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Woodpeckers, Rex E. Marsh

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalusand Picoides pubescens) belong to the order Piciformes and the family Picidae, which also includes flickers and sapsuckers. Woodpeckers are found throughout the United States. Because they are dependent on trees for shelter and food, woodpeckers are found mostly in or on the edge of wooded areas. Most woodpeckers feed on tree-living or wood-boring insects; however, some feed on a variety of other insects. Woodpeckers are an interesting and familiar group of birds. Woodpecker damage to buildings is a relatively infrequent problem nationwide, but may be significant regionally and locally. Woodpeckers are classified as migratory, …

Red Imported Fire Ant Impact On Wildlife: An Overview, Craig R. Allen, Stephen Demarais, R. Scott Lutz

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: Staff Publications

We reviewed the past 50 years of literature concerning red imported fire ant impacts on wildlife species. The red imported fire ant has had a negative impact on numerous species of wildlife. However, experimental evidence of population-level impacts is meager. We discuss potential fire ant perturbations and suggest research directions that may settle the long-standing controversy concerning the impact of imported fire ants on native vertebrates and the ecosystems they have invaded.

Armadillo (Dasypus Novemcinctus), Donald W. Hawthorne

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

The armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a rather interesting and unusual animal that has a protective armor of “horny” material on its head, body, and tail. The armadillo ranges from south Texas to the southeastern tip of New Mexico, through Oklahoma, the southeastern corner of Kansas and the southwestern corner of Missouri, most of Arkansas, and southwestern Mississippi. The armadillo prefers dense, shady cover such as brush, woodlands, forests, and areas adjacent to creeks and rivers. More than 90% of the armadillo’s diet is made up of insects and their larvae. The armadillo is active primarily from twilight through …

Bird Damage At Aquaculture Facilities, W. Paul Gorenzel, Fred S. Conte, Terrell P. Salmon

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Reduction of the damage caused by fish-eating birds requires accurate bird identification and some knowledge of avian biology and habits. The open-water areas and large concentrations of aquatic livestock at aquaculture facilities are natural attractants to many birds. Birds can have a significant economic impact on the culture of aquatic products including fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. For our purpose here, we will refer to these birds as fish-eating birds, and the aquatic products as fish.

Magpies, Thomas C. Hall

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Magpies (Pica pica and P. nuttalli) have lived in close association with humans for centuries. Magpies are found in western North America. Magpies are associated with the dry, cool climatic regions of North America. Magpies are omnivorous and very opportunistic, a characteristic typical of other corvids. Magpies, like other corvids, are intelligent birds. Magpies have come into conflict with humans in North America for quite some time. Magpies are protected as migratory nongame birds under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

European Starlings, Ron J. Johnson, James F. Glahn

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are robin-sized birds weighing about 3.2 ounces (90g). Since their introduction into New York in the 1890s, starlings have spread across the continental United States, northward to Alaska and the southern half of Canada, and southward into northern Mexico. Starlings are found in a wide variety of habitats including cities, towns, farms, ranches, open woodlands, fields, and lawns. Starlings consume a variety of foods, including fruits and seeds of both wild and cultivated varieties. European starlings were brought into the United States from Europe. Starlings are frequently considered pests because of the problems they cause, …

Red Mud : Cutting Pollution And Boosting Yields, Rob Summers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A by-product from the refining of bauxite ore in the South-West is proving a bonus for agriculture.

When spread over the land, not only is it improving soil quality, but it is helping to prevent leaching of phosphorus and the consequent massive algal blooms in the waterways.

Bauxite residue is also showing considerable promise in human and animal effluent disposal systems, composting urban refuse, sewage treatments and as a road base.

Western Australia is now in the forefront of this research which is attracting world-wide interest.

1994 File Geodatabase Containing Photo Point Locations, Aerial Photos, And Flight Maps, City Of Tampa Department Of Sanitary Sewers Bay Study Group, Pete Reehling, Richard Mckenzie

Data Sets

The Bay Study Group was created by the City of Tampa in 1976 to monitor the effects of pollution abatement that occurred in Hillsborough Bay when the city’s wastewater treatment plant was upgraded from primary to advanced treatment in 1979. The Bay Study Group documented a remarkable restoration of water quality parameters and biological indicators in Hillsborough Bay from the mid 1980s until 2009, when it was disbanded. This zip Geodatabase file contains the photo point locations, aerial photos, and flight maps for the year 1994.

1994 File Geodatabase Containing Aerial Photos, Pete Reehling, Richard Mckenzie, City Of Tampa Department Of Sanitary Sewers Bay Study Group

Images

The Bay Study Group was created by the City of Tampa in 1976 to monitor the effects of pollution abatement that occurred in Hillsborough Bay when the city’s wastewater treatment plant was upgraded from primary to advanced treatment in 1979. The Bay Study Group documented a remarkable restoration of water quality parameters and biological indicators in Hillsborough Bay from the mid 1980s until 2009, when it was disbanded. This zip Geodatabase file contains the aerial photos for the year 1994.

Identification And Assessment Of Wildlife Damage: An Overview, Richard A. Dolbeer, Nicholas R. Holler, Donald W. Hawthorne

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Wildlife management is often thought of in terms of protecting, enhancing, and nurturing wildlife populations and the habitat needed for their wellbeing. However, many species at one time or another require management actions to reduce conflicts with people or with other wildlife species. Examples include an airport manager modifying habitats to reduce gull activity near runways, a forester poisoning pocket gophers to increase tree seedling survival in a reforestation project, or a biologist trapping an abundant predator or competing species to enhance survival of an endangered species.

Wildlife damage control is an increasingly important part of the wildlife management profession …

Raccoons (Procyon Lotor), Edward K. Boggess

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is found throughout the United States, with the exception of the higher elevations of mountainous regions and some areas of the arid Southwest. Raccoons prefer hardwood forest areas near water. Raccoons are omnivorous, eating both plant and animal foods. Raccoons may cause damage or nuisance problems in a variety of ways, and their distinctive tracks often provide evidence of their involvement in damage situations. Raccoons are protected furbearers in most states, with seasons established for running, hunting, or trapping.

River Otters (Lutra Canadensis), Edward P. Hill

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

River otters (Lutra canadensis) are best known for their continuous and playful behavior, their aesthetic value, and the value of their durable, high-quality fur. River otters occur throughout North America except the arctic slopes, the arid portions of the Southwest, and the intensive agricultural and industrialized areas of the midwestern United States. The diet of the river otter throughout its range is primarily fish. The reproductive biology of river otters and all other weasels is complex because of a characteristic known as delayed implantation. The presence of river otter(s) around or in a fish hatchery, aquaculture, or fish …

Skunks, James E. Knight

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

The skunk (Mephitis mephitis and Spilogale putorius), a member of the weasel family, is represented by four species in North America. The skunk has short, stocky legs and proportionately large feet equipped with well-developed claws that enable it to be very adept at digging. The striped skunk is common throughout the United States and Canada. Adult skunks begin breeding in late February. Skunks inhabit clearings, pastures, and open lands bordering forests. Skunks eat plant and animal foods in about equal amounts during fall and winter. Skunks become a nuisance when their burrowing and feeding habits conflict with humans. …

Wolves (Canis Lupus), William J. Paul, Philip S. Gibson

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Two species of wolves occur in North America, gray wolves (Canis lupus) and red wolves (Canis rufus). During the 1800s, gray wolves ranged over the North American continent as far south as central Mexico. Gray wolves occupy boreal forests and forest/agricultural edge communities in Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and northern Michigan. Mech reported that gray wolves prey mainly on large animals including white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose, caribou, elk, Dall sheep, bighorn sheep, and beaver. Gray wolves are highly social, often living in packs of two to eight or more individuals. The ability of wolves to kill …

Bats (Myotis Lucifugus), Arthur M. Greenhall, Stephen C. Frantz

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Despite their ecological value, bats (Myotis lucifugus) are relentlessly and unjustifiably persecuted. Bats, the only mammals that truly fly, belong to the order Chiroptera. Bats in North America are virtually all insectivorous, feeding on a variety of flying insects (exceptions among house bats were noted previously). Most North American bats emit high frequency sounds (ultrasound) inaudible to humans and similar to sonar, in order to avoid obstacles, locate and capture insect prey, and to communicate. Bats often fly about swimming pools, from which they drink or catch insects. Bats use roosting niches that are indoors (human dwellings, outbuildings, …

Deer, Scott R. Craven, Scott E. Hygnstrom

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are probably the most widely distributed and best-recognized large mammals in North America. Deer are even-toed ungulates of the family Cervidae. The white-tailed deer is found in every state in the United States except perhaps Alaska and Utah. Deer are creatures of the forest edge rather than the dense, old-growth forest. Browse (leaves, stems, and buds of woody plants) is generally available all year and is a staple food for deer. Breeding occurs from October to January depending on latitude. Deer damage a wide variety of row crops, forage crops, vegetables, fruit trees, nursery stock, …

Elk, David S. Decalesta, Gary W. Witmer

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

The elk is a large, powerful animal with an adult weight averaging over 400 pounds (180 kg). The Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) is found in the Rocky Mountain states and in scattered locations in the Midwest and East. Although elk once roamed freely into lower elevation grasslands, they are now found primarily close to heavily forested areas that are dotted with natural or human-made (clear-cut) openings. Elk graze on grasses and forbs, and browse on shrubs, tree seedlings, and saplings. Weather and human activities influence elk activity. Elk commonly impact agricultural resources by competing with domestic …

Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra Americana), Sanford D. Schemnitz

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is not a true antelope but in a family by itself (Antilocapridae). It is native only to North America. Pronghorns currently have a scattered but widespread distribution throughout western North America. Pronghorns thrive in short and mixed grasslands and sagebrush grasslands. Pronghorns eat a variety of plants, mostly forbs and browse. Pronghorns depend on their eyesight and speed to escape enemies. Pronghorns sometimes cause damage to grain fields, alfalfa, and haystacks during the winter. Pronghorns have game-animal status in all of the western states.

Cottontail Rabbits, Scott R. Craven

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) usually can be accepted as interesting additions to the backyard or rural landscape if control techniques are applied correctly. Under some unusual circumstances, control of damage may be difficult. There are 13 species of cottontail rabbits (genus Sylvilagus), nine of which are found in various sections of North America north of Mexico. The eastern cottontail’s range includes the entire United States east of the Rocky Mountains and introductions further west. Cottontails do not distribute themselves evenly across the landscape. Rabbits live only 12 to 15 months, and probably only one rabbit in 100 lives …

American Crows, Ron J. Johnson

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is one of America’s best-known birds. American crows are widely distributed over much of North America. American crows do best in a mixture of open fields where food can be found and woodlots where there are trees for nesting and roosting. Crows are omnivorous, eating almost anything, and they readily adapt food habits to changing seasons and available food supply. Crows are among the most intelligent of birds. Experiments indicate that American crows can count to three or four, are good at solving puzzles, have good memories, employ a diverse and behaviorally complex …

Gulls, Victor E. F. Solman

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

The term gull refers to members of a group of 23 North American bird species that belong to the family Laridae, subfamily Larinae. The herring (Larus argentatus) and ringbilled (L. delawarensis) gulls are the most common and widespread of the species. Most gulls nest in colonies on sand and gravel-covered shorelines and islands. Gulls feed on land or water on aquatic animals, terrestrial invertebrates and small vertebrates, plant remains, carrion, and refuse. Increasing gull populations in North America during the past century have led to a variety of problems for different segments of society.

Swallows, W. Paul Gorenzel, Terrell P. Salmon

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Eight members of the swallow family Hirundinidae breed in North America: the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), violet-green swallow (T. thalassina), purple martin (Progne subis), bank swallow (Riparia riparia), northern rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis), barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), cave swallow (Hirundo fulva), and the cliff swallow (H. pyrrhonota). Cliff and barn swallows are found throughout most of North America. Four basic conditions are found near most cliff and barn swallow nest sites: (1) an open habitat for foraging, (2) a suitable surface for …

Waterfowl, Edward C. Cleary

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

The term waterfowl is properly applied only to ducks, geese, and swans. In North America, most waterfowl are migratory, flying long distances in the spring and fall between the summer breeding grounds and wintering areas. Waterfowl, as their name implies, are most often found near water. The food of individual waterfowl species ranges from fish to insects to plants in various combinations, depending on availability. Waterfowl are normally monogamous and solitary nesters. Goose problems in urban and suburban areas are primarily caused by giant Canada geese, which are probably the most adaptable of all waterfowl. In the United States, migratory …

Alligators (Alligator Mississippiensis), Allan R. Woodward, Dennis N. David

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is the most common of two crocodilians native to the United States and is one of 22 crocodilian species worldwide. The American alligator is found in wetlands throughout the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. Alligators can be found in almost any type of fresh water, but population densities are greatest in wetlands with an abundant food supply and adjacent marsh habitat for nesting. Alligators are exclusively carnivorous and prey upon whatever creatures are most available. Alligators are ectothermic — they rely on external sources of heat to maintain body temperature. Damage …

Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Viridis Viridis), Walter E. Howard

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis) are distinctly American serpents. There are 15 species of rattlesnakes in the United States and 25 in Mexico. Rattlesnakes are usually identified by their warning rattle—a hiss or buzz—made by the rattles at the tip of their tails. Rattlesnakes occur only in North and South America and range from sea level to perhaps 11,000 feet (over 3,000 m) in California and 14,000 feet (4,000 m) in Mexico, although they are not abundant at the higher elevations. Young or small species of rodents comprise the bulk of the food supply for most rattlesnakes. When a …

Turtles, James F. Fowler, Jimmy L. Avery

Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook

Turtles (Terrapene carolina) occur on all continents except Antarctica. Any permanent body of water is a potential home for turtles. Turtles are seldom a pest to people. Most turtles are not protected by state laws.

Impacts Of Biological Invasions On The Management And Recovery Of Rare Plants In Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaiian Islands, Lloyd Loope, Arthur Medeiros

United States National Park Service: Publications

Biological invasions assisted by humans are impoverishing biological diversity worldwide (MacDonald et al. 1989, Diamond 1989). Such invasions are particularly devestating to the biota of oceanic islands such as Hawaii (Williamson 1981, Brockie et al. 1988, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources et al. 1991). Ecosystems of the Hawaiian Islands are much more vulnerable to biological invasions than are continental ecosystems, because the organisms in them have evolved in isolation from many of the forces that have shaped continental organisms, including foraging and trampling by herbivorous mammals, predation by ants and mammals, virulent diseases, and fires (Loope & Mueller-Dombois …

Raptor Use Of The Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Richard Wayne Hansen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Raptors are high trophic-level predators, and thus sensitive to environmental change. I conducted a basic ecological study of raptors using the Idaho National Environmental Laboratory (INEL), in southeastern Idaho, between 1991 and 1993 to assess effects of human activity on the site. Results were compared to previous raptor studies conducted on the INEL from 1974-1976 and in 1982, as well as with studies of rough-legged hawks, long-eared owls, and burrowing owls conducted during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Road-side raptor surveys were conducted from January through May in 1992 and 1993. Principle species recorded were rough-legged hawks, red-tailed hawks, …

Habitat Selection By Lacustrine Rainbow Trout Within Gradients Of Temperature, Oxygen, And Food Availability, Chris Luecke, D. Teuscher

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss [Walbaum]) in Castle Lake, California were concentrated at certain depths during day and evening hours. A fish bioenergetics simulation model based on vertical gradients of temperature, oxygen concentration, and food availability indicated that rainbow trout selected habitats that maximized growth rate. In 1 of the 2 years of study, a strong pattern of diel vertical migration of rainbow trout was evident and was associated with vertical migrations of daphnids in the lake. The simulation model correctly predicted the occurrence and magnitude of fish migration. During the day some trout resided at depths with little potential for …

The Modeling Of Phosphorus Dynamics In A Lake System, Todd N. Swift

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

We have constructed a basic closed stock and flow model of lake phosphorus cycling that includes three stock concentrations: inorganic phosphorus, phosphorus in living organic material, and phosphorus in dead organic material. Stocks are connected by flows that are made stock dependent in a plausible manner. The model exhibits two equilibrium points, one stable and the other unstable, with an interesting crossover between them. Below a certain total phosphorus threshold, stable equilibrium is characterized by all of the phosphorus stock residing in the inorganic form, suggesting the collapse of the biological system. Above the threshold, this is not true. We …