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Mycorrhizal Roles In Broomsedge Plants Under Phosphorus Limitation And Aluminum Toxicity, Jianchang Ning
Mycorrhizal Roles In Broomsedge Plants Under Phosphorus Limitation And Aluminum Toxicity, Jianchang Ning
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This dissertation examined roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, of which Glomus clarum is the primary species, in broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) plants under limited Pi and elevated Al conditions in four studies. The inoculum originated from an acidic coal-mining site in Morgantown, WV. The inoculum of Glomus clarum from INVAM collection, which originated from an alkaline coal-mining site in WV, was also used in two of the studies. Plants were grown in an acid-washed sand culture system with a modified Hoagland's nutrient solution in a growth chamber.;Mycorrhizal fungal colonization pronouncedly enhanced growth of broomsedge plants under limited Pi and/or elevated Al …
Factors Influencing Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis ) Abundance In Forested Headwater Streams With Emphasis On Fine Sediment, James Philip Hakala
Factors Influencing Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis ) Abundance In Forested Headwater Streams With Emphasis On Fine Sediment, James Philip Hakala
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The influence and relative importance of fine sediment on wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) population size was assessed. Brook trout production in headwater streams was inversely proportional to substrate permeability in one of two years, suggesting substrate composition influenced production. Results suggest the critical fine sediment size for brook trout in this study, is between 0.063 mm and 1.0 mm. Further, fine sediment (<0.063 mm) should not exceed 0.6--1.0% of spawning substrate, or negative population effects may be incurred. Under normal flow conditions, fine sediment was a principal determinant of juvenile trout abundance relative to other physical and biological factors. Adult trout abundance was principally a function of stream discharge, and is potentially further influenced by fine sediment impacts on juvenile recruitment. Spatially restricted food resources, created by drought-induced low flows in year 2 of the study, are believed to have over-powered mechanisms influencing trout abundance under normal flows.
Scale, Ecological Fallacy, And The River Continuum Concept, Hope M. Childers
Scale, Ecological Fallacy, And The River Continuum Concept, Hope M. Childers
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Concern over scale is not new, and it is not restricted to geographers. Spatial and temporal scaling is a conceptual and methodological problem for all sciences using geographic information. This paper teases out issues of scale and ecological fallacy from the literature and discusses how these issues influence the applicability of an influential theoretical framework in stream ecology, the River Continuum Concept (RCC). Investigators are faced with decisions regarding scale during sampling location selection, field data capture, and subsequent data interpretation. A thorough understanding of the heterogeneity of stream habitats and the life histories of the organisms being studied could …
Effects Of Nitrogen And Water On Growth, Photosynthesis, And Leaf Properties Of Deciduous Tree Species With Consequences For Gypsy Moth Herbivory, Teri S. Myers
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This study addressed the hypothesis that plants exposed to elevated N availability are more susceptible to drought and insect herbivory. I grew seedlings of gray birch (Betula populifolia), yellow birch (B. alleghaniensis), and red oak (Quercus rubra) for two years under varying levels of N and water availability in the field. Growth and biomass allocation were examined for the three species. Photosynthetic response was determined and feeding trials with gypsy moth larvae were conducted with both birch species. I found that the effects of nitrogen on growth and biomass allocation depended on species, while water had no significant effect on …
Factors Influencing Ruffed Grouse Productivity And Chick Survival In West Virginia, Christopher A. Dobony
Factors Influencing Ruffed Grouse Productivity And Chick Survival In West Virginia, Christopher A. Dobony
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
I examined productivity, chick mortality, and factors influencing ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) chick survival in West Virginia during 1998--1999. The proportion of hens that attempted to nest, hen success, average clutch size, and hatch dates were similar between age classes, between sites, and between years. Hatch dates were similar between age classes and between sites. Depredation was the major cause of nest failure. I examined 2 types of radio transmitter attachment methods (glue-on and collar type) to determine mortality and survival in ≤3-day-old grouse chicks. Glue-on transmitters performed poorly, whereas collar types had excellent retention time. Chick survival was low …
Predicting Habitat Suitability For American Woodcock And Landscape-Level Assessment Of Habitat In West Virginia, Ann Klein Steketee
Predicting Habitat Suitability For American Woodcock And Landscape-Level Assessment Of Habitat In West Virginia, Ann Klein Steketee
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The objectives of this study were to (1) develop models to predict potential habitat suitability for woodcock over large geographic areas in West Virginia (Chapter 4), (2) quantify and describe the local and landscape structural components and spatial patterns of woodcock habitat in the state (Chapter 3), and (3) to determine the current suitability and fate of woodcock habitat that was available in the mid-1970's (Chapter 5).;Differences between 165 woodcock flush points and 165 randomly generated points for proportion of 12 land-cover types and 4 metrics describing landscape composition and pattern were compared within 3 elevation groups and 8 spatial …
Effects Of Diameter-Limit And Two-Age Timber Harvesting On Songbird Populations On An Industrial Forest In Central West Virginia, Cathy Ann Weakland
Effects Of Diameter-Limit And Two-Age Timber Harvesting On Songbird Populations On An Industrial Forest In Central West Virginia, Cathy Ann Weakland
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Many studies examining forest fragmentation effects on songbirds have been conducted in landscapes significantly altered by urbanization or agriculturalization rather than forested landscapes. There is some evidence that forest fragmentation due to timber harvesting has different effects on bird abundance than fragmentation from other land uses. It is unknown how songbirds respond to different forms of timber harvesting as fragmentation events. Also, it is unclear if microhabitat-level or landscape-level characteristics are more important predictors of breeding bird occurrence in the central Appalachians. The objectives of my study were to determine the short-term effects of diameter-limit and two-age timber harvesting on …