Copyright (c) 2009 University of Nebraska - Lincoln All rights reserved. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch Recent documents in Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences en-us Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:41:42 PDT 3600 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/830 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/830 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:04:28 PDT There I was, happily enjoying retirement, getting to read what I wanted, and come to the office when I wanted. Then in late February 2004, the Director of the Center for Great Plains Studies (CGPS) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dr. Jim Stubbendieck, called me and asked if I would consider accepting the job of editor of Great Plains Research. I considered the offer and quickly accepted. In the brief time that I have been on the job I have gotten to know some of the staff at the CGPS and have found them to be easy to work with and very helpful. I look forward to continuing to help them to produce the fine journal, Great Plains Research, and to improve its already excellent quality. I encourage all scholars working on studies in the Great Plains to consider submitting their manuscripts to us for possible publication in our journals. Robert F. Diffendal http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/829 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/829 Wed, 06 May 2009 11:34:21 PDT George W. Beadle-1958 Nobel Prize winner, giant of the order Isaac Newton had in mind when he wrote of standing on the shoulders of scientific predecessors- provided the first compelling evidence that the units of inheritance we call genes perform their function in sustaining life by encoding information to produce myriad biochemical catalysts called enzymes. The story of Beadle's life and his development of the "one gene-one enzyme" hypothesis is elegantly laid out by Paul Berg and Maxine Singer in this scholarly and engrossing biography. Through the authors' nimble guidance, we discover an "uncommon farmer" indeed, one whose talent and tenacity provided exceptional service to science, education, and his country. Donald Weeks http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/828 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/828 Wed, 06 May 2009 11:34:19 PDT Many people never visit the vast grasslands of the midcontinent, or they cross it with scant attention, speeding down major highways to the more stunning scenery of the Rockies or coastlines. Common perceptions focus on the seemingly boring topography (relatively fiat), near-constant winds, and extreme temperatures. But Wayne Lynch's book of photographs and evocative text captures the subtle, dynamic beauty of the prairie landscape and provides fascinating details about the plants and animals that live there, making even those familiar with this landscape want to look more closely. Jane Austin http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/827 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/827 Wed, 06 May 2009 11:34:16 PDT In this short book the Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America (CEC) outlines its vision for conserving the central grasslands. The CEC is a trinational organization created under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC) by Canada, Mexico, and the United States to address regional environmental concerns. David Gibson http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/826 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/826 Wed, 06 May 2009 11:34:14 PDT Four primary phases to an ecosystem cycle involve the release of carbon, energy, and nutrients by insects, fire, grazing or other agents; reorganization of the primary resources by pioneer species; exploitation of resources (succession) and redevelopment of more complex ecological relationships; and storage (climax) of resources until an ecological driver initiates a new phase. Fred Samson http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/825 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/825 Wed, 06 May 2009 11:34:12 PDT As pointed out in the volume's introduction, biological weed control is an increasingly important tool for managing invasive plants on public and private lands at a time when this strategy is under increasing scrutiny over real (and perceived) threats to native pants and ecosystems. The volume updates and expands upon Biological Control of Weeds in the West (1996) and should be considered an essential reference for policy makers, land managers, students, and researchers involved with biological weed control throughout North America. Andrew Norton http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/824 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/824 Wed, 06 May 2009 11:34:10 PDT Field guides serve multiple purposes. They are windows into the identities and attributes of a subset of biota. At their best they are also primers of patterns of biodiversity, ecological relationships, and conservation issues and serve as entry points for kindling interest in natural sciences and conservation. Douglas Ladd http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/823 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/823 Wed, 06 May 2009 11:34:08 PDT Wildflowers of Montana is in the stack of books I take on botanizing expeditions. At bedtime one or two pages read as I fall asleep ends the day nicely. The book is well designed as a quick reference to 350 of Montana's best flowering plants. Clayton McCracken http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/822 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/822 Wed, 06 May 2009 11:34:05 PDT Consider the fact that approximately 80% of the species listed as endangered or threatened in the United States rely in part or completely on privately owned lands for their survival. For residents of the Great Plains, this statement certainly rings true. Most Great Plains states have public land ownership percentages below 10%, ranking among the lowest in the nation. And although we lack the abundance of listed species "enjoyed" by some of our neighbors, those we do have could not possibly subsist on the scattered fragments of suitable habitat found on public lands. Species-at-risk conservation, in the Great Plains especially, requires a means to engage the support and cooperation of private landowners. How to do so, using a variety of economic incentives mixed with Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulation, forms the focus of this very practical text. Mace Hack http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/821 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/greatplainsresearch/821 Wed, 06 May 2009 11:34:03 PDT Since 1989, biologists and conservationists have become concerned about the worldwide decline of amphibians, especially frogs. What species are declining? Where? Why? What can we do about it? These questions, easy to ask but difficult to answer, are broadly addressed in this thick tome containing the contributions of 215 individuals, many of whom have spent years gathering information pertinent to their discussions. The book is divided into two major parts-"Conservation Essays" and "Species Accounts." In the former are essays on declines, causes, conservation, education, surveys, and monitoring. Each species account of an amphibian known from the United States has sections on historical versus current distribution and abundance, life history, and conservation. William Duellman