published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

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MAYA is a prototype computerized population dynamics model designed to enhance decision making in wildlife management. Initially, the basis of scientific and philosophical design and implementation of enhanced computer modeling are discussed. This discussion forms the foundation for the development of the actual model. The model is a general population model, utilizing previously known data on seasonally migratory mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) as both an example and a test of the model's capabilities. By combining detailed sub-models at the single species level, the behavior of a larger system is mimicked. The mathematical parameters of this system are restricted to those which correspond to known biological processes. Feedback control is utilized to regulate the dynamic interplay of processes related to specific recognizable structures or physiological functions. The model maintains the identity of the individual organism as the mediator of all transactions within the system. The primary focus of these transactions is energy; specifically consumer energy budgets and their mechanisms of regulation. Equations are presented in finite difference form for digital computer implementation, utilizing a time step of unit length. The result is a Fortran program, MAYA, and a description and discussion of a number of simulation trials. This model was created with an eye not only for computer simulation, but also to raise issues, both philosophic and scientific, as to the reason for, and purpose of, computer management in our society. Thus, it is not until Chapter 4 that an actual discussion of MAYA is to be found. Logic dictates that one should understand the philosophic and theoretic approach of the person creating a model to best understand, question and, hopefully, improve upon the final product. These issues are discussed in Chapters 1 and 2. The greatest value of this model is to provide, based on the ensuing sets of assumptions in Chapter 3, the logical consequences that would otherwise take a great deal of tedious arithmetic--it is a tool to assist the imagination.

Perenniporia phloiophila (Aphyllophorales: Polyporaceae) colonizes the bark of live oak (Quercus virginiana Mill.) and is known only in the southeastern United States in this host. Cultural characteristics and mating systems of P. phloiophila and P. medulla-panis, vegetative incompatibility of P. phloiophila and temperature relationships and decay capacities of vegetative isolates of P. phloiophila, P. ohiensis and P. fraxinophila were investigated. Cultural studies indicate macroscopic and microscopic differences between the four species. Antagonistic hyphal interactions developed between different vegetative isolates. Self crosses were compatible. Optimum temperature ranges and maximum growth temperature differed for all species. Mating test results of both species indicate their heterothallic tetrapolar nature. Woods differed significantly in percent weight loss (PWL) caused by each Perenniporia species. No significant difference occurred between different isolates of the same species tested on the same wood. PWL was greatest on oak wood for all fungal species tested.

Data were collected on woody vegetation for 10 years in 6 undisturbed plant communities including slash pine forest, wet prairie, hardwood hammock, edge and interior old-growth cypress forests, and freshwater marsh at National Audubon Society's Corkscrew Swamp Sancturary in South Florida. Forested communities all showed a trend toward greater successional maturity. Numbers and total basal areas generally decreased over the 10 year period for early successional species and tropical species affected by the 1982 freeze in hammock and edge cypress communities. Otherwise, total basal areas steadily increased for all species in the forested communities. Initially the slash pine forest contained only canopy pine, but hardwoods entered the sites 3-4 years after fire and continued to increase in number throughout the study. Woody vegetation in the two marsh communities were less stable, partially due to fire. Fire and hydrologic conditions had measureable impacts on community structure and growth patterns.

Fire-scarred cross-sections from coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) at two sites were dendrochronologically dated and used to develop a fire history. Redwood offers a challenge for dendrochronological study due to ring wedging and complacency. Crossdating was successful in 12 of 24 trees. The fire history was developed by comparison of fire scars and fire-associated ring characteristics (resin ducts, double latewood, growth releases, and ring separations) recorded in ring series. Using only dates of fire scars from the first fire in 1714 to the last in 1962, the mean fire interval (MFI) was 9.9 years. MFI for the best represented presettlement segment 1714-1881 was 8.0 years. Using all fire-associated ring features, MFI 1714-1962 was 7.0 years and 1714-1881, 6.0 years. Use of all fire-associated ring characteristics is argued to be a more accurate representation of past fire frequency. MFIs determined are less than others reported for coast redwood and suggest fire frequency in redwood may have been underestimated in past studies.

Quercus emoryi Torr. (emory oak) and Quercus arizonica Sarg. (Arizona white oak) are the dominant tree species in many of the oak savannas and woodlands of Arizona and northern Mexico. Objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate germinability on two media as influenced by storage and stratification, and (2) to determine effects of oak canopy and depth of burial on acorn viability and germination. Germination was higher (P < 0.05) on filter paper than in mineral soil in laboratory trials. Maximum germination of Quercus emoryi in the field was observed at 7.5 cm (29%), with only 5% germination at the soil surface. Germination of Quercus arizonica at 7.5 cm (73%) and 15 cm (74%) were not different (P > 0.05) but exceeded germination at the surface (17%). These results are applicable for propagation of the two species in a tree nursery.

The impact of logging operation on baseflow yield on the Bull Run Municipal watershed, Oregon was examined. Daily streamflow data, from 1958 to 1984, for the three small watersheds on the Bull Run river were analyzed. The baseflow recession coefficient was determined by analyses of successive days flows. Least squares and linear regression analysis were utilized to evaluate the effect of treatments. It was shown that logging of 25 percent of total treated watershed reduced mean daily baseflow yield, but this was not significantly different at either the 0.05 or 0.01 level. Also, it was shown by the untreated watershed that there was a significant difference, at the 0.05 level, of baseflow yield between the period of pre- and post-logging. The decreased baseflow yield may have resulted from decreasing fog drip and increasing evaporation rate in the logged areas and from decreasing precipitation on the watersheds during the post-logging period.

I evaluated the effects of simulated noise from low-flying jet aircraft on the behavior and physiology of 6 captive desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) and 5 captive mountain sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana). I measured heart rate, body temperature, ambient temperature, and behavior related to the number of overflights/day, and decibel levels (dB) animals were exposed to (range = 92-112). I recorded heart rate and body temperatures from transmitters implanted into the body cavity of animals. Ambient temperature was recorded in the pens and behavior was described from visual observations. I compared heart rates during simulated overflights by jet aircraft (N = 112/season) of sheep and deer to data collected prior to and following treatments. I documented differences between heart rates, species, dB levels, and number of overflights/day within and between seasons. All animals became habituated to aircraft noise. Although heart rates increased during overflights, they returned to the resting heart rate in ≤ 2 minutes.

I measured digestible protein consumed by 4 (2 M, 2 F) captive desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki). Deer were fed native forage collected from the Belmont Mountains, Arizona. Intake of forage differed significantly (P < 0.05) between sexes in every season. Intake of digestible protein for both sexes was highest in fall, lowest in the spring and summer for males and females, respectively. Significant (P < 0.05) differences of forage biomass were recorded among all vegetation associations and seasons in the Belmont Mountains. The most forage biomass was available in winter, the least in spring. Desert mule deer in the Belmont Mountains are close to the nutritional carrying capacity of the range. Other efforts to increase the deer population may not be effective if the forage base is not increased.