Thesis (M.S.)--University of West Florida, 2009. / Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 0 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2011. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-67). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point. / Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Master of Science in Natural Resources (Fisheries), College of Natural Resources. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-104).

Understanding where and why organisms are distributed in the environment are central themes in ecology. Animals live in environments in which they are subject to competing demands, such as the need to forage, to find mates, to reproduce, and to avoid predation. Optimal habitats for these various activities are usually distributed heterogeneously in the landscape and may vary both spatially and temporally, causing animals to adjust their locations in space and time to balance these conflicting demands. In this dissertation, I outline three studies of Procambarus fallax in the ridge-slough landscape of Water conservation Area 3A (WCS-3A). The first section outlines an observational sampling study of crayfish population distribution in a four hectare plot, where I statistically model the density distribution at two spatial scales. ... Secondly, I use radio telemetry to study individual adult crayfish movements at two study sites and evaluate habitat selection using Resource Selection Functions. In the third section, I test the habitat selection theory, ideal free distribution, by assessing performance measures (growth and mortality) of crayfish in the two major vegetation types in a late wet season (November 2007) and early wet season (August 2009). / by Craig van der Heiden. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapter. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

The cross-sectional form of semi-alluvial bedrock channels was investigated. Channel geometry data were collected from a variety of streams in Ontario and Québec, Canada to develop empirical downstream scaling relationships. The relationships revealed that bedrock, mixed, and alluvial channels scale at similar rates with respect to discharge. The widest channels were formed in low-relief sedimentary bedrock with minimal alluvial cover. Channels influenced by resistant igneous/metamorphic bedrock produced a strong scaling relationship, whereas channels influenced by weak sedimentary bedrock produced a weak scaling relationship. Alluvial cover appeared to exhibit more control on channel width in low-relief settings in comparison to high-relief settings, with increased alluvial cover promoting channel narrowing. Channels influenced by igneous/metamorphic bedrock produced identifiable thalwegs, presumably due to well-defined bedload transport pathways. Channels influenced by sedimentary bedrock tended to have planar beds. Additionally, fish habitat was investigated at one semi-alluvial bedrock stream in Ontario, Canada. Fish sampling was conducted at proximate bedrock and alluvial sections followed by a survey of physical habitat parameters to evaluate habitat preferences. Adult logperch (Percina caprodes), juvenile white sucker (Catostomus commersonii), adult round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), and adult longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) demonstrated preference toward alluvial substrate, whereas juvenile logperch and adult banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) demonstrated preference toward bedrock. Juvenile silver shiner (Notropis photogenis) and juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were indifferent to substrate type. Empirical depth and flow velocity habitat suitability indices (HSIs) were developed for each fish species. This study presents the first fish habitat suitability criteria developed from a small semi-alluvial bedrock stream and may provide valuable information for fisheries management endeavours in such environments.

I investigated streambed stability in spawning microhabitats of warmwater fishes in the upper Roanoke River, Virginia. Spawning microhabitats used by four reproductive guilds (egg-clusterers, mound-builders, egg-buriers, and pit-builders) were identified and ranges of 15 microhabitat variables used by each guild were compared to available microhabitat conditions to investigate habitat selection. Habitat usage by egg-clusterers was most characterized by selection for spawning rocks in the cobble size range, substrate roughness elements in the cobble to boulder size range, high roughness Reynolds number and moderate water column velocity. The mound-building bluehead chub (Nocomis leptocephalus) was distinct in its selection of substrate in the small gravel range, low water velocity and non-turbulent flow. Egg-buriers were the least distinct of the four guilds, exhibiting much variation in habitat use among the component species. However, all species used areas with small substrate (sand to gravel range), high velocity, and high turbulence. The pit-building central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) was distinct in its usage of areas with high velocity and turbulence, gravel sized substrate, and low embeddedness. Stability of each guild's spawning microhabitats was empirically evaluated through analysis of tracer particle movement and repeated surveying of bed elevation along stream transects. Logistic regression equations developed from tracer particle data predicted that microhabitats selected by egg-clusterers are among the most stable of all available habitats during high flows. Microhabitats utilized by mound-builders, egg-buriers, and pit-builders are predicted to be less stable. Repeat transect surveying corroborates model predictions in that egg-burier habitats experienced changes in bed elevation in high flows, while egg-clusterer habitats did not. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Ecology and Biodiversity / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

This study examined features of deep pool (>0.8 m mean depth) used by adult summer steelhead in Steamboat Creek (1991-1992). Steamboat Creek had a heterogenous thermal profile, with some segments exceeding preferred temperature of steelhead. Deep pools were scarce (4% of the total habitat units) and 39% of them were identified as cool pools (mean bottom water temperature [less than or equal to] 19°C). Adult summer steelhead were found primarily in deep pools, avoiding other habitats (glides, riffles) and even cold but shallow tributary junctions. Use of odds ratio showed that use of cool pools use was estimated to be 11 times greater than the odds of the use of warm pools (P <0.001). Discriminant analysis identified mean bottom pool water temperature, riparian forest at the pool bank, proportion of large boulders, maximum length and mean depth as the best subset of variables that accounted for differences between pools occupied and not occupied by adult steelhead. A total of 69% of the variation was explained by differences in used and not used groups. Classification accuracy was 89%. Canton Creek, a tributary of Steamboat Creek, were tested as validation site for the derived model, observing that the classification function performed moderately, achieving a hit-ratio of 0.7. Results of the study showed that, since bottom pool temperature was a major factor but other ecological factors were also relevant, an integrated framework would be required in determining pool used by this species. Moderate success of the predictive model suggests that managers will want to check it before applying in other basins. / Graduation date: 1995

Boshers dam vertical slot fishway, James River, Virginia, U.S.A., opened in 1999 and restored connectivity to 543.3 km of spawning habitat for anadromous fish. The fishway also allowed local movement of resident species. Video observation from 2001-2005 was used to evaluate environmental predictors of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) and sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) passage. The ecological effects of restoring connectivity to upstream habitat for gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) and blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are also discussed. Regression analysis determined that the best predictor of increased daytime American shad passage is higher water temperatures and discharge and for increased daytime sea lamprey passage, a higher water temperature and increasing water temperature trend. Day length, and indirectly, barometric pressure also played a role in passage. Sea lamprey and American shad peak passage rates were dissimilar when comparing preferred water temperature ranges. Sea lamprey peaked (5.30/hr) at 16-17.99°C, while American shad peaked (1.05/hr) at 20-21.99°C. The diel pattern of passage for American shad indicated a strong diurnal tendency. All passage occurred during daytime hours, peaking from 1100 to 1900 hours. Diel patterns of sea lamprey indicated a strong nocturnal tendency (66% of passage occurring at night), with peak passage between 0300 and 0700 hours. More complete nightly passage data and passage data from periods when the water is too turbid for video observation would improve the accuracy of determining environmental predictors of passage.