Article
Entomology
Kelli J. McKeegan, Nadya D. Muchoney, Mike B. Teglas, Matthew L. Forister, Angela M. Smilanich
Summary: This study investigates the spatial and temporal variation of Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDV) infection in populations of the Melissa blue butterfly using two different host plants, and finds population-specific variation in viral prevalence across collection years. The study also observes an accumulation of virus over the season and a lack of viral genetic diversity between different localities. The findings emphasize the importance of multiple sampling efforts and ecological factors in understanding disease prevalence in wild insect populations.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Austin M. Yantes, Samuel P. Reed, Anna M. Yang, Rebecca A. Montgomery
Summary: Temperate savannas are unique and biodiverse ecosystems that have experienced extensive habitat conversion worldwide. In the midwestern United States, the majority of historic oak savanna area has been lost, and the remaining patches are degraded due to the absence of fire and large herbivore disturbances. Restoring the degraded savanna remnants is challenging due to a lack of understanding of how to effectively mimic historic disturbance dynamics.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Stephanie A. A. Rivest, E. M. Wolkovich, Heather M. M. Kharouba
Summary: The study explored the impact of non-native plants on native butterflies and found that non-native plants can positively interact with native butterflies by providing nectar. The flowering time of plants directly influences butterfly visitation and nectar availability. The study also revealed that non-native plants were well integrated into butterfly diets and were preferred by butterflies over native plants. This suggests that non-native plants can be a valuable resource for native butterflies.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Aristides Moustakas, Orestis Davlias
Summary: Recent wildfires have surpassed national firefighting capabilities, sparking debates on using prescribed burns to control their spread. Machine learning analysis showed that while fire return interval and seasonality play a role in moderating fire spread rate and intensity, meteorological variables still have the most significant impact.
STOCHASTIC ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND RISK ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Scott R. Abella, LaRae A. Sprow, Timothy A. Schetter
Summary: Delayed tree mortality in eastern North American oak forests varied with species and stem diameter after prescribed fires in northwestern Ohio. Single surface fires may reduce encroaching red maple stems in oak forests, but reductions may not be apparent for at least 3-4 growing seasons after fires, accompanied by minimal mortality of large oaks.
Article
Ecology
Cody L. Dems, Alan H. Taylor, Erica A. H. Smithwick, Jesse K. Kreye, Margot W. Kaye
Summary: Prescribed fire use has increased significantly in Pennsylvania since 2009, prompting the need for more studies on forest response. This study in the Appalachian Mountains region of central Pennsylvania found that forest structure and composition changed significantly after prescribed fire, with different tree species showing varying responses. The shifts in tree species abundance and structural changes highlight the important role of prescribed fire in influencing forest composition and structure.
Article
Ecology
Ermias Aynekulu, Gudeta W. Sileshi, Todd S. Rosenstock, Meine van Noordwijk, Diress Tsegaye, Jonas Koala, Louis Sawadogo, Eleanor Milne, Jan de Leeuw, Keith Shepherd
Summary: The study found that 19 years of prescribed annual burning and livestock exclusion did not have a significant impact on SOC and TN concentrations, nor did it result in a significant increase in tree density. Restricting burning or grazing did not lead to an increase in SOC stocks in the dry savanna ecosystem, contrary to expectations and current policy recommendations.
BASIC AND APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bradley A. Pickens, Jeffrey F. Marcus, John P. Carpenter, Scott Anderson, Paul J. Taillie, Jaime A. Collazo
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2017)
Article
Ornithology
Bradley A. Pickens, Sammy L. King, Phillip L. Vasseur, Sara E. Zimorski, Will Selman
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bradley A. Pickens, Rua S. Mordecai, C. Ashton Drew, Louise B. Alexander-Vaughn, Amy S. Keister, Hilary L. C. Morris, Jaime A. Collazo
JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2017)
Article
Ornithology
Bradley A. Pickens, Sammy L. King
Article
Ecology
Bradley A. Pickens, Sammy L. King
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2014)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bradley A. Pickens, Sammy L. King
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2014)
Article
Ornithology
Bradley A. Pickens, Sammy L. King
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kevin D. Friedland, Michelle Bachman, Andrew Davies, Romain Frelat, M. Conor McManus, Ryan Morse, Bradley A. Pickens, Szymon Smolinski, Kisei Tanaka
Summary: Species distribution models for marine organisms are increasingly utilized for spatial planning, conservation, and fisheries management. Various mathematical forms and physical/biological independent variables are used, with first-generation models mainly following linear or smoothing spline forms. Machine learning methods were used to evaluate different classes of variables, showing that physical and secondary production variables have the greatest contribution, while terrain variables have the least contribution. The presence and absence of species are defined by factors such as water depth, temperature, chlorophyll concentration, and specific zooplankton taxa, with strong seasonal variations.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bradley A. Pickens, Rachel Carroll, J. Christopher Taylor
Summary: The study found that the marine distribution of fish and shrimp species is influenced by nearby wetlands and estuarine areas. Oceanographic predictors had the greatest influence in each of the models, shaping the distinct spatial distribution of each species based on these conditions. Considering different spatial scales is crucial in identifying species-habitat relationships.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bradley A. Pickens, Rachel Carroll, Michael J. Schirripa, Francesca Forrestal, Kevin D. Friedland, J. Christopher Taylor
Summary: As time progresses, predictive studies on marine fish have increased, but research on some fish guilds remains sparse. Research themes focus on habitat suitability and distribution shifts, with methodologies and predictor variables differing among fish guilds.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bradley A. Pickens, J. Christopher Taylor, Mark Finkbeiner, Deena Hansen, Lora Turner
Summary: The study aimed to model shoal distribution across the U.S. Atlantic shelf using publicly available bathymetry data and multiple variables for shoal classification, with validation conducted using databases to assess classification accuracy. The results showed that the methodology may be applicable to identify sand shoals elsewhere in the world with currently available data, providing insights for strategic decision-making in offshore marine sand management.
JOURNAL OF COASTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Bradley A. Pickens, Karen V. Root
JOURNAL OF THE LEPIDOPTERISTS SOCIETY
(2008)
Article
Ecology
Bradley A. Pickens, Karen V. Root
NATURAL AREAS JOURNAL
(2008)
Article
Zoology
B. A. Pickens
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2007)