south dakota cooperative · nine graduate research assistants ... cooperation with usgs eros ......

SOUTH DAKOTA COOPERATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT

2009 ANNUAL REPORT

SOUTH DAKOTA UNIT PROGRAM 46 YEARS OF SERVICE

SOUTH DAKOTA GAME, FISH AND PARKS CELEBRATE A CENTURY

1909-2009

USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences South Dakota State University

i

SOUTH DAKOTA COOPERATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT

ANNUAL REPORT

For the Period of October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009

by Dr. Charles R. Berry, Jr., Leader

Dr. Steven R. Chipps, Assistant Leader – Fisheries

SSUUMMMMAARRYY: Unit staff supervised 15 projects on northern prairie habitats and biota and completed two projects in FY 2009. Unit staff produced 16 peer-reviewed publications, one Unit supported peer-reviewed publication, 11 newsletters, nine popular publications, 40 scientific presentations, and four technical reports. Nine Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) (seven M.S. and two Ph.D.) were supervised by Unit personnel and five GRAs were supported by Unit funds, but supervised by other faculty. Four students received awards. The Unit staff taught two graduate courses in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and presented guest lectures. The staff held or contributed to two workshops. The Unit staff and students provided data, expert opinion, and technical assistance to a variety of groups on 93 occasions. The Unit is conducting research in four of the six science strategy directions of the U.S. Geological Survey (understanding ecosystem change, climate variability, energy, and the role of the environment in human health). UNIT ADDRESS: U.S. Geological Survey, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, South Dakota State University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Box 2140B, Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory, Room 138, Brookings, SD 57007; telephone: 605-688-6121; fax: 605-688-4515; e-mail: [email protected]. ABOUT THE COVER: Dr. Ken Higgins was one of the first Coop Unit students and later the Assistant Leader for Wildlife. Higgins is shown with graduating students Amy Lewis, Brian Rieger, Rachel Mockler, and Sara Reindl. The biologist carrying buckets is symbolic of graduation and retirement; see the bucket poem on the last page. The sketch of the hunters was one of the many done by Jim Pollock for the Conservation Digest in the 1970s. Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the agency has been “showing” wildlife art and photography since 1934 in the Digest. Pollock is an artist in Rapid City.

ii

South Dakota Cooperative

Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 2009 Completed Projects

For the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the South Dakota Unit inventoried the fishes of the Red River Basin at 125 sites on 40 streams. We found 51 species (52,000 fish collected), including eight species of concern. Photos shows Pembina River culvert; inset shows GRA Luc Borgstrom (left) and Mr. Jamie Ladonski (SDSU Biology Department), who helped with fish identification and voucher collections. Borgstrom focused on largescale stoneroller (Campostoma oligolepis) and fish community patterns in the Forest River.

GRA M. Bouchard (SDSU Geography Department) developed a Wetland Rapid Assessment Protocol for use in quantifying wetland condition, monitoring wetlands, and identifying reference wetlands. Eighty percent of all partially drained wetlands were within 1.5 km of a stream. Left inset shows Paddy O’Mallard staking claim to a wetland. Paddy is the creation of Jim Olsen, former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS) and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SD GFP) biologist/artist who illustrated wetland conservation brochures. Wetland drainage continues despite many public information education efforts and regulations to conserve wetlands (right inset is a brochure from Environmental Protection Agency). Coop Unit staff assisted with study design and funding.

iii

South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Selected Ongoing Projects

Pallid sturgeon (photo) and lake sturgeon bioenergetics, diet, and habitats are the focus of studies by Assistant Unit Leader Dr. Steven Chipps and students.

Unit Leader Dr. Charles Berry led Year of Science activities during the Year of Science 2009.

The Rocky Mountain Sandhill Crane study is wrapping up; supporting three students and covering five states and Mexico, it is the largest study ever undertaken by the Unit; Ms. Tandi Perkins received funding from the International Crane Foundation and many other groups to summarize the study of crane habitat use patterns during their migration.

South Dakota Coop Unit student, Dan James (Ph.D.), is studying the effects of the invasive diatom Didymosphenia geminata on fish and invertebrates in Rapid Creek, South Dakota. Didymosphenia, or ‘Didymo’ for short, first appeared in Rapid Creek in 2002 and is most abundant in the tailwater area below Pactola Dam. Didymo forms large clumps that attach to stream substrates and can influence local invertebrate composition and abundance. This study is supported by South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

iv

MISSION STATEMENTS U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI): To protect and provide access to our Nation's natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and our commitments to island communities.

http://www.doi.gov

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): To serve the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

http://www.usgs.gov

Biological Resources Discipline (BRD): To work with others to provide the scientific understanding and technologies needed to support the sound management and conservation of our Nation's biological resources, with deep commitment to make data and information on the Nation's biological resources more accessible to more people

http://biology.usgs.gov

South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (SD CFWRU): To conduct research on fish and wildlife in the Northern Great Plains, to publish results, and to educate graduate students and professionals.

http://coopunits.org

http://wfs.sdstate.edu/wfsci.htm

COOPERATIVE AGENCIES AND COORDINATING COMMITTEE South Dakota State University (SDSU); South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SD GFP); U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Wildlife Management Institute (WMI); and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS).

v

USGS A Tradition of Public Service Since 1879 The USGS has nearly 9,000 employees located in 200 field offices. Offices in South Dakota are in Rapid City and Huron (water offices), Brookings (Coop Unit), Yankton (geology), and Sioux Falls (EROS Data Center). The USGS, established by Congress in the Organic Act on March 3, 1879, provides geologic, topographic, and hydrologic information to the Nation. This information comprises maps, databases, and reports containing analyses and interpretations of water, energy, mineral resources, land surfaces, geologic structures, natural hazards, and the dynamic processes of the Earth. While the Organic Act has been amended over time, the central mission of the USGS has largely stayed the same. What have changed are tools and talents and an emphasis on the responsibility of the USGS to meet changing national needs. One such change occurred on October 1, 1996, when the National Biological Service (NBS) was moved to the USGS to become the Biological Resources Discipline or BRD. The BRD consists of the 40 Coop Units, in 37 states, and nine Science Centers. During the life of the USGS, the mission of the agency has been reaffirmed and restated to focus on how information about the Earth is used and to demonstrate the relevance of the USGS to the American people. Key actions conducted by the Disciplines of USGS in fulfilling their missions are: Water Resources Discipline Collect and analyze data on the quantity and quality of surface and groundwater, on water use, and on the quality of precipitation. Assess the impact of human activities and natural phenomena on water resources. Geologic Discipline Assess energy and mineral resources, develop techniques for their discovery and evaluate the impact of their extraction, describe the onshore and offshore geologic framework and evaluate hazards associated with earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, droughts, landslides, and toxic materials. Mapping Discipline Produce and update geographic, cartographic, and remotely sensed information in both graphic and digital form. Biological Resources Discipline Conduct research on fish and wildlife, monitor ecosystems and maintain a global network of databases and information that is available at http://biology.usgs.gov (accessed 10/06/07).

http://biology.usgs.gov/�

vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

TITLE PAGE ................................................................................................................................. i 2009 COMPLETED PROJECTS PICTURE PAGE ................................................................. ii SELECTED ONGOING PROJECTS PICTURE PAGE ........................................................ iii MISSION STATEMENTS .......................................................................................................... iv COOPERATIVE AGENCIES AND COORDINATING COMMITTEE .............................. iv USGS ...............................................................................................................................................v TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................... vi-vii INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................... 1-9

Department of Interior (DOI) ......................................................................................................2 Research History of the South Dakota Unit ............................................................................ 2-3 Facilities .................................................................................................................................. 3-4 Environs .................................................................................................................................. 4-5 Personnel ................................................................................................................................. 5-6

Unit Staff .......................................................................................................................... 5-6 Research Associate ..............................................................................................................6 GRAs ....................................................................................................................................6 Cooperation with USGS EROS (Earth Resources Observation and Science) Scientists.....6

Teaching and Workshops ............................................................................................................7 Research and Service Highlights ............................................................................................ 7-8 Student Awards ...........................................................................................................................8

Coordinating Committee ......................................................................................................... 8-9 RESEARCH ............................................................................................................................. 9-11

Fundamental Science Practices ...................................................................................................9 Unit Scientists Receive Training .................................................................................................9 Unit Scientists Receive Awards ................................................................................................10 South Dakota Program Direction Statement ....................................................................... 10-11

COMPLETED PROJECTS .................................................................................................. 11-12 Development and Application of a Wetland Rapid Assessment Protocol for Eastern South Dakota Wetlands .......................................................................................... 11-12 Status of Selected Fishes with Immediate Conservation Need in North Dakota ......................12

STATUS OF ONGOING PROJECTS .......................................................................................13 STATE PROJECTS – FISHERIES (NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA) ........................ 13-18

Influence of an Invasive Diatom Didymosphenia geminata on Food Availability and Brown Trout Energetics in Rapid Creek, South Dakota .............................................. 13-15

Influence of Prey Resources on Food Web Dynamics in Missouri River Impoundments . 15-16 South Dakota River Studies Completion and Public Information ...................................... 16-17 Status and Distribution of Fishes in Select North Dakota Rivers and Streams ........................18 COOPERATIVE ECOSYSTEM STUDY UNIT (CESU) PROJECTS ............................ 18-20 Lake Sturgeon Population Characteristics, Movements and Habitat Use in Namakan Reservoir ............................................................................................................. 18-20 FEDERAL RESEARCH WORK ORDERS (RWO) .......................................................... 20-27 Spatial Distribution of Rocky Mountain Sandhill Cranes in Response to Habitat

Conditions During the Annual Cycle (RWO 93) ................................................................ 20-21

vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

Page Vulnerability of Age-0 Shovelnose Sturgeon to Predation: Implications for Restoring

Pallid Sturgeon with Hatchery-Reared Fish (RWO 97) ...................................................... 21-22 Water Quality, Nutrient Dynamics and Factors Affecting Water Clarity in U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Reservoirs (RWO 98) ................................................................................ 22-23 Below-Ground Food Production in Habitats Utilized by the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes Throughout the Intermountain Corridor (RWO 99) ................ 23-24 Use of Stable Isotope Analysis to Estimate Trophic Position of Pallid Sturgeon and Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Upper Missouri River (RWO 100) .................................. 24-25

Land Cover Change and the Breeding Bird Survey: Rates of Change Adjacent to and Away from Roads (RWO 101) ...........................................................................................25

Estimating Forage Production for Waterbirds and Waterbird Responses to Habitat Management in Wetland Management Units on Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge (RWO 102) ............................................................................................... 26-27

OTHER PROJECTS ............................................................................................................. 27-28 Data Collection and Assessment for Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Development ....................................................................................................................... 27-28

UNIT RESEARCH PRODUCTS ......................................................................................... 28-34 Newsletters ................................................................................................................................28 Popular Publications .................................................................................................................29 Presentations ....................................................................................................................... 29-32 Scientific Publications (Coop Unit Staff) ........................................................................... 33-34 Scientific Publications (Unit Supported Studies) ......................................................................34 Technical Publications ..............................................................................................................34

UNIT AND COOPERATOR PERSONNEL ....................................................................... 35-37 Unit Staff ...................................................................................................................................35 Coordinating Committee ...........................................................................................................35 Unit Supported Research Staff ..................................................................................................35 Unit GRAs Supervised by Unit Staff ........................................................................................36 GRAs Supported by RWOs, Supervised by Others ..................................................................36 Cooperating South Dakota Faculty ...........................................................................................36 Regional Cooperating Scientists ...............................................................................................37 SDSU Support Staff ..................................................................................................................37 USGS – BRD Support Staff ......................................................................................................37 FWS Research Liaison ..............................................................................................................37

APPENDICES A. List of Substantial Technical Assistance Efforts Conducted by Unit Staff in FY 09 .. A1-A6 B. Sound Science at the South Dakota Cooperative Unit .................................................. B1-B2 C. Recent Books on South Dakota Animals ............................................................................ C1

LAST PAGE Carrying buckets by M J McMillan

1

INTRODUCTION The South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit was formed in April 1984 by the combination of the separate fish and wildlife units that had been in operation since 1963 (Wildlife Unit) and 1965 (Fishery Unit) respectively. The objectives of the Unit are: 1. To conduct research on fish and wildlife ecology. 2. To provide technical and professional education and continuing education. 3. To make new research findings available through various media. The Cooperative Research Unit program was transferred from the US FWS to the National Biological Service in 1994; and, on October 1, 1996, to the Biological Resources Discipline of the U.S. Geological Survey. The South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (when fully staffed) provides SDSU with three research faculty, two to three research associates, 15-20 GRAs, and 5-10 undergraduate summer research positions. Value of salaries and research contracts administered by the Unit has been $1.0-1.5 million per year. In 2006 a special publication reviewing the history of the national program was published by retired Chief of the Unit Program Dr. Reid Goforth. His 108-page booklet, titled “The Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program,” is about the historical and successful Cooperative Unit Program, how it operates, how it originated, and how it has evolved through the years. Free copies are available from the South Dakota Unit. South Dakota has an interesting connection with the history of the Cooperative Unit Program. The first Unit was formed in Iowa in 1932. Its leader was Dr. Paul Errington, a student of Aldo Leopold. Errington received his B.S. Degree from SDSU. His classic book, titled “Of Men and Marshes,” is set in the Prairie Pothole Region of Brookings County. Errington Memorial Marsh is located near Oakwood Lake State Park in Brookings County. The Unit Program began in response to a recognized need for trained biologists and scientific information in the field of fish and wildlife management. The unique partnership that developed among federal and state resource agencies and Land Grant universities has evolved into a nationwide program. The Annual Report of the Cooperative Research Unit Program gives the highlights of research, technical assistance, and teaching accomplishments of the 39 Cooperative Units in 37 states (www.coopunits.org). In FY 2008 the national Unit Program continued to be highly productive even with reduced staff (20% vacancies). Again last year the program produced about 200 publications and about 30 workshops and training courses. The program has over 500 students, graduating about 90 with advanced degrees in fish and wildlife conservation and natural resource science. In FY 2008 over 1, 000 research projects were ongoing representing a mix of research, monitoring, and technical assistance.

2

The Unit Program has a national support and advocacy group called the National Cooperators’ Coalition (NCC). The NCC Steering Committee was started by Bob Davison and others; Bob taught at SDSU for a year in the early 1980s before beginning a successful career with the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), which is a cooperator in the Coop Unit Program. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences’ Department Head Dr. David Willis is on the Coalition Steering Committee. The NCC Steering Committee is pursuing goals in their document titled “Vision and Strategies for the Future of the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit System.” Department of Interior (DOI) The Cooperative Unit Program is uniquely positioned to support DOI’s strategic goal of linking science to decision making through adaptive management as described in the Department’s Adaptive Management Technical Guide. The Coop Units can provide primary research, develop structured decision support models to minimize uncertainty in decision making, and establish new pathways for communications with partners. The USGS science strategy focuses on six science directions: USGS Science Directions South Dakota Coop Unit Projects Understanding ecosystems and predicting ecosystem change Rivers, lakes, wetlands and biota

Climate variability and change Drought and river hydrology Energy and minerals for America’s future Wind power and ethanol crops National hazards, risk, and resilience program No South Dakota Unit Projects Role of environment and wildlife in human health

Mercury in fish, aquatic animals as sentinels of human health

Water census of the United States No South Dakota Unit Projects Note: See publication U.S. Geological Survey, 2007, Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges – U.S. Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007–2017: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1309, 70p.; available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2007/1309/. Research History of the South Dakota Unit Since establishment of the South Dakota Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit in 1963, 204 M.S. theses have been completed. Fifteen students have completed Ph.D. dissertations since a doctoral degree program in biological sciences was initiated at SDSU in 1990. There are 79 fisheries theses and 138 wildlife theses, from which about 260 scientific or popular publications have been published. A list of all theses is available from the Unit Leader; all theses and dissertations from the Department are available at http://wfs.sdstate.edu/wfsci.htm. South Dakota contains a variety of aquatic habitats including natural glacial lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and many types of wetlands. As such, aquatic habitat and water quality have been the focus of most fisheries and waterfowl research. Palustrine (prairie pothole) wetland ecology has been a major focus of Unit research with about 3 dozen theses on wetland ecology. The Unit

http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2007/1309/�

3

continues to address cooperator needs through studies of 1) exotic and endangered species, 2) aquatic bioassessment techniques and river ecology, 3) energetics based fisheries models, and 4) reservoir water quality. The scientists who have led the South Dakota Cooperative Unit(s) are: 1963 - Dr. Paul F. Springer, first Leader, Wildlife Research Unit 1965 - Dr. Alfred C. Fox, first Leader, Fishery Research Unit 1966 - Dr. Richard A. Tubb, Assistant Leader, Fishery Research Unit 1967 - Dr. Raymond L. Linder, Leader, Wildlife Research Unit 1967 - Dr. Richard L. Applegate, Assistant Leader, Fishery Research Unit 1967 - Dr. Robert B. Dahlgren, Assistant Leader, Wildlife Research Unit 1970 - Dr. Donald C. Hales, Leader, Fishery Research Unit 1974 - Dr. Frank Schitoskey, Jr., Assistant Leader, Wildlife Research Unit 1978 - Dr. Robert S. Benda, Assistant Leader, Fishery Research Unit 1981 - Dr. Alan Wentz, Assistant Leader, Wildlife Research Unit 1985 - Dr. Charles R. Berry, Jr., Leader, Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 1985 - Dr. Kenneth F. Higgins, Assistant Leader, Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 1989 - Dr. Walter G. Duffy, Assistant Leader, Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 1999 - Dr. Steven R. Chipps, Assistant Leader, Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Dr. Ray Linder passed away on September 27, 2009. Ray was Leader of the Wildlife Unit from 1967 to 1985 when the Fish and Wildlife Units were combined. Among Ray’s many significant accomplishments was the Unit’s research on wetlands and the emphasis on wetland inventory through the National Wetland Inventory (NWI). The NWI group continues to be an important program at SDSU. Facilities The South Dakota Coop Unit is located in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, SDSU, Brookings, South Dakota. The University has approximately 10,900 undergraduate students, 1,445 graduate students, and 900 faculty. Enrollment in the Department averages 50-60 graduate students and 270 undergraduates. The Department faculty has increased to 10 members in recent years with the addition of Dr. Susan Rupp (wildlife), Dr. Brian Graeb (fisheries), and Dr. Katie Bertrand (fisheries). Information about the Unit can be found on the Department's home page at http://wfs.sdstate.edu or on the USGS home page at http://coopunits.org. The Department is located in the Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory. Included in the 17,000 ft2 space are two wet laboratories, walk-in freezers, a photo interpretation laboratory, limnology laboratory, bioassay laboratory, library, computer room, and several general purpose laboratories. All space is shared with Unit staff and students. The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service’s (CSREES) 2009 review of the Department highlighted the strength of the Coop Unit by being fully integrated into the Department and providing opportunities for graduate research. A Geographic Information System (GIS) Laboratory was established to support work on a wetland atlas for South Dakota. The lab and computers purchased by SD GFP (and subsequently

4

upgraded by numerous cooperators) are being used for diverse studies (i.e., flooding analysis, deer use of wetlands, temporal changes in the Missouri River, GAP analysis). The Wetland Atlas of South Dakota was completed when Higgins and colleagues published Volume II about west river wetlands. The laboratory is often used to provide technical assistance using the GAP database or the South Dakota river fishes database. The lab also includes a printer for poster-sized products. The Unit and Department share an excellent supply of field equipment and off-campus laboratory facilities. A wildlife farm is located 1.5 miles north of campus and consists of two buildings for shop work and laboratory space, several storage buildings – including a new 2,800 ft2 boat storage unit, and deer and pheasant pens. Also located at the farm is a 4-acre plot for studies of wildlife-agriculture interactions. New in 2009 is a 1,728 ft2 wet lab where riverine mesocosms are set up for various fisheries studies. Two dugouts constructed on campus in the floodplain of Six Mile Creek are part of the Unit’s study of interactions between floodplain wetlands and stream fish communities. The dugouts are a truly cooperative venture – designed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), constructed on SDSU property, paid for by FWS, and monitored by USGS. The Unit continues to monitor groundwater connections and fish movement into the dugouts. The Fisheries Research Laboratory, located 2 miles north of campus, includes an office, laboratory and wet lab space, a storage shed, six experimental wetlands, and three 2-acre ponds. The lab recently housed mesocosms to study reactions of zooplankton and fish to strobe lights and artificial streams to study predation. The Unit owns two 21 ft long boats for limnological research on Lake Oahe and the Missouri River. The Unit maintains a fleet of USGS vehicles for staff and student travel (three Suburbans, three Blazers, eight pickups). This year the Unit was able to trade in three old vehicles for new cars as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The South Dakota Unit assisted the Nebraska Unit by transferring two vehicles to them. The South Dakota Unit purchased $1,500 in safety equipment for general use by all students and faculty. The safety funding was provided by USGS. The Unit added a utility vehicle that will be used for various projects. The Kubota RTV 500H was purchased with funds provided by USGS. Environs Brookings, population 19,000, is located in the gently rolling farmland of eastern South Dakota where there are numerous wetlands (prairie potholes), shelterbelts (7,400 acres in Brookings County), wooded draws, rivers, and glacial lakes. In Brookings County there are seven large lakes, about 35,000 acres of wetlands, three state parks, one state waterfowl refuge, and approximately 4 dozen public wildlife management areas covering 6,000 acres. Eastern South Dakota is called the glacial lakes and tall-grass prairie portion of the state. Important geological features are the Coteau des Prairies or “hills of the prairie,” which are glacial moraine formations, and hundreds of lakes and thousands of prairie pothole wetlands.

5

The Missouri River, which bisects the state, consists of four reservoirs and two free-flowing river sections, which are National Recreational Rivers (NRR) (Missouri NRR, Missouri-Niobrara-Verdigre Creek NRR). The James, Big Sioux, and Vermillion rivers are eastern tributaries to the Missouri River; while the Cheyenne, Moreau, Bad, White, and Grand rivers are western tributaries. East of the Missouri is glacial topography and sub-humid, west of the river is erosional topography and semi-arid. The Black Hills are a miniature version of the Rocky Mountains that rise 4,000 ft (approximately 7,242 ft above sea level) above the Missouri Plateau. The “Hills” are an elliptical-shaped region about 60 miles wide and 125 miles long that lie on the South Dakota-Wyoming border. About 900 miles of streams and 18 lakes have wild populations of brown trout and brook trout. The largest reservoirs – Pactola, Deerfield, and Angostura – were built by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and are important municipal and agricultural water supplies. The Unit staff has been involved in several of the recent books and booklets about South Dakota animals (Appendix C). Among the wild vertebrates there are 111 fish species, 95 mammal species, 7 turtle species, 415 bird species, and 15 amphibian species. The USGS’s Gap Analysis Program provides information on how to conserve these species. Gap analysis has been done for the South Dakota vertebrates (Appendix C). Personnel Unit Staff Dr. Charles R. Berry, Jr., has been Unit Leader since 1985. He was re-elected to a 3-year term to the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), which is an umbrella group for 200 biological societies and 6,000 individual members. Berry is leading South Dakota’s involvement in the nationwide celebration of the 2009 Year of Science. He chaired Year of Science symposia at the annual meetings of the South Dakota Academy of Science and the American Fisheries Society (AFS) and was invited to speak at the Sigma Xi Chapter and the South Dakota Water Conference banquets. Berry received a STAR Award from the Coop Unit Program (STAR = Special Thanks for Achieving Results) for outstanding unit productivity (2007-2010). Dr. Steven R. Chipps, Assistant Unit Leader – Fisheries, joined the Unit in 1999. He studies food web interactions, energy flow in aquatic ecosystems, and invertebrate ecology. Chipps is one of eight Unit scientists on the CRU Leadership Development Team. Chipps received a STAR Award from the Coop Unit Program for outstanding unit productivity (2007-2010). Chipps and students received the Best Poster Award at the 2009 AFS annual meeting. He is an Associate Editor for Wetlands and the Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science. Chipps’ studies of mercury in fish received attention on a national website (www.sciencedaily.com). ScienceDaily is one of the Internet’s most popular science news web sites. The award-winning site has more than 3 million monthly visitors. Dr. Kenneth F. Higgins, Assistant Unit Leader – Wildlife, retired on January 3, 2006. Higgins is an SDSU Professor Emeritus. He is a volunteer researcher for the FWS and is frequently invited

http://www.sciencedaily.com/�

6

to speak at SDSU and elsewhere, give guest lectures, and review manuscripts. Higgins is pursuing research on global warming and waterfowl production and he is co-authoring a book on South Dakota waterfowl. The Unit is assisting with funding and other help with his projects. Ken’s position will probably be vacant for several years as the Coop Unit Program nationwide is squeezed by budget cuts. There are about 23 vacancies in the nationwide program, which amounts to about 20% of the research scientists at the Unit Program. The nationwide Unit Program similarly suffered in the 1980s under similar federal political and budgetary conditions, but returned to full staffing in the 1990s. The South Dakota Unit was without an Assistant Leader for 2.5 years (July 1997-November 1999) after Dr. Walter Duffy departed and before Chipps arrived. Research Associate The Unit has one full time research associate, Ms. Cari-Ann Hayer (M.S., Auburn), who is the project leader for the state wildlife grants fish projects in North and South Dakota. She is interested in river fisheries, geographic information systems, and improving fish distribution models by applying fish capture probabilities. She is active in AFS at all levels. She presented four scientific papers and published three scientific articles and two technical reports this year. GRAs Nine GRAs were supervised by Unit staff and one Ph.D. student and two M.S. students were supervised by Dr. Leigh Frederickson, who is funded through the USGS Research Work Order process. Unit staff supervised one SCEP (Student Career Employment Program) student with the FWS. Heather McWilliams is doing research at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) (Berry is a co-principal investigator). The Unit facilitates funding for SCEP student Micheal Hanan, who is supervised by Dr. Kent C. Jensen; and for SCEP students Ms. Tandi Perkins and Ms. Diana Iriarte, who are supervised by Dr. Fredrickson. A complete list of part time research associates, GRAs, cooperating faculty, and SDSU support staff associated with the Unit is included at the end of this report. Cooperation with USGS EROS (Earth Resources Observation and Science) Scientists The USGS EROS Data Center, and the recently established GIS Center of Excellence at SDSU, provide unique resources and productive collaborations for the South Dakota Unit. Unit staff have worked with USGS EROS scientists on several projects. Dr. Bob Klaver, USGS EROS Data Center, serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department and teaches courses in mark-recapture methodology. Michelle Bouchard (USGS EROS) frequently assists Unit staff and students with imagery needs and shape files. Dr. Michael Wimberly (GIS Center of Excellence/EROS) has provided critical expertise on spatial statistics to Unit staff and students. He has served on Unit student graduate committees and is co-author on several publications with Unit staff. Chipps is working with EROS staff to develop a fisheries management plan for a pond on the EROS property.

7

Teaching and Workshops Chipps taught/participated in the following workshops and training courses. • Participated in a half-day workshop to discuss spring water releases from Pactola Reservoir. • Participated in a shallow water habitat workshop to develop invertebrate sampling procotols

for evaluating habitat construction efforts in the Missouri River. • Presented a Webinar entitled “Modeling mercury accumulation in fishes using bioenergetics

models.” USFWS and CRUs have developed a web conferencing program to increase communication and transfer of technical information between USFWS and CRUs on topics for which CRUs has expertise.

• Taught a 3-day USGS Motorboat Operator’s Certification Course to students from SDSU,

Kansas State University, and staff from SD GFP (with Dr. Kevin Pope, Nebraska Coop Unit).

Unit staff presented guest lectures at SDSU classes and each Unit staff member teaches one graduate-level course each year. The courses are related to the staff’s expertise and are meant to augment basic courses offered by the University. Staff Course Title Course Number Berry Fish Biology (2009) WL 592

Stream Ecology and Management (2010) WL 719 Chipps Aquatic Trophic Ecology (2009) WL 717 Ecology of Aquatic Invertebrates (2010) WL 718 The SDSU Honors College adopted the theme Year of Science for the fall (09) colloquium (HON 303). Berry is an instructor for the class of 18 exceptional students from throughout the University. Research and Service Highlights The Unit staff supervised 15 projects on northern prairie habitats and biota and completed two projects in FY 2009. Unit staff produced 16 peer-reviewed publications, one Unit supported peer-reviewed publication, nine popular publications, 11 newsletters, 40 scientific presentations, and four technical reports. Nine GRAs (seven M.S. and two Ph.D.) were supervised by Unit personnel. The staff provided data and technical assistance to a wide variety of agencies and organizations and participated in professional society activities; details can be found in Appendix A; total number of substantial technical assistance efforts by category was:

8

Federal Agencies

8

State Agencies

12

Professional Organizations

28

Other Universities

3

SDSU

32

Other

10 Student Awards Schaeffer, T. W., D. E. Spengler, C. W. Schoenebeck, M. L. Brown, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Compensatory growth and metabolic responses of female yellow perch subjected to symmetric feed:fast cycles. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Best Student Paper Award.

Schoenebeck, C. W., M. L. Brown, and S. R. Chipps. 2008. Affects of nutrient release on nutrient limitation and phytoplankton abundance as influenced by winterkill conditions in glacial lakes. Eastern South Dakota Water Conference, Brookings, South Dakota. Honorable Mention, Best Student Poster Award.

VanDeHey, J. A., M. J. Fincel, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Non-lethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Best Student Paper Award. VanDeHey, J., M. Fincel, and S. Chipps. 2009. Nonlethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. Best Student Poster Award. Coordinating Committee The voting members of the South Dakota Unit’s Coordinating Committee were Tony Leif (Director, SD GFP), Greg Watson (FWS), Gary Lemme (SDSU), Bernard Shanks (USGS), and Mr. Pat Ruble (WMI Midwest Field Representative). In 2009, Dr. Donald Marshall replaced Dr. Lemme as SDSU’s representative to the Committee and Dr. Mike Tome replaced Dr. Shanks as the USGS Committee member. Dr. Bernard Shanks recently retired as supervisor of the South Dakota Coop Unit for the last 5 years. Before that position, he had a long and varied career in teaching natural resource policy and in natural resource administration. He worked in the Western Regional office of the USGS; for governors of California, Arizona, and Washington; and at several universities (Utah State University, University of California Davis, California State Sacramento). His final note to the South Dakota staff said, “Chuck – Thanks for everything. You, Steve, and Ken have been a fine Unit.” Bern. Attendees of the Coordinating Committee held on October 23, 2008, at the USGS EROS Data Center, in Sioux Falls, SD, were: Mark Anderson, Director, SD Water Science Center, USGS, Rapid City, SD; Charles Berry, Jr., Adjunct Professor and Leader, SDCRU, SDSU, Brookings, SD; Steven Chipps, Adjunct Associate Professor and Assistant Leader, SDCRU, SDSU, Brookings, SD; Kenneth Higgins, Professor Emeritus, SDCRU, SDSU, Brookings, SD; Rex Johnson, HAPET Team Leader, USFWS, Fergus Falls, MN; Bob Klaver, Senior Scientist, USGS

9

EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, SD; Tony Leif, Director, Division of Wildlife, SD GFP, Pierre, SD; Gary Lemme, Dean, SDSU, College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Brookings, SD; Kevin Luebke, State Biologist, USDA, NRCS, Huron, SD; Nathan Morey, Biologist, DOT, Planning/Engineering Division, Pierre, SD; Kevin Pope, Assistant Leader, NE CFWRU, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE; Patrick Ruble, Midwest Field Representative, WMI, Millersport, OH; Bernard Shanks, Supervisor, CRUs, Deer Harbor, WA; Gene Stueven, Senior Scientist, DENR, Division of Financial and Technical Assistance, Water Resources Assistance, Pierre, SD; Carmen Thomson, Director, Inventory and Monitoring Program, NPS, Omaha, NE; June Thormodsgard, Chief Scientist, Land Sciences, USGS EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, SD; Ken Williams, Chief, CRUs Program, Reston, VA; David Willis, Distinguished Professor and Head, SDSU, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Brookings, SD. RESEARCH Research at the South Dakota Unit is firmly based on the principle of sound science. Scientists and GRAs approach research problems by using 1) the scientific method, 2) quality assurance procedures, 3) data management protocols, and 4) peer review. Fundamental Science Practices Research conducted by USGS scientists is based on objective, unbiased science. In 2007, a new USGS policy – Fundamental Science Practices (FSP) – mandated that all research products undergo internal review and approval prior to public disclosure. The purpose of the FSP is to establish a peer-review process across all parts of USGS and across most types of products – including proposals, presentations, abstracts, and written materials (excluding posters). The USGS requires the peer reviews to maintain the USGS’s reputation for sound science and to identify important research findings to Department of Interior officials before public disclosure. Our proposals and products must be reviewed by qualified peer reviewers who provide written comments and criticisms. USGS scientists respond to reviewers’ comments in writing and submit the revised product and associated comments to regional supervisors who then forward the materials on to a USGS approving official. Records management is required for each product from the initial study plan to the final product. The new FSP serves as a pre-review process to the routine reviews that universities and science journals also require (Appendix B). Unit Scientists Receive Training Unit scientists keep up with new scientific findings and hypotheses by reading literature and attending meetings. As Department of Interior employees, the Unit scientist must also show a record of completing various training courses from the DOI LEARN, the government’s online training system. In FY 2009 the South Dakota Unit scientists completed 1-hour courses on Ethics, Federal Information Systems Security Awareness, Discrimination and Whistle Blowing in the Workplace, Orientation to the Privacy Act, Records Management, and General Environmental Management System Awareness Training.

10

Unit Scientists Receive Awards Drs. Chipps and Berry each received a STAR award from the Coop Unit Program, USGS, Reston, Virginia. The STAR (Special Thanks for Achieving Results) was presented because of the outstanding productivity of the South Dakota Unit during FY 08. Chipps was selected as one of three speakers in the Research Session at SDSU’s Faculty Recognition Day. His presentation summarized work on mercury accumulation in South Dakota walleyes. The study was carried out by former student, Dr. Trevor Selch – dissertation PDF at http://wfs.sdstate.edu/wfsdept/. South Dakota Program Direction Statement The program objectives are: 1) to conduct research into the ecology of renewable natural resources and to investigate the production, use, management, protection, and restoration of such resources; 2) to provide technical and professional education on the graduate and professional levels, in the fields of renewable natural resource sciences; 3) to make available to resource managers, land owners, other researchers, and other interested public, such facts, methods, literature, and new findings discovered through research; 4) to disseminate research findings through the publication of reports, bulletins, circulars, films, and journal and magazine articles; and 5) to help address the information needs of the Cooperators. The Unit’s program direction is reviewed annually by representatives of BRD of USGS, SDSU, SD GFP, WMI, and FWS. The program direction can be changed to meet the needs of the cooperators. The overall program direction will be to conduct applied research to benefit management of Northern Great Plains habitats and biota. Stress mechanisms, responses, and management that relate to fish, wildlife, and the landscape will be investigated at every opportunity. Education goals are to teach one graduate-level class per year, update professional biologists with at least one workshop every 3 years, and provide extension and technical assistance to cooperating agencies and the public. The Unit cooperates with University faculty and State fish and game staffs to achieve these goals. Wetland research in the Prairie Pothole Region will incorporate landscape-level influences on the fish, wildlife, invertebrates, and plant communities of wetlands. Ecological services – such as water retention, livestock forage, flood reduction, ground water recharge, esthetics, and fishery potential – will be included in research efforts when appropriate. Applied aspects of wetland research will strive to address wetland protection, waterfowl production, development of wetland bioassessment techniques, and integration with agricultural and aquacultural practices. Fisheries research will focus on the management, conservation, and production of native species and sport fishes. The Unit will develop collaborative and integrative research programs with state, federal, and NGO agencies to address problems associated with habitat degradation, water quality, and fishery production in aquatic environments of the Northern Great Plains. Because of its socio-economic and recreational value, the Missouri River provides unique challenges and opportunities in the region. Thus, the study of native, endangered, and introduced fishes and wildlife of the Missouri River will continue to be a focus of Unit research. The Unit is well-

http://wfs.sdstate.edu/wfsdept/�

11

positioned to integrate an adaptive management approach to research that will be fully realized when the Unit is fully staffed. COMPLETED PROJECTS Development and Application of a Wetland Rapid Assessment Protocol for Eastern South Dakota Wetlands (D. E. Hubbard/D. E. Napton/M. A. Bouchard/S. R. Chipps) Project Description: Eastern South Dakota is characterized by a rich diversity of wetland resources. Most of eastern South Dakota lies within the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of the Northern Great Plains – an area known for high wetland density and waterfowl production. Although wetlands in the PPR provide a multitude of ecological services, they have, and continue to be, threatened by human impacts such as agricultural activities and urbanization. To document the extent and magnitude of these impacts it is important that South Dakota acquires the tools and information necessary for monitoring the ecological condition of wetland resources. Application of Research: The goals of this project were to develop and implement a wetland rapid assessment protocol for eastern South Dakota wetlands. Once developed, the South Dakota Wetland Rapid Assessment Protocol (SD-WRAP) will be used to 1) identify a suite of reference wetlands for long-term monitoring, 2) evaluate the condition of wetland resources, and 3) assess wetland restoration efforts. Progress: The objective of this study was to explore linkages between land use patterns and wetland condition in eastern South Dakota and develop and evaluate a rapid assessment protocol for wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of eastern South Dakota. Landscape level assessments were done using the Landscape Development Intensity Index (LDI); in general, nutrient loading indices were positively related to LDI, implying that the LDI is useful for characterizing potential wetland disturbance at the landscape level. Using site-specific data, we developed and quantified wetland condition using the South Dakota Wetland Rapid Assessment Protocol (SD-WRAP). SD-WRAP scores were strongly correlated to both the LDI and independent expert evaluations. Hence, the SD-WRAP developed here provides a relatively quick and simple approach for gathering site specific data and can provide an important tool for wetland monitoring and assessment, as well as identify potential reference sites. Products: Bouchard, M. A. 2007. An historical perspective of eastern South Dakota wetlands. 38th Annual South Dakota State University Geography Convention, Brookings, South Dakota. Bouchard, M. A. 2007. Wetland loss in the Prairie Pothole Region of eastern South Dakota. Annual Meeting, Association of American Geographers, San Francisco, California. Bouchard, M. A. 2009. Wetland resources of eastern South Dakota; drainage patterns, assessment techniques, and predicting future risks. M.S. Thesis, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota.

12

Bouchard, M. A., D. E. Hubbard, D. E. Napton, and S. R. Chipps. 2008. Development of a wetland rapid assessment protocol for prairie pothole wetlands in eastern South Dakota. Final Report, U.S. EPA, Region 8, Denver, Colorado. Status of Selected Fishes with Immediate Conservation Need in North Dakota (C. R. Berry/C-A. Hayer/L. J. Borgstrom) Project Description: This study focuses on rare fishes in North Dakota rivers with emphasis on the stonerollers (Campostoma anomalum and C. oligolepis). Field sampling with several sampling gears (seines, shocking, traps) was done at 113 sites during summer of 2006 and 2007. Fourteen sites were revisited. Funding is from State Wildlife Grants. Application of Research: The study will update information about fish assemblages in North Dakota including distribution, abundance, and key habitat features. Information will be used to make conservation plans for the rare species. Progress: During the summers of 2006 and 2007 we conducted 137 different sampling occasions at 125 different locations on 40 different streams. We deployed sampling gear a total of 185 times. Eight species of concern (chestnut lamprey, hornyhead chub, largescale stoneroller, northern redbelly dace, pearl dace, silver chub, trout-perch, and yellow bullhead) were collected in the Red River drainage. We did not find silver lamprey, blacknose shiner, blackchin shiner, carmine shiner, finescale dace, logperch, and pugnose shiner, which were historically collected in Red River tributaries. Hornyhead chub was collected at the most sites and was the most abundant, followed by trout-perch. Hornyhead chub was found in the Forest and Park rivers, where as trout-perch was collected in five watersheds. We determined that the species of stoneroller present in the Red River basin is the largescale stoneroller, Campostoma oligolepis. Products: Borgstrom, L. J. and C. R. Berry Jr. 2008. Unique aquatic system of the Coteau Escarpment. Eastern South Dakota Water Conference, Brookings, South Dakota. Borgstrom, L. J., C-A. Hayer, and C. R. Berry Jr. 2008. Inventory of rare and nongame fishes in North Dakota. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Borgstrom, L., C. Berry, and C-A. Hayer. 2009. Longitudinal fish community assemblage in the Forest River, North Dakota. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Hayer, C-A., L. J. Borgstrom, and C. R. Berry Jr. 2009. Status of selected fishes with immediate conservation need in the Red River of the North Basin. Final Report for State Wildlife Grant Program Project, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Bismarck, North Dakota.

13

STATUS OF ONGOING PROJECTS The Unit staff oversees four ongoing projects funded by the SD GFP (three) and North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) (one). Most of the state funds are federal aid funds derived from revenue paid by sportsmen through an 11% manufacturer’s excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, and motorboat fuels. Nationwide about 15% of the expenditures of these funds are made for fish and wildlife research, such as that being done by the South Dakota Coop Unit. States also spend the federal aid funds for education, surveys, land acquisition, operations, and maintenance. The Unit has also been funded by the State Wildlife Grants Program. These federal funds, available since 2001, are used to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered by supporting studies and conservation activities for nongame species. The Unit staff members are either the Principal Investigator or Project Officer on seven RWOs negotiated between the USGS and SDSU. The RWOs are authorized by Cooperative Agreement No. 1434-00-HQ-RU-1549 between the Federal Government and the University. Other federal agencies can contract with the Coop Unit by using the Economy Act, whereby they transfer funds to the USGS by interagency agreements. The funding is often passed on to other professors with special research interests. This year funding through the Unit supported five students who are supervised by other faculty. One study (Voyageurs National Park lake sturgeon) was funded by the National Park Service through the Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit at the University of Nebraska. The Ecosystem Studies Unit is a network of 15 academic institutions (including SDSU) and six federal agencies. Federal funding, mostly for National Park Service projects, is funneled through the Ecosystem Studies Unit to academic institutions. A brief summary of each ongoing project follows, as does a list of theses, technical reports, popular publications, and scientific presentations associated with these projects. STATE PROJECTS – FISHERIES (NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA) Influence of an Invasive Diatom Didymosphenia geminata on Food Availability and Brown Trout Energetics in Rapid Creek, South Dakota (S. R. Chipps/D. A. James) Project Description: Didymosphenia geminata (hereafter referred to as ‘Didymo’) is a relatively large, easy-to-identify diatom that historically occurred in low productivity streams and lakes at northern latitudes. Since the mid-1980s, the geographic range of Didymo has expanded in many regions of Europe and North America. In many cases, these populations have taken on characteristics of an invasive species – often forming large, nuisance growths that cover stream benthos. In 2002, Didymo was reported from the Rapid Creek drainage in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. Rapid Creek represents an important brown trout Salmo trutta fishery for South Dakota, particularly below Pactola Reservoir – a reach that has long been recognized as a ‘blue ribbon’ catch-and-release fishery.

14

Application of Research: The purpose of this study is to quantify impacts of Didymo on trout and invertebrate resources in Rapid Creek, South Dakota. A comparative approach is being used to evaluate biological responses to drought conditions, nutrient enrichment, and water release in Didymo-infested areas of Rapid Creek, South Dakota. Progress: We evaluated the influence of drought conditions on brown trout biomass from three stream sections in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Stream discharge, mean summer water temperature, and trout biomass (200-350 mm) were compared between 2 time periods: pre-drought (2000-2002) and post-drought (2005-2007). Brown trout biomass declined 65% from pre- (402 kg/ha) to post-drought (140 kg/ha) periods in Spearfish Creek, South Dakota. Although mean discharge varied between pre- (2 m3 s-1) and post-drought (1.3 m3 s-1) periods, mean summer (June-August) stream temperature was similar in Spearfish Creek from 2000-2007 (mean = 11.7 °C). In lower Rapid Creek, mean discharge decreased 50% from pre- (2.0 m3 s-1) to post-drought periods (1.0 m3 s-1). Similarly, brown trout biomass declined 87% between pre- (460 kg/ha) and post-drought periods (58 kg/ha). Mean summer water temperature was appreciably higher in this section (19.1 oC). In upper Rapid Creek, mean summer water temperature was < 10 oC from 2000-2007, yet mean trout biomass declined 95% from pre- to post-drought periods (394 to 20 kg/ha). In addition to reduced discharge (pre-drought = 1.41 m3 s-1; post-drought = 0.91 m3 s-1), a nuisance algae species Didymosphenia geminata appeared in upper Rapid Creek during drought years. Changes in brown trout biomass were strongly associated with drought conditions. Moreover, variation in water temperature and the establishment of a nuisance species may have an additive effect in reducing brown trout standing stock. Products: James, D. A. and S. R. Chipps. 2008. Influence of drought, temperature, and Didymosphenia geminata on brown trout size structures in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Poster Presentation, 138th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Ottawa, Canada. James, D. A. and S. R. Chipps. 2008. Influence of drought, temperature, and Didymosphenia geminata on brown trout size structures in the Black Hills, South Dakota. 44th Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. James, D. A., J .W. Wilhite, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Influence of drought conditions on brown trout Salmo trutta biomass in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. James, D. and S. Chipps. 2008. Influence of drought conditions on brown trout biomass in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Poster Presentation, 69th

Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Columbus, Ohio.

James, D. and S. Chipps. 2009. Factors associated with the distribution and abundance of Didymosphenia geminata in the Black Hills, South Dakota. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee.

15

Ranney, S. H., B. D. Spindler, S. R. Chipps, and J. S. Shearer. 2007. Macroinvertebrate communities in Rapid Creek, South Dakota: comparisons between areas with and without the invasive Didymosphenia geminata. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Ranney, S. H., B. D. Spindler, S. R. Chipps, and J. S. Shearer. 2007. Macroinvertebrate composition in areas with and without the invasive diatom Didymosphenia geminata. Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, California. Influence of Prey Resources on Food Web Dynamics in Missouri River Impoundments (S. R. Chipps/M. J. Fincel) Project Description: Inter- and intra- reservoir variation in prey fish composition and abundance has an important effect on sport fish populations in the Missouri River. Coldwater habitat in Lake Oahe, for example, provides refuge for rainbow smelt – a forage species that contributes significantly to walleye production. In contrast, prey fish populations in downstream impoundments are dominated by gizzard shad, cyprinids, and young-of-year sport fishes. In the late 1990s, the decline of rainbow smelt in Lake Oahe had significant impacts on walleye production. Although the smelt population has been recovering, low water levels combined with the recent expansion of gizzard shad in Lake Oahe have resulted in a unique food web never before observed in this system. As a result, factors affecting gizzard shad abundance and distribution in Lake Oahe and their contribution to the growth dynamics of walleyes are poorly understood. Gizzard shad have generally been restricted to the lower Missouri River impoundments in South Dakota, where they serve as important prey for walleyes. In recent years, gizzard shad numbers have increased in Lake Oahe potentially affecting the walleye fishery. With increased gizzard shad abundance, many questions arise about their population dynamics, how they grow relative to populations further south, where spawning takes place, and factors affecting year class strength. The importance of gizzard shad on growth dynamics of Lake Oahe walleyes is not known. In downstream impoundments (i.e., Lake Sharpe) gizzard shad represent an important diet item for walleyes. With the recent expansion of gizzard shad into Lake Oahe, information about the energetic contribution of gizzard shad to walleye growth is needed. Application of Research: This study will determine to what extent Lake Oahe walleye are foraging on gizzard shad, quantify the energetic contribution of gizzard shad to walleye growth, and evaluate temporal patterns in energy flow across Missouri River impoundments. Progress: Data for modeling walleye age, growth, and diet composition were collected in Lake Oahe from May-October 2008 and 2009. Over 500 walleyes have been sampled from six locations in Lake Oahe. Stomachs were removed from each fish to assess diet and to date, >70% have been completed in the laboratory. Otoliths were taken from each fish for age determination, as well as tissue samples for isotope determinations. Field sampling to document water quality attributes in Missouri River reservoirs was conducted from April-October 2008. One hundred and sixty-six water samples and 830 zooplankton samples were taken from 24 sites. Physical measurements (dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductance, total dissolved solids, and

16

turbidity) were made in the field. Of the zooplankton samples collected, about 620 (75%) have been identified and enumerated. Larval fish samples were collected every other week beginning in mid May and continuing through July. Over 200 larval fish samples were taken from six sites. Adult gizzard shad (<20 individuals) were also collected by the SD GFP and will be processed with those collected by SDSU. Products: Fincel, M. J., J. A. VanDeHey, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Non-lethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Fincel, M., B. Davis, and S. Chipps. 2008. Estimating trophic position of walleyes using stable isotope analysis. 138th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Ottawa, Canada. Galster, B., J. VanDeHey, M. Wuellner, M. Fincel, B. Graeb, D. Willis, and S. Chipps. 2009. A trip back in time: re-constructing historic food webs with stable isotope analysis. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. VanDeHey, J. A., M. J. Fincel, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Non-lethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. Annual Meeting, Minnesota-Wisconsin-Ontario Chapters, American Fisheries Society, Duluth, Minnesota. VanDeHey, J., M. Fincel, and S. Chipps. 2008. Non-lethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. 69th Annual Midwest Fish Wildlife Conference, Columbus, Ohio. VanDeHey, J., M. Fincel, and S. Chipps. 2009. Nonlethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. Wuestewald, A., M. Fincel, J. VanDeHey, and S. Chipps. 2009. Comparing isotope signatures of prey fish: does gut removal affect 13C or 15N signatures? 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. Wuestewald, A., M. J. Fincel, J. A. VanDeHey, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Comparing isotope signatures of prey fish: does gut removal affect 13C or 15N Signatures? Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. South Dakota River Studies Completion and Public Information (C. R. Berry Jr./K. N. Bertrand/N. A. Stroh [resigned], L. J. Borgstrom, C-A. Hayer) Project Description: Since 1990 there has been a continuing effort to survey stream fishes throughout South Dakota to collect baseline data on species distribution, abundance, and habitat association. This effort was recently bought to a conclusion with the publication of several comprehensive works that list fishes by watershed. The synthesis of data revealed several

17

streams have not been surveyed recently or have only been sparsely surveyed. Previous federal aid funding has been used to develop a prototype web page that includes data from 26 sites on the Bad River. The goal of this study is to “tie up the loose ends” of the statewide study and assess the procedures for developing a rivers web page for information to the general public. Specific objectives are: 1) improve fish distribution data by conducting surveys in unsampled or sparsely sampled riverine habitats and public land, and 2) test the web page data entry protocols. Application of Research: This is the first fish inventory exclusively on state lands; the information is needed for conservation planning and relates to GAP analysis. Progress: This is a 2 year study that supported a GRA, Mr. Nathan Stroh (B.S., North Dakota State University), who enrolled for the fall semester 2009, but resigned soon after. Hayer and Borgstrom, who is finishing his thesis on another project, and summer technician, Dustin Hackens, assumed the field work. We gathered various geographic information system (GIS) data layers pertaining to state-owned lands that might include rivers and streams in eastern South Dakota. State lands were state parks, school and public lands, game production areas, water access areas, and recreation areas. We used the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) polygon and linear layers that delineated riverine wetlands with an “R” identifier for the “system.” When the two maps (state lands and NWI) were combined we identified 203 sites amounting to 280 acres (72 miles of riverine habitat), which is the first inventory of riverine habitat on state lands. We have surveyed a total of 58 sites, 37 which are on the list of 166 sites. Other sites were sampled to augment the planned study. Of the remaining 129 sites, about 96 are small tributaries to the Missouri River and reservoirs on land returned to the state from the Corps of Engineers. We captured and identified 6,663 individual fishes of 34 species and seven families. Lab work is being done to identify vouchered specimens so this total will be increased. We found three rare species. The endangered Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) was found at two sites where it had formerly been reported. Hornyhead chub (Nocomis biguttatus) was found at several sites. A single specimen, presumptively identified as a slenderhead darter (Percina phoxocephala), may have been found. The prototype web site constructed by Bertrand Design was delivered as a compact disc and 31-page administrative manual on January 14, 2009. Bertrand Design made several changes in the computer program to update the prototype. Changes are listed in emails from Bertrand Design to Berry in 2008 (11/21, 12/29, 12/31) and in 2009 (1/6, 1/14). Another web consultant, Mr. Paul Rupp (Acorp Computers, www.Acorp.Net), is providing technical assistance as we test the procedures for adding information to the site. Information that is being added pertains to our samples from of the Keya Paha River (four mainstem reaches and eight tributary reaches). The Keya Paha River fish fauna is composed of 38 species, which included four species not formerly recorded in the basin. This portion of the study is on schedule. Products: None to date

http://www.acorp.net/�

18

Status and Distribution of Fishes in Select North Dakota Rivers and Streams (C-A. Hayer/B. D. S. Graeb/M. S. Johnson/C. R. Berry Jr.) Project Description: Rivers and streams provide unique and/or localized sport fishing opportunities for rural communities in North Dakota (e.g., at bridge crossings, downstream of dams, through city parks, etc.). Many of these tributaries also provide important spawning and rearing habitat for fish populations in the mainstem Missouri River. Additionally, game fish often interact with nongame fish and utilize them as a forage base in these rivers and streams. The goal of this study is to provide information that will assist in management of riverine fishes (Missouri River basin) of North Dakota. Specific objectives are to conduct field surveys of fish and habitat conditions on select rivers and streams of western North Dakota, synthesize information on distribution of all species, and provide regional distribution maps and narrative summaries for river fishes using GIS location data. Application of the Research: The study will document the distribution, abundance, and key habitats of riverine species and lead to accurate, updated lists of fishes in each watershed. Inventories are needed to understand status of important populations, monitor changes, and suggest angling opportunities and constraints. The study will also provide new species distribution maps that will help with management planning (e.g., habitat conservation, evaluating proposed development projects) and new information on Great Plains stream ecology. Progress: For the first half of the summer (May-June) we collected weekly larval fish samples from the Knife River, Cannonball River, and Beaver Creek – finding lots of walleye in each tributary. This result highlights the importance of tributaries for fish reproduction and was of great interest to NDGFD. We also conducted monthly sampling in the lower, middle and upper reaches of each tributary to document seasonal use of tributaries by adult and juvenile fishes. Data are being analyzed. Record flooding occurred at our sample sites, but we now have the fortune of sampling one year at the end of an eight year drought (2008) and the next year during record flooding (2009). GRA McLain Johnson spent the entire summer in North Dakota living in a trailer at the NDGFD Bismarck office. He will likely continue sampling efforts next year to document the continued response of these systems to the end of the drought. Of particular interest is the distribution of creek chubs – will they disperse back to their previous range. Products: None to date. COOPERATIVE ECOSYSTEM STUDY UNIT (CESU) PROJECTS Lake Sturgeon Population Characteristics, Movements and Habitat Use in Namakan Reservoir (S. R. Chipps/D. W. Willis/S. Windels/S. L. Shaw) Project Description: The lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) is a Minnesota state-listed species of special concern. In Canada, western populations of lake sturgeon are considered to be endangered and the Rainy River-Lake of the Woods populations to be of special concern. Since the late 1800s lake sturgeon populations have declined in the Laurentian Great Lakes. These declines have been attributed to loss or fragmentation of crucial spawning, nursery, and feeding

19

habitats. A new threat to sturgeon has emerged in the Namakan Reservoir. A private company in Ontario in collaboration with the Lac La Croix First Nation is proposing to generate hydroelectric power on at least three sites on the Namakan River, the major spawning tributary for sturgeon in the Namakan Reservoir. Historic information and preliminary data from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) suggests that movements of spawning sturgeon would be affected. Preliminary data also suggest that sturgeon that spawn in the Namakan River move throughout the Namakan Reservoir and therefore are an internationally shared stock. To best mitigate the potential impacts of this hydropower development, information is needed about relative importance of spawning locations and the movements of sturgeon within and between different parts of the reservoir. Application of Research: This project has two objectives: 1) to document the population characteristics of lake sturgeon in Namakan Reservoir and relate recruitment patterns to historical hydrological and reservoir-operation variables to better understand effects of climate and dam operation, and 2) to identify seasonal habitat use and reproductive patterns in lake sturgeon. This information will be used to assess effects of existing threats to spawning and foraging habitat. Progress: Twenty-six lake sturgeon were implanted with Vemco V16 acoustic transmitters. Fish implanted with transmitters ranged in total length from 863-1662 mm ( x = 1256 mm), girth from 329-659 mm ( x = 455 mm) and weight from 4.25-31.1 kg ( x = 13.5 kg). Thirteen Vemco VR2W submersible, data logging receivers were stationed throughout Namakan Reservoir to track sturgeon movements. HOBO temperature loggers were attached to stationary receivers to monitor lake temperatures throughout the year. All 26 fish with acoustic transmitters were located on stationary receivers in the Namakan Reservoir. An additional 19 lake sturgeon that were tagged by OMNR biologists were also detected by receivers in the Namakan Reservoir (i.e., 45 of the 60 total fish implanted with acoustic tags in 2007/2008 were detected at least once in the Namakan Reservoir in 2008). Movement data from the receivers provides evidence that lake sturgeon within Namakan Reservoir move freely across the international border, implying an internationally shared stock. Receivers differed in the total number of fish detected and total detections per fish. Mean detections per fish were greatest in Redhorse Bay, southern Sand Point Lake, Vermillion Gorge, and the Loon River. Namakan Lake receivers ranged from 0-256 mean detections/fish. Lake sturgeon spent more time (mean detections/fish) near tributary mouths, particularly during May and June. Sturgeon implanted with transmitters moved significantly throughout the Minnesota and Ontario portions of the Namakan Reservoir during the period May-October 2008. One sturgeon, # 49682, traveled more than 70km between its capture on May 2008 in the Vermillion Gorge (Crane Lake) and its last detection in Little Eva Lake in the Namakan River. Products: Brezden, T. J., S. L. Shaw, S. R. Chipps, D. W. Willis, S. Windels, and D. McLeod. 2009. Growth and abundance of lake sturgeon in Voyageurs National Park. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota.

20

Shaw, S., S. Chipps, D. Willis, S. Windels, and D. McCleod. 2008. Seasonal distribution of adult lake sturgeon in Namakan Reservoir, Voyageurs National Park. 69th

Shaw, S., S. Chipps, D. Willis, S. Windels, and D. Mcleod. 2009. Seasonal distribution of adult lake sturgeon in Namakan Reservoir, Voyageurs National Park. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee.

Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Columbus, Ohio.

Shaw, S., S. Chipps, D. Willis, S. Windels, and D. McLeod. 2009. Seasonal distribution of adult lake sturgeon in Namakan Reservoir, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. Annual Meeting, Minnesota-Wisconsin-Ontario Chapters, American Fisheries Society, Duluth, Minnesota. FEDERAL RESEARCH WORK ORDERS (RWO) Spatial Distribution of Rocky Mountain Sandhill Cranes in Response to Habitat Conditions During the Annual Cycle (RWO 93) (L. H. Frederickson/T. L. Perkins) Project Description: This study concerns the ability of sandhill cranes to carry out annual life cycle events while responding to changing habitat availability in the intermountain corridor from Idaho to Mexico. Study areas are on FWS refuges (Grays Lake, Baca, Monte Vista, Alamosa, and Bosque del Apache), state lands, and surrounding private land in FWS Regions 1, 2, and 6, in parts of five states including Idaho, Colorado, and New Mexico, in two flyways (Central and Pacific), and in two countries (USA and Mexico). Objectives are to 1) identify wetland and agricultural habitats by type, distribution, and quality along the corridor; 2) summarize long-term hydrologic and climatic data for wetland systems; 3) monitor seasonal use of selected wetland and agricultural habitats by cranes and other wetland dependent birds; 4) link chronology and extent of movements, duration of use, type of use, and energetic demands with climatic, hydrologic, wetland, and agriculture conditions; and 5) monitor habitat conditions of selected wetlands and link habitat conditions with timing, type, and duration of use by cranes and other wetland dependent birds. Application of Research: The information is important in the Comprehensive Conservation Planning process on FWS refuges because the role of refuges is identified within the surrounding private landscapes. Progress: Data analysis of the data collected on the sandhill crane wintering grounds (New Mexico) is continuing and will be completed by October 2009. These results will be used in a dissertation by Ms. Tandi Perkins. Data analysis is continuing on the data collected on additional wintering areas in New Mexico and Mexico, as well as the stopover areas (Colorado) and on the breeding grounds (Idaho). These results will be presented in a final report that is a current collaboration between Dr. Leigh Fredrickson and Perkins. An anticipated completion date for the dissertation write-up and defense is December 2009. An anticipated completion date for the final report is January 2010. In addition to work on these products, Perkins completed a second SCEP employment at Medicine Lake NWR, Montana, during 2009.

21

Products: Maps of the Middle Rio Grande Valley and San Luis Valley study areas have been completed in GIS that characterize the hydrogeomorphic landscape, land use, and distribution of vegetation communities. These products are being used in the analysis of sandhill crane distribution across the landscape. Perkins, T. L. 2009. Distribution and habitat use patterns of wintering sandhill cranes (Grus Canadensis) within the Middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico. Intermountain West Joint Venture (USFWS), Missoula, Montana. Perkins, T. L. 2009. Distribution and habitat use patterns of wintering sandhill cranes (Grus Canadensis) within the Middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico. Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (USGS), Bozeman, Montana. Vulnerability of Age-0 Pallid Sturgeon to Predation: Implications for Restoring Pallid Sturgeon with Hatchery-Reared Fish (RWO 97) (S. R. Chipps/R. A. Klumb/B. D. S. Graeb/K. N. Bertrand/W. E. French) Project Description: Propagation of pallid sturgeon in hatcheries and reintroduction of yearlings comprise a major component of recovery efforts for this endangered fish. Stocking earlier life stages (i.e., larvae and age-0 fish) has been proposed to increase numbers in the wild and alleviate high densities of fish at hatcheries, but little is known about the vulnerability of pallid larvae to fish predation. This laboratory study will test predator/prey relationships. Application of Research: Assessment of relative predation risk will facilitate management decisions by identifying potential fish predators of pallid larvae. This information, in turn, can be used to enhance survival of pallid larvae by stocking fish in areas with low predator abundance. Our objective was to evaluate the vulnerability of age-0 pallid sturgeon to predation by two Missouri River predators under different flow regimes and in combination with alternative prey. Progress: To document vulnerability, age-0 pallid sturgeon (<100 mm) were offered to channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu in laboratory experiments. Selection of pallid sturgeon by both predators was measured by offering pallid sturgeon and an alternative prey, fathead minnows Pimephales promelas, in varying prey densities. Smallmouth bass consumed more age-0 pallid sturgeon (0.95 /h) than did channel catfish (0.13/h) and predation rates did not differ between water velocities supporting sustained (0 m/s) or prolonged swimming speeds (0.15 m/s). Neither predator positively selected pallid sturgeon when alternative prey was available. Both predator species consumed more fathead minnows than pallid sturgeon across all prey density combinations. Our results indicated that the vulnerability of age-0 pallid sturgeon to predation by channel catfish and smallmouth bass is low, especially in the presence of an alternative fish prey.

22

Products: French, W. E., B. D. S. Graeb, S. R. Chipps, and R. A. Klumb. 2009. Vulnerability of age-0 pallid sturgeon to predation. Annual Meeting, Minnesota-Wisconsin-Ontario Chapters, American Fisheries Society, Duluth, Minnesota. French, W., B. Graeb, S. Chipps, and R. Klumb. 2009. Prey selection and vulnerability to predation in juvenile pallid sturgeon. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. French, W., B. Graeb, S. Chipps, K. Bertrand, and R. Klumb. In press. Prey selection and vulnerability to predation in juvenile pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. Selch, T. M., S. R. Chipps, B. D. Spindler, B. D. S. Graeb, and R. A. Klumb. 2007. Vulnerability of age-0 pallid sturgeon to predation. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Water Quality, Nutrient Dynamics and Factors Affecting Water Clarity in U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Reservoirs (RWO 98) (S. R. Chipps/S. H. Ranney/C-A. Hayer/M. J. Greiner) Project Description: Belle Fourche, Keyhole, Jamestown, and Heart Butte are operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and represent significant regional water resources. Recreational use within these units has increased in recent years. To meet these demands, Resource Management Plans (RMP) have been completed that address several needs related to overall management of the units. The purpose of the RMPs is to foster stewardship of public lands within the units. As changes in land management and recreation occur, baseline data on water quality are needed. Moreover, upstream water discharges associated with coal bed methane extraction could potentially affect water quality (e.g., salinity) in several units. The purpose of this study is to document base-line water quality characteristics, algal biomass, turbidity, and zooplankton composition. Data collected in this study will be compared to that obtained from other Bureau of Reclamation projects in the Great Plains Region that include Pactola, Deerfield, and Angostura reservoirs. Application of Research: To date, there has been no systematic effort to quantify spatiotemporal patterns in 1) nutrient availability, 2) algal biomass, 3) turbidity, or 4) zooplankton composition and abundance in USBR reservoirs of the Dakotas. By quantifying spatiotemporal variation in water quality parameters, we can model nutrient dynamics and develop predictive models for quantifying factors affecting water clarity. Progress: Spatial patterns in water clarity (Secchi depth), nutrient concentration, and total suspended solids were variable in Belle Fourche and Keyhole reservoirs. Concentrations of both total nitrogen and total suspended solids were generally higher near the inlets of each reservoir, corresponding to reduced water clarity in these areas. Using modeling approaches, we found that nutrient concentration (total phosphorus) and water clarity (Secchi depth) can be reasonably predicted from empirical data. However, estimating mean summer nutrient

23

concentration using the mass balance equation can be challenging if accurate estimates of phosphorus inputs are not obtained. In Keystone Reservoir, phosphorus concentration was underestimated using a mass-balance approach. This was likely attributed to phosphorus inputs (from other tributaries) not accounted for in the model. In Keyhole Reservoir small tributaries such as Berger, Wind, or Eggie creeks may provide important nutrient inputs to the reservoir and should be monitored in future efforts to model nutrient budgets. Products: Hayer, C-A., S. Ranney, and S. Chipps. 2009. Nutrient dynamics, algal biomass and factors affecting water clarity in Belle Fourche and Keyhole reservoirs, South Dakota and Wyoming. Final Report, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Bismarck, North Dakota. Below-Ground Food Production in Habitats Utilized by the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes Throughout the Intermountain Corridor (RWO 99) (L. H. Fredrickson/S. R. Chipps/D. P. Iriarte/B. C. Beasley) Project Description: There is a lack of data describing type, quality, availability, and distribution of foods in many habitats used by the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) across their range and life cycle. Throughout the Intermountain West Corridor (IWC) RMP cranes have adapted to, and now forage within, agricultural fields and natural wetlands depending on life cycle events and availability of agricultural foods. Across the entire IWC there have been significant changes in the agricultural economy, agricultural practices, as well as changes in climatic conditions and land use. FWS biologists and managers are striving to better understand, manage, and support a mosaic of native habitat at the local scale to better support cranes and other migratory birds. Without an understanding of the availability of food resources and use by RMP cranes, staff of NWRs and state-managed wildlife areas along the IWC will struggle to make land management decisions that can support and sustain the long-term health and functioning of habitats to support RMP and other migratory bird populations. Application of Research: Spatial and temporal information on the abundance, distribution, and nutrient composition of invertebrate and plant foods found in wetland and agricultural habitats is critical for RMP crane management across the annual cycle and along their migration corridor. This information will enable resource managers to understand the importance of a wide array of wetlands and the role wetland management has in providing quality foraging habitats for migratory RMP cranes. Progress: Field work is complete. Two M.S. students are finishing data analysis for 549 m2 quadrats sampled for above and below ground food resources at use (286) and non-use (263) sites. The quadrats were distributed across the study area as follows: Bosque del Apache NWR arrival 90, Bosque del Apache NWR departure 90, San Luis Valley during spring migration 90, and at Grays Lake Basin on breeding 99, brood rearing 99, and fall staging 99. The 549 above and below ground samples were taken from the following habitats: agriculture, uplands/meadows, temporary wetlands, seasonal wetlands, and transitional wetlands. Plant communities on these sites with high use included agriculture (corn, alfalfa, barley), uplands (alkali sacaton, Sporobolus airoides; creosote bush, Sarcobatus vermiculatus; and sagebrush,

24

Artemsia spp.), temporary wetlands (salt grass, Distichlis spicata), seasonal wetlands (managed wetlands, Baltic rush, Juncus balticus), and transitional wetlands (timothy, Phleum pretense and brome, Bromus inermis). Iriarte completed a SCEP employment session at Bosque del Apache while working on her thesis. Products: None to date. Use of Stable Isotope Analysis to Estimate Trophic Position of Pallid Sturgeon and Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Upper Missouri River (RWO 100) (S. R. Chipps/R. A. Klumb/B. D. S. Graeb/K. N. Bertrand/W. E. French) Project Description: Ontogenetic diet shifts, a key early life history event in fishes, are hypothesized to contribute to size-dependent mortality; yet the size or age when this change occurs in sympatric sturgeon species (e.g., pallids and shovelnose) is essentially unknown. The purpose of this study is to quantify and compare trophic position of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon using stable isotope analysis. Ontogenetic diet shifts are an important component of development in many fish species. While traditional diet studies offer a snapshot of recent feeding history, stable isotope (15N/13C) analysis allows a broader view of trophic position and energy pathways. Application of Research: Data will assist with planning stocking levels. Adult pallid sturgeon are known to be piscivorous, but the size and age at which juveniles switch from feeding on macroinvertebrates to fishes is unknown. Currently, pallid sturgeon biologists hypothesize that this diet shift occurs at age three to five with an associated increase in mortality of 25% and this mortality rate is used to set minimum stocking levels. No data currently exists to support this hypothesis. Progress: We used stable isotope analysis to examine shifts in trophic patterns for pallid Scaphirhyncus albus and shovelnose Scaphirhyncus platoryncus sturgeon across a wide range of sizes within the Missouri River. Pallid sturgeon δ15N values(δ15N range = 12.8-17.0) were positively correlated with fork length (range = 325-1057mm) and appear to separate out into 3 length groups (325-500mm, 500-800mm, 800-1057mm). These groups correspond with two trophic levels and a transitional group. Shovelnose sturgeon δ15N values (δ15N range = 14.6-17.2), while also positively correlated with fork length (range = 341-719mm), span a narrower range than pallid sturgeon and suggest fish feed at a similar trophic level across the size range sampled. Pallid sturgeon δ13C values (δ13C range = -23.4-18.0) were also positively correlated with fork length and suggest two groups utilizing distinct carbon sources, with a transitional group in between; whereas shovelnose sturgeon δ13C values (δ13C range = -23.7-20.1) were not correlated with fork length, suggesting a single carbon source. Patterns in isotopic composition were consistent with diet studies, showing that pallid sturgeon shift from invertebrates to fish prey at larger sizes (>600 mm FL) and thus can be used to track and compare energy acquisition by sturgeons in large rivers.

25

Products: Andvik, R. T., B. J. Galster, J. A. VanDeHey, M. J. Fincel, S. R. Chipps, and B. D. S. Graeb. 2009. Non-lethal stable isotope analysis of the endangered pallid sturgeon. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. French, W. E., B. D. S. Graeb, S. R. Chipps, and R. A. Klumb. 2009. Prey selection by juvenile pallid sturgeon Scaphirhyncus albus. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. French, W., K. Bertrand, S. Chipps, B. Graeb, and R. Klumb. 2009. Size-dependent feeding patterns of pallid and shovelnose sturgeon inferred from stable isotope analysis. 70th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Springfield, Illinois. Land Cover Change and the Breeding Bird Survey: Rates of Change Adjacent to and Away from Roads (RWO 101) (K. C. Jensen/R. W. Klaver/T. R. Loveland/M. D. Hanan) Project Description: The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) Strategic Plan warns that habitat sampling issues may compromise the integrity of the BBS trend estimates. It is important to know if habitat along BBS routes (roads) change at different rates than do off-road habitats. Changes in bird data need to be interpreted in light of long-term land use changes. This project is a nationwide GIS exercise that uses the current USGS Land Cover Trends (LCT) analysis to assess the BBS data within this LCT framework. Main questions addressed by this study are: 1) What is the rate of vegetation change on and off roads by ecoregion? 2) How does rate of vegetation change vary by distance from roads? 3) How has road type changed over time by ecoregion? 4) How does rate of vegetation change vary by road type? It is a cooperative study between SDSU and EROS and supports one GRA (M. Hanan, B.S. SDSU, 2006). Hanan is a SCEP student supported by the FWS office in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Hanan meets weekly with EROS scientist R. Klaver.

Application of Research: This information will determine how frequently the habitat-weighting issue must be reassessed and corrections updated in the BBS. While examination of potential causative factors for population change is not part of the stated goal of the BBS, environmental data collected at the same locations as bird population data would provide a unique opportunity to examine the relationships between the two sets of parameters and to propose testable hypotheses for future research. This study will provide information directly relevant for modeling the relationship of habitat change and trends in bird populations. This information can be used to determine if there is a potential for problems with the BBS routes. Progress: Hanan’s thesis is in review; his findings will help improve the accuracy of the survey. Products: None to date.

26

Estimating Forage Production for Waterbirds and Waterbird Responses to Habitat Management in Wetland Management Units on Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge (RWO 102) (FWS SSP Project, C. R. Berry Jr./K. C. Jensen/H. N. McWilliams) Project Description: Lacreek NWR provides critical food resources for migratory waterbirds in western South Dakota, including waterfowl and shorebirds. The refuge is the winter home to over half of the High Plains population of Trumpeter Swans. Located in the Lake Creek valley of southwestern South Dakota the refuge has 800 ha (study site) of the wetlands affected by several water control structures, permitting water level manipulations (nine pools). Implicit in the refuge management objectives are the assumptions that fire, grazing, and water manipulations will 1) improve the quality of the wetland habitat and 2) provide high quality food resources for waterbirds. The objectives of the study are to: 1) estimate the pounds of seed per acre in annual seed producing zones, as well as other food resources of interest such as arrowhead (Sagittaria sp); 2) determine if restoration efforts are producing desired results along wetland edges; 3) determine hydrological variables (periodicity, depth, duration) within each of these communities; 4) determine the avian response of waterfowl and shorebirds using wetlands during migration periods; and 5) determine the avian breeding response (breeding bird density) for all bird species using the selected vegetative communities, with special focus on members of the Rallidae. The study will collect field data from June until November for 3 years beginning 2008. The research will be done by an M.S. candidate and GRA Ms. Heather McWilliams, who will also have a position as a SCEP student with FWS. An SSP (Science Support Project) is funded by USGS, but the project is identified by the FWS and must foster cooperation between the Cooperative Research Unit scientists (Berry) and FWS biologists (Shilo Como, Lacreek NWR). Application of Research: This study will provide information required to quantify forage production in managed wetland habitats and waterbird response. This information is critical for the development of a habitat management plan for the refuge and for ensuring that the refuge is providing food resources for migrating and wintering waterbirds. Progress: We sampled 30 breeding habitat points for each of the three target species: American Bittern, Sora, and Virginia Rail. Thirty non-use habitat points were also assessed for the Sora and Virginia Rail, but only 22 non-use points were surveyed for the American Bittern. More non-use points for the American Bittern would have been surveyed, but only 22 of the 91 call-survey locations indicated non-use by American Bitterns (each call location was surveyed twice in May). Arrowhead plants were collected on both pool 8 and pool 7 this year (only pool 7 last year). Eighteen complete (leaves, seeds, and tubers) specimens and 15 incomplete (seeds only) specimens were collected on pool 8. Twelve complete specimens and 15 incomplete specimens were collected on pool 7. Analysis will be run to determine if above ground measurements and leaf area correlate to tuber biomass. Above ground measurements will also be analyzed to determine if there is a correlation with seed production. Moist-soil plants were collected on a variety of areas and in much greater numbers this year – 147 points were sampled from a total of five pools. At least 40 samples of each target plant species (barnyardgrass, annual smartweeds, bidens spp., chufa) were collected for seed yield prediction modeling. Moist-soil plant samples from Agassiz NWR were collected in late September for comparison to models created for Lacreek NWR and Mingo NWR. Due to limited

27

time and unfamiliarity with Agassiz NWR, only 33 samples of barnyardgrass and nine samples of annual smartweed were collected. Chufa and bidens spp. may have been present on the refuge, but specimens were not located during limited data collection periods. Data are being analyzed with the help of Dr. Robert Klaver from EROS. The project is on schedule. Products: None to date OTHER PROJECTS Data Collection and Assessment for Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Development (S. R. Chipps/C-A. Hayer/J. Stone/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Project Description: The project includes an assessment of existing surface water quality, mercury fish tissue data, and watershed characteristics, to better understand mercury fate and transport processes and the occurrence of mercury fish tissue concentrations within South Dakota lakes and reservoirs. Combined wet and dry atmospheric mercury deposition will be measured through the deployment of passive bulk mercury deposition monitors deployed at six locations throughout South Dakota. Lake and reservoir sediment cores will be collected and analyzed to determine historical local and regional trends associated with mercury discharge and deposition rates, and results will provide an estimation of historical and current mercury loading fluxes needed for TMDL estimations. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SD SMT) will be the project sponsor in collaboration with SDSU, the University of Wisconsin Platteville, and South Dakota Division of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Application of Research: Currently eight lakes and reservoirs within South Dakota are 303(d) listed as mercury impaired waterbodies. This initial project phase consists of a series of interdisciplinary studies to understand mercury loading and cycling processes within South Dakota air and watersheds, with the goal of providing information to complete a state-wide mercury TMDL for South Dakota waterbodies as part of a future project phase. Progress: Existing watershed data were reviewed to determine whether relationships exist between land use and mercury fish tissue concentrations. A GIS database was used to determine watershed land use parameters that included: lake-to-watershed surface area, cropland and pasture, rangeland, wetlands, forest cover, urban and residential development, impervious surface, confined feedlot operations, and public and private utilities. Mercury concentrations from 17 fish species were examined across 38 natural lakes and impoundments in South Dakota. Mercury concentrations varied considerably by fish species, water body and water body type. Northern pike and walleye had the highest mercury concentrations ranging from 0 to 1.31 ppm and 0 to 1.28 ppm, respectively. Existing lake water quality data was also examined to determine whether relationships exist between water quality parameters (e.g., phosphorus, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, nitrogen, chlorophyll a, tropic state index, water residence time, and turnover rate) and mercury fish tissue concentrations. Regression analysis indicated that many water quality parameters were related to mercury concentrations in northern pike and walleye. Geographic information system tools were used to determine various watershed parameters (e.g., lake to watershed surface area, cropland

28

and pasture, wetlands, forest cover, impervious surface, and confined feedlot operations) and their relationship to mercury concentrations in fish tissues. Products: Betemarian, H., J. J. Stone, L. D. Stetler, C. McCutcheon, S. Chipps, T. Desutter, and M. Penn. 2009. Sediment mercury concentration profiles in South Dakota lakes and impoundments. Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference, Rapid City, South Dakota. Hayer, C-A., S. Chipps, and J. Stone. 2009. Relationship of water quality, land use, and watershed characteristics to mercury concentrations in top-level fish tissues. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. McCutcheon, C., J. J. Stone, L. D. Stetler, and S. Chipps. 2009. Relationships between water quality and mercury fish tissue concentrations for natural lakes and impoundments in South Dakota. Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference, Rapid City, South Dakota. McCutcheon, C., L. D. Stetler, S. Chipps, J. J. Stone. 2009. Relationships between water quality and mercury fish tissue concentrations for natural lakes and impoundments in South Dakota. Eastern South Dakota Water Conference, Brookings, South Dakota. Stone, J. J., L. D. Stetler, C. McCutcheon, H. Betemarian, S. Chipps, T. Desutter, and M. Penn. 2009. Relationships between water quality and mercury fish tissue concentrations for lakes and impoundments in South Dakota. 21st Annual Environmental and Ground Water Quality Conference, Pierre, South Dakota. Stone, J. J., M. Penn, T. Desutter, S. Chipps, and L. D. Stetler. 2009. A multimodal approach to develop a TMDL for mercury impaired lakes and impoundments in South Dakota. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America International Annual Meetings, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. UNIT RESEARCH PRODUCTS

Newsletters

11

Popular

Publications 9

Presentations 40

Scientific Publications Unit Staff

16

Scientific Publications

Unit Supported 1

Technical

Publications 4

Newsletters Factivities: The monthly news from the South Dakota Coop Unit. Factivities is emailed to 85 people, who are cooperators in the Unit program.

29

Popular Publications Berry, C. 2009. Energy development meets fish and wildlife science. South Dakota Out of Doors 49(4):4,6. Berry, C. 2009. Fish and wildlife science on the hot seat. South Dakota Out of Doors 49(2):4,6. Berry, C. 2009. Fisheries science “myth busters.” South Dakota Out of Doors 49(3):4,6. Berry, C. 2009. Four misconceptions about science. South Dakota Out of Doors 49(9):4,6. Berry, C. 2009. From science to fishing technology. South Dakota Out of Doors 49(6):4,6. Berry, C. 2009. Making sense of science stories. South Dakota Out of Doors 49(6):1,7. Berry, C. 2009. Test your science knowledge. South Dakota Out of Doors 49(7):1,3,6. Berry, C. 2009. Welcome to 2009 – the Year of Science. South Dakota Out of Doors 49(1):4,6. Berry, C. 2009. Welcome to the Year of Science. Water Resources Institute Water News 5(1):1,3. Presentations Andvik, R. T., B. J. Galster, J. A. VanDeHey, M. J. Fincel, S. R. Chipps, and B. D. S. Graeb. 2009. Non-lethal stable isotope analysis of the endangered pallid sturgeon. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Bacula, T. D., B. G. Blackwell, D. W. Willis, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Smallmouth bass bioenergetics in Pickerel Lake, South Dakota. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Bacula, T. D., B. G. Blackwell, D. W. Willis, and S. R. Chipps. 2008. Smallmouth bass bioenergetics model for Pickerel Lake, South Dakota. 69th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Columbus, Ohio. Berry, C. 2009. Factors influencing public understanding of science. Oral Presentation, 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. Berry, C. 2009. Issues that influence public understanding and skepticism of science. Invited Banquet Speaker, Annual Meeting, SDSU Sigma Xi Chapter. Berry, C. 2009. The Year of Science in South Dakota. Annual Meeting, South Dakota Academy of Science, Aberdeen, South Dakota.

30

Berry, C. R. 2008. South Dakota’s water estate. Invited Keynote Address, Eastern South Dakota Water Conference, Brookings, South Dakota. Betemarian, H., J. J. Stone, L. D. Stetler, C. McCutcheon, S. Chipps, T. Desutter, and M. Penn. 2009. Sediment mercury concentration profiles in South Dakota lakes and impoundments. Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference, Rapid City, South Dakota. Borgstrom, L. J. and C. R. Berry Jr. 2008. Unique aquatic system of the Coteau Escarpment. Eastern South Dakota Water Conference, Brookings, South Dakota. Borgstrom, L., C. Berry, and C-A. Hayer. 2009. Longitudinal fish community assemblage in the Forest River, North Dakota. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Brezden, T. J., S. L. Shaw, S. R. Chipps, D. W. Willis, S. Windels, and D. McLeod. 2009. Growth and abundance of lake sturgeon in Voyageurs National Park. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Brown, M. L. and S. R. Chipps. 2008. Current limnological characteristics and ecosystem states of eastern glacial lakes: a snapshot. Eastern South Dakota Water Conference, Brookings, South Dakota. Fincel, M. J., J. A. VanDeHey, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Non-lethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. Annual Meeting, Minnesota-Wisconsin-Ontario Chapters, American Fisheries Society, Duluth, Minnesota. French, W., B. D. S. Graeb, S. R. Chipps, and R. A. Klumb. 2009. Prey selection by juvenile pallid sturgeon Scaphirhyncus albus. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. French, W., B. D. S. Graeb, S. R. Chipps, and R. A. Klumb. 2009. Vulnerability of age-0 pallid sturgeon to predation. Annual Meeting, Minnesota-Wisconsin-Ontario Chapters, American Fisheries Society, Duluth, Minnesota. French, W., B. Graeb, S. Chipps, and R. Klumb. 2009. Prey selection and vulnerability to predation in juvenile pallid sturgeon. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. Galster, B., J. VanDeHey, M. Wuellner, M. Fincel, B. Graeb, D. Willis, and S. Chipps. 2009. A trip back in time: re-constructing historic food webs with stable isotope analysis. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. Hayer, C., S. Chipps, and J. Stone. 2009. Relationship of water quality, land use, and watershed characteristics to mercury concentrations in top-level fish tissues. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee.

31

Hayer, C-A. 2008. Status of fishes in South Dakota’s eastern rivers. Eastern South Dakota Water Conference, Brookings, South Dakota. Hayer, C-A., C. Berry, and N. Troelstrop. 2009. Fish and invertebrate assemblages and habitat conditions in headwater streams of the Dakotas. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. James, D. A. and S. R. Chipps. 2008. Influence of drought conditions on brown trout biomass in the Black Hills, South Dakota. 69th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Columbus, Ohio. James, D. A., J. W. Wilhite, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Influence of drought conditions on brown trout Salmo trutta biomass in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. James, D. and S. Chipps. 2009. Factors associated with the distribution and abundance of Didymosphenia geminata in the Black Hills, South Dakota. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. McCutcheon, C., J. J. Stone, L. D. Stetler, and S. Chipps. 2009. Relationships between water quality and mercury fish tissue concentrations for natural lakes and impoundments in South Dakota. Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference, Rapid City, South Dakota. McCutcheon, C., J. Stone, L. Stetler, S. Chipps, and M. Penn. 2008. Relationships between water quality and mercury fish tissue concentrations for natural lakes and impoundments in South Dakota. Eastern South Dakota Water Conference, Brookings, South Dakota. Schaeffer, T. W., D. E. Spengler, C. W. Schoenebeck, M. L. Brown, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Compensatory growth and metabolic responses of female yellow perch subjected to symmetric feed:fast cycles. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Schaeffer, T. W., D. E. Spengler, C. W. Schoenebeck, S. R. Chipps, and M. L. Brown. 2009. Testing bioenergetics models under symmetric feed-starve regimes that produce compensatory growth in female yellow perch. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Schoenebeck, C. W., M. L. Brown, and S. R. Chipps. 2008. Affects of nutrient release on nutrient limitation and phytoplankton abundance as influenced by winterkill conditions in glacial lakes. Eastern South Dakota Water Conference, Brookings, South Dakota. Honorable Mention, Best Student Poster Award. Shaw, S. L., S. R. Chipps, D. W. Willis, S. Windels, and D. McLeod. 2008. Seasonal distribution of adult lake sturgeon in Namakan Reservoir, Voyageurs National Park. 69th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Columbus, Ohio.

32

Shaw, S., S. Chipps, D. Willis, S. Windels, and D. Mcleod. 2009. Seasonal distribution of adult lake sturgeon in Namakan Reservoir, Voyageurs National Park. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. Shaw, S., S. R. Chipps, D. W. Willis, S. Windels, and D. McLeod. 2009. Seasonal distribution of adult lake sturgeon in Namakan Reservoir, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. Annual Meeting, Minnesota-Wisconsin-Ontario Chapters, American Fisheries Society, Duluth, Minnesota. Stone, J. J., L. D. Stetler, C. McCutcheon, H. Betemarian, S. Chipps, T. Desutter, and M. Penn. 2009. Relationships between water quality and mercury fish tissue concentrations for lakes and impoundments in South Dakota. 21st Annual Environmental and Ground Water Quality Conference, Pierre, South Dakota. Stone, J. J., M. Penn, T. Desutter, S. Chipps, and L. D. Stetler. 2009. A multimodal approach to develop a TMDL for mercury impaired lakes and impoundments in South Dakota. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America International Annual Meetings, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Thomson, S. and C. Berry. 2009. The influence of livestock rearing ponds in river floodplains on riverine fishes, particularly the Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka). Annual Meeting, South Dakota Academy of Science, Aberdeen, South Dakota. VanDeHey, J. A., M. J. Fincel, and S. R. Chipps. 2008. Nonlethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. 69th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Columbus, Ohio. VanDeHey, J. A., M. J. Fincel, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Non-lethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. VanDeHey, J., M. Fincel, and S. Chipps. 2009. Nonlethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. Wuellner, M. R., D. W. Willis, S. R. Chipps, and W. E. Adams. 2009. Relative influence of two prey species on growth of two predatory fishes in Lake Sharpe, South Dakota. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. Wuestewald, A., M. Fincel, J. VanDeHey, and S. Chipps. 2009. Comparing isotope signatures of prey fish: does gut removal affect 13C or 15N signatures? 139th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. Wuestewald, A., M. J. Fincel, J. A. VanDeHey, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Comparing isotope signatures of prey fish: does gut removal affect 13C or 15N signatures? Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota.

33

Scientific Publications (Coop Unit Staff) Bakker, K. K. and K. F. Higgins. 2009. Planted grasslands and native sod prairie equivalent habitat for grassland birds. Western North American Naturalist 62(2):235-242. Berry, C. 2008. Fishes of the Cheyenne River: synthesis of recent research. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 87:333 (abstract). Fincel, M. J., S. R. Chipps, and D. H. Bennett. 2009. Composition and location of simulated lake-shore redds influence incubation success in kokanee, Oncorhynchus nerka. Fisheries Management and Ecology 16:398-407. Gardner, D. M., K. C. Jensen, and K. F. Higgins. 2008. Status of marbled godwits in South Dakota: based on a 2007 literature synthesis. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 87:85-110. Gardner, D. M., K. C. Jensen, and K. F. Higgins. 2008. Status of upland sandpipers in South Dakota: based on a 2007 literature synthesis. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 87:111-140. Gardner, D. M., K. C. Jensen, and K. F. Higgins. 2008. Status of western willets in South Dakota: based on a 2007 literature synthesis. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 87:141-166. Graeb, B. D. S., S. R. Chipps, D. W. Willis, J. P. Lott, R. P. Hanten, W. Nelson-Stastny, and J. W. Erickson. 2008. Walleye response to rainbow smelt population decline and liberalized angling regulations in a Missouri River reservoir. Pp 275-292 in M. S. Allen, S. Sammons, and M. J. Maceina, editors. Balancing Fisheries Management and Water Uses for Impounded River Systems. American Fisheries Society Symposium, Bethesda, Maryland. Grohs, K. L., R. A. Klumb, S. R. Chipps, and G. A. Wanner. 2009. Ontogenetic patterns in prey use by pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River, South Dakota and Nebraska. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 25:48-53. Hayer, C-A. and E. R. Irwin. 2008. Influence of spatial, temporal, and abiotic factors on detection probabilities for fishes in the Mobile River drainage, Alabama. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 137:1606-1620. Hayer, C-A., N. L. Ahrens, and C.R. Berry Jr. 2008. Biology of flathead chub, Platygobio gracilis, in three Great Plains rivers. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 87:185-196. Hoagstrom, C. W., C-A. Hayer, and C. R. Berry. 2009. Criteria for determining native distributions of biota: the case of the northern plains killifish in the Cheyenne River Drainage, North America. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 19:88-95.

34

Hoagstrom, C., N. Gosch, A. DeWitte, C. Berry, and J. Duehr. 2009. Biodiversity, biogeography, and longitudinal fish faunal structure among perennial, warmwater streams of the Cheyenne River drainage. Prairie Naturalist 39(3/4):117-144. Kahara, S. N., R. M. Mockler, K. F. Higgins, S. R. Chipps, and R. R. Johnson. 2009. Spatiotemporal patterns of wetland occurrence in the Prairie Pothole Region of eastern South Dakota. Wetlands 29:678-689. May, S. M., K. F. Higgins, D. E. Naugle, K. K. Bakker, and K. C. Jensen. 2008. Landscape characteristics affecting habitat use and productivity of ducks on stock ponds in western South Dakota. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 87:63-84. Schoenebeck, C. W., S. R. Chipps, and M. L. Brown. 2008. Improvement of an esocid bioenergetics model for juvenile fish. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 137:1891-1897. Spindler, B. D., S. R. Chipps, R. A. Klumb, and M. C. Wimberly. 2009. Spatial analysis of pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus distribution in the Missouri River, South Dakota. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 25:8-13. Scientific Publication (Unit Supported Studies) Dieter, C. D., R. J. Murano, and D. Galster. 2009. Capture and mortality rates of ducks in selected trap types. Journal of Wildlife Management 73(7):1223-1228. Technical Publications Berry, C. R. Jr. and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Annual Report of the South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota. http://wfs.sdstate.edu/wfsdept/SD%20Cooperative%20Fish%20and%20Wildlife%20Research%20Unit.htm Chipps, S. R., R. Klumb, and E. B. Wright. 2008. Development and application of a juvenile pallid sturgeon bioenergetics model. Final Report (T-24-R No. 2424), South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Pierre, South Dakota. Hayer, C-A., L. J. Borgstrom, and C. R. Berry Jr. 2009. Status of selected fishes with immediate conservation need in the Red River Basin. Final Report, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Bismarck, North Dakota. Hayer, C-A., S. Ranney, and S. Chipps. 2009. Nutrient dynamics, algal biomass and factors affecting water clarity in Belle Fourche and Keyhole reservoirs, South Dakota and Wyoming. Final Report, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Bismarck, North Dakota.

http://wfs.sdstate.edu/wfsdept/SD%20Cooperative%20Fish%20and%20Wildlife%20Research%20Unit.htm�

http://wfs.sdstate.edu/wfsdept/SD%20Cooperative%20Fish%20and%20Wildlife%20Research%20Unit.htm�

35

UNIT AND COOPERATOR PERSONNEL Unit Staff Dr. Charles R. Berry, Jr., Unit Leader

South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit South Dakota State University, Box 2140B, Brookings, SD 57007 605-688-6121/fax: 605-688-4515/[email protected] Dr. Steven R. Chipps, Assistant Unit Leader – Fisheries South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit South Dakota State University, Box 2140B, Brookings, SD 57007 605-688-6121/fax: 605-688-4515/[email protected]

Coordinating Committee Tony Leif, Director Division of Wildlife SD GFP 523 East Capitol Avenue Pierre, SD 57501-3182 Dr. Donald Marshall, Associate Dean SDSU, College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Box 2207 Brookings, SD 57007

Greg Watson Energy Research Coordinator US FWS Denver Federal Center P. O. Box 25486, DFC Denver, CO 80225-0486 Dr. Michael Tome Unit Supervisor Cooperative Research Units 206 4th Avenue Brunswick, MD 21716

Pat Ruble Midwest Field Representative Wildlife Management Institute 12748 West Bank Drive Millersport, OH 43046

Unit Supported Research Staff Research Associate Cari-Ann Hayer Part Time and Summer Technicians Jana Ashling Travis Brezden Chanel Eiseman Arron Husman

Kyle Marlow Brent Martens Matthew Petersen

Joshua Smith Christopher Sundmark Bradley Swanson

Larry Trevino Breanna VanDeHey Andrew Wuestewald

36

Unit GRAs Supervised by Unit Staff

GRAs Supported by RWOs, Supervised by Others Beasley, Bret C., M.S. Wildlife, Dr. Leigh H. Frederickson – Above-ground food production in foraging habitats of the Rocky Mountain population of sandhill cranes. Hanan, Michael D., M.S. Wildlife, Dr. Kent C. Jensen – Land cover and breeding bird survey: rates of change adjacent to and away from roads. Iriarte, Diana P., M.S. Wildlife, Dr. Leigh H. Frederickson – Below-ground food production in foraging habitats of the Rocky Mountain population of sandhill cranes. McWilliams, Heather N., M.S. Wildlife, Dr. Kent C. Jensen – Estimating forage production for waterbirds and waterbird response to habitat management wetland management units on Lacreek NWR. Perkins, Tandi L., Ph.D. Wildlife, Dr. Leigh H. Frederickson – The temporal and spatial distribution of Rocky Mountain population of sandhill cranes in response to habitat conditions determined by climate, geomorphology, and land use on public and private land along an intermountain corridor. Cooperating South Dakota Faculty Name Department Cooperative Activity Dr. Katie Bertrand Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Ecology Studies Dr. Michael Brown Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Limnology Studies Dr. Delvin DeBoer Civil and Environmental Engineering Water Quality Dr. Charles Dieter Biology and Microbiology Waubay Study Dr. Leigh Fredrickson Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Wetlands Research Dr. Brian Graeb Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Ecology Studies Dr. Daniel Hubbard Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Wetland Studies Dr. Kent Jensen Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Tribal Land Management Studies Michael Kjellsen Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences South Dakota Wetlands Atlas Dr. Gary Lemme Dean, College of AgBio Sciences Funding Dr. Thomas Loveland GIS Center Breeding Bird Study Dr. Darrell Napton Geography Wetland Study Dr. Charles Scalet Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Administration, Funding Dr. David Willis Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Administration, Funding

Berry Chipps Nicholas L. Ahrens (employed in Texas) Lucas J. Borgstrom Steven E. Freeling (will not complete thesis) Nathan A. Stroh (resigned)

Mark J. Fincel (Ph.D.) Michael J. Greiner Daniel A. James (Ph.D.) Hilary A. Meyer Stephanie L. Shaw

37

Regional Cooperating Scientists Name (South Dakota Unit Person) Location Subject Mr. Herb Bollig (Chipps) FWS Hatchery Studies Ms. Michelle Bouchard (Chipps) USGS – EROS Wetlands Mr. Andy Burgess (Chipps) SD GFP Aquatic Invasive Species Dr. Cathy Ezrailson (Berry) University of South Dakota Year of Science Dr. James Garvey (Chipps) Southern Illinois University Diet Quantification Mr. Robert Hanten, Jr. (Chipps) SD GFP Mercury in Fish Dr. Scott Kenner (Berry) SD SMT Cheyenne River Dr. Robert Klaver (Jenks) USGS – EROS Female White-Tailed Deer Dr. Robert Klumb (Chipps) FWS, Minnesota Pallid Sturgeon Mr. Keith McGilvray (Chipps) FWS Hatchery Studies Dr. Diana Papoulias (Chipps) USGS – CERC Mercury in Fish Dr. Craig Paukert (Chipps/Berry) Kansas Coop Fish and Wildlife Unit Paddlefish, GAP Analysis Dr. Robert Pilsbury (Chipps) University of Wisconsin Didymo in the Black Hills Ms. Sheri Potter (Berry) Florida, AIBS Year of Science Dr. James Stone (Chipps) SD SMT Hg Studies Dr. Corey Suski University of Illinois Fish Physiology Dr. David Wahl (Chipps) Illinois Natural History Bioenergetics Dr. Molly Webb (Chipps) FWS, Montana Lake sturgeon reproduction SDSU Support Staff Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Work Study Students Grants Administration Di Drake, Accounting Assistant Carol Jacobson, Secretary Terri Symens, Secretary

Travis Hansen Tommi Hanson Christina Koehler Nicolle Lorenz Kyle Marlow

Kyle Mosel Garret Schrock Gary Soupir Matt Weegman Andrew Wuestewald

Connie Granbois Brenda Hayne Jeannie Larson Jackie Nelson Jill O’Neil Kay Scheibe Doug Ward

USGS – BRD Support Staff The South Dakota Unit received general assistance from several of the Reston USGS staff, but Suzanne Cartagirone and Rita Raines deal specifically with the South Dakota Unit. FWS Research Liaison Sean Kelly (Region 3) and Greg Watson (Region 6) see that the Unit’s work is noticed by FWS at the regional level. We have tremendous local support from the following FWS project offices and personnel: Aberdeen Wetland Acquisition Office (Patrick Russell); Brookings’ Wildlife Habitat Office (Boyd Schulz, Kurt Forman); Ecological Services (ES), Bismarck, North Dakota (Steven Krentz, et al.); Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium (Keith McGilvray); Great Plains Fish and Wildlife Office (Wayne Stancill and Robert Klumb); Huron Wetland Management District; J. Clark Salyer NWR, North Dakota; Lacreek NWR (Tom Koerner); Madison Wetland Management District (Tom Turnow); Minnesota Valley NWR, South Dakota ES Field Office (Donald (Pete) Gober, et al.); Sand Lake NWR (Bill Schultze); and Waubay NWR (Larry Martin, Eric Salo).

A-1

APPENDIX A List of Substantial Technical Assistance Efforts Conducted by Unit Staff in FY 09

Federal Agencies Corps of Engineers Chipps participated in a shallow water habitat workshop to develop invertebrate sampling procotols for evaluating habitat construction efforts in the Missouri River. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Berry visited a road culvert site to determine the presence of Topeka shiners; none were found. Berry received a thank you letter from T. Russell (Denver) saying “Your actions saved FEMA and the USFWS a great deal of time and effort in the consultation process…helped spread goodwill in the effort to conserve endangered species…” FWS Berry provided R. Strangeland with a list of fishes by river basin to help fill out a stocking report relating to native and exotic and introduced fishes. The Unit supplied federal vehicles for FWS studies: 1) waterfowl study and 2) grassland bird nesting survey. USGS Chipps and Assistant Unit Leader-Fish Dr. Kevin Pope (Nebraska Coop Unit) conducted an MOCC course for Unit GRAs and research technicians. Chipps and GRA Michael Greiner sampled the EROS pond to document fish species composition and abundance. Chipps is working with EROS staff to develop a management plan for the pond. Berry provided data and site information to Wyoming-WR for sampling NAQUA sites in South Dakota. State Agencies SD DENR Berry and Hayer reviewed the Unit’s stream fish databases with staff. Chipps provided fish mercury information to staff.

A-2

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Berry provided fish inventory data for the lower Big Sioux River to Mike Hawkins, who was examining the feasibility of breaching the Klondike Dam. SD GFP Berry and Department faculty, Dr. K. Bertrand, pulled together some spawning temperature data for West River warm and coolwater fishes. Chipps and Dan James (Ph.D. student) met with Bruce Berdanier, Department Head, Environmental Engineering, to discuss water quality analyses in Rapid Creek. Berry provided fish survey data for the Cheyenne River Fish Chief John Lott. Chipps and biologist Brian Blackwell visited Mina Lake in northeastern South Dakota to document water quality characteristics. Chipps assisted fisheries staff with annual sampling on Lake Alvin, South Dakota. Chipps attended the winter fisheries meeting and participated in a panel discussion of urban fisheries development in South Dakota. Chipps coordinated with staff to provide stocking/angling data for South Dakota muskies/tiger muskies for an upcoming publication of Muskies magazine. Chipps met with staff to develop sampling and identification protocols for invertebrate samples collected from small impoundments (Angostura and Lakota). Chipps participated in a half-day workshop to discuss spring water releases from Pactola Reservoir. Professional Organizations American Fisheries Society (AFS) Berry and Chipps were active in planning events for the 2009 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee – August 30-September 3: • Berry finalized the agenda for a Year of Science symposium; he moderated and presented. • Chipps and other colleagues (Drs. Mike Brown, Brian Graeb, Tom Lauer from Ball State

University, and Steve McMullin from Virginia Tech) co-organized a Symposium entitled Fisheries Education in the 21st Century: Accommodating Change.

A-3

• Chipps and other Education Section members worked with the Planning Committee to organize student activities.

• Chipps was installed as the President of the Education Section. Berry is the AFS Representative on the Council of Member Societies and Organizations in AIBS; he attended a Council meeting in Arlington, Virginia. Berry provided an activity report for the Executive Briefing booklet concerning his activities as Liaison to the AIBS. Borgstrom chaired the Rivers and Streams Technical Committee meeting at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference; Hayer serves on Rivers and Streams and Catfish Technical committees. Borgstrom organized and chaired the spring meeting in the Quad Cities. American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) Berry attended Board of Director’s meetings in Arlington, Virginia, and in Bethesda, Maryland. Ecology of Freshwater Fish Berry was asked to serve as an anonymous reviewer for a manuscript submitted to the journal. The manuscript was about recruitment of fish from tributaries to the Missouri River. Other Chipps reviewed manuscripts for Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (2), North American Journal of Fisheries Management (2), Transactions of the American Fisheries Society (4), Fisheries Management and Ecology (1), Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology (1). Chipps reviewed seven manuscripts for Wetlands, where he serves as Associate Editor. Universities SDSU Berry and Chipps collaborated with University faculty to write two proposals for USGS funding for climate change research. Berry and Chipps participated in the CSREES Evaluation of the Department. Berry and Chipps presented a guest lecture each on aquatic habitat to the undergraduate Fish and Wildlife Management class.

A-4

Berry arranged for the showing of two films to celebrate the Year of Science and served as discussion leader after the Rachel Carson film titled “A Sense of Wonder.” Berry completed teaching a graduate class in Fish Biology (fish structure and function) to four GRAs. Berry met several times with the Assistant Dean T. Nichols and other Honors College faculty to plan the fall course on Year of Science topics. Berry is part of the teaching team for the fall 2009 course. Berry presented a guest lecture on Year of Science and Public Understanding of Science at the Biology and Ecology Seminar (BIOS 790). Berry recruited collaborators and developed events for 2009 Year of Science (www.yearofscience2009.org). Most South Dakota colleges and universities have joined the Coalition for the Public Understanding of Science (www.copusproject.org). Berry was invited to attend a planning meeting for developments along the north entrance of campus (Berry discussed how pastures, streams and ponds have great “on campus” educational potential). Berry was the Graduate School Representative to one thesis defense and on one pre-project seminar in the Department. Chipps served on graduate committees for three Ph.D. comprehensive examinations and an M.S. proposal examination in the Department. Chipps was the Graduate School Representative on a thesis defense and Berry served on an M.S. committee for a thesis defense in the Nursing Department. Borgstrom is helping teach Ichthyology; he is writing a thesis on fishes of the Red River in North Dakota with emphasis on the stonerollers (Campostoma sp.). Chipps and Berry participated in the annual Department retreat. Chipps completed WL 718 (Ecology of Aquatic Invertebrates). Ten GRAs successfully completed the course and enjoyed their field trip to the Black Hills. Chipps participated in a Department curriculum overview, serves as Library representative, and chair of the Space and Use committee. Chipps presented a guest seminar titled “Factors Influencing Mercury Concentration in Fishes” for the Environmental Seminar Series. Chipps’ fisheries research on mercury issues was featured on the SDSU website http://www.sdstate.edu/news/articles/mercury.cfm. Hayer presented a guest lecture on Use of Detection Probabilities in Graduate Seminar; she recently published on this new sampling statistical approach.

http://www.yearofscience2009.org/�

http://www.copusproject.org/�

http://www.sdstate.edu/news/articles/mercury.cfm�

A-5

The Unit and AFS student subunit hosted Dr. Joseph F. Margraf (UL-AK) for the Department seminar series. Unit staff hosted Dr. Lars Rudstam (Cornell University), who gave a presentation for the Environmental Seminar Series organized by the Biology Department. USGS provided funding to upgrade safety equipment; several safety items were purchased for use at the Department’s pole barn shop and boat storage building that is shared by Unit and Department faculty and students. University of Durham, UK Chipps provided invertebrate data from the Rapid Creek study (Didymoshpenia) to Dr. Brian Whitton for use in a review paper in Hydrobiologia. University of South Dakota (USD) Chipps served as Committee member (Biology Department) for Colleen Satyshur. Colleen defended her M.S. work on the Hines Emerald dragonfly. University of Wisconsin Chipps and Dan James (Ph.D. student) met with University of Wisconsin researchers to advise them on their intended Didymo sampling in the Black Hills. Other Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Berry was asked to submit a personal scientist profile for the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, a web resource (www.careercornerstone.org) for students interested in pursuing careers in biology. Big Sioux Water Development District Unit staff and Borgstrom assisted with 2009 Water Festival activities. Brookings Children’s Museum Berry advised Rachel Moritz (Kidzibits, Inc.) concerning themes for aquatic exhibits that might be included in the new Museum. Brookings Wildlife Federation Berry and several students seined the kids’ fishing pond in preparation for stocking 1,200 rainbow trout.

http://www.careercornerstone.org/�

A-6

Cub Scouts Chipps and students from the SDSU Student AFS Chapter assisted with a 1-day fishing clinic for local-area cub scout packs. Scouts were introduced to boat safety, casting demonstrations, knot-tying, and lure selection. SD GFP provided fishing poles and bait for scouts to try their hand at catching fish from a local pond. Consulting Firm Berry provided information on the Topeka shiner to Scott Krych of Graham Environmental Services, which is doing an impact assessment related to extending the Brookings airport runway over Six Mile Creek. ScienceVisions Berry led a field trip for parents and students attending summer classes sponsored by this unique science learning center in Brookings. South Dakota Academy of Science (SDAS) Berry convened and chaired a half-day symposium on Public Understanding of Science at the annual meeting. South Dakota Public Broadcasting Service Radio Reporter Paul Guggenheimer interviewed Chipps on Dakota Mid Day about the fish mercury study. Water Resources Institute Berry served on the steering committee for the 2008 East Dakota Water Conference; arranged for speakers for a Fisheries Session; was invited to deliver keynote address titled “South Dakota’s Water Estate.”

B-1

APPENDIX B Sound Science at the South Dakota Cooperative Unit

“Sound science” and “best available science” are phrases that should not need further explanation, but recently these terms are being discussed in many venues and even in the courts. The “sound science” issue usually appears during research on rare species, wetland drainage, and river management – areas in our Program Direction Statement. Research in these areas sometimes seems to be “bad news” for a group that might have to change or improve conservation programs. The affected groups and their supporters sometimes wonder, usually in the press, if the science is sound. This is a good question that scientists are always asking themselves. We teach SDSU students to question the results of all studies to determine weaknesses, biases, and alternative hypotheses. The South Dakota Coop Unit has always provided the best available science and will continue to use methods which include 1) use of the scientific method, 2) quality assurance and control, 3) data management, and 4) peer review. Unit products are reviewed during three phases: 1) proposal, 2) in progress, and 3) products. Using the scientific method we try to gain reliable knowledge. The scientific method in general includes observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and interpretation. The scientific method is required knowledge for each Unit student. We recognize that there are several scientific methods, each suited to a different purpose, as pointed out by Romesburg in his classic paper titled Wildlife Science: Gaining Reliable Knowledge (1981 Journal of Wildlife Management 45(2):293-3133) and by SDSU Professor Dr. Michael Brown in Chapter One of his new book titled Analysis and Interpretation of Freshwater Fisheries Data. Research quality is assured by following standard operating procedures (proposals), receiving training in methods, critical assessment of literature, use of good laboratory practices, and so forth. Unit staff are always involved in student research and do performance audits of GRA activities in the field and in the laboratory. Data management includes protocols for field data sheets, record keeping, redundant copies for data storage and archiving. Data management usually includes statistical approaches to determine sample size and data interpretation and also includes plans for serving data to the general public and the scientific community. The South Dakota Unit follows the Fundamental Science Practices of the Coop Research Units Program. Review of Unit products occurs on several levels and for different reasons at each level. • Unit Leader approval (14 study plan points and 5 peer review points). • Coordinating Committee approval (within Program Direction Statement). • Funding agency approval (justification, meets research needs). • External review by impartial experts (Fundamental Science Practices). • Graduate Advisory Committee approval (objectives, methods, analysis). • University approval or project (budgets, laboratory space, other compliances).

B-2

Concerning research products, our Cooperative Agreement and contractual obligations govern communication of findings to cooperators and funding agencies that as such are not subject to peer review. Theses and dissertations receive review by the graduate committee and the funding agency. In 2006, the Unit Program began to follow the new USGS policy “Fundamental Science Practices,” which adds more scientific review and clarifies the Unit’s responsibility for data management from proposal through presentation of results in public meetings, journals, books, or other outlets. Peer-review usually includes: • Graduate Advisory Committee (if a manuscript is a thesis chapter). • “Friendly review” by other scientists (usually colleagues). • External review by impartial experts (Fundamental Science Practices). • Review by USGS Supervisor (Manuscript Transmittal Form, Manuscript Reconciliation

Form which addresses external review comments). • Review by USGS approving official. • Review by journal editor and anonymous peer reviewers. The South Dakota Coop Unit has always provided the best available science and will continue to use methods which include 1) use of the scientific method, 2) quality assurance and quality control in research, 3) data management from start to finish of a project, and 4) peer review.

C-1

APPENDIX C Recent Books on South Dakota Animals

111 Fish Species Berry, C. R. Jr., K. F. Higgins, D. W. Willis, and S. R. Chipps. 2007. History of Fisheries and Fishing in South Dakota. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Pierre. 95 Wild Mammal Species Higgins, K. F., E. Dowd Stukel, J. M. Goulet, and D. C. Backlund. 2000. Wild Mammals of South Dakota. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Pierre. 7 Turtle Species Bandas, S. J. and K. F. Higgins. 2004. Field Guide to South Dakota Turtles. Cooperative Extension Service EC919, Brookings, South Dakota State University. 415 Bird Species Tallman, D. A., D. L. Swanson, and J. S. Palmer, eds. 2002. Birds of South Dakota. South Dakota Ornithologist’s Union, Aberdeen, South Dakota, Midstates/Quality Quick Print Press. 15 Amphibians (Frogs, Toads, Salamanders) Fischer, T., D. C. Backlund, K. F. Higgins, and D. E. Naugle. 1999. Field Guide to South Dakota Amphibians. SDAES Bulletin 733, Brookings, South Dakota State University. 177 Butterfly Species Marrone, G. M. Field Guide to South Dakota Butterflies. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Pierre. 82 Plants Ode, D. J. Dakota Flora, A Seasonal Sampler. South Dakota State Historical Press. (Winner of a Bronze IPPY from Independent Publisher for Best Regional Non-fiction – Midwest.) South Dakota Gap Analysis Smith, V. J., J. A. Jenks, C. R. Berry Jr., C. J. Kopplin, and D. M. Fecske. 2002. South Dakota Gap Analysis Project: a geographic approach to planning for biological diversity. Final Report. 91 pages plus appendices. CD available at Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, SDSU, or USGS download at http://gapanalysis.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt.

http://gapanalysis.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt�

Carrying buckets By M J McMillan

It seems I’ve carried buckets from the day I was born Buckets of oats, buckets of corn Heavy buckets, all the weight I could stand Buckets of dirt, buckets of sand As a kid, I carried buckets for my Mom and Pop In – buckets of water, out – buckets of slop We had running water before indoor plumbing It was me and them buckets doin’ the running Milk is carried, not in a bucket, but a pail There’s a difference they say, but I guess I fail To see whatever difference there might be Because when I carry them, they feel the same to me Carrying buckets has given me muscle and strength Also a thirty-eight inch shirt sleeve length This sight causes people to stop and gape For they’ve rarely seen a man with arms like an ape My Dad said carrying buckets was good for me Hard work builds character yessiree I don’t know, but if that’s really true I must have character up the wahzoo They tell me, in the cities, there are people who Have never had to carry a bucket or two If they don’t carry buckets, then it’s just not fair Because guys like me must be carrying their share I thought my son would carry my buckets for me when I got old So I could sit by the fire in the winter when it’s cold But he moved down South and it’s there he plans to stay So it appears I’ll be carrying buckets until my dying day And then when I’m dead and my body they burn Don’t let ‘em put the ashes in any old urn Just put ‘em in a bucket and then you’ll see The final justice, when a bucket carries ME

south dakota cooperative · nine graduate research assistants ... cooperation with usgs eros ......

Documents