Forest Biology Commons^™

Seasonal Variation In Home-Range And Core-Area Size In Verreaux's Sifaka, Brynn Harshbarger

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Primates living in seasonal forests must adapt to extreme fluctuation in resource availability. Verreaux’s sifaka ( ) live in Madagascar’s highly seasonal tropical dry forests and experience periods of extreme resource abundance and scarcity. Home- range and core-area size were measured using 95% and 50% kernel estimation, and 95% minimum convex polygons to compare seasonal shifts in space use based on resource availability. There have been no long-term space use studies on Verreaux’s sifaka; therefore, we do not know how their space use changes over time in an environment which is both highly seasonal and highly variable. Our study leverages …

The Effects Of Fire On Oak-Forest Plant Communities Along Soil Moisture Gradients: A 25-Year Study, Rebekah Frances Shupe

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In the eastern U.S., fire is a natural disturbance process in Quercus (oak) forests. Fire is thought to promote oak regeneration and plant diversity by reducing competition, preparing a suitable seedbed, and increasing light availability. However, the era of fire suppression that began in the early 20^th century is thought to have negatively impacted oak regeneration and the biodiversity of the understory layer. In this study, we examined the effects of prescribed fire on tree regeneration and the understory layer over 25 years. From a study initiated in 1994, we resampled 45 permanent vegetation plots measuring 1250 m^{2 …}

“Fence-Line” Contrast Soundscape Study Of Forested Lands In Allegany State Park And Allegheny National Forest: Is There An Impact Of Oil And Gas Development On An Eastern Forest Soundscape?, Kasey Lynne Osborne

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

“Natural resources”—an inclusive term indiscriminate of splendor or conservation status – require proper management, be it for forest, oil, water, wildlife, or even soundscapes. The soundscape, or all sounds (biophony, anthrophony, geophony) characterizing an area, is both an ecological monitoring tool and a resource itself—a component of the landscape. As energy demands surge, the oil/gas region of the Appalachian Plateau adjusts to unconventional extraction concurrent with traditional drilling operations. Energy development leaves enduring spatial footprints on the landscape, such as fragmentation from well-pad matrices. Soundscape patterns may not be as readily observed as visual cues, but their analysis can reveal …

Effects Of Excess Nitrogen Deposition On Rubus Spp. (Raspberry) Within A Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest, Jake H. Billmyer

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This thesis contributes to on-going research at Marshall University on effects of excess nitrogen (N) deposition on hardwood forests. Excess N can decrease plant biodiversity and enhance loss of nutrients (e.g., Ca⁺⁺). Preliminary results have suggested that excess N has increased cover of Rubus (blackberry) in the herbaceous layer. The purpose of this study was to quantify the response of Rubus to the N treatment, relating Rubus cover to species richness and using foliar analysis to examine effects on nutrient availability. It is expected that increased Rubus will decrease biodiversity by eliminating N-efficient species, and that added N …

Effects Of Excessive Nitrogen Deposition On Foliar Nutrient Dynamics, Nutrient Concentrations, And Nutrient Ratios In A Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest, Sarah Beth Burdette

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Many forested systems of the eastern US are becoming significantly nitrogen (N) saturated due to chronic N deposition from the atmosphere. Nitrogen saturation has the potential to alter important internal plant processes, such as nutrient cycling. While extensive research has been conducted on the responses of soil to N saturation, considerably less research has focused on the response of plant nutrient dynamics, nutrient concentrations, and nutrient ratios to excess N. Research was conducted on two watersheds at the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia: WS3 (fertilized with ammonium sulfate annually since 1989) and WS7 (untreated control). Presenescent and senesced leaves …

Vertical, Longitudinal And Seasonal Variation In The Benthic Fauna At The Fernow Experimential Forest, Parsons, West Virginia, Robert William Hood

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Multi-level basket samplers were placed within the shallow hyporheic zone (0 - 30 cm) of first through fourth-order streams in the Elklick Run drainage at the Fernow Experimental Forest, Parsons, West Virginia. Samplers were colonized by macroinvertebrates over three month intervals and collected during three different seasons. Seasonal, longitudinal, and vertical variation in the macroinvertebrate assemblage were examined to better understand the structure and function of the interstitial macroinvertebrate assemblage and important underlying factors. Surber samples were collected for comparison between surface and hyporheic macroinvertebrate assemblages. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, water chemistry, and interstitial water movement were measured at sampler locations. …

Four-Year And Seasonal Patterns Of Herbaceous Layer Development In Hardwood Stands Of The Fernow Experimental Forest, Parsons, Wv, Anne Wallace Hockenberry

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study described patterns of herbaceous layer characteristics in watersheds of the Fernow Experimental Forest (FEF) in Parsons, WV. The purpose of this study was to examine four-year and seasonal patterns of change in herb layer species composition, cover, and richness within three stands of mixed hardwood forest. Sampling was conducted within seven circular plots (0.04 ha) in each of three watersheds of the FEF: WS3 (24-yr-old stand, previously clear-cut, receiving experimental nitrogen additions), WS7 (24-yr-old stand, previously clear-cut and treated with herbicide), and WS4 (>85-yr-old stand, untreated, control). All vascular plants~ lm in height were identified to species …

Patterns Of Soil Nitrogen Dynamics In A Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest Ecosystem, Bradley Michael Yurish

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Increasing awareness of the potential effects of acidic deposition prompted a watershed manipulation project at the Fernow Experimental Forest (FEF), West Virginia, in 1987. In this project, an acidifying agent, (Nf4)2S04 , was applied to an entire watershed to better understand ecosystem responses to simulated acid deposition in excess of ambient levels. In ecosystems receiving elevated N levels, increased soil N may contribute to soil acidification, lead to nutrient imbalances in plants, increase rates of nitrification, increase leaching of No3• and pollute surface waters. This study was designed to assess changes of three watersheds that received varied N inputs. The …

Factors Influencing Herbaceous Layer Vegetation Of A Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest Ecosystem, Nicole Leigh Turrill

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The herb layer (vascular plants ≤1 m in height) of montane forests responds to a variety of environmental gradient conditions. This study compared herb layer characteristics, soil fertility, and plant-soil nutrient interactions of two young (~20 yr) and two mature (~>70 yr) watersheds of the Fernow Experimental Forest, Parsons, West Virginia. Fifteen 0.04-ha circular plots were established in each of four watersheds [WS4 control, >80 yr; WS13 select cut, >65 yr; WS3 clearcut, ~20 yr; WS7 clearcut/herbicide, ~20 yr] to sample the extremes of watershed elevation and aspect. Cover (%) was measured for all vascular species (≤1 m in …

Vascular Flora Of Three Watersheds In The Fernow Experimental Forest And Factors Influencing Species Composition Of The Herbaceous Layer, Staci Dudash Smith Aulick

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Herbaceous layer communities respond to a number of environmental variables in forests: thus, study of the herb layer is essential for a more complete understanding of the forest ecosystem. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the flora of the watersheds. (2) describe the species richness and diversity of watersheds 3, 4 , and 7 of the Fernow Experimental Forest, Parsons, West Virginia, and (3) examine stand and soil variables and their influence on the herbaceous communities or the forest. Watersheds were selected on the basis of stand age/history (WS3 "20yr, clearcut; WS7 "20 yr. clearcut and herbicide: …

A Post-Impoundment Investigation Of The Beech Fork Drainage Basin, Twelvepole Creek, Wayne And Cabell Counties, West Virginia, Donald Borda

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Fish populations were collected at six stations by means of electrofishing to determine the composition after impoundment. A total of 748 fishes weighing about 9 pounds (4 kg) were collected. Seven families representing 31 species were collected and categorized as game, forage and rough fishes. Game fishes made up 9.1 percent of the total number and 22.3 percent of the total weight; forage fishes 83.0 percent by number and 29.7 percent by weight. The average standing crop was 15 pounds per acre.

Benthic invertebrates were collected at six stations by means of a bottom dredge. A total of 1535 specimens …