1.A key element of conservation planning is the extremely challenging task of estimating the likely effect of restoration actions on population status. To compare the relative benefits of typical habitat restoration actions on Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), we modelled the response of an endangered Columbia River Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) population to changes in habitat characteristics either targeted for restoration or with the potential to be degraded. 2. We applied a spatially explicit, multiple life stage, Beverton-Holt model to evaluate how a set of habitat variables with an empirical influence on spring-run Chinook salmon survivorship influenced fish population abundance, productivity, spatial structure and diversity. Using habitat condition scenarios -historical conditions and future conditions with restoration, no restoration, and degradation -we asked the following questions: (i) how is population status affected by alternative scenarios of habitat change, (ii) which individual habitat characteristics have the potential to substantially influence population status and (iii) which life stages have the largest impact on population status? 3. The difference in population abundance and productivities resulting from changes in modelled habitat variables from the 'historical' to 'current' scenarios suggests that there is substantial potential for improving population status. Planned restoration actions directed toward modelled variables, however, produced only modest improvements. 4. The model predicted that population status could be improved by additional restoration efforts directed toward further reductions in the percentage of fine sediments in the streambed, a factor that has a large influence on egg survival. Actions reducing fines were predicted to be especially effective outside the national forest that covers most of the basin. Scenarios that increased capacity by opening access to habitat in good condition also had a positive but smaller effect on spawner numbers. 5. Degradation in habitat quality, particularly in percent fine sediments, within stream reaches located in the national forest had great potential to further reduce this population's viability. This finding supports current forest planning efforts to minimise road density and clear-cut harvests and to return forest stand structure in dry regions to the historical condition that promoted frequent low-intensity fires rather than catastrophic standreplacing fires, as these landscape factors have been shown to influence percent fine sediment in streams.6. Together, these results suggest that planning focusing on protecting currently good habitat, reducing fine sediments to promote egg survival and increasing spawner capacity will be beneficial to endangered spring-run Chinook population status.
1. Conservation planning is often hampered by the lack of causal quantitative links between landscape characteristics, restoration actions and habitat conditions that impact the status of imperilled species. Here we present a first step toward linking actions on the landscape to the population status of endangered stream-type Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). 2. We developed relationships between land use, landscape characteristics and freshwater habitat of spring Chinook salmon in the Wenatchee River basin. Available data allowed us to find relationships that described water temperatures at several life stages (prespawning, egg incubation and summer rearing) and substratum characteristics, including fine sediments, cobble and embeddedness. Predictors included altitude, gradient, mean annual precipitation, total and riparian forest cover, road density, impervious surface and alluvium. We used a model averaging approach to account for parameter and model selection uncertainty. Key predictors were total forest cover and impervious surface area for prespawning and summer rearing temperatures; precipitation and stream gradients were important predictors of the percent of fine sediments in stream substrata. 3. We estimated habitat conditions using these relationships in three alternative landscape scenarios: historical, no restoration and one that included a set of restoration actions from local conservation planning. We found that prespawning and summer temperatures were estimated to be slightly higher historically relative to current conditions in dry sparsely forested areas, but lower in some important Chinook salmon spawning and rearing areas and lower in those locations under the restoration scenario. Fine sediments were lower in the historical scenario and were reduced as a consequence of restoration actions in two areas currently unoccupied by Chinook salmon that contain reaches with some potential for high quality spawning and rearing. Cobble and embeddedness in general were predicted to be higher historically and changed little as a result of restoration actions relative to current conditions. 4. This modelling framework converts suites of restoration actions into changes in habitat condition, thereby enabling restoration planners to evaluate alternative combinations of proposed actions. It also provides inputs to models linking habitat conditions to population status. This approach represents a first step in estimating impacts of restoration strategies, and can provide key information for conservation managers and planners.
The uses of forest materials have fluctuated from the beginning of recorded history, but human perceptions regarding forests have generally fallen into three categories: reverence, fear and exploitation. This paper discusses each of these categories, with primary emphasis on exploitation. A historical account of forest protected areas is also given.
This paper discusses some emerging issues in forestry, including: (1) linking social and natural sciences and codifying indicators; (2) codification and consensus in measuring sustainable forestry; (3) managing urban forests and reducing deforestation at the urban-wild-land interface; (4) illegal timber harvesting; (5) managing biomass wastes to produce energy sustainably; and (6) integrating lessons learned in conservation and sustainable forestry. Case studies regarding the topics discussed are given.
This paper discusses the interrelationship between forest ecology and the structure and function of forests. Topics covered include: the key processes that interconnect organisms in forest ecosystems; the relationship between environmental change and succession; and biodiversity. Four case studies are given and they are entitled: (1) Mycorrhizal symbioses in forest ecosystems: the ties that bind; (2) Small mammals and their relationship to forests in the Pacific Northwest USA; (3) Puerto Rico and Hawaii: the dilemma of coqui frog [Eleutherodactylus coqui] conservation or eradication in wet tropical forests; and (4) Malaria and land modifications in the Kenyan highlands (Noboru Minakawa).
Game-Carbon Fingerprints • Students will explore their personal impact on carbon emissions through a simple board game in which they accumulate or lose points based on real life scenarios Math exercise-How Much Carbon Would a Woodchuck Chuck? • Students will be given a set of data and formulas and will then be asked to complete various carbon calculations including storage, offsets, and emissions involving a forest stand, a catastrophic wildfire, and our daily activities Life Cycle Assessment of Building Materials • Explores current thinking in research regarding environmental impact of various products through Life Cycle Assessment • Students design a research project using the Life Cycle Assessment approach to examine the environmental impacts of different building materials A1 A2 Forests and the Carbon Cycle CA State Science Standards Grade Standard Set Standard Description 8 Chemistry 6a, 6b Carbon has a central role in the chemistry of living things. Living organisms are made of molecules consisting largely of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur. 9-12 Chemistry 10a, 10b Bonding characteristics of carbon allow the formation of many different molecules. Life Science-Biology 1f Energy from the sun is captured by chloroplasts in the process of photosynthesis and is stored through the synthesis of sugars and starch from carbon dioxide, water and nutrients. Life Science-Ecology 6b, 6d Analyze changes in ecosystems resulting from changes in climate, human activity, etc. Know how water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle in an ecosystem. Earth Science-Energy in Earth System 4b, 4c, 4d Incoming solar radiation is reflected, absorbed, or used in photosynthesis. Know that different atmospheric gases absorb Earth's thermal radiation and the significance of the greenhouse effect. Know the differing greenhouse conditions on Earth, Mars, and Venus; the origins of those conditions; and the climatic consequences of each. Earth Science-Biogeochemical Cycles 7a, 7b Know the global carbon cycle: the different physical and chemical forms of carbon in the atmosphere, oceans, biomass, fossil fuels, and the movement of carbon among these reservoirs. Investigation and Experimentation Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. Students should develop their own questions and perform investigations.
This paper describes the most common natural and human disturbance agents and their influence on forest health. The natural disturbance agents include: wildfires, wind effects; extremes of temperature and moisture, volcanic eruptions, pathogens, insects, and other animals (birds, mammals and marsupials). On the other hand, the human disturbance agents include: air pollution, global change, salt injury, introduced plants, introduced insects, introduced pathogens, forest management activities, and wars. The relationship between disturbances in forests and human health is discussed. Finally, case studies on forest disturbances are given.
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