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Articles 1 - 19 of 19
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Invasive Buckthorn Mapping: A Uav-Based Approach Utilizing Machine Learning, Gis, And Remote Sensing Techniques In The Upper Peninsula Of Michigan, Vikranth Madeppa
Invasive Buckthorn Mapping: A Uav-Based Approach Utilizing Machine Learning, Gis, And Remote Sensing Techniques In The Upper Peninsula Of Michigan, Vikranth Madeppa
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
An Invasive species is a species that is alien or non-native to the ecosystem which causes harm to economic, environmental, or human health (E.O. 13112 of Feb 3, 1999). Invasive species have posed a serious threat to ecosystems across the globe. These invasive species have impacts on the biodiversity and productivity of invaded forests. Remotely sensed data is a valuable resource for understanding and addressing issues related to invasive species. This study presents a novel approach for mapping the distribution of two invasive plant species, Common and Glossy Buckthorn, using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), machine learning algorithms, geographic information systems …
The Art And Science Of Wood: From Pyrography To Termites And Wood Decomposition, Joanna D. Walitalo
The Art And Science Of Wood: From Pyrography To Termites And Wood Decomposition, Joanna D. Walitalo
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Wood is vital to many natural ecosystems, as it provides energy, nutrients, and habitat for organisms from the micro- to the macro- scale. Wood is also critical to humans for similar reasons, and can be an important medium of art and education. This dissertation addresses three diverse aspects of wood with the contexts of science, art, and education. First, we explored the impact of timber harvest techniques and site preparation on microbial wood decay and subterranean termite responses on a forest-stand scale. The amount of coarse woody debris removed post-harvest, coupled with the location and species of the test wood …
Common Garden Study Reveals Frost-Tolerant, Generalist Northern Seed Sources Are Best Suited To Expand Range Of Quercus Rubra, Emily Lindback
Common Garden Study Reveals Frost-Tolerant, Generalist Northern Seed Sources Are Best Suited To Expand Range Of Quercus Rubra, Emily Lindback
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Climate change is shifting the potential suitable range of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) faster than it can migrate, creating an adaptation lag. Quercus rubra is prominent in eastern North American forests and important for its carbon sequestration, ecological roles, and economic significance. Our study addresses which populations of Q. rubra are best suited for climatic conditions at the northern and central range limits. Our findings can inform forestry management policies such as assisted migration, where species are transferred within their native range to mitigate the effects of climate change. We planted over 800 Q. rubra seedlings …
Fine Scale Mapping Of Laurentian Mixed Forest Natural Habitat Communities Using Multispectral Naip And Uav Datasets Combined With Machine Learning Methods, Parth P. Bhatt
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Natural habitat communities are an important element of any forest ecosystem. Mapping and monitoring Laurentian Mixed Forest natural communities using high spatial resolution imagery is vital for management and conservation purposes. This study developed integrated spatial, spectral and Machine Learning (ML) approaches for mapping complex vegetation communities. The study utilized ultra-high and high spatial resolution National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) datasets, and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Complex natural vegetation community habitats in the Laurentian Mixed Forest of the Upper Midwest. A detailed workflow is presented to effectively process UAV imageries in a dense forest environment …
Regional Impacts Of Invasive Species And Climate Change On Black Ash Wetlands, Joseph Shannon
Regional Impacts Of Invasive Species And Climate Change On Black Ash Wetlands, Joseph Shannon
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
For more than a decade intensive research on the ecohydrology of black ash wetland ecosystems has been performed to understand these systems before they are drastically altered by the invasive species, emerald ash borer (EAB). In that time there has been little research aimed at the scale and persistence of the alterations. Three distinct but related research articles will be presented to demonstrate a method for moderate resolution mapping of black ash across its entire range, understand the relative impacts of EAB and climate change on probable future wetland conditions, and develop an experimental and modeling approach to quantify and …
Soil Sustainability Of Forest Bioenergy Feedstocks Across The Americas, Michelle Brill
Soil Sustainability Of Forest Bioenergy Feedstocks Across The Americas, Michelle Brill
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Many sources of woody biofuels provide alternative options to fossil fuels that can help mitigate greenhouse gases. One key component of feedstock sustainability from an ecosystem service perspective is soil sustainability. We examined eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis) plantations in the warm-temperate entic and mollic soils of Northeastern Argentina, oil palm plantations (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in the tropical alfic soils of Southeastern Mexico, and aspen (Populus tremuloides) in the cool-temperate spodic soils of Northeastern United States. The following elements were measured in soil increments of 15 cm, down to a total of 60 cm: carbon (C), nitrogen …
Severe Thunderstorms Create Windfall Of Opportunity For Ecosystem-Based Management Of Mixed Northern Hardwoods, Elizabeth Montgomery Barnes
Severe Thunderstorms Create Windfall Of Opportunity For Ecosystem-Based Management Of Mixed Northern Hardwoods, Elizabeth Montgomery Barnes
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
The regeneration and reorganization of organisms and their habitat post-disturbance is a primary mechanism by which ecosystems maintain functionality in a changing environment. This adaptation to disturbance lends dynamism and resiliency to landscapes. Yet, the 20th century was marked by an alarming loss of global biodiversity, pointing to the likelihood that the rate of ecological disturbance generated by human systems today is either too frequent or too intense to be beneficial to ecosystems, and rather poses a risk to ecosystem functionality and the carrying capacity of Earth systems. Compounding these risks is high uncertainty regarding the potential for stronger, …
Above-Ground Biomass And Carbon Estimations And Recommendations For Forests In Turkey, Cuma Uykun
Above-Ground Biomass And Carbon Estimations And Recommendations For Forests In Turkey, Cuma Uykun
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation are issues that are tightly related to the environment and the public’s awareness of forest conservation, which are currently major areas of global interest. Greenhouse gas emissions and removals are required to be reported regularly (5 year intervals) and in compliance with the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of 1992, which was later extended by the Kyoto Protocol International Treaty. The UNFCCC`s policy has been accepted by more than 150 countries. Turkey`s forests are controlled and managed by the government and some major tree species still need to have their own …
Estimation Of Dbh Using Tree Variables Derived From Aerial Lidar For Ford Forest, Baraga, Michigan, Tugay Demiraslan
Estimation Of Dbh Using Tree Variables Derived From Aerial Lidar For Ford Forest, Baraga, Michigan, Tugay Demiraslan
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
This study implemented LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) remote sensing technology and applied ITD (Individual Tree Detection) methods as an approach to estimate some essential tree variables, such as DBH (Diameter at Breast Height), height, volume, and biomass for Ford Forest Research Center in Upper Peninsula, Michigan. There were 34 deciduous (1 bigtooth aspen, 9 red oaks, 20 sugar maples, 2 white birches, and 2 yellow birches) and 17 coniferous (2 eastern hemlocks, 11 red pines, and 4 white pines) subject tree species. There were two different available LiDAR datasets from the same area that were collected in 2011 and …
Dynamics Of Wild Red Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus L.) And The Influence On Tree Regeneration Within Silvicultural Openings In A Northern Hardwood Stand, Matthew J. Widen
Dynamics Of Wild Red Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus L.) And The Influence On Tree Regeneration Within Silvicultural Openings In A Northern Hardwood Stand, Matthew J. Widen
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Previous studies have investigated how the abundance of raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) impacts tree regeneration, but few have linked these impacts to location within canopy openings with a legacy tree. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated the presence, abundance, and location of raspberries within openings containing legacy trees and the resulting impacts on tree regeneration. During the winter of 2003, 49 openings were created of three sizes: small, medium, large and 20 reference single-tree selection sites in a northern hardwood stand in Ford Forest near Alberta, Michigan. Tree regeneration and vegetative species cover were recorded in 2005 and …
Methane Fluxes And Porewater Dissolved Organic Carbon Dynamics From Different Peatlands Types In The Pastaza-Marañon Basin Of The Peruvian Amazon., Jhon Del Aguila-Pasquel
Methane Fluxes And Porewater Dissolved Organic Carbon Dynamics From Different Peatlands Types In The Pastaza-Marañon Basin Of The Peruvian Amazon., Jhon Del Aguila-Pasquel
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Relevant components of the carbon budget such as methane fluxes and porewater dissolved organic carbon (DOC) are poorly characterized in the Peruvian Pastaza Marañon basin (PMB). PMB is associated with a tropospheric hotspot for methane and therefore it may represent a significant methane source. We aimed to quantify the magnitude of CH4 fluxes and porewater DOC; and to determine their predictors across different peatland types in the PMB (open peatland, palm swamp, and pole forest). The study was conducted in two peatland sites covering the three main vegetation types in PMB. We collected gas and water samples using chamber-based …
Models Of Forest Inventory For Istanbul Forest Using Airborne Lidar And Spaceborne Imagery, Mustafa Kagan Ozkal
Models Of Forest Inventory For Istanbul Forest Using Airborne Lidar And Spaceborne Imagery, Mustafa Kagan Ozkal
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Active remote sensing technology (LiDAR) and passive remote sensing technology (Pleiades and Göktürk-2 satellites) were used to find a meaningful relationship between ground data and remote sensing instruments for Istanbul Forest, Turkey. Two dominant species in the field, oak (deciduous trees) and maritime pine (coniferous trees), were researched. There were 86 plots total, 41 for maritime pine and 45 for oak. Three diameter at breast height (DBH) thresholds were studied. Trees of any DBH (DBH≥0.1 cm), trees ≥8 cm DBH thresholds and, trees ≥10 cm DBH thresholds. Both satellite image metrics were derived from Grey Level Co-occurrence Measures (GLCM). All …
The Effects Of Early Pruning On The Near-Ground Branch Density Of Four Live Fencing Species, Aric Devens
The Effects Of Early Pruning On The Near-Ground Branch Density Of Four Live Fencing Species, Aric Devens
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Crop losses in home gardens greatly impact the wellbeing of rural West African families. Herbivory by migratory or local livestock represents a significant source of crop loss. Live-fencing gardens with thorny hedges is a low-cost and sustainable strategy for reducing losses due to herbivory. However, guidance on the establishment of thorny hedges is inconsistent, poorly publicized, and often anecdotal. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of three early pruning treatments on near-ground branch density of four thorny species: Vachellia nilotica, Senegalia laeta, Senegalia mellifera, and Prosopis juliflora. Physical measurements and photographic data indicated that after one growing season, V. …
Development Of Gene-Based Microsatellite Markers In Acer Saccharum Marsh., Monica Harmon
Development Of Gene-Based Microsatellite Markers In Acer Saccharum Marsh., Monica Harmon
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh) is an important ecological and economic resource. Despite its significance, there are few molecular genetic resources available to date. This study used previously developed EST libraries generated for sugar maple and other hardwood species to develop and characterize EST-SSRs in sugar maple and test their transferability to other Acer species. Out of 58 markers tested, 22 showed amplification in the expected size range. From these, 16 polymorphic markers were selected to test transferability and 13 of these showed amplification in at least one other Acer species.
Evaluation Of Social License For The Forest Products Industry In Houghton County, Michigan, Will Lytle
Evaluation Of Social License For The Forest Products Industry In Houghton County, Michigan, Will Lytle
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
This research investigates how the local community grants social license to the forest products industry in Houghton County, Michigan. Interviews were conducted with industry and community stakeholders using a snowball sampling method to understand perspectives on the social license continuum. The viability of supply chains and individual industry sectors associated with forest resources in the county are largely governed by macroeconomics. However, there is a very local component that allows individual corporations to operate within the community. The data analysis, based on the interviews, focuses on understanding local perceptions of natural resource management and community relations. The results reflect social …
Effectiveness Of Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus Planipennis) Trap Placement In Relation To Forest Edges, Karen Cladas
Effectiveness Of Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus Planipennis) Trap Placement In Relation To Forest Edges, Karen Cladas
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Agrilus planipennis, Fairmaire (Order Coleoptera: Family Burprestidae), an invasive insect to North America has caused mortality and decline of millions of Fraxinus trees since its discovery in 2002. A study to evaluate purple prism trap effectiveness in low-to-moderate beetle densities in relation to road proximity and basal area of Fraxinus species was conducted in northern Michigan in 2013 and 2014. Transects of traps were established at set distances from roads during A. planipennis flight season. Analysis indicated a significant relationship between road proximity and trap effectiveness, with traps established on the road edge out-performing traps established in the forest interior. …
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 …
Beech Bark Disease Distribution And Resistance In Michigan And Fungal Endophyte Ecology Of Resistant And Susceptible Beech (Fagus Grandifolia Ehrh.), Rachel E. Griesmer-Zakhar
Beech Bark Disease Distribution And Resistance In Michigan And Fungal Endophyte Ecology Of Resistant And Susceptible Beech (Fagus Grandifolia Ehrh.), Rachel E. Griesmer-Zakhar
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open
Beech bark disease (BBD), a non-native association of the fungal pathogen Neonectria faginata and the beech scale insect Cryptococcus fagisuga, has dramatically affected American beech within North American forests. To monitor the spread and effects of BBD in Michigan, a network of forest health monitoring plots was established in 2001 following the disease discovery in Ludington State Park (Mason County). Forest health canopy condition and basic forestry measurements including basal area were reassessed on beech trees in these plots in 2011 and 2012. The influence of bark-inhabiting fungal endophytes on BBD resistance was investigated by collecting cambium tissue from …
Carbon In The Peatlands In The Great Lakes Region, Cassandra A. Ott
Carbon In The Peatlands In The Great Lakes Region, Cassandra A. Ott
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open
Peatlands cover only ~3% of the global land area, but store ~30% of the worlds' soil carbon. There are many different peat types that store different amounts of carbon. Most inventories of carbon storage in northern peatlands have been conducted in the expansive Sphagnum dominated peatlands. Although, northern white cedar peatlands (NW cedar, Thuja occidentalis L.) are also one of the most common peatland types in the Great Lakes Region, occupying more than 2 million hectares. NW cedar swamps are understudied, due in part to the difficulties in collection methods. General lack of rapid and consistent sampling methods has also …