Adapting natural resource management to climate change on the Olympic Peninsula

Climate change presents a major challenge to natural resource managers both because of the magnitude of potential effects of climate change on ecosystem structure, process, and function, and because of the uncertainty associated with those potential ecological effects. Concrete ways to adapt to climate change are needed to help natural resource managers take the first steps to incorporate climate change into management and take advantage of opportunities to balance the negative effects of climate change. We initiated a climate change adaptation case study at Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park to determine how to adapt management of federal lands on the Olympic Peninsula to climate change. As a part of the case study process, we conducted a vulnerability assessment that involved a review of available climate model projections to determine likely levels of exposure to climate change on the Olympic Peninsula, and a review of relevant literature and available effects model projections to identify likely climate change sensitivities in each of four focus areas on the Olympic Peninsula, including hydrology and roads, fish, vegetation, and wildlife. We also identified management constraints at the forest and park to evaluate some aspects of institutional capacity to implement adaptive actions. The vulnerability assessment process set the stage for development of adaptation options through scientist-manager workshops. 

The case study process produced concrete adaptation options for Olympic National Forest and Park and illustrated the utility of place-based vulnerability assessments and scientist-manager workshops in adapting to climate change. A key finding of the assessment was that the current general management at the forest and park, with restoration as a primary goal, is consistent with managing for resilience to prepare ecosystems for a changing climate. However, the effort highlighted some potential issues related to climate change that challenge current precepts and management guidelines, and helped to identify new potential actions, and actions that could be increased and re-prioritized. For example, the case study process identified numerous ways to maintain ecosystem function and biodiversity, and increase resilience to climate change. However, the looming questions of when to consider assisted migration or when and how to redefine exotic species remain for discussion. Although questions remain, the case study process was an essential first step for Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park in preparing for climate change. The process used and ideas produced can be used to help other natural resource managers in adapting to climate change. 
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LOCAL PUBLIC GOODS AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY: EVIDENCE FROM THE IMMIGRATION REFORM AND CONTROL ACT

This paper uses county-level data from California to test whether ethnic fragmentation and other measures of diversity and social capital are systematically related to spending on productive local public goods that affect rural quality of life. The specific focus of this paper is the impact of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986, which brought about 400,000 new immigrants to California, on demographic composition in that state.Public Economics,

Survival, Development and Population Dynamics of \u3ci\u3eEmpoasca Fabae\u3c/i\u3e (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) on Three Legume Hosts

Survival and development of potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae, nymphs were measured on alfalfa (Medicago sativa), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), and red clover (Trifolium pratense). Survival was not significantly different among host plants (mean = 62%). There was no interaction between sex and host plant for developmental time. Males developed significantly faster than females. Developmental time was fastest on alfalfa, intermediate on trefoil, and slowest on red clover. Plots of alfalfa, trefoil, and red clover were planted to compare the seasonal abundance of the potato leafhopper in the three forages. Nymphs were more abundant in trefoil than in alfalfa and red clover late in July, but no differences occurred on the other sample dates. At their peak, adults were more abundant in alfalfa than in trefoil and red clover

Nesting and Habitat Parameters for Selected Raptors in the Desert of Northwestern Utah

This study examined the effects of habitat parameters, disturbances and predation on the reproductive success of golden eagles (Aguila chrysaetos), ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus) in the desert area southwest of the Great Salt Lake in northwestern Utah. The prairie falcon was the only species examined that had a normal reproductive output during the study years of 1984-1986. The prairie falcon was better able to utilize the avian prey species which were very difficult for the larger and slower raptor species to capture. During the reproductive period prairie falcons used Townsend ground squirrel (Sperrnophilus townsendii) heavily. The golden eagles, ferruginous, and red-tailed hawks were not able to obtain sufficient numbers of their primary prey species, the cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus nuttallii) and black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), to allow for a normal reproductive output. These prey species were at the low point of their cyclic population pattern. Disturbance to raptors was not an important factor on this remote study area. Predation, primarily terrestrial mammals, did have a negative effect on reproductive success; however, it was not a major consideration due to lack of predator access on most of the cliff nesting sites of the golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, and prairie falcon. Predation appeared to have a greater impact on the ferruginous hawk nesting success as their nest sites were normally accessable to mammalian predators. Raptor nest site exposure was unimportant to nesting raptors. The nest exposure was very similar to the exposure ratio of the available cliff sites

Applications of Gestalt Therapy in Deafness Rehabilitation Counseling

Techniques used in Gestalt therapy can be applied to working with clients who are deaf in a rehabilitation counseling setting. Gestalt therapy focuses on the whole person, encouraging the assessment of both assets and liabilities. Such a focus avoids the emphasis of disability exclusively. This approach teaches awareness, utilizing the client-therapist relationship and dialogue as tools in the counseling process. The importance of dialogue in the process is emphasized to maximize client involvement. The theory is phenomenological and emphasizes individuality, a focus that discourages the drawing of stereotypes regarding people who are deaf. Acknowledged is the need for individual consideration foreach unique situation in counseling. Awareness is central to the therapy, as is encouraging autonomy and self-acceptance, common issues for clients in rehabilitation. The here-and-now focus of Gestalt therapy promotes increased awareness and responsibility necessary for personal development. Gestalt therapy makes use of a wide range of techniques that are applicable to working with people who are deaf seeking rehabilitation counseling services

Epaminondas: Exploring Combat Tactics

Epaminondas is a two-person, zero-sum strategy game that combines long-term strategic play with highly tactical move sequences. The game has two unique features that make it stand out from other games. The first feature is the creation of phalanxes, which are groups of pieces that can move as a whole unit. As the number of pieces in a phalanx increases, the mobility and capturing power of the phalanx also increases. The second feature differs from many other strategy games: when a player makes a crossing, a winning move in the game, the second player has an opportunity to respond. This paper presents strategies and heuristics used in a Min-Max Alpha-Beta agent that plays at a novice level. Furthermore, it defines the state-space and game-tree complexities for Epaminondas. Finally, a new version of MCTS is implemented that uses the Alpha-Beta heuristic function during node selection to guide MCTS to more promising areas of the search tree. Additionally, in an effort to overcome the MCTS tactical weakness, the MCTS player implements the Alpha-Beta search once the game reaches 15 turns. Results show that the added heuristic value and the switch to Alpha-Beta for endgame play, positively impact the performance of MCTS, surpassing novice Alpha-Beta win ratios at certain time intervals