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Biological Control Of Weeds In Great Plains Rangelands, Svata M. Louda , Robert A. Masters
Biological Control Of Weeds In Great Plains Rangelands, Svata M. Louda , Robert A. Masters
Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences
Chemical control of weeds has increased agricultural productivity, but complete reliance on chemicals has serious drawbacks. These include high cost per acre, decreasing effectiveness, negative effects on plant community diversity, and increased opportunities for environmental contamination. One alternative is biocontrol, the use of biological factors that naturally limit weed populations. Long-term research goals focus on improving our knowledge of the processes that control and limit potential plant pests naturally and to use that knowledge to develop predictable, sustainable, low-cost, biologically-based weed management strategies. This paper reviews the ecological underpinnings of classical biological control of weeds, including basic research on the …
Is The Distribution Of Sandhill Cranes On The Platte River Changing?, Craig A. Faanes, Michael J. Levalley
Is The Distribution Of Sandhill Cranes On The Platte River Changing?, Craig A. Faanes, Michael J. Levalley
Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences
Data collected during 1957-1989 on the Platte and North Platte rivers was analyzed to detect changes in the temporal and spacial distribution of staging sandhill cranes. The data indicate that a significant west-to-east shift in crane distribution has developed since the late 1960s. The most negative changes have occurred between Lexington and Kearney, Nebraska, where vegetation encroachment has been most pronounced. A significant increase in crane numbers between the Wood River and Highway 34 bridges is attributed to the result of vegetation scouring flows and active removal of woody vegetation.