Sweitzer.html

Rick A. Sweitzer

Associate Professor
Wildlife & Conservation

Phone: (701) 777-4676
E-mail: richard_sweitzer@und.nodak.edu

    B.S. 1985, Northern Arizona University
    M.S. 1990, University of Nevada, Reno
   Ph.D. 1995, University of Nevada, Reno

Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of California, Davis 1997-1998, 1994-1996
Visiting Assistant Professor & Research Associate, University of Alaska, Fairbanks 1996-1997

RESEARCH INTERESTS AND BACKGROUND

INTERESTS:
My research area is conservation and population ecology of mammals with emphases in predator-prey systems, behavioral ecology, and the ecological effects of introduced species on native ecosystems. I am particularly interested in research that integrates population ecology with applied aspects of wildlife conservation.

Wild pig sounder, Coe StatePark, California

CURRENT AND RECENT RESEARCH IN MY LABORATORY:
     Ecolologic and Economic Risk Assessment of expanding wild pigs in California
    Ecological effects of wild pigs on oak woodland ecosystems in California
    Multispecies carrying capacity (bison, elk, deer) at Sully's Hill National Game Preserve
    Influence of climate and land use change on terrestrial vertebrates in western North Dakota
    Predator-prey relations of mountain lions, wild pigs, and deer in California
    Population genetics of wild pigs in California
    Conservation implications of introduced bison on Santa Catalina Island, California
    Effects of introduced mule deer on endemic plants on Santa Catalina Island, California
    Movements and parasitic diseases relations of moose and white-tailed deer in North Dakota
    Population ecology of white-tailed deer in the prairie-coteau of North Dakota
    Terrestrial vertebrate diversity and abundance in tallgrass prairie reserves
    Mammal community dynamics across interior and edge habitat transitions between woodlands and prairies
    Influence of mixed-grass prairie restoration activities on small mammal communities

PRIOR RESEARCH:

Predator-prey and population ecology of North American porcupines in the Great Basin (M.S. and Ph.D. research)

Population & mating ecology of bison in Badlands National Park, South Dakoa

Habitat use by black bears in the Sierra Nevada mountains

Peregrine falcon population surveys in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Foraging and nesting ecology of bald eagles in central Arizona

Effects of aircraft overflights on desert bighorn sheep behavior in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Link to research photos

GRADUATE PROGRAM AND GRADUATE STUDENTS

CURRENT STUDENTS:

Ron Loggins, Ph.D. Student (M.S. California State University Chico): Applications of population genetics and GIS analyses to understanding the range expansion dynamics and population biology of wild pigs in California.
(Photo: Ron trapping small mammals)

Jason Smith, M.S. Student (B.S. Valley City State University): Jason's research is examining multiple aspects of the population ecology of white-tailed deer in the prairie-coteau region of central North Dakota. Ultimately the results will be used to develop habitat suitability models for managing white-tailed deer in and around wildlife management areas that depredate crops in adjacent private lands.
(Photo: Jason & Jan Rubbert, telemetry)
Research photos

Neil Kadrmas, M.S. Student (B.S. University of North Dakota): Neil's graduate project is directed at assessing the diversity and abundance of small mammals among aspen parkland/prairie habitats associated in the sand hills region of J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota. More specifically, the project is examining community-level dynamics of small and medium-sized mammals among different types of interior to edge habitat transitions.
(Photo: Neil at J. Clark Salyer NWR)
Research photos

James Maskey, Ph.D. Student (M.S. Northern Michigan University): Jim's research is examining movements and range overlap between moose and white-tailed deer, focusing on the extent to which and whether increased exposure of moose to parasitic diseases of deer may reduce survivorship and expansion dynamics of moose populations in North Dakota. (Photo: Jim at moose capture)
Research photos

Alexis Grinde, M.S. Student (B.S. Bemidji State University): Alexis is examining the hypothesis that wild pigs in California are ecologically equivalent to the now extinct California grizzly bear. She is also developing a program to monitor changes in plant communities at Pinnacles National Monument, California in relation to feral pig removal/eradication. (Photo: Alexis in the field in California)
Research photos

John Leonhart, Ph.D. Student (M.S. University of Nebraska, Omaha): John's research is assessing how recent climate change/variability and land use changes (fragmentation, conservation reserve program planting) have altered terrestrial vertebrate richness in the western North Dakota region
Research photos

Sean Bertie, M.S. Student (B.S. University of North Dakota): Sean is working to develop a multispecies model for estimating ecological carrying capacity for bison, elk, and white-tailed deer at Sully's Hill National Game Preserve, North Dakota in aid of management.
(Photo: Sean and woodrat in western North Dakota)
Research photos

Thad Manuwal, incoming M.S. Student, January 2005 (B.A. Northland College 2000): Thad will be working on a new project evaluating the effects of introduced mule deer on native and endemic shrubs and oak woodlands on Santa Catalina Island, California.
(Photo: Thad with deer in clover trap)

Other Sweitzer Lab Group photos

RECENT STUDENTS:

Sara A. Milne - Completed M.S. and graduated May 2004. Thesis Title: Population Ecology and Expansion Dynamics of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs in Western North Dakota. Sara is beginning her PhD program at Cleveland State University in Fall 2004
(Photo: Jason & Sara at UND)

Allison C. Poff - Completed M.S. and graduated May 2003. Thesis Title: Adaptive Oviposition Behaviour in the Goldenrod Stem Galler, Eurosta solidaginis (Diptera: Tephritidae) (no, she is not a prairie dog, there was no photo available)

Eric S. Long - Completed M.S. and graduated December 2001. Thesis Title: Response of Mountain Lions to a Changing Prey Base in California. Eric is currently nearing completion of his Ph.D. at Pennsylvania State University
(Photo: Eric with a small Red River catfish)

Graduate Student Opportunities Beginning Academic Year 2005-06

My lab is currently full. However, I anticipate that several students will finish this year, and I may therefore accept 1 or 2 graduate students in Fall 2005.

Prospective students interested in research in the area of mammalian ecology and conservation should establish contact with me by E-mail. The e-mail should include a brief description of the types of studies they would find intriguing.

SELECTED RECENT PUBLICATIONS

History, habitat use and management of bison on Catalina Island, California. Proceedings of the 6th California Islands Symposium. In press for 2004.

Differential dispersal of non-native plants by introduced bison in an island ecosystem. Biological Invasions. In Press

Efficacy of photographic scent stations to detect mountain lions. 2003. Western North American Naturalist 63(4):529-532.

Breeding movements and reproductive activities of porcupines in the Great Basin Desert. 2003. Western North American Naturalist 63 (1): 1-10.

Rooting and foraging effects of wild pigs on tree regeneration and acorn survival in California’s oak woodland ecosystems. 2002. Proceedings of the 5th symposium on oak woodlands: oaks in California’s changing landscape. General Technical Report PSW-GTR-184. Albany California: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pp. 218-231.

Estimating sizes of wild pig populations in the North Coast and Central Coast regions of California. 2000. The Journal of Wildlife Management 64:531-543.

Range expansion, population sizes, and management of wild pigs in California. 1999. The Journal of Wildlife Management 63: 298-308.

Near-extinction of porcupines by mountain lions and consequences of ecosystem change in the Great Basin Desert. 1997. Conservation Biology 11:1407-1417.

Sexual dimorphism and evidence for intrasexual selection from quill-impalements, injuries, and mate guarding associations in porcupines. 1997. Canadian Journal of Zoology 75:847-854.

Prevalence of and associated risk factors for shedding Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia cysts within feral pig populations in California. 1997. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 63:3946-3949.

Predation or starvation: Consequences of foraging decisions by porcupines. 1996. Journal of Mammalogy 77:1068-1077.

Size-related effects of predation on habitat use and behavior in porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum). 1992. Ecology 73(3):867-875.

TEACHING AND COURSES

Mammalogy

Ecosystem Management

Introductory Biology

Ecology, Management, & Conservation of Large Mammals

Conservation Biology

Conservation and Natural Resource Policy

Wilderness and wild places forever!

Web page last updated: August 20, 2004

Ron Loggins, Ph.D. Student (M.S. California State University Chico): Applications of population genetics and GIS analyses to understanding the range expansion dynamics and population biology of wild pigs in California. (Photo: Ron trapping small mammals)
Jason Smith, M.S. Student (B.S. Valley City State University): Jason's research is examining multiple aspects of the population ecology of white-tailed deer in the prairie-coteau region of central North Dakota. Ultimately the results will be used to develop habitat suitability models for managing white-tailed deer in and around wildlife management areas that depredate crops in adjacent private lands. (Photo: Jason & Jan Rubbert, telemetry) *Research photos*
Neil Kadrmas, M.S. Student (B.S. University of North Dakota): Neil's graduate project is directed at assessing the diversity and abundance of small mammals among aspen parkland/prairie habitats associated in the sand hills region of J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota. More specifically, the project is examining community-level dynamics of small and medium-sized mammals among different types of interior to edge habitat transitions. (Photo: Neil at J. Clark Salyer NWR) *Research photos*
James Maskey, Ph.D. Student (M.S. Northern Michigan University): Jim's research is examining movements and range overlap between moose and white-tailed deer, focusing on the extent to which and whether increased exposure of moose to parasitic diseases of deer may reduce survivorship and expansion dynamics of moose populations in North Dakota. (Photo: Jim at moose capture) *Research photos*
Alexis Grinde, M.S. Student (B.S. Bemidji State University): Alexis is examining the hypothesis that wild pigs in California are ecologically equivalent to the now extinct California grizzly bear. She is also developing a program to monitor changes in plant communities at Pinnacles National Monument, California in relation to feral pig removal/eradication. (Photo: Alexis in the field in California) *Research photos*
John Leonhart, Ph.D. Student (M.S. University of Nebraska, Omaha): John's research is assessing how recent climate change/variability and land use changes (fragmentation, conservation reserve program planting) have altered terrestrial vertebrate richness in the western North Dakota region *Research photos*
Sean Bertie, M.S. Student (B.S. University of North Dakota): Sean is working to develop a multispecies model for estimating ecological carrying capacity for bison, elk, and white-tailed deer at Sully's Hill National Game Preserve, North Dakota in aid of management. (Photo: Sean and woodrat in western North Dakota) *Research photos*
Thad Manuwal, incoming M.S. Student, January 2005 (B.A. Northland College 2000): Thad will be working on a new project evaluating the effects of introduced mule deer on native and endemic shrubs and oak woodlands on Santa Catalina Island, California. (Photo: Thad with deer in clover trap)

Sara A. Milne - Completed M.S. and graduated May 2004. Thesis Title: Population Ecology and Expansion Dynamics of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs in Western North Dakota. Sara is beginning her PhD program at Cleveland State University in Fall 2004 (Photo: Jason & Sara at UND)
Allison C. Poff - Completed M.S. and graduated May 2003. Thesis Title: Adaptive Oviposition Behaviour in the Goldenrod Stem Galler, Eurosta solidaginis (Diptera: Tephritidae) (no, she is not a prairie dog, there was no photo available)
Eric S. Long - Completed M.S. and graduated December 2001. Thesis Title: Response of Mountain Lions to a Changing Prey Base in California. Eric is currently nearing completion of his Ph.D. at Pennsylvania State University (Photo: Eric with a small Red River catfish)