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Comparing Fence Modeling and Mapping Approaches to Support Wildlife Management and Research in Southwest Montana
No full textFences pose significant challenges to wildlife movement, but their effects are difficult to quantify because fence location and fence type data are lacking on a global scale. We developed a fence location and density model in southwest Montana, USA to provide data to researchers and managers, and test whether previous models could be applied to a new region and retain suitable levels of statistical accuracy. Our model used local expert opinion to inform how road, land cover, and ownership spatial layers interacted to predict fence locations. We validated the model against fence data collected on random 3.2 km road transects (n = 330). The model predicted 37,687 km of fences across the study area, with a mean fence density of 1.6 km/km2 and a maximum density of 11.3 km/km2. Additionally, we manually digitized fences in Google Earth Pro in a random sample of 50 survey townships (roughly 4,650 km2) within the study area and validated the accuracy of this method to compare results against the fence model predictions. Our fence model showed lower agreement (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.56) with known samples than manually-digitized fences in Google Earth (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.76), yet had an improved level of accuracy over previous models. The fence model outputs are likely most useful for large scale analyses of ecological influences of fence densities, whereas the Google Earth digitizing method is likely useful to locate individual fences for fine-scale analyses
Evaluation of Iridium-transmitted GPS Telemetry Data for Use in Assessments of Wildlife Space Use
No full textRemote transmission of GPS data from free-ranging animals provides insurance against data loss and near real-time knowledge of animal location. Miniaturization of batteries and processors have made this technology accessible for smaller-bodied animals, which behave and use space differently than larger-bodied animals. This feature of small animals could result in biased transmitted datasets which could propagate to the inferences we draw from movement behavior for management and conservation. Using free-ranging animals and stationary trials, we investigated the quality of data transmitted via the Iridium network relative to the stored-on-board (SOB) dataset and determined whether inferences regarding behavior and space use are dependent on the quantity of data recovered. We also determined whether Iridium transmission rates were collar-specific and therefore repeatable. We deployed Lotek Litetrack-150 collars on 10 free-ranging raccoons in Manitoba, Canada in spring and summer 2019 and conducted stationary trials outside Chicago, IL in spring 2020. We found no difference in precision (DOP) or quality of data (3D locations), estimated size of the home range, or habitat use ratios between the SOB and Iridium-transmitted datasets. However, only home range sizes estimated using an autocorrelated kernel density estimate were consistent across all data recovery levels. Transmission rates during the stationary field trials were variable and not a repeatable element of our collars. This work highlights the necessity of pre-deployment evaluation and error calibration of collars, as well as the importance of using analytical methods that account for the autocorrelated nature of clustered, Iridium-transmitted data in wildlife studies
Bull Elk Survival, Vulnerability, and Antler Size in a Transboundary Elk Population
No full textMigration is a behavioral strategy used to access resources or avoid predation in spatially and temporally heterogenous landscapes. On the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, elk migrate to higher elevation summer ranges to access higher forage quality and avoid predation risk. Thus, the decision to migrate has both individual and population level consequences. Antler growth and development is driven primarily by age and forage quality. Thus, if migratory animals can gain access to higher quality forage and avoid predation, migratory males will have higher fitness than residents. However, migration often results in transboundary populations being exposed to different levels of harvest as they move across the landscape. Our goal was to investigate these potential drivers of male elk survival and antler size in a transboundary, partially migratory population in a multi-carnivore system. We collared 75 bull elk in 2018-2020 for a total of 105 elk-years (?x=35 collars/year). Male elk survival and antler size was largely a function of age. Human harvested was the primary cause of mortality(n=33) with wolf predation having little effect on survival (n=2). Antler-point-restrictions resulted in low yearly survival rates for male elk over 4 years of age (S=0.42). While migration itself did not enhance antler size or survival, we found a negative effect of increasing forage biomass (and hence decreasing forage quality) on antler size. These advancements will help managers to understand how vulnerability to natural and human predation risk affects male elk age structure and antler size
Sage-Grouse Seasons, Home Ranges and Habitats, What are They and How Many are There?
No full textThe greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is a gallinaceous bird that has become a focal species in the conservation effort to preserve imperiled sagebrush ecosystems and associated organisms. Each remaining sage-grouse population across the current range-wide distribution occupies unique environments and must cope with novel combinations of stressors making it crucial to identify and understand local wildlife-habitat relationships to which management actions may be tailored. Wildlife-habitat responses are typically inferred from population-level survival or resource selection models without regard for detailed individual- or population-level movement patterns. Improved spatial generality of inferences may be gained by linking habitat response associations with specific behaviors or activity signatures (statistical behaviors) derived from movement data and expert knowledge. Our primary goal was to quantify sage-grouse space- and time-use signals relevant to management and parse variability in these signals into components due to spatial (landscape elements) and temporal (seasonality) characteristics, while accounting for individual-level variation. We attached a 22-g solar powered Global Positioning System (GPS) Platform Transmitting Terminal to 86 female sage-grouse in north-central Montana. We monitored females and analyzed movement behaviors using a combination of field observations, nonlinear-regression movement models, multivariate clustering techniques, and a time-local convex hull approach. Time-local convex hulls can be thought of as many brief-duration home ranges from which time- and space- use metrics can be calculated. We will present results from our north-central Montana sage-grouse movement ecology research including migration patterns, diversity of movement modes, seasonal space- and time-use patterns, and seasonal landscape-element associations
Suitable Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) Nesting/Basking Habitat Availability in Dammed and Undammed River Systems
No full textRiverine turtles are highly adapted to habitats created by the dynamic nature of free-flowing rivers. Dam-regulated flows may decrease suitable habitat for many species, such as the spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera). We examined nesting habitat (sand and gravel bar) availability and the reproductive potential of spiny softshell turtles in the dammed, Bighorn River and undammed, Yellowstone River. As a preliminary test, we used ArcGIS and publicly available NAIP data to classify and analyze suitable spiny softshell turtle habitat on 20-mile stretches of both rivers near their confluence. We determined the population demographic structure from 485 turtles captured during six years of surveys. Our goal was to assess whether nesting habitat availability correlated with the population demographic data. Overall, adult spiny softshell turtles appear healthy and of similar sizes on both rivers, yet there is a concerning lack of recruitment and abundance on the Bighorn River. We found significant differences in several metrics of nesting habitat availability between the Yellowstone and Bighorn rivers. On the Bighorn River, limited nesting habitat correlated with very low numbers of juveniles, recently recruited size classes, and males. Through a better understanding of the effects of dams on spiny softshell turtle population persistence, changes in management can be explored to enhance riverine turtle conservation and other species with similar life-history strategies
Wildagg - An R Package to Simplify Wildlife Aggregation Analyses
No full textThe package 'wildagg' is an R package designed to estimate, summarize, and visualize wildlife aggregation metrics using location information like GPS collar data. The motivation for the development of this package began with two research efforts studying the aggregation and density of elk on the National Elk Refuge, WY. We applied lessons learned to create a straightforward implementation for users that have a limited level of knowledge of R and related analyses. The package has three primary functions. The first is to calculate daily inter-animal distances for a population of collared individuals, second to estimate the dynamic interaction between pairs of animals based on the proportion of time spent per day within some distance buffer, and third to calculate kernel density estimates across temporal scales. All three of these metrics are useful in determining degrees of animal aggregation or density and provide a variety of avenues to derive potential mechanisms to explain observed aggregation patterns. The framework we present supports the evaluation of temporally varying management actions that influence aggregation broadly and can be easily implemented to answer questions related to disease transmission, human-wildlife conflict, or inter-species competition
A Multi-Model Approach to Estimating Wolf Abundance in Montana
No full textEstimating wolf (Canis lupus) abundance is a key component of wolf management in Montana. We developed a multi-model approach to estimate wolf abundance. Our approach eliminates the need for intensive field-based monitoring and introduces biological models of wolf behavior. An occupancy model first estimates annual wolf distribution, based on environmental covariates and wolf observations reported by hunters. A mechanistic territory model predicts territory sizes using simple behavioral rules and limited data for prey resources, terrain ruggedness, and human density. Together, these models predict the number of packs in a given area. Finally, a pack size model demonstrates that pack sizes are generally negatively related to terrain ruggedness, local mortalities, and intensity of harvest management. Total abundance estimates are derived by combining the predicted number of packs and pack sizes. We applied the models to estimate wolf abundance for 2007 – 2019. The population was estimated to have been smallest in 2007, with 91 packs (95% CI = 76 – 107) and 650 wolves (95% CI = 547 – 771). A peak appears in 2011, with a high of 187 packs (95% CI = 170 – 206) and 1254 wolves (95% CI = 1136 – 1383). This coincided with the first years of harvest management, after which the population declined by 7.8% in total abundance between 2011 and 2019. From 2016 – 2019, the population appears to have become somewhat stabilized with an average of 190 packs and 1136 wolves per year, even with an estimated annual harvest rate of >20% in this period
Assessing the Presence and Impacts of White-nose Syndrome on Montana’s Bat Populations through Disease Surveillance and Long-term Acoustic Monitoring
No full textWhite-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease that is devastating bat populations in the eastern US. It is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), which colonizes the bat’s skin during hibernation. In 2019, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) designed a plan to address the question of how the invasion and spread of WNS might affect the occupancy and activity (as an index of abundance) of bats across Montana. This project involves (1) surveillance for Pd and WNS and (2) long-term acoustic monitoring, compatible with the North American Bat Program. Understanding the distribution and impacts of WNS on Montana’s bat populations will directly inform decisions about how aggressively Montana pursues bat management and conservation strategies—whether it be treatments specific to WNS, ecological approaches towards bolstering the health of our existing populations to improve their survival in the face of WNS, additional public outreach and education, or how we structure management to conserve habitat and mitigate other sources of mortality such as that from wind development. In 2020, the fungus that causes WNS was detected in eastern Montana and the first year of acoustic monitoring was completed with the placement of detectors at 87 sites across the state. Preliminary results indicate success of our methods and the need for continued effort. MFWP is looking for partners and volunteers to assist with the collection of bat guano at spring roost sites for disease surveillance in April and May as well as help with acoustic monitoring in June and July
IMBCR Improves Assessment Accuracy of Habitat Treatment Effects on Songbird Communities through Capacity to Address Imperfect Detection
No full textThe small spatial scales and broad objectives of many habitat treatments warrant use of community metrics such as species richness, rank and dispersion to assess outcomes. Assessment of songbird communities, often a focus of monitoring due to broad knowledge of species-habitat relationships and established monitoring strategies, can be hampered by imperfect detection of species occurrence and relative abundance. We sought to understand whether and how adopting the protocol of a broader bird monitoring program, IMBCR (Integrated Monitoring of Bird Conservation Regions), could aid in addressing the effects of imperfect detection on the accuracy of different of community metrics. We addressed these questions using analysis of IMBCR data across six common land use types in Montana, and across a range of spatial scales representing the variety of sizes of habitat treatments commonly implemented. We found that leveraging the state-wide IMBCR monitoring dataset significantly improved the accuracy of community assessment by allowing us to correct for imperfect detection (otherwise impossible) at moderate to larger spatial scales. Additionally, we found that community dynamics at small spatial scales were sufficiently variable that correction for imperfect detection was less effective than increasing the spatial scale in improving assessment accuracy. The effect of imperfect detection of species on the accuracy of community metrics is best addressed through adjustments to survey protocol, and we provide insight in into how this differs across communities
Long-term Assessment of the Change in Attitudes Towards and Knowledge of Black-Footed Ferrets and Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs in Montana
No full textThe human component in endangered species conservation has the potential to significantly limit the ability to achieve recovery of these species globally. Across the Great Plains there have been significant declines in several grassland obligate species, including black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and the Critically Endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). Social surveys conducted in Montana, USA 27 years ago immediately prior to the reintroduction of black-footed ferrets described widely differing attitudes and knowledge among different stakeholder groups - with most local and state residents being opposed to conservation and recovery of this keystone species and endangered carnivore. We conducted a mail survey replicating the methods of a 1993 study to assess current attitudes and knowledge towards prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets among five stakeholder groups (local and statewide ranchers, urban and local residents, and members of conservation organizations). Our results demonstrate that despite concerted outreach efforts and a general rise in knowledge about black-footed ferrets and prairie dogs across stakeholder groups, similar differences in attitudes persisted among stakeholder groups over time, where local stakeholders adjacent to recovery sites maintained most negative attitudes. We also observed that local stakeholders demonstrated a significantly shorter ( < 10 years) threshold for giving up on restoring an endangered species should recovery goals not be met. Given the reliance on local public support for conserving these species, and other endangered species globally, our findings highlight the importance of continually reassessing stakeholder attitudes and knowledge over time to identify future opportunities and hurdles to endangered species restoration