The Changing Habitat And Decline Of Ring-Necked Pheasant Populations In Otoe County, Nebraska

Authors

Jacob T. Herman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

2020

Document Type

Article

Citation

Environmental Studies Undergraduate Student Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2020.

Comments

Copyright 2020 Jacob T. Herman

Abstract

Since the early 20th century, wildlife conservation in Untied States has walked a fine line of growth and decline. The implementation of the Ring-Necked Pheasant in Nebraska has brought a wealth of tradition and revenue to the state across multiple generations. This thesis analyzes how habitat changes in Otoe County, Nebraska have affected the Ring-Necked Pheasant population, and what programs are in place to counteract the issue. To answer this question, the study compared five different aerial photos taken from Google Earth Pro and the county archives located in Hardin Hall at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. The results of the study showed a significant change in critical habitat across various demographics of landscape such as native prairie grass, row-crop farmland, and forestation. Results also revealed that although the pheasant population has not increased, it has maintained a sustainable level above complete eradication due to corrective private land use alternatives. From a conservation perspective this study emphasizes the need for practical private land usages and the critical impact of habitat loss on game species.