Michael E. Nelson, Ph.D.Wildlife Biologist |
USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Kawishiwi Field Laboratory, P.O. Box 598 Ely, Minnesota 55731 |
|
Wolf Project (Kawishiwi Field Laboratory),
Minnesota Office |
Expertise:
- Responsible for conducting field research on wolves and deer which examines numerous aspects of their ecology including survival, mortality factors, reproduction, movements, dispersal, population dynamics, genetics, and relationships with each other. This requires capturing and handling animals, knowledge of radio-telemetry technology, aerial radio-tracking, aerial reconnaissance, analyzing deer data, writing for technical publication.
Current Projects:
- Examining the role of prey nutrition in buffering wolf depredation on game animals and livestock in a restored population
- Determining factors affecting the forecasting of trends in restored wolf populations
- Radio-tracking and technical support for a study of lynx in northeastern Minnesota. Study partners include the Natural Resources Research Institute of the University of Minnesota, Duluth and the U.S. Forest Service.
- Planning, data collection, analysis and writing for a moose mortality study in northeastern Minnesota. Research partners include the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1854 Authority, and the Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa.
Education:
- Ph.D., Wildlife, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN (1990)
- M.S., Wildlife, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN (1977)
- B.S., Wildlife, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN (1973)
Professional Experience:
- 1978-present: Wildlife Research Biologist, Kawishiwi Field Lab, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, USGS, Ely, MN (formerly administered by Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, USFWS/NBS/USGS)
Professional Affiliations:
- The Wildlife Society
- The Society of Mammalogists
NPWRC Publications:
Selected Publications:
Nelson, M.E., L.D. Mech, and P.F. Frame. 2004. Global positioning system collar tracking of white-tailed deer migration. J. Mammal. 85(3): in press.
Nelson, M.E., and L.D. Mech. 1999. Twenty-year home range dynamics of a white-tailed deer matriline. Can. J. Zool. 77:1128-1135.
Nelson, M.E. 1998. Development of migratory behavior in northern white-tailed deer. Can. J. Zool. 76:426-432.
Nelson, M. E. 1995. Winter range arrival and departure of white-tailed deer in northeastern Minnesota. Can. J. Zool. 73:1069-1076.
Nelson, M. E. 1993. Natal dispersal and gene flow in white-tailed deer in northeastern Minnesota. J. Mammal. 74:316-322.
Nelson, M. E., and L. D. Mech. 1992. Dispersal in female white-tailed deer. J. Mammal. 73:891-894.
Nelson, M. E., and L. D. Mech. 1991. Wolf predation risk associated with white-tailed deer movements. Can. J. Zool. 69:2696-2699.
Nelson, M. E., and L. D. Mech. 1986. Mortality of white-tailed deer in northeastern Minnesota. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 50:691-698.
Nelson, M. E., and L. D. Mech. 1984. Home range formation and dispersal of deer in northeastern Minnesota. J. Mammal. 65(4):567-575.
Nelson, M. E., and L. D. Mech. 1981. Deer social organization and wolf predation in northeastern Minnesota. Wildlife Monographs No. 77. July 1981. 53pp.
