Thesis (MTech (Nature Conservation))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / Largely due to anthropogenic causes, biodiversity and particularly species diversity is changing at an extraordinary rate, with declines in species abundance, community composition and extinction risk being of crucial concern. Monitoring of state variables of biodiversity such as species richness and occupancy are of significant importance in determining the severity of threats placed on species, populations and communities. As a non-invasive monitoring method camera traps are noted as being an effective, accurate and rapid means of compiling species richness estimates of medium to large terrestrial mammals. However, crucial elements of camera trap survey design are rarely empirically addressed, which has questioned the need for a standardised camera trapping protocol. Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) is a protected area that is under serious anthropogenic pressure through urban and peri-urban development. Although it is the last refuge for a number of large mammal species on the Cape Peninsula, current mammalian species richness knowledge within the TMNP are limited. Accurate and current species richness estimates are therefore needed within TMNP and more specifically the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH), which exclusively hosts a number of medium and large mammal species. The aims of this study were to optimise a camera survey protocol for the Peninsula region, with a focus on camera density, placement and survey duration that will enable accurate estimations of medium to large mammal species richness and occupancy.

Foram avaliadas as características hematológicas, mais especificamente a resposta dos elementos de proteção do sangue, de juvenis de pacu, espécie endêmica e neotropical, mantidos em condições adversas e alimentados com dietas contendo colostro bovino liofilizado. Esta primeira secreção láctea, rica fonte de proteínas, moléculas biologicamente ativas e elementos antioxidantes, pode atuar positivamente no sistema de proteção dos animais. No experimento de estresse crônico, juvenis de pacu foram alocados em elevada densidade (50 kg peixe/m3) por 30 dias. No experimento de estresse agudo, os juvenis permaneceram por 15 dias em gaiolas de alimentação, sendo submetidos à baixa concentração de oxigênio (0,75 mg/L). Durante o período experimental, quatro dietas contendo 0, 10, 20 e 30% de colostro bovino liofilizado (CBL) (com 32% de proteína bruta), foram fornecidas duas vezes diariamente (considerando-se quadruplicatas para cada dieta). Antes do início e ao final de cada experimento, analisou-se para cada lote os parâmetros biométricos de biomassa e comprimento para obtenção de análises de desempenho. Oito juvenis para a situação experimental de adensamento, e dez juvenis para a de hipóxia, de cada tratamento, foram anestesiados com benzocaína e amostras de sangue foram coletadas do vaso caudal para análises hematológicas. Foram realizadas análises de eritrograma, leucograma (contagem total e diferencial de leucócitos), hematócrito e calculados os índices hematimétricos. As imunoglobulinas séricas dos juvenis de pacu foram quantificadas através do método de Turvação por Sulfato de Zinco (ZST), que foi padronizado para peixes no presente trabalho. Os juvenis de pacu foram distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado no experimento de estresse crônico, e para o de estresse agudo, em blocos, ambos com quatro tratamentos. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, através do procedimento \"General Linear Model\" (PROC GLM) do programa estatístico SAS (1989). Para a avaliação de diferenças entre médias foram efetuados contrastes entre pares de médias utilizando-se o método de Tukey, onde foi considerada a probabilidade de 5% (P<0,05). Não foi observada influência do colostro bovino no desempenho e nas variáveis hematológicas analisadas em ambas situações experimentais, estresse crônico e agudo. Entretanto, para o experimento de estresse agudo, a inclusão de CBL na dieta dos pacus influenciou o número de células granulocíticas especiais, sendo que o grupo que recebeu 0% de CBL apresentou menor número de células que o grupo que recebeu 10% de CBL, assim como o número de monócitos, sendo que o grupo que recebeu 20% de CBL apresentou menor número de células que o grupo que recebeu 30% de CBL na dieta (P<0,05). Embora o colostro bovino não tenha influenciado as variáveis hematológicas analisadas, não houve efeito negativo à esta fonte de proteína heteróloga fornecida aos peixes, uma vez que o desempenho dos animais que receberam o composto na dieta foi semelhante aos animais que receberam dieta sem esta secreção láctea. Considerando os presentes resultados, o colostro bovino liofilizado, uma fonte rica de moléculas bioativas, não contribuiu para a proteção de juvenis de pacu sujeitos à alta densidade de estocagem e baixa oxigenação. / Hematological characteristics were evaluated, specifically the response of blood protection elements of juvenile pacu, endemic and neotropical species, kept under adverse conditions and fed diets containing lyophilized bovine colostrum. This first milk secretion, a rich protein source, biologically active molecules and antioxidant elements, can act positively in the animal protection system. In the chronic stress experiment, juvenile pacu were allocated at high density (50 kg fish/m3) for 30 days. In the acute stress experiment, the juveniles remained for 15 days in feed cages and were submitted to low oxygen concentration (0.75 mg/L). During the experimental period, four diets containing 0, 10, 20 and 30% of lyophilized bovine colostrum (CBL) (with 32% crude protein) were given twice daily (considering quadruplicates for each diet). Before the beginning and the end of each experiment, the biometric parameters of biomass and length were analyzed in each batch for performance analyses. Eight juveniles for the experimental situation of densification and ten juveniles for hypoxia of each treatment were anesthetized with benzocaine and blood samples were collected from the caudal vein for the hematological analysis. Erythrogram, leukogram (total and differential counts of leukocytes), hematocrit and hematimetric indexes were performed. The serum immunoglobulins of the pacu juveniles were quantified by the Zinc Sulfate Turbid (ZST) method, which was standardized for fish in this study. Juveniles pacu were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design for cronic stress experiment, and for acute stress in randomized blocks, both with four treatments. Data were submitted to the \"General Linear Model\"procedure (PROC GLM) of the statistical program SAS (1989). For a mean-to-average assessment, contrasts were performed between pairs of means using the Tukey method, where a probability of 5% (P <0.05) was considered No influence of bovine colostrum was observed on performance and hematological variables analyzed in both experimental situations, chronic and acute stress. However, for the experimental situation of acute stress, the addition of CBL to the diet of pacu influenced the number of special granulocytic cells, and the group that received 0% CBL presented lower number of cells than the group that received 10% CBL, as well as the number of monocytes. The group that received 20% of CBL presented lower number of monocytes than the group that received 30% of CBL in the diet (P <0.05). Although bovine colostrum did not influence the hematological variables analyzed, there was no negative effect on this source of heterologous protein supplied to the fish, since the performance of the animals that received the compound in the diet was similar to the animals that received diet without this milk secretion. Considering theresults, lyophilized bovine colostrum, a rich source of bioactive molecules, does not contribute to the protection of juvenile pacu subjected to high stocking density and low oxygenation.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries / Department: Statistics.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the vector for four infectious diseases of global concern – Yellow Fever, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zikavirus. Previous attempts to model the expansion of the vector habitat due to global climate change have rarely included characteristics related to the human populations on which this mosquito is dependent. The purpose of this research was to determine whether the inclusion of human population density improves model performance while creating risk maps that can be used to determine where humans are most likely to be exposed to the vector in the future. The resulting model demonstrated that the inclusion of human population density improves the predictive power for A. aegypti and should be considered during model development. Maps produced by the model were also suitable for identifying regions where human populations are most likely to experience increased risk. Finally, two areas at risk of expansion were highlighted as a case study in pairing risk mapping with evidence-based intervention strategies to identify sites that would benefit from mosquito-control efforts. In this case, a low-cost program of insecticide-treated covers for water storage containers would likely work well in both Minas Gerais, Brazil and Northwestern Province, Zambia to mitigate mosquito risk. This research demonstrates that human population characteristic not only improve model fit but also increase the extent to which risk maps are actionable by aiding in targeting interventions.

The objective of this study was to clarify the relationships between drift rates, population density, production rates, key environmental factors, and movements of adults within two populations of stream insects (a caddisfly--Oligophlebodes sigma and a mayfly--Baetis bicaudatus). Samples of benthic invertebrates (424 total) were collected every 2 8 days at four stations on Temple Fork of the Logan River, Utah, from October, 1967 to September, 1969. Samples of drift invertebrates (181 total) were collected every 14 days at three stations on Temple Fork during the same period. During summer months (June-September) a day and a night drift sample (681 total) were collected every other day. Drift rates of O. sigma larvae were greatest (5,987 gm/year for O. sigma) when density in the benthos (256 mg/0.1 m2) and production (430 mg/0.1 m2 /year) were greatest. Drift rates were not related positively to density in the benthos over an entire year, but drift rates were correlated positively and significantly (r = .78 and .55 for day drift of O. sigma and B. biaaudatus, respectively) with density during the months of June-September for both O. sigma larvae and B. bicaudatus nymphs. Flow, distance below the spring source of Temple Fork, and densities of competing aquatic insects were other factors of significance in the multiple regression analyses of factors affecting drift rates of the two insects. The 17 independent variables in the multiple regression analyses accounted for 65 percent and 55 percent of the variability in day drift rates of o. sigma and B. bicaudatus, respectively. The adults of O. sigma (but not those of B. bicaudatus) undertook a definite upstream migration estimated at 2-3 km. This flight of adults resulted in a concentration of eggs being laid in the upper reaches of the stream. The advantage of the upstream flight may be that it stores reproductive products in areas where they are relatively safe from the effects of anchor-ice in the winter and floods in late winter and early spring.

Brown bear is the largest mammal in Turkey and its main distribution lies in the Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia Regions. Its basic ecology is almost unknown in Turkey, except for a limited number of studies. This study aims to determine the spatio-temporal ecology and habitat use of brown bears in the Ka&ccedil / kar Mountains, and to estimate their population size in the &Ouml / zg&uuml / ven Valley and Yusufeli, both firsts for Turkey. The study area is primarily covered with conifer and oak stands, but sparse mixed shrubland occurs in the Mediterranean climate influenced lower parts. GPS-GSM telemetry on seven captured bears (5 males and 2 females) was the main field technique used in this study. Other methods include monitoring via camera trapping, visual direct observations, and counting cubs of the year. Bears were fitted with GPS-GSM collars and tracked for 3 to 603 days. Mean home range size (HRS) was calculated by 95% kernel and MCP estimators for three different samples sizes.95% MCP for all positions produced a home range size of 19.91 &plusmn / 8.89 sq. km. for females, and 130.68 &plusmn / 102.95 sq.km. for males. On average, males and females move at rates of 199 m/h and 129 m/h, respectively. Males hibernate around 140 days whereas females around 150 days and at lower elevations than males. According to camera trapping results, bears are generally active at twilight whereas activity data loggers produced disparate results for tracked bears. Resting patterns showed that bears may also rest at midnight. Estimated population density per 100 km2. is 24.50 &plusmn / 1.74 individual using the Fcub method and 23.85 &plusmn / 2.51 using the mark&ndash / resight method. Captured bears indicated nonrandom distribution on habitat use and selected productive croplands and shrublands than other types of vegetation. Brown bear HRS in the Ka&ccedil / kars is smaller than reported from most countries. The large female-male HRS difference is probably due to polygamous mating system, sexual dimorphism, hard mast availability, high population density, and female&rsquo / s habitat exclusivity as a result of high tolerance by the local people in contrast with most northern countries. Although primary productivity is used to explain high population density and small HRS in other countries, the low productivity in the study area cannot explain the observed density and HRS difference. These findings will construct a scientific basis for brown bear management and conservation in Turkey.

Nomadic pastoralism is an ancient subsistence strategy, historically balanced and in continuity with sedentary societies. Sedentarization of nomads occurs normally because of ecological disasters, economic opportunities, urbanization, and government policy. In this paper, I examine the effect of changing land use patterns on nomadic pastoral populations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, using biogeographic methodology to further explore the contemporary relationship between humans and their environments. Nomadic population information gleaned from diverse ethnographic studies, and GIS data on anthropogenic biome distributions, were used to calculate changes in nomadic population, area of developed land, and nomadic/sedentary population density over the last century in seven countries. There was a significant decrease in the proportion of national populations practicing nomadic pastoralism (paired t-test, p=0.0038, n=7), but no significant overall change in total nomadic populations (paired t-test, p=0.41, n=7); nomadic population decreased in all countries but Sudan and Somalia. There was also no significant change in undeveloped land available for nomadic pastoralism (mean change -12.5%, S.D. ±15.8, paired t-test p=0.07, n=7), though the area of land available for nomadic pastoralism decreased in most countries. There was a negative linear correlation between land development and nomadic population when Somalia and Sudan were omitted (r2=0.84). Nomadic population density decreased in most countries, but increased in Somalia and Sudan. Some nomadic populations may be experiencing an extinction debt effect, where habitat loss combines with increased population density (Somalia, Sudan), but in most others where the population seemed to decrease more rapidly than would be expected due to habitat loss (Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Iraq, and Afghanistan). The variable relationship between density and habitat loss implies that social factors often overshadow the ecological: though there is a correlation between habitat loss and nomadic population decline, causation is unclear. Despite the limitations of this study, nomadic populations do seem to have a natural balance with their cultural and biological environments that is disrupted by changes in social dynamics with sedentary populations and their subsequent environmental impacts. The loss of cultural diversity inherent in this disruption may decrease the flexibility and adaptability of the overall biosocial human ecosystem.

Elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) density and foraging behavior were monitored in conjunction with disturbance by livestock (cattle and sheep) from 1991 to 1993 at Deseret Land and Livestock property near Woodruff, Utah. Elk and deer densities declined by as much as 92% in response to introduction of livestock, while associated areas where livestock were absent did not show this response. Biting rates and bite sizes were estimated and used to determine instantaneous intake rate. These measures were similar between pastures with cattle present or absent in 1992 but differed in 1993 for bite rate and marginally so for instantaneous intake rate. Bite rate and bite size but not instantaneous intake rate showed significant differences among years when the data for both treatments were combined. My results indicated that livestock locally displaced wild ungulates but displacement occurred only while the livestock were present. Differences in elk foraging behavior were greater between years than between treatments, and instantaneous intake rate alone was viewed as an inaccurate indicator of potential reductions in fitness.

This study utilized historical population statistics data and related reports to investigate the population distribution and transition trend of Kaohsiung Main Urban Area. There were four purposes of this study; firstly to understand the current population distribution pattern of Kaohsiung Main Urban Area, secondly to investigate the change trend of Kaohsiung Main Urban Area in the past 36 years, thirdly using Kaohsiung Main Urban Area population data to verify the population density model and to examine the correspondence with the current society, and fourthly to explore the impact of the establishment of Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System and Taiwan High Speed Rail to the transition and distribution of population in Kaohsiung Main Urban Area. This study employed the population statistical database from year 1972 to 2007, and divided the Kaohsiung metropolitan area into 32 sub-divisions. The population data was re-organized accordingly in order to perform the systematic analyses and exploration in making the understanding of the current population status and transition process. Furthermore, employing the population data of Kaohsiung metropolitan area, the validation of negative exponential model and quadratic exponential model, the population model proposed by Clark and Newling respectively 58 year ago, were performed to verify the applicability of the theories to modern society. In addition, this study also performed the exploration of population transition and distribution in Kaohsiung metropolitan area during the construction period of Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System and Taiwan High Speed Rail and could be of reference to urban planning and development in the future. This study found that both Clark and Newling¡¦s population model still has high interpretation capability after 58 years later. The Kaohsiung metropolitan area population distribution model and trend forecast proposed by Ho in 1991 is still true. However, because of the slow down in overall development trend of Taiwan, the transition trend of Kaohsiung metropolitan also mitigated. Besides, due to the trend mitigation, the volcano peak phenomenon which was mentioned in the literature review will be postponed and expected to happen in year 2018.

Thesis (doctoral)--Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales, 1981. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 275-281).