RESEARCH INTERESTS

Wildlife Crop Depredation
http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/fnr/cropdamage/
Agricultural damage by wildlife species is substantial and widespread and has been estimated to cost agricultural producers over 4.5 billion dollars annually in the United States. A 1993 and 1994 research survey indicated that 80 percent of farmers and ranchers suffered wildlife damage in the prior year, and 53 percent suffered damage that exceeded their tolerance, which in turn, affected their willingness to manage for wildlife.
Negative perceptions related to crop depredation by vertebrates are likely the fundamental causes of most conflicts arising between agricultural and wildlife interests. The development of viable solutions to such conflicts is the primary means to a more productive and sustainable coexistence between agriculture and wildlife in human-dominated landscapes.

We surveyed crop depredation by wildlife species across a 450-square mile portion of northern Indiana and have quantified wildlife damage occurring in corn (100) and soybean (60) fields from planting until harvest using multiple transect surveys throughout the growing season. We collected extensive telemetry data on target species including white-tailed deer, raccoons, and wild turkey to determine spatially explicit movement data for these species within the same landscape, specifically surveying crop damage.

Indiana DNR district biologists are using the materials to help them deal with crop damage complaints from farmers in their districts. These materials were distributed to state deer and turkey biologists in the Midwest to assist biologists in those states deal with crop damage complaints.

The research indicates that landowners underestimated the number of damaged fields and overestimated the value of crops lost due to wildlife damage in terms of dollars lost rather than percent of total crop lost. Farmers believed that deer caused the most damage to corn when most of the damage was caused by raccoon. Misidentification of wildlife damage to crops leads to negative feelings towards that species, which in turn leads to unnecessary and unwarranted damage management practices resulting in a loss of time and money by the farmer. Accurate assessments are important because research shows that those experiencing damage may be less likely to appropriately manage for wildlife on their property.

Sustaing Hardwood Ecosystems
Forest management in the eastern United States is faced with many modern challenges. Professional foresters have an innovative set of management options for the maintenance of healthy forest ecosystems. But some options raise public objections when applied to public lands (e.g., types of timber harvest, prescribed fire) while the effects of other management options on forests and their native inhabitants are poorly understood. In addition, forest lands in the eastern and Midwestern United States are primarily found in private ownership and in small parcels. Such lands often do not have any active management plans, and haphazard land-use often degrades the forest habitats over time. As populations of forest organisms decline, restrictions on landowners may increase because species become classified as endangered or threatened (such as the Indiana bat), while increasing populations of other species (white-tailed deer, invasive plants) may provide other challenges. These problems are compounded by the lack of scientifically rigorous research on the overall impacts of forest management options on the affected ecosystems and their components. Without this research, land managers are often unable to convince a skeptical public as to the value of proposed management strategies.

• Many forestland management strategies call for the conservation of biological diversity while maintaining sustainable production of forest products. Forest managers require information on how to incorporate landscape considerations for biodiversity into forest management. They also have undergone increasing demands to demonstrate the impacts of forest management practices on the sustainability of local flora and fauna. However, data to achieve these goals is lacking, especially in regards to declining species.
  
  In 2006, we initiated a study on Crane NWSC in southern Indiana to 1.) determine breeding season habitat use and structure by drumming ruffed grouse and woodcock singing grounds and 2.) assess the impact of size, age, structure, and juxtaposition of timber harvesting treatments as it relates to spatial distribution of drumming male ruffed grouse and woodcock singing grounds.

• The specific goals of the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment are diverse, since the information will be of use to a broad array of potential users. The research objectives include efforts to:

1. Develop a proven system of forest management prescriptions to maintain desired populations of native plant and animal species, such as the encouragement of oak regeneration
2. Understand the response of targeted native wildlife and plant species to forest management, in order to mitigate the potential negative effects on species of conservation concern
3. Assess the public attitude towards forest management to develop new approaches for education of the general public and private landowners; and to engage public interest groups in a discussion of proper land management
4. Estimate the impacts of forest management on aquatic systems to ensure that such management protects the quantity and quality of water used for human consumption and healthy ecosystems.

To reach these goals and objectives, we initiated a long-term, scientifically valid field study on forest management and its impacts in the Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests. This is a collaboration among many public land management agencies and universities. Zack Walker, IDNR State Herpetologist, and Project Investigators for the box turtle and timber rattlesnake portions of the project.

Box Turtles
Recent research indicates that previously unnoticed declines in box turtle populations have become apparent across the country. What were often regarded as ‘good numbers’ in box turtle density, have been determined to be insufficient for healthy population growth and survival. Although Indiana does have a few healthy populations, these populations are widely scattered. Timber harvesting is a major land use activity throughout the range of this forest species that could impact turtle populations.

Our research is designed to evaluate the responses of box turtle home range and habitat use to even- and uneven-aged timber harvesting. Beginning in May 2007, we located box turtles in 6 research core areas (2 control, 2 uneven-age, 2 even-age) and subsequently tracked individuals 2-3 times per week through October 2007. Vegetation characteristics collected at a subset of turtle locations will be used to assess box turtle habitat use and selection.

Relatively high population densities of box turtles are required for successful reproduction. In 2007, we established two, 20-acre search plots within the each core area. Plots were searched for turtles 6 times to estimate local population densities within each plot. All data collected in 2007 and part of 2008 will serve as the baseline to compare to post-harvest responses.

Timber Rattlesnakes
Timber rattlesnakes have experienced population declines throughout most of their range. These population declines have been attributed to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and human persecution. Within Indiana, timber rattlesnakes have been listed as endangered due to extensive population declines. Although previous work has been preformed on the spatial ecology of this species within Brown County, no information exists on the effects of timber harvesting. This study will attempt to quantify the effects of timber management practices on rattlesnake movement patterns and habitat selection.

Beginning in May of 2007, surveys for timber rattlesnakes were preformed within core units where previous observations occurred. Nineteen snakes were observed as part of these surveys. A subset of captured rattlesnakes (6M:5F) were implanted with a radio transmitter and tracked 3 times a week throughout their active season. Radioed snakes are currently located on control and even-aged management units. All snakes were tracked to their respective hibernacula. The habitat selected by study individuals was quantified and will be compared to paired random habitat measurements. Data collected from 2007 will be used for comparison against post harvest snake radiolocations and habitat selection.

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS (Peer Reviewed)

1. DeVault, T. L., J. C. Beasley, L. A. Humberg, B. J. MacGowan, M. I. Retamosa and O. E. Rhodes, Jr. 2007. Intrafield patterns of wildlife damage to corn and soybeans in northern Indiana. Human Wildlife Conflicts 1(2):205-213.
2. Williams, R. N. and B. J. MacGowan. 2004. Natural history data on the mole salamander in Indiana. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science 113(2):147-150.
3. Williams, R. N. and B. J. MacGowan. 2004. Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoidia). Herpetological Review 35(3):279.

PUBLISHED PROCEEDINGS and SYMPOSIA (Non-Peer Reviewed)

1. DeVault, T. L., B. J. MacGowan, J. C. Beasley, L. A. Humberg, M. I. Retamosa and O. E. Rhodes, Jr. 2007. Evaluation of corn and soybean damage by wildlife in northern Indiana. Proceedings of the 12th Wildlife Damage Management Conference, April 9-12, 2007, Corpus Christi, Texas.
2. MacGowan, B.J. 2006. Hunting Lease Enterprises for Private Landowners – Goldmine or Minefield? Proceedings of the Society of American Foresters 2005 Annual Convention, T. Clark, ed., Fort Worth, Texas.
3. Humberg, L. A., T. L. DeVault, B. J. MacGowan, J. C. Beasley, and O. E. Rhodes, Jr. 2006. Wildlife crop depredation in northcentral Indiana. Proceedings of the Ninth National Wild Turkey Symposium, A. Stewart, ed., Grand Rapids, Michigan.
4. MacGowan, B.J., L. Severied, and F. Skemp, Jr. 2004. Control of deer damage with chemical repellents in regenerating hardwood stands, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA. Pgs. 127-133 in C.H. Michler, P.M. Pijut, J. Van Sambeek, M. Coggeshall, J. Seifert, K. Woeste, and R. Overton (eds.). Black walnut in a new century, proceedings of the 6th Walnut Council research symposium, 2004 July 25-28; Lafayette, IN. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-243. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 188 p.