Conservation senior section.

LaCombe, L., and S. Carins. Department of Biological Sciences, Central Missouri State University. Recreational Effects On Aquatic Insect Communities, Buffalo National River, Arkansas. The Buffalo National River became part of our national park system in 1972. Demands on parks like this one increase each year. Even though this river is protected by national park status, its fragile ecosystems are impacted by recreational activities of nearly one million annual visitors to the park. The purpose of this study was to evaluate impact of recreational use on aquatic insect communities. Three river accesses were selected as sampling sites from the upper, middle, and lower sections of the river. Aquatic insects were collected using a stratified random sampling strategy from riffle habitat. At each of these sites, four samples were collected upstream and four samples were collected at the terminus of the recreation access. The insects were identified to lowest taxonomic level possible. Samples were quantitatively rated using a multi-metric community analysis. Preliminary results will be presented.

* Maccarone, A.D., Biology Department, Friends University, and C. H. Cope, Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. Recent Trends In The Winter Population Of Canada Geese In Wichita, Kansas. We have taken a half-day census of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) inside the Wichita city limits every January since 1983, when we counted 1600 birds. Recent estimates suggest that the size of the winter population of Canada Geese continues to increase, with an estimated 18000 birds counted last winter. Annual population growth follows a strong linear pattern ([R.sup.2] = 0.78), and closely follows population growth patterns for both the City of Wichita and the State of Kansas (r = 0.70 in both cases). The growth of the winter population does not appear to be closely related to the size of the local breeding population. Aggregations of < 30 birds accounted for 37% of all flocks, and those of <100 birds accounted for 68% of all flocks. Canada geese were associated with three primary habitats: grass, bodies of water, and agricultural fields. We consider the possible implications for continued population growth.

Metcalf, D., S. Cairns, T. Yasger, K. and K. Sullivan. Department of Biology, Central Missouri State University and Fisheries Division, Missouri Department of Conservation. Evaluation Of Paddlefish Spawning Locations And Success Of Spawning Eforst On The Marais Des Cygnes River: Year Two. Since the construction of Truman Dam, all known paddlefish (Polydon spathula) spawning sites have been eliminated. The Marais Des Cygnes River, which offers the greatest potential for natural reproduction, has not been thoroughly investigated for location of suitable spawning habitat. The Missouri Department o Conservation and Central Missouri State University have initiated this study to assess habitat suitability for paddlefish spawning. Four potential spawning location, between Highway 71 and the US Fish & Wildlife Service Marais Des Cygnes Refuge in Kansas, were sampled. Adult paddlefish were sampled using gill nets as they migrated upstream to spawn. Paddlefish lethyoplankton were sampled below and above the sample sites using boat-mounted drift nets. Spawning habitat was assessed for each sample site using modified Missouri Department of Natural Resources Stream Habitat Assessment Procedures. Natural reproduction was observed with the collection of larval paddlefish at some river sites. Preliminary analysis of larval and adult abundance for years one and two will be presented.

* Nations, M.W. and S. Cairns. Department of Biology, Central Missouri State University. Larval Amphibian Communities Of Pertle Springs. Amphibian population numbers have been declining over the past several decades. The amphibian community present in an ecosystem may be a key indicator of that systems health. Larval amphibians were sampled in May and June in four golf course ponds and three ponds in Pertle Springs. Dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, conductivity, and temperatures were specific water parameters sampled during May and June of all seven ponds. Dominant plant species were sampled along randomly selected transects in one meter square quadrats around the seven ponds in late August. Larval amphibian communities, water parameters, and dominant plant vegetation were analyzed for correlation among the selected parameters.

* Neerhof, L. and S. Cairns. Department of Biology, Central Missouri State University. Eutrophication Monitoring And Management Strategies Of Four Ponds Located In Pertle Springs Recreational Area. Four ponds located in the Pertle Springs recreational area are a part of Central Missouri State University (CMSU) in Warrensburg, Missouri. Eutrophic conditions ranged from phytoplankton dominated communities to predominately macrophyte communities. Seven sites on the four ponds were sampled monthly from June 2002 to September 2003. Depth profiles of dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, conductivity and pH were taken at each site. Laboratory analysis of orthophosphate, nitrate, alkalinity, hardness, ammonia, and suspended solids were performed at CMSU's Water Quality Laboratory. Results determined the management strategies for each pond.

Sass, C. and * J. Rushin. Biology Department, Missouri Western State College. A Preliminary Study Of Plants At The Lower Hamburg Bend Conservation Area Prior To Flooding With A Reopened Chute Of The Missouri River. The Lower Hamburg Bend Conservation Area (LHBCA) contains approximately 3,000 acres of wetland habitat located on the east side of the Missouri River just south of the Iowa border. As part of a joint project of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), a chute is scheduled to be reopened through the LHBCA to form island, sloughs, and backwater areas. Within a 300-acre study area that will be primarily affected by the new chute, 232 evenly-spaced permanent sampling plots and 18 randomly located permanent sampling plots were used to collect herbaceous plants, woody seedlings, saplings, and trees according to the Vegetation Monitoring System (VMS) of the MDC. (All sampling was done in June and July of 2002 and 2003.) This study describes 97 species of herbaceous and woody plants collected from all of the study plots. It compares VMS Importance Values of the top herbaceous species including (Solidago altissima, Setaria Faberii, A butilon Theophrasti, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Erigeron canadensis, Helianthus annuus, Setaria gluaca and Bromus inermis) in the entire study area. In addition, it was found that most of the plants sampled during this preliminary survey are introduced and/or generalist species. Slight changes in bare ground, litter and water were due to a 2002 late winter burn and beaver dam construction in 2003. it is expected that native wetland species will increase as the marsh habitat expands after the river chute is reopened. Support from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

* Wisker, D. Department of Biology, Central Missouri State University. Genetic And Morphometric Variation In Fragmented Missouri Populations Of The Texas Mouse Peromyscus Attwateri. Fragmented, isolated populations are subject to loss of genetic diversity through inbreeding and genetic drift. Loss of diversity renders these populations susceptible to increased disease and local extinction. Glades are isolated, open patches of habitat surrounded by hardwood forest areas, and are found throughout Missouri. In the Missouri portion of its range, the Texas mouse (Peromyscus attwateri) is restricted to glade habitat fragments in the southwest corner of the state. This study will use Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and morphometric data to assess genetic diversity of selected glade populations and evaluate the effects of habitat fragmentation on genetic structure. Information gathered from this project will be of interest to conservation biologists concerned with the viability of fragmented populations, and evolutionary biologists interested in population divergence

Cary D. Chevalier

Missouri Western State College