No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Master of Science / Department of Clinical Sciences / James W. Carpenter / In many species, temporary increases in glucocorticoids (GC) can be used to identify changes in adrenal activity in response to acute stressors. For this research, GC metabolites were identified in fecal extracts from various Atelopus species. The objectives were to identify possible correlates between GCs and health status, assess the impact of husbandry protocols on adrenal activity, and evaluate the sub-lethal effects of antifungal bacteria used for protection of frogs against the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Bd). The first study examined whether fecal GC concentrations can be correlated with animal health and behavior changes in a captive setting. Atelopus zeteki with varying degrees of dermatitis were categorized based on the severity of their skin abnormalities and GC metabolite concentrations were analyzed to detect correlations between severity of disease and GC metabolite concentrations. Similarly, behaviors that may indicate elevated stress levels (e.g., time spent in hide) were analyzed to detect correlation between disease and behavior changes. There was no correlation between fecal GC metabolites and health status of the animal or between health status and amount of time spent in hide. The second study established ex situ colonies of two Panamanian frog species, Atelopus certus and Atelopus glyphus, to determine how male group size affects behavior and GC levels. When housed in groups of eight, animals initially had elevated GC concentrations and interacted aggressively, but these instances declined substantially in the first 2 weeks of being housed together. Thus, captive Atelopus populations can be housed in same-sex enclosures without causing sub-lethal stress on the individuals involved. The third study examined the ability of antifungal bacterium from Central America to propagate on Atelopus skin as a preventative treatment for Bd and the sub-lethal effects of each bacteria species on adrenal function based on GC analysis. Four species of bacteria (Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas putida, Chryseobacterium indolgenes, and Stenotrophomonas maltophili) were found to be successful Bd inhibitors in vitro. There were no detectable effects of bacterial exposure with GC metabolite concentrations over time for any of the treatments assessed.

Master of Landscape Architecture / Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Brent Chamberlain / Anthropocentric disturbances are often the main driver behind the population decline of wildlife species. Bat species are of particular concern recently with large declines in populations worldwide. The conservation of bat species relies on knowledge about the relationship between species-specific needs and the effect urban environments have on individual species. Mexican Free-Tailed Bats (MFTBs) are listed on the IUCN Red List and play an important role in many ecosystems within the United States. Austin, Texas is home to the largest urban bat colony in the world, including MFTBs. Austin can continue to benefit from millions of dollars from ecotourism bat viewing sites and the natural control of insect populations provided by this species if urbanization does not cause a reduction in their population. The focus of this research is to develop a quantitative habitat suitability model for the MFTBs in urban areas to increase the understanding of possible MFTB habitat in the Austin Metropolitan area. A geographical information system was used to map the suitability of habitats for MFTBs in urban areas based off a typology for the needs of the species, which was created through a literature review of expert knowledge. This study will help to quantify the relationship between urban environments and the MFTBs, showing that urban areas in the Austin Metropolitan area are suitable for the species. A predictive model, like the one described here, can act as a crucial assessment and planning tool for bat conservation by helping to eliminate challenges of tracking populations or identifying bats during nocturnal activities. This model informs the proposal of planning and design policy changes in Austin, Texas to better support MFTB’s habitat needs. Adjustments to current site plans in Austin are explored understand the effect the proposed MFTB planning policies could have on current development while exploring the application of the MFTB typology at a site scale. Application of the understanding created through habitat-suitability modelling helps to visualize how current projects in Austin, Texas can better support MFTBs to create an understanding of how these policies may affect the development of urban environments.

No description available.

The term Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is generally interpreted as the knowledge held by Indigenous communities about their environment and the cultural frameworks in which such knowledge is transmitted. There is no universally accepted definition of TEK and interpretations can vary between Western and Indigenous lenses. TEK as an academic field has gained a vast literature base; however, there is a dearth of literature in the wildlife field that expresses TEK through an Indigenous lens. There has been growing attention on TEK in the wildlife profession, warranting further exploration of how Indigenous and Western scientific paradigms may be used together in natural resources conservation. Herein, I present my doctoral research, where I focused on a culturally sensitive approach in the pursuit of TEK studies. I conducted interdisciplinary research with the Yurok Tribe of northwestern California in two parts: (1) a human dimensions study where I interviewed Yurok people regarding TEK and their relationship with wildlife and (2) a wildlife survey on Yurok ancestral lands where I used genetic analyses of scats as a noninvasive method for determining species presence and diet. In addition, I developed a synthesis document regarding historical aspects of Indian Country in the United States and philosophical contexts of TEK as science to facilitate dialogue regarding cultural sensitivity in wildlife research with a TEK component. During an internship with the National Park Service (NPS), I developed a guidance document to provide resources regarding TEK in wildlife conservation and a case study detailing how I navigated my doctoral research. My dissertation consists of five manuscripts, each formatted for a specific journal or the NPS.

Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project / This study analyzes 15 years of wildlife tracking data across more than 40 transects in the Sky Islands surrounding landscape to investigate how human-wildlife encounters may respond to a decade of land development. The average detection of species per visit (ADPV), the quantification for human-wildlife encounters and indicator of species richness, was calculated for each transect across two sample periods 2001-2011 and 2011-2015. ArcMap was used to visualize the ADPV across sampling sites in the Sky Islands region. The p-value was then calculated to determine whether there was a significant difference between the ADPV of all species and of focal species before and after 2011. The results concluded there was no significant difference and the null hypothesis was accepted.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study summarizes data for the consumptive wildlife industry in Namibia, both in terms of resource availability and current utilization and monetary value. Based on these data a spreadsheet-based cash-flow model is developed to simulate scenarios and to explore what constitutes the critical parameter. Based on this data synthesis and modelling, recommendations are made and conclusions drawn. Chapter one gives an overview of Namibia's economy, with special reference to the livestock and wildlife industry. The fact that the commercial livestock herd has been shrinking over the years is pointed out, as well as the stable output achieved through better management practices. The literature research has shown that wildlife ranching could be a viable alternative to livestock farming as practised in southern Africa, especially in the more arid areas with higher rainfall variability. Chapter two outlines the resource availability, based on the distribution and densities of the more common species. The occurrence of the rarer species is touched on. The point is made that it is very difficult to accurately count wildlife over large areas and that, as elsewhere, Namibia's wildlife at a regional scale is underestimated. Chapter three documents the consumptive use of wildlife. Trophy hunting, the most important segment in terms of national income, is discussed together with the live sale of game, live export of game, venison production and night culling. A comparison is made between the economic outputs of the wildlife industry versus that of the commercial cattle industry. Chapter four covers financial modelling and the economics of the wildlife industry in Namibia. A spread-sheet based deterministic model is developed to explore the cash-flow implications of various game ranching options, such as using different species mixes, owning land of different carrying capacities and offering different services. Chapter five addresses policy and legislative issues in relation to the wildlife industry. Topics such as property rights and exclusive utilization rights, industry representation and the forming of smart partnerships with primary resource users are covered. Broad recommendations are made to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Chapter six is used for a concluding synthesis of the previous four chapters. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie som die konsumptiewe wildlewe industrie in Namibie op in terme van van beide beskikbaarheid, huidige verbruik en monetere waarde van hierdie hulpbron. Gebaseer op hierdie data is 'n kontantvloei model opgestel om vooruitskouings te simuleer, met betrekking op aanbevelings en gevolgtrekkings. Hoofstuk een gee 'n oorsig van die Namibiese ekonomie met spesiale verwysing na die vee- en wildboerdery. Daar word uitgewys dat die gesamentlike kommersiele veekudde oor die afgelope aantal jare kleiner geword het, terwyl die opbrengs stabiel gebly het deurdat better bestuurspraktyke toegepas is. Die literatuurstudie het gewys dat in suider-Afrika, wildlewe-boerdery 'n lewensvatbare alternatief kan wees vir veeboerdery, veral in die droër streke wat 'n hoër reenval speling toon. Gebaseer op die verspreiding en digtheid van die meer algemene wild, gee hoofstuk drie 'n oorsig van die beskikbaarheid van hierdie hulpbronne. Trofeejag, wat die belangrikste inkomstesektor is, word bespreek, sowel as die lewende verkoop, uitvoer en nagoes (skiet van diere gedurende die nag vir vleisproduksie) van wild, asook die wildvleis produksie. Met betrekking tot die ekonomiese uitsette, word 'n vergelyking gemaak tussen die wildlewe en kommersiele veeboerdery industrie. Hoofstuk vier dek die finansiele modelering en ekonomiese aspekte van die wildlewe industrie in Namibie. 'n Rekenaar "spreadsheet" -gebaseerde, deterministiese model is ontwikkel om die kontantvloei van verskeie opsies van wildlewe boerdery te verken. Voorbeelde sluit in die gebruik van verskillende spesie samestellings, die besit van grond met verskillende drakrag vermoëns, asook die aanbiedinge van verskeie dienste. Hoofstuk vyf bespreek die beleid en wetgewing met betrekking tot die wildlewe industrie. Onderwerpe soos eiendomsreg en eksklusiewe benuttingsregte, industrie verteenwoordiging en die stigting van "smart" vennootskappe met primere hulpbron verbruikers, word aangespreek. Aanbevelings word aan die Ministerie van Omgewing en Toerisme gemaak. Hoofstuk ses behels 'n sintese van die voorafgaande vier hoofstukke.