| Using digital photographs and pattern recognition to identify individual boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) | Using digital photographs and pattern recognition to identify individual boreal toads (<em>Anaxyrus boreas boreas</em>) | Article | Boreal Toads
<div class="element-text"><em>Anaxyrus boreas boreas</em></div>
Identification |
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Type:Article Subject:Boreal Toads
<div class="element-text"><em>Anaxyrus boreas boreas</em></div>
Identification |
Description:Individual identification of animals can provide an array ofuseful capture-mark-recapture information, allowing researchers to estimate survival, movement, abundance, recruitment, and capture probability (Williams et al. 2002). This information can yield valuable insight to field investigators regarding a species’ life history (Davis and Ovaska 2001; Phillott et al. 2007). Techniques used to identify individuals of many species have been developed and refined to gather this information. Toe clipping, PIT tagging,polymers and pigments, branding, and pattern mapping are all viable techniques for identifying individuals of many amphibian species (Donnelly et al. 1994; Davis and Ovaska 2001). [show more]
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| Using digital photographs and pattern recognition identify individual boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) | Using digital photographs and pattern recognition identify individual boreal toads (<em>Anaxyrus boreas boreas</em>) | Text | Boreal Toads
<em>Anaxyrus boreas boreas</em>
Identification |
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Type:Text Subject:Boreal Toads
<em>Anaxyrus boreas boreas</em>
Identification |
Description:Individual identification of animals can provide an array of useful capture-mark-recapture information, allowing researchers to estimate survival, movement, abundance, recruitment, and capture probability (Williams et al. 2002). This information can yield valuable insight to field investigators regarding a species’ life history (Davis and Ovaska 2001; Phillott et al. 2007). Techniques used to identify individuals of many species have been developed and refined to gather this information. Toe clipping, PIT tagging, polymers and pigments, branding, and pattern mapping are all viable techniques for identifying individuals of many amphibian species (Davis and Ovaska 2001, Donnelly et al. 1994). [show more]
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| Using auxiliary telemetry information to estimate animal density from capture–recapture data | Using auxiliary telemetry information to estimate animal density from capture–recapture data | Article | Density
Geographic closure
Mark-recapture
Telemetry |
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Type:Article Subject:Density
Geographic closure
Mark-recapture
Telemetry |
Description:Estimation of animal density is fundamental to ecology, and ecologists often pursue density estimates using grids of detectors (e.g., cameras, live traps, hair snags) to sample animals at a study site. However, under such a framework, reliable estimates can be difficult to obtain because animals move on and off of the site during the sampling session (i.e., the site is not closed geographically). Generally, practitioners address lack of geographic closure by inflating the area sampled by the detectors based on the mean distance individuals moved between trapping events or invoking hierarchical models in which animal density is assumed to be a spatial point process, and detection is modeled as a declining function of distance to a detector. We provide an alternative in which lack of geographic closure is sampled directly using telemetry, and this auxiliary information is used to compute estimates of density based on a modified Huggins closed-capture estimator. Contrary to other approaches, this method is free from assumptions regarding the distribution and movement of animals on the landscape, the stationarity of their home ranges, and biases induced by abnormal movements in response to baited detectors. The estimator is freely available in Program MARK. [show more]
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| Use of predictive distribution models to describe habitat selection by bats in Colorado, USA | Use of predictive distribution models to describe habitat selection by bats in Colorado, USA | Article | Bats
Bayesian regression analysis
Colorado
Habitat selection modeling
Pinyon‐juniper
Presence‐only data
Probability of use |
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Type:Article Subject:Bats
Bayesian regression analysis
Colorado
Habitat selection modeling
Pinyon‐juniper
Presence‐only data
Probability of use |
Description:Numerous processes operating at landscape scales threaten bats (e.g., habitat loss, disease). Temperate bat species are rarely examined at commensurate scales because of logistical and modeling constraints. Recent modeling approaches now allow for presence-only datasets, like those often available for bats, to assist with the development of predictive distribution models. We describe the use of presence-only data and rigorous predictive distribution models to examine habitat selection by bats across Colorado, USA. We applied hierarchical Bayesian models to bat locations from 1906–2018 to examine relationships of 13 species with landscape covariates. We considered differences in type of activity (foraging, roosting, hibernation), seasonality (summer vs. winter), and scale (1, 5, 10, and 15-km buffers). These findings generated statewide probability of use models to guide management of bat species in response to threats (e.g., white-nose syndrome [WNS]). Analysis of buffers suggest selection of land cover and environmental covariates occurs at different scales depending on the species and activity. Pinyon (Pinus spp.)-juniper (Juniperus spp.) appeared as a positive association in the highest number of models, followed by montane woodland, supporting the importance of these forest types to bats in Colorado. Other covariates commonly associated with bats in Colorado include westerly longitudes, and negative associations with montane shrubland. Mechanical treatments within pinyon-juniper and montane woodlands should be conducted with caution to avoid harming bat communities. We developed hibernation models for only 2 species, making apparent the lack of winter records for bat species in the state. We also provide a composite predictive surface of small-bodied bats in Colorado that delineates where these species, vulnerable to WNS, converge. This tool provides managers with focal points to apply surveillance and response strategies for the impending arrival of the disease. [show more]
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| Urbanization impacts apex predator gene flow but not genetic diversity across an urban‐rural divide | Urbanization impacts apex predator gene flow but not genetic diversity across an urban‐rural divide | Article | Effective population size
Gene flow
Landscape genomics
<em>Puma concolor</em>
Urbanization
Genetic diversity |
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Type:Article Subject:Effective population size
Gene flow
Landscape genomics
<em>Puma concolor</em>
Urbanization
Genetic diversity |
Description:Apex predators are important indicators of intact natural ecosystems. They are also sensitive to urbanization because they require broad home ranges and extensive contiguous habitat to support their prey base. Pumas (Puma concolor) can persist near human developed areas, but urbanization may be detrimental to their movement ecology, population structure, and genetic diversity. To investigate potential effects of urbanization in population connectivity of pumas, we performed a landscape genomics study of 130 pumas on the rural Western Slope and more urbanized Front Range of Colorado, USA. Over 12,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using double-digest, restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq). We investigated patterns of gene flow and genetic diversity, and tested for correlations between key landscape variables and genetic distance to assess the effects of urbanization and other landscape factors on gene flow. Levels of genetic diversity were similar for the Western Slope and Front Range, but effective population sizes were smaller, genetic distances were higher, and there was more admixture in the more urbanized Front Range. Forest cover was strongly positively associated with puma gene flow on the Western Slope, while impervious surfaces restricted gene flow and more open, natural habitats enhanced gene flow on the Front Range. Landscape genomic analyses revealed differences in puma movement and gene flow patterns in rural versus urban settings. Our results highlight the utility of dense, genome-scale markers to document subtle impacts of urbanization on a wide-ranging carnivore living near a large urban center. [show more]
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Upper Arkansas River instream habitat restoration project:
2020 annual site assessment | Upper Arkansas River instream habitat restoration project:
2020 annual site assessment | Text | Upper Arkansas River
Habitat restoration |
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Type:Text Subject:Upper Arkansas River
Habitat restoration |
Description:Monitoring activities to evaluate restoration effectiveness for the upper Arkansas River Habitat Restoration Project were conducted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and contractors during 2020 and 2021. Efforts were primarily focused on data analysis and publication of results for monitoring targets, including fish populations, riparian vegetation, benthic macroinvertebrates, instream habitat structures, and water quality. Some fish population, benthic macroinvertebrate, riparian vegetation and habitat metrics improved following restoration, although not all metrics have achieved target goals. Significant improvements in Brown Trout Salmo trutta density, biomass and condition were encouraging, but apparent declines in quality trout could be indicative of increased competition or limited forage. The abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates increased, but not to the level of project goals. Woody riparian vegetation increased significantly, and encroachment of riparian vegetation has outpaced bank erosion, which suggests that bank stability has improved and the channel is moving towards dynamic equilibrium. Multiple metrics indicate that ecosystem health within the California Gulch Superfund Site continues to improve. [show more]
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| Understanding and managing human tolerance for a large carnivore in a residential system | Understanding and managing human tolerance for a large carnivore in a residential system | Article | Human tolerance
Human-bear conflict
Black bear |
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Type:Article Subject:Human tolerance
Human-bear conflict
Black bear |
Description:Human tolerance for interactions with large carnivores is an important determinant of their persistence on the landscape, yet the relative importance of factors affecting tolerance is not fully understood. Further, the impact of management efforts to alter tolerance has not been adequately assessed. We developed a model containing a comprehensive set of predictors drawn from prior studies and tested it through a longitudinal survey measuring tolerance for black bears (Ursus americanus) in the vicinity of Durango, Colorado, USA. Predictors included human-bear conflicts, outcomes of interactions with bears, perceptions of benefits and risks from bears, trust in managers, perceived similarity with the goals of managers, personal control over risks, value orientations toward wildlife, and demographic factors. In addition, we monitored changes in tolerance resulting from a bear-proofing experiment designed to reduced garbage-related conflicts in the community. Residents who perceived greater benefits associated with bears and more positive impacts from bear-related interactions had higher tolerance. Residents who perceived greater risks and more negative impacts and who had greater trust in managers, domination wildlife value orientations, and older age were less tolerant. Conflicts with bears were not an important predictor, supported by our finding that changes in conflicts resulting from our bear-proofing experiment did not affect tolerance. In contrast to conservation approaches that focus primarily on decreasing human-wildlife conflicts, our findings suggest that communication approaches aimed at increasing public tolerance for carnivores could be improved by emphasizing the benefits and positive impacts of living with these species. [show more]
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| Tips for handling live aquatic bait | Tips for handling live aquatic bait | Text | Aquatic nuisance species
ANS
Fishing |
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Type:Text Subject:Aquatic nuisance species
ANS
Fishing |
Description:Live aquatic bait, such as minnows, crayfish, leeches, and mud puppies, can ruin fishing and introduce diseases to the fish already in the lake. Mussels and their microscopic larvae or plants can be transported in water held in the bait buckets or live wells. Once the boat is transported to another body of water, the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) can be deposited into the new water. Anglers and boaters must take care not to move plants, animals, or water to a new lake or stream. [show more]
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| Tips for a speedy invasive species boat inspection | Tips for a speedy invasive species boat inspection | Brochure | Aquatic invasive species
AIS
Boating
Inspection |
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Type:Brochure Subject:Aquatic invasive species
AIS
Boating
Inspection |
Description:The better prepared you and your boat are for an inspection, the faster it will go!
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| Time-varying predatory behavior is primary predictor of fine-scale movement of wildland-urban cougars | Time-varying predatory behavior is primary predictor of fine-scale movement of wildland-urban cougars | Article | Animal movement
Hierarchical model
Individual variation
Population-level
Predation
Telemetry
Wildland-urban interface |
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Type:Article Subject:Animal movement
Hierarchical model
Individual variation
Population-level
Predation
Telemetry
Wildland-urban interface |
Description: Background
While many species have suffered from the detrimental impacts of increasing human population growth, some species, such as cougars (Puma concolor), have been observed using human-modified landscapes. However, human-modified habitat can be a source of both increased risk and increased food availability, particularly for large carnivores. Assessing preferential use of the landscape is important for managing wildlife and can be particularly useful in transitional habitats, such as at the wildland-urban interface. Preferential use is often evaluated using resource selection functions (RSFs), which are focused on quantifying habitat preference using either a temporally static framework or researcher-defined temporal delineations. Many applications of RSFs do not incorporate time-varying landscape availability or temporally-varying behavior, which may mask conflict and avoidance behavior.
Methods
Contemporary approaches to incorporate landscape availability into the assessment of habitat selection include spatio-temporal point process models, step selection functions, and continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC) models; in contrast with the other methods, the CTMC model allows for explicit inference on animal movement in continuous-time. We used a hierarchical version of the CTMC framework to model speed and directionality of fine-scale movement by a population of cougars inhabiting the Front Range of Colorado, U.S.A., an area exhibiting rapid population growth and increased recreational use, as a function of individual variation and time-varying responses to landscape covariates.
Results
We found evidence for individual- and daily temporal-variability in cougar response to landscape characteristics. Distance to nearest kill site emerged as the most important driver of movement at a population-level. We also detected seasonal differences in average response to elevation, heat loading, and distance to roads. Motility was also a function of amount of development, with cougars moving faster in developed areas than in undeveloped areas.
Conclusions
The time-varying framework allowed us to detect temporal variability that would be masked in a generalized linear model, and improved the within-sample predictive ability of the model. The high degree of individual variation suggests that, if agencies want to minimize human-wildlife conflict management options should be varied and flexible. However, due to the effect of recursive behavior on cougar movement, likely related to the location and timing of potential kill-sites, kill-site identification tools may be useful for identifying areas of potential conflict. [show more]
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