Performance of Greater Sage-Grouse Models for Conservation Assessment in the Interior Columbia Basin, U.S.A.

Abstract: Valid modeling of habitats and populations of Greater Sage-Grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus) is a critical management need because of increasing concern about population viability. Consequently, we evaluated the performance of two models designed to assess landscape conditions for Greater Sage-Grouse across 13.6 million ha of sagebrush steppe in the interior Columbia Basin and adjacent portions of the Great Basin of the western United States (referred to as the basin). The first model, the environmental index model, predicted conditions at the scale of the subwatershed (mean size of approximately 7800 ha) based on inputs of habitat density, habitat quality, and effects of human disturbance. Predictions ranged on a continuous scale from 0 for lowest environmental index to 2 for optimal environmental index. The second model, the population outcome model, predicted the composite, range-wide conditions for sage grouse based on the contribution of environmental index values from all subwatersheds and measures of range extent and connectivity. Population outcomes were expressed as five classes (A through E) that represented a gradient from continuous, well-distributed populations (outcome A) to sparse, highly isolated populations with a high likelihood of extirpation (outcome E). To evaluate performance, we predicted environmental index values and population outcome classes in areas currently occupied by sage grouse versus areas where extirpation has occurred. Our a priori expectations were that models should predict substantially worse environmental conditions ( lower environmental index) and a substantially higher probability of extirpation ( lower population outcome class) in extirpated areas. Results for both models met these expectations. For example, a population outcome of class E was predicted for extirpated areas, as opposed to class C for occupied areas. These results suggest that our models provided reliable landscape predictions for the conditions tested. This finding is important for conservation planning in the basin, where the models were used to evaluate management of federal lands for sage grouse.     

The genetic population structure of the gray mouse lemur (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcebus murinus), </Emphasis>a basal primate from Madagascar

The genetic structure of a population is closely connected to fundamental evolutionary processes and aspects of social behavior. Information on genetic structure is therefore instrumental for the interpretation of social behavior and evolutionary reconstructions of social systems. Gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus) are basal primates endemic to Madagascar whose social organization is characterized by solitary foraging at night and communal resting during the day. Conflicting reports about population structure based on behavioral observations led us to examine the genetic structure of one population in detail in order to: (1) identify natural genetic units in this solitary primate, and (2) to test the assumption of current models of primate social evolution that solitary primates are organized in matrilines. DNA was extracted from tissue samples of 85 individuals from Kirindy forest to determine their variability at a 530 bp fragment of the mitochondrial D-loop and at six microsatellite loci. We found that this population was characterized by a great general diversity among mtDNA haplotypes, a pronounced sex difference in mtDNA haplotype diversity and spatial clustering of females with a particular haplotype, but low average relatedness among members of haplotype clusters. Specifically, we identified 13 different haplotypes, which were unevenly distributed among individuals. About 80% of all individuals, most of which were females or juvenile males, shared a single haplotype. Rare haplotypes were almost exclusively represented by single adult males, who apparently migrated into this population. One other haplotype was represented by a small group of females living at one edge of the study area. Microsatellite analysis revealed above-average relatedness among females with overlapping home ranges, as well as no signs of inbreeding, implying that male dispersal results in high levels of gene flow among matrilineal groups. We conclude that gray mouse lemur populations are hierarchically organized in small family units of closely related females that form stable sleeping groups, several of which are connected through a common mtDNA haplotype and form spatially distinct clusters. The presence of such matrilines supports a basic assumption of current models of primate social evolution.     

Biodiversity of microarthropods in agricultural soils: relations to processes

Soil microarthropods (principally mites and collembolans) are among the unseen faunal diversity in nearly all agricultural soils. Microarthropods participate in the complex food webs of soils, but their importance is seldom appreciated. Laboratory and field results show that microarthropods have impacts on organic debris, microbial decomposers, nematodes, roots and pathogenic fungi. However, their impact on primary production is only indirect. Opportunities for managing soil microarthropods in agricultural soils have been ignored.     

Air pollution of beauty salons by cosmetics from the analysis of suspensed particulate matter

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Beauty salons make a considerable part of the service sector. However, although the beauty salon staffs are exposed to a vast number of ambient chemicals during...     

Study on degradation process of famotidine hydrochloride in aqueous samples

The kinetics of famotidine (FAM) transformation under the influence of various factors, important from the environmental point of view, was investigated in aqueous solutions. The degradation processes using UV, H₂O₂, UV/H₂O₂, H₂O₂/Fe²⁺, and UV/H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ were studied. Direct photolysis and H₂O₂-assisted photolysis showed a pseudo-first-order kinetics, while the Fenton and the photo-Fenton processes fit second-order kinetics. The provided experiments proved a high resistance of FAM to direct photolysis. Its stability depends highly on the pH of the reaction solutions. The rate of FAM direct photolysis in acidic solutions was almost negligible. The reaction rate of FAM photolysis at pH 8–9 was 3.7 × 10^?3 min^?1 with DT₅₀ about 3 h 7 min. It was found that the presence of H₂O₂ in the reaction environment enhances the rate of photolysis of FAM. The observed rates of reaction were 5.1 × 10^?3 min^?1 and 3.7 × 10^?3 min^?1 in acidic and basic solutions, respectively. The used Fenton systems appeared to be the most efficient in FAM removal. The rate of reaction depends on concentration of Fe²⁺ and H₂O₂. It was observed that the presence of UV-light enhances the reaction rate by two to six times in comparison to the classical Fenton system. Additionally, FAM behavior in natural water under solar irradiation was examined. The irradiation experiments were carried out in batch experiments with simulated sunlight.     

Selenium improves physiological responses and nutrient absorption in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under salinity

Abstract

Salinity is a serious limiting factor for crop growth and production. The present study was conducted to investigate the response of wheat grown at salinities of 0.12, 0.30 and 0.60?S?m^?1 on soil supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1 and 4?mg?kg^?1 Se as selenite. Chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid contents, Fe, Zn and Se in shoots as well as shoot dry weight were negatively affected by increased salinity. Se had a dual effect: at 0.5?mg?kg^?1, chlorophyll b, proline, and shoot Fe content were increased, catalase activity was stimulated; there was no effect on Zn content and shoot dry weight. At the two higher concentrations, Se led to decreases in chlorophyll content, nutrient concentration, and shoot dry weight. Thus, moderate addition of Se to soil could be a strategy to improve physiological responses and micronutrient status in wheat under salinity stress.     

Practical sustainability criteria for decision-making

SUMMARY

The new paradigm of sustainability necessitates revisions to traditional decision-making processes. This paper, which is the first in a series of four, outlines the changes required for decision-making to reflect sustainability concerns. Three sustainability criteria, that are the focus of the three subsequent papers, are introduced and the rationale for each is explained. A framework for incorporating the three sustainability criteria into the decision-making process is briefly outlined. The paper ends with the introduction to a case study, the North Central Project (NCP) for electricity supply alternatives. The NCP is used in the three following papers to demonstrate the individual components of the new approach to sustainable decision-making.     

Identification of distinct movement patterns in Pacific leatherback turtle populations influenced by ocean conditions

Interactions with fisheries are believed to be a major cause of mortality for adult leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), which is of particular concern in the Pacific Ocean, where they have been rapidly declining. In order to identify where these interactions are occurring and how they may be reduced, it is essential first to understand the movements and behavior of leatherback turtles. There are two regional nesting populations in the East Pacific (EP) and West Pacific (WP), comprising multiple nesting sites. We synthesized tracking data from the two populations and compared their movement patterns. A switching state-space model was applied to 135 Argos satellite tracks to account for observation error, and to distinguish between migratory and area-restricted search behaviors. The tracking data, from the largest leatherback data set ever assembled, indicated that there was a high degree of spatial segregation between EP and WP leatherbacks. Area-restricted search behavior mainly occurred in the southeast Pacific for the EP leatherbacks, whereas the WP leatherbacks had several different search areas in the California Current, central North Pacific, South China Sea, off eastern Indonesia, and off southeastern Australia. We also extracted remotely sensed oceanographic data and applied a generalized linear mixed model to determine if leatherbacks exhibited different behavior in relation to environmental variables. For the WP population, the probability of area-restricted search behavior was positively correlated with chlorophyll-a concentration. This response was less strong in the EP population, but these turtles had a higher probability of search behavior where there was greater Ekman upwelling, which may increase the transport of nutrients and consequently prey availability. These divergent responses to oceanographic conditions have implications for leatherback vulnerability to fisheries interactions and to the effects of climate change. The occurrence of leatherback turtles within both coastal and pelagic areas means they have a high risk of exposure to many different fisheries, which may be very distant from their nesting sites. The EP leatherbacks have more limited foraging grounds than the WP leatherbacks, which could make them more susceptible to any temperature or prey changes that occur in response to climate change.     

Measuring coupling forces woodcutters exert on saws in real working conditions

Prolonged exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) generated by chainsaws can cause HAV syndrome, i.e., disorders in the upper extremities of forestry workers. Progress of HAV syndrome depends on the intensity of mechanical vibration transmitted throughout the body, which is directly proportional to coupling forces applied by the woodcutter to a vibrating tool. This study aimed to establish a method of measuring coupling forces exerted by chainsaw workers in real working conditions. Coupling forces exerted by workers with their right and left hands were measured with a hydro-electronic force meter. Wood hardness, the type of chainsaw and the kind of forest operation, i.e., felling, cross-cutting or limbing, were considered.     

A compilation of field surveys on gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) from contrasting environmental settings in Europe,South America,South Africa and China: separating fads from facts

Mercury is transported globally in the atmosphere mostly in gaseous elemental form (GEM, \( {\text{Hg}}_{\text{gas}}^{0} \) ), but still few worldwide studies taking into account different and contrasted environmental settings are available in a single publication. This work presents and discusses data from Argentina, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, China, Croatia, Finland, Italy, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Slovenia and Venezuela. We classified the information in four groups: (1) mining districts where this contaminant poses or has posed a risk for human populations and/or ecosystems; (2) cities, where the concentration of atmospheric mercury could be higher than normal due to the burning of fossil fuels and industrial activities; (3) areas with natural emissions from volcanoes; and (4) pristine areas where no anthropogenic influence was apparent. All the surveys were performed using portable LUMEX RA-915 series atomic absorption spectrometers. The results for cities fall within a low GEM concentration range that rarely exceeds 30 ng m^?3, that is, 6.6 times lower than the restrictive ATSDR threshold (200 ng m^?3) for chronic exposure to this pollutant. We also observed this behavior in the former mercury mining districts, where few data were above 200 ng m^?3. We noted that high concentrations of GEM are localized phenomena that fade away in short distances. However, this does not imply that they do not pose a risk for those working in close proximity to the source. This is the case of the artisanal gold miners that heat the Au–Hg amalgam to vaporize mercury. In this respect, while GEM can be truly regarded as a hazard, because of possible physical–chemical transformations into other species, it is only under these localized conditions, implying exposure to high GEM concentrations, which it becomes a direct risk for humans.