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The interior grasslands, or prairies, of the North American continent provide critical breeding, staging, and feeding habitat for numerous species of migratory birds. The prairies also house a unique and diverse resident flora and fauna. Intensive agriculture and other human activities during the last century have both reduced the extent of native grassland and modified what little remains. Habitat loss and fragmentation, fire suppression, introduction of exotic species, wetland drainage, altered hydrology, intensive grazing, and modified predator complexes have placed many prairie species and communities at risk.

Figure 1. Northern Prairie Science Center in Jamestown, ND and its Central Plains/Ozark Plateau Field Station in Columbia, MO, are well positioned for research in the Interior grasslands (light gray) and the Ozark highlands (dark gray).

Founded in 1965, Northern Prairie Science Center is strategically located (Figure 1) to conduct research throughout the northern Great Plains. Upon its incorporation into the newly-formed National Biological Survey in 1993, the Center's mission expanded from a primary emphasis on waterfowl to one of broad responsibility for all elements of the grassland biota. In addition, the Center acquired the Central Plains/Ozark Plateau Field Station in Columbia, Missouri, with its inventory and monitoring programs in the Ozark Highlands and central grasslands (Figure 1). Today, as one of 16 research centers in the Biological Resources Division (BRD) of the U.S. Geological Survey, our mission remains:

• to develop research information on the quantitative ecological requirements for wildlife populations,

• to design and conduct studies of numbers and distribution of flora and fauna, including identification of change resulting from habitat loss and modification, and

• to disseminate the latest in technical information and research findings such that interested audiences benefit to the maximum extent possible.

With fewer than 50 permanent employees (Appendix I), a single field station, and a base budget for research of less than $3 million, Northern Prairie is the smallest of the continental BRD research centers. Center laboratory facilities are modest, reflecting the fact that Northern Prairie specializes in field, rather than laboratory, research. In spite of obstacles presented by a small staff engaged in field research, Northern Prairie has maintained an enviable record of scientific productivity throughout its existence. Performance Year (PY) 1996 was no exception.

The purpose of this report is to inform you of our work during PY 96 (July 1995-September 1996). It results from our consideration of a number of requests from our many collaborators, cooperators, and partners for information on the sum of our collective work. It also results from our desire to ensure that others be informed of what we have done so that they may comment on what we might do next. As always, critiques are welcome.