Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding Local Perceptions And The Role Of Historical Context In Ecotourism Development: A Case Study Of St. Kitts, Amber Greening

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ecotourism is a popular tool for the conservation of fragile ecosystems and local development of the communities surrounding them. It is widely argued that the key to effective and sustainable ecotourism programs relies on the depth of community involvement and support. This research reveals a better understanding of community members’ perceptions of ecotourism and conservation, and how these perceptions potentially influence participation in current and future ecotourism projects within the villages of Cayon and Keys on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. Data were collected through several qualitative methods including: face-to-face surveys with Cayon and Keys villagers; interviews with government …

Are Experimentally Derived Estimates Of Thermal Tolerance Useful In Interpreting Species Distribution Models, Iva Sokolovska

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Species distribution models are frequently used in ecology to predict the spatial and temporal occurrence of organisms. Direct interpretation of these models assumes that the relationships between the organisms and their environment are manifestations of causal mechanisms. However, in general, the mechanisms producing these associations have not been experimentally validated, which questions our confidence in their interpretation and application. Temperature is one of the most important factors influencing the fitness and distribution of aquatic organisms, and studying the thermal physiology of aquatic invertebrates could provide a useful approach for validating predictions of the species distribution models.

Experimental thermal tolerance studies, …