We characterized habitat use, growth, and movement of early juvenile Atlantic sturgeon in Albemarle Sound, North Carolina through field work conducted in 1997 and 1998. Most of the Atlantic sturgeon encountered in the study were estimated to be age-1 fish. The presence of numerous age-1 Atlantic sturgeon near a historic spawning river (Roanoke River) suggests that these fish are likely native to the system. Recaptures of tagged Atlantic sturgeon allowed us to describe the growth of early juveniles using simultaneous analysis of length increment and length composition data. Growth of Atlantic sturgeon in Albemarle Sound was similar to growth rates observed in other systems, and suggests that Albemarle Sound serves as an adequate nursery habitat. Among telemetered individuals, we observed a preferred depth interval of 3.6 to 5.4 m. Additionally, the organic rich mud substrate type was used significantly more than expected under the null hypothesis of random movement. Site-constrained movement was demonstrated by some fish. Occasional large catches of Atlantic sturgeon in our survey gear suggested that these fish may aggregate in the sound. Bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon by a commercial flounder gillnetter in eastern Albemarle Sound was dominated by fish within the expected age-2 size range. The impact of local gillnet fisheries on the Atlantic sturgeon population in the Roanoke River/Albemarle Sound system remains an important and unanswered question.

Atlantic croaker are one of the most plentiful inshore, demersal fishes from the Chesapeake Bay to Florida. A coastwide assessment of the stock based on landings, fishery-dependent and fishery-independent length data, and survey abundance information was performed using the stock synthesis model. Landings have generally increased since the 1950s, with most of the catch occurring in North Carolina and Virginia. Major commercial gears are gill net, trawl, haul seine, and pound net. The recreational fishery has become increasingly important over time. Indices of relative abundance generated from fishery-independent surveys show that year-class strength has varied considerably among years. Patterns for year-class strength were consistent within each state, and fairly consistent among states. There is evidence for a potential rebuilding of the stock from both the observed data and model predictions. Coastwide length samples from the recreational fisheries and length samples from NC commercial fisheries demonstrated an increase in the maximum length in recent years. Observed and predicted mean lengths for the gill net, trawl, and recreational fisheries also suggest an increase in the proportion of older and larger fish in recent years. Observed trends in relative abundance and model predictions of recruitment reflect the presence of several recent strong year classes. The model results suggest that the population is highly recruitment-driven and that recruitment is variable. This dynamic is likely reflected in the harvest as variability in catch, which has shown fluctuations for at least the past 50 years. Estimates of fishing mortality have been high, particularly during the late 1980s when abundance was estimated to be low. Evaluation of the uncertainty in model estimates demonstrated that the model was fairly insensitive to changes in source data, but did appear sensitive to changes regarding assumptions about M and assumptions about the error associated with survey abundance indices. The yield-per-recruit analysis results suggested that a significant gain in yield would result if age-at-entry was delayed, which, in turn, would allow for relatively higher Fs. Comparison of age-0 abundance indices between Virginia and North Carolina revealed similar patterns in annual recruitment. Age-0 abundance indices also exhibited significant spatial autocorrelation for both states. In general, sampling stations in close proximity tended to have more similar observations of age-0 abundance. Positive spatial autocorrelation typically occurred at distances less than 30-km, while negative spatial autocorrelation was more often detected at distances of 40-km or greater. Accounting for spatial patterns in recruitment indices should result in a better measure of recruitment for use in future stock assessments.

I evaluated the influence of inter-wetland distance and the timing of drawdowns on local daily survival (residency) and movement probability of Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) during the springs of 2006 and 2007 at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (YWC), South Carolina. There is growing interest in determining the scale at which coastal wetlands are functionally connected and how management influences their use by migrant shorebirds. Parameters of interest were estimated using multi-state models and encounter histories obtained from resight and telemetry data. Data were collected in the spatial context of three clusters of multiple wetland units each separated by distances of 2.6 to 4.1 km and two hydrologic treatments--a slow and fast draw down. Mean length of stay was 2.99 d (95% CIs = 2.45 - 3.52) in 2006 and 4.57 d (95% CIs = 2.59 ? 8.92) in 2007. Residency probability was influenced by a negative and significant interaction between estimated percent fat at capture and southerly wind speed. This meant that differences in departure rates by birds with varying body conditions were minimized. Sixty-five percent of all marked birds stayed within 2 km from their banding location. Movement probabilities were negatively related to inter-cluster distance and bird density. In the spatial context of YWC there was functional connectivity among the clusters that were ~2.5 km apart; movement was negligible between units at nearly twice that distance (4.1 km). Contrary to expectations, the average probability of surviving and not moving for birds in slow-managed units was higher than birds in fast-managed units (PhiSS 2006 = 0.488, PhiSS 2007 = 0.654). On average, birds marked in fast-managed units moved out at high rates (Psi 2006 = 0.399, Psi 2007 = 0.467). Higher prey biomass and bird density in slow-managed units influenced observed residency and movement rates. My findings advocate for conservation strategies that identify functionally connected wetland units and suggested that habitat supplementation for shorebirds during peak migration can be met by carefully planned staggered, slow drawdowns. The effectiveness of fast drawdowns is vulnerable to differential prey base quality, presence of birds on previously exposed habitat, failure of water control structures to operate properly, and the possibility of mismatching peak migration and rapid drawdown implementation.

Anadromous alosines are ecologically, commercially, and recreationally valuable fishes. Some populations of alosines are at historically low levels, as a result of overfishing, pollution and habitat change, including the presence of dams, which block access to historic spawning sites upstream and alter spawning habitat downstream. To aid in the restoration of alosine stocks, I evaluated several methods for spawning habitat identification and characterization and evaluated trap and transport as a method to give American shad Alosa sapidissima access to additional spawning habitat above dams in the Roanoke River, North Carolina and Virginia. The Roanoke River has four anadromous shads: American shad, hickory shad A. mediocris, blueback herring A. aestivalis, and alewife A. pseudoharengus. For all four alosines, spawning sites river-wide were most efficiently identified using plankton tows. Spawning habitat selection for hickory shad and river herring (blueback herring and alewife) could be evaluated using spawning pads, whereas American shad eggs were unsuccessfully sampled by spawning pads and spawning habitats were best examined by visual observations of spawning splashes. Unlike the other alosines in this study, very little is known about spawning habitat for hickory shad. Hickory shad eggs were collected at water temperatures from 10 to 23 ºC, and peaked from 11 to 14 ºC. Spawning generally occurred in water velocities â¥0.1 m/sec, over substrates free from silt. Standard USFWS and Bayesian belief network formats were used to develop preliminary habitat suitability models for hickory shad. Bayesian belief networks are a relatively new method for modeling habitat suitability for fishes, but could prove very useful in the future, especially for species such as American shad which have been the focus of more study and are in need of restoration. We evaluated movement patterns and spawning of sonic-tagged adult American shad transported to habitats above dams on the Roanoke River. Most transported fish spent relatively little time in the riverine habitat considered suitable for spawning and no eggs were collected by plankton sampling. American shad appeared to move more effectively through a smaller as compared to a larger reservoir, but migration was best when fish were released directly into riverine habitat. Low mortality resulted from downstream migration through each dam turbine, but many individuals were observed just upstream from a dam late in the season, suggesting that structures to increase downstream passage may be beneficial. We used data on behavior and outmigration of American shad adults and fry released above and below dams on the Roanoke River to develop a deterministic, density-dependent, stage-based matrix model to predict possible population-level effects of transporting American shad to upper basin habitats. The American shad population in the Roanoke River appears small compared to assumed values of carrying capacity in the lower river and would appear to benefit from transport only under optimal conditions of young survival and effective fecundity. The matrix model predicts that under present conditions, improvements to survival rates of young or adults would likely lead to greater improvements in the stock size of American shad in the Roanoke River.

Historically, adult river herring (<I>Alosa pseudoharengus, Alosa aestivalis</I>) and American shad (<I>Alosa sapidissima</I>) fisheries were economically important in Albemarle Sound. Stocks of these species are currently in decline while stock estimates for striped bass (<I>Morone saxatilis</I>) have increased 10-fold for the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River stock since the early 1990s. The primary goal of this study was to quantify the diet, prey selectivity and the predatory impact of age-1 striped bass on juvenile river herring and American shad in 2002 and 2003. Similar estimates were produced for juvenile yellow perch (<I>Perca flavescens</I>), a species with an expanding fishery. Striped bass and prey samples were obtained from 443 beach seine and 171 purse seine hauls from May through October in 2002 and 2003. Age-1 striped bass were primarily piscivorous from May onward in both years. <I>Alosa</I> spp. were a small component of age-1 striped bass diet in summer months but dominated diet in early fall months. Age-1 striped bass fed randomly with respect to <I>Alosa</I> spp. abundance during the summer and selected for them during early fall months. During summer 2003, selectivity for yellow perch decreased with concomitant decreases in importance as a prey item. Field estimates of consumption rates ranged from 3 to 8 % body weight per day while bioenergetics model estimates of consumption ranged from 4 to 12 % in 2002 and 3 to 10% in 2003. Age-1 striped bass density, diet, prey sizes eaten, and consumption rates were used to calculate loss rates due to predation and were compared with total loss rates from catch curves. There was interannual variation in the effects of predation. Age-1 striped bass predation had a marked effect on juvenile American shad densities in 2002 but had little influence on their numbers in 2003. Conversely, age-1 striped bass predation explained none of the loss in juvenile yellow perch in 2002 but accounted for nearly all of the loss in 2003. Thus, predation by striped bass may explain at least some of the variability in year class strength for these species. In most cases, age-1 striped bass predation did not have a strong influence on juvenile alewife numbers. Juvenile blueback herring were preyed on but the relative predatory impact could not be determined because of apparent emigration into the study area. To better understand striped bass impacts on <I>Alosa</I> spp., future work should address movement of juvenile <I>Alosa</I> spp into and out of Albemarle Sound estuary.

<p>In 1952, a low-head dam was constructed at river kilometer (rkm) 225 on theNeuse River, NC, limiting migration of anadromous fishes beyond that point.In May of 1998, the dam was removed, giving improved access to 127 rkm of potential spawning habitat. We utilized radio telemetry during 1999 and 2000 to quantify the effects of dam removal on striped bass () and American shad () spawning migrations and habitat used. Locations oftelemetered striped bass and American shad were monitored continually throughout the spawning season. Spawning microhabitat utilized by American shad was compared to that available to them on the spawning grounds. No spawning habitat data werecollected for striped bass as they were widely distributed throughout the river and spawning was not observed. Of 22 telemetered American shad providing useable data,12 migrated beyond the former dam site. The average maximum distance migrated in 1999 and 2000 was 226 and 251 rkm, respectively. Of 23 striped bass providing usabledata, 15 migrated beyond the former dam site. The mean maximum distance migrated by striped bass in 1999 and 2000 was 218 and 250 rkm, respectively. In both years of this study, the primary American shad spawning grounds were located at rkm 239, 14rkm above the former dam site. Compared to available habitat, American shad used relatively coarse substrates consisting of gravel, cobble, and boulder. They also used intermediate current velocities (0.20-0.60 m/s) and depths (50-125 cm). The habitat they used after the removal of the dam, even though farther upstream, was similar to the habitat utilized prior to its removal.<P>

<p>In the United States, where private land predominates, most conservation and management efforts have focused on publicly owned land, likely due to conflicting traditions of private property rights, public ownership of wildlife, and state regulation of wildlife. At present, property rights are increasingly juxtaposed with stewardship responsibilities and there is increasing pressure to blend public and private land management. In the southeastern United States, early successional habitats have declined considerably in recent years, amidst rising growth and development rates. In accordance with the recognition of declining wildlife populations associated with early successional habitat and the need for influence over habitat on private land, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission established the Cooperative Upland Habitat and Enhancement (CURE) Program in August 2000. The program targets private landowners in three select regions of the state (Upper Coastal Plain I, Upper Coastal Plain II, Western Piedmont). Human dimensions survey research was conducted in the three CURE Programming areas in order to: 1) validate either a regional or statewide approach to promoting and implementing the CURE Program; and 2) recommend pertinent programming changes relative to the suggested approach. Survey results confirmed previous research conducted on private landowner attitudes and behavior regarding wildlife, which suggested differences in population subsets warrant tailored approaches to wildlife programming. Regional differences were found among the majority of variables examined in the survey. Regional differences were most pronounced across area (rural vs. urban), occupational (production vs. non production land), income, and land-use variables. Though Coastal Plain landowners did not express as much support for wildlife values or responsibility wildlife as Western Piedmont landowners did, they appeared more likely to participate in CURE Programming, due to familiarity with incentives-based agency programs. Notwithstanding regional variability, the typical landowner who is actively managing for wildlife is a male who is involved in land production, and who lives on or very near to his property. Programming efforts must be geared toward the varied land-use and occupational characteristics of the CURE Program regions. While a 'top-down' approach (offering specific enhancement practices coupled with economic incentives) will be most cost effective in the Coastal Plain, wildlife programming in the Western Piedmont region will likely require a 'bottom-up' approach of soliciting individual or small groups of landowners to work with the NCWRC in a highly cooperative and personalized manner. <P>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas A&M University, 2005. / "Major Subject: Wildlife Science" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Feb. 23, 2007.) Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. S.)--Texas A&M University, 2005. / "Major Subject: Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Sep. 15, 2006.) Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas A&M University, 2005. / "Major Subject: Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Sep. 15, 2006.) Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.