Vulnerability of northern prairie wetlands to climate change
W. Carter Johnson, Bruce Millett, Tagir Gilmanov, Richard A. Voldseth, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, David E. Naugle
2005, BioScience (55) 863-872
The prairie pothole region (PPR) lies in the heart of North America and contains millions of glacially formed, depressional wetlands embedded in a landscape matrix of natural grassland and agriculture. These wetlands provide valuable ecosystem services and produce 50% to 80% of the continent's ducks. We explored the...
Sex ratio and early growth patterns of Roseate Tern chicks during five breeding seasons at Falkner Island, Connecticut, USA
Patricia Szczys, Jeffrey A. Spendelow, Ian C. T. Nisbet
2005, Waterbirds (28) 273-279
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) nests were monitored at Falkner Island, Connecticut, USA between 1998 and 2002. A total of 586 chicks were sexed and their growth measured during the first three days. These data were used to derive growth parameters and predict survival to fledging with high confidence. In...
Fall rice straw management and winter flooding treatment effects on a subsequent soybean crop
M. M. Anders, T. E. Windham, R. W. McNew, Kenneth J. Reinecke
2005, Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (26) 83-96
The effects of fall rice (Oryza sativa L.) straw management and winter flooding on the yield and profitability of subsequent irrigated and dryland soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] crops were studied for 3 years. Rice straw treatments consisted of disking, rolling, or standing stubble. Winter flooding treatments consisted of maintaining a minimum...
Retrospective ecotoxicological data and current information needs for terrestrial vertebrates residing in coastal habitat of the United States
Barnett A. Rattner, K.M. Eisenreich, N. H. Golden, M.A. McKernan, R. L. Hothem, T. W. Custer
2005, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (49) 257-265
The Contaminant Exposure and Effects—Terrestrial Vertebrates (CEE-TV) database was developed to conduct simple searches for ecotoxicological information, examine exposure trends, and identify significant data gaps. The CEE-TV database contains 16,696 data records on free-ranging amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals residing in estuarine and coastal habitats of the Atlantic, Gulf, and...
Salt tolerance underlies the cryptic invasion of North American salt marshes by an introduced haplotype of the common reed Phragmites australis (Poaceae)
Edward A. Vasquez, Edward P. Glenn, J. Jed Brown, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Stephen G. Nelson
2005, Marine Ecology Progress Series (298) 1-8
A distinct, non-native haplotype of the common reed Phragmites australis has become invasive in Atlantic coastal Spartina marshes. We compared the salt tolerance and other growth characteristics of the invasive M haplotype with 2 native haplotypes (F and AC) in greenhouse experiments. The M haplotype retained 50% of its growth...
Estimating moist-soil seeds available to waterfowl with double sampling for stratification
Kenneth J. Reinecke, Kevin M. Hartke
2005, Journal of Wildlife Management (69) 794-799
No abstract available....
Potential impact of Dare County landfills on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Parley V. Winger, Peter J. Lasier, Tom Augspurger
2005, Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (1) 267-282
Runoff of leachate from East Lake and Dare County Construction and Demolition Debris landfills has the potential to impact wildlife resources at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Dare and Hyde Counties, North Carolina. Sediment quality of samples collected in August 2000 at 14 locations down-gradient from the landfills was assessed...
Seed dispersal into wetlands: Techniques and results for a restored tidal freshwater marsh
K. P. Neff, Andrew H. Baldwin
2005, Wetlands (25) 392-404
Although seed dispersal is assumed to be a major factor determining plant community development in restored wetlands, little research exists on density and species richness of seed available through dispersal in these systems. We measured composition and seed dispersal rates at a restored tidal freshwater marsh in Washington, DC, USA...
The role of pH in structuring communities of Maine wetland macrophytes and chironomid larvae (Diptera)
Thomas Woodcock, Jerry R. Longcore, Daniel G. McAuley, Terry Mingo, C. R. Bennatti, Kenneth L. Stromborg
2005, Wetlands (25) 306-316
Aquatic vascular plants, or macrophytes, are an important habitat component for many wetland organisms, and larvae of chironomid midges are ubiquitous components of wetland fauna. Many chironomids are primary consumers of algae and detritus and form an essential energetic link between allochthonous and autochthonous primary production and higher trophic levels,...
Stream salamander species richness and abundance in relation to environmental factors in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Evan H. Campbell Grant, Robin E. Jung, Karen C. Rice
2005, American Midland Naturalist (153) 348-356
Stream salamanders are sensitive to acid mine drainage and may be sensitive to acidification and low acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of a watershed. Streams in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, are subject to episodic acidification from precipitation events. We surveyed 25 m by 2 m transects located on the stream bank...
Combined use of rapid bioassessment protocols and sediment quality triad to assess stream quality
Parley V. Winger, Peter J. Lasier, K. J. Bogenrieder
2005, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (100) 267-295
Physical, chemical and biological conditions at five stations on a small southeastern stream were evaluated using the Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (RBP) and the Sediment Quality Triad (SQT) to assess potential biological impacts of a municipal wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) on downstream resources. Physical habitat, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish assemblages were...
Mercury bioaccumulation in northern two-lined salamanders from streams in the northeastern United States
Michael S. Bank, Cynthia S. Loftin, Robin E. Jung
2005, Ecotoxicology (14) 181-191
Mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation in salamanders has received little attention despite widespread Hg contamination of aquatic ecosystems and worldwide amphibian declines. Here we report concentrations of methyl Hg (MeHg) and total Hg in larval northern two-lined salamanders (Eurycea bislineata bislineata) collected from streams in Acadia National Park (ANP), Maine, and Bear...
Reservoir competence of native North American birds for the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi
Howard S. Ginsberg, P. A. Buckley, Maxon G. Balmforth, Elyes Zhioua, Shaibal Mitra, Francine G. Buckley
2005, Journal of Medical Entomology (42) 445-449
Reservoir competence for the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, was tested for six species of native North American birds: American robin, gray catbird, brown thrasher, eastern towhee, song sparrow, and northern cardinal. Wild birds collected by mist netting on Fire Island, NY, were held in a field laboratory in cages...
Effects of contaminant exposure on reproductive success of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) nesting in Delaware River and Bay, USA
P. C. Toschik, Barnett A. Rattner, P. C. McGowan, M. C. Christman, Daniel B. Carter, R. C. Hale, C. W. Matson, M. A. Ottinger
2005, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (24) 617-628
Despite serious water-quality problems and pollutant loading and retention, Delaware River and Bay(USA) provide important wildlife habitat. In 2002, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of contaminant exposure and reproduction of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) breeding in Delaware River and Bay. Sample eggs were collected from 39 nests and analyzed for organochlorine...
Effects of lead-contaminated sediment and nutrition on mallard duckling behavior and growth
E. Douglas-Stroebel, G. L. Brewer, David J. Hoffman
2005, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A (68) 113-128
Sediment ingestion has become a recognized exposure route for toxicants in waterfowl. The effects of lead-contaminated sediment from the Coeur d’Alene River Basin (CDARB) in Idaho were evaluated on mallard (Anas platyryhnchos) duckling behavior and growth over a 5-wk period using time–activity budgets. Day-old ducklings received either a clean sediment...
Implications of global climatic change and energy cost and availability for the restoration of the Mississippi delta
John W. Day
2005, Ecological Engineering (24) 253-265
Over the past several thousand years, inputs from the Mississippi River formed the Mississippi delta, an area of about 25,000 km2. Over the past century, however, there has been a high loss of coastal wetlands of about 4800 km2. The main causes of this loss are the...
Research for the development of best management practices for minimizing horse trail impacts on the Hoosier National Forest
M.W. Aust, J. L. Marion, K. Kyle
2005, Report
This research investigates horse trail impacts to gain an improved understanding of the relationship between various levels of horse use, horse trail management alternatives, and subsequent horse trail degradation. A survey of existing horse trails on the Hoosier National Forest was used to collect data on use-related, environmental and...
An introduction to mid-Atlantic seasonal pools
L.J. Brown, R.E. Jung
2005, Report
Seasonal pools, also known as vernal ponds, provide important ecological services to the mid-Atlantic region. This publication serves as an introduction to seasonal pool ecology and management; it also provides tools for exploring seasonal pools, including a full-color field guide to wildlife. Seasonal pools are defined as having...
Effects of dietary selenium exposure in captive American common eiders
J. C. Franson, D. J. Hoffman, A. M. Wells-Berlin, Matthew C. Perry, V. S. Bochsler, D.L. Finley, Paul L. Flint, T. Hollmen
2005, Conference Paper, Programs and Abstracts: Second North American Sea Duck Conference
We conducted two studies of Se exposure in captive common eiders (Somateria mollissima). In Study 1, eiders were fed diets with added Se (as L-selenomethionine) in concentrations increasing from 10 ppm to 80 ppm. In Study 2, eiders received control, low exposure (20 ppm Se), and high exposure (60 ppm...
Wetland restoration and birds: lessons from Florida, San Francisco Bay, and Chesapeake Bay
R.M. Erwin, P. C. Frederick
2005, Book chapter, One Hundred and Twenty-Third Stated Meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union: abstract book
Many wetland restoration projects are underway across the North American landscape, ranging from small, community - based projects of less than 1 ha, to thousands of ha, as in San Francisco Bay or the Everglades. The goals of small projects are generally focused on replanting and sustaining native wetland...
Habitats used by black and surf scoters in eastern North America as determined by satellite radio telemetry
Matthew C. Perry, D.M. Kidwell, A. M. Wells-Berlin, E.J.R. Lohnes, Glenn H. Olsen, P.C. Osenton
2005, Book chapter, Second North American Sea Duck Conference, November 7-11, 2005, Annapolis, Maryland. Program and Abstracts
Satellite radio telemetry was used to determine the movements and habitats of black scoters (Melanitta nigra) and surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) in eastern North America. A total of 21 surf scoters were instrumented during five years (2001-05) and 32 black scoters were instrumented during three years (2002-04) with implanted...
Delineation of surf scoter habitat in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland: macrobenthic and sediment composition of surf scoter feeding sites
D.M. Kidwell, Matthew C. Perry
2005, Book chapter, Second North American Sea Duck Conference, November 7-11, 2005, Annapolis, Maryland. Program and Abstracts
Surveys of surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) along the Atlantic coast of the United States have shown population declines in recent decades. The Chesapeake Bay has traditionally been a key wintering area for surf scoters. Past and present research has shown that bivalves constitute a major food item for...
Estimating population abundance and mapping distribution of wintering sea ducks in coastal waters of the mid-Atlantic
M.D. Koneff, J. Andrew Royle, D.J. Forsell, J.S. Wortham, G.S. Boomer, Matthew C. Perry
2005, Book chapter, Second North American Sea Duck Conference, November 7-11, 2005, Annapolis, Maryland. Program and Abstracts
Survey design for wintering scoters (Melanitta sp.) and other sea ducks that occur in offshore waters is challenging because these species have large ranges, are subject to distributional shifts among years and within a season, and can occur in aggregations. Interest in winter sea duck population abundance surveys has...
Testing a West Nile virus vaccine in sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis)
Glenn H. Olsen, K. Miller, D. Docherty, L. Sileo
Felipe Chavez-Ramirez, editor(s)
2005, Book chapter, Proceedings of the Ninth North American Crane Workshop: 17-20 January 2003, Sacramento, California
Eight sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) were vaccinated with a commercial equine West Nile virus vaccine (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, Iowa, USA) at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, USA. Three doses of the vaccine were given, the first dose (day 0) was followed by a...
Population trends of North American sea ducks as revealed by the Christmas Bird Count
D.K. Niven, J.R. Sauer, G.S. Butcher
2005, Book chapter, One Hundred and Twenty-Third Stated Meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union: abstract book
Relative to other waterfowl, sea ducks are not well understood, yet evidence from a variety of analyses suggests that as many as 10 of the 15 species of North American sea ducks may be declining in population. However, because of the difficulty of conducting surveys of breeding populations and...
