Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Water Current, Volume 30, No. 3, June 1998

Water Current Newsletter

Summer Water Tour to Visit Arkansas and Republican Rivers
EPA Help for Community Drinking Water Systems; Studying Corroded Systems
State's First Constructed Wetland Treatment System Fills Unique Need
Legislative Shuffle Adds to Nebraska's Water Law
NU Study Ranks Small Town's Ability to Pay for Sewer and Water
Water News Briefs
Twenty Most Endangered Rivers
Chlorinated Drinking Water Under Fire
Former NRCS Chief to Speak at Conference
Call for Papers, Bringing Groundwater to Life
New Tabloid Availble (Wetlands - Understanding a Resource)
MSEA Water Quality Project Tops Team Awards

The Probe, Issue 189 – June 1998

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

When Deer Are Too Dear and Elk Are Too Elegant -- Gary W. Witmer, NADCA Regional Director, Southern Rockies Region, Region 2
Understanding Home Range -- Jeff Jackson, Extension Wildlife Specialist, School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia
Notes from Nigeria: Wildlife Crop Interactions in Threatened Sahelian Wetland -- Augustine U. Ezealor, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, and Robert H. Giles, Jr., Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321.
Two Women Animal Rights Activists Protest Prairie Dog Control
Rats on the Rise-Urban Wildlife Control Proves to Be Bonanza …

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 …

Two Capture Techniques For American White Pelicans And Great Blue Herons, D. Tommy King, John D. Paulson, Dwight J. Leblanc, Kevin Bruce

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We describe two techniques for capturing American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias), and other large wading birds in aquatic habitats. One technique involved using #3 padded jaw leghold traps modified by replacing both factory coil springs with weaker #1.5 coil springs, to reduce the closing force of the jaws, and replacing the factory chain with a length of aircraft cable and an elastic shock cord, to minimize injury caused by lunging. The second technique involved using a modified portable rocket net that can be set in shallow water. We captured 142 American …

Form, Function, And Evolution In Skulls And Teeth Of Bats, Patricia W. Freeman

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Bats provide a model system for tracking change from the primitive mammalian tooth pattern to patterns indicating the more-derived food habits of carnivory, nectarivory, frugivory, and sanguinivory. Whereas microchiropteran bats show all these transitions, megachiropterans illustrate an alternative pattern concerned only with frugivory and nectarivory. In microchiropterans, it is likely that carnivory nectarivory, frugivory, and sanguinivory are all derived from a dilambdodont insectivorous tooth pattern. Megachiropterans are troublesome because they appear as nectarivores or frugivores without a clear relationship to ancestral taxa.

The nature of the food item and how teeth respond to that item evolutionarily is an issue I …

Landowner And Tourist Attitudes Toward Elk Management In The Pine Ridge Region Of Northwestern Nebraska, R. Daniel Crank

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

No abstract provided.

Influence Of Buffer Strip Width And Composition In Reduction Of Agricultural Non-Point Source Contaminants, Tim Schmitt

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

No abstract provided.

Amphibians And Reptiles [Of The Sand Hills], Patricia W. Freeman

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Of the 60 species of amphibians and reptiles presently known from Nebraska, 27 are found in the Sand Hills and one more is marginal to the east. Fourteen species of the 60 are essentially state wide in distribution, including the Sand Hills, and eight species of reptiles are strongly influenced by the Sand Hills (Lynch, 1985). Of 12 species that occur widely over the moister eastern part of the state, only four extend into the Sand Hills, and one occurs only under the wet conditions along the rivers of the eastern Sand Hills.

Amphibians: Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum); …

The Probe, Issue 188 – May 1998

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

Woodchuck Control, Then and Now -- Clarence E. Faulkner, NADCA Regional Director, Region 0 (Agency Liaison/Foreign)
Thoughts... Robert H. Giles, Jr., President, NADCA
Legislative Update-CJ NWCO ASSN Responds to Regulatory Changes
Booklet Review: "Missouri Coyotes—A Guide to Management, Nuisance Prevention, and Damage Control" By Ron McNeely, Missouri Conservation Commission, 1997. 32 pp. ($1.00)
ADC on the NET: Dogs Useful in Canada Goose Control
Outdoor Channel, WLFA Team Up

Effects Of Thinning And Nitrogen Fertilization On Sugars And Terpenes In Douglas-Fir Vascular Tissues: Implications For Black Bear Foraging, Bruce A. Kimball, Eric C. Turnblom, Dale L. Nolte, Doreen L. Griffin, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The chemical constituents of coniferous vascular tissues play a role in bear forage selection. In particular, bear foraging preferences are related to the concentrations of simple sugars (nonstructural carbohydrates) and terpenes in the forage. Analyses of vascular tissue samples from trees collected in test plots indicted that both thinning and fertilization caused the sugar concentration of vascular tissues in the lower bole to increase. However, these treatments had no effect on the concentrations of hydrocarbon monoterpenes, oxygenated monoterpenes, or sesquiterpenes. These results may explain the observations that black bears prefer to forage in thinned and fertilized stands.

Chemically Mediated Foraging Preference Of Black Bears ( Ursus Americanus), Bruce A. Kimball, Dale L. Nolte, Richard M. Engeman, John J. Johnston, Frank R. Stermitz

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The role of chemical constituents in the foraging behavior of black bears (Ursus americanus) was investigated using two field studies. Vascular tissue samples were collected from Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees recently foraged by black bears. Samples were extracted and analyzed by liquid and gas chromatography to determine carbohydrates and terpenes, respectively. Chemical data were subjected to correlation analyses and multiple regression to examine if they adequately describe observed foraging preferences. Free-ranging black bears also were offered a choice of four test diets that differed in content of carbohydrates and terpenes. Results indicated that forage preferences were …

Mammals [Of The Sand Hills], Patricia W. Freeman

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Of approximately 81 species of mammals present in Nebraska today, 55 occur in the Sand Hills, with an additional three species that are associated only with the Niobrara River. Nebraska as a whole is truly a crossroads for mammals because two-thirds of the species reach their distributional limits in the state (Jones, 1964). Most of these mammals are widespread species or are specific to the grasslands as a whole and are not affected by this sandy zone. Jones (1964) wrote that “only a few mammals are restricted to this area. Mostly it serves to filter western species moving east and, …

Center For Sustainable Agricultural Systems Newsletter, May/June 1998

Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems: Newsletters (1993-2000)

Contents:

A Snapshot of CSAS Activity in Research, Education and Training

Vollmar to Be Interim CSAS Director

Highlights of Upcoming New Book: Under the Blade (Part 1)

CSAS Publishes Two More "Green Volumes"

USDA to Change Proposed Organic Standards

$31 Million Awarded in Fund for Rural America Grants

Sustainable Ag Seminar Series to Focus on Alternative Farming Systems and Foodsheds

Call for 1999 NCR SARE Preproposals

Newsletter Mailing List Clarification

Managing Island Biotas: Brown Treesnake Control Using Barrier Technology, Gad Perry, Earl W. Campbell Iii, Gordon H. Rodda, Thomas H. Fritts

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis), accidentally introduced to the previously snake-free U.S. island of Guam after World War 11, decimated the island's naive wildlife. Today, it periodically stows away on craft going to other islands where the ecological damage may be repeated. Barriers offer an effective tool for keeping the snakes out of areas from which they can disperse off-island, as well as sites identified as critical for the protection of human health, conduct of economic activity, or conservation of endangered species. The authors have developed a variety of barrier designs which repulse at least 95% of snake …

Trapping Strategies For Deterring The Spread Of Brown Tree Snakes From Guam, Richard M. Engeman, Michael A. Linnell

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The accidental introduction of the Brown Tree Snake Boiga Irregularis to Guam has resulted in the extirpation of most of the island's native terrestrial vertebrates, has presented a health hazard to infants and children, and also has produced an economic problem. Prevention of its dispersal through Guam's cargo traffic to other Pacific islands has became a high environmental priority. Trapping around ports and other cargo staging areas is central to an integrated pest management program designed to deter dispersal of the species. In this study, perimeter trapping of forested plots characteristic of those found in port areas was found 19 …

A Review Of The Case Histories Of The Brown Tree Snakes (Boiga Irregularis) Located By Detector Dogs On Guam, Richard M. Engeman, Danny V. Rodriguez, Michael A. Linnell, Mikel E. Pitzler

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Records of 34 brown tree snakes detected during dog inspections were examined to describe the situations in which snakes were found and to determine probable destinations had they successfully departed Guam. A key to the use of detector dogs for interdicting brown tree snake transport from Guam is that the snakes found are at high risk for export. Hawaii. followed by the Micronesian islands. were the most frequently identified potential destinations for the snakes located by dogs. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Comparative Developmental Toxicity Of Planar Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners In Chickens, American Kestrels, And Common Terns, David J. Hoffman, Mark J. Melancon, Patrice N. Klein, John D. Eisemann, James W. Spann

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, PCB 126 (3,3′, 4,4′, 5-pentaCB) and PCB 77 (3,3′4,4′-tetraCB), were examined in chicken (Gallus gallus), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), and common tern (Sterna hirundo) embryos through hatching, following air cell injections on day 4. PCB 126 caused malformations and edema in chickens starting at 0.3 ppb, in kestrels at 2.3 to 23 ppb, but in terns only at levels affecting hatching success (44 ppb). Extent of edema was most severe in chickens and least in terns. Defects of the beak were common in all species but with …

Cattle Guards Reduce White-Tailed Deer Crossings Through Fence Openings, J. L. Belant, T. W. Seamans, C.P. Dwyer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In response to increased white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) encroachment on airports, we evaluated the effectiveness of cattle guards as deer exclusion devices. We conducted three experiments in a 2200 ha fenced facility in northern Ohio with high (91/km²) deer densities during 1994 ± 1995. In each experiment, we monitored deer crossings at two or three cattle guards (4.6[L] x 3[W]x 0.5 or 1.0[D] m) constructed at fence openings for 2 weeks pre- and post-installation. For each experiment, the mean daily number of deer crossings after installation of cattle guards was reduced (P < 0.01) by > 88% compared with …

Predation On Atlantic Salmon Smolts By Striped Bass After Dam Passage, Bradley F. Blackwell, Francis Juanes

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We documented predation on smolts of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar by striped bass Morone saxatilis foraging in the tailrace of the Essex Dam on the Merrimack River, Lawrence, Massachusetts, and assessed factors that may affect smolt susceptibility to predation. During 6 d of diurnal angling from 6 to 28 May, we captured 212 striped bass, 41 of which contained prey remains. More than 48% of striped bass that contained prey had consumed smolts. Atlantic salmon smolts composed more than 80% of the total mass of prey remains recovered and included both individuals of stocked-fry and stocked-smolt origin. Based on information …

Anthraquinone Protects Rice Seed From Birds, Michael L. Avery, John S. Humphrey, Thomas M. Primus, David G. Decker, Arlene P. Mcgrane

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Application of bird-repellent chemicals to seed prior to planting is one possible approach to reducing bird damage to rice. Anthraquinone is a promising seed treatment compound, and in this paper we describe a sequence of tests evaluating a formulated commercial anthraquinone product. In l-cup cage tests, rice consumption by individual male red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and female boat-tailed grackles (Quiscalus major) was reduced 64-93% by 0.5 and 1.0% (g/g) anthraquinone treatments. Daily rice consumption by single male boat-tailed grackles tested in large enclosures was reduced from > 14 g in pretreatment to < 1 g by a 1.0% treatment. One of five test birds ate nothing during a 1 day post-treatment session. In a 7 day trial within a 0.2 ha flight pen, a group of four male grackles consumed 1.3% of anthraquinone-treated rice seed compared to 84.1% of sorghum, a nonpreferred alternate food. At two study sites in southwestern Louisiana, loss of rice sprouts in 2 ha plots sown with anthraquinone-treated seed was 0 and 12% compared to losses of 33% and 98% in nearby untreated plots. The formulation performed well at every stage of testing, and further development of anthraquinone products for bird-damage management is warranted.

Inventory For Endangered, Threatened And Rare Plant And Animal Species Within The Floodplain Corridor Of The Middle Loup River Basin In Nebraska, Michael I. Fritz, Gerry Steinauer

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts

This survey was conducted by Nebraska Natural Heritage Program of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission with funding received from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Grand Island office. This agreement was entered into on April 16, 1996. The objective of the agreement was to conduct a survey of a portion of the Loup River basin floodplain corridor for rare plant communities and plant and animal species. This is the final report of that survey. This report includes not only data collected directly as a result of field survey work associated with the project but also previous …

Water Current, Volume 30, No. 2, April 1998

Water Current Newsletter

Blizzard Doesn't Hamper "Nebraska Water 2000" Conference
From the Director: NIWR Meetings in Washington D.C.; Research Discussed; Summer Water Tour
Of Boreholes, Bunyips and Boxing Day
Water Stewards Receive Annual Awards at Water Conference in Kearney
Summer Water Tour to Visit Arkansas and Republican River Basins in August
AWWA Research Foundation RFPs
Water News Briefs
Wetlands ID Now Available
How to Boost Your Golf Course Values
EPA Restoration Website
Community Outreach Kits
Nebraska Range Shortcourse
1998 NIWR Executive Summary Available Free from NU

The Probe, Issue 187 – April 1998

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

Thoughts... Robert H. Giles, Jr., President, NADCA
Vicar Takes Sunday Off to Join Hunt Marchers
Cat Contraceptive Approach Developed by Student Intern Michelle Meister-Weisbarth
California Trap Ban Initiative Submitted
Mourning Dove Debate Heats Up
Constitutional Amendment to require a "super majority" (2/3) vote on any wildlife issue on Utah Ballot
Sportsmen Gain Victory in New Jersey Case
NADCA Honors Wes Jones
WCFA Stands Up for Wildlife Management in New Mexico Case
Berryman Institute Announces 1998 Award Winners

More Reports From 4th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society

The Use and Effectiveness of Various Predator Control Efforts at a Colonial Waterbird …

Laboratory Evaluation Of Predator Odors For Eliciting An Avoidance Response In Roof Rats (Rattus Rattus), Michael D. Burwash, Mark E. Tobin, Anthony D. Woolhouse, Thomas P. Sullivan

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We evaluated eight synthetic predator odors and mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) feces for eliciting avoidance responses and/or reduced feeding by wild captured Hawaiian roof rats (Rattus rattus). In a bioassay arena, we recorded: (1) time until each rat entered the arena, (2) time elapsed until first eating bout, (3) time spent in each half of the arena, (4) number of eating bouts, and (5) consumption. Rats displayed a response to the predator odors in terms of increased elapsed time before initial arena entry and initial eating bout, a lower number of eating bouts, and less food consumption …

Determination Of Zinc Phosphide Residues In Corn (Zea Mays) Grain, Fodder, And Forage, M. J. Goodall, S. A. Volz, J. J. Johnston, D. B. Hurlbut, R. E. Mauldin, D. L. Griffin, E. E. Petty

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Zinc phosphide (ZN₃P₂) is an acute rodenticide. One of its current uses employs application as a grain bait or pellet at the time of planting to reduce agricultural losses by field rodents. To mitigate rodent induced losses to corn, we hoped to expand the approved uses of zinc phosphide to include corn applications. After determining acceptable efficacy, we conducted a study to determine if potentially hazardous zinc phosphide residues in corn would result from this use. A field study was conducted in 5 corn growing states to provide samples for residue analysis of corn treated with …

Observations Of Nocturnal Foraging In The Double-Crested Cormorant, D. Tommy King, J. Brent Harrel, Brian Dorr, David Reinhold

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) are normally considered a diurnal species. Here we describe cormorants foraging nocturnally in an oxbow lake in Mississippi. We have observed this behavior only once during 30 capture attempts over seven years.

Relationship Between Ecosystem Productivity And Photosynthetically Active Radiation For Northern Peatlands, S. E. Frolkin, J.L. Bubier, T.R. Moore, T. Ball, L.M. Bellisario, A. Bhardwaj, P. Carroll, P.M. Crill, Peter M. Lafleur, J.H. Mccaughey, N.T. Roulet, A. E. Suyker, S.B. Verma, J.M. Waddington, G.J. Whiting

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

We analyzed the relationship between new ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide (NEE) and irradiance (as photosynthetic photon flux density of PPFD), using published and unpublished data that have been collected during midgrowing season for carbon balance studies at seven peatlands in North America and Europe. NEE measurements included both eddy-correlation tower and clear, static chamber methods, which gave very similar results. Data were analyzed by site, as aggregated data set for all peatland type (bog, poor fen, rich fen, and all fens) and as a single aggregated data set for all peatlands. In all cases, a fit with a rectangular …

The Probe, Issue 186 - March 1998

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

CONTENTS:
NWCO Trade Assn. Proposed
NADCA Board Acts on NWCO Concerns
NWCO Concerns Heard
One View of W.C.T. Seminar
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Back Issues of The Probe
Moving? Let Grant Know!
Postdoc / Postgraduate Position Available
Proceedings Available
State NWCO Organizations Grow
Video Review: Bird Barrier's Product Installation Video Tape Series.
More Reports From 4th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society

Management Of Conflicts Between Urban Coyotes And Humans In Southern California, Rex O. Baker, Robert M. Timm

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 18th (1998)

An apparent increase in coyote-human conflicts, notably attacks on humans, demonstrates that such incidents are not rare in California. The authors discuss coyote attacks on 53 humans, resulting in 21 instances of human injury, over the last decade. These illustrate repeated, predictable pre-attack coyote behavior patterns. Specific changes in human environments and in human behavior that have contributed to coyote attacks are discussed. Case histories of attacks reveal contributing factors and suggest appropriate corrective and preventive actions. Padded leghold traps have been the most effective and efficient tool in removing problem coyotes and changing the behavior of coyotes to fear …

The Efficacy Of Glue Traps Against Wild Populations Of House Mice, Mus Domesticus, Rutty, Robert M. Corrigan

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 18th (1998)

Field research was conducted from Purdue University during 1991 to 1993 to examine some aspects of the efficaciousness of the various types of glue traps against wild populations of house mice. The research was conducted in agricultural and livestock buildings containing various infestation levels of mice. Tests compared the capture and escape rates of glue boards vs. trays, covered vs. uncovered glue traps, and glue traps vs. snap traps, and multiple catch curiosity traps. Observational work, via night vigils, was also conducted to note the behavioral response of mice to glue surfaces, including the behavioral aspects of mice neutralizing glue …