Alpine grassland degradation intensifies the burrowing behavior of small mammals:evidence for a negative feedback loop

Globally,grassland degradation is an acute ecological problem.In alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau,increased densities of various small mammals in degraded grassland are assumed to intensify the degradation process and these mammals are subject to lethal control.However,whether the negative impact of small mammals is solely a result of population size or also a result of activity and behavior has not been tested.In this study,we use plateau pika as a model to compare population size,core area of colony,and the number of burrow entrances and latrines between lightly and severely degraded grassland.We test whether the alleged contribution of pika to grassland degradation is a result of increased population size or increased burrowing activities of individuals in response to lower food abundance.We found that grassland degradation resulted in lower plant species richness,plant height,and biomass.Furthermore,the overall population size of pika was not significantly affected by location in lightly and severely degraded grassland.However,pika core areas in severely grassland degradation were significantly larger and had significantly higher densities of burrows and latrines.Our study provides convincing evidence that habitat-induced changes in the behavior of small,burrowing mammals,such as pika,can exacerbate grassland degradation.This finding has significant implications for managing small mammals and restoring degraded grassland ecosystems.

Geographic and health system correlates of interprofessional oral health practice

Objective:This study explores geographic,system,and organizational constructs that predict medical care teams’willingness to administer fluoride varnish and conduct oral health risk assessments.Methods:A cross-sectional survey of voluntary health professionals attending trainings on interprofessional oral health practice was completed at ten meetings across the United States from April through September,2016.Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine un-known correlates of oral health prevention and intervention at geographic,organizational,and sys-tem levels relating to the impact of referral mechanisms and systems as well as health information technology on fluoride varnish administration and risk-based oral evaluations.Results:A convenience cohort(n=560)from 44 states was examined.Most(68.7%,n=385)agreed with the dependent variable“medical providers at our site,or part of our network,are admin-istering fluoride varnish and identifying oral health risk factors in the majority of patients seen.”In bivariate analysis,organization type(P=0.0067),having successful referral systems(P<0.0001),and electronic health record(EHR)utility(P<0.0001)were associated with the dependent vari-able.No geographic indicators were significant.All referral system indicators were significant in multivariate analysis.Dependable referrals(P<0.0001),EHR utility(P=0.0054),and type of re-ferral(P=0.0009)were predictors of the dependent variable.The odds of those reporting a depend-able referral system and dependent variable agreement were 4.5 times greater than for those who lacked dependable referral systems(odds ratio 4.54,confidence interval 2.79-7.39).The odds of those who had dependable EHRs and dependent variable agreement were 2.4 times greater than for those who lacked useful EHRs(odds ratio 2.4,confidence interval 1.29-4.37).Conclusion:The dependability of medical-to-dental referral systems and processes impacts the administration of fluoride varnish and identification of oral health risk factors by motivated primary care teams.Additionally,the ease of EHR use and the availability of electronic information exchange were found to impact primary care oral health practice.