Some edaphic relations of southeastern Idaho wildlands

Soil samples from the Al horizon and dominant subsoil horizon at 190 sites were analyzed for Ca, Mg, K, P, and organic matter contents in conjunction with a soil resource inventory of the Caribou National Forest. Vegetative composition and production data were compared to the edaphic factors to derive relationships useful to the land manager. Organic matter was effective in distinguishing between soil orders and was positively correlated to vegetative production. Vegetative cycling of the nutrients P and K was most pronounced in soils of the order Mollisols, to a lesser degree in the Alfisols, and not at all in the Entisols. The K/Mg ratio of the soil showed a negative correlation to grass production and a positive correlation with shrub production. An interpretative table is provided to aid determinations of high versus low values for the edaphic factors studied.     

Applicability of the universal soil loss equation for southeastern Idaho wildlands

Soil physical and chemical properties were studied to identify habitat differences among 15 sagebrush dominated plant community types of the Great Basin. The sagebrush taxa studied followed an apparent gradient of increasing soil fertility, with Artemisia nova commonly occupying the lowest fertility sites. Sites of moderate soil fertility tended to support A. arbuscula , A. longiloba , and A. tridentata ssp. Wyomingensis . Artemisia tridentata ssp. Tridentata and A. tridentata ssp. Vaseyana were commonly found on sites with the highest soil fertility levels as indicated by maximum organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels within such soils. Mollic epipedon depth, total depth, and water-holding capacity of the soil also increased as the dominant sagebrush taxon of a community type changed from A. nova to A. tridentata ssp. Vaseyana . Data from this study provide information concerning soil relationships within relatively undisturbed rangeland communities. Such data are required if future soil sampling efforts within the Great Basin are to have a basis for comparison.     

Computation, individuation, and the received view on representation

The ‘received view’ about computation is that all computations must involve representational content. Egan and Piccinini argue against the received view. In this paper, I focus on Egan’s arguments, claiming that they fall short of establishing that computations do not involve representational content. I provide positive arguments explaining why computation has to involve representational content, and how that representational content may be of any type (distal, broad, etc.). I also argue (contra Egan and Fodor) that there is no need for computational psychology to be individualistic. Finally, I draw out a number of consequences for computational individuation, proposing necessary conditions on computational identity and necessary and sufficient conditions on computational I/O equivalence of physical systems.     

Effects of watershed alteration on the brook trout population of a small Black Hills stream

The impacts of adjacent landscaping activity and livestock presence on the brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis ) population of a small Black Hills stream were evaluated. Moderate changes in temperature, turbidity, and fecal coliform numbers did not influence brook trout densities. Stream morphometry, particularly factors affecting stream cover, appeared to have the greatest impact on numbers of trout. Brook trout were poor indicators of moderate changes in water quality, but they were adequate indicators of the physical perturbations within the stream.      

Avian use of scoria rock outcrops

Avian use of scoria outcrop habitats was compared to use of sagebrush ( Artemisia spp.)/grassland habitats. Outcrop habitats exhibited higher species richness, total population density, density of lark sparrows ( Chondestres grammacus ), and density of rock wrens ( Salpinctes obsoletus ). Western meadowlarks ( Sturnella neglecta ) and vesper sparrows ( Pooecetes gramineus ) were more abundant in sagebrush/grassland habitats than in scoria outcrops. Habitat relationship models indicated that the unique plant community and structural diversity diversity provided by the scoria outcrops were correlated with increased avain use.     

Fall diet of blue grouse in Oregon

The early fall diet of Oregon blue grouse ( Dendragapus obscurus pallidus ) from Wallowa County, Oregon, was determined from 145 crops obtained during 1981 and 1982. Of more than 50 plant and animal foods in the diet, short-horned grasshoppers ( Acrididae ), prickly lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), yellow salsify ( Tragopogon dubius ), wild buck-wheat ( Eriogonum spp.), and snowberry ( Symphoricarpos albus ) occurred in 30% or more of the crops and collectively amounted to 68% of the diet by weight. Seven of the 12 most common foods were consumed differentially by the four sex and age classes of birds. Results indicated that blue grouse foraged in forest and grassland habitats.     

Correlates of burrow location in Beechey ground squirrels

Partial correlation analysis indicates that Beechey ground squirrels show a strong preference for digging burrows under and around large objects, may show a weaker tendency to locate their burrows under the cover of tree canopies, and avoid digging burrows in areas with both treecanopy and ground cover (stones, logs). These relationships hold for large but not small burrow systems. The need for unobstructed visual surveillance and an autumn food supply are proposed to be determinants of these preferences.     

Least Bell's Vireo breeding records in the Central Valley following decades of extirpation

The Least Bell’s Vireo ( Vireo bellii pusillus ) was listed as state endangered in 1980 and federally endangered in 1986 in response to a sharp population decline and range reduction. This vireo commonly bred in riparian forests throughout the Central Valley of California, but prior to 2005, no nesting pairs had been confirmed in the region in over 50 years. On 29 June 2005, a Least Bell’s Vireo nest was located in a 3-year-old riparian restoration site at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge in Stanislaus County, California. In 2006, a Least Bell’s Vireo pair returned to the refuge to successfully breed, followed by an unsuccessful attempt in 2007 by an unpaired female. These records are approximately 350 km from the nearest known breeding population and appear to be part of a growing number of sightings outside of the species’ current southern California breeding range. These nesting attempts lend credence to the idea that extirpated species can recolonize restored habitat by long-distance dispersal.     

Calibration of the HSPF model with a new coupled FTABLE generation method

The hydrological simulation program FORTRAN (HSPF) is a comprehensive watershed model designed to simulate water quantity and quality processes.It is used widely throughout the world.Calculating discharge from a stream reach by HSPF is based mainly on function tables (FTABLEs),which describe the relationship between surface area,stream stage,volume,and discharge.The traditional method of FTABLE generation (using general stream cross-sections and the Manning equation or other discharge relationships) can be time-consuming and inaccurate when there are limited calibration stations and survey data.Recent insights into generalized coupled stage/storage and stage/discharge relationships,however,offer the potential to improve both the speed and accuracy of compiling FTABLEs and thus HSPF models.This study tested the application of these insights in generating FTABLEs.The study domain included 18 gauging stations in a coastal plain environment on the Peace River watershed in West-Central Florida.In the calibration of this model,wetlands were treated as reaches in HSPF with storage-attenuation characteristics.Over the simulation period,the modeled daily flow and stage correlated well with observed data at all ganging stations along the Peace River.The Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency and correlation coefficient computed using observed and simulated daily flows were 0.90 and 0.91,respectively,at the Peace River outlet.Rigorous testing found that the new system for calibrating the FTABLEs improved the model predictive ability and efficiency.Uncertainty in un-calibrated station performance was also reduced.The model parameters obtained in this study could potentially serve as reference values for model application in similar climatic regions.They may also have particular relevance in disaster management,as the simulation period extended over the hurricane season of 2004,and the model domain was within a high hurricane impact zone.The possible effects of hurricanes on discharge are also briefly discussed.     

Synthesis of ovulation-inhibiting compounds; structure-activity relationship.

We describe the synthesis of some new derivatives of benzo(4, 5)cyclohepta(1, 2-b)thiophene which inhibit ovulation and the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the rat. We also describe the relationship between the structure and activity of these compounds.