High-dose verbenone, verbenone plus nonhost volatiles (NHVs), and both semiochemicals in combination with aggregant-baited funnel traps were tested for stand- level protection against mountain pine beetle attack for two consecutive years (2004-2005) at three seral high elevation whitebark pine sites in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In 2004, two 0.25-hectare treatments comprised of 25 high-dose verbenone pouches or verbenone pouches combined with single baited funnel traps were tested in a push-pull strategy. In 2005, 25 high-dose verbenone and 25 NHV pouches, or verbenone and NHV in combination with baited funnel trap clusters were tested. In both years, treatments were compared to 0.25-hectare control plots with no semiochemicals or funnel traps. The proportion of trees attacked by mountain pine beetle in treated plots was significantly reduced, when compared to control plots, at only one site treated with verbenone in 2004, and at only one site in 2005. High-dose verbenone alone, verbenone and NHVs, and both semiochemicals combined with baited funnel traps in a push-pull strategy did not consistently reduce the proportion of mountain pine beetle attacked trees relative to control plots. No covariates tested, including stand density, beetle population size, or tree size were consistently significant in explaining proportion of trees attacked.

The mountain pine beetle (MPB, Dendroctonus ponderosae), a tree-killing bark beetle, has historically been part of the normal disturbance regime in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forests. In recent years, warm winters and summers have allowed MPB populations to achieve synchronous emergence and successful attacks, resulting in widespread population outbreaks and resultant tree mortality across western North America. We develop an age-structured forest demographic model that incorporates temperature-dependent MPB infestations: the Susceptible-Infested-Juvenile (SIJ) model. Stability of fixed points is analyzed as a function of population growth rates, and indicates the existence of periodic outbreaks that intensify as growth rates increase. We devise analytical methods to predict outbreak severity and duration as well as outbreak return time. To assess the vulnerability of natural resources to climate change, we develop a thermally-driven mechanistic model to predict MPB population growth rates using a distributional model of beetle phenology in conjunction with criteria for successful tree colonization. The model uses projected daily minimum and maximum temperatures for the years 2025 to 2085 generated by three separate global climate models. Growth rates are calculated each year for an area defined by latitude range 42° N to 49° N and longitude range 108° W to 117° W on a Cartesian grid of approximately 4km resolution. Using these growth rates, we analyze how the optimal thermal window for beetle development is changing with respect to elevation as a result of climate change induced warming. We also use our combined model to evaluate if thermal regimes exist that would promote life cycle bivoltinism and discuss how yearly growth rates would change as a result. Outbreaks of MPB are largely driven by host tree stand demographics and spatial effects of beetle dispersal. We augment the SIJ model to account for the spatial effects of MPB dispersal throughout a forest landscape by coupling it with a Gaussian redistribution kernel. The new model generates a train of sustained solitary waves of infestation that move through a forest with constant speed. We convert the resulting integrodifference equation into a partial differential equation and search for travelling wave solutions. The resulting differential equation provides predictions of the shape of an outbreak wave profile and of peak infestation as functions of wave speed, which can be calculated analytically. These results culminate in the derivation of an explicit formula for predicting the severity of an outbreak based on the net reproductive rate of MPB and host searching efficiency.

Conservation biologists have used reintroduction as a method to reestablish extirpated species in their native habitat. Three important aspects of a successful reintroduction effort include: (1) a habitat suitability study of the reintroduction area, including effects of migration corridors; (2) identification of possible predators of the reintroduced species; and (3) a post-reintroduction assessment including an evaluation of the species' population dynamics. In this study I examine the suitability of Guadalupe Mountains National Park (GUMO) as a reintroduction area for desert bighorn sheep. The study used landscape metrics to compare GUMO to a nearby mountain range that is currently supporting an estimated population of 400 bighorn sheep. This study identified migration corridors for bighorns throughout the region and evaluated mountain lion (a potential predator of bighorn sheep) numbers either residing in or passing through the park between the years 1997 to 2004. Results on the studies in GUMO revealed 15,884 ha of suitable habitat for bighorn sheep and provided evidence of migration routes between GUMO and neighboring mountain ranges. In terms of potential predators, a minimum of 32 resident and/or transient mountain lions occurred in GUMO over a seven year period, and a minimum of 15 cats used the park in 2002. Based on estimates of individual home range of males and females, GUMO should be able to support four to five individuals. The genetic data indicates a high number of transients or perhaps an unstable population of mountain lions that may be the result of intense hunting pressure of cats in Texas. Finally, my study simulates parameters of the population dynamics of a different species, the Arabian oryx that was reintroduced as three separate populations to the Israeli Negev between 1998 and 2005. I simulated population growth and the effect of migration corridors on species persistence. Results suggest that migration corridors are essential for a self-sustaining viable metapopulation under current natality rates. In the event that natality rates increase (as was evident in a reintroduced population of Arabian oryx in Oman), metapopulation can reach viable size with only two of the release sites (open, flat terrain) connected by migration corridors.

<p><font face="TimesNewRoman"> <p align="left">Research findings in current study provide a new insight into the fractured rock aquifers in the TMG area. Some of the results will have wide implications on the groundwater management and forms a solid basis the further study of the TMG aquifers.</p> </font></p>

This dissertation describes the development of CAMBIUM, an agent-based forest sector model for large-scale strategic analysis. This model is designed as a decision support tool for assessing the effect that changes in forest product demand and resource inventories can have on the structure and economic viability of the forest sector. CAMBIUM complements existing forest sector models by modeling aggregate product supply as an emergent property of individual companies’ production decisions and stand-level ecological processes. Modeling the forest products sector as a group of interacting autonomous agents makes it possible to introduce production capacity dynamics and the potential for mill insolvencies as factors in modeling the effects of market and forest inventory based disturbances. This thesis contains four main manuscripts. In the first manuscript I develop and test a dispersal algorithm that projects aggregated forest inventory information onto a lattice grid. This method can be used to generate ecologically and statistically consistent datasets where high-quality spatial inventory data is otherwise unavailable. The second manuscript utilizes this dataset in developing a provincial-level resource dynamics model for assessing the timber supply effects of introducing weevil-resistant spruce. This model employs a stand-level approach to simulating weevil infestation and associated merchantable volume losses. Provincial-level impacts are determined by simulating harvest activities over a 350 year time horizon. In the third manuscript I shift the focus to interactions between forest companies. I analyze the effects of strategic decisions on sector structure by developing CAMBIUM as an agent-based model of competition and industry structure evolution. The forest sector is modeled as a group of autonomous, interacting agents that evolve and compete within the limitations posed by resource inventories and product demand. In the final manuscript I calibrate CAMBIUM to current conditions in the British Columbia forest sector. Industry agents compete for roundwood inputs, as well as for profits in finished product markets for pulp, panel products, and lumber. To test the relevance and utility of this model, CAMBIUM is used to quantify the cumulative impacts of a market downturn for forest products and mountain pine beetle induced timber supply fluctuations on the structure of the forest sector.

Aquesta tesi estudia la situació social de l'excursionisme a la Catalunya dels primers anys del segle XXI des de la perspectiva de l'antropologia de l'esport. Temàticament es divideix en dues parts clarament diferenciades. La primera d'elles fa una anàlisi descriptiva de la situació actual d'aquest fet social des d'aproximacions quantitatives i qualitatives. En la segona part s'estudien les noves comunitats virtuals que estan sorgint i que serveix per vehicular la sociabilitat pròpia d'aquest moviment. L'estudi analitza les principals línies de futur del fet excursionista a Catalunya. / Esta tesis estudia la situación social del excursionismo en la Cataluña de los primeros años del siglo XXI desde la perspectiva de la antropología del deporte. Temáticamente se divide en dos partes claramente diferenciadas. La primera de ellas hace un análisis descriptivo de la situación actual de este hecho social desde aproximaciones cuantitativas y cualitativas. En la segunda parte se estudian las nuevas comunidades virtuales que están surgiendo y que sirven para vehicular la sociabilidad propia de este movimiento.El estudio analiza las principales líneas de futuro del hecho excursionista en Cataluña. / This thesis examines the social situation of mountainneering in Catalonia in the early years of the 21th century from the perspective of anthropology of sport. Thematically is divided into two clearly differentiated parts. The first part is a descriptive analysis of the current situation of this social fact from quantitative and qualitative approaches. The second part focuses on the new virtual communities that are emerging and which serves to convey sociability characteristic of this movement.The study shows the main lines of future hikers made in Catalonia.

To date, remote sensing estimates of snow water equivalent (SWE) in mountainous areas are very uncertain. To test passive microwave algorithm estimations of SWE, a validation data set must exist for a broad geographic area. This study aims to build a data set through field measurements and statistical techniques, as part of the Canadian IPY observations theme to help develop an improved algorithm. Field measurements are performed at, GIS based, pre-selected sites in the Central Yukon. At each location a transect was taken, with sites measuring snow depth (SD), density, and structure. A mixed effects multiple regression was chosen to analyze and then predict these field measurements over the study area. This modelling strategy is best capable of handling the hierarchical structure of the field campaign. A regression model was developed to predict SD from elevation derived variables, and transformed Landsat data. The final model is: SD = horizontal curvature + cos( aspect) + log10(elevation range, 270m) + tassel cap: greenness, brightness (from Landsat imagery) + interaction of elevation and landcover.This model is used to predict over the study area. A second, simpler regression links SD with density giving the desired SWE measurements. The Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of this SD estimation is 25 cm over a domain of 200 x 200 km. This instantaneous end of season, peak accumulation, snow map will enable the vali- dation of satellite remote sensing observations, such as passive microwave (AMSR-E), in a generally inaccessible area.

To date, remote sensing estimates of snow water equivalent (SWE) in mountainous areas are very uncertain. To test passive microwave algorithm estimations of SWE, a validation data set must exist for a broad geographic area. This study aims to build a data set through field measurements and statistical techniques, as part of the Canadian IPY observations theme to help develop an improved algorithm. Field measurements are performed at, GIS based, pre-selected sites in the Central Yukon. At each location a transect was taken, with sites measuring snow depth (SD), density, and structure. A mixed effects multiple regression was chosen to analyze and then predict these field measurements over the study area. This modelling strategy is best capable of handling the hierarchical structure of the field campaign. A regression model was developed to predict SD from elevation derived variables, and transformed Landsat data. The final model is: SD = horizontal curvature + cos( aspect) + log10(elevation range, 270m) + tassel cap: greenness, brightness (from Landsat imagery) + interaction of elevation and landcover.This model is used to predict over the study area. A second, simpler regression links SD with density giving the desired SWE measurements. The Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of this SD estimation is 25 cm over a domain of 200 x 200 km. This instantaneous end of season, peak accumulation, snow map will enable the vali- dation of satellite remote sensing observations, such as passive microwave (AMSR-E), in a generally inaccessible area.

Conservation biologists have used reintroduction as a method to reestablish extirpated species in their native habitat. Three important aspects of a successful reintroduction effort include: (1) a habitat suitability study of the reintroduction area, including effects of migration corridors; (2) identification of possible predators of the reintroduced species; and (3) a post-reintroduction assessment including an evaluation of the species' population dynamics. In this study I examine the suitability of Guadalupe Mountains National Park (GUMO) as a reintroduction area for desert bighorn sheep. The study used landscape metrics to compare GUMO to a nearby mountain range that is currently supporting an estimated population of 400 bighorn sheep. This study identified migration corridors for bighorns throughout the region and evaluated mountain lion (a potential predator of bighorn sheep) numbers either residing in or passing through the park between the years 1997 to 2004. Results on the studies in GUMO revealed 15,884 ha of suitable habitat for bighorn sheep and provided evidence of migration routes between GUMO and neighboring mountain ranges. In terms of potential predators, a minimum of 32 resident and/or transient mountain lions occurred in GUMO over a seven year period, and a minimum of 15 cats used the park in 2002. Based on estimates of individual home range of males and females, GUMO should be able to support four to five individuals. The genetic data indicates a high number of transients or perhaps an unstable population of mountain lions that may be the result of intense hunting pressure of cats in Texas. Finally, my study simulates parameters of the population dynamics of a different species, the Arabian oryx that was reintroduced as three separate populations to the Israeli Negev between 1998 and 2005. I simulated population growth and the effect of migration corridors on species persistence. Results suggest that migration corridors are essential for a self-sustaining viable metapopulation under current natality rates. In the event that natality rates increase (as was evident in a reintroduced population of Arabian oryx in Oman), metapopulation can reach viable size with only two of the release sites (open, flat terrain) connected by migration corridors.

Every year, thousands of people all over the world are loosing their lives in natural disasters. As a second most widespread hazard, landslides are still a disaster problem for Turkey. The long-term monitoring studies of instability phenomena have a paramount importance for Turkey to reduce its both direct and indirect effects. The objective of this thesis is to monitor the activity of the B&uuml / lb&uuml / lderesi and Bakacak landslides in Asarsuyu Catchment for 42 years period by the digital aerial photogrammetric techniques while evaluating the possible use of archive aerial photography in such analysis. To achieve the purpose of the study an orthophoto map was generated by aerial photographs belonging to 1994 year. The orthophoto map was utilized as a base map for aerial photo interpretation of different sets of aerial photographs corresponding to 1952, 1972, 1984 and 1994 years. As a result of this, 4 landslide activity maps are obtained. In addition, the characteristics of these landslides are analyzed by utilizing digital elevation model (DEM) created from stereo photographs of 1994. As a result of the study, no considerable variation is detected in the position of main boundaries of B&uuml / lb&uuml / lderesi and Bakacak landslides except some minor differences. However, within the landslides many topographical changes were observed between 1952 and 1994 period. Based on the profiles from toe to crest of the B&uuml / lb&uuml / lderesi landslide, the approximate length was measured as 4773m whereas the approximate width was about 2614m. The areal extent was calculated as ~12km2 having an approximate slope gradient ranging between 10-15&deg / with local variations. On the other hand, the approximate length of Bakacak landslide was 4420m and the approximate width was 832m from toe to crest with an area of ~4km2 and with an approximate slope angle 9-14&deg / .