Participant Information for Mammals of the Badlands: Field Methods in Behavioral Ecology. June 22 28, 2008

Transcription

1 Participant Information for Mammals of the Badlands: Field Methods in Behavioral Ecology June 22 28, 2008 Tentative Itinerary Travel Day Sunday, June 22 - travel from MN to Badlands - $75 round trip covers transportation but not meals. Meet at Hamline University at 7 a.m. for departure. The parking lots are free in the summer. Go east one block from Snelling on Hewitt. Turn left, then right in to the parking lot. We will pick you and your luggage up in this lot 6 AM. Make a reservation for the ride with the Center. If you are driving separately please plan on being to Cedar Pass Cabins in the Badlands, off the Interior exit, at 7 PM. Everyone is responsible for their own dinners, bring food or eat in the restaurant adjoining the cabins. We will meet, discuss the week, and take a sunset hike. Day 1: Monday, June 23 June 23: Day of discovery. Wildness of landscapes, plants, fossils, geology and wildlife in a.m. and evening in Badlands National Park. Rest break in midday if sun is too strong. Stay at Cedar Pass Cabins Meet in the morning in the Badlands at Cedar Pass cabins at 8 a.m. We will be in the unit right as you enter the cabin area. It is a larger unit where we can gather for discussions and sharing. Review course and content Hike to observe plants and geology. Discuss vegetative sampling and identification and the relationship of vegetative communities to landscape Overview of observational techniques and practice observation skills on birds of the area and record species in relationship to habitat. Lunch and dinner provided. Evening discussion of prairie dogs and bison and ethograms Day 2: Tuesday, June 24 Observe and take notes of wildlife behavior. Hike into the wilderness and observe bison, prairie dogs, coyotes, pronghorn and mule deer. Burrowing owls and black footed ferrets are known to live in these places, though they are very secretive. Cedar Pass Cabins Study of prairie dogs and bison using ethograms Design an ethogram, use different sampling methods, and determine activity budgets Do separate ethograms of bison and prairie dogs. Bison can be close or it may involve a long hike. No way to predict. We might also divide in to morning and evening studies if the midday is too hot. Trail lunch

2 Dinner provided Evening discussion to compare notes. Day 3: Wednesday, June 25 Leave the Badlands and drive the back roads on the way to the Mammoth Site Museum in Hot Springs. This is an ongoing archaeological dig within a museum structure. See the mammoth bones as they are being unearthed and learn more about this piece of the ancient past. Stay at Legion Lake Cabins Geologic column and interpretation of land forms Paleontology and the use of excavations and digs to classify and interpret fossil data Trail lunch and continue geologic investigation emphasizing observation of data and process in to relationship and stories. Dinner on your own Evening hike: Review and relax Day 4: Thursday, June 26 Hiking and exploration day. Stay at Legion Lake Cabins. Journey to the top of Harney Peak in early morning.. Trail lunch hike to a prairie falcon nest in the heart of the Wind Cave Wilderness Dinner on own in Custer Day 5: Friday, June 27 Early morning drive to explore the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park. Stay at Legion Lake Cabins. Black Hills mammal observations and habitat use early morning trip with breakfast on the road. Observe behaviors of various species especially pronghorns and bighorns. Add to Bison sightings. Trail lunch Afternoon to work on field journals, data analysis, and notes Dinner provided Wrap up Departure: Saturday, June 28 Leave 7 AM No meals provided Transportation cost included in round trip fee Accommodations and meals: You will be staying in a cabin with bed, showers, etc. Breakfast on your own - there is a restaurant next to the cabins. Lunches provided Monday through Friday - trail and picnic Dinners provided Monday, Tuesday, and Friday Suggested pre-course reading: Allen, Leslie Back Home on the Range. Smithsonian February 2005, pgs Available online at

3 Eliot, John L. Badlands National Geographic 205(4): Green, Wendy H The development of independence in bison: pre-weaning spatial relations between mothers and calves. Animal Behaviour 43: Grossman, John A Prairie Dog Companion. Audubon 89(2): Lott, Dale F Plains Song: Bison and life on the American Serengeti. Natural History October 2002, pgs Available online at Mott, Maryann Prairie dogs poisoned by U.S. in South Dakota. National Geographic News October 26, Available online at Stolzenburg, William Understanding the Underdog: The key to restoring the North American grassland may be right under our noses. Nature Conservancy Fall pgs , Available online at Your assignments for the course will be: For a Grade of B graduate, A undergraduate For a Grade of B graduate, A undergraduate o 10 % Pre course reading o 20 % participation in discussions and review of information o 40 % Participation in research and quality of data collection o 30 % Completion of field journal and data presentations For a graduate A o A final paper summarizing research and integration in to the classroom on-line, or o A research paper that takes one of the course subjects to great depth with strong references for material, or o Research that annotates a list of references and resources pertaining to one of the topics covered in the course. A. Course description This course will build skills in research and inquiry that will enhance the participant s natural history knowledge. On-line, we will provide reading and discussion to prepare you for field investigation then we will meet you for five intensive days in South Dakota. We will spend four days in the Badlands National Park and one day in the Black Hills learning to use a variety of sampling methods such as ethograms, mapping, prediction and observation. We will study prairie dogs, bison, and other mammals, and we will learn about the vegetation and the unique geology of this area. At the conclusion, you will be asked to go back on-line and complete your observations and build on your field experiences. B. Statement of purpose: This course is designed to provide students with enhanced skills in inquiry and field research while building a greater understanding of the large mammals and natural communities of the Great Plains and prairie biome. C. Schools and Society: The need for inquiry skills and research understanding and knowledge is essential in today s classroom and has been highlighted in both state and federal guidelines for

4 education. The acquisition of these skills is best accomplished by actual practice and use. These same skills can then be applied in the classroom and local area. D. Teachers and Learners: The understanding of social structures and interactions depends upon our understanding of systems. The Badlands and the large mammals give us a chance to not only develop research skills, but understand the interrelationships that are part of all systems both social and biological. E. Knowledge: The large mammals are often referred to as charismatic mega fauna because of their appeal. But we really do not know them in depth and this course will provide the participants with a high level of knowledge and understanding about their behavior, natural history, the prairie biome, the landscape and geology, and the politics of the park and protection of the species. F. Inquiry and Reflection: The entire course is built upon inquiry, research, and reflection. There will be discussion, prediction, observation, data collection, and analysis during each day of the field study. SUGGESTED PACKING AND EQUIPMENT LIST Clothing Guidelines Dress is casual throughout the program. Flexibility in clothing is the general rule for comfort. Temperatures will range from degrees at night to degrees during the day. There is a restaurant where we will be staying, but dress is casual. See the Individual Equipment List for further details. Clothing jacket or windbreaker rainwear umbrella (something to hide under from midday sun) light hat with brim for the sun At least two pairs of comfortable shoes for walking and fieldwork. We suggest tennis shoes and light-weight hiking boots shorts and long pants for field clothing shirts, long and short sleeved for field clothing Miscellaneous toilet articles personal medical supplies water bottle or canteen day pack to carry camera gear and personal items while walking sunglasses and sunscreen binoculars Preferred bird field guide (if using Peterson this would be Western birds)

5 Mammals or Tracks field guide camera gear and film digital recommended (including extra batteries) (optional) Ziploc bags, or shower caps to cover camera gear and binoculars in rain insect repellent flashlight mug or drinking cup for picnics (to eliminate need for throw-away cups) alarm clock Notepad, pencils, graph paper Field notebook/journal Clipboard to use to write on in the field Calculator for data analysis Art material if you like to express your self through art