Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Natural Resources and Conservation
Michigan Technological University
- Keyword
Articles 1 - 3 of 3
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Genetic Variation, Local Adaptation And Population Structure In North American Red Oak Species, Quercus Rubra L. And Q. Ellipsoidalis E. J. Hill, Jennifer F. Lind-Riehl
Genetic Variation, Local Adaptation And Population Structure In North American Red Oak Species, Quercus Rubra L. And Q. Ellipsoidalis E. J. Hill, Jennifer F. Lind-Riehl
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open
Forest trees, like oaks, rely on high levels of genetic variation to adapt to varying environmental conditions. Thus, genetic variation and its distribution are important for the long-term survival and adaptability of oak populations. Climate change is projected to lead to increased drought and fire events as well as a northward migration of tree species, including oaks. Additionally, decline in oak regeneration has become increasingly concerning since it may lead to decreased gene flow and increased inbreeding levels. This will in turn lead to lowered levels of genetic diversity, negatively affecting the growth and survival of populations. At the same …
Spatial And Temporal Patterns In Ungulate-Ecosystem Interactions, Bryan D. Murray
Spatial And Temporal Patterns In Ungulate-Ecosystem Interactions, Bryan D. Murray
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open
Ungulates are important components of a variety of ecosystems worldwide. This dissertation integrates aspects of ungulate and forest ecology to increase our understanding of how they work together in ways that are of interest to natural resource managers, educators, and those who are simply curious about nature. Although animal ecology and ecosystem ecology are often studied separately, one of the general goals of this dissertation is to examine how they interact across spatial and temporal scales. Forest ecosystems are heterogeneous across a range of scales. Spatial and temporal habitat use patterns of forest ungulates tend to be congregated in patches …
Evaluating Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides Melissa Samuelis Nabokov) Habitat Selection In The State Of Wisconsin, Usa, Anna Nahuel Hess
Evaluating Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides Melissa Samuelis Nabokov) Habitat Selection In The State Of Wisconsin, Usa, Anna Nahuel Hess
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open
The federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis Nabokov) persists in rare oak/pine grassland communities spanning across the Great Lakes region, relying on host plant wild blue lupine (Lupinus perennis). Conservation efforts since 1992 have led to the development of several programs that restore and monitor habitat. This study aims to evaluate Karner blue habitat selection in the state of Wisconsin and develop high-resolution tools for use in conservation efforts. Spatial predictive models developed during this study accurately predicted potential habitat across state properties based on soils and canopy cover, and identified ~51-100% of Karner blue occurrences based on …