The study focuses in the ecology and conservation of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in the conservation and tourism concession owned by the ARCC. The study site is 11 000 hectares and it is located in the Las Piedras Region, north of Tambopata province, Madre de Dios. Camera traps were used to monitor the ocelot population during a 7-month period (from August 2012 to February 2013), divided in 9 rounds were 73 cameras were installed. The camera traps found 8 independent ocelots, from which only 3 (A1, A3 and A6) were recaptured in more than one occasion. The study did a capture-recapture analysis. The distance traveled by the ocelots from a capture to a recapture site was used to estimate the effective sampled area using the Mean Maximum Distance Moved - MMDM and Half MMDM. The methods yielded a density of 70 individuals/100km2 and 180 individuals/100km2, with full MMDM and Half MMDM, respectively. The study also analyzed the camera trap capture probability with PRESENCE software. Using a closed CR analysis followed by a model of constant capture probability, it yielded a capture probability rate of 0,3 (SE 0,0567). Finally, the ocelot’s habitat preference was also studied using a combination of satellite imagery and GIS software. It was found that these animals frequently use transects aimed for tourists, prefer sites near water and that they avoid bamboo forests. / Este estudio trata sobre la ecología y conservación del ocelote (Leopardus pardalis), en la concesión de conservación y ecoturismo del albergue Amazon Research and Conservation Center - ARCC. El área de estudio, de 11 000 hectáreas, se encuentra ubicada en el distrito de Las Piedras, norte de la provincia de Tambopata, departamento de Madre de Dios, Perú. Se utilizaron cámaras trampa para monitorear la población del felino en un período de siete meses (de agosto de 2012 a febrero de 2013), dividido en nueve rondas donde se instalaron 73 cámaras en total. Fueron ocho ocelotes independientes los identificados, de los cuales solo tres (A1, A3 y A6) fueron recapturados visualmente en más de una ocasión. Se realizó un análisis de captura-recaptura. Las distancias recorridas por los ocelotes entre captura y recaptura se utilizaron para estimar el área efectiva de muestreo usando el método del Promedio de la Máxima Distancia Recorrida - MMDM y Mitad del MMDM. Los métodos dieron como resultado una densidad poblacional de 700 ocelotes/100 km2 y 180 ocelotes/100 km2 con MMDM y Mitad del MMDM, respectivamente. Por otro lado, se analizó la probabilidad de captura de las cámaras trampa con el software PRESENCE. Utilizando un análisis poblacional cerrado y un modelo constante, se halló una detección por ronda de 0,3 (SE 0,0567). Finalmente, también se evaluó la preferencia de hábitat de los ocelotes a través de imágenes satélite. Se halló que la mayoría de los felinos usan transectos turísticos, que prefieren las llanuras aluviales cercanas a las riberas de los ríos y cochas, y que evitan los pantanos.

The Florida Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis pratensis) is a state threatened endemic subspecies of the Sandhill Crane (Nesbitt & Tacha, 1997). With a population that was estimated at a maximum of 5,000 individuals in 2003 (Nesbitt & Hatchitt, 2008), it is imperative to identify potentially viable habitats, as Florida is rapidly developing. This research develops a Habitat Suitability Index model to determine unsuitable to optimally suitable habitat locations throughout west-central Florida. To do so, six suitability variables based on the crane’s life history were evaluated: Potential nesting area, immediate nesting area, wetland coverage, foraging area, brooding area, and road proximity. The results were compiled into a map, which showcased a gradient of habitat suitability within the Southwest Florida Water Management District boundary. Validation of this model included assessing the 2013-2017 stop data obtained from the North American Breeding Bird Survey for two routes in the project area. However, this data proved to be insufficient and unreliable, resulting in insignificance. The intention of this research was to prioritize those areas that are of optimal suitability to assist on conservation management of this threatened species. However, it highlighted the necessity for updated research, data, and population information for the Florida Sandhill Crane.

The purpose of this study is to provide a habitat analysis of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius, in the Southern Appalachians. This population of S. varius is unique because it breeds in the high elevations of the Southern Appalachians, while the northern population breeds from Pennsylvania to Alberta Canada. Albert Ganier described this population in 1954 (Ganier 1954). Using the Relevee method of habitat analysis I have described the territories of several breeding pairs in the Southern Appalachians. This analysis suggests that these birds require an open canopy of northern hardwood forest with some type of open area as a part of their territory. I have measured several other factors of the habitat as well. The information obtained in this study will be used to guide management practices to maintain and increase the population size of S. varius ssp. appalachiensis.

The chief purpose of this study is to provide information on the habitat and breeding information of Magnolia Warblers on Unaka Mountain. Magnolia Warblers breed in Canada and the Northeastern United States. There are no current breeding records for this species in Tennessee. For the habitat analysis, trees were identified on individual subplots. Shrubs were analyzed using the point-intercept method. Most of the major tree and shrub species were different than those found in Maine, which is a major breeding region for this species. Therefore, it's the structure of the habitat that is important for nesting. Fledglings were seen, giving solid proof of breeding. This study is important because it provides proof of a new breeding bird in Tennessee, and establishes habitat information necessary for its conservation.

In west-central Alberta increased landscape fragmentation has lead to increased human use, having negative effects on wildlife such as the grizzly bear (<i>Ursus arctos</i> L.). Recently, grizzly bears in the Foothills Model Forest were found to select clear cuts of different age ranges as habitat and selected or avoided certain clear cuts depending on the site preparation process employed. Satellite remote sensing offers a practical and cost-effective method by which cut areas, their age, and site preparation activities can be quantified. This thesis examines the utility of spectral reflectance of SPOT-5 pansharpened imagery (2.5m spatial resolution) to identify and map 44 regenerating stands sampled in August 2005. Using object based classification with the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), green, and short wave infrared (SWIR) bands, 90% accuracy can be achieved in the detection of forest disturbance. Forest structural parameters were used to calculate the structural complexity index (SCI), the first loading of a principal components analysis. The NDMI, first-order standard deviation and second-order correlation texture measures were better able to explain differences in SCI among the 44 forest stands (R2=0.74). The best window size for the texture measures was 5x5, indicating that this is a measure only detectable at a very high spatial resolution. Age classes of these cut blocks were analysed using linear discriminant analysis and best separated (82.5%) with the SWIR and green spectral bands, second order correlation under a 25x25 window, and the predicted SCI. Site preparation was best classified (90.9%) using the NDMI and homogeneity texture under a 5x5 window. Future applications from this research include the selection of high probability grizzly habitat for high spatial resolution imagery acquisition for detailed mapping initiatives.

In west-central Alberta increased landscape fragmentation has lead to increased human use, having negative effects on wildlife such as the grizzly bear (<i>Ursus arctos</i> L.). Recently, grizzly bears in the Foothills Model Forest were found to select clear cuts of different age ranges as habitat and selected or avoided certain clear cuts depending on the site preparation process employed. Satellite remote sensing offers a practical and cost-effective method by which cut areas, their age, and site preparation activities can be quantified. This thesis examines the utility of spectral reflectance of SPOT-5 pansharpened imagery (2.5m spatial resolution) to identify and map 44 regenerating stands sampled in August 2005. Using object based classification with the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), green, and short wave infrared (SWIR) bands, 90% accuracy can be achieved in the detection of forest disturbance. Forest structural parameters were used to calculate the structural complexity index (SCI), the first loading of a principal components analysis. The NDMI, first-order standard deviation and second-order correlation texture measures were better able to explain differences in SCI among the 44 forest stands (R2=0.74). The best window size for the texture measures was 5x5, indicating that this is a measure only detectable at a very high spatial resolution. Age classes of these cut blocks were analysed using linear discriminant analysis and best separated (82.5%) with the SWIR and green spectral bands, second order correlation under a 25x25 window, and the predicted SCI. Site preparation was best classified (90.9%) using the NDMI and homogeneity texture under a 5x5 window. Future applications from this research include the selection of high probability grizzly habitat for high spatial resolution imagery acquisition for detailed mapping initiatives.

This project was initiated in an attempt to address the paucity of data on Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in Mainland China. Field work was carried out from May 2004 – August 2006 within the Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve in northwestern Sichuan Province, China. Initial methodology relied on trapping and GPS radio-collaring bears, but due to extreme difficulty with capturing a sufficient sample size, I expanded the study to include reproduction, feeding analysis from scats and sign, and occupancy modeling from sign surveys. I documented the home ranges of an adult female (100% MCP = 107.5km2, n=470 locations) and a sub-adult female (100%MCP = 5.9km2, n=36 locations) Asiatic black bear. I also documented two birthing occasions with a total of four male cubs produced and eight bear den sites. I collected feeding data from 131 scat samples and 200 bear sign transects resulting in 50 identified food items consumed by Asiatic black bears. I also employed the program PRESENCE to analyze occupancy data using both a standard grid repeated sampling technique and an innovative technique of aging bear sign along strip transect surveys to represent repeated bear occupancy over time. Conservation protection patrolling and soft mast were shown to be the most important factors determining the occupancy of an area by Asiatic black bears in Tangjiahe Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China. / Master of Science

Detta arbete utreder olika terrängunderlags påverkan på habitatanalyser genom hydraulisk modellering, med fokus på att bestämma de bäst anpassade terrängunderlagen för olika områden nedströms vattenkraftanläggningar. Studien genomför en jämförande analys av olika terrängunderlag, inklusive olika laserskannad data från Lantmäteriet samt fotogrammetrimodeller baserade på drönarbilder, för att avgöra hur dessa metoder påverkar habitatanalyser. Arbetet undersöker även hur habitatanalyser påverkas av andra osäkerheter som introduceras vid hydraulisk modellering av habitat, nämligen Mannings råhetskoefficient och de antagna preferenserna av flödesförhållanden vilka bestämmer de habitabla områdena. Studien inkluderar prognoser för habitabla områden för lax vid olika flödesförhållanden och vid tre olika vattenkraftverk med torrfåror av olika karaktär. Hydraulsik modellering är ett användbart verktyg för att få en förståelse för de ekologiska konsekvenserna av vattenkraftsanläggningar. Representativa terrängdata är avgörande eftersom de direkt påverkar beräkningarna av de hydrauliska variablerna inom modellerna, vilket i sin tur bestämmer lämpligheten av habitat. Resultaten visar på betydande variationer i omfattningen av habitabla områden beroende på vilken typ av terrängunderlag som användes, samt beroende på flödesområdets karaktär. Generellt visade de modifierade versionerna av terrängunderlagen på mer representativa resultat än de omodifierade, och modifieringar baserade på uppmätta värden är att föredra för att generera representativa modifieringar. I områden med mindre vegetation ger terrängmodeller genererade med drönarfotogrammetri de mest representativa resultaten, medan de ger osäkra resultat i områden med mer vegetation. I bevuxna områden visar istället modifierade terrängmodeller baserade på laserskannade data från Lantmäterier på mer representativa resultat. De olika typerna av laserskannade data från Lantmäteriet visar inte på någon betydande skillnad i detta syfte. Vidare genomföordes känslighetsanalyser för Mannings råhetskoefficient och laxens habitatpreferenser. Dessa analyser visade på relativt förväntade resultat, där ett ökat värde på Mannings råhetskoefficient resulterade i reducerade hastigheter och ökade djup, vilket i sin tur resulterade i större beboeliga områden vid högre flödeshastigheter. Motsatta resultat observerades för minskade värden för Mannings råhetskoefficient. Variationerna i Mannings råhetskoefficient visar inga betydande skillnader i vilket flöde som genererar ett ekologiskt maximum. De varierade habitatpreferenserna visade på större variation i optimala flöden, vilket understryker vikten av att ta fram representativa habitatpreferenser baserade på specifika ekologiska förhållanden på platsen. / Introduction This thesis investigates the influence of various terrain data on habitat analyses through hydraulic modelling, aiming to identify the most suitable terrain models for different areas downstream of hydropower plants in Sweden. The study aims to evaluate the utility of different advanced and costly measurement techniques by adressing the following research questions; How significant is the difference in estimated habitable area for salmon downstream of hydropower plants using terrain data of varying levels of detail? What causes the differences in habitable area and what characterizes the watercourses where terrain models with different levels of detail are best suited? How much do variations in Manning’s roughness coefficient and the hydraulic preferences for salmon impact the estimated habitable areas? Methodology The study conducts a comparative analysis of various terrain data, including different laser-scanned datasets from Lantm¨ateriet and photogrammetry models based on drone footage, to determine how these methods affect predictions in habitable areas in streams donstream of hydropower plants. The habitat analyses were performed using hydraulic modeling in the HEC-RAS software, analysing three different models with varying terrain data and flow rates. The simulation results were then used to estimate the extent of areas with suitable habitat based on calculated water depths and velocities. Hydraulic modelling is a useful tool for understanding the ecological impacts of hydropower installations. Accurate terrain data is crucial as they directly influence the calculation of hydraulic variables within the models, which in turn determines the predicted suitability of habitats for various aquatic species. Results and Discussion The results show significant variations in the extent of habitable areas depending on the type of terrain data used and the characteristics of the flow area. Generally, modified versions of the terrain showed more representative resultes than unmodified versions, with modigfications based on measured values being the preferable. In areas with less vegetation, terrain models generated from drone photogrammetry provided the most representative results, while these models produced uncertain results in more vegetated areas. In vegetated areas, modified terrain models based on laser-scanned data from Lantm¨ateriet showed more representative results. No significant difference was observed between different types of laser-scanned data from Lantm¨ateriet within the purpose of the study. Additionally, sensitivity analyses were conducted for Manning’s roughness coefficient and hydraulic habitat preferences for salmon. These analyses showed that increased Manning’s roughness coefficient values resulted in reduced velocities and increased depths, leading to larger habitable areas at higher flow rates. Opposite results were observed for decreased values of Manning’s roughness coefficient. Variations in Manning’s roughness coefficient showed no significant differences in the flow rates generating an ecological maximum. However, varying habitate oreferences showed greater variation in optimal flow rates, underlining the importance of deriving accurate habitate preferences based on specific ecological conditions at site. Conclusions The analysis results emphasise the importance of a thorough understanding of the mothods and tools used in habitate analyses. This involves ensuring the quality of terrain data and making precise choices of habitate preferences based on species presence. Creating accurate models is complex, and simplied models can lead to misleading results.