2025 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference

AUTHORS: Wesley Bollinger, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: As road development continues to fragment native landscapes and stifle wildlife movement, there has been increased attention towards maintaining and restoring ecosystem services and habitat connectivity around roadways. Increased use of native plants along roadways can reduce overall maintenance costs, bolster ecosystem services, and broaden migration corridors for numerous species, including birds and pollinators like the Monarch Butterfly.

State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) play a critical role in the balance between development and natural area conservation given their road creation efforts and maintenance of their sizeable land holdings. As most midwestern state DOTs employ native species in their roadside seeding specifications, I provide an overview of these seeding efforts, giving particular attention to states like Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois that include many diverse native seed mixes. I will also present preliminary results from surveys of Illinois and Indiana DOT native seed plots from the last 17 years. This presentation illustrates beneficial techniques for seeding in heavily disturbed, invaded landscapes and provides insight into which native species best establish and persist in these conditions.

AUTHORS: Becky Hansis-O'Neill, University of Missouri - St. Louis
Aimee Dunlap, University of Missouri - St. Louis

ABSTRACT: Aphonopelma hentzi has not been a species of concern for arachnologists in North America. Researchers report high densities at their field sites in the states of Colorado (CO) and Texas (TX) with no major conservation concerns. Central Missouri (MO) represents the most northern and easterly range edge for A. hentzi where they are primarily found in native glade grasslands. We have conducted a population assessment on three such glades over the past two years and discovered very low population densities compared to other researcher sites around the USA. Glades in central MO may represent habitat islands within the edge of A. hentzi’s range. Additionally, MO glades have been degraded over time by changing fire regimes and disturbance by hobby herpetologists. Our research aims to assess these populations over time in terms of density, preferred habitat, genetic health, and effects of disturbance. These tarantulas may be at risk due to a confluence of factors such as range edge effects, illegal collecting, habitat fragmentation, or other unknowns like pesticide exposure or disease. These factors may be causing low population densities, creating an Allee effect where these subpopulations may not easily recover. Small predator biodiversity is likely important for bottom-up maintenance of native vegetation via control of grazing invertebrates like orthopterans. This paper presentation will cover our current work on this project and future directions.

AUTHORS: Cassidy Lathrom, Kansas State University; Dave Haukos, United States Geological Survey; Caroline Skidmore, Kansas State University; Brian Monser, Fort Riley Environmental Division; Derek Moon, Fort Riley Environmental Division

ABSTRACT: We assessed the influence of management actions on the occurrence and density of native bumblebee populations in the Great Plains region. Occurrence, density, and distribution of native bumblebees (Bombus spp.) were assessed relative to landscape characteristics and environmental conditions (e.g., fire, haying, mechanical and herbicide control of invading trees and herbaceous plants) on Fort Riley, Kansas. Multi-scale assessments were used to estimate distribution and density of species-specific Bombus at landscape and unit scales across accessible areas of the study area. Unit scales were categorized by dominant cover type (e.g., natural prairie, go-back land, woodland, cultivated/crop land, water, burned, and hayed). Distance sampling was used to estimate distribution and density of species-specific Bombus at landscape scales across accessible areas of the study area. Site locations within predetermined unit scales were selected using randomized surveys resulting in 151, 500-m transects. We conducted sampling during early summer (May and June) and late summer (July and August). Location of all bumblebees observed along the transect were recorded using a Trimble GPS unit. Package Distance in Program R was used to estimate density of Bombus spp. across Fort Riley, within certain cover types, and by management action. Data were comprised of six species including American (B. pensylvanicus), Southern Plains (B. fraternus), Black and Gold (B. auricomus), Common Eastern (B. impatiens), Brown-Belted (B. griseocollis), and Two Spotted (B. bimaculatus). We estimated 1.30 Bombus/ha (CV = 0.184) and 1.40 Bombus/ha (CV = 0.122) during 2022 and 2023, respectively. These data are the first known estimates of Bombus density in tallgrass prairie and serve as a baseline for future assessments.

AUTHORS: Craig Maier, Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna Fire Science Consortium; Carol Baldwin, Great Plains Fire Science Exchange

ABSTRACT: Prescribed burning is critical to managing many wildlife habitats in North America, and the need for trained individuals is growing due to greater investment in wildfire risk mitigation and prescribed fire. Often students and early career professionals would like to add prescribed burning to their skill set, but are unaware of the training opportunities available or which would be most suitable for their career path. Prescribed burn training can occur through academic classes, online and in-person training for federal certification, state Extension trainings with and without certification, prescribed burning cooperatives and associations, and other opportunities. An overview of training requirements and types of trainings available can help wildlife managers meet personal and career goals. Examples of incorporating training into institutional settings will provide models for those looking to begin offering trainings at the college level.

AUTHORS: Alison Little, University of Illinois Chicago

ABSTRACT: The solar industry is responding to demand for a clean energy future. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) forecasts that the solar industry is expected to nearly triple cumulative solar deployment by 2028. At the same time, insect pollinators are in decline throughout North America. Species and habitat losses are resulting in listing consideration and petitions for once-common species like monarch butterflies and several bumble bee species. Co-located pollinator vegetation at solar facilities is recognized as an opportunity to support habitat needed by declining insect populations.

How can large-scale projects incorporate pollinator plantings at solar facilities? What ecological and performance benefits can be realized from pollinator plantings? How do developers and owners weigh the costs and challenges of maintaining pollinator vegetation and determine the effects it has on power generation, community acceptance, and operations? The Pollinator Habitat Aligned with Solar Energy (PHASE) project is a four-year research project that aims to answer these questions and better support the solar industry in successfully implementing co-located plantings. This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office.

In collaboration with industry and technical professionals, the PHASE team has developed methodology to evaluate the impacts of plantings on both biodiversity and facility operations. This includes the diversity of plant and insect communities, pollinator services being provided by the site, and the effects of pollinator vegetation on panel temperature and efficiency. The PHASE team has used this data to develop a newly finalized toolset designed to support solar industry decision-making on pollinator vegetation. The four tools include a Pollinator Planting Implementation Manual, a Cost Comparison Tool, a Seed Selection Tool, and Habitat Assessment Module Guidance.

In this presentation, attendees will learn about brief research updates on solar pollinator plantings, learn where to access the PHASE toolset, and the tool applications.

AUTHORS:  Joseph B. Deas, U.S. Geological Survey, Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station;
Desi Robertson-Thompson, U.S. Geological Survey, Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center;
Ralph Grundel, U.S. Geological Survey, Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station

ABSTRACT:  Oak savannas are among the most imperiled habitats worldwide, characterized by their unique structure and biodiversity. These ecosystems have experienced significant decline due to habitat conversion and altered disturbance regimes. To understand the impact of these changes on butterfly diversity, we conducted extensive surveys in 1998/1999 and 2023 across 17-25 sites in Midwestern oak savannas, representing a gradient of canopy cover. Our study aimed to assess butterfly abundance and species composition, alongside additional environmental variables that might influence the relationship between butterfly diversity and canopy cover. We collected data on various environmental factors, including flower abundance, composition, and fire frequency, to determine their predictive value for butterfly presence/absence and to identify key environmental predictors. By comparing data from different time periods, we evaluated how the relationship between butterfly diversity and canopy cover has changed and whether these patterns were influenced by temporal or spatial changes in environmental conditions. Preliminary analyses suggest that the relationship between canopy cover and species richness is influenced by the frequency of historic fires, plant diversity, and local climate. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering multiple environmental factors when assessing biodiversity in oak savannas and highlight the need for ongoing conservation efforts to preserve these critical habitats.

AUTHORS: Becky Hansis-O'Neill, University of Missouri - St. Louis; Aimee Sue Dunlap, University of Missouri - St. Louis

ABSTRACT: The tarantula, Aphonopelma hentzi has not been a species of concern for arachnologists in North America. In Missouri, A. hentzi tend to inhabit glade habitats. Glades have been affected by changing fire regimes resulting in the proliferation of red cedar in some areas. Red cedar contributes to habitat degradation, making glades less favorable for glade specialist species. Small predators like lizards, and possibly arachnids, can reduce damage to native plants by controlling herbivorous insect populations. The effects of tarantulas on ecosystems they inhabit has not been well studied but they may be important for controlling herbivorous insects. Therefore, tarantulas may be important for maintaining glade habitats in addition to their intrinsic and cultural value. In three central Missouri glades, we have found A. hentzi populations that appear to be much smaller than we expected given population densities in other parts of North America. Partnering with the Missouri Department of Conservation, we have monitored these populations for the past three summers and will be adding new sites in the coming field season to understand if small populations are a widespread phenomenon in Missouri glades. We believe these tarantula populations are likely at risk from habitat fragmentation and degradation, edge of range effects, and illegal collecting. In addition to population monitoring, we have been working on monitoring habitat disturbance, natural history, population genetics, and wild tarantula welfare.

AUTHORS: Jerod Huebner, Missouri Prairie Foundation

ABSTRACT: Highlight recent remnant prairie acquisitions by MPF. In the last 9 years, MPF has increased its landholdings from 21 sites ~2500 acres to 35 sites totaling over 4500 acres. Much of this is high quality remnant prairie with adjacent reconstructions and restorations. MPF has targeted rare prairie types most recently, acquiring one loess hill prairie and three sand prairies.

AUTHORS: Nathan J. Proudman, Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Maximilian L. Allen, Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: The ability of animals to plasticly adjust their diel activity has important implications for their persistence and the structure of food webs. While many studies have examined diel activity in mammals, few have compared multiple abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic variables to determine what factors have the strongest effects on sympatric species within a system. Understanding the bounds of variation in behavior is vital to accurately determine the effects of environmental stressors on the diel activity of wildlife. We quantified shifts in diel activity among nine sympatric mammal species using camera traps across Illinois. We found biotic variables to be responsible for the greatest average shifts in diel activity across all mammal species (Δ=16.8%). Domestic cats (Felis catus; Δ=25.7%), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes; Δ=25.2%), bobcats (Lynx rufus; Δ=20.7%), and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis; Δ=19.3%) exhibited the most behavioral plasticity of our focal species, suggesting contrasting behavioral strategies to the variables we tested. Decreased diurnal activity in more open habitat types by multiple species likely reflects the anthropogenic fear effects in the human-dominated landscape of Illinois, while urban environments may act as spatio-temporal refuges from coyotes (Canis latrans) for subordinate mesocarnivores. Our study shows that a broad range of factors contribute to variation in mammal diel activity, which can in turn affect the predatory and competitive pressures among sympatric species, with the potential for cascading effects across multiple trophic levels. Our study provides a robust baseline for the diel variation in mammal activity, allowing for more accurate assessments of their behavior.

AUTHORS: Wendy Dorman, University of Illinios Urbana Champaign
Michael P. Ward, University of Illinios Urbana Champaign
Kirk Stodola, Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: While many studies state that they expect birds in North America to shift their ranges north, little attention has been paid to which species will move and the mechanism by which ranges shift. Extralimital occurrences involve individuals occurring outside of their species’ core breeding distribution. The probability of extralimital occurrences may be used to infer the potential of a species to expand their range, while the location of extralimital occurrences could indicate potential areas where the range may expand. Combining eBird data, spatial modeling, and pattern analysis, I investigated range plasticity via extralimital occurrences of migrants north of their breeding distributions in the Midwest. Using dynamic occupancy modeling we predicted the likelihood of a given species to expand its range into particular areas and examined the relationship between predicted colonization and realized range shifts. We will discuss the potential for these metrics to be incorporated into an index of range plasticity.

AUTHORS:

ABSTRACT: Chuck-will's-widows are a declining crepuscular nightjar that breeds across eastern North America. They are among the largest nightjars, primarily sustaining themselves on insects. Despite their overall decline, their presence at Fort Cavazos during breeding seasons appears consistent and widespread. However, limited research has been conducted on this species at Fort Cavazos, prompting an investigation into their distribution and habitat preferences. To address this gap, fieldwork has been undertaken utilizing various methodologies. Point counts, microhabitat measurements, and GIS LiDAR technology have been used to find the reasons behind their presence at Fort Cavazos. Despite the base being subject to constant disturbance, fragmentation, and localized droughts, Chuck-will's-widows persist in the area, suggesting potential habitat suitability amidst challenging conditions. Data collected from two field seasons (Spring 2023 and 2024) along with four years of point count data (Spring 2021-2024) will be analyzed to discern patterns in their distribution and habitat preferences. Additionally, insect availability in the habitat of Chuck-will's-widow is being assessed through insect traps, aiming to correlate their presence with specific insect populations. By examining habitat characteristics, insect availability, and the species' distribution patterns, this research seeks to determine whether Chuck-will's-widows exhibit preferences for particular habitats or specific insect prey. An analysis of CWWI diet is also being conducted through metabarcoding fecal samples to be able to compare insect availability with chosen prey. Such insights are critical for understanding the factors influencing their presence at Fort Cavazos and for informing conservation strategies to mitigate the decline of this species in other areas.

AUTHORS: Ellen M. Audia, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Katherine M. Buckman, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Brent S. Pease, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Clayton K. Nielsen, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

ABSTRACT: Bobcats (Lynx rufus) in the midwestern U.S. experienced dramatic population declines throughout the 1900s due to overharvest and agricultural expansion. Increased protection allowed bobcats to recolonize the agriculturally dominated, fragmented landscape of north-central Illinois, where they are likely using and selecting habitat differently than bobcats in less fragmented landscapes. We evaluated home range size, second order (i.e., home range) habitat selection, and dispersal of 28 bobcats in north-central Illinois during 2022-2024. Mean annual home range size of males was 166.1 ± 99.2 km2 (SD throughout, n = 11) and larger (P = 0.01) than that of females (89.5 ± 119.4 km2, n = 8). Mean annual home range size of juveniles was 273.5 ± 125.3 km2 (n = 4) and larger (P < 0.01) than that of adults (96.6 ± 75.3 km2, n = 15). Home range sizes were similar (P = 0.4) between the kitten-rearing (138.1 ± 155.1 km2, n = 14) and breeding seasons (111.0 ± 102.5 km2, n = 18). Consistent with previous research, bobcats selected for forest cover over other land cover types; locations closer to forest edges, streams, and waterbodies; and locations farther from roads. Mean dispersal distance of 7 juveniles was 65.9 ± 42.4 km and similar to other midwestern populations, with 4 males and 1 female dispersing north, and 2 males dispersing southeast. Home range size differences between sexes, ages, and seasons were generally consistent with other studies; however, home ranges were larger than those of other populations suggesting bobcat space requirements may be greater in this fragmented landscape. The selection of forest cover and locations closer to forest edges and streams indicates that riparian forests along the Illinois river provide important habitat for bobcats and may have helped facilitate their recolonization of this region.

AUTHORS: Nadine Pershyn, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Clay Nielsen, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Nicole Gorman, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Abby Weber, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; and Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

ABSTRACT: Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) populations have declined throughout the midwestern U.S. without clear causation. Despite this decline, until recently minimal research has been conducted in the region to gain insight into the ecological needs of a vulnerable population. We evaluated gray fox second order habitat selection to determine which habitats are best suited to supporting gray foxes in southern Illinois and similar landscapes throughout the region. Gray foxes were trapped during November-March 2022-2024 using padded foothold traps and fitted with GPS collars programmed to take locations every 2 hr. Using more than 11,000 GPS locations from 10 gray foxes (5 ad F, 4 ad M, 1 ju M), we used a 2nd order resource selection function (RSF) to analyze habitat selection relative to vegetation cover (e.g., forest, grassland, crop, shrub, barren), distance to forest-grassland edges, distance to forest-crop edges, human development, distance to secondary roads, and elevation. We also investigated the impact of relative probability of use (RPU) across the landscape of coyotes (Canis latrans) and bobcats (Lynx rufus), using GPS locations also collected across southern Illinois. Gray foxes selected most strongly for developed areas, grasslands, and forest, and preferred areas closer to forest-grassland edge and farther from forest-crop edges and secondary roads. Our results support previous research that shows interspersed forest and grassland is important gray fox habitat. Gray foxes avoided areas with high coyote RPU but were not impacted by bobcat RPU. Coyotes are intraguild predators of gray foxes, and may contribute to mortality, which could be why gray foxes avoided them. Bobcats have similar habitat requirements and prey as gray foxes, which could explain the lack of response. Our study provides novel insight into habitat selection of a species of concern and sheds light on intraguild carnivore interactions.

AUTHORS: Lauren C. Scopel, Illinois Natural History Survey; T.J. Benson, Illinois Natural History Survey; Maximilian L. Allen, Illinois Natural History Survey; Kirk W. Stodola, Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: Wildlife face increasing threats from a variety of anthropogenic sources, yet wildlife research, monitoring, and conservation funding is increasingly at risk. Wildlife managers thus face pressure to become more efficient, reducing time available for long-term survey efforts. One potential way to complement existing surveys is the use of publicly available federal or citizen science data. We integrated data from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), and eBird to analyze the distribution of Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) in Illinois between 2010-2022. We used dynamic occupancy models and Bayesian methods to track long-term changes for each species, while also examining potential bias in sampling design for each survey type. Bobwhite and pheasant occupancy declined over the 13-year period and were negatively associated with urban land cover. Of the three surveys, IDNR had the greatest detection rates for both species, whereas eBird detection rates were lowest, especially for bobwhite. eBird data, unlike the other data sources, also showed a bias in sampling effort, where users preferentially surveyed urban and wetland areas relative to their occurrence in the state. Our results indicate that intensive monitoring should continue for gamebirds in Illinois, given their ongoing declines. BBS and eBird data can complement high-quality IDNR data, but eBird data especially need additional treatment during analysis to ensure more accurate occupancy estimates.

AUTHORS: Sarah W. Kendrick, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Nicholas J. Bayly, SELVA: Investigación para la Conservación en el Neotropico; Ernesto M. Carman, SELVA; María de la Paz Irola-Angulo, SELVA; Yuly Caideco-Ortiz, SELVA; Stuart Mackenzie, Birds Canada

ABSTRACT: Many migratory landbird species are in steep decline and research to co-produced research to identify limiting factors and address threats across the full annual cycle for targeted recovery remains vital. Funding conservation efforts and research is another challenge for many that requires thinking outside the box. Recent tracking projects across the Western Hemisphere with international bird-conservation partners have been crowdfunded by Missouri birding organizations. Funding support was matched by state and federal agencies to fill knowledge gaps for declining songbird species of conservation concern across the Midwest and eastern U.S., including Golden-winged Warbler and Wood Thrush. Motus-tracking projects have allowed for new data on migration timing and departure dates, migratory routes, and survival at different periods of the full annual cycle. The Range-wide Wood Thrush Motus-tracking Project has engaged over 60 partners across 25 U.S. states and 7 countries via state agencies and international partners, resulting in the largest Motus-tagging project to date across the species’ full annual range. By utilizing the Motus network and leveraging funding and collaboration through partner projects including non-traditional, or often overlooked, audiences, we can build a stronger study design, ownership of the work, greater probability of conservation actions using the findings, and sense of community across the hemisphere for our shared migratory birds.

AUTHORS: Michael E. Egan, Southern Illinois University; Abigail M. Weber, Southern Illinois University; Nicole T. Gorman, Southern Illinois University; Michael W. Eichholz, Southern Illinois University; Daniel Skinner, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Peter E. Schlichting, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; and Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Behavioral responses of prey to predation risk have ecological impacts that can be as great as the direct mortality mediated through behaviors including behavioral state changes and spatial avoidance. Theory suggests that prey choose between these behaviors by pairing responses to risks based on the hunting mode of the prey (hunting mode hypothesis), but prey may ignore hunting mode to prioritize responding to the most lethal predators (lethality hypothesis). Furthermore, prey may respond to the spatial distribution of these risks (risky places hypothesis) or respond only during the periods of highest risk (risky times hypothesis).We test these hypotheses using data from 40 female and 29 male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and two mesopredators (coyotes, Canis latrans and bobcats, Lynx rufus) fitted with GPS collars and human sources of mortality (hunting, roads, human modification).We used hidden Markov models (HMM) to determine whether each covariate impacted the probability of transitioning between behavioral states and step selection functions (SSF) to determine whether deer spatially avoided each covariate. Additionally, we evaluated whether these patterns varied daily and seasonally. Generally, deer changed behavioral state in response to both mesopredators, consistently shifting to slower movement states, but avoided human modification. Spatial responses to human modification varied depending on the time of day. Deer selected for human modification during daylight hours but avoided human modification during the crepuscular and nighttime periods. Space use was most strongly related to more lethal humans, providing support for the lethality hypothesis. Despite prioritizing humans, mesopredators impacted deer behavioral state, suggesting that mesopredators still have important impacts on prey behavior. Finally, temporal patterns of avoidance align with other studies that indicate avoidance of predators is time-dependent while further highlighting the complex push-pull relationship of human modified areas on wildlife.

AUTHORS: Justin J. Remmers, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Sarah Mayhew, Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Kirk Stodola, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Maximilian L. Allen, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: Furbearer management plans often rely on population models to estimate the abundance and demographic trends of managed species. Fishers (Pekania pennanti), a medium-sized carnivore distributed across Canada and the northern United States, experienced population declines, extirpations, and range contractions in the early 1900s due to habitat loss, predator control, and overharvest by trappers. After being granted legal protections, fisher populations have expanded and recolonized parts of their historic range, enabling some states to allow limited harvest of the species. In particular, Michigan has had limited harvest of fishers in the Upper Peninsula for 30 years; however, the current abundance of fishers is unknown. To address this, we are developing a state-space model using age-at-harvest data to assess the current population status of fishers in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (93,600 km2). We are investigating the influence of different sex- and age-specific life history traits (i.e., harvest season survival, non-harvest season, mean litter size) to determine how these traits affect the overall population size and where effort should be placed to increase precision of estimates. This work will be useful in predicting population changes and informing future harvest management of fishers. Based on preliminary analysis of current age-at-harvest data, juvenile fishers appear to be more susceptible to harvest and exhibit lower annual survival rates compared to adults. Given that female fishers undergo delayed implantation and will not give birth until their second year, high levels of juvenile and yearling harvest may be more impactful on fisher demographics, especially when compared to other furbearing species.

AUTHORS: Kristen M. Heath-Acre, Sarah W. Kendrick, Nicholas J. Bayly

ABSTRACT: The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is an international, collaborative network of automated telemetry towers that help track the movements of wildlife for conservation research. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) established its first Motus receiver in 2018; since then, MDC has expanded its network to 40 stations across the state and plans to grow further. The initial goal was to create “digital fences” statewide to capture large scale movements of tagged migratory birds to fill knowledge gaps in the full annual cycles of birds of conservation concern. In the past 5 years, the Missouri Motus Network has detected 48 species of birds and has become a leader for Motus in the Midwest and the Mississippi Flyway. The Missouri Department of Conservation has also established partnerships with state, federal, and non-governmental agencies as well as international partners to tag, track, and investigate the survival, movements, migration timing, and stopover habitat of several species of migratory birds that breed or migrate through Missouri annually, including the rapidly declining Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea). Investigation into Cerulean Warbler winter survival and habitat use has revealed that Cerulean Warblers make within season winter movements, have differing habitat preference between males and females, and have relatively high overwinter survival. These data can be used to direct further research and inform full life cycle models. In addition to monitoring movements at regional and hemispheric scales, MDC has leveraged the Motus network to track and analyze local movements and survival of a reintroduced population of Brown-headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) in the Missouri Ozark Highlands. Results from these analyses can help conservation partners better target management actions to protect and reverse declines of at-risk species at both local and hemispheric scales.

AUTHORS: Ashley G. McDonald, Southern Illinois University; Jennifer R. Schultze, Southern Illinois University; Clayton K. Nielsen, Southern Illinois University; F. Agustin Jimenez, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Zoonoses are attributed to approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases. Contraction of zoonotic infections is linked to urbanization, as land development increases the probability of human interaction with wildlife. Omnivorous animals such as raccoons thrive in urban settings due to the abundance of anthropogenic resources such as food and shelter. Racoons are the definitive host of zoonotic pathogens, including the heteroxenous raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis); raccoon synanthropic habits bring these pathogens near human dwellings. The goal of this study is to assess the influence of raccoon abundance on the prevalence of raccoon roundworm in 5 study areas in northern Illinois representing a rural-urban gradient. Raccoons (n=287) were captured and removed from sites by collaborators during April-June 2022-2024. Upon necropsy, intestinal tracts were examined to determine raccoon roundworm prevalence. Capture per unit effort (CPUE), a measure of wildlife population abundance, was calculated as the number of raccoons captured per 100 nights of capture effort at each site. A logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between raccoon abundance and raccoon roundworm prevalence. Raccoon roundworm prevalence decreased with increased raccoon abundance (X2=4.37, P=0.036). Counterintuitively, our findings suggest that disease risk decreases with increasing raccoon abundance, which implies that population reduction of raccoons in areas of high abundance might be an ineffective tool to reduce the risk of roundworm infection to the human population. Land-use can also impact parasite prevalence, as the availability of anthropogenic resources can influence raccoon population dynamics. Future analyses examining the relationship between land-use, raccoon roundworm prevalence, and raccoon abundance might provide a better understanding of the influence of population demographics on raccoon roundworm prevalence.

AUTHORS: Tadao Kishimoto, Southern Illinois University; Michael Egan, Southern Illinois University; Michael Eichholz, Southern Illinois University; Peter Schlichting, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Daniel Skinner, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Human activity can impact wildlife behavior by altering habitat conditions, increasing stress or predation risk, and disrupting natural patterns of movement, foraging, and reproduction. We investigated the impact of non-consumptive recreational activities, specifically mountain biking, on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) space-use in an exurban forest setting in southern Illinois. Using GPS collar data from 37 individual deer collected before and after trail installation, we assessed whether newly introduced mountain bike trails altered key movement metrics: home range size, core area size, and speed.
Home range and core area sizes were estimated using autocorrelated kernel density estimation (AKDE), and scale-insensitive speed estimates were calculated using a continuous-time speed and distance (CTSD) method. Home range size, core area size, and speed estimates were fit to linear mixed-effects models with sex as a covariate and individuals as random intercepts. We found no significant change in home range or core area size following trail installation. We found significant changes in speed for both males and females after trail installation, however, changes were independent of their overlap status with the trails, suggesting the changes were not due to trail installation.
These findings contrast with existing literature suggesting human disturbance typically affects wildlife movement. The low frequency of recreational activity and partial habituation to humans may explain the lack of significant behavioral change. This study demonstrates the value of long-term monitoring and underscores the need for further research in areas with heavier recreational use to inform management practices that mitigate the impact of outdoor recreation on wildlife populations.

AUTHORS: Max R. Larreur, Southern Illinois University; Clayton K. Nielsen, Southern Illinois University; Damon B. Lesmeister, USDA Forest Service, Oregon State University; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Broad ecological changes can alter species' temporal activity, thereby impacting interspecific interactions. Temporal niche separation promotes coexistence, causing species to adjust activity patterns to avoid direct competition. Although studying carnivore species offers a unique perspective into the stability of their temporal activity and niche, few analyses have been conducted over long-term periods in areas experiencing conspecific population changes. We quantified species-specific and pairwise temporal activity patterns, using kernel density analysis overlap, for 6 native (i.e., bobcat, coyote, gray fox, red fox, striped skunk, and raccoon) and 2 non-native (i.e., domestic dog and cat) carnivore species along with their diel niche between decades. We used camera trap data collected January – April 2008 – 2010 (n = 1,118 camera locations) and January – April 2022 – 2024 (n = 1,325 camera locations) across 16,058-km2 of southern Illinois to identify potential changes in temporal overlap or niche separation between decades. Species-specific activity overlap was high (range = 0.81 - 0.95) between decades, however, activity patterns of striped skunk, raccoon, and domestic dogs were different. Both past and contemporary pairwise comparisons had 6 activity patterns indicating potential avoidance between larger-bodied and smaller-bodied guild members, and 7 activity patterns indicating potential avoidance between native and non-native carnivore species. However, 7 novel pairwise activity patterns have experienced significant changes from the past, 3 between natives and 4 between natives and non-natives. The diel niche of bobcat, gray fox, red fox, and striped skunk indicated minor changes in their diel activity potentially in response to larger-bodied coyote and domestic dog spatial presence throughout the study area. Larger-bodied carnivore species may be altering activity patterns of smaller-bodied members, thereby decreasing competition and negative interspecific interactions. Our results emphasize the importance of considering alterations to activity overlap and potential niche separation amongst carnivores with high resource overlap and propensity for interspecific interactions.

AUTHORS: Brittany R. Schweiger, HDR Engineering, Inc

ABSTRACT: Four of the seven federally listed bat species in the U.S. occur in the north-central region, and two of the remaining seven are being evaluated for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Regulations at the state and federal level often require consultation to assess the impacts to these species before development occurs. In the energy sector, development is rapidly occurring—from power line upgrades to utility-scale solar. In the U.S., there are over 15,000 miles of power lines throughout the country and, in 2023, solar accounted for 55 percent of new electricity-generation capacity. The electric grid infrastructure is aging and, as the population grows and the demand for reliable, clean energy increases, upgrades to transmission systems and additions of utility-scale solar generation are needed. While energy is essential to society, it can have impacts to protected bat species, including the removal of habitat. Therefore, energy projects must understand how bats can influence projects and how to evaluate impacts to bats as a result of construction activities accurately and appropriately during the planning phase. This presentation will highlight species threats, current regulations, the latest species survey guidelines, issues encountered, conservation measures, approaches toward impact minimization, and lessons learned with respect to solar and energy development in many areas of the north-central region. This presentation will be valuable for developers, consultants, regulators, and those interested in the intersection of energy projects and protected species.

AUTHORS: Katherine M. Buckman, Ellen M. Audia, Brent S. Pease, Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, and Clayton K. Nielsen

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

ABSTRACT: Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are a focal species for carnivore management and research. Although bobcat survival has been studied extensively throughout much of their North-American range, it can be difficult to identify the broader conclusions of such studies based on study-specific factors, such as sample size, harvest status, and study length. We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate mean bobcat survival across the U.S. to document trends, identify knowledge gaps, and inform future study designs. We identified 18 studies across 15 U.S. states conducted during 1985–2023 that reported a single estimate of annual bobcat survival (i.e., effect size) and a corresponding variance (i.e., weight). We assigned an “exploitation level” to each study based on whether the study area and/or adjacent lands were open to bobcat harvest (i.e., zero = no harvest permitted within or outside the study area; indirect = no harvest permitted within the study area but permitted outside the study area; direct = harvest permitted within and outside the study area). Bobcat survival estimates ranged from 0.19–0.93, with a mean annual survival of 0.75 (95% CI = 0.69–0.81). Heterogeneity in reported survival rates was not significantly different across years (Q = 3.29, P = 0.06), however survival rates appeared to increase slightly between 1985–2000 and reported estimates after 2001 were >0.68 (n = 9 studies). The mean number of days monitoring individual survival (range = 188–870 days, n = 12 studies), and the relative exploitation level accounted for 99.98% of heterogeneity in survival rates across studies (Q = 27.13, P

AUTHORS: Thomas J. Benson, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Tara A. Beveroth, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Claire A. Johnson, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Edward P. Price, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Timothy A. Rye, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Emily J. Lain, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Brian M. Charles, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; and David N. Zaya, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: Starting in the second half of the 20th century, agricultural intensification increasingly involved the use of chemicals for pest control. The development of numerous synthetic pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, led to widespread use and, in some cases, recognition of widespread non-target effects on organisms. Unfortunately, our understanding of the potential effects of these pesticides on non-target organisms generally lags behind their widespread adoption, as does our understanding of the extent to which these chemicals travel beyond the agricultural fields in which they’re applied and end up in natural areas. In 2023, we set out to examine the extent of plant damage consistent with non-target herbicide exposure as well as to quantify concentrations of pesticides from plant tissue and soil from natural areas throughout Illinois. We sampled >180 sites in Illinois 2 times during the growing season of 2023 and found at least moderate damage to plants at almost all sites, with >50% of sites having severe damage and oak species most frequently affected. We found pesticides in nearly all natural areas, with 40 different chemicals detected, primarily from plant tissues. Herbicides were found in the greatest concentrations, with Atrazine and 2,4-D most common, and Dicamba relatively rare. Later in the season, fungicides and insecticides were more commonly detected. The amount of row-crop agriculture in the surrounding kilometer predicted leaf-tissue concentrations of pesticides and severity of plant injury. The longer-term effects of this exposure and plant injury are unknown, as are the effects on insects and insectivorous birds. Given that oaks were the most frequently observed with plant damage, and the disproportionate importance of this group for caterpillars and the migrating and breeding birds that consume them, more work is needed to explore these implications.

AUTHORS: Katie Fitzgerald, Marcus Jorgensen, Diana Hews, Cory Suski, and Joy O’Keefe

ABSTRACT: Forest management practices aim to improve natural landscapes and provide critical habitat, but their effects on wildlife health are not well understood. This study used non-invasive techniques to quantify health by measuring hair cortisol, a stress hormone, and body mass, in four common bat species in northeastern Missouri. We sampled across three non-managed forests and three managed forests, where small-scale treatments such as girdling, thinning, and prescribed burns were applied. Sampling occurred before and after the application of these treatments, which were implemented in 2022 (sampling 2019-2023). Post-treatment, Indiana bats from managed forests had significantly lower cortisol than those from non-managed forests, while evening bats and Indiana bats from managed forests also had greater body mass. Post-treatment, adult male red bats exhibited higher cortisol levels than pre-treatment, regardless of forest type. For big brown bats, body mass and cortisol levels were similar across all sample years and forest types. These results suggest that small scale forest management could help reduce stress levels and increase body mass, particularly for smaller bat species such as Indiana bats and evening bats, by creating favorable foraging conditions and reducing competition. Overall, our study suggests that hair cortisol and body condition offer a non-invasive method to evaluate the impacts of habitat alterations on wildlife and provide valuable insights into how forest management practices impact bat health.

AUTHORS: Samantha Dennis, Stephen Blake, Saint Louis University; Stella Uiterwaal, Elizabeth Carlen, Washington University; Zachary Reyes, Saint Louis University, Sabrina Hardy, Purdue University

ABSTRACT: Urban expansion in the Midwest poses significant challenges to wildlife habitats vital to supporting biodiversity. As cities grow, green spaces within urban environments can become important habitat refugia for numerous species. Urban parks often provide mosaics of semi-natural habitats in a matrix of high human use areas within which some native wildlife species may persist. In the midwestern US, the conservation value of urban parks for small mammal communities is poorly understood. We studied the abundance and diversity of small rodent populations in iconic Forest Park, St. Louis, in which habitat restoration has been underway for a decade. We hypothesized that small mammal abundance and diversity would be correlated with restoration effort. Over three months in summer 2024, we used live trapping methods to capture rodents and survey tree and understory vegetation across the restoration gradient of the park. We identified captured mammals to species and sex, collected morphometric data and collected hair and scat samples to characterize diets through stable isotope analysis. We completed 1,646 traps nights capturing 94 individuals. Rodent diversity was extremely low; ninety of the individuals captured were Peromyscus spp. (Deer mice), two Sciurus carolinensis (Eastern gray squirrel), one Tamias striatus (Eastern chipmunk), and 1 Didelphis virginiana (Virginia opossum). Our results showed that older restoration sections with the highest plant density and diversity supported a greater abundance of rodents than younger restoration sections with correspondingly lower plant density and diversity. While restoration duration was correlated with the abundance of small native rodents, it had no effect on rodent diversity. We speculate this may be due to dispersal limitation through the cityscape. Effective restoration management is essential to ensure that the wildlife inhabiting these areas is not only surviving but thriving, providing insights for enhancing biodiversity a long-term sustainability in urban green spaces. 

AUTHORS: Shauna S. Sayers, School of Forestry and Horticulture, Southern Illinois University; Brent S. Pease, School of Forestry and Horticulture, Southern Illinois University; Michael V. Cove, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

ABSTRACT: Non-native invasive species are a leading contributor to global biodiversity loss. The Burmese python (Python bivittatus), a large constrictor snake native to Southeast Asia, is one of Florida's most notable exotic predators. Although python’s prey vary in size and species, rodents are the most common group detected in their digestive tracts. The Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) and Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola) are two endangered rodent subspecies, endemic to Key Largo, Florida, that are susceptible to the threat of increasing python prevalence. We examined the impact of Burmese pythons on these two subspecies by conducting spatial capture-recapture surveys at 23 grids and deploying remote cameras at 629 supplemental woodrat nests across North Key Largo from January to August 2024. Trapping effort concluded with a total of 4,309 trapnights, capturing 37 woodrats (17 individuals) and 268 cotton mice (152 individuals). The effects of python presence on woodrat and cotton mouse populations were examined by comparing current rodent abundance estimates to those estimated during the python’s apparent establishment and increasing prevalence. Our results indicate the abundance of woodrats and cotton mice has declined coinciding with the increasing detections of pythons, with more drastic declines in the larger woodrats. Preliminary SECR estimates show a decrease in woodrat density from 0.48 individuals per hectare in 2017 to 0.08 individuals per hectare in 2024. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrated that areas with higher python activity exhibited altered habitat use patterns by woodrats such as decreased nest use and stick-nest building. These results suggest that as pythons increase their population size and distribution, the already geographically limited woodrats and cotton mice may continue to experience population declines and shifting habitat use.

AUTHORS: Stephen Blake, Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo.

Sharon L. Deem, Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo.

Jamie Palmer, Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo.

Jeff Meshach, World Bird Sanctuary.

Stanton Braude, Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis.

Amy Witt, Forest Park Forever.

August Wise, Saint Louis University.

Anthony I. Dell, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center.

Stella F. Uiterwaal, Living Earth Collaborative, Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center.


ABSTRACT: Catastrophic native ecosystem degradation is usually a consequence of urban expansion. However, urban areas can support some elements of native biodiversity with benefits for conservation and human health. Understanding the ecology of urban biodiversity is increasingly important in a rapidly urbanizing world. Species responses to urbanization vary enormously from rapid local extinction to population expansion, with responses often strongly correlated with life history traits. Among animals, “urban adapters” often have r selected traits, such as small body size, high fecundity, and generalist niches. Long lived, large-bodied organisms with low fecundity tend to experience population declines and high local extinction probability under urbanization. Mobility can govern animals’ ability to exploit high-quality habitats and disperse out of poor-quality habitats. City parks are often mosaics of intense human use and semi-natural areas. They can function as urban biodiversity hotspots, which provides opportunities to understand the movement ecology of animals within urban communities. Over the last three years, we have fitted GPS and radio tracking tags to individuals from 15 species of animals in Forest Park, St. Louis. Additionally, we have acquired human mobility data from anonymous smart phone tracking within the park. We mapped habitat characteristics including vegetation and human footprint metrics across the city. We characterized animal movement strategies and habitat use using net squared displacement and resource selection functions. Forest Park wildlife displays all major movement strategies including residence, dispersal, nomadism and migration. Species’ responses to the human footprint varied dramatically from strongly negative, mostly among low mobility terrestrial omnivores, to strongly positive among highly mobile terrestrial and avian predators. Mortality was high among these species. This first quantitative window into the movement ecology of an urban animal community provokes myriad research and management questions and implications, demanding more extensive applied research to influence urban planning policy.

AUTHORS: Derek Whipkey, Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab, Southern Illinois University; Charlotte Narr, Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University; Brent Pease, School of Forestry and Horticulture, Southern Illinois University; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Semi-aquatic mammals play important roles in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in the transfer of nutrients between aquatic and terrestrial environments. However, detecting and estimating the occurrence of these species can be difficult due to their elusive nature. Additionally, most occupancy studies have focused on a single type of waterbody (e.g. lentic or lotic systems), limiting a broader understanding of factors impacting these species distribution. To estimate occupancy of semi-aquatic mammals, we surveyed 67 sites across four counties in southern Illinois from March – May 2023 for American beaver (Castor canadensis), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), river otter (Lontra canadensis), and American mink (Neovison vison). Sites were distributed evenly between waterbody type and size. Given the elusive nature of these species, we combined two detection methods, sign surveys and camera traps, to increase detection. We applied a Bayesian multi-method occupancy model that incorporates both detection methods to estimate a single occupancy probability for each target species. To evaluate the relative importance of aquatic and terrestrial factors on occupancy, we built candidate models of aquatic and terrestrial covariates separately to identify the top model of each category. Aquatic covariates were consistently more important in predicting occupancy for all species. However, a combined additive model of the top aquatic and terrestrial models provided the best overall predictions. Beaver, otter, and mink occupancy showed positive associations with large waterbodies, while muskrat occupancy was positively linked to lotic systems. Additionally, muskrat and mink occupancy were positively related to increasing distance from roads. Our results suggest that while aquatic structure is more influential for predicting semi-aquatic mammal occupancy, considering both aquatic and terrestrial factors yields the most accurate results. All four semi-aquatic mammal species we studied were impacted by aquatic type, highlighting the importance of considering both waterbody types to better understand their distribution.

AUTHORS: Olivia P. Reves, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Mark A. Davis, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA; Eric R. Larson, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA



ABSTRACT: The conversion of natural ecosystems to agriculture is a leading cause of habitat loss and threatens global biodiversity. For the past two centuries, the midwestern United States has experienced agricultural intensification and expansion, resulting in losses of natural ecosystems including tallgrass prairies, wetlands, and forests. Forest cover in states like Illinois has increased over the last several decades, partially due to agricultural conservation efforts like agroforestry, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and implementation of riparian buffers. However, does this increasing forest cover, intended to reduce nutrient and soil loss and benefit in-stream biota, also have benefits to terrestrial biodiversity? We used environmental DNA (eDNA), DNA collected and isolated from environmental samples, to evaluate how forest cover influences and potentially benefits terrestrial and semi-aquatic vertebrates in agricultural landscapes. In May and June of 2024, we collected eDNA samples from 47 low order streams over gradients of both riparian and whole-watershed forest cover from the U.S. National Land Cover Database. We then conducted eDNA metabarcoding of vertebrate communities using 12S and COI primers. Next, we used generalized linear mixed models to examine effects of forest cover on species richness, as well as non-metric multidimensional scaling to explore differences in community composition between sites of varying forest cover. Evaluating how terrestrial vertebrate communities respond to forest cover can shape management practices from riparian buffers to watershed-wide scales across agricultural regions.

AUTHORS: Jamie Goethlich, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Tim Van Deelen, University of Wisconsin-Madison

ABSTRACT: The basis of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) management has traditionally focused on population size, which is important for establishing harvest goals for broad-scale deer management efforts. While population estimates are important for determining the number of individuals to harvest to reduce, maintain, or increase populations, population size does not provide detailed information on the health of the population. However, herd health is a major consideration for many contemporary deer management situations, and deer health is a common concern among deer managers, deer hunters, and people opposed to deer hunting. Although health and welfare are commonly used in the livestock industry and captive wildlife settings, animal welfare is an emerging segment of wildlife research. Recently, Smiley et al. (2020) created a technique to assess body condition using photographs of captured deer, which they validated by comparing body scores to ingesta-free body fat. We tested the efficacy of pairing their visual body condition estimation method with trail camera photos of deer in suburbs of the Northeast. We found that trail camera photos could easily be used for assessing body condition, and body condition scores were generally consistent among two independent observers. Additionally, we found body condition scores varied significantly across seasons, among sexes, and between does with and without fawns at heel. Lastly, we created a detailed training pamphlet to be used as a guide for researchers and citizen scientists. We conclude that this is a quick and easy method that can be useful in situations where deer managers want information about herd health/welfare but attaining robust sample sizes of harvested deer may be unattainable (e.g., unhunted urban populations, small private properties, etc.).

AUTHORS:  Abigail G Blake-Bradshaw, Forbes Biological Station; Therin M Bradshaw, Forbes Biological Station; Andrew D Gilbert, Forbes Biological Station; Joshua M Osborn, Forbes Biological Station; Elizabeth A Beilke, Forbes Biological Station; Chelsea S Kross, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Auriel MV Fournier, Forbes Biological Station

ABSTRACT:  Hunting pressure and associated disturbance influences many aspects of wildlife behavior. Disturbance by hunters influences the timing of relocation movements of waterfowl and could drive departures from stopover locations during autumn. Additionally, environmental conditions, including short-term changes in weather or habitat availability, may necessitate shifts in activity patterns, alter departure decisions, or impact individual susceptibility to harvest. Thus, wildlife professionals are interested in understanding what drives autumn-winter movements and migration events of waterfowl; therefore, we evaluated the extent to which hunting pressure and environmental conditions influenced daily flights and departure from an autumn stopover location. Our study took place in of the La Grange Reach of the Illinois River Valley, IL, USA. To evaluate the influence of “hunting pressure” on waterfowl behavior and departure from a stopover location, we placed 20 Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) across our study area to quantify daily shotgun volleys. We then captured 38 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and 26 green-winged teal (A. crecca; hereafter teal) at Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, IL, USA. We deployed GPS-GSM transmitters on both age (i.e., juveniles and adults) and sex classes (i.e., males and females) and tracked both species during autumn and winter 2022–2024. We quantified the number of daily local-scale flights and related it to local environmental conditions and hunting pressure as indexed by ARUs. The median number of local-scale flights was 3 (range: 0–18) and was similar between species. Additionally, we identified the day individuals departed the Illinois River Valley stopover area by quantifying when they passed 40°N southwards, which marked the southern extent of our study area. In total, 24 teal and 8 mallards departed the study area, and as hunting pressure increased, teal were more likely to depart southwards. Preliminary results indicate mallards and teal responded to environmental conditions and hunting pressure disparately.

AUTHORS: Bianca Saftoiu, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Dr. Mark Johnson, US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory; Patrick Wolff, US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory; Dr. Jinelle Sperry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory

ABSTRACT: Tall-grass prairies are among the most threatened ecosystems in North America with less than 0.01% remaining in the state of Illinois. Effective prairie restoration in the Midwest is thus essential and requires that the health of the ecosystem be managed by re-establishing functional ecological communities, including prairie-associated wildlife species. Small mammals serve as an effective taxonomic group to monitor given their importance to ecological functioning across trophic levels and their sensitivity to habitat disturbance. Various passive and invasive survey methods have been used to evaluate mammalian species because of challenges associated with varying body size, temporal activity patterns, and cryptic behaviors. In this study we compare three distinct methods including live trapping, bucket camera traps, and airborne environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling for monitoring small mammal communities in restored prairies. In 2023 we surveyed ten prairie sites in Illinois and found that live trapping allowed for more specific identification to the species level while bucket cameras generally detected a greater species richness. We were also able to detect vertebrate DNA within the ten prairies using eDNA methods, however, the quantity of DNA varied across sites. Based upon these preliminary results, we can infer that a combination of both traditional and modern methods will offer a more comprehensive assessment of small mammal community composition within restored prairies.

AUTHORS: Jeffrey Edwards, Missouri Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri; Dr. Lisa Webb, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; Dr. Drew Fowler, U.S. Geological Survey, Louisiana Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; Paul Link, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries; Dr. Chris Nicolai, Delta Waterfowl

ABSTRACT: Migration is an important life history strategy that many waterbirds employ to exploit seasonally available resources and maximize fitness. However, migratory events are energetically demanding, and waterbirds use stopover sites during migration to rebuild energetic reserves. During spring migration, habitat quality at available stopover sites has the potential to exert cross-seasonal effects on breeding season population demographics. Wetland availability during the migratory period can be temporally dynamic within and across years as well as spatially variable throughout the migration corridor. Only recently has quantifying the spatial and temporal extent of available wetlands at broad scales become possible with remote sensing technologies. However, little is known about how temporally and spatially dynamic wetland availability may influence waterfowl resource selection during the non-breeding season. In this study, we collected movement data from 350 blue-winged teal (Spatula discors) marked with GPS-GSM transmitters to assess the effects of inundated wetland availability on blue-winged teal resource selection during the autumn and spring migrations (2019 – 2024). We used the Dynamic World dataset to quantify temporally and spatially dynamic inundated wetlands and intersected this data layer with landcover types from the National Land Cover Database. Combining these data sources, we will use an integrated step selection function to evaluate how blue-winged teal resource selection varies with inundated wetland availability at two-week intervals. The spatial extent of each two-week interval will be based on sample wide kernel density estimates of use. Results from this study can help inform wetland conservation and management practices for early autumn and late spring migrating waterbirds such as blue-winged teal. Specifically, these results can inform how early autumn wetland inundation and maintaining water into spring may support waterbirds whose life history strategies include this migration phenology.

AUTHORS: David Delaney, Iowa State University
Tyler Harms, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Stephen Dinsmore, Iowa State University


ABSTRACT: Techniques to estimate density of unmarked animals are logistically feasible and allow sampling over greater spatial extents than more intensive methods, such as mark-recapture. However, accuracy of density estimates relies on the validity of assumptions about the study system. We conducted a thermal-imaging drone survey at night to test the validity of two assumptions for conducting distance sampling on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Iowa via nocturnal spotlight surveys. First, we tested whether deer are randomly distributed with respect to gravel roads, which represent line transects in our study. Second, we quantified the portion of the population that occurs in unsampleable locations (i.e., within forest) to estimate availability bias. Preliminary analyses suggest deer do not avoid gravel roads but do responsively move away from observers prior to being detected, leading to potential bias in estimates of detection probability and density. Secondly, deer increased the use of forest cover as spring vegetation green-up occurred, leading to up to 50% of the population being unavailable to sample during surveys. Each of these deviations from conventional distance sampling assumptions inform future sampling design protocols and can be analytically corrected, once quantified, to reduce bias in density estimates.

AUTHORS: Presenter: Ryan McGinty (SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY)

Co-Authors: Kristen Malone (SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY), Lisa Webb (USGS, Columbia, MO), Arianne Messerman (Missouri Department of Conservation, Columbia, MO), Janet Haslerig (Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO), and Doreen Mengel (University of Missouri, Columbia, MO)


ABSTRACT: Several species of secretive Marsh are facing population declines in the U.S., including the King Rail which is listed as endangered in several U.S. states. Wetland management practices commonly used on public properties in Missouri and elsewhere have been developed to produce vegetation and water conditions that benefit waterfowl. However, the effects of waterfowl-focused wetland management on secretive marsh birds are not well known. The purpose of this project is to determine the current distribution of King Rail in Missouri and to evaluate the effects of habitat characteristics and wetland management practices on breeding secretive marsh birds. In 2023, we conducted call-playback surveys at 84 survey points across 14 publicly managed properties in Missouri. We detected King Rail at 4 survey points across 3 wetland pools. Two of these wetland pools were permanently inundated with water and the other as drawn down in the month of May. Due to few detections of King Rail, we used Least Bittern as a surrogate in occupancy analyses. We detected Least Bittern at 18 survey points. Their site occupancy was positively associated with percent cover of both tall emergent vegetation (β = 4.616, 85% CI = 1.901 – 7.931), percent cover of water (3.696, 1.596 – 6.496), and water depth (2.329, 0.449 – 4.720). Points with greater interspersion were more likely to be occupied by Least Bittern (4.496, 0.852 – 10.088). Wetland pools that were drawn down annually were less likely to be occupied by Least Bittern than sites that were permanently inundated with water (-7.117, -13.886 – -1.551). Least Bittern occupancy was also positively associated with a later initiation of spring drawdowns (6.555, 2.457 – 12.645). Our results represent an important first step for moving forward King Rail conservation in Missouri and for testing the assumption that waterfowl habitat management produces habitat for secretive marsh birds.

AUTHORS: Josh Williams, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Lisa Webb, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Jonathan Spurgeon, U.S. Geological Survey, Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA

ABSTRACT: During the 20th century, extensive flood control infrastructure was built along many US rivers, separating mainstem river channels from floodplains and altering floodplain wetland structure and function. Wetland restoration often occurs in locations where levees have disconnected the floodplain from the mainstem river channel. Disconnected wetlands can experience reduced nutrient exchange, habitat heterogeneity, biodiversity, and hazard mitigation compared to wetlands in connected floodplains. Understanding the effects of river-floodplain connectivity on wetland restoration efforts has been limited—in part—by brief time periods between restoration and evaluation. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) program, established in 1990, is a voluntary program that provides landowners with technical assistance and financial incentives to restore marginal farmland to historic wetland conditions. Our objective is to compare abiotic and biotic metrics in ACEP-WRE wetlands along a gradient of restoration age (6 to 29 years) and degree of connectivity between the Missouri River and the adjacent floodplain. Hydrological connectivity was categorized based on wetland proximity to an adjacent levee system (landward or riverward) and quantified using continuous temperature logging units, level of local mainstem channel incision, and historical river stage data. At each ACEP-WRE site (riverward sites n = 26, landward sites n = 24), water, soil, and algae samples were collected along with surveys of vegetation, macroinvertebrate, fish, amphibian, and bird assemblages. We compare metrics for riverward and landward sites with six reference and six control sites to elucidate whether river-floodplain connectivity affects the time needed to achieve ACEP-WRE restoration goals.