The generation of USDA-equivalent extreme minimum temperature models and a comparison with Canada’s plant hardiness zones

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 511-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel W. McKenney ◽  
Michael Hutchinson, Pia Papadopol ◽  
Kathy Campbell ◽  
Kevin Lawrence
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Minimum Temperature ◽  
Smoothing Splines ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Perennial Plant ◽  
Mapping Tool ◽  
Extreme Minimum Temperature ◽  
Local Use ◽  
Plant Hardiness

Hardiness zones are widely used in North America to support the trade of plants and recommendations on local use of perennial plant species. In Canada, two zonation approaches are in use, a made-in-Canada model that integrates seven climate variables and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) extreme minimum temperature map/model. In this paper we develop and present several extreme minimum temperature models for the 1961–1990 and 1971–2000 climate normal periods and annual models for the winter seasons of 1961 through 2000. These models are similar in nature to the USDA plant hardiness model/map. We compare these models with a recent update of the Canadian plant hardiness zones developed with the same mathematical interpolation techniques (thin plate smoothing splines). Individual Canadian zones typically span five to nine USDA equivalent sub-zones in total, although most of the area (>75%) of each zone generally spans 3–4 USDA sub-zones. We note that there is no simple transformation of one zonation approach to the other, but values for both systems can now be obtained for any location in Canada using an internet mapping tool. Over the period of 1961–2000 extreme minimum temperature has been trending upward in most provinces. These trends may be affecting plants in some locations, but a lack of survival and/or hardiness data is a significant impediment to assessing this. Variation in extreme minimum temperature over the 1961 to 2000 period was greatest in western North America, particularly interior British Columbia. Key words: Climate mapping and trends, spatial analysis, ANUSPLIN

scholarly journals Development of a New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map for the United States

2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Daly ◽  
Mark P. Widrlechner ◽  
Michael D. Halbleib ◽  
Joseph I. Smith ◽  
Wayne P. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Minimum Temperature ◽  
Complex Terrain ◽  
The United States ◽  
Perennial Plant ◽  
Station Data ◽  
Extreme Minimum Temperature ◽  
Primary Reference ◽  
Winter Cold ◽  
Plant Hardiness

AbstractIn many regions of the world, the extremes of winter cold are a major determinant of the geographic distribution of perennial plant species and of their successful cultivation. In the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM) is the primary reference for defining geospatial patterns of extreme winter cold for the horticulture and nursery industries, home gardeners, agrometeorologists, and plant scientists. This paper describes the approaches followed for updating the USDA PHZM, the last version of which was published in 1990. The new PHZM depicts 1976–2005 mean annual extreme minimum temperature, in 2.8°C (5°F) half zones, for the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Station data were interpolated to a grid with the Parameter-Elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) climate-mapping system. PRISM accounts for the effects of elevation, terrain-induced airmass blockage, coastal effects, temperature inversions, and cold-air pooling on extreme minimum temperature patterns. Climatologically aided interpolation was applied, based on the 1971–2000 mean minimum temperature of the coldest month as the predictor grid. Evaluation of a standard-deviation map and two 15-yr maps (1976–90 and 1991–2005 averaging periods) revealed substantial vertical and horizontal gradients in trend and variability, especially in complex terrain. The new PHZM is generally warmer by one 2.8°C (5°F) half zone than the previous PHZM throughout much of the United States, as a result of a more recent averaging period. Nonetheless, a more sophisticated interpolation technique, greater physiographic detail, and more comprehensive station data were the main causes of zonal changes in complex terrain, especially in the western United States. The updated PHZM can be accessed online (http://www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov).

scholarly journals Global plant hardiness zones for phytosanitary risk analysis

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (spe) ◽  
pp. 54-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger D. Magarey ◽  
Daniel M. Borchert ◽  
Jay W. Schlegel
Keyword(s):  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Minimum Temperature ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Daily Minimum Temperature ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Monthly Data ◽  
Extreme Minimum Temperature ◽  
Plant Hardiness

Plant hardiness zones are widely used for selection of perennial plants and for phytosanitary risk analysis. The most widely used definition of plant hardiness zones (United States Department of Agriculture National Arboretum) is based on average annual extreme minimum temperature. There is a need for a global plant hardiness map to standardize the comparison of zones for phytosanitary risk analysis. Two data sets were used to create global hardiness zones: i) Climate Research Unit (CRU) 1973-2002 monthly data set; and ii) the Daily Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN). The CRU monthly data set was downscaled to five-minute resolution and a cubic spline was used to convert the monthly values into daily values. The GHCN data were subjected to a number of quality control measures prior to analysis. Least squares regression relationships were developed using GHCN and derived lowest average daily minimum temperature data and average annual extreme minimum temperatures. Error estimate statistics were calculated from the numerical difference between the estimated value for the grid and the station. The mean absolute error for annual extreme minimum temperature was 1.9ºC (3.5ºF) and 2/3 of the stations were classified into the correct zone.

scholarly journals Stakeholder Perceptions on the Need for Updated Tree Species Distribution Maps

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1367
Author(s):  
Pete Bettinger ◽  
Krista Merry ◽  
Alba Rocio Gutierrez Garzon ◽  
Taeyoon Lee ◽  
Jacek Siry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
The United States ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Current Range ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Plant Hardiness ◽  
Insight Into

Tree species distributions presented as range maps are powerful tools for forest-based decision-making processes. In the United States, Silvics of North America is a well-known reference for over 200 tree species. However, the current range maps are likely outdated due to changes in land use, advancements in technology, shifts in plant hardiness zones due to climate change, and shifting societal values that influence the development of these resources. Therefore, a survey was distributed to two stakeholder groups, registered foresters in four states and members of several professional organizations, to gain insight into whether Silvics of North America range maps should be updated. Although the survey delivery method varied between the two survey sampling frames, the opinions on updating species range maps between the two stakeholder groups were similar. Both groups indicated that updating the current range maps would be valuable and would best be informed by remote sensing, national field inventories, and expert insight, and by adding color and perhaps importance classes.

scholarly journals Horticultural Applications of a Newly Revised USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark P. Widrlechner ◽  
Christopher Daly ◽  
Markus Keller ◽  
Kim Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Management And Development ◽  
Extreme Minimum Temperature ◽  
Site Evaluation ◽  
Plant Hardiness

The accurate prediction of winter injury caused by low-temperature events is a key component of the effective cultivation of woody and herbaceous perennial plants. A common method employed to visualize geographic patterns in the severity of low-temperature events is to map a climatological variable that closely correlates with plant survival. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM) is constructed for that purpose. We present a short history of PHZM development, culminating in the recent production of a new, high-resolution version of the PHZM, and discuss how such maps relate to winterhardiness per se and to other climatic factors that affect hardiness. The new PHZM is based on extreme minimum-temperature data logged annually from 1976 to 2005 at 7983 weather stations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and adjacent regions in Canada and Mexico. The PHZM is accessible via an interactive website, which facilitates a wide range of horticultural applications. For example, we highlight how the PHZM can be used as a tool for site evaluation for vineyards in the Pacific northwestern United States and as a data layer in conjunction with moisture-balance data to predict the survival of Yugoslavian woody plants in South Dakota. In addition, the new map includes a zip code finder, and we describe how it may be used by governmental agencies for risk management and development of recommended plant lists, by horticultural firms to schedule plant shipments, and by other commercial interests that market products seasonally.

scholarly journals Canada's Plant Hardiness Zones and Extreme Minimum Temperature Zones

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
D W McKenney ◽  
J H Pedlar ◽  
K Lawrence ◽  
P Papadopol ◽  
K Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimum Temperature ◽  
Extreme Minimum Temperature ◽  
Plant Hardiness

scholarly journals First Report of Neofabraea alba Causing Fruit Spot on Olive in North America

Plant Disease ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 1384-1384 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Rooney-Latham ◽  
L. L. Gallegos ◽  
P. M. Vossen ◽  
W. D. Gubler
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North America ◽  
Sodium Hypochlorite ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
The United States ◽  
Spore Suspension ◽  
United States Department ◽  
First Report ◽  
Control Fruit ◽  
Bull's Eye

Olive (Olea europaea) is a widely planted evergreen tree primarily grown for its oil, fruit for pickling, and landscape appeal in Mediterranean and temperate climates. California produces most of the olives grown in the United States; its industry was valued at $53 million in 2011 (4). In 2005 and 2008, fruit spotting occurred on coratina and picholine cultivars in two commercial orchards in Sonoma County. The spots were scattered, slightly sunken and brown, and surrounded by a green halo. Many of the spots were associated with lenticels. A slow to moderate growing, cream to rose-colored fungus was isolated from the spots onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 0.01% tetracycline hydrochloride. Sporulation was observed in vitro on PDA after 40 days under near-UV light. Macroconidia, produced from conidiomata, were hyaline, aseptate, cylindrical to fusiform-allantoid, slightly curved, and 17 to 27 × 2.5 to 3.5 μm (average 21.1 × 2.9 μm). Microconidia were aseptate, strongly curved, hyaline, and 14 to 18 × 0.75 to 1 μm (average 16.1 × 0.9 μm). rDNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the isolate (GenBank KC751540), amplified using primers ITS1 and ITS4, were 99.8% identical to Neofabraea alba (E.J. Guthrie) Verkley (anamorph Phlyctema vagabunda) (=Gloeosporium olivae) (AF141190). Pathogenicity was tested on detached, green fruit (cv. frantoio). Olives were surface sterilized in 10% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min and air dried. Five olives were wounded with a needle and 10 μl spore suspension (105 spores/ml) was placed on each wound. An equal amount of spore suspension was placed on five unwounded olives. Water was also placed on wounded and unwounded olives to serve as a control. The olives were placed on racks in 22.5 × 30 cm crispers lined with wet paper towels and incubated at 23°C. After 21 days, the olives began to turn red. Olives wounded and inoculated with N. alba had a distinct green ring around the inoculation point where maturity was inhibited. Control olives uniformly turned red. After 35 days, wound-inoculated olives began to form a sunken, brown lesion at the inoculation point where aerial mycelium was visible. After 51 days, lesions were visibly sunken and immature conidiomata began to form in concentric rings giving a bull's eye-like appearance. Unwounded fruit exhibited uneven maturity and green spots associated with the lenticels throughout the experiment but did not develop sunken lesions. Control fruit showed no symptoms and ripened normally. After 56 days, fruit was surface sterilized in 10% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min and plated onto PDA. N. alba was isolated from the sunken and green areas of all of the wounded and unwounded fruit. No fungi grew from the control fruit. The experiment was repeated once with similar results. N. alba has been reported to cause an anthracnose disease on fruit and leaves of olives in Spain and Italy (1,2). In North America, N. alba causes a bull's eye rot on fruit of Malus and Pyrus spp. in the Pacific Northwest and coin canker of Fraxinus spp. in Michigan and Canada (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. alba causing disease on olive in North America. References: (1) J. Del Maral de la Vega et al. Bol. San Veg. Plagas. 12:9. 1986. (2) S. Foschi. Annali. Sper. Agr., n.s. 9:911. 1955. (3) T. D. Gariepy et al. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 27:118. 2005. (4) United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, California Field Office, California Agriculture Statistics, Crop Year 2011.

Demonstrating Nutrient Cost Gradients: A Brooklyn Case Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 244-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Karp ◽  
Gary Wong ◽  
Marguerite Orsi
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Caloric Density ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Introduction: Foods dense in micronutrients are generally more expensive than those with higher energy content. These cost-differentials may put low-income families at risk of diminished micronutrient intake. Objectives: We sought to determine differences in the cost for iron, folate, and choline in foods available for purchase in a low-income community when assessed for energy content and serving size. Methods: Sixty-nine foods listed in the menu plans provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for low-income families were considered, in 10 domains. The cost and micronutrient content for-energy and per-serving of these foods were determined for the three micronutrients. Exact Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparisons of energy costs; Spearman rho tests for comparisons of micronutrient content. Ninety families were interviewed in a pediatric clinic to assess the impact of food cost on food selection. Results: Significant differences between domains were shown for energy density with both cost-for-energy (p < 0.001) and cost-per-serving (p < 0.05) comparisons. All three micronutrient contents were significantly correlated with cost-for-energy (p < 0.01). Both iron and choline contents were significantly correlated with cost-per-serving (p < 0.05). Of the 90 families, 38 (42 %) worried about food costs; 40 (44 %) had chosen foods of high caloric density in response to that fear, and 29 of 40 families experiencing both worry and making such food selection. Conclusion: Adjustments to USDA meal plans using cost-for-energy analysis showed differentials for both energy and micronutrients. These differentials were reduced using cost-per-serving analysis, but were not eliminated. A substantial proportion of low-income families are vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies.

Magic and Politics

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Sabina Magliocco
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North America ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Presidential Election ◽  
The United States ◽  
Right Wing ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Far Right ◽  
Cultural Expression ◽  
Spirit World

This essay introduces a special issue of Nova Religio on magic and politics in the United States in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election. The articles in this issue address a gap in the literature examining intersections of religion, magic, and politics in contemporary North America. They approach political magic as an essentially religious phenomenon, in that it deals with the spirit world and attempts to motivate human behavior through the use of symbols. Covering a range of practices from the far right to the far left, the articles argue against prevailing scholarly treatments of the use of esoteric technologies as a predominantly right-wing phenomenon, showing how they have also been operationalized by the left in recent history. They showcase the creativity of magic as a form of human cultural expression, and demonstrate how magic coexists with rationality in contemporary western settings.

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