Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Investigations And Research In Nevada By The Water Resources Division, U. S. Geological Survey, 1982-83, Terry Katzer, Otto Moosburner, William D. Nichols

Publications (WR)

The Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey, is charged with (1) maintaining a hydrologic network in Nevada that provides information on the status of the State's water resources and (2) engaging in technical water-resources investigations that have a high degree of transferability. To meet these broad objections, 26 projects were active in Nevada during fiscal year 1982 in cooperation with 36 Federal, State, and local agencies. Total funds were $3,319,455, of which State and local cooperative funding amounted to $741,500 and Federal funding (comprised of Geological Survey Federal and cooperative programs plus funds from six other Federal agencies) amounted to …

Las Vegas Wash Advanced Water Quality Study: Final Report, Richard A. Roline, James J. Sartoris, U.S. Bureau Of Reclamation

Publications (WR)

The purpose of the Las Vegas Wash Advanced Water Quality Study is to determine the existence, extent, and mechanisms of nutrient and toxin stripping in Las Vegas Wash under present conditions and under future conditions, both with and without construction of the proposed salinity control unit as described by the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR, 1982b). This study was performed for the Lower Colorado Region Division of Planning by personnel of the Environmental Sciences Section of the Division of Research and Laboratory Services, E&R Center, Denver, Colorado. Work on the study began in February 1983.

The general approach adopted for this …

Algal Problems Of The Estuary, E. P. Hodgkin, P. B. Birch

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The Peel-Harvey esturine system study began in 1976 because people living near Peel Inlet complained about the accumulation of water weeds and algae on the shores and the smell of hydrogen sulphide (rotton egg gas) that resulted from their decomposition. From 1974 efforts had been made to control this 'algal problem' by raking up the weed with tractors and carting it away. This 'cosmetic activity had little impact on the problem.

The immediate cause was obvious: a carpet of green algae covering about 20square kilometres of the bottom of Peel Inlet. From time to time this 'goat weed' floated to …

Tackling The Problem Off The Farm, C M. Croft

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Methods of redusing phosphorus losses from the catchment soils of the Peel-Harvey esturine system have been discussed in other articles in this Journal.

This article briefly discusses a range of 'off the farm' techniques to improve phosphorus flushing from Peel Inlet or Harvey Estuary to the sea and to treat the phosphorus and the algae. These techniques were among more than 100 management options evaluated by the Peel-Harvey Study Group.

Algal Growth And The Phosphorus Cycle, Arthur J. Mccomb, K. S. Hamel, A. L. Huber, D. K. Kidby, R. J. Lukatelich

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Larger algae and microscopic phytoplankton foul the waters of the Peel-Harvey estuarine system, upsetting the fishery and polluting the beaches.

These aquatic plants grow in response to phosphorus runoff from drainage, trapping phosphorus in the estuary and using it in their growth. When they die this phosphorus remains in the system to be recycled for further plant growth.

Algal pollution in the estuary can be lessened by reducing the amount of phosphorus entering the system, increasing phosphorus losses to the ocean, or in some way blocking the trapping and recycling processes.

Soil Improvement With Bauxite Residues, W H. Tacey, S. C. Ward, K. J. Summers, N. J. Barrow

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The sandy soils of the Peel-Harvey catchment hold water and nutrients very poorly. The Gavin ridges dry out quickly during rainless periods and this severely limits pasture growth. These ridges and the lower lying Joel and Coolup sands also lose a large proportion of the phosphorus, sulfer and potash fertilisers applied to them. Normally the sands lack clay materials to bind and hold the nutrients so rainfall leaches them out.

The Peel-Harvey Study Group, CSIRO, Alcoa and Murdock University have studied the use of a residue from bauxite mining to help overcome these problems. The treated residue has a texture …

Soil Testing For Acidity, I R. Wilson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

One of the most important aspects of the soil acidity research programme is the accurate analysis of soil and plant materials.

A soil acidity problem cannot be simply diagnosed with one test. Although the soil pH test is used for the initial evaluation of soil acidity, it does not measure the other factors which affect plant growth as a result of this acidity.

For example, plant growth on a coastal soil with pH 4.3 (in water) may not be affected by applying lime, but growth may improve markedly on a central wheatbelt soil of pH 4,8 (in water).

Another two …

Causes Of Soil Acidity, W M. Porter

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The introduction of agriculture into australia has caused many of our soils to become more acid faster than they would have otherwise.

In Europe and other parts of the world, soil acidification is accepted as a normal by-product of a successful agricultural system. Lime* is widley used to neutralise the acids added as a result of agricultural practices.

In Western Australia, lime applications will be needed more frequently in the future, although maybe not in the same volumes as in Europe.

Table Of Contents, William F. Andelt

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Proceedings

Fencing For Deer Control, William R. Bonwell

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Deer (odocoileus virginianus) depredations are a serious problem for many landowners and few landowners plan for these potential depredations. Fencing to restrict deer movements has become the most economical means of control. Several fence designs are available but the new electrified high tensile wire fences hold the most promise for deer control.

Rodent-Agriculture Interactions In No-Tillage Crop Fields, Kent E. Holm, Ron J. Johnson, Walter W. Stroup

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Acreage in reduced- and no-tillage farming systems has increased markedly in recent years, a trend that is expected to continue. However, small rodent populations thrive in these fields and at times dig and consume newly planted seeds and seedlings. During 1983, no-tillage corn, wheat and grain sorghum fields in western (Red Willow Co.) and eastern (Saline and Jefferson Cos.) Nebraska were evaluated to determine the distribution and food habits of the rodent species present, the damage to crops, and the availability of alternate rodent food sources. During June (post-emergence) and August (maximum corn height), 676 rodents were captured in 11 …

Some International Approaches To Rat Control, Walter E. Howard

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

There are many basic requirements concerning the political structure, financial support needed, proper organization, staff training, public education, laws and regulations, and the keeping of good records, which must be adequately considered before a rat control program can become successful. Likewise, there are also a number of basic principles concerning rodent control that must be understood and adhered to. Some villages in Korea and the country of Kuwait will be used as examples of new rat control approaches.

Workshop-Discussion Session, Joesph M. Schaefer

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The purpose of the workshop-discussion session was to establish a list of ideas that would provide the best focus and direction to improve wildlife damage control programs. During this session the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) (Delbecq et al. 1975) was used to: 1) identify and rank obstacles that limit the effectiveness of wildlife damage control efforts, and 2) generate possible solutions to the most important obstacles. This format allowed equal and full participation and was successful in generating many original ideas.

Behavioral Ecology Of Coyotes: Implications For Reducing Predator-Livestock Conflicts, William F. Andelt

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

During the past 2 decades, numerous research projects have been conducted to gain a better understanding of coyote (Canis latrans) behavior and ecology which could be used to reduce livestock losses to predators. This paper synthesizes some of these investigations to provide some insight into methods of reducing livestock losses to coyotes.

Rodent Management On The Northern High Plains, Ardell J. Bjugstad

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Rodent damage on the Northern High Plains has caused estimated economic losses of millions of dollars per year. The Columbian ground squirrel (Citellus columbianus) caused $800,000 damage in Montana during 1973, whereas prairie dogs (Cvnomvs ludovicianus) caused a loss of $2 million in South Dakota during 1980. Initial control of prairie dogs in South Dakota would cost approximately $1.2 million dollars and maintenance measures would be needed about every third to fifth year depending on percentage success of the initial control and management practices thereafter. Results of a cost-benefit study in South Dakota indicated that the annual maintenance control rate …

Urban/Suburban Squirrel Control In Private Residences, Donald J. Franke

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) damage to roofs is becoming a major concern to homeowners especially with the steadily increasing construction of houses with wood shingles. Besides causing roof damage (rain leaks), electrical wires are often gnawed. The gray squirrel is finding excellent nesting area in attics and overhang voids.

A Decade Of Usda-Ars Predator Research, 1972-1982, Jeffrey S. Green

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Federal government restrictions in 1972 on several widely-used forms of predator control stimulated research on alternative methods of reducing depredation on livestock. In the same year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture began predator research through the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and designed the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station CUSSES, near Dubois in southeastern Idaho as the principle location for the investigations. At the outset, the objective of ARS research was to examine non-lethal methods for reducing depredation, primarily by coyotes (Cants), on sheep. During the first several years, while predator research facilities were constructed at the USSES, ARS funds were primarily …

Wildlife Damage Control Problems And Concerns Of State Wildlife Agencies, F. Robert Henderson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Wildlife damage seems to be a greater concern today than 10 years ago. Controlling wildlife damage is a complex issue and the responsibility for its accomplishment has been given to diverse groups of private, local, county, state and federal entities. The types of programs vary from state to state, and often within a state several different programs are conducted by different agencies. It is the purpose of this paper to attempt to present information on the concerns of the state wildlife agencies regarding wildlife damage problems.

Rancher Use Of Compound 1080 Toxic Collars In New Mexico, Gary A. Littauer

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Twenty-three ranchers were trained and certified to use Compound 1080 in toxic collars to control coyote ( Ca nts l a tran s predation on sheep during a 2-year experimental program conducted by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Fifteen ranchers employed a total of 330 collars in field use. Two used collars in preventive control schemes and success was unknown. Thirteen used collars in corrective control (i.e. predation was in progress); 6 had collared lambs attacked and killed by coyotes; 4 had 1 or more collars punctured by coyotes and in 1 case a bobcat; 3 solved specific coyote …

Sixth Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference Summary And What Lies Ahead, James E. Miller

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

I want to begin by expressing appreciation to Ed Jones, Mike King, Greg Yarrow, Pete Bromley, John Heisterberg, and others on the program committee for hosting and conducting this Sixth Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference. I also want to express our appreciation to the exhibitors, the National Animal Damage Control Association, and The Wildlife Society (TWS) for their support. I think those of you who are still here will join me in congratulating these people, organizations, and TWS for helping ensure a successful conference. As one of the people who perceived the need for this conference in the early 1950’s, …

The Microcomputer And Kansas Wildlife Damage Reports, Martin Ottenheimer

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

When F. Robert Henderson, the Extension State Leader of Kansas' Wildlife Damage Control Program, asked me for assistance in setting up a microcomputer system that would enable him to organize and analyze wildlife damage reports, I was surprised. "Certainly," I thought, "it's not because I am a social anthropologist and in my travels around the world I deal with some pretty wild life" No, Bob knew about my work with microcomputers in Anthropology and since we have been friends for some years he also knew that I would talk with him about the problems in using microcomputers. He also knew …

Reducing Goat Losses To Predators: Past Vs. Present Producers In Texas, Jerry H. Scrivner

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The purpose of this study was to gather information regarding the application and economic implications of predator control and husbandry methods used by 104 past and 103 present Angora goat producers in Texas. Of 7 techniques [(1) predator control by ranchers, (2) support of private or government trappers, (3) night penning of livestock, (4) confinement or semi-confinement kidding, (5) extra checking on goats, (6) the use of guard dogs, and (7) the use of scare devices] ranchers use to reduce predation losses, present producers used significantly more techniques than did past producers. Also, present producers generally implemented each technique to …

Efficacy Evaluations Of Ultrasonic Rodent Repellent Devices, Stephen A. Shumake

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Efficacy tests involving the use of simulated field and field structures have been developed to assess repellency of commercial ultrasonic rodent repellent devices.

Use Of Aluminum Phosphide Fumigants For Burrowing Rodent Control, Carl Snider

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

This article is to inform you about aluminum phosphide, a new burrowing rodent fumigant. The history of aluminum phosphide is long, dating back to the mid-1930'x, but the first aluminum phosphide preparation was not introduced into the United States until 1955. The traditional usage of phosphine throughout the USA has been in the grain and food industry in fumigating raw agricultural commodities, processed foods, animal feed, stored tobacco, and certain non-agricultural commodities. Aluminum phosphide was not approved in the U.S. for burrowing rodents until 1981.

Keynote Address, Robert J. Pool

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Most modern environmentalists during their formative years have had little actual contact with wildlife under natural conditions. Their wildlife philosophies have been developed via the mass media and from experiences with animals as pets or confined in zoos. In general, modern environmentalists are sincere, dedicated, idealistic and enthusiastic, but they often lack realism and are blessed with the innocence of naivete. The majority of people in the United States now exhibit strong affection for wild animals and are deeply concerned over any actions perceived as causing pain to individual animals. These attitudes towards wild animals will impact on future wildlife …

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Award Recipients

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Award Recipients

Occurrence And Behavior Of Wild Dogs In Newly Established Agricultural Areas, Philip S. Gipson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The 1976 Alaska State Legislature initiated a program to make substantial amounts of state land available for agricultural development. Approximately 150,000 acres (60,729 ha) were used for agriculture in Alaska during 1982. The state's goal is to have 500,000 acres (202,429 ha) in agricultural production by 1992. The largest agricultural development to date is the Delta Grain Project which opened approximately 60,000 acres (24,291 ha) of wilderness lands to barley production. Agricultural developments have far reaching impacts on native and feral wildlife. Wild dogs have responded positively to land clearing and the removal of wolves (Canis lupus) from newly settled …

Removing Rattlesnakes From Human Dwellings Using Glue Boards, James E. Knight

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

A method using glue boards to remove rattlesnakes (Crotalus soo.) is being tested. Preliminary results of tests conducted in controlled situations indicate the method may be very effective. The glue boards are cardboard or plastic rectangles covered with a sticky material similar to fly-paper glue. The glue boards are tacked on anchored plywood approximately 24 x 16 x 1/4 inches (61 x 40.6 x 0.6 cm). The glue boards are arranged to form a minimum area of 12 x 6 inches (30.5 x 15.2 em). It is important to avoid attaching anything the snake can use for leverage that might …

The Use Of Ultralight Aircraft For Aerial Control Of Coyotes, James E. Knight

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The changing complexion of modern animal damage control, coupled with the lack of funding available to government, has created the need for innovative methods of conducting control programs. Ultralight aircraft are presently being tested to determine their effectiveness, efficiency and safety for aerial gunning coyotes.

Keeping Squirrels And Roof Rats Out Of Structures, Jonathan W. Linn

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

component of any total pest control program. There are many species of rodents that enter buildings, usually for the purpose of shelter and/or food. They may enter in the fall to survive the winter weather, or in the spring to have a safe place to give birth to their young. Much has been written about rodent-proofing buildings to keep out both native and introduced rats and mice. This article will try and cover methods that can be used to keep out our native squirrels, which include the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), the western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus), the eastern …