Long-Term Ecological Research on Landscape Development
and Ecological Processes In A Tide-Dominated
Barrier-Lagoon Complex: LTER
NSF Award BSR-8702333 (UVA 5-26676)
FY1 Progress Report
Department of Environmental Sciences
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
804-924-0555
Principal Investigator: R. D. Dueser
Co-Principal Investigators: L. K. Blum
B. P. Hayden
G. M. Hornberger
A. L. Mills
W. K. Nuttle
W. E. Odum
G. F. Oertel (ODU)
H. H. Shugart
J. C. Zieman
Co-Investigators: M. Castagna (VIMS/ES)
R. Dolan
J. J. Murray, Jr.
R. L. Wetzel (VIMS)
May 25, 1988
I. Overview of FY1 (1988)
The first year of NSF/LTER funding for the Virginia Coast
Reserve Long-term Ecological Research Program has been a year of
building, both literally and figuratively. Our major activities
can be summarized under several subject heads:
Program Staffing -- We have recruited two post-doctoral
research assistants and 11 graduate students to the Program, and
have pursued an aggressive "outreach" program of contact with
investigators and administrators at other institutions and
agencies.
Facilities Development -- We have renovated, equipped and
occupied approximately 1,300 square feet of office, laboratory
and student space on the Grounds and approximately 5,500 square
feet of office, laboratory, computing, housing and utility space
at our headquarters on the Eastern Shore.
LTER Activities -- We have taught seven courses related to the
coastal research, given 17 off-Grounds research presentations,
submitted or published 11 papers, submitted nine research
proposals, and planned the forthcoming symposium on the "Biota of
the Virginia Barrier Islands." In addition, the PIs of the
VCR/LTER Program have worked vigorously to become active in LTER
Coordinating Committee activities and inter-site initiatives.
Research Planning -- We have identified and initiated 33 high
priority start-up research projects for the 1988 field season,
each related to one or more of the LTER core topic areas. All of
the core topic areas will be addressed by at least two projects.
FY1 research activities involve eight Principal Investigators,
two Co-Investigators, two post-doctoral research associates,
three collaborating scientists, 11 graduate students and four
undergraduates. Most of the projects designed to begin during FY1
will extend deeply into FY2. Even in advance of the FY1 field
season, we have begun to identify specific issues and concerns
for long-term study.
Relationship with VCR/TNC -- The working relationship between the
VCR/LTER Program and the Virginia Coast Reserve of The Nature
Conservancy has continued to develop during FY1. The VCR
provided the start-up funds required to renovate a TNC property
("The Newman Farm") for use as our Eastern Shore facilities.
Under the terms of a lease agreement between the University and
TNC, the VCR will recoup this expense through a monthly rental
fee on the property. The University and the VCR shared in the
expense of the dedication ceremony held on November 14, 1987. A
standardized "Project Description Form" has been developed to
facilitate communication of research plans and site requirements.
Frequent discussions between Program staff and VCR staff have
facilitated a timely start for several shore-based experiments.
The issue of access to transportation for personnel and equipment
on Hog Island remains under discussion.
II. Program Staffing
A. Data management post-doctoral research associate -- John
H. Porter (Ph.D. University of Virginia) joined the staff on
December 1, 1987. He has designed and assembled four
microcomputer systems for the Program, including identical
advanced microcomputer/Bernoulli systems for data management on
the Grounds and on the Eastern Shore; implemented an internal
electronic mail system linking all of the PIs; developed a D-BASE
software package for collating and cross-referencing LTER Project
Descriptions; assisted in the design of an advanced-capability
geographical information system for the Program; and participated
in planning and experimental design for most of the field and lab
research projects planned for 1988 and 1989.
B. Modelling post-doctoral research associate -- Lenore
Fahrig (Ph.D. University of Toronto) joined the staff on
September 1, 1987. She is working on an innovative scale-
independent modelling approach to disturbance and landscape
dynamics. Several of the 1988 field projects are designed in part
to provide data useful for testing the assumptions and/or
predictions of this model. Lenore also has worked closely with
PIs who are planning marsh studies, to provide strong biological-
modelling input comparable to the physical-modelling expertise in
the group.
C. Secretary -- Ms. Lyndele M. McCain joined the staff as
half-time secretary on November 15, 1987.
D. Remote sensing archivist -- Ms. Susan J. Trossbach (B.S.
University of Virginia) joined the staff on January 15, 1988. She
is responsible for updating and managing the archive of maps,
coastal charts and remotely-sensed imagery.
E. Site manager -- This important staff position remains
unfilled at the outset of the FY1 field season. Our concept of
this position has changed gradually during FY1, from the original
idea of a combination post-doc/site manager to a combination
technician/waterman/site manager. An early, unsuccessful attempt
to fill this position with a post-doctoral research associate in
plant ecology convinced us that we were unlikely to recruit the
caliber of young scientist we need as long as the position
required living full-time on the Eastern Shore and carrying out
the responsibilities that we foresee for the site manager.
Several candidates for the re-defined position have been
identified for interviews this spring and early summer.
F. Students
1. Graduate students -- Nine M.S. and two Ph.D.
students are conducting pilot or thesis research at the
University of Virginia in conjunction with the VCR/LTER Program:
Katherine M. Brosemer (M.S.) -- Hydrologic Controls on
Denitrifier Activity in a Salt Marsh Soil
Laura H. Barr (M.S.) -- Accretion in a Virginia Salt Marsh as
Indicated by Cesium Profiles
Terry L. Cook (Ph.D.) -- Long-term vegetation dynamics on Hog
Island
Mary-Lynn Cummings (M.S.) -- Population Survival in a Stochastic
Environment: The "Principal Components" of Insular Fox Habitat
Michael L. Fetsko (M.S.) -- Effects of Subsurface Hydrology on
the Growth of Salt Marsh Vegetation
Elizabeth A. Forys (M.S.) -- Biogeography of Rodents on the
Virginia Barrier Islands
Beth H. Hussey (M.S.) -- The Measurement of Evapotranspiration in
Tidal Marshes
Bonnie J. Larson (M.S.) -- Conservation Strategies for the
Endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel on a Barrier Island Landscape
Michele M. Monti (M.S.) -- Distribution, Production and Function
of Macroalgae on the Virginia Barrier Islands
Samuel G. Patterson (Ph.D.) -- Salt Marsh Accretion and Erosion
on the Virginia Barrier Islands
Margit Waters-Ray (M.S.) -- Effect of Varying Hydrologic Regimes
on Spartina Decomposition
At least two additional LTER students will matriculate in the
Environmental Sciences graduate program next fall. Two graduate
students are working in conjunction with the Program through a
subcontract to Dr. George F. Oertel at Old Dominion University.
2. Undergraduate students -- Four U.Va. undergraduates
are involved in VCR/LTER activities during 1988: David Giessler,
Margaret A. McManus, Samuel D. Rausch, and Tracye L. Comess.
G. Collaborating scientists -- Several potential VCR/LTER
investigators have been identified through our "outreach" program
during FY1. Discussions and/or active collaboration already is
underway on a number of specific projects:
Dr. Frank P. Day -- ecosystem ecology, Old Dominion University
Mr. James M. Hill -- avian ecology, Maryland Natural Heritage
Program, Annapolis. Active collaboration.
Dr. Suzanne M. Jenkins -- wildlife epidemiology, Virginia State
Department of Health, Richmond. Active collaboration.
Dr. Mark W. Luckenbach -- marine benthic ecology, Virginia
Institute of Marine Science
Dr. R. Wayne Tyndall -- coastal plant ecology, Maryland Natural
Heritage Program, Annapolis.
Dr. Monica Turner -- consumer ecology and ecological modelling,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Dr. Donald R. Young -- physiological plant ecology, Virginia
Commonwealth University. Active collaboration.
III. Facilities Development
A. Space on the Grounds -- Approximately 400 square feet of
office space has been renovated and furnished in Clark Hall to
house LTER post-doctoral research associates and the LTER data-
management facilities. Approximately 900 square feet of newly-
constructed laboratory and student office space was occupied in
Halsey Hall this spring.
B. Eastern Shore Facilities -- We have renovated, furnished
and occupied a research field station 2 km north of Oyster,
Virginia. These facilities include a 5,000 square foot farm
house, three small outbuildings and a large metal barn for
vehicle, boat and equipment storage.
1. Computing, housing, library, office, utility -- The
house has been renovated to provide a "clean" lab,
office/computer room, library, site manager apartment, and
housing for 12 investigators. The computer facility includes an
enhanced Zenith AT-class machine *** with twin drive Bernoulli
box *** This machine is equipped with both the SPSS and the SAS
statistical analysis packages.
2. Analytical laboratory -- The "clean" lab includes
special wiring and plumbing, a deionized water system, regular
and flammable-materials refrigerators, two freezers, digital top-
loading balance, digital pH/mv meter, YSI salinity-conductivity-
temperature meter, YSI oxygen meter, Orbisphere oxygen meter, and
Hitachi spectrophotometer with vacuum sampler. The drying
facility includes two large-volume drying ovens and a muffle
furnace.
C. Field instrumentation -- Sites have been selected and
equipment ordered for installation of tide gauges and
meteorological stations on both the mainland and Hog Island. Two
sites have been selected for the installation of marsh
boardwalks.
D. Boats -- Two new boats have been acquired for the
Program. These include a workhorse 24' Privateer with 225 hp
Yamaha outboard, intended for all-weather, year-round use and for
transporting heavy loads, and a 21' Privateer with 150 hp Yamaha
for rapid transit to distant locations on the study area. Each
boat is equipped with a compass, depth gauge and marine radio. A
24' aluminum Jon boat with a 70 hp Johnson outboard has been
acquired on surplus from the Virginia Institute of Marine
Science. A well-used but serviceable 13' Boston Whaler with a 35
hp Johnson outboard will be used for shoreline activities and in
marsh creeks. Dock space has been rented in the harbors of Red
Bank and Quinby, Virginia.
IV. PI Annual Reports (LTER-Related Activities 9/1/87 -5/1/88)
A. Courses developed/taught
Blum, L.K. Spring 1988. See W.K. Nuttle.
Dolan, R. Spring 1988. EVSC 485. Coastal Processes.
Dolan, R. Spring 1988. See B.P. Hayden.
Dueser, R.D. Spring 1988. EVEC 796. Topics in Population
Ecology: Island Biogeography.
Dueser, R.D. Spring 1988. See B.P. Hayden.
Hayden, B.P. Spring 1988. EVGE 796. Barrier Island
Dynamics: The Virginia Coast Reserve.
Nuttle, W.K. Fall 1987. EVSC 793. Structure and diagensis
of marsh sediments.
Nuttle, W.K. Spring 1988. EVSC 793. Hydrology and
Diagenesis of Wetland Sediments: Modelling Below-Ground
Carbon Dynamics.
Odum, W.E. Spring 1988. See B.P. Hayden.
Zieman, J.C. Spring 1988. EVSC 426. Marine Organisms and
Environments.
Zieman, J.C. Spring 1988. EVEC 796. Process-Modelling of
Nitrogen Dynamics.
B. Seminars, invited lectures and presentations
Blum, L.K. 1/88. Role of bacteria in macrophyte
decomposition. Department of Biological Sciences. Old
Dominion University.
Blum, L.K. 5/88. Rotten vegetation: What do microbes do
with plant carbon? Department of Biology. Sweet Briar
College.
Blum, L.K. and A.L. Mills. 10/87. Aerobic and anaerobic
bacterial production in Zostera and Spartina detritus and
sediments. 9th International Estuarine Research
Conference. New Orleans.
Brosemer, K.M., W.K. Nuttle, E.L. Winstead, J.S. Levine
and W.R. Cofer. 10/87. Denitrifier activity and biogenic
emissions of N2O from wetlands: The effect of tidal
action. Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union.
San Francisco.
Brosemer, K.M. and W.K. Nuttle. 4/88. Hydrologic controls
on denitrifier activity in a salt marsh soil. 1988 Water
Resources Research Forum. Richmond.
Dueser, R.D. 3/88. Multivariate statistical approaches to
community ecology. Workshop on Innovative Approaches to
Community Ecology. Department of Biological Sciences.
Bowling Green State University.
Dueser, R.D. 3/88. Habitat evaluation as a component of
conservation strategies: A case study with the endangered
Delmarva fox squirrel. Department of Biological Sciences.
Bowling Green State University.
Dueser, R.D., G.D. Therres and G.J. Taylor. 3/88.
Translocation histories for the endangered Delmarva fox
squirrel in Maryland: Guidelines for implementing a
conservation strategy. Northeast Fish and Wildlife
Conference. The Greenbriar. West Virginia.
Dueser, R.D. 4/88. Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term
Ecological Research Program. 1988 Water Resources
Research Forum. Richmond.
Fahrig, L. 3/88. A general, scale-independent model of
disturbance. Annual Meeting of the U.S. Chapter of the
Internat. Association of Landscape Ecology. Albuquerque.
Hayden, B.P. 4/88. Opportunities for analysis using the
NOAA Strategic Assessment Branch GIS. Workshop on GIS.
Chena Hot Springs, Alaska.
Lagera, L. and J.C. Zieman. 3/88. The relative
significance of macrophyte decomposition and
phytoplankton respiration in the consumption of oxygen in
the lower Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Bay Research
Conference. Baltimore.
Odum, W.E. 1/88. Virginia barrier islands. Association of
Biology Teachers. Athens, Georgia.
Shugart, H.H., Jr. 11/87. Forest succession models.
Department of Forestry. Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University.
Shugart, H.H., Jr. 1/88. Models of ecosystem response to
variations in land use. Workshop on Landscape History and
Ecological Succession. Duke University.
Shugart, H.H., Jr. 4/88. Approaches and techniques
available for modelling global vegetation change:Overview
on numerical modelling techniques. Modelling Global
Change. International Institute for Applied Systems
Analysis. Laxenburg, Austria.
Zieman, J.C. 1/88. Stable isotope ratios of ecological
components in south Florida and Chesapeake Bay:
Comparisons of variation due to sources and processing.
Annual ASLO-AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting. New Orleans.
C. Publications directly related to LTER activities
Dolan, R. and B.P. Hayden. In press. Atlantic coastal
storms. Journal of Coastal Research.
Dolan, R. and D.L. Inman. In press. Inlet and barrier
island dynamics. Journal of Coastal Research.
Dueser, R.D. and K. Terwilliger. 1988. Status of the
Delmarva fox squirrel in Virginia. Virginia Journal of
Science 38:380-388.
Dueser, R.D., J.H. Porter and J.L. Dooley, Jr. In press.
Direct tests for competition in North American rodent
communities: synthesis and prognosis. Symposium on
Patterns in the Structure of Mammalian Communities.
Fahrig, L. In review. Interacting effects of disturbance
and dispersal on individual selection and population
stability. Comments on Theoretical Biology.
Franklin, J.F., H.H. Shugart and M.E. Harmon. 1987. Tree
death as an ecosystem process. BioScience 37:550-556.
Nuttle, W.K. and H.F. Hemond. In review. Salt marsh
hydrology: Implications for biogeochemical fluxes to the
atmosphere and estuaries. Global Biogeochemical Cycles.
Schneider, R.L. and W.E. Odum. In press. Barrier island
interdunal freshwater wetlands. Journal of Southeastern
Biologists.
Shugart, H.H. 1987. The dynamic ecosystem consequences of
coupling birth and death processes in trees. BioScience
37:596-602.
Shugart, H.H., P.J. Michaels, T.M. Smith, D.A. Weinstein
and E.B. Rastetter. 1988. Simulation models of forest
succession:125-151. In: T. Rosswall, R.G. Woodmansee and
P.G. Risser (eds.). Scales and Global Changes: Spatial
and Temporal Variability in Biospheric and Geospheric
Processes. John Wiley and Sons. London.
Shugart, H.H., G.B. Bonan and E.B. Rastetter, In press.
Niche theory and community organization. Canadian Journal
of Botany.
D. Proposals submitted
Blum, L.K. and A.L. Mills. The role of dissolved organic
constituents from anaerobic decomposition in oxygen
dynamics in the water column. Sea Grant-Virginia Graduate
Marine Science Consortium. Funded.
Dueser, R.D. Ecology and population dynamics of raccoons
on Parramore Island. Virginia State Health Department.
Funded.
Dueser, R.D. Population status and habitat requirements
of the Delmarva fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus) on
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Virginia
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Funded.
Hayden, B.P. and P.J. Michaels. Climate variability and
climate change of ecological significance at Long-Term
Ecological Research sites. National Science Foundation.
Declined.
Mills, A.L. G. F. Oertel, et al. Organization and
dynamics of landscape units in the Coastal Lagoon
Complex. National Science Foundation. Declined.
Nuttle, W.K., L.K. Blum and R.D. Dueser. Facilities for
the study of above- and below-ground ecological processes
in a marsh/barrier island system: VCR/LTER. National
Science Foundation. Declined.
Odum, W.E. et al. Nutrient retention and transformation
in Chesapeake Bay wetlands as influenced by subsurface
hydrology and internal biogeochemical recycling
mechanisms. Sea Grant-Virginia Graduate Marine Science
Consortium. Funded.
Shugart, H.H., Jr. Using satellite-measurable parameters
for extending models of ecological processes to large
spatial scales: A test case. NASA. Funded.
Zieman, J.C., R.L. Wetzel and S.A. Macko. Isotopic
determination of nitrogen sources and processing in
estuarine environments. Sea Grant-Virginia Graduate
Marine Science Consortium. Funded.
E. Other activities
Hayden, B.P. LTER Coordinating Committee Planning Group
for LTER Initiatives in Paleoecology.
Hayden, B.P. LTER Climate Committee.
Nuttle, W.K. Working Group on Hydrology of the Virginia
Eastern Shore.
Odum, W.E. LTER Review Panel. National Science
Foundation.
Odum, W.E. Advisory Committee. North Inlet LTER Program.
Porter, J.H. LTER Data Management Committee.
Shugart, H.H., Jr. Chairman. National Science Foundation
LTER Advisory Committee on Scientific and Technological
Planning.
F. Student Reports
Fetsko, M. 1988. The hydrology of the mid-Atlantic
Eastern Shore: A collection of papers.
Wright, E.J. 1988. A history of the Eastern Shore from
articles published in the Philosophical Transactions of
the Royal Society of London (1665-1850).
G. Symposium on the Biota of the Virginia Barrier Islands --
We have planned a symposium to be held on Friday, May 27, in
conjunction with the 1988 meeting of the Virginia Academy of
Science. There are 31 participants scheduled to present 22 papers
dealing with the distribution, ecology and evolution of the biota
of the VCR/LTER study site. The collected papers will be
published as a symposium volume in the winter 1989 issue of the
Virginia Journal of Science.
Symposium Session: Biota of the Virginia Barrier Islands
Session Chairman: Raymond D. Dueser. Dept. of
Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia.
8:10 Announcements and introductory remarks
33. 8:15 Preliminary vascular flora of the Virginia barrier
islands. Cheryl A. McCaffrey. Bureau of Land
Management, Burns, Oregon.
34. 8:35 Phytoplankton assemblages associated with the
Virginia barrier islands. H.G. Marshall and Cindy
Shomers. Dept. of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion
University.
35. 8:55 Plant communities of the Virginia barrier islands.
Cheryl A. McCaffrey and Raymond D. Dueser. Bureau of
Land Management, Burns, Oregon, and Dept. of
Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia.
36. 9:15 Vegetation dynamics on the Virginia barrier islands.
Gerald F. Levy. Dept. of Biological Sciences, Old
Dominion University.
37. 9:35 Do fundamental plant ecological principles on the
North Carolina Outer Banks apply to the Virginia
barrier islands? Wayne R. Tyndall. Maryland Natural
Heritage Program, Annapolis, Maryland.
38. 9:55 Forest vegetation structure on the Eastern Shore of
Virginia circa 18,000 BP. Gordon B. Bonan and Bruce
P. Hayden. Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
University of Virginia.
10:15 Break
Session Chairman: John M. Hall. The Nature
Conservancy, Nassawadox, Virginia.
39. 10:25 Mammals of the Virginia barrier islands. Raymond D.
Dueser. Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University
of Virginia.
40. 10:45 A longitudinal survey of the beach nesting and
colonial birds of the Virginia barrier islands, 1975-
1987. Bill Williams, J. William Akers, Jerry W. Via
and Ruth A. Beck. James City County, Virginia Public
Schools; Charlottesville, Virginia; Dept. of Biology,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University;
and Dept. of Biology, College of William and Mary.
41. 11:05 Herpetofauna of the Virginia barrier islands. Roger
Conant, Joseph C. Mitchell and Christopher A. Pague.
Albuquerque, New Mexico; Dept. of Biology, University
of Richmond; and Dept. of Biological Sciences, Old
Dominion University.
42. 11:25 Seasonal composition of finfish in waters behind the
Virginia barrier islands. Brenda L. Norcross and
David Hata. Dept. of Biological and Fisheries
Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences.
11:45 Discussion
Session Chairman: Richard S. Sojda. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Cape Charles, Virginia.
43. 1:05 Barrier islands and their role in the distribution,
variability and evolution of tiger beetles of the
Cicindela dorsalis complex (Coleoptera:Cicindelidae).
C. Barry Knisley and James M. Hill. Dept. of
Biology, Randolph-Macon College, and Maryland Natural
Heritage Program, Annapolis, Maryland.
44. 1:25 Marine amoeba in waters of Chincoteague Bay,
Virginia: Ecological significance of "Old" and "New"
Species. Thomas K. Sawyer. Rescon Associates, Royal
Oak, Maryland.
45. 1:45 Biology of large grazing mammals on the Virginia
barrier islands. Ronald R. Keiper. Dept. of Biology,
Pennsylvania State University.
46. 2:05 Aerial searches and denning ecology of barrier island
red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Terry L. Bashore and
Patricia M. Krim. Coastal Ecology Research
Laboratory, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and
Dept. of Biology, Shippensburg University.
47. 2:25 Den site characteristics and food habits of the red
fox (Vulpes vulpes) on Assateague Island. Patricia
M. Krim. Dept. of Biology, Shippensburg University.
48. 2:45 Small mammal habitat associations on Chincoteague
National Wildlife Refuge, Assateague Island. Jack A.
Cranford. Dept. of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University.
49. 3:05 Ecology of feral house mice (Mus musculus) on
Wallop's Island, Virginia. Gordon L. Kirkland and
Thomas V. Fleming. Vertebrate Museum, Shippensburg
University, and Dept. of Biology, University of
Alabama.
3:25 Break
Session Chairman: Karen Terwilliger, Department of
Game and Inland Fisheries, Richmond, Virginia.
50. 3:35 Status of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)
on the Virginia barrier islands. Mitchell A. Byrd.
Dept. of Biology, College of William and Mary.
51. 3:55 Status and distribution of the least tern (Sterna
albifrons) on the Virginia barrier islands. Ruth A.
Beck, J. William Akers, Jerry W. Via and Bill
Williams. Dept. of Biology, College of William and
Mary; Charlottesville, Virginia; Dept. of Biology,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University;
and James City County, Virginia Public Schools.
52. 4:15 Piping plover ecology and management. Michael E.
Patterson, James D. Fraser and Joseph W. Roggenbuck.
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University.
53. 4:35 Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research
Program. Raymond D. Dueser. Dept. of Environmental
Sciences, University of Virginia.
V. Research Activities for 1988 (FY1) and Beyond
As indicated above, 33 high-priority projects have been
identified for initiation during FY1. Several of these projects,
particularly those involving acquisition of existing data sets
and photography, will be essentially complete by the end of FY1.
Many of the FY1 field research projects are designed to produce
survey data on basic ecosystem characteristics (e.g., spatial
variability in soil organic matter and soil nutrient pools) for
which little or no site-specific information is presently
available. Most of the field research projects outlined below, on
the other hand, will continue into or through FY2. Much of the
field research effort during FY1 will be devoted to designing,
perfecting and implementing sampling methods appropriate to long-
term studies. The PIs have corresponded extensively with PIs
from other LTER and lter sites, to discuss sampling philosophies,
procedures and pitfalls. Major new initiatives planned for FY2
include the stable isotope, food chain and microevolution/
population genetics studies outlined in the original proposal.