Thesis (LL. M.)--University of Alberta, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 185-199). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 185-199). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M. S.)--Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004. / Norton, Bryan, Committee Chair; Noonan, Douglas, Committee Member; Kirkman, Robert, Committee Member. Includes bibliography.

Rainforest biodiversity is particularly vulnerable to loss, since the distribution of forests is limited and the vertebrate species that live within these forests have a limited potential to re-colonize deforested areas, especially when their abundance declines to critical levels. Guinea-Bissau (West Africa) is experiencing significant loss of habitats and species diversity; as such, the establishment of an effective conservation programme is urgent in its remaining forested areas. Despite six legislated protected areas, Guinean forests and their wildlife are not safe in reality. This lack of on-the-ground protection is the case for Cantanhez National Park (Tombali region), where this research took place. The park was established in 2007 to protect remnant forests containing unique and endemic Guinean biodiversity, such as the endangered West African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus). Local inhabitant’s attitudes towards protected areas and associated externallydriven conservation programmes are seldom examined in depth in relation to understanding the drivers (livelihood, socio-cultural, and local) of perceptions, which makes conservation problematic. Understanding attitudes to animals, habitats and livelihood risks were the focus of this project, specifically in order to assess perceptions of chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are currently suffering catastrophic declines due to human actions across Africa. Thus a focus on understanding, managing and enhancing people’s perceptions and attitudes towards this species could be vital to its long-term survival. The theoretical approach is based upon (i) examining the construct of sociozoologic scales in this specific socio-cultural context, (ii) elucidating issues in humanwildlife interaction (e.g. conflict such as crop-raiding and positive such as ecotourism potential), (iii) local economies (i.e. level of dependency on forest resources), and (iv) understanding people’s expectations about the future of the National Park as a potential constraint or opportunity for their welfare and livelihoods. Quantitative and qualitative methods were combined to approach these questions. 17 The Guinean sociozoologic scale of Cantanhez clearly divides vertebrate species into (i) “tame”, considered good (e.g. gazelles) and (ii) “hazardous”, considered bad (e.g. hyaenas). Chimpanzees lay exactly in the midpoint. They are considered humans’ close relatives; however, they “misbehave” as astute crop thieves sufficiently to be perceived as a competitor for resources. Since chimpanzees are also seen as very similar to humans, their meat consumption is taboo, which adds the potential for protection. Gender and religion both influence the way locals perceive of and relate to chimpanzees. Women and Muslims tend to be more negative towards this species and the protected area than are men and non-Muslims. Women never exhibited positive attitudes in relation to the protected area, while men appeared to be more engaged with “capitalized” principles, with some awareness about the importance chimpanzees might have in catalyzing the National Park and local economy. This study highlights the need for a management plan to mitigate crop-raiding and the development of sustainable strategies that provide livelihood benefits for both men and women, addressing their distinct needs, outside the protected area.

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published_or_final_version / Ecology and Biodiversity / Master / Master of Philosophy

Understanding population structure and resource selection are essential for wildlife management and conservation. I assessed the population structure and resource selection of elk (Cervus elaphus) in central Ontario. I used fuzzy and hierarchical cluster analyses to elucidate elk population structure based on spatial data collected from 41 radio-collared elk. I assessed impacts of habitat quality on space use using the minimum convex polygon (MCP) and fixed kernel methods. I evaluated resource selection by elk in winter, spring, summer, and fall, from December 2011 to August 2013, using resource selection functions (RSF’s). I used a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to evaluate resource selection functions and used Akaike information criterion (AICc ) to select the best model of 20 candidate models constructed a priori. Models included parameters representing resources known to be important to elk: elevation, aspect, slope, distance to roads and water, and habitat. Both fuzzy and hard clustering indicated that elk in Central Ontario occur in a metapopulation that includes 5 subpopulations. The largest cluster consisted of a core group of 22 radio-collared elk located in Burwash with several satellite subpopulations spread along a 50km long north-south axis and a small subpopulation to the west located in Worthington. Survival rates among subpopulations were similar ranging from 0.71 to 0.83; however, anthropogenic causes of mortality were predominant only in the Burwash subpopulation. Space use and density of elk differed between core and satellite subpopulations. Resource selection by elk differed by time of day and season. In all seasons, elk selected open habitats at night and more forested areas during the day. Elk avoided areas close to roads in spring, but selected them in winter at night. Elk selected higher elevations in winter and for south facing slopes in spring and fall. Elk displayed strong crepuscular activity patterns in all seasons; however, movements were limited in winter. Understanding population structure is important in order to develop appropriate management plans. My results support the conclusion that population structure can be reliably assessed using spatial data. Resource selection is a dynamic process that changes with seasons, as well as animal activity across the diel period. Resource selection should include time of day in order to obtain a complete picture of resources important to a particular species and to support the conservation of habitats used for various animal activities.