Publications
These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.
Filter Total Items: 16792
Polyphyly of Campylorhamphus, and description of a new genus for C. pucherani (Dendrocolaptinae)
We investigated the phylogenetic relationships of Campylorhamphus pucherani using DNA sequences from three mitochondrial genes and a nuclear intron, as well as 84 morphological characters from the skeleton, the integument, and the musculature. The molecular phylogeny indicated that C. pucherani is not part of Campylorhamphus; instead, it is the sister species to Drymornis bridgesii, in a clade tha
Authors
Santiago Claramunt, Elizabeth P. Derryberry, R. Terry Chesser, Alexandre Eleixo, Robb T. Brumfield
Persistence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus defined by agro-ecological niche
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus has spread across Eurasia and into Africa. Its persistence in a number of countries continues to disrupt poultry production, impairs smallholder livelihoods, and raises the risk a genotype adapted to human-to-human transmission may emerge. While previous studies identified domestic duck reservoirs as a primary risk factor associated with HPAI
Authors
Lenny Hogerwerf, Rob G. Wallace, Daniela Ottaviani, Jan Slingenbergh, Diann Prosser, Luc Bergmann, Marius Gilbert
Pathways for arsenic from sediments to groundwater to streams: Biogeochemical processes in the Inner Coastal Plain, New Jersey, USA
The Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments that underlie the Inner Coastal Plain of New Jersey contain the arsenic-rich mineral glauconite. Streambed sediments in two Inner Coastal Plain streams (Crosswicks and Raccoon Creeks) that traverse these glauconitic deposits are enriched in arsenic (15–25 mg/kg), and groundwater discharging to the streams contains elevated levels of arsenic (>80 μg/L at a site
Authors
Julia L. Barringer, Adam Mumford, Lily Y. Young, Pamela A. Reilly, Jennifer L. Bonin, Robert Rosman
Parametric study of the physical properties of hydrate-bearing sand, silt, and clay sediments: 1. Electromagnetic properties
The marked decrease in bulk electrical conductivity of sediments in the presence of gas hydrates has been used to interpret borehole electrical resistivity logs and, to a lesser extent, the results of controlled source electromagnetic surveys to constrain the spatial distribution and predicted concentration of gas hydrate in natural settings. Until now, an exhaustive laboratory data set that could
Authors
J.Y. Lee, J.C. Santamarina, C. Ruppel
Parametric study of the physical properties of hydrate‐bearing sand, silt, and clay sediments: 2. Small‐strain mechanical properties
The small‐strain mechanical properties (e.g., seismic velocities) of hydrate‐bearing sediments measured under laboratory conditions provide reference values for calibration of logging and seismic exploration results acquired in hydrate‐bearing formations. Instrumented cells were designed for measuring the compressional (P) and shear (S) velocities of sand, silts, and clay with and without hydrate
Authors
J.Y. Lee, F.M. Francisca, J.C. Santamarina, C. Ruppel
Occupancy dynamics in a tropical bird community: Unexpectedly high forest use by birds classified as non‐forest species
1. Worldwide loss of biodiversity necessitates a clear understanding of the factors driving population declines as well as informed predictions about which species and populations are at greatest risk. The biggest threat to the long-term persistence of populations is the reduction and changes in configuration of their natural habitat. 2. Inconsistencies have been noted in the responses of populati
Authors
Viviana Ruiz-Gutierrez, Elise F. Zipkin, Andre A. Dhondt
Optimal control of native predators
We apply decision theory in a structured decision-making framework to evaluate how control of raccoons (Procyon lotor), a native predator, can promote the conservation of a declining population of American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Our management objective was to maintain Oystercatcher productivity above a level deemed necessary for population reco
Authors
Julien Martin, Allan F. O'Connell, William L. Kendall, Michael C. Runge, Theodore R. Simons, Arielle H. Waldstein, Shiloh A. Schulte, Sarah J. Converse, Graham W. Smith, Timothy Pinion, Michael Rikard, Elise F. Zipkin
Observed and predicted reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia exposed to chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate
Chronic toxicities of Cl-, SO42-, and HCO3- to Ceriodaphnia dubia were evaluated in low- and moderate-hardness waters using a three-brood reproduction test method. Toxicity tests of anion mixtures were used to determine interaction effects and to produce models predicting C. dubia reproduction. Effluents diluted with low- and moderate-hardness waters were tested with animals acclimated to low- and
Authors
Peter J. Lasier, Ian R. Hardin
Deterring off-trail hiking in protected natural areas: Evaluating options with surveys and unobtrusive observation: Final report
This report presents the results of research conducted on the 96-acre Bear Island along the Billy Goat Trail, Section A (BGT) that evaluated visitor motivations for off-trail hiking and the efficacy of four treatments designed to reduce this activity. This research was prompted by concerns about the impact of an extensive informal (visitor-created) trail network on Bear Island, because it provides
Authors
K.A. Hockett, Y.F. Clark, J.L. Leung, L. Park
Bayesian Inference: with ecological applications
This text provides a mathematically rigorous yet accessible and engaging introduction to Bayesian inference with relevant examples that will be of interest to biologists working in the fields of ecology, wildlife management and environmental studies as well as students in advanced undergraduate statistics.. This text opens the door to Bayesian inference, taking advantage of modern computational ef
Authors
William A. Link, Richard J. Barker
Landscape and vegetation effects on avian reproduction on bottomland forest restorations
Forest restoration has been undertaken on >200,000 ha of agricultural land in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, USA, during the past few decades. Decisions on where and how to restore bottomland forests are complex and dependent upon landowner objectives, but for conservation of silvicolous (forest-dwelling) birds, ecologists have espoused restoration through planting a diverse mix of densely space
Authors
Daniel J. Twedt, Scott G. Somershoe, Kirsten R. Hazler, Robert J. Cooper
Limits on the adaptability of coastal marshes to rising sea level
Assumptions of a static landscape inspire predictions that about half of the world's coastal wetlands will submerge during this century in response to sea-level acceleration. In contrast, we use simulations from five numerical models to quantify the conditions under which ecogeomorphic feedbacks allow coastal wetlands to adapt to projected changes in sea level. In contrast to previous sea-level as
Authors
Matthew L. Kirwan, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Andrea D'Alpaos, James T. Morris, Simon M. Mudd, Stijn Temmerman