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Influence of barriers to movement on within-watershed genetic variation of coastal cutthroat trout Influence of barriers to movement on within-watershed genetic variation of coastal cutthroat trout

Because human land use activities often result in increased fragmentation of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, a better understanding of the effects of fragmentation on the genetic heterogeneity of animal populations may be useful for effective management. We used eight microsatellites to examine the genetic structure of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) in Camp Creek...
Authors
John E. B. Wofford, Robert E. Gresswell, Michael A. Banks

Red brome (Bromus rubens subsp. madritensis) in North America: Possible modes for early introductions, subsequent spread Red brome (Bromus rubens subsp. madritensis) in North America: Possible modes for early introductions, subsequent spread

Although invasions by exotic plants have increased dramatically as human travel and commerce have increased, few have been comprehensively described. Understanding the patterns of invasive species’ spread over space and time will help guide management activities and policy. Tracing the earliest appearances of an exotic plant reveals likely sites of introduction, paving the way for...
Authors
L. F. Salo

Demography and decline of the Mentasta caribou herd, Alaska Demography and decline of the Mentasta caribou herd, Alaska

We evaluated population trends in the Mentasta caribou (Rangifer tarandus (L., 1758)) herd in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska, from 1990 to 1997 and determined factors contributing to its decline. We postulated that predation-related mortality of adult females and juveniles was the proximate cause of the decline, and that survival of juvenile caribou reflected...
Authors
Kurt J. Jenkins, Neil L. Barten

Sonoran Desert winter annuals affected by density of red brome and soil nitrogen Sonoran Desert winter annuals affected by density of red brome and soil nitrogen

Red brome [Bromus madritensis subsp. rubens (L.) Husn.] is a Mediterranean winter annual grass that has invaded Southwestern USA deserts. This study evaluated interactions among 13 Sonoran Desert annual species at four densities of red brome from 0 to the equivalent of 1200 plants m−2. We examined these interactions at low (3 μg) and high (537 μg NO3− g soil−1) nitrogen (N) to evaluate...
Authors
L. F. Salo, G. R. McPherson, D. G. Williams

Selection of arboreal termitaria for nesting by cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers Todiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii Selection of arboreal termitaria for nesting by cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers Todiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii

Limited nest-site availability appears to be an important factor in the evolution of delayed dispersal and cooperative breeding in some cavity-nesting species. The cooperatively breeding Pohnpei subspecies of Micronesian Kingfisher Todiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii excavates nest cavities from the nests of arboreal termites Nasutitermes spp., or termitaria. In this first published...
Authors
Dylan C. Kesler, Susan M. Haig

Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI): A successful start to a national program in the United States Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI): A successful start to a national program in the United States

Most research to assess amphibian declines has focused on local-scale projects on one or a few species. The Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) is a national program in the United States mandated by congressional directive and implemented by the U.S. Department of the Interior (specifically the U.S. Geological Survey, USGS). Program goals are to monitor changes in...
Authors
Erin Muths, Robin E. Jung, Larissa L. Bailey, M. J. Adams, P. Stephen Corn, C. Kenneth Dodd, Gary M. Fellers, Walter J. Sadinski, Cecil R. Schwalbe, Susan C. Walls, Robert N. Fisher, Alisa L. Gallant, William A. Battaglin, D. Earl Green

USGS: providing scientific understanding of the sagebrush biome USGS: providing scientific understanding of the sagebrush biome

Early explorers wrote about the vast sea of sagebrush that stretched in front of them. Today, the consequences of land-use practices, invasion by exotic plants, and altered disturbance regimes have touched virtually all of these seemingly endless expanses. Increasing human populations in the western United States, the infrastructure necessary to support these populations, and a growing...
Authors
Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey

The role of fire in structuring sagebrush habitats and bird communities The role of fire in structuring sagebrush habitats and bird communities

Fire is a dominant and highly visible disturbance in sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems. In lower elevation, xeric sagebrush communities, the role of fire has changed in recent decades from an infrequent disturbance maintaining a landscape mosaic and facilitating community processes to frequent events that alter sagebrush communities to exotic vegetation, from which restoration is...
Authors
S.T. Knick, A.L. Holmes, R.F. Miller

A geostatistical approach for describing spatial pattern in stream networks A geostatistical approach for describing spatial pattern in stream networks

The shape and configuration of branched networks influence ecological patterns and processes. Recent investigations of network influences in riverine ecology stress the need to quantify spatial structure not only in a two-dimensional plane, but also in networks. An initial step in understanding data from stream networks is discerning non-random patterns along the network. On the other...
Authors
L.M. Ganio, C.E. Torgersen, R. E. Gresswell

Taxonomic relationships among Phenacomys voles as inferred by cytochrome b Taxonomic relationships among Phenacomys voles as inferred by cytochrome b

Taxonomic relationships among red tree voles (Phenacomys longicaudus longicaudus, P. l. silvicola), the Sonoma tree vole (P. pomo), the white-footed vole (P. albipes), and the heather vole (P. intermedius) were examined using 664 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Results indicate specific differences among red tree voles, Sonoma tree voles, white-footed voles, and...
Authors
M.R. Bellinger, S. M. Haig, E.D. Forsman, T.D. Mullins
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