Linking life history to landscape for threatened species conservation in a multiuse region

Landscape-scale conservation that considers metapopulation dynamics will be essential for preventing declines of species facing multiple threats to their survival. Toward this end, we developed a novel approach that combines occurrence records, spatial–environmental data, and genetic information to model habitat, connectivity, and patterns of genetic structure and link spatial attributes to underlying ecological mechanisms. Using the threatened northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) as a case study, we applied this approach to address the need for conservation decision-making tools that promote resilient metapopulations of this threatened species in the Pilbara, Western Australia, a multiuse landscape that is a hotspot for biodiversity and mining. Habitat and connectivity were predicted by different landscape characteristics. Whereas habitat suitability was overwhelmingly driven by terrain ruggedness, dispersal was facilitated by proximity to watercourses. Although there is limited evidence for major physical barriers in the Pilbara, areas with high silt and clay content (i.e., alluvial and hardpan plains) showed high resistance to dispersal. Climate subtlety shaped distributions and patterns of genetic turnover, suggesting the potential for local adaptation. By understanding these spatial–environmental associations and linking them to life-history and metapopulation dynamics, we highlight opportunities to provide targeted species management. To support this, we have created habitat, connectivity, and genetic uniqueness maps for conservation decision-making in the region. These tools have the potential to provide a more holistic approach to conservation in multiuse landscapes globally.     

Team reward attitude: construct development and initial validation

This paper reports the development of a team reward attitude construct and intial validation of a measure in a longitudinal study of team members (initial n = 566). Confirmatory factor analysis results provide support for a revised 9‐item scale in two different time periods separated by four months. The measure was positively related to other team‐related attitudes (preference for group work and perceived efficacy of teams) and locus of control, and negatively related to a proxy for ability. Implications of the research and future research directions are addressed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monitoring new forestry

Techniques to monitor growth and mortality of live trees, and longevity of snags were developed and tested on 8 units in the Oregon and Washington Cascades where new forestry (structural retention) cuttings were utilized. Time and costs were quantified. The total area of three aggregated units and five dispersed units was 27.8 ha, with 2407 trees and snags measured on 25.1 ha of sample area. Cost of field work was approximately $4590 (4 person crew at 6 weeks) while costs of data entry, analysis and report writing were approximately $2000 (250 person hours). Monitoring is an important component of adaptive management and is essential if we are to understand the ramifications of new silvicultural systems.     

Risk assessment as a management tool for inactive hazardous materials disposal sites

A protocol for risk assessment at inactive hazardous material disposal sites has been developed by using mathematical modeling and estimation techniques. Compared with ranking models, the protocol yields quantitative results with a minimum of input data that may be used to select among management, scientific, or engineering alternatives for the site. This article reviews the background, presents the protocol, illustrates the application of the protocol, and demonstrates the use of the protocol in conjunction with thecritical environmental area concept. Comparisons are also presented with other model systems such as the EPA HRS.     

Contemporary (1979-1988) and inferred historical status of headwater lakes in North Central Ontario, Canada

Fifty-six headwater Canadian Shield lakes were repetitively sampled from 1979 to 88 to determine their response to changes in acidic deposition of the period. Annual wet sulphate loadings varied between 38 and 83 meq m(-2), with highest deposition in the late 1970s followed by somewhat lower but variable deposition in the 1980s. Median pH of the lakes increased 0.42 pH units from 1979 to 1985 and decreased by 0.15 units between 1985 and 1988. Short water renewal times (x=1.1 y) promoted rapid equilibration. Since lake were so responsive to changes in SO4(2-) inputs, they were at or near steady state at all times. Comparison of predicted original pH and ANC with 1979 data indicate a median decline of 0.45 pH units and a loss of 34 microeq litre(-1). ANC. Four of 9 lakes were found to be historically fishless, based on the continued presence of Chaoborus americanus in sediment cores. The remaining five lakes historically had fish populations, but fish were not collected in 1979 when pH ranged betwen 4.6 and 5.3. By 1987, fish species were found in five of these lakes where pH had increased on average by 0.9 pH units. Our data indicate that water quality improvements could allow for the reinvasion or resumption of recruitment for a significant number of Ontario lakes.     

Distributional analysis of regional benefits and cost of air quality control

The methodology and results of an analysis of benefits and costs of air quality control for an urban region in Florida are given. The machinery used considers the spatial distribution of (a) emission sources, (b) the ambient levels resulting from local meteorological conditions and geographic features, and (c) the socioeconomic characteristics of the impacted population groups. This facilitates an examination of the distributional aspects of costs and benefits associated with various control scenarios. With appropriate adaptation and inputs the steps in our analysis should apply to a distributional benefit/cost analyses for any region.