Red Cedar Research Articles

Conversion of lignin into renewable carboxylic acid compounds by advanced oxidation processes

The present study was designed to investigate formation of possible carboxylic acids from oxidation of lignin by Fenton and UV-Fenton advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The study was performed with model lignin monomers (syringaldehyde (SA), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HBA), 2-methoxyphenol (2-MP) and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP)) and also with lignin isolated from eastern red cedar. Products in samples withdrawn from the reactor mixture at different oxidation stages were determined by GC-MS. Oxidation of one of lignin monomer (2-MP) was also performed with a different AOPs (UV/TiO2) for comparison of oxidation products.Depending on the oxidation stages, various carboxylic acids having aromatic and non-aromatic structures with mono- or di-carboxyl functional groups were determined. Performing oxidation of 2-MP with UV/TiO2 led to formation of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid as a low-carbon chain monocarboxylic acid which was not formed in Fenton and UV-Fenton. Oxidation products from the lignin fraction had mono- and di-carboxylic acid products in low percentages.

Neighborhood diversity simultaneously increased and decreased susceptibility to contrasting herbivores in an early stage forest diversity experiment

Abstract Forest structure and diversity can regulate tree vulnerability to damage by insects and pathogens. Past work suggests that trees with diverse neighbours should experience less leaf herbivory and less damage from specialist herbivores and diseases, and that the effect of neighbourhood diversity should be strongest at small spatial scales. In an early stage temperate tree diversity experiment, we monitored damage from leaf removing herbivores, specialist (gallers and leaf miners) herbivores, and two specialist fungal diseases (maple leaf anthracnose and cedar apple gall rust) over 3 years. The experimental design included treatments that varied independently in phylogenetic and functional diversity and we made our analyses across four spatial scales (1–16 m2). Neighborhood diversity simultaneously increased leaf removal for some species, decreased it for others, and had no effect on yet others. Height apparency—the difference between a focal plant’s height and its neighbours’—was the best single predictor of leaf removal across species and spatial scales, but the strength and direction of its effect were also species‐specific. Specialist pathogens and fungal foliar diseases showed signs of associational resistance and susceptibility. Oaks (Quercus spp.) were more resistant to leaf miners and maples were more resistant to anthracnose when surrounded by diverse neighbours (associational resistance). In contrast, birches (Betula papyrifera) were more susceptible to leaf miners and eastern red cedars (Juniperus virginiana) were more susceptible to cedar apple gall rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi‐virginianae) infection in diverse environments (associational susceptibility). Herbivore and pathogen damage was better predicted by community structure and diversity at small spatial scales (1 and 4 m2) than large scales (9 and 16 m2), suggesting a characteristic spatial scale for these biodiversity‐ecosystem functioning effects. Synthesis. Humans control forest diversity through selective harvesting and planting in natural stands and plantations. Our experimental demonstration of the role of local community structure and diversity in suppressing some forms of pest and pathogen damage to trees suggests that forest management can be most effective when diversity is considered at small spatial scales and the underlying biology of particular pests, pathogens, and hosts is taken into account. Pictured here: the “galls” formed by cedar apple gall rust (Gymnosporangium juniperae‐virginiae) on eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) in early spring release wind‐dispersed teleospores. Junipers showed associational susceptibility: greater susceptibility to gall rust with more diverse neighbours.

Impact of the Wildlife Management Units Policy on the Conservation of Species and Ecosystems of Southeastern Mexico

Wildlife in Latin America is subject to enormous pressures and, as in most countries, has been negatively impacted in Mexico. In 1997, the Mexican government implemented a policy of conservation and sustainable use of wildlife units (called UMAs, by their Spanish acronym) that comprises intensive and free-living management. Since then, no national or regional assessments have been conducted to estimate impacts and benefits even with 5529 registered UMAs now covering almost 20% of the national territory. The objective of this study was to characterize the SUMA (UMAs System) in a regional context in three states of southeastern Mexico. The impact of UMAs was studied in depth through a selection of representative case studies: three species of mangrove (Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa and Rhizophora mangle), ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), red cedar (Cedrela odorata) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and a connectivity analysis, in order to evaluate the contribution of the UMAs to the conservation of species and ecosystems. The number of active UMAs at regional scale was 834, managing 273 species; 7.1% of the UMAs manage nationally-prioritized species, while 8.3% and 94.3% manage endemic and native species, respectively. Conservation of ecosystems has been successfully achieved through the UMAs that manage mangrove and white-tailed deer. We propose to promote the establishment of free-living UMAs that would contribute to increase the conservation areas. Finally, we highlight the relevance of regional-scale spatial analysis as an important tool for improving environmental policy and conservation strategies.

Effects of removing woody cover on long-term population dynamics of a rare annual plant (Agalinis auriculata): A study comparing remnant prairie and oldfield habitats.

Worldwide, grasslands are becoming shrublands/forests. In North America, eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) often colonizes prairies. Habitat management can focus on woody removal, but we often lack long‐term data on whether removal leads to population recovery of herbaceous plants without seeding. We undertook a long‐term study (17 years) of numbers of the rare annual plant Agalinis auriculata in a gridwork of 100 m2 plots in adjacent prairie and oldfield sites in Kansas, USA. We collected data before and after removal of Juniperus virginiana at the prairie. Plant population sizes were highly variable at both sites and over time. High numbers of plants in a plot 1 year were often followed by low numbers the following year, suggesting negative density‐dependence. Plant numbers were lowest with extensive woody cover and with low precipitation. After woody plant removal, A. auriculata increased dramatically in abundance and occupancy in most years; increases were also seen at the oldfield, suggesting later survey years were overall more favorable. Synthesis and applications: Removal of woody plants led to increased numbers of a rare annual prairie plant, without seeding. Multiple years of data were essential for interpretation given extreme temporal variability in numbers. The largest prairie population was 7 years following tree removal, showing that positive effects of management can last this long. This species also fared well in oldfield habitat, suggesting restoration opportunities. Given that land managers are busy, time‐efficient field methods and data analysis approaches such as ours offer advantages. In addition to general linear models, we suggest Rank Occupancy‐Abundance Profiles (ROAPs), a simple‐to‐use data visualization and analysis method. Creation of ROAPs for sites before and after habitat management helps reveal the degree to which plant populations are responding to management with changes in local density, changes in occupancy, or both.

Effects of a large flood on woody vegetation along the regulated Missouri River, USA

AbstractIn 2011, a large, long‐duration flood occurred on the regulated Missouri River following six decades without flooding. This study evaluated the effects of the flood on riparian forest structure and composition. In 2012, 168 forest sites sampled in 2006–2009 were resampled on five floodplain segments between Montana and Missouri, with 80 sampled again in 2013–2014. Changes in riparian forest area over 2006–2012, by age class and segment, were assessed using aerial imagery and GIS. Repeated‐measures analysis of variance was used to examine (a) the initial effects of the flood (preflood to 2012) on tree and shrub stem densities, (b) postflood (2012–2014) changes in stem density, and (c) species‐level responses for cottonwood (Populus deltoides), eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). Across the study area, forest area declined 6–38% among age classes, with the greatest declines in the youngest classes. Tree density declined 19–49% across segments from preflood to 2012 but did not change significantly from 2012 to 2014. Shrub density declined 52–89% across segments from preflood to 2012, with 73–78% declines in the two youngest age classes, but increased by 42% from 2012 to 2014. Cottonwood and Russian olive, but not red cedar, showed partial recovery in the shrub/sapling layer, increasing from 2012 to 2014. Although flooding is important for floodplain forest health, the 2011 flood had mixed effects, with significant mortality of native floodplain trees and shrubs and only limited cottonwood recruitment. The initial decline in invasive species (Russian olive and red cedar), however, suggests that flooding may be an effective management tool.

Conidial fungi associated with leaf litter of red cedar (Cedrela odorata) in Belém, Pará (eastern Brazilian Amazon)

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the species of conidial fungi associated with leaf litter of Cedrela odorata (Meliaceae), an endangered red cedar species typical of Amazonian terra-firme forests. Conidial fungi were sampled around C. odorata individuals in three forest areas in the municipality of Belém (Pará State, Brazil). A total of 104 species were identified, with 53 new records for the state of Pará, 46 first records for the Brazilian Amazon, including new records for Brazil (Cordana abramovii), for South America (Acarocybiopsis cubitaensis, Xylocladium claviforme) and for the Americas (Dactylaria biguttulata). A review of species of conidial fungi reported on C. odorata is provided, indicating its distribution in Brazil. For each new record in Brazil, South America and the Americas we present a description, illustrations, geographical distribution and taxonomic comments.

Change in the periodicity of a cyclical forest defoliator: An indicator of ecosystem alteration in Western Canada

The western spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman = C. freemani (Razowski), Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) (WSB) is a recurrent defoliator of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and other conifers in western North America. Repeated defoliation causes timber depletions, which often require control using pest management programs involving combinations of aerial sprays with biological controllers (Bacillus thuringiensis) and other tactics. Anticipating the recurrence cycle of this periodic defoliator is important for forest management planning, which needs to consider budworm-caused depletions in timber supply analyses, and for risk management and control. We studied the historical periodicity of outbreaks at the western edge of the insect’s distribution, on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, using the methods of dendrochronology applied to a living Douglas-fir chronology spanning 734 years (1281–2014 CE) and a floating chronology dating from 1863 to 1528 before the Common Era (BCE). To separate the growth fluctuations due to budworm defoliation from climatic fluctuations in the living chronology, we compared the temporal growth patterns of Douglas-fir with those of the non-budworm host western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don), which is sympatric with Douglas-fir in this area. We concluded that before the 1930s, outbreaks were frequent, severe, and often spatially synchronized. Following the 1930s, periods of growth reductions indicative of outbreaks were present at the same frequency, but were less severe and not as synchronized as before. We provide evidence to suggest that periodic budworm disturbances on southern Vancouver Island have persisted through the centuries but that this regime has gradually shifted outside its historic range at about 1930. We concluded that although WSB is still present in this setting, population levels have not reached detectable outbreak levels for the last 90 years. We hypothesized that the absence of budworm outbreaks in the last 90 years is a response to the drastic ecosystem changes in this region caused by exploitation and fragmentation of the virgin forests, to possible changes in climate and to the accidental introduction of novel budworm predators into the ecosystem.

Species Structure of Oribatid Mite Population (Acari, Oribatea) in the Forest Floor Litter in the Reclaimed Territories (Ukraine)

Abstract The features of the structure of the population of oribatid mites (Oribatida) as primary destructors of dead plant material that provide such ecosystem service as improvement of soil fertility are considered. Studies were performed in various stratigraphic types of artifi cial edaphotopes in the reclaimed sites of “Pavlogradskaya” query (Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk Region, Ukraine), which were planted with eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana Linnaeus). Th e amount of oribatid mite species in the forest litter of studied forest plantation varied from 16 to 25. Minimal number of species (16) and minimal population density of oribatid mites (4720 ind./m2) was established for calcic chernozem topsoil type with sand interlayer, which can be explained by lower thickness of the forest fl oor litter within this reclamation type.

Biochar enhanced ethanol and butanol production by Clostridium carboxidivorans from syngas

Biochar has functional groups, pH buffering capacity and cation exchange capacity (CEC) that can be beneficial in syngas fermentation. This study examined the properties of biochar made from switchgrass (SGBC), forage sorghum (FSBC), red cedar (RCBC) and poultry litter (PLBC), and their effects on ethanol and butanol production from syngas using Clostridium carboxidivorans. Experiments were performed in 250 mL bottle reactors with a 50 mL working volume at 37 °C fed syngas containing CO:H2:CO2 (40:30:30 by volume). Results showed that PLBC and SGBC enhanced ethanol production by 90% and 73%, respectively, and butanol production by fourfold compared to standard yeast extract medium without biochar (control). CO and H2 utilization in PLBC and SGBC media increased compared to control. PLBC had the highest pH buffering capacity, CEC and total amount of cations compared with SGBC, FSBC and RCBC, which could have contributed to its highest enhancement of ethanol and butanol production.

Nest trees of northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) in Washington and Oregon, USA.

The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is a federally-threatened subspecies in the United States associated with late-successional forests. In mesic forests it nests primarily in tree cavities, but also uses various types of external platform nests in drier forests. We describe 1717 northern spotted owl nests in 16 different tree species in five study areas in Washington and Oregon in the Pacific Northwest, USA. The vast majority of nests (87%) were in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees, except on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, where nests were about equally abundant in Douglas-fir, western red cedar (Thuja plicata), and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) trees. Distribution of nests was 57.9% in top cavities of trees with broken tops, 20.3% in side cavities of hollow tree trunks, and 21.8% on external platforms of trees. Platforms were most common in the two driest study areas in the Eastern Cascades Physiographic Province, Washington (89% of nests), and the Klamath Province, Oregon (32%). The vast majority (89%) of nests were in trees with intact or declining crowns. Nests in dead trees were most common on the Olympic Peninsula. Nest trees with top and side cavities were larger and much more prevalent in study areas where annual precipitation was highest (Olympic Peninsula, Oregon Coast Range). Large nest cavities and platforms used by northern spotted owls occur almost exclusively in old forest. Managing for the retention of such forests and for their replacement is a significant challenge for land managers, especially in the face of climate change and an increasing human population, but will likely be required for the persistence of viable populations of northern spotted owls.

Substituting ground woody plants for cottonseed hulls in kid goat feedlot diets: growth performance and blood serum chemistry.

Boer × Spanish kid goats (n = 48) were used to evaluate effects of using ground woody products in feedlot diets on growth performance and blood serum chemistry. A completely randomized study design was used with 2 feeding periods (Period 1 = 70% concentrate, days 0 to 26; Period 2 = 86% concentrate, days 27 to 64). Goats were individually fed 1 of 6 diets that differed only by roughage source (n = 4 wether males and 4 females/treatment; initial BW = 22 ± 2 kg): cottonseed hulls (CSH; control) or ground wood consisting of redberry (RED), blueberry (BLUE), one-seed (ONE), or eastern red cedar (ERC) Juniperus spp., or Prosopis glandulosa (MESQ). Ground woody diets were individually compared with CSH. During Period 1, goats fed CSH had greater (P < 0.05) average daily DMI (DMI), ADG, and G:F than goats fed MESQ and tended to have greater (P < 0.10) ADG and G:F than goats fed BLUE. A Treatment × d interaction (P = 0.008) was observed for goat BW during Period 1 and goats fed CSH tended (P < 0.09) to have greater BW on day 27 than goats fed BLUE or MESQ. During Period 2, Treatment × d interactions were not observed (P > 0.29) for DMI, ADG, G:F, or BW and no differences were observed between goats fed CSH and goats fed any of the treatment diets. Various blood serum variables were different between CSH and goats fed diets containing woody plants (mainly during Period 1); however, blood serum profiles did not indicate hepatotoxicity or any other health issue. Collectively, results suggested that ground Juniperus pinchotii, Juniperus ashei, or Juniperus monosperma can completely replace CSH in goat feedlot diets without negatively affecting growth performance or animal health. During Period 1, feeding diets to goats that contain 30% Juniperus virginiana (ERC) or P. glandulosa (MESQ) may not be economically justifiable in most scenarios, even though goat health, assessed by blood serum profiles, was not negatively affected. However, using 14% J. virginiana (ERC) or P. glandulosa (MESQ) in finishing diets is warranted.

Eastern red cedar: cedarwood oil extraction and bioactivity

Eastern red cedar: cedarwood oil extraction and bioactivity

Dried cell wall nanopore configuration of Douglas-fir, western red cedar and aspen heartwoods

Wood cell wall pores are essential for understanding nanostructure and subsequent application to wood processing and new product design. CO2 and N2 sorption isotherms were used to explore nanopores in dried cell walls of Douglas-fir, aspen and western red cedar heartwood specimens. The total cell wall pore volume was estimated as sum of detected micropore volume from the CO2 isotherm and the volume of pores that are less than 10 nm from the N2 isotherm. The estimated pore volumes from the gas sorption method were statistically lower than those obtained from the classical pycnometer method using water and white mineral oil as replacing liquids. Large open hysteresis was observed in CO2 sorption isotherms. Further pore distribution analysis assigned the detected 10–36 nm pores to those in pit membranes. Extraction of western red cedar heartwoods largely affected the detected 0.4–0.6 nm pores, which strongly suggests penetration of extractives into cell walls. Despite the exploratory nature of this study on western red cedar, CO2 sorption analysis shows great potential in exploring micro-distribution of extractives.

An Old Circumneutral Red Cedar Rocky Outcrop Community In the Pawtuckaway Mountains, New Hampshire

abstract Red cedar woodlands on circumneutral outcrops are a rare type of natural community in New Hampshire (S1—Critically Imperiled) and across its global range (G3—Vulnerable). The most studied example in the state, first observed by New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau ecologists over 15 years ago, was surveyed and formally documented in 2016 and 2017 from three adjacent slopes of the ring-dike complex known as the Pawtuckaway Mountains in Nottingham and Deerfield, NH. Stand-age studies suggest the red cedar woodland may have existed as a stable community at this site for many centuries. Since examining this site in the Pawtuckaway Mountains, one other circumneutral red cedar rocky outcrop community with similar plant species composition and cover in a comparable physical setting has been documented in southern New Hampshire. Here, we newly describe the circumneutral red cedar rocky outcrop community in New Hampshire.

A comparative study on the fuel properties of biodiesel from woody essential oil depending on terpene composition

The essential oils from four Korean domestic gymnosperm species (red pine, white pine, cypress, and cedar) were examined in this study to understand the fuel characteristics based on their terpene compositions. The elemental composition, heating value, density at 20 °C, energy density, flash point, and kinematic viscosity at 40 °C of each woody essential oil were analyzed based on their terpene composition. The major elements in all woody essential oils investigated in this study were carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The woody essential oils were composed of more than 80% carbon and less than 10% oxygen due to the presence of terpene derivatives (terpene alcohols and terpene acetates). With respect to minor elements, sulfur contents did not satisfy the quality standard (10 ppm). Among the four woody essential oils, both red pine oil and white pine oil showed slightly lower higher heating values (HHVs; 44.09 MJ/kg and 44.13 MJ/kg, respectively) than diesel fuel. There was a negative correlation between oxygen content and HHV. Density was raised by an increase in the average number of carbon atoms and/or the terpene derivative contents and ranged from 0.875 g/mL for red pine oil to 0.924 g/mL for cedar oil. Based on their higher densities than diesel fuel and although they had lower HHVs, higher energy densities (38.59–39.18 MJ/L) were observed, with the exception of cypress oil. All the woody essential oils satisfied the quality standard for flash point (>40 °C). These flash points should consider both the average number of carbon atoms and terpene derivatives. In contrast, the kinematic viscosity of the essential oils was only affected by the number of carbon atoms. Cedar oil (6.1 mm2/s) had the largest kinematic viscosity followed by cypress oil (2.7 mm2/s), white pine oil (1.6 mm2/s), and red pine oil (1.4 mm2/s). By considering all assessed properties, a terpene mixture similar to the essential oil from red pine oil or white pine oil was deemed the most appropriate alternative biodiesel candidate though its viscosity and sulfur content must be improved.

Substituting ground woody plants for cottonseed hulls in lamb feedlot diets: carcass characteristics, adipose tissue fatty acid composition, and sensory panel traits

Effects of using ground woody plants in Rambouillet wether lamb (n = 48) feedlot diets on carcass characteristics, adipose tissue fatty acid composition, and sensory panel traits were evaluated. In a randomized design study with two feeding periods (period 1 = fed a 70% concentrate diet from days 0 to 27; period 2 = fed an 86% concentrate diet from days 28 to 57), lambs were individually fed six diets that differed only by roughage source (n = 8 animals/treatment; initial BW = 32.9 ± 3.2 kg): cottonseed hulls (CSH; control) or ground wood consisting of either redberry (RED), blueberry (BLUE), one-seed (ONE), or eastern red cedar (ERC) Juniperus spp., or Prosopis glandulosa (MESQ). After 57 d, the lambs were humanely harvested and after chilling (2 ± 1 oC) 24 h, carcasses were evaluated for carcass traits. At 48 h postmortem, the longissimus thoracis (LT) was removed from the left side of the carcass, and after freezing for no more than 3 mo, were thawed for 24 h, cooked, and evaluated by a trained sensory panel. Additionally, volatile aroma chemicals on the LT were determined by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer/olfactory (GC/MS/OF, respectively) analyses. Lamb HCW was greater (P = 0.01) for lambs fed CSH compared with all other diets, but lambs had similar (P > 0.08) LM area, back fat thickness, leg circumference, and body wall. Neither adipose tissue fatty acid composition (P > 0.08) nor trained sensory panel evaluation (P > 0.18) was affected by finishing diet roughage source. Of the 81 volatile aroma compounds found in the grilled lamb chops, only seven were affected (P < 0.05) by dietary roughage source and included 1-pentanol (a sweet, pleasant aroma), heptenal (a fishy aroma), pentanal (fermented, bready aroma description), 1-(1H-pyrol-2yl)-ethanone (caramel-like), 2-heptanone (cheesy, banana, fruity aromatic), 6,7-dodecanedione (unknown aroma), and butanoic acid (a sweaty, rancid aroma). The addition of any of four species of juniper or mesquite may be substituted for CSH without negatively affecting carcass fat and muscling, fatty acid, or sensory traits.

Structure of the oribatid mite population (Acariformes, Oribatida) in the topsoil within forest plantations in reclaimed territories (Ukraine)

It has been demonstrated that coal mining leads to land degradation and devegetation with subsequent desertification of landscapes. Recently, it has become a worldwide environmental and socioeconomic problem. The presented study was performed on various stratigraphic types of artificial edaphotopes on the reclaimed site of “Pavlogradskaya” mine (Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine) planted with eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.). The features of the structure of oribatid mite (Oribatida) population as primary destructors of dead plant material that provide such ecosystem service as improvement of soil fertility are considered. The amount of oribatid mite species varied from 17 to 26 within the studied plots in the topsoil under the red cedar. The minimal quantity of species (17 and 19, accordingly) was found in recultivated plots covered with Calcic Chernozem on the interlayer of loesslike loam and Calcic Chernozem on the interlayer of sand compared to loess-like loam topsoil (26 species). The average density of populations of oribatid mites varied from 1820 to 2887 ind./m2. A higher meaning for average population density was found for Calcic Chernozem cover (from 2333 to 2887 ind./m2). In the population of oribatida in all studied artificial edaphotops under the red cedar within reclaimed forest plots, such common species as Multioppia (M.) glabra (Mihelčič, 1955), Ramusella (Rectoppia) mihelcici (Pérez‒Íñigo, 1965) could be identified.

Application of Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) tree bark as a functional filler in pMDI wood adhesives

In this study, Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) tree bark was used as a reactive functional filler (oven-dry particles, <0.1 mm) in polymeric diphenylmethane diisocynate (pMDI) wood adhesives at four different loading levels (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt.%) to improve the bondline formation at the adhesive-substrate interface. Adhesion performance and curing behavior of the bark containing pMDI (B-pMDI) were investigated. B-pMDI adhesive had a higher viscosity than pMDI control and the viscosity value varied according to the bark/pMDI weight ratio. Compared to the pMDI control wood adhesive without bark, B-pMDI showed comparable dry bonding strength and enhanced wet bonding strength for wood substrates. SEM images indicated that B-pMDI formed a thicker and more consistent bondline than the pMDI control due to bark particles effectively bridging the gap between the wood substrates. Based on both Kissinger and isoconversional model-free methods, cure kinetics revealed that oven-dry bark particles chemically reacted with pMDI. Moreover, it was found that a lower activation energy and a higher reaction rate were observed for pMDI curing with moist bark than with oven-dry bark. FTIR characterization suggested the existence of urethane and urea linkages in the cured adhesives.

Registration of ‘Red Cedar’ Dark Red Kidney Bean

‘Red Cedar’ dark red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (Reg. No. CV‐323, PI 685023), developed by Michigan State University AgBioResearch, was released in 2017 as an upright, full‐season cultivar that possesses acceptable canning quality and tolerance to common bacterial blight (CBB) and root rots. Red Cedar was developed using pedigree breeding method to the F4 generation followed by pure line selection for disease, agronomic, and quality traits. In 6 yr of field trials, Red Cedar yielded 3250 kg ha−1, flowered in 40 d, and matured in 101 d on average. Plants averaged 48 cm in height, with a lodging resistance score of 1.8 and seed weight of 55.8 g 100 seed−1. Red Cedar is resistant to race 73 of anthracnose, is partially resistant to local isolates of CBB, is sensitive to strain NL 3 of Bean common mosaic necrosis virus, and is susceptible to bean rust race 22:2. Red Cedar produces seed that meets industry standards for dry seed packaging and was rated satisfactory in overall canned bean quality in the dark red kidney bean seed class.

On the banks of the Red Cedar: toward socio-ecologically robust riparian management in an iconic Michigan river

Land use is continually evolving in river watersheds and riparian zones, particularly in areas containing dense human populations requiring infrastructure development. Land use planners in south-central Michigan, USA, are challenged to balance infrastructure needs with the ecological integrity of the iconic Red Cedar River, which flows through the Michigan state capital (Lansing) and surrounding suburban and rural areas and supports freshwater diatoms, mussels, fishes, and other organisms. Although land use goals in the Red Cedar River watershed include protecting riverine biodiversity, decision-makers need a systematic method for predicting and mitigating effects of land use change on the river ecosystem. We developed a framework for evaluating habitat associations of diatoms and native unionid mussels in the Red Cedar River using field collections and mixed-effects modeling to facilitate socio-ecologically informed riparian management. Diatoms were significantly more abundant and genus-rich in riffles and pools than runs, whereas mussels were more abundant in riffles than pools, with intermediate run abundance. Diatom relative abundance was most affected by pH (+ effect), depth (+), and water temperature (+), similar to diatom genus richness (pH and depth +). Mussel relative abundance was best explained by depth (–), pH (+), and percent forest cover (+), similar to mussel length (depth +, pH –). Results from this study underscore riparian management strategies for optimizing forest cover, depth, and pH to promote ecologically favorable conditions for diatoms and mussels in the Red Cedar River (e.g. stable, near-neutral pH; diverse tree species with ≥60% forest cover). Advancing understanding of aquatic biota and their habitats, this research provides a foundation for socio-ecologically balanced land use planning in the Red Cedar River and other riverine ecosystems.