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• 51. [Article] Natural outcrossing in spaced planted F₂ populations and solid seeded advanced generations of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell)

  This study was conducted to investigate the possible contamination of foreign pollen at different stages of a wheat breeding program. These included spaced planted F₂ segregating populations, replicated ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Natural outcrossing in spaced planted F₂ populations and solid seeded advanced generations of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell) Author: Boinnet, Jerry K. K. This study was conducted to investigate the possible contamination of foreign pollen at different stages of a wheat breeding program. These included spaced planted F₂ segregating populations, replicated yield trials and seed multiplication. The experimental wheat materials consisted of four different F₂ populations, four cultivars and two experimental lines. Two genetic marker lines, Blue Hyslop and Blue Norco were used to determine the amount of possible outcrossing. The pollen of these marker lines carry genetic factors for blue aleurone color, thus the extent of outcrossing (wherever outcrossing had occurred in the experimental populations) could be immediately observed and determined during the same crop season. The mean percent outcrossing recorded was less than 1% in spaced planted F₂ populations, different replicated yield trials and seed multiplication conditions. The highest percentage of outcrossing of 5.6% was observed for a single plant in a spaced planted F₂ population. Under yield trial conditions, the highest percentage of outcrossing of 0.6% was recorded for the cultivar Hill 81 whereas the lowest value of 0.1% was recorded for experimental line SPN/AU/YMH. Under seed multiplication conditions, a sample taken at 0.5 m away from blue aleurone pollen source in low density planting had a mean outcrossing value of 0.5% for the cultivar Jackmar. Pollen load of marker lines relative to that of all entries in low seeding rate was high, consequently, the low seeding rate had higher levels of outcrossing than the high seeding rate. No significant effect on outcrossing was observed for Seeding rate x Entry interaction. However, effects of entry and sampling distance on outcrossing were significant. As sampling distance increased from the blue aleurone pollen source, the level of outcrossing decreased. Low positive correlation of 0.12 and 0.14 existed between outcrossing and plant height and tillers per linear meter respectively. Correlation of 0.70 was found between natural outcrossing and wind velocity. Results of this study suggest that outcrossing can occur in all stages of a breeding program. The results also indicate that an isolation distance of 2 m established for multiplication of registered and certified seed in the certification program of Oregon State University might not be adequate especially for such cuitivars as Jackmar and Hill 81. Furthermore, the level of outcrossing detected was high enough to distort and perhaps alter the genetic identity and integrity of the breeding material. A similar problem will exist if care is not exercised when growing valuable wheat germplasm in various collection centers. Title: Natural outcrossing in spaced planted F₂ populations and solid seeded advanced generations of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell) Author: Boinnet, Jerry K. K. This study was conducted to investigate the possible contamination of foreign pollen at different stages of a wheat breeding program. These included spaced planted F₂ segregating populations, replicated yield trials and seed multiplication. The experimental wheat materials consisted of four different F₂ populations, four cultivars and two experimental lines. Two genetic marker lines, Blue Hyslop and Blue Norco were used to determine the amount of possible outcrossing. The pollen of these marker lines carry genetic factors for blue aleurone color, thus the extent of outcrossing (wherever outcrossing had occurred in the experimental populations) could be immediately observed and determined during the same crop season. The mean percent outcrossing recorded was less than 1% in spaced planted F₂ populations, different replicated yield trials and seed multiplication conditions. The highest percentage of outcrossing of 5.6% was observed for a single plant in a spaced planted F₂ population. Under yield trial conditions, the highest percentage of outcrossing of 0.6% was recorded for the cultivar Hill 81 whereas the lowest value of 0.1% was recorded for experimental line SPN/AU/YMH. Under seed multiplication conditions, a sample taken at 0.5 m away from blue aleurone pollen source in low density planting had a mean outcrossing value of 0.5% for the cultivar Jackmar. Pollen load of marker lines relative to that of all entries in low seeding rate was high, consequently, the low seeding rate had higher levels of outcrossing than the high seeding rate. No significant effect on outcrossing was observed for Seeding rate x Entry interaction. However, effects of entry and sampling distance on outcrossing were significant. As sampling distance increased from the blue aleurone pollen source, the level of outcrossing decreased. Low positive correlation of 0.12 and 0.14 existed between outcrossing and plant height and tillers per linear meter respectively. Correlation of 0.70 was found between natural outcrossing and wind velocity. Results of this study suggest that outcrossing can occur in all stages of a breeding program. The results also indicate that an isolation distance of 2 m established for multiplication of registered and certified seed in the certification program of Oregon State University might not be adequate especially for such cuitivars as Jackmar and Hill 81. Furthermore, the level of outcrossing detected was high enough to distort and perhaps alter the genetic identity and integrity of the breeding material. A similar problem will exist if care is not exercised when growing valuable wheat germplasm in various collection centers. Close

• 52. [Article] Effect of lot size on lot uniformity in Lolium spp. seed

  Studies were conducted to determine the uniformity of three commercial seed lots of ryegrass (Lolium spp.) and the effects of lot size on lot uniformity. Individual bag-samples were taken from each seed ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effect of lot size on lot uniformity in Lolium spp. seed Author: Cook, Ronald Lawrence Studies were conducted to determine the uniformity of three commercial seed lots of ryegrass (Lolium spp.) and the effects of lot size on lot uniformity. Individual bag-samples were taken from each seed lot. Factors considered were percentage purity, annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, weed, other crop, inert matter, and germination. Number of rattail fescue (Festuca myuros) seeds and number of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) seeds in a purity sample were counted, and number of noxious weed seeds were also totaled. Uniformity in 30,000 kilogram lots was measured by an H-test, heterogeneity value, state seed law labeling tolerance tables, and by a Chi-square test for homogeneity of a binomial distribution on each sub-lot. Subdivisionsof each seed lot were examined for uniformity by use of an analysis of variance test. The analysis used within sublot variance of lot size approximately 1,500 kilograms as an acceptable level of variation and used an analysis of variance test to examine variance among sub-lots of approximate size 1,500, 3,000, 6,000, and 12,000 kilograms. The greatest potential for violation in labeling and nonuniformity in ryegrass seed lots was found in percentage perennial ryegrass and annual ryegrass factors calculated by formula from fluorescence. Changing seed lot size had no effect on lot uniformity. Reducing the lot size below the current 24,947 kilogram limit did not significantly reduce the number of violations in labeling. Fewer violations were found in high purity seed lots than in low purity seed lots. Title: Effect of lot size on lot uniformity in Lolium spp. seed Author: Cook, Ronald Lawrence Studies were conducted to determine the uniformity of three commercial seed lots of ryegrass (Lolium spp.) and the effects of lot size on lot uniformity. Individual bag-samples were taken from each seed lot. Factors considered were percentage purity, annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, weed, other crop, inert matter, and germination. Number of rattail fescue (Festuca myuros) seeds and number of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) seeds in a purity sample were counted, and number of noxious weed seeds were also totaled. Uniformity in 30,000 kilogram lots was measured by an H-test, heterogeneity value, state seed law labeling tolerance tables, and by a Chi-square test for homogeneity of a binomial distribution on each sub-lot. Subdivisionsof each seed lot were examined for uniformity by use of an analysis of variance test. The analysis used within sublot variance of lot size approximately 1,500 kilograms as an acceptable level of variation and used an analysis of variance test to examine variance among sub-lots of approximate size 1,500, 3,000, 6,000, and 12,000 kilograms. The greatest potential for violation in labeling and nonuniformity in ryegrass seed lots was found in percentage perennial ryegrass and annual ryegrass factors calculated by formula from fluorescence. Changing seed lot size had no effect on lot uniformity. Reducing the lot size below the current 24,947 kilogram limit did not significantly reduce the number of violations in labeling. Fewer violations were found in high purity seed lots than in low purity seed lots. Close

• 53. [Article] Sexual harassment proclivity of men : relationship to values

  The sexual harassment of women by men is a social phenomenon that exists in academia as well as business and industry. It has only recently been recognized as a significant social problem. The purpose ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Sexual harassment proclivity of men : relationship to values Author: Olsen, Eric R. The sexual harassment of women by men is a social phenomenon that exists in academia as well as business and industry. It has only recently been recognized as a significant social problem. The purpose of this study was to determine if men who have a high proclivity toward sexual harassment differ in their ranking of personal values from men who have a low proclivity toward sexual harassment. The rationale behind the study was if there is a relationship between personal values and sexual harassment proclivity then values education and exploration may provide an intervention method to reduce sexual harassment. The sample consisted of 100 randomly selected undergraduate male students at Oregon State University. Seventy four percent of the respondents completed two surveys: the Likelihood of Sexually Harassing Scale (LSH) (Pryor, 1987) and the Rokeach Value Survey (1973). The LSH was used to identify two groups of men: those with a high proclivity toward sexual harassment and those with a low proclivity toward sexual harassment. The two groups ranking of values were then compared to determine if a significant difference existed. Data were analyzed using chi-square to test for significant differences between the two groups ranking of values and also test the significance of the phi coefficient to determine if a relationship existed between score on LSH and ranking of values. Results of the study indicated that there is a significant difference between men with a high proclivity and men with a low proclivity toward sexual harassment in their ranking on 5 of 36 values. The low proclivity group ranked equality, honest, loyal, and salvation significantly higher than the high proclivity group. The high proclivity group ranked a comfortable life significantly higher than the low proclivity group. The values ranked significantly higher by the low proclivity group are social values that denote respect for and cooperation with others. The value ranked significantly higher by the high proclivity group is a personal value that denotes a materialistic and self indulgent orientation. Values education or exploration programs that focus on equality, honesty and loyalty may help to reduce sexually harassing behavior. Title: Sexual harassment proclivity of men : relationship to values Author: Olsen, Eric R. The sexual harassment of women by men is a social phenomenon that exists in academia as well as business and industry. It has only recently been recognized as a significant social problem. The purpose of this study was to determine if men who have a high proclivity toward sexual harassment differ in their ranking of personal values from men who have a low proclivity toward sexual harassment. The rationale behind the study was if there is a relationship between personal values and sexual harassment proclivity then values education and exploration may provide an intervention method to reduce sexual harassment. The sample consisted of 100 randomly selected undergraduate male students at Oregon State University. Seventy four percent of the respondents completed two surveys: the Likelihood of Sexually Harassing Scale (LSH) (Pryor, 1987) and the Rokeach Value Survey (1973). The LSH was used to identify two groups of men: those with a high proclivity toward sexual harassment and those with a low proclivity toward sexual harassment. The two groups ranking of values were then compared to determine if a significant difference existed. Data were analyzed using chi-square to test for significant differences between the two groups ranking of values and also test the significance of the phi coefficient to determine if a relationship existed between score on LSH and ranking of values. Results of the study indicated that there is a significant difference between men with a high proclivity and men with a low proclivity toward sexual harassment in their ranking on 5 of 36 values. The low proclivity group ranked equality, honest, loyal, and salvation significantly higher than the high proclivity group. The high proclivity group ranked a comfortable life significantly higher than the low proclivity group. The values ranked significantly higher by the low proclivity group are social values that denote respect for and cooperation with others. The value ranked significantly higher by the high proclivity group is a personal value that denotes a materialistic and self indulgent orientation. Values education or exploration programs that focus on equality, honesty and loyalty may help to reduce sexually harassing behavior. Close

• 54. [Article] Agricultural Classification of Multi-Temporal MODIS Imagery in Northwest Argentina Using Kansas Crop Phenologies

  Subtropical deforestation in Latin America is thought to be driven by demand for agricultural land, particularly to grow soybeans. However, existing remote sensing methods that can differentiate crop types ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Agricultural Classification of Multi-Temporal MODIS Imagery in Northwest Argentina Using Kansas Crop Phenologies Author: Keifer, Jarrett Alexander Year: 2014 Subtropical deforestation in Latin America is thought to be driven by demand for agricultural land, particularly to grow soybeans. However, existing remote sensing methods that can differentiate crop types to verify this hypothesis require high spatial or spectral resolution data, or extensive ground truth information to develop training sites, none of which are freely available for much of the world. I developed a new method of crop classification based on the phenological signatures of crops extracted from multi-temporal MODIS vegetation indices. I tested and refined this method using the USDA Cropland Data Layer from Kansas, USA as a reference. I then applied the method to classify crop types for a study site in Pellegrini, Santiago Del Estero, Argentina. The results show that this method is unable to effectively separate summer crops in Pellegrini, but can differentiate summer crops and non-summer crops. Unmet assumptions about agricultural practices are primarily responsible for the ineffective summer crop classification, underlining the need for researchers to have a complete understanding of ground conditions when designing a remote sensing analysis. Title: Agricultural Classification of Multi-Temporal MODIS Imagery in Northwest Argentina Using Kansas Crop Phenologies Author: Keifer, Jarrett Alexander Year: 2014 Subtropical deforestation in Latin America is thought to be driven by demand for agricultural land, particularly to grow soybeans. However, existing remote sensing methods that can differentiate crop types to verify this hypothesis require high spatial or spectral resolution data, or extensive ground truth information to develop training sites, none of which are freely available for much of the world. I developed a new method of crop classification based on the phenological signatures of crops extracted from multi-temporal MODIS vegetation indices. I tested and refined this method using the USDA Cropland Data Layer from Kansas, USA as a reference. I then applied the method to classify crop types for a study site in Pellegrini, Santiago Del Estero, Argentina. The results show that this method is unable to effectively separate summer crops in Pellegrini, but can differentiate summer crops and non-summer crops. Unmet assumptions about agricultural practices are primarily responsible for the ineffective summer crop classification, underlining the need for researchers to have a complete understanding of ground conditions when designing a remote sensing analysis. Close

• 55. [Article] Measuring costs of sequestering carbon in forest stands with different management regimes in western Oregon

  This project was a part of larger work that compared major factors controlling patterns of carbon dynamics in two regions of the globe, the Pacific Northwest, USA and northwestern Russia. It was funded ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Measuring costs of sequestering carbon in forest stands with different management regimes in western Oregon Author: Zyrina, Olga A. This project was a part of larger work that compared major factors controlling patterns of carbon dynamics in two regions of the globe, the Pacific Northwest, USA and northwestern Russia. It was funded through the NASA foundation (grant # NAG5- 6242). Human economic activity is causing the release of pollutants such as carbon dioxide. The increased concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere is thought to cause greenhouse effect, in other words - the warming of the earth and lower atmosphere. Different methods are proposed to reduce concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. Some involve development of more clean technologies. Some involve reductions in the use of fossil fuels. Another possibility is to store carbon (C) as live biomass. Plants use C for growth and development. Using forests to sequester C is one strategy for mitigating effects of GHG emissions. There are many methods in forestry to grow trees and produce wood products. Some of them include clearcutting, thinning, fertilizing, burning, and partial cutting. This project had three purposes. First, was to investigate the effect of a wide variety of silvicultural treatments on C storage and the economic value of harvested forest products. We measured economic value as soil expectation value. Second, was to use Data Envelopment Analysis to determine the efficient set of treatments, which make up the Production Possibility Frontier (PPF) in terms of C and economic value. Third, was to use the PPF to measure the marginal cost of carbon storage in moving from high SEV and relatively low C storage to lower SEV and relatively high C storage. C storage and timber harvest were simulated using the STANDCARB model for forest types common in north-western Oregon with two tree species, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). Fifty silvicultural regimes were investigated. They included clearcutting with rotations of 50, 70, 90, 110, 130, and 150. Each of the six rotation ages had eight combinations of silvicultural treatments consisting of artificial and natural regeneration, growth enhancement (GE) and thinning. Two partial cutting regimes: group selection and single-tree selection were also used in the analysis. C storage was calculated for every output year of each model run as a sum of live, dead, and stable C. C storage for each silvicultural regime was measured as the average over five full rotations from the steady state portion of the run. The analysis showed that average C increases with rotation age from 335.99 MgC/ha with 50-year rotation with natural regeneration and thinning to 826.36 MgCIha with 150-year rotation with artificial regeneration and GE. The use of artificial regeneration compared to natural regeneration gave a 20-30 MgC/ha improvement for all regimes. The total harvest from thinning and clearcutting over the rotation period averaged for several runs varied from 505.34 m3/ha (with 50-year rotation no treatment) to 1782.24 m3/ha (with 150-year rotation with GE and thinning) The use of artificial compared to natural regeneration gave a 20-50 m3/ha increase in harvest for all regimes. SEV is the present value of net revenues from perpetually growing tree crops following the specified regime. It measures the economic value of each regime. Generally, SEV has a negative correlation with rotation length. Using a 3.5 percent real discount rate, the maximum SEV ($7904.3/hectare) was obtained from 50-year rotation with artificial regeneration, GE and thinning In contrast, SEV for 130-year rotation with artificial regeneration was only $446.68/hectare. Using Data Envelopment Analysis (OnFront software) we found that 8 of the 50 regimes investigated were efficient in their ability to store C and produce economic value. The efficient regimes included 50, 110, 130 and 150-year rotations with artificial regeneration, GE and thinning; 110, 130 and 150-year rotations with natural regeneration, GE and thinning, and the 150-year rotation with natural regeneration and GE. When regimes with GE were excluded, we found 7 efficient regimes: 50 and 150-year rotations with artificial regeneration and thinning, 50, 110, 130 and 150-year rotations with natural regeneration and thinning, and the 150-year rotation with natural regeneration. The marginal cost of C storage is the SEV lost per unit of C due to change in silvicultural regimes that results in increase of average C stored. Marginal cost analysis indicated that marginal cost values were similar for regimes with GE and without. As C storage increased, the marginal cost generally increased. The increase in C storage from 428 MgC/ha to 589 MgC/ha implied a marginal cost of $13.28IMgC. In case of increasing C storage from 683 MgC/ha to 802.7 MgC/ha, the marginal cost would increase to $32.79JMgC. Title: Measuring costs of sequestering carbon in forest stands with different management regimes in western Oregon Author: Zyrina, Olga A. This project was a part of larger work that compared major factors controlling patterns of carbon dynamics in two regions of the globe, the Pacific Northwest, USA and northwestern Russia. It was funded through the NASA foundation (grant # NAG5- 6242). Human economic activity is causing the release of pollutants such as carbon dioxide. The increased concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere is thought to cause greenhouse effect, in other words - the warming of the earth and lower atmosphere. Different methods are proposed to reduce concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. Some involve development of more clean technologies. Some involve reductions in the use of fossil fuels. Another possibility is to store carbon (C) as live biomass. Plants use C for growth and development. Using forests to sequester C is one strategy for mitigating effects of GHG emissions. There are many methods in forestry to grow trees and produce wood products. Some of them include clearcutting, thinning, fertilizing, burning, and partial cutting. This project had three purposes. First, was to investigate the effect of a wide variety of silvicultural treatments on C storage and the economic value of harvested forest products. We measured economic value as soil expectation value. Second, was to use Data Envelopment Analysis to determine the efficient set of treatments, which make up the Production Possibility Frontier (PPF) in terms of C and economic value. Third, was to use the PPF to measure the marginal cost of carbon storage in moving from high SEV and relatively low C storage to lower SEV and relatively high C storage. C storage and timber harvest were simulated using the STANDCARB model for forest types common in north-western Oregon with two tree species, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). Fifty silvicultural regimes were investigated. They included clearcutting with rotations of 50, 70, 90, 110, 130, and 150. Each of the six rotation ages had eight combinations of silvicultural treatments consisting of artificial and natural regeneration, growth enhancement (GE) and thinning. Two partial cutting regimes: group selection and single-tree selection were also used in the analysis. C storage was calculated for every output year of each model run as a sum of live, dead, and stable C. C storage for each silvicultural regime was measured as the average over five full rotations from the steady state portion of the run. The analysis showed that average C increases with rotation age from 335.99 MgC/ha with 50-year rotation with natural regeneration and thinning to 826.36 MgCIha with 150-year rotation with artificial regeneration and GE. The use of artificial regeneration compared to natural regeneration gave a 20-30 MgC/ha improvement for all regimes. The total harvest from thinning and clearcutting over the rotation period averaged for several runs varied from 505.34 m3/ha (with 50-year rotation no treatment) to 1782.24 m3/ha (with 150-year rotation with GE and thinning) The use of artificial compared to natural regeneration gave a 20-50 m3/ha increase in harvest for all regimes. SEV is the present value of net revenues from perpetually growing tree crops following the specified regime. It measures the economic value of each regime. Generally, SEV has a negative correlation with rotation length. Using a 3.5 percent real discount rate, the maximum SEV ($7904.3/hectare) was obtained from 50-year rotation with artificial regeneration, GE and thinning In contrast, SEV for 130-year rotation with artificial regeneration was only $446.68/hectare. Using Data Envelopment Analysis (OnFront software) we found that 8 of the 50 regimes investigated were efficient in their ability to store C and produce economic value. The efficient regimes included 50, 110, 130 and 150-year rotations with artificial regeneration, GE and thinning; 110, 130 and 150-year rotations with natural regeneration, GE and thinning, and the 150-year rotation with natural regeneration and GE. When regimes with GE were excluded, we found 7 efficient regimes: 50 and 150-year rotations with artificial regeneration and thinning, 50, 110, 130 and 150-year rotations with natural regeneration and thinning, and the 150-year rotation with natural regeneration. The marginal cost of C storage is the SEV lost per unit of C due to change in silvicultural regimes that results in increase of average C stored. Marginal cost analysis indicated that marginal cost values were similar for regimes with GE and without. As C storage increased, the marginal cost generally increased. The increase in C storage from 428 MgC/ha to 589 MgC/ha implied a marginal cost of $13.28IMgC. In case of increasing C storage from 683 MgC/ha to 802.7 MgC/ha, the marginal cost would increase to $32.79JMgC. Close

• 56. [Article] Comparing vegetation and soils of remnant and restored prairie wetlands in the northern Willamette Valley

  Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon's ecosystems (Clark and Wilson, 2001). As a result of agriculture conversion, urban development and cessation of native ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Comparing vegetation and soils of remnant and restored prairie wetlands in the northern Willamette Valley Author: Taylor, Sara M. Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon's ecosystems (Clark and Wilson, 2001). As a result of agriculture conversion, urban development and cessation of native burning, Willamette Valley prairies have become highly fragmented and invaded by non-native species, leaving little room for native plant diversity. Even though wetland prairie conservation and restoration has been a priority for many government agencies there is a need for research on what restoration techniques and management are necessary for increasing native species richness and abundance in remnant and restored wet prairie sites. In this research project, two studies were conducted. In the first study, data were collected on species presence and abundance from three 100m² randomized plots within three remnant wet prairies (Green Mountain, Gotter Prairie South, Knez) and three restored wet prairies (Hutchinson, Gotter Prairie North, Lovejoy) to answer the following research question, 'Are there differences between remnant and restored prairie plant communities with respect to the diversity and abundance of native species?' Analysis of variance and multivariate ordination techniques were used to assess the ecological differences between uncultivated, minimally-managed remnant wet prairies and newly-restored, highly managed wet prairies. Data on soils collected from agricultural sites (Westbrook, Zurcher, Gotter Prairie Ag), as well as the remnant and restored wet prairies mentioned above, were also used to compare soil quality and processes with the remnant and restored wetlands. Restored wet prairie had 23% higher native species cover than remnant prairie (p-value=0.089, N=6). Remnant and restored sites did not differ in native species richness (p-value=0.949, N=6). The relatively high per cent cover of native species at restored sites, (significant at the 10% level), suggests that land managers have successfully restored agricultural properties with an abundance of native species. The lack of significant difference in native species richness between remnant and restored sites also suggests that land managers have also been able to restore native plant diversity into former agricultural properties equivalent to some of the best intact remnant prairies within the Northern Willamette Valley in a short period of time (8 years or less). However, a non-metric scaling (NMS) ordination of the species matrix separated the remnant sites from the restored sites, suggesting that community composition distinguishes restored sites from remnants. The NMS results, which include environmental data in the analysis, also suggest that there is a positive correlation of percent soil moisture and percent soil organic matter associated with the remnant prairies and a positive correlation of management practices such as yearly chemical use, mowing, and clean crops, associated with the restored prairies. The location of Gotter Prairie North restoration within the ordination, between the remnant and restored sites, suggests an intermediate plant composition and soil quality. This could be attributed to intensive weed suppression and soil organic matter build up over time (8 years) in comparison to younger restored sites (3 and 4 years). Indicator species analysis identified many species with high indicator values (IVs) in the remnant prairies; Holcus lanatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Carex densa and Phalaris arundinacea being the highest. The use of fire as a management tool produced only one species with a high IV (Camassia quamash). In the second study, three seeding treatments (Grass first, Grass and Forb together, Forb first) were compared within a 4 hectare experimental wet prairie unit to answer the research question „Which of the three seeding treatments used leads to the highest native species abundance and species richness?‟ Results from an analysis of variance indicated significant differences between treatments in native species richness for 2009 and 2010 (p-values=0.002 & 0.004 respectively) at the 5% level and native species abundance in 2010 only (p-value=0.099) at the 10% level. The Grass and Forb and Forb first treatments were highest in native species richness for 2009 and 2010, whereas the Grass and Forb and Grass first treatments were highest in native species abundance in 2010. A NMS ordination suggests that Juncus tenuis is one of the dominant species, in all seeding treatments, after one year of growth. Title: Comparing vegetation and soils of remnant and restored prairie wetlands in the northern Willamette Valley Author: Taylor, Sara M. Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon's ecosystems (Clark and Wilson, 2001). As a result of agriculture conversion, urban development and cessation of native burning, Willamette Valley prairies have become highly fragmented and invaded by non-native species, leaving little room for native plant diversity. Even though wetland prairie conservation and restoration has been a priority for many government agencies there is a need for research on what restoration techniques and management are necessary for increasing native species richness and abundance in remnant and restored wet prairie sites. In this research project, two studies were conducted. In the first study, data were collected on species presence and abundance from three 100m² randomized plots within three remnant wet prairies (Green Mountain, Gotter Prairie South, Knez) and three restored wet prairies (Hutchinson, Gotter Prairie North, Lovejoy) to answer the following research question, 'Are there differences between remnant and restored prairie plant communities with respect to the diversity and abundance of native species?' Analysis of variance and multivariate ordination techniques were used to assess the ecological differences between uncultivated, minimally-managed remnant wet prairies and newly-restored, highly managed wet prairies. Data on soils collected from agricultural sites (Westbrook, Zurcher, Gotter Prairie Ag), as well as the remnant and restored wet prairies mentioned above, were also used to compare soil quality and processes with the remnant and restored wetlands. Restored wet prairie had 23% higher native species cover than remnant prairie (p-value=0.089, N=6). Remnant and restored sites did not differ in native species richness (p-value=0.949, N=6). The relatively high per cent cover of native species at restored sites, (significant at the 10% level), suggests that land managers have successfully restored agricultural properties with an abundance of native species. The lack of significant difference in native species richness between remnant and restored sites also suggests that land managers have also been able to restore native plant diversity into former agricultural properties equivalent to some of the best intact remnant prairies within the Northern Willamette Valley in a short period of time (8 years or less). However, a non-metric scaling (NMS) ordination of the species matrix separated the remnant sites from the restored sites, suggesting that community composition distinguishes restored sites from remnants. The NMS results, which include environmental data in the analysis, also suggest that there is a positive correlation of percent soil moisture and percent soil organic matter associated with the remnant prairies and a positive correlation of management practices such as yearly chemical use, mowing, and clean crops, associated with the restored prairies. The location of Gotter Prairie North restoration within the ordination, between the remnant and restored sites, suggests an intermediate plant composition and soil quality. This could be attributed to intensive weed suppression and soil organic matter build up over time (8 years) in comparison to younger restored sites (3 and 4 years). Indicator species analysis identified many species with high indicator values (IVs) in the remnant prairies; Holcus lanatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Carex densa and Phalaris arundinacea being the highest. The use of fire as a management tool produced only one species with a high IV (Camassia quamash). In the second study, three seeding treatments (Grass first, Grass and Forb together, Forb first) were compared within a 4 hectare experimental wet prairie unit to answer the research question „Which of the three seeding treatments used leads to the highest native species abundance and species richness?‟ Results from an analysis of variance indicated significant differences between treatments in native species richness for 2009 and 2010 (p-values=0.002 & 0.004 respectively) at the 5% level and native species abundance in 2010 only (p-value=0.099) at the 10% level. The Grass and Forb and Forb first treatments were highest in native species richness for 2009 and 2010, whereas the Grass and Forb and Grass first treatments were highest in native species abundance in 2010. A NMS ordination suggests that Juncus tenuis is one of the dominant species, in all seeding treatments, after one year of growth. Close

• 57. [Article] Reducing energy inputs in Oregon vegetable production to enhance economic and environmental sustainability: A final report submitted to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission, 2009

  Energy input comparisons between tillage systems; evaluation of the value of legumes as part of a cover crop mixture used in strip-till sweet corn production; evaluation of the nitrogen contribution of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Reducing energy inputs in Oregon vegetable production to enhance economic and environmental sustainability: A final report submitted to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission, 2009 Author: Luna, John M. Energy input comparisons between tillage systems; evaluation of the value of legumes as part of a cover crop mixture used in strip-till sweet corn production; evaluation of the nitrogen contribution of legume-based cover crops to organic vegetable production. Title: Reducing energy inputs in Oregon vegetable production to enhance economic and environmental sustainability: A final report submitted to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission, 2009 Author: Luna, John M. Energy input comparisons between tillage systems; evaluation of the value of legumes as part of a cover crop mixture used in strip-till sweet corn production; evaluation of the nitrogen contribution of legume-based cover crops to organic vegetable production. Close

• 58. [Article] Comparative wintering ecology of two subspecies of sandhill crane : informing conservation planning in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region of California

  California's Central Valley agricultural landscapes provide several important wintering regions for Pacific Flyway sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) populations; however, the value of those regions is being ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Comparative wintering ecology of two subspecies of sandhill crane : informing conservation planning in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region of California Author: Ivey, Gary L. California's Central Valley agricultural landscapes provide several important wintering regions for Pacific Flyway sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) populations; however, the value of those regions is being compromised by urban expansion, other developments, and conversions to incompatible crop types. Greater (G. c. tabida) and lesser sandhill cranes (G. c. canadensis) both have special conservation status in California; the greater is listed as threatened and the lesser as a bird species of conservation concern by the state. However, basic information about their wintering ecology has been lacking to design biologically sound conservation strategies to maintain their wintering habitats. My study of sandhill cranes focused on one major Central Valley wintering region, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (Delta). I compared daily movements and winter site fidelity between the two sandhill crane subspecies, evaluated the timing of crane arrival and departure from the region, assessed foraging habitat choices, measured abundance and distribution in the Delta, documented the characteristics of roost sites, and developed habitat conservation models and decision tools for managers to facilitate habitat conservation and management. Both crane subspecies showed strong fidelity to my Delta study area. Foraging flights from roost sites were shorter for greaters than lesser (1.2 ± 0.4 km vs. 3.1 ± 0.1 km, respectively) and consequently, mean size of 95% fixed kernel winter home ranges was an order of magnitude smaller for greaters (1.9 ± 0.4 km² vs.21.9 ± 1.9 km², respectively). The strong site fidelity of greaters to roost complexes within landscapes in the Delta indicates that conservation planning targeted at maintaining and managing for adequate food resources around traditional roost sites can be effective for meeting sandhill crane habitat needs, while the scale of conservation differs by subspecies. I recommend that conservation planning actions consider all habitats within 5 km of a crane roost as a sandhill crane conservation "ecosystem unit." This radius encompasses 95% and 69% of the flights from roosts to foraging location (commuting flights) made by greaters and lessers, respectively. For lessers, a conservation radius of 10 km would encompass 90% of the commuting flights. Management, mitigation, acquisition, easement, planning, and farm subsidy programs intended to benefit cranes will be most effective when applied at these scales. Within these radii, conservation and management of wintering habitats should include creating both new roost and feeding areas to ensure high chances of successful use. Sandhill cranes used major crops and habitat types available in the landscapes surrounding their roost sites and focused most of their foraging in grain crops. They generally avoided dry corn stubble, selected dry rice stubble early in the season, and rarely used dry wild rice stubble. Tilled fields were also usually avoided but were occasionally used shortly after tillage. Mulched corn ranked high in comparison to other corn treatments while mulched rice use was used similarly to dry rice stubble. Both subspecies often highly favored cropland habitats when they were initially flooded. Cranes were attracted to new plantings of pasture and winter wheat. One important difference between the subspecies was that lessers used alfalfa which was generally avoided by greaters. Dry corn stubble was avoided while dry rice stubble was favored early in winter. If wildlife managers want to encourage winter field use by cranes they could provide incentives for favorable practices such as production of grain crops, reduction or delaying tillage and flooding of grain fields, provision of irrigations to some crop types, and increasing the practice of mulching of corn stubble. Of the 69 crane night roosts I identified, 35 were flooded cropland sites and 34 were wetland sites. I found that both larger individual roost sites and larger complexes of roost sites supported larger peak numbers of cranes. Water depth used by roosting cranes averaged 10 cm (range 3-21 cm, mode 7 cm) and was similar between subspecies. Roosting cranes avoided sites that were regularly hunted or had high densities (i.e., > 1 blind/5 ha) of hunting blinds. Roost site design and management should consider providing and maintaining large roost complexes (100 - 1000 ha) ideally in close proximity (< 5 km) to other roost sites, with large individual sites (> 5 ha) of mostly level topography, dominated by shallow water (5-10 cm depths). The fact that cranes readily use undisturbed flooded cropland sites makes this a viable option for creation of roost habitat. Because hunting disturbance can limit crane use of roost sites I suggest these two uses should not be considered compatible. However, if the management objective of an area includes waterfowl hunting, limiting hunting at low blind densities (i.e., < 1 blind/60 ha) and restricting hunting to early morning may be viable options for creating a crane-compatible waterfowl hunt program. Radio-marked sandhill cranes arrived in the Delta beginning 3 October, most arrived in mid-October, and the last radio-marked sandhill crane arrived on 10 December. Departure dates ranged from 15 January to 13 March. Mean arrival and departure dates were similar between subspecies. From mid-December through early-February in 2007-2008, the Delta population ranged from 20,000 to 27,000 sandhill cranes. Abundance varied at the main roost sites during winter, likely because sandhill cranes responded to changes in water and foraging habitat conditions. Sandhill cranes used an area of approximately 1,500 km² for foraging. Estimated peak abundance in the Delta was more than half the total number counted on recent Pacific Flyway midwinter surveys, indicating the Delta region is a key area for efforts in conservation and recovery of wintering sandhill cranes in California. Based on arrival dates, flooding of sandhill crane roost sites should be staggered with some sites flooded in early September and most sites flooded by early October. Maintaining flooding of at least some roost sites through mid-March would provide essential roosting habitat until most birds have departed the Delta region on spring migration. Not all 5-km radius ecosystem units are equal in their value to greater sandhill cranes, and the relative foraging value of a particular parcel within an ecosystem unit depends on the numbers of cranes using the focal roost site, the habitat choices they make, and the probability that they will fly to a particular parcel. Additionally, some ecosystem units overlap, and in these overlap zones, the probability of crane use is higher, because of additive effects. To provide a tool to allow managers to further refine management plans, I developed a model which allows more specific focus of crane conservation, mitigation and habitat management, using what my study revealed about greater sandhill cranes. This model considers the abundance of greaters at individual roost sites and the probability that they would fly to a given location. Sites closer to roosts had a higher probability of crane use. I calculated the probability that greaters would fly to a parcel within concentric 1-km intervals as a product of the proportion of commuting flights of individuals that reached that interval, and the proportion of all commuting flights that reached that interval. Within crane ecosystem units, it is important to protect the existing habitat from further loss and optimize foraging conditions for cranes. I provide a decision matrix to assist with plans to enhance existing crane landscapes, create new crane habitat areas or mitigate habitat losses. This matrix provides a framework for decision-making regarding enhancing sandhill crane foraging and roost site habitats. Wildlife managers could employ a variety of tools to conserve and manage crane habitats, including fee title acquisitions, private conservation easements, and specific cropland management actions to maintain crane-compatible conditions and high food values for cranes (possibly including providing unharvested food plots). My study has demonstrated that most cranes use a relatively small landscape surrounding their traditional roost sites and that they favor certain crops and post-harvest crop management practices for foraging. However, we need a better understanding of the actual carrying capacity for cranes in these crane management zones to ensure that managers can maintain these sites for cranes in the future. Title: Comparative wintering ecology of two subspecies of sandhill crane : informing conservation planning in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region of California Author: Ivey, Gary L. California's Central Valley agricultural landscapes provide several important wintering regions for Pacific Flyway sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) populations; however, the value of those regions is being compromised by urban expansion, other developments, and conversions to incompatible crop types. Greater (G. c. tabida) and lesser sandhill cranes (G. c. canadensis) both have special conservation status in California; the greater is listed as threatened and the lesser as a bird species of conservation concern by the state. However, basic information about their wintering ecology has been lacking to design biologically sound conservation strategies to maintain their wintering habitats. My study of sandhill cranes focused on one major Central Valley wintering region, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (Delta). I compared daily movements and winter site fidelity between the two sandhill crane subspecies, evaluated the timing of crane arrival and departure from the region, assessed foraging habitat choices, measured abundance and distribution in the Delta, documented the characteristics of roost sites, and developed habitat conservation models and decision tools for managers to facilitate habitat conservation and management. Both crane subspecies showed strong fidelity to my Delta study area. Foraging flights from roost sites were shorter for greaters than lesser (1.2 ± 0.4 km vs. 3.1 ± 0.1 km, respectively) and consequently, mean size of 95% fixed kernel winter home ranges was an order of magnitude smaller for greaters (1.9 ± 0.4 km² vs.21.9 ± 1.9 km², respectively). The strong site fidelity of greaters to roost complexes within landscapes in the Delta indicates that conservation planning targeted at maintaining and managing for adequate food resources around traditional roost sites can be effective for meeting sandhill crane habitat needs, while the scale of conservation differs by subspecies. I recommend that conservation planning actions consider all habitats within 5 km of a crane roost as a sandhill crane conservation "ecosystem unit." This radius encompasses 95% and 69% of the flights from roosts to foraging location (commuting flights) made by greaters and lessers, respectively. For lessers, a conservation radius of 10 km would encompass 90% of the commuting flights. Management, mitigation, acquisition, easement, planning, and farm subsidy programs intended to benefit cranes will be most effective when applied at these scales. Within these radii, conservation and management of wintering habitats should include creating both new roost and feeding areas to ensure high chances of successful use. Sandhill cranes used major crops and habitat types available in the landscapes surrounding their roost sites and focused most of their foraging in grain crops. They generally avoided dry corn stubble, selected dry rice stubble early in the season, and rarely used dry wild rice stubble. Tilled fields were also usually avoided but were occasionally used shortly after tillage. Mulched corn ranked high in comparison to other corn treatments while mulched rice use was used similarly to dry rice stubble. Both subspecies often highly favored cropland habitats when they were initially flooded. Cranes were attracted to new plantings of pasture and winter wheat. One important difference between the subspecies was that lessers used alfalfa which was generally avoided by greaters. Dry corn stubble was avoided while dry rice stubble was favored early in winter. If wildlife managers want to encourage winter field use by cranes they could provide incentives for favorable practices such as production of grain crops, reduction or delaying tillage and flooding of grain fields, provision of irrigations to some crop types, and increasing the practice of mulching of corn stubble. Of the 69 crane night roosts I identified, 35 were flooded cropland sites and 34 were wetland sites. I found that both larger individual roost sites and larger complexes of roost sites supported larger peak numbers of cranes. Water depth used by roosting cranes averaged 10 cm (range 3-21 cm, mode 7 cm) and was similar between subspecies. Roosting cranes avoided sites that were regularly hunted or had high densities (i.e., > 1 blind/5 ha) of hunting blinds. Roost site design and management should consider providing and maintaining large roost complexes (100 - 1000 ha) ideally in close proximity (< 5 km) to other roost sites, with large individual sites (> 5 ha) of mostly level topography, dominated by shallow water (5-10 cm depths). The fact that cranes readily use undisturbed flooded cropland sites makes this a viable option for creation of roost habitat. Because hunting disturbance can limit crane use of roost sites I suggest these two uses should not be considered compatible. However, if the management objective of an area includes waterfowl hunting, limiting hunting at low blind densities (i.e., < 1 blind/60 ha) and restricting hunting to early morning may be viable options for creating a crane-compatible waterfowl hunt program. Radio-marked sandhill cranes arrived in the Delta beginning 3 October, most arrived in mid-October, and the last radio-marked sandhill crane arrived on 10 December. Departure dates ranged from 15 January to 13 March. Mean arrival and departure dates were similar between subspecies. From mid-December through early-February in 2007-2008, the Delta population ranged from 20,000 to 27,000 sandhill cranes. Abundance varied at the main roost sites during winter, likely because sandhill cranes responded to changes in water and foraging habitat conditions. Sandhill cranes used an area of approximately 1,500 km² for foraging. Estimated peak abundance in the Delta was more than half the total number counted on recent Pacific Flyway midwinter surveys, indicating the Delta region is a key area for efforts in conservation and recovery of wintering sandhill cranes in California. Based on arrival dates, flooding of sandhill crane roost sites should be staggered with some sites flooded in early September and most sites flooded by early October. Maintaining flooding of at least some roost sites through mid-March would provide essential roosting habitat until most birds have departed the Delta region on spring migration. Not all 5-km radius ecosystem units are equal in their value to greater sandhill cranes, and the relative foraging value of a particular parcel within an ecosystem unit depends on the numbers of cranes using the focal roost site, the habitat choices they make, and the probability that they will fly to a particular parcel. Additionally, some ecosystem units overlap, and in these overlap zones, the probability of crane use is higher, because of additive effects. To provide a tool to allow managers to further refine management plans, I developed a model which allows more specific focus of crane conservation, mitigation and habitat management, using what my study revealed about greater sandhill cranes. This model considers the abundance of greaters at individual roost sites and the probability that they would fly to a given location. Sites closer to roosts had a higher probability of crane use. I calculated the probability that greaters would fly to a parcel within concentric 1-km intervals as a product of the proportion of commuting flights of individuals that reached that interval, and the proportion of all commuting flights that reached that interval. Within crane ecosystem units, it is important to protect the existing habitat from further loss and optimize foraging conditions for cranes. I provide a decision matrix to assist with plans to enhance existing crane landscapes, create new crane habitat areas or mitigate habitat losses. This matrix provides a framework for decision-making regarding enhancing sandhill crane foraging and roost site habitats. Wildlife managers could employ a variety of tools to conserve and manage crane habitats, including fee title acquisitions, private conservation easements, and specific cropland management actions to maintain crane-compatible conditions and high food values for cranes (possibly including providing unharvested food plots). My study has demonstrated that most cranes use a relatively small landscape surrounding their traditional roost sites and that they favor certain crops and post-harvest crop management practices for foraging. However, we need a better understanding of the actual carrying capacity for cranes in these crane management zones to ensure that managers can maintain these sites for cranes in the future. Close

• 59. [Article] Impacts of high biomass cover crop management on soil factors and corn root rot and productivity: Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission, 2006

  Objective: to evaluate the impacts of N availability, microbial activity, and root health on corn productivity and yield in high biomass cover crop systems

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Impacts of high biomass cover crop management on soil factors and corn root rot and productivity: Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission, 2006 Author: Stone, Alex, Miyazoe, Mikio Objective: to evaluate the impacts of N availability, microbial activity, and root health on corn productivity and yield in high biomass cover crop systems Title: Impacts of high biomass cover crop management on soil factors and corn root rot and productivity: Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission, 2006 Author: Stone, Alex, Miyazoe, Mikio Objective: to evaluate the impacts of N availability, microbial activity, and root health on corn productivity and yield in high biomass cover crop systems Close

• 60. [Article] "AmaRosa," a Red Skinned, Red Fleshed Fingerling with High Phytonutrient Value

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article is copyrighted by the Potato Association of America and published by Springer. It can be found at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1099-209x/. To the ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: "AmaRosa," a Red Skinned, Red Fleshed Fingerling with High Phytonutrient Value Author: Novy, Richard, Stark, Jeff, Feibert, Eric, Vales, Isabel, Whitworth, Jonathan, Navarre, Roy, Quick, Richard, Pavek, Mark, Brown, Charles R., Miller, J. Creighton, Jr., Yilma, Solomon, Hane, Dan, Culp, Darrin, Holm, David, James, Steven, Charlton, Brian, Shock, Clinton, Knowles, Richard This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article is copyrighted by the Potato Association of America and published by Springer. It can be found at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1099-209x/. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. Title: "AmaRosa," a Red Skinned, Red Fleshed Fingerling with High Phytonutrient Value Author: Novy, Richard, Stark, Jeff, Feibert, Eric, Vales, Isabel, Whitworth, Jonathan, Navarre, Roy, Quick, Richard, Pavek, Mark, Brown, Charles R., Miller, J. Creighton, Jr., Yilma, Solomon, Hane, Dan, Culp, Darrin, Holm, David, James, Steven, Charlton, Brian, Shock, Clinton, Knowles, Richard This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article is copyrighted by the Potato Association of America and published by Springer. It can be found at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1099-209x/. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. Close