Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006.

Thesis (M.Sc.). / Written for the Dept. of Geography. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/05/14). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Toledo, 2005. / Typescript. "A thesis [submitted] as partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Science degree in Biology." Bibliography: leaves 45-50.

Ph. D, Faculty of Science, University of Witwatersrand, 2011 / The aim of biological management for black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) conservation is to maximise meta-population growth rates to aid species recovery. This research investigated how adaptive resource use in response to seasonal variation in resource availability could affect maximum productive habitat capacity for this critically endangered species. Analysis was based on a population of rhinos which had shown excellent annual growth rates and low inter-calving intervals since re-introduction to Tswalu Kalahari Reserve in the Northern Cape of South Africa in 1995. Acacia haematoxylon, a semi-evergreen species, was identified as the key resource forming the majority of diet contents during the late dry season. Use of this species resulted in a low level of seasonal variation in dietary contents of energy and protein. During the data collection period, energy and protein gains of individual female rhinos were estimated to exceed maximum requirements for reproduction throughout the seasonal cycle. An experiment designed to test the compensatory growth response of A. haematoxylon found that clipping trees in a way that simulated rhino browsing stimulated an increased growth response in the following wet season. This response indicated potential for a facilitatory relationship in the short term. A large proportion of the available area at Tswalu was not used by black rhinos. Home range location and habitat type selection within home ranges during the dry season were positively associated with two shrubveld habitat types containing greater A. haematoxylon biomass than other habitat types. Results from all aspects of field data analysis emphasized the importance of A. haematoxylon as the key dry season resource for black rhino at Tswalu. Field data were used to develop a conceptual model of how seasonally adaptive resource use by black rhinos could determine maximum productive habitat capacity. The crux of the model was to estimate the highest population density at which female rhinos could attain maximum energetic gains for reproduction throughout the entire seasonal cycle. The most limiting period was the nutritional bottleneck during the late dry season. The rationale behind this approach was to enable females to maintain body condition and be capable of meeting nutritional requirements for reproduction throughout the year, thus minimizing inter-calving intervals and maximising population growth rates. Model projections indicated that female rhinos could not attain energy gains for reproduction throughout the dry season in certain habitat types due to low availability of A. haematoxylon. However, model outputs indicated potential for an increase in rhino density by approximately one third in the two favoured shrubveld habitat types, assuming that habitat conditions remained unchanged. Availability of semi-evergreen A. haematoxylon was identified as the key vegetation component determining maximum productive habitat capacity for black rhino at Tswalu. Monitoring available biomass of this species at the end of the dry season could provide a simple plant-based indicator of how close the population is to maximum productive habitat capacity. Managing rhino densities in fenced reserves elsewhere around spatial and temporal availability of key resources may assist in achieving black rhino conservation goals of maximising metapopulation growth rates. Joanne Aileen Shaw

Photocopy of typescript. / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Development on the island of Key Largo, Florida, has isolated the Key Largo woodrat (KLWR, Neotoma floridana smalli) on approximately 850 ha of remaining habitat. The KLWR was listed as a federally endangered species in 1984, yet there is still only a limited amount of knowledge about its ecology and population dynamics. The objective of this study was to produce reliable information on KLWR ecology to aid in its management and recovery. Specifically, the study examined (1) the trend and status of the KLWR population, (2) KLWR habitat and nesting preferences, (3) the potential of a fatal disease on KLWR, (4) the movements and ranges of the KLWR, and (5) the viability of the KLWR population. I trapped on 60 (1-ha) grids from March to September 2002 and 10 (1-ha) grids in October 2002 and January, April, and July 2003. Additionally I radio-collared 17 KLWRs and tracked them from March to November 2002. I estimated the current population of KLWR to be between 26 and 106 individuals. I found KLWR selected young hammock (disturbed > 1971) over medium (disturbed between 1940-1971) and old hammock (disturbed < 1940). KLWRs selected garbage and rock piles in the young hammock for nesting sites. From the analysis of 64 raccoon (Procyon lotor) fecal samples, I have no evidence that the potentially fatal raccoon roundworm parasite (Baylisascaris procyonis) was present on Key Largo or had negative impact on the KLWR. Telemetry data indicated males have larger ranges than females. Females appear socially tolerant of one another and have significantly smaller ranges than males during the spring and summer breeding season. Results of a population viability analysis (PVA) using demographic parameters from previous studies and my study projected a high risk of extinction for the KLWR within the next 10 years. I recommend the creation of large continuous blocks of young (disturbed > 1971) habitat and the creation of nesting habitat for the KLWR within these areas. I would also advocate a large-scale captive breeding and augmentation of the population along with continued research on the limiting factors that are driving the KLWR toward extinction.

Conservation of native wildlife is becoming increasingly difficult due to continued human population growth and expansion. As the human population continues to increase, so does the rate of consumption of our natural resources. As competition for resources between man and wildlife continues, it is important to understand the effects of urbanization on species. Endangered Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) are endemic to the Florida Keys archipelago stretching southwest off the southern tip of peninsular Florida. Key deer range is restricted to the Lower Florida Keys with approximately 60% residing on Big Pine Key and 15% residing on No Name Key which have undergone rapid human population growth and development over the past 30 years. Urban development and its associated risk factors (i.e., habitat loss and fragmentation, deer domestication, and deer–vehicle collisions) have been cited as the greatest threat to the Key deer population. For my dissertation research, I evaluated the impacts of 30 years of development on the Key deer population. My results suggest that increased habitat fragmentation and increased road traffic have created areas of varying habitat quality and mortality risk and have resulted in a source-sink system for Key deer on Big Pine Key. In my examination of Key deer metapopulation dynamics, I found a low probability of deer colonizing 2 target outer islands (Sugarloaf and Cudjoe) through dispersal alone in the next 20 years. Further, I examined the impacts of urbanization on changes in Key deer population dynamics, behavior, and morphology. Collectively, my results suggest that over the past 30 years Key deer have become more urbanized, which in turn has influenced Key deer behavior and population viability. Behavioral adaptations due to deer plasticity appear to have provided Key deer with mechanisms to persist in a changing environment due to urbanization. However, the future ability of Key deer to persist in a continuously urbanizing environment cannot be predicted. At some threshold, urban development would become unsustainable, and, unlike other forms of habitat change or environmental disturbances, urban development is in most cases irreversible, requiring careful planning in habitat conservation strategies.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 251-283). Also available on Internet.

Development on the island of Key Largo, Florida, has isolated the Key Largo woodrat (KLWR, Neotoma floridana smalli) on approximately 850 ha of remaining habitat. The KLWR was listed as a federally endangered species in 1984, yet there is still only a limited amount of knowledge about its ecology and population dynamics. The objective of this study was to produce reliable information on KLWR ecology to aid in its management and recovery. Specifically, the study examined (1) the trend and status of the KLWR population, (2) KLWR habitat and nesting preferences, (3) the potential of a fatal disease on KLWR, (4) the movements and ranges of the KLWR, and (5) the viability of the KLWR population. I trapped on 60 (1-ha) grids from March to September 2002 and 10 (1-ha) grids in October 2002 and January, April, and July 2003. Additionally I radio-collared 17 KLWRs and tracked them from March to November 2002. I estimated the current population of KLWR to be between 26 and 106 individuals. I found KLWR selected young hammock (disturbed > 1971) over medium (disturbed between 1940-1971) and old hammock (disturbed < 1940). KLWRs selected garbage and rock piles in the young hammock for nesting sites. From the analysis of 64 raccoon (Procyon lotor) fecal samples, I have no evidence that the potentially fatal raccoon roundworm parasite (Baylisascaris procyonis) was present on Key Largo or had negative impact on the KLWR. Telemetry data indicated males have larger ranges than females. Females appear socially tolerant of one another and have significantly smaller ranges than males during the spring and summer breeding season. Results of a population viability analysis (PVA) using demographic parameters from previous studies and my study projected a high risk of extinction for the KLWR within the next 10 years. I recommend the creation of large continuous blocks of young (disturbed > 1971) habitat and the creation of nesting habitat for the KLWR within these areas. I would also advocate a large-scale captive breeding and augmentation of the population along with continued research on the limiting factors that are driving the KLWR toward extinction.