Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Two Basic Methodological Choices In Wildland Vegetation Inventories: Their Consequences And Implications, Donald Alan Shute

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In designing inventories of wildland vegetation, two of the many basic methodological choices are: 1) whether data are collected, reduced, and stored in discrete classes or as continuous variables, and 2) whether data are gathered as general purpose variables to bear upon many questions, or as specific purpose variables optimized for only one type of prediction. The effects of these two choices on accuracy of vegetation inventories to predict plant community production were examined by comparing regression models built upon differing sets of independent variables "inventoried" from a common data base. Contrary to expectations, discrete variables of classified community types …

Effects Of Forage Availability On Voluntary Intake And Feeding Behavior Of Grazing Heifers, Anastasios S. Nastis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Forage intake by animals is an important factor in determining production of livestock products from rangelands. However, relatively little is known of effects of such forage variables as availability and distribution in space upon intake. Even less is known about how the grazing animal modifies its feeding tactics when confronted with diminishing or limited supplies of available forage and how such altered behavior may affect the animal's energetic cost for existence. Forage intake, body weight gain, grazing time and biting rate of Angus heifers was related to forage availability and plant height on semiarid crested wheatgrass rangeland during the late …

Spectral Signature Studies For Application In Deer Census Using Remote Sensing Techniques, Maran C. Pate

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was performed to determine the spectral signatures of deer and their natural background elements for censusing purposes. Consideration was given to atmospheric transmittance, acceptable flying weather, and terrain. Possible spectral bands between 0.3 and 14.0 μm were obtained (over a pathlength of 1500 feet at an altitude of 5000 feet) based upon atmospheric transmittance using the LOWTRAN 3B computer program. They are: 0.30 - 1.33, 1.49 - 1.79, 2.00 - 2.50, 3.00 - 3.16, 3.38 - 4.10, 4.59 - 5.05, and 8.00 - 13.33 μm, for transmittance greater than 75%. Weather conditions are favorable for flying and taking …

Information Transfer And Regulation In A Model Ecosystem With Environmental Stochasticity, M. Mckee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The concept of regulation in ecosystems has been given considerable attention in the ecological literature, but no formal treatment has been offered. This study proposes a rigorous definition of regulation which is derived from the mathematics of information and communication theory. A theoretical, mathematical equivalent of the definition is also offered which implies serious limitations as to the value of most traditional laboratory population studies and deterministic population models in understanding regulation in ecosystems. The empirical validity of this theoretical equivalence is tested through use of a competition model of two diatoms. Other observations concerning the relationship between environmental variability …

Interrelationships Between Benthic Macroinvertebrates And Habitat In A Mountain Stream, John M. Payne

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study to determine habitat differences of benthic macroinvertebrates was conducted on the upper Strawberry River, Utah. The investigation was part of a large scale project to determine minimum stream flow requirements for trout. The effects of time, habitat, depth and velocity on the distribution of benthic fauna were evaluated.

Samples of benthic invertebrates (146 total) were collected every 2 months at 8 stations on the river from November, 1975 through August, 1976. Representatives of 59 taxa were collected. Eight taxa comprised 90 percent of the mean annual community standing crop in numbers. Biomass was not dominated by any group …

The Prairie Naturalist Vol. 11, No. 1. March, 1979

The Prairie Naturalist

ORIN ALVA STEVENS, A PRAIRIE NATURALIST ▪ G. Monson

FIRST RECORD OF LONG-TAILED JAEGER FOR NORTH DAKOTA ▪ T. Gatz and D. Treasure

NEW RECORDS OF THE DWARF SHREW (SOREX NANUS) IN SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ R. J. Cinq-Mars, R. S. Hoffmann and J. K. Jones, Jr.

THE ETHYLENE FROM BURNING LIGNITE AS A PROBABLE CAUSE OF COLUMNARITY IN NORTH DAKOTA JUNIPERS ▪ J. M. Murphy and D. J. Holden

CAMOUFLAGED COYOTE DEN ENTRANCES ▪ D. P. Althoff

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA - 1978 ▪ R.N. Randall

NOTES

An Upland Nest of the Virginia Rail in North …

Fisheries Report No 34 - The Status Of The Salt-Water Crocodile In The Glenelg, Prince Regent And Ord River Systems, Kimberley, Western Australia, A. A. Burbidge, H. Messel

Fisheries Research Reports

Counts were made of Salt-water Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in the estuarine portions of the Glenelg, Prince Regent and Ord River systems of the Kimberley Division, Western Australia. During the survey 581 crocodiles were seen, including 143 hatchlings. The number of non-hatchling crocodiles in present the Glenelg system is estimated to be 200 to 259, in the Prince Regent 190 to 246 and in the Ord 235 to 306 (95% confidence limits).

The number of non-hatchling crocodiles present in the six Kimberley river systems now counted is estimated to be between 957 and 1243 (95% confidence limits) and we believe that …

The Distribution Of Cadmium, Chromium And Lead In Crabs, Clams And Oysters From Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana, Fritz Jaenike

Masters Theses

In November 1978, specimens of oysters (Crassostrea virginica), clams (Rangia cuneata), crabs (Callinectes sapidus) and water and sediment samples were collected from Calcasieu Estuary, Louisiana. The concentrations of cadmium, chromium and lead were determined in the samples with an inductively coupled argon plasma direct reading emission spectrophotometer. Crab claw muscle, gill and carapace tissues were analyzed separately. Oysters and clams were separated into shell and whole soft tissue samples which were analyzed separately. The concentration order of the metals in crab carapace and in oyster shells was similar to that of the sediments, (Pb …

Niobrara-Missouri River Fishery Investigations, Larry W. Hesse, Gene Zeurlein, Roger Vancil, Leonard Koziol, Brad Newcomb, Leigh Ann Retelsdorf

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: Publications

The Niobrara River heads in the table lands of eastern Wyoming and flows 786 kilometers (km) eastward across Nebraska joining the Missouri River near the town of Niobrara, Nebraska. The Niobrara is the largest Missouri River tributary between the last two mainstem impoundments (Lake Francis Case and Lewis and Clark Lake). Fish movement up the Niobrara is prevented by Nebraska Public Power District's (NPPD's) Spencer Hydroelectric Dam, 63.3 km upstream from the river mouth. The lower reach of the river is turbid and carries a considerable load of sand, silt, and organic debris into the Missouri River. The mean annual …

Nebraska Rainbow Trout, Nebraska Game And Parks, G. Zeurlein, L. Hesse, J. Seeb, L. Wishard

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: Publications

Chapter 1 Lethal and Preferred Temperatures of Lake McConaughy Rainbow Trout Versus Domestic Strain Rainbow Trout By R. Vancil, G. Zuerlein and L. Hesse

Chapter 2 A Nitrifying Filter-Cooling Condenser System for Total Water Re-use in Cold-Water Fish Holding or Rearing Applications By L. Hesse, G. Zuerlein and R. Vancil

Chapter 3 Biochemical Genetic Analysis of Two Strains of Nebraska Rainbow Trout By J. Seeb and L. Wishard

The self-sustaining rainbow trout population living in Lake Mcconaughy and the North Platte River tributaries is unique to the Great Plains region. The population spends most of its adult life in the …

Additional Comments On Reproductive Strategies And Population Fluctuations In Microtine Rodents, Michael S. Gaines, William M. Schaffer, Robert K. Rose

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Recently, Schaffer and Tamarin (1973) proposed a model relating changes in reproductive effort (RE) to fluctuating densities in microtine rodents (lemmings and voles). They assumed (and presented data supporting this assumption) that the major effect of increased crowding would be a reduction in survival among prereproductives, thereby lowering the effective fecundity (Schaffer and Rosenzweig 1977) of their parents. As a consequence, Schaffer and Tamarin argued that the optimal reproductive expenditure, E(N), should decline with increasing population size, N. They also deduced the shape of the zero-growth isocline, N*(E), for differing levels of RE and plotted both E(N) and N*(E) on …

Sand Dune Project Stabilises Erosion, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Read how the Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service and the Department of Conservation and Environment worked with the Rockingham Shire to upgrade the road and protect the sand dunes.

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 10, Number 4. December 1978

The Prairie Naturalist

THE ORNITHOGEOGRAPHY OF THE GREAT PLAINS STATES ▪ Paul A. Johnsgard

CAPTURE OF GRAY PARTRIDGE BY FALCONRY IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ John W. Schulz

INCUBATION RHYTHMS AND EGG TEMPERATURES OF AN AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL AND A RENESTING PINTAIL ▪ Alan D. Afton

TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF SPRING MIGRATION OF YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ Richard D. Crawford

CHECKLIST OF NORTH DAKOTA MAMMALS: COMMENTS ON STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIES ▪ Robert W. Seabloom

NOTE

First Nesting Record of Cattle Egret and Little Blue Heron in North Dakota ▪ Lloyd A. Jones

BOOK REVIEWS

Geese of the World ▪ Carl E. …

The Prairie Naturalist Vol. 10, No. 3. September 1978

The Prairie Naturalist

NOTES ON DISTRIBUTION OF THREE SPECIES OF MAMMALS IN SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ J. K. Jones, Jr., J. R. Choate and R. B. Wilhelm

A MID-CONTINENT IRRUPTION OF CANADA LYNX, 1962-63 ▪ H. L. Gunderson

CHECKLIST OF NORTH DAKOTA MAMMALS (REVISED) ▪ J. M. Wiebe and J. F. Cassel

DECLINE OF YEAR-CLASS STRENGTH OF BUFFALO FISHES IN LAKE SAKAKAWEA, NORTH DAKOTA ▪ D. W. Willis and J. B. Owen

NOTE

Pileated Woodpecker Eating Russian Olive Fruits ▪ R. S. McVoy

BOOK REVIEWS

Birds of the Prairie Provinces ▪ W. J. Maher

Wildlife of the Prairies ▪ C. R. Grondahl

Distribution Patterns …

The Prairie Naturalist Vol. 10, No. 2. June 1978

The Prairie Naturalist

ANALYSIS OF THE FLEHMEN DISPLAY IN AMERICAN BISON (BISON BISON) ▪ B. R. Mahan, M. P. Munger and H. L. Gunderson

AVIAN MORTALITY CAUSED BY A SEPTEMBER WIND AND. HAIL STORM ▪ K. F. Higgins and M. A. Johnson

DISTRIBUTION OF TWO SPECIES OF LONG-EARED BATS OF THE GENUS MYOTIS ON THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS ▪ J. K. Jones, Jr. and J. R. Choate

ALFALFA AND THE OCCURRENCE OF FISSURES ON THE NORTH DAKOTA PRAIRIES ▪ J. P. Bluemle, A. E Kehew, E. A. Brostuen and K. L. Harris

NOTES

An Observation of Badger Predation on Richardson Ground Squirrels ▪ …

A Discriminant Function Model Of Gray-Headed Junco Habitat, Andrew R. Grainger

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This paper presents a description of gray-headed junco habitat in the form of a model based on discriminant function analysis. Junco nests were found by searching randomly located grids on a 7.8 km² study area in central Utah. Vegetation data was gathered on 500 m² circular plots surrounding nests and contrasted with similar data from searched grids where nests were not found. The model explains 28 percent of the between-groups variance and correctly classifies 68 percent of the plots.

Plant cover types are good predictors of areas where gray-headed juncos nest, while plant community type descriptions do not …

Conflict In Outdoor Recreation, Gerald R. Jacob

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The causes of conflict among users of outdoor recreation resources have received little attention from recreation researchers. Knowledge of factors responsible for conflict might assist recreation planners' attempts to reduce future instances of conflict and help management focus its conflict resolution efforts. A theory of conflict is offered as the first step in systematically procuring such knowledge. A definition and characteristics of outdoor recreation conflicts are presented; four comprehensive causes of user conflicts are proposed. Ten propositions are used to link these factors to conflict and suggest future research hypotheses. The social psychological dynamics of conflict, as described here, have …

Adaptive Significance Of Lactate Dehydrogenase B2 Isozymes In Rainbow Trout, Salmo Gairdneri And A Biochemical Genetic Comparison Of Cutthroat Trout (Salmo Clarki) Populations, Gerald Thomas Klar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Rainbow trout lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) B²' B²' , B²' B²" and B²" B²" phenotypes were tested under a variety of conditions for swimming endurance, oxygen consumption rates, and blood pH, pO₂, and lactate. The B²" B²" phenotype exhibited a lower swimming endurance, under a limited oxygen supply, than the B²' B²' and B²' B²" phenotypes. Blood pH at fatigue did not differ among the LOH phenotypes that swam under low oxygen conditions (2 mg/1). …

Plant Succession Studies On Subalpine Acid Mine Spoils In The Beartooth Mountains, Patricia Lea Howard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Large areas within alpine and subalpine tundra have been by disturbed by mining during this century. The most promising method for retarding deterioration of these areas is revegetation with native species through both seeding and transplants. One natural process of revegetation which occurs on portions of many existing disturbances seems to be the establishment of a few species that expand with time to form matts of plants.

At the McLaren Mine, located at 3000 m elevation in the Beartooth Mountains, Montana, active succession is occurring and is dominated by Carex species. Seed viability and successional patterns studies were conducted on …

Population Dynamics And Net Production Of Brown Trout (Salmo Trutta) In Two Areas Of A High Gradient Mountain Stream, Jeffrey C. Gosse

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Estimates of the brown trout (Salmo trutta) population were made in two areas of the Blacksmith Fork River, Cache County, Utah, from June 1972 to June 1973. Additional data were obtained on movement, growth, mortality, biomass, production, and yield.

Population density was highly variable in the area where habitat alterations had occurred, but was relatively uniform where the habitat was undisturbed. The brown trout exhibited little movement except during spawning season. Instantaneous growth and mortality rates are provided for each age group.

Mean annual biomass in the two areas was 12.0 and 10.2 grams per square meter and …

The Prairie Naturalist Vol. 10. No. 1 March. 1978

The Prairie Naturalist

KEY TO THE SKULLS OF NORTH DAKOTA MAMMALS ▪ J. M. Wiebe

RESPONSES OF PRAIRIE GROUSE TO AVIAN AND MAMMALIAN VISITORS ON DISPLAY GROUNDS IN NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA ▪ D. W. Sparling, Jr. and W. D. Svedarsky

FIRST NESTING RECORD OF THE CASPIAN TERN IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ J. F. Herman, R. A. Schmidt and K. J. Wilson

MARSH HAWK PREDATION ON BLACK TERN AND PECTORAL SANDPIPER ▪ G. D. Maxson

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA—1977 ▪ R. N. Randall

BOOK REVIEW

Audubon Society "Field Guides" ▪ D. L. Kubischta

Studies On The Role Of Solar Ultraviolet Radiation In "Natural" Water Purification By Aquatic Ecosystems, John Calkins, Jeanne A. Barcelo, Perry Grigsby, Stephen Martin

KWRRI Research Reports

The possibility that pollution might deplete the stratospheric ozone layer and intensify solar UV at the earth's surface focuses attention on the role of solar UV in the various ecosystems at the earth's surface. Previous studies suggested that solar UV might contribute to bacterial die off in wastewater and the studies reported here were directed toward elucidating the action of solar UV in "natural" waters.

It has been assumed that solar UV action on aquatic ecosystems can be evaluated (using proper models) on the basis of the following four independently measurable quantities: I) the intensity of solar UV at the …

Ten-Year Index To The Prairie Naturalist Vols. 1-10 (1968-1978), Virginia Steinhaus

The Prairie Naturalist

11 pages

From: ACANTHOMYOPS CLAVIGER,

to: Zink, R.M.,

A Matter Of Understanding: An Environmental Protection Agency Film On Coyotes, F. Robert Henderson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

This movie gives facts concerning the coyote. A better understanding of other living things will determine how responsibly we make adjustments in the environment and govern the earth we share with the coyote and other creatures.

Aspects Of Reproduction And Population Dynamics Of Bobcats In Wyoming, Douglas M. Crowe

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Distribution of the bobcat includes the 48 contiguous United States and limited occupance of southern Canada and northern Mexico. There are 11 subspecies, the one in Wyoming being Lynx rufus pallescens. Bobcats inhabit an amazing variety of habitat types, from northern boreal forests, southern swamp, and cane regions to the below sea level desert of Death Valley, California. Throughout this vast area, they utilize a wide variety of prey species. One study in Wyoming revealed at least 18 different species in the stomachs of bobcats; the cottontail rabbit being predominant. A similar study in New England revealed 20 different …

The Biology Of Coprinus Radians, Ozonium, Oidium, And Their Interrelationships, Thomas J. Fahey

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The pleomorphism of Coprinus radians was studied. The three distinct growth forms--sporophore, oidial stage, and ozonium stage--were examined in relation to ultrastructure, morphology and development. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy are correlated with photomicrographs of developmental stages. Development of the oidia and of the sporophore are of particular interest. The multinucleate oidia develop quite differently from oidia as generally described for Basidiomycete imperfect stages. Development of the oidia of this Coprinus is holoblastic and sympodial. The mushroom primordia are differentiated internally into gill, cap, and stipe hyphae while only l-2mm in diameter. At this stage they look superficially like sclerotial …

Beach Vegetation And Oceanic Processes Study Of Popham State Park Beach, Reid State Park Beach, And Small Pt. Beach, Philip Trudeau, Paul J. Godfrey, Barry S. Timson

Maine Collection

Beach Vegetation and Oceanic Processes Study of Popham State Park Beach, Reid State Park Beach, and Small Pt. Beach

by Philip Trudeau, Paul J. Godfrey and Barry S. Timson

"Prepared Under Cooperative Agreement Between the Maine Department of Conservation and the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, September 1977."

On Cover: Time and Tide Resource Conservation and Development Project.

Contents: List of Figures / List of Tables / Introduction / Plant Community Research / Oceanic Processes / Historic Analysis of Barrier Beach Movement and Erosion / Dune Dynamics / Suggestions for Long Term Management / Appendices A - …

The Prairie Naturalist Vol. 9, Nos. 3 And 4. September-December, 1977

The Prairie Naturalist

UPLAND NESTING OF AMERICAN BITTERNS, MARSH HAWKS, AND SHORT-EARED OWLS ▪ H. F. Duebbert and J. T. Lokemoen

ROADSIDE NESTING BY PRAIRIE GROUSE IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA ▪ W. D. Svedarsky

BOHEMIAN WAXWING POPULATIONS AND WINTER ECOLOGY IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ E. L. Bakke

AGEING ARCHAEOLOGICAL BISON BY DENTAL ANNULI ▪ J. C. Pigage and M. G. McKenna

COMPARISON OF COYOTE AND COYOTE X DOG HYBRID FOOD HABITS IN SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA ▪ B.R. Mahan

NOTES

Abnormal Mid-May Occurrence of White-fronted Geese in Sheridan County, North Dakota ▪ D.P. Kibbe and J. A. Roppe

Common Grackle Preys on Spotted Sandpiper Chick ▪ …

A Seasonal Study Of Phytoplankton Composition Abundance And Productivity In Back Bay, Virginia, Robert Ringgold Comegys

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Phytoplankton samples were collected monthly (August 1974-June 1975) at two stations in the Back Bay system of southeastern Virginia. Measurements of phytoplankton productivity and potentially influencing environmental parameters (water and air temperature, turbidity, depth, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen) accompanied sample collections. A total of 106 phytoplankton species, representing six algal divisions and 54 genera were identified. Cyanophyta species were dominant at both stations in the warmer months of August, September, October, and June, and in April at one station only. In all remaining months, Chlorophyta species were dominant, indicating a seasonal shift in phytoplankton composition during winter and spring. The …

Limnological Aspects Of Lake Mead, Nevada-Arizona, John R. Baker, James E. Deacon, Thomas A. Burke, Samuel S. Egdorf, Larry J. Paulson, Richard W. Tew, Bureau Of Reclamation

Publications (WR)

Lake Mead is a deep, subtropical, moderately productive, desert impoundment with a negative heterograde oxygen profile occurring during; the summer stratification. investigations of the Boulder Basin of Lake Mead by the University of Nevada were initiated in November 1971. The primary objective of the study was to determine what effects industrial and sewage effluent from the Las Vegas metropolitan area, discharged into Las Vegas Bay, have had on the water quality and limnological conditions of Boulder Basin. Data from the 1975-76 period are presented in detail, with earlier data included in the summaries and discussions. Measurements of water temperature, dissolved …