In the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of California, Northern Division, before Hon. Benjamin F. Bledsoe, United States District Judge : United States of America, plaintiff, vs. Southern Pacific Company, et al., Defendants. In Equity No.46 Civil, A-16, A-24, A-25, A-26, A-28.

Cover title.

What is this thing called Historical Archaeology?

Historical archaeology, in its narrow temporal sense -as an archaeology of the emergence and subsequent evolution of the Modern world- is steadily taking pace in Spanish academia. This paper aims at provoking a more robust debate through understanding how Spanish historical archaeology is placed in the international scene and some of its more relevant particularities. In so doing, the paper also stresses the strong links that have united historical and prehistorical archaeology since its inception, both in relation to the ontological, epistemological and methodological definition of the first as to the influence of socio-political issues in the latter. Such reflection is partly a situated reflection from prehistory as one of the paper’s authors has been a prehistorian for most of her professional life.

Study of new particle formation in subtropical urban environment in Brisbane, Australia

Atmospheric ultrafine particles play an important role in affecting human health, altering climate and degrading visibility. Numerous studies have been conducted to better understand the formation process of these particles, including field measurements, laboratory chamber studies and mathematical modeling approaches. Field studies on new particle formation found that formation processes were significantly affected by atmospheric conditions, such as the availability of particle precursors and meteorological conditions. However, those studies were mainly carried out in rural areas of the northern hemisphere and information on new particle formation in urban areas, especially those in subtropical regions, is limited. In general, subtropical regions display a higher level of solar radiation, along with stronger photochemical reactivity, than those regions investigated in previous studies. However, based on the results of these studies, the mechanisms involved in the new particle formation process remain unclear, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore, in order to fill this gap in knowledge, a new particle formation study was conducted in a subtropical urban area in the Southern Hemisphere during 2009, which measured particle size distribution in different locations in Brisbane, Australia. Characterisation of nucleation events was conducted at the campus building of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), located in an urban area of Brisbane. Overall, the annual average number concentrations of ultrafine, Aitken and nucleation mode particles were found to be 9.3 x 103, 3.7 x 103 and 5.6 x 103 cm-3, respectively. This was comparable to levels measured in urban areas of northern Europe, but lower than those from polluted urban areas such as the Yangtze River Delta, China and Huelva and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. Average particle number concentration (PNC) in the Brisbane region did not show significant seasonal variation, however a relatively large variation was observed during the warmer season. Diurnal variation of Aitken and nucleation mode particles displayed different patterns, which suggested that direct vehicle exhaust emissions were a major contributor of Aitken mode particles, while nucleation mode particles originated from vehicle exhaust emissions in the morning and photochemical production at around noon. A total of 65 nucleation events were observed during 2009, in which 40 events were classified as nucleation growth events and the remainder were nucleation burst events. An interesting observation in this study was that all nucleation growth events were associated with vehicle exhaust emission plumes, while the nucleation burst events were associated with industrial emission plumes from an industrial area. The average particle growth rate for nucleation events was found to be 4.6 nm hr-1 (ranging from 1.79-7.78 nm hr-1), which is comparable to other urban studies conducted in the United States, while monthly particle growth rates were found to be positively related to monthly solar radiation (r = 0.76, p <0.05). The particle growth rate values reported in this work are the first of their kind to be reported for the subtropical urban area of Australia. Furthermore, the influence of nucleation events on PNC within the urban airshed was also investigated. PNC was simultaneously measured at urban (QUT), roadside (Woolloongabba) and semi-urban (Rocklea) sites in Brisbane during 2009. Total PNC at these sites was found to be significantly affected by regional nucleation events. The relative fractions of PNC to total daily PNC observed at QUT, Woolloongabba and Rocklea were found to be 12%, 9% and 14%, respectively, during regional nucleation events. These values were higher than those observed as a result of vehicle exhaust emissions during weekday mornings, which ranged from 5.1-5.5% at QUT and Woolloongabba. In addition, PNC in the semi-urban area of Rocklea increased by a factor of 15.4 when it was upwind from urban pollution sources under the influence of nucleation burst events. Finally, we investigated the influence of sulfuric acid on new particle formation in the study region. A H2SO4 proxy was calculated by using [SO2], solar radiation and particle condensation sink data to represent the new particle production strength for the urban, roadside and semi-urban areas of Brisbane during the period June-July of 2009. The temporal variations of the H2SO4 proxies and the nucleation mode particle concentration were found to be in phase during nucleation events in the urban and roadside areas. In contrast, the peak of proxy concentration occurred 1-2 hr prior to the observed peak in nucleation mode particle concentration at the downwind semi-urban area of Brisbane. A moderate to strong linear relationship was found between the proxy and the freshly formed particles, with r2 values of 0.26-0.77 during the nucleation events. In addition, the log[H2SO4 proxy] required to produce new particles was found to be ~1.0 ppb Wm-2 s and below 0.5 ppb Wm-2 s for the urban and semi-urban areas, respectively. The particle growth rates were similar during nucleation events at the three study locations, with an average value of 2.7 ± 0.5 nm hr-1. This result suggested that a similar nucleation mechanism dominated in the study region, which was strongly related to sulphuric acid concentration, however the relationship between the proxy and PNC was poor in the semi-urban area of Rocklea. This can be explained by the fact that the nucleation process was initiated upwind of the site and the resultant particles were transported via the wind to Rocklea. This explanation is also supported by the higher geometric mean diameter value observed for particles during the nucleation event and the time lag relationship between the H2SO4 proxy and PNC observed at Rocklea. In summary, particle size distribution was continuously measured in a subtropical urban area of southern hemisphere during 2009, the findings from which formed the first particle size distribution dataset in the study region. The characteristics of nucleation events in the Brisbane region were quantified and the properties of the nucleation growth and burst events are discussed in detail using a case studies approach. To further investigate the influence of nucleation events on PNC in the study region, PNC was simultaneously measured at three locations to examine the spatial variation of PNC during the regional nucleation events. In addition, the impact of upwind urban pollution on the downwind semi-urban area was quantified during these nucleation events. Sulphuric acid was found to be an important factor influencing new particle formation in the urban and roadside areas of the study region, however, a direct relationship with nucleation events at the semi-urban site was not observed. This study provided an overview of new particle formation in the Brisbane region, and its influence on PNC in the surrounding area. The findings of this work are the first of their kind for an urban area in the southern hemisphere.

Possible impacts of the invasive plant Rubus niveus on the native vegetation of the Scalesia Forest in the Galapagos Islands

Originally from Asia, Rubus niveus has become one of the most widespread invasive plant species in the Galapagos Islands. It has invaded open vegetation, shrubland and forest alike. It forms dense thickets up to 4 m high, appearing to displace native vegetation, and threaten the integrity of several native communities. This study used correlation analysis between a R. niveus cover gradient and a number of biotic (vascular plant species richness, cover and vegetation structure) and abiotic (light and soil properties) parameters to help understand possible impacts in one of the last remaining fragments of the Scalesia forest in Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos. Higher cover of R. niveus was associated with significantly lower native species richness and cover, and a different forest structure. Results illustrated that 60% R. niveus cover could be considered a threshold for these impacts. We suggest that a maximum of 40% R. niveus cover could be a suitable management target.

Judah P. Benjamin collection, undated, 1838-1942.

The collection consists of 25 letters written by Benjamin between 1838 and 1881 on a variety of subjects, four Confederate notes and two bonds bearing his picture, miscellaneous items about Benjamin (1893-1942), nine issues of the Congressional globe with speeches by Benjamin, as well as separate copies of his printed speeches, and a photostatic copy of the "Diary of Events" (400 pp.) kept by Benjamin, the original of which is in the Library of Congress (1862-1864).

Essays on macroeconomic effects of fiscal policy rules

Economic and Monetary Union can be characterised as a complicated set of legislation and institutions governing monetary and fiscal responsibilities. The measures of fiscal responsibility are to be guided by the Stability and Growth Pact, which sets rules for fiscal policy and makes a discretionary fiscal policy virtually impossible. To analyse the effects of the fiscal and monetary policy mix, we modified the New Keynesian framework to allow for supply effects of fiscal policy. We show that defining a supply-side channel for fiscal policy using an endogenous output gap changes the stabilising properties of monetary policy rules. The stability conditions are affected by fiscal policy, so that the dichotomy between active (passive) monetary policy and passive (active) fiscal policy as stabilising regimes does not hold, and it is possible to have an active monetary - active fiscal policy regime consistent with dynamical stability of the economy. We show that, if we take supply-side effects into ac-count, we get more persistent inflation and output reactions. We also show that the dichotomy does not hold for a variety of different fiscal policy rules based on government debt and budget deficit, using the tax smoothing hypothesis and formulating the tax rules as difference equations. The debt rule with active monetary policy results in indeterminacy, while the deficit rule produces a determinate solution with active monetary policy, even with active fiscal policy. The combination of fiscal requirements in a rule results in cyclical responses to shocks. The amplitude of the cycle is larger with more weight on debt than on deficit. Combining optimised monetary policy with fiscal policy rules means that, under a discretionary monetary policy, the fiscal policy regime affects the size of the inflation bias. We also show that commitment to an optimal monetary policy not only corrects the inflation bias but also increases the persistence of output reactions. With fiscal policy rules based on the deficit we can retain the tax smoothing hypothesis also in a sticky price model.

Efecto de métodos mecánicos y químicos de control de malezas, sobre la dinámica de las malezas y el crecimiento y rendimiento del frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris) valoración económica

Durante la época de postrera de 1993, se realizó el siguiente estudio en la finca "San Diego" ubicada en el municipio de Santa Cruz, km. 59 1/2, carretera sur, Carazo. El objetivo fue determinar el efecto de formas de control de malezas mecánicas y químicas sobre la dinámica de las malezas y el crecimiento y rendimiento de frijol común. Los tratamiento con control mecánico evaluados fueron limpia periódica y control durante el período crítico y los tratamiento químicos incluyeron tratamiento pre-emergentes a base de metholachlor, pendimetalin y la combinación de ambos, y los tratamientos post-emergentes a base de Fluazifop-hutil, fomesafen y el tratamiento que incluye la combinación de ambos. Todos los herbicidas se aplicaron en la dosis recomendada comercialmente. Un tratamiento fue dejado enmalezado como parcela control. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la predominancia de las malezas en el tratamiento enmalezado fue de hoja ancha, sin embargo dicha predominancia estuvo influenciada por la especificidad de los herbicidas utilizados. La combinación de los herbicidas post-emergentes fluazifop-butil + fomesafen resulto ser el mejor tratamiento para el control de las malezas, ya que presenta la menor abundancia y biomasa de malezas. La aplicación del herbicida metholachlor resulto la mejor aplicación pre-emergente, sin embargo no es suficiente para reducir la competencia. El tratamiento de mejor rentabilidad es el control durante el período crítico, seguido del tratamiento post-emergente de fomesafen, con estos tratamientos se obtuvo la tasa de retorno marginal más aceptable.

Estabilidad y rendimiento de seis materiales genéticos de frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) en distintas zonas de Nicaragua

El presente trabajo se realizo con el objetivo de evaluar la estabilidad y capacidad derendimiento de seis poblaciones de frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (dos variedades mejoradas) DOR-364 e INTA-Masatepe, (cuatro variedades locales) V16, V29, V6 y V9 en seis localidades del país (Dulce Nombre de Jesús, Darío; Matagalpa; Tomatoya, Jinotega; Las Cámaras, Santa Cruz, Estelí; La Poma, Masaya; La Pita, Santo Tomas, Chontales y La Compañía, San Marcos, Carazo) El experimento consistió en un bifactorial en un diseño de Bloques Completamente al Azar (BCA). El rendimiento de los materiales genéticos se sometió al análisis de estabilidad mediante estadísticas univariadas de estabilidad y el análisis AMMI (Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interactions) que permitió una mejor interpretación de la interacción material genético-localidad. Los resultados significativos de dicha interacción demostraron que los materiales genéticos se comportaron de manera diferente en las distintas localidades. La variedad INTA-Masatepe según el análisis combinado de estabilidad y rendimiento, resultó superior al resto. El análisis AMMI permitió detectar interacciones positivas y negativas entre los diferentes materiales genéticos y localidades resaltando el comportamiento de DOR-364 y V9 en San Marcos (ambiente de alta productividad) y las variedades locales V29 y V16 en las localidades de Dulce Nombre, Masaya y Estelí (ambiente de baja productividad). La variedad local V6 resultó tan estable como INTA-Masatepe pero deficiente en cuanto a rendimiento. El estudio no permitió detectar una interacción específica de INTA-Masatepe con una localidad en particular.

Caracterización y evaluación preliminar de cincuenta clones de yuca (Manihot esculenta crantz)

Este trabajo se inició con la búsqueda de material criollo y/o introducido en todas las regiones del país, con el objetivo de concentrar la mayor variabilidad posible, de la especie. Posteriormente se preparó una guía preliminar de descriptores para efectuar la caracterización (se caracterizaron 50 clones). Esta consta de 55 descriptores, la que permite hacer una descripción completa de la colección. Para poder validar se realizaron dos siembras; una en la “Hacienda Las Mercedes y otra en los campos experimentales del programa de Recursos Genéticos Nicaragüenses, Ambos en la localidad del Rodeo km 12 ½ carretera Norte, Managua, Managua. Esta investigación permitió establecer una guía de descriptores definitiva >(consta de 31 descriptores) en la que se eliminan aquellos que no definen clones, a la vez se proponen descriptores que no deben excluirse cuando se realizan trabajos de este tipo. Por otra parte se seleccionaron los mejores clones de acuerdo a: Rendimiento promedio de raíces, siendo los más sobresalientes: yuca Sutre, Ingram, cubana; CM-91-3, White Joe, M-Col -673, Yuca blanca, yuca plátano, yuca ceiba. Producción de follaje: Smalling santa Cruz, Chilkena , CMC16, Yuca Blanca, Agria, Valencia, White Joe, Yuca Batata, Yuca Sutre valencia, Colorado, Turrucares 1. Además, se proponen algunas características morfológicas (prominencia de la base, longitud de entrenudos, textura de la superficie de la raíz) para colectar germoplasma de yuca Manihot esculents Crantz en Nicaragua, con el fin de conseguir clones sobresalientes.

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 094A]

No final de semana, brasilienses acompanham os trabalhos no Congresso Nacional. Votação dos relatórios finais das comissões temáticas. Imagens do Congresso, com movimentação dos populares e parlamentares nas votações. A Comissão da Organização do Estado da Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC) já concluiu os trabalhos, e as decisões foram: Amapá e Roraima passam a ser estados; criados outros quatro estados do Maranhão do Sul, Tapajós, Santa Cruz e Triângulo; autonomia política para o Distrito Federal. José Thomas Nonô (PFL-AL), relator, fala da organização dos trabalhos. Na Comissão do Sistema Tributário, o relator José Serra (PMDB-SP) aceita as várias emendas dos outros constituintes. Na Comissão do Sistema Tributário aprovou-se: proibição do empréstimo compulsório, maior participação dos estados e municípios na arrecadação de impostos. José Serra (PMDB-SP) explica que os constituintes reforçaram, no relatório, a participação, fiscalização e controle do Legislativo no Orçamento da União. A Comissão de Organização dos Poderes opta pelo modelo clássico de parlamentarismo. Neste sistema, cabe ao presidente nomear e exonerar o primeiro ministro, aprovar os planos de governo, nomear os ministros do Supremo Tribunal Federal e sancionar as leis. Ao primeiro-ministro cabe executar os planos de governo, nomear ministros de Estado, presidir o Conselho de Ministros e prestar contas ao Congresso Nacional. José Fogaça (PMDB-RS), relator da comissão, diz que o novo sistema de governo muda a história do Brasil, com a melhor distribuição do poder. A Comissão da Soberania e dos Direitos e Garantias do Homem da Mulher aprova o relatório de José Paulo Bisol (PMDB-RS) com os pontos: rejeição da pena de morte, liberação do número de divórcios e a não inclusão do aborto no texto constitucional. A Comissão da Ordem Social aprova o relatório com os seguintes pontos: estabilidade no emprego, direito de greve aos trabalhadores e jornada de trabalho de quarenta horas semanais. A Comissão da Família, da Educação, Cultura e Esporte, da Ciência e Tecnologia e da Comunicação não consegue votar nenhum artigo. Representante da Associação alerta a população para participar, assinando o abaixo-assinado em defesa da educação pública. Esperançoso, Artur da Távola (PMDB-RJ), relator, acredita que os pontos do seu relatório ainda vão entrar no texto final da Constituição.

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 106]

A Comissão de Organização dos Estados da Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC) propôs nas disposições transitórias a criação de novos estados: Tapajós; Triângulo; Santa Cruz; Maranhão do Sul e Tocantins. Também foi aprovada a transformação dos territórios de Roraima e Amapá em estados. Chagas Duarte (PFL-RR) quer transformar o território de Roraima em estado. Marluce Pinto (PTB-RR) afirma que o que falta em Roraima é a criação de uma Assembleia Legislativa. Reunião da Liderança do PMDB discute temas conflitantes entre os relatórios das várias comissões da Constituinte. Os demais líderes partidários serão consultados posteriormente. Biografia dos relatores adjuntos: Wilson Martins (PMDB-MS), José Ignácio Ferreira (PMDB-ES), Nelson Jobim (PMDB-RS) e Fernando Henrique Cardoso (PMDB-SP).

Ichthyological ecoregions of Argentina

The Argentine Republic is situated in the southernmost portion of the American continent, occupying over 2,785,600 km2 not including the Antarctic territory. The country ranges from subtropical areas (21º46’S) to subantarctic regions (55º03’S), extending latitudinally over about 4,000 km. It possesses significant latitudinal and altitudinal variation (33º of latitudinal range, and heights from Bajo de San Julián in Santa Cruz province at 105 m below sea level, up to Mt. Aconcagua, 6,959 m over sea level), as well as two gradients of physical variability, extending in north-south and east-west directions. Owing to these features, the country presents a wide range of climates and soil types, being one of the countries with greatest diversity of biogeographical units (Lean et al., 1990, In: Bertonatti & Corcuera, 2000). There are four main hydrographic systems: Río de la Plata basin, the Atlantic and Pacific drainages, and several endorrheic systems. Within these basins, the ichthyofaunistic assemblage is well represented, with different magnitude in accordance with the different taxonomic groupings and regions considered. From an ichthyogeographic standpoint, and according to the works of Ringuelet (1975) and Arratia et al. (1983), Argentina is included in the Brasilic and Austral Subregions. The first of these is represented by two domains: the Andean Domain, comprising the southernmost portion of Titicaca Province, and the Paranensean Domain, including part of Alto Paraná and Paranoplatensean Provinces. The Austral Subregion is represented in Argentina by the Subandean-Cuyan and Patagonian Provinces. The present survey indicates that there are about 441 fish species in Argentina, distributed throughout the country; this number represents less than 10% of the total fish species occurring in the Neotropical Region. There is a recognizable trend of faunal impoverishment, both in North-South and East-West direction, reaching its maximum expression in the provinces of Tierra del Fuego (situated at approximately 52º30’S to 55ºS, and 65ºS to 68º50’W) and San Juan (approximately 28º50’S and 67ºW to 70º45’W), which have 4 and 5 fish species respectively. In north-south direction, one of the regional indicators of this phenomenon is the Salado river basin in Buenos Aires province, which constitutes the southern distributional boundary for the majority of the paranoplatensean ichthyofauna; 12 of the families occurring in the Paraná-Plata system are absent from this pauperized paranensean ichthyofaunal assemblage. Most of the continental fish fauna of Argentina belongs to the primary division of Myers (1949), while some elements are included in the secondary division and others in an amphibiotic or ‘marine penetration’ category. This ichthyofaunistic scope encompasses a wide range of morphological, biological, ecological and ethological types (benthic and pelagic, migrating and sedentary, haematophagous or parasites, annual species, inhabitants of plains or heights, estivation-adapted, etc.) inhabiting different regions within the national territory.

Channel Islands marine protected areas first 5 years of monitoring: 2003-2008 [Report produced by the California Department of Fish and Game in collaboration with the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO), Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, and Channel Islands National Park]

The Channel Islands—sometimes called the Galapagos of North America—are known for their great beauty, rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities. In 1980, in recognition of the islands’ importance, the United States Congress established a national park encompassing 5 of California’s Channel Islands (Santa Barbara, Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel Islands) and waters within 1 nautical mile of the islands. In the same year, Congress declared a national marine sanctuary around each of these islands, including waters up to 6 nautical miles offshore. Approximately 60,000 people visit the Channel Islands each year for aquatic recreation such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, wildlife watching, surfing, and diving. Another 30,000 people visit the islands for hiking, camping, and sightseeing. Dozens of commercial fishing boats based in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard, and other ports go to the Channel Islands to catch squid, spiny lobster, sea urchin, rockfish, crab, sheephead, flatfish, and sea cucumber, among other species. In the past few decades, advances in fishing technology and the rising number of fishermen, in conjunction with changing ocean conditions and diseases, have contributed to declines in some marine fishes and invertebrates at the Channel Islands. In 1998, citizens from Santa Barbara and Ventura proposed establishment of no-take marine reserves at the Channel Islands, beginning a 4-year process of public meetings, discussions, and scientific analyses. In 2003, the California Fish and Game Commission designated a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in state waters around the northern Channel Islands. In 2006 and 2007, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) extended the MPAs into the national marine sanctuary’s deeper, federal waters. To determine if the MPAs are protecting marine species and habitats, scientists are monitoring ecological changes. They are studying changes in habitats; abundance and size of species of interest; the ocean food web and ecosystem; and movement of fish and invertebrates from MPAs to surrounding waters. Additionally, scientists are monitoring human activities such as commercial and recreational fisheries, and compliance with MPA regulations. This booklet describes some results from the first 5 years of monitoring the Channel Islands MPAs. Although 5 years is not long enough to determine if the MPAs will accomplish all of their goals, this booklet offers a glimpse of the changes that are beginning to take place and illustrates the types of information that will eventually be used to assess the MPAs’ effectiveness. (PDF contains 24 pages.)

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 071 A]

A Comissão da Família, da Educação, Cultura e Esporte, da Ciência e Tecnologia e Comunicação da Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC) trata a educação no país. Constituintes querem manter o mandato de injunção, ao tratar a educação e a representação feita no poder judiciário pelo povo. Constituintes discutem a educação obrigatória e gratuita no país. Loremberg Nunes Rocha (PTB-MT) diz que o relatório incorporará novas sugestões, vinculará no texto da constituição, com 50% para o ensino fundamental. Constituintes voltam a discutir a criação de novos estados brasileiros: Tocantins, Santa Cruz, Maranhão do Sul, Solimões, Tapajós e Triângulo Mineiro. Constituintes também querem os novos estados do São Francisco e Cariri. Marluce Pinto (PTB-RR) luta pela mudança do status dos territórios do Amapá e Roraima. Criação da Corte Constitucional, tema debatido na Comissão de Organização Eleitoral, Partidária e Garantia das Instituições, gera polêmica. Um grupo de constituintes acha que a Corte Constitucional garante o cumprimento da Constituição, outro grupo acredita que a Corte Constitucional esvazia as funções do Supremo Tribunal Federal esvazia sua função. Prisco Viana (PMDB-BA), relator da comissão, acredita que a Corte Constitucional não precisa ser implementada no Brasil. Fausto Fernandes (PMDB-PA) diz que a Corte dá condições ao funcionamento da constituição. Paulo Ramos(PMN-RJ) acredita na Corte como benefício à sociedade. Lutas pelas emendas. Alguns constituintes querem a entrada de emendas nos relatórios das comissões antes do projeto chegar a Comissão de Sistematização. O que não é permitido pelo regimento interno da constituição. Agripino Maia (PFL-RN) defende a inclusão de emendas nos relatórios das comissões

Mussel Community Studies [Year One].

Mytilus californianus communities (mussel beds) were examined from six geographic localities in Southern California. These included two mainland sites, Coal Oil Point and San Diego; and four island sites, San Miguel, Santa Cruz, San Nicholas, and Santa Barbara Islands. Optimal sample sizes were determined for each locality. In general, a sample, size of 1500 cm2 (five cores) was optimal for the "typical" mussel bed. However, structurally unique mussel beds required individual consideration. Community biomass, diversity, species richness, and species evenness were calculated quarterly for the island localities and biannually for mainland locations. The molluscs, primarily the mussels, accounted for 90% of the total biomass while all other groups combined accounted for 10% or less of the total biomass. The mussel communities from all localities contributed to the master species list which conservatively contained 346 species. The most diverse localities were Coal Oil Point and Santa Cruz Island with an average number of 73 and 74 species/O.lS m respectively. No overall seasonal patterns existed in community composition. The community similarity analyses showed the mainland localities biotically dissimilar from the islands and both groups were characterized by distinct faunal assemblages. In addition, San Miguel Island biota were unique among the island sites. The most important mussel bed structural attributes provided habitats for the associated community and included sediment and coarse fraction features. Food-related resources provided by the mussel bed were secondarily important. Community diversity generally increased with the quantity of habitat and food resources. (PDF contains 138 pages)