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Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Environmental Sciences

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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Water-Quality Effects On Phytoplankton Species And Density And Trophic State Indices At Big Base And Little Base Lakes, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, June Through August, 2015, L. J. Driver, B. G. Justus Jan 2016

Water-Quality Effects On Phytoplankton Species And Density And Trophic State Indices At Big Base And Little Base Lakes, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, June Through August, 2015, L. J. Driver, B. G. Justus

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Big Base and Little Base Lakes are located on Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, and their close proximity to a dense residential population and an active military/aircraft installation make the lakes vulnerable to water-quality degradation. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a study from June through August 2015 to investigate the effects of water quality on phytoplankton species and density and trophic state in Big Base and Little Base Lakes, with particular regard to nutrient concentrations. Nutrient concentrations, trophic-state indices, and the large part of the phytoplankton biovolume composed of cyanobacteria, indicate eutrophic conditions were prevalent for Big Base …


Impacts Of Man-Made Structures On Avian Community Metrics In 4 State Parks In Northwestern Arkansas, R. D. Keith, B. Grooms, R. E. Urbanek Jan 2016

Impacts Of Man-Made Structures On Avian Community Metrics In 4 State Parks In Northwestern Arkansas, R. D. Keith, B. Grooms, R. E. Urbanek

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Avian community metrics often differ between areas with no human disturbance and areas with high levels of human disturbance. However, the relationships between avian community metrics and smaller-scale disturbances are not as clear. Our goal was to investigate if avian abundance, richness, evenness, and diversity differed in areas with and without small-scale human developments. We used fixed-radius 50-m avian point counts to compare points which contained a man-made structure (n = 47), such as a picnic area, road, or campsite to those that did not contain a man-made structure (n = 181) at 4 state parks in Arkansas during 18 …


Biological And Economic Considerations In Establishing A Short-Rotation Bioenergy Plantation, Jamie L. Schuler, M. Pelkki, Chris Stuhlinger Jan 2009

Biological And Economic Considerations In Establishing A Short-Rotation Bioenergy Plantation, Jamie L. Schuler, M. Pelkki, Chris Stuhlinger

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The development of bio-fuel synthesis technologies has led to increased interest in woody crops grown specifically for energy production. These woody feedstocks typically involve fast-growing species (e.g., Salix spp., Populus spp.) planted at high densities using short rotations and intensive cultural practices like weed control and fertilization. Under ideal conditions, this type of system can produce 20 dry Mg/ha/yr, which is substantially higher than the 2.5-4 dry Mg/ha/yr produced by pine plantations in the southern U.S. Many of these plantings are projected to be established on lower quality agricultural lands. Recent attempts at establishing these plantations have highlighted some of …


Identifying The Factors Distinguishing Timber Sales On Industrial And Non-Industrial Private Forest Lands In Arkansas, Sayeed R. Mehmood, Prabudhda Dahal Jan 2005

Identifying The Factors Distinguishing Timber Sales On Industrial And Non-Industrial Private Forest Lands In Arkansas, Sayeed R. Mehmood, Prabudhda Dahal

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Although forests provide a wide variety of products and services, timber still continues to be the most valued forest product in the marketplace. More than two-third of the nation's forests are under private control, some are owned by industries (about 10%) while a much larger portion (about 59%) is owned by individuals. This study investigates the differences between timber sales offered by industrial and non-industrial ownerships. A test of means revealed that there is a significant difference between per hectare bid for these 2 types of sales. A logistic regression model was then estimated to identify important factors characterizing this …


Conceptual Basis For An Index Of Forest Integrity For Upland Coastal Plain Ecosystems, Nicholas R. Brown, Brian Roy Lockhart, Philip A. Tappe, Lynne C. Thompson, Robert C. Weih Jr., Richard A. Williams Jan 1995

Conceptual Basis For An Index Of Forest Integrity For Upland Coastal Plain Ecosystems, Nicholas R. Brown, Brian Roy Lockhart, Philip A. Tappe, Lynne C. Thompson, Robert C. Weih Jr., Richard A. Williams

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Following the recent trend to manage natural resources for "sustainability," ecologists, resource managers and policymakers are beginning to think of the management of forest ecosystems in terms of "ecosystem health" or "ecosystem integrity." Biologists are increasingly recognizing that use of chemical assays in assessing the condition of an ecosystem has limited value, and that biological factors, e.g., species diversity and composition, can be useful characters in the analysis of "biotic integrity." An index of biotic integrity (IBI) has been developed for riverine ecosystems in the Midwest U.S., using fish species diversity, indicator population analysis, trophic structure assessment, and physiological abnormalities …


Using Physical, Chemical And Biological Indicators To Assess Water Quality On The Ouachita National Forest Utilizing Basin Area Stream Survey Methods, J. Alan Clingenpeel, Betty G. Cochran Jan 1992

Using Physical, Chemical And Biological Indicators To Assess Water Quality On The Ouachita National Forest Utilizing Basin Area Stream Survey Methods, J. Alan Clingenpeel, Betty G. Cochran

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The Ouachita National Forest (ONF) has developed a series of Best Management Practices (BMP's) designed to protect water quality and associated beneficial uses (fisheries, municipal water supplies, etc.). A monitoring program is necessary to document the effectiveness of that protection. The Basin Area Stream Survey (BASS) methodology provides a monitoring link from BMP's to the aquatic ecosystems. The goal of BASS is to identify the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of a stream in a format that will allow comparisons with other streams, and indicate when a stream is being impacted. Six index streams within two ecoregions were selected and …


Zooplankton Community Abundance And Diversity In Dardanelle Reservoir, Arkansas, 1981-1990, John D. Rickett, Robert L. Watson Jan 1992

Zooplankton Community Abundance And Diversity In Dardanelle Reservoir, Arkansas, 1981-1990, John D. Rickett, Robert L. Watson

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Zooplankton samples were collected quarterly from five stations representing the discharge bay and four "control" or "dispersing impact" stations. Rotifers dominated all samples numerically and by the number of taxa. All major groups (Rotifera, Cladocera, Copepoda, and Protozoa) exhibited greatest abundances during the summer. Quarterly variations in abundance and number of taxa were documented. Except for an increase in taxonomic analysis detail between 1981 and 1984 resulting in several more taxa added to the list, no long-term increases, declines or repeating cycles were apparent. Margalef's Richness Index reflected this change and showed a long-term increase with evidence of a 5- …


Phytoplankton Community Abundance And Diversity In Dardanelle Reservoir, Arkansas, 1981-1990, John D. Rickett, Robert L. Watson Jan 1992

Phytoplankton Community Abundance And Diversity In Dardanelle Reservoir, Arkansas, 1981-1990, John D. Rickett, Robert L. Watson

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Phytoplankton samples were collected quarterly from 1981-1990 at five stations representing discharge water from Arkansas Nuclear One, a nuclear generating station, and four "control" or "dispersal evaluation" stations. Seventy-five taxa representing five divisions were identified and enumerated. Community structure was evaluated using abundances, number of taxa, and Margalef's Richness, Shannon's Heterogeneity and Pielou's Evenness indices. No long-term trends were identified, but the beginning of cyclic variations, with a 7-year periodicity, in abundance, number of taxa, and Shannon's and Pielou's indices were apparent. Margalef's index values were constant during most of the study period. For all samples, t-tests and Mann-Whitney U …


Management Of The Ozark Big-Eared Bat, Plecotus Townsendii Ingens, In Arkansas, Michael J. Harvey, Sam W. Barkley Jan 1990

Management Of The Ozark Big-Eared Bat, Plecotus Townsendii Ingens, In Arkansas, Michael J. Harvey, Sam W. Barkley

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.


Response Of Fish Communities To Habitat Alteration In A Small Ozark Stream, Danny J. Ebert, Stephen P. Filipek Jan 1988

Response Of Fish Communities To Habitat Alteration In A Small Ozark Stream, Danny J. Ebert, Stephen P. Filipek

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

From 1984 to 1986, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department reconstructed and upgraded a portion of St. Hwy. 123 west of St. Hwy.7 at Pelsor, Arkansas. As a result of the construction, portions of Haw Creek, Johnson County, Arkansas, a third order stream in the Boston Mountains Ecoregion, were straightened and channelized. In reconstructing specific stream reaches, stream banks were riprapped and vegetated, gabions constructed and positioned, stream substrates and pool-riffle ratios altered. Instream and riparian habitat and fish biomass and diversity in altered reaches were radically altered. Channelized reaches became wide and shallow, lacking overstory cover and pools. Substrate …


Arkansas' Timber Resource: Yesterday, Today, And Tomorrow, Richard A. Kluender, R. L. Willett Jan 1988

Arkansas' Timber Resource: Yesterday, Today, And Tomorrow, Richard A. Kluender, R. L. Willett

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Demand for forest products continues to rise. Arkansas provides about 4% of the U.S. total forest production and about 12% of the south central region production. Questions exist about the ability of current forest resources to completely meet anticipated future demand. In 1985, the U.S. Forest Service and the Arkansas Timber Study Committee began to analyze the existing forest base to determine whether future demand could be met from the current forest, or if not, what management changes were needed to help meet future demand. In 1985, Arkansas forests covered approximately 48% of the total land area of the state. …


Continued Ddt Persistence In Mississippi River Delta Streams: A Case Study, Stephen A. Sewell, Luther A. Knight Jr. Jan 1986

Continued Ddt Persistence In Mississippi River Delta Streams: A Case Study, Stephen A. Sewell, Luther A. Knight Jr.

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Fish samples representative of several trophic levels were taken from the Wolf and Loosahatchie Rivers of western Tennessee during the early 1980s. Results indicate that DDT, with metabolites DDD and DDE, remains common in fish tissues in these areas and approaches the levels recommended as maxima for human consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Samples of top carnivores and forage fishes, particularly the gizzard shad, Dorosoma cepedlanum, commonly exceeded 500 ppb DDE. The results are discussed in light of sediment disturbing activities.


Survey Of 1985 Periodical Cicada (Homoptera: Magicicada) Emergence Sites In Washington County, Arkansas, With Reference To Ecological Implications, Douglas A. James, Kathy S. Williams, Kimberly G. Smith Jan 1986

Survey Of 1985 Periodical Cicada (Homoptera: Magicicada) Emergence Sites In Washington County, Arkansas, With Reference To Ecological Implications, Douglas A. James, Kathy S. Williams, Kimberly G. Smith

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Systematic roadside surveys were conducted in June 1985 in Washington County, Arkansas, to locate areas where 13-year periodical cicadas had emerged during May. Although cicadas were found in a variety of upland and bottom land forest habitats, the present cicada distribution reflects the original forest and prairie pattern in the county, even though those boundaries are now largely lost. This suggests a high degree of philopatry whereby emergency areas have remained in the same area for the last 100 years. All present day emergence areas are within the White River drainage, suggesting that it was the main cicada dispersal route …


Analysis Of Arkansas Fur Harvest Records - 1942-1984: I. State And Regional Accounts, Gary A. Heidt, James H. Peck, Tiny Sheldon, Joseph D. Clark Jan 1985

Analysis Of Arkansas Fur Harvest Records - 1942-1984: I. State And Regional Accounts, Gary A. Heidt, James H. Peck, Tiny Sheldon, Joseph D. Clark

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Fur harvest records maintained by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission from 1942-1984 summarized the number of pelts sold by region (Ozark Mountains, Ouachita Mountains, Gulf Coastal Plain, and Mississippi Delta) and the average price per pelt for 16 furbearers. Analysis of these records showed that in the 1979-80 trapping season (the record year for both harvest and value both in Arkansas and the nation), the value of the Arkansas fur harvest ranked 14th nationally (2.12% of total national value). Fur harvests in Arkansas were high in the 1940's, declined in the 1950's and 1960's and then experienced a rapid …


Fluctuations And Relationships Of Selected Physiochemical Parameters In Dardanelle Reservoir, Arkansas, 1975-1982, John D. Rickett, Robert L. Watson Jan 1985

Fluctuations And Relationships Of Selected Physiochemical Parameters In Dardanelle Reservoir, Arkansas, 1975-1982, John D. Rickett, Robert L. Watson

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Annual and seasonal fluctuations and relationships are described for discharge, turbidity, chloride, total hardness, conductivity and suspended solids over an eight-year period in Dardanelle Reservoir. The parameters fluctuated rather widely primarily in response to seasonal patterns of rainfall. Chloride and conductivity were related and generally fluctuated together as did turbidity and suspended solids. Hardness appeared to vary independently of the others prior to 1979 then varied more closely with chloride after March 1979. Inherent differences between the Illinois Bayou arm and the main Arkansas River sections complicated the precise identification of any overall impact of power plant operation. No significant …


Changes In Forest Soils Following Clearcutting Of Pine Forests In The Ouachita Mountains Of Arkansas, Harlan R. Stoin, Bajuri Bin Kadmin, Lyell F. Thompson Jan 1985

Changes In Forest Soils Following Clearcutting Of Pine Forests In The Ouachita Mountains Of Arkansas, Harlan R. Stoin, Bajuri Bin Kadmin, Lyell F. Thompson

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Soil characteristics of the mineral surface soil (0-6 cm) on three small watersheds in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas from which the pine forests have been clearcut, crushed, and burned for site preparation were studied for the first two years following clearcutting and compared to soils from adjacent uncut pine forest watersheds. Following clearcutting and burning, soil pH was generally higher than in uncut forest soils. The greatest pH differences occurred within several months of burning and generally decreased through the end of the second year. Soil organic matter content was lower immediately following clearcutting and burning and increased to …


Model To Predict Arkansas Gray Fox Fur Harvests, James H. Peck, Gary A. Heidt Jan 1985

Model To Predict Arkansas Gray Fox Fur Harvests, James H. Peck, Gary A. Heidt

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Linear regression analysis of total gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) fur harvests from 1954-1983 in Arkansas showed a high correlation with mean pelt values (r = 0.956). Single variable models using linear regression analyses of current season's pelt values (CSPV) and previous season's pelt values (PSPV) were designed to predict fur harvests. These models demonstrated high correlations for predicting harvests (r = 0.933 and r = 0.893 respectively). Regional analyses revealed a high correlation between mean pelt values and harvest for the Ozark Mountain region (r = 0.923), Ouachita Mountain region (r = 0.971 ), and Gulf Coastal Plain (r = …


Analysis Of Arkansas Fur Harvest Records - 1942-1984: Iii. Harvest-Price Relationships, Joseph D. Clark, Gary A. Heidt, Tina Sheldon, James H. Peck Jan 1985

Analysis Of Arkansas Fur Harvest Records - 1942-1984: Iii. Harvest-Price Relationships, Joseph D. Clark, Gary A. Heidt, Tina Sheldon, James H. Peck

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Correlation and linear regression analyses between mean annual pelt price and total harvest of 13 Arkansas furbearer species between 1965 and 1983 were performed for state and regions (Ozark Mountains, Ouachita Mountains, Gulf Coastal Plain, and Mississippi Delta). Statewide, strong correlations (r > 0.80) were identified for bobcat (Felis rufus), coyote (Canis latrans), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), mink (Mustela vison), nutria (Myocastor coypus), opossum (Didelphis virginiana), and raccoon (Procyonlotor). Moderate correlations (r = 0.55 - 0.79) were identified for eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), river otter (Lutra canadensis), and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). Nonsignificant correlations (r < 0.468) were shown for beaver (Castor canadensis) and long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata). Regional differences were noted for each species.


Analysis Of Arkansas Fur Harvest Records - 1942-1984: Ii. Species Accounts, James H. Peck, Joseph D. Clark, Tiny Sheldon, Gary A. Heidt Jan 1985

Analysis Of Arkansas Fur Harvest Records - 1942-1984: Ii. Species Accounts, James H. Peck, Joseph D. Clark, Tiny Sheldon, Gary A. Heidt

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Fur harvest records were maintained by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on the following 16 furbearers: badger, beaver, bobcat, eastern spotted skunk (civet), coyote, gray fox, long-tailed weasel, mink, muskrat, nutria, opossum, raccoon, red fox, red wolf, river otter, and striped skunk. These harvest records were analyzed for each species in terms of mean pelt price and numbers of pelt sold by region (Ozark Mountains, Ouachita Mountains, Gulf Coastal Plain, and Mississippi Delta) per year. Historical or biological influences important in interpreting species accounts are presented.


Effects Of Sewage Pollution In The White River, Arkansas, Arthur V. Brown, Lawrence D. Willis, Peter P. Brussock Jan 1983

Effects Of Sewage Pollution In The White River, Arkansas, Arthur V. Brown, Lawrence D. Willis, Peter P. Brussock

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Recently there has been much emphasis placed on the importance of leaf detritus processing to the energetics of stream invertebrates. This study was designed primarily to assess the effects of municipal effluent on the ability of a stream community to utilize leaf detritus, and secondarily to evaluate the extent of the pollution of the White River by the Fayetteville, Arkansas, effluent discharge. Physical and chemical water quality and benthos were sampled periodically at one station upstream and two stations downstream from the discharge, and in the Richland Creek tributary. Processing of leaf detritus was also studied at each site using …