Conserving biodiversity in human-dominated landscapes requires protecting networks of ecological reserves and managing the intervening matrix to maintain the potential for species to move among them. This dissertation provides original insights towards (1) identifying areas for protection in reserves that are critical to maintain biodiversity and (2) assessing the potential for species' movements among habitat patches in a reserve network. I develop and test methods that will facilitate conservation planning to promote viable, resilient populations through time. The first part of this dissertation tests and develops reserve selection strategies that protect either a single focal species in a dynamic landscape or multiple interacting species in a static landscape. Using a simulation model of boreal forest dynamics, I test the effectiveness of static and dynamic reserves to maintain spatial habitat requirements of a focal species, American Marten (Martes americana). Dynamic reserves improved upon static reserves but re-locating reserves was constrained by fragmentation of the matrix. Management of the spatial and temporal distribution of land-uses in the matrix will therefore be essential to retain options for re-locating reserves in the future. Additionally, to include essential consumer-resource interactions into reserve selection, a new algorithm is presented for American marten and its two primary prey species. The inclusion of their interaction had the benefit t of producing spatially aggregated reserves based on functional species requirements. The second part of this dissertation evaluates and synthesizes the network-theoretic approach to quantify connectivity among habitat patches or reserves embedded within spatially heterogeneous landscapes. I conduct a sensitivity analysis of network-theoretic connectivity analyses that derive least-cost movement behavior from the underlying cost surface which describes the relative ecological costs of dispersing through different landcover types. Landscape structure is shown to aff ect how sensitive least-cost graph connectivity assessments are to the quality (relative cost values) of landcover types. I develop a conceptual framework to classify network connectivity statistics based on the component of habitat connectivity that they quantify and the level within the network to which they can be applied. Together, the combination of reserve design and network connectivity analyses provide complementary insights to inform spatial planning decisions for conservation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Michigan, 1926. / On cover: Chicago trust company triennial prize monograph. Without thesis note. Includes bibliographical references (p. 413-416).

Thesis (M.I.N.C.) -- Lincoln University and Georg-August University, Göttingen, 2008. / Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Pennsylvania, 1923.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Michigan, 1926. / On cover: Chicago trust company triennial prize monograph. Without thesis note. Includes bibliographical references (p. 413-416).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 1978. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-104). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

Thesis--Princeton University, 1924. / Cover title. Published also without thesis note; this issue is identical with the trade edition except for the addition of cover having thesis note, and a leaf containing dedication. Bibliography: p. 383-386.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 1974. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-137). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve occupies the southern end of the Cape Peninsula and thus of the Southern Peninsula Subregion referred to in the general study (photographs 2 and 29). The Reserve has an area of nearly 29 1/2 square miles; its coastline is some 24 miles in length. It is used both as a Nature Reserve and as a recreation area, the latter function being concentrated, in the main, within restricted coastal sites; apart from these, Cape Point is a considerable tourist attraction as is the drive through the Reserve. Existing access routes and travelling times to the Reserve are shown on Map No. 5.1, together with current proposals.

Thesis (M.B.A.)—Boston University