Kent C. (KC) Jensen
Associate Professor
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007-1696
voice: (605) 688-6121/fax: (605) 688-4515
email: kent.jensen@sdstate.edu
Dr. Jensen is an Associate Professor and joined the Department in December of 2003. His teaching responsibilities include Ornithology (WL 363), Upland Game Ecology and Management (WL 415-515), and Waterfowl Ecology and Management (WL 419-519). Dr. Jensen advises both undergraduate and graduate students. His appointment is 75% teaching and 25% research.
His main professional interests are in the area of avian ecology and habitat management. He has particular interest in waterfowl and wetland ecology, birds of prey, and upland game birds. He has worked and conducted research on wetland habitats and associated bird communities throughout North America.
Dr. Jensen also has extensive experience in wildlife and natural resource education with Native American tribes and Tribal Colleges throughout the Northern Great Plains. He has an adjunct appointment at Oglala Lakota College and is a member of their Graduate Faculty.
Specialty:
· Avian Ecology and Management
· Wetland Habitat Management
· Waterfowl Ecology and Management
· Upland Game Birds
· Birds of Prey
· Wildlife Ecology and Management
Education:
· Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 1990
· M.S., Montana State University, 1988
· B.S., South Dakota State University, 1985
· A.A., Fullerton College, 1979
Other Professional Experience:
· Associate Professor, South Dakota State University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences,
2006-present
· Assistant Professor, South Dakota State University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences,
2003-2006
· Professor and Undergraduate Research Coordinator, Oglala Lakota College, Department of Math and Science,
1998-2003
· Research Wildlife Ecologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station,
1993-1998
· Research Associate, Texas A&M University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences,
1991-1993
· Visiting Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences,
1990-1991
· Graduate Research Assistant, Texas A&M University, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences,
1987-1990
· Graduate Research Assistant, Montana State University, Department of Biology – Fish and Wildlife Program,
1985-1987
Courses Taught at SDSU:
WL 411 Principles of Wildlife Management
WL 415-515 Upland Game Ecology and Management
WL 419-519 Waterfowl Ecology and Management
Selected Publications (undergraduate students in bold font):
Gardner, D. M., K. C. Jensen, K. F. Higgins, N. K. Hansen, and A. A. Huehl. 2005. Abundance and diversity of small mammals in exotic and reseeded native grasslands at Oakwood Lakes State Park. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 84:109-117.
Salo, E. D., K. F. Higgins, K. K. Bakker, W. T. Barker, and K. C. Jensen. 2004. Effects of temporal application of grazing treatments on nongame birds in North Dakota mixed-grass prairie. Proceedings of the 19th North American Prairie Conference.
Gray, M.D., R.M. Kaminski, G. Weerakkody, B.D. Leopold, and K.C. Jensen. 1999. Aquatic invertebrate and plant responses following mechanical manipulations of moist-soil habitat. Wildlife Society Bulletin 27:2770-779.
O’Neil, L.J., A.C. Webb, K.C. Jensen, P.C. DuBois, and V.R. Emrick. 1997. Survey of the current status of vegetation mapping on selected Army installations. WES Technical Report. EL-97-8. Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS
Jensen, K.C. 1996. Mist-netting procedures for capturing bats at Ft. Riley, KS: CAP Report 0896-004. 11pp.
Jensen, K.C. and L.A. Reynolds. 1996. Waterfowl management plan for U.S. Army and Signal Corps, Ft. Gordon, GA. 54pp.
Humpert, M.J., D.E Hubbard, and K.C. Jensen. 1995. Avian responses to chemically and physically manipulated cattail stands in a northern prairie marsh. WRP Technical Report WRP-SM-17. Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS 48pp.
Polasek, L.G., M.W. Weller, and K.C. Jensen. 1995. Management of shallow impoundments to provide emergent and submergent vegetation for waterfowl. WRP Technical Report WRP-SM-8. Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS 61pp.
Jensen, K.C. and C.O. Martin. 1994. Guidance for placement and management of wood duck nest boxes in wetland habitats. WRP Technical Note FW-SW-4.1. Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS 6pp.
Jensen, K.C. and S. Peck. 1994. Burning as a tool in wetland management. Army Engineers Wetland Research Program Technical Publication, Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. 10pp.
Miller, M.W., K.C. Jensen, W.E. Grant, and M.W. Weller. 1994. A simulation model of helicopter disturbance of molting Pacific black brant. Ecological Modeling 73:293-309.
Weller, M.W., K.C. Jensen, E.J. Taylor, M.W. Miller, K.S. Bollinger, D.V. Derksen, D. Esler, and C. Markon. 1994. Assessment of shoreline vegetation in relation to use by molting black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) on the Alaska Coastal Plain. Biological Conservation 70:219-225.
Derksen, D.V., K.S. Bollinger, D. Esler, K.C. Jensen, E.J. Taylor, M.W. Miller, and M.W. Weller. 1992. Effects of aircraft on the behavior and ecology of molting brant near Teshekpuk Lake, Alaska. U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service Report, Anchorage, AK. 179pp.
Swenson, J.E., K.C. Jensen, and J.E. Toepfer. 1988. Winter movements by rosy finches in Montana. Journal of Field Ornithology 59(2):157-160.
Jensen, K.C. 1986. First banding of an American woodcock in South Dakota. North American Bird Bander 11(1):5.
Current Research Projects and Graduate Students:
Matt Bah
m
-
Ph.D. Program
(Co-advised with Dr. Tom Barnes, University of Kentucky)
B.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries) - 2002, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
M.S. (Biology) - 2004, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX
Ph.D. Research Project:
Converting cool-season exotic dominated grasslands to native warm season grassland communities utilizing herbicide treatments.
Tom Berdan - M.S. Candidate
B.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences) - 2006, SDSU, Brookings, SD
M.S. Research Project:
Assessment of mortality of male Merriam's wild turkeys in the northern Black Hills of South Dakota: influences of harvest regulation changes.
Bret Beasley - M.S. Candidate (Co-advised with Dr. Leigh Fredrickson)
B.S. (Natural Resource Management) - 2004, University of Tennessee - Martin, Martin, TN
M.S. Research Project:
Assessment of above-ground food resources for sandhill cranes in breeding (Idaho), wintering (New Mexico), and migratory (Colorado) habitats.
Sam Cahoy - M.S. Candidate
B.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences) - 2006, SDSU, Brookings, SD
M.S. Research Project:
Mortality rates of male Merriam's wild turkeys in the Black Hills and Bear Lodge Mountains of Wyoming: an assessment of harvest regulation changes.
Lee Erickson - M.S. Candidate (Co-advised with Dr. Susan Rupp)
B.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences) - 2006, SDSU, Brookings, SD
M.S. Research Project:
Grassland bird community development in native warm-season grassland plantings in eastern South Dakota: an assessment of grassland age.
Keith Fisk - M.S. Candidate (Co-advised with Dr. Kristel Bakker)
B.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences) - 2003, SDSU, Brookings, SD
M.S. Research Project:
Nesting success of ring-necked pheasants and waterfowl in relation to landscape characteristics and the predator community on public lands and areas enrolled in the Farmable Wetlands Program in eastern South Dakota.
Mick Hanan - M.S. Candidate (SCEP Student - USFWS Region 3)
B.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences) - 2006, SDSU, Brookings, SD
M.S. Research Project:
Effects of road density changes on breeding bird distribution using long-term land change datasets.
Ashley Hitt - M.S. Candidate (SCEP Student - USFWS Region 3)
B.S. (Wildlife Conservation and Management) - 2003, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
M.S. Research Project:
Restoration of sedge meadow habitats and related avian species at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, MN.
Diana Iriarte - M.S. Candidate (Co-advised with Dr. Leigh Fredrickson) (SCEP Student - USFWS Region 2)
B.A. (Zoology) - 2001, University of Texas, Austin, TX
M.S. Research Project:
Assessment of below-ground food resources for sandhill cranes in breeding (Idaho), wintering (New Mexico), and migratory (Colorado) habitats.
Heidi Jacobsen - M.S. Candidate
B.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences) - 2005, SDSU, Brookings, SD
M.S. Research Project:
Introduction of eastern wild turkeys into agricultural landscapes of eastern South Dakota: evaluation of new and recently established transplants.
Heather McWilliams- M.S. Candidate
B.S. (Biology) - 2007, University of Dallas, Dallas, TX
M.S. Research Project:
Moist-soil habitat management and impacts on waterfowl and waterbird use at LaCreek National Wildlife Refuge, SD.
Casey Mehls - M.S. Candidate
B.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences) - 2007, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI
M.S. Research Project:
Landscape characteristics and land use influences on Ruffed Grouse distribution and abundance in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming.
Travis Runia - M.S. Candidate
B.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences) - 2006, SDSU, Brookings, SD
M.S. Research Project:
The role of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands and landscape influences on the distribution of sharp-tailed grouse and greater prairie chicken populations in eastern South Dakota.
Chris Swanson - Ph.D. Program (SCEP Student - USFWS Region 4)
B.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences) - 2002, SDSU, Brookings, SD
M.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences) - 2005, SDSU, Brookings, SD
Ph.D. Research Project:
Winter ecology of Greater sage-grouse in North and South Dakota.
Ryan Williamson - M.S. Candidate
B.S. (Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences) - 2005, SDSU, Brookings, SD
M.S. Research Project:
Impacts of oil and gas development on the reproduction of sharp-tailed grouse on the Little Missouri National Grasslands, North Dakota.
International Activities:
Dr. Jensen has been active in partnerships with Unidad Académica Campesina - Carmen Pampa, a university dedicated to the education of the indigenous peoples in the Yungas region of Bolivia, and Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England. He is acting as an undergraduate thesis advisor to students at UAC-Carmen Pampa, and as a host to students from Manchester Metropolitan University who wish to travel to the United States to conduct research toward completion of their graduate education at MMU.
Completed Graduate Students and their Current Positions:
Nan (Jessica) Clarke (M.S. 2006) - Graduate Work in Human Nutrition, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Katie Herman-Brunson (M.S. 2007) - Science Lab Coordinator, Gillette School District, Gillette, WY
Nick Kaczor (M.S. 2008) - Wildlife Biologist, Bureau of Land Management, Rock Springs, WY
Kristine Marvill (M.S. 2007 - Biological Sciences) - Instructor, Western Dakota Tech, Rapid City, SD
Joanna Murray (M.S., 2005) - Wildlife Biologist, Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs, SD
Mark Norton (M.S., 2005) - Private Lands Habitat Biologist, Ducks Unlimited, Morris, MN
Ashly Steinke (M.S. 2006) - PhD Student (Prairie Chicken Reintroductions), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI