Pamela J. Pietz, Ph.D.Research Wildlife Biologist |
USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 8711 37th Street Southeast Jamestown, North Dakota 58401 |
Research (Principal Investigator),
Jamestown Headquarters |
Expertise:
- Behavioral ecology of birds and mammals
- Wildlife telemetry and video-monitoring
Current Projects:
- Effects of grazing regimes on distribution and abundance of grassland birds at Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska
- Impact of West Nile Virus on white pelican colonies in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota
- Fates of songbird nests in aspen woodlands of J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, northcentral North Dakota
- Influence of habitat and landscape on breeding and feeding behavior of brown-headed cowbirds in southeastern North Dakota
- Influence of habitat and landscape on nest fates of grassland songbirds in the Sheyenne National Grassland of southeastern North Dakota
- Note: Field work on the first 2 projects in this list will begin in 2004. Field work has been completed on the last 3 projects, which together are addressing questions related to (1) effects of woody vegetation encroachment on grassland avifauna, (2) effects of habitat edges on predation and parasitism rates of songbird nests in grasslands and woodlands, and (3) how the proportion of landscape covered by trees affects fates of songbird nests.
Education:
- Ph.D., Ecology and Behavioral Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (1984)
- M.A., Biology, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN (1976)
- B.A., Biology (1 year, University of Durham, UK), Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN (1973)
Professional Experience:
- 1987-present: Research Wildlife Biologist, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, USGS, Jamestown, ND
- 1987: Post-Doctoral Research Scientist, study of seabird ecology and energetics on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska
- 1986-1987: Guest Scientist, study of Magellanic penguin ecology at Punta Tombo, Argentina
- 1985: Principal Investigator, led ornithological research team on Antarctic Winter Cruise I
- 1985: Post-Doctoral Research Biologist, study of population ecology of California sea otters
- 1979-1982: Doctoral Research Biologist, led ornithological research project at Palmer Station, Antarctica
- 1977-1979: Co-principal Investigator (with Dr. J. R. Tester), led University of Minnesota study of habitat use by spruce grouse, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, and white-tailed deer
Professional Affiliations:
- American Ornithologists' Union
- Animal Behavior Society
- Ecological Society of America
- International Society for Behavioral Ecology
- North Dakota Natural Science Society
- The Wildlife Society
NPWRC Publications:
Selected Publications:
Grant, T. A., E. M. Madden, T. L. Shaffer, P. J. Pietz, G. B. Berkey, and N. J. Kadrmas. 2006. Nest survival of clay-colored and vesper sparrows in relation to woodland edge in mixed-grass prairies. Journal of Wildlife Management 70: in press.
Krapu, G. L., P. J. Pietz, D. A. Brandt, R. R. Cox, Jr. 2006. Mallard brood movements, wetland use, and duckling survival during and following a prairie drought. Journal of Wildlife Management 70: in press.
Grant, T. A., T. L. Shaffer, E. M. Madden, and P. J. Pietz. 2005. Time-specific variation in passerine nest survival: new insights into old questions. Auk 122:661-672.
Pietz, P. J., and D. A. Granfors. 2005. Parental nest defense on videotape: more reality than “myth”. Auk 122:701-705.
G. L. Krapu, P. J. Pietz, D. A. Brandt, and R. R. Cox, Jr. 2004. Does presence of permanent fresh water affect recruitment in prairie-nesting dabbling ducks? Journal of Wildlife Management 68:332-341.
Pietz, P. J., G. L. Krapu, D. A. Brandt, and R. R. Cox, Jr. 2003. Factors affecting gadwall brood and duckling survival in prairie pothole landscapes. Journal of Wildlife Management 67(3):564-575.
Granfors, D. A., P. J. Pietz, and L. A. Joyal. 2001. Frequency of egg and nestling destruction by female brown-headed cowbirds at grassland nests. Auk 118(3):765-769.
Pietz, P. J., and D. A. Granfors. 2000. Identifying predators and fates of grassland passerine nests using miniature video cameras. Journal of Wildlife Management 64(1):71-87.
Pietz, P. J., G. L. Krapu, D. A. Buhl, and D. A. Brandt. 2000. Effects of water conditions on clutch size, egg volume, and hatchling mass of mallards and gadwalls in the Prairie Pothole Region. Condor 102:936-940.
Krapu, G. L., P. J. Pietz, D. A. Brandt, and R. R. Cox, Jr. 2000. Factors limiting mallard brood and duckling survival in prairie pothole landscapes. Journal of Wildlife Management 64(2):553-561.
Pietz, P. J., and D. A. Granfors. 2000. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) predation on grassland songbird nestlings. American Midland Naturalist 144:419-422.
Pietz, P. J., and D. A. Buhl. 1999. Behaviour patterns of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) pairs and broods in North Dakota and Minnesota. Wildfowl 50:101-122.
Cowardin, L. M., P. J. Pietz, J. T. Lokemoen, and H. Sklebar. 1998. Response of nesting ducks to predator exclosures and water conditions during drought. Journal of Wildlife Management 62(1):152-163.
Pietz, P. J., D. A. Brandt, G. L. Krapu, and D. A. Buhl. 1995. Modified transmitter attachment method for adult ducks. Journal of Field Ornithology 66(3):408-417.
Pietz, P. J., and G. L. Krapu. 1994. Effects of predator exclosure design on duck brood movements. Wildlife Society Bulletin 22:26-33.
Pietz, P. J., G. L. Krapu, R. J. Greenwood, and J. T. Lokemoen. 1993. Effects of harness transmitters on behavior and reproduction of wild mallards. Journal of Wildlife Management 57(4):696-703.
Pietz, P. J., and D. F. Parmelee. 1993. Survival, site and mate fidelity in south polar skuas Catharacta maccormicki at Anvers Island, Antarctica. Ibis 135:32-38.