The interactions of insects and fire on the health and restoration of longleaf pines in Louisiana were investigated. Insects found to be economically and ecologically important were considered, primarily bark beetles and weevils. First, insect populations in an area of fire exclusion of the Palustris Experimental Forest within the Kisatchie National Forest were quantified using baited flight intercept and pitfall traps. The possible influence of temperature and precipitation on insect abundance also was studied. Insects were most abundant during March and April and with correlating temperatures from 10-20 °C. Precipitation was not found to have an effect on insect abundance. Second, the roles of fire and insects and tree health were examined. As an indicator of tree health, 24-hour resin production was sampled from trees in the study area. Insects responded differentially to prescribed fire by season and feeding guild. Dormant season burns attracted significantly more root feeding than bark feeding insects. Growing season burns attracted significantly fewer insects than dormant season burns. Last, a portable propane burner was utilized to conduct semi-controlled burning of trees, simulating dormant and growing season burns of long and short duration of low and high intensity, respectively. Trees subjected to non-traditional prescriptions (high intensity dormant season fires and low intensity growing season fires) produced significantly less resin than trees burned under traditional prescriptions (low intensity dormant season fires and high intensity growing season fires). Overall, my research indicated that longleaf pine should be managed with prescribed burning during the growing season for stand maintenance. Growing season burns minimize insect response and have been shown to mimic natural burning patterns and be more effective at reducing understory competition. Depending upon management objectives, managers should consider insect response and the effect of fire on tree health when developing prescriptions.

Animal movements are related to many parameters of interest such as the search for food and other life requisites. Several measures, including home range, have been used to quantify and describe animal movement. However, fine-scaled movements of mammals have received less attention even though they are more directly related to energy expended for locating resources and provide information on how a home range is used. I tracked radiotagged female black bears (Ursus americanus) from two geographically separate populations in the Atchafalaya River Basin in south central Louisiana: the Coastal population at the southern extent and the Inland population at the northern extent. During tracking sessions, 2 technicians and myself measured azimuths from telemetry stations to radio-collared bears and test transmitters at 5-minute intervals for an average of 5.1 hours. I used these data to estimate 39 travel paths for 15 individual bears tracked from 1 to 7 times. Randomization tests indicated that telemetry precision was sufficient to detect fine-scaled bear movements. Movement path turning angles, measured relative to the previous direction of travel, and net displacement of individuals through time indicated that bears concentrated their movements (net displacement <72m) approximately 50% of the time, suggesting that they were utilizing a concentrated or patchily distributed resource. I failed to detect any differences in measures of fractal dimension, a scaling relation providing an index of path tortuosity or wiggliness, among bears in different reproductive conditions, study areas, or seasons. Bear, hour relative to sunset, reproductive condition, and season influenced the fall movement rates of bears. The effects of reproductive condition and time of day were not consistent across bears, and the effect of time of day was not consistent across reproductive conditions. Movement extent, or area traversed during an average tracking session, was similar between study areas, but Coastal females used a larger percentage of their home range. These data suggest life requisites are more compactly distributed in the Coastal area. Despite the difference in the distribution of bear resources between Coastal and Inland suggested by these data, I failed to detect any habitat preferences or avoidance of anthropogenic features such as roads and agricultural fields in either study area using movement path location data.

Low levels of nest success in the prairie pothole region are mainly attributed to changes in predator community and abundance. Removal of predators from large sites (≥ 4144 ha) has been an effective strategy for increasing nest success; however, trapping small sites (< 301 ha) is considered ineffective. I examined the effects of removing predators from 10, 259 ha sites in northeastern North Dakota during 2001-2002. Overall nest success for both years was greater on trapped sites (53.4%) than non-trapped sites (28.7%). Furthermore, daily survival rate was greater on removal sites, and was positively correlated with total predators removed. Differences in nest density were apparent between treatments with an increased nest density on trapped sites, however year had no effect. Pair densities did not differ between treatments, but a 2-fold increase for both trapped and non-trapped sites was found in spring 2002. Cost to produce one fledged duckling, combining all species ranged from $16-20. Overall, the results of this study indicate that repeated removal of predators on small sites is an effective strategy for increasing waterfowl production; however, feasibility will ultimately depend on the user group, budget limitations, landowner objectives, and public acceptance.

Wood composite poles are new engineered products with polygonal shapes and bonded with synthetic resins. The poles have multiple advantages over the solid wood poles and are a promising solid pole substitute in power transmission, telecommunication, and cable TV services. The use of composite poles may reduce the cost both in materials and manipulation, and facilitate installation and treatment. It is necessary to evaluate the factors that affect their properties and construct theoretical and analytical models to analyze these properties. Experiments were conducted to investigate strip thickness and number of strips (NOS) effects on the flexural properties and shear stress of wood composite poles. Small-scale (diameter = 7.6 cm (3 in), length = 1.16 m (48 in)) and full size poles (diameter = 10.2 cm (4 in), length = 6 m (20 ft) were manufactured for this purpose. Four strip thickness levels and three number-of-strip levels for the small-scale poles, and three thickness levels and two number-of-strip levels for full-size poles were chosen as experimental variables. The lumber was cut into strips, which were bonded with synthetic resin in molds, and the resulting poles were evaluated in a cantilever test. Results show that the effects of strip thickness were negative on glue-line shear and positive on the shear at poles clamped ends. But thickness had little effects on maximum bending stress of the small-scale poles and Youngs modulus of both full- and small-scale poles. With the increase of NOS, Youngs modulus of poles was increased. NOS had little effects on the maximum bending stress and glue-line shear of small-scale poles. A theoretical analysis was carried out to study the deflection and stress of composite poles. Governing differential equations were derived from high-order differential equations based on the principle of minimum potential energy theorem. Transverse shear and body forces were included in the model. Investigations were also carried out to find glue-line effects on the stress and deflection of composite poles. An analytical solution is modeled with the finite element analysis using ANSYS. Both theoretical and analytical solutions were verified by the experimental data.

To determine the effects of intermediate silvicultural treatments on bottomland hardwoods, two types of thinning (crown thinning and low thinning) and one level of fertilizer (200 lb/ac N + 50 lb/ac P) were applied to a predominantly red oak stand in southeastern Texas. Treatments were applied in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement as a randomized complete block design of 12 ac in size. Crop trees were selected prior to the treatments, and diameter at breast height measurements were taken pre-treatment and for three proceeding years to assess diameter growth response of all trees. Epicormic branching measurements were also taken for three years post-treatment to evaluate epicormic branching response of all crop trees to crown thinning, low thinning and fertilization. Furthermore, reproduction plots were established pre-treatment to evaluate reproduction height growth response to all intermediate treatments. First-year results showed no significant difference in current annual increment (CAI) of crop-tree diameter growth response; however, second-year results of CAI diameter growth showed that crop trees in thinned plots achieved significantly more growth than in unthinned plots. With third-year results of CAI diameter growth, crop trees in crow-thinned plots grew significantly better than in both low-thinned and unthinned plots, all regardless of fertilization. Epicormic branching was generally greater in crown-thinned and fertilized plots immediately following treatment, and reproduction height growth was generally greater in crown-thinned, and in some cases, fertilized plots.

Indonesia as a nation faces the formidable task of balancing sustainable economic activity, conservation goals, and continuation of traditional indigenous life ways. This research encompasses a broad but integrated system of human-land relationships among the Benuaq Dayak, an indigenous group who maintain their customary laws and land use systems. The study identifies and analyzes instances of community related land management and resource utilization in the interior of Borneo. As forest dwelling people, the environment has shaped the culture and life ways of the Dayak. They have developed a complex system of cultural aspects in relation to the forest that they depend on for survival. The Benuaq Dayak create a mosaic of land use systems practicing Swidden agriculture, managing mixed fruit orchards, rubber and rattan plots, and community forest reserves. Customary laws continue to shape the landscape and dictate extraction of forest resources in the community reserves. Because the Benuaq Dayak are subsistence farmers, small-varied land parcels are used to cultivate a high variety of resources. Village household surveys were conducted to identify the varying types of resources utilized and agricultural activities. Land surveys and biodiversity plots were used to analyze the land use patterns. This research through sample surveys, species diversity plots, and ethnographic research identifies differences in resource use, sustainability efforts, and economic utility of the various land use types of the Benuaq Dayak.

Juvenile (4 g) tilapia of four varieties, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), blue tilapia (O. aureus), Florida red tilapia (O. urolepis hornorum x O. mossambicus), and Mississippi commercial tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) were tested for salinity tolerance. This was accomplished by subjecting them to four salinity regimes during a 97-h period with as long as 63 h acclimation. Salinity regimes represented salinities found along coastal Louisiana. Each variety was challenged individually against every other variety and thus in triplicate. All four varieties are commercially produced in the southeastern United States. The Florida red tilapia and Mississippi commercial tilapia are hybrid-based varieties (distinct species were crossed to produce their lineages). Juvenile O. aureus, O. niloticus, and Florida red tilapia exhibited good survival (> 81%) in salinity regimes up to 20 ppt, with moderate survival of O. aureus (54%) and Florida red tilapia (33%) at 35 ppt salinity. Mississippi commercial tilapia survived salinity regimes up to 10 ppt and exhibited poor survival at 20 ppt (5%). The potential for acclimation and survival of juvenile tilapia in Louisianas coastal aquatic habitats was evaluated based on a comparison of trial results with prevailing seasonal salinities in coastal waters. The study indicated O. aureus, O. niloticus, and Florida red tilapia could survive salinities throughout the year along coastal Louisiana. These results will allow Louisiana and other Gulf of Mexico states to more objectively evaluate risks associated with tilapia production in coastal watersheds by quantifying the salinity tolerances of two commercially important hybrid-based tilapia strains.

Reducing predator populations in the prairie pothole region can greatly increase nest success of both over water and upland nesting ducks. However, little is understood about impacts of predator removal on other wildlife within the same area. I conducted a field experiment to test whether small mammals, primarily mice (Peromyscus sp.) and voles (Microtus sp.), responded to seasonally reduced predator abundance. I compared small mammal abundance on 10 experimental (259 ha) sites in North Dakota during 2001 and 2002 with intensive, seasonal predator trapping with 10 control sites (259 ha) also monitored in both years. Small mammals were more abundant on sites where predators had been removed (F_3,132= 44.45, P<0.001), suggesting that small mammals responded numerically to an absence of medium-sized carnivores. However, levels of small mammals were comparable in both springs, suggesting that enlarged populations of rodents in summer and early fall were not sustained through winter. I also observed a strong positive relationship between small mammal abundance and duck nest success (r = 0.84, P = 0.002 in 2001; r= 0.82, P = 0.004 in 2002), suggesting a possible buffer effect small mammals may have on predation of waterfowl nest.

The extracts of many plants used in traditional medicine contain curative agents that are used in many modern medicines. As part of the quest for potentially valuable plants of medicinal value, the plant species Phyllanthus amarus Schum. and Thonn. and Quassia amara L. were chosen based on ethno-pharmacological knowledge from Suriname, South America. Phyllanthus amarus (whole plant) was collected in the city Paramaribo and in the country, and Quassia amara (wood) was collected in the countryside of Suriname. The aim of this study was to optimize extraction methods in order to maximize the recovery of secondary metabolites in the crude extracts of P. amarus and Q. amara. This was accomplished by examining the influence of different extraction solvents on the presence of secondary metabolites in the extracts by thin layer chromatography (TLC), determining the most suitable mobile phase for the plant extracts, and determining the most suitable detection method. Ten grams of each species were extracted (w/v 1:10) with 50% methanol in water, 99% methanol, and 50% methanol in chloroform. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to analyze the compounds in the plant extracts. In order to detect the most compounds, it was necessary to determine the optimal mobile phase (chloroform/methanol 9:1; 95:5; or 98:2) and most suitable detection method (I: UV-254 nm and Phosphomolybdic acid reagent; II: UV-365 nm and Dragendorff reagent; III: ethanolic sulfuric acid reagent; or IV: ethanolic sulfuric acid and UV-365 nm). For both plant species, crude extracts from methanol and chloroform-methanol yielded the highest number of fractions. Mobile phase chloroform/methanol 95:5 eluted the most fractions and had the best separation. Detection method I detected a wide variety of fractions/compounds. In the P. amarus extracts the following secondary metabolites were visualized: alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, phenols and indole derivatives. In Q. amara extracts, alkaloids (e.g. β-carbolines, canthin-6-ones) and quassinoids were detected. Methanol as an extraction solvent gave the best recovery (extraction rate) of secondary metabolites in both plants, and it can be concluded that different extraction solvents influence the extraction rate. Optimized powder extracts were produced as determined by TLC analysis for future bioassay tests.

Marsh terracing and coconut fiber mats are two restoration techniques currently being implemented at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. We tested two hypotheses related to these restoration techniques: (1) marsh terracing enhances nekton assemblages, so that nekton use is similar to those at natural marsh edges, and (2) coconut matted marsh edges enhance SAV recruitment, so that nekton use is similar to those found at natural marsh edges. Samples from terraces and coconut matted marsh were compared to samples from the natural marsh and open water habitats. We measured the following variables at each habitat: (1) nekton density and abundance, (2) nekton biomass, (3) nekton size, (4) nekton diversity, and (5) nekton species composition. Using a collapsible throw trap with 3 mm mesh and a 3 x 2 m straight seine, 180 nekton samples were collected at four sampling dates from winter 2001 to fall 2002. Six habitat types were sampled: (1) natural marsh edge (< 1 m from marsh - water interface), (2) coconut matted marsh edge, (3) terrace edge, and (4), (5), (6) open water (50 m from marsh - water interface for all 3 edge types). Environmental variables that may be influenced by restoration status were also monitored at each habitat. Samples from terraces and coconut matted marsh were compared to samples from the natural marsh edge and open water habitat. Results indicated that nekton variables at coconut matted edge and open water, natural edge, and terrace edge were not significantly different (p > 0.332). Nekton density, biomass, and diversity were lower in open water habitats associated with natural marsh and terraces than in the other four habitats (p < 0.0001). Coconut matted and natural marsh edges had significantly higher numbers of some benthic dwelling species (e.g. blue crab Callinectes sapidus, white shrimp Litopaenaus setiferous, naked goby Gobiosoma bosc, clown goby Microgobius gulosus, Gulf pipefish Syngnathus scovelli) than terrace marsh edges (p < 0.0004), potentially due to differences in substrate caused by construction of the terraces. Researchers have suggested that decreased benthic habitat quality at dredged material marshes is related to an impaired infaunal community and differences in sediment texture. At Sabine NWR, terracing and coconut matting increased nekton utilization 4.5 times above that in open water habitat by enhancing and increasing marsh edge relative to open water. The value of terrace and coconut matted marsh habitat for individual species may vary depending on their niche requirements. Future research on terrace success at providing nekton habitat should address nekton growth rates and correlate nekton composition to the infaunal community.