Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Early Post-Fire Recovery On A Heavily Visited Mojave Desert Burn: Red Rock Canyon Near Las Vegas, Nevada, Scott R. Abella, E. Cayenne Engel, Christina L. Lund, Jessica E. Spencer

Fire Science Presentations

Wildfire has become widespread in southwestern USA deserts. In a record 2005 fire season in the Mojave Desert, for example, more than 385,000 hectares burned (Brooks and Matchett 2006). This burned area is approximately 3% of the entire Mojave Desert. Fueled in large part by exotic annual grasses, these fires burned desert ecosystems thought to have only burned infrequently historically. Burns now occupy significant portions of desert landscapes, posing prominent management challenges. Improving our understanding of plant recovery on desert burns is important for evaluating future fire hazard, whether natural revegetation will meet management objectives, and for planning active revegetation …

Using A Diverse Seed Mix To Establish Native Plants On A Sonoran Desert Burn, Scott R. Abella, John L. Gunn, Mark L. Daniels, Judith D. Springer, Susan E. Nyoka

Fire Science Presentations

• Revegetating burned areas is a formidable challenge facing resource managers in southwestern United States arid lands.
• Natural revegetation of desert burns by native species may be slow, or dominated by exotic annual grasses that perpetuate a frequent-fire regime.
• Resource managers may have several reasons for actively revegetating burns with native species, such as for providing competition with exotic species, minimizing soil erosion and dust pollution, and improving aesthetics.
• The use of native species in revegetation has been limited by a lack of available seed and by findings that native desert species are difficult to establish (e.g., Bainbridge and Virginia 1990, …

Post-Fire Plant Recovery In The Mojave And Sonoran Deserts Of Western North America, Scott R. Abella, Public Lands Institute, Department Of Environmental Studies, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Fire Science Presentations

Fire is thought to have been generally rare historically in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. However, invasion by exotic grasses (e.g., Schismus spp.) has increased fuel continuity, promoting fire in these deserts. Succession and recovery are not well understood processes in deserts, nonetheless for a novel disturbance like fire. In addition to helping build theories of desert succession and recovery, information on post-fire recovery has numerous practical implications (e.g., determining whether active revegetation is needed). Systematic reviews provide a means for obtaining literature using reproducible search criteria. This approach facilitates a balanced appraisal of available information, synthesizes scattered literature, and …

Effects Of Olfactory And Visual Predators On Nest Success And Nest-Site Selection Of Waterfowl In North Dakota, Jennifer Borgo

Green Canyon Environmental Research Area, Logan Utah

No abstract provided.

Forage Spokesman Information, Clayton Geralds, Brady Jarvis

Kentucky Grazing Conference

No abstract provided.

Supplementing Cattle On Pasture: When, What And How Much?, Roy Burris

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The biggest advantage of maintaining cattle in the southeast is our ability to grow forages. It is generally an economic advantage to make maximum use of our forage and then supplement only when needed to meet our production goals. Judicious use of extra nutrition to grazing cattle can allow us to meet an objective which was best stated by Hoveland in 1986:

“Our objective is to maintain pasture at the highest quality that the environment will allow and efficiently convert as much of the pasture as possible into saleable animal product.”

Fencing And Watering Systems: Simpler Is Better, Ralph Quillin

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Sustainability and Grazing Management have taken on a new importance in the Americana farm community. The key components of the sustainable approach, profitability, agronomic, social and ecological responsibility and quality of life are becoming obtainable goals for this and future farming generations.

Practical Grazing Management And Feed Strategies To Alleviate Fescue Toxicosis, Glen Aiken

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Tall fescue grown in Kentucky is productive and persistent and that is why the state has 5 million acres of the stuff! Fescue has tolerances to drought, low fertility, and overgrazing that are attributed to a fungal endophyte which infects most tall fescue plants. Unfortunately, these advantages of tall fescue that livestock producers appreciate are offset by reduced calving percentages and calf weight gains caused by consumption of ergot alkaloids produced by the endophyte. Ergot alkaloids affect the physiology of cattle to cause elevation in body temperature, reduced sweating, retention of winter hair coats and uncontrollable growth of summer hair …

Herbicide Options For Pasture Weed Control, Jonathan D. Green

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Weeds have become more evident and problematic in grazed pastures as forage and livestock production systems have intensified. As animals consume the more desirable and palatable plant species in pastures, weedy plants become more abundant. In particular, animals tend to avoid grazing plants which contain thorns, prickly spines, or are unpalatable making some pastures less productive. In fact, many of the more problematic plants observed in Kentucky’s grazed pastures possess these characteristics including thistles, spiny amaranth (spiny pigweed), horsenettle, common cocklebur, tall ironweed, and buttercups.

Horse Pasture Monitoring Program: Results After Three Years, Tom Keene, S. Ray Smith

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Since 2001-2002 and the outbreak of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MLRS) the University of Kentucky has been developing stronger ties with the state’s equine industry. Approximately 30% of the foal crop was lost in the Central Bluegrass region during this period with a devastating impact on the industry. Traditionally, many Thoroughbred farms have functioned as independent entities, but MLRS helped them to realize that the University of Kentucky had tremendous amount of expertise that they could provide in the areas of animal health, forage management, and other areas. Initially, there were many theories as to the cause of MLRS with …

Forage Legumes Vs. Fertilizer Nitrogen, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Grazing Conference

A few weeks after I started to work as a Forage Extension Specialist at the University of Kentucky, I heard my mentor and forage idol, Mr. Warren Thompson, speak on forage legumes. Warren, along with Dr’s. Tim Taylor and W.C. Templeton had pioneered the “Pasture Renovation Program” in Kentucky. In addition, Mr. Ed Smith had joined the team and collectively they developed the “Power-til Pasture Renovator.” Warren began his presentation by talking about Kentucky Forages pointing out we were so fortunate to have a good grass base and the opportunity to grow lots of legumes. He also talked about all …

Growth Of Grasses And Legumes: Impact On Grazing, S. Ray Smith

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The primary, cool season, perennial pasture grasses used in Kentucky are orchardgrass, bluegrass, and tall fescue. When not grazed or harvested, each of these passes through successive stages of growth in the spring: 1) leafy vegetative; 2) boot with seed heads enclosed in leaf sheath; 3) heading when the seed heads begin to show and, 4) bloom when pollination has occurred ( Figure 2). Since fiber and lignin contents increase steadily beyond the vegetative stage, while percent protein and digestibility decrease, a major goal in grazing management is to maintain these grasses in the leafy, vegetative stage at all times. …

Foreword And Kfgc Award Winners [2008], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Grazing Conference

No abstract provided.

Kamper Re-Visited Concert (Program), Klaus Kamper, Janet Bass Smith

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

One hundred years ago, a young German engineer named Max Kämper, came as a visitor to Mammoth Cave. He became so enchanted with the cavern he obtained permission to map the vast system. For the next eight months Max, along with assistance from cave guide Ed Bishop, meticulously put together a highly detailed and accurate map revealing more of the cave than ever before. He probably never realized his work would be admired by generations to follow. Some admire its artistic expression of the cave. Others see beauty in its precision. Ultimately, it has become the iconic map for generations …

Slave Guide Legacy At Mammoth Cave, Joy Medley Lyons

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

Serving as guides and explorers at Mammoth Cave partially rescued four men from the obscurity of enslavement. Stephen Bishop, Materson Bransford, Nicholas Bransford and a young man named Alfred all had their very existence documented in the written journals and diaries of various nineteenth century Mammoth Cave visitors. They were physically described, their personalities contemplated, their intelligence gauged, their dialects imitated. At least one abolitionist characterized Stephen Bishop as a charismatic natural leader who could govern the citizenry of freed men in Liberia, should he choose to relocate there.

Max Kämper’S Introduction To The New World, Stanley D. Sides, M.D.

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

Twenty-seven year old engineer Max Eduard Kämper arrived in America at 4:00 pm on May 16, 1907 and was greeted by a thunderstorm. His presumed goals were to study American manufacturing methods, learn English, and enrich himself musically. New York had so many German immigrants at the time that German was the second most common language spoken in the city. He stayed at the Belvedere House at the corner of 4th Avenue and 18th Street, and the next day visited acquaintances in Newark. He visited New York landmarks and May 20 visited the famed Hippodrome theater. He moved on May …

Searching For Max: The Engineer, The War And The World´S Longest Cave (Part 1), Bernd Kliebhan

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

In 1908 the German engineer Max Kämper mapped 35 miles of Mammoth Cave, KY. The “Kämper Map,” forgotten in the archives for half a century, is nowadays considered as a masterpiece of underground cartography. Little was known about Max Kämper despite several attempts of American speleo-historians. Most traces were wiped out in two world wars. Nevertheless the authors could find out details of the biography of Max Kämper in German archives. The text is based based upon the radio story “Suche nach Max,” broadcasted by Hessischer Rundfunk - hr1 December 26, 1999, audio download available on http://www.kliebhan.de/kaemper.htm

Mammoth Cave International Center For Science And Learning, Rick Toomey, Shannon R. Trimboli, Bob Ward, Mike Adams, Blaine Ferrell

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

The Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning (MCICSL) is a cooperative venture of Mammoth Cave National Park and Western Kentucky University. Funding, logistical support, and governance of MCICSL are shared equally by both entities. MCICSL is part of a national network of research learning centers located within the National Park Service.

The goals of MCICSL and the other research learning centers are to:

I. Facilitate the use of parks for scientific inquiry.

II. Support science-informed decision making.

III. Communicate the relevance of and provide access to knowledge gained through scientific research.

IV. Promote science literacy and resource stewardship. …

The Lamps That Lit Their Way, Rick Olson

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

The distinctive lanterns used at Mammoth Cave from the middle 1800s until 1938 appear to be a locally derived design. Early whale oil railroad lanterns share some characteristics of the Mammoth Cave lanterns, but L&N Railroad lanterns do not appear to have influenced the design. At this time, the design pathway appears to lead from simple open-flame tin candle lanterns to the same lantern with a petticoat lamp affixed in place of the candle, and then finally to the font or oil container being soldered onto the lamp base as one unit. This basic Mammoth Cave lantern varied somewhat over …

A Long History Of Linkages And Synergy: Western Kentucky University And The Mammoth Cave System, Deana Groves, Chris Groves, Weldon Hawkins

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

No abstract provided.

The Puzzling Mr. Janin And Mammoth Cave Management, 1900-1910, Katie Algeo

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

Albert Covington Janin was the key architect of tourism development at Mammoth Cave for two decades at the start of the twentieth century, yet little has been written about his tenure. This paper explores his background and accomplishments for the period 1900 to 1910 as an initial attempt to understand his contributions to Mammoth Cave. Material about his activities in relation to Mammoth Cave is synthesized from primary sources in the archival collections of the Huntington Library (HL) of San Marino, California, and the Historical Society of Washington, DC (HSW).

Contributions To Karst Science And Education From The Mammoth Cave Region, Chris Groves, William B. White

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

No abstract provided.

Mammoth Cave: What A Difference A Few Friends Can Make, Lajuana S. Wilcher

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

No abstract provided.

Mapping Of Mammoth Cave: How Cartography Fueled Discoveries, With Emphasis On Max Kaemper’S 1908 Map, Roger W. Brucker

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

Maps came first at Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. Then came explorers who used the maps to make discoveries as they gained a more comprehensive understanding of the longest cave in the world. The saga of mapping at Mammoth Cave parallels the mapping of North America from the 1600s onward. The first map was an “Eye-Draught Map of Mammoth Cave”, penned from memory in 1811, not a survey, to acquaint merchants with the location of saltpeter dirt. In 1835 the managers of Mammoth Cave hired a surveyor, Edmond Lee, to survey and map and profile the main cave passages. Stephen Bishop, a …

Max Kaemper’S Unique Selection Of Place Names For His 1908 Map Of Mammoth Cave, Charles A. Swedlund, George M. Crothers

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

In this paper we present Max Kaemper’s unique selection of Place Names for his 1908 map of Mammoth Cave. He realized the importance of Place Names and they became a feature on his map. His sensitive selection of Place Names provides a greater cultural emphasis, when compared to the previous maps.

The Evolution Of Cave Mapping And Cartography, Pat Kambesis

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

“Does it go?” Is the initial question that has inspired many a cave explorer to push the extent of a cave system. But the answer only brings more questions…how far, how long, how deep does it go? During the exploration process, as a cave system reveals its complexity, the questions also change – what is the cave’s relationship to the surface, and to surrounding caves? What are the features and obstacles that the cave contains? Those involved in cave exploration know that the only way to answer these questions is with systematic documentation in the form of cave and surface …

Mammoth Cave National Park's Max Kaemper Centennial Symposium & 9th Science Symposium: Cultural History And Research, Shannon Trimboli , Editor

Mammoth Cave Research Symposia

No abstract provided.

Mojave Applied Ecology Notes Fall 2008, Alice Miller, Joshua Hoines, Scott R. Abella

Mojave Applied Ecology Notes

Effects of wildfires in Joshua Tree National Park, Blackbrush masting volunteer seed collection effort, new book chapter on Mojave revegetation, Natural Areas Association presentations.

Variations In Stomatal Traits Of 14 Bornean Tree Species Growing On Soils With Different Moisture Contents In Lambir Hills National Park, Whitney Logan Cannon

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

The goal of this study was to look at variations in stomatal traits of tree species on soils with different moisture contents and fertility at Lambir Hills National Park. Stomates are important structures on the surface of leaves that mediate conduction of moisture and gassesin and out of the leaf. If stomatalt raits are important for regulation, then there should be variation in stomatal traits in regards to their soil specialization. The 14 Borneant ree speciess ampledi ncluded6 sandyl oam specialists6, clay specialistsa nd 2 generalistsfo und growing with equald istributionso n both sandyl oam and clay. Confocal microscopy was …

Lake Mead National Recreation Area Vegetation Monitoring And Analysis: Year-End Progress Report, October 1, 2007 To September 30, 2008, Margaret N. Rees

Vegetation Monitoring

Executive Summary

• The Weed Sentry program surveyed over 335 miles and 2,610 acres of transportation corridors on federal land in Clark County for incipient populations of exotic plants.
• 18 manuscripts attained in-press or published status and one manuscript was submitted for review this year. Among published manuscripts, are one documenting Sahara mustard germination patterns (Western North American Naturalist), one assessing exotic species distributions in Clark County (Environmental Monitoring and Assessment), and another is a synthesis of burro effects on Mojave Desert vegetation (Environmental Management), and one assessing vegetation in grassy remnants of the Las Vegas Valley (Desert Plants)
• Staff delivered …