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1. Toward a national eDNA strategy for the United States

   Kelly, R; Lodge, D; Lee, K; Theroux, S; Sepulveda, A; Scholin, C; Craine, J; Allan, E; Nichols, K; Parsons, K; et al (May 2023, Environmental DNA)

   Environmental DNA (eDNA) data make it possible to measure and monitor biodiversity at unprecedented resolution and scale. As use-cases multiply and scientific consensus grows regarding the value of eDNA analysis, public agencies have an opportunity to decide how and where eDNA data fit into their mandates. Within the United States, many federal and state agencies are individually using eDNA data in various applications and developing relevant scientific expertise. A national strategy for eDNA implementation would capitalize on recent scientific developments, providing a common set of next-generation tools for natural resource management and public health protection. Such a strategy would avoid patchwork and possibly inconsistent guidelines in different agencies, smoothing the way for efficient uptake of eDNA data in management. Because eDNA analysis is already in widespread use in both ocean and freshwater settings, we focus here on applications in these environments. However, we foresee the broad adoption of eDNA analysis to meet many resource management issues across the nation because the same tools have immediate terrestrial and aerial applications. 

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2. Impacts of climate change on multiple use management of Bureau of Land Management land in the Intermountain West, USA

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3286  

   Brice, Elaine_M; Miller, Brett_A; Zhang, Hongchao; Goldstein, Kirsten; Zimmer, Scott_N; Grosklos, Guenchik_J; Belmont, Patrick; Flint, Courtney_G; Givens, Jennifer_E; Adler, Peter_B; et al (November 2020, Ecosphere)

   Abstract Although natural resource managers are concerned about climate change, many are unable to adequately incorporate climate change science into their adaptation strategies or management plans, and are not always aware of or do not always employ the most current scientific knowledge. One of the most prominent natural resource management agencies in the United States is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is tasked with managing over 248 million acres (>1 million km²) of public lands for multiple, often conflicting, uses. Climate change will affect the sustainability of many of these land uses and could further increase conflicts between them. As such, the purpose of our study was to determine the extent to which climate change will affect public land uses, and whether the BLM is managing for such predicted effects. To do so, we first conducted a systematic review of peer‐reviewed literature that discussed potential impacts of climate change on the multiple land uses the BLM manages in the Intermountain West, USA, and then expanded these results with a synthesis of projected vegetation changes. Finally, we conducted a content analysis of BLM Resource Management Plans in order to determine how climate change is explicitly addressed by BLM managers, and whether such plans reflect changes predicted by the scientific literature. We found that active resource use generally threatens intrinsic values such as conservation and ecosystem services on BLM land, and climate change is expected to exacerbate these threats in numerous ways. Additionally, our synthesis of vegetation modeling suggests substantial changes in vegetation due to climate change. However, BLM plans rarely referred to climate change explicitly and did not reflect the results of the literature review or vegetation model synthesis. Our results suggest there is a disconnect between management of BLM lands and the best available science on climate change. We recommend that the BLM actively integrates such research into on‐the‐ground management plans and activities, and that researchers studying the effects of climate change make a more robust effort to understand the practices and policies of public land management in order to effectively communicate the management significance of their findings. 

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3. The role of gender and ethnicity in perceived public support and sense of belonging among resource management professionals in Oregon and Washington, USA

   https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.70066  

   Jost, Laura; Rapp, Claire; Nelson, Michael_Paul (July 2025, People and Nature)

   Abstract Federal and state land agencies lack diversity at the natural resource manager level, in turn limiting the agencies' capacity for creative problem solving needed for complex and wicked environmental problems. Diverse representation is imperative to increase public support and trust in natural resource management.We used an online survey method to examine the relationship and experiences between independent demographic variables (e.g. gender, ethnicity and years worked in natural resources) and two dependent variables: (1) perceived public support and (2) sense of belonging for resource management professionals in the Pacific Northwest, USA.We find in general, that gender is associated with how one progresses through a career in natural resource management. As years in natural resource management increases, sense of belonging decreases for women and remains constant for men. Similarly, as years in natural resource management increases, perceived public support increases for men and remains constant for women.Given that ample past research suggests strong links between sustainable management and diverse perspectives, this study has implications for addressing our current and future natural resource management challenges. Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog. 

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4. Zero to a trillion: Advancing surface process studies with open access to high resolution topography

   https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-64177-9.00011-4  

   Crosby, C. J.; Arrowsmith, J R.; Nandigam, V. (January 2020, Developments in earth surface processes)

   Tarolli, P.; Mudd, S. (Ed.)

   High-resolution topography (HRT) is a powerful observational tool for studying the Earth's surface, vegetation, and urban landscapes, with broad scientific, engineering, and education-based applications. Submeter resolution imaging is possible when collected with laser and photogrammetric techniques using the ground, air, and space-based platforms. Open access to these data and a cyberinfrastructure platform that enables users to discover, manage, share, and process then increases the impact of investments in data collection and catalyzes scientific discovery. Furthermore, open and online access to data enables broad interdisciplinary use of HRT across academia and in communities such as education, public agencies, and the commercial sector. OpenTopography, supported by the US National Science Foundation, aims to democratize access to Earth science-oriented, HRT data and processing tools. We utilize cyberinfrastructure, including large-scale data management, high-performance computing, and service-oriented architectures to provide efficient web-based visualization and access to large, HRT datasets. OT colocates data with processing tools to enable users to quickly access custom data and derived products for their application, with the ultimate goal of making these powerful data easier to use. OT's rapidly growing data holdings currently include 283 lidar and photogrammetric, point cloud datasets (>1.2 trillion points) covering 236,364km2. As a testament to OT's success, more than 86,000 users have processed over 5 trillion lidar points. This use has resulted in more than 290 peer-reviewed publications across numerous academic domains including Earth science, geography, computer science, and ecology. 

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5. Views of RNAi approaches for weed management in turfgrass systems

   https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2023.37  

   Ethridge, Sandra R; Grieger, Khara; Locke, Anna M; Everman, Wesley J; Jordan, David L; Leon, Ramon G (July 2023, Weed Science)

   Abstract Public concern regarding the use of herbicides in urban areas (e.g., golf courses, parks, lawns) is increasing. Thus, there is a need for alternative methods for weed control that are safe for the public, effective against weeds, and yet selective to turfgrass and other desirable species. New molecular tools such as ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) have the potential to meet all those requirements, but before these technologies can be implemented, it is critical to understand the perceptions of key stakeholders to facilitate adoption as well as regulatory processes. With this in mind, turfgrass system managers, such as golf course superintendents and lawn care providers, were surveyed to gain insight into the perception and potential adoption of RNAi technology for weed management. Based on survey results, turfgrass managers believe that cost of weed management and time spent managing weeds are the main challenges faced in their fields. When considering new weed management tools, survey respondents were most concerned about cost, efficacy, and efficiency of a new product. Survey respondents were also optimistic toward RNAi for weed management and would either use this technology in their own fields or be willing to conduct research to develop RNAi herbicides. Although respondents believed that the general public would have some concerns about this technology, they did not believe this to be the most important factor for them when choosing new weed management tools. The need for new herbicides to balance weed control challenges and public demands is a central factor for turfgrass managers’ willingness to use RNAi-based weed control in turfgrass systems. They believe their clientele will be accepting of RNAi tools, although further research is needed to investigate how a wider range of stakeholders perceive RNAi tools for turfgrass management more broadly. 

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