Life Sciences Commons^™

Estimating Wildlife Biodiversity Of Pine Plantation Edges Of Contrasting Rotational Stages: A Case Study, Joshua Perry Harris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ESTIMATING WILDLIFE BIODIVERSITY OF PINE PLANTATION EDGES OF CONTRASTING ROTATIONAL STAGES: A CASE STUDY

By: Joshua Harris, Dr. Daniel Scognamillo, Dr. Gary Kronrad, and Dr. Jeremy Stovall

Abstract

Wildlife biodiversity was estimated amongst three loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) intra-plantation edge types of contrasting rotational phases in a two-year case study. Three structurally varied rotational phases that occur throughout plantation rotations combine to make three different edges: A= pre-thinned - post-thinned, B= pre-thinned - pre-clearcut, and C= post-thinned - pre-clearcut. For two summer seasons (May-August 2015-2016), invertebrates, birds, medium mammals, and small mammals were sampled in each edge type. …

Vegetation Community Changes In Two National Forests In The Pineywoods, East Texas, Trisha L. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite extensive research into forest succession, little research has been directed to long-term studies. The fundamental properties of succession remain unclear and further research into terrestrial vegetation and an accounting of drivers in specific ecosystem types is required. This study addresses change in plant communities from five ecosystem types in two east Texas National Forests over a 20-year period. An analysis of 30 sample stands yields results due to various ecosystem drivers of vegetation change and uncovers plant community responses in multiple ecosystem types over this period. This research provided three key results: 1) that vegetation composition change occurs more …

Interactive Effects Of Cover Crops, Invertebrate Communities And Soil Health In Corn Production Systems, Claire Lacanne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The adoption of regenerative farming practices is gaining traction, but the costs and benefits are not often considered on a systems level. Encouraging biodiversity and soil health is the goal of many agricultural practices used in regenerative farming; regenerative systems employ practices which abide by the two main principles of increasing biodiversity and decreasing disturbance, with the goal of encouraging ecosystem functioning to minimize inputs and maximize the productivity of a farm. I examined the management of corn (Zea mays) fields across four states in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. Regenerative systems in this study …