Natural Regeneration of Oak in Iowa, December 1998

The oak and oak/hickory forests make up about 46% of Iowa's forestland. Approximately a third of these woodlands have adequate oak regeneration for the woodlands of the future. This report explains what is happening with Iowa's forestland.

Coppice Management of Iowa Hardwoods, June 1987

Principles and techniques that should be followed to either promote or retard coppice regeneration.

Forestry contacts and organizations in Iowa, June 1988

Iowa has several public and private agencies which provide a wide range of forestry services and programs; a brief description of these organizations follows.

How current Tax Laws affect Woodlands Owners, August 1998

This report is on the effects of the tax reforam act of 1986 on timber production activites.

Shifts in species and phylogenetic diversity between sapling and tree communities indicate negative density dependence in a lowland rain forest

1. As trees in a given cohort progress through ontogeny, many individuals die. This risk of mortality is unevenly distributed across species because of many processes such as habitat filtering, interspecific competition and negative density dependence. Here, we predict and test the patterns that such ecological processes should inscribe on both species and phylogenetic diversity as plants recruit from saplings to the canopy. 2. We compared species and phylogenetic diversity of sapling and tree communities at two sites in French Guiana. We surveyed 2084 adult trees in four 1-ha tree plots and 943 saplings in sixteen 16-m2 subplots nested within the tree plots. Species diversity was measured using Fisher's alpha (species richness) and Simpson's index (species evenness). Phylogenetic diversity was measured using Faith's phylogenetic diversity (phylogenetic richness) and Rao's quadratic entropy index (phylogenetic evenness). The phylogenetic diversity indices were inferred using four phylogenetic hypotheses: two based on rbcLa plastid DNA sequences obtained from the inventoried individuals with different branch lengths, a global phylogeny available from the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, and a combination of both. 3. Taxonomic identification of the saplings was performed by combining morphological and DNA barcoding techniques using three plant DNA barcodes (psbA-trnH, rpoC1 and rbcLa). DNA barcoding enabled us to increase species assignment and to assign unidentified saplings to molecular operational taxonomic units. 4. Species richness was similar between saplings and trees, but in about half of our comparisons, species evenness was higher in trees than in saplings. This suggests that negative density dependence plays an important role during the sapling-to-tree transition. 5. Phylogenetic richness increased between saplings and trees in about half of the comparisons. Phylogenetic evenness increased significantly between saplings and trees in a few cases (4 out of 16) and only with the most resolved phylogeny. These results suggest that negative density dependence operates largely independently of the phylogenetic structure of communities. 6. Synthesis. By contrasting species richness and evenness across size classes, we suggest that negative density dependence drives shifts in composition during the sapling-to-tree transition. In addition, we found little evidence for a change in phylogenetic diversity across age classes, suggesting that the observed patterns are not phylogenetically constrained.

Planning for Wooded Acreages and Woodlands, August 2005

PM2002B: People own wooded acreages and woodlands for a variety of reasons that may include: timber production, firewood production, recreation, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and alternative forest products. Most of Iowa’s forestland is privately held, and the majority of ownership is fragmented into an average of ten acres (Forest Reserve Survey, 2004). In fact, the average size of an individual forest or woodlot ownership has been steadily declining for several years due in part to population growth, urban sprawl, and changes in land ownership. Studies indicate that the probability of a sustainable woodlot decreases as the population increases. At the same time, most woodlot owners want to be good stewards and protect and enhance the forest that they own. To achieve this goal, careful forest planning and management is required especially when managing the land for multiple objectives.

Thermal energetics of the New-Guinean moss-forest rat (Rattus niobe) in comparison with other tropical murid rodents.

The thermal energetics of rodents from cool, wet tropical highlands are poorly known. Metabolic rate, body temperature and thermal conductance were measured in the moss-forest rat, Rattus niobe (Rodentia), a small murid endemic to the highlands of New Guinea. These data were evaluated in the context of the variation observed in the genus Rattus and among tropical murids. In 7 adult R. niobe, basal metabolic rate (BMR) averaged 53.6±6.6mLO2h(-1), or 103% of the value predicted for a body mass of 42.3±5.8g. Compared to other species of Rattus, R. niobe combines a low body temperature (35.5±0.6°C) and a moderately low minimal wet thermal conductance cmin (5.88±0.7mLO2h(-1)°C(-1), 95% of predicted) with a small size, all of which lead to reduced energy expenditure in a constantly cool environment. The correlations of mean annual rainfall and temperature, altitude and body mass with BMR, body temperature and cmin were analyzed comparatively among tropical Muridae. Neither BMR, nor cmin or body temperature correlated with ambient temperature or altitude. Some of the factors which promote high BMR in higher latitude habitats, such as seasonal exposure to very low temperature and short reproductive season, are lacking in wet montane tropical forests. BMR increased with rainfall, confirming a pattern observed among other assemblages of mammals. This correlation was due to the low BMR of several desert adapted murids, while R. niobe and other species from wet habitats had a moderate BMR.

Woodland Improvement and Crop Trees in Iowa, 2005

Vigorous and Healthy woodlands in Iowa have the unique distinction of being able to provide a wealth of benefits for the landowner and residents of the state. Benefits from a healthy forest include timber and wood resources, watershed protection, fragile site protection, wildlife and bird habitat, aesthetics and beauty, and recreational opportunities.

Strategic Plan for Improved Concrete Pavement Surface Characteristics, July 2006

Surface characteristics represent a critical issue facing pavement owners and the concrete paving industry. The traveling public has come to expect smoother, quieter, and better drained pavements, all without compromising safety. The overall surface characteristics issues is extremely complex since all pavement surface characteristics properties, including texture, noise, friction, splash/spray, rolling resistance, reflectivity/illuminance, and smoothness, are complexly related. The following needs and gaps related to achieving desired pavement surface characteristics need to be addressed: determined how changes in one surface characteristic affect, either beneficially or detrimentally, other characteristics of the pavement, determine the long-term surface and acoustic durability of different textures, and develop, evaluate, and standardize new data collection and analysis tools. It is clear that an overall strategic and coordinated research approach to the problem must be developed and pursued to address these needs and gaps.

Successful Tree Planting, March 2002

Advance planning, proper species selection, site preparation, careful handling of tree seedlings, and a good weed control program will help assure a successful tree planting. A commitment to plant with care, is an important first step that leads to successful establishment of tree and shrub seedlings.

For Land’s Sake, February 2002

Grass and weeds are a problem because they grow faster and are often taller than young seedlings. They compete with your seedlings for the limited moisture, nutrients, light, and space. Grasses and broadleaf weeds may kill your seedlings. At the very least, they keep seedlings from growing as quickly and vigorously as they would without competition. In addition, a thick stand of grass or weeds next to your seedlings provides habitat for rabbits and rodents who can girdle or cut off your seedlings. The only way to avoid these problems are to control the grass and weeds that cause them.

A Return to Clear Creek, 2006

At one time, Clear Creek lived up to its name. Originally set among the prairie and oak savannah of the Iowa River valley, legend has it that early settler and Johnson County sheriff Samuel Trowbridge gave the creek its name because of its pristine waters. However, the stream’s natural protections began to weaken as more settlers moved into Iowa. Over time, the prairie disappeared, livestock trampled streambanks, the creek was dredged and straightened, wetlands were drained and urban areas began to take their toll.

The Alps Vegetation Database - a geo-referenced community-level archive of all terrestrial plants occurring in the Alps.

Mountain ranges are biodiversity hotspots worldwide and provide refuge to many organisms under contemporary climate change. Gathering field information on mountain biodiversity over time is of primary importance to understand the response of biotic communities to climate changes. For plants, several long-term observation sites and networks of mountain biodiversity are emerging worldwide to gather field data and monitor altitudinal range shifts and community composition changes under contemporary climate change. Most of these monitoring sites, however, focus on alpine ecosystems and mountain summits, such as the global observation research initiative in alpine environments (GLORIA). Here we describe the Alps Vegetation Database, a comprehensive community level archive (GIVD ID EU-00-014) which aims at compiling all available geo-referenced vegetation plots from lowland forests to alpine grasslands across the greatest mountain range in Europe: the Alps. This research initiative was funded between 2008 and 2011 by the Danish Council for Independent Research and was part of a larger project to compare cross-scale plant community structure between the Alps and the Scandes. The Alps Vegetation Database currently harbours 35,731 geo-referenced vegetation plots and 5,023 valid taxa across Mediterranean, temperate and alpine environments. The data are mainly used by the main contributors of the Alps Vegetation Database in an ecoinformatics approach to test hypotheses related to plant macroecology and biogeography, but external proposals for joint collaborations are welcome.

Der akute anale Schmerz [Acute anal pain].

Acute anal pain is a common proctological problem. A detailed history together with the clinical examination are crucial for the diagnosis. An acute perianal vein thrombosis can be successfully excised within the first 72 hours. Acute anal fissures are best treated conservatively using stool regulation and topical medications reducing the sphincter spasm. A chronic anal fissure needs surgery. Perianal abscesses can very often be incised and drained in local anesthesia. Proctalgia fugax and the levator ani syndrome are exclusion diagnoses and are treated symptomatically.

« Recueil de diverses genealogies ».

Contient : « Genealogie des comtes de Lyon et de Forests par Mr le chevalier GUICHENON, avec l'epitaphe d'Artaud, evesque de Belley » ; « Memoires touchant les comtes de Bar sur Seyne », dressés dans une lettre de M. « De VILLEPROUVEE », écrite « à Troyes, ce 4 febvrier 1653 » et adressée au P. J. Vignier ; « Contrele testament de Gerard de Roussillon » ; « Genealogies des maisons de Soissons, de Neelle et autres, par le R. Père JACQUES VIGNIER, de la Compagnie de Jésus » ; « Genealogie de la maison de Grandprey, avec des memoires la concernants » ; Genealogie de la maison de Choiseul par M. le marquis « DE LANQUES » : Notes adressées au R. P. Jacques Vignier, par lettres datées du 4 et du 9 février 1661. Epitaphes de différents membres de la famille de Choiseul, la première relevée à Metz par M. le marquis de Lanques, et les autres par le Père Vignier en l'eglise d'Aigremont et en l'abbaye de Morimond ; Lettre du comte D'HAUSSONVILLE au P. Vignier, concernant les sépultures de la maison de Choiseul à Morimond. « A Choiseul, ce 16 aoust 1658 » ; « Memoires de monseigneur DU CANGE, concernant la maison de Beaujeu » ; « Origine de la maison de Pontaillier ou Pontaillé », par le Père J. Vignier. A la suite : « genealogie de la maison de Pontaillier, suivant les lettres de madame la marquise de Rinel, en 1658 » et « Esclaircissements envoyés au P. J. Vignier de la Cie de Jésus, sur la genealogie de la maison de Pontaillier, descendue des comtes de Champagne » ; « Genealogie de la maison Dessalles de Rorté » adressée dans une lettre datée de Toul, 16 mars 1660, au P. J. Vignier par un descendant de cette famille « LOUYS DESSALLES DE RORTE » ; « Genealogie de la maison de Bourlemont », accompagnee d'une lettre au P. Vignier du Sr DE THUMERY, lettre datée de Bourlemont, le 23 octobre, sans désignation d'année ; « Memoires des seigneurs de Plancy » en Champagne, accompagnés d'une lettre de M. « DE VILLEPROUVEE » au P. J. Vignier ; « Memoires de la maison de Montbel » ; Lettre du Sr « DE VILLEPROUVEE » au P. J. Vignier sur les comtes de Champagne, la maison de Ravenel, les seigneurs de Sablonnière. « Troyes, ce premier de febvrier 1659 » ; Lettre du sieur « DE BEURVILLE » sur le même sujet. Cette lettre, adressée au P. J. Vignier, porte au dos 2 cachets de cire rouge aux armes des Srs de Beurville ; « Lettre de Mr DU LION, Sgr DE POINSSON » au P. J. Vignier, concernant la « genealogie de la maison du Lion ou de Lyon », dont l'auteur de la lettre était issu. Poinsson, 2 janvier 1664 ; Lettre du Sr « DE GAND » concernant sa famille, audit Père. « Dijon, 12 avril 1662 » ; « Genealogie de la maison de Fontetes... prez de St-Seine » ; « Mémoires de la maison de messieurs le Grand » ; « Eloge et genealogie de Jean Mercier, professeur royal en l'Université de Paris » ; Notes, qui semblent autographes, concernant le mariage et la naissance des enfants de JOSIAS MERCIER, seigneur DE GRIGNY etc ; Nouveau tableau généalogique avec blasons relatifs à cette famille ; Lettre autographe signée de PIERRE, « NEVELET DE DOSCHE », audit Père. Chaumont, 11 juin 1662 ; « Genealogie de messieurs de Beze » depuis Guyot de Beze, bourgeois de Cosne, vers le milieu du XVe siècle, jusqu'à Theodore de Beze, qui résigna le prieuré de Villeselve en 1548