To determine possible causes of declining Rio Grande wild turkey (RGWT; Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) abundance in the southern Edwards Plateau, research was conducted on 4 sites, 2 with stable (S [SA and SB]; Kerr and Real counties) and 2 with declining (D [DA and DB]; Bandera County) RGWT populations. RGWTs were trapped, radio-tagged, and tracked. Ranges were constructed with 95% kernels. Data on brood survival and invertebrate and predator abundances were combined with range characteristics to assess habitat at a landscape scale. Annual range sizes did not differ in year 1, but were larger in S than in D in year 2. Range sizes in S increased from year 1 to year 2 while there was no change in range sizes in D. Range overlap was higher in D than S in both years. Movement distances remained consistent in S for both years, but were larger in D during year 1. During year 1 and year 2, RGWT females exhibited larger reproductive ranges and less range overlap in S. Invertebrate abundance for 4 insect orders was 2.5–15.9 times greater in S than in D while coyote abundance was 2–3 times greater in D than in S. Results were similar in year 3, with the exception of SB, where reproductive ranges and spatial arrangement were smaller than all other sites. My results refute the conventional assumption that larger ranges are indicative of poorer habitat quality. Range overlap suggests that useable space may have been limiting in D in the less productive year 2. In D, multiple broods used the same reproductive range, presumably depleting resources faster than in S. Greater predator abundance in D increased the risk of brood predation. The smaller reproductive spatial arrangement of SB females in year 3 correlates there being >3 times the percentage of females missing in other sites. If SB females moved further in year 3 than the detection distance of the radio telemetry equipment, the results would fit the pattern of greater dispersion distance in SA. RGWT females may attempt to separate themselves from other breeding females, possibly to avoid nest or brood predation and/or potential competition for brood resources.

INTRODUCTION: HIV disease is thought to be cluster in specific areas rather than be evenly distributed. A study to show a significantly higher HIV risk in certain geographical areas would be beneficial for resource allocation purposes. AIM: The purpose of this study is to describe the demographics of the study population, describe the demographics of those participants that tested HIV-positive, and determine the associations between zip code of residence, HIV infection, and risky behavior. METHODS: Data were collected by Georgia State University’s Center of Excellence for Health Disparities Research for The Geography Project. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed on select variables. A p-value of < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine significance. RESULTS: Participants in high risk groups zip codes were roughly 6.7 times more likely to have been given an HIV-positive result prior to the survey (OR=6.717, CI=1.989-22.683, p=.000), 4.4 times more likely to have been infected with HIV at the time of the survey (OR=4.402, CI=2.109-9.187, p=.000), and 1.4 times more likely to have more than 3 sex contacts in the 6 months prior to the survey (OR=1.425, CI=1.075-1.890, p=.014). The association between HIV and persons that identify as transgender was extremely significant (OR= 28.335, CI=8.305-96.678, p=.000). DISCUSSION: The results indicated that participants in the high risk zip codes group were at a higher risk for HIV infection and having 3 or more sex contacts in the 6 months prior to the interview.

The spatial structure of white spruce populations was studied in 52 stands. White spruce tree density increased with age in the 200-year chronosequence after fire. Tree height and DBH peaked at about 120 years after fire. Sapling density along the chronosequence after clearcutting exhibited similar pattern to that after fire, but peaked earlier. White spruce seedlings were present in various densities and heights along the chronosequence after fire, producing uneven-aged stands. Seedling regeneration was mostly on the LFH layer (72%) in younger plots and on logs (97%) in old plots. Seedlings in both regeneration types were evenly spaced at a young age. This pattern changed to random and clumped in older stands. Artificially planted clearcuts formed more even-aged stands. Physiological, morphological and growth responses to sun and shade treatments in the greenhouse were examined in white spruce seedlings collected from three naturally-regenerated (N1, N2 and N3) and three field-planted (P1, P2, and P3) stands. Dark respiration and light compensation points declined by 70 and 81% respectively, in shade- compared to sun-acclimated seedlings. Quantum yield, total chlorophyll content, specific leaf area and absolute water content increased by 45, 33, 32 and 50% respectively, in response to shade treatment. Height was not affected by light regime. Fewer and longer secondary branches were noticed in the shade compared to full sun. At light saturation, populations P1 and N3 showed similar photosynthetic responses under both light regimes (around 6 [mu]mol m-2 s-1). Populations P2, P3 and N2 performed more poorly in the sun than in the shade (8.2, 8.7 and 9.1 in shade, versus 5.1, 4.1 and 5.5 in full sun, respectively). Photosynthetic rate in N1 was greater in full sun than in shade (14.7 and 11.1 [mu]mol m -2 s-1, respectively). Differences in physiological responses to light among populations suggest the presence of more than one ecotype. The variation in physiological and morphological parameters within field-planted and naturally-regenerated populations was large, and did not show any obvious differences among populations. RAPD analysis showed abundant polymorphism in all populations. The naturally-regenerated arid the field-planted populations demonstrated similar within and among regeneration-type variation. Of the total genetic variation 82.9% was due to intra-population variation, while inter-population variation and regeneration type accounted for 16.7 and 0.4% of the total variation, respectively. It appears that selection pressure during reforestation was not great enough to cause a significant decline in the genetic diversity of field-planted compared to naturally-regenerated white spruce.

This study investigated the distribution, growth and reproduction of splendid ponyfish (Leiognathus splendens), the most dominant fish species in the catches of demersal trawls, along the coastal waters off southwestern Taiwan. Samples were collected once every 1-2 month (7-8 times per year), from January 2001 to January 2004 at seven stations, including Fangliao, Linbian, Dapeng Bay, Linyuan, Jhongjhou, Zuoying and Jiading, in southwestern Taiwan. The results showed that the distribution of L. splendens had significant differences among seasons, sites and water depths. The monthly mean abundance peaked in April, July and December, whereas lowest in January. L. splendens appeared in the north of Jhonhjhou only in the period from June to November. Based on their occurrence, the ponyfish could be separated into south and north groups at Linyuan. The south group can be further divided into inshore and offshore subgroups. The south group was more abundant than the north group. The size of L. splendens ranged from 15.32 mm to 121.01 mm (TL¡×total length), with an asymptotic length (L¡Û) of 128.20 mm and a catabolic growth coefficient (K) of 0.16(on a yearly basis). The ova diameter raged from 101.01 to 966.37 um with a peak between 500 and 600 um. The reproductive characteristic of L. splendens postulated as an asynchrouous spawner, who may spawn from March to May at Dapeng Bay and Linbian. The sex ratio (female/male) was less than 0.5 in total samples, and their first maturity length (L50) for female and male were 72.93 mm and 68.22 mm respectively. The distribution of L. splendens is associated with hydrology, season and ocean current. Higher abundance is normally coincided with low salinity, density, oxygen dissolution, and high water temperature and high value of Cpar (corrected irradiance-photosynthetically available radiation). The SCSW (South China Sea Water) and SCSSW(South China Sea Surface Water) with high temperature and low salinity flowing northward into the Taiwan Strait during the southwest monsoon season of May-September may deeply influence the northward distribution of the fish. Bigger fish and mature female capture during the spawning season from March to May, besides, smaller fish (TL¡Õ 20 mm) abundance on April, July and October. Additionally, the rainfall and nutrient wash away from onshore by typhoons, are the factors increase catches of L. splendens in the coastal waters of southwestern Taiwan.

This study investigated the use of high resolution satellite imagery in research involving habitat selection, and movement patterns of white-tailed deer and cattle in a semi-arid landscape. Vegetation classification was developed based on Ikonos satellite imagery that was then used to define habitat selection and characterize movement paths of deer and cattle to allow a better understanding of these 2 species. Pasture attributes were also measured to determine animal distribution throughout the study area in relation to roads, fences, water location, and supplemental feeders. Three cattle and 3 free ranging white-tailed deer were used during 3 trials to test seasonal differences in habitat selection and spatial distribution across the pasture. Ikonos satellite imagery was classified to a final classification accuracy of 83.6%. Seven vegetation classes were defined in the classification with 1 class of bare ground/ herbaceous that represents interspaces between shrub vegetation. Classification accuracy was obtained using a ?? meter buffer to all ground control points increasing the accuracy from 71.29%. All physical pasture attributes were significant to animal distributions in the study area when compared to the random distribution. Roads and water location were most important to cattle during the spring and summer. White tailed deer use of the pasture was more dependent on vegetation characteristics than physical attributes. Both cattle and deer selected habitat patches with a proportionately large percentage of bare-ground/interspaces (>40%). Deer were predominately found in areas containing higher percentages of shrub species, while cattle were found in areas containing a mixture of larger tree species in addition to shrub complexes. Travel velocity and path tortuosity were measured to determine effects of vegetation attributes on animal movements. Both cattle and deer followed fairly linear paths (Fractal Dimension<1.2). Factors contributing to path tortuosity included mean patch size, number patches, and patch fractal dimension. Travel velocity was also measured and compared to vegetation association attributes. Travel velocity was significantly different between seasons for white-tailed deer however cattle and deer comparisons were not significant across the 3 trials. Number of patches, patch fractal dimension, mean patch size, and patch area were significant in the travel velocity model.

To determine possible causes of declining Rio Grande wild turkey (RGWT; Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) abundance in the southern Edwards Plateau, research was conducted on 4 sites, 2 with stable (S [SA and SB]; Kerr and Real counties) and 2 with declining (D [DA and DB]; Bandera County) RGWT populations. RGWTs were trapped, radio-tagged, and tracked. Ranges were constructed with 95% kernels. Data on brood survival and invertebrate and predator abundances were combined with range characteristics to assess habitat at a landscape scale. Annual range sizes did not differ in year 1, but were larger in S than in D in year 2. Range sizes in S increased from year 1 to year 2 while there was no change in range sizes in D. Range overlap was higher in D than S in both years. Movement distances remained consistent in S for both years, but were larger in D during year 1. During year 1 and year 2, RGWT females exhibited larger reproductive ranges and less range overlap in S. Invertebrate abundance for 4 insect orders was 2.5–15.9 times greater in S than in D while coyote abundance was 2–3 times greater in D than in S. Results were similar in year 3, with the exception of SB, where reproductive ranges and spatial arrangement were smaller than all other sites. My results refute the conventional assumption that larger ranges are indicative of poorer habitat quality. Range overlap suggests that useable space may have been limiting in D in the less productive year 2. In D, multiple broods used the same reproductive range, presumably depleting resources faster than in S. Greater predator abundance in D increased the risk of brood predation. The smaller reproductive spatial arrangement of SB females in year 3 correlates there being >3 times the percentage of females missing in other sites. If SB females moved further in year 3 than the detection distance of the radio telemetry equipment, the results would fit the pattern of greater dispersion distance in SA. RGWT females may attempt to separate themselves from other breeding females, possibly to avoid nest or brood predation and/or potential competition for brood resources.

Air quality was influenced by many factors, in South Taiwan, air pollutants transportation caused by monsoon or sea-land breeze that may caused high air pollution events. Air pollutant generated by human activity on daytime, then transported and accumulated at sea region by land breeze during the nighttime. Unfortunately, air pollutants that accumulated over sea on night may transport back to land by sea breeze on daytime. Besides, monsoon may carry air pollutants from other regions to South Taiwan and caused high air quality event. Till now, air quality influenced by sea-land breeze and monsoon were not verified in South Taiwan. This study investigated the temporal variation and spatial distribution of air pollutants in the atmosphere around the coastal region of South Taiwan. Ambient air pollutants were simultaneously monitored both inland and offshore. Inland monitoring was conducted at two sites associated with fourteen national air quality monitoring stations, while offshore monitoring was conducted at two sites both in an island and on the boat. A protocol of ambient air quality monitoring was conducted for forty-eight hours. Gaseous air pollutants (i.e. CO, SO2, NOX, THC, and O3) were continuously monitored instrumentally. Data obtained from both inland and offshore monitoring were applied to plot the concentration contour by a software SURFER. Hourly variation of air pollutant concentrations was further used to study the influences of sea-land breezes on the transportation of air pollutants around the coastal region of South Taiwan for different seasons. In August and November, 2006 and May, 2007, sea-land breeze was observed during sampling period and sea breeze arise from 9:00 A.M. to 24:00 P.M. The average wind velocity was 1~4 m/s during the sampling period. In January and March, 2007, prevail wind direction was north direction and northeast direction (270o~30o), that was influenced by northeast monsoon during the sampling period. The average wind velocity was 2~4 m/s. The results showed that distribution of air pollutants, including O3, NOX, THC, and CO influenced by sea-land breezes, particularly for ozone. Air pollutants transported to sea region during the nighttime, and transported back at daytime. This phenomenon cause air pollutants accumulated between Kao-Ping and sea region. In general, NOX generated by transportation and industrial process, thus high concentration of NOX appeared during traffic congestion period and at industry region, mainly Kaohsiung city and Linyuang industrial region. However, sea-land breeze effect upon transportation of air pollutants wasn¡¦t obvious for SO2. High SO2 concentration appeared at Linyuang industrial region and Siaogang at daytime, and transported to region along the coast. During northeastern monsoon season, northeast winds obstructed by Central Mountain Range cause air pollutants accumulated at Kao-Ping region. High NOX concentration appeared at Kaohsiung City and Linyuang industrial region. SO2 accumulated at Siaogang and Linyuang during the nighttime might be caused by high atmospheric pressure system and blew air pollutants to Linbian. CO was accumulated at Siaogang at daytime and transported to Donggang, while THC was accumulated at Donggang whole day.

<p>The concentration and storage of organic chlorine and chloride were determined in soil, to a depth of 40 cm, in a coniferous forest in the Stubbetorp catchment area in south-east Sweden. Also, the spatial distribution of the two forms of chlorine was determined. Soil samples were collected at 49 of the nodes in a grid with approximately 105 m between the nodes. The analysis of spatial variability suggested that no spatial autocorrelation was present either within the variable organic chlorine or chloride. This means that no sample was more influenced by another nearby sample, as compared to other samples further away. Instead, linear interpolation was used to construct contour maps of the concentrations. </p><p>The contour maps indicated that the two forms of chlorine have similar spatial patterns and the highest concentrations could be found in the main valley area, with moss soil and forest dominated by pine (Pinus sylvestris (L.)). The two variables showed a significant positive correlation. This could be due to the fact that chloride is the limiting factor for formation in Swedish soil or that the two forms of chlorine are only indirectly related through variables as soil moisture or organic matter. The storage of organic chlorine when a depth of 40 cm was taken into account was seven times the storage compared to an earlier study where only the top-soil was sampled. </p><p>The storage of organic chlorine in the area is of such size that changes in this storage are likely to have an impact on the transport of chloride. The fact that no spatial autocorrelation could be found in either of the variables suggests that the scale chosen is not suitable for describing spatial autocorrelation on a smaller level, due to processes e.g. microbially induced formation. At the same time the chosen scale is probably too small for detecting spatial autocorrelation on the larger scale due to e.g. deposition and precipitation.</p>

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a widely used class of flame retardants that are important sources for contamination in the marine environment. Sediments serve as a large reservoir for PBDEs due to their large sorption capacity. This research assessed the presence and distribution of PBDEs in Hillsborough Bay, a subdivision of Tampa Bay, FL, by determining levels in surface sediment samples, creating a historical profile of the contaminant in a sediment core taken from within the bay, and investigating sediment characteristics that control their distribution. Compositional patterns and temporal distributions of 8 of the 209 congeners of PBDEs (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183 and 209) were determined in sediment surface samples and a sediment core collected throughout the study area. Contaminant concentrations varied spatially due to proximity to sources and the spatial variability of physical processes that suspend or remove contaminants from the water column. Concentrations in the bay also varied in time with factors such as wind, precipitation, and subsequent freshwater runoff. PBDE contamination in surficial sediments from various regions of Tampa Bay is not well correlated with sediment grain size or organic matter content, but these factors may be more important in suspended sediments which may control the fate of these contaminants in the bay. The results from this investigation can be used in understanding the extent of PBDE pollution, identifying sources, as well as implementing management strategies for Hillsborough Bay.

Although forest properties are known to influence snowpack accumulation and spring runoff, the processes underlying the impacts of forest canopy cover on the input of snowmelt to the catchment remain poorly characterized. In this study I show that throughfall and canopy shading can combine to result in maximal snowpacks in forests of moderate canopy density. Snow depth and density data taken shortly before spring melt in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico show strong correlation between forest canopy density and snow water equivalent, with maximal snow accumulation in forests with density between 25 and 45%. Forest edges are also shown to be highly influential on local snow depth variability, with shaded open areas holding significantly deeper snow than either unshaded open or deep forest areas. These results are broadly applicable in improving estimates of water resource availability, predicting the ecohydrological implications of vegetation change, and informing integrated water resources management.