Desert Ecology Commons^™

Ecological Correlates Of Protein Polymorphisms In A Desert And Non-Desert Population Of Belonia Saturata (Odonata: Anisoptera), Melissa Jean Hamilton

Theses Digitization Project

Two populations of the Big Red Skimmer Dragonfly, Belonia saturata (Odonata: Amisoptera), were studied to determine the thoracic temperatures maintained during flight, the presence of polymorphic enzyme systems, and to determine the differences in activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase between a desert and non-desert population.

Synthetic Organic Compounds: Las Vegas Wash And Lake Mead, National Water Quality Assessment Program (Nawqa): Nevada Basin And Range

Publications (WR)

The Nevada Basin and Range (NVBR) study unit of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program is investigating the status of, trends in, and factors affecting water quality in the Las Vegas area. A principal objective of the investigation is to assess the effects of urbanization on the quality of area water resources. Las Vegas Wash is the surface-water outlet for the Las Vegas area. The wash transports stormwater runoff, shallow ground-water discharge, and tertiary-treated sewage effluent from the Las Vegas area to Las Vegas Bay of Lake Mead on the Colorado River. Most of the flow—about 96 …

Structure Of Woody Riparian Vegetation In Great Basin National Park, S. D. Smith, K. J. Murray, F. H. Landau, A. M. Sala

Life Sciences Faculty Research

The community composition and population structure of the woody riparian vegetation in Great Basin National Park are described. Community analyses were accomplished by sampling 229 plots along an elevational gradient of 8 major stream systems in the Park. TWINSPAN analysis identified 4 primary species groups that were characterized by Populus tremuloides (aspen), Abies concolor (white fir), Rosa woodsii (Woods rose), and Populus angustifolia (narrowleaf cottonwood) as dominants, respectively. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DECORANA) showed that the most important environmental factors associated with the distribution of species were elevation and slope, with flood-related physiographic factors having a secondary effect. Analysis of size-class …

Baseline Water Quality Data Inventory And Analysis: Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Volume I Of Ii, National Park Service

Publications (WR)

This document presents the results of surface-water-quality data retrievals for Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAME) from five of the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) national databases: (1) Storage and Retrieval (STORET) database management system; (2) River Reach File (RF3); (3) Industrial Facilities Discharge (IFD); (4) Drinking Water Supplies (DRINKS); and (5) Flow Gages (GAGES). This document is one product resulting from a cooperative contractual endeavor between the National Park Service's Servicewide Inventory and Monitoring Program, the National Park Service's Water Resources Division (WRD), and Horizon Systems Corporation to retrieve, format, and analyze water quality data for all units …

Heat Shock Proteins In Mojave Desert Dragonflies, Carol Juanita Promisel

Theses Digitization Project

Temperature plays a crucial role in the constant interaction between organisms and the environment. It affects development and rates of physiological functions as well as survival of organisms.

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Murchison River Catchment, Western Australia, Peter James Curry, A L. Payne, K A. Leighton, P Hennig, D A. Blood

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the Murchison River catchment and surrounds, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture between 1985 and 1988, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed by field work during 1985-88 …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The North-Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia, H J. Pringle, S A. Gilligan, A M E Van Vreeswyk

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the north-eastern Goldfields, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1988 and 1990, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers about 100 …

Vegetative Habitat Analysis Of Proposed Mine Sites In The Mojave Desert: The First Step Towards Revegetation Of Disturbed Desert Communities, Jim Van Brunt

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Southern Nevada Effluent Wetlands: A Proposed Cooperative Venture Between The Bureau Of Reclamation & City Of Las Vegas, Bureau Of Reclamation

Publications (WR)

Throughout North America there is a growing interest in constructed wetlands, both as relatively inexpensive, low-maintenance systems for removing nutrients from wastewater, and as a means of using municipal wastewater to enhance wildlife habitat and create public use opportunities. Because wetlands appear to have good potential as a component in the overall management of scarce water resources, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has undertaken several cooperative research and demonstration projects to evaluate their effectiveness in a variety of local environments. While a number of projects have demonstrated that wetlands can be beneficially employed to improve water quality, few such projects …

Fire In A Riparian Shrub Community: Postburn Water Relations In The Tamarix-Salix Association Along The Lower Colorado River, S. D. Smith, D. E. Busch

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Higher water potentials in recovering burned salt-cedar (Tamarix ramosissima) relative to unburned plants and the opposite situation in willow (Salix gooddingii) provide evidence that postfire water stress is reduced in the former but not the latter. Similarly, diurnal patterns of stomatal conductance in these taxa are consistent with the existence of more vigor in burned salt-cedar than willow. Plots of water potential and transpiration demonstrate that hydraulic efficiencies may contribute to differences in fire recovery.

A Review Of Plant Introductions To The Kimberley 1955 To 1987, R Mccartney

Grain and other field crops published reports

This report summarizes the work done by the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, in the west and north Kimberley in introducing plant species during 1955-1987.

For the purposes of this repor1the following areas are defined thus:

• West Kimberley- lies between latitude 17°5 and 19°5 and longitude 121°E and 127°E, with an extension to the north of 1° between 121°E and I 24°20'E. The area is 118,000 km".

• North Kimberley - lies north of latitude 17°5 and between longitude 124°20'E and 127°30'E. The area is 85,000 km'.

• East Kimberley-lies north of latitude 19°5 and between longitude 127°30'E and …

Monitoring Western Australia's Rangelands, Ron Hacker, David Beurle, George Gardiner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Rangelands, native pastures used for grazing domestic livestock, occupy about 100 million hectares or 40 per cent of Western Australia, extending from the tropical grasslands of the Kimberley to the arid shrub steppe of the Nullarbor Plain.

The rangelands are characterized by highly variable seasonal conditions. Carrying capacity can fluctuate dramatically from year to year. Grazing management requires a tactical approach from one season to the next because of the great variation in the capacity of the land to support stock.

Rangeland monitoring provides pastoralists with objective information on these changes to assist their management decision making. The Western Australian …

Investigaciones Para La Conservación De Zonas Áridas Y Semiáridas En Venezuela, Aldemaro Romero Jr.

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Pflanzengesellchaften Der Mongolei, Werner Hilbig

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

First paragraphs of the introduction:

In Fortführung der Forschungsreisen der russischen Floristen und Pflanzengeouraphen im vorigen und Anfang dieses Jahrhunderts wurden erste Expeditionen zur systematischen Erforschung der Naturressourcen der Mongolei in den 20er und 30er Jahren durchgeführt. Sie wurden von der Akademie der Wissenschaften der UdSSR und der Akademie der Wissenschaften der MVR (vorher Wissenschaftliches Komitee der MVR) organisiert. Auch die von der Geographischen GeselIschaft und der Akademie der Wissenschaften der UdSSR durchgeführten Expeditionen zur Erforschung der natürlichen Bedingungen und der Landwirtschaft in der Mongolei schufen Möglichkeiten zur Entwicklung der geobotanischen Forschungsrichtung (vgl. GUBANOV u. HILBIG 1989).

Als erste eigenständi"e …

Introduction And Enhancement Of Vegetative Cover At Lake Mead, Jennifer S. Haley, Lisa K. Croft, Suzanne E. Leavitt, Larry J. Paulson

Publications (WR)

Studies done by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) and the Arizona Fish and Game between 1978 and 1981 indicate that inadequate cover may be limiting the production and survival of largemouth bass at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LMNRA). As a result of these studies, NDOW initiated a contract in 1986 with the Lake Mead Research Center (LMRC) to investigate means of improving habitat for game fish by introducing natural and/or artificial cover. During Phase I (1986-1987) of this contract, the shoreline of Lake Mead was surveyed for aquatic and terrestrial plant growth. Also during this time, submerged …

Investigation Of Lower Colorado River Valley Desert Soil Mineral And Nutrient Content In Relation To Plant Proximity And Identity, Jane N. Hildreth

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Riparian Plant Water Relations Along The North Fork Of The Kings River, California, J. L. Nachlinger, S. D. Smith, R. J. Risser

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Plant water relations of five obligate ripar-ian species were studied along California's North Fork Kings River. Diurnal stomatal conductance, transpi-ration, and xylem pressure potentials were measured throughout the 1986 growing season and in mid-season in 1987. Patterns were similar for all species although absolute values varied considerably. Maximum stomatal conductance occurred early in the day and season during favorable environmental conditions and decreased as air temperature and the vapor pressure difference between the leaf and air increased. Maximum transpiration rates occurred in mid-morning and mid-summer resulting in estimated daily water losses per unit sunlit leaf area of 163-328 mol H2O …

An Isotopic Analysis Of The Hydrology And Riparian Vegetation Water Sources On Bishop Creek, M. L. Space, J. W. Hess, S. D. Smith

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Five power generation plants along an eleven kilometer stretch divert Bishop Creek water for hydro-electric power. Stream diversion may be adversely affecting the riparian vegetation. Stable isotopic analysis is employed to determine surface water/ground-water interactions along the creek. surface water originates primarily from three headwater lakes. Discharge into Bishop Creek below the headwaters is primarily derived from ground water. The average δD and δ18O values are significantly different for surface water and ground water that an isotopic analysis can delineate between these two components of flow. Therefore isotopic shifts along the creek can determine gaining reaches. In addition, by knowing …

Desert Explorations - A Videodisc Exhibit Designed For Flexibility, Judy Diamond, Alan B. Bond, Atsusi Hirumi

Alan Bond Publications

Using an interactive exhibit does not provide the same experience for everyone. How visitors understand an exhibit, what associations it evokes, and even how it is physically utilized may differ widely. This article describes an exhibit that was designed to let visitors tailor their explorations to their own interests and motivation. The exhibit, called Desert Explorations, gives visitors choices of what to see and how to learn about what they see. This exhibit also is an example of a way of developing interactive videodisc exhibits that is relatively inexpensive yet may be tailored to a particular topic or hall. This …

Elaphe Bairdi (Baird’S Rat Snake): Drinking Behavior., Louis A. Somma

Papers in Herpetology

On 13 February 1988. at 1600 h. a captive-bred (hatched July 1985) male Elaphe bairdi (TL.136.9 cm, SVL .. 89.54 cm). maintained in a 50.5 x 25 x 30 cm terrerium was accidently splashed with water. As beads of water on the snake's head rolled down to the upper labial sceles. swallowing was observed. The water on the labial scales was drawn Into the mouth while It was closed. This behavior lasted 42 sec. This behavior was repeated 23 out of 24 trials conducted during the next 24 days. The duration of swallowing wes 9-62 sec (avg 35.8, N = …

Temporal And Spatial Variation In Pelagic Fish Abundance In Lake Mead Determined From Echograms, Gene R. Wilde, Larry J. Paulson

Publications (WR)

Echograms have been used extensively to locate and estimate the relative abundance of marine fish stocks (Cushing 1973). In freshwater, echograms have been used to describe vertical (Netsch et al. 1971; Eggers 1978; O'Brien et al. 1984; Matthews et al. 1985), spatial (O'Brien et al. 1984; Wanjala et al. 1986) and temporal (Baker and Paulson 1983) patterns in fish abundance. Although most uses of echograms have been qualitative, Mullan and Applegate (1969) and Matthews et al. (1985) obtained relative estimates of fish abundance by counting targets (fish) on echograms. However, neither Mullan and Applegate (1969) nor Matthews et al. (1985) …

Environmental Assessment Of Las Vegas Wash And Lake Mead Artificial Wetlands Demonstration Project, John R. Baker, R. M. Gersberg, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Publications (WR)

The effective use of artificial wetlands for treatment of municipal wastewater is well documented; however, design and economic data for artificial wetlands development are limited (Gersberg et al., 1984a). This is due partly to regional differences in climate, soils, and vegetation and partly to the desired waste treatment. As a result, specific treatment levels and cost benefits relative to the use of an artificial wetlands for a particular site cannot be evaluated adequately without a pilot demonstration project. Las Vegas Wash receives sewage effluent from the Las Vegas metropolitan area and has been designated as a wetlands community park. Las …

A Floristic And Vegetational Analysis Of The Mill Creek Drainage Area Of The San Bernardino Mountains, California, Carol Elaine O'Casey

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The Ashburton River Catchment, Western Australia, A A. Mitchell, A L. Payne, W F. Holman

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of rangelands in the Ashburton River catchment, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1976 and 1978, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed …

Changes In The Morphometry Of Las Vegas Wash And The Impact On Water Quality, Richard A. Roline, James J. Sartoris, U.S. Bureau Of Reclamation

Publications (WR)

Las Vegas Wash, a natural wash east of Las Vegas, Nevada, carries stormwater, groundwater drainage, and sewage effluent from two sewage treatment plants to Lake Mead. Over 80 percent of the normal discharge of approximately 3.4 m³/s (120 ft³/s) consists of effluent from the City of Las Vegas and Clark County sewage treatment plants. Beginning in the 1950s, a large wetland area developed along the wash that supported waterfowl populations and contributed to some water quality transformations. Heavy rains and subsequent flooding in the area in 1983 and 1984 resulted in erosion and channelization that greatly …

Thermal Tolerances And Preferences Of Fishes Of The Virgin River System (Utah, Arizona, Nevada), James E. Deacon, Paul B. Schumann, Edward L. Stuenkel

Publications (WR)

Critical thermal maxima (CTM) and thermal preferenda of the common fishes of the Virgin River were examined. Differences in final temperature preferenda and CTM for species with low thermal lability (speckled dace, spinedace, roundtail chub) correspond well with differences in their distribution and abundance in the river. These species shifted their acute thermal preferences relatively little as acclimation temperature increased. For thermally labile species (woundfin, red shiner, desert sucker, and fiannehnouth sucker), the final preferendum is a less precise indicator of probable distribution. The woundfin, an endangered fish, has a high CTM (39.5 C at 25 C acclimation) and a …

Las Vegas Wash And Lake Mead Proposed Water Quality Standards: Revisions And Rationale, State Of Nevada: Division Of Environmental Protection

Publications (WR)

Rationale of review and for proposed changes to the Nevada Pollution Control Regulations (NAC 445.1354, 445.1355, 445.1356, 455.1367, 445.1352, 445.1353, 445.1350, 445.1351) before the State Environmental Commission on June 23 and 24, 1987.

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia, A L. Payne, G F. Spencer, P J. Curry

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of rangelands in the Carnarvon Basin, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1980 and 1982, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers …

Helminth Parasites Of Coprolites, Scott Lyell Gardner, Karen H. Clary

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Parasites from Bighorn Sheep Cave coprolites were examined for the presence of parasites using standard methods. Both Toxascaris and Enterobius were identified from coprolites recovered from the cave. Both human and non-human coprolites were identified.

Behavioral Response Of Desert Bighorn Sheep To Human Harassment: A Comparison Of Disturbed And Undisturbed Populations, Michael M. King

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) response to human disturbance was evaluated in southeastern Utah from 1981-1983. Bighorn response was compared between the Red Canyon area, an area with relatively high levels of human disturbance, and the White Canyon area, an area with relatively low levels of human disturbance. Bighorn were deliberately harassed by vehicles and hikers and immediate response and distance fled were recorded. When bighorn remained in the presence of the harassing stimuli, actual time spent in and proportion of animals engaged in various behaviors were recorded to determine group wariness and activity budgets under harassed …