Northeast Missouri Research Articles

Acoustic monitoring yields informative bat population density estimates.

Bat population estimates are typically made during winter, although this is only feasible for bats that aggregate in hibernacula. While it is essential to measure summer bat population sizes for management, we lack a reliable method. Acoustic surveys should be less expensive and more efficient than capture surveys, and acoustic activity data are already used as indices of population size. Although we currently cannot differentiate individual bats by their calls, we can enter call counts, information on signal and detection angles, and weather data into generalized random encounter models to estimate bat density. We assessed the utility of generalized random encounter models for estimating Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) population density with acoustic data collected at 51 total sites in six conservation areas in northeast Missouri, 2019-2021. We tested the effects of year, volancy period, conservation area, and their interactions on estimated density. Volancy period was the best predictor, with average predicted density increasing 60% from pre-volancy (46 bats/km2) to post-volancy (74 bats/km2); however, the magnitude of the effect differed by conservation area. We showed that passive acoustic surveys yield informative density estimates that are responsive to temporal changes in bat population size, which suggests this method may be useful for long-term monitoring. However, we need more information to choose the most appropriate values for the density estimation formula. Future work to refine this approach should include assessments of bat behavior and detection parameters and testing the method's efficacy in areas where population sizes are known.

Resolving complex stratigraphic architecture across the Burlington shelf and identifying the Devonian-Carboniferous (Hangenberg) and Kinderhookian-Osagean (Tournaisian) boundary biogeochemical events in the type area of the Mississippian subsystem

The tristate area of Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri contains some of the best-exposed Mississippian strata in the world, including the type area for the Mississippian subsystem, across a broad carbonate platform known as the Burlington shelf. Strata have been mapped as thinnest along the central middle shelf and thickening both up-ramp and down-ramp, forming a complex dumbbell-like stratigraphic pattern rather than a simple clinoform geometry thinning into the basin. Additionally, two significant hiatuses at the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary and Kinderhookian-Osagean boundary greatly complicate stratigraphic correlations across the region. As a result, the precise temporal relationships between strata deposited across the region remain uncertain. Two large biogeochemical events occurred during this interval that provide facies-independent chronostratigraphic tools: the Hangenberg event, which marks the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary, and the Kinderhookian-Osagean boundary event. To target these events, we collected 66 conodont samples and 1005 carbonate carbon isotope samples from three cores and three outcrops and integrated the results with existing data from key facies/depth transitions across the Burlington shelf. Our new data demonstrate a complex relationship among complementary stratigraphic thicknesses, where the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary interval is thin or absent in the up-ramp inner-shelf setting and preserved in a significantly expanded interval in the central to distal middle-shelf deposits of southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri. However, the overlying Kinderhookian-Osagean boundary interval is not preserved in this down-ramp setting but is preserved in significantly expanded strata in the up-ramp inner-shelf setting of central Iowa.

Long‐term tillage management affects claypan soil properties and soybean cyst nematode

AbstractUse of cover crops with conservation tillage systems can affect soil chemical and biological properties. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effect of long‐term (1994–2016) no‐till (NT) and reduced‐till (RT) cropping systems on soil chemical properties and soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) egg population densities on claypan soils in northeast Missouri. Treatments included a corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation with three tillage–cropping systems: (a) NT corn–soybean–wheat with double‐crop soybean (NTDCS), (b) NT corn–soybean–wheat with frost‐seeded red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) cover crop (NTFSC), and (c) RT corn–soybean–wheat. Each crop (corn, soybean, and wheat) and tillage system (NTDCS, NTFSC, and RT) was represented every year in nine large plots and replicated four times. Soil was sampled to a 15 cm depth to evaluate soil chemical properties (1994, 2002–2016) and SCN egg densities (2002–2015). Soil test pHs, P, and K were ranked RT = NTDCS > NTFSC, RT > NTDCS = NTFSC and RT > NTFSC > NTDCS, respectively. Long‐term NTFSC cover crop had the greatest soil organic matter levels in four of the 16 yr. When combined over years, SCN egg densities were lowest in NTFSC following corn, soybean, or wheat, which indicates the benefit of NT and extended crop rotations to help manage this pest.

Seasonal changes in questing efficiency of wild Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs

Understanding the factors which influence host-seeking behavior of ticks is essential to determine the risk they pose as a vector of pathogens. While many studies have evaluated the impact of environmental variables on tick behavior, few have examined how seasonal changes in physiological status may further modify patterns of activity. In this study, we measured differences in questing behavior of mid spring- and early summer-caught Amblyomma americanum nymphs held under standardized laboratory conditions. As both groups represent the same cohort of overwintered nymphs, we hypothesized that age-related changes in the older summer ticks may influence questing behavior. In each season, we collected nymphs from field and forest habitats in northeast Missouri, after which we placed each nymph individually in a desiccating vertical questing apparatus with a hydrating microenvironment at the base. On the day following collection, we recorded the height of each nymph in the apparatus bi-hourly from 04:00 to 22:00 and calculated the vertical displacement between consecutive observations. Despite displaying no differences in mean questing height throughout the experiment, active ticks collected in the summer group (n = 89) travelled greater cumulative distances between desiccating and hydrating microenvironments than those collected in the spring (n = 119). This suggests that questing efficiency decreases in summer nymphs to accommodate increased time allocation towards rehydration. While we observed no direct association between body size and distance travelled, body size of the nymphal population also decreased significantly from spring to summer. Overall, our results demonstrate that there are seasonal changes in how A. americanum responds to environmental conditions. To more accurately predict host-seeking behavior of ticks across seasons, models should incorporate physiological parameters of the active ticks in a given population.

Age constraints of the Middle Pleistocene till and loess sequence in northeast Missouri, USA, based on pedostratigraphy within a polygenetic paleosol

Pre-Illinoian (pre-MIS 6) tills in northern Missouri, USA mark the southernmost advances of the early Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS), so their ages likely correspond to its largest ice volumes. Present age constraints for the two youngest tills in this sequence (Macon and Columbia) are consistent with deposition between MIS 12 and 8, but recognition of a pre-Illinoian loess above these tills now provides better age control. This loess is present near the Missouri River, and at one site it is overlain by three younger loess formations of known age. The oldest of the overlying formations dates to early MIS 6, so the underlying loess is pre-Illinoian. A thick paleosol is preserved within the top of the pre-Illinoian loess, so it is no younger than MIS 8 or early MIS 7. This loess also overlies a thick paleosol at the top of the (youngest) Macon till, which in turn rests upon another mature paleosol within the Columbia till. Therefore, the stratigraphic sequence restricts the minimum age of the Macon till to MIS 10 and that of the subjacent Columbia till to MIS 12. When combined with previous age constraints, these results isolate MIS 8-7 for the pre-Illinoian loess and MIS 10&12, respectively, as the mostly likely ages of these two tills. The presence of MIS 8-7 loess also implies that the LIS reached the upper Missouri River drainage basin at that time, although no corresponding till has been identified. However, there is no evidence of MIS 14 glaciation in the Midcontinent of the U.S. Based on these results, the LIS grew to a larger size during MIS 12&10 than during MIS 8, and was even smaller during MIS 14.

Regenerating mixed bottomland hardwood forests in north Missouri: Effects of harvest treatment on structure, composition, and growth through 15 years

Bottomland forest ecosystems provide important economic and ecological benefits within the midwestern and southern United States, yet silvicultural guidelines for reaching management objectives have been poorly developed outside the southeastern region. Bottomland hardwood forests are highly productive and dynamic ecosystems that contain a multitude of herbaceous and woody plant species and can support an abundance of wildlife throughout stand development. In particular, oak species are often favored for timber and wildlife values but may occur in low abundance due, in part, to challenges with regeneration. This study was designed to examine the structure and composition of a mixed bottomland hardwood forest (elm/ash/cottonwood) in northeast Missouri in response to two regeneration harvest treatments (i.e., clearcut with reserves and basal area retention) and one unharvested control through 15 years after harvest. Results indicate that clearcutting had a greater effect on subsequent forest composition and stand development than partial harvesting. In particular, the clearcutting treatment increased the relative basal area of American elm and relative abundance (trees per hectare) of green ash. Results suggest that the regeneration harvests did not increase the abundance of oak regeneration. However, the growth rates and the size of oak stems within the regeneration cohort were comparable to competing species, suggesting the oaks within the regeneration cohort presumably originated from advance reproduction. Thus, these results support the importance for establishing oak advance reproduction prior to regeneration harvest within bottomland forests.

Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria Among Adult Ticks Collected in Conservation Areas and Private Lands of Adair County, Missouri

Three species of ticks have been found in Northeast Missouri, where the incidence and prevalence of tick-borne infections is among the highest in the United States of America. We collected ticks and detected the presence of Rickettsia montanensis (instead of R. rickettsii) and Ehrlichia chaffeensis and the absence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections among adult ticks collected in conservation and private areas of Adair County, Missouri. Pathogens were detected and identified using PCR, DNA sequencing of PCR fragments and statistical sequence analysis. We found Ehrlichia chaffeensis in 10% of ticks of the species Amblyomma amercanum and Rickettsia montanensis in 7.95% of collected ticks of the species Dermacentor variabilis. These findings stress the importance of continuous monitoring and study of vector populations in the region. Such monitoring can contribute to risk assessment of ehrlichiosis, spotted fever infections, and anaplasmosis, which are considered endemic in the region.

Using haem concentration as a metric of physiological age to infer demographic structure in natural field and forest populations of host-seeking Amblyomma americanum adults

ABSTRACT Understanding how patterns of host-seeking behaviour differ across demographic classes in Amblyomma americanum (L.), the lone star tick, is essential in evaluating species potential as a vector of pathogens. Our objective was to characterize the relative contributions of two cryptic developmental cohorts, newly moulted and overwintered adults, to the A. americanum host-seeking population. To determine cohort identity, we used haem concentration as a metric of physiological age in ticks collected from field and forest habitats. Emergence of ticks displaying uncharacteristically high haem concentrations in late spring and early summer would indicate that newly moulted adults resume questing activity in the same season of their nymphal engorgement. Overall, haem concentration decreased significantly throughout the active season of adults from March to July of 2017 in northeast Missouri. Males displayed higher average haem concentrations than females when controlled for date of capture, but habitat-mediated differences were not significant. No subset of ticks with inflated haem concentrations was collected during the time that activization of newly moulted adults was feasible, suggesting that A. americanum adults undergo post-moulting behavioural diapause under natural conditions.

Enhanced Efficiency Liquid Nitrogen Fertilizer Management for Corn Production

Claypan soils have a high potential for N loss, which can lower corn (Zea maysL.) yields. Field research was conducted from 2011 to 2013 in Northeast Missouri to determine corn yield, plant population, and grain quality response to N application timings (fall vs. spring) and five N sources/placements at two different N rates (84 and 168 kg·N·ha−1) on a poorly drained claypan soil. The five N source/placement systems were no-till (NT)/surface broadcast urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) (Surface UAN) or strip-till (ST)/deep banded UAN (deep UAN), NT/surface broadcast UAN plus Nitamin Nfusion (surface NF) or ST/deep banded UAN plus Nitamin Nfusion (deep NF), and ST/deep banded anhydrous ammonia (AA) (deep AA). The field trial was a split-plot randomized complete block design with four replications. Deep UAN with a fall N application produced the highest grain yield (8.12 to 9.12 Mg·ha−1) at 84 and 168 kg·N·ha−1, but it was less effective with a spring application in 2011. Fall deep AA produced the lowest grain yields (5.97 and 6.8 Mg·ha−1) in 2013 at 84 and 168 kg·N·ha−1potentially due to wet soil conditions at the time of application. Warmer and wetter soil conditions during April-May of 2013 resulted in relatively higher grain yields compared to cooler and drier soil conditions in 2011 with all spring-applied N source/placement treatments. Extreme drought in the 2012 growing season resulted in poor corn growth. Farmers may need to consider fall N applications on claypan soils because spring N application might be riskier since corn grain yield was generally greater than or equal to spring-applied treatments.

Pronitridine and Nitrapyrin With Anhydrous Ammonia for Corn

Nitrogen (N) losses due to leaching, denitrification and/or ammonia volatilization are of utmost concerns since they reduce farm profitability and adversely affect environmental quality. To combat these N losses, a new nitrification inhibitor (NI), pronitridine, can be used to slow down the nitrification process. A two-year (2014, 2015) field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of pronitridine at different rates (9.4, 18.7, and 28.1 L ha-1) with anhydrous ammonia (AA) at 112 kg N ha-1 when applied in the fall or pre-plant on claypan soils in northeast Missouri. Using pronitridine at 9.4 L ha-1 with AA in the fall during a low yielding year (2015) increased corn grain yield 7% compared to AA + nitrapyrin (2.3 L ha-1). Agronomic efficiency and yields were greatest with pronitridine at 9.4 L ha-1 than AA + nitrapyrin. Grain N removal was highest for AA + pronitridine at 18.7 L ha-1 compared to AA + nitrapyrin. Pre-plant application of AA + pronitridine at 9.4 L ha-1 increased grain starch content compared to AA without NI, but it was not significantly different from AA + nitrapyrin. Results indicated that pronitridine was effective in increasing yields when applied in the fall and was similar to other NI’s when applied pre-plant in the spring.

Remaking settlements for sustainability: the Simpler Way

<p><strong>In </strong>view of the global resource and ecological situation, per-capita resource consumption rates in the rich world probably need to be reduced by 90%. This can only be done if there is a "de-growth" transition to some kind of Simpler Way centered on mostly small, highly self-sufficient and self-governing communities in control of local economies within a culture that is not focused on material wealth. It is not surprising that the viability of such a vision is typically regarded as implausible. The aim of this study is to show that normal outer city suburbs could be restructured along the lines required to cut global impacts by the necessary amount, while improving the quality of life. Data on typical Australian consumption rates, food production yields, suburban geographies, etc. is used to estimate the achievable reductions. The theoretical conclusion that such reductions could be made aligns with a study of the Dancing Rabbit Eco-village in northeast Missouri. Heavy cuts in resource consumption cannot be made without extreme change in economic, political, settlement and cultural systems.</p><p><strong>Key words</strong>: The Simpler Way, de-growth.</p>

Changes in subsoil acidity with a new deep vertical lime placement practice for conservation tillage systems

Poorly drained claypan soils in the midwestern United States that are managed for corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) and soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> [L.] Merr.) production often have optimum surface pH for crop growth, but are characterized by acidic subsoils. Stratification of soil acidity may inhibit root growth leading to decreased drought tolerance and grain yields. Agricultural lime application can increase soil pH and provide calcium (Ca) to the soil, but these amendments rarely affect the subsoil, especially when a conservation tillage system that results in minimal lime incorporation is utilized. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of surface lime placement compared to a novel deep vertical lime placement practice at various rates on subsoil characteristics under corn and soybean production. Field trials were conducted from 2012 to 2016 in northeast Missouri with treatments of aglime broadcast to the surface soil or incorporated as a vertical band using a custom built shank to a depth of 51 cm (20 in) into the subsoil at 0, 3.4, and 6.7 Mg lime ha⁻¹ (0, 1.5, and 3.0 tn lime ac⁻¹). Soil pH results indicated that the top 13 cm (5 in) of soil was not affected by deep lime placement, but at depths of 13 to 25 cm (5 to 10 in) soil pH increased up to 0.6 and 0.7 units for deep vertical placed lime at 3.4 and 6.7 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively. When compared with control treatments, vertical placement of lime at 3.4 and 6.7 Mg ha⁻¹ increased subsoil pH at depths of 13 to 25 and 25 to 38 cm (10 to 15 in), respectively, one year after application. A similar comparison with the control treatment indicated that deep vertical placement at 6.7 Mg ha⁻¹ increased subsoil pH at 13 to 25 cm depths by 6.5% and 5.7% two and three years after application, respectively. Analysis of the spatial distribution of soil pH and neutralizable acidity in the soil profile indicate penetration of liming effects up to 38 cm (15 in) into the subsoil, but there was minimal evidence of movement away from the initial vertical placement band during a seven-month period.

Educational gaming and afterschool students' science and drug prevention knowledge and attitudes: A program evaluation report for HTF community drug prevention coalition conducted by Truman State University Student Research Team

The Heartland Task Force C2000 Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition in rural Northeast Missouri purchased laptops for a local afterschool program and enthusiastically conducted a novel intervention for substance abuse prevention education. A digital educational game focused on science and drug prevention knowledge and attitudes was delivered on the laptop computers to at-risk elementary students in the school district’s afterschool program. After hour-long sessions for one day every week for six weeks, results of pre-post knowledge and attitude surveys noted the game neither significantly changed participants’ knowledge of science and drug prevention nor attitudes toward science and drug prevention. Results of the present evaluation study were inconsistent with other studies using technology in the classroom, possibly due to program delivery in the less formal afterschool setting. Because elementary students’ attitudes toward drug use become more pro-use as they get older, consistent teaching about science and anti-drug education both during and after school is needed.

Use of a New Deep Vertical Gypsum Placement Practice on Corn and Soybean Production in Conservation Tillage Systems

Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) production in claypan soils in the north central U.S. may be constrained by the presence of acidic subsoils. Subsoil acidity can inhibit root growth leading to decreased drought tolerance and grain yields. In conservation tillage systems, management options to incorporate gypsum applications may be limited; thereby reducing available practices to lower subsoil acidity. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of surface placement of gypsum compared to a new practice for deep vertical placement of gypsum on corn and soybean plant growth and yields in a conservation tillage system. Field trials were conducted from 2012 to 2016 in northeast Missouri (USA) with treatments of gypsum (0, 2.9, and 5.2 Mg ha-1) broadcast on the soil surface or applied in a deep vertical band to a depth of 51 cm. Surface and deep banding of gypsum had inconsistent effects on corn and soybean plant heights, plant population and yields. However, deep banding of gypsum resulted in a 6.4 to 9.8% decrease in corn yields and a 9.9 to 13.0% decrease in soybean yields depending on the time after application. These results indicate that further research is warranted in conservation tillage systems in claypan soils to examine modification to the deep vertical placement practice or combining applications of surface-applied gypsum and deep placement of lime in order to develop a practice that will be more effective in overcoming subsoil acidity.

Impact of a New Deep Vertical Lime Placement Practice on Corn and Soybean Production in Conservation Tillage Systems

Agricultural soils utilized for corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) production in the Midwestern U.S. are often managed to have adequate surface soil pH for crop growth, but the presence of acidic subsoils may limit crop production. Subsoil acidity may inhibit root growth, leading to decreased drought tolerance and grain yields. Application of aglime can increase soil pH, improve soil structure, and provide calcium and magnesium to the soil, but surface amendments that often occur in no-till systems rarely affect the subsoil, resulting in potential chemical and physical barriers to root growth. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of surface and a new deep vertical lime placement practice, at three application rates, on corn and soybean plant growth and yields in a conservation tillage system. Field trials were conducted from 2012 to 2016 in Northeast Missouri on a poorly-drained claypan soil with treatments of lime (0, 3.4, and 6.7 Mg ha−1) broadcast on the soil surface or applied as a deep vertical band to a depth of 51 cm. When precipitation was below average, compared to control plots, deep vertical placed lime at 6.7 Mg ha−1 significantly raised corn yields by 1.3 Mg ha−1 four years after treatment. In years with adequate precipitation, no significant increases in corn yield were observed with deep lime placement treatments compared to the control. Lime treatments had a greater effect on corn yield than soybean. Deep vertical placement of lime resulted in no significant increase in soybean yield compared to the controls for all trials. Longer observation time may be needed to fully evaluate the effects of these lime placement treatments.

Ecological modeling over seven years to describe the number of host-seeking Amblyomma americanum in each life stage in northeast Missouri.

Amblyomma americanum (L.), the lone star tick, is a vector of pathogens in humans and other animals throughout the United States. Our objective was to characterize how environmental factors influence patterns of A. americanum activity throughout its life cycle by creating statistical models that describe the number of active off-host larvae, nymphs, and adults in northeast Missouri from 2007 to 2013. Ticks were collected every other week from a permanent sampling grid in a second-growth forest and in an old field habitat. Each of the three life stage models considered six meteorological variables and one biotic variable. Regression modeling was used to make candidate models which were evaluated with eight selection criteria. Best-selected models were useful in describing seasonality and magnitude of A. americanum activity for larvae, nymphs, and adults. While distinct subsets of environmental variables were optimal in each life stage, all three models incorporated cumulative degree days, habitat, and number of ticks in the previous life stage. These models further elucidate how environmental and demographic factors influence patterns of host-seeking activity throughout the A. americanum life cycle, providing insight into how changing climate may impact risk of tick-borne pathogen transmission.

Factors controlling streambank erosion and phosphorus loss in claypan watersheds

Although the targeting and efficacy of erosion management practices have improved, sediment and nutrients continue to degrade surface waters of North America. This study investigated the influence of land use, stream order, and season on streambank erosion and phosphorus (P) transport in the Central Claypan Region of northeast Missouri. The erosion pin method was used to measure bank erosion at 37 sites in Crooked Creek and Otter Creek watersheds from 2008 to 2011. At 18 of the sites, bank vegetation data were collected and watershed characteristics acquired. Bank erosion was highly variable with a mean linear erosion rate of 99 kg m⁻¹ y⁻¹ (66 lb ft⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and a range of −31 to 490 kg m⁻¹ y⁻¹ (−20 to 330 lb ft⁻¹ yr⁻¹); mean bank recession rate was 7.1 cm y⁻¹ (2.8 in yr⁻¹) and ranged from −2.5 to 33 cm y⁻¹ (−1 to 13 in yr⁻¹). Erosion rates were significantly greater in winter (December to March) than other seasons and were highly correlated to winter and annual stream discharge (<i>r</i> ≥ 0.95, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Watershed-scale estimates showed that streambanks contributed an average of 83% of annual in-stream sediment and 67% of total P loss, clearly demonstrating the impact that bank erosion has on stream water quality in this region. Regression models developed using riparian vegetation and watershed variables accounted for up to 48% of the variability in streambank recession rates, but the models were insufficient for prediction purposes. Overall, the results indicated that current land use, bank vegetation, stream order, and watershed characteristics were not the primary controls on streambank erosion rates. Other factors, such as historic land use changes, stream channelization, and the damming of the Salt River have resulted in major alterations to stream hydrology and geomorphology in these watersheds that have not yet re-equilibrated. These overarching factors, in combination with season, continue to be the main factors controlling streambank erosion in these watersheds.

Field variability and vulnerability index to identify regional precision agriculture opportunity

Innovations in precision agriculture (PA) have created opportunities to achieve a greater understanding of within-field variability. However, PA adoption has been hindered by uncertainty about field-specific performance and return on investment. Uncertainty could be better addressed by using innovative analyses that provide insights into variability among fields and across a region. The objectives of this research were to: (1) generate a within-field soil clay-content variability index (VIc), (2) create a regional-scale growing-season precipitation variability index (VIp), and (3) integrate the soil and weather indices with the USDA NRCS soil erosion vulnerability index (SVI) to produce a final index that incorporated both variability and vulnerability (VVI). The interpretation of the outcomes represented by each objective supports unique decisions that land managers may consider for reducing uncertainty about implementing PA. All indices were derived using publically available information for Missouri, USA. The VIc was the ratio between the maximum and minimum clay content within fields. The VIp was calculated as the standard deviation of the total growing-season precipitation from 2006 to 2015. Significant clustering of VIc and VIp were observed along the Missouri River corridor, northeast and northwest Missouri. Fields with high VVI were mostly in the claypan soil region of northeast Missouri, and along a portion of the Missouri River dominated by loess soils on steep slopes. Southeast Missouri displayed the greatest diversity in soil and weather variability, but had low vulnerability. This research could be used as a decision-support tool to aid producers and PA service and product providers in determining where PA opportunities exist.

Music perception and the Hunt Fellowship

I was the 1987–1988 Hunt Postdoctoral Research Fellow a lifetime ago. As a mathematics/physics nerd with a love of music, I consider it the greatest privilege of my life to have spent my formative years at the feet of Dr. Arthur Benade at Case Western Reserve University, where I earned my Ph.D. in physics. Art was my mentor and my friend, and I was his last Ph.D. student. I accompanied him to many ASA meetings in the early 1980’s. Although Art’s primary expertise was in the physics of wind instruments, he put me to work on issues of perception of musical sounds in the random sound fields of enclosed spaces. The focus on music perception paved the way for my post-doctoral research in Munich, supported by the Hunt Fellowship, where I worked with Professor Ernst Terhardt at the Technical University of Munich, testing his robust pitch algorithm with genuine musical sounds derived in a reverberant space. The results of that research mainly supported Terhardt’s work. Since then, I have redirected my interests to physics education and undergraduate research and also serve in departmental leadership at Truman State University, a public liberal arts institution in rural northeast Missouri.

Community, commons, and degrowth at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage

Abstract For centuries, intentional communities of various sorts have been formed to experiment with alternative socio-cultural and economic models. As we enter the Anthropocene and find ourselves in a world challenged to create a post-carbon economy that is no longer reliant on endless growth, such models are in greater demand than ever. Since the mid-1990s, hundreds of ecovillages around the world have been experimenting with ways to achieve prosperity without growth. Linking to three transition discourses, this article uses ongoing ethnographic research to describe how one intentional community – Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage in northeast Missouri, USA – is forging such models by cultivating cooperative cultural values and behaviors, recreating the commons, and sharing their experiences and lessons with broader publics through media, research, and educational programs. Based on ongoing participatory action research, I present data on areas such as energy use, water use, solid waste production, and perceived happiness to illustrate that the community is achieving the decreased consumption patterns required for degrowth while maintaining a high quality of life for its members. Finally, the paper reflects on the role of the activist-researcher facing the dual tasks of helping the community move toward its goals while simultaneously translating the particular to more broadly applicable theory and practice. Key words: commons, degrowth, ecovillages, intentional communities, participatory action research, transition discourses