Name: simulating impacts of ice storms on forest ecosystems
Uploaded: 2020-06-30T14:30:00.000Z
Duration: 6 min 27 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

north-carolina-k-12-science-standard-course-of-study

NC K-12 Science Standard Course of Study

9-12

Earth and Environmental Science

Earth and Human Activity

ESS.EES.6.2

simulating-impacts-of-ice-storms-on-forest-ecosystems

Simulating Impacts of Ice Storms on Forest Ecosystems

Funding for this research was provided by the National Science Foundation (DEB-1457675). We thank the many participants in the Ice Storm Experiment (ISE) who helped with the ice application and associated field and laboratory work, especially Geoff Schwaner, Gabe Winant, and Brendan Leonardi. This manuscript is a contribution of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study. Hubbard Brook is part of the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) network, which is supported by the National Science Foundation (DEB-1633026). The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest is operated and maintained by the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Madison, WI.&#160;Video and images are by Jim Surette and Joe Klementovich, courtesy of the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation.

1. Develop the experimental design
<ol>
	<li>Determine the intensity and frequency of icing based on realistic values.</li>
	<li>Determine the size and shape of the plots.
	<ol>
		<li>If the goal is to evaluate tree responses, select a plot size that is large enough to include multiple trees and most of their root systems, which varies depending on factors such as tree species and age.</li>
		<li>For safety purposes, design the plots so that the entire plot area can be sprayed from outside the boundary.</li>
		<li>Space plots far enough apart (e.g., 10 m) so that a treatment in one plot does not affect another.</li>
		<li>Establish a buffer zone (e.g., 5 m) around plots to reduce edge effects and ensure a more even distribution of the ice coverage.</li>
		<li>Establish subplots within the larger plots for specific sampling needs.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Decide on the number of replicate plots.</li>
</ol>
2. Select and establish a study location
<ol>
	<li>Select a homogeneous forest stand with similar features, such as tree species composition, soils, lithology, and hydrology.</li>
	<li>Select a location for the application in an area where there is access to a water source during winter.</li>
	<li>Ensure that the supply of water is adequate for the ice application based on the pump rate and other factors such as the diameter of the hose, length of hose, nozzle used, and water pressure.</li>
	<li>Mark the boundary of the plots, buffer zone, and subplots.</li>
	<li>Conduct a complete forest inventory with descriptions of tree health conditions including assessments of dead, dying and damaged trees. Additionally, record any potential stressors (e.g., evidence of insect damage or disease) to help interpret the response to the ice treatment.</li>
	<li>If using UTVs to spray water, create passable trails along the sides of the plots while being careful to minimize disturbance.</li>
	<li>Once the plots are established, randomly assign a treatment to each plot and type of sampling that will be conducted in each subplot (e.g., coarse woody debris, fine litter, soil samples).</li>
</ol>
3. Timing of the application
<ol>
	<li>Select an appropriate window of time to perform the spraying.</li>
	<li>Perform the experiment when the weather conditions are conducive (e.g., when air temperature is less than -4 &#176;C and wind speed is less than 5 m/s).</li>
	<li>If spraying at night, deploy high powered lights around the edge of plots and run them on generators if electricity is not available.</li>
</ol>
4. Set up the water supply
<ol>
	<li>Set up a supply pump at the water source and connect a suction hose.</li>
	<li>Connect a strainer to the end of the suction hose to keep debris out of the lines.</li>
	<li>Break through any surface ice and fully submerge the strainer. The minimum depth of the water supply should be about 20 cm.</li>
	<li>Place a booster pump in the bed of a UTV to improve water pressure. In some cases, a booster pump may not be necessary, especially for low-stature vegetation.</li>
	<li>Run a firefighting hose from the supply pump to the booster pump.</li>
	<li>Use a fire-fighting monitor to enable safe, manual control over the high-pressure hose. The monitor can be free standing or mounted on the back of a UTV.</li>
	<li>Avoid situations that may interrupt the flow of water such as kinks in the hose, water drawdown at the supply source, and running out of gasoline for the pumps.</li>
</ol>
5. Creating the ice
<ol>
	<li>Create ice by spraying water vertically through gaps in the canopy. Make sure the water extends above the height of the canopy so that it is deposited vertically and freezes on contact with sub-freezing surfaces. Avoid stripping branches and bark from trees as water is sprayed upwards.</li>
	<li>Evenly distribute spray over the forest canopy by slowly driving the UTV back-and-forth along the edge of the application area. If free-standing monitors are used, move these manually to ensure that the coverage is even.</li>
	<li>Keep track of the timing of the application to help determine factors such as the weather conditions during application and the volume of water sprayed.</li>
</ol>
6. Measure ice accretion
<ol>
	<li>Make ground-based caliper measurements of radial ice thickness on lower-level branches or twigs near the edge of the application area to monitor ice accretion during application and determine when the target thickness has been attained.</li>
	<li>Obtain more accurate estimates of ice accretion with passive ice collectors after the application (Figure 1).
	<ol>
		<li>Before the application, construct passive ice collectors with two dowels oriented on three cardinal axes30 to create collectors with six component arms.</li>
		<li>Cut 2.54 cm dowels at a length of 30 cm.</li>
		<li>Join the dowels with a 6-way steel connector.</li>
		<li>Use an arborist throw weight to string parachute cord over sturdy branches that can withstand the ice load.</li>
		<li>Attach the passive ice collectors to the cord and raise them up into the canopy.</li>
		<li>Once the application is completed, lower the collectors to the ground, being careful not to lose any ice from the collector.</li>
		<li>Make vertical and horizontal measurements of ice thickness with calipers at multiple locations on the collector (e.g., three vertical and three horizontal measurements at three locations along each arm) before and immediately after ice application.</li>
		<li>Calculate ice thickness on each collector as the difference between the measurements before and after the application.</li>
		<li>To determine ice thickness with the water volume method, use a reciprocating saw to cut each dowel.</li>
		<li>Bring the dowels to a heated building, place them in buckets, and let the ice melt off at room temperature.</li>
		<li>Measure the volume of meltwater with a graduated cylinder.</li>
		<li>Calculate ice thickness based on the water volume and density of ice31.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
7. Safety considerations
<ol>
	<li>Stay well outside of the ice treatment area during spraying because ice loads can cause branches and limbs to break and fall.</li>
	<li>Wear hard hats or helmets to provide protection while the ice is being applied and during any sampling that occurs in the treated area after the application.</li>
	<li>Use a monitor to stabilize the hose during spraying.</li>
	<li>Dress appropriately for hazardous conditions and sub-freezing weather. Wear bright, visible clothing. Be prepared to spend long periods in wet, cold conditions by wearing rain gear and layers of warm clothes. Bring multiple changes of clothes, especially for personnel who are designated to spray.</li>
	<li>If working in a remote location, set up a temporary warming tent equipped with a portable heater.</li>
	<li>Allow personnel to have adequate time for breaks, changing out of wet clothes, and addressing problems that arise with equipment, etc.</li>
	<li>Use radios to communicate among personnel during the experiment. Maintain contact with personnel at a base station.</li>
	<li>Develop a safety plan in case of medical emergencies. Have medical personnel (e.g., Emergency Medical Technicians) and emergency equipment and supplies on site during the experiment.</li>
</ol>

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</ol>

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It is critical to perform experimental simulations of ice storms under appropriate weather conditions to ensure their success. In a previous study30, we found that the optimal conditions for spraying are when air temperatures are below -4 &#176;C and wind speeds are less than 5 m/s. Natural ice storms most commonly occur when air temperatures are slightly less than freezing (-1 to 0 &#176;C), and although the ideal temperatures for ice storm simulations are colder, they are still within the temper...

Ice storms are an important natural disturbance that can have both short- and long-term impacts on the environment and society. Intense ice storms are problematic because they damage trees and crops, disrupt utilities, and impair roads and other infrastructure1,2. The hazardous conditions that ice storms create can cause accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities2. Ice storms are costly; financial losses average $313 million per year in the United States (US)3, with some individual storms exceeding $1 billion4. In forest ecosystems, ice storms can have negative consequences including reduced growth and tree mortality5,6,7, increased risk of fire, and proliferation of pests and pathogens8,9,10. They can also have positive effects on forests, such as enhanced growth of surviving trees5 and increased biodiversity11. Improving our ability to predict impacts from ice storms will enable us to better prepare for and respond to these events.
Ice storms occur when a layer of moist air, that is above freezing, overrides a layer of subfreezing air closer to the ground. Rain falling from the warmer layer of air supercools as it passes through the cold layer, forming glaze ice when deposited on sub-freezing surfaces. In the US, this thermal stratification can result from synoptic weather patterns that are characteristic of specific regions12,13. Freezing rain is most commonly caused by Arctic fronts that move southeastward across the US ahead of strong anticyclones13. In some regions, topography contributes to the atmospheric conditions necessary for ice storms through cold air damming, a meteorological phenomenon that occurs when warm air from an incoming storm overrides cold air that becomes entrenched alongside a mountain range14,15.
In the US, ice storms are most common in the &#8220;ice belt&#8221; that extends from Maine to western Texas16,17. Ice storms also occur in a relatively small region of the Pacific Northwest, especially around the Columbia River Basin of Washington and Oregon. Much of the US experiences at least some freezing rain, with the greatest amounts in the Northeast where the most ice prone areas have a median of seven or more freezing rain days (days during which at least one hourly observation of freezing rain occurred) annually16. Many of these storms are relatively minor, although more intense ice storms do occur, albeit with much longer recurrence intervals. For example, in New England, the range in radial ice thickness is 19 to 32 mm for storms with a 50-year recurrence interval18. Empirical evidence indicates that ice storms are becoming more frequent at northern latitudes and less frequent to the south19,20,21. This trend is expected to continue based on computer simulations using future climate change projections22,23. However, the lack of data and physical understanding make it more difficult to detect and project trends in ice storms than other types of extreme events24.
Since major ice storms are relatively rare, they are challenging to study. It is difficult to predict when and where they will occur, and it is generally impractical to &#8220;chase&#8221; storms for research purposes. Consequently, most ice storm studies have been unplanned post hoc assessments occurring in the wake of major storms. This research approach is not ideal because of the inability to collect baseline data before a storm. Additionally, it can be difficult to find unaffected areas for comparison with damaged areas when ice storms cover a large geographic extent. Rather than waiting for natural storms to occur, experimental approaches may offer advantages because they enable close control over the timing and intensity of icing events and allow for appropriate reference conditions to clearly evaluate effects.
Experimental approaches also pose challenges, especially in forested ecosystems. The height and width of trees and the canopy makes them difficult to experimentally manipulate, as compared to lower-stature grasslands or shrublands. Additionally, disturbance from ice storms is diffuse, both vertically through the forest canopy and across the landscape, which is difficult to simulate. We know of only one other study that attempted to simulate ice storm impacts in a forest ecosystem25. In this case, a rifle was used to remove up to 52% of the crown in a loblolly pine stand in Oklahoma. Although this method produced results that are characteristic of ice storms, it is not effective at removing larger branches and does not cause the trees to bend over, which is common with natural ice storms. While no other experimental methods have been used to study ice storms specifically, there are some parallels between our approach and other types of forest disturbance manipulations. For example, gap dynamics have been studied by felling individual trees26, forest pest invasions by girdling trees27, and hurricanes by pruning28 or pulling down whole trees with a winch and cable29. Of these approaches, pruning most closely imitates ice storm impacts but is labor intensive and costly. The other approaches cause mortality of whole trees, rather than the partial breakage of limbs and branches that is typical of natural ice storms.
The protocol described in this paper is useful for closely mimicking natural ice storms and involves spraying water over the forest canopy during sub-freezing conditions to simulate glaze ice events. The method offers advantages over other means because the damage can be distributed relatively evenly throughout forests over a large area with less effort than pruning or downing whole trees. Additionally, the amount of ice accretion can be regulated through the volume of water applied and by selecting a time to spray when weather conditions are conducive for optimal ice formation. This novel and relatively inexpensive experimental approach enables control over the intensity and frequency of icing, which is essential for identifying critical ecological thresholds in forest ecosystems.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Booster pump</td><td>Waterax</td><td>BB-4-23P</td><td>401 L min&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; maximum flow; 30.3 bar maximum pressure</td></tr><tr><td>Firefighting hose</td><td>ATI Forest Products</td><td>Forest-Lite G55H1F50N</td><td>3.8 cm diameter, polyester, single jacket</td></tr><tr><td>Monitor (ground placement)</td><td>Task Force Tips</td><td>Blitzfire XX111A</td><td>2000 L min&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; maximum flow; fits 3.8 cm hose</td></tr><tr><td>Monitor (UTV mount)</td><td>Potter Roemer</td><td>Fire Pro FP1S-125</td><td>1325 L min&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; maximum flow; fits 3.8 cm hose</td></tr><tr><td>Nozzle</td><td>Crestar</td><td>ST2675</td><td>Smooth bore; double stacked; 3.8 cm intake; 1.3 cm orifice</td></tr><tr><td>Strainer</td><td>Northern Tool</td><td>107902</td><td>7.6 cm hose fitting, 17.6 cm outside diameter</td></tr><tr><td>Suction hose</td><td>JGB Enterprises</td><td>A007-0489-1615</td><td>7.6 cm diameter; 4.6 m long</td></tr><tr><td>Water pump</td><td>NorthStar</td><td>106471E</td><td>665 L min&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;; fits 7.6 cm hose</td></tr></tbody></table>

simulating impacts of ice storms on forest ecosystems

Ice storms can have profound and lasting effects on the structure and function of forest ecosystems in regions that experience freezing conditions. Current models suggest that the frequency and intensity of ice storms could increase over the coming decades in response to changes in climate, heightening interest in understanding their impacts. Because of the stochastic nature of ice storms and difficulties in predicting when and where they will occur, most past investigations of the ecological effects of ice storms have been based on case studies following major storms. Since intense ice storms are exceedingly rare events it is impractical to study them by waiting for their natural occurrence. Here we present a novel alternative experimental approach, involving the simulation of glaze ice events on forest plots under field conditions. With this method, water is pumped from a stream or lake and sprayed above the forest canopy when air temperatures are below freezing. The water rains down and freezes upon contact with cold surfaces. As the ice accumulates on trees, the boles and branches bend and break; damage that can be quantified through comparisons with untreated reference stands. The experimental approach described is advantageous because it enables control over the timing and amount of ice applied. Creating ice storms of different frequency and intensity makes it possible to identify critical ecological thresholds necessary for predicting and preparing for ice storm impacts.

An ice storm simulation was performed in a 70‒100 year-old northern hardwood forest at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in central New Hampshire (43° 56′ N, 71° 45′ W). The stand height is approximately 20 m and the dominant tree species in the area of the ice application are American beech (Fagus grandifolia), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), red maple (Acer rubrum) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). Ten 20 m x 30 m plots were established and randomly assigned a treatment. Mo...

Ice storms are important weather events that are challenging to study because of difficulties in predicting their occurrence. Here, we describe a novel method for simulating ice storms that involves spraying water over a forest canopy during sub-freezing conditions.

Ice storms can have profound and lasting effects on the structure and function of forest ecosystems in regions that experience freezing conditions. ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Environment

mass production of genetically modified aedes aegypti for field releases in brazil

mass-production-genetically-modified-aedes-aegypti-for-field-releases

Mass Production of Genetically Modified Aedes aegypti for Field Releases in Brazil

To achieve population suppression of Aedes aegypti using the RIDL® (Release of Insects carrying a Dominant Lethal) system, large numbers of male mosquitoes need to be released. This requires the use of mass rearing techniques and technology to provide reliable systems to obtain the maximum number of high quality male mosquitoes.

determination of microbial extracellular enzyme activity in waters, soils, and sediments using high throughput microplate assays

determination-microbial-extracellular-enzyme-activity-waters-soils

Determination of Microbial Extracellular Enzyme Activity in Waters, Soils, and Sediments using High Throughput Microplate Assays

Microplate based procedures are described for the colorimetric or fluorometric analysis of extracellular enzyme activity. These procedures allow for the rapid assay of such activity in large numbers of environmental samples within a manageable time frame.

a noninvasive method for in situ determination of mating success in female american lobsters (homarus americanus)

a-noninvasive-method-for-situ-determination-mating-success-female

A Noninvasive Method For In situ Determination of Mating Success in Female American Lobsters (Homarus americanus)

Fishery-induced changes to exploited crustacean fisheries, such as the American lobster fishery, could potentially influence their reproductive dynamics, leading to a reduction in mating success. This study's goal was to develop a noninvasive method for ascertaining the mating success of female lobsters that may be physiologically or functionally mature.

methods for performing crosses in setaria viridis, a new model system for the grasses

methods-for-performing-crosses-setaria-viridis-new-model-system-for

Methods for Performing Crosses in Setaria viridis, a New Model System for the Grasses

We have developed a methodology for performing crosses in Setaria viridis (S. viridis).  The method involves pruning the panicle prior to a hot water treatment to kill viable pollen.  Crosses are performed following a well-controlled growth regime and typically result in the recovery of 1 to 7 cross-pollinated seed/s per panicle.

analysis of fatty acid content and composition in microalgae

analysis-of-fatty-acid-content-and-composition-in-microalgae

Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae

A method for the determination of fatty acid content and composition in microalgae based on mechanical cell disruption, solvent based lipid extraction, transesterification, and quantification and identification of fatty acids using gas chromatography is described. A tripentadecanoin internal standard is used to compensate for the possible losses during extraction and incomplete transesterification.

surface renewal: an advanced micrometeorological method for measuring and processing field-scale energy flux density data

surface-renewal-an-advanced-micrometeorological-method-for-measuring

Surface Renewal: An Advanced Micrometeorological Method for Measuring and Processing Field-Scale Energy Flux Density Data

Surface renewal is a micrometeorological method that is being used increasingly to determine energy fluxes, but its technical complexity makes it inaccessible to a broad audience. We describe the steps needed to set up and calibrate a surface renewal field station, to acquire and process data, and to correctly interpret results.

a rapid and efficient method for assessing pathogenicity of ustilago maydis on maize and teosinte lines

a-rapid-efficient-method-for-assessing-pathogenicity-ustilago-maydis

A Rapid and Efficient Method for Assessing Pathogenicity of Ustilago maydis on Maize and Teosinte Lines

The use of a needle injection method to inoculate maize and teosinte plants with the biotrophic pathogen Ustilago maydis is described.  The needle injection inoculation method facilitates the controlled delivery of the fungal pathogen in between the plant leaves where the pathogen enters the plant through the formation of appresoria. This method is highly efficient, enabling reproducible inoculations with U. maydis.

optimize flue gas settings to promote microalgae growth in photobioreactors via computer simulations

optimize-flue-gas-settings-to-promote-microalgae-growth

Optimize Flue Gas Settings to Promote Microalgae Growth in Photobioreactors via Computer Simulations

Flue gas from power plants is a cheap CO2 source for algal growth. We have built prototype "flue gas to algal cultivation" systems and described how to scale up the algal cultivation process. We have demonstrated the use of a mass-transfer bio-reaction model to simulate and to design the optimal operation of flue gas for the growth of Chlorella sp. in algal photo-bioreactors.

technique for studying arthropod and microbial communities within tree tissues

technique-for-studying-arthropod-microbial-communities-within-tree

Technique for Studying Arthropod and Microbial Communities within Tree Tissues

We provide a technique to preserve intact tree phloem and prepare it for observation.  We create an apparatus called a phloem sandwich that allows for the introduction and observation of arthropods, microbes, and other organisms that inhabit phloem tissues.

waste water derived electroactive microbial biofilms: growth, maintenance, and basic characterization

waste-water-derived-electroactive-microbial-biofilms-growth

Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization

Chronoamperometric growth of anodic electroactive microbial biofilms in a fed-batch reactor using a three-electrode setup, controlled by a potentiostat, is demonstrated. The extracellular electron transfer is characterized using cyclic voltammetry in the presence of the electron donor and in the absence of the electron donor. Fundamental data analysis is demonstrated.

single-plant, sterile microcosms for nodulation and growth of the legume plant medicago truncatula with the rhizobial symbiont sinorhizobium meliloti

single-plant-sterile-microcosms-for-nodulation-growth-legume-plant

Single-plant, Sterile Microcosms for Nodulation and Growth of the Legume Plant Medicago truncatula with the Rhizobial Symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti

Growth of Medicago truncatula plants in symbiosis with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti in individual, sterile microcosms made from standard laboratory plates permits frequent examination of root systems and nodules without compromising sterility. Plants can be maintained in these growth chambers for up to 9 weeks.

high-throughput fluorometric measurement of potential soil extracellular enzyme activities

high-throughput-fluorometric-measurement-potential-soil-extracellular

High-throughput Fluorometric Measurement of Potential Soil Extracellular Enzyme Activities

To measure potential rates of soil extracellular enzyme activities, synthetic substrates that are bound to a fluorescent dye are added to soil samples.  Enzyme activity is measured as the fluorescent dye is released from the substrate by an enzyme-catalyzed reaction, where higher fluorescence indicates more substrate degradation.

helminth collection and identification from wildlife

helminth-collection-and-identification-from-wildlife

Helminth Collection and Identification from Wildlife

Wild animals are commonly parasitized by a wide range of helminths.  The four major types of helminths are “roundworms” (nematodes), “thorny-headed worms” (acanthocephalans), “flukes” (trematodes), and “tapeworms” (cestodes).  Here we describe how helminths are collected from a vertebrate animal and how they are preserved and taxonomically...

optimized negative staining: a high-throughput protocol for examining small and asymmetric protein structure by electron microscopy

optimized-negative-staining-high-throughput-protocol-for-examining

Optimized Negative Staining: a High-throughput Protocol for Examining Small and Asymmetric Protein Structure by Electron Microscopy

More than half of proteins are small proteins (molecular mass &lt;200 kDa) that are challenging for both electron microscope imaging and three-dimensional reconstructions. Optimized negative staining is a robust and high-throughput protocol to obtain high contrast and relatively high resolution (~1 nm) images of small asymmetric proteins or complexes under different physiological conditions.

design and operation of a continuous 13c and 15n labeling chamber for uniform or differential, metabolic and structural, plant isotope labeling

design-operation-continuous-13c-15n-labeling-chamber-for-uniform-or

Design and Operation of a Continuous 13C and 15N Labeling Chamber for Uniform or Differential, Metabolic and Structural, Plant Isotope Labeling

This method explains how to build and operate a continuous 13C and 15N isotope labeling chamber for uniform or differential plant tissue labeling. Representative results from metabolic and structural labeling of Andropogon gerardii are discussed.

a venturi effect can help cure our trees

A Venturi Effect Can Help Cure Our Trees

Compared to the more traditional hole-based methods, most of which require the tree to be drilled, tools with lenticular blades transform the basics of endotherapy easing the closure of the wound and allowing the natural uptake of the solutions.

transient gene expression in tobacco using gibson assembly and the gene gun

transient-gene-expression-tobacco-using-gibson-assembly-gene

Transient Gene Expression in Tobacco using Gibson Assembly and the Gene Gun

This work describes a novel method for selectively targeting subcellular organelles in plants, assayed using the BioRad Gene Gun.

methods for facilitating microbial growth on pulp mill waste streams and characterization of the biodegradation potential of cultured microbes

methods-for-facilitating-microbial-growth-on-pulp-mill-waste-streams

Methods for Facilitating Microbial Growth on Pulp Mill Waste Streams and Characterization of the Biodegradation Potential of Cultured Microbes

Industrial wastes can be collected and modified to analyze microbial growth. Lignocellulose extraction techniques provide components to analyze specific biodegradation ability. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identifies fermentation products of microorganisms grown on pulping waste. These methods determine the metabolic capacity of microorganisms to degrade pulping waste.

transcript and metabolite profiling for the evaluation of tobacco tree and poplar as feedstock for the bio-based industry

transcript-metabolite-profiling-for-evaluation-tobacco-tree-poplar-as

Transcript and Metabolite Profiling for the Evaluation of Tobacco Tree and Poplar as Feedstock for the Bio-based Industry

Plant biomass offers a renewable resource for multiple products, including fuel, feed, food, and a variety of materials. In this paper we investigate the properties of tobacco tree (Nicotiana glauca) and poplar as suitable sources for a biorefinery pipeline.

tracking microbial contamination in retail environments using fluorescent powder - a retail delicatessen environment example

tracking-microbial-contamination-retail-environments-using

Tracking Microbial Contamination in Retail Environments Using Fluorescent Powder - A Retail Delicatessen Environment Example

The overall goal of this study was to demonstrate the potential cross contamination mechanism of foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes in a retail deli setting. This methodology may be applied to a variety of different environments to track pathogen contamination.

colorimetric paper-based detection of escherichia coli, salmonella spp., and listeria monocytogenes from large volumes of agricultural water

colorimetric-paper-based-detection-escherichia-coli-salmonella-spp

Colorimetric Paper-based Detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes from Large Volumes of Agricultural Water

A protocol involving integrated concentration, enrichment, and end-point colorimetric detection of foodborne pathogens in large volumes of agricultural water is presented here.  Water is filtered through Modified Moore Swabs (MMS), enriched with selective or non-selective media, and detection is performed using paper-based analytical devices (µPAD) imbedded with bacterial-indicative colorimetric substrates.

laboratory estimation of net trophic transfer efficiencies of pcb congeners to lake trout (salvelinus namaycush) from its prey

laboratory-estimation-net-trophic-transfer-efficiencies-pcb-congeners

Laboratory Estimation of Net Trophic Transfer Efficiencies of PCB Congeners to Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) from Its Prey

A technique for laboratory estimation of net trophic transfer efficiency of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners to piscivorous fish from their prey is presented. To maximize applicability of the laboratory results to the field, the piscivorous fish should be fed prey fish that are typically eaten in the field.

a technique to screen american beech for resistance to the beech scale insect (cryptococcus fagisuga lind.)

a-technique-to-screen-american-beech-for-resistance-to-beech-scale

A Technique to Screen American Beech for Resistance to the Beech Scale Insect (Cryptococcus fagisuga Lind.)

Beech bark disease is initiated by feeding activities of the beech scale insect that create fungal entry points in the bark. Trees that are resistant to the scale insect are also disease resistant. Here we present the protocol we have developed to screen individual beech trees for beech scale resistance.

design and construction of an urban runoff research facility

design-and-construction-of-an-urban-runoff-research-facility

Design and Construction of an Urban Runoff Research Facility

This paper describes the design, construction, and function of a 1,000 m2 facility containing 24 individual 33.6 m2 field plots equipped for measuring total runoff volumes with time and collection of runoff subsamples at selected intervals for quantification of chemical constituents in the runoff water from simulated home lawns.

experimental protocol for manipulating plant-induced soil heterogeneity

experimental-protocol-for-manipulating-plant-induced-soil

Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity

Understanding the role of environmental heterogeneity in species coexistence has typically focused on types of heterogeneity that are extrinsic to the community’s species composition. We provide novel detailed methods for creating soil heterogeneity treatments using soils subject to plant-soil feedback conditioning, or heterogeneity intrinsic to the community composition.

laboratory-determined phosphorus flux from lake sediments as a measure of internal phosphorus loading

laboratory-determined-phosphorus-flux-from-lake-sediments-as-measure

Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading

Lake eutrophication is a water quality issue worldwide, making the need to identify and control nutrient sources critical. Laboratory determination of phosphorus release rates from sediment cores is a valuable approach for determining the role of internal phosphorus loading and guiding management decisions.

a protocol for conducting rainfall simulation to study soil runoff

a-protocol-for-conducting-rainfall-simulation-to-study-soil-runoff

A Protocol for Conducting Rainfall Simulation to Study Soil Runoff

A rainfall simulator was used to apply a consistent rate of uniform rainfall to packed soil boxes in a study of the fate and transport of urea, a nonpoint source environmental contaminant. Under uniform soil and rainfall conditions, antecedent soil moisture content exerted strong control over urea loss in surface runoff.

expression of recombinant cellulase cel5a from trichoderma reesei in tobacco plants

expression-recombinant-cellulase-cel5a-from-trichoderma-reesei

Expression of Recombinant Cellulase Cel5A from Trichoderma reesei in Tobacco Plants

Tobacco plants were used to produce a fungal cellulase, TrCel5A, via a transient expression system. The expression could be monitored using a fluorescent fusion protein, and the protein activity was characterized post-expression.

evaluation of integrated anaerobic digestion and hydrothermal carbonization for bioenergy production

evaluation-integrated-anaerobic-digestion-hydrothermal-carbonization

Evaluation of Integrated Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization for Bioenergy Production

A novel Upflow Anaerobic Solid State (UASS) reactor was used for biogas production from fibrous feedstock. Digestate from UASS reactor was hydrothermally carbonized into HTC biochar in a pressurized batch reactor. The integration of the two bioenergy concepts was applied in this study to increase overall bioenergy production.

application of two-spotted spider mite tetranychus urticae for plant-pest interaction studies

application-two-spotted-spider-mite-tetranychus-urticae-for-plant

Application of Two-spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae for Plant-pest Interaction Studies

Protocols for efficient preparation of homogenous samples of spider mites, infestation of experimental plants, and assessment of plant damage, as required for studies of plant-pest interaction were developed.

a small volume procedure for viral concentration from water

a-small-volume-procedure-for-viral-concentration-from-water

A Small Volume Procedure for Viral Concentration from Water

An approach was developed for identifying optimal viral concentration conditions for small volume water samples using spikes of human adenovirus. The techniques described here are used to identify concentration parameters for other viral targets, and applied to large-scale viral concentration experimentation.

multimodal optical microscopy methods reveal polyp tissue morphology and structure in caribbean reef building corals

multimodal-optical-microscopy-methods-reveal-polyp-tissue-morphology

Multimodal Optical Microscopy Methods Reveal Polyp Tissue Morphology and Structure in Caribbean Reef Building Corals

An integrated suite of imaging techniques has been applied to determine polyp morphology and tissue structure in the Caribbean corals Montastraeaannularis and M. faveolata. Fluorescence, serial block face, and two-photon confocal laser scanning microscopy have identified lobate structure, polyp walls, and estimated chromatophore and zooxanthellae densities and distributions.

integrated field lysimetry and porewater sampling for evaluation of chemical mobility in soils and established vegetation

integrated-field-lysimetry-porewater-sampling-for-evaluation-chemical

Integrated Field Lysimetry and Porewater Sampling for Evaluation of Chemical Mobility in Soils and Established Vegetation

Field lysimetry and porewater sampling allow researchers to evaluate the fate of chemicals applied to soils and established vegetation. The goal of this protocol is to demonstrate how to install required instrumentation and collect samples for chemical analysis during integrated field lysimetry and porewater sampling experiments.

measuring fluxes of mineral nutrients and toxicants in plants with radioactive tracers

measuring-fluxes-mineral-nutrients-toxicants-plants-with-radioactive

Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers

In planta measurement of nutrient and toxicant fluxes is essential to the study of plant nutrition and toxicity. Here, we cover radiotracer protocols for influx and efflux determination in intact plant roots, using potassium (K+) and ammonia/ammonium (NH3/NH4+) fluxes as examples. Advantages and limitations of such techniques are discussed.

epa method 1615. measurement of enterovirus and norovirus occurrence in water by culture and rt-qpcr. i. collection of virus samples

epa-method-1615-measurement-enterovirus-norovirus-occurrence-water

EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. I. Collection of Virus Samples

EPA Method 1615 uses an electropositive filter to concentrate enteroviruses and noroviruses in environmental and drinking waters. This manuscript describes the procedure for collecting samples for Method 1615 analyses.

soil sampling and isolation of entomopathogenic nematodes (steinernematidae, heterorhabditidae)

soil-sampling-isolation-entomopathogenic-nematodes-steinernematidae

Soil Sampling and Isolation of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae)

Entomopathogenic nematodes are soil-inhabiting roundworms that parasitize a wide range of insects.  We demonstrate sampling methods used for the isolation of these nematodes from the soil using two techniques: the insect baiting and the modified White trap, for the recovery of nematodes from soil samples and infected insect cadavers, respectively.

measurement of greenhouse gas flux from agricultural soils using static chambers

measurement-greenhouse-gas-flux-from-agricultural-soils-using-static

Measurement of Greenhouse Gas Flux from Agricultural Soils Using Static Chambers

This article showcases the static chamber-based method for measurement of greenhouse gas flux from soil systems. With relatively modest infrastructure investments, measurements may be obtained from multiple treatments/locations and over timeframes ranging from hours to years.

unraveling the unseen players in the ocean - a field guide to water chemistry and marine microbiology

unraveling-unseen-players-ocean-field-guide-to-water-chemistry-marine

Unraveling the Unseen Players in the Ocean - A Field Guide to Water Chemistry and Marine Microbiology

Here, we present a comprehensive protocol to assess the organic and inorganic nutrient availability and the abundance and structure of microbial and viral communities in remote marine environments.

physical, chemical and biological characterization of six biochars produced for the remediation of contaminated sites

physical-chemical-biological-characterization-six-biochars-produced

Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites

Biochar is a carbon-rich material used as a soil amendment with the ability to sustainably sequester carbon, improve substrate quality and sorb contaminants. This protocol describes the 17 analytical methods used for the characterization of biochar, which is required prior to large scale implementation of these amendments in the environment.

modifying the bank erosion hazard index (behi) protocol for rapid assessment of streambank erosion in northeastern ohio

modifying-bank-erosion-hazard-index-behi-protocol-for-rapid

Modifying the Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI) Protocol for Rapid Assessment of Streambank Erosion in Northeastern Ohio

Streambank erosion potential can be evaluated and ranked using David Rosgen’s Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI), however this protocol has significant limitations. Here we present protocol modifications to address time constraints, allow nonprofessionals to complete accurate assessments, and account for non-alluvial stream conditions in Northeast Ohio.

a whole cell bioreporter approach to assess transport and bioavailability of organic contaminants in water unsaturated systems

a-whole-cell-bioreporter-approach-to-assess-transport-bioavailability

A Whole Cell Bioreporter Approach to Assess Transport and Bioavailability of Organic Contaminants in Water Unsaturated Systems

A whole cell bioreporter assay with Burkholderia sartisoli RP037-mChe was developed to detect fractions of an organic contaminant (i.e., fluorene) available for bacterial degradation after active transport by mycelia bridging air-filled pores in a water unsaturated model system.

a technical perspective in modern tree-ring research - how to overcome dendroecological and wood anatomical challenges

a-technical-perspective-modern-tree-ring-research-how-to-overcome

A Technical Perspective in Modern Tree-ring Research - How to Overcome Dendroecological and Wood Anatomical Challenges

Here we present a protocol outlining how to sample wooden specimens for the overall assessment of their growth structures. Macro- and microscopic preparation and visualization techniques necessary to generate well-replicated and highly resolved wood anatomical and dendroecological dataset, are described are described.

detection of foodborne bacterial pathogens from individual filth flies

detection-of-foodborne-bacterial-pathogens-from-individual-filth-flies

Detection of Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens from Individual Filth Flies

A PCR-based protocol was adapted to detect Cronobacter spp., Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes from body surfaces and alimentary canals of individual wild-caught flies. The goal of this protocol is to detect and isolate bacterial pathogens from individual insects collected as part of an environmental sampling program during foodborne outbreak investigations.

a fish-feeding laboratory bioassay to assess the antipredatory activity of secondary metabolites from the tissues of marine organisms

a-fish-feeding-laboratory-bioassay-to-assess-antipredatory-activity

A Fish-feeding Laboratory Bioassay to Assess the Antipredatory Activity of Secondary Metabolites from the Tissues of Marine Organisms

This bioassay employs a model predatory fish to assess the presence of feeding-deterrent metabolites from organic extracts of the tissues of marine organisms at natural concentrations using a nutritionally comparable food matrix.

epa method 1615. measurement of enterovirus and norovirus occurrence in water by culture and rt-qpcr. ii. total culturable virus assay

EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. II. Total Culturable Virus Assay

Here we present a procedure to measure total culturable viruses using the Buffalo Green Monkey kidney cell line. The procedure provides a standardized tool for measuring the occurrence of infectious viruses in environmental and drinking waters.

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