Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project / Sidewalk fragmentation in Tucson is the result of City Code Ordinance 25-12 that places the responsibility of sidewalk installation and maintenance on property owner. However, with an average household income 27% below the national average and 25% of Tucson residents living below poverty level sidewalk fragmentation has become a pedestrian safety concern. By using Google Earth to measure the percentage of paved, unpaved and not present sidewalks in four historic communities in central Tucson; this study found a directly proportional relationship between the length of time the neighborhood has been listed as a historic community and the percentage of paved sidewalks within the neighborhood.

Landscape genetics is an emerging field that seeks to understand how specific landscape features and microevolutionary processes such as gene flow, genetic drift, and selection interact to shape the amount and spatial distribution of genetic variation. This study explores, through agent based simulations, how the specific mating and social system of tamarin primates (genus Saguinus) influences population genetic structure and patterns of relatedness within and among groups of this primate species, which might affect the ability of landscape genetic studies to detect the effects of fragmentation on gene flow. I use a spatially-explicit agent-based population genetics simulation model (GENESYS) configured to reflect the particular social system of tamarin monkeys (i.e. small group size, limited numbers of breeders per group, frequent twin births, and short dispersal distances) to assess whether the isolation by distance model of genetic differentiation expected in an unfragmented landscape can be distinguished from the isolation by barrier model expected in a fragmented landscape. GENESYS allows a user to explore the effects of social structure and landscape features on the population genetic structure of social animals, such as primates. I simulated two different landscapes containing an otherwise equivalent population of tamarins. In the first setup I simulated a homogeneous landscape unconstrained by any barriers to gene flow, while for the second setup, a barrier to gene flow restricted dispersal from one half of the landscape to the other. I found that the particular mating system of tamarin results in the rapid genetic differentiation of its social groups and consequently its populations. Social groups in the continuous landscape indeed revealed an isolation by distance pattern, while social groups on the fragmented landscape yielded instead an isolation by barrier model, where the barrier rather than geographic distance per se influenced the spatial genetic structure of the population. The results from this study suggest that features of the tamarin social system influence population genetic structure, which could affect the ability of landscape genetic studies to detect the effects of fragmentation on gene flow. To more fully address that issue, future studies should focus on a range of different primate social systems. / text

Expanded production of hydrocarbons by means of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing of shale formations has become one of the most important changes in the North American petroleum industry in decades, and the Eagle Ford (EF) Shale play in South Texas is currently one of the largest producers of oil and gas in the United States. Since 2008, more than 5000 wells have been drilled in the EF. To date, little research has focused on landscape impacts (e.g., fragmentation and soil erosion) from the construction of drilling pads, roads, pipelines, and other infrastructure. The goal of this study was to assess the spatial fragmentation from the recent EF shale boom, focusing on La Salle County, Texas. To achieve this goal, a database of wells and pipelines was overlain onto base maps of land cover, soil type, vegetation assemblages, and hydrologic units. Changes to the continuity of different ecoregions and supporting landscapes were then assessed using the Landscape Fragmentation Tool as quantified by land area and continuity of core landscape areas (those degraded by “edge effects”). Results show an increase in ecosystem fragmentation with a reduction in core areas of 8.7% (~333 km²) and an increase in landscape patches (0.2%; 6.4 km²), edges (1.8%; ~69 km²), and perforated areas (4.2%; ~162 km²) within the county. Pipeline construction dominates sources of landscape disturbance, followed by drilling and injection pads (85%, 15%, and 0.03% of disturbed area, respectively). This analysis indicates an increase in the potential for soil loss, with 51% (~58 km²) of all disturbance regimes occurring on soils with low water-transmission rates and a high runoff potential (hydrologic soil group D). Additionally, 88% (~100 km²) of all disturbances occurred on soils with a wind erodibility index of approximately 19 kt/km²/yr or higher, resulting in an estimated potential of 2 million tonnes of soil loss per year. Depending on the placement of infrastructure relative to surface drainage patterns and erodible soil, these results show that small changes in placement may significantly reduce ecological and hydrological impacts as they relate to surface runoff. Furthermore, rapid site reclamation of drilling pads and pipeline right-of-ways could substantially mitigate potential impacts. / text

In recent years a push to establish pulpwood plantation forestry in Sarawak, East Malaysia with Acacia mangium has been identified as a means to relieve pressure on the State’s diminishing natural forest resource whilst providing 1) economic wealth for a developing economy 2) community development, and 3) biodiversity conservation outside the protected area network. In a specially designated 504,000 hectare Planted Forest Zone (PFZ) a range of broad-scale landscape planning initiatives have been implemented in an attempt to conserve a representative sample of biodiversity across the plantation landscape. The effects of forest modification and fragmentation have been widely reported in the literature for mammals, and in this study, non-volant small mammals were fitted with tracking spools and/or radio collars and released into small forest remnants outside of their home ranges to measure response to unfamiliar habitats, forest edges and various scales of habitat fragmentation during simulated dispersal events. Medium sized patches exhibited the greatest species diversity and abundance, whereas the largest forest areas hosted the largest population of brown spiny rat (Maxomys rajah); a species that is identified as vulnerable across its natural range. Small forest patches of c.1.00 ha that had been exempt from clearing during plantation establishment are likely to be species poor and host small populations of extant species only. All species were found to make extensive use of downed woody debris for movement, and showed varied responses to a range of habitat edges including forest roads, acacia plantation compartments, old haul trails, clearings and riparian areas. Two species of treeshrew; long-footed treeshrew (Tupaia longipes) and painted treeshrew (T. picta) were shown to be able to move between the forest patch and the acacia forest while the same edges were shown to pose barriers to the brown spiny rat (M. rajah) and large treeshew (T. tana) illustrating the different ways that species may perceive and use habitat features such as corridors. Despite T. picta being common in the PFZ, comparatively little has been published on its ecology and behaviour compared with the other Bornean tupaiids. Therefore this study also reports on the movement and behaviour of this species within its own home territory as revealed from both radio telemetry and spool-and-line tracking. Home range size, dimension, average daily movement distances and nest site construction was found to be similar to other Tupaiids studied in secondary forests in Sabah, and home ranges were found to be dictated by anthropogenic landscape features such as forest roads and open areas across which no movement was recorded. Painted treeshrews were found to favour logs and fallen woody debris as movement substrates and spend the large majority of their movement at ground level. Camera trapping revealed possible interspecific nest sharing between the painted treeshrew and the three-striped ground squirrel (Lariscus insignis), fuelling the debate on whether or not treeshrews construct their own nests or use nests constructed by squirrels.

An investigation into the effects of deforestation and habitat fragmentation on a central Amazonian frog community was carried out on the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, (BDFFP) based in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Three aspects of deforestation were investigated: the effects of fragmentation and reserve size, the influence of matrix habitat and the effects offorest edge on frogs in 10- hectare isolates. Very few frogs species were lost from fragments (regardless of size) following fragmentation and isolation for 7-10 years. Instead, frog species richness increased, with an average increase in 10 species per fragment. The increase in species was brought about by an increase in matrix associated species, some of which were present in the absence of their preferred breeding habitat. Different frog species had varied responses to fragmentation. The abundance of Eleutherodactylus fenestratus, a terrestrial breeder, increased significantly as fragment size decreased, and its abundance was significantly higher in both large and small fragments than in continuous forest. Colostethus stepheni, a semi-terrestrial breeder, was less abundant in fragments than continuous forest. Finally, Eleutherodactylus zimmermanae and Osteocephalus sp.A did not differ significantly in abundance among fragments, or between fragments and continuous forest. Multiple regression analysis indicated that variation in litter depth and canopy cover may explain the observed increase in E. fenestratus abundance in small fragments. Breeding success of pool breeders attracted to artificial pools was variable, but there was no evidence of reduced breeding success in fragments relative to primary forest. Overall, fragmentation appeared to affect the frog community less severely than other taxonomic groups. Species richness in tropical forest remnants showed a tendency to increase as a result of fragmentation, and only one of four species exhibited lowered abundance in fragments. The effects of fragmentation and subsequent small isolated populations of frog species in fragments was alleviated somewhat by the ability of central Amazonian frogs to utilise matrix habitat. Litter frogs, wallow breeders and upland forest pool breeders all displayed an ability to permeate, and in most cases become residents of matrix habitat. Both matrix with a history of cut and burn and matrix which was only cut supported a similar frog community. Thus, for central Amazonian frogs isolates were not truly isolated due to the ability of frogs to utilise matrix habitat. Litter frogs in 10- hectare isolates displayed an independence from edge related abiotic and biotic gradients. This independence was true for frog species richness, abundance and composition. Consequently, forest fragments are in effect larger for frogs than for other taxa who are constrained by edge effects to exist only within the core of large fragments. Colostethus stepheni was one species found to be negatively affected by habitat fragmentation. Abundance of Colostethus stepheni was significantly lower in fragments and matrix habitat compared to primary continuous forest. This species was also found to be sensitive to edge, with higher abundances recorded as distance from the edge increased. The community level approach adopted in this study, as opposed to intensive investigation of single species, may well have overlooked other' sensitive' species which show more subtle responses to habitat fragmentation than that of Colostethus stepheni. The ability to use matrix and the relative independence from edge related phenomena accounts for the resilience of central Amazonian frogs in a disturbed and fragmented landscape. However, with respect to matrix habitat, forest surveyed in this study has not been repeatedly cut or cut and burnt (with the exception of pasture-land where the frog community is depauperate). In other areas of the Amazon, away from the experimental plots of the BDFFP, matrix habitat is destroyed more frequently. More work is needed to determine the ability of central Amazonian frogs to utilise matrix habitat which is disturbed more frequently.

Land conversion is one of the greatest threats to terrestrial ecosystems around the world, and understanding its impacts on the biota is crutial for the management and conservation of species in and around human-modified landscapes, particularly in those where local declines can quickly translate into the extinction of endemic species or Evolutionary Significant Units.I investigated how habitat loss and fragmentation impacted dispersal and extinction risk in three small vertebrates (a phrynosomatid lizard Urosaurus nigricaudus, and two heteromyid rodents Chaetodipus arenarius and Dipodomys simulans), in a highly fragmented agricultural valley from the Sonoran Desert in the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, where reptiles and rodents show high endemism and phylogenetic diversity. After reconstructing the history of habitat loss at the valley during the last 60 years, my approach involved the development and genotyping of 10 DNA microsatellite loci in 800 individuals from the three species that were sampled from continuous and fragmented habitat and analyzed using various population genetic methods.Although genetic diversity was not significantly affected by habitat loss and fragmentation, I observed an increase in genetic structure, relatedness, the spatial scale of individual movement and reversal of sex-biased dispersal in the three species, compared to continous habitat. I found evidence of a large and spatially localized extinction debt in the lizard, that showed individual dispersal restricted to<400 m in the fragmented habitat, while the two heteromyids seemed capable of dispersing over distances of few kilometers. Several observations supported a higher extinction risk in kangaroo rats compared to pocket mice. Continuous areas surrounding the fragmented landscape where identified as important sources of individuals to habitat fragments located nearby. Even the vegetation associated with a narrow wash across the fragmented landscape appeared to act as a corridor as high levels of dispersing individuals were inferred in the three species over a scale of several kilometers. This study provided an approach to evaluate the effects of distinct landscape features in preventing or allowing individual dispersal in multiple co-distributed species towards their conservation in human-modified landscapes.

No description available.

Despite over seven decades of speciation research and 25 years of phylogeographic studies, a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms that generate biological species remains elusive. In temperate zones, the pervasiveness of range fragmentation and subsequent range expansions suggests that secondary contact between diverging lineages may be important in the evolution of species. Thus, such contact zones provide compelling opportunities to investigate evolutionary processes, particularly the roles of geographical isolation in initiating, and indirect selection against hybrids in completing (reinforcement), the evolution of reproductive isolation and speciation. The spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) has six well-supported mitochondrial lineages many of which are now in secondary contact. Here I investigate the evolutionary consequences of secondary contact of two such lineages (Eastern and Interior) in Southwestern Ontario using genetic, morphological, acoustical, experimental, and behavioural evidence to show accentuated divergence of the mate recognition system in sympatry. Mitochondrial and microsatellite data distinguish these two lineages but also show ongoing hybridization. Bayesian assignment tests and cline analysis imply asymmetrical introgression of Eastern lineage nuclear markers into Interior populations. Male calls are divergent between Eastern and Interior allopatric populations and show asymmetrical reproductive character displacement in sympatry. Female preference of pure lineage individuals is also exaggerated in sympatry, with hybrids showing intermediate traits and preference. I suggest that these patterns are most consistent with secondary reinforcement. I assessed levels of post-zygotic isolation between the Eastern and Interior lineages using a laboratory hybridization experiment. Hybrid tadpoles showed equal to or greater fitness than their pure lineage counterparts, but this may be countered through competition. More deformities and developmental anomalies in hybrid tadpoles further suggest post-zygotic isolation. Despite evidence for pre-mating isolation between the two lineages, isolation appears incomplete (i.e. hybridization is ongoing). I hypothesize that potentially less attractive hybrids may circumvent female choice by adopting satellite behaviour. Although mating tactics are related to body size, genetic status may play a role. I show that pure Eastern males almost always engage in calling, while hybrids adopt a satellite tactic. An absence of assortative mating, despite evidence of female preference, suggests successful satellite interception possibly facilitating introgression. / Thesis (Ph.D, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2013-03-04 16:01:33.892

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

This thesis describes the development of a synthetic route that encodes a library of compounds containing medium-sized ring systems, with particular emphasis on the use of oxidative fragmentation and rearrangement strategies. Chapter 1 introduces diversity oriented synthesis (DOS) with particular emphasis on medium-sized ring synthesis and fragmentation/rearrangement protocols to achieve diversity. A more detailed discussion of oxidative fragmentation and rearrangement methods is also presented. Chapter 2 describes strategies for the synthesis of a collection of heterocyclic compounds known as diazabenz[e]aceanthrylenes. The scope of the reaction was explored as a function of a range of substituents and of the ring size of the N-aryl lactam that was used. Spectroscopic observations associated with this set of compounds are also discussed. Chapter 3 describes the development of an m-CPBA-mediated oxidative fragmentation of the diazabenz[e]aceanthrylenes. Analysis of the products from these reactions revealed the presence of atropisomerism due to restricted rotation about the N sp²-C(aryl) sp² bond. Chapter 4 focuses on a related example of oxidative fragmentation from the literature. A previously overlooked stereogenic axis is explored in this system using X-ray crystallographic analysis and variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Reinterpretation of the reported mechanism-probing experiment led to the isolation of an alternative isomeric product and an improved interpretation for the reaction outcome is presented. Variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopic experiments revealed the energy barrier to racemisation in the medium-sized ring-containing analogues and based on this data the mode of ring inversion is discussed. Chapter 5 describes three rearrangements of the medium-sized ring system created in Chapter 3 including the formation of an azepinoindole ring structure, a Favorskii reaction and spiro-oxindole synthesis. A rationalisation for these reaction outcomes is included along with experimental support of mechanistic proposals. The generality and scope of the reactions are demonstrated including a nucleophile screen. Chapter 6 describes the synthesis of a library of 69 compounds consisting of examples of the core structures described in Chapters 2, 3 and 5. A discussion of the selection process and adaption of the protocol to parallel synthesis is presented. This chapter concludes with preliminary screening of the library against a variety of strains of yeasts and bacteria.