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

Iowa Research Activities

Northern Leopard frog in an Iowa wetland.

Projects

Project	Completion Date
Estimating Breeding Populations of Canada Geese in the Midwest – A Model to Predict Canada Goose Breeding Pair Densities Using National Wetlands Inventory Data	September 2017	Mississippi Flyway Council states and provinces have been developing and refining methods to estimate the giant Canada goose populations in the Flyway since 1993. Numbers of giant Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway appear to exceed the combined total of all other Canada goose populations in the Flyway, but estimates of giant Canada goose populations in states and provinces are imprecise in many cases. Canada geese are the second most frequently harvested waterfowl in the Flyway and are extremely important to waterfowl hunters . Sound science-based management of giant Canada geese, as well as other goose populations in the Flyway, requires more precise estimates of the breeding populations of these birds in the states and provinces with resident populations of these birds. The Iowa DNR has been surveying the breeding population of Canada geese in Iowa since 1993. The survey methodology has evolved as computing tools and GIS information has improved. The surveys conducted in Iowa and surrounding states indicate that the key to precisely estimating the Canada goose breeding population in a region is the accuracy of the stratification of the universe of survey plots in the region. Because we now have a revised and refined wetlands inventory for Iowa (circa 2002), as well as 5 years of Canada Goose observation data (from aerial surveys of 160 2 mi2 plots/year) that ties all the observations of geese (singles, pairs, and groups) to specific wetlands or streams/rivers on individual survey plots, we are in an excellent position to develop a model (or models) that will predict the Canada goose population for each section in the state based on number, size, and types of wetlands (and possibly adjacent upland habitat) in each section. However, it will take considerable computing and GIS work to develop the model or models necessary to make these predictions. OBJECTIVES The overall objective of the project is to develop a methodology to estimate the number of breeding pairs of giant Canada geese per section using National Wetlands Inventory and aerial survey data. Specifically, we will: 1. Reclassify the wetlands identified in the 2002 NWI for Iowa, which are currently classified according to the Cowardin system, to the 5-Class Stewart and Kantrud (1971) system. 2. Identify all sections in the state with potential Canada goose nesting habitat. 3. Develop a model or models that predict the numbers of breeding pairs of Canada geese that could be found in each section. 4. Assign sections to strata based on their predicted numbers of breeding pairs. Appropriate strata will be identified based on the analyses of previous surveys, which grouped sections into 4 strata. 5. Ground-truth aerial counts of Canada geese on plots with high densities of breeding pairs (Cordts et al. 2002) and calculate visibility correction factors if appropriate. 6. Determine giant Canada goose nest success (Dinsmore et al. 2002) at Rice Lake and Elk Creek Wildlife Management Areas where nest densities have historically been very high	Since 1993, the Mississippi Flyway Council states have been developing and refining methods to estimate the giant Canada Goose populations within their respective boundaries and in the Flyway as a whole. Numbers of giant Canada Geese in the Mississippi Flyway appear to exceed the combined total of all other Canada Geese that use the Flyway, but estimates of Goose populations within states are imprecise in most cases. Canada Geese are the second most frequently harvested waterfowl in the Flyway and are extremely important to waterfowl hunters across the eastern half of the U.S. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been surveying the breeding population of Canada Geese in Iowa since 1993. From previous work it appears that the key to precisely estimating the Canada Goose breeding population in a region or state is to accurately stratify the universe of survey plots in the region. Because we now have a revised and refined wetlands inventory for Iowa (circa 2002) as well as 5 years of Canada Goose observation data (from aerial surveys of 160 2 mi2 plots/year) that ties all the observations of Geese (singles, pairs, nests, groups) to specific wetlands or streams/rivers on individual survey plots, we are in an excellent position to develop a model (or models) that will predict the Canada Goose population for each section in the state based on number, size, and types of wetlands (and possibly adjacent upland habitat) in each section.
Effects of Introduced Common Carp and Invading Zebra Mussels on Water Quality and the Native Biological Community of Clear Lake, Iowa	June 2012	Goals and Objectives: o Quantify major ecosystem components, including common carp, zebra mussels, and the native fish and macroinvertebrate communities. o Compilation and organization of existing data. o Assembly of empirical relationships from the literature and compiled data. o Construction of several component models describing portions of the ecosystem. o Combining component models into a single ecosystem-level simulation model. Progress: The project has had four field seasons completed during 2007-2010. The adult carp population was estimated to be 35,738 (95% C.I.= 29,756-41,694), 59330 (95% C.I. = 50,072-68,588) and 32615 (95% C.I. = 25889-39342), 62003 (95% C.I.= 54134-69872) individuals in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 respectively based on mark-recapture population estimates. Estimated biomass per hectare was 92.62 (95% C.I. = 86-99) and 211.89 (95% C.I.= 203-221) and 126.85 (95% C.I.= 100.7-153.0) in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively. The fish assemblage has been dominated by walleye, yellow bass, and common carp on estimated densities and biomass of nearshore and offshore fish species. The age 1+ fish assemblage was generally similar in 2009 compared to 2007 and 2008, but few bullhead were captured in 2009 and 2010, reflecting a major decrease in black bullhead abundance. Age 0+ seine catches of yellow bass, yellow perch, and forage fish (e.g., spottail shiners, fathead minnows) in 2009 and 2010 were dramatically increased relative to 2007 and 2008. Benthic invertebrates assemblages were dominated by chironomidae in mud and muck benthic substrates and zebra mussels on rocky substrates. Zebra mussel densities on rock substrates was 1,032,508 individuals meter-2 in 2009, a 7.8 fold increase from 2007. Settlement of zebra mussels on colonization plates and benthic surveys indicate that the zebra mussel population was more abundant in 2010 than 2007 and have colonized the majority of suitable habitat in the lake. Zebra mussel (>2mm) densities on colonizaton plates was overall lower in 2009 and 2010 compared to previous years. A preliminary ECOPATH model of the system has been completed and in the prosess of being written up for publication (target journal: Ecological Modeling). Additional submodels (e.g., sediment resuspenstion, water quality) of the overall ecosystem model are in stages of development, parameterization, and integration with the ECOPATH model. Several presentations were made at various meetings at the state, region and national level. Check out the project web site at: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~mcolvin/index.htm. Check reports on Clay Pierce's website (http://www.cfwru.iastate.edu/pierce_reports.htm) for a complete version of this report. Questions about this project should be directed to Mike Colvin (mcolvin@iastate.edu) or Clay Pierce (cpierce@iastate.edu, 515-294-3159). Future Plans: Synthesis of field results and model development and evaluation will continue. Processing of field samples will continue in the laboratory. Many more presentations of preliminary findings are planned.	None
Comparison of Amphibian Habitat Suitability in USDA CREP Wetlands and Natural Wetlands in the Des Moines Lobe of Iowa	December 2013	We sampled environmental characteristics and amphibian populations in six wetlands (3 CREP and 3 reference) between 2011 and 2013. As anticipated, given their purpose, water samples from CREP wetlands had higher concentrations of nitrogen. Additionally, we tested water, frog tissue, and sediment samples for nearly 100 agricultural contaminants, including fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and degradation products. While we found contaminants in all samples, there were no differences in concentrations between CREP and reference wetlands. Compounds detected in amphibian tissue were similar to those detected in water and sediment samples, so it is likely that frogs are picking up contaminants from their habitat. We found no differences in amphibian species richness or adult leopard frog survival rates between wetland types. Reductions in leopard and chorus frog population size correlated with extended hydroperiods and the presence of fish and non-native bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbieana) in wetlands. The amphibian chytrid fungus was detected in all wetlands, but was found in higher concentrations in water samples from reference wetlands. Exposure to the amphibian chytrid fungus is known to increase hind limb asymmetry in frogs. In line with this, leopard frogs from reference wetlands exhibited higher levels of developmental stress (i.e., reduced body condition and increased size differences between paired limbs) than frogs from CREP wetlands. Overall, our findings suggest that CREP and reference wetlands are valuable components of the amphibian habitat available in central Iowa. Maintaining a complex of fish-free wetlands with variable hydroperiods may reduce the impacts of drought and variable rainfall on amphibians in central Iowa.	We sampled environmental characteristics and amphibian populations in six wetlands (3 CREP and 3 reference) between 2011 and 2013. As anticipated, given their purpose, water samples from CREP wetlands had higher concentrations of nitrogen. Additionally, we tested water, frog tissue, and sediment samples for nearly 100 agricultural contaminants, including fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and degradation products. While we found contaminants in all samples, there were no differences in concentrations between CREP and reference wetlands. Compounds detected in amphibian tissue were similar to those detected in water and sediment samples, so it is likely that frogs are picking up contaminants from their habitat. We found no differences in amphibian species richness or adult leopard frog survival rates between wetland types. Reductions in leopard and chorus frog population size correlated with extended hydroperiods and the presence of fish and non-native bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbieana) in wetlands. The amphibian chytrid fungus was detected in all wetlands, but was found in higher concentrations in water samples from reference wetlands. Exposure to the amphibian chytrid fungus is known to increase hind limb asymmetry in frogs. In line with this, leopard frogs from reference wetlands exhibited higher levels of developmental stress (i.e., reduced body condition and increased size differences between paired limbs) than frogs from CREP wetlands. Overall, our findings suggest that CREP and reference wetlands are valuable components of the amphibian habitat available in central Iowa. Maintaining a complex of fish-free wetlands with variable hydroperiods may reduce the impacts of drought and variable rainfall on amphibians in central Iowa.
Age Structure & Growth of Invasive Common Carp Populations in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge	December 2011	The goal of this project is to formulate a comprehensive, long-term carp control strategy for restoring the ecosystem health of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Although short term carp reductions have occurred, no long-term control of this species has ever been achieved. Invasive carp have contributed significantly to the degradation of water bird habitat at the Refuge for over 50 years. Their presence is impacting the Pacific flyway bird populations. This will be accomplished by: • Refuge will begin identifying factors e.g., basic population status and dynamics of Refuge’s carp populations. Since age structure and growth are key components that need to be determined before effective evaluation and control can take place, the Refuge will collect associated dorsal fin spine and otolith samples necessary as a foundation for a control strategy. These calcified tissue samples, which reveal a fish’s age and history of growth rate over its lifetime, will be sent to the IA Coop F&W Research Unit for analysis. • IA Coop Unit has technical training, specialized equipment, and experience necessary to process these samples and do follow-up analysis to generate age structure and growth rate estimates.	None
Effects of invasive carp and impoundment on food web structure and fish condition in Upper Mississippi River tributaries	August 2027	We are using stable isotope and body condition analyses to understand the effects of invasive carp on freshwater fish assemblages and food webs. This work will help guide management to suppress invasive carp populations and upstream spread near the invasion front in the Upper Mississippi River Basin.	None
Assessing road risk for amphibians and reptiles	July 2027	Road risks to wildlife include direct mortality, habitat fragmentation, and barriers to seasonal movements. Among Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in Iowa, amphibians and reptiles (i.e., herpetofauna) are particularly susceptible to adverse road effects due to their specific habitat needs, limited dispersal abilities, and other life history traits. Currently in Iowa there are 16 amphibian and 40 reptile species listed as SGCN. Mitigation efforts that either aid animals in crossing roads safely and reduce collision risk can help ameliorate risks to these imperiled species, but challenges remain in identifying which type of mitigation to use at a site and, importantly, where those efforts will have the greatest impact. This project proposes to address these two knowledge gaps through geospatial modeling to determine herpetofauna road risk hotspots and field surveys to develop feasible mitigation strategies for 10 high-priority sites.	None
Effects of reservoir operation on fish recruitment, movement, and survival in the Des Moines and associated rivers.	December 2026	This project contains two objectives that serve the common goal of understanding Shovelnose Sturgeon movement ecology to better manage flows downstream of Saylorville and Red Rock Dams in order to promote the survival and reproduction of these migratory river fishes and the overall ecosystem integrity in the lower Des Moines River.<br>The first objective will compare spring migration phenology of Shovelnose Sturgeon using acoustic telemetry in two Mississippi River tributary systems, one with and one without experimental flows. This design will examine how environmental flows influence species movement and may affect the location, timing, and reproduction. Previous research suggests that spring flow pulses facilitate Shovelnose Sturgeon spawning in the Missouri River basin. Research may also monitor the movement of previously tagged Lake Sturgeon, a state species of GCN in Iowa and has been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The first objective (also Task 1, (b.)) will relate sturgeon movement and environmental conditions with timing of reproduction by capturing sturgeon eggs and larvae downstream of suspected spawning sites. Eggs and larvae will be identified and enumerated in the lab, including an estimate of stage or age. This data will be utilized in the continued development and refinement of the DSMR AMMP, facilitating achievement of the SRP goals for the DSMR.<br><br>A second objective (Task 2) is to monitor behavioral movements and habitat selection in relation to flows and temperature during the summer period when water temperatures are the warmest (July-August). This task specifically aims to advance our understanding of Shovelnose Sturgeon summer movement ecology and spatial variation in water quality during the summer to aid in the implementation of “opportunistic heat wave pulses” (Table 1). This information is needed to adjust flows to reduce the risk of physiological stress that has led to mass mortality events of Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Des Moines River. For example, in 2012 an estimated 37,159 Shovelnose Sturgeon died and it was presumed that the cause was related to low flows and elevated water temperatures >30°C (Hupfeld et al., 2015). An additional sturgeon kill occurred in the Des Moines River this year in early July 2023 when flows were	We propose two objectives that serve the common goal of understanding Shovelnose Sturgeon movement ecology to better manage flows downstream of Saylorville and Red Rock Dams in order to promote the survival and reproduction of these migratory river fishes and the overall ecosystem integrity in the lower Des Moines River.<br>The first objective will compare spring migration phenology of Shovelnose Sturgeon using acoustic telemetry in two Mississippi River tributary systems, one with and one without experimental flows. This design will examine how environmental flows influence species movement and may affect the location, timing, and reproduction. Previous research suggests that spring flow pulses facilitate Shovelnose Sturgeon spawning in the Missouri River basin. Research may also monitor the movement of previously tagged Lake Sturgeon, a state species of GCN in Iowa and has been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The first objective (also Task 1, (b.)) will relate sturgeon movement and environmental conditions with timing of reproduction by capturing sturgeon eggs and larvae downstream of suspected spawning sites. Eggs and larvae will be identified and enumerated in the lab, including an estimate of stage or age. This data will be utilized in the continued development and refinement of the DSMR AMMP, facilitating achievement of the SRP goals for the DSMR.<br> <br>A second objective (Task 2) is to monitor behavioral movements and habitat selection in relation to flows and temperature during the summer period when water temperatures are the warmest (July-August). This task specifically aims to advance our understanding of Shovelnose Sturgeon summer movement ecology and spatial variation in water quality during the summer to aid in the implementation of “opportunistic heat wave pulses” (Table 1). This information is needed to adjust flows to reduce the risk of physiological stress that has led to mass mortality events of Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Des Moines River. For example, in 2012 an estimated 37,159 Shovelnose Sturgeon died and it was presumed that the cause was related to low flows and elevated water temperatures >30°C (Hupfeld et al., 2015). An additional sturgeon kill occurred in the Des Moines River this year in early July 2023 when flows were <2,000 cfs. This information will also help more broadly to adapt reservoir management to increase downstream ecosystem resilience as water temperatures are predicted to increase in the future due to climate change. To accomplish these objectives in Phase 2, we will conduct a finer-scale telemetry on the previously tagged Shovelnose Sturgeon during the warmest portions of the year late June-August. While conducting objective 1, we will be able to identify areas of the Des Moines River that may be used by Shovelnose Sturgeon during the summer to avoid physiological stress.<br>
Examining drivers of temporal variation in hybridization outcomes in bigheaded carp in the UMR.	October 2024	Invasive Bighead and Silver Carp have been known to hybridize in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. This research will use genomic analysis of tissue samples to infer prevalence of hybrids in the Upper Mississippi River basin, their natal origins, and the potential effects on condition.	Invasive Bighead and Silver Carp have been known to hybridize in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. This research will use genomic analysis of tissue samples to infer prevalence of hybrids in the Upper Mississippi River basin, their natal origins, and the potential effects on condition.
Habitat associations and biotic interactions of invasive Rusty Crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) to inform risk assessment and management of shallow glacial lakes at the invasion front.	August 2025	The invasive Rusty Crayfish has caused tremendous ecological and economic damage in glacial lakes in the Upper Midwest. Its range has recently expanded south to shallow-eutrophic lakes of the Upper Mississippi Basin. The first lake-dwelling population in Iowa was recently discovered in Storm Lake, Iowa, but little is known about the relative abundance, distribution of Rusty Crayfish within Storm Lake or surrounding natural lakes, or how its introduction will affect water quality populations of aquatic flora and fauna. Therefore, we propose a project to assess the distribution and habitat and biotic associations of Rusty Crayfish within Storm Lake and other shallow eutrophic lakes within southern portions of the Upper Mississippi River Basin. This research will inform vulnerability assessments for early detection and management of the species.	The invasive Rusty Crayfish has caused tremendous ecological and economic damage in glacial lakes in the Upper Midwest. Following its introduction into Wisconsin in the 1960s, it has decimated aquatic vegetation, predated on fish eggs and larvae, restructured food webs, forced the extirpation of native species, and potentially reduced water quality through the resuspension of nutrients and sediment from the benthos. Its range has recently expanded south to shallow-eutrophic lakes of the Upper Mississippi Basin. The first lake-dwelling population in Iowa was recently discovered in Storm Lake, Iowa in 2018, but little is known about the relative abundance, distribution of Rusty Crayfish within Storm Lake or surrounding natural lakes, or how its introduction will interact with native and invasive species already present. Therefore, we propose to assess the distribution and habitat and biotic associations of Rusty Crayfish with both intensive within Storm Lake and extensive among lake minnow trapping surveys within the Upper Mississippi River Basin. We will use this data to analyze how lake habitat, species community interactions, human socioeconomic factors, and active habitat management and restoration practices may regulate the spread of this species. This research will inform vulnerability assessments for early detection and management of the species.
Estimating age, growth, and mortality in a tributary-spawning population of Shovelnose Sturgeon using a long-term mark-recapture dataset.	December 2025	This project seeks to utilize an 18 year mark-recapture dataset to overcome challenges with estimating important population parameters for making management decisions for the Shovelnose Sturgeon population that is harvested for caviar and meat in the Mississippi River.	<b>Task 1</b>: Develop incremental growth models using mark-recapture data for Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Cedar River.<br><b>Description:</b> The graduate student will answer the question: <i>How does Shovelnose Sturgeon growth vary by size, age, and sex in the Cedar River?</i> By analyzing the mark-recapture datasets using adaptations to the Von Bertalanffy growth model that are applicable to mark-recapture data of unknown age fish such as the Wang (Wang et al., 1995) and Fabens models (Fabens et al., 1996) to estimate age-specific growth rates and asymptotic lengths for the Shovelnose Sturgeon population. The student will compare models developed with known male and female individuals to assess how growth rates and asymptotic lengths differ by sex. The student will calculate parameterized age and growth models that can be utilized in future decision making related to harvest regulations for the population. Length at age data available from an ongoing study of bomb radiocarbon aging of Shovelnose Sturgeon for a small subset of individuals will be used to validate growth models.<br>Age- or size-specific growth rates are one of the key vital rates in forecasting fish population response to harvest. These models will provide the Iowa DNR with important information for continued management of harvest of Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Other methods of parameterizing growth models such as otolith or fin ray annuli counts are unreliable for older individuals and bomb-radiocarbon dating will become a less useful tool for estimating age and growth as ambient C14 levels recede to baseline following the nuclear testing in the 1960’s.<br><b>Task 2:</b> Develop mark-recapture models to estimate annual survival rates of Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Cedar River<br><b>Description</b>: The graduate student under the supervision of the project leaders will investigate mark-recapture models that best fit these data to answer the question: <i>Based on mark-recapture surveys what is the annual survival rate in Cedar River Shovelnose Sturgeon population<b>? </b></i><b> </b>The Cormack-Jolly-Seber model will serve as a starting point that provides annual survival estimates in a population independent of age. This model has been generalized to account for various complexities in datasets. Information that may need to be considered when selecting the appropriate model include: 1.) imperfect tag retention, 2.) lack of any observed hatch or death dates, 3.) low recapture rates, 4.) migration periodicity, and/or 5) slow growth rates after maturity. The student will provide parameterized survival models that provide survival estimates to inform management of the population.
Occurrence and Abundance of Topeka Shiners in Restored Off-Channel Habitats in Central Iowa Streams	September 2012	The goal of this proposed project is to understand and evaluate where and how many Topeka shiners are present in central Iowa's in-channel and off-channel habitats of streams and rivers, for not only their management, but the management and interaction of other species as well. Freshwater fishes are among the nation's most imperiled animals and the Topeka shiner species, as well as their habitat, is of particular conservation concern. Declines of Topeka shiners are largely the result of habitat degradation caused by land use alterations. This will be accomplished by: - Identifying factors (e.g., physical and chemical habitat, species associations) related to the occurrence and abundance of Topeka shiners and associated fishes. - Identify potential sampling sites, along with model predictions of their occurrence. Fishes will be sampled using pulsed-DC electrofishing and seining. - Habitat will be measured using standard methods. - Logistic regression and/or occupancy models will be used to describe the occurrence of Topeka shiners and other fishes in habitats. Associations of fish assemblage structure and abundance with habitat conditions will be evaluated using a combination of univariate and multivariate techniques	None
MISSOURI RIVER MITIGATION: Iowa Wetland Restoration Functional Assessment	May 2014	The goal of this proposed project is to evaluate the success of restored wetlands (created to mitigate wetland losses) in the Missouri River floodplain of Iowa, managed and given the desired endpoints by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This project is one of four similar cooperative projects to be conducted in the Missouri River floodplain reaches of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri (trans-boundary collaboration). A four-year field assessment of herpetofauna - primarily amphibians - will be used as indicators of wetland quality. This will be accomplished by - Quantifying the occurrence and recruitment of amphibians at existing mitigation sites (survey frog calls, operate drift fences, assess population size and reproduction.) - Formulating models of quality wetland restorations; statistical tools will include mark-recapture modeling and parameter estimation from field surveys. These models will then be used by managers in future habitat restorations and for adaptive management of existing restorations.	None
Development of harvest strategies for mourning doves	June 2011	1) Develop statistical techniques for combining CCS and population growth rate estimates derived from banding and harvest data to produce reliable predictions of population status and trend, 2) Develop a detailed harvest management framework that continuously integrates monitoring data, population models, and harvest and population objectives into a harvest management system 3) Develop a Banding Needs Document driven by information required for accomplishment of 1) and 2).	None
Assessment of environmental services of CREP wetlands in IA and the midwestern corn belt	December 2009	1. Conduct Iowa CREP environmental service assessment at several tiered spatial scales. i. Site specific modeling of 33 completed CREP projects. Vegetation community assessment used as appropriate to enhance wildlife model predictions and to establish baselines for longer-term monitoring of successional change. ii. Modeling of 435 sites identified by the Iowa Department of Agricultural and Land Stewardship that satisfy current CREP site criteria. This assessment will include an investigation of the variation in individual and integrated predicted environmental services as a function of site attributes, e.g., wetland size, buffer size, and landscape context. iii. Model predictions for simulated populations of wetland sites that would result in a 30% reduction in nitrogen load to the Mississippi River. Populations will vary as a function of alternative site criteria as in ii. 2. Use modeling techniques and results developed in Objective 1 to design a similar assessment of the potential environmental services that could be provided under a variety of scenarios for future implementation and expansion of the CREP program throughout the Midwestern corn belt. 3. Develop for review by FSA, appropriate sampling design and protocols, and a process to implement them to address information gaps. 4. Provide technical documentation to FSA on studies conducted. 5. Protect the confidentiality of landowners and proprietary data.	None
Assessing the role of conspecific attraction in habitat resotration for Henslow's Sparrows in Iowa	June 2010	Examine the role of social cues, such as conspecific calls and attraction, in the habitat selection decisions of Henslow's Sparrows by answering the following questions: (1) can Henslow's sparrows be attracted to previously unoccupied restored habitat using conspecific call playbacks? (2) do the vegetation characteristics (structure and composition) of our experimental plots differ from control plots in our study area?	None
Bird response to enhanced vegetation diversity in the Spring Run Complex of Northeastern Iowa	August 2011	The Spring Run Wetland Complex of northwest Iowa is one of the largest grassland units in the state. It has been recognized as an official site in the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas program. Previous research indicated that increased vegetation diversity could enhance the reproductive success of grassland birds. Our objectives are to (1) quantify bird use of four habitat types that have been or might be established on managed land in the Spring Run Complex, (2) monitor vegetation composition and structure in each habitat, (3) estimate nest success, nestling growth rate, and other aspects of habitat quality for common bird species using each habitat type, and (4) measure invertebrate populations in the three habitat types The Spring Run study area includes 24 study fields arranged in a complete block design (six blocks each with four field types). The four field types are (1) Cool Season - introduced grasses, (2) New CP-2 - a mix of native tall-grass species planted since 2000, (3) Old CP-2 - a mix of native tall-grass species planted before 2000, and (4) Primo - a diverse mixture over 40 species of forbs and native grasses. In the summer of 2008, we conducted seven rounds of line transect bird surveys on each field. We detected 2,788-3,280 individuals of 28-38 different species during the 2007-2008 surveys. The most common species were Bobolink, Common Yellowthroat, Grasshopper Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, and Sedge Wren. We conducted nest searches for grassland songbirds on all fields using systematic searches and behavioral observations. We found a total of 109-152 nests of 9-11 different species in 2007-2008. We found more nests in 2008 than in 2007 (109) but we found 2 fewer species in 2008. In addition to determining nest fates, Red-winged Blackbird, Dickcissel, and Bobolink nests were monitored to assess nestling growth rates and baseline corticosterone levels. Corticosterone levels are good indicators of physiological conditions of developing birds; increased corticosterone levels are associated with poor feeding conditions. During 2008, we measured 66 Red-winged Blackbird nestlings, 5 Bobolink nestlings, and 4 Brown-headed Cowbird nestlings. During 2008, we took blood samples from 24 birds just prior to fledging. Blood glucose readings were taken in the field from each nestling using a portable blood glucose meter. Blood samples were centrifuged and stored at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory until the end of the summer. Nestling growth measurements and blood samples were collected using the same field methods in 2009. During 2009, we took blood samples from 66 nestlings. We conducted 2 rounds of vegetation surveys and 3 rounds of invertebrate sweep net surveys during 2008. Invertebrate sweep net samples collected during 2008 are being idetified to order, dried and weighed. Vegetation data from 2007 and 2008 have been summarized. We conducted vegetation and invertebrate samples using the same field methods during 2009.	The Spring Run Wetland Complex of northwest Iowa is one of the largest grassland units in the state. It has been recognized as an official site in the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas program. Previous research indicated that increased vegetation diversity could enhance the reproductive success of grassland birds. Our objectives are to evaluate four types of vegeation and assess their quality as habitat for grassland birds. We have 24 study fields of four types: (1) Cool Season - introduced grasses, (2) New CP-2 - a mix of native tall-grass species planted since 2000, (3) Old CP-2 - a mix of native tall-grass species planted before 2000, and (4) Primo - a diverse mixture over 40 species of forbs and native grasses. The most common species were Bobolink, Common Yellowthroat, Grasshopper Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, and Sedge Wren.
Diverse portfolios: investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes in the 1 Anthropocene	December 2023	Human-induced changes to large Anthropocene rivers requires engagement of diverse stakeholders across a broad range of sociopolitical boundaries and balancing multiple objectives. Competing objectives often constrain options for ecological restoration of large rivers and subsequent conservation of native fishes. Fewer competing objectives may exist in a subset of tributaries than in large mainstem rivers. Further, tributaries contribute toward building a “portfolio” of river ecosystem assets through physical and biological processes that may present opportunities to enhance the resilience of large river fishes. Our goal is to review roles of tributaries in enhancing mainstem large river fish populations. We present case histories from two greatly altered and distinct large-river tributary systems that highlight how tributaries contribute four portfolio assets to support large-river fish populations: 1) habitat diversity, 2) connectivity, 3) ecological asynchrony, and 4) density-dependent processes. Finally, we identify future research directions to advance our understanding of tributary roles and inform conservation actions.	Human-induced changes to large Anthropocene rivers requires engagement of diverse stakeholders across a broad range of sociopolitical boundaries and balancing multiple objectives. Competing objectives often constrain options for ecological restoration of large rivers and subsequent conservation of native fishes. Fewer competing objectives may exist in a subset of tributaries than in large mainstem rivers. Further, tributaries contribute toward building a “portfolio” of river ecosystem assets through physical and biological processes that may present opportunities to enhance the resilience of large river fishes. Our goal is to review roles of tributaries in enhancing mainstem large river fish populations. We present case histories from two greatly altered and distinct large-river tributary systems that highlight how tributaries contribute four portfolio assets to support large-river fish populations: 1) habitat diversity, 2) connectivity, 3) ecological asynchrony, and 4) density-dependent processes. Finally, we identify future research directions to advance our understanding of tributary roles and inform conservation actions.
Blanding's Turtle conservation in Iowa	June 2025	This project will allow our states to focus on assisting populations of this endangered turtle in both Iowa and Illinois. We will use radio-telemetry to follow the turtles to determine how the respond to habitat management and utilize the study areas. Additionally, we will estimate survival probability to better understand population demographics of this species. This project will increase our knowledge of where populations currently exist in each state and how they respond to the management actions. The purpose of this application is to implement habitat management on private lands and continue habitat management on public lands in order to provide additional areas to expand and support known populations of Blanding’s turtles. In addition, we will follow the turtles using radio-telemetry in order to collect and evaluate information about their response to the habitat manipulation in an adaptive management framework. Illinois DNR will also initiate an intensive monitoring effort in an under-surveyed area of the state. Iowa DNR will begin a head-starting program for these turtles by collecting eggs, hatching and raising the turtles, and then releasing the turtles onto the property from which they were collected. The Iowa head-starting program will be overseen by the Blank Park Zoo, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoo.	The purpose of this application is to implement habitat management on private lands and continue habitat management on public lands in order to provide additional areas to expand and support known populations of Blanding’s turtles. In addition, we will follow the turtles using radio-telemetry in order to collect and evaluate information about their response to the habitat manipulation in an adaptive management framework. Illinois DNR will also initiate an intensive monitoring effort in an under-surveyed area of the state. Iowa DNR will begin a head-starting program for these turtles by collecting eggs, hatching and raising the turtles, and then releasing the turtles onto the property from which they were collected. The Iowa head-starting program will be overseen by the Blank Park Zoo, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoo.
Imperiled bumble bee occupancy and health status in Iowa	December 2024	The rusty patched bumble bee (<i>Bombus affinis</i>) is a federally Endangered species that was once widespread across the eastern U.S. and Upper Midwest. While the rusty patched bumble bee is the only species in this region currently on the Endangered Species List, many other bumble bee species have been documented to be in decline as well, including the American bumble bee, <i>Bombus pensylvanicus</i>. Creation, restoration and maintenance of habitat in the Midwestern region, therefore, may be crucial for threatened species’ recovery, and will also support priorities for conservation of pollinators more broadly. This project uses surveys of sites throughout Iowa to better understand the local and landscape habitat characteristics that influence the distribution and occurrence of rusty patched and American bumble bees. Additionally, we are taking measurements of individual bees to understand bee health. This work will inform habitat management strategies for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program as well as targets for rusty patched bumble bee recovery planning.	The rusty patched bumble bee (<i>Bombus affinis</i>) is a federally Endangered species that was once widespread across the eastern U.S. and Upper Midwest. While <i>B. affinis </i>is the only species in this region currently protected under the ESA, many other bumble bee species have been documented to be in decline as well, including the American bumble bee, <i>Bombus pensylvanicus</i>. Creation, restoration and maintenance of habitat in the Midwestern region, therefore, may be crucial for threatened species’ recovery, and will also support priorities for conservation of pollinators more broadly. This project will use structured surveys of sites throughout Iowa to estimate the effect of local and landscape characteristics on occupancy of <i>B. affinis</i> and <i>B. pensylvanicus</i>, as well as intensive surveys of occupied sites to measure metrics related to individual bee health. The proposed project will also contribute samples to several ongoing efforts to monitor <i>B. affinis</i> population genetic structure and threats to resilience (e.g., pesticides, pathogens). This work will inform habitat management strategies for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program as well as targets for <i>B. affinis</i> recovery planning.
Using new transmitter technology to evaluate the effects of environmental change and disturbance on shorebird breeding phenology, behavior, and nest success	September 2024	Arctic-breeding shorebirds are declining, and predation is a leading cause of nest predation. Some scientists argue that predation is increasing due to climate change, but others assert that increased human disturbance as a result of intensive nest monitoring is alterting predators to nest sites. To better understand this issue, we attached GPS tags to dunlin during the pre-breeding season, and used location data (downloaded remotely) to estimate nest success. Paired with estimated nest success from nearby long-term monitoring plots, we aim to understand nest survival in the absence of human disturbance. We are also investigating how environmental conditions influence adult behaviors and reproductive success.	Arctic-breeding shorebirds are one of the bird species experiencing the most severe declines in North America. They face several threats throughout the annual cycle, but predation is the main cause of nest failure in the Arctic. A recent study indicated nest predation had increased threefold in the Arctic during the past 20 years, changing the Arctic into “ecological trap” for migrating birds. These authors attributed this uptick in predation to climate-driven changes in the Arctic. However, Bulla et al. (2019) suggested that much of the increase in predation during the past 20 years might be explained by changes in research methods that lead to an artificially high predation rate. With this study, we are using a hands-off method to estimate nest survival using location data from GPS tags. Birds are captured during the pre-breeding season, and locations are downloaded remotely. We aim to: (1) obtain the first true estimates of nest survival in a shorebird species, (2) assess how conventional, human intensive monitoring techniques affect nest survival under different environmental conditions, (3) develop a best practice guide for accounting for human disturbance effects on shorebird nest survival, and (4) evaluate in an unbiased way how adult behavior prior to and during nesting varies with environmental conditions.
Retrospective recruitment analysis of bigheaded carp in the Upper Mississippi River.	October 2024	This project examines microchemical signatures of otolith cores from invasive bigheaded carp to determine whether their natal origin was upstream or downstream of Lock and Dam #19, a partial dispersal barrier, in the Upper Mississippi River and whether yearclass strength is associated with environmental variables. This information is key for managing carp populations near the leading edge of the invasion in the Mississippi River.	Invasive carp continue to increase in abundance and distribution above LD 19 in the Upper Mississippi River. This increase may be due to either dispersal of adults and/or through successful reproduction and recruitment in newly invaded areas. Adult invasive Carp move upstream past LD 19, but movement rates are relatively low for the number of adults encountered in pools 19 and above. Conversely, larval invasive carp have been captured in pools 19-17 on an annual basis since 2014; yet, captures of juvenile invasive carp in the fall are quite rare. The lack of juvenile captures could indicate that larvae are not successfully surviving until the juvenile phase or that juveniles are very difficult to locate and capture despite extensive sampling efforts that have occurred in the UMR. Age structure of adult invasive carp above LD 19 indicates recruitment is consistent. However, whether recruitment of these fish into the population above LD 19 is occurring due to adults migrating upstream through LD 19 or due to recruitment of offspring produced above LD 19 is unknown. <br>Otolith microchemistry can be a useful tool to identify locations where recruited fish are produced. Previous otolith microchemistry work on the Upper Mississippi River indicated <20% of adult invasive carp recruited above LD 19. However, this analysis was conducted with a limited number of fish and it remains unknown whether this recruitment was the result of one large year class or due to low levels of consistent recruitment on an annual basis. Understanding where recruitment is occurring and the frequency of recruitment (e.g., annually or periodically) is critical for implementing management actions such as commercial harvest and installation of barriers. Therefore, we propose to assess the historical recruitment of invasive carp above LD 19 using adult age structure to determine if they are recruiting above LD 19 and if so, the temporal variation in recruitment. This information will be critical to assess if the larvae being produced above LD 19 annually are not recruiting or if they are surviving but going undetected despite extensive sampling efforts. <br>Silver Carp will be collected by commercial anglers in pools 17-19, fish will be measured for total length, and otoliths will be removed for age estimation. Because an estimated 15% of the population was produced above LD 19, we will need to collect approximately 1,000 fish per pool for adequate sample size. Fish will be randomly subsampled per 1 cm group and age-length keys will be used to develop age-frequency histograms for each pool. Once age-structure is determined, we will assess which age-classes are considered recruited to the gear and can be used for Maciena’s catch curve analysis to assess historical recruitment of Silver Carp in pools 17-19 of the Upper Mississippi River. Most Silver Carp captured above LD 19 are 5-10 years old, with peak catches not occurring until age 6-7. Therefore, we anticipate having approximately five age-classes where recruitment can be assessed (6-10 year old fish). Otolith microchemistry will be completed on approximately 60 fish per year class at Southern Illinois University to assess if their natal origin is above or below LD 19. The proportion of Silver Carp produced above versus below LD 19 per year class will be applied to the age-structure of fish captured from each pool to construct separate age-frequency histograms for fish originating from above versus below LD 19. Finally, catch curves will be constructed and residuals will be used to estimate year class strength for fish originating above and below LD 19 for both pools 17, 18, and 19. Finally, environmental conditions (e.g., mean June discharge) can be used to predict variation in recruitment based on environmental conditions. <b> </b>
Evaluating the benefits of practices implemented under the Working Lands for Wildlife Program (WLFW) targeting northern bobwhites	September 2025	The USDA Working Lands for Wildlife program seeks to improve habitat on working farms and ranches for northern bobwhites and a range of other wildlife species that benefit from early successional ecosystems. This project will investigate the degree to which bobwhite presence is an indicator of the presence of other priority bird species and the benefits of WLFW practices to nongame birds.	In a state dominated by agriculture and private land, programs like USDA Working Lands for Wildlife seek to incentivize private landowners to conduct habitat restoration and management on their properties. Species such as the northern bobwhite are often used as umbrella species, with the expectation that if bobwhite are present at a site other grassland-dependent and early successional species will be as well. With this project we aim to evaluate the veracity of this assumption by estimating co-occurrence of bobwhite and species of greatest conservation need at WLFW sites in southern Iowa. We are working closely with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the USDA NRCS, and partners in Quail Forever/Pheasants Forever to conduct this work. The results will help managers understand the broader implications of WLFW practices to breeding birds, as well as the landscape factors that mediate the benefits of habitat restoration and management at a given site.
Wetland Reserve Program Properties: Importance for Iowa Breeding Birds in the Prairie Pothole Landform	December 2024	The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is one of the most significant habitat restoration programs in Iowa and has added more acres of wetland habitat than any other program since 1993. With this project, we aim to describe the use of WRP sites in the Prairie Pothole Region in Iowa by nongame breeding birds, including species of conservation concern, and evaluate the site characteristics that are associated with the diversity and abundance of birds. Results will inform best practices for prioritizing sites for future WRP engagement as well as management of existing sites to support breeding wetland-dependent birds.	The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) is one of the most significant habitat restoration efforts in Iowa. These restored wetlands are thought to provide critical breeding habitat to bird wetland species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) throughout the area, but this has not been evaluated. Additionally, local managers lack clear guidance on best practices for habitat management at these sites. The purpose of this project is to survey WRP sites throughout the Prairie Pothole Landform in Iowa for breeding birds and evaluate the site characteristics that are associated with the greatest diversity and abundance of birds. This project is conducted in close collaboration with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Diversity Program and funded via a USFWS State Wildlife Grant. Results will inform best practices for prioritizing sites for future WRP engagement as well as management of existing sites to support breeding birds of conservation concern.
Effects of Tile Drainage on Restored Oxbows as Habitat for Endangered Topeka Shiners and other Biota	December 2021	Oxbow restoration has been shown to promote conservation of the endangered Topeka shiner and enhance agricultural floodplain habitat for other taxa, while parallel research has identified oxbow restoration as a potentially effective strategy for reducing nutrient export from cropland to Iowa's waterways. Because of this potential benefit, oxbow restoration was recently adopted by the Science Advisory Team of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center (INRC) as an approved conservation practice, which will accelerate its proliferation on the landscape. The nutrient reduction effectiveness of these restored oxbows depends on their interception of tile drainage before it reaches natural waterways, and future oxbows restored under the INRC program will be fed by tiles. However, an important and as yet unanswered question is whether introduction of tile drainage will affect the conservation benefits of restored oxbows. Numerous agencies are partners in this research and will benefit from its results, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, The Iowa Soybean Association, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This research will quantify the establishment of biota and habitat conditions in recently restored oxbows, with and without tile drainage, to test the effects of tile drainage on conservation benefits of oxbow restoration.	Oxbow restoration has been shown to promote conservation of the endangered Topeka shiner and enhance agricultural floodplain habitat for other taxa, while parallel research has identified oxbow restoration as a potentially effective strategy for reducing nutrient export from cropland to Iowa's waterways. Because of this potential benefit, oxbow restoration was recently adopted by the Science Advisory Team of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center (INRC) as an approved conservation practice, which will accelerate its proliferation on the landscape. The nutrient reduction effectiveness of these restored oxbows depends on their interception of tile drainage before it reaches natural waterways, and future oxbows restored under the INRC program will be fed by tiles. However, an important and as yet unanswered question is whether introduction of tile drainage will affect the conservation benefits of restored oxbows. Numerous agencies are partners in this research and will benefit from its results, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, The Iowa Soybean Association, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This research will quantify the establishment of biota and habitat conditions in recently restored oxbows, with and without tile drainage, to test the effects of tile drainage on conservation benefits of oxbow restoration.
An Index of Oxbow Restoration Quality for Topeka Shiners Based on the Fish Assemblage	December 2021	Restored oxbows are important habitats for the endangered Topeka shiner, but because of their rarity, the “signal” associated with presence of Topeka shiners in restored oxbows is weak. While the value of restored oxbows is increasingly recognized and the pace of oxbow restoration programs is accelerating, difficulty in accurately assessing restoration effectiveness poses a significant roadblock for evaluating restoration methods. For assessing the quality and conservation value of restored oxbows, conservation decision-makers need a better tool than simply relying on the presence or abundance of Topeka Shiners in samples. Numerous agencies are partners in this research and will benefit from its results, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, The Iowa Soybean Association, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The purpose of this study is to develop an index of oxbow restoration quality for conservation of endangered Topeka shiners based on characteristics of the fish assemblage. The index will enable evaluation of oxbow restorations when direct methods, such as documenting presence or increased abundance of Topeka shiners, are not possible.	Restored oxbows are important habitats for the endangered Topeka shiner, but because of their rarity, the “signal” associated with presence of Topeka shiners in restored oxbows is weak. While the value of restored oxbows is increasingly recognized and the pace of oxbow restoration programs is accelerating, difficulty in accurately assessing restoration effectiveness poses a significant roadblock for evaluating restoration methods. For assessing the quality and conservation value of restored oxbows, conservation decision-makers need a better tool than simply relying on the presence or abundance of Topeka Shiners in samples. Numerous agencies are partners in this research and will benefit from its results, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, The Iowa Soybean Association, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The purpose of this study is to develop an index of oxbow restoration quality for conservation of endangered Topeka shiners based on characteristics of the fish assemblage. The index will enable evaluation of oxbow restorations when direct methods, such as documenting presence or increased abundance of Topeka shiners, are not possible.
Bighorn sheep respiratory disease monitoring	September 2022	Glacier National Park provides refuge to iconic North American species, including bighorn sheep (<i>Ovis canadensis</i>), whose range covers diverse Department of Interior lands. Across this range, bighorns face the ongoing threat of a polymicrobial infection, Bighorn Sheep Respiratory Disease, which can reduce juvenile survival for many years, decimate populations, and lead to local extinctions. Although Glacier’s bighorns are thought to be free of the disease, a corridor of contiguous wilderness connects Glacier to populations that have tested positive for the most critical pathogen associated with this disease, <i>Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae</i>. As such, efficient biosurveillance programs are essential to anticipating and mitigating the effects of Bighorn Sheep Respiratory Disease outbreaks in Glacier National Park.<br>However, molecular screening for Bighorn Sheep Respiratory Disease is financially and logistically challenging, requiring physical capture and multiple lab assays. Such costs preclude large-scale, continuous biosurveillance, potentially missing detections and hindering risk assessment. We will address this issue by developing an animal-behavior-based, citizen-driven biosurveillance program for Bighorn Sheep Respiratory Disease in Glacier National Park. We are cooperating with Glacier National Park, U.S. Forest Service, and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks staff on this project. We will provide the NPS with a tool to detect Bighorn Sheep Respiratory Disease and thus determine when mitigation strategies are necessary,	Glacier National Park provides refuge to iconic North American species, including bighorn sheep (<i>Ovis canadensis</i>), whose range covers diverse Department of Interior lands. Across this range, bighorns face the ongoing threat of a polymicrobial infection, Bighorn Sheep Respiratory Disease, which can reduce juvenile survival for many years, decimate populations, and lead to local extinctions. Although Glacier’s bighorns are thought to be free of the disease, a corridor of contiguous wilderness connects Glacier to populations that have tested positive for the most critical pathogen associated with this disease, <i>Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae</i>. As such, efficient biosurveillance programs are essential to anticipating and mitigating the effects of Bighorn Sheep Respiratory Disease outbreaks in Glacier National Park.<br>However, molecular screening for Bighorn Sheep Respiratory Disease is financially and logistically challenging, requiring physical capture and multiple lab assays. Such costs preclude large-scale, continuous biosurveillance, potentially missing detections and hindering risk assessment. We will address this issue by developing an animal-behavior-based, citizen-driven biosurveillance program for Bighorn Sheep Respiratory Disease in Glacier National Park. We are cooperating with Glacier National Park, U.S. Forest Service, and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks staff on this project. We will provide the NPS with a tool to detect Bighorn Sheep Respiratory Disease and thus determine when mitigation strategies are necessary,
Developing capture techniques and monitoring the movement of sandhill cranes breeding in Iowa	December 2025	Sandhill cranes (<i>Antigone canidensis</i>) were extirpated from Iowa in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century as a result of habitat loss and over-harvest. Nearly 100 years passed before sandhill cranes began recolonizing Iowa, with the first breeding effort since 1894 documented in 1992 (Dinsmore 1994). In recent years successful breeding has been confirmed in 29 counties and cranes have been documented in 62 of Iowa’s 99 counties (Iowa Department of Natural Resources unpublished data).<br><br>Our understanding of cranes in modern-day Iowa is limited due to the relatively recent and un-assisted recolonization of cranes in Iowa. Information regarding the population such as trends, dynamics, and affiliations consist of anecdotal reports or are entirely unknown. As this population grows there is increased interest from a wide array of stakeholders including conservation managers, bird watchers, private landowners, agriculture producers and hunters. There is considerable uncertainty regarding the Iowa crane population, such as the population affiliation, population size, and habitat use. We are working cooperatively with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This information will greatly improve our understanding of how sandhill cranes use the modern day Iowa landscape, define suitable habitat for cranes and provide evidence on the migration routes and wintering grounds of Iowa’s breeding cranes.	Sandhill cranes (<i>Antigone canidensis</i>) were extirpated from Iowa in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century as a result of habitat loss and over-harvest. Nearly 100 years passed before sandhill cranes began recolonizing Iowa, with the first breeding effort since 1894 documented in 1992 (Dinsmore 1994). In recent years successful breeding has been confirmed in 29 counties and cranes have been documented in 62 of Iowa’s 99 counties (Iowa Department of Natural Resources unpublished data).<br> <br>Our understanding of cranes in modern-day Iowa is limited due to the relatively recent and un-assisted recolonization of cranes in Iowa. Information regarding the population such as trends, dynamics, and affiliations consist of anecdotal reports or are entirely unknown. As this population grows there is increased interest from a wide array of stakeholders including conservation managers, bird watchers, private landowners, agriculture producers and hunters. There is considerable uncertainty regarding the Iowa crane population, such as the population affiliation, population size, and habitat use. We are working cooperatively with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This information will greatly improve our understanding of how sandhill cranes use the modern day Iowa landscape, define suitable habitat for cranes and provide evidence on the migration routes and wintering grounds of Iowa’s breeding cranes.
Ecology of Canada geese in urban area of Iowa	September 2021	STUDY NEED: Temperate breeding Canada geese (Branta canadensis maximus) were extirpated from Iowa in the early twentieth century until the Iowa Conservation Commission initiated a reintroduction program in 1964 (Bishop and Howing 1972). Iowa’s Canada goose population has gone from near zero to April population estimates that occasionally exceed 100,000 (Jones and Hancock 2014). At the same time Iowans perception of Canada geese has evolved from an uncommon and charismatic bird to a widespread species that is occasionally viewed as a nuisance. In recent years the estimated harvest of Canada geese in Iowa has exceeded that of mallards, an indication of the resilience and significance of this population (Raftovich et al 2017). It is critical that our monitoring and management keep pace with the changes this population is experiencing. An unexpected behavior of Canada geese post-reintroduction has been their exploitation of urban and suburban environments (urban and suburban environments will be defined as those within municipal city limits, hereafter referred to as “urban areas”). Canada geese were initially re-introduced in rural marshes and were thought of as a wary bird requiring abundant wetland habitat, specifically cattail marshes. However, Canada geese have successfully exploited urban areas in Iowa and throughout North America (Balkom 2010 and Beston et al. 2014). Conflicts with Canada geese traditionally occurred in rural areas, specifically on emerging agricultural crops. Beginning in 2012 this pattern reversed and the majority of nuisance complaints regarding Canada geese now occur in urban areas (Bunger 2016). The abundance of Canada geese in urban areas is resulting in novel problems that traditional management actions may not adequately address. The primary management action to control Canada goose populations has traditionally been recreational harvest (Iverson 2013). However, hunting is often limited in urban areas due to safety concerns and local ordinances. This may provide an opportunity for rapid population growth while at the same time geese become acclimated to humans due to their close proximity and artificial feeding by well-meaning citizens. This can result in a large goose population within city limits which may attract migrating geese thereby exacerbating the perceived size of the goose population. In these situations conflicts such as aggressive behavior by geese, fecal deposition, property damage, and vehicle collisions increase. Actions to mitigate conflicts can be controversial with varied opinions amongst stakeholders. In order to adequately develop management actions wildlife agencies require information on the ecology of Canada geese in urban areas. This information is generally lacking as the majority of research on Canada geese has occurred in rural areas. STUDY OBJECTIVES: Objective 1. Evaluate the movement of Canada geese captured in urban areas. Compare to the movement of geese captured in rural locations where the goose hunting season is closed. Determine the susceptibility of Canada geese captured in urban areas to hunting during the Special September Canada Goose season and the conventional Canada goose hunting season. Objective 2. Estimate annual harvest and survival rates for Canada geese captured in urban areas. Evaluate a three age-class model to estimate harvest and survival rates of Canada geese in Iowa. Where possible incorporate both live recaptures and dead recoveries to improve statistical precision and accuracy. STUDY EXPECTED RESULTS OR BENEFITS: The primary benefit of this research will be an increased understanding of Canada geese in urban areas of Iowa. This will allow the Iowa DNR to develop management actions that will mitigate conflict caused by Canada geese in this novel environment. The DNR is striving to find a balance between managing a valuable wildlife resource and mitigating conflict. The results of this project will allow for an update and re-evaluation of Iowa DNR’s Canada Goose Management Plan (Jones and Hancock 2014). This project closely aligns with the first strategic goal identified in the Wildlife Research Section’s Strategic Plan “Iowa will have viable wildlife populations that are compatible with modern landscapes” (Iowa DNR 2016). Results will also be applicable to other states and provinces of the Mississippi Flyway, many of which are experiencing similar conflicts. Specifically, the results of this project will answer questions regarding the movement of Canada geese in urban environments such as: Do geese captured in urban areas ever leave urban areas? Is there seasonal variation in the movement of urban geese? This project will also answer questions regarding the population dynamics of urban geese, such as a comparison of harvest and survival rates of urban geese and the statewide population. Finally, this project will assess whether recreational harvest is an adequate tool to control urban populations or whether other, more direct management actions are warranted. The Iowa DNR currently allocates 9 of the 107 days available to hunt Canada geese to 3 zones surrounding urban areas during a Special September Canada Goose season. This season is intended to target nuisance geese in urban areas. However, the harvest and impact of this season on the population dynamics of geese in urban areas is unknown. The results of this project will allow the Iowa DNR to evaluate this season as a management tool to control Canada geese in urban areas.	Iowa’s Canada goose population has gone from near zero to April population estimates that occasionally exceed 100,000. At the same time Iowans perception of Canada geese has evolved from an uncommon and charismatic bird to a widespread species that is occasionally viewed as a nuisance. In recent years the estimated harvest of Canada geese in Iowa has exceeded that of mallards, an indication of the resilience and significance of this population. We are partnering with Iowa Department of Natural Resources to determine movements of urban geese to determine their susceptibility to hunting and to estimate annual harvest and survival rates of Canada geese captured in urban areas. It is critical that our monitoring and management keep pace with the changes this population is experiencing.
Farmed and CREP Wetland Amphibian Populations in the Des Moines Lobe of Central Iowa	December 2016	Amphibian populations have been experiencing declines in both the United States as well as globally. Recent research indicates that even species previously considered to have stable populations may be experiencing background rates of decline that have gone unnoticed or underestimated. Altough several factors have been identified as contributing to amphibian population losses, habitat loss and risks associated with landuse change, such as environmental contamination, have been acknowleged one of the top threats to amphibians. In the state of Iowa, much of the historic land cover has been converted from a mosiac of wetlands and prairies to agricultural production. In order to preserve amphibian species in these areas it is vital to understand the relationship between amphibian presence, movement, and and habitat characteristics such as landscape use. Previous work has shown that wetlands in agricultural landscapes can support amphibian populations, but understanding how individuals use these habitats at several spatial scales is important to promote the health and diversity of amphibian species. Objectives are to: Determine amphibian occupancy rates in Iowa Prairie Pothole Region wetlands o Correlate wetland habitat characteristics with amphibian species presence or absence o Document post-breeding movement patterns of northern leopard frogs on Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program wetlands o Assess the effect of surrounding land use practices as they contribute to chemical exposure and concentrations in northern leopard frogs.	Amphibian populations have been experiencing declines in both the United States as well as globally. Recent research indicates that even species previously considered to have stable populations may be experiencing background rates of decline that have gone unnoticed or underestimated. Altough several factors have been identified as contributing to amphibian population losses, habitat loss and risks associated with landuse change, such as environmental contamination, have been acknowleged one of the top threats to amphibians. In the state of Iowa, much of the historic land cover has been converted from a mosiac of wetlands and prairies to agricultural production. In order to preserve amphibian species in these areas it is vital to understand the relationship between amphibian presence, movement, and and habitat characteristics such as landscape use. Previous work has shown that wetlands in agricultural landscapes can support amphibian populations, but understanding how individuals use these habitats at several spatial scales is important to promote the health and diversity of amphibian species. Objectives are to: Determine amphibian occupancy rates in Iowa Prairie Pothole Region wetlands o Correlate wetland habitat characteristics with amphibian species presence or absence o Document post-breeding movement patterns of northern leopard frogs on Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program wetlands o Assess the effect of surrounding land use practices as they contribute to chemical exposure and concentrations in northern leopard frogs.
Deterrence of Asian Carp in the UMR	May 2019	Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molotrix) and Bighead Carp (H. nobilis), collectively Asian carp, are invasive species spreading throughout the Upper Mississippi River Basin (UMRB). Like many invasive species, Asian carp have negative economic and ecological impacts. The Upper Mississippi River (UMR) is divided by a series of lock and dams, creating lotic habitat below dams followed by pooled, lentic habitat before the next dam. Pooled sections of the UMR limit reproductive success and inhibit expansion. Despite the lack of optimal reproductive habitat within the UMR, tributaries of the UMRB contain stretches of free-flowing, unimpounded sections where reproduction has been documented in the Des Moines, Iowa and Skunk rivers. Adult densities within the UMR bordering Iowa are highest below Lock and Dam 19 (LD 19) near Keokuk. Although presence above LD 19 is not uncommon, abundance decreases progressively upstream. The objectives of this project are to (1) evaluate stock-recruitment trends present within the UMR where both adult stock and recruits have been sampled (Des Moines, Skunk, and Iowa Rivers) and (2) to assess accuracy of random forest models previously constructed to identify fish species based on egg morphometrics within the UMRB.	Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molotrix) and Bighead Carp (H. nobilis), collectively Asian carp, are invasive species spreading throughout the Upper Mississippi River Basin (UMRB). Like many invasive species, Asian carp have negative economic and ecological impacts. The Upper Mississippi River (UMR) is divided by a series of lock and dams, creating lotic habitat below dams followed by pooled, lentic habitat before the next dam. Pooled sections of the UMR limit reproductive success and inhibit expansion. Despite the lack of optimal reproductive habitat within the UMR, tributaries of the UMRB contain stretches of free-flowing, unimpounded sections where reproduction has been documented in the Des Moines, Iowa and Skunk rivers. Adult densities within the UMR bordering Iowa are highest below Lock and Dam 19 (LD 19) near Keokuk. Although presence above LD 19 is not uncommon, abundance decreases progressively upstream. The objectives of this project are to (1) evaluate stock-recruitment trends present within the UMR where both adult stock and recruits have been sampled (Des Moines, Skunk, and Iowa Rivers) and (2) to assess accuracy of random forest models previously constructed to identify fish species based on egg morphometrics within the UMRB.
Fish Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Iowa's Non-wadeable Rivers: Distribution, Relative Abundance and Relationships with Instream Habitat and Potential Movement Barriers	December 2012	Clay to update	Clay to update
Evaluation of Controls, Impacts and Behaviors of Asican Carp in the Lower UMR	October 2019	Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molotrix) and Bighead Carp (H. nobilis), collectively Asian carp, are invasive species spreading throughout the Upper Mississippi River Basin (UMRB). Like many invasive species, Asian carp have negative economic and ecological impacts. The Upper Mississippi River (UMR) is divided by a series of lock and dams, creating lotic habitat below dams followed by pooled, lentic habitat before the next dam. Pooled sections of the UMR limit reproductive success and inhibit expansion. Despite the lack of optimal reproductive habitat within the UMR, tributaries of the UMRB contain stretches of free-flowing, unimpounded sections where reproduction has been documented in the Des Moines, Iowa and Skunk rivers. Adult densities within the UMR bordering Iowa are highest below Lock and Dam 19 (LD 19) near Keokuk. Although presence above LD 19 is not uncommon, abundance decreases progressively upstream. The objectives of this project are to (1) evaluate stock-recruitment trends present within the UMR where both adult stock and recruits have been sampled (Des Moines, Skunk, and Iowa Rivers) and (2) to assess accuracy of random forest models previously constructed to identify fish species based on egg morphometrics within the UMRB.	Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molotrix) and Bighead Carp (H. nobilis), collectively Asian carp, are invasive species spreading throughout the Upper Mississippi River Basin (UMRB). Like many invasive species, Asian carp have negative economic and ecological impacts. The Upper Mississippi River (UMR) is divided by a series of lock and dams, creating lotic habitat below dams followed by pooled, lentic habitat before the next dam. Pooled sections of the UMR limit reproductive success and inhibit expansion. Despite the lack of optimal reproductive habitat within the UMR, tributaries of the UMRB contain stretches of free-flowing, unimpounded sections where reproduction has been documented in the Des Moines, Iowa and Skunk rivers. Adult densities within the UMR bordering Iowa are highest below Lock and Dam 19 (LD 19) near Keokuk. Although presence above LD 19 is not uncommon, abundance decreases progressively upstream. The objectives of this project are to (1) evaluate stock-recruitment trends present within the UMR where both adult stock and recruits have been sampled (Des Moines, Skunk, and Iowa Rivers) and (2) to assess accuracy of random forest models previously constructed to identify fish species based on egg morphometrics within the UMRB.
Evaluating Restored Mussel Population Genetics and Survivorship	May 2020	This project is focused on conservation of mussel Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Reintroducing mussel SGCN where the cause of extirpation has been reduced or eliminated will disperse risks to these species from locally catastrophic events, and increase species and river biota resilience to climate change. In Iowa 43 of the known 55 species are considered SGCN, while in Minnesota 30 of 52 known species are considered SGCN. Establishing viable mussel populations is the long-term goal of this work. A key assumption linking the actions of this project to that long-term goal is that mussels that are released at reintroduction sites will survive and grow to reproductive age. This can take 3-6 years depending on each species life history traits. Because the grant period only covers a portion of that timeframe, proportion of surviving mussels at release sites will serve as an interim indicator of progress toward the long-term goal.	This project is focused on conservation of mussel Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Reintroducing mussel SGCN where the cause of extirpation has been reduced or eliminated will disperse risks to these species from locally catastrophic events, and increase species and river biota resilience to climate change. In Iowa 43 of the known 55 species are considered SGCN, while in Minnesota 30 of 52 known species are considered SGCN. Establishing viable mussel populations is the long-term goal of this work. A key assumption linking the actions of this project to that long-term goal is that mussels that are released at reintroduction sites will survive and grow to reproductive age. This can take 3-6 years depending on each species life history traits. Because the grant period only covers a portion of that timeframe, proportion of surviving mussels at release sites will serve as an interim indicator of progress toward the long-term goal.
Amphibian Occupancy and Effects of Habitat Use on Chemical Exposure in Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipens) in Iowa Prairie Pothole Wetlands	December 2018	Amphibians living in agricultural areas encounter many challenges. Two factors affecting individuals in these landscapes are habitat loss and pesticides. This project focused on amphibians using agricultural wetlands in Iowa, where row crops such as corn and soybeans dominate the landscape. The goal of the first study was to determine the influences of site characteristics on amphibian presence and success. Occupancy analysis was used to estimate proportion of area occupied by four species as a function of eight covariates hypothesized to affect occupancy: fish abundance, salamander abundance, invertebrate density, vegetative cover, wetland area, water atrazine concentration, surrounding crop land use, and overall wetland health score. The goal of the second study was to understand where and when frogs are most susceptible to pesticide exposure and how that exposure relates to accumulation. We hypothesized habitat use would influence a frog’s exposure to pesticides. 72 Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens) were radio tracked in agricultural wetlands and their survival was assessed. Passive Sampling Devices (PSDs) were used to test for differences in pesticide exposure among grassland, wetland, and agricultural habitats.	Amphibians living in agricultural areas encounter many challenges. Two factors affecting individuals in these landscapes are habitat loss and pesticides. This project focused on amphibians using agricultural wetlands in Iowa, where row crops such as corn and soybeans dominate the landscape. The goal of the first study was to determine the influences of site characteristics on amphibian presence and success. Occupancy analysis was used to estimate proportion of area occupied by four species as a function of eight covariates hypothesized to affect occupancy: fish abundance, salamander abundance, invertebrate density, vegetative cover, wetland area, water atrazine concentration, surrounding crop land use, and overall wetland health score. The goal of the second study was to understand where and when frogs are most susceptible to pesticide exposure and how that exposure relates to accumulation. We hypothesized habitat use would influence a frog’s exposure to pesticides. 72 Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens) were radio tracked in agricultural wetlands and their survival was assessed. Passive Sampling Devices (PSDs) were used to test for differences in pesticide exposure among grassland, wetland, and agricultural habitats.
Factors Affecting Mercury Concentrations in Iowa Fishes	December 2016	Mercury is naturally present in the environment but levels have increased dramatically since the 19th century due to anthropogenic emissions. Mercury concentrations in fishes can be highly variable among species and populations driven by a range of biotic and abiotic factors. Larger and older fish typically have higher mercury concentrations compared to smaller and younger individuals. Understanding fish length-mercury concentration relationships is an important component of issuing fish consumption advisories because fish length is easy for anglers to measure and understand. However, large variation in mercury concentrations within a species and individuals of similar size is common. The majority of mercury in fish muscle is derived from dietary sources. Understanding trophic ecology and population dynamics (e.g., age, growth, mortality) are important aspects of understanding mercury concentrations in fishes. Goals and objectives are to: - Develop regression models to predict the concentration of mercury in a range of fishes as a function of fish total length across natural lakes, impoundments, reservoirs, and rivers to guide consumption advisories. - Evaluate regional (e.g., north vs south, east vs west) differences in mercury concentrations to help guide consumption advisories. Include additional biotic (e.g., age, food web dynamics) and abiotic (e.g. land use, water quality) factors in models to explain additional variation in mercury concentration not explained by fish length. - Evaluate temporal changes in mercury concentrations in largemouth bass to guide mercury sampling protocols.	Mercury is naturally present in the environment but levels have increased dramatically since the 19th century due to anthropogenic emissions. Mercury concentrations in fishes can be highly variable among species and populations driven by a range of biotic and abiotic factors. Larger and older fish typically have higher mercury concentrations compared to smaller and younger individuals. Understanding fish length-mercury concentration relationships is an important component of issuing fish consumption advisories because fish length is easy for anglers to measure and understand. However, large variation in mercury concentrations within a species and individuals of similar size is common. The majority of mercury in fish muscle is derived from dietary sources. Understanding trophic ecology and population dynamics (e.g., age, growth, mortality) are important aspects of understanding mercury concentrations in fishes. Goals and objectives are to: - Develop regression models to predict the concentration of mercury in a range of fishes as a function of fish total length across natural lakes, impoundments, reservoirs, and rivers to guide consumption advisories. - Evaluate regional (e.g., north vs south, east vs west) differences in mercury concentrations to help guide consumption advisories. Include additional biotic (e.g., age, food web dynamics) and abiotic (e.g. land use, water quality) factors in models to explain additional variation in mercury concentration not explained by fish length. - Evaluate temporal changes in mercury concentrations in largemouth bass to guide mercury sampling protocols.
Habitat Improvement Projects for Stream and Oxbow Fish of Greatest Conservation Need	June 2018	This project will focus on habitat restorations and responses of stream fish of greatest conservation need (SGCN), specifically Topeka shiners (Notropis topeka) and plains topminnows (Fundulus sciadicus). Extensive GIS analysis using a new, state-of-the-art framework will be undertaken to assist in guiding current and future restoration efforts. Monitoring of the fish populations in an adaptive management approach will be necessary to ensure fish are responding as expected to efforts to increase and improve their habitat. Additional SGCN potentially benefitting from the work include banded darters (Etheostoma zonale), blacknose shiners (Notropis heterolepsis), Iowa darters (Etheostoma exile), blackside darters (Percina maculate), longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), slenderhead darters (Percina phoxocephala), slender madtoms (Noturus exilis), southern redbelly dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster), tadpole madtoms (Noturus gyrinus), and trout perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus). We will survey at least 20 sites in Iowa and Minnesota for Topeka shiners, plains topminnows, and habitat. Data will be collected on all fish species encountered. Genetic analysis of Topeka shiners and plains topminnows will be conducted through the use of microsatellite markers. This project will also focus on habitat restorations and responses of stream fish of greatest conservation need (SGCN), specifically Topeka shiners (Notropis topeka) and plains topminnows (Fundulus sciadicus). Extensive GIS analysis using a new, state-of-the-art framework will be undertaken to assist in guiding current and future restoration efforts. Monitoring of the fish populations in an adaptive management approach will be necessary to ensure fish are responding as expected to efforts to increase and improve their habitat. Additional SGCN potentially benefitting from the work include banded darters (Etheostoma zonale), blacknose shiners (Notropis heterolepsis), Iowa darters (Etheostoma exile), blackside darters (Percina maculate), longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), slenderhead darters (Percina phoxocephala), slender madtoms (Noturus exilis), southern redbelly dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster), tadpole madtoms (Noturus gyrinus), and trout perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus). Species occurrence databases from both states will be compiled and combined to reveal locations where the two species have been documented as occurring. Minnesota’s Watershed Health Assessment Framework (WHAF) will be used in MN portions of the project area, and WHAF will be implemented in Iowa portions utilizing existing geospatial resources.	This project will focus on habitat restorations and responses of stream fish of greatest conservation need (SGCN), specifically Topeka shiners (Notropis topeka) and plains topminnows (Fundulus sciadicus). Extensive GIS analysis using a new, state-of-the-art framework will be undertaken to assist in guiding current and future restoration efforts. Monitoring of the fish populations in an adaptive management approach will be necessary to ensure fish are responding as expected to efforts to increase and improve their habitat. Additional SGCN potentially benefitting from the work include banded darters (Etheostoma zonale), blacknose shiners (Notropis heterolepsis), Iowa darters (Etheostoma exile), blackside darters (Percina maculate), longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), slenderhead darters (Percina phoxocephala), slender madtoms (Noturus exilis), southern redbelly dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster), tadpole madtoms (Noturus gyrinus), and trout perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus). We will survey at least 20 sites in Iowa and Minnesota for Topeka shiners, plains topminnows, and habitat. Data will be collected on all fish species encountered. Genetic analysis of Topeka shiners and plains topminnows will be conducted through the use of microsatellite markers. This project will also focus on habitat restorations and responses of stream fish of greatest conservation need (SGCN), specifically Topeka shiners (Notropis topeka) and plains topminnows (Fundulus sciadicus). Extensive GIS analysis using a new, state-of-the-art framework will be undertaken to assist in guiding current and future restoration efforts. Monitoring of the fish populations in an adaptive management approach will be necessary to ensure fish are responding as expected to efforts to increase and improve their habitat. Additional SGCN potentially benefitting from the work include banded darters (Etheostoma zonale), blacknose shiners (Notropis heterolepsis), Iowa darters (Etheostoma exile), blackside darters (Percina maculate), longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), slenderhead darters (Percina phoxocephala), slender madtoms (Noturus exilis), southern redbelly dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster), tadpole madtoms (Noturus gyrinus), and trout perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus). Species occurrence databases from both states will be compiled and combined to reveal locations where the two species have been documented as occurring. Minnesota’s Watershed Health Assessment Framework (WHAF) will be used in MN portions of the project area, and WHAF will be implemented in Iowa portions utilizing existing geospatial resources.
Boone River Watershed (BRW) Stream Fish and Habitat Monitoring, IA	December 2018	Fish assemblages and habitat conditions in two streams in the Boone River Watershed (BRW), White Fox Creek and Eagle Creek, will be monitored to evaluate their potential as Topeka shiner population sources and conduits for associated oxbow habitats. Eagle Creek and associated natural oxbows support the only known remnants of the Topeka shiner distribution in the BRW. Topeka shiners are presumed extirpated from the White Fox Creek sub-watershed, but five oxbows have been restored there for Topeka shiners and three of them have subsurface tile inflow for maintenance of water supply and nitrate sequestration. The success of restored oxbows for Topeka shiners is dependent on existence of populations in associated streams with suitable habitat. Our monitoring and assessment results will help guide present and future oxbow restorations and inform potential future Topeka shiner reintroduction to the BRW.	Fish assemblages and habitat conditions in two streams in the Boone River Watershed (BRW), White Fox Creek and Eagle Creek, will be monitored to evaluate their potential as Topeka shiner population sources and conduits for associated oxbow habitats. Eagle Creek and associated natural oxbows support the only known remnants of the Topeka shiner distribution in the BRW. Topeka shiners are presumed extirpated from the White Fox Creek sub-watershed, but five oxbows have been restored there for Topeka shiners and three of them have subsurface tile inflow for maintenance of water supply and nitrate sequestration. The success of restored oxbows for Topeka shiners is dependent on existence of populations in associated streams with suitable habitat. Our monitoring and assessment results will help guide present and future oxbow restorations and inform potential future Topeka shiner reintroduction to the BRW.
Asian Carp population ecology in tributaries of the upper Mississippi River	December 2018	Goals and Objectives: - Evaluate influence of environmental covariates on occupancy and detection probabilities of Asian Carp - Evaluate and compare temporal (e.g., seasonal and annual) trends in Asian Carp population characteristics (abundance, distribution, size structure, condition) and dynamics (growth, mortality, recruitment) among southeast Iowa tributaries and upper Mississippi River populations - Evaluate patterns of large-scale spatial synchrony of dynamic rates (recruitment and growth) for Asian Carp populations among Midwestern Mississippi River watersheds. - Evaluate Asian carp reproduction (fecundity, larval and juvenile densities) and recruitment in select Iowa rivers, including the Mississippi, Des Moines, Skunk, Iowa, and Cedar rivers.	Goals and Objectives: - Evaluate influence of environmental covariates on occupancy and detection probabilities of Asian Carp - Evaluate and compare temporal (e.g., seasonal and annual) trends in Asian Carp population characteristics (abundance, distribution, size structure, condition) and dynamics (growth, mortality, recruitment) among southeast Iowa tributaries and upper Mississippi River populations - Evaluate patterns of large-scale spatial synchrony of dynamic rates (recruitment and growth) for Asian Carp populations among Midwestern Mississippi River watersheds. - Evaluate Asian carp reproduction (fecundity, larval and juvenile densities) and recruitment in select Iowa rivers, including the Mississippi, Des Moines, Skunk, Iowa, and Cedar rivers.
Monitoring protocol for otter and bobcat in Iowa	December 2020	Goals and Objectives:<br>- Comparing conventional population indices to statistical population reconstruction (SPR) to determine if the SPR model provides superior inferences that warrant its use as an otter and bobcat management tool.<br>- Performing SPR to provide estimates on otter and bobcat survival, age structure, recruitment, harvest, and population trends in Iowa.<br>- Using GIS to develop a river otter habitat suitability map for Iowa based on the number of otters trapped per HUC 12 watersheds as a function of land cover and landscape metrics comparable to the suitability map developed for the bobcats.<br>- Validating the habitat suitability map created in item 3.<br>- Evaluating the value of current data sources and simulating potential gains by including additional auxiliary data for use in managing Iowan furbearers.<br>- Publishing a final report and outlining recommendations to the Iowa DNR for future furbearer monitoring.	Two native species, the Bobcat and the North American River Otter (hereafter otter) have returned to Iowa and reestablished their roles as predators and furbearers. Harvest information, tooth age, and reproductive tract data has been gathered annually by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources since 2006, but this information has not been utilized to its full extent, particularly with otters. Accurate population monitoring is critical to meet management and conservation goals, and is especially important considering inclusion on CITES Appendix II of both bobcats and otters. The goal of our project is to create an efficient modeling framework for monitoring Iowa otter and bobcat populations using the Iowa DNR’s existing data sources and augmenting it with additional auxiliary information. We will specifically be able to evaluate the role and effectiveness the annual bow hunter survey in monitoring these species, as bobcats are better represented on this survey than otters.
A case study of the Americorp Program	November 2015	Goals and Objectives: Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) participated in the AmeriCorps Program during the federal 2014 fiscal year (i.e., 1 October 2013 – 30 September 2014). The Corporation for National Community Service requires an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. I was asked by Linda King, Program Director, Iowa DNR Keepers of the Land Program, to evaluate the short term outcomes of the program. I evaluated the amount of wildlife habitat improvement that occurred through the AmeriCorps Program. Iowa had four AmeriCorps members working in fiscal year 2104 in Mills, Fremont, Webster, and Hamilton counties. In the fiscal year previous to the AmeriCorps participation a total of 69 acres of wildlife habitat improvement was completed for the four counties. The AmeriCorps members completed a total of 1904 acres in the four counties during fiscal year 2014. In fiscal year 2013, there were no AmeriCorps members and the four selected counties that received AmeriCorps had fewer acres than other counties without Private Lands Program staff. When the AmeriCorps members worked in their counties, they were nearly as successful as where Private Lands Program staff worked. Summary: In summary, Iowa DNR used AmeriCorps members in four counties during fiscal year 2014. These members developed 1836 acres of wildlife habitat improvement projects more than the previous fiscal year. In the fiscal year previous to the AmeriCorps grant, these four counties were among those with the least amount of habitat improvement. With the AmeriCorps grant, these four counties had projects nearly comparable to those with Iowa DNR Private Lands Project staff.	None
Grassland bird and invertebrate response to grassland diversity in restored plantings in northwestern Iowa	August 2017	Goals and Objectives: - Compare breeding bird use of five habitat types that have been established on managed land in the Spring Run Wetland Complex (Spring Run). - Compare vegetation composition and structure in each of the five established habitat types at Spring Run. - Compare invertebrate populations in each habitat type at Spring Run.	Natural resource agencies face increasingly complex challenges as they move from single-species management toward ecosystem management. In Iowa, grasslands are an important focal ecosystem because of historic losses of prairie and continuing continental declines of a very visible component of the biological community, namely grassland birds. In collaboration with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we have designed a replicated study to estimate effects on bird use and nest success of habitat “treatments” that span the range of planting mixtures likely used by habitat managers. This research project provides information to managers on bird abundance in relation to plantings that differ in diversity and cost, enabling managers to assess the costs and wildlife-community benefits. A critical assumption in grassland management is that the forty-species grassland mix has greater benefits for grassland birds than either the five-species mix or monotypic smooth brome plantings. This assumption has not been adequately tested.

Research Publications

Research Publications	Publication Date
Thomson, D. L., M. J. Conroy, D. R. Anderson, K. P. Burnham, E. G. Cooch, C. M. Francis, J. D. Lebreton, M. S. Lindberg, B. J. T. Morgan, D. L. Otis, and G. C. White. 2009. Standardizing terminology and notation for the analysis of demographic processes in marked populations, pp 1099-1106 in Modeling Demographic Processes in Marked Populations, Environmental and Ecological Statistics 3. Thomson, D.L., E.G. Cooch, and M.J. Conroy (Eds.). Springer, New York, NY. \| Publisher Website	April 2009
Zweep, J.S., C.N. Jacques, S.E. Jenkins, R.W. Klaver, and S.A. Dubay. Nest tree use by Southern flying squirrels in fragmented midwestern landscapes. Wildlife Society Bulletin 42:430-437. \| Abstract \| Download	September 2018	Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans; SFS) nest in naturally formed cavities in snags and hardwoods found in mature, oak (Quercus spp.)–hickory (Carya spp.) forests. Intensive forest fragmentation of the Midwest United States limits the number of available nesting trees. We quantified annual nest-site selection patterns by southern flying squirrels across fragmented landscapes of west-central Illinois,USA. We used radiotelemetry to measure nest-tree use by 55 SFS (30 males, 25 females) captured during 2014–2016. Of 105 nest trees used by SFS, live trees and snags comprised 75% and 25%, respectively. Probability of diurnal nest-tree use increased 1.08/1.00-cm increase in diameter-breast-height and by 1.50/1-unit increase in the number of overstorymast trees between random and nest-tree habitat areas (i.e., 300-m2 circular plots). Similarly, probability of diurnal nest-tree use increased 1.29/1-unit increase in the number of snags between random and nest-tree habitat areas. Our results revealed no intersexual differences in patterns of nest-site selection, which may reflect the tendency for SFS to compensate for reduced availability of key structural attributes (i.e., snags, overstory trees) across fragmented forests by exhibiting similar intersexual patterns of nest-tree use. Use of natural cavities for denning is encouraging, but also underscores the importance of unharvested oak–hickory forests in contributing essential habitat to SFS populations in fragmented Midwestern landscapes
Zambory, C. L., H. Ellis, C. L. Pierce, K. J. Roe, M. J. Weber, K. E. Schilling, and N. C. Young. 2018. The development of GIS methodology to identify oxbows and former stream meanders from LiDAR-derived digital elevation models. Remote Sensing https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11010012.	December 2018
Yaw, T. J., J. E. Swanson, C. L. Pierce, E. Muths, K. L. Smalling, M. W. Vandever, and B. A. Zaffarano. 2017. Placement of intracoelomic radio transmitters and silicone passive sampling devices in northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens). Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery 27:111-115. https://doi.org/10.5818/16-10-090.1	September 2017
Whiting, J.C., D. D. Olson, J. M. Shannon, R. T. Bowyer, R. W. Klaver and J. T. Flinders. 2012. Timing and synchrony of births in bighorn sheep: implications for reintroduction and conservation. Wildlife Research 39(7): 565-572. \| Abstract \| Download	October 2012	Context. Timing (mean birthdate) and synchrony (variance around that date) of births can influence survival of young and growth in ungulate populations. Some restored populations of ungulates may not adjust these life-history characteristics to environments of release sites until several years after release, which may influence success of reintroductions. Aims. We quantified timing and synchrony of births from 2005 to 2007 in four populations of reintroduced bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) occupying two ecoregions (Central Basin and Range andWasatch andUinta Mountains) in Utah, USA,to investigatewhether bighornswould adjust these life-history characteristics to environmental conditions of the two ecoregions. We also compared timing and synchrony of births for bighorns in their source herd (Antelope Island) with bighorns in an ecologically similar release site (Stansbury Mountains) during 2006 and 2007. Methods. We relocated female bighorns to record birthdates of young, and observed groups of collared bighorns to quantify use of elevation by those ungulates. We also calculated the initiation, rate and timing of peak green-up by ecoregion, using the normalised difference vegetation index. Key results. We quantified 274 birthdates, and although only separated by 57 km, bighorn populations occupying the Central Basin and Range Mountains gave birth an average of 29 days earlier than did those on the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains, which corresponded with the initiation of vegetation green-up. Additionally, bighorn sheep on the Stansbury Mountains (ecologically similar release site) gave birth at similar times as did bighorns on Antelope Island (source area). Conclusions. Populations of bighorn sheep that were reintroduced into adjacent ecoregions adjusted timing of births to environments and green-up of vegetation in restoration areas. Timing and synchrony of births for reintroduced bighorn sheep in an ecologically similar release site were the same as those of their source area. Implications. Consideration should be given to the adjustment of timing and synchrony of births when reintroducing bighorns, especially when animals are released into different ecoregions. Also, biologists should select release sites that are ecologically similar to source areas, thereby reducing potential negative effects of animals adjusting timing and synchrony of births to environmental conditions of restoration areas.
Vogel, J., R. Koford, and D. Otis. 2011. Assessing the role of conspecific attraction in habitat restoration for Henslow’s sparrows in Iowa. Prairie Naturalist 43:23-28.	June 2011
Vogel, J. A., R. R. Koford, and D. M. Debinski. 2010. Direct and indirect responses of tallgrass prairie butterflies to prescribed burning. Journal of Insect Conservation 14:663-677. \| Publisher Website	May 2010
Vogel, J. A., D. M. Debinski , R. R. Koford, and J. R. Miller. 2007. Butterfly responses to prairie restoration through fire and grazing. Biological Conservation 140:78-90	October 2007
Tyler J. Grant, Peter G. Eyheralde, Melissa S. C. Telemeco, Amy L. Moorhouse, Rebecca A. Reeves, Karin Grimlund, Amy Podaril, Sarah E. Emeterio, and Robert W. Klaver. 2014. Book Review: Conservation by Proxy: Indicator, Umbrella, Keystone, Flagship, and Other Surrogate Species. Prairie Naturalist 46:109-110. \| Download	January 2015
Turner, M. M., C. S. DePerno, M. C. Conner, T. . Eyler, Ri. A. Lancia, R. W. Klaver, M. K. Stoskopf. Habitat, Wildlife and One Health: Arcanobacterium pyogenes in Maryland and Upper Eastern Shore White-tailed Deer Populations. Infection Ecology and Epidemiology 2013, 3: 19175 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/iee.v3i0.19175 \| Abstract	August 2013	Background: Understanding the distribution of disease in wildlife is key to predicting the impact of emerging zoonotic one health concerns, especially for wildlife species with extensive human and livestock interfaces. The widespread distribution and complex interactions of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) with humans suggest deer population health and management may have implications beyond stewardship of the animals. The intracranial abscessation suppurative meningitis (IASM) disease complex in deer has been linked to Arcanobacterium pyogenes, an under-diagnosed and often misdiagnosed organism considered commensal in domestic livestock but associated with serious disease in numerous species, including humans. Methods: Our study used standard bacterial culture techniques to assess A. pyogenes prevalence among male deer sampled across six physiogeographic regions in Maryland and male and female deer in the Upper Eastern Shore under Traditional Deer Management (TDM) and Quality Deer Management (QDM), a management protocol that alters population demographics in favor of older male deer. Samples were collected from antler pedicles for males, the top of the headwhere pedicleswould be if present for females, or the whole dorsal frontal area of the head for neonates. We collected nasal samples from all animals by swabbing the nasopharyngeal membranes. A gram stain and catalase test were conducted, and aerobic bacteria were identified to genus and species when possible. We evaluated the effect of region on whether deer carried A. pyogenes using Pearson’s chi-square test with Yates’ continuity correction. For the white-tailed deer management study, we tested whether site, age class and sex predisposed animals to carrying A. pyogenes using binary logistic regression. Results: A. pyogenes was detected on deer in three of the six regions studied, and was common in only one region, the Upper Eastern Shore. In the Upper Eastern Shore, 45% and 66% of antler and nasal swabs from deer were positive for A. pyogenes, respectively. On the Upper Eastern Shore, prevalence of A. pyogenes cultured from deer did not differ between management areas, and was abundant among both sexes and across all age classes. No A. pyogenes was cultured from a small sample of neonates. Conclusion: Our study indicates A. pyogenes may be carried widely among white-tailed deer regardless of sex or age class, but we found no evidence the pathogen is acquired in utero. The distribution of A. pyogenes across regions and concentration in a region with low livestock levels suggests the potential for localized endemicity of the organism and the possibility that deer may serve as a maintenance reservoir for an emerging one health concern.
Tucker, A.M., C.P McGowan, B.L. Nuse, J.E. Lyons, C.T. Moore, D.R. Smith, J.A. Sweka, K.A. Anstead, A. DeRose-Wilson, and N.A. Clark. 2023. Estimating recruitment rate and population dynamics at a migratory stopover site using an integrated population model. Ecosphere. \| Abstract	February 2023	Consideration of the full annual cycle population dynamics can provide useful insight for conservation efforts but collecting data needed to estimate demographic parameters is often logistically difficult. For species that breed in remote areas, monitoring is often conducted during migratory stopover or at nonbreeding sites and the recruitment rate of new breeding adults can be difficult to estimate directly. Here we present an integrated population model that uses mark-resight and count data collected during migratory stopover to estimate population growth rate and recruitment rate for an Arctic-breeding shorebird of conservation concern, the red knot (<i>Calidris canutus rufa</i>), from data collected during spring stopover in Delaware Bay, USA from 2005-2018. At this site, red knot feed primarily on the eggs of spawning horseshoe crabs (<i>Limulus polyphemus</i>), a legally harvested species. We used this model to estimate the relationship between horseshoe crab abundance and red knot demographics, which informed a recent revision to framework used to establish horseshoe crab harvest regulations. Our analysis indicates that the red knot population was most likely stable from 2005-2018 (average l = 1.04, 95% CRI: 0.997, 1.07) despite low recruitment rates (average = 0.093, 95% CRI: 0.036, 0.015). Adult survival probability was positively associated with horseshoe crab abundance (β = 0.35, 95% CRI: 0.09, 0.63), but we found no effect of horseshoe crab abundance on recruitment (β = -0.08, 95% CRI: -0.41, 0.38). Our approach demonstrates the utility of integrated population models for understanding full annual cycle population dynamics, even when data are only available from one point of the annual cycle.
Tucker, A.M. and M.C. Runge. 2021. Optimal strategies for managing wildlife harvest under system change. Journal of Wildlife Management, 85(5): 847-854. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22047	April 2021
Tucker AM, McGowan CP, Lyons JE, Derose-Wilson A, Clark NA. 2021. Species-specific demographic and behavioral responses to food availability during migratory stopover. Population Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/1438-390X.12094	July 2021
Thomas, J. T., M. E. Culler, D. C. Dermisis, C. L. Pierce, A. N. Papanicolaou, T. W. Stewart, and C. J. Larson. 2011. Effects of grade control structures on fish passage, biological assemblages, and hydraulic environments in western Iowa streams: a multidisciplinary review. River Research and Applications DOI: 10.1002/rra	November 2011
Szcodronski. Kimberly E., Diane M. Debinski, and Robert W. Klaver. 2018. Occupancy modeling of Paranassius clodius butterfly populations in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Journal of Insect Conservation 22:267-276. \| Abstract \| Download	May 2018	Estimating occupancy patterns and identifying vegetation characteristics that influence the presence of butterfly species are essential approaches needed for determining how habitat changes may affect butterfly populations in the future. The montane butterfly species, Parnassius clodius, was investigated to identify patterns of occupancy relating to habitat variables in Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming, United States. A series of presence–absence surveys were conducted in 2013 in 41 mesic to xeric montane meadows that were considered suitable habitat for P. clodius during their flight season (June–July) to estimate occupancy (ψ) and detection probability (p). According to the null constant parameter model, P. clodius had high occupancy of ψ = 0.78 ± 0.07 SE and detection probability of p = 0.75 ± 0.04 SE. In models testing covariates, the most important habitat indicator for the occupancy of P. clodius was a strong negative association with big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata; β = − 21.39 ± 21.10 SE) and lupine (Lupinus spp.; β = − 20.03 ± 21.24 SE). While P. clodius was found at a high proportion of meadows surveyed, the presence of A. tridentata may limit their distribution within montane meadows at a landscape scale because A. tridentata dominates a large percentage of the montane meadows in our study area. Future climate scenarios predicted for high elevations globally could cause habitat shifts and put populations of P. clodius and similar non-migratory butterfly populations at risk.
Swearingen, T. C., R. W. Klaver, C. R. A. Anderson, and C. N. Jacques. 2023. Influence of camera model and alignment on the performance of paired camera stations. Wildlife Society Bulletin 47:NIL_1-NIL_11.	June 2023
Swanson, J. E., E. Muths, C. L. Pierce, S. J. Dinsmore, M. W. Vandever, M. L. Hladik, amd K. L. Smalling. 2018. Exploring the amphibian exposome in an agricultural landscape using telemetry and passive sampling. Scientific Reports (2018) 8:10045. DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-28132-3.	June 2018
Swanson, J. E., C. L. Pierce, S. J. Dinsmore, K. L. Smalling, T. W. Stewart, M. W. Vandever, and E. Muths. 2019. Factors influencing anuran wetland occupancy in an agricultural landscape. Herpetologica https://doi.org/10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-18-00013.1.	January 2019
Swanson, C. C., M. A. Rumble, T. W. Grovenburg, N. W. Kaczor, K. M. Herman-Burnson, R. W. Klaver, J. A. Jenks, and K. C. Jensen. Greater sage-grouse winter habitat use on the eastern fringe of their range. Journal of Wildlife Management 77:486-494. \| Abstract \| Download	April 2013	Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) at the western edge of the Dakotas occur in the transition zone between sagebrush and grassland communities. These mixed sagebrush (Artemisia sp.) and grasslands differ from those habitats that comprise the central portions of the sage-grouse range; yet, no information is available on winter habitat selection within this region of their distribution. We evaluated factors influencing greater sage-grouse winter habitat use in North Dakota during 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 and in South Dakota during 2006–2007 and 2007–2008. We captured and radio-marked 97 breeding-age females and 54 breeding-age males from 2005 to 2007 and quantified habitat selection for 98 of these birds that were alive during winter.We collected habitat measurements at 340 (177 ND, 163 SD) sagegrouse use sites and 680 random (340 each at 250 m and 500 m from locations) dependent sites. Use sites differed from random sites with greater percent sagebrush cover (14.75% use vs. 7.29% random; P < 0.001), percent total vegetation cover (36.76% use vs. 32.96% random; P 0.001), and sagebrush density (2.12 plants/m2 use vs. 0.94 plants/m2 random; P 0.001), but lesser percent grass cover (11.76% use vs. 16.01% random; P 0.001) and litter cover (4.34% use vs. 5.55% random; P ¼ 0.001) and lower sagebrush height (20.02 cm use vs. 21.35 cm random; P ¼ 0.13) and grass height (21.47 cm use vs. 23.21 cm random; P ¼ 0.15). We used conditional logistic regression to estimate winter habitat selection by sage-grouse on continuous scales. The model sagebrush cover þ sagebrush height þ sagebrush cover sagebrush height (wi ¼ 0.60) was the most supported of the 13 models we considered, indicating that percent sagebrush cover strongly influenced selection. Logistic odds ratios indicated that the probability of selection by sage-grouse increased by 1.867 for every 1% increase in sagebrush cover (95% CI ¼ 1.627–2.141) and by 1.041 for every 1 cm increase in sagebrush height (95% CI ¼ 1.002–1.082). The interaction between percent sagebrush canopy cover and sagebrush height (b ¼ 0.01, SE 0.01; odds ratio ¼ 0.987 [95% CI ¼ 0.983–0.992]) also was significant. Management could focus on avoiding additional loss of sagebrush habitat, identifying areas of critical winter habitat, and implementing management actions based on causal mechanisms (e.g., soil moisture, precipitation) that affect sagebrush community structure in this region.
Sullivan, C. J., M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce, and C. A. Camacho. A comparison of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) population characteristics upstream and downstream of Lock and Dam 19 of the Upper Mississippi River. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 11(1):99-111. https://doi.org/10.3996/062019-JFWM-046.	June 2020
Sullivan, C. J., M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce, D. H. Wahl, Q. E. Phelps, C. A. Camacho, and R. E. Colombo. 2018. Factors regulating year-class strength of silver carp throughout the Mississippi River Basin. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 147:541-553. DOI: 10.1002/tafs.10054 \| Abstract	March 2018	Recruitment of many fish populations is inherently highly variable interannually. However, this variability can be synchronous at broad geographic scales due to fish dispersal and climatic conditions. Herein, we investigated recruitment synchrony of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix across the Mississippi River basin. Year-class strength (YCS) and synchrony of nine populations (maximum linear distance = 806.4 km) were indexed using catch-curve residuals correlated between sites and related to local and regional climatic conditions. Overall, Silver Carp YCS was not synchronous among populations, suggesting that local environmental factors are more important determinants of YCS than large-scale environmental factors. Variation in Silver Carp YCS was influenced by river base flow and discharge variability at each site, indicating that extended periods of static local discharge benefit YCS. Furthermore, river discharge and air temperature were correlated and synchronized among sites, but only similarities in river discharge were correlated with Silver Carp population synchrony, indicating that similarities in discharge (i.e., major flood) among sites can positively synchronize Silver Carp YCS. The positive correlation between Silver Carp YCS and river discharge synchrony suggests that regional flood regimes are an important force determining the degree of population synchrony among Mississippi River Silver Carp populations.
Sullivan, C. J., C. A. Camacho, M. J. Weber, and C. L. Pierce. 2017. Intra-annual variability of Silver Carp populations in the Des Moines River, USA. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 37:836-849. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02755947.2017.1330785	June 2017
Sullivan, C. J., C. A. Camacho, M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce. 2018. Influence of river discharge on grass carp occupancy dynamics in southeastern Iowa rivers. River Research and Applications 2018:1-8. DOI: 10.1002/rra.3385	November 2018
Stephenson, M.D., L.A. Schulte, and R.W. Klaver. 2019. Quantifying thermal imager effectiveness for detecting bird nest on farms. Wildlife Society Bulletin 43:302-307 \| Abstract \| Download	June 2019	We conducted a designed experiment to test whether having a thermal‐imaging camera available affected researchers’ nest detection rates when searching for bird nests in cropland and grassland habitat in an agricultural landscape of Iowa, USA, in 2016. With known active nests present, naïve observers searched for nests with and without a thermal imager available. We did not find a difference in detection probabilities, although only a large difference would have been detectable with our sample size. Extraneous heat signatures from reflected solar radiation and dense vegetation were key factors limiting the usefulness of thermal imagers for locating nests.
Stephenson, M.D., L.A Schulte, R. W. Klaver, and J. Niemi. 2021. Miniature temperature data loggers increase precision and reduce bias when estimating the daily survival rate for bird nests. Journal of Field Ornithology 92:492-505 \| Abstract \| Download	November 2021	Demographic studies of many bird species are challenging because their nests are cryptic, resulting in few nests being found. To maximize statistical power, methods are needed that minimize disturbance while yielding as much information per nest as possible. One way to meet these objectives is to use miniature thermal data loggers to precisely date nest fates. Our objectives, therefore, were to (1) examine the possible effect of thermal data loggers on nest success through hatching by grass- and shrub-nesting songbirds that differed in their parasite egg-accepting and -rejecting behavior, (2) examine the effect of using daily temperature data versus less frequent nest-visit data on statistical power, bias, and precision when estimating the daily survival rate (DSR) for nests, and (3) compare these two approaches using a simulation study and field data. We monitored the survival of nests located in agricultural landscapes and used a binomial logistic regression with main effects for data-loggers and parasite-accepting or -rejecting status and their interaction. We also compared maximum likelihood–derived DSR for differences in estimated rates, precision, and sample sizes with both data collected in the field and simulated with varying sample sizes and visit frequencies. We found no evidence that thermal data loggers had any effect on hatching rates either for all species or for parasite egg-accepting and -rejecting species, separately. Both our simulation and analysis of real nest data indicated that use of data loggers increased the statistical power from each nest studied by increasing effective sample sizes and precision of DSR estimates compared to in-person visits. We also found a negative bias in DSR estimates with longer visit intervals, which use of data-loggers removed. Both the results of simulated- and field-data analyses suggest that future studies of nest survival can be improved by automated nest monitoring by removing a source of bias and providing more time to find additional nests
Stephenson, M. D., L. A. Schulte, and R. W. Klaver. 2024. The relative contributions of habitat area, configuration, and vegetative diversity on snake and lizard presence in agricultural landscapes. Conservation Science and Practice:16.	May 2024
Stephenson, M. D., K. L. Yuza, L. A. Schulte, and R. W. Klaver. 2024. Habitat amount and edge effects, not perch proximity, nest exposure, or vegetation diversity affect cowbird parasitism in agricultural landscapes. Landscape Ecology 39:69-69.	March 2024
Smith, J.B., S.K. Windels, T. Wolf, R.W. Klaver, J.L. Belant. 2016. Do transmitters affect fitness of American beavers (Castor Canadensis)? Wildlife Biology 22:117 - 123 \| Abstract \| Download	May 2016	One key assumption often inferred with using radio-equipped individuals is that the transmitter has no effect on the metric of interest. To evaluate this assumption, we used a known fate model to assess the effect of transmitter type (i.e. tail-mounted or peritoneal implant) on short-term (one year) survival and a joint live–dead recovery model and results from a mark–recapture study to compare long-term (eight years) survival and body condition of ear-tagged only Ameri-can beavers Castor canadensis to those equipped with radio transmitters in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA. Short-term (1-year) survival was not influenced by transmitter type (wi  0.64). Over the 8-year study period, annual survival was similar between transmitter-equipped beavers (tail-mounted and implant transmitters combined; 0.76; 95% CI  0.45–0.91) versus ear-tagged only (0.78; 95% CI  0.45–0.93). Additionally, we found no difference in weight gain (t9  0.25, p  0.80) or tail area (t11  1.25, p  0.24) from spring to summer between the two groups. In contrast, winter weight loss (t22   2.03, p  0.05) and tail area decrease (t30   3.04, p  0.01) was greater for transmitter-equipped (weight   3.09 kg, SE  0.55; tail area   33.71 cm2, SE  4.80) than ear-tagged only (weight   1.80 kg, SE  0.33; tail area   12.38 cm2, SE  5.13) beavers. Our results generally support the continued use of transmitters on beavers for estimating demographic parameters, although we recommend additional assessments of transmitter effects under different environmental conditions.
Smith, J.B., J.A. Jenks, T.W. Grovenburg, and R.W. Klaver. Disease and Predation: Sorting out Causes of a Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) Decline. Plos One 9: e88271 \| Abstract \| Download	February 2014	Estimating survival and documenting causes and timing of mortality events in neonate bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) improves understanding of population ecology and factors influencing recruitment. During 2010–2012, we captured and radiocollared 74 neonates in the Black Hills, South Dakota, of which 95% (70) died before 52 weeks of age. Pneumonia (36%) was the leading cause of mortality followed by predation (30%). We used known fate analysis in Program MARK to estimate weekly survival rates and investigate the influence of intrinsic variables on 52-week survival. Model {S1 wk, 2–8 wks, >8 wks} had the lowest AICc (Akaike’s Information Criterion corrected for small sample size) value, indicating that age (3-stage ageinterval: 1 week, 2–8 weeks, and .8 weeks) best explained survival. Weekly survival estimates for 1 week, 2–8 weeks, and >8 weeks were 0.81 (95% CI = 0.70–0.88), 0.86 (95% CI = 0.81–0.90), and 0.94 (95% CI = 0.91–0.96), respectively. Overall probability of surviving 52 weeks was 0.02 (95% CI = 0.01–0.07). Of 70 documented mortalities, 21% occurred during the first week, 55% during weeks 2–8, and 23% occurred .8 weeks of age. We found pneumonia and predation were temporally heterogeneous with lambs most susceptible to predation during the first 2–3 weeks of life, while the greatest risk from pneumonia occurred from weeks 4–8. Our results indicated pneumonia was the major factor limiting recruitment followed by predation. Mortality from predation may have been partly compensatory to pneumonia and its effects were less pronounced as alternative prey became available. Given the high rates of pneumonia-caused mortality we observed, and the apparent lack of pneumonia-causing pathogens in bighorn populations in the western Black Hills, management activities should be geared towards eliminating contact between diseased and healthy populations.
Smalling, K. L., R. A. Reeves, E. Muths, M. W. Vandever, W. A. Battaglin, M. L. Hladik, and C. L. Pierce. 2015. Pesticide concentrations in frog tissue and wetland habitats in a landscape dominated by agriculture. Science of the Total Environment 502 (2015):80-90.	September 2014
Sindt, A. R., M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2012. Habitat associations of fish species of greatest conservation need at multiple spatial scales in wadeable Iowa streams. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 32:1046-1061.	October 2012
Sindt, A. R., J. R. Fischer, M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2011. Ictalurids in Iowa’s streams and rivers: status, distribution, and relationships with biotic integrity. Pages 335-347 in Conservation, Ecology & Management of Worldwide Catfish Populations & Habitats. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 77, Bethesda, Maryland.	August 2011
Sindt, A. R., C. L. Pierce, and M. C. Quist. 2012. Fish species of greatest conservation need in wadeable Iowa streams: current status and effectiveness of Aquatic Gap Program distribution models. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 32:135-146.	March 2012
Simpson, N. T., A. P. Bybel, M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce, and K. J. Roe. Occurrence, abundance, and associations of Topeka shiners (Notropis topeka) in restored and unrestored oxbows in Iowa and Minnesota, USA.	August 2019
Shoup, D. E., S. P. Callahan, D. H. Wahl, and C. L. Pierce. 2007. Size-specific growth of bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish in relation to prey availability and limnological variables. Journal of Fish Biology 70:21-34.	January 2007
Scott, D. P., J. B. Berdeen, D. L. Otis, and R. L. Fendrick. 2004. Harvest parameters of urban and rural morning doves in Ohio. Journal of Wildlife Management 68:694-700.	July 2004
Schuler, K.L., J.A. Jenks, R.W. Klaver, C.S. Jennelle, and R.T. Bowyer. Infectious disease and cause-specific mortality in a semi-protected deer population. Journal of Wildlife Management. Wildlife Biology \| Abstract \| Download	September 2018	Surveillance for wildlife diseases is essential for assessing population dynamics of ungulates, especially in free-ranging populations where infected animals are difficult to sample. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease of concern because of the potential for substantial negative effects on populations of cervids. Variability in the likelihood that CWD is detected could invalidate traditional estimators for prevalence. In some instances, deer located after death cannot be tested for infectious diseases, including CWD, because of lack of availability or condition of appropriate tissues. We used various methods to detect infectious diseases that could cause mortality for deer Odocoileus spp. residing in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, USA, and we report survival estimates for animals in this population. We included 34 monthly encounters of deer resightings and 67 mortalities. We tested live deer by tonsillar biopsy for CWD and estimated pooled prevalence (mean ± SE) at 5.6 ± 3.0% over the three-year study. Live deer potentially had exposure to several infectious diseases, including bluetongue, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, bovine viral diarrhea, West Nile virus, and malignant catarrhal fever, but no apparent morbidity or mortality from those diseases. We tested survival and influence of covariates, including age and sex, using known-fate analysis in Program MARK. Those data best supported a model with time-invariant encounter probability and an annual survival of 72.8%. Even without direct pressure from hunting within the park, average life expectancy in this population was 3.2 years. Only 68% of mortalities contained sufficient material for CWD sampling (because of predation and scavenger activity) and >42% of these were CWD-positive. These findings underscore the possible biases in postmortem surveillance estimates of disease prevalence because of potential for subclinical infected animals to be removed by predators and not tested.
Schilling, K. E., K. Wilke, C. L. Pierce, K. Kult, and A. Kenney. 2019. Multi-purpose oxbows as a new nitrogen reduction practice in the agricultural Midwest. Agricultural and Environmental Letters. 4:190035. https://doi.org/10.2134/ael2019.09.0035	October 2019
Sasmal, I., R.W. Klaver, J.A. Jenks, and G.M. Schroeder. 2016. Age-specific survival of reintroduced swift fox in Badlands National Park and surrounding lands. Wildlife Society Bulletin 40:217-223 \| Abstract \| Download	June 2016	In 2003, a reintroduction program was initiated at Badlands National Park (BNP), South Dakota, USA, with swift foxes (Vulpes velox) translocated from Colorado and Wyoming, USA, as part of a restoration effort to recover declining swift fox populations throughout its historical range. Estimates of age-speciﬁc survival are necessary to evaluate the potential for population growth of reintroduced populations. We used 7 years (2003–2009) of capture–recapture data of 243 pups, 29 yearlings, and 69 adult swift foxes at BNP and the surrounding area to construct Cormack–Jolly–Seber model estimates of apparent survival within a capture–mark–recapture framework using Program MARK. The best model for estimating recapture probabilities included no differences among age classes, greater recapture probabilities during early years of the monitoring effort than later years, and variation among spring, winter, and summer. Our top ranked survival model indicated pup survival differed from that of yearlings and adults and varied by month and year. The apparent annual survival probability of pups (0.47, SE ¼ 0.10) in our study area was greater than the apparent annual survival probability of yearlings and adults (0.27, SE ¼ 0.08). Our results indicate low survival probabilities for a reintroduced population of swift foxes in the BNP and surrounding areas. Management of reintroduced populations and future reintroductions of swift foxes should consider the effects of relative low annual survival on population demography.
Sanders, F. J., R. Costa, and D. L. Otis. 2004. Use of modified artificial cavities to access red-cockaded woodpecker nests. Proceedings of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker Symposium IV: 453-458.	July 2005
Runge, M.C., P.K. Devers, G.S. Boomer, J.E. Lyons, A.M. Tucker, Q. Zhao, and J.A. Diamond. 2023. Managing waterfowl harvest under climate change. Report to the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center.	September 2023
Rowe, D. C., C. L. Pierce, and T. F. Wilton. 2009. Physical habitat and fish assemblage relationships with landscape variables at multiple spatial scales in wadeable Iowa streams. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 29:1333-1351.	September 2009
Rowe, D. C., C. L. Pierce, and T. F. Wilton. 2009. Fish assemblage relationships with physical habitat in wadeable Iowa streams. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 29:1314-1332.	September 2009
Ribic, C. A., R. R. Koford, J. R. Herkert, D. H. Johnson, N. D. Niemuth, D. Naugle, K. K. Bakker, D.W. Sample, and R.B. Renfrew. 2009. Area sensitivity in North American grassland birds: patterns and processes. The Auk 126: 233-244.	April 2009
Reeves, R. A., C. L. Pierce, M. W. Vandever, E. Muths, and K. L. Smalling. 2017. Amphibians, pecticides, and the amphibian chytrid fungus in restored wetlands in agricultural landscapes. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 12:68-77.	April 2017
Reeves, R. A., C. L. Pierce, E. Muths., K. L. Smalling, R. W. Klaver, M. W. Vandever and W. A. Battaglin. 2015. Restored agricultural wetlands in central Iowa: habitat quality and amphibian response. Wetlands 36(1):101-110 (DOI 10.1007/s13157-015-0720-9).	January 2016
Ray, Andrew M., Blake R. Hossack, William R. Gould, Debra A. Patla, Stephen F. Spear, Robert W. Klaver, Paul E. Bartelt, David P. Thoma, Kristin L. Legg, Rob Daley, P. Stephen Corn, Charles R. Peterson. 2022. Multi-species amphibian monitoring across a protected landscape: Critical reflections on 15 years of wetland monitoring in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Ecological Indicators 135: 108519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.108519 \| Abstract \| Download	February 2022	Widespread amphibian declines were well documented at the end of the 20th century, raising concerns about the need to identify individual and interactive contributors to this global trend. At the same time, there was growing interest in the use of amphibians as ecological indicators. In the United States, wetland and amphibian monitoring programs were launched in some national parks as a necessary first step to evaluating the status and trends of amphibian populations within some of North America’s most protected areas. In Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, a multi-species amphibian monitoring program was launched by many of the authors in 2006 and continues to this day. This Viewpoint Article serves as a self-evaluation of our journey from conception through implementation of an ongoing, long-term monitoring program. This self-evaluation should provide a framework and guidance for other monitoring programs. We address whether we are fulfilling the program’s main objective of describing status and trends of the four amphibian species, discuss how a one-size-fits-all monitoring approach does not serve all species equally, and describe opportunities to bolster our core work using emerging statistical approaches and thoughtful integration of remote sensing and molecular tools. We also describe how the data generated over the program’s first 15 years have been useful beyond our initial goal of characterizing status and trend. Notably, our integration of climate datasets has allowed us to describe wetland and species-specific amphibian responses to variations in climate drivers. Documenting climate links to amphibian occurrence and their primary habitats has allowed us to identify which species, habitat types, and subregions within this large, protected landscape are most vulnerable to anticipated climate change. Recognizing that tools and threatschange over time, it will be important to adapt our original monitoring design to maximize opportunities and use of resulting information. Maintaining engagement by multiple stakeholders and expanding our funding portfolio will also be necessary to sustain our program into the future. Finally, collaboration has become standard for longterm, cross-jurisdictional, landscape-scale monitoring. We argue that collaborative monitoring facilitates resource sharing, leveraging of limited funds, completion of work, and mutual learning. Such collaboration also increases the efficacy of conservation.
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, M. A. Pegg, P. J. Braaten, C. L. Pierce, and V. H. Travnicek. 2002. Potential influence of harvest on shovelnose sturgeon populations in the Missouri River system: a case for pro-active management. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 22:537-549.	February 2002
Potter, L. M., D. L. Otis, and T. R. Bogenschutz. 2011. Nest success of northern bobwhite on managed and unmanaged landscapes in southeast Iowa. Journal of Wildlife Management 75:46-52.	March 2011
Pierce, C. L., N. T. Simpson, A. P. Bybel, C. L. Zambory, M. J. Weber, and K. J. Roe. 2019. Status of the Topeka shiner in Iowa. American Midland Naturalist 182:109-117. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.iastate.edu/10.1674/0003-0031-182.1.109	July 2019
Pierce, C. L., N. L. Ahrens, A. K. Loan-Wilsey, G. A. Simmons, and G. T. Gelwicks. 2013. Fish assemblage relationships with physical characteristics and presence of dams in three eastern Iowa rivers. River Research and Applications. DOI: 10.1002/rra.2654.	April 2013
Pierce, C. L., M. D. Sexton, M. E. Pelham, H. Liao and J. G. Larscheid. 2001. Dynamics of the littoral fish assemblage in Spirit Lake, Iowa and implications for prey availability for piscivores. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 21:884-896.	December 2001
Pierce, C. L., M. D. Sexton, M. E. Pelham and J. G. Larscheid. 2001. Short-term variability and long-term change in the composition of the littoral zone fish community in Spirit Lake, Iowa. American Midland Naturalist 146(2):290-299.	September 2001
Pierce, C. L., A. M. Corcoran, A. N. Gronbach, S. Hsia, B. J. Mularkey, and A. J. Schwartzhoff. 2001. Influence of diel period on electrofishing and beach seining assessments of littoral fish assemblages. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 21:918-926.	December 2001
Phillips, M. L., W. R. Clark, M. A. Sovada, D. J. Horn, and R. R. Koford. 2003. Predator selection of prairie landscape features and its relation to duck nest success. Journal of Wildlife Management 67:104-114	April 2003
Phillips, E.C., C.P. Lehman, R.W. Klaver, A.R. Jarding, S.P. Rupp, J.A. Jenks, and C.N. Jacques. Evaluation of an elk detection probability model in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Western North American Naturalist79:551-565. \| Abstract \| Download	December 2019	Since 1993, elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) abundance in the Black Hills of South Dakota has been estimated using a detection probability model previously developed in Idaho, though it is likely biased because of a failure to account for visibility biases under local conditions. To correct for this bias, we evaluated the current detection probability across the Black Hills during January and February 2009–2011 using radio-collared elk. We used logistic regression to evaluate topographic features, habitat characteristics, and group characteristics relative to their influence on detection probability of elk. Elk detection probability increased with less vegetation cover (%), increased group size, and more snow cover (%); overall detection probability was 0.60 (95% CI 0.52–0.68), with 91 of 152 elk groups detected. Predictive capability of the selected model was excellent (ROC = 0.807), and prediction accuracy ranged from 70.2% to 73.7%. Cross-validation of the selected model with other population estimation methods resulted in comparable estimates. Future applications of our model should be applied cautiously if characteristics of the area (e.g., vegetation cover >50%, snow cover >90%, group sizes >16 elk) differ notably from the range of variability in these factors under which the model was developed.
Peters, K. A., and D. L. Otis. 2007. Shorebird roost-site selection at two temporal scales is human disturbance a factor? Journal of Applied Ecology 44:196-209.	January 2007
Peters, K. A., and D. L. Otis. 2007. Shorebird roost-site selection at two temporal scales is human disturbance a factor? Journal of Applied Ecology 44:196-209.	February 2007
Peters, K. A., and D. L. Otis. 2006. Wading bird response to recreational boat traffic on a national wildlife refuge in South Carolina: Does flushing translate into site avoidance? Wildlife Society Bulletin 34:1383-1392.	December 2006
Peters, K. A., and D L. Otis. 2005. Using the risk-disturbance hypothesis to assesseffects of human disturbance and predation risk on foraging American oystercatchers. Condor 107: 715-724.	August 2005
Penne, C. R., and C. L. Pierce. 2008. Seasonal distribution, aggregation, and habitat selection of common carp in Clear Lake, Iowa. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 137:1050-1062.	June 2008
Penne, C. R., N. L. Ahrens, R. C. Summerfelt, and C. L. Pierce. 2007. Effect of relative transmitter volume on expulsion of radio transmitters in subadult common carp. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 27:986-991.	August 2007
Pelham, M. E., C. L. Pierce, and J. G. Larscheid. 2001. Diet dynamics of the juvenile piscivorous fish community in Spirit Lake, Iowa, 1997-1998. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 10:198-211.	December 2001
Pegg, M. A., and C. L. Pierce. 2002. Fish community structure in the Missouri and lower Yellowstone Rivers in relation to flow characteristics. Hydrobiologia 479: 155-167.	October 2002
Pegg, M. A., and C. L. Pierce. 2002. Classification of reaches in the Missouri and lower Yellowstone Rivers based on flow characteristics. River Research and Applications 18:31-42.	January 2002
Pegg, M. A., and C. L. Pierce. 2001. Growth rate responses of Missouri and lower Yellowstone River fishes to a latitudinal gradient. Journal of Fish Biology 59(6):1529-1543.	December 2001
Pegg, M. A., C. L. Pierce, and A. Roy. 2003. Effects of channelization and impoundment on flow in the Missouri River: a time-series analysis of daily mean flow. Aquatic Sciences 65: 63-72.	April 2003
Parks, T. P, M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2014. Historical changes in fish assemblage structure in Midwestern nonwadeable rivers. American Midland Naturalist 171:27-53.	January 2014
Parks, T. P, M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2014. Anthropogenic disturbance and environmental associations with fish assemblage structure in two nonwadeable rivers. River Research and Applications DOI: 10.1002/rra.2844.	October 2014
Palic, D., L. Helland, B. R. Pedersen, J. R. Pribil, R. M. Grajeda, A. K. Loan-Wilsey and C. L. Pierce. 2007. Fish assemblages of the upper Little Sioux River basin, Iowa, USA: relationships with stream size and comparison with historical assemblages. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 22(1):69-79.	April 2007
Otis, D. L., and G. C. White. 2005. Evaluation of ultrastructure and random effects band recovery models for estimating relationships between survival and harvest rates in exploited populations. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 27: 157 - 173.	February 2005
Otis, D. L., and G. C. White. 2002. Re-analysis of a banding study totest effects of an experimental increase in bag limits of mourning doves. In Morgan, B. J. T. and Thomson, D. L., Eds. Statistical Analysis of Datafrom Marked Bird Populations. Journal of Applied Statistics 29, nos1-4.	May 2002
Otis, D. L., J. H. Schulz, and D. P. Scott. 2008. Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) harvest and population parameters derived from a national banding study. U. S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Technical Publication FWS-BTP-R3010-2008. Washington, DC.	February 2008
Otis, D. L. 2006. A mourning dove hunting regulation strategy based on annual harvest statistics and banding data. Journal of Wildlife Management 70:1302-1307.	November 2006
Otis, D. L. 2004. Comparison of the distribution of mallard harvestin the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways between periods of restrictive and liberal hunting regulations. Journal of Wildlife Management 68:351-359.	April 2004
Otis, D. L. 2003. A framework for reproductive models of mourningdove populations. Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science 110:13-17.	July 2003
Otis, D. L. 2002. Survival models for harvest management of mourning dove populations. Journal of Wildlife Management 66:1052-1064	October 2002
Otis, D. L. 2001. Quantitative training of wildlife graduate students. Wildlife Society Bulletin 29:1043-1049.	December 2001
Otis, D. L. Mourning dove banding needs assessment. 2009. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Population and Habitat Assessment Branch. Laurel, MD.	September 2009
Nusser, S. M, W. R. Clark, D. L. Otis, and L. Huang. Sampling considerations for surveillance in wildlife populaitons. Journal of Wildlife Management 72:52-60.	January 2008
Nixon, B.A. and R.W. Klaver. Evaluation through Harvest Data of Habitat Use and Availability for River Otter in Iowa. Wildlife Society Bulletin.	October 2024
Ness, B.N., and R.W. Klaver. 2016 Canada Goose nest survival in rural wetlands in north-central Iowa. Wildlife Society Bulletin 40:705-713. \| Abstract \| Download	December 2016	The last comprehensive nest survival study of the breeding giant Canada goose (Branta canadensis maxima) population in Iowa, USA, was conducted >30 years ago during a period of population recovery, during which available nesting habitat consisted primarily of artificial nest structures. Currently, Iowa’s resident goose population is stable and nests in a variety of habitats. We analyzed the effects of available habitat on nest survival and how nest survival rates compared with those of the expanding goose population studied previously to better understand how tomaintain a sustainable Canada goose population in Iowa. We documented Canada goose nest survival at rural wetland sites in north-central Iowa. We monitored 121 nests in 2013 and 149 nests in 2014 at 5 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) with various nesting habitats, including islands, muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) houses, and elevated nest structures. We estimated daily nest-survival rate using the nest survival model in Program MARK. Survival was influenced by year, site, stage, presence of a camera, nest age, and an interaction between nest age and stage. Nest success rates for the 28-day incubation period by site and year combination ranged from 0.10 to 0.84. Nest survival was greatest at sites with nest structures (b¼17.34). Nest survival was negatively affected by lowered water levels at Rice Lake WMA (2013 b¼0.77, nest age b¼0.07). Timing of water-level drawdowns for shallow lake restorations may influence nest survival rates.
Ness, B.N., R.W. Klaver, and G.G. Zenner. 2017. Canada Goose nest success and nest densities on islands at Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area: 25 years later. Prairie Naturalist 49:37-40.	July 2017
Mosby, C. E., T. W. Grovenburg, R. W. Klaver, and J. A. Jenks. 2012. Microhabitat selection by bobcats in the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota, USA: a comparison of prairie and forested habitats. The Prairie Naturalist 44:47–57 \| Abstract \| Download	June 2012	An understanding of habitat selection is important for management of wildlife species. Although bobcat (Lynx rufus) resource selection has been addressed in many regions of the United States, little work has been conducted in the Northern Great Plains. From 2006–2008 we captured and radiocollared 20 bobcats in the Badlands (n = 10) and Black Hills (n = 10) regions of South Dakota. During the summers of 2008 and 2009 we collected habitat measurements at 349 (176 Badlands, 176 Black Hills) bobcat locations and 321 (148 Badlands, 173 Black Hills) random sites. Microhabitat characteristics at bobcat use sites varied with region (P < 0.001) and sex of bobcat (P < 0.001). Percent slope, shrub, low cover, medium cover, and total cover were greater (P ≤ 0.017) at bobcat locations in the Black Hills than in the Badlands whereas distance to drainage was greater (P < 0.001) at locations in the Badlands than in the Black Hills. In the Badlands, male bobcat locations were closer (P ≤ 0.002) to prairie dog towns and drainages and had greater (P < 0.05) percent forbs and forb height than random sites, whereas females were closer to badland formations (P < 0.001) than random sites. In the Black Hills, male locations were at greater elevation (P < 0.001) and female locations were characterized by greater (P ≤ 0.02) grass height, shrub height, low cover, and total cover than random sites. Logistic regression indicated that microhabitat selection was similar between study areas; odds ratios indicated that odds of bobcat use increased by 0.998 (95% CI = 0.997–0.999) per 1 m increase in distance to drainage, 0.986 (95% CI = 0.978–0.993) per 1.0% increase in grass cover, by 1.024 (95% CI = 1.011–1.036) per 1 cm increase in grass height, by 1.013 (95% CI = 1.003–1.024) per 1% increase in forb cover, and by 1.028 (95% CI = 1.017–1.039) per 1% increase in medium cover. Our results were similar to other bobcat microhabitat selection studies, where bobcat relocations were associated with understory vegetation, drainages, and rugged terrain. These results identify the adaptability of the species to meet life history requirements in a variety of landscapes, and provide insight to how land use requirements vary within regional and management boundaries.
Monteith, K.L., R.W. Klaver, K.R. Hersey, A.A. Holland, T.P. Thomas, and M.J. Kauffman. 2015. Effects of climate and plant phenology on recruitment of moose at the southern extent of their range. Oecologia 178-1137-1148. \| Abstract	March 2015	Climate plays a fundamental role in limiting the range of a species, is a key factor in the dynamics of large herbivores, and is thought to be involved in declines of moose populations in recent decades. We examined effects of climate and growing-season phenology on recruitment (8–9 months old) of young Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi) over three decades, from 18 herds, across a large geographic area encompassing much of the southern extent of their range. Recruitment declined in 8 of 18 herds during 1980–2009, whereas others did not exhibit a temporal trend (none showed a positive trend). During those three decades, seasonal temperatures increased, spring–summer precipitation decreased, and spring occurred earlier, became shorter in duration, and green-up occurred faster. Recruitment was influenced negatively by warm temperatures during the year before young were born, but only for herds with declining recruitment. Dry spring–summers of the previous year and rapid rates of spring green-up in the year of birth had similar negative influences across declining and stable herds. Those patterns indicate both direct (yeart) and delayed (yeart−1) effects of weather and plant phenology on recruitment of young, which we hypothesize was mediated through effects on maternal nutritional condition. Suppressed nutrition could have been induced by (1) increased thermoregulatory costs associated with warming temperatures and (2) shortened duration of availability of high-quality forage in spring. Progressive reductions in net energetic gain for species that are sensitive to climate may continue to hamper individual fitness and population dynamics.
Mills, N., M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce, and D. Cashatt. 2019. Factors influencing fish mercury concentrations in Iowa rivers. Ecotoxicology https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-019-02017-1.	January 2019
Mills, N., D. Cashatt, M. J. Weber, and C. L. Pierce. 2018. A case study and a meta-analysis of seasonal variation in fish mercury concentrations. Ecotoxicology (2018). https://doi-org.proxy.lib.iastate.edu/10.1007/s10646-018-1942-4. https://rdcu.be/NZ2c.	May 2018
Miller, D. A., C. M. Vleck and D. L. Otis. 2009. Individual variation in baseline and stress-induced prolactin and corticosterone levels predicts parental effort by nesting mourning doves. Hormones and Behavior 56:457-464. Functional Ecology	October 2009
Miller, D. A. and D. L. Otis. 2010. Calibrating recruitment estimates for mourning doves from harvest age ratios. Journal of Wildlife Management 74:1070-1080.	July 2010
Middleton, A.D., M.J. Kauffman, D.E. McWhirter, M.D. Jimenez, J.G. Cook, R.C. Cook, S.E. Albeke, H. Sawyer, and P.J. White. 2013. Linking anti-predator behavior to prey demography reveals limited risk effects of an actively hunting large carnivore. Ecology Letters 16:1023-1030.	December 2013
Middleton, A.D., M.J. Kauffman, D.E. McWhirter, J.G. Cook, R.C. Cook, A.A. Nelson, M.D. Jimenez, and R.W. Klaver. 2013. Animal migration amid shifting patterns of phenology and predation: lessons from a Yellowstone elk herd. Ecology 94:1245-1256.	December 2013
Middleton, A. D., M. J. Kauffman, D. E. McWhirter, J. G. Cook, R. C. Cook, A. A. Nelson, M. D. Jimenez, and R. W. Klaver. 2012. Rejoinder: challenge and opportunity in the study of ungulate migration amid environmental change. Ecology 94:1280-1286. \| Download	June 2013
Middleton, A. D., M. J. Kauffman, D. E. McWhirter, J. G. Cook, R. C. Cook, A. A. Nelson, M. D. Jimenez, and R. W. Klaver. 2012. Animal migration amid shifting patterns of phenology and predation: lessons from a Yellowsone elk herd. Ecology 94:1245-1256 \| Abstract \| Download	June 2013	Migration is a striking behavioral strategy by which many animals enhance resource acquisition while reducing predation risk. Historically, the demographic benefits of such movements made migration common, but in many taxa the phenomenon is considered globally threatened. Here we describe a long-term decline in the productivity of elk (Cervus elaphus) that migrate through intact wilderness areas to protected summer ranges inside Yellowstone National Park, USA. We attribute this decline to a long-term reduction in the demographic benefits that ungulates typically gain from migration. Among migratory elk, we observed a 21-year, 70% reduction in recruitment and a 4-year, 19% depression in their pregnancy rate largely caused by infrequent reproduction of females that were young or lactating. In contrast, among resident elk, we have recently observed increasing recruitment and a high rate of pregnancy. Landscape-level changes in habitat quality and predation appear to be responsible for the declining productivity of Yellowstone migrants. From 1989 to 2009, migratory elk experienced an increasing rate and shorter duration of green-up coincident with warmer spring–summer temperatures and reduced spring precipitation, also consistent with observations of an unusually severe drought in the region. Migrants are also now exposed to four times as many grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and wolves (Canis lupus) as resident elk. Both of these restored predators consume migratory elk calves at high rates in the Yellowstone wilderness but are maintained at low densities via lethal management and human disturbance in the year-round habitats of resident elk. Our findings suggest that large-carnivore recovery and drought, operating simultaneously along an elevation gradient, have disproportionately influenced the demography of migratory elk. Many migratory animals travel large geographic distances between their seasonal ranges. Changes in land use and climate that disparately influence such seasonal ranges may alter the ecological basis of migratory behavior, representing an important challenge for, and a powerful lens into, the ecology and conservation of migratory taxa.
Michel, E.S., J.A. Jenks, K.D. Kaskie,, R.W. Klaver, and W. F. Jensen. 2018. Weather and landscape factors affect white-tailed deer neonates at ecologically important life stages in the Northern Great Plains.. PLoS ONE 13:e0195247 \| Abstract \| Download	April 2018	Offspring survival is generally more variable than adult survival and may limit population growth. Although white-tailed deer neonate survival has been intensively investigated, recent work has emphasized how specific cover types influence neonate survival at local scales (single study area). These localized investigations have often led to inconsistences within the literature. Developing specific hypotheses describing the relationships among environmental, habitat, and landscape factors influencing white-tailed deer neonate survival at regional scales may allow for detection of generalized patterns. Therefore, we developed 11 hypotheses representing the various effects of environmental (e.g., winter and spring weather), habitat (e.g., hiding and escape cover types), and landscape factors (e.g., landscape configuration regardless of specific cover type available) on white-tailed deer neonate survival up to one-month and from one- to three-months of age. At one-month, surviving fawns experienced a warmer lowest recorded June temperature and more June precipitation than those that perished. At three-months, patch connectance (percent of patches of the corresponding patch type that are connected within a predefined distance) positively influenced survival. Our results are consistent with white-tailed deer neonate ecology: increased spring temperature and precipitation are likely associated with a flush of nutritional resources available to the mother, promoting increased lactation efficiency and neonate growth early in life. In contrast, reduced spring temperature with increased precipitation place neonates at risk to hypothermia. Increased patch connectance likely reflects increased escape cover available within a neonate's home range after they are able to flee from predators. If suitable escape cover is available on the landscape, then managers could focus efforts towards manipulating landscape configuration (patch connectance) to promote increased neonate survival while monitoring spring weather to assess potential influences on current year survival.
Melendez Perez, A.A., D. Camarena, J.M.H. Ford, L.A.W. Gapinski, A.M. Hatch, B.E. Klossing, A.A. Yappert, R.W. Klaver. Book Review: America’s Public Lands: From Yellowstone to Smokey Bear and Beyond. Journal of Wildlife Management. \| Download	October 2023
McCombs et al. 2016. Large Carnivore conservation. Journal of Mammalogy 97:1256–1261. \| Download	July 2016
Luukkonen, B.Z, O.E. Jones, and R.W. Klaver. Survival and recovery rates of Canada geese banded in urban and rural areas of Iowa, USA. 2021. Journal of Wildlife Management 85: 283 - 292 \| Abstract \| Download	March 2021	Once extirpated from much of their North American range, temperate‐breeding Canada geese(Branta canadensis maxima) have reached high abundance. As a result, focus has shifted from restoration to managing harvest and addressing human‐goose conflict. Conflict persists or is increasing in urban areas throughout the Mississippi Flyway. Managers need more information regarding demographic rates to determine how hunting affects geese breeding in urban areas and what management actions may be required to achieve management goals. We estimated survival, dead recovery, live recapture, and fidelity probabilities using data from 77,872 Canada geese banded in Iowa, USA, during 1999–2019 using Burnham joint live-dead band recovery models. Factors predicted to affect parameters in candidate models included age (juvenile, subadult, adult), banding site (urban, rural), time, trend, harvest regulation index, and winter severity index. We predicted Canada geese banded in urban areas would have higher survival and lower dead recovery rates than geese banded at rural sites. The top model indicated support for age and banding site effects, and trends in survival and recovery rate (Brownie parameterization). Adult survival was similar for urban (0.75;range=0.60–0.92) and rural (0.75; range=0.66–0.82) geese and relatively constant across years. Mean juvenile survival was lower in urban (0.74; range=0.48–0.93) than rural (0.85; range=0.68–0.92) areas. Survival increased for urban‐banded juveniles and recovery rates increased during liberalization of harvest regulations and decreased after regulations stabilized. Recovery rates of subadults increased for the urban and rural groups. Our results suggest Canada geese breeding in urban areas contribute to harvest and specialized regulations can affect these populations. Harvest regulations in place during our analysis may not have reached a threshold required to observe substantial changes in survival. Current human‐goose conflict in urban areas suggests survival has not decreased to a level required to completely address conflict via reduction in goose abundance. Managers may consider additional liberalization of harvest regulations and monitoring via banding to determine to what degree hunter harvest contributes to reducing human‐goose conflict and what additional management actions will be required to achieve goals.
Loda, J. L. and D. L. Otis 2009. Low prevalence of amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachocytrium dendrobatis) in Northern Leopar Frog (Rana pipiens) populations of north-central Iowa, USA. Herpetological Review 40:428-431.	October 2009
Litvan, M. E., T. W. Stewart, C. L. Pierce, and C. J. Larson. 2008. Effects of grade control structures on the macroinvertebrate assemblage of an agriculturally-impacted stream. River Research and Applications 24:218-233.	January 2008
Litvan, M. E., C. L. Pierce, T. W. Stewart, and C. J. Larson. 2008. Fish passage in a western Iowa stream modified by grade control structures. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 28:1384-1397.	October 2008
Litvan, M. E., C. L. Pierce, T. W. Stewart, and C. J. Larson. 2008. Fish assemblages in a western Iowa stream modified by grade control structures. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 28:1398-1413.	October 2008
Liao, H., C. L. Pierce, and J. G. Larscheid. 2005. An empirical model for estimating annual consumption by freshwater fish populations. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25:525-532.	June 2005
Liao, H., C. L. Pierce, and J. G. Larscheid. 2004. Consumption Dynamics of the Adult Piscivorous Fish Community in Spirit Lake, Iowa. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24:890-902.	August 2004
Liao, H., C. L. Pierce, and J. G. Larscheid. 2002. Diet dynamics of the adult piscivorous fish community in Spirit Lake, Iowa, USA 1995-1997. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 11: 178-189.	April 2002
Liao, H., C. L. Pierce, and J. G. Larscheid. 2001. Empirical assessment of indices of prey importance in the diets of predacious fish. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 130:583-591.	July 2001
Lawson AJ, Folt B, Tucker AM, Erickson FT, McGowan CP. 2021. Decision context is a necessary component of population viability analysis appraisal. Conservation Biology 35, 1683–1685, doi: 10.1111/cobi.13818 \| Publisher Website	August 2021
Lang, B.J., P.M. Dixon, R.W. Klaver, J.R. Thompson, and M.P. Widrlechner. Characterizing urban butterfly populations: the case for purposive point-count surveys. Urban Ecosystems. 22:1083 - 1096 \| Abstract \| Download	November 2019	Developing effective butterfly monitoring strategies is key to understanding how butterflies interact with urban environments, and, in turn, to developing local conservation practices. We investigated two urban habitat types (public gardens and restored/reconstructed prairies) and compared three survey methods (Pollard transects, purposive point counts, and random point counts) to determine which was most productive for detecting butterflies and assessing family diversity. We conducted 66 butterfly surveys by using each method (198 total) from May through September in 2015 and 2016 at six sites (three public gardens and three prairies) inAmes, Ankeny and Des Moines, Iowa. All survey methods were used on 11 sampling dates at each site. Overall, we observed 2,227 butterflies representing 38 species: 1,076 in public gardens and 1,151 in prairie areas.We used a smaller data set standardized for survey effort, including 1,361 of these sightings, to compare survey methods and habitat types. Although there were no significant differences in number of butterfly sightings between the two habitats, more sightings (798) were documented by using purposive point counts when compared to Pollard transects (297) or random point counts (266) (for both comparisons, p < 0.0001). Occupancy modeling also indicated that purposive point counts were most effective in detecting certain species of butterflies, most notably those within the Pieridae (whites, sulphurs) and Papilionidae (swallowtails). We conclude that public gardens and restored/reconstructed prairies in urban settings can provide important butterfly habitat, and that purposive point-count surveys are most effective for detecting butterflies in these relatively small-scale landscape features.
Kramer, N. W., Q. E. Phelps, C. L. Pierce, and M. E. Colvin. 2019. A food web modelling assessment of Asian Carp impacts in the Middle and Upper Mississippi River. Food Webs. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodweb.2019.e00120	September 2019
Koford, R.R., G. Dodici, G. Zenner, J.A. Vogel, B.Ness, R.W. Klaver. 2016. Influence of patch shape on mallard nest survival in northern Iowa. Wildlife Society Bulletin \| Abstract \| Download	December 2016	Reproductive success of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) is influenced by distribution and amount of wetlands and grasslands on the landscape during the breeding season. Most studies of mallard reproductive success have been conducted in areas with high wetland densities and large tracts of grasslands. We investigated nest survival of mallards in intensively cropped northern Iowa, USA, where wetland and grassland habitats were highly fragmented. We radiotracked female mallards nesting during 1998–2000 and located 318 nests in 6 types of land cover. Overall daily survival rate of nests was 0.9450.003 standard error (SE), corresponding to an estimated nest survival rate of 0.14. Hen success (i.e., the probability that an individual female will hatch a nest in one of her attempts) averaged 0.280.03 SE.Weused a model selection approach to examine covariates that might affect nest survival. Perimeter-to-area ratio (PAR) of the nest patch was the most important predictor of daily nest survival, with nest survival decreasing with increasing PAR. A greater percentage of nests hatched (18%) in habitats with low perimeter-to-area ratios (e.g., pastures, hayfields, Conservation Reserve Program fields, and managed grasslands) compared with habitats with high PAR (11%) such as drainage ditches, road-side ditches, fencerows, and waterways. Managing habitat in this region to increase mallard nest survival will be challenging, given the propensity of mallards to nest in linear habitats. If the climate change projections materialize in the 21st century, the southeastern portion of the Prairie Pothole Region could become a much more important breeding area for midcontinent mallards.
Koford, R. R., and J. A. Fitzgerald. 2005. Measuring the success of bird conservation plan implementation. Proceedings of the Asilomar Partners in Flight Conference, 2002. Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191	October 2005
Koford, R. R., and H. Stallman. 2002. Habitat conservation for birds in the Mississippi Headwaters/Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem. Great Plains Research 12:123-139	May 2002
Koford, R. R., B. S. Bowen, J. T. Lokemoen, and A. D. Kruse. 2000. Cowbird parasitism in grassland and cropland in the northern Great Plains. Pp. 229-235 in J. N. M. Smith, T. Cook, S. I. Rothstein, S. K. Robinson, and S. G. Sealy (eds. ) Ecology and management of cowbirds and their hosts. University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas.	February 2000
Koch, J., Quist, M., Pierce, C., Hansen, K., and M. Steuck. 2009. Effects of commercial harvest on shovelnose sturgeon populations in the Upper Mississippi River. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 29:84-100.	March 2009
Klaver, R.W., D. Backlund, P.E. Bartelt, M.G. Erickson, C.J. Knowles, P.R. Knowles, and M.C. Wimberly. 2012. Spatial analysis of northern Goshawk territories in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Condor 114:532-543 \| Abstract \| Download	August 2012	The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is the largest of the three North American species of Accipiter and is more closely associated with older forests than are the other species. Its reliance on older forests has resulted in concerns about its status, extensive research into its habitat relationships, and litigation. Our objective was to model the spatial patterns of goshawk territories in the Black Hills, South Dakota, to make inferences about the underlying processes. We used a modification of Ripley’s K function that accounts for inhomogeneous intensity to determine whether territoriality or habitat determined the spacing of goshawks in the Black Hills, finding that habitat conditions rather than territoriality were the determining factor. A spatial model incorporating basal area of trees in a stand of forest, canopy cover, age of trees >23 cm in diameter, number of trees per hectare, and geographic coordinates provided good fit to the spatial patterns of territories. There was no indication of repulsion at close distances that would imply spacing was determined by territoriality. These findings contrast with those for the Kaibab Plateau, Arizona, where territoriality is an important limiting factor. Forest stands where the goshawk nested historically are now younger and have trees of smaller diameter, probably having been modified by logging, fire, and insects. These results have important implications for the goshawk’s ecology in the Black Hills with respect to mortality, competition, forest fragmentation, and nest-territory protection.
Klaver, R.W., C.R. Peterson, and D.A. Patla. 2013. Influence of water conductivity on amphibian occupancy in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Western North American Naturalist 73: 184-197 \| Abstract \| Download	July 2013	Investigation of amphibian occupancy at potential breeding sites can provide information about the distribution and relative abundance of species, as well as insights into habitat relationships across large areas such as national parks. Based on previous research in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), we hypothesized that the probability of amphibian occupancy increases with water conductivity. We conducted amphibian surveys with habitat measurements at 235 wetland sites in the GYE in 2002, thereby locating breeding populations of boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas), boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata), Columbia spotted frogs (Lithobates luteiventris), and barred tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium). Repeat surveys provided detection probabilities, which allowed for unbiased estimates of occupancy. The boreal chorus frog was the most common amphibian in the GYE, with breeding populations occupying approximately 48% of the sites, followed by Columbia spotted frog (35%), barred tiger salamander (14%), and boreal toad (13%). Occupancy corrected for detection probability averaged 36% higher (range 27%–50%) than naïve estimates of occupancy. Detection rates ranged from 0.65 to 0.78 for the 4 species. Modeling of habitat covariates indicated that higher conductivity was positively associated with toad occupancy but negatively associated with chorus frog occupancy; Columbia spotted frog and barred tiger salamander occupancy was little influenced by water conductivity. Fish presence had a negative effect on occupancy of barred tiger salamanders and boreal chorus frogs. These results may help managers in the GYE manage and conserve important breeding habitat for amphibians, particularly if longterm monitoring efforts indicate declines in amphibian populations.
Kinkead, K. E., and D. L. Otis. 2007. Estimating superpopulation size and annual breeding probability of breeding for pond breeding salamanders. Herpetelogica 63:151-162.	June 2007
Kinkead, K. E., D. L. Otis, J. F. Townsend, and J. A. Fairey. 2002. The efficacy of tree shelters for oak regeneration on a wetland mitigation site. Ecological Restoration 20:208-209.	September 2002
Kinkead, K. E., A. G. Abbott, and D. L. Otis. 2006. Genetic Variation among Ambystoma Breeding Populations on the Savannah River Site. Conservation Genetics 7:	June 2006
Kenneth F. Higgins, Kurt J. Jenkins, Kent C. Jensen, Robert W. Klaver, David E. Naugle, Jack E. Norland, Lora B. Perkins, and Daniel W. Uresk . Vegetation sampling and measurements	November 2020
Katzenmeyer, E. D., C. L. Pierce, M. E. Colvin, T. W. Stewart, and S. E. Grummer. 2019. Fish growth changes over time in a Midwestern US lake. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 148:493-506. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10149.	January 2019
Jordan, N. E., D. L. Otis, R. Costa, and S. A. Gauthreaux. 2004. Hatching failure and embryonic mortality within a red-cockaded woodpecker population in South Carolina. Proceedings of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker Symposium IV: 607 - 616.	July 2005
Johnson, D.H., S. K. Davis, and R. R. Koford. Conservation planning for prairie waterfowl: what are we doing for grassland birds? Pp. 2-8 in D. Williams, B. Butler, and D. Smith, eds. Restoring a National Treasure. Proceedings of the Twenty-Second North American Prairie Conference; 2010 August 1-5; Cedar Falls, IA. University of Northern Iowa.	March 2012
Jain, A., R. Koford, A. Hancock, and G. Zenner. 2011. Bat mortality and activity at a northern Iowa wind resource area. American Midland Naturalist 165:185-200.	January 2011
Jacques, C.N.; R.W. Klaver; C.S. DePerno; A.P. Rockhill. 2024.Comparing the efficacy of two immobilization drug combinations for the chemical restraint of bobcats. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 60:86-94 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2024	Chemical immobilization agents that provide rapid induction time, short duration of action, wide margin of safety, and post reversal recovery are important attributes to the handling process of immobilized animals. We evaluated differences in induction, recovery, and physiologic parameters in 23 (13 female, nine adults and four yearlings; 10 male, nine adults and one yearling)free-ranging bobcats (Lynx rufus) chemically immobilized with an intramuscular combination of ketamine (10 mg/kg) and xylazine (KX; 1.5 mg/kg; n¼11) or a combination of butorphanol (0.8 mg/kg), azaperone (0.27 mg/kg), and medetomidine (BAM; 0.32 mg/kg; n¼12). Induction parameters, time to first effect, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, and anesthesia between bobcats administered KX and BAM were similar. Pulse rate was significantly higher for KX than for BAM. Time to standing and full recovery after reversal were faster for bobcats administered BAM than KX. Six of 11 (55%)bobcats given KX were effectively immobilized with a single injection, and five required additional drugs to allow adequate time for processing. Of 12 bobcats given BAM, six (50%) were effectively immobilized with a single injection, three (25%) individuals were not completely immobilized and required additional doses to allow adequate time for processing, and three (25%) required additional doses after complete arousal during processing. We found that BAM provided reduced sedation and processing times (,30 min), whereas KX provided extended sedation and processing times beyond30 min. We suggest that researchers increase initial BAM drug volumes for yearling and adult bobcats at time of processing and consider taking appropriate safety precautions when handling free-ranging bobcats.
Jacques, C.N., R.W. Klaver, T.C. Swearingen, E.D. Davis, C.R. Anderson, J.A. Jenks, C.S. DePerno, and R.D. Bluett. 2019. Estimating detection and density of bobcats with capture-mark-recapture data from camera traps. Wildlife Society Bulletin 43:256-264. \| Abstract \| Download	June 2019	Camera‐trapping data analyzed with spatially explicit capture–recapture (SCR) models can provide a rigorous method for estimating density of small populations of elusive carnivore species. We sought to develop and evaluate the efficacy of SCR models for estimating density of a presumed low‐density bobcat (Lynx rufus) population in fragmented landscapes of west‐central Illinois, USA. We analyzed camera‐trapping data from 49 camera stations in a 1,458‐km2 area deployed over a 77‐day period from 1 February to 18 April 2017. Mean operational time of cameras was 52 days (range =32–67 days). We captured 23 uniquely identifiable bobcats 113 times and recaptured these same individuals 90 times; 15 of 23 (65.2%) individuals were recaptured at ≥2 camera traps. Total number of bobcat capture events was 139, of which 26 (18.7%) were discarded from analyses because of poor image quality or capture of only a part of an animal in photographs. Of 113 capture events used in analyses, 106 (93.8%) and 7 (6.2%) were classified as positive and tentative identifications, respectively; agreement on tentative identifications of bobcats was high (71.4%) among 3 observers. We photographed bobcats at 36 of 49 (73.5%) camera stations, of which 34 stations were used in analyses. We estimated bobcat density at 1.40 individuals (range =1.00–2.02)/100 km2. Our modeled bobcat density estimates are considerably below previously reported densities (30.5 individuals/100 km2) within the state, and among the lowest yet recorded for the species. Nevertheless, use of remote cameras and SCR models was a viable technique for reliably estimating bobcat density across west‐central Illinois. Our research establishes ecological benchmarks for understanding potential effects of colonization, habitat fragmentation, and exploitation on future assessments of bobcat density using standardized methodologies that can be compared directly over time. Further application of SCR models that quantify specific costs of animal movements (i.e., least‐cost path models) while accounting for landscape connectivity has great utility and relevance for conservation and management of bobcat populations across fragmentedMidwestern landscapes.
Jacques, C.N., J.S. Zweep, S.E. Jenkins, and R.W. Klaver. 2107. Survival and Home Range Use of Southern Flying Squirrels in West-Central Illinois. Journal of Mammalogy 98:1479-1488 \| Abstract \| Download	September 2017	We studied home range use, spatial activity patterns, and annual survival of southern flying squirrels (SFS; Glaucomys volans) across fragmented landscapes of west-central Illinois. We calculated seasonal home range sizes and annual survival from 67 animals (36 males, 31 females) captured during 2014–2016. Home range and core area sizes were similar (P ≥ 0.46) among males and females across summer (April–September) and winter (October–March) seasons. Average distance between consecutive animal locations did not vary by sex, season, or year. Similarly, cumulative distance between consecutive locations did not vary by sex, season, or year and ranged from 1,189 to 1,661 m between summer and winter seasons. Mean annual composite home range and core area sizes were 10.39 and 1.25 ha, respectively; estimated home ranges (10.3 ha) of females are the largest documented for this species. We documented 8 deaths, all attributed to predation, the majority (63%) of which occurred during winter; annual survival was 71%. Our results underscore effects of habitat productivity on seasonal home range dynamics and space use patterns of SFS in fragmented landscapes. SFS may compensate for reduced availability of overstory mast-producing trees that characterize unproductive habitats and low-density populations by exhibiting similar movement patterns and use of available habitat by both sexes throughout the year. Winter communal nesting appears to be influenced by availability of cavity trees, thereby confirming the importance of standing snags in contributing essential habitat to flying squirrel populations in fragmented forests.
Jacques, C.N., J.S. Zweep, M.E. Scheihing, W.T. Rechkemmer, S.E. Jenkins, R.W. Klaver, and S.A. Dubay. 2107. Influence of Trap Modifications and Environmental Predictors on Capture Success of Southern Flying Squirrels . Wildlife Society Bulletin 41:313-321. \| Abstract \| Download	September 2017	Sherman traps are the most commonly used live traps in studies of small mammals and have been successfully used in the capture of arboreal species such as the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). However, southern flying squirrels spend proportionately less time foraging on the ground, which necessitates above-ground trapping methods and modifications of capture protocols. Further, quantitative estimates of the factors affecting capture success of flying squirrel populations have focused solely on effects of trapping methodologies. We developed and evaluated the efficacy of a portable Sherman trap design for capturing southern flying squirrels during 2015–2016 at the Alice L. Kibbe Field Station, Illinois, USA. Additionally, we used logistic regression to quantify potential effects of time-dependent (e.g., weather) and time-independent (e.g., habitat, extrinsic) factors on capture success of southern flying squirrels. We recorded 165 capture events (119 F, 44 M, 2 unknown) using our modified Sherman trap design. Probability of capture success decreased 0.10/18C increase in daily maximum temperature and by 0.09/unit increase (km/hr) in wind speed. Conversely, probability of capture success increased by 1.2/18C increase in daily minimum temperature. The probability of capturing flying squirrels was negatively associated with trap orientation. When tree-mounted traps are required, ourmodified trap design is a safe, efficient, and cost-effective method of capturing animals when moderate weather (temp and wind speed) conditions prevail. Further, we believe that strategic placement of traps (e.g., northeast side of tree) and quantitative information on site-specific (e.g., trap location) characteristics (e.g., topographical features, slope, aspect, climatologic factors) could increase southern flying squirrel capture success.
Jacques, C.N., J.A. Jenks, T.W. Grovenburg, and R.W. Klaver. 2015. Influence of habitat and intrinsic characteristics on survival of neonatal pronghorn PLoS ONE 10: e0144026 \| Abstract \| Download	December 2015	Increased understanding of the influence of habitat (e.g., composition, patch size) and intrinsic (e.g., age, birth mass) factors on survival of neonatal pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is a prerequisite to successful management programs, particularly as they relate to population dynamics and the role of population models in adaptive species management. Nevertheless, few studies have presented empirical data quantifying the influence of habitat variables on survival of neonatal pronghorn. During 2002–2005, we captured and radiocollared 116 neonates across two sites in western South Dakota. We documented 31 deaths during our study, of which coyote (Canis latrans) predation (n = 15) was the leading cause of mortality. We used known fate analysis in Program MARK to investigate the influence of intrinsic and habitat variables on neonatal survival. We generated a priori models that we grouped into habitat and intrinsic effects. The highest-ranking model indicated that neonate mortality was best explained by site, percent grassland, and open water habitat; 90-day survival (0.80; 90% CI = 0.71–0.88) declined 23% when grassland and water increased from 80.1 to 92.3% and 0.36 to 0.40%, respectively, across 50% natal home ranges. Further, our results indicated that grassland patch size and shrub density were important predictors of neonate survival; neonate survival declined 17% when shrub density declined from 5.0 to 2.5 patches per 100 ha. Excluding the site covariates, intrinsic factors (i.e., sex, age, birth mass, year, parturition date) were not important predictors of survival of neonatal prong-horns. Further, neonatal survival may depend on available land cover and interspersion of habitats. We have demonstrated that maintaining minimum and maximum thresholds for habitat factors (e.g., percentages of grassland and open water patches, density of shrub patches) throughout natal home ranges will in turn, ensure relatively high (>0.50) neonatal survival rates, especially as they relate to coyote predation. Thus, landscape level variables (particularly percentages of open water, grassland habitats, and shrub density) should be incorporated into the development or implementation of pronghorn management plans across sagebrush steppe communities of the western Dakotas, and potentially elsewhere within the geographic range of pronghorn.
Jacques, C.N., J.A. Jenks, T.W. Grovenburg, R.W. Klaver, and S.A. Dubay. 2015. Influence of ecological factors on prevalence of meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) infection in South Dakota, USA. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 51: 332-340 \| Abstract \| Download	April 2015	The meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) is a nematode parasite that commonly infects white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; WTD) throughout the deciduous forest biome and deciduous-coniferous ecotone of eastern and central North America; the species is not known to occur west of the grassland biome of central North America. We used countyspecific prevalence data to evaluate potential effects of landscape and climatologic factors on the spatial distribution of meningeal worm infection in South Dakota, US. Probability of infection increased 4-fold between eastern and western South Dakota and 1.3-fold for each 1-cm increase in summer precipitation. Sixty-three percent of WTD had only a single worm in the cranium. Expansion of meningeal worm infection across western South Dakota may be inherently low due to the combined effects of arid climate and potential attributes of the Missouri River that limit regional movements by infected WTD. Use of landscape genetic analyses to identify potential relationships between landscape features and population genetic structure of infected deer and parasites may contribute to a greater understanding of regional heterogeneity in meningeal worm infection rates across South Dakota, particularly in counties adjacent to the Missouri River. Future research evaluating heterogeneity in prevalence and intensity of infection between fawn and yearling deer, and the potential role of yearling male deer as dispersal agents of meningeal worms across the Missouri River, also is warranted.
Jacques, C.N., J.A. Jenks, R.W. Klaver, and S.A. Dubay. 2017. Associations among habitat characteristics and meningeal worm prevalence in eastern South Dakota. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 53:131-135 \| Abstract \| Download	January 2017	Few studies have evaluated how wetland and forest characteristics influence the prevalence of meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) infection of deer throughout the grassland biome of central North America. We used previously collected, county-level prevalence data to evaluate associations between habitat characteristics and probability of meningeal worm infection in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) across eastern South Dakota, US. The highest-ranked binomial regression model for detecting probability of meningeal worm infection was spring temperature + summer precipitation + percent wetland; weight of evidence (wi¼0.71) favored this model over alternative models, though predictive capability was low (Receiver operating characteristic¼0.62). Probability of meningeal worm infection increased by 1.3- and 1.6-fold for each 1-cm and 1-C increase in summer precipitation and spring temperature, respectively. Similarly, probability of infection increased 1.2-fold for each 1% increase in wetland habitat. Our findings highlight the importance of wetland habitat in predicting meningeal worm infection across eastern South Dakota. Future research is warranted to evaluate the relationships between climatic conditions (e.g., drought, wet cycles) and deer habitat selection in maintaining P. tenuis along the western boundary of the parasite.
Jacques, C.N., J. A. Jenks, T. W. Grovenburg, R. W. Klaver, C. S. DePerno. 2014. Development and evaluation of a pronghorn sightability model in the Northern Great Plains Journal of Wildlife Managment 78:164-174. \| Abstract \| Download	January 2014	Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) abundances commonly are estimated using fixed-wing surveys, but these estimates are likely to be negatively biased because of violations of key assumptions underpinning line-transect methodology. Reducing bias and improving precision of abundance estimates through use of detection probability and mark-resight models may allow for more responsive pronghorn management actions. Given their potential application in population estimation, we evaluated detection probability and mark-resight models for use in estimating pronghorn population abundance. We used logistic regression to quantify probabilities that detecting pronghorn might be influenced by group size, animal activity, percent vegetation, cover type, and topography.We estimated pronghorn population size by study area and year using mixed logit-normal mark-resight (MLNM) models. Pronghorn detection probability increased with group size, animal activity, and percent vegetation; overall detection probability was 0.639 (95% CI¼0.612–0.667) with 396 of 620 pronghorn groups detected. Despite model selection uncertainty, the best detection probabilitymodels were 44% (range¼8–79%) and 180% (range¼139–217%) greater than traditional pronghorn population estimates. Similarly, the best MLNM models were 28% (range¼3–58%) and 147% (range¼124–180%) greater than traditional population estimates. Detection probability of pronghorn was not constant but depended on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. When pronghorn detection probability is a function of animal group size, animal activity, landscape complexity, and percent vegetation, traditional aerial survey techniques will result in biased pronghorn abundance estimates. Standardizing survey conditions, increasing resighting occasions, or accounting for variation in individual heterogeneity in mark-resight models will increase the accuracy and precision of pronghorn population estimates.
Jacobs, R. B., F. R. Thompson, III, R. R. Koford, F. A. La Sorte, H. Woodward, and J. A. Fitzgerald. 2012. Habitat and landscape effects on grassland birds in Missouri. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:372-381	January 2012
Jacobs, B., R. R. Koford, F. R. Thompson, III, H. Woodward, M. Hubbard, J. A. Fitzgerald, and J. R. Herkert. 2005. The grassland bird conservation efforts in Missouri and Iowa: how will we measure success? Proceedings of the Asilomar Partners in Flight Conference, 2002. Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191.	July 2005
Hoxmeier, R. J. H., D. H. Wahl, M. L. Hooe, and C. L. Pierce. 2004. Growth and survival of larval walleye in response to prey availability. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133: 45-54.	January 2004
Hovick, T. J., J. R. Miller, R. R. Koford, D. M. Engle, and D. M. Debinski. 2011. Postfledging survival of grasshopper sparrows in grasslands managed with fire and grazing. Condor 113:429-437	May 2011
Horn, D. J., and R. R. Koford. 2006. Landscape Composition Influences Relationship Between Abundance of Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and Field Size. Proceedings of the North American Prairie Conference 19:109-116	July 2006
Horn, D. J., and R. R. Koford. 2002. Effects of field size and landscape composition on grassland birds in south-central Iowa. J. Iowa Acad. Sci. 109:1-7	September 2001
Horn, D. J., and R. R. Koford. 2000. Relation of grassland bird abundance to mowing of Conservation Reserve Program fields in North Dakota. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 28:653-659.	October 2000
Horn, D. J., R. J. Fletcher, Jr., and R. R. Koford. 2000. Detecting area-sensitivity: a comment on previous studies. American Midland Naturalist 144:28-35.	July 2000
Horn, D. J., M. L. Phillips, R. R. Koford, W. R. Clark, M. A. Sovada, and R. J. Greenwood. 2005. Landscape composition, patch size, and distance to edges: interactions affecting duck reproductive success. Ecological Applications 15:1367-1376.	August 2005
Higgins, K.F., K.J. Jenkins, G.K. Clambey, D.W. Uresk, D.E. Naugle, R.W. Klaver, J.E. Norland, K.C. Jensen, and W.T. Barker. 2012. Vegetation sampling and measurement. In N.J. Silvy (editor) The Wildlife Techniques Manual: Research 7th Edition, Volume 1.	April 2012
Herkert, J. R., D. L. Reinking, D. A. Wiedenfeld, M. Winter, J. L. Zimmerman, W. E. Jensen, E. J. Finck, R. R. Koford, D. H. Wolfe, S. K. Sherrod, M. A. Jenkins, J. Faaborg, and S. K. Robinson. 2003. Effects of prairie fragmentation on the nest success of breeding birds in the midcontinental United States. Conservation Biology 17:587-594	April 2003
Heitke, J. D., C. L. Pierce, G. T. Gelwicks, G. A. Simmons, and G. L. Siegwarth. 2006. Habitat, land use and fish assemblage relationships in Iowa streams: preliminary assessment in an agricultural landscape. Pages 287-303 in L. Wang, and R. Hughes, editors. Influences of landscape on stream habitat and biological communities. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 48, Bethesda, Maryland.	August 2006
Grovenburg, T.W., R.W. Klaver, C.N. Jacques, T.J. Brinkman, C.C. Swanson, C.S. DePerno, K.L. Monteith, J.D. Sievers, V.C. Bleich, J.G. Kie, J.A. Jenks. 2013. Influence of Landscape characteristics on retension of expandable radiocollars on young ungulates. Wildlife Society Bulletin 38: 89-95 \| Abstract \| Download	March 2014	One tool used for wildlife management is the deployment of radiocollars to gain knowledge of animal populations. Understanding the influence of individual factors (e.g., species, collar characteristics) and landscape characteristics (e.g., forested cover, shrubs, and fencing) on retention of expandable radiocollars for ungulates is important for obtaining empirical data on factors influencing ecology of young-of-the-year ungulates. During 2001–2009, we captured and radiocollared 198 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns, 142 pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) fawns, and 73 mule deer (O. hemionus) fawns in South Dakota, Minnesota, and California, USA. We documented 72 (36.4%), 8 (5.6%), and 7 (9.6%) premature (<270 days post-capture) collar losses among white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and mule deer, respectively. Probability of a collar being retained for 270 days was 0.36 (SE¼0.05, 95% CI¼0.27–0.47), 0.91 (SE¼0.03, 95% CI¼0.82–0.96), and 0.87 (SE¼0.05, 95% CI¼0.73–0.94) for white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and mule deer fawns, respectively. Agricultural fencing, which varied among study areas and thus species, seemed to influence collar retention; fencing density was 69% lower in areas where fawns retained collars (x¼1.00 km/km2, SE¼0.1, n¼75) compared with areas where fawns shed collars (x¼3.24 km/km2, SE¼0.1, n¼56) prior to 270 days. Researchers of fawns should consider that radiocollars can be shed prematurely when estimating desired sample size to yield a suitable strength of inference about some natural process of interest.
Grovenburg, T.W., K.L. Monteith, C.N. Jacques, R.W. Klaver, C.S. DePerno, T.J. Brinkman, K.B. Montieth, S.L. Gilbert, J.B. Smith, V.C. Bleich, C.C. Swanson, and J.A. Jenks. Re-evaluating neonatal age models for ungulates: does model choice affect survival estimates? PLoS ONE 9(9): e108797. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0108797 \| Abstract \| Download	October 2014	New-hoof growth is regarded as the most reliable metric for predicting age of newborn ungulates, but variation in estimated age among hoof-growth equations that have been developed may affect estimates of survival in staggered-entry models. We used known-age newborns to evaluate variation in age estimates among existing hoof-growth equations and to determine the consequences of that variation on survival estimates. During 2001–2009, we captured and radiocollared 174 newborn (≤24-hrs old) ungulates: 76 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Minnesota and South Dakota, 61 mule deer (O. hemionus) in California, and 37 pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in South Dakota. Estimated age of known-age newborns differed among hoof-growth models and varied by >15 days for white-tailed deer, >20 days for mule deer, and >10 days for pronghorn. Accuracy (i.e., the proportion of neonates assigned to the correct age) in aging newborns using published equations ranged from 0.0% to 39.4% in white-tailed deer, 0.0% to 3.3% in mule deer, and was 0.0% for pronghorns. Results of survival modeling indicated that variability in estimates of age-at-capture affected short-term estimates of survival (i.e., 30 days) for white-tailed deer and mule deer, and survival estimates over a longer time frame (i.e., 120 days) for mule deer. Conversely, survival estimates for pronghorn were not affected by estimates of age. Our analyses indicate that modeling survival in daily intervals is too fine a temporal scale when age-at-capture is unknown given the potential inaccuracies among equations used to estimate age of neonates. Instead, weekly survival intervals are more appropriate because most models accurately predicted ages within 1 week of the known age. Variation among results of neonatal-age models on short- and long-term estimates of survival for known-age young emphasizes the importance of selecting an appropriate hoof-growth equation and appropriately defining intervals (i.e., weekly versus daily) for estimating survival.
Grovenburg, T. W., R. W. Klaver, and J. A. Jenks. 2012. Survival of white-tailed deer fawns in the grasslands of the Northern Great Plains. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:944-956. \| Abstract \| Download	June 2012	Environmental factors, such as forest characteristics, have been linked to fawn survival in eastern and southern white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. In the Great Plains, less is known about how intrinsic and habitat factors influence fawn survival. During 2007–2009, we captured and radiocollared 81 fawns in north-central South Dakota and recorded 23 mortalities, of which 18 died before 1 September. Predation accounted for 52.2% of mortality; remaining mortality included human (hunting, vehicle, and farm accident; 26.1%) and hypothermia (21.7%). Coyotes (Canis latrans) accounted for 83.3% of predation on fawns. We used known-fate analysis in Program MARK to estimate summer (15 May–31 Aug) survival rates and investigated the influence of intrinsic and habitat variables on survival. We developed 2 a priori model sets, including intrinsic variables and a test of annual variation in survival (model set 1) and habitat variables (model set 2). Model set 1 indicated that summer survival varied among years (2007–2009); annual survival rates were 0.94 (SE ¼ 0.06, n ¼ 22), 0.78 (SE ¼ 0.09, n ¼ 27), and 0.54 (SE ¼ 0.10, n ¼ 32), respectively. Model set 2 indicated that survival was further influenced by patch density of cover habitats (Conservation Reserve Program [CRP]-grasslands, forested cover, and wetlands). Mean CRPgrassland and wetland patch density (no. patches/100 ha) were greater (P < 0.001) in home-range areas of surviving fawns (xCRPPD ¼ 1.81, SE ¼ 0.10, n ¼ 63; xWetPD ¼ 1.75, SE ¼ 0.14, n ¼ 63, respectively) than in home-range areas of fawns that died (xCRPPD ¼ 0.16, SE ¼ 0.04, n ¼ 18; xWetPD ¼ 1.28, SE ¼ 0.10, n ¼ 18, respectively). Mean forested cover patch density was less (P < 0.001) in home-range areas of surviving fawns (xFCPD ¼ 0.77, SE ¼ 0.10, n ¼ 63) than in home-range areas of fawns that died (xFCPD ¼ 1.49, SE ¼ 0.21, n ¼ 18). Our results indicate that management activities should focus on CRP-grassland and wetland habitats in order to maintain or improve fawn survival in the northern Great Plains, rather than forested cover composed primarily of tree plantings and shelterbelts.
Grovenburg, T. W., K.L. Monteith, R. W. Klaver, and J. A. Jenks. 2012. Predator evasion by white-tailed deer fawns. Animal Behaviour 84:59-65. \| Abstract \| Download	June 2012	Despite their importance for understanding predatoreprey interactions, factors that affect predator evasion behaviours of offspring of large ungulates are poorly understood. Our objective was to characterize the influence of selection and availability of escape cover and maternal presence on predator evasion by white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, fawns in the northern Great Plains, U.S.A. We observed 45 coyote, Canis latrans, chases of fawns, and we participated in 83 human chases of fawns during 2007e2009, of which, 19 and 42 chases, respectively, ended with capture of the fawn. Evasive techniques used by fawns were similar for human and coyote chases. Likelihood of a white-tailed deer fawn escaping capture, however, was influenced by deer group size and a number of antipredator behaviours, including aggressive defence by females, initial habitat and selection of escape cover, all of which were modified by the presence of parturient females. At the initiation of a chase, fawns in grasslands were more likely to escape, whereas fawns in forested cover, cultivated land or wheat were more likely to be captured by a coyote or human. Fawns fleeing to wetlands and grasslands also were less likely to be captured compared with those choosing forested cover, wheat and cultivated land. Increased probability of capture was associated with greater distance to wetland and grassland habitats and decreased distance to wheat. Use of wetland habitat as a successful antipredator strategy highlights the need for a greater understanding of the importance of habitat complexity in predator avoidance.
Grovenburg, T. W., C. N. Jacques, C. S. DePerno, C. P. Lehman, T. J. Brinkman, R. W. Klaver, K. A. Robling, and J. A. Jenks. Heterogeneity in habitat type and vertical height: effects on accuracy of radiotelemetry locations. Wildlife Biology 19:30-40. \| Abstract \| Download	March 2013	The use of very high frequency (VHF) radio-telemetry remains wide-spread in studies of wildlife ecology andmanagement. However, few studies have evaluated the influence of vegetative obstruction on accuracy in differing habitats with varying transmitter types and heights. Using adult and fawn collars at varying heights above the ground (0, 33, 66 and 100 cm) to simulate activities (bedded, feeding and standing) and ages (neonate, juvenile and adult) of deer Odocoileus spp., we collected 5,767 bearings and estimated 1,424 locations (28-30 for each of 48 subsamples) in three habitat types (pasture, grassland and forest), during two stages of vegetative growth (spring and late summer). Bearing error was approximately twice as large at a distance of 900mfor fawn (9.98) than for adult deer collars (4.98). Of 12 models developed to explain the variation in location error, the analysis of covariance model (HTD + CD + HTTBA + CTBA) containing interactions of height of collar above ground (HT), collar type (C), vertical height of understory vegetation (D) and tree basal area (TBA) was the best model (wi¼0.92) and explained ; 71% of the variation in location error. Location error was greater for both collar types at 0 and 33 cmabove the ground compared to 66 and 100 cm above the ground; however, location error was less for adult than fawn collars. Vegetation metrics influenced location error, which increased with greater vertical height of understory vegetation and tree basal area. Further, interaction of vegetation metrics and categorical variables indicated significant effects on location error. Our results indicate that researchers need to consider study objectives, life history of the study animal, signal strength of collar (collar type), distance from transmitter to receiver, topographical changes in elevation, habitat composition and season when designing telemetry protocols. Bearing distances in forested habitat should be decreased (approximately 23% in our study) compared to bearing distances in open habitat to maintain a consistent bearing error across habitats. Additionally, we believe that field biologists monitoring neonate ungulates for habitat selection should rely on visual locations rather than using VHF-collars and triangulation.
Grovenburg, R.W. Klaver, and J.A. Jenks. 2012. Spatial Ecology of White-Tailed Deer Fawns in the Northern Great Plains: Implications of Loss of Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:632-644. \| Abstract \| Download	April 2012	Few studies have evaluated how wildlife, and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in particular, respond to Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands. We conducted a 3-year study (2007–2009) to determine the influence of CRP on fawn ecology during a time of declining CRP enrollment. We captured and radiocollared 81 fawn white-tailed deer during 15 May to 15 June 2007–2009 in north-central South Dakota, collected 6,505 locations, and documented 70 summer home ranges. Mean summer home ranges increased temporally during 2007–2009 (P < 0.001) and corresponded to a 41% loss of CRP grasslands in the area (2.3% loss in land cover and approx. 21% loss in cover habitat in the study area) over the duration of the study. Additionally, mean movement between daily locations increased (P < 0.001) from 2007 to 2009. Analysis of covariance models indicated that change in CRP influenced home-range size, and change in CRP and wheat influenced daily movement. Smaller home ranges and reduced movements were associated with greater quantity of CRP available to fawns, and increased movements were associated with more acreage of wheat available to fawns. Fawns shifted resource selection during the summer at a mean age ranging from 48.8 days to 58.6 days, and this shift was associated with height of corn (83–87 cm). During early summer, fawns consistently selected for CRP; selection of wheat progressed temporally from avoidance in 2007 to selection in 2009. During late summer, fawns consistently selected for corn habitat and used CRP at least in proportion to its availability. Reduction in CRP-grasslands seemed to increase fawn home-range size and daily movements and, influenced change in resource selection to wheat. Current legislation mandates continued decrease in CRP enrollment and concomitant increase in the planting of corn for ethanol production. Management of habitat throughout the grasslands of the Northern Great Plains that maximizes cover habitats would provide neonates with adequate cover for protection from predators.
Greenberg, C., D. L. Otis, and T. Waldrop. 2006. Response of wite-footed mice (Peromyscus leacopus) to fire and fire surrogate fuel reduction treatments in a southern Appalachian hardwood forest. Forest Ecology and Management 234:355-362.	October 2006
Giese, J.C., M. Agee, C.G. Campbell, A. Hatch, C. Mitsdarfer, Ann-Ultelie Poincon, R. C. Russell, H. N. Chamberlain-Irwin, M. Kastner, D. Franklin, and R.W. Klaver. 2023. Book Review: Restoring the Balance: What Wolves Tell Us About Our Relationship with Nature. Journal of Mammalogy 104:425-427 \| Download	April 2023
Giese, J. C., L. A. Schulte, and R. W. Klaver. 2024. Bird community response to field-level integration of prairie strips. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 374:9075-9075.	July 2024
Frohnauer, N. K., C. L. Pierce, and L. W. Kallemeyn. 2007. Simulated effects of recruitment variability, exploitation, and reduced habitat area on the unique muskellunge population in Shoepack Lake, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 27:77-88.	March 2007
Frohnauer, N. K., C. L. Pierce, and L. W. Kallemeyn. 2007. Population dynamics and angler exploitation of the unique muskellunge population in Shoepack Lake, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 27:63-76.	March 2007
Ford, J. M. H., A. A. M. Perez, L. A. W. Gapinski, J. M. Kaloczi, M. Rohde, T. Siddons, R. O. Wilson, A. A. Yappert, and R. W. Klaver. 2024. Wildlife Stewardship on Tribal Lands: Our Place is in Our Soul. Journal of Wildlife Management 88:NIL_18-NIL_21.	July 2024
Fletcher, R., and R. R. Koford. 2003. Changes in bird populations with habitat restoration in northern Iowa. American Midland Naturalist 150:83-94	June 2003
Fletcher, R. J., and R. R. Koford. 2003. Spatial responses of an area-sensitive songbird near different types of edges. Auk120:799-810.	July 2003
Fletcher, R. J., Jr., and R. R. Koford. 2004. Consequences of rainfall variation for breeding wetland blackbirds. Canadian Journal of Zoology 82:1316-1325	November 2004
Fletcher, R. J., Jr., and R. R. Koford. 2002. Habitat and landscape associations of breeding birds in native and restored grasslands. Journal of Wildlife Management 66:1011-1022	November 2002
Fletcher, R. J., Jr., R. R. Koford, and D. A. Seaman. 2006. Critical demographic parameters for declining songbirds breeding in restored grasslands. J. Wildlife Management 70:145-157.	January 2006
Fischer, J. R., B. D. Bakevich, C. P. Shea, C. L. Pierce, and M. C. Quist. 2018. Floods, drying, habitat connectivity and fish occupancy dynamics in restored and unrestored oxbows of west-central Iowa, USA. Aquatic Conservation: Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems 28:630-640. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.2896.	June 2018
Dunham, K.D., A.M. Tucker, D.N. Koons, A. Abebe, F.S. Dobson, and J.B. Grand. 2021. Demographic responses to climate change in a threatened Arctic species. Ecology and Evolution 11(15): 10627-10643. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7873	July 2021
Duehr, J. P., M. J. Siepker, C. L. Pierce, and T. M. Isenhart. 2007. Relationships of riparian buffer strips to in-stream habitat, macroinvertebrates and fish in a small Iowa stream. Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science 113:49-55.	June 2007
Datta, S., J. A. Jenks, K. C. Jensen, C. C. Swanson, R. W. Klaver, I. Sasmal, and T. W. Grovenburg. 2015. Mate Replacement and Alloparental Care in Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis). Prairie Naturalist 47:36-37 \| Download	June 2015
Craig, R.J., and R.W. Klaver. 2013. Factors influencing graphic patterns in diversity of forest bird communities of eastern Connecticut, USA. Ecography 36:599-609 \| Abstract \| Download	May 2013	At regional scales, the most important variables associated with diversity are latitudinally-based temperature and net primary productivity, although diversity is also influenced by habitat. We examined bird species richness, community density and community evenness in forests of eastern Connecticut to determine whether: 1) spatial and seasonal patterns exist in diversity, 2) energy explains the greatest proportion of variation in diversity parameters, 3) variation in habitat explains remaining diversity variance, and 4) seasonal shifts in diversity provide clues about how environmental variables shape communities. We sought to discover if our data supported predictions of the species–energy hypothesis. We used the variable circular plot technique to estimate bird populations and quantified the location, elevation, forest type, vegetation type, canopy cover, moisture regime, understory density and primary production for the study sites. We found that 1) summer richness and population densities are roughly equal in northeastern and southeastern Connecticut, whereas in winter both concentrate toward the coast, 2) variables linked with temperature explained much of the patterns in winter diversity, but energy-related variables showed little relationship to summer diversity, 3) the effect of habitat variables on diversity parameters predominated in summer, although their effect was weak, 4) contrary to theory, evenness increased from summer to winter, and 5) support for predictions of species–energy theory was primarily restricted to winter data. Although energy and habitat played a role in explaining community patterns, they left much of the variance in regional diversity unexplained, suggesting that a large stochastic component to diversity also may exist.
Cordts, S., G. Zenner, and R. Koford. 2002. Comparison of helicopter and ground counts for waterfowl in Iowa. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30:317-326	September 2002
Colvin, M. E., C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2015. A food web modeling analysis of a Midwestern, USA eutrophic lake dominated by non-native Common Carp and Zebra Mussels. Ecological Modeling 312:26-40.	June 2015
Colvin, M. E., C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2012. Semi-discrete biomass dynamic modeling: an improved approach for assessing fish stock responses to pulsed harvest events. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 69:1710-1721.	October 2012
Colvin, M. E., C. L. Pierce, T. W. Stewart, and Scott E. Grummer. 2012. Strategies to control a common carp (Cyprinus carpio) population by pulsed commercial harvest. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 32:1251-1264.	November 2012
Christianson, D., R.W. Klaver, A. Middleton, and M. Kauffman. 2013. Confounded winter and spring phenoclimatology on large herbivore ranges. Landscape Ecology 28:427–437.	January 2013
Ceccato, P., C. Vancutsem, R. Klaver, J. Rowland, and S.J. Connor. 2012. A vectorial capacity product to monitor changing malaria transmission potential in epidemic regions of Africa. Journal of Tropical Medicine 2012:1-6. \| Abstract \| Download	February 2012	Rainfall and temperature are two of the major factors triggering malaria epidemics in warm semi-arid (desert-fringe) and high altitude (highland-fringe) epidemic risk areas. The ability of the mosquitoes to transmit Plasmodium spp. is dependent upon a series of biological features generally referred to as vectorial capacity. In this study, the vectorial capacity model (VCAP) was expanded to include the influence of rainfall and temperature variables on malaria transmission potential. Data from two remote sensing products were used to monitor rainfall and temperature and were integrated into the VCAP model. The expanded model was tested in Eritrea and Madagascar to check the viability of the approach. The analysis of VCAP in relation to rainfall, temperature and malaria incidence data in these regions shows that the expanded VCAP correctly tracks the risk of malaria both in regions where rainfall is the limiting factor and in regions where temperature is the limiting factor. The VCAP maps are currently offered as an experimental resource for testing within Malaria Early Warning applications in epidemic prone regions of sub-Saharan Africa. User feedback is currently being collected in preparation for further evaluation and refinement of the VCAP model.
Camacho, C. A., C. J. Sullivan, M. J. Weber, and C. L. Pierce. 2019. Morphological identification of Bighead Carp, Silver Carp, and Grass Carp eggs using random forests machine learning classification. North American Journal of Fisheries Management https://doi.org/10.1002/najfm.10380	October 2019
Brennan, A., P. C. Cross, M. Higgs, J. P. Beckmann, R. W. Klaver, B. M. Scurlock, and S. Creel. 2013. Inferential consequences of modeling rather than measuring snow accumulation in studies of animal ecology. Ecological Applications 23:643-653. \| Abstract \| Download	April 2013	It is increasingly common for studies of animal ecology to use model-based predictions of environmental variables as explanatory or predictor variables, even though model prediction uncertainty is typically unknown. To demonstrate the potential for misleading inferences when model predictions with error are used in place of direct measurements, we compared snow water equivalent (SWE) and snow depth as predicted by the Snow Data Assimilation System (SNODAS) to field measurements of SWE and snow depth. We examined locations on elk (Cervus canadensis) winter ranges in western Wyoming, because modeled data such as SNODAS output are often used for inferences on elk ecology. Overall, SNODAS predictions tended to underestimate field measurements, prediction uncertainty was high, and the difference between SNODAS predictions and field measurements was greater in snow shadows for both snow variables compared to non-snow shadow areas. We used a simple simulation of snow effects on the probability of an elk being killed by a predator to show that, if SNODAS prediction uncertainty was ignored, we might have mistakenly concluded that SWE was not an important factor in where elk were killed in predatory attacks during the winter. In this simulation, we were interested in the effects of snow at finer scales (,1 km2) than the resolution of SNODAS. If bias were to decrease when SNODAS predictions are averaged over coarser scales, SNODAS would be applicable to population-level ecology studies. In our study, however, averaging predictions over moderate to broad spatial scales (9–2200 km2) did not reduce the differences between SNODAS predictions and field measurements. This study highlights the need to carefully evaluate two issues when using model output as an explanatory variable in subsequent analysis: (1) the model’s resolution relative to the scale of the ecological question of interest and (2) the implications of prediction uncertainty on inferences when using model predictions as explanatory or predictor variables
Bouska, K., B. Healy, M. Moore, C. Dunn, J. Spurgeon, and C. Paukert. 2023. Diverse portfolios: investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes in the Anthropocene. Frontiers in Environmental Science 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1151315 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2023	Rehabilitation of large Anthropocene rivers requires engagement of diverse stakeholders across a broad range of sociopolitical boundaries. Competing objectives often constrain options for ecological restoration of large rivers whereas fewer competing objectives may exist in a subset of tributaries. Further, tributaries contribute toward building a “portfolio” of river ecosystem assets through physical and biological processes that may present opportunities to enhance the resilience of large river fishes. Our goal is to review roles of tributaries in enhancing mainstem large river fish populations. We present case histories from two greatly altered and distinct large-river tributary systems that highlight how tributaries contribute four portfolio assets to support large-river fish populations: 1) habitat diversity, 2) connectivity, 3) ecological asynchrony, and 4) density-dependent processes. Finally, we identify future research directions to advance our understanding of tributary roles and inform conservation actions. In the Missouri River USA, we focus on conservation efforts for the state endangered lake sturgeon, which inhabits large rivers and tributaries in the Midwest and Eastern USA. In the Colorado River, Grand Canyon USA, we focus on conservation efforts for recovery of the federally threatened humpback chub. In the Missouri River, habitat diversity focused on physical habitats such as substrate for reproduction, and deep-water habitats for refuge, whereas augmenting habitat diversity for Colorado River fishes focused on managing populations in tributaries with minimally impaired thermal and flow regimes. Connectivity enhancements in the Missouri River focused on increasing habitat accessibility that may require removal of physical structures like low-head dams; whereas in the Colorado River, the lack of connectivity may benefit native fishes as the disconnection provides refuge from nonnative fish predation. Hydrologic variability among tributaries was present in both systems, likely underscoring ecological asynchrony. These case studies also described density dependent processes that could influence success of restoration actions. Although actions to restore populations varied by river system, these examples show that these four portfolio assets can help guide restoration activities across a diverse range of mainstem rivers and their tributaries. Using these assets as a guide, we suggest these can be transferable to other large river-tributary systems.
Bourquin, R., Moore, M. J., Orth, D. J., & Hallerman, E. M. (2023). Conservation Genetics of Clinch Dace Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori. Fishes, 8(7), 365. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8070365 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	July 2023	Clinch Dace (Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori) is a newly recognized and yet-undescribed species of minnow with a restricted and fragmented distribution in the upper Tennessee River basin in southwestern Virginia, USA. We collected Clinch Dace from seven streams and observed variations at nine selectively neutral microsatellite DNA loci to infer population genetic processes and identify units for conservation management. Bayesian cluster analysis showed that three of the seven surveyed populations were genetically distinct, while the other four populations showed signs of recent admixture. Estimated effective population sizes and m-ratios were low within most populations, suggesting loss of alleles due to recent genetic drift. Positive F<sub>IS</sub> values, high average individual inbreeding coefficients, and high degrees of inferred relatedness among individuals suggested that inbreeding is taking place in some populations. F<sub>ST</sub> values were high, and analysis of molecular variance indicated genetic divergence among populations. These indicators suggest that Clinch Dace populations are subject to the genetic processes that are characteristic of small and isolated populations.
Blanchong, J.A., C.A. Anderson, N. Clark, R.W. Klaver, P.J. Plummer, M.Cox, C. McAdoo and P. Wolff. Respiratory Disease, Behavior, and Survival of Mountain Goat Kids. Journal of Wildlife Management. 82:1243-1251. \| Abstract \| Download	June 2018	Bacterial pneumonia is a threat to bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations. Bighorn sheep in the East HumboldtMountain Range (EHR), Nevada, USA, experienced a pneumonia epizootic in 2009–2010. Testing of mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) that were captured or found dead on this range during and after the epizootic detected bacteria commonly associated with bighorn sheep pneumonia dieoffs. Additionally, in years subsequent to the bighorn sheep epizootic, the mountain goat population had low kid:adult ratios, a common outcome for bighorn sheep populations that have experienced a pneumonia epizootic. We hypothesized that pneumonia was present and negatively affecting mountain goat kids in the EHR. From June–August 2013–2015, we attempted to observe mountain goat kids with marked adult females in the EHR at least once per week to document signs of respiratory disease; identify associations between respiratory disease, activity levels, and subsequent disappearance (i.e., death); and estimate weekly survival. Each time we observed a kid with amarked adult female, we recorded any signs of respiratory disease and collected behavior data that we fit to a 3-state discrete hidden Markov model (HMM) to predict a kid’s state (active vs. sedentary) and its probability of disappearing. We first observed clinical signs of respiratory disease in kids in late July–early August each summer. We observed 8 of 31 kids with marked adult females with signs of respiratory disease on 13 occasions. On 11 of these occasions, the HMM predicted that kids were in the sedentary state, which was associated with increased probability of subsequent death. We estimated overall probability of kid survival from June–August to be 0.19 (95% CI¼0.08–0.38), which was lower than has been reported in other mountain goat populations. We concluded that respiratory disease was present in the mountain goat kids in the EHR and negatively affected their activity levels and survival. Our results raise concerns about potential effects of pneumonia to mountain goat populations and the potential for disease transmission between mountain goats and bighorn sheep where the species are sympatric.
Berdeen, J. B., and D. L. Otis. 2006. The influence of subcutaneous transmitter implants on the weight change and survival of mourning doves. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34:93-104.	May 2006
Bartelt, P.E., and R.W. Klaver. Response of anurans to wetland restoration on a midwestern agriculture landscape. Journal of Herpetology 51:505-514. \| Abstract \| Download	October 2017	Since the early 1990s, >5,000 ha of historic wetlands (and adjacent prairie) have been restored on the row-crop agricultural landscape of Winnebago County, Iowa, USA. From 2008–2011, we surveyed 22 of these sites for probabilities of occupancy and colonization by Boreal Chorus Frogs (BCF; Pseudacris maculata), Northern Leopard Frogs (NLF; Lithobates pipiens), and American Toads (AT; Anaxyrus americanus). We used radio telemetry to measure patterns of movement and habitat use by 22 NLF and 54 AT and deployed biophysical models in available habitats to estimate their physiological costs. The BCF occupied 100% of restored wetlands; NLF and AToccupied 59–91% and 71–89%, respectively, varying according to annual weather conditions. The BCF colonized new sites within a year; NLF and ATrequired 3 and 2 yr, respectively. These differences were related to distances from the nearest established population and costs of intervening cover types, and were statistically related to the size and orientation of restored wetlands. The ranges of maximum straight-line distances moved by NLF and AT were 31–857 m and 42–2,932 m, respectively. Both NLF and AT selected wetlands and surrounding prairies, though NLF were nine times more likely to select wetland habitats than all others combined. About 24% of ATused row-crop fields extensively, but not until crops had grown sufficiently to reduce the physiological costs of these fields similar to that of prairies. Both BCF and AT navigated the dramatically altered row-crop landscape, but NLF depended more heavily on roadside ditches to find and colonize restored wetlands.
Bartelt, P.E., P.E. Thornton, and R.W. Klaver. 2022. Modelling Physiological Costs to Assess Impacts of Climate Change on Amphibians in Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A. Ecological Indicators 135:108575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.108575 \| Abstract \| Download	February 2022	Amphibians are vital elements of ecosystems, serving as predator and prey. Their biphasic nature makes them dependent on aquatic and terrestrial habitats; as wet-skinned ectotherms, they are vulnerable to a range of environmental threats, including climate change. Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is becoming warmer and drier, and some wetlands important to amphibians have diminished. Continued climate change is predicted to reduce snowpack, soil moisture, and forest cover. We used data from models of future climate and vegetation cover to mechanistically model how climate change might affect the movements of Western Toads (Anaxyrus boreas) across the landscape of three test areas in YNP for the years 2050 and 2090, compared to 2000 as a baseline. Least-cost path analysis produced mixed results: for 2050 and 2090, physiological costs of movement increased in one test area and decreased in another; they were mixed in the third. These changes generally reflect the preference by toads for more open forests. Estimating costs for other species of YNP amphibians produced more negative results. For Columbia Spotted Frogs (Rana luteiventris) and Boreal Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris maculata) (both more aquatic and less adapted to terrestrial habitats), movement costs increased by about 2–15X.Reduced frequency or duration of rain events might limit the nocturnal movements of Western Tiger Salamanders(Ambystoma mavortium). Climate change may not have negative impacts on all amphibians throughout YNP, but increased movement costs for terrestrial habitats will accentuate effects of drying wetlands in at least parts of YNP. Land management actions that preserve habitat structure of both forest and low shrub cover may help mitigate continued drying conditions of climate change.
Bartelt, P.E., A.T. Devries, and R.W. Klaver. 2023. Response of tiger salamanders (Ambystoma t. tigrinum) to wetland restoration on a Midwestern agricultural landscape, U.S.A. Ichthyology and Herpetology 111:571-583. \| Abstract \| Download	December 2023	Since the early 1990s, > 3,000 ha of wetlands (and adjacent prairie) have been restored on the row-crop agricultural landscape of Winnebago County, Iowa, U.S.A. From 2014–2016, we surveyed 45 wetlands among 19 easements for occupancy by Eastern Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum) and used radio-telemetry to measure their patterns of movement and habitat use. Rates of occupancy increased with wetland age, from < 25% for wetlands 1–2years old to ∼75% for wetlands > 11 years old. A two-year survey (2014 and 2015) of ten wetlands restored in 2013showed that nine were occupied after two years; we did not find a relationship between distance to the nearest salamander population and occupancy of newly restored wetlands by salamanders. We tracked 30 salamanders after they left their breeding wetlands for an average of 69637 d (range 5 14–109 d) and relocated them a total of 393 times. Typically, once a salamander left its breeding wetland, it traveled 50–350 m over several days, found a suitable burrow, then remained for much of the rest of the season. Mean daily distances traveled by salamanders were 7.965.6 m(range 5 0–135 m); the range of maximum straight-line distances moved was 26–659 m; only one individual salamander traveled in a statistically linear path, relative to a random walk. While ∼90% of the landscape was composed of row-crop fields, salamanders used protective grassy habitats (e.g., restored prairie, road ditches) on ∼88% of our observations. Only three salamanders used row-crop fields, and two of them were killed by heavy equipment. Regardless of the terrestrial habitat types used by salamanders, we found them underground on 336 (84.8%) of our observations.
Ball et al. 2017. Serendipity Book Review. Journal of Mammalogy 98:1509-1519 \| Download	October 2017
Bakevich, B. D., C. L. Pierce, and M. C. Quist. 2015. Status of the Topeka shiner in west-central Iowa. American Midland Naturalist 174:350-358.	October 2015
Bakevich, B. D., C. L. Pierce, and M. C. Quist. 2013. Habitat, fish species, and fish assemblage associations of the Topeka shiner in west-central Iowa. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 33:1258-1268.	November 2013
B Folt, J Goessling, AM Tucker, C Guyer, S Hermann, E Shelton-Nix, CP McGowan. 2021. Contrasting patterns of demography and population viability among gopher tortoise populations in Alabama. Journal of Wildlife Management 85(4): 617–630.	June 2021
Arnett, E. B., W. K. Brown, W. P. Erickson, J. K. Fiedler, B. L. Hamilton, T. H. Henry, A. Jain, G. D. Johnson, J. Kerns, R. R. Koford, C. P. Nicholson, T. J. O'Connell, M. Piorkowski, and R. D. Tankersley, Jr. 2008. Patterns of bat fatalities at wind energy facilities in North America. J. Wildl. Manage. 72:61-78.	January 2008

Presentations

Presentations	Presentation Date
Zambory, C.L., Pierce, C.L., Roe, K.J., Weber, M.J. 2017. Off-Channel Mapping for Identifying and Prioritizing Topeka Shiner Restoration Sites (contributed paper). Society for Conservation GIS Meeting, Monterey, CA, July 2017.	July 2017	New approach to identifying candidate oxbow restoration sites demonstrated.
Zambory, C. L., H. Ellis, C. L. Pierce, K. J. Roe, M. J. Weber, N. Young, and K. E. Schilling. 2018. Integrating LiDAR landscape analysis and species distribution models to prioritize areas for oxbow restoration. Iowa Water Conference, Ames, IA, March 2018.	March 2018	Presented novel methods for selecting oxbow restoration sites.
Zambory, C. L., H. Ellis, C. L. Pierce, K. J. Roe, M. J. Weber, N. Young, and K. E. Schilling. 2018. Integrating LiDAR landscape analysis and species distribution models to prioritize areas for oxbow restoration. Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Moravia, IA. February 2018.	February 2018	Presented a novel method for selecting oxbow restoration sites.
Zambory, C. L., H. Ellis, C. L. Pierce, K. J. Roe, M. J. Weber, N. Young, and K. E. Schilling. 2018. Integrating LiDAR landscape analysis and species distribution models to prioritize areas for oxbow restoration (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Milwaukee, WI, January 2018.	January 2018	Demonstrated new method for identifying oxbow restoration sites.
Zambory, C. L., C. L. Pierce, M. J. Weber, and K. J. Roe. 2017. The use of landscape variable associations with Topeka shiner occupancy of off-channel habitats to prioritize potential restoration sites (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Ames, IA, March 2017.	March 2017	Use of GIS-derived landscape variables for Topeka shiner conservation will be presented.
Zambory, C. L., C. L. Pierce, M. J. Weber, and K. J. Roe. 2017. Application of Off-channel mapping methodology for identifying and rating oxbow habitats for federally endangered Topeka shiners (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Lincoln, NE, February 2017.	March 2017	Methods are described for identifying and rating oxbows for restoration.
Yappert, A.A., S.A. Hoepfner, A.M. Tucker, R.B. Lanctot, S.T. Saalfeld, and S.J. Dinsmore. 2024. High-frequency GPS Devices Offer Unprecedented Access to Shorebird Ecology and Movement Information. Oral presentation at the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group Meeting, New Brunswick, CA.	August 2024	We present an overview of the ecological questions that can be addressed using high-frequency GPS tags on migratory shorebirds. This emerging technology provides new avenues for research and understanding movements and behaviors, but also presents new challenges in data collection and management. This talk is aimed at researchers to present a balanced view of the challenges and benefits of high-frequency GPS tags and the types of studies that might be most suited to their use.
Wilson, R., A. Janke, A.M. Tucker, and T. Bogenschutz. 2023. Passive Acoustic Monitoring for Northern Bobwhite Occupancy in an Agricultural Landscape. Oral presentation at the Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society.	November 2023	We evaluate the use of autonomous recording units (ARUs) to monitor bobwhite occupancy by comparing ARU detections with concurrent covey call surveys by trained observers. Our findings will help inform future studies of northern bobwhite occupancy at a landscape-scale previously unattainable with traditional survey methods. Such a study design will be critical in informing targeted and effective conservation efforts to restore populations of this iconic game bird.
White, J.J., T.W. Grovenburg, R.W. Klaver, D.E. Hubbard, T. Runia and J.A. Jenks. 2012. Association of ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and Conservation Reserve Program grasslands during brood-rearing season in eastern South Dakota. South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Cedar Shore Resort and Convention Center. Oacoma, South Dakota. 27– 29 February 2012	February 2012
Weidner, J. A., C. L. Pierce, G. T. Gelwicks, and G. A. Simmons. Relationships of fish communities and availability of deep-water habitat (poster). American Fisheries Society, Madison, WI, August 2004.	August 2004
Vogel, J., and R. Koford. 2010. Bird response to enhanced vegetation diversity in the Spring Run Complex of northeastern Iowa. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Minneapolis, December, 2010.	December 2010
Vogel, J., R. Koford, and D. Otis. 2011. Reproductive success of red-winged blackbirds in restored grasslands	December 2011
Vogel, J., R. Koford, and D. Otis. 2011. Bird response to enhanced vegetation diversity in the Spring Run Complex of northeastern Iowa. Annual Meeting of American Ornithologists' Union, Jacksonville, FL, July, 2011.	July 2011
Vaske, M., R. Hupfeld, G. Jones, R. Krogman, D. Paulson, M. Weber, and M. Moore. Assessing the effects of experimental flow releases on Shovelnose Sturgeon spawning in the Des Moines River, Iowa. Oral Presentation. 2024 North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society Annual Meeting.	October 2024	This research is working to understand relationships between flow management and Shovelnose Sturgeon reproduction to improve management for the species.
Vaske, M., R. Hupfeld, G. Jones, R. Krogman, D. Paulson, M. Weber, and M. Moore. Assessing the effects of experimental flow releases on Shovelnose Sturgeon spawning in the Des Moines River, Iowa. Oral Presentation. 2024 85^TH Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.	January 2025	This research helps the US Army Corps understand how to better manage spring flow pulses downstream of dams to promote the reproduction of native lotic species without also benefiting invasive species.
Vandever, M. W., R. A. Reeves, K. L. Smalling, C. L. Pierce, and E. Muths. 2015. A collaborative, multi-disciplined approach to assess amphibian habitat in restored wetlands in an agricultural landscape. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Lawrence, KS, August 2015.	August 2015	Amphibian habitat value of wetlands restored to reduce nutrient export was assessed.
Umland, L., T. Hessler., M. Moore, and C. Paukert. 2024. A lake sturgeon recovery milestone: The first documented occurrence of spawning within tributaries of the Missouri River, Missouri. North American Paddlefish and Sturgeon Society Annual Meeting. Mobile, AL.	October 2024	This study will help managers better identify possible Lake Sturgeon spawning efforts to further inform recover of this species.
Umland, L., T. Hessler., M. Moore, and C. Paukert. 2024. A comparison of known vs modeled Lake Sturgeon Spawning Habitat in a Missouri River Tributary . American Fisheries Society Conference, Honolulu, HI.	September 2024	This study will help managers and policy makers understand the contribution of recreational fishing in the US.
Umland, L., T. Hessler, M. Moore, and C. Paukert. 2024. Lake Sturgeon Spawning Event in the Osage River. Missouri Natural Resources Conference, Osage Beach, MO.	February 2025	This study identifies movements and possible spawning locations of Lake Sturgeon, which will help inform recovery efforts for the native species.
Umland, L., M. Moore, and C. Paukert. 2024. Lake Sturgeon Recruitment Assessment for the Osage and Gasconade Rivers. Missouri Natural Resources Conference, Osage beach, MO. 7 February 2024.	February 2024	This study identifies movements and possible spawning locations of Lake Sturgeon, which will help inform recovery efforts for the native species.
Umland, L., M. Moore, and C. Paukert. 2023. Lake Sturgeon Occupancy and Recruitment in Tributaries of a Mainstem River. World Fisheries Congress, Seattle WA. 5 March 2024.	March 2024	This study identifies movements and possible spawning locations of Lake Sturgeon, which will help inform recovery efforts for the native species.
Umland, L., M. Moore, and C. Paukert. 2023. Factors affecting Lake Sturgeon reproduction: the next step in recovery and management. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI.	April 2023	This study identifies movements and possible spawning location of Lake Sturgeon, which will help inform recovery efforts for this native species.
Tucker, A.M., T. Harms, and A. Buckhardt-Thomas. Assessing reintroduction efforts and evaluating recovery goals of trumpeter swans in Iowa using an integrated population model. Oral presentation, The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting 2022	November 2022	Trumpeter Swans are a species of conservation concern in Iowa. Since their reintroduction, the population has grown to exceed the previously-set recovery targets. Iowa is currently re-evaluating recovery goals and monitoring for this species, and this analysis will provide an estimate of population growth rate from 1994-2020 as well as age- and sex-specific demographic rates to inform those decisions.
Tucker, A.M., M.C. Runge, J. Ashander, R.E.W. Berl, J.R. Reimer, G.S. Boomer, I. Chadès, P.K. Devers, R.S. Epanchin-Niell, H. Kujala, J.E. Lyons, T.G. Martin, T.L. Morelli, M.A. Rubenstein, A. Terando, and Q. Zhao. 2023. Wildlife management under global change: Time-dependent policies for non-stationary systems. Oral presentation at The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Louisville KY.	November 2023	This is the opening talk of a symposium focused on wildlife management under non-stationarity. In this talk we synthesize work from diverse fields to discuss the challenges in accounting for non-stationarity and the tools available to address these problems.
Tucker, A.M. and M.C. Runge. 2021. Optimal strategies for managing wildlife harvest under system change. Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society.	November 2021	Presenting the contents of a previously published simulation study investigating time-dependent harvest policies when system change is causing non-stationarity in demographic rates. This work provides a framework for understanding optimal harvest of wildlife under climate change.
Trade-offs in Vital Rates of Mourning Dove Populations. 2011. Joint Cooper Society/Wilson Ornithological Society Annual Meeting.	March 2011
Todorovic, Z., D. Palic, K. L. Kane, and C. L. Pierce. Use of GIS tools to identify critical points for assessment of aquatic ecosystem health in agricultural areas and potential for natural resource management (poster). Iowa Water Monitoring Conference, Ames, IA, February 2006.	February 2006
Tillotson, N., M. J. Weber, and C. L. Pierce. 2018. Spatiotemporal population characteristics of Silver Carp along the invasion front of the Upper Mississippi River. Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Moravia, IA. February 2018.	February 2018	Presented status of Asian carp spread in Upper Mississippi River.
Thomson, D.L., M. J. Conroy, , D. R. Anderson, K. P. Burnham, E. G. Cooch, C. M. Francis, J. D. Lebreton, M. S. Lindberg, B. J. T. Morgan, D. L. Otis, G. C. White. 2007. Standardising terminology and notation for the analysis of demographic processes in marked populations. International Euring Symposium. Dunedin, New Zealand. Poster.	January 2007
Temple, S.A., and R. R. Koford. 2002. Birds and forest edges: the ecological processes that generate complex patterns. Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Tucson, Arizona	August 2002
Swanson, J., C. Pierce, E. Muths, K. Smalling, and M. Vandever. 2016. Habitat use and pesticide exposure in northern leopard frogs in Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program wetlands (poster). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, MI, January, 2016.	January 2016	Habitat use and exposure to pesticides was measured in frogs associated with restored wetlands.
Swanson, J. S., C. L. Pierce, E. Muths, K. Smalling, M. V. Vandever. 2017. Habitat use and pesticide exposure in northern leopard frogs in conservation reserve enhancement program wetlands (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Lincoln, NE, February 2017.	February 2017	Habitat use and resulting exposure to environmental pesticides in frogs was described.
Swanson, J. S., C. L. Pierce, E. Muths, K. Smalling, M. V. Vandever. 2016. Habitat Use and Pesticide Exposure in Northern Leopard Frogs in Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Wetlands (contributed paper). Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. New Orleans, LA, July 2016.	July 2016	Habitat use and resulting exposure to pesticides were assess in frogs inhabiting a restored wetland.
Swanson, J. E., Yaw, T. J., C. L. Pierce, E. Muths, K. L. Smalling, M. W. Vandever, and B. A. Zaffarano. Use of silicone passive sampling devices (PSDs) for assaying potential exposure of Northern Leopard Frogs to pesticides in agricultural wetlands (poster). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Lincoln, NE, February 2017.	February 2017	A new technique for assaying exposure to environmental pesticides was described.
Swanson, C. C., T. W. Grovenburg, R. W. Klaver, K. E. Doherty, J. A. Jenks, and D. Theobald. 2013. Targeting conservation on unprotected lands in the USFWS Mountain-Prairie Region. Invited seminar, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Regional Office, Denver, Colorado	September 2013	Informing FWS Regional Director on opportunities for conservation on unprotected lands
Sullivan, C.J., C.A. Camacho, M.J. Weber, C.L. Pierce, D. H. Wahl, Q. E. Phelps, and R. E. Colombo (poster). 2017. Factors regulating year-class strength of Silver Carp throughout North America. Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Ames, IA, March 2017.	March 2017	Regional patterns of reproduction on Silver carp were explored.
Sullivan, C.J., C.A. Camacho, C.L. Pierce, and M.J. Weber. 2015. Seasonal variation in catch rates and size structure of Silver Carp in southeast Iowa Rivers (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society. Ames, IA, March 2015.	March 2015	Seasonal differences in catch were presented to illustrate the best times of the year to sample.
Sullivan, C.J., C.A. Camacho, C.L. Pierce, and M.J. Weber. 2015. Seasonal sampling dynamics of Silver Carp in southeast Iowa rivers (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Indianapolis, IN, February, 2015.	February 2015	Seasonal differences in catch were presented to illustrate the best times of the year to sample.
Sullivan, C. J., C. A. Camacho, C. L. Pierce, and M. J. Weber. 2016 Longitudinal variation in life-history traits of silver carp in the Des Moines River. (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society. Moravia, IA, March 2016.	March 2016	Life history traits of Silver carp were assessed throughout the Des Moines River to determine the extent of their invasion.
Sullivan, C. J., C. A. Camacho, C. L. Pierce, and M. J. Weber. 2016 Assessment of grass carp populations in southeastern Iowa rivers. (poster). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society. Moravia, IA, March 2016.	March 2016	Presence and abundance of grass carp was presented.
Stephenson, M.D., L.A. Schulte, and R.W. Klaver. 2018. Prairie contour buffer strips serve as bird nesting habitat in Midwestern agricultural landscapes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 28 - 31 January 2018.	January 2018	These preliminary findings indicate that if widely adopted, contour strips of prairie could serve as quality nesting habitat across large parts of the agricultural Midwestern landscape.
Sindt, A. R., Pierce, C. L., and M. C. Quist. 2009. Iowa stream fishes of greatest conservation need: a new project to refine prioritization and guide assessment (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Ames, IA, January 2009.	January 2009
Sindt, A. R., M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2012. Fish species of greatest conservation need in wadeable Iowa streams: current status and effectiveness of Aquatic Gap Program distribution models (contributed paper). Rivers and Streams Technical Committee Annual Meeting, North Central Division, American Fisheries Society, Rock Island, IL, March 2012.	March 2012
Sindt, A. R., M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2011. Fish species of greatest conservation need in wadeable Iowa streams: relative importance of spatial scales (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society, Seattle, WA, September 2011.	September 2011
Sindt, A. R., M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2009. The occurrence and habitat relationships of seven Iowa stream fish species of greatest conservation need (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Springfield, IL, December 2009.	December 2009
Sindt, A. R., C. L. Pierce, and M. C. Quist. 2011. Validation of fish species distribution models based on GIS-measured habitat variables. Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Moravia, IA, January 2011.	January 2011
Sindt, A. R., C. L. Pierce, and M. C. Quist. 2010. Validation of occurrence models with emphasis on fish species of greatest conservation need (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society, Pittsburgh, PA, September 2010.	September 2010
Sindt, A. R., C. L. Pierce, and M. C. Quist. 2010. Validation of fish species distribution models based on GIS-measured habitat variables. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, MN.	December 2010
Simpson, N. T., C. L. Pierce, M. J. Weber, and K. J. Roe. 2017. Status and habitat use of Topeka shiners in the Boone River watershed, Iowa (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Lincoln, NE, February 2017.	February 2017	Occurrence and habitat associations of Topeka shiners was presented.
Simpson, N. T., C. L. Pierce, M. J. Weber, and K. J. Roe. 2017. Status and habitat use of Topeka shiners in the Boone River watershed, Iowa (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Ames, IA, March 2017.	March 2017	Distributional status and habitat associations of Topeka shiners will be presented.
Simpson, N. T., A. P. Bybel, M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce, and K. J. Roe. 2018. Occurrence, abundance, and habitat use of Topeka shiners in restored and unrestored oxbows in Iowa and Minnesota. Iowa Water Conference, Ames, IA, March 2018.	March 2018	Presented updated models predicting occurrence of endangered Topeka shiners.
Simpson, N. T., A. P. Bybel, M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce, and K. J. Roe. 2018. Occurrence, abundance, and habitat use of Topeka shiners in restored and unrestored oxbows in Iowa and Minnesota. Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Moravia, IA. February 2018.	February 2018	Presented updated models predicting occurrence of endangered Topeka shiners.
Simpson, N. T., A. P. Bybel, M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce, and K. J. Roe. 2018. Occurrence, abundance, and habitat use of Topeka shiners in restored and unrestored oxbows in Iowa and Minnesota (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Milwaukee, WI, January 2018.	January 2018	Showed habitat relationships of Topeka shiners.
Silker, B.J., M.D. Stephenson, L.A. Schulte, and R.W. Klaver. 2018. Effects of vegetation composition and structure on daily nest survival in red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) and dicksissel (Spiza Americana) in Iowa. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 28 - 31 January 2018.	January 2018	Results can be used to inform future implementation of the prairie strips practice to improve their value for wildlife conservation.
Shepherd, K., A.M. Tucker, and A. Toth. 2023. Evaluating occupancy and habitat associations of rusty patched and American bumble bees. Oral presentation at The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Louisville KY.	November 2023	This presentation summarizes preliminary occupancy analyses to understand the local and landscape habitat features that are associated with presence of rusty patched and American bumble bees. This work is intended to help support habitat management efforts by partners in state agencies and the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife program.
Shepherd, K., A.M. Tucker, E. Ibarra-Garibay, and A. Toth. 2024. Evaluating occupancy and habitat associations of rusty patched (Bombus affinis) and American (Bombus pensylvanicus) bumble bees in Iowa. Oral presentation at the Winter Meeting of the Iowa Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Ames, IA.	February 2024	This presentation describes preliminary results of an occupancy analysis aimed at understand the local- and landscape-level site characteristics associated with occupancy of two imperiled bee species. We describe similarities and differences between the two species, which could lead to tradeoffs in habitat management.
Shea, C. P., B. D. Bakevich, P. W. Bettoli, J. R. Fischer, C. L. Pierce, and M. C. Quist. 2017. Combining dynamic occupancy models and trait-based approaches to assess the response of stream fish assemblages to hydrological and hydrothermal variability (contributed paper). Society for Freshwater Science, Raleigh, NC, June 2017.	March 2017	Novel combination of occupancy modeling and use of traits as covariates in analyses of relationships with variable hydrological and thermal environments will be presented.
Shea, C. P., B. D. Bakevich, P. W. Bettoli, J. R. Fischer, C. L. Pierce, and M. C. Quist. 2017. Combining dynamic occupancy models and trait-based approaches to assess the response of stream fish assemblages to hydrological and hydrothermal variability (contributed paper). Society for Freshwater Science, Raleigh, NC, June 2017.	June 2017	Response of stream fishes to variable hydrodynamics demonstrated.
Rowe, D. C., and C. L. Pierce. Evaluations of physical habitat, stressor, and biological response indicators for wadeable streams in Iowa's Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program. American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, AK, September 2005.	September 2005
Rowe, D. C., and C. L. Pierce. Comparison of wadeable streams physical habitat assessment protocols (poster). Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas joint Chapter meeting, American Fisheries Society, Council Bluffs, IA, January 2007.	January 2007
Rowe, D. C., C. L. Pierce, and T. F. Wilton. Influence of physical habitat and watershed characteristics on stream integrity (invited symposium talk). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Omaha, NE, December 2006.	December 2006
Rowe, D. C., C. L. Pierce, and T. F. Wilton. 2007. Physical Habitat and Fish Assemblage Relationships with Landscape Variables in Wadeable Iowa Streams (poster). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Madison, WI, December 2007.	December 2007
Rowe, D. C., C. L. Pierce, and T. F. Wilton. 2007. Fish Assemblage Relationships with Reach-Scale Physical Habitat in Wadeable Iowa Streams (poster). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Madison, WI, December 2007.	December 2007
Robles, A., and R. Koford. 2010. Potential and realized habitat for area sensitive bird species on Iowa State Preserves. Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference, Ames, IA	March 2010
Reeves, R.A., C.L. Pierce, E. Muths, M.W. Vandever, K. Smalling, and W.A. Battaglin. 2013. Pesticides, nutrients and disease: Do restored wetlands provide quality amphibian habitat in an agricultural landscape? (poster) The Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, August 2013.	August 2013	This study demonstrated effects of pesticides, nutrients and disease on amphibians in wetlands.
Reeves, R.A., C.L. Pierce, E. Muths, M.W. Vandever, K. Smalling, W.A. Battaglin, and R.W. Klaver. 2013. Amphibian indicators of wetland ecosystem health in the Des Moines Lobe in Iowa (contributed paper). The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Milwaukee, WI, October 2013.	October 2013	This study described amphibian indicators of wetlandf health.
Reeves, R.A., C. Pierce, E. Muths and M. Vandever. 2013. Amphibian assemblages and population health in natural and restored wetlands in the Des Moines Lobe in Iowa (poster). Iowa Wildlife Society Meeting, Ames, IA. [poster presentation] February 2013.	February 2013	This study demonstrated amphibian population differences between wetland types.
Reeves, R. A., C. L. Pierce, E. Muths, and M. W. Vandever. 2012. Comparison of amphibian habitat suitability in various wetland types of the Des Moines Lobe in Iowa (poster). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Wichita, Kansas, December 2012.	December 2012	This study compares the value of restored and natural wetlands as amphibian habitat in the agricultural landscape of Iowa. Results will be part of the overall assessment of wetland restoration in improving the ecological integrity of Iowa's highly altered landscape.
Reeves, R. A., C. L. Pierce, E. Muths, M. W. Vandever, K. L. Smalling, and W. A. Battaglin. 2014. Pesticides, nutrients and disease: Environmental stressors of amphibians in restored and reference wetlands in central Iowa (poster). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Kansas City, MO. January 2014.	January 2014	This study compared environmental stressors in amphibians from reference and restored wetlands in Iowa.
Reeves, R. A., C. L. Pierce, E. Muths, M. W. Vandever, K. L. Smalling, and W. A. Battaglin. 2014. Pesticides, nutrients and disease: Environmental stressors of amphibians in restored and reference wetlands in central Iowa (poster). Iowa Water Conference. Ames, IA. March 2014.	March 2014	This study compares environmental stressors in restored and reference wetlands in Iowa.
Reeves, R. A., C. L. Pierce, E. Muths, M. W. Vandever, K. L. Smalling, and W. A. Battaglin. 2014. Developmental stress in leopard frogs in reference and restored agricultural wetlands in Central Iowa (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Kansas City, MO. January 2014.	January 2014	This study compares developmental stress in frogs from reference and restored wetlands in Iowa.
Reeves, R. A., C. L. Pierce, E. Muths, M. W. Vandever, K. L. Smalling, and W. A. Battaglin. 2014. Developmental stress in leopard frogs in reference and restored agricultural wetlands in Central Iowa (contributed paper). Iowa Wildlfe Society Winter Meeting. Ames, IA. February 2014.	February 2014	This study compared developmental stress in frogs from reference and restored wetlands in Iowa.
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, M. A. Pegg, P. J. Braaten, C. L. Pierce, and V. H. Travnichek. June 2001. Potential influence of harvest on shovelnose sturgeon populations in the Missouri River. 5th Annual Missouri Natural Resources Conference, Great Falls, Montana.	June 2001
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, M. A. Pegg, P. J. Braaten, C. L. Pierce, and V. H. Travnichek. August 2001. Potential influence of harvest on shovelnose sturgeon populations in the Missouri River system: a case for pro-active management (poster). 131st Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Phoenix, Arizona.	August 2001
Potter, L. and D. Otis. Nest Success and Brood Habitat Selection in Southern Iowa. 11th Annual Southeast Quail Study Group.	August 2005
Pierce, C.L., M.A. Pegg, P.J. Braaten, and C.S. Guy. Growth of channel and flathead catfish in the Missouri and lower Yellowstone Rivers (invited symposium talk). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, MO, December, 2003.	December 2003
Pierce, C. L., and K. E. Schilling. 2018. Origins, current status, and potential roles of oxbows for conservation and nutrient reduction in agricultural landscapes: introduction to the oxbow track. Iowa Water Conference, Ames, IA, March 2018.	March 2018	Presented on the many benefits of oxbows in agricultural regions.
Pierce, C. L., and K. E. Schilling. 2018. Origins, current status, and potential roles of oxbows for conservation and nutrient reduction in agricultural landscapes: introduction to the oxbow session (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Milwaukee, WI, January 2018.	January 2018	Gave background on oxbows and introduced session speakers and topics.
Pierce, C. L., and A. K. Loan-Wilsey. Spatial patterns in stream fish assemblages over time: revelations from Iowa?s historical stream fish database (invited talk). Iowa Water Monitoring Conference, Ames, IA, February 2008.	February 2008
Pierce, C. L., and A. K. Loan-Wilsey. Spatial patterns in stream fish assemblages over time: revelations from Iowa's historical stream fish database (invited symposium talk). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Omaha, NE, December 2006.	December 2006
Pierce, C. L., and A. K. Loan-Wilsey. 2010. Tracking changes in Iowa’s wadeable stream fish communities (invited talk). Raccoon River Watershed Association annual meeting, West Des Moines, IA, March 2010.	March 2010
Pierce, C. L., T. W. Stewart, and M. E. Colvin. 2011. Monitoring and modeling the Clear Lake ecosystem: native and non-native species in the context of lake restoration (invited talk). Iowa Water Conference, Ames, IA, March 2011.	March 2011
Pierce, C. L., M. D. Sexton, M. E. Pelham and J. G. Larscheid. January 2000. The littoral zone fish assemblage in Spirit Lake, Iowa: abundance, variation and implications for forage availability (poster). Iowa Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Council Bluffs, Iowa.	January 2000
Pierce, C. L., M. D. Sexton, M. E. Pelham and J. G. Larscheid. August 2000. The littoral zone fish assemblage in Spirit Lake, Iowa: abundance, variation and implications for forage availability (poster). American Fisheries Society, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2000
Pierce, C. L., C. S. Guy, M. A. Pegg, and P. J. Braaten. Growth responses of benthic fishes to environmental changes along the Missouri and lower Yellowstone Rivers (poster). American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, AK, September 2005.	September 2005
Pierce, C. L. and A. K. Loan-Wilsey. Spatial patterns in stream fish assemblages over time: revelations from Iowa's historical stream fish database (poster). Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas joint Chapter meeting, American Fisheries Society, Council Bluffs, IA, January 2007.	January 2007
Pierce, C. L. 2010. The biology of invasive common carp (invited talk). Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Carp Control Workshop, Burns, OR, March 2010.	March 2010
Pierce, C. L. 2009. Carp, zebra mussels, and the decline and recovery of Clear Lake (invited talk). Des Moines Chapter Izaak Walton League. Des Moines, IA, September 2009.	September 2009
Phillips, M.L., D.J. Horn, W.R. Clark, M.A. Sovada, and R.R. Koford. 2002. Analysis of predator movement in prairie landscapes with contrasting grassland composition. 17th Annual Symposium, International Association for Landscape Ecology - United States Regional Association, Lincoln, Nebraska	April 2002
Phillips, M. L., D. J. Horn, W. R. Clark, M. A. Sovada, R. R. Koford, and R. J. Greenwood. 2000. Effects of fragmentation of grassland habitat on selection of landscape features by predators in North Dakota. American Society of Mammalogists, Durham, New Hampshire.	June 2000
Peters, K. A. and D. L. Otis.Human disturbance to wading birds at Cape Romain NWR, SC. Annual Meeting of theWaterbird Society. Lacrosse, WI. October, 2002.	October 2002
Penne, C. R., and C. L. Pierce. Habitat use, seasonal distribution, and aggregation areas of common carp in Clear Lake, Iowa (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Omaha, NE, December 2006.	December 2006
Penne, C. R., N. L. Ahrens, and C. L. Pierce. Expulsion of radio transmitters from juvenile common carp: effect of transmitter volume (contributed paper). Iowa-Wisconsin joint Chapter meeting, American Fisheries Society, Dubuque, IA, January 2006.	January 2006
Penne, C. R. and C. L. Pierce. Habitat use, seasonal distribution, and tendency to aggregate of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Clear Lake, Iowa (poster). American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, AK, September 2005.	September 2005
Penne, C. R. and C. L. Pierce. Habitat use, seasonal distribution and aggregation of common carp in Clear Lake, Iowa (poster). Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas joint Chapter meeting, American Fisheries Society, Council Bluffs, IA, January 2007.	January 2007
Pelham, M. E., C. L. Pierce, and J. G. Larscheid. January 2000. Diet dynamics of the juvenile piscivorous fish community in Spirit Lake, Iowa (poster). Iowa Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Council Bluffs, Iowa.	January 2000
Pelham, M. E., C. L. Pierce, and J. G. Larscheid. August 2000. Consumption dynamics of the juvenile piscivorous fish community in Spirit Lake, Iowa (poster). American Fisheries Society, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2000
Pegg, M. A., and C. L. Pierce. January 2000. Latitudinal growth comparisons of selected Missouri River fishes (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Council Bluffs, Iowa.	January 2000
Pegg, M. A., C. L. Pierce, and A. Roy. August 2000. Effects of channelization and impoundment on flow in the Missouri River: a time-series analysis (poster). American Fisheries Society, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2000
Paukert, C. P., M. Moore, T. Moore, and N. Farless. Restoring Fish and Fish Habitat in Midwestern Rivers. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Spokane, WA 23 August 2022.	August 2022	This study will help managers of midwestern rivers that may help guide further restoration efforts
Patterson, S.S., and R. R. Koford. 2004. DISTANCE analysis: a look at variation in species behavior and differences in observer ability. Cooper Ornithological Society, La Crosse, Wisconsin	May 2004
Parks, T.P., M.C. Quist, and C.L. Pierce. 2013. Historic shifts in fish assemblage structure in Iowa’s nonwadeable rivers: New analyses for a new retrospective. Annual Meeting of the North Central Division American Fisheries Society, Rivers and Streams Technical Committee. Rock Island, Illinois, March 2013.	March 2013	This study showed how fish assemblages have changed over time in Iow rivers.
Parks, T.P., M.C. Quist, and C.L. Pierce. 2013. Anthropogenic disturbance and environmental associations with fish assemblage structure in two nonwadeable rivers in Iowa. Annual Meeting of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Moravia, Iowa, January 2013.	January 2013	This study demonstrates how human and environmental factors affect fish assemblages in rivers.
Parks, T.P., M.C. Quist, and C.L. Pierce. 2011. Longitudinal Shifts in Fish Assemblage Structure along a Non-wadeable Iowa River (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society, Seattle, WA, September 2011.	September 2011
Parks, T.P., M.C. Quist, and C.L. Pierce. 2011. Longitudinal patterns of fish distribution in the Cedar River, Iowa. Annual Meeting of the North Central Division AFS, Rivers and Streams Technical Committee, Rock Island, IL, March 2011.	March 2011
Parks, T.P., M.C. Quist, and C.L. Pierce. 2011. Influence of Dams and Instream Habitat on Fish Assemblages in Two Non-Wadeable Iowa Rivers (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Des Moines, IA, December 2011.	December 2011
Parks, T., Quist, M., Pierce, C. 2011. Species of greatest conservation need: distribution and relative abundance in the Cedar River, Iowa. Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Moravia, IA, January 2011.	January 2011
Parks, T., Quist, M., Pierce, C. 2010. Species of greatest conservation need: distribution and relative abundance in the Cedar River, Iowa. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, MN.	December 2010
Parks, T. P., M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2012. Historical Changes in Fish Assemblages in the Non-wadeable Rivers of Iowa (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society, St. Paul, Minnesota, August 2012.	August 2012
Palic, D., R. Grajeda, L. Helland, B. Pedersen, J. Pribil, A. Loan-Wilsey and C. Pierce. Fish communities of the upper Little Sioux River basin: Current status and historical trends (poster). Iowa Academy of Science annual meeting, Des Moines, IA, April 2003.	April 2003
Otis, D.L. 2003 . Population models for mourning dove harvest management. 10th Annual Meeting of the Wildlife Society. Burlington, Vermont.	September 2003
Otis, D. L. and G. C. White. Evaluation of ultrastructure and random effects band recovery modelsfor estimating relationships between survival and harvest rates in exploited populations. Euring 2003 Conference. Radolfzell, Germany.	October 2003
Otis, D. L. Model selection and inference in species-environment studies. Syposium on species-environment interactions in agricultural landscapes: measuring, monitoring, and modeling multi-scale processes. 65th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, IN	December 2004
Otis, D. L. Model selection and inference in species-environment studies. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianaplos, IN	December 2004
Otis, D. L. Harvest demographics of mourning doves in the continental U.S. 12th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society. Madison, WI USA	September 2005
Otis, D. L. 2007. Mourning dove harvest characteristics derived from a national reward banding study. 14th Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society. Tucson,AZ	September 2007
Nusser, S., W.R. Clark, and D.L. Otis. Sample design considerations for monitoring CWD in deer populations. 12th Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society. Madison, WI, USA	September 2005
Moore, M.J, A. A. Hyman 2023. What Google Trends can (and can't) tell us about factors driving public interest in endangered species. Oral Presentation. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Overland Park, Kansas.	February 2023	This work evaluates the use of publicly available data to assess interest in species conservation. It also will examine what factors drive public interest in endangered species to inform outreach and engagement efforts.
Moore, M. J., Coulter, A. A., Golcher-Benavides, J., Rahel, F. J., Walters, A. W., Brewer, S. K., Wildhaber, M. L. 2024. A synthesis of the characteristics and drivers of introduced fishes in prairie streams: Can we manage harmful introduced fishes in these dynamic environments? Oral Presentation at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.	January 2024	In this paper we synthesize the state of knowledge of introduced fishes and their effects to fish communities in prairie streams, which have been historically overlooked ecosystems. This research can help guide future risk assessment, introduced fish suppression, and native fish conservation in prairie streams. This research is a product of the Prairie Fishes and Streams Collaborative Working Group, comprising scientists from multiple state, federal, and academic institutions.
Mills, N., D. Cashatt, M. J. Weber, and C. L. Pierce. 2016. Mercury accumulation in flathead catfish: implications for length-specific consumption advisories. (poster). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society. Moravia, IA, March 2016.	March 2016	The relationship of mercury concentration with length of flathead catfish was explored to assist with development of consumption advisories.
Mills, N., D. Cashatt, M. J. Weber, and C. L. Pierce. 2016. Intra-river differences in fish mercury accumulation rates in six Iowa interior rivers. (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society. Moravia, IA, March 2016.	March 2016	To enable better consumption advisories, potential differences in mercury concentration between rivers was evaluated.
Mills, N. T., Cashatt, D., Weber, M. J., and Pierce, C. L. 2015. Temporal variation in largemouth bass mercury concentrations (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Ames, IA, March 2015.	March 2015	Seasonal variation in mercury contamination was presented to aid in creating consumption advisories.
Mills, N. T., Cashatt, D., Weber, M. J., and Pierce, C. L. 2015. Seasonal variation in largemouth bass mercury levels (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Indianapolis, IN, February 2015.	February 2015	Seasonal variation in mercury contamination was presented to aid in creating consumption advisories.
Miller, D. A. and D. L. Otis.2008. Delayed effects of developmental conditions on flight ability of Mourning Doves. 136th Annual AOU meeting. Portland, OR	August 2008
Miller, D. A. and D. L. Otis. 2007. Toward rangewide estimates of mourning dove recruitment: initial results from a national harvest wing collection pilot program. 14th Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society. Tucson, Arizona.	September 2007
Matthews, A.J., M.J. Weber, and C.L. Pierce. 2017. Tributary contribution of larval production in the Upper Mississippi River (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Ames, IA, March 2017.	March 2017	Contribution of tributaries to production of larval Asian carp in the Mississippi River will be presented.
M.J. Moore, Golcher-Benavides, J., E. A. Szott, Z. J. Witzel, J. T. Lamer, and M. J. Weber. Patterns and drivers of hybridization between Silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and Bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) carp in the Upper Mississippi River. Oral Presentation. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting.	September 2024	This work helps us understand the prevalence of hybridization between two invasive species. Genetic introgression may have impacts on the feeding ecology and fitness of these invasive species with implications for native species.
M. J. Moore, Golcher-Benavides, J., E. A. Szott, D. D. Turney, S.A. Valentine, Z. J. Witzel, J. T Lamer, G. W. Whitledge, and M.J. Weber. Examining environmental correlates of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) year-class strength in Upper Mississippi River natal environments using otolith microchemistry. Oral Presentation American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting.	September 2024	This work helps managers understand natal environments for invasive Carps so that managers can work to control their population expansion in the Upper Mississippi River basin.
Lyons, J.E., B. Nuse, A. Tucker, K. Anstead, C. McGowan, C. Moore, C. Starks, J. Sweka, and D. Smith. 2024. Co-Production of Adaptive Management for Horseshoe Crabs and a Threatened Migratory Shorebird. Oral presentation at the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Honolulu, Hawai'i.	September 2024	This talk describes the process of developing and updating an adaptive management framework for horseshoe crabs, which are economically valued and also an ecologically important prey for migratory shorebirds.
Loda, J. and D. L. Otis. 2006. Relationships between amphibians, water quality and landscape context of wetlands in Iowa. 67th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
Loan-Wilsey, Anna K., R. L. McNeely, P. D. Brown, K. L. Kane and C. L. Pierce. A statewide stream fish community database for biological assessment (poster). Ecological Society of America, Portland, OR, August 2004	August 2004
Loan-Wilsey, Anna K., R. L. McNeely, P. D. Brown, K. L. Kane and C. L. Pierce. 2004. A statewide stream fish community database for biological assessment (invited poster). Iowa Water Monitoring Conference, Ames, IA, February 2004.	February 2004
Litvan, M. E., C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. An evaluation of effects of grade control structures on fish movement and fish communities in Turkey Creek, Cass County, IA and macroinvertebrate communities in Walnut Creek, Montgomery County, IA (poster). Iowa-Wisconsin joint Chapter meeting, American Fisheries Society, Dubuque, IA, January 2006.	January 2006
Litvan, M. E., C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. An evaluation of effects of grade control structures on fish movement and fish communities in Turkey Creek, Cass County, IA and macroinvertebrate communities in Walnut Creek, Montgomery County, IA (poster). American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, AK, September 2005.	September 2005
Liao, H., C. L. Pierce, and J. G. Larscheid. January 2000. Assessment of consumption dynamics of the adult piscivorous fish community in Spirit Lake, Iowa, 1995-97 (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Council Bluffs, Iowa.	January 2000
Lang, E.M., S.J. Dinsmore, A.M. Tucker, and K.E. Kinkead. 2024. Movement Ecology of Blanding's Turtles in Central Iowa. Oral Presentation at the Iowa Chapter of The Wildlife Society Winter Meeting. Ames, IA.	February 2024	This presentation presents preliminary analyses of Blanding's turtle radiotelemetry data to estimate home range size and movement patterns. This is part of a larger project investigating habitat use and demographics of this endangered turtle in Iowa.
Lang, E.M., S.J. Dinsmore, A.M. Tucker, and K.E. Kinkead. 2024. Blanding's turtle movement and home ranges in Iowa. Oral presentation at the Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society, Baltimore, MD.	October 2024	This work examines movements and home range size of an imperiled freshwater turtle. Understanding these movements and site use patterns can help inform site habitat management and inform estimates of connectivity among small wetlands.
Lang, E.M., S. J. Dinsmore, A.M. Tucker, and K.E. Kinkead. 2024. Blanding's turtles on the move in Iowa: Seasonal movement and home ranges. Oral presentation at the Joint Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Ann Arbor, MI.	June 2024	This work summarizes results from a movement study of Blanding's turtles, and state and federally listed species, at wetland complexes in central Iowa.
Kramer, N. W., Q. E. Phelps, C. L. Pierce, and M. E. Colvin. 2016. Using food web modeling to determine effects of increased exploitation on invasive carps in the middle Mississippi River (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, MI, January, 2016.	January 2016	Potential effects on the Mississippi River food web of removing invasive Asian carp was evaluated by simulation modeling.
Koford, R.R., and H. Stallman. 2002. Habitat rankings in the Mississippi Headwaters/Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem based on PIF concern scores. Partners in Flight Conference, Asilomar, California	March 2002
Koford, R.R., and D.J. Horn. 2004. Landscape composition influences the relationship between relative abundance of grassland birds and field size. North American Prairie Conference, Madison, Wisconsin	August 2004
Koford, R.R. 2009. Importance of private and public grasslands for conserving songbirds. Joint meeting of Iowa Chapters of The Wildlife Society and American Fisheries Society, Ames, IA	January 2009
Koford, R.R. 2003. Avian responses to habitat restoration and alteration (by a wind farm) in Northern Iowa. NRCS/Iowa State University Research Coordination Meeting, Ames, Iowa	February 2003
Koford, R.R. 2002. Landscape features that affect grassland bird abundance. Mississippi Headwaters/Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem team meeting, Prairie City, Iowa	August 2002
Koford, R.R. 2002. Evaluation of restoration in the southern portion of the PPJV. PPJV Management Board meeting, Pierre, South Dakota	August 2002
Koford, R.R. 2000. Analyses of species' frequencies of occurrence must account for passive sampling. 62nd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota	December 2000
Koford, R., and A. Robles. 2010. Landscape factors associated with habitat use by area-sensitive grassland birds in southern Iowa. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Minneapolis	December 2010
Koford, R. R., and W.R. Clark. 2002. Iowa Eagle Lake Research, 1998-2002. Midwest Pheasant Study Group, Springbrook, Iowa	October 2002
Koford, R. 2008. Evaluating the success of habitat restoration for grassland birds. American Ornithologists Union, Cooper Ornithological Society, and Society of Canadian Ornithologists, Portland, Oregon	August 2008
Koford, R. 2005. Bird and bat responses to changing landscapes in northern Iowa. Iowa DNR Wildlife Bureau meeting, Springbrook, Iowa.	February 2005
Koford, R. 2007. Restoration of a tallgrass prairie landscape in Iowa: impacts from changes in agriculture and the Conservation Reserve Program. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
Koch, J., M. Quist, C. Pierce, M. Steuck, K. Hansen, and G. Jones. 2008. Population parameters of shovelnose sturgeon populations in the upper Mississippi River (contributed paper). MICRA meeting, Nashville, TN, January 2008.	January 2008
Koch, J., M. Quist, C. Pierce, K. Hansen, and G. Jones. 2008. Effects of commercial harvest on shovelnose sturgeon in the upper Mississippi River (poster). American Fisheries Society, Ottawa, ON, August 2008.	August 2008
Koch, J., M. Quist, C. Pierce, K. Hansen, and G. Jones. 2007. Effects of commercial harvest on shovelnose sturgeon in the upper Mississippi River (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, CA, September 2007.	September 2007
Koch, J. D., M. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. Population parameters of shovelnose sturgeon in the upper Mississippi River (poster). Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas joint Chapter meeting, American Fisheries Society, Council Bluffs, IA, January 2007.	January 2007
Klaver, R.W., and P.E. Bartelt. 2012. Spatial analysis of Northern Goshawk territories in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Waldorf College. 5 November 2012.	November 2012	Spatial ecology of Northern Goshawks in black Hills with implications to ecology and conservation
Kinkead, K. E., D. L. Otis, and A. G. Abbott. 2003. Genetic variation among Ambystoma populations associated with restored wetlands. 88th ESA/ISEM Annual Meeting. Savannah, Georgia.	August 2003
Kinkead, K. E. and D. L. Otis. 2003. Effects of wetland restoration on amphibians in Carolina bays. 10th Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society. Burlington, Vermont	September 2003
Kinkead, K. E. and D. L. Otis. 2003. Amphibian Response to Hydrology Restoration in Carolina Bays. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Manuas, Brazil.	June 2003
Katzenmeyer, Eric D., Michael E. Colvin, and Clay L. Pierce. 2008 Fish growth responses to changing conditions: common carp (Cyprinus carpio) decline and zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) invasion in Clear Lake, Iowa (poster). American Fisheries Society, Ottawa, ON, August 2008.	August 2008
Katzenmeyer, E. D., M. E. Colvin, C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2009. Fish growth responses to changing conditions in Clear Lake: effects of common carp and zebra mussels (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Ames, IA, January 2009.	January 2009
Katzenmeyer, E. D., M. E. Colvin, C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2009. Fish growth responses to changing conditions in Clear Lake: effects of common carp and zebra mussels (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society, Nashville, TN, August 2009.	August 2009
Kaloczi, J.,Hupfeld, R. N., Krogman, R M., Hamel, M. J., Jones, G., and Moore, M. M. Assessing Age and Incremental Growth Rates in Cedar River Shovelnose Sturgeon through an 18-year Mark-Recapture Dataset. Oral Presentation, 2025 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2025	This research helps us understand age and growth in the Cedar River population of Shovelnose Sturgeon. These vital rates are important for managing harvest for population sustainability.
Kaloczi, J., Moore, M. J., Hamel, M. J., Jones, G. and Hupfeld, R. N. 2024. Incremental Growth Rates in a Cedar River population of Shovelnose Sturgeon through a 17-year Mark-Recapture Dataset. Poster Presentation. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference 2024. Sioux Falls, South Dakota.	January 2024	This work uses a unique 17 year mark recapture dataset to help solve the issues of estimating growth rates in this long-lived commercially harvested species to inform harvest regulations.
Kaloczi, J., M. J. Moore, M. J Hamel, G. Jones, R. N. Hupfeld, and R. Krogman. Incremental Growth Rates in a Cedar River population of Shovelnose Sturgeon through a 17-year Mark-Recapture Dataset. Poster Presentation, Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting	March 2024	Estimates of age and growth for long-lived fishes that are harvested recreationally are difficult to obtain through traditional methods. We utilize a long-term dataset and mark-recapture interval growth models to estimate age and growth for improved management of Shovelnose Sturgeon in Mississippi River tributaries.
Jordan, N. A., D. L. Otis, R. A. Costa and S. A. Gauthreaux. Hatching failure and embryonic mortality in a red-cockaded woodpecker population in South Carolina: current conditions and traditional constraints. Annual Meeting of the American Ornithologists Union. New Orleans, LA. September, 2002.	September 2002
Johnson, D.H., S.K. Davis, and R.R. Koford. 2002. Conservation planning: what are we doing for nongame birds? TWS annual conference, Bismarck, North Dakota	September 2002
Johnson, D.H, S. K. Davis; R.R. Koford. 2010. Conservation planning in the prairies: does waterfowl management help grassland birds?	August 2010
Jain, A., and R. Koford. 2005. Bird and bat behavior and mortality at a northern Iowa windfarm. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Madison, Wisconsin.	September 2005
Jain, A., R. Koford, A. Hancock, and G. Zenner. 2005. Bird and bat activity and mortality at a northern Iowa windfarm. EEB Spring Symposium, Ames, Iowa	March 2005
Jain, A., R. Koford, A. Hancock, and G. Zenner. 2003. Bird and bat mortality at a northern Iowa windfarm: preliminary results. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, Missouri	December 2003
Jain, A. A., R. R. Koford, A. W. Hancock, G. Zenner. 2005. Bird and bat activity and mortality at a northern Iowa windfarm. Western Section of The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Sacramento, California	January 2005
Jain, A. A., R. R. Koford, A. W. Hancock, G. Zenner. 2004. Bird and bat behavior and mortality at a northern Iowa windfarm. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana	December 2004
Jacques, C.N., T.C. Swearingen, E.D. Davis, R.W. Klaver, C.R. Anderson, J.A. Jenks, C.S. DePerno, and R.D. Bluett. 2018, Evaluating potential effects of camera density on capture and recapture rates of bobcats. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 28 - 31 January 2018.	January 2018	When photo-capture and recapture rates are a function of camera density, modifying camera trapping techniques by deploying moderate camera densities or repositioning cameras to more productive areas within survey grids may improve capture success in low density bobcat populations.
Jacques, C.N., S.A. Dubay, B.M. Walker, and R.W. Klaver. 2018. Sex biased effects on prevalence of parasites in southern flying squirrels. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 28 - 31 January 2018.	January 2018	Because SFS exhibit plasticity in sexual dimorphism, sex differences in parasite loads may be attributable to immunosuppressive qualities of testosterone. Ectoparasite loads also may negatively influence body condition, and juvenile small males that are more susceptible to higher parasite loads may be unable to allocate as much energy to growth as large animals.
Jacques, C.N., R.W. Klaver, J.S. Zweep, and S.A. Dubay. 2018. Nest tree use by southern flying squirrels in fragmented Midwestern landscapes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 28 - 31 January 2018.	January 2018	Additionally, patterns of diurnal nest tree use revealed near exclusive use of natural cavities located primarily in live trees, which may be attributed to a propensity of SFS to select cavities with small entrances and avoid cavities that have been enlarged by other species. Use of natural cavities for denning is encouraging, but also underscores the importance of unharvested hardwood forests in contributing essential habitat to SFS populations in fragmented forested landscapes.
Jacobs, B., R. Koford, F. Thompson, H. Woodward, M. Hubbard, J. Fitzgerald, and J. Herkert. 2002. Grassland bird conservation efforts in Missouri and Iowa: how will we measure success? Partners in Flight Conference, Asilomar, California	March 2002
J. Kaloczi, Moore, M. J., Hamel, M. J., Jones, G., Hupfeld, R. N., & Krogman, R. M. 2024. Assessing age and incremental growth rates in a Cedar River population of Shovelnose Sturgeon through a 18-year mark-recapture dataset. Oral Presentation American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting.	September 2024	This research helps understand age and growth in a tributary population of Shovelnose Sturgeon. This information can help managers regulate recreational and commercial fisheries to promote sustainable management of this species.
Horn, D. J., M.L. Phillips, R.R. Koford, W.R. Clark, M.A. Sovada, R.J. Greenwood 2000. Effects of landscape composition, field size, and edges on nest success of ducks. 62nd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota	December 2000
Herkert, J., D. Reinking, D. Wiedenfeld, M. Winter, J. Zimmerman, W. Jensen, E. Finck, R. Koford, D. Wolfe, S. Sherrod, M. Jenkins, J. Faaborg, and S. Robinson. 2003. Effects of grassland fragmentation on the nesting success of breeding birds in the mid-continental United States. Cooper Ornithological Society, Flagstaff, Arizona.	April 2003
Heller, B. and D. L. Otis. 2009. Analysis and assessment of Giant Canada goose banding in the Mississippi Flyway. 16th Annual Meeting, The Wildlife Society. Monterey, CA.	September 2009
Heitke, J., Gelwicks, G., Simmons, G., Siegwarth, G., and C. Pierce. January 2001. A preliminary look at fish Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) in Iowa streams. Iowa Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Ames, Iowa.	January 2001
Heitke, J. D., C. L. Pierce, G. T. Gelwicks and G. E. Simmons. In-stream habitat and fish biotic integrity of Iowa's interior rivers (poster). Iowa/Illinois Joint Chapter meeting, American Fisheries Society, Moline, IL, February 2002.	February 2002
Heitke, J. D., C. L. Pierce, G. T. Gelwicks and G. E. Simmons. In-stream habitat analysis of Iowa's interior rivers. 63rd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Des Moines, IA, December 2001.	December 2001
Heitke, J. D. C. L. Pierce, G. T. Gelwicks and G. A. Simmons. Fish assemblage, habitat and land cover relationships in Iowa streams: biotic and abiotic conditions in the context of intensive agricultural land use (invited symposium talk). American Fisheries Society, Madison, WI, August 2004.	August 2004
Harms, T.M., S.J. Dinsmore, K.E. Kinkead, R.W. Klaver. 2012. Effects of landscape-level habitat variables on site occupancy of grassland birds in Iowa. The Wildlife Society 2012 Annual Meeting. Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon. 13 – 18 October 2012.	October 2012
Harms, T.M., A. Buckhardt Thomas, and A.M. Tucker. 2022. Integrating multiple data sets to estimate a population trend for Trumpeter Swans in Iowa. Oral presentation, Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.	February 2022	Trumpeter Swans are a species of conservation concern in Iowa. Since their reintroduction, the population has grown to exceed the previously-set recovery targets. Iowa is currently re-evaluating recovery goals and monitoring for this species, and this analysis will provide an estimate of population growth rate from 1994-2020 as well as age- and sex-specific demographic rates to inform those decisions.
Harms, J., M. Weber, and M. Moore. Effects of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) on native fish condition in Upper Mississippi River basin. Poster Presentation. 2024 85^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2025	Understanding how invasive carp restructure freshwater food webs can be used by management biologists to predict the effects of Silver Carp on native fish communities in recently invaded areas, evaluate management success, and establish targets for population suppression to limit the effects of Silver Carp on freshwater fish communities.
Hall, L.E., and R.R. Koford. 2005. Grassland bird nest survival in restored and remnant prairies in northwestern Iowa. Cooper Ornithological Society, Arcata, California.	June 2005
Hall, L.E., and R.R. Koford. 2005. Avian nest success and snake occurrence in restored and remnant prairie complexes in northwestern Iowa. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Madison, Wisconsin.	September 2005
Hall, L. E. and R.R. Koford. 2004. Avian nest success and snake occurrence in restored and remnant prairie complexes in northwestern Iowa. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana	December 2004
Grovenburg, T. W., R. W. Klaver, C. N. Jacques, T. J. Brinkman, C. C. Swanson, C. S. DePerno, K. L. Monteith, J. D. Sievers, V. C. Bleich, J. J. Kie, and J. A. Jenks. 2012. Influence of landscape characteristics and ungulate demography on retention of expandable radiocollars. South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Cedar Shore Resort and Convention Center. Oacoma, South Dakota. 27– 29 February 2012.	February 2012
Grovenburg, T. W., K. L. Monteith, R. W. Klaver, and J. A. Jenks. 2012. Predator evasion by white-tailed deer fawns: shifting selective pressures. South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Cedar Shore Resort and Convention Center. Oacoma, South Dakota. 27– 29 February 2012.	February 2012
Grant, T., D. Otis, and R. Koford. 2012. Herpetofauna response to the 2011 Missouri River flood at mitigation sites in Iowa. Missouri River Natural Resources Conference and BiOp forum, Pierre, SD.	March 2012
Grant, T., D. Otis, and R. Koford. 2011. Monitoring of Herpetofauna in Wetland Restorations: The Missouri River Floodplain in Iowa, Missouria River Natural Resources Conference, Nebraska City, NE, March, 2011.	March 2011
Grant, T., D. Otis, and R. Koford. 2010. Pilot study and plans for herpetofauna monitoring in Iowa. Missouri River Natural Resources Conference, Nebraska City, NE	March 2010
Golcher-Benavides, J., Szott, E.A., Turney, D.D., Witzel, Z.J. Lamer, J.T., Whitledge, G.W., Moore, M.J., and M.J. Weber. 2024. Recruitment dynamics of bigheaded carp in the Upper Mississippi River informed by otolith microchemistry. Oral Presentation. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Sioux Falls, SD	January 2024	This work helps managers understand where invasive Bigheaded Carp are reproducing in the Mississippi River Basin and under what environmental conditions in order to direct management efforts to slow their upstream spread and reduce their populations.
Golcher-Benavides, J., Moore, M. J., Weber, M. J. (2023). Natal origin and recruitment dynamics of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in the Upper Mississippi River. Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Poster Presentation.	March 2023	This work will help the Fish and Wildlife Service and state agency partners manage silver carp by understanding their recruitment dynamics in the Upper Mississippi River relative to a barrier (Lock and Dam #19). Through managing removal efforts and passage deterrence at the structure we may be able to slow the upstream spread of the species in the Mississippi River.
Golcher-Benavides, J., E. Szott, Z. Witzel, J. T. Lamer, G. W. Whitledge, M. J. Moore, & M. J. Weber. Otolith microchemistry to study recruitment of bigheaded carp in the Upper Mississippi River. Oral Presentation, American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI.	August 2023	This research will help managers learn about the population dynamics of Silver Carp in the Mississippi River system by understanding sources of reproduction. This information may be used to slow expansion of the species further upstream in the basin through barrier control or removal efforts.
Golcher-Benavides, J., E. A. Szott, Z. J. Witzel, J. T. Lamer, M. J. Weber, and M.J. Moore. Examining drivers of temporal variation in hybridization outcomes in bigheaded carp in the Upper Mississippi River. Poster Presentation. Iowa American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting.	March 2024	This work will assist biologists understand the spatial and temporal patterns in hybridization between two invasive carp species in the Mississippi River Basin. Each species has its own specific trophic ecology and diets due to differences in behavior and gill raker morphology. Replacement of one invasive species by another or genetic introgression of the two species through hybridization may have important implications for how these species are competing with native planktivores.
Golcher-Benavides, J., E. A. Szott, D. D. Turney, S.A. Valentine, Z. J. Witzel, J. T Lamer, G. W. Whitledge, M. J. Moore, and M.J. Weber. Recruitment dynamics of Silver Carp informed by early life environments in the Upper Mississippi River. Poster Presentation. Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting.	March 2024	This work helps identify where recruitment of invasive carps is occurring as well as the interannual variability in recruitment magnitude to help managers target control efforts to limit reproduction.
Gapinski, L.A., A.M. Tucker, and K.E. Kinkead. 2023. Breeding bird use of Wetlands Reserve Program properties in Iowa: Assessing restorations across 16 years. Oral presentation at the Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society.	November 2023	We visited restored wetlands to assess the bird and plant communities as a follow-up to a 2007 study. This work serves to evaluate the use of these properties by species of concern and inform future management. This project is led by my graduate student in collaboration with Iowa DNR.
Gapinski, L.A., A.M. Tucker, and K. Kinkead. 2023. Breeding bird use of WRP properties in Iowa's Prairie Pothole Region over a 15-year time span. Poster presentation at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Overland Park, KS.	February 2023	This poster presents preliminary analyses for a study examining occupancy of bird species of conservation of concern on restored wetlands enrolled in the Wetland Reserve Program. This work is in collaboration with the Iowa DNR, who manages these properties.
Gapinski, L., A.M. Tucker, and K.E. Kinkead. 2024. Tracking occupancy of avian SGCN at restored wetlands in Iowa across 16 years. Oral presentation at the Iowa Chapter of The Wildlife Society Winter Meeting. Ames, IA.	February 2024	This work compares occupancy estimates for wetland-dependent SGCN between bird surveys conducted in 2007-2009 and 2022-2023 at restored wetlands in Iowa. The results highlight both regional trends in bird communities as well as local changes in community composition.
Frohnauer, N. K., C. L. Pierce, and L. W. Kallemeyn. A population and angler use assessment of muskellunge in shoepack lake, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota (poster). Midwest Fisheries Conference, Bettendorf, IA, December 2002.	December 2002
Frohnauer, N. K., C. L. Pierce, and L. W. Kallemeyn. A population and angler use assessment of muskellunge in shoepack lake, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota (contributed paper). Minnesota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Chaska, MN, March 2003.	March 2003
Frohnauer, N. K., C. L. Pierce, and L. W. Kallemeyn. A population and angler use assessment of muskellunge in shoepack lake, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society, Baltimore, MD, August 2002.	August 2002
Frohnauer, N. K., C. L. Pierce and L. W. Kallemeyn. Simulating long-term threats to muskellunge in Shoepack Lake, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society, Madison, WI, August 2004.	August 2004
Ford, J.M., A.M. Tucker, A. Janke, and T. Harms. 2024. Grassland bird community benefits from northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) habitat management. Oral presentation at the Winter Meeting of the Iowa Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Ames, IA.	February 2024	In this talk, we share preliminary results of field surveys to 1) estimate northern bobwhite occupancy on properties employing different management practices under the Working Lands for Wildlife initiative, and 2) evaluate whether other bird Species of Greatest Conservation Need respond to the same habitat characteristics as bobwhite.
Ford, J., A. Janke, and A.M. Tucker. 2023. Avian Grassland Community Benefits from Northern Bobwhite-focused Land Management. Oral presentation at the Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society.	November 2023	We conducted bird and vegetation surveys on public and private sites that have implented management practices targeted at northern bobwhite in the past five years. This work serves to evaluate bobwhite response to management as well as the use of bobwhite as an umbrella species to conserve grassland birds.
Flinders, L., Kaloczi, J., Hupfeld, R., Flammang, M., Krogman, R., Moore, M. Assessing differences in reproductive potential in two Shovelnose Sturgeon populations. Poster presentation. 2025 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2025	Shovelnose Sturgeon mass mortality events in the Des Moines river may alter the population size and age structure or fish condition. In this study we compare reproductive potential of Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Des Moines River and the Cedar Rivers to understand the implications for sustainable population management.
Fletcher, R.J., and R.R. Koford. 2002. The nature of multiple edge effects on bird distributions. North American Ornithological Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana	September 2002
Fletcher, R.J., Jr., and R.R. Koford. 2002. Changes in bird communities with habitat restoration in northern Iowa. Partners in Flight Conference, Asilomar, California.	March 2002
Fletcher, R.J., Jr., and R. R. Koford. 2002. Edge effects and bird distributions: when multiple edges collide. 17th Annual Symposium, International Association for Landscape Ecology - United States Regional Association. Lincoln, Nebraska	April 2002
Fletcher, R.J., Jr., and R. R. Koford. 2001. Changes in bird communities with grassland restoration in northern Iowa. 63rd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Des Moines, Iowa	December 2001
Fletcher, R.J. and R.R. Koford. 2000. Edge type affects abundance of grassland birds breeding in Iowa. 62nd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota	December 2000
Fletcher, R., and R. Koford. 2001. Lessons learned from estimating parameters needed to determine seasonal fecundity in grassland birds. American Ornithologists' Union annual meeting.	August 2001
Fletcher, R. J., Jr., and R. R. Koford. 2000. Factors affecting species richness and bird abundance in restored grasslands and native prairies in northern Iowa. The Wildlife Society 7th Annual conference, Nashville, Tennessee.	September 2000
Fletcher, R. J., Jr., and R. R. Koford. 2000. Breeding birds in restored uplands and native prairies in northern Iowa. Iowa Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Ames, Iowa.	January 2000
Evaluation of the statistical properties of grand Canyon humpbackchub population estimates from ASMR and alternative mark-recapture models. Colorado River Ecosystem Science Symposium 2005.	October 2005
Evaluating Sampling Approaches for Monitoring Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Deer Populations. Huang, L., S.M. Nusser, W.R. Clark, D. L. Otis. Joint Statistical meetings. Seattle, WA	August 2006
Dodici, G., and R. Koford. 2000. Mallard nesting success in northern Iowa. Iowa Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Ames, Iowa.	January 2000
Dodici, G., R.R. Koford, and G. Zenner. 2000. Evaluation of the productivity of mallards in northern Iowa. 2nd North American Duck Symposium & Workshop. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan	October 2000
Dodici, G., R. R. Koford, and G. Zenner. 2001. Estimates of mallard productivity at the Eagle Lake Wetland Complex in northern Iowa. 63rd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Des Moines, Iowa	December 2001
Dodici, G. R. Koford, G. Zenner. 2001. Habitat selection by Mallards nesting in northern Iowa. American Ornithologists' Union annual meeting	August 2001
Dodici, G. R. Koford, G. Zenner. 2000. Nesting mallards in northcentral Iowa: does patch size matter? 62nd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota	December 2000
Dixon, P., D. L. Otis, J. Sauer. 2009. Modeling population trends by combining information from multiple time series. Joint Statistical Mettings. Denver, CO.	September 2009
Dixon, P., D. L. Otis, J. Sauer. 2009. Hierarchical Modeling of Data from Multiple Monitoring Programs to Develop a Decision Framework for Mourning Dove Harvest Management . 16th Annual Meeting, The Wildlife Society. Monterey, CA.	September 2009
Dixon, P. , D. L. Otis, and J,. Sauer. 2008. Modeling populaiton rends by combining information form multiple time series. International Statistical Ecology Conference. St. Andrews, Scotland.	July 2008
Davis, E.D., T.C. Swearingen, C.N. Jacques, R.W. Klaver, C.R. Anderson, J.A. Jenks, C.S. DePerno, and R.D. Bluett. 2018. Estimating density of bobcats in Midwestern landscapes using spatial capture-recapture models. Midwest Fish and Wildlife conference. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 28 - 31 January 2018.	January 2018	Midwestern landscapes may necessitate the use of relatively coarser survey grids in SCR models to account for frequent movements to and from the state space or whose core areas are positioned beyond camera survey unit boundaries.
Davis, E.D., T.C. Swearingen, C.N. Jacques, J.L. Fusaro, R.W. Klaver, C.R. Anderson, J.A. Jenks, C.S. DePerno, and R.D. Bluett. 2018. Influence of spatial alignment on photographic detection rates at remotely triggered camera stations. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 28 - 31 January 2018.	January 2018	We suggest that future use of paired camera stations for research, inventory, or monitoring of elusive species consider staggering the placement of cameras to minimize overexposure events of target species. Further, wildlife managers should consider evaluating seasonal effects (i.e., winter) on overexposure rates in paired camera station sampling designs.
Datta, S., R. W. Klaver, K. C. Jensen, J. A. Jenks, S. Kempema, C. C. Swanson, and T. W. Grovenburg. 2013. Reproductive ecology of ferruginous hawks and golden eagles in north-central and western South Dakota. 2013. Presented to South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Huron, SD.	July 2013	Annual progress presenation on grassland sensitive raptors
Datta, S., R. W. Klaver, K. C. Jensen, J. A. Jenks, S. Kempema, C. C. Swanson, and T. W. Grovenburg. 2013. Reproductive ecology of ferruginous hawks and golden eagles in north-central and western South Dakota. 2013. Presented to North Dakota Department of Game and Fish, Jamestown, ND.	July 2013	Annual progress presentation on grassland sensitive raptors
Datta, S., R. W. Klaver, K. C. Jensen, J. A. Jenks, C. C. Swanson, and T. W. Grovenburg. 2013. Breeding ecology of ferruginous hawks, Swainson’s hawks, and northern harriers in south-central North Dakota. 2013. Presented to South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Huron, SD.	July 2013	Annual progress summary of grassland sensitive raptors
Datta, S., R. W. Klaver, K. C. Jensen, J. A. Jenks, C. C. Swanson, and T. W. Grovenburg. 2013. Breeding ecology of ferruginous hawks, Swainson’s hawks, and northern harriers in south-central North Dakota. 2013. Presented to North Dakota Department of Game and Fish, Jamestown, ND.	July 2013	Annual progress report on grassland sensitive raptors
D. C. Paulson, Vaske, M. A, Weber, M. J., & Moore, M. J., 2025. Shovelnose Sturgeon Summer Habitat Selection on the Des Moines River, Iowa. Oral Presentation; SRP Symposium Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2025	This work helps us understand Shovelnose Sturgeon summer habitat requirements to allow the US Army Corps to adjust management of flows to avoid mass mortality events that have been occurring annually in the Des Moines River.
Cordts, S., and R.R. Koford. 2000. Evaluation of the productivity of mallards in northern Iowa. 2nd North American Duck Symposium & Workshop. Saskatoon, Satkatchewan	October 2000
Cordts, S. D., and R. R. Koford. 2000. Estimates of total mallard productivity in northern Iowa. Iowa Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Ames, Iowa	January 2000
Comparison of Mourning Dove Harvest Strategies Derived from Two Different Sets of Multiple Data Sources. 2010. Annual Wildlife Society Meeting.	October 2010
Colvin, M.E., S. Grummer, J. Wahl, T. W. Stewart, and C. L. Pierce. 2010. Impacts of invasive species and restoration on recreational fisheries: Zebra mussels and common carp in a shallow hypereutrophic lake (poster). American Fisheries Society, Pittsburgh, PA, September 2010.	September 2010
Colvin, M.E., C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. Setting Harvest Targets for a Common Carp Stock Undergoing Pulsed Harvest (poster). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, IA, December 2011.	December 2011
Colvin, M., Grummer, S., Wahl, J., Stewart, T., and Pierce, C. 2010. Real and potential common carp and zebra mussel impacts on water quality in the context of ongoing shallow lake restoration. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, MN.	December 2010
Colvin, M. E., C.L. Pierce, and T.W. Stewart. 2008. A proposed ecosystem simulation model to predict the effects of common carp and zebra mussels in shallow lake ecosystems (poster). Iowa Water Monitoring Conference, Ames, IA, February 2008.	February 2008
Colvin, M. E., C.L. Pierce, and T.W. Stewart. 2008. A proposed ecosystem simulation model to predict the effects of common carp and zebra mussels in shallow lake ecosystems (poster). 2nd USGS Modeling Conference, Orange Beach, AL, February 2008.	February 2008
Colvin, M. E., C. L. Pierce, T. W. Stewart and S. Grummer. 2012. Minimizing impacts of carp in a shallow lake: A simulation modeling approach for restoration and management (invited talk). American Fisheries Society, St. Paul, Minnesota, August 2012.	August 2012
Colvin, M. C., E. D. Katzenmeyer, T. W. Stewart , and C. L. Pierce. 2009. Zebra mussel biology and potential impacts in Clear Lake (poster). Clear Lake Protective Association annual meeting, Clear Lake, IA, August 2009.	August 2009
Colvin, M. C., E. D. Katzenmeyer, C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2009. Simulating food web interactions among nuisance common carp, invading zebra mussels, and the native biological community in a shallow eutrophic lake (poster). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Springfield, IL, December 2009.	December 2009
Colvin, M. C., E. D. Katzenmeyer, C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2009. Simulating food web interactions among nuisance common carp, invading zebra mussels, and the native biological community in a shallow eutrophic lake (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society, Nashville, TN, August 2009.	August 2009
Colvin, M. C., C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2008. Carp Removal Strategies: a Simulation Model to Identify Effective Carp Removal Strategies for Clear Lake, IA (contributed paper). Iowa-Dakotas joint Chapter meeting, American Fisheries Society, Sioux Falls, SD, February 2008.	February 2008
Colvin, M. C., C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2008. Carp Removal Strategies: a Simulation Model to Identify Effective Carp Removal Strategies for Clear Lake, IA (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society, Ottawa, ON, August 2008.	August 2008
Colvin, M. C., C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2007. Carp Removal Strategies: a Simulation Model to Identify Effective Carp Removal Strategies for Clear Lake, IA (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Madison, WI, December 2007.	December 2007
Clayton, D., Moore, M. J., and Weber, M. J.. 2024. Habitat Associations and Distribution of Invasive Rusty Crayfish in a Shallow Glacial Lake. Poster Presentation. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference 2024. Sioux Falls, South Dakota.	January 2024	This work evaluates the status of a recent Rusty Crayfish invasion and seeks to understand how Rusty Crayfish habitat associations in shallow ag dominated natural lakes that are at the leading edge of the invasion front.
Clayton, D., Moore, M. J., and Weber, M. J. Effects of Environmental Variables on Crayfish Occupancy in Shallow Eutrophic Lakes and Wetlands. Poster Presentation. 2025 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2025	This research establishes relationships between habitat and occupancy and detection probability to inform crayfish conservation management and monitoring in lentic waterbodies within a highly altered portion of the agricultural Midwest region.
Clayton, D., M. J. Moore, M. J. Weber. Habitat associations and distribution of invasive Rusty Crayfish in a shallow natural lake. Poster Presentation. Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting.	March 2024	Rusty Crayfish are an invasive species with large impacts on recipient ecosystems. This research provides information on habitat associations on their southern leading edge of their range expansion in Iowa. This information will help aquatic managers control populations and assess risk in shallow lakes within agriculturally dominated landscapes.
Clayton, D, Weber, MJ, and Moore, MJ. Habitat associations and distribution of invasive Rusty Crayfish and native Virile Crayfish in a Shallow Eutrophic Natural Lake. Oral Presentation, 2025 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2025	This research helps us understand coexistence between native and invasive crayfish species to guide habitat management in a shallow eutrophic lake.
Cherko, E. C., T. W. Stewart, C. L. Pierce, and D. D. Stokke. 2004. Potential of recycled fishing line as fish habitat: effectiveness of different formulations based on invertebrate colonization (poster). Iowa Academy of Science annual meeting, Cedar Falls, IA. April 2004.	April 2004
Cashatt, D., N. Mills, M. J. Weber, and C. L. Pierce. 2017 Factors affecting fish mercury concentrations across Iowa lakes (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Lincoln, NE, February 2017.	February 2017	Differences in mercury concentration and determining factors were presented.
Cashatt, D., N. Mills, M. J. Weber, and C. L. Pierce. 2017 A cooperative study of mercury contamination in Iowa fish and implications for angler consumption (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Ames, IA, March 2017.	March 2017	Mercury concentrations in game fish and implications for new consumption advisories will be presented.
Camacho, C., M. J. Weber and C.L. Pierce. 2014. Distribution and population dynamics of Asian carp in Iowa rivers (poster). Iowa Water Conference. Ames, IA. March 2014.	March 2014	This study will describe distribution and abundance of Asian carp in Iowa rivers.
Camacho, C., M. J. Weber and C.L. Pierce. 2014. Distribution and population dynamics of Asian carp in Iowa rivers (contributed paper). Iowa-Nebraska Joint Chapter American Fisheries Society. Council Bluffs, IA. February 2014.	February 2014	This study described distribution and populations dynamics of Asian carp in Iowa rivers.
Camacho, C. A., C. J. Sullivan, M. J. Weber, and C. L. Pierce. 2016. First evidence of bighead, silver and grass carp reproduction in Southeastern Iowa tributaries. (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society. Moravia, IA, March 2016.	March 2016	First reporting of reproduction of invasive Asian carp in southeastern Iowa rivers.
Camacho, C. A., C. J. Sullivan, M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce. 2015. Using GSI and Gonad Staging as an Indication of Silver Carp Spawning in the Des Moines and Mississippi Rivers (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society. Ames, IA, March 2015.	March 2015	GSI and gonad condition were used to indicate spawning times of invasive Silver carp.
Camacho, C. A., C. J. Sullivan, M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce. 2015. Seasonal Variation of Silver Carp Egg Development in the Upper Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Indianapolis, IN, February, 2015.	February 2015	Seasonal changes in developmental stage of Silver carp eggs were presented to indicate spawning times.
Camacho, C. A., C. J. Sullivan, M. J. Weber, C. L. Pierce. 2015. Reproductive ecology of silver carp along the Upper Mississippi River invasion front (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society. Portland, OR, August 2015.	August 2015	Reproduction of invasive silver carp in the Mississippi River was described.
Camacho, C. A., C. J. Sullivan, K. J. Roe, N. Ulloa, M. J. Weber, and C. L. Pierce. 2016. Using a Baysian hierarchical approach to identify fish eggs. (poster). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society. Moravia, IA, March 2016.	March 2016	New methods for identifying fish eggs to species were presented.
Bybel, A. P., N. T. Simpson, C. L. Pierce, M. J. Weber, and K. J. Roe. 2018. Genetic analysis of Topeka shiner utilization of oxbows in Iowa and Minnesota. Iowa Water Conference, Ames, IA, March 2018.	March 2018	Presented genetic analysis of Topeka shiner distributions.
Bybel, A. P., N. T. Simpson, C. L. Pierce, M. J. Weber, and K. J. Roe. 2018. Genetic analysis of Topeka shiner utilization of oxbows in Iowa and Minnesota. Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Moravia, IA. February 2018.	February 2018	Presented genetic analysis of Topeka shiner distribution.
Bybel, A. P., N. T. Simpson, C. L. Pierce, M. J. Weber, and K. J. Roe. 2018. Genetic analysis of Topeka shiner utilization of oxbows in Iowa and Minnesota (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Milwaukee, WI, January 2018.	January 2018	Demonstrated genetic variati0n among populations of Topeka shiners.
Bybel, A. P., C. L. Pierce, M. J. Weber, and K. J. Roe. 2017. Status and genetic analysis of Topeka shiners in three basins in Iowa and Minnesota (contributed paper). Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Ames, IA, March 2017.	March 2017	Distributional and genetic status of Topeka shiners in three drainage basins will be presented.
Bybel, A. P., C. L. Pierce, M. J. Weber, and K. J. Roe. 2017. Habitat associations of Topeka shiners in two basins in Iowa and Minnesota (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Lincoln, NE, February 2017.	February 2017	Occurrence and habitat associations of Topeka shiners was presented.
Bryan Nuse, Anna Tucker, John Sweka, Kristen Anstead, Clinton Moore, James Lyons, David Smith, and Conor McGowan, 2022, Updating the adaptive management plan for horseshoe crab harvest and red knot conservation in Delaware Bay. Joint meeting of the American Ornithological Society and Birds Caribbean, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 27 June - 2 July 2022.	June 2022	We present the updates to the Adaptive management plan for Horseshoe Crab Harvest in the Delaware Bay.
Brown, J.F., R.W. Klaver, T. Gilmanov, and R. Evelsizer. 2012. Comparison of remote sensing and carbon flux phenology measurements across the northern mixed prairie of North America. Phenology 2012: Future Cilimate and the Living Earh. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 10 - 14 September 2012.	September 2012
Braaten, P., Pegg, M., Guy, C., and C. Pierce. August 2000. Population dynamics of benthic fishes in the Missouri and lower Yellowstone rivers (invited symposium talk). American Fisheries Society, St. Louis, Missouri.	August 2000
Bouska, K. L., B. D. Healy, M. J. Moore, C. G. Dunn, J. J. Spurgeon, and C. P. Paukert. Diverse portfolios: investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes. USGS Ecosystem Mission Area Friday Findings Webinar, 15 September 2023. Virtual. IP-157389.	September 2023	This talk provides managers with several options for the restoration of large rivers. We show real-world examples so managers have a tangible example that may be applied to their systems.
Berl, R.E.W., P.K. Devers, G.S. Boomer, J. Ashander, A.M. Tucker, and M.C. Runge. 2023. Implications of social non-stationarity and changing hunter behaviors for waterfowl harvest. Oral presentation at The Wildlife Society annual meeting, Louisville, KY.	November 2023	Abstract for presentation to The Wildlife Society on work in collaboration with USFWS on using a predictive model of hunter behavioral dynamics to aid decision-making regarding waterfowl harvest management.
Berkman, L. K., A. T. Taylor, J. B. Koppelman, S. K. Brewer, J. M. Long, T. N. Volkers, E. Sterling, M. J. Moore, and L. S. Eggert. 2022. Divergence, admixture, and fitness in the Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu). Poster Presentation American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Spokane, Washington.	August 2022	This work investigates the implications of genetic introgression on fitness of Smallmouth Bass and Neosho Smallmouth Bass in Ozark streams.
Bergstedt, L., Pegg, M., Pierce, C., and R. White. August 2000. Fish community structure in relation to hydrological characteristics throughout the mainstem Missouri and lower Yellowstone rivers (invited symposium talk). American Fisheries Society, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2000
Berdeen, J. B., D. P. Scott, D. L. Otis, and R. L. Fendrick. Population parameters of urban and rural mourning doves in Ohio. Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society. Bismark, ND. September, 2002.	September 2002
Bartelt, P.E. and R.W. Klaver. 2012. Occupancy of Restored Wetlands by Amphibians in Winnebago County. Status of Amphibians and Reptiles in Iowa. Mt. Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 22 September 2012	September 2012
Bakevich, B., Quist, M., Pierce, C. 2011. Distribution and abundance of Topeka shiners in west-central Iowa. Iowa Chapter American Fisheries Society, Moravia, IA, January 2011.	January 2011
Bakevich, B., Quist, M., Pierce, C. 2010. Distribution and abundance of Topeka shiners in west-central Iowa. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, MN.	December 2010
Bakevich, B. D., C. L. Pierce, and M. C. Quist. 2011. Distribution and habitat associations of Topeka shiner in west-central Iowa (contributed paper). Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa, December 2011.	December 2011
Bakevich, B. D., C. L. Pierce, and M. C. Quist. 2011. Distribution and habitat associations of Topeka shiner in west-central Iowa (contributed paper). American Fisheries Society, Seattle, WA, September 2011.	September 2011
Bakevich, B. D., C. L. Pierce and M. C. Quist. 2012. Status, distribution, and habitat associations of Topeka shiners in west-central Iowa. Rivers and Streams Technical Committee Annual Meeting, North Central Division, American Fisheries Society, Rock Island, IL, March 2012.	March 2012
Ashander, J.D., R.E.W. Berl, G.S. Boomer, T.L. Morelli, A. Terando, Tucker, A.M., Q. Zhao, M.A. Rubenstein, T.G. Martin, I. Chadès, R.S. Epanchin-Niell, J.R. Reimer, H. Kujala, J. Dooley, P.K. Devers, J.E. Lyons, and M.C. Runge. 2023. Future climate change and management of waterfowl harvest in North America. Oral presentation at The Wildlife Society meeting, Louisville, KY.	November 2023	The talk presents work on developing new harvest policies for waterfowl in N. America that account for climate change projections.
Alexander, A., E.M. Lang, J. Tamplin, K. Kinkead, and A.M. Tucker. 2024. Habitat suitability model for wood turtles in Iowa. Poster presentation at the Winter Meeting of the Iowa Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Ames, IA.	February 2024	This is preliminary work to model habitat suitability for wood turtles in Iowa, to better understand the distribution of potential habitat in the state.

Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations	Publication Date
Zambory, Courtney Lynn, "Geospatial methods for aquatic conservation: Topeka shiner restoration site selection and the development of an Iowa watershed health assessment" (2018).	May 2018
Swanson, J. E. 2017. Amphibian occupancy and effects of habitat use on chemical exposure in northern leopard frogs in Iowa prairie pothole wetlands. M.S. Thesis, Iowa State University, Ames.	August 2017
Stephenson, M.D. 2017. Quantifying methods to improve statistical power in grassland and passerine bird nesting studies. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.	May 2017
Sindt, A. 2011. Fish species of greatest conservation need in wadable Iowa streams: status, habitat associations, and effectiveness of species distribution models. M.S. Thesis, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.	April 2011
Simpson, Nicholas, "Occurrence, abundance, and associations of Topeka Shiners and species of greatest conservation need in streams and oxbows of Iowa and Minnesota" (2018).	May 2018
Rowe, D. C. 2007. Relationships of fish assemblages, in-stream physical habitat, and landscape characteristics in wadeable Iowa streams. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames.	May 2007
Robles, A. J. 2010. Patch- and landscape-scale effects on area sensitivity of grassland birds in Iowa. M.S. thesis, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.	August 2010
Reeves, R. A. 2014. Comparison of amphibian habitat suitability in wetlands in the Des Moines Lobe of Iowa. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames.	August 2014
Penne, C. R. 2007. Radio-telemetry study of common carp in Clear Lake, Iowa, to guide future management. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames.	May 2007
Pelham, M. E. 1999. Diet and consumption dynamics of the juvenile piscivorous fish community in Spirit Lake, Iowa. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames.	December 1999
Pegg, M. A. 2000. Hydrological variation along the Missouri River and its effect on the fish community. Ph.D. Dissertation. Iowa State University, Ames.	August 2000
Parks, T. P. 2013. Fish assemblages in Iowa's non-wadeable rivers. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames.	May 2013
Mills, N. 2017. Factors affecting mercury concentrations in Iowa fishes. M.S. Thesis, Iowa State University, Ames.	December 2016
Miller, D. A. Reproductive ecology of the mourning dove: large-scale patterns in recruitment, breeding endrocrinology, and developmental plasticity. Ph.D. dissertation. Iowa State University.	December 2009
Madejczyk, J.C. 1998. Fish community relationships with hydrological and landscape characteristics in Iowa's rivers and streams. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames.	May 1998
Litvan, M. E. 2006. Evaluation of fish passage and fish and macroinvertebrate communities in southwest Iowa streams modified by grade control structures. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames.	August 2006
Liao, H. 2001. Assessment of diet and consumption dynamics of the adult piscivorous fish community in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Ph.D. Dissertation. Iowa State University, Ames.	August 2001
Lambert, J.J. 2017. Grassland bird community response to vegetative diversity in restorations in northwestern Iowa. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa	June 2017
Katzenmeyer, E. 2010. Fish growth responses to a changing environment: effects of aquatic nuisance species and environmental factors in a shallow, eutrophic lake. M.S. Thesis, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.	May 2010
Jovanovic, B. 2011. Ecological toxicology of fathead minnows in Iowa streams. Ph.D. Dissertation. Iowa State University, Ames.	December 2011
Jain, A. A. 2005. Bird and bat behavior and mortality at a northern Iowa windfarm. M.S. thesis, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.	August 2005
Horn, D. J. 2000. The influence of habitat features on grassland birds nesting in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota. Ph.D. dissertation, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.	August 2000
Heller, B. 2010. Analysis of giant Canada gosse band recovery data in Iowaa nd the Mississippi Flyway. M.S. thesis. Iowa State University	May 2010
Heitke, J. D. 2002. In-stream and riparian habitat relationships in Iowa streams. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames.	August 2002
Hall, L. E. 2005. Avian nest survival and snake abundance in restored and remnant grasslands in northwestern Iowa. M.S. thesis, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.	August 2005
Gapinski, L.A.W. 2024. Breeding bird use of wetland easements in the Prairie Pothole Region of Iowa. M.S. Thesis, Iowa State University.	July 2024
Frohnauer, N. K. 2003. Population characteristics and angler use of muskellunge in Shoepack Lake, Voyageurs National Park. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames.	August 2003
Ford, J.M. 2024. Influences of northern bobwhite habitat management on Iowa species of greatest conservation need. M.S. Thesis, Iowa State University.	July 2024
Fletcher, R. J., Jr. 2003. Spatial and temporal scales of distribution and demography in breeding songbirds: implications of habitat fragmentation and restoration. Ph.D. dissertation, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.	August 2003
Cordts, S. D. 1999. Estimating waterfowl abundance and productivity in the Prairie Pothole Region of northern Iowa. M.S. thesis, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.	August 1999
Colvin, M.E. 2012. Impacts of nuisance species in a shallow lake: a simulation modeling approach for restoration and management. Ph.D. Dissertation. Iowa State University, Ames.	August 2012
Camacho, C. 2016. Asian carp reproduction and early life history stages in eastern Iowa rivers. M.S. Thesis, Iowa State University, Ames.	May 2016
Bakevich, B. 2012. Status, distribution, and habitat associations of Topeka shiners in west central Iowa. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University, Ames.	May 2012

Technical Publications

Technical Publications	Publication Date
Sindt, A. R., M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2011. Fish species of greatest conservation need in wadeable Iowa streams: status, habitat associations, and effectiveness of species distribution models. Final Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 118 pages.	March 2011
Sindt, A. R., M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2010. Iowa stream fish species of greatest conservation need: using IAGAP and REMAP products to refine prioritization and guide assessment. Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 11 pages.	December 2010
Sindt, A. R., M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2009. Iowa stream fish species of greatest conservation need: using IAGAP and REMAP products to refine prioritization and guide assessment. Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 29 pages.	October 2009
Samuel, M.D., Joly, D.O., Wild, M.A., Wright, S.D.,Otis, D.L., Werge, R.W., Miller, M.W. Surveillance strategies for detecting chronic wasting disease in free-ranging deer and elk: results of a CWD surveillance workshop. USGS National Wildlife Health Center Report. March, 2003. 40pp.	April 2005
Rowe, D. C., and C. L. Pierce. 2007. Relationships of Fish Assemblages, In-Stream Physical Habitat, and Landscape Characteristics of Wadeable Iowa Streams. Final Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 136 pages.	May 2007
Rowe, D. C., and C. L. Pierce. 2006. Evaluations of Physical Habitat, Stressor, and Biological Response Indicators for Wadeable Streams in Iowa?s Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program. Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 47 pages.	April 2006
Rowe, D. C., and C. L. Pierce. 2005. Evaluations of Physical Habitat, Stressor, and Biological Response Indicators for Wadeable Streams in Iowa?s Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program. Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.	May 2005
Rowe, D. C., and C. L. Pierce. 2005. Evaluations of Physical Habitat, Stressor, and Biological Response Indicators for Wadeable Streams in Iowa's Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program. Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.	May 2005
Reeves, R. A., and C. L. Pierce. 2013. Amphibian assemblage and population health as an indicator of ecosystem health in various wetland types of the Des Moines Lobe in Iowa. Annual Progress Report to the U.S. Geological Survey. 24 pages.	January 2013
Pierce, C. L., K. L. Kane and G. T. Gelwicks. 2003. The Iowa Rivers Information System (IRIS): Progress Report 2003. Progress Report for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 10 pages.	June 2003
Pierce, C. L. 2012. Fish assemblage relationships with physical characteristics and presence of dams in three eastern Iowa rivers. Final Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 83 pages.	April 2012
Penne, C. R. and C. L. Pierce. 2007. Radio Telemetry Study of Common Carp in Clear Lake, Iowa, To Guide Future Management. Final Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, and Iowa State University. 132 pages.	May 2007
Penne, C. R. and C. L. Pierce. 2006. Habitat Use, Seasonal Distribution, and Aggregation of Common Carp in Clear Lake, Iowa. Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, and Iowa State University. 27 pages.	March 2006
Penne, C. R. and C. L. Pierce. 2005. Habitat Use, Seasonal Distribution, and Tendency to Aggregate of Common Carp in Clear Lake, Iowa. Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, and Iowa State University.	May 2005
Otis, D. L., J. H. Schulz, D. A. Miller, R. Mirarchi, and T. Baskett. Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura). In The Birds of North America, No. 117. (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists Union. 19.	July 2008
Otis, D. L. and H. Wickham. 2006. Evaluation of the Statistical Properties of Grand Canyon Humpback Chub Abundance and Trend Estimates Produced from ASMR and Alternative Mark-Recapture Models. Draft Final Report to USGS GCMRC. 50pp.	September 2006
Otis, D. L. 2009. Mourning Dove Banding Needs Assessment. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management. Laurel, MD. 22pp.	May 2009
Mourning Dove National Strategic Harvest Management Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. September, 2004. 15pp.	April 2005
McDonald, L.L., T. R. Stanley, D. L. Otis, D. E. Biggins, J. L. Koprowski, and W. Ballard. 2010. Recommended methods for range-wide monitoring of prairie dogs in the UNited States. Draft USGS Special Scientific Report.	June 2010
Loan-Wilsey, Anna, R. L. McNeely, P. D. Brown, K. L. Kane and C. L. Pierce. 2004. A comprehensive biological inventory database for the Iowa Aquatic Gap Analysis Project. Gap Analysis Bulletin No.12:2-3. USGS/BRD/Gap Analysis Program, Moscow, Idaho.	March 2004
Loan-Wilsey, A. K., R. L. McNeely, P. D. Brown, K. L. Kane, and C. L. Pierce. 2005. Iowa Stream Fish Atlas. Prepared for the U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Program and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.	October 2005
Loan-Wilsey, A. K., C. L. Pierce, K. L. Kane, P. D. Brown and R. L. McNeely. 2005. The Iowa Aquatic Gap Analysis Project. Final Report. Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Iowa State University, Ames.	June 2005
Litvan, M. E., C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2006. Evaluation of fish passage and fish and macroinvertebrate communities in southwest Iowa streams modified by grade control structures. Final Report for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Hungry Canyons Alliance. 181 pages.	August 2006
Litvan, M. E., C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2006. An Evaluation of Effects of Grade Control Structures on Fish Movement and Fish Communities in Turkey Creek, Cass County, IA and Macroinvertebrate Communities in Walnut Creek, Montgomery County, IA. Annual Progress Report for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Hungry Canyons Alliance. 55 pages.	April 2006
Litvan, M. E., C. L. Pierce, and T. W. Stewart. 2005. An Evaluation of Effects of Grade Control Structures on Fish Movement and Fish Communities in Turkey Creek, Cass County, IA and Macroinvertebrate Communities in Walnut Creek, Montgomery County, IA. Progress Report for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Hungry Canyons Alliance. 24 pages.	March 2005
Koford, R.R., and D. L. Otis. 2008. Bird response to enhanced vegetation diversity in the Spring Run Complex. Progress Report, SWG project, to Iowa DNR.	July 2008
Koford, R.R. 2010. Assessing the Role of Conspecific Attraction in Habitat Restoration for Henslow’s Sparrows in Iowa. Final Report.	June 2010
Koford, R. R., and W. R. Clark. 2000. Abundance and nest success of grassland birds in relation to landscape features and predator movements. Prepared by the Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit as a progress Report to USGS Biological Resources Division, Reston, Virginia.	January 2000
Koford, R. R., and S. D. Cordts. 1999. Assessment of waterfowl productivity and abundance in the Prairie Pothole Region of northern Iowa. Prepared by the Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit as a final Report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3, Fort Snelling, Minnesota; and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.	January 2000
Koford, R. R., and D. L. Otis. 2010. Bird Response to Enhanced Vegetation Diversity in the Spring Run Complex	September 2010
Koford, R. R., and D. L. Otis. 2009. Bird Response to Enhanced Vegetation Diversity in the Spring Run Complex	July 2009
Koford, R. R. 2009. Potential and realized habitat for area-sensitive bird species on State Preserves	June 2009
Koford, R. R. 2000. Effect of habitat restoration on grassland birds in the southern part of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion. Prepared by the Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit as a progress Report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3, Fort Snelling, Minnesota; and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.	January 2000
Koford, R. 2002. Effect of habitat restoration on grassland birds in the southern part of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion. Progress Report, Research Work Order 50, Submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wildlife Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources.	March 2002
Koford, R. 2001. Effect of habitat restoration on grassland birds in the southern part of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion. Progress Report, Research Work Order 50, Submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wildlife Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources.	March 2001
Koford, R. 2001. Bird Survey of the Kellerton Bird Conservation Area. Report submitted to the Wildlife Bureau and Wildlife Diversity Program, Iowa Department of Natural Resources.	March 2001
Kitchell, J.F., Grimes, C., Lindley, S.T., Otis, D.L., Schwarz, C. Report to the Adaptive Management Work Group, Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program. An Independent Review of Ongoing and Proposed Scientific Methods to Assess the Status & Trends of the Grand Canyon Population of the Humpback Chub (Gila cypha). December, 2003. 21pp.	April 2005
Frohnauer, N., C. Pierce, and L. Kallemeyn. 2007. USGS researchers help conserve unique muskellunge strain in Voyageurs National Park. USGS Fisheries and Aquatics Bulletin 6(2):3-4.	July 2007
Debinski, D., R. Koford, and J. Miller. 2007. Effects of Prairie Restoration Using Fire and Grazing Regimes on the Butterfly Community of Iowa?s Loess Hills	July 2007
Cox, R.R., Jr., Eadie, J.M., Otis, D.L., Reinecke, K.J. Science-based allocation of resources for waterfowl conservation in the contiguous U.S.: implications for the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. Report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service MBCF Allocation Process (MAP) Team. May, 2004. 5pp.	April 2005
Colvin, M. E., E. D. Katzenmeyer, T. W. Stewart, and C. L. Pierce. 2010. The Clear Lake Ecosystem Simulation Model (CLESM) Project. Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 160 pages.	August 2010
Colvin, M. E., E. D. Katzenmeyer, T. W. Stewart, and C. L. Pierce. 2009. The Clear Lake Ecosystem Simulation Model (CLESM) Project. Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 142 pages.	June 2009
Colvin, M. E., E. D. Katzenmeyer, T. W. Stewart, and C. L. Pierce. 2008. The Clear Lake Ecosystem Simulation Model (CLESM) Project. Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 110 pages.	June 2008
Brown, P. D., R. L. McNeely, C. L. Pierce, and K. L. Kane. 2005. The Iowa Rivers Information System (IRIS). Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.	October 2005
Bakevich, B. D., M. C. Quist, and C. L. Pierce. 2010. Distribution, abundance, and habitat associations of Topeka shiner in west-central Iowa. Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 15 pages.	December 2010
Andres, B., J. Bart, M. Hack, D. Humberg, M. Koneff, H. Laskowski, J. Nichols, D. Otis, and J. Roberson. Monitoring Avian Conservation: Rationale, Design, and Coordination. Prepared by: The Coordinated Bird Monitoring Working Group of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. September, 2004. 30pp.	April 2005

Data or Software Releases

Type	Citation	Publication Date
Software Release	Tucker, A.M. and M.C. Runge. Optimal harvest of a theoretical population under system change. Version 1.0.0: U.S. Geological Survey Software Release. Reson, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9GCJAVB	October 2022

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

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

Iowa Research Activities

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