Richard O. Kimmel

Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Wildlife Research Project Leader, Farmland Wildlife Populations and Research Group, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 507-642-8478
Ph.D. West Virginia University

Fields of Interest

Ecology, behavior, and populations of upland game birds.

Research

Investigations of upland game birds, primarily in the areas of ecology, behaviour, and population biology, have occupied most of my professional career. Upland game birds serve as indicators of habitat degradation. Research on these species improves our understanding of the impacts of habitat change on wildlife and management strategies to reduce these impacts. Much of my research has involved avian population/habitat relationships in drastically altered ecosystems. Examples are research on ruffed grouse brood ecology on surfaced-mined land and avian population/habitat relationships within intensively farmed ecosystems.

I have developed research techniques utilizing imprinted birds as bio-indicators for habitat studies of ruffed grouse, gray partridge, wild turkeys, and ring-necked pheasants. Production of high-quality recordings of avian vocalizations and field playback techniques have assisted in using tape recorded vocalizations in population monitoring situations

I am currently involved in studies monitoring the effects of federal cropland retirement programs on ring-necked pheasant populations and in the development of a wild turkey survey technique. Both studies utilize geographic information system (GIS) technology.

Selected Publications

  • Kimmel, R.O., A.H. Berner, R.J. Welsh, B.S. Haroldson, and S. B. Malchow. 1992. Population responses of grey partridge, ring-necked pheasants, and meadowlarks to farm programs in Minnesota. Gibier Faune Sauvage 9:797-806.
  • Kimmel, R.O. 1988. Potential impacts of ring-necked pheasants on other game birds. Pages 253-265 in W.R. Edwards et al. (eds.), Pheasants-Symptoms of Wildlife Problems on Agricultural Lands, Proceedings of a Symposium. North Central Section. The Wildlife Society.
  • Kimmel, R.O. 1987. Imprinting- A technique for wildlife research. Pages 39-52 in R.O. Kimmel et al. (eds.), Perdix IV-gray Partridge Workshop. Minn. Dep. Nat. Resour., Madelia.
  • Kimmel, R.O., and D.E. Samuel. 1984. Implications of ruffed grouse brood habitat studies in West Virginia. Pages 89-108 in W.L. Robinson (ed.), Ruffed Grouse Management-State of the Art in the Early 1980's. Ruffed Grouse Symposium. North Central Section, The Wildlife Society.