Digital Commons Network^™

Is Climate Change Mitigation The Best Use Of Desert Shrublands?, Susan E. Meyer

Natural Resources and Environmental Issues

In a world where the metrics of the carbon economy have become a major issue, it may come as a surprise that intact cold desert shrublands can sequester significant amounts of carbon, both as biomass and in the form of SOC (soil organic carbon). Xerophytic shrubs invest heavily in belowground biomass, placing fixed carbon in an environment where it turns over only very slowly. In order for humans to gain this important ecosystem service, desert shrublands must be kept intact and prevented from frequent burning. The biggest threat to shrubland integrity is the invasion of exotic annual grasses that increase …

Predicting The Impact Of Climate Change On Cheat Grass (Bromus Tectorum) Invasibility For Northern Utah: A Gis And Remote Sensing Approach, Samuel Rivera, Neil E. West, Alexander J. Hernandez, R. Doug Ramsey

Natural Resources and Environmental Issues

Cheat grass (Bromus tectorum) invasibility represents a serious threat to natural ecosystems dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata). Ecosystem susceptibility to annual grass invasion seems to be driven by specific biophysical conditions. The study was conducted in Rich County, Utah, where cheat grass invasion is not yet an apparent problem, but an imminent invasion might be just a matter of time (temporal scale) to meet spatial variations in environmental conditions (spatial scale). Literature review and expert knowledge were used to define biophysical variables and their respective suitability ranges of where cheat grass takeover might occur. GIS, remote sensing and logistic regression-statistical …

Estimating Historical Sage-Grouse Habitat Abundance Using A State-And-Transition Model, Louisa Evers, Richard F. Miller, Miles Hemstrom, James Merzenich, Ronald Neilson, Paul Doescher

Natural Resources and Environmental Issues

Use of reference conditions to compare current conditions what managers believed represented healthy and functioning systems has become a common approach to evaluate vegetation and habitat conditions and aid development of land management plans. Often reference conditions attempt to describe landscapes as they existed and functioned prior to about 1850, and often largely rely on expert opinion. We developed reference conditions for sagebrush (Artemisia spp. L.) ecosystems in eastern Oregon based on ecological site descriptions, soil surveys, climate data, wildfire records, expert opinion, and literature using a state-and-transition (STM) modeling framework. Using ecological site descriptions for the Malheur High Plateau …

Synergistic Monitoring – Addressing The Threats And Identifying Opportunities, John C. Swanson, Sherman R. Swanson, J. Kent Mcadoo, Brad W. Schultz, Gary L. Mccuin

Natural Resources and Environmental Issues

For many years, land managers and scientists have been applying a variety of land treatments to improve or protect rangeland ecosystems. Collectively, we have studied the response of these treatments and wildfire events to identify opportunities for maintaining or improving Nevada sagebrush ecosystem health and functionality. In partnership with collaborators, we initiated a State-wide effort to capture, consolidate, and summarize implementation, monitoring, and research information for these events. We are conducting field studies to identify and fill information gaps. We seek a new and expanded information base that is available to Nevada land managers, scientists, and others interested in healthy …

Seasonal Soil Co2 Flux Under Big Sagebrush (Artemisia Tridentata Nutt.), Michael C. Amacher, Cheryl L. Mackowiak

Natural Resources and Environmental Issues

Soil respiration is a major contributor to atmospheric CO2, but accurate landscape-scale estimates of soil CO2 flux for many ecosystems including shrublands have yet to be established. We began a project to measure, with high spatial and temporal resolution, soil CO2 flux in a stand (11 x 25 m area) of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) at the Logan, Utah, Forestry Sciences Laboratory. Beginning on Nov. 1, 2009, hourly soil CO2 flux measurements were made at a single location in the stand using the Li-Cor LI-8100 soil CO2 flux instrument and 20-cm long-term chamber. Beginning in April, 2010, monthly soil …

Range Management In The Face Of Climate Change, James C. Catlin, John G. Carter, Allison L. Jones

Natural Resources and Environmental Issues

No abstract provided.

Journal Of Mormon History Vol. 37, No. 4, Fall 2011

Journal of Mormon History

LETTERS

--Mission Harvest in Rural Britain Polly Aird, vi

--More on McNemar Christian Goodwillie, viii

--Updated Documentation Gary James Bergera, ix

ARTICLES

--Opposing the “High Ecclesiasts at Washington”: Frank J. Cannon’s Editorial Fusillades during the Reed Smoot Hearings, 1903–07 Michael Harold Paulos, 1

--“The Modern Mormon Kingdom”: Frank J. Cannon’s National Campaign against Mormonism, 1910–18 Kenneth L. Cannon II, 60

--“War and Confusion in Babylon”: Mormon Reaction to German Unification, 1864–80 Zachary R. Jones, 115

--American Prophets: Mark Twain and Joseph Smith Revisited Nicole Amare and Alan Manning, 151

--Transgression in the Latter-day …

16th Wildland Shrub Symposium Threats To Shrubland Ecosystem Integrity 2010 May 18-20 Logan, Ut, Thomas A. Monaco, Eugene W. Schupp, Rosemary L. Pendleton, Stanley G. Kitchen, Patsy K. Palacios

Natural Resources and Environmental Issues

Abstract: The 29 papers in this proceedings are divided into the main organized sessions of the 16th Wildland Shrub Symposium, including the plenary session to introduce the theme of threats to shrubland ecosystem integrity, impacts of energy development and reclamation on ecosystem function, invasive plant ecology. wildlife habitats: impacts and restoration opportunities, historical perspectives in shrublands, ecosystem threats due to fire in the Mojave Desert, and modeling and monitoring of shrubland ecosystems. An overarching goal of the symposium was to make linkages between research and management.

Journal Of Mormon History Vol. 37, No. 1, Winter 2011

Journal of Mormon History

LETTERS

--Hunting for Jefferson Hunt William P. MacKinnon, vii

--Fascinating and Classic Ken Driggs, ix

--Unmasking Another Hofmann Forgery Richard E. Turley Jr. and Brian D. Reeves, x

ARTICLES

--Female Ritual Healing in Mormonism Jonathan A. Stapley and Kristine Wright, 1

--Closing the Church College of New Zealand: A Case Study in Church Education Policy Scott C. Esplin, 86

--“The Moste Desert Lukking Plase I Ever Saw, Amen!” The “Failed” 1873 Arizona Mission to the Little Colorado River Kevin H. Folkman, 115

--Roundtable Discussion: Perspectives on Parley Pratt’s Autobiography Introduction Benjamin, E. Park, …

On Larra’S Construction Of Authority In His Articles: Humor, Donald E. Schurlknight

Decimonónica

In this essay I will be attempting to cast light on some aspects of Mariano José de Larra’s construction of authority as a writer. In particular, I will be focusing on the use of humor as a means of achieving authority in times of contentious political strife—a civil war was raging—and limited political freedom. However, I will also draw attention to other closely related aspects of this construction. More succinctly, I will be arguing that humor is the significant stratagem that allows Larra to construct his “authority,” by which I mean his ability to convince the readers of his articles …

Carmela Eulate Sanjurjo’S La Muñeca: Narcissism, Education, And Luxury, Sylvia López

Decimonónica

Lamenting the poor education that Puerto Rican women received at the end of nineteenth century, Manuel Fernández Juncos (1846–1928), one of Puerto Rico’s most distinguished writers, observes in a prologue titled “La mujer en Puerto-Rico”:

Con tan poderosos atractivos, júzguese cual sería el grado de perfección de la mujer puerto-riqueña si no se hubiese mirado su educación con tan punible indiferencia.

Hoy mismo, y á pesar de los laudables esfuerzos que se han hecho para remediar aquel mal, la educación de la mujer es en alto grado viciosa y deficiente, aún entre las clases acomodadas, y existen contra ella infinidad …

Aspen Crown Dieback And Mortality On The Williams Ranger District, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona, Thomas J. Zegler

Aspen Bibliography

Crown dieback and mortality of quaking or trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) were extensive within pine-oak and mixed conifer forest types of the Williams Ranger District, Kaibab National Forest in northern Arizona. I collected data from 48 aspen sites to determine if predisposing site and stand factors and contributing damaging agents were associated with aspen crown dieback and mortality. Overstory aspen mortality averaged 50% by stems per hectare and 44% by basal area. Based upon univariate relationships, elevation was the most significant site factor related to both overstory aspen crown dieback (R2 = 0.15, P = 0.0069) and overstory aspen mortality …

Space Weather And Technological Impacts, Jennifer L. Meehan, G. Fisher, W. Murtagh

All Physics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Estimation Of Dairy Particulate Matter Emission Rates By Lidar And Inverse Modeling, C. C. Marchant, K. D. Moore, M. D. Wojcik, R. S. Martin, R. L. Pfeiffer, J. H. Pruger, J. L. Hatfield

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Particulate matter (PM) emissions from agricultural operations are an important issue for air quality and human health and a topic of interest to government regulators. PM emission rates from a dairy in the San Joaquin Valley of California were investigated during June 2008. The facility had 1,885 total animals, including 950 milking cows housed in free‐stall pens with an open‐lot exercise area, and 935 dry cows, steers, bulls, and heifers housed in open lots. Point sensors, including filter‐based aerodynamic mass samplers and optical particle counters (OPC), were deployed at select points around the facility to measure optical and aerodynamic particulate …

Characterization Of A Quantum Cascade Laser Based Emissivity Monitor For Corsair, Maung Lwin, Michael Wojcik, Harri Latvakoski, Deron Scott, Mike Watson, Alan Marchant, Shane Topham, Martin Mlynczak

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Continuous improvements of quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology have extended the applications in environmental trace gas monitoring, mid-infrared spectroscopy in medicine and life science, law enforcement and homeland security and satellite sensor systems. We present the QCL based emissivity monitor for the CORSAIR blackbody. The emissivity of the blackbody was designed to be better than 0.9999 for the spectral range between 5 to 50μm. To actively monitor changes in blackbody emissivity we employ a QCL-based infrared illumination source. The illumination source consisted of a QCL and thermoelectric cooler (TEC) unit mounted on a copper fixture. The stability of the QCL …

Estimation Of Dariy Particulate Matter Emission Rates By Lidar And Inverse Modeling, C. C. Marchant, Kori D. Moore, Michael D. Wojcik, Randy S. Martin, R L. Pfeiffer, K H. Prueger, J L. Hatfield

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Particulate matter (PM) emissions from agricultural operations are an important issue for air quality and human health and a topic of interest to government regulators. PM emission rates from a dairy in the San Joaquin Valley of California were investigated during June 2008. The facility had 1,885 total animals, including 950 milking cows housed in free-stall pens with an open-lot exercise area, and 935 dry cows, steers, bulls, and heifers housed in open lots. Point sensors, including filter-based aerodynamic mass samplers and optical particle counters (OPC), were deployed at select points around the facility to measure optical and aerodynamic particulate …

Engineering Design Challenges In High School Stem Courses A Compilation Of Invited Position Papers, Daniel L. Householder

Publications

Since its initial funding by the National Science Foundation in 2004, the National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (NCETE) has worked to understand the infusion of engineering design experiences into the high school setting. Over the years, an increasing number of educators and professional groups have participated in the expanding initiative seeking to acquaint all students with engineering design. While there is strong support for providing students with engineering design experiences in their high school STEM courses, the lack of consensus on purposes and strategies has become increasingly apparent as the work continues. Among the unsettled issues are the …

Survey Of Aspen Dieback In The Intermountain Region, John Guyon, James Hoffman

Aspen Bibliography

No abstract provided.

Moderate-Scale Mapping Methods Of Aspen Stand Types : A Case Study For Cedar Mountain In Southern Utah, Chad M. Oukrop, David M. Evans, Dale L. Bartos, R. Douglas Ramsey, Ronald J. Ryel

Aspen Bibliography

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) are the most widely distributed tree species across North America, but its dominance is declining in many areas of the western United States, with certain areas experiencing rapid mortality events over the past decade. The loss of aspen from western landscapes will continue to profoundly impact biological, commercial, and aesthetic resources associated with aspen. However, many options are available for its restoration. Advances in remote sensing technologies offer cost-effective means to produce spatial and quantitative information on the distribution and severity of declining aspen at many scales. This report describes the development and application of …

Review Of The Potential Effects Of Climate Change On Quaking Aspen (Populus Tremuloides) In The Western United States And A New Tool For Surveying Aspen Decline, Toni L. Morelli, Susan C. Carr

Aspen Bibliography

We conducted a literature review of the effects of climate on the distribution and growth of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) in the Western United States. Based on our review, we summarize models of historical climate determi- nants of contemporary aspen distribution. Most quantitative climate-based models linked aspen presence and growth to moisture availability and solar radiation.

We describe research results pertaining to global climate change effects on aspen distribution and vigor. In addition, we present potential interactive effects related to climate change and natural disturbances and insect and pathogen outbreaks. Finally, we review the phenomenon of sudden aspen decline …

Range-Wide Assessment Of Livestock Grazing Across The Sagebrush Biome, Kari E. Veblen, David A. Pyke, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michael L. Casazza, Timothy J. Assal, Melissa A. Farinha

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Domestic livestock grazing occurs in virtually all sagebrush habitats and is a prominent disturbance factor. By affecting habitat condition and trend, grazing influences the resources required by, and thus, the distribution and abundance of sagebrush-obligate wildlife species (for example, sage-grouse Centrocercus spp.). Yet, the risks that livestock grazing may pose to these species and their habitats are not always clear. Although livestock grazing intensity and associated habitat condition may be known in many places at the local level, we have not yet been able to answer questions about use, condition, and trend at the landscape scale or at the range-wide …

A Rat-Resistant Artificial Nest Box For Cavity-Nesting Birds, William C. Pitt, Laura C. Driscoll, Eric A. Vanderwerf

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The puaiohi or small Kauai thrush (Myadestes palmeri) is an endangered bird endemic to the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The sole population of about 500 birds is currently restricted to remote, higher elevation areas of the Alakai Plateau. Puaiohi nest primarily on steep streamside cliffs, and their distribution and abundance are limited by availability of suitable nesting sites. Black rats (Rattus rattus) cause nest failure and mortality of nesting female puaiohis, and ground-based rodent control has not been effective at reducing nest predation. In 2007, we investigated whether artificial nest structures might be a viable alternative …

General Catalog 2011-2012, Utah State University

University Catalogs

This catalog contains information on the Academic Departments and Programs as well as Course Descriptions for the above school year at Utah State University. To avoid large file downloads, the Academic Departments and Programs information is located in this file. The Course Description information is located in the secondary file.

The Politics And Culture Of Climate Change: Us Actors And Global Implications, Charles Waugh

English Faculty Publications

Despite the scientific consensus on global warming, many people in the USA,—both ordinary citizens and elected leaders alike—remain skeptical of the need to act, and in fact remain skeptical of the idea that humans are contributing to global warming at all. Thus, environmental justice arguments based on United States carbon emissions and the disproportionate impact of rising temperatures and rising sea levels on tropical developing nations such as Vietnam frequently fall on deaf ears. This chapter explores the political and cultural construction of this deafness, seeking a better understanding of how and why so many Americans refuse to act to …

Assessment Of Human-Coyote Conflicts: City And County Of Broomfield, Colorado, Stan Grant, Julie K. Young, Seth Riley

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

In the summer of 2011, the Anthem Highlands neighborhood of the City and County of Broomfield (Broomfield), Colorado experienced multiple serious incidents between humans and coyotes. Broomfield has a detailed policy about coexisting with wildlife in general, and coyotes in particular, that includes extensive public education and outreach. Because of the serious nature of the incidents, the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, with assistance from USDA-Wildlife Services and in collaboration with Broomfield, engaged in coyote removal efforts. One coyote was lethally removed after the first incident, another was shot after the second incident, 8 coyotes were lethally removed (7 …

Range-Wide Assessment Of Livestock Grazing Across The Sagebrush Biome, Kari E. Veblen, D. A. Pyke, C. L. Aldridge, M. L. Casazza, T. J. Assal, M. A. Farinha

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Domestic livestock grazing occurs in virtually all sagebrush habitats and is a prominent disturbance factor. By affecting habitat condition and trend, grazing influences the resources required by, and thus, the distribution and abundance of sagebrush-obligate wildlife species (for example, sage-grouse Centrocercus spp.). Yet, the risks that livestock grazing may pose to these species and their habitats are not always clear. Although livestock grazing intensity and associated habitat condition may be known in many places at the local level, we have not yet been able to answer questions about use, condition, and trend at the landscape scale or at the range-wide …

Comparison Of Fencing Designs For Excluding Deer From Roadways, Daniel W. Stull, William D. Gulsby, James A. Martin, Gino J. D'Angelo, George R. Gallagher, David A. Osborn, Robert J. Warren, Karl V. Miller

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We evaluated the efficacy of several fencing designs for restricting movements of 18 captive, female white-tailed deer (Odocoelus virginianus), including standard wovenwire fencing (1.2-m, 1.5-m, 1.8-m, 2.1-m, and 2.4-m tall), opaque fencing (1.2-m, 1.5-m, and 1.8-m tall), and an outrigger fence (i.e., 0.6-m outriggers attached to a 1.2-m-tall wire fence angled at 45º). We recorded the number of successful fence crossings for each deer and characterized behaviors associated with each failed crossing attempt. No deer crossed the 2.4-m fence, whereas all deer crossed the 1.2-m fence. We observed no differences in crossing success between woven-wire and opaque fencing …

Public Perceptions Of Bears And Management Interventions In Japan, Ryo Sakurai, Susan K. Jacobson

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Conservation of bears is a challenge globally. In Japan, Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) and brown bears (Ursus arctos) are considered a nuisance because of agricultural and property damage and personal human danger due to occasional human casualties. Reduction of human–bear conflicts in Japan would improve long-term conservation of bears and reduce risks to human health and safety. To understand Japanese perceptions of and experience with bears, we analyzed results of 5 public surveys and reviewed 29 articles from the research and gray literature in Japan. We compared recommendations for interventions to reduce human–bear conflicts with …

Using Stable Isotope Analysis To Quantify Anthropogenic Foraging In Black Bears, Jerod A. Merkle, Jonathan J. Derbridge, Paul R. Krausman

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Deciding whether to monitor, aversively condition, relocate, or destroy a problem black bear (Ursus americanus) can be difficult for wildlife managers. Understanding the extent of anthropogenic foraging within bear populations can provide insight for management decisions about black bears. An innovative way to estimate opportunistically the amount of anthropogenic food in an individual or a population of bears is through stable isotope analysis (SIA), where hair samples can provide an index of assimilated nutrients (i.e., diet) for the period of hair growth. Our objective was to use SIA to determine whether there was a difference between diets of …

Does Diversionary Feeding Create Nuisance Bears And Jeopardize Public Safety?, Lynn L. Rogers

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Diversionary feeding of black bears (Ursus americanus) around campgrounds and residential areas has received little study because of concerns that it might create nuisance bears and jeopardize public safety. To evaluate those concerns and assess its effectiveness in mitigating human–bear conflict, we studied diversionary feeding, habituation, and food conditioning at a U.S. Forest Service campground and residential complex near Ely, Minnesota. During 1981 to 1983, 6 bears (2/year) had been removed from this area as nuisances; but during 8 years of diversionary feeding (1984 to 1991), the only removals were 2 bears that had newly immigrated to the …