The Relationship Between Weight Restoration and Maturity Fears in Women with Anorexica Nervosa

High maturity fears predict poor treatment outcomes in women with anorexia nervosa (AN). The purpose of this study was to determine if weight gain predicts decreases in maturity fears (MF) for AN patients. Fifty-six patients in an eating disorders partial hospitalization program were administered a series of psychological tests at intake and discharge. R2 values indicate that percent change in weight restoration will not accurately forecast the change in MF scores, although a positive trend was identified between the two variables. The weak predictive relationship suggests that weight restoration alone is not adequate to address the psychological components of AN.

Restoration Efforts and Prairie Dog Management at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is being re-seeded to native shortgrass prairie, but the effects of prairie dog colonization on some sites may be limiting successful native plant establishment. This Capstone Project compares vegetation monitoring data and prairie dog distributions in four refuge sites to evaluate the effects of prairie dog colonization on restoration. In general, native plant abundance has increased on study plots since initiation of restoration. Localized changes in plant abundance have occurred among transects, but prairie dog densities could not be correlated with the changes. Future prairie dog expansion is cause for concern due to intensified burrowing and grazing effects. Seven recommendations are presented to aid future restoration efforts.

Improving the Success of Wetland Mitigation Banking: Lessons Learned in Monitoring and Compliance

Wetlands that are lost to development are not effectively compensated by the current wetland mitigation banking regulatory program due to inadequate monitoring and compliance. Based on a critical investigation of two wetland mitigation banks in Colorado described herein, recommendations are given to improve the effectiveness of the wetland mitigation banking program. The recommendations to improve mitigation banking are to specify and follow comprehensive monitoring and reporting plans, develop solid contingency and adaptive management plans, utilize specially developed checklists and templates, and impose enforcement when compliance is not met. Implementing these recommendations will assist regulators and bankers in achieving more effective wetland mitigation and will help the United States reach its no net loss of wetlands goal.

The Rio Salado Riparian Habitat Restoration Area: Managing the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

The following document identifies the impact to the current management plan of the Rio Salado Riparian Habitat Restoration Area in the event the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher is found nesting at the project site. Rio Salado is managed by the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, and consists of a low-flow channel with native vegetation and wildlife along the Salt River. This paper analyzes the regulatory responsibilities of project site management and discusses the necessary adjustments to the management plan. Despite the current absence of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher from Rio Salado, management should enter into a Safe Harbor Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to legally protect themselves from the regulations stipulated in the Endangered Species Act.

Balancing Wetland Management with the Military: Using Special Area Management Plans (SAMPs) to protect wetlands on U.S. Air Force Installations

U.S. Air Force installations by virtue of their isolation and often remote locations provide protection to critical habitats that would otherwise be susceptible to development and other stressors. While Air Force activities may not always compliment environmental protection, a balance between environmental protection and Air Force requirements must be achieved to minimize conflict. Special Area Management Plans (SAMPs) are a possible solution in the quest to balance conservation with mission requirements. Beale Air Force Base, California is the first military installation to pursue implementation of a SAMP. This project found that SAMP implementation could be a tool to successfully balance conservation efforts with military requirements on other Air Force installations; however, further education on the SAMP process would be required.

Review and Recommendations for Fast-Track Wetland Permitting for Petroleum Pipeline Maintenance

The petroleum pipeline industry in the United States is challenged with maintaining the integrity of their pipelines, while also protecting the environment during any pipeline repairs. This project provides information on the activities relating to the industry Integrity Management Program, assesses the process that federal agencies are developing to create streamlined permitting processes, and if the necessary federal, state, and local wetland permits can be obtained in the time frame required by the law. Recommendations are also made for implementation of a fast-track wetland permitting process and what pipeline companies can do to speed up the permitting process. This project focuses on the refined petroleum pipelines that originate near the Gulf of Mexico and terminate in the Northeastern United States.