Community Response to Large-Scale Federal Projects: The Case of the MX

2019 ◽  
pp. 233-250
Author(s):  
Stan L. Albrecht
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Community Response

Large-scale stable isotope characterization of a Late Cretaceous dinosaur-dominated ecosystem

Geology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 546-551
Author(s):  
T.M. Cullen ◽  
F.J. Longstaffe ◽  
U.G. Wortmann ◽  
L. Huang ◽  
F. Fanti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Habitat Specialization ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Modern Analogue

Abstract In the Cretaceous of North America, environmental sensitivity and habitat specialization have been hypothesized to explain the surprisingly restricted geographic ranges of many large-bodied dinosaurs. Understanding the drivers behind this are key to determining broader trends of dinosaur species and community response to climate change under greenhouse conditions. However, previous studies of this question have commonly examined only small components of the paleo-ecosystem or operated without comparison to similar modern systems from which to constrain interpretations. Here we perform a high-resolution multi-taxic δ13C and δ18O study of a Cretaceous coastal floodplain ecosystem, focusing on species interactions and paleotemperature estimation, and compare with similar data from extant systems. Bioapatite δ13C preserves predator-prey offsets between tyrannosaurs and ornithischians (large herbivorous dinosaurs), and between aquatic reptiles and fish. Large ornithischians had broadly overlapping stable isotope ranges, contrary to hypothesized niche partitioning driven by specialization on coastal or inland subhabitat use. Comparisons to a modern analogue coastal floodplain show similar patterns of ecological guild structure and aquatic-terrestrial resource interchange. Multi-taxic oxygen isotope temperature estimations yield results for the Campanian of Alberta (Canada) consistent with the few other paleotemperature proxies available, and are validated when applied for extant species from a modern coastal floodplain, suggesting that this approach is a simple and effective avenue for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Together, these new data suggest that dinosaur niche partitioning was more complex than previously hypothesized, and provide a framework for future research on dinosaur-dominated Mesozoic floodplain communities.

Benthic invertebrate distributions in the San Joaquin River, California, in relation to physical and chemical factors

1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 1051-1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry V Leland ◽  
Steven V Fend
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Indicator Species ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Indicator Species Analysis ◽  
Dissolved Solids ◽  
Taxa Richness ◽  
San Joaquin River ◽  
Species Analysis

The invertebrate fauna of nontidal portions of the lower San Joaquin River and its major tributaries is described in relation to water quality and habitat using canonical correspondence analysis, autecological metrics, and indicator species analysis. A large-scale (basin-wide) pattern in community response to salinity (sulfate-bicarbonate type) was detected when standardized, stable substratum was sampled. Community structure, taxa richness, and EPT (ephemeropterans, plecopterans, and trichopterans) richness varied with dissolved solids concentration (55-1700 mg total dissolved solids ·L-1), and distributions of many taxa indicated salinity optima. Distinct assemblages associated with either high or low salinity were evident over this range. Large-scale patterns in community structure were unrelated to pesticide distributions. Structure and taxa richness of invertebrate assemblages in sand substratum varied both with salinity and with microhabitat heterogeneity. The benthic fauna generally was dominated by a taxa-poor assemblage of specialized psammophilous species, contributing to a weaker relationship between community structure and water quality than was observed using standardized substratum. Habitat types and associated dominant species were characterized using indicator species analysis. Species assemblages did not vary substantially with irrigation regime or river discharge, indicating that structure of invertebrate communities was a conservative measure of water quality.

scholarly journals Restored freshwater flow and estuarine benthic communities in the northern Gulf of Mexico: research trends and future needs

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8587
Author(s):  
Jillian C. Tupitza ◽  
Cassandra N. Glaspie
Keyword(s):  
Mississippi River ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Community Response ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Freshwater Flow

Restoring river connectivity to rebuild and sustain land is a promising restoration strategy in coastal areas experiencing rapid land loss, such as the Mississippi river delta. Results of these large-scale hydrologic changes are preliminary, and there exists limited empirical evidence regarding how benthic communities will respond, specifically in Barataria Bay and Breton Sound in southeast Louisiana. In this review, the body of existing research in this geographic region pertaining to the drivers of benthic community response that are related to restored freshwater flow and sediment deposition is examined. Overall trends include (1) potential displacement of some species down-estuary due to reduced salinities; (2) temporary lower diversity in areas closest to the inflow; (3) increased benthic production along the marsh edge, and in tidal bayous, as a result of nutrient loading; (4) more habitat coverage in the form of submerged aquatic vegetation; and (5) reduced predation pressure from large and/or salinity-restricted predators. These trends highlight opportunities for future research that should be conducted before large-scale hydrologic changes take place.

scholarly journals Ciliate and mesozooplankton community response to increasing CO<sub>2</sub> levels in the Baltic Sea: insights from a large-scale mesocosm experiment

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 447-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silke Lischka ◽  
Lennart T. Bach ◽  
Kai-Georg Schulz ◽  
Ulf Riebesell
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Chlorophyll A ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Mesozooplankton Community ◽  
Shannon Diversity ◽  
Carbon Transfer ◽  
The Baltic

Abstract. Community approaches to investigating ocean acidification (OA) effects suggest a high tolerance of micro- and mesozooplankton to carbonate chemistry changes expected to occur within this century. Plankton communities in the coastal areas of the Baltic Sea frequently experience pH variations partly exceeding projections for the near future both on a diurnal and seasonal basis. We conducted a large-scale mesocosm CO2 enrichment experiment ( ∼  55 m3) enclosing the natural plankton community in Tvärminne–Storfjärden for 8 weeks during June–August 2012 and studied community and species–taxon response of ciliates and mesozooplankton to CO2 elevations expected for this century. In addition to the response to fCO2, we also considered temperature and chlorophyll a variations in our analyses. Shannon diversity of ciliates significantly decreased with fCO2 and temperature with a greater dominance of smaller species. The mixotrophic Myrionecta rubra seemed to indirectly and directly benefit from higher CO2 concentrations in the post-bloom phase through increased occurrence of picoeukaryotes (most likely Cryptophytes) and Dinophyta at higher CO2 levels. With respect to mesozooplankton, we did not detect significant effects for either total abundance or for Shannon diversity. The cladocera Bosmina sp. occurred at distinctly higher abundance for a short time period during the second half of the experiment in three of the CO2-enriched mesocosms except for the highest CO2 level. The ratio of Bosmina sp. with empty to embryo- or resting-egg-bearing brood chambers, however, was significantly affected by CO2, temperature, and chlorophyll a. An indirect CO2 effect via increased food availability (Cyanobacteria) stimulating Bosmina sp. reproduction cannot be ruled out. Although increased regenerated primary production diminishes trophic transfer in general, the presence of organisms able to graze on bacteria such as cladocerans may positively impact organic matter transfer to higher trophic levels. Thus, under increasing OA in cladoceran-dominated mesozooplankton communities, the importance of the microbial loop in the pelagic zone may be temporarily enhanced and carbon transfer to higher trophic levels may be stimulated.

Site Characteristics Determine the Success of Prescribed Burning for Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) Control

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 376-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy B. Kyser ◽  
Morgan P. Doran ◽  
Neil K. McDougald ◽  
Steve B. Orloff ◽  
Ronald N. Vargas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Fire Intensity ◽  
Burn Treatment ◽  
Warm Winter ◽  
Seed Mortality ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Broadleaf Species

AbstractMedusahead is one of the most problematic rangeland weeds in the western United States. In previous studies, prescribed burning has been used successfully to control medusahead in some situations, but burning has failed in other circumstances. In this study, trials were conducted using the same protocol at four locations in central to northern California to evaluate plant community response to two consecutive years of summer burning and to determine the conditions resulting in successful medusahead control. During 2002 through 2003 large-scale experiments were established at two low-elevation, warm-winter sites (Fresno and Yolo counties) and two higher elevation, cool-winter sites (Siskiyou and Modoc counties). Plant species cover was estimated using point-intercept transects, and biomass samples were taken in each plot. After 2 yr of burning, medusahead cover was reduced by 99, 96, and 93% for Fresno, Yolo, and Siskiyou counties, respectively, compared to unburned control plots. Other annual grasses were also reduced, but less severely, and broadleaf species increased at all three sites. In contrast, 2 yr of burning resulted in a 55% increase in medusahead at the coolest winter site in Modoc County. In the second season after the final burn, medusahead cover remained low in burned plots at Fresno and Yolo counties (1 and 12% of cover in unburned controls, respectively), but at the Siskiyou site medusahead recovered to 45% relative to untreated controls. The success of prescribed burning was correlated with biomass of annual grasses, excluding medusahead, preceding a burn treatment. It is hypothesized that greater production of combustible forage resulted in increased fire intensity and greater seed mortality in exposed inflorescences. These results demonstrate that burning can be an effective control strategy for medusahead in low elevation, warm-winter areas characterized by high annual grass biomass production, but may not be successful in semiarid cool winter areas.

scholarly journals Climate-Driven Plant Response and Resilience on the Tibetan Plateau in Space and Time: A Review

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
Prakash Bhattarai ◽  
Zhoutao Zheng ◽  
Kuber Prasad Bhatta ◽  
Yagya Prasad Adhikari ◽  
Yangjian Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Net Primary Productivity ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Plant Response ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Space And Time

Climate change variation on a small scale may alter the underlying processes determining a pattern operating at large scale and vice versa. Plant response to climate change on individual plant levels on a fine scale tends to change population structure, community composition and ecosystem processes and functioning. Therefore, we reviewed the literature on plant response and resilience to climate change in space and time at different scales on the Tibetan Plateau. We report that spatiotemporal variation in temperature and precipitation dynamics drives the vegetation and ecosystem function on the Tibetan Plateau (TP), following the water–energy dynamics hypothesis. Increasing temperature with respect to time increased the net primary productivity (NPP) on most parts of the Tibetan Plateau, but the productivity dynamics on some parts were constrained by 0.3 °C decade−1 rising temperature. Moreover, we report that accelerating studies on plant community assemblage and their contribution to ecosystem functioning may help to identify the community response and resilience to climate extremes. Furthermore, records on species losses help to build the sustainable management plan for the entire Tibetan Plateau. We recommend that incorporating long-term temporal data with multiple factor analyses will be helpful to formulate the appropriate measures for a healthy ecosystem on the Tibetan Plateau.

Some comments about observations and image processing of comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

1999 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 243-248
Author(s):  
D. Kubáček ◽  
A. Galád ◽  
A. Pravda
Keyword(s):  
Image Processing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Harvard College ◽  
Oak Ridge ◽  
Large Scale Structures ◽  
Short Period Comet ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Scale Structures ◽  
Harvard College Observatory ◽  
Period Comet

AbstractUnusual short-period comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 inspired many observers to explain its unpredictable outbursts. In this paper large scale structures and features from the inner part of the coma in time periods around outbursts are studied. CCD images were taken at Whipple Observatory, Mt. Hopkins, in 1989 and at Astronomical Observatory, Modra, from 1995 to 1998. Photographic plates of the comet were taken at Harvard College Observatory, Oak Ridge, from 1974 to 1982. The latter were digitized at first to apply the same techniques of image processing for optimizing the visibility of features in the coma during outbursts. Outbursts and coma structures show various shapes.

Evolution of Large-Scale Coronal Structures

1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 29-33
Author(s):  
P. Ambrož
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Line ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
Source Surface ◽  
Solar Cycles ◽  
Characteristic Relationship ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Coronal Structures

AbstractThe large-scale coronal structures observed during the sporadically visible solar eclipses were compared with the numerically extrapolated field-line structures of coronal magnetic field. A characteristic relationship between the observed structures of coronal plasma and the magnetic field line configurations was determined. The long-term evolution of large scale coronal structures inferred from photospheric magnetic observations in the course of 11- and 22-year solar cycles is described.Some known parameters, such as the source surface radius, or coronal rotation rate are discussed and actually interpreted. A relation between the large-scale photospheric magnetic field evolution and the coronal structure rearrangement is demonstrated.

Large-scale Motion of Solar Filaments

2000 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 205-208
Author(s):  
Pavel Ambrož ◽  
Alfred Schroll
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Proper Motion ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Accuracy Of Measurements ◽  
Solar Filaments ◽  
General Movement ◽  
Scale Motion ◽  
Velocity Scatter

AbstractPrecise measurements of heliographic position of solar filaments were used for determination of the proper motion of solar filaments on the time-scale of days. The filaments have a tendency to make a shaking or waving of the external structure and to make a general movement of whole filament body, coinciding with the transport of the magnetic flux in the photosphere. The velocity scatter of individual measured points is about one order higher than the accuracy of measurements.

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