Climate hazards: Lessons from recent events in the United States

Three recent cases of climate extremes are studied to identify human impacts and response strategies and to identify common characteristics that may help illuminate the nature of climate hazards. The 1980 heat wave in the central United States, 1981 cold wave in Boston, Massachusetts, and recent flooding and lake level rise in northern Utah, illustrate several important aspects of climate hazards that separate them from the more traditional set of catastrophic events (e.g. tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes) usually dealt with by hazards research and management. Among those characteristics are an emphasis on health impacts rather than physical damage, accumulative effects rather than short shocks, a tendency for impacts to accrue to certain socio-economic classes, and relatively slow onset. The management and research implications of these hazard characteristics are explored.     

Rate-temperature responses in scyphozoan medusae and polyps

The effects of temperature on oxygen consumption and spontaneous rhythmic activity have been investigated in various stages of the life histories of 3 species of jellyfish from the Chesapeake Bay, USA. All 3 species clearly show the ability to acclimate positively to temperature change. Thermal sensitivity of metabolism in the winter medusa Cyanea capillata fulva is fairly low at temperature intervals which are experienced in nature. Polyps of the two summer medusae, Chrysaora quinquecirrha and Aurelia aurita, show reduced metabolic sensitivity at temperatures normally accompanying high developmental activity and the onset of strobilation.     

Dominions and desert clickers (Orthoptera:Acrididae): influences of resources and male signaling on female settlement patterns

Summary Previous field work on the grasshopper Ligurotettix coquilletti revealed that females were not evenly distributed among male mating territories, Larrea tridentata (creosote) bushes, but were clustered at particular locations. These sites generally harbored several signaling males simultaneously and also possessed foliage preferred by the insects as a food source, this preference being based on the relative concentrations of various extra-foliar compounds. The clustering of females, therefore, could result from a preference for specific bushes because of the resources (i.e., food) available there and/or an orientation to groups of males per se. Here, we present the results of 3 field experiments in which we controlled the spatial distribution and intensity of male signals using a computer-operated system of loudspeakers and monitored the movement of individually marked females released in the study area. When male song was identical at high and low quality territories (all having single loudspeakers), females still aggregated at the high quality sites, indicating that variability in host plant quality alone may be sufficient to promote a skewed distribution of females. Among high quality territories, females did not discriminate between sites with one versus three loudspeakers (all broadcasting the same signal), but displayed a strong preference for sites (all having single loudspeakers) with a high intensity signal over a low intensity one. Field measurements showed that the songs of grouped males were more intense than those of lone males, implying that the signaling of grouped males may have enhanced the settlement of females at the bushes harboring male groups above and beyond that influenced by territory quality alone. We conclude that female attraction to host plants is influenced primarily by male signaling, whereas their subsequent retention is more dependent on territory quality. An experiment on male settlement failed to show an aggregative tendency, suggesting that male groups form through the passive accumulation of individuals at high quality sites.     

Song as an attractant for male and female European starlings,and the influence of song complexity on their response

Summary We tested the hypothesis that song attracts females and repels males in the European starling. We broadcast recorded song from speakers attached to nestboxes, while paired boxes with silent speakers served as controls. As predicted, females were attracted to the song boxes. Contrary to prediction, males were also attracted to the `song' boxes. Singing by male starlings may be costly because it attracts competitors for limited nesting sites, but the cost cannot be avoided due to the need to attract a mate. In a second experiment simple song (composed of 20 different phrase types) and complex song (40 phrase types) were played simultaneously. More males were captured at boxes where simple song was played. Song complexity may function as an indicator of male quality and be used by male starlings to assess potential competitors.     

Soil sampling and analysis for volatile organic compounds

Concerns over data quality have raised many questions related to sampling soils for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This paper was prepared in response to some of these questions and concerns expressed by Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) and On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs). The following questions are frequently asked:

1. Is there a specific device suggested for sampling soils for VOCs?
2. Are there significant losses of VOCs when transferring a soil sample from a sampling device (e.g., split spoon) into the sample container?
3. What is the best method for getting the sample from the split spoon (or other device) into the sample container?
4. Are there smaller devices such as subcore samplers available for collecting aliquots from the larger core and efficiently transferring the sample into the sample container?
5. Are certain containers better than others for shipping and storing soil samples for VOC analysis?
6. Are there any reliable preservation procedures for reducing VOC losses from soil samples and for extending holding times?

Guidance is provided for selecting the most effective sampling device for collecting samples from soil matrices. The techniques for sample collection, sample handling, containerizing, shipment, and storage described in this paper reduce VOC losses and generally provide more representative samples for volatile organic analyses (VOA) than techniques in current use. For a discussion on the proper use of sampling equipment the reader should refer to other sources (Acker, 1974; U.S. EPA, 1983; U.S. EPA, 1986a). Soil, as referred to in this report, encompasses the mass (surface and subsurface) of unconsolidated mantle of weathered rock and loose material lying above solid rock. Further, a distinction must be made as to what fraction of the unconsolidated material is soil and what fraction is not. The soil component here is defined as all mineral and naturally occurring organic material that is 2 mm or less in size. This is the size normally used to differentiate between soils (consisting of sands, silts, and clays) and gravels. Although numerous sampling situations may be encountered, this paper focuses on three broad categories of sites that might be sampled for VOCs:

1. Open test pit or trench.
2. Surface soils (<5 ft in depth).
3. Subsurface soils (>5 ft in depth).