scholarly journals Spring Migration of Mallards from Arkansas as Determined by Satellite Telemetry

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Krementz ◽  
Kwasi Asante ◽  
Luke W. Naylor
Keyword(s):  
Mississippi River ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Prairie Pothole Region ◽  
Satellite Telemetry ◽  
Large River ◽  
Spring Migration ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Prairie Pothole ◽  
The North

Abstract We used satellite telemetry to document spring migration phenology, routes, stopover regions, and nesting sites of mallards Anas platyrhynchos marked in Arkansas during the winters of 2004–2007. Of the 143 marked mallards that migrated from Arkansas, they did so, on average, by mid-March. Mallards flew over the Missouri Ozarks and 42% made an initial stopover in Missouri, where they used areas that had larger rivers (Mississippi River, Missouri River) embedded in an agricultural landscape. From this stopover region they either migrated directly to the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) or they migrated north to Minnesota where they either moved next to the PPR or to the north and east of the PPR. For those mallards (83%) that stopped for >1 d before entering the PPR, the average length at each stop was 12 d (SE  =  0.90 d, range  =  2–54 d). Mallards made more stopovers, made shorter migration movements, and took longer to move to the PPR in wetter than drier years. Mallards arrived in the PPR earlier in 2006 (x¯  =  30 March, SE  =  2.18 d) than in 2005 (x¯  =  7 April, SE  =  2.30 d). Females nested across nine Bird Conservation Regions. Nesting occurred most frequently in South Dakota (n  =  9). The average date when females nested was 19 April (SE  =  2.44 d, range  =  12 March–26 May). Because many mallards headed for the large river corridors in Missouri for their first stopover, this region is an important spring migration stopover of continental importance to mallards and might be considered a focal area for conservation.

scholarly journals Feeding Ecology of Arctic-Nesting Sandpipers During Spring Migration Through the Prairie Pothole Region

2009 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan L. Eldridge ◽  
Gary L. Krapu ◽  
Douglas H. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Ecology ◽  
Prairie Pothole Region ◽  
Spring Migration ◽  
Prairie Pothole

Delineating Grassland Bird Conservation Areas in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rex R. Johnson ◽  
Diane A. Granfors ◽  
Neal D. Niemuth ◽  
Michael E. Estey ◽  
Ronald E. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Data ◽  
Conceptual Models ◽  
Prairie Pothole Region ◽  
Grassland Birds ◽  
Spatial Models ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Prairie Pothole ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Grassland Bird ◽  
Landscape Characteristics

Abstract Conservation of birds is increasingly focused on the importance of landscape characteristics to sustain populations. Implementing conservation on a landscape scale requires reliable spatial models that provide biological context for conservation actions. Before species-specific models relating grassland birds to their habitat at landscape scales existed, we created a conceptual model and applied it to spatial data to identify priority grassland habitats for the protection and restoration of populations of area sensitive grassland birds in the Prairie Pothole Region. Since that time, these Grassland Bird Conservation Areas have been widely used to guide conservation, and variations of these models have been adopted in other regions; however, the process used to delineate them (i.e., the conceptual models) is poorly understood by many users. We describe that process here and offer perspectives on the utility and limitations of conceptual models, especially on the value of making assumptions that commonly underlie management decisions explicitly, thereby making the assumptions testable, and hopefully increasing management transparency, credibility, and efficiency.

scholarly journals Land Cover and Land Use Change in the US Prairie Pothole Region Using the USDA Cropland Data Layer

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woubet G. Alemu ◽  
Geoffrey M. Henebry ◽  
Assefa M. Melesse
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
North Dakota ◽  
Trend Analysis ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Prairie Pothole Region ◽  
Prairie Pothole ◽  
The North ◽  
The Us ◽  
Data Layer ◽  
Pasture Area

The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) is a biotically important region of grassland, wetland, and cropland that traverses the Canada-US border. Significant amounts of grasslands and wetlands within the PPR have been converted to croplands in recent years due to increasing demand for biofuels. We characterized land dynamics across the US portion of the PPR (US–PPR) using the USDA Crop Data Layer (CDL) for 2006–2018. We also conducted a comparative analysis between two epochs (1998–2007 & 2008–2017) of the CDL data time series in the North Dakotan portion of the US–PPR. The CDL revealed the western parts of the US–PPR have been dominated by grass/pasture, to the north it was spring wheat, to the east and southern half, soybeans dominated, and to the south it was corn (maize). Nonparametric trend analysis on the major crop and land cover types revealed statistically significant net decreases in the grass/pasture class between 2006 and 2018, which accounts for more than a quarter of grass/pasture area within the US–PPR. Other crops experiencing significant decreases included sunflower (-5%), winter wheat (-3%), spring wheat (-2%), and durum wheat (-1%). The combined coverage of corn and soybeans exhibited significant net increases in 23.5% of its cover; whereas, the individual significant net increases were 5% for corn and 11% for soybeans. Hotspots of increase in corn and soybeans were distributed across North and South Dakota. Other crop/land covers with huge significant increases include other hay/non-alfalfa (15%), and alfalfa (11%), which appear to be associated with the sharp increase in larger dairy operations, mostly in Minnesota. Wetland area increased 5% in the US–PPR, due to increased precipitation as well as inundation associated with Devils Lake in North Dakota. Hotspots of decreasing grass/pasture area were evident across the study area. Comparative trend analysis of two epochs (1998–2007 vs. 2008–2017) in North Dakota revealed that grass/pasture cover showed a negligible net trend (-0.3 %) between 1998 and 2007; whereas, there was a statistically significant decrease of more than 30% between 2008 and 2017. Combined coverage of corn and soybeans experienced statistically significant net increases in both epochs: 11% greater during 1998–2007 and 17% greater during 2008–2017. Recent sharp losses of grasslands and smaller wetlands combined the expansion of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa bode ill for wildlife habitat and require a re-examination of agricultural and energy policies that have encouraged these land transitions.

Pattern of greenhouse gas emission from a Prairie Pothole agricultural landscape in Manitoba, Canada

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
A S Dunmola ◽  
M. Tenuta ◽  
A P Moulin ◽  
P. Yapa ◽  
D A Lobb
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Prairie Pothole Region ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Prairie Pothole ◽  
Riparian Areas ◽  
Gas Emission ◽  
Landscape Elements

To obtain accurate N2O and CH4 emission estimates from the Prairie Pothole Region of North America, knowledge of landscape pattern and soil factors is important. A field study was conducted investigating the temporal and spatial variation in N2O and CH4 emissions from spring to fall 2005 and spring-thaw to post-fertilizer application period 2006 using static-vented chambers located at upper, middle and lower landscape elements planted to spring wheat in 2005 and flax in 2006 and riparian areas in an undulating terrain in southern Manitoba. N2O was emitted during spring-thaw and post-fertilizer application periods for cropped positions and CH4 was emitted about 7 wk after soil thaw for lower and riparian elements. While there was no statististical difference in N2O emission from upper, middle and lower landscape elements, there was greater occurrence of N2O emission hotspots at the lower element, associated with its comparatively higher soil moisture and carbon availability. A location of intense CH4 emission in a riparian area had considerably less soil sulfate compared with other riparian locations. We conclude that hotspots for N2O and CH4 emission within the landscape are localized and driven by high soil moisture and C availability, and riparian areas should be identified separately from cropped areas, as their N2O and CH4 emissions are lower and higher, respectively. Riparian areas having high sulfate concentrations do not seem to emit appreciable amounts of CH4.Key words: Greenhouse gas emission, landscape element, landscape variability, methane, nitrous oxide, Prairie Pothole Region, sulfate

scholarly journals Climate trends of the North American prairie pothole region 1906–2000

2009 ◽  
Vol 93 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 243-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Millett ◽  
W. Carter Johnson ◽  
Glenn Guntenspergen
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Prairie Pothole Region ◽  
Prairie Pothole ◽  
Climate Trends ◽  
The North ◽  
North American Prairie

scholarly journals Inferring Movements and Staging Locations for Canvasbacks Using Light-Level Geolocators

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan A. Cook ◽  
Christopher A. Nicolai ◽  
Kevin T. Shoemaker
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Prairie Pothole Region ◽  
Central Valley ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Spring Migration ◽  
Prairie Pothole ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Aythya Valisineria ◽  
Northern United States

Abstract Understanding the geographic extent and timing of wildlife movements enables resource managers to inform habitat needs of target species efficiently and effectively. We use light-level geolocators—which enable researchers to estimate individual locations from light-level data—to build a more complete understanding of the geography and timing of migratory movements for canvasback Aythya valisineria in the Pacific Flyway. During the springs of 2015–2017, we placed 151 geolocators on canvasbacks using two alternative attachment methods (leg-band vs. nasal-saddle mounts) during spring migration (February–March) near Reno, Nevada. Eight of these geolocators (five males and three females) were successfully retrieved, representing 10 near-complete annual migration cycles (two geolocators contained data for two migration years). Eight of the 10 estimated spring canvasback migrations (five male and three female) ended at breeding sites in the Prairie Pothole Region of southern Canada and northern United States (often via stopover sites in Utah and Montana), whereas one male and one female migrated to breeding sites in Alaska. Notably, one female settled on nesting grounds in southern Saskatchewan and then in central Alaska in successive years. During spring migration, canvasbacks made an average of 3.3 ± 0.5 stopovers, with an average duration of 14.8 ± 2.2 d. Three canvasbacks made a distinct molt migration after breeding. For fall migration, canvasback made an average of 2.7 ± 0.3 stopovers, lasting an average of 12.3 ± 2.5 d, on their way to wintering sites in California's Central Valley and coastal regions near San Francisco Bay. Retrieval rate for nasal-saddle-mounted geolocators was significantly lower than leg band-mounted devices because of failure of nasal-saddle attachment. This study demonstrates the value of geolocators for assessing year-round habitat use for waterfowl species that have negative behavioral reactions to traditional backpack devices. This information complements standard band-recovery approaches and enables waterfowl managers to ensure that the spatial and temporal distributions of individuals are identified so that habitat conservation efforts can reflect the full annual habitat use cycle.

scholarly journals Trappings of Success: Predator Removal for Duck Nest Survival in Alberta Parklands

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
Emily M. Blythe ◽  
Mark S. Boyce
Keyword(s):  
Prairie Pothole Region ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Prairie Pothole ◽  
Mesopredator Release ◽  
Predator Removal ◽  
The North ◽  
Duck Species ◽  
And Control

Nest survival is most limited by nest predation, which often is increased by anthropogenic causes including habitat fragmentation, mesopredator release and predator subsidies. In mallards and other upland-nesting duck species in the North American prairies, the rate of nest survival is the vital rate most influential to population dynamics, with 15%–20% survival required for maintenance of stable populations. Predator removal during the nesting season has increased duck nest survival on township-sized (9324 ha) areas of agricultural ecosystems in eastern locations of the prairie pothole region (PPR). However, predator removal has not been evaluated in western parkland habitats of the PPR where three-dimensional structure of vegetation is considerably greater. During 2015–2017, we evaluated nest survival on control and predator-removal plots at two study areas in the parklands of central Alberta, Canada. In the second year of the study, we transposed predator removal to control for habitat effects. Estimates of 34-day nest survival did not significantly differ between trapped ( x ¯ = 20.9%, 95% CI = 13.2%–33.7%) and control ( x ¯ = 17.8%, 95% CI = 10.5%–30.0%) plots in any year. We do not recommend predator removal be continued in Alberta parklands due to its ineffectiveness at improving duck nest survival at the local scale.

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