Digital Commons Network^™

Patch Burning: Integrating Fire And Grazing To Promote Heterogeneity, John R. Weir, Samuel D. Fuhlendorf, David M. Engle, Terrence G. Bidwell, D. Chad Cummings, R. Dwayne Elmore, Ryan F. Limb, Brady W. Allred, J. Derek Scasta, Stephen L. Winter

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

Heterogeneity refers to the differences in habitats across the landscape, and it is required for diverse plant and wildlife communities. Some heterogeneity is inherent, caused by differences in soils, while most heterogeneity is disturbance driven. Climate, fire, and grazing are the main three disturbance factors that have historically shaped the landscape. All three are still very important to the continued diversity and health of the plants and animals associated with our prairies, shrublands, and forestlands across the Great Plains. While we cannot control the climate, we can manage grazing by stocking rate, season of use, and kind and type of …

Decomposition And Nutrient Release Of Different Cover Crops In Organic Farm Systems, Jianru Shi

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Cover crops act as green manure adding organic matter to agricultural-soils. For legume green manures to be an effective nitrogen (N) source for organic farming systems, their N release must be in synchrony with crop N demand. The objectives of this study were 1) determine the decomposition rates of three common cover crops (white clover, (Trifolium repens,L ) red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and soybean (Glycine max L) in order to determine when most N was released and its synchrony with subsequent corn crop uptake; 2) we focused on the effect of cover crops on soil …

Functional Annotation, Transcriptional Characterization And Enzymatic Contributions Of Essential Amino Acid Biosynthesis-Related Genes, Teresa J. Clark

Masters Theses

In plants, essential amino acid biosynthesis predominantly or exclusively occurs in the plastid. The plastid in the heterokont alga Nannochloropsis oceanica is surrounded by four membranes, which add great complexity to intracellular trafficking and communication. N. oceanica genes in essential amino acid biosynthesis were functionally annotated. The biosynthesis pathways resemble the pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana, but the gene content seems to be simpler in N. oceanica.

In addition, two A. thaliana mutants with loss-of-function mutations in the aspartate kinase-homoserine dehydrogenase 2 (AK-HSDH2) gene were characterized. These ak-hsdh2 mutants demonstrate unexpected accumulation of aspartate-derived amino acids (ADAAs), particularly threonine, in …

Distribution Of Burrowing Owls In East- Central South Dakota, Jiill A. Shaffer, Jason P. Thiele

The Prairie Naturalist

Western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) populations have declined across much of western North America, particularly at the northern and eastern edges of the species’ breeding range (Martell et al. 2001, Murphy et al. 2001, Shyry et al. 2001, Skeel et al. 2001, Klute et al. 2003). In South Dakota, the burrowing owl is a summer resident that historically was relatively common throughout the state, but its range has decreased in recent decades, especially in the eastern half of the state (Whitney et al. 1978, South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union [SDOU] 1991, Peterson 1995). Tallman et al. (2002) described the species …

Notes: Nesting Patterns Of Red-Tailed Hawks And Great-Horned Owls In South-Cen- Tral Kansas, William Langley

The Prairie Naturalist

Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and great-horned owls (Bubo virginianus) can influence the nesting behavior of each other through direct competition for nesting sites. For instance, owls begin nesting before hawks and, thus, can use nests from the previous year and prevent hawks from occupying those sites (Orians and Kuhl- man 1956, Gilmer et al. 1983, Minor et al. 1993). However, both species sometimes kill the nestlings of the other (Craig- head and Craighead 1956, Bosakowski et al. 1989).

The objective of my study was to investigate nesting patterns of these two raptors at the edge of the tallgrass prairie over …

Research Notes Vs. Research Articles, Christopher N. Jacques

The Prairie Naturalist

Greetings GPNSS members! I hope this email finds you well, winding down another academic year, and looking forward to the summer field season. Warm temperatures, peak foliage, and heightened anticipation of the start of another field season are upon us following a long winter season and unusually wet spring for many of us across the Great Plains. Here in westcentral Illinois, wild turkeys are gobbling, neotropical migrants are singing and establishing breeding territories, and white-tailed deer are within days of giving birth to the next generation of fawns. Granted, there are many outdoor activities to participate in, though oppressive heat …

Pushing The Envelope? Maize Production Intensification And The Role Of Cattle Manure In Recovery Of Degraded Soils In Smallholder Farming Areas Of Zimbabwe, Leonard Rusinamhodzi, Marc Corbeels, Shamie Zingore, Justice Nyamangara, Ken E. Giller

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Soil fertility decline is a major constraint to crop productivity on smallholder farms in Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term (up to nine years) impacts of nutrient management strategies and their local feasibility on crop productivity, soil fertility status and rainfall infiltration on two contrasting soil types and different prior management regimes in Murehwa, Zimbabwe. The nutrient management strategies employed in the study were: a control with no fertiliser, amendments of 100kg Nha-1, 100kg N+lime, three rates of manure application (5, 15 and 25tha-1) in combination with 100kg Nha-1, and three rates of P fertiliser …

Biodiesel Transesterification Byproducts As Soil Amendments, Solomon Parker

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

For every ten kilograms of biodiesel that is produced from the transesterification of vegetable oil, approximately 1 kg of glycerol is produced as a byproduct. Also known as glycerin, it is a chemical used in many products including cosmetics, foods, and desiccants. However, the crude glycerol created during biodiesel production is tainted with potassium hydroxide and methanol making it unsuitable for commercial use without costly refinement. With increase in production of biodiesel driven by rising fuel prices, the market has become glutted with glycerol and it is on the threshold of becoming a waste product. Common methods for disposing glycerol …

Fresh Thinking 2013-2050, Victor Fazakerley, David Windsor

All other publications

The purpose of this report is to: • provide information on current production of a key group of fruit and vegetables grown in Western Australia and the amounts consumed, some of which are imported; • estimate how much of these fresh fruit and vegetables will be required to meet WA’s demand in 2025 and 2050; • estimate the water and land resource required to grow these fruit and vegetables under current production systems and project the demand for these resources to 2025 and 2050; and • consider the competitiveness of various fruit and vegetable industries and their capacity to meet …

Predicted Effects Of Climate Change On The Distribution Of The Invasive Grass Dichanthium Annulatum, Cynthia Isabel Garcia

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Kleberg bluestem (Dichanthium annulatum) is an invasive grass species native to Africa but now found in southern United States, Mexico, and other tropical and subtropical countries throughout the world. Using the modeling software MaxEnt, climatic variables from WorldClim, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenario A1B, and two General Circulatory Models: the Canadian model (Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis or CCCMA), and the Australian model (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation or CSIRO), several models were developed to determine the possible implications of climatic change on the suitable habitat for D. annulatum, in the year 2050. Models …

Groundcover Management System And Nutrient Source Impact Physical Soil Quality Indicators In An Organically Managed Apple Orchard, Neal Mays

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In March 2006, four groundcover management systems (GMS) and two nutrient sources (NS) were implemented for their ability to alter the soil physical condition of a newly established, organically managed apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) orchard. Annual applications of municipal green compost (GC), shredded office paper (SP), wood chips (WC), and mow-blow (MB) grass mulch were utilized as GMS, and NS supplied to trees were from composted poultry litter (PL), a commercial organic fertilizer (CF), or an untreated control (NF) in a 4x3 factorial study. An established, conventionally-managed orchard was located adjacent to the organic research orchard on the same …

Environmental And Physiological Influences On Productivity And Carbon Isotope Discrimination In Eelgrass (Zostera Marina L.), Meredith Leigh Mcpherson

OES Theses and Dissertations

A short-term longitudinal study was used to examine the relations of achievement motivation, general motivation, interest, and self-regulatory predictors to cognitive strategy use and academic performance. A total of 102 college undergraduates enrolled in their first college-level introductory psychology course completed an Achieving Tendency Scale of achievement motivation, the Motivated Strategies For Learning Questionnaire, and an Interest Profile in psychology during the first two weeks of the semester. At midterm they completed the Study Activity Survey of cognitive strategy use. At the end of the semester exam grades, total points earned in the course, and grade point average were obtained. …

Effects Of Increased Nitrogen Deposition On The Dominance Of Hedera Helix In The Pacific Northwest, Bianca Christine Dolan

Dissertations and Theses

Increased nitrogen deposition has been shown to promote the dominance of invasive species, and nitrogen deposition rates have steadily increased in most of the Western United States in recent years due to population increases. The purpose of this study was to determine if increased rates of nitrogen deposition are contributing to the success of Hedera helix in the Pacific Northwest. Plots were established in Lesser Park in Portland, Oregon and received monthly treatments of ammonium nitrate for one year. Growth, measured as change in percent cover, was compared between treated and untreated plots for both H. helix and native species. …

Photo Highlights From The 33rd Kentucky Alfalfa Conference, Krista Cotton

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

No abstract provided.

Finishing Beef On Alfalfa, Todd Powell

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Powell Farms started in 1996 with 15 acres of Alfalfa hay intended for cow/calf feed. A neighbor and his friends bought every bale that year. Over the next 14 years the only alfalfa hay our cows got to eat was when a cutting got wet and was rolled. As with any business when the economy starts to take a downward trend, it is wise to start looking for new and innovative ways to market your product.

Making And Marketing Hay For The Horse Industry, Todd Clark

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

No abstract provided.

Fertilizer: How Much Is In Each Bale?, Dennis Hancock

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

What do you see when you look at a bale? Certainly, many would say it is a source of feed for our livestock. Others see a commodity that is sold to their customers. These are the most important aspects of any forage. But, there is one other intrinsic value worth noting… its nutrient content. In a sense, it is a bale of fertilizer.

Our Experience With Roundup Ready Alfalfa, Clayton Geralds

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

We raise approximately 500 acres of alfalfa with approximately 175 seeded to Roundup Ready varieties. We established our first field in 2006 and a second in 2007. Roundup Ready alfalfa was not available for additional seedings until 2011. We have seeded over 100 additional acres in 2011 and 2012.

Key To Success When Harvesting Alfalfa As Baleage, S. Ray Smith

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is an excellent forage for high-producing cows and universally considered one of the highest-quality forages. Cows efficiently use the high levels of protein, calcium and high-quality fiber in alfalfa for producing milk and meat. The palatability of alfalfa is high, especially when the leaves are maintained during harvest. Typically, cows will eat more alfalfa than grass because the fiber content is usually lower in alfalfa. Harvesting alfalfa as baleage vs. hay greatly improves the chances maintaining high quality because there is less leaf loss and less loss of soluble carbohydrates. The most important factor is harvesting high quality alfalfa …

Alfalfa For Grazing, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

High grain prices, increasing nitrogen prices, droughts, need for higher quality pasture plants and improved alfalfa varieties have all contributed to a greater interest in and opportunity for alfalfa as a grazing crop.

Foreword And Recipients Of Kentucky Alfalfa Awards [2013], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

No abstract provided.

Sump Diving “River Caves”, Mark Wenner

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

Note: “Sump” is a term used in caving to describe a passage in a cave that is submerged under water.

Sump diving, and “lure of the sump” originated in the UK in the early 1920’s, as did the use of “rebreather’s, and the “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus”, S.C.U.B.A. The techniques developed by cavers, and “sump divers” in Europe, and then used in British cave systems like Wookey Hole set a cave diving precedence; the development of a unique style, and system for diving caves. These diving practices and techniques influenced the exploration of resurgences, springs, siphons, and river caves throughout …

Multiple Storm Event Impacts On Epikarst Storage And Transport Of Organic Soil Amendments In South-Central Kentucky, Jason Polk, Sean Vanderhoff, Chris Groves, Benjamin Miller, Carl Bolster

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

The groundwater in agricultural karst areas, such as Kentucky’s Pennyroyal Plateau, is susceptible to contamination from organic soil amendments and pesticides. During 2011, water samples and geochemical data were collected every four hours before, during, and between storm events from a waterfall in Crumps Cave from January to September to track the transport and residence time of epikarst water and organic soil amendments during variable fl ow conditions. Geochemical data consisting of pH, specific conductivity, temperature, and discharge were collected continuously at 10-minute intervals, along with rainfall amounts. The changes in geochemistry indicate simultaneous storage and transport of meteoric water …

Sable Melodists, Janet Bass Smith

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

Inside Mammoth Cave on Broadway Avenue, between the last TB hut and Star Chamber, the name Sable Melodists is inscribed on the wall, using what appears to be charcoal. Next to Sable Melodists are the names of two men: R. H. Condon, and J. M. Foans. (See Figures 1, 2, and 3) When the name Sable Melodists was researched several years ago, the only information available was that it was a minstrel group. A recent search revealed more information, and provoked a more complete investigation of minstrel groups and minstrel shows, and their evolution.

Pre-Service Teachers Learn About Karst Geology At Mammoth Cave National Park, Jeanine Huss, Cheryl Messenger

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

All Preservice elementary science methods students at Western Kentucky University participate in a one-day or two-day experience at Mammoth Cave National Park. This trip has occurred over the past seven semesters. Through this experience, students gain knowledge about their local unique karst environment.

Using Interactive Simulation To Extend Access To Learning Along The Historic Tour Route Of Mammoth Cave National Park, Christopher L. Atchison, Don Stredney, Karen E. Irving, Rick Toomey, Alan Price, Thomas Kerwin, Bradley Hittle, Phillip J. Reed

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

This poster presentation displays work of a current project to address the problem of limited inclusion to field-based learning experiences for students with physical disabilities. Led by researchers at Georgia State University, Ohio State University and Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning, the overall objective of the project is through integration of emerging simulation technologies and techniques, to provide a rich virtual environment of a geological field site for students with mobility impairments. Through the development of a synthetic field-based module that employs a virtual environment that interchangeably uses two and three-dimensional representation for presenting an alternative to …

Mammoth Cave National Park Backcountry Trail And Stream Monitoring, 2009-2012, Larry Johnson, Student Conservation Association Conservation

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

This project conducted an assessment of backcountry trail conditions on the north side of the Green River in Mammoth Cave National Park during summers of 2009-2012. The project included assessing physical parameters of trails, (width, depth, etc.) and conducting an assessment of water quality of streams in proximity of backcountry trails. The project was conducted by Student Conservation Association resource assistants (12 weeks each) supervised by a natural resource specialist from the Mammoth Cave Division of Science and Resources Management. Trail assessment procedures were based on techniques developed by Jeff ery L. Marion, Ph.D, USGS, Virginia Tech (et al.) and …

Improvements To The Rv Waste-Transfer Station Design To Reduce Contaminated Storm Runoff, David Solomon, Sean Mcmillian, Ashley West, Lonnie Sharpe

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

Mammoth Cave in Central Kentucky is the world’s longest cave system and has been designated an international biosphere. It has unique organisms that live in the cave system and they are dependant upon high quality water supplied through rain recharge. We have documented quaternary ammonia compounds (QAC) levels ranging from 0.2 to 22 mg/L in storm fl ow, as well as, other chemicals coming from the RV waste-transfer station. The objective of this project was to re-design the drain system around the dump station to prevent spillage from washing down into the cave. The first design feature is a v-trench …

Use Of Sorption Isotherms To Improve The Efficacy Of The Storm-Water Filters, Hung-Wai Ho, Rick Toomey

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

Sorption has been widely used as an inexpensive and environmental friendly water treatment technology. A large variety of adsorbents with different adsorption mechanisms have drawn interests, and combinations of adsorbents will enhance sorption of mixed solutions. However, current sorption research tends to focus on single material. The objective of this study was to develop sorption isotherms for ZPG®, (Zeolite, Perlite, Granular Activated Carbon), used in a stormwater filter cartridge. Contaminants of concern include Cu2+ and quaternary ammonia compounds (QAC). Adsorption isotherms were established for Cu2+ and QAC, and the best fit for the isotherm data was a Langmuir isotherm for …

Water Quality Monitoring At Mammoth Cave National Park, Brenda Wells, Joe Meiman

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

Since the main objective of the monitoring program for Cumberland Piedmont Network (CUPN) is to detect, and understand changes in major ecosystem resources, the poster information will show results of what has occurred with water quality in the park since 2004. The data cover 13 sites, sampled once a month for 2 years on and 5 years off . The main parameters monitored for MACA include: air and water temperature, pH, fl ow, dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity, E. Coli, nitrates and turbidity. The data are compiled and analyzed at the end of every sampling cycle ultimately for addressing park management …