The thesis explores how the range sizes of carnivorans are shaped by geographic and evolutionary constraints. Employing modern spatial analyses and phylogenetic comparative methods, we illustrate that phylogenetically conserved climate tolerances delimit species? geographic constraints, which in turn shape the species? range size. Range size heritability patterns emerge as a consequence of this interplay between geographic and evolutionary constraints.

Trees provide countless environmental, economic, and societal benefits to the urban environment, and may become increasingly important to maintaining environmental quality and human well-being in the face of increasing urbanization and climate change. However, trees in these urban areas are rapidly diminishing across the United States. Much of this loss can be prevented with proper planning and management, focused on selecting tree species that are both well-suited to the area’s growing conditions and able to survive the many stress factors in an urban setting. Choosing which tree species to plant in Massachusetts is especially challenging considering the lack of resources specific to the state’s growing conditions and the urban environment. I conduct a literature review to answer two research questions: (1) What ecological considerations should be made before tree selection, and (2) Which species should be planted in the urban environments of Massachusetts. My results yielded a comprehensive guide, in book form, detailing the five ecological considerations I recommend to make before selection, and profiles of 75 tree species recommended to plant in these areas. This book may act as a resource for tree wardens and homeowners to help choose the best species for their specific planting site, prompt other states to create or update their own state-specific selection guide, and encourage tree nurseries to grow and distribute favorable species, ultimately providing their communities with the benefits that trees provide.

Dendroarchaeological samples can contain three kinds of information: chronological, behavioral, and environmental. The decisions of past people regarding species selection, beam size, procurement and modification techniques, deadwood use, and stockpiling are the most critical factors influencing an archaeological date distribution. Using dendrochronological samples from prehistoric and historic period sites in the same area of eastern Utah, this paper examines past human behavior as the critical factor in dendroarchaeological date distributions.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T14:38:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rosimeri Fragoso.pdf: 1503768 bytes, checksum: 4d3d4f67b5cb63d04111635d03e0cef4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-01 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study aimed to evaluate methods of forest restoration in areas reforested in the Corredor de Biodiversidade Santa Maria, located between the cities of Santa Teresinha de Itaipu and São Miguel do Iguaçu-PR, to subsidize projects. The Corredor was established in 2003, however it was identified excerpts containing the invasive species Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S. W. L. Jacobs (coloniao grass) and Cyperus rotundus L. (coco grass). The first experiment consisted of evaluate three treatments for forest restoration with planting seedlings, which were: control, green fertilization and soil solarization, in an area with periodic elevation of the groundwater, with discontinuation of reforestation carried out in 2003. The second experiment evaluated an enrichment planting of tree species native to the region, in the area reforested in 2003. The assessments consisted of monthly monitoring of the mortality rate and seedling growth and dry mass obtained from the management of the the invasive species, coloniao grass and coco grass. Furthermore, the changes introduced in the soil at depths of 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm, in three samples of soil during the experiment were evaluated. After over a year of assessment, the first experiment showed no statistically significant differences between treatments on all the variables studied. The mortality was more pronounced in January (12.08%), with smaller percentages for: Enterolobium contortisiliquum (timborí), Schinus terebinthifolius (aroeira), Croton urucurana (sangra-d'água) and Luehea divaricata (açoita-cavalo). About the seedlings development, growth was higher for: Sapium glandulatum (leiteiro-do-banhado), C. urucurana and L. divaricata. Regarding the dry mass of coloniao grass and coco grass in all treatments, the highest values were found in January (94.14 g/m2) and February (132.76 g/m2), remaining low throughout the experimental period. Through soil analyzes, it was observed that treatments showed no significant differences in the results, however, the physical and chemical changes in the soil, were sensitive to coloniao grass and coco grass management. In the second experiment, the mortality reached a percentage of 24.38%, which was more pronounced in the first two months in January (11.88%) and February (5.63%). Regarding the development of seedlings, the species that stood out were Aloysia virgata (Ruiz & Pav.) Juss. (lixeira), and Ceiba speciosa (A.St.-Hil.) Ravenna (paineira). Concerning the dry mass of green panic grass there was not a considerable recurrence over the months, which ranged from 0.04 g to 3.43 g. Through soil analysis, it was possible to observe changes in physical and chemical characteristics analyzed, demonstrating that they were sensitive to soil management in the area, and may also lead to new modifications due development of seedlings / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar metodologias de restauração florestal em áreas reflorestadas do Corredor de Biodiversidade Santa Maria, localizado entre os municípios de Santa Terezinha de Itaipu e São Miguel do Iguaçu-PR. Embora o Corredor tenha sido implantado em 2003, foram identificados trechos contendo as espécies invasoras Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S. W. L. Jacobs (capim-colonião) e Cyperus rotundus L. (tiririca). O primeiro experimento consistiu na avaliação de três tratamentos de restauração florestal com plantio de mudas, os quais foram: controle, adubação verde e solarização do solo, em uma área com elevação periódica do lençol freático, apresentando descontinuidade do reflorestamento efetuado em 2003. No segundo experimento avaliou-se um plantio de enriquecimento com espécies arbóreas nativas da região, na área reflorestada em 2003. As avaliações consistiram no acompanhamento mensal da mortalidade e desenvolvimento das espécies arbóreas e da massa seca obtida do manejo das espécies invasoras, capim-colonião e tiririca. Além disso, avaliou-se as alterações promovidas no solo, nas profundidades de 0-10 cm e 10-20 cm, em três coletas de solo durante os experimentos. Ao longo de um ano de avaliação, o primeiro experimento não apresentou diferenças estatísticas significativas entre os tratamentos sobre todas as variáveis estudadas. A mortalidade foi mais acentuada em janeiro (12,08%), com menores percentuais para: Enterolobium contortisiliquum (timborí), Schinus terebinthifolius (aroeira), Croton urucurana (sangra-d'água) e Luehea divaricata (açoita-cavalo). Sobre o desenvolvimento das mudas, houve crescimento superior para: Sapium glandulatum (leiteiro-do-banhado), C. urucurana e L. divaricata. Em relação à massa seca do capim-colonião e tiririca em todos os tratamentos, os maiores valores foram verificados em janeiro (94,14 g/m2) e fevereiro (132,76 g/m2), mantendo-se baixo ao longo do período experimental. Por meio das análises de solo, foi possível observar que os tratamentos não apresentaram diferenças significativas nos resultados, contudo, as alterações físicas e químicas do solo, mostraram-se sensíveis ao manejo sobre o capim-colonião e tiririca. No segundo experimento, a mortalidade alcançou um percentual de 24,38%, sendo mais acentuada nos dois primeiros meses em janeiro (11,88%) e fevereiro (5,63%). Em relação ao desenvolvimento das mudas, destacaram-se as espécies Aloysia virgata (Ruiz & Pav.) Juss. (lixeira), e Ceiba speciosa (A.St.-Hil.) Ravenna, (paineira). Em relação à massa seca do capim-colonião, não houve reincidência considerável ao longo dos meses, o qual variou de 0,04 g a 3,43 g. Por meio das análises de solo, foi possível observar alterações nas características físicas e químicas analisadas, demonstrando que as mesmas foram sensíveis ao manejo realizado na área, podendo ainda levar a novas modificações em decorrência do desenvolvimento das mudas

Species prescriptions are developed for revegetating abandoned acidic coal overburden seepage sites in the Collie region of Western Australia. The research involved selecting appropriate plant species and determining successful methods of enhancing revegetation. Candidate species were screened for tolerance to acidic overburden materials, local climate conditions and metal toxicity. Methods tested included improving spoil conditions and trialing an alternative method for seeding.Twelve species of native plants were tested for tolerance in two acid overburden materials in pot and field trials. Eucalyptus robusta is the most tolerant, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus cladocalyx are highly tolerant, Eucalyptus rudis and Melaleuca hamulosa demonstrate potential, provided adequate soil moisture is available.An important growth restriction factor in acid soils is the presence of free aluminium ions. A glasshouse trial performed on seven species for tolerance to aluminium toxicity revealed E. robusta as most tolerant and E. camaldulensis and Kunzea ericifolia a highly tolerant. E. rudis and M. hamulosa are moderately tolerant, but E. cladocalyx and Eucalyptus diversicolor are very sensitive to aluminium.Various methods were trialed to increase growth of seedlings transplanted on to acidic overburden sites. Both commercial cow manure and slow-release fertiliser tablets increase growth, whereas commercial potting mix and lime do not. Inoculation of plants with the ectomycorrhiza fungus Pisolithus tinctorius increases the amount of infection in roots but does not enhance plant growth.Supplementary fertilisation is necessary to maintain growth (nitrogen) and restore chlorophyll production (phosphorus) in fast growing eucalypt seedlings planted into typical acidic spoils. Poor levels of nutrient availability in such acidic sites appear to be the primary factor in ++ / retarding growth. In the absence of supplementation, foliage reddening is observed in several species.An alternative method of seeding dumps is fascining. Prepared dump surfaces may be covered with capsule-laden branchwood of myrtaceous species. Material of the locally available Kunzea ericifolia is effective in producing many seedlings. Subsequent seedling growth is enhanced with fertiliser and lime addition.

Piscivorous birds are an integrated part of lake and coastline ecosystems. Despite decades of research it is yet unclear what influence fish eating birds have on the fish community. The aim of this literature study was to focus on how two fish eating birds, Great Cormorant and Great Crested Grebe, influence the fish community in shallow and eutrophic lakes. Different types of analysis methods have been used when doing research on the subject, including pellet analysis, stomach content analysis, tagging of fishes by “PIT”-techniques and analysis by observation. Results show that conclusions by studies tend to vary, but generally higher bird density, lower water temperature and a relatively high turbidity contribute to a higher influence on the fish community. Both bird species are opportunistic in their choice of food and catch prey of the species that occur locally. Both species also limit themselves in the prey size, but the choice vary over seasons because of water temperature and the birds requirements in association with breeding and migration. The significant level of influence seems to be when predation is conducted on younger and smaller fishes. The influence on the fish size can also be indirect, where predation on smaller individuals prevent fishes from becoming older and bigger. As studies tend to deviate in conclusion, no general answer to this issue can be given at present. Comprehensive research with several years of full control over both fish-and bird population is needed to find the proper conclusion.