Development of a Regional Fence Model with Implications for Wildlife Management

Barbed and woven wire fence are ubiquitous features across much of western North America, yet their effects on wildlife have received less attention than those of other anthropogenic features. At this time, no geospatial fencing data is available at broad level scales; potentially making wildlife modeling of vagile species less accurate and conservation planning less reliable at various scales. Here, we model fence density across 13 counties in Montana’s Hi-Line region, based on publicly available GIS data and assumptions created from local, expert knowledge. The resulting fence location and density GIS layers are based on assumptions about where fence locations occur in association to different types of land tenure, land cover and roads. Locations of fences were collected via GPS along random 3.2 km long road transects (n = 738) to assess overall model accuracy. Using a confusion matrix to determine variation between field and modeled fence locations, the total accuracy of the model was 73% and Kappa was .40. Although we found inaccuracies associated with large parcels (>3 contiguous sections) of cultivated agriculture, our model is a promising step towards delineating fencing across the west. These general rules may be used and refined in the other areas based on the regional historical context. This new data may advance both wildlife research and management/mitigation activities. Using the relative density of fences across a region can prioritize conservation efforts at this broad scale. In addition, modeled fence locations provide useful and accurate information at a local scale

Caribou and reindeer migrations in the changing Arctic

Caribou and reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, are the most numerous and socio-ecologically important terrestrial species in the Arctic. Their migrations are directly and indirectly affected by the seasonal nature of the northernmost regions, human development and population size; all of which are impacted by climate change. We review the most critical drivers of Rangifer migration and how a rapidly changing Arctic may affect them. In order to conserve large Rangifer populations, they must be allowed free passage along their migratory routes to reach seasonal ranges. We also provide some pragmatic ideas to help conserve Rangifer migrations into the future. Barrier effect, Climate change, Connectivity, Conservation, Development, Mitigation, RangiferpublishedVersio

Factors influencing pronghorn movements in the northern mixed grasslands ecoregion

Bibliography: p. 126-13

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) scavenging on the spring sea ice: potential implications for Arctic food webs

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) has been increasingly observed in the Arctic. However, few observations of Red Foxes occupying and using resources on the sea ice have been reported. We observed a Red Fox scavenging on a Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) carcass on the Beaufort Sea, Northwest Territories, Canada. The fox was in a jumble of ice (i.e., rubble ice) approximately 4.5 km from shore. Local Inuvialuit hunters had also previously observed Red Foxes on the sea ice. Our observation, coupled with those of Inuvialuit hunters, is of interest because it provides additional information on the adaptability of Red Foxes to local environments and their ability to use a wide range of habitats and food sources. Moreover, it points to encroachment by Red Foxes into the offshore habitat of Arctic Foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and potential competition with them for scarce resources, which may impact trophic food webs

Caribou and reindeer migrations in the changing Arctic

Caribou and reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, are the most numerous and socio-ecologically important terrestrial species in the Arctic. Their migrations are directly and indirectly affected by the seasonal nature of the northernmost regions, human development and population size; all of which are impacted by climate change. We review the most critical drivers of Rangifer migration and how a rapidly changing Arctic may affect them. In order to conserve large Rangifer populations, they must be allowed free passage along their migratory routes to reach seasonal ranges. We also provide some pragmatic ideas to help conserve Rangifer migrations into the future. Barrier effect, Climate change, Connectivity, Conservation, Development, Mitigation, Rangife

Newborn Adiposity Measured by Plethysmography Is Not Predicted by Late Gestation Two-Dimensional Ultrasound Measures of Fetal Growth12

Noninvasive measures of fetal and neonatal body composition may provide early identification of children at risk for obesity. Air displacement plethysmography provides a safe, precise measure of adiposity and has recently been validated in infants. Therefore, we explored relationships between term newborn percent body fat (%BF) measured by air displacement plethysmography to 2-dimensional ultrasound (2-D US) biometric measures of fetal growth and maternal and umbilical cord endocrine activity. A total of 47 mother/infant pairs were studied. Fetal biometrics by 2-D US and maternal blood samples were collected during late gestation (35 wk postmenstrual age); infants were measured within 72 h of birth. Fetal biometrics included biparietal diameter, femur length, head circumference, abdominal circumference (AC), and estimated fetal weight (EFW). Serum insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1, IGF binding protein-3, and leptin concentrations were measured in umbilical cord and maternal serum. The mean %BF determined by plethysmography was 10.9 ± 4.8%. EFW and fetal AC had the largest correlations with newborn %BF (R2 = 0.14 and 0.10, respectively; P < 0.05); however, stepwise linear regression modeling did not identify any fetal biometric parameters as a significant predictor of newborn %BF. Newborn mid-thigh circumference (MTC; cm) and ponderal index (PI; weight, kg/length, cm3) explained 21.8 and 14.4% of the variability in %BF, respectively, and gave the best stepwise linear regression model (%BF = 0.446 MTC + 0.347 PI −29.692; P < 0.001). We conclude that fetal growth biometrics determined by 2-D US do not provide a reliable assessment of %BF in term infants