Other Life Sciences Commons^™

Sage‐Grouse Breeding And Late Brood‐Rearing Habitat Guidelines In Utah, David K. Dahlgren, Terry A. Messmer, Benjamin A. Crabb, Michel T. Kohl, Shandra Nicole Frey, Eric T. Thacker, Randy T. Larsen, Rick J. Baxter

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Delineation, protection, and restoration of habitats provide the basis for endangered and threatened species recovery plans. Species recovery plans typically contain guidelines that provide managers with a scientific basis to designate and manage critical habitats. As such, habitat guidelines are best developed using data that capture the full diversity of ecological and environmental conditions that provide habitat across the species’ range. However, when baseline information, which fails to capture habitat diversity, is used to develop guidelines, inconsistencies and problems arise when applying those guidelines to habitats within an ecologically diverse landscape. Greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage‐ grouse) populations …

Engaging People In Nature Stewardship Through Master Naturalist Programs, Mark Larese-Casanova, Michelle Prysby

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Master Naturalist programs across the country have reconnected Americans with nature for >20 years. Research suggests that reconnecting humans with nature benefits personal health and wellness, educates stakeholders about the importance of conservation, and enhances individual participation in stewardship efforts. Nationally, the Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs coordinates and supports Master Naturalist programs through facilitating collaboration and sharing of resources, as well as organizing an annual conference. We explore the Virginia Master Naturalist and Utah Master Naturalist programs as 2 examples of different, but highly effective, statewide programs to highlight the diversity of Master Naturalist programs. The …

Effects Of Inorganic Nutrients And Dissolved Organic Carbon On Oxygen Demand In Select Rivers In Northern Utah, Joseph L. Crawford

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Our nation’s waterways are a valuable resource whose quality is influenced by their surroundings as well the amount of nutrients (largely nitrogen and phosphorus) in the water. Nutrients play an important role in aquatic ecosystems; however, if nutrient levels become too high, it is detrimental to water quality. Excess fertilizer that runs off of agricultural land and into the rivers and streams is a common source of nutrients in our waterways. Other sources of nitrogen and phosphorus include effluent released from wastewater facilities.

There are many negative side effects of high nutrients in the water. They can create large algal …

Diet Composition And Activities Of Elk On Different Habitat Segments In The Lodgepole Pine Type, Uinta Mountains, Utah, William B. Collins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The biweekly diets of tame elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) were established on a species dry-weight basis for different habitat segments of the lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) type, Principal species in the diets (5% or more) on each habitat segment were generally composed of preferred species. However, some highly abundant but non-preferred species took on principal dietary status, whereas some preferred species, scarce in the vegetation, contributed less than 5 percent to diets. Forbs contributed most to total consumption; grasses and sedges were the second largest contributors. Browse appeared to be of limited importance, but mushrooms had …

Forage Preferences Of Mule Deer In The Lodgepole Pine Ecosystem, Ashley National Forest, Utah, Joseph A. Deschamp

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

During the summer of 1976, five tame, trained mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) were used to determine botanical composition and relative preference of mule deer diets on five habitat segments in the lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) ecosystem of northeastern Utah. Diets were statistically analyzed according to estimated weight consumption per unit of time spent feeding on the different segments. Habitat segments sampled were: clearcut forest, dry and wet meadow, mature forest, and stagnated forest.

Diets differed between segments mainly because of differences in plant species available and their abundance. The diets in the non-forested segments averaged …

Analysis Of Hunter Characteristics And Attitudes Relating To Utah Shooting Preserves, John T. Ratti

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This paper evaluates the present status of Utah shooting preserves with special reference to attitudes and characteristics of hunters using and not using the shooting preserves system. Data were gathered primarily by a mail questionnaire survey.

Compared to non-users, shooting preserve users were more frequently raised in a suburban or city area, better educated, and had higher yearly incomes. Shooting preserve users were commonly employed as professionals or proprietors, while non-users were often employed as craftsmen, proprietors, or operators.

Most shooting preserve hunters hunted after the state game bird season was closed, and were generally satisfied with Utah preserves. Most …

An Autecological Study Of Blackbrush (Coleogyne Ramosissima Torr.) In Southwestern Utah, James E. Bowns

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to provide basic ecological information on an important but little studied major vegetation type through autecological investigations of the dominant species. Data include climate and soils where this species occurs, root distribution, phenology and growth, seed germination requirements and seedling survival. Percent ground cover provided by blackbrush and other dominant plants as well as the composition of herbaceous understory vegetation was presented. Leaf and stem anatomy of blackbrush revealed features typical of desert shrub species with stem splitting appearing to be a characteristic of this species.

Blackbrush is characterized as a poor forage species …

The Effects Of Elevation And Vegetation Type On Snow Accumulation And Melt In Logan Canyon, Utah, Paul R. Thies

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Snow accumulation and melt characteristics were studied in Logan Canyon, Utah. Three replications of aspen, conifer, and open field types at 6300, 7100,and 8000 feet were measured for snow depth and water content during 1972. Elevation was found to have the greatest effect on snow water content. The gradient of increasing water content with rise in elevation was found to be .51 inches/100 feet in the zone from 6300 to 7100 feet and 1.9 inches/100 feet from 7100 to 8000 feet. The cooler temperatures at higher elevations partially account for the 8000 foot zone beginning to melt 40 days after …

Primary Production In A Cache Valley, Utah Farm Pond, J. Kent Summers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Primary production was measured on a 9.5 acre Cache Valley, Utah farm pond from July 1971 to July 1972. Polyethylene film tubes, with lids, were used to confine columns of water for determining dissolved oxygen concentration. Once a week, dissolved oxygen samples were taken at sunset, the following sunrise and sunset. Annual primary production was estimated at 1289 grams oxygen per square meter for two of the four stations, and 927 grams oxygen per square meter for the remaining two stations.

The weekly data was computed at once a month intervals to see if it would be possible to get …

The Effects Of Available Water Upon Populations Of Chukar Partridge On Desert Mountains Of Utah, William W. Shaw

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The importance of surface water to chukar partridges (Alectoris graeca) and the feasibility of rain-catchment devices for improving chukar habitat were studied on the Thomas and Dugway Mountain Ranges in western Utah during 1969 and 1970.

Sources of surface water were removed from one mountain range, and chukar populations on that range were compared with populations on an adjacent range with permanent sources of water.

Providing drinking water did not improve chukar productivity, survival, or availability to hunters. Although most birds concentrated around water supplies in the summer, some chukars appeared to live completely independent of any permanent …

Seasonal Utilization Of Sago Pondweed By Waterfowl At Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah, Michael R. Sterling

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Seasonal utilization of sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus L.) by waterfowl was studied at Bear River Miqratory Bird Refuge by comparing amounts of sago production on a series of plots on Unit Four. One plot was available to carp and waterfowl; one only to carp; and one available to neither.

The cage used to eliminate carp and waterfowl use of a plot caused a significant increase in sago production. The increase was attributed to less turbidity and less wind and wave action within the cage.

Carp distribution was limited to deep-water portions of Unit Four, a small area, and …

An Evaluation Of Factors Affecting Establishment And Survival Of Russian Wildrye (Elymus Junceus Fisch.) On Foothill Ranges In Utah, Dale Lynn Drawe

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Several factors affecting establishment and survival of Russian wildrye were studied in the greenhouse and in the field.

Greenhouse studies conducted at Utah State University examined (1) the effects of competition on vigor and production of Russian wildrye, (2) moisture use by Russian wildrye and four weeds, and (3) effects of moisture level on emergence and seedling vigor.

During 1967 and 1969 at Tintic Valley field experiments were initiated to study effects on germination and seedling establishment of (1) seasons, (2) methods, and (3) intensities of seeding Russian wildrye. In 1968 and 1969 studies were made of phenology and root …

Farmers' Reactions Toward Upland Bird Hunting In Two Utah Counties, 1957, Frank J. Calkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Proof that public hunting on private lands is a growing Utah problem is, perhaps, most easily found by driving down any country lane. “No Trespassing" signs come one to a fence post or so it must seem to the pheasant hunter. His quarry is the most popular of Utah's farm game species and, unfortunately, the most popular subject of farmer-sportsmen disputes.

Reasoning that short seasons reduce hunter nuisances and property damage, landowners have long advocated three- to five-day pheasant seasons. And because of this and a former game department concern about overshooting the birds (Utah Fish and Game Commission, 1946) …

Studies In The Life History And Ecology Of The American Pintail (Anas Acuta Tzitzihoa Vieliot) In Utah, Robert W. Fuller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wildlife management has been defined as lithe manipulation of wild populations of vertebrate animals in their relation to man and his interests" Wildlife management, then, could not exist in the absence ot either wildlife or humans. Converting this idea to the waterfowl situation, we can say that there are no waterfowl problems other than as they exist in the minds of men. (Wil1s, 1951) These words by the Chief of the IllinoIs Natural History Survey precede a plea for fundamental facts and a basic understanding of waterfowl upon which sound management can in turn be based. l"or only through sound …

Some Of The Relationships Between Livestock Grazing And Duck Nesting In The Saltgrass Vegetation Type In Utah, Horatio W. Murdy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Little is known of the relationships between livestock grazing and duck nesting. This dearth of information occurs in spite of the fact that an understanding of these relationships is necessary in order to evaluate duck production on range land, and to formulate grazing policies for lands devoted to the production of ducks.

Recognizing the need for information on this subject, the Utah Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit and the Wildlife Management Institute jointly sponsored a study, during 1948-1949, of livestock grazing-duck nesting relationships in the saltgrass vegetation type in northern Utah. The study was financed by the Institute and supervised by …

The Status And Management Of Pheasant Posted Hunting Areas In Utah, William G. Parsons

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Since 1900 the ringneck pheasant Phasianus colchicus torquatus Gmelin has assumed major importance in the United states as an upland game bird. This is particularly evident in Utah where, in 1951, 76,000 hunters bagged an estimated one quarter million pheasants (8).

An Investigation Concerning The Incidence And Pathogenicity Of Pentatrichomonas Gallinarum And Its Relationship To Histomonas Meleagridis In Turkeys In Utah, Ross S. Hadfield

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Turkey raising has become big business. During the period 1942 to 1946, the average annual return in Utah amounted to about nine and one-half million dollars (4). This amount would have been increased considerably if the death loss among poults had been lower. As an example, using the percentage of mortality given by Miner (9, p. 5), it is estimated that the death-loss of turkeys in 1944 resulted in a loss of gross income by the farmers of Utah of more than four million dollars provided that the price the farmer received had remained the same.

Among the prevalent causes …

Utilization Of Forage Plants And Diet Of Sheep On Utah Winter Range, Lisle R. Green

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Although there is an abundance of material available concerning forage consumption by livestock on pasture land and in the feed lot, there is relatively little known about the grazing habits and forage preferences of livestock under range conditions. There has been still less scientific effort expended toward solving the riddle of the grazing animal's diet under winter range conditions. Investigators have suggested means to determine the quantity of forage available on range areas, the carrying capacities of range lands, and methods of determining the degree to which forage has been utilized. The diet of the foraging animal is affected by …