Thesis (M.E.Des.)--University of Calgary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 197-210).

Delineating population units is essential for the conservation and management of a species. Applying a genetic approach to delineate units, this study identifies genetic population structure, and landscape resistance to gene flow, of the nationally threatened boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) across the ecotypes’ southern range in Saskatchewan. Three genetic clusters were delineated across the study area, with moderate genetic connectivity identified with Manitoba. Isolation-by-distance was found to be significant across Saskatchewan, and within each genetic cluster. Gene flow across clusters in Saskatchewan was high (FST = ~0.01), with genetic connectivity being lowest for the south-central cluster surrounding Prince Albert National Park (FST = ~0.03). Resistance to gene flow was identified with the following landscape variables: water, forestry, roads, wildfire, and low suitability habitat. Careful consideration of these variables in range planning will help to maintain genetic connectivity of boreal caribou across its southern range in Saskatchewan. / May 2016

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

This study examines the utilisation of miombo woodland by fishing communities in Lake Malawi National Park (LMNP). Combining methodologies from the natural and social sciences, patterns of use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), and the impact of harvesting practices on the resource base, are described. The main focus is the commercial and subsistence use of primary woodland resources including: fuelwood, construction materials and grass thatch. Aerial photographic analysis and a quadrat based vegetation survey are used to examine the impact of local utilisation practices on the miombo woodland. Multivariate analyses assess the importance of different environmental variables in explaining the floristic composition of the woodland vegetation. A range of NTFPs are used locally but market surveys indicate that few products are traded outside the villages. A marketing analysis suggests that urban trade is constrained by the low economic value of woodland resources compared to the high cost of rural transport. Specific patterns of collection and use are apparent for each resource. This thesis explores the impact of different harvesting practices on the miombo woodlands. Using household surveys and time allocation, the effects of children on patterns of wood collection and use are examined. The role of daughters in fuelwood collection is discussed in relation to theories of fertility and family size. Furthermore, behavioural ecology approaches are used to examine the decision making in wood collection. This research provides a useful framework for investigating resource use because it combines concurrent studies of village and woodland communities. The quantitative and rigorous approach enables the factors that influence resource use, and their impact, to be defined. This study contributes to theories of conservation and the practice of integrated management of natural resources. Furthermore, the research demonstrates the importance of woodland resources to the subsistence strategies of rural communities within a protected area system.