Thesis--University of Chicago. / Bibliography: p. 120-125.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 104 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-104).

Inaug.--Diss. (Dr. agr.)--Rheinisch-Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität zu Bonn. / Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-129).

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2005. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Bret E. Olson. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--University of Chicago. / Bibliography: p. 170-173.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Dec. 1927. / Description based on print version record. Bibliography: p. 127-133.

Thesis (M.Sc.(Agric.))(Animal Science)-Universiteit van Pretoria, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Limited work has been done in the field of ecology to relate growth and development of wild ungulates to the quality of their natural forage. This study was conducted in Southeast Alaska during the summers of 1959, 1960 and 1961 to identify the factors of the environment which alter the plane of nutrition of deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) and result in variations in body size. Woronkofski and Coronation Islands, suspected to produce deer of wide contrast in body size, were chosen as study areas and qualitative and quantitative measurements were made of both the deer and the range on the two islands. A total of 63 deer specimens were collected, from which sex, age, weights and measurements were recorded and samples of rumen contents were collected and analysed. Specimens were examined to determine levels of parasitism. Sex and age status of deer that died from natural causes were utilized for additional data. The range was evaluated through the use of line intercept transects correlated with chemical analyses of major forage species. Results of quantitative analyses of vegetation on the two islands indicate that Woronkofski Island greatly outranks Coronation Island in: 1) plant density and species abundance in the forest (110 to 54 interceptions) and muskeg (297 to 242 interceptions) types, 2) total area of subalpine (4.72 to 1.82 sq.mi.) and alpine (5.00 to 0.24 sq.mi) types and total area of forest type on an equal density basis (13.05 to 11.64 sq.mi.), and 3) total vegetated area on an equal density basis (24.31 to 16.51 sq.mi.). Qualitative evaluation of forage species through the use of chemical analyses did not show significant differences between islands in comparisons of similar species under comparable site conditions. There were indications that alpine and muskeg vegetation was of higher quality than forest vegetation and alpine plants appeared of slightly higher quality than similar species growing on low elevation muskegs. The physiological stage of plant growth appeared to be the most important factor in determining nutritive quality of vegetation. Analyses of rumen samples enabled a clear separation between Woronkofski and Coronation Islands on the basis of range quality. Nitrogen content of both the gross and washed rumen samples was consistently higher in the Woronkofski group than in those from Coronation Island. An inverse relationship existed with respect to the fiber content. Other techniques of rumen contents analyses involving centrifuge fractionation of microorganisms, light transmittancy determinations of rumen liquor and microscope counts of protozoa supported the comparative evidence from the chemical analyses. Regression analyses of weights and skeletal measurements of the specimen deer showed growth differences between the two islands which are apparently attributable to differing levels in the annual nutritional regimens of the deer. Skeletal ratios were found to be more reliable than body weight as measures of growth differences because skeletal parts are less subject to short term fluctuations in the environment and they, therefore, more accurately reflect physiological age. The use of the femur/hind foot ratio supports the thesis that the larger size of deer on Woronkofski than on Coronation Island is the product of nutritional rather than genetic causes. No significant differences, that could be related to nutritional factors, were found in the levels of parasitism among the deer of the two islands. The sex and age composition of the deer populations on the two islands reflects the quality and quantity of forage present on the ranges. Conclusions of the study are that the larger size and more rapid rate of growth of deer on Woronkofski Island in comparison to those on Coronation Island are the result of the psysiological response of the deer on both islands to pronounced differences in the nutritive quality and quantity of their respective ranges. These nutritive factors are primarily operative during the summer period of growth of both the vegetation and the deer. The factors of the environment responsible for the differences in quality and quantity of forage present on the two islands are primarily differences in the degree of altitudinal and topographic Variation and in the relative proportions of alpine and subalpine areas and secondarily in the regional climatic differences and the presence or absence of predation. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

Recent studies by Dr. I. McT. Cowan in Jasper National Park have revealed that many of the winter game ranges of the Park are heavily over-utilized by grazing and browsing animals. In order to correct this situation, it was first necessary to obtain accurate information on existing range conditions. Therefore, study of certain key areas of the Athabaska Valley was undertaken in the summer of 1946 and 1947 by Dr, Cowan and the author, for the purpose of describing existing plant growth, investigating factors affecting this plant growth, and recommending measures for improving range conditions. In carrying out the project, standard range survey methods were used on nine representative areas. Point sampling revealed the composition of the ground vegetation while cover estimates and numerical counts gave the status of trees and shrubs. Analyses of soil samples indicated the fertility of the soil of the various ranges. The relative utilization of the ranges by herbivores was estimated by defecation counts. In order to determine the productivity of the ranges equal amounts of ground vegetation were clipped, air-dried, and weighed. Exclosure plots, established in 1942, served as a type of control as productivity within the plots was compared to that outside. The Jasper cemetery was used as a relict area. As a result of the investigations it was concluded that the winter ranges of the Athabaska Valley vary greatly in their capacity to produce vegetation, and that all the ranges are over-utilized to a greater or lesser degree, principally by elk and horses. This over-utilization is producing a retrogressive succession of the ground vegetation which is rendering the ranges increasingly unproductive. Destruction of browse species and strict fire protection are hastening development of climax spruce forests on certain range areas. In order to correct present trends in the ecology of the Athabaska Valley it was recommended that the numbers of elk be greatly reduced, that annual censuses of game populations be made, that a cover map of the area be prepared and new exclosure plots set up, that periodic range studies be made, that horse grazing be prohibited, and that conifers be controlled on certain game ranges. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

An ecological study of the important winter ranges of the Ashnola population of California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana Douglas) was conducted from May 1963 through August 1964. Emphasis was placed upon the floristic composition, productivity, soils and the use by cattle, deer and bighorn of the ranges. The principal climax community between 3500 and 4500 feet is dominated by Agropyron spicatum and Koeleria cristata; above 4500 feet, often to 6200 feet, it is dominated by Agropyron spicatum and Festuca idahoensis. Both communities have developed on Rego Dark Gray soils. Overgrazing of the climax communities leads to serai communities dominated by Koeleria cristata and Poa secunda in the lower situation and Artemisia frigida and Koeleria cristata in the higher situation. Other serai communities which have arisen through overgrazing on Orthic Black soils are dominated by Poa pratensis, Poa secunda, or Bromus tectorum together with Stipa columbiana. The use by domestic cattle and, on some areas, the combined use by cattle and deer, are the principal factors presently maintaining the seral communities. Since bighorn use of the winter ranges occurs primarily after maturation of the forage, most areas heavily utilized by bighorn and not abused by cattle were found to be in the climax state. Bighorn were shown to have an affinity for the climax Agropyron - Koeleria and Agropyron - Festuca communities and utilized them three times more than seral communities. Chemical analysis revealed that by N. R. C. (1957 & 1963) feeding standards recommended for domestic sheep and cattle the seven forage species which compromised more than 95 percent of the bighorn winter diet contained sufficient crude protein, fat, fibre, ash, nitrogen free extract and calcium for maintenance. However, by the same standards, all species and notably the grasses, were deficient in phosphorus. Low phosphorus and moderate calcium levels produced unfavourable calcium:phosphorus ratios by mid-winter. Stipa columbiana, a principal increaser species and an unimportant item in the bighorn winter diet, was inferior to the other species investigated. Agropyron spicatum, a decreaser species and the most important bighorn food species, appeared to be the most nutritious grass. The retrogression of Agropyron spicatum dominated climax communities caused by past overgrazing by domestic stock, present forage competition with domestic stock, and possible phosphorus deficiencies are believed to be the principal factors presently limiting the bighorn population. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate