Informative Spectral Bands For Remote Green Lai Estimation In C3 And C4 Crops,
2016
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Informative Spectral Bands For Remote Green Lai Estimation In C3 And C4 Crops, Oz Kira, Anthony L. Nguy-Robertson, Timothy J. Arkebauer, Raphael Linker, Anatoly A. Gitelson
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Green leaf area index (LAI) provides insight into the productivity, physiological and phenological status of vegetation. Measurement of spectral reflectance offers a fast and nondestructive estimation of green LAI. A number of methods have been used for the estimation of green LAI; however, the specific spectral bands employed varied widely among the methods and data used. Our objectives were (i) to find informative spectral bands retained in three types of methods, neural network (NN), partial least squares (PLS) regression and vegetation indices (VI), for estimating green LAI in maize (a C4 species) and soybean (a C3 species); (ii) to assess …
Potential Direct And Indirect Effects Of Climate Change On A Shallow Natural Lake Fish Assemblage,
2016
South Dakota State University
Potential Direct And Indirect Effects Of Climate Change On A Shallow Natural Lake Fish Assemblage, Jason J. Breeggemann, Mark A. Kaemingk, Timothy J. Debates, Craig P. Paukert, Jacob R. Krause, Alexander P. Letvin, Tanner M. Stevens, David W. Willis, Steven R. Chipps
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Much uncertainty exists around how fish communities in shallow lakes will respond to climate change. In this study, we modelled the effects of increased water temperatures on consumption and growth rates of two piscivores (northern pike [Esox lucius] and largemouth bass [Micropterus salmoides]) and examined relative effects of consumption by these predators on two prey species (bluegill [Lepomis macrochirus] and yellow perch [Perca flavescens]). Bioenergetics models were used to simulate the effects of climate change on growth and food consumption using predicted 2040 and 2060 temperatures in a shallow Nebraska Sandhill lake, …
A Framework For Understanding The Characteristics Of Complexity In Biology,
2016
University of Nebraska‐Lincoln
A Framework For Understanding The Characteristics Of Complexity In Biology, Joseph Dauer, Jenny Dauer
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Understanding the functioning of natural systems is not easy, although there is general agreement that understanding complex systems is an important goal for science education. Defining what makes a natural system complex will assist in identifying gaps in research on student reasoning about systems. The goal of this commentary is to propose a framework that explicitly defines the ways in which biological systems are complex and to discuss the potential relevance of these complexity dimensions to conducting research on student reasoning about complexity in biology classrooms. We use an engineering framework for dimensions of complexity and discuss how this framework …
Survival And Cause-Specific Mortality Of Female Eastern Wild Turkeys In Two Frequently-Burned Longleaf Pine Savannas,
2016
University of Georgia
Survival And Cause-Specific Mortality Of Female Eastern Wild Turkeys In Two Frequently-Burned Longleaf Pine Savannas, Andrew R. Little, John F. Benson, Michael J. Chamberlain, L. Mike Conner, Robert J. Warren
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Longleaf pine savannas have declined throughout the southeastern United States due to land-use change. Fortunately, natural resource professionals are currently restoring these ecologically and economically important savannas. Although efforts are underway to restore longleaf pine savannas, little information exists on female eastern wild turkey Meleagris gallopavo silvestris population dynamics in these systems. Therefore, we evaluated survival and cause-specific mortality of female eastern wild turkeys in two longleaf pine savannas in southwestern Georgia. We radio-marked 126 female wild turkeys during 2010–2013 and monitored their survival; 66 (52.4%) radio-marked females died during the study. We estimated causes of death for 37 mortality …
Impacts Of Human Hunting On Spatial Behavior Of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus),
2016
University of St Andrews
Impacts Of Human Hunting On Spatial Behavior Of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus), Sierra A. Marantz, Jed A. Long, Stephen L. Webb, Kenneth L. Gee, Andrew R. Little, Stephen Demarais
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Predators can influence populations through top-down effects, but most large predators have been extirpated from the range of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)). Hunters have filled this predatory role, but also can indirectly influence prey species. Indirect behavioral responses can include altered resource selection, space use, or movement. Herein, we developed a controlled study that contained both temporal and spatial risk levels to assess how deer behavior changes relative to temporal periods of risk. Total distance travelled and microrange area over 2-day periods were used to determine the general effects of hunting season on deer spatial behavior. Generally, distance …
Monitoring Grassland Seasonal Carbon Dynamics,
By Integrating Modis Ndvi, Proximal Optical
Sampling, And Eddy Covariance Measurements,
2016
Institute of Agro-Environmental & Forest Biology
Monitoring Grassland Seasonal Carbon Dynamics, By Integrating Modis Ndvi, Proximal Optical Sampling, And Eddy Covariance Measurements, Enrica Nestola, Carlo Calfapietra, Craig A. Emmerton, Christopher Y. S. Wong, Donnette R. Thayer, John A. Gamon
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
This study evaluated the seasonal productivity of a prairie grassland (Mattheis Ranch, in Alberta, Canada) using a combination of remote sensing, eddy covariance, and field sampling collected in 2012–2013. A primary objective was to evaluate different ways of parameterizing the light-use efficiency (LUE) model for assessing net ecosystem fluxes at two sites with contrasting productivity. Three variations on the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), differing by formula and footprint, were derived: (1) a narrow-band NDVI (NDVI680,800, derived from mobile field spectrometer readings); (2) a broad-band proxy NDVI (derived from an automated optical phenology station consisting of broad-band radiometers); and (3) …
Integrated Analysis Of Productivity And Biodiversity
In A Southern Alberta Prairie,
2016
University of Alberta
Integrated Analysis Of Productivity And Biodiversity In A Southern Alberta Prairie, Ran Wang, John A. Gamon, Craig A. Emmerton, Haitao Li, Enrica Nestola, Gilberto Z. Pastorello, Olaf Menzer
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Grasslands play important roles in ecosystem production and support a large farming and grazing industry. An accurate and efficient way is needed to estimate grassland health and production for monitoring and adjusting management to get sustainable products and other ecosystem services. Previous studies of grasslands have shown varying relationships between productivity and biodiversity, with most showing either a positive or a hump-shaped relationship where productivity peaks at intermediate diversity. In this study, we used airborne imaging spectrometry combined with ground sampling and eddy covariance measurements to estimate the spatial pattern of production and biodiversity for two sites of contrasting productivity …
Interannual Variability In Dry Mixed-Grass Prairie
Yield: A Comparison Of Modis, Spot,
And Field Measurements,
2016
University of Alberta
Interannual Variability In Dry Mixed-Grass Prairie Yield: A Comparison Of Modis, Spot, And Field Measurements, Donald C. Wehlage, John A. Gamon, Donnette Thayer, David V. Hildebrand
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Remote sensing is often used to assess rangeland condition and biophysical parameters across large areas. In particular, the relationship between the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and above-ground biomass can be used to assess rangeland primary productivity (seasonal carbon gain or above-ground biomass “yield”). We evaluated the NDVI–yield relationship for a southern Alberta prairie rangeland, using seasonal trends in NDVI and biomass during the 2009 and 2010 growing seasons, two years with contrasting rainfall regimes. The study compared harvested biomass and NDVI from field spectrometry to NDVI from three satellite platforms: the Aqua and Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) …
Caught Between A Rock And A Hard Mineral Encrustation:
Long-Lived Aquatic Insects Accumulate Calcium Carbonate
Deposits In A Montane Desert Stream,
2016
Arizona State University
Caught Between A Rock And A Hard Mineral Encrustation: Long-Lived Aquatic Insects Accumulate Calcium Carbonate Deposits In A Montane Desert Stream, Eric K. Moody, Jessica R. Corman, Michael T. Bogan
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Aquatic ecosystems overlying regions of limestone bedrock can feature active deposition of calcium carbonate in the form of travertine or tufa. Although most travertine deposits form a cement-like layer on stream substrates, mineral deposits can also form on benthic invertebrates. However, little is known about which taxa may be prone to calcium carbonate encrustation and which life history traits may make taxa more susceptible to becoming encrusted. Here we report the presence of calcium carbonate deposits on live insects collected from a montane stream in the Madrean Sky Islands (Huachuca Mountains) of Arizona between 2011 and 2013. Life history differences …
Avian Interactions With Renewable Energy Infrastructure: An Update,
2016
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Avian Interactions With Renewable Energy Infrastructure: An Update, Jennifer A. Smith, James F. Dwyer
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Energy infrastructure is widespread worldwide. Renewable energy technologies, which are expanding their footprint on the landscape and their contribution to energy availability, represent a different kind of infrastructure from extractive energy technologies. Although renewable energy sources may offer a ‘greener alternative’ to traditional extractive energy sources, mounting evidence suggests that renewable energy infrastructure, and the transmission lines needed to convey energy from renewable energy facilities to users, may impact birds. Peer-reviewed literature historically has focused on the direct effects of electrocution and, to a lesser extent, collisions with overhead power systems, and on avian collisions at wind energy facilities, with …
Estimation Of Energy Balance Components Over A
Drip-Irrigated Olive Orchard Using Thermal And
Multispectral Cameras Placed On A Helicopter-Based
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Uav),
2016
Universidad de Talca
Estimation Of Energy Balance Components Over A Drip-Irrigated Olive Orchard Using Thermal And Multispectral Cameras Placed On A Helicopter-Based Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Uav), Samuel Ortega-Farias, Samuel Ortega-Salazar, Tomas Poblete, Ayse Kilic, Richard Allen, Carlos Poblete-Echeverria, Luis Ahumada-Orellana, Mauricio Zuniga, Daniel Sepulveda
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
A field experiment was carried out to implement a remote sensing energy balance (RSEB) algorithm for estimating the incoming solar radiation (Rsi), net radiation (Rn), sensible heat flux (H), soil heat flux (G) and latent heat flux (LE) over a drip-irrigated olive (cv. Arbequina) orchard located in the Pencahue Valley, Maule Region, Chile (35◦25'S; 71◦44'W; 90 m above sea level). For this study, a helicopter-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was equipped with multispectral and infrared thermal cameras to obtain simultaneously the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and surface temperature (Tsurface) at very high resolution (6 cm …
Acute 𝛽-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine Toxicity In A Mouse Model,
2016
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Acute 𝛽-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine Toxicity In A Mouse Model, Maitham Ahmed Al-Sammak, Douglas G. Rogers, Kyle D. Hoagland
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
The cyanobacterial neurotoxin 𝛽-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is considered to be an “excitotoxin,” and its suggested mechanism of action is killing neurons. Long-termexposure to L-BMAAis believed to lead to neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Objectives of this study were to determine the presumptive median lethal dose (LD50), the Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (LOAEL), and histopathologic lesions caused by the naturally occurring BMAA isomer, L-BMAA, in mice. Seventy NIH Swiss Outbred mice (35 male and 35 female) were used. Treatment group mice were injected intraperitoneally with 0.03, 0.3, 1, 2, and 3mg/g body weight L-BMAA, respectively, …
Advanced Space Vehicle Design Taking Into Account Multidisciplinary Couplings And Mixed Epistemic/Aleatory Uncertainties,
2016
The French Aerospace Lab
Advanced Space Vehicle Design Taking Into Account Multidisciplinary Couplings And Mixed Epistemic/Aleatory Uncertainties, Mathieu Balesdent, Loic Brevault, Nathaniel B. Price, Sebastien Defoort, Rodolphe Le Riche, Nam-Ho Kim, Raphael T. Haftka, Nicolas Berend
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
No abstract provided.
Basic Forms And Orbit Spaces:A Diffeological Approach,
2016
University of Toronto
Basic Forms And Orbit Spaces:A Diffeological Approach, Yael Karshon, Jordan Watts
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
No abstract provided.
Seasonal Relationships Between Foliar Moisture Content, Heat Content And Biochemistry Of Lodgepole Pine And Big Sagebrush Foliage,
2016
University of Utah
Seasonal Relationships Between Foliar Moisture Content, Heat Content And Biochemistry Of Lodgepole Pine And Big Sagebrush Foliage, Yi Qi, W. Matt Jolly, Philip E. Dennison, Rachael C. Kropp
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
No abstract provided.
Rescaling Of The Complementary Relationship For Land Surface Evaporation,
2016
Bucknell University
Rescaling Of The Complementary Relationship For Land Surface Evaporation, R. Crago, J. Szilagyi, R. Qualls, J. Huntington
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
No abstract provided.
Metapopulation Viability Of An Endangered
Shorebird Depends On Dispersal And
Human-Created Habitats: Piping Plovers
(Charadrius Melodus) And Prairie Rivers,
2016
U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole
Metapopulation Viability Of An Endangered Shorebird Depends On Dispersal And Human-Created Habitats: Piping Plovers (Charadrius Melodus) And Prairie Rivers, Sara L. Zeigler, Daniel H. Catlin, Mary Bomberger Brown, Lauren R. Dinan, James D. Fraser, Kelsi L. Hunt, Joel G. Jorgensen
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Background: Many species are distributed as metapopulations in dynamic landscapes, where habitats change through space and time. Individuals locate habitat through dispersal, and the relationship between a species and landscape characteristics can have profound effects on population persistence. Despite the importance of connectivity in dynamic environments, few empirical studies have examined temporal variability in dispersal or its effect on metapopulation dynamics. In response to this knowledge gap, we studied the dispersal, demography, and viability of a metapopulation of an endangered, disturbance-dependent shorebird. We examined three subpopulations of piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) on the lower Platte and Missouri rivers …
Local Perspectives On Environmental
Insecurity And Its Influence On Illegal
Biodiversity Exploitation,
2016
Michigan State University
Local Perspectives On Environmental Insecurity And Its Influence On Illegal Biodiversity Exploitation, Meredith L. Gore, Michelle L. Lute, Jonah H. Ratsimbazafy, Andry Rajaonson
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Environmental insecurity is a source and outcome of biodiversity declines and social conflict. One challenge to scaling insecurity reduction policies is that empirical evidence about local attitudes is overwhelmingly missing. We set three objectives: determine how local people rank risk associated with different sources of environmental insecurity; assess perceptions of environmental insecurity, biodiversity exploitation, myths of nature and risk management preferences; and explore relationships between perceptions and biodiversity exploitation. We conducted interviews (N = 88) with residents of Madagascar’s Torotorofotsy Protected Area, 2014. Risk perceptions had a moderate effect on perceptions of environmental insecurity. We found no effects of environmental …
Sustainable Grassland Management: An Exploratory Study Of
Progressive Ranchers In Nebraska,
2016
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Sustainable Grassland Management: An Exploratory Study Of Progressive Ranchers In Nebraska, Stephanie M. Kennedy, Mark E. Burbach, Maggi S. Sliwinski
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Well-managed grasslands provide numerous ecosystem services. Ranchers who employ sustainable grazing practices limit grassland conversion and conserve critical habitats. This phenomenological study explored the grassland management decisions of progressive ranchers in Nebraska. Each individual interviewed for this study is proactive about the state of their grasslands, whether they are motivated by financial or conservation factors. Throughout the evolution of their businesses, these ranchers have taken steps to improve their management techniques and continue to employ new strategies while planning for the long-term productivity of their grasslands. For policy makers and educators seeking to improve grassland management decisions, demonstrating new methods …
Flight Initiation Distances Of Nesting Piping Plovers (Charadrius Melodus) In Response To Human Disturbance,
2016
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Flight Initiation Distances Of Nesting Piping Plovers (Charadrius Melodus) In Response To Human Disturbance, Joel G. Jorgensen, Lauren R. Dinan, Mary Bomberger Brown
School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications
Birds frequently interact with people when they occur in coupled human-ecological or anthropogenic environments, which makes the protection of legally protected species a challenge. Flight initiation distances (FIDs) are often used to inform development of appropriate buffer distances required for human exclusion zones used to protect birds nesting in anthropogenic landscapes. Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) are protected by the Endangered Species Act in the United States and often nest in areas used by humans. Studies evaluating Piping Plover FIDs are limited and implementation of exclusion zones has been inconsistent across the species’ range. We measured Piping Plover response …
