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Integrating Space Use And Demography To Support Management Of An Endangered Alpine Ungulate, Danielle J. Berger

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The places animals choose to live affect the food they find, the dangers they face, and the weather conditions they experience. These experiences influence whether individual animals survive and reproduce, which in turn affects the size and health of animal populations. Although scientists have long believed that animal movements play an important role in population trends, there has been limited real-world evidence showing this connection. Advances in GPS tracking technology now allow researchers to follow animals over long periods and better understand how movement influences survival. Using 20 years of GPS tracking data from the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep …

Demographic Characteristics In Patients With Heart Failure And Iron Deficiency, Ahmed Alaa Eldin Abd Elazeem, Abdul Razek Abdul Lateef Maaty, Hanan Ahmed Azzam, Ahmed Mohamed Reda

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is a major and prevalent comorbidity among heart failure (HF) patients. It is associated with poor exercise tolerance, recurrent hospitalization and higher mortality. Studying patients’ demographics helps to determine vulnerable groups to ID, risk factors and associated comorbidities to be considered during screening and management.

Aim of the Work: To study the demographic characteristics of heart failure patients with iron deficiency.

Patients and Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary care university hospital at Delta region of Egypt between year 2024 and 2026. Among 117 HF patients, 100 HF patients …

New Mexico Cooper's Hawk Demographic Study: 2024 Annual Report, Brian A. Millsap Dr., Jay Gedir, Chris Vennum, Fitsum Abadi, Kristin Madden, Kirsten Mcdonnell, Emily Bjerre, Hillary White, Ted Swem, Michael Stewart

New Mexico Cooper’s Hawk: Publications

The 2024 Annual Report for a long-term (2011 -  present) demographic study of Cooper's hawks (Astur cooperii) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Persian-Period Necropolis In The French Hospital Compound, Yafo (Jaffa): Case Study And Overview (Pp. 225–242), Yossi Nagar

'Atiqot

The human skeletal remains retrieved from the Persian-period (fifth–fourth centuries BCE) burial caves in the French Hospital Compound represent at least 37 individuals. The anthropological examination yielded important data concerning the demographic profile of the interred, comprising infants, children and adults of a wide age range and of both sexes, which is typical of a civilian population. Some of the tombs were used for a single burial, while others housed 2–8 individuals. All the individuals were placed on their backs, in an east–west orientation, as customary in other Persian-period cemeteries along the Israeli coastline and northern valleys. These burial practices …

Dormant Propagules In Demographic Studies: A Recurrent Bias And Potential Solutions, Federico Borghesi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

In the face of unprecedented anthropogenic change, we increasingly turn to emergent technologies and extensive data sets for solutions that complement much needed systemic changes in our societies. These technological solutions, however, must be approached with care. We must recognize and address biases in the way data has been accumulated. In demographic studies, dormant life stages, such as seed banks, and other cryptic factors have often been neglected. The potential consequences of these omissions have been extensively described in the literature. In the first chapter, I analyze patterns of seed bank omissions in demographic models, finding unjustified omissions are widespread …

Demography And Habitat Associations Of The Basalt Cactus: Pediocactus Nigrispinus, Zarha Dillon-Zuppelli

All Master's Theses

Cacti are iconic, conspicuous, and important contributors to arid ecosystems. They stabilize soil and provide essential food and habitat to wildlife. Pediocactus nigrispinus is a species of cactus endemic to the Pacific Northwest and has been listed as a sensitive species due to its vulnerability to habitat loss. Pediocactus nigrispinus is being threatened by habitat fragmentation, poaching, and a changing climate. Best conservation methods for this species are poorly understood, due in part to a limited understanding of its demography and associations that may help define its occurrence.

A demographic study in Washington State was implemented in 2016 to give …

Predation Strongly Limits Demography Of A Keystone Migratory Herbivore In A Recovering Transfrontier Ecosystem, Fred Watson, Matthew S. Becker, Daan Smit, Egil Droge, Teddy Mukula, Sandra Martens, Shadrach Mwaba, David Christianson, Scott Creel, Angela Brennan, Jassiel M'Soka, Angela Gaylard, Chuma Simukonda, Moses Nyirenda, Bridget Mayani

AES Faculty Publications and Presentations

Large herbivore migrations are imperiled globally; however the factors limiting a population across its migratory range are typically poorly understood. Zambia's Greater Liuwa Ecosystem (GLE) contains one of the largest remaining blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus) migrations, yet the population structure, vital rates, and limiting factors are virtually unknown. We conducted a long-term demographic study of GLE wildebeest from 2012 to 2019 of 107 collared adult females and their calves, 7352 herd observations, 12 aerial population surveys, and concurrent carnivore studies. We applied methods of vital rate estimation and survival analysis within a Bayesian estimation framework. From herd …

Practicalities Of Re-Wilding, William C. Mcgrew

Animal Sentience

Re-wilding large-brained, intelligent mammals dependent on social learning to acquire survival skills is challenging. Each reintroduced species has different needs, but basic questions relating to essential aspects of successful release such as subsistence remain the same. Here I pose 12 ecologically and ethologically based questions that should be addressed (if not already done).

Demography And Dendrochronology Of A Disjunct Population Of Eastern Hemlock In Southwestern Ohio, Marie Johnson

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Edge and isolated plant populations provide information about the resilience and the most basic resource needs of a species. Plant demography examines changes in population size and structure over time. An isolated, disjunct eastern hemlock population in Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Yellow Springs, Ohio consists of two distinct subpopulations each with different environmental characteristics, reproductive capacities, and health ratings. Both subpopulations at Clifton Gorge were found to exhibit significant decreases in average annual ring width through time. Linear regression modeling determined that average annual growing season precipitation and temperature were the strongest predictors of these growth trends. A comparative …

Factors Driving Demography And Temporal Variability In Ph Of The Acid Weed, Desmarestia Herbacea, Angela T. Zepp

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Demographic studies allow for a better understanding of how populations change over time and establish a baseline to examine how biotic and abiotic factors influence populations. The annual alga Desmarestia herbacea, or the acid weed, accumulates sulfuric acid within cell vacuoles, likely as a chemical defense mechanism. Whether intracellular pH varies among different life history stages is poorly understood. A D. herbacea population in the Stillwater Cove, California kelp bed was assessed for two years in order to measure how internal pH varies relative to demographics, season, grazing pressure and oceanography. The timing of both spring recruitment and fall …

The Demography And Determinants Of Population Growth In Utah Moose (Alces Alces Shirasi), Joel S. Ruprecht

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Moose (Alces alces) occur widely in northern regions of the world. Across their distribution, the species is considered to be of high intrinsic, ecological and recreational value. Populations of moose along their southern range limit in North America have shown erratic population dynamics in recent decades including severe numeric declines in some areas. Moose in Utah belong to the Shiras subspecies, which is a relatively understudied population segment. Additionally, moose in Utah represent the southernmost naturally occurring moose populations worldwide. Concerns over possible declines and a paucity of baseline data on moose within the state prompted the Utah …

Quantifying Demographic Uncertainty: Bayesian Methods For Integral Projection Models, Bret D. Elderd, Tom E.X. Miller

Faculty Publications

© 2016 by the Ecological Society of America. Integral projection models ( IPM s) are a powerful and popular approach to modeling population dynamics. Generalized linear models form the statistical backbone of an IPM . These models are typically fi t using a frequentist approach. We suggest that hierarchical Bayesian statistical approaches offer important advantages over frequentist methods for building and interpreting IPM s, especially given the hierarchical nature of most demographic studies. Using a stochastic IPM for a desert cactus based on a 10- year study as a worked example, we highlight the application of a Bayesian approach for …

A Gis Analysis Of Sidewalk Infrastructure In Starkville, Ms, Robert Devon Bise

Theses and Dissertations

Sidewalks provide many community services, yet not much geospatial research exists regarding sidewalks, especially in Mississippi. The purpose of this thesis was to use geographic information systems to inventory and map sidewalks for Starkville, MS and to compare sidewalk availability and quality to 2010 US census block demographics. In Starkville, sidewalks served 28% of the census block population, which classifies the city as “Car-Dependent” according to a Walk Score criteria. Majority minority census blocks and majority white census blocks had similar proportions of sidewalks. However, 97% of “Excellent” quality and 64 more sections of ADA compliant sidewalks were within majority …

Ecology, Phylogenetics, And Conservation Of Draba Asterophora Complex: A Rare, Alpine, Endemic From Lake Tahoe, Usa, Emily Ruth Smith Putnam

Theses and Dissertations

Rare, alpine, endemic species are particularly at risk for extinction. Alpine environments are especially vulnerable to climate change and human impacts, such as ski resort development and snowmaking. Draba asterophora Payson is a rare, alpine species that occurs only in three disjunct mountain-top regions surrounding Lake Tahoe. It is currently threatened by human impacts, such as ski resorts, as well as indirect influences of climate change and therefore in need of better understanding for conservation purposes. Draba asterophora may be able to serve as a case study for other similarly vulnerable, rare, alpine, endemic species with conservation needs. We utilized …

Prolonged Dormancy Interacts With Senescence For Two Perennial Herbs, Juha Tuomi, Elizabeth E. Crone, Jennifer R. Gremer, Anne Jakalaniemi, Peter Lesica, Bard Pedersen, Satu Ramula

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

1. Senescence is characterized by a decline in survival, fecundity and reproductive value with age among adult individuals. Simple age-dependent life cycles progress forward through developmental stages, with each successive stage being characterized by age-specific vital rates. In contrast, size- or stage-based life cycles for perennial plants are more complex and often include stasis and retrogression to previous vegetative or reproductive life stages, indicating possible slowing or even reversing the developmental progress.

2. Many plants remain in nonemergent, below-ground stages during the growing season (prolonged dormancy), which may affect the process of senescence. Stasis in the dormant stage implies that …

Life History And Demography Of Trillium Ovatum Pursh. (Liliaceae)In Western Montana, Tarn Ream

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Trillium ovatum is a long-lived, spring ephemeral that grows in moist forest habitats of the western United States. Extensive investigations of Trillium, including T. ovatum, have been accomplished, yet no prior studies of T. ovatum have been conducted at the eastern edge of its distribution in Montana, where populations experience increased aridity and highly variable climatic conditions as compared to other regions where it occurs. This study examines life-history characteristics and demography of T. ovatum in three representative populations that were sampled over 9 growing seasons to determine: 1) life history stages, stage class structure, and yearly transitions among stage …

The Integration Of African Muslim Minority: A Critique Of French Philosophy And Policy, Amber Nichole Dillender

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The numerous images of violence perpetrated by radicalized followers of Islam, has highlighted the complexities surrounding assimilation and integration of Muslims in Western society. Since the guest worker recruitment from French African colonies initiated after World War II, France has been witness to the unanticipated development of permanent communities of African laborers, many of whom are Muslim. Despite consistent promotion of French monoculture and specifically the use of the assimilation model for integration, segregation of African Muslims has occurred. Through the construction of a single country case study, I explore integration issues surrounding the French Muslim minority communities. I seek …

Distinguishing Technology From Biology: A Critical Review Of The Use Of Gps Telemetry Data In Ecology, Mark Hebblewhite, Daniel T. Haydon

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

In the past decade, ecologists have witnessed vast improvements in our ability to collect animal movement data through animal-borne technology, such as through GPS or ARGOS systems. However, more data does not necessarily yield greater knowledge in understanding animal ecology and conservation. In this paper, we provide a review of the major benefits, problems and potential misuses of GPS/Argos technology to animal ecology and conservation. Benefits are obvious, and include the ability to collect fine-scale spatio-temporal location data on many previously impossible to study animals, such as ocean-going fish, migratory songbirds and long-distance migratory mammals. These benefits come with significant …

Are Black Bears Declining In Montana? Inference From Multiple Data Sources In The Face Of Uncertainty, Julie Ann Beston

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Carnivores are managed both to maintain populations and reduce conflict with humans, but data-based decision-making is difficult due to the expense of data collection. When new fieldwork is impossible, we can benefit from available data in assessing populations. I used demographic and harvest data to assess the population status of black bears (Ursus americanus) in Montana.

I conducted a hierarchical Bayesian meta-analysis of black bear demographic studies to evaluate geographic structuring and estimate vital rates and population growth rate. Adult survival is higher in the west than the east, but the reverse is true for fecundity. The mean …

Post-Fire Demography Of A Dry Eucalypt Forest In The Midlands, Tasmania: A Pilot Study, Christine Urbanowicz

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

There have been many efforts to regenerate the threatened and declining dry eucalypt forests found within the Midlands of Tasmania. This pilot study was completed as part of a larger research project on eucalypt regeneration. Researchers need to know where recruits are most successful in order to appropriately place regeneration microsites. I have begun characterizing the baseline demography of a recently burnt remnant forest. I had two objectives: 1. to characterize the stand structure where recruits are successful, and 2. to describe where the recruits are within this structure. Data on location, size, and life history stage of trees were …

Demography And Ecology Of A Declining Endemic: The Olympic Marmot, Suzanne Cox Griffin

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Protected areas serve to conserve species, habitats, and ecological processes. However, biological systems within even large parks are increasingly affected by outside perturbations. The Olympic marmots (Marmota olympus) are ground-dwelling squirrel that inhabit high-elevation meadows almost exclusively within Olympic National Park Despite this protection, anecdotal reports in the 1990's of disappearances from historically occupied locations suggested that the species was in decline. I used demographic monitoring, habitat surveys, and non-invasive genetic sampling to evaluate population status of the species and consider the effects of several possible stressors. Olympic marmots disappeared from ~50% of well-studied colonies, and abandoned burrow complexes were …

Does Habitat Affect Clonal Demography? An Experiment With Polygonella Myriophylla In Roadside And Florida Scrub, Kristina Dianne Horn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polygonella myriophylla (Polygonaceae) is a clonal shrub listed as endangered and narrowly endemic to pyrogenic scrub ecosystems in central Florida. It is almost restricted to gaps within the matrix of shrubs in the scrub but also occurs along adjacent road-side habitats. I hypothesize that persistent disturbed microhabitats and more dynamic sand accretion in roadsides will increase rooting probabilities compared to more stable scrub habitats, affecting survival, growth and reproduction. In April 2004- March 2006, I compared plant (genet) and basal branch (ramet) performance between experimentally manipulated plants in native scrub and roadside habitats at two locations within the Lake Wales …

Demographic Consequences Of Managing For Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma Coerulescens) On An Isolated Preserve., Casey Lyon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many species naturally occupy discrete habitat patches within a mosaic of habitats that vary in quality. The Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is endemic to Florida scrub, a habitat that is naturally patchy and greatly reduced in area over recent decades owing to development and urbanization. Because of this habitat loss, future management of Florida scrub-jays will focus on smaller, fragmented tracts of land. My study examines such a tract, Lyonia Preserve, southwest Volusia County, FL. This preserve was unoccupied by scrub-jays prior to habitat restoration. The preserve is now frequently managed exclusively for scrub-jays as a habitat island surrounded by …

Effects Of Density On Timing Of Emergence And Its Consequences For Survival And Growth In Two Communities Of Annual Plants, Roy Turkington, Deborah E. Goldberg, Linda Olsvig-Whittaker, Andrew R. Dyer

Faculty Publications

We tested whether increasing seed density results in a change in the timing of emergence in two communities of sand dune annual plants in Israel. Specifically we tested (i) if emergence is accelerated or delayed due to high seed density. We also tested two predictions about the consequences of changes in the timing of emergence; (ii) seedlings emerging earlier will have higher survival and growth; (iii) the advantage of earlier emergence increases as seed density increases. We examined these predictions for both monocots and dicots growing under different irrigation regimes and using species from a desert and a semi-arid community …

Noel J. Kent's Review Of Eleanor Nordyke's The Peopling Of Hawaii, Noel J. Kent

Pacific Studies

No abstract provided.

Zero Parity: A Demographic Analysis Of Childlessness., Thomas R. Panko

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Urban Factors Upon The Fertility Of The White Rural-Farm Population Of South Carolina., Robert K. Hirzel

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

The People Of The North Central Louisiana Hill Country: A Demographic Analysis., Robert Oren Trout

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

Differential Mortality In Mississippi., John Newell Burrus

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

A Demographic Comparison Of Plantation And Nonplantation Counties In The Cotton Belt., Joseph Sloan Vandiver

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.