Digital Commons Network^™

An Ecological Study Of The Breeding Birds Of An Area Near Choteau, Mont, Aretas A. Saunders

The Auk

No abstract provided.

Shelford's 'Animal Communities In Temperate America', W. L. M.

The Auk

No abstract provided.

Index To Volume Xxv, The Auk

The Auk

No abstract provided.

The Ecological Succession Of Birds, Charles C. Adams

The Auk

No abstract provided.

Study Of Avian Migration Patterns Using Stable Isotope Analysis In The Galite Archipelago, Tunisia, Hsan Ben Jemaa, Said Nouira, François Fourel, Ilham Bentaleb

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This research employed stable isotope analysis to investigate the migratory patterns and geographic origins of the Eleonora's falcon (Falco eleonorae) and its associated prey species within the Galite Archipelago, Tunisia. Feathers collected from both juvenile and adult falcons, along with their prey, were analysed for deuterium isotopic composition using the "Isorix" package in R, which facilitated the geographic assignment based on stable isotope ratios. The results demonstrated no significant difference in deuterium values (δ2H) between adult and juvenile falcons, indicating a lack of geographical variation in moulting locations among the different age groups. However, the isotopic data for adult falcons …

Dietary Observations Of Adult Pleurodema Nebulosum (Anura: Leptodactylidae) From Argentina, Gabriel Natalio Castillo, Cynthia J. González- Rivas

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study is the first to examine the diet composition of adult Pleurodema nebulosum specimens based on an analysis of the gastrointestinal contents of 78 individuals. Analyzed herein were 40 specimens from a site disturbed due to anthropogenic action and 38 from a protected area in Argentina. Differences were found in the trophic consumption at both sites. In the protected area, P. nebulosum presented an active foraging mode, with a diet specialized in prey items from the Formicidae family. At the disturbed site, this amphibian showed a sit-and-wait foraging mode, with a generalist diet where it consumes Hemiptera and Coleoptera. …

Buturlin's 'The Breeding-Grounds Of The Rosy Gull', J. A. Allen

The Auk

No abstract provided.

The Michigan Ornithological Club, A. W. Blain Jr.

The Auk

No abstract provided.

A Revision Of Hong Kong Harvestmen : Biodiversity, Ecological Preferences And Geographical Distribution, Kai Teck Desmond Tan

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

Opiliones, or harvestmen, is a common animal found throughout the world, there are currently over 6,650 species worldwide but the actual number is estimated to exceed 10,000, making it the third largest order in the class Arachnida. Despite its diversity, it is a rather understudied group. In Hong Kong, there are four described species, but the most recent relevant literature dates back to the at least the early 20th century. This thesis focuses on two common species found in Hong Kong: one previously described species (Heterobiantes geniculatus) and one new species (Pseudoleiobunum lutulentum sp. nov.). I …

From Turf To Turf: Fungal Invasion Of Ascocoryne Turficola In A Northern Michigan Bog, Evan L. Coscarelli-Trott

All NMU Master's Theses

This is the first paper to report Ascocoryne turficola Boud. 1905 (Helotiales: Ascomycota) within the United States. It is an obligate bog fungus native to Europe and Siberia, where it is extremely rare across most of its range. A. turficola appeared at Lily Pond Bog in Marquette, Michigan (87.47º W, 46.59º N) in 2019, almost contemporaneous with anecdotal reports in Minnesota and Ontario. Since 2019, the Lily Pond population has exploded and become the dominant fungus in this bog but has yet to spread to similar bogs nearby. This species is adapted to long distance dispersal and carries the potential …

The Influence Of Environmental Change On Genetic Diversity Across Spatial And Taxonomic Scales, Connor M. French

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The spatial distribution of genetic diversity is of interest to biodiversity scientists and conservationists and is a fundamental metric of biodiversity. Genetic diversity patterns across spatial and taxonomic scales contain information about population and assemblage dynamics that can convey their resilience to environmental change. Ectotherms are especially linked to their environments and may be especially sensitive to fluctuations in the environment over time. Herein, I investigate global and regional patterns of genetic diversity in two groups of ectotherms, insects and lizards, to understand the relationship between environmental change and genetic diversity, from populations to assemblages. Overall, my research aims to …

Scale-Dependent Population Drivers Inform Avian Management In A Declining Saline Lake Ecosystem, Aimee M. Van Tatenhove, John Neill, Russell E. Norvell, Erica F. Stuber, Clark S. Rushing

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Shrinking saline lakes provide irreplaceable habitat for waterbird species globally. Disentangling the effects of wetland habitat loss from other drivers of waterbird population dynamics is critical for protecting these species in the face of unprecedented changes to saline lake ecosystems, ideally through decision-making frameworks that identify effective management options and their potential outcomes. Here, we develop a framework to assess the effects of hypothesized population drivers and identify potential future outcomes of plausible management scenarios on a saline lake-reliant waterbird species. We use 36 years of monitoring data to quantify the effects of environmental conditions on the population size of …

Soil Biogeochemical Properties Remain Altered Following Cessation Of Long-Term Simulated Nitrogen Deposition In A Temperate Forest, Jennie Ellen Wuest

Master's Theses and Capstones

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient in terrestrial ecosystems and the transformations it undergoes mediated by microbes in soil are central to N cycling. While rates of atmospheric N deposition due to anthropogenic activity increased dramatically with the industrial revolution, government regulations in the late 20th century resulted in a reversal. Rates of atmospheric N deposition remain well above pre-industrial levels, but the last two decades have seen a steady decrease in areas such as the Northeastern United States. To investigate the potential for soil recovery from long-term N addition, we measured a suite of soil biogeochemical properties in a …

Association Of Self-Reported Disease Severity With Depression And Anxiety Among Copd Patients, Yousef Saad Aldabayan, Antonieto Alaban, Eduardo Fabella, Amal Ismael Abdelhameed

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study was conducted to estimate the proportion of patients who experience a high impact from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on their health status and those who also experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. It also sought to determine whether the health impact of the disease is associated with anxiety and depression.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 177 randomly selected patients with COPD seeking treatment in various primary health centers in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) was used to determine the impact of COPD on health generally, and the …

Epidemiologic Trends In Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma From 2011 To 2021 At All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis, And Rehabilitation Training Center (Alert) In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tizita Yosef, Wondwossen Ergete, Rishab R Revankar, Heli A. Patel, Tsegaye Hailu Kumsa, Vishal A Patel, Selfu Girma, Benjamin K Stoff

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common keratinocyte carcinoma in dark-skinned ethnic groups. Available studies are primarily focused on white populations, with fewer data available for black Africans, including Ethiopians. Therefore, less priority may be given to treatment and prevention in this population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of cSCC among patients presenting to All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis, and Rehabilitation Training Center , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

METHODS: A literature review was performed to determine existing knowledge. A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was then conducted based on stored data of confirmed cases of cSCC from …

Reading Ecogothic Memory In Contemporary Southern Swamp Novels, Megan Caroline Brockhard Knight

Theses and Dissertations

The ecogothic is a lens through which to engage memory, southern constructivism and identity, environmental intervention, and the literature of the American Southeast. This project establishes a framework of literary criticism that defines the ecogothic, interprets memory as truth imagined, and identifies the position of memory in the environment as a construction with which it is necessary to grapple to understand identity. This framework, compiled of existing and original scholarship, is then applied to three contemporary swamp narratives written by three different southern women writers. The swamp setting creates a unique microcosm of gothic liminality, neither fully land nor water, …

Forest Management In Changing Landscapes: Evaluating Hurricane Damage And Salvage Market Dynamics, Ian Pereira Sartorio

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation comprises three interrelated studies exploring the effects of hurricanes on forestlands and the optimization of salvage logging practices. The first study examines land cover changes and salvage logging patterns following Hurricane Michael. It utilizes predictive models to identify key drivers of these changes, exploring the relative influence of storm intensity, forest vulnerability, and economic/operational factors. The second study builds upon these findings, focusing on the agent attribution for land cover change observations leveraging advanced remote sensing tools and relevant spatial data. By distinguishing between wind damage and salvage logging activities, it advances the understanding of post-hurricane land cover …

Movement Ecology And Nest-Site Selection Of Rock Iguanas Across A Gradient Of Anthropogenic Disturbance, James Walter Wehsener

Theses and Dissertations

Analysis of animal movement has been integrated into a framework of four components: internal state, motion capacity, navigation capacity, and external factors (Nathan et al., 2008). We used this framework to enhance understanding of movement behavior in the 15 West Indian rock iguana (Cyclura) taxa and to inform conservation management. Our review found that adult female Cyclura large-scale movement is primarily driven by nesting and migrations. Nest site selection also influences hatchling dispersal, but few studies identify preferred habitats for nesting females. Anthropogenic impacts on nesting ecology are largely unexplored, especially in Cyclura carinata. We studied C. carinata nesting ecology …

Estimation Of Cyanobacterial Concentrations From Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Imagery Over The Western Mississippi Sound, Gulf Of Mexico, John Preston Liles

Theses and Dissertations

The Western Mississippi Sound (WMS) is home to the largest natural oyster reef in the Gulf of Mexico and contributes substantially to Mississippi's economy. In 2019, the WMS experienced an unprecedented cyanobacterial bloom that killed fish and birds and led to shut down of beaches and oyster fishery. This thesis aims to quantify cyanobacteria from uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) imagery and investigate the relative influence of river discharge into the WMS on cyanobacterial concentrations. Several field campaigns were undertaken to collect field data and UAS imagery from WMS. A remote sensing algorithm was developed to quantify the unique cyanobacterial pigment …

A Systematic Review: Longevity And Quality Of Life In Blue Zones, Salmaan Mulla

Theses and Graduate Projects

Ikaria, Loma Linda, Sardinia, Okinawa, and Nikoya. These 5 cities around the world are famed for their increased longevity and quality of life and are termed “Blue Zones”. Blue zones are areas around the world noted for their population of centenarians, overall long life expectancy and high quality of life compared to the average population. Studying these communities offer insights into the commonalities they share to better understand the unique aspects of living a healthy, fulfilling and long life. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, with the search terms “Ikaria, Greece longevity; Loma Linda, California longevity; Sardinia, …

Seasonal Dynamics Of The Introduced Sponge Hymeniacidon Perlevis In The Elkhorn Slough, California, Usa, Jackson Hoeke

Master's Theses

Hymeniacidon perlevis is a cosmopolitan sponge with a seasonal life cycle We investigated seasonal and interannual dynamics of H. perlevis in Elkhorn Slough estuary, where it is an introduced species, and explored correlations between sponge cover and environmental conditions. We used sponge cover to estimate the potential effects H. perlevis on its environment and how those could vary across its seasonal life cycle. We found that successful recruitment is currently restricted to the upper estuary and while it varies annually, the frequency and density of sponge recruits have generally increased from 2007 to 2023. A seasonal life cycle was confirmed …

Accumulation Of Environmental Radioactivity On The Surface Of A High Arctic Ice Cap (Flade Isblink, Ne Greenland), Dylan B. Beard, Giovanni Baccolo, Caroline C. Clason, Geoffrey E. Millward, Edyta Łokas, Elena Di Stefano, Sally Rangecroft, Dariusz Sala, Przemysław Wachniew, William H. Blake

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Under climatic warming, glaciers are becoming a secondary source of atmospheric contaminants originally released into the environment decades ago. This phenomenon has been well-documented for glaciers near emission sources. However, less is known about polar ice sheets and ice caps. Radionuclides are one of the contaminants that can be remobilised through ice melting and accumulate in cryoconite material on the surface of glaciers. To understand the cycling of radionuclides in polar glacial contexts, we evaluate the radioactivity of cryoconite samples from Flade Isblink, a High Arctic ice cap in northeast Greenland. The measured radioactivity is among the highest reported across …

A Regional Analysis Of Climate Change Effects On Global Snow Crab Fishery, Jingjing Tao, Kwamena Quagrainie, Kenneth A. Foster, Nicole Olynk Widmar

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

The snow crab fishery faces increasing vulnerability to environmental factors, yet the literature on the relationship between climate change and snow crab harvest remains limited. This study estimates snow crab harvest functions using climate change indicators with unbalanced panel data of snow crab production from the eastern Bering Sea (Alaska), the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Canada), the Sea of Japan, and the Barents Sea (Norway-Russia). The relationship between snow crab biomass, stock, and catch is analyzed and the endogeneity of stock in the harvest function is also addressed using climate change indicators as instrumental variables (IVs). The results show …

Sex Differences In The Diets Of Forest-Dwelling Baboons (Papio Anubis), Kara Hartunian

Theses and Dissertations

The ability to eat and switch between many food sources is an adaptative feeding strategy utilized for meeting nutritional needs across different environments, seasons, and physiological conditions. Baboons (genus Papio) excel at both dietary flexibility and foraging selectively, and consequently have one of the most widespread geographic distributions in the Order. To further expand to our understanding of baboon feeding ecology, I analyzed foraging activity and the nutritional characteristics of the diets of the relatively understudied rainforest baboons (Papio anubis) living in Kibale National Park, Uganda. I also investigated if there are differences in food type choice …

The Effect Of The Lunar Cycle On The Demographics Of Asian Elephants Observed In Open Areas In A Protected Wildlife Sanctuary And Surrounding Crop Fields, Serene K. Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

Due to human development and habitat fragmentation, Asian elephants increasingly use human landscapes and encounter people. These interactions have led to negative interactions between humans and elephants, such as crop-raiding. Despite efforts to mitigate these conflicts, farmers have not been able to consistently protect their crops from elephant foraging. Therefore, it is important to understand elephant behavior in these landscapes to help create long term mitigation plans. Specifically, research regarding demographic patterns in Asian elephants’ perceived predation risk can inform wild elephant management. This study used camera traps in Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi, Thailand to observe the wild Asian …

No. 25: Responses To Covid-19 By Internal Migrants In South African Cities, Jonathan Crush, Godfrey Tawodzera, Maria Salamone, Zack Ahmed

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

This paper explores the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on internal migrants in the urban centres of Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa. Focusing on the socio-economic and livelihood challenges faced by this population, the research utilizes a survey conducted in 2023 to investigate how the pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities. Results highlight significant disruptions in employment, increased economic hardship, and heightened health risks among migrants, particularly those living in low-income neighbourhoods. Despite the hardships, very few migrants intended to permanently return to their rural origins, indicating a complex interplay between economic necessity and pandemic-induced constraints. The findings underscore the unique challenges …

Associations Of Natural Vegetation In Relation To Colorectal Cancer Hotspots And Colorectal Cancer Survival., Johnnie Newton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Across Kentucky, county-level geographic disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and outcomes exist. Given the heterogeneity of lifestyle, socioeconomic (SES), and environmental factors within a county, more granular approaches should be used to identify local areas with a high CRC burden and identify the area-level factors that may contribute to geographic disparities. Studies reported that living in greener areas is associated with beneficial health outcomes, including lower mortality. Despite growing evidence that natural vegetation (greenness) exposure is associated with increased physical activity and obesity, two well-known CRC risk factors, epidemiological studies investigating the association of residential greenness exposure with …

Environmental Factors (Rurality, Distribution Of Prescribers, And Altitude) Of People Who Died By Suicide In Montana, 2013- 2022, Anne N. Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Suicide is increasingly prevalent in rural areas across the United States, especially in the western Rocky Mountain states. The connection between suicide and rural residency is not well understood, nor is the relationship between the distribution of prescribers, altitude, and suicide. Purpose: This retrospective quantitative study aimed to describe the characteristics of individuals who died by suicide in Montana and investigate the associations among rurality, distribution of prescribers, altitude, and suicide rate. Methods: Montana suicide mortality data for 2013-22 was used to describe individual characteristics. A second dataset was created for each Zip Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) level in …

Caught On Camera: Evaluating Wood Duck (Aix Sponsa) Cavity Occurrence And Trapping Efficiency, Cindy L. Von Haugg

All Theses

Wood ducks (Aix sponsa) garner significant ecologic and economic importance as the second most harvested waterfowl species in two of the four migratory flyways in North America, but the accuracy of population monitoring, relative to other duck species, is stifled by the wood duck’s secretive nature and nesting habitat. As an alternate, population models would improve current assessments, but more data on the demographic vital rates of cavity-nesting wood ducks is needed. I aimed to help bridge this knowledge gap by developing a method to increase data collection efficiency, and with it, accomplish two objectives: 1) Calculate the relative abundance …

Image Processing Techniques For Water Droplet Penetration Time And Contact Angle Estimation, Sai Balaji Jai Kumar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Water droplet behavior on soil surfaces plays a critical role in numerous environmental processes, including soil erosion, hydrological dynamics, and ecosystem health. Accurate characterization of soil water repellency, quantified by parameters such as water droplet penetration time (WDPT) and contact angles (WDCA), is essential for informed decision-making in agricultural management, forestry practices, and land-use planning. Despite the significance of these parameters, challenges exist in reliably estimating them due to the complex and dynamic nature of soil-water interactions. This thesis address challenges in estimating WDPT and WDCA, by leveraging state-of-the-art image processing techniques and machine learning algorithms. The research focuses on …