Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Effects Of Temperature Anomalies On The Palmer Drought Severity Index In The Central United States, Q. Steven Hu, Garry D. Wilson

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study is to improve our understanding of temperature and precipitation effects on the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). Both theoretical and observational analyses were applied to separate and compare temperature and precipitation effects on PDSI. The results showed that because of the dependence of PDSI on the ‘climatologically appropriate rainfall’, which is a function of time and varies with surface air temperature, the PDSI can be equally affected by temperature and precipitation, when both have similar magnitudes of anomalies. Calculations using observational data further illustrated the temperature influence on PDSI in different climate regions in the …

Ecological And Physiological Factors Affecting Nesting Success Of Burrowing Owls In Buffalo Gap National Grassland, Randall L. Griebel

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugea) has been declining throughout much of its range, and in some areas, quite dramatically. In the Great Plains region, these declines appear to be closely associated with declines in prairie dog numbers. Most research to date has taken place on relatively small, fragmented prairie dog colonies. The objectives of this study were to analyze burrowing owl reproductive performance (i.e., clutch size, brood size, and number fledged), and nestling body condition in relation to nest level and colony level factors in Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota. Buffalo Gap contains large prairie …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 32, No.4 December 2000

The Prairie Naturalist

LOCATING NESTS OF BIRDS IN GRASSLANDS FROM A MOBILE TOWER BLIND ▪ . T. F. Fondell, S. T. Hoekman, and L J. Ball

OBSERVATIONS ON SMALL MAMMALS RECOVERED FROM OWL PELLETS FROM NEBRASKA ▪ J J Huebschman, P. W Freeman, H. H. Genoways, and J A. Gubanyi

DlSTRIBUTION, HABITAT USE, AND NESTING SUCCESS OF HENSLOW'S SPARROW IN OKLAHOMA ▪ D. L. Reinking, D. A. Wiedenfeld, D. H. Wolfe, and R. W. Rohrbaugh, Jr.

REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF PIPING PLOVERS ON ALKALI LAKES IN NORTH DAKOTA AND MONTANA ▪ R. K. Murphy, M. J. Rabenberg, M. L. Sondreal, B. R. Casler, and …

The Effectiveness Of The Asos, Mmts, Gill, And Crs Air Temperature Radiation Shields*, K. G. Hubbard, X. Lin, E.A. Walter-Shea

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Periodic upgrades of air temperature measurement systems in surface weather station networks cause data discontinuities. From a climatological viewpoint, it is necessary to evaluate the air temperature data discontinuities when air temperature radiation shields are upgraded. This study was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of four common air temperature radiation shields including the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), the Maximum–Minimum Temperature System (MMTS), the Gill, and the Cotton Region Shelter (CRS) shields. The solar radiation shielding effectiveness for each shield under typical grass ground surface and different artificial surfaces (black, white, and aluminum) were investigated. The shield effectiveness was evaluated …

Horse Creek Fen, Birdwood Creek And Kelly Ranch Inventory, Robert F. Steinauer

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts

Horse Creek Fen preserve is a complex of wetland communities (Sandhills fen, Sandhills freshwater marsh, and northern sedge wet meadow) associated with Horse Creek, a ditched stream that drains the Allen Valley fen. Fen vegetation on the preserve is limited to approximately 20 acres on the western boundary of the preserve where it abuts the eastern end of the Allen Valley fen (Steinauer et al. 1996). The fen vegetation is surrounded primarily by Sandhills freshwater marsh, which in turn is surrounded by northern sedge wet meadow. Additional Sandhills freshwater marsh occurs near the eastern boundary of the preserve. The eastern …

Correlations Between Burrowing Owl And Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Declines: A 7-Year Analysis, Martha J. Desmond, Julie A. Savidge, Kent M. Eskridge

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Concern over the status of species associated with prairie dog colonies has increased with the recent proposed listing of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). We monitored burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) populations and prairie dog densities in 17 black-tailed prairie dog colonies in the Nebraska panhandle between 1990 and 1996. All prairie dog colonies were controlled at least once during the study. We observed a 63% decline in nesting pairs of burrowing owls and significant declines in burrow densities. Results indicated a time lag in owl response to changes in active burrow densities. However, in the later …

A Flexible K-12 Weather Data Collection And Education Program, Mark A. Mesarch, S. J. Meyer, David C. Gosselin

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The Nebraska Earth Science Education Network (NESEN) is an organization within the University of Nebraska-Lincoln whose objectives are to: 1) promote and enhance K-12 earth science education in Nebraska, 2) improve teacher knowledge and understanding so that students become better informed about the complexities of environmental and natural resources issues and 3) enhance the transfer of earth science information to the K-12 teaching community (Gosselin, Mohlman, Mesarch & Meyer, 1996; Gosselin et al., 1999). To achieve this last objective NESEN developed the Students and Teachers Exchanging Data, Information and Ideas (STEDII) program with the help of support from the National …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 32, No.3 September 2000

The Prairie Naturalist

SPECIAL FEATURE: LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN

PREFACE ▪ C. E. Braun

NOTE ON SPECIAL FEATURES

POPULATION STATUS AND MANAGEMENT OF LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN IN COLORADO ▪ K. M. Giesen

STATUS OF NESTING HABITAT FOR LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN IN NEW MEXICO ▪ J. A. Bailey, J. Klingel, and C. A. Davis

STATUS OF THE LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN IN NEW MEXICO, 1999 ▪ . J. A. Bailey, and S. O. Williams III

DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION TREND OF LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN IN KANSAS ▪ W. E. Jensen, D A. Robinson. Jr and R. D. Applegate

REVIEW OF THE HISTORICAL AND PRESENT STATUS OF THE LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) IN …

Ecology Of Elk In The Pine Ridge Region Of Northwestern Nebraska: Seasonal Distribution, Characteristics Of Wintering Sites, And Herd Health, Michael A. Cover

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

No abstract provided.

Evaluation And Assessment Of Agrichemical Contaminants In The Creighton, Ne Area, Mark E. Burbach, Roy F. Spalding

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) has reported elevated nitrate- nitrogen (NO3-N) concentrations in ground water near Creighton, NE. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 mg/L for NO3-N in public water supplies. NO3-N in the city of Creighton municipal drinking water wells and several rural domestic and irrigation wells have exceeded the MCL. The city of Creighton has constructed a reverse-osmosis water treatment system at a cost of $1.1 million to reduce the NO3-N concentration below the MCL in its water supply. In response to this NO3-N contamination problem the …

The Eos Prototype Validation Exercise (Prove) At Jornada: Overview And Lessons Learned, J. L. Privette, G. P. Asner, J. Conel, K. F. Huemmrich, R. Olson, A. Rango, A. F. Rahman, K. Thome, Elizabeth A. Walter-Shea

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The Earth Observing System (EOS) instrument teams must validate the operational products they produce from the Terra spacecraft data. As a pilot for future validation activities, four EOS teams (MODIS, MISR, ASTER, and Landsat-7) and community experts conducted an 11-day field campaign in May 1997 near Las Cruces, NM. The goals of the Prototype Validation Exercise (PROVE) included (1) gaining experience in the collection and use of field data for EOS product validation; (2) developing coordination, measurement, and data-archiving protocols; and (3) compiling a synoptic land and atmospheric data set for testing algorithms. PROVE was held at the USDA-Agricultural Research …

Airflow Characteristics Of Commonly Used Temperature Radiation Shields*, X. Lin, Kenneth G. Hubbard, George E. Meyer

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The air temperature radiation shield is a key component in air temperature measurement in weather station networks; however, it is widely recognized that significant errors in the measured air temperature exist due to insufficient airflow past the air temperature sensor housed inside the shield. During the last several decades, the U.S. National Weather Service has employed a number of different shields in air temperature measurements. This paper focuses on the airflow characteristics inside air temperature shields including the Maximum–Minimum Temperature System (MMTS), the Gill shields, and the Cotton Region Shelter (CRS).

Average airspeed profiles and airflow efficiency inside the shields …

Extralimital Records Of The Mexican Free-Tailed Bat (Tadarida Brasilensis Mexicana) In The Central United States And Their Biological Significance, Hugh H. Genoways, Patricia W. Freeman, Cary Grell

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Two new records of Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana are reported from Nebraska. The literature records of this taxon from the central United States are summarized. In this region of North America, these bats occupy a “natal range” where the species carries on regular reproductive activities and the populations are relatively stable, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. To the north of the natal range of T. b. mexicana is a “pioneering zone” where, under favorable conditions, the species is capable of reproducing and conducting its normal activities. The pioneering zone of the Mexican free-tailed bat includes Barber and Comanche …

Shifting Distributional Patterns Of Mammals In Nebraska, Russell A. Benedict, Hugh H. Genoways, Patricia W. Freeman

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

New distributional records are presented for 20 species of mammals in Nebraska. The majority of these records appear to represent changes in geographic distribution rather than just better sampling in poorly known areas. One group of mammals, including the opossum, northern myotis, evening bat, red bat, woodchuck, white-footed mouse, and gray fox, is expanding westward, probably in response to increasing woodlands along river systems. Another group, including the meadow vole, masked shrew, and least weasel, is expanding southward, possibly in response to new prey species and changing microclimates. The eastern woodrat appears to be expanding northward in eastern Nebraska. The …

Changes In Primary Production Of Pawnee Reservoir As A Result Of Reservoir Aging, Kristopher A. Fischer

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

No abstract provided.

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 32, No.2 June 2000

The Prairie Naturalist

EVALUATING MORNING AND AFTERNOON ELECTROFISHING CATCH RATES FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS IN KANSAS LAKES C. A. Cox, and R. D. Schultz

DYNAMICS OF GREEN ASH WOODLANDS IN THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK ▪ L. R. Irby, J. E. Norland, M. G. Sullivan, J. A. Westfall, Jr., and P. Anderson

STATUS OF THE ARKANSAS DARTER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL KANSAS AND ADJACENT OKLAHOMA ▪ M. E. Eberle, and W J. Stark

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA 1999 R. N. Randall

AN OBSERVATION OF POSSIBLE BROOD ADOPTION IN RUDDY DUCKS ▪ J. T. Pelayo

MAXILLARY CANINE TEETH IN A NORTH DAKOTA DEER ▪ W. F. …

Dynamic Fluvial Systems And Gravel Progradation In The Himalayan Foreland, Nicholas Brozovic, Douglas W. Burbank

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

Although the large-scale stratigraphy of many terrestrial foreland basins is punctuated by major episodes of gravel progradation, the relationships of such facies to hinterland tectonism and climate change are often unclear. Structural reentrants provide windows into older and more proximal parts of the foreland than are usually exposed, and thus provide key insights to earlier phases of foreland evolution. Our magnetostratigraphic studies show that, although the major lithofacies preserved within the Himachal Pradesh structural reentrant in northwestern India resemble Neogene facies in Pakistan, they have a much greater temporal and spatial variability. From 11.5 to 7 Ma, major facies boundaries …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 32, No.1 March 2000

The Prairie Naturalist

FRESHWATER MUSSELS (BIVALVIA: UNIONOIDEA) IN STREAMS OF NORTHWESTERN KANSAS ▪ S. M. Bergman, M. E. Eberle, and B. K. Obenneyer

PISCIVOROUS BIRD DEPREDATION AT NORTHERN MINNESOTA AQUACULTURE FACILITIES ▪ G. K. Bridgman, E. H. Rave, and J. M. Rafferty 17

EFFECTS OF MOWED TRAILS ON DEPREDATION OF ARTIFICIAL NESTS IN GRASSLAND ▪ D. J. Rosenblatt, J. J. Newton, and E . J. Heske

PLANT COMMUNITY PATTERNS ON UPLAND PRAIRIE IN THE EASTERN NEBRASKA SANDHILLS ▪ W. H. Schacht, J. D. Volesky, D. Bauer, A. J. Smart, and E. M. Mousel

AMERICAN BITTERN DEPREDATES SORA ▪ J. E. Austin, and M. …

The Eos Prototype Validation Exercise (Prove) At Jornada: Overview And Lessons Learned, J. L. Privette, G. P. Asner, J. Conel, K. R. Huemmrich, R. Olson, A. Rango, A. F. Rahman, K. Thome, Elizabeth A. Walter-Shea

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The Earth Observing System (EOS) instrument teams must validate the operational products they produce from the Terra spacecraft data. As a pilot for future validation activities, four EOS teams (MODIS, MISR, ASTER, and Landsat-7) and community experts conducted an 11-day field campaign in May 1997 near Las Cruces, NM. The goals of the Prototype Validation Exercise (PROVE) included (1) gaining experience in the collection and use of field data for EOS product validation; (2) developing coordination, measurement, and data-archiving protocols; and (3) compiling a synoptic land and atmospheric data set for testing algorithms. PROVE was held at the USDA-Agricultural Research …

Forestry's Role In Sustainable Agriculture, James R. Brandle

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Determination Of Drag Properties Of A Shelterbelt From Measurements And A Numerical Model, James R. Brandle

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Pressure Perturbations Around Shelterbelts: Measurements And Model Results, James R. Brandle

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Windbreaks An Old System With A New Look, James R. Brandle

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Windbreaks: Are They Effective?, James R. Brandle

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Silvopastoral Systems In The Pine Ridge Of Nebraska, James R. Brandle

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Structure On The Drag Force Of A Windbreak, James R. Brandle

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Windbreak Practices, James R. Brandle

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Oxygen Budget For Lake Ogallala, Kyle D. Hoagland, John C. Holz, Tadd M. Barrow, Richard J. Ruane

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Lake Ogallala, located below Kingsley Dam which impounds Lake McConaughy in Keith County, Nebraska, is a 260-surface hectare lake with an average depth of approximately eight meters. The lake provides mUltiple uses including a sport fishery and a hydropower and irrigation regulation basin. Since the installation of the hydroelectric generating plant in 1984 (Kingsley Dam was constructed in 1942) and the continued eutrophication of Lake McConaughy, dissolved oxygen concentrations have generally declined in Lake Ogallala. Hypolimnetic withdrawal from Lake McConaughy results in depressed oxygen levels in Lake Ogallala during the mid to latter part of the summer, particularly in certain …

Late Albian Kiowa-Skull Creek Marine Transgression, Lower Dakota Formation, Eastern Margin Of Western Interior Seaway, R.L. Brenner, G.A. Ludvigson, B.J. Witzke, A.N. Zawistoski, E.P. Kvale, R.L. Ravn, R.M. Joeckel

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Potential Production And Environmental Effects Of Switchgrass And Traditional Crops Under Current And Greenhouse-Altered Climate In The Central United States: A Simulation Study, R.A. Brown, N.J. Rosenberg, Cynthia J. Hays, W.E. Easterling, L.O. Mearns

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

If, as many climate change analysts _ speculate, industrial and other emissions of CO₂ can be offset by substitution of biofuels, large areas of land, including agricultural land, may be converted to the production of biomass feedstocks. This paper explores the feasibility for the Missouri–Iowa–Nebraska–Kansas (MINK) region of the US of converting some agricultural land to the production of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a perennial warm season grass, as a biomass energy crop. The erosion productivity impact calculator (EPIC) crop growth model simulated production of corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), soybean ( …