River Otter, Lontra canadensis, Food Habits in the Missouri Ozarks

The reintroduction of River Otters (Lontra canadensis) between 1982 and 1992 resulted in widespread occurrence of the species throughout the Missouri Ozarks. This study examined otter diets from the vicinity of two Ozark streams in relation to seasonal and spatial trends. Otter scats (N = 4750) were collected and analyzed from the Osage Fork River and Big Piney River during the summer and winter seasons of 2001 and 2002. During the winter (January-March), fish occurred in 86% of the samples. During the summer (June–August), occurrence of fish dropped to approximately 15% for both rivers. Seven families of fish were identified in the diets, with Centrarchidae being most common regardless of river or season. Within the Centrarchidae, the genus Lepomis (mostly Longear Sunfish, Lepomis megalotis) was most common, with Micropterus (mostly Smallmouth Bass, Micropterus dolomieu) and Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) also well represented. The mean age of Ambloplites consumed (mean = 3.3 years) was consistently older than that of either Micropterus (mean = 2.54 years) or Lepomis (mean = 2.78 years). Crayfish were recovered from a mean of 85.2% of scats in the winter and 99% in the summer. Smaller fish and crayfish were more common from the upper reaches of the streams while larger fish were prevalent in the lower reaches

Challenges and opportunities for restoration of high-elevation Andean peatlands in Ecuador

Páramo peatlands are a regional reservoir of biodiversity and ecosystem services, accumulating large amounts of carbon and buffering water flows. Despite their importance, they have a long history of use and impacts including drainage for agriculture and grazing, and water withdrawal for human uses. Here we present a preliminary assessment of the conservation status of páramo peatlands in Ecuador and, using a case study, discuss peatland restoration as a tool for mitigation and adaptation to the impacts of current climate change. Through a simple index assessing the cumulative presence of signs of human activities on 163 peatland sites, we found that the level of impact was higher for peatlands located in the Western branch of the cordillera, whereas current human population density, precipitation, and elevation were not significant predictors of the levels of impact. Also, starting in 2017, we implemented a pilot restoration initiative on a 21-ha peatland which had been drained and converted into pasture for at least 150 years. The restoration consisted of two ditch blocking techniques implemented to stop fast-moving water and promote the rewetting of the peatland. During the next 3 years, water table increased from 27 ± 3 cm below the soil surface to 7 ± 1 cm by 2021, while wetland plant communities are colonizing and closing the pools in the blocked ditches. Re-wetting of the peatland has led to an increase in the abundance of native species. This case study suggests that restoration initiatives are an efficient and cost-effective approach to a better management of páramo peatlands, with high potential as a tool for mitigation and adaptation to climate change

Timing is Not Everything: Assessing the Efficacy of Pre- Versus Post-Harvest Herbicide Applications in Mitigating the Burgeoning Birch Phenomenon in Regenerating Hardwood Stands

Sweet birch (Betula lenta L.) is aggressively recruiting in temperate forest understories of the eastern United States and often dominates the post-disturbance seedling community, diminishing diversity and hindering sustainable silviculture. The type and timing of silvicultural actions affect birch recruitment via their effects on seedling recruitment, survival, and growth. Here, we examine birch regeneration under two contrasting treatment sequences: pre- versus post-shelterwood harvest herbicide application (H–S vs. S–H) in combination with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman) browsing (fenced vs. unfenced) at 22 sites in northwestern Pennsylvania, USA. Additionally, we examine how treatments interact with additional site factors, including potential propagule sources and site productivity (i.e., integrated moisture index). We found the S–H sequence initially reduced birch density by 71% relative to the H–S sequence; however, the magnitude of this reduction waned over five growing seasons. Furthermore, birch proliferated following the H–S sequence only where mature birch were present. Deer browsing reduced birch height by 29% relative to fenced areas protected from browsing; however, by the fifth growing season birch seedlings were over twice as tall as other hardwood species across all treatments. Finally, increasingly mesic sites enhanced birch height growth. In sum, although post-harvest herbicide (S–H) provides short-lived control over birch, land managers should also consider browse pressure, seed source, and site productivity, as these may enhance or diminish the efficacy of post-shelterwood herbicide sequence effects on birch

Applied statistics in ecology: common pitfalls and simple solutions

The most common statistical pitfalls in ecological research are those associated with data exploration, the logic of sampling and design, and the interpretation of statistical results. Although one can find published errors in calculations, the majority of statistical pitfalls result from incorrect logic or interpretation despite correct numerical calculations. There are often simple solutions to avoiding these problems that require only patience, clarity of thinking, probabilistic insight, and a reduced reliance on out-of-the-box approaches. Some of these trouble spots are inherent to all statistical analyses and others are particularly insidious in ecology where true controls or replication are challenging, small sample sizes are common, and correctly linking mathematical constructs and ecological ideas is essential. Here we summarize the most common statistical pitfalls observed over nearly a century of combined consulting and research experience in ecological statistics. We provide short, simple solutions