Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Early Life History Of The Mountain Whitefish Prosopium Williamsoni (Girard) In The Logan River, Utah, Lawrence Guy Brown

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Growth and food habits of 399 Age 0 mountain whitefish from the Logan River, Utah, were studied between March, 1970, and April, 1971. At the end of their first six months of life, whitefish were 86-96 mm total length and weighed 6-8 grams (wet). Total temperature experience was 2,950-3,430 degree-days above 32° F. The length-weight relationship for Age 0 mountain whitefish was best described by three stanzas with slopes of 4.3333 for fish 12.5-17.0 mm total length, 3.4437 for fish 17.0-55.0 mm total length, and 2.8043 for fish 50.0-112.0 mm total length. Scalation commenced at 30-35 mm total length and …

Population Ecology Of Uinta Ground Squirrels, Norman A. Slade

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The behavior and ecology of Uinta ground squirrels (Spermophilus armatus) at the Utah State University Forestry Field Station northeast of Logan, Utah were studied from 1964-1971 to determine the role of behavior in population regulation. From 1965 to 1968, data were collected to establish population norms. In 1968, the population density was reduced experimentally to help elucidate regulatory processes. This paper compares the dynamics of the population before and after the population reduction.

Before the density reduction, juvenile survival was lower than that of yearlings and adults. The disappearance of juveniles was associated with their tendency to disperse …

Population Biology Of The Black-Tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus Californicus) In Northern Utah, L. Charles Stoddart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Population biology of the black-tailed jackrabbit population on a 250-square-mile area in Curlew Valley, northern Utah, was studied from 1962-70. During this period the fall population density index increased from 40.0 in 1962, to 60.6 in 1963, decreased progressively to a low of 21.2 in 1967, then increased the following 3 years to a high of 185.0 in 1970.

Breeding was synchronous with four conception periods each year; in some years a fifth conception period was evident. The first conception period occurred about the last half of January; other periods followed at 40-day intervals indicating a 40-day gestation period and …

An Analysis Of Stock Densities And Harvest Of The Cutthroat Trout Of The Snake River, Teton County, Wyoming, John W. Kiefling

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

An intensive creel census and marking program was conducted in 1969 and 1970 to make possible population estimates and estimates of harvest of cutthroat trout in the Snake River in Teton County, Wyoming. Stock density determinations made in one of the five study areas provided an estimate of 400 and 992 cutthroat trout, eight inches or more in length, per mile of stream in 1969 and 1970 respectively.

Harvest data provide an estimate of 5,207 and 5,903 cutthroat trout harvested in 1969 and 1970 respectively. The harvest estimates obtained in this study are not comparable to those made in 1967 …

Influence Of A Soil Microfloral Crust On Hydrologic And Chemical Properties Of Soils In Southeastern Utah, Walter L. Loope

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Cryptogamic soil crusts within the Colorado Plateau were studied to determine their effect on infiltration rates, potential sediment production, permeability, and several chemical properties of the soil. Six different crust stages were identified. Undisturbed soil cores were used to determine intrinsic permeability under three treatments and disturbed soil samples were analyzed for pH, percent organic matter, soil texture, Ca+Mg content and total conductivity.

It was found that the cryptogamic crust had little effect on soil chemical properties. Analysis of undisturbed soil core data indicates that high cryptogamic cover tends to decrease intrinsic permeability; this effect was reinforced when cores were …

Forest Fuel Accumulation -- A Growing Problem, Marvin Dodge

The Bark Beetles, Fuels, and Fire Bibliography

Discusses the problem caused by accumulation of forest fuels in the wild-land forests of the western USA under the policy of total fire protection pursued there for many years, and emphasizes the need to find economical and practical ways of reducing fuel hazards in these forests, especially by means of prescribed burning under conditions in which low-intensity fires can be achieved.

Natural Succession In North-Central Minnesota, Henry L. Hansen, Vilis Kurmis

Aspen Bibliography

No abstract provided.

Aldo Leopold's "Land Ethic": An Ecological Extension Of Albert Schweitzer's "Reverence For Life", John Lee Weaver

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

As a member of the world community, and in the process of becoming a professional ecologist, I have begun a search for a personal ecological ethic to guide my actions. Two of the paths I have taken in my search are Albert Schweitzer's Reverence for Life ethic and Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic. They are relevant because each has extended the scope of ethics beyond Homo Sapiens. Their thoughts, with similarities and dissimilarities, form herein my travels.

An Allometric Model For Bole Biomass Estimates Of Spruce And Aspen In Southwestern Colorado, Thomas D. Landis

Aspen Bibliography

No abstract provided.

Aspen Minnesota's No. 1 Tree, George Rossman, Bob Rossman, Allen Rossman

Aspen Bibliography

For thousands of years after the last glaciers disappeared from northern Minnesota, the forces of nature worked to develop a magnificent forest of predominantly white and red pine. Stands of big pines covered more than 5 million acres.

Deer And Aspen, American Box Board Co.

Aspen Bibliography

He's a big eater.

Economic Operability - Factors Affecting Harvest And Transport Costs, Dennis P. Bradley, Frank E. Biltonen

Aspen Bibliography

No abstract provided.

Spawning And Early Life History Of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides) In Wahweap Bay, Lake Powell, Kent D. Miller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Spawning time and habitat of largemouth bass, survival of embryos, and growth and food habits of fingerlings were studied in 1968 and 1969 at Wahweap Bay, Lake Powell. Spawning began in mid- to late-April, when mean daily water temperature at nesting depths was 14.4-15.0 Centigrade (58-59 Fahreheit), and continued until mid-June. Most spawning took place on the northeast shore of the bay. Sandstone rubble was the most commonly used bottom type for nesting, either at the base of ledges or around large sandstone boulders. Mean nest depth increased from 1.63 meter to 4.54 meters (5.36 feet to 14.90 feet) in …

The Nitrogen Budget Of Two Salt Desert Shrub Plant Communities Of Western Utah, Richard S. Bjerregaard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The nitrogen budgets of Eurotia lanata (Pursh.) Moq. and Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. and Frem.) S. Wats salt desert shrub plant communities were investigated. In each, a complete biomass and organic nitrogen inventory was made. In addition, investigations of the nitrogen fixation potential of soil surface microflora and inorganic soil nitrogen relationships were carried out.

Greater total biomass and organic nitrogen was found in the above-ground portions, annual shoot productivity, and litter of the Atriplex community. However, the Atriplex community was exceeded by the Eurotia community in root biomass. Roots accounted for 74 and 87 percent of the plant biomass and …

Ecological Life History Of Rudbeckia Occidentalis Nutt, Juan Arturo Florez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Phenological studies of coneflower on aspen range in Northern Utah showed that resumption of growth of mature plants begins at the time of snow melt and the initial or rosette stage is completed between mid-May and mid- June. The rate of growth in this stage is controlled by temperature, being greater at higher mean temperatures. The bolting stage is completed about 1 week after the initiation of stem elongation and the process of capitulum development is begun. Flowering is initiated between late July and mid- August. Cross-pollination is necessary for seed set which is completed by the end of August. …

Spring And Summer Habitat Preferences Of Blue Grouse On The Bear River Range, Utah, Robert M. Maestro

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study of the spring and summer habitat preferences of blue grouse was conducted on the Bear River Range in northern Utah. The main objective was to determine the important factors associated with habitat selection by blue grouse during the breeding season.

One hundred and two sampling areas, delimited by similarities in vegetation and topography, were thoroughly searched with a dog for blue grouse. Fifty-four biological and physical variables were measured for each sampling area.

Chi-square tests performed on all variables showed 11 of the 54 variables to be significant at an alpha of 0.20. These 11 variables (listed below) …

Ecology Of Badgers In Curlew Valley, Utah And Idaho With Emphasis On Movement And Activity Patterns, Frederick G. Lindzey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Between March, 1969 and July, 1970, 16 badgers (Taxidea taxus) were caught and fitted with radio transmitters in the southern part of Curlew Valley. The animals were followed telemetrically; seven animals contributed sufficient data from which home-range, movement and activity patterns could be discerned. The aver age annual home-range size of five females was 664 acres (± s.d. 99 .5 acres). Female home-range sizes were approximately the same within crested wheat-grass (Agropyron aristatum) and sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) vegetation types, with greater distances traveled each night by females in the crested wheat-grass. Both home-range size and total movement were less …

Preliminary Estimates Of Bark Percentages And Chemical Elements In Complete Trees Of Eight Species In Maine, Harold E. Young

Aspen Bibliography

Five tables were prepared to show the relative amount of bark on each of the tree components, the concentration and range of 12 chemical elements in the bark of each tree component, the proportion of each of the chemical elements in the bark of that element in the complete tree, and the proportion of each element in the bark as compared to the wood and bark of the merchantable bole. There is an overall 4:6:1 wood to bark ratio, but due to the higher concentration of the elements in the bark, the proportion of the elements in the bark is …

Field Observations On The Biology Of Mimulus Guttatus Dc. In Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Barbara L. Rice

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The response of Mimulus guttatus DC. to its unusual thermal habitat in Yellowstone Park is described. Although populations within the park are usually observed in thermal areas, no evidence indicates that they are restricted to thermal soils. The median temperature for soils of natural populations is about 26 C. Populations are distributed in both acidic and basic thermal areas. Success of the species in the thermal soils is facilitated by rapid vegetative growth, allowing fluctuation in population size or position with changes in soil temperature. Water availability is a critical limiting factor in distribution and lack of water tends to …

Interception Per Canopy In A Multi-Storied Largetooth Aspem Community, John R. Clements

Aspen Bibliography

No abstract provided.

Measurement Of Throughfall At Two Levels In A Young Aspen Stand, J.R. Clements

Aspen Bibliography

The purpose of this report is to compare measurements of the quantity of throughfall at two different heights above ground level in a seven-year-old sucker stand of largetooth aspen (Populus grandidentata Michx.) This comparison defines the influence rain splash from the forest floor has on the quantity of throughfall catch of trough rain gauges placed on the forest floor.

Net Rainfall In A Multi-Storied Aspen Forest Community, J.R. Clements

Aspen Bibliography

This paper presents mathematical equations describing the relationships between the amount of net rain per storm under each crown canopy and the amount of gross rain per storm in a multi-storied forest community. The relationships were curvilinear and accounted for gradual filling of the storage capacity of the vegetation. The rate of increase of net rainfall was successively less for each crown canopy in turn starting with the uppermost canopy in the forest. The equation coefficients varied in respect of the position of the crown canopies in the vegetal profile and also in respect of variations in vegetal structure within …

Drift Of Oligophlebodes Sigma And Baetis Bicaudatus In A Mountain Stream, William Dean Pearson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objective of this study was to clarify the relationships between drift rates, population density, production rates, key environmental factors, and movements of adults within two populations of stream insects (a caddisfly--Oligophlebodes sigma and a mayfly--Baetis bicaudatus).

Samples of benthic invertebrates (424 total) were collected every 28 days at four stations on Temple Fork of the Logan River, Utah, from October, 1967 to September, 1969. Samples of drift invertebrates (181 total) were collected every 14 days at three stations on Temple Fork during the same period. During summer months (June-September) a day and a night drift sample …

Evaluation Of Molting Areas Of Great Basin Canada Geese, Paul D. Arneson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Environmental factors at Neponset and Woodruff Narrows reservoirs were evaluated to determine their effects on molting Canada geese. More geese utilized Woodruff Narrows. Geese apparently favored the larger expanse of open water and adequate food supply.

Most of the molting geese were from the Bear River drainage. Some geese came from scattered areas in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. After molting, the geese flew to migration staging areas in southeastern Idaho before migrating to wintering areas in southern California and Arizona.

Females outnumbered males by 6 percent. The mean annual mortality rate for adult geese was 42 percent. Recovery rates …

Effects Of Starvation And Time At Stocking On Survival Of Stocked Rainbow Trout, Salmo Gairdneri, Marlin John Bricker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Investigations of effects of starvation and time at stocking on the survival of catchable rainbow trout in two areas of Mammoth Creek in Dixie National Forest, Utah, were conducted from May 24 to December 6, 1969. Fish were starved for 6 days and 1 day and stocked in the morning (5:40-7:00 a.m.) and in the afternoon (1:45-5:30 p.m.). Out of 7,000 tagged fish stocked, 4,751 tags were returned by fishermen. The 6-day starved fish, stocked in the morning returned to the creel in highest numbers (1,240); followed by 1-day starved, afternoon-stocked fish (1,194); 6-day starved, afternoon-stocked fish (1,163); and 1-day …

Fire Weather : A Guide For Application Of Meteorological Information To Forest Fire Control Operations, Mark J. Schroeder, Charles C. Buck

The Bark Beetles, Fuels, and Fire Bibliography

Weather is never static. It is always dynamic. Its interpretation is an art. The art of applying complex information about weather to the equally complex task of wildland fire control cannot be acquired easily-especially not by the mere reading of a book. The environment is in control in wildland firefighting. Free-burning fires are literally nourished by weather elements, atmospheric components, and atmospheric motion. Outguessing mother nature in order to win control is an extremely difficult task. We need to soothe her with understanding. We have attempted to present information in such a way that your daily and seasonal awareness of …

Effects Of Phenylmercuric Acetate On The Transpiration And Physiology Of Quaking Aspen, Kenneth O. Higginbotham

Aspen Bibliography

No abstract provided.

Natural Regeneration Of White Spruce Under Spruce-Aspen Shelterwood, B-18a Forest Section, Alberta, J. C. Lees

Aspen Bibliography

No abstract provided.

Microenvironmental Effects Of Erosion Control Treatments On Seedling Survival In A Southeastern Utah Salt Desert Area, Ross W. Wein

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study of the microclimate of erosion control treatments was carried out in two habitat types in a semiarid southeastern Utah, salt desert shrub area. The soils are highly eroded Mancos shale and support a low density of salt desert shrub species which offers little protection against high intensity summer convectional rainstorms.

Gully plugs and contour furrows had been installed by the Bureaus of Reclamation and Land Management to prevent runoff of soil laden water which results from these summer rainfalls. Formerly this sediment was carried to the Colorado River and deposited in Lake Powell.

The purpose to t he …

Rates Of Algal Production And Sphaerotilus Assimilation In The Logan River, Utah, Gary D. Beers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The rates of algal production and Sphaerotilus assimilation in the lower Logan River benthos were investigated in 1966 and 1967.

The rate of annual gross primary production (3,416 Kcal/m²/yr) was estimated from the relation of pigments to the photosynthetic rate of benthic communities in a submersible, metabolism chamber. The photosynthetic rate was predicted with high precision when a measure of the accessory pigments (D480/D665 and/or chlorophyll-c) was considered with the chlorophyll-a. The pigment density estimates were obtained from the community present on paraffin-coated, concrete hemispheres after immersion in the river for periods ranging from 11 to 20 …