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Identifier Title Type Subject
Zebra and quagga mussel management planZebra and quagga mussel management planTextAquatic nuisance species
ANS
Zebra mussels
Quagga mussels
Type:Text
Subject:Aquatic nuisance species
ANS
Zebra mussels
Quagga mussels
Description:The Colorado Zebra/Quagga Mussel Management Plan (ZQM Plan) outlines a statewide collaborative effort to detect, contain, and substantially reduce the risk of the spread and further infestation by zebra/quagga mussels in Colorado. The Plan is coordinated by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) as part of the State Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Program. The Plan’s primary components are early detection and rapid response, containment, prevention and education/outreach. [show more]
Wolverine occupancy, spatial distribution, and monitoring designWolverine occupancy, spatial distribution, and monitoring designArticleCamera trap
Idaho
Montana
Occupancy
Sampling rare species
Washington
Wolverine
Wyoming
Type:Article
Subject:Camera trap
Idaho
Montana
Occupancy
Sampling rare species
Washington
Wolverine
Wyoming
Description:In the western United States, wolverines (Gulo gulo) typically occupy high-elevation habitats. Because wolverine populations occur in vast, remote areas across multiple states, biologists have an imperfect understanding of this species' current distribution and population status. The historical extirpation of the wolverine, a subsequent period of recovery, and the lack of a coordinated monitoring program in the western United States to determine their current distribution further complicate understanding of their population status. We sought to define the limits to the current distribution, identify potential gaps in distribution, and provide a baseline dataset for future monitoring and analysis of factors contributing to changes in distribution of wolverines across 4 western states. We used remotely triggered camera stations and hair snares to detect wolverines across randomly selected 15-km × 15-km cells in Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming, USA, during winters 2016 and 2017. We used spatial occupancy models to examine patterns in wolverine distribution. We also examined the influence of proportion of the cell containing predicted wolverine habitat, human-modified land, and green vegetation, and area of the cluster of contiguous sampling cells. We sampled 183 (28.9%) of 633 cells that comprised a suspected wolverine range in these 4 states and we detected wolverines in 59 (32.2%) of these 183 sampled cells. We estimated that 268 cells (42.3%; 95% CI = 182–347) of the 633 cells were used by wolverines. Proportion of the cell containing modeled wolverine habitat was weakly positively correlated with wolverine occupancy, but no other covariates examined were correlated with wolverine occupancy. Occupancy rates (ψ) were highest in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (ψ range = 0.8–1), intermediate in the Cascades and Central Mountains of Idaho (ψ range = 0.4–0.6), and lower in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (ψ range = 0.1–0.3). We provide baseline data for future surveys of wolverine along with a design and protocol to conduct those surveys.  [show more]
Wolf resource guide: hands-on resource guide to reduce depredationsWolf resource guide: hands-on resource guide to reduce depredationsTextGray wolf
Livestock depredation
Intensive grazing
Livestock guard dog
Fladry
Type:Text
Subject:Gray wolf
Livestock depredation
Intensive grazing
Livestock guard dog
Fladry
Description:Intended as a useful introduction for ranchers andlivestock owners to implement effective strategies toprevent wolf depredations.Includes information on the following risk-management tools:Management Intensive Grazing (MIG)• Livestock Guard Dogs• Livestock Guarding Donkeys• Carcass Management• Riders and Herders• Fladry/Electrified Fladry• Scare Devices• Managing Livestock on High-Risk Landscapes• Herd Composition [show more]
Wolf prey selection in an elk-bison system: choice or circumstance?Wolf prey selection in an elk-bison system: choice or circumstance?ArticlePrey selection
Wolf
Elk
Bison
Type:Article
Subject:Prey selection
Wolf
Elk
Bison
Description:What a predator eats when given choices, and the subsequent effects of this behavior on ecosystem stability, has long been a topic of interest for ecologists.  href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/prey-selection" title="Learn more about Prey Selection from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages" class="topic-link" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prey selection is influenced by the absolute and relative abundances of prey types, the life history characteristics of predators and prey, and the attributes of the environment in which these interactions occur. Strong preference by a predator for a particular prey type can lead to ecosystem instability, while prey switching can lessen predation effects on the less abundant prey and enhance system stability. Evaluating prey selection in large mammal systems is difficult due to the broad spatial and temporal scales at which these predatory interactions occur, and investigations, particularly with wolf-ungulate systems, typically involve only the primary prey. Multiple prey species characterize most large mammal predator-prey systems, therefore research into predator-multiple prey dynamics has the potential to yield important ecological insights. We studied winter prey selection during 1996–1997 through 2006–2007 in a newly established wolf-elk-bison system where prey differed substantially in their vulnerability to wolf (Canis lupus) predation and wolves preyed primarily on elk (Cervus elaphus) but also used bison (Bison bison) to varying degrees within and among winters and packs. We analyzed the relative influences of prey abundance, predator abundance, and environmental variables on the selection of prey species and age classes and evaluated whether wolves exhibited prey switching from elk to bison. [show more]
Wolf kill rates: predictably variable?Wolf kill rates: predictably variable?ArticlePredator–prey interactions
Prey selection
Wolf
Elk
Bison
Type:Article
Subject:Predator–prey interactions
Prey selection
Wolf
Elk
Bison
Description:The ability of predators to successfully capture and kill prey is affected by the abundance and diversity of the prey assemblage, and such variation is a fundamental driver of ecosystem dynamics because per capita consumption rate strongly influences the stability and strength of community interactions. Descriptions of predatory behavior in this context typically include the functional response, specifically the kill rate of a predator as a function of prey density. Thus, a major objective in studying predator–prey interactions is to evaluate the strength of the numerous factors related to the kill rate of a predator, and to subsequently determine the forms of its functional response in natural systems because different forms have different consequences for ecosystem dynamics. Recent controversies over the nature of predation focus on the respective roles of prey and predator abundance in affecting the functional response. However, resolution requires more direct measures of kill rates in natural systems. We estimated wolf (Canis lupus) kill rates in a tractable and newly established wolf–elk (Cervus elaphus)–bison (Bison bison) system in the Madison headwaters area of Yellowstone National Park during winters 1998–1999 to 2006–2007 to document the transition from over seven decades without wolves to a well-established top predator population. Wolf abundance, distribution, and prey selection varied during the study, concurrent with variations in the demography, distribution, and behavior of elk and bison. These dynamics enabled us to evaluate factors influencing variations in wolf kill rates and the forms of their functional response. [show more]
Winter recreation and Canada lynx: reducing conflict through niche partitioningWinter recreation and Canada lynx: reducing conflict through niche partitioningArticleBackcountry skiing
Colorado
Dispersed recreation
Functional response
Habitat selection
Heliskiing
<em>Lynx canadensis</em>
Outdoor recreation
Resource-selection functions
Snowmobiling
Winter recreation
Type:Article
Subject:Backcountry skiing
Colorado
Dispersed recreation
Functional response
Habitat selection
Heliskiing
<em>Lynx canadensis</em>
Outdoor recreation
Resource-selection functions
Snowmobiling
Winter recreation
Description:Outdoor recreationists are important advocates for wildlife on public lands. However, balancing potential impacts associated with increased human disturbance with the conservation of sensitive species is a central issue facing ecologists and land managers alike, especially for dispersed winter recreation due to its disproportionate impact to wildlife. We studied how dispersed winter recreation (outside developed ski areas) impacted a reintroduced meso-carnivore, Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), at the southern periphery of the species’ range in the southern Rocky Mountains. On a voluntary basis, we distributed global positioning system (GPS) units to winter recreationists and documented 2143 spatial movement tracks of recreationists engaged in motorized and nonmotorized winter sports for a total cumulative distance of 56,000 km from 2010 to 2013. We also deployed GPS radio collars on adult Canada lynx that were resident in the mountainous topography that attracted high levels of dispersed winter recreation. We documented that resource-selection models (RSFs) for Canada lynx were significantly improved when selection patterns of winter recreationists were included in best-performing models. Canada lynx and winter recreationists partitioned environmental gradients in ways that reduced the potential for recreation-related disturbance. Although the inclusion of recreation improved the RSF model for Canada lynx, environmental covariates explained most variation in resource use. The environmental gradients that most separated areas selected by Canada lynx from those used by recreationists were forest canopy closure, road density, and slope. Canada lynx also exhibited a functional response of increased avoidance of areas selected by motorized winter recreationists (snowmobiling off-trail, hybrid snowmobile) compared with either no functional response (hybrid ski) or selection for (backcountry skiing) areas suitable for nonmotorized winter recreation. We conclude with a discussion of implications associated with providing winter recreation balanced with the conservation of Canada lynx. [show more]
Winter diet and hunting success of Canada lynx in ColoradoWinter diet and hunting success of Canada lynx in ColoradoArticleCanada lynx
Colorado
Diet
Hunting success
<em>Lepus americanus</em>
<em>Lynx canadensis</em>
Red squirrel
Refugia
Snowshoe hare
Stem density
<em>Tamiasciurus hudsonicus</em>
Type:Article
Subject:Canada lynx
Colorado
Diet
Hunting success
<em>Lepus americanus</em>
<em>Lynx canadensis</em>
Red squirrel
Refugia
Snowshoe hare
Stem density
<em>Tamiasciurus hudsonicus</em>
Description:Information regarding the diet of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) at the southernmost extent of its range is critical for managing the species under current and predicted climate conditions. Therefore, from 1999–2009, we investigated winter diet and hunting strategies of Canada lynx in Colorado, USA by tracking individuals in the snow to identify sites where lynx encountered and killed prey. Similar to other parts of lynx range, snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) were the primary winter food in Colorado, especially when considering total biomass consumed. Red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) comprised the bulk of the remaining food items and were a substantial occurrence during several years, which is consistent with previous hypotheses regarding the diet of lynx in southerly populations. Lynx successfully captured snowshoe hares on 31% of attempts and red squirrels on 47% of attempts, similar to lynx in other regions. In contrast to other populations, the majority of chases of both prey species were initiated while actively hunting rather than by ambush and this behavior did not change through time. We found evidence for snowshoe hare refugia during winter; hunting success for hares peaked at sites with approximately 3,000 stems/ha, but was lower in more dense vegetation where hare densities were greater. Given this finding and the apparent importance of red squirrels as alternate prey, we suggest that management for lynx in the southern Rocky Mountains, USA, focus on maintenance of mature, uneven-aged Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii)-subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) stands. Such stands naturally provide patches of dense and open habitats juxtaposed closely together that should simultaneously facilitate high hare densities (and refuge from predation) and accessibility to hares by lynx. Mature trees in such stands also provide abundant cone crops to sustain populations of red squirrels for use as alternate prey.  [show more]
Wildlife Research Reports (1995-2000)Wildlife Research Reports (1995-2000)Text
Type:Text
Description:

Published under title: Wildlife Research Reports from 1980-2000. This set contains 1995-2000.Research topics issued in specific months. January 1983-1986: Non-game investigations; January 1987-1993: Raptor investigations. April 1980-1982: Game bird survey; April 1983: Small game investigations; April 1984: Game bird survey; April 1986-2000: Avian research. July 1980-1984, July 1985- Mammals. September 1983-1984: Law Enforcement investigations; September 1986: Wildlife law enforcement research. October 1980-1984: Migratory bird investigations; October 1999: Avian research, migratory birds; October 1989-1993: Migratory game bird research. Continues: Game Research Report (1963-1979) Continued by: Wildlife Research Report. Mammals (2001-current). Avian research did not publish quarterly/annual report from 2001-2009.

Print copy: Federal Aid binders

[show more]
Wildlife Research Reports (1988-1994)Wildlife Research Reports (1988-1994)Text
Type:Text
Description:

Published under title: Wildlife Research Reports from 1980-2000. This set contains 1988-1994.Research topics issued in specific months. January 1983-1986: Non-game investigations; January 1987-1993: Raptor investigations. April 1980-1982: Game bird survey; April 1983: Small game investigations; April 1984: Game bird survey; April 1986-2000: Avian research. July 1980-1984, July 1985- Mammals. September 1983-1984: Law Enforcement investigations; September 1986: Wildlife law enforcement research. October 1980-1984: Migratory bird investigations; October 1999: Avian research, migratory birds; October 1989-1993: Migratory game bird research. Continues: Game Research Report (1963-1979) Continued by: Wildlife Research Report. Mammals (2001-current). Avian research did not publish quarterly/annual report from 2001-2009.

Print copy: Federal Aid binders

[show more]
Wildlife Research Reports (1980-1987)Wildlife Research Reports (1980-1987)Text
Type:Text
Description:Published under title: Wildlife Research Reports from 1980-2000. This set contains 1980-1987.Research topics issued in specific months. January 1983-1986: Non-game investigations; January 1987-1993: Raptor investigations. April 1980-1982: Game bird survey; April 1983: Small game investigations; April 1984: Game bird survey; April 1986-2000: Avian research. July 1980-1984, July 1985- Mammals. September 1983-1984: Law Enforcement investigations; September 1986: Wildlife law enforcement research. October 1980-1984: Migratory bird investigations; October 1999: Avian research, migratory birds; October 1989-1993: Migratory game bird research. Continues: Game Research Report (1963-1979) Continued by: Wildlife Research Report. Mammals (2001-current). Avian research did not publish quarterly/annual report from 2001-2009.Print copy: Federal Aid binders [show more]