Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-104).

Thesis (M.C.R.P.)--University of Oregon, 2002. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-158).

<p>Cougars (<i>Puma concolor</i>) are difficult to census due to their large home ranges, low densities, and cryptic nature. The conventional &ldquo;gold-standard&rdquo; method for estimating cougar abundance entails the capture and radio-tagging of individuals in a study area in an attempt to acquire a direct enumeration of animals in the population. While this method provides an accurate abundance estimate, it is logistically challenging and prohibitively expensive. Noninvasive survey techniques may offer the ability to both accurately and inexpensively monitor cougar populations. While noninvasive techniques have been used on cougar populations, there remain questions on their accuracy and comparative efficacy. We estimated the density of a cougar population in Northwest Wyoming using direct enumeration, and used this estimate as a reference with which to evaluate the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of three types of noninvasive surveys performed between 2010 and 2014. The noninvasive methods included two annual mark-recapture sessions of: 1) remote camera trapping, 2) winter hair-collection transects, and 3) scat detection dog surveys. </p><p> We GPS tracked 13 adult cougars (males = 5, females = 8) over 3 annual periods (Sep 2010&ndash;Sep 2013). We used proportional home range overlap to determine density in a 1,570 km² area. The average density was 0.82 cougars/100 km² (&plusmn; 0.10 SD; n = 3 years). The remote camera surveys produced a mean density of 0.60 cougars/100 km² (n = 2 years; relative SD = 56.5%). The scat detection dog surveys produced an average density of 2.41 cougars/100 km2 (n = 2 years; relative SD = 12.6%). The winter transects failed to produce a sample size large enough for an abundance estimate. Due to the inclusion of non-adults in the scat sampling, and the fact that the reference estimate was essentially a minimum count of adults, we believe that the scat-based estimate was more accurate than the lower estimate produced by remote cameras. Additional analysis indicated that individual identification of cougars in photographs may not be reliable, challenging the validity of photo-based abundance estimates of cougars. On a cost-per-detection basis, scat detection dogs were the most cost effective method (scat detection dogs = $341; remote cameras = $3,241; winter transects = $7,627). </p>

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 214-224). Also available via the Internet.

abstract: Populations of resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) that nest and reside within the contiguous United States have increased at a rate of 7.9% per year to over 3.5 million over the last few decades. Enlarged population levels have resulted in conflicts between geese and humans, including property damage and human health and safety concerns. Noticeable growth of the population of Canada geese in the Indian Bend Wash area of Scottsdale, AZ has been observed in recent years sparking concern that this population will continue to grow at high rates as seen in other urban areas throughout North America. This study was initiated to determine the current population structure, distribution, and productivity of this population of resident geese. During the 2009 to 2010 post-breeding molt, 255 geese were captured and affixed with neck collars allowing individual identification. I conducted surveys from October 2008 to September 2010 and calculated weekly population estimates from mark recapture survey data using the Lincoln-Peterson method. Productivity was also investigated. Nesting was largely limited to one island within the study area, suggesting geese preferentially nest in insular areas to avoid human disturbance. Despite limited nesting opportunities, there was a significant population increase of 15 to 25% from 2009 to 2010 based on population estimates. Goose movement patterns indicate this population has a high level of site fidelity to nesting and molting areas, as has been found in other studies of resident Canada geese. I suggest that management should be implemented to 1) reduce the current population of resident geese through adult removal and 2) limit future recruitment into the population through control of reproduction and habitat modification. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Applied Biological Sciences 2011

<p> Within the United States, Mearns' quail (<i>Cyrtonyx montezumae </i>) are native to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Knowledge regarding Mearns' quail populations in the United States is limited, especially on New Mexico populations. This study was initiated to answer 1) tree canopy cover and vegetation selection, 2) population characteristics, and 3) roost site characteristics of Mearns' quail in New Mexico. Mearns' quail were captured in Lincoln County, New Mexico from May 2015&ndash;May 2017. Fifty-six Mearns' quail (32 M, 24 F) were affixed with a Very High Frequency (VHF) or Global Positioning System (GPS) and VHF combination backpack radio transmitter to monitor movements and survival. The 2,510 points collected from 27 (19 M, 8 F) Mearns' quail showed that on a continuous scale, year-round basis, Mearns' quail utilized 30&ndash;69% tree canopy cover. During the covey, paired and breeding, and nesting and brooding seasons Mearns' quail selected for 30&ndash;39%, 40&ndash;59%, and 40&ndash;69% tree canopy cover respectively. Mearns' quail selected for litter basal cover (P = 0.018) and bare ground basal cover (<i> P</i> = 0.032). Annual survival rate of Mearns' quail was calculated at 0.75. The overall male-female ratio was 0.9:1 with annual variations (capture season 1 0.76:1, capture season 2 1.6:1). Juvenile-adult ratios were 2.25:1 with annual variations as well (capture season 1 5:1, capture season 2 0.6:1). In regards to roost site characteristics, Mearns' quail selected for forb basal cover (<i>P</i> = 0.015) and distance to closest tree 1&ndash;3 m in height (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.001). While visual obstruction (<i>P</i> = 0.056), grass basal cover (<i>P</i> = 0.060), litter basal cover (<i>P</i> = 0.052), and bare ground basal cover (P = 0.051) were not statistically significant, there is biological significance. These results help managers better understand habitat requirements and population characteristics of Mearns' quail in New Mexico.</p><p>

<p> Double-crested Cormorants are expanding their breeding range to historic wintering and migratory regions, such as Guntersville Reservoir in Alabama. This study lends insight into how cormorants breeding in a temperate ecosystem impact plants, trees, soil and bird communities as well as home range and movement of cormorants during the breeding season and whether they reside on this reservoir year-round. Results suggest that breeding cormorants have a negative impact on this ecosystem and do not move far from colony sites. Stable isotopes from cormorants and prey fish suggest that cormorants are migrating from this system after breeding, potentially to a marine source. This study corroborates past studies of negative impacts of cormorant colonies, and provides novel results of how southeastern cormorants use and move on Guntersville Reservoir. This thesis can provide biologists information on how best to control populations and mitigate impacts on this and other similar southeastern systems.</p><p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

<p> Mottled ducks (<i>Anas fulvigula</i>) are a non-migratory waterfowl species endemic to the western Gulf Coast, with a separate, genetically distinct subspecies (<i>A. fulvigula fulvigula</i>) occurring in peninsular Florida. Birds from Texas, Louisiana, and Florida were released in coastal South Carolina from 1975-1983, and banding data suggest an expanding population. I monitored 72 mottled duck nests and captured and radio-marked 196 pre-breeding and nesting females between 2010 and 2014 to study breeding ecology of these birds in the Ashepoo, Combahee, Edisto Rivers Basin. Nest success averaged 12% and varied with vegetation height and year. Indicated breeding pair surveys revealed breeding mottled ducks select managed wetland impoundments, predominately influenced by water depth. Future research should investigate ecology of nest predators of mottled ducks to devise successful habitat management strategies for breeding birds. Preliminary evidence suggests that managed wetland impoundments are important to breeding and brood rearing mottled ducks in coastal South Carolina.</p>

<p>Coyote distribution and habitat use, diet and foraging behavior, and space use patterns were investigated in the greater Detroit area of southeastern Michigan. We found evidence of coyotes on 24 of 30 (80%) suburban and 7 of 11 (64%) urban plots. Overall fifty-eight percent of coyote evidence was found within edge habitats, with den sites and tracks the only types of evidence found strictly in interior habitats. Land cover around evidence points included more wooded land cover than expected in suburban areas, suggesting the importance of tree cover for coyote occupancy, and more open space and wooded land cover than expected in urban areas, highlighting their avoidance of heavily populated areas. Coyote diet was assessed through identification of remains of food items recovered in coyote scat. White-tailed deer, eastern cottontail rabbit, and small rodents were the most consumed prey in both urban and suburban areas. Coyote consumption of white-tailed deer biomass was 7.2% greater than expected in suburban areas and 10.0% less than expected in urban areas and the difference was significant (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.004). More white-tailed deer, raccoon, and woodchuck biomass was consumed compared to other studies, likely due to high use of road-kill. In suburban areas, coyote selection for road-killed white-tailed deer was positive regardless of white-tailed deer or rabbit abundance. Coyotes in urban areas used a foraging strategy that incorporated both prey selection and switching, with no strong discernable pattern. Radio-telemetry technology was used to gather relocations of coyotes for analysis of home range and cores areas frequented by coyotes. Smaller home ranges were made up of greater proportions of urban land than natural land cover, although there was variation. Core areas were dominated by relatively large patches of natural land cover and had greater connectivity compared to home range areas. Radio-telemetry data suggested that coyotes were selective in their use of space, avoiding urban land in favor of natural land cover. </p>