In the Midwestern United States, more than 99.99% of pre-settlement oak (Quercus) savanna has been lost due to agriculture and fire suppression. Thus, the restoration of this ecosystem is imperative to secure the biodiversity, which depends on oak savanna. In this study, we characterized factors affecting the host-plant quality and nectar use of the endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis Nabokov) in Ohio. Past research has shown butterfly abundance to be correlated with host-plant quantity, habitat area, and nectar plant abundance. However, there is growing recognition that host-plant quality is important at small spatial scales. We measured host-plant quality by quantifying leaf nitrogen content for the first larval brood and a PCA analysis of nitrogen and water content for the second larval brood. Additionally, observations quantified adult female foraging rates. Our results for the first brood larval stage found no significant difference in leaf nitrogen between burned, mowed, and unmanaged treatments. We used Akaike's Information Criteria (AIC) to determine that host-plant quality for the second brood was primarily explained by herbaceous vegetation density followed by canopy cover and aspect. Greater herbaceous vegetation density, greater canopy cover, and flat/north aspects were associated with higher quality host-plants. Lower host-plant nitrogen for the second brood was accompanied by a greater adult foraging rate. Management of Karner blue habitats should include restoring areas with a compatible herbaceous structure and increasing historically abundant forbs, which provide nectar to second brood Karner blues. This ecosystem-based management should positively impact many species in this rare oak savanna community.

Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) are frequent visitors to protected areas, but little is known about how they affect wildlife communities. We studied the effects of dogs on wildlife communities by comparing the activity levels of wildlife in areas that prohibited dogs with areas that allowed dogs. We measured wildlife activity on trails and up to 200 m away from trails using five methods: (1) pellet plots, (2) track plates, (3) remote triggered cameras, (4) on-trail scat surveys, and (5) mapping prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) burrow locations. The presence of dogs along recreational trails correlated with altered patterns of habitat utilization by several species. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) activity was significantly lower within 100 m of trails in areas that allowed dogs than in areas that prohibited dogs. Small mammals, including squirrels (Sciurus spp.) and rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.), also exhibited reduced levels of activity within 50 m of trails in areas that allowed dogs when compared with areas without. The density of prairie dog burrows was lower within 25 m of trails in areas that allowed dogs. The presence of dogs also affected carnivore activity. Bobcat (Felis rufus) detections were lower in areas that allowed dogs, and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) detections were higher. These findings have implications for the management of natural areas, particularly those that allow dogs to be off-leash.

Non-native species are often abundant in the vegetation of forest edges, decreasing in abundance with distance into the forest interior. Regenerative strategies such as the seed rain and seed bank were expected to exhibit a similar pattern of decrease from the edge to the interior; however, this has been rarely investigated. Trends in abundance of the understory vegetation, seed rain, and seed bank of both native and non-native plant species from forest edge to interior at three different natural areas bordered respectively by a crop, a hay field, and a forest access road were quantified. Three 90 m transects were established perpendicularly across each of the three edge types into the forest interior. Twelve 3.14 m² circular plots 5 m apart for the first 20 m and 10 m apart thereafter were established along each transect. We compared the abundance of all vascular plant species in the vegetation, seed rain, and the soil seed bank in these plots. Species richness of the vegetation, the seed rain, and the seed bank (native and non-native species combined) decreased from the forest edge into the interior. Sixteen non-native species were observed and were limited to 30 m from the forest edge. Out of these 16 non-native species, > 50% were found only in the seed bank. We observed different trends in abundance of native and non-native vegetation, seed rain, and seed bank for some species. Our study suggests that removing aboveground biomass of non-native species may not be the only thing to consider in non-native species management because of the high frequency of additional non-native species in the seed bank that are absent from the existing vegetation. In order to minimize non-native species, managers should eradicate seedlings of non-native species along forest edges before they mature and produce seed.

We used a stochastic Leslie matrix model parameterized with demographic data from Wind Cave National Park to evaluate effects of four culling strategies on population growth rates and age and sex structure of bison (Bison bison Linnaeus). The four culling scenarios we modeled included removal of: (1) yearlings only; (2) calf/cow combination; (3) a herd-wide proportional cull (i.e., individuals taken in proportion to their availability); and (4) calves only. We also allowed either one, two, or three years to elapse between culls to mimic current management activities, and chose culling values for each scenario that would maintain a stable population (i.e., λ ≈ 1.00). In the absence of culling, our model projected a growth rate of 16% per year (λ= 1.16) (SD = 0.02) for the Wind Cave bison population. The modeled population was characterized by a unimodal age structure for bulls and cows and a 1:1 bull: cow ratio. Removal of 75% of the yearlings or 75% of the calves every year was needed to maintain abundance at current size. These culling strategies altered the age distribution from baseline conditions, resulting in nearly equal proportions of age classes 2–15. When yearling culling or calf removal was skipped one year or two consecutive years, the yearling or calf removal option resulted in positive population growth even in the presence of a 90% cull. Because these strategies nearly removed entire cohorts, corresponding gaps were introduced in the age structure. About 40% of calves and 20% of cows needed to be removed under the annual calf/cow cull to stabilize population growth, producing a unimodal age structure of cows. However, the proportion of bulls in the 2–16 age classes increased, and the proportion of males was nearly equal across the middle age classes. The proportional cull, regardless of time between culling operations, resulted in the most symmetric age structure for males and females. To achieve λ ≈ 1.00 under a proportional cull strategy, 16% of all animals would need to be removed annually, 33% every other year, or 50% once every three years. Sensitivity and elasticity analysis indicated that adult females (5–13 years old) were the most important group of bison affectingλ. These modeled effects, along with factors such as logistical constraints, costs, efficacy, viewing opportunities for tourists, genetics, behavior, and agency policies should be considered when managers choose among culling strategies. When considering historical predation and harvest by Native Americans, we hypothesize that the calf/cow combination cull would have most closely approximated natural bison demographics after the widespread availability of horses (Equus spp.) in the year 1735. Before 1735, we hypothesize that the proportional cull would most closely represent historic conditions, although even this option might not reproduce the variability inherent in historical bison dynamics. We discuss the possibility and management implications of variable culling that might more closely mimic historical influences on bison populations on the Northern Great Plains.

Pritchardia remota is an endangered palm endemic to the northwest Hawaiian Island of Nihoa. Current management actions include the development of suitable populations for out-planting through seed propagation. However, this action is hindered due to potential seed dormancy. We provide evidence that incorporation of fruits into the soil is necessary for germination in the wild and that seeds possess non-deep, simple, morpho-physiological dormancy. Germination is initiated five wk after sowing and can be spread over 21 wk. Seeds do not require light for germination. Rapid (22 to 34 days) and complete (98 to100%) germination is promoted by removal of the endocarp and/or the operculum followed by incubation at high temperatures (25 to 35 °C).

Land development pressures that threaten habitat core areas and connectivity are intensifying across the nation and extending beyond urbanized areas in the form of rural residential development. This is particularly true in the temperate forests of the northeastern United States. We used a suite of nationally available data sets derived from satellite imagery to identify core habitat areas of the northeastern United States, including impervious cover (urbanized and developed areas) and forest cover (canopy density). These were augmented with road network extent and density. We analyzed the influence of different types of unimproved roads and amount of forest cover on identification of the extent and configuration of roadless areas, and then assessed these core habitat areas in terms of land ownership (public, private) and management (parks, refuges, multi-use). We also derived patch connectivity metrics using a graph theory approach, making use of cost surfaces that accounted for the above variables and associated landscape metrics. A case study linking suitable habitat for a keystone predator is explored. Because increased conversion and fragmentation of many roadless areas by exurban development will exacerbate the likelihood of local species extinctions, and complicate efforts to preserve intact functional ecosystems, our results suggest a starting point for the construction of a more comprehensive and ecologically functional reserve network for the region. The use of widely available data sets demonstrated the capability for similar analyses to be conducted nationally or for other regions.

This study was initiated to document forest development in the oldest natural area in the Ridge and Valley of east Tennessee. The Ijams Nature Reserve was established in 1910 and provided the opportunity to document secondary succession of the oldest upland forest reserve in the region. We established forest inventory plots in the original land holding of the Ijams family to quantify species composition, stand structure, and successional dynamics. We also analyzed the radial growth patterns of trees to document stand age, recruitment, and the disturbance regime of the reserve. The forest was dominated by Quercus alba and Liriodendron tulipifera while Acer saccharum and Fagus grandifolia had high densities in the understory. Liriodendron tulipifera was the most important species in the stand because it colonized the site following agricultural abandonment and subsequently established in small canopy gaps. The stand had a reverse J-shaped diameter structure typical of regenerating forests. The forest experienced one stand-wide disturbance event likely attributed to the decline of Castanea dentata in the 1920s. The return interval of stand-wide disturbances was much longer than what has been reported in other eastern hardwood forests. With the exception of this one stand-wide release, the disturbance regime was characterized by localized, asynchronous events that influenced only neighboring trees. Under the current disturbance regime, composition of the stand is projected to change as shade-tolerant mesophytes in the understory (A. saccharum and F. grandifolia) are recruited to larger size classes. This phenomenon has been widely reported throughout the eastern United States and is most commonly linked to active fire suppression. However, the forest of the Ijams Nature Reserve has not burned during development and still shows a marked change in species composition even with no change in the fire disturbance regime. We propose the composition shift is related to understory facilitation by disturbance oriented canopy species that have created conditions favorable for the establishment of mesophytes and by the loss of C. dentata that resulted in canopy gaps.

Surveys to assess the status of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) populations, with respect to white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola J.C. Fisch.), were conducted in Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park Service Complex between 1994 and 1999. A total of 2173 whitebark pine trees and 1029 saplings were surveyed. Blister rust was documented in every stand, but rates of blister rust infections were highly variable (0% to 70%). Overall, 22% of trees were infected, 31% were dead, and 47% of all trees showed no signs of infection. Surveys of saplings (< 2.54 cm dbh) documented infection rates of 28%, mortality rates of 10%, and uninfected rates of 62%. Generally, the percent of trees that were infected increased from west to east and with increasing elevation. Mortality rates decreased with elevation, which may be a result of shorter growing seasons at higher elevations and a longer time period for the infection to spread within the tree. A long-term monitoring program, with permanent plots, has been established to track population status and to inform restoration programs.

A survey of exotic plant species on Cumberland Island (Georgia) was conducted during 2003–2004. Of sixty-six exotic plant species identified, twenty-three of these are recognized as invasive or potentially invasive by either the Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council (GAEPPC) or the Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council (FLEPPC) and 11 species occurred in natural areas of Cumberland Island National Seashore. Areas containing exotic plant species, obtained in the form of Geographic Information System layers, ranged from 1 m² to 2,273,708 m². Rankings of impact determined by the Alien Plant Ranking System (APRS) ranged from 4 to 60, but did not coincide well with rankings by the GAEPPC or FLEPPC. Five species listed by GAEPPC or FLEPPC ranked 40 or above by APRS, while all others ranked below 38.

There are concerns that many national parks and protected areas worldwide are ineffective at protecting biological diversity and ecosystem processes, are socially unjust in their relations with Indigenous communities, or both. This paper outlines what we believe are the key criteria and indicators for evaluating social equity and ecological integrity in terrestrial national parks and protected areas. These criteria and indicators were developed through: (1) a detailed review of relevant literature; (2) a pilot analysis of the management plans and management direction statements from 14 national and provincial parks in Canada, Australia, and South Africa (countries with robust and extensive national parks systems and which share a common legacy of land dispossession followed by the subsequent pursuit of land claims by disadvantaged groups); and (3) an in-depth case study examination of six national parks.