The Alberta Wildlifer
	Spring 1998, Vol. 9, No. 2
	Editors: Laurie Hunt and Daniel Farr

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President’s Message

Beth MacCallum

ACTWS Annual Meeting Summary

The 9th annual meeting was held at the Best Western Inn Southland Drive, Calgary. I have to say it, Calgary is a great place for a conference! Edmonton are you listening for next year? Our conference was a resounding success. We had a registered attendance of 174 and while we had less revenue than usual at the auction (bring more items folks!) we were the fortunate recipients of very generous corporate sponsors and did very well toward meeting our financial goals for the scholarship funds.

Chapter members were challenged to think about the future by members of the plenary session. Robyn Usher (Alberta Society of Professional Biologists), Vic Adamowicz (University of Alberta), Stan Boutin (Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.) and Harry Stelfox (Alberta Environmental Protection) addressed the topic of "Wildlife Into the Next Century: Challenges for the Future". The panel presented high quality, and well prepared talks. It was obvious and well appreciated that the panel members had approached the topic in a thoughtful way. Thanks again. Bill Wishart moderated the session and has provided a summary of the presentations for us to read in this newsletter.

Eighteen oral presentations were made and 11 posters were displayed. Thanks to Dave Poll and his judges for picking the student winners. The winners are listed in a separate section in this newsletter. Thanks to the session chairs; this task is usually fun but also carries the responsibility of keeping the session on time and looking after the individual speakers. Mike Dorrance, Margo Pybus, Steve Brechtel and Lorne Fitch did a fine job as did all those who helped with the slide projector. Perhaps next year this task might be made easier if we dedicate two people to the job.

Gordon Court packed the room on Friday evening with his presentation "Pirates, Penguins, and Predators: Tales of Antarctic Zoology". This was a fascinating glimpse into a world most of us will never visit. Thanks to Bill Brown and his assistant from Calgary and Edmonton Auto Auction for making the evenings auction very entertaining. We are fortunate to have Brett Calverly, Ducks Unlimited who recommended Bill for the job. Ken Crutchfield once again administered the auction. One of the highlights of the meeting was the luncheon and awards ceremony. Eldon Bruns, Ron Bjorge Ian Ross and their committees did an excellent job of selecting recipients and organizing the event. The hotel staff provided a very nice lunch and handled some late requests for vegetarian meals quite readily.

Jon Jorgenson looked after the registration and was assisted by Terry Kowalchuk and the students from the Lethbridge College student chapter. We had a large student contingent this year (66) and have realized that the student mentor program has fallen through the cracks. Howard Troughton has volunteered to organize this for next year. We did offer a student subsidy program which was administered by Ian Ross. Thanks to Lindsay Tomyn who made the travel arrangements for the University of Alberta students, and to all others who made the effort to organize students to come to Calgary.

Canadian Heritage, Parks Canada provided the slide projectors and overhead equipment while the Best Western ensured we had a large screen and a working sound system. Ron Bjorge once again brought all the backboards for the poster session

Our Corporate Sponsors deserve a special thanks. They are:

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.

Canadian Forest Products Association

Golder Associates (Calgary)

Millar Western Industries Ltd.

Nova Gas Transmission Ltd.

Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd.

At the time of the conference our Chapter membership was very strong at 243. I have learned a lot from organizing this conference and am looking forward to seeing everyone again next year.

* * * * *

1998/1999 ACTWS Executive

Ian Ross Past President 283-9085 283-9085 283-9085 iross@canuck.com

Jon Jorgenson Secretary\Treasurer 678-2373 949-4311 678-5505 jjorgens@env.gov.ab.ca

Dave Hobson Director, Conservation 723-8518 865-3246 723-8502 karendav@telusplanet.net

Steve Brechtel Director, Nominations 422-9535 438-7259 422-9685 sbrechte@env.gov.ab.ca

Doug Collister Director , Student Scholarship 246-2697 240-1635 246-2697 collis@telusplanet.net

1997 Peggy Thompson Publication Awards

Duxbury, J.M. 1998. An Application of Stable Isotope Ecology to the Study of Raptor Diets. MSc. Thesis, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. 150 pp.

One of the most recent developments in stable isotope ecology is its use in avian ecology. The use of stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA) to determine the type of ecosystem and the relative trophic level in which raptors are feeding is a new domain. While many traditional dietary studies have been conducted on some raptor species, many species lack dietary information due to remoteness of study areas, small sample sizes or rarity of the species. Valuable information on the diets of these species may be discovered using SIRA. Analysis of heavily studied species along with the more unknown species may help develop associations that can provide insights into the more unknown diets.

When ¹⁵N is used to study trophic relationships of organisms, the bioaccumulation effects of the isotope is key. Each consumer contains a higher concentration of heavy isotopes because with each increase in trophic level, organisms are eating prey which has bioaccumulated the heavy isotopes from the previous trophic level. The elimination of lighter isotopes by the predator continues to increase the ratio of ¹⁵N/¹⁴N with the end result that the animals at the top of a food web have higher ratio values than the animals lower in a food web.

Stable isotope ratio analysis of large raptor feathers requires a sampling protocol. During the time that large feathers grow, it is possible for metabolic rates or variable diets to cause changes in the isotope values along a single feather. However, this study demonstrated that any differences in stable isotope ratio values between locations within a feather were insignificant.

As an exploration of the possible applications of stable isotope ratio analysis to birds of prey, feathers from 27 species of raptors commonly found in Alberta were analyzed to determine the relative trophic hierarchy of the raptors. The results of the 27 species indicated that the raptor samples originating in the prairie ecoregion of Alberta had relatively higher ¹⁵N values than samples obtained in the parkland or boreal regions. The artificial enrichment of raptor tissues on the prairies is probably caused by long term fertilizer use in agricultural practices. Until the degree of how all species are affected by the enrichment factor has been determined, it is recommended that raptor isotope values not be compared between ecoregions.

Differences between isotope values of the age classes suggests a possible difference between what adults feed nestlings and what adults prey upon after their nestlings have left the nest.

This study demonstrated that stable isotope ratio analysis can detect interesting aspects of raptor diets. Traditional methods should now be used to examine why the isotope values are indicating that Alberta Broad-winged Hawks and Great Gray Owls are eating at different trophic levels than what the literature suggests. Taking into account the causes of isotope ratio variability, biological aspects of raptor diets can be studied at the individual, species, and ecoregion guild levels using a combination of stable isotope ratio analysis and more traditional methods. A holistic approach using as many methods as possible will result in the most accurate conclusions about raptor diets.

The Biological Diversity Working Group provides an opportunity for TWS members to exchange research and management information relative to the conservation of biological diversity and to contribute to the development of policies and programs that promote the conservation of biological diversity. The Working Group will work with other natural resource professionals and TWS Working Groups to achieve desired goals. The Working Group encompasses all aspects of biological diversity conservation including ecosystem, wildlife, and habitat management; landscape ecology; regional planning; sustainable natural resources development/use; and protection of threatened and endangered species.

The Biometrics Working Group promotes the development and application of biometrical methods in the study and management of wildlife resources. The Working Group provides a forum for TWS members to advance the use of quantitative methods in managing populations and habitats and to explore biometrical techniques and models appropriate to new issues associated with biodiversity, conservation of species, and landscape-level population management. The Working Group will focus public attention on the importance of biometrical methods in scientific conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.

The College and University Wildlife Education Working Group fosters the professional development of TWS members working as college/university educators, and improves the quality of higher education in wildlife ecology and conservation. The Working Group provides a forum for communication among educators regarding issues such as curricula, graduate education, innovative teaching approaches, course development, technology in the classroom, improving critical thinking, experiential learning, advising, writing- across-curricula, and peer-review of teaching.

The Furbearer Working Group provides a forum for TWS members interested in sharing ideas and information on all aspects of wild furbearers. Pertinent topics include, but are not limited to, management principles and techniques; species biology; economics of the fur trade; fur-taker education; trap research; nuisance furbearer management; furbearer diseases; and characteristics, activities, and attitudes of fur hunters and trappers. The Working Group plans to conduct special sessions and workshops at TWS’ Annual Conference and other forums to assist TWS members in advancing their knowledge and skills associated with furbearer management and research.

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing Working Group provides an opportunity for TWS members to address issues of concern to the GIS community and to advance their own skills and understanding of GIS and remote sensing technologies. The Working Group will function as a clearinghouse of information and expertise in the area of GIS and remote sensing for The Wildlife Society Council, TWS sections and chapters, and individual TWS members. The Working Group includes, but is not limited to, GIS users, remote sensing specialists, cartographers, and landscape ecologists.

The Habitat Restoration Working Group provides a forum for TWS members to share experiences, techniques, and information relative to restoring degraded habitats. The Working Group explores methods for implementing ecosystem management principles that enable whole communities to recover, and seeks to identify effective monitoring and evaluation programs. The Working Group does not plan to address enhancement projects.

The International Wildlife Working Group provides a forum for TWS members to network with wildlife professionals from around the world on a wide range of issues pertaining to wildlife management and habitat conservation. The Working Group provides an opportunity to exchange information with colleagues worldwide and to seek technical assistance from other countries when local expertise is not available. The Working Group reaches out to wildlife professionals in all areas of the world to offer the collected expertise of The Wildlife Society in an international context.

The Native Peoples’ Wildlife Management Working Group promotes improved relationships between state/provincial/federal wildlife managers and tribal wildlife managers through improved communications. The Working Group provides a forum for tribal and agency wildlife professionals to discuss wildlife management on reservations and aboriginal lands and to share viewpoints on proposed policies affecting wildlife management in Indian Country. The Working Group works to enhance wildlife management on and off reservations through joint activities.

The Population Ecology and Management Working Group provides a forum for TWS members to promote the interchange of theoretical and applied ideas and experiences relating to the ecology and management of wildlife populations. The Working Group helps to fill the void between the study of theoretical population ecology and the application of population ecology principles to the management of wildlife populations.

The Sustainable Use of Ecosystem Resources Working Group provides a forum for TWS members to investigate a wide range of natural resource management issues affecting wildlife. The Working Group promotes the exchange of information and ideas among various natural resource disciplines on strategies for achieving ecosystem management through sustainable use of natural resources. Several issues initially proposed for in depth examination include sustainable agricultural practices, grazing systems, timber harvest and extraction of other forest products, energy policy, water allocation, and ecotourism.

The Public Conservation Education and Extension Working Group works to instill and foster a land ethis and an understanding of ecological principles among today’s citizens. It provides a forum for TWS members to cooperate in helping building public support for wildlife management programs. TWS members interested in elementary and secondary curricula, development of innovative extension programs, infusion of critical learning skills in conservation education, conservation and environmental writing, and teaching techniques will find this working group to be an avenue for the exchange and advancement of ideas.

The Urban Wildlife Working Group provides a forum for TWS members to exchange information relative to urban wildlife and the management of habitat and wildlife in urban settings. The Working Group works to achieve increased awareness among urban planners, landscape architects, the private sector, and the general public of urban wildlife and opportunities to incorporate wildlife into urban settings. Nuisance wildlife concerns also are addressed.

The Wildlife Damage Management Working Group promotes better understanding of the challenges of managing human-wildlife conflicts and provides a forum for TWS members to advance their skills and knowledge of wildlife damage management practices. The Working Group provides a networking and communication opportunity for wildlife professionals working in management, research, education, and administration on wildlife damage management concerns.

The Wildlife Economics Working Group provides an opportunity for TWS members interested in wildlife economics issues to communicate and exchange information. The Working Group functions as a source of information and expertise in the area of wildlife economics for TWS members, corporation, agencies, and others interested in wildlife economics issues. The Working Group may prepare white papers on relevant topics and plans to conduct technical sessions at TWS’ Annual Conference and other forums.

The Wildlife Planning and Administration Working Group promotes improved management effectiveness within natural resource agencies and organizations. The Working Group provides wildlife managers, educators, and administrators with the skills, techniques, and networking abilities to achieve advances in organizational management. The Working Group provides a forum for Society members to share ideas and information on natural resource policy issues, comprehensive management systems, computerized information systems, trends analysis, effective decision making, consensus building, and other topics associated with organizational management.

The Wildlife Toxicology Working Group works to bring greater awareness and understanding of the risks posed to wildlife populations as a result of chemical contaminants in the environment. The Working Group assists TWS members in advancing their knowledge of the principles of wildlife toxicology and procedures for responding to wildlife kills or major exposures of wildlife to environmental contaminants. The Working Group plans to conduct special sessions and workshops at TWS’ Annual Conference and other forums.

5th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society
September 22-26, 1998, Buffalo, New York

• The meeting will include professional development workshops, symposia, and contributed papers and posters. We invite submission of technical papers and posters on topics of wildlife science, management, education, or policy within the broad theme of Excellence in Wildlife Stewardship through Science and Education.

• October 1-3, 1998, Battery Hotel, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
• THEME: Assessment and Impacts of Megaprojects. The 1998 CSEB Annual Meeting is being designed to constructively review environmental assessment goals, processes, achievements, and failures. It is hoped that results of the meeting will contribute to an increased understanding of the topic areas and improvements in the processes. Sessions will consist of both invited and contributed papers as oral or poster presentations.
• Contact: Web site: www.freenet.edmonton.ab.ca/cseb/meet98.html

• Contact: The Wildlife Society office, (301) 897-9770, fax: (301) 530-2471, tws@wildlife.org

October 26 - 28, 1998, Nelson, British Columbia, Canada.

• The goal of the symposium is to raise awareness of what ecosystem management is and how it can benefit forest resource managers. Implementing ecosystem management principles in an operational environment will require infrastructure changes for agencies involved in resource management and cultural changes in the minds of practitioners.
• Contact: Kandy Akelson; Phone: 250-365-7292 ext. 377; Fax: 250-365-0447; E-mail: kakselson@selkirk.bc.ca

November 1-6, 1998, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

• The goal for this Symposium is to build on the best science and technology available to assure that the data and information produced in future inventory and monitoring programs are comparable, quality assured, available, and adequate for their intended purposes, thereby providing a reliable framework for characterization, assessment, and management of forest ecosystems in North America.

• Contact: Phone: (3)-678-0505; Fax: (3)-678-0521; E-mail: contgdl@vianet.com.mex

February 20-22, 1998, Penticton Inn, South Okanagan of British Columbia.

• Graduate students from all Universities in Western Canada and the United States are strongly encouraged to attend and present their research findings.
• The registration fee has been set at $90 (CDN). This covers the conference, accomodation for two nights, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday.

June 28 – July 2, 1999, Gödöllö, Hungary.

• Themes for the five-day congress are (1) Sustainable Development and Wildlife Conservation; (2) Landscape Linkages: Ecosystem Science and Management; (3) Issues in Wildlife-Human Conflicts; (4) Education, Outreach, and Human Dimensions in Wildlife Conservation; and (5) Techniques for Monitoring Wildlife Populations.
• Contact: W. Daniel Edge; E-mail daniel.edge@orst.edu