Conservation Management Institute

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https://hdl.handle.net/10919/52249
The Conservation Management Institute exists to expand the capacity of our partners to manage natural resources effectively. We provide innovative solutions to multi-disciplinary research questions that affect natural resource management in Virginia, North America, and the World. Our core belief is that effective natural resource management must be grounded in sound science.

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Browsing Conservation Management Institute by Author "Conservation Management Institute"

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    Analysis of Fox Activity and Survival in Foxhound Training Enclosures
    Klopfer, Scott D.; Kramer, David; St Germain, Michael J. (Virginia Tech, 2013-03)
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    Biological Surveys for Fries Hydroelectric Project in the Upper New River, Grayson County, Virginia
    Carey, Caitlin; Orth, Donald J.; Emrick, Verl III (FERC, 2018-04)
    Operated by Aquenergy Systems, LLC (the Licensee; a subsidiary of Enel Green Power North America, Inc.) and licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Fries Hydroelectric Project (the Project; FERC No. 2883) is currently undergoing relicensing using FERC’s Traditional Licensing Process (TLP). The current license for the Project was issued June 10th, 1980 and is set to expire May 31st, 2020. In compliance with the first stage of FERC’s TLP, the Licensee filed its Notice of Intent (NOI) and Pre-Application Document (PAD) with FERC (May 2015; Aquenergy Systems, LLC 2015), conducted a joint meeting and site visit with resource agencies and members of the public to solicit input on information needs and study plans (September 2015), and received written comments from stakeholders identifying information gaps and necessary studies to be performed. Pursuant to input provided from resource agencies and the public, the Licensee prepared and distributed a draft outline of proposed studies and methodology to agencies on March 18, 2016. The Licensee held a follow-up joint agency conference call (March 24th, 2016) to receive feedback on the proposed study plans and to reach an agreement on all reasonable and necessary studies as requested by the agencies. Agency comments and changes were incorporated into study plans and a revised outline was distributed to the agencies on April 15th, 2016...
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    Characterization of golden-cheeked warbler Dendroica chrysoparia habitat at Fort Hood, Texas, USA
    Emrick, Verl III (2019-05-26)
    The golden-cheeked warbler Dendroica chrysoparia is a federally endangered, neotropical-nearctic migrant songbird that breeds in central Texas, USA, and prefers mature, closed canopy oak–Ashe juniper woodlands for nesting and foraging. Fort Hood is an 87 890 ha military reservation located in central Texas in Bell and Coryell Counties on the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau ecoregion. We surveyed for golden-cheeked warblers and measured habitat variables at 95 separate locations in a 56.6 km2 research area that supports a golden-cheeked warbler breeding population. We detected golden-cheeked warblers on 34 of 95 (36%) point count locations. Principal component analysis was used to reduce the 27 habitat variables to a set of uncorrelated variables. This analysis resulted in the identification of 4 principal components that accounted for 52% of the variance. Logistic regression identified one principal component (ratio of Ashe juniper to other woody species) that was strongly related to golden-cheeked warbler occurrence. Our data indicate that a 4:1 ratio of Ashe juniper to other woody species is an important feature of occupied golden cheeked warbler habitat, particularly in the mid- to upper canopy at Fort Hood.
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    Climate characteristics of the Big Levels region, Augusta County, Virginia
    Klopfer, Scott D. (Virginia Natural History Society, 1999)
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    A Comparison of Systematic Quadrat and Capture-Mark-Recapture Sampling Designs for Assessing Freshwater Mussel Populations
    Carey, Caitlin; Jones, Jess W.; Butler, Robert S.; Kelly, Marcella J.; Hallerman, Eric M. (MDPI, 2019-08-07)
    Our study objective was to compare the relative effectiveness and efficiency of quadrat and capture-mark-recapture (CMR) sampling designs for monitoring mussels. We collected data on a recently reintroduced population of federally endangered Epioblasma capsaeformis and two nonlisted, naturally occurring species—Actinonaias pectorosa and Medionidus conradicus—in the Upper Clinch River, Virginia, over two years using systematic quadrat and CMR sampling. Both sampling approaches produced similar estimates of abundance; however, precision of estimates varied between approaches, years, and among species, and further, quadrat sampling efficiency of mussels detectable on the substrate surface varied among species. CMR modeling revealed that capture probabilities for all three study species varied by time and were positively associated with shell length, that E. capsaeformis detection was influenced by sex, and that year-to-year apparent survival was high (>96%) for reintroduced E. capsaeformis. We recommend that monitoring projects use systematic quadrat sampling when the objective is to estimate and detect trends in abundance for species of moderate to high densities (>0.2/m2), whereas a CMR component should be incorporated when objectives include assessing reintroduced populations, obtaining reliable estimates of survival and recruitment, or producing unbiased population estimates for species of low to moderate densities (≤0.2/m2).
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    Drought but not population density influences dietary niche breadth in white-tailed deer in a semiarid environment
    Folks, Donald J.; Gann, Kory; Fulbright, Timothy E.; Hewitt, David G.; DeYoung, Charles A.; Wester, David B.; Echols, Kim N.; Draeger, Don A. (Ecological Society of America, 2014-12)
    A premise in ungulate foraging theory is that animals become less selective and expand the breadth of their dietary niche as the availability of palatable forage declines with increasing herbivore population density or drought. Increased niche variation resulting from intraspecific competition is thought to create less similar diet composition and decreased diet overlap between individuals within a population at higher densities than between individuals within less dense populations. These ideas were largely developed in relatively mesic environments and their applicability to ungulate foraging in semiarid environments is unclear. We tested the idea that white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) contract dietary niche breadth; reduce dietary plant species diversity, richness, and evenness; and become more individualistic in forage choices in response to a fourfold difference in population density (12 deer/km(2) versus 50 deer/km(2)) in semiarid shrubland in Texas, USA. We used the bite count method to determine diet composition of tame female white-tailed deer seasonally during summer 2009 to spring 2011. We were able to determine impacts of drought on foraging dynamics a posteriori because sampling during each season fortuitously occurred under both drought and non-drought conditions. Population density did not affect diet richness, diversity, breadth, evenness, overlap, and similarity. Diet richness, diversity, breadth, and evenness tended to be greater in non-drought conditions. For white-tailed deer, the idea that dietary niches expand in response to increasing population density is not robust across environments. In semiarid environments, variation in precipitation has a much stronger influence on dietary niche breath and intraspecific diet overlap of deer than population density does.
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    Evaluating Temporal Differences in Land Cover: Implications for Managing Bobwhite at the Landscape Scale in Virginia
    Klopfer, Scott D.; McGuckin, Kevin; Cross, Daniel (Virginia Tech, 2014)
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    Final Report of the NPS Vegetation Mapping Project at Fire Island National Seashore
    Klopfer, Scott D.; Olivero, Adele; Sneddon, Lesley; Lundgren, Julie (Virginia Tech, 2002-04)
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    Final Report: Vegetation Map for Brookhaven National Labs
    Klopfer, Scott D.; Emrick, Verl III (Virginia Tech, 2002-01)
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    Freshwater Mussel Assessment in the Upper Nottoway River and its Tributaries on Fort Pickett, Virginia
    Carey, Caitlin; Wolf, Eric; Emrick, Verl III (2014-09)
    The upper reaches of the Nottoway River and its tributaries on Fort Pickett, Virginia are located within one of the most diverse river basins of the Atlantic Slope region. Freshwater mussels are vital components of these aquatic ecosystems and are often referred to as ecosystem engineers. Mussel surveys on Fort Pickett have historically concentrated on the central reaches of the Nottoway below the reservoir. Thus, assessments in tributaries and sites above the reservoir were needed. We evaluated a total of 68 sites across Fort Pickett and implemented a two-phase sampling design using time-constrained and quadrat-based surveys at a sub-set of these sites. We documented a total of 9 mussel species, including the state threatened Atlantic pigtoe and state species of concern eastern lampmussel. We found that mussels were patchily distributed and densities and species richness varied greatly between sites. Generally, species richness was lower and densities were higher in the tributaries compared to the main-stem of the Nottoway. Our findings of local mussel populations in the tributaries suggest that these areas may serve as spatial refugia for populations of several species. We found little evidence of recent recruitment across species, even at sites with high densities, indicating the need for water-quality testing and host fish surveys to identify management actions needed to support long-term population viability across species. Riparian and habitat protection should extend to the tributaries as well as to the main-stem of the Nottoway. Furthermore, we recommend additional surveys above the reservoir and in the Controlled Access Area, routine monitoring for Atlantic pigtoe and eastern lampmussel, as well as water quality assessments.
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    A Gap Analysis of the UrBIN Pilot Project Watershed
    Convery, Ken; Klopfer, Scott D.; Roghair, Laura (Virginia Tech, 2003-06-24)
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    Landscape Characteristics Related to Use of Artificial Roosts by Northern Long-eared Bats in North-central West Virginia
    De La Cruz, Jesse L.; Ward, Ryan L.; Schroder, Eric S. (Humboldt Field Research Institute, 2018-09-01)
    In the eastern US, research is needed on the establishment and evaluation of conservation measures for forest-dwelling bats, in general, and for the newly listed Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-Eared Bat), in particular. Our objectives were to evaluate the overall use of 3 artificial roosting structures-rocket box, nursery box, and artificial bark-by bats and to relate this use to local landscape characteristics in north-central West Virginia. We monitored 306 structures during summer 2016 and detected use (i.e., presence of guano, visual identification, capture of bats) at 132 (43%) roosts, of which 55 (42%) were confirmed, through capture or visual identification, to contain Northern Long-eared Bats. Nursery boxes were used more than expected based on availability (60%), but rocket boxes accounted for 40 (73%) of the roosts confirmed to be occupied by Northern Long-eared Bats, with 70% being used by maternity colonies of this species. We utilized binomial generalized linear models and an information theoretic approach to examine use of artificial roosts by maternity colonies of Northern Long-eared Bats. Our best-supported model differentiating structures occupied by maternity colonies from those that housed individual bats showed relationships to elevation, slope, area solar radiation, and distance to streams and large (>200 ha) forests. Our study provides initial guidance for land and wildlife managers on implementing an effective conservation and management technique for bats within this region.
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    Modeling Potential Climate Changes and their Related Impact on Select Species in Virginia
    Klopfer, Scott D.; Kramer, David; Sewall, Jacob; Kane, Austin; Burkett, Chris (Virginia Tech, 2012-11-15)
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    Monitoring Nontimber Forest Products Using Forest Inventory Data: An Example with Slippery Elm Bark
    Kauffman, Jobriath S.; Prisley, Stephen P.; Chamberlain, James L. (2017-07)
    The USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program collects data on a wealth of variables related to trees in forests. Some of these trees produce nontimber forest products (NTFPs) (e.g., fruit, bark, and sap) that are harvested for culinary, decorative, building, and medicinal purposes. At least 11 tree species inventoried by FIA are valued for their bark. For example, slippery elm (Ulmus rubra Muhl.) is included in FIA forest inventories, and the bark is used for its medicinal value. Despite widespread use of NTFPs, little quantitative information about abundance, distribution, and harvest is available to support sustainable management. Methods for using the FIA database to monitor and explain the situation regarding selected NTFPs are presented. The focus is on using FIA data to assess for (1) geographic distribution, (2) abundance, (3) applicable metrics (e.g., square feet of bark), and (4) change over time.
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    Natural Resource Condition Assessment: Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Virginia
    Schneider, Rebecca; Dorr, Jessica; Teets, Aaron; Wolf, Eric; Galbraith, John M. (National Park Service, 2012-06)
    The goal of this assessment is to provide an overview of natural resource condition status to allow Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (NHP) to effectively manage National Park Service (NPS) trust resources through Resource Stewardship Strategies (RSS) and General Management Plans. An ancillary benefit is that it will aid the park in meeting government reporting requirements, such as the land health goals under the Government Performance Results Act (GPRA).
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    Natural Resource Condition Assessment: Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monuments, Florida
    Dorr, Jessica; Palmer, David; Schneider, Rebecca; Galbraith, John M.; Killar, Myles; Klopfer, Scott D.; Marr, Linsey C.; Wolf, Eric (National Park Service, 2012-04)
    The goal of this assessment is to provide an overview of natural resource condition status to allow Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monuments (NMs) to effectively manage National Park Service (NPS) trust resources through Resource Stewardship Strategies (RSS) and General Management Plans. An ancillary benefit is that it will aid the park in meeting government reporting requirements, such as the land health goals under the Government Performance Results Act (GPRA). This assessment is primarily based on existing data and information from the NPS Inventory & Monitoring Program, and from other Federal and State natural resource agencies.
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    Natural Resource Condition Assessment: Fort Frederica National Monument, Georgia
    Dorr, Jessica; Palmer, David; Schneider, Rebecca; Galbraith, John M.; Killar, Myles; Klopfer, Scott D.; Marr, Linsey C.; Wolf, Eric (National Park Service, 2012-04)
    The goal of this assessment is to provide an overview of natural resource condition status to allow Fort Frederica National Monument (NM) to effectively manage National Park Service (NPS) trust resources through Resource Stewardship Strategies (RSS) and General Management Plans. An ancillary benefit is that it will aid the park in meeting government reporting requirements, such as the land health goals under the Government Performance Results Act (GPRA). This assessment is primarily based on existing data and information from the NPS Inventory & Monitoring Program, and from other Federal and State natural resource agencies.