Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 32, No.4 December 2000

The Prairie Naturalist

LOCATING NESTS OF BIRDS IN GRASSLANDS FROM A MOBILE TOWER BLIND ▪ . T. F. Fondell, S. T. Hoekman, and L J. Ball

OBSERVATIONS ON SMALL MAMMALS RECOVERED FROM OWL PELLETS FROM NEBRASKA ▪ J J Huebschman, P. W Freeman, H. H. Genoways, and J A. Gubanyi

DlSTRIBUTION, HABITAT USE, AND NESTING SUCCESS OF HENSLOW'S SPARROW IN OKLAHOMA ▪ D. L. Reinking, D. A. Wiedenfeld, D. H. Wolfe, and R. W. Rohrbaugh, Jr.

REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF PIPING PLOVERS ON ALKALI LAKES IN NORTH DAKOTA AND MONTANA ▪ R. K. Murphy, M. J. Rabenberg, M. L. Sondreal, B. R. Casler, and …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 32, No.3 September 2000

The Prairie Naturalist

SPECIAL FEATURE: LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN

PREFACE ▪ C. E. Braun

NOTE ON SPECIAL FEATURES

POPULATION STATUS AND MANAGEMENT OF LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN IN COLORADO ▪ K. M. Giesen

STATUS OF NESTING HABITAT FOR LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN IN NEW MEXICO ▪ J. A. Bailey, J. Klingel, and C. A. Davis

STATUS OF THE LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN IN NEW MEXICO, 1999 ▪ . J. A. Bailey, and S. O. Williams III

DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION TREND OF LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN IN KANSAS ▪ W. E. Jensen, D A. Robinson. Jr and R. D. Applegate

REVIEW OF THE HISTORICAL AND PRESENT STATUS OF THE LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) IN …

Effects Of Elevated Atmospheric Co2 On Root Growth, Turnover And Decomposition In A Scrub Oak Ecosystem, John Joseph Dilustro

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are increasing and predicted to double this century. The implications of this rise on vegetation structure and function are not well understood. Measurement of root growth response to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide is critical to understanding soil carbon input. I investigated the effects of elevated carbon dioxide on fine root growth and decomposition using open top chambers with both ambient and elevated (700 PPM) CO₂ treatments in an oak-palmetto scrub ecosystem at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Minirhizotron tubes were installed in each elevated and control chamber to allow observation of roots. Each tube was sampled …

Degradation In The Brockman River And Ellen Brook Catchments, Western Australia, Brian Lloyd

Natural resources published reports

An eight day survey of degradation in the Ellen Brook and Brockman River catchments revealed several areas of concern. Key concerns are:

Erosion and sedimentation

Various forms of erosion were observed during the survey that would cumulatively have an effect on the quality of both the Ellen Brook and the Brockman Rivers, and ultimately the Swan River. Erosion resulted from many situations including landholder management, subdivision design and infrastructure maintenance. Raising awareness as to consequences of erosion and sedimentation, along with remedial techniques and best management practices is recommended for the various levels of stakeholders.

Eutrophication

Eutrophication has been established …

Responses Of Sphagnum And Carex Peatlands To Ultraviolet-B Radiation, And A Meta-Analysis Of Uv-B Effects On Vascular Plants, Peter S. Searles

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The severity of stratospheric ozone depletion in the temperate and polar latitudes has raised concerns about the sensitivity of terrestrial vegetation and ecosystems to solar ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation. This dissertation examined the responses of plants and microbes to solar UV-B for 3 years in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina (55° S). This region is under the influence of the Antarctic "ozone hole" during the austral spring. Additionally, a quantitative review of the UV-B literature was conducted using a set of statistical techniques known as meta-analysis.

For the field studies in Tierra del Fuego, plots were established in a Sphagnum moss peatland …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 32, No.2 June 2000

The Prairie Naturalist

EVALUATING MORNING AND AFTERNOON ELECTROFISHING CATCH RATES FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS IN KANSAS LAKES C. A. Cox, and R. D. Schultz

DYNAMICS OF GREEN ASH WOODLANDS IN THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK ▪ L. R. Irby, J. E. Norland, M. G. Sullivan, J. A. Westfall, Jr., and P. Anderson

STATUS OF THE ARKANSAS DARTER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL KANSAS AND ADJACENT OKLAHOMA ▪ M. E. Eberle, and W J. Stark

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA 1999 R. N. Randall

AN OBSERVATION OF POSSIBLE BROOD ADOPTION IN RUDDY DUCKS ▪ J. T. Pelayo

MAXILLARY CANINE TEETH IN A NORTH DAKOTA DEER ▪ W. F. …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 32, No.1 March 2000

The Prairie Naturalist

FRESHWATER MUSSELS (BIVALVIA: UNIONOIDEA) IN STREAMS OF NORTHWESTERN KANSAS ▪ S. M. Bergman, M. E. Eberle, and B. K. Obenneyer

PISCIVOROUS BIRD DEPREDATION AT NORTHERN MINNESOTA AQUACULTURE FACILITIES ▪ G. K. Bridgman, E. H. Rave, and J. M. Rafferty 17

EFFECTS OF MOWED TRAILS ON DEPREDATION OF ARTIFICIAL NESTS IN GRASSLAND ▪ D. J. Rosenblatt, J. J. Newton, and E . J. Heske

PLANT COMMUNITY PATTERNS ON UPLAND PRAIRIE IN THE EASTERN NEBRASKA SANDHILLS ▪ W. H. Schacht, J. D. Volesky, D. Bauer, A. J. Smart, and E. M. Mousel

AMERICAN BITTERN DEPREDATES SORA ▪ J. E. Austin, and M. …

Computer Simulation For Feature Extraction In Pattern Recognition And Geobiophysical Modeling In Mountaineous Wetland Delineation, Natalie Ripsher

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Delineation of wetlands is an important aspect of protecting of these ecologically diverse and biocomplex habitats. Selected image-processing techniques are applied to remotely sensed imagery of Canaan Valley, in order to determine the best method of extracting wetland features for habitat delineation. Remotely sensed data from April 1997 and September 1999 were compared to determine the accuracy of feature extraction, and the effect of seasonal and long term climate change on wetland delineation. Pattern recognition for feature extraction was used to identify vegetation associations and changes in habitats. Computer simulation of the infrared band was performed using ER Mapper so …

Characteristics Of Some Fruiting Plant Species In Northwest Arkansas, And The Avian Assemblages That Feed On Them, John W. Prather, Kimberly G. Smith, Michael A. Mlodinow, Cecilia M. Riley

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Fruits continue to be recognized as an important food source for birds in temperate areas, particularly during the fall migration period. More than 20 species of plants producing fleshy fruits are found in the Arkansas Ozarks. However, only a few of these appear to be important resources for birds during the fall migration period (August - October). Among those are sassafras (Sassafras albidum), gray-backed grape (Vitis cinerea), black cherry (Prunus serotina), hercules club (Araliaspinosa) and pokeweed (Phytolacca americana). Over the past 4 years, we have documented the physical and nutritional characteristics of those fruits and taken observational data on the …

Clonal Growth Of Lithospermum Caroliniense (Boraginaceae) In Contrasting Sand Dune Habitats, Stephen G. Weller, Kathleen H. Keeler, Barbara A. Thomson

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The occurrence of clonal growth of distylous Lithospermum caroliniense was investigated in a population in the Nebraska Sandhills, an area where sand dunes have been relatively stable for at least 1,500–3,000 yr, and compared to a population occurring at the Indiana Dunes, an area of active sand dune formation. Spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated the occurrence of significant clonal propagation of genetically based floral morphs at Arapaho Prairie, but not for the Indiana Dunes. Apparent clonal growth in the Sandhills population had no overall negative effect on pollen deposition or fecundity relative to the Indiana population, although in some large clones …

Reciprocal Transplantation Of The Desert Soil Crust: Can It Be Done?, Christina D. Cole

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A 100 meter X 100 meter study site was chosen at White Rock Springs in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada. To examine Syntrichia caninervis, a desert crustal moss, reciprocal transplantations (20 mm and 40 mm diameter cores) were performed between shaded to shaded, exposed to exposed, and shaded to exposed microsites to determine if it was possible to transplant the study organism with reasonable survivorship. Transplants were inspected following rain events for percent hydration, number of dead stems, and change in percent cover. Data indicated that there was a low mortality rate of S. caninervis stems, and few …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 31 No.4 December 1999

The Prairie Naturalist

THE FISHES OF THE UPPER MOREAU RIVER ▪ T. M. Loomis, C. R. Berry, Jr., and J. Erickson

DO INTERNAL FIRE LANES AFFECT NEST DEPREDATION RATES IN PRAIRIES? ▪ K. A. Warren and M. R. Ryan

SPECIES COMPOSITION AND TROPHIC STRUCTURE OF INSECT COMMUNITIES IN TEXAS PRAIRIES. ▪ G. N. Cameron and E. H. Bryant

FIDELITY OF MALLARDS TO ARTIFICIAL NESTING STRl!CTURES ▪ T. Yerkes

OBSERVATIONS ON REPRODUCTION IN THREE SPECIES OF BATS ▪ D. W. Sparks, J. R. Choate, and R. J. Winn

EARLIEST SEASONAL RECORD OF REPRODUCTION IN THE HOARY BAT ON THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS ▪ T. …

Review Of Population Biology Of Grasses, Thomas B. Bragg

Biology Faculty Publications

Population Biology of Grasses provides a wealth of knowledge beyond population biology that ecologists and ecosystem biologists will find relevant to their concerns, particularly those with an interest in grasslands. Though not limited to the Great Plains region, the book would make an excellent addition to the reference shelf of anyone interested in grasses and grassland-related ecosystems, including readers with an interest in land management and preservation. While the papers are written for different levels of readers, all provide information accessible to non-specialists.

Review Of A Classification Of North American Biotic Communities By David E. Brown, Frank Reichenbacher, Susan E. Franson, Robert B. Kaul

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

This is the latest of many efforts over the past century to classify North America's natural, undisturbed biological communities as they existed in pre-agrarian times and in many places continue to exist today. Its authors' stated objective is to integrate existing works into a hierarchical synthesis that can lead to a standardized system for researchers, land managers, conservation groups, and government agencies. To that end, the authors have modified and expanded David Brown's earlier classification for the Southwest to cover the continent, defined here as the area from the Panama Canal to the Arctic, including Greenland and some of the …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 31, No.3 September 1999

The Prairie Naturalist

HANTA VIRUS INFECTION IN NORTH DAKOTA SMALL MAMMALS: 1994,1995 ▪ R. W. Seabloom, J. J. Feist, and S L. McDonough

AMERICAN WOODCOCK IN COLORADO ▪ C. E. Braun

AVIFAUNA OF AN EARLY SUCCESSIONAL HABITAT ALONG THE MIDDLE MISSOURI RIVER ▪ D. L. Swanson

REPRODUCTIVE STATUS OF FLEA BEETLES IN NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ M. A. Brinkman and S. A. Clay

NUTRIENT AND ENERGY CHARACTERISTICS OF INVERTEBRATES FROM TWO LOCATIONS IN KANSAS ▪ S. G. Papon, R. J. Robel, and K. Kemp

BOOK REVIEWS

The Wood Warblers ▪ M. G. Knutson

A Fascination With Birds. ▪ J. A. Dechant …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 31, No.2 June 1999

The Prairie Naturalist

SPATlAL VARIATION IN POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF SHOVELNOSE STURGEON IN THE KANSAS RIVER ▪ M. C. Quist and C. S. Guy

INFLUENCE OF FIRE AND TRAPPING EFFORT ON GROUND BEETLES IN A RECONSTRUCTED TALLGRASS PRAIRIE ▪ K. J. Larsen and J. B. Williams

FISH ASSEMBLAGES AND HABITAT RELATIONSHIPS IN A SMALL NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS STREAM ▪ C. A. Barfoot and R. G. White

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA 1998 ▪ R. N. Randall

NEW RECORDS OF THE PYGMY SHREW IN SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ C. B. King, G. M. Wilson, and P. D. Sudman

BUFFLEHEAD BROOD IN NORTHEASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA …

Ultraviolet-B Radiation: Effects On Pollen Of 34 Taxa, And Inheritance Patterns And Carryover Of Radiation Response In Arabidopsis, Javad Torabinejad

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although considerable research has addressed effects of elevated ultraviolet-B (UV-8) radiation on vegetative plant structures and processes, the reproductive biology and patterns of inheritance of UV-B tolerance have received much less attention. I examined the effects of UV-B radiation on pollen of 34 taxa. I also addressed questions concerning the patterns of inheritance of UV-B tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana and examined potential cumulative carryover effects of UV-B exposure through multiple generations of this species.

In the first study, a significant reduction in pollen germination occurred in only five species, but pollen tube growth in more than half of the species …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 31, No.1 March 1999

The Prairie Naturalist

NEST SITE CHARACTERISTICS OF RING-NECKED PHEASANTS IN EASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ J. R. Purvis, A. E. Gabbert, and L. D. Flake

FIELD EVALUATION OF RADIOTRANSMITTERS FOR NORTHERN POCKET GOPHERS ▪ G. W. Witmer and M. J. Pipas

DISTRlBllTiON OF A MOlJND-BUILDING ANT ON NATIVE AND RESTORED PRAIRIES IN NORTHEASTERN KANSAS ▪ J. Foster and W. D. Kettle

RESULTS OF A WILD TURKEY RELEASE IN KANSAS TALLGRASS PRAIRIE ▪ J. F. Cully, Jr., P. R. Lemons, II, and R. D. Applegate

BODY-SIZE AND AGE'-RELATED MASTICATORY RELATIONSHIPS IN TWO SPECIES OF BLARINA ▪ B. J. Verts, L. N. Carraway, and R. A. …

Internal Temperature Of Douglas-Fir Buds Is Altered At Elevated Temperature, Martha E. Apple, Melissa S. Lucash, David M. Olszyk, David T. Tingey, Donald L. Phillips

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir) saplings were grown in sun-lit controlled environment chambers at ambient or elevated (4°C above ambient) temperature. We measured internal temperatures of vegetative buds with thermocouple probes and compared temperatures of normal buds and abnormal buds with loosened, rosetted outer scales in elevated temperature chambers. The abnormal buds had higher and earlier peak daily temperatures than normal buds. Elevated temperature may influence the internal temperature of buds and contribute to the development of abnormal, rosetted buds with loosened outer scales. Abnormal bud development may alter branching patterns and allometry of Douglas-fir trees subjected to climatic change.

Plant And Breeding Bird Communities Of Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Colonies And Non-Colonized Areas In Southwest Kansas And Southeast Colorado, Stephen L. Winter

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

This research was initiated to determine if plant and bird communities on black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus Ord) colonies in southwest Kansas and southeast Colorado differed from those found on associated non-colonized areas. Vegetation height and density, and the cover and frequency of numerous plant species differed between prairie dog colonies and non-colonized areas that were co-dominated by mid-height grasses and shortgrasses. A comparison of prairie dog colonies with non-colonized areas that were dominated solely by shortgrasses did not reveal a difference in vegetation height and density. The number of species that differed in cover or frequency between prairie dog …

Plant Hybrid Zones And Insect Host Range Expansion, Diana Pilson

Diana Pilson Publications

The hybrid bridge hypothesis suggests that plant hybrids ‘‘bridge’’ the genetic gap between actual and potential host species, and that, for this reason, herbivorous insects are more likely to evolve an expanded host range in the presence of hybrids. While intuitively appealing, the hypothesis has two implicit assumptions: that phenotypic gaps between potential hosts limit host range, and that characters controlling host use are additively inherited in plant hybrids. Evaluation of these assumptions suggests that operation of the hybrid bridge hypothesis is relatively uncommon. In addition, the hypothesis has not been well integrated into existing theoretical and empirical work on …

Influence Of Prairie Dogs On Vegetation In Kansas Shortgrass Prairie, Stephen L. Winter, Jack F. Cully Jr., Jeffrey S. Pontius

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

We quantified plant species richness, frequency, percent cover and percent bare ground on black-tailed prairie dog colonies and non-colonized areas in southwest Kansas in 1996 and 1997. In 1996 field sampling occurred after 12 months of below-average precipitation, while field sampling in 1997 occurred after 10 months of above-average precipitation. In 1996 prairie dog colonies were characterized by lower percentages of grass cover and higher percentages of forb cover than non-colonized sites, but there was no difference in percent bare ground. In 1997 percent grass cover, forb cover and bare ground was similar for prairie dog colonies and non-colonized areas. …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 30, No.4 December 1998

The Prairie Naturalist

FISH COMMUNITY AND WATER QUALITY CHANGES IN THE BIG SIOUX RIVER ▪ D. Dieterman, and C. R. Berry, Jr.

EFFECTS OF PARASITOIDS AND COMPETITION ON CLUTCH SIZE OF A GALLING MIDGE ▪ D. J. Kinateder and S. J. Stein

RESPONSE OF BREEDING SEASON BLUE-WINGED TEAL TO DECOY TRAPPING ▪ P. R. Garrettson

COMPARISON OF POINT-COUNT AND WADE-FLUSH METHODS FOR COUNTING DUCKS ▪ G. M. Linz, C. P McMurl, H. J. Homan, and D. L. Bergman

Reviewers 1998

Author Index - Volume 30

Subject Index - Volume 30

Announcements

Vegetation Analysis: A Graphical Analysis Of Plant Succession In Desert Communities Affected By Fire, Jeff Lantow

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Mojave Desert is affected by fire every year. With each fire comes the removal of old growth and, in its place, new growth – consisting primarily of those species which thrive in disturbed areas. The focus of my research is to look at plant communities that have been disturbed by fire, and examine the successional pathway of these disturbed environments. The seven environments I analyzed were burned within the last twenty years and are found in the Coleogyne ramosissima ecotone throughout the Spring Mountain range near Las Vegas, Nevada. The data was collected with randomly chosen circle plots in …

Morphogenesis Of Douglas Fir Buds Is Altered At Elevated Temperature But Not At Elevated Co2, Martha E. Apple, Melissa S. Lucash, David M. Olszyk, David T. Tingey

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Global climatic change as expressed by increased CO₂ and temperature has the potential for dramatic effects on trees. To determine what its effects may be on Pacific Northwest forests, Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii ) seedlings were grown in sun-lit controlled environment chambers at ambient or elevated (+4°C above ambient) temperature, and at ambient or elevated (+200 ppm above ambient) CO₂. In 1995–1996 and 1996–1997, elevated CO₂ had no effect on vegetative bud morphology, while the following unusual morphological characteristics were found with greater frequency at elevated temperature than at ambient: rosetted buds with reflexed and loosened outer …

Diversity And Dominant Species Of Ground Beetle Assemblages (Coleoptera: Carabidae) In Crop Rotation And Chemical Input Systems For The Northern Great Plains, Michael M. Ellsbury, Janine E. Powell, Frank Forcella, W. David Woodson, Sharon A. Clay, Walter E. Riedell

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Dominant carabid species present in crops and crop rotation sequences commonly used in the northern Great Plains were assessed as an initial step toward the management of carabids as natural control agents. Ground beetle populations were determined by pitfall trapping in 4 crop rotation treatments maintained under high, managed, and low levels of chemical fertilizer and pesticide inputs. Diversity and species richness among crops, rotations, and input levels were compared using 3 indices—the Shannon-Weaver Index, relative diversity, and the Hierarchical Richness Index (HRI). Four carabid species, Cyclotrachelus altemans (Casey), Poecilvs lucublandus Say, Harpalns pensylvanicus (DeGeer), and Bembidion quadrimaculatum L., comprising …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 30, No. 3 September 1998

The Prairie Naturalist

GROWTH OF SPOTIED BASS IN KANSAS STREAMS AND IMPOUNDMENTS ▪ J. S. Tillma and C. S. Guy

SIZE SELECTION OF RAINBOW SMELT BY SMALL MESH GILL NETS ▪ C. E. Freiburger and W. G. Duffy

ABUNDANCE AND HABITAT AFFINITIES OF Cyclotracheius substriatus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) ON NORTHERN SHORTGRASS PRAIRIE ▪ N. E. Mcintyre 157

THE REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF CANDLE ANEMONE ▪ B. Molano-Flores and S. D. Hendrix

NOTES

Noteworthy Records of Bats from Southern Colorado ▪ E. W. Valdez

Eggshell Removal by Duck Hens Following

Partial Nest Depredation by Striped Skunk ▪ S. Lariviere and L. R. Walton

New Records of …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 30, No.2 June 1998

The Prairie Naturalist

REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF SHARP-TAILED GROUSE IN CENTRAL MONTANA ▪ K. R. Bousquet and J. J. Rotella

EFFECTS OF DROUGHT ON RECLAIMED GRASSLANDS IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ D. R. Kirby, L. M. Stewart, K. D. Krabbenhoft, and D. J. Nilson

MALE COMMON NIGHTHAWK USE OF GRAVEL ROADS AT NIGHT ▪ R. G. Poulin, L. D. Todd, and R. M. Brigham

RESTORATION AND STATUS OF THE RUFFED GROUSE IN KANSAS ▪ R. D. Rodgers, R. W. Wells, K. E. Church, R. L. Whiteaker, M. T. McFadden, D. S. Lekie, R. A. Bergquist, H. J. Abel, and R. D. Applegate

PITFALL TRAPPING …

Utilization Of Spatially Distributed Soil Resources By Several Species Common To The Great Basin, Sarah Duke

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Heterogeneous spatial and temporal distributions of soil resources important to plant growth have been documented in the sagebrush steppe ecosystem. There can exist as much variability in soil resources within the root zone of individual plants as exists across an entire field. The objective of this dissertation research was to evaluate how plants respond to, utilize and influence the spatial heterogeneity of soil resources. The three specific sets of questions addressed are outlined in the three main chapters of this dissertation.

My first study addressed how the number and concentration of phosphorus (P) patches in the root zone of an …

An Investigation Of Crystalline Intensity Of The Wood Of Poplar Clones Grown In Jiangsu Province, China, Bernard R. Parresol, Fuliang Cao

Aspen Bibliography

No abstract provided.