The coastal (terrestrial) and benthic environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf show a unique biophysical succession of marine features from a highly urbanized, developed coastal region in the north (i.e. northern Miami-Dade County) to a protective marine sanctuary in the southeast (i.e. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary). However, the establishment of a standard bio-geomorphological classification scheme for this area of coastal and benthic environments is lacking. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis and answer the research question of whether new parameters of integrating geomorphological components with dominant biological covers could be developed and applied across multiple remote sensing platforms for an innovative way to identify, interpret, and classify diverse coastal and benthic environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf. An ordered, manageable hierarchical classification scheme was developed to incorporate the categories of Physiographic Realm, Morphodynamic Zone, Geoform, Landform, Dominant Surface Sediment, and Dominant Biological Cover. Six different remote sensing platforms (i.e. five multi-spectral satellite image sensors and one high-resolution aerial orthoimagery) were acquired, delineated according to the new classification scheme, and compared to determine optimal formats for classifying the study area. Cognitive digital classification at a nominal scale of 1:6000 proved to be more accurate than autoclassification programs and therefore used to differentiate coastal marine environments based on spectral reflectance characteristics, such as color, tone, saturation, pattern, and texture of the seafloor topology. In addition, attribute tables were created in conjugation with interpretations to quantify and compare the spatial relationships between classificatory units. IKONOS-2 satellite imagery was determined to be the optimal platform for applying the hierarchical classification scheme. However, each remote sensing platform had beneficial properties depending on research goals, logistical restrictions, and financial support. This study concluded that a new hierarchical comprehensive classification scheme for identifying coastal marine environments along the southeast Florida continental shelf could be achieved by integrating geomorphological features with biological coverages. This newly developed scheme, which can be applied across multiple remote sensing platforms with GIS software, establishes an innovative classification protocol to be used in future research studies. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Assessing the spatial and temporal distributions of marine turtles in an open system poses both observational and analytical challenges due to their migratory nature and use of large current systems. Concentrations of animals can shift because turtles undergo large-scale migrations and habitat shifts seasonally as well as a function of lifestage. Surface counts of marine turtles in waters off Florida’s east coast were made in and adjacent to the Florida Current using standard aerial surveys. While it is understood that marine turtles use waters off the eastern coast of Florida, here we document the magnitude of the shift in turtle presence each season throughout a two year study and identify habitat characteristics where turtles occur most frequently. Our assessment of marine turtles in the waters off southeast Florida provide valuable metrics describing the in-water biology of sea turtles in this area to inform future management strategies of these endangered species. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

In recent decades, ecohydrology has received renewed attention because of the impacts of groundwater withdrawal on ecosystems. Growing population and urban expansion in Palm Beach County, FL. place pressure to eradicate natural areas, such as Florida scrub habitats, and increase groundwater withdrawal. This study presents preliminary results of soil and hydrological characterization of an ecological preserve surrounded by changing land use. Soil moisture and water levels were monitored to assess the effects of precipitation as influenced by plants and soil analysis determined the suitability of current soil conditions for hosting native vegetation habitats. Hydrologic and soil conditions on the preserve fall within values expected for native Florida scrub habitats. Hydrologic response to precipitation varied due to factors including antecedent conditions and vegetation types. These results provide a better understanding of the interactions between soil proper ties, hydrologic cycle, and plants, and assist with establishing a baseline to monitor changes over time. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

A challenge to ensure the health of wading bird populations is to have a better understanding of the altered habitats that we must now consider part of their natural history. Throughout their range endangered Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) have been reported to forage in ditches, a disparate category of linear man-made waterways. In a 52-kmP 2 P study area on the east coast of central Florida, the characteristics of hydrologically diverse ditches were quantified, and their use by Wood Storks documented during their non-breeding season. Logistic regression analyses were carried out using the ditch characteristics as independent variables and Wood Stork presence/absence as the dependent variable. This study confirms the use of these marginal wetlands, and identifies the significance of emergent vegetation on the foraging habitat selection of Wood Storks in the dry season. / by Eleanor K. Van Os. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Marine sponges interact and coexist with many different organisms. A two-sponge association between Amphimedon erina and Geodia gibberosa commonly occurs in the Florida Keys. Previous studies have only focused on the ecological influence of the association; they did not examine the cellular basis of the association. This association between A. erina and G. gibberosa was used in the development of an in vitro model to further the understanding of the cellular basis of natural sponge-sponge associations. In this study, sponge cells were cultured individually and in co-cultures and their responses related to apoptosis, cell death, and proliferation were monitored using high content imaging. Co-cultured cells of species that form sponge-sponge associations did not have the same cellular responses compared to co-cultured cells of species that do not form sponge-sponge associations. Protein expression analyses demonstrated that the model that was established does not mimic the cellular response of the association in nature, but this model can be used to test in vitro cellular interactions of sponge species that do not form associations in nature. In addition, the protein expression data that were obtained revealed that sponges use similar apoptotic pathways as humans and suggest that sponge cells may shut down cell cycling in order to repair damaged DNA. This research is a small piece to the puzzle that is sponge cell culture research. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

As part of the education reforms of the 1990s, charter schools were proposed as a private alternative to public education, offering parents and their children greater choices. Publicly financed but privately operated, charter schools have now grown in numbers and influence. While there are many studies of student outcomes in charter schools demonstrating mixed results, one negative outcome of charter schools has been less examined. Since inception, 23% of charter schools nationally have closed and these closures are disruptive to parents, children, and their school districts. This paper addresses charter school closures from an organizational perspective. Applying theory from population ecology and resource dependency theory, the population of nonprofit charter schools is examined. What are the primary determinants of charter school success and failure? Florida, with the third highest number of charter schools nationally and, at the same time, the highest number of charter school closures in the United States, is a paradox. This study identifies the significant variables that are related to school survival and failure in the state of Florida over the years 2015-16 through 2015-16. Variables tested in this study, using Survival Analysis (SA), include age, management structure, size, school performance, grants, and density. All variables except density at founding were significant in explaining the unique variance in survival rates among charters. Charter schools sub-contracted by for-profit educational management organizations (EMOs) were larger, achieved higher grades, secured more grants and achieved higher survival rates than their counterpart nonprofit, independent, and charter management organization (CMO) led schools. These results contribute to our understanding of charter school survival and failure, thereby informing public policy options to strengthen the charter school population and the nation’s public education system overall. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The purpose of this research was to assess how prepared Florida's State University System (SUS) institutions have been during the past five years (2008-2013) in responding to the challenges of globalization. The research also established institutional trends for the past five years (2008-2013) and projections for the next five years to seize the opportunities offered by globalization and to produce graduates with global competency skills. Ten of the 12 SUS institutions studied in this research were Florida A&M University (FAMU), Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), Florida International University (FIU), Florida State University (FSU), University of Central Florida (UCF), University of Florida (UF), University of North Florida (UNF), University of South Florida (USF), and University of West Florida (UWF). The research was conducted as a case study using multi-method approach. The quantitative analysis was based on the information collected from the institutions and from the integrated postsecondary education data system (IPEDS). The qualitative analysis was based on the institutional mission statements, vision statements, and strategic plans. The quantitative analysis used six data parameters to compute a globalization composite index (GCI) for institutional comparisons and for establishing trends and future projections. Integrating quantitative and qualitative analyses led to the research findings of this study. Based on this study, the institutional preparedness for globalization has been low for six SUS institutions (FAMU, FAU, FGCU, UCF, UNF, and UWF) and has been medium for the remaining four (FIU, FSU, UF, and USF). The trend analysis showed that institutional preparedness could be improved significantly if robust and focused efforts are made over the next five years. In that case, the institutional preparedness for FAMU, FGCU, UNF, and UWF could ascend to medium; for FAU and UCF, it could improve to medium+; and for FIU, FSU, UF, and USF, it could reach high. The research concluded with some recommendations to help the leadership of Florida and the SUS institutions in responding effectively to the challenges of globalization. A few recommendations for future research in this field also are provided. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Lewis David Harris. / Typescript. / M.S. Florida State University 1967 / Includes bibliographical references.

Public higher education increasingly relies on performance-based funding (PBF) policies to enhance accountability. These policies attempt to steer institutions towards successful outcomes via performance indicators, such as graduation rates. Nationally, PBF policies continue to grow in popularity despite limited evidence that they are effective (Hillman, Tandberg, and Gross, 2014). Motivated by the apparent conflict between the widespread adoption of PBF policies and the lack of evidence that they actually improve outcomes in higher education, this dissertation investigates the perceived impacts of PBF policies. Florida’s public university system serves as the setting for the study due to its uniquely punitive PBF policy design and the model’s non-standardized performance indicators. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Coral reefs on Florida’s Reef Tract (FRT) are susceptible to many anthropogenic influences including controlled freshwater discharges and agricultural runoff as well as high natural environmental variability from seasonal rainfall, runoff and upwelling. To better understand coral population structure and responses to sublethal stressors, populations of the scleractinian coral Montastraea cavernosa in the northern FRT were examined using a combination of genomic and transcriptomic techniques. Microsatellite genetic markers identified high local retention among sites and a slight southward gene flow. An in-situ temporal gene expression analysis utilizing a tag-based sequencing transcriptomic approach was used to analyze baseline coral health at St. Lucie Reef (SLR), off Stuart, FL. Temporal variation had the greatest influence of differential gene expression among M. cavernosa at SLR. Results will be shared with local resource managers and coupled with a complementary ex-situ experimental trial. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection