Treesearch

Vegetation and soil samples were collected from a uranium mill tailings site and control sites in South Dakota. Uranium concentrations in soils from the mill tailings averaged 13.3 [micro]g g-1 compared to 5.1 [micro]g g-1 in soils from control sites. 226Ra concentrations in soils averaged 111.0 pCi g-1 and 1.8 pCi g-1 from the mill tailings and control sites, respectively. Uranium concentrations in plants from the mill tailings averaged 3.6 x 10-1 [micro]g g-1, but only 3.4 [micro]g g-1 from control sites. 226Ra in plants from the mill tailings averaged 2.9 pCi g-1 compared to 3.7 x 10-2...

Hosts, distribution, symptoms and signs, disease cycle, and control measures are described for 46 hardwood and 15 conifer diseases. Diseases in which abiotic agents are contributory factors also are described. Color and black-and-white illustrations that stress diagnosis and control are provided. A glossary of technical terms and indexes to hosts, pathogens, and insect vectors also are included.

Measurement of gamma radiation using thermoluminescent dosimeters on three uranium mill tailings areas and a control area showed exposure rates below ground depended on the amount and type of soil covering. Covering tailings with 30 cm of shale and 60 cm of topsoil reduced gamma radiation exposure belowground to rates similar to the control area. Soil covering of 30 cm was adequate to reduce gamma radiation exposure rates aboveground to background levels. Gamma exposure rates to small mammals were correlated to measurements belowground near the surface. Gamma radiation exposure to small...

In western South Dakota, native deciduous woodlands are uncommon, constituting less than 1% of the total land area (Boldt et al. 1978). The Green Ash/Common Chokecherry (Fraxinus pennsylvanica/Prunus virginiana) habitat type is the major deciduous habitat type in northwestern South Dakota (Hansen and Hoffman 1985). This type occurs in depressions, draws, and along streams where favorable moisture conditions prevail. In many areas, Green Ash woodlands are in serious decline (Boldt et al. 1978). Stands in late stages of decline (referred to as open-canopy stands) are characterized by sparse...

Vegetation, small rodents, and birds were sampled during the growing seasons of 2 years on prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies and adjacent mixed-grass prairie in western South Dakota. Prairie dog grazing decreased mulch cover, maximum height of vegetation, plant species richness, and tended to decrease live plant canopy cover compared to that on ungrazed mixed-grass prairie. Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) was the dominant plant on prairie dog towns and western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) were most common on mixed-grass prairie sites....

Describes BURN Subsystem, Part 1, the operational fire behavior prediction subsystem of the BEHAVE fire behavior prediction and fuel modeling system. The manual covers operation of the computer program, assumptions of the mathematical models used in the calculations, and application of the predictions.

Provides information on use of prescribed fire to enhance productivity of bunchgrass ranges that have been invaded by Douglas-fir. Six vegetative "situations" representative of treatment opportunities most commonly encountered in Montana are discussed. Included are fire prescription considerations and identification of the resource objective, fire objective, kind of fire needed, and fuels.

An extinction index is developed to describe the marginal burning state of free burning surface fires in porous beds of woody fuels. The index depends on the fuel surface area, fuel moisture content, endothermic heat of pyrolysis, and the heat of combustion of the pyrolyzate gases. Extinction and marginal burning state probability distribution functions are fitted to data from 470 test fires.

Relationships for predicting duff reduction, mineral soil exposure, and consumption of downed woody fuel were determined to assist in planning prescribed fires. Independent variables included lower and entire duff moisture contents, loadings of downed woody fuels, duff depth, National Fire-Danger Rating System 1,000-hour moisture content, and Canadian Duff Moisture Codes. Results apply to a number of mesic forest cover types.

This report provides an overview of the research done on the Fraser Experimental Forest. It replaces GTR's no. 40 and 40A by Robert R. Alexander and Ross K. Watkins in 1977. Included are descriptions of physical features and resources, highlights of past and current research, and the publications derived from that research.