Search

Search Results

• 1. [Article] Modeling sage-grouse habitat using a state-and-transition model

  Habitat for wildlife species that depend on sagebrush ecosystems is of great management concern. Evaluating how management activities and climate change may affect the abundance of moderate and high-quality ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Modeling sage-grouse habitat using a state-and-transition model Author: Evers, Louisa Habitat for wildlife species that depend on sagebrush ecosystems is of great management concern. Evaluating how management activities and climate change may affect the abundance of moderate and high-quality habitat necessitates the development of models that examine vegetation dynamics, but modeling tools for rangeland systems are limited. I developed state-and-transition models using a combination of scientific literature and data for climate, soils, and wildfire to examine how different types of natural events, management activities, changing climate, and potential future vegetation dynamics may interact and affect the abundance of habitat for the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Specific periods examined include the era prior to 1850, the current era, and late in the 21st century in southeastern Oregon. A primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of climate data to define most event probabilities and, subsequently, the relative mix of ecological states, community phases, and sage-grouse habitat with an eye towards a modeling approach that was objective, repeatable, and transferrable to other locations. Contrary to expectations, model results of the conditions prior to 1850 indicated fire may not have been the most important disturbance factor influencing sage-grouse habitat abundance, merely the most visible. Other, more subtle disturbances that thinned sagebrush density, such as drought, herbivory, and weather-related mortality, may have been equally or more important in shaping sage-grouse habitat. Sage-grouse breeding habitat may have been slightly more abundant than levels currently recommended by sage-grouse biologists, brood-rearing habitat may have been as or more abundant, but wintering habitat may have been less abundant. Under the current conditions, livestock grazing during severe drought, postfire seeding success, juniper expansion probabilities, and the frequency of vegetation treatments were the most important determinants of sage-grouse habitat abundance. The current vegetation trajectory would lead to considerably less nesting, brood-rearing, and wintering habitat than sage-grouse biologists recommend. Model results suggested reducing or eliminating livestock grazing during severe drought, increasing postfire seeding success, and treating at least 10% of the so-called expansion juniper each year was necessary to maintain higher levels of sage-grouse habitat, although nesting and brood-rearing habitat remained in short supply. I examined three potential future climates based on long-term climate trends in southeastern Oregon and modeled climate and ecosystem projections for the Pacific Northwest generally. The first scenario produced warmer and drier conditions than present, the second scenario warmer and wetter conditions in winter, and the third scenario warmer and wetter conditions in summer. The implications for sage-grouse habitat abundance were very different between these three scenarios, but all would likely result in the loss or near complete loss of cooler, moister sagebrush communities important for nesting and brood-rearing. Salt desert shrub and warmer, drier sagebrush communities could expand under the first scenario but would have a high risk of displacement by cheatgrass. Juniper woodlands could increase in density and salt desert shrub may expand slightly under the second scenario. The remaining sagebrush communities would remain at high risk of displacement by cheatgrass. Pinyon-juniper woodland could largely displace sagebrush in the third scenario. Sage-grouse habitat quality likely would decline in all three scenarios and the abundance decrease significantly in the second and third scenario. Title: Modeling sage-grouse habitat using a state-and-transition model Author: Evers, Louisa Habitat for wildlife species that depend on sagebrush ecosystems is of great management concern. Evaluating how management activities and climate change may affect the abundance of moderate and high-quality habitat necessitates the development of models that examine vegetation dynamics, but modeling tools for rangeland systems are limited. I developed state-and-transition models using a combination of scientific literature and data for climate, soils, and wildfire to examine how different types of natural events, management activities, changing climate, and potential future vegetation dynamics may interact and affect the abundance of habitat for the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Specific periods examined include the era prior to 1850, the current era, and late in the 21st century in southeastern Oregon. A primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of climate data to define most event probabilities and, subsequently, the relative mix of ecological states, community phases, and sage-grouse habitat with an eye towards a modeling approach that was objective, repeatable, and transferrable to other locations. Contrary to expectations, model results of the conditions prior to 1850 indicated fire may not have been the most important disturbance factor influencing sage-grouse habitat abundance, merely the most visible. Other, more subtle disturbances that thinned sagebrush density, such as drought, herbivory, and weather-related mortality, may have been equally or more important in shaping sage-grouse habitat. Sage-grouse breeding habitat may have been slightly more abundant than levels currently recommended by sage-grouse biologists, brood-rearing habitat may have been as or more abundant, but wintering habitat may have been less abundant. Under the current conditions, livestock grazing during severe drought, postfire seeding success, juniper expansion probabilities, and the frequency of vegetation treatments were the most important determinants of sage-grouse habitat abundance. The current vegetation trajectory would lead to considerably less nesting, brood-rearing, and wintering habitat than sage-grouse biologists recommend. Model results suggested reducing or eliminating livestock grazing during severe drought, increasing postfire seeding success, and treating at least 10% of the so-called expansion juniper each year was necessary to maintain higher levels of sage-grouse habitat, although nesting and brood-rearing habitat remained in short supply. I examined three potential future climates based on long-term climate trends in southeastern Oregon and modeled climate and ecosystem projections for the Pacific Northwest generally. The first scenario produced warmer and drier conditions than present, the second scenario warmer and wetter conditions in winter, and the third scenario warmer and wetter conditions in summer. The implications for sage-grouse habitat abundance were very different between these three scenarios, but all would likely result in the loss or near complete loss of cooler, moister sagebrush communities important for nesting and brood-rearing. Salt desert shrub and warmer, drier sagebrush communities could expand under the first scenario but would have a high risk of displacement by cheatgrass. Juniper woodlands could increase in density and salt desert shrub may expand slightly under the second scenario. The remaining sagebrush communities would remain at high risk of displacement by cheatgrass. Pinyon-juniper woodland could largely displace sagebrush in the third scenario. Sage-grouse habitat quality likely would decline in all three scenarios and the abundance decrease significantly in the second and third scenario. Close

• 2. [Article] Video on the rocks : use of a video lander platform as a survey tool for a high-relief nearshore temperate rocky reef

  The nearshore waters off the Oregon coast (< 73 meters) are a region of high productivity and economic value, with a variety of habitats that include rock outcrops. Temperate reef habitats are important ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Video on the rocks : use of a video lander platform as a survey tool for a high-relief nearshore temperate rocky reef Author: Easton, Ryan Reid The nearshore waters off the Oregon coast (< 73 meters) are a region of high productivity and economic value, with a variety of habitats that include rock outcrops. Temperate reef habitats are important to many commercially important fishes inhabiting the Pacific coast, including canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) and yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus), which are currently listed as "overfished" by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Along the Pacific coast of North America, nearshore rocky reefs have been designated as essential fish habitat (EFH), while comprising approximately just seven percent of Oregon's territorial sea. Despite this EFH designation, the use of visual (SCUBA, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), human occupied vehicles (HOVs)) and non-visual (bottom trawl) survey methods within this region has been infrequent and scattered, providing limited information on species-habitat associations and species assemblages within nearshore waters. It is logistically difficult and costly to survey nearshore reefs. The factors that have led to the paucity of surveys include the depth (too deep for SCUBA surveys but too shallow for larger survey vessels), high seas limiting available days for field work, and the high-relief nature of the habitat (precluding the use of bottom trawls). In an effort to better understand species-habitat associations and community structure of Oregon's nearshore reefs, an autonomous underwater drop-camera termed the "video lander" was employed at the Three Arch Rocks reef, a nearshore reef off of Oceanside, Oregon. Video lander footage was used to identify and groundtruth habitat types, as well as species assemblages over two distinct seasons: spring/summer (n=272) and winter (n=108). Many species-habitat associations were statistically significant: yelloweye rockfish (large boulder p<0.0073), canary rockfish (small boulder p<0.0006), kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) (bedrock outcrop p<0.0162), and quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) (large boulder p<0.0016). Summer and winter surveys revealed similar habitat associations and distributions for these species. I found no significant difference in species composition between the northern and southern regions of the reef (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index (BCDI) = 71.71, ANOSIM p>0.1447), but a significant difference between spring/summer and winter seasons was identified on the outer section of the reef, due to the presence of spotted ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) in the winter (BCDI =76.41, ANOSIM p < 0.0155). My study shows that data provided by the video lander can fill existing gaps in our understanding of nearshore distribution and habitat associations of temperate rocky-reef fishes off the Oregon coast. Title: Video on the rocks : use of a video lander platform as a survey tool for a high-relief nearshore temperate rocky reef Author: Easton, Ryan Reid The nearshore waters off the Oregon coast (< 73 meters) are a region of high productivity and economic value, with a variety of habitats that include rock outcrops. Temperate reef habitats are important to many commercially important fishes inhabiting the Pacific coast, including canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) and yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus), which are currently listed as "overfished" by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Along the Pacific coast of North America, nearshore rocky reefs have been designated as essential fish habitat (EFH), while comprising approximately just seven percent of Oregon's territorial sea. Despite this EFH designation, the use of visual (SCUBA, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), human occupied vehicles (HOVs)) and non-visual (bottom trawl) survey methods within this region has been infrequent and scattered, providing limited information on species-habitat associations and species assemblages within nearshore waters. It is logistically difficult and costly to survey nearshore reefs. The factors that have led to the paucity of surveys include the depth (too deep for SCUBA surveys but too shallow for larger survey vessels), high seas limiting available days for field work, and the high-relief nature of the habitat (precluding the use of bottom trawls). In an effort to better understand species-habitat associations and community structure of Oregon's nearshore reefs, an autonomous underwater drop-camera termed the "video lander" was employed at the Three Arch Rocks reef, a nearshore reef off of Oceanside, Oregon. Video lander footage was used to identify and groundtruth habitat types, as well as species assemblages over two distinct seasons: spring/summer (n=272) and winter (n=108). Many species-habitat associations were statistically significant: yelloweye rockfish (large boulder p<0.0073), canary rockfish (small boulder p<0.0006), kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) (bedrock outcrop p<0.0162), and quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) (large boulder p<0.0016). Summer and winter surveys revealed similar habitat associations and distributions for these species. I found no significant difference in species composition between the northern and southern regions of the reef (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index (BCDI) = 71.71, ANOSIM p>0.1447), but a significant difference between spring/summer and winter seasons was identified on the outer section of the reef, due to the presence of spotted ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei) in the winter (BCDI =76.41, ANOSIM p < 0.0155). My study shows that data provided by the video lander can fill existing gaps in our understanding of nearshore distribution and habitat associations of temperate rocky-reef fishes off the Oregon coast. Close

• 3. [Article] Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet

  Suggested citation: "Hansen, Everett; Reeser, Paul; Sutton, Wendy; Sims, Laura (2014): Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet. OSU Libraries. Dataset. http:...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet Author: Hansen, Everett, Reeser, Paul, Sims, Laura, Sutton, Wendy Suggested citation: "Hansen, Everett; Reeser, Paul; Sutton, Wendy; Sims, Laura (2014): Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet. OSU Libraries. Dataset. http://dx.doi.org/10.7267/N99G5JR4" Title: Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet Author: Hansen, Everett, Reeser, Paul, Sims, Laura, Sutton, Wendy Suggested citation: "Hansen, Everett; Reeser, Paul; Sutton, Wendy; Sims, Laura (2014): Host and Habitat Index for Phytophthora Species in Oregon: Supplemental Spreadsheet. OSU Libraries. Dataset. http://dx.doi.org/10.7267/N99G5JR4" Close

• 4. [Article] Greater Sage-Grouse movements and habitat use during winter in central Oregon

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Brigham Young University and can be found at: https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/ojs/index.php/wnan.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Greater Sage-Grouse movements and habitat use during winter in central Oregon Author: Miller, Richard F., Bruce, Jennifer R., Petersen, Steven L., Robinson, W. Douglas This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Brigham Young University and can be found at: https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/ojs/index.php/wnan. Title: Greater Sage-Grouse movements and habitat use during winter in central Oregon Author: Miller, Richard F., Bruce, Jennifer R., Petersen, Steven L., Robinson, W. Douglas This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Brigham Young University and can be found at: https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/ojs/index.php/wnan. Close

• 5. [Article] A landowner's guide for restoring and managing Oregon white oak habitats

  Bounding coordinates: West Bounding Coordinate: -124.961735; East Bounding Coordinate: -116.415546; North Bounding Coordinate: 46.344729; South Bounding Coordinate: 41.914842.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A landowner's guide for restoring and managing Oregon white oak habitats Author: Tucker, Gabe, Vesely, David Bounding coordinates: West Bounding Coordinate: -124.961735; East Bounding Coordinate: -116.415546; North Bounding Coordinate: 46.344729; South Bounding Coordinate: 41.914842. Title: A landowner's guide for restoring and managing Oregon white oak habitats Author: Tucker, Gabe, Vesely, David Bounding coordinates: West Bounding Coordinate: -124.961735; East Bounding Coordinate: -116.415546; North Bounding Coordinate: 46.344729; South Bounding Coordinate: 41.914842. Close

• 6. [Article] Analysis of habitat features and abundance of young-of-the-year fishes off of the central Oregon coast

  This project is part of ongoing research, which has been extended to include temporal variation. Dr. Lorenzo Ciannelli has also been brought onto this project as of Fall 2015.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Analysis of habitat features and abundance of young-of-the-year fishes off of the central Oregon coast Author: Brodeur, Richard, Yergey, Matthew, Wakefield, W. Waldo, Haven, Katlyn This project is part of ongoing research, which has been extended to include temporal variation. Dr. Lorenzo Ciannelli has also been brought onto this project as of Fall 2015. Title: Analysis of habitat features and abundance of young-of-the-year fishes off of the central Oregon coast Author: Brodeur, Richard, Yergey, Matthew, Wakefield, W. Waldo, Haven, Katlyn This project is part of ongoing research, which has been extended to include temporal variation. Dr. Lorenzo Ciannelli has also been brought onto this project as of Fall 2015. Close

• 7. [Article] Urban and rural-residential land uses : their role in watershed health and the rehabilitation of Oregon's wild salmonids

  This report was prepared by the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Urban and rural-residential land uses : their role in watershed health and the rehabilitation of Oregon's wild salmonids Author: Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team This report was prepared by the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Title: Urban and rural-residential land uses : their role in watershed health and the rehabilitation of Oregon's wild salmonids Author: Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team This report was prepared by the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Close

• 8. [Article] Young-of-the-year rockfish (Sebastes spp.) settlement dynamics in Oregon estuaries

  In the Pacific Northwest, several species of rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) are under extreme conservation measures due to low population levels. Although currently at healthy population levels, one species ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Young-of-the-year rockfish (Sebastes spp.) settlement dynamics in Oregon estuaries Author: Dauble, Alison D. In the Pacific Northwest, several species of rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) are under extreme conservation measures due to low population levels. Although currently at healthy population levels, one species of interest is the black rockfish (S. melanops), which has been shown to utilize estuarine habitat during its early life history stages. Black rockfish constitute a large portion of the recreational harvest in the Pacific Northwest, and are also a commercially fished species along the majority of the west coast. Annual recruitment in rockfishes has been shown to be extremely variable, and a better understanding of the factors behind successful recruitment and the subsequent settlement process would assist in prioritizing management and conservation efforts for this and other species. The overall goal of my study was to investigate the role that natural and anthropogenic influences play in the estuarine settlement dynamics of northeast Pacific rockfishes, using black rockfish as the primary study species. Genetic identifications confirmed that the majority of the young-of-the-year (YOY) rockfish captured during this study were S. melanops, with small numbers of S. caurinus and S. emphaeus present as well. Results from trapping surveys indicated that YOY black rockfish utilize multiple estuaries on the Oregon coast from spring through late fall, and may be present in highly developed estuaries through their first winter before moving to deeper habitats, as shown by late season increases in catch-per-unit-effort (CPUEs) and the capture of multiple age-1 juveniles in the estuary. Catches were higher in the more developed estuaries on the coast, suggesting that the presence of structure is an extremely important component to the settlement process in this species and that the continued development of Oregon estuaries may not adversely affect YOY rockfish settlement. Two years of dive surveys on a standardized set of artificial reef structures in Yaquina Bay showed that a settlement index of YOY rockfish within the estuary could reflect larger trends in the YOY population and suggest that habitat saturation is not a factor that affects the settlement process of YOY rockfish in estuaries. This study provides strong evidence of widespread use of estuarine habitat on the Oregon coast by black rockfish during their first year of life, and provides additional support that structure is an important component to the settlement process, and has set the groundwork for investigating inter-annual variation in the estuarine settlement of rockfish. Title: Young-of-the-year rockfish (Sebastes spp.) settlement dynamics in Oregon estuaries Author: Dauble, Alison D. In the Pacific Northwest, several species of rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) are under extreme conservation measures due to low population levels. Although currently at healthy population levels, one species of interest is the black rockfish (S. melanops), which has been shown to utilize estuarine habitat during its early life history stages. Black rockfish constitute a large portion of the recreational harvest in the Pacific Northwest, and are also a commercially fished species along the majority of the west coast. Annual recruitment in rockfishes has been shown to be extremely variable, and a better understanding of the factors behind successful recruitment and the subsequent settlement process would assist in prioritizing management and conservation efforts for this and other species. The overall goal of my study was to investigate the role that natural and anthropogenic influences play in the estuarine settlement dynamics of northeast Pacific rockfishes, using black rockfish as the primary study species. Genetic identifications confirmed that the majority of the young-of-the-year (YOY) rockfish captured during this study were S. melanops, with small numbers of S. caurinus and S. emphaeus present as well. Results from trapping surveys indicated that YOY black rockfish utilize multiple estuaries on the Oregon coast from spring through late fall, and may be present in highly developed estuaries through their first winter before moving to deeper habitats, as shown by late season increases in catch-per-unit-effort (CPUEs) and the capture of multiple age-1 juveniles in the estuary. Catches were higher in the more developed estuaries on the coast, suggesting that the presence of structure is an extremely important component to the settlement process in this species and that the continued development of Oregon estuaries may not adversely affect YOY rockfish settlement. Two years of dive surveys on a standardized set of artificial reef structures in Yaquina Bay showed that a settlement index of YOY rockfish within the estuary could reflect larger trends in the YOY population and suggest that habitat saturation is not a factor that affects the settlement process of YOY rockfish in estuaries. This study provides strong evidence of widespread use of estuarine habitat on the Oregon coast by black rockfish during their first year of life, and provides additional support that structure is an important component to the settlement process, and has set the groundwork for investigating inter-annual variation in the estuarine settlement of rockfish. Close

• 9. [Article] The effects of alternative future development scenarios on ecological processes and social-ecological resilience in Central Oregon

  This research sought to explore the implications of different tenure regimes for both landscape-level ecological processes and the overall resilience of a social-ecological system in Central Oregon. The ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The effects of alternative future development scenarios on ecological processes and social-ecological resilience in Central Oregon Author: Duncan, James A. This research sought to explore the implications of different tenure regimes for both landscape-level ecological processes and the overall resilience of a social-ecological system in Central Oregon. The purchase by an investor of former industrial timberlands known as the Bull Springs tract raised the specter of dispersed residential development on the periphery of Bend, Oregon, leading to legislation redefining tenure in the region. This research examined how different forms of tenure on the tract would affect landscapelevel ecological processes and how the enacted tenure redefinition might affect the resilience of the social-ecological system to future perturbations. Data simulating the future vegetation conditions under two tenure scenarios on the Bull Springs – dispersed residential development and working forest management – were used to map habitat for three species representing different ecosystem services. Landscape pattern metrics were used to compare the simulated differences in spatial patterns of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) habitat, American marten (Martes americana) habitat and old-growth ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) woodlands. The results were then interpreted using a social-ecological systems framework describing linkages between tenure and ecological processes. Results from the simulation modeling showed multifunctional habitat patches for mule deer became more isolated and smaller when the Bull Springs was developed, and development of the tract led to greater average isolation of habitat patches, lowered extensiveness across the landscape and a reduction of most measures of total habitat area for both mule deer and American marten. Ponderosa pine woodlands grew substantially in quantity under both scenarios, but the development of the Bull Springs removed a large swath from the middle of the ponderosa pine belt, interrupted north-south connectivity and reduced the extent of potential ponderosa pine woodland conditions. Development projected to occur outside the Bull Springs largely determined the cumulative impacts of both scenarios, but working forest management would be an improvement over development for most metrics for the three species. With respect to resilience, the legislative tenure redefinition would change the linkages between communities in the region and the ecosystem services of value, and these linkages could vary in strength and in the scale of applicability. Understanding how forestland ownership change intersects with landscape ecology as land uses change is critical for evaluating policies that manage these changes. Identifying the ecological impacts avoided by managing the Bull Springs as a working forest can inform landscape-level planning to ensure that future development does not recreate these losses elsewhere in the region. Study of these components and linkages contributes to broader efforts to understand and manage the dynamics of social-ecological systems at multiple scales to make social wellbeing and ecological integrity resilient to future disturbances. Title: The effects of alternative future development scenarios on ecological processes and social-ecological resilience in Central Oregon Author: Duncan, James A. This research sought to explore the implications of different tenure regimes for both landscape-level ecological processes and the overall resilience of a social-ecological system in Central Oregon. The purchase by an investor of former industrial timberlands known as the Bull Springs tract raised the specter of dispersed residential development on the periphery of Bend, Oregon, leading to legislation redefining tenure in the region. This research examined how different forms of tenure on the tract would affect landscapelevel ecological processes and how the enacted tenure redefinition might affect the resilience of the social-ecological system to future perturbations. Data simulating the future vegetation conditions under two tenure scenarios on the Bull Springs – dispersed residential development and working forest management – were used to map habitat for three species representing different ecosystem services. Landscape pattern metrics were used to compare the simulated differences in spatial patterns of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) habitat, American marten (Martes americana) habitat and old-growth ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) woodlands. The results were then interpreted using a social-ecological systems framework describing linkages between tenure and ecological processes. Results from the simulation modeling showed multifunctional habitat patches for mule deer became more isolated and smaller when the Bull Springs was developed, and development of the tract led to greater average isolation of habitat patches, lowered extensiveness across the landscape and a reduction of most measures of total habitat area for both mule deer and American marten. Ponderosa pine woodlands grew substantially in quantity under both scenarios, but the development of the Bull Springs removed a large swath from the middle of the ponderosa pine belt, interrupted north-south connectivity and reduced the extent of potential ponderosa pine woodland conditions. Development projected to occur outside the Bull Springs largely determined the cumulative impacts of both scenarios, but working forest management would be an improvement over development for most metrics for the three species. With respect to resilience, the legislative tenure redefinition would change the linkages between communities in the region and the ecosystem services of value, and these linkages could vary in strength and in the scale of applicability. Understanding how forestland ownership change intersects with landscape ecology as land uses change is critical for evaluating policies that manage these changes. Identifying the ecological impacts avoided by managing the Bull Springs as a working forest can inform landscape-level planning to ensure that future development does not recreate these losses elsewhere in the region. Study of these components and linkages contributes to broader efforts to understand and manage the dynamics of social-ecological systems at multiple scales to make social wellbeing and ecological integrity resilient to future disturbances. Close

• 10. [Article] Survival and Home-range Size of Northern Spotted Owls in Southwestern Oregon

  This is a scanned version of a published article. The original can be found at: http://www.raptorresearchfoundation.org/publications/journal-of-raptor-research. To the best of our knowledge, one or more ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Survival and Home-range Size of Northern Spotted Owls in Southwestern Oregon Author: Schilling, Jason W., Anthony, Robert G., Dugger, Katie M. This is a scanned version of a published article. The original can be found at: http://www.raptorresearchfoundation.org/publications/journal-of-raptor-research. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. Title: Survival and Home-range Size of Northern Spotted Owls in Southwestern Oregon Author: Schilling, Jason W., Anthony, Robert G., Dugger, Katie M. This is a scanned version of a published article. The original can be found at: http://www.raptorresearchfoundation.org/publications/journal-of-raptor-research. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. Close

• 11. [Article] Surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species for macroinvertebrates along the Oregon coast

  Foundation species are important components of ecosystems because they provide habitat and ameliorate stressful conditions for residents. This thesis considers the role of surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species for macroinvertebrates along the Oregon coast Author: Moulton, Orissa M. Foundation species are important components of ecosystems because they provide habitat and ameliorate stressful conditions for residents. This thesis considers the role of surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species on the coast of Oregon in two studies. Chapter 2, which presents an observational survey of two Phyllospadix congeners, investigates the ways in which surfgrass morphology and observed oceanographic conditions influence associated macroinvertebrate communities throughout a calendar year. Chapter 3, which presents an experimental manipulation of the system, considers the ways in which macroinvertebrates and surfgrass interact. Surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) are ubiquitous foundation species on the coast of Oregon, USA, protecting resident invertebrates from waves and providing them access to sandy substrate in an otherwise rocky habitat. We investigated whether native congeneric species function similarly by comparing the two species' resident macroinvertebrates, plant morphology, and sediment accretion at three capes that vary in oceanographic conditions. The results showed that while the macroinvertebrate abundance was the same between surfgrass species, species richness, composition, and functional groups varied considerably. P. serrulatus also had fewer tillers, rhizomes, and lower biomass per given area but greater sediment accretion than its congener P. scouleri. There was a large difference in macroinvertebrate abundance among capes, with Cape Perpetua having 2.5-3 times more animals per given area than Cape Foulweather or Cape Blanco. Overall, we found that while the two co-occurring surfgrass congeners provided functionally different habitat for resident macroinvertebrate species, regional oceanographic processes (upwelling, productivity) were more influential in determining the overall abundance and productivity of these highly diverse animal communities. The interaction between surfgrass (P. scouleri) and resident macroinvertebrates may be an example of mutual facilitation if surfgrass provides shelter and macroinvertebrate residents reciprocate with nutrient input. We hypothesized that this positive interaction could vary depending on oceanographic conditions. Sites with intermittent upwelling, low retention of upwelled waters, and high nutrient delivery to the intertidal are often dominated by macroalgae and seagrasses, while sessile invertebrates dominate intermittent upwelling sites with high water higher retention and relatively low nutrient delivery to the intertidal. We expected the positive influence of macroinvertebrates upon surfgrass to be strongest at a site with possible nutrient limitation stress. We used manipulative field experiments to examine the interaction between Phyllospadix and macroinvertebrate residents at sites known to differ in coastal oceanography. Treatments were applied in situ to vary presence/absence of residents and nutrient conditions. Results indicate that the community of macroinvertebrates varies greatly in both abundance and composition between the two sites (ca. three fold higher abundance at Strawberry Hill than at Fogarty Creek), but the amount Phyllospadix habitat available to macroinvertebrates does not vary between the two sites. This variation is therefore driven by something external to local habitat, and is likely related to regional oceanography. Furthermore, there is some evidence that macroinvertebrates do have some positive nutrient effect upon surfgrass productivity. Together, these studies provide critical descriptive information about community structure associated with the Phyllospadix system on the Oregon coast. This work contributes to the ever-increasing body of literature suggesting importance of regional oceanography in structuring coastal communities. Title: Surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species for macroinvertebrates along the Oregon coast Author: Moulton, Orissa M. Foundation species are important components of ecosystems because they provide habitat and ameliorate stressful conditions for residents. This thesis considers the role of surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species on the coast of Oregon in two studies. Chapter 2, which presents an observational survey of two Phyllospadix congeners, investigates the ways in which surfgrass morphology and observed oceanographic conditions influence associated macroinvertebrate communities throughout a calendar year. Chapter 3, which presents an experimental manipulation of the system, considers the ways in which macroinvertebrates and surfgrass interact. Surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) are ubiquitous foundation species on the coast of Oregon, USA, protecting resident invertebrates from waves and providing them access to sandy substrate in an otherwise rocky habitat. We investigated whether native congeneric species function similarly by comparing the two species' resident macroinvertebrates, plant morphology, and sediment accretion at three capes that vary in oceanographic conditions. The results showed that while the macroinvertebrate abundance was the same between surfgrass species, species richness, composition, and functional groups varied considerably. P. serrulatus also had fewer tillers, rhizomes, and lower biomass per given area but greater sediment accretion than its congener P. scouleri. There was a large difference in macroinvertebrate abundance among capes, with Cape Perpetua having 2.5-3 times more animals per given area than Cape Foulweather or Cape Blanco. Overall, we found that while the two co-occurring surfgrass congeners provided functionally different habitat for resident macroinvertebrate species, regional oceanographic processes (upwelling, productivity) were more influential in determining the overall abundance and productivity of these highly diverse animal communities. The interaction between surfgrass (P. scouleri) and resident macroinvertebrates may be an example of mutual facilitation if surfgrass provides shelter and macroinvertebrate residents reciprocate with nutrient input. We hypothesized that this positive interaction could vary depending on oceanographic conditions. Sites with intermittent upwelling, low retention of upwelled waters, and high nutrient delivery to the intertidal are often dominated by macroalgae and seagrasses, while sessile invertebrates dominate intermittent upwelling sites with high water higher retention and relatively low nutrient delivery to the intertidal. We expected the positive influence of macroinvertebrates upon surfgrass to be strongest at a site with possible nutrient limitation stress. We used manipulative field experiments to examine the interaction between Phyllospadix and macroinvertebrate residents at sites known to differ in coastal oceanography. Treatments were applied in situ to vary presence/absence of residents and nutrient conditions. Results indicate that the community of macroinvertebrates varies greatly in both abundance and composition between the two sites (ca. three fold higher abundance at Strawberry Hill than at Fogarty Creek), but the amount Phyllospadix habitat available to macroinvertebrates does not vary between the two sites. This variation is therefore driven by something external to local habitat, and is likely related to regional oceanography. Furthermore, there is some evidence that macroinvertebrates do have some positive nutrient effect upon surfgrass productivity. Together, these studies provide critical descriptive information about community structure associated with the Phyllospadix system on the Oregon coast. This work contributes to the ever-increasing body of literature suggesting importance of regional oceanography in structuring coastal communities. Close

• 12. [Article] Twenty-year changes in riparian bird communities of east-central Oregon

  Over the last 50 years, riparian zones in the semi-arid West have gained recognition as disproportionately important habitats for both breeding bird communities and agricultural operations. Despite growing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Twenty-year changes in riparian bird communities of east-central Oregon Author: Ellis, Michael S. Over the last 50 years, riparian zones in the semi-arid West have gained recognition as disproportionately important habitats for both breeding bird communities and agricultural operations. Despite growing interest in exploring avian-habitat relationships in these systems to better inform land management, few studies have attempted to describe temporal changes in the region's riparian bird communities. To provide a frame of reference for these changes, we compared indices of avian abundance and diversity from three streamside vegetation associations in east-central Oregon during the 2014 breeding season with baseline data collected by TA Sanders and WD Edge in 1993 and 1994 (Sanders and Edge 1998). Our objectives were to identify patterns of change in the avian community with a focus on riparian shrub-dependent species, to re-examine previously reported relationships between avian abundance and vegetation volume, and to identify possible causes of declines in abundance and diversity with the goal of providing land managers in the semi-arid region information to be used in the guidance and adaptation of management practices. We combined field protocols used by Sanders and Edge to survey birds along point count transects and to measure riparian vegetation with modern analytical techniques. We found few major differences in overall diversity between study periods, but documented precipitous declines in detections for two of three riparian shrub-dependent focal species - Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) and Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax trailii). Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) detections declined by a smaller margin. Changes in number of detections for these species did not reflect trends in mesic shrub volume, which had been identified as a likely driver of obligate species abundance by Sanders and Edge but remained relatively unchanged between study periods. Declines of all three focal species reflected regional Breeding Bird Survey trends, corroborating our finding that their declines may not be a result of changes in local site conditions. Compositional similarity between avian communities was significantly higher in 2014 than in 1993-1994, exhibiting a shift toward greater homogenization between structurally distinct riparian habitats. Our results suggest managing working lands for riparian shrub cover or volume, an important metric of grazing intensity and riparian system health, may not be enough to conserve diversity and abundance of riparian-shrub dependent birds, and more work should be done to identify and alleviate factors contributing to these species' declines. Title: Twenty-year changes in riparian bird communities of east-central Oregon Author: Ellis, Michael S. Over the last 50 years, riparian zones in the semi-arid West have gained recognition as disproportionately important habitats for both breeding bird communities and agricultural operations. Despite growing interest in exploring avian-habitat relationships in these systems to better inform land management, few studies have attempted to describe temporal changes in the region's riparian bird communities. To provide a frame of reference for these changes, we compared indices of avian abundance and diversity from three streamside vegetation associations in east-central Oregon during the 2014 breeding season with baseline data collected by TA Sanders and WD Edge in 1993 and 1994 (Sanders and Edge 1998). Our objectives were to identify patterns of change in the avian community with a focus on riparian shrub-dependent species, to re-examine previously reported relationships between avian abundance and vegetation volume, and to identify possible causes of declines in abundance and diversity with the goal of providing land managers in the semi-arid region information to be used in the guidance and adaptation of management practices. We combined field protocols used by Sanders and Edge to survey birds along point count transects and to measure riparian vegetation with modern analytical techniques. We found few major differences in overall diversity between study periods, but documented precipitous declines in detections for two of three riparian shrub-dependent focal species - Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) and Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax trailii). Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) detections declined by a smaller margin. Changes in number of detections for these species did not reflect trends in mesic shrub volume, which had been identified as a likely driver of obligate species abundance by Sanders and Edge but remained relatively unchanged between study periods. Declines of all three focal species reflected regional Breeding Bird Survey trends, corroborating our finding that their declines may not be a result of changes in local site conditions. Compositional similarity between avian communities was significantly higher in 2014 than in 1993-1994, exhibiting a shift toward greater homogenization between structurally distinct riparian habitats. Our results suggest managing working lands for riparian shrub cover or volume, an important metric of grazing intensity and riparian system health, may not be enough to conserve diversity and abundance of riparian-shrub dependent birds, and more work should be done to identify and alleviate factors contributing to these species' declines. Close

• 13. [Article] Geomorphic response to restoration and disturbance: Grazing, fire, and flooding on the Middle Fork John Day River, OR

  xii, 64 p. : ill. (some col.), maps

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Geomorphic response to restoration and disturbance: Grazing, fire, and flooding on the Middle Fork John Day River, OR Author: Michelsen-Correa, Stephani Year: 2011 xii, 64 p. : ill. (some col.), maps Title: Geomorphic response to restoration and disturbance: Grazing, fire, and flooding on the Middle Fork John Day River, OR Author: Michelsen-Correa, Stephani Year: 2011 xii, 64 p. : ill. (some col.), maps Close

• 14. [Article] Factors influencing nest success of greater sandhill cranes at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

  I developed a priori hypotheses and used logistic regression to model Greater Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida) nest success in relation to weather, habitat and management variables for cranes breeding ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Factors influencing nest success of greater sandhill cranes at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon Author: Ivey, Gary L. I developed a priori hypotheses and used logistic regression to model Greater Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida) nest success in relation to weather, habitat and management variables for cranes breeding at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) in southeast Oregon. My primary interest was to investigate the effects of habitat conditions and management practices on nest success as these factors can be influenced by managers. However, I also included variables for weather, water supply, and nest initiation date to provide a context for understanding the relative importance of management actions and habitat conditions. I monitored 506 nests over 9 breeding seasons; mean apparent nest success was 72% ± 4% and varied from 51 to 87%. Nest success varied by habitat management within a field, nest-season temperatures, and water at the nest site. A second analysis which included a subset of nests with nest initiation data revealed that nest success declined with initiation and was higher during years of moderate recipitation. Variable importance analysis indicated initiation date had a greater influence on nest success (0.99) than land use (0.74), water depth (0.50), water supply (0.42), or temperature (0.30). Grazing, haying and predator control had no effect on nest success, while burning had a negative effect, but only during the nesting season following the burn. The lack of a predator control effect may have been due to elimination of individual problem animals before the study commenced, and a protracted effect of the control program. It may also be due to the relatively smaller importance of predator control at higher nest success rates. Nest success at MNWR was higher during my study than in most studies and the low proportion of failed nests may have reduced my ability to detect influences of some variables such as land use practices and predator control. My study is the first to quantify the effect of temperature and moisture conditions on nest success and the results suggest adequate water availability is important for nesting cranes. It affirms the importance of water depth, but not concealment, indicating that the height of cover surrounding a nest is not very important. During the 8-year coyote (Canis latrans) and Common Raven (Corvus corax) control program at MNWR non-target predator populations increased. Such control programs can have unforeseen consequences, such as release of mesopredator populations which can cause additional crane productivity problems. Nest success was relatively high during my study yet productivity was very low, averaging around 3.3 young per 100 pairs from 1995-1998 (GLI, unpublished data). Efforts to further increase nest success at MNWR using predator control are not warranted. The effect of predators on chick survival is likely of more importance and should be quantified to aid in the interpretation of predator control as a management tool. Managers should focus on providing early water to crane territories to facilitate earlier nesting and water levels should be maintained through the nesting season to limit abandonment. Haying and grazing of meadows will likely encourage cranes to nest in deeper water marsh sites. Although burning showed negative effects on nest success during the first season following burns, I advocate continued, but careful use of this important habitat management tool. Lastly, in addition to management to improve nest success, managers should consider efforts to enhance chick and adult survival, as these factors are likely more important than nest success in maintaining populations. Title: Factors influencing nest success of greater sandhill cranes at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon Author: Ivey, Gary L. I developed a priori hypotheses and used logistic regression to model Greater Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida) nest success in relation to weather, habitat and management variables for cranes breeding at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) in southeast Oregon. My primary interest was to investigate the effects of habitat conditions and management practices on nest success as these factors can be influenced by managers. However, I also included variables for weather, water supply, and nest initiation date to provide a context for understanding the relative importance of management actions and habitat conditions. I monitored 506 nests over 9 breeding seasons; mean apparent nest success was 72% ± 4% and varied from 51 to 87%. Nest success varied by habitat management within a field, nest-season temperatures, and water at the nest site. A second analysis which included a subset of nests with nest initiation data revealed that nest success declined with initiation and was higher during years of moderate recipitation. Variable importance analysis indicated initiation date had a greater influence on nest success (0.99) than land use (0.74), water depth (0.50), water supply (0.42), or temperature (0.30). Grazing, haying and predator control had no effect on nest success, while burning had a negative effect, but only during the nesting season following the burn. The lack of a predator control effect may have been due to elimination of individual problem animals before the study commenced, and a protracted effect of the control program. It may also be due to the relatively smaller importance of predator control at higher nest success rates. Nest success at MNWR was higher during my study than in most studies and the low proportion of failed nests may have reduced my ability to detect influences of some variables such as land use practices and predator control. My study is the first to quantify the effect of temperature and moisture conditions on nest success and the results suggest adequate water availability is important for nesting cranes. It affirms the importance of water depth, but not concealment, indicating that the height of cover surrounding a nest is not very important. During the 8-year coyote (Canis latrans) and Common Raven (Corvus corax) control program at MNWR non-target predator populations increased. Such control programs can have unforeseen consequences, such as release of mesopredator populations which can cause additional crane productivity problems. Nest success was relatively high during my study yet productivity was very low, averaging around 3.3 young per 100 pairs from 1995-1998 (GLI, unpublished data). Efforts to further increase nest success at MNWR using predator control are not warranted. The effect of predators on chick survival is likely of more importance and should be quantified to aid in the interpretation of predator control as a management tool. Managers should focus on providing early water to crane territories to facilitate earlier nesting and water levels should be maintained through the nesting season to limit abandonment. Haying and grazing of meadows will likely encourage cranes to nest in deeper water marsh sites. Although burning showed negative effects on nest success during the first season following burns, I advocate continued, but careful use of this important habitat management tool. Lastly, in addition to management to improve nest success, managers should consider efforts to enhance chick and adult survival, as these factors are likely more important than nest success in maintaining populations. Close

• 15. [Article] Urban and rural-residential area land uses in Oregon: a synthesis of an IMST technical workshop on watershed functions and salmonid recovery

  On June 21-22, 2011, the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (IMST) hosted a technical workshop for local and regional natural resource managers and practitioners in urban and rural-residential ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Urban and rural-residential area land uses in Oregon: a synthesis of an IMST technical workshop on watershed functions and salmonid recovery Author: Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team On June 21-22, 2011, the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (IMST) hosted a technical workshop for local and regional natural resource managers and practitioners in urban and rural-residential land uses. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss management and rehabilitation actions in developed areas that could improve watershed functions, aquatic habitats, and salmonid populations. This workshop was designed to follow up and expand on key findings from IMST’s 2010 report titled Urban and Rural-residential Land Uses: Their role in Watershed Health and the Rehabilitation of Oregon’s Wild Salmonids Workshop invitees, representing municipal, county, and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and universities, were selected to reflect experience in managing, monitoring,and/or rehabilitating salmonid and aquatic habitats in urban and rural-residential areas. Invitees were also chosen to represent the varied geographic areas in Oregon.The findings from the workshop are intended to help the State of Oregon and local governments better understand the technical issues regarding, and impediments to implementing, plans for minimizing development impacts on water quality, watershed hydrology, and aquatic ecosystems. Title: Urban and rural-residential area land uses in Oregon: a synthesis of an IMST technical workshop on watershed functions and salmonid recovery Author: Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team On June 21-22, 2011, the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (IMST) hosted a technical workshop for local and regional natural resource managers and practitioners in urban and rural-residential land uses. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss management and rehabilitation actions in developed areas that could improve watershed functions, aquatic habitats, and salmonid populations. This workshop was designed to follow up and expand on key findings from IMST’s 2010 report titled Urban and Rural-residential Land Uses: Their role in Watershed Health and the Rehabilitation of Oregon’s Wild Salmonids Workshop invitees, representing municipal, county, and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and universities, were selected to reflect experience in managing, monitoring,and/or rehabilitating salmonid and aquatic habitats in urban and rural-residential areas. Invitees were also chosen to represent the varied geographic areas in Oregon.The findings from the workshop are intended to help the State of Oregon and local governments better understand the technical issues regarding, and impediments to implementing, plans for minimizing development impacts on water quality, watershed hydrology, and aquatic ecosystems. Close

• 16. [Article] The effects of interspecies interactions and environmental conditions on biomass accumulation of sessile organisms within Oregon’s rocky mid-intertidal habitats

  With changing climate conditions and human impacts on ecosystems becoming a big focus of study, it has become even more crucial to understand how our ecosystems work. Community structure within rocky intertidal ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The effects of interspecies interactions and environmental conditions on biomass accumulation of sessile organisms within Oregon’s rocky mid-intertidal habitats Author: Carsh, Alexander C. With changing climate conditions and human impacts on ecosystems becoming a big focus of study, it has become even more crucial to understand how our ecosystems work. Community structure within rocky intertidal habitats is governed by a mix of environmental conditions and species interactions. This project examined the effects of different treatments designed to test three different methods of interspecies interaction: predation, competition, and facilitation. We then examined the data in relation to the sites where the samples were collected using MANOVA and linear-contrast analysis. We found that biomass of barnacles, mussels, and algae often tended to be similar in different treatments, suggesting that interspecies interactions were overall fairly weak. The site of origin, on the other hand, had a consistent effect in determining biomass, with a general pattern of northern sites accumulating more biomass than southern sites. We believe that this is due to the interaction between upwelling strength and the width of the continental shelf along the Oregon coast with regard to the roles they play in nutrient, phytoplankton, and larval retention, leading to differences in growth rates. Title: The effects of interspecies interactions and environmental conditions on biomass accumulation of sessile organisms within Oregon’s rocky mid-intertidal habitats Author: Carsh, Alexander C. With changing climate conditions and human impacts on ecosystems becoming a big focus of study, it has become even more crucial to understand how our ecosystems work. Community structure within rocky intertidal habitats is governed by a mix of environmental conditions and species interactions. This project examined the effects of different treatments designed to test three different methods of interspecies interaction: predation, competition, and facilitation. We then examined the data in relation to the sites where the samples were collected using MANOVA and linear-contrast analysis. We found that biomass of barnacles, mussels, and algae often tended to be similar in different treatments, suggesting that interspecies interactions were overall fairly weak. The site of origin, on the other hand, had a consistent effect in determining biomass, with a general pattern of northern sites accumulating more biomass than southern sites. We believe that this is due to the interaction between upwelling strength and the width of the continental shelf along the Oregon coast with regard to the roles they play in nutrient, phytoplankton, and larval retention, leading to differences in growth rates. Close

• 17. [Article] Presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed forest landscapes in western Oregon

  I studied presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests in western Oregon from May through September, 1999–2001. Species richness ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed forest landscapes in western Oregon Author: Arnett, Edward B. I studied presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests in western Oregon from May through September, 1999–2001. Species richness was not related to elevation, density of snags, or length of edge or perennial streams in sampled landscapes. I captured bats more frequently in landscapes with moderate to high densities of snags and sex ratios were skewed toward males, especially in snag-rich landscapes at higher elevations. Elevation generally was negatively related to captures of female bats. I determined use of day roosts by female and male long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis), female long-legged myotis (Myotis volans), and female big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Relative to random structures, all three species used snags that had less canopy closure, more adjacent snags, and were closer to the edge of the stand. Diameter of snags was an important variable differentiating roost and random snags used by big brown bats and long-legged myotis. I found considerable overlap in structural and contextual characteristics of snags and trees used as roosts among the three species of bats. My findings provide evidence that females of sympatric species of bats may alter their choices of roosts when co-existing in landscapes with low densities of snags. Female and male long-eared myotis primarily used stumps and down logs in landscapes with low densities of snags, while using snags more frequently in landscapes with high snag densities. I found that tree species and structural characteristics of snags, stumps, and logs used as roosts generally were similar between female and male long-eared myotis and that context variables (e.g., elevation) best differentiated use of structures between sexes. Failure to account for differences in use of roosts among species, between sexes, and among landscapes with varied conditions could lead to erroneous conclusions and ineffective or inappropriate management recommendations. Elevational gradients and densities of snags are important factors to consider when developing snag and green tree retention strategies for bats in this region. Forest management practices that retain and create large snags in landscapes currently with low densities of snags would benefit female bats, especially at lower elevations. Title: Presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed forest landscapes in western Oregon Author: Arnett, Edward B. I studied presence, relative abundance, and resource selection of bats in managed Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests in western Oregon from May through September, 1999–2001. Species richness was not related to elevation, density of snags, or length of edge or perennial streams in sampled landscapes. I captured bats more frequently in landscapes with moderate to high densities of snags and sex ratios were skewed toward males, especially in snag-rich landscapes at higher elevations. Elevation generally was negatively related to captures of female bats. I determined use of day roosts by female and male long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis), female long-legged myotis (Myotis volans), and female big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Relative to random structures, all three species used snags that had less canopy closure, more adjacent snags, and were closer to the edge of the stand. Diameter of snags was an important variable differentiating roost and random snags used by big brown bats and long-legged myotis. I found considerable overlap in structural and contextual characteristics of snags and trees used as roosts among the three species of bats. My findings provide evidence that females of sympatric species of bats may alter their choices of roosts when co-existing in landscapes with low densities of snags. Female and male long-eared myotis primarily used stumps and down logs in landscapes with low densities of snags, while using snags more frequently in landscapes with high snag densities. I found that tree species and structural characteristics of snags, stumps, and logs used as roosts generally were similar between female and male long-eared myotis and that context variables (e.g., elevation) best differentiated use of structures between sexes. Failure to account for differences in use of roosts among species, between sexes, and among landscapes with varied conditions could lead to erroneous conclusions and ineffective or inappropriate management recommendations. Elevational gradients and densities of snags are important factors to consider when developing snag and green tree retention strategies for bats in this region. Forest management practices that retain and create large snags in landscapes currently with low densities of snags would benefit female bats, especially at lower elevations. Close

• 18. [Article] 1980 Annual Report: Wildlife Division

  This document is a summary of the activities of the Wildlife Division for the period of July 1, 1979 to June 30, 1980. It includes numbers of hunting licenses, increased prices of furs, large and small ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: 1980 Annual Report: Wildlife Division Author: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife This document is a summary of the activities of the Wildlife Division for the period of July 1, 1979 to June 30, 1980. It includes numbers of hunting licenses, increased prices of furs, large and small game statistics for animals such as elk, deer, bears, pheasants, and quail. The document also discusses the wildlife habitat improvements completed during the time. Title: 1980 Annual Report: Wildlife Division Author: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife This document is a summary of the activities of the Wildlife Division for the period of July 1, 1979 to June 30, 1980. It includes numbers of hunting licenses, increased prices of furs, large and small game statistics for animals such as elk, deer, bears, pheasants, and quail. The document also discusses the wildlife habitat improvements completed during the time. Close

• 19. [Article] Oregon comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy: Voluntary conservation tools and programs

  This draft document describes different types of conservation tools and highlights some conservation programs currently available in Oregon, along with an assessment of their effectiveness for habitat ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy: Voluntary conservation tools and programs Author: Defenders of Wildlife This draft document describes different types of conservation tools and highlights some conservation programs currently available in Oregon, along with an assessment of their effectiveness for habitat conservation and for participating landowners. Title: Oregon comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy: Voluntary conservation tools and programs Author: Defenders of Wildlife This draft document describes different types of conservation tools and highlights some conservation programs currently available in Oregon, along with an assessment of their effectiveness for habitat conservation and for participating landowners. Close

• 20. [Article] Conservation incentives work group report to the seventy-second legislative assembly

  Report to the seventy-second legislative assembly. Presented by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Forestry. February 2003.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Conservation incentives work group report to the seventy-second legislative assembly Report to the seventy-second legislative assembly. Presented by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Forestry. February 2003. Title: Conservation incentives work group report to the seventy-second legislative assembly Report to the seventy-second legislative assembly. Presented by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Forestry. February 2003. Close

• 21. [Article] Packaging Usable Climate Change Information for Sagebrush Country

  One of the largest ecosystems in the United States, sagebrush-steppe communities are currently in peril and threaten to impact at least 150 species of vertebrates (Hagen 2011). The decline of sagebrush ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Packaging Usable Climate Change Information for Sagebrush Country Author: Brown, Melanie One of the largest ecosystems in the United States, sagebrush-steppe communities are currently in peril and threaten to impact at least 150 species of vertebrates (Hagen 2011). The decline of sagebrush habitat is exacerbated through an interaction of threats and feedbacks, including fire and invasive species, making the management of sagebrush ecosystems a challenge (Connelly et al. 2004). Optimizing sagebrush management to reduce sagebrush decline includes understanding the role of climate (Dalgleish et al. 2011; Schrag et al. 2010; Compagnoni 2013). Current climate tools may be too coarse or may not include the specific variables useful for land management. Further complications may include communication barriers between land managers and climate scientists that can impede efficient information exchange, leaving climate scientists without necessary questions and land managers without necessary answers. There is a need for managers and climate scientist to work together to make current and future climate information more applicable to land management needs (Kocher et al. 2012). This research seeks to understand: Can collaboration between climate scientists and land managers lead to more useful and useable climate tools for land management? The main objectives of this project include the following: ➢ Understand current threats and their sensitivity to climate within Oregon and Idaho sagebrush habitat. ➢ Identify climate information that is needed by land managers to make sagebrush management decisions. ➢ Identify climate tools that would be most useful to land managers. ➢ Compile information to be used within a climate tool that is both useful and useable by land managers. ➢ Gather feedback from managers about the collaboration process and the climate tool created ➢ Assess the collaboration process and whether it was beneficial in adapting climate tools for land managers. ➢ Complete thesis and/or presentation on topic. Title: Packaging Usable Climate Change Information for Sagebrush Country Author: Brown, Melanie One of the largest ecosystems in the United States, sagebrush-steppe communities are currently in peril and threaten to impact at least 150 species of vertebrates (Hagen 2011). The decline of sagebrush habitat is exacerbated through an interaction of threats and feedbacks, including fire and invasive species, making the management of sagebrush ecosystems a challenge (Connelly et al. 2004). Optimizing sagebrush management to reduce sagebrush decline includes understanding the role of climate (Dalgleish et al. 2011; Schrag et al. 2010; Compagnoni 2013). Current climate tools may be too coarse or may not include the specific variables useful for land management. Further complications may include communication barriers between land managers and climate scientists that can impede efficient information exchange, leaving climate scientists without necessary questions and land managers without necessary answers. There is a need for managers and climate scientist to work together to make current and future climate information more applicable to land management needs (Kocher et al. 2012). This research seeks to understand: Can collaboration between climate scientists and land managers lead to more useful and useable climate tools for land management? The main objectives of this project include the following: ➢ Understand current threats and their sensitivity to climate within Oregon and Idaho sagebrush habitat. ➢ Identify climate information that is needed by land managers to make sagebrush management decisions. ➢ Identify climate tools that would be most useful to land managers. ➢ Compile information to be used within a climate tool that is both useful and useable by land managers. ➢ Gather feedback from managers about the collaboration process and the climate tool created ➢ Assess the collaboration process and whether it was beneficial in adapting climate tools for land managers. ➢ Complete thesis and/or presentation on topic. Close

• 22. [Article] Reviving Whychus Creek: Averting Collisions between the Endangered Species Act and Agricultural Water Use through Proactive Streamflow Restoration

  In the wake of policies catalyzing settlement through agrarian-based land ‘improvement’, private property rights absorbed water resources through Western water law. Consequently, these dominant user regimes ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Reviving Whychus Creek: Averting Collisions between the Endangered Species Act and Agricultural Water Use through Proactive Streamflow Restoration Author: Dengel, Jeff In the wake of policies catalyzing settlement through agrarian-based land ‘improvement’, private property rights absorbed water resources through Western water law. Consequently, these dominant user regimes and the doctrine of prior appropriation allocated nearly 80 percent of freshwater resources to agricultural use. Following enactment of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1973 agricultural water users and the federal government were set on a collision course, as private property was now subject to regulatory imposition. Within Western states water bodies contiguous to private agrarian lands host the majority of aquatic species listed under the ESA. Of all the effects associated with agricultural water use, streamflow depletion constitutes the primary source of species imperilment. Customary irrigation practices often dewater streams completely or render aquatic habitat inhospitable. Consequently, curtailment of water use is increasingly sought during enforcement of ESA regulations. Encounters between ESA regulation and impositions upon agricultural water use are largely reactionary, litigious, and costly; this begs the question of remedy. Responses attending to the matter indicate collaborative and precautionary measures as prospective solutions. Within the context of streamflow-based habitat modification the answer consistently indicates transactional mechanisms reallocating water to instream use. Due to priority-based allocation developed through the doctrine of prior appropriation acquisition of senior water rights is imperative for streamflow restoration. Within Oregon's Whychus Creek agricultural water users employed a series of water right transactions serving to bolster instream flow to avert ESA regulation. Many of these transactions have been implemented through Oregon's Conserved Water Program; a unique statute providing benefits for the environment and agricultural water users alike. Through these transactions senior water rights have been reallocated to instream use and are being met, resulting in a robust presence of instream flow. Title: Reviving Whychus Creek: Averting Collisions between the Endangered Species Act and Agricultural Water Use through Proactive Streamflow Restoration Author: Dengel, Jeff In the wake of policies catalyzing settlement through agrarian-based land ‘improvement’, private property rights absorbed water resources through Western water law. Consequently, these dominant user regimes and the doctrine of prior appropriation allocated nearly 80 percent of freshwater resources to agricultural use. Following enactment of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1973 agricultural water users and the federal government were set on a collision course, as private property was now subject to regulatory imposition. Within Western states water bodies contiguous to private agrarian lands host the majority of aquatic species listed under the ESA. Of all the effects associated with agricultural water use, streamflow depletion constitutes the primary source of species imperilment. Customary irrigation practices often dewater streams completely or render aquatic habitat inhospitable. Consequently, curtailment of water use is increasingly sought during enforcement of ESA regulations. Encounters between ESA regulation and impositions upon agricultural water use are largely reactionary, litigious, and costly; this begs the question of remedy. Responses attending to the matter indicate collaborative and precautionary measures as prospective solutions. Within the context of streamflow-based habitat modification the answer consistently indicates transactional mechanisms reallocating water to instream use. Due to priority-based allocation developed through the doctrine of prior appropriation acquisition of senior water rights is imperative for streamflow restoration. Within Oregon's Whychus Creek agricultural water users employed a series of water right transactions serving to bolster instream flow to avert ESA regulation. Many of these transactions have been implemented through Oregon's Conserved Water Program; a unique statute providing benefits for the environment and agricultural water users alike. Through these transactions senior water rights have been reallocated to instream use and are being met, resulting in a robust presence of instream flow. Close

• 23. [Article] Movement Patterns of Rockfishes at the Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve, Oregon

  The effects of Marine protected areas (MPAs) on adult fish populations depend on the degree of protection provided, which is partly a function of MPA size and the spatial extent of fish movements. The ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Movement Patterns of Rockfishes at the Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve, Oregon Author: Calvanese, Thomas P. The effects of Marine protected areas (MPAs) on adult fish populations depend on the degree of protection provided, which is partly a function of MPA size and the spatial extent of fish movements. The Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve (RRMR) and MPA, located on the south coast of Oregon near Port Orford, went into effect on January 1, 2012. The boundaries of the RRMR were informed by the experience of local fishermen, but without explicit knowledge of the movement patterns of individual fish. One of the intended effects of this reserve was to provide protection for Pacific rockfishes that had been targeted there by the live fish fishery. We conducted a 17- month acoustic telemetry study to document the movement patterns of 20 individuals (6-7 each) of China Rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus), Quillback Rockfish (S. maliger), and Copper Rockfish (S. caurinus) at Redfish Rocks, Oregon. Objectives were to (1) estimate residence times for individuals of each species, (2) evaluate spatial and temporal movement patterns, and (3) analyze the relationship between habitat attributes and movement patterns. Our results demonstrated that this small (6.78 km2) no-take marine reserve provides refuge for a substantial portion of the local population of these demersal residential fishes, due to those species’ high site fidelity to this patch of high relief rocky reef habitat located within the Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve. Title: Movement Patterns of Rockfishes at the Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve, Oregon Author: Calvanese, Thomas P. The effects of Marine protected areas (MPAs) on adult fish populations depend on the degree of protection provided, which is partly a function of MPA size and the spatial extent of fish movements. The Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve (RRMR) and MPA, located on the south coast of Oregon near Port Orford, went into effect on January 1, 2012. The boundaries of the RRMR were informed by the experience of local fishermen, but without explicit knowledge of the movement patterns of individual fish. One of the intended effects of this reserve was to provide protection for Pacific rockfishes that had been targeted there by the live fish fishery. We conducted a 17- month acoustic telemetry study to document the movement patterns of 20 individuals (6-7 each) of China Rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus), Quillback Rockfish (S. maliger), and Copper Rockfish (S. caurinus) at Redfish Rocks, Oregon. Objectives were to (1) estimate residence times for individuals of each species, (2) evaluate spatial and temporal movement patterns, and (3) analyze the relationship between habitat attributes and movement patterns. Our results demonstrated that this small (6.78 km2) no-take marine reserve provides refuge for a substantial portion of the local population of these demersal residential fishes, due to those species’ high site fidelity to this patch of high relief rocky reef habitat located within the Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve. Close

• 24. [Article] 1978 Annual Report: Wildlife Division

  This document is a summary of the activities of the Wildlife Division for the period of July 1, 1977 to June 30, 1978. It includes numbers of hunting licenses, increased prices of furs, and both large ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: 1978 Annual Report: Wildlife Division Author: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife This document is a summary of the activities of the Wildlife Division for the period of July 1, 1977 to June 30, 1978. It includes numbers of hunting licenses, increased prices of furs, and both large and small game statistics including elk, bears, pheasants, and quail. The document also discusses the nongame wildlife program initiated in 1976, as well wildlife habitat improvements completed during the time. Title: 1978 Annual Report: Wildlife Division Author: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife This document is a summary of the activities of the Wildlife Division for the period of July 1, 1977 to June 30, 1978. It includes numbers of hunting licenses, increased prices of furs, and both large and small game statistics including elk, bears, pheasants, and quail. The document also discusses the nongame wildlife program initiated in 1976, as well wildlife habitat improvements completed during the time. Close

• 25. [Article] Bird Abundance and Microhabitat Associations with Oak Mistletoe in Willamette Valley Oak Woodlands

  In the last 200 years there have been significant declines in the amount and structural complexity of oak-dominated forests and savannahs in the Pacific Northwest. Restoring oak systems often involves ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Bird Abundance and Microhabitat Associations with Oak Mistletoe in Willamette Valley Oak Woodlands Author: Pritchard, Kyle R. In the last 200 years there have been significant declines in the amount and structural complexity of oak-dominated forests and savannahs in the Pacific Northwest. Restoring oak systems often involves selectively thinning stands of oaks in order to reduce competition for sunlight. In choosing which trees to cut, land managers often remove trees with obvious signs of disease or infection. One such infection is the parasitic mistletoe Phoradendron villosum, commonly referred to as Oak Mistletoe. However, the consequences of removing mistletoe-laden trees from the woodlands for oak-associated wildlife have not been studied. Mistletoe species play an important role in ecosystems globally, by providing habitat resources for wildlife, but the role of Oak Mistletoe in an oak-dominated ecosystem is almost completely undocumented. In order to investigate relationships between Oak Mistletoe and bird abundance and diversity, I quantified breeding bird use of Oregon White Oaks (Quercus garryana) with mistletoe loads between zero and 112 plants per tree, at five study sites in the Willamette Valley in the spring of 2014. In addition, I quantified six microhabitat features related to mistletoe infection, including branch swellings, dead wood, loose/missing bark, natural cavities, excavated cavities, deep cracks in the bole, and bole coverage by Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). My results suggest that 1) structural heterogeneity within the crown of the tree and 2) bird abundance, species richness, and use of trees are positively associated with mistletoe load. In order to investigate the use of Oak Mistletoe fruits as a wildlife food resource, I recruited citizen scientists to record observations of birds feeding on mistletoe fruits in the fall of 2014 and winter of 2015 in western Oregon. In addition, I installed six camera traps in Oregon White Oak trees in order to capture additional observations of birds and other wildlife feeding on Oak Mistletoe fruits. My results suggest that Oak Mistletoe is a fall and winter food resource for Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana), American Robins (Turdus migratorius), Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum), Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), and Western Grey Squirrels (Sciurus griseus). In this study, Western Bluebirds were observed to feed on mistletoe fruits up to 14 times more frequently than other bird species. By retaining some trees with mistletoe in the crown, land managers may be able to maintain the habitat quality for some wildlife species that use the microhabitat features and fruit resources associated with mistletoe. Title: Bird Abundance and Microhabitat Associations with Oak Mistletoe in Willamette Valley Oak Woodlands Author: Pritchard, Kyle R. In the last 200 years there have been significant declines in the amount and structural complexity of oak-dominated forests and savannahs in the Pacific Northwest. Restoring oak systems often involves selectively thinning stands of oaks in order to reduce competition for sunlight. In choosing which trees to cut, land managers often remove trees with obvious signs of disease or infection. One such infection is the parasitic mistletoe Phoradendron villosum, commonly referred to as Oak Mistletoe. However, the consequences of removing mistletoe-laden trees from the woodlands for oak-associated wildlife have not been studied. Mistletoe species play an important role in ecosystems globally, by providing habitat resources for wildlife, but the role of Oak Mistletoe in an oak-dominated ecosystem is almost completely undocumented. In order to investigate relationships between Oak Mistletoe and bird abundance and diversity, I quantified breeding bird use of Oregon White Oaks (Quercus garryana) with mistletoe loads between zero and 112 plants per tree, at five study sites in the Willamette Valley in the spring of 2014. In addition, I quantified six microhabitat features related to mistletoe infection, including branch swellings, dead wood, loose/missing bark, natural cavities, excavated cavities, deep cracks in the bole, and bole coverage by Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). My results suggest that 1) structural heterogeneity within the crown of the tree and 2) bird abundance, species richness, and use of trees are positively associated with mistletoe load. In order to investigate the use of Oak Mistletoe fruits as a wildlife food resource, I recruited citizen scientists to record observations of birds feeding on mistletoe fruits in the fall of 2014 and winter of 2015 in western Oregon. In addition, I installed six camera traps in Oregon White Oak trees in order to capture additional observations of birds and other wildlife feeding on Oak Mistletoe fruits. My results suggest that Oak Mistletoe is a fall and winter food resource for Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana), American Robins (Turdus migratorius), Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum), Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), and Western Grey Squirrels (Sciurus griseus). In this study, Western Bluebirds were observed to feed on mistletoe fruits up to 14 times more frequently than other bird species. By retaining some trees with mistletoe in the crown, land managers may be able to maintain the habitat quality for some wildlife species that use the microhabitat features and fruit resources associated with mistletoe. Close

• 26. [Article] Potential barriers to movements and habitat selection of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) after experimental translocation

  I assessed potential barriers to dispersal using homing tendency and investigated the movements and settlement site selection of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) after short distance translocations ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Potential barriers to movements and habitat selection of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) after experimental translocation Author: Lawes, Timothy J. (Timothy James) I assessed potential barriers to dispersal using homing tendency and investigated the movements and settlement site selection of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) after short distance translocations in southeastern Oregon from June – December 2008. I captured, radio marked, and translocated 59 pygmy rabbits 1-2 km across landscapes with (1) continuous big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) cover (n = 19), (2) fragmented patches of big sagebrush cover (n = 19), or (3) continuous big sagebrush cover bisected by a road (n = 21). Radio telemetry was used to monitor the movements and document the fates of translocated individuals. Logistic regression was used to compare the odds of homing among landscapes after accounting for sex and displacement distance of individuals. Geographic information systems (GIS) analysis and spatial analysis software (FRAGSTATS) were used to explore the post-release movements and settlement site selection of pygmy rabbits that failed to home. Only 15% of translocated pygmy rabbits successfully homed to ˂ 150 m of their original capture locations. Individuals translocated across fragmented landscapes with little cover of big sagebrush were the most likely to home, whereas rabbits translocated across continuous big sagebrush cover bisected by a road were least likely to home. Of the pygmy rabbits that did not home, those translocated across fragmented landscapes moved the farthest (x¯ = 0.95 km, SE = 0.29 km) from their release sites prior to settlement. Individuals that were transported across continuous big sagebrush cover, with and without roads, settled an average of 0.45 (SE = 0.06 km) and 0.35 km (SE = 0.05 km) from their release sites, respectively. There was a general trend of pygmy rabbits settling closer to their release sites as big sagebrush cover increased. Pygmy rabbits also settled on sites that, on average, had greater big sagebrush cover, higher landscape connectivity, and fewer but larger patches of big sagebrush than were present at their capture sites. Current or past presence of conspecifics also appeared to be a factor in selection of settlement sites by pygmy rabbits. Results of this study indicated that pygmy rabbits were capable of making long distance movements across landscapes with fragmented big sagebrush cover. In addition, pygmy rabbits were observed crossing secondary roads, but they often settled in the dense big sagebrush along road edges where there was increased risk of coyote (Canis latrans) predation. Results of this study suggested that successful translocation of wild pygmy rabbits will require selection of release locations with continuous big sagebrush cover and a history of pygmy rabbit presence. Managers should expect to lose a percentage of pygmy rabbits to homing attempts, post-release dispersal, and predation after translocation, so the release of large numbers of individuals may be required to establish resident populations. Title: Potential barriers to movements and habitat selection of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) after experimental translocation Author: Lawes, Timothy J. (Timothy James) I assessed potential barriers to dispersal using homing tendency and investigated the movements and settlement site selection of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) after short distance translocations in southeastern Oregon from June – December 2008. I captured, radio marked, and translocated 59 pygmy rabbits 1-2 km across landscapes with (1) continuous big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) cover (n = 19), (2) fragmented patches of big sagebrush cover (n = 19), or (3) continuous big sagebrush cover bisected by a road (n = 21). Radio telemetry was used to monitor the movements and document the fates of translocated individuals. Logistic regression was used to compare the odds of homing among landscapes after accounting for sex and displacement distance of individuals. Geographic information systems (GIS) analysis and spatial analysis software (FRAGSTATS) were used to explore the post-release movements and settlement site selection of pygmy rabbits that failed to home. Only 15% of translocated pygmy rabbits successfully homed to ˂ 150 m of their original capture locations. Individuals translocated across fragmented landscapes with little cover of big sagebrush were the most likely to home, whereas rabbits translocated across continuous big sagebrush cover bisected by a road were least likely to home. Of the pygmy rabbits that did not home, those translocated across fragmented landscapes moved the farthest (x¯ = 0.95 km, SE = 0.29 km) from their release sites prior to settlement. Individuals that were transported across continuous big sagebrush cover, with and without roads, settled an average of 0.45 (SE = 0.06 km) and 0.35 km (SE = 0.05 km) from their release sites, respectively. There was a general trend of pygmy rabbits settling closer to their release sites as big sagebrush cover increased. Pygmy rabbits also settled on sites that, on average, had greater big sagebrush cover, higher landscape connectivity, and fewer but larger patches of big sagebrush than were present at their capture sites. Current or past presence of conspecifics also appeared to be a factor in selection of settlement sites by pygmy rabbits. Results of this study indicated that pygmy rabbits were capable of making long distance movements across landscapes with fragmented big sagebrush cover. In addition, pygmy rabbits were observed crossing secondary roads, but they often settled in the dense big sagebrush along road edges where there was increased risk of coyote (Canis latrans) predation. Results of this study suggested that successful translocation of wild pygmy rabbits will require selection of release locations with continuous big sagebrush cover and a history of pygmy rabbit presence. Managers should expect to lose a percentage of pygmy rabbits to homing attempts, post-release dispersal, and predation after translocation, so the release of large numbers of individuals may be required to establish resident populations. Close

• 27. [Article] Emerging infectious disease in lentic environments : the ecology and biogeography of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, with perspectives on water quality, limnology, and chemical contaminants

  Biodiversity losses in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems are accelerating at a global scale and the most threatened vertebrate taxa are those associated with freshwater habitats. The causes of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Emerging infectious disease in lentic environments : the ecology and biogeography of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, with perspectives on water quality, limnology, and chemical contaminants Author: Chestnut, Tara Biodiversity losses in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems are accelerating at a global scale and the most threatened vertebrate taxa are those associated with freshwater habitats. The causes of biodiversity losses are often complex and include synergistic effects of natural and human-induced stressors, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, urbanization, invasive species, contaminants, global climate change, and emerging infectious diseases. In the last 35 years, the amphibian extinction rate has been estimated to exceed 105 times the baseline expected rate for all species and in the USA, the number of occupied amphibian sites has been reported to be declining by 3.7% per year. Among the many threats to amphibians, the role of disease in population declines has been recognized increasingly over the last two decades. Numerous amphibian diseases have been identified and attributed to mass mortality events. Chytridiomycosis, the emerging infectious disease caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is implicated as a causal agent in many recent global amphibian population declines and extinctions. To understand the pathology and conservation implications of Bd, a greater understanding of its ecology, life history, and distribution in the wild is of paramount importance. Although it has an impact on the persistence of selected amphibian populations around the world, the full scope of the effects of chytridiomycosis on global amphibian population declines are not well understood. Most Bd research efforts have focused on Bd in amphibian hosts per se, with little attention to understand the environmental associations and dynamics of free-living Bd outside of the amphibian host. In particular, information on Bd responses to climatic variation outside of hosts is a research gap. Furthermore, as a microorganism within an aquatic environment, studies are lacking of potential water quality associations, how Bd may interact with other members of their biological communities, and how Bd responses to chemical contaminants found in aquatic environments. My research begins to fill these gaps by studying the basic ecology of free-living Bd in field settings, and investigating factors that may influence its distribution at a landscape scale, occurrence at a regional scale, and detection at a site scale. Herein, I describe spatial and temporal patterns in the detection and density of free-living Bd in aquatic habitats in two different geographic regions of the United States, Alaska (Chapter 2) and Oregon (Chapter 3). The Alaska work examines Bd ecology at the northernmost extent of amphibian occurrence in North America, where climate associations may be particularly relevant and where Bd occurrence may be representative of one of the most novel pathogen-host systems in the world. I also describe (Chapter 2) experimental results of Bd and amphibian response to extreme cold temperatures they may experience in continental settings, at high elevations, and at high latitudes. My Oregon studies (Chapter 3) focus on multivariate associations of free-living Bd occurrences with a suite of aquatic environmental factors, both abiotic and biotic in nature. In Chapter 4, I describe how amphibians and Bd respond to agricultural chemicals (fungicides) that they may be exposed to in field settings. These results are specific to Bd, but might also warrant consideration as fungicidal treatments for a newly described chytrid affecting salamanders; both of these amphibian chytrids have been detected in captive animals and solutions to treat trade animals for the pathogen are gaining relevancy. Finally, in Chapter 5, I reflect upon the journey of conservation biologists and herpetologists for 25 years of amphibian decline research, with global losses becoming widely recognized in 1989. In this context, my research significantly advances understanding of the geographic distribution and ecology of one potential threat factor to amphibian populations on Earth, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. The factors that I report to both promote or limit free-living Bd distribution and abundance will further inform pathogen dynamics research. Title: Emerging infectious disease in lentic environments : the ecology and biogeography of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, with perspectives on water quality, limnology, and chemical contaminants Author: Chestnut, Tara Biodiversity losses in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems are accelerating at a global scale and the most threatened vertebrate taxa are those associated with freshwater habitats. The causes of biodiversity losses are often complex and include synergistic effects of natural and human-induced stressors, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, urbanization, invasive species, contaminants, global climate change, and emerging infectious diseases. In the last 35 years, the amphibian extinction rate has been estimated to exceed 105 times the baseline expected rate for all species and in the USA, the number of occupied amphibian sites has been reported to be declining by 3.7% per year. Among the many threats to amphibians, the role of disease in population declines has been recognized increasingly over the last two decades. Numerous amphibian diseases have been identified and attributed to mass mortality events. Chytridiomycosis, the emerging infectious disease caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is implicated as a causal agent in many recent global amphibian population declines and extinctions. To understand the pathology and conservation implications of Bd, a greater understanding of its ecology, life history, and distribution in the wild is of paramount importance. Although it has an impact on the persistence of selected amphibian populations around the world, the full scope of the effects of chytridiomycosis on global amphibian population declines are not well understood. Most Bd research efforts have focused on Bd in amphibian hosts per se, with little attention to understand the environmental associations and dynamics of free-living Bd outside of the amphibian host. In particular, information on Bd responses to climatic variation outside of hosts is a research gap. Furthermore, as a microorganism within an aquatic environment, studies are lacking of potential water quality associations, how Bd may interact with other members of their biological communities, and how Bd responses to chemical contaminants found in aquatic environments. My research begins to fill these gaps by studying the basic ecology of free-living Bd in field settings, and investigating factors that may influence its distribution at a landscape scale, occurrence at a regional scale, and detection at a site scale. Herein, I describe spatial and temporal patterns in the detection and density of free-living Bd in aquatic habitats in two different geographic regions of the United States, Alaska (Chapter 2) and Oregon (Chapter 3). The Alaska work examines Bd ecology at the northernmost extent of amphibian occurrence in North America, where climate associations may be particularly relevant and where Bd occurrence may be representative of one of the most novel pathogen-host systems in the world. I also describe (Chapter 2) experimental results of Bd and amphibian response to extreme cold temperatures they may experience in continental settings, at high elevations, and at high latitudes. My Oregon studies (Chapter 3) focus on multivariate associations of free-living Bd occurrences with a suite of aquatic environmental factors, both abiotic and biotic in nature. In Chapter 4, I describe how amphibians and Bd respond to agricultural chemicals (fungicides) that they may be exposed to in field settings. These results are specific to Bd, but might also warrant consideration as fungicidal treatments for a newly described chytrid affecting salamanders; both of these amphibian chytrids have been detected in captive animals and solutions to treat trade animals for the pathogen are gaining relevancy. Finally, in Chapter 5, I reflect upon the journey of conservation biologists and herpetologists for 25 years of amphibian decline research, with global losses becoming widely recognized in 1989. In this context, my research significantly advances understanding of the geographic distribution and ecology of one potential threat factor to amphibian populations on Earth, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. The factors that I report to both promote or limit free-living Bd distribution and abundance will further inform pathogen dynamics research. Close

• 28. [Article] Astragalus peckii Population Establishment: Developing Protocols for Seed Germination, Seedling Cultivation, and Planting

  Astragalus peckii Piper is a threatened Oregon endemic in the pea family (Fabaceae). This species faces extinction due to loss of habitat. Recovery efforts include augmenting existing populations and creating ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Astragalus peckii Population Establishment: Developing Protocols for Seed Germination, Seedling Cultivation, and Planting Author: Pearson, Tabitha Astragalus peckii Piper is a threatened Oregon endemic in the pea family (Fabaceae). This species faces extinction due to loss of habitat. Recovery efforts include augmenting existing populations and creating new ones. The purpose of this study was to determine the best methodology for population augmentation of Astragalus peckii by evaluating methodologies for 1) seed germination and seedling cultivation, and 2) transplant survival and seed emergence. Older seeds required manual scarification to induce germination while younger seeds germinated without treatment. Seedlings were placed in three soil treatments with varying ratios of potting mix and native soil. Seedlings experienced high rates of mortality unrelated to treatment. Seeds and seedlings were planted in the fall along four transects of varying disturbance and previous species occupation. Spring survival rates provided little evidence for an increase in population size of Astragalus peckii in the four transects after planting. Title: Astragalus peckii Population Establishment: Developing Protocols for Seed Germination, Seedling Cultivation, and Planting Author: Pearson, Tabitha Astragalus peckii Piper is a threatened Oregon endemic in the pea family (Fabaceae). This species faces extinction due to loss of habitat. Recovery efforts include augmenting existing populations and creating new ones. The purpose of this study was to determine the best methodology for population augmentation of Astragalus peckii by evaluating methodologies for 1) seed germination and seedling cultivation, and 2) transplant survival and seed emergence. Older seeds required manual scarification to induce germination while younger seeds germinated without treatment. Seedlings were placed in three soil treatments with varying ratios of potting mix and native soil. Seedlings experienced high rates of mortality unrelated to treatment. Seeds and seedlings were planted in the fall along four transects of varying disturbance and previous species occupation. Spring survival rates provided little evidence for an increase in population size of Astragalus peckii in the four transects after planting. Close

• 29. [Article] HOW DO CONSERVATION LAND TRUSTS COME TO EMBRACE AGRICULTURE? A CASE STUDY FROM OREGON

  In part because of the state’s unique land use system, Oregon’s land trusts have largely focused their efforts on the protection of lands with wildlife habitat values, rather than productive agricultural ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: HOW DO CONSERVATION LAND TRUSTS COME TO EMBRACE AGRICULTURE? A CASE STUDY FROM OREGON Author: Pruch, Jared Year: 2017 In part because of the state’s unique land use system, Oregon’s land trusts have largely focused their efforts on the protection of lands with wildlife habitat values, rather than productive agricultural land. And yet a confluence of contemporary trends – including population growth, aging farmer-landowners, and a growing regard for the conservation values embedded in well-stewarded farmland – are causing some land trusts to re-evaluate their conservation priorities. By conducting in-depth interviews with land trust staff and board members, farmers and ranchers, and land use advocates around the state, my work seeks to make transparent the network of influences underlying this shift. Making use of nonprofit management theory, I argue that land trusts change their conservation priorities through a combination of environmental assessment and managerial vision. Several predictors – willingness to innovate, agricultural representation within the organization, and community priorities – increase the likelihood that land trusts will include farmland as a conservation priority. Title: HOW DO CONSERVATION LAND TRUSTS COME TO EMBRACE AGRICULTURE? A CASE STUDY FROM OREGON Author: Pruch, Jared Year: 2017 In part because of the state’s unique land use system, Oregon’s land trusts have largely focused their efforts on the protection of lands with wildlife habitat values, rather than productive agricultural land. And yet a confluence of contemporary trends – including population growth, aging farmer-landowners, and a growing regard for the conservation values embedded in well-stewarded farmland – are causing some land trusts to re-evaluate their conservation priorities. By conducting in-depth interviews with land trust staff and board members, farmers and ranchers, and land use advocates around the state, my work seeks to make transparent the network of influences underlying this shift. Making use of nonprofit management theory, I argue that land trusts change their conservation priorities through a combination of environmental assessment and managerial vision. Several predictors – willingness to innovate, agricultural representation within the organization, and community priorities – increase the likelihood that land trusts will include farmland as a conservation priority. Close

• 30. [Article] North coast explorer: a north coast basin prototype website for natural resource information management

  West Bounding Coordinate: -124.353159; East Bounding Coordinate: -122.942592; North Bounding Coordinate: 46.261906; South Bounding Coordinate: 43.719034

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: North coast explorer: a north coast basin prototype website for natural resource information management Author: Institute for Natural Resources West Bounding Coordinate: -124.353159; East Bounding Coordinate: -122.942592; North Bounding Coordinate: 46.261906; South Bounding Coordinate: 43.719034 Title: North coast explorer: a north coast basin prototype website for natural resource information management Author: Institute for Natural Resources West Bounding Coordinate: -124.353159; East Bounding Coordinate: -122.942592; North Bounding Coordinate: 46.261906; South Bounding Coordinate: 43.719034 Close

• 31. [Article] A new model to simulate climate-change impacts on forest succession for local land management

  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 the Ecological ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A new model to simulate climate-change impacts on forest succession for local land management Author: Bolte, John P., Bridgham, Scott D., Neilson, Ronald P., et al., Yospin, Gabriel I. 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 the Ecological Society of America and can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecap. Title: A new model to simulate climate-change impacts on forest succession for local land management Author: Bolte, John P., Bridgham, Scott D., Neilson, Ronald P., et al., Yospin, Gabriel I. 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 the Ecological Society of America and can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecap. Close

• 32. [Article] Fire effects on wetland prairie species: final report

  Project No. 14-48-0001-96749

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Fire effects on wetland prairie species: final report Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Project No. 14-48-0001-96749 Title: Fire effects on wetland prairie species: final report Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Project No. 14-48-0001-96749 Close

• 33. [Article] Foraging behavior of the Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) in the Pacific Northwest and potential impacts of coastal hypoxia on foraging efficiency

  In the last decade, the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem has experienced a trend of increased severity of upwelling-driven coastal hypoxia. This thesis strove to examine the potential upper trophic ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Foraging behavior of the Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) in the Pacific Northwest and potential impacts of coastal hypoxia on foraging efficiency Author: Steingass, Sheanna M. In the last decade, the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem has experienced a trend of increased severity of upwelling-driven coastal hypoxia. This thesis strove to examine the potential upper trophic level impacts of moderate and severe hypoxia in the CCLME. Initially I conducted a literature review of Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) diet in the regions of Oregon and Washington. Thirteen papers were reviewed which detailed harbor seal foraging studies in Washington, Oregon and the Columbia River from 1931 until 2012. 148 prey species or genera were described in harbor seal diet in Oregon, Washington and the Columbia River. Accordingly, I created energetic individual-based models of harbor seal spatial foraging behavior in response to hypoxia-related habitat compression for three predominant prey species, Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), English sole (Parophyrs vetulus) and Pacific sandlance (Ammodytes hexapterus). The model was composed of three submodels which simulated hypoxia and spatial foraging, foraging energetics, and dive mechanics. Hypoxia was scaled from 0 to a level of 1, which represented a severe inner-shelf hypoxic or anoxic event in which up to 80% of the inner shelf water column was hypoxic, and species lost 50% of their horizontal habitat. Response variables were also evaluated at the intermediate hypoxia levels of 0.25 and 0.75. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to illuminate which predictor variables drove a variety of response variables. Hypoxia strongly drove energetic balance, travel cost to foraging and time spent foraging at depth for all three prey species. Model output was not highly sensitive to caloric content of prey. For smaller harbor seals, energetic gains were maximized by foraging on Pacific herring or sandlance during normoxia, and sandlance during severe hypoxia. Larger adult harbor seals benefitted most from a herring- or sole-based diet during normoxia, herring and sandlance during moderate to severe hypoxia. The results suggest that shifts in spatial foraging behaviors during hypoxia may be readily apparent upon spatial analysis of TDR data. The information gathered in this thesis will be used in the experimental design of a field-based study of the effects of coastal hypoxia on harbor seal foraging behavior. Title: Foraging behavior of the Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) in the Pacific Northwest and potential impacts of coastal hypoxia on foraging efficiency Author: Steingass, Sheanna M. In the last decade, the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem has experienced a trend of increased severity of upwelling-driven coastal hypoxia. This thesis strove to examine the potential upper trophic level impacts of moderate and severe hypoxia in the CCLME. Initially I conducted a literature review of Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) diet in the regions of Oregon and Washington. Thirteen papers were reviewed which detailed harbor seal foraging studies in Washington, Oregon and the Columbia River from 1931 until 2012. 148 prey species or genera were described in harbor seal diet in Oregon, Washington and the Columbia River. Accordingly, I created energetic individual-based models of harbor seal spatial foraging behavior in response to hypoxia-related habitat compression for three predominant prey species, Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), English sole (Parophyrs vetulus) and Pacific sandlance (Ammodytes hexapterus). The model was composed of three submodels which simulated hypoxia and spatial foraging, foraging energetics, and dive mechanics. Hypoxia was scaled from 0 to a level of 1, which represented a severe inner-shelf hypoxic or anoxic event in which up to 80% of the inner shelf water column was hypoxic, and species lost 50% of their horizontal habitat. Response variables were also evaluated at the intermediate hypoxia levels of 0.25 and 0.75. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to illuminate which predictor variables drove a variety of response variables. Hypoxia strongly drove energetic balance, travel cost to foraging and time spent foraging at depth for all three prey species. Model output was not highly sensitive to caloric content of prey. For smaller harbor seals, energetic gains were maximized by foraging on Pacific herring or sandlance during normoxia, and sandlance during severe hypoxia. Larger adult harbor seals benefitted most from a herring- or sole-based diet during normoxia, herring and sandlance during moderate to severe hypoxia. The results suggest that shifts in spatial foraging behaviors during hypoxia may be readily apparent upon spatial analysis of TDR data. The information gathered in this thesis will be used in the experimental design of a field-based study of the effects of coastal hypoxia on harbor seal foraging behavior. Close

• 34. [Article] Vegetation and Small Mammal Responses to Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) Control in Eastern Oregon

  Shrub-steppe ecosystems of western North America provide habitat for many wildlife species, are important components of public and private rangelands, and offer recreational opportunities for millions ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Vegetation and Small Mammal Responses to Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) Control in Eastern Oregon Author: Morozumi, Corinne N. Shrub-steppe ecosystems of western North America provide habitat for many wildlife species, are important components of public and private rangelands, and offer recreational opportunities for millions of people. They are some of the most vulnerable ecosystems in the United States and have been altered by human activities such as livestock grazing, active fire suppression, conversion to agriculture, and urbanization of the west. Since the late 1800s woody encroachment of piñon-juniper species has also contributed to the loss of shrub-steppe habitat. Presently, land managers remove woody tree species in order to recover shrub-steppe although it is unclear how responses to these management activities differ due to site-specific conditions and existing woodland development. I studied post juniper-thinning responses in eastern Oregon at a wildlife area important as winter range for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). I investigated vegetative responses to western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) thinning across a woodland development gradient and tested for interactive effects of juniper cutting and cattle exclusion. In addition, I explored plant and small mammal successional dynamics after juniper thinning and examined plant community responses within microhabitats created by the felled trees. I compared vegetative responses to juniper thinning as well as cattle exclusion among sites where juniper were subordinate (Phase I), co-dominant (Phase II), and dominant to shrubs and grasses (Phase III, sensu Miller et al. 2005). At the Phase I site, thinning did not increase herbaceous biomass while thinned plots at the Phase II site had 2.71 times more median herbaceous biomass (99.17% CI: 1.37 to 5.37 times more biomass) than unthinned plots. Conversely, herbaceous biomass at the Phase III juniper woodland site was 0.36 times lower in thinned plots when compared to unthinned plots (99.17% CI: 0.17 to 0.78 times less biomass). Unfortunately, many of the responses were driven by exotic species release. Where juniper were subordinate (Phase I), mean percent cover by exotic grass increased by 24.58 percentage points in thinned plots as compared to unthinned plots (98.30% CI: 0.27 to 48.90 percentage points higher). Thinning at the Phase II site increased mean exotic grass cover by an estimated 28.47 percentage points as compared to mean exotic cover in the same plots before treatment (98.30% CI: 4.15 to 52.79 percentage points higher cover). Median native bunchgrass cover at this site was 5.06 times greater after juniper treatment (99.7% CI: 1.78 to 14.35 times higher percent cover). I found few main or interactive effects of cattle exclosure after one year of treatment. Responses to grazing exclosure may take longer to develop. These results indicate that sites within the wildlife area respond differently to juniper management and that exotic grass control will be key to successful shrub-steppe recovery. In addition, I used a time-since-juniper thinning chronoseries consisting of plots cut in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and an adjacent uncut control to explore how shrub-steppe flora and fauna are responding to juniper treatment through time. Shrub cover and seedling density were low in each plot. I recorded the highest seedling abundance (mean of 0.25 seedlings) in the uncut control plot. Median grass cover in the uncut control was 9.50% while in the most recently treated plot (2012) it was 26.75%. Small mammal relative abundance and diversity was low across all time-since-treatment plots though highest in the plot with the greatest time-since-treatment. Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) was the most abundant species in all plots and accounted for 70-95% of all unique captures. Least chipmunk (Tamias minimus) were present in the plot with greatest time-since-treatment indicating the potential recovery of key native shrubs since these small mammals perform an important seed dispersal role. I also investigated how potential microhabitats created by the felled juniper might support different plant communities. I assessed plant responses within zones created by 1) the felled tree (canopy zone), 2) the original duff zone, and 3) the between - tree interspace zone. The three zones had different plant community compositions as analyzed multivariately with non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS). Canopy and duff zones were forb - dominated and had less exotic grass invasion while interspace zones were heavily invested with medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and ventenata (Ventenata dubia). Exotic herbaceous productivity was lowest under the standing trees of the control plot and high in the interspace of all plots with juniper thinning. In the 2012 cut plot, grass cover was 27.90 percentage points less in the canopy zone compared to the interspace zone (98.75% CI: 17.64 to 38.16 percentage points less grass cover). In the uncut control, median native biomass was 2.08 times greater under the standing trees compared to the interspace (96.25% CI: 1.09 to 3.97 times more biomass). Results from the time-since-treatment chronoseries indicated that exotic grass dominance might be limiting shrub-steppe recovery. Active restoration of shrubs and native grasses may be necessary to address the dominance of exotic grass after juniper thinning. Positive signs of habitat recovery included small mammal responses though I was unable to calculate population estimates due to plot size. Title: Vegetation and Small Mammal Responses to Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) Control in Eastern Oregon Author: Morozumi, Corinne N. Shrub-steppe ecosystems of western North America provide habitat for many wildlife species, are important components of public and private rangelands, and offer recreational opportunities for millions of people. They are some of the most vulnerable ecosystems in the United States and have been altered by human activities such as livestock grazing, active fire suppression, conversion to agriculture, and urbanization of the west. Since the late 1800s woody encroachment of piñon-juniper species has also contributed to the loss of shrub-steppe habitat. Presently, land managers remove woody tree species in order to recover shrub-steppe although it is unclear how responses to these management activities differ due to site-specific conditions and existing woodland development. I studied post juniper-thinning responses in eastern Oregon at a wildlife area important as winter range for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). I investigated vegetative responses to western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) thinning across a woodland development gradient and tested for interactive effects of juniper cutting and cattle exclusion. In addition, I explored plant and small mammal successional dynamics after juniper thinning and examined plant community responses within microhabitats created by the felled trees. I compared vegetative responses to juniper thinning as well as cattle exclusion among sites where juniper were subordinate (Phase I), co-dominant (Phase II), and dominant to shrubs and grasses (Phase III, sensu Miller et al. 2005). At the Phase I site, thinning did not increase herbaceous biomass while thinned plots at the Phase II site had 2.71 times more median herbaceous biomass (99.17% CI: 1.37 to 5.37 times more biomass) than unthinned plots. Conversely, herbaceous biomass at the Phase III juniper woodland site was 0.36 times lower in thinned plots when compared to unthinned plots (99.17% CI: 0.17 to 0.78 times less biomass). Unfortunately, many of the responses were driven by exotic species release. Where juniper were subordinate (Phase I), mean percent cover by exotic grass increased by 24.58 percentage points in thinned plots as compared to unthinned plots (98.30% CI: 0.27 to 48.90 percentage points higher). Thinning at the Phase II site increased mean exotic grass cover by an estimated 28.47 percentage points as compared to mean exotic cover in the same plots before treatment (98.30% CI: 4.15 to 52.79 percentage points higher cover). Median native bunchgrass cover at this site was 5.06 times greater after juniper treatment (99.7% CI: 1.78 to 14.35 times higher percent cover). I found few main or interactive effects of cattle exclosure after one year of treatment. Responses to grazing exclosure may take longer to develop. These results indicate that sites within the wildlife area respond differently to juniper management and that exotic grass control will be key to successful shrub-steppe recovery. In addition, I used a time-since-juniper thinning chronoseries consisting of plots cut in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and an adjacent uncut control to explore how shrub-steppe flora and fauna are responding to juniper treatment through time. Shrub cover and seedling density were low in each plot. I recorded the highest seedling abundance (mean of 0.25 seedlings) in the uncut control plot. Median grass cover in the uncut control was 9.50% while in the most recently treated plot (2012) it was 26.75%. Small mammal relative abundance and diversity was low across all time-since-treatment plots though highest in the plot with the greatest time-since-treatment. Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) was the most abundant species in all plots and accounted for 70-95% of all unique captures. Least chipmunk (Tamias minimus) were present in the plot with greatest time-since-treatment indicating the potential recovery of key native shrubs since these small mammals perform an important seed dispersal role. I also investigated how potential microhabitats created by the felled juniper might support different plant communities. I assessed plant responses within zones created by 1) the felled tree (canopy zone), 2) the original duff zone, and 3) the between - tree interspace zone. The three zones had different plant community compositions as analyzed multivariately with non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS). Canopy and duff zones were forb - dominated and had less exotic grass invasion while interspace zones were heavily invested with medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and ventenata (Ventenata dubia). Exotic herbaceous productivity was lowest under the standing trees of the control plot and high in the interspace of all plots with juniper thinning. In the 2012 cut plot, grass cover was 27.90 percentage points less in the canopy zone compared to the interspace zone (98.75% CI: 17.64 to 38.16 percentage points less grass cover). In the uncut control, median native biomass was 2.08 times greater under the standing trees compared to the interspace (96.25% CI: 1.09 to 3.97 times more biomass). Results from the time-since-treatment chronoseries indicated that exotic grass dominance might be limiting shrub-steppe recovery. Active restoration of shrubs and native grasses may be necessary to address the dominance of exotic grass after juniper thinning. Positive signs of habitat recovery included small mammal responses though I was unable to calculate population estimates due to plot size. Close

• 35. [Article] Public lands and private waters: scarce mesic resources structure land tenure and sage-grouse distributions

  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 article is copyrighted by the author(s) and ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Public lands and private waters: scarce mesic resources structure land tenure and sage-grouse distributions Author: Donnelly, J. P., Hagen, C. A., Naugle, D. E., Maestas, J. D. 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 article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. on behalf of Ecological Society of America. It can be found at: http://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%292150-8925/ Title: Public lands and private waters: scarce mesic resources structure land tenure and sage-grouse distributions Author: Donnelly, J. P., Hagen, C. A., Naugle, D. E., Maestas, J. D. 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 article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. on behalf of Ecological Society of America. It can be found at: http://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%292150-8925/ Close

• 36. [Article] Validation of elk distribution models at Sled Springs Wildlife Demonstration Area, northeast Oregon

  Landscape models for elk distribution developed at Starkey Experimental Forest and Range from 1993-1995 were tested on another landscape during 2003-2005 at Sled Springs Wildlife Demonstration Area. Using ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Validation of elk distribution models at Sled Springs Wildlife Demonstration Area, northeast Oregon Author: Coe, Priscilla K. Landscape models for elk distribution developed at Starkey Experimental Forest and Range from 1993-1995 were tested on another landscape during 2003-2005 at Sled Springs Wildlife Demonstration Area. Using location data obtained from 23 wild elk captured and fitted with GPS telemetry collars, 8 spatial resource selection function models representing 8 periods spring through fall were evaluated. Recently published statistical and non-statistical validation methods were used to score models using a priori performance criteria. Results showed that 1-month models for early spring, late summer and early autumn scored high, mid-summer models scored medium low and a late fall model scored low. Two 2-month models representing early/late spring and late summer/early autumn scored high. Discussion focuses on understanding both high and low scoring models and recommendations for refinement. Suitability of these spatial models to management planning is also discussed. Title: Validation of elk distribution models at Sled Springs Wildlife Demonstration Area, northeast Oregon Author: Coe, Priscilla K. Landscape models for elk distribution developed at Starkey Experimental Forest and Range from 1993-1995 were tested on another landscape during 2003-2005 at Sled Springs Wildlife Demonstration Area. Using location data obtained from 23 wild elk captured and fitted with GPS telemetry collars, 8 spatial resource selection function models representing 8 periods spring through fall were evaluated. Recently published statistical and non-statistical validation methods were used to score models using a priori performance criteria. Results showed that 1-month models for early spring, late summer and early autumn scored high, mid-summer models scored medium low and a late fall model scored low. Two 2-month models representing early/late spring and late summer/early autumn scored high. Discussion focuses on understanding both high and low scoring models and recommendations for refinement. Suitability of these spatial models to management planning is also discussed. Close

• 37. [Article] Seed viability studies for recovery of Plagiobothrys hirtus (Boraginaceae), the rough popcornflower

  The original submitted file is the .ppt file. The .pdf file was made for preservation purposes.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Seed viability studies for recovery of Plagiobothrys hirtus (Boraginaceae), the rough popcornflower Author: Amsberry, Kelly, Wilson, Courtney, Meinke, Robert J. The original submitted file is the .ppt file. The .pdf file was made for preservation purposes. Title: Seed viability studies for recovery of Plagiobothrys hirtus (Boraginaceae), the rough popcornflower Author: Amsberry, Kelly, Wilson, Courtney, Meinke, Robert J. The original submitted file is the .ppt file. The .pdf file was made for preservation purposes. Close

• 38. [Article] Onshore-offshore variations in copepod community structure off the Oregon coast during the summer upwelling season

  The published version of this article is copyrighted by Inter-Research and can be found here: http://www.int-res.com/journals/meps/meps-home/

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Onshore-offshore variations in copepod community structure off the Oregon coast during the summer upwelling season Author: Emmett, Robert L., Morgan, Cheryl A., Peterson, William T. The published version of this article is copyrighted by Inter-Research and can be found here: http://www.int-res.com/journals/meps/meps-home/ Title: Onshore-offshore variations in copepod community structure off the Oregon coast during the summer upwelling season Author: Emmett, Robert L., Morgan, Cheryl A., Peterson, William T. The published version of this article is copyrighted by Inter-Research and can be found here: http://www.int-res.com/journals/meps/meps-home/ Close

• 39. [Article] Creating Useful and Usable Climate Tools for Sagebrush Land Management Through Scientist and Manager Collaboration

  The sagebrush ecosystem, home to numerous plant and animal species including big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and the endemic greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), has endured fragmentation ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Creating Useful and Usable Climate Tools for Sagebrush Land Management Through Scientist and Manager Collaboration Author: Brown, Melanie The sagebrush ecosystem, home to numerous plant and animal species including big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and the endemic greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), has endured fragmentation and degradation of both quantity and quality due to the cumulative and synergistic relationships between an abundance of individual disturbances including grazing, invasive annuals and fire. Climate change may now be an additional threat that poses the greatest risk to these imperiled habitats. Natural resource agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) seek to conserve sagelands through land management activities that ensure the survival of sage-grouse and continuity of the sagebrush biome. Web-based climate tools can help convey climate information that may be necessary for long-term land management, but these tools may not agree with the needs of land managers, may be too complex, or may be misinterpreted. To overcome barriers of user compatibility, the participation of both climate scientists and land managers is necessary during tool development. With the collaboration of Oregon and Idaho BLM sagebrush land managers and climate scientists, this study sought to assess land manager needs and define the criteria for useful and useable climate tools. Using an initial online survey, individual phone interviews with land managers, and a follow-up online survey, a series of land management activities and related climate variables were identified, and several web-based climate tools were assessed. Most managers perform vegetation management through a variety of means including seeding and herbicide application. Such activities are affected by the magnitude and timing of precipitation and temperature, as well as other variables, on seasonal and annual timeframes. For planning purposes land managers also need information on long-term 10-20 year climate trends. The act of listening to the needs of land managers uncovered communication barriers, and provided feedback on existing climate tools emphasizing accessibility, dependability and consistency, clear explanation of terminology, effective visualizations, and relevant spatial and temporal scales to the scope of management activities. We also identified a need for basic information and education on the location of existing climate tools and climate impacts, and a need for near-term forecasting tools that could bridge the gap between weather (≤ 6 months) and climate (≥ 30 years) projections. Title: Creating Useful and Usable Climate Tools for Sagebrush Land Management Through Scientist and Manager Collaboration Author: Brown, Melanie The sagebrush ecosystem, home to numerous plant and animal species including big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and the endemic greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), has endured fragmentation and degradation of both quantity and quality due to the cumulative and synergistic relationships between an abundance of individual disturbances including grazing, invasive annuals and fire. Climate change may now be an additional threat that poses the greatest risk to these imperiled habitats. Natural resource agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) seek to conserve sagelands through land management activities that ensure the survival of sage-grouse and continuity of the sagebrush biome. Web-based climate tools can help convey climate information that may be necessary for long-term land management, but these tools may not agree with the needs of land managers, may be too complex, or may be misinterpreted. To overcome barriers of user compatibility, the participation of both climate scientists and land managers is necessary during tool development. With the collaboration of Oregon and Idaho BLM sagebrush land managers and climate scientists, this study sought to assess land manager needs and define the criteria for useful and useable climate tools. Using an initial online survey, individual phone interviews with land managers, and a follow-up online survey, a series of land management activities and related climate variables were identified, and several web-based climate tools were assessed. Most managers perform vegetation management through a variety of means including seeding and herbicide application. Such activities are affected by the magnitude and timing of precipitation and temperature, as well as other variables, on seasonal and annual timeframes. For planning purposes land managers also need information on long-term 10-20 year climate trends. The act of listening to the needs of land managers uncovered communication barriers, and provided feedback on existing climate tools emphasizing accessibility, dependability and consistency, clear explanation of terminology, effective visualizations, and relevant spatial and temporal scales to the scope of management activities. We also identified a need for basic information and education on the location of existing climate tools and climate impacts, and a need for near-term forecasting tools that could bridge the gap between weather (≤ 6 months) and climate (≥ 30 years) projections. Close

• 40. [Article] Factors influencing density, distribution, and mesohabitat selection of juvenile wild salmonids and residual hatchery winter steelhead

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Elsevier and can be found at: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/aquaculture/. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Factors influencing density, distribution, and mesohabitat selection of juvenile wild salmonids and residual hatchery winter steelhead Author: Schreck, Carl B., Olson, Douglas E., Schaller, Howard A., Brignon, William R. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Elsevier and can be found at: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/aquaculture/. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. Title: Factors influencing density, distribution, and mesohabitat selection of juvenile wild salmonids and residual hatchery winter steelhead Author: Schreck, Carl B., Olson, Douglas E., Schaller, Howard A., Brignon, William R. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Elsevier and can be found at: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/aquaculture/. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. Close

• 41. [Article] Are large macroalgal blooms necessarily bad? nutrient impacts on seagrass in upwelling-influenced estuaries

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Ecological Society of America and can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecap

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Are large macroalgal blooms necessarily bad? nutrient impacts on seagrass in upwelling-influenced estuaries Author: McConville, Sea-oh, Hacker, Sally D., Hessing-Lewis, Margot L., Henderson, Jeremy, Menge, Bruce A. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Ecological Society of America and can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecap Title: Are large macroalgal blooms necessarily bad? nutrient impacts on seagrass in upwelling-influenced estuaries Author: McConville, Sea-oh, Hacker, Sally D., Hessing-Lewis, Margot L., Henderson, Jeremy, Menge, Bruce A. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Ecological Society of America and can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecap Close

• 42. [Article] Spatiotemporal Drivers of Seabird Distribution at the Pacific Marine Energy Center off Newport, Oregon

  The central Oregon coast was selected as an ideal site for wave energy development and establishment of the Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC). PMEC will consist of two nearshore sites, one north (NETS) ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Spatiotemporal Drivers of Seabird Distribution at the Pacific Marine Energy Center off Newport, Oregon Author: Porquez, Jessica M. The central Oregon coast was selected as an ideal site for wave energy development and establishment of the Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC). PMEC will consist of two nearshore sites, one north (NETS) and one south (SETS) of the Yaquina River, Oregon. Our study aims to assess how the development of wave energy sites might impact marine birds. We used vessel-based strip transect surveys to detect spatial and temporal patterns of seabirds during 28 surveys of NETS and SETS from 2013-2015. We also conducted 29 surveys along the Newport Hydrographic Line (NHL) (2006-2009, 2013-2015), a cross-shelf oceanographic sampling line that extends 40 km west of NETS. We collected in situ measurements of surface conductivity, temperature and fluorescence to test correlations between spatial variables and seabird abundance. Common murres (Uria aalge) were the most abundant resident species (70%) while sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) were the most abundant migratory species (78%). We identified 7 focal species (common murres, sooty shearwaters, Brandt's and pelagic cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus and pelagicus), western gull (Larus occidentalis), Cassin's auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus), and red-necked phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus), 5 foraging niches and 3 species of interest for analysis. We used non-metric multidimensional scaling ordinations to assess seasonal shifts in the seabird community at a focal species and foraging group level. Both ordinations depicted strong seasonal gradients with distinct seasonal communities. Focal species were also driven by a distance to shore gradient, while foraging niches were more influenced by foraging type (diving versus surface feeding). The shoreward shift or outward dispersal of species appears driven by a combination of factors, including the diffusion of nearshore concentration of murres and cormorants on Yaquina Head post chick fledging, and the inshore movement of migratory species with the onset of upwelling and greater prey abundance. We employed generalized additive mixed models for the focal species, and tested for correlations with in situ data (salinity, temperature and fluorescence), depth, substrate, season, and a random 'site' effect. We identified correlations between several species and measured oceanographic variables, which indicated species' selection of specific water masses. With Inverse Distance Weighted maps we detected high use zones by sooty shearwaters and common murres outside of both site boundaries, except during the spring and summer, when murres occur densely within the NETS. None of our observed species of concern (brown pelicans (Pelicanus occidentalis), black footed albatrosses (Phoebastria nigiripes) and marbled murrelets, (Brachyramphus marmoratus)) were detected within either site boundary. Rather, pelicans and murrelets were observed inshore of the SETS and south of the NETS, and albatrosses were all detected west of the sites. We observed overall low abundance of focal species within the sites, relative to adjacent areas, although the whole study area appears to be productive foraging habitat used by many species. As a baseline characterization of the seabird community off Newport, this work can help inform citing and permitting processes of similar wave energy test facilities and provide a platform for continued monitoring of seabirds in the area. Title: Spatiotemporal Drivers of Seabird Distribution at the Pacific Marine Energy Center off Newport, Oregon Author: Porquez, Jessica M. The central Oregon coast was selected as an ideal site for wave energy development and establishment of the Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC). PMEC will consist of two nearshore sites, one north (NETS) and one south (SETS) of the Yaquina River, Oregon. Our study aims to assess how the development of wave energy sites might impact marine birds. We used vessel-based strip transect surveys to detect spatial and temporal patterns of seabirds during 28 surveys of NETS and SETS from 2013-2015. We also conducted 29 surveys along the Newport Hydrographic Line (NHL) (2006-2009, 2013-2015), a cross-shelf oceanographic sampling line that extends 40 km west of NETS. We collected in situ measurements of surface conductivity, temperature and fluorescence to test correlations between spatial variables and seabird abundance. Common murres (Uria aalge) were the most abundant resident species (70%) while sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) were the most abundant migratory species (78%). We identified 7 focal species (common murres, sooty shearwaters, Brandt's and pelagic cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus and pelagicus), western gull (Larus occidentalis), Cassin's auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus), and red-necked phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus), 5 foraging niches and 3 species of interest for analysis. We used non-metric multidimensional scaling ordinations to assess seasonal shifts in the seabird community at a focal species and foraging group level. Both ordinations depicted strong seasonal gradients with distinct seasonal communities. Focal species were also driven by a distance to shore gradient, while foraging niches were more influenced by foraging type (diving versus surface feeding). The shoreward shift or outward dispersal of species appears driven by a combination of factors, including the diffusion of nearshore concentration of murres and cormorants on Yaquina Head post chick fledging, and the inshore movement of migratory species with the onset of upwelling and greater prey abundance. We employed generalized additive mixed models for the focal species, and tested for correlations with in situ data (salinity, temperature and fluorescence), depth, substrate, season, and a random 'site' effect. We identified correlations between several species and measured oceanographic variables, which indicated species' selection of specific water masses. With Inverse Distance Weighted maps we detected high use zones by sooty shearwaters and common murres outside of both site boundaries, except during the spring and summer, when murres occur densely within the NETS. None of our observed species of concern (brown pelicans (Pelicanus occidentalis), black footed albatrosses (Phoebastria nigiripes) and marbled murrelets, (Brachyramphus marmoratus)) were detected within either site boundary. Rather, pelicans and murrelets were observed inshore of the SETS and south of the NETS, and albatrosses were all detected west of the sites. We observed overall low abundance of focal species within the sites, relative to adjacent areas, although the whole study area appears to be productive foraging habitat used by many species. As a baseline characterization of the seabird community off Newport, this work can help inform citing and permitting processes of similar wave energy test facilities and provide a platform for continued monitoring of seabirds in the area. Close

• 43. [Article] The Distribution and Reproductive Success of the Western Snowy Plover along the Oregon Coast - 2011

  From 6 April – 19 September 2011 we monitored the distribution, abundance and productivity of the federally Threatened Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) along the Oregon coast. From north ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Distribution and Reproductive Success of the Western Snowy Plover along the Oregon Coast - 2011 Author: Institute for Natural Resources, Castelein, Kathleen A., Gaines, Eleanor P., Lauten, David J., Farrar, J. Daniel, Kotaich, Adam A. From 6 April – 19 September 2011 we monitored the distribution, abundance and productivity of the federally Threatened Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) along the Oregon coast. From north to south, we surveyed and monitored plover activity at Sutton Beach, Siltcoos River estuary, the Dunes Overlook, North Tahkenitch Creek, Tenmile Creek, Coos Bay North Spit, Bandon Beach, New River, and Floras Lake. Our objectives for the Oregon coastal population in 2011 were to: 1) estimate the size of the adult Snowy Plover population, 2) locate plover nests, 3) continue use of mini-exclosures(MEs) to protect nests from predators when and where needed, 4) determine nest success, 5) determine fledging success, 6) monitor brood movements, 7) collect general observational data about predators, and 8) evaluate the effectiveness of predator management. We observed an estimated 247-253 adult Snowy Plovers; a minimum of 214 individuals were known to have nested. The adult plover population was the highest estimate recorded since monitoring began in 1990. We monitored 289 nests in 2011, the highest number of nests since monitoring began in 1990. Overall apparent nest success was 50%. Exclosed nests (n = 48) had a 71% apparent nest success rate, and unexclosed nests (n = 241) had a 48% apparent nest success rate. Nest failures were attributed to unknown depredation (22%), corvid depredation (20%), unknown cause (18%), one-egg nests (16%), abandonment (15%), wind/weather (3%), mammalian depredation (2%), adult plover depredation (2%), infertility (1%), and rodent depredation (1%). We monitored 148 broods, including four from unknown nests, and documented a minimum of 168 fledglings. Overall brood success was 71%, fledging success was 46%, and 1.57 fledglings per male were produced. Continued predator management, habitat improvement and maintenance, and management of recreational activities at all sites are recommended to achieve recovery goals. Title: The Distribution and Reproductive Success of the Western Snowy Plover along the Oregon Coast - 2011 Author: Institute for Natural Resources, Castelein, Kathleen A., Gaines, Eleanor P., Lauten, David J., Farrar, J. Daniel, Kotaich, Adam A. From 6 April – 19 September 2011 we monitored the distribution, abundance and productivity of the federally Threatened Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) along the Oregon coast. From north to south, we surveyed and monitored plover activity at Sutton Beach, Siltcoos River estuary, the Dunes Overlook, North Tahkenitch Creek, Tenmile Creek, Coos Bay North Spit, Bandon Beach, New River, and Floras Lake. Our objectives for the Oregon coastal population in 2011 were to: 1) estimate the size of the adult Snowy Plover population, 2) locate plover nests, 3) continue use of mini-exclosures(MEs) to protect nests from predators when and where needed, 4) determine nest success, 5) determine fledging success, 6) monitor brood movements, 7) collect general observational data about predators, and 8) evaluate the effectiveness of predator management. We observed an estimated 247-253 adult Snowy Plovers; a minimum of 214 individuals were known to have nested. The adult plover population was the highest estimate recorded since monitoring began in 1990. We monitored 289 nests in 2011, the highest number of nests since monitoring began in 1990. Overall apparent nest success was 50%. Exclosed nests (n = 48) had a 71% apparent nest success rate, and unexclosed nests (n = 241) had a 48% apparent nest success rate. Nest failures were attributed to unknown depredation (22%), corvid depredation (20%), unknown cause (18%), one-egg nests (16%), abandonment (15%), wind/weather (3%), mammalian depredation (2%), adult plover depredation (2%), infertility (1%), and rodent depredation (1%). We monitored 148 broods, including four from unknown nests, and documented a minimum of 168 fledglings. Overall brood success was 71%, fledging success was 46%, and 1.57 fledglings per male were produced. Continued predator management, habitat improvement and maintenance, and management of recreational activities at all sites are recommended to achieve recovery goals. Close

• 44. [Article] Eelgrass-macroalgae interactions; context-dependency in upwelling-influenced estuaries

  This dissertation investigates the context-dependency of species interactions between seagrass and macroalgae in upwelling-influenced estuaries. In all coastal systems, nutrient loading is multidirectional, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Eelgrass-macroalgae interactions; context-dependency in upwelling-influenced estuaries Author: Hessing-Lewis, Margot, 1979- This dissertation investigates the context-dependency of species interactions between seagrass and macroalgae in upwelling-influenced estuaries. In all coastal systems, nutrient loading is multidirectional, resulting from mostly freshwater and marine inputs. The directionality of nutrient inputs may affect the rate of supply of organic matter to the system. In systems where freshwater nutrient loading dominates, and has increased through time, research shows that blooms of fast-growing macroalgae often result in loss of critical seagrass habitats. In upwelling-influenced systems, marine- based nutrient inputs dominate during the summer, also resulting in blooms of ulvoid macroalgae during these productive months. The dominance of marine nutrients in these estuaries, coupled with additional variation in the physicochemical characteristics of seagrass beds, present novel contexts to study the outcomes of species interactions between the seagrass (Zostera marina L. (eelgrass) and ulvoid macroalgae. I studied these interactions at two different spatial scales that both address the relative importance of marine versus terrestrial nutrient sources on interaction outcome. Regionally, I studied between-estuary, latitudinal patterns in species interactions relative to differences in marine and terrestrial drivers of nutrient loading. Within an estuary, I also compared interactions among zones along an estuarine gradient, where nutrient patterns were reflective of the relative contribution of marine- based nutrients. At both scales of inquiry I employed both observational and experimental approaches to quantify species interaction dynamics. At the regional scale, I used a 5- year observational dataset from four estuaries along the Oregon and Washington coasts to study the relationship between eelgrass and ulvoid macroalgae (Chapter 2). Across latitudes that span ~220 km, macroalgal production was highest in the southern estuaries, and associated with decreased eelgrass production compared to the northern estuaries. However, through time, no estuarine site, regardless of its macroalgal biomass, was associated with declining eelgrass biomass. Contrary to systems where macroalgal production is driven by terrestrial inputs, I found that blooms in upwelling- influenced systems were associated with both marine and terrestrial drivers of nutrient inputs and production. In Coos Bay (South Slough), at the within-estuary scale, I also found differences in macroalgal and eelgrass biomass among sites along an estuarine gradient. Here too, based on a 2-year seasonal dataset of producer dynamics, I found no temporal relationship between eelgrass and macroalgae producer dynamics (Chapter 3). I used a comparative-experimental framework to understand the impact of macroalgal manipulations (additions and removals) on interactions with eelgrass along this gradient. In intertidal seagrass beds in the marine and polyhaline zones of the estuary I found that interaction strength was neutral and sometimes positive. However, in the riverine zone, interaction strength was negative, caused by decreased eelgrass density following macroalgal manipulation. To further examine the mechanisms informing interaction outcomes in the marine zone, a large-scale macroalgal manipulation was conducted, coupled with a mesocosm experiment (Chapter 4). For the mesocosm experiment I manipulated macroalgae and nutrients as in the field, but found dissimilar results. In the mesocosms, where water movement was limited and no tidal action occurred, negative effects of macroalgal addition were found. These were associated with increased light attenuation and decreased sediment oxygen levels. Contrary to these results, I found no macroalgal, or covariate effects in the field experiment. I also manipulated water column nutrients in both experiments, and found limited effects of nutrient enrichment on eelgrass, but not macroalgae, in the mesocosm experiment. Throughout these studies I demonstrated that the mechanisms determining context-dependency in upwelling-influenced estuaries are informed by physical and biogeochemical conditions, coupled with high ambient marine-derived nutrient concentrations. These findings are important to coastal management because they suggest that the strength, direction and mechanisms of interactions are shaped by local abiotic conditions and long-term nutrient regimes, rather than high nutrient concentrations per se. Given the shifting nature of nutrient concentrations in coastal waters associated with both coastal development and climate change, knowledge of context dependency can also be used to assess and forecast future changes in species interactions. Title: Eelgrass-macroalgae interactions; context-dependency in upwelling-influenced estuaries Author: Hessing-Lewis, Margot, 1979- This dissertation investigates the context-dependency of species interactions between seagrass and macroalgae in upwelling-influenced estuaries. In all coastal systems, nutrient loading is multidirectional, resulting from mostly freshwater and marine inputs. The directionality of nutrient inputs may affect the rate of supply of organic matter to the system. In systems where freshwater nutrient loading dominates, and has increased through time, research shows that blooms of fast-growing macroalgae often result in loss of critical seagrass habitats. In upwelling-influenced systems, marine- based nutrient inputs dominate during the summer, also resulting in blooms of ulvoid macroalgae during these productive months. The dominance of marine nutrients in these estuaries, coupled with additional variation in the physicochemical characteristics of seagrass beds, present novel contexts to study the outcomes of species interactions between the seagrass (Zostera marina L. (eelgrass) and ulvoid macroalgae. I studied these interactions at two different spatial scales that both address the relative importance of marine versus terrestrial nutrient sources on interaction outcome. Regionally, I studied between-estuary, latitudinal patterns in species interactions relative to differences in marine and terrestrial drivers of nutrient loading. Within an estuary, I also compared interactions among zones along an estuarine gradient, where nutrient patterns were reflective of the relative contribution of marine- based nutrients. At both scales of inquiry I employed both observational and experimental approaches to quantify species interaction dynamics. At the regional scale, I used a 5- year observational dataset from four estuaries along the Oregon and Washington coasts to study the relationship between eelgrass and ulvoid macroalgae (Chapter 2). Across latitudes that span ~220 km, macroalgal production was highest in the southern estuaries, and associated with decreased eelgrass production compared to the northern estuaries. However, through time, no estuarine site, regardless of its macroalgal biomass, was associated with declining eelgrass biomass. Contrary to systems where macroalgal production is driven by terrestrial inputs, I found that blooms in upwelling- influenced systems were associated with both marine and terrestrial drivers of nutrient inputs and production. In Coos Bay (South Slough), at the within-estuary scale, I also found differences in macroalgal and eelgrass biomass among sites along an estuarine gradient. Here too, based on a 2-year seasonal dataset of producer dynamics, I found no temporal relationship between eelgrass and macroalgae producer dynamics (Chapter 3). I used a comparative-experimental framework to understand the impact of macroalgal manipulations (additions and removals) on interactions with eelgrass along this gradient. In intertidal seagrass beds in the marine and polyhaline zones of the estuary I found that interaction strength was neutral and sometimes positive. However, in the riverine zone, interaction strength was negative, caused by decreased eelgrass density following macroalgal manipulation. To further examine the mechanisms informing interaction outcomes in the marine zone, a large-scale macroalgal manipulation was conducted, coupled with a mesocosm experiment (Chapter 4). For the mesocosm experiment I manipulated macroalgae and nutrients as in the field, but found dissimilar results. In the mesocosms, where water movement was limited and no tidal action occurred, negative effects of macroalgal addition were found. These were associated with increased light attenuation and decreased sediment oxygen levels. Contrary to these results, I found no macroalgal, or covariate effects in the field experiment. I also manipulated water column nutrients in both experiments, and found limited effects of nutrient enrichment on eelgrass, but not macroalgae, in the mesocosm experiment. Throughout these studies I demonstrated that the mechanisms determining context-dependency in upwelling-influenced estuaries are informed by physical and biogeochemical conditions, coupled with high ambient marine-derived nutrient concentrations. These findings are important to coastal management because they suggest that the strength, direction and mechanisms of interactions are shaped by local abiotic conditions and long-term nutrient regimes, rather than high nutrient concentrations per se. Given the shifting nature of nutrient concentrations in coastal waters associated with both coastal development and climate change, knowledge of context dependency can also be used to assess and forecast future changes in species interactions. Close

• 45. [Article] Meadow classification in the Willamette National Forest and conifer encroachment patterns in the Chucksney-Grasshopper meadow complex, Western Cascade Range, Oregon

  This study delineates and characterizes the distribution of montane meadows in the Willamette National Forest, identifies encroachment patterns in relation to topographic features and proximity to trees ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Meadow classification in the Willamette National Forest and conifer encroachment patterns in the Chucksney-Grasshopper meadow complex, Western Cascade Range, Oregon Author: Dailey, Michele Meadows This study delineates and characterizes the distribution of montane meadows in the Willamette National Forest, identifies encroachment patterns in relation to topographic features and proximity to trees in the Chucksney-Grasshopper meadow complex, and examines tree species and age distributions in relation to distance from forest edges or isolated tree clusters in the West Middle Prairie meadow. The Willamette National Forest covers approximately 6780 km² and intersects two main physiographic provinces comprised of the Cascade Crest Montane Forests and Subalpine/Alpine regions to the east, and the Western Cascades Montane, Lowland, and Valley regions to the west. Tree species commonly found in the study area include firs, cedar, pine, larch, spruce, and hemlock. Non-forested openings, including meadows, are distributed throughout the study area. Matched Filtering analysis was applied to Landsat ETM+ imagery acquired in September 2002 and combined with ancillary data that delineates stand replacing fire and harvest disturbances that occurred between 1972 and 2004 to create a vegetation classification of the Willamette National Forest that identifies meadows. The meadow classification was then combined with data depicting topographic position, slope, aspect, and elevation. Chi-squared statistics were applied to determine if meadows were significantly concentrated in areas characterized by these physical factors. In the western extent of the Willamette National Forest, meadows are concentrated on steep, south and east facing ridges between 1000 and 2000m in elevation. In the eastern extent of the Willamette National Forest, meadows are concentrated in valleys between 500 and 1000 meters in elevation and occur on both gentle and steep, east and south facing slopes. The vegetation classification provides a consistent and comprehensive dataset of meadow distribution in the Willamette National Forest. The Chucksney-Grasshopper meadow complex is contained by the Chucksney Mountain roadless area and comprised of approximately 8 distinct meadows located 27 kilometers northeast of Oakridge in the Willamette National Forest. The meadows occur on mostly south and east facing steep slopes near the ridgeline, and host varied dry and mesic plant communities. Herbaceous cover for three snapshots in time was classified using aerial photographs taken in 1947, 1972, and 2005 to determine conifer encroachment into the meadows. Chi-squared statistics were applied to determine if encroachment patterns were associated with slope, aspect, or proximity to tree cover. Encroachment occurred significantly closer to existing trees in all meadows suggesting the ameliorating effects of forest create conditions favorable for seedling establishment. Encroachment was also significant on steep, south and east facing slopes in some meadows, but also on gentle, west facing slopes in other meadows indicating a complex interaction of land use history, physical, and biological factors. The encroachment history analysis provides the preliminary framework for a model that can be used to identify meadows at risk for invasion. The West Middle Prairie of the Chucksney-Grasshopper complex, also known as Meadow 4, is a 21 hectare meadow characterized by a dry meadow community at the northern boundary, a mesic forest-meadow mosaic towards the southern boundary, and a rock garden at the western boundary. This meadow underwent mechanical tree removal in 1964 and a prescribed burn in 1996 to thwart conifer invasion. Four transects intersecting burned and unburned areas at the forest edge and through isolated tree clusters were sampled to determine the distribution of tree species and ages relative to their position in the transect. Data imply Pinus contorta invasion was promoted by the 1996 burns and that seedling establishment has occurred progressively from forest edges as well as simultaneously in a band along the forest edge. These findings suggest the prescribed burn was not adequate to control invasion and such management methods should be reviewed in the context of on-going research into alternate eradication measures. This research also supports other work that suggests initial seedling establishment accelerates subsequent seedling establishment and that eradication of early invaders is important for efficient management. This study can inform meadow habitat maintenance and restoration in three ways: it provides and inventory of meadows in the Willamette National Forest, a framework for a tool to predict which meadows are at risk for invasion and therefore are potential targets for action, and finally a report on past maintenance efforts and observation of invasion patterns at a fine scale. Title: Meadow classification in the Willamette National Forest and conifer encroachment patterns in the Chucksney-Grasshopper meadow complex, Western Cascade Range, Oregon Author: Dailey, Michele Meadows This study delineates and characterizes the distribution of montane meadows in the Willamette National Forest, identifies encroachment patterns in relation to topographic features and proximity to trees in the Chucksney-Grasshopper meadow complex, and examines tree species and age distributions in relation to distance from forest edges or isolated tree clusters in the West Middle Prairie meadow. The Willamette National Forest covers approximately 6780 km² and intersects two main physiographic provinces comprised of the Cascade Crest Montane Forests and Subalpine/Alpine regions to the east, and the Western Cascades Montane, Lowland, and Valley regions to the west. Tree species commonly found in the study area include firs, cedar, pine, larch, spruce, and hemlock. Non-forested openings, including meadows, are distributed throughout the study area. Matched Filtering analysis was applied to Landsat ETM+ imagery acquired in September 2002 and combined with ancillary data that delineates stand replacing fire and harvest disturbances that occurred between 1972 and 2004 to create a vegetation classification of the Willamette National Forest that identifies meadows. The meadow classification was then combined with data depicting topographic position, slope, aspect, and elevation. Chi-squared statistics were applied to determine if meadows were significantly concentrated in areas characterized by these physical factors. In the western extent of the Willamette National Forest, meadows are concentrated on steep, south and east facing ridges between 1000 and 2000m in elevation. In the eastern extent of the Willamette National Forest, meadows are concentrated in valleys between 500 and 1000 meters in elevation and occur on both gentle and steep, east and south facing slopes. The vegetation classification provides a consistent and comprehensive dataset of meadow distribution in the Willamette National Forest. The Chucksney-Grasshopper meadow complex is contained by the Chucksney Mountain roadless area and comprised of approximately 8 distinct meadows located 27 kilometers northeast of Oakridge in the Willamette National Forest. The meadows occur on mostly south and east facing steep slopes near the ridgeline, and host varied dry and mesic plant communities. Herbaceous cover for three snapshots in time was classified using aerial photographs taken in 1947, 1972, and 2005 to determine conifer encroachment into the meadows. Chi-squared statistics were applied to determine if encroachment patterns were associated with slope, aspect, or proximity to tree cover. Encroachment occurred significantly closer to existing trees in all meadows suggesting the ameliorating effects of forest create conditions favorable for seedling establishment. Encroachment was also significant on steep, south and east facing slopes in some meadows, but also on gentle, west facing slopes in other meadows indicating a complex interaction of land use history, physical, and biological factors. The encroachment history analysis provides the preliminary framework for a model that can be used to identify meadows at risk for invasion. The West Middle Prairie of the Chucksney-Grasshopper complex, also known as Meadow 4, is a 21 hectare meadow characterized by a dry meadow community at the northern boundary, a mesic forest-meadow mosaic towards the southern boundary, and a rock garden at the western boundary. This meadow underwent mechanical tree removal in 1964 and a prescribed burn in 1996 to thwart conifer invasion. Four transects intersecting burned and unburned areas at the forest edge and through isolated tree clusters were sampled to determine the distribution of tree species and ages relative to their position in the transect. Data imply Pinus contorta invasion was promoted by the 1996 burns and that seedling establishment has occurred progressively from forest edges as well as simultaneously in a band along the forest edge. These findings suggest the prescribed burn was not adequate to control invasion and such management methods should be reviewed in the context of on-going research into alternate eradication measures. This research also supports other work that suggests initial seedling establishment accelerates subsequent seedling establishment and that eradication of early invaders is important for efficient management. This study can inform meadow habitat maintenance and restoration in three ways: it provides and inventory of meadows in the Willamette National Forest, a framework for a tool to predict which meadows are at risk for invasion and therefore are potential targets for action, and finally a report on past maintenance efforts and observation of invasion patterns at a fine scale. Close

• 46. [Article] The influence of biophysical feedbacks and species interactions on grass invasions and coastal dune morphology in the Pacific Northwest, USA

  Biological invasions provide a unique opportunity to study the mechanisms that regulate community composition and ecosystem function. Invasive species that are also ecosystem engineers can substantially ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The influence of biophysical feedbacks and species interactions on grass invasions and coastal dune morphology in the Pacific Northwest, USA Author: Zarnetske, Phoebe Lehmann, 1979- Biological invasions provide a unique opportunity to study the mechanisms that regulate community composition and ecosystem function. Invasive species that are also ecosystem engineers can substantially alter physical features in an environment, and this can lead to cascading effects on the biological community. Aquatic-terrestrial interface ecosystems are excellent systems to study the interactions among invasive ecosystem engineers, physical features, and biological communities, because interactions among vegetation, sediment, and fluids within biophysical feedbacks create and modify distinct physical features. Further, these systems provide important ecosystem services including coastal protection afforded by their natural features. In this dissertation, I investigate the interactions and feedbacks among sand-binding beach grass species (a native, Elymus mollis (Trin.), and two non-natives, Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link and A. breviligulata Fernald), sediment supply, and dune shape along the U.S. Pacific Northwest coast. Dunes dominated by A. arenaria tend to be taller and narrower compared to the shorter, wider dunes dominated by A. breviligulata. These patterns suggest an ecological control on dune shape, and thus, coastal vulnerability to overtopping waves. I investigate the causes and consequences of these patterns with experiments, field observations, and modeling. Specifically, I investigate the relative roles of vegetation and sediment supply in shaping coastal dunes over inter-annual and multi-decadal time scales (Chapter 2), characterize a biophysical feedback between beach grass species growth habit and sediment supply (Chapter 3), uncover the mechanisms leading to beach grass coexistence and whether A. breviligulata can invade and dominate new sections of coastline (Chapter 4), and examine the non-target effects resulting from management actions that remove Ammophila for the recovery of the threatened Western Snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) (Chapter 5). I found that vegetation and sediment supply play important roles in dune shape changes across inter-annual and multi-decadal time scales (Chapter 2). I determined that a biophysical feedback between the beach grass growth habits and sediment supply results in species-specific differences in sand capture ability, and thus, is a likely explanation for differences in dune shape (Chapter 3). I found that all three beach grass species can coexist across different sediment deposition rates, and that this coexistence is largely mediated by positive direct and indirect species interactions. I further determined that A. breviligulata is capable of invading and dominating the beach grass community in regions where it is currently absent (Chapter 4). Combined, these findings indicate that A. breviligulata is an inferior dune building species as compared to A. arenaria, and suggest that in combination with sediment supply gradients, these species differences ultimately lead to differences in dune shape. Potential further invasions of A. breviligulata into southern regions of the Pacific Northwest may diminish the coastal protection ability of dunes currently dominated by A. arenaria, but this effect could be moderated by the predicted near co-dominance of A. arenaria in these lower sediment supply conditions. Finally, I found that the techniques used to remove Ammophila for plover recovery have unintended consequences for the native and endemic dune plant communities, and disrupt the natural disturbance regime of shifting sand. A whole-ecosystem restoration focus would be an improvement over the target-species approach, as it would promote the return of the natural disturbance regime, which in turn, would help recover the native biological community. The findings from this dissertation research provide a robust knowledge base that can guide further investigations of biological and physical changes to the coastal dunes, can help improve the management of dune ecosystem services and the restoration of native communities, and can help anticipate the impacts of future beach grass invasions and climate change induced changes to the coast. Title: The influence of biophysical feedbacks and species interactions on grass invasions and coastal dune morphology in the Pacific Northwest, USA Author: Zarnetske, Phoebe Lehmann, 1979- Biological invasions provide a unique opportunity to study the mechanisms that regulate community composition and ecosystem function. Invasive species that are also ecosystem engineers can substantially alter physical features in an environment, and this can lead to cascading effects on the biological community. Aquatic-terrestrial interface ecosystems are excellent systems to study the interactions among invasive ecosystem engineers, physical features, and biological communities, because interactions among vegetation, sediment, and fluids within biophysical feedbacks create and modify distinct physical features. Further, these systems provide important ecosystem services including coastal protection afforded by their natural features. In this dissertation, I investigate the interactions and feedbacks among sand-binding beach grass species (a native, Elymus mollis (Trin.), and two non-natives, Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link and A. breviligulata Fernald), sediment supply, and dune shape along the U.S. Pacific Northwest coast. Dunes dominated by A. arenaria tend to be taller and narrower compared to the shorter, wider dunes dominated by A. breviligulata. These patterns suggest an ecological control on dune shape, and thus, coastal vulnerability to overtopping waves. I investigate the causes and consequences of these patterns with experiments, field observations, and modeling. Specifically, I investigate the relative roles of vegetation and sediment supply in shaping coastal dunes over inter-annual and multi-decadal time scales (Chapter 2), characterize a biophysical feedback between beach grass species growth habit and sediment supply (Chapter 3), uncover the mechanisms leading to beach grass coexistence and whether A. breviligulata can invade and dominate new sections of coastline (Chapter 4), and examine the non-target effects resulting from management actions that remove Ammophila for the recovery of the threatened Western Snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) (Chapter 5). I found that vegetation and sediment supply play important roles in dune shape changes across inter-annual and multi-decadal time scales (Chapter 2). I determined that a biophysical feedback between the beach grass growth habits and sediment supply results in species-specific differences in sand capture ability, and thus, is a likely explanation for differences in dune shape (Chapter 3). I found that all three beach grass species can coexist across different sediment deposition rates, and that this coexistence is largely mediated by positive direct and indirect species interactions. I further determined that A. breviligulata is capable of invading and dominating the beach grass community in regions where it is currently absent (Chapter 4). Combined, these findings indicate that A. breviligulata is an inferior dune building species as compared to A. arenaria, and suggest that in combination with sediment supply gradients, these species differences ultimately lead to differences in dune shape. Potential further invasions of A. breviligulata into southern regions of the Pacific Northwest may diminish the coastal protection ability of dunes currently dominated by A. arenaria, but this effect could be moderated by the predicted near co-dominance of A. arenaria in these lower sediment supply conditions. Finally, I found that the techniques used to remove Ammophila for plover recovery have unintended consequences for the native and endemic dune plant communities, and disrupt the natural disturbance regime of shifting sand. A whole-ecosystem restoration focus would be an improvement over the target-species approach, as it would promote the return of the natural disturbance regime, which in turn, would help recover the native biological community. The findings from this dissertation research provide a robust knowledge base that can guide further investigations of biological and physical changes to the coastal dunes, can help improve the management of dune ecosystem services and the restoration of native communities, and can help anticipate the impacts of future beach grass invasions and climate change induced changes to the coast. Close