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The eastern gray squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis (EGS) has been introduced to California and has expanded its geographic range since initial introductions. In this study we projected the potential future geographic range of the EGS in California using Maxent to create an ecological niche model. Location data were obtained over the time period of 2004–2015 from museum specimens, wildlife rehabilitation centers, the California Department of Public Health, the California Roadkill Observation System, and non-iNaturalist citizen science observations. Research grade data from iNaturalist was obtained over the time period of 2004–2018. Range and habitat suitability maps were developed by mapping in ArcGIS. Three threshold selection methods were used to create different estimates of the potential future range of the EGS in California. The first method used the 10th percentile logistic threshold, the second used the minimum training presence logistic threshold, and the third used Jenks Natural Breaks. We propose that Jenks Natural Breaks has distinct advantages over the other two methods for estimating the potential future range of the introduced EGS in California, because it provides information on the habitat suitability ranking throughout California, whereas the other methods only provide a binary suitable/unsuitable map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately conveying sustainability status and trends in a way that is understandable to broad audiences is a critical responsibility of state agencies. The difficulty in doing this lies in several important areas: stakeholder involvement, basis in science, selection of representative indicators, scoring relative to social priorities, recognition of uncertainty, and reporting in easily understood formats. The purpose of the study described here was development of a comprehensive system for measuring and reporting water sustainability at water- shed, regional, and state scales. An analytical framework developed to quantify water system sustainability indicators for California was included in the California Water Plan Update 2013 and tested at multiple scales in multiple stakeholder settings. The novel scoring system compares measured condition against desired and undesired target conditions. Indicators were organized according to social goals and more conventional domains (e.g., water supply reliability). Uncertainty was represented as a combination of confidence in the strength of the indicator, natural variation, and measurement error. An online decision support tool was developed to contain an encyclopedia of more than 1,800 sustainability indicators and the results of their use at watershed, regional, and state scales as part of Water Plan Update 2013. The authors conclude that the indicators framework and the online decision support tool can be used in any comparable system in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies Haliotis rufescens larvae juveniles that are capable of feeding on particulate food. How is the metabolic rate measured; What are the materials and methods used in the study; What are the results of the study; Discussion on case study given.

Examines the energy metabolism and amino acid transport during the early development of antarctic and temperate echinoderms. Comparison of the rates of oxygen consumption with the biomass of the egg of each species; Comparison of the temperate and antarctic echinoderms in terms of energy storage and nutrient transport capacities.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is increasing in extent and intensity across the globe. It has been shown to interfere with animal sensory systems, orientation and distribution, with the potential to cause significant ecological impacts. We analysed the locations of 102 mountain lions (Puma concolor) in a light-polluted region in California. We modelled their distribution relative to environmental and human-disturbance variables, including upward radiance (nearby lights), zenith brightness (sky glow) and natural illumination from moonlight. We found that mountain lion probability of presence was highly related to upward radiance, that is, related to lights within approximately 500 m. Despite a general pattern of avoidance of locations with high upward radiance, there were large differences in degree of avoidance among individuals. The amount of light from artificial sky glow was not influential when included together with upward radiance in the models, and illumination from moonlight was not influential at all. Our results suggest that changes in visibility associated with lunar cycles and sky glow are less important for mountain lions in their selection of light landscapes than avoiding potential interactions with humans represented by the presence of nearby lights on the ground. This article is part of the theme issue 'Light pollution in complex ecological systems'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]