George Hess :: News Archive

George R. Hess :: News Archive
NC State University :: Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources

2009 Sept 20 :: Valverde wins Vuelta!! :: Cyclist Alejandro Valverde won the Vuelta a Espana today - his first grand tour win. After 87hours 22minutes 37seconds in the saddle, he beat Sammy Sanchez by 55 seconds and Cadel Evans by 1:32. >>more>>

2009 Sept 12 :: Hess raises $1,110 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society :: in support of his 100 mile ride out of New Bern >>more>>

2009 July 28 :: NCSU, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, Triangle J Council of Governments receive collaborative Urban Long Term Research (ULTRA) grant from National Science Foundation ::

Researchers involved with this proposal will use a three-part framework that addresses: (1) the production of ecosystem services by ecological systems; (2) their valuation and monetization by people; and (3) the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies to pay for and allocate these benefits equitably.

During the ULTRA-Exploratory project, researchers will: (a) apply this framework in a case study of the ecosystem service of clean water production, in collaboration with state and local government agencies; (b) further develop a network of collaborators through a series of four community workshops focused on ecological, economic, policy, and synthesis topics; and (c) develop an integrated data platform that will serve researchers, government agencies, and, ultimately, the public at large.

In the longer term, the program will expand to include other ecosystem services (open space, habitat and biodiversity support, carbon sequestration). The overall goals are: (1) to become leaders in establishing a multi-disciplinary and policy-relevant program focused on managing coupled human and natural systems and (2) to develop the Triangle ULTRA as the hub of a regional network engaging scientists, managers, and community stakeholders in applied research.

2009 May 14 :: Hess to be on scholarly assigment July-Dec :: I will be on scholarly assignment with Triangle Land Conservancy from 1 Jul - 31 Dec developing the framework for a State of the Ecosystem report for the Triangle Region. I will also be working with Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space to further develop engaged learning opportunities. During this period I will be available for consultation with my advisees.

2009 May 2 :: Manuscript accepted by Urban Ecosystems :: Kohut, S.M., G.R. Hess, & C.E. Moorman, Avian use of suburban greenways as stopover habitat, has been accepted for publication.

2009 Feb 16 :: Manuscript accepted by Medical Teacher :: Hess, GR, LH Liegel, & KW Tosney. Creating effective poster presentations has been accepted for publicaton in Medical Teacher and should appear in a few months.

2009 Jan 27 :: Manuscript submitted to Medical Teacher :: Hess, GR, LH Liegel, & KW Tosney. Creating effective poster presentations has been submitted for review.

Abstract: Poster presentations have become an important part of professional meetings and are recognized as valuable tools for teaching and assessment. An effective poster is a visual communication tool that will help you engage colleagues in conversation, convey your main point to large numbers of people, and advertise your work. An effective poster is a highly condensed version of a research paper constructed primarily of visual displays of data with just enough supporting text to provide context, interpretation, and conclusions. A new AMEE Guide, Creating Effective Poster Presentations, provides guidance and is illustrated with annotated examples.

2009 Jan 25 :: Manuscript accepted by Journal of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Education :: Hess, G.R. & E.M. Keto. Counting grass as a rich introduction to population estimation has been accepted for publication. Journal rules identify posting on the web as "prior publication," so I have not posted a pre-print of this article - please contact me if you'd like to see a copy.

Abstract: Undergraduate students in Natural Resources curricula often have trouble grasping concepts of statistical inference and sampling. The activity described here is designed to help students connect their intuition about estimating population sizes to statistical terminology and procedures, and to shed light on some of their misconceptions about proper sampling techniques. On the first day of a Natural Resources Measurements course, students are given 45 minutes to estimate the number of blades of grass covering a large field using rulers and measuring tape. This simple activity is a microcosm of what students will be doing throughout the course. It provides a basis for rich discussion of many aspects of statistical sampling and population estimation, including random and stratified sampling, variability, error, bias, and decisions about plot and sample size. The activity can also be used to highlight professional skills, such as collaboration and the need for clear communication, and begin the transformation from thinking like students to thinking like professionals. Instructors can easily vary the emphasis on particular topics, depending on course goals and serendipity during the activity.

2009 Jan 12 :: Things looking good for JPG :: A number of buyers have come forward and they are staying online. >> more >>

2009 Jan 6 :: Manuscript accepted by Environmental Management :: Steelman, Toddi A. & George R. Hess. Effective protection of open space: How does planning matter? has been accepted for publication. A copy of the manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Review or Revision section.

Abstract: High quality plans are considered a crucial part of good land use planning and often used as a proxy measure for success in plan implementation and goal attainment. We explored the relationship of open space plan quality to the implementation of open space plans and attainment of open space protection goals in Research Triangle, North Carolina, USA. To measure plan quality, we used a standard plan evaluation matrix that we modified to focus on open space plans. We evaluated all open space plans in the region that contained a natural resource protection element. To measure plan implementation and open space protection, we developed an online survey and administered it to open space planners charged with implementing the plans. The survey elicited each planner's perspective on aspects of open space protection in his or her organization. The empirical results 1) indicate that success in implementation and attaining goals are not related to plan quality, 2) highlight the importance of when and how stakeholders are involved in planning and implementation processes, and 3) raise questions about the relationship of planning to implementation. These results suggest that a technically excellent plan does not guarantee the long-term relationships among local landowners, political and appointed officials, and other organizations that are crucial to meeting land protection goals. A greater balance of attention to the entire decision process and building relationships might lead to more success in protecting open space.

2009 Jan 3 :: JPG may live! :: Looks like a purchase is in the works - best place for updates is their blog. Here's hoping!

2009 Jan 2 :: JPG is going away :: NOTE: JPG links likely to be broken after 2009 Jan 5.
JPG, an on-line and in-print community of photographers, is shutting down effective Mon 2009 Jan 5. If you've been following my photography there, sorry. I will look for another outlet and post when I find one. In the mean time, I will continue my Photo of the Month feature and inject some of the images I had posted on JPG there.

2008 Nov 18 :: Manuscript accepted by Journal of Natural Resources & Life Science Education :: Thompson, J.R., G.R. Hess, T.A. Bowman, H. Magnusdottir, C.E. Stubbs-Gipson, M. Groom, J.R. Miller, T.A. Steelman, & D.L Stokes. Collaborative graduate education across multiple campuses. Journal rules identify posting on the web as "prior publication," so I have not posted a pre-print of this article - please contact me if you'd like to see a copy.

2008 Sept 9 :: Manuscript accepted by The Professional Geographer :: Miller, J.E., S.A.C. Nelson, & G.R. Hess. An object extraction approach for impervious surface classification with high resolution imagery, has been accepted for publication.

Abstract: Detailed land cover maps provide important information for research and decision-making but are often expensive to develop and can become outdated quickly. Widespread availability of aerial photography provides increased accessibility of high-resolution imagery and the potential to produce high-accuracy land cover classifications. However, these classifications often require expert knowledge and are time consuming. Our goal was to develop an efficient, accurate technique for classifying impervious surface in urbanizing Wake County, North Carolina, USA. Using an iterative training technique, we classified 111 non-mosaicked, very-high resolution images using the Feature Analyst software developed by Visual Learning Systems. Feature Analyst provides object extraction classifications by analyzing spatial context in relation to spectral data to classify high-resolution imagery. Our image classification results were 95% accurate in impervious surface extraction, with an overall total accuracy of 92%. Using this method, users with relatively minimal GIS training and modest budgets can produce highly accurate object-extracted classifications of impervious and pervious surface that are easily manipulated in a GIS.

2008 August 16 :: Manuscript submitted to Environmental Management :: Steelman, Toddi A. & George R. Hess. Effective protection of open space: How does planning matter? is now under review. A copy of the submitted manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Review or Revision section.

2008 July 12 :: Manuscript submitted to Urban Ecosystems :: Kohut, S.M., G.R. Hess, & C.E. Moorman, Avian use of suburban greenways as stopover habitat, is now under review. A copy of the submitted manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Review or Revision section.

Abstract: Greenways may provide stopover habitat for migrating birds in otherwise inhospitable suburban landscapes. We examined the effect of greenway forested corridor width, vegetation composition and structure, and adjacent land cover on the species richness and abundance of migrating songbirds during spring and fall migration in Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina, USA. Migrant species richness increased with forest corridor width in spring and fall. During spring, richness and abundance increased with tree height and percent hardwood tree composition, and abundance increased with shrub density. During fall, migrant songbird abundance increased with decreasing canopy cover and increasing shrub density. Forest-interior migrant richness was not correlated with corridor width in either season, but these species were more abundant in greenways bordered by less bare earth and pavement cover in the spring. Although migrants used greenways of all widths, forested corridors wider than 150m should be conserved whenever possible to provide stopover habitat for forest-interior migrants. Shrub cover should be retained to maintain vegetative complexity. Habitat for the greatest diversity of migrants can be provided by constructing greenways in areas of lower development intensity and encouraging residents to retain shrubs and trees on properties bordering greenways.

2008 June 11 :: Manuscript submitted to Journal of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Education :: Hess, G.R. & E.M. Keto. Counting grass as a rich introduction to population estimation is now under review. Journal rules identify posting on the web as "prior publication," so I have not posted a pre-print of this article - please contact me if you'd like to see a copy.

2008 June 5 :: Manuscript accepted by Conservation Biology :: Miller, J.R., M. Groom, G.R. Hess, D.L. Stokes, T.A. Steelman, J. Thomson, T. Bowman, L. Fricke, B. King, & R. Marquadt. Where is biodiversity conservation in local planning? has been accepted for publication. A copy of the accepted manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Review or Revision section.

2008 March 18 :: Manuscript submitted to Conservation Biology :: Miller, J.R., M. Groom, G.R. Hess, D.L. Stokes, T.A. Steelman, J. Thomson, T. Bowman, L. Fricke, B. King, & R. Marquadt. Where is biodiversity conservation in local planning? is now under review. A copy of the submitted manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Review or Revision section.

Abstract: Local land-use policy is increasingly recognized as fundamental to biodiversity conservation in the United States. As a result, many planners and conservation scientists have called for broader use of planning and regulatory tools to support the conservation of biodiversity at local scales. Yet, little is known about the pervasiveness of these practices. We conducted an on-line survey of county, municipal and tribal planning directors (n = 116) in three geographic regions of the United States: the Seattle metropolitan region (Washington), the Des Moines metropolitan area (Iowa), and the Research Triangle (North Carolina). Our objectives were 1) to gauge the extent to which local planning departments address biodiversity conservation, and 2) to identify factors that facilitate or hinder conservation actions in local planning. We found that biodiversity conservation was seldom a major consideration in these planning departments. The majority of staff time in these jurisdictions was devoted to development mandates, with little time spent on biodiversity conservation. Regulations requiring conservation actions that might benefit biodiversity were uncommon, with the exception of rules governing water quality in all three regions and the protection of threatened and endangered species in the Seattle metropolitan region. Planning tools that could enhance habitat conservation were infrequently used. Collaboration across jurisdictions was widespread, but very rarely focused on conservation. Departments with a conservation specialist on staff tended to be associated with higher levels of conservation actions. Jurisdictions in the Seattle metropolitan region also reported higher levels of conservation action, largely driven by state and federal mandates. Increased funding was most frequently cited as a factor that would facilitate greater consideration of biodiversity in local planning. There are numerous opportunities for conservation biologists to play a role in improving conservation planning at local scales.

2008 March 4 :: Revised manuscript submitted to Journal of Natural Resources & Life Science Education :: Thompson, J.R., G.R. Hess, T.A. Bowman, H. Magnusdottir, C.E. Stubbs-Gipson, M. Groom, J.R. Miller, T.A. Steelman, & D.L Stokes. Courses without Borders®: Collaborative graduate education across multiple campuses. is now under review. Journal rules identify posting on the web as "prior publication," so I have not posted a pre-print of this article - please contact me if you'd like to see a copy.

Abstract: Multi-institutional approaches to graduate education continue to emerge as a way to better prepare students for future collaborative work. Here, we report on a graduate course offered jointly by three institutions that integrated inquiry-guided, collaborative, and computer-mediated learning. We used pre- and post-course questionnaires to evaluate the effectiveness of the course for improving knowledge and skills in collaboration, use of different technologies, and subject-area knowledge. Student development most consistently mirrored those areas where learning was required to support class-wide activities. Students gained knowledge about some aspects of collaboration and increased communication skills necessary to function in the course, reported increased abilities in using collaborative technologies we used all the time, and reported that they gained knowledge about course subject matter. We did not find significant changes in knowledge or activities related to leadership. Through the course as a whole, all participants gained a fuller understanding of the benefits -- collective creativity and enhanced accountability -- and the drawbacks -- time required to build relationships and engage in deliberation -- of collaborative research.

2008 March 1 :: Revised manuscript submitted to Landscape & Urban Planning :: Steelman, Toddi A. & George R. Hess. Effective protection of open space: How does planning matter? is now under review. A copy of the submitted manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Review or Revision section.

Abstract: High quality plans are considered a crucial part of good land use planning and often used as a proxy measure for success in plan implementation and goal attainment. We explored the relationship of open space plan quality to the implementation of open space plans and attainment of open space protection goals in Research Triangle, North Carolina, USA. To measure plan quality, we used a standard plan evaluation matrix that we modified to focus on open space plans. We evaluated all open space plans in the region that contained a natural resource protection element. To measure plan implementation and open space protection, we developed an online survey and administered it to open space planners charged with implementing the plans. The survey elicited each planner�s perspective on aspects of open space protection in his or her organization. The empirical results 1) indicate that success in implementation and attaining goals are not related to plan quality, 2) highlight the importance of when and how stakeholders are involved in planning and implementation processes, and 3) raise questions about the relationship of planning to implementation. These results suggest that a technically excellent plan does not guarantee the long-term relationships among local landowners, political and appointed officials, and other organizations that are crucial to meeting land protection goals. A greater balance of attention to the entire decision process and building relationships might lead to more success in protecting open space.

2008 Feb 2 :: Manuscript submitted to The Wilson Journal of Ornithology :: Kohut, S.M., G.R. Hess, & C.E. Moorman, Avian use of suburban greenways as stopover habitat, is now under review. A copy of the submitted manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Review or Revision section.

Abstract: Greenways may provide avian stopover habitat in an otherwise inhospitable suburban landscape. We examined the effect of greenway forested corridor width, vegetation composition and structure, and adjacent land cover on the species richness and abundance of migrating songbirds. During spring and fall migration, we surveyed birds in 47 segments of public greenway in Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina, USA, representing a range of forested corridor widths and adjacent land covers. We also surveyed three reference sites along trails in William B. Umstead State Park, the largest contiguous forested area (2,201 ha) nearest the study greenways.
Migrant species richness was higher in wider greenways in both spring and fall. During spring migration, migrant bird richness and abundance generally increased with tree height and percent hardwood composition, and abundance increased with shrub cover. During fall migration, migrants occurred most commonly in greenways with less canopy cover and greater shrub cover. Forest-interior migrant richness was not correlated with greenway forest corridor width in either season, but these species were more common in greenways surrounded by less bare earth and pavement cover in the spring. During both seasons, forest-interior species were more abundant in the reference sites than in the greenways.
Migrants used greenways of all widths, and planners should conserve greenways wherever possible. Wider forested corridors (>150 m), however, may be needed to provide stopover habitat for area-sensitive migrants. Shrub cover should be retained within the greenway to maintain vegetative complexity. In urbanizing areas, planners can provide habitat for the greatest diversity of migrants by constructing greenways in areas of lower development intensity, by encouraging residents to retain shrubs and trees on properties bordering greenways, and by designing greenways in conjunction with larger parks or reserves.

2007 Oct 23 :: Manuscript submitted to Innovative Higher Education :: Thompson, J.R., G.R. Hess, T.A. Bowman, H. Magnusdottir, C.E. Stubbs-Gipson, M. Groom, J.R. Miller, T.A. Steelman, & D.L Stokes. Courses without Borders®: Collaborative graduate education across multiple campuses, is now under review. A copy of the submitted manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Review or Revision section.

2007 Sep 17 :: Hess rides 276km (171mi) in support of National MS Society :: On 2007 Sept 15-16, I rode 276km (171mi) out of Myrtle Beach, SC, as part of the annual MS150 ride for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Thanks to your generous contributions, I raised $820 for the Society!

The riding on both days was challenging and great fun! My riding partners, Trey Ethridge, Wes Freeman, and David Spivey, only added to the enjoyment of the ride (thanks, guys). Saturday's 155km (96mi) route started wet and ended hot. We averaged 31.7kmh (19.7mph) with 4h 53m of saddle time and four short breaks (average speed does not include breaks). Sunday's 121km (75mi) route was cool, uphill, and with a headwind most of the time. We averaged 30.3kmh (18.8mph) with 3h 58m of saddle time and three short breaks. Of course, there were hundreds of other riders around and we often participated in pacelines of 10-20 riders.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that destroys myelin - the "insulation" around nerve fibers - in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, leaving scar tissue called sclerosis. >>more>>

2007 Aug 13 :: Hess will ride in support of National MS Society :: On 2007 September 15-16, I will ride 175 miles (100 Saturday, 75 Sunday) out of Myrtle Beach, SC in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. If you'd like to sponsor my ride with a donation to the MS Society, please contact me by e-mail - thanks! Note: Because of potential conflict of interest, I cannot accept support from any of my current students or advisees, or students who will be taking any of my classes in the future.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that destroys myelin - the "insulation" around nerve fibers - in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, leaving scar tissue called sclerosis. >>more>>

2007 July 12 :: Manuscript submitted to Landscape & Urban Planning :: Steelman, Toddi A. & George R. Hess. Effective protection of open space: How does planning matter? is now under review. A copy of the submitted manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Review or Revision section.

Abstract: High quality plans are considered a crucial part of good land use planning and often used as a proxy measure for success in plan implementation and attainment of goals. However, little empirical work relates plan quality, plan implementation, and the accomplishment of plan goals. We explored the relationship of open space plan quality to the implementation of open space plans and attainment of open space protection goals in Research Triangle, North Carolina. To measure plan quality, we used a standard plan evaluation matrix that we modified to focus on open space plans. We evaluated all open space plans in the region that contained a natural resource protection element. To measure plan implementation and open space protection, we developed an online survey and administered it to open space planners charged with implementing the plans. The survey elicited each planner�s perspective on aspects of open space protection in his or her organization. The empirical results 1) indicate that success in implementation and attaining goals are not related to plan quality, 2) highlight the importance of when and how stakeholders are involved in planning and implementation processes, and 3) raise questions about the relationship of planning to implementation. These results suggest that a technically excellent plan does guarantee the long-term relationships among local landowners, political and appointed officials, and other organizations that are crucial to meeting land protection goals. A greater balance of attention to the entire decision process and building relationships might lead to more success in protecting open space.

2007 June 29 :: No distance version of Modeling Biological Systems :: Only one student off-campus has expresssed interest in taking my Modeling Biological Systems course this fall. As a result, I have decided not to offer a distance component of this course - the effort involved in doing so is too great to justify for one student.

2007 June 29 :: Out of office :: Because of renovations in our offices and continuing delays in the construction of Jordan Hall, I will be mostly working at home during June & July. I'm more than happy to arrange meetings as needed, and will be able to use conference room space for them. I will not be answering my office phone, but will call in for messages several times during the day. The best way to reach me is by e-mail. Apologies for any inconvenience this might cause.

2007 May 29 :: Out of office :: Because of renovations in our offices, I will be mostly working at home for the month of June. I'm more than happy to arrange meetings as needed, and will be able to use conference room space for them. I will not be answering my office phone, but will call in for messages several times during the day. The best way to reach me is by e-mail. Apologies for any inconvenience this might cause.

2007 Mar 13 :: Summer & Fall Advising :: Registration and advising for Summer and Fall 2007 is now open. My advising instructions and schedule are available. Unfortunately, I cannot offer any in-person appointments during the week of 12 March, and only a few the week of 19 March. I will not know about my availability for the week of 26 March until the Sunday before. I will be available for electronic advising throughout the period, though my response might be slower than usual. You can also e-mail me to make an appointment for telephone advising. There's a very good reason for all of this and I'm very sorry for the inconvenience. Please don't hesitate to contact me by e-mail or telephone if you need help.

2006 Oct 27 :: Spring Courses Announced :: I will be teaching three courses during the Spring, 2007 semester. Where is Conservation Science in Local Planning? is a graduate, collaborative research course. Toddi Steelman will be co-teaching at NCSU, and we will be collaborating with parallel courses at Iowa State University and the University of Washington. We will examine the role of conservation science in local planning decisions. Natural Resources Measurements is my upper-level undergraduate course in which we focus on population estimation in a natural resources context. The course is built around a hands-on project in partnership with an organization from outside the University. I am still working on finding a partner for this Spring; in the past we have worked on impervious surface issues with Wake County's Environmental Services Deparment. Effective Scientific Posters is my five-week, hands-on course in which graduate and advanced undergraduate students create a research poster.

2006 Oct 17 :: Photographs of Scottish Landscapes :: I've added a link to photos of Scottish landscapes, mostly from the Highlands near Laggan, to my Photography & Travel page. These photographs were taken during my recent trip to Scotland to teach as part of an international PhD Master Class.

2006 Sep 13 :: Biodiversity indicator paper in print :: Hess, George R., Rebecca A. Bartel, Allison K. Leidner, Kristen M. Rosenfeld, Matthew J. Rubino, Sunny B. Snider and Taylor H. Ricketts. 2006. Effectiveness of biodiversity indicators varies with extent, grain, and region. Biological Conservation 132(4): 448-457.

2006 Sep 8 :: Guided by Planning, Powered by People released :: Guided by Planning, Powered by People reports the findings of an evaluation of the role of open space plans as conservation tools in the Triangle. The information presented was collected, analyzed, and reported by eight graduate students who participated in a collaborative research course, Creating Open Space Plans that Work, led by George Hess and Toddi Steelman during the Spring, 2006, semester. Although plans are an important tool for crystallizing a vision for open space protection, we found that their most important contribution may be in fostering relationships among stakeholders during the planning process. An 8-page brochure has been mailed to planners throughout the Triangle. An electronic version is available on the pre-prints page in the Copyright owned by G.R. Hess section.

2006 Sep 5 :: Paper accepted for publication :: Miller, Jennifer, George Hess, & Christopher Moorman. Southern two-lined salamanders in urbanizing watersheds been accepted by Landscape and Urban Planning. A copy of the accepted manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Press section.

Abstract: Forested riparian buffers are an increasingly common method of mitigating the negative effects of impervious surface cover on water quality and wildlife habitat. We sampled larval southern two-lined salamanders (Eurycea cirrigera) in 43 streams, representing the range of impervious surface cover and forested riparian buffer width across Wake County, North Carolina, USA. Larval abundance decreased with increasing impervious surface cover in the upstream catchment, but was not affected by buffer width. This is likely a result of an incomplete buffer system and culverts or other breaches along streams. Larval abundance increased with detritus cover in the stream to a threshold and then decreased as detritus continued to increase. As percent pebble substrate in the stream increased, especially in perennial streams, larval salamander abundance also increased. We suspect salamanders were unable to migrate with the water column during dry periods in intermittent streams with sedimented interstices below the surface, resulting in low abundances. A combination of increased peak flows and sedimentation, reduced base flow, and chemical changes likely reduces the abundance of salamanders in urban and suburban streams. We suggest creation of catchment-wide, unbreached buffers to maintain the integrity of stream habitats in urbanizing watersheds.

2006 Aug 22 :: Hess will teach in PhD Master Class in Scotland :: I have been invited to teach as part of a week-long PhD Master Class hosted by the University of Aberdeen. The course gathers 25 doctoral students and 10 faculty from around the world to meet, exchange ideas, and produce peer-reviewed work. "Environmental and Landscape Change: Addressing an Interdisciplinary Agenda" is the theme of this year's course, which takes place in early October.

2006 Aug 21 :: A cycle of duties for riders and drivers published on Raleigh's News & Observer opinion page :: The Point of View piece describes my thoughts on how motorists and bicyclists can share the road more effectively. A copy of the manuscript version is available on my pre-prints page in the Copyright owned by George Hess section near the bottom of the page.

2006 Aug 18 :: Manuscript submitted to Journal of American Planning Association :: Steelman, Toddi A. & George R. Hess. Effective protection of open space: How does planning matter? is now under review. A copy of the submitted manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Review or Revision section.

Abstract: High quality plans are often considered a crucial part of good land use planning and used as a proxy measure for success in plan implementation and attainment of goals. However, little empirical work relates plan quality, plan implementation, and the accomplishment of plan goals. We explored the relationship of open space plan quality to the implementation of open space plans and the protection open space in Research Triangle, North Carolina. The empirical results 1) indicate that success in implementation and attaining goals are not related to plan quality, 2) highlight the importance of when and how stakeholders are involved in planning and implementation processes, and 3) raise questions about the relationship of planning to implementation. A technically excellent plan does guarantee the long-term relationships among local landowners, political and appointed officials, and other organizations that are crucial to meeting land protection goals. A greater balance of attention to the entire decision process and building relationships might lead to more success in protecting open space.

2006 Aug 12 :: New poster site availabe for comment :: A fully revised version of the Creating Effective Poster Presentations web site is now available for public comment. The site has been completely redesigned through the collaborative efforts of George Hess (NC State University), Kathryn Tosney (University of Miami), and Leon Liegel (USDA Forest Service, retired). Although we continue to refine the site, it is ready for input from the public. We expect to go live in late August or early September.

2006 July 14 :: Paper accepted for publication :: Mason, Moorman, Hess, & Sinclair, Designing urban greenways to provide habitat for breeding birds, has been accepted by Landscape and Urban Planning. A copy of the accepted manuscript is available on my pre-prints page in the Materials in Press section.

Abstract: Appropriately designed, greenways may provide habitat for neotropical migrants, insectivores, and forest-interior specialist birds that decrease in diversity and abundance as a result of suburban development. We investigated the effects of width of the forested corridor containing a greenway, adjacent land use and cover, and the composition and vegetation structure within the greenway on breeding bird abundance and community composition in suburban greenways in Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina, USA. Using 50-m fixed-radius point counts, we surveyed breeding bird communities for two years at 34 study sites, located at the center of 300-m-long greenway segments. Percent coverage of managed area within the greenway, such as trail and other mowed or maintained surfaces, was a predictor for all development-sensitive bird groupings. Abundance and richness of development-sensitive species were lowest in greenway segments containing more managed area. Richness and abundance of development-sensitive species also decreased as percent cover of pavement and bare earth adjacent to greenways increased. Urban adaptors and edge-dwelling birds, such as Mourning Dove, House Wren, House Finch, and European Starling, were most common in greenways less than 100m wide. Conversely, forest-interior species were not recorded in greenways narrower than 50m. Some forest-interior species, such as Acadian Flycatcher, Hairy Woodpecker, and Wood Thrush, were recorded primarily in greenways wider than 100m. Others, including ground nesters such as Black-and-white Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Ovenbird, were recorded only 46 in greenways wider than 300m. Landscape and urban planners can facilitate conservation of development49 sensitive birds in greenways by minimizing the width of the trail and associated mowed and landscaped surfaces adjacent to the trail, locating trails near the edge of greenway forest corridors, and giving priority to the protection of greenway corridors at least 100m wide with low levels of impervious surface (pavement, buildings) and bare earth in the adjacent landscape.

2006 May 2 :: Hess places 5th (of 14) in age group in Riverwood Sprint Triathlon :: I'm also announcing my plan to finish among top three in my age group next year. >> more >>

2006 Mar 2 :: Paper Accepted :: Effectiveness of biodiversity indicators varies wih extent, grain, and region, by Hess, G.R., R.A. Bartel, A.K. Leidner, K.M. Rosenfeld, S.B. Snider, & T.H. Ricketts, has been accepted for publication by Biological Conservation. A manuscript version is available on my PrePrints page. This manuscript is a result of one of my collaborative research courses, Regional Biodiveristy Planning, offered in 2004.

Abstract: The use of indicator taxa for conservation planning is common, despite inconsistent evidence regarding their effectiveness. Using species occurrence records compiled by NatureServe from survey data, range maps, and expert opinion, we examined correlations in species richness between each of seven taxa (amphibians, birds, butterflies, freshwater fish, mammals, freshwater mussels, and reptiles) and total richness of the remaining six taxa at varying grains and extents in two regions of the US (Mid-Atlantic and Pacific Northwest). We examined four different spatial units of interest: hexagon (approx. 649 km²), subecoregion (3,800 - 34,000 km²), ecoregion (8,300 - 79,000 km²), and geographic region (315,000 - 426,000 km²). We analyzed the correlations with varying extent of analysis (grain held constant at the hexagon) and varying grain (extent held constant at the region). The strength of correlation among taxa was context dependent, varying widely with grain, extent, region, and taxon. This suggests that (1) taxon, grain, extent, and study location explain, in part, inconsistent results of previous studies; (2) planning based on indicator relationships developed at other grains or extents should be undertaken cautiously; and (3) planning based on indicator relationships developed in other geographic locations is risky, even if planning occurs at an equivalent grain and extent.

2006 Jan 29 :: Wiki created for collaborative learning and departmental project :: I created a Wiki at JotSpot for use in collaborative projects in the Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources. Originally intended for use in the Creating Open Space Plans that Work course, it became quickly apparent that many more uses were possible. Current projects include the course and the department web site overhaul, and I anticipate using it for the Natural Resources Measurements course. You can visit today at openspaceplans.jot.com; the site will be renamed to synergize.jot.com shortly to reflect the broader vision.

2006 Jan 6 :: Teaching 3 Courses in Spring 2006 :: I will be teaching three courses starting next week. Natural Resources Measurements is an undergraduate course focuses on the practice of measuring, analyzing, and describing natural resources. Creating Open Space Plans that Work is a graudate collaborative research course in which Toddi Steelman and I will lead a team of eight graduate students in an exploration of the effect of the State of Open Space and Triangle GreenPrint reports on land conservation efforts in the Triangle Region, NC. Effective Poster Presentations is a five-week course, taught mid-semester, in which students learn-by-doing how to create an effective poster.

2005 Dec 23 :: New Course Confirmed :: Creating Open Space Plans that Work will meet during the Spring 2006 semester! Toddi Steelman and I will lead a team of nine graduate students in an exploration of the effect of the State of Open Space and Triangle GreenPrint reports on land conservation efforts in the Triangle Region, NC. >> more >>

2005 Dec 19 :: Paper Submitted :: Effectiveness of biodiversity indicators varies wih extent, grain, and region, by Hess, G.R., R.A. Bartel, A.K. Leidner, K.M. Rosenfeld, S.B. Snider, & T.H. Ricketts has been revised and resubmitted to Biological Conservation. A manuscript version is available on my PrePrints page.

2005 Nov 21 :: Modeling Poster Session :: The poster session for my Modeling Biological Systems course will be held from 4-7PM on Thursday 1 December in the Biltmore Hall lobbies. 23 posters will be presented on a variety of topics. >> more >>

2005 Nov 11 :: New Positions :: The Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources has opened two new faculty positions: (1) Urban Ecosystems, Green Infrastructure, and Urban & Community Forestry and (2) Forest Hydrology. >> more >>

2005 Nov 7 :: Paper Submitted :: Mason, J.H., C.E. Moorman, G.R. Hess, and K.E. Sinclair. Designing urban greenways to provide habitat for breeding birds has been resubmitted to Landscape and Urban Planning. A manuscript version is available on my PrePrints page. Also visit our Greenways for Wildlife site.

2005 Nov 4 :: New Course :: Toddi Steelman and I will be offering a graduate collaborative research course in Spring 2006, called Creating Open Space Plans that Work. We will explore the effect of the State of Open Space and Triangle GreenPrint reports on land conservation efforts in the Triangle Region, NC. >> more >>

2005 Nov 1 :: Book Review Published :: My review of Jongman and Pungetti's 2004 Ecological Newtorks and Greenways: Concept, Design, Implementation (Cambridge University Press, 2004) has been published in the journal Ecoscience 12(3): 435-436. A manuscript version is available on my PrePrints page.

2005 Sep 28 :: Paper Accepted :: Compraing potential effectiveness of conservation planning approaches in central North Carolina, USA, by Hess, G.R., F.H. Koch, M.J. Rubino, K.A. Eschelbach, C.A. Drew, and J.M. Favreau, has been accepted for publication by Biological Conservation. A manuscript version is available on my PrePrints page. This manuscript is a result of one of my collaborative research courses, Surrogate Species Planning, offered in 2003.

2005 July 15 :: Paper Accepted :: Recommendations for assessing the effectiveness of surrogate species approaches, by Favreau, J.M, C.A. Drew, G.R. Hess, M.J. Rubino, F.H. Koch, K.A. Eschelbach has been accepted for publication by Biodiversity & Conservation. A manuscript version is available on my PrePrints page. This manuscript is a result of one of my collaborative research courses, Surrogate Species Planning, offered in 2003.