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- Keyword
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- Louisiana (3)
- Anas platyrhynchos (2)
- Bioremediation (2)
- Emergency preparedness (2)
- Mortality (2)
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- Nest success (2)
- Predation (2)
- Restoration (2)
- Survival (2)
- Water quality (2)
- Advanced treatment (1)
- Agnps (1)
- Algal behavioral study (1)
- Antifungal (1)
- Antioxidant (1)
- Anurans (1)
- Aquatic macrophytes (1)
- Aquatic plant communities (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- Atchafalaya River Basin (1)
- Aversive conditioning (1)
- Bedding (1)
- Benzene (1)
- Bioaugmentation (1)
- Biological assessments (1)
- Biostimulation (1)
- Bmp (1)
- Broadcast burning (1)
- Capture techniques (1)
- Cause-specific mortality (1)
Articles 1 - 26 of 26
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Use Of An Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Model To Assess Impacts Of Development And Management Practicies [Sic] In An Urban Watershed, John Admiral Cross
Use Of An Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Model To Assess Impacts Of Development And Management Practicies [Sic] In An Urban Watershed, John Admiral Cross
LSU Master's Theses
A Geographical Information System (GIS) linked to a Non-Point Source (NPS) model are being used to predict the effectiveness of storm water management strategies and examine the impact of proposed land use changes on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) attainment. This study tests a methodology for analyzing land use changes and management using GIS analyses of impervious surfaces and AGricultural Non-Point Source (AGNPS) pollution modeling in an approximate 1100 acre urban watershed located in East Baton Rouge Parish (EBRP), Louisiana. The GIS analyses of Total Impervious Area (TIA) quantified increases in urbanization and provided land use data utilized in AGNPS …
Denitrification Capacity And Denitrifying Bacteria In A Restored Bottomland Hardwood Forest, Mississippi River Alluvial Valley: Hydrological Impacts, Yan Li
LSU Master's Theses
Mississippi River Alluvial Valley (MAV) is one of the most important ecosystems in the United States, and bottomland hardwood forests (BLHs) are a major components of this ecosystem. The ecological and hydrological functions of BLHs can help maintain the diversity of species, groundwater balance, and nutrient removal etc. However, due to the increased human activities in the area, most of the BLHs were converted to agricultural land. Realizing the seriousness of the situation of the ecosystem, a series of programs have been carried out by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to …
Quantifying The Edge Effects Associated With Predator Removal Blocks On The Nesting Success Of Upland Ducks In North Dakota, Margaret Jean Kuhn
Quantifying The Edge Effects Associated With Predator Removal Blocks On The Nesting Success Of Upland Ducks In North Dakota, Margaret Jean Kuhn
LSU Master's Theses
Much evidence suggests that nest success is one of the key drivers of duck production. Accordingly, for the past thirty years, waterfowl managers have focused their efforts on increasing nest success. One way to increase nest success is through predator trapping. Previous studies have shown that predator trapping increases nest success on different sized trapped blocks. This study attempted to answer the question: does trapping affect nest success on areas directly adjacent to trapped block boundaries? I hypothesized that predator abundance outside trapped blocks would be reduced. I predicted that nest success would decline with distance from the boundary while …
Survival, Habitat Use, And Movements Of Female Mallards Wintering In Southwestern Louisiana, Paul Thomas Link
Survival, Habitat Use, And Movements Of Female Mallards Wintering In Southwestern Louisiana, Paul Thomas Link
LSU Master's Theses
Little information is available concerning survival, habitat use, and movements of mallards (Anas platyrhychos) wintering on the Gulf Coast Chenier Plain (GCCP). Quantitative data on these parameters would be useful in making effective management decisions by GCCP waterfowl managers. Accordingly, I radio-marked 135 female mallards during winters 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 in southwestern Louisiana. My estimated survival rate for both winters combined was 0.68 ± 0.06 and did not differ by female age. Hazard ratios indicated that radio-marked females were 21-24 times more likely to die during hunted time periods than during non-hunted time periods. Estimated hunting and non-hunting mortality rates …
The Hydrology And Sediment Transport Of Low-Gradient, Forested Headwater Streams, Philip Saksa
The Hydrology And Sediment Transport Of Low-Gradient, Forested Headwater Streams, Philip Saksa
LSU Master's Theses
Understanding stream hydrology of headwater regions is critical in effective land management for downstream water quantity and quality. Although extensive research has been performed on headwater streams in topographically variable areas, fewer studies examine low-gradient headwater stream systems, such as those existing on much of the southeastern coastal plain. This study aims to investigate spatial and temporal variation of headwater stream hydrology in a low-gradient forested watershed, quantify mass loading of suspended and dissolved solids in the watershed, and assess the applicability of a spatially distributed model in predicting hydrologic responses of a flat terrain landscape. Stream discharge and sediments …
Evaluation Of Compliance With The Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Racquel Rena Douglas
Evaluation Of Compliance With The Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Racquel Rena Douglas
LSU Master's Theses
Cryptosporidium is a common protozoan parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, a severe gastrointestinal disease. Currently, there is no antibiotic available to treat the disease. Cryptosporidium has been responsible for several waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States. The largest cryptosporidiosis outbreak in United States history occurred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in spring 1993. The vulnerability of the United State drinking water supply to waterborne disease outbreak is still prevalent nearly 15 years after the Milwaukee outbreak. In order to effectively control Cryptosporidium, the EPA has strengthened the regulations on turbidity control for filtration performance by implementing the Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface …
Effects Of Predator Activity On The Nesting Of American Black Ducks And Other Birds On Barrier Islands In The Mid-Atlantic Coast, Brian Joseph Arquilla
Effects Of Predator Activity On The Nesting Of American Black Ducks And Other Birds On Barrier Islands In The Mid-Atlantic Coast, Brian Joseph Arquilla
LSU Master's Theses
Landscape change throughout North America has resulted in heightened nest predator population and declining avian productivity. Essential to establishing effective management design is an understanding of differential predation pressure among avian groups as group specific responses to predation impact may exist. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of predator trapping on the nest success and density of ground nesting avifauna in 2004-2005 in the Virginia Coast Reserve, specifically dabbling ducks, Canada Goose and Willet. Second, we determine the impact of predation on ground nesting birds by relating indices of predator abundance to nest density and nest …
Protocol Development For Pro-Active Emergency Responses By Veterinary Clinics And Hospitals, Laura Marie Basirico
Protocol Development For Pro-Active Emergency Responses By Veterinary Clinics And Hospitals, Laura Marie Basirico
LSU Master's Theses
The Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005 necessitated the development of a guidance document concerning emergency preparedness and response for veterinary clinics and hospitals. The aftermaths of the largest natural disasters in United States' history, namely Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, brought to light the need for a protocol designed specifically for veterinarians and veterinary practitioners. Disaster management information was synthesized and modified to be subject-specific for the veterinary community. This synthesis resulted in the creation of the Veterinary Emergency Preparedness and Response (VEPR) manual and website. Two types of data were collected to develop the emergency protocol; interviews with veterinarians and …
Environmental Factors Influencing The Siting Of Temporary Housing In Orleans Parish, Philip J. Chandler
Environmental Factors Influencing The Siting Of Temporary Housing In Orleans Parish, Philip J. Chandler
LSU Master's Theses
The disaster in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina showcased the city's many environmental problems. The industrial history of the city, subsidence of the city causing it to be below sea-level, and the fact that the city is protected by levees and pumps were critical elements of the disaster and played a large role in the emergency response. The disaster led to an enormous emergency response by many entities, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has the lead in these actions. In response to the large number of homes being flooded and unlivable in Orleans Parish, FEMA implemented its …
Evaluation Of Harvesting Disturbance And Establishment Practices On Early Height Growth Of Loblolly Pine (Pinus Taeda L.), Shanna Marie Mccarty
Evaluation Of Harvesting Disturbance And Establishment Practices On Early Height Growth Of Loblolly Pine (Pinus Taeda L.), Shanna Marie Mccarty
LSU Master's Theses
Land for forest plantations is declining while demand for forest products is increasing, creating concern over sustainable forest management. Maintenance of site productivity is fundamental to forest sustainability, and an assessment of cumulative height growth is a useful index of productivity. Loblolly pine height data were used from four research plantations installed by the project Cooperative Research in Sustainable Silviculture and Soil Productivity from Texas to Georgia. The sites vary in soil characteristics, management history, nutrient status at time of planting, and age (from 4 to 9 years). Each site is a randomized complete block design with a factorial treatment …
A Study Of Subsurface Vapor Intrusion From Exploration & Production Waste, Daniel Dawson Wascom
A Study Of Subsurface Vapor Intrusion From Exploration & Production Waste, Daniel Dawson Wascom
LSU Master's Theses
Expanding city growth is causing the inhabitants of Louisiana to move further into rural areas. Abandoned oil and gas production sites are being used for residential and light commercial purposes. This thesis will attempt to determine if known benzene levels in Exploration and Production (E&P) waste will be harmful to human health via subsurface vapor intrusion into the newly developed residential and light commercial structures. Louisiana does not currently regulate benzene during the closure of pits that contained E&P waste. Current pit closure techniques warrant testing for benzene Based on current Louisiana legislation, benzene contamination of groundwater is currently the …
Spatial Ecology Of Gray Foxes On A Longleaf Pine Forest And The Surrounding Landscape In Southwestern Georgia, Danielle Lolene Temple
Spatial Ecology Of Gray Foxes On A Longleaf Pine Forest And The Surrounding Landscape In Southwestern Georgia, Danielle Lolene Temple
LSU Master's Theses
In the southeastern United States, industrial agriculture dominates the landscape, and much of the native land cover is in decline. Longleaf pine forests were once a dominant ecosystem in this region, but have largely disappeared. However, little research has been conducted on how this loss affects wildlife, especially mammalian predators. With increasing restoration efforts for longleaf pine it is important to assess the impact on species that inhabit those landscapes. Gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are native to the Southeast, but are adaptable to a wide range of habitats. Therefore, during 2002-2006 I studied a population of gray foxes on land …
The Ecology Of Blacktail Redhorse Moxostoma Poecilurum In West Fork Thompson Creek, Louisiana, Jesse Adam Bahm
The Ecology Of Blacktail Redhorse Moxostoma Poecilurum In West Fork Thompson Creek, Louisiana, Jesse Adam Bahm
LSU Master's Theses
This study was designed to examine home range sizes and habitat use of blacktail redhorse Moxostoma poecilurum in West Fork Thompson Creek, Louisiana. Blacktail redhorse are a common non-game species found in Louisiana and other southeastern states. Adult blacktail redhorse (N=40; 187-273 mm total length) were implanted with radio transmitters and tracked twice weekly from February to September 2006 and from February to July 2007. To assess blacktail redhorse diet I analyzed 32 stomachs from fish collected by backpack electrofishing. I also conducted mark-recapture surveys of fish sampled monthly from May 2006 until July 2007. To assess homing ability in …
Spatial Ecology, Habitat Selection, And Survival Of Wild Turkey Gobblers In A Managed Bottomland Hardwood Forest, Blake Anthony Grisham
Spatial Ecology, Habitat Selection, And Survival Of Wild Turkey Gobblers In A Managed Bottomland Hardwood Forest, Blake Anthony Grisham
LSU Master's Theses
Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) males were captured and radio-tagged in a bottomland hardwood forest of south-central Louisiana. Turkeys were monitored year round from fixed telemetry stations on Sherburne Wildlife Management Area, Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge, and Bayou des Ourses to observe seasonal patterns of space use, habitat selection and survival from 2005-07. The largest seasonal home range was in fall/winter (966.41 ha; Oct 1-Feb 28). Spring home range (767.77 ha; Mar 1- May 31) size was lower than reported in previous studies and was a function of female availability. Season and age interacted to influence core area size (F5/63 …
The Use Of Stable Isotopes To Determine The Ratio Of Resident To Migrant King Rails In Southern Louisiana And Texas, Marie Perkins
The Use Of Stable Isotopes To Determine The Ratio Of Resident To Migrant King Rails In Southern Louisiana And Texas, Marie Perkins
LSU Master's Theses
Over the past 30 years, the king rail (Rallus elegans) has purportedly declined precipitously throughout its range, with the most severe declines seen in the migratory populations. King rails, however, are considered a game species in Louisiana and Texas, thus, it is important to determine what proportion of king rails wintering there are migratory. This is complicated because there is no reliable method to distinguish between king and clapper rails and few studies have attempted to capture wintering rails. The objectives of this study were to: 1) Determine the best method for capturing wintering rails; 2) Determine if morphometric measurements …
Habitat Use, Movements, And Survival Of Radio-Marked Female Mallards In The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Bruce Edward Davis
Habitat Use, Movements, And Survival Of Radio-Marked Female Mallards In The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Bruce Edward Davis
LSU Master's Theses
Mallard (Anas platyrhynhcos) populations in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) historically averaged 1.6 million and represented the largest concentrations of wintering mallards in North America. Effective management of this wintering population requires current information on use of habitats, movements, and survival of female mallards. I used radio-telemetry techniques to assess these parameters during winters 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. Radio-marked female mallards used forested wetland habitats extensively during diurnal and nocturnal sampling periods. Proportional use of habitats varied inconsistently among time periods defined by hunting seasons and winters. Proportional use of forested wetlands ranged from 0.464 to 0.816 and from 0.280 …
Laboratory Evaluation Of Dunaliella Tertiolecta As A Candidate Algal Species For Tertiary Wastewater Treatment Of Nitrogen And Phosphorus-Laden Effluents Impacting Marine Environments, Ashley Juanika Belle
Laboratory Evaluation Of Dunaliella Tertiolecta As A Candidate Algal Species For Tertiary Wastewater Treatment Of Nitrogen And Phosphorus-Laden Effluents Impacting Marine Environments, Ashley Juanika Belle
LSU Master's Theses
Dunaliella tertiolecta was evaluated to determine the effectiveness of utilizing the algal species to reduce the nutrient load of saline wastewater during tertiary treatment. Nutrient uptake studies performed using f/2-Si medium illustrated that Dunaliella tertiolecta favored phosphate uptake over nitrate-nitrogen. Over a 7-day observational period, total phosphorus concentration was reduced by over 97% and the kinetic rate of uptake observed was approximately 0.5 - 1 mg/L/day. Daily nitrate-nitrogen concentrations were highly variable and a model could not be determined to predict uptake behavior. In heavily concentrated nutrient loads, the algae still favored phosphate uptake. However as the nutrient load increased …
Providing The Best Of Both Worlds: Balancing Conservation And Recreation In A System Of Protected Areas In Texas, Kellen Allison Smith
Providing The Best Of Both Worlds: Balancing Conservation And Recreation In A System Of Protected Areas In Texas, Kellen Allison Smith
LSU Master's Theses
Societies are becoming increasingly urban and isolated from natural areas. Protecting certain natural areas is vital for building and maintaining resilience in ecological systems for the continued conservation of biodiversity and provision of ecological services. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) promotes the development of systems of protected areas within nations and regions as a sustainable means of preserving the biodiversity within natural areas. Allowing sustainable ecotourism and wildlife-based recreation activities in protected areas can provide economic incentives to surrounding communities making protection an attractive alternative to more extractive forms of land use. Managing …
Evaluation Of Anuran Richness In Restored Wetlands Of Central Louisiana, Sarah Jane Barlow
Evaluation Of Anuran Richness In Restored Wetlands Of Central Louisiana, Sarah Jane Barlow
LSU Master's Theses
Bottomland hardwood forests and associated fauna, including frogs, are disappearing. The 1990 Farm Bill created a wetland restoration program on private lands called the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) that has the potential to reverse the declines in species associated with bottomland hardwood forests. As of September 2005, nearly 85,000 ha had been enrolled in Louisiana, but the structure and value of these wetlands to frogs is not known. I evaluated 22 restored and 8 reference wetlands from January through May in 2004 and 2005 to determine the effects of local and landscape scale habitat characteristics on frog species richness and …
Nest Success And Nest Site Selection Of Shorebirds In North Dakota, Darren Kirk Wiens
Nest Success And Nest Site Selection Of Shorebirds In North Dakota, Darren Kirk Wiens
LSU Master's Theses
I compared nest success estimates for both shorebirds and Sharp-tailed Grouse between controls and 36 square-mile blocks that were trapped for intermediate mammalian predators. I also investigated shorebird nest site selection by comparing vegetation visual obstruction and species composition between nest sites and the surrounding field. Nest success (Mayfield estimate ± SE) was not different between trapped and control blocks for shorebirds (trap: 50.8% ± 6.3%; control: 69.1% ± 17.5%) or Sharp-tailed Grouse (trap: 61.3% ± 8.3%; control: 48.7% ± 10.0%). This indicates that trapping intermediate mammalian predators is not an efficient method of increasing shorebird or Sharp-tailed Grouse nest …
Evaluation Of Allochthonous And Autochthonous Microbial Populations In The In-Situ Remediation Of Weathered Oil In A Coastal Freshwater Habitat, Kyle Alan Schmidt
Evaluation Of Allochthonous And Autochthonous Microbial Populations In The In-Situ Remediation Of Weathered Oil In A Coastal Freshwater Habitat, Kyle Alan Schmidt
LSU Master's Theses
Use of bioremedial technologies has gained popularity in recent decades for application at oil spill sites. While much research has been done on specific case studies along marine shores, such as with the spill of the Exxon Valdez, there still remain questions as to the advantage of active biological treatment vs. natural attenuation in freshwater environments. To examine this question, a comparative study of allochthonous and autochthonous microbial communities ability to degrade weathered oil residuals was implemented at the CITGO Petroleum Refinery in Lake Charles, Louisiana following a spill of approximately 40,000 barrels of slop oil on June 19th, 2006 …
Chemical Analysis Of Extracts From Port-Orford Cedar Wood And Bark, Heng Gao
Chemical Analysis Of Extracts From Port-Orford Cedar Wood And Bark, Heng Gao
LSU Master's Theses
This study investigated a Soxhlet extract procedure to separate chemical components in the wood and bark of Port-Orford cedar (POC) (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). The bio-activities, antioxidant properties, and decay resistance were evaluated. The heartwood extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Three vitro assays including (1) 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH• ) radical scavenging assay, (2) 2,2-azinobis ( 3-ethylbenzothiszoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical cation scavenging ability assay, and (3) metal chelating activity assay were carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity. The total phenol content of the extracts was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and expressed as Gallic Acid Equivalent …
Environmental Factors Affecting The Distribution Of Native And Invasive Aquatic Plants In The Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana, U.S.A., Rachel Cathleen Walley
Environmental Factors Affecting The Distribution Of Native And Invasive Aquatic Plants In The Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana, U.S.A., Rachel Cathleen Walley
LSU Master's Theses
Over the last century, the aquatic macrophyte community of the Atchafalaya River Basin (ARB) has become increasingly dominated by invasive species. I used digital photography and GIS software to determine ARB macrophyte community composition by measuring percent cover of each plant species within five 0.25-m2 quadrats sampled from 108 sites in 2005 and 103 sites in 2006. Macrophyte community data and measurements of soil and water physicochemistry at each site were used to investigate environmental associations of the macrophytes inhabiting bayou, lake, excavated canal, and swamp habitats. Analyses indicated substantial differences in physicochemical conditions among habitats, but none of the …
Effects Of Aversive Conditioning On Behavior Of Nuisance Louisiana Black Bears, Jennifer Leigh
Effects Of Aversive Conditioning On Behavior Of Nuisance Louisiana Black Bears, Jennifer Leigh
LSU Master's Theses
Consistent habitat loss and fragmentation are contributing factors to the rise of human-bear conflicts in south Louisiana. Complaints associated with nuisance activities of Louisiana black bears (Ursus americanus luteolus) experienced in this region have steadily increased since 2000, requiring intervention by state and federal agencies. As a threatened species, Louisiana black bears require non-lethal management referred to as aversive conditioning. We used rubber buckshot and dogs to test the effectiveness of management techniques used by the state to deter nuisance activity by black bears. Eleven bears, representing approximately 15% of the estimated population in this region, were captured in residential …
Relationships Between Macroinvertebrate Communities And Environmental Characteristics Of Headwater Streams In Central Louisiana, Adrienne Viosca
Relationships Between Macroinvertebrate Communities And Environmental Characteristics Of Headwater Streams In Central Louisiana, Adrienne Viosca
LSU Master's Theses
Headwater streams are an integral part of any watershed system because they strongly influence the physical, chemical, and biological components of downstream reaches. Little information exists about macroinvertebrate community structure, spatiotemporal variation, or their relationships with environmental factors in low-gradient headwater streams of the subtropical coastal plain region in the Southern US. These headwater streams are typically slow moving, capable of accumulating large amounts of organic material, and often become intermittent during the dry season. Research is needed to understand the effects of these unique characteristics on stream health and ecology. This study aimed to determine aquatic macroinvertebrate community structure, …
Biogeomorphic Evaluation Of Caminada-Moreau Maritime Beach Ridges With Respect To Future Restoration Initiatives, Hannon Didier
Biogeomorphic Evaluation Of Caminada-Moreau Maritime Beach Ridges With Respect To Future Restoration Initiatives, Hannon Didier
LSU Master's Theses
Restoration efforts within the coastal zone of southern Louisiana have assumed greater importance in the wake of recent storms and ever increasing sea level rise. A poorly studied geomorphic structure known as the Caminada-Moreau maritime beach ridge complex exists along the southeastern Louisiana coastline between Grand Isle and the Port of Fourchon. Active subsidence in the area has reduced the overall elevation of these structures, decreasing the live cover of its most noticeable feature, stands of Quercus virginiana (live oak), along the ridge spines. Elevation data was gathered along and across four randomly selected ridges in the study area with …