Using library impact data to inform student marketing campaigns

This article uses an evidenced based approach using the finding of the Library Impact Data Project to help market library resources to students at the University of Huddersfield. Initiatives discussed include the roving librarian, desk-top visits and Lemontree (library game). Reading list software is also used to drive usage and the marketing of these services is also discussed. Finally, the paper looks at the use of a marketing placement student in the library

Using Advanced Technology to Evaluate the Effects of Restoration Treatments on Bird Use of Shrubby Draws During Fall Migration

In 2012, the MPG Ranch initiated efforts to restore ground cover and woody structure in several draws degraded by decades of cattle grazing. To evaluate the effects of restoration treatments, we are studying bird use of draws during fall migration, tracking changes in bird use as restoration progresses. To map bird occurrence at the scale of restoration treatments, we developed and tested an iPad application that allowed us to place bird detections directly onto high-resolution, geo-referenced aerial imagery. Along with an exact location, the application allows us to record descriptive information such as species, behavior, and substrate used. In our pilot season, we recorded observations of 1,061 birds. The Vesper Sparrow was the most commonly observed species. We were able to detect spatial and temporal trends in bird use of shrubby draws, with notable clustering in areas of established woody vegetation. We also detected several species using shrubby draws during fall migration that would not typically be found in this habitat type in the breeding season. In the future, we will make quantitative associations between bird detections and the presence of features such as shrub and tree cover or the presence of water. Given what we deemed a successful pilot season, we plan to continue the use of the iPad application during subsequent fall migrations as draw conditions change and habitat conditions presumably improve

An expert system that performs a satellite station keepimg maneuver

The development and characteristics of a prototype expert system, Expert System for Satellite Orbit Control (ESSOC), capable of providing real-time spacecraft system analysis and command generation for a geostationary satellite are described. The ESSOC recommends appropriate commands that reflect both the changing spacecraft condition and previous procedural action. An internal knowledge base stores satellite status information and is updated with processed spacecraft telemetry. Procedural structure data are encoded in production rules. Structural methods of knowledge acquisition and the design and performance-enhancing techniques that enable ESSOC to operate in real time are also considered

Acoustic Monitoring of Nocturnal Migrants in the Bitterroot Valley, Montana

Acoustic monitoring of passerine nocturnal migration represents a unique and passive way to study bird movements. As migrant songbirds pass over the landscape, many emit nocturnal flight calls (NFCs) to presumably echolocate and maintain communication with other birds. Capture of these calls with autonomous recording units (ARUs) allows generation of spectrograms, and species-level identification. In September 2012, MPG Ranch began an NFC monitoring project that now includes the fall 2012, spring 2013 and fall 2013 migrations. Each season, we installed three ARUs at low-, mid-, and high-elevation sites, and extracted over 2700 NFCs from the recordings. Analyses indicate spatial and temporal trends between sites and between seasons. We detected substantially fewer NFCs during the spring migration compared to the fall seasons. Spring migrant NFC detections were consistent throughout the season at the low-elevation site, but only occurred later in the season at the higher elevation sites. During fall migration 2013, peak migration occurred in late August to mid-September when the mid-elevation site consistently saw higher numbers of NFCs than the low- and high-elevation sites. The low-elevation site continues to detect previously undocumented species on the property, including the Barn Owl and Virginia Rail. In 2014, we plan to monitor fall and spring migration to determine if spatial and temporal trends persist

Avian Monitoring with Autonomous Recording Units in the Bitterroot Valley, Montana

Monitoring avian species over a vast landscape challenges researchers and landmanagers. Many current monitoring programs rely on point counts, banding stations, and other methods requiring skilled observers. Autonomous recording units (ARUs) compliment data from these more common field techniques. In September 2012, MPG Ranch installed three ARUs at low-, mid- and high-elevation locations to supplement concurrent data collected at passerine banding stations. A preliminary analysis of migrating passerine nocturnal flight calls revealed distinct temporal and spatial trends between sites and through the season. We detected more sparrow, warbler and thrush flight calls in September than in October and at the low-elevation site than at the high-elevation site. We plan to compare this analysis to the banding data collected by the University of Montana’s Avian Science Center for additional patterns. The ARUs also recorded several infrequently detected or new species on the ranch. We detected a barn owl (Tyto alba) 16 times at the low- and mid-elevation ARUs over a 29-day period in September and October. These detections represent the first documentation of a barn owl since property monitoring began in 2010. Additional acoustic monitoring will help determine if this was a migration or some other phenomena. The common poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) was another uncommon species documented via ARUs. In the future, we plan to use ARUs to document the presence and vocalization phenology of several species (e.g., Flammulated Owl, Common Poorwill) breeding in difficult-to-access areas of the property. We also plan to acoustically monitor the 2013 spring passerine migration

Sampling the Grains: Pollen Samples from Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds transmit pollen both actively and passively while feeding or moving through the landscape. They play a largely undocumented role in plant pollination on their breeding grounds. Many hummingbirds also migrate thousands of miles, potentially transporting pollen greater distances than other pollinators. To investigate the role of hummingbirds in both short- and long-distance pollen transfer, we collected pollen samples from the heads and bills of hummingbirds during migration and throughout the breeding season. We identified the pollen from 44 hummingbirds captured during the 2016 and 2017 field season in western Montana. We also solicited and analyzed 9 samples from southwestern Idaho. Pollen analysis revealed 18 different genera of pollen on sampled hummingbirds, including genera (e.g., Pinus, Larix) that passively broadcast pollen. We detected some pollen from plant species not locally available, suggesting that hummingbirds do transfer pollen long distances, and may serve as vectors for plant genetic diversity. Pollen grains differed in their anatomy and potential for adhesion to hummingbird feathers and bills, suggesting that some pollen is better suited for long-distance dispersal. We plan to continue collecting pollen samples from ours and other sites in the future. We also hope to perform experiments that investigate the role pollen morphology may play in adhesion longevity

The Eagle has Landed: Winter Eagle Research Takes Flight in the Bitterrroot Valley

We began capturing Golden Eagles on the MPG Ranch in the Bitterroot Valley in 2011. Though we began with the intent of using satellite transmitters to learn about the habitat use and migration paths of adult, overwintering Golden Eagles, our research has evolved to encompass placing auxiliary markers on Golden and Bald Eagles of all ages. We also test eagles for environmental contaminants. So far we have captured and marked more than 75 Golden and 20 Bald Eagles. Due to these markers, we've amassed an impressive archive of eagle re-sightings in the Bitterroot Valley and other locations, including Washington and British Columbia. We've also learned that the majority of eagles captured show signs of lead exposure, likely from the ingestion of lead ammunition fragments. This year, we expanded efforts to study wintering eagles throughout the Bitterroot Valley. We've joined forces with Bitterroot Audubon and private landowners to set out carcass and camera stations on private lands throughout the valley. These efforts should increase the likelihood of re-encountering our marked eagles, demonstrate the value of private lands to eagles and other scavengers, and engage people from a variety of backgrounds with our research. We will share preliminary results from this collaboration, including impressive camera “captures” of Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, and other scavengers. We will also share information about the public platform we are using to crowd-source image identification; this platform is available for other camera-trapping projects in Montana

Acoustic Monitoring of Nocturnal Migrants in the Bitterroot Valley, Montana (Poster)

Many avian species migrate under the cover of darkness, limiting our ability to study migration phenomena. Some migrants emit nocturnal flight calls (NFCs) to presumably echolocate and maintain communication with other birds. NFC monitoring provides a reliable, passive, and unbiased way to document species composition and spatial and temporal components of nocturnal migration. During spring and fall migration of 2013 and 2014, we installed autonomous recording units (ARUs) at low-, mid-, and high-elevation sites. ARUs record NFCs and allow spectrogram generation, followed by species-level identification. From the recordings, we extracted and analyzed over 6000 NFCs from sparrows, warblers, and thrush-like species. Our data show that we can track annual, seasonal, weekly, and nightly trends as well as patterns between monitoring sites. We found more NFCs in 2014 compared to 2013, substantially more NFCs in fall than in spring, and saw differences in nightly detections times between different bird groups. Across the three monitoring sites, the mid-elevation site continued to record the most NFCs during fall migration. In 2015, we plan to finish the species-level classification and compare the results to other survey methods (e.g., bird banding and visual surveys). We also plan to monitor NFCs for a third year to confirm these patterns persist. An additional year of monitoring will provide a good baseline to monitor future population trends and migration pathways

Teacher Role Breadth and its Relationship to Student-Reported Teacher Support

This study capitalizes on a unique, nested data set comprised of students ( n = 531) and teachers ( n = 45) in three high schools that explicitly incorporated student support roles into teachers\u27 job descriptions. Drawing from research on student-teacher relationships, teacher effects on student outcomes, and role theory, this study explored correlates of teachers\u27 role definition. In particular, it considered role breadth, or the degree to which teachers defined their roles to include the provision of various forms of social and emotional support to students. We hypothesized that teachers\u27 role breadth would relate to student perceptions of teacher support and high academic expectations (also known as academic press). Multi-level modeling of the relationship between teacher role breadth and student outcomes accounted for the data\u27s nested quality and showed a positive relationship between teachers\u27 sense of efficacy about providing student support and their reported role breadth. In addition, teacher role breadth was positively related to student perceptions of teacher support and academic press, controlling for student-reported background and school performance characteristics. Implications for student-teacher relationships, teacher education, and teacher roles are discussed

Reduced Reproductive Success of Gray Catbirds in Western Woodland Habitats Dominated by Edge

In the western United States, relatively few studies have comprehensively examined songbird performance in fragmented habitat, particularly within naturally fragmented systems. For this study, we compared territory density and breeding success of Gray Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis) from 2014-2016 in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, between two woodland habitat types: floodplains and naturally fragmented draws. These two habitats fell within the same human-modified landscape, abutting mixed-use grasslands. Yet, they differed in configuration or their spatial distribution. When compared to floodplain birds, results showed that draw birds had larger territories, lower daily nest survival rates, delayed nest initiation patterns and reduced fledgling success. We also collected vegetation data around nests to see if this was a potential mechanism driving the differences across habitat types. We found the percentage of down woody debris and mid-shrub canopy cover were significantly higher in draws than in floodplains. However, neither vegetation variable significantly influenced catbirds’ daily nest survival rates. This excluded local vegetation as the driving mechanism behind differences and provided evidence toward configuration. Draws, as thin strips of corridor habitat, contain high amounts of edge and this configuration could lead to an increase in documented “edge effects”. Our results corroborate studies in the eastern U.S. which have shown negative impacts from high edge prevalence on songbird reproduction. Overall, this study’s results can assist managers in understanding that increasing the amount of edge habitat in human-altered landscapes could have negative consequences on songbird reproductive success