Jacob L. Bowman

Forest Management and Female Black Bear Denning

Abstract: Most habitats available to black bear (Ur,~usamericanus) in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (M.4V) consist of seasonally flooded commercial forests where lack of suitable dens may limit population growth. \Ve studied interactions between forest management and flooding relative to female black bear denning. Denning behavior differed between commercial and noncommercial forests. Females used tree dens exch~sivelyon nonco~nmercialforests, whereas on commercial forests, most (83%) were ground dens. L7ariationsin ground den elevation resulted in differing inundation probabilities, altering survival prol.)abilities for neonates. On commercial forests, ground dens with similar inundation probabilities as tree dens allowed successful repro-duction to occur. Management practices that enhance suitable cover in areas of nlirlimal inundation probability may mitigate for lack of den trees in flood-prone landscapes. JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 65(1):34-40 Key words: batture, black bear, denning, elevation, flooding, forest management, Misissippi Allu~ialValley, reproduction, topography, Ursus arnericanus.

A SPATIALLY EXPLICIT MODEL, DERIVED FROM DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES, TO PREDICT ATTITUDES TOWARD BLACK BEAR RESTORATION

Abstract Understanding human attitudes often is vital to the success of restoration projects, especially those involving controversial species such as carnivores. Support for restoration activities may differ depending on residence location of the respondent; thus, understanding the spatial distribution of attitudes is important when selecting suitable restoration sites. We used black bear (Ursus americanus) restoration as an example of how to calculate and use a spatially explicit model of human attitudes based on demographic variables to select restoration sites in Mississippi, USA. We sampled 2 populations (5,975 landowners adjacent to 10 public land areas and a random sample of 490 Mississippians) to determine human attitudes toward black bear reintroduction in Mississippi. We chose a series of reintroduction and demographic questions to develop 2 logistic regression models to predict support for reintroduction, and we validated the models. One model was developed on all demographic variables (how many acres respondents owned in Mississippi and for how long, as well as their age, sex, education, income, community size, and race) to determine the relationship between support for reintroduction and demographic variables. The second model used only age, race, and sex demographic variables. Age, community size, race, sex, and number of years of landownership were significant predictors of support for bear restoration for the first model; and age, race, and sex were significant predictors for the second model. Using the second model and the U.S. Census Bureau (1990) block group data, we predicted the proportion of each block group supporting restoration. Most of Mississippi had block groups with >50% support for bear restoration. We were able to determine a statewide distribution of attitudes. Additionally, we documented that attitudes of landowners immediately adjacent to public land may differ from those of residents of the area surrounding the public land (both adjacent and not). We suggest using our approach for other restoration projects to better integrate human attitudes into the restoration program.

Avian community response to pine—grassland restoration

Abstract Habitat management for an endangered species may affect nontarget communities. We examined avian community response to pine—grassland restoration for red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) and traditional United States Forest Service pine sawtimber management at Homochitto National Forest, Mississippi from 1994–1996. Thirteen species were more abundant in pine-grassland restoration stands, whereas 5 species were more abundant in traditionally managed pine sawtimber stands. Mature restored pine-grassland stands had greater avian species richness, total bird abundance, and avian conservation value than traditionally managed pine sawtimber stands. We used logistic regression models in an exploratory analysis to predict occurrence of selected species using stand- and landscape-scale habitat characteristics. Probability of redeyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus) occurrence increased with increasing hardwood canopy cover, and probability of yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens) occurrence increased with increasing grass ground cover. Species richness, total avian abundance, and occurrence of red-eyed vireos and Bachmans sparrows (Aimophila aestivalis) increased with increasing values of Shannons Habitat Diversity Index. Pine-grassland restoration for red-cockaded woodpeckers created vegetation composition and structure at the stand and landscape scales that may benefit numerous avian species of regional conservation concern.

Influence of Mississippi alluvial valley rivers on black bear movements and dispersal: implications for Louisiana black bear recovery

American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations were significantly reduced throughout their range, particularly in southeastern North America. Currently, populations in this region are very fragmented, resulting in concern over possible barrier effects of rivers to normal bear movements and dispersal. This is particularly true for Mississippi, where black bear dispersal into the state is critical if populations are to be recovered. Thus, we studied the relative effects of rivercourses on bear movements and dispersal patterns in southeastern Arkansas, 1992–1996. We captured, radiocollared, and uniquely tagged 40 bears and used radiotelemetry to determine their movements. The Mississippi River (width ≈1600 m) deflected bear movements, whereas the White River (width ≈200 m) was not a barrier to bear movements or dispersal patterns. Frequency of river crossing differed by gender (P=0.007) and season (P<0.001). Male bears crossed rivers more frequently than females. Rivers were crossed less from December to March compared to other seasons. Rivers acted as a semipermeable barrier to bear movements and dispersal patterns, which may have major implications for conservation of large mammal metapopulations. Males appear to be influenced less by rivers, so female translocations across rivers may be necessary to recover fragmented bear populations. We provide an example describing direct implications of this study to the recovery of the threatened Louisiana black bear (U. a. luteolus).

Population Ecology of the Eastern Box Turtle in a Fragmented Landscape

Abstract In the mid-Atlantic region, urban sprawl and development have resulted in habitat alterations and fragmentation; however, the effects on eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) populations are unclear. To investigate the status of eastern box turtle populations in a fragmented landscape, we used mark–recapture and radiotelemetry to estimate population density, sex ratio, age structure, and survival on 4 study areas with differing degrees of isolation and human disturbance in northern New Castle County, Delaware, USA. We estimated adult population densities ranging from 0.81 turtles/ha to 3.62 turtles/ha among our 4 study areas. Sex ratios were male-biased at 2 study areas and balanced at 2 study areas. Proportion of juveniles ranged from 0% to 31%. Estimated annual survival rate ranged from 0.813 to 0.977. Mortality of radiotagged and marked turtles was primarily due to natural causes, but mowing was the primary cause of human-induced mortality. We found evidence of population decline at one study area due to low survival and recruitment. Human disturbances, isolation, and habitat composition appear to have the greatest influence on the box turtle populations we studied. To minimize mortality from human disturbance, we suggest planting crops adjacent to forest habitat that require no mowing or mowing at a height ≥15 cm.

Home Range and Movement Rates of Female Exurban White‐Tailed Deer

Abstract White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) thrive in fragmented exurban habitats, resulting in increased occurrences of deer–human conflicts. To develop successful management regimes managers must understand exurban deer ecology, an area deficient in current literature. We investigated exurban white-tailed deer spatial ecology on Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area in Cecil County, Maryland, USA. From June 2004 to January 2006, we collected 37,384 telemetry locations and 1,194 visual observations on 66 radiocollared female white-tailed deer to investigate seasonal home range sizes, home range fidelity, and hourly movement rates. Annual adaptive-kernel home range size ranged from 8.1 ha to 21.7 ha and 70.9 ha to 144.5 ha among seasons (early, middle, and late-hunting, posthunting, and fawning) at the 50% and 95% utilization distributions, respectively. Seasonal home range size generally increased from the fawning through posthunting seasons. Seasonal home range overlap differed at 50% and 95% utilization distributions, with the least overlap occurring between the posthunting and fawning seasons (50%: x ¯  =  19.4%, 95%: x ¯  =  33.3%). Circadian activity varied among seasons with dusk movement rates greatest in all seasons. Our results suggest that this exurban white-tailed deer population resided on similar ranges throughout the year, making individuals available for harvest during traditional harvest seasons. To maximize deer–hunter contact, efforts should be focused around the dusk activity period to coincide with peak deer activity.

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) Movements in a Fragmented Landscape

Abstract In the mid-Atlantic region, agriculture and development have resulted in habitat fragmentation; however, the effect on Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) movement remains undetermined. Understanding how box turtles move in fragmented landscapes can be used to elucidate the impacts of forest fragmentation on box turtle ecology. We chose four study areas that differed in degree of fragmentation ranging from isolated forest fragments to an interior forest to investigate the effect of sex, season, and study area on turtle movements. We randomly selected five radio-tagged turtles per week per study area and attached thread trailers to measure their daily movements. Sex×season×study area and season×study area did not interact to affect turtle movements. However, sex×study area and sex×season interacted to affect turtle movements. Box Turtles in isolated areas moved less than those in more continuous habitat, and turtle movements varied among seasons. Differences in movement may be related to sex-specific life history traits such as mate searching in males and nesting followed by energy conservation in females.

Dispersal and home-range dynamics of exotic, male sika deer in Maryland

Abstract Content. An unknown number (n = four or five) and sex of sika deer (Cervus nippon yakushimae) were introduced to the Delmarva Peninsula, Maryland, in 1916. Since introduction, their population has grown exponentially. Aims. The purpose of our study was to investigate dispersal and home-range size to enable better management of this exotic species in the presence of native white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Methods. We collected telemetry locations on 60 males (captured during their first winter) from 2008 to 2010. Animals were classified into three movement groups, including local, migratory and nomadic post-dispersal. Key results. Average home-range sizes ranged from 464 to 4121 ha and were influenced by season and deer movement grouping (P = 0.0001). Of 20 deer that dispersed, 19 did so at 1 year of age. Dispersal distance and direction were random across the landscape (P = 0.899). Local deer were the most common movement group (70%; 42 of 60) and were characterised by short movements confined to a well established home range. We observed 14 deer migrations, characterised by round-trip movements associated with seasons and directionality (P = 0.003). Four deer were classified as nomadic and had long-distance movements across the landscape unassociated with seasons. Conclusions. To aid managers in controlling the expansion of the population, we provide data regarding the manner, distance and direction that sika deer move. Our results show that sika deer have variable movement strategies and large home ranges. Implications. Variation in movement types will influence spread of the population, confounding species interactions, management and harvest strategies. The present results may have implications to other areas that also have sika populations.

Effect of Tide Level and Time of Day on Detection Rate and Abundance of Clapper Rails (Rallus longirostris) in a Mid-Atlantic Tidal Marsh System

Abstract. Obligate marsh bird detection rates during surveys are affected by the time of day and the tide level, but previous research on both factors has produced conflicting results and no research has been conducted in east coast tidal marshes. Relative abundance and detection rate of Clapper Rails (Rallus longirostris) were compared between morning and evening surveys at high, medium, and low tide levels in Worcester County, Maryland, during 2006. The detection rate of Clapper Rails was greatest in the morning at the medium tide level ( = 0.69, SE = 0.14, F5,40 = 5.87, P = 0.001). Morning surveys ( = 1.2, SE = 0.14) resulted in a greater relative abundance of Clapper Rail detections compared to evening surveys ( = 0.8, SE = 0.12, F1,195 = 5.31, P = 0.022), and surveys done at medium tide level ( = 1.3, SE = 0.17) resulted in greater relative abundance than those conducted at low ( = 0.8, SE = 0.15) or high levels ( = 0.7, SE = 0.15, F2,195 = 6.56, P = 0.002). The results suggest that surveys should be conducted in the morning at medium tide to maximize detection rate of Clapper Rails. The detection rate of obligate marsh birds during surveys is affected by time and tide level so additional research is necessary to determine how these variables affect the detection rate of marsh birds other than Clapper Rails.

A Comparison of Two Methods for Studying Box Turtle Movements

Abstract The accuracy of using radiotelemetry for studying animal movements has not been fully investigated. Although telemetry is a technological advance for tracking animals, it may lack the accuracy of thread trailing for quantifying distance traveled. The objective of this study was to compare straight-line distance between consecutive telemetry locations of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) and actual distances traveled between those locations using thread trailers. We randomly selected 20 radiotagged turtles per week. We radiolocated each of these turtles and attached a thread trailer for 24 ± 3 hours. We used the beginning and ending global positioning system (GPS) locations to calculate the straight-line distance, and we compared this distance to the actual distance the turtle moved (thread length). Thread-trailing distances were greater than telemetry distances (P < 0.001). We recommend that future studies investigating box turtle movements use thread trailing, though radiotelemetry may be accurate for coarse analysis of direct-route movements.