Infection of young Douglas-firs by dwarf mistletoe in the Southwest

Studies in several areas in Arizona and New Mexico show that dwarf mistletoe ( Arceuthobium douglasii ) is rare in young Douglas-firs growing under infected overstories. Less than 5% of the Douglas-firs under 26 years old and less than 6% of those under 1.4m tall were infected in 77 mistletoe-infested stands. Both percent infection and mean dwarf mistletoe rating of young Douglas-firs increased as tree age, height, and stand dwarf mistletoe ratings increased.     

Estimates of site potential for Douglas-fir based on site index for several southwestern habitat types

Estimates of site potential for Douglas-fir based on measured site indexes in 450 stands are compared between 10 southwestern habitat types. Significant differences in site potential are found between the habitat types studied.     

Estimates of site potential for ponderosa pine based on site index for several southwestern habitat types

Estimates of site potential for ponderosa pine based on measured site indexes in 416 stands are compared between seven habitat types and one community type. No significant differences in mean site index are found between the habitat types studied. The habitat types are classified into high or moderate site potential classes based on mean site indexes.     

Speciation through sensory drive in cichlid fish

Theoretically, divergent selection on sensory systems can cause speciation through sensory drive. However, empirical evidence is rare and incomplete. Here we demonstrate sensory drive speciation within island populations of cichlid fish. We identify the ecological and molecular basis of divergent evolution in the cichlid visual system, demonstrate associated divergence in male colouration and female preferences, and show subsequent differentiation at neutral loci, indicating reproductive isolation. Evidence is replicated in several pairs of sympatric populations and species. Variation in the slope of the environmental gradients explains variation in the progress towards speciation: speciation occurs on all but the steepest gradients. This is the most complete demonstration so far of speciation through sensory drive without geographical isolation. Our results also provide a mechanistic explanation for the collapse of cichlid fish species diversity during the anthropogenic eutrophication of Lake Victoria.     

Effects of dwarf mistletoe on spruce in the White Mountains, Arizona

Mortality of spruce in mixed conifer stands moderately to heavily infested with western spruce dwarf mistletoe was two to five times greater than in healthy stands in the White Mountains, Arizona. Ten-year volume growth loss for heavily infected spruce trees ranged from 25% to 40%. Estimates of growth loss for spruce on a stand basis ranged from 10% to 20% in heavily infested stands. Because western spruce dwarf mistletoe is prevalent in the White Mountains and causes increased mortality and reduced growth, its control should be included in management of mixed conifer stands there.     

Effects of dwarf mistletoe on growth and mortality of Douglas-fir in the Southwest

The effects of dwarf mistletoe ( Arceuthobium douglasii ) on growth and mortality of Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ) were studied on 387 plots in mixed-conifer stands in three national forests in New Mexico and two in Arizona. Analyses of 8,570 trees showed that low infection ratings (dwarf mistletoe classes 1 or 2) had no significant effect on tree growth, but that losses increased markedly as infection severity increased. Average volume growth losses for trees over 10 inches in diameter were: dwarf mistletoe class 3, 10%; class 4, 25%; class 5, 45%; and class 6, 65%. Mortality of Douglas-fir in stands severely infested with dwarf mistletoe was three to four times that of healthy stands. These high losses confirm the need for silvicultural control of Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe in the Southwest.     

Contrails reduce daily temperature range

The potential of condensation trails (contrails) from jet aircraft to affect regional-scale surface temperatures has been debated for years, but was difficult to verify until an opportunity arose as a result of the three-day grounding of all commercial aircraft in the United States in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. Here we show that there was an anomalous increase in the average diurnal temperature range (that is, the difference between the daytime maximum and night-time minimum temperatures) for the period 11-14 September 2001. Because persisting contrails can reduce the transfer of both incoming solar and outgoing infrared radiation and so reduce the daily temperature range, we attribute at least a portion of this anomaly to the absence of contrails over this period.     

Wood and understory production under a range of ponderosa pine stocking levels, Black Hills, South Dakota

Stemwood and understory production (kg ha -1 ) were estimated during 3 nonconsecutive years on 5 growing stock levels of ponderosa pine including clearcuts and unthinned stands. Stemwood production was consistently greater at mid- and higher pine stocking levels, and understory production was greater in stands with less pine; however, there were no differences in total (stemwood + understory) production. Based on loss of productivity, there is no argument that small clearcuts and unthinned stands should not be included in site plans. They contribute significantly to community structure, particularly to plant and animal species richness.     

Absolute time-of-arrival measurements of optical pulses from the Crab pulsar

An attempt is made to understand the characteristics of pulsar slowdown in terms of various possible emission mechanisms. Though magnetic-dipole radiation seems to be dominant, the deviations from a pure dipolar decay are large compared with errors in measurement and indicate the presence of more complicated braking mechanisms, small fluctuations, and major "jumps", or period discontinuities. Some rapid-relaxation effect is evident following the discontinuous jump in period in September 1969, but there is no evidence of the quasi-sinusoidal behaviour reported before the jump by Arecibo. An alternative interpretation of the Arecibo data is given.