Spatial and interspecific variability in phenological responses to warming temperatures

A comprehensive understanding of species phenological responses to global warming will require observations that are both long-term and spatially extensive. Here we present an analysis of the spring phenological response to climate variation of twelve taxa: six plants, three birds, a frog, and two insects. Phenology was monitored using standardized protocols at 176 meteorological stations in Japan and South Korea from 1953 to 2005, and in some cases even longer. We developed a hierarchical Bayesian model to examine the complex interactions of temperature, site effects, and latitude on phenology. Results show species-specific variation in the magnitude and even in the direction of their responses to increasing temperature, which also differ from site-to-site. At most sites the differences in phenology among species are forecast to become greater with warmer temperatures. Our results challenge the assertion that trends in one geographic region can be extrapolated to others, and emphasize the idiosyncratic nature of the species response to global warming. Field studies are needed to determine how these patterns of variation in species response to climate change affect species interactions and the ability to persist in a changing climate.     

Effect of tapping activity on the dynamics of radial growth of Hevea brasiliensis trees

Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg.) radial growth dynamics were monitored with displacement sensors, together with latex production, to investigate three aspects of the dual production of latex and wood: (1) the usefulness of fine-scale dendrometric measurements as a physiological tool to detect water shortage through radial growth; (2) the dynamic aspects, both at the seasonal and at the multi-year scale, of the competition between latex and wood production; and (3) the spatial distribution of radial growth rates around the tapping cut. Radial growth of untapped control trees started with the onset of the rainy season and lasted until the onset of the dry season, ceasing completely during the driest period. Displacement sensors provided a sensitive means of detecting water shortage, with a clear correlation between diameter variations and changes in water availability (both daily evapotranspiration and monthly rainfall) over the whole annual cycle. However, the correlation was significantly disturbed in tapped trees. After resumption of tapping, the radial growth rate dropped sharply within two weeks and the effect persisted throughout the whole season, so that the cumulative growth of tapped trees was about half that of untapped trees, with the cumulative growth deficit reaching 80% for the period from mid-June to November. This long-known negative impact of tapping on growth was much stronger in the second year of tapping than in the first, whereas latex production increased significantly between the first and second year of tapping. The increased latex production, which could not be ascribed to climatic conditions, shows that the establishment of an artificial latex sink is a progressive, long-term process likely involving many aspects of metabolism. As expected, ethylene significantly increased latex production in both years; however, ethylene had no effect on the growth rates of tapped trees. Radial growth was differentially affected at different locations around the tapping cut, with growth rates significantly lower in the tapped panel than in the untapped panel, and higher above the cut than below the cut. Thus, caution is needed when deriving whole stem wood production from girth measurements at one location on the stem, especially from girth measurements made close to the tapping cut. This also provides new evidence for the location of the latex regeneration area in the tapped panel, below the cut.     

Assessing the role of federal community assistance programs to develop biomass utilization capacity in the western United States

As forest biomass utilization becomes cost effective to harvest, more areas at risk of catastrophic wildfire can be thinned of dense brush and small diameter trees. In an effort to increase biomass utilization, the USDA Forest Service granted more than $36 million in National Fire Plan-Economic Action Program funds in the western United States during fiscal years 2001 to 2003. Interviews with program coordinators and grant recipients were used to characterize the types of investment strategies used and to assess accomplishments relative to national fuels reduction objectives. Findings include a strong emphasis on grants leveraging other funding sources, coordination of resources to increase utilization capacity, and the need for technical assistance to facilitate project design and implementation. We conclude that community assistance programs may help to create the type of utilization capacity necessary to reduce hazardous fuels, but that sustained progress will depend on synergistic activities on multiple fronts and improved demonstration of program accomplishments.     

The Effect of PIT Tagging on Survival,Tag Retention,and Weight Gain in Fingerling White Bass

We tagged fingerling white bass, Morone chrysops, with passive integrated transponders (PIT) at two body locations (peritoneal cavity and dorsal musculature) and six weight classes to evaluate survival, tag retention, and weight gain during a 28-day experimental period. The probability of survival (as calculated by logistic regression) was >95% for fingerlings >19 g for both PC and DM. Retention of PIT tags varied between PC and DM tagged white bass in 6 g and 14 g fingerlings. The probability of tag retention was 100% in all sizes of fingerlings tagged PC, and >95% for fish >19 g tagged DM.     

Genetic Effects and Estimates for the Heritability of Size in Fingerling Hybrid Striped Bass Reared Indoors

Hybrid striped bass fingerlings were grown in replicated indoor tanks for 42 days to evaluate progeny performance of two growth-related traits. Analysis of variance demonstrated significant differences in length and weight of fingerlings among paternal and maternal half-sib families and high estimates of heritability for dams and sires. Based on significant sire and dam effects and high heritabilities, a substantial portion of the selection differential could be expected to be gained in offspring from selected pure-line parents. As demonstrated by these results, a breeding program could be used to select parental lines that produce faster growing hybrid offspring.     

Seafood mislabelling: comparisons of two western European case studies assist in defining influencing factors,mechanisms and motives

The global seafood industry, influenced by consumer demand, is closely linked to the global fishing industry, which determines the variety of fish available for consumption. The recently revealed issue of seafood mislabelling threatens to weaken this link by removing consumer power to influence patterns of fisheries exploitation through informed choice. Recognizing this, there is an urgent need to go beyond the mere documentation of the phenomenon and learn more about the origins of this problem and the nature of factors influencing its occurrence to develop solutions. In an attempt to understand seafood mislabelling more thoroughly in Europe, 226 cod products were purchased from Ireland and the UK, genetically identified using a DNA barcoding technique (COI barcoding gene), and species identification results were compared against product labels. Cod mislabelling proved more severe in Ireland than in the UK (28.4% vs. 7.4%). Moreover, whereas data show that in Ireland, cheaper species are sold as cod, in the UK, threatened Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) may be sold as ‘sustainably sourced’ Pacific cod. Considering these countries operate under the same EU policies for seafood traceability and labelling, it is likely that this situation has been influenced by heightened consumer awareness in the UK, which has created an environment where mislabelling is discouraged. In addition to identifying samples, traceability information from packaged cod was used to trace products back to supplying companies. Although inconclusive in determining blame, this exercise has demonstrated that using traceability information can add explanatory power when attempting to determine responsibility for the occurrence of mislabelling.     

Needle blight caused by Dothistroma pini in Slovakia: distribution,host range and mating types

Dothistroma needle blight (DNB) has been observed in Slovakia during the last two decades. Up until 2017, Dothistroma septosporum has only been detected and molecularly confirmed to cause DNB in Slovakia. Here, we report the detection of Dothistroma pini at six localities around Slovakia, representing different plantation types. Four pine species (Pinus sylvestris, P. nigra, P. mugo and P. jeffreyi) were confirmed as hosts of D. pini in Slovakia, of which only P. mugo has been previously reported as host in Slovakia. Three gene regions (ITS, EF1 –α, and ß-tubulin) of each of the 13 isolates were sequenced and assigned as D. pini. Based on ITS sequences, the studied isolates represent the haplotypes Dp_HAP.1, Dp_HAP.2. Both mating types were detected but at different localities. Our results suggest that in addition to D. septosporum, D. pini may contribute to DNB also in Slovakia.     

The hosts and geographic range of Dothistroma needle blight in Slovakia

The occurrence and distribution of Dothistroma needle blight (DNB) were studied in 2014–2017 around Slovakia. A total of 84 localities, both native and planted, were investigated, and the presence of DNB was confirmed in 73 of them. In all positive locations, symptoms typical of DNB were observed and the Dothistroma species was confirmed using species‐specific primers either from fungal cultures or directly from needles. Both Dothistroma species—D. septosporum and D. pini—were identified. Both species occurred together in 29 locations, only D. septosporum in 42 and only D. pini in two locations. The host range of D. septosporum included 10 pine species and two spruce species. The host range of D. pini comprised the same number of pine hosts but only one spruce species. Five pine hosts, P. aristata, P. coulteri, P. densiflora, P. jeffreyi, P. × schwerinii, and one spruce host P. abies are new hosts species of D. pini. P. densiflora and Picea pungens have earlier been reported to be susceptible for DNB. In this study, D. septosporum was found from both tree species.     

Common Influences on the Success of Habitat Conservation Planning under the Endangered Species Act

Over half of the endangered species in the United States depend on private lands for habitat. In 1982, Congress amended the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to address the conservation of endangered species on private lands through the introduction of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). HCPs enable landowners to comply with the ESA and can foster creative partnerships between the federal government and local stakeholders. Researchers have investigated the scientifically biological merits of HCPs, but comparatively little attention has been given to social aspects despite an emphasis on stakeholder involvement in HCPs. We explore stakeholder perceptions of HCP development through 19 semi-structured key informant interviews. Findings include the influence of interpersonal themes, shared understanding and capacity on process outcomes, and the importance of the external context in which HCP development occurs. Our research highlights the central role of understanding social dimensions to achieve the desired outcomes from collaborative conservation planning processes.