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Life Sciences

The University of Maine

Theses/Dissertations

2014

Habitat

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Amphibians In Complex Landscapes: Quantifying Habitat Connectivity For Juvenile Movements And Dispersal, Brittany Blue Cline Aug 2014

Amphibians In Complex Landscapes: Quantifying Habitat Connectivity For Juvenile Movements And Dispersal, Brittany Blue Cline

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Maintaining amphibian populations in fragmented landscapes depends on preserving functional connectivity for animals that need to transit multiple vegetation types to satisfy habitat requirements. For many pool-breeding amphibians, successful dispersal is essential for gene flow; thus, quantifying the ability of juveniles to locate and reach suitable habitat in the terrestrial matrix is necessary to predict the consequences of landscape configuration for populations. I evaluated if different open-canopy vegetation types alter the behavior of juvenile wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). First, I quantified the relative permeability of different open-vegetation types by experimentally releasing frogs in 35 x 3 m enclosures extending from …


Spatial And Habitat Responses Of Canada Lynx In Maine To A Decline In Snowshoe Hare Density, David G. Mallett May 2014

Spatial And Habitat Responses Of Canada Lynx In Maine To A Decline In Snowshoe Hare Density, David G. Mallett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) within the northern boreal forest region have documented that lynx respond spatially to a decline in snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) density, as exhibited by expansion of territories and changes in social structure. I compared home range area and spatial overlap in the southeastern portion of their geographic range during periods of relatively high and relatively low hare density. Home range areas of lynx did not change between periods of high and low hare density, except that home ranges of females during the denning season expanded during the low period. The presence of kittens …