Ecology and Conservation of Lesser Prairie-Chickens

Ecology and Conservation of Lesser Prairie-Chickens
Author: David A. Haukos
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 376
Release: 2016-02-22
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1482240238

Shortlisted for the 2018 TWS Wildlife Publication Awards in the edited book categoryLesser Prairie-Chickens have experienced substantial declines in terms of population and the extent of area that they occupy. While they are an elusive species, making it difficult at times to monitor them, current evidence indicates that they have been persistently

The Effects of Shinnery Oak Removal on Lesser Prairie Chicken Survival, Movement, and Reproduction

The Effects of Shinnery Oak Removal on Lesser Prairie Chicken Survival, Movement, and Reproduction
Author: John Peter Leonard
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2010
Genre:
ISBN:

The lesser prairie chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus; LPC) has declined in numbers since the late 1800s. Reasons for this decline have been attributed to habitat degradation (decreased forb and grass cover and increased woody cover) and fragmentation caused by overgrazing and conversion of native rangelands to croplands. The herbicide, Tebuthiuron, has been used extensively throughout the LPC0́9s range to reduce dominance of woody shrubs and allow growth of forbs and grasses. Tebuthiuron treatment of shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) rangelands has been reported as being both beneficial and detrimental to LPC populations. My study evaluated the effects of Tebuthiuran treatment of shinney oak on LPC survival, movement, and reproduction. I trapped (48), radio-tagged (38), and monitored LPC survival, movements, reproduction, and habitat use during spring and summer 2006 and 2007. I also determined potential LPC nest predators using dummy nests (domestic chicken eggs) and motion-sensitive infrared cameras. No differences were found in survival between ages, sexes, or years. Range size did not differ by age, sex, or year. Female LPC moved greater distances from lek of capture than did males. Females nested almost exclusively in non-grazed rangeland and under sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia). Nest-sites had higher obstruction of vision (OV), higher (%) woody cover, and lower (%) bare ground than surrounding areas. All LPC were found to use non-grazed rangeland areas more than all other vegetation types, and to use tebuthiuron-treated, grazed areas slightly more than non-treated, grazed areas. Non-grazed rangeland had higher OV than all other vegetation types. Tebuthiuron treatment lowered woody plant dominance and increased forbs and grasses. Fire reduced vegetation height and OV and increased growth of grasses and forbs, but did not kill woody vegetation as did tebuthiuron-treatment. The most common dummy nest predator found was the Chihuahuan raven (Corvus cryptoleucus).

The North American Grouse: Their Biology and Behavior

The North American Grouse: Their Biology and Behavior
Author: Paul Johnsgard
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 177
Release: 2016
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1609620879

The ten currently recognized species of grouse in North America have played an important role in America's history, from the famous but ill-fated heath hen, a primary source of meat for the earliest New England immigrants, to the ruffed grouse, currently one of the most abundant and soughtafter upland game birds in more than 40 states and provinces. This book summarizes the ecology, reproductive biology, and social behavior of all ten of the extant North American grouse species. It also describes the current status of grouse populations, some of which are perilously close to extinction. The social behavior of grouse is of special biological interest because among these ten species there is a complete mating system spectrum, from seasonally monogamous pair-bonding to highly promiscuous mating patterns. The latter group illustrates the strong structural and behavioral effects of sexual selection resulting from nonmonogamous mating. These influences reach a peak in the development by some grouse species of engaging in mating "leks," arena-like competitions performed by males while attempting to attract fertile females, and also provide opportunities for females to select optimum mating partners. These sexual competitions also promote strong differences evolving in sexual signaling behaviors ("displays") among closely related species. Nevertheless, a relatively high incidence of mating errors and resulting hybridization often occurs in spite of these marked behavioral differences. In addition to a text of 101,000 words, the book includes 16 range maps, 37 line drawings, and 38 photographs by the author, as well as nearly 1,400 literature citations.

Herbicides

Herbicides
Author: Mohammed Nagib Hasaneen
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
Total Pages: 218
Release: 2011-12-22
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9533077441

This volume contains two sections: Mechanisms of herbicidal action (chapters 1-4) and Mode of action of selected herbicides on controlling diseased, weed growth and productivity and/or growth and development of field crops (chapters 5-10). Topics by chapters are: molecular mechanism of action, immunosensors , laboratory studies, molecular modeling, weed resistance, community response, use of herbicides in biotech culture, gene flow, herbicides and risk, herbicides persistence. These recurring themes reinforce my view, held over a very long time, that experience with one crop or problem can sometimes be relevant, often to an unexpected extent, to an apparently dissimilar situation in a different crop. I hope that readers interested in herbicides and pesticides will be satisfied with all the chapters in the book as its content might be of interest and value to them in the future.