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Effects of Livestock Grazing Management on Grassland Bird Abundance in the Northern Mixed-Grass Prairie
Get PDFGrassland bird populations have been declining throughout a majority of their range in the United States and Canada over the past 40 years, and currently have the most accelerated declines of any guild of terrestrial birds in this region. Rangelands used for domestic cattle grazing are important for maintaining large tracts of native grassland that may otherwise be converted to agricultural use or other human development. In addition, grassland birds respond well to livestock grazing systems that increase habitat heterogeneity by mimicking historic grassland disturbance, such as fire and bison grazing. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) implements a rest-rotation grazing system within conservation easements to increase structural heterogeneity of grassland vegetation on the landscape. However, the rest-rotation grazing system administered by Montana FWP was developed for more arid, bunchgrass-dominated rangelands and has not been evaluated as a management tool for creating structurally diverse wildlife habitat in the northern mixed-grass prairie. This study examines the effect of a rest-rotation grazing system on breeding season habitat selection and abundance of four native grassland songbird species, Baird’s sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii), grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus), and western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), relative to traditional season-long or rotational grazing systems on a Montana FWP conservation easement in eastern Montana. Our objectives for the study are: 1) evaluate how abundance and spaceuse of four focal grassland bird species are affected by grazing treatment; 2) estimate the importance of habitat and vegetation characteristics for focal species within pasture treatments; 3) offer management recommendations to agencies and private landowners for improving grassland bird abundance and habitat quality
An Ecological Model to Classify and Monitor Mountain Plover Nesting Habitat on Grasslands in Colorado
Get PDFA multivariate statistical model based on vegetation and soil surface characteristics was developed to classify and monitor mountain plover (Charadrius montanus ) habitat groupings and nest selection. Data were collected on the shortgrass prairie, Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado. Vegetation and soil surface characteristics were sampled from late April to early June of 1999 and 2000 during the nesting season. Samples were collected on random sites in 43 sections and at 54 nest sites within adjacent townships. Random data were clustered into three habitat groups consisting of high, mid and low nesting habitat. Key variables in the model for classifying and monitoring nest habitat were percent bare ground, percent canopy cover for blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis ) and buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides ). The three nest habitat groupings were quantitatively identified with an estimated 97 percent accuracy. The model classified the 54 mountain plover nest sites as either high, mid or low nesting habitat. High mountain plover nest preference (39 nests) for bare ground was 46 percent, with blue grammar 27 percent and buffalograss at 2 percent (n = 39 nest sites). Mid classified nests (12) selected 23 percent bare ground, 60 percent blue grama and 1 percent buffalograss. Three nests were classified as low nesting habitat, which exhibited 25 percent bare ground, 41 percent buffalograss and 17 percent blue grama. Mountain plovers selected nest sites that had short plant structure, a mean visual obstruction reading (VOR) of 0.25 cm at nesting and ranged from 0 to 1.6 cm. Nest selection was similar for VOR among the three groups (P >0.10). Plant structure (VOR) from 499 random sites was grouped into three categories; tall, intermediate and short and ranged from 0.6 to 11.4 cm. Short VOR plant structure of 2.2 cm or less (<1-inch) is potential nesting habitat and may be achieved by fall or winter grazing within high plover nesting habitat. This multivariate model along with visual obstruction groupings for classifying and monitoring mountain plover habitat on the shortgrass prairie are simple to use, reliable, repeatable and cost effective to meet management objectives and monitoring plans
Librarians: Key Partners in a State-Wide Book Distribution Outreach Program
Get PDFBook distribution programs targeted at young children and their families that include the children own-ing the books have been in existence for a long time. Results are provided from a multi-year program evaluation of a unique, state-wide book distribution program developed in 1997 by the Idaho Commis-sion for Libraries called My First Books. The program is unique among book distribution programs because it relies on local librarians to deliver and showcase the books each month during the academic year in a variety of public and private early childhood care and education settings. My First Books thus becomes a powerful mechanism for library outreach to local childcare and education facilities, parents and caregivers of young children, and the children themselves. Program evaluation results reveal a highly popular and effective program for all of these constituencies that fits well within the resources available in public libraries of all sizes throughout Idaho
Behavioral Ecology in the Northern Scorpion
Get PDFThe Northern Scorpion (Paruroctonus boreus) is a predatory arachnid. Although occurring at relatively high densities in local areas, conspecifics have seldom been observed sharing cover items. We investigated territoriality of scorpions by analyzing pairs of scorpions introduced into a habitat with a single, small cover item. We used mono- and bisexual pairs, similar and differently sized pairs, and pairs from the same or different populations. Scorpions were collected from two populations in south-central Montana. Results indicate that scorpions do interact over cover items, though not to the extent that we had anticipated. When scorpions were housed singly, they spent 80% of their time under cover. When size-matched pairs were offered a single cover item, up to 60% of the time at least one scorpion was not under cover. Further, when differently-sized scorpions were paired, a similar result obtained with the larger scorpion excluding the smaller most often. Interestingly, these results all differed by population and sex. Scorpions from the naturally more-dense population excluded others more frequently than scorpions from the less-dense population. Additionally, males excluded other males more frequently than mixed-sex pairings excluded one sex or the other, or than females excluded other females. Finally, late in the experimental season (early Spring), there were six instances of cannibalism. In each case, females killed and consumed males. Though cannibalism has been previously documented in this genus, it has not been observed to be “seasonal” and has been attributed to size differential and not simply sex. In one of our cases, a smaller female killed and consumed a larger male. This pilot project provides several interesting questions to pursue regarding behavioral ecology in this species
Birds, Herps, and Small Mammals! Oh, My! Help FWP Find Rare and Elusive Species
Get PDFIn 2014, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP) expanded their Nongame Program to include a Wildlife Biologist specializing in nongame species work in every region. Although each region has different priorities, the goals within the Nongame Program are universal: (1) Keep common species common, (2) Reverse population declines for species of concern, and (3) Foster awareness and enhance public knowledge and appreciation of nongame species. Our efforts are guided by the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) which prioritizes work on habitats and species of greatest conservation need. These efforts include anything from developing habitat conservation projects to surveying single species. Within the SWAP there are a number of species considered Species of Greatest Inventory Need because they lack sufficient data to determine their status. Often these species are rare, elusive, or difficult to observe. Consequently, we seek the help of others to provide incidental observations in addition to our structured survey efforts. Some of our high priority species include: (1) black rosy-finch, a small high-alpine songbird, (2) greater short-horned lizard, a cryptic reptile dependent on sparse habitat, (3) black-tailed jack rabbit, a lesser-known lagomorph found in open country habitat, and (4) black swift, the largest of the swift species, nesting secretively in shallow caves and behind waterfalls. People interested in assisting with surveys should contact the appropriate FWP nongame lead. By working together, we can provide managers and regulatory agencies with vital information to make well-informed decisions about our valued resources in Montana
Effects of Electric Fence Permeability on Grizzly and Black Bears in the Blackfoot Valley
Get PDFElectric fencing is an effective tool for deterring bears from calving areas and bee yards, however scientific evaluations of the impacts of large-scale electric fencing on bear movements and habitat use are lacking. In 2015 and 2016, we conducted a study in the Blackfoot Valley to evaluate A) the efficacy of rapid-deployment electric fencing designs in deterring bears from agricultural lands, and B) landscape level space use and permeability of agricultural lands relative to electric fences. Baited enclosures of 2 fencing configurations were established in the valley. Each enclosure was systematically energized and unenergized for 3-day periods; passage into the enclosure was monitored with trail cameras to provide information on effectiveness and permeability. In addition, we established 60 randomly selected camera trap stations throughout the valley to evaluate landscape-level use relative to electric fences. Daily locations provided by 4 grizzly bears fitted with GPS collars in 2016 will provide individual-level information on seasonal movements and habitat selection relative to electric fences. The proportion of black bears that were deterred from both configurations of fence when turned on or off over both years was 61% and the proportion that successfully penetrated the enclosures was 38%. The proportion of grizzly bears that were deterred from both configurations of fence over both years was 69% and the proportion that were successful was 30%. The camera traps did not detect enough individuals to conduct a hierarchical occupancy analysis. We will collect the GPS collars in 2017 and conduct an RUF analysis on space use
Population Monitoring and Modeling to Enable an Adaptive Management Strategy for Mountain Lions in Montana
Get PDFHistorically, managing harvested mountain lion populations was confounded by the lack of a method to affordably, accurately, and repeatedly estimate a population’s size, make rigorous predictions about the effect of future harvest prescriptions, and monitor population trends over time. Managers were unable to fully implement an adaptive mountain lion harvest management program because they lacked the necessary objective monitoring and modeling information. Disagreement about the past, and potential, effects of management decisions led to conflict among stakeholders and with FWP. Montana has now developed a draft mountain lion Management Strategy that will allow FWP to actively monitor statewide mountain lion populations using new genetic spatial capture-recapture field techniques and to routinely extrapolate those local estimates across discrete mountain lion ecoregions using a statistical resource selection function. Managers will then be able to input these population estimates, along with lion demographic parameters (described by regional field research), into a web-based mountain lion integrated population model in order to predict the likely effect of future harvest prescriptions on managed lions across the State. These new monitoring and modeling methods will enable FWP to fully implement an adaptive harvest management program through which population objectives are set, management alternatives are objectively evaluated, a preferred harvest prescription is applied, the effect of that harvest is directly monitored over time, and management is adjusted based on new information and changing objectives. FWP believes that this strategy will help reduce contention among stakeholders, optimize harvest and pursuit opportunity, reduce conflicts, and ensure that robust lion populations are conserved across their Montana habitats
A Multispecies Monitoring Approach for Mesocarivores in the US Northern Rockies
Get PDFMesocarnivores are ecologically important species that are wide-ranging and often difficult to detect. Fisher (Pekania pennanti), lynx (Lynx canadensis), and wolverine (Gulo gulo) (hereafter mesocarnivores) are three mesocarnivores of conservation or management concern native to the US northern Rocky Mountain region (NRM). Federal and state managing agencies in NRM have multiple directives that guide management of these species and their habitats. Fulfilling these mandates is complicated by two overarching problems: 1)gaps in knowledge about the basic distribution, habitat requirements, and spatial and population trends of these mesocarnivores in the region; and 2) the lack of an appropriate, multi-scale framework to analyze the short-term and long-term trends of these species. In response, the USFS is developing a comprehensive mesocarnivore monitoring strategy to meet our mandates for the NRM. These ideas will ultimately be merged with those of our partners. We present the initial phase of this monitoring strategy, a sequential hierarchy that links the following questions to geographic locations: 1) is the species present? 2) are multiple individuals and females present? 3) how many are present? These questions were developed based on a series of structured interviews, as well as past local and regional survey and monitoring efforts for these mesocarnivores. Repeated investigations of these questions over time will allow understanding of changes in distribution and populations of these mesocarnivores in the NRM.
Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of Water Quality in Blacktail Creek
Get PDFBlacktail Creek, located in Butte, Montana, has a long history of human-caused contamination. Mine waste has polluted parts of its streambed since the late 1800’s, causing extensive loss of vegetative diversity along the creek, as well as a loss of aquatic life. The Blacktail Berm is an area currently estimated to contain 35,000 cubic yards of toxic mine tailings. The future removal of remaining mine tailings in Butte is not a certainty at this point, but planning removal and restoration of these contaminated areas has been discussed extensively in recent years. In order to help provide baseline data prior to future restoration efforts, this study was conducted to survey the aquatic macroinvertebrate populations in Blacktail Creek. Macroinvertebrates are often used as part of an assessment of stream health, particularly in relation to restoration work. The presence and abundance of specific aquatic macroinvertebrates can be used to get an idea of the water quality of the stream. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected at five locations along Blacktail Creek from September 13, 2016 through September 17, 2016. Along with stream conductivity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, an Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) index assessment was completed. The EPT index used for this assessment provided good, fair, or poor water quality ratings for Blacktail Creek based on the ratio of EPT macroinvertebrates to total macroinvertebrates in a single sample. The results will provide data useful in long-term monitoring of these macroinvertebrate populations before, during, and after the cleanup of Blacktail Creek
Characterization and Classification of a Montana Mycobacteriophage
Get PDFFroghopper, a Mycobacteriophage discovered by Nikki Boyd in 2005 and stored in Dr. Marisa Pedulla’s collection, was adopted in the fall of 2016. The bacteriophage was plated, or used to infect Mycobacterium smegmatis on Petri dishes, in order to determine the morphology of the resultant plaque. Froghopper was purified and amplified, and a high titer stock was made. DNA of the phage was extracted using phenol/chloroform. Restriction digests and agarose gel electrophoresis of Froghopper DNA were performed in order to compare the DNA of Froghopper to DNA of phages in the Actinobacteriophage database. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for preliminary determination of Froghopper’s phage cluster. A phage cluster is a group of bacteriophages with similar DNA sequences. Phage clusters can be predicted by a set of primers used in PCR to determine genetic similarities to sequenced bacteriophages (Smith et al., 2013). Determination of the bacteriophage’s structural morphology was determined by imaging the phage under transmission electron microscopy at the University of Montana. DNA of the bacteriophage was sent to the University of Pittsburgh for the DNA sequencing. Once sequenced, the DNA sequence was annotated; putative protein coding genes were identified and described in relation to other known sequences, and the annotated sequence was submitted to GenBank. preSentatIo