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N O R T H C A R O L I N A C O O P E R A T I V E F I S H A N D W I L D L I F E R E S E A R C H U N I T

R E P O R T O F A C T I V I T I E S

2005 – 2006

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N O R T H C ARO LI NA CO O PE R AT I V E

FI S H AN D W I LD LI FE R E S E AR CH U N I T

Campus Box 7617Department of ZoologyNC State UniversityRaleigh, North Carolina 27695-7617

Telephone: 919-515-2631 Fax: 919-515-4454http://www2.ncsu.edu/nccoopunit

2005 – 2006

N O R T H C A R O L I N A C O O P E R A T I V E

F I S H A N D W I L D L I F E R E S E A R C H U N I T

R E P O R T O F A C T I V I T I E S

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Fishwheel being deployed to sample migratory fi shes on the Roanoke River, North Carolina.JOE HIGHTOWER

1TAB LE O F CO N T EN T S

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

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37

COOPER ATORS

AND PERSONNEL Cooperating AgenciesUnit Staff Research Collaborators

G R ADUATE

EDUC ATIONCurrent Students Recent GraduatesCommittee ParticipationCourses Taught

HONORS AND

AWAR DS

INTEG R ATED

ECOLOGY

FISHERIES

AND

AQUATIC

WILDLIFE

AND

HABITATS

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12 23

PUBLIC ATIONS

AND

PR ESENTATIONSJournal ArticlesBook Chapters Technical Reports Theses and Dissertations Presentations and Seminars

WELCOME 2

RESEARCH

19

INTEG R ATED

ECOLOGY

Front cover, top: Researchers Ted Simons and Becky Hylton are investigating if land snail and songbird communities are suff ering from calcium limitation in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Photo: Jerome Brewster). Front cover, bottom: Ryan Spidel, Aya Tajiri, and Patrick Cooney boat electrofi shing near the dam of Lake Raleigh (Photo: Tom Kwak).

Above photos, left to right: Michael Fisk, Patrick Cooney, and Christin Brown electrofi shing in a Puerto Rico stream (Photo: Tom Kwak); Sunset at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (Photo: Shiloh Schulte); Kelsey Oberneuff man spotting for shorebirds at Yawkey Wildlife Center (Photo: Jaime Collazo).

2 WELCOME

WELCOME

We at the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit are pleased to provide this summary of our activities and accomplishments over the past two years. During this pe-riod, we have conducted and facilitated 61 research projects, of which 42 were conducted directly by Unit scientists, and 19 were undertaken by cooperating faculty at North Carolina State University. We place great value on the collaborative relationships that we have devel-oped across institutional boundaries to address multidisciplinary research questions. We are also proud of the role that the Unit serves in facilitating research by our colleagues that uti-lizes the expertise and knowledge of scientists from a number of departments, colleges, and programs within the University, as well as from our cooperating natural resource agencies.

Our research includes innovative solutions to traditional fi sh, wildlife, and natural resource management issues, but spans broadly into the fi elds of conservation biology, landscape ecology, ecosystem processes, toxicology, and microbiology. This report includes summa-ries of research ranging in subject from threatened and endangered invertebrates, fi shes, herps, birds, wolves, and marine mammals; invasive aquatic and terrestrial species; and the eff ects of anthropogenic inputs and contaminants on aquatic ecosystems; to broad-scale ef-fects of land management, conservation planning, and restoration; quantitative population and community dynamics; and innovative sampling technology and statistical inference of research results. Much of this research includes graduate student participation; 28 graduate students were advised and mentored by Unit scientists during this period, and nine have completed their degrees and are pursuing higher degrees or are actively employed in their respective fi elds.

The past two years have brought ongoing change in the administration and staff of our cooperators, which has been exciting and rich with opportunity to build new collaborative relationships and strengthen those ongoing. This period has been productive and successful for the North Carolina Unit, and in this report, we share a listing of our research products and make them available upon request. The achievements of our scientists, staff , and students have been recognized by others with a number of formal awards that are listed within, and we share those honors with our cooperators and partners that facilitated them.

The success to date of the North Carolina Unit is largely due to strong, synergistic relationships with our cooperators, partners, colleagues, and friends — and we look forward to continuing those associations to exceed our past accomplishments. Please contact any individual investigator if you would like more information on the research summarized in this report. We also welcome your comments on our past activities and seek your input on the direction that we plan to pursue in the future — please contact us.

The Scientists and Staff of the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Red spotted newt in the Pisgah National Forest.

JEROME BREWSTER

3M ISSI O N S TAT EMEN T

M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T

The goals of the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit are to address the research and technical needs of the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-vice, the National Park Service, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, North Car-olina State University, and other appropriate agencies and organizations; to contribute to the quality education of advanced and graduate fi sheries and wildlife students at North Carolina State University; and to disseminate the results of research conducted by Unit scientists, staff , students, and cooperators. To advance these goals, the Unit scientists will vigorously pursue funding for projects having scientifi c merit and those that provide valuable information for natural resource management. Unit personnel will collaborate with cooperators in jointly conducting research and educating graduate students.

The North Carolina Unit will focus on the identifi cation, assessment, interpretation, and al-leviation of the eff ects of current or potential environmental changes or perturbations on fi sh, wildlife, and natural resources. Through a combination of basic and applied research, the Unit will pursue innovative solutions to natural resource questions. Although some work may be species oriented, community and ecosystem studies will be emphasized. This will require a team approach to hypothesis testing research, involving Unit and University personnel as investigators. When cause-eff ect relationships are not demonstrable in the fi eld, laboratory or controlled fi eld studies will be conducted.

Educational goals will be achieved by teaching graduate level courses, chairing graduate committees, delivering guest lectures and seminars, and sponsoring or participating in short courses and workshops for cooperators when appropriate.

Warren Mitchell and Joe Hightower participate in training exercises during Motorboat Operator Certifi cation Course on Jordan Lake, North Carolina.

TOM KWAK

4 CO O PER ATO R S AND PER SO N N EL

C O O P E R A T O R S A N D P E R S O N N E L

UNIT PERSONNEL

S C I E N T I S T S

Thomas J. Kwak, Unit Leader, Fisheries, Associate Professor, Departments of Zoology and Forestry and Environmental Resources

Jaime A. Collazo, Assistant Unit Leader, Wildlife, Professor, Departments of Zoology and Forestry and Environmental Resources

Joseph E. Hightower, Assistant Unit Leader, Fisheries, Professor, Department of Zoology

Theodore R. Simons, Assistant Unit Leader, Ecology, Professor, Departments of Zoology and Forestry and Environmental Resources

SU PP O R T S TAFF

Wendy J. Moore, Program Assistant

Hong C. Nguyen, Offi ce Assistant

W. Ryan Spidel, Research Technician

P OS T D O C TO R AL R E S E AR CH

A SSO CIAT E S

Mathew W. Alldredge

Juliann E. Aukema

Larissa L. Bailey

Christina A. Drew

F. Michael Holliman

Edward J. Laurent

Sarah E. Mabey

Raymond A. Webster

COOPER ATING AG ENCIES

U N I T E D S TAT E S G EO LO G I C AL

SU RV E Y

12201 Sunrise Valley DriveReston, Virginia 20192

Byron K. Williams, Chief, Cooperative Research UnitsW. James Fleming, Deputy Chief, Cooperative Research UnitsMichael J. Van Den Avyle, Supervisor

N O R T H C ARO LI NA S TAT E

U N I V E R S I T Y

North Carolina Agricultural Research Service100 Patterson HallRaleigh, North Carolina 27695-7643

Steven Leath, Director and Associate Dean Winston M. Hagler, Jr., Assistant Director

N O R T H C AR O LI NA W I LD LI FE

R E S O U R C E S CO M M I SS I O N

1751 Varsity DriveNCSU Centennial CampusRaleigh, North Carolina 27606

Richard B. Hamilton, Executive DirectorFrederick A. Harris, Assistant Director

W I LD LI FE M ANAG E M E N T

I N S T I T U T E

1101 14th Street, N.W., Suite 801Washington, D.C. 20005

Steven A. Williams, President Richard E. McCabe, Executive Vice PresidentDonald F. McKenzie, Field Representative

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina.

A N D P E R S O N N E L COOPER ATORS

JEROME BREWSTER

R E S E AR CH S TAFF

Curtis M. Belyea

Patrick B. Cooney

Todd S. Earnhardt

J. Michael Fisk

Alexa J. McKerrow

Mohan R. Palleti

Matthew J. Rubino

Steven G. Williams

5CO O PER ATO R S AND PER SO N N EL

NORTH C AROLINA STATE

UNIVERSIT Y COOPER ATING

FACULT Y

Heather M. Cheshire, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

W. Gregory Cope, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology

Nicholas M. Haddad, Department of Zoology

Richard A Lancia, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

Elizabethann O’Sullivan, Department of Political Science and Public Administration

Kenneth H. Pollock, Departments of Zoology and Statistics

Wayne P. Robarge, Department of Soil Science

Michael K. Stoskopf, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine

COLL ABOR ATORS

David Allen, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Keith Ashley, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Tom Augspurger, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Raleigh Field Offi ce

Hugh Barwick, Duke Power Company, Huntersville, North Carolina

Gary Breckon, University of Puerto Rico, Department of Biology

Ron Brockmeyer, St. John’s Water Management District, Florida

Sue Cameron, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Mark Cantrell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Asheville Field Offi ce

Jose Chabert, Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources

Jeff Cordes, National Park Service, Cape Lookout National Seashore

Larry B. Crowder, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

Sam Droege, U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

David B. Eggleston, NCSU Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences

Steve Fraley, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Kay Franzreb, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Clemson University

Grant Gilmore, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Dynamac Corporation

Walker Golder, National Audubon Society

William Gould, International Institute of Tropical Forestry

Bob Graham, Dominion North Carolina Power

Martha Groom, University of Washington

An unmanned aerial vehicle developed at the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is used to take aerial photographs at Yawkey Wildlife Center for a North Carolina Unit study of migratory shorebirds.

JAIME COLLAZO

6 CO O PER ATO R S AND PER SO N N EL

COLL ABOR ATORS CONTINUED

Christopher G. Guglielmo, University of Montana

Susan M. Haig, U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Oregon State University

Brian Harrington, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

Ryan Heise, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Susan Jacobson, University of Florida, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Bob Jenkins, Roanoke College

Mark Johns, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Fred Johnson, U.S. Geological Survey, Florida Caribbean Science Center

Chris Kelly, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Pete Kornegay, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

R. Wilson Laney, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Atlantic Fisheries Resource Coordination Offi ce

Keith Langdon, National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Allen R. Lewis, University of Puerto Rico, Department of Biology

Craig Lilyestrom, Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

Marcia Lyons, National Park Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Jeff Marcus, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Frank Moore, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg

Jim Nichols, U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

James Parnell, University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Scott Pearson, Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, North Carolina

Franklin Percival, Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

James Peterson, Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Kerry Rabenold, Purdue University

David Rabon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Raleigh Field Offi ce

Michael Rikard, National Park Service, Cape Lookout National Seashore

John Sauer, U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Andreas Schubert, Dominican Republic Department of National Parks

Wayne Starnes, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Bryn Tracy, North Carolina Division of Water Quality

Scott Van Horn, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Jeff rey R. Walters, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Christian Waters, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Mike Wicker, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Raleigh Field Offi ce

David Yow, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Top: Beaver pond study site at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Middle: Wayne Starnes, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Mike Holliman, North Carolina Unit, and Bobby Kimbrell, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission examine a longnose gar from the Deep River, North Carolina. Bottom: A fl athead catfi sh from the Deep River, North Carolina, with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mobile passive sampling device attached.

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7G R ADUAT E EDUC AT I O N

CUR R ENT STUDENTS

Unit scientists serve as major advisors for these master’s and doctoral graduate students. Students attend North Carolina State University unless otherwise noted.

Student Degree, Curriculum Advisor(s)

Nathan M. Bacheler Ph.D., Zoology Jeff rey A. Buckel Joseph E. Hightower

Jerome P. Brewster M.S., Zoology Theodore R. Simons

Jessica R. Brewster M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Thomas J. Kwak

Christin H. Brown M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Thomas J. Kwak

Scott D. Favrot M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Thomas J. Kwak

A. Brad Garner M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Thomas J. Kwak

Julianne E. Harris Ph.D., Zoology Joseph E. Hightower

Rebecca A. Hylton Ph.D., Zoology Theodore R. Simons

Claudia D. Lombard M.S., Zoology Jaime A. CollazoTheodore R. Simons

Meredith B. Malone M.S., Forestry Dan RobisonJaime A. Collazo

Kevin J. Magowan M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Joseph E. Hightower

Elizabeth Martin Ph.D., Wildlife Ecology and Management Jaime A. CollazoUniversity of Florida Franklin Percival

Jason W. Mays M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Thomas J. KwakW. Gregory Cope

Kelsey P. Obernuefemann M.S., Zoology Jaime A. Collazo

Jamian K. Pacifi ci M.S., Zoology Theodore R. Simons

Shiloh A. Schulte M.S., Zoology Theodore R. Simons

Nathan M. Tarr M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Theodore R. Simons

Arielle H. Waldstein M.S., Zoology Theodore R. Simons

Chenille H. Williams M.S., Zoology Theodore R. Simons Jaime A. Collazo

Ph.D. student Shiloh Schulte with color-banded American Oystercatchers at Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina.

A N D P E R S O N N E L E D U C A T I O NGR ADUATE

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8 G R ADUAT E EDUC AT I O N

RECENT GR ADUATES AND CURRENT PURSUITS

M AY 2 0 0 5Degree, Curriculum Advisor(s)

Summer M. Burdick M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Joseph E. Hightower Fisheries biologist with U.S. Geological Survey at the Klamath Falls Field Station in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Alesia N. Read M.S., Zoology Joseph E. HightowerPursuing Ph.D. in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies at University of New Hampshire.

Jack E. Tuomikoski M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Jeff rey A. BuckelFisheries biologist with U.S. Geological Joseph E. HightowerSurvey at Klamath Falls Field Station in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

D ECE M B E R 2 0 0 5

Laura M. Lee M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Peter S. RandFisheries biologist with Atlantic Joseph E. HightowerStates Marine Fisheries Commission in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

M AY 2 0 0 6

Jessica D. Gleff e M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Jaime A. CollazoIntructor in Genetics and General Ecology at University of California, Irvine.

Eric Stolen Ph.D., Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Jaime A. CollazoUniversity of Florida Biologist with Dynamac Corporation in Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Ana Trujillo M.S., Biology, University of Puerto Rico Jaime A. CollazoPursuing second master’s degree in Non-governmental Institution Building at Sacred Heart University, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

AUG US T 2 0 0 6

Edward G. Malindzak M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Thomas J. KwakAquatic Biologist with Stantec, a consulting fi rm in Ottawa, Ontario.

Warren A. Mitchell M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Joseph E. HightowerReceived Sea Grant fellowship to continue fi sheries research at Center for Marine Sciences and Technology in Morehead City, North Carolina.

Alesia Read with an American shad on the Tar River, North Carolina, during a study to evaluate the quality of potential American shad habitat.

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9G R ADUAT E EDUC AT I O N

GR ADUATE COMMIT TEE PARTICIPATION

Unit scientists serve as committee members, but not as major advisors, for these students.

JAI M E A . CO LL A ZO

Jerome P. Brewster M.S., Zoology

Martha Flanagan M.S., Zoology

Rebecca A. Hylton Ph.D., Zoology

Alexa J. McKerrow Ph.D., Botany

Veronica Miller M.S., Zoology

Wyatt Nimitz M.S., Wildlife, Mississippi State University

Nathan M. Tarr M.S., Zoology

Katherine Thompson M.S., Zoology

J OS E PH E . H I G H TOWE R

A. Brad Garner M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences

Honghua Jiang Ph.D., Statistics

Darren Parsons Ph.D., Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences

William Smith M.S., Biology and Marine Biology, UNC–Wilmington

Jessica Thompson Ph.D., Zoology

T H O M A S J . K WAK

Summer Burdick M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences

Julianne Harris Ph.D., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences

Robert Heth Ph.D., University of Arkansas

Sean Peff er M.S., Forestry and Environmental Resources

Alesia Read M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences

T H E O D O R E R . S I M O N S

Neil A. Chartier Ph.D., Forestry

Salina Kovach M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences

Matthew McKown Ph.D., Biology, UNC–Chapel Hill

Liessa Thomas Ph.D., Forestry

Research technicians Liani Zibala and Sarah Andrews measure vegetation characteristics at Fort Bragg, North Carolina for a study of the eff ects of beaver activity on the St. Francis Satyr butterfl y.

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10 G R ADUAT E EDUC AT I O N

COURSES TAUG HT

Aya Tajiri, NC AFS Chapter 2006 Hutton Scholar, with Bryn Tracy, NC Division of Water Quality Biologist, removing white muscle tissue from NC stream fi shes to be analyzed for contaminant concentrations.

Fisheries Techniques and Management

Thomas J. Kwak Summer 2005, Summer 2006

Management of Small Impoundments

Co-taught by Joseph E. Hightower and Thomas J. KwakSummer 2006

Ornithology

Theodore R. Simons Spring 2005

Quantitative Fisheries Management

Joseph E. Hightower Fall 2004, Fall 2006

Seminar in Aquatic Ecology

Joseph E. Hightower Fall 2004

Tropical Avian Biology

Jaime A. CollazoSpring 2005

TOM KWAK

11H O NO R S AND AWAR DS

CO O PE R AT I V E R E S E ARCH U N I T S R E S E ARCH PR O G R A M E XCE LLE N CE AWAR D

The North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit was recognized in 2005 through a Cooperative Research Units Research Program Excellence Award based on the depth and breadth of its recent research accomplishments. Every scientist stationed at this Unit is fully engaged in research relevant to broad areas of resource conservation that are highly relevant to Unit Cooperators and other management agencies with regional, national, or international scope. Work being done at the Unit includes ecology of invasive aquatic spe-cies, minimizing injury of endangered aquatic species incidental to electrofi shing, habitat improvement for anadromous fi shes on a national scale, ecology and management of endan-gered bird species along the Atlantic seaboard and in Puerto Rico, development of regionally signifi cant landscape tools for conservation planning (regional GAP), and ecology and habitat management of songbirds at landscape scales relevant to eff ective conservation by Federal and non-Federal agencies and other conservation groups.

A M E R I C AN FI S H E R I E S SO CI E T Y E XCE LLE N CE I N FI S H E R I E S E D U C AT I O N

AWAR D

Unit scientist Joseph E. Hightower received the Excellence in Fisheries Education award at the American Fisheries Society’s annual meeting in Lake Placid, New York, Sep-tember 2006. This award is administered by the Education Section of the AFS and is presented to only one individual annually to recognize excellence in teaching and ad-vising in fi sheries education. It is regarded as the most relevant and prestigious award presented by the AFS, as it recognizes build-ing on the future.

U. S . FI S H AN D WI LD LI FE S E RV I CE T ECH N I C AL A SS I S TAN CE AWAR D

Awarded to Theodore R. Simons in 2006 for assistance with the USFWS 2006 Private Stewardship Grants Program.

D O N BAK E R M E M O R IAL AWAR D

Awarded to W. Gregory Cope, Rebecca M. Heltsley, Damian Shea, Robert B. Bringolf, Thomas J. Kwak, and Edward G. Malindzak in 2006 for the best professional presentation at the Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

FE D E R AL PR O M OT I O N TO GS -14

Thomas J. Kwak, 2006

U. S . D E PAR TM E N T O F I N T E R I O R S TAR AWAR DS

Received by Unit personnel for superior performance.Jaime A. Collazo, 2005, 2006Thomas J. Kwak, 2005, 2006Joseph E. Hightower, 2006Theodore R. Simons, 2005

Dr. Joe Hightower is presented with award by American Fisheries Society President Dr. Chris Kohler at the 2006 Annual Meeting.

A N D A W A R D SHONORS

12 R E SE ARCH | FISHER IE S AND AQUAT IC

F I S H E R I E S A N D A Q U A T I C

Development of range maps for seven fi sh species 13

Assessing benefi ts to migratory fi shes of habitat restored by dam removal 13

Eff ectiveness of fi shwheels for sampling anadromous fi shes in coastal rivers 13

Evaluation of spawning and nursery habitat for American shad in the Upper Roanoke River Basin, North Carolina 14

Migration of anadromous and resident fi shes into habitat restored throughdam removal on the Neuse River, North Carolina 14

Migratory behavior of diadromous fi shes in the Roanoke River, North Carolina 14

Population size of American shad and striped bass in the Roanoke River 15

Relative abundance of migratory fi shes within a restored braided-channel habitat and within the tailrace below the Roanoke Rapids Dam 15

Assessing risk of electrofi shing mortality and sublethal eff ects to freshwater mussels 15

Eff ects of intensive triploid grass carp stocking on reservoir invasive plantsand fi sh distributions 16

Fishery population and habitat assessment in Puerto Rico streams 16

Population dynamics and ecology of introduced fl athead catfi sh 16

Restoration of Cape Fear shiner populations in North Carolina: Assessmentof habitat suitability 17

Sicklefi n redhorse movement and habitat ecology in regulated rivers 17

Assessing the exposure and relative sensitivity of native freshwater musselsto environmental stressors and laboratory conditions 17

Atmospheric ammonia chemistry and dry deposition of ammonia at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina 18

The geographic relationship of mortality events of carp species in North America 18

RESEARCH

13R E SE ARCH | FISHER IE S AND AQUAT IC

Development of range maps for seven

fi sh species

Range maps for several anadromous fi shes of the Atlantic Coast have been completed for inclusion in an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission report. Th e U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrologic Dataset was used to code the pres ence and absence of spawning habitat for striped bass, Morone saxatilis; Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrhynchus; alewife, Alosa pseudo-harengus; blueback herring, Alosa aestiv-alis; American shad, Alosa sapidissima; and hickory shad, Alosa mediocris. Mapping of spawning habitat was based on pub lished data and iterative reviews by fi sh eries biol-o gists from each of the Atlantic coastal states.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

STAFF INVESTIGATORS Alexa McKerrowSteve Williams

LOCATION N.C. State University

DURATION November 2004–December 2004

FUNDING Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Assessing benefi ts to migratory fi shes

of habitat restored by dam removal

Th e Little River basin in North Carolina pro vides a valuable opportunity to examine how migratory fi shes use habitat restored through dam removal. Th ree dams on the Little River have been removed within the past eight years. Cherry Hospital Dam was removed in 1998, Raines Dam in 1999, and Lowell Dam in 2005. None of these dams had provisions for fi sh passage, so their re-moval restores access to an additional 147 miles of river and stream habitat. Also, the newly accessible reaches in the Little River contain a variety of run, riffl e, and pool habitats, with higher gradients and more gravel and boulder substrates than are found downstream. Specifi c project objectives are to determine fi sh abundance and migratory patterns during spring and to relate movements to physical variables, including habitat availability. Information on spawn ing habitat will be used to develop refi ned models for predicting the benefi ts of fi sh passage or dam removal in other sys-tems. Field work for this study will begin in March 2007.

INVESTIGATOR Joseph E. Hightower

STUDENT Joshua Raabe (Ph.D.)

LOCATION Little River, North Carolina

DURATION August 2006–September 2010

FUNDING U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Eff ectiveness of fi shwheels for

sampling anadromous fi shes in coastal

rivers

Th e goals of this project were to (a) assess the eff ectiveness of a fi shwheel for sampling a typical southeastern coastal river and (b) use the fi shwheel catch data to de scribe the abundance and migratory patterns of runs for species occurring in the river. A fi sh wheel with 3.05-meter square baskets was operated continuously on the Roanoke River, North Carolina, during the spring seasons of 2000, 2001, and 2002. Catches of anadromous species varied substantially through each season, both due to the sea-sonal timing of migration and to changes in the fi shwheel’s eff ectiveness. Fishwheel eff ectiveness appeared to vary with changes in river conditions. However, quanti-fying the infl uence of individual factors, e.g., water clarity and current velocity, on fi shwheel eff ectiveness was precluded by correlations among the diff erent factors. Results showed that for eff ective capture of striped bass, the water depth at the fi sh-wheel needed to match the fi shing depth of the baskets (3.05 meters), suggesting that striped bass migrate upstream close to the river bottom. Across all years, the turning speed of the baskets was nearly always low-er than what is considered optimal, suggest-ing that water velocities were too low for most eff ective operation. Th e fi shwheel was ineff ective for capturing hickory shad de-spite their consid erable abundance.


STUDENT David Hewitt (M.S.)

LOCATION Roanoke River, North Carolina

DURATION September 1999–December 2004

FUNDING U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Geological Survey

Masters student Dave Hewitt measures a striped bass caught in the fi shwheel.

JOE HIGHTOWER


Evaluation of spawning and nursery

habitat for American shad in the

Upper Roanoke River Basin, North

Carolina

Populations of American shad, Alosa sapi-dissima, have declined from historical levels due to overfi shing, decreased water quality, and habitat losses, including those due to dam construction. One approach for re-storing these populations is to identify suit-able habitat upstream of dams that could be restored through dam removal or by provid-ing fi sh passage. Th e goal of this research was to identify and characterize potential spawning habitat for American shad in the Upper Roanoke River Basin of Virginia, above Kerr Reservoir. Five mainstem rivers that are upstream of the Roanoke Rapids Dam (Big Otter, Staunton, Banister, Dan, Hyco) were the focus of this research. Ba-sed on a modifi ed Habitat Suitability Index model, the Big Otter and Staunton rivers should provide the highest quality spawn-ing habitat for American shad because of the presence of gravel, cobble, and bedrock substrates. Egg incubation experiments in-dicated that hatching success was relatively high (69–94) with no signifi cant diff er-ences among sites, suggesting that water quality within the basin is all equally suit-able for egg development.


STUDENT Alesia Read (M.S.)


DURATION July 2003–September 2005

FUNDING N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Migration of anadromous and resident

fi shes into habitat restored through

dam removal on the Neuse River,

North Carolina

In 1998, the Quaker Neck Dam was re moved from the Neuse River near Golds boro, North Carolina, restoring access to more than 120 kilometers of potential spawning habitat for migratory fi shes. Th e goal of our study was to examine the distribution of spawning activity of anadromous and migratory river ine fi shes above and below the former dam site. Plankton sampling and standardized electrofi shing provided evi dence of spawn ing activity upstream of the former dam site for three anadromous species, American shad, hickory shad, and striped bass. A greater proportion of Amer-ican shad eggs (91.8) and larvae (89.1) in 2003 were collected from mainstem sites upstream of the former dam site, com-pared to percentages for eggs (65.0) and larvae (20.0) collected in 2004. Th is diff er-ence is likely due to lower fl ows observed in 2004 compared to 2003. Hick ory shad gener ally spawned in downstream reaches of the river and showed signifi cant use of tributaries. Sub stantially more striped bass eggs (76.8) and larvae (77.8) were col-lected upstream of the former dam site in 2003, compared to the percentages of eggs (18.8) and larvae (0.0) in 2004. Th ese results dem onstrate that anadromous fi shes will take advantage of upper basin spawn-ing habitat restored through dam removal as long as adequate instream fl ows are present to facilitate upstream migration.


STUDENT Summer Burdick (M.S.)

LOCATION Neuse River, North Carolina

DURATION August 2002–June 2005


Migratory behavior of diadromous

fi shes in the Roanoke River, North

Carolina

Th is project is intended to complement an ongoing hydroacoustic study and will allow for improved estimates of run size in total and for individual species. Work conducted to date has shown that two prob lem areas in estimating run size reliably are estimating daily species composition and determining the cross-channel distribution of upstream migrating fi shes. A new technology that may help to resolve both prob lems is the DIDSON sonar system. Th is high-frequen-cy system uses multiple near-simultaneous sound pulses at a frequency of 1.1–1.8 MHz to produce acoustic “im ages” that are cap-tured as video fi les. Monitor ing diff erent parts of the channel using the DIDSON system will provide information about cross-channel distribution and the behav-ior of upstream migrating fi sh in re sponse to diff erent sampling gears.


STUDENT Kevin Magowan (M.S.)




Research technician Kyle Adamski deploys hydroacoustic gear in the

Roanoke River.

JOE HIGHTOWER


Population size of American shad and

striped bass in the Roanoke River

Th e goal of this study is to estimate the number of adult American shad and striped bass returning to the Roanoke River to spawn. During April to May 2004 and March to May 2005, a stationary 430 kHz hydroacoustic system was deployed on the river bottom in a side-aspect orientation. Tracks of upstream-migrating fi sh were dis-cernable from ambient noise. Based on elec-trofi shing and gill-netting, American shad occurred sporadically at low abun dance throughout both years. Th e 2004 species-specifi c estimates were 9,046 American shad and 126,176 striped bass. Th e default estimates (and SEs) for 2005, assuming a uniform cross-channel density of up stream migrants, were 7,054 (450) American shad and 118,778 (4,799) striped bass. Th is fi rst large-scale assessment of the Roanoke River American shad population is diffi cult to compare with surveys of relative abun-dance. Estimates of striped bass abundance appear low when compared to traditional stock assessment results. Th e largest uncer-tainties regarding the hydroacoustic moni-toring are the cross-channel distribution of upstream migrants. Using hydroacoustics to estimate run sizes appears to be feasible, but improvements to the study design are needed. Further validation will improve both accuracy and precision of estimates and allow fi shery managers to use hydro-acoustic results with confi dence in making management decisions.


STUDENTS Kevin Magowan (M.S.) Warren Mitchell (M.S.)


DURATION September 2003–September 2007


Relative abundance of migratory fi shes

within a restored braided-channel

habitat and within the tailrace below

the Roanoke Rapids Dam

Th e Roanoke Rapids Dam, on the Roanoke River, North Carolina, is the present limit of upstream migration for anadromous fi sh es in this system. Th e dam’s tailrace was constructed adjacent to the original river channel (bypass reach). Starting in 2005, Dominion North Carolina Power began releasing water into the bypass reach to enhance fi sh habitat. Adults, eggs, and larvae were sampled in the bypass reach, tailrace, and adjacent main channel of the river to evaluate use and spawning activity. Hickory shad and blueback herring were the only species observed to use and spawn in the bypass reach. Adults were collected in the tailrace and lower bypass reach and eggs in the lower bypass reach and main channel. American shad eggs were collected in the main river channel, but were not observed to spawn in the bypass reach. Few adults and no eggs of striped bass were col-lected during the study, likely because this species often spawns farther downstream. No anadromous fi sh eggs were collected in the upper bypass reach although some late-stage eggs collected at the lower bypass site possibly came from the interior of the bypass reach. Th e absence of anadromous fi sh at the upper bypass site may be because individuals were unable to move through the extremely shallow, high-gradient habitat within the bypass reach. In the future, fl ows will be increased during the spring to determine optimum levels for spawning of anadromous fi sh in the bypass reach.INVESTIGATOR Joseph E. Hightower

STUDENT Julie Harris (Ph.D.)


DURATION January 2005–June 2007


Assessing risk of electrofi shing

mortality and sublethal eff ects to

freshwater mussels

Th e decline of the freshwater mussel fauna in the United States has led to nationwide eff orts to identify research, management, and conservation measures for maintenance and recovery. In North Carolina, over 50 of the freshwater mussel species are threat-ened with extinction. Electrofi shing is routinely employed in lentic and lotic envi-ronments where freshwater mussels occur. Mussels are not targeted for cap ture with electrofi shing methods; nevertheless, they may be ex posed to electric fi elds dur ing sampling eff orts in shallow waters, particu-larly with backpack electrofi shing. Th e goal of this research is to evaluate the eff ects of electrofi shing on freshwater mus-sels at various life stages. Our approach is to use ubiquitous representatives of the family Unionidae, diff ering in sub family, habitat, distribution, morphology, and fi sh hosts as surrogates for other common and endangered mussels. Results can be used to increase biologist and administrator aware-ness of potential hazards to fresh water mus-sel populations associated with the use of electricity for fi sh management or mussel conservation eff orts, and to suggest how to reduce those risks if they exist.

INVESTIGATORS F. Michael HollimanThomas J. Kwak

W. Gregory CopeJay F. Levine




JOE HIGHTOWER

Study site for examining use of restored habitat.


Eff ects of intensive triploid grass carp

stocking on reservoir invasive plants

and fi sh distributions

Th e practice of stocking grass carp, Cteno-pharyngoden idella, in lentic and lotic water bodies in the United States has become an accepted management practice to biologi-cally control the density and distribution of submersed aquatic macrophytes. However, the effi cacy of such practice is not clear in large reservoirs for unpalatable plant spe-cies. Objectives of this ecological evaluation of intensive triploid grass carp stocking in an attempt to control the density and dis-tribution of parrotfeather, Myriophyllum aquaticum, in Lookout Shoals Lake, North Carolina, are twofold. Specifi c objectives are (a) to evaluate the eff ectiveness of inten-sive triploid grass carp stocking at reducing or eliminating the density and distribution of parrotfeather in the reservoir and (b) to describe the associated changes in native fi sh distribution in the reservoir. Study planning and fi eld data collection are conducted cooperatively with biologists of Duke Power Company and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Th e research approach will be to repeatedly sample plant and fi sh density and distri-bution over time before and after grass carp stocking. Th is research will provide the information required to assess intensive grass carp stocking as a viable management technique for this invasive aquatic macro-phyte in reservoirs.

INVESTIGATOR Thomas J. Kwak

STUDENT A. Brad Garner (M.S.)

LOCATION Lookout Shoals Lake, North Carolina

DURATION April 2005–December 2007

FUNDING N.C. Wildlife Resources CommissionDuke Power

Fishery population and habitat

assessment in Puerto Rico streams

Puerto Rico is widely known for its marine sport and commercial fi sheries, but the fresh water habitats of the island also sup-port a substantial number of fi shes. Many of these fi shes provide recreational, com-mercial, and subsistence fi shery values, yet they have received relatively little attention by fi sheries scientists. We are conducting re-search to evaluate stream and river fi sh and habitat sampling techniques and to develop standardized sampling protocols for Puerto Rico stream and river fi shery resources. We will also describe patterns in occur rence and abundance of stream and river sport fi sh populations as related to physical hab-itat, including instream physical habitat, water quality, riparian attributes, and river regulation. Such information is required to address ecological questions regarding changes over time to fi shery resources and watersheds and to relate changes to hu-man infl uences, such as water pollution and watershed land-use patterns. Quanti-fying and understand ing patterns and re-lationships between sport fi sh populations and their habitats will facilitate informed discussion and strategic planning to better manage stream and river sport fi sheries.


STAFF INVESTIGATORS Patrick B. CooneyMichael Fisk

STUDENT Christin H. Brown (M.S.)

LOCATION Puerto Rico

DURATION November 2004–August 2007

FUNDING Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

Population dynamics and ecology of

introduced fl athead catfi sh

Th e fl athead catfi sh, Pylodictis olivaris, has been introduced to Atlantic slope rivers throughout the eastern United States. Giv-en its rapid dispersal, growth rates, and carnivorous food habits, fi shery managers and anglers have been concerned with its impact upon native fi sh assemblages and fi sh eries. Th e goal of this research is to understand the population dynamics, pred ator–prey relations, and other aspects of fl athead catfi sh biology and ecology to develop empirical relationships to estimate changes in fi sh population dynamics and assemblage structure associated with intro-duced fl athead catfi sh occurrences. Phase 1 (1999–2003) results include varying fl at-head catfi sh population sizes among rivers, frequent and often distant migration rates, highly selective habitat use within each riv-er, and diets consisting of freshwater and marine fi shes and invertebrates. Phase 2 (2003–2007) research is underway in the Upper Cape Fear Basin to determ ine the eff ect of dams and interactions with imper-iled fi shes. Results of this research will iden-tify a practical management scale for this species and may be used to increase pub-lic aware ness and guide improved resource management strategies.

INVESTIGATORS Thomas J. KwakJoseph E. Hightower

Richard NobleJim Rice

STAFF INVESTIGATORS Michael FiskScott Waters

STUDENTS Bill Pine (Ph.D.) Ed Malindzak (M.S.)

Jessica Brewster (M.S.)

LOCATION Coastal Plain and Piedmont rivers, North Carolina



Left: Invasive parrotfeather growth in Lookout Shoals Lake.

Right: Research technician Michael Fisk with freshwater shrimp sampled from a Puerto Rico Stream.

TOM KWAKBRAD GARNER


Restoration of Cape Fear shiner

populations in North Carolina:

Assessment of habitat suitability

Th e successful restoration or augmentation of declining fi sh populations is largely de-pendent on the suitability of the habitat in which fi shes reside and especially on water quality and physical habitat structure. Th e Cape Fear shiner, Notropis mekistocholas,is an endangered species known from fi ve small populations in the Cape Fear drain-age in North Carolina. Water quality rela-tionships are unclear, and no quantitative data exist on the physical habitat of this species, which hinders management, pro-tection, and reintroduction eff orts. Multi-disciplinary research was completed to (a) determine if water quality is a limiting fac-tor to the fi sh; (b) estimate population den-sity and biomass of extant occurrences ; and (c) determine if physical habitat structure was a likely cause of extirpation at histor-ical locations and if it is a limiting factor to the species in extant habitats and potential reintroduction sites. Our results suggest that both water quality and physical hab-itat may be limiting the density and dis-tribution of the Cape Fear shiner and both factors should be considered in restoration eff orts.

INVESTIGATORS W. Gregory Cope Thomas J. Kwak

STUDENT Amanda Howard (M.S.)

LOCATION Deep, Haw, and Rocky rivers, North Carolina

DURATION May 2000–December 2005


Sicklefi n redhorse movement and

habitat ecology in regulated rivers

Th e sicklefi n redhorse is a recently recog-nized fi sh of the sucker family Catostom-idae. It is among the largest undescribed animal species in North America, and virtually noth ing is known of its biology and ecology. It is endemic to the Hiwassee and Little Tennessee river systems of North Carolina and Georgia and is suffi ciently rare that it is a candidate for endangered species protection. Spawning and reproduction are known to be a life-history bot tleneck for stream fi shes, and understanding this fi sh’s reproductive behavior and habitat require-ments will be a critical step toward ensur-ing its future survival. Th is project will determine movement pat-terns and habitat selection of the sicklefi n redhorse in the Hiwassee River system in the mountains of western North Carolina, with the ultimate outcome of protecting the physical and biotic environments to ensure the long-term survival and enhancement of the sicklefi n redhorse. Th is research will quantify and delineate important habitats for this species and will elucidate critical ecological processes required to sustain this population of a rare and imperiled fi sh. Th e results will be used by management and regulatory agencies to set guidelines and priorities for dam operation and licensing in the Tennessee River Basin.


STUDENT Scott Favrot (M.S.)

LOCATION Little Tennessee and Hiwassee river systems, North Carolina

DURATION July 2002–July 2007


World Wildlife Fund

Research technician Hannah Shively and master’s student Scott Favrot release sicklefi n redhorse from holding cage.

SCOTT FAVROT

Sicklefi n redhorse

Assessing the exposure and relative

sensitivity of native freshwater

mussels to environmental stressors

and laboratory conditions

Th is research will exam ine the exposure and relative sensitivity of native freshwater mussels to selected environ mental stressors and laboratory conditions. Specifi cally, this project will: (a) expand the toxicity database for diff erent classes of pesticides with diff er ing modes of action to native freshwater mussels; (b) evaluate potential diff erences in larval and juvenile mussel sensitivity to chem icals due to age and in-fl uence of laboratory holding; (c) exam ine the pathways of exposure for the three nati-ve freshwater mussel life stages (glochidia, juven iles, adults) to environ mental conta-minants by eval uating available peer-re-viewed liter ature; and (d) assess the lethal and sublethal eff ects of temperature stress on mussels. Th e successful completion of this project will provide the Environmental Protection Agency and other resource managers with information need ed to assess mussel sensi-tivity, exposure routes, and the robustness of mussel tox icity test methods, which will help to improve the conservation and ma-nagement of this valu able, but imperiled mussel fauna.

INVESTIGATOR W. Gregory Cope

STUDENT Tamara J. Pandolfo (M.S.)


DURATION May 2006–December 2008

FUNDING Environmental Protection Agency


Atmospheric ammonia chemistry and

dry deposition of ammonia at Pocosin

Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, North

Carolina

Ambient atmospheric ammonia con cen-trations have been monitored at several loca tions at the Pocosin Lakes National Wild life Refuge since June 2005. Th is work is designed to determine whether a large-scale egg-laying operation being built approximately one mile from the southern boundary of the refuge will result in signifi cant deposition of nitrogen to the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems within the refuge. Annular denuder technology is being used to provide background ambient atmospher-ic chemistry (NH3, HCl, HONO, HNO3,am monium-based aerosols of Cl-, NO3-and SO42-) approximately fi ve miles north of the egg-laying facility. Passive samplers for week ly integrated measures have been deployed along two transects, approximately 500 me ters and 2,500 meters from the egg-laying facility, and running parallel to the southern boundary of the refuge. Preliminary analysis of the annu -lar denuder data from June 2005 to August 2006 and integrated passive sampling from May 2006 to present indicate a low level of ambient atmospheric ammonia in the region (typically <0.5 μg NH3-N m-3) prior to startup of the egg-laying facility, which began mid- August 2006.

INVESTIGATOR Wayne Robarge

STUDENT Steven Horton (Undergraduate)

LOCATION Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina

DURATION April 2006–September 2009


The geographic relationship of

mortality events of carp species in

North America

Th is study will examine spatial and envi-ronmental factors and their relationship to patterns in mortality events aff ecting carp across the United States. Researchers will utilize data collected from an array of units investigating fi sh mortality events to gener-ate GIS-based databases that will enhance evaluation of patterns of mortality events. Th is will provide a tool for more proactive management of carp health issues in the United States.

INVESTIGATOR Michael Stoskopf

STUDENT Maria Serrano (M.S.)

LOCATION Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina



19R E SE ARCH | I N T EG R AT ED ECO LO GY

Development of population and habitat objectives for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Resources in the Roanoke-Tar-Neuse-Cape FearEcoregion of the South Atlantic Migratory Bird Initiative Project Area 20

Regionalization of Gap Analysis Data within the southeastern United States 20

SPANDAR to GIS software development 20

Development and demonstration of pre- and post-prescribed fi re fuel models on North Carolina coastal plain wildlife refuges and surrounding areas 21

Habitat change analysis using Landsat TM 21

An exploration of literature on data selection within natural resource agencies 22

Validity testing and evaluation of the GAP program with targeted user groups using accepted social science research and evaluation methods 22

I N T E G R A T E D E C O L O G YRESEARCH

Digital aerial photographs taken in mid-October capturing peak leaf change. GAP ANALYSIS PROJECT

20 R E SE ARCH | I N T EG R AT ED ECO LO GY

Development of population and

habitat objectives for U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service Trust Resources in

the Roanoke-Tar-Neuse-Cape Fear

Ecoregion of the South Atlantic

Migratory Bird Initiative Project Area

Th e objectives of this three-year pilot study are to (a) develop population object ives for species and abundance goals for Roanoke-Tar-Neuse-Cape Fear Ecoregion natural communities; (b) convert these population and abundance objectives into habitat ob-jectives; (c) map potential conservation areas where defi cits exist; and (d) step down population and abundance object ives to indi vidual refuges and partner lands. Th us, land managers will be able to see how their refuge contributes to object ives at broader scales and coordinate activ ities with other partner agencies and land managers to track progress toward meeting ecoregional popu-lation and habitat object ives. Further, the confi dence intervals that will be provided by the literature and expert opinion will provide more focus on where addition al re-search would be most benefi cial. Currently a short list of species to be modeled has been identifi ed through work with refuge and state agency biol o gists. Th at list will be used to guide literature review and data compilation, and the fi rst inductive model will be complete in Spring 2007.




DURATION March 2006–March 2009

FUNDING U.S. Geological Survey

Regionalization of Gap Analysis Data

within the southeastern United States

Seamless GAP datasets for a nine-state area of the southeastern United States are near completion. A two-tier land cover mapping eff ort involved mapping general land cover as a part of the National Land Cover Dataset 2001 followed by vegetation mapping based on NatureServe’s Eco-logical Systems. Th ese data are available through the U.S. Geological Survey’s seamless data server at http://seamless.usgs.gov. Predicted distribution models for 614 terrestrial vertebrate species are being run and should be reviewed and ready for dis-tribution in spring 2007. Th e federal and state ownership and management data for the same area have been drafted and when completed will be used to assess the con-servation status of the plant communities and terrestrial vertebrates in the region. In addition to the deductive habitat model-ing, intensive inductive habitat suitability modeling is being done for six bird species in the southern Appalachians. In spring 2007, habitat suitability models will be completed for Acadian Flycatcher, Empi-donax virescens; Golden-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera; Hooded Warbler, Wilsonia citrine; Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea; Worm-eating Warbler, Helmithe-ros vermivorus; and Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens.




DURATION June 2002–March 2007


SPANDAR to GIS software

development

Th e goal of this project was to create user-friendly software to translate radar data in-to a format that would be easily imported into a geographic information system (GIS). Specifi cally, we were tasked with de-veloping software to process data collected from NASA’s SPANDAR radar. Researchers created the “Universal Format Exporter,” which has features that will bene-fi t researchers with diverse interests and needs and is confi gured to handle fi les from both SPANDAR and NPOL radar arrays. It allows the user to select a variety of para-meters, including elevation tilt angle, refl ec-tivity, velocity, and distance range, as well as several others. Th e program creates both shapefi les and raster coverages that can be imported into any GIS. Th e shape fi les maintain the spatial confi guration of the radar “bins” (native spatial sampling) while the raster coverages produce a resampled, rasterized confi guration. Th e shapefi les al-so contain data that will allow researchers to identify each bin location by a unique “address” and relate data for individual bins from multiple scans. Th e Universal Format Exporter is available on CD, and we intend to make it available online in the near fu-ture. We would like to acknowledge the help and support of Steve Ansari (NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center), David Preignitz (Cooperative Institute for Meso-scale Meteorological Studies), and John Gerlach, Lester Atkins, and Nathan Gears (National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-tration).

INVESTIGATOR Ted Simons

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Sarah Mabey


DURATION June 2005–June 2006

FUNDING The Nature Conservancy

Roanoke-Tar-Neuse-Cape Fear Ecosystem boundary. National Wildlife Refuges are shown in red.GAP ANALYSIS PROJECT

21R E SE ARCH | I N T EG R AT ED ECO LO GY

Development and demonstration

of pre- and post-prescribed fi re fuel

models on North Carolina coastal plain

wildlife refuges and surrounding areas

Th is study has focused on fi re fuel models for Alligator River and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges, the U.S. Air Force Dare County Bomb ing Range, and the Croatan National For est. Th e U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv ice provided offi ce space in Manteo, North Carolina, for a project tech nician who has worked with personnel from the U.S. Forest Service National Forest Health Monitoring Program and the Department of Defense on tasks including: monitoring fuel moisture for fi re behavior prediction; delineating vegetation maps from aerial photography; reconciling poly gon bound-aries between the USFWS and Alion Scien-ce (a U.S. Forest Service and Department of Defense contractor); creat ing vegetation maps; col lecting, process ing, and analyzing fi eld data for the Joint Fire Science Project; serving as a crew member during research prescribed burns; and creating a Website to document and display aspects of this project. Our work will run for three years, concur rent with the Joint Fire Science Pro-ject being conducted in our study areas. In the third year we will continue to support ongoing research eff orts, with particular focus on spatial data bases and modeling.For more information, see the Joint Fire Sci ence Project online at:http://wildlandfi rescience.alionscience.com.

INVESTIGATOR Heather Cheshire

STUDENT Jeff Swain (M.S.)

LOCATION Dare County Bombing Range, North Carolina

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina

DURATION September 2004–August 2007


Habitat change analysis using Landsat

TM

Th e overall goal of this project was to uti-lize remote sensing data to enhance land cover information being used to develop a conservation reserve design for Scotland, Richmond, Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Harnett, Hoke, and Cumberland counties in the North Carolina Sandhills. We iden-tifi ed, and either reclassifi ed or further cha-racterized, approximately 70,000 hectares of “shrub/scrub” and “mixed forest” cate-gories in the 1995 South Carolina Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) land cover dataset. Areas that changed between 1995 and 2000 were identifi ed, and the 2000 land cover type was identifi ed. Th e overall accuracy of the change mask was 84, with a 95 producers accuracy for change areas. Losses or gains in select ed wildlife habi-tat types were determined using the revi-sed 1995 C-CAP land cover data and the 2000 land cover data. A matrix was used to doc ument areas of each change class by di-rection of change. Th e accuracy of change data and land cover information generated in the analyses was assessed. Th e overall ac-curacy of the 2000 land cover was 93.4. Documentation of habitat losses and gains are being used in development of manage-ment strategies and identifi cation of areas that have a high potential for red-cockaded woodpecker hab itat restoration.

INVESTIGATOR Heather Cheshire

STUDENT Dwight Otwell (M.S.)

LOCATION Sandhills, North Carolina

DURATION July 2002–December 2004


Shrub fi re at Croatan National Forest, North Carolina.HTTP://WILDLANDFIRESCIENCE.ALIONSCIENCE.COM

22 R E SE ARCH | I N T EG R AT ED ECO LO GY

Validity testing and evaluation of

the GAP program with targeted user

groups using accepted social science

research and evaluation methods

In 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey and Gap Analysis Program (GAP) sought to assess the real-life natural resource policy value of GAP within the state of North Carolina. A two-part process evaluation of NC-GAP was conducted. Part one in-volved a survey of potential North Carolina users of the Gap Ecosystem Data Explorer (GEDE) tool. Survey results exposed a need to disseminate GAP data via the Internet, improve GEDE resolution, and off er the tool in a more commonly used Geographic Information System (GIS) software (ARC 9.0). Part two in cluded interviews and work with a focus group consisting of sev-eral biologists and resource managers in an attempt to assess the natural resource pol-icy process. Results informed GAP staff that biologists serve as scientifi c advocates to their managers in the policy process, and that there exists a marked need for easily access ible and accurate GAP data. An ex-tension of this re search was granted for the pur poses of further analyzing results and laying the foundation for dissertation re-search pertaining to the real life applicabil-ity of GAP data and the reasons these data are chosen for use in the natural resource policy process.

INVESTIGATOR Elizabethann O’Sullivan

STUDENT Jay Gerlach (Ph.D.)


DURATION July 2004–October 2006


An exploration of literature on data

selection within natural resource

agencies

Th is research will include a thorough exam-ination of literature pertaining to factors that may infl uence data selection for use in the natural resource policy process. Th is work will build on previous research, en-titled, Validity testing and evaluation of the Gap Analysis Program (GAP) with target-ed user groups using accepted social science research methods, but will seek to expand the scope of that research to address a larg-er audience. Regular meetings with GAP staff are in the process of being scheduled, and an initial progress report to the nation-al GAP offi ce in Moscow, Idaho, will be made in January, 2007.

INVESTIGATOR Elizabethann O’Sullivan

STUDENT Jay Gerlach (Ph.D.)


DURATION September 2006–May 2007


Predicted distribution of Prothonotary Warbler in southeastern U.S. based on data analyzed by GAP Analysis project researchers.GAP ANALYSIS PROJECT

GEORGE W. BOWLES, SR.

23R E SE ARCH | WILD LIFE AND HAB I TAT S

W I L D L I F E A N D H A B I T A T S

Avian conservation in north-central forested habitats in Puerto Rico 25

Conservation of Least Terns in the U.S. Virgin Islands 25

Demography and conservation of the Bahama Parrot 25

Estimating detection probabilities for Puerto Rican Parrot and evaluating remote tracking stations to improve survey design, survival estimation, and habitat use assessments 26

Identifying priority areas for conservation in complex tropical regions: within-island patterns of species richness and endemism in Puerto Rico 26

Survival and dispersal patterns of captive and wild-reared Puerto Rican Parrots at the Caribbean National Forest, Puerto Rico 26

Testing model assumptions and development of a statistical framework for a regional Adaptive Management Program for migratory shorebirds 27

Applying remote sensing tools to regional conservation planning for migratory songbirds 27

Assessing the functional signifi cance of roadless areas in sustaining avian productivity in the southern Appalachians 27

Assessing the relationship between acid precipitation, calcium depletion, and avian productivity in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, pilot study 28

Assessing the relationship between acid precipitation, calcium depletion, and avian productivity in Great Smoky Mountains National Park 28

Baseline assessment of neotropical migrant landbird stopover habitat in the lower Chesapeake Bay region for conservation planning and protection 28

Bird and bat migration over Appalachian ridges in the Mid-Atlantic region: weather surveillance radar component 29

Conservation status of Black-capped Petrels 29

Development and extension of patch occupancy models for use in amphibianmonitoring 29

Estimating detection probabilities for community assessment and population monitoring 30

Evaluating American Oystercatchers as indicators of resource conditions at Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores, North Carolina 30

Evaluating American Oystercatchers as indicators of resource conditions in coastal North Carolina 30

Evaluating the consequences of predator removal for endangered species management at Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina 31

RESEARCH

24 R E SE ARCH | WILDLIFE AND HAB I TAT S

Incorporating estimates of detection probability into the Breeding Bird Surveyprotocol: assessment of current sampling methods 31

Measuring the eff ects of off -road vehicles on beach birds at Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina 31

N-POL bird-radar study on the eastern shore of Virginia 32

Eff ects of beaver activity on St. Francis satyr distributions 32

Optimizing long-term monitoring techniques for the St. Francis satyr 32

Planning level survey for at-risk herp species 33

Research for maintenance of St. Francis satyr butterfl y population on Fort Bragg, North Carolina 33

Status and ecology of the northern pine snake, southern hognose snake, tiger salamander, and Carolina gopher frog: Fort Bragg and Sandhills, North Carolina 34

The impacts of habitat fragmentation on the population genetics of a rare butterfl y, Atrytonopsis new species 1 34

Investigating the productivity, territory size, and food base of the Swainson’s Warbler in an irregularly fl ooded bottomland hardwood system 34

Estimation of components of detection probability in manatee aerial surveys 35

Models for the survival of mid-continent mallard ducks 35

Epidemiology of introgression in red wolves in northeastern North Carolina 35

Evaluation of the Red Wolf Adaptive Management Plan project 36

Nonlethal molecular diagnostics sampling of captive red wolves 36

W I L D L I F E A N D H A B I T A T S CONTINUED


Conservation of Least Terns in the U.S.

Virgin Islands

Th e objectives of the study were to deter-mine nest and chick survival and assess the status of the Least Tern population in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Fifty-six col-onies (4,640 nests) were monitored from 2003 to 2006. Variation in nest survival was mostly attributed to marked fl uctuations in nest success in years 2003 and 2004 owing to severe rainfall events, all exceeding 25 millimeters of rain. Chick survival was was 0.30. Based on nest and chick survival esti-mates, only 269 fl edglings were pro duced over a 4-year period, or 5.8 of the nests laid. Th e status of the species is being asses-sed under various demographic and conser-vation scenarios.

INVESTIGATORS Jaime A. CollazoTed Simons

STUDENT Claudia Lombard (M.S.)

LOCATION St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

DURATION December 2003–September 2006

FUNDING U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources

Avian conservation in north-central

forested habitats in Puerto Rico

Th e goal of this project was to assess avian and vegetation communities at landscape levels in the karst region of Puerto Rico to provide a basis for conservation planning in the region. Assessments of vegetation com-munities suggest that conservation plan-ning should insure that the south, west, and east-central areas are targeted because they harbor distinct mogote top plant com-munities and would adequately protect the range of tree species diversity in the karst region. Assessments of food, avian preda-tors, and other factors impinging upon the endangered Puerto Rican Parrot suggest that the Rio Abajo Forest Reserve, site for reintroduction of the second population of the species, is the most suitable in the re-gion. Plant growth experiments elucidated ways to accelerate the restoration of sectors within several forest reserves in the region. Landscape analyses of the avian communi-ty conducted under a extension of this pro-ject are nearly complete.


POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Juliann Aukema

STUDENTS Faith Inman (M.S.)Ana M. Trujillo (M.S.)

COLLABORATOR Thomas Wentworth

LOCATION Puerto Rico

DURATION October 2000–May 2005

FUNDING Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

Demography and conservation of the

Bahama Parrot

Th e goal of this study was to ascertain the status and assess the viability of the Bahama Parrot population on Abaco, Bahamas. Pre-breeding population numbers, collect ed in May from 2002 to 2004, ranged from 1,578 to 2,600. Breeding productivity rang ed from 0.8 to 1.23 fl edglings per nest attempt. First-year survival of juveniles was 0.76 (95 CI = 0.53 - 0.99). Simulations yielded a persistence probability of 0.997 over 100 years. Th e species is not under an imminent threat of extinction, but a program to eff ect-ively monitor mammal ian predators (e.g.,feral cats, raccoons) and their impact on parrot reproductive output should be im-plemented. Proposals to translocate parrots to portions of their historical range should be preceded not only by sound demograph-ic assessments, but also by genetic assess-ments to maximize the genetic diversity of the species and its multiple populations. A second population found on the Bahamian island of Inagua should be the preferred source of birds for translocation due to its tree-nesting habit, which off ers a mechan-ism to deal with the threat of mammalian predation.


LOCATION Great Abaco Island, Bahamas



A Least Tern chick is outfi tted with a radio transmitter for a study designed to estimate check survival.

JAIME COLLAZO

Goetzea elegans, a federally-listed endangered species endemic to Puerto Rico.

JULIANN AUKEMA


Estimating detection probabilities for

Puerto Rican Parrot and evaluating

remote tracking stations to improve

survey design, survival estimation, and

habitat use assessments

Population size is used to defi ne a recovered population and to measure progress toward that goal. For parrots, this parameter is estimated by conducting pre- and post-breeding counts in parrot “activity” areas, e.g., nesting areas, by multiple observers. A count coordinator keeps track of numbers and movements to avoid duplicative counts. Th e reliability of counts was evaluated in 2003 using a “capture-recapture” approach taking advantage of instrumented birds in the population. Detection probability was high (average = 0.96 in 4 counts). Counts within the sampling area were deemed accurate. Th e post-breeding population size was 28 (95 CI: 26-34). Scouting trips throughout the forest and surrounding lands are conducted prior to counts to determine if all birds are present in the sampled, or “activity” area. Th e idea is to minimize a potential spatial sampling bias. Remote tracking antennas were evaluated in 2005. Results suggested that when parrots are concentrated in a small geographic area (as in the Caribbean National Forest), there is no added benefi t in using such a system. Greater benefi ts would be accrued if implemented in a larger landscape, such as the proposed site for releases in the karst region of the island.

INVESTIGATORS Jaime A. Collazo James D. Nichols

COLLABORATOR Thomas H. White

LOCATION Caribbean National Forest, Puerto Rico

DURATION September 2003–June 2005


Identifying priority areas for

conservation in complex tropical

regions: within-island patterns of

species richness and endemism in

Puerto Rico

Th e northern karst of Puerto Rico is a unique formation that contains one of the island’s largest remaining forested tracts. We asked whether there were distinct tree assemblages that would necessitate tar geted conservation strategies to insure their pro-tection. We found distinct tree commun-ities on hilltops and valleys, with signifi -cantly more nonnative species in valleys and signifi cantly more endemic species on hilltops and hillsides. At a landscape level, we identifi ed at least four diff erent com-munities within each topographic position. Two hilltop communities were separated geographically (west and south) within the region, while two others co-occurred in the east central part of the region. Temperature, elevation, and precipitation were important variables in separating some communities. In contrast, the lack of geographic separa-tions of other communities suggested that variables such as soil conditions, land use, and biotic interactions such as dispersal lim-itation may also be important. Conserva-tion planning should insure that the south, west, and east-central areas are targeted because they harbor distinct mogote top plant communities and would adequately protect the range of tree species diversity in the karst region.


POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Juliann Aukema

LOCATION Puerto RicoN.C. State University

DURATION September 2003–August 2006


Survival and dispersal patterns of

captive and wild-reared Puerto Rican

Parrots at the Caribbean National

Forest, Puerto Rico

We report fi rst-year survival for 34 captive-reared Puerto Rican Parrots, Amazona vit-tata, released in the Caribbean National Forest, Puerto Rico, between 2000 and 2002. Th e overall fi rst-year survival estimate was 41 (CI = 22–61). Only one parrot (3) died within the fi rst week post-release, with most (94) surviving for at least eight weeks after release. Most (54) document-ed mortalities were due to raptor preda-tion, which claimed 21 of all released par-rots. In 2004, a pair of captive-reared birds, ages one and two when released (2002), at-tempted to breed, but were unsuccessful. A third released bird (male, age one), released in 2001, paired-up with a wild female and fl edged two young in 2004. Releasing mixed age-class parrot groups suggested potential for shortening the time to recruit-ment. Our fi ndings highlighted the value of standardized pre-release protocols and of quantifying vital parameters to gauge the success of release programs.


COLLABORATOR Thomas H. White

LOCATION Caribbean National Forest, Puerto Rico



Study site in the northern karst region of Puerto Rico.

JULIANN AUKEMA


Testing model assumptions and

development of a statistical

framework for a regional Adaptive

Management Program for migratory

shorebirds

A migration model for Semipalmated Sandpipers, a model species for migrant shorebirds utilizing inland wetlands in southeastern United States, identifi ed the need to assess how management practices infl uenced shorebird use (e.g., residency probabilities) and body condition in ma-naged wetlands. A mark-resight framework was used to assess the infl uence of slow and fast drawdowns on residency probabilities at the T. Yawkey Wildlife Center, South Carolina. Preliminary results suggest that prey biomass exerts a greater infl uence on the probability of remaining or moving to another “state” (i.e., slow or fast drawn impoundments) than water depth alone. Th ere is evidence for a tendency of birds moving to newly exposed habitat (i.e., fast drawdown), but it is short-lived. Recap ture probabilities were low (0.05–0.25), likely compounded by “availability” problems. To address both issues and improve our ability to ascertain the bird’s response to management prescriptions, telemetry will be used in 2007.


STUDENT Kelsey Obernuefemann (M.S.)

LOCATION South Carolina



Applying remote sensing tools to

regional conservation planning for

migratory songbirds

Th is project ended in 2004; however, analy-sis, interpretation, and presentation of data continue. After developing methods for translating radar data into GIS-compatible format, researchers processed data for six radar stations in the coastal plain and piedmont regions of Virginia and North Carolina for three spring and three fall mi-gratory seasons. Full analysis of this exten-sive dataset is in progress. Initial analysis of fall data for three North Carolina radars suggests several patterns of migratory land-bird exodus and stopover that merit further investigation. Uncommitted funds from this project have been used to pursue a col-laborative pilot project involving the appli-cation of wireless sensor networks to the problem of tracking bird movements.



LO C ATI O N N.C. State University

D U R AT I O N February 2001–October 2004

FU N D I N G The Nature Conservancy

Assessing the functional signifi cance

of roadless areas in sustaining

avian productivity in the southern

Appalachians

Th e objectives of this study were to (a) determine if abundance indices based on point counts accurately refl ect the nesting success of Ovenbirds and Black-throated Blue Warblers, (b) examine potential biases in point count surveys caused by variations in singing rates, and (c) provide the U.S. Forest Service with an assessment of eff ec-tiveness of current monitoring programs for forest birds and a comparison of breeding bird communities on managed and unman-aged forests in the southern Appalachians. Field work began in May 2003 and focus ed on the nesting success of Ovenbirds at 21 nests. In 2004 and 2005, we monitored 29 Ovenbird and 27 Black-throated Blue War-bler nests and compared variations in sing-ing rates for both species throughout the breeding season. We also compared abun-dance indices from spot mapping and point counts at six 6.25 hectare plots. Results are providing U.S. Forest Service managers with an understanding of the relationship between songbird breeding productivity and abundance estimates based on auditory detections.

INVESTIGATORS Ted SimonsJaime A. Collazo

STUDENT Jerome Brewster (M.S.)

LOCATION Pisgah National Forest,North Carolina


FUNDING U.S. Forest ServiceU.S. Geological Survey

Master’s student Kelsey Oberneufmann bands a mist-netted shorebird at Yawkey Wildlife Center.

A Black-throated Blue Warbler nest found in study area.JAIME COLLAZO JEROME BREWSTER


Assessing the relationship between

acid precipitation, calcium depletion,

and avian productivity in Great Smoky

Mountains National Park

Air pollution is one of the greatest long-term environmental threats to parks such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, and it has been identifi ed as a vital sign in the Appa-lachian Highlands Network. Because most pollution studies to date have focused on aquatic systems, we currently have a limited understanding of the consequences of at-mospheric pollution on terrestrial animals. Th is research will address a primary theme of the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program, Defi ning ecological thresholds for NPS vital signs. It will exam-ine the eff ects of atmospheric pollution on two groups of focal animals in high eleva-tion forests, terrestrial snails and songbirds, by looking for thresholds of calcium limita-tion and mercury bioaccumulation in high elevation forest environments. In addition, we will build on an acid deposition model for the park created in 2006 by Weathers and others of the Institute of Ecosystem Sci ences. Initial research conducted in the park in 2006 will be used to refi ne sam-pling protocols and to identify companion high elevation study sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway and on U.S. Forest Service lands across the southern Appalachians in 2007 and 2008.


STUDENT Becky Hylton (Ph.D.)

LOCATION Great Smoky Mountains National Park,

North Carolina and Tennessee


FUNDING U.S. Geological SurveyU.S. Forest Service

Baseline assessment of neotropical

migrant landbird stopover habitat in

the lower Chesapeake Bay region for

conservation planning and protection

Th is project is closely connected with a companion collaboration between NCSU researchers, Th e Nature Conservancy, the Center for Conservation Biology at the Col-lege of William and Mary, and Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, entitled, N-POL Bird-Radar Study on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Together, these two projects are designed to assess available stopover habitat in the lower Chesapeake Bay region. In this study, researchers conducted analy-ses of NEXRAD data from the Wake fi eld, Virginia, radar station (Station AKQ), col-lected during the 2003 and 2004 fall mi-gration. Data were screened for weather contamination and other irregularities, and the resulting analysis provides an overview of migratory songbird exodus within an area described by the sweep of the radar between 15 km and 105 kilometers from the AKQ station. NEXRAD refl ectivity has not been quantitatively calibrated for bird densities, so the data are presented on a relative percentile scale, which allows for identifi cation of those areas that support the greatest relative numbers of landbird migrants within the region. Researchers provided this analysis to col-laborators at the Center for Conservation Biology to develop a model of the charac-teristics of the habitats associated with mi-grant exodus. Th e fi nal integrative analysis will be completed in January 2007.




DURATION August 2003–March 2007


Assessing the relationship between

acid precipitation, calcium depletion,

and avian productivity in Great Smoky

Mountains National Park, pilot study

Th is work involved a pilot study to de-termine the feasibility of using the Black-capped Chickadee as a model for evaluat-ing the eff ects of acid precipitation on high elevation bird communities in the southern Appalachians. Black-capped Chickadee populations have been declining in the southern Appalachians over the past two decades, and they have disappeared as breeders from several high elevation sites where they once occurred. We estimated the size of Black-capped Chickadee popula-tions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the feasibility of using nest boxes as a research tool. Eighty-two nest boxes based on two designs were installed and monitored in the vicinity of Clingman’s Dome for two breeding seasons.


LOCATION Great Smoky Mountains National Park,

North Carolina and Tennessee

DURATION April 2004–December 2005

FUNDING James T. Tanner Fellowship

M I G R AT O RY L A N D B I R D E XO D U S S I T E S

FA L L 2 0 0 3 A N D 2 0 0 4

DATA F R O M N OA A N AT I O N A L W E AT H E R S E R V I C E N E X R A D

TAT I O N AT WA K E F I E L D, V I R G I N I A

Relative cumulative exodus of migrant landbirds in fall. Data represent cumulative radar refl ectivity for 30 nights in fall 2003 and 2004. Areas shown in red are interpreted as having the highest migrant exodus volumes.

SARAH MABEY


Development and extension of

patch occupancy models for use in

amphibian monitoring

Th is project involved further development and use of models designed to estimate site occupancy and local extinction and coloniz-ation probabilities. Th ere were four general objectives. Th e fi rst was to simultaneously help U.S. Geological Survey amphibian researchers and gain experience with the mod els and estimators via analysis of data sets from USGS amphibian monitoring pro grams. Th e second general objective included developing guidelines for design of occupancy surveys. Th e third objective involved investigating diff erent approaches of incorporating heterogeneity, e.g., fi nite mixture models, beta-binomial models and Poisson abundance models into site occu-pancy modeling. Th ese approaches were implemented and tested with both simu-lated and actual data. Th e fourth objective involved investigating various opportun-ities for using presence-absence data for multiple species to improve the precision of estimated detection probabilities and occu-pancy rates.


POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Larissa Bailey

LOCATION Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Maryland

DURATION July 2002–July 2005


Bird and bat migration over

Appalachian ridges in the Mid-Atlantic

region: weather surveillance radar

component

Th is project is a small component of a larger collaboration between scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify and describe broad scale patterns of migratory songbird movements through the southern Appalachian ridges during both spring and fall passage. Th e goal of this work is to assess the value of Doppler weather surveillance radar data for discriminating direction and volume of nocturnal migration traffi c across the Appalachian region. Researchers asses-sed and processed NEXRAD data from the Pittsburgh, Roanoke, Virginia, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Charleston, West Viriginia, radars for spring and fall 2005, and conduc-ted a training session with collaborators to train them in the use and interpretation of Doppler weather surveillance radar. Pre-liminary assessment of the data indicates that songbird migrant movements along the southern Appalachians is characterized by a high degree of variability in direction-ality. Researchers will meet with partners at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center this winter to fi nalize their analysis of this large radar dataset.




DURATION June 2005–December 2006


Conservation status of Black-capped

Petrels

Researchers visited the Dominican Repub-lic to survey a colony of Black-capped Pet-rel in the Sierra de Baoruco in November 2000 and confi rmed the persistence of a breeding population at this site. With fund ing from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service , a survey of the colony was conduct-ed in January 2002. A fi eld crew of 12 biol-ogists and technical climbers spent eight days at the Baoruco colony site surveying approximately 10 square kilometers of cliff -face habitat. A single active nest was found, but surveys of calling birds at night suggest a breeding population of tens to hundreds of birds. Surveys in Haiti were conducted in January 2004, 2005, and 2006 by staff from the North Carolina Museum of Nat-ural Sciences and the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences. Evidence suggests the abundance of birds has declined signifi -cantly in the past 15 years. Results of these surveys will provide U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service managers with an assessment of the species’ current status.

INVESTIGATORS Ted SimonsJaime A. Collazo

LOCATION Dominican Republic, Haiti

DURATION July 2001–June 2006


Juvenile Black-capped Petrel off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

B R I A N L . S U L L I VA N


Estimating detection probabilities

for community assessment and

population monitoring

Wildlife biologists traditionally rely on counts of animal abundance to inform management and conservation decisions. Uncertainty arises when counts vary due to factors unrelated to animal abundance. For example, trends in long term counts of songbird populations may refl ect long term population changes or they may refl ect changes in the observer’s ability to hear the birds he or she is counting. Th e goal of our research is to develop a better understand-ing of the factors aff ecting detection proba-bilities on count-based surveys and better statistical methods for adjusting counts to correct for biases caused by diff erences in detection probabilities. We are using a combination of analytical and experimen-tal approaches to under stand and account for biases in avian point counts. Analyti-cal approaches are devel oped from existing point count data. Exper imental work is based on a system we have developed using a laptop computer and a radio transmitter to control a set of player and speaker devices. Th e system allows us to simulate a known songbird population, vary a range of factors that aff ect detection probabilities, and eval-uate the observer performance. Our goal is to fi nd new applications of theory and sam-pling methodologies that result in practical improvements in bird census data quality.

INVESTIGATORS Ted Simons, Ken Pollock

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS Mat AlldredgeRay Webster

STUDENTS Mat Alldredge (Ph.D.)Ray Webster (Ph.D.)


DURATION August 2002–December 2007


N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Evaluating American Oystercatchers

as indicators of resource conditions

at Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout

National Seashores, North Carolina

We have been monitoring the reproductive success of American Oystercatchers in North Carolina since 1995. Monitoring started on South Core Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore in 1995, and on North Core Banks in 1998. Productivity monitoring began at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in 1999. Monitoring expanded in 2002 when the North Carolina Audubon Society initiated Oystercatcher monitoring on the dredge spoil islands it manages at the mouth of the Cape Fear River and on Lea and Hutaff islands in 2003. North Carolina’s breeding population is currently estimated at 300 pairs. If birds breeding in marsh habitats are included, populations may be as high as 500 pairs. Th e objectives of our research were to evaluate the status and viability of North Carolina’s Oystercatcher population and understand the relationship of this population to other populations along the East Coast of the United States. We focused on understanding the factors aff ecting reproductive success and identifi ed predation as the major cause of nest failure. We also conducted a demographic study of individually color-banded adults and chicks. Field work was completed in 2003, and the study is complete.


STUDENT Conor McGowan (M.S.)

LOCATION Coastal North Carolina

DURATION August 2000–December 2004


Evaluating American Oystercatchers

as indicators of resource conditions in

coastal North Carolina

Th e American Oystercatcher is becoming recognized as an important indicator of ecological conditions on Atlantic coast beaches. Although these birds are conspic-uous breeders from Maine to Florida, evidence of population decline is raising concern over their status. Areas such as Alligator River and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores, and lands within the North Carolina Coastal Reserve network managed by the State of North Carolina and the National Audubon Society support approximately 300 breeding pairs American Oystercatchers, making these areas some of the most important nesting habitat for the species along the East Coast. Both parks and refuges have identifi ed issues related to shorebird management as important priorities in their natural resource management plans. Th is study, begunin 2004, will determine the management actions necessary to protect remaining breeding populations and to incorporate American Oystercatchers as a component in long-term natural resource monitoring programs in coastal North Carolina. Study objectives include (a) determining basic demographic parameters for American Oystercatchers on the East Coast of North America, (b) documenting patterns of migration and dispers al, and (c) developing a population viability model for Atlantic Coast populations.


STUDENT Shiloh Schulte (Ph.D.)

LOCATION Coastal North CarolinaMassachusetts

DURATION July 2002–June 2007


Volunteers participating in a playback experiment. An adult American Oystercatcher, right, investigates a decoy used in a study of the factors aff ecting American Oystercatcher reproductive success.

TED SIMONSTED SIMONS


Measuring the eff ects of off -road

vehicles on beach birds at Cape

Lookout National Seashore, North

Carolina

Cape Lookout National Seashore has iden-tifi ed off -road vehicle (ORV) disturbance and shorebird management as important priorities in its natural resource manage-ment plan. Th e park allows ORV use on 42 miles of ocean beach, including areas fre-quently used by shorebirds, terns, and gulls. Th e highest use levels coincide with the fall shorebird migration, when the number of birds on the beach is the highest. ORV use in the park is increasing, creating the po-tential for adverse impacts on birds roosting on the ocean beach. Previous studies have examined the impact of ORVs on nesting birds and found that adverse impacts can be mitigated by closing key nesting sites during the breeding season. Th is study will examine the impact of ORVs on roosting birds not generally protected from human disturbance. Included in the species at risk are piping plovers, roseate terns, and gull-billed terns, all state- or federally-listed spe-cies. Field work began in September 2005, and a second of three seasons of fi eld work is currently under way.


STUDENT Nathan Tarr (M.S.)

LOCATION Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina


FUNDING National Park Service U.S. Geological Survey

Incorporating estimates of detection

probability into the Breeding Bird

Survey protocol: assessment of current

sampling methods

Th e goal of this research is to evaluate the relative costs and benefi ts of incorporating diff erent methods of estimating detection probability into the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) protocol. We propose to implement this assessment through close collaboration with BBS personnel: national coordinator Keith Pardieck, North Carolina coordi-nator, Mark Johns, and numerous North Caro lina volunteers who have participated in our detection probability experiments over the past three years. We propose to sample a minimum of 50 of the approxi-mately 80 North Carolina BBS routes over three consecutive breeding seasons. We will compare results derived from unadjusted unlimited-radius counts with those derived from counts adjusted for detection prob-ability using, multiple observer, time of detection, distance sampling, and repeated count methods. Our goal is to provide BBS program managers with practical recommendations about the relative costs (personnel, sampling eff ort, training) and benefi ts (bias reduction) of incorporating diff erent measures of detection probability into the BBS protocol.


LOCATION North Carolina



Evaluating the consequences of pre-

dator removal for endangered species

management at Cape Lookout

National Seashore, North Carolina

Raccoons are an important predator of threatened and endangered birds and sea turtle species at several NPS seashores, including Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina. Nest depredation by raccoons there is responsible for the loss of loggerhead and green sea turtle eggs and hatchlings and is a primary cause of nest failures of piping plovers, oystercatchers, terns, and black skimmers. Despite public outreach and education, raccoons also have been implicated in an increasing number of negative human-wildlife interactions. Th e seashore wishes to develop a predator management plan but fi rst needs to gather basic ecological information on the raccoon population and fully evaluate predator removal as a management option and the ecological consequences of such an eff ort. We propose to estimate population densities, determine home range confi guration, and track movement patterns of raccoons from sections along South Core Banks prior to and after removing raccoons, and evaluate resulting changes in the productivity of beach nesting birds and sea turtles. Field work will begin in the spring of 2007.


STUDENT Arielle Waldstein (M.S.)

LOCATION Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina

DURATION May 2006–June 2011


Loggerhead turtle hatchling at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina.


N-POL bird-radar study on the eastern

shore of Virginia

In the past year, we have completed our second season of data collection with the NPOL radar in Oyster, Virginia. During the 2005 fall migratory period, we collected data on over 50 nights yielding viable data for 30 migration events. Th ese data include two nights of continuous dusk to dawn scans. Th e data have been processed and transla-ted to a GIS-compatible format. Analysis of the data from both fall 2004 and 2005 has begun. Researchers and collab orators from the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary are currently working on the fi nal data analysis for this project that will integrate data from ground surveys of landbird migrants, detailed vege-tation and forest cover surveys, and NPOL radar data. Th e anticipated completion of this project will be January 2007.

Researchers have prepared preliminary analyses of 2004 NPOL radar data for Th e Nature Conservancy and U.S. Geological Survey partners. Patterns of migratory songbird exodus from a single season indicate that migrants are not evenly dis-tributed across the lower Delmarva Penin-sula. However, fi nal interpretation of these patterns will depend on our integrative analysis.






Optimizing long-term monitoring

techniques for the St. Francis satyr

St. Francis satyr is an endangered butter-fl y that lives only on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Th is project fi nalized a long-term monitoring plan for St. Francis satyr that we implemented to assess population sizes, trends, and viability. Th is plan provides consistent and rigorous methods that can be used to determine whether populations are meeting recovery criteria. Our approach reconciles tradeoff s in three needs: frequent sampling to accurately describe population size within a season, occasional mark-re-capture eff orts to estimate survivorship and detectability, and minimal impact on the butterfl ies and their habitat. In addition to developing the monitoring plan, we estima-ted population sizes for two years (four gen-erations). Th e St. Francis satyr population size of 1,400 adults in 2004 was the highest we have recorded. One goal of this project was to gain a better understanding of the role of dispersal in structuring the metapop-ulation. We observed only three individual butterfl ies moving between nearby popula-tions. We made more signifi cant progress in studies of butterfl y movement behaviors (of St. Francis satyrs and related butterfl y species). From these movement studies, we were able to show that landscape fea-tures such as streams and forest edges are important in directing dispersal for most species we observed. Additionally, habitat specialists (like the St. Francis satyr) are infl uenced by the abundance of larval food plants in areas through which they move.

INVESTIGATOR Nick Haddad

STAFF INVESTIGATORS Noa Davidai, Brian Hudgens

STUDENT Daniel Kuefl er (M.S.)

LOCATION Fort Bragg, North Carolina

DURATION April 2004–May 2006

FUNDING U.S. Army, XVIII Airborne Corps & Fort Bragg

Eff ects of beaver activity on St. Francis

satyr distributions

St. Francis satyr, Neonympha mitchellii francisci, is one of the most endangered butterfl ies in the United States. Its popu-lations are restricted to a small number of wetland habitats at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. A critical determinant of habitat quality and distribution for the butterfl y is beaver activ ity within their habitat. After impounding and later abandoning streams , wetland meadows form that support the butterfl y’s food plants (sedges) and thus the butterfl y. Successful maintenance and recovery of St. Francis satyr must incorpor-ate appropriate management of beavers. Th e objectives of this research were to (a) identify how beavers aff ect the vegetative community, with a specifi c focus on impor-tant butterfl y food plants; (b) improve tech-niques for captive rearing butterfl ies, with a focus on propa gating various species of po-tential host plants; and (c) create a plan for wetland protection and restoration, which will aid in under standing physical factors that create suitable butterfl y sites and may provide a site for St. Francis satyr reintro-duction in the future.


STUDENT Rebecca Bartel (Ph.D.)




Beaver lodge in study area on Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

BECKY BARTEL


Planning level survey for at-risk herp

species

Two at-risk snakes (northern pine snakes and southern hognose snakes) and two at-risk amphibians (tiger salamanders and gopher frogs) occur on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Th e goal of this study is to col lect distribution data and examine habitat use for these species on Fort Bragg. For the snakes, habitats determined to be important to life history needs and obtained from ongoing telemetry will be applied to the western 20 of the base. Our analysis of northern pine snakes is based on 20 pine snakes at Fort Bragg. Although no southern hognose snakes have been tracked, concurrent radio-tracking of several individuals on nearby N.C. Wildlife Resources Gameland tracts will permit our assessment of habitat on Fort Bragg. Final ly, we implanted and released 9 yearling captive-raised pine snakes in fall 2005; to date, 6 of these have been lost to predation and other causes. For the amphibians, approximately 20 of Fort Bragg will be surveyed for potential breeding ponds and the pres ence or absence of the species will be assessed. In addition, three known breeding sites will be enclosed by drift fences so that populations can be monitored and population dynamics explored. Th e results of these studies should provide good information about habitat use and choice by amphibians on Fort Bragg and the viability of extant populations. Data gathered on all four at-risk species could be used to identify conservation and restoration sites.


STAFF INVESTIGATORS Daniel Kuefl erNicole Thurgate

Dave Woodward

STUDENT Will Fields (Ph.D.)


DURATION April 2006–March 2007


Research for maintenance of St.

Francis satyr butterfl y population on

Fort Bragg, North Carolina

St. Francis satyr is one of the rarest butterfl ies in North America and is known to occur only on Fort Bragg. Outside of artil-lery impact areas, adult population sizes in the past four years have fl uctuated between 600 and 1,400 individuals. Recovery of St. Francis satyr populations depends on stable or growing populations over 10–15 years and restoration of populations on and off the base. Our proposed research has two main objectives (a) monitoring St. Francis satyr population sizes on Fort Bragg to determine population trends and viability; and (b) guiding future management and restoration by understanding the factors that maintain butterfl y habitats. Monitoring programs for St. Francis satyr populations have occurred for fi ve years, encompassing nine butterfl y generations. We will continue to estimate population sizes and demographic rates in 2006. To understand aspects aff ecting butterfl y habitat, we will focus eff orts on understanding relationships between beaver activities and St. Francis satyr habitats and distributions. Vegetation data collected in the fi eld combined with satellite-derived spatial data will allow us to quantify how beavers aff ect available habitat. Th ese techniques will allow us to observe both population and habitat changes over time in order to guide management and focus restoration eff orts. To facilitate future restoration eff orts at new sites, we have used a related surrogate butterfl y species to work out a caterpillar rearing protocol that should be applicable to St. Francis satyr.


STAFF INVESTIGATORS Noa DavidaiDaniel Kuefl er

Nicole Thurgate

STUDENTS Rebecca Bartel (Ph.D.) Judith Canner (Ph.D.)




Noa Davidai releases a radio-telemetered northern pinesnake in a longleaf pine ecosystem.

NICK HADDAD

3 4 R E SE ARCH | WILDLIFE AND HAB I TAT S

The impacts of habitat fragmentation

on the population genetics of a rare

butterfl y, Atrytonopsis new species 1

Barrier islands are one of North Carolina’s most beautiful and unique ecosystems, but also one of the most heavily developed areas of our state. Th e development of Bogue Banks, North Carolina, is a classic example of how growth for recreational, residential, and commercial purposes leads to frag-mentation of barrier island habitats. We are studying a butterfl y endemic to sand dune habitats in Bogue Banks (Atrytonopsis new species 1, which we are informally calling the crystal skipper), to investigate how or-ganisms are aff ected by habitat fragmenta-tion. Our eff orts include monitoring the status of known populations of the crystal skipper, surveying new areas for the pres-ence of the butterfl y, and understanding how development impacts the butterfl y. We are particularly interested in exploring how the distance between populations and the type and intensity of development between populations aff ects the movement of the butterfl y, which aff ects its viability. To stu-dy this issue, we are collecting individuals from several populations and using popula-tion genetic techniques to infer movement rates. Populations that are more connected will have a higher degree of similarity. Based on pilot data from 2005 and the spring of 2006, we initiated our collecting eff orts in summer 2006, and are currently processing these samples. Additionally, we have found the crystal skipper in several new popu-lations, some of which are small areas of sand dune habitat embedded in residential development. Our research will contribute to the eff ective management of the crystal skipper as well as a general understanding of how species conservation and human de-velopment can coexist.


STUDENT Allison Leidner (Ph.D.)

LOCATION Bogue Banks, North Carolina

DURATION May 2006 – December 2008


Investigating the productivity,

territory size, and food base of the

Swainson’s Warbler in an irregularly

fl ooded bottomland hardwood system

During late fall 2005 and winter 2006, re-searchers reviewed Swainson’s Warbler data collected in 2004 Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. Two main study areas and fi ve mistnet subsites were identifi ed for the 2006 pilot season. In late winter 2006, N.C. State University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and N.C. Museum of Science personnel met and planned a course of action for the 2006 fi eld season. A fi eld technician was hired in March and trained in mid-April. Nest searching, mistnetting, and banding began in May and continued through July. Work activities were rotated between general mistnetting, using tape playback to target net specifi c males, nest searching, following birds with radio transmitters, and monitor-ing active nests. Forty-three Swainson’s Warblers were color-banded and released and 19 nests were found. Twenty-four Ken-tucky Warblers caught were also banded. Th e 2006 fi eld season provided a trial-run for the study and results will be used to refi ne data collection methods and logistics for the 2007 fi eld season. Th e results of this study should provide valuable data on how the breeding biology of a ground feeding bird species is aff ected by asynchronous, aseasonal fl ooding.

INVESTIGATORS Richard LanciaTed Simons

STUDENT Neil Chartier (Ph.D.)

LOCATION Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina



Status and ecology of the northern

pine snake, southern hognose snake,

tiger salamander, and Carolina gopher

frog: Fort Bragg and Sandhills, North

Carolina

We have documented the daily habitat use, movements, and behaviors of 20 radio-implanted northern pine snakes from 2004 to 2006. We have not located any southern hognose snakes. Telemetric monitoring has been continuous between spring emergence from and late fall return to hibernacula and includes summer home range movements. Analyses of snake locations will permit home range estimation from daily, weekly, and seasonal movements; habitat analysis from habitat selection, prey selection, and environmental conditions when snakes are active; compilation of natural history information; and determination of sources of mortality. We have also assessed habitat use and management impacts, including military training and prescribed burning, on northern pine snakes. We initiated surveys and monitoring for rare amphibians, including the tiger sala-mander and Carolina gopher frog. We identifi ed and surveyed 20 potential breed-ing sites, of which 4 were occupied by breeding populations of tiger salamanders. We established a population of individual-ly marked adult tiger salamanders using photographic techniques. We estimated the breeding population of tiger salamanders in ponds we surveyed during winter 2005–2006 to be 160 adults. Our study of rare snakes and amphibians will aid not only in understanding how and where Fort Bragg’s populations exist, but will help in development of management strategies to protect and enhance the habitats necessary for these species to remain a viable part of the longleaf pine ecosystem of this multi-use, military training base.

INVESTIGATORS Nick HaddadDave Woodward

STAFF INVESTIGATORS Noa Davidai Brian Hudgens

STUDENT Will Fields (Ph.D.)


DURATION July 2002–December 2006


U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service


Estimation of components of

detection probability in manatee

aerial surveys

For the U.S. Geological Survey, we esti-mated components of detection probabili-ty for the Florida manatee to evaluate the probability that manatees are detected by observers during aerial surveys. Th e overall purpose of this study was to better under-stand how detection of manatees at a winter aggregation site aff ects aerial survey counts, and thus to help us develop improved tech-niques for estimating manatee population size.

INVESTIGATOR Kenneth H. Pollock




Epidemiology of introgression in red

wolves in northeastern North Carolina

Th is project examined the suitability of using epidemiologic principles to model introgression of the coyote genome into the highly endangered red wolf, which was reintroduced in northeastern North Caro-lina beginning in 1987. Demographic data-bases were devel oped to make possible near real-time assess ment of events, including red wolf pro duction and discovery of hy-bridization events. Improvements in early detection of hybrid pups were also imple-mented and a model of introgression, as if it were an infectious disease, was generated, parameterized by the data collected in the fi eld and then used to make predictions of impacts of various management emphases. Intervention through the use of sterilized coyotes and coyote-wolf hybrids to prevent the spread of the “disease” to “susceptible” individuals in a manner similar to the use of vaccines to control the spread of infec-tious disease has been implemented and examined as a potential tool for manage-ment of introgression. Th is study has al-lowed us to better understand how intro-gression moves within a population and the suitability of approaches used to control the problem.


STUDENT Karen Beck (Ph.D.)


DURATION April 2003–March 2006


Models for the survival of mid-

continent Mallard ducks

Th e intent of this research was to develop improved models for the survival probabili-ty of Mallard ducks (as a test species for de-velopments for other waterfowl). Improved models could then be incorporated into the population models, developed by Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, used in the adaptive harvest management of waterfowl. Th is process was adopted by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1995 for setting hunting regulations, and remains in place. In the process of developing these mod-els, other estimation and modeling issues arose, which were related to our primary focus on mallard survival models. Th ese included consideration of when it is fair to conclude that detection probability is equal over space or time, how to deal with tag loss in waterfowl, how uncertainty in survival and other parts of a population model af-fect the rate of learning within an adaptive management context, and developing the ability to combine multisite mark-recap-ture data with multisite band-recovery data to more effi ciently estimate survival and movement probabilities. From this work we have also produced a report on analyses and modeling eff ort for survival of mid-conti-nent mallards, 1960-87.

INVESTIGATOR Ken Pollock


DURATION August 2000–July 2005


Allison Leidner marking a Crystal Skipper butterfl y in coastal dunes.

NIC

K H

AD

DA

D


Nonlethal molecular diagnostics

sampling of captive red wolves

Molecular assays targeting a single region of both canine distemper virus and can-ine parvovirus have been developed. Each assay has been tested on several vaccines to assess detection limits and assay speci-fi cities. Both viruses have been detected in wolf feces inoculated with low concentra-tions of vaccine virus. Prolonged storage studies have demonstrated that each virus can be detected in vaccine-inoculated feces at least six months after storage. Induction of natural fecal viral shedding has been attempted in adult red wolves and naïve coyote pups to estimate the virus detection window. No reliable viral shedding was de-tected in adults, presumably due to eff ects of circulating antibodies, but fecal shed vac-cine virus was detected in stools of coyote pups. Positive controls from suspected fi eld infections of canine parvovirus, feline pan-leukopenia, and canine distemper virus are being collected and tested with the assays. Paired fecal and blood samples have been collected annually from several free-ranging carnivore species in eastern North Carolina for testing. Th is noninvasive method of evaluating pathogen presence in ecosytems will provide an additional tool for habitat health risk assessment and disease manage-ment in wild carnivores.


STUDENT Anne Acton (Ph.D.)




Evaluation of the Red Wolf Adaptive

Management Plan project

Th is project involves two meetings per year of the Red Wolf Adaptive Management Ad-visory Team to assess and make suggestions about the adaptive management plan for the restoration of the red wolf. Members of the team are Karen Beck, Todd Fuller, Eric Gese, Frederick Knowlton, Dennis Mur-ray, Michael Stoskopf, Will Waddell, and Lisette Waits. Invited guests attend each meeting to add insight or particular exper-tise. Th ese have included graduate students of team members, fi eld team biologists, and outside experts. In each meeting, the team spends two full days evaluating data available on wolf gene-tics, demographics, health and other areas of import and makes recommendations to the fi eld team. Detailed minutes of the meeting are taken and carefully edited by the entire advisory team and then distributed to the Red Wolf Project Leader as confi dential ad-vice to be implemented and distributed at his or her discretion. Th e meetings for these projects are held in March and October of each year, previously March and August, to better fi t the management needs of the red wolf program. Progress to date includes increased pup production, improved proto-cols for telemetry eff ort, and identifi cation of key knowledge needed to further improvethe management of the wolves.


STUDENTS Karen Beck (Ph.D.) Anne Acton (Ph.D.)


DURATION March 2004–September 2008


A red wolf fi tted with radio transmitter collar on Alligator

River National Wildlife Refuge.SEAN RUSSELL

37PUB LI C AT I O NS AND PR E SEN TAT I O NS

P U B L I C A T I O N S A N D P R E S E N T A T I O N S

JOUR NAL ARTICLES

Adams, P.B., C. Grimes, J.E. Hightower, S.T. Lindley, M.L. Moser, and M.J. Parsley. In press. Population status of North American green sturgeon, Acipenser medirostris.Environmental Biology of Fishes.

Alldredge, M.W., T.R. Simons, and K.H. Pollock. In press. Factors aff ecting aural detections of songbirds. Ecological Applications.

Alldredge, M.W., K.H. Pollock, and T.R. Simons. In press. Estimating detection probabilities from multiple-observer point counts. The Auk.

Alldredge, M.W., K.H. Pollock, T.R. Simons, J.A. Collazo, and S.A. Shriner. In press. Time of detection method for estimating abundance from point count surveys. The Auk.

Alldredge, M.W., K.H. Pollock, T.R. Simons, and S.A. Shriner. In press. Multiple species analysis of point count data: a more parsimonious modeling framework. Journal of Applied Ecology.

Barwick, R.D., T.J. Kwak, R.L. Noble, and D.H. Barwick. 2004. Fish populations associated with habitat-modifi ed piers and natural woody debris in Piedmont Carolina reservoirs. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24: 1120–1133.

Borkhataria, R.R, J.A. Collazo and M.J. Groom. 2006. Additive eff ects of vertebrate predators on insects in a Puerto Rican coff ee plantation. Ecological Applications 16:696–703.

Bringolf, R.B., T.J. Kwak, W.G. Cope, and M.S. Larimore. 2005. Salinity tolerance of fl athead catfi sh: implications for dispersal of introduced populations. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134: 927–936.

Brown J.J., J. Perillo, T.J. Kwak, and R.J. Horwitz. 2005. Implications of Pylodictis olivaris (fl athead catfi sh) introduction into the Delaware and Susquehanna drainages. Northeastern Naturalist 12: 473–484.

Burdick, S.M. and J.E. Hightower. 2006. Distribution of spawning activity by anadromous fi shes in an Atlantic slope drainage, after the removal of a low-head dam . Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135:1290–1300.

Cope, W.G., M.R. Bartsch, and J.E. Hightower. 2006. Population dynamics of zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) during the initial invasion of the upper Mississippi River, USA. Journal of Molluscan Studies 72:179–188.

Erickson, D. L. and J. E. Hightower. In press. Oceanic distribution and behavior of green sturgeon. Pages in J. Munro, D. Hatin, K. McKown, J. Hightower, K. J. Sulak, A. W. Kahnle, and F. Caron, editors. Symposium on anadromous sturgeons. American Fisheries Society Symposium, Bethesda, Maryland.

Farnsworth, G.L., J.D. Nichols, J.R. Sauer, S.T. Fancy, K.H. Pollock, S.A. Shriner, and T.R. Simons. 2005. Statistical approaches to the analysis of point count data: a little extra information can go a long way. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report. PSW-GTR-191: 736–743.

Farnsworth, G.L. and T.R. Simons. 2005. Relationship between Mayfi eld nest-survival estimates and seasonal fecundity: A cautionary reply. The Auk 122: 1000–1001.

A N D P R E S E N T A T I O N SPUBLICATIONS

Top: Black-throated Blue Warbler. Bottom: Summer Burdick, masters student, holds a shad caught on the Neuse River, North Carolina, as part of a study of anadromous fi sh.

JOE HIGHTOWER

38 PUB LI C AT I O NS AND PR E SEN TAT I O NS

Gleff e, J.D., J.A. Collazo, M.J. Groom, and L. Miranda-Castro. 2006. Avian reproduction and the value of shaded coff ee plantations. Ornitología Neotropical 17:271–282.

Gustafson, L.L., M.K. Stoskopf, A.E. Bogan, W. Showers, T.J. Kwak, S. Hanlon, and J.F. Levine. 2005. Evaluation of a nonlethal technique for hemolymph collection in Elliptio complanata, a freshwater bivalve (Mollusca: Unionidae). Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 65: 159–165.

Gustafson, L.L., M.K. Stoskopf, W. Showers, G. Cope, C. Eads, R. Linnehan, T.J. Kwak, B. Andersen, and J.F. Levine. 2005. Reference ranges for hemolymph chemistries from Elliptio complanata of North Carolina. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 65: 167–176.

Gustafson, L.L., W. Showers, T.J. Kwak, J.F. Levine, and M.K. Stoskopf. In press. Temporal and spatial variability in stable isotope compositions of a freshwater mussel: implications for biomonitoring and ecological studies. Oecologia.

Heltsley, R.M., W.G. Cope, D. Shea, R.B. Bringolf, T.J. Kwak, and E.G. Malindzak. 2005. Assessing organic contaminants in fi sh: comparison of a non-lethal tissue sampling technique to mobile and stationary passive sampling devices. Environmental Science and Technology 39: 7601–7608.

Herring, G. and J.A. Collazo. 2005. Habitat use, movements and home range of wintering Lesser Scaup in Florida. Waterbirds 28:71–78.

Herring, G. and J.A. Collazo. 2005. Winter survival of Lesser Scaup in east-central Florida. Journal of Wildlife Management 68:1082–1087.

Hewitt, A.H., W.G. Cope, T.J. Kwak, T. Augspurger, P.R. Lazaro, and D. Shea. 2006. Infl uence of water quality and associated contaminants on survival and growth of the endangered Cape Fear shiner (Notropis mekistocholas). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 25: 2288–2298.

Hightower, J.E. and C. Nesnow. In press. Distribution and abundance of American eels in the White Oak River Estuary, North Carolina. Southeastern Naturalist.

Hyde, E.J. and T.R. Simons. 2005. Monitoring salamander populations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Chapter 44 In: Amphibian declines: the conservation and status of United States species (M.J. Lannoo ed.). University of Iowa Press.

Jiang, H., K.H. Pollock, C. Brownie, J.E. Hightower, J.M. Hoenig, and W.S. Hearn. In press. Age dependent tag return models for estimating fi shing mortality, natural mortality and selectivity. Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics.

Jiang, H., K.H. Pollock, C. Brownie, J.M. Hoenig, R.J. Latour, B.K. Wells, and J.E. Hightower. In press. Tag return models allowing for harvest and catch-and-release: evidence of environmental and management impacts on striped bass fi shing and natural mortality rates. North American Journal of Fisheries Management.

Kuefl er, D. and N.M. Haddad. 2006. Local versus landscape determinants of butterfl y movement behaviors. Ecography 29:549–560.

Stoskopf, M.K. 2006. Current perspectives on curriculum needs in zoological medicine. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education 33: 331–337.

Kwak, T.J., W.E. Pine, III, and D.S. Waters. 2006. Age, growth, and mortality of introduced fl athead catfi sh in Atlantic rivers and a review of other populations. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 26: 73–87.

McGowan, C.P. and T.R. Simons. 2005. A method for trapping breeding adult American Oystercatchers. Journal of Field Ornithology 76: 46–49.

McGowan, C.P. and T.R. Simons. 2006. Eff ects of human disturbance on the incubation behavior of American Oystercatchers. Wilson Bulletin 118: 485–493.

Lesser Scaup.RICK LECHE


McGowan, C.P., S.A. Schulte, and T.R. Simons. 2005. Resightings of marked American Oystercatchers banded as chicks. Wilson Bulletin 117: 382–385.

McGowan, C.P., T.R. Simons, W. Golder, and J. Cordes. 2005 A comparison of American Oystercatcher reproductive success on barrier beach and river island habitats in coastal North Carolina. Waterbirds 28: 150–155.

Moore, F.R., M.S. Woodrey, J.J. Buler, S. Woltmann, and T.R. Simons. 2005. Understanding the stopover of migratory birds: a scale dependent approach. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report. PSW-GTR-191: 684–689.

Pine, W.E, III, T.J. Kwak, and J.A. Rice. In press. Modeling management scenarios and the eff ects of an introduced apex predator on a coastal riverine fi sh community. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.

Pine, W.E, III, T.J. Kwak, D.S. Waters, and J.A. Rice. 2005. Diet selectivity of introduced fl athead catfi sh in coastal rivers. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134: 901–909.

Pollock, K.H., H. Jiang, and J.E. Hightower. 2004. Combining telemetry and fi sheries tagging models to estimate fi shing and natural mortality rates. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133:639–648.

Radwell A.J. and T.J. Kwak. 2005. Assessing ecological integrity of Ozark rivers to determine suitability for protective status. Environmental Management 35: 799–810.

Ricks, B.R., J.E. Hightower, and A.M. Wicker. 2004. Preliminary assessment of an Alaska steeppass fi shway on a North Carolina blackwater creek. Proceedings of the annual conference, Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 58:92–99.

Rivera-Milan, F.F., J.A. Collazo, C. Stahala, W.J. Moore, A. Davis, G. Herring, R. Pagliaro, J.L. Thompson, and W. Bracey. 2005. Estimation of density and population size and recommendations for monitoring trends of Bahama Parrots on Great Abaco and Great Inagua. The Wildlife Society Bulletin 33:823–834.

Rudershausen, P.J., J.E. Tuomikoski, J.A. Buckel, and J.E. Hightower. 2005. Prey selectivity and diet of striped bass in western Albemarle Sound, North Carolina. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134:1059–1074.

Saracco, J.F., J.A. Collazo, M.J. Groom, and T.A. Carlo. 2005. Crop size and fruit neighborhood eff ects on bird visitation to fruiting Scheffl era morototoni trees in Puerto Rico. Biotropica 37:81–87.

Simons, T.R., F.R. Moore, and S.A. Gauthreaux. 2004. Mist netting trans-Gulf migrants at coastal stopover sites: the infl uence of spatial and temporal variability on capture data. In: The use of mist nets to monitor bird populations, (C.J. Ralph and E.H. Dunn eds.). Studies in Avian Biology 29: 135–143.

Simons, T.R., M.W. Alldredge, and K.H. Pollock. In press. Experimental analysis of the auditory detection process on avian point counts. The Auk.

Simons, T.R., S.A. Shriner, and G.L. Farnsworth. 2006. Comparison of breeding bird and vegetation communities in primary and secondary forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Biological Conservation 129: 302–311.

Stoskopf, M.K. 2005. Observation and cogitation: how serendipity provides the building blocks of scientifi c discovery. ILAR Journal / National Research Council, Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources. 46: 332–337.

Stoskopf, M.K., K. Beck, B. Fazio, T. Fuller, E. Gese, B. Kelly, F. Knowlton, D. Murray, W. Waddell, and L. Waits. 2005. Integrating science and management: implementing the recovery of the red wolf. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 33:1145–1152.

Color-banded American Oystercatchers at Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina.

TED SIMONS

4 0 PUB LI C AT I O NS AND PR E SEN TAT I O NS

Thompson, J.S., D.S. Waters, J.A. Rice, and J.E. Hightower. In press. Seasonal fi shing and natural mortality of striped bass in a southeastern reservoir. North American Journal of Fisheries Management.

Tuomikoski, J.E., P.J. Rudershausen, J.A. Buckel, and J.E. Hightower. In press. Eff ects of age-1 striped bass predation on juvenile fi shes in western Albemarle Sound. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.

Waters, D.S., R.L. Noble, and J.E. Hightower. 2005. Fishing and natural mortality of adult largemouth bass in a tropical reservoir. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134:563–571.

White, T.H., Jr., J.A. Collazo, and F.J. Vilella. 2005. Survival of captive-reared Puerto Rican Parrots released in the Caribbean National Forest. Condor 107:424–432.

White, T.H., Jr., J.A. Collazo, F.J. Vilella, and S.A. Guerrero. 2005. Eff ects of Hurricane Georges on habitat use by captive-reared Hispaniolan Parrots (Amazona ventralis)released in the Dominican Republic. Ornitología Neotropical 16:405–417.

BOOK CHAP TERS

Collazo, J.A., M.J. Groom, S.M. Haig, T.H. White, and B.D. Muizniecks. 2005. In the eye of the hurricane: eff orts to save the Puerto Rican Parrot. Essay 15.5, Pp. 586–589 of Chapter 15: Restoration of damaged ecosystems and endangered populations, in M. J. Groom, G. K. Meff e, and C. R. Carroll (editors). Principles of conservation biology, 3rd edition, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts.

Hayes, D.B., J.R. Bence, T.J. Kwak, and B.E. Thompson. In press. Abundance, biomass, and production estimation. Chapter 8 in M.L. Brown and C.S. Guy, editors. Analysis and interpretation of freshwater fi sheries data. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. 48 book pages.

Kwak, T.J. and F.J. Margraf. 2006. Fisheries employment in Cooperative Research Units: where agency meets academia. Pages 109–121 in D.A. Hewitt, W.E. Pine, III, and A.V. Zale, editors. The American Fisheries Society guide to fi sheries employment, second edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

Kwak, T.J. and J.T. Peterson. In press. Community indices, parameters, and comparisons. Chapter 15 in M.L. Brown and C.S. Guy, editors. Analysis and interpretation of freshwater fi sheries data. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. 87 book pages.

Pollock, K.H., H.H. Marsh, L.L. Bailey, G.L. Farnsworth, T.R. Simons, and M.W. Alldredge. 2004. Separating components of detection probability in population abundance estimation: An overview with diverse examples. Chapter 3, pp. 43–58, In: Sampling rare or elusive species: Concepts, designs, and techniques for estimating population parameters. W. Thompson (ed.). Island Press.

THESES AND DISSERTATIONS

Beck, K. 2006. Epidemiology of coyote introgression into the red wolf genome. Ph.D. Dissertation, Comparative Biomedical Sciences and Population Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Burdick, S.M. 2005. Distribution of spawning activity by migratory fi shes in the Neuse River, North Carolina, after removal of a low-head dam. M.S. Thesis, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Gleff e, J.D. 2005. Avian conservation in north-central Puerto Rico: assessing the conservation value of shaded coff ee plantations and the infl uence of nest location and habitat on nest predation rates. M.S. Thesis, Zoology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Red spotted newt in the Pisgah National Forest.

JEROME BREWSTER


Kuefl er, D. 2005. Local versus landscape determinants of butterfl y movement behaviors. M.S. Thesis, Zoology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Lee, L.M. 2005. Population dynamics of atlantic croaker occurring along the U.S. East Coast, 1981–2002. M.S. Thesis, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Malindzak, E.G. 2006. Behavior and habitat use of introduced fl athead catfi sh in a North Carolina Piedmont river. M.S. Thesis, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Mitchell, W.A. 2006. Estimating run size of anadromous fi shes in the Roanoke River, North Carolina, using hydroacoustics. M.S. Thesis, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Read, A.N. 2004. Characterizing American shad spawning habitat in the Upper Roanoke River basin, Virginia. M.S. Thesis, Zoology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Stolen, E. 2006. Habitat selection and foraging success of wading birds in impounded wetlands in Florida. Ph.D. Dissertation, Wildlife, Ecology, and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville.

Trujillo Pinto, A. 2005. An evaluation of the karst region of northern Puerto Rico for the reintroduction of the Puerto Rican Parrot, Amazona vittata. M.S. Thesis, Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez.

Tuomikoski, J.E. 2004. Eff ects of age-1 striped bass predation on juvenile fi shes in western Albemarle Sound. M.S. Thesis, Zoology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

TECHNIC AL REPORTS

Drew, C.A., A.J. McKerrow, and S.D. Earsom. 2006. Stepping-down regional habitat and population objectives to individual National Wildlife Refuges: A pilot project in the Roanoke-Tar-Neuse-Cape Fear Ecosystem. Gap Analysis Bulletin 14. U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, National Gap Analysis Program

Fitzgerald, J., E.J. Laurent and R. Bogart. 2006. Strategies to mitigate 21st century threats: Predicting the impacts of urbanization and climate change to landscapes and bird populations. The All-Bird Bulletin, July 2006.

Hightower, J.E. and C. Nesnow. 2004. Distribution and abundance of American eels in the lower White Oak River, North Carolina. Final Report to U. S. Forest Service. North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, NCSU, Raleigh.

Laurent, E.J., S.G. Williams, and J. Collazo. 2006. Tools to characterize landscapes for species viability: An overview. The All-Bird Bulletin, July 2006.

McKerrow, A.J. and M. Pyne. 2005. Ecological systems as Gap map units in the southeastern U.S. Gap Analysis Bulletin Number 13. U. S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, National Gap Analysis Program.

McKerrow, A.J., A.E. Ernst, and A.L. Silvano. 2006. Developing the land stewardship database for the Southeastern United States. Gap Analysis Bulletin 14. U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, National Gap Analysis Program.

McKerrow, A.J., S.G. Williams, and J.A. Collazo. 2006. The North Carolina Gap Analysis Project Final Report. North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Submitted to: The National Gap Analysis Program. U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division.

Stoskopf, M.K. (Editor) 2005. Wild Carnivore Medicine 2005. Course CD. North Carolina State University Environmental Medicine Consortium.

Top: Warren Mitchell with a large striped bass captured on the Roanoke River. Bottom: Jessica Abbott catching a Georgia satyr in a wetland meadow.

NICK HADDAD

JOE HIGHTOWER

42 PUB LI C AT I O NS AND PR E SEN TAT I O NS

Thompson, J.S., J.A. Rice, D. S. Waters, J.C. Taylor, J.E. Hightower, L.A. Davias, and P. S. Rand. 2005. Energetics of reservoir striped bass populations: phase 1 fi nal report. Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Project F-68-04. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Williams, S.G., A.J. McKerrow. 2005. Refi ning SE-GAP models for use in regional bird conservation planning: a pilot project. Gap Analysis Bulletin No. 13. U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, National Gap Analysis Program.

PR ESENTIONS AND SEMINARS

Alldredge, M.W. and T.R. Simons. 2005. Estimating detection distance to birds detected by song. American Ornithologists’ Union Annual Meeting, Santa Barbara, California, August.

Alldredge, M.W. and T.R. Simons. 2005. Factors aff ecting detection probabilities of point count surveys. American Ornithologists’ Union Annual Meeting, Santa Barbara, California, August.

Aukema, J.E., J.A. Collazo, M. Kappelle, and T.A. Carlo. 2006. Landscape assessment of tree communities in the moist karst region of Puerto Rico: Using existing data sets in ecoregional planning. Society for Conservation Biology. Poster presentation.

Bacheler, N., J. Buckel, J. E. Hightower, and K. H. Pollock. 2005. Testing the combined telemetry and tag-return method to estimate components of mortality of an estuarine fi sh species. American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, Alaska, September 11–15.

Bacheler, N.M., J.A. Buckel, J.E. Hightower, and K.H. Pollock. 2006. Testing the combined telemetry and tag-return method to estimate components of mortality in an estuarine fi sh species. Presentation to 8–12th grade teachers at the Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence Leadership Institute, Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina.

Bacheler, N.M., J.A. Buckel, J.E. Hightower, and K.H. Pollock. 2006. Testing the combined telemetry and tag-return method to estimate components of mortality of an estuarine fi sh species. NC Sea Grant 30th anniversary, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina, June 20. Poster presentation.

Bacheler, N.M., J.A. Buckel, J.E. Hightower, and K.H. Pollock. 2006. Testing the combined telemetry and tag-return method to estimate components of mortality of an estuarine fi sh species. NC Sea Grant/Division of Marine Fisheries Public Fisheries Forum, New Bern, North Carolina, March 14. Poster presentation.

Bacheler, N.M., J.A. Buckel, J.E. Hightower, and K.H. Pollock. 2005. Estimating fi shing and natural mortality rates of juvenile red drum using the combined telemetry and tag-return method. Red drum Symposium, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston, South Carolina, March 22.

Bacheler, N.M., S.M. Burdick, J.E. Hightower, J.A. Buckel, L.M. Paramore, and K.H. Pollock. 2006. Estimating vital rates for North Carolina red drum from tagging experiments. Cape Lookout Flyfi sher’s Association, September 20.

Belyea, C.M., M. Pyne, and A. McKerrow. 2005. Developing training data for mapping ecological systems using digital aerial photography. National Gap Analysis Meeting, Reno, Nevada, December 5–8.

Brown J.J., J. Perillo, T.J. Kwak, and R.J. Horwitz. 2005. Implications of the fl athead catfi sh introduction into the Delaware and Susquehanna drainages. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 11–15, Anchorage, Alaska. Poster presentation.


Burdick, S., J. E. Hightower, J. A. Buckel, K. Pollock, and L. Paramore. 2006. Selectivity and survival of North Carolina red drum using 20 years of mark and recapture data. Tidewater Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, January 26–28.

Collazo, J.A. 2005. Ecology of migratory shorebirds in southeastern United States. Seminar, Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Collazo, J.A. 2006. Ecology of Semipalmated Sandpipers in southeastern United States and Caribbean. Seminar, Department of Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, University of Florida.

Cope, W.G., R.M. Heltsley, D. Shea, R.B. Bringolf, T.J. Kwak, and E.G. Malindzak. 2006. Development of novel, non-lethal sampling techniques to assess organic contaminants in fi sh. Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Greensboro, North Carolina, January 31–February 1.

Earnhardt, T.S. and A. J. McKerrow. 2005. Infl uence of reference data sampling on decision tree land cover mapping. American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Annual Meeting. Baltimore, Maryland, March 7–11.

Gleff e, J.D. and J.A. Collazo. 2005. Breeding productivity in shaded coff ee: could plantations have served as refugia? Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Brazil.

Heise, R.J., T.J. Kwak, W.G. Cope, and W.C. Starnes. 2006. Dam removal effi cacy: an ongoing study of the freshwater mussels and fi shes on the Deep River at Carbonton Dam. Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Greensboro, North Carolina, January 31–February 1.

Hightower, J. E. 2004. Restoration of diadromous fi sh habitat on the Neuse River, NC. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Roanoke-Tar-Neuse-Cape Fear Ecosystem Team Meeting, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, Nov 17–18.

Hightower, J. E. 2004. The eff ect of dam removal on fi sh resouces. Succeeding with a dam removal project. University of Wisconsin, Madison, College of Engineering, Department of Engineering Professional Development. Raleigh, North Carolina, November 30–December 2.

Hightower, J. E. 2005. Telemetry methods for estimating mortality rates in fi sh. American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, Alaska, September 11–15.

Hightower, J. E. and J. R. Bence. 2005. Strategies for estimating natural mortality of fi shes. Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Natural Mortality Workshop, Baltimore, Maryland, March 31–April 1.

St. Francis satyrs.

BECKY BARTEL


Hightower, J. E., and S. M. Burdick. 2005. Spawning habitat of anadromous fi shes in the Roanoke and Neuse rivers. Workshop on Southeastern Diadromous Fish Habitat and Production. Duke Power, Lancaster, South Carolina, April 22.

Holliman, F.M., D. Davis, T.J. Kwak, W.G. Cope, and J.F. Levine. 2005. Magnetic resonance imaging of live freshwater mussels: implications for biomonitoring. Invited speaker to a symposium on “From the laboratory to the fi eld: practical applications of physiological and performance indicators in fi sh” at the 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Anchorage, Alaska, September 11–15.

Holliman, F.M., D. Davis, T.J. Kwak, W.G. Cope, and J.F. Levine. 2005. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of freshwater mussels. 4th Biennial Symposium of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society. St. Paul, Minnesota, May 15–18. Poster presentation.

Holliman, F.M., T.J. Kwak, W.G. Cope, and J.F. Levine. 2005. Eff ects of electrofi shing on survival and behavior of native freshwater mussels. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Anchorage, Alaska, September 11–15. Poster presentation.

Holliman, F.M., T.J. Kwak, W.G. Cope, and J.F. Levine. 2005. Eff ects of electrofi shing on survival and behavior of native freshwater mussels. Joint Meeting of the North Carolina Chapters of the American Fisheries Society and the Wildlife Society. Greensboro, North Carolina, February 8–9.

Hostetler, J., J.A. Collazo, and K.H, Pollock. 2005. A dynamic model of Semipalmated Sandpiper migration: implications for conservation. Ecological Society of America, Canada.

Kuefl er, D. 2005. Local versus landscape determinants of butterfl y movement behaviors. Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Montreal, Canada. August.

Kwak, T. J. and J. E. Hightower. 2005. Fish Surgical Techniques Workshop. Technical training for agency and utility company biologists to surgically implant radio or ultrasonic transmitters into fi sh. Raleigh, North Carolina, April 18.

Kwak, T.J. 2006. Cooperative research on riverine fi sh resources. NC State University Fisheries and Wildlife Program Joint Seminar with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Raleigh, North Carolina, October 11.

Kwak, T.J. 2006. Invasive versus endangered fi sh species: can they coexist? Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, Virginia, February 7.

Kwak, T.J., E.G. Malindzak, and J.R. Brewster. 2006. Introduced fl athead catfi sh, dam removal, and endangered species. Invited speaker to a symposium on “Catfi sh ecology and management” at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. San Antonio, Texas, February 8–12.

Kwak, T.J., E.G. Malindzak, and J.R. Brewster. 2006. Introduced fl athead catfi sh, dam removal, and the endangered Cape Fear shiner. Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Greensboro, North Carolina, January 31–February 1.

Kwak, T.J., R.B. Bringolf, W.G. Cope, and M.S. Larimore. 2005. Salinity tolerance of fl athead catfi sh: implications for dispersal of introduced populations. Joint Meeting of the North Carolina Chapters of the American Fisheries Society and the Wildlife Society. Greensboro, North Carolina, February 8–9.

Laurent, E. J., S. G. Williams, A. J. McKerrow, D. Demerest, S. Melvin, and C. Hunter. 2005. Enhancing GAP vertebrate models to address the diverse needs of the avian conservation community. USFWS Region 4 Migratory Bird Annual Conference. Loxahatchee, Florida, October 3–5.

A mountain mullet collected from Rio Rosario in western Puerto Rico, one of seven native freshwater fi shes of the island.

PATRICK COONEY


Laurent, E. J., S. G. Williams, and A. J. McKerrow. 2006. Developing a scientifi cally rigorous framework for predicting and evaluating the performance of conservation activities. Ecological Society of America. 91st Annual Meeting. Memphis, Tennessee, August 7– 11.

Laurent, E.J. 2006. Creating synergy from literature reviews of species-habitat relationships. Southeast Partners in Flight Meeting. Oral Presentation. Tallahassee, Florida, March 1–4.

Laurent, E.J. 2006. Methods for generating patch and landscape metrics. Oral Presentation. Partners in Flight Conservation Design Workshop. St. Louis, Missouri, April 11–13.

Laurent, E.J., D. Demarest and S. Williams. 2005. Enhancing GAP vertebrate models to address the diverse needs of the avian conservation community. Poster Presentation. 1st NASA Biodiversity and Ecological Forecasting Team meeting. Washington, D.C., August 28–30.

Laurent, E.J., S. Melvin, D. Demarest, S. Williams and A. McKerrow. 2005. Evaluating the infl uences of model parameters on GAP prediction areas and accuracies. Oral Presentation. 2005 National Gap Analysis Program Conference and Interagency Symposium. Reno, Nevada, December 5–8.

Lyons, J.E. and J.A. Collazo. 2005. Plasma metabolites and refueling performance at four stopovers along the migratory route of Semipalmated Sandpipers. Annual Meeting of the Ornithological Society of America, California.

Lyons, J.E. and J.A. Collazo. 2006. Stopover duration of migratory shorebirds in relation to energetic condition, wind assistance, and time: A capture-recapture analysis. IV North American Ornithological Conference, Veracruz, Mexico.

Malindzak, E.G. and T.J. Kwak. 2005. Movement and habitat use of introduced riverine fl athead catfi sh: implications for imperiled fi shes and dam removal. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 11–15, Anchorage, Alaska.

McGowan, C. and T.R. Simons. 2006. Eff ects of human recreation of the incubation behavior of American Oystercatchers. Western Hemisphere Shorebird Science Meeting, Boulder, Colorado.

McKerrow, A. J. 2005. Gap Analysis Program Land Cover Mapping and Applications. Department of Interior Land Cover Mapping Summit. Washington, D.C., January 26–28.

Melvin, S., E.J. Laurent, D. Demarest, S. Williams and A. McKerrow. 2005. Refi ning Gap models to meet conservation needs: A collaborative partnership. Oral Presentation. 2005 National Gap Analysis Program Conference and Interagency Symposium. Reno, Nevada, December 5–8.

Miewald, T, J. Aycrigg, R. Crawford, C. Chappell and A. McKerrow. 2005. Mapping ecological systems in western Washington for the USGS Gap Analysis Program. 2005. Pecora 16. Global Priorities in Land Remote Sensing. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, October 23–27.

Mitchell, W. A. and J. E. Hightower. 2005. Estimating run size of anadromous fi shes in a southeastern coastal river using hydroacoustics. American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, Alaska, September 11–15.

Mitchell, W. A. and J. E. Hightower. 2005. Estimating run size of anadromous fi shes in a southeastern coastal river using hydroacoustics. North Carolina Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Brown Summit, North Carolina, February 8–9.

Ricks, B. R., J. E. Hightower, and A. M. Wicker. 2004. Preliminary assessment of an Alaska steeppass fi shway on a North Carolina blackwater creek. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. October 31–November 3.

Piping Plover at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.


END

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Simons, T.R. 2005. Dissecting detection probabilities on avian point count censuses. National Breeding Bird Survey State Coordinator’s Meeting, Washington, D.C., April.

Simons, T.R. 2006. Breeding bird inventories in Great Smoky Mountains National Park – links to research and monitoring. Association of Southeastern Biologists 67th annual meeting, Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Simons, T.R. Experimental analysis of detection probabilities on avian point count surveys. 2005. American Ornithologists’ Union Annual Meeting, Santa Barbara, California, August.

Simons, T.R. The importance of estimating detection probabilities in animal sampling. 2005. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, April.

Stolen, E.D. and J.A. Collazo. 2006. The effects of other foragers on the foraging success of piscivorous wading birds. Conference on Carnivore Biology and Conservation, Defenders of Wildlife, Florida.

Terando, A. J. and A. J. McKerrow. 2006. Modeling peak fire season in the presettlement range of longleaf pine. Ecological Society of America. Ecological Society of America. 91st Annual Meeting. Memphis, Tennessee, August 7–11.

Whitney, B., A. McKerrow, and T. Wentworth. 2005. Mapping the Cedar Glades of the Tennessee Central Basin. Poster Presentation. Association of Southeastern Biologists. Florence, Alabama, April 13–16.

Williams, S. G. 2006. Gap Analysis in the Southeast (with a look to the Northeast). Northeast Habitat Mapping Conference. Patuxent, Maryland, June 23.

Williams, S. G. 2006. Utility of national spatial data for conservation design projects. Partners In Flight Conservation Design Workshop. St. Louis, Missouri, April 11–13.

Williams, S. G., A. J. McKerrow, E. A. Kramer, A. L. Silvano. 2005. Finding answers together: GAP and USFWS build avian distribution models. Society for Conservation GIS Annual Conference. Monterey, California, July 29–August 3.

Williams, S. G., A. J. McKerrow, E. A. Kramer, A. L. Silvano. 2005. Southeast Gap Analysis Project: Tools for conservation. Northwest Natural Heritage Annual Conference. Blaine, Washington, April 11–14.

Williams, S. G., A. J. McKerrow, E. A. Kramer, A. L. Silvano. 2005. Gap Analysis in the Southeast: New data products and partnerships. Southeast Partners in Flight Annual Conference. McAllen, Texas, February 16–18.

Williams, S.G. and E.J. Laurent. 2006. Status and application of Gap data in the Southeast. Oral presentation. Steering committee meeting of the Appalachian Mountains Bird Conservation Region. Charleston, West Virginia, February 7.

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