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Book review: Bird census techniques, Second edition

Conservation concerns, federal mandates to monitor birds, and citizen science programs have spawned a variety of surveys that collect information on bird populations. Unfortunately, all too frequently these surveys are poorly designed and use inappropriate counting methods. Some of the flawed approaches reflect a lack of understanding of statistical design; many ornithologists simply are not aware that many of our most entrenched counting methods (such as point counts) cannot appropriately be used in studies that compare densities of birds over space and time. It is likely that most of the readers of The Condor have participated in a bird population survey that has been criticized for poor sampling methods. For example, North American readers may be surprised to read in Bird Census Techniques that the North American Breeding Bird Survey 'is seriously flawed in its design,' and that 'Analysis of trends is impossible from points that are positioned along roads' (p. 109). Our conservation efforts are at risk if we do not acknowledge these concerns and improve our survey designs. Other surveys suffer from a lack of focus. In Bird Census Techniques, the authors emphasize that all surveys require clear statements of objectives and an understanding of appropriate survey designs to meet their objectives. Too often, we view survey design as the realm of ornithologists who know the life histories and logistical issues relevant to counting birds. This view reflects pure hubris: survey design is a collaboration between ornithologists, statisticians, and managers, in which goals based on management needs are met by applying statistical principles for design to the biological context of the species of interest. Poor survey design is often due to exclusion of some of these partners from survey development. Because ornithologists are too frequently unaware of these issues, books such as Bird Census Techniques take on added importance as manuals for educating ornithologists about the relevance of survey design and methods and the often subtle interdisciplinary nature of surveys. Review info: Bird Census Techniques, Second Edition. By Colin J. Bibby, Neil D. Burgess, David A. Hill, and Simon H. Mustoe. 2000. Academic Press, London, UK. xvii 1 302 pp. ISBN 0- 12-095831-7.

Condor

Book review: Oklahoma Breeding Bird Atlas

The first North American breeding bird atlases were initiated during the 1970s. With atlases completed or ongoing in more than 40 U.S. states and most Canadian provinces, these projects are now familiar to professional ornithologists and amateur birders. This book provides the results of the Oklahoma Breeding Bird Atlas, the data for which were collected during 1997–2001. Its appearance less than 3 years after completing fieldwork is remarkable and everyone associated with its timely publication should be congratulated for their efforts. Review info: Oklahoma Breeding Bird Atlas. By Dan L. Reinking, 2004. ISBN: 0806136146, 528 pp.

The Wilson Bulletin

Book review: Mineral resource estimation

Mineral Resource Estimation is about estimating mineral resources at the scale of an ore deposit and is not to be mistaken with mineral resource assessment, which is undertaken at a significantly broader scale, even if similar data and geospatial/geostatistical methods are used. The book describes geological, statistical, and geostatistical tools and methodologies used in resource estimation and modeling, and presents case studies for illustration. The target audience is the expert, which includes professional mining geologists and engineers, as well as graduate-level and advanced undergraduate students. Review info: Mineral Resource Estimation . By Mario E. Rossi, Clayton V. Deutsch . 2014 . ISBN 978-1-4020-5716-8 332 pp.

Economic Geology

Book Review: Potassic igneous rocks and associated gold-copper mineralization, Fourth edition (D. Muller and D.I. Groves)

The fourth edition of this comprehensive textbook, which succeeds those published in 1995, 1997, and 2000, very nicely summarizes the geochemical and petrological characteristics of potassic igneous rock complexes and the different tectonic settings in which they occur. The authors provide an overview and a classification of these rocks and they outline the geochemical differences between barren and mineralized potassic igneous complexes. Owing to the common association of potassic igneous rocks with many gold- and copper-rich ore deposits, this book will be of interest not only to research scientists but also to those exploring for major deposits in young and ancient terranes. In fact, there was a clear attempt by the authors to provide a good mix of theoretical discussions based on experimental work, with case studies that illustrate field and applied research. Review info: Potassic Igneous Rocks and Associated Gold-Copper Mineralization , Fourth Edition. By Daniel Müller, David I. Groves. 2016. ISBN 978-3-319-23051-1. 311 p.

Economic Geology

Book review: Geology of gem deposits

Geology of Gem Deposits is the most recent addition to the classic short course volumes published by the Mineralogical Association of Canada. Although not as comprehensive as the title might imply, this volume does contain overview papers devoted (in varying degrees) to the geology of diamond, beryl, corundum, chrysoberyl, tanzanite and tsarvorite, topaz, and jade deposits, as well as gem-bearing pegmatites and colored gemstones of Canada. Individually, most of the chapters provide robust overviews of the gems they cover. However, as presented, these papers do not make a well-organized and cohesive volume. The content, structure, and organization of each of these papers vary significantly. Despite this shortcoming, a number of the chapters cover relevant geologic information, making the book an important contribution for economic geologists interested in the exploration and geology of gem deposits.

Economic Geology

[Book review] Dangerous to Man, by R.A. Caras

The theme of this book is conservation. Animals are included in this work primarily on the basis of the traumatic injuries they inflict, the venoms they inject, and their poisonous character as food.

BioScience

Facies analysis and sequence stratigraphic framework of upper Campanian strata (Neslen and Mount Garfield formations, Bluecastle Tongue of the Castlegate Sandstone, and Mancos Shale), Eastern Book Cliffs, Colorado and Utah

Facies and sequence-stratigraphic analysis identifies six high-resolution sequences within upper Campanian strata across about 120 miles of the Book Cliffs in western Colorado and eastern Utah. The six sequences are named after prominent sandstone units and include, in ascending order, upper Sego sequence, Neslen sequence, Corcoran sequence, Buck Canyon/lower Cozzette sequence, upper Cozzette sequence, and Cozzette/Rollins sequence. A seventh sequence, the Bluecastle sequence, is present in the extreme western part of the study area. Facies analysis documents deepening- and shallowing- upward successions, parasequence stacking patterns, downlap in subsurface cross sections, facies dislocations, basinward shifts in facies, and truncation of strata.All six sequences display major incision into shoreface deposits of the Sego Sandstone and sandstones of the Corcoran and Cozzette Members of the Mount Garfield Formation. The incised surfaces represent sequence-boundary unconformities that allowed bypass of sediment to lowstand shorelines that are either attached to the older highstand shorelines or are detached from the older highstand shorelines and located southeast of the main study area. The sequence boundary unconformities represent valley incisions that were cut during successive lowstands of relative sea level. The overlying valley-fill deposits generally consist of tidally influenced strata deposited during an overall base level rise. Transgressive surfaces can be traced or projected over, or locally into, estuarine deposits above and landward of their associated shoreface deposits. Maximum flooding surfaces can be traced or projected landward from offshore strata into, or above, coastal-plain deposits. With the exception of the Cozzette/Rollins sequence, the majority of coal-bearing coastal-plain strata was deposited before maximum flooding and is therefore within the transgressive systems tracts. Maximum flooding was followed by strong progradation of parasequences and low preservation potential of coastal-plain strata within the highstand systems tract. The large incised valleys, lack of transgressive retrogradational parasequences, strong progradational nature of highstand parasequences, and low preservation of coastal-plain strata in the highstand systems tracts argue for relatively low accommodation space during deposition of the Sego, Corcoran, and Cozzette sequences. The Buck Canyon/Cozzette and Cozzette/Rollins sequences contrast with other sequences in that the preservation of retrogradational parasequences and the development of large estuaries coincident with maximum flooding indicate a relative increase in accommodation space during deposition of these strata. Following maximum flooding, the Buck Canyon/Cozzette sequence follows the pattern of the other sequences, but the Cozzette/Rollins sequence exhibits a contrasting offlapping pattern with development of offshore clinoforms that downlap and eventually parallel its maximum flooding surface. This highstand systems tract preserves a thick coal-bearing section where the Rollins Sandstone Member of the Mount Garfield Formation parasequences prograde out of the study area, stepping up as much as 800 ft stratigraphically over a distance of about 90 miles. This progradational stacking pattern indicates a higher accommodation space and increased sedimentation rate compared to the previous sequences.

Colorado, Utah

A supplement to "Methods for collection and analysis of aquatic biological and microbiological samples" (U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, Book 5, Chapter A4)

The manual contains methods used by the U.S. Geological Survey to collect, preserve, and analyze waters to determine their biological and microbiological properties. It supplements ' Methods for Collection and Analysis of Aquatic Biological and Microbiological Samples ' (TWRI, Book 5, Chapter A4, 1977, edited by P. E. Greeson, T. A. Ehlke, G. A. Irwin, B. W. Lium, and K. V. Slack). Included are 5 new methods, a new section of selected taxonomic references for Ostracoda, and 6 revised methods.

Open-File Report

[Book review] Skua and penguin: Predator and prey

The skua and penguin with title billing in this book are specifically the South Polar Skua ( Catharacta maccormicki ) and the Adélie Penguin ( Pygoscelis adeliae ), More specifically, they are the populations of those two species that breed at Cape Bird on Ross Island, Antarctica (77°14'S, 16628'E), where the author and his students and colleagues conducted research during 1965-1970, Young presents the results of that research (with apologies for the long delay), using later research conducted by others on these species to help evaluate and interpret the findings from his program,

The Auk

[Book review] Ducks, geese and swans of North America

This is the 3rd edition of the classic work "The Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America," which was first published in December 1942. The original edition was authored by Francis C. Kortright with color plates by T. M. Shortt. An authoritative reference on North American waterfowl for many years, the book had become outdated as a result of major advances in the field of waterfowl biology. The need to update the 1st edition culminated in the publication in 1976 of a 2nd edition authored by Frank Bellrose. Readers interested in comparing features of the 1976 edition with other major recent works on North American waterfowl by P. A. Johnsgard and R. S. Palmer should read Weller (1977, Auk 94: 173).

The Auk