Molothrus ater (Brown-headed Cowbird) is a known nest parasite for numerous North American passerines and has exacerbated the decline of many imperiled landbird species. However, Brown-headed Cowbird habitat preferences do not frequently overlap with many salt marsh-dwelling species. During intensive demographic research of Ammodramus maritimus (Seaside Sparrow) in the coastal salt marshes of Mississippi (2010–2012), we documented the first instances of confirmed nest parasitism of Seaside Sparrows by Brown-headed Cowbirds. We suggest that sea-level rise could increase instances of nest parasitism in marsh-dwelling passerines by increasing the perimeter-to-area ratio of marsh habitat and moving existing marsh in closer proximity to habitats preferred by Brownheaded Cowbirds.

In response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in spring 2010, the Natural Resources Conservation Service implemented the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (MBHI) to provide temporary wetland habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl, shorebirds, and other birds along the northern Gulf of Mexico via managed flooding of agricultural lands. We used weather-surveillance radar to conduct broad regional assessments of bird response to MBHI activities within the Mississippi Alluvial Valley and the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Across both regions, birds responded positively to MBHI management by exhibiting greater relative bird densities within sites relative to pre-management conditions in prior years and relative to surrounding non-flooded agricultural lands. Bird density at MBHI sites was generally greatest during winter for both regions. Unusually high flooding in the years prior to implementation of the MBHI confounded detection of overall changes in remotely sensed soil wetness across sites. The magnitude of bird response at MBHI sites compared to prior years and to non-flooded agricultural lands was generally related to the surrounding landscape context: proximity to areas of high bird density, amount of forested wetlands, emergent marsh, non-flooded agriculture, or permanent open water. However, these relationships varied in strength and direction between regions and seasons, a finding which we attribute to differences in seasonal bird composition and broad regional differences in landscape configuration and composition. We detected greater increases in relative bird use at sites in closer proximity to areas of high bird density during winter in both regions. Additionally, bird density was greater during winter at sites with more emergent marsh in the surrounding landscape. Thus, bird use of managed wetlands could be maximized by enrolling lands located near areas of known bird concentration and within a mosaic of existing wetlands. Weather-radar observations provide strong evidence that MBHI sites located inland from coastal wetlands impacted by the oil spill provided wetland habitat used by a variety of birds.

Rhododendron dieback was continuously observed with increasing frequency on Rhododendron maximum (Rosebay Rhododendron) during the last 20 years in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The dieback was especially evident following several years of drought from 2004 to 2008 recorded in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). With the concern that a disease epidemic could occur, a holistic study evaluated site factors including tree health, number of clonal units, aspect, slope, depth to bedrock, and rhizosphere microbes. This study was conducted at two locations: Laurel Falls in GRSM and Albert Mountain in Nantahala National Forest (NNF). Yearly sampling for nematodes showed no differences in frequencies across or between years. A total of 11 species were identified from replicated healthy and dieback plots with no significant trends observed. Criconemella xenophus, Helicotylenchus sp., and Meloidogyne sp. were the species most commonly found. Belonolaimus sp. occurred at the NNF site at below 1% of the total nematode population identified, but this nematode species is considered damaging to crops and forest nursery seedlings even at low numbers. Fungal/Oomycota diversity and densities were determined from roots and rhzosphere soil samples using three identification methods. The results ranged from 110 species of fungi to 0 for Oomycota. Of 110 fungi isolated, one putative root pathogen was identified, and the saprophytic species Mycena silvae-nigrae (unknown Basidiomycota 1) was the most common match using the GenBank database. Elevation at NNF was significantly greater than at GRSM, with significantly greater dieback levels at the higher elevation. Furthermore, greater dieback ratings were associated with significantly greater tree diameters. No trends were observed for percent slope or nutrient levels when compared between healthy and dieback sites or locations. Site factors such as aspect, elevation, associated nematode species, and a putative root pathogen may form a disease complex resulting in Rosebay Rhododendron dieback.

Human—bear interactions in Florida are becoming more common as human populations grow and as the range of Ursus americanus floridanus (Florida Black Bear) increases and bears adapt to finding food in a human-modified environment. The number of calls to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) concerning human—bear interactions increased from approximately 1000 calls in 2000 to more than 4000 in 2010. Almost 70% of the calls received in 2010 were related to bears consuming garbage or other unnatural foods (e.g., pet food) in residential areas. Therefore, the FWC used telephone surveys in 2 Florida communities to evaluate the effectiveness of using 2 types of bear-resistant trash cans. Surveys revealed a significant reduction in the number of bears consuming garbage and of other human—bear interactions over a 1-year period and, consequently, a positive attitude from residents toward using these trash cans. Apportioning the cost of issuing bear-resistant trash cans, however, remains a concern. This study will help the FWC understand the efficacy and acceptability of using bear-resistant trash cans to reduce human—bear conflicts in support of long-term management of Black Bears in Florida.

Etheostoma sitikuense (Citico Darter), a federally protected fish endemic to the southeastern United States, was extirpated from Abrams Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1957. The species was reintroduced from 1993–2001, but recovery efforts have thus far achieved only partial success, due in part to limited knowledge of Citico Darter habitat use. After distribution of the reintroduced population was established, we monitored Citico Darters in a 4-km section of Abrams Creek using underwater observation. We evaluated macro- and microhabitat use over four summers using principal components analysis to determine macrohabitat variables influencing Citico Darter distribution, and used classification tree methods to analyze microhabitat use. We analyzed dispersal using linear regression to compare historical stocking data with current Citico Darter distribution data. We identified percentage of pools and cobble/small boulder substrates as the most significant macrohabitat variables influencing Citico Darter presence. This species most often occupied microhabitats away from riffles under intermediate-sized cover rocks. Dispersal of reintroduced Citico Darters was limited in Abrams Creek. Results of this study can be used to identify additional reintroduction zones and assist in further conservation efforts.

The northern limits of three mangrove species—Avicennia germinans (Black Mangrove), Rhizophora mangle (Red Mangrove), Laguncularia racemosa (White Mangrove)—on the United States Atlantic coast are vouchered and described in comparison to previous boundaries defined in literature and herbarium collections. The location and general status of individual trees were used to delineate northern maxima and show that present ranges extend beyond historic records. The gradient structure of the ecotone within an area of uniform climate is interpreted as ongoing latitudinal movement.

We documented 15 cases of Grus americana (Whooping Crane) mortality in 6 Florida counties during 1997–2010 that may have been associated with Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator; hereafter Alligator) predation or scavenging. In four cases, Whooping Crane remains were identified within Alligator mouths or stomachs. The latter is a first in the literature. Other cases were less conclusive but suggestive that Alligators were involved with predation or scavenging of Whooping Cranes. An Alligator was videotaped eating the eggs of G. canadensis pratensis (Florida Sandhill Crane), plus Alligators were implicated in the depredation of eggs from another Sandhill Crane nest and a Whooping Crane nest; the latter was the first record of Alligators depredating Whooping Crane eggs. All 4 populations of Whooping Cranes and 4 populations of Sandhill Cranes in the southeastern United States spend at least part of the year within the range of Alligators. To improve survival of cranes in areas where water management is practiced, water depths should be maintained at optimal levels (10–20 cm) for crane nesting and roosting to discourage intrusion by larger Alligators and to allow the cranes to detect approaching Alligators.

Poor nest survival is a critical limiting factor in the recruitment of wild birds. Nest predation is often cited as one of the main causes of nest failure, especially for ground-nesting species. We monitored artificial Meleagris gallopavo silvestris (Eastern Wild Turkey) nests, using time-lapse and motion-sensitive trail cameras to determine which predators were likely to be responsible for preying on Wild Turkey nests in the Pineywoods of East Texas. Sixty-one percent of all artificial nests were preyed upon. Corvus brachyrhynchos (American Crow) preyed on 48% of artificial nests and Procyon lotor (Raccoon) preyed on 35%. There was a seasonal increase in the number of artificial nests preyed upon from spring to summer. Mammalian mesopredators, Raccoon and Didelphis virginiana (Opossum), were primarily responsible for this increase, suggesting an increase in search effort by mesopredators that coincided with increased dietary diversity in a period of reduced prey resources. Predators other than mesopredators—American Crows, Picoides sp. (woodpeckers), Dasypus novemcinctus (Nine-banded Armadillo), and snakes—were responsible for 53% of all predation on the artificial Wild Turkey nests, with American Crows being the most important of these. After nest deployment, American Crows located and preyed on artificial nests more quickly than other nest predators. We suggest video monitoring of natural Eastern Wild Turkey nests to confirm the identity of nest predators.

Use of high-elevation balds by Nearctic-Neotropical passerines remains a poorly understood component of migration ecology. We used radio-telemetry to assess the habitat use of 20 Oreothlypis peregrina (Tennessee Warbler) at a high-elevation bald during September 2011. Our goals were to estimate the duration of stopover, examine variation in stopover length by age class, and determine patterns of habitat use during fall migration. For radio-tracked birds, the average length of time spent at the bald was 4.6 days (range: 1–12 days). The majority of tracked locations corresponded with heath habitat that surrounded the bald opening (79% of locations), relative to the more distal and less complex, hardwood forest. Collectively, these results provide information on the important, yet ephemeral role that high-elevation balds play in supporting the autumnal migration of eastern North American passerines.

Ambystoma barbouri (Streamside Salamander) inhabits upland deciduous forests associated with ephemeral first- and second-order streams throughout middle Tennessee. The distribution of Streamside Salamanders is centered in north-central Kentucky and extends into adjacent southeastern Indiana and southwestern Ohio. Disjunct populations are known from West Virginia, southern Kentucky, and middle Tennessee. Extant populations for middle Tennessee occur only within the southern Inner Nashville Basin (INB) ecological subregion of the Interior Plateau. Populations were found in Davidson and Jackson counties within the Outer Nashville Basin (ONB) during the 1960s and early 1970s, respectively; however, the status of these populations is unknown. To better determine the distribution of this species in the northern INB and the eastern ONB, we surveyed first- and second-order streams for eggs and larvae. We found Streamside Salamanders at only 2 of 78 localities. One of these breeding sites was adjacent to a previously known breeding stream in Wilson County, and the second site was in Trousdale County in the ONB, approximately 35 km north of the Wilson County sites and 49 km west of the historic Jackson County site. The distribution of Streamside Salamanders is still insufficiently known in middle Tennessee.

Over seventy percent of the world's freshwater crayfish species are found within the United States, and much of this diversity is concentrated in the southeastern United States. Yet many of these species remain understudied. Of particular interest is the conservation status of these understudied taxa. We conducted fieldwork in 2011 across northeastern Alabama and northwestern Georgia to review the occurrence, habitat, and in some cases, local population densities of three crayfish species (Cambarus scotti, C. unestami, and C. cracens) to determine current distributions in relation to historical surveys. All three species occur in flowing small to medium-sized streams with firm substrates of gravel, cobble, and bedrock. Two species (C. scotti and C. unestami) have stable populations, occurring at 79% and 90%) of sites surveyed, respectively. In contrast, surveys for the third crayfish species (C. cracens) indicated a need for conservation action, with this species occurring at a single site.

Graptemys sabinensis (Sabine Map Turtle) occurs in the Sabine, Calcasieu, and Mermentau river drainages of Louisiana and Texas. The Mermentau River was altered by construction of seven cut-offs between the towns of Mermentau and Lake Arthur, LA, in the 1970s, and several cut-offs also have been constructed along the river's largest tributary, Bayou Plaquemine Brule. We surveyed basking turtles on lower Plaquemine Brule and the Mermentau River to determine if the new channels are used to the same extent as the original channels. The original channels had nonsignificantly higher counts of basking Sabine Map Turtles and total turtles than the new channels. However, the shorter new channels had significantly higher densities of Sabine Map Turtles and total turtles than the original channels. The new channels create a bypass for excess water on the river following heavy rainfall, allowing higher flow on new channels, which may be preferred by Sabine Map Turtles. There was no significant difference in Sabine Map Turtle density between the inner and outer banks of the Mermentau's original channels, presumably because dredging made the depths along the inner and outer banks similar; new channels also divert water away from the original channels during high-flow events, which may maintain the anthropogenically homogenized condition of the original channels.

Conservation of a target species is often hindered by the absence of basic demographic information. Lithobates [Rana] okaloosae (Florida Bog Frog) was discovered in 1982 and occupies only three counties in northwest Florida, with its geographic range occurring almost exclusively on Eglin Air Force Base. This limited distribution has led to the listing of the Florida Bog Frog as a species of special concern in Florida. We used a mark-recapture approach to 1) estimate population sizes and densities of male Florida Bog Frogs at four sites; 2) estimate recapture rates of males among sites, within years, and between years; 3) examine the relationship between male body condition and residency time in breeding sites; and 4) examine the variation in male body condition across sites. Florida Bog Frog population sizes and densities differed among sites, but not across years. Recapture rates were high within a breeding season but low between years, suggesting that males have high site fidelity and survival rates during the breeding season, but that annual mortality or dispersal rates are high. Lastly, body condition of males did not differ across sites or affect residency time during the breeding season. Understanding basic demographics of this species will aid future conservation efforts and management decisions.

It is widely predicted that regional precipitation patterns may be altered due to climate change, and these changes may affect areas with extensive forests. Therefore, studies investigating the role of this climate driver on forest floor fauna are timely. We examined the impact of precipitation alteration over 13 years on Coleoptera (specifically Family Carabidae) communities in a temperate forest by testing the effects of dry (33% precipitation interception), ambient (control), and wet (33% precipitation addition) treatments. We collected insects in pitfall traps and quantified forest-floor physical and chemical parameters. Beetle abundance and Carabidae tribe richness were significantly reduced in dry plots. Community similarity was substantially higher between wet and ambient plots compared to dry plots due to the substantial reduction of three dominant carabid tribes. Litter mass increased overall, litter nitrogen decreased, and carbon:nitrogen ratio (C:N) and total phenolics increased in the dry-plot Oi horizon. Beetle abundance and tribe richness were positively related to soil moisture, and beetle abundance was negatively related to litter mass. Microarthropod abundance was highest in the dry treatment. This study provides evidence that shifting precipitation patterns predicted with climate change could alter important ground-fauna communities in extensive ecosystems such as temperate forests.

Collisions between aircraft and wildlife have increased markedly since first recorded in 1905. These strikes threaten human safety and cost the United States civil aviation industry >$677 million annually. We examined the Federal Aviation Administration's national wildlife strike database records from 1990–2010 to characterize reported strikes with civil aircraft in Mississippi. We hypothesized that daily foraging patterns and seasonal differences would affect strike frequency for birds. We summarized 381 reported strikes (366 birds, 14 mammals, and 1 reptile) comprising ≥42 species. Bird strikes per 1000 aircraft operations (take-off and landing counted as separate operations) increased between 1990–2010. The monthly number of reported strikes per 1000 operations peaked July—September, coinciding with late breeding season and fall migration. Bird strikes per 1000 operations occurred more often during runway approach than during take-off, and more often at dusk than during other times of day. These patterns mirrored nationally observed wildlife-strike patterns. Our results may aid airport biologists in Mississippi to prioritize species management and more effectively implement timing and types of animal control efforts.

Land snails are an essential component of forested ecosystems, but natural histories for many species are not known, and distribution records are incomplete. This study examined the land snails present at White Oak Sinks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN and encompasses surveys that took place over a 9-year period. We collected 58 species during this survey, with 17 new county records for Blount County and several species with affinities for other regions. Due to the growing threats to biodiversity, a great deal of attention needs to be given to organisms that are poorly studied. These results highlight the growing need for further study of land snails.

Physical attributes, traffic volume, and landscape patterns on a particular road are expected to influence the frequency of vertebrate road fatalities. In this study, we surveyed 22.17 km of roadways in Baldwin County, GA, 171 times (3791.1 km total) for vertebrate roadkills over a calendar year. We coded the survey route—consisting of portions of US Highway 441, G A Highway 212, and Meriwether/Lowe Road—for differing habitat types and obstacles along its length, and mapped the spatial data in ArcGIS. We recorded 178 vertebrate roadkills representing 19 species, primarily mammals, with Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer; n = 46) and Didelphis virginiana (Virginia Opossum; n = 39) most frequently observed. We calculated a roadkill rate of 8.03/km/yr. US 441, which has the most lanes, highest traffic volume, and greatest verge width, had the highest roadkill rate (10.95/km/yr) of the three sections. Seasonal differences in roadkill frequencies for the most commonly observed species appear to be related to periods of mating or dispersal.