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Avian Diversity Across Three Distinct Agricultural Landscapes In Guadalupe, Chiriquí Highlands, Panama, Jarred Jones Dec 2014

Avian Diversity Across Three Distinct Agricultural Landscapes In Guadalupe, Chiriquí Highlands, Panama, Jarred Jones

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Deforestation of tropical forest for agricultural purposes threatens habitat loss of native species. The value of various agricultural landscapes in conserving avian populations is useful in determining diversity-conscious development plans. However, generalized results from regionalscale studies cannot be implemented to insular avian habitats. This study serves as the only current avian diversity study of the Chiriquí Highlands. To determine the effect of agricultural land use within an insular avian habitat, I compared avian diversity and site population similarity in Guadalupe, Chiriquí Highlands of the Talamanca Range, Panama. I hypothesized that avian diversity is greatest at forest edge followed by forest …


Trail Degradation In Parque Internacional La Amistad: An Intersection Of Design, Management And Use, Jordan Stark Apr 2014

Trail Degradation In Parque Internacional La Amistad: An Intersection Of Design, Management And Use, Jordan Stark

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

National parks are created and used for a variety of purposes but are primarily important for the conservation of natural resources and use by visitors. While park use is meant to be non-destructive, human interaction causes changes in ecosystems, leading to conflicts between these goals. Here, I examine the causes of trail degradation and impacts on surrounding forests in Parque Internacional la Amistad (PILA), Panama. This park is a world heritage site with the primary goal of preserving some of the world’s most diverse ecosystems including rare and endangered species. However, the park entrance in Las Nubes, Cerro Punta receives …


A Case Study Of Rhincodon Typus Scarring In Ningaloo Reef: An Assessment Of The Current Scarring Classification System, Laura Korman Apr 2014

A Case Study Of Rhincodon Typus Scarring In Ningaloo Reef: An Assessment Of The Current Scarring Classification System, Laura Korman

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Rhincodon typus are the largest fish in the sea, but little is understood about this elusive species. They are known to annually aggregate in Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia—the location of this study. In order to better understand this species, scarring was observed on a subset of the population that aggregates in Ningaloo Reef. In addition, the scarring classification system was examined to determine if it is the most effective classification system. R. typus were observed, and photographed from April 9th-April 25th, 2014. These photos were then used for identification and scarring classification purposes. The analysis of the scars on R. …


Methods For The Effective Care And Rehabilitation Of Captive Lumholtz’S Tree-Kangaroos, Aden Lessiak Apr 2014

Methods For The Effective Care And Rehabilitation Of Captive Lumholtz’S Tree-Kangaroos, Aden Lessiak

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi, is one of only two kangaroo species endemic to Australia’s rainforests. However, studies concerning the species are limited, and public knowledge of the species is close to non-existent (Tisdell & Wilson, 2003). Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo is slowly making its way into Australia’s zoos and into the public eye, but lack of formally presented information pertaining to its care has made maintenance of captive populations difficult. With an increasing number of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos coming into care due to dog attacks and motor vehicle accidents, the need for formalized husbandry information is becoming ever greater (Tree-Kangaroo and Mammal Group, …


Stars, Long Fingers, And Signals: A Study On Grass Species Diversity, Density, Frequency, And Veld Analysis At Ndarakwai Wildlife Ranch, Reena Walker, Theresa Schaffner Apr 2014

Stars, Long Fingers, And Signals: A Study On Grass Species Diversity, Density, Frequency, And Veld Analysis At Ndarakwai Wildlife Ranch, Reena Walker, Theresa Schaffner

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study was the first step to assessing veld quality and grass species diversity at Ndarakwai Wildlife Ranch in West Kilimanjaro, Tanzania in an effort to better inform management decisions that affect grasses and grazers. Our study was performed from April 5 to April 26, 2014. We utilized compass line quadrat method (n=600) in six sub-populations within three sample frames to achieve non-representative, random data set on richness, diversity, frequency, and density, with metadata from which we extrapolated veld indicators through secondary-source knowledge. Across all sample frames, we found 43 specimens: identified 29 to species, 7 to genus, and left …