Project AWARE 2006 Iowa River

Summary of Project AWARE 2006, a volunteer river cleanup on the Iowa River.

Project AWARE 2009 Cedar River

Summary of Project AWARE, a volunteer river cleanup on the Cedar River.

Project AWARE 2010 Nishnabotna River

Summary of Project AWARE in 2010 on the Nishnabotna River.

Project AWARE 2011 Turkey River

Summary of Project AWARE, a volunteer river cleanup, which was held on the Turkey River in 2011.

Project AWARE 2012 Iowa River

Summary of Project AWARE, volunteer river cleanup, which was held on the Iowa River in 2012.

Project AWARE 2013 Des Moines River

Summary of Project AWARE, volunteer river cleanup, held in 2013 on the Des Moines River.

Project AWARE 2014 Big Sioux River

Summary of Project AWARE on the Big Sioux River in 2014. Project AWARE is a volunteer river cleanup event.

Occurrence of Symphyla (Myriapoda) in the region of the Upper Solimões River, Amazonas, Brazil

The present work aimed at identifying the Symphyla species diversity and abundance in various land-use systems under different degrees of intensification in western Amazonia. This is the first inventory of Symphyla in primary and secondary forest, crops, agroforestry systems and pastures which was carried out in Benjamin Constant municipality, in the region of the Upper Solimões River, Brazil. Samples (n = 101) were collected using a metal corer, and the symphylan extraction was carried out using Berlese-Tullgren funnels. Two genera and three species of symphylans were encountered. Considering the diversity encountered in Amazonian inventories, with only four genera and five known species overall, the three species found in the present study are considered a reasonable representation of the regional diversity. Two of the Hanseniella species found have been known to cause plant damage.

The earthworm fauna of regenerating forests and anthropogenic habitats in the coastal region of Paraná

The aim of this study was to evaluate abundance, biomass and diversity of earthworms in the southern coast region of the Mata Atlântica biodiversity hotspot. A total of 51 study sites in pastures, banana monocultures, mixed agroforestry systems, secondary forests in succession and old-growth forests near the coast of Paraná, Brazil, were evaluated. Each site was sampled once. Species richness of the earthworms was generally low and varied little between sites. At all sites except for one, the peregrine species Pontoscolex corethrurus (Glossoscolecidae) strongly dominated. Three other peregrine species, Amynthas corticis, Amynthas gracilis (Megascolecidae) and Ocnerodrilus occidentalis (Ocnerodrilidae), were frequent in moist sites. No autochthonous species were found. Abundance and biomass of earthworms varied strongly within and between sites (0-338 individuals m-2, 0-96 g m-2 fresh weight). Pastures had significantly lower abundance than all other sites. The forest sites had similar earthworm abundance and biomass, with a tendency to be higher in younger succession stages. The coastal plain region has been strongly altered by human activities. Reasons for the lack of any autochthonous species and the dominance of one peregrine species require further investigation.

Cruzamento dialélico parcial entre variedades locais do Paraná e variedades sintéticas de milho

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar as capacidades geral e específica de combinação entre variedades locais e sintéticas de milho e identificar cruzamentos que reúnam características de interesse agronômico, com vistas à síntese de variedades. O dialelo parcial foi realizado com 11 variedades sintéticas cruzadas com cinco variedades locais do Paraná. As combinações híbridas resultantes foram avaliadas juntamente com as cinco variedades locais genitoras e com cinco híbridos comerciais, em blocos completos ao acaso com quatro repetições, em São João do Triunfo e Londrina, PR. Houve interação genótipo x local para a maioria dos caracteres avaliados, com predominância da interação da capacidade geral de combinação x local. As melhores estimativas de capacidade geral de combinação do grupo dos sintéticos foram observadas para ST09 e ST04 e, no grupo das variedades, para MC45 e IAPAR 50, considerando-se o conjunto das características e de locais. As melhores combinações híbridas (MC34 x ST04, IAPAR 50 x ST07, MC47 x ST09, MC45 x ST02, MC51 x ST04 e MC45 x ST01) apresentaram estimativas positivas de capacidade específica de combinação quanto à produtividade, em ambos os locais. Existem combinações híbridas com potencial para síntese de novas variedades com padrões de produtividade, altura de planta, posição relativa da espiga e percentagem de espigas danificadas e de plantas acamadas e quebradas melhores que os observados em variedades locais per se e mais semelhantes aos dos híbridos comerciais.

09012-009 Little River Lake Watershed Final Report

Little River Lake watershed is a 13,305 acre subwatershed of Little River. The 788 acre lake was listed as a 303d impaired water body in 2008 due to elevated turbidity and algae levels. The Decatur SWCD has prioritized water quality protection efforts within the Little River Lake watershed because 1) portions of this watershed has been identified as the primary contributor of sediment and nutrients to Little River Lake, which provides an essential source of drinking water for Decatur County and the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association; 2) the watershed provides exemplary education and project interpretation opportunities due to its proximity to Little River Lake Recreation Area, and 3) by using targeted and proven soil conservation practices to address water quality deficiencies the probability of successfully attenuating soil erosion and ameliorating water quality impairments is enhanced. The specific goals of this proposal are to: 1. reduce annual sediment, and phosphorous delivery to the lake by 11,280 tons and 14,664 lbs., respectively, via applications of conservation practices on targeted agricultural land; 2. delist the lake as an EPA 303d impaired water body via water quality enhancement; 3. obtain a “Full Support” status for the lake’s aquatic life and recreational use; 4. reduce potable water treatment costs (minimum 50% cost reduction) associated with high suspended solid levels; and 5. restore a viable sport-fish population, thereby bolstering tourism and the economy. To achieve timely project implementation the Decatur SWCD has cooperated with the IDNR Watershed Improvement Section, Fisheries Bureau, and IDALS-DSC to assess extant water quality and watershed conditions, coalesced a diverse team of committed partners and secured matching funding from multiple sources.

06033-015 Fox River Watershed Final Report

With WIRB funding the Fox River Ecosystem Development board will install prioritized practices identified by assessments within the impaired segment of Fox River that currently will not be funded by Iowa Section 319 or Watershed Protection Funds. The FRED board is also asking for funding for a three year position for continuing assessment, planning, and technical assistance. Through various funding sources local work groups have been able to address some of the critical and high priority areas. But, as further assessments are made, commitment, and need expressed from landowners grow, the FRED board and SWCD districts in both Iowa and Missouri are committed not only to seek funding to continue water quality efforts for more practices but also enhance and protect existing practices and investments that protect our water quality and economic viability in both states.

1012-007 Yellow River Headwaters Final Report

The Yellow River Headwaters Watershed (YRHW) drains 26,730 acres of rural land within Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties. While portions of the river have been designated as a High Quality Resource by the State of Iowa, other portions appear on the State's 303(d) List of Impaired Waters due to excessive nutrients, sediment and other water quality issues. The Winneshiek SWCD was fortunate enough to secure WSPF/WPF funds for FY2009 to begin addressing many of the sources of the identified problems, especially along the all-to-critical stream corridor. Initial landowner I producer interest has exceeded expectations and several key BMPs have been installed within the identified critical areas. Yet due to the current budget constraints in the WSPF/WPF programs, we currently have greater landowner I producer interest than we do funds, which is why the District is applying for WIRB funding, to provide supplemental incentives to continue the installation of needed Grade Stabilization Structures, Terraces and Manure Management Systems in identified critical areas. Other funding, currently available to the District, will cover the remaining portions of the project's budget, including staff and our outreach efforts.

07014-005 Maple River Watershed Final Report

The proposed project will include the construction of a sanitary sewer collection system and a community gravel filter wastewater treatment system in the unsewered community of Maple River Junction in Carroll County. The system will be built to include approximately 1,150 feet of 4-inch sanitary sewer main, 3,540 feet of 4-inch service main an approximately 35 septic tanks. Some existing 4-inch PVC sewer piping as well as existing septic tanks in good condition will continue to be used in order to control capital costs.

Iowa's Mississippi River Trail Plan, 2003

The Mississippi River Trail (MRT) is a world-class bicycle trail that will follow the Mississippi River all the way from its headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The trail is partially completed; much of it is still in the planning and development stages. When complete, the MRT will Link over 2,000 miles of recreational trails through 10 states, including 280 miles in Iowa. Designated as a National Millennium Trail, the MRT will preserve natural environments along the river, stimulate economic growth in river communities, and provide bicyclists access to a variety of landscapes, history, and culture. The Iowa Department of Transportation commissioned the Center for Transportation Research and Education at Iowa State University to develop a plan for a safe, economically beneficial, and scenic MRT route through Iowa. This report presents the MRT plan for Iowa. It is organized in the following chapters: Executive Summary; (1) Introduction - vision statement and objectives; (2) Iowa MRT Minimum Design Standards; (3) Iowa MRT Route Analysis; (4) Recommended Improvement Plan; (5) MRT Implementation; and (6) Estimated Benefits and Impacts of the Iowa MRT. Additional information is provided in the following appendices: (A) GIS Analysis for the MRT; (B) Iowa MRT Maps; (C) Public Input; (D) Public Comments; and (E) References.