View All Items
(1 - 20 of 49)
Pages
- Title
- The behavior of humans and wildlife with respect to roads: insights for mitigation and management.
- Creator
-
Grace, Molly, Noss, Reed, Weishampel, John, Hoffman, Eric, Johnson, Steve, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Road ecology is the study of how roads and wildlife interact. Traditionally, road ecologists have primarily focused on one effect of roads: roadkill. Though roadkill can have devastating effects on wildlife populations, roads have sub-lethal impacts that are gaining more and more attention from the scientific community. These sub-lethal impacts include noise, light, and chemical pollution as well as altered habitat structure, which can all influence animal behavior. In this dissertation, I...
Show moreRoad ecology is the study of how roads and wildlife interact. Traditionally, road ecologists have primarily focused on one effect of roads: roadkill. Though roadkill can have devastating effects on wildlife populations, roads have sub-lethal impacts that are gaining more and more attention from the scientific community. These sub-lethal impacts include noise, light, and chemical pollution as well as altered habitat structure, which can all influence animal behavior. In this dissertation, I applied a behavioral ecology framework to study specific lethal and sub-lethal road effects with the goal of improving mitigation efforts. In Chapters 1 and 2, I evaluated how human behavior may be modified to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions; traditionally efforts have been made to modify wildlife road crossing behavior. I found that Roadside Animal Detection Systems, which warn drivers when animals are near the road, are successful in reducing crash risk; however, care must be taken to ensure that drivers do not become acclimated to the warning system. In Chapters 3 and 4, I evaluated how traffic noise affects subadult growth and adult abundance and communication of anuran amphibians (frogs and toads), a taxon widely recognized as one of the most negatively impacted by roads. I found that through traffic noise alters tadpole behavior, it does not appear to have a negative effect on their growth. Traffic noise does, however, negatively affect adult anuran abundance. My results indicate that this reduction in abundance is caused by the interference of traffic noise with anuran communication.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006595, ucf:51275
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006595
- Title
- The microbial ecosystem of beer spoilage and souring: Competition and cooperation in the age of bioinformatics.
- Creator
-
Kettring, Andrew, Moore, Sean, Cole, Alexander, Self, William, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The brewing industry generates $350 billion in revenue in the US annually, representing 1.9% of the gross domestic product. Spoilage is a persistent problem throughout production and distribution that causes economic loss, and is therefore meticulously avoided. Contrarily, artisanal sour beers are necessarily produced by a diverse variety of these spoilage organisms metabolically interacting in symbiosis as a microbial ecosystem. We sought to gain insight into factors driving assembly of...
Show moreThe brewing industry generates $350 billion in revenue in the US annually, representing 1.9% of the gross domestic product. Spoilage is a persistent problem throughout production and distribution that causes economic loss, and is therefore meticulously avoided. Contrarily, artisanal sour beers are necessarily produced by a diverse variety of these spoilage organisms metabolically interacting in symbiosis as a microbial ecosystem. We sought to gain insight into factors driving assembly of microbial communities by testing a long-debated Darwinian hypothesis. A collection of community members were screened in co-culture and novel bioinformatics tools were developed to predict observed interactions. A fundamental understanding of these relationships is paramount to beer production and sets a precedent for the study of similar microbial communities that impact human health.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0007288, ucf:52147
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007288
- Title
- DEFENSE TRADE-OFFS IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE FRUITS AND FLOWERS OF GENUS CORNUS.
- Creator
-
De La Pascua, Danielle R, Mason, Chase, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The optimal defense hypothesis predicts that the allocation of plant defenses across plant organs is proportional to the importance of a given organ to plant fitness. Despite this, much less work has been devoted to the study of reproductive defenses in plants relative to vegetative structures like leaves. This study examines the apparancy hypothesis and the resource availability hypothesis using a phylogenetic comparative approach within the genus Cornus. During the 2016 growing season,...
Show moreThe optimal defense hypothesis predicts that the allocation of plant defenses across plant organs is proportional to the importance of a given organ to plant fitness. Despite this, much less work has been devoted to the study of reproductive defenses in plants relative to vegetative structures like leaves. This study examines the apparancy hypothesis and the resource availability hypothesis using a phylogenetic comparative approach within the genus Cornus. During the 2016 growing season, plants of 25 species of Cornus were tracked for flower and fruit phenology as well as sampled for floral and fruit tissue in a common garden experiment at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. This tissue was used to quantify floral and fruit defensive chemistry (e.g. tannin activity, total phenolics, total flavonoids, titratable acidity), and fruit palatability traits (e.g. water, sugar, lipid, and protein content), and the color of reproductive structure using reflectance spectroscopy. Native habitat environmental data was obtained using digitized herbarium records and publicly available environmental data layers. Trait-trait and trait-environment relationships were assessed with phylogenetic generalized least squares regression. The evolution of later flowering phenology was correlated with increased floral phenolics and tannins, and the evolution of increased fruiting duration was correlated with increased fruit tannins, both supporting the apparancy hypothesis. Additionally, the evolution of higher fruit sugar content was correlated with higher fruit tannins, and a strong evolutionary trade-off between the production of tannins and the production of flavonoids was observed. With respect to habitat, floral and fruit flavonoids and tannins were consistently lower in species native to warmer environments, while fruit phenolics and was higher in drier environments, which may support the resource availability hypothesis.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000508, ucf:45674
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000508
- Title
- A Study of Differences in Vertical Phosporus Profiles Within the Sediments of Selected Florida Lakes as Related to Tropic Dynamics.
- Creator
-
Stewart, Edgar Allen, Yousef, Yousef A., Engineering
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; Several Florida lakes with different documented trophic state indices were selected for sediment analysis. Vertical sections of the sediment were taken at depths of .1, .5 , 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and l5 centimeters below the surface of the sediment-water interface. Total Phosphorus analysis was done on each section. The profile presented was then evaluated and was found that the profiles best fit the equation Y = X/ A + BX, where...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; Several Florida lakes with different documented trophic state indices were selected for sediment analysis. Vertical sections of the sediment were taken at depths of .1, .5 , 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and l5 centimeters below the surface of the sediment-water interface. Total Phosphorus analysis was done on each section. The profile presented was then evaluated and was found that the profiles best fit the equation Y = X/ A + BX, where Y is the Phosphorus Concentration in ppm. and X is the sediment depth in cm. Correlation between the trophic state and the profiles characteristics are presented. A hypothesis as to how, the sediment profile changes as the lake experiences increased Phosphorus loading is presented, and is used to evaluate the lake studied. This discussion expresses phosphorus dynamics within the sediments in terms of adsorption, chemical changes, biological activity, and molecular and eddy diffusion.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1976
- Identifier
- CFR0003479, ucf:53024
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003479
- Title
- THE DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND HABITAT USE OF THE BIG CYPRESS FOX SQUIRREL, (SCIURUS NIGER AVICENNIA).
- Creator
-
Munim, Danielle, Noss, Reed, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Human population growth and development reduce the area and quality of natural communities and lead to a reduction of populations of the species associated with them. Certain species can be useful indicators or "focal species" for determining the quality of ecosystem remnants and the required management practices. Tree squirrels are good models for studies on the effects of fragmentation because they depend on mature forests. The Big Cypress fox squirrel, (Sciurus niger avicennia), a state...
Show moreHuman population growth and development reduce the area and quality of natural communities and lead to a reduction of populations of the species associated with them. Certain species can be useful indicators or "focal species" for determining the quality of ecosystem remnants and the required management practices. Tree squirrels are good models for studies on the effects of fragmentation because they depend on mature forests. The Big Cypress fox squirrel, (Sciurus niger avicennia), a state-listed Threatened subspecies endemic to south Florida, appears sensitive to habitat fragmentation and fire regime. This research aims to assess the conservation status of the Big Cypress fox squirrel. I documented the current distribution of the fox squirrel by obtaining and mapping occurrence records and through interviews with biologists and other field personnel of public land-managing agencies, and private landowners including golf course managers. Transect sampling was used to survey and sample natural areas and private lands to evaluate the distribution, abundance, and habitat use of fox squirrels. Natural areas and suburban areas appear to support Big Cypress fox squirrels, but individuals are widely distributed and only found in low numbers throughout southwest Florida. The distribution of fox squirrel populations depends on land use and understory height, but not the size of trees. Fire suppression has resulted in a dense understory in large portions of parks and preserve lands, which is unsuitable for fox squirrels.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002276, ucf:47838
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002276
- Title
- The ecology of central Florida's thief ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis).
- Creator
-
Ohyama, Leo, King, Joshua, Jenkins, David, Fedorka, Kenneth, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Thief ants of the genus Solenopsis are a diverse group of ants that are found in ant communities throughout the world. They have long been purported to practice lestobiosis, an interaction between small and larger-bodied ants, where small ants cryptically tunnel into larger-bodied ant nests within the subterranean environment and steal brood or eggs for consumption. Thief ants are extremely small, measuring 1-2 mm in length and many of the species within this group practice a subterranean...
Show moreThief ants of the genus Solenopsis are a diverse group of ants that are found in ant communities throughout the world. They have long been purported to practice lestobiosis, an interaction between small and larger-bodied ants, where small ants cryptically tunnel into larger-bodied ant nests within the subterranean environment and steal brood or eggs for consumption. Thief ants are extremely small, measuring 1-2 mm in length and many of the species within this group practice a subterranean life history, where they live the entirety of their lives exclusively belowground. Due to these key characteristics, the ecology and natural history of this group of ants has remained largely unknown despite their noted high abundance within the southeastern United States, especially in upland ecosystems. The purpose of this thesis is to improve our understanding of the ecology of this enigmatic group, providing a solid foundation for future work on their behavior, biology, and natural history. Therefore, this project first attempts to identify key abiotic environmental variables that potentially drive the diversity and distribution of this group in upland ecosystems. Next a field manipulation experiment was conducted in areas of high thief ant density to determine biotic effects between thief ants and the aboveground ant community. This was done by removing thief ants using belowground toxic baits and monitoring co-occurring ant worker abundances throughout a period of approximately 1 year. We found evidence that thief ants dominate belowground and diversity. Our field experiment also yielded evidence indicating that thief ants exert potential top-down regulation on entire ant communities.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007696, ucf:52408
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007696
- Title
- Quantifying the impacts of oyster reef restoration on oyster coverage, wave attenuation and seagrass fragment retention in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida.
- Creator
-
Garvis, Stephanie, Walters, Linda, Weishampel, John, Virnstein, Robert, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The goal of this project was to determine the effects of oyster reef restoration on oyster coverage, wave height dissipation and seagrass recruitment. First, to assess the current versus historical coverage of natural, dead and restored oyster reefs within Mosquito Lagoon, aerial photographs from 2009, provided by Saint Johns River Water Management District, were digitized using ArcGIS software. Live reefs, restored reefs and dead reefs were screen digitized using a reef 'signature' in order...
Show moreThe goal of this project was to determine the effects of oyster reef restoration on oyster coverage, wave height dissipation and seagrass recruitment. First, to assess the current versus historical coverage of natural, dead and restored oyster reefs within Mosquito Lagoon, aerial photographs from 2009, provided by Saint Johns River Water Management District, were digitized using ArcGIS software. Live reefs, restored reefs and dead reefs were screen digitized using a reef 'signature' in order to estimate the area of each type of reef. The 2009 maps were used as a guide to digitizing the historical aerial photographs (1943, 1951, 1967, 1971, 1984, 1995, 2006). Dead reefs increased both in number and aerial extent during the study period (1943 (-) 2009), with 2009 having over 10 acres of dead reef coverage. Dead reefs were more likely to be found along major boating channels. Several dead reefs exhibited migration into the mangrove islands located landward of the 1943 footprint, with some dead reefs completely washing up into the shoreline. Restoration of dead reefs added 0.5 acres of live oysters to the Mosquito Lagoon area as of January 2009. Second, I examined how different oyster reef types (natural reef, restored reef, dead reef) reduced wave height. To determine wave height attenuation on each reef type, experiments were conducted in a 9 meter long wave tank using sensors that measured changes in wave height. For each reef type, replicate reefs were created in the wave tank. Shoreline sediment without oysters was used as a control. Using the wave generator, wave heights similar to Mosquito Lagoon boat wakes were created. Restored reefs reduced the incoming wave height by 25% compared to sediment without oysters. Lastly, I examined the potential link between oyster reef restoration and recruitment of seagrass fragments. Monthly surveys were performed to quantify the number of seagrass fragments encountering the three oyster reef types: dead reefs, natural reefs and restored reefs. The quantity of seagrass fragments was found to be similar on the three different reef types, but did show a significant trend of seasonality, which corresponds with the growing season of Halodule wrightii. Next, I tested retention of experimentally manipulated seagrass fragments on five natural and five restored reefs. Restored reefs retained seagrass fragments for significantly longer than natural reefs. I also measured seagrass fragment entanglement on each reef type inside the wave tank. I found that seagrass fragments were significantly more likely to become entangled and retained on restored reefs compared to dead and natural reefs. Overall, these metrics are important for determining the success of long-term oyster restoration project in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida. This project has found that oyster restoration is increasing the area of oyster habitat as well as providing important ecosystem services.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004538, ucf:49250
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004538
- Title
- The Microbial Biochemical Potential of Two Detention-Retention Marshes in the Kissimmee River Valley Watershed.
- Creator
-
Winkelmann, Douglas A., ,, Natural Sciences
- Abstract / Description
-
University of Central Florida College of Natural Sciences Thesis; One of the major programs to abate the deterioration of water quality in the Lake Okeechobee watershed was the addition of detention-retention facilities. The microbial biochemical potential of two different detention-retention marshes in the Kissimmee River Valley were examined to determine their effectiveness to improve water quality. The kinetics of decomposition and nutrient mineralization and assimilation, as mediated by...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Natural Sciences Thesis; One of the major programs to abate the deterioration of water quality in the Lake Okeechobee watershed was the addition of detention-retention facilities. The microbial biochemical potential of two different detention-retention marshes in the Kissimmee River Valley were examined to determine their effectiveness to improve water quality. The kinetics of decomposition and nutrient mineralization and assimilation, as mediated by microorganisms, and the enumeration of microorganisms capable of utilizing various substrates were studied. Various communities within each marsh were studied during a 2-year period. The decomposition rates of 3 plant substrates were determined. Chitin was used as a standard for organic decomposition. Chitin had significantly higher (p [less than] 0.05) rates of decomposition than the plant material in all sites at both marshes. Chitin decomposition rates were significantly different (p[less than]0.05) between sites. Significant differences (p[less than]0.05) in rates of decomposition were also found between the 3 plant substrates. the difference in decomposition rates for the 3 plant substrates existed within sites, as well as between sites. The number of microorganisms and the mineralization and assimilation rates were significantly different (p[less than]0.05) between the detention-retention marshes. Significant differences (p[less than]0.05) in numbers of microorganisms and rates were also found between sites within each marsh. The variation in detrital processing demonstrated that site-specific dynamics occurred in the detention-retention marshes. Higher decomposition rates were associated with sediment sites containing organic matter with either a continuous, shallow flow of water or alternate wet/dry periods. Decomposition rates were lowest at sites containing sandy sediments, and dry soil sites without a flow of water. Higher aerobic and anaerobic bacterial activity was also associated with sediment sites containing organic matter with either a continuous, shallow flow of water at alternate wet/dry periods. Higher fungal activity was associated with alternate wet/dry sediment sites, but only during dry periods. Microbial activity was lowest at sites containing sandy sediments and in water columns.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1981
- Identifier
- CFR0008161, ucf:53068
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0008161
- Title
- Flying under the LiDAR: relating forest structure to bat community diversity.
- Creator
-
Butterfield, Anna, Weishampel, John, Noss, Reed, King, Joshua, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Bats are important to many ecological processes such as pollination, insect (and by proxy, disease) control, and seed dispersal and can be used to monitor ecosystem health. However, they are facing unprecedented extinction risks from habitat degradation as well as pressures from pathogens (e.g., white-nose syndrome) and wind turbines. LiDAR allows ecologists to measure structural variables of forested landscapes with increased precision and accuracy at broader spatial scales than previously...
Show moreBats are important to many ecological processes such as pollination, insect (and by proxy, disease) control, and seed dispersal and can be used to monitor ecosystem health. However, they are facing unprecedented extinction risks from habitat degradation as well as pressures from pathogens (e.g., white-nose syndrome) and wind turbines. LiDAR allows ecologists to measure structural variables of forested landscapes with increased precision and accuracy at broader spatial scales than previously possible. This study used airborne LiDAR to classify forest habitat/canopy structure at the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station (OSBS) in north central Florida. LiDAR data were acquired by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) airborne observation platform in summer 2014. OSBS consists of open-canopy pine savannas, closed-canopy hardwood hammocks, and seasonally inundated basin marshes. Multiple forest structural parameters (e.g., mean, maximum, and standard deviation of canopy height) were derived from LiDAR point clouds using the USDA software program FUSION. K-means clustering was used to segregate each 5x5 m raster across the ~3765 ha OSBS area into six different clusters based on the derived canopy metrics. Cluster averages for maximum, mean, and standard deviation of return heights ranged from 0 to 19.4 m, 0 to 15.3 m, and 0 to 3.0 m, respectively. To determine the relationships among these landscape-canopy features and bat species diversity and abundances, AnaBat II bat detectors were deployed from May to September in 2015 stratified by these distinct clusters. A statistical regression model selection approach was performed in order to evaluate how forest structural attributes such as understory clutter, vertical canopy structure, open and closed canopy, etc. and landscape metrics influence bat communities. The most informative models showed that a combination of site-specific (e.g., midstory clutter and entropy) and landscape level attributes (e.g., area of water and service road length) contributed to bat community patterns. This knowledge provides a deeper understanding of habitat-species interactions to better manage survival of these species and provides insight into new tools for landscape management as they apply to specific species.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006177, ucf:51151
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006177
- Title
- Habitat distribution and abundance of crayfishes in two Florida spring-fed rivers.
- Creator
-
Manteuffel, Tiffani, Hinkle, Ross, King, Joshua, Stout, I, Stolen, Eric, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Crayfish are an economically and ecologically important invertebrate, however, research on crayfish in native habitats is patchy at best, including in Florida, even though the Southeastern U.S. is one of the most speciose areas globally. This study investigated patterns of abundance and habitat distribution of two crayfishes (Procambarus paeninsulanus and P. fallax) in two Florida spring-fed rivers (Wakulla River and Silver River, respectively). Study sites were surveyed once each season from...
Show moreCrayfish are an economically and ecologically important invertebrate, however, research on crayfish in native habitats is patchy at best, including in Florida, even though the Southeastern U.S. is one of the most speciose areas globally. This study investigated patterns of abundance and habitat distribution of two crayfishes (Procambarus paeninsulanus and P. fallax) in two Florida spring-fed rivers (Wakulla River and Silver River, respectively). Study sites were surveyed once each season from April 2015 to March 2016 with baited minnow traps checked every other day, four times each survey. Habitat and environmental parameters evaluated included dominant vegetation or bottom type, percent cover, organic matter content, water depth, moon illumination and dissolved oxygen. Abundance was estimated with N-mixture models. Model selection judged the relative evidence between hypotheses relating habitat and environmental covariates to crayfish abundance. P. paeninsulanus distribution and abundance in Wakulla River was explained by time of year, dissolved oxygen and dominant bottom and vegetation type. P. fallax distribution and abundance in Silver River was explained by time of year and percent coverage of vegetation. Detection of P. paeninsulanus was higher than P. fallax and abundance of P. paeninsulanus was more heterogenous than P. fallax (6-18 versus 12-14 per site in summer survey). Distribution of P. paeninsulanus as described by vegetation and bottom type also seems to follow heterogeneity in management areas in Wakulla River. Results will assist managers in understanding potential impact of herbicidal control of Hydrilla verticillata on crayfish. This study also fills knowledge gaps on Florida crayfish natural history and ecology.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006474, ucf:51442
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006474
- Title
- Character Evolution and Microbial Community Structure in a Host-associated Grasshopper.
- Creator
-
Raszick, Tyler, Song, Hojun, Fedorka, Kenneth, Hoffman, Eric, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The spotted bird grasshopper, Schistocerca lineata Scudder (Orthoptera: Acrididae), is a widely distributed species found throughout most of the continental United States and southern Canada. This species is known to be highly variable in morphology, with many distinct ecotypes across its native range. These ecotypes display high levels of association with type-specific host plants. Understanding the evolutionary relationships among different ecotypes is crucial groundwork for studying the...
Show moreThe spotted bird grasshopper, Schistocerca lineata Scudder (Orthoptera: Acrididae), is a widely distributed species found throughout most of the continental United States and southern Canada. This species is known to be highly variable in morphology, with many distinct ecotypes across its native range. These ecotypes display high levels of association with type-specific host plants. Understanding the evolutionary relationships among different ecotypes is crucial groundwork for studying the process of ecological differentiation. I examine four ecotypes from morphological and phylogeographic perspectives, and look for evidence of distinct evolutionary lineages within the species. I also begin to explore the potential role of the microbial community of these grasshoppers in ecological divergence by using 454 pyrosequencing to see if the microbial community structure reflects the ecology of the grasshoppers. I find support for a distinct aposematic lineage when approaching the data from a phylogeographic perspective and also find that this ecotype tends to harbor a unique bacterial community, different from that of a single other ecotype.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005540, ucf:50316
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005540
- Title
- How many are out there? A novel approach for open and closed systems.
- Creator
-
Rehman, Zia, Kincaid, John, Wiegand, Rudolf, Finch, Craig, Uddin, Nizam, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
We propose a ratio estimator to determine population estimates using capture-recapture sampling. It's different than traditional approaches in the following ways:(1)Ordering of recaptures: Currently data sets do not take into account the "ordering" of the recaptures, although this crucial information is available to them at no cost. (2)Dependence of trials and cluster sampling: Our model explicitly considers trials to be dependent and improves existing literature which assumes independence. ...
Show moreWe propose a ratio estimator to determine population estimates using capture-recapture sampling. It's different than traditional approaches in the following ways:(1)Ordering of recaptures: Currently data sets do not take into account the "ordering" of the recaptures, although this crucial information is available to them at no cost. (2)Dependence of trials and cluster sampling: Our model explicitly considers trials to be dependent and improves existing literature which assumes independence. (3)Rate of convergence: The percentage sampled has an inverse relationship with population size, for a chosen degree of accuracy. (4)Asymptotic Attainment of Minimum Variance (Open Systems: (=population variance).(5)Full use of data and model applicability (6)Non-parametric (7)Heterogeneity: When units being sampled are hard to identify. (8)Open and closed systems: Simpler results are presented separately for closed systems.(9)Robustness to assumptions in open systems
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005403, ucf:50411
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005403
- Title
- Behavioral and disease ecology of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) post exclusion and relocation with a novel approach to homing determination.
- Creator
-
Napier, Johnathan, Savage, Anna, Moore, Sean, Vonkalm, Laurence, Fedorka, Kenneth, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In the wake of human expansion, relocations and the loss of habitat can be stressful to an organism, plausibly leading to population declines. The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species that constructs burrows it shares with 362 commensal species. Frequent exclusions and relocations and long generation times have contributed to G. polyphemus being State-designated as Threatened in Florida. Prior studies have indicated that G. polyphemus may possess homing behavior and...
Show moreIn the wake of human expansion, relocations and the loss of habitat can be stressful to an organism, plausibly leading to population declines. The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species that constructs burrows it shares with 362 commensal species. Frequent exclusions and relocations and long generation times have contributed to G. polyphemus being State-designated as Threatened in Florida. Prior studies have indicated that G. polyphemus may possess homing behavior and thus be able to counteract stressors due to relocation and exclusion. I radiotracked a cohort of G. polyphemus for 11 months following excavation, relocation, and exclusion due to a pipeline construction project. In conjunction with analyzing G. polyphemus movement patterns post-release, I developed novel statistical methodologies with broad application for movement analysis and compared them to traditional analyses. I evaluated habitat usage, burrowing behavior, movements, growth, and disease signs among control versus relocated and excluded individuals and among sexes and size classes, forming predictors for behavior and disease risk. I found statistical support that my new methodology is superior to previous statistical tests for movement analyses. I also found that G. polyphemus engages in homing behavior, but only in males. Behavioral differences were also found between the sexes with respect to burrowing behavior. Overall health, disease prevalence, and immune response were unaffected by relocation and exclusion, nor were they statistically correlated. Signs were unreliable as etiological agents, outperformed by serological detection. I determined that the Sabal Trail pipeline as a potential stressor did not affect movement behavior, homing, nor the disease/immune profile of G. polyphemus in this study.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007581, ucf:52581
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007581
- Title
- Evaluation of the three-dimensional patterns and ecological impacts of the invasive Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum).
- Creator
-
Maldonado, Alexis, Weishampel, John, VonHolle, Mary, Hinkle, Charles, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Invasion by non-native species has had significant ecological and economic impacts on a global scale. In the state of Florida, Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) is an invasive plant listed by FLEPPC as a category one invader with significant ecological impacts that threaten native plant diversity. This species relies on existing vegetative structures for support to climb into the forest canopy and forms dense mats that cover tree crowns. This subsequently affects the resources...
Show moreInvasion by non-native species has had significant ecological and economic impacts on a global scale. In the state of Florida, Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) is an invasive plant listed by FLEPPC as a category one invader with significant ecological impacts that threaten native plant diversity. This species relies on existing vegetative structures for support to climb into the forest canopy and forms dense mats that cover tree crowns. This subsequently affects the resources available to other species present. Quantifying the structural changes due to the presence of this species has proved logistically difficult, especially on a large spatial scale.Airborne LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) technology is a form of remote sensing that measures the elevation of surfaces over a site. In this study I utilized LiDAR to calculate various forest structure metrics at Jonathan Dickinson State Park (JDSP) in Hobe Sound, Florida across various management frequencies and densities of Old World climbing fern. These data were used to quantify the degree to which this invasive species alters forest structure across these two gradients. I also recorded species composition in the field to relate how Old World climbing fern impacts native plant diversity. Structural measurements including average canopy height, height of median energy (HOME), rugosity, canopy openness, and vertical structural diversity (LHDI) were calculated for a total of three hundred 0.25ha sites stratified by invasion density and management frequency.Using a combination of univariate and multivariate statistical analyses I found that the presence of Old World Climbing fern altered the physical structure of the forest communities itivinvades. Higher percent cover of Old World climbing fern decreased structural diversity while increased management effort was found to mitigate those impacts. The management for Old World Climbing fern was also found to impact both species richness and diversity at JDSP. I also demonstrated that there were several species that were not found and others that were more common in the presence of Old World climbing fern and that there was a relationship between management and what species were present. The results show that both Old World climbing fern and the management practices used to control it have had significant ecological impacts on the natural communities in South Florida.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005206, ucf:50651
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005206
- Title
- Variation in Prospecting Behavior and Drivers of Post-Fire Habitat Preference Among Juvenile Florida Scrub-Jays.
- Creator
-
Sherer, David, Bohlen, Patrick, Bowman, Reed, Jenkins, David, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens, FLSJ; federally Threatened) are cooperatively breeding birds endemic to Florida and dependent on fire-maintained xeric oak scrub. FLSJs are year-round residents, highly territorial, and rarely disperse far from their natal territory. Lifetime reproductive success is highest among individuals breeding in early-successional habitat, usually less than 9 to 10 years post-fire. However, because scrub burns infrequently such early-successional, high...
Show moreFlorida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens, FLSJ; federally Threatened) are cooperatively breeding birds endemic to Florida and dependent on fire-maintained xeric oak scrub. FLSJs are year-round residents, highly territorial, and rarely disperse far from their natal territory. Lifetime reproductive success is highest among individuals breeding in early-successional habitat, usually less than 9 to 10 years post-fire. However, because scrub burns infrequently such early-successional, high-quality habitat is extremely limited and competition for it as breeding space is likely intense. Because some birds live long enough to experience habitat succession, FLSJs also occupy later-successional overgrown scrub, even though both survival and fecundity decline. Although immigration rates into later-successional habitat decline, some birds settle there, perhaps to avoid competition. Prior to dispersal into new breeding territories, most non-breeders engage in pre-dispersal forays, which occur before and immediately after the breeding season. Because FLSJ territories occur across a gradient of post-fire succession, and young birds make frequent forays beyond their natal territories, and are highly visible while doing so, they are ideal models to test how individual and environmental factors drive habitat preference when exploring a post-fire mosaic. I investigated how individual behavioral phenotype, natal territory condition, and body condition relative to conspecifics influence extra-territorial foray behavior across a habitat mosaic that includes various time-since-fire (TSF) intervals. My study system was a population of individually marked FLSJs on 1,214-ha of managed scrub at Archbold Biological Station (Highlands County, Florida). I measured off-territory movements of 114 yearling birds in three annual cohorts and quantified habitat preference using fine-scale fire history records. These data, paired with behavioral assays and morphometric records for each individual FLSJ, allowed me to create and compare models of exploratory behavior underlying searching patterns during pre-breeding forays. My results indicate significant variation in habitat preference by individual FLSJs during forays, driven by an individual's behavioral phenotype and the TSF of its natal territory.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007864, ucf:52790
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007864
- Title
- EFFECTS OF VOLUNTARY CONTROL ON PERFORMANCE RESPONSE UNDER STRESS.
- Creator
-
Morris, Christina Shawn, Hancock, Peter A., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Recent stressful environments within military and non-military domains are producing a new challenge for the lab-based study of stress on task performance, one that requires knowledge of underlying cognitive-motivational and goal orientation factors. Results of recent stress on task performance research traditionally employ metaphorical explanations (i.e., resource theory) in order to rapidly apply stimulus-response outcomes to the real world counterparts. This dissertation provides an...
Show moreRecent stressful environments within military and non-military domains are producing a new challenge for the lab-based study of stress on task performance, one that requires knowledge of underlying cognitive-motivational and goal orientation factors. Results of recent stress on task performance research traditionally employ metaphorical explanations (i.e., resource theory) in order to rapidly apply stimulus-response outcomes to the real world counterparts. This dissertation provides an alternative perspective about these metaphorical, or black box, interpretations and reveals how they may be confounded with respect to the intended real world counterpart. To examine how voluntary human control can influence traditional stress/no-stress research findings, traditional as well as exploratory paradigms were presented. Both noise and time pressure conditions produced significant differences between experimental and control groups on visual discrimination. However, when analogous cash payment-contingency conditions were employed, the traditional stress/no-stress findings were not evident. In addition, a second experiment revealed that this trend of differences (and non-differences) held consistently over 30 minutes of interrupted task performance time. This study indicates the importance of developing more diagnostic measures that include assessments of how the differences between participants' and the generalized operators' goals and motivations may alter results in stressful task environments.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFE0000019, ucf:46134
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000019
- Title
- VEGETARIAN, VEGAN, AND PESCETARIAN CONSUMERS AND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE GREEN MOVEMENT.
- Creator
-
King, Cory, Massiah, Carolyn, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Entering into the 21st century, sustainable living has become a popular topic of concern for scientists and engineers, politicians, news reporters and individuals alike. Most importantly though, sustainable living has become popular to the modern consumer, and many firms are attempting to understand and cater their efforts to the ecologically conscious consumer. Previous studies have shown that the use of psychographics, as opposed to demographics, result in more significant results that can...
Show moreEntering into the 21st century, sustainable living has become a popular topic of concern for scientists and engineers, politicians, news reporters and individuals alike. Most importantly though, sustainable living has become popular to the modern consumer, and many firms are attempting to understand and cater their efforts to the ecologically conscious consumer. Previous studies have shown that the use of psychographics, as opposed to demographics, result in more significant results that can help firms identify ecologically conscious consumers. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the relationship between consumers who identify as pescetarian, vegetarian, or vegan, and their respective participation in the green movement in terms of their pro-environmental attitudes and their purchase behaviors. Consumers' reason for choosing an alternative diet, their relative commitment to the alternative diet, as well as their level of green participation based on the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale and the Ecologically Conscious Consumer Behavior (ECCB) scale was measure and analyzed. Additionally, a conclusion and discussion of the study, potential marketing implications, and suggestions for future studies will be reviewed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004582, ucf:45195
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004582
- Title
- USING STABLE ISOTOPES TO ASSESS THE POPULATION STRUCTURE AND FEEDING ECOLOGY OF NORTH PACIFIC HUMPBACK WHALES (MEGAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAE).
- Creator
-
Witteveen, Briana, Worthy, Graham, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a wide-ranging baleen whale species with a complex life history and population structure. As seasonal migrants, humpback whales are known to inhabit cooler, high-latitude waters when foraging and low-latitudes for mating and calving. Beyond this general migratory pattern, a number of demographic characteristics including, abundance, distribution, seasonal occurrence, and prey preferences remain unknown or poorly described. A...
Show moreThe North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a wide-ranging baleen whale species with a complex life history and population structure. As seasonal migrants, humpback whales are known to inhabit cooler, high-latitude waters when foraging and low-latitudes for mating and calving. Beyond this general migratory pattern, a number of demographic characteristics including, abundance, distribution, seasonal occurrence, and prey preferences remain unknown or poorly described. A complete understanding of humpback whale ecology is therefore lacking. Many methods used to explore these aspects of cetacean ecology are either prohibitively expensive or limited in the scope of what can be learned from their use. Fortunately, in recent years, the analysis of stable isotope ratios of animal tissues has proved a valuable and relatively inexpensive technique for providing information on trophic position, diet, and feeding origins of migratory populations. This study employed techniques in stable isotope ecology to increase knowledge of the population structure, migration routes, and foraging ecology of North Pacific humpback whales. Skin samples were collected from free-ranging humpback whales throughout all known feeding and breeding grounds and were analyzed for stable carbon (13C) and nitrogen (15N) isotope ratios. The population structure of humpback whales was first explored through geographic differences in stable isotope ratios. Stable isotope ratios varied significantly with location of sample collection. Based on this analysis, foraging animals were separated into six feeding groups. Classification tree analysis was then used to determine which isotopic variables could be used to predict group membership. Probable migratory linkages were then described by applying results of classification trees to 13C and 15N of animals sampled on breeding grounds. Strong migratory connections between the eastern-most foraging and breeding areas and the western-most areas were reflected in similarities of stable isotope ratios. Foraging ecology was then examined through calculation and comparison of the relative trophic levels of the six feeding groups. Isotopic values suggest some feeding groups are piscivorous, while others feed on a more mixed diet. These results can be used to determine if differences in diet composition between groups result in differences in accrued nutritional benefits, negatively impacting reproductive success and survival relative to fish eating groups. Finally, to gain insight into specific foraging habits, the diet of one group of humpback whales was modeled using an isotope mixing model. The 13C and 15N of Kodiak Island, Alaska humpback whales and several species of potential prey indicate that these animals likely rely heavily on euphausiids (Thysanoessa spinifera), Pacific sandlance (Ammodytes hexapterus), and capelin (Mallotus villosus). This study represents the first application of stable isotope ecology to an entire population of marine mammals. Stable isotope analysis was successfully applied to describe and improve understanding of the demographics of North Pacific humpback whales.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002386, ucf:47774
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002386
- Title
- Investigating The Late Woodland Climate Of Old Tampa Bay, Florida.
- Creator
-
Rogers, Jaime, Barber, Sarah, Williams, Lana, Baudelet, Matthieu, Starbuck, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Tampa Bay and the broader Central Gulf Coast region of Florida bear evidence of site reduction and population decline during the onset of the Late Woodland period (AD 500-1000). Concomitantly, Weeden Island culture flourished to the north, while climatic instability loomed to the south. It is unclear if the site abandonments in the area between the two are related to social or cultural change, an unstable climate, or a combination thereof. Interdisciplinary research has provided evidence for...
Show moreTampa Bay and the broader Central Gulf Coast region of Florida bear evidence of site reduction and population decline during the onset of the Late Woodland period (AD 500-1000). Concomitantly, Weeden Island culture flourished to the north, while climatic instability loomed to the south. It is unclear if the site abandonments in the area between the two are related to social or cultural change, an unstable climate, or a combination thereof. Interdisciplinary research has provided evidence for climate change and sea level regression during the sixth and seventh centuries in Southwest Florida, but these variables have yet to be investigated in Tampa Bay. This study implements a multi-scalar sclerochronological analysis to better understand how the climate of Tampa Bay has changed through time. Analyses of low-resolution stable isotopes (13C and 18O) paired with high-resolution trace elements (Mg, Na, Li, Sr) from 50 eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) specimens supports climatic instability during the Late Woodland period in Tampa Bay.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007902, ucf:52749
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007902
- Title
- Acoustic Ecology and Sound Mapping the University of Central Florida Main Campus.
- Creator
-
Clarke, Robert, Beever, Jonathan, French, Scot, Janz, Bruce, Pijanowski, Bryan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
(")Acoustic Ecology and Sound Mapping the University of Central Florida Main Campus(") explores the intersection of place and space, sound studies and acoustic ecology, visualization, and archives. The end result consists of a collection of (")soundwalk(") and stationary recordings conducted from 2016-2019 at the University of Central Florida (UCF) main campus in Orlando presented as an online Sound Map. This archive previously did not exist and provides a snapshot of the various sounds heard...
Show more(")Acoustic Ecology and Sound Mapping the University of Central Florida Main Campus(") explores the intersection of place and space, sound studies and acoustic ecology, visualization, and archives. The end result consists of a collection of (")soundwalk(") and stationary recordings conducted from 2016-2019 at the University of Central Florida (UCF) main campus in Orlando presented as an online Sound Map. This archive previously did not exist and provides a snapshot of the various sounds heard throughout the campus as well as a starting point and context for future research into this still-emerging field of acoustic ecology and sound studies. While the individual recordings help to provide a sense of place at the university, they also represent a benchmark from a public history standpoint to interpret sonic change over time.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007793, ucf:52344
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007793
