KNOWLEDGE ENGINEERING
Knowledge engineering is an activity that embraces a set of concepts and methodologies dealing with (1) acquisition of knowledge, (2) analysis and synthesis of data and information [quantities], (3) integration and interpretation of knowledge [quantities and qualities], and (4) application of knowledge In the context of landscape ecological investigations and landscape-use management, the goal of knowledge engineering is to facilitate use of the full extent of knowledge available on a subject of interest.
Assessing efficacy of amphibian and reptile exclusion fence (AREF) to prevent herpetofauna, with emphasis on Houston toad, from entering construction zones, 2020–2022, Texas Department of Transportation Research Technology Implementation Project Agreement No. 0-7078- $471,644.00
The Houston toad (Anaxyrus/Bufo houstonensis) (HT) is federally protected endangered species and the first amphibian to be added to the endangered species list in 1973. They are endangered due to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as secondary threats such as agriculture, roadkill, and construction. Due to the possibility of incidental take in construction areas within the limited range of the Houston toad, effective measures, such as amphibian and reptile exclusion fencing (AREF) must be taken to reduce the risk of toad mortality within these areas. The effectiveness of AREF in keeping toads out of the construction site is critical to both protecting the toad and preventing project delays and additional costs. We test specially designed amphibian and wildlife fencing in a controlled outdoor field arena and along roadsides; results will determine the efficacy and cost effectiveness for all trialed fencing types in excluding Houston toads and other herpetofauna, as well as allowing their escape (jumpout) if they become trapped in construction zones or roadways.
Evaluating fall monarch butterfly roadkill hotspot incidence and potential roadkill mitigation, 2019–2021, Texas Department of Transportation Research Technology Implementation Project Agreement No. 0-7022- $348,294.75
Monarch roadkill significantly contributes to the long-term annual exponential population decline of migrating eastern monarch butterflies. Transect counts of arthropod roadkill and roadside nectar plants were made throughout most of Texas for Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021. Lepidoptera generally dominated Texas fall and spring arthropod roadkill, except in the spring of 2020 when Hymenoptera and Coleoptera dominated. Roadkill of pierid butterflies, such as the orange sulphur, exceeded that of monarchs in the fall of 2020. Monarchs were generally a minor component of butterfly roadkill in the spring of 2020 and 2021, when orange sulphur roadkill dominated. The most consistent perennial fall monarch roadkill hotspot zones were along IH-10 between Sonora and Sheffield (San Angelo District) and Sanderson Canyon along US-90 (Odessa District) in the Central Funnel, and the Lavaca Bay (Yoakum District), Lyndon B Johnson and John F Kennedy (Corpus Christi District) causeways in the Coastal Funnel. These perennial hotspot zones should be the focus of any trials of direct mitigation to reduce monarch roadkill. Potential options for mitigation of monarch roadkill in Texas were examined from a multi-species perspective to maximize benefits for a wide variety of fauna impacted by roadkill, as well as for the protection of driver safety and property. Successful examples of direct roadkill mitigation for other butterflies include connectivity enhancement using various wildlife crossing structures, including diversion netting and wildlife overpasses. Compensatory mitigation via monarch habitat enhancement and restoration was examined for Texas considering existing efforts and best management practices for regionally important nectar plant and milkweed species on farmlands, urban areas, and right of ways. The advantages and disadvantages of six direct and seven indirect (compensatory) monarch roadkill mitigation strategies were outlined for Texas roadways. TxDOT has already engaged in three of the seven identified compensatory mitigation strategies, making continued compensatory mitigation more cost effective than direct mitigation. Specific species recommendations were made for continued modification of the TxDOT pollinator seed mixes with additional monarch-preferred milkweeds and nectar species. Habitat enhancement of existing hotspots of roadside milkweeds and monarch nectar plants by establishing monarch habitat roadside marked Special Management Areas (SMAs) is a potentially effective additional compensatory mitigation strategy. Compensatory mitigation focused on enhancing spring season roadside milkweed production as food for first- and second-generation monarch larvae should have the greatest potential for increasing the annual monarch population. The weak correlation of monarch roadkill with milkweed or nectar plant density in Texas lessens the concern for compensatory mitigation to increase roadkill. Detailed plans were developed for indirect monarch roadkill mitigation through the designation of roadside pollinator habitat SMAs where milkweeds and monarch-preferred nectar plants are planted and protected. Detailed plans were also developed for direct mitigation of monarch roadkill through installation of seasonal monarch flight diverters at monarch protection SMAs. Monarch flight diverter SMAs could save individual monarchs at a cost of $49-$262 over 30 years. The 30-year cost of producing monarchs in planted pollinator habitat SMAs is about $30-$53, which is 89% lower to 8% higher than that of flight diverters. If milkweed production could be increased 83-100% in 726 milkweed per acre non-planted pollinator habitat SMAs through barrier/signage protection and disturbance management, then 30-year costs per produced monarch could be the lowest, at $23-$41.
Investigations on monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in Texas using a spatially explicit functional connectivity approach 2016–2018, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Economic Growth and Endangered Species Management Division, Interagency Contract No. 16-5979- $299,998
The overwintering population of eastern migratory monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) has declined by 82% over the last 23 years. This population trend was fit to an exponential curve with an annual decline of 7.21%. A concave exponential curve represents the most serious form of species population decline, indicating constant proportional negative pressure on the population. A better understanding of hazards and risks for monarchs in the South-Central US is needed to better inform conservation measures in this area that can contribute to a reversal in the long-term 7.2% annual exponential decline in monarch populations. Identifying core migratory pathways, breeding habitats, and associated threats is important for developing conservation priorities for declining migratory species, including the eastern monarch butterflies. We developed the first models of the core fall migratory pathways for the eastern monarch and spatially identifies associated threats. Two spatial modeling methodologies were used in and compared defining the fall migration paths, interpolative kernel density estimate models (KDEMs) and MaxEnt ecological niche models. Hazards identified along the core migratory pathways included roadkill, mosquito ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying, and high usage of glyphosate herbicides and neonicotinoid insecticides. A more detailed study was made of roadkill, which is the foremost migratory threat along the monarch Central Flyway in West Texas. Spatial MaxEnt ecological niche models were used in projecting and estimating monarch roadkill across the core migratory pathway from Oklahoma to Texas and northern Mexico. Milkweed and nectar resources in the south-central US (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas) are critical for the spring and fall monarch migrations. We developed ecological niche models for the four major native milkweeds and ten major nectar plants (including fall and spring species) in the South-Central US. These niche models were then used with land cover classifications to develop a land cover risk assessment for each plant resource. The land cover utilization index was developed for this purpose, representing the estimated utilization by a plant species of each land cover type within the modeled core niche of each plant. We also investigated the poorly known general seasonal occurrence of monarch larvae and their use of different milkweed resources across different phenoregions of the South-Central US. Pre-migrant adults arriving from the North in late summer to the South-Central region prior to the main migration lay eggs which give rise to the fall 5th generation monarchs. The 5th generation can significantly contribute to the monarch fall migration, but little is known about its distribution, host plant use, and natural enemy impacts. We developed three-dimensional spatio-temporal KDEMs that distinguish where and when the pre-migrants and migrants occur by the week of the year. Field surveys in Texas examined habitat and milkweed use by 5th generation and wintering monarch larvae, as well as the impacts of natural enemies such as the pathogen Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) and parasitoid tachinid flies. Progeny from the 5th generation and corresponding field-caught adults were tagged to potentially assess their contribution to the number of overwintering monarchs in Mexico from tagged recoveries there.
Mapping and Monitoring Impacts of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and Hemlock Mortality in the Southern Appalachian Forests
Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand, HWA) outbreaks are posing one of biggest threats to Eastern hemlock (T. canadensis L. Carr.) and Carolina hemlock (T. caroliniana Engelm.) in the eastern United States. Modern, cost-efficient monitoring methods for disturbance agents are urgently needed. The recent development of remote sensing technologies has provided new tools for forest damage inventory and monitoring. The target area is the Grandfather Ranger District, Southern Appalachian Mountains, NC, where both Eastern and Carolina hemlocks serve as a foundation species. The objectives of this project are 1) to detect Eastern and Carolina hemlock patches via high resolution aerial imagery, 2) to study extent of tree mortality by HWA and 3) to reveal spatial patterns of living and dead hemlocks patches. The results could be used e.g. to estimate impacts of HWA and to study potential of invasive plant species establishment in forest canopy gaps created after hemlock elimination by HWA.
An application of Geographic Information Systems to investigate the viability of the “New World” viticultural approach of matching grape variety to climatic and edaphic conditions when establishing vineyards in new regions
This study involves quantifying the correlation between environmental factors of climate, soils, and topography in areas that have historically grown grapes successfully. The goal of this research is to understand the environmental factors that drive grape variety selection and use this knowledge in the establishment of vineyards in the “New World”.
Estimating the Spatial Pattern and Extent of Hemlock Mortality after HWA Infestation in the Linville River Gorge via Aerial Imagery
The spatial pattern and extent of hemlock mortality due to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid herbivory is largely unknown. The goal of this study is to better understand the effects of this invasive species and obtain more data on its impact in the Linville River Gorge, North Carolina. Objectives of this study are to estimate the number and locations of dead trees in the study area, estimate the area covered by dead trees, and to study the spatial pattern of the dead trees. Remotely sensed imagery is used to estimate dead tree location and area data and a subsequent spatial analysis of the dead tree locations is conducted using statistical software to determine pattern.
Projecting Impacts of Tamarisk Beetles on Habitat of the Endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and the Potential of Mitigation through Riparian Restoration
Impacts of defoliation by introduced tamarisk beetles on habitat of the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and willow restoration scenarios to mitigate negative impacts of beetles are modeled using patch-scale species distribution models. Suitability of flycatcher habitats for introduced tamarisk beetles and timing of arrival of beetles into flycatcher habitat in the southwestern US are projected using continental-scale beetle species distribution models and landscape functional connectivity models linked to dispersal models.
Modeling Endemic Bark Beetle Populations in Southwestern Ponderosa Pine Forests
This study involves developing predictive models for endemic bark beetle attack rates on ponderosa pines, based on the tree/stand conditions, as well as attempting to understand how these populations can persist in a landscape through time. The data for developing bark beetle attack rates comes from 20 years of field collection in permanent plots established by Dr. Barbara Bentz of the Rocky Mountain Research Station. To obtain data about the condition and configuration of trees at the landscape level, we plan to use aerial imagery along with ground truth data.
Spatial risk assessment of eastern monarch butterfly road mortality during autumn migration within the southern corridor
- Kantola T, Tracy JL, Baum KA, Quinn MA, Coulson RN (2019)
- Biologcal Conservation 231:150–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.01.008
Modelling fall migration pathways and spatially identifying potential migratory hazards for the eastern monarch butterfly.
- Tracy JL, Kantola T, Baum KA, Coulson RN (2019)
- Landscape Ecology 34:443–448. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-019-00776-0
Distribution and phenology of monarch butterfly larvae and their milkweed hosts in the South Central US.
- Tracy, JL, Kantola T, Baum KA, Coulson RN (2022)
- Biodiversity & Conservation 31:1797-1827. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-022-02432-7
Evaluating Fall Monarch Butterfly Roadkill Hotspot Incidence and Potential Roadkill Mitigation.
- 2019–2021, Texas Department of Transportation Research Technology Implementation Project Agreement No. 0-7022- $348,294.75
- Tracy, JL., Birt A, McFalls J, Prozzi J, Coulson RN (2022)
- TxDOT Project 9-7022 Final Report. https://app.box.com/s/uj7nba68fi5b3otj8btsh3db722ohyne