Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-163). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 390-399).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on September 13, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

A general decrease in populations of waders on the Ythan estuary, Aberdeenshire, has coincided with an increased biomass of green algae on the intertidal mudflats. It was hypothesised that the reduction of bird numbers was due to the impact of macroalgal mats. The main objective of this study was to test the above hypothesis by investigating the impact of macroalgal mats on aspects of the behavioural ecology of waders, principally on their dispersion, diet and foraging behaviour. Redshank (<I>Tringa totanus</I> L.), curlew (<I>Numenius arquata</I> L.), oystercatcher (<I>Haematopus ostralegus</I> L.), bar-tailed godwit (<I>Limosa lapponica</I> L.) and dunlin (<I>Calidris alpina</I> L.; for study of dispersion only) were chosen for study. To test this hypothesis, wader counts on different estuary sections, pellet and dropping analysis, direct observations on foraging, visual and photographic estimations of weed cover, and invertebrate data were assessed in the context of the energetics of waders and their prey described in the literature. Foraging behaviour was examined on weed-covered and weed-free sediments in natural sites and in field-manipulated plots. Weed cover below 25% (biomass <1 kg fresh weight/ m<SUP>2</SUP>) did not adversely influence the foraging of redshank, curlew, oystercatcher and bar-tailed godwit. However, weed cover >50% (biomass > 3 kg fresh weight/ m<SUP>2</SUP>) negatively affected the foraging of redshank, curlew and bar-tailed godwit but did not consistently affect oystercatcher. Redshank that fed on weed-covered areas had a reduced numerical food intake rate when compared to the birds on weed-free areas. During peak weed cover on the estuary, redshank on weeded areas had a 35.8% lower gross energy intake rate than those on weed-free areas.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-141). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-141). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D., Environmental Science)--University of Idaho, May 2007. / Major professor: J. Michael Scott. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by subscription or by purchasing the individual file.

[From Introduction]. From an early period in the lake's history research was undataken to determine the potential of Kyle as a source of edible fish, In such a study, knowledge of the number and weight of fish consumed by piscivorous birds would seem to be an obvious consideration. Accordingly special investigation was undertaken into the food requirements of fish eating birds which live in the lake area. The method employed, on this occasion, to obtain the required information has differed radically from that more generally used by investigators working with similar objects in view. The common practise has been to examine the stomach contents of a considerable number of birds of the same species, which have been destroyed in order to make information available.

The first of five chapters describe the study area and study species, including a short description about the impetus for this research. The second chapter describes a unique hydrologic model for application in tidal ecosystems. The second chapter represents new information on the effects of various abiotic and biotic factors on foraging wading birds in this highly dynamic environment. The third chapter identifies important factors affecting the abundance of foraging wading birds in intertidal environments. The fourth chapter presents a study of the foraging habitat preferences of two wading bird species in intertidal environments. The fifth chapter describes a conceptual model of wading bird foraging ecology and a predictive model of foraging habitat in intertidal zones. The conceptual model captures the major drivers and linkages between the abiotic and biotic variables thought to affect wading bird foraging abundance in intertidal habitats. The conceptual model also identifies major knowledge gaps in our understanding of foraging ecology of wading birds in coastal intertidal areas. The predictive model of foraging habitat is meant to be used by resource managers, but its framework may be useful for ecological studies in general. The final and sixth chapter provides a summary of all the major findings. Each chapter has been written so as to be independent of the other chapters. As such, a full background, along with a discussion of the relevance of the chapter's findings is provided for each chapter. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-125) Also available in print.