Resource selection of black-footed ferrets based on black-tailed prairie dog distributions

Abstract only availableThis study investigates how black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) select their habitat in relation to the distribution of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Ferrets are one of the rarest and most endangered mammals in North America. An intensive captive breeding program has allowed for reintroduction of ferrets on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Central Montana, the study site of this project. However, despite over two hundred individual ferrets released in the last ten years, a self-sustaining population has not been established. Because 90% of a ferret's diet consists of prairie dogs and prairie dog burrows provide exclusive shelter sites for ferrets, understanding how ferrets select their habitat within a prairie dog colony could have important management implications. I hypothesize that ferrets will select patches of high prairie dog density. The first component of data collection involved GPS (Global Positioning System) mapping of 26,000 prairie dog burrows within the prairie dog colony. Ferrets were located within the prairie dog colony by spotlighting for their reflective eye shine at night. Once located, a PIT (passive integrated transponder) reading identified each individual ferret, and GPS coordinates were recorded. In the 10 week spotlighting period 60 GPS ferret observations were recorded. A Kernel analysis was done to determine the level of habitat utilization by ferrets within the prairie dog colony. This information was overlaid on the prairie dog colony map that identified patches of different burrow densities using GIS (Geographic Information System) software. A Chi-squared test was then performed to analyze the relationship between prairie dog distribution and ferret habitat selection. The results of this study can hopefully help wildlife managers better manage ferrets and possibly adjust or modify their ferret management plan based on prairie dog colony structure.Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunity Progra

Infusing experiential learning into a wildlife curriculum: Two models for one course

Experiential learning refers to contextually relevant knowledge acquired through problem solving, critical reflection and discussion, and decision making. It is not a new concept to academe; however, ways to incorporate experiential learning into our curriculum have been challenging as class size increases and student contact hours decrease. For wildlife students, learning experientially is an unwritten job requisite. Increasingly, students are exiting learning environments with little to no contact outside of formal lecture experiences. In this paper, we suggest ways to incorporate experiential learning into an undergraduate curriculum. Specifically, we focus on experiential learning in the wildlife curriculum with particular emphasis on the “Wildlife Techniques” course. This course is centered on teaching the practical application and limitations of various field, analytical, and management techniques. Consequently, this course is a perfect candidate to be taught using experiential learning techniques. We present two models for teaching this course that incorporates experiential learning throughout the duration of each program. One course is a two-week intensive program with little formal lecture periods, while the other is a semester-long course with a one-week intensive session at the beginning and more formal lecture, discussions, and case-study activities throughout the remainder of the semester. The pros and cons and lessons learned while teaching under these respective structures will be presented

Using Problem-Based Learning in Natural Resources Curriculum to Promote Critical Thinking

Our workshop will model the use of problem-based learning (PBL) to enhance higher- order thinking skills and promote content retention. After a brief introduction to the process and benefits of PBL, we will guide attendees through a problem case. Our Urban Deer Management case will allow participants to experience firsthand how PBL promotes critical thinking

Evaluation of an animal-activated scarecrow and a monofilament fence for reducing deer use of soybean fields

We measured the efficacy of an animal-activated scarecrow (AAS) and a 5-strand monofilament fence (MF) at reducing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) use of 0.4-ha soybean plots in Missouri, USA. Our study design consisted of 9 soybean plots; 3 served as controls, 3 were surrounded by an MF, and 3 were surrounded by an AAS. Data collected for each protected plot included soybean height and weight taken from within and immediately adjacent to 10 unprotected, equally spaced 1 -m2 exclosures. A measure of deer use for each plot was collected with video cameras. A mixed-effects analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that heights of protected and unprotected soybean plants were significantly different for MF plots (F2 =93.6, P=0.01) and controls (F2 =47.6, P= 0.02) but not different for AAS plots (F2=2.16, P=0.272). Soybean plants in AAS plots were heavier than those from MF or control plots (F2 =10.2, P=0.01). Plant weight differences in protected and unprotected areas for AAS plots were less than those from MF plots (t6=2.55, P=0.04) or control plots (t6=4.46, P=0.004). Plant weight differences between MF and control plots were marginally significant (t6= 1.192, P=0.10). Deer spent less time in AAS plots than MF (t6=2.55, P=0.041 or control plots (t6=2.55, P= 0.01). Scarecrow activations increased over time in all 3 AAS plots (all 95% confidence intervals \u3e0), suggesting that deer were habituating to the devices. We suggest that AAS may be useful for short-term deterrence of deer from small areas

Academic Performance in Writing Intensive Courses: Can We Better Prepare Transfer Students?

The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences (FWS) at the University of Missouri is experiencing an increase in the number community college transfer students. Previously we reported data indicating these students, on average, do not succeed academically as well students who begin their college experience at MU. We are strongly committed to understanding why these students may encounter academic difficulty and designing academic programs to help them succeed. The Columbia campus of the University of Missouri requires all students to take 2 “writing intensive” (or “writing-across-the-curriculum”) courses, one of which must be in the student’s chosen academic major

Nutritional Condition and Physiological Stress Levels of Elk in the Black Hills, South Dakota

Percent of body fat and physiological stress are important correlates to wildlife demographics. We studied winter percent of body fat and physiological stress levels for a declining elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) population in South Dakota, 2011–2013. We obtained percent of winter body fat, pregnancy status, lactation status, and physiological stress data from 58 adult females (2+ years old). We compared physiological stress level data from 2011 with data collected from this same herd when elk densities were much higher (1995–1997). Our objectives were to determine percent of body fat during winter, examine if winter body fat was correlated with pregnancy and lactation status, and quantify and compare physiological stress hormone values from elk in the mid-1990s. Probability of being pregnant increased with higher winter nutritional condition, or percent of body fat; whereas females with a higher probability of previously lactating were lower in winter body fat. Mean fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) levels in 2011 (mean = 47.78 ng/g, SE = 2.37) were higher during summer compared to data collected in 1995–1997 (mean = 34.21 ng/g, SE = 3.71); however, mean FGM levels during winter did not differ between the two time periods. Although summer levels of FGM have significantly increased since the mid-1990s, we caution against any interpretation of increased FGM levels on elk fitness, as it may not infer biological significance. Mean winter percent of body fat of elk was lower when compared to other populations in the west but this difference does not appear to be limiting vital rates and population growth for this elk herd. We recommend future research focus on summer/autumn data collection to provide a more comprehensive understanding of percent of body fat for elk in our region

Spatial patterns of reproduction suggest marginal habitat limits continued range expansion of black bears at a forest-desert ecotone

Investigating spatial patterns of animal occupancy and reproduction in peripheral populations can provide insight into factors that form species range boundaries. Following historical extirpation, American black bears (Ursus americanus) recolonized the western Great Basin in Nevada from the Sierra Nevada during the late 1900s. This range expansion, however, has not continued further into the Great Basin despite the presence of additional habitat. We aimed to quantify whether reduced reproduction toward the range edge contributes to this range boundary. We analyzed black bear detections from 100 camera traps deployed across black bear distribution in western Nevada using a multistate occupancy model that quantified the probability of occupancy and reproduction (i.e., female bears with cubs occupancy) in relation to changes in habitat type and habitat amount toward the range boundary. We detected a strong effect of habitat amount and habitat type on the probability of black bear occupancy and reproduction. At similar levels of landscape-scale habitat amount (e.g., 50%), estimated probability of occupancy for adult bears in piñon-juniper woodlands near the range boundary was 0.39, compared to ~1.0 in Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forest (i.e., core habitat). Furthermore, estimated probability of cub occupancy, conditional on adult bear occupancy, in landscapes with 50% habitat was 0.32 in Great Basin piñon-juniper woodlands, compared to 0.92 in Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forest. Black bear range in the western Great Basin conforms to the center–periphery hypothesis, with piñon-juniper woodland at the range edge supporting ecologically marginal habitat for the species compared to habitat in the Sierra Nevada. Further geographic expansion of black bears in the Great Basin may be limited by lower occupancy of reproducing females in piñon-juniper woodland. Center–periphery range dynamics may be common in large carnivore species, as their dispersal ability allows them to colonize low-quality habitat near range edges

Comparison of academic statistics of two-year college transfer and native fisheries and wildlife students at the university of Missouri

As an increasing number of high school graduates take advantage of less-stringent economic and entrance requirements offered through two-year colleges, concern is mounting at the University of Missouri (MU) and other major universities about the ability of two-year college transfer students to compete in advanced, preprofessional curricula such as Fisheries and Wildlife. We assessed the validity of this concern by examining the academic histories of two-year college transfer students (n=21), students transferring into our department from another MU program (n=23), and students who had enrolled in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences (FW) as freshmen (n=56). Two-year college transfer students were less likely to complete the degree program in Fisheries and Wildlife than native students or transfer students from another department at MU. Students transferring to MU from two-year colleges had lower overall grade-point averages (GPA) at graduation and lower GPAs in advanced professional courses, than native or other MU transfers. At graduation, both two-year college and MU transfers had taken substantially more credit hours than native FW students. For students wishing to complete a B.S. degree in Fisheries and Wildlife, the decision to begin their studies at two-year colleges might have academic and career costs; furthermore, anticipated reduction in economic costs may not be realized as hours required to graduate mount

Effects of Oil and Gas Development on Mule Deer Populations in Western North Dakota and Eastern Montana

Oil and gas production are becoming a significant part of the economy and landscape of western North Dakota and eastern Montana.  Much of the areas being developed overlap with mule deer ranges.  Our ongoing research aims to identify and quantify the direct and indirect effects of oil and gas energy development on mule deer abundance, survival, recruitment, movements and resource selection.  Since February, 2013, we have deployed 240 GPS collars in three main areas of breaks habitat: 1) in North Dakota along the Little Missouri River; 2) the east side of the Yellowstone River; and 3) just south of Culbertson, MT. These collars are being used to collect spatial data about mule deer distributions and monitor survival across areas of low, medium, high energy development.  We will also use digitized aerial survey data to estimate abundance and recruitment across various levels of development. To date we have collared 99 adult females and 110 fawns, gathering more than 300,000 deer locations, conducted 39 lab necropsies on full and partial carcasses, and conducted biannual aerial surveys in North Dakota (2 years) and Montana (1 year). Our research will address potential impacts to mule deer populations, but will also provide mitigation strategies to help minimize disturbances from further development

FACTORS RELATED TO FECAL ESTROGENS AND FECAL TESTOSTERONE IN CALIFORNIA SPOTTED OWLS

We estimated concentrations of fecal reproductive steroid metabolites in free-ranging California Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) during the breeding season. We collected fresh fecal samples (n= 142) from 65 individual owls in the Sierra Nevada during April–August of 2001. We developed and validated radioimmunoassay procedures to quantify fecal estrogen metabolites and fecal testosterone metabolites. We used an information- theoretic approach to identify factors that might influence fecal estrogen (E), fecal testosterone (T), and fecal estrogen:testosterone ratio (E:T ratio) levels during the owl’s breeding season. We hypothesized that factors related to sampling procedures, owl characteristics (sex, reproductive status), and habitat might influence fecal reproductive steroid levels. Our analyses suggested that sampling factors and owl characteristics, but not habitat variables, were related to fecal reproductive steroid levels in Spotted Owls. Our most supported models explained \u3c30% of the observed variation. Fecal testosterone levels were higher in male Spotted Owls than females, whereas E:T ratios were higher in females compared to males. High fecal estrogens were correlated with high fecal glucocorticoids in nonbreeding Spotted Owls, whereas fecal estrogens and fecal glucocorticoids were not related in breeding birds. Sampling influenced fecal reproductive steroid measures, and bias from small-mass fecal samples might partially explain these relationships. Noninvasive measurements of fecal reproductive steroids might be useful for sex determination and reproductive assessment of free-ranging Spotted Owls. However, more research is needed to understand the variability we observed in sex steroids before this technique can be effective in conservation studies