Fort Riley Military Reservation Research Articles

Role of landscape features in resource selection by female Greater Prairie-chickens within a constrained environment

Greater Prairie-chickens ( Tympanuchus cupido ) historically occupied 20 states within the contiguous United States; however, due to habitat degradation and loss, they are currently found in 11 states, only four of which have a stable population. Kansas supports a relatively large abundance of Greater Prairie-chickens, where the Flint Hills ecoregion historically supported the largest population density of all ecoregions. In the past decade, the Flint Hills population has declined by 75 % to an estimated 8,334 individuals in 2021 from 34,180 individuals in 2015 due to landscape changes and intensification of grassland management practices. The Fort Riley Military Reservation in the northwest portion of the Flint Hills ecoregion is one of a few areas within the ecoregion that does not implement grazing or vast annual burning. The Greater Prairie-chicken population within Fort Riley has remained relatively stable over the past 25 years despite being constrained by surrounding landscape features and development. We analyzed multiple scales of resource selection by 46 female Greater Prairie-chickens during March-April 2019–2021 on Fort Riley to investigate why this population is doing relatively well compared to populations in surrounding areas. We tested landscape feature, vegetation, and burn mosaic variables to evaluate which variables had the greatest influence on resource selection. Landscape features had the greatest influence on resource selection. Females avoided trees within Fort Riley for both breeding season use and nest-site selection at a greater margin than any other study in Kansas. Additionally, fourth-order selection was not evident within this study system, contrary to studies within surrounding areas. Our findings join a growing body of literature that suggests containment of woody encroachment as a high priority for managers to maintain or expand prairie grouse habitat in many different environments. This containment is especially critical on Fort Riley because of its constrained environment, and further woody encroachment could lead to loss of habitat that is inescapable by the Greater Prairie-chicken population on Fort Riley. Spatially-explicit evaluations of habitat availability are increasingly important as more areas within the Greater Prairie-chicken range become constrained by urbanization, agricultural expansion, and intensive management practices.

Body Fat Content of Bobwhites in Relation to Food Plantings in Kansas

A wildlife habitat improvement program was initiated on the Fort Riley Military Reservation in 1961 to increase winter food supplies for bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). As part of an ongoing evaluation of this program, 164 bobwhite quail were collected during the fall and winter of 1968-72 for fat analysis. Fat content in carcasses of birds collected <600 m from a food plot was compared with fat content of birds collected>900 m from a food plot. During winter months, birds collected near a food plot were significantly (P<0.10 to P<0.05) heavier than birds not having access to a food plot. Fat content of birds close to a food plot was likewise greater (P<0.10 to P<0.01) than fat content in birds not using food plots. Calculations indicate that birds close to food plots have sufficient energy reserves to provide a 79% greater protection against brief periods of food deprivation than birds far from a food plot. Fat energy reserves alone in a quail close to a food plot could provide sufficient energy for 2.0 days of survival whereas quail far from food plots contained fat energy reserves sufficient for only 1.1 days of survival. Reserve energy for animals is stored in the body mainly in the form of fatty acids. The quantity of stored reserve energy (fat) may be critical to the animal's survival during periods of food scarcity or extremely cold weather. Much work has been done on fat content, composition, and regulation in songbirds (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 23, 24). Only recently has any attention been given to body fat reserves of wild gallinaceous birds under natural conditions. West and Meng (25) reported on the relationship of total fat and fatty acid composition to diet of willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) in Alaska while Moss and Lough (14) presented similar data for 3 species of grouse in Scotland. Almost no attention has been given to fat reserves of bobwhite quail even though it is known that fat reserves may be essential for bird survival during periods of dietary stress (15, 23 and others). The most recent book on bobwhite quail (22) does not even discuss the importance of maintaining adequate fat reserves in quail for winter survival and spring breeding. In fact, not until only very recently has any attention been focused on basic energetics of bobwhite quail (3). Earlier I included a small amount of body-fat data

Influence of Food Plots on Nothern Bobwhite Movements, Habitat Use, and Home Range

Natural resource managers at the Fort Riley Military Reservation in Kansas have established plantings to provide winter food for northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) since 1959. These food plots have the potential for reducing movements and home range sizes of bobwhites during winter because birds should apparently need to forage over less area to obtain sufficient food. To determine if this was occurring, we conducted a 3-year radio telemetry study of bobwhites on Fort Riley. We equipped 511 bobwhites with radio transmitters and followed their movements and habitat use from October through March, beginning in 1994. Daily movements of bobwhites near food plots varied by field season and study site, but generally did not differ significantly between food plot and non-food plot areas. Home ranges of bobwhites did not differ significantly between food plot and non-food plot areas, study site, or field season. Prairie habitat always was used significantly less than its proportional availability by bobwhites. Food plots were used significantly more than their proportional availability during 2 of 3 field seasons. Habitat use by bobwhites on the 2 study sites differed between food plot and non-food plot areas.

Seasonal Survival and Treatment Use of Northern Bobwhites in Kansas

Habitat management for Northern Bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) has been suggested by researchers and managers to improve conditions for the species. The Fort Riley Conservation staff radio collared 154 bobwhites during the winters of 2010 and 2011 on the Fort Riley Military Reservation to investigate seasonal space use and survival around strip disking, woody manipulation, combination of strip disking and woody manipulation, and control treatment types. Bobwhite winter home ranges overlapped significantly higher amounts of area that had received habitat manipulations versus control treatment types. Bobwhite summer home ranges overlapped significantly more area that had received combination treatment versus other treatment types. Bobwhite winter survival increased when closer to strip disking and summer survival decreased when closer to edge feathering. Bobwhite survival probability in the winter was higher for males than females but there was no difference in survival during the spring and summer. Habitat manipulations at Fort Riley appear to have influenced bobwhite survival.

Density and minimum number of mesopredators on the Fort Riley Military Reservation

Abstract During research on mesopredators on Fort Riley Military Reservation, Kansas, we determined the densities of sympatric coyotes (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and opossums (Didelphis virginiana). For six-month trapping periods, we also documented the minimum number of individuals from 8 species of mesopredators that used the 2.6 km2 trapping area. Despite low or moderate densities of mesopredators, a minimum of 48 to 55 individual mesopredators was recorded within the trapping areas, suggesting that small areas can be more intensively used than density estimates would suggest.

MILITARY TRAINING EFFECTS ON TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC COMMUNITIES ON A GRASSLAND MILITARY INSTALLATION

Understanding the link between terrestrial and aquatic systems is important because disturbance to terrestrial systems may also influence stream processes. Military training lands provide a unique opportunity to examine the influence of large-scale disturbance on terrestrial and aquatic communities in the absence of other anthropogenic disturbances (e.g., agriculture, urbanization). The objective of this study was to determine the effects of past mechanized infantry training on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem properties on Fort Riley Military Reservation in northeastern Kansas. We used a long-term data set and supplemental study plots to determine the effects of military training use on terrestrial systems. Headwater and middle stream reaches were also sampled to determine the effects of watershed training use on habitat and fish community structure. High military training use was associated with increased bare soil, reduced total plant cover, and compositional shifts in plant communities. Reduced cover of perennial, matrix-forming grasses and native species, and increased cover of annuals and introduced species were also associated with high training activity. High military training use in study watersheds was associated with increased sediment in pools and riffles and reduced abundance of benthic insectivores, herbivore–detritivores, and silt-intolerant species. Sites in watersheds receiving high training use were also characterized by an abundance of trophic generalists and tolerant species. Our results suggest that military training activities had significant ecological effects on the properties of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, both with respect to recovery from past disturbance and resilience to future disturbance. Corresponding Editor: M. G. Turner.

Weed Management on Military Storage Gravel Lots

Abstract Various commercial chemicals were tested to control visually obstructive weed populations abundant in the graveled storage areas on the Fort Riley Military Reservation. Several herbicides applied at lower amounts than the historical treatment were effective in reducing weedy plants. The chemicals Oust and Telar + Karmex provided the best long-term control. Arsenal could be added to a tank mix to provide greater control of field bindweed and tumble windmill grass. A change to these chemicals as part of the integrated pest management strategy would thus help to meet the United States Department of Defense directive to reduce pesticide usage.

Growth and mortality of prairie stream fishes: relations with fish community and instream habitat characteristics

Abstract – Few studies have been conducted to describe the age structure, growth rates and mortality of fishes in small stream ecosystems. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine age structure, growth rates and mortality (i.e., total annual mortality and, age‐specific mortality) of central stonerollers Campostoma anomalum, creek chubs Semotilus atromaculatus, red shiners Cyprinella lutrensis and green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus from 13 streams on Fort Riley Military Reservation, Kansas, using incremental growth analysis. Further, we were interested in determining the influence of fish community and instream habitat characteristics on growth rates. The age structure of central stonerollers, creek chubs, and red shiners was dominated by young individuals (i.e., less than age 2); however, over 60% of the green sunfish were age 2 to age 4. Mean total annual mortality was &gt;60% for cyprinids and averaged approximately 44% for green sunfish. The age‐specific mortality of central stonerollers and red shiners was generally less than 45% between age 0 and 1 and increased to over 85% for fishes greater than age 1. Fish community characteristics (e.g., catch per unit effort of trophic guilds) and chemical habitat (e.g., total phosphorous) were not related to growth rates (P&gt;0.05). Growth of central stonerollers was not significantly correlated with physical habitat (P&gt;0.05). However, the growth increments of creek chubs, red shiners, and green sunfish were related to the amount of woody debris (e.g., total woody debris, log complex habitat; r&gt;0.60; P≤0.05). The results of this study provide important information on the population dynamic rate functions of cyprinid and green sunfish populations in small prairie streams. Furthermore, these data suggest that woody debris is important habitat influencing growth of stream fishes.Note

Space and habitat use by resident and transient coyotes

We radio-tracked 10 coyotes (Canis latrans) from April 1996 to March 1998 on Fort Riley Military Reservation, Kansas, to compare movements, habitat use, and survival between resident (breeders and pack associates) and transient coyotes. Home ranges of resident coyotes were mutually exclusive, whereas those of transient coyotes overlapped the home ranges of other coyotes. Excursions from home ranges were made by all resident pack associates but not by resident breeders. Grassland habitats were used more than expected by resident coyotes but less than expected by transients. Woodlands and cultivated lands were used more than expected by transients. Transient coyotes used areas between the home ranges of resident family groups. Annual survival rates were higher for resident than for transient coyotes. Avoidance of resident coyotes by transient coyotes may explain differences in space and habitat use by coyotes.

New Records of a Porcupine and Armadillo in Riley County, Kansas

On 16 October 1997, a female porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) was collected on Kansas State Highway 18 near Ogden (sec. 6, T11S, R7E). Wear on teeth and degree of fusion in bones indicated that she was approximately 1.5 years old (Dodge, 1982). We removed and inspected the reproductive tract and noted an enlarged uterus, suggesting she was approaching estrus at time of death. No follicles or corpora lutea of pregnancy were observed, indicating she had not bred. These observations suggest that a breeding population may occur in Riley County and surrounding areas. Although porcupines are reported to occur throughout most of Kansas (Bee and others, 1981), eastern Kansas represents their eastern range limit in the central United States (Dodge, 1982; Pitts, LeValley, and Klinger, 1987). Kaufman and Kaufman (1994) reported two observations of porcupines in Riley County. Additionally a few porcupines had been observed in the wooded areas on the northern parts of Fort Riley in Riley County (Pitts, LeValley, and Klinger, 1987). A porcupine also was observed in the mid1990's by H. Abel (Conservation Division, Fort Riley Military Reservation, personal communication) near Milford Reservoir along the Riley County border. The specimen we obtained in 1997 is the first collected from Riley County. In Kansas, porcupines inhabit forests and riparian communities, and most specimens collected in Kansas seem to be associated with major river sys-

Weed Management on Military Artillery Ranges

Various commercial chemicals were tested to control visually obstructive weed populations abundant in the target zones on the Fort Riley Military Reservation. With the use of the integrated pest management concept, several herbicides applied at lower amounts than the historical treatment were effective in reducing tall weedy plants by at least 90%. A change in these chemicals thus would help to meet the United States Department of Defense directive to reduce pesticide usage.

HENSLOW'S SPARROW HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS ON KANSAS TALLGRASS PRAIRIE

We examined macro- and microhabitat characteristics of breeding Henslow's Sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii) on Fort Riley Military Reservation, Kansas during 1995 and 1996. Survey points were identified at the macrohabitat scale as either grassland, savanna, or woodland edge. A military disturbance index was used to quantify the severity of training disturbance to the vegetation at survey and bird use sites. At the large scale, Henslow's Sparrows were associated with grassland habitat last burned in 1993, two or three years previously. Microhabitat at Henslow's Sparrow use sites had lower tree density than random survey points, but neither shrub density nor military disturbance index differed between use sites and survey points during spring. In summer, the military track index was higher on Henslow's Sparrow's use sites. Habitat used by Henslow's Sparrows was consistently tall and dense vegetation with high litter cover during early spring, late spring, and summer whereas the vegetation of random survey points changed in response to vegetation growth. Characteristics of Henslow's Sparrow use sites included high cover by litter and dense, structurally homogeneous vegetation, whereas litter depth and standing dead vegetation, physiognomic diversity, and military disturbance did not differ from random survey points.

Population Characteristics of Channel Catfish from the Kansas River, Kansas

ABSTRACT Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were sampled from the Kansas River during October 1996 and August 1997 from Fort Riley Military Reservation and during August 1997 near Lawrence, Kansas. Fish varied in length from 100 to 506 mm at Fort Riley and from 120 to 637 mm at Lawrence. Catch per unit effort (number per net-night) was greater at Lawrence than at Fort Riley. Proportional stock density values were 23 and 48 for the Fort Riley and Lawrence samples, respectively. Individuals from both populations were in poor condition and typically had relative weight values less than 90. Age structure was similar between locations; however, approximately 44% of the channel catfish from Fort Riley were from the 1993 year class. Mean back-calculated lengths at age were significantly higher at Lawrence than Fort Riley for fish of ages 1 through 4 (P < 0.05). Incremental growth analysis on channel catfish from Fort Riley indicated that growth was fastest during 1993. Channel catfish collected near Lawrence did not exhibit the same trends in recruitment and growth. These data illustrate spatial variation in population characteristics of channel catfish in a prairie river and suggest the importance of over-bank discharge on recruitment and growth.

Historical Changes in a Herpetofaunal Assemblage in the Flint Hills of Kansas

-To assess changes in the herpetofauna in the northern Flint Hills of Kansas, we conducted a survey on the Fort Riley Military Reservation (Riley and Geary counties) in 1993 and compared our results with those of C. E. Burt and other early collectors. Of 46 species reported before 1930, 37 were found in 1993. Four species recorded before 1930 and not found in 1993 (Bufo cognatus, Carphophis vermis, Thamnophis radix and Crotalus horridus) are known or believed to persist in Riley and Geary counties. Four other species (Heterodon platirhinos, Nerodia erythrogaster; N. rhombifer and Regina grahamii) have not been reported in over 50 yr and may be extirpated locally. Two additional species (Spea bombifrons and Trachemys scripta) found in 1993 were not reported by early collectors. Changes in relative abundance of species from pre-1930 to 1993 were few, and there was no evidence of decline in amphibian populations. With the exception of declines in species dependent on rare habitats located in the floodplain of major rivers, the herpetological assemblage in the Fort Riley area has changed little during the past 70-100 yr. We attribute this stability to land uses that have maintained large tracts of native vegetation.

Germination and Viability of Seeds from 2,4-D Treated Sunflowers and Ragweeds

Low dosages of 2,4-D increase yields of sunflower seeds but not seeds of ragweeds. This study was conducted to determine germination and viability of seeds produced by sunflowers and ragweeds exposed to low dosages of 2,4-D. Fewer seeds from sunflower plants dosed with 100 ppm of 2,4-D germinated than from plants dosed with 50 ppm or no 2,4-D. No differences were detected in germination rates of ragweed seeds from treated or untreated plants. No treatment-related effects were detected on seed viability. Pletscher and Robel (1979) reported increased yields of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) but not ragweed (Ambrosia artemnisiifolia) seeds after spraying plants with low dosages of 2,4-D. They theorized that low dosages of synthetic auxins might increase food supplies for granivores but they did not determine germination rates and viability of seeds produced by the plants they sprayed. This report presents results of germination and viability tests on seeds collected during the Pletscher and Robel (1979) study. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study of Pletscher and Robel (1979) was conducted on the Fort Riley Military Reservation in northeastern Kansas. Johnson and Robel (1968) described important plant associations on the Fort. We used ragweed and sunflower seeds produced on Pletscher and Robel's untreated (control) and treated plots, collected in the fall of 1976, stored frozen until April 1979, then removed from the freezer and held at room temperature until germination and viability tests were initiated in October 1979. Treatments were 50 and 100 ppm of 2,4-D sprayed at 0. 1 liter/m2 (approximately 0.05 and 0.10 kg acid equivalent per hectare or 10 to 20% of the recommended apI Contribution 80-414-J, Division of Biology, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506. The study was financed by the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.136 on Thu, 19 May 2016 04:55:53 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms VOLUME 84, NUMBER 4 217 Table 1. Germination rates and viability of sunflower and ragweed seeds produced by 2,4-D treated plants.

Food Habits, Weight Dynamics, and Fat Content of Bobwhites in Relation to Food Plantings in Kansas

During a 6-year evaluation of plantings designed to provide additional winter food for bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) on the Fort Riley Military Reservation in Kansas, quail were killed to provide data on food habits, body weight dynamics, and fat content of carcasses. Crop contents of 591 quail were analyzed to determine food habits, 368 quail were weighed to detect seasonal changes in body weights, and 41 quail carcasses were analyzed for ether extractable fat content. Bobwhites within 800 m of food plots used the plots as feeding areas during winter and early spring months. Compared with birds killed farther than 900 m from a food plot during the winter and early spring, quail killed within 600 m of a food plot during the same period had more food in their crops, maintained higher body weights, and had more fat in their carcasses. With the enactment of the Federal Aid to States in Wildlife Restoration Act (commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Act) in 1937, funds for wildlife research and development became available to state fish and game agencies. Following World War II, great sums of money were invested in habitat-improvement programs. Even though improvement of wildlife habitat has been and continues to be an almost universal endeavor of state fish and game agencies, the effectiveness of many of these habitat-improvement programs to produce larger game populations has not been intensively studied. Evaluations of habitat-improvement programs have been concerned primarily with acreage included and gross 1 Contribution No. 967, Division of Biology, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Kansas State University, Manhattan. Financial assistance was provided by the Wildlife Management Institute, Kansas Forestry, Fish and Game Commission, U. S. Department of the Army, and the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station. changes in floral characteristics. Lyon (1959), Tester and Marshall (1962), and Vohs (1959) are among the few who have attempted to relate habitat-improvement programs to changes in faunal as well as floral populations. In 1959, a wildlife management program was initiated on the Fort Riley Military Reservation in Kansas under Army Regulations 210-221 (Joselyn 1965:219). The wildlife management program had several aspects, including establishment of food plantings as part of a broad habitat-improvement program. In 1961, G. B. Joselyn (conservation and wildlife management officer at the Fort during 1961-62) invited the author to work with personnel in evaluating certain aspects of the habitat-improvement program. This is a report of a 6-year study of responses of bobwhite quail to food plantings on the Reservation. The interest, efforts, and unlimited cooperation of Fort Riley military personnel,

Studies of Food Plot Utilization by Prairie Chickens

In 1958 Major General G. Fischer instituted a five-year wildlife program on the Fort Riley Military Reservation, Geary County, Kansas. Included in this plan was the proposal for planting about 400 food plots. In the spring of 1959, 45 food plots were planted throughout the post. Each year, more plots have been established by the military. Studies were made by the authors of food plot utilization by the greater prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido), from February 1961 through 25 April, 1961. The study area was confined to four major military training areas, 15, 12, 1 and 17, on which 12 food plots of corn, wheat and grain sorghum were established (Fig. 1). Prior to the planting of these food plots, the prairie chickens had been flying across Highway 77 into the grain fields on civilian land. The purposes of this study were to determine whether the size of the plot, its location, or types of food present would influence the amount prairie chickens would utilize these plots; also, whether these plantings would keep the birds on the reservation throughout the year. The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Lt. Blair Josleyn and his staff of the Wildlife Conservation office at Fort Riley in carrying out the study. The authors also wish to acknowledge and express their thanks to Dr. Otto W. Tiemeier for sponsoring the project and editing the manuscript. Our thanks also goes to Dr. Arthur L. Goodrich for editing the manuscript.