Dissertations / Theses: 'Blue Mountains National Park'

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Kelleher, Matthew. "Archaeology of sacred space : the spatial nature of religious behaviour in the Blue Mountains National Park Australia." University of Sydney, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/4138.

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Doctor of Philosophy
This thesis examines the material correlates of religious behaviour. Religion is an important part of every culture, but the impact religion has on structuring material culture is not well understood. Archaeologists are hampered in their reconstructions of the past because they lack comparative methods and universal conventions for identifying religious behaviour. The principal aim of this thesis is to construct an indicator model which can archaeologically identify religious behaviour. The basis for the proposed model stems directly from recurrent religious phenomena. Such phenomena, according to anthropological and cognitive research, relate to a series of spatio-temporally recurrent religious features which relate to a universal foundation for religious concepts. Patterns in material culture which strongly correlate with these recurrent phenomena indicate likely concentrations of religious behaviour. The variations between sacred and mundane places can be expected to yield information regarding the way people organise themselves in relation to how they perceive their cosmos. Using cognitive religious theory, stemming from research in neurophysiology and psychology, it is argued that recurrent religious phenomena owe their replication to the fact that certain physical stimuli and spatial concepts are most easily interpreted by humans in religious ideas. Humans live in a world governed by natural law, and it is logical that the concepts generated by humans will at least partially be similarly governed. Understanding the connection between concept and cause results in a model of behaviour applicable to cross-cultural analysis and strengthens the model’s assumption base. In order to test the model of religious behaviour developed in this thesis it is applied to a regional archaeological matrix from the Blue Mountains National Park in New South Wales, Australia. Archaeological research in the Blue Mountains has tentatively identified ceremonial sites based on untested generalised associations between select artefact types and distinctive geographic features. The method of analysis in this thesis creates a holistic matrix of archaeological and geographic data, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative measures, which generates a statistical norm for the region. Significant liminal deviations from this norm, which are characteristic indicators of religious behaviour are then identified. Confidence in these indicators’ ability to identify ceremonial sites is obtained by using a distance matrix and algorithms to examine the spatial patterns of association between significant variables. This thesis systematically tests the associations between objects and geography and finds that a selective array and formulaic spatiality of material correlates characteristic of religious behaviour does exist at special places within the Blue Mountains. The findings indicate a wide spread if more pocketed distribution of ceremonial sites than is suggested in previous models. The spatial/material relationships for identified religious sites indicates that these places represent specialised extensions of an interdependent socio-economic system where ceremonial activity and subsistence activity operated in balance and were not isolated entities.

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Cohen, Daniel, University of Western Sydney, of Science Technology and Environment College, and School of Engineering and Industrial Design. "Best practice mine water management at a coal mining operation in the Blue Mountains." THESIS_CSTE_EID_Cohen_D.xml, 2002. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/430.

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This study covers the following aspects of mine water management at the Clarence Colliery, located at the headwaters of the Wollangambe River, N.S.W. The Wollangambe River flows through the World Heritage listed areas of the Blue Mountains and Wollemi National Parks. 1. Quantification of the impact of discharge of treated mine water on the Wollangambe River, through analysis of sediment metal concentrations. 2. Investigation of the possible sources and causes of acid mine drainage within the mine. 3. Review of the current treatment process employed at the mine, as well as a review of other possible treatment options for avoidance or treatment of acid mine drainage. 4. Recommendation of a strategy for improving the process of mine water management at the colliery. The study reveals problems discovered from the investigation and describes the findings and recommendations.
Master of Engineering (Hons.)

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Kern, Christine Luise, and n/a. "Demarketing as a tool for managing visitor demand in national parks: an Australian case study." University of Canberra. Languages, International Studies & Tourism, 2006. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20061114.125254.

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Nature-based tourism and recreation is a growing phenomenon around the world. In Australia, nature-based tourism represents an important part of the tourism sector and is to a large extent dependent on protected areas such as World Heritage areas, marine parks and national parks. While tourism and recreation can benefit protected areas, some are under pressure from visitation and marketing should play a role in managing visitor demand. To this end, a number of authors have suggested demarketing as a management tool to address situations of excess visitor demand, however, research on demarketing in protected areas is limited. To address this research gap, this thesis examines the use of demarketing in Australian national parks that face excess visitor demand using a case study on the Blue Mountains National Park. The thesis investigates factors that contribute to high visitor demand for the park, the use of demarketing to manage demand and factors that influence when and how demarketing is applied. Demarketing is that aspect of marketing that deals with discouraging customers in general or a certain class of customers in particular on either a temporary or permanent basis. In protected areas specifically, demarketing is concerned with reducing visitor numbers in total or selectively and redistributing demand spatially or temporarily. Six factors that contribute to high visitor demand for the national park were identified including the attractiveness of the park, its proximity to Sydney and the fact that the park is a renowned destination with icon sites. It was established that no holistic demarketing strategy is currently employed in the park and that the demarketing measures that are applied are not consciously used as demarketing. The measures used in the Blue Mountains National Park were discussed according to their association with the marketing mix components (4 Ps). Demarketing measures related to �product� include limiting recreational activities by defining specific areas where they can be conducted, limiting the duration of activities and closures of sites or features in the park. The measures related to �place� are the use of a booking system, limiting visitor numbers and group sizes, commercial licensing and limiting signage. Measures related to �price� are not extensively used in the park. The promotional demarketing measures applied include stressing restrictions and appropriate environmental behaviour in promotional material and nonpromotion of certain areas or experiences in the park. Importantly, these demarketing measures are not employed across the whole park or for all user groups, but are used for certain experiences in specific contexts and circumstances. Three types of factors influence the use of demarketing in the Blue Mountains National Park: pragmatic considerations, resource considerations and stakeholder interests. Pragmatic considerations include the feasibility and effectiveness of certain demarketing measures, which are influenced by the specific context of the national park. Resource considerations relate to financial, human and temporal resources and the findings suggest that a lack of resources influences and at times inhibits the use of demarketing measures. It was also found that various stakeholders have a profound influence on the use of demarketing measures. The stakeholder groups have diverse interests and therefore influence the use of demarketing in different ways by supporting or impeding certain measures. Based on the findings and limitations of this study, recommendations for government and future research are made. These emphasise among others the need for more consistent and comprehensive collection of visitor information to tailor management actions more effectively. It is also suggested that a more conscious and holistic application of demarketing measures may help to manage visitor demand to parks proactively to ensure that the resource remains for future generations.

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Kelleher, Matthew H. "Archaeology of sacred space the spatial nature of religious behaviour in the Blue Mountains National Park Australia /." Connect to full text, 2002. http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/4138.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Sydney, 2003.
Title from title screen (viewed April 6, 2009). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Dept. of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts. Degree awarded 2003; thesis submitted 2002. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.

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Nolfi, Daniel C. "National Park Service Cave and Karst Resources Management Case Study: Great Smoky Mountains National Park." TopSCHOLAR®, 2011. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1053.

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As discussed in the National Parks Service’s (NPS) Directors Orders/Natural Resources Management Reference Manual #77 and the 2006 NPS Management Policy Handbook, implementing a management plan specifically for cave and karst resources within a national park is paramount to afford these resources appropriate protection. With support from the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act and the National Park Service Organic Act of 1906, management actions protecting caves has begun to place significant importance outside the traditional cave environment onto a broader karst landscape. The need to understand and protect the karst environment and caves as a karst resource has taken a much larger role in the scientific literature and has increased interest in its federal management application. Proactive management through the use of holistic karst wide management plans and programs is shown to provide superior measures for resource protection when compared to the shortcomings associated with reactive cave focused management. The use of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) as a case study supports the need to develop and implement a proactive cave and karst management plan specific to their resources. Management decisions with regards to cave and karst resources currently follow the park's general directives and Superintendent's Compendium. GRSM’s caves and karst areas represent unique resources, such as extensive vertical relief and rare biota, requiring special management in order to effectively protect them and to manage those who study and recreate within them. Characteristics such as these necessitate holistically addressing management of these resources.

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Shriner, Susan Ann. "Distribution of Breeding Birds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park." NCSU, 2002. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-20011107-134136.

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We assessed the utility of developing predictive models of species distribution within a large contiguous forest based solely on GIS (Geographic Information Systems) data. We conducted more than 7000 point count surveys of breeding birds at approximately 4000 locations throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). We combined these empirical data with habitat, topographic, and location variables to develop logistic regression models for 20 breeding bird species. The mean of observed points correctly classified for evaluation data was 74.3% with a range of 67.4% to 83.1%. Mean improvement in model classification rates with the addition of a trend surface was 0.9% with a range of ?0.4% to 2.0%. We also assessed the importance of controlling for differences in species detectability in different vegetation types. Comparisons of models based on unlimited radius plot data with models based on fixed width plot data that minimized detectability differences between vegetation types showed classification rates dropped an average of 0.9% with a range of -3.8% to 3.7% for fixed width plots. In the eastern U.S., invasion of hemlock wooly adelgid (Homoptera: Adelgidae: Adelges tsugae) is transforming species composition of native forests by causing extensive mortality in eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) populations. We assessed the potential effects of hemlock loss in GSMNP by evaluating current hemlock distribution and abundance patterns and identifying environmental correlates of hemlock presence. We investigated potential effects of hemlock mortality on the park's avifauna by identifying bird species associated with hemlock. Our results indicate hemlock is widespread in all vegetation strata at low and mid elevations and is the second most common tree species in the park. Hemlock presence is significantly associated with elevation, total relative moisture index, disturbance history, vegetation type, and bedrock geology. Sixteen of 30 common breeding bird species showed significant correlations with hemlock presence. Hemlock loss will favor increased abundance of avian species associated with early successional and disturbed habitats and reduced abundance of avian species associated with late successional forests.We compared breeding bird community structure and composition in old growth and mature second growth (65-100 years old) forests in the southern Appalachians using paired point count. We found few differences in the two communities. Comparisons of relative abundance based on counts of individual bird species showed two species were significantly more abundant on old growth sites and one species was significantly more abundant on second growth sites. After incorporating differential detectability into relative abundance estimates, we found that 4 breeding bird species were significantly more abundant in old growth sites compared to second growth sites and that no breeding bird species was significantly more abundant in second growth sites. These results highlight the importance of incorporating detectability measures into sampling and analytic methods. Analysis of vegetation samples for the paired sites showed significant differences between old growth and second growth sites. Old growth sites had significantly more large trees for classes > 50 cm diameter at breast height. Vegetation composition comparisons showed old growth sites had significantly more late successional species and significantly fewer species associated with early successional forests. Nonetheless, measures of species richness, relative abundance, and number of standing snags did not differ between old growth and second growth sites. Breeding bird composition similarities between old growth and second growth sites in this study may not be typical of more fragmented landscapes because large remaining patches of old growth forest adjacent to second growth sites may ameliorate differences between the

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Turner, Linda Ann. "Vegetation and chimpanzee ranging in the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania." 京都大学 (Kyoto University), 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/151674.

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Bailey, Larissa Lynn. "Estimating detection probabilities for terrestrial salamanders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park." Connect to this title online, 2002. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-08022002-111548/unrestricted/etd.pdf.

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Jobe, R. Todd White P. S. "Biodiversity and scale determinants of species richness in Great Smoky Mountains National Park /." Chapel Hill, N.C. : University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2006. http://dc.lib.unc.edu/u?/etd,398.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2006.
Title from electronic title page (viewed Oct. 10, 2007). "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Curriculum of Ecology." Discipline: Ecology; Department/School: Ecology.

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Das, Raja. "Debris-Slide Susceptibility Modelling Using GIS Technology in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2019. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3630.

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Debris-slides are one of the most frequently occurring geological hazards in metasedimentary rocks of the Anakeesta ridge in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM), which often depends on the influence of multiple causing factors or geo-factors such as geological structures, slope, topographic elevation, land use, soil type etc. or a combination of these factors. The main objective of the study was to understand the control of geo-factors in initiating debris-slides using different knowledge and data-driven methods in GIS platform. The study was performed in three steps: (1) Evaluation of geometrical relationship between geological discontinuity and topographic orientation in initiation of debris-slides, (2) Preparation of knowledge-driven debris-slide susceptibility model, and (3) Preparation of data-driven debris-slide susceptibility models and compare their efficacy. Performance of the models were evaluated mostly using area under Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, which revealed that the models were statistically significant.

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Brown, Kwame Agyapong. "Possible detection of pathogenic bacterial species inhabiting streams in Great Smoky Mountains National Park." Thesis, Western Carolina University, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10244518.

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Numerous pathogenic bacterial species have been found in many freshwater systems around the world. These pathogens affect the overall water quality of these systems and may cause diseases in both aquatic and terrestrial animals which may lead to loss of species diversity and abundance in their environments. This study sought to identify and document pathogenic bacterial species that may inhabit the streams that flow through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Bacterial cells were collected by filtering water from four streams (Oconaluftee River, Kephart Prong, Little Pigeon River and Hickory King Branch Stream) through separate capsule filters. The cells were later backflushed from the filters and cultured on various selective and differential media. Ten isolates were selected based on phenotypic characteristics such as colony color and growth on specific media type, and sample origin. The nearly full 16S rDNA was sequenced for all ten isolates and analyzed to determine their identity.

Out of the ten isolates, four isolates were from the phylum Firmicutes while the other six were in the phylum Proteobacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of these isolates showed eight out of the ten isolates were related to known opportunistic pathogens. The other two were related to a ubiquitous Bacillus species that is considered to be a probiotic. Although none of the isolates had a 100% match to a known obligate or opportunistic pathogen, many isolates matched > 97% to opportunistically pathogenic species. Follow up molecular and metabolic tests need to be employed to determine the pathogenicity of each isolate.

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Washington, Haydn G. "The wilderness knot." Click here for electronic access to document: http://arrow.uws.edu.au:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/uws:44, 2006. http://arrow.uws.edu.au:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/uws:44.

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Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Western Sydney.
Title from electronic document (viewed 2/6/10) Interviews held with: "James' Dharug, Traditional Custodian; Dr. Rob Lesslie, conservation biologist, Dr. Val Plumwood, environmental philosopher, Virginia Young, Director WildCountry Project, Professor Mike Archer, Dr. Deborah Bird Rose, anthropologist, Ms. Penny Figgis, former Vice President of ACF, Dr. Tim Flannery, Director South Australian Museum, Mr. Dean Stewart, Aboriginal Education Officer, Melbourne Botanic Gardens, Dr. Rosemary Hill, ACF Northern Lands Project Officer, Professor Harry Recher.

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Paysen, Eric Scott. "Diversity and abundance of ants at forest edges in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park." Connect to this title online, 2007. http://etd.lib.clemson.edu/documents/1202501503/.

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Craig, David R. ""Blackfeet belong to the mountains" Blackfeet relationships with the Glacier National Park landscape and institution /." CONNECT TO THIS TITLE ONLINE, 2008. http://etd.lib.umt.edu/theses/available/etd-09052008-143820/.

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Kern, Jennifer M. "Modelling hydrologic system change in a paraglacial catchment in the Northern Rocky Mountains." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/103778.

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The Northern Rocky Mountains, home to the highest concentration of glaciers in the American West, are undergoing increased rates of climate warming, resulting in previously unseen ecological and hydrological outcomes. Globally, many glacier basins have experienced glacial recession to the threshold point of surpassing peak basin runoff, resulting in substantial decreases in local hydrological yield. Such findings call for models that do not alone examine glacial runoff but a complete examination of changes in the water budget. Alpine catchments are increasingly vulnerable to evapotranspirative losses due to climatic warming, and the rates of vegetation succession are often unable to keep up with the rate of warming. Basin scale analyses of glacial recession on streamflow are then confounded by ecohydrologic dynamics created by primary succession and the associated increase in evapotranspiration. In this study, I present a conceptual framework for modelling basin runoff in landscapes responding to paraglacial adjustment. The study goal was achieved by calibrating and running the Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV) model in Swiftcurrent basin and investigating change across the basin water balance through baseflow analysis. The research findings indicate catchment scale changes in the timing and magnitude of the flow regime in the deglaciating Swiftcurrent basin, by employing HBV and empirical baseflow analysis. While most components of the water balance appear consistent across the study period, late summer baseflow values suggest the basin hydrology is undergoing changes, possibly a result of melt occurring earlier in the season. Ultimately, I advocate for an adaptable and accessible approach to understanding paraglacial basins by constructing an estimation of basin-scale water budgets.
Master of Science
Large scale trends in climate change are impacting a variety of ecosystems, especially alpine environments. Glacial recession has been well documented and studied in mountain chains across the globe, including the Rocky Mountains. Recession of these massive bodies of ice, which can be viewed as reservoirs of water in droughts or low flow months, has severe implications for society, the economy, and sensitive mountain environments. Furthermore, the new terrain exposed from beneath the melting glacier is dynamic and will undergo many adjustments geomorphically, in soil development, and ecologically as plants move up the glacier foreland. Ecological systems experiencing warming, deglaciation, and vegetation succession are not well understood and are complex environments due to the multiple inputs, interactions, and feedbacks. As such, this research examines how hydrologic conditions across a forty year period are changing in response to the complex feedbacks between glaciers, newly exposed terrain, and associated runoff. Through modeling and analysis, this study offers a method for understanding the water balance of Swiftcurrent basin in Glacier National Park, which can be used in other catchments experiencing similar changes.

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Wood, Chris, and Dan Smith. "Dendroglaciological Evidence for a Neoglacial Advance of the Saskatchewan Glacier, Banff National Park, Canadian Rocky Mountains." Tree-Ring Society, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/262633.

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Seventeen glacially sheared stumps in growth position and abundant detrital wood fragments were exposed by stream avulsion at the terminus of the Saskatchewan Glacier in 1999. The stumps lay buried beneath the glacier and over 5 m of glacial sediment until historical recession and stream incision exposed the 225- to 262-year-old stand of subalpine fir, Englemann spruce and whitebark pine trees. Crossdating and construction of two radiocarbon-controlled floating tree-ring chronologies showed that all the subfossil stumps and boles exposed at this location were killed during a Neoglacial advance of the Saskatchewan Glacier 2,910 ± 60 to 2,730 ± 60 ¹⁴C years B.P. These findings support the Peyto Advance as a regional glaciological response to changing mass balance conditions.

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Mamo, Yosef. "Ecology and conservation of mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni: Lydekker 1910) in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.487340.

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The study dealt with four themes of importance for conservation of T. buxtoni (hereafter MN). Firstly distance sampling technique involving transects and total count methods were employed to assess population size and dynamics of MN. The study revealed that the total population size of MN in the study area varied between 887-965 individuals at 95%CI, representing a reduction by about 48% from what was reported in 1980's and a reduction of about 74% from what was reported for 1969. However, due to contraction of its habitat, average densities of MN have increased from what was reported in 1980's. More than half (54%) of the population is represented by adults and the population has the a sex ratio of2:1 (~ : 0). The sub-population ofMN in Dinsho sanctuary is 'closed population' because no evidence was found to suggest that the D.insho sub-population is mixing with the rest. The study forecasts a continual decrease of MN population by a rate of about 2% - 5% annually if no action is taken to counteract it. No conclusive evidence was found to suggest that innate demographic traits of theÃ‚Â·species have made significant contribution to observed decline in population size as many parameters (i.e., recruitment, rate of increase, age structure except male adult and calves group, and group size) were similar in 1983-85 and 2003-05. Secondlv, randomly laid plots along transect lines were used to describe the basic components (vegetation types) of the MN habitat range and assess how MN relates to them. Accordingly six major vegetation types were recorded in Gaysay grassland habitat; among which Hypericum bush, mixed vegetations and Artemesia bush are the most selected and hence most preferred by MN. Similar numbers of vegetation types were recorded in AdelaylDinsho woodlands; among which, montane open grassland and Hypericum woodland are the most selected and thus preferred vegetation types by MN. When all vegetation types pooled together, levels of browsing decreases significantly with increase in vegetation height; while increases with increase in patch size. However, positive correlations were observed hetween levels of browsing and vegetation hlight for Helichrisum species; while negative correlation for Artemesia and open grassland in terms of patch size. Thirdlv, the effects of livestock and humans on availability, structure and composition ofMN habitat were investigated. The result revealed that presence of livestock and humans had negatively affected vegetation structure, composition and habitat availability to MN. Moreover, presence of livestock and their signs (droppings) were negatively correlated with presence of MN and their droppings. Fourthly, structured questionnaire and interviews directed to randomly selected households in 7 villages were used to assess the attitudes, and awareness of the local communities towards conservation of the park's flora and fauna with particular emphasis on MN. About a quarter of respondents (26%) felt that they benefited while 55% felt that they experienced conflict from the park. The most important benefits identified were leasing of horses to tourist's (62%) and serving as tourist guide (44%). Significant majority (83%) of the respondents believes that there is lack of equity in benefit distribution. The main conflicts identified were resentment due to forceful relocation (84%) and livestock grazing restriction (74%). Perceived benefits and conflicts were significantly variable across livelihood strategy than proximity and duration of settlements. The majority of respondents (66%) believe that their presence in the area does not contribute to degradation of MN habitat, an attitude more commonly held among recent settlers than long-term settlers. The overall attitude of the local people towards the park appeared to be positive since, for example, 80% of respondents would support the park's conservation activities if given the chance, suggesting that there is scope to enhance cooperation and improve the-prospects for conservation of the MN and its habitat.

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Podolsky, Andrei Lvovich. "Behavioral ecology and population status of wood thrush and ovenbird in Great Smoky Mountains National Park." Connect to this title online, 2002. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-01302003-132739/unrestricted/etd.pdf.

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Wright, Mary Elizabeth Conville. "Barriers to and Motivations for Curriculum-Based Education Program Participation at Great Smoky Mountains National Park." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/31503.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) provides quality education programs to local schools. In order to continue this success and expand programs to reach more middle and high school students, a mixed methods study was conducted to help better understand why local middle and high school teachers participate or not in park educational programs. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, teacher surveys measured factors that influence teacher intentions to participate in park programs to best predict their likelihood of future involvement. In addition, school administrators were interviewed to understand their perceptions of teacher involvement. Results provided insight to how GRSM can better provide valuable services to local middle and high schools. The best predictors of teachers' intentions to participate in future programs were their perceptions of whether programs would enhance academic achievement, how easily and comfortably they could incorporate the programs into their pre-existing curricula, and whether the experience would be a fun experience in nature for both their students and themselves. Future communications with teachers should therefore emphasize that Park programs are fun, relevant learning experiences that address academic requirements for various subjects and are relatively easy to incorporate into pre-existing curricula.
Master of Science

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Reichwein, PearlAnn Carleton University Dissertation History. "Beyond the visionary mountains: the Alpine Club of Canada and the Canadian National Park idea, 1906-1969." Ottawa, 1995.

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Krapfl, Kurt J. "IMPACTS OF HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID ON TSUGA CANADENSIS FOREST COMMUNITIES IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, USA." OpenSIUC, 2010. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/175.

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Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr. (eastern hemlock), a long lived and shade tolerant coniferous tree species native to eastern North America, is currently threatened by the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand, HWA). This exotic, invasive insect poses a serious threat to T. canadensis stands throughout their native range. The loss of this unique tree species is often coupled with numerous ecological consequences. HWA-induced mortality has exceeded 95% in some forest types, and will likely continue to decimate T. canadensis populations in the coming years. Shortly after HWA was found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), long-term monitoring plots were established across a gradient of T. canadensis associated forest communities to monitor HWA impacts and stand decline. Our objectives were to (1) determine how T. canadensis populations have changed in conjunction with HWA infestation, and (2) document how HWA has affected vegetative community dynamics following five to six years of infestation in GSMNP. We assessed T. canadensis associated overstory communities and determined that crown density, top dieback, and T. canadensis stem density has significantly declined over the observational period. Furthermore, we found that midstory T. canadensis trees were experiencing greater rates of decline than those of the overstory. Even with these losses, overstory and midstory community composition did not significantly change from 2003 to 2008/09. Many studies have documented rapid pulses of understory vegetative productivity in conjunction with T. canadensis defoliation, which often allows increased amounts of solar radiation to reach the forest floor. Although we observed significant T. canadensis mortality at most plots sampled, understory species composition did not significantly change following HWA infestation. We attribute this lack of species response to the overwhelming abundance of Rhododendron maximum in the mid/understory, which restricts increased light from reaching the forest floor despite the formation of small overstory gaps. However, we found that understory composition significantly varied among ecological groupings, and differences were largely associated with soil properties and elevation. Overall, results of this project suggest that T. canadensis may largely disappear from southern Appalachian forests resulting from infestations of HWA. Although community composition of T. canadensis associated stands has not yet been altered, changes are likely to occur as duration of infestation progresses.

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Szekely, Brian. "Determining fecal bacterial profiles of a human-habituated wild chimpanzee population in Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/31828.

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Intestinal flora of wild chimpanzee has not been studied. Fecal flora analyses currently give insight to this environment. We collected feces from twelve human-habituated wild chimpanzees in each of three age groups: four juveniles, four sub-adults, and four adults. We analyzed fecal samples using Terminal-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) of amplified 16S rRNA genes to determine bacterial diversity present. Between 1 and 14 terminal-restriction fragments (T-RFs) were observed in each sample. A total of 26 unique T-RFs were produced from the samples and ranged in size from 92 to 837 base pairs (bps). Twenty-four of these T-RFs corresponded to five bacterial phyla: Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Mollicutes, and Proteobacteria, as well as uncultured and unidentified bacterial species. The remaining T-RFs corresponded solely to uncultured or unidentified bacteria. Firmicutes was the most common phylum, observed in 11 of the samples. Bacteroidetes was the second-most common phylum, detected in 8 of the samples. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) revealed a discrete clustering of 10 samples when looking at components one and two, and a clustering of 11 samples when looking at component three. These three components accounted for 72.5% of the variation within the data. Morisita indices were computed to compare T-RF profiles of two samples at a time, and were between 0 and 0.886. Results indicated that some fecal bacterial profiles were similar in the study group, but ultimately varied between samples when compared two at a time. Specific diet, physiology, and environmental reservoir exposure may play large roles in shaping such profiles.
Master of Science

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Hayes, Elizabeth Anne. "Mountains, sheep and fences : a study of the network of reconciliation within the UK Lake District National Park." Thesis, Lancaster University, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.274274.

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F, Snider Scott. "Predicting infestations of hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina, USA." Ohio : Ohio University, 2004. http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?ohiou1103233070.

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Given, Jeffrey Lyle. "Geomorphology and morphometric characteristics of alluvial fans, Guadalupe Mountains National Park and adjacent areas, west Texas and New Mexico." Texas A&M University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/226.

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This study qualitatively and quantitatively analyzes the geomorphology of alluvial fans in the Guadalupe Mountains Region (GMR) of west Texas and south-central New Mexico. Morphometric data for 31 alluvial fans and drainage basins ha ve been derived. The data set was subdivided into Guadalupe and Brokeoff Mountain fans and was further subdivided on the basis of their location along the two mountain ranges. A conventional morphometric analysis was conducted relating alluvial fan area and slope to drainage basin area in order to understand if and to what extent the alluvial fans of the GMR are dependent on the physical environment, including characteristics and processes of the drainage basin and depositional site. The results of the morphometric analysis indicate that the morphometric relationships that exist between the alluvial fans of the GMR and their contributory drainage basins are comparably to those of alluvial fans of the western United States. Morphologic and morphometric differences between the various groups primarily reflect geographic differences in the physiography and lithology of the contributory drainage basin, tectonics, and the various physical constraints imposed by the GMR.

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Butler, William David. "Spatial patterns and impacts of slope failures in five canyons of the Teton Mountains, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming." Thesis, Kansas State University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/15545.

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Master of Arts
Department of Geography
Richard Marston
Slope failures play a significant role as a mass movement hazard in the deglaciated mountain canyons in Grand Teton National Park. The park’s geologic and glacial histories are unique in comparison to other areas in the Rocky Mountain range. However, few detailed maps and statistical analyses of slope failures as hazards exist for park officials and visitors. The purpose of this study is to produce a comprehensive map of slope failures in five of the most accessible and commonly used canyons of the park: Cascade, Death, Garnet, Granite, and Paintbrush. This project combined fieldwork, LiDAR imagery, and GIS mapping to document five main categories of slope failures—rock slides, rock/debris flows, rock falls, and snow avalanches, as well as complex slope failures involving a combination of these categories. Summary statistics, maps, and histograms of average slope gradient, aspect, and curvature conditions as well as precipitation conditions at the “source” area of slope failures were generated for individual canyons as well as the entire study area. Snow avalanche source areas where debris flows were not readily present occurred most commonly on north and northeast facing slopes, slopes averaging a 40% gradient, and slightly convex slopes. Debris flow source areas occurred most commonly on south and southeast facing slopes, slopes with an average 42% gradient, and on slightly convex slopes. Rock fall source areas were most common on north facing slopes, slopes of an average 55% gradient, and a mostly flat curvature. Rock slide source points were most common on north facing slopes, slopes of an average 54% gradient, and flat to slightly concave slopes. Rock Mass Strength (RMS) values were sampled at a rate of every 0.5 kilometers on the hiking trail of each canyon to provide an introductory insight into rock stability conditions in each canyon. Slope failures not only impact the physical landscape of canyons in Grand Teton National Park but can affect human structures as well. Physical attributes and locations of slope failures were compared to locations of camping zones and hiking trails in the Park to determine areas of common human usage that were most susceptible to past movement events.

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Vial, Flavie. "Conservation science for common ground : developing the necessary tools to manage livestock grazing pressure in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2010. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2012/.

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One of the greatest proximate threats facing biodiversity is habitat change as a result of the combined effects of agricultural development and livestock grazing. Extensive livestock systems are increasingly competing with wildlife for access to land and natural resources in African rangelands. Ethiopia has the highest numbers of livestock in Africa with most livestock production taking place in highland systems. The Bale Mountains contain the largest extent of afroalpine habitat in Africa and are the most important conservation area in Ethiopia as one of thirty-four Conservation International Biodiversity Hotspots. The Bale Mountains National Park was established forty years ago to protect the endemic, and rodent-specialist Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) and the afroalpine habitats upon which they depend. I use a 21 year time-series of livestock counts in the park to detect changes in the Oromo traditional livestock production system or godantu. I show that a seasonal transhumant livestock production regime, akin to godantu, only appears to persist in the Web valley today and I also find some evidence that the type of livestock is changing with smaller stock, such as sheep and goats, being more frequently kept. Despite reportedly growing numbers of households in the Web valley, I do not detect an overall increase in livestock numbers, suggesting that the area may have reached its carrying capacity in terms of livestock. In contrast, the number of livestock on the Sanetti Plateau increased over the monitoring period, including the remote and inhospitable western section of the plateau. Furthermore, I detect an increase in the risk of contact and disease transmission between Ethiopian wolves and free-roaming dogs in wolf optimal habitats. I subsequently estimate, through the use of transects, the densities of livestock in the Web valley, Morebawa and Sanetti and calculate the ratio of observed to maximum sustainable livestock density (based on rainfall and vegetation productivity). The conservative results suggest that the Web valley and Morebawa are overstocked given the rangeland predicted productivity for those areas, and that the problem of overstocking is at its worst during the dry season. I then establish critical relationships between vegetation conditions, livestock grazing pressure and rodent populations (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, Lophuromys melanonyx and Arvicanthis blicki) in the afroalpine, under both natural and controlled experimental conditions. Rodent biomass declines as the livestock index increases along a natural grazing gradient, but rodents‟ body condition, use of the habitat or breeding ecology and most vegetation variables measured do not significantly vary across the livestock grazing gradient. Rodent populations do respond to the experimental removal of livestock inside exclosures, although this response is site and species-specific, and I find some evidence that these responses are concurrent with changes in the vegetation. Grazed plots have higher plant species richness and diversity compared to the exclosure sites which harbour reduced bareground cover and taller vegetation. Differences among rodent species in their responses to grazing may be mediated by interaction between the direct effects of grazing on habitat quality and species-specific habitat requirements, although the specific mechanism of this interaction could not be tested. Livestock may negatively affect rodents by increasing their predation risk (through removing vegetation cover), by reducing the soil suitability for maintaining burrow systems (through trampling) or, less likely, by competing for food resources. A series of simple dynamic food chain models are developed to explore the interactions between Ethiopian wolves, rodents and vegetation and how they may be affected by increasing levels of livestock grazing. I also explore how predictions made about these trophic dynamics are affected by the type of functional response linking the different levels. The models suggest that the pastures of the Web valley and Morebawa are likely to be incapable of maintaining wolves at current livestock densities, while the Sanetti plateau may be able to sustain only slight increases in livestock density before tipping into a trophic configuration unable to sustain wolves. This model is a first step in assessing the seriousness of conflict between pastoralists and wildlife in BMNP. Resource selection functions are developed and validated for cattle and sheep/goats grazing in the Bale afroalpine in an attempt to understand some of the drivers behind the heterogeneous use of the landscape by livestock. Habitat use by livestock is focused on lower-lying pastures in the vicinity of water sources (rivers or mineral springs). Only cattle strongly select for/against particular vegetation types. The probability of habitat use is also linked to the distance from the nearest villages. The models developed highlight a strong association between livestock use and rodent biomass in Morebawa and Eastern Sanetti, suggesting that livestock grazing poses a threat to Ethiopian wolves‟ persistence in marginal habitats in which rodent availability is already limited. Furthermore, the concentration of livestock around water sources has serious implications for the degradation of the park‟s hydrological system and the livelihoods and food security of the millions of people living in the dependent lowlands. Integrating research and practice is a fundamental challenge for conservation. I discuss how the methodological tools developed and the insights gained into the dynamics of the afroalpine system can contribute to the management of livestock grazing pressure in Bale Mountains National Park and highlight gaps in the knowledge of the afroalpine ecosystem where more research is needed.

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Holzmueller, Eric. "Ecology of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) in response to anthracnose and fire in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA." [Gainesville, Fla.] : University of Florida, 2006. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/UFE0013140.

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Farmer, Samantha. "Analysis and Risk Estimation of High Priority Unstable Rock Slopes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2021. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3953.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) received 12.5 million visitors in 2020. With a high traffic volume, it is imperative roadways remain open and free from obstruction. Annual unanticipated rockfall events in GRSM often obstruct traffic flow. Using the Unstable Slope Management Program for Federal Land Management Agencies (USMP for FLMA) protocols, this study analyzes high priority unstable rock slopes through 1) creation of an unstable slope geodatabase and 2) generation of a final rockfall risk model using Co-Kriging from a preliminary risk model and susceptibility model. A secondary goal of this study is to provide risk estimation for the three most traveled transportation corridors within GRSM, as well as investigate current rockfall hazard warning sign location to ultimately improve visitor safety with regards to rockfall hazards.

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Novitski, Linda Nicole. "BENTHIC ALGAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE ALONG AN ELEVATIONAL AND CHEMICAL GRADIENT IN THE HAZEL CREEK WATERSHED, GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1155742200.

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Snider, Scott. "Predicting Infestations of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid ( Adelges tsugae ) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina, USA." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1103233070.

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Lee, Elijah H. "Trends in Bat Activity and Occupancy in Yellowstone National Park." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1597086319177685.

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Bugle, E. Katy. "Associations of tree species and environment along hiking trails within the hemlock-silverbell forest type in Great Smoky Mountains National Park /." Available to subscribers only, 2009. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1885437611&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=1509&RQT=309&VName=PQD.

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Bugle, Erin Kathleen. "Associations of Tree Species and Environment along Hiking Trails within the Hemlock-Silverbell Forest Type in Great Smoky Mountains National Park." OpenSIUC, 2009. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/5.

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The hemlock-silverbell (Tsuga canadensis-Halesia tetraptera) forest type is known to exist in only two places, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) and the Joyce Kilmer National Memorial Forest. The hemlock component of this forest type is currently threatened by the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelgis tsugae), an invasive aphid-like insect native to Japan. This current status has given rise to the need to investigate the ecological resources of this rare forest type before the hemlock component dies out. The objectives of this study were to determine the nature of the plant/environment and plant/plant associations within this forest type. Within this forest type hemlock was negatively related to protection, aspect, and slope steepness and silverbell was positively related to aspect and slope steepness. This study also identified some interspecific associations such as the negative relationship in the understory between hemlock and striped maple, and provided evidence that understory stems are exhibiting a growth response to hemlock decline in these stands. The information obtained from this study characterizing the plant/environment interactions and even the structural and species components of this forest type will serve as a baseline of data from which to measure change and will provide insight into the mechanisms of species distribution and perhaps into short term scenarios of forest response to hemlock decline and mortality.

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O'Shea, Thomas A. "Using an Inventory of Unstable Slopes to Prioritize Probabilistic Rockfall Modeling and Acid Base Accounting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2021. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3952.

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An inventory of unstable slopes along transportation corridors and performance modeling are important components of geotechnical asset management in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). Hazards and risk were assessed for 285 unstable slopes along 151 miles of roadway. A multi-criteria model was created to select fourteen sites for two-dimensional probabilistic rockfall simulations and Acid Base Accounting (ABA) tests. Simulations indicate that rock material would likely enter the roadway at all fourteen sites. ABA test results indicate that influence of significant acid-producing potential is generally confined to slaty rocks of the Anakeesta Formation and graphitic schist of the Wehutty Formation. The research illustrates an approach for prioritizing areas for site-specific investigations towards the goal of improving safety in GRSM. These results can help park officials develop mitigation strategies for rockfall, using strategies such as widening ditches and encapsulating acidic rockfall material.

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Kiser, Brett Christopher. "Assessing the Reliability of Computer Simulation Modeling for Monitoring and Managing Indicators of Wilderness Solitude in Great Smoky Mountains National Park." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/32862.

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Several studies in the field of outdoor recreation management and planning have used computer simulation modeling to demonstrate its utility as a tool to help managers monitor encounters and similar visitor use-related indicators of quality. However, previous applications of computer simulation modeling to outdoor recreation planning and management have generally done little to assess the reliability, or precision, of model estimates. The purpose of this research is to explore several questions concerning the reliability of computer simulation model estimates for monitoring wilderness solitude-related indicators of quality. In particular, can reliable estimates of solitude-related indicators be generated for low use recreation environments, such as backcountry and wilderness areas? Is there a spatial component to questions about the reliability of computer simulation estimates for low use visitor landscapes? The research presented in this thesis examines the reliability of computer simulation estimates of wilderness solitude indicators that account for the timing and location of hiking and camping encounters in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This study was designed to model visitor use and inter-group encounters in the Cosby and Big Creek areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which are located within the parkâ s proposed wilderness area. Two primary types of information about visitor use in the study area were collected to construct the computer simulation model in this study. First, information was gathered about the amount of visitation to the study area; second, information was collected about visitorsâ travel routes within the study area. Three alternative methods were used to estimate the number of replications needed to obtain desired levels of precision for the visitor-based and spatially based computer simulation model outputs. The results suggest that computer simulation models of visitor use can generate precise estimates for a small to moderate number of visitor-based and spatially-based outputs. However, there are constraints to generating precise estimates of use-related outputs as the number of outputs estimated simultaneously becomes large. This challenge is particularly pronounced in cases where at least some of the outputs are derived for low use attractions, trails, or camping locations.
Master of Science

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Damm, Christian. "A phytosociological study of Glacier National Park, Montana, U.S.A., with notes on the syntaxonomy of alpine vegetation in Western North America." Doctoral thesis, [S.l.] : [s.n.], 2001. http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=963101552.

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Throneberry, Jason K. "Reintroduction success of smoky madtom Noturus baileyi and yellowfin madtom Noturus flavipinnins in Abrams Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park a thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate School, Tennessee Technological University /." Click to access online, 2009. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=21&sid=4&srchmode=1&vinst=PROD&fmt=6&startpage=-1&clientid=28564&vname=PQD&RQT=309&did=1760001851&scaling=FULL&ts=1250862482&vtype=PQD&rqt=309&TS=1250862489&clientId=28564.

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Gibbs, W. Keith. "Current status of the threatened spotfin chub (Erimonax monachus) and the endangered duskytail darter (Etheostoma percnurum) in Abrams Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park a thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate School, Tennessee Technological University /." Click to access online, 2009. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=10&did=1760001841&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=6&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1250599368&clientId=28564.

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McNeill, David Franklin. "DETERMINATION AND COMPATIBILITY OF PUTATIVELY HYPOVIRULENT AND VIRULENT ISOLATES OF CRYPHONECTRIA PARASITICA COLLECTED FROM THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK." Master's thesis, Mississippi State : Mississippi State University, 2008. http://library.msstate.edu/etd/show.asp?etd=etd-11052008-101003.

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Balthasar, K. Uwe. "Brachiopods of the Lower Cambrian Mural Formation (Jasper National Park, Canadian Rocky Mountains) and their bearing on the evolution of the Lophotrochozoa." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.613704.

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Tatarin, Triffon Joseph, and Triffon Joseph Tatarin. "Interrelationships of cataclasite, mylonite, and leucocratic bodies associated with the Catalina detachment fault, dual wash area, Saguaro National Park east, Rincon Mountains." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/626821.

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The Dual Wash area is comprised of two west-northwest-trending washes (Deer Valley and Carillo), which provide excellent cross-section exposures of metamorphic core complex fault rock units. The structural components of metamorphic core complexes consist of upper plate rocks, a detachment fault, cataclasite and chlorite breccia, subdetachment fault, and mylonites. Within the Carillo Wash, the Catalina detachment fault dips ~13° NW, which is consistent with its overall dip in this part of the Rincon Mountains. However, exposed along the Deer Valley Wash, the Catalina detachment fault dips more steeply at ~60° NW. Beneath the detachment fault, in the lower plate, the structurally highest rock is a highly-fractured chlorite cataclasite which lies above two different units of mylonites. Embedded in these unit is leucocratic granitic unit which floods the cataclasite and mylonites. Evidence of brittle faulting and fracturing show evidence of this being a late-stage intrusion. The structural geology of the Dual Wash area proves to be somewhat structurally anomalous. The cause for much of these anomalies within the lower plate may be credited to the presence of this abundant leucogranite unit. This may be because it is a late-stage intrusion as well as a potential driver of core complex development.

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Davis, George T. "Protecting Scenic Views: Seventy Years of Managing and Enforcing Scenic Easements along the Blue Ridge Parkway." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/33038.

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Conservation easements are among the fastest growing techniques for protecting land and open space. Conservation easements are legal agreements between a landowner and a conservation organization that limits or restricts entirely the right to develop a property in order to protect important conservation values associated with the property.

At the heart of the conservation easement movement is the assumption that easements will protect ecologically important lands in perpetuity. However, there is little evidence that conservation easements can protect land permanently. Very few land trusts have experience in dealing with the myriad of challenges associated with long-term enforcement of conservation easements. This study sought to examine scenic easements acquired for the Blue Ridge Parkway in the 1930â s and 40â s and to develop an understanding of the challenges faced by the Parkway in attempting to enforce the terms of scenic easements drafted nearly 70 years ago.

The scenic easements acquired for the Blue Ridge Parkways represent the first wide spread use of conservation easements in the country. The Parkwayâ s early architects had few examples of easement programs to assist them in acquiring and managing these early forms of conservation easement nor did the NPS have the network of conservation organizations that exists today.

This study reviews the process utilized by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of North Carolina to acquire scenic easements for the Blue Ridge Parkway and assesses the deeds used to convey the scenic easements from the states to the federal government. Further, this study evaluates and examines the number and types of violations of easement terms experienced by the Parkway and the various factors that may have contributed to violations of scenic easement restrictions and requests to alter/amend easements. This study also evaluates the various strategies used by the National Park Service to exchange and release scenic easements. Finally, this study concludes with a number of recommendations for improving the management of the Parkwayâ s scenic easements and how organizations currently holding conservations can improve the stewardship of easements by incorporating adaptive management principles into their conservation easement stewardship programs.

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

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Anderson, Jennifer Leigh. "Lives, Livelihoods, and Landscapes: A Study of Land Use and Social Change in Northeastern Nepal." PDXScholar, 2006. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/2238.

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This thesis explores the forces of change in lives and landscapes that have altered the Lamosangu-to-Everest route in northeastern Nepal and shows how a transect in photographs and conversations across the east-central Himalaya allows us insight and a greater understanding into the processes and consequences of this change. Three forces of change over the last twenty-five years dominated discussions with local informants: the rise of the "People's War"-Nepal's Maoist Insurgency beginning in 1996; the Democratic Revolution of 1990; and dependence on tourism for livelihood after the establishment of Sagarmatha National Park in 1976. Understanding the cultural-historical context for these forces is necessary to understand the concerns of today's residents living along the Lamosangu-to-Mount Everest Base Camp transect. The visual and ethnographic evidence discussed in this thesis takes a larger role than strict analysis of conspicuous large-scale land use change and I hope the comparative 200 I images will be used as benchmarks for future research as well as for further exploration into the ways people and place have been represented.

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Maldonado, Amy L. "Taxonomy and biostratigraphy of upper Guadalupian radiolaria from the reef trail member of the Bell Canyon formation, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, West Texas, USA /." abstract and full text PDF (UNR users only), 2008. http://0-gateway.proquest.com.innopac.library.unr.edu/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1459467.

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Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2008.
"August, 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-149). Library also has microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mich. : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [2008]. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm. Online version available on the World Wide Web.

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Fuse(Kiyono), Mieko. "A study of the foraging behavior on ants by the utilization of plant-ant relationship in wild chimpanzees at the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania." 京都大学 (Kyoto University), 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/180375.

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Brooks, Kevin C. "Breeding Bird Census to Compare Long-term Changes in the Avifauna of the Spruce-fir Forest on Mount Guyot, Great Smoky Mountains National Park 1967-2015." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2015. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2606.

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The high-elevation forests of the Southern Appalachian Mountains have been impacted and rearranged by a tiny introduced pest from Europe, known as the Balsam Woolly Adelgid (Adelges piceaea), creating a concern for conservation. Breeding bird censuses, along with botanical surveys, have been conducted periodically on an established 60-acre plot since 1967 on the virgin forested slopes of Mount Guyot, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with the last census being completed in 2015. Breeding bird populations are shown to rise and fall in response to the forest’s changes over the last 48 years. Comparisons are made between all studies in order to assess how bird populations are being affected by the changed forest dynamics.

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Murrow, Jennifer Lynn. "An Experimental Release of Elk into Great Smoky Mountains National Park." 2007. http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/251.

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I conducted 6 years of field work to evaluate the habitat use and population dynamics of an experimental release of elk (Cervus elaphus) into Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Park). Elk exhibited relatively small home ranges (female: 10.4 km2 and males: 22.4 km2) and movement distances decreased over time. I calculated survival rates (x = 0.73–0.93) and litter production rates (x = 0.73) for the population. To assess the potential for a long-term elk population, I incorporated those vital rates into the population modeling software Riskman and tested its sensitivity to any given vital rate. The projected population growth was positive (1.03, SD = 0.001) and the probability of extinction in 100 years was minimal (1%, SD = 0.001). However, the model was sensitive to adult female survival, and the simulated annual deaths of only 4 adult females increased the probability of extinction to 45% (SD = 0.021). Compositional analysis detected a strong preference for grassland areas by elk in the Park. I used spatial data to identify potential habitat for elk on a multivariate level by calculating the Mahalanobis distance (D2) statistic based on the relationship between elk locations and 7 landscape variables. The D2 model indicated that the best elk habitat primarily occurred in areas of moderate landscape complexity and edge denisty and gentle slope, and was limited in the Park. At the current small population density, elk had minimal impact on vegetation inside the Park and their diet consisted primarily of graminoids. The elk population at Great Smoky Mountains National Park will likely remain small and vulnerable to extinction for some time due to low growth rates, high environmental stochasticity, and limited habitat. Active management (e.g. predator management, prescribed burning, and mowing) will be required to maintain this population until the population grows to more sustainable levels.

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Barnett, Thomas Wayne. "Stream water quality modeling in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park." 2003. http://etd.utk.edu/2003/BarnettThomas.pdf.

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Thesis (M.S.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2003.
Title from title page screen (viewed Mar. 25, 2004). Thesis advisor: Bruce Robinson. Document formatted into pages (xi, 98 p. : ill, map (some col.)). Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-97).

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Bretthauer, Scott M. "The effects of prescribed burning by the National Park Service on pine-oak forests within Great Smoky Mountains National Park /." 2006. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3242801.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6131. Advisers: Gary L. Rolfe; Jeffrey O. Dawson. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 233-242) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Blue Mountains National Park'

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