Impacts of Tree-species Composition and Diversity on Ecosystem Services in Plantations of the Coastal Pacific Northwest: Assessing Values, Trade-offs, and Synergies

The objective of this dissertation was to examine trade-offs and synergies between multiple ecosystem services derived from plantation forests in the coastal Pacific Northwest. I accomplished this in five chapters. In the first chapter I provided background information for the study. In the next chapter I set the context for assessing trade-offs and synergies between different ecosystem services by espousing value pluralism based on the recently proposed concept of relational values. Relational values provide a mode of articulating what diverse stakeholders deem important in their own context specific language and should be considered alongside instrumental and intrinsic values when assessing the value of ecosystem services. In the third chapter, I shifted focus to a field study on the relationships between tree species diversity and composition and three measures of ecosystem components in late-rotation, even-aged, intensively managed plantation forests of the Pacific Northwest (35-39 years of age). I observed variable patterns in the different measures’ relationships to tree species composition and diversity that could be explained by differences in tree species phenology, shade tolerance, and disease which mediate plant interactions. The results suggested plantation management focused solely on wood production may miss opportunities to provide other ecosystem services. I further tested this hypothesis by integrating the data from the field study with the relational values framework in the fourth chapter. I derived proxies for nine ecosystem services. I then determine the tree species composition that minimized trade-offs between subsets of the nine ecosystem services representing four different management frameworks. The ecosystem services included in each management framework were based on value priorities and the level of social organization corresponding to the benefits expected from the measured ecosystem services proxies. While most individual ecosystem services were optimized in monocultures, when multiple ecosystem services and values were considered simultaneously diverse mixtures of tree species were best. In the fifth chapter I synthesized results and concluded that within these managed plantations tree species diversity and human values interact to inform management decisions which shape the provisioning ecosystem services. Finally, I suggest future research focused on mechanisms behind ecological responses and connecting multiple levels of social, spatial, and temporal scales. Research that leads to a better understanding of the interrelationship between ecosystem functions, ecosystem services and values is needed to further test ecosystem services cascade theory

Survey of Salamanders in Mississippi Limestone Caves

During 2000-2002 we surveyed for salamanders in the larger limestone caves of Mississippi, all within the Vicksburg Group rock unit. We found four species: Plethodon mississippi was the most abundant, followed by Eurycea guttolineata, Eurycea cirrigera, and Desmognathus conanti. We did not find Pseudotriton montanus in any of the caves, and question the validity of an investigator\u27s statement made nearly 45 years ago that, it is one of the most numerous salamanders in Mississippi. limestone caves. The salamander fauna we found is similar to that of the only other comprehensive survey of salamanders in Mississippi caves, conducted almost thirty years ago

Why nature matters:A systematic review of intrinsic, instrumental, and relational values

In this article, we present results from a literature review of intrinsic, instrumental, and relational values of nature conducted for the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, as part of the Methodological Assessment of the Diverse Values and Valuations of Nature. We identify the most frequently recurring meanings in the heterogeneous use of different value types and their association with worldviews and other key concepts. From frequent uses, we determine a core meaning for each value type, which is sufficiently inclusive to serve as an umbrella over different understandings in the literature and specific enough to help highlight its difference from the other types of values. Finally, we discuss convergences, overlapping areas, and fuzzy boundaries between different value types to facilitate dialogue, reduce misunderstandings, and improve the methods for valuation of nature's contributions to people, including ecosystem services, to inform policy and direct future research.</p

An inclusive typology of values for navigating transformations towards a just and sustainable future

Achieving the intertwined goals of justice and sustainability requires transformative changes to meaningfully engage diverse perspectives. Therefore, scholars and policymakers need new ways of recognising and addressing nature's multiple values across cultures, disciplines and other knowledge traditions. By reviewing academic publications, policy documents and Indigenous and local community sources, we developed an inclusive typology of nature's values to clarify value concepts and guide their consideration in decisions. Through case studies, we illustrate how navigating ‘horizontal’ and ‘vertical’ interactions within and across this typology can help confront plural-value challenges, such as enhancing inclusive participation in environmental research and practice, and effective management of socio-environmental conflicts. We conclude by exploring how this typology of values can further leverage transformative change in other decision-making contexts.Fil: Raymond, Christopher M.. University of Helsinki; FinlandiaFil: Anderson, Christopher Brian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur. Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambientales y Recursos Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Athayde, Simone. Florida International University; Estados UnidosFil: Vatn, Arild. Norwegian University of Life Sciences; NoruegaFil: Amin, Ariane M.. Centre Suisse de Recherche Scientifique En Côte D'ivoire; Costa de Marfil. Université Félix Houphouët Boigny; Costa de MarfilFil: Arias Arévalo, Paola. Universidad del Valle; ColombiaFil: Christie, Michael. Aberystwyth University.; Reino UnidoFil: Cantú Fernández, Mariana. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Gould, Rachelle. University of Vermont; Estados UnidosFil: Himes, Austin. Mississippi State University; Estados UnidosFil: Kenter, Jasper O.. Aberystwyth University.; Reino Unido. University of York; Reino Unido. Ecologos Research Ltd; Reino UnidoFil: Lenzi, Dominic. Universiteit Twente (ut);Fil: Muraca, Bárbara. University of Oregon; Estados UnidosFil: Murali, Ranjini. Snow Leopard Trust; Estados Unidos. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; AlemaniaFil: O'Connor, Sebastian. Scotlands Rural College; Reino UnidoFil: Pascual, Unai. Bc3 Basque Centre For Climate Change; España. University of Bern; Suiza. Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation For Science; EspañaFil: Sachdeva, Sonya. Usda Forest Service North Central Research Station; Estados UnidosFil: Samakov, Aibek. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; AlemaniaFil: Zent, Eglee. Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas; Venezuel

Fear of falling in obese women under 50 years of age: a cross-sectional study with exploration of the relationship with physical activity

An understanding of capacity for physical activity in obese populations should help guide interventions to promote physical activity. Fear of falling is a phenomenon reported in the elderly, which is associated with reduced mobility and lower physical activity levels. However, although falls are reportedly common in obese adults, fear of falling and its relationship with activity has not been investigated in younger obese populations. In a cross-sectional study, fear of falling was measured in 63 women aged 18 to 49 years, with mean BMI 42.1 kg/m (SD 10.3) using the Modified Falls Efficacy (MFES), the Consequences of Falling (COF) and the Modified Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (MSAFFE) scales. The choice of scales was informed by prior qualitative interviews with obese younger women. Physical activity levels were measured at the same time using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The mean score for fear of falling scales, with 95% confidence intervals, were estimated. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used to explore differences in age, body mass index and fear of falling scores between fallers and non-fallers. For each fear of falling scale, binomial logistic regression was used to explore its relationship with physical activity. Mean scores suggested high levels of fear of falling: MFES [mean 7.7 (SD 2.7); median 8.5]; COF [mean 31.3 (SD 9.4)]; MSAFFE [mean 25.9 (SD 8.7); median 23]. Scores were significantly worse in fallers (  = 42) compared to non-fallers (  = 21). MFES and MSAFFE were independently associated with lower levels of physical activity [odds ratio = 0.65, 95% Cl 0.44 to 0.96 and odds ratio = 1.14, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.28 respectively], when adjusted for age, BMI and depression. This study confirms that fear of falling is present in obese women under 50 years of age. It suggests that it is associated with low levels of physical activity. These novel findings warrant further research to understand capacity for physical and incidental activity in obese adults in both genders and suggest innovative interventions to promote lifestyle changes and/or consideration of falls prevention in this population

Risk to Long-term Site Productivity Due to Whole-tree Harvesting in The Coastal Pacific Northwest

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2012The growth of 68 intensively managed, mid-rotation, Douglas-fir stands in western Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia was projected to 50-55 years of age using the SMC variant of the ORGANON growth and yield simulator. From the ORGANON output, component biomass removal was estimated for stem-only harvest and a more intense whole-tree harvest. Utilizing published equations which estimate tree component N content based on biomass and total site nitrogen from the 68 sites, nitrogen removal under the two harvest intensities is expressed as a proportion of total site nitrogen store. Based on the proportion of N removed to the total site store, the 68 sites were assigned a risk rating, and regional patterns were assessed. Based on the simulation results, nearly half of the stands in the study were at risk of N depletion or site productivity loss under whole-tree harvest, while most stand ranked in the lowest risk category under stem-only harvesting. The highest concentration of stands at risk of long term site productivity loss from N depletion is on young glacial soils in Vancouver Canada and the Puget Sound region of Washington. This simulation also suggests that stands of similar planting density and age on sites with less than approximately 9000 and 4000 kg/ha of total site N will be at an elevated risk for long term site productivity loss under whole-tree and stem-only harvests respectively

Tree Species Diversity and Composition Relationship to Biomass, Understory Community, and Crown Architecture in Intensively Managed Plantations of the Coastal Pacific Northwest

Trends in land cover and the demand for ecosystem services suggest that plantation forests will be expected to provide a larger quantity and diversity of ecosystem services. We identified three measures indicative of diverse ecosystem services (aboveground biomass, understory biodiversity, and crown length) and compared their relationships to tree species composition in intensively managed forest plantations of the Coast Range mountains of the Pacific Northwest, United States. This study was conducted in stands of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), and red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.), as well as in mixtures of the three species that were 35–39 years old. In this operational setting, we did not observe the positive relationship between species diversity and productivity observed in other studies, which we attributed to management practices that minimize interspecific interaction during most of the rotation. Crown length and understory species diversity were greater in mixtures of tree species than in (monospecific) monocultures. When multiple ecosystem components were considered simultaneously, mixtures of tree species outperformed monocultures. The observed relationships of the three responses to tree species composition and diversity are likely explained by differences in tree phenology, shade tolerance, disease susceptibility, and management interventions. Based on the results, management that is solely fixated on wood production homogeneously throughout the plantation may miss opportunities to provide other ecosystem services.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

VARIATION IN WOOD PROPERTIES OF HYBRID POPLAR LUMBER BY RADIAL AND VERTICAL POSITION IN STEM; A CASE STUDY FROM BOARDMAN, OR

Understanding of wood quality of hybrid poplar is critically important for manufacturers who want to know the suitability of the wood for specific products. To this end, lumber was milled from the merchantable stem of four hybrid poplar clones ages 10-11 yr., grown at single site near Boardman, OR. The vertical and radial position in the stem were recorded for each board and the boards were kiln dried, surfaced, and samples from each board tested to determine specific gravity (SG), dimensional stability, hardness, screw withdrawal, and bending strength and stiffness (modulus of rupture [MOR] and modulus of elasticity [MOE], respectively) from small clear specimens. Results show differences in wood properties relative to vertical and radial position in the stem.  SG, hardness, screw withdrawal, and bending properties of lumber samples generally increased with height in tree. Tangential hardness, SG, and MOR varied significantly between different sides of the trees corresponding to predominant wind in the area. Boards milled from the center of the stem had lower MOE and MOR than boards milled from nearer the bark. The results of this study may be used to target specific stem locations for different end uses.