MA, Kent State University, 2018, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Anthropology

Habitat fragmentation and secondary growth forests are becoming increasingly common around the world, and as a result, many animal species are being forced to adapt to these changes. In the Guiana Shield region of interior Suriname, I observed the ranging patterns and micro-habitat preference of several groups of Saguinus midas (golden-handed tamarin), one of the least-studied tamarin species, with the intention of assessing the similarity in habitat preference to another Saguinus species, S. bicolor. I hypothesized that S. midas and S. bicolor would have similar micro-habitat preferences, and that S. midas would prefer areas of the forest with small tree size, low basal area, and high liana density. I conducted a survey of selected trees along a trail system in Bergendal, Suriname, to determine local habitat characteristics. I also conducted a home range survey to determine the number of groups and the size of each group in the study area. I found that there were four distinct groups of S. midas in the area, and they preferred the micro-habitats as predicted. This suggests that like S. bicolor, S. midas does not utilize forest resources randomly. The study of micro-habitat preference and forest structure preference can be used for further research in primate conservation, and S. midas' role as a pioneer species make it an ideal research candidate.

Committee: Marilyn Norconk PhD (Advisor); Mary Ann Raghanti PhD (Committee Member); Richard Meindl PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Animals; Biology; Ecology

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2012, Biological Sciences

The use of shelters by crayfish is influenced by the presence or absence of predatory cues. Crayfish are able to detect sensory cues in the environment and use the information gathered to make behavioral changes to reduce the risk of becoming a predator's next prey item. Factors such as mechanical cues or chemical cues in the water may determine the extent to which the crayfish alter not only the use of shelter, but also other behaviors, such as walking speed and exploratory behaviors. This thesis set out to address which factor elicits the strongest response in behavior alteration and use of shelter. To tease apart the mechanical and chemical cues, five sets of trials were conducted. The first set of trials acted as a control in which a baseline of behavior and shelter use could be determined. The second set of trials exposed the crayfish to the scent of a channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), but not to the mechanical cues of the predator. The third set of trials exposed the crayfish to the mechanical cues of a model channel catfish, but not the chemical cues. The fourth set of trials exposed the crayfish to the chemical cues of a channel catfish and mechanical cues of the model channel catfish simultaneously. The fifth and final set of trials exposed the crayfish to the chemical and mechanical cues of a channel catfish. By observing the behaviors under the various experimental designs, the research shows us that the mechanical cues of the model channel catfish had the greatest effects on the behaviors demonstrated by the crayfish. The results from these experiments show us that the crayfish relied more on the mechanical cues in the environment than the chemical cues when considering predator avoidance and behavior modification.

Committee: Paul Moore (Advisor); Robert McKay (Committee Member); Jeffrey Miner (Committee Member) Subjects: Animal Sciences; Aquatic Sciences; Behavioral Sciences; Biology

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Ohio University, 2024, Environmental Studies

Grassland birds have narrow habitat requirements that are influenced by food availability, habitat composition, and habitat structure. Because survival is influenced by habitat quality and availability, understanding habitat requirements is critical for conservation. I determined how Henslow's Sparrows (Centronyx henslowii) use grassland habitat in the breeding season. In the past 10 years, technology advancements have allowed researchers to study the habitat use and movement ecology of understudied birds, such as grassland birds. I deployed nanotags on 47 adult Henslow's Sparrows at two sites in southern Ohio to determine home range size and habitat use in relation to distance to edge and shrub, as well as the post-breeding dispersal and migratory timing. I predicted that Henslow's Sparrows would use core grassland habitat and avoid edge and shrubs. I found no difference in 95 % home range size between female (0.10 ± 0.03 ha) and male (0.32 ± 0.18 ha) Henslow's Sparrows. Henslow's Sparrows used shrubs when available and edge habitat as refugia after disturbance. I also found that Henslow's Sparrows use fields into August, past dates typically recommended for disturbance (e.g., mid to late July), which suggests the need to leave corridors and patches for refugia after management such as mowing or burning. I determined the fall migratory departure timing of 13 Henslow's Sparrows. I found that Henslow's Sparrows are at risk for entanglement which resulted in mortality of two birds. A third bird found entangled was found alive, entangled in vegetation, and was released after I removed the nanotag. I also found that 24 Henslow's Sparrows were able to remove nanotags and several damaged their nanotags. While I do not recommend the use of nanotags on this species in future studies, my study did result in determining fall migratory departure timing of Henslow's Sparrows in Ohio which was previously unknown.

Committee: Kelly Williams (Advisor) Subjects: Animals; Biology; Ecology; Environmental Studies; Organismal Biology; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management; Zoology

PHD, Kent State University, 2024, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences

White-tailed deer are one of the most widespread mammalian herbivores throughout both North and South America. Throughout much of this broad geographic range, deer populations occur at densities that greatly exceed historic estimates. At high densities, deer can negatively suppress juvenile tree growth, inhibit plant regeneration, and alter plant communities which can have long-term cascading effects on small mammals, birds, and plants. Anthropogenic development can help support overabundant deer populations by creating novel foraging opportunities via disturbance regimes and supplementary foraging opportunities. Moreover, apex predators that can help regulate deer populations have been extirpated from many areas, which enables deer populations to reach high densities. The objectives of this dissertation are to identify how white-tailed deer use anthropogenic landscapes at multiple spatial scales, determine the plant chemical properties that influence deer forage selection, and discern how unique predator communities influence the spatiotemporal activity of deer in multiple ecosystems. My first study developed a novel method to measure activity densities of white-tailed deer in multiple habitats that also excluded non-target species from interfering with data collection. In my second study, I measured the activity densities of deer in forest ecosystems that are fragmented by anthropogenically developed meadows. I found that during times of the year when resources are abundant across the landscape, deer preferred meadow patches that contained an abundance of plants that provided deer with a better foraging opportunity than the adjacent forest patches. The third study in this dissertation examined how plant chemistry and volatile scent-cues influence the forage selection of white-tailed deer. During summer I found that deer preferred plants with higher carbohydrate content, likely due to these plants providing fat reserves before winter. Whereas during winter, deer we (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: David Ward (Advisor); Mark Kershner (Committee Member); He Yin (Committee Member); Melissa Schmitt (Committee Member); Christie Bahlai (Committee Member) Subjects: Animal Sciences; Conservation; Ecology; Plant Sciences; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management; Zoology

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2024, Biology

The North American beaver, Castor canadensis, was once extirpated from most of its range but is gradually recovering to its historic population levels. Beavers have less suitable habitat to colonize because of changes from historical land use. I studied beaver habitat use at multiple spatial scales and beaver herbivory interactions with white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus. In chapter one, I modeled the probability of beaver occurrence in the Midwest United States using species distribution models then determined how landcover affects beaver occupancy at sites in Ohio. Beaver occupancy was determined by larger areas of open water with higher shape complexity at large scales and more compact open-water patches at fine scales. Beaver repeated occupancy at sites with lower edge density of open water and smaller deciduous forest patches at larger spatial scales, and at sites with lower edge density of deciduous forest and more compact evergreen forest at finer spatial scales. In chapter two, I surveyed woody, herbaceous, and emergent vegetation at 12 beaver-presence sites across Ohio. I measured the C:N ratios and Janka hardness values for woody plant species at each site to determine their role in use of woody plants for food and building by beavers. Beavers cut woody species with smaller diameters and those closer to the water's edge. While C:N ratio was not a significant predictor of woody plant removal, beavers cut stems with lower Janka hardness values for both consumption and use as building material. Beavers were also more likely to cut stems in sites with less cover of herbaceous legumes and more emergent vegetation with rhizomatous/ fibrous roots. In chapter 3, I examined interactions between beaver and white-tailed deer herbivory using manually cut, caged and uncaged Lonicera maackii and native shrub species. I found that the combination of beaver and white-tailed deer herbivory decreased the average regrowth of woody plants but those with more browse gre (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Thomas Crist (Advisor); Melany Fisk (Committee Member); Bart Grudzinski (Committee Member); David Gorchov (Committee Member); Robbyn Abbitt (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Ecology; Geographic Information Science

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2023, Biological Sciences (Arts and Sciences)

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ) are a large-bodied, highly adaptable great ape species, characterized by remarkable across-and-within-population variation in habitat use, behavior, and feeding ecology. Chimpanzees are found across the forested mid-region of Africa, occupying a variety of habitat types, though they are frequently described as a rainforest-dwelling species (McGrew, 1979; Russak & McGrew, 2008). Research, however indicates that chimpanzees inhabit a wide range of ecotypes, such as primary and secondary moist lowland forests, swamp forests, submontane and montane forests, savanna woodlands, and occasionally farmland areas (Humle et al., 2016a; Russak & McGrew, 2008). A robust literature derives from chimpanzee field studies conducted in sites across Africa, documenting an array of site-specific strategies for everything from resource extraction to ranging patterns and even patterns of social interactions (Boesch, 2012; Goodall, 1986; Gruber et al., 2012; Herbinger et al., 2001; Matsuzawa et al., 2011; McGrew, 1983). It is thought that many of these behavioral and ecological differences reflect strategies specific to differences in resource availability on different landscapes (Chapman, Chapman, Ghai, et al., 2010; Chapman & Lambert, 2000; Koops, 2011; Krief et al., 2014; Potts, 2008; Potts et al., 2011; Watts et al., 2012). In this dissertation I investigate the interactions of behavior and ecology of a newly habituated chimpanzee community, the Buraiga community, in Kibale National Park in southwestern Uganda. The Buraiga community is estimated to number over 100 individuals, occupying the region with the largest remaining population of eastern chimpanzees, yet one experiencing unprecedented habitat loss due to human population expansion. I characterize habitats within the Buraiga community's range and assess resource availability within these habitats. I document the degree of habituation across Buraiga individuals, examining habitat and diet preferenc (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Nancy Stevens (Advisor); Sabrina Curran (Committee Member); Viorel Popescu (Committee Member); Susan Williams (Committee Member) Subjects: Animals; Behavioral Sciences; Biology; Conservation; Ecology; Geographic Information Science; Wildlife Conservation

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2022, Biological Sciences

Northwest Ohio has been heavily impacted by ditching and draining of the landscape as well as impoundment and pond construction. These features can reduce baseflows, alter wetland hydroperiods, or otherwise impair ecosystem services. However, they may also create aquatic habitat, serve as refuges from wetland habitat loss and promote connectivity of wildlife populations. It is critical to identify the effects of hydromodification on semiaquatic fauna such as the common muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), the American mink (Neovison vison) and cambarid crayfishes (Cambaridae), which may be sensitive to associated changes in fine- and coarse-scale wetland habitat and landscape characteristics. To evaluate potential wetland habitat use patterns, sign and nocturnal spotlight surveys were conducted in the Oak Openings Region from May 15th to October 18th 2021. Habitat, environmental and spatial data were also collected. As predicted, focal organisms used modified wetlands to a lesser degree, although the effect depended on organism and wetland type. As expected further, muskrats and crayfishes were more likely to use higher order or deep streams/ditches; crayfishes were more likely to use seasonal and restored wetlands. Results were consistent with isolation-area based predictions of habitat use insofar as mink and muskrats were more likely to use large nonlinear wetlands, and muskrats used less isolated wetlands. Crayfish and, unexpectedly, mink used more isolated wetlands. Open canopy and anthropogenic landcover classes in the landscape neighborhood of wetlands featured in many habitat use models. Fine-scale habitat variables tended to predict habitat use as well as or better than coarser-scale variables. Treating presence or relative activity of each organism as a predictor variable in habitat use models of the other organisms produced competitive models, although results for mink occurrence were inconsistent with predictions based on predator-prey relationships. Results su (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Karen Root Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Enrique Gomezdelcampo Ph.D. (Committee Member); Jeffrey Miner Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Ecology; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2021, Environment and Natural Resources

Reptiles and amphibians are in rapid, global decline but these declines are regionally and taxonomically disproportionate. North American pit vipers have low fecundity and rely on high adult survivorship, making them particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic threats. The rare, but potentially fatal consequences of human-viper interactions further compound this threat by increasing persecution and decreasing human tolerance for snake populations. The timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is the most broadly distributed venomous snake in North America, but has declined dramatically, especially at the periphery of its range in states like Ohio. Remaining populations in Ohio are largely found on relatively remote and expansive tracts of public land in the southeastern part of the state. These forests are managed for recreation, ecological diversity, and resource extraction (timber harvest), but the effects of silvicultural practices employed here are generally unknown for rattlesnakes. From 2016–2020, we captured and tracked timber rattlesnakes using VHF radiotelemetry to measure their habitat use in the context of disturbance-mediated changes to forest structure from past silviculture treatments and timber harvest. We also extensively monitored snakes during spring egress and fall ingress with radiotelemetry and game cameras to better understand spring and fall phenology and quantify their risk of exposure to prescribed fire. Finally, we surveyed Ohio residents during 2020 to measure their tolerance for rattlesnakes in Ohio and test psychological models of tolerance commonly used to better understand tolerance and risk acceptance of large, predatory mammals. We tracked 43 timber rattlesnakes multiple times per week for time periods ranging from a month to up to three years. Snakes at our study site disproportionally used warmer parts of the landscape with greater solar radiation, higher mean tree basal area (larger trees), and more disturbance (lower canopy height). (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: William Peterman Dr. (Advisor); Stephen Matthews Dr. (Committee Member); Jeremy Bruskotter Dr. (Committee Member); Roger Williams Dr. (Committee Member); Todd Hutchinson Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Ecology; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management

MA, Kent State University, 2020, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Geography

Wildlife corridors promote biodiversity, abate landscape fragmentation and – in areas of urban development – are often refuges for fauna. Yet, they appear at odds with their main goal of conserving wildlife's natural habitat, especially when applied to a real-world context, because they are typically located in areas prone to anthropogenic disturbances. The literature varies over how concurrent use affects wildlife. One such space where this occurs is urban parks where wildlife movement overlaps spatially with recreationists. Park visitors utilize formal trails and depart from them to create informal trails. Many negative consequences toward wild biota have been attributed to informal trails, which contribute to anthropogenic-induced fragmentation and, indirectly, disturbances within the matrix. The overlap of trails with wildlife corridors begs the questions: are wildlife using the shared corridors within the reservations or should landscape, resource and trail managers be directing their efforts elsewhere to facilitate wildlife movement? Also, to what degree, if any, will wildlife move through corridors shared with humans? To answer these questions, baseline and biodiversity data needed to be established first. Employing round-the-clock, passive, remotely triggered camera pairs in two urban parks in greater Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., scenarios were tested along a continuum of wildlife-anthropogenic interfacing that occurs on trails. Formal and informal trails in Cleveland Metroparks were studied, in addition to an area with restored informal trails. Examining the majority of terrestrial, animal wildlife, likelihood of Verified Use was established for each species, guild, and as a whole. Verified Use was defined as any species being detected on both cameras in the pair within a +/- five minute window. I found that non-consumptive, anthropogenic use of trails did not necessarily hinder terrestrial wildlife's movement as suggested in the literature. In situ, not (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: David Kaplan (Advisor); Timothy Assal (Committee Member); Emariana Widner (Committee Member); Patrick Lorch (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Geography

Master of Science in Biological Sciences, Youngstown State University, 2018, Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry

Land use and cover patterns, such as forest vs. farmed lands (which in Northeast Ohio include both technological modern farms and traditional Amish properties), can greatly influence ecological functioning at multiple scales. Too often, alterations in land use have been made with little or no consideration of potential impacts on adjacent systems, including streams. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate influences of land cover on habitat for fish and other aquatic vertebrates within tributaries of the Grand River in Ashtabula, Trumbull, and Geauga Counties. I used Geographic Information System tools to delineate watersheds of 8 tributaries, and to determine percentages of forested, wetland, and farmland in each. I used a combination of land parcel search by common Amish surnames, in addition to ground trothing to differentiate Amish vs non-Amish properties. I conducted Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Indices (QHEI) at publicly assessable points on each stream, and also calculated stream gradient above assessment sites. I used Pearson Correlation and Principle Components Analysis (PCA) to investigate associations among land cover, stream gradient, and habitat quality variables. Watersheds closest to the Grand River were predominantly forest and wetlands. There was a distinct spatial separation between Amish and non-Amish farms, with Amish farms concentrated in uplands to the west of the Grand River Valley near the village of Middlefield. QHEI scores ranged from 47 (poor/fair) to 80 (excellent). In-stream factors such as sediment heterogeneity and riffle-pool development contributed the most to high QHEI scores. High Gradient streams also scored the highest in habitat quality. PCA also revealed these patterns in land cover, interestingly suggested that land cover was not strongly influencing stream habitat quality. Habitat assessment sites located substantial distances from farms, so perhaps the natural land cover in between may be sufficiently buffering impact (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Thomas Diggins PhD (Advisor); Ian Renne PhD (Committee Member); Peter Kimosop PhD (Committee Member); Bradley Shellito PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Aquatic Sciences; Biology; Environmental Science; Geographic Information Science

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2018, Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology

Fish can display a variety of movement and habitat-use patterns across different ecosystems. Because these movements and habitat-use patterns are fundamental components of fish life history, knowing where, when and why fish are found in certain habitats as well as understanding the factors driving movement patterns can provide a biological framework for developing fish conservation plans. Identifying seasonal habitat-use can help inform fish-stocking programs, can help managers determine the best locations for fish sampling, can enhance angler catch rates, and can elucidate interactions among species. Knowledge of movement patterns, specifically when these movements are directed out of a stocked system, can allow managers to recognize systems where emigration may be a potential source of fish loss, and to reduce fish loss via emigration in these systems. To benefit the management of two popular sportfish in the Midwest, muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) and saugeye (walleye [Sander vitreus] × sauger [Sander canadense]), this study sought to evaluate the abiotic and biotic factors influencing saugeye and muskellunge habitat-use patterns in large flood-control reservoirs; to estimate the contribution of emigration, natural mortality, and angler harvest to loss of fish from the reservoir fishery; and to assess the factors influencing emigration probability. To understand emigration patterns in conjunction with other sources of fish loss from the reservoir (angler harvest, natural mortality) (Chapter 1), we implanted passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags in saugeye and adult muskellunge and monitored emigration events through the Alum Creek Lake (Delaware County, OH) dam complex via a PIT-tag antenna array. We incorporated emigration data, live-recapture data, and angler harvest data into a multi-state mark-recapture model to estimate survival, emigration and harvest rates as functions of age and time. We used logistic regression analysis to model daily emigra (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Elizabeth Marschall Dr. (Advisor); Mazeika Sullivan Dr. (Committee Member); Christopher Tonra Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Aquatic Sciences; Ecology; Environmental Science; Freshwater Ecology; Natural Resource Management; Organismal Biology; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2018, Biological Sciences (Arts and Sciences)

Roads are ubiquitous in the United States, and their ecological effects are conspicuous. Turtles are among the vertebrate taxa most affected by roads because of their low vagility and use of road and road-side habitats. In 2013, Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio was bisected by a new highway, affecting a road-naive population of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), a species of concern in Ohio and vulnerable throughout its range. The goal of this study was to evaluate ecological, physiological, and behavioral effects of proximity to this new road in this road-naive population of turtles. We used a control-impact study to evaluate potential ecological and physiological effects of proximity to roads, employing radio-telemetry to assess space use, movement behavior, and habitat selection. We used novel bioassay techniques to analyze indicators of chronic stress (across the prior several months) using corticosterone stored in nail keratin. Overall, we found no significant differences in home range sizes, habitat preferences, or corticosterone concentrations between road-side and control sites. While our work suggests that proximity to roads has limited indirect influence on the ecology and chronic stress responses of eastern box turtles, and that road-naive turtles demonstrated avoidance of a high-traffic highway, the road network likely continues to contribute to population declines through direct mortality, and further inquiry is needed to assess road effects, particularly in the areas of stress endocrinology and impacts on demography.

Committee: Viorel Popescu (Advisor) Subjects: Animal Sciences; Animals; Biology; Conservation; Ecology; Endocrinology; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2017, Biological Sciences

The purpose of this study is to conduct baseline inventories of breeding birds and bat activity for the Dairymen's Inc. property. In addition, I compared the breeding bird communities of two habitats, black ash swamp and alder thickets. I conducted line transects and point counts to collect data on the breeding birds. For bat activity levels, I conducted acoustic point counts on the Dairymen's lakes. The data from this study, was used to predict the outcome of the white-nose syndrome and emerald ash borer becoming part of the landscape. The inventory data will be used to create a baseline for management practices and to monitor effects of environmental threats.

Committee: Thomas Rooney Ph.D. (Advisor); Volker Bahn Ph.D. (Committee Member); Jeffrey Peters Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Animals; Biology; Conservation; Ecology; Environmental Science; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management; Zoology

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2017, Biological Sciences

Bat species face multiple threats. One such threat, white-nose syndrome (WNS) has drastically reduced many bat populations. Also, habitat loss and fragmentation often forces bats to concentrate in remnant natural areas, or utilize habitats that are not as suitable. Both of these threats, while threaten bats in a general sense, also affect species differentially. The Oak Openings Region of Northwest Ohio is a biodiversity hotspot with a landscape composed of remnant natural areas within a matrix of agriculture and urban areas. This area, which provides crucial summer foraging habitat, has experienced declines in bat activity, shifts in bat assemblages, and some in diversity, in recent years, especially since WNS introduction. To study bats in this diverse landscape, we sampled bats acoustically from May – August 2016. We sampled mobile transects along roads along with stationary sites within the Oak Openings Preserve within the region. We identified calls to species and ran analyses investigating total bat activity, species-specific activity and presence, and bat diversity compared to. We compared bats to environmental, vegetation, road, and landcover parameters. Our results show that certain parameters influence bats as a whole, while others only affect one or a few species. We found that savanna stationary sites had more species-specific activity and bat diversity than forested sites (Rank Sums, p<0.05). Parameters that affected most bat species most prevalently were temperature and forest cover, both reflecting positive relationships with total bat activity and diversity (Chi-square; Rank Sums, p<0.05). When looking at species specific relationships, we focused on the least active species, as they may be more in need of management than more active species. Parameters that most influenced our least active species were humidity and open/savanna vs. forested sampling areas. Humidity had positive relationships with the likelihood of presence of our rarer species, whil (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Karen Root PhD (Advisor); Kevin McCluney PhD (Committee Member); Verner Bingman PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Animal Sciences; Animals; Biology; Conservation; Ecology; Environmental Management; Natural Resource Management; Organismal Biology; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management; Zoology

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2017, Environmental Studies (Voinovich)

Madagascar is home to a broad array of intriguing, endemic, and increasingly endangered species. The fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is the largest living (non-introduced) mammalian carnivore on the island and is considered a keystone species for maintaining ecosystem complexity in a broad range of Madagascar's forested habitats. Sadly, the fosa is threatened, with viable populations remaining in only two protected areas. In this context, complex interactions among fosa, prey, and myriad introduced species, reveal a dynamic that is increasingly sensitive to human pressures (e.g., hunting, deforestation for agriculture and fuel wood). This project assembles detailed geographic information to augment long-term data collection and help inform the fosa conservation effort. Research was conducted in Ankarafantsika National Park, a dry deciduous forest in the northwest region of the country, and one of the two places where viable fosa populations still exist. Species encounters and trap rates, roadkill patterns, and the spatial and activity patterns of GPS-collared fosas were analyzed to gather a comprehensive assessment on habitat pressures experienced by the fosa. Species encounter and trap rates documented a shift in prey item encounters over time. Roadkill surveys, together with the roadkill death of one of the GPS-collared study animals, demonstrated failure of current mitigation efforts in addressing roadkill dangers. Fosa space use and activity patterns clearly reveal that they rely almost exclusively upon forested habitats, and that they avoid human settlements. Interestingly, although fosa do rely heavily on forest habitat, their ability to use forest edges and narrow forested strips suggests that corridors may be a viable method to enhance habitat connectivity and promote positive conservation outcomes.

Committee: Nancy Stevens (Advisor); Geoffrey Dabelko (Committee Member); Viorel Popescu (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Studies; Wildlife Conservation

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2016, Biological Sciences

Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene c. carolina) have experienced range-wide declines as the result of extensive habitat loss, fragmentation, and alteration. The Oak Openings Region of northwestern Ohio is a biodiversity hotspot that exists in a highly fragmented landscape and provides a unique case study from which to examine the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on Eastern Box Turtles. In an effort to inform management and conservation efforts in the Oak Openings Region, I initiated a radio-telemetry project with the following objectives: 1) examine the spatial ecology of Eastern Box Turtles over several years to understand how they interact with their habitat in an area as unique as the Oak Openings Region, 2) develop predictive models depicting the temporal distributions of Eastern Box Turtles, 3) examine the impacts of one of the most common management tools in the Oak Openings Region, prescribed fire, on Eastern Box Turtles, and 4) evaluate pattern-recognition software as a low-cost alternative of identifying individual Eastern Box Turtles. Turtles at my study site exhibited larger home ranges than previously reported for this species as well as hierarchical habitat selection at multiple scales. Predicted distributions followed phenological shifts in habitat use and were influenced primarily by habitat type and canopy cover. Prescribed fires have the potential to have a devastating effect on box turtle populations, but management activities that take box turtle ecology into account will minimize these impacts while maintaining a critical disturbance regime. Computer-assisted photo-recognition has a great deal of potential as a supplemental method of identifying box turtles and provides a low-cost means of incorporating citizen science data into mark-recapture studies. My work suggests that conservation for Eastern Box Turtles in the Oak Openings Region should focus on maintenance and restoration of remaining box turtle habitat, connectivity between critical hab (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Karen Root Dr. (Advisor); Shannon Pelini Dr. (Committee Member); Jeff Miner Dr. (Committee Member); Enrique Gomezdelcampo Dr. (Committee Member); Salim Elwazani (Other) Subjects: Conservation; Ecology; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2016, Antioch New England: Environmental Studies

We studied coastal striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA to gather information on the population characteristics of this mesopredator on Atlantic coast beaches with nesting piping plovers (Charadrius melodus). From 2004 – 2008, we captured and marked 138 skunks and fitted 51 adults with VHF radio-collars. Capture rates ranged from 1 – 7 individuals/100 trap nights (TN) in the spring and 4 – 21 individuals/100 TN in the fall. Spring capture rates were highest at Dogfish Bar (DB), a beach with abundant wrack in the intertidal zone in close proximity to low-density housing, where we estimated a spring density of 8-10 skunks/km2. All adult skunks were residents at this site, and most were initially captured in April/May (100% of males and 67% of females). Spring capture rates were too low for a density estimate at Norton Point/Wasque (NPW), a beach with sparse wrack and farther from development. We initially captured 80% of adult males in April/May but only 1 adult female. Most adult females (88%) were captured in June/July, which coincided with the arrival of anthropogenic food on the beach. While all adult females captured at NPW were residents, 50% of males were non-residents. Half (50%) of all radio-collared skunks died from human-related causes while disease killed another 29%. Female site fidelity was high at both sites, with 40% recurring in subsequent years. While male recurrence at DB was high at 36%, no males recurred at NPW. Similarly, no juveniles recurred in subsequent years at the NPW, but 26% of juveniles recurred at DB. The Martha's Vineyard skunk population does not exhibit any distinguishing characteristics from mainland striped skunk populations at this time. Skunks captured exhibited all stripe patterns known for the species, but narrow (45%) and short-striped (37%) patterns were most abundant. Adult skunks weighed a mean of 1.47 ± 0.05 kg between April and July and 2.08 ± 0.09 kg between August and (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jonathan Atwood Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Stephen DeStefano Ph.D. (Committee Co-Chair); Rachel Thiet Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management; Zoology

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2015, Biological Sciences

Ohio is a state dominated by agricultural land use. Such land use may directly alter stream waters and instream habitat, which may, in turn, affect fish communities. To examine the effects of agricultural land use on Ohio stream fish communities, I analyzed data compiled by the Ohio EPA, spanning 15 years and including 2,474 statewide sites. For 253 of these sites, I derived land use profiles from the 2011 USGS National Land Cover Database. While habitat quality was not correlated with agriculture, nutrient concentrations, alkalinity and total dissolved solids were positively correlated with agricultural land use within the catchment. Fish community integrity was negatively correlated with nutrient enrichment. Populations of Campostoma anomalum, a ubiquitous algae-grazing fish, were negatively impacted by nutrient enrichment as well. These results give further support to the body of work which shows that intensive agriculture negatively impacts streams and their biotic communities.

Committee: Yvonne Vadeboncoeur Ph.D. (Advisor); Volker Bahn Ph.D. (Advisor); James Runkle Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Ecology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2014, Biological Sciences (Arts and Sciences)

Prescribed fire is a management technique used to emulate a natural disturbance. I examined reptile communities in burned and unburned (control) landscapes and the interactions of a focal species, the black racer (Coluber constrictor), within these landscapes. More reptiles were captured in the burned landscape, and this habitat was associated with higher captures of Sceloporus undulatus, slug eaters, Scincella lateralis, and Plestiodon fasciatus. Control landscapes were associated with higher captures of Agkistrodon contortrix. Capture rates reflected differences in preferred habitat, influenced by either changes in abundance or movement rates. Regardless of treatment, Coluber constrictor preferred habitat with thermal characteristic that were more abundant in the burn treatments. Furthermore, I caught twice as many C. constrictor in the burn treatments. However, snakes were more active in the burns and more arboreal in the controls; likely biasing perceived abundances. Thermal preference was between 27.5 — 30.4 °C (Tset) while inactive and burst speed was optimized between 29.1 — 37.7 °C (B80). Despite warmer operative temperatures (Te) in burned sites, C. constrictor maintained body temperatures (Tb) that coincided with B80 ranges. The control treatment deviated more from B80 during early summer, but less than burn Tes from mid-June — August. In both treatments, C. constrictor effectively regulated Tbs during most of the active season. Later in the field season, C. constrictor thermoregulated in the burn treatment, but thermoconformed to preferred Tes in the control. The burn treatment deviated more from both Tset and B80 during the energy expenditure study, C. constrictor thermoregulated in the burn and thermoconformed in the control, and thus expended more energy in the burn treatments. Despite increased energy expenditures, there was no difference in mass change; meaning C. constrictor in the burn treatments either obtained more energy from the landscape or (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Willem Roosenburg (Advisor); Donald Miles (Committee Member); Stephen Reilly (Committee Member); Dickinson Matthew (Committee Member); McCarthy Brian (Committee Chair) Subjects: Biology; Conservation; Ecology; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2012, Environment and Natural Resources

Habitat loss due to intensified agriculture, forest maturation, and urbanization is widely accepted as the primary cause of range-wide northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) population declines. Although much is known about bobwhite habitat associations, management efforts have failed to halt the decline in most states. Some suggest that bobwhite habitat management has not occurred at the appropriate scale to mitigate the negative impact of changing landscapes. To evaluate the landscape suitability for bobwhites in the core of their range in Ohio, I used radio-telemetry to quantify usable space at various temporal and spatial scales on four private land study sites in southwestern Ohio during 2009-2011. To investigate habitat suitability at a fine-scale, I compared structural and compositional measurements from used and unused winter microhabitats. Mean annual usable space estimates ranged from 10.3 to 24.4 percent for the four sites. Amount of usable space decreased considerably during the non-breeding season due to increased preference for more limited cover types during that period. Covey density ranged from 0.0580-0.2109 coveys per hectare of usable space during the non-breeding season. Analyses of inter-patch distance of cover types suggested that there is a complex interplay of at least three important cover types influencing use on these sites. Predicted probability surfaces showed considerable variability in amount and distribution of areas of high predicted use among sites. Horizontal visual obstruction (less than 1.05 m height) was the most important predictor of microhabitat use across all cover types. Canonical correspondence analysis identified several plant species associated with use. The primary focus of bobwhite management should be increasing usable space based on the composition and inter-patch distance of key cover types. Within landscapes considered suitable for bobwhites in Ohio, habitat management should focus on improving low-level structura (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Robert Gates PhD (Advisor); Stephen Matthews PhD (Committee Member); Patrick Goebel PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Ecology; Natural Resource Management; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management