Digital Commons Network^™

A Hybrid Model For Reducing Ecological Bias, Ruth Salway, Jon Wakefield

UW Biostatistics Working Paper Series

A major drawback of epidemiological ecological studies, in which the association between area-level summaries of risk and exposure are used to make inference about individual risk, is the difficulty in characterising within-area variability in exposure and confounder variables. To avoid ecological bias, samples of individual exposure/confounder data within each area are required. Unfortunately these may be difficult or expensive to obtain, particularly if large samples are required. In this paper we propose a new approach suitable for use with small samples. We combine a Bayesian non-parametric Dirichlet process prior with an estimating functions approach, and show that this model gives …

Changing Strategies In Seward Peninsula Reindeer (Rangifer Tarandus Tarandus) Management, Heather J. Oleson

Natural Resources

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) management techniques have changed since the founding of the reindeer industry on the Seward Peninsula in 1891. From 1891-1915, herds were small and management was intensive. Between 1915 and 1944, community herds and joint stock companies were formed. Herd management was extensive and herds were large and relatively free roaming. A period of re-privatization followed from 1944 to 1960, during which a limited number of moderately stocked ranges were established. The era after 1960 saw the introduction of several new forms of technology, some of which became catalysts for broad changes in reindeer management. Snow machines …

Multiple Stable Isotopic Analyses ([Delta]¹³C, [Delta]¹⁵N, [Delta]¹⁸O, And [Delta]D) Of The Boulder Patch, A High Arctic Kelp Community: Trophic And Temporal Perspectives, Casey William Debenham

Marine Biology

The Boulder Patch, a high Arctic kelp community, is a rarity in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Considered a biodiversity oasis, this area provides habitat for many organisms. Trophic relationships, spatial patterns, and isotopic changes over time were examined within the Boulder Patch using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. 394 samples, representing over 55 species were analyzed. Isotope values showed considerable variability in the food web base, particularly for the kelp Laminaria solidungula. Isotopic values for most animals fit their known feeding strategies. Little spatial variation was observed in isotope values, however temporal differences were found in L. solidungula isotope values …

Health-Exposure Modelling And The Ecological Fallacy, Jon Wakefield, Gavin Shaddick

UW Biostatistics Working Paper Series

Recently there has been increased interest in modelling the association between aggregate disease counts and environmental exposures measured, for example via air pollution monitors, at point locations. This paper has two aims: first we develop a model for such data in order to avoid ecological bias; second we illustrate that modelling the exposure surface and estimating exposures may lead to bias in estimation of health effects. Design issues are also briefly considered, in particular the loss of information in moving from individual to ecological data, and the at-risk populations to consider in relation to the pollution monitor locations. The approach …

The Courier, Volume 39, Issue 12, December 9, 2005, The Courier, College Of Dupage

The Courier

Stories:

Aramark Sets National Goals

Pace Survey Nears End

Replacing Computers

College Celebrates Anniversary

Students Shed Some Light–HOD Student Symposium Showcases Read Across Campus Project With Student Works

Witches, Mass Hysteria And Puritans–Arthur Miller's ‘The Crucible’ Pens In Student Productions Tonight In Theatre 2

ESSAI Gains Recognition

It Takes Hard Work To Be A Loser–The College Is Bringing A Part Of Reality TV Into The Fitness Center This Winter

People:

Brian Zimerle

Krista Woldeit

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: December 6, 2005, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions & Announcements (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from October 18, 2005 Meeting (5 min.)
3. Update on Project Schedule – Michael Reiland (10 min.)
   A. Utilities
   B. Water Line
   C. Parking
   D. Operator
4. Update on Design Development – Michael Reiland (10 min.)
5. Cultural Treatment Plan – Michael Reiland (10 min.)
6. Environmental Assessment Update – Otak Inc. (10 min.)
7. Curriculum Update – Jeanne Klockow (10 min.)
8. Standing Reports (10 min.)
   A. BLM Capital Improvements – Michael Reiland
   B. Community Outreach – LaNelda Rolley
9. Committee Reports (5 min.)
   A. Building Committee
   B. Design Oversight
   C. Educational Programs
   D. Fund-raising and Partnerships
   E. …

Stemborers Associated With Smooth Cordgrass, Spartina Alterniflora (Poaceae), In A Nursery Habitat, W. H. White, D. Adamski, G. Fine, E. P. Richard, Jr.

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Extensive ecological studies have been conducted on insects inhabiting native stands of smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora Loisel; however, this is not the case for insects found in smooth cordgrass in a nursery habitat. We investigated species composition and larval disposition among stemborers (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae and Crambidae) infesting stems of smooth cordgrass in nursery plots. One thousand and forty stems of smooth cordgrass were randomly selected in 2003 and examined for presence of stemborer larvae. Height of larvae on or within stem, height of stem from ground level to top-visible dewlap, and condition of the leaf-whorl were documented. Stemborers representing six …

Rural Land-Use Trends In The Conterminous United States, 1950-2000., Kenneth M. Johnson, Daniel G. Brown, Thomas R. Loveland, David M. Theobald

Sociology

In order to understand the magnitude, direction, and geographic distribution of land-use changes, we evaluated land-use trends in U.S. counties during the latter half of the 20th century. Our paper synthesizes the dominant spatial and temporal trends in population, agriculture, and urbanized land uses, using a variety of data sources and an ecoregion classification as a frame of reference. A combination of increasing attractiveness of nonmetropolitan areas in the period 1970–2000, decreasing household size, and decreasing density of settlement has resulted in important trends in the patterns of developed land. By 2000, the area of low-density, exurban development beyond the …

The Effects Of Usda Farm-Bill Restoration Programs On Prairie Voles (Microtus Ochrogaster) In The Barrens Region Of Kentucky, Jestin Clark

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Much of the area that is now west-central Kentucky historically existed as grass dominated ecosystems. Unfortunately, most of those grasslands are gone due mostly to disturbance suppression and conversion to agricultural lands. Federal, state, and nongovernmental agencies have, particularly within the last several decades, undertaken the responsibility and goal of preserving and attempting to restore many of North America's lost grasslands. The USDA in conjunction with local landowners has initiated the CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) and the CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program); two popular farm bill-based conservation programs. Among the many conservation practices that these programs fund is grassland restoration. …

The Advocate, December 1, 2005, Minnesota State University Moorhead

The Advocate

No abstract provided.

Front Matter, Ohio Cardinal

Ohio Cardinal

No abstract provided.

Diversity And Structure Of Bacterial Chemolithotrophic Communities In Pine Forest And Agroecosystem Soils, J. Tolli, G. M. King

Faculty Publications

Obligate lithotrophs (e.g., ammonia oxidizers) and facultative lithotrophs (e.g., CO and hydrogen oxidizers) collectively comprise a phylogenetically diverse functional group that contributes significantly to carbon and nitrogen cycles in soils and plays important roles in trace gas dynamics (e.g., carbon monoxide and nitrous and nitric oxides) that affect tropospheric chemistry and radiative forcing. In spite of their diverse physiologies, facultative and obligate lithotrophs typically possess the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle enzyme, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisCO). In an effort designed to understand the structure of lithotrophic communities in soil, genomic DNA extracts from surface (0 to 2 cm) and subsurface (5 to 7 cm) …

Ecotoxicology And Environmental Education In The Development Of A Turtle Conservation Program In Southeastern Tennessee, Stefan L. Moss

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

In 1999, the Tennessee Aquarium initiated a long-term mark-recapture study to promote the conservation of freshwater turtles in the Tennessee River Gorge (TRG). The TRG consists of a 42-kilometer stretch of the Tennessee River surrounded by 27,000 acres (11,000 hectares) and is known as the "Grand Canyon of Tennessee." In 2002, the Aquarium established a partnership with The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and the Tennessee River Gorge Trust (TRGT) to expand the program. Since then, researchers at UTC have been conducting scientific research at the TRG each year in an effort to increase the amount of available information …

Nesting Success And Nest Site Characteristics Of Four Thrush Species On A Managed Forest, Rachel Dellinger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Four thrush species breed sympatrically in the Allegheny Mountain region of West Virginia, U.S.A.: American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), Veery (Catharus fuscescens), and Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina). How nesting habitat is partitioned among the species is unclear, as is the effect of logging activities on the guild. My objectives were to identify nesting habitat characteristics that are partitioned among the species and to determine their effects on nest survival.;I conducted point count surveys and monitored nests of four thrush species on a managed forest. I measured habitat variables at three scales: (1) nest substrate, (2) nest site, …

Disentangling Above‐ And Below‐Ground Competition Between Lianas And Trees In A Tropical Forest, Stefan A. Schnitzer, Mirjam E. Kuzee, Frans Bongers

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

1. Light is thought to be the most limiting resource in tropical forests, and thus above‐ground competition is commonly accepted as the mechanism that structures these communities. In many tropical forests, trees compete not only with other trees, but also with lianas, which compete aggressively for below‐ground resources and thus may limit tree growth and regeneration.
2. Using a replicated experiment, we tested the relative strengths of above‐ and below‐ground competition from lianas on tree saplings in a disturbed forest in Côte d’Ivoire with a heterogeneous canopy and relatively high light penetration. We planted seedlings of three tree species and subjected them …

Assessment Of Ecological Risks In Weed Biocontrol: Input From Retrospective Ecological Analyses, Svata M. Louda, Tatyana A. Rand, F. Leland Russell, Amy E. Arnett

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Prediction of the outcomes of natural enemy introductions remains the most fundamental challenge in biological control. Quantitative retrospective analyses of ongoing biocontrol projects provide a systematic strategy to evaluate and further develop ecological risk assessment. In this review, we highlight a crucial assumption underlying a continued reliance on the host specificity paradigm as a quantitative prediction of ecological risk, summarize the status of our retrospective analyses of nontarget effects of two weevils used against exotic thistles in North America, and discuss our prospective assessment of risk to a federally listed, threatened species (Cirsium pitcheri) based on those studies. …

An Ecological Study Of Panax Quinquefolius In Central Appalachia: Seedling Growth, Harvest Impacts And Geographic Variation In Demography, Martha E. Van Der Voort

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is a long-lived, slow-maturing understory perennial herb found in eastern North American forests. The economic value of P. quinquefolius on the world market has remained strong for nearly 300 years. It has high economic and social value in the central Appalachians as well. Persistent harvest of ginseng combined with habitat loss has reduced populations in the wild, threatening the future of the species and its continued harvest. American ginseng was placed on the CITES Appendix II list in 1973 due to population declines. These concerns led to a series of studies investigating the population dynamics …

Education In The Environment: A Hands-On Student Research And Outdoor Learning Experience: Quarterly Progress Report: Period Ending November 30, 2005, Margaret N. Rees

Reports (PLI Education)

During the past three-months, the focus of the university’s efforts has included the following highlights:

• Forever Earth was scheduled 15 times in the past quarter.
• Twelve Discover Mojave Outdoor World events were completed; a draft Year 2 schedule was completed.
• An Outdoor World assessment report compiled and results were presented at a professional academic conference.
• The Phase I Education in the Environment Strategy document was completed.
• A Phase II action plan is underway by the Environmental Education Committee.
• A place-based education conference, “Our Places Tell Stories,” will be held in January 2006.
• Survey data is being collected from Clark County …

Arbiter, November 28, Students Of Boise State University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

The Environmental Gradients And Plant Communities Of Bergen Swamp, N.Y., U.S.A., Aaron Hall

Theses

No survey of plant communities has been performed recently in the Bergen Swamp, NY, USA, a unique strongly minerotrophic mire with active marl deposition. In summer 2004, I established an array of randomly placed plots throughout Bergen Swamp survey plant communities. The plant survey included stem counts of herbaceous plant species and shrubs within 1m square quadrats. I performed a Raup and Crick clustering analysis at two different spatial scales to group plant communities and found that there were five communities at the subplot level, and three communities at the plot level. I then used detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), an …

In Situ Examination Of Boldness–Shyness Traits In The Tropical Poeciliid, Brachyraphis Episcopi, Culum Brown, Felicity Jones, Victoria Braithwaite

Sentience Collection

Explaining consistent variation in the behaviour of individuals in terms of personality differences is one of the cornerstones of understanding human behaviour but is seldom discussed in behavioural ecology for fear of invoking anthropomorphism. Recently, however, interest has begun to focus on identifying personality traits in animals and examining their possible evolutionary consequences. One major axis used to define personality traits is the shyness–boldness continuum. We examined boldness in an in situ experiment using fish from eight populations of the poeciliid Brachyraphis episcopi (also referred to as Brachyrhaphis episcopi). Fish from high- and low-predation regions within four streams that run …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 29 - Western Rock Lobster Fishery Effects Of Fishing On The Ecosystem - Scientific Reference Group (Chairman's Report No. 3, February 2005), Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia

Fisheries Occasional Publications

The Western Rock Lobster Effects of Fishing on the Ecosystem Scientific Reference Group (the SRG) was convened jointly by the Department of Fisheries and the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC). The SRG met on Tuesday 1 February 2005 at the Fremantle Sailing Club, and this document is the official report from that meeting.

Terrestrial Macroinvertebrate Fauna Under Logs In Primary And Secondary Forest, November 2005, Erica Hoaglund

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Terrestrial macroinvertebrates are an important yet understudied group. They are present in all types of tropical forests and, due to their services as decomposers, are essential for the maintenance of a productive system. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were significant differences in diversity and community composition between macroinvertebrate communities in the primary versus secondary lower montane wet forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica. Macroinvertebrates were collected from under 20 logs in primary and 20 logs in secondary forest. Primary forest had a higher diversity of macroinvertebrates (H’ = 2.5) than secondary forest (H’ = 2.05). Primary …

A Method For Testing The Host Specificity Of Ectoparasites: Give Them The Opportunity To Choose, Carlos El Esbérard, Fernanda Martins-Hatano, Emerson B. Bittencourt, David Ep Bossi, Angélica Fontes, Marcela Lareschi, Vanderlaine Menezes, Helena G. Bergallo, Donald Gettinger

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Host-choice experiments were carried out with rodent and bat ectoparasites on Ilha Grande, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We constructed experimental chambers that enclosed three different rodent or bat host species, and then introduced a selected set of ectoparasitic arthropods. When given the opportunity to choose among host species, the ectoparasites showed a strong tendency to select their primary hosts, and reject novel host species. These kinds of simple experiments can be valuable tools for assessing the ability of ectoparasites to locate and discern differences between host species, and make choices about which hosts to infest, and which hosts …

Spectator 2005-10-26, Editors Of The Spectator

The Spectator

No abstract provided.

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: October 18, 2005, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions & Announcements (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from September 20, 2005 Meeting (5 min.)
3. Curriculum Update – Jeanne Klockow (15 min.)
4. Review of Project Schedule – Michael Reiland (10 min.)
   A. Utilities
   B. Water Line
   C. Parking
   D. Operator
5. Standing Reports (15 minutes)
   A. Line and Space Architects – Les Wallach/Henry Tom
   B. BLM Capital Improvements – Michael Reiland
6. Committee Reports (5 min.)
   A. Building Committee – Angie Lara
   B. Design Oversight – David Frommer
   C. Educational Programs – Paul Buck
   D. Fund-raising and Partnerships – Blaine Benedict
   E. NEPA – Michael Johnson
   F. Operations – Jackson Ramsey
   G. …

Breeding Bird Communities In Riparian Forests Along The Central Platte River, Nebraska, Craig Davis

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

The Platte River has changed from a nearly treeless prairie river to a heavily forested river. These habitat changes have likely benefited many woodland birds, but have harmed other migratory birds such as cranes. In response to this impact on migratory birds, conservation groups implemented a tree-clearing program to enhance habitat for these species. This practice is not without controversy because of concerns about its effect on woodland birds. The goal of this study was to determine the composition and abundance of breeding birds that use these forests and discuss the potential impacts of tree clearing on woodland birds. Surveys …

A Multi-Forest Comparison Of Dietary Preferences And Seed Dispersal By Ateles Spp., Sabrina E. Russo, Christina J. Campbell, J. Lawrence Dew, Pablo R. Stevenson, Scott A. Suarez

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Investigations of coevolutionary relationships between plants and the animals that disperse their seeds suggest that disperser-plant interactions are likely shaped by diffuse, rather than species-to-species, coevolution. We studied the role of dietary plasticity in shaping the potential for diffuse coevolution by comparing dietary fruit preferences and seed dispersal by 3 species of spider monkeys (Ateles spp.) in 4 moist forests in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Surinam. In all forests, spider monkeys were highly frugivorous and preyed upon seeds of few species. We estimated dietary use of fruiting taxa based on absolute consumption and preference, which accounts for resource availability. …

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: September 20, 2005, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions & Announcements (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from August 16, 2005 Meeting (5 min.)
3. Discussion of Scope/Design Issues –Michael Reiland/David Frommer (30 min.)
4. Cost Update – Michael Reiland (15 min.)
5. Schedule Update – Michael Reiland (15 min.)
6. Standing Reports (15 minutes)
   A. Line and Space Architects – Les Wallach/Henry Tom
   B. BLM Capital Improvements – Michael Reiland
   C. Community Outreach – Nancy Flagg
7. Committee Reports (5 min.)
   A. Building Committee – Angie Lara
   B. Design Oversight – David Frommer
   C. Educational Programs – Paul Buck
   D. Fund-raising and Partnerships – Blaine Benedict
   E. NEPA – Michael Johnson
   F. Operations …

Red Rock Desert Learning Center: The Vision, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Oliver Ranch Project

A public meeting will be held to introduce the Red Rock Learning Center, the first outdoor education center for local fifth grade children in Southern Nevada. Designed to enhance math and science skills, the school will be built in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It will feature a curriculum that teaches children about conservation and the natural world by increasing their knowledge and understanding of the Mojave Desert ecosystem.