Invasive alien species (IAS) pose a serious threat to ecosystems and societies worldwide. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) is increasingly valued as a means of understanding environmental issues; however, its application in the context of IAS research has been limited. The overall objective of this study was to document the LEK of farmers and Weed Supervisors to gain insight into a recent IAS, Odontites serotina. I conducted semi-structured interviews with farmers and Weed Supervisors with O. serotina management experience. Results indicated that the socio-economic impacts for farmers were severe in affected rural communities. However, participants had developed promising control techniques, including the application of compost mulch. I used this LEK as well as data on species occurrence, environmental variables, and measures of propagule pressure to forecast the potential distribution of O. serotina across Manitoba. The risk map generated will be useful for guiding future monitoring and public outreach efforts.

Invasive alien species (IAS) pose a serious threat to ecosystems and societies worldwide. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) is increasingly valued as a means of understanding environmental issues; however, its application in the context of IAS research has been limited. The overall objective of this study was to document the LEK of farmers and Weed Supervisors to gain insight into a recent IAS, Odontites serotina. I conducted semi-structured interviews with farmers and Weed Supervisors with O. serotina management experience. Results indicated that the socio-economic impacts for farmers were severe in affected rural communities. However, participants had developed promising control techniques, including the application of compost mulch. I used this LEK as well as data on species occurrence, environmental variables, and measures of propagule pressure to forecast the potential distribution of O. serotina across Manitoba. The risk map generated will be useful for guiding future monitoring and public outreach efforts.

Submitted by Izabel Franco (izabel-franco@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-12T20:08:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseSSD.pdf: 4196266 bytes, checksum: 852bdafbbad865e0ccb454503e54e11b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-13T19:55:41Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseSSD.pdf: 4196266 bytes, checksum: 852bdafbbad865e0ccb454503e54e11b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-13T19:55:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseSSD.pdf: 4196266 bytes, checksum: 852bdafbbad865e0ccb454503e54e11b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-13T19:55:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseSSD.pdf: 4196266 bytes, checksum: 852bdafbbad865e0ccb454503e54e11b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-06-12 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Roadkill and isolation of populations due to the barrier effect can be considered the main direct impacts of roads on wildlife. Mammals by behavioral, size and charisma features are one of the groups of vertebrates that require mitigation for mortality, as they are also among the most seriously injured on roads. An important approach to effectively mitigate roadkill on highways is to locate the points where roadkill are concentrated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variation in mortality of mammals due to the duplication of the BR 101 highway south. In addition to the K Ripley aggregation analysis, were generated habitat suitability models (MAH) to identify favorable locations roadkill species, using the model functional groups for prediction of highway stretches with more chances to roadkill. It was recorded 21 taxa of mammals get hit, being the most abundant gender Didelphis (n = 721), followed by Cerdocyon thous (n = 108). The abundance of carcasses decreases between before and after the duplication (F 18.04 p = <0.001). Hotspots were not overlapped between the periods analyzed, indicating that some explanatory factor has changed over the work. Observing the variables that contributed most to the models for each functional group, we noted that there were differences in the most influential variables for each functional group in different periods. Of the nine generated models, we note that six variables contributed more than 20% in different models. There were differences between the periods before, during and after the duplication of the variables that contributed most or contribution value in functional groups. These differences may reflect the change in the distribution of roadkill among highway doubling periods. Both approaches demonstrated that there have been changes in the magnitude and distribution of roadkill in the period prior to the period after duplication. So a highway with two paviments differ from a highway with four paviments about how the mammals react in terms of movement and relationship to landscape. / A morte por atropelamentos e o isolamento de populações devido ao efeito de barreira podem ser considerados os principais impactos diretos das rodovias sobre a fauna silvestre. Os mamíferos pelas características comportamentais, tamanho e carisma são um dos grupos de vertebrados que necessitam mitigações para a mortalidade, visto que também estão entre os que mais morrem em rodovias. Uma abordagem importante para mitigar efetivamente os atropelamentos em rodovias é localizar os pontos onde os atropelamentos estão concentrados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a variação da mortalidade de mamíferos em função da duplicação da rodovia BR 101 sul. Além da análise de agregação de K de Ripley, foram gerados modelos de adequabilidade de habitat (MAH) para identificar locais favoráveis a atropelamentos de espécies, usando no modelo grupos funcionais para a predição de trechos da rodovia com mais chances de atropelamento. Registrou-se 21 taxóns de mamíferos atropelados, sendo o mais abundante o gênero Didelphis (n=721), seguido de Cerdocyon thous (n=108). A abundância de carcaças diminui entre o antes e o depois da duplicação (F=18,04; p<0,001). Os hotspots não foram sobrepostos entre os períodos analisados, indicando que algum fator explicativo mudou ao longo da obra. Observando as variáveis que mais contribuíram com os modelos para cada grupo funcional, notamos que houve diferença nas variáveis mais influentes para cada grupo funcional nos diferentes períodos. Dos nove modelos gerados, notamos que seis variáveis contribuíram em mais de 20% em diferentes modelos. Houve diferença entre os períodos de antes, durante e depois da duplicação das variáveis que mais contribuíram ou do valor de contribuição nos grupos funcionais. Estas diferenças podem ser reflexo da mudança na distribuição dos atropelamentos entre os períodos da duplicação da rodovia. As duas abordagens demonstraram que houveram mudanças na magnitude e distribuição dos atropelamentos no período antes em relação ao período após a duplicação. Portanto uma rodovia com dois pavimentos funciona diferente de uma rodovia de quatro pavimentos em relação a como a mastofauna reage em termos de movimentação e relação com paisagem.

Habitat selection may be considered a behavioural consequence of an individual actively selecting where it lives or passively persisting in a certain habitat. There are a variety of approaches to assessing habitat selection, including relating densities to predefined habitats and the characteristics of these habitats, measuring the behaviour of animals within predefined habitats in order to assess the relative benefits to the animal and comparing these between habitats, and using optimality theory to allow the animal to provide measures of its preference for particular habitats or patches. Each approach provides different perspectives on an animal’s choice and use of habitat, with some approaches working more effectively with certain species or habitats than others. There have, however, been no attempts to apply all these approaches to a single species at a single site. The objective of this study was therefore to apply the three above-mentioned approaches to assess habitat use and quality to a single species, the springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) at the Augrabies Falls National Park (AFNP), on the northern bank of the Orange River, in order to provide the basis for further work on comparing and integrating these approaches. The relative abundance of springbok in Augrabies Falls National park was used to develop a habitat suitability model for the park, and thus determine the habitat variables that influenced habitat suitability. Isodar analysis revealed information on the mechanisms underlying habitat preference. Behavioural models were developed to improve our understanding of how springbok behaviour changes in relation to the habitat, and incorporated the variables identified in the habitat suitability model. The different spatial and temporal scales influencing springbok habitat selection were determined using optimal foraging theory and giving-up densities. Springbok preferred open habitats providing high food quality. Springbok behaviour was related to the foraging and predation risk characteristics of the habitat, and springbok varied their temporal and spatial utilisation so as to minimise their risk of predation and maximise their food intake. The habitat suitability model, behaviour models and giving-up densities were compared for ease of use and applicability. Using giving-up densities to reveal habitat suitability had greater applicability and was both efficient and objective.

With exploding human populations and landscapes that are changing, an increasing number of wildlife species are brought to the brink of extinction. In Canada, the eastern hog-nosed snake, 'Heterodon platirhinos', is found in a limited portion of southern Ontario. Designated as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), this reptile has been losing its habitat at an alarming rate. Due to the increase in development of southern Ontario, it is crucial to document what limits the snake’s habitat to direct conservation efforts better, for the long-term survival of this species. The goals of this study are: 1) to examine what environmental parameters are linked to the presence of the species at a landscape scale; 2) to predict where the snakes can be found in Ontario through GIS-based habitat suitability models (HSMs); and 3) to assess the role of biotic interactions in HSMs. Three models with high predictive power were employed: Maxent, Boosted Regression Trees (BRTs), and the Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Production (GARP). Habitat suitability maps were constructed for the eastern hog-nosed snake for its entire Canadian distribution and models were validated with both threshold dependent and independent metrics. Maxent and BRT performed better than GARP and all models predict fewer areas of high suitability when landscape variables are used with current occurrences. Forest density and maximum temperature during the active season were the two variables that contributed the most to models predicting the current distribution of the species. Biotic variables increased the performance of models not by representing a limiting resource, but by representing the inequality of sampling and areas where forest remains. Although habitat suitability models rely on many assumptions, they remain useful in the fields of conservation and landscape management. In addition to help identify critical habitat, HSMs may be used as a tool to better manage land to allow for the survival of species at risk.

A conservação da biodiversidade tornou-se uma preocupação mundial devido ao aumento da taxa de extinção de espécies. Mesmo assim a importância da biodiversidade freqüentemente é subestimada, não sendo considerado seu papel chave na evolução e adaptação à mudança de ambientes e no fornecimento de bens e serviços para a humanidade. O Brasil tem importância central na conservação da biodiversidade mundial (é o primeiro em Megadiversidade e em Áreas Selvagens e possui dois Hotspots), sendo indispensável implementar instrumentos que contemplem a inclusão da biodiversidade no planejamento de uso e ocupação do solo. Visto que ainda não foi claramente definido como integrar efetivamente a biodiversidade nesse processo, este estudo investigou instrumentos indicados para esse fim, especialmente o Zoneamento Ambiental (ZA) e a Avaliação Ambiental Estratégica (AAE). O estudo de caso foi realizado no município de Brotas-SP. Primeiramente foram sobrepostos critérios e áreas prioritárias para a biodiversidade em escala nacional, estadual e municipal para a elaboração do mapa das áreas prioritárias para conservação e recuperação da biodiversidade local utilizando o programa IDRISI Andes Edition. Os resultados mostram que princípios e objetivos abordados em diversas escalas e em outros instrumentos de planejamento podem ser integrados ao processo de AAE. Também foram gerados modelos de distribuição de grandes mamíferos Chrysocyon brachyurus (loboguará), Leopardus pardalis (jaguatirica) e Puma concolor (onça-parda) para a região central do Estado de São Paulo (Brotas e municípios do seu entorno). Para isso, foram utilizados dados biológicos do banco de dados do Programa Biota-FAPESP aos quais foi aplicado o modelo MAXENT. As técnicas de Sistemas de Informação Geográfica aplicadas neste estudo permitiram integrar princípios e objetivos relacionados à biodiversidade já abordados em outros instrumentos e estabelecidos em níveis nacionais, estaduais e municipais ao planejamento espacial. A modelagem permitiu a determinação da adequabilidade ambiental das áreas testadas e a inclusão dessas áreas como critérios a serem considerados ao planejamento de uso e ocupação do solo. Os resultados da modelagem mostraram que o território de Brotas abrange áreas altamente adequadas para as três espécies estudadas. Os mapas gerados foram reclassificados para a elaboração dos mapas das áreas prioritárias para conservação de grandes mamíferos na região central do Estado de São Paulo. Tanto o mapa de áreas prioritárias para a conservação da biodiversidade local quanto o mapa de áreas prioritárias para grandes mamíferos elaborados nesse estudo podem ser incluídos no planejamento de uso e ocupação do solo, tanto em ZAs como em AAEs. As técnicas utilizadas nesse estudo podem embasar a escolha de alternativas de uso e ocupação do solo, direcionando a alocação de Reservas Legais - RLs -, subsidiando a elaboração de ações de recuperação da biodiversidade e direcionando estratégias de manejo. / Biodiversity conservation has become a worldwide concern due to the increased rate of species extinction. Nevertheless, the importance of biodiversity is often underestimated and its key role in the evolution, adaptation to changing environments and the supply of goods and services to humanity is not considered. Brazil has a central importance in global biodiversity conservation (its the first in Megadiversity and Wilderness Areas, and it has two hotspots). Therefore, the implementation of tools that address the inclusion of biodiversity in land-use planning is essential. Seeing that how to integrate biodiversity in this process has not been clearly defined, this study investigated tools for integrate the biodiversity in land-use planning, specially the zoning and the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The case study has been the municipality of Brotas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Firstly, criteria and priority areas for biodiversity at the national, state and municipal level have been overlapping using the software IDRISI Andes Edition to prepare the map of priority areas for conservation and recovery of local biodiversity. The results indicate that the principles and objectives discussed at various scales and in other planning tools can be integrated by the use of Geographic Information System (GIS). In addition, models of distribution of great mammals - Chrysocyon brachyurus (maned wolf), Leopardus pardalis (Ocelot) and Puma concolor (puma) have been generated for the central region of São Paulo (Brotas and its surrounding cities). For this, biological data from the database of the Biota-FAPESP have been used and the software MAXENT has been applied. Modeling results show that the study area is highly suitable for the three species. The maps of models have been reclassified to prepare maps of priority areas for conservation in the central region of São Paulo. The both final maps developed in this study (map of priority areas for conservation of local biodiversity and maps of priority areas for large mammals) may be included in zoning and SEA process. The techniques applied in this study permit to integrate the principles and objectives relating to biodiversity in land-use planning, supporting the choice of alternatives for use and occupation, basing the allocation of legal reserves, subsidizing the development of management actions and guide decision makers to choose the best alternatives for development.

<p> Kudzu (Pueraria montana) is an invasive woody vine widespread throughout the  southeastern United States, with recent studies predicting that its habitat will expand northward.  New occurrences and recent studies using climatic parameters suggest that the Midwestern  region of the United States is at the greatest risk of kudzu invasion. As there have already been  25 reports of kudzu within the Great Lakes basin, and no previous landscape models exist for the  basin, I developed probability models from existing spatial data (land cover, hydrology, geology,  annual precipitation, elevation, aspect, and known kudzu locations) using generalized additive,  bioclimate envelope, and maximum entropy methods. I further expanded each model to include  the basin and a 2.25-degree buffer in order to include 193 reported kudzu sites. For each  predictive model, I determined the area under the curve (AUC) for a receiver operating  characteristic curve (ROC) comparing false positive and false negative rates. I performed field  surveys at eight known sites of kudzu presence in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Each presence  site was paired with a control (known kudzu absence site). I collected environmental data  including canopy cover, volumetric soil moisture, soil pH, litter depth, midstory species diversity  and diameter at breast height (DBH), and overstory basal area. Each environmental measure was  compared between kudzu presence and control survey sites as well as between in-basin and out?of-basin survey sites using a two-way ANOVA. Maximum entropy models produced the highest  AUC in both the basin and buffer models during model development. These models showed that  urban and disturbed habitats resulted in the greatest probability of potential habitat for kudzu. I  found no statistically significant differences in environmental characteristics between kudzu  absent and presence sites or between in- and out-of-basin sites, suggesting kudzu might be  dispersal-limited rather than limited by environmental characteristics. Continuing existing  management and further monitoring of kudzu spread is likely necessary to limit further  introduction and to mitigate spread of kudzu within the Great Lakes region.  </p>

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Presented within this thesis are three studies on three rare and imperiled Southeastern woody plant species: mountain stewartia (Stewartia ovata), Atlantic white-cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides), and Miller's witch-alder (Fothergilla milleri). This work contributes to the ecological understanding of these three species allowing for better-informed conservation decision-making. Machine learning habitat suitability models are presented for mountain stewartia and Miller's witch-alder. These models can direct limited conservation dollars and manpower towards areas of the highest habitat suitability. This work also utilizes field-based data to assess the habitat needs, species associations, and regeneration potential of both Atlantic white-cedar and Miller's witch-alder. Understanding the habitat and regeneration potential of these species allows conservationists to make more tailored land management decisions for the species. As plant species continue to be threatened with extinction, more basic and applied research is needed to lessen the impacts of the 6th mass extinction on native flora.