Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1989. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (MS)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2009. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: David R. Lageson. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-88).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 96 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 1999. / Includes vita. Bibliography: leaves 94-102.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-94). Also available on the World Wide Web.

I evaluated the potential for interspecific competition for forage between elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) in the 265.5-ha Elk & Bison Prairie enclosure at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area in western Kentucky. I studied diet composition of elk and bison based on microhistological analysis of fecal samples collected monthly for 36 months from September 1996 through August 1999. Elk diet was more variable than that of bison, but no significant seasonal differences in diet composition were found for either species throughout the study. As expected, elk and bison differed significantly in their feeding habits. As seen in studies of wild sympatric populations, bison consumed more graminoids, less browse and fewer forbs than did elk, regardless of season. Dietary overlap varied considerably, but with little apparent seasonal pattern. Overlap did not consistently increase during winter, when quantity and quality of available forage might be reduced. Competition between elk and bison for available forage may have been alleviated by supplemental feeding and the ability of elk to adapt to alternative forages.

Observation is a simple method of acquiring information and is a critical step in the scientific method for both developing and investigating testable hypotheses. Cameras have long played a role in observation, and as technology advances, new tools and methods for collecting, interrogating, and displaying large quantities of high-resolution images have evolved. We describe an automated digital time-lapse camera system and present an example field deployment to observe the temporal and spatial patterns of riparian use by humans and animals during a 3-mo period. We also describe software tools for image interrogation and visualization, as well as new information gathered through their use. The system was tested in 2014, in a 2.4-ha site within the ApacheSitgreaves National Forest in east central Arizona, United States where elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and cattle grazed. Photographs were taken every 30 sec for 38 d, after which an electric fence was installed to restrict cattle access and the time step was increased to every 3 min. We observed that elk exhibited the unique behavior of standing in and traveling within the stream channel while grazing and tended to graze and lie in close proximity to the channel. Cattle drank from, but typically did not enter, the stream channel and tended to lie away from the channel. Recreational use by people had the distinct impact of dispersing elk from the riparian corridor. Zoomable time-lapse videos allowed us to observe that in contrast to the cattle, elk grazed while lying down. High-temporal resolution photography is a practical tool for observing phenomena that are important for local resource management. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of The Society for Range Management.

This s tudy examined feeding behaviors and habitat preferences of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) and elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) in aspen (Populus tremuloides) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) types. Specific purposes were 1) to determine where deer and elk, undisturbed by humans, prefer to graze and rest within these two types and 2) to consider what species- specific characteristics contribute to their differing forage and habitat preferences. Tame free-ranging mule deer and elk were observed for 24-hour periods biweekly through summer to determine their grazing and resting preferences for various habitat subunits. Relative distributions of deer and elk fecal groups were also recorded and compared with actual distribution of the animals . Species dry-weight compositions of monthly diets in the aspen type and lodgepole pine type were quantified by the bite count technique and used as basis for assessing consumption rates , intake and certain aspects of diet quality. In particular, relative digestive capacities of deer versus elk were investigated by using rumen inocula from each species in the fermentation of that animal' s diet, as well as in fermentation of the other species' diet . Crude protein values of diets in the aspen type were also determined monthly and compared with values reported for deer and elk in the lodgepole pine type. In either type , both deer and elk exhibited strong grazing preference for open habitat subunits. However, elk most preferred highly productive meadow bottoms, whereas deer most preferred less productive clearcut lodgepole pine. Aspen forest subunits were also preferred by deer. Clearcutting greatly increased deer and elk grazing use of these areas in the lodgepole pine type, but aspen clearcuts were used about equally to uncut aspen, even though forage production doubled. The reason deer used meadow bottoms less than elk is attributed to the deer's preference for a more digestible diet; deer were generally more selective than elk, especially in meadow subunits where density of vegetation and abundance of nonpreferred grasses and sedges apparently interferred with forage selection and prevented maximum forage consumption rates. Elk had significantly greater digestive capacity than deer and were apparently better adapted to using a more diverse array of plant species as food. In any case, consumption rates were highest on subunits the animals most preferred to graze. The fact that both species made considerable use of less preferred habitat, where consumption rates were "suboptimal", suggests that deer and elk are innately motivated to explore their environments for alternate food resources. Elk generally preferred to bed near where they finished feeding, although always in close proximity to cover. In contrast, deer generally retreated to specific beds which they used repeatedly t hroughout the summer . Deer resting behavior made them better adapted than elk to cope with biting insects. Relative distributions of deer and elk pellet groups differed significantly from actual habitat use by either animal. Importance of the most valuable habitat was underestimated by pellet group distributions, and value of less important habitat was overestimated.

This report on the formulation and operation of a plan for character education in a rural secondary school is submitted in the hope that it may be one of many similar studies aimed to stimulate interest in and foster character building. It is not contended that this is a perfect scheme. Its defects were clearly revealed in its five years of operation. Its influence and results are more clearly apparent to those who view it from the distance. One of the new teachers stated in February, "I don't know what's responsible but the boys and girls in this school are finer in their perceptions of civic relationship, and more cooperative in spirit, and evidence more desire for right conduct, than those in any other school in which I've taught." If this is the result of the experiment, then, no matter how far short of our ideal we fell, it is still worth while.

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