Extension

Although nitrogen (N) is prevalent in urban stormwater, regulation of this pollutant has occurred only more recently. This paper reviews the concerns over N in urban stormwater, mechanisms and design enhancements for N uptake and denitrification through various stormwater control measures (SCMs), and presents opportunities to integrate this current knowledge into the regulatory framework. A survey of personnel directly involved in various aspects of US state and territory NPDES programs revealed that the top three pollutants of concern were total suspended solids (TSS), pathogens and bacteria, and total phosphorus (TP). Surprisingly, nitrate (NO3−) was of little concern among the survey respondents, with 3.9% giving it the highest level of concern, 2.0% ranking it second, and 6.0% ranking it third. When asked which strategies were currently used in their geographic area for stormwater management, the most common results were wet ponds and dry ponds. At the same time, wet ponds and dry ponds were recognized as less effective practices to manage stormwater.A review of current literature reveals that several alternative SCMs, such as bioretention, filters, and wetlands, show greater promise in their ability to remove N from stormwater than more conventional practices such as dry ponds and wet ponds. Enhanced N removal via denitrification and plant uptake is often observed under the combination of aerobic followed by sustained anoxic conditions, the presence of a carbon source (organic material), and the presence of mature, dense vegetation.Given the lack of concern or awareness of local officials related to N loading from urban stormwater, and variation in the efficacy of various SCMs, it is not surprising that regulators remain focused on conventional dry pond and wet pond control measures. More needs to be done to quantify the impact of urban sources of N on water quality and aquatic ecosystems. In addition, greater focus needs to be placed on the development of design criteria for SCMs, such as bioretention, filters, and constructed wetlands, which show more promise for N removal.

ABSTRACT Over the past 15 yr, an invasive cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, has covered more than 5000 ha of tidal mudflats in Willapa Bay, Washington, threatening key shorebird habitat on the Pacific Flyway. Although chemical and mechanical control methods have been used to manage Spartina in Willapa Bay, little is known about how these methods affect subsequent use by shorebirds and waterfowl. During 2003–2004, four sites were monitored for 10-min periods for use by shorebirds [Dunlin (Calidris alpina), Western Sandpiper (C. mauri), Least Sandpiper (C. minutilla), Black-bellied Plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) and Long-billed and Short-billed dowitchers (Limnodromus sp.)] and waterfowl [Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Gadwall (A. strepera), American Wigeon (A. americana), Green-winged Teal (A. crecca), and Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)]. The four sites were bare mudflat (never infested with Spartina), tilled Spartina meadow (free of live Spartina and dead stubble), herbicide-sprayed Spartina meadow (10% living Spartina and 30% dead stubble), and an untreated Spartina meadow. Untreated Spartina meadow was rarely used by birds, with a mean of seven small Calidris sandpipers (peeps) and 0.8 waterfowl ha−1. Mean numbers of peeps and waterfowl observed using the herbicide-treated Spartina meadow were 62 and 16 ha−1, and the tilled Spartina meadow were 700 and 27 ha−1, respectively. Mean use of the adjacent bare mud site by peeps and waterfowl was 450 and 11 ha−1, respectively. The untreated Spartina meadow, sprayed meadow, tilled meadow and the bare mud site had mean densities of Black-bellied Plovers and dowitchers of 26, 24, 6, and 0 ha−1, and 0.8, 6, 0.3, and 0 ha−1, respectively. Our results demonstrate that, within several years of removal of invasive Spartina from mudflats in a large Washington estuary by either mechanical or chemical means, use by shorebirds and waterfowl will increase dramatically.Durante los últimos 15 años la yerba invasiva Spartina alterniflora ha cubierto más de 5000 ha de lodazales en la Bahía de Willapa en Washington, amenazando un hábitat de gran importancia para los playeros que usan la vía del Pacífico. Aunque se han utilizado controles químicos y mecánicos para manejar a la yerba, se sabe muy poco de como dichos métodos afectan el uso subsecuente del área por parte de playeros y aves acuáticas. Durante el 2003–2004, se monitorearon cuatro localidades por periodos de 10 minutos ara determinar el uso de parte de Calidris alpina, C. mauri, C. minutilla, Pluvialis squatarola, Limnodromus sp. y anseriformes tales como Anas platyrhynchos, A. strepera, A. americana, A. crecca y Branta canadensis. Los hábitats monitoreados incluyen lodazales limpios (nunca cubiertos por Spartina), praderas cultivadas (libres de Spartina viva con organismos muertos), pradera tratada con yerbicida (10% de Spartina viva y 30% de organismos muertos) y lodazal con Spartina sin recibir tratamiento. Las áreas que no fueron tratadas fueron utilizadas muy rara vez, con un promedio de 7 playeros y 0.8 patos por ha. El número promedio de playeros y patos observados en áreas tratadas resulto ser de 62 y 16 ind/ha, respectivamente y en las praderas cultivadas libres de Spartina se encontraron 62 y 16 ind/ha y 700 y 27 ind/ha, respectivamente. El uso promedio de lodazales desnudos de parte de playeros y patos lo fue de 450 y 11 ha−1, respectivamente. El área de Spartina sin tratar, área tratada con yerbicida, la pradera cultivada y el lodazal desnudo tuvieron una densidad promedio de P. squatarola y Limnodromus sp. de 26, 24, 6 y 0 ha−1 y 0.8, 6, 0.3 y 0 ha−1, respectivamente. Nuestros resultados demuestran que si se remueve la Spartina de lodazales en el gran estuario de Washington, ya sea por forma química o mecánica, el uso de estas áreas por playeros y anseriformes va a incrementar dramáticamente.

In Washington, over fifty percent of the wheat produced under rainfed conditions receives less than 300 mm of annual precipitation. Hence, a winter wheat-summer fallow cropping system has been adopted to obtain adequate moisture for winter wheat production. Current tilled fallow systems are exposed to significant soil degradation from wind and water erosion. As a result, late-planted no-till fallow systems are being evaluated to mitigate erosion concerns. The objective of this study was to evaluate current cultivars under late-planted no-till fallow systems to identify whether current breeding schemes in tilled fallow systems could select productive cultivars in late-planted no-till fallow systems. Thirty cultivars were planted in a split-plot design with fallow type as the main plot and genotype as the sub-plot. Fallow types evaluated were a tilled fallow system and a late planted no-till fallow system. Data were collected on heading date, plant height, grain volume weight, grain yield, and grain protein content. Analysis of variance was conducted on data across locations. Results were significant for all traits except for grain protein content. The late-planted no-till fallow system headed 16 days later was 5 cm shorter, yielded 36% less, and had a grain volume weight 3% less than the tilled fallow system. The lower yield and grain volume weight potential is hypothesized to be due to the 16 day delay in heading date leading to warmer temperatures during grain fill and a shorter duration. In order to breed wheat to be highly productive under a late-planted no-till fallow OPEN ACCESS Sustainability 2011, 3 1225 system, directly selecting in this system for early spring growth and earlier heading dates will be essential.

Background and Purpose: Research has shown correlations between mindfulness, yoga and reduced risky behaviors among incarcerated and high-risk populations. Research has also shown that yoga can increase positive mental and physical health. Purpose: The present study extends current knowledge by combining a parenting program with yoga instruction in a 12-session series delivered to incarcerated fathers. We hypothesized that participants' resilience and parenting knowledge would increase from beginning to end of program. Methods: Using three measures for parental resiliency and one program scale for parenting, we assessed pretest to posttest changes in 65 of 112 criminal justice-involved fathers who completed a parenting curriculum that includes yoga and mindfulness instruction. Results: Participants significantly improved on two of three measures of resilience: overall Self Compassion Scale (SCS), and overall Whole Person Scale (WPS), which includes a total of three of six SCS subscales and three of four WPS subscales, from pretest to posttest; and on a parenting scale (Fit2bFathers Program Scale). Conclusion: The study provides preliminary evidence that a parenting program with yoga instruction may be an effective intervention for high-risk populations where parenting skills may be limited or stressed.

Background and Purpose: Research has shown correlations between mindfulness, yoga and reduced risky behaviors among incarcerated and high-risk populations. Research has also shown that yoga can increase positive mental and physical health. Purpose: The present study extends current knowledge by combining a parenting program with yoga instruction in a 12-session series delivered to incarcerated fathers. We hypothesized that participants' resilience and parenting knowledge would increase from beginning to end of program. Methods: Using three measures for parental resiliency and one program scale for parenting, we assessed pretest to posttest changes in 65 of 112 criminal justice-involved fathers who completed a parenting curriculum that includes yoga and mindfulness instruction. Results: Participants significantly improved on two of three measures of resilience: overall Self Compassion Scale (SCS), and overall Whole Person Scale (WPS), which includes a total of three of six SCS subscales and three of four WPS subscales, from pretest to posttest; and on a parenting scale (Fit2bFathers Program Scale). Conclusion: The study provides preliminary evidence that a parenting program with yoga instruction may be an effective intervention for high-risk populations where parenting skills may be limited or stressed.

By manipulating plant variety and predator species, we investigated the interactions of plant and predator traits in determining predation effectiveness. The predators were all coccinellid adults (Hippodamia convergens, Hippodamia variegata, Coccinella apunctata, and Coccinella septempunctata) and the prey were cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae). Foraging behavior of the four predators was observed on four crucifers that differed widely in their structures and surface textures (Brassica oleracea caulorapa, Brassica campestris, Brassica juncea crispifolia, and Hirschfeldia incana). Predation rates were significantly influenced by plant variety, a result we attribute to direct effects of plant morphology on predator mobility, falling frequency, and prey accessibility. Predation rates did not vary significantly among the ladybirds, although the four species did exhibit distinct foraging strategies as measured by time spent actively foraging, the rate of encountering aphids, and the fraction of aphids encountered that were consumed. The coccinellids also differed in their propensity for flying away from the plant, and in the frequency with which they fell from the plant. We did not detect any significant interaction effects between plant and predator species, suggesting that the main effects of plant and predator species may overwhelm their interactions in this kind of system. Our results suggest that the level of predation upon herbivorous insects may depend more upon plant architecture than on the particular species of natural enemies present.

By manipulating plant variety and predator species, we investigated the interactions of plant and predator traits in determining predation effectiveness. The predators were all coccinellid adults (Hippodamia convergens, Hippodamia variegata, Coccinella apunctata, and Coccinella septempunctata) and the prey were cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae). Foraging behavior of the four predators was observed on four crucifers that differed widely in their structures and surface textures (Brassica oleracea caulorapa, Brassica campestris, Brassica juncea crispifolia, and Hirschfeldia incana). Predation rates were significantly influenced by plant variety, a result we attribute to direct effects of plant morphology on predator mobility, falling frequency, and prey accessibility. Predation rates did not vary significantly among the ladybirds, although the four species did exhibit distinct foraging strategies as measured by time spent actively foraging, the rate of encountering aphids, and the fraction of aphids encountered that were consumed. The coccinellids also differed in their propensity for flying away from the plant, and in the frequency with which they fell from the plant. We did not detect any significant interaction effects between plant and predator species, suggesting that the main effects of plant and predator species may overwhelm their interactions in this kind of system. Our results suggest that the level of predation upon herbivorous insects may depend more upon plant architecture than on the particular species of natural enemies present.