A Convention on Biological Diversity--An Efficient Framework for the Preservation of Life on Earth?

On June 5, 1992, the Convention on Biological Diversity was introduced for signature at the so-called Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The Convention was one of four international agreements proposed at the Earth Summit. The Convention\u27s explicit objectives are to conserve the Earth\u27s biological diversity (or biodiversity ) for future generations, to exploit this biodiversity in a sustainable way and to share the benefits of biodiversity in a fair and equitable manner. Biological diversity is defined as the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part

A Convention on Biological Diversity--An Efficient Framework for the Preservation of Life on Earth?

On June 5, 1992, the Convention on Biological Diversity was introduced for signature at the so-called Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The Convention was one of four international agreements proposed at the Earth Summit. The Convention\u27s explicit objectives are to conserve the Earth\u27s biological diversity (or biodiversity ) for future generations, to exploit this biodiversity in a sustainable way and to share the benefits of biodiversity in a fair and equitable manner. Biological diversity is defined as the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part

An Exploration of International Students’ Institutional Experiences at Cedarville University

The purpose of this study was to understand the institutional experience of international students on the campus of Cedarville University. The study utilized a phenomenological qualitative method with a sample of 18 students who represented 14 nations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed, and the following themes were found: perception of academic challenges, programs that have been helpful/unhelpful in their adjustment to life at the University, and changes they would make that would be helpful to them. Our findings suggested that international students found the academics of Cedarville University to be more challenging than they expected, but the professors were approachable. Programs such as Orientation for international students/missionary kids/third culture kids, the international student organization, and the campus academic enrichment center were helpful for them because they provided introductions to both international and American communities and one-on-one help with academics. Students suggested that help with applying to the university and for a visa along with help integrating into work life once they are here would be helpful changes for them. Students also suggested that it would be helpful for them if the university took action in promoting cultural awareness on campus

Incidental Captures of Plains Spotted Skunks in Central South Dakota

The plains spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius interrupta) had a historically broad distribution in the central United States, extending from the Mississippi River west to the Rocky Mountains. This subspecies of the eastern spotted skunk (S. putorius) has experienced population declines in recent decades possibly due to habitat loss and reduction of prey through conversion of grasslands and forests to croplands, as well as reductions in abandoned buildings, fence rows, creek bottoms, and wood piles throughout the region (Crabb 1948, Kaplan and Mead 1991, Gompper and Hackett 2005, Sasse 2017). Woody debris provides access to prey, and a dense understory and overhead cover provide camouflage and protection from avian predators (Lesmeister et al. 2013, Eng et al. 2018). Overharvest, disease, pesticide use, and expanding or increasing predator populations might also have contributed to population declines (Gompper and Hackett 2005, Gompper 2017). Because the plains spotted skunk is currently under consideration for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2012), it is important to communicate new information on abundance, distribution and ecology of the subspecies. Furthermore, limited data exist on incidental captures of plains spotted skunks by researchers and state agencies (Diggins et al. 2015, Sasse 2018). Data collected through live-capture and non-invasive techniques are needed to improve the effectiveness of management and the understanding of this subspecies (Hackett et al. 2007)

Incidental Captures of Plains Spotted Skunks in Central South Dakota

The plains spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius interrupta) had a historically broad distribution in the central United States, extending from the Mississippi River west to the Rocky Mountains. This subspecies of the eastern spotted skunk (S. putorius) has experienced population declines in recent decades possibly due to habitat loss and reduction of prey through conversion of grasslands and forests to croplands, as well as reductions in abandoned buildings, fence rows, creek bottoms, and wood piles throughout the region (Crabb 1948, Kaplan and Mead 1991, Gompper and Hackett 2005, Sasse 2017). Woody debris provides access to prey, and a dense understory and overhead cover provide camouflage and protection from avian predators (Lesmeister et al. 2013, Eng et al. 2018). Overharvest, disease, pesticide use, and expanding or increasing predator populations might also have contributed to population declines (Gompper and Hackett 2005, Gompper 2017). Because the plains spotted skunk is currently under consideration for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2012), it is important to communicate new information on abundance, distribution and ecology of the subspecies. Furthermore, limited data exist on incidental captures of plains spotted skunks by researchers and state agencies (Diggins et al. 2015, Sasse 2018). Data collected through live-capture and non-invasive techniques are needed to improve the effectiveness of management and the understanding of this subspecies (Hackett et al. 2007)

Dietary Response of Sympatric Deer to Fire Using Stable Isotope Analysis of Liver Tissue

Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes in biological samples from large herbivores identify photosynthetic pathways (C3 vs. C4 ) of plants they consumed and can elucidate potential nutritional characteristics of dietary selection. Because large herbivores consume a diversity of forage types, δ13C and δ15N in their tissue can index ingested and assimilated diets through time. We assessed δ13C and δ15N in metabolically active liver tissue of sympatric mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) to identify dietary disparity resulting from use of burned and unburned areas in a largely forested landscape. Interspecific variation in dietary disparity of deer was documented 2–3 years post-fire in response to lag-time effects of vegetative response to burning and seasonal (i.e., summer, winter) differences in forage type. Liver δ13C for mule deer were lower during winter and higher during summer 2 years post-fire on burned habitat compared to unburned habitat suggesting different forages were consumed by mule deer in response to fire. Liver δ15N for both species were higher on burned than unburned habitat during winter and summer suggesting deer consumed more nutritious forage on burned habitat during both seasons 2 and 3 years post-fire. Unlike traditional methods of dietary assessment that do not measure uptake of carbon and nitrogen from dietary components, analyses of stable isotopes in liver or similar tissue elucidated δ13C and δ15N assimilation from seasonal dietary components and resulting differences in the foraging ecology of sympatric species in response to fire

Dietery Response of Sympatric Deer to Fire Using Stable ISotope Analysis of Liver Tissue

Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes in biological samples from large herbivores identify photosynthetic pathways (C3 vs. C4 ) of plants they consumed and can elucidate potential nutritional characteristics of dietary selection. Because large herbivores consume a diversity of forage types, δ13C and δ15N in their tissue can index ingested and assimilated diets through time. We assessed δ13C and δ15N in metabolically active liver tissue of sympatric mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) to identify dietary disparity resulting from use of burned and unburned areas in a largely forested landscape. Interspecific variation in dietary disparity of deer was documented 2–3 years post-fire in response to lag-time effects of vegetative response to burning and seasonal (i.e., summer, winter) differences in forage type. Liver δ13C for mule deer were lower during winter and higher during summer 2 years post-fire on burned habitat compared to unburned habitat suggesting different forages were consumed by mule deer in response to fire. Liver δ15N for both species were higher on burned than unburned habitat during winter and summer suggesting deer consumed more nutritious forage on burned habitat during both seasons 2 and 3 years post-fire. Unlike traditional methods of dietary assessment that do not measure uptake of carbon and nitrogen from dietary components, analyses of stable isotopes in liver or similar tissue elucidated δ13C and δ15N assimilation from seasonal dietary components and resulting differences in the foraging ecology of sympatric species in response to fire