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Michael R. Vaughan
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Academic Interests:
Population ecology; predator/prey interactions
Courses Taught:
Population Dynamics
Professional Achievements:
President, Southeastern Section TWS
Vice President, International Assoc. for Bear Research and Management
Editor: URSUS
Associate editor, Journal of Wildlife Manage.
TWS Outstanding Publication Award
Virginia Wildlife Professional Award
Recent Activities:
Population estimation and development of a land-based classification
protocol for bighorn sheep in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.
Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) is one of the premier parks in the National
Park system, yet virtually no information is available on desert bighorn
sheep there, one of the most important species in the park. While
aerial survey is the preferred technique for censusing wild sheep populations,
overflights of GCNP are restricted; land-based surveys would be less expensive
and avoid conflicts with some user groups. The objective of this research
is to test the feasibility of using double sampling and a genetic-based
technique (hair sampling) to estimate population size, and to develop a
land-based protocol, with known accuracy and precision, for determining
sex and age structure of the population.
Demographics of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
black bear population: the long-term prospects of population isolation.
The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is becoming increasingly
isolated due to urban sprawl and highway construction near the refuge boundary.
Indices to population abundance of black bars on the refuge indicate the
population is at carrying capacity, thus the population has no place to
expand. Each year young dispersing bears become nuisance bears in
local agricultural fields, come into urban areas causing fear and panic
among local citizens, and/or are hit by vehicles as they try to cross major
highways. In addition, isolation likely is leading to low genetic
diversity within the population. The goal of this research is to
develop a lon-term strategy for managing refuge bears under the assumption
of total isolation.
Dynamics of Virginia's Hunted Black Bear Population.
Virginia hunters harvest about 500-600 bears each year, but most of
what is known about Virginia's hunted bear population comes from harvest
data. We do not know birth rate or population density. In addition, we
do no know how many hunters hunt bears because Virginia does not have a
separate bear license. This research is designed to provide demographic
information on the hunted black bear population in Virginia so that wildlife
managers can better manage it.
Sea turtle conservation in Nicaragua
Olive ridley sea turtles nest at two beaches in Nicaragua. Most eggs
laid by sea turtles are harvested by locals to be sold for profit or consumed
locally. The high rate of egg poaching has led to the fear that the already
endangered turtle population will be decimated. This research is designed
to determine nestling success of olive ridley turtles and harvest rates
of olive Ridley sea turtle eggs. A companion study will focus on the human
dimensions aspects of turtle egg harvest.
Selected Recent Publications:
Miller, D. A., E. M. Hallerman, M. R. Vaughan, and J. W. Kasbohm. 1998. Genetic variation in black bear populations from Louisiana and Arkansas: examining the potential influence of reintroductions from Minnesota. Ursus 10:335-342.
Schrage, M. W. and M. R. Vaughan. 1998. Population responses of black bears following oak mortality induced by gypsy moths. Ursus 10:49-54.
Stephenson, T.R., M.R. Vaughan, and D.E. Anderson. 1996. Mule deer movements in response to military activity in southeast Colorado. J. Wildl. Manage. 60:777-787.
Kasbohm, J.W., M.R. Vaughan, and J.G. Kraus. 1996. Effects of gypsy moth infestation on black bear reproduction and survival. J. Wildl. Mange. 60:408-416.
Vaughan, M.R. and M.R. Pelton. 1995. Black bears in North America. Pages 100-108 in E.T. LaRoe III, ed. Our Living Resources. USDI, NBS, Washington, DC.
Last updated January 2000