Conservation Biology, Wildlife Ecology
Powell Research Lab
“About thirty years ago there was much talk that geologists ought only to observe and not theorize; and I well remember someone saying that at this rate a man might as well go into a gravel-pit and count the stones and describe the colors...how odd it is that anyone would not see that all observation must be for or against some view, if it is to be of any service.”
– Charles Darwin, letter to Fawcett, 18 September 1861
Photo by Brett Hampton, IANR
Products of current and past research projects
Current Research Projects -- click here to see current projects
Theses and dissertations of my students
Leavelle, K. M. 2008. Occupancy and associated habitat characteristics, fruit preferences, and nesting behaviors of the Blue-headed Quail-dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala) of Cuba. MS Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. Download thesis (PDF) here
Frost, J. S. 2007. Small mammal and bird community composition in response to forest habitat structure and composition in the Niobrara River Valley, Nebraska. MS Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. Download thesis (PDF) here
Kempema, S. L. F. 2007. The influence of grazing systems on grassland bird density, productivity, and species richness on private rangeland in the Nebraska Sandhills. MS Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. Download thesis (PDF) here
Fricke, K. 2006. Documenting relationships between small mammals, ground-nesting passerine birds, and grazing systems on private rangelands in the Nebraska sandhills. UNL Honors Thesis (undergraduate), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. Download thesis (PDF) here
Post van der Burg, M. 2005. Factors affecting songbird nest survival and brood parasitism in the Rainwater Basin region of Nebraska. MS Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. Download thesis (PDF) here
Kocer, C. J. 2004. Mesopredator movement, abundance, and habitat selection in the Rainwater Basins of Nebraska. MS Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. Download thesis (PDF) here
My Recent Publications
Frost, J. S., and L. A. Powell. In press. Cedar infestation impacts avian communities along the Niobrara River Valley, Nebraska. Restoration Ecology.
Martin, D., K. L. Pope, and L. A. Powell. In press. Spring Home Ranges of White Bass in Irrigation Reservoirs of the Republican River Basin, Nebraska. Ecology of Freshwater Fish.
Powell, L. A., A. J. Tyre, S. E. Hygnstrom, D. A. Wedin, P. R. Hanson, M. S. Kuzila, and J. B. Swinehart. In press. Wilderness serendipity: planning and assessing learning during an experiential field course. NACTA Journal.
Powell, L. S. Riley, A. Tyre, and S. Hygnstrom. In press. How do I get experience? Addressing the shift in early professional development for wildlife professionals. The Wildlife Professional
Walker, J. A., Z. J. Cunningham, M. P. Vrtiska, S. E. Stephens and L. A. Powell. In press. Mallard nesting in the Sandhills of Nebraska. Prairie Naturalist.
Hiller, T. L., L. A. Powell, T. D. McCoy, and J. J. Lusk. 2009. Long-term agricultural land-use trends in Nebraska: 1866-2007. Great Plains Research 19:225-237.
Post van der Burg, M., L. A. Powell, and A. J. Tyre. 2009. Modeling parasitism rate and parasitism risk: an illustration using a colonially nesting songbird, the red-winged blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus. Journal of Avian Biology 40:263-270.
Kocer, C. J., and L. A. Powell. 2009. A field system for isoflurane anesthesia of multiple species of mesopredators. American Midland Naturalist 161(2):406-412.
Powell, L. A. 2009. The role of learning styles in student evaluations of a problem-based learning course. Transformative Dialogues 2(3):1-15.
Fricke, K. A., S. L. F. Kempema, and L. A. Powell. 2009. Small mammal ecology on private rangelands in Nebraska. Great Plains Research 19:65-72.
Powell, L. A. 2009. Using reflection documents to assess student learning. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Science Education 38:33-39.
Powell, L. A. 2008. An ecologist struggles with the problem of evil: why Aldo Leopold and baby meadowlarks argue against an all-powerful God. Theology 16:96-108. PDF
Plummer, M. V., D. G. Krementz, L. A. Powell, and N. E. Mills. 2008. Effects of habitat disturbance on survival rates of softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera) in an urban stream. Journal of Herpetology 42: 555-563. PDF
Varland, D. E., L. A. Powell, M. K. Kenney, and T. L. Fleming. 2008. Monitoring peregrine falcon use of coastal beaches in Washington, 1995-2003. Journal of Raptor Research 42:161-170.
Groepper, S. R., P. J. Gabig, M. P. Vrtiska, J. M. Gilsdorf, S. E. Hygnstrom, and L. A. Powell. 2008. Population and spatial dynamics of resident Canada geese in southeastern Nebraska. Human-wildlife Conflicts 2:271-278. PDF
Fritz, S., D. Husmann, D. Reese, R. Stowell, and L. Powell. 2007. High school students' perceptions of a College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. NACTA Journal 51:44-49. PDF
Powell, L. A. 2007. Approximating variance of demographic parameters using the delta method: a reference for avian biologists. Condor 109:950-955. PDF [delta method worksheet--click here to do on-line calculation]
Powell, L. A., and K. A. Hobson. 2006. Enriched feather hydrogen isotope values for Wood Thrushes sampled in Georgia, USA, during the breeding season: implications for quantifying dispersal. Canadian Journal of Zoology 84: 1331-1338. PDF
Powell, L. A., and M. L. Knutson. 2006. A productivity model for parasitized, multi-brooded songbirds. Condor 108: 292-300. PDF
Knutson, M. L., L. A. Powell, R. K. Hines, M. Hammer-Friberg, and G. J. Niemi. 2006. An assessment of bird habitat quality using population growth rates. Condor 108: 301-314. PDF
Powell, L. A., J. D. Lang, D. G. Krementz, and M. J. Conroy. 2005. Use of radio-telemetry to reduce bias in nest searching. Journal of Field Ornithology 76: 274-278. PDF
Powell, L. A. 2004. A multi-state capture-recapture model using stable isotope data to enhance estimation of movement rates. Condor 106:761-767. PDF
Powell, L. A., M. J. Conroy, G. D. Balkcom, and J. N. Caudell. 2004. Urban Canada geese in Georgia: assessing a golf course survey and a nuisance relocation program. Pages 135-139 in: Moser, T. J., R. D. Lien, K. C. VerCauteren, K. F. Abraham, D. E. Andersen, J. G. Bruggink, J. M. Coluccy, D. A. Graber, J. O. Leafloor, D. R. Luukkonen and R. E. Trost (eds.). Proceedings of the 2003 International Canada Goose Symposium, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. PDF
Powell, L. A., M. P. Vrtiska, and N. Lyman. 2004. Survival and recovery distributions of Canada geese banded in Nebraska. Pages 60-65 in: Moser, T. J., R. D. Lien, K. C. VerCauteren, K. F. Abraham, D. E. Andersen, J. G. Bruggink, J. M. Coluccy, D. A. Graber, J. O. Leafloor, D. R. Luukkonen and R. E. Trost (eds.). Proceedings of the 2003 International Canada Goose Symposium, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Proceedings of the 2003 International Canada Goose Symposium. PDF
Powell, L. A., L. J. Scott, and J. T. Hass. 2003. Nesting success and juvenile survival for wood thrushes in an eastern Iowa forest fragment. Iowa Bird Life 73: 120-127. PDF
Lang, J. D., L. A. Powell, D. G. Krementz, and M. J. Conroy. 2002. Wood thrush movements, habitat use, and effects of forest management for red-cockaded woodpeckers. Auk 119: 109-124. PDF
Powell, L. A., D. J. Calvert, I. M. Barry, and L. Washburn. 2002. Dispersal and survival of juvenile peregrine falcons during a restoration project. Journal of Raptor Research 36:176-182.
Beck, C. W., and L. A. Powell. 2000. Evolution of female mate choice based on male age: are older males better mates? Evolutionary Ecology Research 2:107-118. PDF
Krementz, D. G., and L. A. Powell. 2000. Breeding season demography and movements of Eastern Towhees at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. Wilson Bulletin 112:243-248. PDF
Powell, L. A., M. J. Conroy, J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols, and D. G. Krementz. 2000. Simultaneous use of mark-recapture and radio telemetry to estimate survival, movement, and capture rates. Journal of Wildlife Management 64:302-313. PDF
Powell, L. A., and L. L. Frasch. 2000. Can nest predation and predator type explain some variation in avian breeding season dispersal distances? Behavioral Ecology 11:437-443. PDF
Powell, L. A., J. D. Lang, M. J. Conroy, and D. G. Krementz. 2000. Effects of forest management on density, survival, and population growth of wood thrushes. Journal of Wildlife Management 64:11-23. PDF
Powell, L. A. and K. L. Rangen. 2000. Variation in Wood Thrush nest dimensions and construction. North American Bird Bander 25:89-96. PDF
Powell, L. A., M. J. Conroy, D. G. Krementz, and J. D. Lang. 1999. A model to predict breeding-season productivity for multibrooded songbirds. The Auk 116: 1001-1008. PDF
Powell, L. A., W. R. Clark, and E. E. Klaas. 1998. Distribution and derivation of mallard band recoveries on the Upper Mississippi River, 1961-89. North American Bird Bander 23:1-12. PDF
Powell, L. A., D. G. Krementz, J. D. Lang, and M. J. Conroy. 1998. Effects of radio transmitters on migrating wood thrushes. Journal of Field Ornithology 69:306-315. PDF
Powell, L. A., K. L. Rangen, and J. D. Lang. 1996. Wood Thrush nestlings fed fruit by single parent. Oriole 61:1-2.
Powell, L. A., W. R. Clark, and E. E. Klaas. 1995. Using post-release stratification to detect heterogeneity in survival of mallards. Journal of Wildlife Management 59:683-690. PDF
Research grants received
NPS/USGS, 2007, $212,121. Assessing local and regional variability in productivity and fidelity of grassland birds on NPS units in the Great Plains (co-PI with C. Allen and K. Hobson).
USDA-NRCS, 2007, $70,935. Use of state wildlife surveys to assess benefits of Farm Bill Program (co-PI with R. Tyre).
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2007, $68,084. Greater prairie-chicken habitat selection (co-PI with R. Tyre).
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2007, $69,020. Productivity and biology of ducks nesting in the Sandhills of Nebraska.
Burlington Northern Endowment, 2006, $8,660. Effects of wetland habitat distribution on avian community structure and reproductive success in the Nebraska Sandhills (co-PI with W. Schacht).
Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust, 2006, $100,000. Sandhill crane roosting habitat assessment in the Platte River valley (co-PI with F. Chavez-Rameriz).
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2004, $53,250. Effects of grassland management on ring-necked pheasant habitat selection and productivity.
Sandhills Task Force, 2004, $20,000. Duck recruitment in the Negraska Sandhills. (Written with S. Stephens, M. Vrtiska, R. Heiniger, Co-PI’s).
Great Plains CESU (NPS), 2004, $77,110. Effects of red cedar removal on bird and small mammal populations in upland habitats of the Niobrara Valley.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2004, $24,053. Monitoring small mammal and songbird communities in the Niobrara Valley.
UNL Ag Research Division--Special Hatch Funds, 2004. $12,654. Drought effects on bird dispersal and disease transmission in Nebraska wetlands.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2003, $5,000, Rainwater basin wetlands: mammalian predators of songbird nests.
Great Plains CESU (NPS), 2003, $35,000. Effects of red cedar removal on bird populations in upland habitats of the Niobrara Valley.
Sampson Range and Pasture Management Endowment, 2003, $15,000. Quantifying effects of grazing in sandhills pastures on bird communities through a multi-scale approach to vegetation measurements (Written with Walter Schacht, Agronomy and Horticulture Department, UNL).
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2003, $89,100. Use of managed and mature hardwood stands by wood thrushes in the Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana (Written with David Krementz, University of Arkansas as PI).
UNL Research Council (John C. and Nettie V. David Memorial Trust Fund), 2002, $6,891. Wildlife ecology and analytical chemistry: establishing fidelity of wood thrushes to a Georgia breeding site through evaluation of stable isotopes in tail feathers.
USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Graduate Student Award, North Central Region, 2002. $10,000. Comparing sustainability of grazing in the Nebraska sandhills: which regime is best for cattle and wildlife? (Written with Matt Proett, M.S. R.A.).
Layman Fund, University of Nebraska, 2002. $10,000. Breeding bird and mammalian predator populations in Rainwater Basin wetlands: can landscape factors predict abundance, productivity, and movement dynamics?
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2002, $18,000, Comparing sustainability of grazing in Nebraska’s Sandhills: which regime is best for wildlife?
UNL Research Council, 2001, $9,800, Breeding bird and mammalian predator populations in Rainwater Basin wetlands: can landscape factors predict abundance, productivity, and movement dynamics?
Sandhills Task Force, 2001, $45,000, Comparing sustainability of grazing in Nebraska’s Sandhills: which regime is best for wildlife?
Sampson Range and Pasture Management Endowment, 2001, $10,000, Comparing sustainability of grazing in Nebraska’s Sandhills: which regime is best for wildlife? (written by Ron Johnson)
US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2001, $9,700, Effects of forest fragmentation on natal dispersal of wood thrushes and red-bellied woodpeckers
United States Geological Survey, 2000, $4,000, Songbird population modeling.
Iowa College Foundation, 2000, $2,000, Faculty/Student Research Grant: Aerial telemetry relocation of dispersing peregrine falcon juveniles
Iowa College Foundation, 2000, $1,970, Faculty/Student Research Grant: Natal dispersal of red-bellied woodpecker juveniles
US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2000, $5,000, Aerial telemetry relocation of dispersing peregrine falcon juveniles
Dubuque Racing Association, 1999, $13,000, Ornithological field/laboratory equipment (written with Dr. Richard Cowart).
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 1999, $3,147, Small mammal and herpetological survey of White Pine Hollow State Preserve.
Iowa College Foundation, 1999, $2,465, Faculty Research Grant: Aerial telemetry relocation of dispersing peregrine falcon juveniles.
Iowa College Foundation, 1999, $2,000, Faculty/Student Research Grant: Distribution, population structure, and movement patterns of the bobcat in Dubuque County, Eastern Iowa (written with Ms. Dawn Reding and Dr. Robert Dillinger).
United States Geological Survey, 1999, $4,000, Songbird population modeling.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 1995, $54,000 (wood thrush graduate research, written with Dr. Michael Conroy, Dr. David Krementz, and Jason Lang).
Georgia Ornithological Society Graduate Student Research Grant, 1995, $750 (wood thrush graduate research).