Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

We determined the distribution of swamp rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus) and bottomland hardwood forests, potential swamp rabbit habitat, in Missouri during the 1991-92 winter. Presence of swamp rabbits was determined from information gathered from resource managers and by searching habitat for fecal pellets. Most potential swamp rabbit habitat in Missouri is located in the southeast, and we documented 45,218 ha of bottomland hardwood forest there by measuring tracts identified on aerial photos. The forest was highly fragmented in southeastern Missouri, especially on private land where 75% (N = 3,228) of the identified tracts contained <5 ha. We surveyed 274 tracts of potential habitat in southeastern Missouri and found 114 with a combined area of 23,529 ha that contained evidence of swamp rabbits.

We monitored radio-tagged northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) from January through July of 1990 and 1991 to determine if preferential habitat use occurred within the covey home range. We generated estimates of percent bare ground, average height of herbaceous vegetation, percent canopy cover of herbaceous vegetation and honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), proportion of the herbaceous canopy represented by grasses, herbaceous quail foods, and woody vegetation <2 m tall at used and unused sites within 12 covey home ranges. We pooled the data within each home range and used 2 approaches to evaluate the extent to which these 7 variables influenced habitat use. First, we compared means from used and unused sites for each of the 7 parameters with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Additionally, we regressed means from used sites on estimates from unused sites. The 2 approaches used to evaluate habitat selection yielded different results.

We studied changes in ground-level vegetation (shrubs, herbs, vines, trees) in a deciduous forest before (1984) and after (1987) the initial stages of a gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) invasion. Seventeen of 18 plant species known to be important wildlife food plants increased in percent cover from 1984 to 1987. Total percent ground cover and plant species richness also increased. At the same time, the number of snags and snag basal area increased but not significantly, implying that the gypsy moth can be used as a management tool to enhance understory vegetation without harvesting trees. By 1988, however, tree mortality had significantly increased. A variety of options, therefore, exists for wildlife managers faced with a gypsy moth invasion, including no action, halting the outbreak with pesticides, or silvicultural treatment prior to invasion. Advantages and disadvantages of each depend on management objectives and budgetary and environmental constraints.

Black bear (Ursus americanus) mortality data were collected in eastern North Carolina from 1976 to 1992. These data included registered harvest totals from mandatory hunter-harvest records, field reports, and tooth samples from bears dying of all causes (N = 1,107 for harvest; N = 350 for vehicle-kill). Increasing trends in harvest corresponded to establishment of seasons in 11 counties beginning in 1986. Vehicle-kills increased until 1990 but declined during 1991-92. Combined age structures did not differ significantly from the 1976-1985 period (before new seasons established) to the 1986-91 period (after new seasons established). Harvest age structures differed significantly from age structures of vehicle-kill. Bears <4 years old composed 56.2% of the harvest and 70.0% of vehicle-kills during the entire study period. Subadult males (1- and 2-year old classes) composed the largest portion of both harvest (28.8%) and vehicle-kill (32.3%).

Tail meat samples from 22 American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) collected from 10 collection areas in Georgia during 1990 were analyzed for mercury (Hg) concentrations (wet weight basis). Mercury was detected in all samples and ranged from 0.1 ppm to 1.4 ppm (x = 0.48 ppm). No differences in mercury concentration were found between sexes (P = 0.638) or among all collection areas (P = 0.178). Pooled samples from collection sites on the headwaters of the Suwannee River system had higher mercury concentrations (P < 0.005) than those from all other collection sites combined. There was no correlation (P > 0.20) between alligator total length and mercury concentration in the meat samples. Because the mean mercury concentration in alligator meat in this study was below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "action level" for fish flesh and because alligator meat is consumed infrequently, no public health problem was indicated.

We analyzed blood lead concentrations and prevalences of ingested lead and steel shot in 93 ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris) at Catahoula Lake, Louisiana. Blood lead concentrations were higher for immatures than for adults, but did not differ between sexes or between randomly collected and hunter-shot birds. Blood lead concentrations were elevated (≥ 0.20 ppm) in 18 of 31 immatures (58%) and 13 of 61 adults (21%), and were toxic (≥ 0.50 ppm) in 11 immatures (35%) and 5 adults (8%). Prevalences of ingested lead shot were higher for immatures (7 of 32 birds, 22%) than for adults (3 of 61 birds, 5%), but did not differ between sexes or collection methods. Prevalences of ingested steel shot did not differ between sexes, but were higher for hunter shot (10 of 39 birds, 26%) than for randomly collected birds (2 of 54 birds, 4%), and tended to be higher for immatures (8 of 32 birds, 25%) than for adults (4 of 61 birds, 7%).

Movements, primary use areas, activity periods, and habitat use were evaluated for beaver (Castor canadensis) from 2 adjacent colonies, a stream colony, and a lake colony in the Piedmont of South Carolina. Beaver were monitored from February 1983 through March 1984. Minimum total distance moved by individual beaver ranged from 0.26 to 6.83 km. Distance between extreme locations ranged from 0.08 to 1.86 km. Lake colony beaver movements exceeded those of stream colony beaver. Beaver were more active during fall and winter months. Areas frequented by beaver ranged from 10.95 ha to 14.67 ha. For each colony habitat, types were not used in proportion to availability and habitat use varied between colonies.

In Florida, virtually every wetland and upland habitat type is threatened by the effects of development. Large-scale developments which fall under the Developments of Regional Impact Program are reviewed by multiple agencies, including the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. To provide review personnel with accurate life history information and biologically sound habitat protection recommendations, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission began publishing habitat protection guidelines for those listed species which had frequently been an issue during large-scale development reviews. Recommendations in the publications reflect development-related actions considered necessary to perpetuate these species outside existing protected lands. Synopses from two of the publications are provided.

The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission's Nongame Wildlife Program developed a ranking system to identify and prioritize those taxa within the state most in need of research and conservation efforts in order to focus limited staff and financial resources where they are most needed and can be most effective. Wading birds were identified as a priority group of taxa in need of conservation attention. An innovative plan was developed for addressing the conservation needs of that group. Components of the plan include a statewide nesting colonial wading bird survey, colony selection for inclusion in the project, colony site surveys, prioritization of selected colonies, development of site-specific conservation plans, development of general protection and management guidelines, establishment of a volunteer network to conduct management and monitoring activities, and evaluation.

North Carolina's colony-nesting waterbirds probably existed for thousands of years along nearly 500 km of coastal estuaries and barrier islands. Suffering from the effects of over-harvest by plume hunters and extensive loss of habitat due to coastal development, these birds began to receive notice during the 1970s. Studies of coastal community succession began in 1970 and quickly determined that dredged material islands provide essential habitat for colony-nesting waterbirds. In 1976, coastwide censuses were initiated to survey the 20-22 species suspected to nest in the state. Surveys in 1976, 1977, and 1983 brought to light a need for cooperative management for these species. In 1988, a Cooperative Agreement to conserve these species and their habitats was adopted by 11 state, federal, and private agencies. For the past 4 years, the cooperating agencies have successfully continued this coastwide conservation effort.

Aerial overflights were used to assess impacts of the application of habitat management guidelines to 24 experimental and 38 control bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nesting territories. No significant differences in productivity were found between nests where management guidelines had been applied and control nests where no development had occurred. No changes in the minimums called for in the guidelines or their application are indicated at this time.

In 1988 the Georgia Department of Natural Resources contracted the Survey Research Center of the University of Georgia to conduct a telephone survey of public attitudes toward nongame wildlife. Phone numbers of potential respondents were selected using random digit dialing, a method that allowed all telephone households (97% of all Georgia households) an equal chance of being selected. Respondents were asked a series of 17 questions of which 12 pertained to interest in and support of nongame wildlife and 5 related to demographics. A total of 541 individuals were surveyed. Over 81% of the respondents expressed at least some interest in nongame wildlife. These and other data were used to assist administrators charting the direction of Georgia's nongame wildlife conservation efforts.

North Carolina's State Endangered Species Act for Animals was established in 1987. Since that time, approximately 200 species have been listed as endangered, threatened, or species of special concern. The act, however, provides few ways to prevent take of these species or to conserve the listed species' habitats. Therefore, state regulatory agencies have been establishing procedures for conserving wetland and aquatic endangered and threatened species. Approximately half of the listed species are aquatic; therefore, significant aquatic habitat conservation is expected during the next decade.

The results of biological inventories and information about land uses in a North Carolina subbasin are linked to conservation directives. The product identifies the biological and ecological importance of a region which may be severely impacted by human developments if measures are not undertaken to conserve the rich fauna of the region.

A molluscan survey of the Swift Creek basin in North Carolina was conducted during the summer of 1992. One hundred eighteen stations on Swift Creek and its tributaries were intensively explored for molluscan species. Thirty-six molluscan species, including 15 gastropods and 21 bivalve species, were collected.

Survival and longevity were estimated for the endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus) from resightings of 48 colorbanded adult males during 1989-1992. Annual survival rate was 0.598 and mean life expectancy was 2.95 years (1.95 years for sparrows >1 year old). The high survival rate and longevity of the subspecies may facilitate the recovery of populations remaining in good breeding habitat. Annual recruitment of 5.4 young per pair is needed to maintain a stable population of grasshopper sparrows on the study area. Information on population dynamics may help evaluate recovery efforts. Additional information is needed on the fecundity of the Florida subspecies.

In October 1989, researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES) initiated a project to investigate the historical loss of critical whooping crane (Grus americana) habitat on the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Vegetation on the area was categorized into 11 habitat types and manually delineated on aerial photos of the area from 1930, 1957, 1986, and 1988. Habitat type maps for each year were digitized into a Geographic Information System (GIS) database that included soils, topography, and National Wetland Inventory data. Preliminary GIS analysis of habitat type data indicated a progressive loss of 2 habitat types, tidal flats and tidal ponds, and a gradual increase in the marsh vegetation type. In 1930 and 1957, tidal flats comprised approximately 7% (454 ha) and 8% (500 ha) of the study area, respectively, but that number decreased to approximately 2% (134 ha) of the area in 1988.

The Santa Rosa beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus leucocephalus) occurs on a single barrier island in northwest Florida, but its distribution on the island is poorly known. In 1991-92 we searched for mouse tracks at 1-km intervals along the 78-ktn island and set traps at 23 locations. Beach mice occurred in beach and interior dune habitats across most (96%) of the undeveloped stretches (57 km) of the island. Beach mice were significantly less common in areas developed for residential or commercial use and tracks were found along just 7 of 21 km of developed land. We captured only 3 house mice (Mus musculus), all near buildings. Tracks of house cats (Felis catus) were significantly more common in developed areas. Predation by cats has likely reduced or eliminated beach mouse populations along developed beaches and at the undeveloped east end of the island. Habitat loss and house cats in 3 developed areas have apparently separated the beach mouse population into 4 isolated units.

Observers monitored a reintroduced peregrine falcon population in western North Carolina from 1987 to 1992. Five of 9 occupied territories produced 19 fledgling peregrines during the study. Productivity for the period was 0.59 young fledged per territory-holding pair per year when using the full data set and 0.79 young fledged per territory-holding pair per year when we dropped marginal territories and 1 adult-subadult pair from the data set. Both estimates of productivity were below that thought necessary for a self-sustaining population. Biologists should improve their monitoring of the region's peregrine falcon population to gain age-specific natality and mortality data.

Surveys covering over 1,161,140 ha in Arkansas from 1988-1991 revealed abundant sign of several native and domesticated mammal species, but none from the mountain lion (Felis concolor). Because of our intensive methodology and the equivocal nature of previous documentation, we suggest there are no wild, reproducing populations of mountain lions in Arkansas. Extensive forests in the state, however, may provide suitable habitat for mountain lion reintroduction experiments.

A program was implemented by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (Commission) to collect information on the scope and magnitude of the commercial trade in native species of amphibians and reptiles to improve management of this wildlife resource. During the first 2 years of the reporting program (1 Jul 1990-30 Jun 1992), 1,050 salamanders (12 species), 41,493 anurans (18 species), 8,669 turtles (13 species), 19,346 lizards (13 species), and 49,240 snakes (35 species) were reported collected from the wild and sold in the pet trade. Most of the salamanders (85%), 42% of the anurans, 34% of the turtles, and 13% of the snakes came from the Panhandle. Most of the lizards (80%) and snakes (76%), 50% of the turtles, and 27% of the anurans came from Lake Okeechobee south. The seasonality of harvest of anurans, turtles, lizards, and snakes by the major collectors varied between northern and southern Florida.

In 1989 and 1990 a green salamander (Aneides aeneus) habitat study was conducted in the mountains of Oconee, Pickens, and Greenville counties, South Carolina. Based upon the topographic characteristics of 14 known green salamander sites in South Carolina, a list of criteria was developed to identify areas of potential habitat in the state. Twenty-four 7.5' topographic maps containing areas with possible habitat were subdivided into 0.16-km2 sections and evaluated to determine the number of potential green salamander habitat areas. Of 15,789 sections in the study area, 670 grids (107.20 km2) had a high probability of potential green salamander habitat. Another 33% of the moderate probability sites contained potential habitat, totalling 2,631 grids (420.96 km2) of green salamander habitat in South Carolina.

A previously studied (1981-1987) gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) population in northern Florida was surveyed during May-June 1992 to determine tortoise response to large-scale timber removal (1988). Two of 3 burrow concentrations were in or near ecotones between the clearcut and older pine stands. Eighteen of 23 (78%) recaptured tortoises were found in the same general location after clearcutting as before. One female had moved 1.3 km from her previous capture location. Only 13% of all previously-marked tortoises were recaptured in 1992. Size and sex class distributions were not different before and after clearcutting. Mean clutch size of gopher tortoises following clearcutting was larger, growth rate (carapace length) was faster, and size-related gain in mass was greater than for tortoises prior to clearcutting.

Widespread concern for neotropical migratory birds should be tempered with a review of the status of all landbirds, regardless of migratory status. A relationship exists between the proportion of declining neotropical migrants and temperate migrants, but not residents, among Southeastern physiographic areas. However, within physiographic areas where proportions of declining neotropical migrants are high, proportions of declining temperate migrants and residents are not as high. Nevertheless, concern for temperate migrant and resident species in some physiographic areas is justified in addition to concern for neotropical migrants. Rather than debating about which species are declining, we should identify habitats (with associated species assemblages) in need of conservation. In the Southeast, high priority habitats for avian conservation are likely to be determined principally by neotropical migrants with some temperate migrant and resident species of high concern.

Birds were censused annually from 4 250- x 80-m transects in a young pine plantation from age 2 to 17 to assess changes in the bird community. Bird abundance was low and the bird community was the least diverse when the pine plantation was sparsely vegetated at age 2. As the plantation developed rapidly into the shrub stage, the bird community became more abundant and diverse. Bird abundance increased consistently until plantation age 6, but then declined as the pine canopy closed and shaded out lower deciduous vegetation. Bird species diversity increased gradually during the early years, was highest at plantation age 10 and 11, then decreased. In the latter stages (age 12-17) early successional avian species were virtually gone, a few shrub-associated species persisted, and some species associated with older stands had invaded the plantation.