Thesis (M. Appl. Sc.)--University of Canberra, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 184-209).

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Acadia University, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-169). Also available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Honors)--College of William and Mary, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 64). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 119 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Alberta, 1997. / A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, Department of Renewable Resources. Also available on the World Wide Web.

No description available.

<p>The Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) is an imperiled songbird that breeds in early-successional plant communities of eastern North America. Conservation efforts on the breeding grounds have become a priority because population declines are understood to be driven chiefly by the loss/degradation of breeding habitat. Although the species is known to use a variety of upland and wetland habitat types, most previous research on the species has been conducted solely in uplands. I studied Golden-winged Warbler use and habitat characteristics in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania. Density estimates suggest that both timber harvests and wetlands support similar densities of Golden-winged Warblers. Microhabitat occupancy models revealed that those wetlands I surveyed with high densities of 1-2 m tall shrubs (>2x as many shrubs) supported fewer Golden-winged Warblers whereas wetlands with more saplings (>2x as many saplings) and sedge cover (~1.3x as many sedge observations) supported more warblers. Finally, I found that macro-scale habitat variables that I quantified did not predict species occupancy of wetlands, likely due to the homogeneous nature of the study area. My study suggests that both wetlands and timber harvests have similar capacity to support Golden-winged Warblers. Further, wetlands in the Poconos should be evaluated at the microhabitat-scale for vegetative attributes that meet Golden-winged Warbler habitat requirements, rather than at the macro-habitat scale.

<p> Sea-level rise is a concern for the future of coastal marsh obligate species such as the Clapper Rail (<i>Rallus crepitans</i>). Clapper Rails possess the potential to indicate changes to marsh ecological state due to population variation related to habitat features exhibited in previous study. Estimates for Clapper Rail survival are among the key missing parameters to create predictive models for Clapper Rail populations. I estimated Clapper Rail survival using data collected from six automated telemetry towers located in two Mississippi marshes. Thirty adult rails were harnessed with radio transmitters around telemetry towers to provide evidence of a rail&rsquo;s status, alive or dead. Using survival estimates in conjunction with existing empirical data, I created an individual-based model that incorporated existing Sea-level Affecting Marsh Models, which predict changing land cover. These models showed that Clapper Rails will likely persist, though at decreased populations, through changes in habitat due to sea-level rise.</p><p>

<p> Historically, black bears occurred throughout Mississippi but by 1932, &lt;12 bears remained. Repatriation in neighboring states and conservation efforts in Mississippi have led to the recolonization of at least 2 subspecies (<i>U. a. luteolus</i> and <i>U. a. americanus</i>) of black bears in the state. I compiled available data to provide a synthesis of the history, current status, and management of black bears in Mississippi. Additionally, I used global positioning data collected from radio collared bears to determine the influence of distance to source population, cover type, distance to roads, distance to water, wetland reserve program areas, and human population density on black bear resource selection at various spatial scales. I studied characteristics of space use and resource selection of recolonizing bears in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (Delta). I assessed the influence of environmental parameters at the female core annual home-range (using 50% kernel density estimator) and male and female seasonal and annual home-ranges (95% kernel density estimator). Distance to source population and distance to roads had significant influence at the core female home-range scale. I found a sex-based difference in annual and seasonal home-ranges. I also found that bears exhibited response to and selection for specific resources with an affinity toward hardwood stands, particularly young-aged hardwoods. My research illustrates the importance of analyzing resource selection at multiple scales to gain a full understanding of parameters that influence the recolonization of a bear population.</p><p>

<p> Rails (Family: Rallidae) are among the least studied birds in North America, in large part due to their elusive nature. As a wetland-dependent species, understanding the timing of their migration and their habitat needs during migration is especially important since management needs to be timed to balance the needs of many species. I developed and verified a new distance sampling based nocturnal ATV spotlight survey because traditional call-broadcast surveys are not effective during autumn migration because of the drop off in call rate after the breeding season. These surveys allow us to ask point-level questions about what habitats rails select during migration and how it changes over time. Through these standardized surveys from 2012-2016 across 11 public properties in Missouri, USA, I documented the migratory timing and habitat use of migratory rails. Sora (Porzana carolina) have a wide migratory window, beginning in early August and continuing through the end of October with a peak in late September. Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) and Yellow Rails (Coturnicops noveboracensis) have shorter migratory periods, from late September through the end of October. Rails, especially Sora, migrate earlier than waterfowl, which can create a mismatch of habitat needs. We performed a 3 year experiment to examine the response of Sora and waterfowl to early autumn wetland flooding. Sora responded positively without a negative impact on waterfowl. I used monitoring data to create species distribution models to inform estimates of migratory connectivity for all three species using stable hydrogen isotopes. Sora and Yellow Rails were estimated to migrate generally north-south, with Virginia Rails coming from a wider east-west range. Through better understanding the migratory connectivity, timing and habitat use of rails in the autumn I provide a foundation to inform conservation and management of these fascinating and elusive birds. We provide a description of all variables used (Appendix II), GPS data of survey tracks and detection points (Appendix III), data sets of bird observation points, survey data, and vegetation information (Appendix IV), data sets of stable hydrogen isotope data (Appendix V), data sets of species distribution models (Appendix VI).</p>