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• 21. [Article] Ecosystem Services as Boundary Objects for Transdisciplinary Collaboration

  The ecosystem services (ES) framework has potential to bring transdisciplinary teams together to achieve societal goals. Some label ES as “boundary objects” that help integrate diverse forms of knowledge ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Ecosystem Services as Boundary Objects for Transdisciplinary Collaboration Author: Steger, Cara, Hirsch, Shana, Evers, Cody, Branoff, Benjamin, Petrova, Maria, Nielsen-Pincus, Max, Wardropper, Chloe, van Riper, Carena J. Year: 2018 The ecosystem services (ES) framework has potential to bring transdisciplinary teams together to achieve societal goals. Some label ES as “boundary objects” that help integrate diverse forms of knowledge across social groups and organizational scales. However, this classification masks complexities that arise from unique characteristics of ES types (i.e., provisioning, regulating, and cultural), which influence their ability to function as boundary objects. We argue that interpretive flexibility and material structures interact in distinct ways across ES types throughout a boundary object “life cycle.” Viewing a 2015 U.S. federal memorandum as a catalyst, we critically evaluate the evolution of ES and its role as a boundary object. We propose that provisioning and regulating services are transitioning out of boundary object status, moving into a more standardized state. However, we anticipate that cultural services may continue to behave as boundary objects if collaborators maintain them as such. This shift in the functionality of ES as boundary objects is an important consideration for future research that attempts to reach across social worlds and disciplinary perspectives. We urge collaborations to rely on the most relevant disciplinary knowledge, rather than allowing the ease of standardized solutions to dictate the boundary of a given problem. Title: Ecosystem Services as Boundary Objects for Transdisciplinary Collaboration Author: Steger, Cara, Hirsch, Shana, Evers, Cody, Branoff, Benjamin, Petrova, Maria, Nielsen-Pincus, Max, Wardropper, Chloe, van Riper, Carena J. Year: 2018 The ecosystem services (ES) framework has potential to bring transdisciplinary teams together to achieve societal goals. Some label ES as “boundary objects” that help integrate diverse forms of knowledge across social groups and organizational scales. However, this classification masks complexities that arise from unique characteristics of ES types (i.e., provisioning, regulating, and cultural), which influence their ability to function as boundary objects. We argue that interpretive flexibility and material structures interact in distinct ways across ES types throughout a boundary object “life cycle.” Viewing a 2015 U.S. federal memorandum as a catalyst, we critically evaluate the evolution of ES and its role as a boundary object. We propose that provisioning and regulating services are transitioning out of boundary object status, moving into a more standardized state. However, we anticipate that cultural services may continue to behave as boundary objects if collaborators maintain them as such. This shift in the functionality of ES as boundary objects is an important consideration for future research that attempts to reach across social worlds and disciplinary perspectives. We urge collaborations to rely on the most relevant disciplinary knowledge, rather than allowing the ease of standardized solutions to dictate the boundary of a given problem. Close

• 22. [Article] Fire science needs in the Pacific Northwest

  12 pages

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Fire science needs in the Pacific Northwest Author: Abrams, Jesse, Creighton, Janean H., Moseley, Cassandra, Olsen, Christine S., Davis, Emily Jane, Pomeroy, Alaina, Hamman, Sarah, Bruce, Josh, Perleberg, Andrew B., DeMeo, Thomas, Evers, Louisa, Fitzgerald, Stephen Arthur Year: 2015, 2011 12 pages Title: Fire science needs in the Pacific Northwest Author: Abrams, Jesse, Creighton, Janean H., Moseley, Cassandra, Olsen, Christine S., Davis, Emily Jane, Pomeroy, Alaina, Hamman, Sarah, Bruce, Josh, Perleberg, Andrew B., DeMeo, Thomas, Evers, Louisa, Fitzgerald, Stephen Arthur Year: 2015, 2011 12 pages Close

• 23. [Article] A Geospatial Tool for Wetland Prioritization at the Watershed Scale

  There is an increasing demand for assessing ecosystem functions for freshwater wetlands, especially when comparing or prioritizing among wetlands at the watershed scale. We estimated the relative potential ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Geospatial Tool for Wetland Prioritization at the Watershed Scale Author: Blackmore, Debra Sue, Chang, Heejun Year: 2015 There is an increasing demand for assessing ecosystem functions for freshwater wetlands, especially when comparing or prioritizing among wetlands at the watershed scale. We estimated the relative potential of selected ecosystem functions for freshwater wetlands within a watershed using widely available geospatial data. We developed four functions to estimate 1) flood storage, 2) late season flow, 3) sediment retention and 4) temperature control in four pilot watersheds in Oregon (Tualatin, Coquille, Upper Grande Ronde and Sprague). These watersheds are geographically separated from each other representing diverse ecoregion environments. Spatial analysis and geographic information system (GIS) were designed for maximum re-use, based on publicly-available data, commonly-used software, semi-automated techniques and wetland characterizations that attempt to capture fundamental wetland processes. Our data sources include 30-meter digital elevation models, NRCS soil survey extracts, USGS National Land Cover Data, USGS HUC8 boundaries (polygons) and statewide wetland delineations (polygons) processed within ArcGIS 10.2 and Python 2.7.5 software. Model parameters were compiled using multiple proxy values for size, slope, aspect, proximity, flow path distance, hydrologic gradient, shade, and soil characteristics. WPT characterizations emphasize the multi-faceted value of freshwater wetlands, relating potential within a watershed as well as providing model-based characterizations between watersheds. Our wetland prioritization tool (WPT) provides useful information to estimate and compare the relative potential for selected wetland functions, thereby improving success in wetland conservation, restoration, and mitigation efforts. Title: A Geospatial Tool for Wetland Prioritization at the Watershed Scale Author: Blackmore, Debra Sue, Chang, Heejun Year: 2015 There is an increasing demand for assessing ecosystem functions for freshwater wetlands, especially when comparing or prioritizing among wetlands at the watershed scale. We estimated the relative potential of selected ecosystem functions for freshwater wetlands within a watershed using widely available geospatial data. We developed four functions to estimate 1) flood storage, 2) late season flow, 3) sediment retention and 4) temperature control in four pilot watersheds in Oregon (Tualatin, Coquille, Upper Grande Ronde and Sprague). These watersheds are geographically separated from each other representing diverse ecoregion environments. Spatial analysis and geographic information system (GIS) were designed for maximum re-use, based on publicly-available data, commonly-used software, semi-automated techniques and wetland characterizations that attempt to capture fundamental wetland processes. Our data sources include 30-meter digital elevation models, NRCS soil survey extracts, USGS National Land Cover Data, USGS HUC8 boundaries (polygons) and statewide wetland delineations (polygons) processed within ArcGIS 10.2 and Python 2.7.5 software. Model parameters were compiled using multiple proxy values for size, slope, aspect, proximity, flow path distance, hydrologic gradient, shade, and soil characteristics. WPT characterizations emphasize the multi-faceted value of freshwater wetlands, relating potential within a watershed as well as providing model-based characterizations between watersheds. Our wetland prioritization tool (WPT) provides useful information to estimate and compare the relative potential for selected wetland functions, thereby improving success in wetland conservation, restoration, and mitigation efforts. Close

• 24. [Article] Forest and watershed restoration in Linn County, Oregon : economic impacts, trends, and recommendations

  28 pages

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Forest and watershed restoration in Linn County, Oregon : economic impacts, trends, and recommendations Author: Davis, Emily Jane, White, Eric M., Rishel, Branden, Moseley, Cassandra Year: 2015, 2013 28 pages Title: Forest and watershed restoration in Linn County, Oregon : economic impacts, trends, and recommendations Author: Davis, Emily Jane, White, Eric M., Rishel, Branden, Moseley, Cassandra Year: 2015, 2013 28 pages Close

• 25. [Article] Bioenergy Harvest, Climate Change, and Forest Carbon in the Oregon Coast Range

  Forests provide important ecological, economic and social services, and recent interest has emerged in the potential for using residue from timber harvest as a source of renewable woody bioenergy. The ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Bioenergy Harvest, Climate Change, and Forest Carbon in the Oregon Coast Range Author: Creutzburg, Megan K., Scheller, Robert M., Lucash, Melissa S., Evers, Louisa B., LeDuc, Stephen D., Johnson, Mark G. Year: 2016 Forests provide important ecological, economic and social services, and recent interest has emerged in the potential for using residue from timber harvest as a source of renewable woody bioenergy. The long-term consequences of such intensive harvest are unclear, particularly as forests face novel climatic conditions over the next century. We used a simulation model to project the long-term effects of management and climate change on above- and below ground carbon storage in a watershed in northwestern Oregon. The multi-ownership watershed has a diverse range of current management practices, including little-to-no harvesting on federal lands, short-rotation clear-cutting on industrial land, and a mix of practices on private non-industrial land. We simulated multiple management scenarios, varying the rate and intensity of harvest, combined with projections of climate change. Our simulations project a wide range of total ecosystem carbon storage with varying harvest rate, ranging from a 45% increase to a 16% decrease compared to current levels. Increasing the intensity of harvest for bioenergy caused an additional 2-3% decrease in ecosystem carbon relative to conventional harvest practices. Soil carbon was relatively insensitive to harvest rotation and intensity, and accumulated slowly regardless of harvest regime. Climate change reduced carbon accumulation in soil and detrital pools due to increasing heterotrophic respiration, and had variable effects on total ecosystem carbon, ranging from a 5% decrease to a 2% increase depending on management scenario. Overall, we conclude that current levels of ecosystem carbon storage are maintained in part due to substantial portions of the landscape (federal and some private lands) remaining unharvested or lightly managed. Increasing the intensity of harvest for bioenergy on currently harvested land, however, led to a small reduction in the ability of forests to store carbon. Climate change is unlikely to substantially alter carbon storage in these forests, absent shifts in disturbance regimes. Title: Bioenergy Harvest, Climate Change, and Forest Carbon in the Oregon Coast Range Author: Creutzburg, Megan K., Scheller, Robert M., Lucash, Melissa S., Evers, Louisa B., LeDuc, Stephen D., Johnson, Mark G. Year: 2016 Forests provide important ecological, economic and social services, and recent interest has emerged in the potential for using residue from timber harvest as a source of renewable woody bioenergy. The long-term consequences of such intensive harvest are unclear, particularly as forests face novel climatic conditions over the next century. We used a simulation model to project the long-term effects of management and climate change on above- and below ground carbon storage in a watershed in northwestern Oregon. The multi-ownership watershed has a diverse range of current management practices, including little-to-no harvesting on federal lands, short-rotation clear-cutting on industrial land, and a mix of practices on private non-industrial land. We simulated multiple management scenarios, varying the rate and intensity of harvest, combined with projections of climate change. Our simulations project a wide range of total ecosystem carbon storage with varying harvest rate, ranging from a 45% increase to a 16% decrease compared to current levels. Increasing the intensity of harvest for bioenergy caused an additional 2-3% decrease in ecosystem carbon relative to conventional harvest practices. Soil carbon was relatively insensitive to harvest rotation and intensity, and accumulated slowly regardless of harvest regime. Climate change reduced carbon accumulation in soil and detrital pools due to increasing heterotrophic respiration, and had variable effects on total ecosystem carbon, ranging from a 5% decrease to a 2% increase depending on management scenario. Overall, we conclude that current levels of ecosystem carbon storage are maintained in part due to substantial portions of the landscape (federal and some private lands) remaining unharvested or lightly managed. Increasing the intensity of harvest for bioenergy on currently harvested land, however, led to a small reduction in the ability of forests to store carbon. Climate change is unlikely to substantially alter carbon storage in these forests, absent shifts in disturbance regimes. Close

• 26. [Article] The biogeography and functional ecology of tropical soil microorganisms

  Tropical ecosystems are some of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. These ecosystems are also some of the most threatened worldwide and this is largely driven by agricultural expansion. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The biogeography and functional ecology of tropical soil microorganisms Author: Meyer, Kyle Year: 2017 Tropical ecosystems are some of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. These ecosystems are also some of the most threatened worldwide and this is largely driven by agricultural expansion. Predicting biotic responses to such forms of environmental change is a challenge that requires an increased understanding of the factors structuring these communities in both pristine environments as well as environments that are undergoing environmental change. Studying patterns in the spatial structure of communities can provide important insights into ecological and evolutionary processes structuring communities. Combining such approaches with analyses of the distribution of activity and the genomic content of communities can help us better understand relationships between community structure and function. I explore the topics of microbial spatial scaling, activity, and gene content in both pristine tropical rainforest environments as well as tropical regions undergoing agricultural conversion. I first pose a fundamental question in microbial spatial ecology, i.e. why do microorganisms tend to show weaker spatial patterns than macro-organisms? I show that trees and soil microorganisms differ in the rates at which their communities change over space. I test the hypothesis that low rates of spatial turnover in microbial communities are an artifact of how we assess the community structure of microbial communities and show that sampling extent is likely the main driver of these differences. Next, I examine a Central Africa ecosystem that is undergoing conversion to agriculture. I show that there are numerous indications of biotic homogenization in these soil microbial communities and that the active fraction of the community shows a more pronounced response to environmental change. Finally, I examine two microbial processes in the Amazon Basin that have been reported to change following conversion to agriculture: methane production and methane consumption. I investigate changes to the genes and taxa involved in these processes and propose a new conceptual framework for how these processes might be changing. Work in this thesis contributes to a broader understanding of the spatial and functional ecology of tropical microorganisms and offers perspectives useful for those interested in predicting and mitigating the impacts of environmental change on these communities. Title: The biogeography and functional ecology of tropical soil microorganisms Author: Meyer, Kyle Year: 2017 Tropical ecosystems are some of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. These ecosystems are also some of the most threatened worldwide and this is largely driven by agricultural expansion. Predicting biotic responses to such forms of environmental change is a challenge that requires an increased understanding of the factors structuring these communities in both pristine environments as well as environments that are undergoing environmental change. Studying patterns in the spatial structure of communities can provide important insights into ecological and evolutionary processes structuring communities. Combining such approaches with analyses of the distribution of activity and the genomic content of communities can help us better understand relationships between community structure and function. I explore the topics of microbial spatial scaling, activity, and gene content in both pristine tropical rainforest environments as well as tropical regions undergoing agricultural conversion. I first pose a fundamental question in microbial spatial ecology, i.e. why do microorganisms tend to show weaker spatial patterns than macro-organisms? I show that trees and soil microorganisms differ in the rates at which their communities change over space. I test the hypothesis that low rates of spatial turnover in microbial communities are an artifact of how we assess the community structure of microbial communities and show that sampling extent is likely the main driver of these differences. Next, I examine a Central Africa ecosystem that is undergoing conversion to agriculture. I show that there are numerous indications of biotic homogenization in these soil microbial communities and that the active fraction of the community shows a more pronounced response to environmental change. Finally, I examine two microbial processes in the Amazon Basin that have been reported to change following conversion to agriculture: methane production and methane consumption. I investigate changes to the genes and taxa involved in these processes and propose a new conceptual framework for how these processes might be changing. Work in this thesis contributes to a broader understanding of the spatial and functional ecology of tropical microorganisms and offers perspectives useful for those interested in predicting and mitigating the impacts of environmental change on these communities. Close

• 27. [Article] PCR-Activated Cell Sorting as a General, Cultivation-Free Method for High-Throughput Identification and Enrichment of Virus Hosts

  Characterizing virus-host relationships is critical for understanding the impact of a virus on an ecosystem, but is challenging with existing techniques, particularly for uncultivable species. We present ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: PCR-Activated Cell Sorting as a General, Cultivation-Free Method for High-Throughput Identification and Enrichment of Virus Hosts Author: Lim, Shaun W., Lance, Shea T., Stedman, Kenneth M., Abate, Adam R. Year: 2017 Characterizing virus-host relationships is critical for understanding the impact of a virus on an ecosystem, but is challenging with existing techniques, particularly for uncultivable species. We present a general, cultivation-free approach for identifying phage-associated bacterial cells. Using PCR-activated cell sorting, we interrogate millions of individual bacteria for the presence of specific phage nucleic acids. If the nucleic acids are present, the bacteria are recovered via sorting and their genomes analyzed. This allows targeted recovery of all possible host species in a diverse population associated with a specific phage, and can be easily targeted to identify the hosts of different phages by modifying the PCR primers used for detection. Moreover, this technique allows quantification of free phage particles, as benchmarked against the “gold standard” of virus enumeration, the plaque assay. Title: PCR-Activated Cell Sorting as a General, Cultivation-Free Method for High-Throughput Identification and Enrichment of Virus Hosts Author: Lim, Shaun W., Lance, Shea T., Stedman, Kenneth M., Abate, Adam R. Year: 2017 Characterizing virus-host relationships is critical for understanding the impact of a virus on an ecosystem, but is challenging with existing techniques, particularly for uncultivable species. We present a general, cultivation-free approach for identifying phage-associated bacterial cells. Using PCR-activated cell sorting, we interrogate millions of individual bacteria for the presence of specific phage nucleic acids. If the nucleic acids are present, the bacteria are recovered via sorting and their genomes analyzed. This allows targeted recovery of all possible host species in a diverse population associated with a specific phage, and can be easily targeted to identify the hosts of different phages by modifying the PCR primers used for detection. Moreover, this technique allows quantification of free phage particles, as benchmarked against the “gold standard” of virus enumeration, the plaque assay. Close

• 28. [Article] The Interplay Between Landscape Structure and Biotic Interactions

  Landscape structure and biotic interactions are closely linked. We identify five aspects of landscape structure that contribute to the co-occurrence of species and restrict or enable different types of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Interplay Between Landscape Structure and Biotic Interactions Author: Zarnetske, Phoebe, Baiser, Benjamin, Strecker, Angela L., Record, Sydne, Belmaker, Jonathan, Tuanmu, Mao-Ning Year: 2017 Landscape structure and biotic interactions are closely linked. We identify five aspects of landscape structure that contribute to the co-occurrence of species and restrict or enable different types of biotic interactions: patch size and habitat amount, isolation of patches, barriers to dispersal and movement, persistence of landscape structure, and landscape complexity. In addition, these aspects of landscape structure influence the strength and outcome of biotic interactions. Whereas most research focuses on the effects of the abiotic environment on species and their biotic interactions, research on foundation species and ecosystem engineers demonstrates the important influence of biotic interactions on landscape structure itself, including effects on landscape complexity, extent of habitat, and the structure of landscape features. In this review, we describe ecological theories that lay the foundation for interplay between landscape structure and biotic interactions, and summarize these connections across an array of interacting species in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial systems. We end with suggestions for integrating the fields of landscape ecology and community ecology to better understand the connections between landscape structure and biotic interactions and better predict their dynamics in light of global change. Title: The Interplay Between Landscape Structure and Biotic Interactions Author: Zarnetske, Phoebe, Baiser, Benjamin, Strecker, Angela L., Record, Sydne, Belmaker, Jonathan, Tuanmu, Mao-Ning Year: 2017 Landscape structure and biotic interactions are closely linked. We identify five aspects of landscape structure that contribute to the co-occurrence of species and restrict or enable different types of biotic interactions: patch size and habitat amount, isolation of patches, barriers to dispersal and movement, persistence of landscape structure, and landscape complexity. In addition, these aspects of landscape structure influence the strength and outcome of biotic interactions. Whereas most research focuses on the effects of the abiotic environment on species and their biotic interactions, research on foundation species and ecosystem engineers demonstrates the important influence of biotic interactions on landscape structure itself, including effects on landscape complexity, extent of habitat, and the structure of landscape features. In this review, we describe ecological theories that lay the foundation for interplay between landscape structure and biotic interactions, and summarize these connections across an array of interacting species in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial systems. We end with suggestions for integrating the fields of landscape ecology and community ecology to better understand the connections between landscape structure and biotic interactions and better predict their dynamics in light of global change. Close

• 29. [Article] The effect of large wildfires on local labor markets

  2 pages

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The effect of large wildfires on local labor markets Author: Ellison, Autumn, Moseley, Cassandra, Nielsen-Pincus, Max, Davis, Emily Jane Year: 2015, 2012 2 pages Title: The effect of large wildfires on local labor markets Author: Ellison, Autumn, Moseley, Cassandra, Nielsen-Pincus, Max, Davis, Emily Jane Year: 2015, 2012 2 pages Close

• 30. [Article] Community diversity and wildfire risk : an archetype approach to understanding local capacity to plan for, respond to, and recover from wildfires

  20 pages

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Community diversity and wildfire risk : an archetype approach to understanding local capacity to plan for, respond to, and recover from wildfires Author: Carroll, Matthew S. (Matthew Stephen), Paveglio, Travis, Ellison, Autumn, Abrams, Jesse, Moseley, Cassandra Year: 2015, 2014 20 pages Title: Community diversity and wildfire risk : an archetype approach to understanding local capacity to plan for, respond to, and recover from wildfires Author: Carroll, Matthew S. (Matthew Stephen), Paveglio, Travis, Ellison, Autumn, Abrams, Jesse, Moseley, Cassandra Year: 2015, 2014 20 pages Close