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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Natural Resources and Conservation

South Dakota State University

1976

Articles 1 - 11 of 11

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Use Of Stockpods For Nesting By Giant Canada Geese, Paul M. Bultsma Jan 1976

Use Of Stockpods For Nesting By Giant Canada Geese, Paul M. Bultsma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A study of giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) nesting on stockponds in western South Dakota was conducted during 1974 and 1975. Analysis of 10 selected variables at nests on natural sites indicated that distance of water below high water level and percent slope from wetland to horizon, contributed the most to the use of the site. Distance from wetland to horizon and disturbance factors were two important variables measured to determine use of artificial nesting structures. First nests were initiated on 1 April 1974 and 8 April 1975. Twenty-five nests (16 percent) were located on artificial nesting structures, and …


The Aquatic Ecology Of Two Seasonal Marshes In Eastern South Dakota, Walter K. Donaldson Jan 1976

The Aquatic Ecology Of Two Seasonal Marshes In Eastern South Dakota, Walter K. Donaldson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Zooplankton, benthos, nekton, aufwuchs, and the physical-chemical limnology of two seasonal marshes in eastern South Dakota were monitored from April-June 1975. Bothwell and Lund Marshes contained water from 15 April-July 1975. The dominant i. ons, Ca ++, Mg+ +, and sulfate, made the water hardness non-carbonate. Floating vegetation, Lemna trisulca and Cladophora sp., became abundant in both marshes during the first week of June, and formed large thick mats by the end of June 1975. Daphnia pulex was the dominant zooplankter in Bothwell Marsh and made up 33% of the zooplankton density during the 1975 season. The population was triacmic, …


Effects Of P.L. 566 Stream Channelization On Wetlands In The Prairie Pothole Region, Ronald E. Erickson Jan 1976

Effects Of P.L. 566 Stream Channelization On Wetlands In The Prairie Pothole Region, Ronald E. Erickson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Wild Rice Creek Watershed project, in North and South Dakota was constructed under authority of the Small Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (P.L. 83-566 as amended). Structural measures included 24.7 miles of channelization and four floodwater retarding dams. To measure the degree that channelization influenced drainage of prairie wetlands, drainage rates in a channelized tributary were compared to rates in an unchannelized tributary of Wild Rice Creek. Channelization had a direct impact on wetlands by channel drainage reduction of overbank flows, and by providing drainage outlets. Indirect (secondary) wetland losses are believed to have occurred outside of the …


An Evaluation Of The Fishery Resource In A Portion Of The James River, South Dakota Scheduled For Channel Modification, Dennis Tol Jan 1976

An Evaluation Of The Fishery Resource In A Portion Of The James River, South Dakota Scheduled For Channel Modification, Dennis Tol

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The fish populations of a 193 km (120 mi) section of the James River between Tacoma Park and Redfield, South Dakota that is scheduled for stream modification under the Oahe Irrigation project were evaluated from October 74 to July 76. Twenty-two species of fish were captured in the James River between Tacoma Park and Redfield, South Dakota. The fishes use the area primarily as a spawning ground and nursery for young-of-the-year. Evidence of spawning was found for 19 species of fish. Only a residual population of forage fishes, young-of-the-year of various species, and a few adult black bullheads attempt to …


Population Status Of Beaver On The Free-Running Missouri River In Southeastern South Dakota, Robert J. Vanden Berge Jan 1976

Population Status Of Beaver On The Free-Running Missouri River In Southeastern South Dakota, Robert J. Vanden Berge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One hundred sixty two beaver (Castor canadensis) harvested by trappers from the free-running Missouri River in southeastern South Dakota were examined from fall 1974 to spring 1976. Ninety two were males and 70 were females (131:100 sex ratio). Age specific sex ratios were not significantly different (P >0.05) from a 1:1 ratio for all age classes. The age structure of the sample was 69:26:45:15:4:3 for age classes zero through five, respectively. Minimum breeding age for female beaver was 2.5 years. Seventy-eight percent of all females (>2.5 years old) collected after the breeding season contained corpora lutea and viable fetuses. …


Productivity Of A Resident Giant Canada Goose Flock In Northeastern South Dakota, J. David Hilley Jan 1976

Productivity Of A Resident Giant Canada Goose Flock In Northeastern South Dakota, J. David Hilley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

. A 2-year study (1974-1975) of a resident Canada goose (Branta canadensis maxima) flock is reported. Twenty-four percent of the artificial nest structures (ANS) available were used by nesting geese. Artificial nesting structures, islands, muskrat houses and peninsulas were used by geese as nesting sites. Mean clutch size of completed nests was 5.14 in 1974 and 5.26 in 1975. Mean clutch size was 5.38 on ANS and 4.89 on NNS for the 2-year study. At least one egg hatched in 87 percent of the 283 nests located during the study. Larger clutches had a higher hatchability. Nest success was greater …


Factors Influencing Habitat Use By Breeding Waterfowl In South Dakota, Michael R. Mcenroe Jan 1976

Factors Influencing Habitat Use By Breeding Waterfowl In South Dakota, Michael R. Mcenroe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wetland characteristics, adjacent upland conditions, and corresponding waterfowl populations were surveyed on 500 quarter sections in 125 clusters proportionally stratified within eight physiographic strata in South Dakota. Two survey were conducted, one in May and a second in June, each year during 1973 and 1974. Habitat variables of each wetland and of each quarter section, respectively, were analyzed for each species of waterfowl through multiple regression analysis. Multiple regression equations had highest coefficients of determination for mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), pintails (Anas acuta), blue-winged teal (Anas discors), and gadwall (Anas strepera). Coefficient of determination for these species were greatest in the …


Distribution, Age, And Growth, And Feeding Ecology Of Paddlefish (Polyodon Spathula) In Unaltered Missouri River, South Dakota, Rudolph S. Rosen Jan 1976

Distribution, Age, And Growth, And Feeding Ecology Of Paddlefish (Polyodon Spathula) In Unaltered Missouri River, South Dakota, Rudolph S. Rosen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Four hundred eighty-four paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) were captured 26 June 1975 to 11 August 1976 from an unaltered stretch of Missouri River in South Dakota. Vital statistics were measured on all fish, 171 were sacrificed during the analysis of food habits, and 301 fish were tagged and released. Paddlefish were located by observation, gill netting, and snagging. Paddlefish were primarily found downstream from submerged sandbars from late spring to early fall. The crests of the sandbars were 0.1 to 1.0 m deep and immediately downstream, the depth was 1.5 to 4.5 m, and the current velocity was 0 to 0.3 …


Key To Microscopic Fragments Of Plant Tissue In Prairie Dog Stomachs And Food Habits Of Prairie Dogs In South Dakota, Carol A. Summers Jan 1976

Key To Microscopic Fragments Of Plant Tissue In Prairie Dog Stomachs And Food Habits Of Prairie Dogs In South Dakota, Carol A. Summers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to (1) develop a reference collection and construct a key of plants occurring on prairie dog towns in southwest South Dakota; (2) determine plant species eaten by prairie dogs by analyzing stomach and pellet samples; and (3) relate the availability of plant species and preference in the feeding habits of prairie dogs. Two prairie dog towns of different vegetation were studied. Four burrows in each of two vegetative types for each town were randomly selected. Prairie dogs and pellet samples were collected from these burrows; plant cover was measured in four concentric circles for …


Analysis Of Aerial Surveys And Tolerance Of Landowners For A Canada Goose Flock In Northeastern South Dakota, Thomas C. Tacha Jan 1976

Analysis Of Aerial Surveys And Tolerance Of Landowners For A Canada Goose Flock In Northeastern South Dakota, Thomas C. Tacha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Four hundred rural landowners were interviewed in Day and Marshall counties in South Dakota in 1974 and 1975. These 400 interviews included 200 interviews with landowners living within 6.4 km of the three major summer-fall goose concentration areas and 200 interviews from a random sample of landowners living in the study area. Eighty-six percent of the interviewed landowners indicated that it was a good idea to expand the northeastern South Dakota Canada goose flock from 2,000 to 5,000 birds. Only 6 percent of the landowners had complaints about the geese, despite the fact that 23.5 percent of them had received …


Sharp-Tailed Grouse Nesting And Brooding Habitat In Southwestern North Dakota, Stanley C. Kohn Jan 1976

Sharp-Tailed Grouse Nesting And Brooding Habitat In Southwestern North Dakota, Stanley C. Kohn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The habitat of nesting and brooding sharp-tailed grouse (Pedioecetes phasianellus) was studied 1 April to 25 August 1973 and 1974. The objective of the study was to determine the quality and quantity of vegetation at nest and brood locations of sharp-tailed grouse in relation to available vegetation within pastures. Five range sites, lowland draw, rolling grassland, upland grassland, rocky outcropping, and claypan were studied. Thirty-four females were trapped on dancing grounds and equipped with radio transmitters. Seventeen nests were located by monitoring the movements of transmitter-equipped hens and 26 nests were located through use of cable-chain drag. Height of vegetation …