bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perfil demográfico de idosos da cidade de Joinville, Santa Catarina: estudo de base domiciliar
Authors: Mastroeni Marco Fabio , Erzinger Gilmar Sidnei , Mastroeni Silmara Salete de Barros Silva , Silva Nilza Nunes da , Marucci Maria de Fátima Nunes
Published: September 2007

OBJETIVO: Identificar o perfil demográfico dos idosos residentes na área urbana de Joinville-SC. METODOLOGIA: Utilizando-se amostragem por conglomerados em múltiplos estágios nos setores censitários urbanos de Joinville, 660 idosos foram entrevistados em suas casas por meio de questionários. A análise estatística para variáveis categóricas consistiu em testes de associação segundo o sexo, utilizando-se o Teste do Qui-Quadrado. Em todas as análises foi considerado o nível de significância p<0,05. RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos idosos foi de 69,8 anos, sendo a maioria (57,6%) mulheres. Grande parte (62,0%) dos idosos vivia com o cônjuge, e 33,0% eram viúvos (as); o grupo etário predominante foi o de 60-69 anos (54,8%); o grupo étnico com maior representatividade foi o de cor branca (89,5%); a maioria (84,5%) era natural de Santa Catarina, sendo o Rio Grande do Sul o Estado que apresentou maior representatividade de imigrantes (3,9%). Em relação à escolaridade, 72,9% não completaram o ensino fundamental, 9,2% eram analfabetos e apenas 5,3% ingressaram no ensino médio. A maior parte (45,6%) dos idosos recebia até dois salários mínimos, e 50,3% das mulheres eram dependentes financeiramente. Em relação ao IMC, 32,8% apresentaram valores médios acima do adequado. CONCLUSÃO: O perfil demográfico do grupo estudado mostrou características similares a de outros estudos realizados com idosos no país. Por se tratar de um grupo etário em rápido crescimento no mundo, as características demográficas são imprescindíveis para o estabelecimento de políticas públicas de saúde que visem controlar o estado de saúde da população.
Lesões buco-dentais em mulheres em situação de violência: um estudo piloto de casos periciados no IML de Belo Horizonte, MG
Authors: Rezende Edson José Carpintero , Araújo Tânia Maria , Moraes Maria Antonieta Siqueira , Santana Judith Sena da Silva , Radicchi Ronaldo
Published: September 2007

A violência tem mostrado tendência ascendente, nos últimos anos, no Brasil. Nesse cenário, a violência sofrida pela mulher vem-se tornando mais visível à sociedade a partir das denúncias de agressões sofridas. Este estudo se propõe a descrever dados referentes às lesões corporais na região peribucal em mulheres que sofreram agressão. Foram analisados os registros e laudos encaminhados ao setor de Odontologia do IML de Belo Horizonte, referentes ao período de janeiro de 2001 a junho de 2002. Neste período, foram atendidas 108 mulheres. A faixa etária predominante foi a de 20 a 39 anos (70,4%). A maioria dessas mulheres declarou: ser solteira (63,0%) e ser natural do interior do Estado (48,1%). Quanto à ocupação encontrou-se: 24% que realizam trabalhos domésticos, 21% que são donas-de-casa e 14% que trabalham no comércio. A proporção de mulheres procedentes das Delegacias Seccionais foi maior do que aquelas encaminhadas pelas Delegacias de Mulheres. A lesão de tecido mole mais freqüente foi a laceração; a de tecidos duros e da polpa foram as fraturas de esmalte e dentina sem complicações; a de tecidos periodontais foi a concussão; e foram observadas duas lesões em tecidos ósseos. O estudo permitiu constatar a necessidade de uma coleta de dados mais cuidadosa nos exames periciais, de modo a disponibilizar informação mais detalhada da violência contra as mulheres; além disso, revelou que as lesões buco-dentais são freqüentes e representam uma grande demanda para os serviços odontológicos de saúde pública que prestam esse atendimento.
Associação entre indicadores antropométricos de obesidade e risco coronariano em adultos na cidade de Salvador, Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Pitanga Francisco José Gondim , Lessa Ines
Published: September 2007

OBJETIVO: O estudo teve como objetivo determinar a associação entre os diversos indicadores de obesidade e risco coronariano elevado (RCE) em adultos na cidade de Salvador-BA. MÉTODOS: O desenho foi de corte transversal, com amostra composta por 968 adultos de 30-74 anos de idade, sendo 391 (40.4%) homens. A análise constou da regressão logística, sendo calculadas as Odds Ratio (OR) entre o índice de conicidade (índice C), índice de massa corporal (IMC), razão circunferência cintura-quadril (RCCQ), circunferência de cintura (CC) e RCE. Utilizou-se intervalo de confiança a 95%. RESULTADOS: Após ajustamento por idade, as OR encontradas para homens foram: a) RCCQ: 5.81 (3.00-11.23), b) índice C: 5.52 (2.94-10.36), c) CC: 4.37 (2.31-8.26), d) IMC: 3.04 (1.62-5.73). Para mulheres dos 30 aos 49 anos e 50 aos 74 anos as OR encontradas foram, respectivamente: a) RCCQ: 7.85 (2.15-28.69) e 1.81 (0.98-3.36); b) IMC: 7.28 (1.61-32.97) e 1.09 (0.61-1.96); c) índice C: 6.88 (1.89 -25.11) e 2.89 (1.58-5.27); d) CC: 6.41 (2.09-19.65) e 1.38 (0.77-2.50). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados demonstram que, entre homens e mulheres de 30-49 anos, todos os indicadores de obesidade apresentam forte associação com RCE, destacando-se entre os homens os indicadores de obesidade central, RCCQ e IC, enquanto que para as mulheres entre 50 e 74 anos o índice C é o melhor indicador.
Anemia ferropriva em escolares da primeira série do ensino fundamental da rede pública de educação de uma região de Brasília, DF
Authors: Heijblom Gracy Santos , Santos Leonor Maria Pacheco
Published: September 2007

A anemia ferropriva é a deficiência de micronutriente mais prevalente no mundo. É particularmente deletéria em escolares, pois crianças anêmicas são sonolentas e prestam menos atenção. Como conseqüência, pode levar ao alto absenteísmo e baixo rendimento escolar. Realizou-se um estudo transversal com amostra probabilística de 424 alunos de 6 a 11 anos, da 1ª série do ensino fundamental de escolas públicas da Regional Norte de Saúde de Brasília. Os objetivos foram avaliar a prevalência de anemia e comparar o resultado obtido em 2004 com aquele de estudo similar realizado na mesma área em 1998. A hemoglobina (Hb) foi determinada em amostra de sangue digital, usando Hemocue®. Dois pontos de corte foram adotados para classificar anemia, ambos estabelecidos pela Organização Mundial da Saúde: Hb<11,5g/dL e Hb<12,0 g/dL. O retardo pondero-estatural foi diagnosticado quando os indicadores Altura/Idade (A/I), Peso/Idade (P/I) e Peso/Altura (P/A) encontravam-se abaixo de -2,0 desvios-padrão da referência NCHS. A prevalência de anemia foi de 12,5% e 11,9% (Hb<11,5g/dL) e de 26,9% e 21,5% (Hb<12,0g/dL) em 2004 e 1998, respectivamente. A prevalência de anemia aumentou entre os inquéritos, mas não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa. Tampouco houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre retardo do crescimento e anemia. Observa-se presença importante de anemia entre os escolares, o que justifica a implementação de políticas públicas específicas para o enfrentamento do problema, a exemplo da fortificação de farinhas de trigo e milho com ferro, tornada obrigatória em 2004.
Uso recente de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas entre estudantes adolescentes trabalhadores e não trabalhadores
Authors: Souza Delma P. Oliveira de , Silveira Filho Dartiu Xavier da
Published: September 2007

Foi realizado um estudo transversal, de base populacional, para determinar a prevalência do uso recente de substâncias psicoativas em uma amostra probabilística de 798 adolescentes trabalhadores e de 1.493 não trabalhadores, matriculados na rede estadual de educação básica da área urbana de Cuiabá, Brasil. Um questionário de autopreenchimento foi aplicado em sala de aula, indagando sobre aspectos sociodemográficas, sociais e o consumo de substâncias psicoativas. Definiu-se uso recente como consumo realizado uma ou mais vezes nos trinta dias que antecederam à entrevista. A prevalência na amostra do uso recente de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas foi de 37,4%, 9,5% e 8,4%, respectivamente, sendo mais elevada entre os adolescentes trabalhadores do que entre os não trabalhadores (47,4% versus 32,1% RO = 1,91, IC95% 1,60-2,28; 13,6% versus 7,3% RO = 1,98, IC95% 1,49-2,63; 11,1% versus 6,9% RO = 1,68, IC95% 1,24-2,26). Na análise de regressão logística, o uso recente de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas manteve-se associado aos trabalhadores da faixa etária de 15-20 anos, do sexo masculino e baixo nível socioeconômico (C+D+E). Conclui-se que os resultados indicam que o uso recente de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas foi diferente entre os trabalhadores em comparação com os não trabalhadores, sugerindo que esses resultados podem orientar as ações articuladas de prevenção e tratamento à população adolescente.
Soil and Tissue Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, and Sulfur as Affected by Dairy Manure Application in a No‐Till Corn, Wheat, and Soybean Rotation
Authors: Parsons Kimberley J. , Zheljazkov Valtcho D. , MacLeod John , Caldwell Claude D.
Published: September 2007

The hypothesis of this study was that surface applied liquid manure may provide sufficient nutrients to silage corn (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] under a no‐till system in the cool wet climate of Atlantic Canada. A 2‐yr field study was conducted investigating the effect of crop rotation and fertility on P, K, Ca, and S availability to corn silage, spring milling wheat, and soybean in Nova Scotia, Canada. The rotations consisted of all six possible combinations of corn, wheat, and soybean, and the fertility treatments consisted of three rates of liquid dairy manure (LDM1–3) at 32.1, 48.1, and 64.3 Mg ha−1, a mineral fertilizer treatment, and a control (no fertility applied). In general, nutrient availability as measured by Mehlich 3 (M3) was not well correlated with tissue concentration. Tissue S in corn was lower when it was grown after soybean than when grown after wheat, and was highest in the LDM1 and in the control treatments. Rotation × fertility effects observed in the wheat nutrient removals were accountable to similar differences in yield. Wheat uptake of P was significantly affected by fertility, with the highest removal of P occurring in the NPK treatment, which also provided the highest yield. Results indicate that Ca uptake by wheat may be hindered by competition with K, and that K applied in manure at higher rates could build up over time. Potassium recovery in wheat was higher from the inorganic NPK treatment (37%) than from manure (from 16 to 4%). There were few differences in M3 available nutrients in 2001. However in 2002, LDM application resulted in higher M3 concentrations of K and Ca; there was a drop in P availability with the LDM3 (at 64.3 Mg ha−1) application; and S availability was highest at LDM1 and LDM3 (32.1 and 64.3 Mg ha−1, respectively). Further long‐term studies may be needed to determine if surface applied LDM with no incorporation can sustain silage corn, soybean, and wheat nutrient requirements for P, Ca, K, and S, and maintain efficient nutrient use overtime under no‐till conditions.
Modeling of Cotton Yields in the Amu Darya River Floodplains of Uzbekistan Integrating Multitemporal Remote Sensing and Minimum Field Data
Authors: Shi Zhou , Ruecker Gerd R. , Mueller Marc , Conrad Christopher , Ibragimov Nazar , Lamers John P. A. , Martius Christopher , Strunz Guenter , Dech Stefan , Vlek Paul L. G.
Published: September 2007

Increased knowledge about the spatial distribution of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield in the Khorezm region in Uzbekistan supports the optimal allocation of resources. This research estimated the spatial distribution of cotton yields in Khorezm by integrating remote sensing, field data, and modeling. The agro‐meteorological model used was based on Monteith's biomass production model with multitemporal MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)‐derived parameters from 2002 as primary inputs. The photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and environmental stress scalars on crop development were estimated with meteorological information. Using high‐spatial‐resolution Landsat 7 ETM+ images, the cotton area was extracted and the cotton fraction determined within the coarse spatial resolution MODIS pixels. The spatial resolution of the MODIS FPAR data was improved by using an empirical relationship to the higher‐resolution MODIS NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data. The estimated raw cotton yield ranged from 1.09 to 3.76 Mg ha−1. The modeling revealed a spatial trend of higher yields in upstream areas and in locations closer to the irrigation channels and lower yields in downstream areas and at sites more distant to the channels. The validated yield estimations showed a 10% deviation from official governmental statistics. The established agro‐meteorological model based on freely available MODIS data and a minimum of field data input is a promising technique for economic and operational late‐season estimation of spatially distributed cotton yield over large regions on which management adjustments could be made.
Modeling the Effects of Water Temperature on Rice Growth and Yield under a Cool Climate: I. Model Development
Authors: Shimono Hiroyuki , Hasegawa Toshihiro , Iwama Kazuto
Published: September 2007

For paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.), water temperature (Tw) is a major determinant of growth and yield. In rice paddies, Tw is higher than the air temperature (Ta), and this difference significantly affects production, especially in cool climates. However, there is no model to evaluate the effects of Tw on rice yield. To simulate temporal and regional differences in rice productivity under such climates, we developed a simple mechanistic growth model that accounts for the effects of Tw based on the results of previous field trials. The rate of crop ontogenetic change was linearly related with Tw before the heading stage. Leaf area was expressed as a function of leaf emergence and tillering, and leaf senescence was expressed as function of ontogenetic change and spikelet fertility. Radiation use efficiency was less affected by Tw than by leaf area, and its change with respect to ontogenetic changes was expressed using nonlinear functions. Spikelet fertility, which strongly determines grain yield, was expressed as function of cumulative cooling degree‐days (below a threshold temperature), water depth, and the height of developing panicles. This model covered the major processes that are affected by Tw, and can be used for evaluating the role of Tw on rice growth and yield under a cool climate.
Agronomic Effectiveness of Calcium Phosphate Recovered from Liquid Swine Manure
Authors: Bauer Philip J. , Szogi Ariel A. , Vanotti Matias B.
Published: September 2007

A new manure treatment technology developed as an alternative to anaerobic lagoons on swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) farms includes solid‐liquid separation and subsequent recovery of soluble P as calcium phosphate from the wastewater. The objective was to determine the agronomic effectiveness of this calcium phosphate material. A greenhouse study was conducted with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Three fertilizer materials were evaluated: the recovered P in two particle sizes (0.5–1.0 and 2.0–4.0 mm), and commercial triple superphosphate (TSP). Fertilizer rates were 0, 22, 44, 88, and 176 mg P kg−1 soil. Three harvests of the ryegrass were made at 2‐wk intervals. Total P uptake increased linearly with application rate for all three fertilizer materials. At the highest application rate, total P uptake was 37.8 mg pot−1 for TSP, 26.2 mg pot−1 for the recovered P with small particle size, and 9.0 mg pot−1 for the recovered P with large particle size. Chemical analysis of the recovered P material revealed that over 99% of the P2O5 in the recovered calcium phosphate was plant available P, mostly as citrate‐soluble. Mehlich‐3 extractable soil P at the end of the experiment indicated that little of the large particle size of recovered P material dissolved and became available during this short 10‐wk study. The recovered calcium phosphate appears to have potential as a fertilizer source.
Potential Long‐Term Benefits of No‐Tillage and Organic Cropping Systems for Grain Production and Soil Improvement
Authors: Teasdale John R. , Coffman Charles B. , Mangum Ruth W.
Published: September 2007

There have been few comparisons of the performance of no‐tillage cropping systems vs. organic farming systems, particularly on erodible, droughty soils where reduced‐tillage systems are recommended. In particular, there is skepticism whether organic farming can improve soils as well as conventional no‐tillage systems because of the requirement for tillage associated with many organic farming operations. A 9‐yr comparison of selected minimum‐tillage strategies for grain production of corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was conducted on a sloping, droughty site in Beltsville, MD, from 1994 to 2002. Four systems were compared: (i) a standard mid‐Atlantic no‐tillage system (NT) with recommended herbicide and N inputs, (ii) a cover crop‐based no‐tillage system (CC) including hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) before corn, and rye (Secale cereale L.) before soybean, with reduced herbicide and N inputs, (iii) a no‐tillage crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) living mulch system (CV) with recommended herbicide and N inputs, and (iv) a chisel‐plow based organic system (OR) with cover crops and manure for nutrients and postplanting cultivation for weed control. After 9 yr, competition with corn by weeds in OR and by the crownvetch living mulch in CV was unacceptable, particularly in dry years. On average, corn yields were 28 and 12% lower in OR and CV, respectively, than in the standard NT, whereas corn yields in CC and NT were similar. Despite the use of tillage, soil combustible C and N concentrations were higher at all depth intervals to 30 cm in OR compared with that in all other systems. A uniformity trial was conducted from 2003 to 2005 with corn grown according to the NT system on all plots. Yield of corn grown on plots with a 9‐yr history of OR and CV were 18 and 19% higher, respectively, than those with a history of NT whereas there was no difference between corn yield of plots with a history of NT and CC. Three tests of N availability (corn yield loss in subplots with no N applied in 2003–2005, presidedress soil nitrate test, and corn ear leaf N) all confirmed that there was more N available to corn in OR and CV than in NT. These results suggest that OR can provide greater long‐term soil benefits than conventional NT, despite the use of tillage in OR. However, these benefits may not be realized because of difficulty controlling weeds in OR.
Soil Management Zone Determination by Yield Stability Analysis and Classification
Authors: Cox M. S. , Gerard P. D.
Published: September 2007

Multiyear yield data may lead to more accurate determination of yield–soil relationships. This study was conducted to determine if stable yield classification zones could be found, if soil and/or topographical properties differed among yield classifications, and if soil and/or topographical properties could be used to classify field locations into yield classes. Soybean (Glycine max L.) yields over 4 yr in three fields were classified into four zones: consistent‐high, consistent‐average, consistent‐low, and inconsistent. Soil samples from all zones except the inconsistent zone were analyzed for pH, extractable nutrients, total C and N, texture, and elevation. Slope, plan curvature, and profile curvature at each sampling point were determined from elevation. Although differences existed, there were no consistently different soil or topographical properties among yield classes in each of the three fields. Linear discriminant analysis found unique yield‐affecting factors in each field. In the North field, sand, K, and pH influenced yield classification. In the South field, clay, sand, slope, Mg, and plan curvature predicted yield classification. In the East field, pH and clay significantly influenced yield classification. For individual yield classes, the derived functions classified sampling locations into appropriate yield classes 60 to 100% of the time. The most accurate prediction rate came when classifying the soil sampling points into the high yield zone in the East field. The highest error rate occurred in this field when attempting to predict which points fell into the average classification. The combination of yield classification and linear discriminant analysis seems to be promising for determining soil‐topography‐yield relationships and hence soil management zones.
An Updated, Automated Commercial Swather for Harvesting Forage Plots
Authors: Pearson Calvin H.
Published: September 2007

Harvesting forage plots can be tedious, time consuming, and labor intensive without the proper plot equipment. Various forage plot harvesters have been developed over the years and were designed primarily to decrease the amount of hand labor needed for plot harvest, increase the ease of plot harvest, and do it at an affordable cost while maintaining or improving data integrity. Automated, commercially built, forage plot harvesters cost $50,000 to $80,000 USD or more. This article describes an automated forage plot harvesting system that has an electronic data collection system, harvests plots quickly and efficiently, and can be used for both plot harvest and commercial‐scale fields. The automated harvesting system consists of three major components—a weighing platform, a discharge platform, and an electronic data collection system. Only one person is needed to operate the automated forage harvester and collect yield data. The average time required for harvesting a 3.0 by 4.6 m (10 by 15 ft) alfalfa (Medicago sativa subsp. sativa) plot is ≈40 s and can handle plot samples weighing as much as 54 kg (120 lb). The forage plot harvester can be switched from harvesting research plots and made ready to harvest commercial fields or vice versa in approximately 30 min. Our automated forage harvester performed exceptionally well during its first year of operation in 2006. The cost of the materials for the automated weighing system was slightly less than $6000.
Modeling the Effects of Water Temperature on Rice Growth and Yield under a Cool Climate: II. Model Application
Authors: Shimono Hiroyuki , Hasegawa Toshihiro , Kuwagata Tsuneo , Iwama Kazuto
Published: September 2007

Impact of water temperature (Tw) on rice growth and yield in Hokkaido, Japan, one of the coolest rice producing areas in the world, were quantitatively evaluated using the newly developed growth model that can simulate the effects of Tw independently from the effects of air temperature (Ta). Using this model, first we evaluated the benefits of having Tw warmer than Ta for rice yield. Without this difference, simulated rice yield was reduced by almost half. Second, the model also highlighted the causes of differences among sites in rice productivity; higher productivity was attributed to higher solar radiation (RD), higher wind speed (WS), and higher Tw. Finally, under a scenario of future global warming, the model estimated that a 3°C Ta increase above the current level increased Tw by 1°C and increased yield by 6%. However, adding the effects of changes in other factors (RD and WS) increased Tw by 0 to 2°C and changed yield by −30% to +41%. Our results demonstrate that Tw must be considered to understand growth and yield responses of rice to climate change, especially in cool regions.
Distribution and Habitat Use of Ross's and Lesser Snow Geese During Late Brood Rearing
Authors: SLATTERY STUART M. , ALISAUSKAS RAY T.
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT  We assessed spatial distribution and habitat use by Ross's and lesser snow geese (Chen rossii and C. caerulescens caerulescens) during late brood rearing to begin understanding goose‐habitat interactions and monitoring key habitats around a rapidly growing nesting colony located at Karrak Lake, Nunavut, Canada. We conducted aerial surveys to count geese and georeference locations, then used Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite imagery to identify habitats associated with each flock. We observed 435 and 407 flocks and 36,287 and 32,745 birds in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Birds were somewhat uniformly distributed over the 5,000‐km2 study area, with larger aggregations occurring closer to the coast, about 70 km from the colony. We assessed habitat use using Bonferroni intervals at both the flock and individual scales. At the flock level, birds avoided lichen‐heath, used other terrestrial habitats as available, and selected freshwater. At the individual level, geese selected lowland habitats: wet sedge meadow, hummock graminoid tundra, and freshwater, which accounted for about 70% of the birds observed, and avoided upland habitats. Selection of lowland habitats is likely due to greater availability of food and easier predator avoidance compared to drier upland areas. Because most geese in our study used freshwater habitats, our results demonstrate that assessment of carrying capacity, at least in the central Arctic, must be expanded beyond the coastal salt marshes traditionally considered by researchers and managers as primary brood‐rearing habitat for mid‐continent light geese.
Uneven Rates of Landscape Change as a Source of Bias in Roadside Wildlife Surveys
Authors: BETTS M. G. , MITCHELL D. , DIAMOND A. W. , BÉTY J.
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT  Roadside survey data have been used frequently to assess species occurrence and population trends and to establish conservation priorities. However, most studies using such data assume that samples are representative of either the amount of habitat or its rate of change at larger spatial scales. We tested both of these assumptions for the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) from 1974 to 2001 in New Brunswick, Canada. Our study focused on mature forest—a cover type that we predicted would be characterized by rapid change due to human activities and that is of high ecological importance. We also sought to determine whether land cover changes adjacent to BBS routes were related to bird population trends detected in BBS data. Within all 3 time periods examined (1970s, 1980s, and 1990s), the amount of mature forest adjacent to BBS routes was significantly lower than in surrounding 1° blocks of latitude and longitude. This could be problematic for studies that use roadside data to compare the relative abundance of species. On average, mature forest declined at a rate of‐1.5% per year over the 28‐year study period. We detected no significant difference in the rate of change between degree blocks and BBS routes over this time span. However, in the 1970s and 1980s, mature forest declined more rapidly in degree blocks (‐2.7%/yr) than adjacent to BBS routes (‐0.5/yr). We also found that the BBS trend for a mature forest‐associated species, blackburnian warbler (Dendroica fusca), was correlated with the trend in mature forest along BBS routes. This, combined with slower rates of mature forest change along routes in the 1970s and 1980s, suggests that BBS data may have underestimated population declines during this period. It is important that research be conducted to test for potential biases in roadside surveys caused by uneven rates of landscape change, particularly in regions characterized by rapid habitat alteration.
Traffic Volume Alters Elk Distribution and Highway Crossings in Arizona
Authors: GAGNON JEFFREY W. , THEIMER TAD C. , BOE SUSAN , DODD NORRIS L. , SCHWEINSBURG RAYMOND E.
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT We used 38,709 fixes collected from December 2003 through June 2006 from 44 elk (Cervus elaphus) fitted with Global Positioning System collars and hourly traffic data recorded along 27 km of highway in central Arizona, USA, to determine how traffic volume affected elk distribution and highway crossings. The probability of elk occurring near the highway decreased with increasing traffic volume, indicating that elk used habitat near the highway primarily when traffic volumes were low (<100 vehicles/hr). We used multiple logistic regression followed by model selection using Akaike's Information Criterion to identify factors influencing probability of elk crossings. We found that increasing traffic rates reduced the overall probability of highway crossing, but this effect depended on both season and the proximity of riparian meadow habitat. Elk crossed highways at higher traffic volumes when accessing high quality foraging areas. Our results indicate that 1) managers assessing habitat quality for elk in areas with high traffic‐volume highways should consider that habitat near highways may be utilized at low traffic volumes, 2) in areas where highways potentially act as barriers to elk movement, increasing traffic volume decreases the probability of highway crossings, but the magnitude of this effect depends on both season and proximity of important resources, and 3) because some highway crossings still occurred at the high traffic volumes we recorded, increasing traffic alone will not prevent elk‐vehicle collisions. Managers concerned with elk‐vehicle collisions could increase the effectiveness of wildlife crossing structures by placing them near important resources, such as riparian meadow habitat.
Reproductive Responses of Northern Goshawks to Variable Prey Populations
Authors: SALAFSKY SUSAN R. , REYNOLDS RICHARD T. , NOON BARRY R. , WIENS JOHN A.
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT  Developing comprehensive conservation strategies requires knowledge of factors influencing population growth and persistence. Although variable prey resources are often associated with fluctuations in raptor demographic parameters, the mechanisms of food limitation are poorly understood, especially for a generalist predator like the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). To determine the reproductive responses of goshawks to variable prey populations, we evaluated 823 goshawk breeding opportunities on the Kaibab Plateau, Arizona, USA, during 1994–2002. Concurrently, density was estimated for 4 prey species (2 avian, 2 mammalian). We explored the relationship between goshawk reproduction and prey density at one temporal scale (year) and 2 spatial scales (study area, forest type). Prey density for all 4 species combined accounted for 89% of the variation in goshawk reproduction within the entire study area (P < 0.001), 74% in mixed conifer forest (P = 0.003) and 85% in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest (P < 0.001). We found that an incremental increase in prey density resulted in a greater increase in goshawk reproduction in ponderosa pine forest than in mixed conifer forest, suggesting that the denser structural conditions of mixed conifer forest may have reduced prey availability. Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) density explained more annual variation in goshawk reproduction within the study area (r2 = 0.87, P < 0.001), mixed conifer forest (r2 = 0.80, P = 0.001), and ponderosa pine forest (r2 = 0.85, P < 0.001) than did any other individual species. Although certain prey species were more strongly correlated with fluctuations in goshawk reproduction than were others, the high model selection uncertainty and the strong relationship between total prey density and number of goshawk fledglings produced indicated that alternate prey species were readily substituted for one another. Therefore, conservation strategies concerned with the status of goshawk populations should incorporate forest management practices that increase the abundance, diversity, and availability of prey resources.
Modeling Wolverine Occurrence Using Aerial Surveys of Tracks in Snow
Authors: MAGOUN AUDREY J. , RAY JUSTINA C. , JOHNSON DEVIN S. , VALKENBURG PATRICK , DAWSON F. NEIL , BOWMAN JEFF
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT We designed a novel approach to determining extent of distribution and area of occupancy for wolverines (Gulo gulo) by using aerial surveys of tracks in snow and hierarchical spatial modeling. In 2005 we used a small, fixed‐wing aircraft with pilot and one observer to search 575 of 588 survey units for wolverine tracks in approximately 60,000 km2of boreal forest in northwestern Ontario, Canada. We used sinuous flight paths to scan open areas in the forest in the 100‐km2survey units. We detected tracks in 138 (24%) of the 575 sampled units. There was strong evidence of occurrence (probability of occurrence >0.80) in 30% of the 588 survey units, weak evidence of occurrence (0.50–0.80) in 12%, weak evidence of absence (0.20–0.50) in 15%, and strong evidence of absence (< 0.20) in 43%. Wolverine range comprised 59% of the study area and area of occupancy was 33,400 km2. With information on probability of occurrence and core areas of occupation for wolverines in our study area, resource managers and others can examine factors that influence wolverine distribution patterns and use this information to formulate best management practices that will maintain wolverines on the landscape in the face of increasing resource development. Comparing future survey results with those of our 2005 survey will provide an objective way to assess the efficacy of management practices.
Response of Brown Treesnakes to Reduction of Their Rodent Prey
Authors: GRAGG JAMES E. , RODDA GORDON H. , SAVIDGE JULIE A. , WHITE GARY C. , DEAN‐BRADLEY KATHY , ELLINGSON AARON R.
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT  Trapping brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis; BTS) with live‐mouse (Mus domesticus) lures is the principal control technique for this invasive species on Guam. Lure‐based trapping is also used on other islands as a precaution against undetected arrivals and in response to verified BTS sightings. However, the effectiveness of lure‐based trapping on other islands is questionable, as it has yielded no BTS despite other evidence of their presence. Some evidence suggests that high rodent numbers may interfere with BTS control. To test the relationship between rodent abundance and snake trappability, we conducted a controlled, replicated field experiment incorporating a rodenticide treatment during a BTS mark‐recapture study. Using open population modeling in Program MARK, we estimated BTS apparent survival and recapture probabilities. Rodent reduction increased BTS recapture probabilities by 52–65% in 2002 and 22–36% in 2003, and it decreased apparent survival by < 1% both years. This appears to be the first published instance of manipulating wild prey to influence snake behavior. Rodent reduction may enhance detection and control of BTS with traps on Guam and other islands. It may also amplify the effectiveness of oral toxicants against BTS.
Management of Roadside Salt Pools to Reduce Moose‐Vehicle Collisions
Authors: LEBLOND MATHIEU , DUSSAULT CHRISTIAN , OUELLET JEAN‐PIERRE , POULIN MARIUS , COURTOIS RÉHAUME , FORTIN JACQUES
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT Wildlife‐vehicle collisions cause numerous human fatalities and injuries, and generate considerable expenses in property damage each year. Certain characteristics of the road and its surroundings are known to have an impact on collision probability. Roadside salt pools increase the risk of collision by attracting moose (Alces alces) to the side of the road. In the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve of Québec, Canada, roadside salt pools were drained and filled with rocks to deter moose from drinking. We surveyed 12 roadside salt pools during 3 consecutive summers (2003–2005) from mid‐May to mid‐August. Seven salt pools were managed in autumn 2004, and 5 pools were left untreated. We equipped all 12 sites with electronic apparatus that allowed us to detect moose attendance and study their behavior. We also measured physical, chemical, and environmental characteristics of these pools and other unvisited pools in order to correlate moose attendance with specific habitat criteria. We found that moose mostly attended roadside salt pools from mid‐June to mid‐July, with a decrease in August. Moose attendance was significantly correlated with visual obstruction toward the road and water availability. Management of the pools caused a decrease in mean length of time moose spent at them. Number of visits decreased significantly at night (by 90%), which was when most visits occurred, but not during the day. The proposed management practice prevented all visiting moose from drinking brackish water. These results suggest that moose should eventually lose interest in treated salt pools, therefore decreasing the risk of moose‐vehicle collisions on the road.
Fertility Control in Free‐Ranging Elk Using Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone Agonist Leuprolide: Effects on Reproduction, Behavior, and Body Condition
Authors: CONNER MARY M. , BAKER DAN L. , WILD MARGARET A. , POWERS JENNY G. , HUSSAIN MUHAMMAD D. , DUNN RICHARD L. , NETT TERRY M.
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT  Overabundant elk (Cervus elaphus) populations have become a significant problem in many areas of North America. This is particularly true for protected areas where high densities of elk can cause long‐term ecological degradation. When lethal control is not acceptable in these environments, resource managers must often consider alternative methods for reducing the size of resident elk populations. A potential management alternative is controlling the fertility of female elk. A promising new approach to wildlife contraception involves the use of biodegradable implants containing the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist leuprolide. During fall 2002‐spring 2004, we compared pregnancy rates, reproductive behavior, daily activity patterns, and body condition of 17 free‐ranging female elk treated with a leuprolide formulation with 17 untreated females, in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA. After treatment, the pregnancy rate of treated elk was 0%, whereas 79% of control elk became pregnant. The effects of treatment were reversed the subsequent year with the pregnancy rate of treated females 100% compared with 91% for controls. Reproductive behaviors were similar for treated and control elk during the breeding and postbreeding seasons; treated elk did not exhibit postrut reproductive behaviors. Moreover, we found no differences in daily activity patterns of experimental groups during the breeding or postbreeding seasons. Treated elk did not show improved body condition over pregnant females. Instead, treated females catabolized proportionately more body fat during winter after treatment and at a higher rate than pregnant control elk. However, this effect was reversed the next spring with no difference in body fat between treated and control elk. We conclude from this experiment that leuprolide, administered as a controlled release formulation, offers a safe and effective method of controlling fertility in free‐ranging female elk. However, practical application is limited by treatment duration and the need to treat females before the breeding season.
Evaluation of Potential Factors Predisposing Livestock to Predation by Jaguars
Authors: DE AZEVEDO FERNANDO CESAR CASCELLI , MURRAY DENNIS L.
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT  Depredation of livestock by large carnivores is an important but poorly understood source of human‐carnivore conflict. We examined patterns of livestock depredation by jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) on a ranch‐wildlife reserve in western Brazil to assess factors contributing to prey mortality. We predicted jaguars would kill a greater proportion of calves than yearling and adult cattle and that proximity to suitable habitat would increase mortality risk. We further speculated that exposure to predation risk would promote livestock grouping and increased movement distance. We recorded 169 cattle mortality incidents during 2003–2004, of which 19% were due to predation by jaguars and pumas. This level of mortality represented 0.2–0.3% of the total livestock holdings on the ranch. Jaguars caused most (69%) cattle predation events, and survival in allotments was lower for calves than for other age classes. Forest proximity was the only variable we found to explain patterns of livestock mortality, with predation risk increasing as distance to forest cover declined. Due to low predation risk, cattle movement patterns and grouping behavior did not vary relative to level of spatial overlap with radiocollared jaguars. The overall effect of predation on cattle was low and livestock likely constituted an alternative prey for large cats in our study area. However, selection of calves over other age cohorts and higher predation risk among cattle in proximity to forest cover is suggestive of selection of substandard individuals. Cattle ranchers in the Pantanal region may reduce cattle mortality rates by concentrating on losses due to nonpredation causes that could be more easily controlled.
Distribution and Broadscale Habitat Relations of the Wolverine in the Contiguous United States
Authors: AUBRY KEITH B. , MCKELVEY KEVIN S. , COPELAND JEFFREY P.
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT  Conservation of the wolverine (Gulo gulo) at the southern extent of its North American range requires reliable understandings of past and present distribution patterns and broad‐scale habitat relations. We compiled 820 verifiable and documented records of wolverine occurrence (specimens, DNA detections, photos, and accounts of wolverines being killed or captured) in the contiguous United States from museums, the literature, and institutional archives. We spatially referenced 729 records with areal precision ≤1 township (93.2 km2) and temporal precision ≤10 years. Historical records (1827–1960) were located primarily in the western mountains and Great Lakes region. However, our data suggest that the historical distribution of wolverines in the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada was disjunct, contradicting previous interpretations. Our results indicate that wolverine range in the contiguous United States had contracted substantially by the mid‐1900s. Current records (1995–2005) are limited to north‐central Washington, northern and central Idaho, western Montana, and northwestern Wyoming. We investigated potential relations between wolverines and alpine vegetation, cold temperatures, and spring snow cover by comparing the distribution of historical wolverine records with Kuchler's potential natural vegetation types, Holdridge's climatic life zones, and EASE snow‐cover maps during the latter portion of the wolverine denning period (15 Apr‐14 May). In the western mountains, historical wolverine records generally occurred in or near alpine vegetation and climatic conditions, especially at the limits of their distribution in the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and southern Rocky Mountains. However, the only habitat layer that fully accounted for historical distribution patterns was spring snow cover. Causal factors for the extirpation of wolverines from the southern portions of their range in the contiguous United States are unknown, but are likely related to high levels of human‐caused mortality and low to nonexistent immigration rates.
Raccoon Density and Movements After Population Reduction to Control Rabies
Authors: ROSATTE RICK , SOBEY KIRK , DONOVAN DENNIS , ALLAN MIKE , BRUCE LAURA , BUCHANAN TORE , DAVIES CHRIS
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT  Population reduction (PR) and trap‐vaccinate‐release (TVR) were used to control an outbreak of the raccoon (Procyon lotor) variant of rabies in Ontario, Canada, during 1999. Raccoon density declined significantly following PR; however, density increased significantly 9–10 months post‐PR. Recolonization of PR areas with raccoons marked in TVR areas was very low with only 1.8% (32/1,759) of those raccoons dispersing into PR areas during 1999–2000. In addition, the number of raccoons dispersing from TVR areas into PR areas was not significantly greater than the number of raccoons dispersing into treatment areas where population reduction had not been implemented during 1999–2000. Raccoon movements in this study, determined by mark‐recapture, averaged < 4.0 km during 1999–2000 and did not differ among treatments (with or without PR). In summary, there was not a mass exodus of raccoons from TVR areas to PR areas during 1999–2000, suggesting there was not an immediate, dramatic, vacuum effect drawing raccoons into areas devoid of raccoons due to PR. However, one year post‐PR, raccoon populations were near or above pre‐PR densities (due to a high reproductive rate of resident raccoons), suggesting that PR would have to be an annual event if rabies is not eliminated from an area.
Effects of Telemetry Location Error on Space‐Use Estimates Using a Fixed‐Kernel Density Estimator
Authors: MOSER BRIAN W. , GARTON EDWARD O.
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT  Fixed‐kernel density estimates using radiotelemetry locations are frequently used to quantify home ranges of animals, interactions, and resource selection. However, all telemetry data have location error and no studies have reported the effects of error on utilization distribution and area estimates using fixed‐kernel density estimators. We simulated different home range sizes and shapes by mixing bivariate‐normal distributions and then drawing random samples of various sizes from these distributions. We compared fixed‐kernel density estimates with and without error to the true underlying distributions. The effects of telemetry error on fixed‐kernel density estimates were related to sample size, distribution complexity, and ratio of median Circular Error Probable to home range size. We suggest a metric to assess the adequacy of the telemetry system being used to estimate an animal's space use before a study is undertaken. Telemetry location error is unlikely to significantly affect fixed‐kernel density estimates for most wildlife telemetry studies with adequate sample sizes.
Inferring Geographic Isolation of Wolverines in California Using Historical DNA
Authors: SCHWARTZ MICHAEL K. , AUBRY KEITH B. , MCKELVEY KEVIN S. , PILGRIM KRISTINE L. , COPELAND JEFFREY P. , SQUIRES JOHN R. , INMAN ROBERT M. , WISELY SAMANTHA M. , RUGGIERO LEONARD F.
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT  Delineating a species' geographic range using the spatial distribution of museum specimens or even contemporary detection‐non‐detection data can be difficult. This is particularly true at the periphery of a species range where species' distributions are often disjunct. Wolverines (Gulo gulo) are wide‐ranging mammals with discontinuous and potentially isolated populations at the periphery of their range. One potentially disjunct population occurred in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA, and appears to have been extirpated by the 1930s. Many early 20th century naturalists believed that this population was connected to other populations occurring in the Cascade Range of northern California, Oregon, and Washington, USA, but a recent analysis of historical records suggests that California wolverines were isolated from other populations in North America. We used DNA extracted from museum specimens to examine whether California wolverines were isolated. Both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA data indicate that California wolverines were genetically distinct from extant populations, suggesting long‐term isolation. We identified 2 new control region (mitochondrial DNA) haplotypes located only within California. We used these data and referenced sequences from the Rocky Mountains, USA, to make inferences regarding potential wolverine translocations into California. In addition, we used these genetic data to make inferences about wolverine conservation throughout western North America.