Dissertations / Theses: 'Urban wildlife'

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Baker, Tina M. "Exploring Public Opinion of Urban Wildlife and Effective Use of Urban Wildlife Education in Tucson, Arizona." Thesis, Prescott College, 2017. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10275017.

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I studied current educational efforts about urban wildlife in Tucson, Arizona using three main approaches: a) interviews with key informants, b) analysis of the dissemination of and reaction to informative booklets about urban wildlife, and c) a review of regionally-relevant news articles published online from 2013 to 2015. These triangulated research efforts provide a general snapshot of the relative effectiveness of urban wildlife education practices and result in suggestions for improvement with future efforts. Key informants provided insight into successful human-wildlife conflict resolution and avoidance techniques and successful education practices. An analysis of the dissemination of information on living with urban wildlife, revealed that 53% of the small participating businesses valued the effort and requested additional booklets for their clients. All 45 of the recipients of the educational booklet found them useful and 65% cited them as their only such source of information about wildlife. Thus, I recommend additional concerted dissemination of such materials towards improved education of the public about urban wildlife interactions. Analysis of online news articles revealed that 51% focused on human-wildlife conflicts and, of these, 30% contained information about conflict avoidance. By contrast, 35% of all articles reviewed were strictly educational and yet, of these, 74% addressed conflict avoidance. Thus, I recommend that future media efforts continue this focus on human-wildlife conflict avoidance and resolution strategies. The culmination of this work demonstrates that much work is being conducted towards urban wildlife education and revealed education projects and strategies that may be applied in the future to help facilitate an informed coexistence with urban wildlife.

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HUI, WINNIE K. "HISTORY OF THE EVOLUTION OF HUMANS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON WILDLIFE." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1108950402.

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Stenberg, Kathryn. "Urban macrostructure and wildlife distributions: Regional planning implications." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/184583.

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Urban environments can satisfy the habitat requirements of a variety of wildlife species. It has been shown that urban residents enjoy wildlife near their homes. The goal of this study was to determine if urban wildlife distributions could be predicted by metropolitan planning variables, so that opportunities for urban residents to enjoy wildlife near their homes could be enhanced. Three hundred one random points, stratified into seven zones, based on intensity of urbanization and vegetation type, were chosen in the Tucson metropolitan study area. Birds were censused with the variable circular plot method. Sign of selected mammal species were searched for at a subset of these points. Native bird species diversity declined steadily as housing density increased. The study area still supports a high diversity of native species because of the high levels of natural open space still found intermixed with residential development. The amount of land covered in residential development and the amount of paloverde-saguaro vegetation types with associated riparian areas were the best predictors of native bird species diversity. The data also suggest that plant cover created by man-maintained vegetation is not as attractive to native bird species as naturally occurring vegetation. Ground nesters and insectivores tended to drop out at higher housing densities while seed-eaters were retained. Three patterns of avian response to variables describing the intensity of urbanization and the amount of natural vegetation emerged: urban, suburban, and exurban. Native Sonoran desert birds appear to be highly sensitive to urbanization, as minor increases in residential housing densities lead to declines in diversity. Mammal species appear to be most sensitive to the size of open space areas and fragmentation and isolation of natural lands. Metropolitan planning processes may be limited in their ability to retain high species diversities. The impacts of urbanization on wildlife diversities may be mitigated through sensitive open space planning.

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Pendegraft, Melanie Anne. "Wildlife all around us: A second grade guide to city wildlife education." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2006. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2888.

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Mathieu, Amelie. "A Comparative Health Assessment of Urban and Non-Urban Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Kootenay Region, British Columbia, Canada." The Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1524089491713362.

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Ruther, Sherry Ann 1960. "Urban wildlife conservation in Arizona: Public opinion and agency involvement." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/291907.

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This study examines urban wildlife conservation in Arizona as a function of public opinion and agency involvement. In the fall of 1985, a questionnaire was mailed to 1000 randomly chosen households. Respondents answered questions about urban wildlife-related activities, preferred species and locations for urban wildlife conservation, wildlife-related pest problems, a public agency's responsibility for urban wildlife, and potential agency-sponsored urban wildlife programs. Analysis of the survey data indicate that Tucsonans are aware of, have favorable opinions about, and actively encourage the presence of urban wildlife. An analysis of urban wildlife conservation as a public issue yields additional information pertinent to the design and implementation of a state agency urban wildlife conservation program. The combined results of these analyses suggest that state agency involvement in urban wildlife conservation is publicly acceptable; an urban constituency can potentially benefit an agency's support base; and urban wildlife conservation's unique characteristics warrant special attention during program and policy development.

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Millward, Alison. "Community involvement in urban nature conservation : Case studies of the urban wildlife group 1980-1985." Thesis, Aston University, 1987. http://publications.aston.ac.uk/15096/.

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The effectiveness of the strategies employed by the Urban Wildlife Group (a voluntary conservation organisation) to provide and manage three urban nature parks has been evaluated, using a multiple methods methodology. Where the level of community interest and commitment to a project is high, the utilisation of the community nature park strategy (to maximise benefits to UWG and the community) is warranted. Where the level of interest and commitment of the local community is low, a strategy designed to encourage limited involvement of the community is most effective and efficient. The campaign strategy, whereby the community and UWG take direct action to oppose a threat of undesirable development on a nature park, is assessed to be a sub-strategy, rather than a strategy in its own right. Questionnaire surveys and observations studies have revealed that urban people appreciate and indeed demand access to nature parks in urban areas, which have similar amenity value to that provided by countryside recreation sites. Urban nature parks are valued for their natural character, natural features (trees, wild flowers) peace and quiet, wildlife and openness. People use these sites for a mixture of informal and mainly passive activities, such as walking and dog walking. They appear to be of particular value to children for physical and imaginative play. The exact input of time and resources that UWG has committed to the projects has depended on the level of input of the local authority. The evidence indicates that the necessary technical expertise needed to produce and manage urban nature parks, using a user-oriented approach is not adequately provided by local authorities. The methods used in this research are presented as an `evaluation kit' that may be used by practitioners and researchers to evaluate the effectiveness of a wide range of different open spaces and the strategies employed to provide and manage them.

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Van, Velsor Stanley W. "A qualitative investigation of the urban minority adolescent experience with wildlife." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/4090.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004.
The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file viewed on (June 29, 2006) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

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Fielding, Carolyn Anne Carleton University Dissertation Geography. "Wildlife rabies and urban expansion; environments of risk in Ottawa- Carleton." Ottawa, 1986.

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Stokely, John Matthews. "The feasibility of utilizing the cellular infrastructure for urban wildlife telemetry /." PURL, 2005. http://www.arlis.org/docs/vol1/A/430530928.pdf.

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Hall, Catherine. "Mitigating the impacts of pet cats (Felis catus) on urban wildlife." Thesis, Hall, Catherine (2016) Mitigating the impacts of pet cats (Felis catus) on urban wildlife. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2016. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/32120/.

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Pet cats are a very important part of life for many people and provide companionship to millions of people worldwide, from small children to the elderly. However, wandering pet cats may affect wildlife populations through direct predation, competing for prey with higher order consumers, spreading disease to wildlife and humans, exerting sub-lethal effects such as changes in parental behaviour or reduction in clutch size of prey caused by the fear of cat predation, hybridising with wild felids or breeding with stray and feral cats to maintain feral populations. In addition, they may annoy neighbours by disturbing dogs, attacking pet birds, spraying, digging in gardens, fighting (including with other pet cats) and walking on cars. Pet cats that are allowed to wander are also at risk from disease, fights with other animals that may lead to injury infection, and from traffic accidents (one of the leading causes of pet cat mortality). Despite these risks to wildlife and their pets, many cat owners in Australia and other countries such as the UK and New Zealand are reluctant to restrict their cats to their properties at all times. The primary aims of this thesis were to investigate several different precautionary approaches to reducing the risks proposed by predatory interactions between cats and urban wildlife and determine what precautionary measures the wider community considers acceptable. In association with colleagues from Australia and overseas, I assessed the social attitudes in Australia, the USA, the UK, New Zealand, Japan and China towards pet cats and cat ownership and responsibilities with a detailed survey. We found significantly different results between all countries, indicating that if any legislation was to be imposed regarding pet cats unique approaches would be required in each country. We confirmed that many cat owners will not keep their cats inside, and therefore other methods to prevent wildlife capture and reduce pet cat roaming behaviour are appropriate. I then examined the effectiveness of the anti-predation collar cover the BirdsbeSafe® (BBS) in reducing predation by pet cats on birds. A range of different colours and patterns are available for this device and I found that some patterns (red and rainbow) were effective at reducing predation on prey with good colour vision (birds and herpetofauna) by 47 – 54%. However, yellow collar covers were not effective at reducing cat predation on birds. The BBS had no effect on the numbers of mammal prey captured. This device is useful for cats that catch many bird or herpetofauna prey and either do not catch, or their owners would like them to catch, mammals such as rats and mice. It is not suitable in areas where there are sensitive small mammal populations. Ninety-six per cent of cats adapted to the BBS within two days, indicating that it will not upset or impede on the welfare of the vast majority of cats as long as collars are correctly fitted and checked regularly. Previous research on the anti-predation device the CatBib and my own research on the BBS indicated that these devices may alter the roaming behaviour of some pet cats, in most cases with cats reported as staying closer to home. This potentially provides another incentive for owners to fit their cats with these devices to reduce their wandering behaviour. I tested this hypothesis on 30 pet cats wearing either the CatBib or BBS with the use of GPS collars. In addition, I collected data from cats wearing GPS collars but no anti-predation device to determine factors that influence roaming behaviour. I found that neither the CatBib nor the BBS significantly changed the roaming behaviour of pet cats, supporting claims by the manufacturers of the CatBib and the BBS that the devices reduce hunting success while not restricting other behaviours. Thus they do not offer an option to owners wishing to restrict their cats' roaming. The most significant predictor of pet cat home range was housing density, with pet cats living in more rural locations travelling significantly further than pet cats in areas of high housing density. In order to reduce uncertainty over factors that affect cat predation I used a meta-analysis and mixed linear models to compare all of the studies that used radio-telemetry or GPS to examine cat roaming behaviour. I found that despite most individual studies showing that male cats have larger home ranges than females but no statistically significant difference between the two, comparing all the data concluded that male cats do have significantly larger home ranges than females. I also found that mature cats (over 8 years old) have smaller home ranges than younger adult cats (2 – 8 years old), desexing has no influence on roaming behaviour, husbandry practices (providing vet treatment and socialising cats with humans) did not impact roaming behaviour, and cats living in areas with low housing density (e.g. farm cats or pets on rural properties) had larger home ranges than cats in higher housing density areas. Ultimately, the best solution to prevent pet cats from impacting wildlife and for their own protection is to keep them confined to their owners’ properties at all times. Since this is an unpopular option, education campaigns are required to change the community practices and attitudes towards pet cats so that owners either become more accepting of confinement or more willing to use predation deterrents. Since there are significant differences between different countries in how people perceive cats and the impacts of their wandering behaviour, different approaches are required in different locations. In Australia, and possibly New Zealand, people may change their behaviour based on the effects cats have on some wildlife. However, in countries such as the UK, campaigns should focus on the benefits to cat welfare.

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Karmacharya, Binab. "Population Dynamics of Northern Cardinal and Carolina Wren in an Urban Forest Fragment| Safe Refuge or Ecological Trap?" Thesis, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10002466.

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Conserving bird populations in urban landscapes often depends on interactions between extinction, recolonization, and survival in remnant habitat patches such as small nature preserves. Thus, determining the ecological value of small nature preserves to birds is a necessary step towards an informed conservation strategy. As such, I conducted a year round capture-mark-recapture study from April 2010 to March 2014 to examine population dynamics of Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) and Carolina Wrens ( Thryothorus ludovicianus) in a 41.7-ha nature preserve embedded in an urban matrix. More specifically, we examined variation in survival, recruitment, and realized population growth rates relative to year, season, sex, age, and wing length (as a proxy for body size) to investigate attributes that affect individual survival and to assess whether the reserve served as a population source or sink. The overall annual apparent survival rate of Northern Cardinals (0.520 ± SE 0.050) was higher than that of the Carolina Wrens (0.349 ± 0.050), and estimates in both species were similar to regional baseline estimates. The survival rates for adults were significantly higher than for immatures in both species, with body size having a positive influence on survival. Seasonal variation in survivorship was evident only in Northern Cardinals, being highest in the winter and lowest during the breeding season. Average annual population growth rate was slightly greater than 1.0 for both species, indicating stable or perhaps modestly increasing populations. These results represent the first published full annual cycle estimates of survival and population growth relative to age, sex, and body size for non-migratory passerines. Our results suggest that urban forests can provide the necessary resources to sustain growing populations of locally common birds. Furthermore, our demographic estimates derived from two healthy bird populations can serve as target values for other species of conservation concern within human-modified landscapes.

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Boal, Clint William 1961. "An urban environment as an ecological trap for Cooper's hawks." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/288705.

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I studied a population of Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperii) nesting in the metropolitan city of Tucson, Arizona, from 1994 to 1997. I identified 51 Cooper's hawk territories distributed across Tucson with pockets of nesting density as great as 1 pair/64.7 ha. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) (70.8%), aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis ) (25.0%), and cottonwood trees (Populus fremontii) (4.2%) were used as nesting structures more frequently than expected based on availability. Nest trees were primarily located in residential yards (48.3%) and high-use recreational areas (28.3%). Nest sites had a greater basal area, canopy cover, stem density, and number of trees >10 m tall than random sites. I compared the breeding ecology of urban Cooper's hawks with those in exurban areas. Urban pairs tended to have larger clutches (urban x̄ = 3.64: exurban x̄ = 3.20) (P = 0.085) and more nestlings (urban x̄ = 3.11; exurban x̄ = 2.78) (P = 0.145) than exurban pairs. Nestling mortality, however, was greater among urban nests (51%) than exurban nests (5%). The primary cause of death among urban nestlings was trichomoniasis (80%), a disease caused by the parasitic protozoan Trichomonas gallinae ; the disease was not a mortality factor among exurban nests. Raptors develop the disease by eating infected prey. Doves (Columbidae) are hosts for the protozoan and accounted for 83% and 10% of the diet of urban and exurban Cooper's hawks, respectively. Breeding age Cooper's hawks were 99% free of infection independent of nesting area. Infection rates were greater among urban nestlings than exurban nestlings (P < 0.0001). Breeding urban Cooper's hawks have high probabilities of survival (0.792) and recapture (0.947), but the estimated juvenile survivorship is low (0.199). Age-specific fecundity and survival suggests the urban population is declining by 8% annually, but has the capacity to increase by at least 2% annually. Paradoxically, the population appears to be stable or increasing, probably due to immigration of Cooper's hawks from outside the study area. Population sinks in human altered landscapes have been described as "ecological traps" because animals are attracted to them but suffer from low productivity or high mortality once they are there. My results suggest Tucson may be an ecological trap for Cooper's hawks.

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Collins, Rita. "Urban Coyote (Canis latrans) Ecology| Diet, Activity, and Habitat Use." Thesis, California State University, Long Beach, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10826343.

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Non-habituated coyotes (Canis latrans) avoid direct interactions with humans. Reliance on human food sources has been linked to gradual habituation, a precursor to conflict and attacks on domestic pets and humans. Diet and activity patterns of urban coyotes inhabiting natural fragments in Long Beach, CA were monitored through scat collection and camera trapping over a year (Aug 2016 – Aug 2017). Local urban coyotes are relying predominately on natural foods, with an increase in mammalian prey in the wet season and an increase in vegetation and insect consumption in the dry season. Anthropogenic items, food and food related inedible items, appeared in 14% of scats overall, with no significant seasonal change. Cat remains were found in 14% of scat samples, but only triggered cameras once throughout the 2,857 camera nights of the study. Coyote activity was centered on nights in both seasons, with greater dawn activity in the dry season, indicating an avoidance of peak human activity. This reliance on natural foods and avoidance of human activity reduces the opportunities for human-wildlife conflicts in our local area.

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Herbst, Harriet. "The importance of wastelands as urban wildlife areas : with particular reference to the cities Leipzig and Birmingham = Die @Bedeutung von Brachflächen als "urban wildlife areas" im urbanen Raum /." Leipzig : UFZ-Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig-Halle, 2003. http://bvbr.bib-bvb.de:8991/F?func=service&doc_library=BVB01&doc_number=015383354&line_number=0001&func_code=DB_RECORDS&service_type=MEDIA.

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Jones, Scott W. "Planning for wildlife, evaluating creek daylighting as a means of urban conservation." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp05/MQ63529.pdf.

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Baines, Linda M. "The application of remote sensing to the management of urban wildlife habitats." Thesis, Aston University, 1988. http://publications.aston.ac.uk/14281/.

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The project set out with two main aims. The first aim was to determine whether large scale multispectral aerial photography could be used to successfully survey and monitor urban wildlife habitats. The second objective was to investigate whether this data source could be used to predict population numbers of selected species expected to be found in a particular habitat type. Panchromatic, colour and colour infra-red, 1:2500 scale aerial photographs, taken in 1981 and 1984, were used. For the orderly extraction of information from the imagery, an urban wildlife habitat classification was devised. This was based on classifications already in use in urban environments by the Nature Conservancy Council. Pilot tests identified that the colour infra-red imagery provided the most accurate results about urban wildlife habitats in the study area of the Blackbrook Valley, Dudley. Both the 1981 and 1984 colour infra-red photographs were analysed and information was obtained about the type, extent and distribution of habitats. In order to investigate whether large scale aerial photographs could be used to predict likely animal population numbers in urban environments, it was decided to limit the investigation to the possible prediction of bird population numbers in Saltwells Local Nature Reserve. A good deal of research has already been completed into the development of models to predict breeding bird population numbers in woodland habitats. These models were analysed to determine whether they could be used successfully with data extracted from the aerial photographs. The projects concluded that 1:2500 scale colour infra-red photographs can provide very useful and very detailed information about the wildlife habitats in an urban area. Such imagery can also provide habitat area data to be used with population predictive models of woodland breeding birds. Using the aerial photographs, further investigations into the relationship between area of habitat and the breeding of individual bird species were inconclusive and need further research.

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Medley, Sarah E. "Evaluating Campylobacter spp at the human-wildlife interface." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/103164.

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Campylobacter spp. infections are an increasing global concern responsible for a significant burden of disease every year. Wildlife and domestic animals are considered important reservoirs, but little is known about host-factors driving pathogen infection dynamics in wild mammal populations. In countries like Botswana, there is significant spatial overlap between humans and wildlife with a large proportion of the population vulnerable to Campylobacter infection, making Botswana an ideal location to study these interactions. This thesis reviews mammalian wildlife species that have been identified as carriers of Campylobacter spp., identifies life-history traits (urban association, trophic level, and sociality) that may be driving Campylobacter infection, and utilizes banded mongoose (Mungos mungo) (n=201) as a study species to illuminate potential Campylobacter spp. transmission at the human-wildlife interface in northern Botswana. Results of the latter study suggest that human-landscapes are critical to C. jejuni infection in banded mongooses, as mongooses utilizing man-made structures as dens had significantly higher levels of C. jejuni than mongooses using natural dens (p=0.019). A similar association was found across all wild mammals with significantly greater number of urban dwelling species positive for C. jejuni than urban avoiders (p = 0.04). Omnivorous and social mammals were significantly associated with C. coli presence (p=0.04 and p<0.00 respectively), but not with C. jejuni indicating there may be important differences in transmission dynamics between Campylobacter species. These results suggest that landscape features and life-history traits can have important influences on Campylobacter species exposure and transmission dynamics in wildlife.
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Gatela, Sierrane Grace S. "Building Bridges for Wildlife: Modeling the Richness of Human-Wildlife Encounters Over 15 Years of Urban Growth in the Sky Islands." The University of Arizona, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/608603.

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Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project
This study analyzes 15 years of wildlife tracking data across more than 40 transects in the Sky Islands surrounding landscape to investigate how human-wildlife encounters may respond to a decade of land development. The average detection of species per visit (ADPV), the quantification for human-wildlife encounters and indicator of species richness, was calculated for each transect across two sample periods 2001-2011 and 2011-2015. ArcMap was used to visualize the ADPV across sampling sites in the Sky Islands region. The p-value was then calculated to determine whether there was a significant difference between the ADPV of all species and of focal species before and after 2011. The results concluded there was no significant difference and the null hypothesis was accepted.

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Estabrook, Tracy Starr. "Burrow selection by burrowing owls in an urban environment." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/278687.

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I surveyed parts of Tucson, Arizona to determine numbers of burrowing owl (Speotyto cunicularia) burrows present, identify characteristics associated with burrow sites, and assess reproductive success. I measured habitat characteristics at 48 winter, 58 breeding, and 48 random burrows. Random burrows were closer to perches (P) and farther from wash banks (P) than were active burrows, and had smaller entrance dimensions (P). Winter burrows were farther from human activity than were breeding burrows (P). Active sites had less total vegetation, and less visual obscurity than did random sites. Owls may have selected open sites to facilitate detection of predators or prey. Urbanization sometimes created conditions which appeared to attract owls, but also destroyed burrows. An average of 2.31 young fledged from 116 active burrows during 1997-1998. While comparable to other studies of burrowing owls occupying urban environments, this was lower than rates typically reported for the species.

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Hedblom, Marcus Söderström Bo. "Birds and butterflies in Swedish urban and peri-urban habitats : a landscape perspective /." Uppsala : Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2007. http://diss-epsilon.slu.se/archive/00001453/.

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Thesis (doctoral)--Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2007.
Thesis documentation sheet inserted. Includes appendix of four papers and manuscripts co-authored with Bo Söderström. Includes bibliographical references. Also issued electronically via World Wide Web in PDF format; online version lacks appendix.

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Holzer, Katie Ann. "Amphibian-Human Coexistence in Urban Areas." Thesis, University of California, Davis, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3646306.

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Pristine landscapes are decreasing throughout the world, and many of Earth's species can no longer survive exclusively in the remaining small and isolated reserves. At the same time, urban landscapes are increasing, and can serve as potential habitat for many wildlife species. Amphibians are facing striking global declines and are particularly impacted by urban development as they often reside in areas attractive for human settlements such as flat, productive lowland areas with abundant fresh water. My dissertation aims to increase understanding of amphibian use of these landscapes and how management and planning can adapt to benefit their persistence. I conducted observational studies of amphibians and associated habitat features in two very difference landscapes and constructed experimental ponds to examine relationships between a native frog, a common pollutant, and common urban wetland plants. One observational study was in Portland, Oregon where formerly abundant wetlands have been destroyed and altered while many have also been restored or created. The other was throughout the relatively understudied urban and agricultural centers of Vietnam where biodiversity and human population growth are high. In both Portland and Vietnam I found that most regionally occurring native amphibians were breeding within city landscapes and in human-constructed water bodies. A common pollutant, nitrate, was strongly negatively associated with amphibians in Portland. In a mesocosm experiment I found that correlated contaminants are likely driving the pattern. In both Portland and Vietnam, presence of aquatic vegetation and amount of surrounding upland habitat were highly influential for native amphibians. Aquatic vegetation can take many forms, and in urban areas is often dominated by introduced species. I conducted experimental ponds studies to examine the relationship between a native frog and common native and introduced aquatic plant species. I found that the frog preferred and performed better in introduced reed canary grass than any other plants offered. This demonstrates that introduced plants are not universally detrimental to native wildlife species, and that management of these plants should consider the potential negative effects of control actions, especially in urban areas where restoration to a former pristine state is unlikely. Urban areas do not have to be devoid of diverse native amphibian communities, and instead should be viewed as potential habitat for conservation and environmental education. Amphibian use of human-constructed ponds, potted ornamental plants, and introduced reed canary grass demonstrates the adaptability of many species and the need for an integrated view of conservation that includes non-pristine areas. Using the information from this dissertation, city planners and managers can maintain and improve human-dominated landscapes to benefit native amphibians and promote their continued coexistence with humans in these areas.

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Gosselin, Heather M. "A framework for determining the compatability of wildlife with urban stormwater management practices." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/MQ61897.pdf.

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Briffett, Clive. "The effectiveness of urban space corridors in meeting recreational, habitat and wildlife needs." Thesis, Oxford Brookes University, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.325484.

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Leslie, Susan Stansbury. "Selecting wildlife and environmental education programs for adult organizations in an urban area." Thesis, This resource online, 1993. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-06162009-063225/.

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McDonald, Lucian R. "Urban Alaskan Moose: An Analysis of Factors Associated with Moose-Vehicle Collisions." DigitalCommons@USU, 2019. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/7547.

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As human populations continue to grow and encroach into wildlife habitats, instances of human-wildlife conflict are on the rise. Increasing numbers of reported wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) provide tangible evidence of anthropogenic impacts on wildlife as well as increasing threats to human health and safety. Increasing WVCs are of particular concern, especially those involving large-bodied ungulates such as moose (Alces spp.), because of the increased risk of property damage, personal injuries, and human fatalities. Motorists directly involved in a WVC are at risk of injury or mortality, but other motorists are also put at risk due to road obstructions and traffic congestion associated with WVCs. Mitigating these impacts on motorists and wildlife requires investigation into the temporal and spatial factors leading to WVCs. In Alaska, most WVCs involve moose (Alces alces), a large bodied ungulate capable of threatening human life when involved in a collision. Each moose-vehicle collision (MVC) in Alaska is estimated to cost $33,000 in damages. With this analysis, I analyzed the plethora of factors contributing to moose and motorist occurrence on the road system and motorist detection based on a historical dataset of MVC reports throughout Alaska from 2000 to 2012 and a dataset of field-derived measurements at MVC locations within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough from 2016 to 2018. My first analysis focused on the daily and annual trends in MVC rates as compared to expected moose and human behavioral patterns with a focus on guiding mitigation strategies. Fifty percent of the MVCs reported between 2000 and 2012 occurred where the commuter rush hours overlapped with dusk and dawn in winter, and the artificial lighting differences between boroughs suggest a link between artificial lighting and reduced MVCs. To focus more specifically on roadside features contributing to MVC risk, I collected and analyzed local and regional scale land cover and road geometry data at reported MVC sites in an area with a rapidly growing human population. I compared these data to similar data collected at random locations near documented MVC sites and at locations where moose that were fitted with global-positioning system (GPS) transmitters crossed highways. I used generalized additive mixed models to delineate which of the variables impacted the risk of both moose road crossings and MVCs. Moose road crossings were influenced by approximations of spatial, seasonal, and daily moose density as well as the proportion of deciduous-coniferous and coniferous forest in the area and the number of possible corridor or land cover types surrounding the site. The best MVC risk model was described by expected seasonal and daily changes in moose density and local scale measurements, including the sinuosity of the road, the height of vegetation near the road, and the angle between the road surface and the roadside. Together this information should guide transportation and urban planners in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to use roadside vegetation removal, seasonal speed reduction, improved lighting strategies, dynamic signage, or partnerships with mobile mapping services to reactively reduce MVCs and to focus future road planning in areas with lower moose abundance and build roads that increase visibility and detection distances in areas where moose are common.

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Siegel, Julianne (Julianne Susan). "How does the public process impact the selection of a nuisance wildlife management plan?" Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/44336.

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Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2008.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-56).
Since the 1950s the human relationship with wildlife in the United States shifted dramatically; from primarily consumptive to primarily recreational. Over the same time period a trend of humans moving into suburban communities further from the urban core developed. These people inadvertently enhanced their new suburban environment to be more appealing to certain generalist species known as nuisance wildlife. Policy decisions for nuisance wildlife species are made at a national or state level; however, municipalities manage most nuisance wildlife-human conflicts. An individual town or city is responsible for controlling populations of nuisance species both financially and tactically. Given that a municipality must select a wildlife management tactic when conflict occurs, do different decision-making processes yield different outcomes? This study identifies the link between public process and management outcomes; a connection that informs municipalities of the decision-making methods that lead to the most effective wildlife management.Through an examination of resident Canada goose management in four small Massachusetts cities and towns this study demonstrates the processes used to select nuisance wildlife management plans and the success or failure of those plans. Through the trials of the municipalities examined, it is clear that management plans selected in the most straightforward and transparent manner, and those that engage the public experienced the greatest success. I contend that open decision-making significantly reduced the risk of public conflict or controversy, and ensured the longevity of the selected management plan.
by Julianne Siegel.
M.C.P.

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Hull, Jamie Rebekah. "Can urban greenways provide high quality avian habitat?" Connect to this title online, 2003. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-06052003-131934/.

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29

Bellantoni, Elizabeth Susan 1958. "Habitat use by desert mule deer and collared peccary in an urban environment." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/277936.

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I examined movements and habitat use by desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) and collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu) in the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Monument (SNM) from February 1988 through December 1989. Movements and habitat use by mule deer were closely associated with the distribution of free-standing water during the driest seasons of the year. Deer responded to losses of ephemeral water sources in SNM by leaving the monument to obtain water. Four of 5 peccary herds supplemented their natural diet by visiting houses and/or restaurants on a daily or twice daily basis. The addition of water and supplemental food sources was a deliberate effort by homeowners to attract wildlife onto their property. The current pattern of habitat islands interspersed with low density housing (1 house/2-4 ha) is an effective and highly desirable buffer zone between the monument and the more heavily developed urban areas 3.2 km west of the park.

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30

Bradley, Dale. "Planning for wildlife: an urban planning and design exploration to support Mexican free-tailed bats." Kansas State University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/19046.

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Master of Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning
Brent Chamberlain
Anthropocentric disturbances are often the main driver behind the population decline of wildlife species. Bat species are of particular concern recently with large declines in populations worldwide. The conservation of bat species relies on knowledge about the relationship between species-specific needs and the effect urban environments have on individual species. Mexican Free-Tailed Bats (MFTBs) are listed on the IUCN Red List and play an important role in many ecosystems within the United States. Austin, Texas is home to the largest urban bat colony in the world, including MFTBs. Austin can continue to benefit from millions of dollars from ecotourism bat viewing sites and the natural control of insect populations provided by this species if urbanization does not cause a reduction in their population. The focus of this research is to develop a quantitative habitat suitability model for the MFTBs in urban areas to increase the understanding of possible MFTB habitat in the Austin Metropolitan area. A geographical information system was used to map the suitability of habitats for MFTBs in urban areas based off a typology for the needs of the species, which was created through a literature review of expert knowledge. This study will help to quantify the relationship between urban environments and the MFTBs, showing that urban areas in the Austin Metropolitan area are suitable for the species. A predictive model, like the one described here, can act as a crucial assessment and planning tool for bat conservation by helping to eliminate challenges of tracking populations or identifying bats during nocturnal activities. This model informs the proposal of planning and design policy changes in Austin, Texas to better support MFTB’s habitat needs. Adjustments to current site plans in Austin are explored understand the effect the proposed MFTB planning policies could have on current development while exploring the application of the MFTB typology at a site scale. Application of the understanding created through habitat-suitability modelling helps to visualize how current projects in Austin, Texas can better support MFTBs to create an understanding of how these policies may affect the development of urban environments.

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Deisinger-Murray, Alexander. "Whose Right to Urban Nature? A case study of Old Tidemill Wildlife Garden in Deptford, south-east London." Thesis, Stockholms universitet, Kulturgeografiska institutionen, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-169427.

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This exploratory research project explores the production and use, and subsequent closure and eviction of the community-designed and managed Old Tidemill Wildlife Garden in Deptford – a predominantly working-class area in south-east London. This community garden played a key role in the lives of many local residents and its closure and subsequent demolition to make way for a large housing project drew a significant backlash from local residents which included protests, law-suits, and the occupation of the garden itself. Why this small, half-acre community garden garnered such a notable response is the main focus of and motivation for this research project. Using a combined-methods approach consisting of semi-structured interviews and participant observation, this research investigates what it was about Old Tidemill Wildlife Garden which resulted in this backlash, and why the local council’s decision to close it drew such a militant revolt from local community members. Combining the empirical results of this research with a deep inquiry into the concepts of space and power within urban theory, this thesis seeks to understand the rights working-class communities have to contribute to the production of public green space, and how such community-led contribution can impact on the space produced, both inside and outside the context of Old Tidemill Wildlife Garden and its former users.

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Hedlund, Charise Ann 1966. "Trichomonas gallinae in avian populations in urban Tucson, Arizona." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/278648.

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I studied Trichomonas gallinae, a flagellated protozoan that is the causative agent of the avian disease trichomoniasis. The purpose of my study was to assess (1) the incidence of trichomonads in wild birds, (2) the prevalence of trichomonads in water sources utilized by wild birds, and (3) possible methods to control the transmission of trichomonads in water sources utilized by wild birds. I trapped 403 birds during 1994 and 1995. Approximately 1/3 of these birds tested positive for T. gallinae, however, none exhibited any signs of lesions. I collected water samples from 10 bird baths, isolating flagellated protozoa from 2 of them. I could not identify the species of flagellated protozoa. I determined that high temperatures (50°C), near ultra-violet radiation, and natural sunlight are effective against trichomonads. In addition, the highest effective dilutions of Chlorox, Nolvasan, and distilled white vinegar active against trichomonads were determined.

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Nicholson, Kerry Lynn. "Spatial Movements and Ecology of Mountain Lions in Southern Arizona." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/194192.

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Managing wildlife in urban areas is increasingly necessary for wildlife conservation. Large carnivores like mountain lions (Puma concolor) present a particular challenge to managers because of public safety and the polarizing emotional reactions to human-lion encounters. Intensive development and conversion of large open spaces to small properties and subdivisions has caused increased habitat loss, fragmentation and encroachment. Preserving movement corridors for access to habitat patches is important in maintaining landscape connectivity to ensure viable populations adjacent to urban areas. Because mountain lion habitat is often adjacent to urbanization in Arizona and lions traverse large landscapes, mountain lions are ideal models to examine how human alteration of habitats influences their life history characteristics and ability to adapt to a variety of environments. The objective of this study was to examine the ecology and spatial movements of mountain lions surrounding urban areas. We studied habitat selection, urban use by mountain lions, spatial movements and overlap, genetic relatedness, feline disease, and ectoparasites of mountain lions in southern Arizona.

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Franckowiak, Gregory Allen. "Space Use by Coyotes (Canis latrans) in an Urbanizing Landscape, and Implications for Management." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1398243682.

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35

Gilleland, Amanda H. "Human-Wildlife Conflict Across Urbanization Gradients: Spatial, Social, and Ecological Factors." Scholar Commons, 2010. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/3489.

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As suburban and exurban residential developments continue to multiply in urban areas, they encroach on wildlife habitats leading to increased human-wildlife interactions. The animals involved in direct conflict with homeowners are often relocated or exterminated by the homeowners. Often the homeowners contact state licensed wildlife trappers to eliminate the problem animal. In this study I examined how landscape, ecological, and social factors influence the incidence of human-wildlife conflict of thirty two residential areas in the Tampa, Florida metropolitan area. These residential areas, totaling over 300 km2, are part of the urban development gradient representing a range of urban land use from the urban core to exurban residential areas. This study consisted of four phases. In the first three phases, I investigated which landscape, ecological, and social factors contribute to homeowner conflict with wild animals on their property. In the last phase, I combine the significant factors contributing to human-wildlife conflict from the first three phases to build a more complete model. A spatial analysis of the locations of human-wildlife conflict events recorded by licensed wildlife trappers showed the most significant development and landscape factors affecting human-wildlife conflict reporting in a residential area were human population density and total area of natural habitat immediately adjacent to the residential area. A survey of the relative abundance of conflict prone animals living near and in remnant patches of habitat in suburban residential areas revealed that greater abundance was not correlated with the reported conflict of that species within that residential area. Species that were social, omnivorous, and had some flexibility in home range size were involved most often in conflict in highly urbanized environments. Species that were less social, and were not omnivorous, were not significantly involved in human-wildlife conflict in highly urbanized residential areas. These species tended to be restricted to intermediately urbanized areas like suburban and exurban residential areas. Several social factors were also significant contributors to human-wildlife conflict as revealed through personal interviews with suburban homeowners in Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Interviews confirmed that most people have positive attitudes toward wildlife, but some form of conflict was reported by thirty four percent of suburban residents, although only seventeen percent of those perceived it as a problem worth spending money to solve. Analysis of the attitudes of residents who reported having experienced problems associated with wildlife on their property, revealed significant negative correlations with statements of environmental concern and concern for the treatment of animals. Using all the significant variables from the physical landscape, ecological evaluation, and the human attitude study in the suburbs, I developed a statistical model of human-wildlife conflict across the urbanization gradient. While the model has marginal success in terms of practical application for prediction, it is quite valuable for defining the importance of these variables in relation to conflict with certain types of species across the gradient. This set of papers collectively defines relationships between variables existing in urban, suburban, and exurban residential areas and human-wildlife conflict. These factors should be considered when planning new residential areas to minimize human-wildlife conflict while maximizing the residents’ enjoyment of natural areas and species within the residential area.

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Milbern, Lana Cecile. "Habitat usage of breeding songbirds in urban Columbus, Ohio." The Ohio State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1587476090513815.

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37

Burns, Jennifer M. "Site design for xeroriparian wildlife habitats in urbanizing areas of Eastern Pima County, Arizona." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/276857.

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This thesis integrates wildlife management and biology, urban residential development, and the hydrology of desert watercourses. Literature is surveyed within each area and information is applied to the issue of wildlife conservation in urbanizing areas of Eastern Pima County. It is recognized that some natural wildlife habitats and wildlife species are valued by urban residents. Valuable areas of wildlife habitat are being lose due to conventional residential development strategies. This paper discusses the impact of typical residential development on native Southwestern wildlife species and habitat. Alternative development design guidelines are proposed which would provide viable wildlife habitat within developed areas. Design guidelines which are presented in this paper are applicable to low elevation arid areas in the Southwest where developers are seeking to integrate natural wildlife habitat within residential areas.

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Wurth, Ashley M. "Behavior and genetic aspects of boldness and aggression in urban coyotes (Canis latrans)." The Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1543529529011351.

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39

Shi, Yu. "Colonizing the urban wilds: invader or pioneer?" The Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1366333944.

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40

Sacamano, Paul 1962. "Structure and function of two urban forest stands in Tucson, Arizona." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/277924.

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The purpose of this study was to describe the structures of an arid urban forest. Two distinct and adjacent residential neighborhoods in Tucson, Arizona, Winterhaven and Richland Heights, were chosen as the study site. Landcover classes were identified through aerial photointerpretation and digitized using AutoCad. A field inventory gathered vegetative measures. Through an analysis, species composition, horizontal and vertical structure were described. Results were compared between each neighborhood stand and among findings of previous structural studies. Results describe Winterhaven as an uneven-aged stand with 55% available growing space, 37% canopy stocking, a pattern of strong dominance and mostly exotic species. Richland Heights is an even-aged stand with 78% available growing space, 11% canopy stocking, a pattern of codominance and mostly native species. These and other structural analyses have provided a descriptive study of two arid urban forest stands.

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41

Zumhof, Brianna J. "Understanding perceptions of urban biodiversity and its benefits." Thesis, University of Iowa, 2019. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/6903.

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The human population is rapidly urbanizing, creating dramatic changes in local land use and land cover, unprecedented species loss, and a society increasingly disconnected from nature. Nature, specifically biodiversity, has been shown to provide benefits and enhance well-being to humans. Living in an environment with reduced opportunity to interact with or experience biodiversity has increasingly been recognized as both a public health and environmental issue, whereby separation from nature can negatively impact human well-being and how humans value nature, diminishing interest in and understanding of nature and its conservation. Because urban living reduces contact with nature, it is imperative to understand how urban residents perceive and benefit from urban nature to better manage urban biodiversity to both support human well-being and conservation efforts. This study examines how urbanites perceive and benefit from two types of urban nature, trees and birds, by combining surveys of local residents with tree and bird data collected in two Midwestern agricultural cities, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Iowa from neighborhoods of varying urban intensity. A residential survey was distributed to these neighborhoods during the summer of 2018 to assess resident perceptions of neighborhood biodiversity and its benefits. In general, residents were not able to assess relative levels of biodiversity compared to other neighborhoods, except in the case of high tree species richness. There was a strong relationship between perceived biodiversity and actual biodiversity, as well as reported knowledge of a given taxon, but only residential perceptions of biodiversity, not actual biodiversity, were strongly related to reported benefits. Respondent perceptions of the influence of trees on their well-being exhibited strong relationships with a person’s connection to trees. Reported influence of birds on well-being was strongly related to a person’s connection to trees, connection to birds, and landscaping practices to support wild species in their yards. Actual bird species richness was significantly negatively related to perceived influence of birds on well-being. Perceived nuisances associated with trees were significantly negatively related to perceived tree species richness, while a person’s connection to trees was strongly positively related to tree nuisances. These results indicate that reported perceptions of the benefits from biodiversity are most heavily influenced by resident perceptions of biodiversity itself and orientation toward nature. This finding also implies that residents benefit from the presence of biodiversity, but that perceived benefits are only related to respondent perceptions of biodiversity, not to actual biodiversity. Further research is necessary to understand why and how this paradox occurs, yet this study provides reason to support efforts to increase knowledge of species as well as provide biodiverse environments that create opportunities for interaction with urban nature. Providing both would strengthen urban resident well-being and support biodiversity and conservation initiatives within cities.

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Coates, Ashley Nicole. "Wildlife Town Center: Reimagining Landmark Mall as a Space for Reconnecting with the Urban Flora and Fauna." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/104157.

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Urban development typically displaces or extirpates wildlife and decreases habitat. While some species such as the grey squirrel and raccoon adapt well to urban living, other species are less successful due to a lack of habitat or the loss of other species. As urbanization continues, the way that humans develop land and interact with species living on that land must be reevaluated. One development model that has been common in the Washington DC area is multi-use development. This development type accommodates various land uses in a small area. The layout of multi-use developments typically includes a central open area for events surrounded by retail and restaurants on the ground level and apartments and office space above. This creates a community where people have all of their needs for goods, housing, and work met within a small area. Another name for these types of multi-use developments is a Town Center. One of the newest proposed multi-use developments in the Washington DC area is at the former Landmark Mall location. The development aims to revitalize the now closed Landmark Mall in Alexandria, Virginia. As a design in development, the Landmark Mall Redevelopment Plan is a prime opportunity to explore a new concept for development: a wildlife town center. In my experience, typical Town Centers are not designed for wildlife. They are designed for heavy human foot traffic with plant selections and surfaces to withstand such traffic. How might a town center be re-imagined to support wildlife and also provide for humans? Animal Aided Design is one strategy. The process of Animal Aided Design takes a sampling of species that could live in a landscape and provides the critical needs for those species. This thesis takes the process of Animal Aided Design and applies it to the Landmark Mall Redevelopment Plan. While the design focuses on five particular bird species, the intention is to create conditions that will suit many more than those five species and that the site will attract a variety of birds as year-round residents, as well as those passing through during migration or staying for the breeding season. The project creates a novel habitat to help increase the viable living and foraging areas for wildlife and protects wildlife populations, while giving people the opportunity to find joy in their interactions with other species.
Master of Landscape Architecture
Urban development decreases available habitat and causes wildlife to move to new areas or perish. While some species such as the grey squirrel and raccoon adapt well to urban living, other species are less successful due to a lack of habitat or the loss of other species. As development in urban areas continues, the way that humans develop land and interact with species living on that land must be reevaluated. One development model that has been common in the Washington DC area is multi-use development. This development type accommodates various types of businesses and housing to exist near each other in a small area. The layout of multi-use developments typically includes a central open area for events surrounded by retail and restaurants on the ground level and apartments and office space above. This creates a community where people have all of their needs for goods, housing, and work met within a small area. Another name for these types of multi-use developments is a town center. One of the newest proposed town center developments in the Washington DC area is at the former Landmark Mall location. The development aims to revitalize the now closed Landmark Mall in Alexandria, Virginia into a place for community gathering. As a project in development, the Landmark Mall Redevelopment Plan is a prime opportunity to explore a new concept for development: a wildlife town center. In my experience, typical Town Centers are not designed for wildlife. They are designed to withstand people walking around with their children and pets. The plant selection in these areas are not typically native and have little benefit to the local wildlife. How might a town center be re-imagined to support wildlife and also provide for humans? One would take an approach that is more holistic and designs for the basic needs of wildlife as well as the humans. This strategy is called Animal Aided Design. This thesis takes the process of Animal Aided Design and applies it to the Landmark Mall Redevelopment Plan. While the design focuses on five particular bird species, the intention is to create conditions that will suit many more than those five species and that the site will attract a variety of birds as year-round residents, as well as those passing through during migration or staying for the breeding season. The project creates a novel habitat to help increase the viable living and foraging areas for wildlife and protects wildlife populations, while giving people the opportunity to find joy in their interactions with other species.

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Lippmann, Kiersten Elizabeth. "The Effect of Urbanization on Flight Initiation Distance and Alert Behaviors in Woodchucks." OpenSIUC, 2009. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/23.

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Animals that thrive in urban settings show a variety of adaptations to the highly disturbed, fragmented, and human-influenced environment present in cities. One adaptation is to decrease the flight response to human disturbance while increasing alert behaviors. This change increases fitness because frequent flight in response to increased human disturbance associated with a city environment would result in decreased foraging time, increased energy expenditure and increased stress levels. I tested the flight behavior of 66 woodchucks at various levels of urbanization and observed 20 woodchucks for vigilance behavior. I collected land-use and disturbance data on-site at each burrow, and recording these data in a binary code. I used hierarchical clustering to sort burrows based on similarity of landscape and behavioral features into 4 clusters of varying degrees of urbanization. Results showed that woodchucks in the urban clusters allowed a human to approach closer than rural woodchucks (i.e., shorter flight initiation distances). Although urban woodchucks spent less time fleeing, they spent more time alert while foraging, indicating increased vigilance. These results suggest that urban woodchucks have behavioral plasticity when exposed to the frequent disturbances present in urban environments. This plasticity is reflected in their ability to adjust flight behavior to minimize energy expenditure, while increasing alert behavior so that true threats can be identified.

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Plevel, Steve Randolph 1939. "Factors affecting local government adoption of wildland-urban interface fire policies." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/278541.

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Disastrous wildland-urban interface fires are an increasing problem throughout the United States. Local government is ultimately responsible for protection of property and life threatened by these fires. This study attempts to identify the factors that influence local policy-making in this arena. Information for this study was gathered from a review of the natural hazard and public policy literature as well as three case studies. The case study areas are Orange County, California; Oakland California; and Eastern Pima County, Arizona. Eight factors which influence local government policy-making were identified from the literature and confirmed through interviews. These factors include: acknowledgement; authority; participation; timing; cost; political influences; and liability. This study concluded that natural hazard research can be applied to wildland-urban interface fire. It also concluded that while there is increasing awareness of the wildland-urban interface fire problem there appears to be a need for a change of approach.

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Last, Kathryn Victoria. "The social and political determinants in the formation and implementation of habitat conservation policy : the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 1996. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/1879/.

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The aim of the thesis is to ascertain the determinants involved in the introduction of the 'voluntary system' for the protection of habitats in the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 in order to explain its existence and form and also its effectiveness. The identification of the determinants involves consideration of a number of hypotheses. A positive proof shows why the voluntary approach was chosen. A negative proof shows why the alternatives of using criminal sanctions or planning control were not chosen. Hypothesis 1 is that the system adopted for species protection had proved inefficacious and thus criminal sanctions were regarded as inappropriate for protecting habitats. This hypothesis is disproved. Hypothesis 2 is that the purpose of the legislation was a determinant. The thesis will show that there is no positive proof of this hypothesis although there is the possibility of a negative proof. Hypothesis 3 is that pressure group activity in the pre-parliamentary stages of its enactment was a determinant. This shows a possible positive proof. Hypothesis 4 is that the influence of pressure groups and Parliament was a determinant during the parliamentary stages of its enactment. This hypothesis is disproved. Hypothesis 5 is that Thatcherite policy was a determinant. This shows a negative proof. Hypothesis 6 is that trends in governmental implementation mechanisms were a determinant in the adoption of the voluntary approach. This shows both positive and negative proofs. The determinants in the formation of the system are then reconsidered in the context of the impact of the system The purpose of the system is then reconsidered to evaluate the efficacy of the system. This evaluation indicates the predicted defects of the system that have materialised. The results are then considered in relation to the implementation of the Habitats Directive. Criteria for reform of the system are then proposed.

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Ratliff, Judith Diana 1950. "Lessons learned from 13 street tree programs that work." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/291409.

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As public and private groups around the country--spurred on by the deforestation of our cities--gear up for a major tree planting effort between now and the turn of the century, many planners are seeking examples of successful planting programs to give them ideas about how best to proceed. An extensive survey of 13 acknowledged successful street tree planting programs was undertaken to illuminate a shared framework for fruitful action, including organizational structure and funding strategies. Street tree programs were targeted because these trees planted in the public right-of-way are truly community trees. Both governmental and privately run programs were part of the survey. A major finding is that many cities are moving toward a partnership between private organizations and city forestry programs to fund the planting and maintenance of trees. While the surveyed programs have proved fairly adept at matching trees with existing planting sites, there is almost a complete lack of master planning of the vegetative resource and no thought given to altering prevailing modes of urban development to make more room for trees.

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Alderson, Jessica Lynn. "Assessment of the urban public's knowledge of white-tailed deer management in two Texas communities." [College Station, Tex. : Texas A&M University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-3083.

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Rigard, Sarah. "Critique of a Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Method Applied to Residential Open Space." DigitalCommons@USU, 2010. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/643.

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To this date, little research has been done evaluating the quality of wildlife habitat provided by open space in residential areas. Quality wildlife habitat for the purposes of this study is defined as those areas which contain the physical and biological characteristics necessary to support native wildlife species of the region. This thesis critiqued a wildlife habitat assessment method used in a nationwide study of residential open space for the purpose of better understanding the research conducted by the study and to inform similar, future habitat evaluations of landscapes altered by human activity to accommodate residential land use. The methodology critiqued was a low resolution, habitat based, rapid assessment. The methodology provided information on the ecological function of the open space in each development and related that information to individual wildlife species needs to provide an estimation of habitat quality. However, an increase in sampling frequency and additional data collection would have improved the assessment.

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Toros, Tulu. "Restorative urban design: toward a design method for mitigating human impacts on the natural environment through urban re/development." Diss., Kansas State University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/18809.

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Doctor of Philosophy
Department of Environmental Design & Planning Program
Lee R. Skabelund
The Restorative Urban Design (RUD) calls for a new urban design and planning approach targeting environmentally responsible re/development of urbanized areas through ecologically responsive impact mitigations. If implemented in a systematic manner, such re/developments can help move urban areas toward the successful restoration of the natural environment of which they are an inseparable part. The RUD model advocates more rigorous assessment and mitigation of urban impacts by carefully evaluating the environmental performance of urban re/developments within five primary dimensions: Atmosphere (emissions, pollutants, ozone depletion); Hydrosphere (stormwater, domestic water, wastewater); Lithosphere (land use, land cover, food and wastes); Ecology (habitat resilience, biodiversity, population and resources); and Energy (renewability, reduction and efficiency, transportation). The model relies on a scenario-comparison process in order to evaluate and optimize the performance of urban re/development projections through four critical scenarios, which are respectively: 1) Natural Baseline (NBASE); 2) Historic Progression (HPROG); 3) Trajectory Forecast (TFORE); and 4) Restorative Projection (RPROJ). The RUD Case Study illustrates how the principles and strategies of Restorative Urban Design can be applied specifically to a typical (densely developed) urban area, namely River North District in Chicago Metropolitan Area. The case study focuses exclusively on mitigation of a single critical human impact on the natural environment: Anthropogenic CO₂ Emissions. The case study focuses on the design assumptions by which the restorative urban re/development scenarios might exceed beyond the full mitigation of emissions into the global remediation by 2040. The restorative projections illustrate that only a certain portion of emissions can be effectively mitigated onsite (5 to 55%), and that the remainder of projected emissions (45 to 95%) need to be mitigated offsite in order to achieve the necessary sequestration and storage. The restorative research suggests that the mitigation of major human impacts on the natural environment – not only CO₂ emissions but also other major impacts – are likely to require significant urban transformations. Moving beyond the strategies of preservation and/or conservation, the restorative approach asserts that comprehensive environmental restoration is achievable if urban impacts are adequately estimated and then entirely mitigated onsite as well as offsite through a systematic process of urban re/development.

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Frederick, Teresa Moore 1963. "Patterns of habitat use by birds and lizards in urban river corridors of Tucson, Arizona." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/278547.

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Abstract:

I surveyed songbirds and lizards adjacent to dry rivers throughout metropolitan Tucson and related species richness to recreational use and habitat using stepwise multiple regression. Habitat characteristics included vegetation structure and floristics in river-edge areas, adjacent land uses, and land uses of the surrounding landscape. Bank stabilization had a negative effect on species richness of all bird groups. Total vegetation cover, mesquite (Prosopis velutina) density, and natural open space had a positive effect on species richness of most bird groups. Tall vegetation was important for species richness of lizards. River corridors could function as conservation corridors for five bird species and two lizard species. However, habitat for many other species was not continuous across the metropolitan area. Recommendations include protecting mesquite bosques without bank stabilization, protecting wide areas of upland vegetation near large protected areas, and increasing structural diversity and use of native plants in river parkways.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Urban wildlife'

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