Assessing Stream Channel Restoration: The Phased Recovery Framework, 2017 University of Montana, Missoula
Assessing Stream Channel Restoration: The Phased Recovery Framework, Jacob M. Dyste
Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers
Channel reconfiguration projects command a large portion of stream restoration resources, while long-term monitoring and research is severely underfunded and rarely implemented. This has led to a limited knowledge base about ecological response and efficacy. Although channel reconfiguration projects are being implemented to restore biological function to lotic systems, the document responses are highly variable and little evidence has shown these projects are reaching their target goals. I predicted the inconsistent response to these projects is the result of disturbance-induced successional processes and catchment-scale water quality impairment. To address how these endogenous and exogenous factors influence stream response to channel …
Response Of Amphibian And Invertebrate Communities To Wetland Mitigation In The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, 2017 University of Montana
Response Of Amphibian And Invertebrate Communities To Wetland Mitigation In The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Leah K. Swartz
Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers
Wetlands play a critical role in supporting freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem services, but human activities have resulted in large-scale loss and degradation of these habitats across the globe. To offset the decline of wetland area, mitigation wetlands are now frequently constructed, but their ability to replace the functions of natural habitats, including providing habitat for native fauna, remains uncertain. A recent highway reconstruction project in northwestern Wyoming caused impacts to and the destruction of multiple natural wetlands. To mitigate this loss, new wetlands were constructed along the highway corridor. To evaluate the performance of these created wetlands relative to reference …
A Serosurvey Of Diseases Of Free-Ranging Gray Wolves (Canis Lupus) In Minnesota, Usa, 2017 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
A Serosurvey Of Diseases Of Free-Ranging Gray Wolves (Canis Lupus) In Minnesota, Usa, Michelle Carstensen, John H. Giudice, Erik C. Hildebrand, J. P. Dubey, John Erb, Dan Stark, John Hart, Shannon M. Barber-Meyer, L. David Mech, Steve K. Windels, Andrew J. Edwards
USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
We tested serum samples from 387 free-ranging wolves (Canis lupus) from 2007 to 2013 for exposure to eight canid pathogens to establish baseline data on disease prevalence and spatial distribution in Minnesota’s wolf population. We found high exposure to canine adenoviruses 1 and 2 (88% adults, 45% pups), canine parvovirus (82% adults, 24% pups), and Lyme disease (76% adults, 39% pups). Sixty-six percent of adults and 36% of pups exhibited exposure to the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum. Exposure to arboviruses was confirmed, including West Nile virus (37% adults, 18% pups) and eastern equine encephalitis (3% adults). Exposure rates …
Where Can Wolves Live And How Can We Live With Them?, 2017 USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Where Can Wolves Live And How Can We Live With Them?, L. David Mech
USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
In the contiguous 48 United States, southern Canada, and in Europe, wolves (Canis lupus) have greatly increased and expanded their range during the past few decades.They are prolific, disperse long distances, readily recolonize new areas where humans allow them, and are difficult to control when populations become established.Because wolves originally lived nearly everywhere throughout North America and Eurasia, and food in the form of wild and domestic prey is abundant there, many conservation-minded people favor wolves inhabiting even more areas.On the other hand, wolves conflict in several ways with rural residents who prefer fewer wolves. This article discusses …
Quantifying Relationships Between Phosphorus Availability And Mycorrhizal Associations In Wetland Plants, 2017 Wilfrid Laurier University
Quantifying Relationships Between Phosphorus Availability And Mycorrhizal Associations In Wetland Plants, Daniel Marshall
Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)
Increasing evidence indicates that plant community structure and therefore ecosystem function are mediated by below-ground fungal communities that form intracellular associations with plant roots called mycorrhizal associations. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a type of mycorrhiza that colonize the plant host intracellularly but maintain hyphae outside the root cell for resource acquisition. The importance and function of AMF associations are well-documented in terrestrial ecosystems, but are less understood in aquatic or semi-aquatic systems. Phosphorus availability is the primary factor influencing mycorrhizal colonization and growth in terrestrial soils, with phosphorus-abundant soils leading to a decrease in mycorrhizal growth. However, the relationship …
A Comparison Of Computational Methods For Estimating Estuarine Production And Respiration From Diel Open Water Dissolved Oxygen Measurements, 2017 Virginia Commonwealth University
A Comparison Of Computational Methods For Estimating Estuarine Production And Respiration From Diel Open Water Dissolved Oxygen Measurements, Spencer Tassone
Theses and Dissertations
Diel dissolved oxygen (DO) data were used to characterize seasonal, inter-annual, and longitudinal variation in production and respiration for the James River Estuary. Two computational methods (Bayesian and bookkeeping) were applied to these data to determine whether inferences regarding DO metabolism are sensitive to methodology. Net metabolism was sensitive to methodology as Bayesian results indicated net heterotrophy (production < respiration) while bookkeeping results indicated net autotrophy (production > respiration). Differences in net metabolism among the methods was due to low seasonal variation in respiration using the Bayesian method, whereas bookkeeping results showed a strong correlation between production and respiration. Bayesian results suggest a dependence on allochthonous organic matter (OM) whereas …
Effects Of Prescribed Fire On Cope’S Gray Treefrog (Hyla Chrysoscelis) Across Habitat Scales And Life Stages, 2017 Virginia Commonwealth University
Effects Of Prescribed Fire On Cope’S Gray Treefrog (Hyla Chrysoscelis) Across Habitat Scales And Life Stages, Logan Mcdonald
Theses and Dissertations
Fire may alter both aquatic and terrestrial habitat used by all amphibian life stages, yet, our knowledge of its effects on amphibians is primarily limited to adult responses. I present an integrated approach to test the response of Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) to fire by examining responses in tadpole performance and survivorship, adult abundance, and oviposition. Tadpoles raised with burned leaf litter had similar survival, but total mass and total length were 440% and 170% greater, respectively, for tadpoles raised in unburned litter. I assessed terrestrial and aquatic oviposition cues by embedding burned and unburned litter treatments within burned …
Juvenile Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus) Response To Altered Nursery Habitat, 2017 College of William and Mary - Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Juvenile Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus) Response To Altered Nursery Habitat, Megan Wood
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Habitats of Chesapeake Bay have been altered due to anthropogenic impacts and climate change. Due to these human disturbances, seagrasses have been extirpated from many areas in lower Chesapeake Bay and persisting beds face future losses as water temperatures continue to rise. Further loss of seagrass habitat will negatively impact juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) that use seagrass beds as nursery grounds. Habitat degradation allows for more successful introductions of exotic species, and the communities formed from the mixing of native and exotic species are known as emerging ecosystems. Gracilaria vermiculophylla, an exotic macroalga, may be an emerging nursery habitat …
Silver Nanoparticle Fate And Accumulation In The Aquatic Food Web Of Stream Microcosms, 2017 Georgia Southern University
Silver Nanoparticle Fate And Accumulation In The Aquatic Food Web Of Stream Microcosms, Stefan J. Petersen
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used in 25% of all nano-enabled products and applied for anti-microbial properties. Silver nanoparticles are discharged into aquatic environments through wastewater discharge, runoff, and chemical spills. Once in aquatic environments silver nanoparticles have the potential to harm aquatic organisms. While the fate of silver nanoparticles in lentic systems has been investigated, limited information is available for the fate of silver nanoparticles in flowing environments. The purpose of this study was to compare the fate of AgNPs following a one-time pulsed application simulating a chemical spill, or small repetitive applications simulating effluent discharge, in artificial stream communities …
Quantification And Characterization Of Net Precipitation Bacterial Flux From A Subtropical Epiphyte-Laden Oak Forest, 2017 Georgia Southern University
Quantification And Characterization Of Net Precipitation Bacterial Flux From A Subtropical Epiphyte-Laden Oak Forest, Preston Pound
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Transport pathways of microbes between ecosystem spheres (atmosphere, phyllosphere, and pedosphere) represent major fluxes in nutrient cycles and have the potential to significantly affect microbially-mediated biogeochemical processes. We quantified a previously unexamined microbial flux from the phyllosphere to the pedosphere during rainfall via throughfall (rainfall dripping from the canopy and through gaps) and stemflow (rainwater funneled down the stem). Bacterial concentrations were quantified using flow cytometry and validated with quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) assays for samples from a Quercus virginiana (oak)- forest with heavy epiphyte cover (Tillandsia usneoides, Spanish moss) in coastal Georgia (Southeastern USA). Bacteria concentrations …
The Nebraska Stream Fishery Surveys: Being A Comparison Of The First Statewide Collections Of Raymond Johnson (1939-1941) With A Recent Resurvey (2003-2005), 2017 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Alliance, NE
The Nebraska Stream Fishery Surveys: Being A Comparison Of The First Statewide Collections Of Raymond Johnson (1939-1941) With A Recent Resurvey (2003-2005), Steven C. Schainost, Edward J. Peters
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts
The first statewide survey of Nebraska fishes was done between 1939 and 1941. This survey was repeated between 2003 and 2005. This document compares and contrasts the results of those two surveys to illustrate what has changed and what hasn't changed over that 60 year period. It is hoped that this document can serve as a resource for future researchers to track changes in Nebraska's fish communities.
Phylogenomic Analysis Of Copepoda (Arthropoda, Crustacea) Reveals Unexpected Similarities With Earlier Proposed Morphological Phylogenies, 2017 University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Phylogenomic Analysis Of Copepoda (Arthropoda, Crustacea) Reveals Unexpected Similarities With Earlier Proposed Morphological Phylogenies, Seong-Il Eyun
Nebraska Center for Biotechnology: Faculty and Staff Publications
Background: Copepods play a critical role in marine ecosystems but have been poorly investigated in phylogenetic studies. Morphological evidence supports the monophyly of copepods, whereas interordinal relationships continue to be debated. In particular, the phylogenetic position of the order Harpacticoida is still ambiguous and inconsistent among studies. Until now, a small number of molecular studies have been done using only a limited number or even partial genes and thus there is so far no consensus at the order-level.
Results: This study attempted to resolve phylogenetic relationships among and within four major copepod orders including Harpacticoida and the phylogenetic position of …
How Do Stream Confluences Influence Aquatic Invertebrate Taxonomic And Functional Diversity?, 2017 University of Montana, Missoula
How Do Stream Confluences Influence Aquatic Invertebrate Taxonomic And Functional Diversity?, Jeremy Brooks
Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts
Aquatic communities, species that live and interact with each other, each have a unique composition and function (i.e collection of decomposers, predators, and grazers). Broad ecological theory provides a variety of models that can predict communities and their functions across riverscapes. For example, the River Continuum Concept (RCC) explains general shifts in stream communities and their function along longitudinal (upstream to downstream) gradients, but it fails to consider the more narrow effects of tributaries and confluences. Conversely, dendritic stream networks theory helps explain the potential role of river confluences and how they connect communities, but fails to explain general longitudinal …
Interactive Effects Of Flow Regime, Climate Change, And Angler Harvest On Smallmouth Bass At The Southern Range Extent, 2017 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Interactive Effects Of Flow Regime, Climate Change, And Angler Harvest On Smallmouth Bass At The Southern Range Extent, Christopher Middaugh
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The Ozark-Ouachita Interior Highlands of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri are the southern extent of native Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu range. Smallmouth Bass are an important species economically and ecologically, but it is unknown how climate change may affect them in this region and in particular how Smallmouth Bass may be affected differently across streams from various flow regimes. Here I present three projects investigating how climate change, flow regime, and angler harvest may interact to affect Smallmouth Bass over the coming century. I first modeled present and future water temperatures and calculated growth rate potential for Smallmouth Bass from streams …
Phenology, Habitat Use, And The Impacts Of Wetland Management On Autumn Migrating Rails In Missouri, 2017 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Phenology, Habitat Use, And The Impacts Of Wetland Management On Autumn Migrating Rails In Missouri, Auriel M.V. Fournier
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Rails (Family: Rallidae) are among the least studied birds in North America, in large part due to their elusive nature. As a wetland-dependent species, understanding the timing of their migration and their habitat needs during migration is especially important since management needs to be timed to balance the needs of many species. I developed and verified a new distance sampling based nocturnal ATV spotlight survey because traditional call-broadcast surveys are not effective during autumn migration because of the drop off in call rate after the breeding season. These surveys allow us to ask point-level questions about what habitats rails select …
Differential Effects Of Bivalves On Sediment Nitrogen Cycling In A Shallow Coastal Bay, 2017 Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Differential Effects Of Bivalves On Sediment Nitrogen Cycling In A Shallow Coastal Bay, Ashley Smyth, Anna E. Murphy, Iris C. Anderson, Bk Song
VIMS Articles
In coastal ecosystems, suspension-feeding bivalves can remove nitrogen though uptake and assimilation or enhanced denitrification. Bivalves may also retain nitrogen through increased mineralization and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). This study investigated the effects of oyster reefs and clam aquaculture on denitrification, DNRA, and nutrient fluxes (NOx, NH4 6 +, O2). Core incubations were conducted seasonally on sediments adjacent to restored oyster reefs (Crassostrea virginica), clam aquaculture beds (Mercenaria mercenaria) which contained live clams, and bare sediments from Smith Island Bay, Virginia, USA. Denitrification was significantly higher at oyster reef sediments and clam aquaculture site than bare sediment in …
Red Snapper Distribution On Natural Habitats And Artificial Structures In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, 2017 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Red Snapper Distribution On Natural Habitats And Artificial Structures In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Mandy Karnauskas, John F. Walter Iii, Matthew D. Campbell, Adam G. Pollack, J. Marcus Drymon, Sean P. Powers
University Faculty and Staff Publications
In 2011, an intensive, multiple-gear, fishery-independent survey was carried out in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) to collect comprehensive age and length information on Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus. Based on this synoptic survey, we produced a spatial map of Red Snapper relative abundance that integrates both gear selectivity effects and ontogenetically varying habitat usage. Our methodology generated a spatial map of Red Snapper at a 10-km2 grid resolution that is consistent with existing knowledge of the species: Red Snapper occurred in relatively high abundances at depths of 50–90 m along the coasts of Texas and Louisiana and in smaller, …
Longitudinal Patterns In An Arkansas River Valley Stream: An Application Of The River Continuum Concept, 2017 University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR
Longitudinal Patterns In An Arkansas River Valley Stream: An Application Of The River Continuum Concept, A. A. Burgad, S. T. Clark, M. E. Furr, A. N. Lenard, M. E. Polett, C. D. Robinson, C. R. Sherwood, G. L. Spooner, S. J. Stoughton, S. R. Adams
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
The River Continuum Concept (RCC) provides the framework for studying how lotic ecosystems vary from headwater streams to large rivers. The RCC was developed in streams in eastern deciduous forests of North America, but watershed characteristics and land uses differ across ecoregions, presenting unique opportunities to study how predictions of the RCC may differ across regions. Additionally, RCC predictions may vary due to the influence of fishes, but few studies have used fish taxa as a metric for evaluating predictions of the RCC. Our goal was to determine if RCC predictions for stream orders 1 through 5 were supported by …
Bioassessment Of Four Karst Springs At Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area With A Focus On Diving Beetle (Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae) Species Of Concern, 2017 Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Bioassessment Of Four Karst Springs At Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area With A Focus On Diving Beetle (Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae) Species Of Concern, Scott Longing, L. A. Mack, Brian E. Haggard
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Four springs were surveyed at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area to provide an initial bioassessment and to determine occurrences of two endemic predaceous diving beetles of concern, Heterosternuta sulphuria and Sanfilippodytes sp. Habitat in the four spring runs were dominated by bedrock and gravel substrate with heavy accumulations of leaf litter. Thirty-three taxa representing 11 orders were collected from the four springs. Non-insect taxa included Oligochaeta, Physidae, and Isopoda, and predominant insect orders included Ephemeroptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Trichoptera. The total number of taxa across springs ranged from seven to 19, with total abundances ranging from 39 to 86 individuals. No …
An Annotated Checklist Of The Crayfishes (Decapoda: Cambaridae) Of Arkansas, 2017 Retired
An Annotated Checklist Of The Crayfishes (Decapoda: Cambaridae) Of Arkansas, Henry W. Robison, Keith A. Crandall, Chris T. Mcallister
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Prior to the present study, 56 species with 3 additional subspecies for a total of 59 different taxa of crayfishes were recognized from Arkansas. We add a single species (Carmel Crayfish, Fallicambarus schusteri) to that list, subtract a documented synonym (Procambarus ferrugenius = Procambarus liberorum), update the classification to better reflect recent phylogenetic insights, and provide an updated annotated checklist of the 59 crayfish taxa of presently known from the state. There are 8 endemic species in Arkansas, including the Bayou Bodcau Crayfish (Bouchardina robisoni), Boston Mountains Crayfish (Cambarus causeyi), Hell Creek …