Digital Commons Network^™

Aspen Status Report And Recommendation For The Book Cliffs, Paul C. Rogers, Cody M. Mittanck, Ronald J. Ryel

Aspen Bibliography

Regionally quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) forests are experiencing numerous impediments to resilience. In the West, recent drought, fire suppression, insects, diseases, climate trends, inappropriate management, and ungulate herbivory are impacting these high biodiversity forests. We conducted a landscape assessment of aspen communities in the Book Cliffs region, Vernal Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management, for the purposes of determining landscape-level status of aspen and making recommendations for future management of these forests. The study area consists of 268 distinct aspen polygons totaling approximately 70 ha (174 acres) of aspen forest surrounded by much larger tracts of …

Book Cliffs Roadless Area Aspen Study 2013 : Grand & Uintah Counties, Utah, Cody M. Mittanck

Aspen Bibliography

No abstract provided.

Inter-Seasonal Movements In Tri-State Greater Sage-Grouse: Implications For State-Centric Conservation Plans, Jan S. Reinhart, Terry Messmer, Todd Black

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) designated greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) as a candidate species to receive protection under the Endangered Species Act in 2010. Several states in the western United States have developed management plans to mitigate the listing factors identified by the USFWS. However, sage-grouse populations inhabit sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems that may transcend multiple state boundaries. If sage-grouse inter-seasonal movements encompass habitats in multiple states and if state-centric wildlife management strategies differ, species conservation may be further complicated. Additionally, if these populations are located in peripheral state boundary areas, they may also receive …

Demography, Vital Rates, Habitat- Use, And Seasonal Movements Of Greater Sage-Grouse In The Raft River Subunit Management Area, West Box Elder County, Utah - Phase 2, A. Cook, Terry A. Messmer, B. Wing

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

As Seen Through The Lens: Students’ Encounters And Engagement With Science During Outdoor Field Trips, Jonathan Z. Boxerman, Victor R. Lee, J. R. Olson

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Resilience In Quaking Aspen: Recent Advances And Future Needs, Paul C. Rogers, C. Eisenberg, S. Clair

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) sustainability is a topic of intense interest in forest ecology. Reports range from declines to persisting or increasing coverage in some areas. Moreover, there is little agreement on ultimate factors driving changes. Low aspen recruitment has been attributed to climate patterns, past management, herbivore increases, competitive interactions with conifers, predator and beaver extirpation, and livestock grazing. Several of these potential causes result from direct or indirect actions of human agency. On June 27–28, 2012 a group of leading aspen ecologists from diverse backgrounds convened at the High Lonesome Ranch in western Colorado to address the state …

Continental-Scale Assessment Of Genetic Diversity And Population Structure In Quaking Aspen (Populus Tremuloides), Colin M. Callahan, Carol A. Rowe, Ronald J. Ryel, John D. Shaw, Michael D. Madritch, Karen E. Mock

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Aim: Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) has the largest natural distribution of any tree native to North America. The primary objectives of this study were to characterize range-wide genetic diversity and genetic structuring in quaking aspen, and to assess the influence of glacial history and rear-edge dynamics.

Location: North America.

Methods: Using a sample set representing the full longitudinal and latitudinal extent of the species’ distribution, we examined geographical patterns of genetic diversity and structuring using 8 nuclear microsatellite loci in 794 individuals from 30 sampling sites.

Results: Two major genetic clusters were identified across the range: a southwestern cluster and …

Metacom: Automated Data Processing And Analysis Of Metagenomic Community Sequences, Cody A. Tramp, Charles D. Miller

Browse all Datasets

Advances in next generation sequencing technology have allowed metagenomic researchers to study the composition of bacterial communities through analysis of the vast numbers of sequence reads that these technologies generate. It is not feasible to analyze and interpret this large amount of data manually and individual research groups must create automated scripts and programs to analyze this data. Here, we present MetaCom, a program that offers a common set of analysis and organizational tools that can be used by research groups in the analysis of environmental samples. MetaCom is an open-source software tool that can process next generation sequencing output, …

Effects Of Site Characteristics, Pinyon-Juniper Management, And Precipitation On Habitat Quality For Mule Deer In New Mexico, Louis C. Bender, Jon C. Boren, Heather Halbritter, Shad Cox

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wildlife enterprises are increasingly important to ranch income in the western United States. Habitat management practices that facilitate wildlife are needed for optimal management of multiple-use ranches, particularly for economically important species, such as mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), that are declining throughout much of their range. We tested the effects of vegetation cover type, site characteristics, pinyon-juniper management treatments, and precipitation on body condition and size of spring-summer-autumn (SSA) home ranges of mule deer to assess habitat quality on the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center (CRLRC), a multiple-use research ranch in east central New Mexico. Accrual of …

Do Artificial Nests Simulate Nest Success Of Greater Sage-Grouse?, Jonathan B. Dinkins, Michael R. Conover, Scott T. Mabray

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Artificial nests have been used to study factors affecting nest success because researchers can manipulate them more than natural bird nests. Many researchers have questioned the validity of generalizing the results from artificial nests onto naturally occurring nests. Other studies have assessed the validity of artificial nest studies by simultaneously comparing overall depredation or daily survival rates, depredation timing, predator species, or habitat characteristics of artificial and natural nests. To evaluate how well artificial nests simulated nest success of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sagegrouse), we used the unique approach of monitoring artificial nests (n = 69) placed …

Jaguar And Puma Attacks On Livestock In Costa Rica, Ronit Amit, Elias José Gordillo-Chávez, Raquel Bone

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Human–felid conflicts threaten long-term conservation of jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor). We interviewed ranchers from 50 ranches and inspected farms in northern Costa Rica that reported recent attacks on livestock by these 2 felids. We analyzed ranch characteristics, livestock management practices, details of predation, estimated market-value of economic losses, and ranchers’ perception of damage. Ranchers reported 81 felid attacks on livestock, including 60 head of cattle, 16 horses, 3 sheep, 1 pig, and 1 goat. Mean size of ranches was 233 km², and mean livestock herd size was 109, including cattle, horses, …

Recommended Management Strategies To Limit Anthropogenic Noise Impacts On Greater Sage-Grouse In Wyoming, Gail L. Patricelli, Jessica L. Blickley, Stacie L. Hooper

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Recent research has demonstrated that noise from natural gas development negatively impacts sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) abundance, stress levels, and behaviors. Other types of anthropogenic noise sources are similar to gas-development noise and, thus, the response by sage-grouse is likely to be similar. The results of research suggest that effective management of the natural soundscape is critical to the conservation and protection of sage-grouse. The goals of this review are to discuss current approaches in the management of new and existing noise sources in Wyoming and recommend research priorities for establishing effective noise management strategies. We make 4 interim …

General Catalog 2012-2013 (Spring 2013), Utah State University

University Catalogs

This catalog contains information on the Academic Departments and Programs as well as Course Descriptions for the above school year at Utah State University. To avoid large file downloads, the Academic Departments and Programs information is located in this file. The Course Description information is located in the secondary file.

Greater Sage-Grouse Response To Season-Long And Prescribed Grazing., Seth J. Dettenmaier, Terry A. Messmer

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Survival Of Juvenile Ferruginous Hawks In Utah, Johanna M. Ward, Michael R. Conover

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

We examined the reproduction of Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) in Utah's West Desert from 1997–99. We found 100 occupied territories during the study; 80 of them contained an active nest (i.e., evidence of eggs laid). Most active nests (91%) were successful in producing at least one hatchling, and 67% of nests with hatchlings produced at least one fledgling. We followed the fate of 202 Ferruginous Hawk hatchlings; 58% survived to fledging. We radio-tagged 46 of these fledglings; 72% survived the fledgling period and dispersed from their natal territories. Most juveniles that died were killed during the late nestling (58%) and …

Commentary Managing Risk From Bears And Other Potentially Lethal Wildlife: Predictability, Accountability, And Liability, Stephen Stringham

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Commentary Rethinking Airport Land-Cover Paradigms: Agriculture, Grass, And Wildlife Hazards, Travis L. Devault, Michael J. Begier, Jerrold L. Belant, Bradley F. Blackwell, Richard A. Dolbeer, James A. Martin, Thomas W. Seamans, Brian E. Washburn

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Beware The Boojum: Caveats And Strengths Of Avian Radar, Robert C. Beason, Tim J. Nohara, Peter Weber

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Radar provides a useful and powerful tool to wildlife biologists and ornithologists. However, radar also has the potential for errors on a scale not previously possible. In this paper, we focus on the strengths and limitations of avian surveillance radars that use marine radar front-ends integrated with digital radar processors to provide 360° of coverage. Modern digital radar processors automatically extract target information, including such various target attributes as location, speed, heading, intensity, and radar cross-section (size) as functions of time. Such data can be stored indefinitely, providing a rich resource for ornithologists and wildlife managers. Interpreting these attributes in …

Generational Habituation And Current Bald Eagle Populations, Jeremy E. Guinn

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) populations have expanded, even as increasing human presence and activity near nesting sites has increased. The generational habituation hypothesis may explain current bald eagle behaviors associated with human presence. Generational habituation begins when a juvenile imprints on a nest area near human activity, then selects a similar nest site when it is reproductively mature. Successive generations also may imprint on nest sites near human activity, expanding the population into areas that once were considered suboptimal nesting habitat. Generational habituation has implications in several areas important to basic and applied ecology in a wide range …

Influence Of Removal Sampling Of Small Mammals On Abundance And Diversity Attributes: Scientific Implications, Thomas P. Sullivan, Druscilla S. Sullivan

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Terrestrial small mammals occupy a variety of temperate and boreal forests in North America and Eurasia and contribute to biodiversity within these ecosystems. Researchers commonly use a variation of removal trapping to sample small-mammal populations and communities in these systems. However, it is not known if recurrent removal sampling might bias abundance estimates or alter the very populations under study. We addressed 2 questions: (1) are estimates of population size and species richness and diversity gained from removal trapping different from those based on live-trapping? and (2) what residual impact does removal trapping have on small-mammal populations and communities, as …

Consumption Of Whole Cottonseed By White-Tailed Deer And Nontarget Species, Benjamin D. Taylor, Eddie Lyons, Dale Rollins, Cody B. Scott, James E. Huston, Charles A. Taylor

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Supplementing diets of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) with pelleted rations is an increasingly common practice aimed at increasing deer antler size on rangelands in Texas. Feed loss to consumption by various nontarget species (e.g., raccoons [Procyon lotor] and feral pigs [Sus scrofa]) raises both ecological and economic concerns. Whole cottonseed is a feedstuff that may afford a more targeted supplemental feeding effort. Accordingly, we determined: (1) consumption rates of whole cottonseed by feral pigs and raccoons in captivity; and (2) species visitation at feed sites and preference for whole cottonseed relative to whole corn …

Toward An Understanding Of Beaver Management As Human And Beaver Densities Increase, William F. Siemer, Sandra A. Jonker, Daniel J. Decker, John F. Organ

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Estimates of beaver (Castor canadensis) density play an important role in wildlife managers’ decisions about beaver population management, because managers anticipate higher incidence of problem complaints when a beaver population increases. To manage the impacts of beavers in an urbanizing landscape, managers need better information on changes in stakeholder beliefs and attitudes as beaver and human densities reach high levels. We conducted additional analysis of data collected in 2002 through mail surveys of residents in New York and Massachusetts to test hypothesized relationships between beaver density and damage experience, attitudes toward beavers, and norms about beaver management actions. …

Keys To Managing A Successful Archery Deer Hunt In An Urban Community: A Case Study, Chad M. Stewart, Bruce Keller, Chad R. Williamson

Human–Wildlife Interactions

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations can expand greatly in suburban areas where hunting is limited or prohibited. Incorporating a hunting program for management purposes is often unfeasible due to property parcelization and varying opinions on deer management within each community. We present the case of Hidden Valley Lake, Indiana (707 ha), whose deer population was effectively reduced by archery hunting within a dense human population. Prior to implementing a managed archery program, deer density estimates exceeded 60 deer/km². After the first year of the managed archery hunt, where 230 deer (~36 deer/km²) were removed, …

Potential Role Of Wildlife In Pathogenic Contamination Of Fresh Produce, Jeff A. Langholz, Michele T. Jay-Russell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The safety of fresh produce is an important concern in the United States, especially in the wake of recent national foodborne illness outbreaks. The agricultural industry has implemented steps to enhance food safety along the entire farm-to-fork supply chain. This includes on-farm measures to exclude wildlife and to remove its habitat in and around fields. Farmers and others from across the United States have expressed concern about the ecological consequences and uncertain food safety benefits of such practices. This article reviews the scientific rationale behind management of wildlife and its habitat as part of good agriculture practices for enhancing food …

Avian Diets In A Saline Ecosystem: Great Salt Lake, Utah, Usa, Anthony J. Roberts

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Saline lakes provide a prey-rich, predator-free environment for birds to utilize during migration and stopover periods. The Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah is the largest salt lake in North America and is utilized by millions of migratory birds. It also is host to multiple commercial endeavors. Proposed expansion of commercial use of the GSL would result in increased impounded area and water extraction for mineral production, which may increase the GSL’s salinity and negatively impact invertebrate abundance. I review previous literature and synthesize diets of avian species utilizing the GSL to determine the importance of each invertebrate species, including brine …

In The News, Joe N. Caudell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Putting Local Knowledge And Context To Work For Gunnison Sage-Grouse Conservation, Corrine Noel Knapp, James Cochran, F. Stuart Chapin Iii, Gary Kofinas, Nathan Sayre

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Successful conservation requires adequate understanding of focal species and ecology, practices that may assist species survival, and a community of people willing and able to conserve the species. For many species at risk, we operate with imperfect knowledge in complex conservation contexts. In this case study involving the Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus), we interviewed 26 community-defined local experts, including both those with and without related academic degrees, to assess the utility of local knowledge for understanding and informing conservation opportunities.This project suggests several benefits of integrating local knowledge that apply specifically to rare and endemic populations, including the …

Occurrence And Success Of Greater Sage-Grouse Broods In Relation To Insect-Vegetation Community Gradients, Seth M. Harju, Chad V. Olson, Lisa Foy-Martin, Stephen L. Webb, Matthew R. Dzialak, Jeffrey B. Winstead, Larry D. Hayden-Wing

Human–Wildlife Interactions

A community-level approach to identify important brood habitats of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) may prove useful in guiding management actions because it acknowledges that important habitat components are not ecologically independent from each other. We used principal components analysis to combine insect and vegetation variables into community gradients and used logistic regression to link these components with brood survival and occurrence. We found that brood success was higher when broods occurred in specific insect-vegetation community types. A relationship between brood occurrence and insect-vegetation gradients was not apparent. The high resolution of the data and the solid validation performance …

Winter Habitat Use By Juvenile Greater Sage-Grouse On Parker Mountain, Utah: Implications For Sagebrush Management, Danny Caudill, Terry A. Messmer, Brent Bibles, Michael R. Guttery

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse) are entirely dependent on sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) for food and cover during winter. Loss or fragmentation of important wintering areas could have a disproportionate affect on population size. We radio-marked and monitored 91 juvenile sage-grouse in south-central Utah from 2008 to 2010. Thirty-four individuals survived to winter (January to March) and were used to evaluate winter habitat use. Resource use was calculated using kernel density estimation of radio-marked individuals and compared to available habitat using a G-test. We found that juvenile sage-grouse used winter habitats characterized by 0 to 5% slopes …

Response Of A Small Population Of Greater Sage-Grouse To Tree Removal: Implications Of Limiting Factors, S. Nicole Frey, Rachel Curtis, Kevin Heaton

Human–Wildlife Interactions

In Utah, greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse) range has been reduced to 50% of what is considered historical availability due to habitat degradation and loss. In an effort to improve sage-grouse habitat in southern Utah, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducted a tree-removal treatment in 2005. We conducted a study to determine if (a) the tree-removal treatment was effective at creating new sage-grouse habitat, and (b) if characteristics of used habitat were similar to those reported in previous literature. The treatment resulted in increased abundance of grasses and forbs. Additionally, shrub percentage cover and height …