Forest Sciences Commons^™

Assessing The Efficacy Of Modis Satellite-Derived Start Of Growing Season For Jurisdictional Determination Of East Texas Bottomland Hardwood Wetlands, Karen Malone, Hans Michael Williams, I-Kuai Hung, Daniel Unger

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Crucial to the determination of a jurisdictional wetland is the definition of “growing season”. Satellite imagery is being utilized in other ecological applications, but is lagging in wetland growing season determination. Both cost and temporal limitations historically have restrained use of satellite imagery in assessing the start up of the growing season. Multiple commercial satellites are available that provide high resolution imagery, but the cost are prohibitive for most studies. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) jointly manage the Landsat and the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite programs. Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper …

Effects Of Hydrologic Gradients On Woody Debris Breakdown And Macroinvertebrate Colonization In A Cumberland Plateau Watershed, Eastern Kentucky, U.S.A., Robin Rae Bernal

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This research assessed the influence of hydrologic gradients on woody debris dynamics in a Cumberland Plateau watershed, eastern Kentucky, U.S.A. Although the breakdown of wood can be attributed to several different processes, including leaching, biological decay, fragmentation, and transport, the influence of differing flow regimes has been unstudied. The objectives of this study were to examine how stream channel type (temporary vs. perennial) affected wood processing dynamics (i.e., mass loss and macroinvertebrate colonization and standing stock patterns). Two questions were addressed: (1) do mass loss rates of wood differ across hydrological gradients in stream channels?, and (2) do macroinvertebrate colonization …

Aboveground Biomass Estimation For Three Common Woody Species In The Post Oak Savannah Of Texas, Brian P. Oswald, R R. Botting, Dean W. Coble, Ken W. Farrish

Faculty Publications

The Post Oak Savannah occupies about 3.4 million hectares of gently rolling to hilly lands in east central Texas. Large post oak (Quercus stellata Wangenh.) blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica Munchh.), Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) and honey mesquite (Juniperus virginiana L.) usually form the overstory, often above thickets of yaupon (Ilex vomitoria), winged elm (Ulmus alata), gum bumelia (Sideroxylon lanuginosum Michx. Subsp. Oblongifolium (Nutt) T.D. Penn.), and live oak (Quercus virginiana Mill.). Historically limited to rocky hillsides …

Terrestrial Ecosystem Classification In The Rocky Mountains, Northern Utah, Antonin Kusbach

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Currently, there is no comprehensive terrestrial ecosystem classification for the central Rocky Mountains of the United States. A comprehensive classification of terrestrial ecosystems in a mountainous study area in northern Utah was developed incorporating direct gradient analysis, spatial hierarchy theory, the zonal concept, and concepts of diagnostic species and fidelity, together with the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification approach used in British Columbia, Canada.

This classification was derived from vegetation and environmental sampling of both forest and non-forest ecosystems. The SNOwpack TELemetry (SNOTEL) and The National Weather Service (NWS) Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) weather station network were used to approximate climate of …

Object-Based Segmentation And Classification Of One Meter Imagery For Use In Forest Management Plans, W. Kevin Wells

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research developed an ArcGIS Python model that extracts polygons from aerial imagery and assigns each polygon a vegetation type based on a modified set of landcover classes from the Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project. The model showed an ability to generate polygons that accurately represent vegetation community boundaries across a large landscape. The model is for use by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands to assist in the preparation of forest management plans. The model was judged useful because it was easy to use, it met a designated 50% threshold of useable polygons, and it met …

Identifying And Understanding The Spatial Distribution Of Bobcat And Coyote Behavior, Ryan Radford Wilson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A common observation in animal space use studies is that animals do not use space uniformly, but rather use some areas of their home ranges and territories with much higher intensity than others. Numerous methods have been developed to estimate these "core areas"; however, all of the current methods available are based on arbitrary rules. Additionally, most studies do not attempt to understand what behavioral processes lead to the observed patterns of non-uniform space use. This study has four main objectives: 1) to develop an objective and more precise method for estimating core areas, 2) to understand the processes leading …

The Effects Of Food Quality On Preference And Incurred Risk In White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus), Travis Perlman, Jacob Stanton

Undergraduate Research Conference

An observational study was concluded in Nacogdoches County, Texas, to determine if free-range white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) could assess forage value. Multiple parameters were recorded to determine if individuals were willing to incur hight levels of risk as they sought to maximize their fitness, through dietary selection. Our results indicated that individuals were willing to incur higher levels of risk, in order to attain higher quality food items.

Ecological Niche Modeling And Local Knowledge Predict New Populations Of Gymnocladus Assamicus A Critically Endangered Tree Species, Shaily Menon, Baharul I. Choudhury, M. Latif Khan, A. Townsend Peterson

Peer Reviewed Publications

Gymnocladus assamicus is a critically endangered tree species endemic to northeastern India. Local inhabitants traditionally used this species for a variety of purposes. However, rapid population declines led to the species being considered extinct, until fieldwork in 2004 to 2007 identified 14 discrete populations of 1 to 7 trees each. To overcome constraints on field surveys imposed by the region’s remoteness and rugged terrain, we targeted areas of further field inventories by estimating the potential distribution of the species. Ecological niche modeling enabled us to identify 26 sites which the model predicted to be highly suitable for the species’ occurrence. …

Smokejumper Obituary: Johnson, Cyrus M. (Missoula 1945), National Smokejumper Association

Smokejumper Obituaries

No abstract provided.

Smokejumper Obituary: Jukkala, Arthur H. (Missoula 1956), National Smokejumper Association

Smokejumper Obituaries

No abstract provided.

Smokejumper Obituary: Johnston, Byron E. (Missoula 1960), National Smokejumper Association

Smokejumper Obituaries

No abstract provided.

Smokejumper Obituary: Kroger, Mark A. (Redding 1973), National Smokejumper Association

Smokejumper Obituaries

No abstract provided.

Smokejumper Obituary: Dawson, James W. (Missoula 1953), National Smokejumper Association

Smokejumper Obituaries

No abstract provided.

The Loss Of Species: Mangrove Extinction Risk And Geographic Areas Of Global Concern, Beth A. Liu, Kent A. Carpenter, Lorna Collins, Norma C. Duke, Aaron M. Ellison, Joanne C. Ellison, Elizabeth J. Farnsworth, Edwino S. Fernando, Kandasamy Kathiresan, Nico E. Koedam, Suzanne R. Livingstone, Toyohiko Miyagi, Gregg E. Moore, Vien Ngoc Nam, Jin Eong Ong, Jurgenne H. Primavera, Severino G. Salmo Iii, Jonnell C. Sanciangco, Sukristijono Sukardjo, Yamin Wang, Jean Wan Hong Yong

Biological Sciences

Mangrove species are uniquely adapted to tropical and subtropical coasts, and although relatively low in number of species, mangrove forests provide at least US $1.6 billion each year in ecosystem services and support coastal livelihoods worldwide. Globally, mangrove areas are declining rapidly as they are cleared for coastal development and aquaculture and logged for timber and fuel production. Little is known about the effects of mangrove area loss on individual mangrove species and local or regional populations. To address this gap, species-specific information on global distribution, population status, life history traits, and major threats were compiled for each of the …

Smokejumper Obituary: Berg, Lewis E. (Missoula 1944), National Smokejumper Association

Smokejumper Obituaries

No abstract provided.

Collecting Multiple Point Features Referenced To A Single Geographic Position In Arcpad, Jason Grogan, I-Kuai Hung, Yanli Zhang

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Rural Tree Decline In Tasmania’S Midlands: Stand Structure, Substrate Geology, And Carbon Content Analysis, Claire Superak

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The once densely forested dry sclerophyll landscapes of the Midlands of Tasmania are now characterized by vast spans of agricultural pasture with intermittent dead and ailing eucalypt trees. This landscape changing phenomenon, rural tree dieback, has come into the focus of a collaborative research team at the University of Tasmania sponsored by the nonprofit organization, Greening Australia. Through the efforts of this team of scientists of diverse backgrounds, Greening Australia aims to create an ecologically viable reforestation plan for the Midlands.

I conducted a pilot study focusing on a 400 ha plot within the Dennistoun Farm property in Bothwell, Tasmania …

Section Abstracts: Agriculture, Forestry, And Aquaculture Science

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the Agriculture, Forestry, and Aquaculture Science Section for the 88th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, May 20-21, 2010, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

A Potential Plan Of Action For Emerald Ash Borer In Nebraska, Lee Wheeler

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Abstract Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB) is an invasive insect pest. It feeds on the cambium tissues of ash tree species. It was first discovered in the United States in 2002 in Detroit, Michigan. Their effects on ash trees are deadly, and it is quickly spreading across the Midwest. Nebraska has not yet been invaded, but confirmed findings continue getting closer and closer. The major problem facing Nebraskans, with regards to EAB, is how to begin preparations to prevent a dramatic economic loss when an infestation does occur. So, to address this problem, I have conducted street and park …

Distribution Of Dioecious Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana) Along An Environmental Gradient In Ogallala, Ne, Taylor Sloey

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the sex distribution and energy allocation of dioecious Eastern Red Cedars (Juniperus virginiana) along an environmental resource gradient. The trees surveyed were growing in a canyon located at the University of Nebraska’s Cedar Point Biological Research Station in Ogallala, Nebraska. Due to the geography of this canyon, environmental factors necessary for plant growth should vary depending on the tree’s location within the canyon. These factors include water availability, sun exposure, ground slope, and soil nitrogen content, all of which are necessary for carbon acquisition.

Juniperus virginiana is a dioecious conifer. Dioecious …