs, practices, organizations and agencies, policies, and laws with respect to wildlife) must adapt to contemporary social– ecological conditions. Adaptation could be supported by clear guidelines reflecting contemporary expectations for wildlife governance. We combine elements of public trust thinking and good governance to produce a broad set of wildlife governance principles. These principles represent guidance for ecologically and socially responsible wildlife conservation. They address persistent, systemic problems and, if adopted, will bring the institution into line with modern expectations for governance of public natural resources. Implementation will require changes in values, objectives, and processes of the wildlife conservation institution. These changes may be difficult, but promise improved wildlife conservation outcomes and increased support for conservation. We introduce challenges and opportunities associated with the principles, and encourage dialogue about them among scientists, practitioners, and other leaders in U.S. wildlife conservation. The principles alone will not change the course of conservation for the better, but may be necessary for such change to occur.
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
Buck, J.M. and B.K. Williams. 1999. Expenditures and opinions of Vermont residents participating in nonconsumptive wildlife-based recreation. Transactions, North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 64:484-493.	June 1999
Buck, J. M., and B. K. Williams. 1999. Expenditures and opinions of vermont residents participating in nonconsumptive wildlife-based recreation. Trans. No. Amer. Wildl., and Natur. Resour. Conf. 64:484-493.	January 2000
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
Bissonette, J. A., C. S. Loftin, D. M. Leslie, Jr., L. A. Nordstrom, and W. J. Fleming. 2000. The cooperative research unit program and wildlife education: historic development, future challenges. Wildlife Society Bulletin 28:534-541.	November 2000
Berry, C.R., D.E. Dennerline and R. Rulifson. 2013. Safety: Skills, Attitudes, Facts, and Equipment. In: Zale, A., D. Parrish and T. Sutton (eds.). Fisheries Techniques, 3rd Edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.	January 2013

Presentations

Presentations	Presentation Date
Wirth, L., A. Rosenberger, A. Prakash, R. Gens, F.J. Margraf, and T. Hamazaki. A remote-sensing, GIS-based approach to identify spawning habitat for fall chum salmon in a Sub-Arctic, glacially-fed river. Oral Presentation given to the Alaska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.	October 2013	We present a new technique for identifying spawning habitat for fall spawning chinook salmon in cold environments, pointing out the need for not only in-situ habitat data, but long-term data indicating past reproductive success for this homing species.
Winkelman, D. L., W. L. Kendall, and M. C. Dzul. 2019. Introduction to the symposium on the use of autonomous PIT tag antennas for modeling vital rates and movement. American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society 2019 Joint Annual Conference, Reno, Nevada, 29 Sep - 3 Oct 2019.	October 2019	This work provides an overview of the realized and potential contribution of the use of autonomous PIT tag readers to modeling vital rates and movement of fish.
Williams, J., L. Webb, and J. Spurgeon. River-Floodplain Connectivity: Effects on Ecological Communities in Restored Wetlands along the Lower Missouri River. Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference, January 2025.	January 2025	The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) program, established in 1990, is a voluntary program that provides landowners with technical assistance and financial incentives to restore marginal farmland to historic wetland conditions. Our objective is to compare abiotic and biotic metrics in ACEP-WRE wetlands along a gradient of restoration age (6 to 29 years) and degree of connectivity between the Missouri River and the adjacent floodplain.
Williams, J., L. Webb and J. Spurgeon. Impacts of River-Floodplain Connectivity on Biotic Communities in Restored Wetlands within the Missouri River Floodplain. Missouri Natural Resources Conference, February 2024	February 2024	The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) program, initiated in Missouri and Nebraska in 1990 and 1994, respectively, is a voluntary program that allows landowners to restore marginal farmland to historic wetland conditions. Our objective is to compare abiotic and biotic metrics in ACEP-WRE wetlands along a gradient of time since restoration (5 to 28 years) and degree of connectivity between the Missouri River and the adjacent floodplain.
Weller, F., E.B. Webb, W. Beatty, S. Fogenburg, D Kesler, R. Blenk, K. Ringelman, M. Miller and J. Eadie. 2024. Informing waterfowl conservation planning with an agent-based model: quantifying mallard response to wetland composition and configuration. 9th North America Duck Symposium, Portland Oregon.	February 2024	We used an agent-based model (ABM) to evaluate conservation planning strategies related to the acquisition of new easements, with the aim of maximizing benefits for wintering waterfowl populations. Our results indicate that increasing easement area through the addition of new easements was more effective than adding area to existing easements and increased mallard populations 10-16% over baseline conditions. Further, adding fewer, larger area easements generally increased mallard populations mo
Vogel, S.K., Loftin, C., Zydlewski, J.D. Investigating the scientific networks of the Maine CRU. [poster] Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Annual Meeting. July 12, 2022. Orono, ME.	July 2023	The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program establishes relationships among the USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Management Institute, host universities, and state resource agencies. This research focuses on analyzing Unit scientist impacts and outputs by assessing the collaborative networks of the Units and the production of scientific publications as one measure of impact.
Vogel, S.K., Loftin, C., Zydlewski, J.D. A (very) brief history of the Cooperative Research Units Program. [oral, invited keynote] Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Annual Meeting. July 12, 2022. Orono, ME.	July 2023	The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program establishes relationships among the USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Management Institute, host universities, and state resource agencies. This research focuses on analyzing Unit scientist impacts and outputs by assessing the collaborative networks of the Units and the production of scientific publications as one measure of impact.
Vogel, S., Loftin, C., and Zydlewski, J. 2021 A collaborative organizational network analysis of the Cooperative Research Units program. 151st Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Baltimore, MD. November 6.	November 2021	The U.S. Geological Survey's Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program (CRU) establishes a relationship among the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), a host university, and state resource agencies.The goal is to elucidate how organizational factors may contribute to each cooperator network, how the networks have evolved, and how factors may influence future conditions of individual units and the CRU Program in ge
Vogel, S., Loftin, C., and Zydlewski, J. (2022) Collaboration networks within the CRU program. 152^stAnnual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Spokane, WA.	August 2022	The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program establishes relationships among the USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Management Institute, host universities, and state resource agencies. This research focuses on analyzing Unit scientist impacts and outputs by assessing the collaborative networks of the Unitis and the production of scientific publications as one measure of impact.
Vogel, S., Loftin, C., and Zydlewski, J. (2022) A Collaborative Organizational Network Analysis of the Cooperative Research Units Program. 2022 Atlantic Salmon Ecosystems Forum. January 11. University of Maine, Orono, Maine.	January 2022	The U.S. Geological Survey's Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program (CRU) establishes a relationship among the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), a host university, and state resource agencies. We are evaluating the program's structure and socio-technical connectivity to identify motivations, relationships, and layered networks among members and their relationships to outcomes through an Organizational Networ
Vogel, S., C.S. Loftin, and J. Zydlewski. 2021. A Collaborative Organizational Network Analysis of the Cooperative Research Units Program. the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, 1-5 November, virtual format.	November 2021	The U.S. Geological Survey's Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program originated in 1935 to provide education and technical assistance through graduate research to address the information needs of the state, federal, and university cooperators. This study uses an organizational analysis approach to examine the relevance of the model in the current context of natural resource conservation, how organizational factors may contribute to each cooperator network, how the networks have evo
Viegut, R., Webb, E., Raedeke, A., Zhang, Y.,Tang, Z., Zhai, Z., Wang, S., Liu, Z., and Shang, Y. 2023. An Integrated System of Drones and Artificial Intelligence for Estimating Non-Breeding Waterfowl Abundance. Oral presentation at the North American Duck Symposium, Portland Oregon.	February 2024	In recent years, Unoccupied Aerial Systems have emerged as a new technology for monitoring wildlife populations, however, the feasibility of using UAS to estimate waterfowl abundance refuges during migration stopover and wintering periods is still unknown. We researched the behavioral response of waterfowl, detection probabilities, and efficiency of different UAS survey methodologies to monitor waterfowl populations.
Verheijen, B.H.F., E.B. Webb, M.G. Brasher, and H.M. Hagy. 2024. Factors driving longterm changes in duck harvest distributions in the Central and Mississippi Flyways. The 85th Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference. St. Louis, Missouri, 19-22 January 2025.	January 2025	Continuing changes in climate, habitat availability, and anthropogenic pressures could lead to persistent shifts of waterfowl distributions, potentially causing a mismatch with local habitat and harvest management decisions informed by historic distributions. We used band recovery and wing harvest data from 1984–2019 to identify the relative effects of potential drivers of changes in nonbreeding distributions of Mallards in the Central and Mississippi flyways.
Verheijen, B.H.F., E.B. Webb, M.G. Brasher, and H.M. Hagy. 2024. Factors driving long-term changes in duck harvest distributions in the Central and Mississippi Flyways. The 9th North American Duck Symposium. Portland, Oregon, 5-9 February 2024.	February 2024	Continuing changes in climate, habitat availability, and anthropogenic pressures could lead to persistent shifts of waterfowl distributions, potentially causing a mismatch with local habitat and harvest management decisions informed by historic distributions. We used band recovery and wing harvest data from 1960–2019 to assess changes in nonbreeding distributions of Blue-winged Teal, Northern Pintails, and Mallards in the Central and Mississippi flyways.
Trowbridge, J., D. R. Diefenbach, T. A. Marques, T. M. McConnell, A. Van Buskirk, C. S. Rosenberry, W. D. Walter, and K. Lamp. Accounting for animal density gradients in distance sampling surveys. Southeast Deer Study Group Meeting, February 2024, Shepherdstown, WV.	February 2024	When roads are used as transects the distance sampling estimator likely will be biased because (1) deer are not distributed uniformly with respect to distance from a road and (2) roads are not distributed randomly on the landscape. We use auxiliary data on the density gradient of deer relative to transects and a generalized form of the distance sampling estimator to eliminate the assumption that objects must be uniformly distributed relative to the transect.
Trowbridge, J., D. R. Diefenbach, T. A. Marques, T. M. McConnell, A. Van Buskirk, C. S. Rosenberry, W. D. Walter, and K. Lamp. Accounting for animal density gradients in distance sampling surveys. Pennsylvania Chapter of The Wildlife Society, March 2024, State College, PA	March 2024	When roads are used as transects the distance sampling estimator likely will be biased because (1) deer are not distributed uniformly with respect to distance from a road and (2) roads are not distributed randomly on the landscape. We use auxiliary data on the density gradient of deer relative to transects and a generalized form of the distance sampling estimator to eliminate the assumption that objects must be uniformly distributed relative to the transect.
Tripp, H., R.A. Gitzen, A.L. Silvano, and J.B. Grand. 2017. Individual-based modeling to project viability of gopher tortoise populations under alternative management scenarios: a case study with two Alabama wildlife management areas. 71st Annual Conference of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Louisville, KY, October 29-November 1, 2017,	October 2018	We developed a spatially-explicit, individual-based population simulation model (IBM) for gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) incorporating demographic rates from published studies throughout the range of the species. We then demonstrate this approach’s utility for evaluating potential viability under alternative management scenarios on two areas of state managed property in southern Alabama.
Sweeney, C., E. Webb, J. Steevens and A. Messerman. Quantifying neonicotinoid concentrations and toxicity thresholds in aquatic macroinvertebrates: implications for wetland-dependent wildlife. Poster presentation at the 9th North American Duck Symposium. Portland Oregon, February 5-9, 2024	February 2024	Aquatic invertebrates that inhabit freshwater systems and provide important ecosystem services may be exposed to neonicotinoids through water run-off or accumulation in sediments over multiple years of seed application. We will present data detailing the persistence and bioavailability of neonicotinoid-associated sediments using wetland sediments of differing organic carbon content.
Sweeney, C., E. Webb, J. Steevens and A. Messerman. Quantifying Clothianidin Persistence and Stability in Missouri Freshwater Sediments. Presentation at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Conference, Oct 23, 2024	October 2024	Although neonicotinoid benchmark concentrations for aquatic insects have been determined in water, sediment toxicity thresholds have not been established; thus, the implications of contaminated sediment for aquatic insects in freshwater systems are largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we established the persistence and bioavailability of neonicotinoids in sediments of differing organic carbon and clay content.
Stored information for travel access	February 2024	Stored information for travel access
Stewart, B.D., C.E. Moore, and J.B. Grand. 2019. Automated techniques for interpreting game camera images from surveys for Eastern Wild Turkeys. This is Auburn.	February 2019	We compare the results of game camera surveys conducted on wildlife openings and at randomly selected sites with and without the use of bait on three study areas across the state of Alabama. These results will influence the design of monitoring programs used to inform adaptive harvest management by the state agencies.
Stewart, B.D., C.E. Moore, and J.B. Grand. 2018. Automated techniques for interpreting game camera images from surveys for Eastern Wild Turkeys. 72nd SEAFWA Annual Conference. Mobile, AL October 28-30.	October 2018	We compare the results of game camera surveys conducted on wildlife openings and at randomly selected sites with and without the use of bait on three study areas across the state of Alabama. These results will influence the design of monitoring programs used to inform adaptive harvest management by the state agencies.
Stewart BD, Moore CE, and Grand JB. 2019. Determining Eastern Wild Turkey population response to 9-day delay in spring harvest season. SEAFWA, Hilton Head, South Carolina 27-30 October 2019	October 2019	We compared the effect of a delay in spring hunting seasons on Eastern Wild Turkey populations on 3 study areas to pseudo-controls on 4 areas. Hunter effort, season, and year affected occupancy, but the effects differed among sex and age classes.
Stewart BD, Moore CE, and Grand JB. 2019. Automated techniques for interpreting game camera images from surveys for Eastern Wild Turkeys. SEAFWA Hilton Head, SC, 27-30 October 2019	October 2019	We compared 23 classification methods for images collected from camera surveys for Eastern Wild Turkeys. The use of machine learning greatly reduced the time required to interpret the thousands of photos that are often collected in game camera surveys, and with appropriate training data, could be extended to other species of wildlife.
Stewart BD, Moore CE, and Grand JB. 2019. Automated techniques for interpreting game camera images from surveys for Eastern Wild Turkeys.	October 2019	We compared 23 classification methods for images collected from camera surveys for Eastern Wild Turkeys. The use of machine learning greatly reduced the time required to interpret the thousands of photos that are often collected in game camera surveys, and with appropriate training data, could be extended to other species of wildlife.
Snyder, S., C.S. Loftin, and A.S. Reeve. 2023. Vulnerability assessment of groundwater influenced ecosystems in the northeastern United States. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies annual conference, April 30 - May 2., Hershey, PA. Oral presentation.	April 2023	Many wetlands, rivers, and streams receive groundwater as a portion of their baseflow, and this connection can be significant and important to system integrity and persistence. We estimated pixel-scale vulnerability (adaptive capacity, exposure, sensitivity), and we summarized vulnerability at pixel and watershed scales. Our results can inform conservation planning for these sensitive ecosystems in the northeastern United States.
Snyder, S., C.S. Loftin, and A.S. Reeve. 2021. Predicting Probability of Groundwater Discharge to Stream Ecosystems with Landscape Variables in Maine, USA. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Baltimore, MD, 6-10 November.	November 2021	Many rivers and streams receive groundwater as a portion of their baseflow, and this connection can be significant and important to lotic system integrity and persistence. We created and validated statistical geographic distribution models to predict areas where there are high probabilities of groundwater discharge, which may inform surveys for native Brook Trout.
Snyder, S., C.S. Loftin, A.S. Reeve. 2022. Predicting the presence of Groundwater Influenced Ecosystems in the northeastern United States with ensembled correlative distribution models. The Maine Chapter of the Wildlife Society Meeting, 2 December, Orono, ME.	December 2022	Many wetlands, rivers, and streams receive groundwater as a portion of their baseflow, and this connection can be significant and important to system integrity and persistence. We estimated pixel-scale vulnerability (adaptive capacity, exposure, sensitivity), and we summarized vulnerability at pixel and watershed scales. Our results can inform conservation planning for these sensitive ecosystems in the northeastern United States.
Snyder, S., C.S. Loftin, A.S. Reeve. 2022. Predicting the Presence of Groundwater Influenced Streams and Wetlands in the Northeastern US with Correlative Distribution Models with an Ensemble Approach. The American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, 21-25 August, Spokane, WA.	August 2022	Many rivers and streams receive groundwater as a portion of their baseflow, and this connection can be significant and important to lotic system integrity and persistence. We created and validated statistical geographic distribution models to predict areas where there are high probabilities of groundwater discharge, which may inform surveys for native Brook Trout.
Snyder, S., C. Loftin, and A Reeve. 2023. Identification of Groundwater Influenced Ecosystems. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Fisheries Division Annual Meeting, 13 September, Millinocket, ME.	September 2023	Globally, groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are increasingly vulnerable to water extraction and land use practices. We are applying geographically referenced information about known GDEs in the region in several modelling approaches to produce a logistic-scale distribution map of GDEs across the northeastern states to inform land management decisions that can enhance conservation of these systems.
Ruiz, J, D. Dennerline, D. Degan, W. Jabour, C. A. Jennings. 2008. Are blueback herring distributed within desired habitat during summer stratification? Annual Meeting of the GA Chapter - American Fisheries Society. Jan. 29-31. Eatonton, GA.	January 2008
Rogosch, J.S., H.I.A Boehm, R.W. Tingley III, K.D. Wright, E.B. Webb, and C.P. Paukert. 2024. Are river restoration projects designed and evaluated to address current stressors to inland fishes? World Fisheries Congress, Seattle WA. Mar 3 - 7, 2024	March 2024	We provide a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature published between 2010-20 to identify what stressors to inland fishes have been the target of recent river restoration efforts, explore what types of restoration projects are reported as successful at meeting objectives, and assess fish responses to different types of restoration activities.
Rogosch, J. H. Boehm, R. Tingley, K. Wright, E. Webb, and C. Paukert. 2024. Are river restoration projects designed and evaluated to address current stressors to inland fishes? American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Honolulu, HI.	September 2024	We provide a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature to identify what stressors to inland fishes have been the target of recent river restoration efforts, explore what types of restoration projects are reported as successful at meeting objectives, and assess fish responses to different types of restoration activities.
Radigan, W., M. Pegg, C. Longhenry, C. Goble, and K. L. Pope. 2024. Walleye and sauger acoustic telemetry in a mainstem Missouri River reservoir. 154th annual meeting, America Fisheries Society, Honolulu, Hawaii.	September 2024	Examination of Walleye and Sauger movement patterns and sources of loss enables fisheries managers to focus management on areas identified to be important for spawning and validates the appropriateness of maintaining current harvest regulations.
Ouimet, A., Vogel, S.K., Loftin, C., Zydlewski, J.D. Investigating collaborative networks: A Maine Co-op case study. [poster] Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Annual Meeting. July 12, 2022. Orono, ME.	July 2023	The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program establishes relationships among the USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Management Institute, host universities, and state resource agencies. This research focuses on analyzing Unit scientist impacts and outputs by assessing the collaborative networks of the Units and the production of scientific publications as one measure of impact.
Njuguna, E., C. Murphy, C. Loftin, M. Hunter, D. Courtemanch, S. Horn, and P. Njoroge. 2022. Developing a Biotic Index for the Upper Tana Watershed, Kenya, using Community Science. Annual Meeting of the Association of Field Ornithologists, Plymouth, MA, 17-21 October.	October 2022	Measuring ecosystem integrity at a watershed scale often relies on assessments of aquatic macroinvertebrates, fish, and algae, yet indices developed from these taxa may be expensive and time consuming. The popularity of birding and the recent increases in community science projects associated with birds suggest that they may provide a promising alternative. We are developing an avian biotic index to assess the status of the Upper Tana Watershed in Kenya as a case study, using community science
Njuguna, E. Murphy, C.A., Loftin, C., Hunter, M., McGill, B., Courtemanch, D., Njoroge, P. 2024. Bridging community science and standardized bird-based biotic indices to advance watershed monitoring. Presentation to Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	Measuring ecosystem integrity at a watershed scale may be important to understanding conservation options and setting priorities. Community science bird data applied to watershed bioassessments may present new opportunities to connect avian monitoring with freshwater science while engaging the public.
Mercado-Silva, N., K. L. Pope, and S. A. Bonar. 2024. AFS Standard methods for sampling freshwater fish: International collaboration for method implementation. 154th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, September 15-19, 2024. Honolulu, Hawaii.	September 2024	AFS standard methods have progressed to achieve widespread adoption throughout North America. Implementation of these methods beyond North America and collaborative efforts with other entities that have developed standardized methods in other continents and regions create opportunities for improved management, across space and time comparisons of fish populations, better invasive species detection and control, and allow for method testing and validation in new settings and ecosystems.
Mercado-Silva, N., K. L. Pope, and S. A. Bonar. 2024. AFS Standard Methods for Sampling Freshwater Fish: International Collaboration for Method Implementation. 154th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, September 15-19, 2024, Honolulu, Hawaii.	September 2024	AFS standard methods have progressed to achieve widespread adoption throughout North America. Implementation of these methods beyond North America and collaborative efforts with other entities that have developed standardized methods in other continents and regions create opportunities for improved management, across space and time comparisons of fish populations, better invasive species detection and control, and allow for method testing and validation in new settings and ecosystems.
McGowan CP, Price Tack JL, Grand JB, 2024. Models for linking hunter retention and recruitment to regulations and game populations, Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, October 2024	October 2024	Presents new modeling tools for co-modeling hunters and game species.
Margraf, F.J., K.J. Hartman, and A. Hafs. BIA: does it work or not?	September 2013	This work demonstrates that a minimum sample size of about 50 fish and a minimum range of about 30% dry weight of fat was needed to produce Biological Impedence Models useful for chum salmon in the Yukon River, Alaska. Along with improved procedures and standardized methods, these minimum sampling criteria should move the use of BIA to the fore in directly determining ecological condition of live fish in the field.
Margadant, LE, CE Moore, and JB Grand. 2019. Habitat Selection by Female Eastern Wild Turkeys in Alabama. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Hilton Head, South Carolina. 27-30 October 2019.	October 2019	We examined home ranges of female turkeys by comparing use and availability. Turkeys selected forested habitats on north and south facing forested slopes in winter and bottomlands during spring and summer.
Margadant, LA,, Grand, JB, Stewart, BD, Keller, SR, and Moore, CE. 2019.	March 2019	We utilized GPS-logger transmitters to examine probability of use by turkeys at specific sites in response to bait.
Margadant, L.A., C.E. Moore, and J.B. Grand. 2018.The effect of baited camera stations on eastern wild turkey home range and movement. 72nd SEAFWA Annual Conference. Mobile, AL October 28-30.	October 2018	We examined the effects of using bait on game camera surveys for wild turkeys by comparing home ranges and core use areas before and after bait deployment. These results will influence the design of wildlife surveys using game cameras.
Lewis, M.A., L.R. Kline, L. Maher, D.H. Hayes, Identifying and C.S. Loftin. Quantifying Uncertainty in Manual Interpretations of Aerial Imagery of Seabird Nesting Islands. Oral presentation, American Ornithological Society and Birds Caribbean Joint Conference, 27 June - 2 July, San Juan, PR.	June 2022	Our research is investigating the use of remote sensing technologies for collecting population and habitat use information for colonial nesting bird species in coastal environments, while increasing the capacity for collaborative data collection and management with agency biologists and citizen scientists. Our project will increase efficiency in conducting colonial nesting bird surveys, improve datasets for population trend assessments, and it provides a model for developing collaborations of e
Leach, B., E. Webb, W. Beatty and P. Link. 2024. Non-breeding habitat selection of Blue-winged teal throughout the Central and Mississippi Flyways. 9th North American Duck Symposium, Portland Oregon, February 5-9, 2024.	February 2024	Currently, there is a lack of information of blue-winged teal (<i>Spatula discors</i>) migration phenology and habitat selection during the non-breeding period, despite additional harvest opportunity for this early autumn and late spring migrant. We deployed 176 GPS/GSM transmitters on adult female blue-winged teal throughout 2019-2022 to quantify migration phenology and habitat selection to guide future habitat management decisions at major stopover and wintering locations.
Lama, T., J. Organ, S. DeStefano, and W. Johnson. 2018. Conservation genomics of Canada lynx. 70th Anniversary Meeting of the Massachusetts Unit, Westborough, MA.	May 2018	Management of Canada lynx populations occurring at the edge of the species range has been informed by limited regional studies mostly focused on demographics and ecology. We produced the first-ever reference genome for Canada lynx, which will serve as a publicly available community resource and a powerful tool for population-level assessments.
Kline, L.R., M.A. Lewis, M. Brown, L. Maher, A. Revello, R.M. Turner, D.J. Hayes , and C.S. Loftin. 2022. Uncertainties in Artificial Intelligence Classifications of Colonial Nesting Seabirds in Plane-based Imagery. Northeast Natural History Conference, 22-24 April, Albany, NY.	April 2022	Our research is investigating the use of remote sensing technologies for collecting population and habitat use information for colonial nesting bird species in coastal environments, while increasing the capacity for collaborative data collection and management with agency biologists and citizen scientists. Our project will increase efficiency in conducting colonial nesting bird surveys, improve datasets for population trend assessments, and it provides a model for developing collaborations of e
Kline, L. R., Lewis, M. A., Brown, M., Maher, L., Revello, A., Turner, R. M., Hayes, D. J., & Loftin, C. S. 2022. It's a bird! It's a buoy! Uncertainties in artificial intelligence classifications of colonial seabirds in plane-based imagery. Oral presentation, American Ornithological Society and Birds Caribbean Joint Conference, 27 June - 2 July, San Juan, PR.	June 2022	Our research is investigating the use of remote sensing technologies for collecting population and habitat use information for colonial nesting bird species in coastal environments, while increasing the capacity for collaborative data collection and management with agency biologists and citizen scientists. Our project will increase efficiency in conducting colonial nesting bird surveys, improve datasets for population trend assessments, and it provides a model for developing collaborations of e
Kendall, W. L., D. L. Winkelman, M. C. Dzul, and C. B. Yackulic. 2019. Estimating vital rates and movement using autonomous PIT tag antennas: a design and analysis framework. American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society 2019 Joint Annual Conference, Reno, NV.	October 2019	This work provides a framework for designing and robustly analyzing PIT tagging data for population parameters.
Keller, SR, CE Moore, and JB Grand. 2019. Comparing camera survey designs for monitoring eastern wild turkey populations. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Hilton Head, South Carolina. 27-30 October 2019.	October 2019	. Our objectives were to: 1) compare estimates of detection and occupancy dynamics of turkey populations from camera surveys conducted on wildlife openings (WLO) versus randomly selected sites; and 2) investigate the effects of bait on estimates of detection and occupancy dynamics of turkey populations from camera surveys.
Keller, S.R., C.E. Moore, and J.B. Grand. 2018. Comparing camera survey designs for monitoring eastern wild turkey populations. 72nd SEAFWA Annual Conference. Mobile, AL October 28-30.	October 2018	We compare the results of game camera surveys conducted on wildlife openings and at randomly selected sites with and without the use of bait on three study areas across the state of Alabama. These results will influence the design of monitoring programs used to inform adaptive harvest management by the state agencies.
K. J. Fogelman, K. Coffman, J. Archambault, E. Irwin, M. Walsh, S. Brewer, and J. A. Stoeckel. A review of temperature, hypoxia, conductivity, and agricultural contaminant stressors to freshwater mussels. American Malacology Society 2023, Tuscaloosa, Alabama	August 2023	The thermal tolerances of many mussels are unknown despite the thermal and hypoxia threats to aquatic biota. Here, we review the current state of our knowledge.
K. J. Fogelman, K. Coffman, J. Archambault, E. Irwin, M. Walsh, S. Brewer, and J. A. Stoeckel. A REVIEW OF TEMPERATURE AND HYPOXIA STRESSORS TO FRESHWATER MUSSELS. FMCS 2023, Portland, OR	April 2023	The thermal tolerances of many mussels are unknown despite the thermal and hypoxia threats to aquatic biota. Here, we review the current state of our knowledge.
Guy, H., Vogel, S.K., Loftin, C., Zydlewski, J.D. Do state natural resource agencies prioritize DEI messaging? [poster] Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Annual Meeting. July 12, 2022. Orono, ME.	July 2023	The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program establishes relationships among the USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Management Institute, host universities, and state resource agencies. This research focuses on analyzing Unit scientist impacts and outputs by assessing the collaborative networks of the Units and the production of scientific publications as one measure of impact.
Grand, James B. 2019. Alabama Turkey Research Project Update. Full Fans and Sharp Spurs. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.	December 2018	Summarizes recently published research on survival, productivity, and abundance conducted by students on wild turkeys in Alabama.
Gingery, T.M., and Diefenbach, D.R. 2022. Fawn Survival Patterns: looking beyond predators.7-11 November 2022, The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Spokane, WA.	November 2022	We present a commentary on the state of white-tailed deer fawn research. We suggest additional research focusing solely on predation will lead to limited novel insights.
Fogelman, Kaelyn J., Susan Fuller, Jennifer Archambault, Elise Irwin, Maureen Walsh, Shannon Brewer, and James A. Stoeckel. A Review Of Temperature, Hypoxia, And Other Water Quality Stressors To Freshwater Mussels. Alabama Water Resources Conference, September 2023	September 2023	This literature search summarizes existing lethal and sublethal effects of temperature and hypoxia on unionids by life stage and taxonomy, discusses ecological and climate change implications of existing water quality stressor data, and identifies needs for future research and methodological standardization.
Fogelman, K, J. A. Archambault, E. Irwin, M. Walsh, S. Brewer, and J. A. Stoeckel. 2022. A review of North American freshwater mussel lethal thermal tolerance. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Grand Rapids.	May 2022	The thermal tolerances of many mussels are unknown despite the thermal threats to aquatic biota. Here, we review the current state of our knowledge.
Fleming, W.J. and D.R. Petit. September, 2000. Fluoride concentrations and effects on birds nesting near an aluminum reduction facility in Tennessee. The Wildlife Society 7th Annual Conference. Nashville, TN.	September 2000
Flammang, M., D. Shoup, P. Michaletz, and K. L. Pope. 2024. Standard methods for sampling North American freshwater fishes, warmwater fish, small standing water. . 154th annual meeting, America Fisheries Society, Honolulu, Hawaii.	September 2024	The author team updated AFS standard methods for sampling warmwater fish in small, standing waterbodies. These efforts will assist fisheries managers with monitoring and understanding dynamics of fish populations among years and waterbodies.
Flammang, M., D. Shoup, P. Michaletz, and K. L. Pope. 2024. Standard methods for sampling North American freshwater fishes, warmwater fish, small standing water. . 154th annual meeting, America Fisheries Society, Honolulu, Hawaii (poster).	September 2024	The author team updated AFS standard methods for sampling warmwater fish in small, standing waterbodies. These efforts will assist fisheries managers with monitoring and understanding dynamics of fish populations among years and waterbodies.
Falconi, N., J. Organ, and S. DeStefano. 2018. Value of data sharing for conservation of the spectacled bear in Peru. Ecological Society of America, New Orleans, LA.	August 2018	Conservation information is expensive, particularly when conducting long-term studies of rare species in developing nations, such as the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in Peru. For this reason, individual efforts may not be sufficient to develop an understanding of conservation needs, so we contacted about 40 researchers and asked them to share their records. Data sharing is extremely valuable since the money and time invested can yield multiple benefits and feed new projects, and open ac
Falconi, N., J. Organ, and S. DeStefano. 2017. Value of data sharing for conservation: A study case of a large scale project of Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in Peru. 25th International Conference on Bear Research & Management, Quito, Ecuador.	November 2017	Conservation information is expensive, particularly when conducting long-term studies of rare species in developing nations, such as the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in Peru. For this reason, individual efforts may not be sufficient to develop an understanding of conservation needs, so we contacted about 40 researchers and asked them to share their records. Data sharing is extremely valuable since the money and time invested can yield multiple benefits and feed new projects, and open ac
Edwards, J.W., E.B. Webb, D.N. Fowler, P. Link and B. Leach. Environmental factors influencing blue-winged teal spring migration initiation and subsequent migratory movements. 9th North American Duck Symposium, Portland, Oregon. February 2024	February 2024	Spring migrations are an integral part of the annual cycle for most waterfowl species, thus we investigated the potential effects of several environmental factors on blue-winged teal (<i>Spatula discors</i>) spring migration phenology during 2020 – 2023. We hypothesize that photoperiod will explain the greatest variation in migration initiation date, but there is limited research on other factors that may influence initiation from wintering grounds and subsequent migratory movements.
Edwards, J.W., E. B. Webb, D. N. Fowler, P. T. Link, and C. Nicolai. 2025. Surfing the 'Mucky' Blue Wave: Is blue-winged teal nonbreeding season resource selection influenced by fine-scale variation in wetland availability? Annual conference of the Waterbird Society. January 6 -9, 2025. San Juan, Costa Rica.	January 2025	Migratory events are an integral part of the annual cycle for most waterfowl species, thus we investigated the potential influence of dynamic wetland availability on blue-winged teal (<i>Spatula discors</i>) resource selection from 2019-2024. We hypothesized that blue-winged teal would specifically move to and select for proximal areas with greater wetland availability during both spring and autumn migration. This research can inform wetland management and conservation in support of blue-winged teal.
Edwards, J. W., E. B. Webb, D. N. Fowler, P. T. Link, and C. Nicolai. 2025. Surfing the Blue Wave: Is blue-winged teal resource selection influenced by fine-scale variation in wetland availability?. 2025 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, January 19-22, 2025. St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2025	Migratory events are an integral part of the annual cycle for most waterfowl species, thus we investigated the potential influence of dynamic wetland availability on blue-winged teal (<i>Spatula discors</i>) resource selection from 2019-2024. We hypothesized that blue-winged teal would specifically move to and select for proximal areas with greater wetland availability during both spring and autumn migration. This research can inform wetland management and conservation in support of blue-winged teal.
Dunham, KD, and JB Grand. 2019. Using integrated models to identify ecology and population dynamics of threatened arctic species. American Ornithological Society (137th Stated Meeting), Anchorage, Alaska, June 24, 2019 - June 28, 2019	February 2019	Recent developments in statistical modeling have provided a framework to integrate multiple data sources to provide better estimates of population size, trend, and vital rates, as well as formally describe important ecological relationships. We leverage these data sets to estimate vital rates including those that are unobservable, estimate population size and trend, and quantify ecological relationships for spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) .
Dunham, KD, and Grand JB. 2019. Comparing the utility of integrated and non-integrated analysis results in a conservation decision context	October 2019	We employed integrated population models (IPM) to identify ecological relationships, estimate demographic parameters, and estimate population size and trend for threatened spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. Using IPM reduced uncertainty regarding the population status and identified future threats to viability.
Diefenbach, D. R., T. A. Marques, J. L. Laake, T. M. Gingery, A. Van Buskirk, C. S. Rosenberry, W. D. Walter, and K. Lamp. Accounting for animal density gradients in distance sampling surveys. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, 6-10 November 2022, Spokane, WA	November 2022	Monitoring the abundance of large ungulates via distance sampling has often used roads as transects because these species avoid observers on foot and dense vegetation rules out aerial surveys. We modified the distance sampling estimator to address the problems outlined above by using auxiliary data to model the density gradient of objects as a function of distance from road and habitat type.
Dennerline, D.E., C.A. Jennings, and D. Degan. 2010. Evaluating relationships between hydroacoustic derived density and gillnet catch: Implications for Reservoir Fish Assessments. Fisheries Sampling with Active Methods Conference in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, September 8-11, 2010.	September 2010	Acoustics and gillnets
Dennerline, D.E. and C.A. Jennings. 2019. Safety through the eyes of a supervisor, your new lens. Annual Meeting, Southern Division, American Fisheries Society, Galveston, Texas, 24-27 January 2019.	January 2019	This talk is part of a symposium designed to provide an overview of the roles and responsibilities of mid-level supervisory managers to facilitate a smooth transition for those moving from mid-career biologist to a supervisory biologist position. This talk will specifically cover a new supervisors changing roles and responsibilities with respect to an organizations overall safety program.
Dennerline, D., J. Peterson and D. Degan. 2007. Looking Both Ways at the Crosswalk. Joint Meeting of the South Carolina and Georgia Chapters of the American Fisheries Society, Tybee Island, GA.	January 2007
Dennerline, D., J. Peterson and D. Degan. 2007. Looking Both Ways at the Crosswalk. American Fisheries Society, 4th International Reservoir Symposium: Balancing Fisheries Management and Water Uses for Impounded River Systems. Atlanta, GA., 6-9 June 2007.	June 2007
Dennerline, D., C. Jennings, and D. Degan. 2009. Questions regarding the utility of gillnet catch as an index of abundance in reservoir fisheries assessments. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society. Nashville, Tennessee, 31 August - 03 September, 2009	September 2009
Dennerline, D., C. Jennings and D. Degan. 2009. Questions Regarding the Utility of Gillnet Catch as an Index of Abundance in Reservoir Fisheries Assessments. Annual Meeeting of the Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Perry, Georgia, 27-28 January 2009.	January 2009
Dennerline, D. E. and C. A. Jennings. 2016. Evaluation of mean rank shift for discerning changes in reservoir fish assemblages. Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Kansas City, Missouri, 21-25 August 2016.	August 2016	We evaluated Mean Rank Shift (MRS) as a way to assess perturbation related changes in reservoir fish assemblages. Though the original MRS formulation was insensitive for detecting directional changes over time, our modified version showed promise for detecting changes like those simulated.
Dennerline, D. E. and C. A. Jennings. 2016. Evaluation of mean rank shift for discerning changes in reservoir fish assemblages. Joint Meeting of the Georgia and Alabama Chapters of the American Fisheries Society, Columbus, Georgia, 9-11 February 2016.	February 2016	We evaluated Mean Rank Shift (MRS) as a way to assess perturbation related changes in reservoir fish assemblages. Though the original MRS formulation was insensitive for detecting directional changes over time, our modified version showed promise for detecting changes like those simulated.
Dennerline, D. E. and C. A. Jennings. 2014. Evaluating reservoir fish assemblages: how much sampling is enough? 2014 Annual Meeting, Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society, Charleston, South Carolina, 22-26 January 2014.	January 2014	This research evaluated the efficacy of different sampling regimes for assessing changes in reservoir fish communities over time. Results suggest that for long term research and monitoring studies, annual effort expended to document community structure likely can be reduced or redirected to address other research questions to resolve key uncertainties in drivers of community change.
Dennerline, D. 2005. 'Access'orizing Your Data. Annual Meeting of the Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.	January 2005
Cahill, C., S. DeStefano, J. Organ, and G. Batcheller. 2018. Transitioning to alternative ammunition on National Wildlife Refuges. 70th Anniversary Meeting of the Massachusetts Unit, Westborough, MA.	May 2018	Despite extensive scientific evidence of the detrimental effect of spent lead ammunition on wildlife and potential for human exposure, reducing the use of lead-based ammunition for hunting activities can be a controversial and contentious issue. Through the implementation of mail-back surveys and group interviews, this project aims to understand hunters' perceptions towards a voluntary transition to non-lead ammunition use for hunting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), on targeted Nati
Brewer, D>E>, E.B. Webb, A.E, Mini and S.K. McKnight. Using Bayesian Network Analysis to identify habitat distribution for a secretive marsh bird of conservation concern. American Ornithological Society Conference, Estes Park, CO, October 2024.	October 2024	King Rail (<i>Rallus elegans</i>) have experienced population declines throughout much of its range due largely to habitat loss and degradation and are particularly pronounced in regions where individuals tend to be migratory, such as the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Therefore, we used Bayesian Network Analysis to identify potential King Rail habitat in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley throughout the full annual cycle.
Bonar, S. A., N. Mercado-Silva, and K. L. Pope. 2024. AFS Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes 2nd Edition Overview. 154th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, September 15-19th, 2024, Honolulu, Hawaii.	September 2024	Here we provide an overview of the second edition of the new book: <i>Standard Methods to Sample North American Freshwater Fishes.</i>
Bonar, S. A., N. Mercado-Silva and K. L. Pope. AFS Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes 2nd Edition Overview. 154th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, September 15-19, 2024. Honolulu Hawaii,	September 2024	Provides and overview of the 2nd edition of Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes, a project contributed to by over 500 fisheries professionals from almost 200 different agencies, organizations and universities.
2022 Vogel, S.K., Loftin, C., Zydlewski, J.D. Collaborative networks within the CRU program. [oral, invited] Atlantic International Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Conference. September 18, 2022. Newry, ME.	September 2022	The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program establishes relationships among the USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Management Institute, host universities, and state resource agencies. This research focuses on analyzing Unit scientist impacts and outputs by assessing the collaborative networks of the Units and the production of scientific publications as one measure of impact.
2022 Vogel, S.K., Loftin, C., Zydlewski, J.D. Collaborative networks within the CRU program. [oral, invited] Atlantic International Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Conference. September 18, 2022. Newry, ME.	September 2022	text

Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations	Publication Date
Trujillo, A. M. M.S. Assessment of the suitability of the northern karst region of Puerto Rico for the reintroduction of the Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata). December 2004, Allen R. Lewis-Co-Advisor).	December 2004
Timmons, J. R. 2001. Effects of non-uniform application of phytase (simulated) on performance and bone quality of male boilers. Thesis, Master of Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD. 76 pp.	May 2001
Stolarski, J.T. 2013. Growth and energetic condition of Dolly Varden char in coastal Arctic waters. PhD Thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks. 176 pp.	May 2013
South-Wirth, L. 2010. Fall chum distribution and spawning habitat preferences in the Upper Tanana River. M.S. Thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK. A.E. Rosenberger and J. Margraf, co-advisors.	May 2010
South, Lisa. 2010. A remote sensing-GIS based approach to identify and model spawning habitat for fall chum salmon in a sub-arctic, glacially-fed river. MS thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK. 76 pp.	August 2010
Perschbacher, J. 2011. The use of aerial imagery to map in-stream physical habitat related to summer distribution of juvenile salmonids in a southcentral Alaskan stream. MS Thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks. 64 pp.	December 2011
Nack (Drossel), Jamie. 2002. Effective of Predators and cattle on ground-nesting grassland birds in southwestern Wisconsin pastures. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Madison.	May 2002
Moss, M. L. 2000. Development of recirculating systems for the American eel: potential low-cost options for enhancement of the Chesapeake Bay eel fishery. Thesis, Master of Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD. 121 pp.	December 2000
Gerken, J. 2009. Identification and characterization of inconnu spawning habitat in the Sulukna River, Alaska. MS Thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks.	December 2009
Feldhaus, J. 2006. Heat shock proteins and physiological stress in redband rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) in the South Fork John Day River, Oregon.	April 2006
Esse, D.A. 2011. Characteristics of the Sulukna River spawning population of inconnue, Yukon River drainage, Alaska. MS Thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks. 55 pp.	December 2011
Dennerline, D. E. 2015. Evaluating novel approaches for sampling and assessing changes in reservoir fish assemblages. Ph.D. Dissertation submitted to the University of Georgia. Athens, GA.	December 2015
Decker, S.K.S. 2010. Thermal limitations on chinook salmon spawning habitat in the northern extent of their range. MS Thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK. 41 pp.	May 2010
Benolkin, E. A. 2009. Variation in age and size at maturity of Lake Clark Alaska sockeye salmon. MS Thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks.	December 2009
Balcerzak, M.J. December 2001. Raptor Abundance and Diversity and Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) Habitat Characteristics on Reclaimed Mountaintop Mines in Southern West Virginia. MS thesis, WVU. http://etd.wvu.edu/templates/showETD.cfm?recnum=2234	December 2001

Technical Publications

Technical Publications	Publication Date
Ruiz, J., D. Dennerline, and C. Jennings. 2008. Fisheries Investigations (2007): Richard B. Russell and J. Strom Thurmond Reservoirs. Annual Project Report for Research Work Order No. 76. Prepared for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. 179 pp.	January 2008
Ruiz, J., D. Dennerline, and C. Jennings. 2007. Fisheries Investigations (2006): Ricahrd B. Russell and J. Strom Thurmond Reservoirs. Annual Report for Research Work Order No. 76. Prepared for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. 179 pp.	January 2007
Ruiz, J., D. Dennerline, and C. Jennings. 2006. Fisheries Investigations (2005): Richard B. Russell and J. Strom Thurmond Reservoirs. Annual Report for Research Work Order No. 76. Prepared for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. 176 pp.	February 2006
Organ, John F. 2014. Ding's Brilliant Idea. Fair Chase. 29(4): 36-38.	December 2014
Bissonette, J. A., C. S. Loftin, D. M. Leslie Jr., L. A. Nordstrom, and W. J. Fleming. 2000. The Cooperative Research Unit Program and wildlife education: historic development, future challenges. The Wildlife Society Bulletin 28:534-541.	January 2000

Data or Software Releases

Type	Citation	Publication Date
Data Release	Snyder, S.D., Loftin, C.S., and Reeve, A.S., 2023, Distribution Models Predicting Groundwater Influenced Ecosystems in the Northeastern United States: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P97DJ8E6.	October 2024
Data Release	Snyder, S.D., Loftin, C.S., and Reeve, A.S. 2023. Vulnerability of Groundwater Influenced Ecosystems in the Northeastern United States: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P1K7S2DI.	April 2023
Data Release	Kline, L., Lewis, M.A., Maher, L., and Loftin, C.S., 2023. Point locations and species and behavioral identifications of colonial nesting seabirds on Maine's coastal islands interpreted from 2019 plane-based imagery, U.S. Geological Survey data release: https://doi.org/10.5066/P92SL92P.	February 2023
Data Release	Diefenbach, D., Trowbridge, J., Van Buskirk, A., McConnell, T., Lamp, K., Marques, T., Walter, W., Wallingford, B., and Rosenberry, C., 2024, Data for Distance sampling accounting for density gradient and animal distribution: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P16QJRFW.	July 2023

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

Headquarters Research Activities

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