Search
Search Results
-
1441. [Article] Differences between fashion innovators and non-fashion innovators in their clothing disposal practices
The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between fashion innovators and non-fashion innovators in clothing disposal practices defined by the length of time for retaining the clothing item, ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- Differences between fashion innovators and non-fashion innovators in their clothing disposal practices
- Author:
- Chun, Ho-kyung
The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between fashion innovators and non-fashion innovators in clothing disposal practices defined by the length of time for retaining the clothing item, the ways of discarding clothing, and factors underlying the discarding of clothing items. Information for the study was obtained with the use of a questionnaire consisting of questions asking about the respondent's clothing disposal practices, a fashion innovativeness scale (Hirschman & Adcock, 1978), a clothing interests scale (Creekmore, 1971), and demographic questions. The data were collected on April 20, 1987. The sample was comprised of 89 college females ages 18 through 30 who were attending Oregon State University. Subjects were categorized into three groups, high fashion innovators (N=24), medium fashion innovators (N=35), and non-fashion innovators (N=29), using a median split for fashion innovativeness scores. Since this study was focused on the significant differences between fashion innovators and non-fashion innovators, only those subjects who belonged to the high-fashion innovator group were considered to be fashion innovators. For statistical analysis, frequencies, analysis of variance, one-way analysis of variance, post-hoc analysis using the LSD test, multivariate analysis of variance and chi-square were performed. Throughout the study, the .05 level of significance was selected. The results indicated that there were significant differences between fashion innovators and non-fashion innovators in the length of time to retain a blouse (F (2.85) = 3.37, P <.05) and a dress (F (2.83) = 4.87, P < .05). Fashion innovators were more likely to wear a blouse (M = 2.08) and a dress (M = 2.12) for a shorter period of time than non-fashion innovators (M = 2.64 and 2.81, respectively for each garment). In overall scores including seven items of garments (blouse, shirt, pants, skirt, sweater, suit and dress), fashion innovators (M = 14.96) were found to be more likely to wear clothing items for a shorter period of time than non-fashion innovators M = 17.71)(F(2.86)=3.64,P<.05). Findings of this study also showed that fashion innovators were significantly different than non-fashion innovators in using the used clothing for rags, (E (2.85) = 5.94, P < .05). Fashion innovators (M = 3.68) were less likely to use clothing items for rags than non-fashion innovators (M = 3.14). No significant differences were found in other ways of discarding clothing. In terms of factors underlying the discarding of clothing, fashion innovators were found to be significantly different from non-fashion innovators in fashionability (E (2.86) = 7.65, P < .05) and conformity (F (2.86) = 2.33, P < .05). Fashion innovators were more likely to discard the clothing item because of fashionability (M = 1.76) and conformity (M = 3.04) than non-fashion innovators. (M = 2.55 and 3.55, respectively for each factor). Findings showed no significant difference in other factors underlying the discarding of garments. In relation to clothing attitudes, it was found that fashion innovators and non-fashion innovators were significantly different in attitudes toward concern with personal appearance (F (2.86) = 10.01, P < .05), experimenting with appearance (F (2.86) 16.56, P < .05), heightened awareness of clothes (F (2.86) = 3.38, P < .05), and clothing as enhancement of individuality (E (2.86) = 19.89, P < .05). Fashion innovators were more likely to be concerned with their appearance (M = 13.24), experiment with appearance (M = 13.44), be aware of clothes (M = 11.96), and use clothing as enhancement of = individuality (M = 10.24) than non fashion innovators (M = 11.17, 10.48, 10.48, and 6.66 respectively for each attitude). Fashion Innovators (M = 1243.75) reported that they tended to spend more money than non-fashion innovators (M = 577.59), (F (2.86) = 4.56, P < .05). No significant differences were found between the groups in age, major and the size of home town.
-
1442. [Image] Reproductive biology and demographics of endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
We analyzed the reproductive biology and demographics of the Lost River sucker Deltistes luxatus and shortnose sucker Chasmistes brevirostris, two endangered species endemic to the upper Klamath Basin ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- Reproductive biology and demographics of endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
- Author:
- Perkins, David L.; Scoppettone, Gary; Buettner, Mark
- Year:
- 2000, 2005
We analyzed the reproductive biology and demographics of the Lost River sucker Deltistes luxatus and shortnose sucker Chasmistes brevirostris, two endangered species endemic to the upper Klamath Basin of Oregon and California, from 1984-1997. Lost River suckers had distinct river and lake shoreline spawning stocks, and individuals of both species commonly spawned in consecutive years. In the Williamson River and lower Sprague River, spawning migration by both species occurred mainly during a 5-week period that started within the first three weeks of April and peaked between mid April and early May, although a separate, earlier (mid March) run of Lost River suckers may also spawn in the upper Sprague River. Migration of both species was several times higher at dawn (0500-0730 h) and evening (1800-2200 h) than other times of the day. Peak migrations almost always corresponded to peaks in water temperature, usually at 10-15°C. Lost River suckers were captured at springs along the east shore of the lake from late February through mid May, with peak spawning usually in mid March to mid April. Shortnose suckers were generally captured at the springs from late March through late May, but the time of peak spawning was not determined. Size and age at maturity was determined by recruitment from a strong year class (1991). Male Lost River suckers began recruitment into the adult population at age 4+ (375-475 mm). Substantial recruitment of females did not begin until age 7+ (510-560 mm). Male and female shortnose suckers began recruitment at age 4+, with the majority offish recruited by age 5+. Males recruited at 270-370 mm; females recruited at 325-425 mm. Fecundity estimates were quite variable ranging from 44,000-236,000 eggs per female Lost River sucker and 18,000-72,000 eggs per female shortnose sucker. In 1984 and 1985, the spawning populations of both species were dominated by large, old individuals, with little indication of recent adult recruitment. In the next 13 years, only one strong year class (1991) recruited into the spawning populations of both species. This year class temporarily boosted population numbers, but annual fish kills from 1995 to 1997 eliminated most adults of both species. Associated with poor water quality caused by the proliferation and decay of blue-green algae Aphanizomenonflos-aquae, these fish kills raise concern that alterations to the lake ecosystem over the past several decades have Perkins et al. Lost River and shortnose suckers 5 increased the magnitude and frequency of poor water quality. As a result, mortality rates of all life stages may have increased, thereby disrupting the species' life history pattern and potentially decreasing long-term population viability. Introduction The Lost River sucker Deltistes luxatus and shortnose sucker Chasmistes brevirostris are large, long-lived suckers endemic to the upper Klamath Basin of Oregon and California. Both species are typically lake dwelling but migrate to tributaries or shoreline springs to spawn (Moyle 1976, Scoppettone and Vinyard 1991). Once extremely abundant (Cope 1884, Gilbert 1898), both species have experienced severe population declines and were federally listed as endangered in 1988 (USFWS 1988). Much of the original habitat of these suckers has been destroyed or altered by conversion of lake areas to agriculture, dams, instream flow diversions, and water quality problems associated with timber harvest, loss of riparian vegetation, livestock grazing, and agricultural practices (USFWS 1988). Knowledge of the life history of Lost River and shortnose suckers is fundamental to recovery of these species. The objective of this report was to present the results of studies conducted from 1987-1998 on the reproductive biology and demographics of Lost River and shortnose suckers, and to compare these results with earlier unpublished data. Study Sites Studies were conducted on Upper Klamath Lake and the lower Williamson-Sprague river system (Figure 1). These waters form the upper portion of the Klamath River Basin in south-central Oregon and represent most remaining native habitat of Lost River and shortnose suckers. Upper Klamath Lake is a remnant of pluvial Lake Modoc that included eight major basins and encompassed 2,839 km2 (Dicken 1980). Today, Upper Klamath Lake serves as a storage reservoir that provides water for agricultural irrigation, waterfowl refuges, instream flow requirements of anadromous fish, and hydroelectric power generation. At full capacity, the lake covers approximately 360 km2 and has an average depth of 2.4 m. Most deeper water (3-12 m) is restricted to narrow trenches along the western shore. Lake elevation is controlled at the outlet by Link River
-
1443. [Image] A conservation strategy for the northern spotted owl
ill., maps; Shipping list no.: 90-263-P; "May 1990."; Includes bibliographical referencesCitation -
1444. [Image] Crater Lake National Park visitor study, summer 2001
chiefly ill., maps; "The visitor study was conducted August 3-9, 2001 by the National Park Service (NPS) Visitor Services Project (VSP), part of the Cooperative Park Studies Unit at the University of ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- Crater Lake National Park visitor study, summer 2001
- Author:
- Littlejohn, Margaret
- Year:
- 2002, 2009
chiefly ill., maps; "The visitor study was conducted August 3-9, 2001 by the National Park Service (NPS) Visitor Services Project (VSP), part of the Cooperative Park Studies Unit at the University of Idaho"--P. 1.; "April 2002."; "NPS D-313"--Last printed p.
-
1445. [Article] Competitive Interactions and Resource Partitioning Between Northern Spotted Owls and Barred Owls in Western Oregon
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 Wildlife Society ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- Competitive Interactions and Resource Partitioning Between Northern Spotted Owls and Barred Owls in Western Oregon
- Author:
- Forsman, Eric D., Anthony, Robert G., Wiens, J. David
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 Wildlife Society and published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. It can be found at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291938-5455.
-
1446. [Article] <i>Wolbachia-</i>Host Interactions and the Implications to Insect Conservation and Management
Parasitic reproductive endosymbionts are emerging as formidable threats to insect biodiversity. Wolbachia are prevalent maternally inherited intra-cellular bacteria found in >50% of arthropod species. ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- <i>Wolbachia-</i>Host Interactions and the Implications to Insect Conservation and Management
- Author:
- Truitt, Amy Michelle
- Year:
- 2017
Parasitic reproductive endosymbionts are emerging as formidable threats to insect biodiversity. Wolbachia are prevalent maternally inherited intra-cellular bacteria found in >50% of arthropod species. These symbiotic bacteria interact with their hosts in diverse ways, most often they alter host reproduction causing four conditions that all selectively favor infected females: feminization, male killing, parthenogenesis, and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Furthermore, depending on strain-type and host genetic background, Wolbachia are known to affect insect behavior, expand or shift host thermal tolerance ranges, and confer anti-viral protection to their hosts. Because Wolbachia both reside in and are transmitted with host cell cytoplasm, mitochondria and other cytoplasmically inherited genetic elements become linked with the bacteria. Thus, by enhancing their own transmission, Wolbachia-induced phenotypes can lead to mitochondrial selective sweeps, which may have profound impacts on vulnerable and small insect populations. Elucidating the extent to which endosymbionts influence biological and ecological functions is pivotal to making management decisions regarding imperiled insect species. My dissertation investigates biological and ecological impacts of host-endosymbiont interactions by examining Wolbachia infections in three different host systems. First, I used the federally threatened butterfly species Speyeria zerene hippolyta to determine whether the general reproductive success of local populations was affected by the introduction of CI-inducing Wolbachia-infected butterflies through implemented species recovery programs. Next, by characterizing the Wolbachia infections of parasitoids associated with the Eurema butterfly clade, I analyzed whether host-parasitoid interactions provide a path for interspecies horizontal transmission. Finally, I conducted a laboratory experiment using an isogenic Drosophila melanogaster line to determine whether Wolbachia influence host temperature preference. Together, my research examines how the individual level effects of host-endosymbiont interactions can expand into populations, have broader impacts on insect communities, and potentially impede the conservation and management of insects in nature. In chapter one, I screened S. z. hippolyta samples from three extant populations for Wolbachia infection. To examine the impacts of Wolbachia on small populations, I analyzed and compared infected and uninfected S. z. hippolyta reproductive data and showed that, in a population composed of infected and uninfected S. z. hippolyta, uninfected butterflies had reduced reproductive success (GLMM z = -8.067, P < 0.0001). I then developed a single-population demographic theoretical model using these same reproductive data to simulate and analyze different potential dynamics of small populations resulting from population supplementation with uninfected, CI-Wolbachia infected, or combined uninfected and infected butterflies. Analysis of model simulations revealed that supplementation with CI-inducing butterflies significantly suppressed host-population size (ANOVA F5,593 = 3349, PWolbachia-infected individuals (Tukey's post-hoc test P < 0.0001). In addition, supplementation by multiple releases using a combination of 50 infected and 300 uninfected butterflies has a less severe suppression effect, reducing the population by 75.8%, but the reduction occurs 42.6% faster than with the single release of 50 Wolbachia-infected butterflies (Tukey's post-doc test P < 0.0001). Parasitoid-host interactions have emerged as probable ecological relationships to facilitate horizontal transmission of Wolbachia. In chapter two, I addressed horizontal transmission using Eurema butterflies and their associated parasitoids. From four locations in Northern Queensland, Australia, I collected a total of 404 Eurema hecabe butterfly larvae. Twenty-three parasitoids emerged from the larvae of which 21 were Diptera and two were Hymenoptera. I amplified COI loci fragments from each parasitoid for BLAST query searches and found that 20 individual Diptera parasitoids matched to the genus Exorista and one to the genus Senometopia. One of the Hymenoptera parasitoids matched to the genus Microoplitis and the other to the genus Cotesia. To characterize Wolbachia infections, I used Wolbachia Multi Locus Sequencing Technique (MLST) and discovered that all 20 Exorista parasitoids were infected with an identical Wolbachia strain (ST-41), which is the same strain infecting their Eurema hecabe butterfly hosts. Although, further experiments are necessary to definitively determine that ST-41 Wolbachia are incorporated into germline cells of the parasitoids, this is the first study to provide ecological evidence for inter-ordinal Wolbachia transmission between Lepidoptera and Diptera. Furthermore, this discovery exposes the risk of population augmentation programs that move insects, potentially facilitating the spread of Wolbachia between species within a community through the accidental introduction of new Wolbachia-infected parasitoids. Finally, both Wolbachia and their insect hosts are temperature sensitive organisms. Wolbachia’s replication behavior in their hosts is positively-temperature dependent, while environmental variation can have profound effects on insect’s immune function, fitness, and fecundity. In chapter three, I conducted a laboratory experiment using a thermal gradient choice assay and an isogenic Drosophila melanogaster line with four different Wolbachia infection statuses – uninfected, wMel, wMelCS, and wMelPop - to assess whether a relationship existed between Wolbachia infection and host temperature preference. Results from my laboratory experiment revealed that Wolbachia-infected flies preferred cooler temperatures compared to uninfected flies. Moreover, D. melanogaster temperature preferences varied depending on the Wolbachia strain variant with which they were infected; flies infected with the wMel strain had temperature preferences 2°C cooler compared to uninfected flies; flies infected with either wMelCS or wMelPop strains had preferred temperatures 8°C cooler compared to uninfected flies. Wolbachia-associated temperature preference variation within a species can lead to conspecifics occupying different microclimates, genetically adapting to different sets of specific environmental conditions, and may eventually result in ecological and reproductive isolation. While, reproduction isolation is recognized as one of the first stages in speciation, in small populations of endangered and threatened species, the inability to reproduce between conspecifics can drive species to extirpation or extinction. Collectively, the three chapters of my dissertation set precedent for future integration of host-endosymbiont research prior to implementing population supplementation or translocation programs for the conservation of imperiled insects.
-
1447. [Article] Piscivorous colonial waterbirds in the Columbia River estuary : demography, dietary contaminants, and management
Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) and double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) nest in large colonies on East Sand Island in the Columbia River estuary, the largest known colonies for the two ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- Piscivorous colonial waterbirds in the Columbia River estuary : demography, dietary contaminants, and management
- Author:
- Suzuki, Yasuko
Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) and double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) nest in large colonies on East Sand Island in the Columbia River estuary, the largest known colonies for the two species in the world. Both species of piscivorous colonial waterbirds have been identified as predators with a significant impact on the survival of juvenile salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. To better understand and address issues related to seabird-fisheries interactions in the Columbia River estuary, I conducted studies related to the ecology, conservation, and management of these two species of piscivorous waterbirds. I evaluated the demographics and inter-colony movements of Caspian terns belonging to the Pacific Coast metapopulation, with special emphasis on two breeding colonies, one on East Sand Island in the Columbia River estuary and the other on Crescent Island in the mid-Columbia River, based on re-sightings of color-banded individuals. Apparent annual adult survival at both colonies was high, and age at first reproduction was greater than previously reported for the species. Colony site philopatry of breeding adults at both colonies was high; however, some individuals prospected for breeding colonies over much of the Pacific Coast region and moved to other colonies over distances of up to 3,000 km. Some terns from the large colony in the Columbia River estuary responded quickly to the availability of new colony sites as distant as 550 km from the estuary, and established successful breeding colonies within less than a year of the new sites becoming available. The Caspian tern colony on East Sand Island appears to be an important source colony for a number of smaller, less productive colonies distributed over an extensive area from the Salton Sea, California to the Copper River Delta, Alaska, an area with limited and ephemeral nesting opportunities. Environmental contaminants have been a conservation concern for wildlife in the Columbia River estuary, especially species that consume fish and are therefore likely to bioaccumulate persistent organic pollutants. I measured and compared levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in eggs and chicks of Caspian terns and doublecrested cormorants, as well as their primary prey fish types, at colonies on East Sand Island and farther up-river. Based on differences in tern and cormorant diet composition at the various study colonies, higher PCB levels in eggs and chicks were associated with diets dominated by resident freshwater and estuarine fishes. PCB levels in prey fish were positively correlated with lipid content; however, PCB levels in the livers of chicks were negatively correlated with chick fat scores, suggesting that chick fat reserves are a sink for ingested PCBs. Lower PCB levels in terns and cormorants from East Sand Island compared to colonies farther up-river reflected diets with a higher proportion of marine forage fishes at East Sand Island; marine forage fishes had lower average levels of PCBs than their resident freshwater and estuarine counterparts. In order to explore non-destructive techniques for managing nesting colonies of double-crested cormorants, I evaluated habitat enhancement and social attraction, two techniques that have proven effective for relocating Caspian tern colonies to sites where impacts on fish stocks of conservation concern would be minimal. Cormorants were attracted to nest and successfully raised young at test plots on East Sand Island and on islands in the estuary with a previous history of cormorant nesting or unsuccessful nesting attempts. On an island with no history of cormorant nesting or prospecting, however, no cormorants were attracted to nest. My results suggest that attraction of nesting cormorants using these techniques is dependent on the previous history of cormorant nesting or nesting attempts, the frequency and intensity of disturbance by potential predators, and the presence of breeding cormorants nearby. While habitat enhancement and social attraction have potential as methods for redistributing nesting cormorants away from areas where fish stocks of concern are highly susceptible to predation, successful establishment of new colonies using these techniques will likely require a focus on sites with a history of cormorant nesting. Findings from this dissertation raise some concerns over the management of Caspian tern and double-crested cormorant colonies on East Sand Island in order to redistribute parts of these colonies to alternative sites and mitigate the impact of those piscivorous colonial waterbirds on ESA-listed salmonids. East Sand Island has supported source colonies of piscivorous colonial waterbirds for many smaller colonies throughout the region and is close to an abundant and relatively uncontaminated food supply. Also, alternative colony sites that can substitute for East Sand Island are not readily apparent, especially for double-crested cormorants. Therefore, management of Caspian tern and double-crested cormorant colonies on East Sand Island to benefit Columbia Basin salmonids needs to proceed cautiously and reversibly because of the implications for the region-wide populations of these piscivorous colonial waterbirds.
-
1448. [Article] Direct and indirect effects of livestock grazing intensity on processes regulating grassland bird populations
In grasslands, grazing by large ungulates can influence vegetation structure, composition, primary productivity, and ultimately, ecosystem functioning. While grazing represents a complex disturbance, grazing ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- Direct and indirect effects of livestock grazing intensity on processes regulating grassland bird populations
- Author:
- Johnson, Tracey N.
In grasslands, grazing by large ungulates can influence vegetation structure, composition, primary productivity, and ultimately, ecosystem functioning. While grazing represents a complex disturbance, grazing intensity largely determines the effects of grazing on vegetation. Structural and compositional changes in the plant community caused by grazing could have bottom-up effects on species and interactions at higher trophic levels. Thus, particular management strategies for domestic livestock in rangeland systems could exert a strong affect on grassland wildlife. Grassland-dependent songbirds may be particularly susceptible to the effects of domestic grazers because they depend on grassland vegetation for foraging and nesting. Domestic livestock may influence grassland-breeding bird populations by affecting settlement decisions, resource availability, or reproductive success. We investigated the effects of grazing intensity on grassland vegetation structure and songbird demography in a northwestern bunchgrass prairie using paddocks with experimentally-manipulated cattle stocking rates. We compared effects of four stocking rates (0, 14.4, 28.8, and 43.2 animal unit months) on songbirds using a randomized complete block design with four replicates of each stocking rate to address hypotheses regarding demography of grassland songbirds. Overall paddock-level vegetation structure decreased and structural heterogeneity of vegetation increased with higher stocking rates, and those effects carried over one-year post-grazing. However, most bird species were able to locate nesting sites with similar vegetation structure regardless of paddock-level effects of stocking rate. The exceptions were western meadowlarks and vesper sparrows; nests of these species in paddocks with higher stocking rates had less vegetative cover. Apparent nest density for grasshopper sparrows was negatively affected by higher stocking rates. Grazing treatment effects on songbird population density were restricted to negative effects of higher stocking rates on savannah sparrows, but this relationship was not observed until the post-treatment year. Songbird community composition differed between control and heavily-grazed paddocks, but diversity was not affected by stocking rate. Nest fates were evaluated to determine whether stocking rate influenced nest survival or cause-specific nest failure. Other variables such as vegetation structure and predator community, date, year, and nest age were included to help clarify which mechanisms might be responsible for differences in nest survival or failure rates among treatments. For our analysis, we introduce the use of a novel software package, McNestimate, to estimate the daily probability of nest survival and failure from specific causes. McNestimate estimates the probability of nest failure from competing causes when the exact dates of failure are unknown using a Markov Chain framework, and incorporates a model selection approach which allows the use of covariates to help identify variables important in explaining variation in the daily probability of nest failure. Nest predation rates increased with the age of the nest and throughout the breeding season, but were not affected by stocking rate. The probability of nest failure from adverse weather declined throughout the season, but the rate of decline depended on year. Nest failure rates due to trampling were higher in paddocks with higher stocking rates, but also depended on the number of days cattle were present during the nesting period. Patterns of overall probability of nest success were driven by predation patterns in the first year, but in the second year were strongly influenced by the chances of weather-related nest failure. Although starvation was not identified as a significant source of nest failure, grazing-induced changes to vegetation structure and composition could influence food availability for breeding songbirds, ultimately affecting the composition of nestling diets and nestling condition. To better understand the relationship between grazing intensity, nestling diet composition, and subsequent effects on nestling condition, we examined the invertebrate composition of nestling fecal samples. All species showed strong preferences for Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) larvae, and partial preferences for Coleoptera (beetles) and Araneae (spiders). The proportion of preferred prey items was not affected by stocking rate. There were effects of bird species on the proportion of Araneae and Coleoptera and the proportion of Acrididae (short-horned grasshoppers) in the diet of western meadowlark nestlings decreased with high stocking rates. Growth rates for western meadowlarks and vesper sparrows were negatively affected by higher stocking rates. These results suggest that stocking rates can have variable effects on grassland songbird population and nest density depending on each species' habitat requirements. However, negative effects of high stocking rates on nest survival and nestling condition could have consequences for juvenile survival and recruitment. Overall, low-to-moderate stocking rates are likely compatible with many grassland bird species in northwest bunchgrass prairie, and although heavier livestock grazing may help create suitable vegetation structure for some songbird species, high stocking rates may influence grassland songbird diet quality, or have negative effects on nestling condition. We hypothesized that grazing intensity could influence the grassland songbird community through "bottom-up" effects on vegetation, but effects of grazing at different intensities did not translate directly through the food web to influence songbird populations as strongly as lower trophic levels. Processes responsible for changes in community composition such as immigration or emigration may not have had time to ensue during our short-term experiment; alternatively, sufficient spatial or temporal heterogeneity remained in the system, even at the highest grazing intensity, such that grazing-induced changes in lower trophic levels were irrelevant for most songbird species. Our results contribute to understanding grassland songbird demographic responses to different grazing intensities and identify specific mechanisms by which conservation measures for declining grassland bird populations can be improved.
-
Agroforestry is a traditional farming practice in American Samoa that has helped to sustain the livelihood of the native population for centuries. These once self-sufficient islands have become economically ...
Citation Citation
- Title:
- Agroforestry farming in American Samoa : a classification and assessment
- Author:
- Tuitele-Lewis, Jeannette D.
Agroforestry is a traditional farming practice in American Samoa that has helped to sustain the livelihood of the native population for centuries. These once self-sufficient islands have become economically dependent on U.S monies and other external resources during the past century. Dependency has caused a shift in the carrying capacity of the islands and has changed cultural attitudes regarding land use. This attitude is expressed on the landscape of changing agricultural and communal lands. Preserving traditional agroforestry practices and improving these systems may be important factors contributing to the future ecological, economic, and cultural sustainability of the territory. The goal of this study was to document and describe agroforestry farming in American Samoa in order to provide base-line information regarding the utilization of agroforestry species, agroforestry farming incentives and constraints, and current practices and systems. Thirty-eight farmers were randomly selected and farmer interviews and field surveys were conducted between the months of May-August 2003. Formal survey questions for the interview were divided into five major sections: woody species usage, livestock, inputs and soil, land tenure, and farmer demographics. Site selection corresponded with the participant farmers. Basic topographical information was collected for each site. Agroforestry practices mentioned during the interview process that were observed on site were documented. Each agroforestry site was placed into an initial classification type based on a visual assessment of plot size, species diversity, and vertical vegetative structure. Subplot data regarding species composition and vertical canopy structure was measured for each site. Data collection was divided into five vertical layers primarily by height: 1) low crop (<1.5m), 2) shrub/sapling (1.5-4m), 3) small tree (4-l0m), 4) large tree (10+m) and 5) climbing vines. For each subplot all ethnobotanically useful plant species were identified. Percent cover of useful species in each stratum layer was estimated and assigned one of seven percent cover classes. Subplot cover classes were averaged to obtain a single site estimate for each species in each stratum. Results from the farmer interviews suggest that agroforestry systems continue to be an important cultural and product resource in American Samoa. Although there is no longer the same level of dependency on these systems for meeting basic needs, agroforestry products continue to supplement household diets and are utilized for a variety of non-timber forest products and ecological services. Several agroforestry practices were observed among the farms in the study. However, the effectiveness of some of the practices including windbreaks, fallow, and erosion control was not optimal. This indicated that farmers could greatly benefit from institutionalized agroforestry practices such as appropriate spacing for wind filtration, improved fallow, and contour farming. Incentives and constraints for practicing agroforestry farming were identified. Some incentives included product variety, tradition, and a growing need for land-use efficiency. Identified constraints included time investment for production and poor labor resources, decreased profit when compared to mono-cultural farming, and the lack of planning prior to agroforestry implementation. The communal land tenure system acted as both an incentive and a disincentive for practicing agroforestry. The initial classification of agroforestry systems included home tree gardens, mixed crop plantations, transitional systems, and open canopy with dispersed tree systems. Agroforestry systems existed along an ecological complexity continuum, where complexity was measured by species diversity and vertical structure. A quantitative assessment of species composition and structure was used as a more objective approach to classifying local agroforestry systems. Non-metric multidimensional scaling was used to ordinate sites along a gradient based on species composition and structure. Several environmental and socio-economic variables were investigated to determine whether any of them demonstrated relationships with vegetative patterns. Species diversity, average number of canopy stratum layers, and elevation were three variables correlated with vegetative patterns. Sites that had high species diversity and were multi-structured were placed at the upper end of the gradient, while sites that had lower diversity with simple structure were generally placed at the lower end of the gradient. This supported the ecological complexity continuum. Less complex sites were associated with high elevations indicating that systems on the heavily populated lowland regions were more species rich and structurally diverse. The classification based on the cluster analysis indicated that distinct groups did not exist, as there was significant overlap. In general, groups derived from the cluster analysis were similar to those based on the visual assessment. One difference was that in the cluster analysis taro and gatae (Erythrina spp.) dominated sites emerged as a separate group. In addition, the cluster analysis was able to distinguish several subgroups within the mixed crop plantation type. No single socio-economic variable was correlated with vegetative patterns. This suggests that socio-economic variables do not determine vegetation in agroforestry systems and that human preference may be more of a driving factor than initially expected. It is likely that the availability of external resources allows for the selection of species within agroforestry systems to be based on choice rather than need. This trend is likely to increase as people become less dependent upon agroforestry systems to supplement needs. Traditional and institutionalized agroforestry systems have the potential to contribute to increasing self-sufficiency among American Samoan households. Because the importance of these systems is often not realized, the active promotion and education of agroforestry practices is essential. The classification of agroforestry systems provides an organizational framework for future research to build upon. The concept of the ecological complexity continuum where agroforestry systems fall along major points may be useful for answering socio-economic and ecological questions related to local agroforestry production.
-
1450. [Article] Satisfactions and dissatisfactions of college home economics majors in retail career
This thesis is a study of the job satisfaction Home Economics majors experience from their work in junior executive positions in retailing, an investigation of their former expectations and approach to ...Citation Citation
- Title:
- Satisfactions and dissatisfactions of college home economics majors in retail career
- Author:
- Sampson, Sandra Smith
This thesis is a study of the job satisfaction Home Economics majors experience from their work in junior executive positions in retailing, an investigation of their former expectations and approach to retailing, and an evaluation of certain specific course areas usually included in clothing, textiles, and related course areas in Home Economics curriculums. Information was obtained by surveying women currently in junior executive positions with retail firms in the western states. The satisfaction of respondents who had completed requirements for a degree in Home Economics was then compared with the satisfaction of young women who had completed requirements for a degree in any other four-year college curriculum. It became apparent from a review of the current literature on job satisfaction studies that three main categories of job satisfaction are agreed upon by many researchers. These are the satisfaction which the worker's pay and status brings him in the outside community, the satisfaction the individual receives from being employed by a certain firm and being in certain surroundings, and the intrinsic satisfactions of the actual work being done. These three categories were used as a basis to develop situations which were felt to influence job satisfaction. These situations were then used to form the job satisfaction measurement used in this study. A questionnaire was constructed to measure job satisfaction, realistic approach, and adequate preparation, and was set up in three parts. The first part of the questionnaire required the respondent to indicate demographic information, to give reasons for selecting a retail career, to evaluate major preparation, and to objectively rate her job satisfaction. The second part of the questionnaire measured preparation and realistic approach to retailing, and the third part consisted of 81 situations designed to yield a satisfaction score. Four hundred and ninety questionnaires were sent to twenty-three personnel directors in department and departmentalized speciality stores in the western states with a request that these personnel directors distribute the questionnaires to their executive trainees. Eight personnel directors indicated that they had distributed the questionnaires to their trainees and requested copies of the results of this study. Ten replied that they did not wish their trainees to cooperate in the study and 164 incompleted questionnaires were returned by them. Five personnel directors did not reply to the author's letter asking for cooperation. Of the 326 questionnaires possibly distributed to trainees, 120 were returned by young women in junior executive positions. Fifty-eight of the 120 were discarded as unusable, leaving 62 returns composed of 25 Home Economics majors and 37 non-majors. This was a 19 percent return of the total number of questionnaires which could have been received by trainees. The returned questionnaires were analyzed with the use of several statistical techniques. A mean satisfaction score for each respondent was determined on the basis of responses to the 81 situations in Part C. The Student's t-test was then used to test for differences between the average of the Home Economics majors' scores and the average of the non-majors' scores. Respondents were classified by age, length of service, age at decision of occupation, and location of college attended, and multiple range tests were used to test for differences in job satisfaction between respondents checking the various classifications. Frequency counts were made of the reasons each respondent indicated for selecting a retail career. Frequency counts were also made of each respondent's evaluation of certain clothing, textiles, and related course areas. The Student's t-test was used to test for differences in the realistic approach, as well as to determine the difference in preparation, between the two groups. The four questions designed to measure realistic approach were also analyzed independently with the use of the chi-square test for independence to determine if there was a significant difference between the realistic approach of the two groups based on the individual questions. Means for all respondents, means for Home Economics majors, and means for non-majors were determined for each of the 81 situations measuring job satisfaction to identify situations with which respondents in each of these groups were satisfied or dissatisfied. These situations were arranged in order from high satisfaction to low satisfaction for all respondents and listed in Appendix C. Also included in Appendix C are the differences between the major means and non-major, means for each of the 81 situations. The relationship between respondents' objective ratings of satisfaction and their subjective satisfaction scores are displayed in a two-way contingency table to show the distribution of frequency of occurrence of the subjective and objective measurements. The data collected from the questionnaire revealed that the mean satisfaction scores of majors and non-majors differed, and non-majors were significantly more satisfied than majors in retail junior executive training. Majors were more satisfied than non-majors with some situations and dissatisfied with others. The recommendation was made that these situations be presented to Home Economics majors planning to enter retail careers in order that they might more fully realize how these situations in their future work will affect them personally. Non-majors were also significantly more realistic than majors in, their approach to retailing. Majors felt significantly more adequately prepared than non-majors in clothing, textiles, and related course areas, but a few areas of inadequacy in Home Economics college preparation were noted for the majors. Generally, it appeared that Home Economics majors feel their college major is useful in their retail work, and a greater percentage of the majors than the non-majors would again select the same college curriculum if given the opportunity to choose again. Reasons for selecting retail careers were similar for the two groups and an interest in clothing was the reason most frequently indicated by both groups. It was concluded that Home Economics majors in this study may experience less satisfaction in retail careers than non-majors because of a lack of a realistic approach, and that future research should be conducted to determine what causes this dissatisfaction, and how it may be alleviated.