Thesis (M.Sc.). / Written for the Dept. of Biology. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2009/07/07). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Central Connecticut State University, 2002. / Thesis advisor: Kim Wilson. " ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 54-58). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 50 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

The detrimental impact of invasive, non-native species on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem function is widely recognised. The invasion of predatory species can have particularly deleterious consequences on native species in the invaded range and there is an increasing awareness of, and necessity for, management action to minimise these impacts. There is a growing body of literature identifying the impacts of invasive species and priorities for conservation action. However, there is a noticeable gap between the rising scientific output regarding invasive species control and conservation measures, and the management action required to implement recommendations. The American mink (Neovison vison, hereafter mink) has been a recent focus of invasive species research and management. Mink are semi-aquatic mustelids and generalist predators and were introduced to countries around the world for fur farming. Feral populations have established across the introduced range with devastating consequences for native species, particularly birds and mammals. In the UK, mink are held partly responsible for the decline in water voles (Arvicola amphibius) and in Scotland in particular, breeding seabirds are significantly impacted by mink predation. Control of mink in North East Scotland has proven successful using an adaptive management, community-based approach but there is currently no equivalent project in the complex, coastal landscape of west Scotland. This study aimed to provide information that could refine and further develop management plans for mink in north and west Scotland by acquiring a better understanding of the ecology of mink in Scotland to inform the implementation of control. Mink were distributed across all but the far north of Scotland. There was spatial and temporal variation in the pattern and rate of their expansion which was attributed to landscape heterogeneity. In northwest Scotland, availability of suitable habitat was restricted to the coastline and consequently, the availability of prey was hypothesised to be limited to coastal areas. Indeed, the diet of mink in northwest Scotland had a greater input from marine resources than those in southwest Scotland, where habitat availability and, therefore, terrestrial food resources, extended inland. Landscape features were shown to affect the direction of colonisation, with mountains restricting and valleys facilitating dispersal. Population genetic studies confirmed that mink dispersal in northwest and northeast Scotland was limited by mountain barriers. Additionally, populations in northwest Scotland were likely to have originated from southwest Scotland. These results suggest that mink control should be primarily focussed in coastal habitats in west Scotland and that the risk of reinvasion from relatively close populations in northeast Scotland is minimal. Volunteer involvement in conservation projects is being accepted increasingly as a cost-effective way to gather ecological information and implement conservation over large spatial scales. The landscape of west Scotland, particularly in northern areas, is complex, remote and sparsely populated by humans which consequently creates challenges for executing mink control. Ecotourism boat operators were concerned about the presence of mink and their effect on local wildlife in coastal areas and were willing to volunteer in mink management. Consequently ecotourism boat operators could provide a key link between management recommendations and implementation. This study combined methodologies from ecological modelling, population genetics, chemical analyses and social science to address questions regarding invasive species management. This holistic approach has resulted in a thorough overview of the distribution and ecology of an invasive species as well as recommendations for management action and implementation that will be applicable to a range of invasive species.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Discipline of Environmental Biology, 2004. / "April 2004" Bibliography: leaves 152-171.

Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri State University, 2008. / "August 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-81). Also available online.

In near-shore marine environments, two of the most prevalent anthropogenic disturbances affecting ecosystem diversity and function are the invasion of exotic species, and the release of toxic chemicals. Estuarine and harbour environments worldwide are dually subjected to high levels of toxic disturbance and ever increasing rates of invasion, via activities such as boating and shipping. It is not clear, however, whether the success of invasive species is influenced by the presence of toxic contaminants in these impacted environments. In particular, nonindigenous marine species (NIS) may be advantaged in chemically disturbed environments if they are more tolerant of toxicants. This thesis examines whether nonindigenous and native sessile invertebrate species have differential tolerance to a common aquatic contaminant, copper (Cu), which has links to both the invasion process (via its use in antifouling paints and the vector of hull fouling) and the modification of recipient environments (via human-mediated pollution). A series of laboratory- and field-based experiments showed that the cosmopolitan invasive bryozoans Watersipora subtorquata, Bugula neritina and Schizoporella errata are highly tolerant of copper pollution. The larvae and adults of W. subtorquata and B. neritina in particular were able to survive and grow in copper-polluted environments far exceeding most observed real-world levels (< 100 /??g 1-1). These nonindigenous species also showed very strong postexposure recovery. In contrast, the co-occurring native bryozoans Celleporaria nodulosa and Fenestrulina mutabilis demonstrated comparatively low tolerance to copper, with markedly reduced survival and fitness under Cu contaminated conditions, and inferior recovery abilities post-exposure. These findings were further supported by a long-term manipulative field experiment, examining the effect that varying levels of Cu exposure have on the structure and diversity of developing sessile invertebrate assemblages. Cu exposure decreased native species diversity by up to 50%, yet had no effect on NIS numbers. Consequently, in the presence of copper contamination, NIS dominated sessile communities, often resulting in substantial changes to community structure. Important insights were also gained into the nature of metal tolerance in NIS. Toxicity studies on larvae of the introduced bryozoan Bugula neritina revealed intraspecific differences in tolerance to Cu, associated with the level of pollution experienced by the adult source populations. There was also evidence of fitness costs related with increased Cu tolerance. In summary, we have found evidence that the success of invasive species is influenced by chemical contamination. NIS may be advantaged in contaminated estuaries relative to native species and this may assist in their establishment and persistence in new habitats.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture and Wine, Discipline of Plant and Pest Science, 2004? / "August 2003." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 294-333).

Humankind has redistributed a large number of species outside their native geographic ranges. Although the majority of introduction attempts fail to establish populations, the cumulative negative effect of successful non-native species has been and will continue to be large. Historical records of land bird introductions provide one of the richest sources of data for testing hypotheses regarding the factors that affect the successful establishment of non-native populations. However, despite comprehensive summaries of global avian introductions dating back two decades only very recent studies have examined the successful establishment of non-native bird species worldwide. It is clear that a non-random pattern exists in the types of land bird species that have been chosen by humans to be introduced outside their native range. Out of the 44 avian families from which species have been chosen for introduction almost 70% of introduction attempts have been from just five families (Phasianidae, Passeridae, Fringillidae, Columbidae, Psittacidae). Notably, these families include game species, insectivorous song birds, and species from the pet trade. It has been hypothesised that the fate of introduced species may be determined in part by heritable characteristics that are shared by closely related taxa. In my analyses, I have used current comparative methods to demonstrate that intrinsic eco-physiological characteristics are significant predictors of the worldwide success of introduced land bird species. The results of my analyses contribute to a greater ecological understanding of the traits that correlate with the successful establishment of non-native species. Notably, the three major conclusions that I have drawn from this thesis are: 1. Non-random patterns of successful establishment exist for introduced land bird taxa that have experienced a repeated number of introduction attempts. This result supports the idea that introduced species have an inherent likelihood of either succeeding or failing to establish non-native populations. 2. Eco-physiological traits are important correlates for determining the variability in introduction outcome for non-native land bird species. With reliable information on introduction attempts and taxa-specific traits predictive models are possible that quantify the outcome of repeated introduction attempts across non-native species. 3. Islands are not universally less resistant than mainland regions to the successful establishment of non-native species. This perception is a reflection of the greater number of introduction attempts to islands rather than an effect of biotic resistance. Any differences in the success of introduction attempts can be attributed largely to differences in the proportion of introductions that have been made across biogeographic regions. I have highlighted that data are accessible for global analyses of the variability in the successful establishment of non-native species. Although establishment success is not a deterministic process, the characteristics of an introduced species can influence the probability of its succeeding. I have shown that with adequate eco-physiological information, and for introduced land bird species at least, this probability can be predicted. These results refute previous suggestions that the stochastic component of species introductions will always overshadow any emerging patterns of successful establishment among non-native populations.

"April 2004" / Bibliography: leaves 152-171. / xv, 171 leaves : ill., maps ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Discipline of Environmental Biology, 2004