Welcome to the interactive web schedule for the 2017 SEAFWA Conference! For tips on how to navigate this site, visit the "Helpful Info" section. To return to the SEAFWA website, go to: www.seafwa.org/conference/overview
Note: Session titles beginning with an asterisk (*) have student presenters.
All students are invited to attend this informal meet and greet for a briefing on all the student-related activities and quick conference breakdown. There will be time for questions and networking, as well as a “business card challenge” to encourage students to collect business cards from professionals. The student who collects the most will receive a prize! Cash bar, and light refreshments will be available.
Come early to the Welcome Reception to explore the Muhammed Ali Center - an award winning museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Muhammed Ali, a native of Louisville. The museum opens at 5:00 PM for viewing and the Reception begins at 6:00 PM. Conference nametag required.
Short walking distance from hotel. Depart from the main lobby.
Join us at an award-winning museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali, a native of Louisville - Sponsored by National Shooting Sports Foundation
The museum opens at 5:00 PM for viewing only; the Reception begins at 6:00 PM.
Travel from Louisville east toward Frankfort to experience Kentucky’s finest: thoroughbred horses, farmfresh Southern cuisine and award-winning bourbon. Join us on this full-day excursion and discover the unbridled spirit of the Bluegrass State, featuring a tour of the Saxony Horse Farm, lunch at Addie’s Restaurant, and tastings at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Fee: $50 (a $90 value!). Advance registration is required. Space is limited! Sign up online using the registration form, or RSVP to info@delaneymeetingevent.com to indicate your interest in participating in this activity. View the flyer by clicking the link below.
8:40 a.m. Introductory Greeting by the Commissioner
8:50 a.m. Welcome to Louisville – how to make the most of your visit!
9:00 a.m. Conservation Partnerships: Three Examples from Kentucky
Dr. David Wicks – Beargrass Creek
Jason Nally – Maker’s Mark Distillery
Dane Balsman – Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs)
9:30 a.m. Remaining relevant in the 21st Century: It’s NOT Back to the Future! Jason Say, CEO Sportsmen Portal; Co-Host and Owner of Wired Outdoors
10:00 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Politics of Conservation Bruce I. Knight, Principal and Founder, Strategic Conservation Solutions Politics of Conservation – Conservation is usually a nonpartisan or a bipartisan issue. As Congress begins to write the next Farm Bill and the new administration gets its appointees and policy priorities in place, all conservation funding and programs are under scrutiny. This provides SEAFWA members with an opportunity to provide input and direct federal funding towards the programs that work best for them on the ground. Knight will provide an insider\'s perspective on the politics of conservation in today\'s ever changing climate.
11:00 a.m. An Industry Perspective on Conservation Challenges in the 21st Century Jay McAninch, CEO and President of the Archery Trade Association
Principal and Founder, Strategic Conservation Solutions
Bruce Knight is a nationally recognized expert on conservation, agriculture and the environment. With a long track record of bringing strategic workable solutions to complex and controversial issues, he understands the workings of farm and conservation policy from the grassroots to... Read More →
Jay McAninch has led the ATA since 2000 and a hallmark of his tenure has been the rejuvenation of the relationship between industry and the state agencies. McAninch took a leadership role in the formation of the Industry-Agency Coalition and is a founding board member of the Council... Read More →
Co-Host and Owner of Wired Outdoors, CEO Sportsmen Portal
Jason Say came to the outdoor industry after working for 14 years in healthcare where he was the Director of Strategic Planning and Marketing of a major health system. Jason brought that same disciplined marketing approach that he used in healthcare as he followed his dream of working... Read More →
AUTHORS: Ron Brooks, Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: Asian carp invaded the Ohio River late in the 20th century. The small level of invasions and the relative value of the Ohio River as a fishery resulted in little attention by various the state, main-stem agencies. Consensus agreement was that there was no way to stop the invasive fishes’ expanding ranges or numbers, regardless. This revelation of despair was evident even after the jumping silver carp numbers exploded in the pools below Louisville, Kentucky, and after the fish had finally solved the dilemma provided by the Falls of the Ohio which seemed to block their expansion up the Ohio River for several years. However, the state agencies’ sentiment changed when there was a plea from Pennsylvania and an offer for funding from a private source to try and slow Asian carp expansion. In 2011, MICRA began educating Congress about the River’s issues; and the D.C visits have continued annually every year since. By 2013, population assessments and removal of Asian carp from the leading edge of the Ohio River invasion was initiated utilizing a mixture of private and Kentucky agency funding; and later, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provided funding and staff for telemetry and hydroacoustics work. MICRA’s persistence and work with the Ohio River states resulted in an Ohio River Asian carp framework, several action plans, and additional funding through the USFWS. Today, the consistent, ongoing multiagency effort is instrumental in Asian carp removal and monitoring its effects on the carps’ leading edge expansion.
Monday October 30, 2017 1:20pm - 1:40pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Jessica L. Tegt, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State
ABSTRACT: Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are arguably one of the greatest wildlife management challenges facing natural resource professionals and landowners in the United States. Although significant resources have been allocated to address research and management needs of wild pigs, only marginal success on a distribution wide scale has been achieved to date. As with other wildlife conservation and management issues, there exists a myriad of stakeholder groups that are impacted by the management (or lack thereof) of wild pigs which increases the complexity of managing these animals. In this presentation I will provide an overview of the current estimates of wild pig damage to agriculture and natural resources in North America, status of recent management success and challenges in managing this species, and conclude by highlighting the complex nature of the interactions among of biological, political, social, and economic aspects of our current “wild pig problem.”
Monday October 30, 2017 1:20pm - 1:40pm EDT
Clements
AUTHORS: Morgan Donaldson, University of Georgia; Greg Balkcom, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Michael Chamberlain, University of Georgia
ABSTRACT: Overabundant populations of resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are an increasing source of human-wildlife complaints throughout the species’ range. Resident geese exploit urban areas where populations have high survival rates and experience low hunter harvest, complicating management actions to control populations. We evaluated distances from banding to recovery sites for resident geese banded in Georgia, USA during 2001-2015. We assessed potential differences in movements between rural and urban, and non-translocated and translocated geese, by examining the distribution of band recoveries spatially. Rural and urban geese traveled similar distances, with 99 and 93% recovered in Georgia, respectively. We found that distances traveled by translocated geese were farther for both male and female geese. Our findings suggest that distances moved by resident geese are generally localized, and harvested birds were largely recovered in-state. This lack of movement by resident geese creates difficult management scenarios for state agencies, suggesting that integrated management actions are needed to address burgeoning resident goose populations.
Monday October 30, 2017 1:20pm - 1:40pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Jim McDonnell, Independent Marketing Consultant
ABSTRACT: Drawing from extensive experience in digital and social media marketing with such organizations as Papa John's Pizza, CNET Networks, Humana, and Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, we will discuss use of various digital media platforms to improve your marketing efforts. This will include different use of different types of media, specific platforms, and measurement to help maximize your return on investment.
Open Discussions on the following IT/Licensing topics:
The customer experience/profile: The ever-changing need for collection of data and how we can use customer data to increase the experiences of our constituents.
Usage of customer data and data mining: How much is too much? Spam? Crossing the line between IT, Marketing and R3.
Managing HIP surveys: Brief discussion around differing approaches to handling HIP Migratory Bird Survey and other required surveys.
License delivery – custom paper, “regular” paper, smart phone apps, etc: How to be cost effective and manage customer’s expectations.
Apps – customer service or revenue source: As state agencies, do we market and sell our applications or do we offer as customer service?
Managing the nuances of fish and wildlife data. How agency data relates to our customers: How can we better inform our constituents. Better informing regulatory requirements, location, specific rules to areas, etc. using data delivery system(s).
How is each agency managing cloud services and virtual technology to manage for IT needs: Discussion revolving around moving towards cloud services and the challenges of this movement in a government environment.
Monday October 30, 2017 1:20pm - 5:00pm EDT
Beckham
AUTHORS: Victoria Lockhart and Jimmy Bullock - Resource Management Service, LLC
ABSTRACT: America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative envisions restoring 8 million acres of longleaf pine across its historic range. Significant strides have been made toward this goal in recent years with much of this success on public lands or smaller private ownerships. To fully realize the 8 million acre goal, it is imperative to engage large working forest owners. Engaging these large landowners will require new and innovative strategies, techniques, and funding.Resource Management Service, LLC (RMS) and approximately 30 partners including the US Fish and Wildlife Service are working to create a ~200,000 acre working longleaf forest in perpetuity in the lower Alabama/Florida Panhandle Region. The Coastal Headwaters Forest Project is the largest single longleaf pine landscape restoration effort on private lands in history.
The primary objectives for Coastal Headwaters are: 1) establish a conservation easement to protect the lands as a working longleaf forest in perpetuity; 2) support working forest related economic development in local communities and create and expand markets for longleaf pine products; 3) provide ecological benefits for plants and animals inherent to the longleaf ecosystem; and 4) demonstrate landscape level longleaf forest restoration and a working longleaf forest model can be successful.
Significant additional benefits of the project include: protection of water quality in four major coastal river watersheds; conservation and restoration of approximately 45 federally listed, candidate, or “at risk” species including the gopher tortoise; provide increased carbon sequestration benefits in perpetuity; provide green space for military defense buffer, maneuver, and conservation opportunities with nearby Eglin and Whiting military bases; serve as a demonstration laboratory for integration of working forest / longleaf ecosystem restoration research; and provide recreational opportunities for nearby local communities.
There exists no other opportunity of this kind in the longleaf pine landscape – 200,000 acres available to be restored to longleaf pine and managed for both economic return and critical longleaf ecosystem benefits. This project will be a model for restoration of longleaf pine at the landscape scale, leading the way for other large working forest landowners to think differently about longleaf forest restoration. Moreover, it will demonstrate the strength of public and private partners to achieve a shared vision for conservation. The Coastal Headwaters Forest Project is a true “game changer” conservation opportunity; it is indeed the “right acres in the right place at the right time”.
Monday October 30, 2017 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Christopher W Hickey, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR)
ABSTRACT: Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver Carp (H. molitrix) demonstrated their dispersal capabilities by reaching the Ohio River Basin (ORB) only a few years after their initial discovery in the lower Mississippi River Basin during the early 1980's. After these invasive carp species eventually established themselves within the lower ORB, they continued their dispersal into additional upstream pools and many connected tributaries. Both species of Asian Carp are now present in all pools downstream of Cincinnati, OH, but they still haven't established reproducing populations within the upper ORB. In 2013, the KDFWR worked with other agencies to develop an ultrasonic telemetry project to study numerous aspects of Asian Carp populations in the Ohio River. By 2016, the KDFWR and other agencies were tracking 400+ Asian Carp implanted with ultrasonic transmitters by maintaining 120+ stationary receivers in nine different pools of the middle to upper ORB that form a 500-mile telemetry array. The KDFWR also analyzes the telemetry data offloaded from receivers each month, which were combined into a database at the end of 2016 that contained nearly 3.7 million detections. After these detections are analyzed with others from upcoming years, the overall results should provide vital details about Asian Carp populations in the middle ORB, including their current distribution, reasons for tributary usage and methods for moving between pools. The KDFWR ultimately expects the project to produce information that could be critical to the success of ongoing efforts to keep Bighead Carp and Silver Carp out of the upper ORB.
Monday October 30, 2017 1:40pm - 2:00pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: James C. Beasley, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
ABSTRACT: Over the last several decades invasive wild pig populations have expanded in both size and distribution throughout North America due to a combination of natural range expansion and human-mediated spread, especially via illegal translocations. Most states have reported a concomitant increase in economic and ecological damages associated with wild pigs, prompting growing interest in the reduction of populations. A vast array of tools are currently available to wildlife managers for controlling wild pig populations, ranging from inexpensive traditional techniques like shooting and trapping, to more expensive and high-tech options such as drones, genetics, and aerial gunning. However, while several localized success stories exist, to date no single tool has emerged as a silver bullet for eradicating wild pigs. In fact, populations have continued to increase in many areas, especially throughout the southeastern U.S. Such continued increases have sparked interest in development of additional tools for managing populations, including toxicants and contraceptives. Here I discuss the broad range of tools and technologies currently available for controlling wild pig populations, emphasizing their relative effectiveness and limitations, pointing to real-world examples where appropriate. Furthermore, while toxicants have the potential to aid in wild pig eradication efforts, toxicants alone are unlikely to be effective in eradicating populations, and thus successful control of this species will require a multifaceted and dynamic approach with broad stakeholder support.
Monday October 30, 2017 1:40pm - 2:00pm EDT
Clements
AUTHORS: Helen E. Tripp, Auburn University, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences; Robert A. Gitzen, Auburn University, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences; Amy L. Silvano, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries; James B. Grand, U.S. Geological Survey, Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
ABSTRACT: Population projection models are applied tools for considering the potential effects of land and population management alternatives. Incorporating spatially explicit processes and individual dynamics into these models can be important when assessing viability for relatively small populations in patchy habitats. We developed a spatially-explicit, individual-based population simulation model (IBM) for gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) incorporating demographic rates from published studies throughout the range of the species. We then demonstrate this approach’s utility for evaluating potential viability under alternative management scenarios on two areas of state managed property in southern Alabama. Management scenarios included alternative forest management strategies with and without augmentation of tortoise populations. Under all scenarios, projected populations declined to local extinction within 100-200 years. The IBM projected sharper declines compared to projections from a non-spatial, stochastic, stage-structured model, potentially indicating the importance of considering spatial dynamics and individual interactions in this context. The IBM approach is especially useful when dealing with real management units because it allows for identification of projected hotspots of consistent occupancy and important habitat connections on the landscape.
Monday October 30, 2017 1:40pm - 2:00pm EDT
Carroll Ford
ABSTRACT: This presentation will focus on case study of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's expansion of its digital communication platforms and how it resulted in increased license sales, participation, and supporting for the agency's Field to Fork learn-to-hunt program aimed at young adults. We will discuss how to: create, distribute and engage customers with video content.; built your own network; and best practices for operating social media in government, all within a budget.
AUTHORS: Andrew Stump, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: There has been considerable effort towards the management, monitoring, and control of invasive bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) in the Mississippi River basin since their introduction in the early 1980’s. However, because of their tolerance for a wide range of environmental conditions and successful proliferation, carp have expanded their range into the Ohio River basin (ORB). In response, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is collaborating with surrounding state and federal partners to design projects intended to monitor carp movement, relative densities, and changes in fish community structure along several pools in the ORB. This information is being used to adapt Kentucky’s removal and suppression efforts with the goal of reducing propagule pressure, upriver expansion, and establishment of Asian carp farther up the system.
Monday October 30, 2017 2:00pm - 2:20pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Jeff Raasch, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Mike Carloss, Ducks Unlimited Inc.; Todd Merendino, Ducks Unlimited Inc.; Barry Wilson, Gulf Coast Joint Venture-US Fish and Wildlife Service
ABSTRACT: In 1991, Ducks Unlimited, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service partnered to create the Texas Prairie Wetlands Project (TPWP). The partnership was established to help deliver the habitat objectives set forth by the Gulf Coast Joint Venture (GCJV), with the primary goal of providing habitat for wintering waterfowl that would improve survival rates and body conditions before spring migration. TPWP works with private landowners to restore, enhance and create shallow-water wetlands through a 28-county focus area along the Gulf. _x000D_
TPWP projects focus on harvested croplands, moist-soil areas, emergent wetlands and other created wetlands to increase biodiversity for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species. In return, landowners sign a minimum-10-year wetland development agreement and commit to managing and maintaining the wetlands. TPWP works closely with rice producers to improve fields and infrastructure for water conservation, production and habitat management. Each year, TPWP projects provide critical staging and wintering habitat for thousands of waterfowl, including white-fronted geese, snow geese, northern pintails, green- and blue-winged teal, gadwalls, northern shovelers and redheads. Resident fulvous and black-bellied whistling ducks, as well as mottled ducks, rely heavily on permanent and semi-permanent wetlands for nesting and brood rearing during the spring and summer. _x000D_
This presentation will discuss the history and success of the TPWP as well as details about the scientific underpinnings of the program that drive our continued habitat delivery and monitoring in areas of the Texas Coast where we still find winter waterfowl habitat deficits.
Monday October 30, 2017 2:00pm - 2:20pm EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Clay Stroud, Louisiana State University; Kevin Ringelman, Louisiana State University; Michael Poirrier, University of New Orleans; Claire Walker, University of New Orleans
ABSTRACT: Lake Pontchartrain provides wintering habitat for a continentally-significant proportion of Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis), though surveys indicate dramatic variation in annual abundance (221–1,194,907). Previous studies indicate that scaup feed primarily on mollusks, and so changes in the benthic community, in response to hurricanes, droughts, and spillway openings, could potentially create a lagged bottom-up trophic cascade that ultimately affects scaup populations. To diagnose trophic linkages and variation in scaup abundance, we collected ducks (n=60) and paired benthic samples from the field to evaluate diet preferences, and then analyzed pre-existing long-term datasets on scaup and benthic populations. The most commonly consumed prey species was Rangia cuneata, accounting for 42.54% of all food items. Compared to 2004 (255 individuals/m2), R. cuneata practically disappeared from the lake in the winter of 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina (31 individuals/m2), but rebounded to above pre-Katrina levels (384 individuals/m2) the following year. Likewise, there were less than 500 scaup estimated in 2005, but over 800,000 birds the following winter. Droughts and spillway openings produced similar patterns of immediate decline in R. cuneata and scaup abundances with increased populations the following year. These disturbances appear to reset the size-class succession of benthic invertebrates; the intervening periods were characterized by an increasing abundance of larger bivalves, and accordingly fewer scaup. Scaup populations on Lake Pontchartrain appear to be closely linked to R. cuneata populations. Our results provide valuable information on trophic linkages in an estuarine system that is particularly prone to increasingly frequent disturbance events predicted with climate change.
Monday October 30, 2017 2:00pm - 2:20pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Richard Poche, Scimetrics Limited Corp.; Greg Franckowiak, Genesis Labs
ABSTRACT: Feral hogs continue to devastate the environment by competing with native wildlife for food resources and spreading some 60 diseases to humans, livestock, and pets. Wild pigs inflict some $2 billion in crop damage annually in the US and severely impact numerous endangered species. In 2000, Genesis Labs embarked on finding a tool to help manage feral hog populations. Extensive laboratory, pen, and field testing was conducted before the EPA granted a registration for Kaput Feral Hog Bait, containing 0.005% warfarin, in January 2017. The warfarin concentration is only 1/5 of that found in over-the-counter rodent baits. Field test results using the hog bait over a 3-year period in north Texas resulted in 98%, 97%, and 98% control of hogs during 2015, 2016, and 2017 respectively. Extensive hazard searches (average of 3 searches daily) showed no effects on non-target species. An average of over 170,000 camera images at 90 feeder placements each year recorded visits by pigs and wildlife. The 2017 study, using a new feeder design, had photos of 181 attempts by raccoons to access the bait, with no success. Tissue residue analysis for recovered pigs showed an average liver concentration of 2.0 ppm warfarin. Muscle had < 0.5 ppm warfarin. The pronounced fat-soluble dye appears in both internal and subcutaneous fat within 3 hours after a hog ingests the bait.
Monday October 30, 2017 2:00pm - 2:40pm EDT
Clements
PRESENTERS: Attorneys From All Participating SEAFWA States
ABSTRACT: Topics to include discussion on Open Records & Hunter Privacy, Importation of Wildlife & the Risks to Human Health, Hunting with Dogs, Asian Carp, Captive Deer, Employment Issues & Search and Seizure
Monday October 30, 2017 2:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Segell
AUTHORS: Ritchie Jenkins, Missouri Department of Conservation; Lowell Ballard, Timmons Group
ABSTRACT: The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) desired to develop a mobile application RoadMap strategy for application development. Timmons Group began this process by interviewing multiple MDC divisions to gather requirements towards addressing priority user needs. These interviews created the priorities for enhancements to current applications and organized the need for new applications to be developed. The Mobile RoadMap includes the a strategy for the development of interactive applications with badging and rewards to expand citizen engagement, leveraging social media, and supporting recruitment and retention programs in the state. MDC currently has a suite of applications including MO Fishing, MO Hunting, MO Inspection (for inspecting captive cervids) and planned projects that will reinvent the way State Agencies engage the public.
AUTHORS: Nathan Aycock, Darrin Hardesty, Donta Reed, Chad Washington – Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
ABSTRACT: The invasive Silver Carp and Bighead Carp (collectively known as bigheaded carps) continue to quickly expand their range throughout the United States. Studies have shown the negative effects these fish can have on native planktivores in large river systems, yet their effect on sport fish species is less well known, especially in floodplain lakes connected to large rivers. In 2016 MDWFP conducted rotenone sampling on Lake Whittington, a 3,000 acre oxbow lake of the Mississippi River in Bolivar County, to determine the current fish community composition. This data was then compared to results from rotenone sampling conducted on the lake in the 1980s and 1990s prior to bigheaded carp colonization. We found dramatic differences in the fish community. In 2016 Silver Carp comprised almost 30% of the total fish biomass and was the most abundant fish species by weight. Sport fish biomass has declined from an average of 206 lbs/acre in historical data to 63 lbs/acre today, a decline of 69%. Length data indicates that young-of-year sport fish may be most acutely impacted by the bigheaded carp population. Shad populations also declined dramatically from an average of 283 lbs/acre to 24 lbs/acre. Additional rotenone sampling is planned for 2017 at other lakes to further investigate the abundance and effects of bigheaded carp in Mississippi River oxbows.
Monday October 30, 2017 2:20pm - 2:40pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Jim Giocomo, Ph.D., Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture Coordinator, American Bird Conservancy, Round Rock, TX
ABSTRACT: Many grassland dependent species have suffered significant population declines over the last few decades. Grassland bird population declines in North America are largely driven by degradation and conversion of functioning grassland ecosystems for agriculture and urban development. The good news is that many grassland wildlife populations will respond quickly to beneficial habitat management. In an effort to address declines in the grasslands of Oklahoma and Texas, a number of governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations have partnered through the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture (OPJV) to more strategically and collaboratively deliver conservation actions. Over 95% of the land in Oklahoma and Texas is privately owned. Our conservation efforts have focused on providing technical guidance and financial assistance to private landowners through traditional federal US Farm Bill programs, augmented by funding from state and private organizations to reach landowners that can not or will not work within the federal financial assistance programs. Our conservation delivery strategy is the Grassland Restoration Incentive Program (GRIP) which, since it was created in 2013, has improved habitat for grassland wildlife on over 60,000 acres (24,000 Ha) of working lands in focus areas in the OPJV geography. Combining the efforts of multiple partners and multiple species across taxa ties the range-wide population and habitat objectives with on-the- ground conservation actions for grassland dependent birds and pollinators.
Monday October 30, 2017 2:20pm - 2:40pm EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Cassandra G. Skaggs, Kevin M. Ringelman – Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University AgCenter; Kaylan Carrlson, Ducks Unlimited; Chuck Loesch, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Habitat and Population Evaluation Team; Frank Rohwer, Delta Waterfowl; Michael L. Szymanski, North Dakota Game and Fish Department
ABSTRACT: The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) is responsible for producing more than half of the dabbling ducks in North America. The PPR in northwestern North Dakota coincides with the Bakken shale formation, where rapidly accelerating oil and gas development has the potential to impact more than one million duck pairs. Our goal is to assess the effect of energy development in the Bakken on waterfowl nest density and success. We selected sites that were stratified by the intensity of energy development as measured by the number of well pads present (Control: 0, Low: 1, Medium: 2-3, High: >3). We used a chain drag to search for waterfowl nests on at least two 32-ha grassland replicates on 28 plots (7 in each category) during spring 2015–2017. Over three years, we searched a total of 8,657 hectares and found over 4,500 nests. Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), and Gadwall (Anas strepera) comprised 75% of nests that were located. We evaluated nest success in relation to various metrics of oil and gas activity and landscape-level fragmentation. Preliminary results suggest nest survival weakly increased with the intensity of petroleum development in 2015, however this was not supported in 2016. In 2017, habitat conditions and oil and gas activity were similar to 2015, therefore, we expect to see similar nest success results. While areas of high extraction activity may lead to an increase in nest success, an irreversible decrease in nest density could lower the waterfowl production capacity of the region.
Monday October 30, 2017 2:20pm - 2:40pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Michael B. Flinn, Dalton D. Lebeda – Murray State University
ABSTRACT: Biological invasions can greatly reduce native species fitness. For example, invasive Asian carp have been shown to compete with and reduce body condition of native planktivores in the Illinois River. The objective of our study was to quantify the potential for competition between Silver carp and native Gizzard Shad and Threadfin Shad in Kentucky Lake - a large reservoir located in western Kentucky. We collected juvenile and adult populations of native planktivores and Silver Carp along with various endmembers of the aquatic community. We applied methods developed by Jackson et al. 2011 and Turner et al. 2010 to calculate quantitative metrics derived from stable isotope data and to construct core isotopic niches. We tested for significant differences in three quantitative metrics for the spring and summer seasons and calculated core isotopic niche overlap values to quantify the potential for competition. We found strong evidence suggesting a high potential for competition exists between juvenile Silver Carp and juvenile Gizzard Shad while a lower potential for competition exists between adults of the same species. Results also showed the weakest overlap between adult and juvenile Silver Carp and Threadfin Shad. Our data suggest that if food resources become limiting, invasive Silver Carp will compete with native planktivores in Kentucky Lake. Although any effort to reduce numbers of Silver Carp may be beneficial for the system, management plans that specifically reduce juveniles and opportunities for reproduction may be the most advantageous.
Monday October 30, 2017 2:40pm - 3:00pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Melissa Parker, River Conservation Program Leader, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
ABSTRACT: Private land conservation and stewardship is critical in Texas, where more than 95% of the land is in private ownership. These partnerships are essential for sustaining fish and wildlife habitats, watershed stability, and ultimately overall ecosystem health and landowner profitability. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in partnership with other agencies and conservation entities, is providing technical guidance and recommendations for management of upland, riparian, and aquatic habitats and associated species. These partnerships have significantly increased the number of landowners receiving holistic, watershed best management practices and have achieved significant conservation benefits. Successful case studies describing collaborative ongoing workshops targeted to private landowners, on-the-ground technical guidance projects, and specific conservation and restoration projects will be described.
Monday October 30, 2017 2:40pm - 3:00pm EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: John M. Yeiser, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia; John J. Morgan, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Danna L. Baxley, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Richard B. Chandler, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia; James A. Martin, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia
ABSTRACT: Determining the spatial scale at which a species responds to management (i.e., the scale of effect) is key to understanding how broad-scale conservation influences wildlife at population and metapopulation levels. Planning landscape-scale conservation without knowing what constitutes a landscape may not result in population-level benefits to wildlife. Private land enrollment into conservation programs is largely opportunistic, but frameworks for spatially targeted enrollment could increase the conservation benefit of these programs. Herein we investigate the scale of effect of a conservation program (the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)) on Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) density and population growth rate, and make general recommendations for future targeted land enrollment. We used a kernel smoother embedded in an open-population distance-sampling model to estimate scale of effect. Bobwhite populations responded positively to landscape-scale CREP land density. Landscapes were delineated at approximately 5 km radius circles, but importance of conservation land to a bobwhite diminished with distance. For example, we estimated that a CREP field 3000 m away would be 88% less useful to a local bobwhite population than a CREP field of similar size and quality 1000 m away. Using model estimates, we explored the effectiveness of several different land enrollment strategies at increasing bobwhite populations. We found that targeted land enrollment informed by our estimated scale of effect would improve long-term success of private land conservation programs. These findings expand government recommendations on local scale habitat management to the landscape scale, and provide a framework for spatial optimization of conservation land enrollment.
Monday October 30, 2017 2:40pm - 3:00pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Jenifer Wisniewski, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Richard Wise, Brandt Information Systems
ABSTRACT: Retention and reactivation are huge opportunities for states. It is easier to reactivate than it is to recruit and much easier to retain than reactivate or recruit. In Georgia, we are targeting the low hanging fruit of retention and reactivation. The whole community recruits, and we feel that is our job as the state agency to focus on retaining and reactivating. Once the community makes a hunter or angler it is up to the state to keep that customer. 3 Main Strategies for Retaining and Reactivating and increasing revenue - License system based features (auto-renew and packages), Targeted emails, and Digital Ads._x000D_ This talk will focus on successful implementation of these marketing strategies and how we tied license sales to prove effectiveness of each one of these strategies. In calendar year 2016, Georgia was able to make over $1 million in license sales (selling the cheapest licenses in the country) through these efforts. We have increased license revenue by 20% over the last 3 years and also increased certifications for hunting and fishing.
AUTHORS: Timothy Spier, Michael Flinn – Murray State University, Department of Biological Sciences; Jessica Morris, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Neal Jackson, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Allison Lebeda, Brad Hartman, Dalton Lebeda – Murray State University, Department of Biological Sciences
ABSTRACT: Understanding fish movement in large systems is important when considering management and control of populations, especially for invasive species. Kentucky Lake is the largest reservoir (~65,00 ha) east of the Mississippi River and stretches 296 km from Kentucky into Tennessee. We used gill nets and electrofishing to collect 96 Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (54 females, mean TL ± SE = 868 ± 7 mm, mean W ± SE = 7,327 ± 311 g; 42 males, mean TL ± SE = 815 ± 9 mm, mean W ± SE = 5,794 ± 250 g), and then implanted ultrasonic tags. We used active, boat-mounted receivers and passive receivers to track these fish throughout the lower 90 km of Kentucky Lake. Tagged Silver Carp also moved into Lake Barkley (an adjacent reservoir) via the canal that connects the two. The maximum distance traveled in a day was 40 km, and mean swimming speed peaked around 4 km/day in late April. No obvious spawning migrations were detected in spring of 2017. All-day tracking suggested that carp activity is crepuscular, with swimming speed peaking near sunrise and sunset. Silver Carp were detected inside the lock chamber at the Kentucky Lake dam, but no fish have left the lake through this route. Fish which were tagged by other research groups have been detected entering Kentucky Lake through the lock. Initial results show that Silver Carp can move long distances over short time periods and movement patterns are variable, even for carp released simultaneously.
Monday October 30, 2017 3:20pm - 3:40pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Gwen White, Tallgrass Prairie Landscape Conservation Cooperative; James Farmer, Indiana University
ABSTRACT: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service policy directs National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) to plan for the future within a stakeholder-driven landscape-scale context. As a result, stakeholders from 19 organizations and agencies convened to draft a consensus-based strategic framework for the Lower Wabash Floodplains and Patoka River NWR as a downscaled application of the multi-LCC Mississippi Basin / Gulf Hypoxia Initiative - Precision Conservation Blueprint v1.5 to achieve local and mid-continent goals for wildlife, water quality, energy and agriculture. In May 2017, Indiana University announced $55 million to develop actionable solutions that prepare Indiana communities for environmental change. The Lower Wabash is one of three distinct communities selected as “living laboratories” to test policies and tools that promote conservation of resources while reducing agricultural risk. Over the next five years, 16 new faculty and their students will develop, test and deploy key needs, including: 1) an inventory of baseline social and environmental factors; 2) feasible approaches to reducing non-point source pollution while improving wildlife habitats that could be implemented in short- to medium-term time frames; and 3) adaptive management for long-term, effective nutrient reduction, habitat improvements, and public engagement. Human dimensions research will be a cornerstone for understanding barriers to resilience and implementing effective tools as communities adapt to changing climates, economies and cultures. With community-based readiness and understanding as core goals, the initiative will explore new strategies for communicating findings and recommendations in ways that are clear, precise and understandable as a model for stakeholder-driven agricultural conservation across the Midwest.
Monday October 30, 2017 3:20pm - 3:40pm EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Charles Sanders, NC State University; Christopher DePerno, NC State University; Colleen Olfenbuttel, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
ABSTRACT: The North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) is native to all regions (Coastal, Piedmont, and Mountains) of North Carolina, but was extirpated from the Piedmont and Mountain regions by the end of the 19th century. While otters in the Piedmont recovered naturally, efforts were taken to reintroduce otters to the Mountains in the early to mid-1990s. By 2010, trapping seasons were open to all regions with no special restrictions. Several states have found that otters in reintroduced populations have higher fecundity rates than traditional populations. In NC we have three distinct regions with unique histories where fecundity can be compared. Our question was whether or not there was any difference in otter fecundity across the state._x000D_ Between November 2009 and February 2016, we collected carcasses of harvested river otters from licensed trappers across all regions of North Carolina. We necropsied the collected otters and preserved samples for multiple tests. We used cementum annuli analysis to determine age from the lower canine tooth. We analyzed female reproductive tracts, specifically presence/absence and counts of corpora lutea for an estimation of reproductive rates. Between November 2009 and February 2016, we collected 823 otters including 447 from the Coastal Plain, 54 from the Mountains, and 322 from the Piedmont regions. Harvested otters ranged between ¾ and 12 ¾ years of age. Males comprised 63% of the specimens. Approximately 82% of females displayed active corpora lutea. Our sampled parameters suggest that North Carolina has a healthy and robust otter population throughout the state.
Monday October 30, 2017 3:20pm - 3:40pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Kurt VerCauteren, National Wildlife Research Center, USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services; Nathan Snow, National Wildlife Research Center, USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services; John Kinsey, Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Michael Lavelle, National Wildlife Research Center, USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services; Justin Foster, Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
ABSTRACT: In collaboration with Australian colleagues, we are working toward the registration of a sodium-nitrite based toxicant with which to address invasive wild pigs in the United States. Sodium nitrite is a meat preservative that in a single dose is fatal to wild pigs. It reduces the capacity of blood to transfer oxygen to tissues, rapidly causing insensibility and humane death. After much experimentation we settled on a peanut paste-based bait matrix in which we incorporated micro-encapsulated sodium nitrite. With this formulation we achieved 95% lethality in a rigorous pen study and pending EPA permission we will evaluate it in the field in 2018. Concurrently, we have also conducted studies to evaluate time and behaviors from ingestion to death, concentrations of residual sodium nitrite in carcasses, and potential risks to coyotes and vultures that may scavenge SN-killed wild pigs. We have also developed a wild-pig specific bait station that performs well against deer, raccoons and other wildlife; yet with a carefully crafted strategy, still allows access by the majority of wild pigs. To address black bears, we have research underway to add an additional level of security. Here we provide an overview of our studies to date. Our goal is to register the product with the EPA by 2020-2021.
Monday October 30, 2017 3:20pm - 4:00pm EDT
Clements
AUTHORS: Patrick Hogan and Tom Allen, Rob Southwick - Southwick Associates
ABSTRACT: Monitoring trends and shifts in the customer base is vital if recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) efforts are to reach their maximum potential. Understanding these trends and shifts will enable state wildlife agencies to better understand who is buying licenses and permits or not, if sportsmen’s license renewal rates are improving or not, where sales are strengthening or weakening, and more. Tracking these factors is imperative to maintain conservation funding and ensure strong constituent voices calling for continued and increased conservation efforts.
Data dashboards, recently piloted in Oregon, provide agency staff with quick, easy-to-interpret insights into state license data without placing significant burden on agency license analysts. Using standard software such as Tableau, data dashboards provide a visual representation of key license and permit sales trends plus participation shifts within key demographic categories such as residency, gender, age and county of residence. By providing simple, regular and consistent summaries of customer buying and participation trends, data dashboards help state agencies better identify if R3 efforts are working and where adjustments and changes are needed.
This presentation will describe the data dashboard genesis, pilot implementation in Oregon, how dash boards benefit state agencies, and upcoming plans to combine state dashboards to present regional and national insights.
AUTHORS: Jessica Morris, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Allison Lebeda, Murray State University; Neal Jackson, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Dr. Tim Spier, Murray State University
ABSTRACT: West Kentucky is home to two of the largest reservoirs east of the Mississippi River, Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. These reservoirs, along with their tributaries, represent a US$1.2-billion sport fish and recreational boating industry. Asian carp threaten the sport fishery of the lakes and jumping Silver Carp can cause injuries to recreational boaters. At this time the most effective method of Asian carp removal from Western Kentucky waters is through commercial harvest. The Asian Carp Harvest Program, initiated by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) in 2013, has enabled commercial fishers to harvest 3,020,988 lbs of Asian carp since inception. The KDFWR is currently conducting several research projects to augment the efforts of commercial fishers. These research projects include: monitoring of the Asian Carp Harvest Program, surveying Silver Carp population dynamics in Kentucky Lake, conducting an assessment of Asian carp impacts on the sport fishery of Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake tailwaters, using sonic telemetry to track Silver Carp movement in Kentucky Lake, and testing the effectiveness of experimental gears for capturing Asian carp. Results from these research efforts will be used to inform the commercial fishery to increase Asian carp harvest, determine impacts of Asian carp on sport fish populations, and monitor Asian carp population dynamics as commercial fishing pressure increases.
Monday October 30, 2017 3:40pm - 4:00pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Wylie Carr, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Jeffrey Fleming, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
ABSTRACT: For the past six years, federal, state, and non-profit conservation organizations have been working together to develop the Southeastern Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS), a shared, long-term vision for connected lands and waters that support thriving fish, wildlife, and human populations. In a region where over 90 percent of the land is privately held, making this vision a reality means developing an effective engagement strategy that reaches outside the traditional conservation community. This presentation will highlight the first iteration of the SECAS Engagement Strategy and examine the process for developing it._x000D_
The SECAS engagement strategy will support 15 states, 12 federal agencies and more than a dozen other partners in providing a consistent and flexible approach to effectively reaching out and working with diverse stakeholders. As the SECAS effort consists of partnerships between state, federal, and regional entities, the strategy also provides guidance for working at multiple geographic, political, and economic scales. This presentation will provide existing SECAS partners with a first look at the strategy and an opportunity to provide feedback. It also will examine the process used to develop the engagement strategy. This process was informed by social science theory and practice and developed in consultation with the human dimensions community across the southeast. The goal of the engagement strategy is to ensure that key stakeholders are active participants in the development of our future conservation priorities and activities. This presentation will highlight lessons learned and best practices that others can use in developing engagement strategies for their organizations.
Monday October 30, 2017 3:40pm - 4:00pm EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: E. Davis Carter, Matthew J. Gray, Jenny A. Spatz – Center for Wildlife Health, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture; Paul E. Super, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, U.S. National Park Service; Debra L. Miller, Center for Wildlife Health, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee
ABSTRACT: Within the United States, ranaviruses are the most common pathogen associated with disease-related amphibian mortality events. Great Smoky Mountains National Park has experienced reoccurring ranaviral disease outbreaks at Gourley Pond (GP) in the Cades Cove region since 1999. Ranavirus outbreaks and larval mortality have been observed in five amphibian species at GP: Ambystoma maculatum, A. opacum, Lithobates sylvaticus, Pseudacris crucifer, and P. ferriarum. To better understand ranavirus dynamics within Cades Cove, we designed a surveillance study to monitor ranavirus prevalence within the amphibian community at GP and Little Gourley Pond (LGP) (i.e. a small pond < 100m from GP). Our goals were to determine ranavirus prevalence in the amphibian community at GP and LGP, estimate population sizes of larval and post-metamorphic amphibians, determine possible routes of ranavirus introduction, and determine potential environmental stressors that might contribute to ranavirus outbreaks and limited amphibian recruitment. We captured a total of 16 species and 1972 adult amphibians in pitfall traps between Feb - May 2016. Due to insufficient hydroperiod duration at the ponds in 2016, successful metamorphosis was not documented at GP, and recruitment was minimal for A. opacum at LGP. We detected ranavirus infections at low prevalence in adult L. sylvaticus, Notophthalmus viridescens, and A. maculatum. No disease outbreaks were documented prior to the ponds drying. Our results suggest that the catastrophic losses of the larval cohort during ranavirus outbreaks combined with limited recruitment during years with abbreviated hydroperiods may lead to amphibian population declines in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Monday October 30, 2017 3:40pm - 4:00pm EDT
Carroll Ford
ABSTRACT: Changes in demographics and media usage among prospective outdoor customers demands that industry respond in creative ways to retain and increase market share. The Archery Trade Association has responded to these changes with deployment of social media and other digital engagement tools, including the Archery360 and Bowhunting360 initiatives. ATA has worked with its member retailers, manufacturers, organizations and partners to increasingly use these and other social platforms to sustain and grow archery participation.
AUTHORS: Ron Brooks, Fisheries, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: Typical sportfish sampling methods are not effective in accurately assessing Asian carp abundance. For that reason, an over abundance of Asian carp in Kentucky and Barkley lakes was unknown until fall, 2009. Since that time, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife has spent significant time and resources to create means of removing Asian carp from the two very economically important reservoirs. This presentation will discuss events and processes that have led to increased effort in research and in creating a fish processing industry that targets Asian carp for products such as surimi, whole fish, fish filets, and others. It will also cover challenges facing our fledgling industry and a public-private partnership strategy that we hope will not only result in the reduction of Asian carp in the two Kentucky reservoirs, but one that may be a model that will expand to other states. In order to fully address Asian carp issues throughout the lower Mississippi River basin, removal efforts must occur throughout the southern states. The key may involve each state creating incentives and partnerships that use the fish industry as a primary tool to manage and reduce Asian carp in reservoirs and river systems.
Monday October 30, 2017 4:00pm - 4:20pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: James M. LaCour, DVM, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
ABSTRACT: We’ve been saying for years that we need a toxicant to help in the control of wild pigs. Louisiana recently experienced its first brush with a landscape-level large mammal (wild pig) toxicant. Due to the abrupt nature of the introduction and the rapidity of registration, state agencies were caught somewhat off-guard. Many questions were posed about the use of this product from a wildlife safety aspect. This presentation will touch on some of the professional, political, and social hurdles that were encountered upon registration of a feral hog toxicant in Louisiana. Lessons learned the hard way will be shared which will hopefully ease the introduction of future approved toxicants.
Monday October 30, 2017 4:00pm - 4:20pm EDT
Clements
AUTHORS: Justyn R. Foth, Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife; Richard M. Kaminski, James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science of Clemson University; J. Brian Davis, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture Mississippi State University; Jacob N. Straub, College of Natural Resources University of Wisconsin Stevens Point; Theodor D. Leininger US Forest Service Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research
ABSTRACT: The Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) had extensive bottomland hardwood forests but < 25% of this area remains forested today. Impounded greentree reservoirs (GTRs), have been managed for wintering waterfowl since the 1930s, and provide a source of aquatic invertebrates and acorns for foraging ducks and other wildlife. However, few studies of invertebrate community-composition, diversity, and biomass have been conducted at regional scales. We collected samples of aquatic invertebrates from three hardwood bottomlands in the MAV and one in the Mississippi Interior Flatwoods region during winters 2008 – 2010. We compared community composition metrics of aquatic invertebrates between naturally flooded forests (NFF) and GTRs. Five families occurred more frequently in GTRs than NFFs (P < 0.01); these were Asellidae, Chironomidae, Cragonyctidae , Daphniidae, and Sphaeriidae. The NFFs had greater invertebrate familial diversity than their paired GTRs for most winter months. Across winters, we found most invertebrate families (65% [early winter] and 82% [late winter]) associated with sites in NFFs and GTRs with depths from 10 – 40 cm. Because GTRs are typically flooded to greater depths than this range, and flooding of most GTRs results in relatively stable hydroperiods, we re-emphasize need for managing hydrology of GTRs similarly to local NFFs, which may promote increased invertebrate diversity and biomass.
Monday October 30, 2017 4:00pm - 4:20pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Timothy Fox, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division
ABSTRACT: The Motion Picture Tax Incentive Act provided tax incentives for film production companies in Louisiana. Seemingly overnight production companies flocked to the bayou state to take advantage of the diverse opportunities and abundant production value. Many productions were filmed in wild areas, often requiring dangerous animals to be relocated temporarily for the safety of the crew. In other incidents, the animals themselves played equally significant roles as did the humans. _x000D_ While the majority of production crews and staffs were in compliance with applicable laws, some were not. Animal legislation even changed to accommodate the film production. Furthermore, the frenzied intrigue created by the hit productions gave birth to an obsession with interacting with the more obscure animals made more popular by the shows. LDWF offices received increased non-typical animal calls resulting in enforcement actions as time progressed. Complaints of people illegally taking or possessing snakes, alligators, primates, etc. increased (case studies will detail several). In addition to enforcing permitting statutes, agents’ investigations start to uncover more sinister crimes related to mistreatment of animals used as entertainment props. _x000D_ A case study showing a detailed investigation into the violations and heinous criminal history of a couple who travelled the southeastern portion of the country mistreating animals, endangering humans, and breaking multiple laws in attempts to ascertain monetary gain. This case study will show how the different divisions of this conservation agency worked cohesively to effect the outcome of the involved animals and likely prevented further injustice to both animals and humans alike.
Monday October 30, 2017 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Wilkinson
AUTHORS: Moderator: Steve Jester, Executive Director, Partners for Conservation; Panelists: Reese Thompson, Georgia Longleaf pine forest land owner; Bill Sproul, Kansas Rancher; Victoria Lockhart, Resource Management Service, LLC
ABSTRACT: Landowners choose to engage, or not engage, with public agency-led and nongovernmental organization-led conservation efforts for many reasons that vary both in time and across a landscape. The panel will feature stories from several geographies including western Montana, Midwest and Southeast highlighting the importance of the human aspects of conservation partnerships such as trust, mutual respect, shared vision and open communication. Discussions will include the stewardship ethic along with economic and societal considerations, such as family and community, as they impact landowners decisions on land use and participation in individual and landscape-level conservation efforts. Opportunities and challenges to the development and sustainability of effective public-private partnerships at the scale of the landscape will also be discussed.
Monday October 30, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: John M. Tomecek, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; Michael Bodenchuk, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services
ABSTRACT: Wild pigs engender a wide range of public opinion, from hunters valuing the sporting use of pigs to landowners affected by damage hating them. Animal rights groups, environmentalists, regulatory agencies and affected communities are all engaged in the issue and all have proposed political solutions. Politicians, wanting to do something but conflicted by the various constituencies, often opt for a passive response. Texas serves as an example of past passive management, with feral pig populations widely distributed and a wide mix of incentives and messages. Purposeful management includes a range of tools, including landowner incentives, agency control and outreach and education. Now established in all of the states in SEAFWA, a consistent message, coupled with state-by-state specific management is necessary to prevent greater impacts. This problem will not solve itself.
Monday October 30, 2017 4:20pm - 4:40pm EDT
Clements
AUTHORS: Cathryn H. Greenberg, USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Bent Creek Experimental Forest, Asheville, NC; Christopher E. Moorman, Charlotte E. Matthews-Snoberger – Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh; Thomas A. Waldrop (retired), USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Clemson, SC; Dean Simon (retired), North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Amanda Heh, Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh; Donald Hagan, Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University
ABSTRACT: Prescribed fire is commonly used in hardwood forests for fuel reduction, forest restoration, and wildlife habitat improvement. Yet, major physiological and life history differences among wildlife taxa indicate they should respond differently to management activities; improved habitat for some taxa could be detrimental to others. We experimentally assessed how reptiles and amphibians responded to untreated controls (C) and 3 repeated fuel reduction treatments (n=3; 2003-2016): (1) mechanical understory removal (twice) (M); (2) dormant-season prescribed burning (4 times) (B); or (3) mechanical understory removal followed a year later by a high-severity prescribed burn and 3 subsequent burns (MB). Initial burns were much hotter in MB than B because of cut fuels left in place for a year prior to burning, resulting in heavy tree mortality and increased canopy openness within 2 growing seasons post-burn. Total amphibians, total salamanders, total anurans, and the 4 amphibian species tested, were not affected by any fuel reduction treatment. Total reptiles and lizards were more abundant in MB. Plestiodon fasciatus were more abundant in MB than B or C, and Scleroporus undulatus were more abundant in M and B than C. Abundance of juvenile S. undulatus was greater in MB and increased over time, indicating that high-severity burning followed by repeated burns may improve conditions for successful S. undulatus recruitment. Different responses among species highlights the importance of including multiple taxa when assessing impacts of forest disturbances on wildlife, and gives perspective on how forest “health” may vary depending on target taxa.
Monday October 30, 2017 4:40pm - 5:00pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Geoffrey E. Mitchell, Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens; Cecil A. Jennings, U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens
ABSTRACT: Blue Catfish are native to the Coosa river drainage in northwest Georgia, but recently (1997) have been discovered outside of this range, in Lake Oconee. In Lake Oconee, their abundance and growth rates have increased dramatically, but their food habits are unknown. Therefore, food habits of Blue Catfish were determined by examining the stomachs of 808 specimens from Lake Oconee’s upper and lower regions during all seasons from summer 2012 to summer 2013. Stomach contents were analyzed using the Index of Relative Importance. The dominant prey items during the summer season in the upper region were Asian Clams (Corbicula fluminea; 98%), Asian Clams (67%) in the fall, Mayflies (Ephemeroptera; 64%) in the winter, and Mayflies (84%) dominated the spring prey diet. The dominant prey items during the fall season in the lower region were Asian Clams (Corbicula fluminea; 41%), Threadfin Shad (Dorsoma petenense; 49%) in the winter and Mayflies (79%) dominated the spring prey diet. Blue Catfish fed opportunistically on whatever was seasonally abundant in both the upper riverine and lower lacustrine portions of the lake. Further, their colonization of Lake Oconee, GA seems to have positive and negative consequences for that ecosystem. Fishery managers attempting to control the rapid expansion of Blue Catfish in Lake Oconee and elsewhere would benefit from considering the potential useful and detrimental effects of this apex predator and the role it plays in the tropic ecology of newly colonized waters.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:00am - 8:20am EDT
French
AUTHORS: Rae Waddell, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
ABSTRACT: Public-private partnerships are key in delivering youth and family conservation programs and activities and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is unlocking that potential through its Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network (FYCCN). Launched in 2010, the FYCCN now has over 325 partner sites that serve as activity hubs for youth to experience hands-on learning about fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, boating, archery, shooting sports, hunter safety, and fish and wildlife conservation. This method of recruitment and retention has advanced FWC’s strategic goal of Expanding Participation in Conservation (EPIC) among Florida’s increasingly diverse population. The FYCCN empowers its partners by providing training, equipment and other resources so they can provide FWC programming to their audiences, which previously were beyond FWC’s reach. Leveraging FWC staff and programs to increase the number and diversity of youth and family participants has required a shift in resources and positions as well as a change in cultural mindset. Learn how FWC’s experience in promoting agency-wide understanding and acceptance of R3 strategies has been critical to engaging diverse audiences in a range of outdoor activities and creating future stewards of our natural resources.
AUTHORS: Jason L. Isabelle, Missouri Department of Conservation; Charles Ruth, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; D. Kevin Lowrey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Adam B. Butler, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
ABSTRACT: Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo; hereafter, turkeys) are widely recognized throughout the southeastern United States as a species of ecological, recreational, aesthetic, and economic importance. As a game species, turkeys are most popularly pursued during the spring, a timeframe coinciding with the bird’s breeding and nesting activities. Given this period’s biological importance, managers are challenged to avoid negative population impacts while simultaneously providing quality hunting opportunities. Biological considerations associated with timing spring turkey season frameworks include the potential effects of early and excessive male harvest on productivity and the tendency for intentional or inadvertent illegal female kill to occur earlier in the reproductive season. Turkey hunters often request frameworks to maximize exposure to gobbling activity, but these sociological considerations may conflict with biological concerns. Recent declining trends in turkey reproductive indices, abundance, and harvest in several southeastern states have heightened the need to evaluate potential consequences of spring hunting season timing on turkey population demographics. Herein, we summarize factors state wildlife agencies should consider when setting the timing of spring turkey seasons. Based on our literature review, we suggest spring turkey season opening dates which coincide with peak egg-laying (i.e., the mean date of initial nest initiation) are biologically sound and may reduce illegal female kill. This season timing also addresses concerns surrounding potential effects of male harvest on productivity, while acknowledging hunter expectations of hearing vocal male turkeys when hunting. Furthermore, we suggest state wildlife agencies should place emphasis on research to reduce uncertainty surrounding this important topic.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:00am - 8:20am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Gordon Myers, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Susan Gibson, US Army Corps of Engineers; Mike Oetker, US Fish & Wildlife Service
ABSTRACT: This section will introduce the audience to the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS), which was initiated by the Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) Directors and the federal Southeast Natural Resource Leaders Group with support from Southeast and Caribbean Landscape Conservation Cooperatives, the Southeast Climate Science Center and the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership. It will focus on the collaborative approach to conservation in the Southeast through SECAS and the SEAFWA Wildlife Diversity Committee to achieve a conservation landscape of the future that sustains fish and wildlife populations. It is not sufficient to have fish and wildlife resources subsist on what is ‘left over’ after infrastructure development, instead we must define what the future needs to look like to sustain fish and wildlife populations. This section will also include insight from SEAFWA leadership on the value they are seeing from the first five years of SECAS and where they envision it going. This will include addressing species of greatest conservation need in the State Wildlife Action Plans and the key actions outlined to conserve them. Integrating agency resources across territorial jurisdictions and sharing information to fill gaps in certain states, is also being done through increased collaboration in the SEAFWA Wildlife Diversity Committee and more broadly through SECAS. Where information is lacking, states are coordinating survey and monitoring activities. This section will include an interactive discussion to identify perceived values and concerns of this collaborative approach.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:00am - 8:35am EDT
Breathitt
Open Discussions on the following business topics:
Beyond the Critters: A review of Dr. Dwight Guynn's new book and "Considerations for Managing and Leading State Fish & Wildlife Agencies." Discussion will focus on what the business and administrative/operational support functions might do to help implement similar ideas in their own agencies.
Revenue Management and Budget: Agency Funding – Which States are finding success with financial support? Who has since received “general fund dollars”? How do agencies budget What states tie performance measures to budgets. What trends are each state seeing? Who has a diverse set of revenue sources, and what does that mean? How do agencies handle gift cards, multi-year licenses, lifetime licenses in terms of deferred revenue or deferred fulfillment?
Audit Lessons Learned: Opportunity to share any audit findings (state or federal) that might cross state lines, as well as any lessons learned from the process.
Challenges of aging Infrastructure (both IT and Physical): How are agencies evaluating conditions of physical infrastructure? How are records being managed? Considering budget limitations, what efforts are being considered or implemented to overcome this?
Insource versus outsource: What examples and success stories exist between contract personnel and full-time employment? Service Contract versus internal development? Are there any examples of shared service contrasts with multiple agencies in a state? Is “privatization” having an impact on your FTEs? 6. Training: How do states keep the masses trained on budgets, purchasing, contracts, grants, inventory etc., and how do states account for knowledge loss and knowledge transfer with retirements? What states have a formal succession plan in place? What states have formal leadership development opportunities to prepare next generation management?
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Beckham
ABSTRACT: The Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks (GCPO LCC) is a 180-million-acre region that includes all of Arkansas and Mississippi and parts of 10 additional states spanning 5 major subgeographies: the Ozark Highlands, West Gulf Coastal Plain, East Gulf Coastal Plain, Mississippi Alluvial Valley, and Gulf Coast. The GCPO LCC Integrated Science Agenda establishes Strategic Habitat Conservation as the framework for accomplishing our mission to define, design, and deliver landscapes capable of sustaining natural and cultural resources now and into the future. The Agenda describes nine broadly defined habitats in terms of desired conditions for species of greatest conservation need as identified in the State Wildlife Action Plans. From 2014 to 2017, the GCPO LCC conducted research, consulted experts, and analyzed and processed geospatial datasets to produce peer-reviewed written drafts of Rapid Ecological Assessments for eight of our nine priority systems. From these we generated condition index maps for each system and developed those maps into a comprehensive Draft Conservation Blueprint 1.0 to guide resource allocation and support management decisions across the region. The Blueprint, the written assessments, and supporting datasets and maps are available for exporting from the online Conservation Planning Atlas managed by the Cooperative. This presentation will review the development of the Conservation Blueprint from the Rapid Ecological Assessments, and include a standardized assessment of the initial desired condition targets and data used, as well as some preliminary results regarding the amount of habitat in desired condition and other management and protection opportunities for each habitat type.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:15am - 8:30am EDT
McCreary
AUTHORS: Corbin D. Hilling, Yan Jiao - Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Aaron J. Bunch, Robert S. Greenlee - Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Donald J. Orth, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
ABSTRACT: Blue Catfish were introduced to the tidal rivers of Virginia in the 1970s and 1980s. As these populations have matured, Blue Catfish have expanded to new river systems and now make up a considerable proportion of the biomass in several rivers. Incredible abundances coupled with misconceptions about feeding habits of Blue Catfish have generated concern for imperiled and economically important species within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Further, the species provides recreational and commercial fisheries, generating conflict in the region surrounding the species. To support development of management strategy development and robust stock assessments, we estimated total and natural mortality, as well as size structure for four tidal river systems (James, Mattaponi, Pamunkey and Rappahannock). Total mortality from the period 2002-2016 was estimated using catch-curve regression, while published empirical estimators provided estimates of natural mortality. Data from the period were pooled to lessen the influence of variations in recruitment on mortality estimates. We used proportional size distributions to examine changes in size structure over time. The proportion of large blue catfish increased and peaked at different times among rivers likely due to differences in stocking histories and productivity. Recent declines in proportion of memorable and trophy size fish appears more dependent on growth declines than mortality. This study provides mortality estimates for the development of stock assessment models and management strategy evaluations. Further, understanding the size structure of these populations will help resource managers gauge the prevalence of large fish, providing feedback on angling opportunities and size-based trophic interactions.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:20am - 8:40am EDT
French
AUTHORS: Brian Clark, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Walter Lane, Georgia Wildlife Resources Division; Barb Gigar, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Keith Warnke, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Matt Harlow and Phil Seng, D.J. Case and Associates; Tom Beppler and Mark Duda, Responsive Management; Tom Allen and Rob Southwick, Southwick and Associates
ABSTRACT: The proportion of hunters whose primary motivation is harvesting their own meat has increased substantially over the past 10 years in America. This increase likely reflects heightened public concerns over the ethical, social and health considerations associated with where our food comes from. Locavores--individuals and communities having interest in consuming locally grown and sustainable foods--comprise an important population of prospective new fishing and hunting participants. We researched interests and experiences of food-motivated, prospective new adult hunters and anglers. We provided support for and evaluations of pilot programs for locavores in 5 states. We also conducted a market analysis to identify common characteristics of pilot program participants and to recommend population centers that would likely be fruitful for outreach efforts aimed at locavores. We built the Locavore.Guide website to house reports assembled from these efforts, other extant resources pertaining to recruiting adults and locavores, and new tools produced as part of this project, all for use by agencies and partners to conceptualize, plan, design, market, evaluate and improve programs for adult locavores.
AUTHORS: Matthew Gonnerman, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Science; James Grand, U.S. Geological Survey
ABSTRACT: Many southern states, including Alabama, manage eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) using estimates of population size and structure that are based in expert judgement of population density or harvest rate and sex ratio. Estimates of population size based on empirical data would provide better information on which to base management decisions. Few survey methods to estimate the size and structure of turkey populations have appeared in the peer-reviewed literature. We conducted camera surveys on wildlife openings in July and August 2015-2016 to estimate the distribution, abundance, structure, and productivity of wild turkey populations at four study areas in different landscapes across Alabama. Our results suggest that the average probability of use by turkeys was 0.61 (0.22-1.00; 95% C.L.). The average density of turkeys on wildlife openings was 0.82 (0.70-0.94; 95% C.L.) for males, 1.65 (1.48-1.82; 95% C.L.) for females, and 1.18 (1.04-1.32; 95% C.L.) for poults. Turkey densities on wildlife openings were related to amount of forest cover and forest type (pine or hardwood). Total turkey density and density of males were related to landcover characteristics within 500m of wildlife openings, and densities of young were most related to landcover within 1750m of openings. Female density were similarly related to landcover within 500m and 1750m. Productivity, measured as the ratio of young to hens, was an estimated .71 (.57-.84; 95% C.L.). We suggest that camera trap surveys can be an effective means of monitoring turkey populations for management.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:20am - 8:40am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: David A. Lincicome, Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation; Lisa M. Kruse, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; J. Mincy Moffett, Jr., Georgia Department of Natural Resources
ABSTRACT: The Plant Conservation Alliance (PCA) model has been used in Georgia since 1995 to successfully implement plant conservation. The Georgia PCA model is rooted in the New England Plant Conservation Program (NEPCoP), the first regional conservation program for at-risk plants started in 1991. Based upon the nationally recognized success of the Georgia PCA, the model has now been adopted by other Southeastern states, including Tennessee. A PCA is a network of private and public entities that agree to work together to leverage expertise and resources for the common goal of conserving the state’s native plants and their habitats, using targeted conservation horticulture and habitat restoration. PCA’s emphasize an informal structure and building of trust for efficient communication of diverse scientific data and institutional perspectives. State Natural Heritage Programs, assisted by the PCA, play a vital role in maintaining databases used to assess the botanical diversity of each state. Natural Heritage data is the backbone of rare plant information incorporated into some State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAP) as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Incorporating plant information into the SWAP enables the PCA to efficiently prioritize plant species and community projects for essential conservation action; and enables states to effect more holistic habitat management to benefit of a suite of species, including SGCN, resulting in greater project success. A major strength of the PCA model is the effective use of trained volunteers (Citizen Science) to perform conservation actions. The PCA model is an innovative, practical and effective tool for conservation.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:30am - 8:45am EDT
McCreary
AUTHORS: Rua Mordecai, South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative
ABSTRACT: This section of the Symposium will focus on the fundamental building blocks of the SECAS Conservation Blueprint Version 2.0. It will include a review of feedback heard and improvements made since Version 1.0, which was revealed in the fall of 2016. The SECAS Blueprint stitches together the work of multiple Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) into a map of shared conservation and restoration priorities across the Southeast and Caribbean. The Blueprint combines multiple datasets, tools, and resources into one cohesive map that can be shared by regional planners, highway departments, developers, businesses, and conservation professionals. An Interactive dialogue will solicit thoughts and reactions from the symposium participants including questions focused on barriers, gaps, individual data layers, and how the conservation partners might see themselves using these tools. The focus will be on the State Agency needs, with emphasis on the work under the State Wildlife Action Plans, and examples of how the Blueprint is being used will be provided. Additional dialogue will focus on improvements for Version 3.0 of the Blueprint. This section is a great opportunity to hear which conservation decisions the Blueprint can help you make and at what scale, and better familiarize attendees with the data layers that have been utilized thus far as well as the methods being used to stitch the various Blueprints together.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:35am - 9:10am EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Adam D. Martin. Fisheries Biologist III, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Nathan Brandon. Owner, Studio 270 Media Company
ABSTRACT: Recreational catfish anglers are responsible for a long term average of 10% of the total fishing trips to Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Additionally, catfish make up a large percentage of the fish caught by commercial fishermen in these waters. Recently the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources began utilizing boat electrofishing to sample all three species of catfish (blue, channel, and flathead) in both reservoirs. This method has been shown to provide an unbiased length frequency of blue catfish in other systems. The other two species are observed while sampling, but are comparatively difficult to capture. Our current sampling protocol is limited in several ways: (1) it requires 2 boats and four people; (2) it does not capture channel catfish effectively; (3) our sample sizes are often too low for management decisions; (4) we have no estimates of capture efficiency. During the summer of 2017 we attempted to improve this sampling technique through the use of drone technology and video analysis. A small quadcopter equipped with a GPS, an altimeter, and a 4K video camera was used to observe our sampling events at several altitudes. By analyzing the video we were able to estimate our capture efficiency by observing missed fish. We were also able to test whether we could identify and measure the total length of each fish without actually being captured in the net.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:40am - 9:00am EDT
French
AUTHORS: Becky Wallen, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has collaborated with colleges in Kentucky to recruit new young adult participants into hunting through collegiate peer mentoring. These programs include contacting pre-established student groups/clubs who have an interest in hunting or the shooting sports, together planning introductory clinics and workshops, recruiting members of those student groups, and coordinating peer-mentored hunts. Students who serve as mentors participate in a pre-program screening and training. The participants are surveyed before and after the mentored hunts to better understand their backgrounds, opinions and experiences, and to help evaluate the effectiveness of the programs. All of the hunts have been hosted on state Wildlife Management Areas to promote familiarity with opportunities for public hunting access. We will share lessons learned and challenges that have surfaced while conducting collegiate hunting programs.
AUTHORS: Stephen J. Zenas, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University; James B. Grand, U.S. Geological Survey
ABSTRACT: Researchers often assume that survival of radio-marked eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) is not adversely affected by capture and marking beyond 14-days post-capture. However, there is little published information to support this assumption. We captured and marked turkeys (n = 226) 2015-2016 and examined their daily survival rates for 45 days post-capture. We compared models using Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC) to determine the factors with the greatest influence on post-capture survival. We found that the best approximating model supported the hypothesis that survival increased linearly post-capture and that ambient temperature at the time of capture had an adverse effect on survival and that daily survival rates did not differ by age or sex. Post-hoc processing suggested that capture and marking may have adversely affected survival for approximately 33 days, 19 days longer than the traditionally used 14-day period. The 33-day post-capture survival rate was 0.71 (0.62, 0.77, 95% CI). Additionally, turkeys were 1.06 times more likely to survive (1.03, 1.08, 95% CI) each day post-capture. Lastly, for each 5-degree Celsius increase in temperature at capture, wild turkeys were 0.83 times as likely to survive (0.70, 0.99, 95% CI). The duration of post-capture censorship periods has the potential to bias estimates of survival rates over all time frames. Addressing these potential biases using empirical data and biologically defensible hypotheses is critical to improving estimates of wild turkey demographics.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:40am - 9:00am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Carl Schmidt, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Dawn Sherry, Middle Georgia State University
ABSTRACT: The 2003 Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) Recovery Plan defines the tree component of good quality foraging habitat (GQFH) using trees per acre (TPA) and basal area (BA). While the plan requires at least 40ft2 BA/acre of all pines 10" DBH, it has no guidance on when to initiate a thinning. The 2000 Draft Recovery Plan provided guidance, prescribing a 40 to 80 ft2 BA/acre range for loblolly/shortleaf pine stands. A problem with BA, however, is it is not independent of site and age. Another measure, Stand Density Index (SDI), is independent of site and age. The total number of 10” diameter trees an acre can support represents the maximum SDI. Twenty-five percent of the maximum indicates the beginning of crown closure, 35% corresponds to the lower limit of full site occupancy. These percentages are roughly equivalent to 50 to 80 ft2 BA/acre for a loblolly stand with a 10” average diameter, the index size for SDI. The difference between BA and SDI was compared using three hypothetical loblolly pine stands. Thinning the stands was modeled using the Forest Vegetation Simulator. BA-managed stands had decreasing relative density with age while SDI-managed stands were consistent. SDI-managed stands allowed the basal area to go over 100; BA-managed stands never did. BA-managed stands never maintained as many large diameter trees as SDI-managed stands. It is suggested that using SDI as a measure of stocking in red-cockaded woodpecker foraging habitat is the best approach.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 8:45am - 9:00am EDT
McCreary
AUTHORS: Amy Knight, Dan Hipes – Florida Natural Areas Inventory
ABSTRACT: Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) and Florida Forest Service partnered to design and implement a rapid assessment methodology for the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Geodatabase, a central repository for data on the distribution and condition of Longleaf Pine Ecosystems (LPE) in Florida. The field assessment of ecological condition included measures of canopy, midstory and ground cover that could be crosswalked to maintenance condition classes described by America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative. The protocol was designed with metrics that could be discerned from a roadside to facilitate rapid data collection. In 2013 Florida county foresters used the first iteration of the protocol to assess 1.8 million acres of longleaf in Florida, primarily on private lands and the results have been used to inform longleaf restoration planning in the state. More recently NatureServe (NS), USFWS, and other partners have developed rapid assessment metrics for open pine systems throughout the southeast. In our current phase of data collection for Florida we revised our field assessment to be more aligned with the Southern Open Pine (SOP) protocol, to help meet the objective for a more consistent, vetted rangewide methodology. FNAI and NS are field testing the effectiveness of the SOP ecological indicators for wildlife and are collaborating with Environmental Defense Fund and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to explore the potential of SOP metrics to inform a Longleaf Habitat Quantification Tool.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 9:00am - 9:15am EDT
McCreary
AUTHORS: Benjamin. D. Dickinson, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, (currently Indiana Department of Natural Resources); Steve L. McMullin, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic and State University; Donald J. Orth, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic and State University; John R. Copeland, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
ABSTRACT: The New River, Virginia, supports a setline trotline fishery for catfish (Ictaluridae) that coexists with popular recreational fisheries for smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède), muskellunge (Esox masquinongy, Mitchill), and walleye, (Sander vitreus (Mitchill)). Setline Trotline effort was estimated by conducting off-site interviews of setline trotline fishers in combination with a setlinetrotline field survey. Setline Trotline effort was seasonal with highest effort during summer and averaged 325 hook nights km-1. Setline Ccatch of catfish and bycatch were estimated with experimental setline trotline setsfishing that used circle or J-style hooks and two bait types. Setlines caught Catch averaged 12.1 catfish 100 hook-nights -1. Experimental setlines sets baited with live baitfish yielded both channel catfish, (Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque, 1818)), and flathead catfish, (Pylodictis olivaris (Rafinesque)), but caught few smallmouth bass, muskellunge, or walleye. Cutbait caught fewer catfish, particularly flathead catfish, and caught fewer non-catfish species than live bait. Circle hooks were significantly more effective for catching channel catfish compared to J hooks. Furthermore, game fish were caught at nearly equal rates by both hook types, but 67% of game fish caught by J hooks were hooked J hooks were caught in the stomach or esophagus compared to 18% caught with circle hooks Precision of harvest estimates was low, which hindered inferences about the size of this fishery or potential take of game fish. Trotline fishing for catfish would have a smaller influence on abundant smallmouth bass population, compared to a smaller, developing walleye population.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 9:00am - 9:20am EDT
French
AUTHORS: Patrick Hogan, Tom Allen and Rob Southwick, Southwick Associates; Jim Curcuruto, National Shooting Sports Foundation
ABSTRACT: Getting the most from state and industry efforts to recruit new hunters and firearm users depends on knowing who our potential new customers are and how to best connect with them. A consumer segmentation analysis does this by identifying the uniquely distinct parts, or segments, of the market. In a needs-based segmentation, each segment shares a common set of motivations for wanting to join, take up an activity or to buy a product. It is not based on what the customer looks like or how they use their firearms. By understanding why consumers decide to potentially buy a firearm, and the reasons why they favor specific firearms, states and industry can improve their customer interactions and success. In 2016, Southwick Associates, on behalf of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), identified eight key segments that make up the 24.4 million Americans who are interested in hunting, shooting sports and firearm ownership but have yet to make their first purchase. Learn more about these results to improve state agency efforts to refine communication and recruitment initiatives and to improve programs that give new participants with their first firearm and hunting experiences and lessons.
AUTHORS: Patrick H. Wightman, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University; Jay Cantrell, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; Charles Ruth, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; Michael J. Chamberlain, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; Bret A. Collier, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center
ABSTRACT: Management techniques tailored for improving wildlife populations can often indirectly effect non-target species. Supplemental feeding for Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) has become a popular management technique to improve bobwhite recruitment and survival, the potential impacts on non-target species such as wild turkey is unknown. We GPS tagged 111 wild turkeys on the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Webb Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Complex during 2014–2016 to evaluate if supplemental feeding for quail impacted Eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) movement ecology. Birds which utilized the supplementally fed area had greater range size before, during, and after hunting season. Ranges of birds that utilized the treatment area in 2014 before feeding was initiated was larger relative to birds that utilized the treatment area in 2015 and 2016 (post-feed initiation), but these differences were less than a 16 ha change and not biologically significant. Although 18 individuals showed ranges that overlapped the treatments area, the largest average percentage of overlap for any period was 14%. Using logistic regression we estimated that the probability of use of a supplementally fed region was < 0.05. Furthermore, first passage time analysis results indicated minimal relationship between distance to feed and a change in turkey movement behavior. Our results suggest that supplemental feeding for quail may not underlie turkey movement ecology, however range overlap and use predictions suggest some potential for selection may exist.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 9:00am - 9:20am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Mike Harris, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Mallory Martin, South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative; Bill Bartush, Gulf Coast Prairie Landscape Conservation Cooperative; Brian Branciforte, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Jon Ambrose, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Cindy Simpson, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Allan Brown, US Fish and Wildlife Service
ABSTRACT: This section will emphasize a sample of specific applications of the SECAS Conservation Blueprint to advance conservation efforts. This will focus on several ‘use cases’ and the implementation of actions with a focus on advancing the activities needed to meet the objectives of State Agency partners and their respective State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs). Prospective topics to be covered include the alignment between the Florida SWAP and the Peninsular Florida LCC monitoring of conservation targets; examples of where the Blueprint has been used to attract and leverage resources to achieve conservation outcomes, and Gulf-wide efforts. This section will include demonstrations of how data have been used to meet the needs of those working to conserve habitat across multiple states for the Gopher Tortoise, a species of concern in the Southeast. The session will also highlight how the tools have been used to augment decision making, such as identifying areas suitable for alligator gar spawning and prioritizing dams for removal as a means to improve aquatic habitats. The last part of this section will be an interactive demonstration of the use of the data that is housed on the Southeast Conservation Planning Atlas to answer specific needs from the audience. This section is designed to clearly demonstrate the value of the collaborative approach to meeting the needs of the partners across a diverse landscape.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 9:10am - 10:10am EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Laura Dugan, Texas Natural Diversity Database, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Michelle Haggerty, Master Naturalist Program and Texas Nature Trackers, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Richard Heilbrun, Conservation Outreach Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Marsha May, Texas Nature Trackers, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
ABSTRACT: Citizen science can produce large amounts of data at a much faster rate than conventional data collection methods; however, certain issues—such as species misidentification, spatial data precision, and lack of associated attribute data—need to be considered before putting these data to work for conservation action. Here, we present an example of harnessing a large citizen science dataset and incorporating it into a database used by a variety of parties for diverse conservation actions. The Texas Nature Trackers Herps of Texas iNaturalist Project is a citizen science project aimed at documenting the presence of amphibians and reptiles in Texas with a priority on certain target Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). To deal with the issue of misidentification, observations added to the project were curated by expert herpetologists and then filtered by taxonomy, accuracy, and other factors to produce a dataset of SGCN observations considered Texas Natural Diversity Database (TXNDD)-grade. These records were subsequently entered into the TXNDD resulting in 1,882 new features including two of chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) and eight of the state threatened Chihuahuan Desert lyre snake (Trimorphodon vilkinsonii), both previously unrepresented in the database. TXNDD data are utilized by a range of clients and conservation partners for a variety of conservation actions including conducting environmental review and species assessments, determining monitoring and funding priorities and state listing statuses, and informing global conservation ranks. The outcome of this process as well as lessons learned related to project setup, data preparation, and processing will be discussed.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 9:15am - 9:30am EDT
McCreary
AUTHORS: Michael J. Porta, Richard A. Snow – Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Oklahoma Fishery Research Laboratory; Daniel E. Shoup, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University
ABSTRACT: The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) stocks reservoirs throughout Oklahoma with saugeye to control overcrowded, stunted white crappie populations and to provide recreational fishing opportunities. ODWC relies on saugeye as a management tool, and they provide a valuable recreational fishery, so sacrificing fish regularly to remove otoliths for aging purposes may be counterproductive. A non-lethal means of obtaining age estimates for saugeye to describe population dynamics is desirable. Therefore, we compared aging precision between readers and structures (otoliths and dorsal spines), and compared age-based population parameters (growth, mortality, recruitment) derived from these age estimates. Aging structures were removed from 47 saugeye collected from Lake Thunderbird, Oklahoma via electrofishing. Aging precision was highest between readers for sectioned otoliths (100% agreement; CV = 0%) and whole otoliths (98% agreement; CV = 3.2%), whereas precision was poor for dorsal spine ages (50% agreement; CV = 22.3%). When comparing final agreed ages, sectioned otoliths and whole otoliths were in 100% agreement, however otolith and spine agreement was 14%. Age bias plots indicate that final agreed spine ages always were higher than the agreed ages from otoliths. Because age assignments from the two structures were dissimilar, the corresponding mortality rates, growth models, and recruitment patterns were vastly different. We conclude that dorsal spines are not an appropriate aging structure for saugeye in Oklahoma, as age estimates lack precision and produce apparently erroneous population parameters. Fisheries managers should sacrifice saugeye for aging, as otolith age estimates are precise and accurately describe population dynamics.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 9:20am - 9:40am EDT
French
ABSTRACT: The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (the Pittman-Robertson Act) and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (the Dingell-Johnson Act) are two of the oldest and most enduring sources of funding for fish and wildlife conservation in the United States. Through these programs, excise taxes paid by hunters and anglers for almost a century have played an essential role in America’s wildlife conservation success story. The dollars generated through hunters’ and anglers’ purchases have fueled a self-supporting user pay/public benefit fish and wildlife conservation system. Since the inception of these programs, it was a given that most of the people purchasing the relevant taxable items were hunters and anglers. Within the last decade, however, the proportions of user groups paying into the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Trust Funds have shifted. Filling out the ranks of traditional hunters and anglers are growing shares of non-hunting target shooters, non-hunting target archers, and, potentially, non-fishing boaters. With this diversification of audiences comes differing levels of awareness and understanding of how the tax revenues are spent - as a result, the conservation community needs to take measures to ensure these new users understand and support the fact that they are helping to fund state-based conservation. This presentation discusses how the shift in the makeup of America’s fish and wildlife conservation contributors represents both a critical new challenge as well as a potential opportunity for the conservation community.
AUTHORS: Andrew L. Smith, Bronson K. Strickland, Bruce D. Leopold - College of Forest Resources, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Mississippi State University; James L. Cummins - Wildlife Mississippi
ABSTRACT: The legislative procedures regarding wild pigs in the United States are expanding in scope and priority. However, state by state legislation is inconsistent, and the proximate and/or ultimate success of policy efforts has never been examined. Due to the complexity of the wild pig invasion and its manifesting nature, state and federal governments are racing to address and control the issue. This has resulted in an assortment of policies that are often unique to each state, some of which are aggressive and designed to manage or eradicate populations, while others are more passive and lack enforcement capabilities. Each state addresses the issues of wild pigs incompatibly and treatment is based on a priority of resource concerns. An investigation was conducted at the national level of federal, state, and local policy with regards to the wild pig invasion. In addition, successful and unsuccessful legislation was evaluated to determine commonalities in the social, cultural, demographic, economic, and ecological factors contributing to the success or failure of legislation. Information collected provides state legislatures with definitive model legislation that can be passed with the support of stakeholders and the citizenry, as well as help guide states into a more uniform and/or regionalized system of policy. Furthermore, it provides states without or with low populations of pigs, a proactive suite of legislation to prevent introduction or further proliferation and facilitate eradication of localized populations.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 9:20am - 9:40am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Ian Horn, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission
ABSTRACT: Multiple agencies monitor at-risk species in Kentucky. By statute, the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission (KSNPC) maintains a registry of these species, natural communities, and natural areas. KSNPC biologists and other conservation organizations provide observational data that may potentially contribute to this registry. Currently, Kentucky does not have a one-stop shop for completing environmental reviews or perform environmental planning based on at-risk species. As Kentucky’s natural heritage program and NatureServe affiliate, KSNPC is implementing an Environmental Review Tool (ERT) in 2017 with multiple objectives, including greatly reduced processing time, increased efficiency, and increased public awareness of Kentucky’s conservation attributes. The browser-based mapping tool will be accessible by organizations and citizens at varying levels, according to the specific agreements between KSNPC and the entity that requests the data. For example, KSNPC could provide a customized layer with data concerning Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) to a fish and wildlife agency. The advantage for an organization to use the ERT would be the ability to access the most up-to-date data and a formal report quickly, in most cases within minutes, rather than on an annual or multiyear basis. As with many other web mapping tools, organizations will have the ability to load their own shapefiles in the ERT and perform analyses for their own projects/areas of interest. The Environmental Review Tool will increase environmental awareness in Kentucky and allow for greater communication and cooperation between conservation organizations and project planners.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 9:30am - 9:45am EDT
McCreary
AUTHORS: Cody J. Salzmann, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; Justin M. Homan, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Micah D. Tindall, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Michael A. Eggleton, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
ABSTRACT: In river systems of the southeastern U.S., crappies (Pomoxis spp.) represent popular sport fisheries. Using oxbow lakes in the lower White River, Arkansas as study areas, key fishery characteristics and minimum-length limit (MLL) modeling simulations were compared between 2002 and 2015. Von Bertalanffy growth models suggested crappie growth was greater during 2015 compared to 2002, though estimates of L∞ declined from 378 mm total length (TL) in 2002 to 334 mm TL in 2015. Total mortality of crappies decreased from 56% in 2002 to 37% in 2015, while proportional size distribution increased from 43 to 57. Simulation modeling from 2015 predicted that implementation of a 254-mm MLL for crappies would increase mean size of harvested crappies regardless of exploitation compared to a 200-mm MLL, which simulated no MLL. However, the 254-mm MLL also was predicted to reduce the number of crappies harvested by one-third to one-half; yield was predicated to increase minimally when exploitation was high and natural mortality was low. Although crappie modeling simulations were not greatly different between 2002 and 2015, these oxbow lakes have undergone significant fish assemblage changes in recent years. Within the last decade, bigheaded carps (bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp H. molitrix) have become highly abundant in many of these lakes. Although these findings suggested that bigheaded carps have had little effect thus far on White River oxbow lake crappie fisheries, future studies are warranted as carps become more established.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 9:40am - 10:00am EDT
French
ABSTRACT: State Fish and Wildlife agencies have to compete now more than ever to keep their core customer base and recruit non-traditional audiences. Where can agencies market their brand, connect with customers, expand their reach and grow a more diverse customer base, all on a very limited budget? Through sports sponsorships. What are people most passionate about in your state? In Kentucky that’s an easy question to answer. It's basketball, especially collegiate basketball. In the late winter and spring when license sales are peaking, and cabin fever can finally give way to getting outside, there is nothing bigger than “rivalry week,” conference tournaments and “March Madness.” Our sponsorship program with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife includes radio, national TV, digital, social, and in-arena branding and clear calls to action. In this presentation we will discuss how passionate sports fans can become passionate outdoors fans by leveraging strategic sports sponsorships. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is able to brand to multiple, strategic out-of-state and in-state markets by leveraging “March Madness” via the Ohio Valley Conference tournament” (OVC), the Horizon League Conference tournament and the Atlantic 10 (A10) Conference tournament.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 9:40am - 10:00am EDT
Nunn
AUTHORS: Kelsey L. Turner, University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory; Guha Dharmarajan, University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Lab; James C. Beasley, University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory; Amy T. Gilbert, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services; Richard B. Chipman, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services; Olin E. Rhodes Jr., University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Lab
ABSTRACT: Aerial dissemination of oral rabies vaccinations is used to prevent the spread of the raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies variant in the eastern U.S. However, little is known about competition for vaccine-baits by non-target species, such as the Virginia opossum (Didelphus virginianus) in the southeastern U.S. Our study aimed to estimate densities of raccoons and opossums across 4 habitat types common in the southeastern U.S. (riparian hardwood, isolated wetland, bottomland forest, upland pine) and to quantify uptake of rabies vaccine-baits within those habitats by both raccoons and opossums. We estimated densities of raccoons and opossums via mark-recapture (MRC) methods from January to April 2017 in 6, 0.25-sq.km grids of each target habitat type on the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina. At each site we deployed 25 live-capture box traps spaced 100-m apart for a 10 day period to estimate site-specific densities. After which, we manually distributed placebo baits containing the biomarker Rhodamine B (RB) at 75 baits/sq.km to mimic standard USDA aerial distribution protocols. We retrapped sites for raccoons and opossums 2 weeks subsequent to bait deployments and collected and analyzed whiskers for the presence of RB to assess bait uptake. We estimated species-specific densities using a spatially explicit model, assessing differences by habitat type, while bait competition was analyzed as a function of species and habitat type. Understanding the influence of vaccine competition across various habitat types is imperative in determining the allocation of resources to successfully manage the raccoon variant of rabies in the southeastern U.S.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 9:40am - 10:00am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Larry Pugh, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks; L.E. Miranda, U.S. Geological Survey, Mississippi Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; M.E. Colvin, Mississippi State University Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture
ABSTRACT: In 1986 the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) initiated a standardized monitoring program to support statewide fisheries management activities. The program included directives about how, where, when, and how much to sample, and was accompanied with software that facilitated standardized data management and reporting. The monitoring guidelines and software have been revised every decade to keep pace with new developments, but the backbone of the monitoring program has remained constant. During this 30-year period MDWFP has assembled a database that includes over 1,100 fish surveys in 150 lakes, and near 500 angler surveys in 75 lakes. This database has been used to develop lake-specific management plans that focus on managing lake habitat, fish populations, and the angler experience. Plans for the future of MDWFP’s monitoring and management system include implementation of a structured approach to make decisions about actions to meet management objectives and monitoring needs.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 10:20am - 10:40am EDT
French
AUTHORS: Rebecca M. Shuman, University of Georgia; Michael J. Cherry, Virginia Tech; Elizabeth A. Dutoit, University of Georgia; Taylor N. Simoneaux, University of Georgia; Karl V. Miller, University of Georgia; Michael J. Chamberlain, University of Goergia
ABSTRACT: Resource selection by females and their offspring during the fawning season can influence survival and recruitment. The selection process is thought to represent the balancing of often competing demands to minimize predation risk and maximize resource availability to support the energetic demands of lactation. Maladapted resource selection decisions are rare, and consequently resource selection results are often used to guide habitat management actions. We used a distance-based approach to examine selection of fawn-rearing areas and locations within fawning areas for 20 radioinstrumented female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana. We also examined selection of vegetative attributes at parturition sites (n = 22) and fawn bed sites (n = 106). Females selected fawn-rearing areas nearer to agriculture than expected given their home ranges (t1, 19 = -3.524, p = 0.002), but within fawn-rearing areas, females were located farther from agriculture (t1, 19 = 2.715, p = 0.014) and reforestation (t1, 19 = 2.129, p = 0.047) than expected. Parturition sites and fawn bed sites had greater visual obstruction than random sites. Avoiding areas that presumably have an enhanced nutritional plane, due to cultivation and habitat improvements (i.e., agriculture and CRP reforestation) and selecting sites with more concealment cover suggests that both females and fawns selected areas that reduce predation risk to the fawn rather than maximizing forage availability. However, our results may stem from the fact that food resources may not be limiting in any habitat type or fawns on our site experienced high predation rates.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 10:20am - 10:40am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Wylie Carr, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Rachel Greene, Mississippi State University; Greg Wathen, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; Mark Humpert, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies; Gordon Myers, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Susan Gibson, US Army Corps of Engineers;Mike Oetker, US Fish & Wildlife Service
ABSTRACT: The final section of the Symposium would emphasize the partnerships in the Southeast and demonstrate how the conservation community - and other land users - have collaborated on efforts to sustain fish and wildlife populations, including efforts to keep species from being federally listed. There will be a forum highlighting how the SECAS partners share expertise and resources across the region to foster innovation to address conservation issues - and take advantage of opportunities. This section will include an update on the Southern Forest Futures mapping project, which is aimed at identifying existing programs, plans, and initiatives from forest and other conservation organizations that have the potential to protect and retain forest lands in the future. It will include broader linkages to efforts ongoing across North America through the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, and a focus on efforts to foster collaboration. The final part of the symposium will also lay the groundwork for continued collaborations, improvements to focus on in 2018, and an appeal to both increase and initiate engagement in this effort to continue to build and expand the exciting model of conservation that can help each of the partners achieve their objectives.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Scott Chiavacci, Emily Pindilli – Science and Decisions Center, U.S. Geological Survey
ABSTRACT: Market-based (e.g., conservation banking) and market-like (e.g., Payments for Ecosystem Services) conservation incentives serve as mechanisms to encourage landowners to manage their lands for species conservation. Reviews of these markets, however, have highlighted a number of factors hindering their use and efficiency. One of these factors is the lack of transparency and availability of details regarding the quantification methods (i.e., tools) used to estimate biodiversity benefits, which often take the form of credits. By making the design and functions of these tools more transparent and increasing their availability, entities looking to develop markets may save time and money by relying on or drawing from already developed tools instead of developing their own from scratch. To this end, we have been collecting detailed information on all quantification tools being used or developed in the United States. We have created a database that houses a list of these tools, their associated documents (e.g., User Guides, credit calculators), and criteria that describe the functions and attributes of each tool. These criteria cover general tool information, ecological/geographic features of tools, data collection/input/analysis requirements, and the specific measures each tool incorporates in its quantification of species or habitats. To date, we have identified over 40 tools covering at least 27 species and 9 habitat types. In addition to evaluating tools, we are using the database to understand potential gaps in tool design and use that could better guide and improve the development of such tools in the future.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 10:35am - 10:50am EDT
McCreary
AUTHORS: Bradley Hartman, Timothy Spier - Murray State University
ABSTRACT: Globally, aquatic ecosystems are negatively affected by a variety of mechanisms including habitat destruction, fish overharvesting, climate change, and the introduction of invasive species. Long term monitoring of an ecosystem’s fish community, along with abiotic and biotic factors that influence the fish community, is crucial in establishing effective management and conservation strategies. While there are existing fish community monitoring programs across the United States, a long term monitoring program that includes non-game and non-commercial fish community dynamics has not been established within Kentucky Lake in Western Kentucky. The purpose of this research is two-fold: To determine which boat electroshocking settings provide the highest catch per unit effort and species diversity and the widest range of total lengths, and to develop a standardized fish community sampling protocol using the most effective boat electroshocking settings. Four centrally located embayments within Kentucky Lake (Turkey, Anderson, Turner Hollow, and Ledbetter Bays) were sampled with a randomized block experimental design. Within each embayment, 6 separate electrofishing samples were obtained from randomly chosen 500-meter shoreline segments; each sample utilizing 1 of 6 different randomly selected electroshocking wave forms (15, 35, 55, 75, 95, and 115 Hz: 25% duty cycle). Each collected specimen was identified to species and total length of each specimen was obtained. Concurrently with Hancock Biological Station’s bimonthly water quality/plankton surveys, this sampling protocol will be used for a long term fish monitoring program that will track catch per unit effort, body condition, and species diversity of non-game and non-commercial fish in Kentucky Lake.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 10:40am - 11:00am EDT
French
AUTHORS: Hunter P. Pruitt, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; Mark D. McConnell, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; Brian P. Murphy, Quality Deer Management Association
ABSTRACT: Habitat fragmentation and loss are the leading causes of decreasing global biodiversity and create barriers for conservation delivery. Engaging private landowners to achieve landscape-level conservation is widely practiced; however, established mechanisms to encourage voluntary conservation practices are lacking. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus) management by landowners and hunters is an increasingly popular conservation tool available to conservation planners. Annually, 12 million deer hunters own or lease approximately 356 million acres for deer hunting. However, targeting deer hunters for landscape-level conservation planning has not been explored. Deer management cooperatives (DMCs) are a novel approach by private landowners and hunters working collaboratively to improve deer herd and hunting quality. DMCs are defined as ‘a group of landowners and hunters voluntarily working together to improve the quality of wildlife (white-tailed deer), habitat, and hunting experiences on their collective acreage’. By aggregating multiple properties to cooperatively manage collective acreage, hunters and landowners may facilitate a larger, more connected land area within the landscape matrix. The potential increase in cooperative habitat management conducted within DMCs may increase conservation value within the surrounding landscape and to conservation planners. Thus, DMCs may provide a method to counter decreasing connectivity between habitat patches. We quantify the habitat configuration and conservation value of DMCs compared to the surrounding landscape using FRAGSTATS® software. We compare habitat configuration, patch size and patch connectivity between DMCs and surrounding landscapes to illustrate the utility of DMCs as a conservation-planning tool to increase functional connectivity for species other than white-tailed deer within a fragmented landscape.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 10:40am - 11:00am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Paxton Ramsdell, Environmental Defense Fund; Rickie White, NatureServe; Will McDow, Environmental Defense Fund
ABSTRACT: America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative partners aim to restore at least 4 million acres of longleaf forest for the benefit of keystone species. However, to efficiently restore this amount of land, science-based verification tools are necessary. Indeed a common challenge facing funders, policy makers, and conservation practitioners is quantifying the net gain, or the functional-lift, from restoration practices. Environmental Defense Fund and NatureServe are collaborating to develop a Longleaf Habitat Quantification Tool (HQT) capable of measuring the current functional value of longleaf habitat as well as the expected functional lift achieved through restoration. Users input field data based off of a site’s existing and proposed condition, and the HQT provides users with a numerical output scored as Not Functioning, Functioning-At-Risk, or Functioning. Although the tool does not prescribe restoration practices, it can be deployed to aid land managers, policy makers and funders in project selection, design, and outcomes. Practical applications of the HQT include: programmatic investments – funders could more accurately rank projects based on expected uplift and release payment only when desired habitat quality conditions have been met; mitigation efforts for single species or habitat type could be vastly improved by including a habitat functionality component; investment reporting and progress toward conservation goals could be objectively measured and reported at multiple scales. The HQT is currently undergoing pilot testing and our session will provide an overview of the tool, results and lessons learned from pilot projects, and next steps with an eye toward ensuring rigorous, science-based, range-wide longleaf restoration.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 10:50am - 11:05am EDT
McCreary
AUTHORS: Adam D. Martin. Fisheries Biologist III, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: Crappie populations in southeastern reservoirs are often observed to be highly inconsistent. Numerous studies have attempted to evaluate which factors affect crappie year class strength, however the mechanisms generally remain speculative or unknown. Kentucky Lake, is a 160,309 acre reservoir with highly variable recruitment of both black and white crappie. Previous research utilizing long term (>25 year) trapnet data from Kentucky Lake suggested that seasonal differences in environmental variables such as discharge, turbidity, and algal productivity likely contributed to the variation in crappie year class strength. In an effort to further explore these mechanisms on a finite scale; in 2014 the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources began a long term pelagic ichthyoplankton survey at Kentucky Lake. This data will be coupled with long term environmental data collected by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Murray State University’s Center for Reservoir Research. The focus of the project has been on understanding crappie recruitment; however, long term ichthyoplankton studies also have the potential to provide a wealth of information on the ecological effects of invasive species, habitat changes, and climate change. Additionally many agencies have designed new icthyoplankton studies to identify invasive fish distributions, which brings a new opportunity to explore the early life history of crappie with minimal added work. We feel that long term icthyoplankton surveys are underutilized and recommend a few techniques to maximize the amount of useful information collected in these surveys.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 11:00am - 11:20am EDT
French
AUTHORS: D. Todd Baker, R. Scott Durham, Trebor J. Victoriano, Scott Armand - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Bret A. Collier, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center.
ABSTRACT: White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) found at the mouth of the Mississippi River are of historical significance as they represent one major source used for restocking in Louisiana. Concerns over potential population declines led the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to initiate a study to gather demographic data on white-tailed deer on the 46,540 ha Pass-A-Loutre Wildlife Management Area. We captured and individually marked 57 deer on Pass-a-Loutre Wildlife Management Area (PALWMA). We monitored travel corridors using un-baited trail cameras and recorded all sightings of marked and unmarked individuals between 2007–2014. We collected photographic observations of 4,325 individual white-tailed, however the observation frequency of tagged individuals was low (n= 340; 7%). Based on the resighting data apparent annual survival for female and male white-tailed deer was 0.48 (SE = 0.07) and 0.78 (SE = 0.06), respectively and recapture probability was significantly higher for tagged males (0.81 (SE = 0.11)) than females (0.54 (SE = 0.08)). Overall, our estimates of female annual survival were low relative to estimates from other population studies from the southeastern United States. As coastal marsh habitats represent an important component of the statewide harvest in Louisiana, and as coastal habitats are slowly degrading in Louisiana, our results suggest that additional focus on white-tailed deer demography and harvest rates are likely necessary in coastal regions of the southeast.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 11:00am - 11:20am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: John Hottenstein, Ecosystem Planning and Restoration; Will Harman, Ecosystem Planning and Restoration and Stream Mechanics; Cidney Jones, Ecosystem Planning and Restoration; Rich Starr, Ecosystem Planning and Restoration
ABSTRACT: In the southeast, more than 400 aquatic species have been petitioned for listing by the Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened or endangered. Environmental groups, regulatory agencies, and researchers can benefit from the creation of tools that characterize stream conditions and quantify improvement. Such tools can ensure that funding goes to the restoration and conservation projects most capable of supporting species recovery. Stream Mechanics and Environmental Defense Fund have created a quantification tool that calculates functional lift at stream mitigation sites. The Stream Quantification Tool (SQT) organizes stream functions into five functional categories: hydrology, hydraulics, geomorphology, physicochemical, and biology. These functional categories are assessed by various parameters using one or multiple measurement methods. A quantitative functional score is calculated by translating measured field values to index values based on performance standards developed for each measurement method. The modular design of the SQT’s five functional categories allows for rapid customization based upon user needs and regional considerations. Stream Mechanics and Environmental Defense Fund recently customized the SQT to quantify the suitability of stream conditions for brook trout in the southeast. Given the significant data and research available on brook trout, this species was selected to serve as a model in the creation of a scientific “roadmap” to guide others in customizing the SQT for a specific aquatic species. This session will focus on the SQT, the process taken to customize the SQT for brook trout, and opportunities to further customize the SQT to meet the needs of at-risk aquatic species.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 11:05am - 11:20am EDT
McCreary
ABSTRACT: In 2015 the President’s Pollinator Health Task Force established a goal of increasing the Eastern monarch butterfly population to 225 million butterflies, which is roughly a two to four-fold increase over existing population levels. Achieving this goal requires the restoration of several million acres of high quality monarch habitat. For decades conservation organizations and government agencies have been using acres restored as a metric of progress made toward a species’ conservation goals. However, it is clear that all acres are not equal in terms of their contribution to a species’ life history needs, i.e., habitat quality varies from one site to another. To address this issue and more effectively measure progress, it is essential that a quality or “functionality” measure be incorporated into habitat goals. Environmental Defense Fund, the Monarch Lab at the University of Minnesota and Environmental Incentives recently collaborated on development of a Monarch Habitat Quantification Tool (HQT) that is capable of measuring the current functional value of monarch habitat as well as the expected functional lift achieved through restoration. Users input field data, in particular milkweed and nectar plant density and diversity, and the HQT provides an output in the form of functional acres. This output is subject to adjustment based on threats such as pesticide exposure. The HQT was field tested at farms and ranches in California, Texas and Minnesota in 2016 and subsequently reviewed by external monarch experts. The resulting HQT is currently being applied at pilot habitat restoration sites in several states.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 11:20am - 11:35am EDT
McCreary
AUTHORS: John Kirk, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Dr. Faren R. Wolter, CWB®, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech
ABSTRACT: Virginia’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) owns or shares maintenance responsibilities for 230+ boating access (BA) facilities. The task of providing regular maintenance to these widely dispersed facilities is constrained by personnel and other resource limitations. These constraints, combined with an increasing popularity of water-based recreational activities and other uses of BA sites, bring additional, but different, management challenges. As a result, the ability of VDGIF to fulfill maintenance needs of existing facilities, while also trying to accommodate the changing demands and expectations of users, is being stretched. To address these challenges, VDGIF and the Virginia Tech Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation have been collaborating on a 3-year study to examine BA issues across the Commonwealth. Findings suggest that, although access for fishing and other boat-related activities currently predominate existing use, other activities, especially those that reflect changes occurring in user demographics, are increasing and placing new demands on the agency. Summary highlights from 3 phases of data collection (i.e., Phase I: 8 regional focus groups; Phase II: 4,895 on-site hourly “snap shot” observations and 2,679 face-to-face interviews at 20 selected BA study sites; Phase III: 286 completed mail surveys from BA users) are presented that illustrate current use of BA facilities, the expectations and satisfaction of BA users, and likely shifts occurring among BA users and the implications these changes may have on agency operations.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 11:20am - 11:40am EDT
French
AUTHORS: Sean M. Murphy, Department of Forestry, University of Kentucky; John J. Cox,Department of Forestry, University of Kentucky; John T. Hast, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources; Ben C. Augustine, Department of Forestry, University of Kentucky; Jayson H. Plaxico, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources; Tristan M. Curry, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources; Michael Strunk, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: During the 1990s, two American black bear (Ursus americanus) reintroductions using small founder groups (n = 27 and 55 bears) occurred along the Kentucky-Virginia and Kentucky-Tennessee borders, which established two allopatric, relatively small populations by 2012 (N = 482 and 228 bears, respectively). We captured and radio-monitored 91 (36M:55F) total bears within those populations to estimate population-specific vital rates during 2010–2014, and developed individual-based population viability models to evaluate reintroduction success and harvest sustainability. Adult female annual survival was high (S = 0.93–0.99) and litter sizes were moderate ("x" ̅ = 2.17–2.39 cubs). All mortality was anthropogenic and additive; harvest and euthanasia of conflict bears were the most probable causes (PMortality = 0.28–0.33). Average annual population growth during 2010–2014 was high in both populations (λ = 1.08–1.14/year), and late autumn harvests were sustainable. However, the addition of early autumn harvests during 2015–2016, which increased the average annual observed mortality >350%, resulted in high probabilities of ≥25% population decline within 10 years (PDecline = 0.53–0.98). Sensitivity analysis indicated increased female bear mortality that occurred as a consequence of the 2015–2016 early autumn harvests was the primary cause of decline. Although our findings demonstrate short-term reintroduction success in both populations, recent harvest changes could cause precipitous population declines; therefore, temporary discontinuation of early autumn harvests should be considered. We also suggest vital rate monitoring be re-implemented to improve parameter estimate precision, quantify temporal process variance, and detect declines in these relatively small populations.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 11:20am - 11:40am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Dr. Faren R. Wolter, CWB(R), Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech
ABSTRACT: Virginia’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) and Virginia Tech have been collaborating on a 3-year boating access (BA) study to assess and characterize current and potential future use of BA sites, users’ preferences and satisfaction with facilities, and opinions and attitudes about and values related to accessing state waters. We used a 3-phased mixed-methods strategy to engage with the BA user population: (1) regional focus groups, (2) on-site face-to-face interviews, self-reply surveys, and hourly “point count” sampling to gather observational data, and (3) a statewide mail survey. Preliminary analysis suggests that, although fishing and other boat-related activities predominate existing uses of BA sites, other activities that represent new and potentially incompatible uses are increasing and likely to place new demands on VDGIF. Citizens’ increasing desire to access the state’s waters, plus the attractiveness BA sites present for conducting activities other than fishing or boating only, create escalating maintenance and enforcement challenges. A long-held perception among agencies is that many users currently do not pay their “fair share” via traditional means (e.g., purchase of hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses, acquisition of a Special Use and/or Access Permit, registration of a watercraft). However, our findings suggest that many users do contribute financially to BA site acquisition and maintenance through existing measures, and at levels higher than anticipated. Additional clarity is needed to properly interpret which users of BA facilities equitably are “paying to play” before new policies or alternative funding mechanisms are implemented.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 11:40am - 12:00pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Andrew R. Little, University of Georgia-Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; Gino J. D’Angelo, University of Georgia-Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; Charlie H. Killmaster, Georgia Department of Natural Resources–Wildlife Resources Division; Kristina L. Johannsen, Georgia Department of Natural Resources–Wildlife Resources Division; Karl V. Miller, University of Georgia-Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
ABSTRACT: Most state wildlife agencies collect harvest data to inform management decisions. However, these data are typically considered across relatively short time periods and are rarely revisited. We present a case study using historical records to investigate potential agents influencing the declining white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population in northern Georgia. We used historical black bear (Ursus americanus) and deer harvest data, and indices of forest stand conditions from 1979-2015 on 8 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in northern Georgia. During 1979-2015, harvest of male and female deer declined by 85% and 97%, respectively. Over the same time period, mean yearling male body weight increased by 21%, mean antler diameter increased by 62%, and mean antler beam length increased by 92%. We observed a 97% reduction in availability of early successional forests (0-10 years old) and a 53% increase in volume of large diameter (> 27.9 cm) oak species, suggesting increasing homogeneity of forest stands across all 8 WMAs. Simultaneously, black bear populations grew at an annual rate of 1.07 for males and 1.08 for females. Our analyses indicated that despite the reduction in early successional habitats, deer condition indices improved suggesting that a habitat-driven change in fecundity was not responsible for the decline. However, increasing fawn predation coupled with a decline in available fawning cover may be reducing recruitment rates and should be investigated as potential causes for the observed population decline. Our research also illustrates the importance of maintaining historical data, especially the value offered to evaluate long-term trends.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 11:40am - 12:00pm EDT
Carroll Ford
PRESENTER: Andrew Smith, Boone & Crockett Club Graduate Fellow, Extension Associate I, Center For Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts, Mississippi State University Extension
Tuesday October 31, 2017 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Segell
AUTHORS: Co-organizers: Bruce A. Stein, National Wildlife Federation; Kirstin Dow, University of South Carolina
ABSTRACT: An introduction to the invite-only symposium: Peering Into the Future of Southeastern Wildlife Conservation: Understanding Key Drivers of Landscape Changes
AUTHORS: Leslie M. Burger, Mississippi State University; J. Wesley Neal, Mississippi State University; Robert D. Lusk, Pond Boss Magazine
ABSTRACT: Angling participation has stagnated or declined in many regions, threatening the political and financial support for fisheries conservation. Angler recruitment programs aim to counteract these trends, but most are public programs targeting public water bodies. There are about 4.5 million small ponds and lakes in the US, most of which are privately owned. These systems may play a major yet hidden role in angler recruitment. We explored the idea that private waters are providing youth angling opportunities, increasing fishing participation, and contributing to angler recruitment. We used an online survey of avid pond owners and managers. Survey results indicate pond owners are engaged in angling recruitment and retention by providing youth fishing opportunities to friends and family beyond that generally available in traditional recruiting events on public waters. About 90% of respondents had at least one child under 18 fish their pond in the past year, most of which were immediate family and children of friends and neighbors. Pond owners and managers actively fished with children on the property as well as taking children fishing on other private and public waters. This process of mentoring and activity reinforcement appeared to lead to angler recruitment, with at least 75% of children who had fished in respondents’ ponds in previous years continuing to fish in future years. Agencies tasked with addressing angler recruitment and retention rates should consider implementing programs that support youth fishing outreach on privately owned ponds and lakes as another tool to combat decline participation rates.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 1:20pm - 1:40pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Ritchie Jenkins, Missouri Department of Conservation
ABSTRACT: Over the past 80 years, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has accumulated 1,192 properties, with 1,700 buildings on them. MDC has nearly 1,000 miles of roads with over 500 acres of parking lots, and 50 vehicular bridges. Most of these assets are to provide public access but some are critical to delivering resource management services at hatcheries and wetlands. At wetlands, there are almost 50 pump stations and nearly 1,000 water control structures that help biologists manage wetland resources. The variety of infrastructure in these few examples demonstrates the breadth of MDC's infrastructure portfolio. But I ask you to pause and think about the individual components that work together to make a nature center or a pump station function. Those components include compressors, back flow preventers, valves, electric motors, boilers, hydraulic actuators, flow meters, submersible pumps, vertical turbines, variable frequency drives, diesel power units and transfer switches. The depth of MDC's infrastructure portfolio runs very deep. It's this breadth and depth of infrastructure that helps make Conservation so successful across Missouri, but it's also what makes managing the infrastructure portfolio so complex. MDC has positioned itself to be able to efficiently manage their aging portfolio to make good use of the funds that have been entrusted to them. Participants will be lead through the thought process and challenges associated with real world struggles in managing your infrastructure portfolio for conservation.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 1:20pm - 1:40pm EDT
Beckham
AUTHORS: Andrea K. Darracq, Department of Biological Sciences, Murray State University; Lora L. Smith, Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center; L. Mike Conner, Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center; Robert A. McCleery, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
ABSTRACT: Red-imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta; hereafter fire ants) are an invasive predator found across the southeastern United States. Few studies have assessed the effects of fire ants on amphibian populations although they exhibit life history traits that may increase vulnerability to fire ant predation. We used southern toads (Anaxyrus terrestris) as model species to determine the influence of fire ants on amphibians. Our specific objectives were to quantify the effect of fire ants on the survival of southern toad metamorphs. We completed the study on Ichauway, the research site of the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center in Newton, GA. We stocked populations of southern toad metamorphs into eight enclosures with either ambient or reduced fire ant numbers in 2013 and 2014. We completed three and two mark-recapture sessions for the toads stocked in 2013 and 2014, respectively. We assessed fire ant and predator effects on southern toad survival using a generalized linear mixed model. The number of toad metamorphs recaptured was nearly 11.5 times greater in enclosures with reduced fire ant numbers ((x ) ̅ = 10) compared to those with ambient fire ants ((x ) ̅= 0.88; b = 2.43 +/- 0.48, t6 = 5.07, P = 0.0023). While the mechanism is unknown, our results indicate that fire ants decrease survival of southern toad metamorphs. Although southern toads are not a conservation concern, it is important to note fire ants likely have impacts on populations of rare amphibians with similar life history strategies in the southeastern United States.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 1:20pm - 1:40pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Rickie White, NatureServe; Robert G. Trujillo, PhD, U.S. Forest Service; Clay Ware, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Jennifer Goff, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
ABSTRACT: Leaders of wildlife agencies, conservation organizations and foundations often must make important management, prioritization, and funding decisions without the benefit of vital information or efficient tools to measure conservation benefit. The decisions these leaders must make can have long-term implications for species and their habitat. To improve outcomes, we need practical tools that can rapidly translate field data and research into actionable, easy-to-digest information. Over the past few years, a number of new habitat quantification approaches and data management tools have emerged to assist decision makers. _x000D_ This hour-long panel discussion will focus on some of the existing and most effective tools that organizations use for conservation decision-making, the types of tools that are desired but currently unavailable, and opportunities presented by these tools to improve funding and management decisions. The panel will feature representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and will provide attendees with important information on how tool development, use, and dissemination can lead to greater programmatic success and better conservation outcomes.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 1:20pm - 2:20pm EDT
McCreary
AUTHORS: Bruce A. Stein*, National Wildlife Federation; Jocelyn Aycrigg, University of Idaho; Jason McNees, NatureServe
ABSTRACT: This talk will provide an introduction to the symposium “Peering into the Future of Southeastern Wildlife Conservation” by describing the current context for conservation across the region along with institutional initiatives designed to help plan for and promote future-oriented conservation. The Southeast harbors an extraordinary array of fish and wildlife, and is a global hotspot for several types of organisms. This talk will review patterns of biodiversity across the region, summarize the conservation status of southeastern species and ecosystems, and assess the representation of this diversity in the existing network of public and private conservation areas across the region using the recently updated national Protected Areas Database (PAD-US). The talk will then provide an introduction and overview of the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS), along with the role that the Vital Futures project (which is hosting this symposium) is playing in support of the SECAS initiative. Building on our review of current gaps in the protected area network across the region, we will describe how the conservation blueprint being designed by the federal/state SECAS partnership is intended to identify priorities for conservation of important habitats and enhance connectivity among conservation lands and waters. Finally, the talk will offer a set of principles for adapting current conservation efforts for an increasingly uncertain future and set the stage for succeeding talks that will focus on projecting future changes in the region relevant to conservation planning.
AUTHORS: Dane Balsman, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: To assess angling effort across Kentucky, time-lapse game cameras were purchased and installed at small urban impoundments. Cameras were set up to take a picture every half-hour from daylight to dusk. Only images at the top of the hour were used for analysis, however, the half hour pictures helped postulate if someone was fishing. These remote, fixed position cameras are able to monitor many lakes, capturing effort for a full 12-month period, while capturing daily and seasonal angling trends. Most cameras did not cover the entire bank access, in which case a correction factor was employed by conducting roughly 20 in-person instantaneous counts at the same time the picture was taken. This allowed for a regression model comparing the number of anglers actually fishing versus the number of anglers appearing on camera. Timelapse Image Analyzer software was used to assist staff with image analysis. Cameras were collected after the 12-month period and there were no instances of vandalism. This data will aid in assessing if current stocking strategies are adequate for the amount and timing of angling effort. The first year of the study included lakes that range in size from 1-14 acres. In subsequent years, a separate group of lakes will be surveyed including several larger lakes. Additionally, these cameras may prove beneficial in assessing angler usage at boat ramps and remote stream access points.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 1:40pm - 2:00pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Mark Damian Duda, Executive Director, Responsive Management
ABSTRACT: Human dimensions data collection includes scientific surveys and focus groups of randomly selected individuals, but also non-scientific avenues such as public meetings and online forums that ensure opportunities for all residents to provide input. The differences in input from scientific and non-scientific avenues are often stark, with the latter sometimes showing higher levels of salience and dissatisfaction. However, the nonrandom methods of input are important for measuring the saliency of various issues as well as satisfaction among those who provide input; these methods also protect the agency from the charge that input is limited only to a small number of residents (or that “only a few thousand people out of millions” are sampled as part of the data collection). While the data from each source must be considered in the proper perspective, the totality of data (and the fact that residents have multiple opportunities to provide input) is nonetheless important. However, agencies that rely only on non-scientific assessments of public opinion, such as commission meetings, public meetings, letters, phone calls, and open-ended surveys, run the risk of being led into management decisions that do not reflect mainstream views and preferences. This presentation addresses the rather common conundrum of how agencies must weigh comments from nonrandom samples with survey data that reflect what the public actually thinks and wants. The presentation incorporates the findings of numerous Responsive Management studies and discusses how scientific and nonscientific data can be reconciled with one another and incorporated into management plans and other agency products.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 1:40pm - 2:00pm EDT
Beckham
AUTHORS: Cathy M. Bodinof Jachowski, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech; Current affiliation: Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University; William A. Hopkins, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech
ABSTRACT: Demographic responses of one species to environmental alteration can be indicative of processes affecting a broader suite of species with similar life histories. We examined hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, demography in six stream reaches stratified across a land use gradient in Virginia, USA, to understand how land use might influence hellbenders and other long-lived stream biota. We used 668 records of 274 individuals encountered between 2007-2015 to estimate abundance, demographic structure and demographic rates in each reach. Catchment-wide riparian (CWR) forest cover predicted demography better than catchment or local-riparian forest cover, emphasizing the importance of upstream riparian areas as critical determinants of downstream ecology. In-stream habitat quality and sub-adult/adult hellbender abundance declined while demographic structure became increasingly skewed toward older adults as CWR forest cover declined. Patterns indicated that hellbender populations exposed to low CWR forest cover suffered from insufficient recruitment (via reduced births, juvenile survival and/or immigration) possibly due to degraded water quality or substrate. Apparent adult survival did not vary with land use and lambda values indicated that high adult survival paired with hellbender longevity facilitated species persistence in degraded habitats at low but stable densities for multiple years. Our findings suggest hellbenders exposed to low CWR forest cover face a high risk of local extirpation unless low recruitment is mitigated, though considerable lag time may separate functional and realized extirpation. To best guide development of conservation strategies, we recommend that monitoring plans for long-lived species be designed to detect shifts in both demographic structure and abundance.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 1:40pm - 2:00pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Tyler S. Coleman, Matthew J. Catalano - Auburn University School of Fisheries Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences
ABSTRACT: Reducing largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) population density is an important challenge in small impoundment ( < 40 ha; ie., recreational fishing ponds and small lakes) management and is necessary to maintain desirable growth rates, body condition, and size structure. Common gears (hook-and-line, electrofishing) used for the mechanical removal of largemouth bass are inefficient at capturing age-0 and age-1 fish, which exert substantial predation pressure on bluegill. An alternative approach is the direct control of largemouth bass recruitment via reduction of age-0 density. Application of the piscicide rotenone along the shoreline is one such approach that has been attempted but has not been thoroughly evaluated. We evaluated the influence of shoreline rotenone treatment on age-0 and age-1 largemouth bass densities in small impoundments and assessed the effect of impoundment size on the efficiency of the approach. Twelve small impoundments were observed for this study and only half were treated with rotenone while leaving the others as untreated controls. The treatment was applied twice during the summer of 2017 and changes in age-0 density were assessed via shoreline seine hauls just before and after each treatment. Preliminary data indicate that rotenone treatment reduced age-0 catch rates by 71-100 % across impoundments, but the effect of the treatment on age-1 density will remain unclear until follow-up electrofishing age composition samples are collected in spring of 2018. If shoreline rotenone proves effective in reducing largemouth bass recruitment and population densities, then this approach will be a valuable tool for small impoundment management.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 2:00pm - 2:20pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Alyssa Jordan, Tyler Beck – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
ABSTRACT: Six islands were created in the northwest marsh of Lake Okeechobee, Florida in 2001 and 2008 to remove a ridge of organic sediment that had formed during a period of high water, effectively blocking the flow of water into the interior marsh. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been working to “rehabilitate” these spoil islands, planting roughly 9,000 trees and shrubs from over forty-five native species. Plantings prevent erosion and results in structure that provides nesting and foraging opportunities for wildlife such as birds, alligators, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects. One project captured and banded thirty-five bird species and documented another thirty-four species over two years. Multiple birds have been recaptured more than one year after initial banding. In addition to the islands, a bald cypress fringe is being re-established. In the early 1900’s, there were records of a band of bald cypress, but due to logging, wildfires, hydrologic changes and cattle grazing, those trees had disappeared. Over 5,000 15-gallon bald cypress trees and over 1,600 7-gallon trees from twelve different wetland species have been planted. This area may be beneficial to wildlife as a corridor between central Florida and the Everglades when human population expands. The endangered Everglade snail kite has already been documented foraging and roosting in the area, and nesting could occur when trees are larger. Through this work, we have shown that targeted plantings within a wetland system can prove beneficial to a wide range of wildlife, but especially birds.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 2:00pm - 2:20pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Adam Terando, U.S. Geological Survey; John Kupfer, University of South Carolina; Peng Gao, University of South Carolina; Derek Van Berkel, Environmental Protection Agency; Nathan Tarr, North Carolina State University; Jennifer Costanza, North Carolina State University
ABSTRACT: The Southeast is experiencing high rates of population growth, urbanization, and land use change that are transforming the pattern and connectivity of wildlife habitat. Such changes are taking place at a time when much of the region is also expected to experience significant climatic change. The recognition that conservation actions in the Southeast must be carried out in the context of a rapidly changing landscape is central to the scenario planning and modeling efforts associated with the Vital Futures Project and SECAS. Here, we begin by framing the discussion in terms of the dominant global change forcings that either directly or indirectly affect species, ecosystems, and habitats, and our ability to manage them. We provide an overview of projected future climate change and landscape transformation, including assessments of the various drivers of such changes across the region (e.g., urbanization, bioenergy development, large-scale agricultural development). In doing so, we will discuss methods used to arrive at not only future projections, but the expected speed of these changes across different habitats and physiographic settings (i.e. the expected climate and landscape velocity). To demonstrate the potential implications of such changes, we present preliminary analyses of the effects of these global change forcings on management of longleaf pine habitat through changing prescribed burn windows, which could face a squeeze as favorable meteorological conditions to conduct burning become less frequent at the same time as expanding urban landscapes increase the potential for conflicts along the wildland urban interface.
AUTHORS: Travis McLain, Missouri Department of Conservation
ABSTRACT: The Constitutionality of Searches and Seizures Related to Compliance Checks Conducted by Wildlife Officers, Specifically Conservation Agents in Missouri
Tuesday October 31, 2017 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Wilkinson
AUTHORS: Nick Trippel, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; John Hargrove, University of Florida; Wes Porak, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Erin Leone, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
ABSTRACT: Nesting black bass Micropterus spp exhibit parental care during the spring spawning season. Anglers often intentionally target black bass that are guarding nests. Previous studies of black bass have shown that catching fish off of nests will increase predation of eggs and larvae, which can reduce individual nest success. Little work has been done to evaluate whether this indirect fishing-associated mortality could influence population level recruitment. During this study, nine replicate ponds were stocked with adult Florida bass, forage fish, nest predators, brush piles, and vertical structure were placed into the ponds to simulate a natural system during two consecutive years. Ponds were snorkeled every other day throughout the spawning season to track nest success and abandonment. In five of the ponds, every nest located was angled. No angling was conducted on the other four control ponds each year. Nest success rates were 52% for fished ponds and 45% for unfished ponds during year one and 36% and 57% in year two respectively . During year one the average number of adults contributing to the yearclass produced was similar between fished and unfished ponds. Ponds were drained nine months after stocking in order to compare young-of-the-year recruitment between fished and unfished ponds. During both years there was no significant difference in the number of recruits produced between fished and unfished ponds. Results from this study indicate that in Florida bed fishing likely does not negatively impact year class production.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 2:20pm - 2:40pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Terri J. Maness, Louisiana Tech University; Joshua M. Johnson, Louisiana Tech University, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
ABSTRACT: Researchers have used playback as an effective survey tool, but amateur use is controversial because of potential negative effects on birds. Despite limited peer-reviewed research, conservation organizations worldwide have limited or banned the use of playback. Some birders use pishing (vocal imitation of avian alarm calls) as an alternative to playback. We investigated the effects of simulated birder playback and pishing on the behavior of wintering birds in Northern Louisiana. Four experimental treatments were performed at each of six experimental sites: baseline (no birder), control (birder present - no sound), pishing (birder pished five times), and playback (birder played three pre-recorded bird songs). Total activity of birds was not affected by order of presentation, location, or treatment. However, foraging activity significantly declined both during and after experimental exposure to pishing. Playback reduced foraging activity during the exposure period only. Our results suggest that playback use may have negligible effects on wintering birds. Pishing induced a prolonged change in bird activity, which suggests that resource managers should consider limiting this activity at sites during the winter, particularly if birds of conservation concern are known to be present.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 2:20pm - 2:40pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Jason Herrala, David Baker – Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: Green River is a biologically diverse river that has many excellent sport fish populations including smallmouth bass. Pool 6, specifically, presents outdoor enthusiasts, boaters, and anglers with a large amount of public access. Green River has received a tremendous amount of publicity and so the recreational use of the system has steadily increased over the past 15 years. With this increase in pressure and publicity, additional monitoring and data collection was needed to ensure that the current statewide limits (12.0 in minimum size and 6 fish creel) are sufficient to prevent overexploitation of the smallmouth bass fishery. Based on otoliths collected in 2015, total annual mortality of smallmouth bass in Pool 6 of Green River was estimated to be 35.3%. An exploitation study was conducted from April 26, 2016 through April 25, 2017 to evaluate the contribution of fishing mortality on the smallmouth bass population. A total of 213 smallmouth bass ≥12.0 in were collected and tagged with Carlin dangler tags. Tags were labeled with reward amount, a sequential number and a random identifier on one side. A telephone number to call and report the tag number was provided on the reverse side. To account for non-response bias, 25% of tags had a reward of $75 (assumed 100% angler response rate on fish caught) and the remaining 75% of tags had a reward of $25. Tags were reported from April 2016 – August 2016 with the majority of fish being caught in June 2016 and no fish being caught and reported from September 2016– April 2017. Forty-seven tags were reported (20.6%) of which 34 smallmouth bass were released and 13 smallmouth bass were harvested. Corrections were made for tag loss and non-response to arrive at a corrected exploitation rate of 6.3% (natural mortality=29.0%). With KDFWR sampling showing consistent catch rates and excellent size distribution and the low level of exploitation, it is apparent that the current regulations on this waterbody are sufficient to sustain the smallmouth bass fishery.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 2:40pm - 3:00pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Michael T. Mengak, Steven B. Castleberry – UGA, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; Jennifer M. Kanine, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
ABSTRACT: Virginia is in the core of the distribution of the Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister), a species in decline throughout much of its range. The last wide-scale survey effort in Virginia occurred between 1990 and 2000. Since this time, other states within N. magister’s range have continued to document population declines. We performed an extensive trapping survey for N. magister in Virginia between 2009 and 2011, spanning the range in the state. Our efforts included 5,721 trap nights at 171 unique sites within the Allegheny Plateau, Ridge and Valley, and Blue Ridge, physiographic provinces in which we captured 155 unique individuals. Across all three years, 45.6% of sites surveyed (naïve occupancy rate) were occupied (at least one individual captured). Naïve occupancy rate was highest in 2009 at 70.6% and lowest in 2010 at 29.2%. A poor acorn mast crop in fall 2009 likely contributed to the low naïve occupancy rate documented in 2010. For sites trapped multiple times over the three-year period (n=29), 34.5% changed status (occupied versus unoccupied), supporting the theory that woodrat populations exist as metapopulations. Of sites that changed status, 62% were unoccupied in 2010 but occupied in 2011, demonstrating the short-term effect harsh winters and poor acorn crops have on N. magister populations. Over the three-year period, we successfully identified 25 new occupied sites.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 2:40pm - 3:00pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Lauren Davis, Eric Peatman - Auburn University
ABSTRACT: Florida bass (Micropterus floridanus) are of high economic importance due to their value in recreational angling. This value has led to the species being widely stocked outside of its native range of the peninsular Florida. In the state of Alabama, Florida bass stockings have been aimed at enhancing the native intergrade and Northern largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) populations in reservoirs throughout the state. As the two species readily hybridize, assessments of persistence and growth of stocked fish and the contributions of particular genotypes to angled trophy bass require robust genetic markers and an angler-friendly means of genetic sampling. We have developed 38 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers into a single diagnostic multiplex assay that allows for rapid and cost-effective analysis of the purity and hybridization of bass. Due to the robustness of the assays, we have reduced the DNA extraction cost and time through the use of a simple digestion protocol. In order to promote an angler-friendly means of genetic sampling, we have developed a buccal swab sampling methodology to eliminate the need for fin clip samples. We established a swab kit and associated protocols through the testing of swab type, storage type, swab location, swab duration, holding temperature, and holding duration. An ongoing pilot project on Lake Eufaula, AL to test angler-driven genetic sampling will be discussed.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 3:20pm - 3:40pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Micah W. Perkins, Owensboro Community and Technical College; Perri K. Eason, Department of Biology, University of Louisville
ABSTRACT: Watersnakes serve a variety of important roles in aquatic ecosystems with many species being of conservation interest. The northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) has some populations of concern, but is found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats throughout North America. Although previous studies have examined the diet of this typically piscivorous species, research has not addressed whether the northern watersnake is preferentially selecting particular fish as prey. In this study, we sampled snake stomach contents and used Chesson’s alpha selection index (αi) to investigate whether northern watersnakes are eating fish families in proportion to their availability or are preferentially selecting or avoiding specific fish families. At the Sloughs Wildlife Management Area in western Kentucky the northern watersnake fed on fish prey from six families in 2013 (n = 15) and 2014 (n = 36). Five of those fish families were eaten in proportion to their availability, but northern watersnakes avoided Aphredoderidae, the pirate perch (Aphredoderus sayanus) family. This is the first study testing prey preferences in the northern watersnake.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 3:20pm - 3:40pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Kirstin Dow*, University of South Carolina; Patty Glick, National Wildlife Federation; Erika Chin, University, of South Carolina Kirsten Lackstrom, University of South Carolina; Bruce Stein, National Wildlife Federation; Nils Peterson, North Carolina State University; Kaly Clark, North Carolina State University
ABSTRACT: The 2015 revisions to State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs) were the first to be required to address potential climate changes. In order to understand the accomplishments and challenges to these efforts, we reviewed the SWAPS for the 15 states in the Southeast. This document review was structured to track actions and plans related to AFWA’s voluntary guidance on climate change and SWAPs, and existing frameworks for adaptation planning. Following a detailed document review and analysis of southeastern SWAPs, we interviewed staff in each state most closely associated with the plan development to validate our state-level analyses, to better understand what led to differences in approaches, and to determine the status of climate adaptation efforts undertaken since the plan was completed. This talk will review the various ways that states approached the challenge of integrating climate change into the SWAPs. Particular attention will be given to: 1) how efforts to incorporate climate change into SWAPs reflected or influenced overall conservation goals; 2) the varying approaches and needs for conducting vulnerability assessments; and, 3) the types of adaptation activities identified and prioritized. A facilitated discussion with symposium participants will explore how lessons learned from the 2015 revision could be used to help inform and guide future action plan revisions as well as other state and regional conservation planning..
AUTHORS: Wilawan Thongda, Lauren Davis, Honggang Zhao – School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University; Chao Li, Marine Science and Engineering College, Qingdao Agricultural University; Benjamin H. Beck, Aquatic Animal Health Research Unit USDA ARS; Eric Peatman, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University
ABSTRACT: Black basses (Micropterus spp.) are among the most important sport-fishes in the United States, which has resulted in extensive stockings outside of their native ranges. Interspecific hybridization can lead to the loss of genetic integrity of endemic species. As such, species-diagnostic markers for black basses are important means for monitoring hybridization and maintaining genetic integrity among these species. The aims of this study are to identify species-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) markers using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and subsequently, to develop species-diagnostic SNP panels using an Agena MassARRAY system to clearly delineate species and their hybrids among black basses. A total of 190 black basses including Northern Largemouth Bass (M. salmoides), Florida Largemouth Bass (M. floridanus), Redeye Bass (M. coosae), Alabama Bass (M. henshalli), Northern Spotted Bass (M. punctulatus), Shoal Bass (M. cataractae), Smallmouth Bass (M. dolomieu), Guadeloupe Bass (M. treculii), hybrid bass, and intergrade bass were processed for GBS to identify SNP markers. A total of 22665 SNPs were called using a non-reference GBS Universal Network Enabled Analysis Kit (UNEAK) pipeline. Subsequently, we utilized the Agena MassARRAY to validate 29- and 38-plex panels of SNPs selected from the GBS dataset. A total of 494 samples were tested with these two panels, with results demonstrating accurate species identification and revealing varying degrees of hybridization. STRUCTURE and phylogenetic analyses have been employed to capture the population structure and evolutionary relationships among black bass species. This is the first report of SNP markers as a molecular tool to identify the species of black basses.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 3:40pm - 4:00pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Zachary Baer, Mark Gumbert, Joshua Adams, Piper Roby, Price Sewell, Richard Borthwick, Kate Baer – Copperhead Consulting; Michael Brandenburg, Fort Knox Natural Resources Branch
ABSTRACT: Multiple imperiled bat species utilize exfoliating bark for summer roosting. Habitat enhancement can assist bark roosting species, especially those with low population numbers and/or are impacted by White-nose Syndrome. BrandenBark™ is an artificial roost structure developed to mimic the natural habitat of bark roosting bats with documented use by six species, including Indiana bats (MYSO) and northern long-eared bats. BrandenBark™ structures at Ft. Knox, Kentucky have been utilized to supplement degrading habitat for MYSO and have been selected by MYSO regularly with 77.2% of roost visits confirming presence and 72.7% of the structures having confirmed use within three months of installation. Emergence counts of structures compare with USFWS average adult maternity colony size estimates in natural roosts. BrandenBark™ resulted in the second highest MYSO maternity emergence count recorded (n=451 bats), compared to the highest known exit count of 475 from a natural roost at Ft. Knox. Overall, MYSO use of 13 BrandenBark™ structures has resulted in a total of 248 bat days. Temperature stability tests show, the temperature difference between ambient air and real bark was not different than the temperature difference between ambient air and BrandenBark™ (F1,5 = 0.0489, P = 0.8338). BrandenBark™ has been deployed as a mitigation/land management tool by USFWS and state agencies to provide immediate roosting habitat for imperiled bark roosting bats. To date, 127 BrandenBark™ structures have been installed in eight U.S. states and one Canadian province. BrandenBark™ provides instant, long-lasting habitat commensurate with natural roosts and is easy to install and monitor.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 3:40pm - 4:00pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Kalysha Clark, North Carolina State University; Erika Chin, University of South Carolina; M. Nils Peterson, North Carolina Sate University; Kirstin Dow, University of South Carolina; Kirsten Lackstrom, University of South Carolina
ABSTRACT: Longleaf pine (LLP, Pinus palustris) has been reduced to 3-5% of its original range. The LLP ecosystem can withstand conditions associated with climate change including drought, severe storms, and increased prevalence of pests. Despite the critical position of LLP in building climate resilient ecosystems, little is known about how landscape managers in the region have engaged climate change in planning efforts. We gathered 79 publicly accessible natural resource management plans from the Southeast United Sates that included management of longleaf pine ecosystems and used document analysis to identify how plans addressed climate change and its impact on regional ecosystems. We found that plans improved over time, and plans from state agencies tended to score higher than federal plans and those developed by nongovernmental organizations (NGO) or joint venture partnerships. State wildlife action plans and forest action plans tended to score higher than other types of plans. Limited consideration of climate change as criteria for identifying or evaluating LLP ecosystems may emerge from climate discourse focusing on negative outcomes versus positive outcomes. Plans likely improved over time due to establishment of best practices in natural resource planning. Failure to consider vulnerability in planning efforts of LLP ecosystems represents a missed opportunity as LLP provides a hopeful context for responding to climate change and may aid in conservation of wildlife species that are vulnerable to other forms of global change.
AUTHORS: Andrew T. Taylor, Oklahoma State University; Michael D. Tringali, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; James M. Long, U.S. Geological Survey and Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
ABSTRACT: The Shoal Bass (Micropterus cataractae) is a sportfish endemic to the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Basin of the southeastern US. Introgressive hybridization between Shoal Bass and non-native congeners poses a pertinent conservation threat. In 2003, supplemental stocking of Shoal Bass fingerlings began in a reach of the Chattahoochee River below Morgan Falls Dam (MFD), Georgia, in response to local population declines. However, several non-native species may be jeopardizing these restoration efforts, including Smallmouth Bass (M. dolomieu) that were illegally introduced beginning in 2004. Our primary objective was to characterize hybridization following Shoal Bass and non-native stockings. A secondary objective was to examine the accuracy of phenotypic identifications based on a simplified suite of characters examined in the field. Fish were genotyped with 16 microsatellite DNA markers, and results indicated that at least four, or possibly five, black bass species are involved in introgressive hybridization below MFD. Of 29 fish collected below MFD, 16 were pure Shoal Bass. Six hybrid Shoal Bass included both F1 and backcrosses with non-natives, including Alabama Bass (M. henshalli), Spotted Bass (M. punctulatus), and Smallmouth Bass. Two other genotypes likely represented non-native hybrids with native Chattahoochee Bass (M. chattahoochae). Phenotypic identification resulted in an overall correct classification rate of 0.86 when discerning pure Shoal Bass from all other non-natives and hybrids. Results suggest that continued supplemental stocking coupled with selective removal of non-natives and hybrids, which appears to be practical with phenotypic identification, may provide increased benefit towards conserving a genetically-pure Shoal Bass fishery below MFD.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 4:00pm - 4:20pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Anthony J. Stancampiano, Laura E. Jardine, Alanah N. Hosford – Oklahoma City University Department of Biology
ABSTRACT: As urban areas continue to grow and erode rural landscapes, it is critical to characterize essential habitats for all wildlife in order to set aside protected areas in an attempt to maintain diversity. In order to establish habitat preferences for secondary cavity nesting birds, we constructed and monitored 30 nest boxes for avian usage each year from 2014-2017 at both a semirural and a rural location in central and northeast OK. At each of 6 sites per location, five nest boxes were situated along a transect at 15m intervals with a central box located at an abrupt edge between a wooded habitat and a grassland habitat. Two nest boxes extended into the grassland and two into the woodland. We measured 77 habitat variables around each nest box at 2 sampling scales, 1m2 and 10m2. We used these habitat variables and sites in which nesting occurred in a community ordination analysis. Species composition and habitat preferences at both locations were similar. Eastern Bluebirds, Carolina Chickadees, and Bewick’s wrens nested in grassland habitats with little to no overhead canopy cover. Carolina Wrens nested, primarily, in woodland areas with high amounts of litter ground cover and overhead canopy cover. Nest box usage at the rural location was significantly higher than the semirural location, indicating greater population densities. Annual nest box usage was consistent by species in the rural location but somewhat variable in the semirural setting.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 4:00pm - 4:20pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Beth Stys*, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Robert Glazer, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Steve Traxler, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Logan Benedict, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Chris Bergh, The Nature Conservancy
ABSTRACT: The low-lying Florida Keys are at ground zero for impacts from rising seas. Perhaps the most at-risk natural resources are the endemic terrestrial species with no good bridges to suitable habitats outside the Keys. Yet, it is our responsibility to recognize that each species has an intrinsic value and this obliges us to at least incorporate this ethic into making informed decisions on how best to conserve these species as they confront an uncertain future. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is examining possible in situ and ex situ adaptation strategies to address the vulnerabilities of a suite of 19 federally-listed terrestrial plants and animals at specific sea level rise triggerpoints (i.e., 1, 2, 3, and 4 ft). Within a series of workshops, we solicited the expert opinion of researchers, resource managers, adaptation experts, and city planners to create sound and implementable adaptation actions tailored to each species. This approach provided the basis for identifying strategies that will increase the adaptive capacity of each species and helped identify when we’ve reached triggers for implementing ex-situ strategies. In some cases, there were no good solutions and, for these species, we are developing a decision framework which will help managers identify possible actions when confronted by similar ‘wicked’ problems. The ultimate goal of this stakeholder-driven process is to create adaptation strategies that the stakeholder can operationalize into their management plans.
AUTHORS: Kevin W. Storey, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Aaron K. Jubar, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
ABSTRACT: Lake Fork Reservoir, in northeast Texas, supports a nationally-recognized trophy largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, LMB) fishery which the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has managed using restrictive harvest regulations since it was opened to public fishing in 1980. Despite a long history of annual creel and electrofishing surveys conducted by TPWD, data on trophy fish is limited. Fisheries managers’ inability to collect trophy-sized LMB using traditional sampling methods is probably the result of a combination of gear biases and low relative abundance of trophy-sized fish. We collected volunteer angler survey data on trophy-sized fish (>3.18 kg), with interest in the sample above the upper bound of the protective slot length limit (>609 mm TL), and evaluated the utility of this information to supplement data collected in standard creel and electrofishing surveys. From March 2003 through February 2013, the Lake Fork Trophy Bass Survey was used to collect data on 12,560 trophy LMB, of which 14% were larger than 4.54 kg. Anglers reported lengths on 93% of the entries; 31% of these were >609 mm TL. These combined observations affirm the quality of the trophy fishery, information which was unavailable from traditional sampling. Manpower investments for the volunteer survey were low, resulting in a cost-effective method of collecting supplemental data on trophy fisheries. Although the volunteer survey provided valuable documentation on catches of trophy LMB, the eventual decline in angler participation and the increasing tendency to report only larger fish makes these types of surveys inappropriate for long-term monitoring.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 4:20pm - 4:40pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: Matthew J. Gray, J. Patrick W. Cusaac, E. Davis Carter, Jennifer A. Spatz – Center for Wildlife Health, University of Tennessee; Douglas C. Woodhams, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts-Boston; Louise Rollins-Smith, Laura Reinert – Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Lori A. Williams, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Agency; Bill Reeves, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; Priya Nanjappa, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies; Debra L. Miller, Center for Wildlife Health and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee
ABSTRACT: Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is an emerging fungal pathogen that has been associated with declines of salamanders in Europe. The pathogen is unknown to occur in North America, but could enter through commercial trade or on fomites from recreationists. In a proactive attempt to understand the threat of Bsal to amphibian biodiversity in the USA, we tested the susceptibility of 20 endemic amphibian species using a dose-dependent design, where exposure to infectious zoospores occurred in water for 24 hours at four zoospore concentrations (5 x 10^3-6). Presence of Bsal DNA on the skin of amphibians was tested every six days and survival monitored for six weeks. All species (including 4 frog species) tested positive for Bsal DNA >1 week post-exposure to zoospores, suggesting that the amphibian host range of this pathogen is broad. Three newt (Notophthalmus) and one brook salamander (Eurycea) species developed Bsal chytridiomycosis as confirmed by histopathology. In eastern North America, newts are found in nearly every lentic aquatic ecosystem, and Eurycea are found in many lotic and cave systems. Thus, if Bsal is introduced, there is high probability that the pathogen will be amplified and maintained by species with varying levels of tolerance to infection. This combination of abundant reservoir and amplification species for the pathogen provides the perfect epidemiological storm for Bsal emergence in the USA and concomitant biodiversity loss. State fish and wildlife agencies should consider Bsal a high risk to amphibian biodiversity, implement surveillance for it, and begin planning preemptive disease management strategies.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 4:20pm - 4:40pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Wade Massure, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Timothy Grabowski, U.S. Geological Survey; Tom Arsuffi, Texas Tech University
ABSTRACT: Drought and flow regime alteration have the potential to affect fish growth through numerous mechanisms and in so doing, can greatly influence demographic processes, such as recruitment and mortality. Changing climate patterns and increasing water demands from a rapidly growing human population has made understanding these effects critical to the conservation and management of stream fishes on the Edwards Plateau in central Texas. The objective of our study was to evaluate the influence of annual flow regime on the growth rates of a suite of stream fishes within a paired river systems in central Texas. The North Llano River (NLR) and South Llano River (SLR) are adjacent low-order, spring-fed streams of similar size that differ greatly in their flow regimes due to differences in spring inflows and anthropogenic water withdrawals. The NLR and SLR provided a natural experiment to evaluate the influence of annual flow regime on growth in systems experiencing the same climatic conditions, such as the recent drought, but differing in their degree of flow alteration. We collected otoliths from eleven stream fish species common to both the NLR and the SLR and back-calculated lengths at age. We used mixed-effect models to evaluate the influence of annual flow regime on growth. We will present the results evaluating the effects of drought and altered flow regime on the growth of seven species. Our results indicated that species response to annual flow regime, particularly drought conditions, was species specific and varied between the two river systems. Our results will provide a better understanding of how drought coupled with anthropogenic alterations affect the overall growth rate of stream fishes and will help improve decisions made for the management and conservation of stream fishes, particularly those related to water management and instream flows.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 4:40pm - 5:00pm EDT
French
AUTHORS: J. Patrick W. Cusaac, E. Davis Carter – Center for Wildlife Health, University of Tennessee; Douglas C. Woodhams, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts; Angie Peace, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas Tech University; Louise Rollins-Smith, Laura Reinert – Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Lori A. Williams, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Agency; Bill Reeves, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; Priya Nanjappa, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies; Corinne Richards-Zawacki, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh; Debra L. Miller, Center for Wildlife Health and College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee; Matthew J. Gray, Center for Wildlife Health, University of Tennessee
ABSTRACT: The recently discovered fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) has caused population declines of wild fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) in Europe, and experimental challenges show that Bsal is highly pathogenic to species in the family Salamandridae. In particular, the Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is highly susceptible to Bsal. There are two other species of Notophthalmus native to North America (the Black-spotted Newt, N. perstriatus, and the Striped Newt, N. meridionalis), both of which are of high conservation concern. It is unclear whether these species are also susceptible to Bsal, and understanding the susceptibility of these species to Bsal is essential to estimating risk of Bsal emergence and planning conservation strategies for these species. Thus, our goal was to robustly estimate the susceptibility of species in the genus Notophthalmus to Bsal. We hypothesized that N. viridescens, N. perstriatus, and N. meridionalis will experience dose dependent mortality from exposure to Bsal. We conducted experimental challenges with the fungus by exposing individuals of each species to Bsal in a water bath at one of four zoospore concentrations (5x103-6) or to a water only control for 24h, then monitored their condition for 6wks. Clinical signs of disease varied by dose, the most common of which were skin sloughing and ulcerative lesions, and in some cases death. Indeed, all species experienced dose dependent mortality, with 100% mortality observed in the highest zoospore dose. These results demonstrate that Bsal is a significant conservation risk to amphibian biodiversity in North America.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 4:40pm - 5:00pm EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: J. Wesley Neal, Mississippi State University; M. Clint Lloyd, Mississippi State University
ABSTRACT: A new tool to provide wetland services is the floating streambed wetland (FSW), which is an active hydroponic system consisting of a polymer matrix floating substrate in which living plants are established. Water is circulated from beneath the FSW and across a streambed on the upper FSW surface, coming into contact with biofilms attached to the polymer matrix and associated root structures. Research has shown that FSW technology is efficient in removing nutrients and water contaminants, and recent manufacturer reports claim that FSW technology may also increase total fish biomass in small water bodies. In this manuscript, we evaluate this claim using a replicated small (526 m2) pond experiment and FSWs that covered 2.3% of pond surface area. Ponds were stocked at equal densities with Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) in October 2013 and Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) in August 2014 and populations were allowed to develop naturally prior to harvest in April 2016. Total fish biomass was 19.9% greater in ponds with FSWs than in control ponds (t = 2.02, df = 5, P = 0.02) at time of harvest. No differences in growth rates were observed. This exploratory study suggested that FSWs do indeed increase fish production in ponds, and further study is warranted. However, the prohibitive cost of FSWs would likely limit their use for strictly fisheries management purposes.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 8:00am - 8:20am EDT
Jones
AUTHORS: M. Keith Wethington, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: Bobwhite restoration efforts operate at multiple spatial scales, from landscape (regional) levels to farm level (local). Choosing proper data sources, analysis techniques, and accounting for differences in scale (minimum mapping unit) between sources are critical first steps to successfully delivering habitat information useful for broad regional planning efforts and site specific research and management activities. This research compares 3 methods of creating a habitat map and associated data; NLCD 2006, hand digitized from 2010 NAIP imagery, and an by Interactive Supervised Classification of 1m NAIP imagery using ArcGIS 10.1. The study area is a 3,660 ha portion of Peabody WMA (18,486 ha total) in Muhlenberg and Ohio counties in west central Kentucky. We also compare percent cover of forest canopy closure using 2011 NLCD Percent Canopy Closure along with 10m and 30m aggregated datasets derived from image classification. Office inspection of aerial imagery and field verification yielded a 94% positive identification of woody vegetation. We found good agreement between NLCD 2006 and Image Classification for habitat classes. Hand digitizing did not compare well and we do not recommend this method for creating digital habitat data. Percent Canopy closure yielded similar results between data sources. We found the smaller pixel size of the 10m aggregate data to better identify small woody patches in open matrix. Use of 30m National datasets to compare basic habitat across large areas is well warranted. Site specific research and management activities will benefit from image classification of 1m imagery. Additional research into the relationship between varying pixel size.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 8:00am - 8:20am EDT
Carroll Ford
(no fee to attend; however pre-registration is required – space is limited) Learn firsthand how wildlife habitat and cutting-edge park design intertwine. The masterplan of the park includes: 100 miles of new trails for hiking biking and more; 19 miles of canoe trail; playgrounds, walking paths, and bark parks.The Parklands will preserve and enhance nearly 80 percent of the land for natural landscape, which will result in environmental benefits including improved air and water quality and increased wildlife habitat. 21st Century Parks is establishing The Parklands as a powerful educational resource to encourage hands-on learning for our region’s school children, while simultaneously inspiring opportunities for adults and families. The Parklands will also create a significant urban habitat corridor that will stretch 15 miles within Louisville’s boundaries, linking together what are today scattered fragments of forest. It will protect and enhance the landscape for countless species of plants and animals. For more info: http://www.theparklands.org/the-vision.html
Wednesday November 1, 2017 8:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Offsite
AUTHORS: Christy Soldo, Michael B. Flinn - Murray State University Department of Biological Sciences
ABSTRACT: Large flood storage reservoirs are often the target of habitat enhancement projects because they lack aquatic structure due to dramatic shifts in hydrology. State agencies and anglers often add artificial structures to these reservoirs to attract fish and provide cover for reproduction, spawning, and refuge from predation. However, some structures may be short-lived, costly, and unaesthetically pleasing in shallow water. Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) seedlings have been successfully grown in areas that suffer from habitat loss. The growth of these trees is tolerant of flooding. This study compared fish use of bald cypress and stake beds, which are a common type of artificial structure in the lake. Boat electroshocking was used to compare the fish assemblages among structure types. Open water areas were used as a control. Sites were sampled five times from April-July, 2016. Samples included 186 fish representing 24 species. Sunfish (Centrarchidae) comprised approximately 50% and 54% of fish collected at stake beds and bald cypress trees, respectively. Clupeids and Cyprinids comprised approximately 70% of fish caught in open water. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant differences in catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) or species richness over time among stake beds, bald cypress, and open water. A comparison of overall CPUE and species richness revealed a higher species richness at stake beds, but no difference in CPUE between the structure types. Results show that bald cypress can concentrate fish as effectively as stake beds in shallow areas of embayments, providing a cost-effective and sustainable way of enhancing aquatic habitat.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 8:20am - 8:40am EDT
Jones
AUTHORS: Michael J. Harris, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Todd Ewing, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
ABSTRACT: The southeastern United States supports high aquatic diversity and species richness including a large number of federal listed fishes, mussels, crayfish and snails. In recent years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife has been petitioned to list hundreds of additional species. The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been collaborating on an action plan to address the workload generated by the petitions. The action plan includes: sharing information on at-risk species, prioritizing species for conservation, implementing coordinated inventory and monitoring, to inform status assessments, implementing conservation actions for priority species, and developing a unified conservation message. Our work is producing results as seen in 98 at-risk species that have not needed federal listing. This presentation will review our collaborative efforts and discuss opportunities and challenges for increasing cooperation among state wildlife agencies and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 8:20am - 8:40am EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Erin L. C. Harper, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Danna L. Baxley, The Nature Conservancy
ABSTRACT: As the Eastern Population of greater sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis tabida) has increased, so has the number of cranes utilizing winter and stopover habitat in Central Kentucky. Few studies have addressed habitat use and management of the eastern population on wintering and stopover areas, especially on private lands. We quantified habitat use of cranes in central Kentucky and collected time activity data to determine how and when the resources were used and if the habitat available would provide sufficient resources to support the growing population. We collected activity budget data on 1,788 independent flocks during the winter months (2011-2014) from sunrise to sunset weekly by using instantaneous scan sampling of all flocks encountered. Cranes spent most of their time feeding, resting and on locomotion. Cranes spent more time alert as flock size decreased. Wetland was the most preferred habitat of cranes with 37% use and representing only 1% of the study area. Although acreage of available harvested soybean and cornfields was similar each year, cranes preferred cornfields as their main energy source, with 33% use. Corn use peaked in the afternoon as cranes fed heavily before returning to the roosts to rest for the night. Cranes used fields adjacent to roosts every year without preference for habitat type. Based on these results, we suggest managers encourage landowners to continue with the current agricultural land use practices and discourage any changes in practices that would reduce availability of grains or wetlands in important wintering and stopover areas.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 8:20am - 8:40am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Thomas Timmermann, Joseph Zimmerman – Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
ABSTRACT: Lake aging, which leads to habitat loss, is a problem fisheries managers have been dealing with for years. In 2013, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources implemented a large scale habitat project on Cave Run Lake, an 8,270 acre meso- to oligotrophic reservoir in eastern Kentucky. The goals of this project were to increase angler opportunity through additional habitat sites on the lower two-thirds of the lake and to increase secondary trophic level organisms in this low nutrient system with slow growing fish populations. Furthermore, with a limited budget, the managers of this project were tasked with accomplishing these goals through governmental and public partnerships. Since the implementation of this project, thousands of structures were added to the lake, which has increased angler opportunities. Additionally, early studies have shown increases in growth rates of black and white crappie on the lower portions of the lake.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 8:40am - 9:00am EDT
Jones
AUTHORS: Todd Ewing, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Janet Mizzi, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
ABSTRACT: Reintroducing a species into currently unoccupied, but suitable habitat within its historic range can be an effective conservation tool. Such actions can potentially aid in recovery of aquatic imperiled species. However, these reintroductions can sometimes be difficult to implement due to the potential of imposing additional regulatory burden on local landowners, businesses, and state and local governments that would not exist otherwise. Here we discuss tools such as Safe Harbor and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances and their potential to allow for the reintroduction of imperiled species in North Carolina.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 8:40am - 9:00am EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Emily Merritt, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences; Dr. Graeme Lockaby, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences; Dr. Derrick Mathias, University of Florida Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory
ABSTRACT: Ticks are the foremost parasites of wildlife and humans in the United States, and may transmit pathogens associated with Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, spotted fever Rickettsiosis, and others. Despite the high occurrence of several species of ticks throughout Alabama, little is known about their distribution or the degree to which they carry pathogens. Consequently, the probability of encountering infected ticks in the state is unknown. For this project, we identified land use and climatic factors that affect tick and pathogen distribution and risk, and determined relationships among habitats, ticks, pathogens, and hosts. Ticks were trapped for one year (5/16-5/17) on 105 sites in deciduous, coniferous, pasture, early successional, and residential areas throughout Alabama. Hourly forest floor temperature and relative humidity were recorded on the same sites. Additionally, during the summers of 2015 and 2016, 478 ticks were collected from 89 white-tailed deer in 12 counties, and 3,302 ticks were collected from 809 deer on 12 Wildlife Management Areas during two successive winters from 2015-2017. Preliminary analyses show that, across all locations and land uses, minimums and ranges of humidity and temperature are the primary drivers of overall tick abundance, particularly for nymphs. Conversely, within each land use, forest floor characteristics are the primary drivers. Additionally, while only 11% (n=61) of ticks captured on traps are black-legged ticks, 88% (n=2,894) were collected from deer between November to February, elucidating a deer’s critical role in their survival and movement, and suggesting traditional sampling methods for this species are ineffective in the Southeast.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 8:40am - 9:00am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Dennis J. Renfro & Brandon C. Thompson - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
ABSTRACT: Resource managers and researchers are working together to enhance angling opportunities on a 76,000 acre plus chain of lakes by initiating a large scale artificial fish attractor program to increase angler catch rates and engage stakeholders. Our vision was to develop an artificial habitat program that increased sport fishing effort and fostered strong support from local community. Focusing on the goal to install hundreds of artificial plastic structures in strategic locations throughout the chain of lakes to provide additional off-shore fishing opportunities that would increase angler effort and enhance fishing success for sport fish. At one lake within the chain, researchers have been evaluating how artificial plastic fish attractors perform versus the long established practice of utilizing natural brush. Although results have been variable, plastic and natural brush attractors have had similar electrofishing catch rates and angler catch rates for bass. Economically the cost of man-made plastic fish attractors are higher than the initial cost of woody brush, but the anticipated longevity of the plastic structure and consistent biomass of structure of plastic far exceeds the relative short life span of woody brush. Primary key to success is forming great relationships with your stakeholder groups. Volunteers from small and large fishing clubs actively engaged in fish attractor site selection and provided vital contribution of manpower during construction. The Artificial Fish Attractor program meets the goals of FWC’s strategic plan in providing residents and visitors with quality fishing.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 9:00am - 9:20am EDT
Jones
AUTHORS: Rachael A. Hoch, Stephen J. Fraley, Tyler R. Black, William T. Russ – North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
ABSTRACT: Recent improvements to water quality, instream habitats, and flow regimes in North Carolina streams have provided opportunities for reintroductions and augmentations of rare freshwater mussels. Since 2008, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has devoted resources to captive propagation of rare aquatic species with the development of a propagation facility. The Marion Conservation Aquaculture Center (MCAC) in Marion N.C., was established through partnerships with N.C. State University and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since 2008, the MCAC has held 18 species of freshwater mussels for conservation and research. Ten different species have been produced and over 80,000 mussels have been stocked into thirteen streams across six river basins. Notable releases of three federally endangered species include ~16,000 Alasmidonta raveneliana into the Cheoah River in Graham County and the Cane River, Yancey County N.C., ~9,000 Parvaspina steinstansana into Little Fishing and Fishing creeks in Halifax County, N.C., and 690 Lasmigona decorata into Goose, Duck, and Waxhaw creeks in Union County, N.C. An additional ~54,000 mussels of seven state priority species have been propagated and stocked into North Carolina waters to aid ongoing restoration efforts. Using various propagation techniques and systems, the MCAC has successfully worked towards the programmatic goal of keeping common animals common, precluding the need to list, promoting delisting, and preventing the extinction of aquatic species. Future work at the MCAC will address genetic diversity, survivorship, growth, and tagging as well as expanding the program into a newly constructed hatchery building.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 9:00am - 9:20am EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Diana M. Neal, Jessica Tegt, Bronson K. Strickland – Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University
ABSTRACT: There is currently no data on the public’s knowledge about wild hogs and their threat to native wildlife, agricultural and environmental impacts, and potential to transmit diseases in the state of Mississippi. This study assessed public awareness, knowledge of natural history, and attitudes toward wild hogs among Mississippi demographic groups using a mail survey method during the year 2014. The study population consisted of 5,000 random homeowners. Among respondents, 92.3% were aware of the presence of wild hogs, of which 39.7% had at least some knowledge of wild hog natural history. Respondent awareness and knowledge differed among place of residence and demographic variables. In general, respondents’ awareness and knowledge increased from urban areas to rural areas. Half of aware respondents had a negative general attitude towards wild hogs. Overall, respondents agreed that wild hogs represent a critical problem for natural resources, agriculture, and human and livestock health, and they expressed the need for wild hog control and to better enforced the restrictions on the transport of illegal wild hogs to other states and within Mississippi. This study identified a spatial deficiency of wild hog risk awareness, and therefore outreach education could target underserved demographic groups.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 9:00am - 9:20am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: George Athanasakes, Stantec; Rob Lewis, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: The Hatchery Creek Stream Restoration project is a unique opportunity to utilize the latest stream restoration techniques to maximize trout habitat, create recreational opportunities for the citizens of Kentucky, and provide mitigation credits. The project is located immediately downstream of the Wolf Creek Dam US Fish & Wildlife National Trout Hatchery near Lake Cumberland in Jamestown, Kentucky.
Construction of the project was completed in 2015. A 400-foot long outflow channel from the hatchery was extended to create approximately 6,000 feet of stream habitat with special attention to trout. In an effort to maximize habitat and recreational opportunities, the project was designed to provide a variety of habitat for all life stages of trout and a variety of stream types including meandering single thread channels, braided channels and step pools. This project has several unique aspects, which are not typical to natural channel design projects in the southeast, including a constant base flow of approximately 35 cfs, which is approximately 70% of the upstream bankfull flow, limited sediment supply, and the need to maintain imported spawning gravels.
Flows were released into the channel in November, 2015 and the project is currently being monitored to confirm usage for the various life stages of trout including spawning, which does not occur naturally elsewhere in Kentucky. This talk will focus on the design and construction of the channel, the many unique aspects of the project, including the introduction of an artificial upwelling device, and the initial response of the channel from a geomorphology perspective.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 9:20am - 9:40am EDT
Jones
AUTHORS: Monte A. McGregor; Adam C. Shepard; Travis Bailey; Andrew T. McDonald; Fritz E. Vorisek; and Julieann M. Jacobs, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: North America hosts the most diverse freshwater mussel fauna on Earth, with approximately 300 species representing 36% of the total global mussel diversity. Kentucky has one of the most diverse mussel populations in North America, with 41 genera and 105 recognized species. In Kentucky, 12 mussels are presumed extinct, and 27 are listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as Threatened or Endangered. Nine of the 27 are considered extirpated from the state. Kentucky also has 46 species on the list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need. As part of the initiative, we established mussel conservation units and ranked river systems based on scores to prioritize areas with greater conservation need. We set up long-term quantitative monitoring stations within the highest ranked areas (selected in previous qualitative surveys). We also developed species based conservation actions needed to restore declining populations. KDFWR established the Center for Mollusk Conservation in 2002 to culture and propagate rare species. We also developed protocols to determine stockable sizes, appropriate stocking densities, and in situ tests for sites with cultured juveniles. In the Green River, which historically supported 74 species, we established 10 monitoring sites, some within permanently protected areas, where augmentation of cultured juveniles could be released and have long-term protection. We assessed the mussel population at multiple sites; one mussel bed in the Green River was examined in 2005, 2010, and 2016. At this site, we collected 33 species with maximum densities/m2 ranging from 30 to 53/m2, with trends showing increased numbers and the presence of stocked mussels.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 9:20am - 9:40am EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Elisabeth Condon, International Crane Foundation; Wayde Morse, Auburn University; Sara Lessard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
ABSTRACT: Shootings contributed to the historic decline of Whooping Cranes, and they continue to affect all remnant and reintroduced populations today. Since reintroduction efforts began, there has been an increase in the number of confirmed shooting incidents. From 1970 to 2000, the confirmed shooting rate was 0.18 confirmed shooting incidents per year, compared to 1.38 per year from 2001 to 2017, a more than an eight-fold increase. Since 2000, 77% of the confirmed shooting cases have taken place in the reintroduced populations; shootings account for 19% of known mortality in the Eastern Migratory Population and 24% in the Louisiana Non-Migratory Population. Most shootings are not related to a hunting, but are instead conducted by vandals, most of whom are not aware that the species they are shooting is endangered. In 2015-16 the International Crane Foundation ran a social marketing campaign in northern Alabama centered on Whooping Cranes. A graduate student at Auburn University studied the impact of our campaign on attitudes towards Whooping Cranes in Alabama. The pre-campaign survey results showed that most Alabamians do not know that Whooping Cranes occur in the state. We used surveys and focus groups to develop our messaging and strategies for this campaign. Post campaign surveys in 2016 an 11% increase in awareness amongst mail survey participants. We are using the results of this work to continue social marketing for Whooping Cranes in Alabama, and expanding to other states that have Whooping Cranes and a high incidence of shootings, including Indiana and Texas.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 9:20am - 9:40am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Patrick Vrablik, Michael B. Flinn - Murray State University
ABSTRACT: Hatchery Creek is a restored stream in Jamestown, KY draining Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery which rears cold water fish. The previous degraded channel of Hatchery Creek caused large sediment plumes in the Lower Cumberland River and was restored to decrease sediment loss and support a self-sustaining trout population. We predicted that increased habitat quality and quantity would increase fish use and reduce abundance and biomass of tolerant macroinvertebrates. Fish and macroinvertebrates were sampled throughout the year using backpack electrofishing gear for fish, and surber, multi-habitat, and kicknet samples were used to quantify macroinvertebrate density, diversity, and biotic indices. Before restoration, taxa richness was 6-8 fish species, dominated by rainbow, brown, and brook trout. The macroinvertebrate community included 8-13 taxa, dominated by low scoring and very-tolerant taxa. Macroinvertebrate density and biomass were over 100,000 ind/m2 and 10 g/m2 respectively in the pre-restored channel. Macroinvertebrate taxa richness increased to 17 taxa, with appearance of new EPT taxa, while fish diversity decreased to 5 taxa. Macroinvertebrate density and biomass in the restored channel have decreased to roughly 1/3 and 1/5 pre-restoration levels respectively. Collector-gatherers remain the dominant functional feeding group in the restored channel, but collector-filterers now make up 33% of overall FFG composition compared to 18% in the unrestored stream. The patterns of fish and macroinvertebrate community recovery suggest new habitat does not result in increased biodiversity within the first year. Further, patterns show that source pools of biodiversity may influence recovery, and that monitoring recovery requires longer time periods.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 9:40am - 10:00am EDT
Jones
AUTHORS: Steve Fraley, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, Waynesville, NC; T.R. Russ, Rachael Hoch, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, Marion, NC; Wendell Pennington, Pennington & Associates, Inc., Cookeville, TN
ABSTRACT: A nine-mile reach of the Cheoah River, a regulated river recently improved by FERC mandated flow and substrate restoration, is the focus of efforts to augment an existing relict population of the federal endangered Appalachian elktoe (Alasmidonta raveneliana) and to reintroduce NC state listed Slippershell (A. viridis), Wavy-rayed lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola), and Rainbow (Villosa iris), as well as the federal threatened Spotfin chub (Erimonax monachus) and other native fishes. Improvements in water and habitat quality can restore suitable habitat for freshwater fauna; however, barriers may exist to natural colonization where species are extirpated or demographics of relict populations may be less than ideal for population recovery. Assisted recovery via augmentation and reintroduction can help surmount those barriers. The Cheoah River situation offers unique opportunities for restoration and relative long-term persistence of rare species that are vulnerable at other locales in NC. A combination of translocation and captive propagation provide animals for restoration. Neither A. raveneliana nor A. viridis had never been cultured in captivity prior to these efforts and innovative techniques were developed to successfully produce them in sufficient numbers. Since 2012, over 4,700 propagated A. raveneliana have been released and an additional 97 adults were translocated; and, over 1500 A. viridis, 20,000 L. fasciola, and 15,000 V, iris were also propagated and released. Since 2009, seven cohorts of captively propagated E. monachus yearling fry were reared and released, totaling approximately 2,900, with an additional 205 adults translocated. Assessment surveys performed in 2016 show positive results with all species surviving, growing, showing evidence of reproduction and recruitment, and expansion of occupied range.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 9:40am - 10:00am EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Jeremy P. Orange, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Danna L. Baxley, The Nature Conservancy; John J. Morgan, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Evan P. Tanner, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University; Ben A. Robinson, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Cody M. Rhoden, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: Harvest rates may have multifaceted effects on population dynamics, hunter satisfaction, and hunter retention. However, there is currently a dearth of knowledge pertaining to the factors impacting small game hunter success. In an effort to address this paucity of information, the objective of this study was to investigate the factors that may impact hunting success of three small game species: ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus; hereafter grouse), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhite), and rabbit (Sylvilagus spp.). From 2003 to 2015, we collected cooperator hunting logs for 3,947 grouse hunts, 19,486 rabbit hunts, and 5,545 bobwhite hunts. Hunting success was defined as the number of grouse, rabbit, or bobwhite coveys flushed by a hunting party. The number of hunters within a party explained the greatest amount of variation in hunting success for all species, with a positive correlation between the number of hunters and success. Similarly, for grouse and rabbits, we observed a positive correlation between the number of dogs in a party and hunting success. In regards to weather variables, we observed a positive correlation between daytime barometric pressure and hunting success for all species. Our findings suggest that multiple factors can impact hunter success and we hope the findings of this research facilitate increased understanding of small game harvest allowing managers to: (1) increase outreach and education efforts to address precipitous declines in hunter recruitment and retention, and (2) adaptively manage current small game hunting regulations.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 9:40am - 10:00am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Brian C. Reeder, Morehead State University
ABSTRACT: Earthen hatchery ponds sediments may provide additional nutrients to the water column, and act as a sink for nutrients and excess fertilizer. We examined pond soil nutrient concentrations and P adsorption in five Minor Clark Fish Hatchery earthen ponds in 2008, and again in 2013. Ponds are filled with oligotrophic Cave Run Lake water, fertilized, and drained annually. Pond N and P additions over time have not kept up with soil losses. Soil extractable P concentrations decreased from 37 mg kg-1 to 3.1 mg kg-1 between 2008 and 2013. Soil N decreased from 0.17% to 0.08%. Other soil nutrients (Organic C, Ca, and Mg) remained the same. The loss of soil P was explained by results from P adsorption isotherms using Cave Run lake water, and P-spiked Cave Run Lake water, as equilibrium solutions. Soil collected in 2008 desorbed an average of 4.6 ± 2.3 µg P g-1 under normal fish rearing water quality conditions (<70 µg P L-1; incubations at 0, 3, 7, 33, and 65 µg L-1 P). Using higher concentrations on 2013 soils (8, 96, 150, and 1500 µg P L-1), phosphorus was adsorbed more as P concentrations increased, with greatest adsorption occurring at the highest loading (1,500 µg-P L-1 adsorbed 35.6 ± 0.4 µg P g-1). Phosphorus adsorption was correlated with concentrations of extractable Al and % clay, but not with extractable Fe. Soils collected in 2013 incubated with unspiked Cave Run Lake water (8 µg L-1 P) still desorbed P to the lake water, but at a rate an order of magnitude lower (0.46 ± 0.05 µg P g-1) than 2008 soils. The ability of soils to release P to the water under normal conditions has decreased over time, as pond soils exhausted their extractable and labile P supplies. Regular annual flooding and flushing with low ionic strength water has resulted in P depletion in Minor Clark Fish Hatchery pond soils. Given the relatively low contribution of sediments to pond P budgets during fish rearing, lining ponds could be a worthwhile management strategy.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 10:20am - 10:40am EDT
Jones
AUTHORS: Monte A. McGregor; Adam C. Shepard; Travis Bailey; Andrew T. McDonald; Fritz E. Vorisek, and Julieann M. Jacobs. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: The Licking River and its watershed historically supported a few hundred aquatic species. The River begins in Southeastern Kentucky, drains ~ 3,700 square miles, and flows north through the Allegheny Plateau, Eastern Bluegrass, a portion in the Inner Bluegrass, and runs un-impounded from Cave Run Lake for ~173 river miles to its confluence with the Ohio River near Cincinnati. The Licking River is home over 110 species of freshwater fishes and has 56 species of freshwater mussels (54% of all KY mussels). The Licking River supports 18% of all North American mussels. Seven species (13%) are considered extirpated: the purple catspaw, northern riffleshell, rayed bean, pink mucket, rabbitsfoot, clubshell, and rough pigtoe. One species, the tubercled blossom, is considered extinct. There are 10 Threatened and Endangered mussels in the Licking River: fanshell, rough pigtoe, clubshell, pink mucket, catspaw, northern riffleshell, rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and rabbitsfoot. Three of the 10 T&E species can still be found in the Licking River, with the fanshell having the most robust populations. Of the 56 species, KDFWR has identified 19 (or 35%) found in the Licking River as species of greatest conservation need. In 2007 to 2016, efforts began to monitor and restore multiple sites on the Licking with pink muckets (augmentation), clubshells and northern riffleshells (translocated from Pennsylvania), rough pigtoe and rabbitsfoot (translocated from the Green and Tennessee Rivers), and purple catspaw (augmentation). This effort has restored the mussel fauna to 54 of the 56 species historically found.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 10:20am - 10:40am EDT
Breathitt
AUTHORS: Nagaraj G. Chatakondi, Brian C. Peterson - USDA ARS Warm water Aquaculture Research Unit
ABSTRACT: Stress is unavoidable in aquaculture and hence strains of fish that are resilient and adaptable to stress need to be developed. In teleosts, cortisol is considered the primary stress hormone and an increase in its concentration corresponds to its response to stress. The objective of the study was to assess if cortisol responsiveness to stress in channel catfish, (Ictalurus punctatus) influences susceptibility to (Edwardsiella ictaluri) under controlled conditions. Six month old channel catfish fingerlings were subjected to standardized hypoxia stress (1.8 ppm of dissolved oxygen) to classify them as either ‘low responders (LR)’ or ‘high responders (HR)’ based on their plasma cortisol concentration. HR and LR fish were held either in individual or co-cultured in 80 L aquaria and were challenged with virulent E. ictaluri by an in situ bath immersion to evaluate their susceptibility to the pathogen. At the end of the 21 day challenge, mean percent mortality of LR fish was lower than the mean percent mortality of the HR fish. An increase in susceptibility of HR fish to E. ictaluri may be the result of their higher responsiveness to standardized stress. Hence, the results of the present study suggest LR fish may be resilient and adaptable to stressful conditions.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 10:40am - 11:00am EDT
Jones
AUTHORS: Wendell Haag, US Forest Service, Southern Research Station; Monte McGregor, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; and Jacob Culp, Kentucky Division of Water
ABSTRACT: Mussels have disappeared from many streams that lack obvious, point-source impacts. These disappearances indicate substantial ecosystem impairment, but the sources of this impairment are poorly known. Advances in mussel culturing methods make available large numbers of juvenile mussels that can be used as direct indicators of stream conditions. We conducted a series of field experiments using in situ exposures of laboratory-reared juvenile mussels to assess potential sources of stream impairment and mechanisms of mussel declines. Experiments involved placing juvenile mussels in flow-through chambers (silos) in streams for 3-4 months and monitoring their survival and growth. Survival was high in all streams, indicating a lack of acute toxicity. However, mussels did not grow in streams that have previously lost their mussel faunas. Mussels grew well in streams that continue to support mussels, but growth was variable according to natural watershed characteristics such as alkalinity, temperature, and productivity. Low growth was associated with human-influenced factors including nitrates/nitrites and pesticides. Low growth was also associated with streams with extensive karst influence, suggesting that groundwater pollution may be an additional factor. Mussel food sources did not differ consistently among low-growth and high-growth streams, but low-growth mussels showed a characteristic metabolic profile indicative of starvation. These results show that growth inhibition may be a mechanism for mussel declines, and associations with water quality variables suggest potential causes. In situ exposures with juvenile mussels offer a powerful and easily implemented approach for natural resource managers to assess stream conditions and sources of impairment.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 10:40am - 11:00am EDT
Breathitt
ABSTRACT: Conservation assessment and planning are incredibly complex activities, especially now with the imperative to incorporate climate change and other human objectives for the use of land and resources. Software tools play a key role in supporting incorporation of data and expert knowledge, assessment of resource condition and conflicts with other objectives, conservation prioritization, spatial planning, and ongoing plan implementation and adaptive management. Most organizations rely on a small group of experts and one or two software tools to conduct this work which is often not reproducible or extensible to the broaders set of practitioners that should be involved. Recent initiatives in the Gulf region and by LCCs have generated many new tools but identifying which tools to use has been a challenge for practitioners. This session will present results from an initiative to map a core set of existing tools to a conservation planning work flow that would comprise a conservation planning toolkit. This session will lay out the workflow to be supported by the toolkit and an initial selection of tools. Needs for guidance and training to support application of the toolkit by a broader group of practitioners will also be addressed.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 10:40am - 11:00am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Richard A. Snow, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; Daniel E. Shoup, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Fisheries Ecology, Oklahoma State University; Michael J. Porta, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
ABSTRACT: Geographical range of a species can be limited by environmental condition such as temperature. This is important to understand when trying to create a population of northern fish on the southern fringes of their range. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) have been stocking tiger muskellunge (Esox masquinongy x E. lucius) in Lake Carl Etling in northwestern Oklahoma since 2014 with little success. Lake Carl Eting experiences a broad range of temperatures that could affect recruitment of tiger muskellunge, especially during times of the year when prey are not abundant. Temperature tolerances of juvenile tiger muskellunge were determined in laboratory trials using starved and fed fish (N=9 each) acclimated to temperatures of 20, 24, and 280C. We used the lethal thermal maxima (LTM) procedure to assess the upper thermal tolerances of starved and fed tiger muskellunge subjected to a 1oC per hour temperature increase. Response variables consisted of three sub-lethal responses (initial loss of equilibrium, final loss of equilibrium, loss of motion) and the temperature at which death occurred. The temperature at which final loss of equilibrium, loss of motion and death occurred generally increased with acclimation temperature for fed fish but decreased with acclimation temperature for starved fish. At 20oC acclimation, no difference was observed between fed and starved fish, but the feeding treatments were always significantly different at the 28oC acclimation temperature. Starvation lowered the thermal tolerance of juvenile tiger muskellunge, which could negatively affect southern populations if stocked fish are not able to forage successfully.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 11:00am - 11:20am EDT
Jones
AUTHORS: Allan Brown, Cindy A. Williams, Angie Rodgers, Dr. William Wayman, Mike Harris – U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
ABSTRACT: On September 1, 2016, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced a seven-year work plan for ESA listing and critical habitat decisions, intended to improve effectiveness & implementation of the ESA & provide for best possible conservation of our nation’s imperiled wildlife, known as at-risk species (ARS). 3 Service programs are cooperating in the conservation of ARS: 1) Ecological Services is conducting status assessments and making recommendations for listing species, 2) Fish & Aquatic Conservation (FAC) assess populations, and utilize unique skills from the Fish Technology (FTC) & Health centers, & 3) National Wildlife Refuges assist with acquiring data on ARS as well as managing species that occur on NWR lands._x000D_ FAC, formerly known as the Fisheries Program, is composed of 2 subunits: National Fish Hatcheries (NFHs) and Fish & Wildlife Conservation Offices (FWCOs). The NFHs maintain ark populations, develop propagation techniques & life history requirements, & work with the FWCOs & the FTC to assist with the development of cryopreservation techniques and genetic management plans. FWCOs conduct habitat & population assessments to guide federal trust species management. The Southeast Region FAC, through its region wide fish habitat & fish passage programs, has developed a Regional Aquatic Habitat Team to implement conservation delivery associated aquatic habitat fragmentation & overall aquatic habitat condition. Active involvement in several key components of SHC position the FAC program to improve information gathering for ARS & quickly deliver conservation actions such as habitat improvement & species propagation, if appropriate. Example projects will be presented.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 11:00am - 11:20am EDT
Breathitt
ABSTRACT: The Eastern Hellbender is among the many at-risk species for which the USFWS must soon issue a listing decision. This aquatic salamander, once widespread across the Eastern US, has suffered at least 90% population declines across much of its range. It is affected by siltation and water quality degradation resulting from stream bank erosion, loss of riparian habitat, and run-off from various sources.Approximately 75% of the land base of the Southeastern US is devoted to farming, ranching and forestry. Privately owned working lands play a crucial role in the provision of water quality and quantity, connectivity, and habitat availability, which are essential to the survival of aquatic species. Hellbender population declines cannot be reversed without active restoration and management of habitat on agricultural lands. Fortunately the Farm Bill has dedicated billions of dollars to voluntary, incentive based programs designed to advance private lands conservation. _x000D_
Defenders of Wildlife is spearheading an initiative to utilize various Farm Bill programs to benefit both producers and hellbenders on agricultural lands in the Southeast. If our efforts are successful, NRCS funds will be directed to producers to help stabilize stream banks, restore riparian vegetation, and improve soil and water health in important hellbender habitat. Over twenty partner groups would also come together to facilitate outreach, education, implementation and monitoring through direct investments and in-kind services. Our initiative provides an opportunity to foster new partnerships and innovative techniques, and can address the root cause of dwindling hellbender populations to benefit both landowners and wildlife.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 11:00am - 11:20am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHOR: Matthew Skoog, Anthony Rodger, Trevor Starks, and Donnie King - Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
ABSTRACT: The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife conducted a fish community assessment in the upper Red River Drainage during the summer of 2016. The objectives of this assessment were 1) to determine occupancy and the factors influencing occupancy of fish species of greatest conservation need (n= 5) and 2) to compare contemporary fish communities to historical fish collections within the drainage. Species occurrences and abiotic data were recorded at 48 sites. Each site was surveyed three times for a total of 144 collections. Single-species single-season occupancy models were used to estimate the occupancy of the fish species of greatest conservation need. Generalized linear models of multivariate species data were used to test for differences between contemporary and historical fish communities. Individual species’ contributions to observed differences between sampling periods was calculated using sum-of-likelihood ratios for each species that varied significantly between sampling periods. Occupancy probabilities and the factors driving occupancy were variable among species. Comparisons between historical and contemporary data suggest that there have been significant changes in fish communities driven by increases in generalist species and decreases in some small-bodied cyprinids. This data will be crucial for informing decision making aimed at native fish conservation in the upper Red River drainage.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 11:20am - 11:40am EDT
Jones
AUTHORS: James Vance, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise; Walter Smith, Department of Natural Sciences, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise; Gabrielle Smith, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise
ABSTRACT: Wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) are a major research focus because of increasing human health and safety concerns and the potential for biological impacts on wildlife. A key component of both understanding the causes of WVCs and designing mitigation measures is the collection and analysis of environmental and roadway data at WVC sites. However, collecting these site data can be logistically challenging and potentially dangerous to researchers. We studied the feasibility and accuracy of using public geospatial datasets, particularly Google Earth and Street View, as an alternative approach to assessing WVC onsite covariates. We randomly selected 50 sites from a larger WVC study and measured the topography, habitat type, width of the road median, and presence of fencing at each site as representatives of typical WVC site covariates. We compared the measurements recorded in the field to estimates obtained from public geospatial datasets in the lab. We determined that median topography had the lowest overall accuracy (60%), followed by presence of fencing with accuracy at 75% of sites. By contrast, median habitat type was identified correctly in almost all comparisons (96% overall accuracy). The root mean squared error for median width was 1.15 m overall. Our results suggest that Google platforms may serve as viable alternatives to field data collection for site covariates related to coarse measures of habitat type and some characteristics of road topography, thus reducing time requirements and potential safety risks to researchers in the field.
Wednesday November 1, 2017 11:20am - 11:40am EDT
Carroll Ford
AUTHORS: Frank W. Little, Paul Rister – Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
ABSTRACT: Breeding populations of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) expanded from 35 pairs in 2005 to over 3000 today on Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. This expanding population has raised concerns among sport fish anglers, who perceive them as a significant threat to crappie (Pomoxis spp.) populations. To better understand the impact of expanding cormorant populations, we initiated a diet study of cormorants in the lakes collecting up to 50 birds each month from November 2015 through October 2017. Collection sites rotated between known roosts and feeding areas on both lakes. Stomach contents of collected birds were immediately removed, fish species were identified, and lengths were recorded. Shad (Dorosoma spp.) were the primary prey species making up 52% of the cormorant’s diet. Shad were a major component of the diet across all months. Sunfish (Lepomis spp.) 25% and freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) 8% are the next most abundant components of the diet. There have been 28 species of fish identified in this study. Size of fish in the cormorant diets ranged from 25 mm to 355 mm, with a mean of 269.24 mm. Cormorants were not found to consume crappie in any meaningful way. Only 10 stomachs out of 890 contained crappie. Additionally, based on large prey size consumed by cormorants, they pose no threat to the preferred prey of crappie. Other issues noted were nesting habitat degradation, island erosion, and competition with other colonial wading birds such as Black-crowned Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) and Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus ibis).
Wednesday November 1, 2017 11:40am - 12:00pm EDT
Carroll Ford
