bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ramsey Pricing: A Method for Setting Fees in Social Service Organizations
Authors: Mc Cready Douglas J.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. In non‐profit social services, there is a tendency to avoid setting prices because of the distributional concerns and incompetence on the part of some consumers. Arguments for prices and cash transfers versus in‐kind subsidies are reviewed. The appropriateness is examined of “Ramsey pricing” in achieving efficient resource allocation in a zero‐profit firm when marginal cost pricing would lead to a profit. A survey of social service agencies in Ontario, Canada, found none was using the principles of “Ramsey pricing” and most were using no fees or prices at all. Some agencies had set prices but then waived them while others set fees equivalent to services provided by nonsocial service agencies. Most view fees as supplemental additions to the budget and consequently do not consider resource allocation. “Ramsey pricing,” it is believed, could be beneficially tried by social service agencies.
The World Bank and Poverty: The Plight of the World's Impoverished Is Still a Major Concern of the International Agency.
Authors: Sanford Jonathan E.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. Since the early 1980s, the World Bank has taken on new tasks in addition to its regular development finance function: preventing economic collapse in borrower countries, helping heavily indebted countries cope with their international payments difficulties, and encouraging basic economic policy reform and structural adjustment in developing countries. Many critics worry that, as the World Bank has taken on these new responsibilities, it has lessened its concern about poverty. The Bank and its friends argue that poverty alleviation remains a central element of the Bank's agenda, but the world situation is different than it was during the 1970s and new kinds of action are needed today. The Bank believes that economic reform and structural adjustments are crucial elements of a modern anti‐poverty program. Many critics believe that structural adjustment programs may seriously hurt the poor. Exploring the arguments and reporting the ways the World Bank has sought to respond to this controversy, the author concludes that the issue is a fundamental disagreement about whether the new modes of Bank lending and the Bank's new policy emphasis will have a positive or negative effect on the poor.
Irrational Expectations, Unclearing Markets and a Business Cycle That Won't Go Away: The Recent School of New Classical Economists Comes a Cropper on Basic Economic Facts
Authors: Sinha Dipendra
Published: July 2006

Abstract. The assumptions and conclusions of New Classical Macroeconomics (NCM) are critically examined. NCM grew out of the alleged failure of the Keynesian school to deal with the problems of stagflation of the 1970s. The two fundamental ideas of the NCM are the rational expectations hypothesis and the theory of instantaneous market clearing. According to the NCM, fiscal and monetary policies will achieve desired results if they are unanticipated. Business cycles are thought to be results of imperfect information on the part of rational agents (people). The NCM has been severely criticized by such prominent economists as Arrow, Tobin and Thurow.
China's Socioeconomic Progress: The Mainland Revisited Shows Evidence of Advance But Its Overpopulation Is a Big Problem
Authors: Falk Karl
Published: July 2006

Abstract. An invitation to lecture at a Chinese university in 1986 afforded the writer and his wife an opportunity to revisit China. They had been there in 1975 while the “Cultural Revolution” was still on and again in 1983. Their first visit covered major modern cities and historical capitals, their second more remote areas and their third the rural areas. They were impressed by the economic progress, especially in 1983‐86, even in rural areas which are still lagging behind the cities. The ability of the Chinese to cope with overpopulation aroused their admiration but it was clear that the problem would block or handicap development and modernization efforts for decades to come. China's overpopulation problem is a warning to other developing nations which neglect family planning.
Federal Income Tax Reform in the United States:How Did It Happen? What Did It Do? Where Do We Go from Here?
Authors: Herber Bernard P.
Published: July 2006

Abstract.The16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitutionin 1913 provided the legal basis for progressivefederal income taxes.They now yieldrevenuesof about $450 billion annually. Tax base erosion eventually produced a levy in serious violation of norms of allocationefficiency, distributionalequity, and macroeconomicperformance.Vested private interests influenced legislators by propaganda and campaign contributions to minimize their tax burdens at the expense of less wealthy taxpayers. The result was an irrational and badly flawed tax structure. In 1981 the maximum marginal tax rate on income from property and wealth was significantly reduced along with other bracket reductions. The income tax reform movement culminated in 1984 to 1986. It expanded the base of the tax while reducing marginal rates as well as brackets, with little change in the distribution of the burden among different income groups but achieving some greater equity in tax liabilities for those with similar incomes.
Quality of Life, Quality of the Individual, Technology and Economic Development
Authors: Zinam Oleg
Published: July 2006

Abstract. Technological advance, quality of life and quality of the person as well as the interaction among them are at the heart of a meaningful theory of socioeconomic development. The complexity and hierarchical structure of the quality of life concept can be related to Maslow's study of human needs and economists’theory of human wants. The implicit assumption of the direct positive relationship between quality of life and quality of the person is challenged. The possibility of an inverse relationship between them is stated and illustrated. If the ultimate purpose of improving quality of life is moral perfection (homo humanis), then optimal quality of life is one which leads to attainment of this goal. Freedom, seen by Maslow as a necessary precondition for satisfaction of all other needs, is defined as voluntary subjection to the highest value. The search for truth—the only way to set a person free—takes the form of Hegelian dialectics. Theoretically, the high quality of people can be attained either by “Hegelian path” via coercion, or “Hegelian path” via freedom. Historically, the former utterly failed, while the latter, though highly desirable, is neither impossible nor assured.
The Median Voter Model Fails an Empirical Test: The Procedure, Useful in the Absence of a Better One, Is Not Valid for Multidimensional Issues
Authors: Mathis Edward J. , Zech Charles E.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. The median voter model is a frequently used tool in analyzing local public sector issues. However, its use in analyzing multidimensional issues has been criticized. This study examines the criticism in the context of the decision by a municipality to establish a local constitution by voting for a home rule charter. A model is developed and tested using a variety of income measures. This model reveals that median income is not a better explanatory variable than other income measures. Based on this evidence, the authors conclude that the median voter model is not appropriate for analyzing multidimensional issues.
The Difference Between Short and Long Run Effects of Police Outlays on Crime: Policing Deters Criminals Initially, But Later They May ‘Learn by Doing’
Authors: Friedman Joseph , Hakim Simon , Spiegel Uriel
Published: July 2006

Abstract. In the long run a positive relationship of police expenditurescrime is derived in models which explain criminal behavior In the short run, however, the statistical results point to the possible deterring effect of police expenditures. A theoretical model is constructed to explain the statistical difference of the short and long run effect of police outlays on crime. As police expenditures increase, crime level diminishes. As time elapses, criminals may adjust to the new level of police effort, improve their performance and at the same level of outlays, increase their criminal activities. This phenomenon could be termed “Criminals’Learning by Doing”. It could explain why, over the long run, the level of crime is positively associated with police expenditures. The empirical analysis examines pooled cross sectional time series of 47 states over the period 1970 to 1980—a total of 517 cases.
The Changing View of Property Rights in Natural Resources Management
Authors: Chan Arthur H.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. The social, demographic, technological, and ecological circumstances in the United States have changed since its beginning. Society's view of property rights—i.e., the way resources are to be used—has evolved accordingly. Resource owners’virtually unrestricted right to use their property as they wished disappeared along with the western frontier, pristine wilderness, and abundant natural resources. There is now a strong commitment to preserve what little nature and resource are left. To overcome the problem of abuse or destruction of nature, it is necessary to recognize, first and foremost, that the problem has become institutionalized over the years and, secondly, that humans and natural objects are interdependent and are of roughly equal importance in the biotic community. Protection of nature against abuse therefore requires that nature be granted legal rights on moral grounds, that consequently human decisions and actions must take into consideration their impacts on nature, and that defenders of nature be able to raise its rights in its own name in any administrative or legal dispute.
Max Weber's Authority Models and the Theory of X‐Inefficiency: The Economic Sociologist's Analysis Adds More Structure to Leibenstein's Critique of Rationality
Authors: Vanagunas Stanley
Published: July 2006

Abstract. Harvey leibenstein's theory of X‐efficiency holds that behavioral considerations, such as motivation of workers or the quality of managerial decisions, are the major restraints on the productivity of modern organizations. It envisions economic behaviors which are not fully rational; that is, behaviors which fall far short of the maximization postulate so central to neo‐classical microeconomics. The theory is significant for it, contrary to the prevailing view, seeks to explain suboptimality primarily as a function of factors internal to the Jirm rather than those that are objectively external, such as the market structure in which the firm finds itself. The X‐efficiency framework is enhanced by the application of several salient concepts in the economic thought of Max Weber. He, in contrast to most of his contemporaries, engaged in economic analysis, but he never accepted the maximization postulate. He considered such formal economic rationality to be a very rare, almost an exceptional case of economic behavior the norm was something substantially less rational. Weber therefore categorized economic activity by its degree of rationality and linked such activity to types of authority exercised in its pursuit.
Alvin Harvey Hansen: Economic Growth and a More Perfect Society: The Economist's Role in Defining the Stagnation Thesis and in Popularizing Keynesianism
Authors: Brazelton W. Robert
Published: July 2006

Abstract. Alvin H. Hansen was one of the leading American economists from the 1930s to the 1960s. He was largely responsible for the popularization of Keynesian economics in the United States and Canada. He was responsible for the development of the secular stagnation thesis which explained 19th century American economic growth in terms of population growth, the frontier, and technology. The diminishing of these factors explained the decrease in the American economic growth rate in the 20th Century. Hansen's policy conclusions to prevent stagnation were Keynesian in nature and, as a result, Hansen was an early advocate of active fiscal policy in the United States. He differed with Terborgh.
Protection or Free Trade: An Analysis of the Ideas of Henry George on International Commerce and Wages
Authors: Martin Thomas L.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. Henry George, the 19th century American economist and social philosopher, abandoned protectionism and became a free trader when he engaged in the great tariff debate of the last quarter of his century. In the controversy, a true follower of Adam Smith, he anticipated neoclassical positions on the tariff question, particularly the Stolper‐Samuelson theory which predicts that free trade will increase the prices of the abundant factors of production relative to the prices of the scarce factors. George's concern in the great debate was labor; he was convinced that only certain interests representing capital or resource ownership would benefit from protection at the cost of labor and the enterprises in fields with more abundant resources. But the free trade effort failed and in 1894 the Wilson‐Gorman tariff increased the exactions to the highest level yet. The protectionist tide, only slowed by the Woodrow Wilson Administration, was not reversed until after World War II.
Wealth of a Nation
Authors: Oliver Melvin L. , Shapiro Thomas M.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. In order to determine whether the distribution of wealth in American society uncovers deeper fault lines of inequality than income alone, data from the 1984 Survey of Income and Program Participation is examined. The findings indicate that: (1) aggregate shares of wealth held by households are distributed far more unevenly than income shares, with extreme concentrations at the upper levels; (2) the data on wealth shows that the condition of black America is far more precarious, marginalized, and unequal than was thought previously; (3) single and separated women hold few assets in comparison with their male from SIPP using the weights provided by the U.S. Census which approximates the U.S. population. Parallel analyses conducted on the weighted and unweighted samples showed similar results. 3. For a detailed analysis of black‐white differences in wealth see Oliver and Shapiro (1989).
Joint Ventures in the U.S. Steel Industry:
Authors: Scheuerman William E.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. In 1958 Daniel Fusfeld examined the role of joint ventures in the U.S. steel industry and concluded that joint ventures served as a substitute for mergers forbidden by the Justice Department. Since the Fusfeld study, things have changed drastically for integrated domestic producers. Competition from imports and domestic mini‐ mills have forced steel firms into bankruptcies and missive plant closings. The contemporary industry's participation in joint ventures is examined in an attempt to understand steel's restructuring. Today's integrated producers jointly may hold tighter control over raw materials, participate in growing numbers of horizontal Joint ventures, and engage in numerous cooperative enterprises with foreign competitors, particularly the Japanese. Contemporary U.S. producers are becoming increasingly absorbed in the global economy.
Transient Crowding and Crime:
Authors: Jarrell Stephen , Howsen Roy M.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. The effects on crime rates of the intrusion of large numbers of strangers into an area are investigated. The sensitivity of six different crime types (murder, rape, assault, robbery, burglary, and larceny) to density of strangers is estimated using a standard model of criminal behavior. The variables which reflect this density are measures of tourists, college students, shoppers from other areas, opportunities to consume alcohol, and the presence of interstate highway exits. The results suggest that an increase in the number of strangers into an area has a positive effect on the crimes of burglary, larceny, and robbery, but very little effect on assault, murder and rape. A significant finding is that “wet” counties have a higher incidence of each crime type than do “dry” counties. From a policy standpoint, officials who support economic growth in urban areas should keep in mind that an increase in the opportunity for illegal activity accompanies such growth and plan accordingly.
The Sufficiency of Single Tax Revenue:
Authors: Buurman Gary B.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. Statements claiming that the single tax would raise insufficient revenue to support modern governments have been damaging to Henry George's proposal to tax the rent of land. It is argued that these claims are a misleading way of assessing George's proposal. Firstly, it is shown that estimates of rent usually understate the revenue that would have been raised under the single tax. Secondly, the idea of a counterfactual proposition is used to show that government expenditure would have been lower subsequently had George's proposal been adopted. The conclusion is that there are generally errors of omission in estimating the sufficiency of single tax revenue.
The Common Heritage Principle:
Authors: Herber Bernard P
Published: July 2006

Abstract An effort is underway to apply the common heritage principle to certain unique global resources while promoting economic development Under this precept, property rights to such resources are said to belong to all nations and their citizens rather than being subject to national sovereignty The doctrine is examined in theory and as applied in the outer space and law of the sea treaties Its possible application to Antarctica is explored in relationship to the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) which is now considering a minerals regime for the continent Assessing the international political situation suggests the powerful bloc of ATS nations will ignore the common heritage principle However, a different outcome is possible, given a convergence of the Antarctic mining and global atmospheric issues of the greenhouse and ozone varieties Under this scenario, the global atmosphere and Antarctica would be common property resources whose property rights are owned by all nations
A Linear Programming Model of the Consumer Price Index Food Component
Authors: Droms William G. , Stone David L
Published: July 2006

Abstract A linear programming model is used to measure the rate of inflation in the food component of the consumer price index A diet model to minimize the cost of a diet subject to constraints on nutritive requirements, variety, pal‐atabihty, and menu‐function is constructed and the rates of increase in a strict minimum cost model and an expanded constraint model are measured for the period 1980‐87 Consistent with the consumer utility literature, it is found that the current Laspeyres index approach to measuring the cost of living in fact provides an upper limit on true cost of living increases Results also show that the cost of maintaining a minimum level of subsistence increases more rapidly than the cost of a more palatable diet Finally, the results show that in fact there is very little room for substitution among food items within a reasonable diet model
John Hobson, Thorstein Veblen and the Phenomenon of Imperialism
Authors: Edgell Stephen , Townshend Jules
Published: July 2006

Abstract. Although Hobson (1858–1940) and Veblen (1857–1929) both wrote extensively on imperialism, a systematic comparison of their views has yet to be undertaken. This is corrected with reference to three issues: their respective condemnation and explanation of, and remedy for, imperialism. The contexts in which they wrote is outlined and it is shown that on the basis of a shared definition of imperialism: (1) they both condemned imperialism on economic and political grounds, although Veblen's hostility was arguably the greater; (2) they both advanced dualistic explanations of imperialism, but whereas Hobson developed more fully and emphasized economic rather than ideological forces, the reverse was the case for Veblen; and (3) they agreed that modern imperialism could be remedied by the establishment of an international system of law and order. Veblen, however, was far less confident that this would solve totally the problem of imperialism and hence argued for the abolition of both capitalism and patriotism. The convergencies and divergencies in their analyses of imperialism may reflect the British liberal and American radical traditions that the politically involved Hobson and the iconoclast Veblen, respectively, operated within. There is a lesson for our time in their views.
Looking for a Few Good Men
Authors: Stewart James B. , Firestone Juanita M.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. The extent to which differences exist across race/ethnicity, sex and service group in rates of retention and promotion of military officers is examined. Three separate statistical models capture differences in the possible effects of race/ethnicity on variation in retention and promotion rates. Ordinary least squares regression (OLS) was used to estimate the models employing cohort data from the period 1979–1988. All analyses were performed separately for men and women. The models exhibited greater explanatory power for men than for women. The empirical results were used to develop predictions of the numbers of individuals that will be retained from each cohort during the next decade. Predicted distributions of officers across grades were also generated for each cohort. Results indicate that while retention rates for minorities appear high, little change in the demographic composition of higher grades is likely if current recruitment, and promotion practices continue. Thus, programs designed to increase the numbers of women and ethnic minorities in the officer corps should focus on recruitment rather than retention. Lastly, recommendations for future research to expand and support these preliminary analyses are presented.
Determinants of Contributions to Religious Organizations
Authors: Zaleski Peter A. , Zech Charles E.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. A model of contributions to one's religious congregation suggests that since the operations of the congregation rely upon voluntary contributions from members, congregation members will contribute less as congregation size increases. This type of behavior, known as free riding is supported by the empirical results. Furthermore, income, race, congregation expenses and denomination are key determinants of contributions.
What Was Driving the 1982–88 Boom In Temporary Employment?
Authors: Golden Lonnie , Appelbaum Eileen
Published: July 2006

Abstract. The level of temporary help employment rose two‐and‐a‐half fold between 1982 and 1988, was quite variable and had a disproportionately larger effect on employment flows. One conventional explanation suggests that changing demographic composition of the labor force in favor of groups preferring nontraditional employment arrangements fueled the temporary help boom. Demand‐side views emphasize the volatility in labor demand, intensified price competition and the absence of employee benefit contributions.

Empirical estimation confirms that demand‐side forces predominate. Yet no labor supply variable is found to be positively associated with the extent of temporary employment. Cyclical fluctuation in output, intensified foreign competition and the magnitude of nonwage labor costs are all positively associated with temporary employment levels. The diminishing bargaining power of labor unions allows employers to exploit the labor cost savings of temporary hires, and the extent of paid time‐off and the lack of flexibility in weekly hours of work play a weak role. The findings suggest why temporary job growth accelerated in the 1980s, as more firms employed a “core‐periphery” human resource strategy. Public policy should adopt measures that attempt to limit the creation of temporary jobs to a level that accommodates the worker need for flexible annual work schedules.
Henry George and Europe
Authors: Silagi Michael , Faulkner Susan N.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. Henry George's land reform ideas became known in Germany not through his writing or speaking but through the efforts of Michael Flürscheim, an industrialist and pioneer social reformer, who first presented those ideas to the public. The American's idea that the land value tax was the only legitimate source of government revenue as the only economic surplus had found no acceptance among German socialist leaders. It was a capitalist, Flürscheim, who was inspired by George's theories and wrote and spoke about them. Flürscheim brought about the foundation of the first German land reform organization. Though it failed, a successor became the largest such association in the world.
Eisenhower and Agricultural Reform:
Authors: Schapsmeier Edward L , Schapsmeier Frederick H
Published: July 2006

Abstract The federal government began to manage American agriculture in the 1930s as a way of alleviating the economic plight of farmers during the Great Depression The various programs of the New Deal set up the mechanism for both curtailing production and storing agricultural surpluses During World War II, these same mechanisms were used to increase the supply of food and fiber Before 1948, the Truman administration sought to cut back federal subsidies, but reversed this policy due to campaign promises The Eisenhower administration initiated a change m farm policy aimed at promoting a free market orientation Subsequent Republican presidents have built upon this by seeking the free trade of agricultural commodities on a world scale
The Living Arrangements of Single Mothers with Dependent Children
Authors: Winkler Anne E.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. Despite the rapid increase in families headed by single mothers, sufficient attention has not been paid to the living arrangements of these families. Most prior research has generally relied on Bureau of the Census definitions as household head and subfamily head to categorize single mothers' living arrangements. This two part grouping, however, obscures the actual diversity of living arrangements undertaken, including cohabitation with unrelated males. This paper moves beyond the standard two part grouping of single mothers and instead provides a detailed taxonomy of single mothers' living arrangements using data from the Current Population Survey. Among the findings, the economic status of families headed by single mothers varies tremendously by living arrangement, a fact which has been entirely overlooked in earlier research.
A Public Choice Analysis of the Evolution of Tort Law
Authors: Miceli Thomas J. , Segerson Kathleen
Published: July 2006

Abstract. In contrast to the article by W. Harris, it is contended that in the area of product liability a rule of strict liability is not necessarily less efficient than a negligence rule and an analogy between product liability cases and lotteries is not appropriate.
An Economic Analysis of Teenage Fertility
Authors: Davis William L. , Olson Kent W. , Warner Larkin
Published: July 2006

Abstract. The relationship between the probability of a teenage birth and various independent variables representing fecundity, attitudes, resources, and the economic opportunities for a sample of teenage females drawn from the 1980 census is examined. A theoretical framework, based on Becker's model, is employed to describe the birth‐decision process and tested using a logit technique. The findings suggest that receipt of public assistance income and perceived economic opportunities are more important in explaining fertility probabilities among older (18–19 years old) teenagers. Among younger teens, accessibility to family planning and abortion services, and religious attitudes toward family planning ate more important predictors of fertility.
Henry George and Europe
Authors: Silagi Michael , Faulkner Susan N.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. Michael Flürscheim, an industrialist, sought in 1885 to organize in Germany a society of land reformers. Only 20 responded to his call. Soon afterwards two journalists, did respond and organized a group called the Land League. It disbanded in 1887. A. T. Stamm, who had previously tried to start an organization he called “The Society for Humanism,” then sought to form a society, “The All‐Weal Union.” These efforts came to naught until Flürscheim launched in Frankfort the “German Union for Land Ownership Reform.” It gained 600 members. It was called by a government official, Wilhelm Schrameier, himself a land reformer, “a small sect.” But these educational efforts convinced officials of the imperial government and navy of the usefulness of the land value tax for ending land speculation and provided for 16 years a practical demonstration of that in a large colonial territory, Kiaochow, China.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Commercial Burglaries
Authors: Hakim Simon , Shachmurove Yochanan
Published: July 2006

Abstract. The factors that are crucial in predicting burglary of commercial establishments are evaluated. Burglars are rational in their choice of target, in that they consider both the revenue generated by the burglary and the chances of being apprehended. Location of the target plays a major role; establishments located within three blocks of heavily travelled thoroughfares are less vulnerable to burglary than those located further away. The wealthier the community, the higher the probability of burglary of its commercial establishments. Retail establishments and businesses which are located in office parks are most vulnerable to burglary. Establishments which have been in business less than one year are more likely to be burgled; the longer a store is in business, the less likely it is to become a victim of burglary. Burglar alarms are the most effective deterrent available to commercial establishments, followed by the installation of exterior and interior lights. In general, the probability of burglary of non‐alarmed properties is 4.57 times higher than of similar alarmed property. The study is based upon a detailed survey of commercial establishments in three suburban communities of Philadelphia. These communities vary in their locational, physical and socio‐economic characteristics and represent many suburban localities throughout the United States.
Political Process and Popular Protest
Authors: Ayres Jeffrey M.
Published: July 2006

Abstract. The mobilization to defeat the United States‐Canada Free Trade Agreement is used as a point of departure for reflections on the role political processes play in social movement mobilization. Previous articles in this Journal presented a resource mobilization‐political opportunities paradigm in the study of social movements. This article expands this paradigm's analytic reach to a country that has contributed little research to the ongoing debate about social movement mobilization. Adopting a political process perspective, political institutions, political opportunities, and social and political organizations shaped the emergence and mobilization of the popular campaign. This case can strengthen a generalized understanding of those political factors most conducive to the interesting interplay and outcome of movement, party, and electoral politics.
Flowering phenology in natural populations of Iris pumila
Authors: Tarasjev Aleksej
Published: July 2006

In the present study, I examined flowering phenology of dwarf bearded ins, Iris pumila, using naturally occurring clones (three sites, four microsites) and clones transplanted between two sites representing two habitats Naturally occurring clones in contrasting habitats and microsites differed significantly in phenology, with exposition of the site or microsite being the most important Genotypes from more exposed habitats flowered earlier in both habitats and these differences were statistically significant Patterns of between‐habitat and between‐population differences were stable over years even though years differed markedly in the flowering onset Within‐population genetic variability for flowering phenology was also found to be significant Although clones with dark‐colored flowers tended to flower earlier in all habitats and microsites I failed to detect statistically significant differences in flowering time among color morphs Flowering phenology in I pumila is highly susceptible to environmental variability, but this factor has not prevented population divergence in flowering time Between‐habitat differences in flowering time turned out to be a result of both phenotypic plasticity of individuals and genetic differentiation of populations
Links between the abundance and distribution of birds
Authors: Newton I.
Published: July 2006

The relationship between overall abundance, local abundance and distribution is examined for several taxonomic groups of birds in Britain Among closely‐related species, all three measures were correlated those species with the highest overall numbers also had the highest local numbers and the widest distributions Within each group, the relationship between overall abundance and distribution was extremely tight (with all the species points close to the trend line) in plots of log distribution (numbers of 10 km squares occupied) against log numbers The pattern held in summer and winter, and in both resident and migratory species Moreover, species which, over a period of years, underwent marked change in status showed parallel changes in both breeding numbers and distribution, and followed the pattern found from comparisons between related species Conversely, species which changed little in numbers over a period of years also changed little in extent of distribution

An explanation of the findings is proposed, based on density‐dependent growth of local numbers and dispersal The relevance of the findings to the limitation of geographical ranges is discussed The distributional extent of many species seems to depend primarily on their overall numbers, rather than vice versa
Abundance‐range size relationships of breeding and wintering birds in Britain: a comparative analysis
Authors: Gaston Kevin J. , Blackburn Tim M. , Gregory Richard D.
Published: July 2006

Both breeding and wintering assemblages of birds in Britain exhibit positive interspecific relationships between population size and geographic range size, such that the average density of species is greater if they are more widely distributed Species in common to both assemblages, that is resident species, had greater population sizes, geographic range sizes, and densities in winter In contrast, whilst winter migrants had higher abundances than summer migrants, the range sizes of the former were disproportionately larger still, resulting in a lower density for species that only winter in Britain than for those that only breed Such differences aside, the overall form of the abundance‐range size relationship is remarkably similar between the two assemblages and their constituent subsets of species
The historical assembly of continental biotas: Late Quaternary range‐shifting, areas of endemism, and bio‐geographic structure in the North American mammal fauna
Authors: Riddle Brett R.
Published: July 2006

A controversial question in biogeography and ecology involves the extent to which vicariance and dispersal interact to determine the structure of continental biotic assemblages, Accumulating evidence of” distributional changes during the past 40 000 yr (Late Quaternary) has suggested to ecologists that changes in geographic ranges during the Pleistocene were of sufficient magnitude to erode prior associations between earth and biotic evolution in continental biotas. This paper first argues that this question can only he addressed by examining the magnitude of Late Quaternary range‐shifting at the spatial scale established within the framework of historical historical geography (e.g., areas of endemism) rather than that of ecology (e.g., local community assemblages); and second reassesses patterns of range‐shifting in the FAUNMAP data base recording Late Quaternary distributions of North American mammals. At the scale of geo‐morphological provinces. North American rodents have exhibited highly stable distributions during this time frame, suggesting that previous inferences drawn from analyses of stability at a local community scale are not relevant to questions of congruence between earth and biotic history at regional or continental scales, A comprehensive understanding of processes underlying the assembly of continental biotas still requires incorporation of biogeographic patterns developed well before episodes of Late Quaternary climatic turbulence.
Rarity within taxonomie lineages and the use of taxa above the level of species
Authors: Edwards Will
Published: July 2006

Studies which attempt to explain rarity lineages are becoming increasingly popular. An ability to explain causative factors for rarity based on shared characteristics in an intuitively attractive concept, since it may greatly reduce the number of studies needed to understand rarity in all species. Most studies have used the taxonomic unit of family as the level at which patterns in the distribution of rarity re examined, though no justification for the use of family has been provided. To date, No evidence has been produced to show that family‐based patterns represent patterns at lower taxonomic levels.

To test whether family‐based levels of rarity reliably reflected generic levels. J compared the incidence of rarity within 114 genera from 47 families, 113 genera (<99%) within 46 families showed no difference from family means in the proportion of rare species they contained, indicating that the incidence of rarity is consistent between the taxonomic levels of family and genus. This result suggests family level patterns reflect pattern at lower taxonomic levels and supports the use of family as an appropriate level to investigate patterns in the distribution of rarity within a flora
Relating species density to environmental variables in presence of spatial autocorrelation: a study case on soil nematodes distribution
Authors: Rossi Jean‐Pierre , Quénéhervé Patrick
Published: July 2006

The relationships between soil nematodes and soil texture, carbon content and depth were assessed in both a cultivated and uncultivated plots. Simple correlation coefficient analyses indicated a negative linear correlation between the plant‐parasitic species Helicotylenchus retnsus Siddiqui and Brown and soil clay content in the uncultivated site. However, Mantel Lests showed this correlation to be spurious and only due to the presence of a common spatial pattern in the variables distribution. Both H. retusus density and soil clay content appeared to be independently driven by a common, unknown cause. The use of suitable statistical methods to analyse spatially dependent variables proved to be particularly fruitful in that they prevent spurious correlations and allow us to test different causal models involving the set of variables at hand.
Species immigration, extinction and turnover of vascular plants in boreal lakes
Authors: Virola Teija , Kaitala Veijo , Kuitunen Markku , Lammi Antti , Siikamäki Pirkko , Suhoncen Jukka , Virolainen Kaija
Published: July 2006

Dictated by limited resource availability for land acquisition, a central question in conservation biology is the ability of areas of different size to maintain species diversity. The selected reserves should not only be species rich at the moment, but should also maintain species diversity in the long run. We used two sets of data on vascular plant species in boreal lakes collected in 1933/34 and 1996 to test the relationships between lake area and the extinction, immigration and turnover rates of the species. Moreover, we investigated, whether the number of species in 1933/34 or water connection between lakes was related to extinction, immigration and turnover rates of species. We found that lake area or shoreline length was not correlated with immigration or turnover rate. But extinction rate was slightly negatively correlated with shoreline length. The original number of species was positively related to the number of species extinctions and to the absolute turnover rate in the lakes, which indicates that species richness does not create stability in these communities. Species number was not correlated with immigration rate. Upstream water connections in the lakes did not affect immigration, extinction or turnover rates. We conclude that length of the shoreline is a better measure of suitable area for water plants than the lake area, and that because the correlation between shoreline length and extinction rate was slight, also small lakes can be valuable for conservation.
The echo pattern of species diversity: pattern and processes
Authors: Rosenzweig Michael L. , Ziv Yaron
Published: July 2006

Ecologists need not despair ot discovering the mechanisms that lead to large scale patterns. The search for process at higher scales has already led to enhanced confidence in the patterns and to improvements in their description. For example, species‐area relationships turn out to form not one. but three patterns. Each is controlled by gain‐loss dynamics at its own scale. At the macroscale, origination and global extinction reign. At the archipelagic scale, immigration and island extinction determine the results. At the local scale, metapopulation processes do. The three scales exhibit species‐area curves with systematically different slopes in logarithmic space. We use the three scales of species‐area to illuminate the relationship between local and regional diversity. Algebra shows that the latter pattern is an echo of species‐area curves, and that those echoes ought to be nearly linear. So. we call the relationship of local and regional diversity, the Echo pattern. Ecology has long known that species‐area curves within a region reflect the accumulation of habitat variety. Thus, their connection to Echo patterns argues against concluding that local diversity has little or nothing to do with population interactions. To obtain a pure Echo pattern, one should draw data from independent regions rather than separate islands. The independence allows natural selection to adjust the fundamental niches of species to diversity. Theory suggests that higher diversity should shrink niches, allowing the coexistence of more species locally. Hence, independence should tend to produce the straightest Echoes. However, archipelagic species‐area curves predict that even when different islands are used as the regions, the Echoes should show only very gentle curvatures. Flouting theory, some archipelagic Echoes approach an asymptote as regional diversity increases. These must have logarithmic slopes that increase with regional pool size. We do not understand why.
The population biology of perch, Perca fluviatilis L., in simple fish communities with no top piscivore
Authors: Treasurer J.
Published: July 2006

Abstract– The population dynamics of perch, Perca fluviatilis L., in the absence of a top piscivore, pike Esox lucius L., were examined in simple fish communities in shallow lakes (mean depth < 1.5 m) in northeast Scotland. Perch in Sand and Lower Lochs were unexploited, whereas perch in Loirston were exploited. Population characteristics were fast growth rates, short life span (< 6 years) and no dominant year classes in Sand and Lower Lochs. The strong 1974 year class in Loirston may have been due to intensive exploitation of older age groups. Abundance of perch, expressed as biomass, was low for European waters, namely 30 kg. ha−1 in Loirston (comprising mainly 1 ‐ to 2‐year‐old‐fish), and biomass of adults (≥ 2 years) was 8.9 kg and 4.7 kg. ha−1 in Sand and Lower Lochs respectively. Recruitment in Sand and Lower Lochs appeared to be governed by water temperature, but the overall low abundance and population stability of perch in the 3 lochs was attributed to cannibalism.
Temporal genetic structure of an intergrade largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) population
Authors: Brown M. L. , Murphy B. R.
Published: July 2006

Since 1972, numerous impoundments throughout Texas have been stocked with Florida largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus. In order to examine some of the long‐term effects of such efforts, the present study summarizes past studies and complements those with more current observations on the intergrade largemouth bass population in Aquilla Lake, Hill Country, Texas. The reservoir received 4 annual stockings during the month of May from 1982 to 1985. Collections occurred periodically from February 1984 to June 1987, February to August 1988, and monthly from August 1991 to November 1992. Horizontal starch‐gel electrophoresis was conducted to determine allele frequencies at loci sAAT‐B*, SOD*1. Mean heterozygosity and percent introgression were highest for age‐0 fish of the 1986 year class. Assortative mating was not apparent in 1991 or 1992 year classes. Collections of specific year classes over time consistently indicated decreases in the relative abundance of the northern phenotype. Relative to the northern phenotype, the abundance of Florida year classes remained relatively constant over time. Relative abundances of F1 hybrids and Fx, intergrades (i. e., F1) from specific year glasses were observed to generally increase with age.
Seasonal dynamics of habitat use by an airbrathing catfish (Claris liocephalus) in a papyrus swamp
Authors: Chapman L. J.
Published: July 2006

I examined the effects of extreme hypoxia and water level fluctuations on the distribution and movement of an air‐breathing clariid catfish, Clarias liocephalus, in a papyrus swamp in western Uganda. Monthly records of the distribution and relative abundance of C. liocephalus across 28 swamp stations were used to examine seasonal trends in habitat use and movement. My results suggest that dissolved oxygen did not directly limit use of, or dispersal through, the papyrus swamp. C. liocephalus were found at most stations in the dry season, and there was no significant relationship between the number of stations used per month and mean monthly dissolved oxygen levels. In addition, there was no evidence for a significant effect of oxygen on the relative abundance of fish among stations during the driest months, or during peak flood conditions. However, relative abundance was positively correlated with water depth during the dry season. Fish from deeper habitats exhibited fewer injuries and lower rates of disappearance than fish from shallower waters. This may reflect the risk of aerial predation for surfacing fish. A comparison of habitat use and movements of C. liocephalus with the only other fish species found in the papyrus swamp, Barbus neumayeri, supports the idea that respiratory mode can affect the use of hypoxic papyrus swamps. B. neumayeri, is a small water‐breathing cyprinid that uses aquatic surface respiration in response to severe hypoxia. The air‐breathing capabilities of C. liocephalus permitted more widespread use of swamp waters than B. neumayeri. This study demonstrates that an understanding of the respiratory mode of fish species may be useful in predicting patterns of habitat use.