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Curriculum And The Elements Of The Earth: Deconstructing Sustainability And Reconstructing Responsibility, Elizabeth Alford Pollock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In October, 2009, I attended a presentation on Sustainability where the argument was made this concept is an issue for government and administrative agencies. The problem with this summation is in its exclusion of individuals existing outside of these agencies who interact with their environment on a daily basis. This exclusion potentially encompassed an extinguishing effect in that it closed off the term to multiple interpretations and possibilities I believe sustainability possesses; a "closing" that does not provoke the liberating nature associated with more open forms of dialogue and engagements. My dissertation explores the myriad ways sustainability can be interpreted …

Using Environmental And Site-Specific Variables To Model Current And Future Distribution Of Red Spruce (Picea Rubens Sarg.) Forest Habitat In West Virginia, Nathan R. Beane

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Red spruce forests are a remnant ecosystem from the interglacial period of the Wisconsin glaciation and today are considered one of the most threatened forest ecosystems in the eastern United States. The extent of red spruce forests in West Virginia prior to exploitative logging which occurred from 1880--1920 is estimated at 190,000 ha, but today, these forests are estimated to occupy no more than 24,000 ha, resulting primarily from intense anthropogenic disturbances. With the extensive loss of presettlement habitat for red spruce in West Virginia, this species is a high priority for restoration, as these forests offer the unique habitat …

Effects Of Acid Mine Drainage And Acid Precipitation On Leaf Litter Breakdown Rates In Appalachian Headwater Streams, Mary Fiona Stewart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Acid precipitation and acid mine drainage have dramatically altered chemical conditions and biological assemblages in streams throughout the central Appalachians. Effects of acidification on functional stream processes such as organic matter decomposition, however, remain poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to: (1) quantify differences in organic matter decomposition among reference streams, streams impacted by acid precipitation, and streams impacted by acid mine drainage; and (2) determine if lowered decomposition rates are the result of reduced microbial activity or altered invertebrate shredder assemblages or both. I quantified water chemistry, organic matter decomposition, microbial activity, and macroinvertebrate community structure in …

Ecology Of Trifolium Stoloniferum (Muhl. Ex A. Eaton), A Federally Endangered Vascular Plant, At The Fernow Experimental Forest In West Virginia, John Q. Burkhart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This thesis presents work addressing the ecology of Trifolium stoloniferum, a federally endangered vascular plant species, in the Fernow Experimental Forest, West Virginia. In this thesis, I describe the historical ecology of this species and make a case that at one time it occurred in great abundance in association with trails created by large mammals and humans that intersected rich, open forests. Similar conditions exist at the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia, but instead of large mammals, the requisite soil disturbance, control of competing vegetation, and canopy perforation are created by timber-harvesting related disturbances, particularly gap creation by tree …

Relative Abundance, Population Structure, And Habitat Utilization Of The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys Temminckii) And Eastern Snapping Turtle (Chelydra Serpentina) In Southeastern Missouri, Timothy Charles Lescher

Theses

GENERAL ABSTRACT---Alligator Snapping Turtles have not been surveyed extensively in Missouri since 1993-94. Six sites that were sampled in the early nineties were re-sampled in 2009 at the same locations where previous researchers trapped. Significantly fewer significantly fewer Alligator Snapping Turtles were captured per trapnight at all six sites. The population structure of the Alligator Snapping Turtles had a significantly different distribution in 2009 compared to 1993-94. The population structure had shifted toward smaller individuals, and fewer adult males and adult females were captured in 2009 compared to 1993-94. The 1993-94 structure was normally distributed while the 2009 structure exhibited …

Roosting Ecology Of Bats In A Disturbed Landscape, Joshua B. Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In 2007 and 2008, I examined roost selection of forest-interior dwelling northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colonies in stands treated with prescribed fire (hereafter, fire) and in unburned (hereafter, control) stands on the Fernow Experimental Forest, West Virginia. Using radio telemetry, I tracked 36 female northern myotis to 69 roost trees; 25 in the fire treatment and 44 in the control treatment. Using logistic regression and an information-theoretic model selection approach, I determined that within the fire treatment, northern myotis maternity colonies were more likely to use cavity trees that were smaller in diameter, higher in crown class, and located …

The Role Of Behavioral Temperaments On The Ecology Of The Caribbean Reef Octopus, Octopus Briareus, Timothy Jordan

All Theses

Traditional studies of predator-prey interactions have primarily focused on direct consumption as the most important effect on prey. Recent studies, however, have illustrated that nonlethal, risk effects may have an even greater impact. In this study, I evaluated the role of direct consumption and risk effects of the Caribbean reef octopus, Octopus briareus, on multiple species of crab and spiny lobster prey in Florida Bay, Florida. I conducted 13 monthly censuses of 8 nearshore field sites and observed the density and distribution of octopuses, crabs and lobsters. I found a significant negative correlation between the density of octopus predators and …

Plant Litter Decomposition In Mitigated And Reference Wetlands, Richard Tristan Gingerich

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Decomposition of plant litter in wetlands influences many processes and is driven by a complex web of interacting forces. This makes litter decomposition a useful measure of wetland function and a possible means of judging wetland functional replacement in compensatory mitigation projects. However, the web of interacting forces that intricately connect decomposition to wetland function also make it difficult to identify the importance of individual variables. In order for decomposition to be used as a metric to judge wetland function, its driving forces must be better understood.;This study examined some of the variables that drive decomposition. Specifically, decomposition rates were …

Switchgrass Establishment And Growth For Biofuels And Carbon Sequestration On Reclaimed Mine Lands In Appalachia, Travis L. Keene

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Climate change mitigation and the high cost of transportation fuels have created an interest in utilizing biofuels to supplement the nation's energy portfolio. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) has been suggested as a possible biofuel feedstock because of its ability to produce large amounts of biomass over a wide range of growing conditions and its ability to sequester atmospheric carbon (C) into stable soil organic carbon. Appalachia has the potential to become a center of biofuel production with its large expanses of reclaimed mine land. Switchgrass production on surface mine land offers the opportunity to increase the land resources devoted to energy …

Developmental Contributions To Variation In Aspen Clones And The Influence Of Pre-Fire Succession Status On Aspen Regeneration Success, Eric A. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis includes two studies: The first examined developmental changes that take place in the physiology of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and to characterize developmental influences on patterns of phenotypic trait variation among different aged ramets within the aspen clones. We surveyed eight clones, each with 8 distinct age classes ranging from 1 to 170 yrs in age. Using regression analysis we examined the relationships between ramet age and expression of functional phenotypes. Eight of the phenotypic traits demonstrated a non-linear relationship in which large changes in phenotype occurred in the early stages of ramet development and stabilized thereafter. …

Genetic And Phenotypic Differentiation Between Winemaking And Wild Strains Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Katie Hyma

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Traditionally, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been associated with wine, beer and bread production, yet wild strains have also been isolated from natural habitats. While all strains of S. cerevisiae as well as other Saccharomyces species are capable of wine fermentation, a genetically distinct group of S. cerevisiae strains is primarily used to produce wine. These strains exhibit an apparent genetic bottleneck, which led to the hypothesis that wine stains have been domesticated from `wild' natural strains. However, it is unknown whether the genetic bottleneck was accompanied by selection for phenotypic differences. In this study we tested for phenotypes correlated with the …

Predicting Species Composition In An Eastern Hardwood Forest With The Use Of Digitally Derived Terrain Variables, Richard D. Flanigan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This thesis addresses the need for improved classification of remotely sensed imagery in the complex hardwood forests of West Virginia. A geographic information system (GIS) was used in conjunction with forest plot data to develop a model to predict species composition in the eastern hardwood forest of West Virginia. The study area was located on the West Virginia University Research Forest (WVURF) in northern West Virginia. Terrain variables including aspect, curvature and slope change drastically at a local scale within the forest to greatly influence species composition. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data was collected for the entire WVURF, which …

Stream Fish Metacommunity And Metapopulation Ecology In A Mined Appalachian Watershed, Roy Worth Martin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Chapter one is a direct empirical evaluation of metacommunity theory using stream fishes in a heavily mined and least impaired region of the Monongahela River basin. Metacommunity ecology, a new multi-scale paradigm, has provided important insights into mechanisms controlling regional patterns of assemblage structure. Metacommunity ecology offers four competing hypothetical models---neutral, patch dynamic, species sorting, and mass effect---each differing slightly in its underlying mechanistic framework.;Our results overwhelmingly supported the mass effect metacommunity model, which suggests that regional patterns of diversity are maintained by local habitat heterogeneity and dispersal among local assemblages. However, our findings also indicated that natural communities are …

Macrophyte Re-Establishment And Deductive Gis Modeling To Identify Planting Locations For Fish Habitat Enhancement Projects, Jonathan Paul Fleming

Theses and Dissertations

Aquatic macrophytes are important components in structuring aquatic communities because they provide physical and biological functions that contribute to the stability of the ecosystem. Macrophytes provide the basis for the aquatic food-web and also provide habitat and refugia for aquatic fauna. In systems that lack macrophytes, anthropogenic re-establishment may be a feasible management approach to improve aquatic ecosystems. Understanding environmental factors that regulate colonization, dispersal, and persistence of aquatic macrophytes is pertinent to re-establishment efforts. The purpose of this study is to test hypotheses regarding success of macrophyte re-establishment efforts in Little Bear Creek Reservoir, Alabama using different macrophyte species, …

Ecology Of Isolated Greater Sage-Grouse Populations Inhabiting The Wildcat Knolls And Horn Mountain, Southcentral Utah, Christopher J. Perkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) currently inhabit about 56% of pre-settlement distribution of potential habitat. In 2005, the Castle Country Adaptive Resources Management Local Working Group (CaCoARM) was formed to address concerns regarding local sage-grouse populations in Carbon and Emery counties. In 2006-2007, CaCoARM identified the Wildcat Knolls and Horn Mountain as areas of special concern for greater sage-grouse conservation. Both sites selected by the group were inhabited by what appeared to be small isolated sage-grouse populations. Factors limiting small isolated greater sage-grouse populations throughout its range are diverse and largely site-specific.

During 2008-2009, I captured, radio-collared, and monitored …

Bat Use Of Created And Natural Wetlands, Marcia L. Maslonek

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Compensatory wetland mitigation is a common practice to account for wetland losses due to dredging and filling under the Clean Water Act, but successful replacement of function is rarely achieved. Small, isolated wetlands also receive no federal protection, and are usually not included in accounts of losses. Although latest reports show an increase in wetlands for the first time, this is due in large part to voluntary construction of open water ponds, while the loss of freshwater emergent wetlands continues to decline. Research on the wildlife functions of wetlands has focused on plants, invertebrates, avian or amphibian species. But wetlands …

Human-Wildlife Conflict Across Urbanization Gradients: Spatial, Social, And Ecological Factors, Amanda H. Gilleland

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As suburban and exurban residential developments continue to multiply in urban areas, they encroach on wildlife habitats leading to increased human-wildlife interactions. The animals involved in direct conflict with homeowners are often relocated or exterminated by the homeowners. Often the homeowners contact state licensed wildlife trappers to eliminate the problem animal. In this study I examined how landscape, ecological, and social factors influence the incidence of human-wildlife conflict of thirty two residential areas in the Tampa, Florida metropolitan area. These residential areas, totaling over 300 km2, are part of the urban development gradient representing a range of urban land use …

Marx, Economic Sustainability, And Ideal Capital, Sean Cashel Bustard

Philosophy Theses

My purpose in this work is to argue that the resolution of capitalism’s contradictions, as they are understood by Marx, fits the criteria of an economic movement towards sustainability. The Marxist analysis of capitalism, while accurate in many respects (especially with the explanation of contradictions generated in the capitalist free market), requires more explanation of the manner in which the economic process of valuation is to continue in the stages succeeding late capitalism. This work will provide an explanation of this economic transition that remains faithful to Marx’s understanding of history and the historical development of the productive forces and …

Manifestations Of Hidden Curriculum In A Community College Online Opticianry Program: An Ecological Approach, Barry Hubbard

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the influential factors at work within an online learning environment is a growing area of interest. Hidden or implicit expectations, skill sets, knowledge, and social process can help or hinder student achievement, belief systems, and persistence. This qualitative study investigated how hidden curricular issues transpired in an online learning environment's institutional and organization systems using an ecological paradigm. A phenomenological approach rooted in a case study context was used to explore the experiences and perceptions of a group of students, faculty, and administrators involved with an online academic program (opticianry) at a community college. Interviews, non-participant observation, and a …

Aspects Of The Reproduction Of An Invasive Crab, Hemigrapsus Sanguineus, In Northern And Southern New England, Emily F. Gamelin

Master's Theses and Capstones

Populations of the invasive shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus , were studied in northern and southern New England to determine if crabs differ in reproductive behavior or characteristics between these regions. Additionally, effects of temperature on reproductive activity were quantified through laboratory experimentation.

Number of broods per season increased with temperature, but the seasonal total was limited to three broods in laboratory experiments. Broods experienced limited success at the lowest temperature, 10°C. The reproductive season was longer at lower latitudes, and females at this site had smaller average ovigerous size. Patterns of ovigery varied between the regions, suggesting the production of …

Effects Of Physical And Chemical Disturbance On Stream Ecosystem Structure And Function, Elena M. Traister

Doctoral Dissertations

A variety of natural and anthropogenic disturbances influence the structure and function of stream ecosystems. While past investigations have focused on the response of community indicators to stream disturbances, functional indicators may also be helpful for assessing stream ecosystem health. To date, few studies have compared the response of structural and functional indicators to ecosystem-level disturbances. I separately measured the effects of long-term acidification, a large-scale avulsion, and the individual and combined effects of physical streambed disturbance and altered refugia availability on stream structural and functional metrics.

I found that acidification was associated with changes in macroinvertebrate communities including reduced …

The Effects Of Didemnum Vexillum Overgrowth On Mytilus Edulis Biology And Ecology, Linda Ann Auker

Doctoral Dissertations

Didemnum vexillum is an invasive colonial ascidian in the Gulf of Maine that readily colonizes hard substrates. These substrates include hard-shelled organisms, such as the common blue mussel Mytilus edulis. Preliminary observations and short-term studies showed potential effects of epibiosis on M. edulis growth, specifically lip thickness and tissue index. This dissertation study further examined the effects of D. vexillum on growth and reproduction of, and predation on, M. edulis. Shell thickness index, tissue index, shell mass to tissue mass ratio, lip thickness and mussel length were measured throughout a 12-month period in control and overgrown mussels. Additionally, histological preparations …

Trematode Parasites Of The Mudsnail Ilyanassa Obsoleta: An Analysis Of Parasite Communities At Different Scales, Irit Altman

Doctoral Dissertations

This research examines the ecological factors that shape trematode parasite communities of mudsnail Ilyanassa obsoleta at three different spatial scales. Nine species of trematode which obligately infect I. obsoleta during larval stages but use numerous estuarine species as second intermediate and definitive hosts are considered. The work provides the most geographically extensive examination to date of this trematode parasite community.

At the broadest scale, I. obsoleta trematodes were examined across their distributional range (Chapter 2) which includes both native and introduced populations. The results demonstrate that introduced trematode communities are characterized by lower abundance and diversity compared to native communities …

Somatic Condition, Growth And Distribution Of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus Thynnus) In The Gulf Of Maine, Walter J. Golet

Doctoral Dissertations

Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), a highly migratory apex predator, utilize temperate feeding grounds to place their tissues into positive lipid balance following reproduction and subsequent migration to northern latitudes. Commercial fishermen target Atlantic bluefin tuna between June and October, but landings have declined 70% from 2004-2009 suggesting adult bluefin tuna may no longer be utilizing the Gulf of Maine as a foraging ground. A series of linear and additive models fitted to multiple fishery dependent datasets identified significant declines in the somatic condition of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Maine. Significant changes in the somatic condition of …

Movement And Behavior Of Ocean Sunfish, Mola Mola, In The Northwest Atlantic, Inga F. Potter

Doctoral Dissertations

The ocean sunfish, Mola mola, has a worldwide distribution and is a common resident of the NW Atlantic Ocean. Notable for its unusual anatomy and large size, the biology of the species is largely unknown. I examined the movement and behavior of M. mola using pop-up satellite archival tags (PSAT's). In addition, analysis of aerial survey data was conducted to determine the distribution of ocean sunfish (Family Molidae) in NW Atlantic shelf waters. Data was analyzed from twenty-five PSAT's deployed on M. mola in the northwest Atlantic between 2005 and 2008. Tags were attached from 7-242 days. Results indicate that …

Assessment Of Habitat Use By Eastern Coyote (Canis Latrans) Along An Urban-Parkland Gradient, Beth A. Judy

ETD Archive

This study used coyote howl surveys combined with GIS to locate local coyote (Canis latrans) populations, determine the habitats where coyotes occur and estimate coyote group sizes in Bedford, North Chagrin and West Creek Reservations within the Cleveland Metroparks, Ohio. The CMP were established in 1917 and are the oldest park districts in the state of Ohio. There are 8,500 hectares (21,000 acres) of land in 16 reservations and in 2008 approximately 43,000,000 people visited the Cleveland Metroparks. Bedford, North Chagrin and West Creek Reservations have a mixture of park, forest, woodlots, residential neighborhoods, industrial areas, commercial property, open water, …

An Evaluation Of Habitat Models For The Common Loon (Gavia Immer), Alexis M. Rudko

Master's Theses and Capstones

The Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) has been collecting field data for the common loon (Gavia immer) in New Hampshire for thirty-six years. A habitat model for lakes throughout New Hampshire was created by Dr. Mark Brennan for the time period 1980--2002. This project re-evaluates Brennan's habitat model using new data from 2003--2008. Two additional models, one with all lakes and another with the three largest lakes excluded, were created and compared to Brennan's model to see if the overall accuracy improved. These models show which lakes have high and low potential for loon habitat. The results of the re-evaluation of …

Western Pond Turtle Summer Habitat Use In A Coastal Watershed, Jae Abel

Master's Theses

Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) habitat use was studied in a coastal pond, lagoon, and stream system during the summer of 1995 and 1996 at Waddell Creek, Santa Cruz County, California. Location and habitat association data were recorded for locations and sightings of radio-tagged and un-tagged turtles during the normal active season. Summary comparison of habitat associations and habitat availability provided inference of habitat preference at several habitat scales. For most of the active season the turtles were in relatively sunny aquatic habitat, in deeper, slower velocity water. In addition, the turtles were most commonly associated with exposed …

Canopy Demographics At The Firestone Reserve, Costa Rica, Gizelle M. Pera

CMC Senior Theses

Though Costa Rica has suffered numerous bouts of deforestation to its valuable tropical rainforest area, especially in the 1970s, it has become a leader in its efforts to regenerate and restore its rainforest. However, studies and protocols for the assessment of forest regeneration are urgently required. Research has shown that the percentage of light penetrating the canopy floor, or light fraction, is a good indicator of rainforest maturity. In this study, digital rectilinear photography and a global positioning system receiver were used to survey the Firestone Reserve inCosta Rica in order to measure the light fraction differences between primary/riparian …

The Effects Of Habitat Corridors And Edges On Sources Of Seed Mortality: Implications For Restoring A Threatened Legume, Melissa Simon

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

No abstract provided.