Doctoral dissertation--History--University of Iowa. / Bibliogr. p. 499-532.

In Australia, high local densities of macropodid marsupials in state parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries are threatening biodiversity and pose a considerable management challenge. The high public profile of these species places socio-political constraints on the management options available. The use of fertility control techniques appears to offer an alternative. However, before a contraceptive system can be developed a detailed knowledge of the reproductive processes for that species must be generated. In this thesis, sexual maturity, seasonal reproduction, aspects of the endocrinology of reproduction and fertility control were investigated in the eastern grey kangaroo. In Victoria the eastern grey kangaroo is capable of breeding at all times of the year, although breeding is more synchronous than in northern populations, with 41% of the females breeding between December and January. In Victorian populations the onset of sexual maturity is delayed in both sexes, with females reaching maturity at 22 ± 1.2months and some males not reaching sexual maturity by 32 months of age. Male kangaroos showed seasonal changes that closely tracked the reproductive activity of the female kangaroos. Plasma testosterone concentrations were significantly elevated during the peak breeding period compared to all other times of the year. Both prostate and testis weights were low during winter when the reproductive activity of the females is low, although the difference was not significant.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Canberra, 2006. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Dec. 11, 2007). Includes bibliographical references (p. 247-290).

We consider a data set comprising encounters between gray seals off Sable Island in the autumn of 2009. We apply Spatial Point Pattern data analysis approaches to this data set and demonstrate the effectiveness of these techniques. Specifically we propose using point processes for clustered data; the Inhomogeneous Poisson process, and the subset of cluster processes called Cox processes. We utilize maximum likelihood methods to produce a model for the mean intensity of the seal encounters which includes spatial covariates. We then consider the impact of inhomogeneity and review minimum contrast methods for fitting the Cox process models, specifically the Thomas and Matern cluster processes. We demonstrate that these methods allow us to gain valuable insight into the nature and extent of grey seal encounters at sea. Finally we validate both our conclusions and the approach taken using the most recent data available, that of autumn 2010.

No description available.

Eucalyptus microcarpa Maiden (Grey Box) is a common and widespread woodland and open forest in south-eastern Australia. In Victoria, it features prominently in woodlands throughout the southern, central and northern plains environments, and also in the box-ironbark forests of the Great Dividing Range. Temperate grassy woodlands have been extensively modified since European settlement of Victoria and consequently the native biodiversity associated with them has undergone a dramatic decline. Paramount to this decline has been the landscape-scale reduction in tree cover associated with agricultural clearing, which in some regions approaches 95% or pre-European extent. Similar to most other woodland tree species, E. microcarpa is today restricted to small remnant patches or relict individuals within agricultural landscapes where extensive stands once occurred.

<p> The problem studied in this thesis is variations in assessed farm values in a selected area of Grey County, Ontario. A random sample of eighty farms was taken from four townships located in the vicinity of the city of Owen Sound.</p> <p> Data was collected on distance to the city, farm size, quality of buildings, soil, land use and type of road. Hypotheses were developed and tested with the use of multiple regression. The analysis provided empirical proof of the validity of the a priori hypotheses. The directional impact of the variables can be predicted.</p> <p> Two of the variables, quality of buildings and size of farm were found to be statistically significant. The low level of explanation of the variation in farm values is related to the size of the sample and to the relative uniformity of conditions in the area being investigated.</p> <p> The use of actual sale values, a larger sample and a more diverse area near a city that is an important market centre is recommended as a basis for further research.</p> / Thesis / Candidate in Philosophy

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Melbourne, 2005. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Dec. 3, 2006). Includes bibliographical references (p. 123-139).