@article{fitzgerald_stuble_nichols_diamond_wentworth_pelini_gotelli_sanders_dunn_penick_2021, title={Abundance of spring- and winter-active arthropods declines with warming}, volume={12}, ISSN={["2150-8925"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3473}, DOI={10.1002/ecs2.3473}, abstractNote={AbstractBecause ectotherm activity and metabolism are sensitive to temperature, terrestrial arthropods may be especially responsive to ongoing climatic warming. Here, we quantified responses of arthropod abundance to two years of warming in an outdoor temperature manipulation experiment at Duke Forest, North Carolina, USA. Nine open‐top chambers were individually heated year‐round from 1.5° to 5.5°C above ambient temperature. From two years of monthly pitfall trapping, we collected and identified 4,468 arthropods representing 24 orders. We initially predicted that arthropods would experience the greatest negative effects of experimental warming during the summer months, when temperatures reach their yearly maximum and arthropods may be close to their maximum thermal tolerance limits. Instead, we found that the strongest negative effects on arthropod abundance occurred during the winter and spring, when ambient temperatures are relatively cooler, whereas the effects of experimental warming on abundance were not significant during the summer or fall. During the spring of 2012, the warmest spring on record for the southeastern USA, total arthropod abundance declined 20% per °C of experimental warming. Abundance declines were driven largely by flies (Diptera), which were the most abundant insect order, representing approximately a third of all arthropods collected. The most abundant arthropod family, Mycetophilidae (fungus gnats), declined 64% per °C of warming during the spring of 2012. Although previous research on climatic warming has focused on the impact of maximum yearly temperatures on organismal performance, our results are more consistent with the cool‐season sensitivity hypothesis, which posits that arthropods adapted for cooler conditions are likely to face the strongest negative effects of warming during the cooler seasons.}, number={4}, journal={ECOSPHERE}, author={Fitzgerald, Jacquelyn L. and Stuble, Katharine L. and Nichols, Lauren M. and Diamond, Sarah E. and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Pelini, Shannon L. and Gotelli, Nicholas J. and Sanders, Nathan J. and Dunn, Robert R. and Penick, Clint A.}, year={2021}, month={Apr} } @article{spooner_peet_schafale_weakley_wentworth_2021, title={The Role of Fire in the Dynamics of Piedmont Vegetation}, volume={39}, ISBN={["978-3-030-73266-0"]}, ISSN={["1568-1319"]}, DOI={10.1007/978-3-030-73267-7_2}, abstractNote={The Piedmont (PDMT) ecoregion of the USA stretches from New Jersey to Alabama, nestled between the Coastal Plain and Blue Ridge Mountain physiographic provinces. Many of the notable Piedmont plant communities, including the dominant oak-hickory forests of the region, are reliant upon fire to some degree. Before human settlement, most Piedmont vegetation burned relatively frequently and at low intensities, resulting in extensive closed canopy oak-hickory forests, studded with patches of open woodland and savanna largely defined by unusual soil conditions. Indigenous peoples of the Piedmont used fire as a land management tool for both agriculture and game production. Historical changes in land use throughout the region have altered fire regimes and changed forest dynamics dramatically over the past 400 years. Euro-American settlement led to widespread clearing of land for agriculture and logging; by the early twentieth century, very little old-growth forest remained in the Piedmont. During the mid-twentieth century, the decline of agriculture and the aggressive suppression and exclusion of wildfires brought about the growth of successional forests in the place of older, fire-mediated communities. The Piedmont region is currently experiencing a rapid expansion of the human population and land development, making restoration of the historical fire regime a challenge. However, land managers frequently do use prescribed fire to enhance timberland and restore rare plant communities.}, journal={FIRE ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF US FORESTED ECOSYSTEMS}, author={Spooner, Joanna K. and Peet, Robert K. and Schafale, Michael P. and Weakley, Alan S. and Wentworth, Thomas R.}, year={2021}, pages={31–62} } @article{henkhaus_bartlett_gang_grumet_jordon-thaden_lorence_lyons_miller_murray_nelson_et al._2020, title={Plant science decadal vision 2020-2030: Reimagining the potential of plants for a healthy and sustainable future}, volume={4}, ISSN={["2475-4455"]}, DOI={10.1002/pld3.252}, abstractNote={AbstractPlants, and the biological systems around them, are key to the future health of the planet and its inhabitants. The Plant Science Decadal Vision 2020–2030 frames our ability to perform vital and far‐reaching research in plant systems sciences, essential to how we value participants and apply emerging technologies. We outline a comprehensive vision for addressing some of our most pressing global problems through discovery, practical applications, and education. The Decadal Vision was developed by the participants at the Plant Summit 2019, a community event organized by the Plant Science Research Network. The Decadal Vision describes a holistic vision for the next decade of plant science that blends recommendations for research, people, and technology. Going beyond discoveries and applications, we, the plant science community, must implement bold, innovative changes to research cultures and training paradigms in this era of automation, virtualization, and the looming shadow of climate change. Our vision and hopes for the next decade are encapsulated in the phrase reimagining the potential of plants for a healthy and sustainable future. The Decadal Vision recognizes the vital intersection of human and scientific elements and demands an integrated implementation of strategies for research (Goals 1–4), people (Goals 5 and 6), and technology (Goals 7 and 8). This report is intended to help inspire and guide the research community, scientific societies, federal funding agencies, private philanthropies, corporations, educators, entrepreneurs, and early career researchers over the next 10 years. The research encompass experimental and computational approaches to understanding and predicting ecosystem behavior; novel production systems for food, feed, and fiber with greater crop diversity, efficiency, productivity, and resilience that improve ecosystem health; approaches to realize the potential for advances in nutrition, discovery and engineering of plant‐based medicines, and "green infrastructure." Launching the Transparent Plant will use experimental and computational approaches to break down the phytobiome into a "parts store" that supports tinkering and supports query, prediction, and rapid‐response problem solving. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are indispensable cornerstones of realizing our vision. We make recommendations around funding and systems that support customized professional development. Plant systems are frequently taken for granted therefore we make recommendations to improve plant awareness and community science programs to increase understanding of scientific research. We prioritize emerging technologies, focusing on non‐invasive imaging, sensors, and plug‐and‐play portable lab technologies, coupled with enabling computational advances. Plant systems science will benefit from data management and future advances in automation, machine learning, natural language processing, and artificial intelligence‐assisted data integration, pattern identification, and decision making. Implementation of this vision will transform plant systems science and ripple outwards through society and across the globe. Beyond deepening our biological understanding, we envision entirely new applications. We further anticipate a wave of diversification of plant systems practitioners while stimulating community engagement, underpinning increasing entrepreneurship. This surge of engagement and knowledge will help satisfy and stoke people's natural curiosity about the future, and their desire to prepare for it, as they seek fuller information about food, health, climate and ecological systems.}, number={8}, journal={PLANT DIRECT}, author={Henkhaus, Natalie and Bartlett, Madelaine and Gang, David and Grumet, Rebecca and Jordon-Thaden, Ingrid and Lorence, Argelia and Lyons, Eric and Miller, Samantha and Murray, Seth and Nelson, Andrew and et al.}, year={2020}, month={Aug} } @article{hakkenberg_peet_wentworth_zhu_schafale_2020, title={Tree canopy cover constrains the fertility-diversity relationship in plant communities of the southeastern United States}, volume={101}, ISSN={["1939-9170"]}, DOI={10.1002/ecy.3119}, abstractNote={AbstractThe goal of elucidating the primary mechanisms constraining the assembly and distribution of biodiversity remains among the central unresolved challenges facing the field of ecology. Simulation studies and experimental manipulations have focused on how patterns in community assembly result from bivariate relationships along productivity or environmental gradients. However, the joint influence of multiple resource gradients on the distribution of species richness in natural communities remains understudied. Using data from a large network of multiscale vegetation plots across forests and woodlands of the southeastern United States, we find significant evidence for the scale‐dependent, joint constraints of forest structure and soil resources on the distribution of vascular plant species richness. In addition to their significant partial effects on species richness, understory light levels and soil fertility positively interact, suggesting a trade‐off between the two limiting resources with species richness peaking both in high‐light, low‐fertility conditions as well as low‐light, high‐fertility settings. This finding provides a novel perspective on the biodiversity–productivity relationship that suggests a transition in limiting resources from soil nutrients to light availability when enhanced productivity results in reduced light resources for subordinate individuals. Results likewise have meaningful implications for our understanding of scale‐dependent community assembly processes as size‐asymmetric competition replaces environmental filtering as the primary assembly mechanism structuring temperate forest communities along an increasing soil fertility gradient.}, number={10}, journal={ECOLOGY}, author={Hakkenberg, Christopher R. and Peet, Robert K. and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Zhu, Kai and Schafale, Michael P.}, year={2020}, month={Oct} } @article{liu_qiao_wang_lu_hou_wentworth_hou_guo_2020, title={Distinct taxonomic and phylogenetic patterns of plant communities on acid and limestone soils in subtropical and tropical China}, volume={31}, ISSN={["1654-1103"]}, DOI={10.1111/jvs.12820}, abstractNote={AbstractQuestionUnderstanding the mechanisms determining species composition is one of the central goals in ecology. The limestone landscape of southwestern China is one of the most widely known landscapes developed on carbonate bedrock in the world. We explored the following question: What are the patterns of species composition and phylogenetic structures of the communities developed on the acid and limestone soils?LocationSouthwestern China.MethodsUsing 536 plots on acid and limestone soils, we identified distinct vegetation types on both soil types based on hierarchical clustering and ordination. Variation partitioning partitioned the effects of climate, geographic distance and soil on species composition. Generalized linear models determined the effects of climate and soil on phylogenetic diversities.ResultsThe typical vegetation on acid soils is evergreen broad‐leaved forests characterized by Castanopsis species, while typical vegetation on limestone soils is mixed evergreen and deciduous forests characterized by a high proportion of deciduous trees and calciphytes. Soil type was much more important in driving species composition than climate and spatial distance. The standardized mean pairwise phylogenetic distance (ses.MPD) and mean nearest taxon distance (ses.MNTD) were significantly lower on limestone soils than on acid soils, indicating a more clustered phylogenetic structure. The effect of soil on ses.MPD was stronger than on ses.MNTD, and ses.MNTD increased with increasing annual temperature and precipitation seasonality on acid soils but decreased on limestone soils, suggesting that soil affected phylogenetic structure at relatively deep branches, while climate combined with soil mainly affects the relatively recent branches, as ses.MPD measures phylogenetic structure at deep branches and ses.MNTD that at shallow branches.ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of soil in shaping community structure at a regional scale, and it also reveals the unique features of limestone vegetation and supports the validity of limestone vegetation types in the Chinese vegetation classification system.}, number={1}, journal={JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE}, author={Liu, Changcheng and Qiao, Xianguo and Wang, Zi and Lu, Shuaizhi and Hou, Manfu and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Hou, Dongjie and Guo, Ke}, year={2020}, month={Jan}, pages={194–207} } @article{liu_wentworth_qiao_guo_hou_2019, title={Vegetation classification at the association level under the China Vegetation Classification System: an example of six Stipa steppe formations in China}, volume={12}, ISSN={["1752-993X"]}, DOI={10.1093/jpe/rtz028}, abstractNote={Abstract Aims The latest China Vegetation Classification System (China-VCS) for natural/semi-natural vegetation has eight hierarchical levels: Association < Association-group < Subformation < Formation < Formation-group < Vegetation-subtype < Vegetation-type < Vegetation-type-group. The classification is based on dominant species and their growth forms and has been completed at the formation level. The principal challenge today in Chinese vegetation classification is to develop the China-VCS at levels below the formation in a way that is consistent with current international standards. We explored the following question: how can existing vegetation plot data help develop the China-VCS and improve its compatibility with other international classification systems? Methods We compiled 401 plots having plant cover and/or aboveground biomass measurements collected in six Stipa steppe formations and divided them into those with cover data (299 plots) and/or biomass data (283 plots). We applied a combination of hierarchical clustering and ordination to partition the cover and biomass data sets into formations and constituent associations. We then used supervised noise clustering to improve the classification and to identify the core plots representing each association. Diagnostic species were also identified at both association and formation levels. Finally, we compared the classification results based on cover and biomass data sets and combined these results into a comprehensive classification framework for the six formations. Important Findings Our results using cover data were comparable with those using biomass data at both formation and association levels. Three Stipa formations were classified into associations based on cover data, two based on biomass data and one based on both biomass and cover data. Twenty-seven associations were defined and proposed within the six formations, using cover or biomass data as consistent classification sections (CCSs). Both dominant species in the dominant stratum and diagnostic species from multiple strata of the core plots were used to characterize vegetation types at both formation and association levels, improving the compatibility of our classification with the International Vegetation Classification. Temperature and precipitation were found to be important climatic factors determining the distribution pattern and species composition of Stipa-dominated vegetation. We propose a framework for plot-based vegetation classification in the China-VCS, using our work with Stipa-dominated steppe vegetation as an example. We applied the concept of CCS to make optimal use of available data representing both plant cover and biomass. This study offers a model for developing the China-VCS to the association level in a way that is consistent with current international standards. }, number={6}, journal={JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOLOGY}, author={Liu, Changcheng and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Qiao, Xianguo and Guo, Ke and Hou, Dongjie}, year={2019}, month={Dec}, pages={1009–1024} } @article{perlmutter_blank_wentworth_lowman_neufeld_plata_2018, title={Highway pollution effects on microhabitat community structure of corticolous lichens}, volume={121}, ISSN={["1938-4378"]}, DOI={10.1639/0007-2745-121.1.001}, abstractNote={Abstract We studied lichen communities on bole and base tree trunk segments along forest edge-to-interior gradients on opposite sides of a major highway and a control site in central North Carolina, U.S.A., to investigate if these two communities differ and if so, do they differ in response to highway pollution. At each site we measured various environmental parameters including ambient air NO2 concentrations, and sampled lichens on 5–7 trees along each of five parallel transects established at the forest edge and at 25, 60, 100 and 150 m into the forest. We compared lichen communities between the two trunk segments via species richness and composition by habit, photobiont type, and reproductive strategy. We then ran dual (bole and base) NMS ordinations with subsequent correlation/regression analyses to explore/test relationships of lichen parameters with environmental variables among the 15 sample transects combined. Species richness was similar between trunk segments at transect and site levels as well as overall. Bole and base communities were more compositionally similar to each other at the highway sites than they were at the control site, based on Bray-Curtis similarity indices (BC). Tree base communities differed in terms of functional groupings, with greater proportions of squamulose, cyanolichen and sterile species than found in tree bole communities, but varyingly so among sites. Patterns of bole-base BC values with distance from the forest edge were not apparent in any of the sites. Ordination analyses resulted in Axis 1 representing most of the variation for each trunk segment. Along this axis, correlations were similar between boles and bases, with the strongest ones involving lichen species richness (negative) and NO2 concentrations (positive); notably weak correlations involved tree species number, canopy cover and DBH. Similar patterns were found when lichen species number was correlated with environmental parameters directly, with NO2 concentration correlating strongest at each trunk segment. Among functional groups, % crustose and % fertile species on bases correlated significantly with NO2. Lichen species–NO2 relationships on boles and bases were both found to be highly significant quadratic relationships with base lichen richness being stronger.}, number={1}, journal={BRYOLOGIST}, author={Perlmutter, Gary B. and Blank, Gary B. and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Lowman, Margaret D. and Neufeld, Howard S. and Plata, Eimy Rivas}, year={2018}, pages={1–13} } @article{peet_palmquist_wentworth_schafale_weakley_lee_2018, title={Carolina Vegetation Survey: an initiative to improve regional implementation of the US National Vegetation Classification}, volume={48}, ISSN={["0340-269X"]}, DOI={10.1127/phyto/2017/0168}, abstractNote={Purpose: The purpose of the Carolina Vegetation Survey (CVS) is to provide a framework for characterization of natural plant communities throughout North and South Carolina and adjacent US states. The resulting classification supports scientific interpretation of vegetation pattern, biodiversity inventory, biodiversity monitoring, conservation efforts, and identification of restoration targets. Application of the approach: The CVS classification approach will lead to a synthetic treatment of the vegetation of the Carolinas. Although regional in its scope, the approach is generalizable to other geographic regions. It will support further development of the US National Vegetation Classification (USNVC), providing a model for similar work in other regions, thereby leading to more rapid improvement and application of the USNVC. Main features and protocols: Our protocols were developed for use with a large database of vegetation-plot records inventoried using a consistent, published methodology. Plot sizes typically range from 100 to 1000 m2, although data from smaller subplots are also collected. Each record has a full list of vascular plant species and includes cover-class estimates and tallies of woody stems. Species concepts and nomenclature are regularly updated to a consistent standard. Supporting data include soil chemical and physical properties and other site attributes. Class definition procedures employ node-based agglomerative hierarchical algorithms, informed by ordination procedures and by a priori assignment of records to vegetation classes. Advantages and limitations: Classification protocols draw on widelyused, well-established procedures and algorithms. Typological resolution aims to conform to one or more of the lower levels of the USNVC hierarchy. A limitation is that most plots were located using preferential sampling, which has the potential for incorporating selection biases. However, this approach captures rare or unanticipated types that would otherwise be missed. To date CVS data collection has been restricted to natural communities and consequently cannot inform classification of semi-natural or cultural vegetation.}, number={2}, journal={PHYTOCOENOLOGIA}, author={Peet, Robert K. and Palmquist, Kyle A. and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Schafale, Michael P. and Weakley, Alan S. and Lee, Michael T.}, year={2018}, pages={171–179} } @article{perlmutter_blank_wentworth_lowman_neufeld_plata_2017, title={Effects of highway pollution on forest lichen community structure in western Wake County, North Carolina, USA}, volume={120}, DOI={10.1639/0007-2745-120.1.001}, abstractNote={Abstract We studied lichen communities along forest edge-to-interior gradients on opposite sides of a major highway and along a remote lakeshore in central North Carolina, U.S.A., to investigate highway pollution effects on this sensitive ecosystem component. At each site we sampled lichens on trees at 10 m intervals along each of five parallel transects established at the forest edge and at 25, 60, 100, and 150 m into the forest in the highway sites, with a similar layout along a nonlinear lakeshore in a similar forest type, from which transect distances from the forest edge were estimated using average tree distances from the nearest shoreline. Lichen communities were inventoried on tree trunks from the base up to 1.5 m height, then compared both among and within sites. Species richness was highest in the control site, and did not differ between the two highway sites. The highway sites were more similar to one another than either was to the control site, based on Bray-Curtis similarity indices. No associations were detected among sites and sampled lichen biotic components in terms of growth form, photobiont type or reproductive mode. In the highway sites, total transect species richness increased from the forest edge to 150 m distant. In the control site, species richness decreased from the forest edge to the most distant transect. Findings suggest a negative effect of highway pollution on species richness of lichen communities, but not on species composition by habit, photobiont type or reproductive mode. Despite the elevated NOx concentrations recorded along the highway, known nitrophilous species were largely absent, suggesting that other factors, including other pollutants, were affecting community structure near the highway.}, number={1}, journal={Bryologist}, author={Perlmutter, G. B. and Blank, G. B. and Wentworth, T. R. and Lowman, M. D. and Neufeld, H. S. and Plata, E. R.}, year={2017}, pages={1–10} } @article{cooper_wentworth_2016, title={Ernest Davis Seneca 1937-2015}, volume={97}, ISSN={0012-9623}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/BES2.1222}, DOI={10.1002/BES2.1222}, abstractNote={Ernest “Ernie” Seneca spent his professional career studying and teaching about marine coastal ecosystems. He earned a BS degree in Forestry in 1959 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia (Virginia Tech) and an MS in Wildlife Management in 1961, also at Virginia Tech. After a brief stint in a temporary position as Biologist with the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries in 1961, he served in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant from 1962 to 1964. In 1964, he began his doctoral studies in physiological plant ecology under the direction of Arthur W. Cooper at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina (NCSU). For his dissertation research, he investigated factors influencing seed germination and seedling growth of dune grasses on the North Carolina coast. This research was timely because there were few studies on the behavior of seeds and seedlings of these species in nature.}, number={2}, journal={The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Cooper, Arthur W. and Wentworth, Thomas R.}, year={2016}, month={Apr}, pages={148–149} } @article{kalusova_chytry_peet_wentworth_2015, title={Intercontinental comparison of habitat levels of invasion between temperate North America and Europe}, volume={96}, ISSN={["1939-9170"]}, DOI={10.1890/15-0021.1}, abstractNote={Several studies have demonstrated that floras of the New World contain larger proportions of alien species than those of the Old World; however, the differences in fine‐scale invasion patterns are poorly known. We compared the levels of invasion in analogous habitats of two environmentally similar regions in temperate North America and Europe (the Carolinas and the Czech Republic), using comprehensive vegetation‐plot databases. Native and alien vascular plant species were identified within 4165 vegetation plots assigned to 12 habitats occurring in both areas. The level of invasion was calculated for each habitat (1) as the proportion of aliens recorded cumulatively across multiple plots (habitat scale) and (2) as the mean proportion of aliens per plot (plot scale), both separately for all alien species and for the subgroup of aliens originating in one region and invading the other. The proportions of species native on one continent and invading the other were also calculated for each habitat to compare the alien species exchange between continents. Habitat levels of invasion showed remarkably similar patterns on the two continents. There were significant positive relationships for the levels of invasion, both for all alien species (habitat‐scale R2 = 0.907; plot‐scale R2 = 0.676) and for those that originated on the opposite continent (habitat‐scale R2 = 0.624; plot‐scale R2 = 0.708). In both regions, the most and the least invaded habitats were the same, but on average, North American habitats showed higher habitat‐scale levels of invasion than their European counterparts. At the same time, a larger proportion of alien species was provided by European habitats for invasion to North America than vice versa. The consistent intercontinental pattern of habitat levels of invasion suggests that these levels are driven by similar mechanisms in distant regions. Habitat conditions are likely to have stronger effect on the level of invasion than the identity of alien species, as shown by similar levels of invasion in analogous habitats despite different geographical origins of alien species. The higher flux of alien species from Europe to North America is consistent with a generally higher level of invasion of North American habitats.}, number={12}, journal={ECOLOGY}, author={Kalusova, Veronika and Chytry, Milan and Peet, Robert K. and Wentworth, Thomas R.}, year={2015}, month={Dec}, pages={3363–3373} } @article{kalusova_chytry_peet_wentworth_2014, title={Alien species pool influences the level of habitat invasion in intercontinental exchange of alien plants}, volume={23}, ISSN={["1466-8238"]}, DOI={10.1111/geb.12209}, abstractNote={AbstractAimWe hypothesize that the level of plant invasion at the scale of vegetation plots is affected by the different sizes of regional species pools of alien plants adapted to particular habitats. We test these species‐pool effects in the context of alien species exchange between analogous habitats on two continents.LocationNorth and South Carolina, and the Czech Republic (both as native and invaded range).MethodsWe identified native and alien vascular plant species within 6059 vegetation plots from 27 habitats of eastern North America and Central Europe. We compared the habitats’ level of invasion, expressed as the proportion of alien species in a representative sample of vegetation plots from each habitat, with the contribution of each habitat to the alien species pool, calculated as the proportion of species of this habitat that are native to one continent and donated as aliens to the other.ResultsA habitat's level of invasion on one continent increases with the proportion of alien species donated to its regional species pools by analogous habitats on the other continent, i.e. the more of its native species a habitat contributes as aliens, the more of them establish in analogous recipient habitats (direct species‐pool effect). The habitat's level of invasion on the same continent also increases with the proportion of native species that those habitats themselves donate to regional species pools on the other continent, i.e. a habitat that gives many aliens also receives many aliens (reciprocal species‐pool effect).Main conclusionsWe demonstrate that when a habitat on one continent donates more of its native species to the alien species pool, the analogous habitat on the recipient continent also contains a greater number of aliens. The same donor habitat is itself also the recipient of more alien species invading from the analogous habitats of other continents.}, number={12}, journal={GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY}, author={Kalusova, Veronika and Chytry, Milan and Peet, Robert K. and Wentworth, Thomas R.}, year={2014}, month={Dec}, pages={1366–1375} } @book{jeffries_wentworth_2014, title={Exploring Southern Appalachian forests: An ecological guide to 30 great hikes in the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia}, publisher={Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press}, year={2014} } @article{lewis_richardson_yelverton_wentworth_2013, title={Bioavailability of Aminocyclopyrachlor and Triclopyr plus Clopyralid from Turfgrass Clippings in Aquatic and Riparian Plants}, volume={61}, ISSN={["1550-2759"]}, DOI={10.1614/ws-d-13-00013.1}, abstractNote={Synthetic auxin herbicides are widely utilized in golf course settings for selective broadleaf weed control. Aminocyclopyrachlor (AMCP) is a newly registered pyrimidine carboxylic acid with similar chemical mode-of-action and structure to triclopyr (TRIC) and clopyralid (CLPY). Off-target injury on terrestrial plants has been documented following exposure to turfgrass clippings previously treated with TRIC and CLPY. Management practices on golf courses can distribute turfgrass clippings into water bodies; however, research has not evaluated the bioavailability of synthetic auxin residues from turfgrass clippings to aquatic and riparian plants within these environments. A bioassay study was conducted to determine the response of alligatorweed and parrotfeather to tall fescue clippings previously treated with synthetic auxin herbicides. Previously treated AMCP and TRIC + CLPY clippings were placed into growth containers mimicking a lentic system containing both alligatorweed and parrotfeather. Results indicated all herbicide treated clippings induced significant growth responses to alligatorweed and parrotfeather growth compared to a nontreated mulch and nontreated control. Alligatorweed control was greater from AMCP clippings treated 14, 7, 3, and 1 DBCC (49, 60, 90, and 80%, respectively) than comparative TRIC + CLPY clippings (33, 25, 37, and 64%, respectively) at 10 weeks after treatment (WAT). Parrotfeather control was greater from AMCP clippings (57 to 87%) than TRIC + CLPY clippings (9 to 63%) collected from all days before clipping collection (DBCC) timings when evaluated 6 WAT. At 10 WAT, greater parrotfeather control and shoot reduction was observed from AMCP than TRIC + CLPY clippings when treated 14, 7, and 3 DBCC. Based on these data, synthetic auxin residues can become bioavailable to aquatic and riparian plants within aqueous environments.}, number={4}, journal={WEED SCIENCE}, author={Lewis, Dustin F. and Richardson, Robert J. and Yelverton, Fred H. and Wentworth, Thomas R.}, year={2013}, pages={594–600} } @article{wall_douglas_hoffmann_wentworth_gray_xiang_knaus_hohmann_g._2014, title={Evidence of population bottleneck in Astragalus michauxii (Fabaceae), a narrow endemic of the southeastern United States}, volume={15}, ISSN={1566-0621, 1572-9737}, url={http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10592-013-0527-2}, DOI={10.1007/s10592-013-0527-2}, number={1}, journal={Conservation Genetics}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Wall, W. A. and Douglas, N. A. and Hoffmann, W. A. and Wentworth, T. R. and Gray, J. B. and Xiang, Q. Y. J. and Knaus, B. K. and Hohmann and G., M.}, year={2014}, month={Feb}, pages={153–164} } @article{wall_hoffmann_wentworth_gray_hohmann_2012, title={Demographic effects of fire on two endemic plant species in the longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem}, volume={213}, ISSN={["1385-0237"]}, DOI={10.1007/s11258-012-0068-7}, number={7}, journal={PLANT ECOLOGY}, author={Wall, Wade A. and Hoffmann, William A. and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Gray, Janet B. and Hohmann, Matthew G.}, year={2012}, month={Jul}, pages={1093–1104} } @article{wall_wentworth_shelingoski_stucky_leblond_hoffmann_2011, title={Lost and Found: Remnants of the Big Savannah and Their Relationship to Wet Savannas in North Carolina}, volume={76}, ISSN={["1938-4386"]}, DOI={10.2179/10-046.1}, abstractNote={Abstract Conversion to agriculture and plantations, development, and fire suppression have reduced the extent of savannas in the southeastern United States, and there is a need to catalog and classify the remaining savannas for both restoration and resource management purposes. The Big Savannah was a wet savanna in North Carolina that was destroyed in the 1950s, and subsequent vegetation classifications have generally not accommodated well the unique natural plant community of the Big Savannah. Vegetation reminiscent of that described for the Big Savannah was discovered north of the original site and designated as Wells Savannah. To evaluate the uniqueness of the savanna vegetation at Wells Savannah, we compiled a data set from permanent quadrats with information on vegetation and environmental variables from other Outer Coastal Plain savannas to compare with similar data from the natural community at Wells Savannah. We also inventoried an additional 26 quadrats on a tract adjacent to Wells Savannah that had experienced fire suppression. Results from multivariate analyses demonstrated clear differences between the Wells Savannah quadrats and other regional wet savanna quadrats based on both vegetation and soils. A number of species and several soil characteristics (higher clay percentage, and higher available iron and boron) distinguish Wells Savannah from other wet savannas. Although the fire suppressed quadrats near Wells Savannah had lower species richness, typical savanna species such as Ctenium aromaticum and Calamovilfa brevipilis were still present. Further exploration of fire-suppressed tracts in the area may yield more wet savanna inclusions similar to the former Big Savannah.}, number={4}, journal={CASTANEA}, author={Wall, W. A. and Wentworth, T. R. and Shelingoski, S. and Stucky, J. M. and LeBlond, R. J. and Hoffmann, W. A.}, year={2011}, month={Dec}, pages={348–363} } @article{douglas_wall_xiang_hoffmann_wentworth_gray_hohmann_2011, title={Recent vicariance and the origin of the rare, edaphically specialized Sandhills lily, Lilium pyrophilum (Liliaceae): evidence from phylogenetic and coalescent analyses}, volume={20}, ISSN={["0962-1083"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1365-294x.2011.05151.x}, abstractNote={AbstractEstablishing the phylogenetic and demographic history of rare plants improves our understanding of mechanisms that have led to their origin and can lead to valuable insights that inform conservation decisions. The Atlantic coastal plain of eastern North America harbours many rare and endemic species, yet their evolution is poorly understood. We investigate the rare Sandhills lily (Lilium pyrophilum), which is endemic to seepage slopes in a restricted area of the Atlantic coastal plain of eastern North America. Using phylogenetic evidence from chloroplast, nuclear internal transcribed spacer and two low‐copy nuclear genes, we establish a close relationship between L. pyrophilum and the widespread Turk’s cap lily, L. superbum. Isolation‐with‐migration and coalescent simulation analyses suggest that (i) the divergence between these two species falls in the late Pleistocene or Holocene and almost certainly post‐dates the establishment of the edaphic conditions to which L. pyrophilum is presently restricted, (ii) vicariance is responsible for the present range disjunction between the two species, and that subsequent gene flow has been asymmetrical and (iii) L. pyrophilum harbours substantial genetic diversity in spite of its present rarity. This system provides an example of the role of edaphic specialization and climate change in promoting diversification in the Atlantic coastal plain.}, number={14}, journal={MOLECULAR ECOLOGY}, author={Douglas, Norman A. and Wall, Wade A. and Xiang, Qiu-Yun and Hoffmann, William A. and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Gray, Janet B. and Hohmann, Matthew G.}, year={2011}, month={Jul}, pages={2901–2915} } @article{wall_hilton_wentworth_gray_hohmann_hoffmann_2010, title={Effects of light and temperature on germination of Pyxidanthera brevifolia Wells (Diapensiaceae)}, volume={137}, ISSN={["1940-0616"]}, DOI={10.3159/10-ra-023.1}, abstractNote={Abstract Pyxidanthera brevifolia is an evergreen semi-woody cushion plant endemic to the Sandhills of North and South Carolina, with the majority of populations occurring on Fort Bragg Military Reservation in North Carolina. Currently the species is listed as Endangered in North Carolina and is designated as a Species at Risk (SAR) by the US Department of Defense. Previous studies have suggested that seeds may not be viable because they failed to germinate under controlled conditions. Our objectives in this study were to attempt germination of Pyxidanthera brevifolia seeds, determine the best temperature conditions for germination, and understand more about germination requirements to aid in future restoration efforts. Using seeds that had been stored at room temperature for six months, we performed a germination experiment at the NCSU Phytotron with six treatments, all combinations of three temperature regimes (low (18 °C day / 14 °C night), medium (22/18 °C), and high (26/22 °C)) and two light conditions (light and dark). We monitored the experiment for 13 weeks, recording the number of seeds germinating per dish and the number of days to germination for seeds in each treatment. We found that Pxyidanthera brevifolia produces germinable seeds and that there are significant effects of light and temperature on germination. Highest germination occurred under low temperature and high light conditions (78%); the combination of high temperature and no light produced the lowest germination (6%). Seeds exposed to light germinated significantly earlier at the coolest temperature, compared to medium and high temperatures. These results indicate that it is possible to germinate seeds of this rare plant and suggest that germination of Pyxidanthera brevifolia likely occurs in late fall and is dependent on adequate light availability.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF THE TORREY BOTANICAL SOCIETY}, author={Wall, Wade A. and Hilton, Jacob L. and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Gray, Janet B. and Hohmann, Matthew G. and Hoffmann, William A.}, year={2010}, pages={348–354} } @article{jeffries_wentworth_allen_2010, title={Long-term effects of establishment practices on plant communities across successive rotations in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantation}, volume={260}, ISSN={["1872-7042"]}, url={https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2010.08.003}, DOI={10.1016/j.foreco.2010.08.003}, abstractNote={Implementation of repeated, high-intensity short rotations in forest plantations raises concerns about the effects of such practices on herbaceous layer biodiversity and overall sustainability. To investigate these concerns, we conducted a comparative study of second and third rotation plant communities in a loblolly pine plantation in the Piedmont of North Carolina. The second rotation stand was established in 1960 using conventional practices and was harvested in 1981, leaving two plots in each of three blocks as "historical" plots representing the second rotation. The third rotation was planted in 1982, and a 2 × 2 factorial experiment was established within an area that had been complete-tree harvested, using two site preparation (drum-chop versus shear, pile, and disk) and two cultural (vegetation control versus no vegetation control) treatments in each of three blocks. Presence/absence data for vascular plant taxa were collected in the second rotation historical plots at year 22 and also in the third rotation treatment plots at year 18 and analyzed using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination, indicator species analysis, analysis of species richness, and computation of species turnover. Results indicated overall similarities in the herbaceous layer from year 22 in the second rotation to year 18 in the third rotation, while revealing some key differences in species composition, including persistence of disturbance-responsive species associated with the vegetation control treatment in the third rotation plots. The addition of these species largely accounted for an increase in species richness from the second to the third rotation. Species composition in low intensity third rotation plots (chop, no vegetation control) most closely resembled that of the second rotation plots of similar age. In addition, differences in species composition due to soil and topographic differences within the study persisted through both rotations, while compositional effects of treatments implemented at the beginning of the third rotation diminished with time. We conclude that more intensive silvicultural practices, such as site preparation and vegetation control, reduce initial competition from woody species and thus permit the persistence of early successional species, increasing overall diversity. From the larger perspective of the entire study, the second and third rotation stands converged to similar species composition after approximately two decades post-planting despite early treatment-related differences in the third rotation. It remains to be seen whether additional harvests, rotations, and intensive practices will continue to support a functioning understory plant community in these short rotation plantation forests.}, number={9}, journal={FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT}, author={Jeffries, Stephanie B. and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Allen, H. Lee}, year={2010}, month={Sep}, pages={1548–1556} } @article{kelly_wentworth_2009, title={Effects of mechanized pine straw raking on population densities of longleaf pine seedlings}, volume={259}, ISSN={0378-1127}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2009.09.029}, DOI={10.1016/j.foreco.2009.09.029}, abstractNote={Longleaf pine communities occupy a small fraction of their original extent in the southeastern United States and are in great need of restoration and conservation management. Recent anthropogenic disturbances, such as pine straw raking, may interfere with seedling survival and, hence, restoration efforts. We examined the effects of mechanized straw raking on longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) seedlings (pre-grass stage, or <3-yr-old) in natural, fire-maintained plant communities in Croatan National Forest, North Carolina, by testing the effects of number of rakings (0–4 times during a 2-yr period (1992–1994)) and community type (pine-turkey oak, dry savanna, and mesic savanna) on seedling densities in 1-m2 quadrats. Despite initial differences in densities of seedlings among communities, analyses of variance did not detect significant differences among communities as averaged over time and raking treatment. Both raked and unraked quadrats exhibited declines in seedling density during the study, but the declines were greater for raked quadrats. After 2 yr, initial densities were, on average, reduced by 34% in unraked quadrats and by 47%, 63%, 78%, and 77% in quadrats raked one, two, three, and four times, respectively. In quadrats raked four times, censuses performed after each raking indicated significant declines in densities in response to all but the first raking. Raking either injures pine seedlings directly and/or modifies microsite conditions in ways unfavorable for seedling survival. Having established a link between raking and mortality, we now recommend additional work to reveal the causal mechanisms. Land management decisions should accommodate the potential adverse effects of mechanized raking on pine regeneration.}, number={1}, journal={Forest Ecology and Management}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Kelly, Lisa A. and Wentworth, Thomas R.}, year={2009}, month={Dec}, pages={1–7} } @article{jackson_pittillo_allen_wentworth_bullock_loftis_2009, title={Species Diversity and Composition in Old Growth and Second Growth Rich Coves of the Southern Appalachian Mountains}, volume={74}, ISSN={["1938-4386"]}, DOI={10.2179/07-017.1}, abstractNote={Abstract Because of ongoing debate over the long term impacts of logging, we conducted a study to assess if second growth (70 ± 10 years) rich coves differ from old growth rich coves (> 125 years) in species diversity or composition. We sampled twenty-six 0.1 ha plots, representing these two age classes. We distributed the plots amongst three randomly selected mountain ranges in the southern Appalachians of North Carolina, and sampled each mountain range in separate years. We used nested subplots of 0.01 m2, 0.1 m2, 1 m2, 10 m2, 100 m2, and 1000 m2 to establish species-area relationships (SARs) for each age class. We found no significant differences between the SARs for the two age classes, nor did we find significant differences between age classes using the Simpson, Shannon-Wiener, or Sorensen indices of species diversity. However, we found that total cover of all plant species was greater in old growth rich coves, and that 10% of the tested species had lower abundance in second growth. No species were present in old growth and absent in second growth, but species with lower second growth abundance may warrant future study.}, number={1}, journal={CASTANEA}, author={Jackson, B. Clay and Pittillo, J. Dan and Allen, H. Lee and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Bullock, Bronson P. and Loftis, David L.}, year={2009}, month={Mar}, pages={27–38} } @article{rothenberger_burkholder_wentworth_2009, title={Use of long-term data and multivariate ordination techniques to identify environmental factors governing estuarine phytoplankton species dynamics}, volume={54}, ISSN={["1939-5590"]}, DOI={10.4319/lo.2009.54.6.2107}, abstractNote={A continuous, 13‐yr record of environmental data and phytoplankton species and assemblage structure in the mesohaline Neuse River Estuary (biweekly, April‐October; monthly, November‐March) was used to evaluate phytoplankton assemblage responses to changing environmental conditions. Ordination techniques including nonmetric multidimensional scaling, indicator species analysis, and BIO‐ENV software were used to investigate potential environmental predictors of phytoplankton assemblage patterns under chronic eutrophication. Phytoplankton assemblages were strongly related to temperature and total nitrogen : total phosphorus ratios, with expected seasonal changes in species composition. Interannual changes in river discharge influenced whether phytoplankton assemblages were dominated by diatoms and phototrophic flagellates or by mixotrophic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates. Increasing ammonium concentrations also have been an important influence on phytoplankton assemblages. Raphidophytes (including the potentially toxic species Heterosigma akashiwo), haptophytes, chlorophytes, and the bloom‐forming dinoflagellate Heterocapsa rotundata have increased in more recent years (2000–2006), concomitant with increasing ammonium concentrations. Abundance of the potentially toxic dinoflagellates Prorocentrum minimum and the grouping Pfiesteria spp., “pfiesteria‐like” dinoflagellates, and Karlodinium veneficum remained stationary over time and rarely exceeded 103 cells mL−1. Abundance of P. minimum was positively related to dissolved organic nitrogen and suspended solids concentrations, whereas the highest abundance of the grouping Pfiesteria spp., “pfiesteria‐like” dinoflagellates, and K. veneficum occurred during summer and fall, related to high total phosphorus concentrations, temperature, and salinity. Overall, this study provides new species‐level insights to advance understanding about anthropogenic influences on phytoplankton assemblages. The data suggest an increasingly important role of ammonium in controlling phytoplankton assemblage structure, including increased abundance of some harmful species, in eutrophic estuaries.}, number={6}, journal={LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY}, author={Rothenberger, Meghan B. and Burkholder, JoAnn M. and Wentworth, Thomas R.}, year={2009}, month={Nov}, pages={2107–2127} } @article{elam_stucky_wentworth_gregory_2009, title={Vascular Flora, Plant Communities, and Soils of a Significant Natural Area in the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain (Craven County, North Carolina)}, volume={74}, ISSN={["1938-4386"]}, DOI={10.2179/08-07.1}, abstractNote={Abstract Cool Springs Environmental Education Center (CSEEC), owned by Weyerhaeuser Company, includes a 591 ha State Significant Natural Area. It is located in Craven County, North Carolina, in the floristically rich Atlantic Coastal Plain. A vascular flora inventory documented the occurrences of 567 species and sub-specific taxa and 303 genera in 118 plant families, including populations of the Atlantic Coastal Plain endemics Pondspice (Litsea aestivalis) and LeBlond's Coastal Goldenrod (Solidago villosicarpa). We identified twenty plant community types, including the uncommon Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) Woodland, Bald Cypress–Tupelo Gum (Taxodium distichum – Nyssa aquatica) Swamp, a number of small depression wetland communities, and the novel Sand Laurel Oak-Loblolly Pine (Quercus hemisphaerica – Pinus taeda) Woodland. Soils ranged from excessively drained sands to very poorly drained organics. The order of the soil mapping units according to the number of plant taxa they supported per unit area was TaB > PO > Ln > Mu > DO, MM > Se > KuB. Among five of 12 floristic study sites having positive residuals in the regression of log species richness on log area, CSEEC had the third largest residual. There was no relationship between the residuals from regressions of log species on log area and soil drainage heterogeneity on log area. The occurrences of two rare plant species, a species-rich flora, ten natural plant community types, and an assemblage of wet and dry soils in a variety of geomorphic settings are objective factors justifying the recognition of CSEEC as a State Significant Natural Area.}, number={1}, journal={CASTANEA}, author={Elam, Caitlin E. and Stucky, Jon M. and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Gregory, James D.}, year={2009}, month={Mar}, pages={53–77} } @article{knebel_robison_wentworth_klepzig_2008, title={Resin flow responses to fertilization, wounding and fungal inoculation in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) in North Carolina}, volume={28}, ISSN={["1758-4469"]}, DOI={10.1093/treephys/28.6.847}, abstractNote={Resin flow is the primary means of natural defense against southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.), the most important insect pest of Pinus spp. in the southern United States. As a result, factors affecting resin flow are of interest to researchers and forest managers. We examined the influence of fertilization, artificial wounding and fungal inoculation on resin flow in 6- and 12-year-old stands of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and determined the extent of that influence within and above the wounded stem area and through time. Fertilization increased constitutive resin flow, but only the younger trees sustained increased resin flow after wounding and inoculation treatments. An induced resin flow response occurred between 1 and 30 days after wounding and inoculation treatments. Wounding with inoculation resulted in greater resin flow than wounding alone, but increasing amounts of inoculum did not increase resin flow. Increased resin flow (relative to controls) lasted for at least 90 days after wounding and inoculation. This increase appeared to be limited to the area of treatment, at least in younger trees. The long-lasting effects of fungal inoculation on resin flow, as well as the response to fertilization, suggest that acquired resistance through induced resin flow aids in decreasing susceptibility of loblolly pine to southern pine beetle.}, number={6}, journal={TREE PHYSIOLOGY}, author={Knebel, Larissa and Robison, Daniel J. and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Klepzig, Kier D.}, year={2008}, month={Jun}, pages={847–853} } @article{munishi_shear_wentworth_temu_2007, title={Compositional gradients of plant communities in submontane rainforests of eastern Tanzania}, volume={19}, number={1}, journal={Journal of Tropical Forest Science}, author={Munishi, P. K. T. and Shear, T. H. and Wentworth, T. and Temu, R.}, year={2007}, pages={35–45} } @article{knebel_wentworth_2007, title={Influence of fire and southern pine beetle on pine-dominated forests in the Linville Gorge Wilderness, North Carolina}, volume={72}, DOI={10.2179/06-18.1}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Historically, fire and the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) have interacted in a manner that maintains the stability of pine-dominated forests in the southern Appalachians. Fire suppression has recently been implicated in the disruption of the integrity of these forests and their shift toward hardwood dominance. This study examined the influences of fire and southern pine beetle infestation on stand structure and resin flow of pines in pine-dominated forests in the Linville Gorge Wilderness of North Carolina. Resin flow in most pine species increases in response to various types of wounding and is a pine tree's primary defense against insect pathogens. Pine-dominated stands in this study decreased in both basal area and density after exposure to fire and/or southern pine beetle infestation. Decreases in basal area and density of Pinus pungens were strongly associated with infestation, while decreases in Pinus rigida were influenced primarily by exposure to fire. Resin flow was substantially higher in trees that were exposed to fire, but not infested, than in trees experiencing any other combination of fire exposure and infestation (including trees that were neither exposed to fire nor infested). This elevated resin flow was still present 18 mo after burning. Since resin flow is the primary means of host defense against southern pine beetle, it is suspected that fire could confer an acquired resistance to future southern pine beetle infestations through elevated resin flow.}, number={4}, journal={Castanea}, author={Knebel, L. and Wentworth, T. R.}, year={2007}, pages={214–225} } @article{wyer_murphy-medley_damschen_rosenfeld_wentworth_2007, title={No quick fixes: Adding content about women to ecology course materials}, volume={31}, ISSN={["1471-6402"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1471-6402.2007.00334.x}, abstractNote={This study reports on a three-semester model project designed to assess the impact of enriched content related to Women's and Gender Studies on students enrolled in an undergraduate ecology course. The two constructs of interest were (a) students' attitudes toward women in science and society and (b) students' assessment of the classroom climate for women. The data included 398 matched pretest and posttest survey responses from a control group, a minimal enrichment group, and an increased enrichment group. Findings indicated that, although small course revisions did not influence students' attitudes toward women in science and society, such revisions had a positive influence on students' assessments of the classroom climate.}, number={1}, journal={PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN QUARTERLY}, author={Wyer, Mary and Murphy-Medley, Deena and Damschen, Ellen I. and Rosenfeld, Kristen M. and Wentworth, Thomas R.}, year={2007}, month={Mar}, pages={96–102} } @article{inman_wentworth_groom_brownie_lea_2007, title={Using artificial canopy gaps to restore Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata) habitat in tropical timber plantations}, volume={243}, ISSN={["0378-1127"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.foreco.2007.02.003}, abstractNote={Timber plantations have the potential to catalyze regeneration of natural forest on degraded land. However, effective management methods to restore native tree diversity and wildlife habitat in areas planted with non-native timber species are needed. Our study investigated the effectiveness of creating artificial canopy gaps within timber plantations to increase germination, growth, and survival of native tree species that may be important food plants for the Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata). Seedling growth increased significantly in gaps; however, there were no differences in percent germination or survival between gap and closed (control) plots. Percent cover of grasses, shrubs, and vines increased in gaps, but the increased growth of competitors did not prevent tree seedlings from growing significantly more rapidly in gaps. Removing leaf litter at time of sowing had no effect on germination, growth, or survival of direct seeded species. Creation of canopy gaps by girdling timber trees reduced basal area of non-native tree species to levels comparable with those of native trees. Both local and landscape level diversity were predicted to increase in canopy gaps; however, plantations will continue to be dominated by non-native and timber tree species because advance regeneration of these species is common in plantation understories. Our results suggest that restoration of native tree diversity and wildlife habitat in plantations will require continued management to remove non-native species and to promote growth of tree species with high wildlife habitat value.}, number={2-3}, journal={FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT}, author={Inman, Faith M. and Wentworth, Thomas R. and Groom, Martha and Brownie, Cavell and Lea, Russ}, year={2007}, month={May}, pages={169–177} } @article{franklin_stucky_wentworth_brownie_roulston_2006, title={Limitations to fruit and seed production by Lysimachia asperulifolia Poir. (Primulaceae), a rare plant species of the Carolinas}, volume={133}, ISSN={["1940-0616"]}, DOI={10.3159/1095-5674(2006)133[403:LTFASP]2.0.CO;2}, abstractNote={Abstract Lysimachia asperulifolia Poir., rough–leaf loosestrife, is a federally endangered species that is restricted to longleaf pine savanna – pocosin ecotones in North and South Carolina. Potential causes of the limited fruit and seed production typical of this species and possible effects of prescribed fire on these causes were examined. It was determined that insects rarely visit flowers and that the visitors, Augochlorella spp. and Lasioglossum spp., are not effective pollinators. However, results of artificial pollinations do not support the hypothesis that pollinator limitation alone restricts seed production. Levels of fertility and S allele diversity may vary across natural populations and, combined with ineffective pollination, enforce restricted fruit and seed production. Pollen fertility, amount of flowering, and number of fruits produced in natural populations did not increase following prescribed fire. Restricted seed germination further limits recruitment of genetic variation into populations. Pollinations and propagule dispersal among populations are precluded by habitat fragmentation. Alternative courses of action designed to increase fruit and seed production and seedling recruitment are recommended to those developing loosestrife conservation plans.}, number={3}, journal={JOURNAL OF THE TORREY BOTANICAL SOCIETY}, author={Franklin, M. A. and Stucky, J. M. and Wentworth, T. R. and Brownie, C. and Roulston, T.}, year={2006}, pages={403–411} } @article{vidra_shear_wentworth_2006, title={Testing the paradigms of exotic species invasion in urban riparian forests}, volume={26}, ISSN={["2162-4399"]}, DOI={10.3375/0885-8608(2006)26[339:TTPOES]2.0.CO;2}, abstractNote={Abstract Exotic species research has generated several paradigms about the effects of invasion on native ecosystems and the site characteristics that promote invasibility. We are interested in translating these theoretical paradigms into management recommendations. Using vegetation surveys of urban riparian forests in central North Carolina, we tested the competition and resource availability paradigms. We assessed the association between exotic and native species and identified potential resources that promote invasion. Exotic and native species richness was negatively correlated (r = −0.66, p = 0.0009), conforming to the predictions of the competition paradigm. In particular, native woody species were negatively associated with several exotic growth forms. Two of the most common exotic species, Hedera helix (English ivy) and Microstegium vimineum (Japanese stilt grass), did not co-occur with several native woody plants, suggesting that they may preclude the establishment and regeneration of native woody plant communities. Our results have less direct implications for the resource availability paradigm. There were no correlations between light availability (indexed by canopy cover) and either cover or richness of exotic species. However, exotic species richness was generally positively correlated to soil fertility. These results suggest that the competition and resource availability paradigms are useful for understanding the dynamics of urban riparian forests that are invaded by a suite of exotic species. Removal efforts should focus on two of the most common invasive plants, H. helix and M. vimineum, and native woody plants should be re-established. While soil fertility is difficult to manage at a site level, we urge managers to lobby for strict regulations on nutrient inputs from upstream and adjacent development.}, number={4}, journal={NATURAL AREAS JOURNAL}, author={Vidra, Rebecca L. and Shear, Theodore H. and Wentworth, Thomas R.}, year={2006}, month={Oct}, pages={339–350} } @misc{damschen_rosenfeld_wyer_murphy-medley_wentworth_haddad_2006, title={Women in ecology - Authors reply}, volume={4}, number={1}, journal={Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment}, author={Damschen, E. I. and Rosenfeld, K. M. and Wyer, M. and Murphy-Medley, D. and Wentworth, T. R. and Haddad, N. M.}, year={2006}, pages={10} } @article{fridley_peet_wentworth_white_2005, title={Connecting fine- and broad-scale species-area relationships of Southeastern US Flora}, volume={86}, ISSN={["1939-9170"]}, DOI={10.1890/03-3187}, abstractNote={Although the rate that species accumulate with area has long been regarded as an important component of fine-scale community structure and several studies have examined this rate in meta-analyses, few if any studies have systematically examined fine- scale species-area relationships using a consistent survey protocol over a large region. We examined fine-scale species-area relationships using the extensive database of the Carolina Vegetation Survey (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, USA), in- cluding 1472 plots wherein vascular plant richness was recorded for each of six subplot sizes regularly spaced on a log10 scale, from 0.01 to 1000 m 2 . Contrary to prevailing theory, our data closely and consistently fit an Arrhenius (power law) species-area model, echoing broader-scale patterns. Species accumulation rate (Z) values fell within a narrow range (95% between 0.2 and 0.5) despite a 30-fold range in 1000-m 2 richness. When we added regional- and global-scale richness estimates to our results, a Preston-type triphasic curve emerged. We suggest that (1) fine-scale species-area relationships are remarkably consistent and (2) full-scale species-area curves reveal scale dependencies in diversity data that are not accounted for by current species-area theory.}, number={5}, journal={ECOLOGY}, author={Fridley, JD and Peet, RK and Wentworth, TR and White, PS}, year={2005}, month={May}, pages={1172–1177} } @article{shelingoski_leblond_stucky_wentworth_2005, title={Flora and soils of Wells Savannah, an example of a unique savanna type}, volume={70}, ISSN={["1938-4386"]}, DOI={10.2179/0008-7475(2005)070[0101:fasows]2.0.co;2}, abstractNote={Abstract Wells Savannah is a unique wet pine savanna located in the Lower Coastal Plain of North Carolina. It consists of two utility rights-of-way and a fire-suppressed pond pine (Pinus serotina) woodland. The objectives of this study of Wells Savannah were to characterize its soils, inventory its vascular flora, and compare its soils and flora with those of reference sites. Soil drainage, texture, and redoximorphic features were described at all locations. Wetland indices were calculated to represent the degree to which the plant communities were adapted to wet substrates. We identified 209 species in 107 genera and 48 families at Wells Savannah. Eight community associations were recognized. Wetland indices for Wells Savannah were significantly lower than those for the reference savannas. The unique combination of fine textured, very wet soil and plant species composition present at Wells Savannah has not been identified in previous studies of savannas in the region.}, number={2}, journal={CASTANEA}, author={Shelingoski, S and LeBlond, RJ and Stucky, JM and Wentworth, TR}, year={2005}, month={Jun}, pages={101–114} } @misc{damschen_rosenfeld_wyer_murphy-medley_wentworth_haddad_2005, title={Visibility matters: increasing knowledge of women's contributions to ecology}, volume={3}, ISSN={["1540-9309"]}, DOI={10.2307/3868465}, abstractNote={Frontiers in Ecology and the EnvironmentVolume 3, Issue 4 p. 212-219 Review Visibility matters: increasing knowledge of women's contributions to ecology Ellen I. Damschen, Ellen I. Damschen Dept of Zoology, Campus Box 7617, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617( E-mail: eidamsch@ncsu.edu)Search for more papers by this authorKristen M. Rosenfeld, Kristen M. Rosenfeld Dept of Botany, Campus Box 7612, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7612Search for more papers by this authorMary Wyer, Mary Wyer Dept of Psychology, Campus Box 7650, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7650Search for more papers by this authorDeena Murphy-Medley, Deena Murphy-Medley Dept of Psychology, Campus Box 7650, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7650Search for more papers by this authorThomas R. Wentworth, Thomas R. Wentworth Dept of Botany, Campus Box 7612, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7612Search for more papers by this authorNick M. Haddad, Nick M. Haddad Dept of Zoology, Campus Box 7617, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617( E-mail: eidamsch@ncsu.edu)Search for more papers by this author Ellen I. Damschen, Ellen I. Damschen Dept of Zoology, Campus Box 7617, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617( E-mail: eidamsch@ncsu.edu)Search for more papers by this authorKristen M. Rosenfeld, Kristen M. Rosenfeld Dept of Botany, Campus Box 7612, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7612Search for more papers by this authorMary Wyer, Mary Wyer Dept of Psychology, Campus Box 7650, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7650Search for more papers by this authorDeena Murphy-Medley, Deena Murphy-Medley Dept of Psychology, Campus Box 7650, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7650Search for more papers by this authorThomas R. Wentworth, Thomas R. Wentworth Dept of Botany, Campus Box 7612, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7612Search for more papers by this authorNick M. Haddad, Nick M. Haddad Dept of Zoology, Campus Box 7617, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617( E-mail: eidamsch@ncsu.edu)Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 May 2005 https://doi.org/10.1890/1540-9295(2005)003[0212:VMIKOW]2.0.CO;2Citations: 37Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Recent scholarship about women and science is a good source of material for addressing the under-representation of women in science. This review is the result of an interdisciplinary fusion of science and women's studies to critically assess teaching tools in undergraduate ecology education. We examine: (1) the representation of women and the coverage of social and cultural context in introductory ecology textbooks, and (2) student learning about women's contributions to ecology. Discipline demographics reveal that women are presented in textbooks less often than expected, and that explicit discussions of the social and cultural context of science are rare. When course content is enriched with material about women's contributions, student's awareness of women scientists improves. Such knowledge can play a critical role in proactively challenging students' perceptions of ecology and ecologists, creating a more positive classroom climate for all students, and introducing novel avenues of questioning and discovery. Citing Literature Volume3, Issue4May 2005Pages 212-219 RelatedInformation}, number={4}, journal={FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT}, author={Damschen, EI and Rosenfeld, KM and Wyer, M and Murphy-Medley, D and Wentworth, TR and Haddad, NM}, year={2005}, month={May}, pages={212–219} } @article{gray_wentworth_brownie_2003, title={Extinction, colonization, and persistence of rare vascular flora in the longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem: Responses to fire frequency and population size}, volume={23}, number={3}, journal={Natural Areas Journal}, author={Gray, J. B. and Wentworth, T. R. and Brownie, C.}, year={2003}, pages={210–219} } @article{kelly_wentworth_brownie_2002, title={Scaling species dynamics in Pinus palustris communities: Effects of pine straw raking}, volume={13}, ISSN={["1100-9233"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1654-1103.2002.tb02105.x}, abstractNote={Abstract. In the southeastern USA, harvest of pine straw sometimes involves mechanical raking of natural Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) communities. Little is known about the effects of raking nor how these effects may vary in time and space. In a two yr experiment, we examined the effects of mechanized raking on Pinus palustris dominated communities (scrub oak, dry savanna, and mesic savanna) by monitoring vegetation at seven spatial scales (0.01–100 m2). We measured floristic similarity and the proportion of species initially present that were gained (i.e. new species) or lost during four sampling periods. Relationships between spatial scale and these community attributes were analyzed using a repeated measures approach and functional response curves. Spatial scale clearly affected observed rates of species loss and floristic similarity; losses declined and floristic similarity increased as scale increased. We relate these patterns to expanding population sizes with scale and our inability to detect species reductions in large populations. Scale had little influence on species gains. The effects of raking did not differ across scales, but raking caused greater mean losses of species and greater mean changes in floristic similarity when mean values were calculated over all scales. Raking also increased the mean rate of species gains in the mesic savanna during one period. Otherwise, interaction effects of community and raking were largely absent from both mean values and response curves. Despite significant short‐term effects of raking, changes in species richness were minor.}, number={6}, journal={JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE}, author={Kelly, LA and Wentworth, TR and Brownie, C}, year={2002}, month={Dec}, pages={755–764} } @article{clark_wentworth_dm o'malley_2000, title={Genetic discontinuity revealed by chloroplast microsatellites in eastern North American Abies (Pinaceae)}, volume={87}, ISSN={["1537-2197"]}, DOI={10.2307/2656885}, abstractNote={Development of conservation strategies for Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) in the southern Appalachian Mountains depends in part on recognition of the extent to which Fraser fir is genetically distinct from the closely related balsam (A. balsamea) and intermediate (A. balsamea var. phanerolepis) fir. These sibling species have exhibited intergrading, clinal variation in morphological, chemical, and genetic characteristics in prior research. Chloroplast microsatellite markers were polymerase chain reaction amplified from genomic DNA samples of 78 individuals representing the geographic ranges of Fraser, balsam, and intermediate fir. Gene diversity levels at two loci ranged among taxa from 0.65 to 0.84. Allele frequencies demonstrated significant differentiation among taxa, with RST values of 0.36 and 0.10. Haplotype diversity and D2SH were highest for balsam fir and lowest for intermediate fir. A haplotype network analysis based on allele size distribution for the two loci revealed two distinct clusters of haplotypes and population‐specific haplotypes. Ninety‐two percent of the haplotypes in one cluster were from balsam fir and intermediate fir, and 84% of the haplotypes in the other cluster were from Fraser fir and intermediate fir. The genetic differentiation of chloroplast DNA markers provides justification for the recognition of Fraser fir as a distinct Management Unit (MU) for conservation purposes, regardless of its taxonomic classification.}, number={6}, journal={AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY}, author={Clark, CM and Wentworth, TR and DM O'Malley}, year={2000}, month={Jun}, pages={774–782} } @article{kelly_wentworth_brownie_2000, title={Short-term effects of pine straw raking on plant species richness and composition of longleaf pine communities}, volume={127}, ISSN={["0378-1127"]}, DOI={10.1016/S0378-1127(99)00133-4}, abstractNote={Pine straw is commonly used as landscaping material throughout the southeastern USA, but little is known regarding the effects of raking and removal of straw in natural longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) communities. In a 2–year experiment, we tested the effects of community type (scrub oak, dry savanna, and mesic savanna) and number of mechanized rakings (0–4 times over a 2-year period) on species richness and floristic composition of vascular plants at spatial scales of 1 and 100 m2. Multiple rakings caused richness to decline in the scrub oak community (1 m2) and to increase in the more heavily-vegetated mesic savanna (1 and 100 m2). Changes in richness were not proportional to the number of rakings, perhaps because (1) vegetation injury was minimal, (2) regrowth was possible owing to a largely perennial flora, and (3) the first litter removal removed the greatest amount of vegetation. In the mesic savanna, the only significant decline in richness, relative to initial values, occurred immediately after the first raking. Some seasonal variations were observed in species richness and in the quantity of vegetation removed by raking. Although raking may selectively injure shrubs and wiregrass, raking did not allow the introduction of non-native plants and generally had little effect on floristic composition.}, number={1-3}, journal={FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT}, author={Kelly, LA and Wentworth, TR and Brownie, C}, year={2000}, month={Mar}, pages={233–247} } @article{peet_wentworth_white_1998, title={A flexible, multipurpose method for recording vegetation composition and structure}, volume={63}, number={3}, journal={Castanea}, author={Peet, R. K and Wentworth, T. R. and White, P. S.}, year={1998}, pages={262–274} } @article{small_wentworth_1998, title={Characterization of montane cedar-hardwood woodlands in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge provinces of North Carolina}, volume={63}, number={3}, journal={Castanea}, author={Small, C. J. and Wentworth, T. R.}, year={1998}, pages={241–261} }