Reproductive ecology of interior least tern and piping plover in relation to Platte River hydrology and sandbar dynamics.

In a recent study, Farnsworth et al. (2017) used distributions of nest initiation dates drawn mostly from human-created, off-channel habitats and a model of emergent sandbar habitat to evaluate the hypothesis that least terns () and piping plovers () are physiologically adapted to initiate nests concurrent with the cessation of spring river flow rises on two sections of the Platte River, Nebraska. The study by Farnsworth et al.

Metapopulation viability of an endangered shorebird depends on dispersal and human-created habitats: piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) and prairie rivers.

Background: Many species are distributed as metapopulations in dynamic landscapes, where habitats change through space and time. Individuals locate habitat through dispersal, and the relationship between a species and landscape characteristics can have profound effects on population persistence. Despite the importance of connectivity in dynamic environments, few empirical studies have examined temporal variability in dispersal or its effect on metapopulation dynamics.

Behavior of buff-breasted sandpipers (Tryngites subruficollis) during migratory stopover in agricultural fields.

Background: Understanding the behavior of birds in agricultural habitats can be the first step in evaluating the conservation implications of birds' use of landscapes shaped by modern agriculture. The existence and magnitude of risk from agricultural practices and the quality of resources agricultural lands provide will be determined largely by how birds use these habitats. Buff-breasted Sandpipers (Tryngites subruficollis) are a species of conservation concern.

Enhancing Disease Surveillance Event Communication Among Jurisdictions.

Automated disease surveillance systems are becoming widely used by the public health community. However, communication among non-collocated and widely dispersed users still needs improvement. A web-based software tool for enhancing user communications was completely integrated into an existing automated disease surveillance system and was tested during two simulated exercises and operational use involving multiple jurisdictions.