Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

The Environmental Crisis: The Effects Of Ecology Courses On High School Students, Carol C. Fletcher

Dissertations and Theses

It is a basic premise of this thesis that an environmental crisis exists in the world today and has been worsening at least since World War II. The crisis is evident in the population explosion, the deteriorating air and water quality, and the depletion of our natural resources. With the feeling that all persons must become aware, concerned, and involved with the environmental crisis if the trend is to be reversed, this study is concerned with one segment of the population – high school students.

Sociologists, and especially human ecologists, have not been concerned professionally with the environmental crisis, but …

The Allelopathic Influences Of Sassafras Albidum In Old Field Succession In Tennessee, Robert Edward Gant

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to study the mechanism that allows Sassafras albidum to maintain itself in relatively pure stands through many successional stages. Sassafras albidum is a common woody member of the old field community in Tennessee, invading in the early seral stages and surviving into the mature forest. Compounds known to be inhibitory to plant growth have been isolated from sassafras by other investigators. The presence of these terpenoid compounds in various organs of this plant suggests the existence of a possible allelopathic interference mechanism.

A survey of the internal and external herbaceous ground cover revealed the …

Some Interactions In The Evolution Of Man And Tools, Gary W. Weston

All Master's Theses

This paper looks at some of the interactions between the development of tools and the evolution of man and his ancestors. It begins with a brief history of life up to the primates as a foundation. Next the use of tools by other animals is examined followed by the coverage of the period of time from Australopithecus to Modern Man showing the interweaving of physical and mental evolution of man and the development and refinement in his physical tools. Lastly, a look at possible future interactions in the physical and mental evolutionary developments in man as influenced by his tools …

An Investigation Of The Behavior Of Citellus Townsendii Townsendii (Bachman) In Central Washington, Mark Roy Fuller

All Master's Theses

This study of the behavior of Citellus townsendii townsendii was based on field observations of animals at their northern most distribution. The squirrels' seasonal activity and behavioral repertoire, when considered with environmental parameters, suggest important adaptations for survival. The animals were in torpor from about July to February. Activity generally occurred during the midmorning hours, allowing them to avoid temperature extremes. Quantitative analysis of behavioral observations indicated that most activities occurred in a non-random order.

Distribution Of The Fishes Of The Hiwaaee River System-Ecological And Taxonomic Considerations, Robert Knapp Hitch

Masters Theses

This paper summarizes the results of seventy-two collections made by the author along Georgia and Tennessee portions of the Hiwassee River. The more interesting species are listed and possible habitat preferences shown by these species are noted.

A discussion of the distribution of fishes within the various tributaries of the Hiwassee is presented, as are possible reasons for the absence of fishes from certain tributary systems.

The problems associated with the taxonomy of the species of the Genera Cottus and Hypentelium are also examined.

The results of this research indicate some of the possible effects of the isolation of the …

A Comparative Investigation Of Understanding Of Ecological Content Between Eighth And Tenth Grade Pupils, David Lee Herbenson

All Master's Theses

The study had two major purposes. One purpose was to determine if Covington Junior High School eighth grade pupils understood the basic ecological ideas and facts presented to them in a teacher-designed one semester course entitled Environmental Concepts Orientation (ECO). The second purpose was to find out the degree of competence attained by the eighth grade pupils as compared to tenth grade pupils taking a one year ecologically oriented course in the nationally developed Green Version BSCS biology series at Camas, Washington.

Phytoplankton Composition At Lake Drummond In The Dismal Swamp, Virginia, William Howard Poore Jr.

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Abstract unavailable.

Evaporative Water Loss In Two Northwest Snakes: Pituophis Catenifer And Crotalus Viridis, Donald R. Woolery

All Master's Theses

A study by Gans, Krakauer and Paganelli (1968) dealt with twenty-six species of snakes representing five families. They found that the "rate of water loss was proportional to surface area" and that water loss correlates with the aridity of the selected habitat. No comparative information resulting from the direct separation of the pulmonary and cutaneous avenues of water loss is currently available. Also, no direct comparisons of this separation in sympatric species are available. These comparisons are the basis for this study.

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 …

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) …

Sub-Aversive Response Contingent Foot Shock As A Positive Reinforcer, Robert Lea Fulwiler

All Master's Theses

Forty-eight rats were divided into 8 groups; four were maintained under normal conditions and the other four under sensory deprivation and tested at o, 3, 6, and 9 days after condition institution. The response was placing the head through a hole in the operant chamber and the stimulus (0, 1.2, 4, or 12 Vac) was contingent upon the response. Analysis ot variance disclosed significant differences (p<.01) between the deprived and the non-deprived groups at days 6 and 9; and a significant interaction between deprivation condition and time of test. No differences were shown between the stimulus intensities indicating that the stimulus did not have a reinforcing effect.

The Microclimate, Ion And Water Balance Of Larval And Adult Ascaphus Truei Stejneger, Terry L. Mullen

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper is first to describe the microclimate occupied by larval and adult Ascaphus. This microclimate presents certain osmo- and iono- regulatory problems. The second purpose of this paper is to show how Ascaphus meets these osmo- and iono- regulatory problems.

The Breeding Biology Of The Western Tanager (Piranga Ludoviciana), Gary G. Benson

All Master's Theses

In 1969 a two-year study was undertaken in an effort to enlarge our knowledge of the life history of the western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana). Bent (1958) summarizes the literature on the western tanager, and a review of his work clearly shows an almost total absence of detailed information on the species' life history. To obtain this information, observations were conducted from 1 May through 29 July 1969. A few observations were made during the 1968 breeding season.

Some Biological Aspects Of Lizard Eimerians, With A Description Of Eimeria Poinsettis N. Sp. From Sceloporus Poinsetti, David A, Colwell

All Master's Theses

A previously described eimerian, Eimeria sceloporis, from the northwestern fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis occidentalis, was observed for oocyst production, incidence and intensity of infection in both juvenile and adult lizards. In order to test the species specificity of Eimeria ahtanumensis, an attempted transmission was made to Sceloporus poinsetti, Sceloporus jarrovi, Sceloporus undulatus and Sceloporus occidentalis. During the winter of 1970-1971 fecal samples were collected from Sceloporus poinsetti to determine possible coccidial infections. The lizards were collected in September of 1970 in Hidulgo County, New Mexico and the ensuing investigation showed that nine of the thirteen adults were passing an intestinal …

Trap Manifested Behavior Trap Reflected Density Trap Reflected Distribution And Foods Consumed By Raccoons (Procyon Lotor L.) In Two Natural Areas Of Virginia, Elton L. Winslow

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A study was undertaken comparing populations of raccoons (Procyon lotor L.) in two natural areas of Virginia, one in the Piedmont physiographic province at Montpelier and the other in the coastal plain at Newport News. Comparisons were made with respect to differences in: (1) capture and recapture success, (2) relative trap reflected density, (3) trap reflected distribution with respect to aquatic habitat, and (4) in food consumption. Comparison of capture data indicated that capture success per 100 trap nights was much higher at Newport News (1.58) than at Montpelier (.76). However a similar comparison of recapture success per …

A Study Of The Exotic Game Bird Introduction Program In The Sandy Point Area Of Virginia 1970-1971, Hans Wachtmeister

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Population Dynamics Of Ospreys In Tidewater Virginia, Robert Senior Kennedy

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Some Ecological Effects Of The Oil Industry On Farmland In East Central Illinois, Dale E. Fruendt

Masters Theses

Between June, 1970 and July, 1971 a two square mile area in East Central Illinois served as a study area for the effects of the oil industry on farm land. Observations were made on several farms concerning the activity of oil companies and interviews with farmers were held. Two areas of farmland were given special attention. One was a clover field where salt water had flooded a portion of the field. The other area was a corn field where oil had flooded approximately eight acres of land. Random samples of invertebrates were taken in both of these areas as well …