Modeling Protected Species Habitat and Assigning Risk to Inform Regulatory Decisions

In the United States, environmental regulatory agencies are required to use “best available” scientific information when making decisions on a variety of issues. However, agencies are often hindered by coarse or incomplete data, particularly as it pertains to threatened and endangered species protection. Stakeholders often agree that more resolute and integrated processes for decision-making are desirable. We demonstrate a process that uses species occurrence data for a federally endangered insect (Karner blue butterfly), a readily available habitat modeling tool, and spatially explicit information about an important Michigan commodity (tart cherries). This case study has characteristics of many protected species regulatory decisions in that species occurrence data were sparse and unequally distributed; regulatory decisions (on pesticide use) were required with potentially significant impacts on a viable agricultural industry; and stakeholder relations were diverse, misinformed, and, in some situations, unjustly contentious. Results from our process include a large-scale, empirically derived habitat suitability map for the focal species and a risk ranking of tart cherry orchards with risk based on the likelihood that pesticide applications will influence the focal protected species. Although the majority (77%) of pesticide-influence zones overlapped Karner blue butterfly habitat, risk scores associated with each orchard were low. Through our process we demonstrated that spatially explicit models can help stakeholders visualize and quantify potential protected species effects. In addition, model outputs can serve to guide field activities (e.g., species surveys and implementation of pesticide buffer zones) that help minimize future effects.     

A Framework to Integrate Habitat Monitoring and Restoration with Endangered Insect Recovery

Monitoring is essential to track the long-term recovery of endangered species. Greater emphasis on habitat monitoring is especially important for taxa whose populations may be difficult to quantify (e.g., insects) or when true recovery (delisting) requires continuous species-specific habitat management. In this paper, we outline and implement a standardized framework to facilitate the integration of habitat monitoring with species recovery efforts. The framework has five parts: (1) identify appropriate sample units, (2) select measurable indicators of habitat requirements, (3) determine rating categories for these indicators, (4) design and implement appropriate data collection protocols, and (5) synthesize the ratings into an overall measure of habitat potential. Following these steps, we developed a set of recovery criteria to estimate habitat potential and initially assess restoration activities in the context of recovering an endangered insect, the Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). We recommend basing the habitat potential grading scheme on recovery plan criteria, the latest information on species biology, and working hypotheses as needed. The habitat-based assessment framework helps to identify which recovery areas and habitat patches are worth investing in and what type of site-specific restoration work is needed. We propose that the transparency and decision-making process in endangered insect recovery efforts could be improved through adaptive management that explicitly identifies and tracks progress toward habitat objectives and ultimate population recovery.     

WATER QUALITY IMPACTS FROM LOW WATER FORDS ON MILITARY TRAINING LANDS1

ABSTRACT: Water quality impacts from two types of low water stream crossings (LWSC) were examined on the military training lands at Fort Riley, Kansas. The LWSC project was developed to enhance military training as well as improve the water quality of the streams. Water quality impacts of low water fords were quantified and compared to determine the effects of using rock to harden earthen fords. Both earthen and rock hardened low water fords were tested for the impact on stream turbidity, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, and settleable solids. Results indicate hardening earthen fords with rock can significantly reduce water quality degradation caused by vehicle movement over the ford. Turbidity caused by vehicles crossing earthen and hardened fords was nearly sixteen times higher for earthen fords. Likewise, total solids, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids concentrations were lower for hardened crossings. Total solids concentrations from earthen fords were nearly twelve times higher than concentrations from hardened fords. Hardening earthen fords not only provides the military with a more stable stream crossing for its soldiers to use, it decreases water quality degradation and improves local stream ecology. Recommendations for constructing rock hardened LWSC are given.     

Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Cumulative Disturbance Impacts Due to Military Training,Burning, Haying,and Their Interactions on Land Condition of Fort Riley

The effects of military training activities on the land condition of Army installations vary spatially and temporally. Training activities observably degrade land condition while also increasing biodiversity and stabilizing ecosystems. Moreover, other anthropogenic activities regularly occur on military lands such as prescribed burns and agricultural haying—adding to the dynamics of land condition. Thus, spatially and temporally assessing the impacts of military training, prescribed burning, agricultural haying, and their interactions is critical to the management of military lands. In this study, the spatial distributions and patterns of military training-induced disturbance frequency were derived using plot observation and point observation-based method, at Fort Riley, Kansas from 1989 to 2001. Moreover, spatial and variance analysis of cumulative impacts due to military training, burning, haying, and their interactions on the land condition of Fort Riley were conducted. The results showed that: (1) low disturbance intensity dominated the majority of the study area with exception of concentrated training within centralized areas; (2) high and low values of disturbance frequency were spatially clustered and had spatial patterns that differed significantly from a random distribution; and (3) interactions between prescribed burning and agricultural haying were not significant in terms of either soil erosion or disturbance intensity although their means and variances differed significantly between the burned and non-burned areas and between the hayed and non-hayed areas.     

Effects of tracked vehicle activity on bird populations

This study was initiated to develop cause and effect relationships between Army training activities and bird populations throughout the continental United States. Installations in Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas, and Washington were selected as representative of diverse ecosystems and of extent of training. Birds were separated into 31 guilds to assist in the analysis between different ecosystems. The results showed that (1) guild theory can be useful in impact analyses within and between ecosystems, (2) tracked vehicles disturb bird populations because of habitat alteration and reduction, (3) the change in biomass ranged from 20.9to–55.3 percent and is dependent on the extent of training and ecosystem type, and (4) species replacement should be a major concern, with nine endemic species being replaced by three endemic and two introduced species. Because of similarities between tracked vehicle training and some construction activities, much of this information may be useful for analysis of civilian activities as well as military.     

Initial effects of light armored vehicle use on grassland vegetation at Fort Lewis, Washington

Sustainable use of military training lands requires understanding and prediction of the effects of military vehicles on vegetation. We examined the initial impacts of an 8-wheeled, light armored vehicle (LAV) on grassland vegetation at Fort Lewis, Washington. The LAV drove replicate spiral paths at two starting velocities, 10.3 and 5.1 m s(-1). The disturbed width (width of ground impacted by the tires) increased as turning radius decreased, but was unaffected by vehicle velocity. An inverse-exponential model predicted disturbed width (r(2)=0.68) at all turning radii for both velocities combined. In low-velocity spirals, and for straight tracking (turning radius>40 m) and moderate turns (radius 20-40 m) in high-velocity spirals, all vegetation damage was imprint (plants flattened by wheels). During sharp (radius <20 m), high-velocity turns, most or all of the disturbed width was scraped free of surface vegetation and soil, which was piled to the outside of each tire track. Total plant cover (all species) was not affected by track curvature in low-velocity spirals, but decreased in the order straight tracking>moderate turns>sharp turns in high-velocity spirals. In low-velocity spirals, post-tracking cover of several plant growth forms (non-native species, perennial species, sod-forming grasses) was similar to pre-tracking cover, but in high-velocity spirals, post-tracking cover of these growth forms decreased in the order straight > or =moderate=sharp. Cover of native species and forbs decreased more in high- than in low-velocity spirals, but was unaffected by curvature. Pre- and post-tracking cover of annual species, bunchgrasses, and shrubs was < or =3%. The most severe vegetation damage caused by operation of wheeled LAVs on grasslands is associated with sharp, high-velocity turns.     

Landscape Influences on Headwater Streams on Fort Stewart,Georgia, USA

Military landscapes represent a mixture of undisturbed natural ecosystems, developed areas, and lands that support different types and intensities of military training. Research to understand water-quality influences of military landscapes usually involves intensive sampling in a few watersheds. In this study, we developed a survey design of accessible headwater watersheds intended to improve our ability to distinguish land–water relationships in general, and training influences, in particular, on Fort Stewart, GA. We sampled and analyzed water from watershed outlets. We successfully developed correlative models for total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), organic carbon (OC), and organic nitrogen (ON), which dominated in this blackwater ecosystem. TSS tended to be greater in samples after rainfall and during the growing season, and models that included %Wetland suggested a “build-and-flush” relationship. We also detected a positive association between TSS and tank-training, which suggests a need to intercept sediment-laden runoff from training areas. Models for OC showed a negative association with %Grassland. TN and ON both showed negative associations with %Grassland, %Wetland, and %Forest. Unexpected positive associations were observed between OC and equipment-training activity and between ON and %Bare ground + Roads. Future studies that combine our survey-based approach with more intensive monitoring of the timing and intensity of training would be needed to better understand the mechanisms for these empirical relationships involving military training. Looking beyond local effects on Fort Stewart streams, we explore questions about how exports of OC and nitrogen from coastal military installations ultimately influence estuaries downstream.     

低碳背景下河北省机动车污染防治对策研究

通过对河北省机动车污染防治现状进行分析,论述了河北省机动车防治存在黄标车淘汰难、环保检验和环保标志核发工作滞后、新能源机动车所占比例低等问题。进一步提出了严把年检关、提高机动车污染排放成本、运用先进的实时监测技术、建立机动车管理综合平台、大力发展公共交通等防治措施。     

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea) of Roxborough State Park, Colorado, USA: Baseline Inventory, Community Attributes, and Monitoring Plan

/ Roxborough State Park in Colorado's Front Range was established in 1975 following a history of cattle and sheep ranching by private ownership. Survey work conducted from 1979 to 1995 resulted in the documentation of 93 species of butterflies. A variety of factors are responsible for the composition of the butterfly community: (1) overgrazing and its effect on the presence or absence of specific butterfly host plants; (2) habitat differences resulting from topographical and geological features; and (3) ecological and historical biogeography. This study provides data on community sampling adequacy, along with estimates of effort needed to monitor trends in abundance by using a community self-similarity curve and power analysis. An annual monitoring plan is proposed to assess trends in community composition. The plan includes collection of presence/absence and abundance data for select butterflies based on natural history information.KEY WORDS: Butterfly communities; Grazing; Inventory; Monitoring; Natural history     

Allowable use estimates for tracked vehicular training on Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site,Colorado, USA

A method is presented for calculating allowable use of tracked vehicles on the US Army's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in southeastern Colorado. The first step in this process is to determine the sheet and rill erosion rate on each soil series using the revised Universal Soil Loss Equation. Soil series are then ranked according to their trainability (e g., ranked based on how much vegetative cover can be lost without exceeding soil loss tolerance) Maximum onetime surface use, allowable surface use per year, usable hectares per year, and tracked vehicle days per year can then be calculated Examples are given to illustrate how these values can be manipulated to assist land managers and military trainers to better plan and match training missions to available land. Also, short- and long-term monitoring schemes are presented that can be used to verify or adjust estimates of allowable use. The methods presented can be converted to determine allowable use of other types of activities that disturb the vegetation and expose the soil surface to the erosive forces of wind and water (e g, recreational and off-road vehicles).     

US vehicle fuel-efficiency choices: demographic,behavioral, and cultural factors

In the United States, a large proportion of greenhouse gas emissions are from personal vehicle use, and there are large differences in emissions between the most and least efficient vehicles. We use data from 2009 US National Household Travel Survey to characterize consumers who drive the most and least efficient vehicles. We calculate personal fleet efficiency based on all vehicles owned, reflecting the behavioral aspect of vehicle-use choices by owners. Though higher incomes provide the means to purchase more efficient vehicles, we find those with higher incomes more likely to drive low-efficiency vehicles. Higher education levels correlate with greater vehicle efficiency. While some efficiency differences are based on consumer characteristics such as family size, we find large differences that we attribute mostly to cultural preferences as observed by race, region, etc. From a policy perspective, these differences are of particular interest since they may be amenable to change.     

Analysis of Ecological Context for Identifying Vegetation and Animal Conservation Planning Foci: An Example from the Arid South-western USA

In developing conservation strategies, it is important to maximize effects of conservation within a specified land tract and to maximize conservation effects on surrounding area (ecological context). The authors proposed two criteria to select biotic entities for conservation foci: (1) the relative occurrence of fauna or flora in a tract is greater than that of an ecological context region; and (2) occurrence of the fauna or flora is relatively limited in the ecological context region. Using extensive spatial data on vegetation and wildlife habitat distribution, the authors identified strategic vegetation and fauna conservation foci for the 400 000 ha Fort Bliss military reservation in New Mexico and Texas relative to a 164 km radius ecological context region intersecting seven ecological zones and the predicted habitat distribution of 616 animal species. The authors set two specific criteria: (1) predicted area of a species' occurrence is <50% of the ecological context region; and (2) percentage of Fort Bliss intersecting the species' or vegetation community predicted areas in the ecological context region is >5% (Fort Bliss is 4.2% of the region). These criteria selected one vegetation class and 40 animal species. Further, these vegetation and animal foci were primarily located in two areas of Fort Bliss. Sensitivity analyses with other analytical radii corroborated the context radius used. Conservation of the two areas and associated taxa will maximize the contribution of Fort Bliss's conservation efforts in its ecological proximity. This relatively simple but information-rich process represents economical and defensible preliminary contextual analysis for detailed conservation planning.     

RIVER-BED SEDIMENTATION CAUSED BY OFF-ROAD VEHICLES AT RIVER FORDS IN THE VICTORIAN HIGHLANDS,AUSTRALIA1

ABSTRACT: This study investigates some of the effects occurring at recreational off-road vehicle (ORV) crossings on two rivers in eastern Victoria, where many road crossings occur at low-level fords. Further, it provides a method whereby the amount of sediment redeposited downstream of a ford can be measured. Attention is drawn to the fact that sediment is contributed to the river by five major processes: the creation of wheel ruts and concentration of surface runoff, the existence of tracks and exposed surfaces, the compaction and subsequent reduction in the infiltration rate of soils leading to increased surface runoff, backwash from the vehicle, and undercutting of banks by bow wave action. The last two of these processes have not been reported previously. Sediment collection experiments in two Victorian upland rivers indicate a mean deposition rate at the stream bed of approximately 1000 g m^?2 over a period of 30 days.     

The Effects of Site Conditions and Mitigation Practices on Success of Establishing the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle and Its Host Plant,Blue Elderberry

This study performed the first systematic evaluation of the success of habitat mitigation at establishing the threatened Valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus) and its host plant, blue elderberry (Sambucus mexicana). Habitat mitigation performed through enforcement of the U.S. Endangered Species Act represents a tightly controlled form of habitat restoration, facilitating the evaluation of restoration practice. Restoration plantings of blue elderberry have been substantial in our study area, the Central Valley of California. Surveys of 30 mitigation sites and 16 nearby natural sites showed that mitigation sites were a fraction of the size of natural habitat areas (mean = 24%) and contained smaller shrubs. The beetle colonized 53% of mitigation sites and its populations were denser in sites with moderate levels of dead stems on elderberry shrubs, and moderate damage to elderberry stems and bark. This likely indicates that the beetle responds to stressed shrubs, which are likely to contain elevated levels of nitrogen. Beetle density also increased with the size and age of mitigation sites. This indicates a need to make restoration sites as large as possible and to monitor these sites for longer than current guidelines suggest, thereby allowing more time for convergence of natural and mitigation sites. Few factors examined here directly influenced the growth of elderberry shrubs, but elderberry grew more rapidly in sites closer to riparian areas, indicating that such sites should be favored for mitigation sites.     

Effects of Military Training Activities on Shrub-steppe Raptors in Southwestern Idaho, USA

Buteo regalis ), northern harriers (Circus cyaneus), burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia), and short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) inside and outside a military training site in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, southwestern Idaho. The Orchard Training Area is used primarily for armored vehicle training and artillery firing by the Idaho Army National Guard. Relative abundance of nesting pairs inside and outside the training site was not significantly different from 1991 to 1993 but was significantly higher on the training site in 1994 (P ≤ 0.03). Nesting success varied among years but was not significantly different inside and outside the training site (P > 0.26). In 1994, short-eared owl and burrowing owl nests were significantly closer to firing ranges used early in the spring before owls laid eggs than were random points (P < 0.001). In 1993, distances from occupied burrowing owl nests to firing ranges used early in the year were similar to those from random points to the same firing ranges (P = 0.16). Military activity contributed to some nesting failures from 1992 to 1994, but some pairs nested successfully near military activity.     

Potential Mortality Effects of Off-Highway Vehicles on the Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phrynosoma mcallii</Emphasis>): A Manipulative Experiment

Southern California desert public lands receive especially high levels of off-highway recreation due to large population centers nearby and popular riding environments such as sand dunes. Controversy has developed over the flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii), previously a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Some evidence suggests lower lizard abundance in areas of higher recreational use than in areas with low or no use. We designed a manipulative experiment to ensure maximum inference in evaluating the direct impact of recreational riding of off-highway vehicles on lizards. Thirty-six lizards, in situ, were treated with an off-highway vehicle treatment during hibernation season in three treatment groups: high impact, low impact, and control. Treatments consisted of timed riding by off-highway vehicles. In all treatment groups survival was 100%, despite hibernation of lizards at very shallow depths. Consequently, indirect effects of off-highway vehicles deserve increased attention. The relative importance of direct versus indirect (i.e., degradation of lizard habitat) impacts caused by off-highway vehicles remains unknown. These indirect effects may include the altering of vegetation, substrate, and prey. We recommend that a manipulative approach be adopted to investigate these possibilities.     

Fishers,Farms, and Forests in Eastern North America

The fisher (Martes pennanti) has recently recovered from historic extirpations across much of its geographic range. There are at least five explanations for the recovery of the fisher, including changes in the amount of habitat, the suitability of habitat, trapping pressure, societal attitudes toward predators, and climate. We evaluated a recovering fisher population in Ontario to test two conditions we viewed as necessary to support the hypothesis that fisher populations have increased due to an increase in the amount of forested land. First, we tested whether the amount of forested land has increased. Second, we tested whether contemporary fisher abundance (and therefore habitat quality) was related to the amount of forest. Topographic maps showed that the proportion of forested land in the study area had increased by 1.9% per decade since 1934 and 3.3% per decade since 1959, likely as a result of land conversion from agricultural uses. Overall the proportion of the study area that was forested increased from 29% to 40% during 1934 to 1995. Census data from the region indicated that there had been a decline in the amount of land area being farmed during the last 50 years. Recent livetrapping data showed that fisher abundance was positively related to the proportion of landscapes that were forested. Based on our results, we could not reject the hypothesis that an increase in the amount of forested land has contributed to the recovery of fisher populations.     

Environmental Indicators of Habitat Quality in a Migratory Freshwater Fish Fauna

/ In general, diadromous (and particularly amphidromous and catadromous) freshwater fishes decline in frequency of occurrence, change age/size structure, and probably also decline in abundance with increasing elevation and distance upstream from the sea. In freshwater fish faunas with a high proportion of migratory species, as in New Zealand, these changes in occurrence and abundance result in a breakdown of the relationship between fish abundance and habitat quality, making application of the index of biotic integrity (IBI) as a measure of habitat quality problematical since the index depends on the relationship between population metrics and habitat quality. An alternative approach applicable to assessing temporal changes in habitat quality and that uses a large database on fish distributions, involves analysis of the distribution of species across their natural distributions. In this paper we generate curves of occurrence of species across ranges of altitude and distance inland and show, through comparisons of data subsets, that the curves are consistent estimators of species' occurrence and therefore useful as indicators of habitat quality.     

成都及其周边地区轻型载客汽车行驶里程调查与分析

研究目的是通过实地调查和统计分析及检验确定成都及其周边地区轻型载客汽车的活动水平(用行驶里程表征)及规律,并比较不同地区间的差异。统计表明,成都及周边城市轻型载客汽车的年均行驶里程为1.5~2.0万km/年。其中绵阳和其他城市间的差异比较显著,而其他城市间的差异在绝对值上较小。成都及其周边地区轻型载客汽车年均行驶里程随车龄呈递减趋势,以成都市最为明显,而周边其他地区稍差。结果表明,为提高机动车尾气排放清单的准确度,对城市差异较大的不同地区的轻型载客汽车的行驶里程进行分别调查是必要的。