Natural Resources and Conservation Commons^™

Development Of A Spatialy Explicit Habitat Patch Model (C-Pan) And Comparative Analysis Of Patch Modeling Techniques: The Crafting Of A New Tool For Conservation Planners, Ryan Perkl

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT
Ecological theories including island biogeography, intermediate disturbance, metapopulation and metacommunity all suggest that habitat patches of larger size and those comprised of substantial configurations of interior or core habitat possess the greatest potential for long-term species viability. As a direct means of mitigating edge encroachment and fragmentation's other adverse effects, there is a growing consensus among conservation planners that assembling larger, more cohesive tracts with substantial core area is of ecological value in conservation planning. Larger and more cohesive patches are believed to sustain larger and more viable local populations, enhance overall biodiversity, incorporate a wider array of natural …

Influence Of Clay Mineralogy On Soil Dispersion Behavior And Water Quality, Jessique L. Ghezzi

Master's Theses

Currently, there is very little research available on nonpoint source pollution from rural watersheds. Government regulatory agencies are desperate for information regarding the causes of nonpoint source pollution, which includes the relationship between suspended soil particles and dispersion. Since soil dispersion is dependent on clay mineralogy, knowing the clay mineralogy of the soil in an area can help predict sediment loads entering the surrounding surface waters. This information is necessary to protect the resource value of our rivers, lakes, and estuaries, as well as to protect recreational activities such as fishing or hunting; but most importantly, this information is necessary …

Critique Of A Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Method Applied To Residential Open Space, Sarah Rigard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

To this date, little research has been done evaluating the quality of wildlife habitat provided by open space in residential areas. Quality wildlife habitat for the purposes of this study is defined as those areas which contain the physical and biological characteristics necessary to support native wildlife species of the region. This thesis critiqued a wildlife habitat assessment method used in a nationwide study of residential open space for the purpose of better understanding the research conducted by the study and to inform similar, future habitat evaluations of landscapes altered by human activity to accommodate residential land use. The methodology …

Maternal Effects In Transmission Of Self-Medicative Behavior From Mother To Offspring In Sheep, Udita Sanga

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Mammals begin learning food preferences in utero and maternally mediated influences early in life help offspring develop their feeding habits. Mammals also learn by individual experience to ingest medicinal compounds such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), which attenuates the negative post-ingestive effects of tannins, a group of potentially toxic plant secondary compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the transmission of acquired self-medicative behavior from mother to offspring using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a medicine to relieve malaise caused by tannins. I hypothesized that: 1) mothers trained to associate the beneficial effects of PEG while consuming tannins will pass …

Fire On The Mountain: Growth And Conflict In Colorado Ski Country, Michael W. Childers

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation examines the environmental, economic, and cultural conflicts over the private development of ski resorts in Colorado's National Forests between 1910 and 2000. Downhill skiing emerged as an increasingly popular winter activity during the first half of the twentieth century, particularly in western state such as Colorado. A part of the a larger outdoor recreational boom throughout the United States' during the interwar years, downhill skiing challenged the Forest Service's ability to meeting the public's growing appetite for year-round recreational opportunities. These challenges increased following World War II as the nation's growing population and affluence drew millions to their …

2009 Vascular Plant Surveys In The Central Niobrara River Valley, Nebraska, Mary Ann Feist, Paul B. Marcum, Loy R. Philippe, Brenda Molano-Flores, Valerie Sivicek

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts

The Niobrara River Valley in northern Nebraska is an important floristic area. It harbours a number of bryophyte, vascular plant, and animal species that are rarely found in close proximity to one another. Many of these species are more typical farther to the north, east, or west, but over time as climates have changed, have come to settle together in this valley (Kaul et al. 1988). The central Niobrara River Valley may be the most botanically diverse region of Nebraska. Approximately 580 of Nebraska’s roughly 2,000 vascular plant species have been documented for the Niobrara Valley Preserve (Schneider et al. …

Joint Fire Science Program – Lake Mead National Recreation Area Revegetating Burned Arid Lands: Identifying Successful Native Species Using Trait And Competition Analysis: Quarterly Progress Report, Time Period: January 1 — April 30, 2010, Margaret N. Rees

Fire Science

• Article entitled “Competitive Hierarchy of Native Desert Plants with Red Brome (Bromus rubens): Towards Identifying Invasion-Reducing Species" was submitted to the Invasive Plant Science and Management journal
• Maintained nursery plots and added installment of nitrogen treatment.
• Took measurements in nursery (competition) plots and harvested biomass.

The Runnins Report 2010

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Fall 2009 marks the second year that all 10th grade Biology II students and their teachers joined the watershed study project initiated by AP Biology students at Seekonk High School. Students traveled to 2 sites along the Runnins River: the Burr’s Pond site and an upstream site at the home of the Masons; to assess the health of the river at these sites. This highly successful venture allowed these students to relate ecological concepts to real, hands on research. Students, with the assistance of Kim McCoy, collected and filtered water grab samples, collected macroinvertebrate samples, took pictures of their classmates …

Smelt Brook: An Autumn Snapshot

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Abbott Run Annual Study 2010

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The purpose of our study was to make certain that Abbott Run met the standards of a Class A River. We are concerned that the Abbott Run remains a Class A river because it is the source of drinking water for Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Abbott Run is located in the Western section of North Attleborough and is within the Blackstone River Watershed. Rhode Island to the West, and Plainville and North Attleborough to the South border the river. The Watershed section that is in North Attleborough is four square miles in size.

Land use is mostly single-family residential use except …

Norroway Pond: Conditions At Grove Street

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Furnace Brook Stream Profile

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Furnace Brook Water Quality

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Santuit Pond - An Environmental Analysis

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Hanson River Watch 2009-2010

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The Indian Head River is part of the large and complex system of streams and rivers, which contribute to the South Coastal Plain Watershed. A portion of the river forms the border to the Town of Hanson from where it flows into the main stem of the North River. Further upstream, the river is called the Drinkwater which itself drains into Factory Pond directly upstream of our study site A.

Historically the Indian Head, its headwaters and tributaries provided an important fishery for alewives, shad and rainbow smelt. However, the river suffered much the same as other river systems in …

The Mashpee River: Water Quality Index & Macroinvertebrates

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The Mashpee River is a short river, flowing only 5 miles before becoming tidal and draining into Popponesset Bay. In order to determine the overall water quality of our river, we ran tests on its levels of dissolved oxygen, BOD, temperature, pH, nitrates, phosphates, turbidity, and the presence of macroinvertebrates. A low level of dissolved oxygen is a sign of pollution, but our levels were better than ideal. Healthy pH levels for most fish fall between the values 5 and 9. Our pH levels were measured at around 6, well within the healthy range. Our river also maintained stable temperatures, …

Agawam River Project: Year 7

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Watershed Access Lab Program Overview - Spring 2010, Kim Mccoy

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Brief overview of the RiverNet Watershed Access program - its history and the achievements of the many participating teachers and students from throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.

Burr’S Pond And Runnins River: An Annual Watershed Survey, 2010

Watershed Access Lab Projects

AP Biology students at Seekonk High School are required to complete an independent research project to fulfill the Ecology unit of the course during the summer prior to the course. Students must apply what they learned in their readings to a local ecosystem, Burr’s Pond which is attached to the Runnins River. Students spend time at the pond area during the summer documenting organisms, evidence of population dynamics, animal behavior, trophic levels, nutrient cycling, etc. Students put together a Burr’s Pond Summer Field Research Project Portfolio to be submitted on the first day of school. Student projects are displayed at …

Influence Of Canopy Cover, Nutrients, And Season On Stoichiometric Variation Of Epilithon In Neotropical Streams., Tyler J. Kohler

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Light and nutrient availability are strong factors determining the nutrient composition of epilithon in temperate stream ecosystems. However, little work has been performed regarding this association in tropical streams. In our study, we investigated 1) how gradients of canopy cover and nutrients and 2) wet/dry seasonality influence epilithon standing stocks and nutrient quality. We surveyed 18 stream locations within six watersheds that varied in nutrient and light conditions during both the wet and dry seasons on the island of Trinidad to test these questions. Additionally, we sampled four stream reaches bimonthly for three years, thinning the canopy of two of …