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Development And Evaluation Of A Minimally Invasive Sampling Technique To Estimate The Age Of Living Birds, Crissa K. Cooey
Development And Evaluation Of A Minimally Invasive Sampling Technique To Estimate The Age Of Living Birds, Crissa K. Cooey
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Using pest species in initial studies of pentosidine (Ps) aging research for birds may be the catalyst to discovering more effective population control strategies for pest, invasive, and hard to manage birds. Pentosidine is an irreversible, stable, fluorescent, collagen cross-link, created through the Maillard reaction, which has been found to accumulate throughout the lifetime of an organism in various body parts such as skin, lens crystalline, and dura matter. Pentosidine assays are more accurate at determining the age of adult birds in comparison to plumage coloration, eye and mouth color, feather wear, and molt sequences due to the discovery that …
Ecology Of A Central Appalachian White-Tailed Deer Herd At Low Density, Shawn M. Crimmins
Ecology Of A Central Appalachian White-Tailed Deer Herd At Low Density, Shawn M. Crimmins
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are the most abundant big game species in North America and serve as the dominant herbivore in the majority of the Appalachian region. Despite the abundance of research conducted on this species, relatively little is known of the ecology of white-tailed deer occurring at low densities. Our study population experienced a 75% decline in population density and a three-fold increase in habitat disturbance via timber harvests between 2002 and 2005. From May 2006 to April 2008 I examined the home-range, survival, and herbivory patterns of a central Appalachian white-tailed deer herd that has recently experienced both …
Predictive Modeling Of Freshwater Mussels (Unionidae) In The Appalachians, Alison R. Mynsberge
Predictive Modeling Of Freshwater Mussels (Unionidae) In The Appalachians, Alison R. Mynsberge
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Freshwater mussels are in decline, particularly in the Appalachian region of North America. This region contains the world's greatest diversity of freshwater mussels, but many species are now threatened or endangered. Little is known of the basic ecology and distributions of species of freshwater mussels relative to other freshwater organisms. The goal of this study was to use predictive modeling to predict distributions of freshwater mussels in the Appalachians and identify correlated factors using a watershed framework. Models were developed in the upper Mid-Atlantic and Ohio drainage regions using subwatersheds and separately in the Tennessee region using catchments. Models developed …
Spatial Modeling Of Propagule Pressure In Ailanthus Altissima, Matthew A. Kaproth
Spatial Modeling Of Propagule Pressure In Ailanthus Altissima, Matthew A. Kaproth
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven) is a non-native invasive tree spreading within central Appalachia. This dioecious, deciduous, and allelopathic species copiously produces samaras, capable of traveling at least 200 m through primary wind-dispersal. Removal of A. altissima individuals prior to timbering and other forest disturbances may help prevent spread into forest interiors. To aid in species management, this study investigated the use of remote sensing to identify the location and abundance of samaras in mixed mesophytic forests through supervised classifications. From empirical measurements, the estimated number of seeds per classified unit area was determined and the relationship between quantified propagule …
Evaluation Of The Impacts Of Highway Construction On Sediment And Benthic Macroinvertebrates In Appalachian Streams, Lara B. Hedrick
Evaluation Of The Impacts Of Highway Construction On Sediment And Benthic Macroinvertebrates In Appalachian Streams, Lara B. Hedrick
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Corridor H is a four-lane highway under construction in north eastern West Virginia. I used a variety of methods to assess the impacts of highway construction in the Lost River watershed, Hardy County, West Virginia. I designed a two part sediment sampler to be used to monitor sediment in paired sites upstream and downstream of highway construction. The two-part design, a base that remains embedded in the substrate, and a removeable trap, allowed for long-term placement of samplers without continual disturbance of the streambed. I used a laboratory flume to compare my sediment sampler design with other devices used to …