Nutria are semi-aquatic rodents, non-native to Oregon. They are an invasive species that damage stream banks with burrowing and cause destruction of native vegetation; activity that may cause deterioration of stream water quality. I hypothesized that my study's duration and pattern of nutria trapping along South Johnson Creek would be sufficient to lead to a significant change in turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), total solids (TS), and total suspended solids (TSS).

Thesis (M.M.S.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2002. / Bibliography: leaves 93-105.

Thesis (M.S.)--Western Washington University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-84).

No description available.

The Argentine black and white tegu, Salvator merianae, is a nonnative species that has invaded parts of Florida. The potential impacts of this species on native Florida wildlife are not yet known. This study looks at the stomach contents of 169 S. merianae captured between 2011 and 2013 in south Florida to infer potential impacts of S. merianae and spatial or seasonal shifts in diet. Analysis of 169 GI tracts showed that S. merianae is an omnivorous, terrestrial forager with a broad dietary range which includes insects, fruits, plants, snails, crayfish, carrion, birds, small mammals, turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs and eggs. S. merianae diet composition varied with capture habitat, the fattest tegus were collected from disturbed/agricultural areas and these samples contained, primarily, gastropods and insects. Tegu dietary habits threaten local endangered and state listed species such as the American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, and the Cape Sable seaside sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis. Dedicated funds and efforts need to be focused on this species to limit its further spread and future impact on native species. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The Brazilian pepper tree (BP, Schinus terebinthifolius), introduced to the United States in the 1800s, has since become a category one invasive plant in Florida, aggressively spreading to 3000 km2 of prime habitat. There is a serious dearth of knowledge on whether the rhizobiome plays any roles in the displacement of native flora and the range expansion of BP. This thesis discusses the well-established plant invasion mechanisms of the BP and highlights key emerging mechanisms and gaps in (a) the current understanding of the molecular, below-ground processes of BP invasion and (b) studies on the potential role of microbial interactions in the success of BP invasion already established for other select invasive species, and the intervention of soil metagenomic studies to elucidate plant invasive mechanisms. These poorly studied mechanisms could further explain the aggressive spread and resilience of BP and contribute significantly to the development of effective and sustainable control measures, enabling appropriate strategies for restoring native plants. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

No description available.

In Quebec, the swede midge (Contarinia nasturtii), a newly invasive pest, was found for the first time in 2003. During a two year study (2004-2005) I studied the seasonal development of the swede midge, the presence of natural enemies and tested entomopathogenic nematodes for its control. Results showed that the overwintering generation of the swede midge emerged during the second half of June. Based on adult captures and abundance of larvae in the field, there were three to four overlapping generations. Late transplants were more heavily attacked by the swede midge and broccoli and cauliflower were the most susceptible crops. No parasitoids were found in the experimental sites during either year of the study and two polyphagous coccinellid predators (Harmonia axyridis and Coccinella septempunctata) were field-collected for further evaluation under laboratory conditions. Although these two coccinellid species fed on swede midge larvae in plastic containers, further experiments demonstrated that H. axyridis was not able to prey on swede midge larvae on infested broccoli plants. The susceptibility of swede midge larvae to three species of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema feltiae, S. carpocapsae, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) was also evaluated in laboratory assays. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was the only species that caused significant mortality to swede midge larvae and, at a concentration of 1000 IJs/larva, caused 90-100% mortality in loam, sandy loam, clay and muck soil. This is the first study describing the seasonal development of the swede midge in Quebec. In addition, the potential use of entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents against the swede midge is demonstrated.

A introdução de espécies exóticas nos ecossistemas marinhos, estuarinos e de água doce já é realidade em muitos locais do globo. Apesar de existirem diferentes mecanismos de dispersão de espécies exóticas, que variam tanto espacialmente quanto temporalmente, o movimento global da água de lastro é o vetor de transferência mais importante na atualidade. A proposta deste estudo é a caracterização do Porto do Rio de Janeiro sob o aspecto da água de lastro a partir de dois instrumentos: o Formulário para informações a respeito da água utilizada como lastro e a planilha Ballast Water Estimates From Port Recorders (método GloBallast), objetivando-se quantificar o lastro descarregado, a partir das informações prestadas pelos navios nos formulários e, no segundo caso, estimar os volumes por meio de informações relativas ao despacho dos navios. Utilizou-se, também, uma variante do segundo método, proposto na bibliografia científica nacional, chamado de método do cálculo do deslastro estimado. À informação de volume, foi também associada uma análise das rotas mais freqüentes, a observação da realização da troca oceânica do lastro ou de qualquer outra medida de tratamento do lastro a bordo, além de proceder-se a um levantamento das características ambientais da baía de Guanabara, onde se situa o porto, assim como das espécies exóticas já verificadas na costa do Rio de Janeiro, em especial na própria baía. A primeira conclusão que foi possível tirar, comparando-se os dados obtidos nos trabalhos já realizados e os do presente estudo, é que a qualidade das informações prestadas nos formulários parece ter melhorado, estando mais próximas da realidade, apesar de ainda não corresponder ao número total de atracações registradas para o Porto do Rio de Janeiro. Com relação ao procedimento de troca da água de lastro em alto mar, foi possível observar que isso ocorreu sempre nos casos dos navios que vinham de portos no exterior, e também em diversas ocasiões em navios que vinham de portos nacionais, apesar de não ser um procedimento obrigatório, salvo exceções. Os volumes totais de deslastro obtidos pelos diferentes métodos foram em torno de 870.000 m3, pouco mais de 2 milhões de m3 e 4 milhões de m3, o primeiro calculado a partir dos formulários e os dois seguintes estimados por meio da utilização da planilha, sendo o primeiro destes sem a inclusão das embarcações que se destinavam aos terminais privativos e o segundo incluindo as mesmas. Apesar de os valores não coincidirem, as análises decorrentes dos dados obtidos tanto a partir dos formulários quanto do despacho das embarcações, utilizados no segundo método com a inclusão das embarcações atracadas junto aos terminais privativos, mostraram-se coerentes e proporcionalmente semelhantes. Com a utilização do método do cálculo do deslastro estimado, o valor de deslastro obtido foi intermediário: 3.321.054 t e 1.649.459 t de lastro tomado no porto. Os dados levantados e analisados neste estudo podem servir de base para a confecção de um plano de gerenciamento da água de lastro no Porto do Rio de Janeiro, em complemento aos planos já existentes e obrigatórios utilizados na gestão dos navios. / The transference of non indigenous species in fresh, estuarine and saltwater ecosystems around the world is part of the reality. Although different mechanisms of transference are recognized, varying in space and time, ballast water global movement is the most important one. The aim of this study is to characterize Rio de Janeiro Port according to ballast water discharges. This assessment was done from two methods: the Ballast Water Reporting Forms (BWRF) and ballast water estimates from port recorders, a system developed to GloBallast Program (GloBallast method), aiming to calculate and estimate ballast water discharges upon reporting forms information or upon shipping information. Another estimating formula, proposed recently in national scientific literature, was used as well. Besides discharges information, others surveys were done, as well as frequent navigation rotes, the compliance with mid-oceanic ballast water exchanged or any ballast water treatment on board. A survey of Guanabara bay environmental conditions was proceeded, once Rio de Janeiro Port is situated in the west coast of this bay, in this assessment, non indigenous species registered in Rio de Janeiro coast, specially in Guanabara Bay were listed. The first conclusion that is possible to take, when comparing this study and former ones, is that BWRF information, in terms of quality, are better, despite the fact that the number of it still low. In terms of ballast water exchange, it was found out that it was true for all ships which came from international ports, as well as in some situations that ships werent forced to do it, as in domestic navigation, when mid water exchange is not mandatory, with few exceptions. Total discharged observed were: around 870.000 m3, almost 2 millions m3 and 4 millions m3, in the first case the result was obtained from reporting forms and the two others were estimated from GloBallast method, without and with ships which operated in private terminals (all ships). Results were, in general terms, coherent, when comparing the first method with the second one with all ships, although volumes obtained are quite different.Results obtained from brazilian estimating formula were intermediated, around 3 millions for deballast considering all ships and 1.650.000 t for ballast. The information of this study can be used as a basis for the ballast water plan of Rio de Janeiro Port, an important tool to be developed and to be used with ships ballast water plan, mandatory in Brazil, in order to avoid non indigenous species introduction.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os fatores que explicam a distribuição observada em plantas e animais é uma pergunta que intriga naturalistas, biogeógrafos e ecólogos há mais de um século. Ainda nos primórdios da disciplina de ecologia, as tolerâncias ambientais já haviam sido apontadas como as grandes responsáveis pelo padrão observado da distribuição dos seres vivos, o que mais tarde levou à concepção de nicho ecológico das espécies. Nos últimos anos, o estudo das distribuições dos organismos ganhou grande impulso e destaque na literatura. O motivo foi a maior disponibilidade de catálogos de presença de espécies, o desenvolvimento de bancos de variáveis ambientais de todo o planeta e de ferramentas computacionais capazes de projetar mapas de distribuição potencial de um dado organismo. Estes instrumentos, coletivamente chamados de Modelos de Distribuição de Espécies (MDEs) têm sido desde então amplamente utilizados em estudos de diferentes escopos. Um deles é a avaliação de potenciais áreas suscetíveis à invasão de organismos exóticos. Este estudo tem, portanto, o objetivo de compreender, através de MDEs, os fatores subjacentes à distribuição de duas espécies de corais escleractíneos invasores nativos do Oceano Pacífico e ambas invasoras bem sucedidas de diversas partes do Oceano Atlântico, destacadamente o litoral fluminense. Os resultados mostraram que os modelos preditivos da espécie Tubastraea coccinea (LESSON, 1829), cosmopolita amplamente difundida na sua região nativa pelo Indo- Pacífico demonstraram de maneira satisfatória suas áreas de distribuição nas áreas invadidas do Atlântico. Sua distribuição está basicamente associada a regiões com alta disponibilidade de calcita e baixa produtividade fitoplanctônica. Por outro lado, a aplicação de MDEs foi incapaz de predizer a distribuição de T. tagusensis (WELLS,1982) no Atlântico. Essta espécie, ao contrário de sua congênere, tem distribuição bastante restrita em sua região nativa, o arquipélago de Galápagos. Através de análises posteriores foi possível constatar a mudança no nicho observado durante o processo de invasão. Finalmente, o sucesso preditivo para T. coccinea e o fracasso dos modelos para T. tagusensis levantam importantes questões sobre quais os aspectos ecológicos das espécies são mais favoráveis à aplicação de MDEs. Adicionalmente, lança importantes ressalvas na utilização recentemente tão difundida destas ferramentas como forma de previsão de invasões biológicas e em estudos de efeitos de alterações climáticas sobre a distribuição das espécies. / The factors underpinning the observed distribution of plants and animals across time and space are a central question in ecology and has intrigued scientists for over a century. But even back on those early times, the role of climatic tolerances of the species were recognized as one of the main explanations for such distributional patterns. Later, these assumptions gave rise to the concept of niche which triggered several advances in the study of natural history. Recently, these studies were addressed in the light of novel computational techniques capable of providing potential distributional maps for a given species, generically called Species Distribution Models (SDMs). This coupled with the broader availability of species occurrence records and of environmental data from international databases made studies with SDMs very popular and ubiquitous in the literature. One of the main uses of the SDMs approach is the assessment of potentially susceptible areas of invasion by non- indigenous species. Therefore, here we used SDMs to better understand the major factors related to the current distribution of two well established invasive scleractinian coral species in the Atlantic, both from the Pacific Ocean. The results showed that the models were successful in predicting the potentially invaded sites by the cosmopolitan Tubastraea coccinea (LESSON, 1829), broadly distributed throughout the Pacific. This species distribution was basically associated with increasing concentrations of calcite and lower levels of phytoplankton activity. However, the models were incapable of predicting the survival and establishment of T. tagusensis (WELLS, 1982) in the Atlantic. This species, unlike its congener, has a very restricted distribution in its native regions, the Galapagos Islands. A posterior analyzes indeed showed a niche shift during the invasion event of T. tagusensis in the Atlantic. Finally, the good modelling results for T. coccinea contrasted with the failure of modelling T. tagusensis invasion highlight important explanations on methodological procedures in SDMs. It also helps to better understand which ecological aspects of the species are favourable toward good modelling performance. In addition to that, these results calls for precaution when analyzing SDMs results, particularly in invasion and climate change scenarios studies.