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This paper describes a project which aims to investigate the use of selective breeding to improve the use of goats as biological control agents for juniper (primarily Juniperus pinchotii and J. ashei) control in the Edwards Plateau region Texas, USA. The research involves the use of faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technology to predict juniper consumption in free-ranging goats, and the prediction of the genetic merit for juniper consumption for individual animals in Boer × Spanish and Angora goat herds in order to divergently select for high and low juniper consumption. NIRS calibration; effect of breed, gender and age of goats and heritability studies were also conducted. It was shown that goats of different genders and ages had different faecal NIRS spectra even when fed the same diet (juniper or pelleted feed). The effect of breed was relatively insignificant. There was a significant difference in high and low juniper-consuming goats, especially in December and January compared to October and November. There was a moderate level of heritability for juniper consumption in Boer × Spanish goats and a lower value in Angora goats based on faecal NIRS. These results show that faecal NIRS technology allows the identification of superior juniper eating goats, monitor their consumption of juniper and predict genetic merit for juniper consumption for use in breeding programmes.

In 1993 the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) became involved in the United States Geological Survey, Division of Biological Resources/National Park Service (USGS/NPS) National Vegetation Mapping Program by serving as an interagency peer reviewer. This initial involvement led to discussions on vegetation mapping alternatives for military lands and a completed vegetation map for Fort Benning, GA. To validate the vegetation map and help managers realize its potential use as a natural resources and military training management tool, an accuracy assessment was conducted. Armed with a field key to the plant communities on the Fort Benning map and a project sampling design, intensive fieldwork was conducted to collect the data required to assess the vegetation map's accuracy. Field data was analyzed and an error analysis of the map was completed. This report includes lessons learned and recommendations for future vegetation mapping and accuracy assessment projects.

Slug doses of lead administered once a day 5 days/week to brook trout exposed to simultaneous diel fluctuations of dissolved oxygen and temperatures showed that concentrations of 25 mg/liter of lead reduced growth. Concentrations of 15 mg/liter had little apparent effect and concentrations of 10 mg/liter had no deleterious effects on growth.