Publications
Explore WARC's science publications.
Filter Total Items: 3501
Spatial distribution of heavy metals in the West Dongting Lake floodplain, China Spatial distribution of heavy metals in the West Dongting Lake floodplain, China
The protection of Dongting Lake is important because it is an overwintering and migration route for many rare and endangered birds of East Asia and Australasia, but an assessment of heavy metal contamination in West Dongting Lake is lacking. A total of 75 sediment samples (five sites x three sediment depths x five repeats) were collected in West Dongting Lake in January 2017 to assess...
Authors
Dong Peng, Ziyu Liu, Xinyue Su, Yaquin Xiao, Yuechen Wang, Beth Middleton
An overview of agent-based models in plant biology and ecology An overview of agent-based models in plant biology and ecology
Agent-based modeling (ABM) has become an established methodology in many areas of biology, ranging from the cellular to the ecological population and community levels. In plant science, two different scales have predominated in their use of ABM. One is the scale of populations and communities, through the modeling of collections of agents representing individual plants, interacting with...
Authors
Bo Zhang, Donald L. DeAngelis
A 'weight of evidence' approach to evaluating structural equation models A 'weight of evidence' approach to evaluating structural equation models
It is possible that model selection has been the most researched and most discussed topic in the history of both statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM). The reason for this is because selecting one model for interpretive use from amongst many possible models is both essential and difficult. The published protocols and advice for model evaluation and selection in SEM studies...
Authors
James Grace
Structural equation modeling Structural equation modeling
This chapter introduces background and historical information on how structural equation modeling (SEM) came to be developed. Then, the main differences between SEM and earlier multivariate methods are explained. The chapter describes three main applications of SEM: path analysis, factor analysis, and hybrid models. Some computer programs are recommended for these applications. The step...
Authors
Matt Miller, Ivana Tasic, Torrey Lyons, Reid Ewing, James B. Grace
Louisiana Adaptive Management Status and Improvement Report: Vision and Recommendations Louisiana Adaptive Management Status and Improvement Report: Vision and Recommendations
As part of the process to increase implementation of adaptive management for ecosystem-based coastal restoration within Louisiana, we aim for this report to be broadly applicable across planning processes as well as funding and implementing entities. It compiles technical knowledge and guidance summarized as key findings through the text which lead to eight priority recommendations to...
Authors
Bill Boshart, Morgan Crutcher, Angelina Freeman, Edward Haywood, Syed M. Khalil, Summer Langlois, Darin L. Lee, David Lindquist, Tommy E. McGinnis, James Pahl, Carol Parsons-Richards, Erin Plitsch, Rick Raynie, Robert Routon, Leigh Anne Sharp, John Troutman, Chuck Villarrubia, Todd Folse, Alyson Graugnard, Anne Hawes, Russ Joffrion, Wes Leblanc, Brian Lezina, Jim Pahl, Jody White, Craig Conzelmann, Ann Hijuelos, Sarai Piazza, Kathryn A. Spear, Gregory D. Steyer, Nanciann Regalado, John M. Tirpak, Courtney Schupp, Melissa Carle, Jaclyn Daly, Nicolas Eckhardt, Christy Fellas, Erin M. Fougeres, Stephen Heverly, Stacey Horstman, Jason Kroll, Mel Landry, Barbara A. Schroeder, Eric Weissberger, Sara Wissman, Treda Grayson, Patricia Taylor, Danny Wiegand, Mark Defley, Paulina Kolic, Harris Bienn, Tim J. B. Carruthers, Alyssa Dausman, Alaina Grace, Scott Hemmerling, Andrea Jerabek, Eric White, Ryan Clark, Coleen McHugh, Leland C Moss, Cyndhia Ramatchandirane, Amy Wold
Uptake and toxicity of clothianidin to monarch butterflies from milkweed consumption Uptake and toxicity of clothianidin to monarch butterflies from milkweed consumption
Recent concern for the adverse effects from neonicotinoid insecticides has centered on risk for insect pollinators in general and bees specifically. However, natural resource managers are also concerned about the risk of neonicotinoids to conservation efforts for the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and need additional data to help estimate risk for wild monarch butterflies exposed...
Authors
Timothy A. Bargar, Michelle L. Hladik, Jaret C. Daniels
Spatial conservation planning under uncertainty using modern portfolio theory and nash bargaining solution Spatial conservation planning under uncertainty using modern portfolio theory and nash bargaining solution
In recent years, researchers from interdisciplinary teams involving ecologists, economists and operations re- searchers collaborated to provide decision support tools to address the challenges of preserving biodiversity by optimizing the design of reserves. The goal of this paper is to further advance this area of research and provide new solutions to solve complex Spatial Conservation...
Authors
Alvaro Sierra-Altamiranda, Hadi Charkhgard, Mitchell J. Eaton, Julien Martin, Simeon Yurek, Bradley J. Udell
Potential impacts of future urbanization and sea level rise on Florida’s natural resources Potential impacts of future urbanization and sea level rise on Florida’s natural resources
As urban development continues to encroach into natural systems, these ecosystems experience increasing degradation to their form and function. Losses in biodiversity and ecosystem function are further compounded by changing climatic conditions. The State of Florida is known for its biodiversity but has experienced declines in species populations and habitats because of urbanization and...
Authors
Stephanie Romanach, Allison Benscoter, Saira Haider
Predicting barrier island habitats and oyster and seagrass habitat suitability for various restoration measures and future conditions for Dauphin Island, Alabama Predicting barrier island habitats and oyster and seagrass habitat suitability for various restoration measures and future conditions for Dauphin Island, Alabama
Barrier islands, such as Dauphin Island, Alabama, provide numerous invaluable ecosystem services including storm damage reduction and erosion control to the mainland, habitat for fish and wildlife, carbon sequestration in marshes, water catchment and purification, recreation, and tourism. These islands are dynamic environments that are gradually shaped by currents, waves, and tides under...
Effect of stressors on the carrying capacity of spatially distributed metapopulations Effect of stressors on the carrying capacity of spatially distributed metapopulations
Stressors such as antibiotics, herbicides, and pollutants are becoming increasingly common in the environment. The effects of stressors on populations are typically studied in homogeneous, nonspatial settings. However, most populations in nature are spatially distributed over environmentally heterogeneous landscapes with spatially restricted dispersal. Little is known about the effects...
Authors
Bo Zhang, Don DeAngelis, Wei-Ming Ni, Yuanshi Wang, Lu Zhai, Alex Kula, Shuang Xu, J. David Van Dyken
Sea turtle conservation: Priorities for environmental education efforts Sea turtle conservation: Priorities for environmental education efforts
All five species of sea turtle that occur in Florida are in danger of extinction. Many of the reasons these turtles are declining are a result of people’s actions on beaches and in shallow waters. Environmental education is needed to increase awareness and appreciation for sea turtles, and to teach about the potential harmful impacts human behaviors can have on these animals. This...
Authors
Jessica E. Swindall, Holly K. Ober, Margaret Lamont, Raymond R. Carthy
The first occurrence of the Australian redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868) in the contiguous United States The first occurrence of the Australian redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868) in the contiguous United States
The Australian redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, is a popular aquaculture crayfish that has been introduced around the world. Here we report the first occurrence of the species in the United States in Lake Balboa, Los Angeles, California. The impacts of this species are largely unknown, and further research is needed to determine the species’ effects on native ecosystems...
Authors
Cayla Morningstar, Wesley M. Daniel, Matthew Neilson, Ara K. Yazaryan