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• 31. [Article] Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-1999

  Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-1999 Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining Willamette Valley prairies for at least 1000 years, prescribed burning is a top choice of managers for preventing encroachment of woody species. However, the effects of prescribed burning on present day wetland prairie communities, with their mix of native and non-native species, are not clear. Moreover, because strict governmental requirements for smoke management hinder prescribed burning, natural-area managers are considering alternatives to fire, like mowing and hand removal of woody plants. The present study explored the ecological interactions of a wetland prairie by experimentally testing the responses of burning, hand-removal of woody species, and mowing with removal of cut material on woody plants and key native and non-native grasses and forbs. We evaluated these perturbations for their effectiveness in meeting management objectives of reducing abundance of woody species, reducing or preventing an increase in abundance of nonnative pest species, and increasing or at least maintaining native species’ abundance. After three treatments periods (1994, 1996, and 1998) the following patterns emerged: • Woody species Burning and hand-removal consistently caused the greatest reduction in cover of woody species. Mowing with removal of cut material did not reduce the abundance of woody species compared to the control. As woody plant cover decreased, plant mortality increased, indicating that treatments influenced woody plant cover at least partially through changes in survival. • Native herbaceous species All management treatments consistently failed to significantly increase the cover of Deschampsia cespitosa, while burning decreased the number of inflorescences. As a group, native graminoid flowering consistently showed no significant responses to the management treatments. Although burning and hand-removal significantly increased the cover of native forbs as group after the second treatment period in 1997, native forbs showed no significant responses to treatments in 1999. • Non-native herbaceous species Response of non-native forb cover to management treatments has been inconsistent during the five year study period with no significant differences in 1995, significant reductions by burning and hand-removal in 1997, and increases with mowing in 1997. Mowing consistently increased flowering of nonnative graminoids as a group. Overall no treatment was clearly superior in fulfilling restoration objectives. Burning was effective in reducing woody cover and did not promote non-native herbaceous, but it reduced the flowering the dominant native grass, Deschampsia cespitosa. Hand-removal woody species was also effective at reducing woody cover and sometimes promoted the abundance of some native species at different times, but it also at times promoted non-native herbaceous species. Because mowing with removal of cut material was ineffective in reducing woody cover and tended to promote non-native herbaceous species, this treatment is not a recommended management strategy. Title: Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-1999 Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining Willamette Valley prairies for at least 1000 years, prescribed burning is a top choice of managers for preventing encroachment of woody species. However, the effects of prescribed burning on present day wetland prairie communities, with their mix of native and non-native species, are not clear. Moreover, because strict governmental requirements for smoke management hinder prescribed burning, natural-area managers are considering alternatives to fire, like mowing and hand removal of woody plants. The present study explored the ecological interactions of a wetland prairie by experimentally testing the responses of burning, hand-removal of woody species, and mowing with removal of cut material on woody plants and key native and non-native grasses and forbs. We evaluated these perturbations for their effectiveness in meeting management objectives of reducing abundance of woody species, reducing or preventing an increase in abundance of nonnative pest species, and increasing or at least maintaining native species’ abundance. After three treatments periods (1994, 1996, and 1998) the following patterns emerged: • Woody species Burning and hand-removal consistently caused the greatest reduction in cover of woody species. Mowing with removal of cut material did not reduce the abundance of woody species compared to the control. As woody plant cover decreased, plant mortality increased, indicating that treatments influenced woody plant cover at least partially through changes in survival. • Native herbaceous species All management treatments consistently failed to significantly increase the cover of Deschampsia cespitosa, while burning decreased the number of inflorescences. As a group, native graminoid flowering consistently showed no significant responses to the management treatments. Although burning and hand-removal significantly increased the cover of native forbs as group after the second treatment period in 1997, native forbs showed no significant responses to treatments in 1999. • Non-native herbaceous species Response of non-native forb cover to management treatments has been inconsistent during the five year study period with no significant differences in 1995, significant reductions by burning and hand-removal in 1997, and increases with mowing in 1997. Mowing consistently increased flowering of nonnative graminoids as a group. Overall no treatment was clearly superior in fulfilling restoration objectives. Burning was effective in reducing woody cover and did not promote non-native herbaceous, but it reduced the flowering the dominant native grass, Deschampsia cespitosa. Hand-removal woody species was also effective at reducing woody cover and sometimes promoted the abundance of some native species at different times, but it also at times promoted non-native herbaceous species. Because mowing with removal of cut material was ineffective in reducing woody cover and tended to promote non-native herbaceous species, this treatment is not a recommended management strategy. Close

• 32. [Article] Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-2001

  Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-2001 Author: Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining Willamette Valley prairies for at least 1000 years, prescribed burning is a top choice of managers for preventing encroachment of woody species. However, the effects of prescribed burning on present day wetland prairie communities, with their mix of native and non-native species, are not clear. Moreover, because strict governmental requirements for smoke management hinder prescribed burning, natural-area managers are considering alternatives to fire, like mowing and hand-removal of woody plants. The present study explored the ecological interactions of a wetland prairie by experimentally testing the responses of burning, hand-removal of woody species, and mowing with removal of cut material on woody plants and key native and non-native grasses and forbs. We evaluated these perturbations for their effectiveness in meeting management objectives of reducing abundance of woody species, reducing or preventing an increase in abundance of nonnative pest species, and increasing or at least maintaining native species’ abundance. After four treatments periods (1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000) the following patterns emerged: • Woody species Burning and hand-removal of woody plants every two years consistently decreased the cover of woody species, even with a gradual increase in the controls to over double 1994 levels. The change in woody cover after mowing with removal of cut material was not significantly different from that in the control. As woody plant cover decreased, plant mortality increased, indicating that treatments influenced woody plant cover at least partially through changes in survival. • Native herbaceous species None of the treatments had a significant effect after four treatment periods on the proportional change in cover or in number of inflorescences of Deschampsia cespitosa, although the change in number of inflorescences was consistently less than that in the control, including a significant decrease with burning in 1997. As a group, native graminoid species showed no significant differences in flowering response to treatments during any of the four treatment periods. However, burning and mowing consistently promoted flowering of Juncus tenuis. The cover of native forbs as a group was not significantly different from that of the control, with the exception of 1997, where cover increased with burning and hand-removal. Even though native forbs as a group have generally not shown significant differences, individual native forb species have shown positive responses to treatments: Sidalcea cusickii, spp. purpurea, Eriophyllum lanatum, and Sisyrinchium idahoensis. • Non-native herbaceous species Both hand-removal and mowing promoted flowering of non-native graminoids as a group. In contrast, burning maintained levels of flowering of non-native graminoids similar to that of the controls. Cover of non-native forbs as a group showed no significant treatment differences except for 1997, in which significant reductions in cover occurred after burning and hand-removal. The results to date show that prescribed burning is the best option of the three tested management treatments for achieving the restoration goals for native wetland prairies. Because mowing with removal of cut material was ineffective in reducing woody cover and tended to promote non-native herbaceous species, this treatment should be avoided. Title: Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-2001 Author: Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining Willamette Valley prairies for at least 1000 years, prescribed burning is a top choice of managers for preventing encroachment of woody species. However, the effects of prescribed burning on present day wetland prairie communities, with their mix of native and non-native species, are not clear. Moreover, because strict governmental requirements for smoke management hinder prescribed burning, natural-area managers are considering alternatives to fire, like mowing and hand-removal of woody plants. The present study explored the ecological interactions of a wetland prairie by experimentally testing the responses of burning, hand-removal of woody species, and mowing with removal of cut material on woody plants and key native and non-native grasses and forbs. We evaluated these perturbations for their effectiveness in meeting management objectives of reducing abundance of woody species, reducing or preventing an increase in abundance of nonnative pest species, and increasing or at least maintaining native species’ abundance. After four treatments periods (1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000) the following patterns emerged: • Woody species Burning and hand-removal of woody plants every two years consistently decreased the cover of woody species, even with a gradual increase in the controls to over double 1994 levels. The change in woody cover after mowing with removal of cut material was not significantly different from that in the control. As woody plant cover decreased, plant mortality increased, indicating that treatments influenced woody plant cover at least partially through changes in survival. • Native herbaceous species None of the treatments had a significant effect after four treatment periods on the proportional change in cover or in number of inflorescences of Deschampsia cespitosa, although the change in number of inflorescences was consistently less than that in the control, including a significant decrease with burning in 1997. As a group, native graminoid species showed no significant differences in flowering response to treatments during any of the four treatment periods. However, burning and mowing consistently promoted flowering of Juncus tenuis. The cover of native forbs as a group was not significantly different from that of the control, with the exception of 1997, where cover increased with burning and hand-removal. Even though native forbs as a group have generally not shown significant differences, individual native forb species have shown positive responses to treatments: Sidalcea cusickii, spp. purpurea, Eriophyllum lanatum, and Sisyrinchium idahoensis. • Non-native herbaceous species Both hand-removal and mowing promoted flowering of non-native graminoids as a group. In contrast, burning maintained levels of flowering of non-native graminoids similar to that of the controls. Cover of non-native forbs as a group showed no significant treatment differences except for 1997, in which significant reductions in cover occurred after burning and hand-removal. The results to date show that prescribed burning is the best option of the three tested management treatments for achieving the restoration goals for native wetland prairies. Because mowing with removal of cut material was ineffective in reducing woody cover and tended to promote non-native herbaceous species, this treatment should be avoided. 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• 33. [Article] Promoting regeneration of native species In Willamette Valley upland prairies

  Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. Management strategies for increasing the abundance of native species ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Promoting regeneration of native species In Willamette Valley upland prairies Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. Management strategies for increasing the abundance of native species are urgently needed, particularly those strategies that promote the regeneration of native species from seed. The focus of this investigation was to address this need. The general approach was to sow seeds of native species into experimental field plots, which had been burned once, burned repeatedly, mowed, or unmanaged at three sites at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Seedling numbers were then counted one growing season after sowing. To investigate mechanisms for the regeneration responses of species to management treatments, selected abiotic and biotic factors potentially important for seed regeneration were measured in the field plots. Seedling establishment rates in unmanaged plots were relatively small, averaging 9.7% for all three sites. Only one species, Danthonia californica, showed a positive response to the mowing treatment. Of the 13 species sowed in the burn plots, six species (Bromus carinatus, Elymus glacus, Festuca roemeri/rubra, Clarkia quadrivulera, Prunella vulgaris, Sidalcea campestris) had significant more seedlings in the burn plots compared to the unmanaged plots. Seedling establishment of two species, Danthonia californica and Potentilla gracilis, was significantly lower with burn treatments. The other five species showed no significant responses to the burn treatments: Carex tumicola, Calochortus tolmiei, Zygadensus venenosus, Balsamorhiza deltoidea, and Agoseris grandilflora. The strongest fire effects were generally in plots that had been burned only once, rather than plots burned more than once. Abundance of litter and vegetation were the factors that were most often related, both positively and negatively, with seedling establishment rates. Based on the results of this investigation, prescribed burning, rather than mowing, is a more viable management option to promote regeneration of native species from seed in upland prairies. However, prescribed burning must be used with caution as it can reduce seedling establishment rates for some species. Sowing seeds in unmanaged sites is an option, but sowing rates need to be high to compensate for the small seedling establishment rates in unmanaged prairies. Title: Promoting regeneration of native species In Willamette Valley upland prairies Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. Management strategies for increasing the abundance of native species are urgently needed, particularly those strategies that promote the regeneration of native species from seed. The focus of this investigation was to address this need. The general approach was to sow seeds of native species into experimental field plots, which had been burned once, burned repeatedly, mowed, or unmanaged at three sites at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Seedling numbers were then counted one growing season after sowing. To investigate mechanisms for the regeneration responses of species to management treatments, selected abiotic and biotic factors potentially important for seed regeneration were measured in the field plots. Seedling establishment rates in unmanaged plots were relatively small, averaging 9.7% for all three sites. Only one species, Danthonia californica, showed a positive response to the mowing treatment. Of the 13 species sowed in the burn plots, six species (Bromus carinatus, Elymus glacus, Festuca roemeri/rubra, Clarkia quadrivulera, Prunella vulgaris, Sidalcea campestris) had significant more seedlings in the burn plots compared to the unmanaged plots. Seedling establishment of two species, Danthonia californica and Potentilla gracilis, was significantly lower with burn treatments. The other five species showed no significant responses to the burn treatments: Carex tumicola, Calochortus tolmiei, Zygadensus venenosus, Balsamorhiza deltoidea, and Agoseris grandilflora. The strongest fire effects were generally in plots that had been burned only once, rather than plots burned more than once. Abundance of litter and vegetation were the factors that were most often related, both positively and negatively, with seedling establishment rates. Based on the results of this investigation, prescribed burning, rather than mowing, is a more viable management option to promote regeneration of native species from seed in upland prairies. However, prescribed burning must be used with caution as it can reduce seedling establishment rates for some species. Sowing seeds in unmanaged sites is an option, but sowing rates need to be high to compensate for the small seedling establishment rates in unmanaged prairies. Close

• 34. [Article] A Comparison of Conservation Perspectives Between Scientists, Managers, and Industry in the West Coast Groundfish Fishery

  There are several assumptions regarding the behavior and motivations of participants in fishery management that may hinder the effectiveness of the management process. In this research, we examine whether ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Comparison of Conservation Perspectives Between Scientists, Managers, and Industry in the West Coast Groundfish Fishery Author: Sylvia, Gilbert, Harms, John There are several assumptions regarding the behavior and motivations of participants in fishery management that may hinder the effectiveness of the management process. In this research, we examine whether the commercial fishing industry is a homogeneous group whose decision-making is dominated by short-term economic considerations to the detriment of long-term resource conservation. Mail surveys were sent to scientists, managers, and industry members in the West Coast groundfish fishery to examine attitudes on conservation, resource abundance, and biological risk. Results demonstrate that although scientists and industry considered themselves conservation-minded, scientists were relatively critical of industry's conservation ethic. Scientists and industry differed strongly in their perception of resource abundance, but found common ground in their assessments of acceptable levels of biological and economic risks. In general, industry demonstrated considerable diversity in their responses, contradicting assumptions that industry is a monolithic group with little regard for resource conservation. Results indicate a disjuncture between industry's stated concerns and their observed participation in discarding, over-harvesting, or habitat destruction. However, this disjuncture may be the result of misaligned institutional incentives, rather than myopic values and beliefs. This evidence suggests a need to redesign institutions and property rights in order to align the interests of industry, scientists, and managers in conducting effective science and sustainably managing the West Coast groundfish fishery. Title: A Comparison of Conservation Perspectives Between Scientists, Managers, and Industry in the West Coast Groundfish Fishery Author: Sylvia, Gilbert, Harms, John There are several assumptions regarding the behavior and motivations of participants in fishery management that may hinder the effectiveness of the management process. In this research, we examine whether the commercial fishing industry is a homogeneous group whose decision-making is dominated by short-term economic considerations to the detriment of long-term resource conservation. Mail surveys were sent to scientists, managers, and industry members in the West Coast groundfish fishery to examine attitudes on conservation, resource abundance, and biological risk. Results demonstrate that although scientists and industry considered themselves conservation-minded, scientists were relatively critical of industry's conservation ethic. Scientists and industry differed strongly in their perception of resource abundance, but found common ground in their assessments of acceptable levels of biological and economic risks. In general, industry demonstrated considerable diversity in their responses, contradicting assumptions that industry is a monolithic group with little regard for resource conservation. Results indicate a disjuncture between industry's stated concerns and their observed participation in discarding, over-harvesting, or habitat destruction. However, this disjuncture may be the result of misaligned institutional incentives, rather than myopic values and beliefs. This evidence suggests a need to redesign institutions and property rights in order to align the interests of industry, scientists, and managers in conducting effective science and sustainably managing the West Coast groundfish fishery. Close

• 35. [Article] Evaluation of Round Top Butte Jackson County, Oregon for its merit in meeting national significance criteria as a National Natural Landmark to represent Upland Valley Grasslands and Savanna in the North Pacific Border Biophysiographic Province

  The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program encourages the preservation of exceptional examples of the Nation’s biological and geological features. To qualify for NNL designation, a site must be one of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Evaluation of Round Top Butte Jackson County, Oregon for its merit in meeting national significance criteria as a National Natural Landmark to represent Upland Valley Grasslands and Savanna in the North Pacific Border Biophysiographic Province Author: Kagan, James S. The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program encourages the preservation of exceptional examples of the Nation’s biological and geological features. To qualify for NNL designation, a site must be one of the best examples of a geological or biological feature within a biophysiographic province. Round Top Butte includes a basaltic butte and the flat, volcanic plains and small hills south of the butte. The area is a mosaic of dry grassland, ponderosa pine savanna, white oak savanna, and buckbrush chaparral. The grassland, savanna and chaparral habitats are exceptional in that they are mostly dominated by native bunchgrasses, rather than the introduced annual grasses or pasture grasses which dominate most other similar areas in the interior valleys of the Pacific Northwest. The site is also unusual in having savannas and forest composed mostly of large, widely spaced old trees. The Potential Round Top Butte National Natural Landmark is comprised of two protected parcels. One is an established Research Natural Area (RNA) managed by the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This report recommends that Round Top Butte PNNL meets the national significance criteria required for the NNL Program. Title: Evaluation of Round Top Butte Jackson County, Oregon for its merit in meeting national significance criteria as a National Natural Landmark to represent Upland Valley Grasslands and Savanna in the North Pacific Border Biophysiographic Province Author: Kagan, James S. The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program encourages the preservation of exceptional examples of the Nation’s biological and geological features. To qualify for NNL designation, a site must be one of the best examples of a geological or biological feature within a biophysiographic province. Round Top Butte includes a basaltic butte and the flat, volcanic plains and small hills south of the butte. The area is a mosaic of dry grassland, ponderosa pine savanna, white oak savanna, and buckbrush chaparral. The grassland, savanna and chaparral habitats are exceptional in that they are mostly dominated by native bunchgrasses, rather than the introduced annual grasses or pasture grasses which dominate most other similar areas in the interior valleys of the Pacific Northwest. The site is also unusual in having savannas and forest composed mostly of large, widely spaced old trees. The Potential Round Top Butte National Natural Landmark is comprised of two protected parcels. One is an established Research Natural Area (RNA) managed by the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This report recommends that Round Top Butte PNNL meets the national significance criteria required for the NNL Program. Close

• 36. [Article] Biomass harvest of invasive Typha promotes plant diversity in a Great Lakes coastal wetland

  This is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by the Society for Ecological Restoration and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Biomass harvest of invasive Typha promotes plant diversity in a Great Lakes coastal wetland Author: Lishawa, Shane C., Tuchman, Nancy C., Lawrence, Beth A., Albert, Dennis A. This is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by the Society for Ecological Restoration and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. It can be found at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291526-100X Title: Biomass harvest of invasive Typha promotes plant diversity in a Great Lakes coastal wetland Author: Lishawa, Shane C., Tuchman, Nancy C., Lawrence, Beth A., Albert, Dennis A. This is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by the Society for Ecological Restoration and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. It can be found at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291526-100X Close

• 37. [Article] Using Archaeological Fish Remains to Determine the Native Status of Anadromous Salmonids in the Upper Klamath Basin (Oregon, USA) Through mtDNA and Geochemical Analysis

  Within the Upper Klamath Basin, Oregon, the native status of anadromous salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) has been a long standing question. Ongoing efforts to establish if these fish were native to the region ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Using Archaeological Fish Remains to Determine the Native Status of Anadromous Salmonids in the Upper Klamath Basin (Oregon, USA) Through mtDNA and Geochemical Analysis Author: Stevenson, Alexander E. Year: 2011 Within the Upper Klamath Basin, Oregon, the native status of anadromous salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) has been a long standing question. Ongoing efforts to establish if these fish were native to the region prior to the construction of the Copco I Dam on the Klamath River (c.1917) have relied on sparse, contradictory and sometimes unreliable historic documentation and informant testimony. Current restoration projects with very high financial and social costs necessitate accurate and reliable data on salmonid species which once called the region home. Often, archaeolofaunal remains present a novel way to determine species present in an area prior to major habitat losses. This project analyzed fish remains from five previously excavated archaeological sites within the Upper Klamath Basin to determine which salmonid species were present prior to dam construction. A total of 5,859 fish remains were identified to at least taxonomic order using morphological distinctions. Site collections were dominated by those of catostomids (suckers) and cyprinids (minnows). Archaeological deposits at these sites dated as far back as approximately 7,500 BP but were primarily from the last 2,000 years. Only eighty-one salmonid remains were observed within the sites included in this project. The low frequency of salmonid remains in these sites may be the result of cultural and/or natural processes such as density mediated attrition and archaeological sampling. Of these 81 specimens, 38 were subjected to mtDNA analysis for species identification. Seven specimens did not yield DNA sufficient for species identification, six specimens were identified as O. tshawytscha (Chinook) and the remaining 25 specimens were identified as O. mykiss (steelhead or redband trout). Geochemical analysis was used to determine the life history of the fish represented by the remains within these collections. Strontium Calcium (Sr:Ca) ratios were measured on twenty-eight specimens. Three specimens were determined to be from freshwater resident fish and 25 were determined to be from anadromous fish. The specimens which were genetically identified as O. tshawytscha were all determined to be anadromous. Of the 18 specimens which were identified as O. mykiss and were subjected to geochemical analysis two were from freshwater resident fish and sixteen were from anadromous fish. Four samples were not characterized genetically but were subjected to geochemical analysis; three of these were determined to be from anadromous fish and one from a freshwater resident fish. Thus, the remains of anadromous O. mykiss and O. tshawytscha were identified in archaeological deposits predating construction of the Copco I dam in the Upper Klamath Basin While the genetic and geochemical analyses confirm the presence of skeletal remains from anadromous salmonids in the Upper Klamath Basin archaeological sites prior to dam construction these remains may, represent fish caught elsewhere and traded in. Two hypotheses address the introduction of these fish remains into pre-dam archaeological deposits, either they were traded/transported in from elsewhere (Trade/Transport Hypothesis) or they were caught locally (Local Catch Hypothesis). Expectations linked to each of these hypotheses were generated using ethnographic information from across the Pacific Northwest, including modern testimony from the Klamath Basin. Fish heads were often removed soon after capture in order to reduce spoilage of the rest of the fish. Thus, assemblages with many head parts are probably the result of local catch while those without head parts are probably the result of trade and/or transport. Two approaches were used to estimate the extent to which fish heads were deposited in sites. Basic proportions of cranial to post cranial remains from two sites provided a varied picture and did not readily support either the Local Catch or Trade/Transport hypotheses. Evaluation using scaled proportions based on frequency of skeletal elements within the body (Minimum Animal Units) show that four of the five assemblages were dominated by cranial remains and therefore suggest these fish were locally caught. Small samples sizes make it difficult to rigorously evaluate the hypotheses, though the dominance of cranial remains suggests salmonids were taken locally. Together these data indicate that anadromous O. tshawytscha and O. mykiss were taken from waters within the Upper Klamath Basin prior to the construction of Copco I. This study has provided accurate and reliable data, using a novel approach, on which restoration efforts in the region can rely for proper species reintroduction and habitat restoration efforts. Title: Using Archaeological Fish Remains to Determine the Native Status of Anadromous Salmonids in the Upper Klamath Basin (Oregon, USA) Through mtDNA and Geochemical Analysis Author: Stevenson, Alexander E. Year: 2011 Within the Upper Klamath Basin, Oregon, the native status of anadromous salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) has been a long standing question. Ongoing efforts to establish if these fish were native to the region prior to the construction of the Copco I Dam on the Klamath River (c.1917) have relied on sparse, contradictory and sometimes unreliable historic documentation and informant testimony. Current restoration projects with very high financial and social costs necessitate accurate and reliable data on salmonid species which once called the region home. Often, archaeolofaunal remains present a novel way to determine species present in an area prior to major habitat losses. This project analyzed fish remains from five previously excavated archaeological sites within the Upper Klamath Basin to determine which salmonid species were present prior to dam construction. A total of 5,859 fish remains were identified to at least taxonomic order using morphological distinctions. Site collections were dominated by those of catostomids (suckers) and cyprinids (minnows). Archaeological deposits at these sites dated as far back as approximately 7,500 BP but were primarily from the last 2,000 years. Only eighty-one salmonid remains were observed within the sites included in this project. The low frequency of salmonid remains in these sites may be the result of cultural and/or natural processes such as density mediated attrition and archaeological sampling. Of these 81 specimens, 38 were subjected to mtDNA analysis for species identification. Seven specimens did not yield DNA sufficient for species identification, six specimens were identified as O. tshawytscha (Chinook) and the remaining 25 specimens were identified as O. mykiss (steelhead or redband trout). Geochemical analysis was used to determine the life history of the fish represented by the remains within these collections. Strontium Calcium (Sr:Ca) ratios were measured on twenty-eight specimens. Three specimens were determined to be from freshwater resident fish and 25 were determined to be from anadromous fish. The specimens which were genetically identified as O. tshawytscha were all determined to be anadromous. Of the 18 specimens which were identified as O. mykiss and were subjected to geochemical analysis two were from freshwater resident fish and sixteen were from anadromous fish. Four samples were not characterized genetically but were subjected to geochemical analysis; three of these were determined to be from anadromous fish and one from a freshwater resident fish. Thus, the remains of anadromous O. mykiss and O. tshawytscha were identified in archaeological deposits predating construction of the Copco I dam in the Upper Klamath Basin While the genetic and geochemical analyses confirm the presence of skeletal remains from anadromous salmonids in the Upper Klamath Basin archaeological sites prior to dam construction these remains may, represent fish caught elsewhere and traded in. Two hypotheses address the introduction of these fish remains into pre-dam archaeological deposits, either they were traded/transported in from elsewhere (Trade/Transport Hypothesis) or they were caught locally (Local Catch Hypothesis). Expectations linked to each of these hypotheses were generated using ethnographic information from across the Pacific Northwest, including modern testimony from the Klamath Basin. Fish heads were often removed soon after capture in order to reduce spoilage of the rest of the fish. Thus, assemblages with many head parts are probably the result of local catch while those without head parts are probably the result of trade and/or transport. Two approaches were used to estimate the extent to which fish heads were deposited in sites. Basic proportions of cranial to post cranial remains from two sites provided a varied picture and did not readily support either the Local Catch or Trade/Transport hypotheses. Evaluation using scaled proportions based on frequency of skeletal elements within the body (Minimum Animal Units) show that four of the five assemblages were dominated by cranial remains and therefore suggest these fish were locally caught. Small samples sizes make it difficult to rigorously evaluate the hypotheses, though the dominance of cranial remains suggests salmonids were taken locally. Together these data indicate that anadromous O. tshawytscha and O. mykiss were taken from waters within the Upper Klamath Basin prior to the construction of Copco I. This study has provided accurate and reliable data, using a novel approach, on which restoration efforts in the region can rely for proper species reintroduction and habitat restoration efforts. Close

• 38. [Article] Vertical Zoning in Marine Protected Areas: Ecological Considerations for Balancing Pelagic Fishing with Conservation of Benthic Communities

  Marine protected areas (MPAs), ideally, manage human uses that threaten ecosystems, or components of ecosystems. During several recent MPA designation processes, concerns have arisen over the scientific ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Vertical Zoning in Marine Protected Areas: Ecological Considerations for Balancing Pelagic Fishing with Conservation of Benthic Communities Author: Gleason, Danny, Boulon, Rafe, Field, John, Beets, Jim, Grober-Dunsmore, Rikki, Berkeley, Steve, Crowder, Larry, Miller, Marc, Brodeur, Richard, Bohnsack, Jim, Wahle, Charles, Morgan, Lance, Ainsworth, Cameron, Wooninck, Lisa, Lindberg, Bill, Kaufman, Les, Hixon, Mark, Brodziak, John Marine protected areas (MPAs), ideally, manage human uses that threaten ecosystems, or components of ecosystems. During several recent MPA designation processes, concerns have arisen over the scientific justification for no-take MPAs, particularly those that restrict recreational fishing for pelagic species. An important question is: under what conditions might recreational pelagic fishing be compatible with the conservation goals of an MPA that is primarily focused on benthic Communities? In 2005, an expert workshop of fisheries biologists, marine ecologists, MPA managers, and recreational fishermen was convened by NOAAs National MPA Center to evaluate the limited empirical data on benthic-pelagic coupling and to help provide practical advice on this topic. The participants (i) proposed a preliminary conceptual framework for addressing vertical zoning, (ii) developed preliminary guidelines to consider when evaluating whether to allow or restrict pelagic fishing in an MPA, and (iii) identified future research priorities for understanding benthic-pelagic Coupling. A Suite of ecological conditions where recreational pelagic fishing may not be compatible with benthic conservation were identified: (1) high relief habitats, (2) depths shallower than 50-100 m (depending upon the specific location), (3) major topographic and oceanographic features, and (4) spawning areas. Similarly, pelagic fishing is not likely to affect benthic communities adversely in many circumstances. Until further scientific study can shed more light on the issue of how benthic-pelagic linkages affect specific conservation targets, the proposed framework in this manuscript provides practical, easily-applied guidance for using vertical zoning to manage fishing in multiple use MPAs that focus on benthic conservation. Title: Vertical Zoning in Marine Protected Areas: Ecological Considerations for Balancing Pelagic Fishing with Conservation of Benthic Communities Author: Gleason, Danny, Boulon, Rafe, Field, John, Beets, Jim, Grober-Dunsmore, Rikki, Berkeley, Steve, Crowder, Larry, Miller, Marc, Brodeur, Richard, Bohnsack, Jim, Wahle, Charles, Morgan, Lance, Ainsworth, Cameron, Wooninck, Lisa, Lindberg, Bill, Kaufman, Les, Hixon, Mark, Brodziak, John Marine protected areas (MPAs), ideally, manage human uses that threaten ecosystems, or components of ecosystems. During several recent MPA designation processes, concerns have arisen over the scientific justification for no-take MPAs, particularly those that restrict recreational fishing for pelagic species. An important question is: under what conditions might recreational pelagic fishing be compatible with the conservation goals of an MPA that is primarily focused on benthic Communities? In 2005, an expert workshop of fisheries biologists, marine ecologists, MPA managers, and recreational fishermen was convened by NOAAs National MPA Center to evaluate the limited empirical data on benthic-pelagic coupling and to help provide practical advice on this topic. The participants (i) proposed a preliminary conceptual framework for addressing vertical zoning, (ii) developed preliminary guidelines to consider when evaluating whether to allow or restrict pelagic fishing in an MPA, and (iii) identified future research priorities for understanding benthic-pelagic Coupling. A Suite of ecological conditions where recreational pelagic fishing may not be compatible with benthic conservation were identified: (1) high relief habitats, (2) depths shallower than 50-100 m (depending upon the specific location), (3) major topographic and oceanographic features, and (4) spawning areas. Similarly, pelagic fishing is not likely to affect benthic communities adversely in many circumstances. Until further scientific study can shed more light on the issue of how benthic-pelagic linkages affect specific conservation targets, the proposed framework in this manuscript provides practical, easily-applied guidance for using vertical zoning to manage fishing in multiple use MPAs that focus on benthic conservation. Close

• 39. [Article] Plant traits – a tool for restoration?

  Question: Most results of restoration efforts are species-specific and/or site-specific and therefore are not general enough to be easily applied to other species and other sites. Our research addresses ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Plant traits – a tool for restoration? Author: Wilson, Mark V., Kaye, Thomas N., Roberts, Rachel, Dunwiddie, Peter W., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950-, Stanley, Amanda Question: Most results of restoration efforts are species-specific and/or site-specific and therefore are not general enough to be easily applied to other species and other sites. Our research addresses the issue of species-specific results by investigating the feasibility of using plant traits instead of taxonomic species to characterize species responses to restoration treatments. Specifically, we test the explanatory power of plant traits, one necessary prerequisite for the development of predictive and general plant trait models. Location: Ten remnant bunchgrass prairie sites in the Pacific Northwest of North America (Oregon and Washington, USA; British Columbia, Canada). Methods: We developed two types of quantitative models for each of 10 prairie restoration sites: 1) plant trait models, which related plant traits to species field responses following restoration management treatments, and 2) species identity models, which related species taxonomic identity to species field responses following restoration management treatments. Species identity models determined the maximum amount of variability of field responses that can be explained by differences in individual species’ responses to management treatments. Plant trait models determined what proportion of this explanatory power can be attributed to plant traits. This approach contrasts with approaches often used in other plant trait studies that describe how traits vary with environmental conditions. Specifically, we used these two models to address the following questions: 1) How much of the variability in field responses of plants to restoration management treatments is explained by plant traits? 2) How well do plant traits explain the variability of field responses following restoration management treatments compared to models relating field responses to species identity? Our approach was to measure two aspects of explanatory power: R2 (variability explained) and AIC (a measure of model fit that accounts for parsimony, i.e., how well a model fits the data with relatively few explanatory variables). Results: 1) The plant trait models (relating plant traits with plant field responses) explained much of the variability within each of the ten restoration sites, with R2 values ranging between 31% and 69%. 2) The species identity models (relating species taxonomic identity with plant field responses) explained between 47% and 74% of variability in field performance (R2). Thus, the plant trait models explained nearly as much variability as the species identity models. In seven out of nine sites, the plant trait models were superior to the species identity models as measured by AIC; that is, the trait models did well at explaining variability with less model complexity (i.e., fewer explanatory variables). Conclusion: Development of general and predictive plant trait models is a multi-step process. Strong explanatory power by plant trait models, both on an absolute scale and as compared to species identity models, supports the feasibility of using plant traits instead of species taxonomic identity as a common language to characterize plant field responses to restoration treatments. Such high explanatory power is one necessary pre-requisite for the development of predictive and general plant trait models. Our results also indicate that the plant trait models are site-specific even though all sites were upland bunchgrass remnant prairies. We discuss the next steps in the development of more general and predictive models: incorporating environmental factors into the plant trait models to address the issue of site-specificity and testing the power of these models to predict vegetation responses. Title: Plant traits – a tool for restoration? Author: Wilson, Mark V., Kaye, Thomas N., Roberts, Rachel, Dunwiddie, Peter W., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950-, Stanley, Amanda Question: Most results of restoration efforts are species-specific and/or site-specific and therefore are not general enough to be easily applied to other species and other sites. Our research addresses the issue of species-specific results by investigating the feasibility of using plant traits instead of taxonomic species to characterize species responses to restoration treatments. Specifically, we test the explanatory power of plant traits, one necessary prerequisite for the development of predictive and general plant trait models. Location: Ten remnant bunchgrass prairie sites in the Pacific Northwest of North America (Oregon and Washington, USA; British Columbia, Canada). Methods: We developed two types of quantitative models for each of 10 prairie restoration sites: 1) plant trait models, which related plant traits to species field responses following restoration management treatments, and 2) species identity models, which related species taxonomic identity to species field responses following restoration management treatments. Species identity models determined the maximum amount of variability of field responses that can be explained by differences in individual species’ responses to management treatments. Plant trait models determined what proportion of this explanatory power can be attributed to plant traits. This approach contrasts with approaches often used in other plant trait studies that describe how traits vary with environmental conditions. Specifically, we used these two models to address the following questions: 1) How much of the variability in field responses of plants to restoration management treatments is explained by plant traits? 2) How well do plant traits explain the variability of field responses following restoration management treatments compared to models relating field responses to species identity? Our approach was to measure two aspects of explanatory power: R2 (variability explained) and AIC (a measure of model fit that accounts for parsimony, i.e., how well a model fits the data with relatively few explanatory variables). Results: 1) The plant trait models (relating plant traits with plant field responses) explained much of the variability within each of the ten restoration sites, with R2 values ranging between 31% and 69%. 2) The species identity models (relating species taxonomic identity with plant field responses) explained between 47% and 74% of variability in field performance (R2). Thus, the plant trait models explained nearly as much variability as the species identity models. In seven out of nine sites, the plant trait models were superior to the species identity models as measured by AIC; that is, the trait models did well at explaining variability with less model complexity (i.e., fewer explanatory variables). Conclusion: Development of general and predictive plant trait models is a multi-step process. Strong explanatory power by plant trait models, both on an absolute scale and as compared to species identity models, supports the feasibility of using plant traits instead of species taxonomic identity as a common language to characterize plant field responses to restoration treatments. Such high explanatory power is one necessary pre-requisite for the development of predictive and general plant trait models. Our results also indicate that the plant trait models are site-specific even though all sites were upland bunchgrass remnant prairies. We discuss the next steps in the development of more general and predictive models: incorporating environmental factors into the plant trait models to address the issue of site-specificity and testing the power of these models to predict vegetation responses. Close

• 40. [Article] Post-Breeding Season Migrations of a Top Predator, the Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii), from a Marine Protected Area in Alaska

  To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Public ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Post-Breeding Season Migrations of a Top Predator, the Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii), from a Marine Protected Area in Alaska Author: Gende, Scott M., Womble, Jamie N. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Public Library of Science and can be found at: http://www.plos.org/. Title: Post-Breeding Season Migrations of a Top Predator, the Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii), from a Marine Protected Area in Alaska Author: Gende, Scott M., Womble, Jamie N. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Public Library of Science and can be found at: http://www.plos.org/. Close