Precipitation Variability And Nitrogen Deposition Alter Root Distribution In A Tallgrass Prairie,
2014
Purdue University
Precipitation Variability And Nitrogen Deposition Alter Root Distribution In A Tallgrass Prairie, Emmalyn P. Terracciano, Michael Schuster, Jeffrey Dukes
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium
Climate change and increases in nitrogen deposition impact ecosystems globally. Projected atmospheric warming allows rain to fall in larger events with longer dry periods in between, increasing rainfall variability in many regions. Concurrently, the combustion of fossil fuels and the heavy use of nitrogen fertilizers continue to increase the availability of nitrogen globally. However, not much is known about how these global change factors, increased rainfall variability and nitrogen deposition, interact with each other to affect ecosystem functions, particularly belowground where root production contributes to soil carbon pools- an important component in regulating climate. In order to study these factors, …
Salinity Distribution Of Microplankton In The San Francisco Estuary,
2014
Columbus State University
Salinity Distribution Of Microplankton In The San Francisco Estuary, Carrie Ann Sharitt, Lindsay Sullivan, Wim Kimmerer
STAR Program Research Presentations
Microplankton are a diverse group of planktonic organisms ranging from 0.02 to 0.2 millimeters. Since the group is defined solely by size, it spans numerous taxonomic groups, including both heterotrophs and autotrophs. Microplankton are abundant in all aquatic ecosystems and are important prey for many organisms, including bivalves, crustaceans, and fish. The San Francisco Bay is truly an estuary as saltwater enters the estuary under the Golden Gate Bridge and freshwater flows in from the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. Thus, there is a gradient of salinity from freshwater (0) in the rivers to saltwater by the Golden Gate Bridge …
Report On The Workshop For Life Detection In Samples From Mars,
2014
European Space Agency
Report On The Workshop For Life Detection In Samples From Mars, Gerhard Kminek, Catherine Conley, Carlton C. Allen, Douglas H. Bartlett, David W. Beaty, Liane G. Benning, Rohit Bhatia, Penelope J. Boston, Caroline Duchaine, Jack D. Farmer, George J. Flynn, Daniel P. Glavin, Yuri Gorby, John E. Hallsworth, Rakesh Mogul, Duane Moser, P. Buford Price, Ruediger Pukall, David Fernandez-Remolar, Caroline L. Smith, Kenneth M. Stedman, Andrew Steele, Ramunas Stepanauskas, Henry Sun, Jorge L. Vago, Mary A. Voytek, Paul S. Weiss, Frances Westfall
Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations
The question of whether there is or was life on Mars has been one of the most pivotal since Schiaparellis’ telescopic observations of the red planet. With the advent of the space age, this question can be addressed directly by exploring the surface of Mars and by bringing samples to Earth for analysis. The latter, however, is not free of problems. Life can be found virtually everywhere on Earth. Hence the potential for contaminating the Mars samples and compromising their scientific integrity is not negligible. Conversely, if life is present in samples from Mars, this may represent a potential source …
New Species Of Ctenomys Blainville 1826 (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) From The Lowlands And Central Valleys Of Bolivia,
2014
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
New Species Of Ctenomys Blainville 1826 (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) From The Lowlands And Central Valleys Of Bolivia, Scott Lyell Gardner, Jorge Salazar-Bravo, Joseph A. Cook
Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications
The genus Ctenomys Blainville 1826 is one of the most diverse of South American hystricognath rodents. Currently, nine species of tuco-tucos are reported from Bolivia, four at elevations above 2,000 m and five inhabiting the lowlands (< 1,000 m). In the present paper, morphology, karyology, and phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences for a mitochondrial locus were used to assess the taxonomic status of specimens of Ctenomys from localities beyond the previously known ranges of these rodents in the departments of Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and Tarija. Based on these analyses, we describe four new species in the genus Ctenomys, all apparently endemic to the country. In addition, we place Ctenomys goodfellowi Thomas 1921 in synonymy under C. boliviensis Waterhouse 1848 and confirm the presence of C. nattereri …
Factors In Long-Term Algal Composition Of Cayman Reefs: Determining Effects Of Natural Disturbance And Grazer Pressures,
2014
Lawrence University
Factors In Long-Term Algal Composition Of Cayman Reefs: Determining Effects Of Natural Disturbance And Grazer Pressures, Patrick J. Doughty
Lawrence University Honors Projects
Abstract. Current research shows a worldwide shift in the population dynamics of reefs attributed to increasing human disturbance. With increasing nutrient additions, competitive populations of turf and macroalgae bloom and dominate coral reefs leading to decreased health of the reef as a whole. Unfortunately, few studies have been done showing the long-term changes in algae composition on reefs. In order to find the significant factors in the long-term composition of algae on reefs, algae and fish abundance data were collected through the Lawrence University Marine Program and analyzed for this study. Algae were split into three functional groups: encrusting, turf …
Coral-Fish Dynamics And Interactions: A Case Study Of Grand Cayman,
2014
Lawrence University
Coral-Fish Dynamics And Interactions: A Case Study Of Grand Cayman, Eileen Shea Davis
Lawrence University Honors Projects
To better understand the ecological interactions of coral reefs, it is important to understand the mechanisms that control the distribution and abundance of reef-building corals as well as the mechanisms that control the diversity and abundance of the fish community that inhabits these reef habitats. The purpose of this study was to identify specific coral-fish interactions among the reefs of Grand Cayman in order to gain insight into the biological effects of fish on the assemblage of hard corals. Using data collected by the Lawrence University Marine Program (LUMP), a number of exploratory statistical analyses were run in order to …
Investigating Meter Scale Topographic Variation As A Factor Of Monterey Pine (Pinus Radiata) Growing Conditions At Kenneth Norris Rancho Marino Reserve, Cambria, Ca,
2014
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Investigating Meter Scale Topographic Variation As A Factor Of Monterey Pine (Pinus Radiata) Growing Conditions At Kenneth Norris Rancho Marino Reserve, Cambria, Ca, William J. Meyst
Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences
Endemic Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) is limited to three locations in California due to its unique ecological requirements. This project was conducted to investigate spatial growth patterns ofMonterey pine over complex ground surfaces. The coastal hills of Rancho Marino Reserve, Cambria, were surveyed using four 150-m transects to quantify and record ground surface features and growing conditions ofMonterey pine. Changes in elevation of each transect were measured using an Abney level. Linear ground surfaces were found at 86% (344 of 400) of survey nodes. Convex ground surfaces were found at 10.5% of survey nodes (42 of 400). Of …
Arthropod Abundance And Diversity In Restored Longleaf Pine Savannas At Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve,
2014
LSU New Orleans
Arthropod Abundance And Diversity In Restored Longleaf Pine Savannas At Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve, Cara B. Nighohossian
LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations
The objective of this study is to determine whether changes in arthropod community structure in restored longleaf pine savannas corresponds to differences in vegetation structure often associated with burn frequency. Longleaf pine savannas are fire-maintained ecosystems characteristic of the southeastern United States and have experienced severe declines (around 97%) since European settlement. Changes in fire regime have been instrumental in the declines. Restoration of these ecosystems has involved reinstitution of periodic burnings to promote and maintain vegetative characteristics of the savannas. This study investigates trends in arthropod communities from areas heavily invaded by hardwood shrubs against those dominated by longleaf …
An Examination Of The Phylogenetic Diversity Of Green Algae (Chlorophyceae) That Symbiose With Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma Maculatum) In The Egg Stage.,
2014
University of Connecticut - Storrs
An Examination Of The Phylogenetic Diversity Of Green Algae (Chlorophyceae) That Symbiose With Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma Maculatum) In The Egg Stage., Crystal Xue
Honors Scholar Theses
In 1909, the species Oophila amblystomatis Lambert ex Wille was described for green algae that symbiose with salamanders in the egg stage (Wille). There are two hypotheses about the source of algae: 1) that algae enter from the surrounding water once the egg clutch is laid in a pond, and 2) that they are acquired from the maternal reproductive tract. We developed a third hypothesis developed to account for the salamander reproductive cycle. Male salamanders lay spermatophores, which are protein-filled capsules, on plant matter in and around ponds. Spermatophores are exposed to the environment before use by females in internal …
Influence Of Wildfire Disturbance And Post-Fire Seeding On Vegetation And Insects In Sagebrush Habitats,
2014
Boise State University
Influence Of Wildfire Disturbance And Post-Fire Seeding On Vegetation And Insects In Sagebrush Habitats, Ashley T. Rohde
Boise State University Theses and Dissertations
Disturbance events alter community composition and structure because of differences in resistance and resilience of individual taxa, changes in habitat resulting in colonization by new taxa and alteration of biotic interaction patterns. Recent changes in disturbance types, frequencies and intensities caused by anthropogenic activities may further alter community composition and structure if these disturbances exceed the tolerances or adaptations of some taxa. In sagebrush steppe habitats of the western United States, wildfire is the current dominant disturbance type, burning millions of hectares annually. Further, up to 90% of sagebrush-steppe ecosystems are affected by anthropogenic influences such as invasive species. Post-fire …
Diel Patterns Of Foraging Aggression And Antipredator Behavior In The Trashline Orb-Weaving Spider, Cyclosa Turbinata,
2014
East Tennessee State University
Diel Patterns Of Foraging Aggression And Antipredator Behavior In The Trashline Orb-Weaving Spider, Cyclosa Turbinata, James C. Watts
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Few studies have rigorously assessed the adaptive value of diel rhythms in animals. We laid the groundwork for assessing the adaptive rhythm hypothesis by assaying diel rhythms of foraging and antipredator behavior in the orb-weaving spider Cyclosa turbinata. When confronted with a predator stimulus in experimental arenas, C. turbinata exhibited thanatosis behavior more frequently and for longer durations during the day. However, assays of antipredator response within webs revealed more complex diel patterns of avoidance behaviors and no pattern of avoidance behavior duration. Assays of prey capture behavior found that the likelihood of exhibiting prey capture behavior varied significantly …
Usda Forest Service Perspectives On Forest Management In A Changing Climate,
2014
Utah State University
Usda Forest Service Perspectives On Forest Management In A Changing Climate, Jamie E. Laatsch
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023
As climate change becomes more problematic for the Forest Service (FS) and other federal land management agencies in the U.S., it has become increasingly important to understand how their employees view climate change and related challenges. This study examined how FS employees in the Intermountain West view forest management in the face of climate change, what barriers and opportunities they see in terms of dealing with climate change, and how different levels of agency management view climate change-related issues differently. This study found that many FS employees believe climate change is an important issue; however, they have not done much …
Mafia Or Farmer? Coevolutionary Consequences Of Retaliation And Farming As Predator Strategies Upon Host Nests By Avian Brood Parasites,
2014
CUNY Hunter College
Mafia Or Farmer? Coevolutionary Consequences Of Retaliation And Farming As Predator Strategies Upon Host Nests By Avian Brood Parasites, Mark E. Hauber
Publications and Research
Many host species of avian brood parasites have evolved to recognize and reject foreign eggs and chicks in the nest. Yet, other hosts accept and care for parasitic young, despite the fitness losses associated with raising non-kin. It has been suggested that nest predation upon host nests by brood parasites could select for coevolved acceptance by hosts, even when their cognitive and motor traits allow for the successful rejection of brood parasitism. Using a modeling approach, I analyzed the conditions that favor the evolution of two predatory strategies by parasites and the acceptance of parasitism in the presence of predatory …
Palynological Evidence For The Paleoenvironmental History Of The Miocene Llanos Basin, Eastern Colombia,
2014
Seton Hall University
Palynological Evidence For The Paleoenvironmental History Of The Miocene Llanos Basin, Eastern Colombia, Ingrid Carolina Romero Valero
Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)
The distal Llanos foreland basin was influenced by subsidence events since the Cretaceous until the Pliocene. Although this area has been extensively explored and is considered a potential oil reservoir, few studies of its stratigraphy and depositional environments have been conducted. This basin exhibits a geological section of Miocene age and the core Saltarin-1A, analyzed in this study, is the first and most complete drilling coreof this section with 680 meters. It represents to Carbonera, Leon and Guayabo Formations. Based on palynological data, this work has as its main aims to review the biostratigraphy, to identify the depositional environments, including …
Sex Ratio Bias And Extinction Risk In An Isolated Population Of Tuatara (Sphenodon Punctatus),
2014
University of Richmond
Sex Ratio Bias And Extinction Risk In An Isolated Population Of Tuatara (Sphenodon Punctatus), Kristine L. Grayson, Nicola J. Mitchell, Joanne M. Monks, Susan N. Keall, Joanna N. Wilson, Nicola J. Nelson
Biology Faculty Publications
Understanding the mechanisms underlying population declines is critical for preventing the extinction of endangered populations. Positive feedbacks can hasten the process of collapse and create an ‘extinction vortex,’ particularly in small, isolated populations. We provide a case study of a male-biased sex ratio creating the conditions for extinction in a natural population of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) on North Brother Island in the Cook Strait of New Zealand. We combine data from long term mark-recapture surveys, updated model estimates of hatchling sex ratio, and population viability modeling to measure the impacts of sex ratio skew. Results from the mark-recapture …
Ecological Processes Dominate The 13C Land Disequilibrium In A Rocky Mountain Subalpine Forest,
2014
University of Utah
Ecological Processes Dominate The 13C Land Disequilibrium In A Rocky Mountain Subalpine Forest, D. R. Bowling, Ashley P. Ballantyne, J. B. Miller, S. P. Burns, T. J. Conway, O. Menzer, B. B. Stephens, B. H. Vaughn
Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences Faculty Publications
Fossil fuel combustion has increased atmospheric CO2 by ≈ 115 µmol mol−1 since 1750 and decreased its carbon isotope composition (δ13C) by 1.7–2‰ (the 13C Suess effect). Because carbon is stored in the terrestrial biosphere for decades and longer, the δ13C of CO2released by terrestrial ecosystems is expected to differ from the δ13C of CO2 assimilated by land plants during photosynthesis. This isotopic difference between land-atmosphere respiration (δR) and photosynthetic assimilation (δA) fluxes gives rise to the 13C land disequilibrium …
Exposure Of U.S. National Parks To Land Use And Climate Change 1900-2100,
2014
Montana State University - Bozeman
Exposure Of U.S. National Parks To Land Use And Climate Change 1900-2100, Andrew J. Hansen, Cory Davis, Jessica Haas, David M. Theobald, John E. Gross, William B. Monahan, Tom Olliff, Steven W. Running
Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences Faculty Publications
Many protected areas may not be adequately safeguarding biodiversity from human activities on surrounding lands and global change. The magnitude of such change agents and the sensitivity of ecosystems to these agents vary among protected areas. Thus, there is a need to assess vulnerability across networks of protected areas to determine those most at risk and to lay the basis for developing effective adaptation strategies. We conducted an assessment of exposure of U.S. National Parks to climate and land use change and consequences for vegetation communities. We first defined park protected-area centered ecosystems (PACEs) based on ecological principles. We then …
Fear Effects On Pheasant Reproductive Ecology And A Curriculum To Teach Wildlife Habitat Selection,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Fear Effects On Pheasant Reproductive Ecology And A Curriculum To Teach Wildlife Habitat Selection, Jessica Laskowski
School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Predation risk is an important source of selection that shapes prey density, distribution and abundance. The immediate impacts of predator consumption on prey populations are widespread and well-studied, and a growing body of research demonstrates immediate impacts of predator-induced fear (independent of prey mortality) on prey behavior, physiology and life-history expression. However, predation risk is often seasonally variable and while it is clear that consumption effects often carry over to influence prey population demography for years after predators have disappeared, the temporal carry-over effects of fear on prey populations remain largely unexplored. We assessed effects of fall hunting activity by …
Review: The Rediscovery Of The Wild,
2014
University of Dayton
Review: The Rediscovery Of The Wild, Jillian M. Slater
Marian Library Faculty Publications
Copyright (c) 2014, Jillian Slater. This review is available for non-commercial, educational use, provided that the user identify the author and the publication listed as the place of first publication, along with the volume and the year of the work's publication.
Archaeological Data Provide Alternative Hypotheses On Pacific Herring (Clupea Pallasii) Distribution, Abundance, And Variability,
2014
University of British Columbia
Archaeological Data Provide Alternative Hypotheses On Pacific Herring (Clupea Pallasii) Distribution, Abundance, And Variability, Iain Mckechnie, Dana Lepofsky, Madonna L. Moss, Virginia L. Butler, Trevor J. Orchard, Gary Coupland, Frederick Foster, Megan Caldwell, Ken Lertzman
Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations
Over the last century, Pacific herring, a forage fish of tremendous cultural, economic, and ecological importance, has declined in abundance over much of its range. We synthesize archaeological fisheries data spanning the past 10,000 y from Puget Sound in Washington to southeast Alaska to extend the ecological baseline for herring and contextualize the dynamics of modern industrial fisheries. While modern herring populations can be erratic and exhibit catastrophic declines, the archaeological record indicates a pattern of consistent abundance, providing an example of long-term sustainability and resilience in a fishery known for its modern variability. The most parsimonious explanation for the …
