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• 1. [Article] Community Science and the Ecological Merits of Backyard Habitat Patches and Adjacent Green-Spaces for Urban Avian Species

  In what ways do small-scale urban backyards contribute to local bird abundance and biodiversity? In what ways might these yards serve as an ‘extension’ of neighboring native forest areas? This project ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Community Science and the Ecological Merits of Backyard Habitat Patches and Adjacent Green-Spaces for Urban Avian Species Author: Gulick, Kristen S., West, Nikkie, Dresner, Marion Year: 2017 In what ways do small-scale urban backyards contribute to local bird abundance and biodiversity? In what ways might these yards serve as an ‘extension’ of neighboring native forest areas? This project investigates the contribution that a group of backyards, certified through the Backyard Habitat Certification Program, have in the suburb of Hillsdale, Oregon, which is adjacent to the natural area of Keller Woodland. Backyard owners functioning as citizen or community scientists assisted with conducting residential bird point-counts once a week in each backyard and the natural area. Counts were done for a total of 8 weeks during nesting season to better understand how backyard habitat restoration might affect their habitat especially when in close proximity to a natural area. The goal of the project was to help better understand the beneficial effects of urban gardening using native plants and diverse vegetation structure as this relates to bird species richness, and to explore the importance of community scientist contributions. Although the sample size was small, no significant trends were found, but the involvement of community scientists indicated increased skill, depth of understanding, and increased motivation for all participating backyard habitat owners. More backyards are needed for future research and extension into lower-income neighborhoods would be very beneficial to increase awareness of urban habitat connectivity and the diversity seen in backyard environmental characteristics and yard owner backyard habitat knowledge. A larger sample size could reveal correlations and provide a greater significance in data findings for bird abundance and diversity. A logical extension of this project would be to investigate food-web effects, specifically avian prey species, and smaller green-spaces that are often present in urban neighborhoods in addition to the large green-spaces. Title: Community Science and the Ecological Merits of Backyard Habitat Patches and Adjacent Green-Spaces for Urban Avian Species Author: Gulick, Kristen S., West, Nikkie, Dresner, Marion Year: 2017 In what ways do small-scale urban backyards contribute to local bird abundance and biodiversity? In what ways might these yards serve as an ‘extension’ of neighboring native forest areas? This project investigates the contribution that a group of backyards, certified through the Backyard Habitat Certification Program, have in the suburb of Hillsdale, Oregon, which is adjacent to the natural area of Keller Woodland. Backyard owners functioning as citizen or community scientists assisted with conducting residential bird point-counts once a week in each backyard and the natural area. Counts were done for a total of 8 weeks during nesting season to better understand how backyard habitat restoration might affect their habitat especially when in close proximity to a natural area. The goal of the project was to help better understand the beneficial effects of urban gardening using native plants and diverse vegetation structure as this relates to bird species richness, and to explore the importance of community scientist contributions. Although the sample size was small, no significant trends were found, but the involvement of community scientists indicated increased skill, depth of understanding, and increased motivation for all participating backyard habitat owners. More backyards are needed for future research and extension into lower-income neighborhoods would be very beneficial to increase awareness of urban habitat connectivity and the diversity seen in backyard environmental characteristics and yard owner backyard habitat knowledge. A larger sample size could reveal correlations and provide a greater significance in data findings for bird abundance and diversity. A logical extension of this project would be to investigate food-web effects, specifically avian prey species, and smaller green-spaces that are often present in urban neighborhoods in addition to the large green-spaces. Close

• 2. [Article] Predator Exclosures, Predator Removal, and Habitat Improvement Increase Nest Success of Snowy Plovers in Oregon, USA

  Management to increase reproductive success is commonly used to aid recovery of threatened and endangered species. The Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) breeds from coastal Washington, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Predator Exclosures, Predator Removal, and Habitat Improvement Increase Nest Success of Snowy Plovers in Oregon, USA Author: Dinsmore, Stephen J., Lauten, David J., Castelein, Kathleen J., Gaines, Eleanor P., Stern, Mark A. Year: 2014 Management to increase reproductive success is commonly used to aid recovery of threatened and endangered species. The Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) breeds from coastal Washington, USA, to Baja California, Mexico, and in disjunct interior sites. The Pacific coast population is federally listed as Threatened; habitat loss and nest loss to a suite of terrestrial and avian predators are thought to be primary factors limiting population growth in this species. In coastal Oregon, USA, a consortium of state and federal management agencies deployed nest exclosures on active Snowy Plover nests, initiated a lethal predator management program, and conducted local-scale habitat management in an effort to boost local productivity. During 1990–2009, we monitored 1,951 Snowy Plover nests at 9 sites with varying treatments. We examined the effectiveness of 3 types of nest exclosures (large, small, and outfitted with electric wire), predator removal, and habitat management on nest survival. Habitat management to remove invasive grasses and provide more suitable nesting substrate more than doubled nest survival. Predator management or use of any of the 3 types of exclosures also affected nest survival. There appeared to be no additional benefit to using both approaches, but the biological relevance of these findings is unclear because of site differences in treatments applied. Importantly, these management techniques only affected nesting success; their effect on other contributions to population viability (e.g., fledging success) was not correlated with nesting success. This long-term study illustrates the short-term benefits and tradeoffs of using nest exclosures, predator management, and habitat restoration to improve nesting success. Although we gained broader insight into the relative efficacy of common management techniques to improve avian nesting success, we cannot yet determine how improved nest success contributes to population growth. Title: Predator Exclosures, Predator Removal, and Habitat Improvement Increase Nest Success of Snowy Plovers in Oregon, USA Author: Dinsmore, Stephen J., Lauten, David J., Castelein, Kathleen J., Gaines, Eleanor P., Stern, Mark A. Year: 2014 Management to increase reproductive success is commonly used to aid recovery of threatened and endangered species. The Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) breeds from coastal Washington, USA, to Baja California, Mexico, and in disjunct interior sites. The Pacific coast population is federally listed as Threatened; habitat loss and nest loss to a suite of terrestrial and avian predators are thought to be primary factors limiting population growth in this species. In coastal Oregon, USA, a consortium of state and federal management agencies deployed nest exclosures on active Snowy Plover nests, initiated a lethal predator management program, and conducted local-scale habitat management in an effort to boost local productivity. During 1990–2009, we monitored 1,951 Snowy Plover nests at 9 sites with varying treatments. We examined the effectiveness of 3 types of nest exclosures (large, small, and outfitted with electric wire), predator removal, and habitat management on nest survival. Habitat management to remove invasive grasses and provide more suitable nesting substrate more than doubled nest survival. Predator management or use of any of the 3 types of exclosures also affected nest survival. There appeared to be no additional benefit to using both approaches, but the biological relevance of these findings is unclear because of site differences in treatments applied. Importantly, these management techniques only affected nesting success; their effect on other contributions to population viability (e.g., fledging success) was not correlated with nesting success. This long-term study illustrates the short-term benefits and tradeoffs of using nest exclosures, predator management, and habitat restoration to improve nesting success. Although we gained broader insight into the relative efficacy of common management techniques to improve avian nesting success, we cannot yet determine how improved nest success contributes to population growth. Close

• 3. [Article] Koll Center Wetlands Natural Resources Maintenance Management Plan

  The intention of this plan is to provide a vision and guidelines for maintaining and improving the ecological health of Koll Center Wetlands in the short and long term. Although the plan will change over ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Koll Center Wetlands Natural Resources Maintenance Management Plan Author: Clayton, Meredith Year: 2006 The intention of this plan is to provide a vision and guidelines for maintaining and improving the ecological health of Koll Center Wetlands in the short and long term. Although the plan will change over time, the goal is to quantify natural resource needs spatially, temporally, and economically. Koll Center Wetlands is part of the Greenway/Fanno Creek/Koll Center Wetlands Park complex. The nearly 13 acre park is dominated by aquatic habitats that attract a wide variety of wildlife, particularly birds. The park grounds are not easily traversed and experience limited human use, but there are many viewpoints from which the park is easily and commonly observed by visitors. The park serves as valuable habitat for both local and migratory wildlife as it connects with the many other terrestrial and aquatic habitats of the park complex, forming a large wildlife corridor in an otherwise urban setting. The aquatic habitats respond to fluctuating water levels, creating seasonally diverse habitat conditions that support a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. A mixed forest grows on the southern slope of the park, housing a heron rookery and many well-established oaks and conifers. A weir located just past the south border of the property enables the wetlands to provide the services of storm detention and water filtration for runoff from the surrounding business park. Runoff from parking lots and landscaped areas can contain contaminants and nutrients capable of jeopardizing stream health. Settling and filtration of these compounds occurs as water travels north to south in the wetland, making the water that ultimately reaches Fanno Creek cleaner than it began. Since Koll Center Wetlands is located within a highly urbanized area, direct and indirect impacts to the natural areas from the surrounding region are considered in the maintenance management plan (MMP) for the park and its individual habitat units. These include, but are not limited to, direct human impacts, invasive plants and animals, and ongoing natural processes in plant communities. Title: Koll Center Wetlands Natural Resources Maintenance Management Plan Author: Clayton, Meredith Year: 2006 The intention of this plan is to provide a vision and guidelines for maintaining and improving the ecological health of Koll Center Wetlands in the short and long term. Although the plan will change over time, the goal is to quantify natural resource needs spatially, temporally, and economically. Koll Center Wetlands is part of the Greenway/Fanno Creek/Koll Center Wetlands Park complex. The nearly 13 acre park is dominated by aquatic habitats that attract a wide variety of wildlife, particularly birds. The park grounds are not easily traversed and experience limited human use, but there are many viewpoints from which the park is easily and commonly observed by visitors. The park serves as valuable habitat for both local and migratory wildlife as it connects with the many other terrestrial and aquatic habitats of the park complex, forming a large wildlife corridor in an otherwise urban setting. The aquatic habitats respond to fluctuating water levels, creating seasonally diverse habitat conditions that support a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. A mixed forest grows on the southern slope of the park, housing a heron rookery and many well-established oaks and conifers. A weir located just past the south border of the property enables the wetlands to provide the services of storm detention and water filtration for runoff from the surrounding business park. Runoff from parking lots and landscaped areas can contain contaminants and nutrients capable of jeopardizing stream health. Settling and filtration of these compounds occurs as water travels north to south in the wetland, making the water that ultimately reaches Fanno Creek cleaner than it began. Since Koll Center Wetlands is located within a highly urbanized area, direct and indirect impacts to the natural areas from the surrounding region are considered in the maintenance management plan (MMP) for the park and its individual habitat units. These include, but are not limited to, direct human impacts, invasive plants and animals, and ongoing natural processes in plant communities. Close

• 4. [Article] Effects of Tide Gate Replacement on Water Temperature ina Freshwater Slough in the Columbia River Estuary

  Dramatic declines in salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest have brought new attention to the importance of estuarine rearing habitats. Levees and tide gates used to convert estuarine wetlands into ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effects of Tide Gate Replacement on Water Temperature ina Freshwater Slough in the Columbia River Estuary Author: Ennis, Sara Year: 2009 Dramatic declines in salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest have brought new attention to the importance of estuarine rearing habitats. Levees and tide gates used to convert estuarine wetlands into farmland have reduced available habitat by more than half of historical levels. Recent efforts to restore estuarine habitats include tide gate replacement, though this method has been poorly studied. As a key indicator of salmon habitat suitability, temperature was used to evaluate the effects of tide gate replacement in a tidally influenced freshwater slough in the Lower Columbia River estuary. Three tide gates in the largest slough on Tenasillahe Island were replaced in 2007 with side-hinged aluminum gates. As managed during the data collection periods, the new tide gates did not allow tidal inflow into the slough. The study employed a Before-After, Control-Impact (BACI) approach, collecting data seasonally two years before and after replacement at the impact site and at the control site, a relatively unaltered slough on nearby Welch Island. Randomized Intervention Analysis and Monte Carlo tests revealed no significant difference in slough water temperatures after tide gate replacement, although minimum temperatures dropped up and downstream of the tide gates. Although the new tide gates did not have a significant effect on water temperature, the lower minimum temperatures may have been caused by a slight increase in tidal circulation. This result suggests that slough temperatures would decrease if the tide gates were managed to increase tidal inflow, and thus improve the quality of salmon rearing habitat. Title: Effects of Tide Gate Replacement on Water Temperature ina Freshwater Slough in the Columbia River Estuary Author: Ennis, Sara Year: 2009 Dramatic declines in salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest have brought new attention to the importance of estuarine rearing habitats. Levees and tide gates used to convert estuarine wetlands into farmland have reduced available habitat by more than half of historical levels. Recent efforts to restore estuarine habitats include tide gate replacement, though this method has been poorly studied. As a key indicator of salmon habitat suitability, temperature was used to evaluate the effects of tide gate replacement in a tidally influenced freshwater slough in the Lower Columbia River estuary. Three tide gates in the largest slough on Tenasillahe Island were replaced in 2007 with side-hinged aluminum gates. As managed during the data collection periods, the new tide gates did not allow tidal inflow into the slough. The study employed a Before-After, Control-Impact (BACI) approach, collecting data seasonally two years before and after replacement at the impact site and at the control site, a relatively unaltered slough on nearby Welch Island. Randomized Intervention Analysis and Monte Carlo tests revealed no significant difference in slough water temperatures after tide gate replacement, although minimum temperatures dropped up and downstream of the tide gates. Although the new tide gates did not have a significant effect on water temperature, the lower minimum temperatures may have been caused by a slight increase in tidal circulation. This result suggests that slough temperatures would decrease if the tide gates were managed to increase tidal inflow, and thus improve the quality of salmon rearing habitat. Close

• 5. [Article] Climate Change and Land Management Impact Rangeland Condition and Sage-Grouse Habitat in Southeastern Oregon

  Contemporary pressures on sagebrush steppe from climate change, exotic species, wildfire, and land use change threaten rangeland species such as the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). To ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Climate Change and Land Management Impact Rangeland Condition and Sage-Grouse Habitat in Southeastern Oregon Author: Creutzburg, Megan K., Henderson, Emilie B., Conklin, David R. Year: 2015 Contemporary pressures on sagebrush steppe from climate change, exotic species, wildfire, and land use change threaten rangeland species such as the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). To effectively manage sagebrush steppe landscapes for long-term goals, managers need information about the potential impacts of climate change, disturbances, and management activities. We integrated information from a dynamic global vegetation model, a sage-grouse habitat climate envelope model, and a state-and-transition simulation model to project broad-scale vegetation dynamics and potential sage-grouse habitat across 23.5 million acres in southeastern Oregon. We evaluated four climate scenarios, including continuing current climate and three scenarios of global climate change, and three management scenarios, including no management, current management and a sage-grouse habitat restoration scenario. All climate change scenarios projected expansion of moist shrub steppe and contraction of dry shrub steppe, but climate scenarios varied widely in the projected extent of xeric shrub steppe, where hot, dry summer conditions are unfavorable for sage-grouse. Wildfire increased by 26% over the century under current climate due to exotic grass encroachment, and by two- to four-fold across all climate change scenarios as extreme fire years became more frequent. Exotic grasses rapidly expanded in all scenarios as large areas of the landscape initially in semi-degraded condition converted to exotic-dominated systems. Due to the combination of exotic grass invasion, juniper encroachment, and climatic unsuitability for sage-grouse, projected sage-grouse habitat declined in the first several decades, but increased in area under the three climate change scenarios later in the century, as moist shrub steppe increased and rangeland condition improved. Management activities in the model were generally unsuccessful in controlling exotic grass invasion but were effective in slowing woodland expansion. Current levels of restoration treatments were insufficient to prevent some juniper expansion, but increased treatment rates under the restoration scenario maintained juniper near initial levels in priority treatment areas. Our simulations indicate that climate change may have both positive and negative implications for maintaining sage-grouse habitat. Title: Climate Change and Land Management Impact Rangeland Condition and Sage-Grouse Habitat in Southeastern Oregon Author: Creutzburg, Megan K., Henderson, Emilie B., Conklin, David R. Year: 2015 Contemporary pressures on sagebrush steppe from climate change, exotic species, wildfire, and land use change threaten rangeland species such as the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). To effectively manage sagebrush steppe landscapes for long-term goals, managers need information about the potential impacts of climate change, disturbances, and management activities. We integrated information from a dynamic global vegetation model, a sage-grouse habitat climate envelope model, and a state-and-transition simulation model to project broad-scale vegetation dynamics and potential sage-grouse habitat across 23.5 million acres in southeastern Oregon. We evaluated four climate scenarios, including continuing current climate and three scenarios of global climate change, and three management scenarios, including no management, current management and a sage-grouse habitat restoration scenario. All climate change scenarios projected expansion of moist shrub steppe and contraction of dry shrub steppe, but climate scenarios varied widely in the projected extent of xeric shrub steppe, where hot, dry summer conditions are unfavorable for sage-grouse. Wildfire increased by 26% over the century under current climate due to exotic grass encroachment, and by two- to four-fold across all climate change scenarios as extreme fire years became more frequent. Exotic grasses rapidly expanded in all scenarios as large areas of the landscape initially in semi-degraded condition converted to exotic-dominated systems. Due to the combination of exotic grass invasion, juniper encroachment, and climatic unsuitability for sage-grouse, projected sage-grouse habitat declined in the first several decades, but increased in area under the three climate change scenarios later in the century, as moist shrub steppe increased and rangeland condition improved. Management activities in the model were generally unsuccessful in controlling exotic grass invasion but were effective in slowing woodland expansion. Current levels of restoration treatments were insufficient to prevent some juniper expansion, but increased treatment rates under the restoration scenario maintained juniper near initial levels in priority treatment areas. Our simulations indicate that climate change may have both positive and negative implications for maintaining sage-grouse habitat. Close

• 6. [Article] Increased Habitat Connectivity Homogenizes Freshwater Communities: Historical and Landscape Perspectives

  Increases in habitat connectivity can have consequences for taxonomic, functional, and genetic diversity of communities. Previously isolated aquatic habitats were connected with canals and pipelines in ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Increased Habitat Connectivity Homogenizes Freshwater Communities: Historical and Landscape Perspectives Author: Strecker, Angela L., Brittain, Jeffrey Thomas Year: 2017 Increases in habitat connectivity can have consequences for taxonomic, functional, and genetic diversity of communities. Previously isolated aquatic habitats were connected with canals and pipelines in the largest water development project in the US history, the Columbia Basin Project (CBP; eastern Washington, USA), which also altered environmental conditions; however, the ecological consequences are largely unknown. Using a historical dataset, we examined long-term patterns in zooplankton communities, water chemistry and clarity, testing the hypothesis that increased connectivity will result in taxonomic homogenization. Further, we tested contemporary drivers of communities using a comprehensive set of environmental and landscape variables. Waterbodies were sampled for zooplankton community composition as well as physical and chemical variables inside and outside the CBP using methods consistent with historical studies. We found significant declines in salinity inside the CBP, whereas changes in water clarity were prevalent across all waterbodies. Increased connectivity via canals homogenized zooplankton communities over time, as well as increasing regional richness. Other long-term changes in zooplankton communities may be related to climate change, invasive species, and land-use changes. Synthesis and applications. Though canals may offer species spatial refugia, homogenization may decrease resilience to environmental stressors. These new hybrid aquatic landscapes, or hydroscapes, should be considered carefully in future water development, including specific plans for monitoring of species and environmental conditions, as well as mitigation of undesirable conditions and/or non-native species. Title: Increased Habitat Connectivity Homogenizes Freshwater Communities: Historical and Landscape Perspectives Author: Strecker, Angela L., Brittain, Jeffrey Thomas Year: 2017 Increases in habitat connectivity can have consequences for taxonomic, functional, and genetic diversity of communities. Previously isolated aquatic habitats were connected with canals and pipelines in the largest water development project in the US history, the Columbia Basin Project (CBP; eastern Washington, USA), which also altered environmental conditions; however, the ecological consequences are largely unknown. Using a historical dataset, we examined long-term patterns in zooplankton communities, water chemistry and clarity, testing the hypothesis that increased connectivity will result in taxonomic homogenization. Further, we tested contemporary drivers of communities using a comprehensive set of environmental and landscape variables. Waterbodies were sampled for zooplankton community composition as well as physical and chemical variables inside and outside the CBP using methods consistent with historical studies. We found significant declines in salinity inside the CBP, whereas changes in water clarity were prevalent across all waterbodies. Increased connectivity via canals homogenized zooplankton communities over time, as well as increasing regional richness. Other long-term changes in zooplankton communities may be related to climate change, invasive species, and land-use changes. Synthesis and applications. Though canals may offer species spatial refugia, homogenization may decrease resilience to environmental stressors. These new hybrid aquatic landscapes, or hydroscapes, should be considered carefully in future water development, including specific plans for monitoring of species and environmental conditions, as well as mitigation of undesirable conditions and/or non-native species. Close

• 7. [Article] Macroinvertebrate Community Analysis on lower Hood River Before and During the Removal of Powerdale Dam: A Baseline Study

  Powerdale Dam was an 87-year-old hydroelectric complex on lower Hood River in northern Oregon which was decommissioned in 2010. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected in 2009, before the removal process ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Macroinvertebrate Community Analysis on lower Hood River Before and During the Removal of Powerdale Dam: A Baseline Study Author: Patterson, Howard J. Year: 2001 Powerdale Dam was an 87-year-old hydroelectric complex on lower Hood River in northern Oregon which was decommissioned in 2010. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected in 2009, before the removal process began, and in 2010, near the end of the demolition project, at one site upstream and three sites downstream of the dam. Macroinvertebrate communities were analyzed using both multi-metric (Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity [B-IBI]) and multivariate (Predictive Assessment Tool for Oregon [PREDATOR]) approaches, as well as EPT and Functional Feeding Group (FFG) analysis. All analytical approaches indicated declines in habitat quality in 2010 relative to 2009, and showed increasing impairment in the downstream sites in 2010, with sediment implicated as an impairment factor. Pollutants such as pesticides released from the impoundment might also contribute to downstream disturbance levels. The upstream, control site showed habitat quality declines in 2010 relative to 2009, indicating a possible upstream source of impairment. The demolition project did not physically impact upstream areas, and tributary turbidity does not appear to have been elevated relative to other years; however, the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index indicates an increase in upstream nutrient pollution in 2010 relative to 2009. Future research will be able to establish rate and extent of post-removal habitat recovery relative to these baseline data. Title: Macroinvertebrate Community Analysis on lower Hood River Before and During the Removal of Powerdale Dam: A Baseline Study Author: Patterson, Howard J. Year: 2001 Powerdale Dam was an 87-year-old hydroelectric complex on lower Hood River in northern Oregon which was decommissioned in 2010. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected in 2009, before the removal process began, and in 2010, near the end of the demolition project, at one site upstream and three sites downstream of the dam. Macroinvertebrate communities were analyzed using both multi-metric (Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity [B-IBI]) and multivariate (Predictive Assessment Tool for Oregon [PREDATOR]) approaches, as well as EPT and Functional Feeding Group (FFG) analysis. All analytical approaches indicated declines in habitat quality in 2010 relative to 2009, and showed increasing impairment in the downstream sites in 2010, with sediment implicated as an impairment factor. Pollutants such as pesticides released from the impoundment might also contribute to downstream disturbance levels. The upstream, control site showed habitat quality declines in 2010 relative to 2009, indicating a possible upstream source of impairment. The demolition project did not physically impact upstream areas, and tributary turbidity does not appear to have been elevated relative to other years; however, the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index indicates an increase in upstream nutrient pollution in 2010 relative to 2009. Future research will be able to establish rate and extent of post-removal habitat recovery relative to these baseline data. Close

• 8. [Article] The Interplay Between Landscape Structure and Biotic Interactions

  Landscape structure and biotic interactions are closely linked. We identify five aspects of landscape structure that contribute to the co-occurrence of species and restrict or enable different types of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Interplay Between Landscape Structure and Biotic Interactions Author: Zarnetske, Phoebe, Baiser, Benjamin, Strecker, Angela L., Record, Sydne, Belmaker, Jonathan, Tuanmu, Mao-Ning Year: 2017 Landscape structure and biotic interactions are closely linked. We identify five aspects of landscape structure that contribute to the co-occurrence of species and restrict or enable different types of biotic interactions: patch size and habitat amount, isolation of patches, barriers to dispersal and movement, persistence of landscape structure, and landscape complexity. In addition, these aspects of landscape structure influence the strength and outcome of biotic interactions. Whereas most research focuses on the effects of the abiotic environment on species and their biotic interactions, research on foundation species and ecosystem engineers demonstrates the important influence of biotic interactions on landscape structure itself, including effects on landscape complexity, extent of habitat, and the structure of landscape features. In this review, we describe ecological theories that lay the foundation for interplay between landscape structure and biotic interactions, and summarize these connections across an array of interacting species in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial systems. We end with suggestions for integrating the fields of landscape ecology and community ecology to better understand the connections between landscape structure and biotic interactions and better predict their dynamics in light of global change. Title: The Interplay Between Landscape Structure and Biotic Interactions Author: Zarnetske, Phoebe, Baiser, Benjamin, Strecker, Angela L., Record, Sydne, Belmaker, Jonathan, Tuanmu, Mao-Ning Year: 2017 Landscape structure and biotic interactions are closely linked. We identify five aspects of landscape structure that contribute to the co-occurrence of species and restrict or enable different types of biotic interactions: patch size and habitat amount, isolation of patches, barriers to dispersal and movement, persistence of landscape structure, and landscape complexity. In addition, these aspects of landscape structure influence the strength and outcome of biotic interactions. Whereas most research focuses on the effects of the abiotic environment on species and their biotic interactions, research on foundation species and ecosystem engineers demonstrates the important influence of biotic interactions on landscape structure itself, including effects on landscape complexity, extent of habitat, and the structure of landscape features. In this review, we describe ecological theories that lay the foundation for interplay between landscape structure and biotic interactions, and summarize these connections across an array of interacting species in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial systems. We end with suggestions for integrating the fields of landscape ecology and community ecology to better understand the connections between landscape structure and biotic interactions and better predict their dynamics in light of global change. Close

• 9. [Article] Northwest Forest Plan The First 20 Years (1994-2013): Watershed Condition Status and Trend

  We used two data sets to evaluate stream and upslope/riparian condition for sixth-field watersheds in each aquatic province within the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) area. The stream evaluation was based ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Northwest Forest Plan The First 20 Years (1994-2013): Watershed Condition Status and Trend Author: Miller, Stephanie A., Gordon, Sean N, Eldred, Peter, Beloin, Ronald M., Wilcox, Steve, Raggon, Mark, Andersen, Heidi, Muldoon, Ariel Year: 2015 We used two data sets to evaluate stream and upslope/riparian condition for sixth-field watersheds in each aquatic province within the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) area. The stream evaluation was based on stream sampling data collected from 2002 to the 2013 (214 watersheds) as part of an eight year repeating (rotating) sample design. We are currently halfway through our second rotation of stream sampling, and have repeated 110 watersheds since the second rotation began in 2009. The analysis presented in this report uses roughly half the number of watersheds as was originally intended by the sample design since re-visitation will not be completed until 2017. In the meantime, we compare the first rotation of visits (2002-2009) to the first four years of the second rotation (2010-2013) giving us a general idea of current patterns. To evaluate stream condition we used a reference condition nearest neighbor statistical approach to calculate the stream physical habitat scores based on substrate, wood, and pool metrics for each watershed. Macroinvertebrates and water temperature were analyzed separately from physical habitat and provide additional assessment of overall watershed condition. Scores for both stream and upslope/riparian conditions were normalized to fall between 0 (poor) and 100 (good). Title: Northwest Forest Plan The First 20 Years (1994-2013): Watershed Condition Status and Trend Author: Miller, Stephanie A., Gordon, Sean N, Eldred, Peter, Beloin, Ronald M., Wilcox, Steve, Raggon, Mark, Andersen, Heidi, Muldoon, Ariel Year: 2015 We used two data sets to evaluate stream and upslope/riparian condition for sixth-field watersheds in each aquatic province within the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) area. The stream evaluation was based on stream sampling data collected from 2002 to the 2013 (214 watersheds) as part of an eight year repeating (rotating) sample design. We are currently halfway through our second rotation of stream sampling, and have repeated 110 watersheds since the second rotation began in 2009. The analysis presented in this report uses roughly half the number of watersheds as was originally intended by the sample design since re-visitation will not be completed until 2017. In the meantime, we compare the first rotation of visits (2002-2009) to the first four years of the second rotation (2010-2013) giving us a general idea of current patterns. To evaluate stream condition we used a reference condition nearest neighbor statistical approach to calculate the stream physical habitat scores based on substrate, wood, and pool metrics for each watershed. Macroinvertebrates and water temperature were analyzed separately from physical habitat and provide additional assessment of overall watershed condition. Scores for both stream and upslope/riparian conditions were normalized to fall between 0 (poor) and 100 (good). Close

• 10. [Article] Factors Affecting Snowy Plover Chick Survival in a Managed Population

  Understanding survival of precocial chicks in the period immediately following hatching has important conservation implications because population growth is often sensitive to post-hatching survival. We ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Factors Affecting Snowy Plover Chick Survival in a Managed Population Author: Dinsmore, Stephen J., Gaines, Eleanor P., Pearson, Scott F., Lauten, David J., Castelein, Kathleen J. Year: 2017 Understanding survival of precocial chicks in the period immediately following hatching has important conservation implications because population growth is often sensitive to post-hatching survival. We studied federally threatened Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) broods at the northern limit of their range in coastal Oregon (n ¼ 1,157) and Washington (n ¼ 84) from 1991 to 2011 in an attempt to understand seasonal, annual, and spatial patterns of chick survival. In Oregon, plover chick survival increased with age, varied between sites, and was greater at sites with predator management. The mean probability of surviving from hatch to fledging at 28 days of age in Oregon was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.50, 0.63). In Washington, where predator management was not employed, we conducted separate analyses using individually banded and unbanded chicks and results indicated that survival generally increased with chick age. The mean estimated probability of surviving from hatch to fledging at 28 days of age in Washington was 0.27 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.35) for individually banded chicks when perfect detection was assumed. This probability increased to 0.67 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.83) when we analyzed unbanded chicks and included detection probability. Our findings confirm the importance of considering age effects in the survival of Snowy Plover chicks and raise questions about the validity of assuming perfect detection of plover chicks during brood checks. This work also highlights the benefit of predator management on chick survival. Title: Factors Affecting Snowy Plover Chick Survival in a Managed Population Author: Dinsmore, Stephen J., Gaines, Eleanor P., Pearson, Scott F., Lauten, David J., Castelein, Kathleen J. Year: 2017 Understanding survival of precocial chicks in the period immediately following hatching has important conservation implications because population growth is often sensitive to post-hatching survival. We studied federally threatened Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) broods at the northern limit of their range in coastal Oregon (n ¼ 1,157) and Washington (n ¼ 84) from 1991 to 2011 in an attempt to understand seasonal, annual, and spatial patterns of chick survival. In Oregon, plover chick survival increased with age, varied between sites, and was greater at sites with predator management. The mean probability of surviving from hatch to fledging at 28 days of age in Oregon was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.50, 0.63). In Washington, where predator management was not employed, we conducted separate analyses using individually banded and unbanded chicks and results indicated that survival generally increased with chick age. The mean estimated probability of surviving from hatch to fledging at 28 days of age in Washington was 0.27 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.35) for individually banded chicks when perfect detection was assumed. This probability increased to 0.67 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.83) when we analyzed unbanded chicks and included detection probability. Our findings confirm the importance of considering age effects in the survival of Snowy Plover chicks and raise questions about the validity of assuming perfect detection of plover chicks during brood checks. This work also highlights the benefit of predator management on chick survival. Close