Population Ecology of the Bobwhite
Population Ecology of the Bobwhite

Author: John L. Roseberry

Publisher:

Published: 1984

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13:

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This book presents the results and con­clusions of the longest continuous study ever undertaken for a local North Ameri­can game bird population. Since 1950 abundance has been deter­mined seasonally by direct count, nesting ecology by field searches and observation, and hunting pressure and harvest by field interviews. Land use and weather condi­tions also have been recorded. The period of the study saw considerable change in regional land use and included several of the most severe winters in recorded weather history. Continuing harvest of the study popu­lation did not have a progressively de­pressing effect on standing densities; rather it held breeding stock somewhat below K at a more productive point on the growth curve. Roseberry and Klimstra report that there was clear evidence of an 8 to 10-year cycle within the study population. They found after examining a number of cycle theories that a close temporal relationship existed between their bobwhite data and the nodal lunar cycle described by Archibald (1977). Sound field techniques, long-term data acquisition, and appropriate mathe­matical and statistical treatment of the data combine to provide a significant contribution to what is known of not only bobwhite but basic population ecology.

Northern Bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) Population Ecology on Reclaimed Mined Lands
Northern Bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) Population Ecology on Reclaimed Mined Lands

Author: Evan Philip Tanner

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 113

ISBN-13:

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The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) has experienced range-wide population declines for the past half century. The primary cause has been large-scale habitat loss and fragmentation. Through auspices of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), large tracts of early successional vegetation have been created throughout much of the bobwhite's range that may be managed to increase usable space. Peabody WMA is a reclaimed coal mine in Western Kentucky where bobwhite have been present in the past. To better understand the dynamics of this population and how habitat on Peabody WMA influences these dynamics, my two objectives were to (1) document survival, cause-specific mortality, and assess multi-scale habitat effects on survival of bobwhite, and (2) estimate nest survival, reproductive efforts, and gauge the effects of habitat composition on these parameters across multiple scales. In relation to bobwhite survival, there was not evidence of multi-scale habitat influence (Part II). Survival increased as the amount of forest vegetation increased within a home range. This was likely related to the availability of woody escape cover associated with forest vegetation on our study site. Pooled seasonal survival rates differed between Ken (S = 0.316, SE = 0.027) and Sinclair (S = 0.141, SE = 0.022) sites. This may have been attributed to differences in habitat suitability or predator abundance. Nest survival rate was low relative to other research (S = 0.317, SE = 0.081; Part III). Nest age was the most influential factor relative to nest survival on our study site and had a positive relationship. Evidence of micro-habitat effects on nest survival existed, though these effects were minimal. Nest survival increased as distance to bare ground increased. This is likely related to the importance of nest concealment on our study site. Our results show that reclaimed mined lands can provide usable space to support bobwhite populations. Management efforts should focus on increasing woody cover within reclaimed vegetation blocks to increase bobwhite survival while increasing the amount of native warm season grasses for nesting vegetation and litter cover to support reproductive efforts.

Theory of Wildlife Population Ecology
Theory of Wildlife Population Ecology

Author: Bruce D. Leopold

Publisher: Waveland Press

Published: 2018-10-25

Total Pages: 376

ISBN-13: 1478638435

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Understanding wildlife population ecology is vital for all wildlife managers and conservation biologists. Leopold draws on 30 years of research and teaching experience to give students and natural resource professionals the foundation they need to effectively manage wildlife populations. He begins with the key statistical concepts and research approaches necessary to gain insight into various models of population dynamics. The many factors that influence wildlife populations are thoroughly explored and their consequences are investigated. In addition, the author presents techniques for analyzing wildlife harvest data and a lucid discussion of valuable wildlife census methods. Frequent examples of foundational literature supplement each chapter with applications of the theories and provide a concise compendium of fundamental concepts of population ecology. Abundant statistical exercises reinforce students’ learning throughout the text.

Northern Bobwhite Breeding Season Ecology in Southern New Jersey
Northern Bobwhite Breeding Season Ecology in Southern New Jersey

Author: Bridget M. Collins

Publisher: ProQuest

Published: 2008

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9780549945598

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Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations have been declining over much of their range, but some of the steepest declines have been documented in New Jersey. Negative population trends in New Jersey and elsewhere have been attributed to a reduction in habitat quality and quantity. Managers in New Jersey are interested in how additional aspects of bobwhite ecology and demography may be mitigating or aggravating bobwhite declines. I conducted a two year (2006-2007) breeding season (1 May-30 September) telemetry study in southern New Jersey to collect baseline data on bobwhite movement, habitat selection, survival, reproductive rates, and nest and brood microhabitat. Pooling data between 2006 and 2007, I recorded 2,513 locations on 80 radiomarked bobwhites. Mean hourly movement rate (HMR) between consecutive day locations was 6.29 += 0.49 m/h (n = 21 bobwhites). I observed 11 extreme movements, the greatest of which was 12,372 m in 169.8 h. Breeding season 95% adaptive kernel home ranges averaged 38.7 += 6.1 ha (range 8.5 - 112.3 ha, n = 27 bobwhites). In order of greatest to least relative selection within the home range, bobwhites used scrub-shrub, followed by mixed grass, forest, agriculture, and other habitats. Breeding season survival was 0.343 += 0.064 (95% CI 0.238 - 0.493, n = 80 bobwhites), and mortality risk did not differ by age, sex, year, or HMR (P> 0.242). I located 23 bobwhite nests and 21 were usable for survival analyses. Incubation period nest survival rate was 0.454 += 0.010 (95% CI 0.280-0.727). Mean clutch size was 14.2 += 0.58 (range 10-19, n = 20) and hatchability in successful nests was 96.1 += 2.0% (range 86-100%, n = 10). The estimated probability an individual that entered the breeding season would initiate incubation on = 1 nest was 0.687 for females and 0.202 for males. Nest microhabitat selection was positively related to visual obstruction and percentage of litter. Brood microhabitat selection was positively related to visual obstruction, vegetation height, and percentage of forb but negatively related to percentage of cool season grass and litter. Ecological and demographic parameters for bobwhites in southern New Jersey appear to be similar to those reported elsewhere in the species' range. Management efforts to improve bobwhite in southern New Jersey should focus on increasing the quantity of available breeding and brood-rearing habitat.