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A Wild Web: The Tangled History Of Attitudes Toward Wildlife In A Dynamic New England Culture, 1945--1985, Mary H. Hopkins

Doctoral Dissertations

Attitudes toward wildlife are considerably more complex than one might suspect. This dissertation started with a hypothesis that population growth would correlate with increasing negative attitudes toward wildlife, but historical evidence only partially supports this hypothesis. Information about the frequency and types of wildlife references appearing in newspapers between 1945 and 1985 was gathered from a systematic sampling of six New Hampshire newspapers that represented towns with differing growth trends. While analysis of quantitative data minimized any correlation between growth and negative attitudes, qualitative data from newspaper articles, archival sources, government reports, books and articles, and other sources provided evidence …

Tracking Diet And Movement Of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus Thynnus) Using Carbon And Nitrogen Stable Isotopes, John Logan

Doctoral Dissertations

Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT; Thunnus thynnus) are important top predators in pelagic ecosystems. Understanding their diet and movements is necessary for proper management, but existing methods are costly and logistically challenging. Naturally occurring stable isotopes have been used to study diet and movement in many aquatic ecosystems and offer a novel approach for studying these large pelagic fishes.

Lipids, which have lower carbon isotope values than protein, can affect isotope analyses of bulk tissue. Both chemical and mathematical corrections were used to address lipid effects on ABFT and the prey. All chemical extraction methods altered nitrogen isotope values. Mathematical corrections …

Genetic Over-Expression Of Cytokeratin 18 In Bovine Luteal Cells: Effects On Intermediate Filament Formation And Fas Ligand-Induced Apoptosis, Jennifer J. Forcina

Master's Theses and Capstones

The receptor Fas and its ligand, FasL, are implicated in apoptosis of luteal cells during regression of the corpus luteum (CL). In some cell types, cytokeratin (CK) 8/18 filaments impair FasL-induced apoptosis. Here, we determined if genetic over-expression of CK18 filaments in luteal cells similarly prevents FasL-induced apoptosis. Luteal cell cultures were prepared from early and late stage bovine CL (day 5 and days 16-18 post-ovulation, respectively). The cells were transduced with media, mock vector containing GFP, or a CK18-containing vector, and then exposed to a cytokine cocktail containing FasL for 24 hours. Transduction of luteal cells with CK18 vector …

Sampling And Classification Of Tree Holes Within A Northeast Temperate Forest System, Colleen M. Didas

Master's Theses and Capstones

Tree holes are water filled depressions on trees and harbor macroinvertebrate communities; they often serve as microcosms in studies of population dynamics, competition, and fungal decay of leaf litter. Quantification of tree hole prevalence and incidence in forest stands is lacking in the current literature. This study examined factors influencing tree hole occurrence and the types and formations of tree holes in northeastern forest stands. Modeling was used to correct for non-detection and estimate the abundance of tree holes on a per-hectare basis. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to predict tree hole occurrence. Tree species, stand basal area, and diameter …

The Effect Of Diet And Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (Pbde) Exposure On Adipocyte And Whole Body Metabolism In Male Wistar Rats, Erin L. Allgood

Master's Theses and Capstones

PBDEs, lipophilic flame-retardant chemicals, are considered to be endocrine-disrupting compounds and potential obesogens. This study investigated PBDE exposure plus a high-fat/high-sugar diet in rats. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were fed either a control or high-fat/high-sugar diet and gavaged with either 18 mg/kg PBDEs or corn oil daily for 4 weeks. Body weight and food intake were measured 3x/week. At 3 weeks, 24-hr whole-body metabolism was measured. At 4 weeks, blood was sampled for T4 and insulin, epididymal adipose tissue was removed and adipocyte lipolytic response to varying concentrations of isoproterenol was measured. PBDE administration significantly increased weight gain, decreased T4 …

The Effect Of Plant-Soil Feedback And Competition On The Invasion Of New Hampshire Thickets By Non-Native Shrubs, Kristina Vagos

Master's Theses and Capstones

Early-successional habitat is disappearing throughout the northeastern United States. Much of the remaining habitat is being invaded by non-native invasive shrubs suspected of altering native shrubland quality. To assess whether soil feedback and competition facilitate invasion, three native and three invasive shrub species were used in two greenhouse experiments. Soil feedback was examined by growing each species in soil cultured by the same species and those cultured by other species, in both tilled and non-tilled soil. Soil microbial communities were assessed using PLFA. Soil feedback effects were species specific and likely do not facilitate invasion. Additionally, cultured soil communities were …

Using Icesat's Geoscience Laser Altimeter System To Assess Large Scale Forest Disturbance Caused By Hurricane Katrina, Katelyn A. Dolan

Master's Theses and Capstones

We assessed the use of GLAS data as a tool to quantify large-scale forest damage. GLAS data for the year prior to and following Hurricane Katrina were compared to wind speed, forest cover, and MODIS NPV maps to analyze senor sampling, and changes in mean canopy height. We detected significant losses in mean canopy height post-Katrina that increased with wind intensity, from ∼.5m in forests hit by tropical storm winds to ∼4m in forests experiencing category two force winds. Season of data acquisition was shown to influence calculations of mean canopy height. There was insufficient sampling to adequately detect changes …

Evaluation Of In Vitro Methods To Determine The Digestibility Of Amino Acids In Rumen Undegraded Corn Silage, Shane Michael Fredin

Master's Theses and Capstones

Intestinal and total tract digestibility of crude protein (CP) and amino acids in rumen undegraded protein (RUP-AA) in 5 corn silage hybrids were measured using the mobile bag technique (MBT). Two in vitro methods, the modified three-step procedure (TSP) and an in vitro procedure (IVP) developed by Sapienza Analytica, LLC (Slater, IA), were further evaluated to determine digestibility of RUP-AA in corn silage. Intestinal digestibility of RUP-AA in corn silage varied from 24 to 59%, indicating differences in intestinal digestibility among AA. The TSP and IVP tended to under predict RUP-AA digestibility compared with the MBT. Consequently relationships between the …

Expanding The Availability Of Sustainable Seafood: Uncovering Barriers For Retailers, Lindsey Piilani Fong

Master's Theses and Capstones

In the fall of 2008, a mail survey was distributed to New England retailers to assess their knowledge and interest regarding 'sustainable seafood' campaigns and eco-labeling programs, as well as identify incentives to help overcome perceived barriers that prevent the distribution of sustainably harvested and labeled seafood in grocery stores. This investigation yields valuable insight for increasing the effectiveness of efforts that aim to influence consumer purchasing of seafood, as there has been little prior investigation of seafood eco-label systems used at the point-of-purchase, or retailer willingness to offer sustainably produced seafood products. This study found that many retailers are …

Fine-Scale Activity, Distribution And Habitat Utilization Of Atlantic Cod (Gadus Morhua) On The Ipswich Bay Spawning Ground, Laughlin Siceloff

Master's Theses and Capstones

Data storage tags (DSTs) and acoustic telemetry were applied to examine cod spawning habitat utilization in Ipswich Bay and compare seasonal activity patterns. I tagged 200 spawning cod in Ipswich Bay during April--May 2006 with DSTs recording depth and temperature. Twenty-six cod were also implanted with acoustic transmitters and relocated manually and with stationary listening stations during May and June. Twenty-five DSTs were returned, showing that most cod departed the spawning ground during May and June and dispersed throughout the western Gulf of Maine. Cod shared a low vertical activity pattern in Ipswich Bay, but adopted various site-specific vertical behaviors …

Disruption Of Cytokeratin 18-Containing Intermediate Filaments In Bovine Luteal Cells: Effects On Fas Expression, Progesterone Secretion, And Fasl-Induced Apoptosis, Alice Duncan

Master's Theses and Capstones

In the current study, the possibility that cytokeratin 18 (CK18)---containing intermediate filaments (IFs) protect bovine luteal cells from FasL-induced apoptosis was explored. Bovine corpora lutea (CL) from early and late stages of the luteal phase were collected and prepared for cell culture. The cultures were exposed to culture medium without (control) or with 5mM acrylamide for 4 hr to disrupt CK18 IFs. Subsequently, the cultures were exposed to fresh medium without (control) or with FasL (50ng/mL) for 24 hr to induce apoptosis. Acrylamide disrupted CK18 IFs without affecting microtubules, progesterone secretion (P>0.05), or cell viability (P>0.05). Surface expression …

Conflict Resolution And Community Support For Conservation In The Northern Forest: A Comparative Case Study From Maine, Morgan A. Cottle

Master's Theses and Capstones

Rapid land ownership changes in the Northern Forest have spurred development as well as conservation. Local people have experienced differing degrees of participation in land use decisions. I compared two conservation projects from Maine to assess the policy processes, and local attitudes about the conservation project and land use. One was a top-down approach, the second a grassroots, private effort by local citizens to conserve forest land. I gathered my data via in person interviews, mail surveys, and analysis of legislative testimony.

My findings indicate that early local involvement leads to less conflict and greater acceptance of the project. Important …

Orientation Of Vernal Pool Amphibians In An Industrial Forest Landscape, Emma Carcagno

Master's Theses and Capstones

Understanding the movement patterns of vernal pool amphibians is a critical aspect of effective conservation and land management. I used clearcutting to manipulate buffer widths at 11 vernal pools within an industrial forest landscape located in Maine. Forested buffers were either 30m or 100m wide, surrounded by 100m wide clearcut. Each pool was encircled with a drift fence and pitfall traps. I captured wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus ) and spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) as they entered and exited pools and documented orientation across three years. Orientation at all pools for both species was non-uniform, differed among pools, between species, and …

Effects Of Forested Buffers And Wetland Characteristics On Vernal Pool Macroinvertebrate Assemblages, Joanne Evelyn Theriault

Master's Theses and Capstones

From 2005-2007, I sampled macroinvertebrates at 10 vernal pools to determine the effects of forested buffer treatments (30-m or 100-m). I grouped taxa into three subgroups: taxa enumerated and identified to genus (Trichopterans, Anisopterans, Coleopterans, and Hemipterans); taxa identified to family and documented as present or absent; and predatory taxa (enumerated and identified to genus). I measured hydroperiod, surface area, pH, conductivity, substrate cover, canopy cover, and annual and seasonal variability and used Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) to examine effects on composition. Finally, I analyzed NMS scores using Linear Mixed Models. Buffer treatments explained a significant amount of variation in …

Effects Of Sedimentation And Periphyton Communities On Embryonic Rainbow Smelt, Osmerus Mordax, Lauren Helena Wyatt

Master's Theses and Capstones

The decline of anadromous rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) populations has been suspected to be linked to anthropogenic causes. Increased runoff from agriculture and urbanization has led to additional sediment inputs and eutrophying compounds in rivers. The aim of this study was to assess the survival of embryonic rainbow smelt from fertilization through hatching under varying levels of sedimentation (0.00, 0.25, 1.00, and 6.00 g per 45.6 cm 2) and with periphyton communities of different biomass and algal composition. Additionally, embryo survival was assessed when cultured on periphyton in combination with sterilized sediment or eutrophying compounds (nitrates and phosphates). Oxygen consumption …

An Assessment Of Stress In Acer Saccharum As A Possible Response To Climate Change, Martha Carlson

Master's Theses and Capstones

Climate change is projected to extirpate Acer saccharum throughout its range in the United States. The current investigation evaluates the potential of spectral indices of foliar reflectance, measures of leaf area and bud quality, and historic trends in sap sugar and wood increments for detecting stress in sugar maple.

Thirty trees were examined in 10 plots on 5 sugar bushes in or near the Bearcamp Valley, New Hampshire, over the course of the 2008 growing season. The study found water stress in 100% of trees; reduced chlorophyll content in 60%; early abscission of leaves in 80%; reduced growing season in …

Extrapolating Hyperspectral Anthocyanin Indices To Multispectral Satellite Sensors---Applications To Fall Foliage In New England, Erica Lindgren

Master's Theses and Capstones

Anthocyanin, thought to be a universal indicator of plant stress, is a red pigment found in many plant species and can seen in New England autumns. Detecting its presence is useful for ecosystem analysis and monitoring changes during autumn senescence. Currently fall foliage is subjectively measured; creation of a satellite-based anthocyanin index will provide an objective measurement and enhance understanding of the distribution of plant stress and senescence over large areas. Anthocyanin indices were tested hyperspectrally in a laboratory setting, then indices were simulated for Hyperion, MERIS, MODIS, and Landsat TM/ETM+ to see which most accurately represents changes in anthocyanin …

Laver (Porphyra Spp) And Soy Protein Concentrate As Alternative Proteins In Diets For Juvenile Atlantic Cod, Gadus Morhua, Abigail B. Walker

Master's Theses and Capstones

Fishmeal is the main ingredient in formulated fish feeds, and the cost of this commodity is the largest and most volatile recurrent expenditure by the finfish aquaculture industry. Additionally, the reliance on wild-harvested forage species raises concerns about the industry's ecological impacts. Marine macroalgae and soy-derived feed ingredients both have merits as alternative proteins for piscivorous marine fish. Atlantic cod, in particular, have a highly adaptable digestive system and perform well with alternative protein diets.

Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, juveniles (initial body weights: 15.6 g, 87.9 g, and 15.92 g) were fed iso-nitrogenous, iso-caloric diets to evaluate two alternative proteins. …

Patterns Of Population Structure And Productivity In Saltmarsh Sparrows, Jennifer Walsh

Master's Theses and Capstones

The Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus) is one of the few species globally that is exclusively restricted to coastal wetlands. Despite the high vagility characteristic of avian species, the highly patchy distribution of tidal marshes can often lead to fine scale genetic structure in salt marsh obligates. To elucidate patterns of population structure, we investigated the degree of genetic differentiation among nine Saltmarsh Sparrow populations along the northeastern coastline of the United States. Although overall FST values were small (0.008), population substructuring was detected along with a positive correlation between geographic distance and genetic differentiation, suggesting that Ammodramus caudacutus follow an …

Evaluation Of The Time Tension Line Cutter (Ttlc) As A Whale-Safe Fishing Gear Option, Timothy S. Pickett

Master's Theses and Capstones

The Time Tension Line Cutter (TTLC) is a device designed to limit the severity of entanglement of whales, the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) in particular, in passive fishing gear. In this study, an evaluation of the performance of the TTLC was conducted using a series of lobster trawl tows, as well as a pilot study to test the durability and fishability of the TTLC in real fishing situations.

The trawl tow test data were collected for 5, 10, and 20 trap trawls, consisting of end line loading and trap elevation measurements. The time to cut (TTC) was …

Insect Responses To Invasive Shrubs In Early-Successional Habitats, Johanna L. Fickenscher

Master's Theses and Capstones

Early-successional habitats are valuable to wildlife species and susceptible to invasive shrubs, possibly negatively affecting biodiversity of whole communities. Insects provide energy links between plants and wildlife, thus, change in insect communities due to invasive shrubs may have detrimental impacts on wildlife---especially nesting songbirds. I gauged how invasive shrubs affect insect abundance, richness, and phenology using flight-intercept trapping and beat/sweeping methods. Lepidopteran larvae were provided a choice to consume native or invasive shrub foliage. Invasive shrubs negatively affected communities with reduced insect abundance and richness on individual shrubs as well as the entire habitat. Lepidopteran larvae preferred native shrub foliage …