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• 1. [Article] Irrigation, Power, and Salmon: The Case for Voluntary Water Transfers in the Columbia Basin

  This paper begins with a brief history of water law in the west, illustrating the roots of conflict over water allocation. A more detailed examination of activities in the Columbia Basin follows, describing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Irrigation, Power, and Salmon: The Case for Voluntary Water Transfers in the Columbia Basin Author: Kuhner, Eric Year: 1996 This paper begins with a brief history of water law in the west, illustrating the roots of conflict over water allocation. A more detailed examination of activities in the Columbia Basin follows, describing the many parties affected by issues of water use and the overlapping institutional structures that govern the river and its water. Sources of pressure to change the current pattern of water use are then considered. These include requirements to protect endangered salmon runs and the change over time in the relative values of water for power production and irrigation. This section demonstrates how changes in the value of resources can create conflict when resource allocations are inflexible. Alternative approaches to water allocation are then detailed. An argument is made that water use on the Columbia should be flexible, and that the ability to transfer water more easily from one use to another would be beneficial. The potential economic, social, and environmental benefits and costs of water transfers are also considered. The final section of the paper looks at barriers to water transfers and recommendations for institutional change. The section offers examples of market structures and policy options that might overcome some of the obstacles to water transfers. The argument for a more flexible system of water allocation is then summarized. Title: Irrigation, Power, and Salmon: The Case for Voluntary Water Transfers in the Columbia Basin Author: Kuhner, Eric Year: 1996 This paper begins with a brief history of water law in the west, illustrating the roots of conflict over water allocation. A more detailed examination of activities in the Columbia Basin follows, describing the many parties affected by issues of water use and the overlapping institutional structures that govern the river and its water. Sources of pressure to change the current pattern of water use are then considered. These include requirements to protect endangered salmon runs and the change over time in the relative values of water for power production and irrigation. This section demonstrates how changes in the value of resources can create conflict when resource allocations are inflexible. Alternative approaches to water allocation are then detailed. An argument is made that water use on the Columbia should be flexible, and that the ability to transfer water more easily from one use to another would be beneficial. The potential economic, social, and environmental benefits and costs of water transfers are also considered. The final section of the paper looks at barriers to water transfers and recommendations for institutional change. The section offers examples of market structures and policy options that might overcome some of the obstacles to water transfers. The argument for a more flexible system of water allocation is then summarized. Close

• 2. [Article] Green Roofs and Urban Biodiversity: Their Role as Invertebrate Habitat and the Effect of Design on Beetle Community

  With over half the world's population now living in cities, urban areas represent one of earth's few ecosystems that are increasing in extent, and are sites of altered biogeochemical cycles, habitat fragmentation, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Green Roofs and Urban Biodiversity: Their Role as Invertebrate Habitat and the Effect of Design on Beetle Community Author: Gonsalves, Sydney Marie Year: 2016 With over half the world's population now living in cities, urban areas represent one of earth's few ecosystems that are increasing in extent, and are sites of altered biogeochemical cycles, habitat fragmentation, and changes in biodiversity. However, urban green spaces, including green roofs, can also provide important pools of biodiversity and contribute to regional gamma diversity, while novel species assemblages can enhance some ecosystem services. Green roofs may also mitigate species loss in urban areas and have been shown to support a surprising diversity of invertebrates, including rare and endangered species. In the first part of this study I reviewed the literature on urban invertebrate communities and diversity to better understand the role of green roofs in providing habitat in the context of the larger urban mosaic. My review concluded that, while other factors such as surrounding land use and connectivity are also important to specific invertebrate taxa, local habitat variables contribute substantially to the structure and diversity of urban invertebrate communities. The importance of local habitat variables in urban green spaces and strong support for the habitat complexity hypothesis in a number of other ecosystems has led to proposals that "biodiverse" roofs--those intentionally designed with varied substrate depth, greater plant diversity, or added elements such as logs or stones--would support greater invertebrate diversity, but there is currently limited peer reviewed data to support this. In order to address the habitat complexity hypothesis in the context of green roofs, in the second part of this study I surveyed three roofs designed primarily for stormwater management, three biodiverse roofs, and five ground-level green spaces, from March until September of 2014 in the Portland metropolitan area. Beetles (Coleoptera) were sampled bi-weekly as representatives of total species diversity. Biodiverse roofs had greater richness, abundance, and diversity of beetle species compared to stormwater roofs, but were not more diverse than ground sites. Both biodiverse roofs and ground sites had approximately 20% native beetle species while stormwater roofs had only 5%. Functional diversity was also higher on biodiverse roofs with an average of seven trophic groups represented, while stormwater roofs averaged only three. Ground sites, biodiverse roofs, and stormwater roofs each grouped distinctively in terms of beetle community composition and biodiverse roof communities were found to be positively correlated with roof age, percent plant cover, average plant height, and plant species richness. These results support the findings of previous studies on the importance of local variables in structuring urban invertebrate communities and suggest that biodiverse design can reliably increase greenroof diversity, with the caution that they remain no replacement for ground level conservation. Title: Green Roofs and Urban Biodiversity: Their Role as Invertebrate Habitat and the Effect of Design on Beetle Community Author: Gonsalves, Sydney Marie Year: 2016 With over half the world's population now living in cities, urban areas represent one of earth's few ecosystems that are increasing in extent, and are sites of altered biogeochemical cycles, habitat fragmentation, and changes in biodiversity. However, urban green spaces, including green roofs, can also provide important pools of biodiversity and contribute to regional gamma diversity, while novel species assemblages can enhance some ecosystem services. Green roofs may also mitigate species loss in urban areas and have been shown to support a surprising diversity of invertebrates, including rare and endangered species. In the first part of this study I reviewed the literature on urban invertebrate communities and diversity to better understand the role of green roofs in providing habitat in the context of the larger urban mosaic. My review concluded that, while other factors such as surrounding land use and connectivity are also important to specific invertebrate taxa, local habitat variables contribute substantially to the structure and diversity of urban invertebrate communities. The importance of local habitat variables in urban green spaces and strong support for the habitat complexity hypothesis in a number of other ecosystems has led to proposals that "biodiverse" roofs--those intentionally designed with varied substrate depth, greater plant diversity, or added elements such as logs or stones--would support greater invertebrate diversity, but there is currently limited peer reviewed data to support this. In order to address the habitat complexity hypothesis in the context of green roofs, in the second part of this study I surveyed three roofs designed primarily for stormwater management, three biodiverse roofs, and five ground-level green spaces, from March until September of 2014 in the Portland metropolitan area. Beetles (Coleoptera) were sampled bi-weekly as representatives of total species diversity. Biodiverse roofs had greater richness, abundance, and diversity of beetle species compared to stormwater roofs, but were not more diverse than ground sites. Both biodiverse roofs and ground sites had approximately 20% native beetle species while stormwater roofs had only 5%. Functional diversity was also higher on biodiverse roofs with an average of seven trophic groups represented, while stormwater roofs averaged only three. Ground sites, biodiverse roofs, and stormwater roofs each grouped distinctively in terms of beetle community composition and biodiverse roof communities were found to be positively correlated with roof age, percent plant cover, average plant height, and plant species richness. These results support the findings of previous studies on the importance of local variables in structuring urban invertebrate communities and suggest that biodiverse design can reliably increase greenroof diversity, with the caution that they remain no replacement for ground level conservation. Close

• 3. [Article] Impacts of Fire and Climate Change on Long-Term Nitrogen Availability and Forest Productivity in the New Jersey Pine Barrens

  Increased wildfires and temperatures due to climate change are expected to have profound effects on forest productivity and nitrogen (N) cycling. Forecasts about how wildfire and climate change will affect ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Impacts of Fire and Climate Change on Long-Term Nitrogen Availability and Forest Productivity in the New Jersey Pine Barrens Author: Lucash, Melissa S., Scheller, Robert M., Kretchun, Alec M., Clark, Kenneth L., Hom, John Year: 2014 Increased wildfires and temperatures due to climate change are expected to have profound effects on forest productivity and nitrogen (N) cycling. Forecasts about how wildfire and climate change will affect forests seldom consider N availability, which may limit forest response to climate change, particularly in fire-prone landscapes. The overall objective of this study was to examine how wildfire and climate change affect long-term mineral N availability in a fire-prone landscape. We employed a commonly used landscape simulation model (LANDIS-II) in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, a landscape characterized by frequent small fires and fire-resilient vegetation. We found that fire had little effect on mineral N, whereas climate change and fire together reduced mineral N by the end of the century. Though N initially limited forest productivity, mineral N was no longer limiting after 50 years. Our results suggest that mineral N is resilient to fire under our current climate but not under climate change. Also, predictions that do not consider N limitation may underestimate short-term but not long-term productivity responses to climate change. Together these results illustrate the importance of including N dynamics when simulating the effects of climate change on forest productivity, particularly in fire-prone regions such as the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Title: Impacts of Fire and Climate Change on Long-Term Nitrogen Availability and Forest Productivity in the New Jersey Pine Barrens Author: Lucash, Melissa S., Scheller, Robert M., Kretchun, Alec M., Clark, Kenneth L., Hom, John Year: 2014 Increased wildfires and temperatures due to climate change are expected to have profound effects on forest productivity and nitrogen (N) cycling. Forecasts about how wildfire and climate change will affect forests seldom consider N availability, which may limit forest response to climate change, particularly in fire-prone landscapes. The overall objective of this study was to examine how wildfire and climate change affect long-term mineral N availability in a fire-prone landscape. We employed a commonly used landscape simulation model (LANDIS-II) in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, a landscape characterized by frequent small fires and fire-resilient vegetation. We found that fire had little effect on mineral N, whereas climate change and fire together reduced mineral N by the end of the century. Though N initially limited forest productivity, mineral N was no longer limiting after 50 years. Our results suggest that mineral N is resilient to fire under our current climate but not under climate change. Also, predictions that do not consider N limitation may underestimate short-term but not long-term productivity responses to climate change. Together these results illustrate the importance of including N dynamics when simulating the effects of climate change on forest productivity, particularly in fire-prone regions such as the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Close

• 4. [Article] Increased Harbor Porpoise Mortality in the Pacific Northwest, USA: Understanding When Higher Levels May be Normal

  In 2006, a marked increase in harbor porpoise Phocoena phocoena strandings were reported in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, resulting in the declaration of an unusual mortality event (UME) for Washington ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Increased Harbor Porpoise Mortality in the Pacific Northwest, USA: Understanding When Higher Levels May be Normal Author: Higgins, Jessica L., Raverty, Stephen A., Norman, Stephanie A., Calambokidis, John, Gaydos, Joseph K., Duffield, Deborah A., Lambourn, Dyanna M., Rice, James M., Hanson, Brad, Wilkinson, Kristin, Jeffries, Steven J., Norberg, Brent, Barre, Lynne Year: 2015 In 2006, a marked increase in harbor porpoise Phocoena phocoena strandings were reported in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, resulting in the declaration of an unusual mortality event (UME) for Washington and Oregon to facilitate investigation into potential causes. The UME was in place during all of 2006 and 2007, and a total of 114 porpoises stranded during this period. Responders examined 95 porpoises; of these, detailed necropsies were conducted on 75 animals. Here we review the findings related to this event and how these compared to the years immediately before and after the UME. Relatively equal numbers among sexes and age classes were represented, and mortalities were attributed to a variety of specific causes, most of which were categorized as trauma or infectious disease. Continued monitoring of strandings during 4 yr following the UME showed no decrease in occurrence. The lack of a single major cause of mortality or evidence of a significant change or event, combined with high levels of strandings over several post- UME years, demonstrated that this was not an actual mortality event but was likely the result of a combination of factors, including: (1) a growing population of harbor porpoises; (2) expansion of harbor porpoises into previously sparsely populated areas in Washington’s inland waters; and (3) a more well established stranding network that resulted in better reporting and response. This finding would not have been possible without the integrated response and investigation undertaken by the stranding network. Title: Increased Harbor Porpoise Mortality in the Pacific Northwest, USA: Understanding When Higher Levels May be Normal Author: Higgins, Jessica L., Raverty, Stephen A., Norman, Stephanie A., Calambokidis, John, Gaydos, Joseph K., Duffield, Deborah A., Lambourn, Dyanna M., Rice, James M., Hanson, Brad, Wilkinson, Kristin, Jeffries, Steven J., Norberg, Brent, Barre, Lynne Year: 2015 In 2006, a marked increase in harbor porpoise Phocoena phocoena strandings were reported in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, resulting in the declaration of an unusual mortality event (UME) for Washington and Oregon to facilitate investigation into potential causes. The UME was in place during all of 2006 and 2007, and a total of 114 porpoises stranded during this period. Responders examined 95 porpoises; of these, detailed necropsies were conducted on 75 animals. Here we review the findings related to this event and how these compared to the years immediately before and after the UME. Relatively equal numbers among sexes and age classes were represented, and mortalities were attributed to a variety of specific causes, most of which were categorized as trauma or infectious disease. Continued monitoring of strandings during 4 yr following the UME showed no decrease in occurrence. The lack of a single major cause of mortality or evidence of a significant change or event, combined with high levels of strandings over several post- UME years, demonstrated that this was not an actual mortality event but was likely the result of a combination of factors, including: (1) a growing population of harbor porpoises; (2) expansion of harbor porpoises into previously sparsely populated areas in Washington’s inland waters; and (3) a more well established stranding network that resulted in better reporting and response. This finding would not have been possible without the integrated response and investigation undertaken by the stranding network. Close

• 5. [Article] Climate Change Effects on Northern Great Lake (USA) Forests: A Case for Preserving Diversity

  Under business as usual (BAU) management, stresses posed by climate change may exceed the ability of Great Lake forests to adapt. Temperature and precipitation projections in the Great Lakes region are ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Climate Change Effects on Northern Great Lake (USA) Forests: A Case for Preserving Diversity Author: Duveneck, Matthew Joshua, Scheller, Robert M., White, Mark A., Handler, Stephen D., Ravenscroft, Catherine Year: 2014 Under business as usual (BAU) management, stresses posed by climate change may exceed the ability of Great Lake forests to adapt. Temperature and precipitation projections in the Great Lakes region are expected to change forest tree species composition and productivity. It is unknown how a change in productivity and/or tree species diversity due to climate change will affect the relationship between diversity and productivity. We assessed how forests in two landscapes (i.e., northern lower Michigan and northeastern Minnesota, USA) would respond to climate change and explored the diversityproductivity relationship under climate change. In addition, we explored how tree species diversity varied across landscapes by soil type, climate, and management. We used a spatially dynamic forest ecosystem model, LANDIS-II, to simulate BAU forest management under three climate scenarios (current climate, low emissions, and high emissions) in each landscape. We found a positive relationship between diversity and productivity only under a high emissions future as productivity declined. Within landscapes, climate change simulations resulted in the highest diversity in the coolest climate regions and lowest diversity in the warmest climate region in Minnesota and Michigan, respectively. Simulated productivity declined in both landscapes under the high emissions climate scenario as species such as balsam fir (Abies balsamea) declined in abundance. In the Great Lakes region, a high emissions future may decrease forest productivity creating a more positive relationship between diversity and productivity. Maintaining a diversity of tree species may become increasingly important to maintain the adaptive capacity of forests. Title: Climate Change Effects on Northern Great Lake (USA) Forests: A Case for Preserving Diversity Author: Duveneck, Matthew Joshua, Scheller, Robert M., White, Mark A., Handler, Stephen D., Ravenscroft, Catherine Year: 2014 Under business as usual (BAU) management, stresses posed by climate change may exceed the ability of Great Lake forests to adapt. Temperature and precipitation projections in the Great Lakes region are expected to change forest tree species composition and productivity. It is unknown how a change in productivity and/or tree species diversity due to climate change will affect the relationship between diversity and productivity. We assessed how forests in two landscapes (i.e., northern lower Michigan and northeastern Minnesota, USA) would respond to climate change and explored the diversityproductivity relationship under climate change. In addition, we explored how tree species diversity varied across landscapes by soil type, climate, and management. We used a spatially dynamic forest ecosystem model, LANDIS-II, to simulate BAU forest management under three climate scenarios (current climate, low emissions, and high emissions) in each landscape. We found a positive relationship between diversity and productivity only under a high emissions future as productivity declined. Within landscapes, climate change simulations resulted in the highest diversity in the coolest climate regions and lowest diversity in the warmest climate region in Minnesota and Michigan, respectively. Simulated productivity declined in both landscapes under the high emissions climate scenario as species such as balsam fir (Abies balsamea) declined in abundance. In the Great Lakes region, a high emissions future may decrease forest productivity creating a more positive relationship between diversity and productivity. Maintaining a diversity of tree species may become increasingly important to maintain the adaptive capacity of forests. Close

• 6. [Article] Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species of Oregon

  Extinction is a natural process. Today, however, plant and animal species are disappearing world-wide at an accelerated pace. Based on current trends, half of the species on earth will be extinct within ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species of Oregon Author: Kagan, James S., Vrilakas, Sue, Gaines, Eleanor P., Alton, Cliff, McArthur, Fern, Walsh, Kuuipo, Scheuering, Eric, Christy, John A., Hak, Jon, Tobalske, Claudine, Weiland, Annie, Koloszar, Theresa, Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center Year: 2004 Extinction is a natural process. Today, however, plant and animal species are disappearing world-wide at an accelerated pace. Based on current trends, half of the species on earth will be extinct within the next 100 years. The major cause of this phenomenon is large-scale destruction of native habitats, which has increased since European settlement began in the mid 1800's - in Oregon and throughout the New World. Once lost, a species can never be recovered, and there is no way of knowing how useful it may have been. We do know that human beings and many of their industries depend on plant and animal products. About 50% of all pharmaceuticals have a natural component as an active ingredient, yet less than one percent of the world's species have been chemically analyzed and tested. Many invertebrates and plants contain undescribed and highly functional compounds. Limnanthes floccosa subsp. grandiflora, or wooly meadow-foam, a rare plant that grows in southwest Oregon, has been recently found to produce a hybrid with the more common member of the genus, Limnanthes alba. This hybrid grows well in the poorly drained soils of the Willamette Valley and produces a valuable oil used for soaps, plastic and rubber production. In addition, the new hybrid meadow-foam does not require the field burning necessary for other crops. This species, and many other Oregon natives, will be lost without intervention. The purpose of this publication is to provide land managers, owners and interested parties with a list of those species in Oregon which are in greatest jeopardy. Title: Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species of Oregon Author: Kagan, James S., Vrilakas, Sue, Gaines, Eleanor P., Alton, Cliff, McArthur, Fern, Walsh, Kuuipo, Scheuering, Eric, Christy, John A., Hak, Jon, Tobalske, Claudine, Weiland, Annie, Koloszar, Theresa, Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center Year: 2004 Extinction is a natural process. Today, however, plant and animal species are disappearing world-wide at an accelerated pace. Based on current trends, half of the species on earth will be extinct within the next 100 years. The major cause of this phenomenon is large-scale destruction of native habitats, which has increased since European settlement began in the mid 1800's - in Oregon and throughout the New World. Once lost, a species can never be recovered, and there is no way of knowing how useful it may have been. We do know that human beings and many of their industries depend on plant and animal products. About 50% of all pharmaceuticals have a natural component as an active ingredient, yet less than one percent of the world's species have been chemically analyzed and tested. Many invertebrates and plants contain undescribed and highly functional compounds. Limnanthes floccosa subsp. grandiflora, or wooly meadow-foam, a rare plant that grows in southwest Oregon, has been recently found to produce a hybrid with the more common member of the genus, Limnanthes alba. This hybrid grows well in the poorly drained soils of the Willamette Valley and produces a valuable oil used for soaps, plastic and rubber production. In addition, the new hybrid meadow-foam does not require the field burning necessary for other crops. This species, and many other Oregon natives, will be lost without intervention. The purpose of this publication is to provide land managers, owners and interested parties with a list of those species in Oregon which are in greatest jeopardy. Close

• 7. [Article] Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species of Oregon

  Extinction is a natural process. Today, however, plant and animal species are disappearing world-wide at an accelerated pace. Based on current trends, half of the species on earth will be extinct within ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species of Oregon Author: Kagan, James S., Vrilakas, Sue, Gaines, Eleanor P., Alton, Cliff, Koepke, Lindsey, Christy, John A., Doyle, Erin Year: 2010 Extinction is a natural process. Today, however, plant and animal species are disappearing world-wide at an accelerated pace. Based on current trends, half of the species on earth will be extinct within the next 100 years. The major cause of this phenomenon is human caused changes to the environment, which continue to increase - in Oregon and throughout the world. Once lost, a species can never be recovered, and there is no way of knowing how useful it may have been. We do know that human beings and many of their industries depend on plant and animal products. About 50% of all pharmaceuticals have a natural component as an active ingredient, yet less than one percent of the world's species have been chemically analyzed and tested. Many invertebrates and plants contain undescribed and highly functional compounds. Limnanthes floccosa subsp. grandiflora, or wooly meadow-foam, a rare plant that grows in southwest Oregon, has been recently found to produce a hybrid with the more common member of the genus, Limnanthes alba. This hybrid grows well in the poorly drained soils of the Willamette Valley and produces a valuable oil used for soaps, plastic and rubber production. In addition, the new hybrid meadow-foam does not require the field burning necessary for other crops. This species, and many other Oregon natives, will be lost without intervention. The purpose of this publication is to provide land managers, owners and interested parties with a list of those species in Oregon which are in greatest jeopardy. Title: Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species of Oregon Author: Kagan, James S., Vrilakas, Sue, Gaines, Eleanor P., Alton, Cliff, Koepke, Lindsey, Christy, John A., Doyle, Erin Year: 2010 Extinction is a natural process. Today, however, plant and animal species are disappearing world-wide at an accelerated pace. Based on current trends, half of the species on earth will be extinct within the next 100 years. The major cause of this phenomenon is human caused changes to the environment, which continue to increase - in Oregon and throughout the world. Once lost, a species can never be recovered, and there is no way of knowing how useful it may have been. We do know that human beings and many of their industries depend on plant and animal products. About 50% of all pharmaceuticals have a natural component as an active ingredient, yet less than one percent of the world's species have been chemically analyzed and tested. Many invertebrates and plants contain undescribed and highly functional compounds. Limnanthes floccosa subsp. grandiflora, or wooly meadow-foam, a rare plant that grows in southwest Oregon, has been recently found to produce a hybrid with the more common member of the genus, Limnanthes alba. This hybrid grows well in the poorly drained soils of the Willamette Valley and produces a valuable oil used for soaps, plastic and rubber production. In addition, the new hybrid meadow-foam does not require the field burning necessary for other crops. This species, and many other Oregon natives, will be lost without intervention. The purpose of this publication is to provide land managers, owners and interested parties with a list of those species in Oregon which are in greatest jeopardy. Close

• 8. [Article] Ecological Homogenization of Urban USA

  A visually apparent but scientifically untested outcome of land-use change is homogenization across urban areas, where neighborhoods in different parts of the country have similar patterns of roads, residential ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Ecological Homogenization of Urban USA Author: Groffman, Peter M., Cavender-Bares, Jeannine, Bettez, Neil D., Grove, J. Morgan, Hall, Sharon J., Heffernan, James B., Hobbie, Sarah E., Larson, Kelli L., Morse, Jennifer L., Neill, Christopher, Nelson, Kristen C., O'Neil-Dunne, Jarlath, Pataki, Diane E., Polsky, Colin, Chowdhury, Rinku Roy, Steele, Meredith K. Year: 2014 A visually apparent but scientifically untested outcome of land-use change is homogenization across urban areas, where neighborhoods in different parts of the country have similar patterns of roads, residential lots, commercial areas, and aquatic features. We hypothesize that this homogenization extends to ecological structure and also to ecosystem functions such as carbon dynamics and microclimate, with continental-scale implications. Further, we suggest that understanding urban homogenization will provide the basis for understanding the impacts of urban land-use change from local to continental scales. Here, we show how multi-scale, multi-disciplinary datasets from six metropolitan areas that cover the major climatic regions of the US (Phoenix, AZ; Miami, FL; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Minneapolis–St Paul, MN; and Los Angeles, CA) can be used to determine how household and neighborhood characteristics correlate with land-management practices, land-cover composition, and landscape structure and ecosystem functions at local, regional, and continental scales. Title: Ecological Homogenization of Urban USA Author: Groffman, Peter M., Cavender-Bares, Jeannine, Bettez, Neil D., Grove, J. Morgan, Hall, Sharon J., Heffernan, James B., Hobbie, Sarah E., Larson, Kelli L., Morse, Jennifer L., Neill, Christopher, Nelson, Kristen C., O'Neil-Dunne, Jarlath, Pataki, Diane E., Polsky, Colin, Chowdhury, Rinku Roy, Steele, Meredith K. Year: 2014 A visually apparent but scientifically untested outcome of land-use change is homogenization across urban areas, where neighborhoods in different parts of the country have similar patterns of roads, residential lots, commercial areas, and aquatic features. We hypothesize that this homogenization extends to ecological structure and also to ecosystem functions such as carbon dynamics and microclimate, with continental-scale implications. Further, we suggest that understanding urban homogenization will provide the basis for understanding the impacts of urban land-use change from local to continental scales. Here, we show how multi-scale, multi-disciplinary datasets from six metropolitan areas that cover the major climatic regions of the US (Phoenix, AZ; Miami, FL; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Minneapolis–St Paul, MN; and Los Angeles, CA) can be used to determine how household and neighborhood characteristics correlate with land-management practices, land-cover composition, and landscape structure and ecosystem functions at local, regional, and continental scales. Close

• 9. [Article] Exploring, Exploiting and Evolving Diversity of Aquatic Ecosystem Models: a Community Perspective

  Here, we present a community perspective on how to explore, exploit and evolve the diversity in aquatic ecosystem models. These models play an important role in understanding the functioning of aquatic ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Exploring, Exploiting and Evolving Diversity of Aquatic Ecosystem Models: a Community Perspective Author: Janssen, Annette B.G., Arhonditsis, George B., Beusen, Arthur, Bolding, Karsten, Bruce, Louise, Bruggeman, Jorn, Couture, Raoul-Marie, Downing, Andrea S., Elliott, J. Alex, Frassl, Marieke A., Gal, Gideon, Gerla, Daan J., Hipsey, Matthew R., Hu, Fenjuan, Ives, Stephen C., Janse, Jan H., Jeppesen, Erik, Jöhnk, Klaus D., Kneis, David, Kong, Xiangzhen, Kuiper, Jan J., Lehmann, Moritz K., Lemmen, Carsten, Özkundakci, Deniz, Petzoldt, Thomas, Rinke, Karsten, Robson, Barbara J., Sachse, René, Schep, Sebastiaan A., Schmid, Martin, Scholten, Huub, Teurlincx, Sven, Trolle, Dennis, Troost, Tineke A., Van Dam, Anne A., Van Gerven, Luuk P.A., Weijerman, Mariska, Wells, Scott A., Mooij, Wolf M. Year: 2015 Here, we present a community perspective on how to explore, exploit and evolve the diversity in aquatic ecosystem models. These models play an important role in understanding the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, filling in observation gaps and developing effective strategies for water quality management. In this spirit, numerous models have been developed since the 1970s. We set off to explore model diversity by making an inventory among 42 aquatic ecosystem modellers, by categorizing the resulting set of models and by analysing them for diversity. We then focus on how to exploit model diversity by comparing and combining different aspects of existing models. Finally, we discuss how model diversity came about in the past and could evolve in the future. Throughout our study, we use analogies from biodiversity research to analyse and interpret model diversity. We recommend to make models publicly available through open-source policies, to standardize documentation and technical implementation of models, and to compare models through ensemble modelling and interdisciplinary approaches. We end with our perspective on how the field of aquatic ecosystem modelling might develop in the next 5–10 years. To strive for clarity and to improve readability for non-modellers, we include a glossary. Title: Exploring, Exploiting and Evolving Diversity of Aquatic Ecosystem Models: a Community Perspective Author: Janssen, Annette B.G., Arhonditsis, George B., Beusen, Arthur, Bolding, Karsten, Bruce, Louise, Bruggeman, Jorn, Couture, Raoul-Marie, Downing, Andrea S., Elliott, J. Alex, Frassl, Marieke A., Gal, Gideon, Gerla, Daan J., Hipsey, Matthew R., Hu, Fenjuan, Ives, Stephen C., Janse, Jan H., Jeppesen, Erik, Jöhnk, Klaus D., Kneis, David, Kong, Xiangzhen, Kuiper, Jan J., Lehmann, Moritz K., Lemmen, Carsten, Özkundakci, Deniz, Petzoldt, Thomas, Rinke, Karsten, Robson, Barbara J., Sachse, René, Schep, Sebastiaan A., Schmid, Martin, Scholten, Huub, Teurlincx, Sven, Trolle, Dennis, Troost, Tineke A., Van Dam, Anne A., Van Gerven, Luuk P.A., Weijerman, Mariska, Wells, Scott A., Mooij, Wolf M. Year: 2015 Here, we present a community perspective on how to explore, exploit and evolve the diversity in aquatic ecosystem models. These models play an important role in understanding the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, filling in observation gaps and developing effective strategies for water quality management. In this spirit, numerous models have been developed since the 1970s. We set off to explore model diversity by making an inventory among 42 aquatic ecosystem modellers, by categorizing the resulting set of models and by analysing them for diversity. We then focus on how to exploit model diversity by comparing and combining different aspects of existing models. Finally, we discuss how model diversity came about in the past and could evolve in the future. Throughout our study, we use analogies from biodiversity research to analyse and interpret model diversity. We recommend to make models publicly available through open-source policies, to standardize documentation and technical implementation of models, and to compare models through ensemble modelling and interdisciplinary approaches. We end with our perspective on how the field of aquatic ecosystem modelling might develop in the next 5–10 years. To strive for clarity and to improve readability for non-modellers, we include a glossary. Close

• 10. [Article] Green Roofs Support a Wide Diversity of Collembola in Urban Portland, Oregon

  Green roofs can help address habitat loss in urban areas by supporting plant and animal communities. To determine whether green roofs can support collembola biodiversity, we collected pitfall samples from ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Green Roofs Support a Wide Diversity of Collembola in Urban Portland, Oregon Author: Miziolek, Konrad Year: 2015 Green roofs can help address habitat loss in urban areas by supporting plant and animal communities. To determine whether green roofs can support collembola biodiversity, we collected pitfall samples from April-June 2015 on two extensive and two intensive green roofs in urban Portland, Oregon. Twenty morphospecies were found across the roofs, indicating that green roofs support a diversity of collembola taxa. The intensive roofs were more biodiverse than the extensive, though roof type may not be the most significant factor affecting collembolan biodiversity. Each of the four green roofs were characterized by a different and unique most dominant morphospecies, and, indeed, each roof possessed a different set of top-three abundant collembola taxa. While green roofs support moderate collembola diversity, preserving natural habitat is important to maintain species richness. Title: Green Roofs Support a Wide Diversity of Collembola in Urban Portland, Oregon Author: Miziolek, Konrad Year: 2015 Green roofs can help address habitat loss in urban areas by supporting plant and animal communities. To determine whether green roofs can support collembola biodiversity, we collected pitfall samples from April-June 2015 on two extensive and two intensive green roofs in urban Portland, Oregon. Twenty morphospecies were found across the roofs, indicating that green roofs support a diversity of collembola taxa. The intensive roofs were more biodiverse than the extensive, though roof type may not be the most significant factor affecting collembolan biodiversity. Each of the four green roofs were characterized by a different and unique most dominant morphospecies, and, indeed, each roof possessed a different set of top-three abundant collembola taxa. While green roofs support moderate collembola diversity, preserving natural habitat is important to maintain species richness. Close