scholarly journals Will the Illinois chorus frog (Pseudacris streckeri illinoensis) survive in Arkansas? A case study of a secretive species In need of protection

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm McCallum ◽  
Stanley E. Trauth
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Fields ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
Range Contraction ◽  
Surface Water Hydrology ◽  
Best Management ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Chorus Frog

AbstractThe range of the Illinois chorus frog (Pseudacris streckeri illinoensis) in Arkansas is restricted to the eastern quarter of Clay County. Nearly 100% of this species’ native sand-prairie habitat has been converted to agricultural fields. The original range of the Illinois chorus frog encompassed at least 9,982 ha. Although two new localities were identified in 2002, the current range is only 4,399 ha in 2002. This represents a 56% range contraction since 1992. Calling was heard in only 44.5% of its original range. This species may be experiencing a severe range contraction. Decay models predict the extirpation of the Illinois chorus frog in Arkansas within 17.5 to 101 yr. Suggested factors contributing to this range contraction may include drought, pesticide use, changes in surface water hydrology, U.S. E.P.A. Best management practices, and this species’ limited ability to recolonize extirpated sites.

Selecting a Pesticide Fate Model at the Watershed Scale Using a Multi-criteria Analysis

2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renaud Quilbé ◽  
Alain N. Rousseau ◽  
Pierre Lafrance ◽  
Jacinthe Leclerc ◽  
Mohamed Amrani
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Watershed Scale ◽  
Water Quality Standards ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Multi Criteria Analysis ◽  
Selection Framework ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Numerous models have been developed over the last decades to simulate the fate of pesticides at the watershed scale. Based on a literature review, we inventoried thirty-six models categorized as management, research, screening or multimedia models, each of them having specific strengths and weaknesses. Given this large number of models, it may be difficult for potential users (stakeholders or scientists) to find the most suited one with respect to their needs. To help in this process, this paper proposes a pragmatic approach based on a multi-criteria analysis. Selection criteria are defined following the user's needs and classified in five classes: modelling characteristics, output variables, model applicability, possibilities to simulate best management practices (BMPs) and ease of use. The relative importance of each criterion is quantified by a weight and the total score of a model is calculated by adding the resulting weights of satisfied criteria. This selection framework is illustrated with a case study that consists in selecting a model to develop water quality standards at the watershed scale with respect to the implementation of BMPs. This resulted in the selection of three models: BASINS, SWAT and GIBSI.

Review: Reducing residual soil nitrogen losses from agroecosystems for surface water protection in Quebec and Ontario, Canada: Best management practices, policies and perspectives

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sogol Rasouli ◽  
Joann K. Whalen ◽  
Chandra A. Madramootoo
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Soil Nitrogen ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nitrogen Losses ◽  
Agricultural Fields ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Water Protection ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Best Management

Rasouli, S., Whalen, J. K. and Madramootoo, C. A. 2014. Review: Reducing residual soil nitrogen losses from agroecosystems for surface water protection in Quebec and Ontario, Canada: Best management practices, policies and perspectives. Can. J. Soil Sci. 94: 109–127. Eutrophication and cyanobacteria blooms, a growing problem in many of Quebec and Ontario's lakes and rivers, are largely attributed to the phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) emanating from intensively cropped agricultural fields. In fact, 49% of N loading in surface waters comes from runoff and leaching from fertilized soils and livestock operations. The residual soil nitrogen (RSN), which remains in soil at the end of the growing season, contains soluble and particulate forms of N that are prone to being transported from agricultural fields to waterways. Policies and best management practices (BMPs) to regulate manure storage and restrict fertilizer and manure spreading can help in reducing N losses from agroecosystems. However, reduction of RSN also requires an understanding of the complex interactions between climate, soil type, topography, hydrology and cropping systems. Reducing N losses from agroecosystems can be achieved through careful accounting for all N inputs (e.g., N credits for legumes and manure inputs) in nutrient management plans, including those applied in previous years, as well as the strategic implementation of multiple BMPs and calibrated soil N testing for crops with high N requirements. We conclude that increasing farmer awareness and motivation to implement BMPs will be important in reducing RSN. Programs to promote communication between farmers and researchers, crop advisors and provincial ministries of agriculture and the environment are recommended.

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