Resolution matters when modeling climate change in headwaters of the Colorado River
Abstract The continued growth of Southwestern cities depends on reliable water export from Rocky Mountain headwaters, which provide ∼85% of Colorado River Basin (CRB) streamflow. Despite being more sensitive to warming temperatures, alpine systems are simplified in the regional-scale models currentl
Geographic variation in vocalizations and evolution of North American pine grosbeaks
North American Pine Grosbeaks (Pinicola enucleator) vary geographically in two of their call notes. Variation is greatest in the location calls that communicate between individuals at great distances. Birds of the taiga and coastal Alaska give whistled calls, of which four categories have been ident
An integrated modeling approach to estimating Gunnison sage‐grouse population dynamics: combining index and demographic data
AbstractEvaluation of population dynamics for rare and declining species is often limited to data that are sparse and/or of poor quality. Frequently, the best data available for rare bird species are based on large‐scale, population count data. These data are commonly based on sampling methods that
The effects of adult removal on dispersal of yearling yellow-bellied marmots
The relative importance of adult–yearling interaction and individual behavioral phenotypes on dispersal of yearling yellow-bellied marmots was investigated. Two marmot colonies near Gothic, Colorado, were studied; one was treated as an experimental colony from which all adults were removed, while th
Beaver dams overshadow climate extremes in controlling riparian hydrology and water quality
Hydrologic extremes dominate chemical exports from riparian zones and dictate water quality in major river systems. Yet, changes in land use and ecosystem services alongside growing climate variability are altering hydrologic extremes and their coupled impacts on riverine water quality. In the weste
Effects of long-term experimental warming on aphid density in the field
Global warming is generally predicted to increase the intensity of herbivore pressure on plants. Support for this prediction often comes from short-term studies, or studies conducted in controlled laboratory settings. We examined the effect of long-term experimental warming on an aphid-sagebrush int
The effect of plant density on departure decisions: testing the marginal value theorem using bumblebees and Delphinium nelsonii
Bombus flavifrons utiliserait la densite de la plante butinee pour estimer le cout eventuel d'approvisionnement
Beaver dams overshadow climate extremes in controlling riparian hydrology and water quality
Hydrologic extremes dominate chemical exports from riparian zones and dictate water quality in major river systems. Yet, changes in land use and ecosystem services alongside growing climate variability are altering hydrologic extremes and their coupled impacts on riverine water quality. In the weste
Patterns of selective caching behavior of a generalist herbivore, the American Pika (<i>Ochotona princeps</i>)
Caching decisions have been studied for many species, but large-scale variation of selective preferences due to environmental heterogeneity has rarely been examined. We investigated large-scale patterns of selective caching behavior in the American pika (Ochotona princeps), a non-hibernating general
Altitudinal gradients fail to predict fungal symbiont responses to warming
AbstractClimate change is shifting altitudinal species ranges, with potential to disrupt species interactions. Altitudinal gradient studies and warming experiments can both increase understanding of climate effects on species interactions, but few studies have used both together to improve predictio
Using economic instruments to develop effective management of invasive species: insights from a bioeconomic model
Economic growth is recognized as an important factor associated with species invasions. Consequently, there is increasing need to develop solutions that combine economics and ecology to inform invasive species management. We developed a model combining economic, ecological, and sociological factors
LA-ICP-MS analysis of quartzite from the Upper Gunnison Basin, Colorado
When resources don't rescue: flowering phenology and species interactions affect compensation to herbivory in <i>Ipomopsis aggregata</i>
The ability of plants to tolerate, or compensate for, herbivore damage is highly variable and has been the subject of much research. Although many plants can compensate for herbivore damage, and some even overcompensate, we cannot yet generalize about the conditions that promote a positive response
Olfactory predator discrimination in yellow-bellied marmots
AbstractThe mechanism underlying olfactory predator identification may be relatively experience‐independent, or it may rely on specific experience with predators. A mechanism by which prey might identify novel predators relies on the inevitable creation of sulfurous metabolites that are then excrete
Life-history traits predict responses of wild bees to climate variation
Life-history traits, which are physical traits or behaviours that affect growth, survivorship and reproduction, could play an important role in how well organisms respond to environmental change. By looking for trait-based responses within groups, we can gain a mechanistic understanding of why envir
Cryptogam Distributions on Pseudotsuga menziesii and Abies lasiocarpa in the Front Range, Boulder County, Colorado
Forty-six lichens, two mosses and one fungus were studied on the trunks of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco and Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. at five elevations in Boulder County, Colorado. Arthonia mediella Nyl., Cladonia bacillaris (Ach.) Nyl., Lecanora expallens Ach., L. hypoptoides Nyl., L.
Fungal Communities Associated with Rock Varnish in Black Canyon, New Mexico: Casual Inhabitants or Essential Partners?
Rock varnish is a darkly pigmented coating rich in manganese oxides. Though microbes inhabit varnish deposits, it is unclear whether they are involved in varnish formation. The fungal communities of rock varnish and adjacent rock sites with no visible varnish deposits were examined. Microcolonial fu
Variability in observed stable water isotopes in snowpack across a mountainous watershed in Colorado
AbstractIsotopic information from 81 snowpits was collected over a 5‐year period in a large, Colorado watershed. Data spans gradients in elevation, aspect, vegetation, and seasonal climate. They are combined with overlapping campaigns for water isotopes in precipitation and snowmelt, and a land‐surf
The Surface Atmosphere Integrated Field Laboratory (SAIL) Campaign
Abstract The science of mountainous hydrology spans the atmosphere through the bedrock and inherently crosses physical and disciplinary boundaries: land–atmosphere interactions in complex terrain enhance clouds and precipitation, while watersheds retain and release water over a large range of spatia
Reproductive tactics of pikas: why have two litters?
Reproduction in a population of marked pikas (Ochotonaprinceps) was observed over a 3-year period in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Pikas were seasonally polyestrous; all adult females initiated two litters each summer. However, most females (24 of 25) weaned only a single litter. The number of su
