Lakes and reservoirs often experience sudden increases in macrophyte biomass. These changes have the potential to alter the abiotic environment in ways that affect other species. The American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) is expanding its distribution across portions of North America. N. lutea forms a dense canopy over the shallow margins of lakes and may influence the abiotic properties of the littoral zone, but this hypothesis has not been tested. Here we investigate the effects of a growing bed of N. lutea on water quality in Pymatuning Reservoir. In summer 2007 we deployed remote logging sensors to measure dissolved oxygen and temperature inside of a N. lutea bed and in adjacent open water. Dissolved oxygen concentrations were consistently lower in the lotus bed than in open water and oxygen concentrations within the N. lutea bed declined over the course of the summer. In Jul. and Aug. the N. lutea beds experienced hypoxia while oxygen concentrations remained high in open water. Low dissolved oxygen levels in N. lutea beds may affect the distribution of fish and invertebrates and alter biochemical processes in the epibenthos.

The federally endangered watercress darter (Etheostoma nuchale) is restricted to only five springs within the greater Birmingham (AL) metropolitan area. Restricted range, subpopulation isolation and threats from the urban landscape are the major factors endangering the species. The preferred habitat of E. nuchale has been described as the deeper, slow-moving portions of spring pools with dense aquatic vegetation, but its habitat use patterns have not been carefully studied. Because the long-term survival of E. nuchale will likely depend on the protection and restoration of suitable habitat, more needs to be known about its preferred habitats. We studied habitat use patterns of E. nuchale and the geomorphologic and environmental conditions associated with these habitats in Seven Springs, a population recently discovered in 2003. Geomorphology and vegetation were surveyed throughout the spring pool and the spring run connecting it to the nearest tributary. Fish were surveyed via seining in eight distinct habitats. We found that E. nuchale can use a greater diversity of habitats than previously appreciated, including both shallow and non-vegetated habitats. While densities of adult fish were higher in vegetated habitats, fish of all ages and sexes were found in non-vegetated habitats where structural diversity is provided by detritus or gravel. Males were most abundant in mats of aquatic moss, while females showed no strong habitat associations other than avoiding habitats with no shelter. Juveniles were mainly associated with aquatic moss and pools with detritus. The best conditions for in-stream vegetation favored by E. nuchale were in the spring pool where the channel was broad, the current slow and shallow margins were extensive. Our findings suggest that habitat conservation plans that reduce storm water runoff and increase streambed and riparian stability, specifically in habitats downstream of springs that house E. nuchale, could promote aquatic vegetation growth and structural diversity, thus expanding the species usable habitat.

It has been hypothesized that variation in shell shape and sculpture in freshwater mussels from streams is related to hydrologic variability. Using quantitative sampling, we found smooth-shelled species were more common in upstream portions of the St. Croix River, Minnesota and Wisconsin, which has coarser substrate while species with sculptured shells were more common downstream and in finer substrate. For four species distributed throughout the length of the river, individuals tended to have shells that increase in obesity (width/length) and relative height (height/length) downstream. These results support suggestions that mussels with sculptured or obese shells may have an anchoring advantage in areas of high discharge while smooth-shelled or slim forms may reburrow more readily after dislodgement in hydraulically flashy environments. One species that showed increased obesity downstream had juveniles with similar shell shape at all locations suggesting phenotypic plasticity in shell shape. The juvenile and adult valve shape for the other three species examined varied among locations making it is less clear whether the differences noted are genetically fixed or phenotypically plastic. Understanding the complex interplay between shell shape and sculpture and disturbance regimes in rivers may provide useful information when developing conservation plans for these vulnerable animals. While both shell ornamentation and shape vary along river length, and may be correlated with substrate anchoring and stream flow, other factors such as behavior and physiology also contribute to mussels' success in maintaining their location in a river.

The Big Thicket of Texas has been described as rich in species and a “crossroads:” a place where organisms from many different regions meet. We examine the species richness and regional affiliations of Big Thicket vertebrates. We found that the Big Thicket is neither exceptionally rich in vertebrates nor is it a crossroads for vertebrates. Its vertebrate fauna is predominantly eastern.

Knowledge of body condition is important in predicting health and performance of large mammal populations. Therefore, we assessed body condition in black bears (Ursus americanus) in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), Colorado, using body mass (BM), percent body fat (BF) and a body condition index (BCI) to: (1) develop a model predictive of BM for bears in RMNP using morphometric measures, (2) compare three models predictive of BM to provide further information on the influence of elevation and more complex models on model accuracy, and (3) assess the relationship between BF and BCI to determine if BF could be estimated from BCI. Our best BM model included only girth (r²  =  0.923) and indicated that mass-morphology relationships were more consistent within specified elevation zones; complexity of models had little influence on model efficiency. We also observed a strong relationship between BF and BCI (r²  =  0.962) indicating that BCI scores can be accurately converted to estimates of BF. This predictive equation should prove useful to black bear managers in situations where BF cannot be estimated using more direct methods.

Survival and cause-specific mortality of eastern spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius) was assessed for a radio-monitored population in the Ouachita Mountains of westcentral Arkansas, USA. We monitored 33 eastern spotted skunks over a 23 mo period. Mean annual survival was 0.354 (0.339–0.368, 95% CI), and survival estimates were similar across age and sex categories. Survival increased for males as measures of body condition index increased. This pattern was reversed for females, although interpretation of the patterns is potentially confounded by female reproductive status. Of 19 mortality events, 63% (12) were caused by avian predators, most likely great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), 26% (5) were caused by mammalian predators, and 11% (2) were due to unknown causes. Although eastern spotted skunks are known to avoid open areas and forested areas where the understory is less dense and the canopy more open, 11 of 12 avian-caused deaths occurred in mature shortleaf pine stands with an open canopy and herbaceous understory.

We assessed the distribution of Eastern moles Scalopus aquaticus in relation to loam soils under the hypothesis that the species' Canadian distribution is limited by soil type. We also explore the relationship between mole occurrence and the amount of forest cover at a local (49 m) and landscape (305 m) scale. We resurveyed 46 sites dispersed across much of the species' Canadian range in southern Ontario. These sites initially were inspected for mole sign (e.g., surface tunnels and earth mounds) in 1997, allowing us to compare between study periods to assess changes in species distribution. Eastern moles were eight times more likely to occur at sites with loam or sandy loam soils than at sites with other soil textures (e.g., coarse sands, clays). The likelihood of mole sign no longer occurring at a site in 2008 increased in the absence of loam or sandy loam soils. At sites with loam or sandy loam soils, including the proportion of forest cover within the surrounding landscape increased our ability to discriminate between sites with and without mole sign. We noted a 26% decrease in mole occurrence across our study area since it was surveyed more than a decade ago.

Reliable natural water sources often are unavailable for bats in semi-arid regions such as the Texas Panhandle. Metal stock tanks commonly are used to supply water to livestock and are used by bats as a water source. It is unknown how surface area, water level and adjacent vegetation influence use of tanks by bats. Infrared video cameras and supplemental infrared lights were used to video tape bat behavior and use of stock tanks in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas. Treatment tanks were set out in pairs approximately 80 m apart in a cross-over design to account for influence of location on use of tanks by bats. Treatments included three sizes of tanks (1.2 m, 1.8 m and 3.0 m in diameter), three levels of cover of adjacent vegetation (no vegetation, light vegetation and heavy vegetation) and two water levels (full and ½ full). The number of bats that passed over 3.0 m and 1.2 m tanks was similar; however, bats drank from large tanks more than small tanks. Passes were similar between the tanks surrounded by light vegetation and tanks with no vegetation, but bats drank more from tanks surrounded by light vegetation. Tanks surrounded by heavy vegetation experienced fewer passes and fewer drinks than tanks without vegetation. Water level had no effect on the number of passes by bats but ½ full tanks were used for drinking less frequently than full tanks. Our research indicates that size of tank, water level in tanks and characteristics of adjacent vegetation influence use of metal livestock tanks by bats. Use of larger tanks, keeping tanks full and managing vegetation around tanks increases use of tanks by bats.

The Ozark pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius ozarkensis) has recently been described as a new subspecies of the plains pocket gopher (G. bursarius) inhabiting north-central Arkansas and is considered a “species of greatest conservation need” in Arkansas; therefore, research on spatial use and life-history characteristics were conducted via radio telemetry to elucidate home range and mortality. Home range size was associated negatively with adult female body mass, but was positively associated with juvenile body mass. Home range size showed no pattern with either adult or juvenile male mass. Home ranges were significantly larger for females in the winter/spring versus spring/summer probably due to food availability varying with season and the concurrence of the reproductive season in spring. The majority of pocket gopher mortality occurred in the winter months, during the period of increased movement. We documented two sources of mortality for pocket gophers: predation and flooding.

Quantification of seed arrival as an ecological flux may improve understanding of patch dynamics and variations in community structure across the landscape. Microsites favorable for germination are continually being created and destroyed in coastal ecosystems, so seed dispersal to multiple patches is essential for survival and growth. In order to elucidate the role that patches play in seed dispersal on barrier islands, our study was conducted on three Virginia, USA barrier islands: Metompkin, Hog, and Smith, which represent a range of size, topographic complexity and species richness. Artificial perches with an attached fecal seed trap were installed along transects on the islands. Each island had at least one transect positioned at both a woody and a graminoid site. Seed dispersal varied seasonally with most dispersal events (one dispersal event equals one seed collected) occurring during the spring (n  =  248) versus the summer (n  =  4). Seed dispersal events were greatest on Hog Island (n  =  421) and least on Metompkin Island (n  =  5). Morella spp. (Morella cerifera and Morella pensylvanica) accounted for 62% of the total seeds collected. Three species that appeared during spring seed counts, Callicarpa americana, Rubus sp. and Sassafras albidum, were not observed within a 10 m proximity of any of the transects. Spatial variation in island position, vegetation structure and island topography were important for seed dispersal. The greatest abundance and diversity of seeds were collected on Hog Island, centrally located relative to the other islands. These results indicate that while the role patches play in influencing seed dispersal is related to island position and location on a given island, we may need to define patches in greater detail to accurately predict which locations will receive the most bird-dispersed seeds.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) foraging ecology has long been a focus of study, primarily due to their sap-foraging behavior throughout the year and speculation on how sapsuckers subsist by foraging on dormant host trees during winter. Wintering sapsucker habitat use as related to host tree selection is not clearly defined, particularly in the southwestern portion of its range. We studied Yellow-bellied Sapsucker habitat use and host tree selection in two bottomland hardwood forest sites in eastern Texas during winters, 2005–2006 and 2006–2007. Habitat surrounding overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) host trees was generally characterized by fewer trees/ha, lower species diversity and richness, and taller trees than random plots. Overcup oak host trees tended to be healthier than overcup oak non-host trees, but host trees had thinner, less complex bark than non-host trees, irrespective of tree size and health. Also, digestible cell and protein content was similar between host and non-host trees, irrespective of tree size and health. Selection of host trees with thinner, less complex bark suggest sapsuckers use visual cues to focus host selection upon bark morphology and evidence of previous use. Combined, wintering sapsuckers may increase foraging efficiency and maximize caloric intake by increasing energy gained/unit time foraging on already established, and presumably productive host trees. Despite similarities in habitat, health and cell and protein content between host and non-host trees, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers selected healthy host trees with thin, less complex bark where stable levels of digestible cell content and protein over time provide a reliable, consistent food source throughout winter.

Agricultural fields are often overlooked as post-breeding and migratory bird habitat, even though many species use row-crop fields in the northern Great Plains. We monitored bird use, crop and non-crop vegetation characteristics and abundance, and land use around (≤2.4 km) 35 8-ha Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots (WCSP) and one commercial sunflower and non-sunflower row-crop field, paired with each WCSP, in fall 2004 and 2005. We excluded four species of blackbirds from our analysis that commonly form large foraging flocks and ubiquitously use agricultural fields. A diverse community of migratory birds used WCSP and commercial sunflower compared to other non-sunflower crops in North Dakota. Both WCSP (mean  =  24.4 birds/ha, se  =  2.7) and commercial sunflower (mean  =  12.7 birds/ha, se  =  1.7) harbored greater densities of birds (P < 0.01) than did other non-sunflower row crops (mean  =  7.2 birds/ha, se  =  1.1). Migratory birds were more strongly associated with vegetation within fields, such as crop density ( ), non-crop plant abundance ( ) and crop height ( ), than surrounding land uses (0–2.4 km from WCSP). We recommend management practices to maximize WCSP for fall bird habitat and discuss economic considerations for WCSP implementation as a wildlife habitat / blackbird damage management system.

Knowledge of both the vegetation and soil seed bank of a community is necessary to understand species storage and regeneration potential. Species composition and abundance were assessed in Thomson-Fulton Sand Prairie in northwestern Illinois, U.S.A. Species richness, evenness and floristic quality were greater for the vegetation than the seed bank. Jaccard's index of similarity was 36. In total, 43% of vegetation species were represented in the seed bank and 67% of seed bank species occurred in the vegetation. Native perennial grass and forb species dominated species richness and % cover of the vegetation. In the seed bank, native species also exceeded introduced species, but annual species exceeded perennial species in species richness at the plot level. The relatively low correspondence between above- and below-ground community structure indicates that, in this grassland, seed banks function as storage for only a sub-set of species and many species in the vegetation must rely on sources other than the seed bank for regeneration.

We described passerine nesting in Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia) as related to plum age in north-central Oklahoma during the 2007 and 2008 nesting seasons to better understand the role of plum in bird ecology. We measured properties of nests (height aboveground), nest-supporting stems (height, diameter, age) and nesting stands (age, area). We observed Bell's vireos (Vireo bellii), brown thrashers (Toxostoma rufum), field sparrows (Spizella pusilla), northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) and painted buntings (Passerina ciris) nesting in plum stands and inferred nesting by blue grosbeaks (P. caerulea), greater roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus), mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) and northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). Nest height was consistent among species at averages ranging from 0.7 m (se  =  0.13, n  =  5) for field sparrows to 1.1 m (se  =  0.07, n  =  30) for northern mockingbirds. Bell's vireos and field sparrows nested on younger stems (average age  =  7 y) than the other species (average age  =  12–15 y). Availability of relatively old (≥10 y) stands of Chickasaw plum was necessary to maximize richness of shrub-nesting grassland-associated birds in Oklahoma.

This paper presents step-by-step instructions for taking an animal location data set, creating a set of kernel home range utilization distribution contours, and formatting and manipulating those contour files for display in Google Earth. The intent of this paper is to assist researchers studying animal movement and habitat use patterns in overcoming common problems of interoperability of data between the various software programs. I also highlight the features of Google Earth Pro that add useful information on habitat and terrain characteristics to the display of animal location and home range data, as well as those features that permit analyses of home range and habitat use.

Obtaining accurate estimates of fisher (Martes pennanti) population abundance is challenging to resource management agencies given the large home ranges and low densities at which fisher occur. Current methods for estimating population abundance are expensive in terms of equipment required and hours worked indicating a need for a less labor and equipment intensive method. Track-plate footprinting is a method of individually identifying fisher by the papillae patterns found on the metacarpal pad. We evaluated the technique of track-plate footprinting as a mark-recapture method to estimate population abundance of fisher in the Ottawa National Forest of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We placed covered track-plates using copy toner and a medium of contact paper as a method of obtaining footprints of fisher for individual identification. Over 1548 trap-nights we identified 24 prints from nine different fisher with four individuals being recaptured. Program Mark produced a population estimate of 13 animals with a 95% confidence interval of 8–20 animals. Our study shows that track-plate footprinting is a viable method for estimating population abundance of fisher under natural conditions.