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A Relationship Between River Modification And Species Richness Of Freshwater Turtles In Iowa, Terry J. Vandewalle, James L. Christiansen

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Comparisons were made of turtle populations in Red Rock Reservoir and the major rivers of the Mississippi River and Missouri River damage systems in Iowa. Of the inland rivers of the Mississippi drainage examined in this study, the Des Moines River had the least amount of remaining turtle habitat. Number of turtle species ranged from five in the Des Moines River to 11 in the Mississippi River, but only three species were found in Red Rock Reservoir. In the Missouri drainage, number of turtle species ranged from three in both the Little Sioux and Nishnabotna rivers to five in the …

Life History And Status Classifications Of Birds Breeding In Iowa, Louis B. Best, Kathryn E. Freemark, Barbara S. Steiner, Timothy M. Bergin

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Life history and status classifications were compiled for 145 bird species that breed in Iowa. Species were classified by food type and substrate, nest substrate, susceptibility to cowbird parasitism, migratory status, predominant habitat use and habitat-use specialization, body mass (an index of home range/territory size), area sensitivity, population trend and vulnerability, and beneficial/harmful aspects in relation to agriculture. Such information may be used to make interspecific comparisons, evaluate interrelationships among life history and status characteristics, and provide insights into the interpretation of previous research. This synthesis also can aid those responsible for making conservation and management decisions about Iowa's avifauna.

Post-Natal Survival Of Raccoons In Relation To Female Age And Denning Behavior, Jonathan J. Judson, William R. Clark, Ronald D. Andrews

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

We measured post-natal survival of radio-collared raccoons 1-5 months old in southwest Iowa, 1988-1989. We compared survival of young nurtured by yearling and adult females and related den site selection to survival functions using proportional hazards models. Adult females used upland and farmstead habitats note frequently than yearlings, whereas yearling females used lowland habitats note frequently. Tree cavities and beds on the ground were used most frequently. Adult females denned in buildings 13% of the time and in holes in the ground 9.5% of the time, whereas yearlings frequently tested with litters in beds on the ground (31%). Microhab1tat characteristics …

Evaluation Of Implanted Radio Transmitters In Pheasant Chicks, Dean E. Ewing, William R. Clark, Paul A. Vohls

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

We studied game-farm pheasant (Phasianus colchicus Linneaus) chicks implanted with miniature transmitters to determine if surgery and implantation affected growth, behavior, or survival. Transmitters (weighing 1.2 g) were implanted subcutaneously in the interscapular region in day-old chicks. In Experiment 1, biological effects on chicks with transmitters implanted were compared with data from a control group. In Experiment 2, the effects of anesthesia only, anesthesia with an implanted transmitter, and implanted transmitter only were compared with a control. We measured responses of weight gain, survival, and pecking behavior in each experiment. In Experiment 1, we found no significant differences in weight …

Ecoregions And Subregions Of Iowa: A Framework For Water Quality Assessment And Management, Glenn E. Griffith, James M. Omernik, Thomas F. Wilton, Suzanne M. Pierson

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Ecoregion frameworks are valuable tools for inventorying and assessing environmental resources, for setting resource management goals, and for developing biological criteria and water quality standards. In a collaborative project between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we have refined boundaries of the EPA's five ecological regions of Iowa and defined six subregions of the Western Corn Belt Plains ecoregion within the state. Lists of candidate stream reference sites have been developed to date for the seven largest regions, and the sites were visited and evaluated by Iowa DNR and U.S. EPA personnel …

Some Significant Iowa Plant Records From The Herbarium Of University Of Nebraska At Omaha, Barbara L. Wilson

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Though the herbarium of University of Nebraska at Omaha (OMA) lies outside the state boundaries, it contains a number of interesting western Iowa records. Publicizing these and other little-known Iowa plant records is especially important at this time, since a checklist of Iowa's vascular plants, compiled by Eilers and Roosa, is nearing completion.

Natural History In Iowa: The Early Phases, David C. Glenn-Lewin, Thomas R. Rosburg

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Natural history in Iowa prior to the 20th Century can be conveniently arranged into 4 phases: Native American, before the Louisiana Purchase, between the Louisiana Purchase and about 1850, and after 1850. Native American natural history was extensive and had a distinctly spiritual character. Natural history was a component of European exploration up to the time of the Louisiana Purchase, but was not treated as a separate endeavor; the evidence from this period comes from the journals and diaries of early exploreres, fur traders and the like. Between the Louisiana Purchase and about 1850, natural history changed from its status …

Rp92-445 Marketing Crafts And Other Products To Tourists, Sherri Gahring, Shirley Niemeyer, Rae Reilly, Janeann Stout

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The travel and tourism industry is the third largest employer in the United States, supporting over 5.85 million travel-related jobs. Foreign and domestic visitors traveling in the United States generate over $327 billion in tourism revenues in a year, making travel and tourism the third largest retail sales industry.

If you target the tourist market, what types of products appeal to people who take part in different tourist activities? Are handcrafted items of interest to tourists? How can you improve existing marketing strategies?

To find answers to these questions, a research team from Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska gathered information from …

Geology Of Iowa Fens, C. A. Thompson, E. A. Bettis Iii, R. G. Baker

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Fens are peatlands which are dependent on groundwater discharge to provide nutrient enrichment. Fens are found in a variety of landscape positions and in most Iowa landform regions. This paper presents a classification system for Iowa fens based on landscape position, stratigraphy, and hydrologic factors. Iowa fens can be separated into six categories: 1) fens along valley wall slopes; the groundwater source for these fens is sand and gravel buried between glacial tills (inter-till); 2) fens in hummocky topography on the northwestern margin of the Des Moines Lobe landform region; the water source is sand and gravel buried within glacial …

Necklace Radio Transmitter Attachment For Pheasants, Terry Z. Riley, Bruce A. Fistler

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

We tested a pre-assembled, necklace-radio-transmitter-attachment design on female ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in northern Iowa. Birds were captured by nightlighting and bait trapping between September 1989 and March 1990. Radio transmitters were attached to 128 using a wire necklace. Two birds had problems adapting to the necklace, and 3 birds removed them. Twenty-three birds were still alive and wearing necklaces at the end of the study, for an average of 318 (SD= ± 52) days. Ease of attachment, long durability, light weight, and minimal bulk make the necklace an effective alternative to harness and poncho mounts.

History Of Mammal Study In Iowa, John B. Bowles

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The first records of mammals in Iowa were from explorers, survey parties heading westward and early seeders. Generation of checklists of state mammals began in 1840 and culminated with the annotated list by Scott (1937) and biogeographic analysis by Bowles (1975). Recent focus has been on rare species status and mammalian ecology, e.g., Loess Hills, riparian habitat, agricultural practices, and reestablished grasslands.

Charles Rueben Keyes And The History Of Iowa Archaeology, William Green

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Charles Reuben Keyes (1871-1951) achieved recognition during his lifetime as the "founding father" of Iowa archaeology, and later assessments confirmed and reemphasized Keyes' stature as Iowa's pioneer archaeologist. The collections and documents Keyes compiled, his interpretive publications, and the records of field work he coordinated have proven more valuable to Midwest and Plains archaeology every year. This article emphasizes Keyes' involvement in the development of professionalism in American archaeology and Iowa’s position in the growth of the discipline from 1920 to 1950. Keyes' contacts with the principal archaeologists of his era ensured Iowa’s involvement in the development of survey methods …

Radon In Iowa Homes: Results Of Screening Measurements, Laurent Hodges, Lynne Gillette

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Homeowner-initiated short-term radon screening measurements in Iowa homes show that only about 30% of the homes have low enough radon levels - below 148 Bq/m (4.0 pC1/L) - that no follow-up measurements are necessary. Over 6 percent of the homes have screening measurements in excess of 740 Bq/m³ (20 pCi/L), a level at which prompt follow-up measurements are recommended. In all parts of the state, the range of radon results extends from low levels (below 37 Bq/m³ = 1 pCi/L) to high levels (above 740 Bq/m³). The average radon results tend to be higher than the …

Results Of The August Roadside Survey For Upland Wildlife In Iowa: 1963-1988, Willie J. Suchy, Ronald J. Munkel, James M. Kienzler

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Results of the August roadside survey collected from 1963 through 1988 were examined to determine if trends could be detected in the counts of ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), gray partridge (Perdix perdix), cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus), and white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii). The counts also were compared to harvest estimates co determine if correlations exist. Statistically significant linear trends were detected statewide for pheasants, gray partridge and jackrabbits during the 1963 co 1988 period. Trends were downward for all species except gray partridge. During the late 12 years (1977 through 1988), the only significant trend detected was …

Food Habits Of The Northern Saw-Whet Owl In Central Iowa: Effects Of Roost Location, Stephen J. Dinsmore, William R. Clark

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

During the period 1979-89, 900 northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus) pellets with identifable remains of prey were collected at 18 central Iowa locations. Peromyscus were the most frequent prey consumed, comprising 81.2% of all prey items. Other prey species were voles (Microtus), western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis), shrews (Blarina brevicauda, Sorex cinereus, and Cryptotis parva), and a single unidentified bird. Peromyscus comprised the largest proportion of pellets from different successional stages. There were significant differences for four prey groups (Peromyscus, Microtus, Reithrodontomys, and shrews) among years. Peromyscus and R. megalotis showed significant differences among locations. Microtus and shrews were variable …

Holocene Vegetational Changes In Eastern Iowa, R. G. Baker, C. A. Chumbley, P. M. Witinok, H. K. Kim

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Pollen and plant macrofossil analysis from three sites along an east-west transect in southeastern Iowa provide evidence for Holocene vegetational development. Colo Marsh at the west end of the transect is relatively complete, with a late-glacial spruce zone ending about 11,500 yr B.P.; a deciduous forest zone from about 11,500 to 8300; a prairie zone from 8300 to 4500, and prairie with oak from 4500 to presettlement times.

Sediments from the site at the Indian Creek Nature Center, midway in the transect, date only from about 6000 to 1600 yrs B. P. This site also was dominantly prairie from 6000 …

Ada Hayden: A Tribute, Duane Isely

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Dr. Ada Hayden was a member of the Iowa State College of Botany faculty, 1920-1950. Her floristic studies of the lake region in northern Iowa are possibly the most authoritative for any part of the state. Hayden was curator of the Iowa State herbarium, 1934-1950, and contributed immeasurably to its development. This research facility has recently been named the Ada Hayden Herbarium. In the sense that L. H. Pammel was father of the Iowa State park system, her bequest is the state preserves. After some 25 years as a conservation activist, she published descriptions of 22 prairie areas in ten …

Agricultural Agenda For The Twenty-First Century, C. Dean Freudenberger

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

Predation By Ermine And Long-Tailed Weasels On Duck Eggs, Joseph P. Fleskes

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Ermine (Mustela erminea) and long-tailed weasel (M. frenata) predation on duck eggs was studied at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Kossuth County, Iowa, 1984-85. Captive individuals of both species ate 2-4 duck eggs at a rate of 0.5-2 eggs per trial day. All eggs were moved but some were not opened. One hole, ringed with small fragments and "bite-outs'', was made in all eggs opened by captive weasels. In the field, the appearance of opened eggs, the pattern of egg loss and the amount of nest bowl disturbance were used to determine the number of nests depreciated by weasels. Egg …

Using Life History And Ecology As Tools To Manage A Threatened Salamander Species, Scott R. Mcwilliams, Marilyn D. Bachmann

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Selected aspects of the life history and ecology of the small-mouthed salamander (Ambystoma texanum Matthes) relevant to the management of this threatened species in Iowa are presented. The population studied utilizes flooded woodland habitat during courtship, breeding and egg laying, and during the entire larval period. Larval foraging strategies in this habitat included ontogenetic but no diel shifts in prey selection. Synchronous, nocturnal breeding migration allowed effective use of drift fences fur capture of adults used in captive breeding, courtship behavior studies, and the estimation of breeding population size. Large numbers of spennatophores, apparently indiscriminate mate choice, and the relatively …

Seasonal Composition Of Benthic Diatom Associations In The Cedar River Basin (Iowa), Stephen P. Main

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

This is the first detailed report on the taxonomy and ecology of diatoms in the portion of the upper reaches of the Cedar River basin in Iowa. This paper describes the diatom taxa from shallow benthic substrata collected quarterly between 11 October 1975 and 19 February 1977 at 14 sampling stations. Just over 500 frustules were counted from each of the 216 samples obtained. Analysis of water samples collected at the same time as the diatoms indicates these screams have alkaline hard waters rich in nutrients with extreme turbidity level fluctuation at irregular intervals.

The 281 diatom taxa identified represented …

The Status Of Three Uncommon Salamanders (Amphibia: Caudata) In Iowa, Jeffery D. Camper

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The smallmouth salamander [Ambystoma texanum (Matthes)], blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale Hallowell), and central newt [Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis (Wolterstorff)] were studied in Iowa from fall 1982 through summer 1984. All three species have declined in abundance in Iowa. A. texanum is more abundant and widespread than was previously suspected, but is declining due to habitat destruction. Apparently, only two populations of A. laterale remain in Iowa. N. v. louisianensis has also declined due to habitat destruction, with only three populations known. All three species require ponds in or adjacent to forest. A. ta was found primarily in riparian …

Evaluation Of Fish Eradication And Game-Fish Restocking In A Central Iowa Pond, Dennis L. Scarnecchia

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Changes in fish community and population structure associated with fish eradication and subsequent restocking were investigated in a small (0. 25 ha) impoundment in Boone County, Iowa. In September 1985, when fish were eradicated with rotenone, the fish community consisted of eight species. Large numbers of small bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus), green sunfish (Lepomis ryanellus), and stunted crappies (Pomoxis spp.) dominated the pond numerically, but seven large carp (Cyprinus carpio) and 18 large bigmouth buffalo (lctiobus ryprinellus) constituted 80% of the total biomass. The only quality angling (popular species of desirable size) was for a few largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and …