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NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT Report of Activities

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NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT

Report of Activities –

U.S.FISH & WILDLIFE

SERVICE

department of the interior

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

COOPERATORS

NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT

Report of Activities 2009–2010

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

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

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Cover photos, front inset: Green treefrog, by H. Jared Flowers, Banded American Oystercatcher, ©Sidney Maddock; Leaf, by H. Jared Flowers; Male bluehead chub during spawning season, by Tom Kwak. Back, inset: Spring peeper and marbled salamander, by H. Jared Flowers; King Rail nest, by David Topolewski; Freshwater mussel (P. ohiensis), by Tom Kwak. Background: Annie Mitchell Burge.

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Photo: A sign marks the state line on the Chowan/Nottaway River, part of the upper Albemarle Sound system, where Unit researchers conducted side-scanning sonar for Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon during April 2010.

H. Jared Flowers

CONTENTSMISSION STATEMENT IV

INTRODUCTION 1

COOPERATORS and personnel 2

GRADUATE education 5

HONORS and awards 9

RESEARCH 13

FISHERIES and aquatic 13

WILDLIFE and habitats 26

INTEGRATED ecology 41

PUBLICATIONS and presentations 46

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Photo: View of Cape Lookout lighthouse seen by Unit researchers while conducting band survey of overwintering American Oystercatchers to determine natal origin and demography of this population. Th e area around Cape Lookout is home to large breeding and wintering populations of this species. Photo by Jessica Stocking.

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Mission Statement

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 Service, the National Park Service, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina 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.

Th e North Carolina Unit will focus on the identifi cation, assessment, interpretation, and alleviation of the eff ects of current or potential environmental changes or perturbations on fi sh, wildlife, and natural resources. Th rough 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. Th is 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.

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2009–2010 REPORT OF AC TIVITIES

I N T RODUC T ION

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 period, we have conducted and facilitated 71 research projects, of which 45 were conducted

directly by Unit scientists, and 26 were undertaken by cooperating faculty at North Carolina State University. We place great value on the collaborative relationships that we have developed 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 utilizes 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. Our fi eld sites are concentrated in North Carolina, but span from coast to coast in the United States and extend into the Caribbean. Th is report includes summaries 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 eff ects of land management, conservation planning, and climate change; quantitative population and community dynamics; and innovative sampling technology and statistical inference and modeling of research results. Much of this research includes graduate student participation; 31 graduate students were advised and mentored by Unit scientists during this period, and 13 have completed their degrees and are pursuing higher degrees or are actively employed in their respective fi elds.

Th e past two years have brought ongoing change in the administration and staff of our cooperators, which has been rich with opportunity to build new collaborative relationships and strengthen those existing. Two new US Department of the Interior centers staff ed by federal scientists have been established at the University, the South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative and the Southeast Climate Science Center. Th e latter was the result of a successful competitive proposal submitted by a consortium led by Damian Shea, Biology Department Head. We look forward to working with our new federal colleagues to build upon the current strengths of our Unit to succeed in our respective and shared missions.

Th is 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. Th e 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.

Th e 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.

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

Photo: Members of the American Oystercatcher Working Group, which meets annually to discuss coordinated eff orts in monitoring and research of American Oystercatchers.

Postdoctoral Research Associates

Jennifer K. Costanza Joseph A. Daraio C. Ashton DrewMatthew J. KracheyConor P. McGowanJason D. RiddleSophie C. VeranAndrew M. Wilson

Research Staff

Louise B. Alexander Curtis M. Belyea Patrick B. CooneyTodd S. Earnhardt Matthew J. RubinoNathan M. TarrAdam J. Terando Steve G. Williams

UNIT PERSONNEL

Scientists

Th omas J. Kwak, Unit Leader, Fisheries, Professor, Departments of Biology and Forestry and Environmental Resources

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

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

Th eodore R. Simons, Assistant Unit Leader, Ecology, Professor, Departments of Biology and Forestry and Environmental Resources

Support Staff

Wendy J. Moore, Program Assistant Shevon M. Barnes, Offi ce AssistantKyle T. Rachels, Research Technician

COOPERATING AGENCIES

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

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

Johnny C. Wynne, Dean W. David Smith, Associate Dean and Director

NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION

1751 Varsity DriveNCSU Centennial CampusRaleigh, North Carolina 27606

Gordon S. Myers, Executive DirectorMallory G. Martin, Assistant DirectorRobert L. Curry, Chief, Division of Inland FisheriesDavid T. Cobb, Chief, Division of Wildlife Management

UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Southeast Region1875 Century Boulevard Northeast, Suite 400Atlanta, Georgia 30345

Cynthia K. Dohner, Regional DirectorRobert P. Ford, Regional Science Advisor

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

12201 Sunrise Valley DriveReston, Virginia 20192

Byron K. Williams, Chief, Cooperative Research UnitsKevin G. Whalen, Deputy Chief, Cooperative Research

UnitsW. James Fleming, Supervisor

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

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

Steven A. Williams, President Richard E. McCabe, Vice President

COOPER ATOR S and personnelTed Simons

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Bob Graham, Julie Harris, and a technician tag an America Shad with a sonic transmitter to examine upstream and downstream migration on the Roanoke River.

COLLABORATORS

David Allen, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Tom Augspurger, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Jerad Bales, US Geological Survey, Water Resources Division

Hugh Barwick, Duke Energy Company

Doug Besler, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Gary Breckon, University of Puerto Rico

Sue Cameron, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Mark Cantrell, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Jose Chabert, Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources

Jeff Cordes, National Park Service

Sam Droege, US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Marshall Ellis, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation

Steve Fraley, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Kay Franzreb, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Clemson University

Mary Freeman, US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATING FACULTY

W. Gregory Cope, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology

Christopher S. DePerno, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

Nicholas M. Haddad, Department of Biology

Richard A. Lancia, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

Jay F. Levine, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology

Christopher E. Moorman, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

M. Nils Peterson, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

Kenneth H. Pollock, Departments of Biology and Statistics

Roger A. Powell, Department of Biology

Wayne P. Robarge, Department of Soil Science

Toddi A. Steelman, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

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

Laura O. Taylor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Joe Hightower

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Walker Golder, National Audubon Society

William Gould, International Institute of Tropical Forestry

Bob Graham, Dominion North Carolina Power

J. Barry Grand, Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Martha Groom, University of Washington

Christopher Guglielmo, University of Montana

Susan M. Haig, US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Ryan Heise, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Kevin Hining, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Bob Jenkins, Roanoke College

Mark Johns, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Byron Karns, National Park Service, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Chris Kelly, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Pete Kornegay, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

R. Wilson Laney, US Fish and Wildlife Service

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

Allen Lewis, University of Puerto Rico

Craig Lilyestrom, Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

Jim Lyons, US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Marcia Lyons, National Park Service

Ken Manuel, Duke Energy Company

Jeff Marcus, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Mallory Martin, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Alexa McKerrow, US Geological Survey, Biological Informatics Program

Frank Moore, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg

Teresa Newton, US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Jim Nichols, US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Rob Nichols, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Allan O’Connell, US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Scott Pearson, Mars Hill College

Franklin Percival, Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

James Peterson, Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Kerry Rabenold, Purdue University

Morgan Raley, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Michael Rikard, National Park Service

Andy Royle, US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

John Sauer, US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

David Smith, US Geological Survey, Leetown Science Center

Wayne Starnes, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Brian Strong, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation

Bryn Tracy, North Carolina Division of Water Quality

Scott Van Horn, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Jeff rey Walters, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Christian Waters, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Mike Wicker, US Fish and Wildlife Service

David Yow, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

H. Jared Flowers

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CURRENT 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 ADVISORS

Jennifer M. Archambault, MS, Zoology Th omas J. Kwak, W. Gregory Cope

Tracy E. Borneman, MS, Zoology Th eodore R. Simons

Elissa N. Buttermore, MS, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Th omas J. Kwak, W. Gregory Cope

Timothy A. Ellis, PhD, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Joseph E. Hightower, Jeff rey A. Buckel

H. Jared Flowers, PhD, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Joseph E. Hightower

Sarah E. Friedl, MS, Zoology Joseph E. Hightower, Jeff rey A. Buckel

Jacob B. Hughes, MS, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Joseph E. Hightower

Julissa I. Irizarry, MS, Zoology Jaime A. Collazo

Rebecca Ann Keller, PhD, Zoology Th eodore R. Simons

Mary E. Kornegay, MS, Zoology Jaime A. Collazo

Elizabeth Martin, PhD, Wildlife, Ecology, and Management, U. Florida Jaime A. Collazo, H. Franklin Percival

Tamara J. Pandolfo, PhD, Zoology Th omas J. Kwak, W. Gregory Cope

Joshua K. Raabe, PhD, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Joseph E. Hightower

Samantha L. Rogers, MS, Zoology Jaime A. Collazo

Shiloh A. Schulte, PhD, Zoology Th eodore R. Simons

Amy Schwarcer, MS, Wildlife, Ecology, and Conservation, U. Florida Jaime A. Collazo, H. Franklin Percival

William E. Smith, PhD, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Th omas J. Kwak

Jessica J. Stocking, MS, Zoology Th eodore R. Simons

Photo: A Ruby-crowned Kinglet forages for insects in a camellia bush near project fi eldhouse on the bank of the Roanoke River.

H. Jared Flowers

GR A DUAT E education

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RECENT GRADUATES AND CURRENT PURSUITS

STUDENT, DEGREE, CURRICULUM GRADUATION DATE, ADVISORS

Scott D. Favrot, MS, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences May 2009 Fisheries Research Biologist, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Th omas J. Kwak

J. Michael Fisk II, MS, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences December 2010 Research Associate, North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Th omas J. Kwak

Monica N. Iglecia, MS, Zoology August 2010 Biologist, San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station, USGS Western Ecological Research Center Jaime A. Collazo

Matthew J. Krachey, PhD, Zoology December 2009 Postdoctoral Researcher, North Carolina Cooperative Joseph E. Hightower, Kenneth H. Pollock Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Julianne E. Harris, PhD, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences May 2010 Postdoctoral Researcher, North Carolina Cooperative Joseph E. Hightower Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Jason W. Mays, MS, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences May 2009 Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service Th omas J. Kwak, W. Gregory Cope

Kevin J. Magowan, MS, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences December 2010Joseph E. Hightower

Stephen R. Midway, MS, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences May 2009 PhD Candidate, University of North Carolina–Wilmington Th omas J. Kwak, D. Derek Aday

Lisa M. Paine , MS, Zoology December 2009 Field Biologist, Entrix, Inc. Jaime A. Collazo

Joseph A. Smith, MS, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences August 2009 Fisheries Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Joseph E. Hightower

Michael W. Waine, MS, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences December 2010 Fisheries Biologist, UNC Institute of Marine Sciences Joseph E. Hightower

Benjamin C. Wallace, MS, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences May 2010 Fisheries Management Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Th omas J. Kwak

Daniel M. Weaver, MS, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences August 2010 Research Associate, North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Th omas J. Kwak

Left: Will Smith returns PIT-tagged bigmouth sleeper and mountain mullet to an instream live well in a Puerto Rico stream for post-operative recovery, to be tracked later. Right, Jessica Stocking on fi eld trip to check sturgeon receivers on the Roanoke River.

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GRADUATE COMMITTEE PARTICIPATIONUnit scientists serve as committee members, but not as major advisors, for these students.

Jaime A. Collazo Benjamin Hess, MS (August 2009–Present)

Shiloh Schulte, PhD (August 2004–Present)

Nathan Tarr, MS (August 2006–December 2008)

Felix del Toro, PhD (August 2002–December 2008)

Joseph E. Hightower Kyle Adamski, MS (May 2007–August 2009)

Christina Durham, MS (January 2008–November 2009)

Zachary Feiner, MS (November 2009–Present)

Ann Grote, MS (April 2010–Present)

Janice Kerns, PhD (October 2009–Present)

Erika Millstein, MS (August 2007–August 2009)

Th omas J. Kwak Chris DeRolph, MS (August 2007–May 2010)

Renae Greiner, MS (May 2007–Present)

Julianne Harris, PhD (January 2006–December 2009)

Tamara Pandolfo, MS (May 2007–Present)

Sean Peff er, MS (July 2004–Present)

Joseph Smith, MS (May 2007–June 2009)

Th eodore R. Simons Shannon Bowling, MS (January 2010–Present)

Neil Chartier, PhD (August 2006–Present)

Sharon Hux, MS (January 2009–Present)

Julissa Irizarry, MS (January 2010–Present)

Edye Kornegay, MS (January 2010–Present)

Mat McGowan, PhD (August 2003–August 2009)

Jessica Pispinen, MS (August 2010–Present)

Amy Pluhata, MS (January 2009–Present)

Corey Shake, MS (December 2005–January 2010)

Left, Two summer interns with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission assist with biological assessment of Lake Raleigh, a fi eld exercise in the Management of Small Impoundments course taught by Joe Hightower and Tom Kwak. Right, An endangered dwarf wedge mussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) from the Tar River basin, North Carolina, a focal species in a study to determine habitat suitability and occupancy for this and other freshwater mussel species.

Tom Kwak Tom Kwak

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Bayesian Methods in Fisheries ScienceJoseph E. Hightower Fall 2010

Climate Change and Conservation Jaime A. Collazo Fall 2009

Conservation Design for Manatees in Puerto RicoJaime A. Collazo Fall 2010

Fisheries Techniques and Management Th omas J. Kwak Summer 2009, Summer 2010

Management of Small Impoundments Co-taught by Joseph E. Hightower and Th omas J. KwakSummer 2010

COURSES TAUGHTUnit scientists instruct formal university courses in their respective areas of expertise.

Modeling Fish and Wildlife PopulationsJoseph E. Hightower Fall 2009

Ornithology Th eodore R. Simons Spring 2009, Spring 2010

Quantitative Fisheries Management Joseph E. Hightower Fall 2008, Fall 2010

Topics in Species-Habitat Modeling (Seminar)Jaime A. Collazo Fall 2008

Photo: Brickyard at NC State University.

Tom Kwak

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US Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director’s Honor Award Strategic Habitat Conservation (SHC) Leadership Awards were presented to Jaime Collazo and Ashton Drew by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 4, in recognition of outstanding per-formance. Presented 20 April 2010 to the Eastern North Carolina and Southeast Virginia SHC Team.

Cooperative Research Units Scientifi c Excellence AwardAwarded to Jaime A. Collazo by the Cooperative Research Units Program. Spring 2010, New Orleans, Louisiana.

US Department of the Interior STAR AwardsReceived by Unit staff for superior performance.Jaime A. Collazo, 2009, 2010Joesph E. Hightower, 2009, 2010Th omas J. Kwak, 2009, 2010Th eodore R. Simons, 2009 , 2010Alexa McKerrow, 2010

American Fisheries Society and Sea Grant Best Student Paper AwardAwarded to Benjamin C. Wallace (and T. J. Kwak, advisor) in 2010 for their presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Best Student Platform Presentation Award Awarded to Jason W. Mays (and T. J. Kwak and W. G. Cope, co-advisors) in 2009 for their presentation at the Biennial Symposium of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society. April 19–24, Baltimore, Maryland.

Unit researchers Jaime Collazo and Ashton Drew were among a group of recipients of the 2010 US Fish and Wildlife Service Director’s Honor Award. Left to right: Wilson Laney, Pete Benjamin, Jaime Collazo, Cindy Dohner (presenter), Ashton Drew.

Top photo: North Toe River, a North Carolina mountain river, where Unit researchers studied the eff ects of trout stocking on native game fi sh.

Dan Weaver

HONOR S and awards

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Best Student Paper Award, Honorable Mention Awarded to Daniel M. Weaver (and T. J. Kwak, advisor) in 2010 for their presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. February 25–28, Asheville, North Carolina.

Richard Noble Best Student Paper Award Awarded to Daniel M. Weaver (and T. J. Kwak, advisor) in 2009 for their presentation at the Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 24–25, Burlington, North Carolina.

Best Student Paper AwardAwarded to Benjamin C. Wallace (and T. J. Kwak, advisor) in 2010 for their presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. January 21–22, Ames, Iowa.

Don Baker Memorial Best Professional Paper Award Awarded to Ryan J. Heise (and T. J. Kwak, coauthor) in 2010 for their presentation at the Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 25–28, Asheville, North Carolina.

Jimmie Pigg Memorial Outstanding Student Achievement AwardAwarded to J. Michael Fisk II (T. J. Kwak advisor) in 2010 by the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society.

John E. Skinner Memorial Student Travel AwardAwarded to Elissa M. Buttermore (T. J. Kwak and W. G. Cope, co-advisors) by the American Fisheries Society in 2010 to attend the 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

John E. Skinner Memorial Student Travel AwardAwarded to Joshua K. Raabe (J. E. Hightower, advisor) by the American Fisheries Society in 2010 to attend the 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

John E. Skinner Memorial Student Travel Award, Honorable MentionAwarded to Daniel M. Weaver in 2009 (T. J. Kwak, advisor) by the American Fisheries Society to attend the 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. August 30–September 3, Nashville, Tennessee.

American Fisheries Society Catfi sh Symposium Travel Award, Honorable MentionAwarded to Stephen R. Midway (T. J. Kwak and D. D. Aday, co-advisors) in 2010 to attend Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfi sh: Th e Second International Symposium. June 19–22, St. Louis, Missouri.

Josh Raabe with a fl athead catfi sh captured by a weir installed at the site of a former dam on the Little River, North Carolina. Th is weir served as a monitoring and tagging site during a study to evaluate the eff ects of dam removal on fi sh migrations.

Donald Danesi

Ashton Drew sets up a fl oating video surveillance system at Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge to monitor a King Rail nest as part of a study to support refuge habitat management planning for this priority species.

David Topolewski

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North Carolina Chapter American Fisheries Society Student Travel AwardAwarded to Joshua K. Raabe (J. E. Hightower, advisor) in 2009 to attend the 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. August 30–September 3, Nashville, Tennessee.

North Carolina Chapter American Fisheries Society Student Travel AwardAwarded to J. Michael Fisk II (T. J. Kwak, advisor) in 2010 to attend the 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

North Carolina Chapter American Fisheries Society Student Travel AwardAwarded to Daniel M. Weaver (T. J. Kwak, advisor) in 2010 to attend the 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

North Carolina State University Fisheries and Wildlife Graduate Research Fellowship Awarded to William E. Smith (T. J. Kwak, advisor) in 2008.

Richard L. Noble Best Student Paper AwardAwarded to William E. Smith (and J. E. Hightower, coauthor) in 2008 for their presentation at the Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 19–20, Greenville, North Carolina.

Best Student Platform Presentation Award Awarded to Peter D. Hazelton (and W. G. Cope, coauthor) in 2010 at the Joint Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Carolinas and Southeast Chapters. March 25–27, Athens, Georgia.

Graduate Student Professional Development Workshop NomineeAwarded to Joshua K. Raabe (J. E. Hightower, advisor) in 2009 by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University.

H. Jared Flowers

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HIGHTOWER GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDIN FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE ENDOWMENT

A new endowment to fund awards for North Carolina State University graduate students was established by Dr. Joe Hightower and Dr. Robin Hightower. Th e Joseph E. and Robin C. Hightower Graduate Award Endowment in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences was created October 22, 2010, at a signing

ceremony and reception hosted by Dr. Johnny Wynne, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Th e endowment will be used to provide fi nancial awards and educational opportunities for graduate students enrolled in the Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Master’s and Ph.D. degree programs. Earlier this year, the Hightowers also created the Joseph E. and Robin C. Hightower Collection Endowment in support of the North Carolina State University Libraries, to enrich library materials in genetics, fi sheries, and wildlife.

Joe and Robin are both North Carolina State University alumni, and we admire their generosity in giving back the University and future generations of fi sheries and wildlife students and professionals. If you would like to contribute to either of the Hightower Endowments, please see the links below.

Joseph E. and Robin C. Hightower Graduate Award Endowment in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences <www.cals.ncsu.edu/givenow> (keyword “Hightower”).

Joseph E. and Robin C. Hightower Library Collection Endowment <www.lib.ncsu.edu/giving/givingform/give.php?gift =donation>.

Seated, Robin Hightower, Joe Hightower, Jason Hightower. Standing, Tom Kwak, Ted Simons, Jaime Collazo, Wendy Moore.

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A multi-stage survey protocol for shortnose sturgeon.

Acute and reproductive eff ects of emerging contaminants on freshwater mussels.

Acute eff ects of cyanide compounds on freshwater mussels.

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

Assessing mortality, tag reporting rate, and movement patterns of Albemarle Sound and Roanoke River striped bass using conventional, passive integrated transponder, and telemetry tagging techniques.

Assessing the exposure and relative sensitivity of native freshwater mussels to environmental stressors and laboratory conditions.

Assessment of fi sh passage barriers in Puerto Rico rivers.

Contaminants in invasive freshwater fi shes: Snakeheads and fl athead catfi sh.

Contaminants of emerging concern in the Great Lakes Basin: Studies evaluating diff ering modes of action and reproductive eff ects with freshwater mussels.

Development of habitat suitability index models for American shad.

Eff ects of intensive triploid grass carp stocking on reservoir invasive plants and fi sh distributions.

Fish host identifi cation, culture, and propagation of the Tar spinymussel and yellow lance, two rare endemic mussels of the North Carolina Piedmont.

Fishery population and habitat assessment in Puerto Rico streams.

Hierarchical landscape models for endemic unionid mussels: Building strategic habitat conservation tools for mussel recovery in the South Atlantic Conservation Cooperative.

Hydroacoustic monitoring of anadromous fi shes in the Roanoke River, North Carolina.

Identifi cation of American shad spawning habitat in the Pee Dee River, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Interaction of stocked trout with native nongame stream fi shes.

Modeling the response of imperiled freshwater mussels to anthropogenically induced changes in water temperature, habitat, and fl ow in streams of the southeastern and central United States.

Movement and spawning of American shad transported above dams on the Roanoke River, North Carolina.

Reproductive ecology and habitat relations of the robust redhorse in the Pee Dee River, North Carolina.

Reproductive ecology and life history of the Carolina madtom.

Sicklefi n redhorse reproductive ecology.

Spawning activity of anadromous fi shes in the Cape Fear River, North Carolina.

Stream trout ecology and management in North Carolina State Parks.

Th e geographic relationship of mortality events of carp species in North America.

Photo: A multi-agency eff ort led by Bennett Wynne of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission resulted in the capture of three adult Atlantic sturgeon near Weldon, North Carolina. Th e sonic transmitters surgically implanted in the fi sh made it possible for PhD student Jared Flowers to track their 130-mile downstream migration into Albemarle Sound.

FISH ER IE S and aquatic H. Jared Flowers

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Acute and reproductive effects of emerging contaminants on freshwater mussels.

Th e goal of this project is to expose freshwater mussels to several hormonally active emerging contaminants such as ethynylestradiol, fl uoxetine, perfl uorinated chemicals, and 4-nonylphenol. In addition to acute toxicity testing with mussel glochidia and juveniles, our novel approach will investigate reproductive eff ects at the individual and population levels by testing the endocrine response of the adult mussels. Additionally, we will determine ef-fects of the emerging contaminants on the transforma-tion success of glochidia when they attach to fi sh and metamorphose into juveniles. Th e viability and fi tness of transformed juveniles that were exposed in marsupia will be compared to the viability and fi tness of unexposed juveniles from the same brood. Th is project will greatly expand the toxicity data base for native freshwater mus-sels and emerging contaminants with diff ering modes of action.

INVESTIGATOR W. Gregory Cope

STUDENT Peter D. Hazelton (PhD)

LOCATION Raleigh, North Carolina

DURATION August 2008–December 2010

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Acute effects of cyanide compounds on freshwater mussels.

Th is research will examine the exposure and relative sensitivity of early life stages (glochidia, juveniles) of na-tive freshwater mussels to selected cyanide containing compounds. Cyanide is emitted to freshwaters through-out the United States through industrial discharges and most notably in mid-Atlantic and northern temperature regions as a chemical constituent in runoff from road de-icing salts. Several cyanide containing compounds (i.e., ferric ferrocyanide, sodium ferrocyanide) are used as anti-caking agents in road salts. Th e US Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of re-evaluating the national water quality criterion for cyanide and has asked the US Fish and Wildlife Service for their comments on the draft criteria document. Unfortunately, very little is known about the toxic eff ects of these compounds. To address this knowledge gap, we will use standard labo-ratory toxicity tests with representative mussel species exposed to several cyanide formulations to develop the initial toxicity data for freshwater mussels.

INVESTIGATOR W. Gregory Cope

STUDENT Tamara J. Pandolfo (PhD)

LOCATION Raleigh, North Carolina

DURATION September 2009–July 2011

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

A multi-stage survey protocol for shortnose sturgeon.

Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) historically occurred in Atlantic Coast rivers from Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada, to St. Johns River, Florida. However, combinations of habitat loss and overfi shing resulted in the populations in most rivers being extir-pated or substantially reduced in abundance. Th e species was listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1967. We propose to test a multi-stage survey protocol for sturgeon that would combine side-scan so-nar, DIDSON multibeam sonar, and gill netting. Side-scan sonar provides very high resolution images of bot-tom structure and topography and can cover large areas quickly. A DIDSON multibeam sonar can be deployed at locations of sturgeon-sized fi sh targets. Sturgeon can be identifi ed to genus on short-range DIDSON im-ages based on their unique shape and fi n positions. PIT-tagging of gill-netted fi sh is planned to obtain capture-recapture estimates of population size, for comparison with the hydroacoustic estimates.

INVESTIGATOR Joseph E. Hightower

STUDENT H. Jared Flowers (PhD)

LOCATIONS Roanoke River, North CarolinaSantee River, South Carolina

DURATION July 2010–May 2011

FUNDING National Marine Fisheries Service South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Atlantic sturgeon sometimes make their presence known by jumping out of the water. Th e development of other less dramatic methods such as side-scan sonar is a research goal of PhD student Jared Flowers.

H. Jared Flowers

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Assessing benefits to migratory fishes of habitat restored by dam removal.

Th e purpose of this study is to examine how fi sh are utilizing upstream habitat within the Little River near Goldsboro, North Carolina, following the removal of three dams. Monitoring has been done during spring fi eld seasons using a resistance board weir. During the 2008 through 2010 fi eld seasons, fi sh were given pas-sive integrated transponder (PIT) tags to characterize upstream and downstream movement through installed antennas. Study results showed that American shad and gizzard shad utilized the entire extent of restored habitat up to the impassable Atkinson Mill Dam. River fl ow and water depth proved to be infl uential migration factors at the weir and at PIT antennas. Increased fl ow and water depth also improved fi sh passage at the Goldsboro water treatment plant notched dam, which appeared to impede migrations during low fl ows.

INVESTIGATOR Joseph E. Hightower

STUDENT Joshua Raabe (PhD)

LOCATION Little River, North Carolina

DURATION August 2006–May 2011

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Assessing mortality, tag reporting rate, and movement patterns of Albemarle Sound and Roanoke River striped bass using conventional, passive integrated transponder, and telemetry tagging techniques.

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) are of high commercial and recreational value in the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River, and their management is based on analyses of har-vest data. Recent stock assessments have not included any results from the annual tagging program for this popula-tion because of critical unknowns such as the reporting rate of tags. We propose to use passive integrated tran-sponder (PIT) tags to evaluate tag reporting rate by sec-tor (commercial, estuarine recreational, and in-river rec-reational). We also propose to compare the fi nancial costs and benefi ts of this approach, to evaluate the feasibility of including PIT tags in the standard tagging program for striped bass and other valuable North Carolina spe-cies. We also propose to use sonic telemetry to get better estimates of natural and hook-and-line release mortality for striped bass during the spawning run in the Roanoke River.

INVESTIGATOR Joseph E. Hightower

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Julianne E. Harris

LOCATION Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound, North Carolina

DURATION June 2010–May 2011

FUNDING North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources

A PIT antennae located at the Goldsboro Water Treatment Plant notched dam to record movement of PIT-tagged fi sh potentially impeded by the dam during their migration. Th is study found that low water levels delayed migrations.

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Assessing the exposure and relative sensitivity of native freshwater mussels to environmental stressors and laboratory conditions.

Th e goal of this project was to provide information on the exposure and relative sensitivity of freshwater mus-sels to selected chemical and environmental stressors and laboratory conditions. Th e specifi c objectives were to (1) evaluate the relative toxicity of three fungicides (chloro-thalonil, pyraclostrobin, propiconazole) by conducting acute toxicity tests with glochidia and juveniles of the fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) mussel; (2) assess the relative sensitivity of fatmucket glochidia taken from female mussels that have been held under laboratory con-ditions to glochidia taken from mussels collected from the fi eld; (3) assess the relative sensitivity of laboratory-reared fatmucket juveniles to juveniles reared in cages in a natural stream; (4) evaluate the exposure of glochidia, juvenile, and adult freshwater mussels to environmental contaminants by evaluating and summarizing peer-re-viewed literature in a research review manuscript; and (5) evaluate the relative sensitivity of glochidia and juvenile freshwater mussels to a range of common and extreme water temperatures.

INVESTIGATOR W. Gregory Cope

STUDENTS Tamara J. Pandolfo (MS) Erin C. Tracy, (BS)

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION May 2006–December 2008

FUNDING US Environmental Protection Agency

Assessment of fish passage barriers in Puerto Rico rivers.

Knowledge of the occurrence and structure of natural and artifi cial barriers to fi sh and invertebrate migra-tion is critical to managing Puerto Rico rivers for native aquatic diversity. Yet no comprehensive inventory of such barrier structures exists. Objectives of this project are to compile existing information on Puerto Rico fi sh passage barriers, perform site visits on selected barriers, search for undocumented barriers, and develop a comprehen-sive document and web site describing known natural and artifi cial fi sh passage barriers. Th ese fi ndings will then be incorporated into associated research and mod-eling to describe and understand patterns of native and introduced fi shes of Puerto Rico to facilitate conserva-tion of native amphidromous fi sh and invertebrate spe-cies. Th e results will assist management agency biologists and planners in island-wide assessment and conservation planning for aquatic fauna that may be infl uenced by fi sh barriers.

INVESTIGATOR Thomas J. Kwak

STAFF Patrick B. Cooney

LOCATION Puerto Rico

DURATION August 2008–September 2011

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Fajardo Resevoir in Puerto Rico is a typical water-supply impoundment formed by a high dam. Such dams block migration corridors for native amphidromous fi shes, and they are locally extirpated from upstream reaches.

Patrick Cooney

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Contaminants in invasive freshwater fishes: Snakeheads and flathead catfish.

Snakeheads, the freshwater fi sh family Channidae, are native to Africa and southern Asia, but they have been transported and introduced widely. Th e fl athead catfi sh is native to the Mississippi, Rio Grande, and Mobile drain-ages. Th e contaminant load in these invasive fi shes from North American populations has not been measured or reported. Objectives of this research focus on determin-ing and interpreting contaminant loads for these fi shes. Tissue from northern snakeheads from the Potomac River, Virginia, and fl athead catfi sh from the Cape Fear River basin, North Carolina, was analyzed. Spatial pat-terns and those related to fi sh size will be described and fi ndings interpreted relative to human fi sh consumption standards. Analyses include organic, e.g., chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, and inorganic contaminants, e.g., met-als. Th ese fi ndings will fi ll complementary gaps in our knowledge of these invasive species and the associated human consumption consequences.

INVESTIGATOR Thomas J. Kwak

STAFF J. Michael Fisk II

LOCATION Raleigh, North Carolina

DURATION July 2005–June 2009

FUNDING US Geological Survey

Contaminants of emerging concern in the Great Lakes Basin: Studies evaluating differing modes of action and reproductive effects with freshwater mussels.

Th e goal of this project is to conduct laboratory and ex-perimental ecosystem type toxicity tests with representa-tive mussel species exposed to several hormonally active contaminants of emerging concern such as ethynylestra-diol, testosterone, fadrazole, fl uoxetine, perfl uorinated chemicals, atrazine, mercury, tributyltin or 4-nonylphe-nol. In addition to acute toxicity testing with mussel glochidia and juveniles, we will investigate reproductive eff ects at the individual and population levels by testing the endocrine response of adult mussels and their prog-eny. We will determine eff ects of the contaminants on the transformation success of glochidia. Th e viability and fi tness of transformed juveniles that were exposed in marsupia will be compared to the viability and fi tness of unexposed juveniles from the same brood. Juveniles will also be exposed at critical periods during their develop-ment and grown out in experimental systems to assess potential eff ects on endpoints such as sex determination, reproductive enzymes, proteins, or lipids, and fecundity.

INVESTIGATOR W. Gregory Cope

STUDENT Jeremy A. Leonard (PhD)

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION September 2010–July 2013

FUNDING US Environmental Protection Agency

A fl athead catfi sh from the Deep River, North Carolina. Th is apex predator has been introduced in Atlantic slope waters where it negatively impacts native fi sh communities. Our study quantifying contaminants in this fi sh will determine the feasiblity of human consumption as a population control method.

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Development of habitat suitability index models for American shad.

In 1985, Stier and Crance used published information and expert opinion to develop a set of habitat models for American shad. Th e habitat suitability index (HSI) mod-els were curves ranging from 0 to 1, representing habitat quality for key variables such as water temperature. Th e primary objective of this study is to update the Stier and Crance (1985) models based on American shad studies completed since 1985. Published studies and unpublished data will be used to test and refi ne the original models. We also examine a new type of model that better repre-sents the probabilistic nature of sampling and allows for updating as new information becomes available.

INVESTIGATOR Joseph E. Hightower

STUDENT Julianne E. Harris (PhD)

LOCATION Raleigh, North Carolina

DURATION August 2008–June 2011

FUNDING National Marine Fisheries Service

Effects of intensive triploid grass carp stocking on reservoir invasive plants and fish distributions.

Th e practice of stocking sterile grass carp in lentic and lotic waters has become an accepted management tech-nique to biologically control submersed aquatic macro-phytes. However, the effi cacy of such practice is not clear in reservoirs for unpalatable plant species. We evaluated high-density grass carp stocking in Lookout Shoals Lake, North Carolina, for control of parrot-feather, an invasive aquatic plant that is not preferentially consumed by grass carp. Parrot-feather biomass in the lake was signifi cantly

reduced three months aft er grass carp stocking. We eval-uated the native fi sh community before and aft er grass carp stocking and found eff ects only related to yellow perch. Th is research was conducted cooperatively with Duke Power Company and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and our results demonstrate the effi cacy of intensive grass carp stocking to control an in-vasive aquatic plant that is not preferentially consumed by grass carp and reveal associated environmental eff ects.

INVESTIGATOR Thomas J. Kwak

STUDENT A. Brad Garner (MS)

LOCATION Lookout Shoals Lake, North Carolina

DURATION April 2005–December 2008

FUNDING North Carolina Wildlife Resources CommissionDuke Power

Fish host identification, culture, and propagation of the Tar spinymussel and yellow lance, two rare endemic mussels of the North Carolina Piedmont.

Captive propagation of freshwater mussels is consid-ered a potentially key conservation tool for agumenting remaining populations of imperialed mussel species. Propagation eff orts, however, have been dependent on the collection, rearing, or purchase of fi sh hosts to sup-port the metamorphosis of juveniles. In vitro propaga-tion of freshwater mussels is an underutilized technique that is particularly helpful for mussels that are diffi cult to propagate because of small brood size or unknown fi sh hosts. Th e goal of this study is to improve the physi-ological condition of juvenile freshwater mussels that are propagated in vitro. Four mussel species (Lampsilis fasciola, Villosa constricta, Lampsilis fullerkati, Villosa delumbis) have been successfully propagated in vitro dur-ing the spring of 2010. However, a parallel study during summer of 2010 comparing in vitro versus in vivo propa-gated Lampsilis fasciola has shown higher mortality and lower growth rates in the in vitro propagated mussels. An investigation using fi sh gill cells as another form of in vi-tro nutrition and examining how brood stock condition-ing eff ects juvenile health is planned for spring of 2011.

INVESTIGATOR Jay Levine

STUDENT Thomas Fox (MS)

LOCATION NC State University

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Studies with radio- or sonic-tagged American shad provide valuable information about habitat suitability, which PhD student Julie Harris used to develop habitat suitability index models.

Joe Hightower

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Fishery population and habitat assessment in Puerto Rico streams.

Puerto Rico is widely known for its marine sport and commercial fi sheries, but the freshwater habitats of the island also support a substantial number of relatively unknown fi shes, many of which provide recreational and subsistence fi shery values. We completed research to evaluate stream and river fi sh and habitat sampling tech-niques and to develop standardized sampling protocols. We also modeled patterns in occurrence and abundance of stream and river fi sh populations as related to physi-cal habitat, including instream habitat, water quality, riparian and watershed attributes, and river regulation. Ongoing objectives include obtaining additional esti-mates of fi sh populations and their habitat, exploring a biotic index to classify riverine habitat, analyzing con-taminant concentrations in fi sh and their habitat, and studying the ecology and migration of amphidromous fi shes to better defi ne management units and scale. Finally, we will synthesize fi ndings from these objectives toward a better understanding of fi sh biology, ecology, and management.

INVESTIGATOR Thomas J. Kwak

STUDENTS Christin H. Brown (MS)Elissa N. Buttermore (MS)

William E. Smith (PhD)

STAFF Patrick B. Cooney

LOCATION Puerto Rico

DURATION November 2004–September 2011

FUNDING Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

Hierarchical landscape models for endemic unionid mussels: Building strategic habitat conservation tools for mussel recovery in the South Atlantic Conservation Cooperative.

Th e southeastern US is a hotspot of mussel biodiversity, and an integrated approach is urgently needed to con-serve endangered mussel species. We will develop an integrated landscape, instream habitat, water quality, and mussel-specifi c model for identifying and prioritiz-ing strategic habitat conservation areas for endangered freshwater mussels inhabiting streams of the south Atlantic slope, with an emphasis on rare and endangered endemic species of North Carolina. We are working with the federally-endangered Tar spinymussel as well as the Atlantic pigtoe and yellow lance. Results of this project will be used to develop scientifi cally defensible estimates of the stream network needing conservation to support mussel recovery; identify specifi c factors limiting recov-ery of federally-listed mussels at a watershed scale; enable predictions and hypothesis testing associated with mus-sel occupancy and distribution associated with changes in habitat at the instream, riparian, or watershed spatial scales; and refi ne sampling strategies for rare mussels.

INVESTIGATORS Thomas J. Kwak W. Gregory Cope

COLLABORATOR Tom Augspurger

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER C. Ashton Drew

STUDENT Tamara J. Pandolfo (PhD)

LOCATION Tar River and Neuse River basins, North Carolina

DURATION September 2010–September 2013

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Attenuator, microprocessor, batteries, and other electronics that operate PIT-tag antennas. Unit scientists use this apparatus to continuously monitor the presence of tagged fi sh in North Carolina and Puerto Rico rivers.

Will Smith

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Hydroacoustic monitoring of anadromous fishes in the Roanoke River, North Carolina.

Riverine hydroacoustics off er a noninvasive technique to assess anadromous populations during upstream migra-tions (spawning runs) to riverine habitats. We have used a combination of a split-beam sonar and a DIDSON multibeam sonar to monitor spring spawning runs of hickory shad (Alosa mediocris), American shad (Alosa sapidissima), alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), and white perch (Morone Americanus) in the Roanoke River. Upstream migrating fi shes generally were bottom and shore oriented, and peaks in upstream migrants were consistent with catches of anadromous fi shes using drift gillnetting and boat electrofi shing. Results to date indi-cate a low population size of American shad, which was consistent with other river-specifi c assessments of this population.

INVESTIGATOR Joseph E. Hightower

STUDENTS Michael Waine (MS) Jacob Hughes (MS)

LOCATION Roanoke River, North Carolina

DURATION August 2006–June 2011

FUNDING North Carolina Wildlife Resources CommissionDominion

Identification of American shad spawning habitat in the Pee Dee River, North Carolina and South Carolina.

We examined spawning site selection and habitat use of American shad in the Pee Dee River, North Carolina and South Carolina, to help inform management and restora-tion in this regulated river. We completed oblique plank-ton tows at multiple locations to identify spawning sites, and we tracked radio-tagged adults on spawning grounds to evaluate spawning habitat use and movement patterns in relation to changes in water discharge rates. Most spawning appeared to occur in the 25-river kilometer (rkm) section starting just below the most downstream hydroelectric dam in the system, Blewett Falls Dam, in the Piedmont physiographic region; however, some spawning also occurred more downstream in the Coastal Plain. Most radio-tagged American shad remained in discrete areas (average linear range = 3.6 rkm) during the spawning season and generally occupied water velocities between 0.20 and 0.69 m/s, depths between 1.0 and 2.9 m, and substrates dominated by boulder/bedrock and gravel.

INVESTIGATOR Joseph E. Hightower

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Julianne E. Harris

LOCATION Pee Dee River, North Carolina and South Carolina

DURATION September 2009–December 2010

FUNDING National Marine Fisheries Service

Jake Hughes uses electrofi shing and gill-netting to capture migratory fi shes, such as this 30-pound striped bass, in order to estimate the size of spawning runs.

Julie Harris inserts a radio transmitter into an American shad to study spawning habitat use in the Pee Dee River.

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Interaction of stocked trout with native nongame stream fishes.

Stocking surface waters with hatchery-reared trout to support local recreational fi sheries is common practice among state and federal agencies. Th e benefi ts of trout stocking and associated fi sheries have been widely rec-ognized for decades. However, potential negative con-sequences to native fauna are of recent concern, but the mechanisms and signifi cance remain poorly understood. Th e goal of this research was to gain an understanding of the interactions between stocked trout and native non-game fi shes in the stream environment. Our primary ob-jective was to quantify changes in fi sh density, distribu-tion, and habitat use of nongame fi shes as aff ected by the presence of stocked trout, relying primarily on snorkel-ing techniques in a BACI (Before-Aft er-Control-Impact) study design. Results may be used to inform and guide management actions and to educate fi shery constituents and the public. Th e ultimate result will be better scientif-ic understanding, public awareness, and improved sport fi shing, while maintaining aquatic biodiversity.

INVESTIGATOR Thomas J. Kwak

STUDENT Daniel M. Weaver (MS)

LOCATION North Toe River and other North Carolina mountain trout streams

DURATION July 2007–April 2011

FUNDING North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Modeling the response of imperiled freshwater mussels to anthropogenically induced changes in water temperature, habitat, and flow in streams of the southeastern and central United States.

Freshwater mussels are in global decline and urgently need protection and conservation. Our recent fi ndings suggest that many species are living close to their upper thermal tolerances. We are combining the expertise and resources of multiple scientists, agencies, and universi-ties to build on our past fi ndings and integrate climate change induced vulnerability and risk assessment data into regional watershed and instream biological response models for the protection and conservation of imperiled freshwater mussels. Among 10 specifi c objectives, our primary objective is to use our developed mussel vulner-ability and risk threshold data in downscaled watershed and instream regional models to allow federal and state natural resource managers to forecast species responses to climate change over the next 30 to 50 years and to de-velop adaptation strategies to mitigate the adverse eff ects. Th ese results will contribute to the science and conserva-tion of the most imperiled fauna in the world as aff ected by climate change.

INVESTIGATORS Thomas J. KwakW. Gregory Cope

COLLABORATORS Jerad Bales, Teresa J. Newton, Ryan J. Heise, Byron N. Karns

STUDENTS Tamara J. Pandolfo (PhD)Jennifer M. Archambault (MS)

LOCATION Tar River Basin, North CarolinaUpper Mississippi River and

St. Croix River basins, Wisconsin

DURATION December 2009–December 2012

FUNDING US Geological Survey

Dan Weaver and Tamara Pandolfo measure microhabitat characteristics to determine habitat suitabilty for freshwater mussels; these data will be used to model potential impacts of climate change.

Dan Weaver snorkels the North Toe River, North Carolina, to assess the population sizes and habitat use of native fi shes to identify any potential eff ect of stocked trout in the river.

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Movement and spawning of American shad transported above dams on the Roanoke River, North Carolina.

We evaluated movement patterns and spawning of sonic-tagged adult American shad transported to habitats above dams on the Roanoke River. Most transported fi sh spent relatively little time in the riverine habitat consid-ered suitable for spawning, and no eggs were collected by plankton sampling. American shad appeared to move more eff ectively through a smaller as compared to a larger reservoir, but migration was best when fi sh were released directly into riverine habitat. We used data on behavior and outmigration of American shad adults and fry re-leased above and below dams on the Roanoke River to develop a model for predicting possible population-level eff ects of transporting American shad to upper basin habitats. Th e American shad population in the Roanoke River appears small compared to assumed values of car-rying capacity in the lower river and would appear to benefi t from transport only under optimal conditions of young survival and eff ective fecundity.

INVESTIGATOR Joseph E. Hightower

STUDENT Julianne E. Harris

LOCATION Roanoke River, North Carolina and Virginia

DURATION January 2007–June 2010

FUNDING North Carolina Wildlife Resources CommissionDominion

Reproductive ecology and habitat relations of the robust redhorse in the Pee Dee River, North Carolina.

Th e robust redhorse, Moxostoma robustum, a member of the sucker family of fi shes was lost to science until it was rediscovered in 1980, 110 years aft er its description. Habitat loss and spawning disruption by dams were iden-tifi ed by the Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee (RRCC) as a threat to the species. We initiated coop-erative research to improve understanding of robust red-horse reproductive and habitat ecology to ensure long-term survival and population enhancement. Objectives were to quantitatively describe changes in robust red-horse spawning habitat before and aft er implementing a spring minimum fl ow from Blewett Falls Dam, describe how robust redhorse use habitat before and aft er mini-mum fl ows are established, and assess how fl ow augmen-tation may aff ect survival of viable eggs. Th is collabora-tive research will improve our overall understanding of a little-known and rare fi sh, that may require protection or compel other management activities in this and other regulated river systems.

INVESTIGATOR Thomas J. Kwak

COLLABORATOR Ryan J. Heise

STUDENT J. Michael Fisk II (MS)

LOCATION Pee Dee River, North Carolina and South Carolina

DURATION August 2007–June 2010

FUNDING: North Carolina Wildlife Resources CommissionProgress Energy Carolinas

Angel Hammers and Michael Fisk search for radio-tagged robust redhorse in the Pee Dee River, North Carolina.

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Reproductive ecology and life history of the Carolina madtom.

Th e Carolina madtom is an imperiled, endemic south-eastern catfi sh that is experiencing declines, and the spe-cies may be nearing extirpation in about half of its native range. We investigated Carolina madtom habitat use, focusing on the occupancy of natural habitat, as well as introduced, artifi cial cover. In six study reaches in the Tar and Neuse river basins of North Carolina, the Carolina madtom occupied microhabitats nonrandomly, most fre-quently inhabiting water that was shallow with moderate bottom velocity over coarse sand substrate. All occupied microhabitats included physical cover, with cobble found most frequently. We developed for the fi rst time em-pirical habitat suitability functions for the species. Our fi ndings also demonstrate signifi cant use of introduced artifi cial cover, a pattern confi rmed in laboratory choice studies. Given its State Th reatened status and limited dis-tribution, our results have implications for conservation and restoration of this endemic species.

INVESTIGATORS D. Derek AdayThomas J. Kwak

STUDENT Stephen R. Midway (MS)

LOCATION Tar and Neuse river basins, North Carolina

DURATION January 2007–June 2009

FUNDING North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Sicklefin redhorse reproductive ecology.

Th e sicklefi n redhorse is a recently recognized fi sh of the sucker family Catostomidae and a candidate for endangered species protection. It is among the larg-est undescribed animal species in North America, and virtually nothing is known of its biology and ecology. Using a combination of methods (resistance-board weirs, prepositioned electrofi shing, and radio telemetry), we quantifi ed migration patterns and habitat selection of the sicklefi n redhorse and other related redhorse species in the Hiwassee River system in the mountains of west-ern North Carolina, with the ultimate outcome of pro-tecting the physical and biotic environments to ensure the long-term survival and enhancement of the sicklefi n redhorse. Th is research delineated important habitats and elucidated 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 agen-cies to set guidelines and priorities for dam operation and licensing in the Tennessee River basin.

INVESTIGATOR Thomas J. Kwak

STUDENT Scott D. Favrot (MS)

LOCATION Little Tennessee and Hiwassee river basins, North Carolina

DURATION September 2002–October 2008

FUNDING North Carolina Wildlife Resources CommissionUS Fish and Wildlife Service

US Geological Survey World Wildlife Fund

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Spawning activity of anadromous fishes in the Cape Fear River, North Carolina.

Anadromous fi sh populations within the Cape Fear River, North Carolina, have declined substantially since the late 1800s. Th ree low-head lock and dam structures contributed to this decline by limiting access to upstream spawning habitat. We used egg sampling and sonic telem-etry to examine the eff ects of the lock and dam structures on migration and spawning activity of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) and striped bass (Morone saxatilis). Egg distribution and stage of development suggest that most American shad spawning took place downstream of the lowermost lock and dam. Transmitter detections for 20 sonic-tagged American shad and 20 striped bass in 2008 showed that the majority of both species moved upstream of Lock and Dam 1, with 35% of American shad and 25% of striped bass migrating upstream of Lock and Dam 3. In combination, these results demonstrate that the locking program provides some access to historical spawning habitat, although further improvements in fi sh passage could benefi t both species.

INVESTIGATOR Joseph E. Hightower

STUDENT Joseph Smith (MS)

LOCATION Cape Fear River, North Carolina

DURATION January 2007–September 2009

FUNDING US Army Corps of Engineers

Stream trout ecology and management in North Carolina State Parks.

Coldwater stream trout fi sheries are among the most im-portant in terms of angling, economics, and scenic value, yet they are commonly managed based on historical prac-tices or following standardized protocols without a scien-tifi c basis. Th e goal of the research is to better understand the ecological and biological processes associated with stream trout populations and to form an objective infor-mation base to guide management strategies, planning, and implementation. Specifi c project objectives were to conduct intensive sampling and quantify critical popula-tion and production parameters of stream trout popula-tions, assemblages of nongame fi shes, water quality and instream habitat characteristics, and to present these results in an applied context toward improving manage-ment strategies for trout fi sheries and stream ecosystems in North Carolina State Parks. Th ese fi ndings will allow managers to predict the likely outcome of altering man-agement strategies among streams to select the most ap-propriate approaches within the ecological limits of each stream.

INVESTIGATOR Thomas J. Kwak

STUDENT Benjamin C. Wallace (MS)

LOCATION Stone Mountain State Park, North Carolina

DURATION July 2007–June 2010

FUNDING North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation

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

Th is study examined the status of freshwater fi sh mortali-ty event response capacity in the 50 states using carp mor-tality events as a model. Eff orts focused on identifying ways to optimize state level participation in freshwater mortality event data collection eff orts. Results of a survey to establish state response leaders and to determine the level of response at the state level will be used to guide more proactive management of freshwater fi sh health is-sues in the United States.

INVESTIGATOR Michael Stoskopf

STUDENT Maria Serrano (MS)

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION September 2006–September 2008

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Ben Wallace holds a wild southern Appalachian brook trout collected from a stream in Stone Mountain State Park, North Carolina. Results of this study will predict trout response to potential management strategies.

Tom Kwak

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Adaptive management of horseshoe crabs and shorebirds in Delaware Bay: Predictive modeling and implementation.

Amenity value of proximity to National Wildlife Refuges.

American Oystercatcher conservation initiative, North Carolina.

Assessing recovery opportunities for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers on private lands in eastern North Carolina.

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

Assessing the responses of breeding shorebirds to military jet overfl ights in the core military operations area at Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Assessment of Puerto Rican Parrot demography.

Design and analysis of Antillean manatee aerial surveys in Puerto Rico.

Ecological studies of fi shers reintroduced to the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Ecology of raccoons within Cape Lookout National Seashore, and the effi cacy of raccoon removal as a management tool for protecting rare, threatened, and endangered species.

Field validation of King Rail habitat models in the Roanoke-Tar-Neuse-Cape Fear Ecosystem.

Incorporating estimates of detection probability into the Breeding Bird Survey protocol: Assessment of current sampling methods.

Integrated waterbird management and monitoring within the Atlantic and Mississippi fl yways.

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

Manatee protection areas in Puerto Rico.

Maximizing the benefi ts of fi eld borders for nesting quail and early-succession songbirds.

Monitoring and restoration for the endangered butterfl y, the St. Francis’ satyr.

Monitoring the long-term population size and trends of the endangered butterfl y, the St. Francis’ satyr.

Planning level survey for at-risk amphibian species, year 3.

Planning level survey for at-risk amphibian species, year 4.

Red wolf adaptive management plan project.

Research for the conservation and restoration of an endangered butterfl y, the St. Francis’ satyr.

Species assessments and conservation scores: Revision of the Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands Bird Conservation Plan.

Strategic habitat conservation in Puerto Rico.

Th e eff ects of growing-season prescribed fi re on small mammals and ground-nesting birds at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Th e impacts of habitat fragmentation on the population genetics of a rare butterfl y, Atrytonopsis new species 1.

Th e infl uence of coyotes on white-tailed deer recruitment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Th e infl uence of growing-season prescribed fi re on white-tailed deer forage at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Use of molecular genetic markers to enhance restoration of an endangered species, St. Francis’ satyr butterfl y.

Wintering waterfowl survival and movements due to hunting on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

W ILDLIFE and habitatsJosh Raabe

Photo: A Barred Owl photographed along the Little River, NC.

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Amenity value of proximity to National Wildlife Refuges.

Natural open spaces provide multiple forms of benefi ts to local communities, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System is unique is this respect. We explore the benefi cial economic impacts to their sur-rounding communities. Proximity to a refuge could have a substantial positive eff ect on nearby property values due to the protections refuges provide against future development and the preservation of the many natural amenity benefi ts associated with open spaces. However, the magnitude of these eff ects remains undocumented. Quantifying these potentially large positive economic impacts will provide important information to the US Fish and Wildlife Service that can be used for future ref-uge management and planning decisions.

INVESTIGATOR Laura O. Taylor

STUDENT Timothy Hamilton (PhD)

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Xiangping Liu

LOCATION NC State University

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

American Oystercatcher conservation initiative, North Carolina.

Th e 2010 fi eld season of this research saw an increase in the monitoring of American Oystercatchers in previ-ously unmonitored or under-monitored coastal North Carolina sites. Th e analysis of success rates in these al-ternate sites is in the process of being compared to the barrier island sites. Th is will allow some insight into the role that these habitats play for the success of this species

Horseshoe crabs provide an important source of food for shorebirds migrating through the Delaware Bay area. Th is study found that there is a direct relationship between horseshoe crab egg density and shorebird body condition and their annual survival.

Adaptive management of horseshoe crabs and shorebirds in Delaware Bay: Predictive modeling and implementation.

Previous research has suggested that western Atlantic red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) populations were greatly af-fect by horseshoe crab egg availability at Delaware Bay stop-over sites during their spring northward migration. Th e fi nal report presented a multi-state survival model capable of linking red knot stop-over mass-gain to horse-shoe crab spawning abundance and linking subsequent annual survival to mass state at the time of departure from the Delaware Bay staging area. Model selection analyses showed strong support for a positive relation-ship between female horseshoe crab spawning abundance and the probability of transitioning from light weight to heavy weight during stop-over. Our analyses also sup-ported the link between red knot mass state and annual survival. Results indicated that managing horseshoe crab resources in the Delaware Bay could benefi t and improve red knot population status. Th e results of the work are being used to frame an adaptive management strategy addressing knot and horse shoe crab conservation and stakeholder consumptive needs.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

COLLABORATORS James D. Nichols, David R. Smith

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Conor McGowan

LOCATION NC State UniversityPatuxent Wildlife Research Center, Maryland

DURATION August 2008–December 2010

FUNDING US Geological Survey

Horseshoe crabs provide an important source of food for shorebirds migrating through the Delaware Bay area. Th is study found that there is a direct re-lationship between horseshoe crab egg density and shorebird body condition and their annual survival.

Steve Dinsmore

A color-banded American Oystercatcher at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Th is bird was re-sighted and photographed by Dr. Steve Dinsmore, a former NC Coop Unit student now on the faculty at Iowa State University, during a recent visit to North Carolina.

Robert Crow

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of concern. On the North Carolina coast, 173 pairs and 236 nests were monitored for daily survival, fl edging 121 chicks. Eleven adults and 130 chicks were banded with unique alphanumeric symbols for demographic monitor-ing. Th e raccoon monitoring on South Core Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore completed its fourth year. Twelve animals were radio-collared in 98 trap-nights, and radio tracking led to 436 locations of 20 collared animals. Th ese locations will be used to compare animal use-areas before and aft er the 2008 population reduction. Camera trapping took place over 190 trap-nights, and the data are being analyzed to generate estimates of the 2010 population size.

INVESTIGATOR Theodore R. Simons

STUDENT Jessica Stocking (MS)

LOCATION Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina

DURATION May 2009–December 2011

FUNDING National Audubon Society

Assessing recovery opportunities for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers on private lands in eastern North Carolina.

A long-term recovery plan for Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) populations in eastern North Carolina is essential to ensure fl exible and sustainable Department of Defense test and training operations. All conservation tools avail-able should be applied to achieve this objective, yet recov-ery opportunities for this species on private lands have not been fully assessed or developed. Currently, recovery eff orts are concentrated on public lands, so private lands hold the greatest potential for recovery in the future. Th e goal of this study is to assess RCW recovery opportuni-ties on private lands by performing benefi t-cost analyses and modeling bio-economic viability of RCW recovery initiatives on private lands over time. Since September, we have hired two students who are conducting literature reviews and making key contacts necessary to start fi eld work on private lands.

INVESTIGATOR Nils Peterson

STUDENTS Viola Glenn (MS)Paul Taillie (MS)

LOCATION Eastern North Carolina

DURATION September 2010–May 2012

FUNDING US Marine Corps, Cherry Point Air Station

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

Th e goal of this research is to examine the eff ects of at-mospheric pollution on two groups of high elevation ter-restrial animals in the Southern Appalachians, focusing on two main objectives: (1) Quantifying the eff ects of

acid deposition and subsequent calcium depletion on the reproductive success of high elevation songbirds and the diversity and abundance of the terrestrial snail popula-tions which are the birds’ primary calcium source; and (2) Determining the level of threat of mercury bioaccumula-tion in high elevation breeding songbirds in the Southern Appalachians. In support of these objectives, the follow-ing hypotheses are addressed: (1) Terrestrial snail popu-lations in Southern Appalachian high elevation forests have declined in areas aff ected by acid precipitation; (2) Calcium limitation associated with acid deposition nega-tively aff ects the nesting behavior and breeding success of adult Dark-eyed Juncos; and (3) Mercury is bioaccu-mulating in avian populations at high elevation sites in the Southern Appalachians. Project fi eld work has been completed, including four fi eld seasons (2005–2008, and 2010), and analysis of data is underway.

INVESTIGATOR Theodore R. Simons

STUDENT Rebecca Keller (PhD)

LOCATION Great Smoky Mountains National Park

DURATION September 2004–September 2010

FUNDING US Geological Survey, US Forest Service National Science Foundation

Becky Keller has been monitoring the eff ects of acidic deposition on Dark-eyed Juncos, such as this one whose nest is tucked in a mossy cavity along the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Becky Keller

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Assessing the responses of breeding shorebirds to military jet overflights in the core military operations area at Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Noise disturbance by human activities is an oft en over-looked realm of human eff ects on environments and wildlife, with multiple sources noting limited data on these eff ects. Th ese data are imperative for species whose population status is of concern, as any detrimental eff ects on the population could have drastic results. Th erefore, we are studying the eff ects of noise disturbance on American Oystercatchers, which is listed as a “Species of High Concern” by the US Shorebird Conservation Plan. Disturbance sources include military jet overfl ights, ve-hicles, and pedestrians. Th e research is focusing on be-havioral, physiological, reproductive productivity, and survival eff ects of the American Oystercatcher, using a variety of technologies, such as audio recorders to moni-tor sound levels, video cameras and recorders to monitor behavior, microphones to monitor heart rate, and video and audio analysis soft ware to process the collected re-cordings. Nesting variables will be analyzed measure

reproductive success and observed behaviors classifi ed and ranked according to the strength of potential im-pacts to reproduction and survival. With these data and our fi ndings, we hope to contribute to overall under-standing of anthropogenic noise disturbance and human encroachment on wildlife.

INVESTIGATOR Theodore R. Simons

STUDENT Tracy Borneman (MS)

LOCATION Outer Banks, North Carolina

DURATION September 2009–July 2012

FUNDING US Marine Corps, Cherry Point Air Station

Assessment of Puerto Rican Parrot demography.

Th e goal of this work was to assess the status of the Puerto Rican Parrot, eff ectiveness of recovery actions, and set guidelines and measures for success for the next 5–10 years as stipulated in the species’ recovery plan. Th e species continues to be at a high risk of extinction, underscored by the numeric trajectory of the last 10–12 years. Since 2000, the observed fi nite growth rate (λ) was estimated at 0.94 (6% decrease annually), substantially lower than the long-term observed λ of 1.01. Sixty-nine parrots were released between 2000 and 2008. Some re-leased birds were recruited (breeders), but thus far, there is no indication of population growth. Notably, there was no net increase in number of breeding pairs. Simulations projecting the population from 2010 to 2030 suggested that the probability of extinction was 0.24, well above the ≤ 5% typically used as the acceptable threshold. Th ese simulations included the 32 birds planned for release be-tween 2010 and 2015. In light of the poor response to sup-plementation of juveniles and sub-adults, it is proposed that adults be released instead. Th e proposed alternative could help discern mechanisms that might be impeding population growth and reduce parameter uncertainty via an adaptive management framework.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Matthew Krachey

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION May 2009–March 2010

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Field technician Eli Rose installs digital audio and video recorders at an American Oystercatcher nest at Cape Lookout National Seashore. Th e study is combining continuous audio and video data with heart rate measurements from incubating Oystercatchers to assess the eff ects of military overfl ights and other forms of anthropogenic disturbance on nesting birds.

Tracy Borneman

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Design and analysis of Antillean manatee aerial surveys in Puerto Rico.

Th e proposed project is designed to develop a statistical-ly-sound survey protocol to obtain estimates of popula-tion numbers of manatees in Puerto Rico. Estimating the population size of marine mammals requires account-ing for several sources of bias unique to these animals. Marine mammals are typically not harvested, so fi sher-ies-style population estimation is not possible. In addi-tion, marine mammals oft en live over a large geographic extent. Next, marine mammals may spend a portion of their time at depths that make them impossible to be perceived. Finally, observers, in ideal conditions, are still likely to miss some individuals during a survey. Puerto Rico adds an additional element, as the islands size makes it practical to conduct aerial censuses. In this project, we developed an aerial survey (census) method that allows estimation of detection probability across the survey. Th e project seeks to conduct four surveys. Th e pilot survey generated estimates of 336 manatees, with a 95% credible interval of 272–408 individuals. Th e detection probabil-ity was estimated to be approximately 20%.

INVESTIGATORS Jaime A. CollazoKenneth H. Pollock

STUDENT Matthew Krachey (PhD)

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION September 2007–June 2009

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Ecological studies of fishers reintroduced to the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Th e fi sher’s current status as a candidate species for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act and its reduced range in the Pacifi c Northwest led to a plan to reintroduce fi shers to the northern Sierra Nevada in California. Th is reintroduction will improve the con-servation status of fi shers and will show how fi shers use managed landscapes. My research team (1) documents survival, reproduction and use of habitat by fi shers; (2) has predicted and is testing habitat use by fi shers using fi ve models; (3) predicts and is testing home range char-acteristics using optimality models; (4) predicts and is testing breeding patterns of males; and (5) is develop-ing a parallel study of fi shers in the Klamath Region. In winter 2009-10, 15 fi shers (6M:9F) were moved to the northern Sierra Nevada. At least four females produced kits, at least one kit survived through October, and three females died. Reintroductions for winter 2010–11 began in November.

INVESTIGATOR Roger A. Powell

GRADUATE STUDENT Robert C. Swiers (MS)Aaron N. Facka (PhD)

LOCATION Sierra Nevada, California

DURATION February 2008–September 2012

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

A female fi sher at her den tree in the northern Sierra Nevada; one of the fi rst fi shers to produce a litter in the northern Sierras in over 100 years. Th is photograph was captured by a remote camera set up by project researchers.

NCSU Fisher project

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Ecology of raccoons within Cape Lookout National Seashore, and the efficacy of raccoon removal as a management tool for protecting rare, threatened, and endangered species.

Raccoons are common mesopredators of the southeastern United States that can thrive in human dominated land-scapes. Barrier island populations are not well studied and are of particular interest due to eff ects on native species of concern. We used mark-recapture studies based on live trapping, camera trapping, and radio-telemetry to moni-tor a raccoon population on the North Carolina Outer Banks for two years, calculating abundance, density, home range size and overlap, activity patterns, movement and survival. We removed 149 individuals, approximately half the estimated population, over one year and gathered data on body condition, litter size, breeding season, sexual maturity, diet, parasites and age structure. Abundance and density were lower than other island populations, but home ranges were relatively large. Seasonal variations indicated winter is a limiting time for this population. Litter size and breeding season were comparable to other island and mainland populations. Diet analysis indicated that most animals foraged in island marshes. Th e age structure was dominated by older animals, greater than 2 year of age, typical of an unharvested raccoon population exposed to few mortality sources. INVESTIGATOR Theodore R. Simons

STUDENT Arielle H. Waldstein (MS)

LOCATION Outer Banks, North Carolina

DURATION May 2006–June 2011

FUNDING US Geological Survey

Field validation of King Rail habitat models in the Roanoke-Tar-Neuse-Cape Fear Ecosystem.

We developed a King Rail (Rallus elegans) occupancy model to evaluate the potential utility of expert-based Bayesian Belief Network modeling approaches for spe-cies that off er limited regional or local data to quan-tify species-habitat associations. Th e Southeast Region Waterbird Plan recommends increasing the regional pop-ulation from 830 pairs to 6,000 pairs. Th e model steps-down these regional objectives by predicting occupancy in marsh patches within the ecosystem and at sites within marsh patches, to better inform refuge-scale decision processes. To validate the model, we collected three years of fi eld data under two related projects. Th e fi rst year fo-cused solely on surveying sites from a stratifi ed random sample of landscape characteristics to validate the BBN model. Th e second and third year’s funding supported additional sampling across management histories (years since burn) and video surveillance of nests to document predation and nest success. We are integrating these data into our existing King Rail distribution model to better support habitat management decisions. Th e fi nal results of the model validation and the habitat management studies are in preparation.INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER C. Ashton Drew

GRADUATE STUDENT Samantha Rogers (MS)

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION March 2006–February 2011

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service US Geological Survey

Lesley Handa conducts a fi eld survey of King Rail using Standardized North American Marsh Bird Monitoring Protocols during spring breeding season, which is the usually the only time this bird can be detected.

Arielle Waldstein releases a marked raccoon at Cape Lookout National Seashore. Arielle’s recently completed MS research examined the ecology of a barrier island raccoon population and evaluated the eff ects of an experimental reduction of the raccoon population on nesting shorebirds and sea turtles.

Ted Simons

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Incorporating estimates of detection probability into the Breeding Bird Survey protocol: Assessment of current sampling methods.

We developed fi ndings and recommendations for in-corporating estimates of detection probability into the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) protocol. Our analyses and recommendations focus on data collected along 12 BBS routes in North Carolina that were sampled with distance, multiple observers, time-of-detection, and re-peated counts methods. If the BBS is to remain a panspe-cifi c survey with 50 3-minute counts per route, then the unreconciled double-observer method would be the sim-plest method to adopt, although it only accounts for one component of the detection process. If the BBS becomes a more focused survey, i.e., a species-specifi c survey with longer visits to fewer stops per route, then the time-of-detection method may be the most appropriate method to adopt. Th e repeated counts method would be relatively easy to implement at a panspecifi c level. However, we feel the superpopulation estimates it provides are diffi cult to interpret, and estimates for our sites seemed unreliable. Th is method may be more promising if visits could be made on shorter time scales than we used in this study.

INVESTIGATORS Theodore R. SimonsKenneth H. Pollock

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Jason Riddle

LOCATION BBS Routes, North Carolina

DURATION September 2006–December 2011

FUNDING US Geological Survey

Integrated waterbird management and monitoring within the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways.

Th e Integrated Waterbird Management and Monitoring Program achieved several signifi cant milestones in 2010. Workshops were held during the summer to refi ne habitat and bird monitoring protocols, and a project coordinator was hired to implement pilot surveys in the fall of 2010. To support participation in the pilot surveys, there have been eight web-based training sessions, a database was developed, and a website was launched for disseminating information and providing participants with an avenue for discussion and feedback. More than 90 wetlands

from across the Atlantic and Mississippi fl yways are be-ing surveyed in the pilot season, which will run through the end of February 2011.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

COLLABORATOR Michael Runge

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Andrew Wilson

LOCATION NC State University Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Maryland

DURATION September 2010–December 2011

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife ServiceUS Geological Survey

Investigating the productivity, territory size, and food base of the Swainson's Warbler in an irregularly flooded bottomland hardwood system.

Our research is investigating factors infl uencing Swainson’s Warbler nest survival at the Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. Field work was conducted from 2006 to 2009. Nests were continu-ously monitored for parental activity and predators that depredate nests. Nest-site selection, territory size, and the potential impacts of the lower Roanoke River’s altered fl ood regime were also considered as factors infl uencing nest survival. We captured and color-banded 274 birds, and 93 were radio tracked. Apparent nest success was 27% (n = 110). Flooding only occurred during the fi nal three weeks of the 2009 fi eld season. Results are currently be-ing analyzed and can be incorporated in future large-scale adaptive ecosystem management plans with the goal of restoring and enhancing bottomland forest and fl oodplain communities in the Southeast. On a smaller scale, results can be used to make informed decisions when developing strategic habitat management plans for current and future holdings of the refuge and other con-servation lands along the lower Roanoke River.

INVESTIGATOR Richard Lancia

STUDENT Neil Chartier (PhD)

LOCATION Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina

DURATION August 2005–July 2010

FUNDING North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission US Fish and Wildlife Service

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Manatee protection areas in Puerto Rico.

Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) oc-curring in Puerto Rico are listed as an endangered spe-cies. As a consequence, the US Fish and Wildlife Service will create manatee protection areas (MPA) as part of an overall species recovery plan. Th e goal of this study is to identify and provide the scientifi c basis to propose manatee protection areas in accordance with federal regulations and core recommendations made by the US Fish and Wildlife Service 5-year evaluation. We are as-sembling available published data and expert knowledge and relating these to available spatial data to propose a suite of alternative MPA sites and designs for the Service and their partners to evaluate. Th e expected benefi t of this measure is to foster the persistence of the species in the Caribbean through habitat conservation. Th e fi -nal report will convey the science in a manner that will support federal decision-making processes and satisfy requirements of transparent, science-based conservation planning.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER C. Ashton Drew

STAFF Louise Alexander

STUDENT Kari Henderson (BS)

DURATION October 2010–January 2011

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Maximizing the benefits of field borders for nesting quail and early-succession songbirds.

Th e main objective of this project is to determine which fi eld border characteristics provide maximum nest suc-cess opportunities for quail and songbirds. Our goal is to provide deeper insights into how fi eld borders can be used not only for enhancing water quality, but also for increasing their potential for wildlife. We will commu-nicate our fi ndings with government agencies as well as swine producers and landowners. We believe many pro-ducers and landowners may be more likely to enroll in fi eld border programs if they are assured of the wildlife as well as water quality benefi ts.

INVESTIGATORS Theodore R. Simons Christopher E. Moorman

Jason Riddle

STUDENT Jessica Piispanen (MS)

DURATION October 2009–May 2012

FUNDING North Carolina Department of Justice

Unit scientists are designing a statistically sound protocol to monitor Antillean manatee populations, and are assisting the the US Fish and Wildlife Service to identify potential Manatee Protection Areas.

A two-year old fi eld border (primarily dog fennel) along a soybean fi eld in Sampson county.

Jorge Saliva Jason Riddle

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Monitoring and restoration for the endangered butterfly, the St. Francis’ satyr.

Recent studies of the endangered St. Francis’ satyr butter-fl y (Neonympha mitchellii fr ancisci) on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, have focused on population monitoring and habitat restoration. We continued with these activities for our ninth year of research and observed a population greatly reduced in numbers, likely due to dry weather conditions, natural forest succession, and human habitat disturbance. Future plans center around habitat restora-tion over the next several years that will return previously suitable habitat to more favorable conditions and create new suitable habitat for population augmentation. Th is restoration is complemented by our captive-rearing pro-gram, which this year was successful in raising and releas-ing two broods of adult butterfl ies into the wild and will continue to expand in the future. In the coming years, our research will continue to focus on conservation strat-egies that protect remaining habitat, create new suitable habitat, and increase population abundance over time.

INVESTIGATOR Nick M. Haddad

STUDENT Johnny Wilson (PhD)

STAFF Heather Lessig, Andeliene Croce, Robert San Miguel, Samantha Walker

LOCATION Fort Bragg, North Carolina

DURATION April 2010–May 2011

FUNDING US Army, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg

Monitoring the long-term population size and trends of the endangered butterfly, the St. Francis’ satyr.

We completed our eighth year of research on the endan-gered St. Francis’ satyr butterfl y (Neonympha mitchellii fr ancisci) on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with a focus on monitoring and restoration of St. Francis’ satyr and its habitats. In addition to regular population monitoring, we were able to complete a general population survey of St. Francis’ satyr within normally inaccessible artillery impact areas on base that revealed several colonies of previously undetected individuals. A major focus of this eff ort was on augmenting existing populations, and fur-ther understanding how habitat composition and struc-ture can be used to determine high quality augmentation sites. To this end, we continued with our captive-rearing eff orts of St. Francis’ satyr larvae, and were successful in raising individuals to adulthood and releasing them at a newly established augmentation site on base. We also re-fi ned distribution models developed to predict new colo-nies and completed a genetic study of St. Francis’ satyr population structure and dispersal.

INVESTIGATOR Nick M. Haddad

STUDENT Johnny Wilson (PhD)

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Laura Vogel

STAFF Heather Lessig, Brian Bendana, Chelsea Daystar, Lacey Jeffries

LOCATION Fort Bragg, North Carolina

DURATION May 2009–May 2010

FUNDING US Army, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg

Lacey Jeff ries and Nick Haddad release captive-reared St. Francis’ satyr butterfl ies at a new site on Fort Bragg in an eff ort to increase the critically low population size of the endangered species.

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Planning level survey for at-risk amphibian species, year 3.

Th e Carolina gopher frog (Rana capito capito) and east-ern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum) are federal and state species of special concern that breed in wetlands on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. We surveyed for suitable wetland breeding sites across Fort Bragg and assessed landscape connectivity for amphibians using the locations of suitable wetland sites. We also conducted surveys at known breeding sites to gain additional demo-graphic data on Carolina gopher frogs and eastern tiger salamanders. We refi ned methods for using photographs to identify individual salamanders, and we used open population mark-recapture techniques to estimate popu-lation size of eastern tiger salamanders in our studies to date. Th ese eff orts improve our understanding about the status and distribution of rare amphibians at Fort Bragg.

INVESTIGATOR Nick M. Haddad

STUDENT William Fields (PhD)

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Nicole Thurgate

STAFF Catherine Frock, Scott Hotaling, Robert San Miguel

LOCATION Fort Bragg, North Carolina

DURATION August 2008–May 2009

FUNDING US Army, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg

Planning level survey for at-risk amphibian species, year 4.

Th e Carolina gopher frog (Rana capito capito) and east-ern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum) are federal and state species of special concern that breed in wetlands on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. We developed a model of wetland hydrology, that we used in conjunction with demographic data collected on these species to de-termine the status of populations of these species at Fort Bragg. We also completed surveys for suitable wetland breeding sites across Fort Bragg. Although we did not locate additional populations of Carolina gopher frogs or eastern tiger salamanders, we used locations of wetland sites to assess landscape connectivity for amphibians and prioritize areas that should be protected to enhance the viability of these species. Finally, we conducted fi eld experiments to assess the eff ects of habitat management and larval conditions on dispersal behavior of amphib-ians. Th ese studies provide better information about the status and distribution of rare amphibians at Fort Bragg and conservation actions needed to protect these species.

INVESTIGATOR Nick M. Haddad

STUDENT William Fields (PhD)

STAFF Catherine Frock, Scott Hotaling, Heather Lessig, Robert San Miguel

LOCATION Fort Bragg, North Carolina

DURATION August 2009–May 2010

FUNDING US Army, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg

Heather Lessig prepares to check drift fences for Carolina gopher frogs and eastern tiger salamanders during the start of the breeding season at an ephemeral pond on Fort Bragg.

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Red wolf adaptive management plan project.

Th is project has involved assembly of the red wolf adap-tive management advisory team (RWRIT) to assess and make suggestions about the adaptive management plan for the restoration of the red wolf. Members of the RWRIT are Karen Beck, Todd Fuller, Eric Gese, Frederick Knowlton, Dennis Murray, Michael Stoskopf, Will Waddell, and Lisette Waits. Invited guests attended meetings to add insight or particular expertise. Th ese have included graduate student team members, fi eld team biologists, and outside experts. In each meeting, the RWRIT evaluated data available on wolf genetics, demo-graphics, health, and other areas of import and makes recommendations to the fi eld team. Detailed minutes of the meeting were then distributed to the Red Wolf Project Leader, as confi dential advice to be implemented and distributed at their discretion. Th e eff ort contrib-uted to increased pup production, improved protocols for telemetry eff orts, and identifi cation of key knowledge needed to further improve management of the wolves.

INVESTIGATOR Michael Stoskopf

STUDENTS Karen Beck (PhD)Anne Ballman (PhD)

LOCATION Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina

DURATION March 2004–May 2009

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Research for the conservation and restoration of an endangered butterfly, the St. Francis’ satyr.

Th e Saint Francis’ satyr (Neonympha mitchellii fr ancisci) is a federally endangered butterfl y found only in wet-lands on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In our seventh year of population monitoring and research into life history

traits, we found the adult population size to be stable, although fl uctuations in local colony sizes may be highly infl uenced by drought conditions within the region. We completed several long-term projects, including a vegeta-tion survey of St. Francis’ satyr breeding sites to under-stand how plant community composition aff ects species presence, abundance, and dispersal, as well as a simula-tion of St. Francis’ satyr dispersal through habitat types at historical and current sites. In addition, we began a project using remote sensing technology and habitat modeling to predict the locations of additional suitable St. Francis’ satyr habitat and colonies. Th is information allows us to better defi ne what suitable habitat is for the species and how conservation strategies might be devel-oped based on this information.

INVESTIGATOR Nick M. Haddad

STUDENTS Johnny Wilson (PhD)Becky Bartel (PhD)

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Laura Vogel

STAFF Catherine Frock, Quinn Mortell

LOCATION Fort Bragg, North Carolina

DURATION April 2008–May 2009

FUNDING US Army, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg

Species assessments and conservation scores: Revision of the Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands Bird Conservation Plan.

Th e conservation plan, originally draft ed in 2000, estab-lished the status of avian species and conservation priori-ties in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. However, in the advent of Strategic Habitat Conservation (SHC) by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the plan was re-vised to propose population and habitat objectives for the region. Emphasis was placed on the process and steps involved in SHC, highlighting that the revised plan rep-resented a benchmark for future work, i.e., conservation planning, such as generating adaptation strategies in light of potential impacts from climate change.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

STUDENT Kelsey P. Obernuefemann (MS)

STAFF Christopher Nytch

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION October 2006–December 2008

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Undergraduate Lacey Jeff ries momentarily captures a Palamedes swallowtail as she and Brian Bendana monitor population size of the St. Francis’ satyr on Fort Bragg through daily surveys.

Chelsea Daystar

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Strategic habitat conservation in Puerto Rico.

Th e goal of this project is to design a habitat conserva-tion strategy for resident avian species, whose method-ological foundation also permits the implementation of structured decision frameworks to account for potential impacts from climate change. Th e project addresses sev-eral key components; fi rst, test the suitability of selected monitoring schemes to inform responses of management actions; second, develop a strategic habitat conservation plan for a southwestern Puerto Rico pilot area, based on a suite of demographic parameters that include avian abundance, patch occupancy, survival, reproductive out-put, and movements (connectivity). Finally, this project will incorporate key model projections, e.g., downscaled climate data, urban growth, vegetation dynamics, and hydrology, to develop adaptation strategies to cope with potential impacts from climate change.

INVESTIGATORS Jaime A. CollazoStephen J. Dinsmore

James F. Saracco

STUDENTS M. Edye Kornegay (MS)Julissa Irizarry (MS)

Amber Weiwel (MS)

LOCATION Guanica, Puerto Rico

DURATION September 2008–September 2013

FUNDING Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

The effects of growing-season prescribed fire on small mammals and ground-nesting birds at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Growing-season prescribed burns are more eff ective than traditional dormant-season burns for managing hardwood encroachment into longleaf pine savannas. However, a recent shift to growing-season burns has raised concerns about the eff ects on ground nesting birds like the wild turkey and the eff ects on acorn dependent species like the fox squirrel. Beginning in 2011, we will mark hen wild turkeys and monitor their selection for nesting and brooding habitat and the survival rates of hens, nests, and broods. We will model wild turkey population demographics with specifi c emphasis on the eff ects of fi re on population parameters. Also, we will radio-collar southern fox squirrels and identify selected habitat types within their home ranges and around nest sites, as well as selection of trees. By identifying impor-tant habitat features associated with high use areas and nest sites and nest trees, we can make recommendations on management activities that may benefi t southern fox squirrels where the use of growing-season prescribed fi re is a common practice.

INVESTIGATORS Christopher E. Moorman Christopher S. DePerno

STUDENTS Eric Kilburg (MS)Annemarie Prince (MS)

LOCATION Fort Bragg, North Carolina

DURATION September 2009–December 2013

FUNDING US Army, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg

Edye Kornegay collects age and sex data on resident birds at the Guanica Dry Forest, Puerto Rico. Her work is testing various assumptions underlying the use of capture-recapture data collected with mist-nets to estimate breeding productivity.

Steven Dinsmore

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The impacts of habitat fragmentation on the population genetics of a rare butterfly, Atrytonopsis new species 1.

Urban development in coastal areas may have negative consequences for native plants and animals. We studied the eff ects of habitat fragmentation resulting from urban development on a potentially new species of butterfl y, Atrytonopsis new species 1, which we informally call the crystal skipper. Th is butterfl y is endemic to a 30-mile stretch of barrier islands in Carteret and Onslow coun-ties, North Carolina. Th e butterfl y’s preferred habitat is primary and secondary sand dunes. Using a combination of edge behavior, mark-recapture, and population genetic studies, we investigated the eff ect of natural and urban barriers on dispersal by the butterfl y, with the aim of identifying conservation strategies that would help main-tain or restore connectivity. All three studies yielded similar fi ndings: natural features in the landscape (ocean inlets and maritime forest), not urban development, were barriers to Atrytonopsis new species 1 dispersal. However, if urban development expands in intensity and extent, thus removing the small habitat patches (stepping stones) that currently exist between populations, it may result in reduced butterfl y dispersal. Consequently, we recom-mend conservation strategies that protect natural habitat and that preserve stepping stones between remaining populations.

INVESTIGATOR Nick M. Haddad

STUDENT Allison Leidner (PhD)

LOCATION Bogue Banks, North Carolina

DURATION May 2006–December 2008

FUNDING US National Park Service North Carolina Sea Grant

US Fish and Wildlife Service Xerces Society

The influence of coyotes on white-tailed deer recruitment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

White-tailed deer harvest has declined at Fort Bragg, North Carolina since 1989, the same year coyotes were fi rst reported on the base. Th e objective of this study is to examine the infl uence of coyotes on deer recruitment at Fort Bragg. Distribution and habitat use of coyotes will be assessed using GPS collars to monitor movements. Radio-collared fawn white-tailed deer will be monitored for survival and causes of mortality. Coyote trapping and collaring will commence in January 2011 and white-tailed deer fawns will be caught and radio-collared in May and June 2011 and 2012. Results from this project should pro-vide a better understanding of deer-coyote interactions in the longleaf pine ecosystem of the Southeast.

INVESTIGATORS Christopher S. DePerno Christopher E. Moorman

STUDENTS Colter Chitwood (PhD) Morgan Elfelt (MS)

LOCATION Fort Bragg, North Carolina

DURATION September 2009–December 2013

FUNDING US Army, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg

NCSU researchers are monitoring white-tailed deer and other species of wildlife to learn more about their movements in response to growing-season prescribed fi res used to restore and manage longleaf pine ecosystems.

Ariel Bravy

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The influence of growing-season prescribed fire on white-tailed deer forage at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

In 1989, Fort Bragg changed from a dormant-season prescribed burning regime to a 3-year growing-season prescribed burn regime with approximately one-third of the base burned each year. In the same year, the doe har-vest was liberalized and coyotes were documented on the base. Since 1989, the deer density on Fort Bragg decreased from approximately 45 deer per square mile to approxi-mately 10 deer per square mile. Th is project will evaluate the eff ects of expansive and frequent growing-season fi re on white-tailed deer habitat use and forage distribution and availability. Th ese data, along with concurrently collected information on white-tailed deer fawn recruit-ment and coyote movements and food habits, will allow us to evaluate the limiting factors for the deer herd at Fort Bragg. White-tailed deer capture, collaring, and tracking is scheduled to begin in January 2011.

INVESTIGATORS Christopher E. MoormanChristopher S. DePerno

STUDENTS Marcus Lashley (PhD)

LOCATION Fort Bragg, North Carolina

DURATION September 2009–December 2013

FUNDING US Army, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg

Use of molecular genetic markers to enhance restoration of an endangered species, St. Francis’ satyr butterfly.

Habitat fragmentation may reduce gene fl ow and popu-lation viability of rare butterfl ies. We tested whether riparian corridors enhanced gene fl ow and if human habitat modifi cation between riparian corridors sub-sequently reduced dispersal and gene fl ow of a wetland butterfl y, the US federally endangered St. Francis’ satyr butterfl y (Neonympha mitchellii fr ancisci). We surveyed nine populations throughout the taxon’s range using fi ve polymorphic microsatellite loci. We found that genetic diversity of N. m. fr ancisci was relatively high despite its restricted distribution, and that there is little evidence of population bottlenecks or extensive inbreeding within populations. We found substantial gene fl ow and detect-able fi rst generation migration, suggesting that N. m. fr ancisci is unlikely to be currently endangered by genetic factors. Pairwise population diff erentiation and cluster-ing indicate some structuring between populations on diff erent drainages and suggest that dispersal probably occurs mainly via a stepping stone from the closest ripar-ian corridors. However, genetic diff erentiation between geographically close populations suggests that isola-tion by distance is not solely responsible for population structure, and that potential habitat barriers must be considered when making management decisions to avoid impeding gene fl ow from source to sink populations.

INVESTIGATOR Nick M. Haddad

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Laura Vogel

LOCATION Fort Bragg, North Carolina

DURATION September 2008–May 2010

FUNDING US Army, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg

Nick Haddad searches for new St. Francis’ satyr populations on Fort Bragg in areas such as large, uninterrupted canebrakes identifi ed by remote-sensing as potentially suitable habitat.

Beth Evans

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Wintering waterfowl survival and movements due to hunting on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Th e main objective of this pilot study was to quantify the magnitude and direction of waterfowl response to hunt-ing relative to management areas at the refuge. Results suggested that only northern shovelers were found in both hunting and sanctuary areas of the impoundments. American wigeons and northern pintails were found in sanctuary areas. Various sources of evidence suggested that this diff erence might be driven by dietary preferenc-es, not just hunting activity. Further studies may focus on accurately measuring time activity budgets and habitat use patterns to discern roles by habitat types and season within the refuge.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

STAFF Eric D. Stolen

LOCATION Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida

DURATION November 2008–September 2009

FUNDING Friends of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Northern Pintails, and other dabbling and diving ducks overwinter in central Florida. Unit researchers assessed the value of existing sanctuaries in the Indian River Lagoon and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and the need for additional areas to help waterfowl meet resting and energetic requirements during periods of high hunting, fi shing, and boating use in the area.

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Photo: A southern leopard frog photographed near the Little River, North Carolina.

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

Coastal wetland dynamics and wildlife populations: Modeling the eff ects of sea level rise and landscape change.

Describing cultural support for and barriers to collaborative management within the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Designing sustainable landscapes for bird populations in the eastern United States.

Development and dissemination of a high-resolution national climate change dataset.

Development of population and habitat objectives for US Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Resources in the Roanoke-Tar-Neuse-Cape Fear Ecosystem of the South Atlantic Migratory Bird Initiative project area.

Expanding the range and scope of the designing sustainable landscapes project to the South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative area.

Research to advance Gap Analysis Program data and applications in the eastern United States.

Southeast integrated assessment: Climate change and wildlife dynamics.

I N T EGR AT ED ecolog yJosh Raabe

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

Monitoring ambient atmospheric chemistry continued along the southern boundary of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Model calculations were initiated to es-timate the amount of dry deposition of ammonia into the refuge from a nearby poultry egg-laying facility. Wind fi eld analysis indicated that some portion of the refuge was downwind of the facility 45% of the time. Calculated dry deposition ranged from 2.4 to 10 kg ammonia nitro-gen (NH3-N) per hectare per year, approximately 1,000 meters into the refuge, suggesting a substantial increase in nitrogen loading along a narrow band approximately 500 meters wide along the southern boundary. More de-tailed model projections of NH3-N deposition are now underway since the end of fi eld monitoring activities in June 2010. Th ese fi nal model projections will include a combined wet (rainfall) and dry deposition map of atmo-spheric nitrogen deposition across substantial portions of the refuge.

INVESTIGATOR Wayne P. Robarge

STUDENT Dawn Markarian (BS)

LOCATION Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina.

DURATION April 2006–September 2010

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Coastal wetland dynamics and wildlife populations: Modeling the effects of sea level rise and landscape change.

Th is project is focused on developing next-generation models to link habitat information to species distribu-tions for Atlantic Coast saltmarsh birds. To date work has consisted of three phases: the analysis of the available point-count data, the acquisition of auxiliary covariate data, and the development of the model framework. Th e available point-count data largely come from aggregated data from individual wildlife refuges, each of which are highly variable in spatiotemporal sampling eff ort. A sub-set from New Jersey through Virginia has been targeted, which has 237 points distributed through 1999–2010 (though most points are not recorded in most of these years). For the acquisition of covariate data, available GIS layers have been targeted which to date are restricted to habitat types at each point. Finally, a general modeling framework has been developed, that incorporates covari-ates, spatial dependencies (data are clustered, and optimal habitat is likewise clustered), interspecifi c interactions, and additional dependencies based on location and year. Th e computational routine for parameter estimation is in the process of being developed.

INVESTIGATOR Theodore R. Simons

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER Matthew Krachey

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION September 2009–August 2014

FUNDING US Geological Survey

How will sea-level rise impact the distribution of saltmarsh birds? NC Unit researchers are working to link next-generation species-habitat models to sea-level rise models with the goal of improving conservation of managed species.

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Describing cultural support for and barriers to collaborative management within the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Th e US Fish and Wildlife Service is positioning itself to use the adaptive management process for environmen-tal problem solving, a process requiring collaboration among governmental and non-governmental stakehold-ers. But why do some USFWS biologists collaborate with diverse stakeholders, while others do not? To answer this question, from June to August 2010 we surveyed USFWS project leaders in the Southeast Region. We used survey results to identify four partnerships in the Ecological Services and Refuge Programs that best exemplify col-laborative decision making. In October 2010, we began interviewing project leaders and biologists involved in each partnership, plus one biologist per offi ce who is not engaged in a collaborative partnership and seven leaders in the southeast regional and national offi ces. Aft er com-pleting our survey and interview analyses in 2011, we will provide the agency with recommendations for creating an atmosphere supporting staff exploration of collabora-tive decision making techniques.

INVESTIGATOR Toddi A. Steelman

STUDENT Kathryn B. Reis (PhD)

LOCATION Southeast Region of the US Fish and Wildlife Service

DURATION March 2010–May 2011

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Designing sustainable landscapes for bird populations in the eastern United States.

Rapidly expanding lists of priority species and limited funding for conservation has increased the need to uti-lize existing datasets to inform conservation strategies. Th is is evident in the South Atlantic Coastal Plain of the United States where at least 91 avian species are high priorities for conservation. We used occupancy models, coupled with land cover and Breeding Bird Survey data to determine if occurrence patterns conformed with pur-ported species-habitat associations at two thematic reso-lutions of habitat classifi cation, and whether the compo-sition of the matrix of habitat surrounding a sampling unit infl uence species occurrence. We then constructed conservation design models to illustrate and facilitate the application of results. Results supported hypotheses for most species habitats classifi ed as optimal had highest

occupancy rates. Occupancy was also infl uenced by the amount of habitat, which decreased with increasing dis-tance to habitat patches. Our data-driven models can be used to test knowledge-based models and estimate con-sequences of conservation actions for priority species in a structured-decision framework, and can be useful in conservation planning of landscapes.

INVESTIGATORS Jaime A. CollazoJames B. Grand

STUDENT Monica Iglecia (MS)

LOCATION NC State UniversityAuburn University, Alabama

DURATION January 2008–December 2010

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

Development and dissemination of a high-resolution national climate change dataset.

Th e Department of the Interior has stated a strong need for high-resolution, downscaled, climate model projec-tions to assist managers in their ability to adapt to and mitigate the potential eff ects of anthropogenic climate change. In addition, considerable gaps exist in both the dissemination of such projections and in developing ex-pertise on their proper use in adaptive management and strategic habitat conservation. Th e goal of this project is to create a comprehensive web-based dataset of high-resolution climate change projections that can be used to assess the impacts of climate change on ecosystems in the continental United States. Th e work includes close collaboration with colleagues from the US Geological Survey Center for Integrated Data Analytics and the Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Th e North Carolina Unit has primary responsibility for or-ganizing partner workshops to elucidate data needs, de-veloping a training course at the National Conservation Training Center, and overall project management.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

COLLABORATOR Lauren Hay

STAFF Adam Terando

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION January 2010–September 2011

FUNDING US Geological Survey

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Development of population and habitat objectives for US Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Resources in the Roanoke-Tar-Neuse-Cape Fear Ecosystem of the South Atlantic Migratory Bird Initiative project area.

Th e objectives of the pilot project were to (1) develop initial population objectives for prioritized Service trust species and abundance goals for natural communities; (2) convert these population and abundance objectives into habitat objectives; (3) map potential conservation areas where defi cits exist; and (4) step down population and abundance objectives to individual refuges and partner lands. For data-poor priority species, we developed an expert based approach using Bayesian belief networks that can support implementation of USFWS Strategic Habitat Conservation management practices. Th e King Rail (Rallus elegans) served as the primary pilot species, and the fi nal reports for this species are in preparation. Work for the second pilot species, blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), is ongoing.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER C. Ashton Drew

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION May 2006–May 2010

FUNDING US Geological Survey

Expanding the range and scope of the designing sustainable landscapes project to the South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative area.

Th is proposal represents the expansion of an ongoing cooperative eff ort between the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, the North Carolina and Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units, and the National Gap Analysis Program, to include the geographic extent and programmatic con-cepts of the evolving US Fish and Wildlife Service South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC). We will apply the standard methodology developed as a part of the Designing Sustainable Landscapes to the Piedmont region and taxonomically for additional priority wildlife species that are a high priority for the South Atlantic LCC. Expanding this project includes the development of core landscape projection data-sets for the Piedmont Region including projections of climate change, urbanization, ecosystem disturbance processes, and land cover dynamics; implementation of a stakeholder-driven process to identify priority species (of all taxa), evaluation of available science and develop-ment of species-habitat models for representative species by habitat type that allow an assessment of current and future habitat capacity; and development of decision sup-port tools to guide management decisions based on this information.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

STAFF Louise B. Alexander

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION September 2010–September 2011

FUNDING US Fish and Wildlife Service

King Rail are a priority management species for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Th rough this study, NC Unit researchers are piloting methods to step down population and habitat management objectives for these and other data-limited species using Bayesian belief network models.

Justin Jay

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Research to advance Gap Analysis Program data and applications in the eastern United States.

Our research and partnerships have lead to a vast ex-pansion of the application of the Gap Analysis Program data throughout the US. Examples of the ongoing applications include (1) partnering with Th e Nature Conservancy to develop a map of the Northeastern US; (2) assessing for the fi rst time the conservation status of Ecological Systems throughout the US; and (3) apply-ing the National Vegetation Classifi cation to research projects such as Southeastern Regional Assessment Project. Some of the partners in these eff orts include the Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Geological Survey, NatureServe, and Ecological Society of America. Research eff orts include work on vegetation dynamics and urbanization research described in the Designing Sustainable Landscapes and the Southeastern Regional Assessment Project, as well as occupancy modeling for avian species in the Southern Atlantic Migratory Area.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

LOCATION NC State University

DURATION October 2007–September 2011

FUNDING US Geological Survey

Southeast integrated assessment: Climate change and wildlife dynamics.

Climate change is recognized as a Department of the Interior priority for research and strategic planning. As part of this eff ort, we have taken a lead role in a multi-unit and multi-institution integrated assessment to provide decision makers with state-of-the-science projections of potential climate and landscape changes in the southeast-ern United States. In conjunction with our colleagues at the Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, this information will be used to develop both ro-bust and optimal conservation strategies for adapting to and mitigating the eff ects of projected changes. Specifi c unit responsibilities include development of models of avian range dynamics, probabilistic climate change projections, forest disturbance models, i.e., projected changes in fi re frequency and insect outbreaks, urbaniza-tion projections, models of forest dynamics, and updated habitat range maps for SE-GAP vertebrate species.

INVESTIGATOR Jaime A. Collazo

COLLABORATORS Alexa McKerrowJames Nichols

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS Jennifer K. CostanzaJiri Hulcr

Sophie Veran

STAFF Adam Terando

LOCATION NC State University Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Maryland

DURATION September 2009–September 2012

FUNDING US Geological Survey

Th e NC Coop Unit is a major contributor to the ongoing development of known range and predicted habitat maps for over 2,000 terrestrial vertebrate species in the United States.

NC Gap

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PU BLICAT IONS and presentations

JOURNAL ARTICLESBacheler, N. M., J. A. Buckel, J. E. Hightower, L.

M. Paramore, and K. H. Pollock. 2009. A combined telemetry–tag return approach to estimate fi shing and natural mortality rates of an estuarine fi sh. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 66: 1230–1244.

Bacheler, N. M., J. E. Hightower, S. M. Burdick, L. M. Paramore, J. A. Buckel, and K. H. Pollock. 2010. Using generalized linear models to estimate selectivity from short-term recoveries of tagged red drum Sciaenops ocellatus: Eff ects of gear, fate, and regulation period. Fisheries Research 102: 266–275.

Bacheler, N. M., L. M. Paramore, J. A. Buckel, and J. E. Hightower. 2009. Abiotic and biotic factors infl uence the habitat use of an estuarine fi sh. Marine Ecology Progress Series 377: 263–277.

Bacheler, N. M., L. M. Paramore, S. M. Burdick, J. A. Buckel, and J. E. Hightower. 2009. Variation in movement patterns of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) inferred from conventional tagging and ultrasonic telemetry. Fishery Bulletin 107: 405–419.

Bartel, R. A., N. M. Haddad, and J. P. Wright. 2010. Ecosystem engineers maintain rare species and increase biodiversity. Oikos 119: 883–890.

Bartel, R. A., and J. O. Sexton. 2009. Monitoring habitat dynamics for rare and endangered species using satellite images and niche-based models. Ecography 32: 888–896.

Beck, K. B., C. F. Lucash, and M. K. Stoskopf. 2009. Assessment of den disturbance on neonatal red wolves (Canis rufus). Southeastern Naturalist 8: 631–638.

Benson, T. J., and N. A. Chartier. 2010. Harvestmen as predators of bird nestlings. Th e Journal of Arachnology 38: 374–376.

Berkson, J., K. M. Hunt, J. C. Whitehead, D. J. Murie, T. J. Kwak, and J. Boreman. 2009. Is there a shortage of fi sheries stock assessment scientists? Fisheries 34: 217–219.

Brewster, J. P., and T. R. Simons. 2009. Testing the importance of auditory detections in avian point counts. Journal of Field Ornithology 80: 178–182.

Chhetri, N., W. E. Easterling, A. J. Terando, and L. Mearns. Modeling path dependence in agricultural adaptation to climate variability and change. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 100: 894–907.

Collazo, J. A., J. F. Gilliam, and L. Miranda-Castro. 2010. Functional response models to estimate feeding rates of wading birds. Waterbirds 33: 33–40.

Cooney, P. B., and T. J. Kwak. 2010. Development of standard weight equations for Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico amphidromous fi shes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 30: 1203–1209.

Cope, W. G., F. M. Holliman, T. J. Kwak, N. C. Oakley, P. R. Lazaro, D. Shea, T. Augspurger, J. M. Law, J. P. Henne, and K. M. Ware. Assessing water quality suitability for shortnose sturgeon in the Roanoke River, North Carolina, USA with an in situ bioassay approach. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. In Press.

Craven, S. W., J. T. Peterson, M. C. Freeman, T. J. Kwak, and E. Irwin. 2010. Modeling the relations between fl ow regime components, species traits, and spawning success of fi shes in warmwater streams. Environmental Management 46: 181–194.

Photo: Sunrise at Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, along the Virginia-North Carolina border, where NC Unit researchers conduct dawn surveys of secretive marsh birds. Th is study is the fi rst of its kind in the Southeast to link prescribed burn history to nest distribution and success of the King Rail.

NC Coop Unit King Rail Project

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Flowers, H. J., B. T. van Poorten, J. C. Tetzlaff , and W. E. Pine III. 2010. Bioenergetic approach to describing Gulf sturgeon growth in two Florida rivers. Th e Open Fish Science Journal 3: 80–86.

Flowers, H. J., W. E. Pine III, A. C. Dutterer, K. G. Johnson, J. W. Ziewitz, M. S. Allen, and F. M. Parauka. 2009. Implications of modifi ed fl ow regimes on Gulf sturgeon spawning in the Apalachicola River, Florida. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 138: 1266–1284.

Harris, J. E. 2009. Join the education section: A great way to become involved in American Fisheries Society. Fisheries 34: 190–191.

Harris, J. E., and J. E. Hightower. 2010. Evaluation of methods for identifying spawning sites and habitat selection for alosines. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 30: 386–399.

Harris, J. E., and R. S. McBride. 2009. American shad feeding on spawning grounds in the St. Johns River, Florida. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 138: 888–898.

Herring, G., and J. A. Collazo. 2009. Site characteristics and prey abundance at foraging sites used by Lesser Scaup (Aythya affi nis) wintering in Florida. Southeastern Naturalist 8: 363–374.

Hewitt, A. H., T. J. Kwak, W. G. Cope, and K. H. Pollock. 2009. Population density and instream habitat suitability of the endangered Cape Fear shiner. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 138: 1439–1457.

Holliman, F. M., D. Davis, A. E. Bogan, T. J. Kwak, W. G. Cope, and J. F. Levine. 2008. Magnetic resonance imaging of live freshwater mussels (Unionidae). Invertebrate Biology 127: 396–402.

Knowlton, F. F., E. M. Gese, J. Adams, K. Beck, T. Fuller, D. Murray, T. Steury, M. K. Stoskopf, W. Waddell, and L. Waits. Addressing challenges from hyrbridzation in endangered species recovery: Th e red wolf as a case study. Conservation Biology. In Press.

Kuefl er, D., B. Hudgens, N. M. Haddad, W. F. Morris, and N. Th urgate. 2010. Th e confl icting role of matrix habitats as conduits and barriers for dispersal. Ecology 91: 944–950.

Kuefl er, D., N. M. Haddad, S. Hall, B. Hudgens, B. Bartel, and E. Hoff man. 2008. Distribution, population structure, and habitat use of the endangered St. Francis' satyr butterfl y, Neonympha mitchellii francisci. American Midland Naturalist 159: 298–320.

Leidner, A. K., and N. M. Haddad. 2010. Natural, not urban, barriers defi ne population structure for a coastal endemic butterfl y. Conservation Genetics 11: 2311–2320.

Lombard, C. D., J. A. Collazo, and D. B. McNair. 2010. Nest and chick survival and colony dynamics of Least Terns in the US Virgin Islands. Condor 112: 56–64.

Martin, J., A. F. O’Connell Jr., W. L. Kendall, M. C. Runge, T. R. Simons, A. H. Waldstein, S. A. Schulte, S. J. Converse, G. W. Smith, T. Pinion, M. Rikard, and E. F. Zipkin. 2010. Optimal control of native predators. Biological Conservation 143: 1751–1758.

McBride, R. S., J. E. Harris, A. R. Hyle, and J. A. Holder. 2010. Spawning run of blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) in Florida’s St. Johns River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 139: 598–609.

Midway, S. R., D. D. Aday, T. J. Kwak, and K. Gross. 2010. Cover preference of the Carolina madtom (Noturus furiosus), an imperiled, endemic southeastern stream fi sh. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 25: 151–154.

Midway, S. R., T. J. Kwak, and D. D. Aday. 2010. Habitat suitability of the Carolina madtom, an imperiled, endemic stream fi sh. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 139: 325–338.

Mosher, S., W. G. Cope, F. X. Weber, D. Shea, and T. J. Kwak. Eff ects of lead on Na+, K+–ATPase and hemolymph ion concentrations in the freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata. Environmental Toxicology. In Press.

Neal, J. W., C. G. Lilyestrom, and T. J. Kwak. 2009. Factors infl uencing tropical island freshwater fi shes: Species, status, and management implications in Puerto Rico. Fisheries 34: 546–554.

Pandolfo, T. J., W. G. Cope, and C. Arellano. 2009. Heart rate as a sublethal indicator of thermal stress in juvenile freshwater mussels. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology – Part A: Molecular and Integrative Physiology 154: 347–352.

Pandolfo, T. J., W. G. Cope, and C. Arellano. 2010. Th ermal tolerance of juvenile freshwater mussels (Unionidae) under the added stress of copper. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 29: 691–699.

Pandolfo, T. J., W. G. Cope, C. Arellano, R. B. Bringolf, M. C. Barnhart, and E. Hammer. 2010. Upper thermal tolerances of early life stages of freshwater mussels. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 29: 959–969.

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Riddle, J. D., R. S. Mordecai, K. H. Pollock, and T. R. Simons. 2010. Eff ects of prior detections on estimates of detection probability, abundance, and occupancy. Th e Auk 127: 1–6.

Smith, W. E., and F. S. Scharf. 2010. Demographic characteristics of southern fl ounder Paralichthys lethostigma harvested by an estuarine gillnet fi shery. Fisheries Management and Ecology 17: 532–543.

Smith, W. E., F. S. Scharf, and J. E. Hightower. 2009. Fishing mortality in North Carolina’s southern fl ounder fi shery: Direct estimates of instantaneous fi shing mortality from a tag return experiment. Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science 1: 283–299.

Stanislav, S., K. H. Pollock, T. R. Simons, and M. W. Alldredge. 2010. Separation of availability and perception processes for aural detection in avian point counts: Combined multiple observer and time-of-detection approach. Avian Ecology and Conservation 5: 3. [online] URL: http://www.ace-eco.org/vol5/iss1/art3/.

Stolen, E. D., J. A. Collazo, and H. F. Percival. 2009. Vegetation eff ects on fi sh distribution in impounded salt marshes. Southeastern Naturalist 8: 503–814.

Tetzlaff , J. C., H. J. Flowers, and W. E. Pine III. 2010. Consumption and growth patterns of fl athead catfi sh derived from a bioenergetics model. Th e Open Fish Science Journal 3: 101–109.

BOOK CHAPTERS Allen, M. S., and J. E. Hightower. 2010. Fish population

dynamics: Mortality, growth, and recruitment. Pages 43–79 in W. A. Hubert and M. C. Quist, editors. Inland fi sheries management in North America, third edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

Borkhataria, R., J. A. Collazo, M. J. Groom, and A. Jordan. Shade-grown coff ee in Puerto Rico: Opportunities to preserve biodiversity while reinvigorating a struggling agricultural commodity. Pages in J. Fuhrer, editor. Agriculture Ecosystems, and the Environment: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Cocoa and Coff ee Based Agroforestry Systems. Elsevier, Zürich, Switzerland. In Press.

Kramer, E., A. J. McKerrow, L. G. Pearlstine, F. J. Mazzotti, D. M. Stoms, and J. Maxwell. 2009. GIS and decision making: Th e Gap Analysis Program. Pages 1051–1075 in M. Madden, editor. Manual of geographic information systems. American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Bethesda, Maryland.

Kwak, T. J., and M. C. Freeman. 2010. Assessment and management of ecological integrity. Pages 353–394 in W. A. Hubert and M. C. Quist, editors. Inland fi sheries management in North America, third edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

Pledger, S., M. Eff ord, K. H. Pollock, J. A. Collazo, and J. E. Lyons. 2009. Stopover duration analysis with departure probability dependent on unknown time since arrival. Pages 349–364 in D. L. Th ompson, E. G. Cooch, and M. J. Conroy, editors. Modeling demographic processes in marked populations. Environmental and Ecological Statistics Series: Volume 3. Springer, New York.

Sanders, N. J., R. R. Dunn, M. C. Fitzpatrick, C. E. Carlton, M. R. Pogue, C. R. Parker, and T. R. Simons. 2010. Diverse elevational diversity gradients in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA. Pages 75–87 in E. M. Spehn and C. Korner, editors. Data mining for global trends in mountain biodiversity. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.

Simons, T. R., K. H. Pollock, J. M. Wettroth, M. W. Alldredge, K. Pacifi ci, and J. Brewster. 2009. Sources of measurement error, misclassifi cation error, and bias in auditory avian point count data. Pages 237–254 in D. L. Th ompson, E. G. Cooch, and M. J. Conroy, editors. Modeling demographic processes in marked populations. Environmental and Ecological Statistics Series: Volume 3. Springer, New York.

Wallace, B. C., D. M. Weaver, and T. J. Kwak. Effi ciency of baited hoop nets for sampling catfi sh in southeastern US small impoundments. Pages in P. H. Michaletz and V. H. Travnichek, editors. Conservation, ecology, and management of worldwide catfi sh populations and habitats. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. In Press.

TECHNICAL REPORTS Harris, J. E., and J. E. Hightower. 2010. Movement and

spawning of American shad transported above dams on the Roanoke River. Report Number NCCFWRU 2010-001. Final Report to North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Kwak, T. J., and S. D. Favrot. 2009. Sicklefi n redhorse reproductive and habitat ecology in the upper Hiwassee River basin of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Final Report to World Wildlife Fund, Southeast Rivers and Streams Project, Nashville, Tennessee.

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Simons, T. R., and R. Hylton. 2009. Eff ects of atmospheric pollution on high elevation fauna in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Annual Report to the National Park Service and the US Geological Survey.

Simons, T. R., and R. Hylton. 2010. Eff ects of atmospheric pollution on high elevation fauna in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Annual Report to the National Park Service and the US Geological Survey.

Simons, T. R., A. H. Waldstein, and A. F. O'Connell. 2009. Raccoon (Procyon lotor) ecology at Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina. 2008 Annual Report to the National Park Service.

Simons, T. R., A. H. Waldstein, and A. F. O'Connell. 2010. Raccoon (Procyon lotor) ecology at Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina. 2009 Annual Report to the National Park Service.

Simons, T. R., and N. Tarr. 2009. Fall shorebird migration and ORV disturbance at Cape Lookout National Seashore. 2008 Annual report to the National Park Service.

Simons, T. R., and S. Schulte, and J. J. Stocking. 2010. American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) research and monitoring in North Carolina. 2009 Annual report to the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Audubon Society.

Simons, T.R., and S. Schulte. 2009. American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) research and monitoring in North Carolina. 2008 Annual report to the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Audubon Society.

THESES AND DISSERTATIONSFavrot, S. D. 2009. Sicklefi n redhorse reproductive

and habitat ecology in the upper Hiwassee River basin of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Master of Science Th esis, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Fisk, J. M., II. 2010. Reproductive ecology and habitat use of the robust redhorse in the Pee Dee River, North Carolina and South Carolina. Master of Science Th esis, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Harris, J. E. 2010. Migration and spawning of anadromous shads in the Roanoke River, North Carolina. Doctoral Dissertation, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Iglecia, M. N. 2010. Occupancy models and strategic habitat conservation for avian species in the southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States. Master of Science Th esis, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Leidner, A. K. 2009. Butterfl y conservation in fragmented landscapes. Doctoral Dissertation. North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Mays, J. W. 2009. Bioaccumulation of platinum group metals in the freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata. Master of Science Th esis, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Smith, J. A. 2009. Spawning activity and migratory characteristics of American shad and striped bass in the Cape Fear River, North Carolina. Master of Science Th esis, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Waldstein, A. H. 2010. Raccoon ecology and management on Cape Lookout National Seashore. Master of Science Th esis, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Former NCSU Fisheries and Wildlife graduate student, Brent Lineberger, installs a video camera on a Jordan Lake Bald Eagle nest. Th e nest, on North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission game lands bordering the lake, is one of several established in recent years as Bald Eagles have expanded their breeding range into central North Carolina. Th e camera will stream live video of the nest to a web page hosted by NC State University. Project collaborators include staff from the NC Unit, the Army Corps of Engineers, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Maxim Integrated Products, and graduate students in the NC State University College of Engineering.

Ted Simons

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Wallace, B. C. 2010. Trout population and production dynamics in North Carolina state park streams. Master of Science Th esis, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Weaver, D. M. 2010. Eff ects of stocked trout on native nongame riverine fi shes. Master of Science Th esis. North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

PRESENTATIONS AND SEMINARSAycrigg, J., A. Davidson, A. J. McKerrow, L.

Duarte, K. Gergely, M. Scott, and L. Svancara. 2010. Conservation of ecological systems: Is there room for improvement? Th e Wildlife Society 17th Annual Conference. October 2–6, Snowbird, Utah.

Baumann, J. R., and T. J. Kwak. 2010. Trophic relations of introduced fl athead catfi sh in an Atlantic Slope river. Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfi sh: Th e Second International Symposium. June 19–22, St. Louis, Missouri.

Buttermore, E. N., T. J. Kwak, P. B. Cooney, D. Shea, P. R. Lazaro, and W. G. Cope. 2010. Recreational and subsistence stream fi sheries of Puerto Rico: Are there contaminant concerns? 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Buttermore, E. N., T. J. Kwak, W. G. Cope, P. B. Cooney, D. Shea, and P. R. Lazaro. 2010. Contaminants in stream ecosystems of Puerto Rico: Implications for recreational and subsistence fi sheries. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. February 25–28, Asheville, North Carolina.

Buttermore, E. N., W. G. Cope, T. J. Kwak, P. B. Cooney, D. Shea, and P. R. Lazaro. 2010. Contaminants in stream ecosystems of Puerto Rico. 31st Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. November 7–11, Portland, Oregon.

Chartier, N. 2008. Infl uences on the breeding biology of Swainson’s Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) along the Roanoke River, North Carolina. US Fish and Wildlife Coastal Carolina/Southeastern Virginia Strategic Habitat Conservation Team Meeting. October, Suff olk, Virginia.

Collazo, J. A. 2008. Prey utilization by wading birds and nursery potential in a tropical mangrove swamp. 32nd Annual Meeting of the Waterbird Society. November 5–8, South Padre Island, Texas.

Collazo J. A., J. B. Grand, A. J. Terando, J. D. Nichols, and A. J. McKerrow. 2009. Assessing the impacts of climate change on species habitats and distributions in the Southeastern US. Joint Assembly of the American Geophysical Union. May 24–27, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Collazo, J. A., J. D. Nichols, A. J. Terando, and A. J. McKerrow. 2010. Patch dynamics and climate indicators: On the potential of occupancy models to assess climate impacts. United States International Association for Landscape Ecology 25th Anniversary Symposium. April 5–9, Athens, Georgia.

Cooney, P. B. 2009. Puerto Rico streams: Biotic and anthropogenic interactions. Symposium for Research Experience for Undergraduates. July 14, El Verde, Puerto Rico.

Cooney, P. B. 2010. Florida water wars: Are fi sh caught in the crossfi re? North Carolina State University Student Fisheries Society, Subunit of the American Fisheries Society. April 7, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Cooney, P. B. 2010. Puerto Rico rivers: More than just water for drinking. Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies. February 17, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.

Cope, W. G. 2010. Th e eff ects of transportation-related pollutants in road runoff on native freshwater mussels. 2nd Symposium of the Clinch-Powell Clean Rivers Initiative. May 25–26, Abingdon, Virginia.

Costanza, J. K., T. S. Earnhardt, A. J. McKerrow, M. J. Rubino, A. J. Terando, and S. G. Williams. 2010. Wildlife habitat dynamics on North Carolina’s Coastal Plain in response to climate change. Incorporating climate change into North Carolina’s Wildlife Action Plan, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Workshop. September 1–2, Raleigh, North Carolina. Poster presentation.

Drew, C. A., and J. A. Collazo. 2008. Bayesian belief network model of King Rail occupancy of marsh habitats. 32nd Annual Meeting the Waterbird Society. November 5–8, South Padre Island, Texas.

Drew, C. A., and J. A. Collazo. 2009. Comparing expert model predictions and fi eld data for King Rail: Building better management tools for secretive marsh birds. 33rd Annual Meeting of the Waterbird Society. November 4–7, Cape May, New Jersey.

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Drew, C. A., and J. A. Collazo. 2010. Field validation and updating of an expert-based Bayesian belief network model to set population and habitat objectives for King Rail. United States International Association for Landscape Ecology 25th Anniversary Symposium. April 5–9, Athens, Georgia.

Earnhardt, T. S., A. J. McKerrow, and A. J. Terando. 2009. Modeling the eff ects of climate change on vegetation dynamics and species habitats in the Southern Atlantic Coastal Plain. 94th Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. August 2–7, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Earnhardt, T. S., A. J. McKerrow, A. J. Terando, M. J. Rubino, and S. G. Williams. 2010. Landscape dynamics in the Southern Atlantic Coastal Plain in response to climate change, sea level rise, and urban growth. 95th Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. August 1–6, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Favrot, S. D., and T. J. Kwak. 2009. Reproductive and habitat ecology of the sicklefi n redhorse, an imperiled endemic species of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Best Student Paper Symposium at the 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. August 30–September 3, Nashville, Tennessee.

Fisk, J. M., II, T. J. Kwak, and R. J. Heise. 2010. Eff ects of regulated fl ows on habitat use of the robust redhorse. Symposium on the Restoration of Nongame Species at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. February 25–28, Asheville, North Carolina.

Fisk, J. M., II, T. J. Kwak, and R. J. Heise. 2010. Eff ects of regulated fl ows on habitat use of the robust redhorse. 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Fisk, J. M., II, T. J. Kwak, and R. J. Heise. 2009. Reproductive ecology and habitat relations of the robust redhorse. Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee Annual Meeting. September 14–16, Garnett, South Carolina.

Fisk, J. M., II, T. J. Kwak, and R. J. Heise. 2010. Eff ects of regulated fl ows on habitat use of the robust redhorse. Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee Annual Meeting. September 7–9, Garnett, South Carolina.

Flowers, H. J,. and J. E. Hightower. 2009. Potential for the use of hydroacoustic technologies in the study of sturgeons. Gulf Sturgeon Management Meeting. November 16–20, Cedar Key, Florida.

Flowers, H. J., and W. E. Pine III. 2010. Multiple year movement of Gulf sturgeon in the Apalachicola River, Florida. 3rd Annual Meeting of the North American Chapter of the World Sturgeon Society. August 31–September 2, Bozeman, Montana.

Friedl, S. E., J. A. Buckel, J. E. Hightower, F. S. Scharf, and K. H. Pollock. 2010. Telemetry-based mortality estimates of juvenile spot in two North Carolina estuarine creeks. 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Friedl, S. E., J. A. Buckel, J. E. Hightower, F. S. Scharf, and K. H. Pollock. 2010. Telemetry-based mortality estimates of juvenile spot in two North Carolina estuarine creeks. 24th Annual Meeting of the Tidewater Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. March 18–20, Annapolis, Maryland.

Friedl, S. E., J. A. Buckel, J. E. Hightower, F. S. Scharf, and K. H. Pollock. 2010. Telemetry-based mortality estimates of juvenile spot in two North Carolina estuarine creeks. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. February 26–28, Asheville, North Carolina. Poster presentation.

Friedl, S. E., J. A. Buckel, J. E. Hightower, F. S. Scharf, and K. H. Pollock. 2009. Telemetry-based survival estimates of juvenile spot in two North Carolina estuaries. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. July 24, Portland, Oregon.

A member of the riverine amphidromous community in Puerto Rico, juvenile bigmouth sleeper (Gobiomorus dormitor), in Río Mameyes, Puerto Rico.

Will Smith

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Friedl, S. E., J. A. Buckel, J. E. Hightower, F. S. Scharf, and K. H. Pollock. 2009. Eff ects of implanting a relatively large sonic telemetry tag on growth, survival, and tag retention in age-1 spot. Annual Meeting of the Tidewater Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. March 12–14, Wilmington, North Carolina.

Gardner, B., A. H. Waldstein, A. F. O'Connell, T. R. Simons, and J. A. Royle. 2010. Evaluating spatial capture recapture models for estimating density of a raccoon population. 95th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Aug 1–6, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Harris, J. E., and J. E. Hightower. 2009. Migratory patterns of American shad transported above dams on the Roanoke River. Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 23–25, Burlington, North Carolina.

Harris, J. E., and J. E. Hightower. 2010. A demographic population model for American shad: Will access to additional spawning habitat upstream of dams increase population sizes? 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Harris, J. E., and J. E. Hightower. 2010. Demographic population model for American shad: Will access to additional spawning habitat above dams increase population sizes? Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. February 26–28, Asheville, North Carolina.

Hazelton, P. D., W. G. Cope, M. C. Barnhart, and R. B. Bringolf. 2010. Eff ects of PFOS on early life stages of freshwater mussels. Joint Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Carolinas and Southeast Chapters. March 25–27, Athens, Georgia. Winner of the Best Student Platform Presentation.

Hazelton, P. D., W. G. Cope, M. C. Barnhart, and R. B. Bringolf. 2010. Eff ects of PFOS on early life stages of freshwater mussels. Annual Meeting of the Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. January 26–27, Perry, Georgia.

Hazelton, P. D., W. G. Cope, M. C. Barnhart, and R. B. Bringolf. 2009. Evaluating the eff ects of emerging contaminants on reproduction in fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea). 6th Biennial Symposium of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society. April 19–24, Baltimore, Maryland.

Hazelton, P. D., W. G. Cope, Q. Huang, and R. B. Bringolf. 2009. Sublethal eff ects of PFOS on early life stages of freshwater mussels. 30th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. November 19–23, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Heise, R. J., J. M. Fisk II, and T. J. Kwak. 2010. Ecological research to guide robust redhorse management in the Pee Dee River, North and South Carolina. Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Fishes Council. November 11–12, Athens, Georgia.

Heise, R. J., W. G. Cope, T. J. Kwak, and C. B. Eads. 2010. Techniques for restoring imperiled aquatic species: Assessing the eff ects of dam removal on a freshwater mussel assemblage. Symposium on the Restoration of Nongame Species at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. February 25–28, Asheville, North Carolina.

Unit scientists conduct an electrofi shing survey of the Deep River, North Carolina, fi sh community to determine changes associated with the removal of Carbonton Dam.

Tom Kwak

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Heise, R. J., W. G. Cope, T. J. Kwak, B. Jones, J. M. Fisk II, and C. B. Eads. 2010. Techniques for restoring imperiled aquatic species: Assessing the eff ects of dam removal on a freshwater mussel and fi sh assemblage. Conference and Workshop on Stewardship of our Waters: Th e 9th Annual Elon University Fall Environmental Forum. October 8, Elon, North Carolina.

Hightower, J. E. 2009. Are tagging studies the best approach for assessing fi sh stocks? Annual Meeting of the Virginia Tech Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 17, Blacksburg, Virginia.

Hightower, J. E. 2009. Estimating fi sh mortality rates using conventional tagging and telemetry. Conservation Science Web Conference Series, US Fish and Wildlife Service. July 16, Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Hightower, J. E. 2010. Characterizing habitat use and availability for diadromous fi shes. NOAA Northeast and Southeast Diadromous Fish Science and Research Workshop. March 31, Silver Spring, Maryland.

Hightower, J. E., and K. H. Pollock. 2009. Tagging methods for estimating population size and mortality rates of striped bass. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. August 30–September 3, Nashville, Tennessee.

Hightower, J. E., J. C. Taylor, and D. J. Degan. 2009. Can we estimate abundance of adult striped bass in reservoirs using hydroacoustics? 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. August 30–September 3, Nashville, Tennessee.

Hightower, J. E., K. J. Magowan, L. M. Brown, and D. A. Fox. 2008. Reliability of fi sh length estimates using a DIDSON multibeam sonar. DIDSON-Based Fish Assessment Workshop, Annual Meeting of the Alaska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. October 26–28, Anchorage, Alaska.

Hyle, A. R., R. S. McBride, J. E. Harris, and J. C. Holder. 2009. Th e spawning run of blueback herring Alosa aestivalis in Florida’s St. Johns River. Annual Meeting of the Florida Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 17–19, Altoona, Forida.

Iglecia, M. N., and J. A. Collazo. 2009. Informing conservation planning and design for avian populations: Modeling species occurrence at landscape levels. Th e Wildlife Society 16th Annual Conference. September 20–24, Monterey, California. Poster presentation.

Iglecia, M. N., and J. A. Collazo. 2009. Patch occupancy dynamics of the Brown-Headed Nuthatch: Discriminating between patterns and process to inform conservation planning. United States International Association for Landscape Ecology Symposium. April 12–16, Snowbird, Utah. Poster presentation.

Iglecia, M. N., J. A. Collazo and A. J. McKerrow. 2010. Content and context: Predicting occupancy for avian species in the southeastern United States. United States International Association of Landscape Ecology 25thAnniversary Symposium. April 5–9, Athens, Georgia.

Jones, B. K., R. J. Heise, T. J. Kwak, and G. Pottern. 2010. Swimming toward a brighter future: Promising developments for the endangered Cape Fear shiner (Notropis mekistocholas). Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Fishes Council. November 11–12, Athens, Georgia.

King, T., S. Bolden, J. Bowers-Altman, M. Collins, K. Damon-Randall, M. Fisher, J. Fleming, D. Hartley, K. A. Hattala, J. E. Hightower, M. Kieff er, B. Kynard, R. W. Laney, S. Mierzykowski, S. Minkkinen, and M. Mohead. 2010. Identifying the fundamental unit of management and historical demographic patterns in US Atlantic Coast sturgeons: A genetic perspective. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. February 26–28, Asheville, North Carolina.

Kwak, T. J. , and S. D. Favrot. 2009. Reproductive and habitat ecology of the sicklefi n redhorse, an imperiled endemic species. Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 24–25, Burlington, North Carolina.

Kwak, T. J., W. G. Cope, and R. J. Heise. 2010. Habitat suitability of the endangered Cape Fear shiner: implications for species recovery. Symposium on the Restoration of Nongame Species at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. February 25–28, Asheville, North Carolina.

Mays, J. W., W. G. Cope, T. J. Kwak, and D. Shea. 2009. Bioaccumulation of platinum group metals in the freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata. Biennial Symposium of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society. April 19–24, Baltimore, Maryland.

McBride, R. S., J. E. Harris, A. R. Hyle, and J. C. Holder. 2009. Th e spawning run of blueback herring in the St. Johns River, Florida. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. August 30–September 3, Nashville, Tennessee.

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McKerrow, A. J., S. G. Williams, and T. S. Earnhardt. 2008. Setting conservation priorities using the Gap’s online decision support tool. 35th Annual Natural Areas Conference. October 14–17, Nashville, Tennessee. Poster presentation.

McKerrow. A. J. 2010. Interacting with the National Vegetation Classifi cation – a window on the ecological landscape of the United States. Organized Poster Session. 95th Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. August 1–6, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

McKerrow. A. J., A. J. Terando, J. B. Grand, J. A. Collazo, and K. Gergely. 2010. Modeling terrestrial landscape dynamics for the Southeast Regional Assessment Project (SERAP): How the national Gap Analysis Program helped set the stage. 3rd US Geological Survey Modeling Conference. June 7–11, Denver, Colorado.

Midway, S. R., T. J. Kwak, D. D. Aday, and K. Gross. 2010. Instream and artifi cial habitat suitability of the Carolina madtom, an imperiled southeastern stream fi sh. Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfi sh: Th e Second International Symposium. June 19–22, St. Louis, Missouri.

Mitchell, W. A., J. C. Taylor, J. A. Buckel, J. E. Hightower, and M. T. Pratt. 2009. Feasibility of using mobile hydroacoustic surveys for estimating spawning stock size of blueback herring in western Albemarle Sound, North Carolina. Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 23–25, Burlington, North Carolina.

Muldavin, E., T. Keeler-Wolf, D. Roberts, C. Lea, A. J. McKerrow, and A. Solomesheh. 2009. Th e new National Vegetation Classifi cation Standard: An introduction to the system with fi eld applications and training. 94th Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. August 1–2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Nichols, J. D., J. A. Collazo, and A. J. Terando. 2010. Range dynamics of North American landbirds: tests and predictive modeling. 3rd US Geological Survey Modeling Conference. June 7–11, Denver, Colorado.

Pandolfo, T. J., and W. G. Cope. 2009. Implications of temperature sensitivities for managing native mussel populations and their host fi shes. Short course presentation at the Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 23–25, Burlington, North Carolina.

Pandolfo, T. J., W. G. Cope, R. B. Bringolf, and M. C. Barnhart. 2009. Beating the heat: Upper thermal tolerances of the early life stages of freshwater mussels. 6th Biennial Symposium of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society. April 19–24, Baltimore, Maryland.

Pandolfo, T. J., W. G. Cope, R. B. Bringolf, and M. C. Barnhart. 2009. Temperature sensitivities of freshwater mussels and implications for population management. 8th Annual Surface Water Monitoring and Standards Meeting. February 10–12, Chicago, Illinois.

Pandolfo, T. J., W. G. Cope, R. B. Bringolf, M. C. Barnhart, and C. Arellano. 2008. High and dry: Eff ects of water temperature on early life stages of freshwater mussels and implications for drought conditions. Environmental Flows—Water for People and Nature in the Southeast Conference. October 27–29, Athens, Georgia.

Raabe, J. K., and J. E. Hightower. 2009. Assessing benefi ts to American shad of habitat restored by dam removals. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. August 30–September 3, Nashville, Tennessee.

Raabe, J. K., and J. E. Hightower. 2010. Evaluating benefi ts to American shad of habitat restored by dam removals. 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Rogers, S., C. A. Drew, and J. A. Collazo. 2009. Reproductive activity and success of King Rail (Rallus elegans) in coastal North Carolina and Virginia. 33rd Annual Meeting of the Waterbird Society. November 4–8, Cape May, New Jersey.

Smith, J. A., and J. E. Hightower. 2009. Spawning activity and migratory characteristics of American shad and striped bass in the Cape Fear River, North Carolina. Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 23–25, Burlington, North Carolina.

Smith, W. E., and T. J. Kwak. 2010. Annual reproductive chronology of Puerto Rico native freshwater fi sh. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. February 25–28, Asheville, North Carolina. Poster presentation.

Taylor, J. C., W. A. Mitchell, J. E. Hightower, J. A. Buckel, and M. T. Pratt. 2009. Feasibility of using mobile hydroacoustic surveys for estimating spawning stock size of blueback herring in western Albemarle Sound, North Carolina. Annual Meeting of the Tidewater Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. March 12–14, Wilmington, North Carolina.

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Terando, A. J. 2009. How well do Global Circulation Models simulate high impact measures of climate change? An assessment of past trends and future projections of agro-climate indices. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. December 14–18, San Francisco, California.

Terando, A. J., J. A. Collazo, C. M. Belyea, J. K. Costanza, T. S. Earnhardt, A. J. McKerrow, and S. G. Williams. 2010. Th e Southeast Regional Assessment Project (SERAP): Bridging climate change and ecology for strategic habitat conservation. Incorporating climate change into North Carolina’s Wildlife Action Plan, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Workshop. September 1–2, Raleigh, North Carolina. Poster presentation.

Terando, A. J., M. Haran, K. Hayhoe, K. Keller, S. Bhat, R. Tonkonojenkov, and N. Urban. 2010. Developing probabilistic climate change projections. 3rd US Geological Modeling Conference. June 7–11, Denver, Colorado.

Terando, A. J., T. S. Earhnhardt, and A. J. McKerrow. 2010. Projecting climate change eff ects on fi re in the Southeast. Annual Meeting of the American Association of Geographers. April 14–18, Washington, DC.

Waine, M. W., and J. E. Hightower. 2009. Assessing spawning runs of anadromous fi shes using split-beam and multi-beam sonar systems. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. August 30–September 3, Nashville, Tennessee.

Waine, M. W., J. E. Hightower, and K. M. Boswell. 2008. Deployment of split-beam and DIDSON systems to estimate abundance of anadromous species in the Roanoke River, North Carolina. DIDSON-Based Fish Assessment Workshop, Annual Meeting of the Alaska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. October 26–28, Anchorage, Alaska. Poster presentation.

Waldstein, A. H., T. R. Simons, A. F. O'Connell, and K. H. Pollock. 2009. Camera traps and mark–resight sampling of a coastal raccoon population: Evaluating estimates of abundance, density, survival, and sources of bias. 10th International Mammal Congress. August 9–15, Mendoza, Argentina.

Wallace, B. C., and T. J. Kwak. 2010. Incorporating salmonid production dynamics to guide management decisions in intensively utilized fi sheries. Annual Meeting of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. January 21–22, Ames, Iowa.

Wallace, B. C., and T. J. Kwak. 2010. Production dynamics for management of trout in low-productivity streams. Best Student Paper Symposium at the 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Wallace, B. C., D. M. Weaver, and T. J. Kwak. 2009. An evaluation of baited hoop nets for sampling catfi sh in small impoundments. Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 24–25, Burlington, North Carolina.

Wallace, B. C., D. M. Weaver, and T. J. Kwak. 2010. Effi ciency of baited hoop nets for sampling catfi sh in southeastern US small impoundments. Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfi sh: Th e Second International Symposium. June 19–22, St. Louis, Missouri.

Weaver, D. M., and T. J. Kwak. 2010. Eff ects of stocked trout on native nongame riverine fi shes. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. February 25–28, Asheville, North Carolina.

Weaver, D. M., and T. J. Kwak. 2010. Eff ects of stocked trout on native nongame riverine fi shes. Best Student Paper Symposium at the 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. September 12–16, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Weaver, D. M., T. J. Kwak, and K. H. Pollock. 2009. Accuracy of snorkeling techniques for estimating stream fi sh populations. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. January 15–18, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Weaver, D. M., T. J. Kwak, and K. H. Pollock. 2009. Accuracy of snorkeling techniques for estimating stream fi sh populations. Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 24–25, Burlington, North Carolina.

Weaver, D. M., T. J. Kwak, and K. H. Pollock. 2009. Accuracy of snorkeling techniques for estimating stream fi sh populations. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. August 30–September 3, Nashville, Tennessee.

Williams, S. G., A. J. McKerrow, and J. A. Collazo. 2009. Regional Gap Analysis in the Eastern US: Basic building blocks of conservation planning. Annual Meeting of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. April 26–28, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

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WORKSHOPSNational Climate Change and Wildlife Center

Workshop on downscaled climate model data and the proposed Geo-Data Portal. 2010. Hosted by the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. February 23–25, Raleigh, North Carolina.

National Climate Change and Wildlife Center Workshop as part of the development of the Geo-Data Portal: ‘High resolution climate projections for ecosystems impact modeling.’ 3rd USGS Modeling Conference. June 7–11, Denver, Colorado.

Southeast Regional Assessment Project Workshop. 2010. Hosted by the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. September 21–23, Raleigh, North Carolina.

INVITED SEMINARS Collazo, J. A. 2009. Wintering ecology of shorebirds in

western Florida. Invited Seminar at the University of Florida. November 11, Gainesville, Florida.

Hightower, J. E. 2009. Hydroacoustic survey methods, Roanoke River, North Carolina. Invited Seminar at the University of Maine. July 24, Orono, Maine.

Kwak, T. J. 2009. Ecology and management of a domestic invasive species—or—why we shouldn’t move fi sh around. Invited Seminar at the Water Resources Center and School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska. March 25, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Kwak, T. J. 2009. Swimming against the current: the ecology of Caribbean freshwater stream fi sh. Invited Seminar at the Warnell School of Forest Resources and American Fisheries Society Student Subunit, University of Georgia. November 10, Athens, Georgia.

Simons, T. R. 2010. Th e importance of estimating detection probabilies in animal sampling. Invited Seminar at Virginia Tech. September 23, Blacksburg, Virginia.

Simons, T. R. 2010. Fifteen years of American Oystercatcher research on the Outer Banks of North Carolina: Focal species management in a dynamic environment. Invited Seminar at North Carolina State University Fisheries and Wildlife Program and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. January 28, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Jake Hughes (right) and crew set up a hydroacoustic monitoring site despite fl ood-stage conditions on the Roanoke River during the spring of 2010.

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NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVEFISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT Campus Box 7617Department of BiologyNC State UniversityRaleigh, North Carolina 27695-7617

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

COOPER ATORSNorth Carolina State University

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

United States Geological Survey

United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Wildlife Management Institute