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Articles 31 - 60 of 342
Full-Text Articles in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
The Influence Of Bottom-Up And Top-Down Effects On The Density And Distribution Of Common Leopards In The Eastern Himalayas, Karma Choki
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) are widely distributed across Asia, yet their conservation is overshadowed by the conservation status of other flagship predators like tigers (Panthera tigris), in the Eastern Himalayas. Despite their ability to coexist with other large carnivores, leopard populations are shaped by intricate ecological interactions and increasing human pressures. This thesis investigates the abundance and density, habitat use, and drivers of persistence of leopards across Bhutan to inform multi-species carnivore conservation planning. My first chapter provides an overview of the ecological roles of large carnivores and how they persist on the landscape. I review the mechanisms that facilitate …
The Spatial And Temporal Dimensions Of Plant–Soil Feedback In Native Perennial Monocultures, Bret Lang
The Spatial And Temporal Dimensions Of Plant–Soil Feedback In Native Perennial Monocultures, Bret Lang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) describe how plants change their soil environment in ways that can either negatively or positively affect subsequent plant growth. In doing so, they offer an opportunity to connect ecological processes with agricultural practice. My dissertation examines PSFs created by native perennial monocultures, commonly used for native seed production, across time and space, and through soil legacies. Specifically, I focus on how plant species identity shapes both soil nutrient and soil microbial community responses. To address these questions, I conducted field experiments with monocultures of five forb species native to South Dakota and established plots with these species …
Evaluating Dietary Consequences On Body Mass And Thermal Heat Flux Of North American Bison (Bison Bison) Yearling Heifers, Kendall Marie Wald
Evaluating Dietary Consequences On Body Mass And Thermal Heat Flux Of North American Bison (Bison Bison) Yearling Heifers, Kendall Marie Wald
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
No abstract provided.
Testing The Effect Of Source And Environment On Native Seed Germination To Inform Seed-Based Restoration Of Grasslands, Brandon Clark
Testing The Effect Of Source And Environment On Native Seed Germination To Inform Seed-Based Restoration Of Grasslands, Brandon Clark
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet, and they provide a variety of important ecosystem services that people rely on. Losses of grasslands can be mitigated through restoration. Seed-based restoration is a regularly used practice due to its practicality and cost-effectiveness. Planting non-local seed that may not be suitable for its destination environment can have consequences in plant establishment and subsequent restoration success. This experiment tested the response (final germination and germination rate) of seed from 11 perennial tallgrass species sourced from 3 different locations to different germination temperature conditions. Seeds from three sources of each …
Prospective Use Of Detection Dogs As A Screening Tool For Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae In Bighorn Sheep (Ovis Canadensis), Michele C. Lovara
Prospective Use Of Detection Dogs As A Screening Tool For Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae In Bighorn Sheep (Ovis Canadensis), Michele C. Lovara
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is a bacterium that can spill over from domestic sheep (Ovis aries) to bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), with effects in bighorn sheep ranging from low to no lamb recruitment to whole-herd all-age die-offs from resulting pneumonia. Fast and reliable pathogen or disease detection is essential for managing outbreaks in bighorn sheep and emergences in affected populations. Detection dogs are increasingly being enlisted to close gaps and further complement various disease, pathogen and virus research and response efforts. This thesis explores the use of conservation detection dogs as a potential tool for M. ovipneumoniae surveillance in bighorn sheep through …
One Rung At A Time: Climbing The Ladder Toward Aquatic Connectivity In Eastern South Dakota, Evan Spencer
One Rung At A Time: Climbing The Ladder Toward Aquatic Connectivity In Eastern South Dakota, Evan Spencer
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Roads and streams are synonymous with their connection to movement, the acquisition of resources, and as pathways to new opportunities. However, the factors that define good roads and ecologically connected streams are rarely without conflict. Road infrastructure at stream-road crossings has the potential to fragment stream networks. Tube culverts, where streams pass under the road through metal pipes, are particularly concerning for stream connectivity. Undersized, aging, or inappropriately installed culverts can develop vertical drops at the outflow due to high velocities and stream bed scouring. The outlet drop can function as a barrier, preventing the upstream movement of fish. Due …
Quantifying Avian And Vegetation Communities On Agricultural Conservation Easement Wetlands In Eastern South Dakota, Katherine Millman
Quantifying Avian And Vegetation Communities On Agricultural Conservation Easement Wetlands In Eastern South Dakota, Katherine Millman
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The Prairie Pothole Region of eastern South Dakota contains numerous small depressional wetlands, colloquially known as potholes, that provide important ecosystem services, including water storage, water quality improvement, and wildlife habitat. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) was established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to protect and restore wetlands and grasslands on private land through easements such as Wetland Reserve Easements. Although ACEP requires management practices intended to maintain or improve habitat quality, few studies have evaluated their effectiveness at supporting wildlife communities and vegetation integrity. To address this gap, we evaluated wetlands at 30 ACEP sites and 20 …
In The Footsteps Of Moose: Using Non-Invasive Techniques To Identify Cause-Specific Calf Mortalities And Evaluate Moose (Alces Alces) Movements Pertaining To Mineral Lick Locations On Ancestral Lands Of The Grand Portage Ojibwe, Anna B. Weesies
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Following a sharp moose (Alces alces; mooz, Anishinaabemowin, Ojibwe language) population decline in northeastern Minnesota during the early 2000s, the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa initiated a long-term moose collaring effort to assess survival and mortality causes. Moose are a culturally important species to the Band, with annual subsistence hunts held on the Reservation and adjacent 1854 Ceded Territory. Continued research guides culturally appropriate management decisions aimed at bolstering calf and adult survival, helping to preserve this moose in Minnesota today and for subsequent generations. Chapter 1 identifies cause-specific calf mortality rates in this multi-predator system using minimally …
Characterizing A Free-Roaming Cat Population To Predict Predation Of Threatened Species In An Island Ecosystem, Sarah Gheida
Characterizing A Free-Roaming Cat Population To Predict Predation Of Threatened Species In An Island Ecosystem, Sarah Gheida
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
No abstract provided.
An Integrated Wetland Condition Index And Environmental Metric Framework For The Prairie Pothole Region, Mercedes L. Batalla
An Integrated Wetland Condition Index And Environmental Metric Framework For The Prairie Pothole Region, Mercedes L. Batalla
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The USDA-NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) assists landowners with protecting, restoring, and enhancing wetlands. Evaluating wetland conservation efforts is crucial for informing future management decisions. However, assessment frameworks vary across regions and among stakeholders. The Prairie Pothole Region is an ecologically unique landscape characterized by its abundance of wetlands that provide important ecosystem services. To evaluate wetlands enrolled in ACEP, I sampled forty-five semi-permanent wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region from July – August 2023 and 2024. I selected and sampled twenty-six wetlands enrolled in ACEP. Nineteen additional wetlands not enrolled in ACEP were also sampled; these included nine …
Hidden Markov Model For Identifying Local Variants In Human Genomes Using Simulated Data, Scott Mccallum
Hidden Markov Model For Identifying Local Variants In Human Genomes Using Simulated Data, Scott Mccallum
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifying adaptive mutations in genetic data is challenging due to the low frequency of occurrence of such events, and because signatures of selection are intertwined with the footprints of various other evolutionary forces that shape our genomes. Even when a larger region appears to be under selection, genomic sites that are linked to adaptive mutations have similar statistical signals, and thus can obfuscate the identification of the actual adaptive mutation. The new method described here uses a Hidden Markov Model that allows for classification of neutral, linked, and sweep (adaptive mutation) genomic sites. This model is general and can be …
Heat Acclimated Algae Improves Heat Tolerance And Longevity In Daphnia, Ashit Dutta
Heat Acclimated Algae Improves Heat Tolerance And Longevity In Daphnia, Ashit Dutta
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Xenohormesis suggests that consuming stressed food provides physiological adaptation to the consumer for similar stresses. To evaluate this, Daphnia magna was provided with heat-stressed Nannochloropsis limnetica grown at 25℃ whereas the control group was provided Nannochloropsis limnetica grown at 12℃. In the heat tolerance experiment, Daphnia kept at 28℃ and 20℃ while consuming 25℃ algae had significantly higher heat tolerance compared to the control. Additionally, in stressed conditions, Daphnia consuming 25℃-grown food had significantly higher lifespan compared to the control. Next, Daphnia consuming 25℃-grown algae had significantly higher levels of antioxidants which could explain the lifespan extension. Finally, in fatty …
Population Genetic Diversity In Two Biological Systems, Alyson Emery
Population Genetic Diversity In Two Biological Systems, Alyson Emery
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Population genetic analysis can be used to answer questions about population structure and composition in many biological systems. Recent improvements to sequencing technologies have made population genetic studies more accessible than ever before. Many of the same techniques can be applied to different biological systems, but some analyses may differ depending on how genetically divergent the populations in question are. Here, we describe two unique projects using next-generation genome sequencing, each looking at population structure at different levels of genetic divergence: the first involved determining interspecific population structure between two species of hybridizing field cricket using a novel sequencing method, …
Chinese Tallow Long-Term Impact On Stand Dynamics In A Bottomland Hardwood Forest Following Vegetation Management, Nicklaus R. Langlois
Chinese Tallow Long-Term Impact On Stand Dynamics In A Bottomland Hardwood Forest Following Vegetation Management, Nicklaus R. Langlois
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small) is an invasive tree known to have negative impacts on bottomland hardwood forests. Chinese tallow is proficient in reproducing and surviving in bottomland hardwood forests because it is more flood and shade tolerant than most native trees. The long-term effectiveness of Chinese tallow control is an important topic to research as only a few long-term studies of Chinese tallow control have been conducted. A 10-year re-measurement of 22 paired plots installed in 2012 on the Pineywoods Mitigation Bank near Diboll, Texas following herbicide treatments examined Chinese tallow and native tree stand structure. Each …
Effects Of A Protection Zone In A Reaction-Diffusion Model With Shifting Bounded Habitat And Allee Effect., Davis Henderson
Effects Of A Protection Zone In A Reaction-Diffusion Model With Shifting Bounded Habitat And Allee Effect., Davis Henderson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
We consider a reaction-diffusion equation that models a population in a shifting bounded habitat with a protection zone and the Allee effect. We assume that the population growth function exhibits the strong Allee effect and has a positive integral within the protection zone (indicating population persistence) and a negative integral in the surrounding patches (indicating population decay). We prove that the existence of steady-state solutions to this system depends on the length of the protection zone. It is demonstrated that there exists some value H* such that, for a protection zone of size H*, there exists a solution and, for …
Assessing The Impacts Of Soil Arthropods On Geochemical Transformations., Thomas Blake Hudson
Assessing The Impacts Of Soil Arthropods On Geochemical Transformations., Thomas Blake Hudson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis contains four individual chapters, two of which highlight studies assessing how arthropods contribute and drive geochemical transformations by directly and indirectly manipulating the availability of anoxic conditions. The first chapter serves as an introduction to the literature on the subject to contextualize the work carried out in later chapters. The second chapter is a field study conducted throughout the summer of 2023 in a lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica, where I characterized the temporal and environmental variation impacting greenhouse gas emissions from the nests of leaf-cutting ants (Atta cephalotes). From flux measurements taken across 29 …
Avian Communities Monitored Along A Successional Chronosequence In Bottomland Hardwood Forests In The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Eamonn Alasdair Thurmond
Avian Communities Monitored Along A Successional Chronosequence In Bottomland Hardwood Forests In The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Eamonn Alasdair Thurmond
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Bottomland hardwood forests in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley have been extensively reduced due to agriculture conversion and altered hydrology. Remnant forests have undergone further degradation from sources such as a lack of forest management, invasive species, and reduced regeneration of oaks (Quercus spp.). Recent restoration efforts of bottomland hardwood forests have focused on implementing wildlife forestry practices that prioritize restoring wildlife habitat while retaining profitable timber harvests. In this study I surveyed bird communities in bottomland hardwood forests in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley along a successional chronosequence. Birds were sampled using automated recording units over 10 days …
Spectral Sensitivity Of Circadian Entrainment In Araneoid And Non-Araneoid Spiders, Craig Campbell
Spectral Sensitivity Of Circadian Entrainment In Araneoid And Non-Araneoid Spiders, Craig Campbell
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Artificial lighting at night is a growing worldwide phenomenon that can negatively impact flora and fauna in the surrounding area. With new technology, there is now opportunity for change: newer LEDs can emit specific wavelengths of light that may be less ecologically damaging. In this study, we aim to describe the circadian spectral sensitivity of two phylogenetically distant urban spider species with similar life histories, the Araneoid Parasteatoda tepidariorum and non-Araneoid Pholcus manueli, to determine differences between them. We exposed these spiders to progressively dimmer levels of white, blue, green, or red light. Despite evidence that spiders lack visual …
Evidence Of Climatic Influence On Subsistence Strategies At Sage Hen Springs, Nevada, Andrew Rogers
Evidence Of Climatic Influence On Subsistence Strategies At Sage Hen Springs, Nevada, Andrew Rogers
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Models of settlement patterns in the northwest Great Basin describe a decrease in residential mobility, intensified use of upland spring ecozones, and an increase in diet breadth during the Middle and Late Archaic. Here, I present data collected from the Sage Hen Springs site in northwestern Nevada during a Phase II testing project conducted by the BLM and an analysis of these data focusing on patterns of subsistence and mobility strategies throughout the Archaic. Results of this analysis support existing models of lifeways in the northwest Great Basin at the small scale and point to climatic factors as influences on …
The Effects Of Wildfire Burn Severity On Bee And Wasp Communities Two Decades Post-Fire, Alaina K. Smith
The Effects Of Wildfire Burn Severity On Bee And Wasp Communities Two Decades Post-Fire, Alaina K. Smith
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
While fire is a natural disturbance in many global ecosystems, anthropogenic changes are affecting fire frequency, severity, and seasonality. Disturbances like wildfire affect bee and wasp communities, but recent meta-analyses are conflicted about whether fire harms or benefits insect pollinators. We investigated the lasting effects of wildfire burn severity on wild bee communities and floral resource availability across different burn severities in two-mixed severity fires that burned >20 years ago. We found that high severity fire has positive effects on bee diversity that are associated with severity-mediated changes to the floral community. We also studied the effects of wildfire burn …
Omani Camels From A Cultural And Genomics Perspective, Al Muatasim Al Zadjali
Omani Camels From A Cultural And Genomics Perspective, Al Muatasim Al Zadjali
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The Dromedarian camel, Camelus dromedarius, is native to the Arabian Peninsula, including the Sultanate of Oman. These camels are used for food, milk, as well as show and racing competitions. Despite their economic and cultural importance research on camels in Oman is limited. The goal of this study was to examine their genomic variation, relationship with camels in other parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and to determine if selective breeding has led to the establishment of distinct breeds in Oman. Information was compiled from multiple sources to produce a comprehensive review on the breeding, management, economic and cultural use, …
Surface Water Quality Assessment Of Mingo Creek County Park: The Impacts Of Extractive Industries, Mikayla J. Bayto
Surface Water Quality Assessment Of Mingo Creek County Park: The Impacts Of Extractive Industries, Mikayla J. Bayto
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Historical and current extraction operations and infrastructure, including natural gas pipelines, conventional and unconventional oil and natural gas drilling, longwall coal mining, and strip coal mining, occur throughout the Mingo Creek watershed of Washington County, Pennsylvania, including Mingo Creek County Park. Mingo Creek and several associated tributaries flow through Mingo Creek County Park, eventually discharging into the Monongahela River. An independent water quality study was conducted from June 2020 through July 2023 in Mingo Creek County Park to determine if historical and current extraction activities impact Mingo Creek and its associated tributaries. Weekly sampling of Mingo Creek and associated tributaries …
Comparative Functional And Computational Analyses Of Primate Seminal Proteins: Insights Into Sexual Selection And Hiv/Siv, Emine Feride Kahveci
Comparative Functional And Computational Analyses Of Primate Seminal Proteins: Insights Into Sexual Selection And Hiv/Siv, Emine Feride Kahveci
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Male reproductive protein-coding genes are among the most rapidly evolving genes across many animal taxa, commonly attributed to sexual selection; however, pathogen defense mechanisms might also be contributing factors. This study aimed to both computationally and experimentally investigate the selective pressures responsible for the rapid evolution of seminal proteins. In the first part, the research focused on sexual selection in the form of post-copulatory sperm competition as a driving force behind the evolution of kallikrein related peptidase 3 (KLK3), also known as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a key prostatic seminal protein. KLK3 is responsible for the liquefaction of semen coagulum through …
Do American Bison Practice Democracy? Group Consensus Decision Making Drives Bison Herd Movements And Cohesion., Matthew Sapien
Do American Bison Practice Democracy? Group Consensus Decision Making Drives Bison Herd Movements And Cohesion., Matthew Sapien
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The American bison is an iconic mammal that lives in large social herds and is considered a threatened species. Little is known about how bison make decisions as a group, whether through despotic individuals or group consensus. In this dissertation, I researched the mechanisms bison use to make herd movement decisions in 3 herds in the United States. In chapter one I examined the number of bison that participated in voting events for herd movement decisions and whether the final movement decision matched the direction with the most votes. Bison herd movements did match the direction with the most adult …
The Influence Of Researcher Disturbance On Raccoon Predation Of American Alligator Nests, Clarissa Tuten
The Influence Of Researcher Disturbance On Raccoon Predation Of American Alligator Nests, Clarissa Tuten
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are a dominant predator of American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) nests in the southeastern United States, using a combination of olfactory, visual, and tactile cues to identify nest locations. Studies on alligator nesting ecology typically require researchers to create paths through marsh habitat, potentially introducing visual and olfactory cues raccoons may use to locate nests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of human visitation to alligator nests on the frequency of raccoon nest predation at two sites in coastal South Carolina, Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (TYWC) and Santee Coastal Reserve (SCR). We hypothesized that …
Seeds In The City: Impacts Of Urbanization On Avian Seed Dispersal Networks In The Southern Appalachians, Jody Horton
Seeds In The City: Impacts Of Urbanization On Avian Seed Dispersal Networks In The Southern Appalachians, Jody Horton
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Urbanization is an intensive form of habitat disturbance associated with detrimental effects on biodiversity. However, few studies have investigated its effects on the number, identity and structure of species interactions while considering seasonal fluctuations in communities. Avian seed dispersal is a vital ecosystem service, and the interplay of urbanization and seasonality may impact seed dispersal in ways not predicted by either factor alone. In this study, we evaluate the effects of urbanization and season on avian seed dispersal networks in the southern Appalachians. We found that the number and richness of interactions was unaffected, but the identity of interacting bird …
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Oviposition Preferences And A Survey Of Fungal Pathogens On Native Milkweeds (Asclepias) Of The Northern Great Plains, Grace Damiano
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
North American monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) populations are experiencing significant declines due to habitat loss caused by land use changes. Much of the American Midwest where milkweed, the only host plant of the monarch butterfly, was once much more abundant has been converted to a predominantly agricultural landscape. There are nineteen species of milkweed native to the northern Great Plains region occupied by South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Some of these milkweed species may be preferable to monarch butterflies for different reasons, including morphological factors such as stem length, species-level chemical factors, and temporal factors. As monarch …
Species Distribution Modeling Of Aquilegia Brevistyla (Ranunculaceae): A Critically Imperiled Black Hills Disjunct Species, Eric Daniel Puetz
Species Distribution Modeling Of Aquilegia Brevistyla (Ranunculaceae): A Critically Imperiled Black Hills Disjunct Species, Eric Daniel Puetz
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Unchecked human activity is contributing to rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions, changes in land use, altered disturbance/fire regimes, spread of invasive species, and loss of biological diversity and related breakdown of ecosystem services. Additionally, climatic shifts may lead to phenological mismatches between species and their environments if these changes outpace a species’ ability to adapt or migrate to a more suitable habitat. Isolated mountain populations are particularly threatened by unpredictable climatic conditions, as they may have limited migration corridors and often lower levels of genetic diversity to move or adapt, respectively. As these negative feedbacks compound on the landscape, …
The Effects Of Temperature, Flooding, And Goose Feces Addition On Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Ammonification In Four High-Latitude Soils From Western Alaska, Jenna M. Ross
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The large carbon (C) stock of wetlands is vulnerable to climate change, especially in high latitudes that are warming at a disproportional rate. Likewise, low-elevation Arctic coastal areas will flood more frequently under climate change and sea-level rise, which may alter goose herbivory and fecal deposition patterns if geese move inland. While temperature, flooding, and feces impact soil C emissions, their interactive effects have been rarely studied. Here, I explore the impact of these interactions on CO2 and CH4 emissions and nitrogen (N) mineralization (ammonification) in soils collected from four plant communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta, a high latitude …
Movement Ecology Of Paddlefish And Walleye Reveal The Importance Of Continued Interjurisdictional Management In Riverine And Lacustrine Systems, Kaitlyn Bearden
Movement Ecology Of Paddlefish And Walleye Reveal The Importance Of Continued Interjurisdictional Management In Riverine And Lacustrine Systems, Kaitlyn Bearden
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Fisheries systems function at broad spatial and temporal scales. Fishes within these systems are often highly mobile and move to locate adequate habitat, to feed and reproduce. As individuals navigate their environment, they potentially cross regulatory boundaries (state or federal) and or encounter physical barriers such as dams. Regulatory boundaries may not physically impede fish movement, but they are visible to fisheries managers thus the fishes within them may be vulnerable to varying management and harvest regulations. Physical boundaries (e.g., dams) are also particularly problematic for highly mobile species in large river systems. In chapter two, I documented that apparent …