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• 1. [Article] Economic Benefits of Conserving Natural Lands: Case Study: Yaquina Bay Conservation Opportunity Area, Oregon

  In this study, which forms part of a set of five case studies that cover natural lands in Florida, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oregon, we develop estimates of the economic value of several human uses ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Economic Benefits of Conserving Natural Lands: Case Study: Yaquina Bay Conservation Opportunity Area, Oregon Author: McMurray, Anna, Kroeger, Timm In this study, which forms part of a set of five case studies that cover natural lands in Florida, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oregon, we develop estimates of the economic value of several human uses supported by Yaquina Bay, a 29 square-mile area in coastal central Oregon that has been identified as a conservation opportunity area (COA) in Oregon’s Conservation Strategy. Our analysis develops quantitative estimates of the economic value associated with recreational fishing and commercial crabbing, oyster harvests and livestock production. It also estimates the value of the carbon sequestration service provided by the ecosystems found in Yaquina Bay and the value of the open space premiums that accrue to residential properties located in the vicinity of undeveloped open spaces. Land use, land management and conservation planning, in order to achieve economically sensible results, should take into account the economic value generated by the conservation of undeveloped lands and the fact that the increasing relative scarcity of these lands will only increase conservation values. With a large share of both ecologically and economically valuable undeveloped lands in private ownership, not just in the Yaquina Bay study area but also at state and national levels, existing financial incentive systems that encourage land conservation on private lands will need to be improved and in many cases additional ones will need to be created in order to better align privately and socially desirable outcomes. This is a challenging task whose urgency is increasing in lockstep with the continuing loss and degradation of natural lands. Title: Economic Benefits of Conserving Natural Lands: Case Study: Yaquina Bay Conservation Opportunity Area, Oregon Author: McMurray, Anna, Kroeger, Timm In this study, which forms part of a set of five case studies that cover natural lands in Florida, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oregon, we develop estimates of the economic value of several human uses supported by Yaquina Bay, a 29 square-mile area in coastal central Oregon that has been identified as a conservation opportunity area (COA) in Oregon’s Conservation Strategy. Our analysis develops quantitative estimates of the economic value associated with recreational fishing and commercial crabbing, oyster harvests and livestock production. It also estimates the value of the carbon sequestration service provided by the ecosystems found in Yaquina Bay and the value of the open space premiums that accrue to residential properties located in the vicinity of undeveloped open spaces. Land use, land management and conservation planning, in order to achieve economically sensible results, should take into account the economic value generated by the conservation of undeveloped lands and the fact that the increasing relative scarcity of these lands will only increase conservation values. With a large share of both ecologically and economically valuable undeveloped lands in private ownership, not just in the Yaquina Bay study area but also at state and national levels, existing financial incentive systems that encourage land conservation on private lands will need to be improved and in many cases additional ones will need to be created in order to better align privately and socially desirable outcomes. This is a challenging task whose urgency is increasing in lockstep with the continuing loss and degradation of natural lands. Close

• 2. [Article] Effects of juvenile steelhead on juvenile chinook salmon behavior and physiology

  Experiments were designed to determine whether and how steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss affect chinook salmon O. tshawytscha when the two species are confined together. In a behavioral experiment, we observed ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effects of juvenile steelhead on juvenile chinook salmon behavior and physiology Author: Schreck, Carl B., Congleton, J. L., Kelsey, D. A., Davis, L. E. Experiments were designed to determine whether and how steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss affect chinook salmon O. tshawytscha when the two species are confined together. In a behavioral experiment, we observed groups of juvenile chinook salmon and steelhead together and groups of chinook salmon alone to determine whether the steelhead were aggressive and their presence changed the behavior of chinook salmon. We also performed two runs of a physiological experiment to determine whether the addition of steelhead to tanks containing chinook salmon would stress the chinook salmon, as determined by a change in their plasma cortisol levels. Behavioral changes were observed in the chinook salmon when they were held with steelhead; they reduced their movements, darted less, were attacked up to 16 times as often, and were found less frequently in the shade than chinook salmon held without steelhead. Steelhead were found to establish territories and defend them with chases, charges, and nips. In their attempts to establish and defend territories, the steelhead attacked the chinook salmon as often as they attacked other steelhead, but the chinook salmon showed little aggression toward the steelhead. Cortisol concentrations were significantly higher for chinook salmon in tanks receiving steelhead than in tanks receiving additional chinook salmon or no additional fish after 2 h (in one of the two experimental runs) and after 32 h (in both experimental runs; combined data). These results suggest that confining steelhead and chinook salmon together, such as in raceways and barges in the Columbia River system and in other situations, is stressful to the chinook salmon. Title: Effects of juvenile steelhead on juvenile chinook salmon behavior and physiology Author: Schreck, Carl B., Congleton, J. L., Kelsey, D. A., Davis, L. E. Experiments were designed to determine whether and how steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss affect chinook salmon O. tshawytscha when the two species are confined together. In a behavioral experiment, we observed groups of juvenile chinook salmon and steelhead together and groups of chinook salmon alone to determine whether the steelhead were aggressive and their presence changed the behavior of chinook salmon. We also performed two runs of a physiological experiment to determine whether the addition of steelhead to tanks containing chinook salmon would stress the chinook salmon, as determined by a change in their plasma cortisol levels. Behavioral changes were observed in the chinook salmon when they were held with steelhead; they reduced their movements, darted less, were attacked up to 16 times as often, and were found less frequently in the shade than chinook salmon held without steelhead. Steelhead were found to establish territories and defend them with chases, charges, and nips. In their attempts to establish and defend territories, the steelhead attacked the chinook salmon as often as they attacked other steelhead, but the chinook salmon showed little aggression toward the steelhead. Cortisol concentrations were significantly higher for chinook salmon in tanks receiving steelhead than in tanks receiving additional chinook salmon or no additional fish after 2 h (in one of the two experimental runs) and after 32 h (in both experimental runs; combined data). These results suggest that confining steelhead and chinook salmon together, such as in raceways and barges in the Columbia River system and in other situations, is stressful to the chinook salmon. Close

• 3. [Article] Habitat utilization by spotted owls in the West-Central Cascades of Oregon

  Eight adult spotted owls (Strix occidentalis) on the west slope of the Cascade Range in Oregon were fitted with radio transmitters and observed for periods ranging from 271 to 383 days. Mean home range ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Habitat utilization by spotted owls in the West-Central Cascades of Oregon Author: Forsman, Eric D. Eight adult spotted owls (Strix occidentalis) on the west slope of the Cascade Range in Oregon were fitted with radio transmitters and observed for periods ranging from 271 to 383 days. Mean home range size for the owls was 1,177 ha (range = 920-1,376 ha). There was no significant difference between home range size of males and females. On the average, home ranges of individuals occupying adjacent territories overlapped by 12 percent (range = 3-25 percent). Home ranges of paired individuals overlapped by 50 to 73 percent. The size and shape of home ranges varied on a seasonal basis; generally, the largest home ranges were observed during winter. Nest sites were centrally located within the home ranges utilized by the owls. On the radiotelemetry study area, the mean nearest neighbor distance between nests of adjacent pairs was 2.88 km. On 11 other areas in western Oregon where suitable habitat was available, mean nearest neighbor distances ranged from 1.68 to 3.04 km. The overall mean nearest neighbor distance for the 12 areas was 2.42 km. Home ranges occupied by the radio tagged owls were so large that consistent defense of the entire home range was impossible. Territorial defense appeared to take the form of a decreasing zone of influence centered around the nest; areas near each nest were defended consistently, but defense became increasingly inconsistent with distance from the nest. Discrete territorial boundaries could not be determined and probably did not exist. Territorial interactions between individuals of the same sex were much more aggressive than interactions between individuals of opposite sex. Spotted owls may have responded less aggressively toward individuals of the opposite sex because the advantage of allowing potential mate replacements to remain within the territory outweighed other considerations. Except for a few instances in which 2 of the owls foraged in recently clear-cut areas or in rock talus, virtually all foraging occurred in forests over 30 years old. Old-growth forests, which covered 36 to 64 percent of the area on individual owl home ranges, were strongly preferred for foraging by all of the owls; 92 percent of all foraging occurred in such forests. Utilization of younger forests (30 to 200 years old) was generally either less than or not significantly different than expected, indicating that younger forests were less desirable for foraging than old-growth stands. Old-growth forests were also preferred for roosting (97 percent of all roosts). Large old trees apparently were preferred for roosting during inclement weather because they provided better overhead protection from rain and snow. Small trees in the understory were preferred during warm weather because they provided greater protection from high temperatures and solar radiation. Spotted owls were primarily nocturnal. On the average, they left their day roasts to begin foraging at 14 minutes after sunset and stopped foraging at 21 minutes before sunrise. Diurnal foraging was limited primarily to opportunistic attempts to capture animals that wandered into roost areas. The usual method of foraging was to move from perch to perch at night, watching and listening for potential prey. The average rate of movement while foraging in this manner was 247 m/hr, and the average distance moved per nightly foraging period was 2,782 meters (range = 320-8,895 m). Seven species of mammals comprised the nucleus of the diet, the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), red tree vole (Phenacomys longicaudus), western red-backed vole (Clethrionomys occidentalis), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), western pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama), snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), and bushy-tailed woodrat (Neotoma cinerea). The flying squirrel, the most common animal in the diet, comprised 42 percent of all prey captured. During mid-winter, 85 percent of the prey captured were arboreal mammals. During the rest of the year, terrestrial prey became more abundant in the diet, but the flying squirrel remained the most common animal in the diet. Mean prey size and dietary composition for male and female spotted owls were not significantly different; this suggested that males and females did not partition the prey resource on the basis of size or species. Estimates of biomass consumed per owl per day on the study area ranged from 77.6 to 164.8 g, but the latter estimate was probably inflated. Four hypotheses are presented to explain why spotted owls foraged primarily in older forests and avoided recently cutover areas: (1) the biomass of prey preferred by the owls may have been greater in older forests than in cutover areas, (2) switching from arboreal mammals in older forests to terrestrial mammals in cutover areas might have resulted in increased competition with other nocturnal predators, (3) prey may have been less accessible in the dense vegetation that developed on cutover areas, and (4) spotted owls may have been more susceptible to predation in cutover areas where escape cover was absent. Title: Habitat utilization by spotted owls in the West-Central Cascades of Oregon Author: Forsman, Eric D. Eight adult spotted owls (Strix occidentalis) on the west slope of the Cascade Range in Oregon were fitted with radio transmitters and observed for periods ranging from 271 to 383 days. Mean home range size for the owls was 1,177 ha (range = 920-1,376 ha). There was no significant difference between home range size of males and females. On the average, home ranges of individuals occupying adjacent territories overlapped by 12 percent (range = 3-25 percent). Home ranges of paired individuals overlapped by 50 to 73 percent. The size and shape of home ranges varied on a seasonal basis; generally, the largest home ranges were observed during winter. Nest sites were centrally located within the home ranges utilized by the owls. On the radiotelemetry study area, the mean nearest neighbor distance between nests of adjacent pairs was 2.88 km. On 11 other areas in western Oregon where suitable habitat was available, mean nearest neighbor distances ranged from 1.68 to 3.04 km. The overall mean nearest neighbor distance for the 12 areas was 2.42 km. Home ranges occupied by the radio tagged owls were so large that consistent defense of the entire home range was impossible. Territorial defense appeared to take the form of a decreasing zone of influence centered around the nest; areas near each nest were defended consistently, but defense became increasingly inconsistent with distance from the nest. Discrete territorial boundaries could not be determined and probably did not exist. Territorial interactions between individuals of the same sex were much more aggressive than interactions between individuals of opposite sex. Spotted owls may have responded less aggressively toward individuals of the opposite sex because the advantage of allowing potential mate replacements to remain within the territory outweighed other considerations. Except for a few instances in which 2 of the owls foraged in recently clear-cut areas or in rock talus, virtually all foraging occurred in forests over 30 years old. Old-growth forests, which covered 36 to 64 percent of the area on individual owl home ranges, were strongly preferred for foraging by all of the owls; 92 percent of all foraging occurred in such forests. Utilization of younger forests (30 to 200 years old) was generally either less than or not significantly different than expected, indicating that younger forests were less desirable for foraging than old-growth stands. Old-growth forests were also preferred for roosting (97 percent of all roosts). Large old trees apparently were preferred for roosting during inclement weather because they provided better overhead protection from rain and snow. Small trees in the understory were preferred during warm weather because they provided greater protection from high temperatures and solar radiation. Spotted owls were primarily nocturnal. On the average, they left their day roasts to begin foraging at 14 minutes after sunset and stopped foraging at 21 minutes before sunrise. Diurnal foraging was limited primarily to opportunistic attempts to capture animals that wandered into roost areas. The usual method of foraging was to move from perch to perch at night, watching and listening for potential prey. The average rate of movement while foraging in this manner was 247 m/hr, and the average distance moved per nightly foraging period was 2,782 meters (range = 320-8,895 m). Seven species of mammals comprised the nucleus of the diet, the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), red tree vole (Phenacomys longicaudus), western red-backed vole (Clethrionomys occidentalis), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), western pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama), snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), and bushy-tailed woodrat (Neotoma cinerea). The flying squirrel, the most common animal in the diet, comprised 42 percent of all prey captured. During mid-winter, 85 percent of the prey captured were arboreal mammals. During the rest of the year, terrestrial prey became more abundant in the diet, but the flying squirrel remained the most common animal in the diet. Mean prey size and dietary composition for male and female spotted owls were not significantly different; this suggested that males and females did not partition the prey resource on the basis of size or species. Estimates of biomass consumed per owl per day on the study area ranged from 77.6 to 164.8 g, but the latter estimate was probably inflated. Four hypotheses are presented to explain why spotted owls foraged primarily in older forests and avoided recently cutover areas: (1) the biomass of prey preferred by the owls may have been greater in older forests than in cutover areas, (2) switching from arboreal mammals in older forests to terrestrial mammals in cutover areas might have resulted in increased competition with other nocturnal predators, (3) prey may have been less accessible in the dense vegetation that developed on cutover areas, and (4) spotted owls may have been more susceptible to predation in cutover areas where escape cover was absent. Close

• 4. [Article] Effects of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) behavior and physiology

  Three experiments were designed to determine if and how steelhead trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, may affect chinook salmon, O. tshawytscha, when they are confined together as in a raceway or on a barge. We ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effects of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) behavior and physiology Author: Kelsey, Denise A. Three experiments were designed to determine if and how steelhead trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, may affect chinook salmon, O. tshawytscha, when they are confined together as in a raceway or on a barge. We observed groups of chinook and steelhead together and groups of only chinook in a behavioral experiment to determine if steelhead are aggressive and if their presence changed the behavior of chinook. Two physiological experiments were completed to determine if the loading of steelhead on top of chinook and if the introduction of odor from rainbow trout (steelhead not available) caused a change in plasma cortisol levels in chinook. It was found that chinook showed characteristics of a schooling species, while steelhead exhibited territory holding characteristics. Behavioral changes in chinook were observed when steelhead were present. Chinook grouped with steelhead reduced their movements, darted less, were attacked up to 16 times more often, and were found less frequently in the shade than groups of only chinook. Steelhead were found to establish territories and defend them with chases, charges, and nips. In attempts to establish territories and defend them, steelhead attacked chinook as often as they attacked other steelhead even though chinook showed little aggression toward steelhead. In a physiological experiment, chinook experienced the loading of salmonids into their tank. Chinook had higher levels of plasma cortisol at 2 and 32 hours after the loading of steelhead than chinook that were loaded with chinook or controls (no loading). A second physiological experiment with odor showed that chinook that received rainbow odor and those that received chinook odor had similar levels of plasma cortisol. Cortisol levels (two hours after the odor was introduced) were higher in chinook receiving either of the scented waters than in those that did not receive any odor. In conclusion, all three experiments indicated that the presence of juvenile steelhead trout affect juvenile chinook salmon behavior and physiology. Title: Effects of steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) behavior and physiology Author: Kelsey, Denise A. Three experiments were designed to determine if and how steelhead trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, may affect chinook salmon, O. tshawytscha, when they are confined together as in a raceway or on a barge. We observed groups of chinook and steelhead together and groups of only chinook in a behavioral experiment to determine if steelhead are aggressive and if their presence changed the behavior of chinook. Two physiological experiments were completed to determine if the loading of steelhead on top of chinook and if the introduction of odor from rainbow trout (steelhead not available) caused a change in plasma cortisol levels in chinook. It was found that chinook showed characteristics of a schooling species, while steelhead exhibited territory holding characteristics. Behavioral changes in chinook were observed when steelhead were present. Chinook grouped with steelhead reduced their movements, darted less, were attacked up to 16 times more often, and were found less frequently in the shade than groups of only chinook. Steelhead were found to establish territories and defend them with chases, charges, and nips. In attempts to establish territories and defend them, steelhead attacked chinook as often as they attacked other steelhead even though chinook showed little aggression toward steelhead. In a physiological experiment, chinook experienced the loading of salmonids into their tank. Chinook had higher levels of plasma cortisol at 2 and 32 hours after the loading of steelhead than chinook that were loaded with chinook or controls (no loading). A second physiological experiment with odor showed that chinook that received rainbow odor and those that received chinook odor had similar levels of plasma cortisol. Cortisol levels (two hours after the odor was introduced) were higher in chinook receiving either of the scented waters than in those that did not receive any odor. In conclusion, all three experiments indicated that the presence of juvenile steelhead trout affect juvenile chinook salmon behavior and physiology. Close

• 5. [Article] Factors influencing spawning site choice by female Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus (Pisces: Pomacentridae)

  The garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus, is a sexually monochromatic pomacentrid found in rocky subtidal areas of Southern and Baja California. During the spawning season, males attempt to attract females ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Factors influencing spawning site choice by female Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus (Pisces: Pomacentridae) Author: Sikkel, Paul C. The garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus, is a sexually monochromatic pomacentrid found in rocky subtidal areas of Southern and Baja California. During the spawning season, males attempt to attract females to a nest of red algae located within individually defended territories. Females were observed to enter the nests of several males before selecting one for spawning and were significantly more likely to spawn in nests that contained eggs in the early stages of development than nests with no eggs or with late stage embryos. Among empty nests, the density of red turf algae and the number of nesting males surrounding the nest were inversely related to the amount of time elapsed until a nesting male acquired the first clutch of a brood. The percentage of long algae in the nest was positively related to this measure. These results demonstrate active female choice of spawning site by female garibaldi and suggest that certain characteristics of the male-defended nest influence this choice. Title: Factors influencing spawning site choice by female Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus (Pisces: Pomacentridae) Author: Sikkel, Paul C. The garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus, is a sexually monochromatic pomacentrid found in rocky subtidal areas of Southern and Baja California. During the spawning season, males attempt to attract females to a nest of red algae located within individually defended territories. Females were observed to enter the nests of several males before selecting one for spawning and were significantly more likely to spawn in nests that contained eggs in the early stages of development than nests with no eggs or with late stage embryos. Among empty nests, the density of red turf algae and the number of nesting males surrounding the nest were inversely related to the amount of time elapsed until a nesting male acquired the first clutch of a brood. The percentage of long algae in the nest was positively related to this measure. These results demonstrate active female choice of spawning site by female garibaldi and suggest that certain characteristics of the male-defended nest influence this choice. Close

• 6. [Article] Policy cornerstones and action stategies for an integrated ecosystem marketplace in Oregon

  This report is one component in a series of roundtables, workshops, and working groups funded in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation exploring opportunities and issues for ecosystem services ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Policy cornerstones and action stategies for an integrated ecosystem marketplace in Oregon Author: Institute for Natural Resources This report is one component in a series of roundtables, workshops, and working groups funded in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation exploring opportunities and issues for ecosystem services markets. The paper draws on two workshops. The first, entitled “Building an Oregon Ecosystem Services Marketplace: Policy Focus Session,” was held in Portland on January 18, 2008. The ideas, suggestions and examples shared at the workshop provided the foundation for a draft of this document that was then discussed at a second workshop, held May 8, 2008, with state agency directors and staff. Title: Policy cornerstones and action stategies for an integrated ecosystem marketplace in Oregon Author: Institute for Natural Resources This report is one component in a series of roundtables, workshops, and working groups funded in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation exploring opportunities and issues for ecosystem services markets. The paper draws on two workshops. The first, entitled “Building an Oregon Ecosystem Services Marketplace: Policy Focus Session,” was held in Portland on January 18, 2008. The ideas, suggestions and examples shared at the workshop provided the foundation for a draft of this document that was then discussed at a second workshop, held May 8, 2008, with state agency directors and staff. Close

• 7. [Article] Floodplain Habitat Metric: User’s Guide

  The metric is encompassed in two documents, this Floodplain Habitat Metric User’s Guide and a Floodplain Habitat Calculator.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Floodplain Habitat Metric: User’s Guide Author: Defenders of Wildlife The metric is encompassed in two documents, this Floodplain Habitat Metric User’s Guide and a Floodplain Habitat Calculator. Title: Floodplain Habitat Metric: User’s Guide Author: Defenders of Wildlife The metric is encompassed in two documents, this Floodplain Habitat Metric User’s Guide and a Floodplain Habitat Calculator. Close

• 8. [Article] Floodplain user guide.pdf

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Floodplain user guide.pdf Author: Defenders of Wildlife Title: Floodplain user guide.pdf Author: Defenders of Wildlife Close

• 9. [Article] Floodplain_Habitat_Metric_Calculator.Version_1.0.protected.xlsx

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Floodplain_Habitat_Metric_Calculator.Version_1.0.protected.xlsx Author: Defenders of Wildlife Title: Floodplain_Habitat_Metric_Calculator.Version_1.0.protected.xlsx Author: Defenders of Wildlife Close

• 10. [Article] Sagebrush / Sage Grouse Habitat Metric: User's guide

  The metric is encompassed in two documents, the Sagebrush/Sage Grouse Habitat Metric User’s Guide and a Sagebrush/Sage Grouse Habitat Metric Calculator .

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Sagebrush / Sage Grouse Habitat Metric: User's guide Author: Defenders of Wildlife The metric is encompassed in two documents, the Sagebrush/Sage Grouse Habitat Metric User’s Guide and a Sagebrush/Sage Grouse Habitat Metric Calculator . Title: Sagebrush / Sage Grouse Habitat Metric: User's guide Author: Defenders of Wildlife The metric is encompassed in two documents, the Sagebrush/Sage Grouse Habitat Metric User’s Guide and a Sagebrush/Sage Grouse Habitat Metric Calculator . Close