Joseph S. Larson

Public attitudes and economic values for wetland preservation in New England

Wetland preservation produces two types of economic value: use value and nonuse (existence) value. Previous studies have focused almost exclusively on use value, yet nonuse value is becoming increasingly important, in part because it is now considered by the courts in natural resource damage assessments. This study uses the contingent valuation survey technique to estimate thetotal economic value of wetland preservation in New England. Respondents were willing to pay an average of between 74 and 80 dollars per year (over a five-year period) for wetlands providing flood protection, water supply, and water pollution control and between 81 and 96 dollars per year for wetlands containing rare species of plants. Aggregate value estimates ranged between 242 and 313 million dollars per year. Survey results suggest that most of this value is nonuse value—failure to consider nonuse values in decision making can therefore understate the value of preservation by a substantial margin.

Winter Activity Patterns of Two Radio-Marked Beaver Colonies

Activities of two radio-marked beaver ( Castor canadensis ) colonies were studied during the winters of 1976–1977 and 1977–1978. In one colony the adult male and adult female displayed free-running activity rhythms of 29.0 and 26.6 h respectively, under variable ambient temperatures and intermittent ice cover. Their activities were asynchronous for a period when the adult male apparently was entrained to a weak photoperiod Zeitgeber, and the adult female was free-running. For both colonies an index of above-ice activity was positively related to ambient temperature, i.e., below about −10°C above-ice activity was absent and, as temperature increased, above-ice activity increased. Free-running activity patterns and above-ice activity are interpreted to be behavioral adaptations related to wintertime bioenergetic budgets.

Some sexual differences in behaviour within a colony of marked beavers (Castor canadensis)

Abstract Sexual differences in social and construction behaviours of Canadian beavers ( Castor canadensis ) were studied in the field in central Massachusetts. The colony was organized around the adult female. She emerged from the lodge first 93 per cent of the time, tail-slapped twice as frequently as the adult male, was the alpha member of the family in dominance encounters and elicited more calls from other beavers than any other animal. Tail-slapping by females was significantly more effective in causing beavers to move to deep water than tail-slaps by males. The adult female led the family in lodge maintenance, food cache building and dam maintenance. The adult male performed close dam inspection twice as often as the adult female.

Chipmunks in residential environments

Abstract Chipmunks ( Tamias striatus ) were observed at residential houselots near Amherst, Massachusetts. Activity was highest in spring and fall, and lower in mid-summer. This summer lull was absent where man-supplied food sources were available. Chipmunks were observed in wooded areas, as expected, but mown lawn and other open areas, such as driveways, were seldon used unless broken by trees and shrubs. Chipmunks were frequently observed at houses, in home roof and drainage systems and around man-made physical structures such as stone walls and debris piles. Man-supplied food sources were heavily utilized at several houses, greatly increasing the number of sightings. The horizontal visibility of commonly used perches was found to be relatively unobstructed but not completely open.

Urban conservation leadership and the wildlife resource

Abstract Municipal conservation leaders in one of the most densely populated of the United States were surveyed to determine their preferences for nonconsumptive wildlife-related activities and for wildlife species, and the extent to which wildlife considerations influenced the acquisition of conservation land. The preference among activities was highest for viewing wildlife and for hobby nature study. Wildlife species ranked highest were those that are common, visible, and well publicized. Much interest was expressed in rare and endangered species, but respondents were not able to identify those resident animals which are in this category. Wildlife played a very minor role in the acquisition of conservation land by the municipalities surveyed.

Summer Activity Patterns of Radio Marked Beaver, Castor canadensis

A continuous recording, radio telemetry system was used to monitor activity patterns of 7 beavers in 2 colonies located near Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Activities were recorded from April to October, 1976 and 1977 (1 colony each year); up to 4 individuals were simultaneously monitored. Individuals followed ‘typical’ 24.0 h activity rhythms; onset of activity occurred at 17.2 ± 0.7 h (x¯ ± S.D.) in one colony and at 17.0 ± 1.0 h in the other. Mean cessation of activity times was 6.1 ± 0.8 for one colony and 4.1 ± 1.3 h for the other. Onset of activity tended to be earliest in mid summer and latest in spring and fall. Sunset and length of twilight were statistically significant predictors of onset of activity for most individuals. Total activity period was partitioned into predominately active and predominately inactive portions; activity (12.8 ± 1.0 h) exceeded inactivity (11.1 ± 1.0 h) in one colony and inactivity exceeded activity (12.9 ± 1.3 and 11.2 ± 1.3 h, respectively) in the other. Animals showed biomodal peaks of activity (dusk and dawn), and spent the majority of the nights active period away from the colony site. In one colony when kits were present, time away from the colony site for the adult female was less than that for a comparable prepartum period.

Estimating relative demand for wildlife: Conservation activity indicators

An alternative method of estimating relative demand among nonconsumptive uses of wildlife and among wildlife species is proposed. A demand intensity score (DIS), derived from the relative extent of an individuals involvement in outdoor recreation and conservation activities, is used as a weighting device to adjust the importance of preference rankings for wildlife uses and wildlife species relative to other members of a survey population. These adjusted preference rankings were considered to reflect relative demand levels (RDLs) for wildlife uses and for species by the survey population. This technique may be useful where it is not possible or desirable to estimate demand using traditional economic means. In one of the findings from a survey of municipal conservation commission members in Massachusetts, presented as an illustration of this methodology, poisonous snakes were ranked third in preference among five groups of reptiles. The relative demand level for poisonous snakes, however, was last among the five groups.

Water and Agriculture

The world currently produces enough food to feed everyone, but 925 million people go hungry because they cannot afford to pay for it. In developing countries, rising food prices form a major threat to food security. Since 2007, commodity prices in world markets have fluctuated dramatically and have experienced global spikes in 2007-2008 and in 2010-2011. These spikes caused political and economic instability and led to food riots in several countries. Food prices today remain high, and are expected to remain volatile. For farmers, this results in large income fluctuations for which they have little or no recourse, such as savings and insurance. Not only do macroeconomic factors in conjunction with changes in supply and demand contribute to price volatility; speculative behaviour in organized futures markets may also contribute to volatile food prices and at times results in food waste.