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Google Scholar Google Preview OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat COPAC 19 Marshall Robert. Google Scholar Google Preview OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat COPAC 17 Marshall George. Google Scholar Google Preview OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat COPAC 18 Marshall George. Google Scholar Google Preview OpenURL Placeholder Text WorldCat COPAC 14 Leave No Trace. [Extracted from the article]

Background Zoonoses pose major threats to the health of humans, domestic animals and wildlife, as seen in the COVID-19 pandemic. Zoonoses are the commonest source of emerging human infections and inter-species transmission is facilitated by anthropogenic factors such as encroachment and destruction of wilderness areas, wildlife trafficking and climate change. South Africa was selected for a 'One Health' study to identify research priorities for control of zoonoses due to its complex disease burden and an overstretched health system. Methods A multidisciplinary group of 18 experts identified priority zoonotic diseases, knowledge gaps and proposed research priorities for the next 5 y. Each priority was scored using predefined criteria by another group of five experts and then weighted by a reference group (n=28) and the 18 experts. Results Seventeen diseases were mentioned with the top five being rabies (14/18), TB (13/18), brucellosis (11/18), Rift Valley fever (9/11) and cysticercosis (6/18). In total, 97 specific research priorities were listed, with the majority on basic epidemiological research (n=57), such as measuring the burden of various zoonoses (n=24), followed by 20 on development of new interventions. The highest research priority score was for improving existing interventions (0.77/1.0), followed by health policy and systems research (0.72/1.0). Conclusion Future zoonotic research should improve understanding of zoonotic burden and risk factors and new interventions in public health. People with limited rural services, immunocompromised, in informal settlements and high-risk occupations, should be the highest research priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent taxonomic studies of forest habitats in South Africa have revealed the presence of three new species of freshwater crabs, suggesting that decapod diversity within the indigenous forest biome remain poorly documented. Surveys of the freshwater crabs of north eastern KwaZulu-Natal province produced a number of specimens from Ntendeka Wilderness Area (Ngome forest) and Nkandla and Ngoye forests that proved to belong to two new species following morphological and molecular analysis (mtDNA sequencing of three loci, 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and COI). Two undescribed species, P. ntendekaensis sp. nov. and P. ngoyensis sp. nov. are described. The divergence time estimation of the new phylogeny for eastern and southern African freshwater crabs is discussed to illuminate biogeographic patterning and to understand factors responsible for cladogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the interest in status and trends in forest resources, many countries conduct a national forest inventory (NFI). To better understand the characteristics of woody vegetation in areas that are typically not forested, there is an increasing emphasis on urban inventory efforts where all trees both within and outside forest areas are measured. Often, these two inventories are entirely independent endeavours from data collection through analytical reporting. To holistically explore landscape-scale phenomena across the rural–urban gradient, there is a need to combine information from both sources. In this paper, methods for combining these two data sources are examined using data from an urban inventory conducted in Austin, Texas, USA, and NFI data collected in the same and surrounding areas. Approaches to aggregating areas based on sampling intensity and plot design combinations are of considerable importance for the validity of the estimation. An additional complexity can also arise due to temporal discrepancies between the two data sources. Thus, it is imperative to accurately identify all the existing sampling intensity/plot design combinations within the population of interest. Once this difficulty is surmounted, there still exist aggregation methods that will produce erroneous results. Statistically valid variance estimation arises from maintaining independence of the two samples. This approach satisfies both the proportional allocation among strata requirement as well as the necessary partitioning of the two plot designs. Difficulty in interpretation of results can also be encountered due to differences in measurement protocols across aggregated areas. Thus, analysts should have an in-depth understanding of data sources and the differences between them to avoid unintended errors. The need for rural–urban assessments are expected to increase dramatically as urban areas expand and issues such as land conversion, wildland fire and invasive species spread become of further importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses radical romanticism in literature with wilderness of the Grand Canyon. Topics discussed includes cultivation of the wild to establish a democratic and environmental culture in both its literal and metaphorical forms; and work of radical Romantics like William Wordsworth, Henry David Thoreau and Terry Tempest Williams.

Urban development can fragment and degrade habitat, and such habitat alterations can have profound impacts on wildlife behavior. In urban areas, individuals may occur closer to each other and experience high levels of disturbance, which may favor increased aggression and boldness in urban-dwelling wildlife. We investigated the influence of urbanization on aggression and boldness and the relationships between these traits in Merriam's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami). We predicted that Merriam's kangaroo rats living in urban areas would be more aggressive and bolder than Merriam's kangaroo rats in wildland areas, that the 2 traits would be positively associated, and that the association would be stronger in urban areas. We livetrapped Merriam's kangaroo rats at 4 urban and 4 wildland sites in and around Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States, and assessed aggression using a mirror-image stimulation test and boldness using a predator-scent exposure. We found no difference between urban and wildland Merriam's kangaroo rats in either aggression or boldness. We found a positive statistical relationship between aggression and boldness, but this relationship was not affected by urban versus wildland habitat. These results indicate that Merriam's kangaroo rats may be tolerant of urbanization, if habitat patches within urban areas are similar to wildland habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the connection between US designated wilderness areas and wildlife with the goal of establishing a research agenda for better understanding this complex relationship. Our research agenda has two components. The first, "wildlife for wilderness," considers the impact of wildlife on wilderness character. Whereas studies show that wildlife is important in both the perception and actual enhancement of wilderness character, the context and particulars of this relationship have not been evaluated. For instance, is knowing that a rare, native species is present in a wilderness area enough to increase perceptions of naturalness (an important wilderness quality)? Or does the public need to observe the species or its sign (e.g., tracks) for this benefit? The second part of our research agenda, "wilderness for wildlife," considers the types of research needed to understand the impact of wilderness areas on wildlife and biodiversity conservation. Several studies show the effect of one area being designated wilderness on one wildlife species. Yet, there has been no research that examines how the networks of wilderness areas in the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS) are used by a species or a community of species. Furthermore, we found no studies that focused on how the NWPS affects ecological or trophic interactions among species. We hope that by providing a research agenda, we can spur multiple lines of research on the topic of wildlife and wilderness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing concerns about civil society's connections with wilderness raise intriguing questions about the dynamic character of wilderness meanings and engagement. In this review, we use the notion of an adaptive cycle to suggest that our societal relationships with wilderness are dynamic and not static and that by understanding the adaptive character of connectedness and social cohesiveness, stewardship organizations will have a greater capacity to adapt and respond rather than feel threatened. For each of four stages in the adaptive cycle, we propose information and organizational needs, including leadership that is sensitive to the changing character of relevancy and that can steer an agency through change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the climate and in key ecological processes are prompting increased debate about ecological restoration and other interventions in wilderness. The prospect of intervention in wilderness raises legal, scientific, and values-based questions about the appropriateness of possible actions. In this article, we focus on the role of science to elucidate the potential need for intervention. We review the meaning of "untrammeled" from the 1964 Wilderness Act to aid our understanding of the legal context for potential interventions in wilderness. We explore the tension between restraint and active intervention in managing wilderness and introduce a framework for testing ecological assumptions when evaluating restoration proposals. We illustrate use of the framework in the restoration of fire regimes and fuel conditions in ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forests of the US Rocky Mountains. Even in this relatively well-studied example, we find that the assumptions underlying proposed interventions in wilderness need to be critically evaluated and tested before new, more intensive management paradigms are embraced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-made noise in wilderness degrades the quality of wilderness by interfering with natural sounds-a key attribute of wilderness. Commercial air tour overflights are a noise source of particular concern to the US National Park Service. To characterize noise from air tours in wilderness, we developed an assessment framework to guide the decisionmaking process for maintaining or improving the soundscape conditions in wilderness. Decision points in the framework were based on management policy and best available science. The result is a "tier" designation for a wilderness area that defines the current soundscape conditions based on known air tour activity. To demonstrate the utility of the framework, we applied the method to Haleakalā Wilderness in Haleakalā National Park, Hawai'i. Whereas the framework presented specifically addresses air tour noise in wilderness and the concerns associated with impacts on wilderness character, the framework may be applicable to managing other noise sources in and near wilderness or other human activities that degrade wilderness qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 50th anniversary of the US Wilderness Act of 1964 presents a worthy opportunity to review our collective knowledge on how recreation visitation affects wilderness and protected natural area resources. Studies of recreation impacts, examined within the recreation ecology field of study, have spanned 80 years and generated more than 1,200 citations. This article examines the recreation ecology literature most relevant to wilderness and backcountry, with a focus on visitor impacts to vegetation, soil, wildlife, and water resources. We also review relationships with influential factors, such as the amount of use, visitor behavior, and vegetation type. An understanding of these impacts and their relationships with influential factors is necessary for land managers seeking to identify acceptable limits of impact or selecting management actions that will effectively avoid or minimize resource impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource and experiential impacts associated with visitation to wilderness and other similar backcountry settings have long been addressed by land managers under the context of "carrying capacity" decisionmaking. Determining a maximum level of allowable use, below which high-quality resource and experiential conditions would be sustained, was an early focus in the 1960s and 1970s. However, decades of recreation ecology research have shown that the severity and areal extent of visitor impact problems are influenced by an interrelated array of use-related, environmental, and managerial factors. This complexity, with similar findings from social science research, prompted scientists and managers to develop more comprehensive carrying capacity frameworks, including a new Visitor Use Management framework. These frameworks rely on a diverse array of management strategies and actions, often termed a "management toolbox," for resolving visitor impact problems. This article reviews the most recent and relevant recreation ecology studies that have been applied in wildland settings to avoid or minimize resource impacts. The key findings and their management implications are highlighted to support the professional management of common trail, recreation site, and wildlife impact problems. These studies illustrate the need to select from a more diverse array of impact management strategies and actions based on an evaluation of problems to identify the most influential factors that can be manipulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early applications of wilderness economic research demonstrated that the values of natural amenities and commodities produced from natural areas could be measured in commensurate terms. To the surprise of many, the economic values of wilderness protection often exceeded the potential commercial values that might result from resource extraction. Here, the concepts and tools used in the economic analysis of wilderness are described, and the wilderness economic literature is reviewed with a focus on understanding trends in use, value, and economic impacts. Although our review suggests that each of these factors is trending upward, variations in research methods plus large gaps in the literature limit understanding of long-run trends. However, as new data on wilderness use, visitor origins, and spatially referenced features of landscapes are becoming increasingly available, more robust economic analysis of both onsite and offsite wilderness economic values and impacts is now becoming possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science should inform wilderness stewardship as we learn more about ecological systems, individual species and their habitats, human behavior, and the successes and failures of various policies and management activities. Science can help us understand the nature of the system for which we are a steward. It can help in learning how to correct human-caused perturbations in such systems. It can help in understanding how systems might be used and enjoyed without destroying them. It can help in understanding how valuable wilderness is to people and how it might enhance their lives. (Pinchot Institute for Conservation 2001, p. 14). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss their observations regarding the management of wilderness stewardship in the U.S. They identified wilderness stewardship challenges, such as identification of federal lands qualified for designation as areas in the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS), and emphasized potential ways to address them, such as having a consistent policy for management of NWPS. They also mentioned the need to change the way agencies undertake wilderness management.

An essay is presented on the ecosophy of Montana poet Paul Zarzyski. The author explores how Zarzyski understands the importance of wilderness to human beings and how it is influenced by his rodeo days and experiences. Particular focus is also given to the way in which Zarzyski understands how the things that we consider human are all rooted in the non-human world.

Despite a long history of recreational horseback trail riding on public lands, relatively little is known about riders or their recreational experiences outside of wilderness. Because horseback trail riding is projected to grow significantly in the next decade and is often experienced on multiple-use trails, information about horseback recreational rider experience is of interest. A mail questionnaire sent to recreational horseback trail riders in Minnesota revealed that motivations for riding were similar to those of other outdoor recreationists. Nearly one-half of riders experienced something that interfered with their recreation experience, and, of those, half indicated that it was stressful and responded by group discussions and following trail riding etiquette. However, nearly one-fifth left the area due to the interference. Opportunities exist to minimize these interfering occurrences identified as conflict and to continue to educate all trail users on appropriate etiquette toward safe and satisfying recreation experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wilderness areas have been widely discussed in the terrestrial conservation literature, whereas the concept of marine wilderness has received scant attention. The recent move to protect very large areas of the ocean and thus preserve some of the final marine wilderness areas is a bold policy initiative. However, some important questions have remained unanswered, such as whether marine wilderness areas support a different composition and abundance of species than do the smaller marine no-take areas (NTAs) that are steadily dotting our coastlines. We present a case study from the world's largest wilderness coral reef NTA, the Chagos Archipelago, and demonstrate that fish biomass is six times greater than and composition substantially different from even the oldest NTAs in eight other Indian Ocean countries' waters. Clearly, marine wilderness does promote a unique ecological community, which smaller NTAs fail to attain, and formal legislation is therefore crucial to protect these last marine wilderness areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In January 2004, the Australian Government introduced a new federal heritage regime based around the National Heritage List (NHL). This regime has a significant governance defect; the heritage minister controls the list rather than an independent heritage body, exposing it to political manipulation. This article reviews the NHL listing process and compares it to a ‘best practice’ model. A case study on the Tarkine, a wilderness area in north-west Tasmania, demonstrates how the NHL has been managed and the influence political factors have had on its administration. The case study reveals that the concerns about the politicisation of the NHL are well-founded and that changes ought to be made to ensure the regime fulfils its objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wildland- urban interface (WUI) is the area where human-built structures and infrastructure abut or mix with naturally occurring vegetation types. Wildfires are of particular concern in the WUI because these areas comprise extensive flammable vegetation, numerous structures, and ample ignition sources. A priority of federal wildland fire policy in the United States is to help protect communities threatened by wildfire, creating a demand for maps of the WUI. In this study, five models of the WUI are compared for four counties in the United States. The models are all based on the widely cited characteristics of the WUI published in the Federal Register, although they differ slightly in their focus (vegetation or housing) and implementation (the details of the WUI definition). For models that differ in focus, I describe how the purpose of the map led to different results. For conceptually similar models, I assess how different effects-the "dasymetric effect," the "settlement representation effect," and the "merging buffer effect"-influence the extent of the WUI in different counties. The differences between the WUI maps can be more or less pronounced depending on the spatial distribution of housing, vegetation, and public land. No single mapping approach is unequivocally superior, and each has tradeoffs that need to be fully understood for use in management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the history of the establishment of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS) by Wilderness Act which was introduced to U.S. Congress and signed into law, as an investment in the country's future. It mentions areas in 13 states were formally designated as wilderness when this system became a law. Also cited federal land management agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS).

For generations, Polish farmers have believed that setting grasslands ablaze has a positive effect on soil fertility. In the past 25 years, fire spreading from nonforest areas and arson were among the chief causes of forest fires in Poland. In the last years of the socialist system in Poland (1981-1989) wildfire caused by fire spreading from nonforest areas was of marginal importance, representing barely 0.79% of all fires. In the first decade of the system transformation (1990 -1999) the percentage of spreads from nonforest areas grew to 9.06% of all forest fires. The year of 1996 proved critical to Polish wildland when spreads from nonforest areas reached 28%. The growing problem forced the State Forests to undertake an outreach and educational activities projects aimed at reducing the number of fires. At the time of system transformation, simple education projects did not always bring about the expected results. When conducting information and education campaigns, one should bear in mind the local social relations, the target groups' perception levels, and the local authorities' involvement. The efforts may result in a tangible drop in the number of fires caused by setting grasslands ablaze. In 2000-2005 spreads from nonforest areas decreased to 7.88%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the conception of the writers towards the wilderness in Alaska. It discusses the elements of the understanding of wilderness and mentions various authors that provides the American idea of wilderness. Furthermore, views concerning the human role within the natural world is decribed.

The article shares the author's outer pastime and the glimpse of his inner life. It highlights the impact of birdwatching towards his feelings. Furthermore, the author elaborates the differences between birdwatching and birding and explores his experiences while in the wilderness of northern New Mexico.

The interface between cultivated fields and wildlands has become a central focus for conservation biology, particularly as previously uncultivated lands worldwide are converted to agriculture at an escalating pace. Although research in some parts of the world has highlighted the potential value of agricultural lands for managing and preserving native animals, we know comparatively little about native animals spanning the cultivated/wildlands interface in North America. The study reported here investigated insect communities at three sets of paired sites (cultivated alfalfa fields and native, sagebrush areas) on the western edge of the Great Basin. Two hundred ninety-nine morphospecies were sorted from a collection of >9,000 insects: 221 morphospecies were found in cultivated fields, and 143 were found in the native areas. Insect communities in alfalfa fields were higher in species richness and abundance than communities in adjacent, native fields. However, communities in the cultivated habitat were relatively more homogenous: species composition was more similar among cultivated fields than among native fields. Considering the number of individual insects and morphospecies found in the cultivated habitat, and the relatively small number of species that overlap the two habitat types, the potential ecological consequences of the widespread, anthropogenic habitat are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maps of the wildland-urban interface (WUI) are both policy tools and powerful visual images. Although the growing number of WUI maps serve similar purposes, this article indicates that WUI maps derived from the same data sets can differ in important ways related to their original intended application. We discuss the use of ancillary data in modifying census data to improve WUI maps and offer a cautionary note about this practice. A comparison of two WUI mapping approaches suggests that no single map is "best" because users' needs vary. The analysts who create maps are responsible for ensuring that users understand their purpose, data, and methods; map users are responsible for paying attention to these features and using each map accordingly. These considerations should apply to any analysis but are especially important to analyses of the WUI on which policy decisions will be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the effects of William Henry Harrison Murray's book "Adventures in the Wilderness; or Camp Life in Adirondacks" to the Americans. It notes that his books marks a critical development in Americans' relationship to their environment particularly the undeveloped wilderness areas. The flock of tourist in Adirondacks, New York upon the release of Murray's books as well as the issues on people's disappointment in their 1969 wilderness experience at the region is also discussed.

Most studies of wildland fire and residential development have focused on the cost of firefighting and solutions such as fuel reduction and fire-safe home building. Although some studies quantify the number of homes being built near forests, little research has indicated the potential magnitude of the problem in the future. This article presents data illustrating this emerging problem for western communities. Our analysis takes a long view, looking at the potential for more home construction next to public forests and implications for future wildfire fighting costs. In a study of 11 western states, we found that only 14% of the available "wildland interface" in the West is currently developed, leaving great potential for new home construction in the remaining 86%. If just one-half of the wildland interface is developed in the future, annual firefighting costs could escalate to $4.3 billion. By comparison, the Forest Service's annual budget is about $4.5 billion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrusion by humans into wildlife habitat during recreational activities has become a worldwide conservation concern. Low levels of intrusion, which occur frequently in many wildlands, could influence use of sites by red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and have important ramifications for conservation. Red squirrels can influence forest composition and regeneration by feeding on conifer buds, seeds, and vascular tissues, and they prey on avian nests. Attraction of red squirrels could increase the risk of these activities, whereas displacement of red squirrels may exacerbate demographic problems for small populations of red squirrels in isolated habitats. We implemented experimental intrusions during 10 consecutive weeks of the red squirrel breeding season, 1 or 2 times/week (1990-1993) in 1 area and 5 times/week (1991-1993) in another area in Wyoming. Each intrusion lasted 1 h and involved 1 person. Abundance of red squirrels at intruded sites did not differ significantly from that at control sites during either experiment. However, experiments should be conducted to examine longer-term effects and effects of higher levels of intrusion because alteration of distributions of red squirrels may affect forest conditions and demographics or fitness of birds and red squirrels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2003 Bear Butte and Booth (B&B) Fires burned much of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness in the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests, Oregon. A question for managers is how best to manage recreation in fire-affected areas in ways that minimize adverse impacts on visitor experiences and the recovering landscape. To help address this question, we used onsite surveys (n = 221) asking visitors in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness about their past use and postfire changes in use and their preferences for managing recreation after fires. Results indicated that recreation use declined after the fires, but declines were less than those after recent policy and management decisions such as the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program. Visitor preferences for managing postfire recreation were mixed. Some visitors supported little or no management, some preferred access and use restrictions coupled with camping regulations, and some preferred either access and use restrictions or camping regulations alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essay presents an exploration into the literary themes and character depictions seen in the Joseph Conrad novel "Lord Jim." The author presents a parallel between the character of Jim and the historical Captain Joseph L. Clark from a British naval cowardice scandal in the 1880s. The themes of cowardice, and the nature of heroism in the wilderness are also discussed in detail.

The article focuses on the impact of creating a widlfire-defensible space to the perceptions and behavior of residents in the U.S. Several states in the U.S. experienced wildfires but the worst case was a wildfire in a wildland-urban interface area in Bel Air, California during 1961. The accidents caused property damaged that exceeded $25 million. Public involvement and education regarding wildfire was considered by state government as necessary in order to prepare them for the unpredictable event. Individuals decision regarding action to prevent the occurrence of such disaster were influenced by numerous factors.

Explores how authors described the wilderness areas of Alaska in their writings. Overview of the book "Into the Wild," by Jon Krakauer which chronicles the wilderness trek experience of nature enthusiast Chris McCandless in Alaska; Significance of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska in 1989 to the population; Views of the public towards Alaska.

Discusses the goals of conservation biology. Meaning of the term biodiversity, coined by Walter Rosen in 1986; Differing conceptions of biodiversity and strategies for biodiversity conservation; Why biodiversity conservation is different from wilderness preservation; Confluences and conflicts between biodiversity conservation and wilderness preservation; Sociopolitical factors.

Opinion. Proposes that Aldo Leopold, a pioneer in the cause of wilderness preservation, advocated wilderness preservation to counteract environmental changes by cultural developments. Details on Leopold's wilderness initiative; Information on the United States Forest Service's recreational policy.

Examines the opportunities to protect Central and Eastern Europe's remaining wild areas. Economic turmoil throughout the region has often forced environmental issues into the background. The importance of undeveloped areas; The area along the joint borders of Germany, Austria, and the Czech republic; Poland's Bialowieza National Park; The type of protection needed; The threat of pollution; Technical aid sent; More.

Focuses on the process of developing and operating the nature reserves of the University of California Natural Reserve System, which is completing its acquisition phase. Goal of the system to preserve research and teaching opportunities in the natural environment for interested and qualified individuals; Observation that many of California's wildlands remain nearly pristine in terms of native biota and natural processes; The effect of rural, urban, and industrial development and land management on California's natural environment; Way that urbanization was destroying wildlands in southern California.

The article focuses on the expeditions of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The expedition, was a trek into an unfamiliar and often frightening wilderness. It was the first, longest, and largest of nineteenth-century US government expeditions into terra incognita. Launched from St. Louis in 1804, the "Voyage of Discovery," as it was called, lasted two years, four months, and ten days. Round-trip, it covered 7,689 miles between the mouth of the Missouri River and the Pacific outlet of the Columbia River. Beginning in 1983, The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition have been appearing piecemeal from the University of Nebraska Press in a projected standard edition of 13 volumes, the diaries of four enlisted men, and the complete journals of the expedition leaders, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

The article presents the author's views on the need of education in renewable natural resources for scientists and professionals. He states that wilderness, conservation, and zoning are the areas responsible for conflicts in the conservation area and that wilderness is nonrenewable. He points that there is a need for a new kind of professional biologist for the present and the future. He thinks that natural resource management should be stressed on more by biology teachers.

The article presents photograph of Bad Luck Fire which occurred in August 1972 that teaches fire managers across the globe on the impact of allowing fire freely as natural disturbance and Gold Pan Fire in Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho which occurred in the month of July .

The article presents a case study on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in northern Minnesota which aims to describe the role BWCAW played in the development of wilderness science and to show how some of the science research conducted in BWCAW contributes to good wilderness stewardship. These include a reseach on camp site conditions and a research on managing visitor use.

Several excerpts are presented from articles including "Results from the 2014 National Wilderness Manager Survey," by R. Ghimire and colleagues, "Slash from the Past: Rehabilitating Pile Burn Scars," by S. Miller, and "Wild flowers of the Savannah River Site," by T. Segar.

The article discusses information about the discovery of 65 Million-Year-Old Bisti Beast in the wilderness of Bisti/De-Na-Zin, northern New Mexico that was escavated by the permission Bureau of Land Management (BLM) through the request of New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (NMMNH).

A photograph is presented of the late U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson as he signed the Wilderness Act into law on September 3, 1964.

An introduction is presented in which the author discusses various reports within the issue on topics including an overview of the National Wilderness Preservation System in the U.S., challenges faced by wilderness agencies, such as the National Park Service, and the history of wilderness science.

The article focuses on the announcement by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) Inc. of the initial group of 20 candidate core wildland sites across the U.S. that will be included in the NEON Project Execution Plan. The observing strategy and site selection process of NEON is based on systematic sampling across the largest scales of ecological variability to provide a basis for scaling up analyses across the country. The NEON core wildland sites, largely natural vegetation, are said to form the stable, fixed elements of observatory design, also including relocatable gradient sites and truck-mounted laboratories.

The article focuses on the works of American author Aldo Leopold on environmentalism. His book "Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There," contains essential insights into the complex relationship between humans and nature. Many have praised the book, arguing that Leopold's narrative style penetrates directly to the heart of the subject and to the heart of the reader, establishing an emotional connection that made the book as one of the seminal works of the environmental movement. Leopold has wrote also an article about wilderness and forest recreational policy.

Discusses the impact of a thunderstorm in July 1999 in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. Effect on trees; Information on the 1964 Wilderness Act; Discussion on the decision to burn wilderness areas after the storm; Description of the Threemile Island.

Nearly half of the world's land, or 46 percent, is still wild, according to a Conservation International (CI) study to be published this spring as a book, 'Wilderness: Earth's Last Wild Places'. Yet just 7 percent of those areas are protected in any way, and most are increasingly threatened. The two-year study, conducted by CI's Center for Applied Biodiversity Science in cooperation with Agrupación Sierra Madre, with help from an international team of over 200 scientists and support from Global Conservation Fund, identified 37 wilderness areas around the world. Russell Mittermeier, president of CI and coauthor of the book, describes these areas as equivalent in size to the six largest countries--Russia, Canada, China, the United States, Brazil, and Australia--with a population equal to that of just three cities--New York, Mexico City, and São Paulo. Just five of the wilderness areas are home to 1500 or more endemic vascular plants and thus are considered high in biodiversity: the tropical rain forests of the Amazon; the Congo forests of central Africa; the tropical forests and freshwater wetlands of New Guinea; the savanna woodlands of Miombo-Mopane; and the deserts of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.