Digital Commons Network^™

Suggestions For Presenting The Results Of Data Analysis, David R. Anderson, William A. Link, Douglas H. Johnson, Kenneth P. Burnham

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

We give suggestions for the presentation of research results from frequentist, information-theoretic, and Bayesian analysis paradigms, followed by several general suggestions. The information-theoretic and Bayesian methods offer alternative approaches to data analysis and inference compared to traditionally used methods. Guidance is lacking on the presentation of results under these alternative procedures and on nontesting aspects of classical frequentist methods of statistical analysis. Null hypothesis testing has come under intense criticism. We recommend less reporting of the results of statistical tests of null hypotheses in cases where the null is surely false anyway, or where the null hypothesis is of little …

Statistics For Wildlifers: How Much And What Kind?, Douglas H. Johnson, Terry L. Shaffer, Wesley E. Newton

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Quantitative methods are playing increasingly important roles in wildlife ecology and, ultimately, management. This change poses a challenge for wildlife practitioners and students who are not well educated in mathematics and statistics. Here we give our opinions on what wildlife biologists should know about statistics, while recognizing that not everyone is inclined mathematically. For those who are, we recommend that they take mathematics coursework at least through calculus and linear algebra. They should take statistics courses that are focused conceptually, stressing the "why" rather than the "how" of doing statistics. For less mathematically oriented wildlifers, introductory classes in statistical techniques …

Managing Minnesota's Recovered Wolves, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

The Minnesota wolf (Canis lupus) population was estimated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at 2,450 during winter 1997-1998 and had increased at an average annual rate of 4.5°% since winter 1988-1989. The population may be removed from the federal endangered species list by 2002, and management would then return to the state. A federal recovery team recommended a population goal of 1,250-1,400 wolves for Minnesota, with none in the agricultural region. A plan approved by the Minnesota legislature, however, continues the protection of wolves, except for pet and livestock depredation control, for at least 5 years …

Ecoregions Of Nebraska And Kansas, Robert F. Diffendal Jr.

Robert F. Diffendal, Jr., Publications

Ecoregions denote areas of general similarity in ecosystems and in the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources; they are designed to serve as a spatial framework for the research, assessment, management, and monitoring of ecosystems and ecosystem components. Ecoregions are directly applicable to the immediate needs of state agencies, including the development of biological criteria and water quality standards, and the establishment of management goals for nonpoint-source pollution. They are also relevant to integrated ecosystem management, an ultimate goal of most federal and state resource management agencies. The approach used to compile this map is based on the premise …

Counting Cranes: How Much Effort Is Enough?, Douglas H. Johnson, Roderick C. Drewien, Douglas S. Benning

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Accurate population estimates of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) are important because management decisions, such as establishing hunting regulations, are based on those estimates. Counts often are made during aerial surveys when the cranes are congregated. A complete census may be feasible if the area to be surveyed is small and adequate resources are available. For large areas, resources may be inadequate for a census so partial counts (sample surveys) are made. Because cranes are gregarious, the counts in a sample of units may contain either a disproportionately large, or a disproportionately small, fraction of the total, leading to …

Nocturnal Roost Site Selection And Diurnal Habitat Use By Sandhill Cranes During Spring In Central Nebraska, Craig A. Davis

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

During spring 1998 and 1999, the Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust conducted ground and aerial surveys of staging sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis; hereafter, cranes) to detennine roost site selection and habitat-use patterns along a l20-Ian stretch of the Platte River in south-central Nebraska. Cranes peaked at 232,023 during 22-28 March 1998 and 206,074 during 28 Februaty-6 March 1999 in the study area, a portion of the total crane staging area in the Platte River Valley. Diurnal observations showed that 48% of the cranes were in com fields, 34% in lowland grasslands, 13% in alfalfa fields, and 5% …

Crop Watch No. 2001-19, August 3, 2001, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch (1994–2005)

Field Updates..........168

Western Nebraska Insects..........170

Western Wheat Yields..........171

Preventing Wheat Diseases..........171

Bacterial Stalk Rot in Corn..........172

Soybean Field Days..........173

2nd ECB Flight..........174

Planting Alfalfa..........174

Terminating Farm Leases..........175

Wright's Research Areas..........176

Forage Options..........176

The Evolution Of Virtual Ecology, Alan Kamil, Alan B. Bond

Alan Bond Publications

The relationship between the perceptual and cognitive abilities of predatory birds and the appearance of their insect prey has long been of intense interest to evolutionary biologists. One classic example is crypsis, the correspondence between the appearance of prey species and of the substrates on which they rest which has long been considered a prime illustration of effects of natural selection, in this case operating against individuals that were more readily detected by predators (Poulton 1890; Wallace 1891). But the influences of predator psychology are broader, more complex, and more subtle than just pattern matching. Many cryptic prey, including the …

Red Imported Fire Ants: Impact On Biodiversity, Daniel P. Wojcik, Craig R. Allen, Richard J. Brenner, Elizabeth A. Forys, Donald P. Jouvenaz, R. Scott Lutz

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: Staff Publications

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (hereafter referred to as imported fire ant), long considered a regional problem, is receiving renewed attention nationwide, with infestations found in Arizona, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, and Virginia (Mitchell 1996). Recently, infestations discovered in several regions of California caused great public concern (Brennan 1999, Schrader 1999). Initially, infestations appeared to be isolated in almond groves in Kern County; presumably these infestations originated from bee hives transported interstate for the purpose of pollinating crops. Separately, ornamental plants arriving in Las Vegas, NV, were infested with fire ants, and records showed that the point …

Area Requirements Of Grassland Birds: A Regional Perspective, Douglas Johnson, Lawrence Igl

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Area requirements of grassland birds ha ve not been studied except in tallgrass prairie. We studied the relation between both species-occurrence and density and patch size by conducting 699 fixed-radius point counts of 15 bird species on 303 restored grassland areas in nine counties in four northern Great Plains states. Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus), Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis, Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida), Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), Baird’s Sparrow ( Ammodramus bairdii)), Le Conte’s Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii), and Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) were shown to favor larger grassland patches …

Implementation Of The Biological Opinion For The Missouri River Main Stem System, Missouri River Bank Stabilization And Navigation Project, And Kansas River Reservoir System

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires that the Corps of Engineers (Corps), in coordination with the appropriate resources agency, will ensure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any federally listed threatened or endangered species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. Formal consultation between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Corps under Section 7 of the ESA culminated with the "Biological Opinion on the Operation of the Missouri River Main Stem System, Operation and Maintenance of the Missouri River Bank Stabilization and …

Effects Of Management Practices On Grassland Birds: Bobolink, Jill A. Dechant, Marriah L. Sondreal, Douglas H. Johnson, Lawrence D. Igl, Christopher M. Goldade, Amy L. Zimmerman, Betty R. Euliss

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus):
Breeding range
Suitable habitat
Area requirements
Brown-headed Cowbird brood parasitism
Breeding-season phenology and site fidelity
Species’ response to management
Management Recommendations
Characteristics

Effects Of Management Practices On Grassland Birds: Marbled Godwit, Jill A. Dechant, Marriah L. Sondreal, Douglas H. Johnson, Lawrence D. Igl, Christopher M. Goldade, Melvin P. Nenneman, Betty R. Euliss

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa):
Breeding range
Suitable habitat
Area requirements
Brown-headed Cowbird brood parasitism
Breeding-season phenology and site fidelity
Species’ response to management
Management Recommendations
Habitat Characteristics

Rhinocyllus Conicus: Initial Evaluation And Subsequent Ecological Impacts In North America, A. Gassmann, Svata M. Louda

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Renewed debate over the risk of non-target effects in biological control reflects, in part, the recent quantification of direct and indirect ecological effects of the flowerhead weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus Frol., in North America. To help resolve the issue, we review the published data for R. conicus from both Europe and North America: pre-release (1961-1968), post-release (1969-1985) and more recent (1986-1999). Our aim was to determine the extent to which host range expansion on to native North American species, and the associated ecological effects, were predicted or predictable. Our overall conclusion is that more was known than is generally realized, yet …

Research Needs Concerning Non-Target Impacts Of Biological Control Introductions, K.R. Hopper

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Two workshops were held in 1999 on research needs concerning non-target impacts of biological control introductions. One took place on the Internet for 9 months, and the other in Montpellier, France, for 1 day. Altogether, over 200 researchers from over 30 countries participated, representing a wide variety of viewpoints on the issues involved. The deliberations of these workshops are summarized here. Both workshops highlighted the need for retrospective studies to: (i) identify cases of significant non-target impacts; (ii) explore mechanisms involved when such impacts are found; (iii) evaluate the reliability of host-range testing protocols; and (iv) determine whether and under …

Obituary: Elmer Clea Birney, 1940-2000, Hugh H. Genoways, Carleton J. Phillips, Jerry R. Choate, Robert S. Sikes, Kristin M. Kramer

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

On 11 June 2000, Dr. Elmer C. Birney unexpectedly passed away from cardiac arrest suffered while outside caring for his cattle at his home in Blaine, Minnesota. One of his former students, Robert Timm, probably best expressed the immediate reaction of his family and many friends: ‘‘He was too young and in too good of health to be gone so soon.’’ At the time of his death, Elmer was Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, the Curator of Mammals at the Bell Museum of Natural History, and Director of Graduate Studies of the program in Ecology, Evolution …

The Use Of Border Collies In Avian And Wildlife Control Programs, Nicholas B. Carter

Wildlife Damage Management Conference Proceedings

Airports attract large numbers of wildlife primarily because they offer immense tracts of foraging and nesting habitats free from the threat of predation. Border collies can serve as an effective means of wildlife control in these environments by introducing a predator into the ecosystem. Many wildlife dispersal methods seek to imitate predators or the effect of predators and become increasingly ineffective as wildlife habituate to the stimuli. However, border collies are true predators, representing an actual, not perceived, threat to wildlife thereby eliminating the problems of habituation. Six airports and military bases have initiated use of border collies at their …

Wildlife Damage In The Suburbs: Conflicts In A Human-Wildlife Landscape, Rebecca Field

Wildlife Damage Management Conference Proceedings

The sprawling communities surrounding cities pose a paradox for wildlife. Suburban habitat, with parks, greenways, and planned open spaces, provide attractive habitat with abundant resources for some wildlife species. Yet the landscape is dominated by human activities and disturbances. Species with little tolerance for human disturbance and habitat changes have difficulty maintaining their populations in suburban environments. Yet more adaptable species flourish in suburban areas where there are less predators, increased food resources, and abundant habitat for cover and raising young. The resulting overabundant wildlife populations pose increasing problems for biologists, wildlife damage practitioners, and the public. Management of urban …

The Use Of Border Collies To Disperse Birds At Southwest Florida International Airport, Bobby D. O'Rick

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 2nd (2000)

Similar to many airports throughout the United States and Canada, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) has a number of development features attractive to wildlife. Such features include stormwater detention ponds, large expanses of open fields, natural wetland marshes, and mature trees. In order to maintain safe operations and minimize the potential for wildlife-aircraft collisions, RSW has expanded the existing wildlife harassment program to include the use of a border collie. An Ecological Study completed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1997 indicated regular use of the airfield throughout the year by wading birds, waterfowl, and blackbirds. Although …

Proceedings Of 2nd Bird Strike Committee Usa/Canada Annual Meeting

Bird Strike Committee-USA/Canada Joint Annual Meeting: 2nd (2000)

Proceedings of 2nd Bird Strike Committee USA/Canada Annual Meeting Abstracts

Cancer Surveillance Series: Non-Hodgkin’S Lymphoma Incidence By Histologic Subtype In The United States From 1978 Through 1995, Frank D. Groves, Martha S. Linet, Lois B. Travis, Susan S. Devesa

United States Public Health Resources

Background: Clinical investigations have shown prognostic heterogeneity within the non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHLs) according to histology, but few descriptive studies have considered NHLs by subgroup. Our purpose is to assess the demographic patterns and any notable increases in population- based rates of different histologic subgroups of NHL.
Methods: Using data collected by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute, we calculated incidence rates for the major clinicopathologic categories of NHL by age, race, sex, geographic area, and time period.
Results: Among the 60 057 NHL cases diagnosed during the period from 1978 through 1995, total incidence …

Ard News August 2000

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

CONTENTS:

Comments from the Dean
ARD Advisory Council Annual Report to Faculty
Natural Resouurces and Research Update
ARD Advisory Council Election Results
Anna Elliott Proposals
Sampson Range and Pasture Management Endowments
Sampson Range and Pasture Management Endowments
Widaman Trust Distinguished Graduate Assistant Award
Hardin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship for 2000-2001
National Research Initiative Report for 1999
Shear-Miles Fellowship 2000-2001
NRC Assessment of the National Research Initiative
USDA - ARS Research Leader Dr. Philip J. Schall
USDA Science and Education Impact Sheets
Congratulations to Faculty - Successful USDA Grant Proposals
Proposals Submitted for Federal Grants
New or Revised Projects
Grants and Contracts …

Nutrient Absorption And Utilization By Wing And Flight Muscle Morphs Of The Cricket Gryllus Firmus: Implications For The Trade-Off Between Flight Capability And Early Reproduction, Anthony J. Zera, Tammy Brink

Anthony Zera Publications

Absorption efficiency (AD, approximate digestibility, assimilation efficiency) of various macronutrients and conversion of absorbed nutrients to biomass (ECD) were compared among the two types of flightless morph and the flight-capable morph of the cricket, Gryllus firmus. No biologically significant phenotypic or genetic difference in AD for carbohydrate, protein or lipid was observed among morphs fed either a high-nutrient (100%) or a low-nutrient (25%) diet. Thus, previously-documented differences among adult morphs in carbohydrate and lipid content must be caused by processes other than variation in nutrient absorption by morphs during adulthood. Relative absorption efficiency of total dry mass of food …

Wpa News 61 (2000), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (February 2000), number 61

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Arthropod And Helminth Parasites From The Plains Pocket Gopher, Geomys Bursarius Bursarius From The Hosts' Northern Boundary Range In Minnesota, Monroe H. Bartel, Scott Lyell Gardner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

As part of a continuing and more general study of the diversity of parasites from subterranean mammals in central North America, individuals of the Plains pocket gopher, Geomys bursarius bursarius, were collected from 7 localities in northwestern Minnesota from September 1991 through October 1996. Arthropods collected included the fleas, Opisocrostis bruneri (4 of 124, 3.20/0), Foxella ignota ignota (85 of 124, 68.50/0); the chewing louse, Geomydoecus geomydis geomydis from 98 of 124 (790/0), and larvae of the tick, Dermacentor variabilis (1 of 124, 0.8%). Nematodes found included Physaloptera limbata (2 of 118 gophers, 1.7%), Capillaria americana (4 of 118, …

Social Disorganization Outside The Metropolis: An Analysis Of Rural Youth Violence, D. Wayne Osgood, Jeff M. Chambers

Center on Children, Families, and the Law: Faculty Publications

In order to extend the study of community social disorganization and crime beyond its exclusive focus on large urban centers, we present an analysis of structural correlates of arrest rates for juvenile violence in 264 nonmetropolitan counties of four states. Findings support the generality of social disorganization theory: Juvenile violence was associated with rates of residential instability, family disruption, and ethnic heterogeneity. Though rates of poverty were not related to juvenile violence, this is also in accord with social disorganization theory because, unlike urban settings, poverty was negatively related to residential instability. Rates of juvenile violence varied markedly with population …

Do Wolves Affect White-Tailed Buck Harvest In Northeastern Minnesota?, L. David Mech, Michael E. Nelson

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

We used simple linear regression to analyze 8-23 years of data on a wolf (Canis lupus) population and human harvest of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) bucks in northeastern Minnesota to determine any effects of wolves on buck harvesting. Over the long term, wolves accounted for at least 14-22% inter-year variation in buck harvest in the region, but an unknown amount of variation in hunter effort have obscured any more precise estimate. For part of the area with poorest habitat, we found strong relationships (r² = 0.66-0.84) between annual wolf numbers and buck harvests from 1988 …

Center For Grassland Studies Newsletter, Winter 2000, Volume 6, No. 1

Center for Grassland Studies: Newsletters

Contents:

Genetically Enhanced Turfgrasses Where Are We Going? by Terrance Riordan, Department of Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

NUBEEF Educational Web Site for Beef Producers by Rick Rasby, Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Bison Symposium in Lincoln April 6-8

CGS Welcomes Laurice Matulka

GLCI Lists Benefits of Grazing Lands

Glickman Calls for National Commitment to Preserve Private Land

Nebraska Ranch Practicum Again Offered

2000 Nebraska Range Short Course by Lowell Moser, Department of Agronomy, UNL

Technology Spurs Alfalfa Genome Mapping

Field Trip Graduate Course Focuses on East Coast Ecology

April 1 Deadline for Abstracts: National Conference on Grazing Lands

U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service Biological Opinion On The Operation Of The Missouri River Main Stem Reservoir System, Operation And Maintenance Of The Missouri River Bank Stabilization And Navigation Project, And Operation Of The Kansas River Reservoir System

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

The Corps of Engineers provides the primary operational management of the Missouri River and is responsible under the Endangered Species Act to take actions within its authorities to conserve listed species. On April 3, 2000, the Corps asked the Fish and Wildlife Service to formally consult under the Endangered Species Act on the Operations of the Missouri River Main Stem System, and related Operations of the Kansas River Tributary Reservoirs, and the Operations and Maintenance of the Missouri River Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project. The Corps of Engineers prepared biological assessments for each of these projects and determined that their …

Details Of Extensive Movements By Minnesota Wolves (Canis Lupus), Samuel Merrill, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

We used VHF, GPS and satellite radiocollars to study details of long distance movements by four Minnesota wolves (Canis lupus). Number of locations during our tracking ranged from 14 to 274. Farthest distances reached ranged from 183–494 km, and minimum distances traveled (sums of line segments) ranged from 490–4251 km. Numbers of times wolves crossed state, provincial or interstate highways ranged from 1 to 215. All four of the wolves returned to or near their natal territories after up to 179 d and at least two left again.