Forest Sciences Commons^™

Modeling Diameter Distribution Of Loblolly Pine Plantations In Response To Mid-Rotation Thinning Treatments And Assing The Economic Returns In Western Gulf Coastal Plain, Pragya Rijal, Yuhui Weng, Anusha Shrestha, Jason Grogan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The influence of thinning regimes incorporating row thinning on diameter distribution and timber product allocation is of considerable importance in the management of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations within the Western Gulf Coastal Plain. This study utilized data from a thinning study plots established by the East Texas Pine Plantation Research Project across East Texas and Western Louisiana. A two-parameter Weibull distribution was used to model diameter distributions under varying thinning intensities, with parameter estimation conducted using both parameter prediction (PPM) and percentile-based (PRM) methods. The PRM approach demonstrated excellent model performance, with coefficients of determination (R²) ranging …

Enumerating Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) Concentrations And Evaluating Optical Brighteners As A Potential Indicator Of Human Wastewater Contamination In La Nana Bayou, Banita Creek, And Their Tributaries, Nacogdoches, Texas, Swastika Acharya, Matthew Mcbroom, Yuhui Weng, Yanli Zhang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

La Nana Bayou was added to the Texas 303(d) list in 2000 after it failed to meet water quality standards set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for primary contact recreation due to elevated Escherichia coli (E. coli) levels. E. coli is a bacterial species commonly found in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals. It serves as an indicator of fecal contamination in freshwater, though its presence alone cannot identify the contamination source. Optical brighteners (OBs), chemicals found in laundry detergents, cleaning agents, toilet papers, and clothing, are unique to human wastewater. This study aimed …

Evaluation Of A Forest Restoration Strategy On Small Mammals In Southern Pine Ecosystems, Gage R. Grantham, Jessica L. Glasscock, Christopher M. Schalk, Kathryn R. Kiid, Reuber Antoniazzi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Industrial forestry replanted historic native pine forests (e.g., longleaf pine [Pinus palustris] and shortleaf pine [Pinus echinata]) to homogenous, high-density plantations consisting of native off-site species (e.g., loblolly pine [Pinus taeda]) after intensive harvesting for wood products. The contemporary forest structure that remains, consisting of off-site overstory compositions, can potentially serve as an ecological bridge to facilitate a gradual transition to a more desirable canopy species, thereby conserving biodiversity and ecosystem function. Understanding disturbance-sensitive small mammal communities from restoration strategies (retention) can help achieve long-term management goals for ecosystem conservation across larger scales. I …

An Evaluation Of Key Components Of Natural Resource Camps, Undergraduate Persistence And Success In Natural Resources, Brandy Bishop

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the key components that connect natural resource camps, undergraduate persistence, and overall success through gainful employment within the natural resource industry. The aim of this study was to assess early interest and attitudes towards natural resource career pathways and how education interventions shape students’ career outcomes thus leading to overall success. A longitudinal mixed method design was used combining Conservation Careers Camp survey data (n = 39) with institutional records for Forestry majors (n =655) in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus. Quantitative data was analyzed through …

Stand Strucuture Of Planted Stands In Storm-Water Retention Basins, Jason Lanza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trees assist in stormwater retention basin functionality as efficient sources of water removal, and determining stand structure and leaf area of forests can be a measure of their effectiveness. The structure of forest stands on these basins managed for runoff mitigation has received little attention. We investigated the structure and species composition/diversity (tree and herbaceous) of planted, managed stands and naturally regenerated stands on stormwater retention basins managed by Harris County Flood Control District in Harris County, Texas. We determined stand structure variables (trees per hectare, basal area per hectare, quadratic mean diameter, relative density, average tree height, and percent …

Modelling The Hydrologic Impact Of Land Cover On Stormwater Detention Basins In Harris County, Tx, Kabita Sapkota

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Harris County on the upper Gulf Coast in Southeast Texas is susceptible to both riverine and coastal flooding due to intense, short-duration thunderstorms, slow-moving frontal systems, and tropical hurricanes. Low-lying terrain, clay soils with poor drainage, high annual rainfall, and a widespread network of bayous and streams all contribute to frequent flooding. To reduce the impacts of urbanization and the loss of surface storage, the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) built detention basins throughout the county to temporarily store stormwater runoff and release it slowly, lowering peak flows and preventing downstream flooding and erosion. These basins vary in land …

Society Of American Foresters (Saf) Academic Publications As They Relate To The Curriculum Standards For Saf Forestry Program Accreditation: A Content Analysis, Lisa M. Bentley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Goals that impact decision-making components within academic programs in the university system have the potential to define and change the direction of a field of study, and, with that, should be thoughtfully approached with a certainty of evidence that supports responsible paradigms in forestry education. Periodic revision of the standards for accreditation by SAF influences institutional expectations that result in shifts in forestry education and should be consistent with professional forestry standards. The methodology utilized in this research contextualizes data from a sociological perspective intentionally as a method to holistically integrate data as evidence to support the interpretation of Society …

Unmanned Aerial Systems (Uas) Image Preprocessing To Reduce Artifacts And Improve Geometric Registration When Generating Orthophoto Mosaics And 3d Models, Eddie Ironsmith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Drones can now be used to quickly collect imagery data in a highly automated way; however, individual images must be combined to form an orthomosaic or 3-Dimentional (3D) model using photogrammetry software. Currently, the existing software may generate erroneous output in the form of artifacts or positional errors caused by homogeneous areas, light reflections, object movement between photos, or sub-optimal algorithms. The goal of this research was to develop preprocessing algorithms that would filter movement (or other time or position-based differences) and areas of homogeneity. The hypothesis is that filtering these parts of the image would reduce artifacts and improve …

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 …

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 …

An Analysis Of The Logging Sector In East Texas: Current Status And Future Prospects, Pooja Chhetri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The logging sector plays a critical role in the wood supply chain and in forest management. It connects forest resources with mills, who consequently use that wood to manufacture a multitude of products. A better understanding of the state of logging businesses among policymakers is crucial in sustaining this industry. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the economic contribution (2021) and economic contribution trend (2012-2021) of the logging sector in East Texas using Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN). Furthermore, this study determined the current status of this sector using online and mail surveys. IMPLAN results showed that the logging sector …

Consequences Of Altered Burn Regimes On Plant Community Diversity In The Pineywoods Of East Texas, William Steinley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The re-establishment of historic fire return intervals is vital to restoring forest health, species diversity, natural succession regimes, and reduction of some invasive species. Studies on the effect of fire frequencies on southern pine understory plant communities have revealed increased plant diversity and richness in response to fire, particularly in longleaf pine. The National Forests and Grasslands of Texas (NFGT), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the privately-owned Winston 8 Ranch are intensively managed using prescribed burns at different frequencies for a variety of management objectives.

In this study we aimed to further investigate the effect of fire frequency, stand characteristics, …

Utilization Of The Hunt Trap Method To Investigate A Small Mammal Community In An Upland Pine Stand, Leo Montano

Undergraduate Research Conference

Small mammals are strong and informative biological indicators of forest ecosystems. Populations are responsible for shaping successional patterns through their diets, behaviors, and contributions to other ecological communities.

Knowledge of community metrics within southern yellow pine forests under varying production and disturbance regimes can be valuable in understanding pine production impacts on biodiversity.

The objective of this study was to investigate species richness, time to detection, and activity patterns of the small mammal community in an upland pine stand utilizing the Hunt Trap Method.

Quantification Of Influential Surface Fuel Parameters In Fire-Prone Ecosystems Of The Netherlands, Lauren Lara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Changing climate conditions in northwest Europe present an increasing wildfire risk in the Netherlands. Focus on fuels monitoring in this region is not as extensive as it is in the United States. Accurate estimation of biomass fuel loading is integral to prevention of wildfires which pose a significant risk to both human lives and property. This research project attempted to create predictive models for three major fuel categories (litter/duff, shrub, and downed woody material). Reduction of the number of parameters to measure would streamline the process of fuel load estimation by reducing the number of measurements that need to be …

Contrasting Orthophotos By Height, Overlap, And Drone, Edward Ironsmith

Graduate Research Conference

Drones have recently become a mainstay for surveying and modeling of small areas of land in a cost-efficient manner. Yet there are many variables that affect the time, quality, and cost of capturing and generating such products. We look at several of these parameters and discuss the alternatives to minimize cost over a series of projects. The parameters in question include height, overlap, sensor resolution, processing time, drone costs, computer costs, processing costs, time in the field, storage, drone endurance and the likelihood of costly delays. A series of flights using different drones and flight parameters were then used to …

Demography Of Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys Temminckii) Across A Fishing Pressure Gradient, Luke Micek

Graduate Research Conference

Demographic data are necessary to predict population responses to environmental and anthropogenic stressors and inform conservation efforts for declining species (Weimerskirch 2018, J.Wildl. Manag.).

The western alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii; hereafter AST; Fig. 5) is the largest species of freshwater turtle in North America and is being considered for Federal listing as a Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act (Federal Register 2021). Notably, there is a lack of demographic data of AST in Texas.

Passive fishing gear (i.e., trotlines) have been identified as a pervasive threat to AST populations, although this threat has yet to be quantified inTexas …

Effects Of Prescribed Fire Regimes On White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) Browse, Forage, And Nutrient Availability In The Pineywoods Ecoregion Of Texas, Wyatt L. Bagwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fire is a management tool for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) habitat, influencing browse availability, herbaceous production, and nutrient content. In 2020 and 2021, this study utilized 46 plots across East Texas to assess these habitat components. A stem count index survey method was used to assess browse utilization prior to April in both years, and preferred browse species were clipped and analyzed for nutrient availability, and herbaceous production was also measured. Additionally, white-tailed deer population data, browse survey data, and recent fire history were obtained from five different wildlife management areas to examine their relationship. Deer had preferences …

Soil Quality Indicators And Vegetation Responses Following Ecological Restoration Thinning Of Ponderosa Pine On Three Soil Parent Material Types Under Grazing And Non-Grazing In Northern Arizona, Christopher Macdonald

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research was performed in a northern Arizona ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P. & C., Lawson) forest. The objectives were to a) increase understanding of long-term vegetation responses to ecological restoration treatments on three soils types, with and without grazing, b) evaluate the responses soil physical, chemical, and biological properties to restoration treatments, with and without grazing, c) determine the utility of measured soil quality indicators to informing risks to sustainable soils management in southwestern ponderosa pine forests.

There were no significant differences in soil bulk density by soil type, treatment type, or grazing treatment. No significant differences …

Restoration Through Reassembly: Evaluating The Role Of Native Plants In Combatting Chinese Tallow, Olaniyi Ajala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Non-native, invasive species disrupt ecological processes and functions, posing a serious threat to natural ecosystems. By examining the growth metrics of the non-native, invasive tree, Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera [L.] Roxb.), hereafter tallow, across different flooding and light regimes, I investigated how restructuring native communities with valuable native species will prevent the reestablishment of tallow. I studied the changes in morphological and physiological traits of tallow when growing with water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica L.), sugarberry (Celtis occidentalis L.), and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall). I found that in the non-flooded and high irradiance treatments, tallow's growth …

Detection, Occupancy, Abundance, And Mercury Accumulation Of The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys Temminckii) In Texas, David Rosenbaum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Land use practices and physical alterations of ecosystems result in habitat loss and fragmentation, while chemical alterations, such as pollutant input, reduce habitat quality and health of exposed organisms. Here, I investigated the effects of watershed- and local-scale environmental variables on the occupancy, abundance, and mercury accumulation of a threatened aquatic species (Macrochelys temminckii, i.e., alligator snapping turtle) within the southwestern periphery of its distribution. Hierarchical modeling suggested the distribution of the species is more affected by watershed-scale land-cover than local habitat, and provided a baseline estimate of average species abundance across its range in eastern Texas. Abundance …

Spatiotemporal Factors Affecting The Occupancy And Phenology Of A Declining Songbird (Bachman's Sparrow - Peucaea Aestivalis) At The Western Extent Of Its Range, Liam G. Wolff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Bachman’s Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) is a declining songbird that occurs throughout the southeastern United States. Bachman’s Sparrow is a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Texas, but information crucial to management efforts, such as factors affecting their detectability and occupancy, is lacking. I investigated the predictors of Bachman’s Sparrow occupancy and phenology in Texas using detections from autonomous recording units coupled with site characteristics and weather data. My results indicate that Bachman’s Sparrow occupancy is associated with increasing herbaceous ground cover and decreasing basal area, distance to the nearest source population, and basal area when canopy height …

Conk1 - Forest Pathology Specimen, Robert Z. Selden Jr.

CRHR: Archaeology

Pathology specimen.

Seasonal Flammability Comparisons Of Native And Exotic Plants In The Post Oak Savannah, Blackland Prairie, And Pineywoods Ecoregions Of Texas, Michael Tiller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

East Texas’ diverse landscape can present year-round wildfire seasons that can be influenced by seasonal and regional differences in climate and physiography. Greater insight into the fundamental thermal behavior of wildland fuels can aid in fire behavior prediction and development of fire-resistant plant lists. This study focused on estimating seasonal and regional flammability characteristics of five evergreen species: yaupon (Ilex vomitoria), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), greenbrier (Smilax spp.), eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), and escarpment live oak (Quercus fusiformis); and two deciduous species: Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) and southern …

Assessing Freezing Effect On Kiwifruit Cultivars And Mapping Suitable Areas For Growing The Crop In Eastern Texas, Lais De Oliveira Machado

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Kiwifruit is a perennial vine originating from China where it has been grown for centuries. In the United States, green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) is primarily produced commercially in California. They are fuzzy, green fleshed and well known in the marketplace. Kiwifruit plants require low to moderate soil pH, adequate winter chilling and adequate precipitation to guarantee plant development and good fructification. Actinidia chinesis or golden kiwifruit are smooth skinned, feature golden flesh and are a more recent introduction into the global market. Kiwifruit crops have attributes that favor production in east Texas, including low pest problems, current long …

Natural Regeneration Dynamics And Survival Influenced By Abiotic And Biotic Factors In A Bottomland Hardwood Forest, Lydia J. Voth Rurup

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Riparian ecosystems are vital to the landscape, providing critical services including water filtration and purification, flood and erosion control, carbon sequestration, biodiversity support, and aesthetic value. Bottomland hardwood forests, however, are threatened by invasive species, land loss/conversion, inconsistent or absence of harvesting disturbances, and altered hydrological patterns, leading to reduced success of desired, native species. This research assessed regeneration dynamics and one-year survival in a seasonally-flooded bottomland hardwood forest at Boggy Slough Conservation Area in East Texas to identify abiotic and biotic factors important for successful establishment of native regeneration. Areas sampled included two that were previously treated with herbicide …

The Effects Of Prescribed Burning On Soil Water Infiltration Rates And Other Select Soil Physical And Chemical Properties In East Texas, Cassady Pennington Dunson, Brian P. Oswald, Kenneth Farrish, Tyson Hart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on whether prescribed burning affects soil physical and chemical properties, especially water infiltration, in Western Gulf Coast forests. Soil water infiltration rates were measured 1) pre-burn (before the fire), 2) post-burn (one month after the fire), and 3) at vegetation green-up (three months after the fire). Soil samples were also collected to determine the effects of prescribed burning on soil pH, bulk density, particle density, pore space, soil strength, O-horizon weight and depth (organic matter), water stable aggregates, and soil fertility. This project was conducted on two different burn intervals. The National Forests and Grasslands of Texas …

An Analysis Of Loblolly Pine And Shortleaf Pine Hybridization Using Chromatography And Geographic Information Systems: A Case Study In East Texas, Gary White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

East Texas forests contain three native pine species known to hybridize when site conditions are suitable. Due to increased gene flow from hybridization, quantifying hybridization spatially is a growing concern as southeastern United States pine forests are increasingly influenced by improved pine genetics and warmer, drier conditions from climate change. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and spatial interpolation using Inverse Distance Weighted were conducted using terpenes extracted from needles of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and putative hybrid individuals sampled in Atlanta State Park, Tyler State Park, and Mission Tejas State Park ( …

Food-Web And Functional Trait Community Structure Of Predator Assemblages In Pine Forests Under Different Management Regimes, Connor Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Anthropogenic activities can alter natural disturbance regimes in ecosystems, and thereby affect the structure and function of biological diversity. As many of the world’s ecosystems are degraded beyond natural recovery, well-defined restoration goals are necessary to maintain the ecological processes that provide valuable ecosystem services. Utilizing taxonomic, functional, and food-web approaches, I investigated the impacts of forest management practices in structuring predator communities in two pine forest systems of eastern Texas. The results of this study indicate that the increased frequency of forest management practices such as prescribed fires and thinning operations encourages predator diversity while increasing functional and trophic …

Pine Habitat Characteristics Associated With Variation In Chuck-Will’S-Widow Communities, Hannah E. Beckett

Undergraduate Research Conference

This study explores the potential impact of variation in forest habitats and management on Chuck-will’s-widow density.

Payment For Ecosystem Services: Rewarding The Landowner Who Conserves The Public Good, Steven H. Bullard, Sarah Fuller

Faculty Publications

It has been said that money doesn’t grow on trees, but any forest landowner or manager will tell you that’s not exactly true— especially when observing a harvesting operation or managing dues from your hunting lease. While timber production and recreation are the most frequently monetized services provided by forests, what about the other goods and services they provide on a continuing basis? Are you or other forest landowners in your area being monetarily rewarded for soil stability, flood control, water filtration, air quality, and the other critical services—known as ecosystem services—provided by forests?