Thesis (M.S.)--Baylor University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-55).

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The Arecaceae family is about 2500 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres, and represent an interest group to develop regeneration processes studies in tropical forests. In Colombia are present 47 genders and 247 species, the Andean region is the highest diverse in the country. In Tropical Montane Cloud Forests of Colombian Andes are found 24 genera of the Arecaceae family, Aiphanes, Geonoma, Wettinia and Ceroxylon genders are the most diverse in this ecosystem. In this study was estimated the richness and density of palms in canopy gaps of two areas in a Andean TMCF in the Caquetá department, Colombia, and analyzed the floristic patterns between gaps and closed canopy areas. It was also determined the relationship between the layer of the canopy occupied by the palm species and their presence in the canopy gaps. First were located and conducted an inventory of palm seedlings inside the canopy gap, and the adults grown in the contiguous area, registering biometric and environmental variables. The composition of the Arecaceae family registered in this TMCF was typical of Andean palms, finding Geonoma, Wettinia and Aiphanes genders with the highest species richness. This disturbance in the canopy favors the regeneration process of the Andean Palms community. The results indicate that the canopy gaps represent an important regeneration niche for Andean Palms, with large populations of seedlings in these microenvironments. It was also found that the presence of palm seedlings in canopy gaps is affected by canopy strata occupied by the species indicating that this microenvironment is more favorable for the species of the upper canopy and lesser for the lower canopy level palms. The 21 palm species represent a potential elements to be included in agroecological production systems, since the biology of the species and its potential use be well studied. / A Floresta Tropical Montana Nublada é ecossistema de elevada biodiversidade e pouco conhecido, ocorre acima dos 1000 metros de elevação e ocupa uma área total inferior a 0.5% da superfície terrestre. A Família Arecaceae abriga 2500 espécies e constitui um grupo de interesse para desenvolver estudos sobre os processos de regeneração nas florestas tropicais. Na Colômbia são mencionadas 247 espécies de palmeiras, sendo os Andes a região que apresenta a maior diversidade no país com 24 gêneros dentre os quais Aiphanes, Geonoma, Wettinia e Ceroxylon são os mais diversos. O dossel florestal é um subsistema estruturalmente complexo e ecologicamente crítico, definido como a combinação de fatores bióticos e abióticos dentro do espaço entre o solo e o dossel superior. Neste estudo foi estimada a riqueza e densidade de palmeiras andinas em clareiras de dois trechos de FTMN, encontrando que a composição registrada é típica das palmeiras andinas nas FTMN, e que a riqueza e a densidade registradas indicam o efeito positivo destas sobre processo de regeneração das palmeiras andinas. A presença de plântulas nas clareiras observou-se afetada pelo estrato do dossel ocupado pelas espécies sendo mais favorável às espécies do dossel superior. Os camponeses reportaram usos para 8 espécies contrastando com as 16 espécies encontradas na revisão de literatura. Isto indica a perda do conhecimento sobre estas espécies e seus potenciais usos nesta comunidade camponesa. Devido à importância desta estimativa na compreensão de diversos processos biológicos alguns autores desenvolveram métodos para estimar a área de clareiras ao nível do solo e no dossel superior. Aqui é apresentado um novo método para estimativa da área da clareira adaptado às condições ambientais dos Andes Colombianos, e sua inserção em uma ferramenta de base SIG para analisar padrões e observar algumas características das clareiras. O método niebla e a ferramenta SIG mostraram praticidade na sua aplicabilidade, acurácia nas estimativas, e diversidade de possibilidades na analise de fenômenos no microambiente das clareiras. / Mestre em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais

The objective of this thesis was to understand the spatial patterns and processes responsible for canopy and understorey spider (Arachnida: Araneae) diversity at multiple spatial scales in north-temperate hardwood forests. I sampled tree trunks (sticky traps) and foliage (beating) of sugar maple and American beech tree canopies and their understorey saplings in old growth forests near Montreal, Quebec. Results show the composition of canopy and understorey assemblages differed significantly, and so did sugar maple and American beech canopy assemblages. Each stratum was also dominated by different species. The rank-abundance distribution of species from each habitat wsa also verticaly stratified because it fit different distribution models. Different factors likely structure assemblages in both habitats, particularly since the canopy is a less stable environment. Spiders from canopy and understorey foliage were tested in a laboratory for their propensity to balloon. General linear models indicated that small sized web-building spiders of the RTA and Orbicularia clades have the highest propensity to balloon. Small bodied species initiated ballooning regardless of the habitat they were collected in or their developmental stage. My results support the mixed evolutionarily stable strategy theory and indicate the absence of risk-spreading in the dispersal strategy of canopy spiders. My last chapter focused on dispersal capacity and diversity patterns of spiders at multiple spatial scales. Analyses of the species diversity of limited and high dispersal capacity species subsets through nested-multivariate ANOVA, additive diversity partitioning, and species-abundance distribution curves all point towards species-sorting processes as the main driver of local community spider diversity at the tree and stand spatial scales. Mass-effects and patch-dynamic processes drive site and regional scale diversity patterns. This thesis demonstrates that spiders provide good models to test many biological hypotheses. The research chapters of this thesis test hypotheses on the vertical stratification of forest spider diversity, the evolution of local dispersal adaptations, and the importance of dispersal capacity on species diversity patterns through a metacommunity framework.

No description available.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Urban forestry is a very important element of urban structures that can improve the environment and life quality within the urban areas. Having an accurate classification of urban forests and grass areas would help improve focused urban tree planting and urban heat wave mitigation efforts. This research project will compare the use of high – resolution aerial imagery and LiDAR data when used to classify canopy and grass areas. The high – resolution image, with 1 – meter resolution, was captured by The National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) on 6/6/2012. Its coordinate system is the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). The LiDAR data, with 1.0 – meter average post spacing, was captured by Indiana Statewide Imagery and LiDAR Program from 03/13/2011 to 04/30/2012.The study area is called the Near East Side Community Organization (NESCO) neighborhood. It is located on the east side of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. Its boundaries are: 65 interstate, East Massachusetts Avenue, East 21st Street, North Emerson Avenue, and the rail road tracks on the south of the East Washington Street. This research will also perform the accuracy assessment based on the results of classifications using high – resolution aerial imagery and LiDAR data in order to determine and explain which method is more accurate to classify urban canopy and grass areas.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The purpose of this study was to identify urban heat island locations within Center Township, Indiana and to develop a model to determine areas of high social vulnerability. In addition, an urban heat island mitigation strategy was developed for socially vulnerable and highest temperature locations. Land surface temperature was estimated using Landsat ETM+ satellite imagery. Social vulnerability was estimated using principal components analysis and spatial analysis methods such as kernel density functions. These methods incorporate various socioeconomic variables, land surface temperature, and tree canopy cover. Tree canopy cover was extracted using Quickbird imagery among other techniques. Areas with high social vulnerability, high temperature and low tree canopy cover were analyzed and plantable spaces were assessed. The findings of this study will be shared with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. so that they can inform their tree planting campaigns that seek to reduce the effects of urban heat islands on socially vulnerable populations.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The purpose of this study was to locate the most suitable blocks to plant trees within Indianapolis, Indiana’s Near Eastside Community (NESCO). LiDAR data were utilized, with 1.0 meter average post spacing, captured by the Indiana Statewide Imagery and LiDAR Program from March 13, 2011 to April 30, 2012, to conduct a covertype classification and identify blocks that have low canopies, high impervious surfaces and high surface temperatures. Tree plantings in these blocks can help mitigate the effects of the urban heat island effect. Using 2010 U.S. Census demographic data and the principal component analysis, block groups with high social vulnerability were determined, and tree plantings in these locations could help reduce mortality from extreme heat events. This study also determined high and low priority plantable space in order to emphasize plantable spaces with the potential to shade buildings; this can reduce cooling costs and the urban heat island, and it can maximize the potential of each planted tree.