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Climate Impacts on Bird and Plant Communities From Altered Animal – Plant Interactions: The contribution of climate change to declining populations of organisms remains a question of outstanding concern. Much attention to declining populations has focused on how changing climate drives phenological mismatches between animals and their food. Effects of climate on plant communities may provide an alternative, but particularly powerful, influence on animal populations because plants provide their habitats. Here, we show that abundances of deciduous trees and associated songbirds have declined with decreasing snowfall over 22 years of study in Montane, Arizona, USA.

Multistability and Critical Thresholds of the Greenland Ice Sheet: Recent studies have focused on the short-term contribution of the Greenland ice sheet to sea-level rise, yet little is known about its long-term stability. The present best estimate of the threshold in global temperature rise leading to complete melting of the ice sheet is 3.1 °C (1.9–5.1 °C, 95% confidence interval) above the preindustrial climate, determined as the temperature for which the modeled surface mass balance of the present-day ice sheet turns negative. Here, using a fully coupled model, we show that this criterion systematically overestimates the temperature threshold and that the Greenland ice sheet is more sensitive to long-term climate change than previously thought.

Virginia Herpetological Society: Organized in 1958, the Virginia Herpetological Society brings together people interested in advancing their knowledge of Virginia's reptiles and amphibians. The VHS encourages scientific study of Virginia herpetofauna and its conservation. Education continues to be an important society function.

N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Conservation Registry Portal: A new, online information system that records, tracks and maps conservation efforts across the state.

Public Comment on USGS Environmental Health Strategic Science Plan: The draft USGS Environmental Health Strategic Science Plan is open for public comment until September 1, 2012. We would appreciate your thoughts and input.

Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Annual Meeting 2012: The Native American Fish & Wildlife Society 30th Annual National Conference to be held at Harrah's Resort/ Casino/ Conference Center in Cherokee, North Carolina, April 30 - May 3, 2012.

RFA Conference Call Q & A - March 9, 2011: Approximately 25 individuals participated on the first informational call for the Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC), held at 10AM on March 9, 2012. The following agencies/organizations were represented (this may not be a complete list): NatureServe, University of Georgia, Ohio State, West Virginia University, USGS (multiple locations), National Wildlife Foundation, University of Connecticut, University of Missouri, University of Kentucky, Equinox Environmental, NC State, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry.

Mussels: Due to their long lifespan and sensitivity to degradation, freshwater mussels are increasingly valued for tracking status and trends of the health of inland waters.

Little Tennessee River: A tributary of the Tennessee River located in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Salamander: There are more species of Salamanders in the Appalachians, include endemics, than anywhere else on the planet.

Eastern_Brook_Trout: The Eastern Brook Trout is the only native trout that inhabits the cold, clear streams of the eastern United States. It is the state fish in many eastern states and is a prized sport fish by anglers.

Grey Bat: The grey bat is an endangered species that lives in caves year-round.

Golden-winged Warbler: These birds spend much of their time in young forests and old field succession environments.

Wood Thrush_02: Wood Thrush breeds in the deciduous forests of eastern North America. They are experiencing population declines due to degradation of habitat.