Digital Commons Network^™

May 1995

What on Earth

What on Earth was a short-run student publication by the Providence College Environmental and Wildlife Club. (May 1995 - 4 pages total.)

Effects Of Flaming Gorge Dam Hydropower Operations On Flow And Stage In The Green River, Utah And Colorado, S.C.L Yin, United States Department Of Energy, Environmental Assessment Division, Argonne National Laboratory, J.J. Mccoy, S.C. Palmer

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

No abstract provided.

Application And Evaluation Of A Biotic Index To Sand Hills And Streams Of Nebraska, Gregory T. Michl

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

No abstract provided.

The Probe, Issue #154 -- May 1995

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

Understanding the Eastern Coyote - Part I, by Thomas N. Tomsa, Jr., USDA-APHIS-ADC, Pennsylvania
Book Review - "Red Fox: The Catlike Canine"
Goldfinches Devastate Strawberry Crop
Blast Ignited Over Frozen Gopher
Leg Traps Barred - Arizona Ranchers Worried
Helping to Make Trapping "PC"
Changing Times, by James Forbes, NADCA President
Trapping Weasels
Proceedings Available

Center For Sustainable Agricultural Systems Newsletter, May/June 1995

Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems: Newsletter (1993–2000)

Contents:

What You'll See on the Sustainable Ag Tour

Clinton Administration Farm Policy

In the Seminar Spotlight: The Bioregenerative Landscape

Biopower from Agriculture

Managing Weeds in Farming Systems

Sustainable Families -- Sustainable Economies -- Sustainable Environments

Nebraska Governor Signs Alternative Energy Bill

Organic Research Grant Proposals Due July 31

Minnesota Offers Sustainable Ag Minor

Cast Conference on Sustainable Ag and the Farm Bill

Riparian Habitats Of The Central Platte As A Corridor For Dispersal Of Small Mammals In Nebraska, Thomas D. Silvia

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

No abstract provided.

Federal Minimums: Insufficient To Save The Bay, Roy A. Hoagland, Jean G. Watts

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Behavioral Characteristics Affect Habitat Selection Of Domestic Ruminants, Cody B. Scott

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I evaluated some of the factors affecting livestock distribution by conducting experimental (Chapters II and III) and observational (Chapter IV) studies. In Chapter II, I described the effect of locations of familiar foods and social interactions on choice of feeding location by lambs. Lambs were exposed to a pasture as subgroups of strangers and companions with different dietary habits (i.e., three lambs that preferred milo with three lambs that preferred wheat). Milo was placed on one end and wheat on the other, about 100 m apart. Strangers typically fed in different locations, reflecting dietary preferences. Conversely, companions fed in both …

Disease And Habitat Change As Factors Associated With Mourning Dove Population Decline, William D. Ostrand

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The western mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) population has been declining since 1966. Data collected in 1951-52, in Fillmore, Utah, provided us a baseline for comparison with our study in the same area. Our approach was to determine whether a local population decline had occurred since the original data were collected, assess if trichomoniasis has impacted the local population, determine if changes in habitat structure affect foraging site selection, quantify changes in habitat, identify which habitats doves preferred, ascertain whether doves had responded to habitat change by changing food habits, and assess if changes in habitat were responsible in …

Winter Habitat Selection By American Marten (Martes Americana) In Newfoundland: Why Old Growth?, Gary S. Drew

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although the American marten (Martes americana) generally is recognized as an obligate late-seral species, the factors dictating this association are poorly understood. Martens were studied in Newfoundland, Yellowstone National Park, and in a captive setting. As expected, use of habitat types was not proportional to availability P < 0.001). Defoliated and late-seral conifer stands were used more than expected, while all other types indicated expected or less than expected use. Habitat selection by martens was detectable at spatial scales greater than 80 m (P < 0.001).

Newfoundland martens were radio-collared and monitored for diet activity during the winters of 1990 and 1991. A regression of the percent active fixes on temperature had a negative slope (b = -4.45, P = 0.084, n = 12), indicating that martens did not minimize their exposure to low temperatures. A log-linear model suggested …

Competitive Interactions Between Two Closely Related Rhizomatous And Caespitose Perennial Grasses Under Varying Conditions, L. David Humphrey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Biomass, tiller numbers, flowering, and genet survival were accessed for the rhizomatous Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus and caespitose E. l. ssp. wawawaiensis growing in mixtures with a range of densities of each taxon. Models of aboveground biomass of each taxon as a function of mixed densities were used to calculate competition indices. Tiller numbers and biomass of ssp. lanceolatus were higher than those of the caespitose taxon in the first year, but declined in the second year, while biomass and tiller numbers of ssp. wawawaiensis changed little. All tillers of ssp. wawawaiensis emerged in autumn; tillers of ssp. …

Evaluation Of Lake Fertilization As A Tool To Assist In The Recovery Of The Snake River Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus Nerka), Howard P. Gross

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I analyzed lake fertilization (with nitrogen and phosphorus) as a tool to assist in the recovery of the Snake River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in the oligotrophic Sawtooth Valley Lakes in southcentral Idaho. These analyses involved monitoring, manipulating, and modelling several aspects of the lakes' primary producer, nutrient, and light parameters.

In Pettit Lake, I evaluated the effects of metalimnetic and epilimnetic fertilization in 330-m³ mesocosms. The metalimnetic treatment was equal to or more effective than the epilimnetic treatment in increasing chlorophyll a, phytoplankton biovolume, and primary productivity, yet caused smaller changes in periphyton growth and …

Geology Of The Ogallala/High Plains Regional Aquifer System In Nebraska, Robert F. Diffendal Jr.

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

This guide is mostly figures with a reference section containing some of the pertinent literature on the Cenozoic geology we will see over the next four days. Copies of some of the cited works will be assembled in a packet and handed out on the morning of April 29th. We will make all 17 stops. if the weather is reasonably good and the roads are passable. On the first day, April 29, we will try to get to stops 1-5, the more distal parts of the Ogallala and younger deposits in Nebraska. On April 30, we will try to visit …

Whooping Cranes And Piping Plovers: Watershed Problem Solving On The Platte, Elizabeth Rieke, Gordon W. (Jeff) Fassett, University Of Colorado Boulder. Natural Resources Law Center

Whooping Cranes and Piping Plovers: Watershed Problem Solving on the Platte (April 27)

21 pages.

Includes illustrations, maps, and biographical information for Gordon W. Fassett and James S. Lochhead.

Habitat for species listed as endangered under federal law along the Platte River in Nebraska has been adversely affected by decreased river flows, resulting in federal legal barriers to further water development throughout the basin in three states. In June 1994 state and federal officials entered an agreement to develop a basin-wide recovery plan. Elizabeth Rieke, Assistant Secretary for Water & Science, Dept. of Interior, will discuss federal perspectives. Gordon (Jeff) Fassett, Wyoming State Engineer, and J. Michael (Mike) Jess, Nebraska …

Resource Use Conflict In New York City's Catskill Watersheds: A Case For Expanding The Scope Of Water Resource Management, Krystyna Anne Stave

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

In New York City's water supply watersheds, controversy over water quality protection underscores both the need to expand the scope of water resource management and the challenges to doing so. This paper describes the response of watershed residents to !'Jew York City's efforts to avoid filtration mandated by the 1986 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments and 1989 Surface Water Treatment Rule. The emergence of a spectrum of stakeholder groups representing land owners, sport fishermen, businesses, environmental groups and local communities has brought social and economic issues not previously part of the City's water management program to the center of the …

A Comparison Of Attitudes Held By Wildlife Damage Managers And Animal Rights Activists, James B. Armstrong, Melissa E. Hutchins

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

We designed an instrument to measure attitudes about a variety of animal use issues, collect information on animal-related activities, and determine demographic characteristics of the sample. We administered the instrument to 151 Animal Rights Information and Education Service (ARIES) and 150 National Animal Damage Control Association (N ADC A) members. Based on analysis of the data, we concluded that these 2 groups differ greatly on their attitudes about human use of animals. In addition, they differ greatly in background and types of activities in which they participate. Thus, attempts to bring these groups together for discussion must start with the …

Cue Enhancement Of Lithium-Chloride-Induced Mutton/Sheep Aversions In Coyotes, Ray T. Sterner

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In an enclosure-type study, I investigated the use of odor, auditory, and visual cues to enhance lithium-chloride (LiCl)- induced prey aversion in coyotes (Canis latrans). Eight adult, male, wild-caught coyotes that killed 2 adult sheep during successive daily, 1 -hr trials were assigned to LiCl- and sodium-chloride (NaCl)-bait groups. The 4 LiCl-bait coyotes were sequentially presented with leg-of-sheep and whole-sheep carcasses injected with a 33% LiCl water solution (4.5 ml/kg) 1 -hr daily until bait shy. The 4 NaCl coyotes were exposed to baits and carcasses injected with 25% NaCl/water solution (4.5 ml/kg) for matched trials. Additionally, 2 …

Resolving Human-Large Felid Conflicts Associated With Protected Areas In India, N.P.S. Chauhan, V.B. Sawarkar, H.S. Pabla

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In India, the past 2 decades of improved wildlife management practices along with rigid legal provisions have resulted in increased populations of the endangered carnivores: tiger (Panthera tigris), lion (Panthera leo), and leopard (Panthera pardus) in protected areas (PAs). Over this time period, human and livestock populations in and around PAs have also increased substantially. Intense human use and commensurate cattle grazing activity in associated forests have invariably lead to confrontation with these carnivores. Incidences of human- and cattle-killing by tiger, lion, and leopard have increased in and around PAs. Ongoing conflicts occur with …

Environmental Assessment Of Wildlife Damage Control For Wildlife Protection, Michael J. Bodenchuk

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Wildlife damage management for the protection of wildlife resources was common in the early days of wildlife management. It may once again become an important endeavor. The Utah Animal Damage Control program has conducted several projects for the protection of specific wildlife species. Case histories of these projects are discussed, and a wildlife damage management program which integrates resources as well as control technologies is presented.

Predation Of Big Game And Livestock In The Texas Trans-Pecos, S. Kemble Canon

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Predation of livestock and big game remains a matter of concern for ranch managers and operators in the Trans-Pecos. Current evidence indicates that mountain lions (Felis concolor), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and coyotes (Canis latrans) are the primary predators involved, although little information is available on bobcats. A gradual shift from sheep to cattle management has resulted in a corresponding decrease in the intensity of predator control efforts for livestock protection. However, potential lease hunting income has renewed predator control efforts for protection of the 3 primary big game species, pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana), …

Curbing The Illegal Use Of Pesticides In Predator Control, Jeff Jacoby, Martin Fletcher, Ted Warfield

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In June 1993, the Agricultural Products Group of FMC responded to reports of alleged illegal, off-label use of its product Furadan 4F and other pesticide products in baiting and poisoning predators. The target of these reported illegal carcass-baiting incidents were principally coyotes (Canis latrans), which cause significant losses to the sheep industry. The FMC undertook an effort to determine the scope of the problem and how best to address the issue. This included conducting extensive measurable research among sheep ranchers and agrichemical dealers in 4 selected pilot states: Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Qualitative interviews were also …

Research Priorities In Wildlife Damage Management, James E. Miller

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Based on a survey of 97 wildlife damage management professionals (60% response rate of 161 mailed questionnaires), field, research, and administrative personnel felt that the top 3 current wildlife damage management (WDM) research needs were: development of more effective and efficient techniques of damage assessment, effectiveness of education and conflict resolution programs on WDM issues, and repellent/aversive techniques. Respondents indicated that human dimensions research related to effectiveness of public education and conflict resolution would be the highest future research need. Large and small mammals were identified as key species groups needing research with preventive methods and aversive agents as practices …

Wyoming's M-44 Program: An Overview And Assessment Of Private And Commercial Applicators, Henry R. Uhden

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Wyoming's legislation funding predator control has progressed from a bounty system, to a mill levy system, to the current fee assessment per head. The Wyoming Department of Agriculture administers an M-44 predator control program for private and commercial applicators' use with livestock depredators. As predatory impacts on livestock have increased, use of M- 44 has also broadened. The M-44 is a mechanical device utilizing a spring-activated ejector, that propels the dry toxicant sodium cyanide into the mouth of the target species when pulled. Death of the animal is accomplished by inhalation of hydrogen cyanide which forms when sodium cyanide comes …

Livestock Herding Dogs: A Unique Application For Wildlife Damage Management, Roger A. Woodruff, Jeffrey S. Green

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have caused increasing problems for people both in urban and agricultural environments. In many instances, traditional methods of resolving conflicts caused by these species have proven ineffective or impractical. Some property owners and others have begun to use livestock herding dogs to haze geese and other wildlife from areas where they are not wanted. We report on the applications and effectiveness of this technique as employed on golf courses, farms, and other areas. The use of trained herding dogs appears to be a feasible and effective method …

Financial Compensation For Wildlife Damage: A Review Of Programs In North America, Kimberly K. Kessler

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Financial compensation is 1 of several management options proposed as alternatives to traditional wildlife damage management techniques. However, little is known about compensation programs currently in place. I surveyed United States and Canadian fish and wildlife programs to obtain information on the species causing damage, type of damage, extent of reimbursement, and budget for wildlife damage compensation programs. Of the 58 respondents, 36% have a compensation program, and 64% loan equipment and/or provide supplies for wildlife damage management. Programs compensating landowners for damage caused by deer (Odocoileus spp.), black bear (Ursus americanus), elk (Cervus elaphus), …

Dynamics Of Wildlife Damage Management, Bobby R. Acord

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Wildlife damage management is a dynamic profession. Our focus has shifted from dealing with primarily agricultural interests. In addition to agricultural issues, we now deal with endangered species protection, human health and safety, and wildlife damage management issues in the urban environment. The dynamics of wildlife damage management are influenced by the changing needs of society, professionalism among our ranks, and the political process. Professionalism and meeting the needs of the public continue to be the most important part of the dynamics of wildlife damage management.

Effective Repellency Concentration Of Bird Shield Repellent(Tm) With Methyl Anthranilate To Exclude Ducks And Geese From Water Impoundments, Leonard R. Askham

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Laboratory studies were conducted to establish the effective repellency concentration (EC_R) of Bird Shield Repellent(^TM) on mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and domestic geese for fresh water impoundments. Six concentrations of the repellent compound, ranging from 90 ppm to 2,890 ppm, were placed in small ponds in 2 aviaries and bird behavior monitored for 7 days. Concentrations <360 ppm did not limit either of the test species' activities (drinking or bathing) in the impoundments. Concentration >725 ppm precluded most activity after an initial exposure. Dissolved oxygen tended to decrease after an initial rise and pH increased slightly. Impoundments became discolored with higher concentrations of the repellents' methyl anthranilate precipitates in 24 hr.

Wild Ungulate Depredation On Winter Wheat: Effects On Grain Yield, Dennis D. Austin, Philip J. Urness

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The effects of big game grazing of winter wheat on grain yield were studied during 12 trials in northern Utah between 1990-92. Differences in yield were measured for each trial using 20 sets of 1-m² plots protected and variously grazed by mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) in a randomized block design along the edges of sampled fields. Plots were hand cut at the beginning of commercial harvest. Grazing impacts were indexed by nighttime counts of game animals, pellet-group counts, and ocular estimates of percent track …

Survey Of The Nuisance Wildlife Control Industry With Notes On Their Attitudes And Opinions, Thomas G. Barnes

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

A total of 138 nuisance wildlife control operators (NWCO) attending a wildlife control operators short-course were surveyed for information about their business and attitudes regarding management of urban wildlife problems. One hundred and thirty-one (94.9% response rate) returned the survey. Seventy-two percent of the respondents operated a nuisance wildlife business. Of these respondents, 47.7% also operated a full-time pest control business. Over 65% of NWCO had been in business <5 years and 89% reported their business was successful as a result of either increased nuisance animal problems, satisfied customers, a growing customer base, enjoyment of their work, or by providing a high level of service. Over 30% of NWCO had annual billings >$ 100,000. Respondents based fees on either the animal species and number removed, on a contract or flat fee basis, or based on time and number of trips required to resolve …

Canine And Gray Fox Rabies Epizootics In Texas, Keith A. Clark, Pamela J. Wilson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In 1994, 2 ongoing rabies epizootics were declared a state health emergency: canine rabies in South Texas and gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) rabies in West-Central Texas. Prior to 1988, rabid coyotes (Canis latrans) were infrequently reported in Texas. In 1988, Starr and Hidalgo counties, located in extreme South Texas, experienced an epizootic of canine rabies resulting in 11 laboratory-confirmed cases of canine rabies in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and 6 cases in coyotes. By 1991, the epizootic had expanded approximately 160 km north of the United States (US)-Mexico border and included 10 counties. During …