Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Oviposition Preferences And A Survey Of Fungal Pathogens On Native Milkweeds (Asclepias) Of The Northern Great Plains,
2024
South Dakota State University
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) Oviposition Preferences And A Survey Of Fungal Pathogens On Native Milkweeds (Asclepias) Of The Northern Great Plains, Grace Damiano
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
North American monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) populations are experiencing significant declines due to habitat loss caused by land use changes. Much of the American Midwest where milkweed, the only host plant of the monarch butterfly, was once much more abundant has been converted to a predominantly agricultural landscape. There are nineteen species of milkweed native to the northern Great Plains region occupied by South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Some of these milkweed species may be preferable to monarch butterflies for different reasons, including morphological factors such as stem length, species-level chemical factors, and temporal factors. As monarch …
Movement Ecology Of Paddlefish And Walleye Reveal The Importance Of Continued Interjurisdictional Management In Riverine And Lacustrine Systems,
2024
South Dakota State University
Movement Ecology Of Paddlefish And Walleye Reveal The Importance Of Continued Interjurisdictional Management In Riverine And Lacustrine Systems, Kaitlyn Bearden
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Fisheries systems function at broad spatial and temporal scales. Fishes within these systems are often highly mobile and move to locate adequate habitat, to feed and reproduce. As individuals navigate their environment, they potentially cross regulatory boundaries (state or federal) and or encounter physical barriers such as dams. Regulatory boundaries may not physically impede fish movement, but they are visible to fisheries managers thus the fishes within them may be vulnerable to varying management and harvest regulations. Physical boundaries (e.g., dams) are also particularly problematic for highly mobile species in large river systems. In chapter two, I documented that apparent …
Effects Of Low-Cost, Low-Tech Tools For Riparian Restoration On Prairie Streams In Western South Dakota,
2024
South Dakota State University
Effects Of Low-Cost, Low-Tech Tools For Riparian Restoration On Prairie Streams In Western South Dakota, James Andrew Joseph Bolyard
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Despite making up less than two percent of the overall landscape in the arid and semi-arid western US, riparian areas are a crucial resource for agriculture, livestock, and wildlife. However, many have impaired function and reduced riparian cover. Low-Cost, Low-Tech Tools (LCLTT) are a subset of Process-Based Restoration (PBR) used for riparian restoration that were chosen for their cost-effectiveness and minimal technical requirements. LCLTT has been tested in mountainous areas of the western US but only recently implemented in the Northern Great Plains (NGP). Given their novelty as an approach toward restoration for the region, professional restoration and landowner communities …
Plant Available Water Drives Semi-Arid Forage Quality And Quantity In A Common Garden Greenhouse Experiment,
2024
South Dakota State University
Plant Available Water Drives Semi-Arid Forage Quality And Quantity In A Common Garden Greenhouse Experiment, Parker J. Witt
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Rangeland forage nutrition and biomass production are integral components of sustainable livestock grazing systems and are controlled by soil quality and precipitation. I examined the effects of precipitation on growth and nutrition of three forage species in four different soils that span the longitudinal moisture gradient in South Dakota. I grew little bluestem (Schizachyrum scoparium), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and smooth brome (Bromus inermis) in soils representing the eastern tallgrass/mid-grass prairie (Brookings, 700 mm avg. precipitation.), an eastern mid-grass prairie (Highmore, 550 mm avg. precipitation.), a western mid-grass prairie (Cottonwood, 450 mm avg. precipitation.), and a western mid-grass/short-grass prairie (Sturgis, …
Considerations And Applications Of Environmental Dna In Biodiversity Studies,
2024
University of Kentucky
Considerations And Applications Of Environmental Dna In Biodiversity Studies, Sarah Tomke
Theses and Dissertations--Forestry and Natural Resources
Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling—the detection of species through genetic material shed into the environment—has become an efficient and reliable method for biodiversity assessments. The method has grown in popularity due to its non-invasive and non-destructive nature, and has revolutionized monitoring efforts for rare, elusive, and cryptic species for which traditional sampling approaches are often costly and ineffective. Hundreds of studies have utilized this technique to study species occupancy, delineate distributions, and assess relative community composition. Although eDNA sampling is an effective strategy for many conservation and ecological studies, recently, light has been shed on some of its potential drawbacks and …
Arctic Report Card 2024,
2024
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Arctic Report Card 2024, United States National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration: Technical Reports and Related Materials
The Arctic Report Card from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for 2024.
Not Just Bony Fish: All Nonmammalian And Nonavian Animals Are Neglected In Both Welfare And General Research,
2024
Psychology, University of Lethbridge
Not Just Bony Fish: All Nonmammalian And Nonavian Animals Are Neglected In Both Welfare And General Research, Jennifer A. Mather Ph.D.
Animal Sentience
The lack of research on fish welfare highlighted by Oldfield & Bonano (2024) is only part of a more general problem: a relative neglect of animals other than mammals and birds. The causes are our lack of knowledge, our negative view of what we consider to be “lower” animals and our underestimation of their intelligence and sensitivity. Our estimation will increase as our knowledge increases. As a broader view spreads to the public through the media, it should gradually increase the demand to expand both research and welfare, especially beyond mammals and birds.
A “War” Over Lobster And Whales: The Issue-Attention Cycle, Media Discourse, And Political Ecology Of Right Whale Science And Conservation In Six Us Newspapers,
2024
University of Miami
A “War” Over Lobster And Whales: The Issue-Attention Cycle, Media Discourse, And Political Ecology Of Right Whale Science And Conservation In Six Us Newspapers, Marcus Reamer, Catherine Macdonald, Julia Wester, Russell Fielding, Meryl Shriver-Rice
Honors College Faculty Publications
News organizations and journalists are important and influential actors in environmental politics. Their reporting on social and environmental issues often follows issue-attention cycles (IACs) that emphasize drama and problematization to maintain public interest. This study examined nearly 13 years of news coverage to understand the media discourse about the Critically Endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW) and its conservation. Content analysis and critical discourse analysis were used to analyze 356 texts published in six large US newspapers between January 1, 2010 and March 15, 2023. NARW conservation and management received increased public attention and an IAC began in 2017 after …
Stable Isotope Analysis Of Manatee Vibrissae To Investigate Individual Patterns Of Resource Use In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico,
2024
University of South Alabama
Stable Isotope Analysis Of Manatee Vibrissae To Investigate Individual Patterns Of Resource Use In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Levette Tucker, Mackenzie L. Russell, Elizabeth E. Hieb, Ruth H. Carmichael, Carl S. Cloyed
Gulf and Caribbean Research
No abstract provided.
Evaluation Of The Impact Of Urban Stream Syndrome On Macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Diversity And Organic Matter Processing In Streams,
2024
Longwood University
Evaluation Of The Impact Of Urban Stream Syndrome On Macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Diversity And Organic Matter Processing In Streams, Helena Loucas
Longwood Senior Thesis Proposal
The relationship between macroinvertebrate functional diversity and environmental processes is connected in streams. Aquatic macroinvertebrates are specialized feeders, falling into five functional feeding groups which affect processes such as the decomposition of organic matter. Urbanization causes the degradation of streams in a process is known as the Urban Stream Syndrome, and can result in increased concentrations of contaminants, altered stream morphology, and reduced taxonomic richness. The reduction of taxonomic richness increases the abundance of tolerant species, altering functional feeding groups, which will affect ecosystem processes within the stream. My proposed study seeks to determine the effects of urbanization on ecosystem …
Informing Standardized Wood Turtle (Glyptemys Insculpta) Population Monitoring: Influences Of Sampling Approach And Turtle Behavior On Model Estimation,
2024
West Virginia University
Informing Standardized Wood Turtle (Glyptemys Insculpta) Population Monitoring: Influences Of Sampling Approach And Turtle Behavior On Model Estimation, Allyson N. Beard
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
To better understand wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) population trends, two standardized population survey protocols were recently developed for use by state monitoring programs. The protocols were independently developed, tested, and deployed for population monitoring in the eastern and upper midwestern United States. It was unknown if the sampling designs result in similar detection success or if data from the two protocols are compatible for broad-scale analyses. Additionally, neither monitoring protocol includes a sampling design that allows for the separation of detection (p) into availability (pa), and detection given availability (pd). …
Long Term Trends In Mortality Rates Of A Smallmouth Bass Population,
2024
Bemidji State University
Long Term Trends In Mortality Rates Of A Smallmouth Bass Population, Caleb D. Anderson
Journal of Earth and Life Science
Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu are known as a popular sport fish for anglers. When a known smallmouth bass fishery appears to have a dwindling population, it raises questions about the population health. A common indicator of the health of the population is the mortality rate. By comparing mortality, conclusions can be made on whether smallmouth bass are dying at a different rate in the system over time. Therefore, the objective of this study was to see if there had been a significant change in smallmouth bass mortality over a span of thirty years in Round Lake (DOW:010204), Aitkin County, Minnesota. …
Relationship Between Northern Pike And Walleye Cpue In Minnesota Lakes,
2024
Bemidji State University
Relationship Between Northern Pike And Walleye Cpue In Minnesota Lakes, Simon Oslund
Journal of Earth and Life Science
Northern pike Esox lucius and walleye Sander vitreus are both top predators in freshwater systems. Due to their predatorial nature, high populations of one species can prohibit populations of the other species from thriving, specifically northern pike foraging on walleye. This information is tracked by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through catch per unit effort (CPUE). CPUE data was gathered for all lakes in Beltrami County, Minnesota, and a regression analysis was done to test for a relationship between pike and walleye. It was found that the relationship between northern pike and walleye CPUE was significant (P = 0.02). …
The Effects Of Length, Weight, Age, And Gender On Mercury Concentrations In Burbot In North-Central Minnesota Lakes,
2024
Bemidji State University
The Effects Of Length, Weight, Age, And Gender On Mercury Concentrations In Burbot In North-Central Minnesota Lakes, Liam Hanley
Journal of Earth and Life Science
Burbot Lota lota in north-central Minnesota lakes have the potential to reach large sizes and consume large volumes of prey. This caveat may make burbot susceptible to higher rates of biocontamination, bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The objective of this study was to determine how changes in age, length, gender, weight, and lake affect total mercury concentrations in burbot. In this experiment 28 burbot were angled from three lakes: Cass (n = 17), Winnibigoshish (n = 4), and Bad Medicine (n = 7). Then tissue samples were taken from each fish and were lyophilized and homogenized. Homogenized tissue samples were analyzed by …
Relationship Between Fishing Hours And Number Of Fish Harvested From Upper Red Lake,
2024
Bemidji State University
Relationship Between Fishing Hours And Number Of Fish Harvested From Upper Red Lake, Dylan Ohlenkamp
Journal of Earth and Life Science
Total hours fishermen spend fishing and total amount of fish harvested per year are some of the most important pieces of knowledge gained from creel surveys. They provide crucial information that assesses fisheries mortality and pressure. MN DNR uses their results from creel surveys to improve or impose regulations, and to maintain healthy fisheries. Based on results from similar studies, there is expected to be a positive relationship between hours fished and fish harvested. To determine the relationship between these two variables on Upper Red Lake, data from two years were selected when the variables were at their highest and …
A Guide To Otoliths Of Minnesota Fishes,
2024
Bemidji State University
A Guide To Otoliths Of Minnesota Fishes, Baylor J. Short
Journal of Earth and Life Science
Investigations into the diet patterns of piscivores can provide crucial information on predator-prey relationships, population dynamics, and responses to changing ecosystems. However, digestive processes often remove or alter physical characteristics that are traditionally used to identify consumed fish. This problem has been addressed to some degree with advances in molecular technologies, although these methods can be costly and require specific training and equipment to do so. In contrast, bony structures such as otoliths, vertebrae, cleithra, and others frequently have morphologies that are unique among families, genera, and species. Because these structures are resistant to digestion, they can be used to …
The Effect Of Triaenophorus Crassus On The Condition Of Coregonus Artedi,
2024
Bemidji State University
The Effect Of Triaenophorus Crassus On The Condition Of Coregonus Artedi, Alexander Surma
Journal of Earth and Life Science
Cisco Coregonus artedi is, historically, the largest commercial fishery in the Great Lakes. The species is also important to commercial and recreational fisheries in inland lakes. Tapeworm Triaenophorus crassus larvae embed themselves into the flesh of Ciscoes, rendering the fish unmarketable to humans. Triaenophorus crassus is common in inland waters such as Leech Lake and Cass Lake, MN. One Canadian researcher has suggested that the parasite negatively affects the growth and weight of Ciscoes. Poor condition can reduce fecundity, leading to lower recruitment rates. This would mean a detrimental impact on not only individual fish, but the health of …
Quantifying The Ecological Effects Of Salix Fragilis On Riparian Habitat In Kittitas County, Washington,
2024
Central Washington University
Quantifying The Ecological Effects Of Salix Fragilis On Riparian Habitat In Kittitas County, Washington, Landon Shaffer
All Master's Theses
Invasive species threaten plant community structure and function globally. Riparian areas, the zone near streams where water influences vegetation, are especially sensitive to invasive species colonization, suffering large-scale shifts in community composition. Salix fragilis (crack willow) is a nonnative riparian species abundant in the lower elevation tributaries of central Washington. Some speculate whether this willow should be listed as invasive in Washington, despite a lack of regional supporting evidence. I studied riparian communities dominated by either S. fragilis or native species in the Kittitas Valley and measured biodiversity, quantified differences in solar attenuation, and compared leaf decomposition rates to learn …
The Effects Of Scour And Marginal Inundation On Trinity River Invertebrate Biomass And Density With Potential Implications For Juvenile Salmonid Food Resources,
2024
California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt
The Effects Of Scour And Marginal Inundation On Trinity River Invertebrate Biomass And Density With Potential Implications For Juvenile Salmonid Food Resources, Benjamin King
Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects
Regulated flow releases on the Trinity River in northern California have shifted the timing of high flows from winter to late spring and reduced their magnitude. The timing and extent of scour from high flow events and the timing and duration of marginal (bankside) habitat inundation has shifted as a result. Literature is sparse regarding the effects of these hydrologic alterations on Trinity River benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) communities, an important food resource for juvenile salmonids. In the 2023 water year, a wet winter coupled with additional flow releases from Lewiston Dam provided the opportunity to analyze the impact of scour …
Trophic Interactions Of Sympatric Cyprinodontiform Fishes Inhabiting Louisiana Saltmarshes,
2024
Michigan Technological University
Trophic Interactions Of Sympatric Cyprinodontiform Fishes Inhabiting Louisiana Saltmarshes, Ryan Heines
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Resident saltmarsh nekton, namely Cyprinodontiform fishes, play key ecological roles in supporting terrestrial and aquatic food webs. These fishes are highly abundant across the saltmarsh landscape of coastal Louisiana and have evolved to tolerate the highly variable environmental conditions that are characteristic of these habitats. The objective of this research is to consider mechanisms enabling this diverse community of fishes to cooccur in the spatially limited saltmarsh habitats of coastal Louisiana. In Chapter 2, bulk stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C), sulfur (δ34S) and nitrogen (δ15N) were used to quantify the intra- and inter-specific resource use of six sympatric Cyprinodontiform …
