Urban Oregon Ash - Inventory and plan development in the face of Emerald ash borer

The invasive beetle, Emerald ash borer (EAB) was first detected in Oregon within an urban area of Washington County in 2022. The spread of this beetle has already begun to take its toll on its preferred host tree, ash (Fraxinus spp.). Though there are many species of ash throughout the urban area, Oregon only has one native ash tree, Oregon ash (F. latifiolia) which is highly associated with stream corridors and wetland habitats. Along our streams Oregon ash helps provide soil infiltration, streambank stabilization, stream shade, and other critical ecosystem services throughout private and public lands alike. As EAB spreads it will kill much, if not all Oregon ash trees, which can grow to be over 100-feet tall when fully mature. Dead and weakened trees can pose severe social, economic, and environmental risks and impacts posing challenges with nearby homes, roads, and other infrastructure. EAB impacts coupled with other urban stressors including higher temperatures, drought, and soil compaction make for a complex and challenging dilemma resulting in significant economic burden to individual residents and government entities. This presentation shares an Ash tree inventory and management plan development tool specifically for use in urban forested natural areas. These tools were created to help engage a variety of urban communities and municipalities for a proactive response to EAB, saving time and money. The sooner urban areas can complete an ash inventory, the sooner long-term management plans can be implemented, public health can be ensured, and economic savings can be realized

Investigating Water Temperature Dynamics and Hydrologic Interactions in an Urban Stream-Lake System near Portland OR

This study investigated the factors controlling stream temperature and thermal stratification in Rock Creek and Bethany Lake, an urbanized watershed featuring an in-line irrigation pond and buried wastewater infrastructure. Previous research suggested that subsurface water flow facilitated by buried infrastructure (urban karst) might drive temperature shifts in Rock Creek during summer periods when flow from Bethany Lake ceases. From 2023 to 2024, continuous temperature and stage monitoring, combined with statistical methods, were used to evaluate seasonal temperature dynamics and their controlling factors. Results confirmed that seasonal reversals in temperature trends occurred within Rock Creek, though these may have been strongly influenced by monitoring techniques and thermal stratification. During summer periods, Bethany Lake did not flow into Rock Creek, and streamflow within Rock Creek was negligible. Solar irradiance emerged as the most influential parameter for stream warming during these periods. Unexpectedly, lake elevation had a measurable influence on Upper Rock Creek stage, suggesting hydrologic interactions that are not yet fully understood. Piezometer data indicated that variability in subsurface water elevation was correlated with fluctuations in Bethany Lake elevation, but only within the middle of the study reach. Despite this, there was no measurable fluctuation of stream temperature in relation to subsurface water elevation. This study underscores the importance of understanding interactions among anthropogenic modifications, hydrologic connectivity, and environmental controls on stream temperature, with implications for urban stream restoration and management

Cost Comparison of Congregate, Motel, and Village-Type Shelters for People Experiencing Homelessness

Village and motel shelters exemplify the expanding field of “alternative” shelters for people experiencing homelessness, largely defined in contrast to “traditional” congregate shelters. Little research compares the financial costs of alternative and traditional shelter models. The research team analyzed cost data for 13 alternative shelters (six villages and seven motel shelters) and nine traditional congregate shelters in Portland, Oregon. Costs were assessed per “unit” (i.e. shelter bed or motel room) to account for differences in shelter sizes. Village shelters had the highest per-unit set-up costs ($99,630), followed by motel shelters ($88,462), while congregate shelters had the lowest ($43,692). Congregate shelters had the lowest annual operating costs per unit, at$16,654, with village shelters at $29,681 and motel shelters at$28,409. Although congregate shelters had the lowest costs, other factors such as community needs, site availability, and client experiences and outcomes should also be considered when planning new shelters

\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3eF\u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3e Hypergeometric Functions as a Sum of a Product of \u3csub\u3e1\u3c/sub\u3eF\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e Functions

This paper shows that certain 3F4 hypergeometric functions can be expanded in sums of pair products of 1F2 functions. In special cases, the 3F4 hypergeometric functions reduce to 2F3 functions. Further special cases allow one to reduce the 2F3 functions to 1F2 functions, and the sums to products of 0F1 (Bessel) and 1F2 functions. The class of hypergeometric functions with summation theorems are thereby expanded beyond those expressible as pair-products of 2F1 functions, 3F2 functions, and generalized Whittaker functions, into the realm of pFq functions where p \u3c q for both the summand and terms in the series

PDXScholar Multi-Year Annual Report (2022-2024)

We are excited to share our 2022-2024 PDXScholar Multi-Year Annual Report. This multi-year report covers the period between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024. PDXScholar, Portland State University\u27s institutional repository, provides access to the scholarly and creative output of PSU faculty, students, and staff. In this report, we aim to highlight PDXScholar’s growth and impact through readership data, new content and collections, and feedback from our users

The Fate of Recycled Water in Restored Wetlands

This research investigates the hydrological fate of treated wastewater used for irrigation at a restored wetland site (Thomas Dairy) near Tigard, Oregon, that is managed by Clean Water Services (CWS). CWS is interested in understanding how treated wastewater moves through plants and soil in ecosystems that might be targeted for recycled water application. Using a water balance approach, we evaluated irrigation inputs, soil infiltration dynamics, and hydraulic conductivity measurements across three soil types with different textures and other properties. Field measurements were collected using advanced sensors (TEROS and ATMOS devices) and laboratory tools (KSAT) to quantify soil hydraulic properties and assess infiltration rates. We found significant variability in hydraulic conductivity among soil types. Cove Clay exhibited low hydraulic conductivity, with slower water movement due to finer particles, while McBee silty clay loam soils had higher hydraulic conductivity due to coarser soil texture. Trends in matric potential and water content illustrate the dynamic nature of soil hydrology, with shallow soils responding faster to irrigation and environmental changes compared to deeper soils. These results provide critical insights into the fate of recycled water in restored wetlands, emphasizing the influence of soil characteristics on water storage and movement. These hydrologic assessments will help understand the likelihood of groundwater recharge with different irrigation rates at Thomas Dairy, with the potential to impact water management practices relating to water reuse. In the long run, this assessment will help CWS evaluate sites for water reuse, supporting more sustainable water management and better irrigation practices

Springwater Wetlands Enhancement in the Johnson Creek Watershed, Lents and Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhoods

Over the past two decades, Springwater Wetlands floodplain restoration has focused on reducing flooding, enhancing habitat, and improving community amenities on City of Portland property. Project construction is nearing completion. Sharing lessons learned in project plans, designs, funds, permits, floodplain enhances and construction process with the urban restoration community also important. For context, regional climate and land use changes reduce watershed habitat function and increase local floods. Johnson Creek is one of the few free-flowing streams in Portland and has a long history of nuisance and catastrophic flooding. For over a century, government agencies focused on flood control with limited success. For example, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) skillfully lined Johnson Creek rock to alleviate flooding to no avail. About 20 years ago, the Johnson Creek Restoration Plan shifted this focused to watershed-wide floodplain restoration and prioritized the Springwater Wetlands project. This unique 70-acre, urban wetland enhancement project is in the underserved Lents and Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhoods regularly impacted by local flooding. Implemented approaches include to: modify site topography; contain stormwater on City property; build trails for public access, maintenance, education and emergency response; plant desirable vegetation; remove invasives; dispose of contaminated fill; protect sensitive species such as red-legged frogs and migratory birds; expand onsite wetlands; install wood piles, snags, and amphibian logs; monitor habitat; maintain vegetation long-term; and adaptively manage site features (beaver dam analogs, tec.). The project leverages many partnerships with residents, businesses, regulatory agencies, Portland Parks (PPR) and Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). For example, Zenger Farm, a Springwater Wetlands neighbor, educates people about sustainable food systems, wetland ecology and environmental stewardship. In addition, collaboration between BES, PBOT and PPR incorporated a paved bike trail that improves access to natural areas and pedestrian transportation network, aligning with long-term connectivity plans, into this project. This project also integrates educational signs and site features made from WPA rock connecting history and the natural environment

Recovering Population of the Southern Sea Otter Suppresses a Global Marine Invader

Understanding the role of apex predators on ecosystems is essential for designing effective conservation strategies. Supporting recovery of apex predators can have many benefits; one that has been rarely examined is control of invasive prey. We investigated whether a recovering apex predator, the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis), can exert local control over a global marine invader, the green crab (Carcinus maenas). We determined that southern sea otters in Elkhorn Slough estuary in California can consume large numbers of invasive green crabs and found strong negative relationships in space and time between otter and green crab abundance. Green crabs persisted at highest abundance in this estuary at sites with artificial tidal restriction that were not accessible to otters. Green crab abundance remained lower in this estuary than in all other estuaries in the region, which lack resident sea otters. Conservation organizations and agencies have invested heavily in recovery of southern sea otters, increasing their numbers in this estuary. Restoration of natural tidal exchange, lost marshes, and seagrass beds further support sea otter populations. We have demonstrated that these investments in top predator recovery and habitat restoration have reduced the impacts of a global invader. Our investigation highlights that investment in recovery of top predators can increase beneficial food web interactions and resilience of the entire ecosystem

Counting Crows: Documenting Portland\u27s Urban Roost

Communal roosting by American Crows has been documented since the early 1800s with naturalists of the day describing winter roosts numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Roosts large enough to draw the attention of urban residents were rarely described until the 1970s but are now common across North America. The natural history of Portland’s urban crow roost began in early 2013 with the first eBird and media reports. We began documenting Portland\u27s winter roost in November 2017. Since that time we have recorded over 120 detailed censuses and documented a four-fold increase in the number of roosting crows peaking at over 22,000 in January 2024. A paper documenting our methods, data, and findings was published in the Oregon Birding Association\u27s Fall 2023 journal. Since the beginning of the roost in Portland there have been perceived conflicts between crows and some residents and businesses, with the primary concern being the quantity of droppings produced. To date the human response has been to attempt to force roosting crows away from high conflict areas, but our data indicates that these efforts have only short term localized impacts. Understanding why crows prefer specific areas could inform strategies for attracting crows to lower conflict areas. The arrival of crows in downtown Portland each winter night is arguably the single largest urban wildlife phenomenon in the city. Our goal is to prompt a broader research effort to eventually shift from a strategy of blunt force to one of informed enticement

Assisted Living, Residential Care, and Memory Care Staffing Level Dynamics: Oregon, 2017–2023

Objectives To examine changes in staffing levels over time in Oregon assisted living and residential care (AL/RC) communities between 2017 and 2023. Design Longitudinal study of licensed AL/RC communities. Setting and Participants A total of 1720 setting-year observations from 535 individual AL/RC communities in Oregon between 2017 and 2023. Methods Primary data were collected through the Oregon Community-Based Care (CBC) study. Staffing levels were estimated as care staff hours per resident per day and reported overall and by staff type, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, certified medication aides, unlicensed care staff, life enrichment staff, and social workers. Fixed-effects linear regression models were estimated to account for the time-invariant characteristics in the panel data. Results The mean care staff hours per resident per day was 3 hours and 30 minutes (range, 3 hours and 11 minutes to 4 hours and 1 minute), depending on the survey setting year. The mean occupancy rate was 77.5% and declined significantly from 80.3% to 72.2% during the pandemic (P \u3c .001). Staffing levels (overall and by staff type) varied significantly across AL/RC settings. There was an increase in staffing levels immediately after the pandemic started. Most (64%) of the variation observed in staffing levels could be attributed to between-AL/RC differences. On average, total care staff levels were 19 minutes higher in 2021 and 28 minutes higher in 2023 compared with 2017. Conclusions and Implications The wide range of staffing levels points to significant differences in operational structures, resource allocations, and resident characteristics across different communities, with implications for the quality of care provided to residents. Understanding the significant changes to staffing patterns (levels and mix) after the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for developing policies to improve adaptability and resilience of AL/RC settings. Keywords: Direct care workers, nurse staffing, home and community-based services, workforc