In thisstudy we combine field experiments, designed to test the predictions of optimal outcrossing theory in Agave schottii, with molecular genetic studies, using RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA), polymerase chain reaction to assess the underlying genetic hypothesis of optimal outcrossing theory. Initially, 48 "females" of A. schottii were hand-pollinated with pollen collected from 1 m, 10 m, 100 m, and 2500 m distances. Each female received all four distance treatments. Additionally, a subset of the focal females and their pollen donors were used in an analysis of genetic similarity across the four distances. Results of hand-pollinations showed that crosses of 1 m had significantly lower seed set than 10 m and 100 m crosses. Crosses of 2500 m had intermediate seed set. Combined relative fitness was significantly lower for 1 m crosses compared to 10 m crosses, while 100 m and 2500 m crosses were intermediate. Thus, A. schottii experiences inbreeding depression and a trend toward outbreeding depression. Genetic analyses showed a similar pattern: individuals 1 m apart had on average higher genetic similarity (proportion of bands shared) than individuals separated by greater distances, with a trend toward lower genetic similarity for plants located 2500 m distant. The observed spatial genetic patterns are likely maintained by the combined effects of clonal reproduction, clone longevity, limited seed dispersal and the substantial number of inbred progeny produced, counteracting distant allele transfer which tends to reduce population genetic structure. The correspondence between our ecological and genetic results indicates that RAPD markers are useful tools for assessing ecological phenomena.

Longleaf pine woodlands on military installations support multiple uses, including the Department of Defense (DoD) training and testing mission; threatened, endangered, and sensitive species (TES) conservation; and forest commodities (e.g., timber, pine straw) production. This report documents strategies to manage TES and their habitats on a plant community basis, using methods that apply to multiple species, and using methods that apply across the southeastern region of the United States. This report combines the pine flatwoods and sandhills communities because they have several features that link them. Ecological descriptions are provided for each community, along with available information about community occurrences on DoD installations throughout the southeast region. Known occurrences of plant and animal TES associated with longleaf pine woodlands on DoD lands are also reported. Known and potential impacts to the integrity of longleaf pine woodlands as TES habitat, and to associated species are reported. Impacts may be related to habitat fragmentation, or changes in community composition, structure and function due to altered fire regime, hydrologic patterns, soil stability and structure, groundcover integrity, or the invasion of exotic or pest species. Management recommendations are made within an ecosystembased, adaptive management context.

Military training and testing mission requirements make up the highest priority land uses on Department of Defense (DoD) lands. The U.S. Armed Forces require realistic, relatively natural, and expansive areas for adequate training. Training activities can lead to degradation of sensitive natural resources, but they also produce benefits. An ecosystem-based approach to managing threatened, endangered, and sensitive species (TES) and other natural resources provides DoD with an efficient, effective, and flexible framework for evaluating impacts, assessing natural resources, and generating management solutions to potential conflicts between training and TES conservation. Any increase in understanding about the habitat requirements of listed TES species will assist training and natural resource personnel in complying with the Endangered Species Act while avoiding restrictions on the military mission. This report is to be used by DoD natural resource policymakers, installation land managers, and the natural resource research community, in conjunction with associated documents produced by this SERDP work unit to (1) develop ecosystem-based approaches to describe natural communities and TES habitat in relation to military activities, (2) evaluate military-related effects on those communities, (3) develop community-based strategies for supporting both military land use and TES habitat management, and (4) develop management solutions for military impacts to natural communities when management for TES habitat is a priority for a particular location.

Kno11Vn and Potential Impacts of Physical Disturbance From Maneuver Training on Threatened and Endangered Speciesi. General Comments. (Indicate what you think should be changed to make this report and future reports of this type more responsive to your needs, more usable, improve readability, etc.) 5. If you would like to be contacted by the personnel who prepared this report to raise specific questions or discuss the topic, please fill in the following information.