Digital Commons Network^™

A Conceptual Model To Determine Vulnerability Of Wildlife Populations To Offshore Wind Energy Development, M. Wing Goodale, Iain J. Stenhouse

Human–Wildlife Interactions

As offshore wind energy development is planned in the United States, there is an increasing need for pre- and post-construction monitoring plans to be focused on species determined to be most vulnerable to hazards of a specific project. We propose a conceptual model that incorporates biological and sociological parameters. Specifically, we suggest that demographic, ethological/biological, and population sensitivity be considered with legal protection, economic importance, and/or stakeholder interest. We recommend that vulnerability determinations include qualitative and quantitative methods.

Wind Energy Development: Methods To Assess Bird And Bat Fatality Rates Post-Construction, Manuela Huso, Dan Dalthorp, T. J. Miller, Dawn Bruns

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Monitoring fatalities at wind energy facilities after they have been constructed can provide valuable information regarding impacts of wind power development on wildlife. The objective of this monitoring is to estimate abundance of a super-population of carcasses that entered the area within a designated period of time. By definition, the population is not closed and carcasses can enter as they are killed through collision with turbines, and leave as they are removed by scavengers or decompose to a point where they are not recognizable. In addition, the population is not inherently mobile, but can only change location through some external …

Adapting Strategies To Maintain Efficiency During A Cull Of Yellow-Legged Gulls, Sugoto Roy, Ray Ridley, Jeff Sandon, John R. Allan, Peter S. Robertson, Andrew Baxter

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Increasing populations of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) in the Mediterranean have created conflicts with seabird conservation, migrating raptors, and humans. As a mitigation measure, gulls are routinely culled in the region. Previous studies of extended culls show that catch per unit effort declines over time through a combination of population reductions and avoidance behaviors developing within the remaining population. We countered these problems during a 4-year cull of yellow-legged gulls in Gibraltar by matching the type and mode of deployment of firearms in response to changes in gull distribution and behavior. We found that shotguns were effective when …

A Benefit-Cost Analysis Decision Framework For Mitigation Of Disease Transmission At The Wildlife–Livestock Interface, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Steven J. Sweeney, Julie L. Elser, Ryan S. Miller, Matthew L. Farnsworth, Pauline Nol, Steven S. Shwiff, Aaron M. Anderson

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The economics of managing disease transmission at the wildlife–livestock interface have received heightened attention as agricultural and natural resource agencies struggle to tackle growing risks to animal health. In the fiscal landscape of increased scrutiny and shrinking budgets, resource managers seek to maximize the benefits and minimize the costs of disease mitigation efforts. To address this issue, a benefit-cost analysis decision framework was developed to help users make informed choices about whether and how to target disease management efforts in wildlife and livestock populations. Within the context of this framework, we examined the conclusions of a bene� t-cost analysis conducted …

Visual And Olfactory Concealment Of Duck Nests: Influence On Nest Site Selection And Success, Jennifer S. Borgo, Michael R. Conover

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Selecting a nest site is an important decision for waterfowl. Because most nest failure is due to depredation, the primary selective pressure in choosing a nest site should be to reduce depredation risk. This task is difficult, however, because predators use differing tactics to locate nests, such as olfactory or visual cues. The purpose of this research was to evaluate both the olfactory and visual components of waterfowl nest site selection and nest depredation in North Dakota. We located waterfowl nests, monitored them until termination (hatched or depredated), and collected both visual and olfactory concealment characteristics of nest sites and …

Notes Terrestrial Mammal And Reptile Hazards In An Airport In The Brazilian Amazon, Weber Galvao Novaes, Nárjara V. Grossman, Dysianne S. Pimentel, Manrique Prada

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Commentary Distance-Dependent Effectiveness Of Diversionary Bear Bait Sites, Stephen Stringham, Ann Bryant

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We (Stringham and Bryant 2015) previously reported on Bryant’s experiment in diversionary baiting of black bears (Ursus americanus). This occurred during the historically severe drought of 2007, in the Lake Tahoe Basin at the border of California and Nevada, USA. Effectiveness of baiting was inversely related to each community’s distance from the bait site. That has provoked the question whether conflict rates during the period of baiting would have fallen anyway even without baiting. We show here that the general trend during both pre and post-baiting years (2005–2006 and 2008–2009) was for an increase in conflicts during the …

Opinion The “Non-Native” Enigma, Danny Caudill, Gretchen Caudill

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Non-native species have been introduced to ecosystems throughout the world, and in some instances, have degraded the invaded system. Consequently, the distinction between native and non-native species has become an integral component of conservation planning. Recently however, the conservation value of the distinction has been questioned. We examine how the native versus non-native dichotomy is intrinsically ambiguous, which therefore limits the conservation utility of the designation in and of itself. A large degree of uncertainty exists as to whether many species are or are not native. Measures outside the non-native dichotomy (e.g., impacts, evolutionary ecology, paleontology) could better inform conservation …

Opinion The Non-Mystery Of Non-Native Species, James T. Carlton

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

In The News, Jason Matthews, Joe N. Caudell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Coyote Removal On Space Use By Greater Sage-Grouse, Elizabeth K. Orning, Julie K. Young

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) are in decline across western North America. Identification of management strategies to enhance populations, such as predator management, may be needed to reduce further declines, but unintentional effects associated with increased human activity should also be considered. We evaluated the effect of 3 levels of predator management effort on greater sage-grouse space use. Home range size, movement rate, seasonal movement timing, and inter-seasonal distances traveled were examined as behavioral responses relative to levels of coyote removal in Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. We observed larger home range sizes during brood-rearing but overall smaller annual core (25% …

Response Of Greater Sage-Grouse To Surface Coal Mining And Habitat Conservation In Association With The Mine, Steven L. Petersen, B. Kirk Nicholes, S. Nicole Frey, Kevin M. Heaton, Dennis L. Eggett

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) is a sagebrushobligate species that has experienced species-wide declines in population density and distribution. Sage-grouse habitats support human-related needs including domestic livestock grazing, urban development, and energy extraction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified energy extraction as a range-wide sage-grouse conservation threat. Mining has been of specific concern because of observed sage-grouse population declines and impaired habitat within close proximity to the activity. Mining may be particularly problematic for small, isolated sage-grouse populations. In southwestern Utah, proactive habitat improvements and predator management have been implemented to mitigate the potential effects of surface …

Declining Populations Of Greater Sage-Grouse: Where And Why, Michael R. Conover, Anthony J. Roberts

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Scientists have been predicting the extinction of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) since 1916, and sage-grouse populations have declined relentlessly during the last century despite attempts to reverse the decline. In this review paper, we examined the scientific literature to evaluate hypotheses about why sage-grouse populations have declined. There is little support for the hypotheses that the decline is due to overhunting, parasites, food shortages, or collisions with power lines or fences. West Nile Virus (WNV) reduced sagegrouse up to 25% when the virus first reached the West during 2002, but sage-grouse have developed resistance to the virus since …

Grizzly Bear Space Use, Survival, And Persistence In Relation To Human Habitation And Access, Bogdan Cristescu, Gordon B. Stenhouse, Bernie Goski, Mark S. Boyce

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Previous studies showed that the likelihood of a bear becoming a nuisance and thus being removed from a population (i.e., relocated or killed) depends on numerous factors such as natural food supply, sex, age, and reproductive status. Distances from a bear’s home range and activity centers to conflict zones such as towns, roads, and trails used by humans also affect the incidence of nuisance behavior and have been documented for grizzly/brown bears (Ursus arctos) in North America and Europe. But those studies did not quantify the relative influences by various factors on distance from conflict zones, or the …

Efficacy Of Non-Lead Ammunition For Culling Elk At Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Blake E. Mccann, William Whitworth, Robert A. Newman

Human–Wildlife Interactions

During 2010 to 2013, park staff and public volunteers culled 983 elk (Cervus elaphus) from Theodore Roosevelt National Park (United States) utilizing non-lead rifle ammunition as part of a sanctioned herd management operation. Because there is little empirical evidence available on the performance of non-lead ammunition, staff recorded information on tools and techniques relevant to the scenarios under which elk were culled and the outcome of each engagement. We also conducted a fi ring range experiment to evaluate the precision of nonlead ammunition used in park fi rearms. Specific objectives were to identify program factors predicting efficient destruction …

An Analysis Of Human–Black Bear Conflict In Utah, Julie Ann Miller, Tom S. Smith, Janene Auger, Hal Black, Loreen Allphin

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Conflict between black bears (Ursus americanus) and humans has occurred in Utah, but the records are largely incomplete. To document these events, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources initiated a black bear sightings and encounters database in 2003, and we updated it. From 2003–2013, there were 224 recorded events, with 10 attacks, 208 property damages, and 6 vehicle collisions. Most events took place at campsites (40%). The most common season for events was summer (78%). Most conflict occurred at night. The number of events has not increased over the last 10 years, with no significant relationship between the …

Short-Term Fate Of Rehabilitated Orphan Black Bears Released In New Hampshire, Wesley E. Smith, Peter J. Pekins, Andrew A. Timmins, Benjamin Kilham

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We evaluated the release of rehabilitated, orphan black bears (Ursus americanus) in northern New Hampshire. Eleven bears (9 males, 2 females; 40–45 kg) were outfitted with GPS radio-collars and released during May and June of 2011 and 2012. Bears released in 2011 had higher apparent survival and were not observed or reported in any nuisance behavior, whereas no bears released in 2012 survived, and all were involved in minor nuisance behavior. Analysis of GPS locations indicated that bears in 2011 had access to and used abundant natural forages or habitat. Conversely, abundance of soft and hard mast was …

Use Of Predator Hair To Enhance Perceived Risk To White-Tailed Deer In A Foraging Context, Thomas W. Seamans, Bradley F. Blackwell, Kimberly E. Linnell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Deer react to predator scent in varying degrees even when exposed to unknown predators. This response could be genetically based and maintained as long as the population is exposed to predation. We tested whether predator scent in the form of hair would enhance perceived risk and serve as a foraging repellent to free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). During the winters of 2013 and 2014, we quantified alert behaviors and consumption of whole-kernel corn in response to current (coyote [Canis latrans]) and extirpated (bobcat [Lynx rufus]; black bear [Ursus americanus]) predator species alone …

Coyote America: A Natural And Supernatural History, David D. Vail

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Road Scholars For The Western States: Protecting Natural Areas By Improving Road Management Research, Brian Cooke, Charlie Luce, Tom Black, David G. Tarboton

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A poorly placed or unsuitably designed road can result in landslides, flooding, gullies, stream damage, and wildlife habitat destruction. Particularly in natural areas, benefits of roads, such as accessibility and convenience, must be weighed against potential water quality degradation, scenic and wildlife habitat destruction, and hazardous driving conditions.

Scientists at the Rocky Mountain Research Station helped create two free tools—GRAIP (Geomorphic Road Analysis and Inventory Package) and GRAIP-Lite—to help land managers make better decisions about road management in environmentally sensitive areas. GRAIP helps land managers analyze and predict surface erosion, gully risk, landslide risk, stream crossing failure risks, and other …

Large Eddy Simulation Of Turbulence And Solute Transport In A Forested Headwater Stream, A. Khosronejad, A. T. Hansen, J. L. Kozarek, K. Guentzel, M. Hondzo, M. Guala, Peter Wilcock, J. C. Finlay, F. Sotiropoulos

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The large eddy simulation (LES) module of the Virtual StreamLab (VSL3D) model is applied to simulate the flow and transport of a conservative tracer in a headwater stream in Minnesota, located in the south Twin Cities metropolitan area. The detailed geometry of the stream reach, which is _135 m long, _2.5 m wide, and _0.15 m deep, was surveyed and used as input to the computational model. The detailed geometry and location of large woody debris and bed roughness elements up to _0.1 m in size were also surveyed and incorporated in the numerical simulation using the Curvilinear Immersed Boundary …

Microbubble Assisted Polyhydroxybutyrate Production In Escherichia Coli, Kadriye Innan, Fulya Ay Sal, Asif Rahman, Ryan J. Putman, Foster A. Agblevor, Charles D. Miller

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Background

One of the potential limitations of large scale aerobic Escherichia coli fermentation is the need for increased dissolved oxygen for culture growth and bioproduct generation. As culture density increases the poor solubility of oxygen in water becomes one of the limiting factors for cell growth and product formation. A potential solution is to use a microbubble dispersion (MBD) generating device to reduce the diameter and increase the surface area of sparged bubbles in the fermentor. In this study, a recombinantE. coli strain was used to produce polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) under conventional and MBD aerobic fermentation conditions.

Results

In conventional …

Rational Design Of Rama-Labeled Nanoparticles For A Dual-Modaility, Light Scattering Immunoassay On A Polystyrene Substrate, Nathan D. Israelsen, Donald Wooley, Cynthia Hanson, Elizabeth Vargis

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Background: Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful light scattering technique that can be used for sensitive immunoassay development and cell labeling. A major obstacle to using SERS is the complexity of fabricating SERS probes since they require nanoscale characterization and optical uniformity. The light scattering response of SERS probes may also be modulated by the substrate used for SERS analysis. A typical SERS substrate such as quartz can be expensive. Polystyrene is a cheaper substrate option but can decrease the SERS response due to interfering Raman emission peaks and high background fluorescence. The goal of this research is to …

Special Topic: Wildlife And Wing Energy: Are They Compatible? Introduction, Michael Hutchins, Bruce D. Leopold

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Comparing Process-Based And Constraint-Based Approaches For Modeling Macroecological Patterns, Xiao Xiao

Biology Faculty Publications

Ecological patterns arise from the interplay of many different processes, and yet the emergence of consistent phenomena across a diverse range of ecological systems suggests that many patterns may in part be determined by statistical or numerical constraints. Differentiating the extent to which patterns in a given system are determined statistically, and where it requires explicit ecological processes, has been difficult. We tackled this challenge by directly comparing models from a constraint-based theory, the Maximum Entropy Theory of Ecology (METE) and models from a process-based theory, the size-structured neutral theory (SSNT). Models from both theories were capable of characterizing the …

Diagnostic Doses And Times For Phlebotomus Papatasi And Lutzomiya Longipalpis Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phleboominae) Using The Cdc Bottle Bioassay To Assess Insecticide Resistance, David S. Denlinger, Joseph A. Creswell, J. Laine Anderson, Connor K. Reese, Scott A. Bernhardt

Biology Faculty Publications

Background: Insecticide resistance to synthetic chemical insecticides is a worldwide concern in phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae), the vectors of Leishmania spp. parasites. The CDC bottle bioassay assesses resistance by testing populations against verified diagnostic doses and diagnostic times for an insecticide, but the assay has been used limitedly with sand flies. The objective of this study was to determine diagnostic doses and diagnostic times for laboratory Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Nieva) and Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) to ten insecticides, including pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates, and DDT, that are used worldwide to control vectors.

Methods: Bioassays were conducted in 1,000-ml …

Managing The Spread Of Alfalfa Stem Nematodes (Ditylenchus Dipsaci): The Relationship Between Crop Rotation Periods And Pest Re-Emergence, S. Jordan, Claudia Nischwitz, Ricardo A. Ramirez, L. Gordillo

Biology Faculty Publications

Alfalfa is a critical cash/rotation crop in the western region of the United States, where it is common to find crops affected by the alfalfa stem nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci). Understanding the spread dynamics associated with this pest would allow end-users to design better management programs and farming practices. This is of particular importance given that there are no nematicides available against alfalfa stem nematode and control strategies largely rely on crop rotation to non-host crops or by planting resistant varieties. I present a basic host-parasite model that describes the spread of the alfalfa stem nematode on alfalfa crops. With this …

Fluorescent Nanocomposite Of Embedded Ceria Nanoparticles In Crosslinked Pva Electrospun Nanofibers, Nader Shehata, Soha Gaballah, Effat Samir, Aya Hamed, Marwa Saad

Biology Faculty Publications

This paper introduces a new fluorescent nanocomposite of electrospun biodegradable nanofibers embedded with optical nanoparticles. In detail, this work introduces the fluorescence properties of PVA nanofibers generated by the electrospinning technique with embedded cerium oxide (ceria) nanoparticles. Under near-ultra violet excitation, the synthesized nanocomposite generates a visible fluorescent emission at 520 nm, varying its intensity peak according to the concentration of in situ embedded ceria nanoparticles. This is due to the fact that the embedded ceria nanoparticles have optical tri-valiant cerium ions, associated with formed oxygen vacancies, with a direct allowed bandgap around 3.5 eV. In addition, the impact of …

Association Of The Female Of Perdita (Xeromacrotera) Cephalotes (Cresson), And A Replacement Name For Perdita Bohartorum Parker (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), Zach Portman, Terry L. Griswold, James P. Pitts

Biology Faculty Publications

The monotypic Perdita subgenus Xeromacrotera Timberlake is currently known only from the male sex. Here, the female of Perdita (Xeromacrotera) cephalotes (Cresson, 1878) is associated, resulting in two new junior synonyms of P. (X.) cephalotes: Perdita (Procockerellia) excellens Timberlake, 1958, new synonym and Perdita (Cockerellia) autumnalis Timberlake, 1977, new synonym. The true number of maxillary palpi are reported, and updated subgeneric and species diagnoses are provided. In addition, Perdita boharti Portman & Griswold, new name, is designated as a replacement name for the primary junior homonym P. bohartorum Parker, 1983 …

Water Resources Systems Analysis: A Bright Past And A Challenging But Promising Future, David E. Rosenberg, Kaveh Madani

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Our field of water resources systems analysis is now experiencing one of its most exciting eras where scientists, decision makers, and funding agencies want to apply systems approaches to solve varied, complex, uncertain, and interdisciplinary resource management problems. Solving these problems presents great opportunities for us to engage in complex, real-world decision-making and make positive changes. However, to capitalize on these opportunities, we as a field must also overcome several large challenges related to problem identification, integration, blind use of systems tools, a focus on optimality, and harnessing big data. To overcome, we must look back to find what we …