|
|||||||||||
RESEARCH
Density and Habitat Use of Gray Vireo ( Vireo vicinior ) in northwestern New Mexico . Lynn Alterman and John Wickersham, Ecosphere Environmental Services. $12,000
Gray Vireos are summer inhabitants of pinyon-juniper woodlands. Some populations have disappeared from historic habitats in the southwestern United States. They are a Species of Concern with the USFWS and NMDGF. They are threatened by the clearing of pinyon-juniper woodlands to create pasture for domestic livestock and by cutting of trees for firewood. Clearing of woodlands and installation of livestock can also lead to an increase in Brown-headed Cowbirds that parasitize Gray Vireo nests.
Linking People with New Mexico's Amphibians and Reptiles. Howard Snell and Tom Giermakowski, UNM. $11,450
These UNM herpetologists will develop a web-based site for the growing knowledge of the distributions, natural history, and conservation status of New Mexico amphibians and reptiles. New information from museum records and remote sensing will be available in text and map formats. The site will be interactive so that herpetologists and lay naturalists can contribute information and photographs. The site will be designed to encourage school children to learn and contribute.
Influence of Habitat Fragmentation and Shrub Encroachment on Avian Community Dynamics in Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands. Martha Desmond, NMSU. $8800
Alarming declines in grassland bird populations are thought to be due to loss of habitat. As grassland areas are divided into smaller tracts of land, there are more "edges" and fewer large, open grassland areas for birds. In a continuation of her 2004-5 grant, Dr. Desmond will further study the effect of patch size on bird populations .
Baseline Genetic Survey of the threatened Pecos Bluntnose Shiner ( Notropis simus pecosensis). Tom Turner and Megan Osborne, UNM. $5368
The Pecos Bluntnose Shiner is a member of the minnow family that is found only in a limited stretch of the Pecos River. Habitat changes caused by construction of dams, reduction in water levels and introduction of non-native fishes resulted in the shiner being federally listed as a threatened species. The remaining shiner population is declining rapidly. When populations become reduced and isolated, there is a problem of lowered genetic diversity and thus lowered ability to adapt. Isolated animals may represent a group that was initially closely related and/or they may have inbred after the fact to the point where 100 animals may only represent a very few animals in terms of genetic diversity. Ecologists talk about an "effective population size" which reflects the true genetic potential of a dwindling group. Turner and Osborne will obtain genetic data using tiny pieces of fins that can be clipped from shiners without harming them. Their results will help us know how readily these threatened fishes can adapt to environmental changes. Equally important, should efforts be made to raise individuals in captivity so that they may be re-introduced into the wild, Turner and Osborne's genetic analysis will allow managers to pick the genetically most diverse fish as breeding stock.
Development of an Immunological Approach to Determining Host Fishes of the Texas Hornshell ( Popenaias popeii ). David Berg, Miami University Ohio. $12,000
The Texas Hornshell mussel is the last remaining native mussel in New Mexico. Only a few thousand individuals exist in a 10-15 mile stretch of the Black River near Carlsbad. Disappearance from its larger range in the Pecos River Basin is probably a result of habitat loss or alteration-from pollution, reclamation projects, and stream dewatering. In order to reproduce, these mussels release larvae that attach to the gills of certain species of fish. The larvae spend 6-10 days absorbing nutrients from the fish's blood then drop off as baby mussels. Berg and his colleagues will study native fish from the mussels' historic range looking for an antibody response in the fishes' blood that might indicate which is the host fish for these state-endangered mussels. Viability of the Hornshell population in its existing range and possible repatriation to its historic range could depend on discovering and stocking its native fish host.
Investigation of the status and distribution of the Blotched Water Snake ( Nerodia erythrogaster transversa ) and the Rio Grande Cooter ( Pseudemys gorzugi ). Bruce Christman and Larry Kamees, private contractors. $8500
Two other sensitive species of the lower Pecos drainage, including the Black River, are the state-endangered Blotched Water Snake and the state-threatened Rio Grande Cooter turtle. Although these species are common over much of their U.S. range, they are apparently rare and local in New Mexico where only a very small number have been located. Primary threats to both are alteration of their aquatic habitat and direct take. Humans often kill the water snakes, mistaking them for the venomous cottonmouth; the turtle becomes hooked on trotlines when it tries to eat the bait. This pilot study will provide information on current distribution compared to their historic distribution, giving an idea of how fast the populations may be shrinking. The researchers will also look at food habits of both reptiles. Knowing what they eat may provide insight into why they are declining and may help with future conservation and management.
EDUCATION
Northeast New Mexico Education Outreach . Eileen Everett, Audubon Society. $6000 The broad approach where educators provide pre-trip materials to the teachers, spend the entire day with the class, combine classroom studies with field activities and follow up with class discussions and post-trip teacher materials won Audubon educators a second year of funding. They will work with eight classes of elementary school students in a program called "Birds for a Purpose" which emphasizes the importance of birds as indicator species of environmental health. The program incorporates science and literacy components for state educational standards. Students will dissect owl pellets, observe mounted specimens, bones, skulls, nests and eggs and learn bird identification. They will then traveled to a National Wildlife Refuge to hike and make nature observations. Children learn best what matters to them and Audubon can be counted on to explain why birds matter.
WILDLIFE REHABILITATION
Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc . Albuquerque. $2000 The Wildlife Center , Española. $2000
Both of these institutions continue to carry on their valuable work caring for New Mexico wildlife that has been injured or orphaned. They return successful "patients" to the wild and use non- releasable animals for educational programs about wildlife conservation. Both facilities continue to promote the Share with Wildlife quail license plate and other NMDGF conservation activities.
Share with Wildlife task force members evaluating proposals were: Steve Cary, Tom Jervis, Gerald Jacobi, Charles Painter, Dave Henderson, Jennifer Frey, Chuck Hayes and Donna Howell. Howell, Hayes and Painter are employees of New Mexico Dept. of Game & Fish; the five other members volunteer their time in reading and evaluating the proposals. Several of these people travel from other cities for the meeting. We very much appreciate their time!
|
|