Modelling the influence of change in fire regime on the local distribution of a Mediterranean pyrophytic plant species (Cistus salviifolius) at its northern range limit

Aims: To assess the potential distribution of an obligate seeder and active pyrophyte, Cistus salviifolius, a vulnerable species in the Swiss Red List; to derive scenarios by changing the fire return interval; and to discuss the results from a conservation perspective. A more general aim is to assess the impact of fire as a natural factor influencing the vegetation of the southern slopes of the Alps. Locations: Alps, southern Switzerland. Methods: Presence-absence data to fit the model were obtained from the most recent field mapping of C. salviifolius. The quantitative environmental predictors used in this study include topographic, climatic and disturbance (fire) predictors. Models were fitted by logistic regression and evaluated by jackknife and bootstrap approaches. Changes in fire regime were simulated by increasing the time-return interval of fire (simulating longer periods without fire). Two scenarios were considered: no fire in the past 15 years; or in the past 35 years. Results: Rock cover, slope, topographic position, potential evapotranspiration and time elapsed since the last fire were selected in the final model. The Nagelkerke R-2 of the model for C. salviifolius was 0.57 and the Jackknife area under the curve evaluation was 0.89. The bootstrap evaluation revealed model robustness. By increasing the return interval of fire by either up to 15 years, or 35 years, the modelled C. salviifolius population declined by 30-40%, respectively. Main conclusions: Although fire plays a significant role, topography and rock cover appear to be the most important predictors, suggesting that the distribution of C. salviifolius in the southern Swiss Alps is closely related to the availability of supposedly competition-free sites, such as emerging bedrock, ridge locations or steep slopes. Fire is more likely to play a secondary role in allowing C. salviifolius to extend its occurrence temporarily, by increasing germination rates and reducing the competition from surrounding vegetation. To maintain a viable dormant seed bank for C. salviifolius, conservation managers should consider carrying out vegetation clearing and managing wild fire propagation to reduce competition and ensure sufficient recruitment for this species.

Fiscal Update, June 21, 2012

The Fiscal Division newsletter, published weekly during session and periodically during the interim.

Fiscal Update, July 16, 2012

The Fiscal Division newsletter, published weekly during session and periodically during the interim.

Iowa Public Television Performance Report Performance Results Achieved for Fiscal Year 2011

Performance Report Results for Iowa Public Television.

Regime de colaboração intergovernamental: alternativa para a maioridade do ensino médio

O ensino fundamental e médio no Brasil têm compartilhado, por longo tempo, prédios, equipamentos e professores, cujo dimensionamento este trabalho apresenta, com base nos dados censitários. O rápido crescimento da matrícula do ensino médio suscita importantes questões sobre as verdadeiras necessidades de construção escolar, bem como sobre a divisão de competências educacionais na esfera de governo e a identidade pedagógica das escolas. Os dados censitários revelam que será necessário construir numerosos prédios escolares, ante o aumento da procura, porém, ainda é significativa a utilização de espaço e tempo letivo. Portanto, governos estaduais e municipais precisarão colaborar entre si, continuando a compartilhar pessoal e recursos materiais. Para melhores resultados, é necessário operacionalizar o regime de colaboração, prescrito pela Carta Magna. Normas mais claras e estáveis precisam ser negociadas para evitar casuísmos.

Fiscal Update, August 16, 2012

The Fiscal Division newsletter, published weekly during session and periodically during the interim.

Fiscal Update, October 16, 2012

The Fiscal Division newsletter, published weekly during session and periodically during the interim.

Iowa Utilities Board Fiscal Year 2013 Regulatory Plan Pursuant to Executive Order Nine

Iowa Utilities Board Fiscal Year 2008 Regulatory Plan Pursuant to Executive Order Nine.

Iowa Civil Rights Commission 46 Years of Working Toward a State Free of Discrimination Through Enforcement of Civil Rights Laws Annual Report Fiscal Year 2011

Annual Report for the Iowa Civil Rights Commission

Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report Iowa Workforce Development, 2011

The agency continually strives to improve processes and align the organization in such a way to provide effective, demand driven products and services. Iowa Workforce Development‟s administrative, labor services, workers‟ compensation, labor market information, and the unemployment insurance service staff are located in Des Moines. Additionally, the agency maintains a statewide delivery system of 55 field offices in conjunction with our workforce partners. Through a comprehensive Web site, Iowa Workforce Development provides customers access to major services such as posting résumés; access to a statewide job bank; labor services information, unemployment claim information and filing options; and labor market information, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Fiscal Update, November 16, 2012

The Fiscal Division newsletter, published weekly during session and periodically during the interim.

Iowa Communications Network - Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Report

The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) is the country’s premier distance learning and state government Network, committed to providing Iowans with convenient, equal access to education, government and healthcare. The Network makes it possible for Iowans, physically separated by location, to interact in an efficient, creative, and cost-effective manner. ICN provides high-speed Internet, data, video conferencing, and voice (phone) services to authorized users, under Code of Iowa, which includes: K-12 schools, higher education, hospitals, state and federal government, National Guard armories, and libraries.

Iowa Elder Abuse Initiative Demonstration Projects Fiscal Year 2001-2011

In 2001, the Iowa Legislature approved approximately $475,000 to fund strategies for elder abuse detection, training and services in an effort to evaluate Iowa’s adult abuse system. This endeavor became known as Iowa’s Elder Abuse Initiative (EAI) demonstration projects. These projects were located in 4 of the 13 Area Agencies on Aging and available in 22 of Iowa’s 99 counties. The EAI focused on the prevention, intervention, detection, and reporting of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation by presenting elders with options to enhance their lifestyle choices.

Fiscal Update, December 21, 2012

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Department of Commerce - Iowa Utilities Board, Performance Report, Performance Results Achieved for Fiscal Year 2012

This report highlights the services the IUB provided to Iowans, along with results achieved to ensure reliability, and to improve and expand utility service infrastructure in Iowa. This information is provided in accordance with the State of Iowa Accountable Government Act, Iowa Code chapter 8E. The two basic business functions of the IUB are utility regulation and compliance, and resource management. This report covers performance information for both of these areas.