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Population Dynamics of Parnassius Clodius Butterflies Under a Changing Climate
No full textThe Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) is a relatively intact temperate ecosystem, home to over 120 species of butterflies. One species of interest is Parnassius clodius, a non-migratory butterfly specialized to montane meadows and dependent on a few flowering plant species in high-elevation and high-latitude environments. Parnassius clodius are an important climatic indicator because a) their lifecycle is dependent on environmental cues and changes in seasonality, b) they are well studied, c) they are widespread across the GYE, and d) they live in small populations with limited fecundity, making their populations susceptible to change. A Parnassius clodius population in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) has been monitored since 2009 using mark-recapture methods to evaluate population change over time in response to their environment. The number of marked individuals has varied from 199 to 867 from 2009-2021. Rates of change in population size have fluctuated around zero, where zero signifies a stable population. In 2009, the rate of change was -0.4 indicating the largest population decline, while in 2011 the rate of change was 0.2 indicating the greatest population growth. We examined a suite of environmental variables associated with snow and temperature, as well as density-dependence, to test for correlations with interannual population changes. Extreme maximum air temperature during P. clodius’ larva-pupa stage had the greatest effect on population change, where extreme maximum air temperatures led to declines in the next generation. Parnassius clodius butterflies in GTNP appear to be relatively stable, however, continued monitoring is needed to determine long-term trends
Switching Sagebrush Types Influences Survival of Sage Grouse Broods in Grazed Landscape (Poster)
No full textHuman activities, including livestock grazing, can alter heterogeneity in habitat structure and function, leading to animal displacement. However, we understand less about how these changes influence animal survival. The sagebrush-steppe contains high levels of heterogeneity, created by distinct patches of sagebrush species and understory plant communities. We quantified survival of sage grouse broods based on telemetry data from females (n = 99) from 2014-2019 and explored how survival changed as a function of whether broods moved to different species of sagebrush, capitalizing on heterogeneous conditions. We were also interested in how survival changed with the influence of grazing, such as water tank presence and reductions in vegetation diversity. Using generalized linear models, we assessed the probability of sagebrush type switching after accounting for grazing, biotic, and abiotic variables. We found no evidence that broods preferred specific sagebrush types. Broods were most likely to switch sagebrush types when they were in areas with low forb and high shrub cover, and near water tanks and mesic areas. Survival rates to 32 days in broods that switched sagebrush types (n = 26) were higher (38.5%) than broods that did not (25.2%, n = 73). For sedentary broods, survival rose with increasing distance to mesic areas and accumulated precipitation. For broods that switched, survival was buffered against changes in these same variables. Survival was highest for broods at higher slope positions, regardless of switch status. Ultimately, survival increased when sage-grouse broods were mobile in a heterogeneous landscape and could avoid areas of high grazing impact
Behavioral Plasticity in Snowshoe Hare Predator Escape Decisions
No full textUnder climate change, wildlife species are facing new selective pressures that will force them to adapt through range shifts, phenotypic plasticity, or adaptive evolution. Previous research on behavioral plasticity in snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) has shown limited evidence that hares can modify their behavior to decrease predation risk in response to camouflage mismatch brought on by decreased snow duration during the winter white molt period. However, snowshoe hares have shown innate capacity for plasticity in predator avoidance, for example reducing risk by shifting foraging behavior relative to cover availability and moonlight. We ask whether snowshoe hares exhibit behavioral plasticity in escape behavior in response to aerial versus ground predators. Because aerial predators use different attack tactics compared to terrestrial predators, we predict that hares will likewise respond with different escape behaviors. We simulate predation encounters using trained falconry hawks and hunting dogs to pursue radio-collared snowshoe hares to quantify hare decision-making under different types of predatory threat. We compare use of subterranean refugia, vegetative cover, and flight behavior after raptor chases, dog chases, and human approach. Preliminary findings suggest increased use of subterranean and subnivean refugia in response to avian predatory threat compared to human approach. Understanding the capacity for behavioral plasticity in snowshoe hare predation avoidance behavior allows us to better anticipate the species’ ability to adapt in the face of increased predation risk under reduced snow conditions due to climate change. © Intermountai
Effectiveness of Audiomoth Acoustic Recording Devices in Detecting Black-Billed Cuckoo Calls over Varying Distances (Poster)
No full textBlack-billed cuckoos (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) are classified as a species of concern in Montana and have seen declines due to habitat loss and fragmentation. However, we lack data on the current population of Black-billed cuckoos in Montana. They are a cryptic species and do not often call in the presence of people. Thus, they are difficult to detect, making research and management of them difficult. Autonomous acoustic survey methods offer the potential to be more effective and efficient than traditional avian survey methods. Autonomous recording units (ARUs) are small, programmable, relatively inexpensive acoustic detectors, and have been used in several other studies. Cuckoos, however, nest and perch in dense riparian vegetation, potentially limiting the detection capabilities of ARUs. We investigated the detection distance of ARUs and the change in effectiveness within varying levels of vegetation cover. We set up thirteen 200 meter transects in locations in Western Montana. Each site had varying levels of vegetation cover, from open landscape to dense vegetation. We mounted an ARU to a 6-foot PVC pipe at one end of the transect, then played Black-billed cuckoo calls from a speaker at intervals of 50 meters. We then analyzed how well the ARU detected the calls at each distance interval and how that changed with increased vegetation cover. Detection capability decreased as distance increased, then decreased further as vegetation increased. We also found that increased levels of ambient noise further decreased detection distance both with and without dense vegetation. Our work will help researchers to maximize detection probability by modifying the number of ARUs, and the distance between each ARU
Natural Resources Conservation and Wildlife Hazard Assessement on Malmstrom Air Force Base
No full textMalmstrom AFB is committed to a proactive management strategy focused on an ecosystem-based approach to natural resources management, including the protection and conservation of wildlife, habitat, and the surrounding watershed. Key natural resource management issues at Malmstrom AFB include improving the ecological integrity of the prairie grassland habitat; updating and maintaining awareness of wildlife species on base and throughout the deployment area; protecting the Missouri River watershed; controlling the distribution of invasive plant and animal species; minimizing bird/wildlife aircraft strike hazards; sustaining opportunities for outdoor recreation, and fostering cooperative management with state and federal wildlife and natural resources agencies, NGO, and university stakeholders. A year-long wildlife hazard assessment is currently underway, which includes avian, mammal, and insect surveys using numerous methodologies in adherence with accepted wildlife and industry standards for WHAs, including identification of BASH hazards, natural resources management, and mission safety operations. Data and insights from the first 6 months of the WHA will be presented, including bat monitoring data, nocturnal survey data, avian trends and analyses, along with game camera surveys documenting bird and mammal species presence and abundance. Findings will be used to make recommendations to leadership, and to determine future projects and management goals for Malmstrom, incorporating updated wildlife data, climate change impacts, and mission goals
Predicted Habitat and Movement Corridors for Grizzly Bears in Western Montana
No full textOnce-contiguous grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) populations remain largely isolated in the western US. Research has been needed to understand habitat use and assess potential corridors that could promote genetic and demographic connectivity among recovery ecosystems. Accordingly, our objective was to model grizzly bear habitat use, movements, and population connectivity. We employed GPS data from male and female grizzly bears in Montana’s Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) and an integrated step selection function approach to test hypotheses of habitat selection and simulate movements. Results demonstrated highly individualistic behaviors, with some individuals avoiding and others preferring various features like forest edge, riparian areas, and secure habitat. Such individualism supported the need for an individual-based modeling approach to understand and predict grizzly bear behavior. Simulation of movements using each individual’s model within and near the NCDE produced habitat maps with high predictive power. Simulated pathways from the NCDE to nearby recovery areas revealed corridors bears may use under varying levels of exploratory versus optimal movements. The predicted habitat and corridors identified by our study can be targeted for proactive conservation efforts such as conservation easements, conflict prevention, and road mitigations to help recover grizzly bears in western Montana and beyond
Birth Site Selection by White-Tailed Deer in Northern Idaho (Poster)
No full textFemale white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) must select habitats that will offer them the nutrition and protection necessary to successfully birth and raise their offspring. In northern Idaho, these deer are presented with a particularly harsh set of conditions including rugged terrain, varying forage availability, and a full complement of large predators. To manage in these conditions, individuals from a single population may migrate to higher elevations in the summer or may remain year-round on a single range. Migration has many inherent risks, but also offers the opportunity for increased forage quality and improved cover for hiding from predators. Conversely, not migrating may present deer with supplemented nutrition from agricultural lands, while also creating a “predator shelter” by which deer may avoid predation by staying nearer to human development. This study examines the characteristics of selected birth sites in the study area over four years (2019 to 2022; n = 180), comparing these selected microhabitats of both migratory and non-migratory does to all available habitat within the study area. Using a spatial approach, we assess selection by white-tailed does at multiple scales: seasonal home range within the larger study site, and birth site within the seasonal home range. This study aims to address gaps in the understanding of white-tailed deer ecology in northern Idaho, where research and monitoring is challenged by the terrain
Entry Level Pay in The Wildlife Profession in The Pacific Northwest and Mountain West (Poster)
No full textIn June 2021, the Wildlife Society (TWS) Council approved a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement. TWS committed to identifying and removing barriers to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. Low entry-level salary is a barrier to hiring and retaining wildlife professionals. Our aim was to determine entry-level pay in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West region of the United States. We collected data on the hourly pay of seasonal and termed wildlife positions. We collected data from January 31, 2022, to May 31, 2022. Our data source was the Texas A&M Natural Resource Job Board, the most well-known wildlife job board. We collected data for the following 5 states; Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. In addition to hourly pay, we collected the title of the position, location, whether the job was seasonal or an internship, start date, duration, type of organization of the employer, educational requirements, and whether housing was provided. Across the states sampled, the average hourly wage was 22.59, while the pay for entry-level positions in wildlife is significantly lower. We encourage employers to offer competitive wages to help retain and recruit professionals from different socioeconomic backgrounds
Neon in Montana Data and Resources to Understand Changing Ecosystems (Poster)
No full textThe National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a continental-scale facility that provides long-term, open access, ecological samples, and data to better understand how ecosystems are changing across the United States. NEON will provide 30 years of data from 81 terrestrial and aquatic field sites, including two sites in Yellowstone National Park. NEON data cover a range of subject areas within ecology, including organismal observations, biogeochemistry, aerial lidar, hyperspectral imagery, and micrometeorology. All samples and data collected by NEON are publicly available and can be accessed digitally through the NEON website. In addition to open data, NEON also provides many resources that support land managers, researchers, educators, and students, including sampling protocols, data skills tutorials, shared code, and classroom-ready lesson plans. By providing free and open standardized data - along with protocols and educational resources - NEON is engaged in the global effort to expand the scope of science and make scientific data access easier for all. This poster will provide an introduction to NEON as well as the resources available for accessing and working with NEON data for your research, curriculum, or land management. It will also showcase published research studies that use NEON data and samples from the Yellowstone National Park field sites to demonstrate how NEON science can be an integral co-benefit of protecting and preserving Montana wildlife and natural communities
Preliminary Assessment of Bat Species Richness and Forage Activity in Anthropogenic and Naturally Occurring Water Sources
No full textHuman impacts are decreasing critical wildlife resources. In the western U.S., over half of the surface water has shifted to human-made water bodies built for storage instead of naturally occurring streams, wetlands, and lakes, which are becoming more intermittent. Bats rely on surface waters for foraging and drinking, yet the use of different water resources by bats in arid regions is not well understood in North America nor globally. Determining how changes in water availability and water body type influence bat richness is needed to identify potential conservation efforts to avoid population declines. To help address this question in the arid prairie ecosystems of eastern Montana, we conducted preliminary acoustic monitoring in July 2021 and 2022 in areas around Fort Peck and Zortman, MT. We detected an average of 4.0 species of bats at aquatic sites and 3.45 species at terrestrial sites. Most bat species were detected at both anthropogenic and naturally occurring waterbody types, but Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) and the long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis) were only detected around reservoirs while the spotted bat (Euderma maculatum) was only detected around naturally occurring streams. We detected an average of 5.4 species near anthropogenic water sources (reservoirs and stock ponds), compared to 3.5 species near naturally occurring sites (streams). We plan to expand this acoustic monitoring and link it to trends in water availability and prey availability, which will help us understand the how drought-driven changes in the amount and type of surface waters are likely to affect bat communities