Joint Management of Upland & Aquatic Habitat for the California Red-Legged Frog & California Tiger Salamander

As federally and state protected amphibians, the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) are recipients of ample management focus. Both species face a variety of threats, including habitat loss and alteration, introduction of non-native species, spread of disease, and effects of climate change. While management plans for the California tiger salamander and California red-legged frog exist, they frequently do not consider both species in tandem and often contain multiple shortcomings. This document aims to address the shortfalls of current management by providing practical recommendations for jointly managing the upland and aquatic habitat of both species. To inform management recommendations, a case study was conducted to identify deficiencies in current management. Literature review and personal communications with experts were also utilized to provide detailed accounts of species life history, habitat use, and prominent threats. As sympatric, biphasic amphibians with considerable overlap in biology, habitat, and threats, management strategies targeting one species often affect the other. Joint management may facilitate management efforts, aiding in the recovery of both species. Livestock grazing as a means of vegetation control is identified as a principal strategy for managing upland and aquatic habitats. Other tactics include non-native species removal, pond maintenance, hydroperiod alteration, disease management, and construction of wildlife crossings. Surveying and monitoring are valuable tools for determining management needs, observing changes, and encouraging adaptive management. Management must be approached with a site-specific mindset and continued research is needed to improve future management and promote recovery of the species

Probable Displacement of Riffle-Dwelling Invertebrates by the Introduced Rusty Crayfish, \u3ci\u3eOrconectes Rusticus\u3c/i\u3e (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in a North-Central Wisconsin Stream

The rapid northward range expansion of the rusty crayfish, Orconectes rusticus, and its negative effects on Wisconsin lakes have been the subjects of intense study throughout the last fifteen years. In this study, we investigated the possible impact of rusty crayfish on the benthic macroinvertebrate community structure of the Prairie River in north-central Wisconsin. Rusty crayfish and other invertebrates were collected during August and September, 1994, from three sections of the Prairie River. Rusty crayfish relative abundance increased significantly from the upper to middle, and middle to lower sections; and correlated negatively with a significant 77% decrease in total density of aquatic invertebrates between sections. Mean density of all important invertebrate families and trophic guilds decreased significantly between the upper and lower sections. Due to the similarity of most environmental conditions between river sections, decrease of invertebrates is attributed to the increased abundance of rusty crayfish and its interactions with the native rouna. Our results suggest that a high abundance of rusty crayfish may negatively impact Wisconsin lotic systems

Benthic Nutrient Flux in a Small Estuary in Northwestern Florida (USA)

Benthic nutrient fluxes of ammonium (NH4+), nitrite/nitrate (NO2- + NO3-), phosphate (PO4-3), and dissolved silica (DSi) were measured in Escambia Bay, an estuary within the larger Pensacola Bay system of northwestern Florida (USA). Our study occurred during a severe drought which reduced riverine inputs to Escambia Bay. Laboratory incubations of field-collected cores were conducted on 8 dates between June and October 2000 to estimate nutrient flux, and cores were collected from locations exhibiting a range of sediment organic matter content. NH4+ flux ranged from – 48.1 to 110.4 μmol m-2 h-1, but the mean flux was 14.6 μmol m-2 h-1. Dissolved silica (DSi) fluxes were also variable (-109. 3 to 145.3 μmol m-2 h-1), but the mean net flux (9.3 μmol m-2 h-1) was from the sediment to the water column. Bay sediment fluxes for NO2-+ NO3- and PO4-3 were less variable during this period (– 7.93 to 28.73 and – 1.74 to 3.29 μmol m-2 h-1 for NO2-+ NO3- and PO4-3, respectively). Low NH4+ fluxes were similar to published estimates from lagoonal Gulf of Mexico (GOM) estuaries, possibly due to the reduced freshwater input. Diminished regeneration of phosphate relative to inorganic nitrogen observed during the study period was consistent with previous research in Pensacola Bay suggesting phytoplankton phosphorus limitation. Finally, the estimated residence time of Escambia Bay and the mean turnover times for NH4+ and NO2-+ NO3- suggested that benthic flux significantly influenced nitrogen concentrations in overlying water

Wrong without a Remedy - North Carolina and the Wrongful Death of a Stillborn

This comment ... presents a legal argument supporting a civil action for the wrongful death of some stillborns and suggests that a gestational age of twenty-six weeks represents an appropriate viability standard in interpreting the North Carolina wrongful death statute. It also attempts to bridge the perceptual gap between certain aspects of medical and social sciences and the law regarding the fetus. The argument in support of the twenty-six week viability standard is presented in four parts. First, this comment illustrates why the fetus now enjoys an elevated status in society. Second, it illustrates the devastating impact of a stillbirth on the survivors. Third, it examines the born alive requirement and demonstrates that this requirement does not represent a well-defined line of demarcation, nor is it in the best interest of the public. Finally, it recommends that North Carolina courts interpret the wrongful death statute to include fetuses who have reached a gestational age of twenty-six weeks, because this age is: an age consistent with a medical viability standard; an age at which abortion ceases to be a maternal, medical, or legal option; an age at which maternal attachment is well-developed; and an age during which the fetus exhibits true attributes of personhood

The Effect of Recruitment Messages on Undergraduate Beliefs about the Communication Major: A Quasi-Experiment

Despite the importance of attracting talented and qualified undergraduates into the major, the subject of recruitment for communication has received little attention. This study examines the effectiveness of a one-shot informative recruitment message on students’ beliefs and attitudes toward the communication major. As part of a quasi-experiment using a Solomon four-group design, two upper-division majors presented recruitment presentations addressing the benefits of, and misconceptions toward, the major to 130 students enrolled in introductory public speaking classes. Post-tests revealed that students exposed to the message reported significantly more favorable attitudes toward communication than those who had not seen a presentation (n = 65). Belief in the value of communication skills was also found positively associated with attitude toward the major, while belief that communication skills are innate was negatively associated with major attitude. Limitations and practical implications of this study are discussed as well

Wrong without a Remedy - North Carolina and the Wrongful Death of a Stillborn

This comment ... presents a legal argument supporting a civil action for the wrongful death of some stillborns and suggests that a gestational age of twenty-six weeks represents an appropriate viability standard in interpreting the North Carolina wrongful death statute. It also attempts to bridge the perceptual gap between certain aspects of medical and social sciences and the law regarding the fetus. The argument in support of the twenty-six week viability standard is presented in four parts. First, this comment illustrates why the fetus now enjoys an elevated status in society. Second, it illustrates the devastating impact of a stillbirth on the survivors. Third, it examines the born alive requirement and demonstrates that this requirement does not represent a well-defined line of demarcation, nor is it in the best interest of the public. Finally, it recommends that North Carolina courts interpret the wrongful death statute to include fetuses who have reached a gestational age of twenty-six weeks, because this age is: an age consistent with a medical viability standard; an age at which abortion ceases to be a maternal, medical, or legal option; an age at which maternal attachment is well-developed; and an age during which the fetus exhibits true attributes of personhood