Life Sciences Commons^™

A Novel Approach For Assessing Density And Range-Wide Abundance Of Prairie Dogs, Aaron N. Facka, Paulette L. Ford, Gary W. Roemer

USDA Forest Service / UNL Faculty Publications

Habitat loss, introduced disease, and government-sponsored eradication programs have caused population declines in all 5 species of prairie dogs. Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) currently occupy only about 2% of an extensive geographic range (160 million hectares) and were recently considered for listing under the United States Endangered Species Act. Accurate estimates of density for populations of prairie dogs would be valuable for estimating range-wide abundance and for determining threats to species persistence, yet estimates of density using robust approaches (e.g., complete enumeration or mark–recapture) are rarely undertaken. We introduce a novel approach to estimating density of prairie …

Biology And Biological Control Of Exotic True Thistles, Rachel Winston, Rich Hansen, Mark Schwarzlander, Eric Coombs, Carol Bell Randall, Rodney Lym

USDA Forest Service / UNL Faculty Publications

“Thistle” is an old English name for a large variety of weedy, prickly plants that grow throughout the world. The most notable characteristics of thistles are the prickly stems and leaves and the bracts around the flower head. While many different plants have “thistle” in their common name, only certain plant species fit the taxonomic requirements of being considered “true thistles.” True thistle species fall within the family Asteraceae, the tribe Cardueae, and the subtribe Carduinae. Examples of plants that are not true thistles include yellow starthistle (subtribe Centaureinae), sow thistle (subtribe Sonchinae), and Russian thistle (family Chenopodiaceae). Only true …

Hmong Americans And Public Lands In Minnesota And Wisconsin, David N. Bengston, Michele A. Schermann, Maikia Moua, Tou Thai Lee

USDA Forest Service / UNL Faculty Publications

Natural resource managers and policy-makers need to understand the cultures and perspectives of ethnic minority communities in order to serve them effectively. In this exploratory study, we focus on Hmong Americans, perhaps the least-studied and -understood Asian ethnic group in the United States. The Hmong, who lived in the mountains of Laos,were relatively isolated until they were secretly recruited and armed by the United States Central Intelligence Agency in the early 1960s to fight the communist Pathet Lao and their North Vietnamese allies (Warner 1998). When the Americans abruptly withdrew from Vietnam and Laos and the pro-American Royal Laotian government …

The “Adaptable Human” Phenomenon: Implications For Recreation Management In High-Use Wilderness, David N. Cole, Troy E. Hall

USDA Forest Service / UNL Faculty Publications

Wilderness managers must balance providing access for wilderness recreation with protecting the special experiences wilderness provides. This balancing act is particularly challenging at popular destinations close to large metropolitan areas. Such destinations provide substantial societal benefits by allowing respite from city life and immersion in natural environments for thousands; however, the thousands that throng to these places detract from the wildness and sense of solitude that wilderness should provide. Managers are left wondering what sorts of experiences are appropriate in such places or, more precisely, what experiences are so inappropriate that restrictive actions should be taken to avoid them. Particularly …

Discrete Return Lidar-Based Prediction Of Leaf Area Index In Two Conifer Forests, Jennifer L.R. Jensen, Karen S. Humes, Lee A. Vierling, Andrew T. Hudak

USDA Forest Service / UNL Faculty Publications

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key forest structural characteristic that serves as a primary control for exchanges of mass and energy within a vegetated ecosystem. Most previous attempts to estimate LAI from remotely sensed data have relied on empirical relationships between field-measured observations and various spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) derived from optical imagery or the inversion of canopy radiative transfer models. However, as biomass within an ecosystem increases, accurate LAI estimates are difficult to quantify. Here we use lidar data in conjunction with SPOT5-derived spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) to examine the extent to which integration of both lidar and …

Geographic Patterns Of At-Risk Species, Curtis H. Flather, Michael S. Knowles, Jason Mcnees

USDA Forest Service / UNL Faculty Publications

This technical document supports the Forest Service’s requirement to assess the status of renewable natural resources as mandated by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. It updates past reports on the trends and geographic patterns of species formally listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. We compare the geographic occupancy of threatened and endangered species at the county-level against the geographic occupancy of a broader set of species thought to be at risk of extinction. This is done to determine if new areas where species rarity may be concentrated emerge. Here …

Nebraska Forest Service: Determining Fire Department Operating And Suppression Costs

Nebraska Forest Service: Publications

Determining Fire Department Operating Costs; Fire Equipment Examples For Each Category; Determining Fire Department Suppression Costs

The Rothermel Fire-Spread Model: Still Running Like A Champ, Gail Wells

Joint Fire Science Program Digests

In 1972, aeronautical engineer Richard C. Rothermel, of the USDA Fire Sciences Lab at Missoula, Montana, developed a method for modeling the spread of wildfire. The model became widely used, and although the ensuing years have brought many technological innovations, it is still the engine of the predictive tools used by fire behavior officers today. The JFSP is pleased to offer Dick Rothermel’s story as a tribute to a significant accomplishment, and also to showcase some of the current work at the Fire Sciences Lab.

Nebraska Forest Service Annual Report 2008, Scott J. Josiah, Becky Erdkamp Erdkamp

Nebraska Forest Service: Publications

Welcome From the State Forester; Fuels Treatment Projects Improve Forest Health and Safety; Community Wildfire Protection Planning: The First Step; NFS Coordinates Nebraska Wild Land Fire Academy ; Advances in Hybrid Hazelnut R&D: An Emerging Food and Biofuels Crop With Promise for Nebraska ; retree Nebraska—One Town, One Tree, One Shovel At A Time promoting ; Time promoting Good Trees for the Good Life ; 156nebraska Continues Strong Tree City USA; CEP Grants Significantly Impact Nebraska Landscape ; Storms Take a Toll on Community Forests ; Nebraska’s Available Woody Biomass Resources ; Reversing the Decline of Conservation Tree Plantings; Great …

Nebraska Forest Service: Alma & Orleans After The Storm: A Tale Of Two Towns, Chip Murrow

Nebraska Forest Service: Publications

Historically, Nebraska’s climate is tough on trees. From high winds and tornados to fires, drought, snow and ice, Nebraska’s trees take a beating. In some cases, such as with tornados, there is little that can prepare trees. However, there is a belief that proper tree care and maintenance will improve the chances of trees weathering snow and ice storms.

Nebraska Forest Service Wood Waste Supply & Utilization Assessment, Rich Lane

Nebraska Forest Service: Publications

Increased utilization of wood waste can help decrease our Nation’s dependence on foreign energy purchases, generate energy cost-savings, enhance the efficiencies of forest and range management efforts, reduce the amount of wood waste disposed of in landfills and stimulate local economic development. In 2006 a Rand Corporation analysis found that 25% of the Nation’s energy could be competitively produced from ethanol, wind power and other forms of renewable energy such as woody biomass. A national alliance, known as the Energy Future Coalition, has subsequently advanced the “25 x 25 Initiative”. (www.25x25.org) The Coalition’s vision, now endorsed by the National Association …

Nebraska Forest Service: Wildland Fire Protection, Nebraska Forest Service

Nebraska Forest Service: Publications

Aerial Wildfire Suppression;Equipment, Cost Share & Planning;Wildfire Suppression Training;NFS Wildland Fire Protection Program;Fire Prevention;Wildfire Suppression Training;Equipment;Cost-Share Programs; Aerial Wildfire Suppression; Planning; Publications

Nebraska Forest Service: Forest Fuels Treatment Program, Nebraska Forest Service

Nebraska Forest Service: Publications

The Growing Risk; What Can Homeowners Do?; Cost-Share Assistance From NFS; To Learn More

Nebraska Forest Service: Windbreak & Shelterbelt Appraisal, Gary Naughton, David Mooter, Richard Woollen

Nebraska Forest Service: Publications

Living windbreaks and shelterbelts are important assets in rural areas of the Great Plains that protect homes, crops and domestic animals from wind throughout the year. They offer a safe haven for wildlife and provide attractive visual barriers. Windbreaks and shelterbelts can have measurable monetary value, and if they are damaged or destroyed, a professional appraisal may be necessary to determine their value. This publication is designed for professionals who are involved in windbreak and shelterbelt appraisal. It is also meant to show the complexity of appraisal work and the need to have professional help.

The Rural Firefighter, Issue 04-08--November 2008

The Rural Firefighter

A Professional Choice; Les Lukert Conference; Turkey Fryer Safety; Tips From Tex; Nugget of the Day; No Fire Protection?; Sandy’s Corner; Rural Firefighter Also Available on the Internet; Calendar of Events; Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas!

Nebraska Timber Buyers

Nebraska Forest Service: Publications

This directory includes active buyers of timber in Nebraska who request to be listed. It was originally developed from a “Timber Buyers Survey” conducted in July, 2001. Corrections/additions are periodically incorporated. Endorsement of listed individuals or firms by the Nebraska Forest Service is not intended or implied. Corrections and/or additions may be submitted to: Marketing & Utilization Forester, Nebraska Forest Service, 109 Plant Industry Building, UNL, Lincoln, NE 68583-0815. Phone: (402)472-5822; FAX: (402) 472-2964, E-mail: dadams2@unl.edu

Chemical Control Of Common Forest And Shade Tree Pests, Mark Harrell, Laurie Stepanek

Nebraska Forest Service: Publications

This information is intended as a guide to the chemical control of common insect pests and diseases of forest and shade trees. This is not a complete list of all pesticides available. Other methods of control that do not involve the use of pesticides may be effective against certain pests and should be considered before a pesticide is used. Trade names have been used for convenience. No endorsement is implied, and no discrimination against similar products not listed is intended. No guarantee of effectiveness is made. Some pesticides may not be appropriate for certain trees or pests or under certain …

Nebraska Timber Industry— An Assessment Of Timber Product Output And Use, 2006, Ronald J. Piva, Dennis Adams

Nebraska Forest Service: Publications

Nebraska’s wood products manufacturing industry employs more than 2,200 workers with an output of approximately $286 million (U.S. Census Bureau 2002). In this bulletin we discuss recent Nebraska forest industry trends and report the results of a detailed study of the forest industry, industrial roundwood production, and associated primary mill wood and bark residue in Nebraska in 2006. Such detailed information is necessary for intelligent planning and decision making in wood procurement, forest resources management, and forest industry development. Likewise, researchers need current forest industry and industrial roundwood information for planning projects.

The last published report from a detailed study …

Timber Talk, Vol. 46, No. 1, February 1, 2008

Timber Talk: Nebraska Forest Industry Newsletter

Lumber Market News;Hardwood Lumber Price Trends—Green;Hardwood Lumber Price Trends—Kiln Dried;Hardwood Lumber Market History;Hardwood Log Bucking Tips;Do You Know Your True Costs?Controlling Humidity Helps, Helps Increase The Bottom Line;Nebraska Forestry Industry Spotlight;The Trading Post;Timber Sales

Timber Talk, Vol. 46, No. 2, June 1, 2008

Timber Talk: Nebraska Forest Industry Newsletter

Lumber Market News; Hardwood Lumber Price Trends—Green; Hardwood Lumber Price Trends—Kiln Dried; Softwood Lumber Price Trends; Experts: Price for Sawdust Has Doubled; One Man With a Wood-Mizer; Food for Thought; Updated Information Regarding Mosquito Repellents — May 7, 2008; Nebraska Forestry Industry Spotlight; The Trading Post; Timber Sales; Coming Events