Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: In conflicts between livestock grazing and biodiversity maintenance, native species typically lose out. Such is the case with the plateau pika (Lagomorpha: Ochotona curzoniae), a small mammal endemic to the high alpine grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau. In spite of mounting evidence pointing to their keystone status, plateau pikas are extensively poisoned throughout their range. The underlying assumption of this strategy is that eliminating pikas will improve forage quality for domestic yak and sheep. However, burrowing and foraging by pikas may also positively impact ecosystem health by stimulating plant growth, increasing species diversity, and providing habitat for rare fauna and flora. This study examines the ecological impact of pikas and their burrows on plant communities in eastern Qinghai Province, People’s Republic of China. Results indicate that pika disturbance increases plant species diversity at the landscape level, and alters community composition across multiple spatial scales. These findings highlight the need for a more thorough analysis of pika impacts (both positive and negative) on rangeland resources before resorting to pest control measures.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Featuring some of the highest conservation-value forests remaining in North America, Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau also is home to important human communities, often with deep roots and strong pride of place and tradition. The region currently faces widespread and intensive development pressures, particularly for retirement and second home construction on mountaintops and along ridgelines. In response, landowners (both corporate and individuals) are divesting and previously intact tracts of land are being subdivided. Given the significant interest in and unprecedented pressures on the Plateau, an interdisciplinary team from three regional universities facilitated a series of meetings in the Fall of 2005 bringing together stakeholders and decision-makers from local, county, regional, and state levels for dialogue on its challenges and future. The project’s aim was to consider tools that are, or could be, available for shaping the Plateau’s future in accordance with residents’ values and desires, and to encourage innovative action in response to communities’ needs. The final conference had over 100 participants from seventeen different counties, along with regional and state officials. This paper by the project organizers reports on the results of these discussions, subsequent major conservation efforts in the region, and offers our own policy proposals following from them.

Publication Type: Presentation Proposal
Abstract: The Bioregional Outdoor Education Project is delivering EE to K-8 schools on the Colorado Plateau using a Roving Teacher Education/Mentoring delivery system. Participants will gain practical ideas on how to adopt this model for schools/classrooms. Supporting data is incorporated.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Fang Yun1, , Sun Y.-H.1,Tang Songhua1* W. Scherzinger2 ,S. Klaus3

The woodland aside the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are proofed as a very important hotspot of biodiversity. Several endemic bird species or subspecies are distributed in the coniferous forest of the high mountains, such as Chinese grouse (Bonasa sewerzowi), Sichuan jay (Perisoreus internigrans), Snowy-cheeked Laughingthrush (Garrulax sukatschewi), Sichuan wood owl (Strix davidi) and Tengmalm’s owl (Aegolius funereus beickianus). Due to intensive logging, grazing and other human activities in former times, the remaining patches of old growth forest became isolated and fragmented. We studied the basic ecology and habitat requirements of these endemic birds in western China, and started a conservation project in cooperation with European researchers. In addition we used satellite image analysis to study the extent of distribution and fragmentation of the woodland.

Our results showed that the endemic birds in our study area in “Lian Hua Shan Nature Reserve”/Province of Gansu, are quite endangered by the high degree of fragmentation. In consequence we provide conservation suggestions for the protection of the locally endemic bird fauna. Due to high altitude (2,300-3,500m) and a relatively dry continental climate, the restoration of habitats is difficult, and will last for several decades.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: The Cumberland Plateau of Alabama is dominated by oak-hickory forests that host one of the most diverse wildlife communities in USA. Timber harvesting and other disturbances are changing the composition and structure at stand and landscape levels. Using a field experiment of various shelterwood methods and clearcutting for regenerating oak-hickory forests, we examined the habitat and environmental changes in relation to forest management practices, and the relationship between management practices and herpetofaunal and avian biodiversity at stand level and matrix (landscape) levels. Different forest management practices created variations of environment and wildlife habitat from open canopies with abundant herbaceous and woody vegetation and warm and dry daytime conditions on clearcuts to more closed canopy stands dominated by leaf litter with cool and more humid conditions on controls. At stand level, the intermediate shelterwood treatments had higher alpha diversity than that of controls and clearcuts; at matrix level, the beta diversity of the wildlife species increased with introduction of the various treatments. Changing forest stand structure introduced some species that did not occur on the control stands and affected relative abundance of different species. Using the Whittaker approach, we examined species rank and abundance relationships at both stand and landscape levels, and modeled the biodiversity changes based on different landscape matrix.