Current Students

  • Parker Levinson, Ph.D. candidate - Population ecology of Weddell seals in Erebus Bay, Antarctica

Completed Dissertations & Theses

  • Macdonald, K.R. 2024. Patterns and drivers of variation in Weddell seal survival rates, and population implications of unobserved individual heterogeneity in vital rates. Ph.D. dissertation. 165 pp.
  • Krieger, E.R. 2024. Factors associated with elk (Cervus canadensis) distributionsvvduring rifle season and individual responses to harvest risk in a prairie environment. M.S. thesis. 70 pp.
  • Shields, E.M. 2021. Retrospective analysis of a declining trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) population in Yellowstone National Park. M.S. thesis. 154 pp.
  • Cutting, K.A. 2021. Breeding ecology of greater sage-grouse in southwestern Montana. Ph.D. dissertation. 127 pp.
  • Buchheit, R. 2021. Assessment of variation in the detection and prevalence of blood parasites among sympatrically breeding geese in western Alaska. M.S. thesis. 30 pp. (co-advisor: Joel Schmutz, USGS-retired).
  • Petch, S. 2020. Investigating diverse sources of variation in the amount of time Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) pups spend in the water during the lactation period. M.S. thesis. 68 pp.
  • Brusa, J. 2020. Variation of life-history strategies in pinnipeds with an emphasis on survival rates and spatial arrangements of male Weddell seals in Erebus Bay, Antarctica. Ph.D. dissertation. 203 pp.
  • Kanive. P. 2020. Vital rates, annual abundance, and movement of white sharks in the northeastern Pacific. Ph.D. dissertation. 168 pp.
  • Forzley, M. 2019. Spatiotemporal covariates, individual characteristics, and mountain lion harvest as potential sources of variation in elk calf survival. M.S. thesis. 56 pp.
  • Macdonald, K. 2018. Sources of variation in maternal allocation to offspring during lactation in the Weddell seal. M.S. thesis. 66 pp.
  • Paterson, T. 2017. Environmental correlates of reproductive output, patterns of maternal allocation, and variation in adult female vital rates in the Weddell seal. Ph.D. dissertation. 170 pp.
  • Deane, C. 2017. Harvest, nasal markers, and lesser-scaup vital rates. M.S. thesis. 109 pp.
  • Kehoe, A. 2017. Space use and foraging patterns of the white-headed woodpecker in western Idaho. M.S. thesis. 56 pp. (co-advisor: Vicki Saab, USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station).
  • Dresser, M. 2015. Demographic responses of woodpeckers in relation to a mountain pine beetle epidemic in the Elkhorn Mountains of Montana. M.S. thesis. 71 pp.  (co-advisor: Vicki Saab, USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station).
  • Skone, B. 2014. An assessment of the usefulness of winter wheat for nesting dabbling ducks in North and South Dakota. M.S. thesis. 42 pp.
  • Chambert, T. 2013. Individual and environmental variability in a population of long-lived marine mammals. Ph.D. dissertation. 161 pp.
  • Kanive, P. 2013. Estimating apparent survival of sub-adult and adult white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in central California using mark-recapture methods. M.S. thesis. 23 pp.
  • Stauffer, G. 2012. Variation in temporary emigration and survival rates and implications for recruitment for female Weddell seals. Ph.D. dissertation. 137 pp.
  • Mosher, B. 2011.  Avian community response to a mountain pine beetle epidemic.  M.S. thesis. 55 pp. (co-advisor: Vicki Saab, USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station).
  • Hockenbary, C. 2011. Exploring relationships among recreation, habitat type, and Mexican spotted owls on the Colorado Plateau in Southern Utah. M.S. thesis, 76 pp. (co-advisor: David Willey, Ecology Department, Montana State University)
  • Walker, J. 2011.  Survival of Duck Nests, Distribution of Duck Broods, and Habitat Conservation Targeting in the Prairie Pothole Region. Ph.D. dissertation at University of Alaska-Fairbanks.  (co-advisor: Mark Lindberg, University of Alaska-Fairbanks)
  • Fields, S. P. 2011. Factors influencing the density and distribution of breeding waterfowl in north-central Montana.  M.S. thesis.  112 pp.
  • Cutting, K.A. 2010. Nutrient allocation to egg formation of lesser scaup. M.S. thesis. 74 pp.
  • Forristal, C.  2009. Influence of post-wildfire timber harvest on black-backed woodpecker (Picoidesarcticus) nest survival and nest site selection.  M.S. thesis.  93 pp.  (co-advisor: Vicki Saab, USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station)
  • Hadley, G.L. 2006.  Recruitment probabilities and reproductive costs for Weddell seals in Erebus Bay, Antarctica.  Ph.D. dissertation.  128 pp.
  • Paugh, J. I.  2006.  Common loon nesting ecology in northwest Montana.  M.S. thesis.  90 pp. (co-advisor: David Willey, Ecology Department, Montana State University)
  • Carle, R.J.  2006.  Factors affecting nest survival of three species of migrant songbirds in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  M.S. thesis.  89 pp.
  • Sika, J. 2006.  Breeding ecology, survival rates, and causes of mortality of hunted and nonhunted greater sage-grouse in central Montana.  M.S. thesis. 118 pp.
  • Wisinski, C. 2006.  Survival and summer habitat selection of male greater sage-grouse (Centocercus urophasianus) in Southwestern Montana.  M.S. thesis. 76 pp.
  • Newlon, K.  2005.  Demography of Lewis’s woodpecker, breeding bird densities, and riparian aspen integrity in a grazed landscape. M.S. thesis.  101 pp. (co-advisor: Vicki Saab, USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station)
  • Warren, J.M.  2004.  Effects of cattle grazing on upland nesting duck production in the Aspen Parkland.  M.S. thesis.  74 pp.
  • Stephens, S. S. 2003.  The Influence of Landscape Characteristics on Duck Nesting Success in the Missouri Coteau Region of North Dakota.  Ph.D. dissertation.  169 pp.
  • Howerter, D. W.  2003.  Factors affecting duck nesting in the aspen parklands: a spatial analysis.  Ph.D. dissertation. 135 pp.
  • Schomburg, J.W. 2003.  Development and evaluation of predictive models for managing golden eagle electrocutions.  M.S. thesis.  98 pp.  (co-advisor: AlanHarmata, Fish  & Wildlife Management Program, Montana State University) 
  • Koons, D.K.  2001.  Lesser scaup breeding ecology in the Canadian Parklands.  M.S. thesis.  49 pp.
  • Oechsli, L.M.  2000.  Ex-urban development in the Rocky Mountain West: consequences for native vegetation, wildlife diversity, and land-use planning in Big Sky, Montana.  M.S. thesis.  108 pp.
  • Johnson, D.E. 1999.  Ruffed grouse productivity and habitat selection at the base of the Beartooth Plateau in southcentral Montana.  M.S. thesis.  86 pp.
  • Hoffman, N.J. 1997. Distribution of Picoides woodpeckers in relation to habitat disturbance within the Yellowstone area. M.S. thesis. 74 pp.
  • Thorpe, P.P. 1997. Temporal and spatial variation in habitat selection and movements of female mallards in the Parklands of Canada.  M.S. thesis.  52 pp.
  • Bacon, L.M. 1996. Nesting ecology of the interior least tern on the Yellowstone River, Montana. M.S. thesis. 69 pp.
  • Bousquet, K. 1996. Breeding ecology of sharp-tailed grouse on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, Montana. M.S. thesis. 56 pp.
  • Butler, M.A. 1996. The validity of using artificial nests to assess nest-predation rates in prairie-nesting ducks. M.S. thesis. 82 pp.
  • Clawson, M.R. 1996. An investigation of factors that may affect nest success in CRP lands and other grassland habitats in an agricultural landscape in southwestern Montana. M.S. thesis. 45 pp.
  • Podruzny, K.M. 1996. Radiotelemetry error: factors affecting bearing error and the ultimate effects of triangulation error on determining habitat use. M.S. thesis. 104 pp.
  • Zelenak, J.R. 1996. Breeding ecology of ferruginous hawks at the Kevin Rim in northern Montana. M.S. thesis. 74 pp.
Updated: 10/12/2024