La plupart des activités humaines, industrielles ou domestiques, requièrent aujourd’hui l’utilisation d’énergie électrique. Les choix faits pour la production de cette électricité ont nécessité le développement de réseaux de transport d’électricité. En raison de sa densité de câbles, ce réseau induit une fragmentation de l’habitat des animaux volants et principalement des oiseaux. Au-delà des électrocutions au niveau des pylônes, cette fragmentation peut causer la mort d’individus par collision avec les câbles (Bevanger, 1998; Jenkins et al., 2010) et également le dérangement des espèces ou des modifications de leur comportement (Deng and Frederick, 2001; Prinsen et al., 2011; Shimada, 2001). Un grand nombre de facteurs influençant les collisions sont aujourd’hui identifiés (Janss, 2000; Martin and Shaw, 2010). Cependant, la quantification de la mortalité par collision reste complexe en raison de l’hétérogénéité des méthodes utilisées et de l’existence de biais à la quantification (Bech et al., 2012; Ponce et al., 2010). Cette thèse se concentre sur une approche méthodologique de l’étude des interactions des oiseaux avec le réseau de lignes électriques haute-tension (HT) et très-haute-tension (THT) en France métropolitaine. Le premier volet de la thèse concerne la localisation et la hiérarchisation de zones à risque d’interaction pour les oiseaux sur l’ensemble du réseau. Dans ce but, des données de configuration des lignes électriques, de présence (atlas) et de déplacement (couloirs de migration) d’espèces d’oiseaux vulnérables aux lignes électriques sont combinées. Le deuxième volet de la thèse consiste à mettre au point des méthodes qui pourraient permettre de quantifier à l’échelle nationale la mortalité des oiseaux par collision avec les lignes électriques HT-THT. La méthodologie proposée se base sur l’estimation des biais à la quantification, réalisée au cours de la thèse, que sont la détection des cadavres d’oiseaux par les observateurs et la persistance des cadavres sous les lignes électriques. Le troisième et dernier volet de la thèse concerne les modifications de comportement des oiseaux en réponse à la fragmentation de l’espace aérien. Afin de caractériser les mouvements des oiseaux à l’approche des lignes électriques, nous avons adapté une méthodologie d’analyse proposée récemment pour étudier les stratégies d’évitement des oiseaux à différentes échelles spatiales. L’objectif de cette analyse est d’identifier les comportements de vol qui pourraient résulter en une collision avec les câbles. Des données de suivis par télémétrie en trois dimensions (données GPS 3D) de Vautour fauve (Gyps fulvus) sont utilisées dans cette étude comportementale. Ce travail de recherche a permis de proposer un cadre méthodologique pour l’étude des interactions entre oiseaux et lignes électriques et de mettre en évidence l’importance des biais de quantification associés à la recherche de cadavres d’oiseaux sous les lignes. Il a établi pour la première fois une hiérarchisation du risque d’interaction des oiseaux avec les lignes électriques sur l’ensemble du réseau de transport d’électricité français. Les facteurs qui influencent l’utilisation de l’espace à proximité des lignes électriques par les vautours fauves dans les Causses ont également été mis en évidence. / Nowadays, most human activities, be they industrial or domestic, involve the use of electricity. Electricity production choices have required the development of electricity transmission networks. The density of this network has fragmented the habitats of flying animals, birds mainly. Further to the electrocution at power poles, this fragmentation can also cause the death of birds colliding with power lines (Bevanger, 1998; Jenkins et al., 2010) and also the disturbance of species or changes in their behaviour (Deng and Frederick, 2001; Prinsen et al., 2011; Shimada, 2001). Many factors have been identified that influence collision (Janss, 2000; Martin and Shaw, 2010). However, bird mortality by collision is difficult to quantify because of the heterogeneity of methods used and also of the existence of quantification biases (Bech et al., 2012; Ponce et al., 2010). This work is centered on a methodological analysis of the interactions between birds and the High-Voltage(HV) and the Very-High-Voltage (VHV) power grid in Metropolitan France. The First Part discusses the localisation and proposes a hierarchy of the risk areas for birds all along the power network. To this purpose we combine data on the configuration of the power network with data on the presence (breeding atlas), and the movements (migration corridors) of bird species that are vulnerable to power lines. In the Second Part, we developed methods for the quantification, at the national level, of bird mortality that result from the collision with HV and VHV power lines. The methodology proposed builds on the estimation achieved during this thesis of the quantification biases through bird carcass detection by observers and the persistence of these carcasses below power lines. The third and last part of this thesis is about bird behaviour change as a response to airspace fragmentation. We characterised the behaviour of birds when they come close to power lines, by adapting a methodology that analyses bird movements. This methodology was recently proposed for the study of bird avoidance at different spatial scales. The aim of our analysis was to identify flight behavior that potentially results in a collision with power lines. Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) data collected with three dimensional telemetry (3D GPS data) were used in this behavioural study. This research corpus brings forward a methodological framework for the study of the interaction between birds and power lines and highlights the magnitude of quantification biases associated to the search for bird remains below power lines. For the first time a hierarchy of interactions risks between birds and power lines is established across the entire electricity transmission network in France. Factors that influence Griffon vultures spatial use in the vicinity of power lines in the French Causses were identified.

A thorough understanding of demographic parameters and their contribution to overall population growth is fundamental to effective conservation of small populations, but this information is often lacking. The Pacific Coast population of the Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) is listed as threatened and has been the target of long-term, multi-pronged management in Oregon. The Oregon coastal population has been intensively monitored since 1990, and over 80% of the population is color banded, but a comprehensive analysis of demographic parameters and the effect of management on vital rates and population growth has been unavailable until now. Here, the author used capture-mark-resight techniques to document survival at each life stage and to explore environmental and management factors that best explained variation in survival over a 25-year study period. The author analyzed the effects of habitat restoration, exclosure use, and lethal predator management on survival at appropriate life stages and evaluated the effects of one management option, lethal predator control, on overall population growth. Chick survival to fledging improved dramatically after the chicks' 5th day, was higher in years with lethal predator management, and was highest during the peak of the long brood-rearing season. Cold weather, particularly during the chicks' first 5 days, had a negative effect on survival to fledging. Juvenile survival from fledging to the following spring declined over the study period, but rebounded after implementation of lethal predator management. Adult survival was lower in wetter-than-average winters and higher in years with predator management. The author used the survival analyses and productivity data collected over 25 years in a matrix population model to reveal that population growth is most sensitive to changes in adult survival, and that while predator management is important for continued growth, its use may be scaled back by as much as 50% and still maintain a growing population. My results, encompassing all phases of this species' life cycle, demonstrate that with holistic and thoughtful adaptive management, and with the cooperation of numerous agencies, a balance can be struck between protection and control of native species to bring about recovery of species threatened with (local) extinction.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Zoology)) --University of Limpopo, 2009 / The aim of this study was to determine the breeding habitat of Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus) by investigating the home range, habitat selection and habitat suitability. Geographic Information System (GIS) was used as the main tool for analysis. Home range sizes of Blue Cranes were studied during the breeding season using direct observation method. A 50% and 95% Adaptive Kernel was used to estimate home range sizes. The home range sizes were 9.0 ha and 43.5 ha for 50% and 95% Adaptive Kernel, respectively. All the nests were located within 50% Adaptive Kernel, often referred to as core area. The nests were located in agricultural land (mainly pasture) and close to water sources. Habitat selection was studied at nest sites (n = 74) and random sites (n = 200) following site attribute design. The Blue Crane showed a preference to breed in agricultural lands, close proximity to water sources, higher elevation areas, within north eastern sandy highveld vegetation, and north facing slope. The Blue Crane also avoided anthropogenic factors such as built-up land, roads and railway line. ModelBuilder extension of ArcGIS software was used to construct a breeding habitat suitability model for Blue Cranes. Nine habitat variables (water source, slope, aspect, elevation, land use, vegetation, built-up land, roads and railway line) were used in the model. The model was constructed using reclassify and weighted overlay command. Highly suitable sites accounted for 601, 448 ha, while moderately suitable sites accounted for 823, 593 ha, and least suitable sites accounted for 3, 000, 153 ha. This study demonstrated the effective use of GIS technology in analysing the breeding ecology of Blue Crane. The GIS technology provided capabilities for capturing and analysing varied and large data. It was also evident that availability of accurate and complete species data remains vital to enable the full utilization of the GIS technology.

Orientador: Flavia Medeiros Sarti / Banca: Juliana Reichert Assunção Tonelli / Banca: Denise Trento Rebello de Souza / Resumo: Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar, pela ótica do conceito de campo tal qual formulada por Pierre Bourdieu, como a Língua Inglesa para Crianças (LIC) se legitima no campo educacional, caracterizando as disputas em torno de sua formacão de professores. Para tanto, elege como referecial empírico o Projeto Early Bird, programa fruto de uma parceria entre a Secretaria de Educação do Estado de São Paulo (SEE) e o Ministério da Cultura e Educação da Holanda, cujo objetivo era introduzir a Língua Inglesa aos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental I de algumas escolas selecionadas da rede estadual paulista. Para início, propomos uma reflexão a partir do conceito de campo a fim de discutirmos a hipotética existência de um Subcampo das Línguas Estrangeiras onde a LIC encontra-se como capital mais valorizado e disputado por agentes de campos mais autônomos que o circundam, a saber: os campos educacional, científico e econômico. Dessa maneira, ao nos valermos do procedimento metodológico do Estudo de Caso, orientado por perspectiva qualitativa, tomamos o processo de implementacão do projeto Early Bird como flagrante das disputas e polêmicas que envolvem o campo da formação de professores no Brasil, mais especificamente a formação de professores de LIC. Assim, a partir da seleção de textos públicos (notícias veiculadas pela imprensa e resoluções) e videoconferências referentes ao projeto, exploramos nossos dados documentais e bibliográficos visando investigar as estratégias de legitimação utilizadas pelos agentes envolvidos em sua implementação e identificar o resultado desse processo para a universidade. Após... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The purpose of this dissertation is to analyze how Education sanctions English for Children through the lens of the field concept developed by Pierre Bourdieu and characterize discussions surrounding Teacher Education in this segment. Therefore, the Early Bird project was chosen as an empirical reference. This program is the result of a partnership between the São Paulo State Secretary of Education and the Ministry of Culture and Education from Holland, which purpose was to introduce English in Early Childhood Education at specific grade schools in São Paulo state. Initially, we propose a reflection based on the field concept to initiate discussions of the hypothetical existence of a sub-field of Foreign Languages of which English for Children is the most valued capital and is disputed by agents of surrounding and more independent fields such as education, science, and economy. Thus, by validating the methodological process of our Case Study and directed by qualitative perspective, we have used Early Bird as an obvious example against arguments and controversies related to Teacher Education in Brasil, especially those involved with English for Children.For this reason, we explored documentary and bibliographic data from a selection of public texts (information made known by the press and resolutions) and pertinent videoconferences to further investigate legitimizing strategies used by agents involved in the implementation process and identify the result of this endeavor for... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Some seabirds (such as Northern Gannets and Brown Boobies) can dive from heights as high as 30 m reaching speeds of up to 24 m/s as they impact the water surface. It is perceived that physical geometry, particularly of the beak, allows them to endure relatively high impact forces that could otherwise kill non-diving birds. Acceleration data from simplified models of diving birds agree with simulated data for one species (Northern Gannet), however, no reliable experimental data with real bird geometries exist for comparison purposes. This study utilizes eleven 3D printed diving birds (five plunge-diving, five surface-diving and one dipper) with embedded accelerometers to measure water-entry impact accelerations for impact velocities ranging between 4.4 - 23.2 m/s. Impact forces for all bird types are found to be comparable under similar impact conditions and well within the safe zone characterized by neck strength as found in recent studies. However, the time each bird requires to reach maximum impact acceleration and its effect represented here by the derivative of acceleration (i.e., jerk), is different based on its beak and head shape. We show that surface diving birds cannot dive at high speeds as the non-dimensional jerk experienced exceeds a safe limit estimated from human impact analysis, whereas those by plunge divers do not.

“Perilous Pilgrimage: A Lady’s Flight into the Rocky Mountain Wilderness” is comprised of four thematically linked essays set in the Colorado Rockies. In these essays I probe my fascination with masculinity at an early age, the impact of my rape at age twenty-two, the dependency and resentment that undermined my marriage after the rape, and my quest after my divorce fifteen years later to define myself on my own terms. The link joining these strands is the tension between my drive for independence and my disassociation from my mind and body as a result of the rape. “Perilous Pilgrimage” revisits three pivotal stages of my life: childhood, young adulthood, and middle age. As a youngster vacationing with my family in Rocky Mountain National Park, I was drawn to men who rescued lost hikers and climbed mountains. Fred Bowen, the caretaker of our rented cabin in the park, and the two California school teachers who were the first to conquer the Diamond on Longs Peak, appeared to have more freedom than I did as a middle-class girl growing up in the 1950s. That conviction was reinforced after I moved to Colorado at age seventeen. Four years later I graduated from college and began dating a man who introduced me to the thrill and terror of mountaineering. After leading me up numerous mountains, he became my husband, and we made our home in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Once married, I could no longer repress the unresolved issues of my rape and identity quest, and I revolted. At age thirty-nine, I embarked on a solo quest to reclaim that sense of wonder and independence I had felt as a child exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. Included in my essays are references to historical figures with similar urges as mine, such as the 19th-century English explorer George Augustus Ruxton and English travel writer Isabella Bird. My search for refuge and redemption in the Colorado Rockies replicated a centuries-old pattern.

Bird strikes ( collisions between birds and aircraft) pose a significant threat to aviation safety. For example , Naval Air Facility El Centro, California, lost an F-18 jet to a bird strike in October 1995. To help combat the bird-strike threat at Naval Air Facility El Centro, I developed a bird-avoidance model as a risk-management tool for the installation. It can be used to schedule flights at NAF El Centro and its two associated practice-bombing ranges during times of low-bird activity. I calculated bird-strike risks and published them in web-page format on both the installation's server and the USGS/Utah State University, College of Natural Resources' server for easy access by flight crews, flight-safety officers, airfield managers, natural resource managers, and other Navy personnel. Bird hazards during daylight hours were quantified using daily bird counts through the year 2000. These were combined with a bird-hazard index for various species, developed using U.S. Air Force bird-strike records. Nocturnal bird hazards were quantified in the fall of 2000 using a bird-radar system to count birds in three relative size classes. Large- and medium-sized birds were scaled to represent a higher risk to aircraft than small birds. Nocturnal bird hazards beyond the fall study were estimated using U.S. Air Force bird-strike records. The main section of the web page allows the user to select the area and time of year, which links to the appropriate color-coded bird-strike-risk graph. The graphs describe the bird-strike risk by time of day and altitude with red for high risk, yellow for moderate risk, and green for low risk. The web page also identifies and describes the most hazardous bird species in the area, recommends methods of hazard management, and provides links to bird-strike-information sources on the web.

Censuses of two 20-acre plots in upper Logan Canyon, Utah, were made by the spot-mapping method during 1970 and 1971 to determine the differences in composition and density of breeding-bird populations in aspen stands of significantly different density and stature. The less dense stand of greater average d.b.h., average height and per cent ground cover had 20 breeding species totalling 615 pairs per 100 acres (expressed as equivalent territories). The more dense stand of smaller trees and brushy undergrowth had 14 breeding species with 267.5 equivalent territories per 100 acres. Nine species were found on both areas. Observations of foraging height were made concurrently with recordings of time spent at various methods of feeding- ground, vi foliage, bark, hover, and hawking- for the birds of the more open stand. Comparison showed that more ground- and low bush-nesters were present on the dense, brushy stand whereas more cavity-nesters were found in the larger trees. Cavity excavation was limited to trees of greater d.b.h. and cavity-dependent birds were thus limited by nest-hole availability. The horizontal, heavy branch stubs preferred by pewees and tree swallows and the high perches and open areas of the olive-sided flycatcher were also limited to the less dense stand. Cassin's finches and pine siskins were not found in the dense stand which had fewer invading conifers and was farther from conifer stands. Attributes of the terrain, foraging sites, nest sites, and location of perches were analyzed as possible proximate factors of habitat selection within aspen.

The breeding biology of western grebe was studied at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah in 1973 and 1974. More than 300 nests were located and data gathered on nesting habitat and success. Western grebe at Bear River selected nest sites for nearness to open water of approximately 30 em in depth. At least one young was hatching in 21 percent of the nests. Avian predation and abandonment of nests following drops in water levels caused the greatest loss of nests. Chlorinated hydrocarbons monitored in western grebes showed DDE, DDD, PCB, 1260, and PCB 1254 levels in 24 breast muscle samples (wet weight) to average 12. 8, 0. 8, 3. 8, and 3. 5 ppm respectively. Contaminant concentration was found to be correlated to the condition of the bird as determined by visceral fat content. A significant (p<. 01) 2. 3 percent decline in western grebe eggshell thickness between preand post-DDT use periods was found. DDE was significantly (p<. 05) negatively correlated with eggshell thickness in western grebe. Contaminants were not linked to any reproductive failure in western grebe at Bear River MBR.

An undue focus on Temperate Zone oscines (songbirds or passerines) has led to a geographical bias in interpretation of song frmnction and evolution. This bias led initially to relatively simplistic theories of the ftmnction of bird song with vocalizations divided into 'songs' and 'calls'. Songs were complex, learned vocalizations, given by males in the breeding season, thnctioning in territory defence and mate attraction and stimulation. Calls, on the other hand, were simple innate vocalizations serving more immediate needs such as begging for food and raising an alarm. Female song, where it occurred, was considered an aberration. Further studies suggested that complex songs were associated with mate attraction functions while simpler songs were associated with territory defence. However it became apparent that the distinction between songs and calls was not nearly so clear-cut and the supposed connection between complexity and function in song was questioned. Moreover it was realised that female song could not be dismissed as a mere aberration. Another problem was the ftmnction of the dawn chorus, where research had failed to find a consistent, all-encompassing explanation. Since most studies had been done on Northern Hemisphere songbirds, it was becoming clear that the geographical focus needed to be broadened. The life histories of Northern Hemisphere TemperateZone songbirds are very different from those in many other regions. In contrast to the situation in this zone, maintenance of year-round territory, territory defence by both male and female, life-long social monogamy and extensive female vocalization are widespread in tropical, subtropical and Southern Hemisphere regions. Recently it has been suggested that more intensive studies of vocalizations in these regions might help clariQi some of these issues and consequently an endemic Australian passerine was chosen for the current study. The study focused on the vocalizationsof the grey butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Artamidae, which displays the life history features described above. The main study population was located in the Brisbane suburbs of Rainworth and Bardon. Additional data were gathered from other Brisbane suburbs and bushland sites within the city and at Lake Broadwater near Dalby, Queensland. Vocalizations were initially recorded electronically and analysed using Canary sound editing program. Vocalization data were supplemented using an aural recording method, which was independently checked for reliability. Behavioural data including posture during vocalizations and interactions with other birds were also gathered. Initial investigationsrevealed the existence of two main categories of vocalizations - those given by the family group during the day, all year round and those given at dawn by males during the breeding season. For the focal study populations, group vocalizations were studied throughout the year over several years, however the song given at dawn by males during the breeding season proved to be quite complex and three birds from three territories in the main study area were chosen as case studies. Recordings were made of the vocalizations of the three case study birds over three breeding seasons. Starting and fmishing times (with respect to civil twilight) were recorded in order to determine both changes in song bout duration and starting time throughout the breeding season. Additional birds from the same area, from the other Brisbane suburbs and from the bushland sites were studied to check the validity of conclusions drawn from the case studies. The results of the investigations revealed a vocalization structure that contrasted strongly with the simple picture of bird song drawn from study ofNorthernHemisphere Temperate Zone passerines. The vocalizations given during the day, often referred to as the 'song' of this species, were very different from the early dawn song given by the male during the breeding season. This latter appeared to be song sensu stricto according to the paradigms developed for Northern Hemisphere birds. The thytime vocalizations, however, fitted neither the classic definition of 'song' nor the classic definition of 'call'. This relatively long-term study revealed different starting time patterns and periodicity for thy vocalizations and male breeding season song. Day vocalizations commenced at a fairly constant time with respect to civil twilight throughoutthe year but breeding season song started progressively earlier from the beginning through to the middle of the season then progressively later till the end of the season. Relative finishing time of breeding song however remained constant so that the duration of breeding season song gradually increased then decreased paralleling the change in starting times. A consequence of the two distinct classes of vocalizations was that there were essentially two distinct 'dawn choruses'. One, consisting of group vocals, was sung all year round; the other was given by males singing 'breeding season' song. Since there was no reason the expect that a single function would necessarily be ascribed to both choruses, this raised the possibility that some of the confusion surrounding the ftinction and nature of the 'dawn chorus' originated from a failure to recognize the existence of two such choruses. Variation in time and space showed ifirther differences between the two vocalization classes. The breeding song of each male was distinctly different from that of his neighbours and there was a marked change in the repertoire of any individual from one year to the next. In marked contrast, daytime vocalization repertoires of neighbouring groups were virtually indistinguishable and changed little from year to year. These findings, together with information from recent literature, suggested that the two song classes had a different ontogeny, function and possibly evolution. It was proposed that territory declaration was the function of dawn singing by grey butcherbird family groups but that the function most consistent with adult male dawn song was attraction of females for extra-pair copulations. It was suggested that chorusing itself was to some extent an accidental by-product of the advantage to the individual or group of singing at dawn although a recently proposed function, the social dynamics function, could not be ruled out. Further differences from the Northern Hemisphere situation were detected in subsong. First, subsong was given by birds in their first year and also by adult males. The finding of subsong in adult males was not without precedent as it has been documented previously for a small number of passerines, especially those that change repertoire from year to year. Subsong in young (first year) birds, however, was unusual in that birds practised in small groups rather than in the complete isolation usually associated with subsong. Moreover they did not practise adult male song but instead practised group daytime vocalizations. It was suggested that it was important for birds to learn to sing in company for the important task of group territory defence. Further investigation of the literature and observations during the present study revealed similar vocalization classes and behaviours in other members of the Artamidae and other endemic Australasian taxa. These literature investigations also revealed that the possession two song vocalization classes was quite widespread although they tended to be restricted (but not exclusive) to males rather than found in males and females. These findings led to furtherresearch into the significanceofAustraliain the evolution of songbirds, the role of co-operative breeding in Australianpasserines, and finally to an hypothesis for a possible origin of male bird song. It is suggested that male song arose in a social environment where the male and female were in frequent vocal communication. If the tendency to seek extra-pair copulations (EPCs) and female choice had already been incorporated into the suite of passerine behaviours, it would be necessary to avoid the mate during such activities and the male would need to advertise with a signal distinct from group vocalizations. Early dawn, with poor light conditions, could be a favourable time for these activities. Thus it is proposed that the ancestral condition was with all group members singing most vocalisations, the intermediate situation was similar to that in the grey butcherbird and the 'advanced' condition was where female and other group member vocalizations (other than calls) have dropped out and only male song remains.