Seasonal Movements and Habitat Use of Female White-Tailed Deer Associated with an Urban Park

2002 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marrett D. Grund ◽  
Jay B. McAninch ◽  
Ernie P. Wiggers
Author(s):  
Tracy J. Patten ◽  
Daniel D. Fogell ◽  
James D. Fawcett

We used radiotelemetry during 2004 and 2005 to investigate seasonal movements and habitat use and to improve our understanding of how land management practices were affecting Western Massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus) populations in Nebraska. We found Western Massasaugas to brumate in crayfish burrows 100% of the time, and spring emergence occurred during March - April. The longest movements occurred during May when snakes were moving away from brumation sites to summer habitat, after which movements decreased until a second peak in August. We did not find significant differences between male and female activity area, range length, total distance moved, daily movement, or distance from spring and fall brumation sites. However the core activity range of females was significantly less than that of males. During the active season, grassland habitat was used 75.6% of the time compared to habitats of grassland-shrubs (10.7%), hydrophilic vegetation (9.1%), woodlands (3.1%), and shrublands (1.5%). Identifying variations in a species spatial ecology is important for achieving long-term conservation goals because life history events, resource availability, and land management practices may have an effect on seasonal movements and habitat use. The results of our study demonstrate the need for, and some of the necessary data for, improved land management planning in order to meet conservation needs of the Western Massasauga in Nebraska.


<em>Abstract</em>.—At the extreme southern boundary of its range, the lake sturgeon <em>Acipenser fulvescens </em>was once an important biological component of the Coosa River system of Georgia–Alabama. During the 1970s, the population was extirpated by the combined effects of overfishing and degraded water quality. Over the past 20 years, water quality has improved, and in 2002, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources initiated a lake sturgeon reintroduction program with the goal of establishing a self-sustaining population within 20 years. From 2004 to 2007, we evaluated the initial phase of this reintroduction program by quantifying poststocking survival and seasonal habitat use of juvenile lake sturgeon in the Coosa River. We used gill nets and trammel nets to capture juveniles at several locations in both riverine and reservoir habitats. Fourteen individual juveniles were randomly selected for surgical implantation of radio tags to monitor their seasonal movements and habitat use. Over the 3 years of the study, we captured a total of 597 juvenile lake sturgeon measuring 231–790 mm total length. Using capture probabilities calculated from Program MARK (White and Burnham 1999), we estimated a total abundance of 789 (690–889, 95% confidence interval) juvenile lake sturgeon in 2006. Survival of each cohort from date stocked to summer 2006 varied from 1% to 14%, depending on year and size of fish stocked. Seasonal movements of juveniles varied; however, most fish occupied a relatively short reach in the lower river during summer months when water temperatures were more than 258C. At least 1% of fish stocked in each cohort have survived, and the population appears to be gradually increasing with each additional year of stocking. Further studies are needed to monitor annual recruitment and to evaluate reproductive success as first cohorts reach maturity.


1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Rusak ◽  
T. Mosindy

Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) inhabiting the southern portion of Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, a north-temperate watershed straddling the Canada – United States border, were studied to test hypotheses concerning seasonal movement patterns, including spawning migrations, and habitat use. We implanted radio transmitters into 26 fish and monitored seasonal movements during 3 consecutive years. Data indicated the existence of two discrete populations of sturgeon in this watershed, differentiated by seasonal habitat use, movement patterns and rates, and timing of spawning. The "lake" population, a designation suggested by a consistent preference for lentic winter habitat, appeared to spawn and initiate extensive spring and summer movements later than the "river" population, which consistently inhabited the river during the winter months. Overall, movement rates were significantly greater in the spring and summer months than at other times of the year and decreased with water temperature. General preferences exhibited by lake sturgeon for certain habitat types at different times of the year appeared to be linked to foraging behaviour. The results suggest that population differentiation may be prevalent for this species inhabiting large lake–river systems, given some diversity in habitat structure and spawning cues. In management efforts, this potential should be taken into consideration and reflected.


2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUAN MAZAR BARNETT ◽  
SANTIAGO IMBERTI ◽  
IGNACIO ROESLER

SummaryWe present the results of searches for the Austral Rail Rallus antarcticus in Argentine and Chilean Patagonia between January 1998 and February 2006 and from subsequent visits. We surveyed 58 localities and found the rail in 22, which collectively cover approximately 85 km2 of habitat. A maximum of 175 individuals were detected. This poorly known species was rediscovered in 1998; since then, it has been found in 18 additional localities, providing further data on distribution, habitat and seasonal movements. During the searches, we found that the species faces different threats, such as reduction of wetlands due to cattle grazing, burning and abnormal water management, but also the presence of American mink Neovison vison. However, due to the lack of prior information we conclude that the species should be maintained as Vulnerable.


BMC Ecology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Roug ◽  
Epaphras A. Muse ◽  
Deana L. Clifford ◽  
Randy Larsen ◽  
Goodluck Paul ◽  
...  

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