I tested the scope of the Spring Condition Hypothesis in explaining the continental population decline of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis; hereafter scaup) and explored potential mechanisms affecting female body condition to assist conservation efforts for population recovery. Lipid reserves of females currently are lower than historical values during spring migration throughout Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota; females catabolized lipids throughout this area (indexed by concentrations of plasma-lipid metabolites, which accounted for 75% of the variation in mass change). My results indicate that a large segment of the continental scaup population likely is affected by decreased lipid reserves, which could cause reductions in breeding propensity and reproductive success. Hepatic cadmium was negatively correlated with lipid reserves of females during spring migration; however, current cadmium concentrations only accounted for 11% of the observed decrease in lipid reserves of females between Illinois and Minnesota. Wetland use by scaup was positively correlated with amphipod densities throughout the upper-Midwest, indicating a preference for amphipods. Amphipod densities were markedly lower (1 - 12 m^-3) and scaup were consuming fewer amphipods in the upper-Midwest relative to historical records. Scaup probably must spend more time searching for food within and among wetlands than they did historically. Fish occurred in 74, 78 - 84, and 31 - 45% of wetlands in Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota, respectively, whereas historically they occurred in only 10 - 20% of wetlands. Amphipod densities were negatively correlated to fish densities and sedimentation. My results indicate that there has been a decrease in amphipod densities throughout the upper-Midwest, which likely is causing the observed decreases in lipid reserves of scaup. My results generally were consistent with the Spring Condition Hypothesis and indicate that wetland restoration efforts are needed throughout the upper-Midwest, but especially in Iowa and southern Minnesota. Managers should provide abundant populations of amphipods (over 26 m^-3 geometric mean across the landscape) and target wetlands that: (1) have large (> 500 m diameter) open-water zones, (2) are deep enough to support over-wintering populations of amphipods, (3) allow management of fish communities, and (4) the surrounding land can be managed to reduce sedimentation.

A variety of techniques have been employed in attempts to mitigate the extensive wetland loss occurring in coastal Louisiana. Marsh terracing is a wetland restoration technique that has rapidly gained in popularity in recent years. Terraces are assumed to benefit coastal restoration by providing areas for emergent plant growth, reducing wave energies, and increasing edge habitat to support nekton communities. The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine the effect of marsh terraces on adjacent water quality and sediment characteristics, 2) compare nekton abundance, species richness, and diversity in edge and open water habitats within terraced and unterraced ponds, and 3) compare the condition of numerically dominant fishes between terraced and unterraced ponds as an indicator of habitat quality. Three study sites located in southwest Louisiana at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge and Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge were selected for the study. Each study site consisted of a terraced pond and a nearby unterraced reference pond. Nekton was quantitatively sampled in four different habitat types at each study site with a 1-m² throw trap. The habitat types sampled were: 1) terraced marsh edge, 2) unterraced marsh edge, 3) open water within terraced ponds, and 4) open water within unterraced ponds. Nekton density (P = 0.0004), biomass (P = 0.002), species richness (P = 0.0007), and diversity (H', P = 0.01) (1-D, P = 0.007) were all significantly greater at terraced edge habitats (treatment) as compared to unterraced open water habitats (control). There was no significant difference in these variables between terraced and unterraced edge habitats. While terraced pond habitats were superior to pre-restoration conditions in terms of nekton habitat value, they lacked functional equivalency with comparable unterraced ponds in several areas: 1) nekton community composition differed between terraced and unterraced edge habitats, and 2) several fish species were found to be in poorer condition in terraced ponds as compared to unterraced ponds. A lack of functional equivalency between terraced and unterraced habitats may be partially attributable to the relatively young age of the terraces studied, as many functions of created marshes may take years to develop.

Impacts red imported fire ants (RIFA) exert on native faunal communities were monitored in two pine-dominated ecosystems in Louisiana. After suppression of established RIFA populations with Amdro®, cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus), herpetofaunal, ground-dwelling invertebrate, Lycosidae, and non-target ant communities were compared between untreated-control and treated plots with respect to possible ecological impacts of RIFA on these communities. Efficacy of Amdro® (A. I. 0.7% hydramethylnon) was tested at Alexander State Forest and Sandy Hollow WMA, and was found to be effective at both sites for 99-42.3% and 97-48%, respectively, suppression of RIFA on treated plots, for three to seven months, with treatments administered in the evening at a rate 1.68 kg/ha. Following suppression, RIFA were shown to minimally impact cotton mice, ground-dwelling invertebrate populations, and Lycosidae species, indicating that RIFA is not the regulating factor in these communities. In the case of cotton mice, habitat conditions that favor cotton mice may also favor RIFA. The majority of non-target ants analyzed at Alexander State Forest and Sandy Hollow WMA also seem to coexist with RIFA, although some species including Aphaenogaster rudis-texana, Crematogaster lineolata, Brachymrymex musculus, Paratrechina faisonensis, Pheidole dentata, and Pheidole metallescens may occur in sparse, small populations in the presence of RIFA. At Alexander State Forest, both Brachymrymex musculus and Tapinoma sessile showed a positive response to RIFA suppression, indicating signs of competitive release. At Sandy Hollow WMA Monomorium minimum and Prenolepis imparis responded negatively to treatment, indicating that Amdro® may exhibit non-target effects to these two species. Herpetofaunal communities, particularly ground skink and southeastern five-lined skink populations may be negatively impacted by RIFA. However sample sizes for all herpetofauna species were low. Amdro® is effective at suppressing RIFA populations in forested ecosystems; however the impacts RIFA pose on native ground-dwelling faunal communities may be minimal in these two pine-dominated communities.

Tropical forests, which contain 50 percent of the planet's biodiversity, are threatened by deforestation and illegal logging. Forest certification was initiated initially as a s certification: forest management practices and chain of custody (CoC). The United States is the largest market for secondary, or value-added, tropical hardwood products (STHP) which influences forest management practices in supplier countries. In 2004, this study was conducted to measure the demand for certified products in the U.S. The objectives of the study were to identify characteristics of U.S. demand for secondary (value-added) tropical hardwood products and to understand market perceptions regarding certification of secondary tropical hardwood products. Two sectors were surveyed: importers / brokers / manufacturers / wholesalers / retailers (Supply Chain) and builders and architects (B&A). Response rates were 19 percent for Supply Chain and 12 percent for B&A. For both groups, brokers and wholesalers are the dominant purchase channels for tropical hardwoods. More than 50 percent of TSHP originates from South America with Brazil being the primary export country. The main TSHP imported are doors, flooring, cabinets, and millwork. The most important criteria for respondents when selecting tropical hardwoods are quality, availability, and performance. Consistent supply is the greatest barrier to purchasing TSHP. With regard to certified tropical value-added hardwoods, generally respondents do not pay premiums relative to non-certified alternatives. Certification is not an important product selection attribute relative to price and quality. The B&A respondent group experienced more unexpected costs relative to Supply Chain members while Supply Chain members are more likely to promote certified product to their customers. Overall, in order to target the U.S. market tropical hardwood suppliers, particularly those that are engaged in certification, need to improve consistency of their supply and ensure that product quality standards remain at or above non-certified alternatives.

Skidders are one of the most common timber harvesting machines used on mechanized logging operations in the southern United States and can represent the greatest single capital investment for a logging contractor. Time studies of skidders have been conducted on nearly every type of mechanized logging operation and are a key part of the productivity studies conducted on logging operation. GPS technologies have enabled researchers to move away from the typical manual time data collection for productivity studies and start conducting unattended time studies on skidding equipment. For this study a Trimble GeoXT with external antenna was installed in a skidder conducting a second thin of plantation loblolly pine. The GPS was set to record line data on a 5 second and 1 second time interval to determine which type of line file was easiest to analyze. Time data from the skidder was compared to time data collected manually on the ground to test for accuracy of the data recorded by the GPS unit. Statistical analysis was used to compare travel empty, grapple time, travel loaded, un-grapple time and total cycle time between the two methods of time data collection. It was found that GPS times were not significantly different for travel empty and grapple time, but travel loaded and un-grapple time showed significant differences between the two techniques. GPS was shown to be a useful tool for collecting data on trail work, idle time and searching for logs unsuccessfully. Also, the 5 second time interval proved to be easier and quicker to analyze that the 1 second time interval. Ideally GPS in combination with some manual time data collection on the logging deck would give the most reliable and accurate time data for productivity studies on rubber-tired grapple skidders.

Rice fields are agricultural wetlands concentrated in several areas in the U.S., including southwestern Louisiana. Rice fields are flooded for much of the year and support thick emergent vegetation, potentially providing high-quality habitat for several species of breeding waterbirds. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine relative nest density, nest success, and habitat associations of breeding waterbirds in southwestern Louisiana rice fields and (2) determine the effectiveness of callback surveys as a monitoring tool. In the summers of 2004 and 2005, marsh bird surveys and nest searches were conducted in Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vermilion, and Acadia Parishes in southwestern Louisiana. In 2004, 42 fields were searched and 30 of those were surveyed. In 2005, 40 fields were searched and 60 were surveyed. Purple gallinules nested in the highest densities in both years, followed by fulvous whistling-ducks, king rails, common moorhens, and least bitterns. A total of 283 purple gallinule nests, 176 fulvous whistling-duck nests, 77 king rail nests, 59 common moorhen nests, and 12 least bittern nests were found. The highest nest densities for purple gallinules and king rails were in fields with a high proportion of irrigation canals around the perimeters and a low proportion of trees. High relative nest density for purple gallinules was also associated with a high proportion of rice fields within 1 km of each field. Fulvous whistling-ducks responded the least to the local and landscape characteristics, but were associated with a high proportion of soybean fields near rice fields. Birds began nesting at the beginning of June and most nests were terminated by the time of harvest. Nest survival, or the percentage of nests to hatch at least one egg, was between 52% and 79% for purple gallinules, ~50% for king rails, and ~40% for fulvous whistling-ducks. Most survey responses were detected in June, and survey detections were concentrated in similar areas as the highest nest densities. Callback surveys were an effective technique for monitoring secretive marsh birds in this region.

Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) is a grassland bird whose population is declining throughout its range, mainly due to habitat loss. The Longleaf Pine forest ecosystems in which Henslow's Sparrows spend their winters are reduced to 5% of their former range. The winter ecology of Henslow's Sparrow remains understudied, especially regarding important aspects of diet and foraging behavior. To determine winter diet, I collected fecal samples from Henslow's Sparrows during banding operations in southeastern Louisiana pine savannas from October 2003-March 2004 and October 2004-April 2005. I then analyzed the samples for presence of seeds and arthropod parts, identified them to the lowest classification possible, and then used both multivariate and univariate techniques to look for variations in diet due to a savannas burn history, month of year and their interaction. I also conducted multiple-offer and simple-offer seed preference experiments on captive Henslow's Sparrows in December 2004 and February 2005 to test a variety of seed types found at differing abundances within the study sites. Commonly consumed seeds included Scleria spp., Rhynchospora spp., the category including Dichanthelium spp. and Panicum spp., and the combined category of Aristida spp., Schizachyrium spp. and Andropogon spp. Frequently consumed arthropods included Arachnids and insects from the orders Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera and Orthoptera. Diets varied significantly among months, most likely due to resource availability and timing of seed senescence. Results of seed preference experiments suggest that Henslow's Sparrows preferred Dichanthelium angustifolium, Muhlenbergia expansa and Eupatorium leucolepis while they avoided Schizachyrium scoparium. Ctenium aromaticum and Panicum anceps appeared to be secondarily preferred food items.

I estimated when juvenile tail molt occurs for several commonly harvested duck species, mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), northern pintails (A. acuta) (hereafter referred to as pintails), gadwalls (A. strepera), lesser scaup (Aythya affinis), and redheads (A. americana). Tests showed that aging mallards by notched tail feathers became unreliable the earliest (early September), followed closely by pintails (mid-late September), with gadwalls being the latest of the dabbling ducks to lose reliability in aging by notched tail feathers (late November). Lesser scaup and redheads retained their notched tail feathers throughout January and the completion of hunting season. Based on initial banding and band recovery data I was able to separate birds into three age classes, juvenile (59), 1.5 years old adults (11), and adults 2.5 years old or older (23), creating a total sample size of 93 birds. From this sample of known-age banded birds I recorded five morhpometric variables including weight, wing length, bill length, tarsus length, and total length to determine if body size is related to ages over 1 year. Tests revealed that the only significant difference between the age classes was in wing length. However further tests showed that differences were not apparent between the 1.5 year old and 2.5 year old or older adults.

The Henslows Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) is the fastest declining short-distance migrant and fastest declining grassland bird in North America. Declines in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savannas, its primary wintering habitat, have exceeded 97%. Other than basic habitat requirements, very little is known about its wintering ecology. I examined habitat associations of wintering Henslows Sparrows resulting from fire in longleaf pine savannas in southeastern Louisiana during two winters. Because it is important to understand the relative importance of habitat parameters, which include structure, species composition, and food availability, I measured these to determine their relative importance to Henslows Sparrow densities. I aged birds to understand the effects of fire on age-specific distributions and body condition, employed a mark-recapture analysis to determine over-winter survival, and determined over-wintering home ranges starting when Henslows Sparrows first arrived in October until they departed in April. Bird density was higher in savannas burned during the previous growing season (burn-year) than in savannas burned two growing seasons before (non-burn-year) in a two-year fire rotation scenario. Burning caused plant species compositions to shift from a Rhychospora spp. dominated habitat to an Andropogon/Schizachyrium spp. dominated habitat, however, total seed availability was not significantly different between burn-year and non-burn-year savannas. Because habitat-mediated age distributions, body condition, and home range size were also not significantly different between fire treatments, these findings are consistent with the idea that wintering Henslows Sparrows are generalist foragers. Bird density was best predicted by habitat structure, specifically reduced ground-level herbaceous vegetation and fewer shrubs. A higher survival probability was detected in burn-year savannas and may be responsible for habitat selection in this species. It is not clear how Henslows Sparrows locate apparently high quality habitat due to unpredictable changes from one year to the next. I therefore determined the extent of post-migration movements and between-year site fidelity. There was evidence of post-migration movements, while nine of 154 birds exhibited between-year site fidelity, suggesting that a variety of spatial use strategies occur in this population. Land managers can manipulate savanna structure through frequent growing-season prescribed fires, which are critical to Henslows Sparrow conservation.

The wetlands of coastal Louisiana are disappearing at a rate of 65 to 80 km²yr^-1. Most of the loss is the conversion of emergent marsh to shallow marsh ponds. Terracing is one restoration technique that has been used frequently in recent years. Terraces are small intertidal ridges built in shallow marsh ponds to reduce wave action. It is assumed that this will slow erosion of adjacent emergent marsh and increase Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) production, a key habitat component for many marsh fauna. Yet both relevant previous studies failed to show that terraces increased SAV abundance. In April of 2004 this study was initiated to test this assumption. Three study sites with paired terraced and unterraced ponds were selected in southwest Louisiana; two at Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge and one at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. SAV abundance was estimated every other month for one year. SAV biomass and frequency were significantly higher in terraced ponds. SAV frequency in unterraced ponds averaged 20% (SE 13 to 33%) but frequency for unterraced ponds was 9% (SE 5 to 14%). Terraced ponds had approximately three and half times the biomass of unterraced ponds. This indicates that terraces improve SAV production as had been suspected. Turbidity and organic matter content were lower in terraced ponds indicating a possible causal mechanism. My results confirm some assumptions of wetland restoration planners who have used terraces.