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Platte River Ecology Study

sandhill crane

Special Research Report

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
June 1981

This report summarizes findings of the Platte River Ecology Study. The 3-year investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to 1) determine the role of the Platte River Valley in contributing to the requirements of midcontinent migratory bird populations and 2) develop guidelines for management of riverine habitats and adjacent lands supporting populations of selected species of migratory birds.

A research team formed by investigators from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and several universities conducted the study. Individual investigations focused principally on various aspects of migratory bird usage of the Platte River Valley and on factors affecting habitat conditions on riparian lands.

Nearly all facets of the research program described in this report will be submitted for publication in scientific journals. Readers requiring a more detailed description of individual studies should consult the technical papers that will be forthcoming.

Gary L. Krapu
Project Leader


This resource is based on the following source (Northern Prairie Publication 0344):
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  1981.  The Platte River ecology study special 
     research report.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jamestown, ND.  187pp.
This resource should be cited as:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  1981.  The Platte River ecology study special 
     research report.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jamestown, ND.  
     Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.  
     http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/plriveco/plriveco.htm
     (Version 16JUL97).

Contents

Synopsis
Major Contributors to the Report
Acknowledgments
Introduction
The Study Area
Geography
Climate
Geology
Vegetation
History
Economy
Sandhill Cranes
Introduction
Distribution and Abundance
Staging Interval
Home Range Characteristics
Habitat Use
Feeding Ecology
Fat Storage and Utilization
Population Energy and Food Requirements
Whooping Cranes
Historical Perspective
Migration Corridor
Chronology of Migration
Feeding Ecology
Roost Sites
Waterfowl
Introduction
Distribution and Abundance
Habitat Use
Feeding Ecology
Fat Storage
Bald Eagles and Other Raptors
Introduction
Distribution and Abundance
Habitat Use
Bald Eagle Feeding Ecology
Breeding Birds
Distribution and Abundance
Habitat Affinities
Effects of Habitat Alteration on Migratory Birds
Sandhill Cranes
Whooping Cranes
Bald Eagles
Breeding Birds
Disease Concerns
Introduction
Botulism
Duck Plague
Avian Cholera
Development of Woody Vegetation
Background
Depletion of Annual flows and Channel Shrinkage
Forest Age
Hydrology and Radial Growth
Vegetation-Soil Relationships
Vegetation Development Scheme
Relationship of Riverine Hydrology to Seed Viability
Relationship of Riverine Hydrology to Seedling Establishment and Survival
Maintenance of Crane Habitat
Potential Effects of Habitat Degradation
Native Grassland
Channel Habitat
Public Facilities
References
Figures, Tables, and Appendices


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