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Statistical Modeling Of Rare Stochastic Disturbance Events At Continental And Global Scales: Post-Fire Debris Flows And Wildland Fires, Karin Lynn Riley

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Chapter 1: Frequency-magnitude distribution of debris flows compiled from global data, and comparison with post-fire debris flows in the western U.S. Forecasting debris flow hazard is challenging due to the episodic occurrence of debris flows in response to stochastic precipitation and, in some areas, wildfires. In order to facilitate hazard assessment, we have gathered available records of debris flow volumes into the first comprehensive global catalog of debris flows (n = 988). We also present results of field collection of recent debris flows (n = 77) in the northern Rocky Mountains, where debris flow frequency increases following wildfire. As a …

4-Isoxazolyl-1,4-Dihydropyrirines Bind The Multidrug-Resistance Transporter, Scott Steiger

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The development of multidrug resistance in tumor cells has been recognized as a major obstacle to successful cancer treatment. Tumor cells in vitro and in vivo can develop multidrug resistance (MDR) to the lethal effects of a variety of cytotoxic drugs used to treat cancerous tumor cells. The over expression of multiple drug resistance gene 1 has been correlated with the expression of multi drug resistance protein 1(MDR1, also known as P-glycoprotein or P-gp). MDR1's role in altering uptake, distribution and bioavailability is considered a significant factor when examining drugs for clinical administration, and represents a viable drug target for …

Estimation And Modeling Of Forest Attributes Across Large Spatial Scales Using Biomebgc, High-Resolution Imagery, Lidar Data, And Inventory Data, Jordan Seth Golinkoff

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The accurate estimation of forest attributes at many different spatial scales is a critical problem. Forest landowners may be interested in estimating timber volume, forest biomass, and forest structure to determine their forest's condition and value. Counties and states may be interested to learn about their forests to develop sustainable management plans and policies related to forests, wildlife, and climate change. Countries and consortiums of countries need information about their forests to set global and national targets to deal with issues of climate change and deforestation as well as to set national targets and understand the state of their forest …

Exploring Detracting Elements And Coping Mechanisms Reported In Four Trails Along The Going-To-The-Sun Road Corridor In Glacier National Park, Diana Maritza Bedoya

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The results of the ongoing study to monitor visitors use, and the shuttle experience in Glacier National Park demonstrate that use levels in the park have increased considerably. Thus, it was pertinent to evaluate to which extent the conditions on the trails are so undesirable or unexpected for visitors that they would usually employ coping responses to deal with those situations. This research was structured to provide a description of the salient setting attributes and personal factors associated with the identification of the detracting elements of the recreational experiences, and types of coping mechanisms usually used. The study reported here …

Inventory Of Mongolian Glaciers For The Global Land Ice Measurements From Space (Glims) Program, Caleb Gikai Pan

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Glaciers in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia provide an estimated 10 % of the total water resources within the country. Yet, the number and area of glaciers within the Altai Mountains is inconsistent and conflicting. Glacier mapping attempts by previous author groups did not mention their mapping methods, data source, and/or date of analysis. Therefore, making it difficult to analyze and compare glacier base data. Due to a combination of climate change and land use management practices, the necessity of inventorying glaciers in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia is of great importance. The practice of glacier monitoring using remote sensing …

Land-Cover Change Within The Peatlands Along The Rocky Mountain Front, Montana: 1937-2009, Joseph Tyler Milbrath

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Aerial photographs of nine peatlands along the Rocky Mountain Front, Montana, were analyzed in a GIS. The boundary of wetland extent was hand-digitized and the area within was classified into land-cover types including: total area, open fen, open water, woody vegetation, and non-wetland/agriculture. Changes in wetland extent and land-cover categories were evaluated from the earliest available imagery in 1937 to the last available imagery in 2009. Images prior to 1995 were orthorectified to correct inherent distortions. Results indicate little change in overall peatland area between 1937 and 2009 despite increasing air temperatures in the region. Open water area and the …

Mapping The Distribution And Abundance Of Western Larch (Larix Occidentalis Nutt.) With Multi-Temporal Satellite Imagery And Gradient Modeling, Steven Joseph Touzel

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) is one of three native North American larch species, it occupies the mountainous regions of northwestern North America, and it is a deciduous conifer. Western larch is among the most ecologically and economically important conifer tree species in the northern Rockies region. This study explores the viability of mapping western larch via the analysis of multi-temporal Landsat imagery and gradient modeling. Larch presence and abundance data from 300 field plots correlated with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index seasonal change (NDVIsc) explains 46% of the variability in larch basal area. Multivariate models built with NDVIsc and additional …

Developmental Stress In Birds: Phenotypic And Fitness, Ondi L. Crino

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The environment animals experience during development can have important effects on phenotype, performance, and fitness across multiple life-history stages. Environmental cues experienced during development can provide information to animals about the environment they will soon inhabit and promote phenotypic changes which affect fitness. Increasing evidence suggests that physiological stress may be one such cue that conveys environmental information to developing animals. Here, I explore the short- and long-term consequences of developmental stress in captive and free-living birds. In chapter one, I explore the effects of developmental stress on body size and physiological stress responses across life-history stages in zebra finches …

Ensemble Modeling Of Swe Distribution In The Bitterroot Mountains, Montana, Usa, Frederick Kellner

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The spatial distribution of snow remains poorly understood at the landscape scale, particularly at high elevation where snow can be under-represented by our current system of monitoring. The transferability of the processes and physiography that drive the spatial distribution of snow require further study. We apply an ensemble of three semi-independent snow models to the down-sloping side of the Bitterroot Mountains of Western Montana, which features an array of drainages of remarkably similar size and aspect. We modeled the snow water equivalent equal to the maximum snow accumulation plus any positive contributions to the snowpack during the melt season, for …

Understanding The Dynamics Of Species Distributions Under Climate Change: Linking Empirical Evidence, Ecological Theory, And Statistical Models, Shawn M. Crimmins

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Climate change is threatening biota all over the world through dictating changes in species distributions. The ability to predict the effects of climate on species distributions requires an understanding of how climatic and disturbance factors relate to species distributions. I examined the relationship between climate, disturbance, and geographic distributions of vascular plants in the western United States.

Within the mountain ranges of California, woody plants have largely shifted their distributions downhill during the 20th century. These shifts were strongly related to observed changes in climatic water balance, consistent with theoretical predictions. Downhill shifts were most prominent for species occurring at …

Lithic Technology And Risk: Winter Houses At Bridge River Villages, Kelly French

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The 2012 excavation of a single housepit (Housepit 54) at the Bridge River Village site (EeR14) offers the unique opportunity to look at lithic organization and techinological strategies during the Fur Trade era in the Middle Fraser Canyon. The main goal of this research is to understand how the winter occupation of Housepit 54 may have affected the lithic technological strategies carried out at Bride River Village. As a winter pithouse, lithic raw material sources would be inaccessible during the three months of occupation. The hypothesis of this thesis is structured with a theory of risk framework in order to …

Exotic Invasive Plants Drive Different Ecosystem Processes Than Natives In Montana Grasslands, Morgan Marie Luce

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Invasion is associated with unexpected increases in aboveground net primary productivity and altered ecosystem function, including increased nitrogen availability and cycling. These shifts are well documented, however many previous studies have been observational, focused on a single plant species, or have not examined belowground microbial communities. I combined field and experimental techniques to examine changes in productivity and ecosystem function, and the abundance of ammonia- oxidizing bacteria (AOB) for the exotic invaders Bromus tectorum, Centaurea stoebe, Euphorbia esula, and Potentilla recta. To quantify effects of these invasive species on N cycling and AOB abundance we compared soil from invaded and …

What High School Principals Do To Develop, Implement, And Sustain A High Functioning Character Education Initiative, Jacob A. Francom

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Principal leadership is crucial to the success of a high school character education initiative. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory research was to identify the roles and effective practices that high school principals utilize in developing, implementing, and sustaining a high functioning character education program. Fourteen high school principals from around the country, representing different schools, were interviewed one-on-one through Skype, Google Hangout, or by telephone. Data were collected during these one-on-one semi-structured interviews and analyzed through three separate coding procedures: (a) open coding, (b) axial coding, and (c) selective coding. Open coding analyzed the concepts emerging from the …

A Study Of The Relationship Between High School Principal Leadership Style And The Number Of Bullying Behaviors In Montana Public High Schools, James Edward Fuller

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This quantitative study examines the relationship between the leadership style of 19 Montana high school principals and the number of incidents of serious bullying that occurred in their schools during the 2011-2012 school year. Bullying behavior and its many negative ramifications is a problem of paramount importance for educators today. This study shines new light on the topic by testing the effect of the principal’s leadership behavior on one measurement of the bullying problem.

Data on principal leadership style, the independent variable, was gathered via the Multi- Factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ 360 Form 5X Short). This survey measured each leader’s …

The Blackfoot Demonstrative System: Function, Form, And Meaning, Shannon Scott Schupbach

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis presents a comprehensive analysis of the Blackfoot demonstrative system. Previous research on Blackfoot (Uhlenbeck 1938, Taylor 1969, Frantz 2009) identifies sixteen morphemes that make up demonstrative words in the language. I propose a demonstrative template that takes into account the fixed morpheme ordering observed in demonstrative forms. Based on the proposed template, I motivate the analysis of the suffix -ka as encoding motion towards the speaker as this accounts for its position together with the suffixes -ya, -ma, and -hka, each of which encode features of motion or visibility. In describing situational functions of each …

The Value Of Knowing: Public Lands Monitoring By Non-Agency Groups, Aaron Richard Olsen

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

It is generally recognized that in order to make informed federal land management decisions, such decisions need to be based on information gathered from monitoring of those lands. While some monitoring is being conducted by federal land management agencies, it is happening too infrequently and is often inadequate for properly informing land management decisions. In an attempt to fill this gap non-agency groups have begun monitoring federal public lands themselves. It appears that through recent congressional authorizations, policy reforms, and agency initiatives monitoring by non-agency groups is being supported at every government level. While theoretically this transfer of responsibility from …

Shifts In Caribou Calving Habitat And Space-Use, Daniella Johanna Dekelaita

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) population in Newfoundland has been declining since the mid-1990s, and will likely continue to decline into the foreseeable future. This decrease in numbers has been accompanied by a large drop in recruitment. Predation is the primary cause of caribou calf mortality in Newfoundland, and since 2003, >80% of radio-collared calves died within the first 6 months of life. Two Newfoundland herds also have shifted their calving grounds over the past 15 to 20 years. Our objective was to investigate why these shifts have occurred. We analyzed female telemetry locations spanning 29 years, to delineate …

Synthesis Of Dna-Base Selective Labels For Efficient Labeling Of Dna For Tem Imaging, Rakesh Kumar

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The goal of this project was to explore the possibility of high throughput DNA sequencing using high-resolution electron microscopy. This approach was recently made feasible by development of a DNA threading technique that allows the imaging of straight, single stranded DNA; and by the development of atom-by-atom analysis with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). In an attempt to better understand the types of interactions that can occur between water-soluble versions of complex and DNA we have synthesized the series of single metal and tetrametallic compounds. In order to demonstrate proof of concept for the technique of visualizing metal complex bound on …

Where I Come From/Where I Am, Dean Ramsey Foster

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This story begins in the Midwest, among the everyman. A story lived by many. Where you go to “work” so that you can go “up north” and to “the lake.” This story is set in the cities of West Michigan, and on the banks of the world’s longest freshwater cost line. A place that is remembered through the souvenirs collected along the way. Where the color of the water, and the smell of the air, can release a flood of memories for those indoctrinated by this story. A place where I spent 26 years, living the story, working, going up …

Effects Of Disturbance On Tree Community Dynamics In Whitebark Pine Ecosystems, Jeremy Travis Amberson

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), a keystone species of high-elevation ecosystems of western North America, is warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act due to the combined threats of fire exclusion, white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), and increased pressure from insects due to climate warming. Despite widespread knowledge of the potential causes of the tree’s decline, there is limited understanding of its ecology, including successional dynamics in forests disturbed by white pine blister rust and mountain pine beetle. Specifically, there is a need for more information on successional replacement by subalpine fir and whitebark seedling regeneration dynamics. I assessed …

Using Landsat Imagery To Evaluate Landscape-Level Impacts Of Natural Gas Field Development: Tazovsky Penninsula, Russia, 1984-2007, Jesse Stevens Wallace

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The Yamburg gas condensate field in northwestern Siberia sits atop the largest natural gas and petroleum basin in the world. Infrastructure related to the extraction and transport of natural gas is both geographically widespread, and has been shown to affect a much larger area than the immediate infrastructural footprint. Because field studies of the environmental impacts of development are often costly or unfeasible given the remoteness of these areas and access restrictions, the use of remote-sensing technologies is a valuable asset for assessing and quantifying disturbance over large areas. Freely available 30 meter resolution Landsat imagery from 1984 to 2007 …

Measurements Of Reactive Trace Gases And Variable Ozone Formation Rates In South Carolina Biomass Burning Plumes, Sheryl Kashi Akagi

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Biomass burning (BB) is the second largest source of trace gases and the largest source of primary fine carbonaceous particles in the global troposphere. BB trace gases and particles are of both regional and global importance. In the US, prescribed fire and wildfire are the two major fire types and they occur frequently. Prescribed fires are ignited to improve and aid forest health, maintenance, and management. Land managers strive to minimize the impact of smoke on local communities. However, smoldering combustion can still occur, leading to complaints of smoke exposure and reduced visibility. It is clear that we need better …

Archaeology Database Management: A Case Study In The Solution Of Incompatibility Issues Between Different Archaeological Databases, Nathaniel Scherr

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Archaeologists tend to use computerized databases to record data recovered from excavations. These databases contain large collections of information that can aid archaeologists in making educated decisions, interpretations, and test hypotheses from the recovered data. As time passed, databases became bigger and varied in the information that can be stored. As a result, more data could be recorded from the field that in turn can be used to ask more complicated questions of archaeological remains. However, the use of computerized archaeological databases does not come without its own problems. For example, since each archaeological project can be governed by different …

Pryor Mountain Mustangs: On The Range Or On The Bring?, Monica Gokey

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

At the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range straddling the Montana-Wyoming border, the fate of a herd of mustangs rests with the Bureau of Land Management and local horse conservationists. Nationally, the two sides are generally pitted against each other in the ugly world of horse politics. But in the Pryors, advocates and government have forged a tenuous partnership. Both sides want to see healthy horses on healthy range. And there could hardly be a better herd to benefit from such a truce. The Pryor Mountain mustangs have a unique genetic heritage at stake. The horses are some of the last …

Evaluation Of Physical Fitness Tests And The Usefulness Of An Internal Crew Questionnaire To Predict Job Readiness In Hotshots, Benjamin Adams Lovelace

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Hotshots are elite wildland firefighters that are used in all capacities from first attack to the most hazardous duties during wildland firefighting. The unpredictable nature of the wildfire creates a dangerous and physically challenging environment for those attempting to stop its advance. Hotshot wildland firefighters must be conditioned to perform the tasks associated with their job and to avoid injury. Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate possible assessment tests in an effort to predict job readiness for interagency hotshot crew members. Methodology: Thirty-six male and female type 1 hotshot crew members completed 4 physical fitness tests …

Asymmetry Of The Humerus: The Influence Of Handedness On The Deltoid Tuberosity And Possible Implications For Osteometric Sorting, Carrie Brady Legarde

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The identification of individuals from commingled human remains can be a difficult task. Osteometric sorting is often utilized for these purposes since it sorts remains based on size. This research investigates whether asymmetry of the humerus is present, if it is due to an individual’s hand preference, and if this asymmetry can adversely affect the osteometric sorting method. The osteometric sorting formulae for pair-matching was used to classify individuals as asymmetric when elements were considered significantly different in size. Significant asymmetry was seen in multiple measurements and the asymmetry could be due to handedness. This relationship appeared more consistent with …

Amur Tiger Predation And Energetic Requirements In The Russian Far East: New Insights From Global Positioning System Collars, Clayton Steele Miller

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The IUCN Red List has classified all subspecies of tigers (Panthera tigris) as endangered with prey depletion being widely recognized as one of the primary drivers of tiger declines. Due to substantial energetic requirements, tigers can only survive and reproduce in areas with healthy prey populations. This may be particularly important for Amur tigers (P. t. altaica) in the Russian Far East, living at the northern limits and with the lowest prey densities of any tiger population. Few studies have been able to rigorously investigate annual prey requirements for any tiger population. We deployed Global Positioning System (GPS) collars on …

An Inquiry Into Eco-Labeling: The Promise Of Predator Friendly Certification (Pfc), Melissa Ellen Katherine Early

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Agricultural landscapes play key roles in preserving biodiversity through habitat protection while providing ecosystem services necessary for rural livelihoods. There is a small, but growing movement among agricultural producers to live with nature rather than to dominate nature. Within this larger agriculture movement are efforts to live with predators rather than eliminating them through lethal means. This is reflective of the changing conversation around predators in the New West. Means of co-existence include livestock guardian animals, electric fencing, fladry, range rider patrols, rotational grazing, and lights etc. One grassroots effort in this area is Predator Friendly Certification (PFC). PFC is …

A Year Of Practice And Performance: Improving Piano Skills To Become A Better Choral Director, Ellen Mckenzie

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Piano skills are extremely important to a choral teacher’s success, and I always considered my piano playing as a weak point in my teaching. The intent of my project was to dedicate a year of intensive practicing and performing as an accompanist in order to improve my piano technique, gain a wider repertoire of music to use in teaching private lessons and choir, and gain confidence in my abilities as an accompanist. Through one hundred and three hours of documented practice time, eight performance experiences in a variety of settings, and eighteen pieces prepared and performed, my playing has improved …

The Changing Role Of Sámi Women In Reindeer Herding Communities In Northern Norway And The 1970-1980s Women’S Resistance And Redefinition Movement, Marcie Kaye Bremmer

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Historically, different nations-states at different times have tried to claim authority over the Sámi in the circumpolar north. After the nation state borders were drawn in the 1700s and 1800s, separating Russia, Norway, Sweden and Finland, Norway introduced a harsh and 1800s separating Russia, Norway, Sweden and Finland, Norway introduced a harsh assimilation policy that lasted over a century. Cultural Darwinist views and national assimilationist legislation and social strategies chipped away at Sámi society and its identity as an indigenous people. Over time Sámi women found their accustomed social, economic, and political autonomy eroded. Post World War II, the emerging …