Amphibians, a class of animals in global decline, are present in agricultural landscapes characterized by agrochemical inputs. Effects of pesticides on terrestrial life stages of amphibians such as juvenile and adult frogs, toads and newts are little understood and a specific risk assessment for pesticide exposure, mandatory for other vertebrate groups, is currently not conducted. We studied the effects of seven pesticide products on juvenile European common frogs (Rana temporaria) in an agricultural overspray scenario. Mortality ranged from 100% after one hour to 40% after seven days at the recommended label rate of currently registered products. The demonstrated toxicity is alarming and a large-scale negative effect of terrestrial pesticide exposure on amphibian populations seems likely. Terrestrial pesticide exposure might be underestimated as a driver of their decline calling for more attention in conservation efforts and the risk assessment procedures in place do not protect this vanishing animal group.

Forest sustainability has emerged as a crucial component of all current issues related to forest management. The seven Montreal Process Criteria are well accepted as categories of processes for evaluating forest management with respect to sustainability, and data collected

Eastern redcedar (Jun@erus virginiana L.) is the most rapidly expanding woody species on rangeland in the Great Plains. Reasons for the expansion and management solutions have not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of year of establishment, grazing impacts, and aspect on the survival of eastern redcedar seedlings. Subplots of 10 transplanted eastern redcedar seedlings were replicated at 2 sites in west-central Nebraska. Plots were established in 1987 and 1988 under 3 different grazing levels: actively grazed, actively grazed until 1987 and then fenced from grazing, and not grazed for 250 years. Split-plots within the 3 grazing levels were established on 3 different aspects: north-facing, south-facing, and flat. Seedling survival was evaluated 6,18, and 30 months after establishment period. The year that the seedling was established htfhrenced seedling survival after 18 months. Grazing effects and aspect were significant factors in the survival of eastern redcedar seedlings for all 3 evaluation periods. Highest survival for grazing effects occurred where eastern redcedar seedlings were transplanted into plots that were grazed until 1987 and then fenced (57% f 1.5%). Lowest survival rates conceming grazing were for areas that were not grazed for?50 years (40% f 3.0%). North-facing slopes had the highest survival after 30 months (65% f 2.4%). South-facing slopes had the lowest survival after 30 months (34% f 2.9%). Land managers may be able to reduce eastern redcedar seedling establishment on grazed rangelands through different grazing practices.

After a steady decline following European settlement, recent forest resource inventories in the Lower Midwest region of the United States—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri—have shown an increase in the area of forestland. Eastern redcedar is one of the primary species involved in this expansion and is projected to continue to increase. This has both positive and negative implications for land management. Landowners and managers can influence the direction and magnitude of the expansion of eastern redcedar. North. J. Appl. For. 12(4):180-183.

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Prior inventories were mandated by the McSweeney-McNary Forest Research Act of 1928. The objective of FIA is to periodically inventory the Nation's forest ]and. Up-to-date resource information is essential to frame forest policies and programs. USDA Forest Service regional experiment stations are responsible for conducting these triventortes. Fleldwork for the fifth forest inventory of Michigan was begun in April of 1991 and completed in August of 1993. Aerial photographs used were taken in 1986 for the Upper Peninsula, in 1987 for the Northern Lower Peninsula, and in 1988 for the Southern Lower Peninsula. More accurate survey information was obrained during this survey than otherwise would have been feasible because of intensified field sampling. Sampling intensity was increased to a triple intensity level in the Upper Peninsula and to a double intensity level in the Northern Lower Peninsula. Such sampling Was made possible through the cooperation, assistance, and additional funding provided by the State of Michigan and Michigan forest industries Table of Contents Historical Overview of Michigan's Forests .

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