Aaron Pearse, PhD
Dr. Aaron Pearse is a Research Wildlife Biologist at the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center in Jamestown, North Dakota.
I have worked primarily with migratory birds and have addressed needs of natural resource managers by providing answers that lead to science-based management of wildlife species and ecosystems in which they depend. I am responsible for identifying and conducting research relevant to agencies within the Department of the Interior and other partners including the federal government, state governments, and non-governmental organizations. I function as a team leader and primary investigator on projects primarily in three general areas: ecology and management of North American waterfowl and cranes, natural resource survey design and application, and landscape scale studies of upland and wetland habitats in the Prairie Pothole Region.
Professional Experience
Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND , 2007-present
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Mississippi State University, 2007
M.S. University of Idaho, 2002
B.S. Kansas State University, 1998
Affiliations and Memberships*
Adjunct Research Professor, South Dakota State University, 2017-present
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 13
Sandhill crane phenology at the Platte River, Nebraska, 2001-2007
The central Platte River Valley represents a key mid-latitude stopover. This dataset supports a contemporary analysis of spring migration phenology at the Platte River during 2001-2007. We recorded timing of sandhill crane arrivals and departures from the Platte River.
Filter Total Items: 50
Migrating whooping cranes avoid wind-energy infrastructure when selecting stopover habitat
Electricity generation from renewable-energy sources has increased dramatically worldwide in recent decades. Risks associated with wind-energy infrastructure are not well understood for endangered whooping cranes or other vulnerable crane populations. From 2010 to 2016, we monitored 57 whooping cranes with remote-telemetry devices in the United States Great Plains to determine potential...
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, Kristine L. Metzger, David A. Brandt, Jill A. Shaffer, Mark T. Bidwell, Wade C. Harrell
Identifying sustainable winter habitat for whooping cranes
The only self-sustaining population of endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana) requires a network of conservation lands for wintering along the Texas Gulf Coast (USA), so that this increasing population can reach downlisting under the Endangered Species Act (1,000 birds). We identify locations providing the highest quality and most sustainable wintering habitat for these whooping...
Authors
Kristine L. Metzger, Sarah E. Lehnen, Steven Sesnie, Matthew J Butler, Aaron T. Pearse, Grant Harris
Population and harvest dynamics of midcontinent sandhill cranes
Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) inhabiting the midcontinent of North America have been hunted since the 1960s under management goals of maintaining abundance, retaining geographic distribution, and maximizing sustainable harvest. Some biologists have raised concerns regarding harvest sustainability because sandhill cranes have lower reproductive rates than other game birds. We...
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, Glen A. Sargeant, Gary Krapu, David A. Brandt
Heterogeneity in migration strategies of the whooping crane
Migratory birds use numerous strategies to successfully complete twice-annual movements between breeding and wintering sites. Context for conservation and management can be provided by characterizing these strategies. Variations in strategy among and within individuals support population persistence in response to changes in land use and climate. We used location data from 58 marked...
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, Kristine L. Metzger, David A. Brandt, Mark T. Bidwell, Mary J. Harner, David M. Baasch, Wade C. Harrell
Temporospatial shifts in Sandhill Crane staging in the Central Platte River Valley in response to climatic variation and habitat change
Over 80% of the Mid-Continent Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) Population (MCP), estimated at over 660,000 individuals, stops in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) during spring migration from mid-February through mid-April. Research suggests that the MCP may be shifting its distribution spatially and temporally within the CPRV. From 2002 to 2017, we conducted weekly aerial...
Authors
Andrew J. Caven, Emma M. Brinley Buckley, Kelsey C King, Joshua D Wiese, David M. Baasch, Greg D. Wright, Mary J. Harner, Aaron T. Pearse, Matt Rabbe, Dana Varner, Brice Krohn, Nicole Arcilla, Kirk D Schroeder, Kenneth F Dinan
Roosting habitat use by sandhill cranes and waterfowl on the North and South Platte Rivers in Nebraska
Migration ecology and habitat use of spring migrating birds using the Central Platte River is a well-explored topic, yet less is known about use of the North and South Platte rivers (NSPR) in western Nebraska. The efficiency and effectiveness of conservation efforts in the NSPR could be greatly improved with access to information about where and when birds roost and landscape...
Authors
Dana M Varner, Aaron T. Pearse, Andrew Bishop, Jonas Davis, John Denton, Roger Grosse, Heather E. Johnson, Emily Munter, Kirk D Schroeder, Robert E. Spangler, Mark Vrtiska, Angelina Wright
Using morphological measurements to predict subspecies of Midcontinent sandhill cranes
The Midcontinent population of sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) has historically been classified into 3 putative subspecies, but genetic analyses have identified only 2 genetically distinct subspecies. Previous studies have successfully used morphometrics in combination with an individual's sex to differentiate subspecies of sandhill cranes that had been inferred based on breeding...
Authors
Jay A VonBank, David A. Brandt, Aaron T. Pearse, David B. Wester, Bart M Ballard
Diurnal habitat selection of migrating Whooping Crane in the Great Plains
Available stopover habitats with quality foraging opportunities are essential for migrating waterbirds, including Whooping Crane (Grus americana). Several studies have evaluated habitats used by Whooping Crane for roosting throughout its migration corridor; however, habitats associated with foraging and other diurnal activities have received less attention. We used data collected from 42...
Authors
David M. Baasch, Patrick D. Farrell, Aaron T. Pearse, David A. Brandt, Andrew J. Caven, Mary J. Harner, Greg D. Wright, Kristine L. Metzger
Whooping crane use of riverine stopover sites
Migratory birds like endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana) require suitable nocturnal roost sites during twice annual migrations. Whooping cranes primarily roost in shallow surface water wetlands, ponds, and rivers. All these features have been greatly impacted by human activities, which present threats to the continued recovery of the species. A portion of one such river, the...
Authors
David M. Baasch, Patrick D. Farrell, Shay Howlin, Aaron T. Pearse, Jason M. Farnsworth, Chadwin B. Smith
Mortality in Aransas-Wood Buffalo Whooping Cranes: Timing, location, and causes
For long-lived species with low fecundity rates, population growth rate can be sensitive to changes in annual survival. Understanding where, when, and why animals die provides useful information for prioritizing conservation practices designed to increase survival. As part of a satellite tracking study, we identified 19 confirmed and suspected deaths of Whooping Cranes of various ages...
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, David A. Brandt, Barry K. Hartup, Mark T. Bidwell
Animal movement models for migratory individuals and groups
Animals often exhibit changes in their behaviour during migration. Telemetry data provide a way to observe geographic position of animals over time, but not necessarily changes in the dynamics of the movement process. Continuous‐time models allow for statistical predictions of the trajectory in the presence of measurement error and during periods when the telemetry device did not record...
Authors
Mevin Hooten, Henry R. Scharf, Trevor J. Hefley, Aaron T. Pearse, Mitch D. Weegman
Opportunistically collected data reveal habitat selection by migrating Whooping Cranes in the U.S. Northern Plains
The Whooping Crane (Grus americana) is a federally endangered species in the United States and Canada that relies on wetland, grassland, and cropland habitat during its long migration between wintering grounds in coastal Texas, USA, and breeding sites in Alberta and Northwest Territories, Canada. We combined opportunistic Whooping Crane sightings with landscape data to identify...
Authors
Neal D. Niemuth, Adam J. Ryba, Aaron T. Pearse, Susan M. Kvas, David A. Brandt, Brian Wangler, Jane E. Austin, Martha J. Carlisle
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 13
Sandhill crane phenology at the Platte River, Nebraska, 2001-2007
The central Platte River Valley represents a key mid-latitude stopover. This dataset supports a contemporary analysis of spring migration phenology at the Platte River during 2001-2007. We recorded timing of sandhill crane arrivals and departures from the Platte River.
Filter Total Items: 50
Migrating whooping cranes avoid wind-energy infrastructure when selecting stopover habitat
Electricity generation from renewable-energy sources has increased dramatically worldwide in recent decades. Risks associated with wind-energy infrastructure are not well understood for endangered whooping cranes or other vulnerable crane populations. From 2010 to 2016, we monitored 57 whooping cranes with remote-telemetry devices in the United States Great Plains to determine potential...
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, Kristine L. Metzger, David A. Brandt, Jill A. Shaffer, Mark T. Bidwell, Wade C. Harrell
Identifying sustainable winter habitat for whooping cranes
The only self-sustaining population of endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana) requires a network of conservation lands for wintering along the Texas Gulf Coast (USA), so that this increasing population can reach downlisting under the Endangered Species Act (1,000 birds). We identify locations providing the highest quality and most sustainable wintering habitat for these whooping...
Authors
Kristine L. Metzger, Sarah E. Lehnen, Steven Sesnie, Matthew J Butler, Aaron T. Pearse, Grant Harris
Population and harvest dynamics of midcontinent sandhill cranes
Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) inhabiting the midcontinent of North America have been hunted since the 1960s under management goals of maintaining abundance, retaining geographic distribution, and maximizing sustainable harvest. Some biologists have raised concerns regarding harvest sustainability because sandhill cranes have lower reproductive rates than other game birds. We...
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, Glen A. Sargeant, Gary Krapu, David A. Brandt
Heterogeneity in migration strategies of the whooping crane
Migratory birds use numerous strategies to successfully complete twice-annual movements between breeding and wintering sites. Context for conservation and management can be provided by characterizing these strategies. Variations in strategy among and within individuals support population persistence in response to changes in land use and climate. We used location data from 58 marked...
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, Kristine L. Metzger, David A. Brandt, Mark T. Bidwell, Mary J. Harner, David M. Baasch, Wade C. Harrell
Temporospatial shifts in Sandhill Crane staging in the Central Platte River Valley in response to climatic variation and habitat change
Over 80% of the Mid-Continent Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) Population (MCP), estimated at over 660,000 individuals, stops in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) during spring migration from mid-February through mid-April. Research suggests that the MCP may be shifting its distribution spatially and temporally within the CPRV. From 2002 to 2017, we conducted weekly aerial...
Authors
Andrew J. Caven, Emma M. Brinley Buckley, Kelsey C King, Joshua D Wiese, David M. Baasch, Greg D. Wright, Mary J. Harner, Aaron T. Pearse, Matt Rabbe, Dana Varner, Brice Krohn, Nicole Arcilla, Kirk D Schroeder, Kenneth F Dinan
Roosting habitat use by sandhill cranes and waterfowl on the North and South Platte Rivers in Nebraska
Migration ecology and habitat use of spring migrating birds using the Central Platte River is a well-explored topic, yet less is known about use of the North and South Platte rivers (NSPR) in western Nebraska. The efficiency and effectiveness of conservation efforts in the NSPR could be greatly improved with access to information about where and when birds roost and landscape...
Authors
Dana M Varner, Aaron T. Pearse, Andrew Bishop, Jonas Davis, John Denton, Roger Grosse, Heather E. Johnson, Emily Munter, Kirk D Schroeder, Robert E. Spangler, Mark Vrtiska, Angelina Wright
Using morphological measurements to predict subspecies of Midcontinent sandhill cranes
The Midcontinent population of sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) has historically been classified into 3 putative subspecies, but genetic analyses have identified only 2 genetically distinct subspecies. Previous studies have successfully used morphometrics in combination with an individual's sex to differentiate subspecies of sandhill cranes that had been inferred based on breeding...
Authors
Jay A VonBank, David A. Brandt, Aaron T. Pearse, David B. Wester, Bart M Ballard
Diurnal habitat selection of migrating Whooping Crane in the Great Plains
Available stopover habitats with quality foraging opportunities are essential for migrating waterbirds, including Whooping Crane (Grus americana). Several studies have evaluated habitats used by Whooping Crane for roosting throughout its migration corridor; however, habitats associated with foraging and other diurnal activities have received less attention. We used data collected from 42...
Authors
David M. Baasch, Patrick D. Farrell, Aaron T. Pearse, David A. Brandt, Andrew J. Caven, Mary J. Harner, Greg D. Wright, Kristine L. Metzger
Whooping crane use of riverine stopover sites
Migratory birds like endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana) require suitable nocturnal roost sites during twice annual migrations. Whooping cranes primarily roost in shallow surface water wetlands, ponds, and rivers. All these features have been greatly impacted by human activities, which present threats to the continued recovery of the species. A portion of one such river, the...
Authors
David M. Baasch, Patrick D. Farrell, Shay Howlin, Aaron T. Pearse, Jason M. Farnsworth, Chadwin B. Smith
Mortality in Aransas-Wood Buffalo Whooping Cranes: Timing, location, and causes
For long-lived species with low fecundity rates, population growth rate can be sensitive to changes in annual survival. Understanding where, when, and why animals die provides useful information for prioritizing conservation practices designed to increase survival. As part of a satellite tracking study, we identified 19 confirmed and suspected deaths of Whooping Cranes of various ages...
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, David A. Brandt, Barry K. Hartup, Mark T. Bidwell
Animal movement models for migratory individuals and groups
Animals often exhibit changes in their behaviour during migration. Telemetry data provide a way to observe geographic position of animals over time, but not necessarily changes in the dynamics of the movement process. Continuous‐time models allow for statistical predictions of the trajectory in the presence of measurement error and during periods when the telemetry device did not record...
Authors
Mevin Hooten, Henry R. Scharf, Trevor J. Hefley, Aaron T. Pearse, Mitch D. Weegman
Opportunistically collected data reveal habitat selection by migrating Whooping Cranes in the U.S. Northern Plains
The Whooping Crane (Grus americana) is a federally endangered species in the United States and Canada that relies on wetland, grassland, and cropland habitat during its long migration between wintering grounds in coastal Texas, USA, and breeding sites in Alberta and Northwest Territories, Canada. We combined opportunistic Whooping Crane sightings with landscape data to identify...
Authors
Neal D. Niemuth, Adam J. Ryba, Aaron T. Pearse, Susan M. Kvas, David A. Brandt, Brian Wangler, Jane E. Austin, Martha J. Carlisle
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government