Estimating offsets for avian displacement effects of anthropogenic impacts

Biodiversity offsetting, or compensatory mitigation, is increasingly being used in temperate grassland ecosystems to compensate for unavoidable environmental damage from anthropogenic developments such as transportation infrastructure, urbanization, and energy development. Pursuit of energy independence in the United States will expand domestic energy production. Concurrent with this increased growth is increased disruption to wildlife habitats, including avian displacement from suitable breeding habitat. Recent studies at energy-extraction and energy-generation facilities have provided evidence for behavioral avoidance and thus reduced use of habitat by breeding waterfowl and grassland birds in the vicinity of energy infrastructure. To quantify and compensate for this loss in value of avian breeding habitat, it is necessary to determine a biologically based currency so that the sufficiency of offsets in terms of biological equivalent value can be obtained. We describe a method for quantifying the amount of habitat needed to provide equivalent biological value for avifauna displaced by energy and transportation infrastructure, based on the ability to define five metrics: impact distance, impact area, pre-impact density, percent displacement, and offset density. We calculate percent displacement values for breeding waterfowl and grassland birds and demonstrate the applicability of our avian-impact offset method using examples for wind and oil infrastructure. We also apply our method to an example in which the biological value of the offset habitat is similar to the impacted habitat, based on similarity in habitat type (e.g., native prairie), geographical location, land use, and landscape composition, as well as to an example in which the biological value of the offset habitat is dissimilar to the impacted habitat. We provide a worksheet that informs potential users how to apply our method to their specific developments and a framework for developing decision-support tools aimed at achieving landscape-level conservation goals

Spatiotemporal scaling of North American continental interior wetlands: implications for shorebird conservation

Within interior North America, erratic weather patterns and heterogeneous wetland complexes cause wide spatio-temporal variation in the resources available to migrating shorebirds. Identifying the pattern-generating components of landscape-level resources and the scales at which shorebirds respond to these patterns will better facilitate conservation efforts for these species. We constructed descriptive models that identified weather variables associated with creating the spatio-temporal patterns of shorebird habitat in ten landscapes in north-central Oklahoma. We developed a metric capable of measuring the dynamic composition and configuration of shorebird habitat in the region and used field data to empirically estimate the spatial scale at which shorebirds respond to the amount and configuration of habitat. Precipitation, temperature, solar radiation and wind speed best explained the incidence of wetland habitat, but relationships varied among wetland types. Shorebird occurrence patterns were best explained by habitat density estimates at a 1.5 km scale. This model correctly classified 86 % of shorebird observations. At this scale, when habitat density was low, shorebirds occurred in 5 % of surveyed habitat patches but occurrence reached 60 % when habitat density was high. Our results suggest scale dependence in the habitat-use patterns of migratory shorebirds. We discuss potential implications of our results and how integrating this information into conservation efforts may improve conservation strategies and management practices

In situ functionalization of a cellulosic-based activated carbon with magnetic iron oxides for the removal of carbamazepine from wastewater

The main goal of this work was to produce an easily recoverable waste-based magnetic activated carbon (MAC) for an efficient removal of the antiepileptic pharmaceutical carbamazepine (CBZ) from wastewater. For this purpose, the synthesis procedure was optimized and a material (MAC4) providing immediate recuperation from solution, remarkable adsorptive performance and relevant properties (specific surface area of 551 m2 g-1 and saturation magnetization of 39.84 emu g-1) was selected for further CBZ kinetic and equilibrium adsorption studies. MAC4 presented fast CBZ adsorption rates and short equilibrium times (< 30-45 min) in both ultrapure water and wastewater. Equilibrium studies showed that MAC4 attained maximum adsorption capacities (qm) of 68 ± 4 mg g-1 in ultrapure water and 60 ± 3 mg g-1 in wastewater, suggesting no significant interference of the aqueous matrix in the adsorption process. Overall, this work provides evidence of potential application of a waste-based MAC in the tertiary treatment of wastewaters.publishe

Arizona Mining update- 2002 and 2003

Update of mining of mineral resources in the state of Arizona. Also contains the production and rates of these mineral resources.The Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources was shuttered permanently in July 2011. Since 22 January 2011, the AZGS has maintained ADMMR’s physical assets; its files, records, and printed and electronic archives.Documents in the AZGS Document Repository collection are made available by the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) and the University Libraries at the University of Arizona. For more information about items in this collection, please contact [email protected]

Arizona Major Mines Map - 2015

Major mines operating in Arizona in 2015. Includes base metal, precious metal and energy-related - coal and uranium - mines.Documents in the AZGS Document Repository collection are made available by the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) and the University Libraries at the University of Arizona. For more information about items in this collection, please contact [email protected]

Arizona Mining Update -- 2006

A phenomenal rise in copper price resulted in a record value of $6.7 billion of mineral production for Arizona. That value ranked Arizona first in the nation according to preliminary data released by the USGS. The value of copper reached$5 billion, driven by prices that broke $4 per pound for the first time. Also contributing significantly were strong molybdenum prices and the second largest output of sand and gravel in the U.S. Arizona also ranked first in the value of mined gemstones. Exploration activity for copper and uranium were strong; the latter benefiting from a price that doubled during the year.Documents in the AZGS Document Repository collection are made available by the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) and the University Libraries at the University of Arizona. For more information about items in this collection, please contact [email protected]

Arizona Major Mines - 2011

Map showing the distribution of major mines operating in Arizona in 2011. As noted in the legend, some mining properties are in development stage.Documents in the AZGS Documents Repository collection are made available by the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) and the University Libraries at the University of Arizona. For more information about items in this collection, please contact [email protected])

Arizona Mining Claim Forms

The forms in this open-file report may be reproduced for filing with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the County Recorders offices. While these are not officially designated forms, they meet the statute requirements of these two agencies. The Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) provides these as a courtesy to Arizona’s mining community. MCF100 Location Notice for Lode Mining Claim; MCF100a Claim Map; MCF102 Location Notice for Placer Mining Claim; MCF108 Affidavit of Performance of Annual Work; MCF110 Notice of Intent to Hold Mining Claims/Sites; MCF112 Maintenance Fee Payment; MCF114 Supplemental Attachment (for additional claims); MCF116 Notice of Non-liability for Labor and Materials Furnished; MCF120 Quit Claim Deed.Documents in the AZGS Documents Repository collection are made available by the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) and the University Libraries at the University of Arizona. For more information about items in this collection, please contact [email protected])

Arizona Mining update- 2002 and 2003

Update of mining of mineral resources in the state of Arizona. Also contains the production and rates of these mineral resources.The Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources was shuttered permanently in July 2011. Since 22 January 2011, the AZGS has maintained ADMMR’s physical assets; its files, records, and printed and electronic archives.Documents in the AZGS Documents Repository collection are made available by the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) and the University Libraries at the University of Arizona. For more information about items in this collection, please contact [email protected])