No abstract

The Swift Parrot, Lathamus discolor White, 1790, was among the first of Australia's birds to be scientifically described and illustrated following European settlement in 1788. Within 60 years of settlement, key habitat throughout the species' range was being lost. A unique compilation of historical and recent information on Swift Parrot habitat loss demonstrates how past events have rendered this species Critically Endangered. A crucial aspect of the loss of habitat is the speed and spatial extent over which it occurred. The most extensive loss happened during colonial times however, losses continue to this day due to various government land management policies and practices. Consequently, the Swift Parrot remains the subject of an ongoing national recovery program and its future is far from secure.

In 1992, the USEPA proposed a ban on the use of 43 pesticides in a large portion of Albany County, Wyoming. The ban was intended to protect the habitat of an endangered species, the Wyoming toad (Bufo hemiophyrs baxterf), as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. For many years, portions of Albany County that included Wyoming toad habitat had been routinely sprayed with insecticides to control mosquitoes. Residents were concerned that without adequate mosquito control, recreation, tourism, agriculture, public health, and property values could be impacted. A task force comprised of local residents of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints was appointed in 1992 by the governor of Wyoming and Albany County commissioners to consider how best to (i) protect the Wyoming toad and aid its recovery, and (ii) maintain effective mosquito control. The goal of the group was to submit an alternative proposal to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and to the USEPA that would meet both objectives and be more acceptable to the residents of Albany County than the USEPA's proposed ban. This case provides a focus for considering the value of endangered species, possible impacts of the Endangered Species Act on agricultural producers, local businesses, visiting tourists, and local residents. It also permits students to consider the involvement of local communities in decision-making.

Nursery liners of Viburnum carlesii, Hemsl; Acer palmatum, Thunb., cv. 'Bloodgood'; and Buxus sempervirens L., cv. 'Vardar Valley' were planted in several root media at three P levels which had been inoculated or not inoculated with species of endomycorrhizal fungi. Analysis of extent of root infection (Trypan Blue staining procedure) revealed no root infection or colonization of any of the three species in any root medium. However, maples grown in an inoculated peat:sand (1:1, v/v) medium at .024 g P/liter grew taller than maples in the same non-inoculated medium at .24, .024, or .0024 g P/liter of medium. Mean height of maples in inoculated media were greater than heights of maples in non-inoculated media when height data from all three P levels in each medium were combined. Infection of Sorghum Sudanese, (Piper) Stapf, root: was inhibited when media was amended with composted or noncomposted pine bark but was not inhibited by pine bark leachates.