Search

Search Results

• 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] Urban Ecosystem Services: Tree Diversity and Stability of Tropospheric Ozone Removal

  Urban forests provide important ecosystem services, such as urban air quality improvement by removing pollutants. While robust evidence exists that plant physiology, abundance, and distribution within ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Urban Ecosystem Services: Tree Diversity and Stability of Tropospheric Ozone Removal Author: Manes, Fausto, Incerti, Guido, Salvatori, Elisabetta, Vitale, Marcello, Ricotta, Carlo, Costanza, Robert Year: 2012 Urban forests provide important ecosystem services, such as urban air quality improvement by removing pollutants. While robust evidence exists that plant physiology, abundance, and distribution within cities are basic parameters affecting the magnitude and efficiency of air pollution removal, little is known about effects of plant diversity on the stability of this ecosystem service. Here, by means of a spatial analysis integrating system dynamic modeling and geostatistics, we assessed the effects of tree diversity on the removal of tropospheric ozone (O3) in Rome, Italy, in two years (2003 and 2004) that were very different for climatic conditions and ozone levels. Different tree functional groups showed complementary uptake patterns, related to tree physiology and phenology, maintaining a stable community function across different climatic conditions. Our results, although depending on the city-specific conditions of the studied area, suggest a higher function stability at increasing diversity levels in urban ecosystems. In Rome, such ecosystem services, based on published unitary costs of externalities and of mortality associated with O3, can be prudently valued to roughly US $2 and $3 million/year, respectively. Title: Urban Ecosystem Services: Tree Diversity and Stability of Tropospheric Ozone Removal Author: Manes, Fausto, Incerti, Guido, Salvatori, Elisabetta, Vitale, Marcello, Ricotta, Carlo, Costanza, Robert Year: 2012 Urban forests provide important ecosystem services, such as urban air quality improvement by removing pollutants. While robust evidence exists that plant physiology, abundance, and distribution within cities are basic parameters affecting the magnitude and efficiency of air pollution removal, little is known about effects of plant diversity on the stability of this ecosystem service. Here, by means of a spatial analysis integrating system dynamic modeling and geostatistics, we assessed the effects of tree diversity on the removal of tropospheric ozone (O3) in Rome, Italy, in two years (2003 and 2004) that were very different for climatic conditions and ozone levels. Different tree functional groups showed complementary uptake patterns, related to tree physiology and phenology, maintaining a stable community function across different climatic conditions. Our results, although depending on the city-specific conditions of the studied area, suggest a higher function stability at increasing diversity levels in urban ecosystems. In Rome, such ecosystem services, based on published unitary costs of externalities and of mortality associated with O3, can be prudently valued to roughly US $2 and $3 million/year, respectively. Close

• 6. [Article] Oregon Natural Areas Plan

  The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon Natural Areas Plan Author: Oregon Natural Heritage Advisory Council Year: 2010 The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, deserts, marshes, estuaries, dunes, rocky headlands, lakes and streams. There are a number of reasons it is so diverse. First are the extremes of climate, with rainfall ranging from over 200 inches a year along Oregon’s north coast, to less than 7 inches a year in the Alvord Desert, and temperatures from the very mild banana belt along the coast near the California border to the extremes of the high alpine areas of the Wallowa Mountains. Secondly, Oregon is diverse geographically and geologically, having ancient serpentine landscapes in the Siskiyou Mountains and recent volcanics in the Cascades and the deepest gorge in North America at Hells Canyon. Lastly, Oregon is a floristic crossroads, with arctic boreal species finding their southern limit, Rocky Mountain species common in northeastern Oregon, Great Basin species in southeastern Oregon, and California coastal and Sierra species in the southwest, all mixing with native northwestern taxa to create a wide array of habitats. Title: Oregon Natural Areas Plan Author: Oregon Natural Heritage Advisory Council Year: 2010 The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, deserts, marshes, estuaries, dunes, rocky headlands, lakes and streams. There are a number of reasons it is so diverse. First are the extremes of climate, with rainfall ranging from over 200 inches a year along Oregon’s north coast, to less than 7 inches a year in the Alvord Desert, and temperatures from the very mild banana belt along the coast near the California border to the extremes of the high alpine areas of the Wallowa Mountains. Secondly, Oregon is diverse geographically and geologically, having ancient serpentine landscapes in the Siskiyou Mountains and recent volcanics in the Cascades and the deepest gorge in North America at Hells Canyon. Lastly, Oregon is a floristic crossroads, with arctic boreal species finding their southern limit, Rocky Mountain species common in northeastern Oregon, Great Basin species in southeastern Oregon, and California coastal and Sierra species in the southwest, all mixing with native northwestern taxa to create a wide array of habitats. Close

• 7. [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

• 8. [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

• 9. [Article] Biogeochemical Stoichiometry of Antarctic Dry Valley Ecosystems

  Among aquatic and terrestrial landscapes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, ecosystem stoichiometry ranges from values near the Redfield ratios for C:N:P to nutrient concentrations in proportions ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Biogeochemical Stoichiometry of Antarctic Dry Valley Ecosystems Author: Barrett, John E., Virginia, Ross A., Lyons, W. Berry, McKnight, Diane M., Priscu, John Charles, Doran, Peter T., Fountain, Andrew G., Wall, Diana H., Moorhead, D. L. Year: 2007 Among aquatic and terrestrial landscapes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, ecosystem stoichiometry ranges from values near the Redfield ratios for C:N:P to nutrient concentrations in proportions far above or below ratios necessary to support balanced microbial growth. This polar desert provides an opportunity to evaluate stoichiometric approaches to understand nutrient cycling in an ecosystem where biological diversity and activity are low, and controls over the movement and mass balances of nutrients operate over 10–10⁶ years. The simple organisms (microbial and metazoan) comprising dry valley foodwebs adhere to strict biochemical requirements in the composition of their biomass, and when activated by availability of liquid water, they influence the chemical composition of their environment according to these ratios. Nitrogen and phosphorus varied significantly in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems occurring on landscape surfaces across a wide range of exposure ages, indicating strong influences of landscape development and geochemistry on nutrient availability. Biota control the elemental ratio of stream waters, while geochemical stoichiometry (e.g., weathering, atmospheric deposition) evidently limits the distribution of soil invertebrates. We present a conceptual model describing transformations across dry valley landscapes facilitated by exchanges of liquid water and biotic processing of dissolved nutrients. We conclude that contemporary ecosystem stoichiometry of Antarctic Dry Valley soils, glaciers, streams, and lakes results from a combination of extant biological processes superimposed on a legacy of landscape processes and previous climates. Title: Biogeochemical Stoichiometry of Antarctic Dry Valley Ecosystems Author: Barrett, John E., Virginia, Ross A., Lyons, W. Berry, McKnight, Diane M., Priscu, John Charles, Doran, Peter T., Fountain, Andrew G., Wall, Diana H., Moorhead, D. L. Year: 2007 Among aquatic and terrestrial landscapes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, ecosystem stoichiometry ranges from values near the Redfield ratios for C:N:P to nutrient concentrations in proportions far above or below ratios necessary to support balanced microbial growth. This polar desert provides an opportunity to evaluate stoichiometric approaches to understand nutrient cycling in an ecosystem where biological diversity and activity are low, and controls over the movement and mass balances of nutrients operate over 10–10⁶ years. The simple organisms (microbial and metazoan) comprising dry valley foodwebs adhere to strict biochemical requirements in the composition of their biomass, and when activated by availability of liquid water, they influence the chemical composition of their environment according to these ratios. Nitrogen and phosphorus varied significantly in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems occurring on landscape surfaces across a wide range of exposure ages, indicating strong influences of landscape development and geochemistry on nutrient availability. Biota control the elemental ratio of stream waters, while geochemical stoichiometry (e.g., weathering, atmospheric deposition) evidently limits the distribution of soil invertebrates. We present a conceptual model describing transformations across dry valley landscapes facilitated by exchanges of liquid water and biotic processing of dissolved nutrients. We conclude that contemporary ecosystem stoichiometry of Antarctic Dry Valley soils, glaciers, streams, and lakes results from a combination of extant biological processes superimposed on a legacy of landscape processes and previous climates. Close

• 10. [Article] Convergence of Microclimate in Residential Landscapes Across Diverse Cities in the United States

  Context The urban heat island (UHI) is a welldocumented pattern of warming in cities relative to rural areas. Most UHI research utilizes remote sensing methods at large scales, or climate sensors in single ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Convergence of Microclimate in Residential Landscapes Across Diverse Cities in the United States Author: Hall, Sharon J., Learned, J, Ruddell, Benjamin, Larson, Kelli L., Cavender-Bares, Jeannine, Bettez, Neil D., Groffman, Peter M., Grove, J. Morgan, Heffernan, James B., Hobbie, Sarah E., Larson, Kristen, Morse, Jennifer L., Neill, Christopher, Nelson, Kristen C., O'Neil-Dunne, Jarlath, Ogden, Laura A., Pataki, Diane E., Pearse, William D., Polsky, Colin, Chowdhury, Rinku Roy, Steele, Meredith K., Trammell, Tara Year: 2015 Context The urban heat island (UHI) is a welldocumented pattern of warming in cities relative to rural areas. Most UHI research utilizes remote sensing methods at large scales, or climate sensors in single cities surrounded by standardized land cover. Relatively few studies have explored continental-scale climatic patterns within common urban microenvironments such as residential landscapes that may affect human comfort. Objectives We tested the urban homogenization hypothesis which states that structure and function in cities exhibit ecological ‘‘sameness’’ across diverse regions relative to the native ecosystems they replaced. Methods We deployed portable micrometeorological sensors to compare air temperature and humidity in residential yards and native landscapes across six U.S. cities that span a range of climates (Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; Boston, MA; Baltimore, MD; and Miami, FL). Results Microclimate in residential ecosystems was more similar among cities than among native ecosystems, particularly during the calm morning hours. Maximum regional actual evapotranspiration (AET) was related to the morning residential microclimate effect. Residential yards in cities with maximum AET \50–65 cm/year (Phoenix and Los Angeles) were generally cooler and more humid than nearby native shrublands during summer mornings, while yards in cities above this threshold were generally warmer (Baltimore and Miami) and drier (Miami) than native forests. On average, temperature and absolute humidity were *6 % less variable among residential ecosystems than among native ecosystems from diverse regions. Conclusions These data suggest that common residential land cover and structural characteristics lead to microclimatic convergence across diverse regions at the continental scale. Title: Convergence of Microclimate in Residential Landscapes Across Diverse Cities in the United States Author: Hall, Sharon J., Learned, J, Ruddell, Benjamin, Larson, Kelli L., Cavender-Bares, Jeannine, Bettez, Neil D., Groffman, Peter M., Grove, J. Morgan, Heffernan, James B., Hobbie, Sarah E., Larson, Kristen, Morse, Jennifer L., Neill, Christopher, Nelson, Kristen C., O'Neil-Dunne, Jarlath, Ogden, Laura A., Pataki, Diane E., Pearse, William D., Polsky, Colin, Chowdhury, Rinku Roy, Steele, Meredith K., Trammell, Tara Year: 2015 Context The urban heat island (UHI) is a welldocumented pattern of warming in cities relative to rural areas. Most UHI research utilizes remote sensing methods at large scales, or climate sensors in single cities surrounded by standardized land cover. Relatively few studies have explored continental-scale climatic patterns within common urban microenvironments such as residential landscapes that may affect human comfort. Objectives We tested the urban homogenization hypothesis which states that structure and function in cities exhibit ecological ‘‘sameness’’ across diverse regions relative to the native ecosystems they replaced. Methods We deployed portable micrometeorological sensors to compare air temperature and humidity in residential yards and native landscapes across six U.S. cities that span a range of climates (Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; Boston, MA; Baltimore, MD; and Miami, FL). Results Microclimate in residential ecosystems was more similar among cities than among native ecosystems, particularly during the calm morning hours. Maximum regional actual evapotranspiration (AET) was related to the morning residential microclimate effect. Residential yards in cities with maximum AET \50–65 cm/year (Phoenix and Los Angeles) were generally cooler and more humid than nearby native shrublands during summer mornings, while yards in cities above this threshold were generally warmer (Baltimore and Miami) and drier (Miami) than native forests. On average, temperature and absolute humidity were *6 % less variable among residential ecosystems than among native ecosystems from diverse regions. Conclusions These data suggest that common residential land cover and structural characteristics lead to microclimatic convergence across diverse regions at the continental scale. Close

• 11. [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

• 12. [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

• 13. [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

• 14. [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

• 15. [Article] Nature in chains : the effects of Thomas Jefferson’s rectangular survey on a Pacific Northwest landscape

  Understanding the impact of humans on the environment has long been a topic of scholarly interest and debate. As environmental problems mount, accounts of historic ecological conditions and the factors ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Nature in chains : the effects of Thomas Jefferson’s rectangular survey on a Pacific Northwest landscape Author: Schweickert, Tina K. Understanding the impact of humans on the environment has long been a topic of scholarly interest and debate. As environmental problems mount, accounts of historic ecological conditions and the factors of change become increasingly useful. This study considers competing schools of interpretation about human impacts on ecological landscapes and develops a case study of one thirty-six square mile township in Oregon’s Waldo Hills. Built on evidence from 1851 surveyor notes, maps, journals, aerial photos, interviews, and contemporary environmental and ecological data, this study demonstrates a transformation from ecologically diverse ecosystems under the management of native peoples to ecologically depressed monoculture landscapes under industrialized agriculture. This thesis argues that the fundamental beliefs of human societies (i.e., worldviews) become expressed in the landscape. The nature-as-community view of the Kalapuya Indians resulted in a complex, curvilinear mosaic of prairie, savanna, and woodland. The individualized and rationalized view of the Euroamericans resulted in a simplified landscape of squared-off fields, channelized streams, and roads aligned to the survey grid. Thomas Jefferson’s rectangular survey, built on the ‘virtuous square’, is examined as a symbolic and tangible instrument of rapid expansion and exploitation across the American West. Understanding that worldviews become expressed in physical conditions may benefit those working to create sustainable futures; i.e., long-term and widespread ecological improvements will likely succeed only if society at large shares a fundamental belief in the value of healthy ecosystems. Title: Nature in chains : the effects of Thomas Jefferson’s rectangular survey on a Pacific Northwest landscape Author: Schweickert, Tina K. Understanding the impact of humans on the environment has long been a topic of scholarly interest and debate. As environmental problems mount, accounts of historic ecological conditions and the factors of change become increasingly useful. This study considers competing schools of interpretation about human impacts on ecological landscapes and develops a case study of one thirty-six square mile township in Oregon’s Waldo Hills. Built on evidence from 1851 surveyor notes, maps, journals, aerial photos, interviews, and contemporary environmental and ecological data, this study demonstrates a transformation from ecologically diverse ecosystems under the management of native peoples to ecologically depressed monoculture landscapes under industrialized agriculture. This thesis argues that the fundamental beliefs of human societies (i.e., worldviews) become expressed in the landscape. The nature-as-community view of the Kalapuya Indians resulted in a complex, curvilinear mosaic of prairie, savanna, and woodland. The individualized and rationalized view of the Euroamericans resulted in a simplified landscape of squared-off fields, channelized streams, and roads aligned to the survey grid. Thomas Jefferson’s rectangular survey, built on the ‘virtuous square’, is examined as a symbolic and tangible instrument of rapid expansion and exploitation across the American West. Understanding that worldviews become expressed in physical conditions may benefit those working to create sustainable futures; i.e., long-term and widespread ecological improvements will likely succeed only if society at large shares a fundamental belief in the value of healthy ecosystems. Close

• 16. [Article] High Performance Computational Chemistry: Bridging Quantum Mechanics, Molecular Dynamics, and Coarse-Grained Models

  The past several decades have witnessed tremendous strides in the capabilities of computational chemistry simulations, driven in large part by the extensive parallelism offered by powerful computer clusters ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: High Performance Computational Chemistry: Bridging Quantum Mechanics, Molecular Dynamics, and Coarse-Grained Models Author: Ozog, David Year: 2017 The past several decades have witnessed tremendous strides in the capabilities of computational chemistry simulations, driven in large part by the extensive parallelism offered by powerful computer clusters and scalable programming methods in high performance computing (HPC). However, such massively parallel simulations increasingly require more complicated software to achieve good performance across the vastly diverse ecosystem of modern heterogeneous computer systems. Furthermore, advanced “multi-resolution” methods for modeling atoms and molecules continue to evolve, and scientific software developers struggle to keep up with the hardships involved with building, scaling, and maintaining these coupled code systems. This dissertation describes these challenges facing the computational chemistry community in detail, along with recent solutions and techniques that circumvent some primary obstacles. In particular, I describe several projects and classify them by the 3 primary models used to simulate atoms and molecules: quantum mechanics (QM), molecular mechanics (MM), and coarse-grained (CG) models. Initially, the projects investigate methods for scaling simulations to larger and more relevant chemical applications within the same resolution model of either QM, MM, or CG. However, the grand challenge lies in effectively bridging these scales, both spatially and temporally, to study richer chemical models that go beyond single-scale physics and toward hybrid QM/MM/CG models. This dissertation concludes with an analysis of the state of the art in multiscale computational chemistry, with an eye toward improving developer productivity on upcoming computer architectures, in which we require productive software environments, enhanced support for coupled scientific workflows, useful abstractions to aid with data transfer, adaptive runtime systems, and extreme scalability. This dissertation includes previously published and co-authored material, as well as unpublished co-authored material. Title: High Performance Computational Chemistry: Bridging Quantum Mechanics, Molecular Dynamics, and Coarse-Grained Models Author: Ozog, David Year: 2017 The past several decades have witnessed tremendous strides in the capabilities of computational chemistry simulations, driven in large part by the extensive parallelism offered by powerful computer clusters and scalable programming methods in high performance computing (HPC). However, such massively parallel simulations increasingly require more complicated software to achieve good performance across the vastly diverse ecosystem of modern heterogeneous computer systems. Furthermore, advanced “multi-resolution” methods for modeling atoms and molecules continue to evolve, and scientific software developers struggle to keep up with the hardships involved with building, scaling, and maintaining these coupled code systems. This dissertation describes these challenges facing the computational chemistry community in detail, along with recent solutions and techniques that circumvent some primary obstacles. In particular, I describe several projects and classify them by the 3 primary models used to simulate atoms and molecules: quantum mechanics (QM), molecular mechanics (MM), and coarse-grained (CG) models. Initially, the projects investigate methods for scaling simulations to larger and more relevant chemical applications within the same resolution model of either QM, MM, or CG. However, the grand challenge lies in effectively bridging these scales, both spatially and temporally, to study richer chemical models that go beyond single-scale physics and toward hybrid QM/MM/CG models. This dissertation concludes with an analysis of the state of the art in multiscale computational chemistry, with an eye toward improving developer productivity on upcoming computer architectures, in which we require productive software environments, enhanced support for coupled scientific workflows, useful abstractions to aid with data transfer, adaptive runtime systems, and extreme scalability. This dissertation includes previously published and co-authored material, as well as unpublished co-authored material. Close

• 17. [Article] Synecological effects of cattle grazing riparian ecosystems

  In 1978, a ten year project was begun to examine the synecological effects of livestock grazing riparian ecosystems. A multitude of biotic arid physical factors, many which were unique to riparian ecosystems, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Synecological effects of cattle grazing riparian ecosystems Author: Kauffman, John Boone In 1978, a ten year project was begun to examine the synecological effects of livestock grazing riparian ecosystems. A multitude of biotic arid physical factors, many which were unique to riparian ecosystems, interacted to form a complex and diverse riparian ecosystem. A total of 256 stands of vegetation representing 60 discrete plant communities were identified. Twenty species of mammals and 81 species of birds were sited utilizing the area from May-October. Approximately one-half of the riparian vegetation bordering Catherine Creek was excluded from livestock grazing. Ten plant communities were intensively sampled in grazed and exclosed areas during three growing seasons to determine some of the impacts a late season grazing scheme has on riparian vegetation. Three plant communities displayed significant species composition and productivity differences. These commmunities were within' the meadow and Doug1az Hawthorne (Crataegus douglasii) vegetation types and were utilized more heavily by livestock than any other communities sampled. In addition succession appeared to be retarded by grazing on gravel bars dominated by black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) saplings and willows (Salix spp.). Few differences were recorded in other plant communities sampled. Late season grazing had few short term impacts on avian populations censused from May-October. There was a significant decrease in small mammal populations after grazing in all communities sampled. However, by the following August small mammals had recolonized the grazed plant communities in essentially the same species composition and densities. Grazed areas had significantly greater streambank losses than areas that were not grazed. While overwinter losses accounted for much of the streambank erosion, the erosion and disturbance caused by livestock grazing and trampling was enough to create significantly greater streambank losses in grazed areas compared to ungrazed areas. Positive characteristics of a late season grazing scheme on. the riparian zone included increased late season livestock production, good plant vigor and productivity, minimal soil disturbance, and minimal short term disturbance to wildlife populations dependent on riparian ecosystems. Title: Synecological effects of cattle grazing riparian ecosystems Author: Kauffman, John Boone In 1978, a ten year project was begun to examine the synecological effects of livestock grazing riparian ecosystems. A multitude of biotic arid physical factors, many which were unique to riparian ecosystems, interacted to form a complex and diverse riparian ecosystem. A total of 256 stands of vegetation representing 60 discrete plant communities were identified. Twenty species of mammals and 81 species of birds were sited utilizing the area from May-October. Approximately one-half of the riparian vegetation bordering Catherine Creek was excluded from livestock grazing. Ten plant communities were intensively sampled in grazed and exclosed areas during three growing seasons to determine some of the impacts a late season grazing scheme has on riparian vegetation. Three plant communities displayed significant species composition and productivity differences. These commmunities were within' the meadow and Doug1az Hawthorne (Crataegus douglasii) vegetation types and were utilized more heavily by livestock than any other communities sampled. In addition succession appeared to be retarded by grazing on gravel bars dominated by black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) saplings and willows (Salix spp.). Few differences were recorded in other plant communities sampled. Late season grazing had few short term impacts on avian populations censused from May-October. There was a significant decrease in small mammal populations after grazing in all communities sampled. However, by the following August small mammals had recolonized the grazed plant communities in essentially the same species composition and densities. Grazed areas had significantly greater streambank losses than areas that were not grazed. While overwinter losses accounted for much of the streambank erosion, the erosion and disturbance caused by livestock grazing and trampling was enough to create significantly greater streambank losses in grazed areas compared to ungrazed areas. Positive characteristics of a late season grazing scheme on. the riparian zone included increased late season livestock production, good plant vigor and productivity, minimal soil disturbance, and minimal short term disturbance to wildlife populations dependent on riparian ecosystems. Close

• 18. [Article] Metacommunity dynamics of bacteria in an arctic lake: the impact of species sorting and mass effects on bacterial production and biogeography

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Frontiers Research Foundation. The published article can be found at: http://www.frontiersi...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Metacommunity dynamics of bacteria in an arctic lake: the impact of species sorting and mass effects on bacterial production and biogeography Author: Crump, Byron C., Adams, Heather E., Kling, George W. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Frontiers Research Foundation. The published article can be found at: http://www.frontiersin.org/Microbiology. Title: Metacommunity dynamics of bacteria in an arctic lake: the impact of species sorting and mass effects on bacterial production and biogeography Author: Crump, Byron C., Adams, Heather E., Kling, George W. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Frontiers Research Foundation. The published article can be found at: http://www.frontiersin.org/Microbiology. Close

• 19. [Article] The genome of Aiptasia, a sea anemone model for coral symbiosis

  Freely available online through the PNAS open access option.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The genome of Aiptasia, a sea anemone model for coral symbiosis Author: Weis, Virginia M., Oates, Matt E., Aranda, Manuel, Voolstra, Christian R., Liew, Yi Jin, Hambleton, Elizabeth A., Pringle, John R., Baumgarten, Sebastian, Esherick, Lisl Y., Gough, Julian, Guse, Annika, Lehnert, Erik M., Michell, Craig T., Simakov, Oleg, Li, Yong Freely available online through the PNAS open access option. Title: The genome of Aiptasia, a sea anemone model for coral symbiosis Author: Weis, Virginia M., Oates, Matt E., Aranda, Manuel, Voolstra, Christian R., Liew, Yi Jin, Hambleton, Elizabeth A., Pringle, John R., Baumgarten, Sebastian, Esherick, Lisl Y., Gough, Julian, Guse, Annika, Lehnert, Erik M., Michell, Craig T., Simakov, Oleg, Li, Yong Freely available online through the PNAS open access option. Close

• 20. [Article] Evaluating taxonomic homogenization of freshwater fish assemblages in Chile

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by SpringerOpen. The published article can be found at: http://link.springer.com/journal/40693

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Evaluating taxonomic homogenization of freshwater fish assemblages in Chile Author: Arismendi, Ivan, Gomez-Uchida, Daniel, Vargas, Pamela V. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by SpringerOpen. The published article can be found at: http://link.springer.com/journal/40693 Title: Evaluating taxonomic homogenization of freshwater fish assemblages in Chile Author: Arismendi, Ivan, Gomez-Uchida, Daniel, Vargas, Pamela V. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by SpringerOpen. The published article can be found at: http://link.springer.com/journal/40693 Close