7 results on '"Fuller, Joseph C."'
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2. A comparison of field methods to estimate Canada goose abundance.
- Author
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McAlister, Mark A., DePerno, Christopher S., Fuller, Joseph C., Howell, Douglas L., and Moorman, Christopher E.
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CANADA goose , *BIRD banding , *WATERFOWL , *BIRD habitats , *BREEDING - Abstract
ABSTRACT We conducted a 2-year study (2014-2015) in North Carolina, USA, to compare precision and efficiency between 2 methods used to estimate Canada goose ( Branta canadensis) abundance. The first method (i.e., band-return estimation) used hunter band-returns and harvest estimates. The second (i.e., plot survey) used surveys of 1-km2 plots randomly located across potential goose habitat in the state. To quantify efficiency, we recorded all expenses and time dedicated to goose banding and plot surveys. In June 2014, we banded 2,102 adult geese at 44 sites. During the 2014-2015 hunting season, we received 173 direct band recoveries from birds banded as adults. We used the Lincoln-Peterson formula to calculate an abundance estimate of 148,839 (coeff. of variation = 7.9) and determined the band-return method required US $72,858 and 2,317 person-hours to complete. We surveyed 300 1-km2 plots across North Carolina in April 2015, and calculated an abundance estimate of 155,655 Canada geese (coeff. of variation = 308.9). We determined the plot-survey method required US $80,767 and 2,857 person-hours to complete. Although population estimates were similar, we recommend the band-return technique to estimate Canada goose abundance because it provided a more precise estimate with similar overall costs and, if continued for multiple years, will allow calculation of additional population metrics including survival, recovery rates, and harvest distributions. © 2017 The Authors. Wildlife Society Bulletin published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
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3. Mallard–Black Duck Hybridization and Population Genetic Structure in North Carolina.
- Author
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Lawson, Daniel M., Williams, Christopher K., Lavretsky, Philip, Howell, Douglas L., and Fuller, Joseph C.
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INTROGRESSION (Genetics) , *DUCKS , *DNA sequencing , *SPECIES hybridization , *GENETIC variation , *MITOCHONDRIAL DNA - Abstract
North Carolina, USA, represents the southern extent of the American black duck's (Anas rubripes) breeding range. Mallards (A. platyrhynchos) are present on the breeding grounds of the American black duck and hybridization is observed between these species; therefore, we assessed the genetic integrity, hybridization rates, and population structure of this local breeding population. We extracted genomic and mitochondrial DNA from chorioallantoic membranes and contour feathers from monitored black duck nests. We then prepared the extracted DNA for analysis using high‐throughput DNA sequencing methods (ddRAD‐seq). First, we assessed nuclear and mitochondrial population structure, genetic diversity, and differentiation across samples from North Carolina, and compared them against 199 genetically vetted mallards, black ducks, and mallard × black duck hybrids that served as genetic references. Next, we tested for parentage and sibling relationship and overall relatedness of black ducks in North Carolina. We recovered strong population structure and high co‐ancestry across genetic markers due to interrelatedness among sampled nests in North Carolina and concluded that black ducks have been locally breeding in this area for a prolonged period of time. Despite a high level of interrelatedness among our samples, nucleotide diversity was similar to the reference continental black duck population, suggesting little effect of genetic drift, including inbreeding. Additionally, we conclude that molecular diversity of black ducks in North Carolina is maintained at reference population levels through the influx of genetic material from unrelated, migrating male black ducks. Finally, we report a hybridization level of 47.5%, covering 3 filial generations. Of identified hybrids, 54.7% and 53% were the direct result of interbreeding between black ducks and captive‐reared or wild mallards, respectively. We conclude that because of high rates of interspecific hybridization and successive backcrossing events, introgression from wild and feral mallards is occurring into this population of breeding black ducks and requires careful consideration in future management efforts. © 2021 The Wildlife Society. : High rates of interspecific hybridization, successive backcrossing events, and introgression from wild and feral mallards is occurring into the breeding American black duck population, North Carolina, USA, 2017–2018, that requires careful consideration in future conservation efforts. We contend that conservation and management efforts of American black ducks in North Carolina and the Atlantic flyway, would benefit from heavier restrictions on captive‐reared mallard stocking practices on shooting preserves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. American Black Duck Nesting Ecology in North Carolina.
- Author
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Lawson, Daniel M., Williams, Christopher K., Howell, Douglas L., and Fuller, Joseph C.
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AFRICAN Americans , *BIRD nests , *DUCKS , *DREDGING spoil , *PREDATION , *PRESCRIBED burning , *GROWING season , *MARSHES - Abstract
North Carolina, USA, is the southernmost extent of the American black duck's (Anas rubripes) breeding range; however, little is known about their nesting ecology in this region. We located and monitored 140 nesting black ducks over 2 years (2017–2018) to quantify preferred nesting habitat and assess nesting productivity within coastal North Carolina. We located nests in brackish marshes (75%) and man‐made dredge spoil islands (25%) at a density of 1 nest/22 ha. Black ducks selected high marsh and nested an average of 21.81 m from open water at a mean elevation of 1.36 m. In preferred nesting habitat, visual obstruction readings were 0.50 m with a maximum mean vegetation height of 0.81 m and land cover consisted largely of grasses (84.6%). Apparent nest success rates varied from 31% (2017) to 63% (2018) across years. The majority (72.2%) of variability in nest success was best predicted by nest location (mainland marsh, natural island, or spoil island), vegetation density, maximum vegetation height, and year. Management for breeding black ducks in coastal North Carolina should focus on promoting selected nesting habitat and reducing nest predators. Prescribed burns, used to set back succession on spoil islands and in brackish marshes should be conducted in the winter or in the early growing season not to exceed the twenty‐fifth quantile date of black duck nest initiation (2 Apr). © 2021 The Wildlife Society. : American black duck nesting productivity at the southernmost extent of their range is modeled best by nest‐site location (mainland marsh, natural island, or spoil island), vegetation density, maximum vegetation height, year, and nest initiation date and most influenced by small‐mammal depredations and to a lesser extent spring flooding. Future conservation and management efforts of black ducks in coastal North Carolina will benefit from the maintenance of natural islands and spoil islands, where predation pressure is the lowest and nests are less prone to spring flooding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Using Landscape Characteristics to Predict Distribution of Temperate-Breeding Canada Geese.
- Author
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McAlister, Mark A., Moorman, Christopher E., Meentemeyer, Ross K., Fuller, Joseph C., Howell, Douglas L., and DePerno, Christopher S.
- Subjects
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SPECIES distribution , *CANADA goose , *ZOOLOGICAL surveys , *REMOTE sensing - Abstract
Accurate estimates of species' distributions are needed to ensure that conservation-planning efforts are directed at appropriate areas. Since the early 1980s, temperate-breeding populations of Branta canadensis (Canada Goose) have increased, yet reliable estimates of the species' distribution are lacking in many regions. Our objective was to identify the landcover features that best predicted Canada Goose distribution. In April 2015, we surveyed 300 one-km2 plots across North Carolina and observed 449 Canada Geese. We quantified percent coverage of 7 continuous landcover variables at 5 different spatial extents for each of the 300 plots. We fit logistic regression models using presence and absence at the 300 plots as the dependent variable and percent-cover covariates as independent variables. The best model for predicting Canada Goose presence included percent pasture within the 9 km2 surrounding the survey plot and percent open water within the 1-km2 survey plot. The probability of Canada Goose presence increased with increasing percent open water and percent pasture, albeit at different spatial extents, which provided important cover and food resources, respectively. Our approach using remote-sensing data to accurately predict Canada Goose presence across a large spatial extent can be employed to determine distributions for other easily surveyed, widely distributed species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
- Full Text
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6. Market and nonmarket valuation of North Carolina's tundra swans among hunters, wildlife watchers, and the public.
- Author
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Frew, Kristin N., Peterson, M. Nils, Sills, Erin, Moorman, Christopher E., Bondell, Howard, Fuller, Joseph C., and Howell, Douglas L.
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TUNDRA swan , *HUNTING , *WILDLIFE management , *WILDLIFE conservation , *GOVERNMENT policy , *ANIMAL behavior - Abstract
ABSTRACT: Wildlife‐related tourism represents an important and growing economic sector for many rural communities and may be inadequately considered during regional planning. Providing robust estimates of wildlife values can help address this challenge. We used both market and nonmarket valuation methods to estimate the value of tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) in North Carolina, USA, and compared tundra swan values among hunters, wildlife watchers, and general public. Wildlife watchers reported the greatest willingness‐to‐pay (US$35.2/wildlife watcher/yr), followed by hunters (US$30.53/hunter/yr), and residents (US$16.27/resident/yr). We used the Impact Analysis for Planning system software to estimate market values or economic activity associated with tundra swans. Tundra swan hunters spent an average of US$408.34/hunter/year. Depending on assumptions over the substitutability of tundra swan hunting, we estimate that it generates value added of between US$306,155/year and US$920,161/year for the state economy. Wildlife watchers spent an average of US$171.25/wildlife watcher/year. We estimate that this generates value added of between US$14 million/year and US$42.9 million/year for the state economy, again depending on assumptions about whether watching tundra swans would be substituted with other leisure activities in eastern North Carolina or out‐of‐state. Compared with studies of international nature tourism, we found relatively low leakage rates (i.e., loss of economic benefits outside the study region), suggesting that enhancing opportunities for hunting and wildlife‐viewing may be an effective economic development strategy for rural areas in the United States. Presenting both market and nonmarket values provides a more complete picture of the value of wildlife and may facilitate more effective management decisions; therefore, we recommend that both market and nonmarket values be considered to optimize tradeoffs between development and wildlife recreation. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
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7. Population Structure of Tundra Swans Wintering in Eastern North America.
- Author
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Wilkins, Khristi A., Malecki, Richard A., Sullivan, Patrick J., Fuller, Joseph C., Dunn, John P., Hindman, Larry J., Costanzo, Gary R., Petrie, Scott A., and Luszcz, Dennis
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ORNITHOLOGY , *POPULATION , *TUNDRA swan , *ANIMAL wintering , *WILDLIFE monitoring , *HARVESTING , *MANAGEMENT - Abstract
Our objective was to determine whether there were subpopulations within the eastern population of tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus columbianus) wintering along the mid-Atlantic coast. Movement rates between regions were substantial enough to result in continual mixing of wintering birds. Thus, we were unable to identify distinct subpopulations based on exclusive use of specific wintering areas. These birds should therefore be monitored, and their harvest managed, as if they were one population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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