Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons^™

1997 North American Conference On The Monarch Butterfly

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

The Monarch Butterfly has attracted much interest because it is unique not only among insects, but among all living things. The largest Monarch population emerges in the central and northeastern United States and Canada and flutters its way south several thousand kilometers to remote fir forests in the central mountains of Mexico. There they overwinter in about twenty compact colonies—sometimes numbering in the tens of millions—often within a stone’s throw of local subsistence farms sustaining Mexican campesinos (small-scale farmers) and indigenous peoples. In the spring, the northward trek begins, often with an additional generation being required to reach the northern …

Environmental Contaminants In The Aquatic Bird Food Chain Of An Oil Refinery Wastewater Pond, Pedro Ramirez Jr.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Bird mortalities have been documented in oilfield waste pits in Wyoming and various other oil-producing states in the western United States. In the semi-arid West, migratory birds mistake wastewater ponds or pits for wetlands. Most refineries use large ponds to contain their wastewater. One refinery in Casper, Wyoming actively discharged refinery wastewater into a closed basin, Soda Lake. This created a wetland that attracts numerous aquatic birds, in particular, nesting colonies of gulls (Larus spp.), terns (Sterna spp.), double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus), eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis), dabbler ducks (Anas spp.) and American avocets ( …

Arsenic, Mercury, Selenium, And Organochlorine Compounds In Interior Least Tern Eggs In The Northern Great Plains States, 1992-1994, George T. Allen, Susan Humphreys Blackford

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

The purpose of this study was to evaluate concentrations of arsenic, mercury, selenium, and chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds in interior least tern eggs from the northern Great Plains states from 1992 through 1994. The Environmental Contaminants Specialists in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana agreed on a standard protocol for collection and analyses of eggs during the study period.

Addled, fiooded, or abandoned eggs collected during the study period were submitted for chemical analysis by the Environmental Contaminants Specialist in each state.

A total of 104 eggs were analyzed for arsenic, mercury, and selenium; 78 of them also were …

An Investigation Of Irrigation-Related Contaminants In Water, Bottom Sediment, And Biota From Goshen County, Wyoming., Kimberly Dickerson, Pedro Ramirez Jr.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of trace element concentrations in water, sediment, aquatic vegetation, aquatic invertebrates, waterbird eggs, and fish resulting from irrigation drainwater during 1995 in Goshen County, Wyoming. We also analyzed waterbird eggs and fish from this area for organochlorine residues and attempted to determine the nesting success of various waterbirds.

Boron concentrations were elevated (>300 ug/g dry weight) in aquatic vegetation above concentrations shown to adversely affect sensitive waterfowl; however, these concentrations are similar to those found in aquatic vegetation sampled in other areas throughout Wyoming. Mercury concentrations in aquatic vegetation, aquatic invertebrates, and fish were …

Follow-Up Investigation Of Selenium And Other Trace Elements In Biota From The Riverton Reclamation Project, Fremont County, Wyoming, Pedro Ramirez Jr., Kim Dickerson

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

A reconnaissance study was completed for the Riverton Reclamation Project (Riverton Project) in 1989 by Peterson et al. (1991) showed slightly elevated selenium concentrations in biota at several wetland sites. A follow-up investigation was initiated for the Department of Interior's National Irrigation Water Quality Program in 1994 to verify that selenium concentrations in biota were elevated above levels that cause adverse effects to aquatic migratory birds. Pondweed (Potamogeton vaginatus), aquatic invertebrates, bird eggs, and fish were collected from several wetlands managed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and analyzed for selenium and other trace elements. Selenium concentrations …

Attributes Of Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Colonies In Northcentral Montana, Richard Reading, Randy Matchett

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

We examined several characteristics of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies in Phillips County, Montana, including slope, aspect, soils, land tenure, and distance from roads using a geographic information system (GIs). Colonies exhibited significantly smaller slopes, but not significantly different aspects than did randomly located polygons. In addition, colonies were more prevalent than expected on well drained clay-loam and loam soils and on U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land than on other soil types or on private land. Although prairie dogs commonly use roads for dispersal, distance to nearest road was not related to prairie dog density …

Native Habitats Of The Twin Cities Area, Craig A. Faanes

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

European settlers and their descendants have left an indelible mark on the landscape of most of the Nation, especially near major population centers. Responding to the dramatic changes in landscape, conservation biologists find themselves scurrying to save a bit of the once bountiful diversity. But before steps can be taken to protect remaining resources, a thorough inventory of the land and its resources is required.

Wildlife Biologue: American Buffalo (Bison Bison)

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

It is believed that buffalo, or bison, crossed over a land bridge that once connected the Asian and North American continents.  Through the centuries buffalo slowly moved southward, eventually reaching as far south as Mexico and as far east as the Atlantic Coast, extending south to Florida.  But the largest herds were found on the plains and prairies from the Rocky Mountains east to the Mississippi River, and from Great Slave Lake in Canada to Texas.

Because the great herds were nearly gone before any organized attempts were made to survey populations, we may never know just how many buffalo …

Plant Identification For The Rio Grande Delta, William P. Kuvlesky, Jr.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

The Rio Grande Delta of Texas is one of the most diverse ecological areas in Texas. The area is favorite among ornithologists due to the presence of many species that winter there or migrate through the area. Similarly, the Delta harbors several rare mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and a host of invertebrates, which are found nowhere else in North America. Most ecologists attribute this unique faunal diversity to the great variety of vegetation that characterizes the Rio Grande Delta. Accurately identifying the vegetation is therefore an important aspect of field research performed in the region.

Gray Wolf Status In North Dakota, Daniel S. Licht, Louis E. Huffman

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Recent occurrences and reports of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in North Dakota have generated public interest and created demands on management agencies. We summarized reports of wolves in North Dakota received from the public and government personnel, and evaluated suitability of habitat for wolves. We suggest that in recent years dispersing wolves have sporadically occurred in all quarters of the state except the southwest, and non-dispersing wolves have occurred in the Turtle Mountains region in north-central North Dakota. Habitat data from the 1,500 km² Turtle Mountains physiographic region, bisected by the North Dakota/Manitoba border, suggest the potential …

Evolution Of A Field Biologist, Karen A. Smith

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

In My Double Life, biologist Frances Hamerstrom reveals her evolution from an affluent childhood in early 1900s Boston to a rugged and spirited field biologist. She writes in first person with short, easy-reading chapters about her life, generally in chronological order from childhood to present. The anecdotes are concise, witty, and spiced with humor in her characteristic, blissful confidence. There are many unique black-and-white photographs reproduced, as well as pen-and-ink illustrations mostly by her artist-daughter, Elva Hamerstrom Paulson. Half of the book's chapters are borrowed from earlier works, in particular her award-winning Strictly for the Chickens (1980). This new …

Raptor Nesting Chronology In Northwestern North Dakota, Robert K. Murphy, John T. Ensign

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Nesting chronology of raptors is sparsely documented in North Dakota. During 1981-94, we determined hatching dates at 298 nest attempts by eight species of raptors on and within 10 km of Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, northwestern North Dakota. Mean hatching dates for most common species were 17 April for great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)(SD = 8.4 days, n = 70 nests), 1 June for red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)(7.3, 99), 19 June for northern harrier (Circus cyaneus)(11.1, 37), 24 June for Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii)(4.6, 19), and 27 June for Swainson's hawk ( …

Where The Sky Began, James W. Ruwalt

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

"My own feeling for tallgrass prairie is that of modem man fallen in love with the face in a faded tintype. Only the frame is still real; the rest is illusion and dream. So it is with the original prairie. The beautiful face of it had faded before I was born, before I had a chance to touch and feel it, and all that I have known of the prairie is the setting and mood-that broad sky of pure and intense light, with a sort of loftiness to the days, and the young prairie-born winds running past me from open …

National Biological Service Annual Report 1995

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

In 1995, the National Biological Service (NBS) made great progress in pursuit of its mission, which is to work with others to provide the scientific understanding and technologies needed to support sound management and conservation of our Nation's biological resources.
In carrying out this mission, the NBS is dedicated to excellence in science and technology. It does not manage or regulate use of lands or biological resources, nor adopt advocacy positions that might compromise the objectivity of its research. In its quest for scientific excellence, NBS is also improving the relevance of its products to public and private entities engaged …

Wood Duck Population Expansion In Northern Montana, Dwain M. Prellwitz, John R. Little, Larry R. Rau, Christopher J. Hoff

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

We monitored wood duck (Aix sponsa) population expansion into the Milk River Valley in north central Montana during 1975-1993. First -ever observations of wood ducks in isolated pairs or groups occurred on or near the Milk River in Blaine, Phillips, and Valley counties during 1975-1979. Broods seen east of Nelson Reservoir in 1975 and near Malta in 1980 were the first-ever verification of production in this area. Natural pioneering was supplemented with the transplanting of 35 first-year wood ducks near Dodson and at Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in August 1980. Wood duck population expansion into tributaries of …

Trace Element Concentrations In Water, Sediment And Biota From Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge, Natrona And Carbon Counties, Wyoming, Pedro Ramirez Jr., Kimberly Dickerson, Mary Jennings

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge (Pathfinder NWR), located in Natrona and Carbon Counties, is 50 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming. Pathfinder NWR, established in 1936, is a refuge and breeding area for migratory waterfowl. The refuge initially encompassed the entire Pathfinder Reservoir, an impoundment of the North Platte River. In 1965, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reduced it to four smaller units to allow more intensive management: the Sweetwater Arm, Goose Bay Unit, DeWeese Creek Unit, and the Sage Creek-Platte Unit. We collected water, sediment and biota samples for trace element analyses in May, June and July 1993 from wetlands …

Observations Of Red-Tailed Hawks Capturing Wild Ducks In North Dakota, Robert K. Murphy

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Ducks (Anserifonnes; Anatinae) are preyed on by red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) in the northern Great Plains of North America, yet I found no published, direct observations of captures of wild ducks by red-tailed hawks in the region. I made the following observations in south central Burke County, northwestern North Dakota.

H. Albert Hochbaum: A Man Not Forgotten, Jerome R. Serie

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

This book is a posthumous collection of essays by Al Hochbaum, compiled and edited by his son George, and is a unique blend of classic literary pose and artistry. It is colorfully illustrated with brilliant photographs by two of the best waterfowl photographers, Jack A. Barrie and Glen D. Chambers. Hochbaum's painting of a canvasback flight over Delta Marsh graces the frontispiece and several of his pen-and-ink sketches are scattered throughout. Both the foreword, by Gene Bossenmaier, and the introduction, by George Hochbaum, pay tribute to Hochbaum' s dedication to waterfowl, his immense talents, and a lifetime of accomplishment. Hans …

Out-Of-Season Births Of Elk Calves In Wyoming, Bruce L. Smith

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

ive out-of-season births of Rocky Mountain elk were documented over a 24-month period at the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming. One of four November neonates was radio-instrumented and subsequently died seven days later due to hypothermia. An April-born calf was killed by a coyote. Supplemental winter feeding of elk at the Refuge may increase the frequency of asynchronous reproduction.

A Contaminants Evaluation Of The Big Blue River In Southeastern Nebraska, Brent J. Esmoil, Kirk D. Schroeder, Timothy E. Fannin

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

We collected three composite fish and three composite sediment samples from the Big Blue River in southeastern Nebraska to determine the presence of agricultural chemicals or other contaminants. Inorganic analyses consisted of individual analyses for arsenic, selenium, and mercury, as well as an ICP scan for other elements. Organic analyses included organochlorines, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, and chlorphenoxy acid herbicides.

Arsenic was detected in the sediment samples, but not in the fish samples.

Selenium was detected in one of three sediment samples and in all fish samples.

Mercury was not detected in sediment samples, but was detected …

Metal And Organic Residues In Addled Eggs Of Least Terns And Piping Plovers In The Platte Valley Of Nebraska, Timothy E. Fannin, Brent J. Eamoil

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

The threatened piping plover and the endangered interior least tern breed on the Platte River in Nebraska from the city of North Platte to the confluence with the Missouri River at Plattsmouth (Faanes 1983, Sidle et a/1988).

Major riverine nesting areas are the reaches from Lexington to Grand Island and from Columbus to Plattsmouth (Fig 1). Nesting habitat is sparsely vegetated or unvegetated islands, sandbars, or shorelines of the river.

An additional and important habitat is on the banks and islands within sand pits made by sand and gravel operations along the river.

In the initial nest of the year, …

Background Contaminants Evaluation Of The Republican River Drainage Colorado, Kansas, And Nebraska

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

This study was conducted to determine background levels of metals and organochlorine compounds in aquatic habitats in the Republican River basin, a large watershed in eastern Colorado, eastern Wyoming, southern Nebraska, and northwestern and northcentral Kansas. Reservoirs and their tributaries in the basin are concentration areas for bald eagles, migratory waterfowl, and occasionally for whooping cranes and other federally-listed threatened and endangered wildlife. The sampling was done to assess risk to federal trustee resources that use aquatic habitats in the basin.

We sampled sediments at 29 locations and fish at 30 locations on the Republican River and tributaries in eastern …

Contaminants In Oil Field Produced Waters Discharged Into The Loch Katrine Wetland Complex, Park County, Wyoming And Their Bioconcentration In The Aquatic Bird Food Chain, Pedro Ramirez Jr.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

The 866-acre Loch Katrine wetland complex in Park County, Wyoming provides habitat for many species of aquatic birds. However, the complex is sustained primarily by oil field produced waters. This study was designed to determine if constituents in oil field produced waters discharged into Loch Katrine pose a risk to aquatic birds inhabiting the wetlands. Trace elements, hydrocarbons and radium-226 concentrations were analyzed in water, sediment and biota collected from the complex during 1992. Boron and radium-226 were present in the produced water discharge and are bioaccumulating in the food chain. Although not present in acute concentrations, elevated boron in …

An Investigation Of Trace Element Contamination At Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge, Kimberly Dickerson, Pedro Ramirez Jr.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge (Bamforth) located in southeast
Wyoming serves as an important resting area for several species of migratory
waterbirds. Surveys were conducted in the summer months of 1992 to
determine bird use at Bamforth. Sediment, water, and biota were collected
from Bamforth to identify wetlands with potential contaminant problems that
may be affecting migratory waterbirds. Mercury and lead in water samples
were above criteria for the protection of aquatic life. Selenium levels in
vegetation and sediment were elevated above concentrations documented to
bioaccumulate and cause adverse reproductive effects in waterfowl. Selenium
levels in waterbird eggs were slightly greater …

Metals And Organic Compounds In Fish And Sediments From The Missouri And Lower Kansas Rivers In Kansas In 1991, George T. Allen

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

I sampled sediments and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) at two locations on the Kansas River and two locations on the Missouri River adjacent to Kansas in June 1991. All samples were analyzed for metals, organochlorine compounds, and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Sediments also were analyzed for aromatic hydrocarbons.

Concentrations of aluminum, cadmium, chromium, and lead in one or more of the sampling locations are of concern.

In the common carp composites, chlordane compound concentrations were above the level at which detrimental effects might be found at Kansas City and at Bonner Springs. However, there is probably little that can be …

Environmental Contaminant Surveys In Three National Wildlife Refuges In Wyoming, Pedro Ramirez Jr., Joni Armstrong

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Environmental contaminants surveys were conducted at National Elk, Seedskadee, and Hut ton Lake National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) to provide information on existing conditions to identify potential habitat quality problems, and to determine if non-point sources of pollution may be affecting the refuges. Pondweed (Potamogeton spp.) samples from Hut ton, Rush, and Cre;ghton Lakes and Lake George at Hut ton Lake NWR and Hay Farm Pond at Seedskadee NWR had boron concentrations greater than 300 ug/g dry weight, the level suspected of causing reduced growth in mallard ducklings (Eisler 1990). The source of the boron is unknown. One pondweed sample …

Mercury In Fish Collected From The Indian Lake System Stillwater Wildlife Management Area Churchill County, Nevada, Peter Tuttle

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Elevated mercury levels have been identified in water, sediments, and biota in the Carson River drainage basin, west-central, Nevada. In some instances mercury concentrations exceeded levels considered safe for fish, wildlife, and humans. Of particular concern were game fish in the lower Carson River basin which may be consumed by humans. Many of these fish have been found to contain more than 1.0 μg/g wet weight, the action level identified as safe for human consumption by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA 1984) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA 1989). Concern for human health promptedthe Nevada State Division of Health …

The Influence Of Selenium On Incubation Patterns And Nesting Success Of Waterbirds At Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Utah, Bruce H. Waddell, Mark C. Stanger

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Egg temperatures and hen attentiveness were studied from 1989-91 on nests near sites known to have high selenium concentrations in an effort to document causes for nesting failures. Temperature and light sensitive radio transmitters were used to monitor incubation patterns in American coots (Fulica americana), mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), gadwalls (Anas strepera), northern shovelers, (Anas clypeata), and redheads (Aythya americana) nests. Mean temperatures of telemetered eggs placed in incubated nests ranged from 32.6°C to 37.8°C and differed only slightly from results obtained in other studies. We found no nesting failures among …

Contaminants Survey Of The Proposed Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, George T. Allen, Tom Nash

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

We sampled sediments and fish at 16 locations at the proposed Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge in Kansas and Missouri.

All of the samples were analyzed for metals and organochlorine compounds. Selected sediment samples also were analyzed for aliphatic hydrocarbons.

There are no apparent serious contaminants concerns with the proposed acquisition, with the exception of two dump sites. The former municipal dump for Pleasanton, in section 26 of Township 21S, Range 25E in Kansas has not been cleaned up. Therefore, the land it is on should be excluded from acquisition. A former dump in section 6, Township 39N, Range …

Metal Concentrations In Blood From An Adult Bald Eagle Nesting At Clinton Reservoir In Kansas, George T. Allen

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Concentrations of metals in blood from an adult male bald eagle nesting at Clinton Reservoir in eastern Kansas in 1991 were analyzed by induction coupled plasma emission spectroscopy without preconcentration.

Because there are very limited data on background levels of most metals in bald eagle blood, the data herein are provided for comparison with other samples at later dates.

Few metals were detected in the sample. The only metal detected that is not physiologically well controlled was mercury. However, the mercury concentration was low compared to concentrations found in blood from bald eagles in the western United States.