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• 1. [Article] Biological diversity and third world development : a study of the transformation of an ecological concept into natural resource policy

  This work examined the transformation of the concept of biodiversity into natural resource policies of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the World Bank through 1988. The study identified ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Biological diversity and third world development : a study of the transformation of an ecological concept into natural resource policy Author: Vincent, Robert Montgomery This work examined the transformation of the concept of biodiversity into natural resource policies of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the World Bank through 1988. The study identified several groups as playing key roles in the transformation process. These were nongovernmental environmental organizations, the scientific community, and the U.S. Congress. As a framework for analysis, a Process Model is presented which depicts the process that transforms a scientific concept into natural resource policy. As a result of this research, modifications to the original Process Model are proposed. Though this study focuses on the scientific concept of biological diversity, it is suggested that the Process Model may be more broadly applied to other resource issues which follow the model's general steps of concept formulation, value identification, legislation development, and policy formulation. Several conclusions are reached from this study. One is that though there was little agreement about the concept of biodiversity within the scientific community, three broad themes evolved. These themes are ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity. Second, NGEO members did not adopt scientific concepts of biodiversity, but rather developed value positions with respect to biodiversity. These positions were presented to lawmakers the result being that biodiversity legislation was narrowly focused and did not fully reflect the three major diversity themes developed within the scientific community. Finally, policies developed by agencies responsible for implementing biodiversity legislation reflected Congressional intent and were equally narrowly focused. One consequence is that only selected major biodiversity themes are dealt with in agency policy, and this is reflected in agency funded programs to conserve biological diversity. Title: Biological diversity and third world development : a study of the transformation of an ecological concept into natural resource policy Author: Vincent, Robert Montgomery This work examined the transformation of the concept of biodiversity into natural resource policies of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the World Bank through 1988. The study identified several groups as playing key roles in the transformation process. These were nongovernmental environmental organizations, the scientific community, and the U.S. Congress. As a framework for analysis, a Process Model is presented which depicts the process that transforms a scientific concept into natural resource policy. As a result of this research, modifications to the original Process Model are proposed. Though this study focuses on the scientific concept of biological diversity, it is suggested that the Process Model may be more broadly applied to other resource issues which follow the model's general steps of concept formulation, value identification, legislation development, and policy formulation. Several conclusions are reached from this study. One is that though there was little agreement about the concept of biodiversity within the scientific community, three broad themes evolved. These themes are ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity. Second, NGEO members did not adopt scientific concepts of biodiversity, but rather developed value positions with respect to biodiversity. These positions were presented to lawmakers the result being that biodiversity legislation was narrowly focused and did not fully reflect the three major diversity themes developed within the scientific community. Finally, policies developed by agencies responsible for implementing biodiversity legislation reflected Congressional intent and were equally narrowly focused. One consequence is that only selected major biodiversity themes are dealt with in agency policy, and this is reflected in agency funded programs to conserve biological diversity. Close

• 2. [Article] Soil Property Effects on Willamette Daisy (Erigeron decumbens) within William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge

  Plant species diversity plays an important role in maintaining ecosystem function and the services that ecosystems provide. Diversity is threatened by habitat loss, invasive species, and global climate ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Soil Property Effects on Willamette Daisy (Erigeron decumbens) within William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge Author: Day, Emily S. Plant species diversity plays an important role in maintaining ecosystem function and the services that ecosystems provide. Diversity is threatened by habitat loss, invasive species, and global climate change. Willamette Daisy (Erigeron decumbens), an endangered species, has been reintroduced at two different sites (Field 29 and 8N) within William L. Finely Wildlife refuge, but it grows better at one site (Field 29) than the other (Field 8N). The purpose of the study was to determine if the differences in growth at the two sites could be caused by differences in soil properties, and determine soil conditions conducive for growth. We grew E. decumbens in soil collected from each field in a greenhouse with sterile and unsterilized treatments and performed a soil analysis on samples from each field. Soil sterilization had a significantly negative effect on plant survivorship, suggesting soil biota improves establishment of E. decumbens. Field 29 had significantly higher TN, TC, and pH than Field 8N, which may be contributing to the observed differences. Results from this study suggest that these soil properties could benefit E. decumbens growth in the wild, and information on soil conditions could improve reintroduction site selection and recovery of this endangered species. Title: Soil Property Effects on Willamette Daisy (Erigeron decumbens) within William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge Author: Day, Emily S. Plant species diversity plays an important role in maintaining ecosystem function and the services that ecosystems provide. Diversity is threatened by habitat loss, invasive species, and global climate change. Willamette Daisy (Erigeron decumbens), an endangered species, has been reintroduced at two different sites (Field 29 and 8N) within William L. Finely Wildlife refuge, but it grows better at one site (Field 29) than the other (Field 8N). The purpose of the study was to determine if the differences in growth at the two sites could be caused by differences in soil properties, and determine soil conditions conducive for growth. We grew E. decumbens in soil collected from each field in a greenhouse with sterile and unsterilized treatments and performed a soil analysis on samples from each field. Soil sterilization had a significantly negative effect on plant survivorship, suggesting soil biota improves establishment of E. decumbens. Field 29 had significantly higher TN, TC, and pH than Field 8N, which may be contributing to the observed differences. Results from this study suggest that these soil properties could benefit E. decumbens growth in the wild, and information on soil conditions could improve reintroduction site selection and recovery of this endangered species. Close

• 3. [Article] Human Visitation in the Rocky Intertidal and its Effects on Abundance of Algal and Invertebrate Species

  The rocky intertidal is a diverse ecosystem with a variety of species and ecological interactions. Many biotic and abiotic interactions act together to restrict the abundance and distribution of species. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Human Visitation in the Rocky Intertidal and its Effects on Abundance of Algal and Invertebrate Species Author: Silbernagel, Justin J. The rocky intertidal is a diverse ecosystem with a variety of species and ecological interactions. Many biotic and abiotic interactions act together to restrict the abundance and distribution of species. Anthropogenic effects can have an important impact on species abundance and distribution as well. This study looks at how human visitation affects community structure in the rocky intertidal along the Oregon coast. Areas of high human visitation were found to have lower species richness than areas of low visitation in the lower vertical zones of the rocky intertidal. However, species richness was found to be higher in high visitation areas in the highest intertidal zone. Abundance of species differed between areas of high and low human visitation, but showed few overall significant trends. Title: Human Visitation in the Rocky Intertidal and its Effects on Abundance of Algal and Invertebrate Species Author: Silbernagel, Justin J. The rocky intertidal is a diverse ecosystem with a variety of species and ecological interactions. Many biotic and abiotic interactions act together to restrict the abundance and distribution of species. Anthropogenic effects can have an important impact on species abundance and distribution as well. This study looks at how human visitation affects community structure in the rocky intertidal along the Oregon coast. Areas of high human visitation were found to have lower species richness than areas of low visitation in the lower vertical zones of the rocky intertidal. However, species richness was found to be higher in high visitation areas in the highest intertidal zone. Abundance of species differed between areas of high and low human visitation, but showed few overall significant trends. Close

• 4. [Article] The development of a distribution- and growth-prediction model for the environmental grid

  Further development of an environmental grid for interpreting plant distribution and growth took place this last year as an attempt to solve problems associated with spatial diversity in ecosystems. Special ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The development of a distribution- and growth-prediction model for the environmental grid Author: Waring, Richard H., University of Washington, U.S. International Biological Program. Coniferous Forest Biome Further development of an environmental grid for interpreting plant distribution and growth took place this last year as an attempt to solve problems associated with spatial diversity in ecosystems. Special emphasis was placed on developing more universal integrated indexes to environment, ones that might permit wide extrapolation throughout the range of at least one or two of the more widely distributed forest species ... It was the task of this project to integrate these variables to more readily explain and predict plant distribution and growth. Title: The development of a distribution- and growth-prediction model for the environmental grid Author: Waring, Richard H., University of Washington, U.S. International Biological Program. Coniferous Forest Biome Further development of an environmental grid for interpreting plant distribution and growth took place this last year as an attempt to solve problems associated with spatial diversity in ecosystems. Special emphasis was placed on developing more universal integrated indexes to environment, ones that might permit wide extrapolation throughout the range of at least one or two of the more widely distributed forest species ... It was the task of this project to integrate these variables to more readily explain and predict plant distribution and growth. Close

• 5. [Article] Biodiversity Conservation: The Key Is Reducing Meat Consumption

  Access to this item has been restricted by repository administrators at the request of the publisher, Elsevier, until July 29, 2017.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Biodiversity Conservation: The Key Is Reducing Meat Consumption Author: Machovina, Brian, Feeley, Kenneth J., Ripple, William J. Access to this item has been restricted by repository administrators at the request of the publisher, Elsevier, until July 29, 2017. Title: Biodiversity Conservation: The Key Is Reducing Meat Consumption Author: Machovina, Brian, Feeley, Kenneth J., Ripple, William J. Access to this item has been restricted by repository administrators at the request of the publisher, Elsevier, until July 29, 2017. Close

• 6. [Article] Stand Structure of Old Growth Dry Mixed Conifer Forests in the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests.

  Old-growth dry-mixed conifer forests are valued as habitats for late seral forest species, for the ecosystem services and landscape diversity they provide, and for their aesthetic appeal. The structure ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Stand Structure of Old Growth Dry Mixed Conifer Forests in the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. Author: Merschel, Andrew G. Old-growth dry-mixed conifer forests are valued as habitats for late seral forest species, for the ecosystem services and landscape diversity they provide, and for their aesthetic appeal. The structure of these forests has been heavily altered by historic logging of overstory ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Additionally, changes in fire regime have altered understory density in these forests to an unknown extent. Conserving remaining stands and facilitating old-growth development in disturbed stands are objectives of the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. This investigation addressed these objectives with two separate analyses. The first analysis was an accuracy assessment of the GNN forest vegetation map’s ability to predict old-growth drymixed conifer structure at a site scale and at a landscape scale. This analysis determined that the GNN map is an adequate tool for identifying old-growth stands at a site scale, and was highly accurate at predicting dry-mixed conifer forest vegetation at a landscape scale. The second analysis characterized present day and historic stand structure of old-growth dry-mixed conifer forests, and described how stand structure varied across the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. The second analysis determined future research should investigate the growth rate of understory ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir under varying density levels. Title: Stand Structure of Old Growth Dry Mixed Conifer Forests in the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. Author: Merschel, Andrew G. Old-growth dry-mixed conifer forests are valued as habitats for late seral forest species, for the ecosystem services and landscape diversity they provide, and for their aesthetic appeal. The structure of these forests has been heavily altered by historic logging of overstory ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Additionally, changes in fire regime have altered understory density in these forests to an unknown extent. Conserving remaining stands and facilitating old-growth development in disturbed stands are objectives of the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. This investigation addressed these objectives with two separate analyses. The first analysis was an accuracy assessment of the GNN forest vegetation map’s ability to predict old-growth drymixed conifer structure at a site scale and at a landscape scale. This analysis determined that the GNN map is an adequate tool for identifying old-growth stands at a site scale, and was highly accurate at predicting dry-mixed conifer forest vegetation at a landscape scale. The second analysis characterized present day and historic stand structure of old-growth dry-mixed conifer forests, and described how stand structure varied across the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. The second analysis determined future research should investigate the growth rate of understory ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir under varying density levels. Close

• 7. [Article] Analytical phytoplankton carbon measurements spanning diverse ecosystems

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Elsevier. The published article can be found at: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/deep-sea-rese...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Analytical phytoplankton carbon measurements spanning diverse ecosystems Author: Brown, Matthew B., Behrenfeld, Michael J., van Dongen-Vogels, Virginie, Westberry, Toby K., Milligan, Allen J., Graff, Jason R., Dall'Olmo, Giorgio, Reifel, Kristen M. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Elsevier. The published article can be found at: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/deep-sea-research-part-i-oceanographic-research-papers/ Title: Analytical phytoplankton carbon measurements spanning diverse ecosystems Author: Brown, Matthew B., Behrenfeld, Michael J., van Dongen-Vogels, Virginie, Westberry, Toby K., Milligan, Allen J., Graff, Jason R., Dall'Olmo, Giorgio, Reifel, Kristen M. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Elsevier. The published article can be found at: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/deep-sea-research-part-i-oceanographic-research-papers/ Close

• 8. [Article] Assessment of the vulnerability of Oregon and Washington's natural areas to climate change

  There are currently more than 580 natural areas in Oregon and Washington managed by 20 federal, state, local, and private agencies and organizations. The natural areas network is unparalleled in its representation ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Assessment of the vulnerability of Oregon and Washington's natural areas to climate change Author: Margaret, Massie H. There are currently more than 580 natural areas in Oregon and Washington managed by 20 federal, state, local, and private agencies and organizations. The natural areas network is unparalleled in its representation of diverse ecosystems found in the region and may be an excellent collection of sites for monitoring long-term ecological responses to climate change. The goal of this research was to build a framework for a climate change monitoring program for the Pacific Northwest based on natural areas. Objectives were to (1) describe strengths of the existing natural areas network for representing effects of climate change by conducting a proportionality assessment and (2) determine which subset of natural areas have the best potential to detect change over the long term. Findings show that natural areas were generally representative and proportional compared to the Pacific Northwest. Subsets of natural areas were prioritized for long-term monitoring efforts through bioclimatic modelling based on the current and projected (2020s, 2050s, 2080s) outputs from 13 future climate models from ClimateWNA and the Random Forest approach. Projection consensus showed a substantial range increase in suitable climate for warmer adapted forest types coupled with a contraction in cooler forest types. The results highlight the potential stress of climate change on ecosystems across the region and the need for management strategies to adapt to this uncertainty. Title: Assessment of the vulnerability of Oregon and Washington's natural areas to climate change Author: Margaret, Massie H. There are currently more than 580 natural areas in Oregon and Washington managed by 20 federal, state, local, and private agencies and organizations. The natural areas network is unparalleled in its representation of diverse ecosystems found in the region and may be an excellent collection of sites for monitoring long-term ecological responses to climate change. The goal of this research was to build a framework for a climate change monitoring program for the Pacific Northwest based on natural areas. Objectives were to (1) describe strengths of the existing natural areas network for representing effects of climate change by conducting a proportionality assessment and (2) determine which subset of natural areas have the best potential to detect change over the long term. Findings show that natural areas were generally representative and proportional compared to the Pacific Northwest. Subsets of natural areas were prioritized for long-term monitoring efforts through bioclimatic modelling based on the current and projected (2020s, 2050s, 2080s) outputs from 13 future climate models from ClimateWNA and the Random Forest approach. Projection consensus showed a substantial range increase in suitable climate for warmer adapted forest types coupled with a contraction in cooler forest types. The results highlight the potential stress of climate change on ecosystems across the region and the need for management strategies to adapt to this uncertainty. Close

• 9. [Article] Investigation of unique marine environments for microbial natural products

  Metagenomics has revealed that the marine microbial biosphere is immensely more diverse than originally considered, and is an almost untapped reservoir for the potential discovery of microbial natural ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Investigation of unique marine environments for microbial natural products Author: Thornburg, Christopher C. Metagenomics has revealed that the marine microbial biosphere is immensely more diverse than originally considered, and is an almost untapped reservoir for the potential discovery of microbial natural products. Despite numerous advances in culturing, biosynthetic engineering and genomic-based screening efforts to uncover much of this diversity in relatively accessible environments, a high rediscovery rate has resulted in the investigation of unique, relatively unexplored ecosystems harboring phylogenetically diverse communities of marine organisms. The focus of this research was to establish a culture repository of microorganisms collected from the Red Sea and from deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and to assess their biosynthetic potential for the production of new chemical scaffolds. Cultivation of marine cyanobacteria from the Red Sea has led to the identification of five new cyclic depsipeptides, apratoxin H, grassypeptolides D and E, Ibu-epidemethoxylyngbyastin 3 and leptochelin, the latter possessing a unique chemical scaffold capable of binding metals. A collection of deep-sea hydrothermal vent sediment and microbial mat samples led to the isolation of 64 unique bacterial strains, with eight assigned as members of the order Actinomycetales. Importantly, these isolates, along with a collection of deep-vent invertebrates and microbes, have led to the development of methods for the collection, culturing and biological screening of organisms from this extreme environment for future natural products research. Title: Investigation of unique marine environments for microbial natural products Author: Thornburg, Christopher C. Metagenomics has revealed that the marine microbial biosphere is immensely more diverse than originally considered, and is an almost untapped reservoir for the potential discovery of microbial natural products. Despite numerous advances in culturing, biosynthetic engineering and genomic-based screening efforts to uncover much of this diversity in relatively accessible environments, a high rediscovery rate has resulted in the investigation of unique, relatively unexplored ecosystems harboring phylogenetically diverse communities of marine organisms. The focus of this research was to establish a culture repository of microorganisms collected from the Red Sea and from deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and to assess their biosynthetic potential for the production of new chemical scaffolds. Cultivation of marine cyanobacteria from the Red Sea has led to the identification of five new cyclic depsipeptides, apratoxin H, grassypeptolides D and E, Ibu-epidemethoxylyngbyastin 3 and leptochelin, the latter possessing a unique chemical scaffold capable of binding metals. A collection of deep-sea hydrothermal vent sediment and microbial mat samples led to the isolation of 64 unique bacterial strains, with eight assigned as members of the order Actinomycetales. Importantly, these isolates, along with a collection of deep-vent invertebrates and microbes, have led to the development of methods for the collection, culturing and biological screening of organisms from this extreme environment for future natural products research. Close

• 10. [Article] Status and Ecological Effects of the World’s Largest Carnivores

  To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of the American ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Status and Ecological Effects of the World’s Largest Carnivores Author: Schmitz, Oswald J., Hebblewhite, Mark, Wilmers, Christopher C., Wallach, Arian D., Smith, Douglas W., Estes, James A., Beschta, Robert L., Nelson, Michael P., Berger, Joel, Ritchie, Euan G., Ripple, William J., Elmhagen, Bodil, Wirsing, Aaron J., Letnic, Mike To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Science, Vol. 343 (2014), doi:10.1126/science.1241484. The published article can be found at: http://www.sciencemag.org/. Title: Status and Ecological Effects of the World’s Largest Carnivores Author: Schmitz, Oswald J., Hebblewhite, Mark, Wilmers, Christopher C., Wallach, Arian D., Smith, Douglas W., Estes, James A., Beschta, Robert L., Nelson, Michael P., Berger, Joel, Ritchie, Euan G., Ripple, William J., Elmhagen, Bodil, Wirsing, Aaron J., Letnic, Mike To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Science, Vol. 343 (2014), doi:10.1126/science.1241484. The published article can be found at: http://www.sciencemag.org/. Close