Alternative male phenotypes in salmonine fishes arise from individuals that mature as either larger and older anadromous marine-migrants or as smaller and younger freshwater residents. Variability in age and size of males at maturity is hypothesized to be preceded by early differences in growth in size and lipid storage. Water...
Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is an important tree species in the western United States and there has been much concern about its persistence. In this thesis, I report on aspen in a portion of its range that has not been previously evaluated: the eastern and western slopes of the Central...
In 1978, a ten year project was begun to examine
the synecological effects of livestock grazing riparian
ecosystems. A multitude of biotic arid physical factors,
many which were unique to riparian ecosystems, interacted
to form a complex and diverse riparian ecosystem.
A total of 256 stands of vegetation representing 60...
Seasonal trends in forage production and environmental parameters
for five plant community types within a northeastern Oregon riparian zone
were described and modeled using correlation and path analysis. Wet
meadows produced the greatest amount of herbage biomass, followed by moist
bluegrass meadows, gravel bars, forests and dry bluegrass meadows. Trends...
Within Oregon there is considerable interest in the possibility of converting woody biomass to energy. This interest stems from three converging factors: the desire to reduce the threat of uncharacteristic wildfire by removing excess material from the forests, the possibility to stimulate rural economies that are dependent on forest products,...
Natural events such as wildfires, floods, and storms can significantly alter the short-term structure and functioning of natural systems. Recreation in wilderness areas is one instance in which individuals are directly exposed to post-disturbance landscapes. Consequently, public land managers may be faced with a different set of challenges stemming from...