Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

The Influence Of Fire And Site Factors On Vegetation Pattern And Process: A Case Study Of The Western Portion Of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mark Edward Harmon

Masters Theses

Fire history, the initial effect of fire disturbance on community structure, the response of communities one and two years after fire disturbance, and the present-day vegetation patter were examined in the westernmost portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina.

Sectioning of fire scars, field observations, historical accounts, and fire control records indicated that the fire disturbance regime has changed dramatically during the last 200 years. Man-caused fires have probably been an important disturbance since Indians migrated into the area over 12 thousand years ago. Between 1790 and 1940, Euro-American man frequently burned the landscape. …

The Possible Influence Of Nestbox Size On Nesting Behavior And Reproductive Success In The House Wren (Troglodytes Aedon), Mary Anne Sydlik

Masters Theses

Recent studies (Lohrl 1973i Karlsson and Nilsson 1977) have shown that there may be a relationship between nestbox size and clutch size in several passerine species. The present study was designed to determine whether nestbox size influences the clutch size and reproductive success of House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) and to test possible cues a female might utilize to assess the size of a given nestbox. Four types of nestboxes were used in the study; they varied in floor surface from 3 inches by 3 inches to 8 inches by 8 inches. No statistically significant differences in clutch size or reproductive …

Evaluation Of Potential Wild Turkey Habitat In Eastern Illinois, Cara B. Daugherty

Masters Theses

Reestablishment of the wild turkey has been successful in the southern part of Illinois where large established tracts of woodland occur. However, turkeys are capable of surviving in areas with less forest cover, if food, nesting materials and protection are available. This project evaluated the potential turkey habitat of a 14-county area of eastern Illinois along the drainage of the Wabash River. Six potential release sites were selected and the habitat evaluated. In these areas, oak (Quercus spp.) and hickory (Carya spp.) were the dominant tree species. Disturbance from human populations was determined in each of …

Repopulation Of Fishes In Riley Creek, Coles County, Illinois Following Nitrogen Fertilizer Pollution, Kim James Carney

Masters Theses

The repopulation of stream fishes was studied from 17 May 1979 to 25 October 1979 following a major kill (100% mortality) caused by nitrogen fertilizer pollution in Riley Creek, Coles County, Illinois. The extent of recovery was determined by comparing post-kill collections with pre-kill survey data that was collected on 25 October 1978.

Repopulation began six days after the abatement of the pollution source. It is suggested that the initial source of repopulation was from the nearest undamaged tributary. The first three reinhabitants in order of appearence were: stonerollers (Campostoma anomalum); creek chubs (Semotilus atromaculatus); and …

Comparative Reproduction Of The Red-Eared Turtle, Pseudemys Scripta Elegans, In Heated And Natural Lakes, Gary Marshal Thornhill

Masters Theses

The effect of heating on aquatic ecosystems by energy producing power plants has not been fully determined. A comparative study of the reproduction of Pseudemys scripta was conducted in heated and natural lakes in southwestern Illinois from 30 March to 10 July, 1979. Lakes used were the same as those used for comparative growth studies of P. scripta by another researcher. Lake Baldwin (heated) has had a reduction in vegetation since that researcher's work. Temperatures were taken of air, water surface, and one meter deep.

Turtles were caught by hand, trammel nets, and in carp-baited hoop nets. Captured turtles were …