Aerial Inventories of Waterfowl in Illinois and Estimation of Moist-soil Plant Seed Abundance for Waterfowl on Lands Managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Grant/Contract No: W-43-R 53-54-55Reports on progress and results of inventories of waterfowl along the Illinois and central Mississippi rivers during fall and winter and estimation of moist-soil plant seed abundance for waterfowl on lands managed by Illinois Department of Natural ResourcesINHS Technical Report Prepared for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resource

Waterbird and Wetland Monitoring at The Emiquon Preserve Final Report 2007-2009

We monitored the response of wetland habitats and waterbirds to restoration efforts at Emiquon during 2007–2010 to evaluate restoration success relative to desired conditions under the relevant key ecological attributes (KEAs). Our primary efforts included evaluating: 1) abundance, diversity, and behavior of waterfowl and other waterbirds through counts and observations; 2) productivity by waterfowl and other waterbirds through brood counts; 3) plant seed and invertebrate biomass to understand foraging carrying capacity for waterfowl during migration and breeding, and; 4) composition and arrangement of the vegetation community through geospatial wetland covermapping. Herein, we report results of our monitoring efforts and interpret them as a means of evaluating restoration activities at Emiquon with respect to desired conditions under the KEAs.The Nature Conservancy, Illinois River Project Office, contract number C07-032unpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

Seed Abundance for Waterfowl in Wetlands Managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Managed wetlands on public lands in Illinois, United States, provide foraging habitats for migrating and wintering waterfowl. However, few studies have estimated abundances of waterfowl foods in mid-migration regions of North America, yet such information is needed to inform management and conservation decision-making. During 2005– 2007, we used a multistage sampling design to estimate moist-soil plant seed production (kg/ha, dry mass) and energetic carrying capacity at sites managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and modeled variation in seed biomass. Average seed biomass among all sites ranged from 1,030.0 6 64.1 (SE) kg/ha in 2005 to 501.5 6 124.1 kg/ha in 2007. Our overall estimate (2005–2007) of moist-soil plant seed biomass was precise (691.3 6 56.4 kg/ ha; CV: 8.2%), equaling 5,128 energetic use-days/ha. This value was similar to or slightly greater than previous estimates from other regions of North America and exceeded the estimate used the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture for waterfowl conservation planning (514 kg/ha). We formulated eight models to predict abundance of moist-soil plant seeds within sampled wetlands. The best approximating model included the number of desirable plant species within wetlands and study year. The second best model included the categorical effect of management intensity and indicated that, although variable, actively managed wetlands produced about 240 kg/ha more seed than those that were passively managed. As with other regions, wetland management practices that encourage diverse plant communities over monotypes and growth of early successional plants should yield substantial increases in waterfowl food abundances at Illinois Department of Natural Resources sites, especially given that only 27% of our study wetlands were actively managed. Such efforts would also help reduce deficits in energetic carrying capacity identified by the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture

Selection institutions and war aims

We explore how the sizes of the winning coalition and selectorate influence the war aims of states. Leaders who answer to a small winning coalition are more likely to seek territorial gain as a way to increase state resources. Nonterritorial war aims produce a commitment problem in that after the war the defeated state may not comply with the victor's demands. States with large winning coalitions are more willing to continue the war to remove the enemy leader as a solution to this commitment problem. We test our hypotheses against the Militarized Interstate Dispute data set, and we find some support for our argument.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47901/1/10101_2005_Article_108.pd

Factors associated with diversity, quantity and zoonotic potential of ectoparasites on urban mice and voles

Wild rodents are important hosts for tick larvae but co-infestations with other mites and insects are largely neglected. Small rodents were trapped at four study sites in Berlin, Germany, to quantify their ectoparasite diversity. Host-specific, spatial and temporal occurrence of ectoparasites was determined to assess their influence on direct and indirect zoonotic risk due to mice and voles in an urban agglomeration. Rodent-associated arthropods were diverse, including 63 species observed on six host species with an overall prevalence of 99%. The tick Ixodes ricinus was the most prevalent species, found on 56% of the rodents. The trapping location clearly affected the presence of different rodent species and, therefore, the occurrence of particular host-specific parasites. In Berlin, fewer temporary and periodic parasite species as well as non-parasitic species (fleas, chiggers and nidicolous Gamasina) were detected than reported from rural areas. In addition, abundance of parasites with low host-specificity (ticks, fleas and chiggers) apparently decreased with increasing landscape fragmentation associated with a gradient of urbanisation. In contrast, stationary ectoparasites, closely adapted to the rodent host, such as the fur mites Myobiidae and Listrophoridae, were most abundant at the two urban sites. A direct zoonotic risk of infection for people may only be posed by Nosopsyllus fasciatus fleas, which were prevalent even in the city centre. More importantly, peridomestic rodents clearly supported the life cycle of ticks in the city as hosts for their subadult stages. In addition to trapping location, season, host species, body condition and host sex, infestation with fleas, gamasid Laelapidae mites and prostigmatic Myobiidae mites were associated with significantly altered abundance of I. ricinus larvae on mice and voles. Whether this is caused by predation, grooming behaviour or interaction with the host immune system is unclear. The present study constitutes a basis to identify interactions and vector function of rodent-associated arthropods and their potential impact on zoonotic diseases

The effects of an extensive exercise programme on the progression of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background Exercise interventions to prevent dementia and delay cognitive decline have gained considerable attention in recent years. Human and animal studies have demonstrated that regular physical activity targets brain function by increasing cognitive reserve. There is also evidence of structural changes caused by exercise in preventing or delaying the genesis of neurodegeneration. Although initial studies indicate enhanced cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) following an exercise intervention, little is known about the effect of an extensive, controlled and regular exercise regimen on the neuropathology of patients with MCI. This study aims to determine the effects of an extensive exercise programme on the progression of MCI. Methods/design This randomised controlled clinical intervention study will take place across three European sites. Seventy-five previously sedentary patients with a clinical diagnosis of MCI will be recruited at each site. Participants will be randomised to one of three groups. One group will receive a standardised 1-year extensive aerobic exercise intervention (3 units of 45 min/week). The second group will complete stretching and toning (non-aerobic) exercise (3 units of 45 min/week) and the third group will act as the control group. Change in all outcomes will be measured at baseline (T0), after six months (T1) and after 12 months (T2). The primary outcome, cognitive performance, will be determined by a neuropsychological test battery (CogState battery, Trail Making Test and Verbal fluency). Secondary outcomes include Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), cardiovascular fitness, physical activity, structural changes of the brain, quality of life measures and measures of frailty. Furthermore, outcome variables will be related to genetic variations on genes related to neurogenesis and epigenetic changes in these genes caused by the exercise intervention programme. Discussion The results will add new insights into the prevailing notion that exercise may slow the rate of cognitive decline in MCI

Foraging Thresholds of Spring Migrating Dabbling Ducks in Central Illinois

As of mid-November 2010, we have: 1) completed 1 season of field work related to this project, including conducting 7 foraging trials in 3 different wetlands; 2) processed 185 foraging-trial samples, and; 3) compiled preliminary results. Spring migration was compressed in 2010 due to a late thaw, which may have led to faster turnover (i.e., shorter duration of stay) of ducks at our study sites, thereby influencing their willingness to forage in trial plots. Duck use of trial plots was greater early in migration than late, corresponding in decreased seed consumption (i.e., increased giving-up density [GUD]) over the course of spring. Herein, we report our activities, preliminary results, and potential modifications to the experimental design for the 2011 field season. 1) Experimentally estimate GUD (kg/ha) of migratory mallards and other dabbling ducks during Spring (e.g., late-February to mid-April) in moist-soil wetlands in central Illinois. We conducted 7 experimental trials at 3 wetland complexes in central Illinois during spring 2010. Our study sites included wetlands that were readily used by mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and other dabbling ducks (Anas spp.), were accessible by all-terrain vehicle (i.e., to place and remove experimental foraging patches), and could be observed from a distance without disturbing the study plots. Thus, we conducted 3 trials at Spring Lake Bottoms State Fish and Wildlife Area (Illinois Department of Natural Resources) in Tazewell County, 3 trials at Sand Lake (privately owned) in Mason County, and 1 trial at The Emiquon Preserve (The Nature Conservancy) in Fulton County. We initiated trials 17 March (i.e., immediately after ice receded) and concluded 12 April, after most dabbling ducks had departed. Ice-out was considerably later than normal in 2010, which lead to a compressed spring migration period and 2 a relatively short amount of time to conduct the experiments. Individual trials lasted 6–21 days, depending on the amount of duck use that trial plots received or if they were clearly abandoned. 2) Evaluate if GUD of spring-migrating dabbling ducks in central Illinois varies with respect to initial seed density (kg/ha), seed size (e.g., large or small), predation risk (e.g., visual obstruction near foraging sites), substrate type (e.g., sand or clay), or environmental covariates (e.g., temperature).Barbara J. Pardo Regional Joint Venture Coordinator Upper Mississippi River & Great Lakes Region Joint Venture U.S. Fish & Wildlife Serviceunpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

Illinois Waterfowl Surveys and Investigations Annual Report for W-43-R-59

Study 109: AERIAL INVENTORIES OF WATERFOWL IN ILLINOIS Job 109.1: Inventory waterfowl along the Illinois and central Mississippi rivers during fall and winter. Objectives: 1) Inventory waterfowl and American coots along the Illinois and central Mississippi rivers during fall migration using light aircraft. 2) Compute use-days and peak abundances for observed species. 3) Provide general inference regarding the distribution of waterfowl in space and time. 4) Compare these data to recent and long-term averages. 5) Summarize and distribute these data for parties of interest. We completed 16 aerial inventories of the Illinois (IRV; Hennepin south to Grafton) and central Mississippi river valleys (CMRV; Grafton north to New Boston) between August 2011 and January 2012. Habitat conditions for waterfowl in the IRV were ranked average during fall 2011; however, wetland conditions for waterfowl were the best observed since fall 2005. Waterfowl habitat conditions in the CMRV were considered below average during fall 2011 and similar to fall 2010. Peak abundance of ducks inventoried was higher in the IRV and CMRV in 2011 than 2010. In 2011, peak abundance of total ducks in the IRV was 286,920; this estimate was 5% higher than the 2010 peak (274,180), and 22% above the most recent 5-year average (2006– 2010; hereafter, 5-yr average) of 234,938. Total duck abundance in the CMRV was 380,025 (58% higher than 2010 [241,010]; 3% above the 5-year average [367,944]). 4 Study 110: ECOLOGY OF SPRING-MIGRATING CANVASBACKS AND LESSER SCAUP IN THE CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEYS Job 110.1: Ecology of spring-migrating Canvasbacks and Scaup in Illinois. Objectives: 1) Aerially estimate abundance of lesser scaup and canvasbacks during spring migration in the Illinois River and Pool 19 of the Mississippi River of Illinois. 2) Document distribution of lesser scaup and canvasbacks among and within wetlands of both river systems. 3) Evaluate spring habitat composition and quality (e.g., forage abundance) within wetlands where concentrations of lesser scaup and canvasbacks occur (i.e., as determined by Objective 2). 4) Investigate and quantify behavior of lesser scaup and canvasbacks to estimate the functional response of these species to variation in habitat. 5) Leg-band 1,000 lesser scaup and 500 canvasbacks on the Illinois River to provide data that can be used to estimate survival, recovery rate, and fall distribution of these species using stopover habitats in Illinois during spring. To evaluate the quality of wetlands used by lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) and canvasback (A. valisineria) in the Illinois River valley (IRV) and at Pool 19 of the Mississippi River, we quantified abundance, distribution, and behavior, and evaluated habitat components (e.g., food availability) to provide data critical to effectively allocating conservation efforts and guiding habitat restoration and conservation planning. We documented fewer diving duck use-days in the IRV (2,106,435) than Pool 19 (2,417,865) during spring 2012. Overall, lesser scaup and canvasbacks spent the majority of their time foraging, resting, or in motion, and both species fed more in the IRV than on Pool 19. Generally, the IRV contained greater (454%) mass of seeds and tubers than Pool 19, and this trend was consistent across wetlands used by lesser scaup (527%) and canvasbacks (769%). Benthic invertebrate mass was much greater (>900%) at Pool 19 than in the IRV—thus, diving ducks likely were not limited by food at Pool 19, but may have had to search for and exploit the most profitable foraging patches in the IRV because food abundances were considerably lower. 5 Both species foraged in locations with greater benthic invertebrate mass at approximately 60% of wetlands surveyed (69% in the IRV and 36% at Pool 19) and feeding locations contained 240% and 130% more mass than random locations in the IRV and Pool 19, respectively. Overall, nektonic invertebrate mass was low, but it was greater in the IRV than Pool 19 in both random (346%) and feeding locations (130%). We banded 997 lesser scaup and 7 canvasbacks from 2–8 March, 2012 on Emiquon Preserve in the IRV. To date, we have received only 1 band return (captured and released on Pool 19), but anticipate increasing numbers of band returns following additional summer banding and fall-winter waterfowl hunting seasons in 2012. 6 Study 111: STATUS OF LARGE WADING BIRD COLONIES IN ILLINOIS Job 111.1: Monitoring of Great Blue Heron and Great Egret Colonies and Nesting Bald Eagles in Illinois. Objectives: 1) Determine the current status (i.e., active or abandoned) of known great blue heron and great egret colonies in Illinois. 2) Estimate the number of nests by species in occupied colonies. 3) Identify the UTM coordinates of new wading bird colonies. 4) Incidentally identify bald eagle nests observed along survey routes. We aerially searched 411 waypoints of known wading bird colonies (i.e., great blue heron [Ardea herodias] and great egret [Ardea alba]) and bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nests in Illinois from 4 April to 8 May 2012. We grouped waypoints representing eagle and wading bird nests into seven flight plans that encompassed the entire state. We marked new nests and colonies (those incidentally encountered but not in the current database) with a new waypoint and recorded pertinent data. We identified 148 active eagle nests and 95 active wading bird colonies in Illinois and along the shoreline of the Mississippi, Wabash, and Ohio rivers bordering Illinois. Comparisons with previous surveys (data provided by IDNR) indicated that the number of wading bird colonies in Illinois were stable. We found 95 active colonies in 2012 as compared with 92 colonies that were most likely active in 2001. However, the estimated number of great blue heron nests in active colonies has declined from 129.4 nests in 2001 to 81.3 nests in spring 2012, and nearly all wading bird colonies along the Illinois River south of Peoria were vacant during spring 2012. Conversely, the number of active eagle nests (n = 148) identified during spring 2012 increased substantially from known nests in 2001 (minimum of 70 nests). Bald eagles are expanding their nesting distribution in Illinois. We documented 70 new bald eagle nests and 19 new wading bird colonies in Illinois during spring 2012.Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife & U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, W-43-R-59unpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

Write, draw, show, and tell: a child-centred dual methodology to explore perceptions of out-of-school physical activity

Background Research to increase children’s physical activity and inform intervention design has, to date, largely underrepresented children’s voices. Further, research has been limited to singular qualitative methods that overlook children’s varied linguistic ability and interaction preference. The aim of this study was to use a novel combination of qualitative techniques to explore children’s current views, experiences and perceptions of out-of-school physical activity as well as offering formative opinion about future intervention design. Methods Write, draw, show and tell (WDST) groups were conducted with 35 children aged 10–11 years from 7 primary schools. Data were analysed through a deductive and inductive process, firstly using the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model as a thematic framework, and then inductively to enable emergent themes to be further explored. Pen profiles were constructed representing key emergent themes. Results The WDST combination of qualitative techniques generated complimentary interconnected data which both confirmed and uncovered new insights into factors relevant to children’s out-of-school physical activity. Physical activity was most frequently associated with organised sports. Fun, enjoyment, competence, and physical activity provision were all important predictors of children’s out-of-school physical activity. Paradoxically, parents served as both significant enablers (i.e. encouragement) and barriers (i.e. restricting participation) to physical activity participation. Some of these key findings would have otherwise remained hidden when compared to more traditional singular methods based approaches. Conclusions Parents are in a unique position to promote health promoting behaviours serving as role models, physical activity gatekeepers and choice architects. Given the strong socialising effect parents have on children’s physical activity, family-based physical activity intervention may offer a promising alternative compared to traditional school-based approaches. Parents' qualitative input is important to supplement children’s voices and inform future family-based intervention design. The WDST method developed here is an inclusive, interactive and child-centred methodology which facilitates the exploration of a wide range of topics and enhances data credibility

Understanding decision-makers and their needs: framing Global Burden of Animal Diseases offerings to enhance relevance and increase impact

In a world characterised by data deserts and data swamps, translating evidence into actionable policies and practices is not easy. This article addresses this challenge through the lens of evidence emerging from the Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) initiative. It emphasises the need for an intentional approach that connects research infor�mation with the specific needs of decision-makers and identifies specific impact pathways associated with different groups of decision-makers. The GBADs programme aims to support animal health decisions, and the authors outline the diverse landscape of decision-makers in this field, encompassing the public and private sectors, livestock keepers, civil society and international development agencies. Key issues such as disease prioritisation and lobbying are also discussed. The authors propose an ‘evidence ecosystem’ approach, one that understands data users and their interactions, for analysing the needs of decision-makers, and framing GBADs offerings according to these needs. Two case studies, a recently concluded global case study of disease prioritisation decision-making and an ongoing policy analysis and needs assessment for GBADs in Indonesia, are presented to demonstrate how evidence ecosystem analysis and audience segmentation could be used to tailor GBADs information offerings for different decision-making groups. The article concludes by recommending that GBADs’ future applications prioritise information offerings, adapt them to decision-makers’ needs and consider how different segments of decision-makers will utilise the information to achieve real-world impacts