Jane Austin, PhD (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 47
Conflicts between sandhill cranes and farmers in the western United States: evolving issues and solutions
The main conflicts between Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) and farmers in western United States occur in the Rocky Mountain region during migration and wintering periods. Most crop damage by cranes occurs in mature wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare), young shoots of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and cereal grains, chilies (Capsicum annuum), and silage corn (Zea mays). Damage is r
Authors
Jane E. Austin
Book review: Sandhill and whooping cranes: Ancient voices over America's wetlands
Paul Johnsgard has long been captivated by wild cranes and their unique vocalizations, courtship dances, and wide-ranging migrations. As a scientist and an admirer, Johnsgard has watched their migrations and behaviors for decades as hundreds of thousands of cranes staged each spring by the central Platte River, not far from his home in Lincoln, Nebraska. As an artist, he has skilfully captured the
Authors
Jane E. Austin
Nest survival of American Coots relative to grazing, burning, and water depths
Water and emergent vegetation are key features influencing nest site selection and success for many marsh-nesting waterbirds. Wetland management practices such as grazing, burning, and water-level manipulations directly affect these features and can influence nest survival. We used model selection and before-after-control-impact approaches to evaluate the effects of water depth and four common lan
Authors
Jane E. Austin, Deborah A. Buhl
Effects of habitat management treatments on plant community composition and biomass in a Montane wetland
Grazing and burning are commonly applied practices that can impact the diversity and biomass of wetland plant communities. We evaluated the vegetative response of wetlands and adjacent upland grasslands to four treatment regimes (continuous idle, fall prescribed burning followed by idle, annual fall cattle grazing, and rotation of summer grazing and idle) commonly used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlif
Authors
Jane E. Austin, Janet R. Keough, W.H. Pyle
Sandhill crane abundance and nesting ecology at Grays Lake, Idaho
We examined population size and factors influencing nest survival of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho, USA, during 1997-2000. Average local population of cranes from late April to early May, 1998-2000, was 735 cranes, 34% higher than that reported for May 1970-1971. We estimated 228 (SE = 30) nests in the basin core (excluding renests),
Authors
J. E. Austin, A.R. Henry, I. J. Ball
Factors influencing soil invertebrate communities in riparian grasslands of the central platte river floodplain
In the Platte River Valley of central Nebraska, USA, riparian grasslands (also known as wet meadows) have been severely impacted by a reduction in river flows, causing lower ground-water levels and altered seasonal hydroperiods. The potential impacts of these hydrologic changes, as well as the environmental factors that influence wet meadow soil invertebrate communities, are not well understood. A
Authors
C.A. Davis, J. E. Austin, D. A. Buhl
A fresh look at the taxonomy of midcontinental sandhill cranes
The midcontinental population of sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) includes about 500,000 birds and provides valuable recreational crane-watching and hunting opportunities in Canada and the United States. It comprises three subspecies, one of which (G. c. rowani) was of uncertain taxonomic status and another of which (G. c. tabida) merited protection from excessive harvest due to its small populati
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, Jane E. Austin, Jill A. Shaffer
The northern pintail in North America: the problem and prescription for recovery
No abstract available.
Authors
M. R. Miller, D.C. Duncan, K. Guyn, Paul L. Flint, J. E. Austin
Differences in distribution of modified basins and ducks relative to roadside transects
Wetland basins in the Prairie Pothole Region of the U.S. are commonly modified by excavation (e.g., roadside ditches, stock dugouts), partial drainage (ditching), and diking. Differences in the distribution of modified wetlands may affect the predictive accuracy of waterfowl survey data if such wetlands are not distributed randomly in the landscape and if waterfowl are not distributed equally am
Authors
Jane E. Austin, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, H. Thomas Sklebar, T.K. Buhl
Responses of dabbling ducks to wetland conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region
The relationships between wetland water conditions and breeding numbers of Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Pintail (A. acuta), Blue-winged Teal (A. discors), and Northern Shoveler (A. clypeata) during May of 1992-1995, were examined on twelve study areas in the eastern Prairie Pothole Region. Data were collected on water levels (by wetland class [temporary, seasonal, semipermanent]), pond d
Authors
J. E. Austin
Effects of roadside transect width on waterfowl and wetland estimates
Strip transects located along roads are commonly used to estimate waterfowl populations and characterize associated wetland habitat. We used data collected in May and early June, 1995, on forty-five 40-km2 plots in North Dakota to evaluate bias of 800-m and 400-m wide roadside transects for sampling wetlands relative to a larger (40-km2) scale and to compare duck abundance at the two widths. Densi
Authors
Jane E. Austin, H. Thomas Sklebar, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Thomas K. Buhl
Declining scaup populations: issues, hypotheses, and research needs
The population estimate for greater (Aythya marila) and lesser (Aythya affinis) scaup (combined) has declined dramatically since the early 1980s to record lows in 1998. The 1998 estimate of 3.47 million scaup is far below the goal of 6.3 million set in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), causing concern among biologists and hunters. We summarize issuesof concern, hypotheses for f
Authors
J. E. Austin, A. D. Afton, M.G. Anderson, R. G. Clark, Christine M. Custer, J.S. Lawrence, J.B. Pollard, J.K. Ringelman
Non-USGS Publications**
Austin, J. E. 1990. Comparison of activities within pairs and families of wintering Canada geese. Wilson Bulletin 102:536–542.
Austin, J. E. 1987. Wintering ecology of Canada geese in Missouri. Dissertation, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. 283pp.
Austin, J. E., and L. H. Fredrickson. 1987. Body and organ weight and body composition of postbreeding female lesser scaup. Auk 104:694–699.
Austin, J. E., 1987. Activities of postbreeding lesser scaup in southwestern Manitoba. Wilson Bulletin 99:448–456.
Austin, J. E., and L. H. Fredrickson. 1986. Molt of female lesser scaup immediately following breeding. Auk 103:293–298.
Austin, J. E. 1983. Postbreeding ecology of female lesser scaup. M.S. thesis, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. 124pp.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 47
Conflicts between sandhill cranes and farmers in the western United States: evolving issues and solutions
The main conflicts between Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) and farmers in western United States occur in the Rocky Mountain region during migration and wintering periods. Most crop damage by cranes occurs in mature wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare), young shoots of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and cereal grains, chilies (Capsicum annuum), and silage corn (Zea mays). Damage is r
Authors
Jane E. Austin
Book review: Sandhill and whooping cranes: Ancient voices over America's wetlands
Paul Johnsgard has long been captivated by wild cranes and their unique vocalizations, courtship dances, and wide-ranging migrations. As a scientist and an admirer, Johnsgard has watched their migrations and behaviors for decades as hundreds of thousands of cranes staged each spring by the central Platte River, not far from his home in Lincoln, Nebraska. As an artist, he has skilfully captured the
Authors
Jane E. Austin
Nest survival of American Coots relative to grazing, burning, and water depths
Water and emergent vegetation are key features influencing nest site selection and success for many marsh-nesting waterbirds. Wetland management practices such as grazing, burning, and water-level manipulations directly affect these features and can influence nest survival. We used model selection and before-after-control-impact approaches to evaluate the effects of water depth and four common lan
Authors
Jane E. Austin, Deborah A. Buhl
Effects of habitat management treatments on plant community composition and biomass in a Montane wetland
Grazing and burning are commonly applied practices that can impact the diversity and biomass of wetland plant communities. We evaluated the vegetative response of wetlands and adjacent upland grasslands to four treatment regimes (continuous idle, fall prescribed burning followed by idle, annual fall cattle grazing, and rotation of summer grazing and idle) commonly used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlif
Authors
Jane E. Austin, Janet R. Keough, W.H. Pyle
Sandhill crane abundance and nesting ecology at Grays Lake, Idaho
We examined population size and factors influencing nest survival of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho, USA, during 1997-2000. Average local population of cranes from late April to early May, 1998-2000, was 735 cranes, 34% higher than that reported for May 1970-1971. We estimated 228 (SE = 30) nests in the basin core (excluding renests),
Authors
J. E. Austin, A.R. Henry, I. J. Ball
Factors influencing soil invertebrate communities in riparian grasslands of the central platte river floodplain
In the Platte River Valley of central Nebraska, USA, riparian grasslands (also known as wet meadows) have been severely impacted by a reduction in river flows, causing lower ground-water levels and altered seasonal hydroperiods. The potential impacts of these hydrologic changes, as well as the environmental factors that influence wet meadow soil invertebrate communities, are not well understood. A
Authors
C.A. Davis, J. E. Austin, D. A. Buhl
A fresh look at the taxonomy of midcontinental sandhill cranes
The midcontinental population of sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) includes about 500,000 birds and provides valuable recreational crane-watching and hunting opportunities in Canada and the United States. It comprises three subspecies, one of which (G. c. rowani) was of uncertain taxonomic status and another of which (G. c. tabida) merited protection from excessive harvest due to its small populati
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, Jane E. Austin, Jill A. Shaffer
The northern pintail in North America: the problem and prescription for recovery
No abstract available.
Authors
M. R. Miller, D.C. Duncan, K. Guyn, Paul L. Flint, J. E. Austin
Differences in distribution of modified basins and ducks relative to roadside transects
Wetland basins in the Prairie Pothole Region of the U.S. are commonly modified by excavation (e.g., roadside ditches, stock dugouts), partial drainage (ditching), and diking. Differences in the distribution of modified wetlands may affect the predictive accuracy of waterfowl survey data if such wetlands are not distributed randomly in the landscape and if waterfowl are not distributed equally am
Authors
Jane E. Austin, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, H. Thomas Sklebar, T.K. Buhl
Responses of dabbling ducks to wetland conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region
The relationships between wetland water conditions and breeding numbers of Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Pintail (A. acuta), Blue-winged Teal (A. discors), and Northern Shoveler (A. clypeata) during May of 1992-1995, were examined on twelve study areas in the eastern Prairie Pothole Region. Data were collected on water levels (by wetland class [temporary, seasonal, semipermanent]), pond d
Authors
J. E. Austin
Effects of roadside transect width on waterfowl and wetland estimates
Strip transects located along roads are commonly used to estimate waterfowl populations and characterize associated wetland habitat. We used data collected in May and early June, 1995, on forty-five 40-km2 plots in North Dakota to evaluate bias of 800-m and 400-m wide roadside transects for sampling wetlands relative to a larger (40-km2) scale and to compare duck abundance at the two widths. Densi
Authors
Jane E. Austin, H. Thomas Sklebar, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Thomas K. Buhl
Declining scaup populations: issues, hypotheses, and research needs
The population estimate for greater (Aythya marila) and lesser (Aythya affinis) scaup (combined) has declined dramatically since the early 1980s to record lows in 1998. The 1998 estimate of 3.47 million scaup is far below the goal of 6.3 million set in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), causing concern among biologists and hunters. We summarize issuesof concern, hypotheses for f
Authors
J. E. Austin, A. D. Afton, M.G. Anderson, R. G. Clark, Christine M. Custer, J.S. Lawrence, J.B. Pollard, J.K. Ringelman
Non-USGS Publications**
Austin, J. E. 1990. Comparison of activities within pairs and families of wintering Canada geese. Wilson Bulletin 102:536–542.
Austin, J. E. 1987. Wintering ecology of Canada geese in Missouri. Dissertation, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. 283pp.
Austin, J. E., and L. H. Fredrickson. 1987. Body and organ weight and body composition of postbreeding female lesser scaup. Auk 104:694–699.
Austin, J. E., 1987. Activities of postbreeding lesser scaup in southwestern Manitoba. Wilson Bulletin 99:448–456.
Austin, J. E., and L. H. Fredrickson. 1986. Molt of female lesser scaup immediately following breeding. Auk 103:293–298.
Austin, J. E. 1983. Postbreeding ecology of female lesser scaup. M.S. thesis, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. 124pp.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*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