Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1982. / Vita. Bibliography: leaves [398]-451.

The Pioneer Mountains of Idaho expose a lower plate core of Precambrian and Ordovician metasedimentary rocks, which are intruded by Cretaceous and Eocene plutonic bodies. The core is separated by a detachment fault from a surrounding upper plate of Paleozoic and Tertiary sedimentary and volcanic units. The detachment system developed during a Tertiary extensional event which overprinted Paleozoic and Mesozoic east-directed compressional features, and exhibits both brittle and ductile (mylonitic) deformation. Stretching lineations in the mylonite and striations along the detachment surface both cluster around N65W. Composite planar fabrics (s- and c-surfaces) in the mylonite and limited development of a mylonitic front along the NW side of the core both suggest a top-to-the-west sense of shear. Minimum translation is estimated at about 17 km. The Pioneer structural complex is one of a number of metamorphic core complexes present along the North American Cordillera. All exhibit Tertiary extensional deformation, expressed as detachment faults structurally adjacent to ductile mylonitic shear zones. Extension directions, as indicated by stretching lineations within mylonite and striations along detachment faults, fall into regional groups in which the directions are similar in trend throughout each group. Asymmetric fabrics on both small and large scales give senses of shear and indicate that tectonic vergence within each group is directed outward from a central axis. The regional consistency of extension directions implies a regional control of extension in metamorphic core complexes. Much of central Idaho, and possibly a large part of eastern Idaho as well, may be riding on the upper part of an extensive detachment terrane, of which the Pioneer complex exposes the deeper levels. The Pioneer complex, and other core complexes, owes its present elevation to isostatic uplift over an overthickened crustal welt of local scale. Larger-scale uplift may be due to a similar isostatic adjustment over a broad zone of crustal thickening from Mesozoic compressional tectonics and intrusion.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, August 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 64). Also available online.

Thesis (M.C.S.)--Regent College, Vancouver, B.C., 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 111).

Thesis (M.A.)-- Brigham Young University. Dept. of Theatre and Cinematic Arts. / Bibliography: leaves 250-253.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University, Dept. of Geography.

Thesis (M.A.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of History.

This study was designed (1) to investigate the dynamics of a mountain lion population, and (2) to assess the impact of a population of lions on populations of big-game animals. The research was carried on in the Idaho Primitive area; intensive work was limited to the winter and early spring seasons. Lion population numbers were stable during the three-year study period, and available evidence indicates the present population level existed for some time prior to the start of the study-Intraspecific relationships, manifested through territoriality, acted to limit lion numbers and maintain population stability. Dispersal and mortality, particularly of young individuals, appeared to be important limiting mechanisms. The population was centered around a nucleus of mature individuals well-established on territories, but segments of the population were dynamic, exhibiting an inflow and outflow of individuals from season to season. These transients were composed predominantly of young animals. Strife appeared to be kept to a minimum by a "mutual avoidance" behavorial mechanism. Specific hunting territories were shared but appeared never to be used by more than one lion or family of lions at a time. Individuals, regardless of sex, appeared to respect the presence of another in a specific area. The "mutual avoidance" hypothesis is advanced as an important factor in the maintenance of lion populations. This mechanism provides for the distribution of lions in both space and time without costly-fighting. It also appears to insure greater success in securing large prey animals. Population size of prey species -- mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep -- was established by making ground and aerial counts each year. Bighorn sheep numbers remained constant during the three-year period, but populations of deer and elk, the principal prey species, increased. The range was considered overstocked by deer and elk. Forty-four elk and 39 deer were recorded as definitely killed by lions during the three-year period. Only two kills of bighorn sheep were found; lion predation on this species appeared insignificant. Seventy-five percent of the elk killed by lions were 1% years old or less and 9% years or older; 57 percent of the deer kills were in these age classes. More "young" than "old" animals were killed. Lions were non-selective in their killing, except for "negative selectivity" in the case of mature bull elk. Factors acting separately or collectively to increase prey vulnerability included prey density, behavior, age, health, inter - and perhaps intraspecific strife, and the lion's predatory characteristics. It was concluded that elk and deer populations were limited by the winter food supply and that predation by lions was inconsequential in determining ultimate numbers of elk and deer. Lion predation, however, is a powerful force acting to dampen and protract severe prey oscillations and to distribute ungulates on restricted, critical range. From the theoretical standpoint, it also appears to be a strong evolutionary force, acting to remove less fit individuals from the population. The effects and influence of such predation are considered of great significance in the maintenance of ecologic stability in wilderness environments. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

Phosphorus mass-balance studies of Dingle Marsh, Idaho indicated that the marsh was an annual net sink for total suspended sol ids and all forms of phosphorus under consideration: total phosphorus, particulate phosphorus, total dissolved phosphorus, dissolved organic phosphorus, and orthophosphate phosphorus. During some months, however, more phosphorus was exported from the marsh than entered. Phosphorus mass-balance dynamics were compared between night and day. Total suspended solids and particulate phosphorus dynamics were controlled by sedimentation of particulate material, a physical process, and were unaffected by light conditions. Dissolved organic and ortho-phosphorus were affected by light conditions indicating, at least indirectly, that biological processes were affecting dissolved phosphorus dynamics. These phosphorus fractions were occasionally released in large amounts by the marsh at night. An in situ enclosure experiment was performed to determine major sites of phosphorus uptake/release. A twentyfour-hour rate of particulate phosphorus decrease in the enclosures could be predicted (r2=0.89) by knowing the initial concentration of total suspended solids. On a twentyfour-hour basis, periphyton, detritus, and live bulrushes tended to remove more dissolved organic phosphorus from the water than they added to it while plankton and sediments added dissolved organic phosphorus to the water. Orthophosphates were removed from the water by plankton, detritus, and periphyton with plankton dominating the changes. Live bulrushes or sediments within the bulrush system tended to be a source for orthophosphates. The open water ecosystem was a greater net source for dissolved organic phosphorus than the bulrush system. The open water system was a greater net sink, however, for orthophosphates, than was the bulrush community.

The west central part of the Malad Range is located in south-eastern Idaho. This area was the site of thick marine deposition in the early Paleozoic period. In the Tertiary and Quaternary periods continental deposition occurred, covering the Paleozoic rocks. Quartzite and shale units of the Brigham Quartzite are found near the base of the Cambrian section. Carbonate with shale interbeds is found in the middle and late Cambrian units. Limestone and silty limestone are found in the early and middle Ordovician time overlain by the middle Ordovician Swan Peak Quartzite. The Laketown Dolomite includes units of late Ordovician and Silurian age. Paleozoic units younger than Silurian and and Mesozoic units are not found in the mapped area. Red conglomerates mark early Tertiary deposition, and water-lain tuff, fresh-water limestone, conglomerate and sandstone are of middle and late Tertiary age. Tertiary-Quaternary rocks, found in the mapped area, are composed of deposits of boulders resting on older Tertiary and Paleozoic rocks. These deposits show rough polygonal structures and stone stripes. Quaternary deposits are composed of sediment from the Late Pleistocene Lake Bonneville and Quaternary alluvium. Northwest-trending faults, northeast-trending faults, and north-trending faults are found in the mapped area, with northwest-trending faults predominating. The northwest-trending faults are high-angle faults and have resulted in Tertiary rocks being faulted against lower Paleozoic rocks. Northeast-trending faults are roughly parallel and predate the middle and late Tertiary rocks. North-trending faults are high-angle faults involving both Paleozoic and Tertiary rocks. One northwest-trending fault has evidence of horizontal movement. The structures are assigned to three periods of movement: 1. early Cretaceous to early Tertiary, 2. late Tertiary to middle Tertiary, 3. middle Tertiary to Recent.