WERC Highlights -- November 2000

New Turtle Book Available: A host of international experts on turtle biology and conservation chart successes and failures of past conservation programs, discuss the use of genetics and demography in turtle conservation, and propose more effective strategies that take into account chelonian biology as well as the economic and social situations that affect turtle conservation efforts in a new, 344-page hardback by Smithsonian Institution Press: Turtle Conservation, edited by Michael W. Klemens. Research manager Jeff Lovich of the USGS Western Ecological Rsearch Center is a co-author of the chapter titled "Conservation of Freshwater Turtles," pages 156-179. (Jeff Lovich, Sacramento, CA, 916-278-3210)

Declining Salmon Populations and Sedimentation: In an interview for a story in High Country News, USGS scientist Mary Ann Madej spoke about problems associated with stream sedimentation and fish habitat. Much of the sediment that entered Redwood Creek from road failures and gullies in the 1970's has persisted in the stream channel for decades, although some of it has been transported downstream from its original depositional site. Sedimentation has caused secondary effects as well, including increased bank erosion and higher stream temperatures, which are harmful to several listed salmon species in Redwood Creek. The interview was in response to a controversial report recently published by the Redwood Creek Landowners Association which asserts that current salmon populations are robust and that human-induced sedimentation is not adversely affecting salmon production in Redwood Creek. (Mary Ann Madej, Arcata, CA, 707-825-5148)

Sea Otter Research to be Highlighted at Alaska Conference: USGS scientist Jim Estes is an invited speaker for a plenary lecture at the American Fisheries Society Alaska meeting in Fairbanks, November 13-16. Estes will speak about the importance of apex predators and ecosystem connectivity in designing marine protected areas. Estes, who has studied sea otters in the Aleutians for 30 years reported in 1998 on killer whale predation of sea otters there, and is currently studying marine reserve design in the Aleutians under a Pew grant. (Jim Estes, Santa Cruz, CA, 831-459-2820)

Frog Declines in News: In an interview for a story in the Arizona Daily Star, USGS scientist Cecil Schwalbe spoke about conservation efforts on behalf of Chiricahua leopard frogs, which have disappeared from 80 percent of their former U.S. habitat. Predation by bullfrogs has been a major factor in these declines, and chytrid fungus has been recently found in populations of this leopard frog. Schwalbe said that conservation efforts by a diverse group that has included ranchers, teachers, and schoolchildren have been important in maintaining the frog's gene pool while scientists continue to work with resource managers toward long-term conservation of this species, which has been proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act. (Cecil Schwalbe, Tucson, AZ, 520-621-5508)

California Deserts and Their Human Legacy: USGS scientist and research manager Jeff Lovich spoke about human impacts on ecological patterns and processes in the southern California deserts in an interview for an article in The Press-Enterprise. Profoundly altered since the arrival of modern civilization, portions of this harsh but fragile ecosystem may need centuries to recover. (Jeff Lovich, Sacramento, CA 916-278-3210)

Stream Recovery and Watershed Restoration: In an interview for a story in Forest Magazine, USGS scientist Mary Ann Madej spoke about long-term trends in river channel changes and the watershed restoration program in Redwood National and State Parks. Stream channels in the Redwood Creek watershed are slowly recovering from past episodes of severe sedimentation, but a flood in 1997 caused a small reversal in that trend. Watershed restoration efforts, especially removal of abandoned forest roads, have contributed to recovery in several salmon-bearing streams. Pools are deeper and more frequent, and the quality of spawning gravels has improved. (Mary Ann Madej, Arcata, CA, 707-825-5148)