USGS Status and Trends of Biological Resources - NPS Inventory and Monitoring

Park Oriented Biological Support

Use of Molecular Techniques in Surveying Infectious Diseases of Gray Wolves in Yellowstone National Park
L. David Mech - NPWRC 651/649-5231; david_mech@usgs.gov

In 1999 and 2005, the newly restored Yellowstone wolf population experienced significantly reduced pup recruitment suggestive of a disease outbreak. This exploratory research will use new molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assess viral content of scats as an indicator of temporal and spatial distribution of these pathogens. In addressing these issues, we hope to provide information on how disease may affect the YNP wolf population and the long-term wolf management goals of the Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho wolf recovery area MORE

Dynamics of Emerging Disease in Amphibians
Cecil Schwalbe - SBSC 520/621-5508, cschwalbe@usgs.gov

Black Bear Population Size and Distribution in Glacier National Park.
Kate Kendall - NRMSC 406/888-7994; Kkendall@usgs.gov

No information exists on the status of the Glacier National Parks (GNP) black bear (Ursus americanus) population. Black bears were sampled in 2004 using noninvasive hair collection methods as part of a 7.8 million-acre study of the regional grizzly bear (U. arctos) population. Data from individual bears will be used in mark-recapture models to estimate black bear population size and to describe density patterns in GNP. Because the cost of all fieldwork and 50% o the genetic analysis has been covered by the grizzly bear project, a comprehensive snapshot of the GNP black bear population will be obtained for 12% o a stand-alone study. MORE

The influence of water quality on the health of riparian bird communities in the desert South
Courtney Conway - AZ Coop Unit 520/626-8535; cconway@ag.arizona.edu

A recent increase in the number of riparian birds exhibiting deformities at Tumacacori NHP has raised concerns about the quality of the water in the Santa Cruz River, the potential for infectious avian diseases within the Park, and the overall health of the riparian bird community. We propose to study this potentially serious problem by 1) monitoring breeding bird populations in riparian woodlands at Tumacacori NHP (and at a nearby control study site), 2) documenting the prevalence of deformities within these populations, and 3) identifying the underlying causes of the observed deformities. Results from this exploratory research project will benefit Tumacacori NHP by providing important information with which to better manage and conserve the riparian bird community within the Park. MORE

Developing a non-invasive technique for bighorn sheep population estimation using fecal DNA, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Kathyrn A. Schoenecker - FORT 970/226-9329, kate_schoenecker@usgs.gov

Identifying Factors Driving the Divergent Effects
Steve Corn - NRMSC 406/542-4191, steve_corn@usgs.gov

Thanks to USGS Fort Collins Science Center for hosting this page for the USGS Biology Science Staff.

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.fort.usgs.gov/brdscience/pobs1.aspx?region=Intermountain Page Contact Information: Paul_Geissler@usgs.gov