Dissertations / Theses: 'Winter habitat'

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Catton, Robert Bruce. "Winter use and habitat selection of moose in openings and adjacent upland forested habitats." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/31919.

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Two designs were developed to model and compare the effects of scale on resource utilization by moose in a managed lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forest. Statistical models, based on population and individual design levels (using microsite and moderate polygon habitat scales, respectively), were used to 1) test the hypotheses that moose track presence was increased i) in openings of increasing shrub cover, ii) in forests adjacent to openings of increasing shrub cover, 2) model moose utilization of forest cover, based on distance-from-nearest-opening, to determine appropriate leave strip widths adjacent to openings used by moose, 3) further understanding of how different opening and forest cover types influence moose presence and utilization and 4) compare these results from the different designs. Moose track occurrence and habitat attributes were recorded on 55 snow track transects to model moose presence as a function of distance-from- opening-edge and variation in vegetation cover. Over 15,000 UTM relocations were obtained from 15 GPS collared cow moose over two winters, in the same area. Based on track transect data, the model containing bog birch (Betula glandulosa), Salix species and mean shrub height was the best predictor of moose presence. Resource utilization functions indicated natural and forest management openings, up to 40 years old, were utilised more than older forest habitats. Modeling at both scales confirmed the use of early seral openings (natural or harvested) and indicated that forested distance-from-an-opening-edge does not influence resource utilization or presence of moose. Track presence was greater in wetlands with average shrub cover between 6 - 20% and > 20% than within adjacent forest cover but there was no difference between wetlands with shrub cover < 6% and adjacent forest cover. Tracks were more numerous in forest cover adjacent to wetlands with shrub cover > 20% than in forest cover adjacent to wetlands with shrub cover < 6% and 6 - 20%. The study implies that leave strips may have little immediate effect on the use of early seral openings by moose in winter although, this does not rule out that climate, predation or hunting pressure will influence habitat selection in the future.
Forestry, Faculty of
Graduate

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askelund, sara. "Problems and improvements in reindeer’s habitat." Thesis, Mittuniversitetet, Avdelningen för ekoteknik och hållbart byggande, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-21901.

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Hayhow, Daniel Beck. "Consequences of winter habitat use in a migratory shorebird." Thesis, University of East Anglia, 2009. https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/10607/.

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In this thesis I explore the importance of using different habitat types in winter for a migratory shorebird, the Icelandic Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa islandica. Godwits use a mixture of estuarine and freshwater wetland habitats across all major wintering regions. The Irish wintering population of black-tailed godwits makes up c, 20% of the flyway population, and these birds use coastal mudflats and adjacent grassland habitats throughout the winter. In addition, very large numbers congregate on inland wetland ‘callows’ in late winter and spring. The Icelandic godwit population is currently increasing, however, numbers of godwits wintering in Ireland have not increased as rapidly as elsewhere in the winter range over the last 40 years. Using detailed behavioural studies, I show that grasslands in Ireland provide essential resources for godwits, as prey consumption rates on the mudflats are insufficient to meet energetic requirements. Despite their importance, grasslands receive virtually no protection. Surveys of field selection by godwits throughout southern Ireland indicate that small, enclosed fields are avoided but that godwits use large, open fields in both urban and rural dominated areas. Levels of urbanisation also have little impact on the use of resources on mudflats or grasslands by godwits. Candidate fields for inclusion within protected areas would therefore ideally be large, open fields situated throughout urban and rural areas. Finally, I explore the evidence for increasing use of grassland habitats by godwits wintering in the east of England, where rates of population increase have been particularly high and annual survival has been estimated to be lower than other winter regions. Count information and records of individually marked godwits indicate a rapid shift in habitat use since the 1990s, with inland grasslands now being used by large numbers of godwits. These sites are also being used progressively earlier in the winter, which may indicate that estuarine prey resources are also limited in the east of England. Thus, while there is evidence that estuarine habitats are preferred by godwits in winter, grasslands are also essential for maintaining a large proportion of the Icelandic black-tailed godwit population, and improving protection of these habitats should thus be a priority.

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Baigas, Phillip E. "Winter habitat selection, winter diet, and seasonal distribution mapping of moose (Alces alces shirasi) in southeastern Wyoming." Laramie, Wyo. : University of Wyoming, 2008. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1797714121&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=18949&RQT=309&VName=PQD.

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Sabine, Dwayne L. "Migration behaviour and winter habitat use of white-tailed deer under moderate winter climate conditions." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp03/MQ54644.pdf.

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6

Gaudette, Mary Theresa. "Modeling winter habitat for white-tailed deer in southwestern Virginia." Thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/77898.

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Pellet group surveys were conducted on 21 transects in February-March, 1985, and January-March, 1986, to estimate relative deer densities on eleven study areas on the Jefferson National Forest, southwestern Virginia. Habitat data were collected on the same transects in July-September, 1985. Additional habitat information was measured from aerial photographs and USDA Forest Service compartment maps. These data were used to develop eleven multiple linear regression models and one pattern recognition (PATREC) model for predicting deer winter habitat quality, based on the assumption that relative density of deer is a good indicator of habitat quality. The densities of evergreen broad-leaved shrubs and"Nonforage" shrubs, basal area, mean distance to a field, and percent slope were among the most important variables selected in the regression model building process. Six variables were selected for use in the PATREC model: mean tree diameter, oak basal area, basal area of"Other Winter Forage" tree species, density of"Nonforage" shrubs, mean distance to a gated gravel road, and mean canopy closure. Spearman's rank correlations were used to compare the model outputs with estimated pellet group densities. All of the models had correlation coefficients ≥ 0.60, four had correlation coefficients > 0.80. The models need to be validated, i.e. tested with independent data from areas outside the study sites. These tests will help refine the models and assess their effectiveness in other regions of the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Master of Science

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Maletzke, Benjamin Thomas. "Winter habitat selection of lynx (Lynx canadensis) in northern Washington." Online access for everyone, 2004. http://www.dissertations.wsu.edu/Thesis/Summer2004/b%5Fmaletzke%5F081704.pdf.

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Eamer, Joan. "Winter habitat for dabbling ducks on southeastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/24634.

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This study is an examination of the use of coastal estuaries and nearby farmland as habitat by dabbling ducks (mallard and American wigeon) during migrating and wintering periods. Its aim was to identify aspects of British Columbia coastal habitat of importance to dabblers through an analysis of the ducks' movements among habitat types and through a description of where and on what ducks feed. Data were collected in 1979 and 1980 along a 30 km stretch of coastline on southeastern Vancouver Island. Results are presented in 3 parts. Part 1 examines the relative use of farm and coastal habitat through a series of censuses conducted weekly at 8 farm and 8 coastal sites. The strong negative correlation between counts at farm and coastal sites indicates that dabblers treat them as alternative habitats. The numbers of ducks on farms was positively correlated with the area of standing water on the fields. Farm habitat, apparently preferred during warm, wet weather, was not used when fields were dry or frozen. Part 2 is a description of feeding location on fields, at estuaries and at a shallow, nonestuarine bay. It is based on observations at selected sites at high and low tide levels. Each duck in each observation period was classified as to location and activity. Both species fed primarily in shallow water, their feeding location shifting with the tides. Both marsh and marine sections of estuaries were used extensively for feeding. The shallow bay was used especially by American wigeon at low tide in fall and early winter. The high marsh areas at estuaries were particularly attractive to mallards when flooded by exceptionally high tides. Feeding intensities were consistently high at farm sites for both species. In Part 3, 23 mallards and 40 American wigeon were shot while feeding in estuarine locations commonly used for feeding. Analysis of gullet contents revealed that both species ate a wide variety of items. Main foods were, for mallards, seeds, invertebrates and green algae and, for American wigeon, green algae, roots, seeds and green vegetation. Algae and marine Invertebrates are not usually considered to be important dabbler foods in estuaries. Major conclusions and recommendations are: 1) Both farm and coastal sites are important to dabblers, with fields being favoured as feeding locations under good flood conditions and coastal habitat being vital during dry or freezing periods. As dabblers move among sites, assessment and management of wintering dabbler habitat should be by wetland complexes rather than by individual estuaries. 2) Dabblers feed in or near shallow water. Fields that do not flood are not worth maintaining as dabbler habitat. Assessment of estuarine marshes should consider the availability of food at all points of the tidal cycle. 3) As both species feed on a wide variety of items, factors affecting shallow water flooding and thus food availability are more important than plant species composition. 4) Marine deltas and beaches are important as refuges from disturbance and as feeding grounds. They form an integral part of dabbler coastal habitat.
Science, Faculty of
Zoology, Department of
Graduate

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Stepaniuk, Darin W. "Planning for woodland caribou winter habitat needs in west-central Alberta." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp05/mq22677.pdf.

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Dunfey-Ball, Kyle Robert. "Moose Density, Habitat, and Winter Tick Epizootics in a Changing Climate." Thesis, University of New Hampshire, 2017. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10262491.

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Unregulated hunting and habitat loss led to a near extirpation of moose (Alces alces) in New Hampshire in the 1800s. After state protection in 1901, the estimated population increased slowly to ∼500 moose in 1977, then increased rapidly in the next 2 decades to ∼7500 following an increase in browse habitat created by spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana ) and related timber salvage operations, and then halved from 1998-2016 despite highly available optimal habitat. The declining population was partially related to the specific management objective to reduce moose-vehicle collisions, and a possible change in deer hunter and moose behavior that influence population estimates. But given the substantial decline in productivity and condition of cows, and frequent episodes of high calf mortality in April, the primary cause of decline was presumed to be is an increase in winter tick abundance.

This study examined the relationships among moose density, optimal habitat, weather/ground conditions, winter tick abundance, and natal dispersal in northern New England. Comparing movement data from the previous (2002-2006) and current (2014-2016) productivity studies in New Hampshire and Maine, the distance of natal dispersal, home and core range size, and home and core range overlap did not significantly (P > 0.05) change despite an increase in optimal habitat and a decrease in moose density.

Geographic changes in tick abundance were related to an interaction between moose density, and the onset and length of winter. Annual changes in tick abundance in northern New Hampshire are driven by desiccating late summer conditions, as well as the length of the fall questing season. Lower precipitation (6.4 cm) and higher minimum temperatures (9.8 °C) specifically concentrated during larval quiescence from mid-August through mid-September reduces winter tick abundance and the likelihood of an epizootic event. The onset of winter, defined by the first snowfall event (> 2.54 cm), influenced the length of the questing season relative to the date of long-term first snowfall event (14 November). In the epizootic region, average winter tick abundance on moose harvested in mid-October indicated a threshold of 36.9 ticks, above which an epizootic is like to occur unless an early snowfall event shortened the fall questing season. Optimal habitat created by forest harvesting was produced at an annual rate of 1.3% (1999-2011) and is not considered limiting in northern New Hampshire, but likely concentrates moose density locally (∼4 moose/km²) facilitating the exchange of winter ticks. In northern New Hampshire, snow cover late into April did not reduce tick abundance in the following year and cold temperatures (< 17 °C) that induced replete adult female mortality are extremely rare in April.

Given a continuation of warming climate and conservative moose harvest weather conditions and high local moose densities will continue to favor the life cycle of winter ticks, increasing the frequency of winter tick epizootics and shift the epizootic region slowly northward. Conversely, temporary reduction of moose density may substantially reduce parasite abundance and support a healthier and more productive moose population.

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McNay, Robert Scott. "Forest crowns, snow interception and management of black-tailed deer winter habitat." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/24855.

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The phenomenon of snow interception by forest stands is examined. Interception relationships extracted from literature are evaluated for their applicability to the silvicultural and climatic conditions of south coastal British Columbia. Hypotheses tested address: 1) the prediction of snow interception, 2) comparisons of heterogeneity in snow interception between second-growth and old-growth forests, and 3) how interception and interception efficiency vary depending on forest crown completeness and storm size. General relationships regarding snow interception under continental conditions were found to hold in coastal conditions', but relationships between crown completeness and interception were weak. Storm size and melt are identified as confounding factors in making predictions about snow interception based on stand crown completeness. Several approaches to modelling snow interception are discussed. Particular reference is made to the effect of interception on energetic costs of locomotion for deer. Management of coastal forests for the interception of snow should focus on maximizing crown completeness and crown surface area. Further research is required concerning the relationships used in the simulation models. Emphasis should be placed on deer response to snowpacks, the influence of melt on snowpack development, and the influence of canopy closure on spatial distribution of snowpacks.
Forestry, Faculty of
Graduate

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12

Waterhouse, F. M. Louise. "Habitat of winter wrens in riparian and upland areas of coastal forests." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1998. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp01/MQ37660.pdf.

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Hadley, Adam. "Winter habitat use by Boreal Chickadee flocks within a managed forest landscape." Thesis, Université Laval, 2006. http://www.theses.ulaval.ca/2006/23847/23847.pdf.

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On considère que les espèces résidentes d’oiseaux habitant les latitudes nord sont les espèces les plus exposées aux effets de la perte d’habitat et de la fragmentation de la forêt boréale. Nous connaissons très peu l’écologie hivernale des oiseaux boréaux résidents bien que la dynamique de leur population semble être fortement influencée par des événements qui ont lieu en-dehors de la saison de reproduction. Mon objectif était de déterminer comment l’augmentation de la densité des lisières forestières et la réduction de la proportion de forêt boréale mature influencent une espèce résidente d’oiseau. J’ai enregistré les mouvements de 85 volées hivernales de mésanges à tête brune (Poecile hudsonica) non marquées et de sept volées dont les membres étaient marqués individuellement avec des bagues de couleur. De janvier à mars (2004 et 2005), j’ai suivi des volées de mésanges en raquettes à la forêt Montmorency et j’ai enregistré leurs déplacements en temps réel en utilisant un récepteur GPS. Grâce aux volées d’individus marqués, j’ai découvert que les mésanges à tête brune comptent en moyenne 4 oiseaux par volée, occupent un territoire hivernal moyen de 14.7 ha et conservent les mêmes membres dans leur volée pendant l’hiver. À partir des déplacements de volées sur 74 km, les mésanges à tête brune préféraient fortement les peuplements forestiers matures (>7m de hauteur), utilisaient un peu moins les peuplements d’arbres en régénération (4-7 m) et évitaient les jeunes peuplements (<4 m) et les milieux ouverts. Les volées de mésanges ne s’intéressaient pas aux lisières forestières lorsqu’elles utilisaient des peuplements forestiers matures. Par contre, dans les peuplements en régénération, les volées étaient plus près des lisières ouvertes (41±6 m) ainsi que des lisières de peuplements forestiers matures (11±2 m) que prévu. Les volées de mésanges à tête brune n’évitaient pas les lisières exposées durant des conditions hivernales difficiles. Une augmentation de la densité des lisières, due à la coupe totale dans les forêts boréales, ne réduit pas nécessairement la qualité des parties de forêt restantes pour la saison hivernale des mésanges à tête brune et ce, même pendant des températures inclémentes. Par contre, j’arrive à la conclusion que l’exploitation forestière réduira l’habitat hivernal optimal de cette espèce.
Resident bird species inhabiting northern latitudes are considered to be the species most exposed to the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation of boreal forests. Despite the fact that their population dynamics appear to be strongly determined by events occurring during the non-breeding season, we have little knowledge of the winter ecology of boreal birds. My objective was to determine how increasing edge densities and reducing the proportion of mature boreal forest will affect a resident bird species. I recorded movements of 85 unmarked and seven colour banded winter flocks of the little-known Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonica), in a 66 km2 boreal forest harvested for timber near Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. From January-March (2004 and 2005), I followed flocks on snowshoes and recorded their paths in real time using a handheld GPS receiver. Using marked individuals, I found winter Boreal Chickadee flocks included an average of 4 individuals, occupied a mean winter home range of 14.7 ha and showed stable membership. Based on 74 km of flock movements, Boreal Chickadees strongly preferred mature forest (>7 m in height), used regenerating forest (4-7 m) to a lesser extent and avoided younger stands (<4 m) and open areas. Chickadee flocks showed no response to forest edges when using mature forest stands. However, inside regenerating forest, flocks were significantly closer to both open edges (41 ± 6 m) and mature forest boundaries (11 ± 2 m) than would be expected from random use of the habitat. Boreal Chickadee flocks did not avoid exposed edges during harsh weather conditions. In fact, on colder days, they were found disproportionately more often along edges between mature and regenerating stands. Increasing edge densities, resulting from clearcutting in boreal forest, does not necessarily reduce the winter suitability of remaining forest patches, even under inclement weather. However, I conclude that forest harvesting will result in a reduction of optimal wintering habitat for this species.

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Zerda, Lerner Susana de la. "Winter habitat use by Blackburnian Warblers (Dendroica fusca) in Los Amarillos, Colombia." Thesis, This resource online, 1995. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-01102009-063245/.

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Zimmer, Jeremy Paul. "Winter habitat use and diet of snowshoe hares in the Gardiner, Montana area." Thesis, Connect to this title online, 2004. http://bibpurl.oclc.org/web/9201.

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Drew, Gary S. "Winter Habitat Selection by American Marten (Martes americana) in Newfoundland: Why Old Growth?" DigitalCommons@USU, 1995. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6518.

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Although the American marten (Martes americana) generally is recognized as an obligate late-seral species, the factors dictating this association are poorly understood. Martens were studied in Newfoundland, Yellowstone National Park, and in a captive setting. As expected, use of habitat types was not proportional to availability P < 0.001). Defoliated and late-seral conifer stands were used more than expected, while all other types indicated expected or less than expected use. Habitat selection by martens was detectable at spatial scales greater than 80 m (P < 0.001). Newfoundland martens were radio-collared and monitored for diet activity during the winters of 1990 and 1991. A regression of the percent active fixes on temperature had a negative slope (P = -4.45, P= 0.084, n = 12), indicating that martens did not minimize their exposure to low temperatures. A log-linear model suggested that the presence or absence of light was the only factor associated with marten activity patterns (P < 0.001). Martens in Western Newfoundland and a population in Yellowstone National Park were tested for their response to predation risk using bait stations in various habitat types. Visitation rates of martens at bait-boxes were not different between study sites (P = 0 .190). However, martens visitation by habitat was different (P = 0.001). Martens use of bait-boxes was similar in old-growth and defoliated habitats, suggesting that foliar cover may not have a strong influence on the risk of predation for martens during winter. Martens did use bait-boxes in defoliated stands to a greater extent than those in open habitats (P < 0.001), suggesting that they perceived stem structure as decreasing predation risk. In captive experiments, martens selected areas with both overhead cover and woody stem structure (P = 0.012). I detected no difference between the use of areas with only overhead cover and those having only stem structure (P = 0.671). However, martens decreased foraging activity in response to a predatory cue (P = 0.004). The inability of martens to use food resources in areas lacking cover during the summer suggests a perception of increased threat associated with these areas.

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Englund, Ronald A. "Winter Habitat Selection Of Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) In A Large Regulated River." DigitalCommons@USU, 1991. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6467.

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Microhabitat use by cutthroat trout and macrohabitat use by both cutthroat and rainbow trout were studied i n the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam during the winters of 1988 and 1989. Microhabitat parameters used by cutthroat trout, such as focal velocity, depth, and fish elevation, differed significantly in eddies, runs, and riffles. Mean focal velocities in runs were 0.79 body lengths/seconds (bl/s), in riffles 0.66 bl/s, and in eddies 0.24 bl/s. Cutthroat trout size also varied significantly with macrohabitat; larger fish were found in riffles. Macrohabitat use by cutthroat trout and rainbow trout differed significantly among species, macrohabitat types, and months. Both rainbow trout and cutthroat trout macrohabitat use shifted from lower velocity habitats during winter to faster velocity habitats in summer. Cutthroat trout and rainbow trout used macrohabitats at seasonally differing rates. Riffles were never selected in proportion to their abundance, especially during high winter discharges. Cutthroat trout implanted with radiotransmitters exhibited little movement during diel monitoring and did not change their occupation of macrohabitats.

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Henry, Francis Drew. "Elk winter habitat selection and movements in the Buffalo Valley of Wyoming with respect to habitat treatments and supplemental feeding." [Ames, Iowa : Iowa State University], 2009. 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:1468090.

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Mäki-Petäys, A. (Aki). "Habitat requirements of juvenile salmonids:towards ecologically-based fisheries management in boreal streams." Doctoral thesis, Oulun yliopisto, 1999. http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9514252209.

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Abstract For effective management of stream salmonids, it is essential to (i) assess the productive potential of a stream in relation to species-specific habitat requirements, and to (ii) identify the key factors underlying any bottleneck periods during the life cycle of a fish. For this purpose, this PhD-thesis focuses on the mechanisms of habitat selection by juvenile salmonids in boreal streams. Habitat preference curves for depth, water velocity, substrate and instream cover for brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in river Kuusinkijoki, northeastern Finland, indicated that larger trout preferred deeper stream areas than age-0 trout did. In summer, all size-classes of trout preferred small substrates, whereas in winter, areas with cobble-boulder substrates were preferred. Winter presents a bottleneck period for trout in boreal streams; therefore winter habitat curves should be incorporated into habitat-hydraulic models when estimating habitat suitable for riverine trout in areas with severe winter conditions. The preference curves of age-0 trout were validated by correlating age-0 trout density with habitat availability at multiple sites in two boreal rivers where trout densities were monitored in 1988-1995. Substrate preference curve was effective in predicting trout densities among sites, whereas among-year variation in trout densities was best predicted by depth-related preference curves. The responses of age-0 brown trout and grayling (Thymallus thymallus (L.)) to enhancement structures were investigated in artificial stream flumes. For both species a crucial habitat factor was the availability of flow refuges, especially in winter. In another experiment, age-1 trout dominated over age-0 trout when competing for velocity and overhead cover they both found suitable, emphasizing the role of intraspecific interactions in habitat selection by trout. These results suggest that the provision of a broad diversity of microhabitats should be a major goal in rehabilitation programs for fishery purposes. A new method, combining GIS-assisted (Geographical Information System) approach with geostatistical tools, facilitated the detection of fish distribution patterns in a spatially heterogenous stream habitat. The method will likely prove valuable when determining appropriate sampling scale(s) for future studies of fish habitat selection in relation to benthic prey. Unlike Arctic bullhead (Cottus poecilopus, Heckel), trout did not show any aggregation with their benthic prey according to spatially-referenced data on the distribution of lotic fishes and benthic macroinvertebrates within a stream reach.

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Jones, Paul Francis. "Winter habitat selection by elk (Cervus elaphus) in the lower foothills of west-central Alberta /." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp05/mq22609.pdf.

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Robichaux, Rex Michael. "Correlating climate with late-winter wetland habitat in the Rainwater Basin, south-central Nebraska." Thesis, Manhattan, Kan. : Kansas State University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/4116.

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Carter, Brian Patrick. "Winter habitat use by trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) in the Fraser Delta, British Columbia." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/mq24102.pdf.

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Cotton, C. Laine. "Winter habitat use and activity patterns of northern flying squirrels in sub-boreal forests." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp03/MQ62469.pdf.

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Collins, Katherine Lucy. "The effect of habitat creation for predatory arthropods on aphid populations in winter wheat." Thesis, Open University, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.298183.

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Pearl, Benjamin G. "Factors affecting Western Snowy Plover winter foraging habitat selection in San Francisco Bay ponds." Thesis, San Jose State University, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10011661.

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Within the San Francisco Bay Area, Western Snowy Plovers (Alexandrinus nivosus nivosus) nest and winter in former salt ponds. They face a number of threats including human-altered habitats and high levels of predation by mesopredators and raptors. The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (the Project) is a large wetland restoration project that will change and potentially eliminate Snowy Plover habitat in the region. As the Project returns salt ponds to tidal wetland, there will be less of the dry, flat, and sparsely vegetated habitat that plovers need for breeding and wintering habitat. A greater understanding of the specific microhabitat requirements for high quality plover foraging sites is needed. In particular, it is important for managers to understand what constitutes high quality wintering habitat for Snowy Plover numbers. This study assessed the characteristics at sites where Snowy Plovers winter in former salt ponds, especially habitat traits related to promoting plover foraging. Analysis of plover foraging habitat showed that plovers were associated with increasing plant height, water cover, and distance from perches and levees. This information is designed to inform restoration and management decisions in efforts to meet Snowy Plover recovery goals in the South San Francisco Bay.

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Baker, Bruce Garry. "Winter habitat selection and use by moose in the West-Chilcotin region of British Columbia." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28890.

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Wetlands have been considered an important component of wintering moose (Alces alces andersonii) habitat in the West-Chilcotin Region of British Columbia. This study evaluates the importance of wetlands, particularly the ecotone between forests and wetlands and identifies important cover types for wintering moose. Additional baseline data regarding food habits and home range sizes are included. Two hypotheses were tested in this study; that moose habitat use was independent of cover type, and that moose habitat use was random with respect to distance from forest/wetland borders. The data in this study led to rejection of both these hypotheses. Moose used spruce (Picea glauca) wetlands and spruce forests more frequently than expected if use were random. Moose concentrated primarily within 100 m of the forest/wetland edge and virtually did not use areas greater than 200 m from the edge. The combination of food and cover in areas of spruce and edge is likely a major factor determining habitat use of wintering moose. Average home range sizes of radio-collared moose ranged from 20.7 to 45.2 km². Bog birch (Betula qlandulosa) , lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), and willows (Salix spp.) were the most frequently consumed forages.
Land and Food Systems, Faculty of
Graduate

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Cichowski, Deborah B. "Seasonal movements, habitat use, and winter feeding ecology of woodland caribou in West-Central British Columbia." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28941.

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Three levels of resource selection (seasonal movements and habitat use, winter feeding site selection, and forage selection), by two populations of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in west-central British Columbia were examined to evaluate potential effects of logging on those populations. Seasonal movements and habitat use were determined by monitoring radiocollared adult female caribou; winter feeding site and forage selection were determined by following caribou tracks on winter ranges. Caribou moved from winter to summer ranges along relatively snow-free, low elevation migration routes. Itcha-IIgachuz-Rainbow caribou calved and spent the summer almost exclusively in alpine habitat in the Itcha, Ilgachuz and Rainbow Mountains; Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou used a variety of alpine and forested habitats in and adjacent to northern Tweedsmuir Park during summer. During winter, caribou in both areas used predominantly low elevation forested habitats. In the Tweedsmuir-Entiako area, some use of alpine habitat occurred during mid-winter in the Fawnie Mountains. In the Itcha-Ilgachuz area, 5-15% of the radiocollared caribou spent the winter in alpine and subalpine habitat on the north side of the Ilgachuz Mountains. Rainbow Mountain caribou used alpine habitat in the northern Rainbow and Ilgachuz Mountains during the winter. On low elevation winter ranges in both areas, caribou selected Dry Lichen / Lichen Moss and Lichen Moss caribou habitat types. Mature pine forest cover types on low and poor quality growing sites were also selected by caribou during winter. Itcha-Ilgachuz caribou selected large Fescue-Lichen meadows in early winter and Dry Lichen / Kinnikinnick sites in the very dry, cold Sub-Boreal Pine/Spruce (SBPSxc) biogeoclimatic subzone in late winter. In late winter, the Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou selected mature Moss/Seepage Forest - Aspen Forest caribou habitat types. Forest cover types selected were mature pine and pine/spruce forest cover types on medium quality sites. Throughout the winter, pine forests in both areas were used predominantly for cratering for terrestrial lichens. Caribou selected areas with high terrestrial lichen abundance for cratering. Snow characteristics (snow depth, snow penetrability) did not appear to influence crater site selection. Snow was often deeper at cratering sites than at non-cratering sites because sites that were selected for abundant terrestrial lichen also had more open canopies which intercepted less snow. Arboreal lichens were used in all forest types; however, arboreal lichen use was greater in pine/spruce and spruce stands than in pine stands. Implications of logging to woodland caribou populations and winter range use are discussed and recommendations for logging guidelines compatible with woodland caribou are suggested.
Forestry, Faculty of
Graduate

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Martinez, Isabel M. "Winter habitat use by woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the Owl Lake region of Manitoba." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp01/MQ41662.pdf.

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Bergman, Eric James. "Evaluation of winter range habitat treatments on overwinter survival, density, and body condition of mule deer." Thesis, Colorado State University, 2013. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3593359.

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The management and research of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus ) in Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain West is an exciting arena for wildlife professionals as the prevailing view among biologists, managers, researchers, hunters, wildlife viewers and general wildlife enthusiasts is that they would like to see more deer on the landscape.

In Chapter 1, I used 4 years of data and 8 study units to evaluate the effect of habitat management on the overwinter survival of mule deer fawns. Habitat management consisted of different levels of habitat management efforts: reference study units received no habitat management, traditional habitat treatment units received mechanical disturbance and advanced habitat treatment units were comprised of both mechanical disturbances as well as follow-up chemical control of weeds and reseeding with desirable browse species. Mule deer fawns that overwintered on areas that received both a traditional treatment as well as follow-up treatments experienced an improvement in survival ( Ŝ = 0.768, SE = 0.085) over deer on winter range without habitat treatments (Ŝ = 0.675, SE = 0.112). When partitioned into different levels of treatment intensity, mule deer inhabiting winter range that advanced treatments (i.e., both traditional treatments and follow-up treatments) experienced higher survival (Ŝ = 0.768, SE = 0.0849) than deer on areas that experienced only traditional treatments (Ŝ = 0.687, SE = 0.108), which in turn experienced higher survival than in areas that had received no treatments (Ŝ = 0.669, SE = 0.113).

In my second chapter, I relied on recent advancements in abundance estimation methodologies to determine if habitat management strategies increased mule deer density. In order to estimate mule deer density, I conducted annual helicopter mark-resight surveys across the 8 study units that were utilized in chapter 1. Resighting probabilities (range 0.070–0.567) were best modeled as an interactive function of study unit and year, although sampling method was also important. A consistent pattern of higher deer density on advanced treatment study units was not observed despite its being the primary hypothesis of the study. Total deer densities did vary by latitude with 20–84 deer/km² in southern study units and 4–12 deer/km² in northern study units. I conclude that if population density is to be used as a population response variable, it only be used in tandem with other, possibly more sensitive parameters, such as overwinter survival of mule deer fawns.

In my third chapter, I investigate the relationships between habitat, body condition, and life history characteristics. With the increased availability of portable ultrasound machines and the refinement of hormonal assays, assessment of ungulate body condition has become a more accessible monitoring strategy. I employed body condition scoring, estimation of % ingesta-free body fat (%IFBF) and assessment of thyroid hormones (FT4 and FT3) as metrics to determine if landscape-level habitat manipulation affected body condition of adult (≥1.5 years old) female mule deer.

For my final chapter, I assimilate the knowledge and information gained from my first 3 chapters with the existing knowledge base surrounding mule deer population dynamics and population limitation within Colorado. Such reviews have been conducted periodically (e.g., 1960s and late 1990s) and have been precipitated by mule deer population declines. A dramatic decline in mule deer populations was detected during the final years of my field research but the underlying cause of this decline is yet to be determined. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

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Korosy, Marianne. "Estimated diets, diet overlap, and winter habitat associations of four grassland sparrows in Florida dry prairie." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2013. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/6305.

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North American grassland birds show long-term population declines that generally exceed the declines of other bird groups. Efforts to conserve grassland birds require knowledge of diet and habitat requirements during both the breeding and nonbreeding periods of annual life cycles. This dissertation investigated sparrow habitat associations within two defined plant communities of the dry prairie ecosystem, the dry-mesic and wet-mesic prairie, for four prescribed fire treatments over two consecutive winters. Grasshopper and Henslow's sparrows showed higher relative abundance in wet-mesic prairie and Bachman's Sparrows were more abundant in dry-mesic prairie across all fire treatments. Abundances of Grasshopper and Bachman's sparrows were best predicted by plant community association and secondly by time since fire; whereas for Henslow's Sparrows, habitat and time since fire were equally important. Fall molt-period diets and diet overlap were modeled for resident Florida Grasshopper and Bachman's sparrows using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of bird feathers and potential food sources, e.g., arthropods and seeds. Grasshoppers (Orthoptera, including a variety of species foraging on both C3 and C4 herbs), spiders, dragonflies, flies, beetles and weevils comprised the majority of the diets of adult and juvenile Florida Grasshopper Sparrows and Bachman's Sparrows, but in differing proportions. Despite the similarity in reconstructed diets for the two sparrow species, analysis of diet overlap suggested that approximately half of the Florida Grasshopper Sparrows had diets consisting of higher trophic level prey than Bachman's Sparrows. Winter diets and diet overlap among Grasshopper, Henslow's, and Bachman's sparrows were reconstructed using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of feathers and potential arthropod and seed food sources. Sparrows were captured and recaptured in winter 2007-2008 using systematic flush-netting, removing a tail feather at first capture and then removing the regrown feather when birds were recaptured. Winter diets of all three sparrows included a variety of arthropods, grass seeds, and sedge seeds, but Bachman's Sparrow winter diets spanned greater trophic diversity than either of the migratory sparrows. Estimated diets of Henslow's and Grasshopper sparrows differed from that of Bachman's Sparrow but Henslow's Sparrow diets did not differ from Grasshopper Sparrow diets. This is the first study of fall and winter sparrow diets in Florida based on stable isotopes and the first study in peninsular Florida on habitat associations of ground-dwelling sparrows.
Ph.D.
Doctorate
Biology
Sciences
Conservation Biology; Ecology and Organismal Biology Track

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Stackhouse, Jeffery Wilson. "Ring-Necked Pheasant: Evaluation of Winter Survival, Habitat Use, and Current Research Methods of Nest Searching." Thesis, North Dakota State University, 2013. https://hdl.handle.net/10365/26643.

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Radio telemetry was used to monitor a population of male and female ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus; hereafter pheasant) in southwestern North Dakota to examine pheasant habitat selection. Study objectives were to: 1) determine preferred pheasant winter cover habitat; 2) develop management recommendations to increase pheasant abundance; 3) identify habitat use, survival, and dispersion differences between male and female pheasants; and 4) compare nest-searching techniques to determine most efficient research technique for finding pheasant nests. We captured 191 pheasants, assessed weekly survival using known-fate models in Program MARK and determined home ranges and habitat selection and preference using ArcGIS. We assessed three common methods of nest searching: intense ground searching, chain dragging, and telemetry. Averaging >2000 hectares, our home ranges estimates. Pheasant showed selection toward farmsteads with livestock, large wetlands, and CRP-type grasslands. Pheasant survival estimates for the winters of 2011 and 2012 were 91 and 84 percent, respectively.

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Landry-Cuerrier, Manuelle. "From habitat to energetics : eastern chipmunk burrow microhabitat selection and fine-scale variation in winter torpor expression." Thesis, McGill University, 2008. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=112530.

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This thesis evaluates, in free-ranging eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), burrow site selection, the effect of burrow microhabitat on individual behaviour and winter torpor expression, as well as resource and climate determinants of fine-scale variation in winter torpor expression and energetics. This was accomplished by characterizing burrow microhabitat, performing behavioural observations, and monitoring winter torpor expression. Among several burrow microhabitat variables related to food availability, predation risk, and hibernacula microclimate, availability of woody debris was the best predictor of burrow site use. Anti-predator benefits associated with availability and use of woody debris are potentially more important than those associated with burrow microhabitat features that are either too spatially invariant (soil temperatures) or too spatially and temporally variant (food sources). Abundance of tree-seeds drastically reduced winter torpor, increasing considerably winter energy consumption, and local density of seed-producing trees was responsible for fine-scale spatial variation in torpor expression. The potential range in winter torpor expression and energy consumption was constrained by microclimate, whereas observed patterns of winter torpor and energy consumption were highly variable and determined primarily by local food abundance.

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Stierhoff, Kevin L. "Ecophysiological impacts of hypoxia on nursery habitat quality for juvenile estuary-dependent fishes a comparison of laboratory and field growth rates /." Access to citation, abstract and download form provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company; downloadable PDF file 1.93 Mb., 129 p, 2006. http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/3200550.

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Lundquist, Kristin. "Habitat use by waterbirds in wetlands during winter and spring – a study of five wetlands in Halmstad, Sweden." Thesis, Högskolan i Halmstad, Akademin för ekonomi, teknik och naturvetenskap, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-37641.

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During December-April in 2016/2017, five wetlands in near proximity to the city of Halmstad and four stretches along the stream Trönningeån were investigated regarding their use by birds during winter and spring. At one of the wetlands it was investigated whether non-entry rules are set accordingly to the breeding period. Furthermore, the recreational values of two of the wetlands were calculated. The five wetlands were used by a total of 37 species during the months December-April and they were occupied by mainly the same bird species with a few exceptions, showing some differences in numbers of individuals and species composition depending on wetland. The wetlands seemed to be of importance for a few wintering species as there were at least 12 species and 190 individuals at the near-coastal wetland Trönninge ängar during months December-February. The inland wetland Stjärnarps norra våtmark attracted 6 species and a surprising amount of 153 individuals during the same period. Especially the near-coastal wetlands also created for bird purposes (Trönninge ängar and Larssons våtmark) served as very important spots for migrating birds and were visited by a large number of species and attracted 1531 and 1314 individuals between months March-April. The no-entry rules regarding Trönninge ängar seemed to be up-to-date in terms of when the birds show signs of breeding. The recreational value was calculated to be almost three times higher for Trönninge ängar than for Larssons våtmark. The turnover rate for the birds in two of the wetlands showed some differences and/or patterns regarding how and when different bird species use the wetlands.
Under månaderna december-april 2016/2017 inventerades fem våtmarker nära Halmstad för att få information angående hur fåglar använder dessa våtmarker under vintermånaderna och våren samt undersöktes fyra åsträckor av Trönningeån med avseende på hur dessa används av vissa vadare vintertid. En av våtmarkerna undersöktes angående huruvida datumen för tillträdesförbud stämde överens med fåglarnas häckningstider och dessutom undersöktes rekreationsvärdet för två våtmarker. Totalt använde 37 olika arter våtmarkerna under perioden december-april och de användes huvudsakligen av samma arter med vissa undantag. Det fanns även vissa skillnader i antalet individer samt variationer i artsammansättning beroende på våtmark. Våtmarkerna verkade ha betydelse för ett antal övervintrande fåglar då den kustnära våtmarken Trönninge ängar besöktes av åtminstone 12 arter och 190 individer. Inlandsvåtmarken Stjärnarps norra våtmark besöktes av 6 arter och ett oväntat stort antal på 153 individer. Särskilt våtmarkerna närmast kusten som dessutom är fågelvåtmarker (Trönninge ängar och Larssons våtmark) spelade en viktig roll för flyttfåglar då de användes av totalt 1531 respektive 1314 individer under perioden mars-april. Tiderna för tillträdesförbud gällande Trönninge ängar verkade vara aktuella ännu i relation till när fåglar i våtmarken uppvisar tecken på häckning. Det uträknade rekreationsvärdet visade sig vara nästan tre gånger högre för Trönninge ängar än för Larssons våtmark. Undersökningen angående hur och när olika fågelarter använder två av våtmarkerna visade på att det finns vissa skillnader mellan hur och när olika fågelarter utnyttjar dem.

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Peck, Riley D. "Seasonal Habitat Selection by Greater Sage Grouse in Strawberry Valley Utah." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2011. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/3180.

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This study examined winter habitat use and nesting ecology of greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in Strawberry Valley (SV), Utah located in the north-central part of the state. We monitored sage grouse with the aid of radio telemetry throughout the year, but specifically used information from the winter and nesting periods for this study. Our study provided evidence that sage grouse show fidelity to nesting areas in subsequent years regardless of nest success. We found only 57% of our nests located within the 3 km distance from an active lek typically used to delineate critical nesting habitat. We suggest a more conservative distance of 10 km for our study area. Whenever possible, we urge consideration of nest-area fidelity in conservation planning across the range of greater sage grouse. We also evaluated winter-habitat selection at multiple spatial scales. Sage grouse in our study area selected gradual slopes with high amounts of sagebrush exposed above the snow. We produced a map that identified suitable winter habitat for sage grouse in our study area. This map highlighted core areas that should be conserved and will provide a basis for management decisions affecting Strawberry Valley, Utah.

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Burkholder, Braden Osborn. "Seasonal distribution, winter habitat selection and willow utilization patterns of the Shiras moose on the Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area." Thesis, Montana State University, 2012. http://etd.lib.montana.edu/etd/2012/burkholder/BurkholderB0512.pdf.

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Moose populations are difficult to manage as moose exist at low population densities compared to other ungulates and may use a variety of habitat types. Local knowledge is needed to effectively manage moose populations and limited research has been conducted recently in Montana. This study took place on the Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area (MHWMA) in southwestern Montana to assist with the management of moose throughout southwestern Montana and establish a baseline for future research. The objectives of this study were to describe seasonal distribution patterns and habitat selection by adult cow moose, with an emphasis on habitat selection during the winter season, and to quantify patterns in willow browse utilization by moose in winter. To accomplish these objectives, I used data from GPS collars on cow moose to determine the basic habitat use patterns and covariates associated with winter habitat selection. Browse surveys of willow were employed to quantify browse utilization on the study area and to determine which environmental covariates were associated with moose browse utilization in winter. Cow moose on the study area were non-migratory and had small winter and summer home ranges. Moose strongly selected for willow cover types and habitat selection was associated with cover type, distance to conifer, distance to willow, and elevation; these relationships changed when snowpack conditions varied. Current browse utilization was low (~10%) and was associated with previously browsed willow, preferred willow species, and willow community width. Based on the habitat selection analysis, both willow and conifer communities were important to cow moose in winter and these results have management implications for habitat conservation and aerial survey methods. The browse utilization analysis showed that browse was notably heterogeneous and would require a large effort to sample browse utilization accurately. However, browse patterns were associated with habitat covariates and habitat managers should take these covariates into account when placing sites for monitoring of willow browse utilization. Overall, the moose population and willow communities around MHWMA appear to be in good health, but threats from climate change, predation, and the potential for overharvest may create population management challenges in the future.

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Thacker, Eric T. "Greater Sage-Grouse Seasonal Ecology and Responses to Habitat Manipulations in Northern, Utah." DigitalCommons@USU, 2010. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/707.

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Declining greater sage-grouse populations (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) have led to increased concern regarding the long-term stability of the species. Previous research has identified factors contributing to the observed population declines. Habitat degradation and loss have been implicated as major factors in population declines. Although much is known about sage-grouse biology, more information is needed about population responses to specific management actions. This research was conducted to document sage-grouse responses to site-specific management actions. Additionally, I evaluated sage-grouse temporal and seasonal habitat-use and the comparability of techniques used by range and wildlife managers to measure vegetation responses of habitat management. Specifically, I evaluated 1) whether chemical analysis (gas chromatography) of sage-grouse fecal pellets could identify sagebrush species in sage-grouse winter diets, 2) the comparability of the line-point intercept and Daubenmire canopy cover methods for estimating canopy cover, 3) the response of sage-grouse broods to prescribed burns in a high elevation sagebrush community in northeastern Utah, and 4) the vegetation and insect characteristics of sites used by sage-grouse broods during a 24-hour period. I was able to determine wintering sage-grouse diets using gas chromatography by analyzing fecal pellets. This research also confirmed that black sagebrush (Artemisia nova) was an important component of sage-grouse winter diets in western Box Elder County and Parker Mountain populations. The line-point intercept and Daubenmire methods for estimating canopy cover are not comparable. Sage-grouse broods selected small (~ 25 ha) patchy prescribed burns in high elevation mountain big sagebrush (A. tridentata vaseyana) communities in northeastern Utah. Sage-grouse brood-site use in northwestern Utah did not differ during the diurnal hours, but nocturnal roost sites were characterized by shorter statured shrubs and more bare ground when compared to midday sites.

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Arrignon, Florent Balent Gérard. "HOVER-WINTER un modèle multi-agent pour simuler la dynamique hivernale d'un insecte auxiliaire des cultures (Episyrphus balteatus, Diptera: Syrphidea) dans un paysage hétérogène /." Toulouse : INP Toulouse, 2007. http://ethesis.inp-toulouse.fr/archive/00000444.

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Barton, Sheri L. "The influence of habitat features on selection and use of a winter refuge by manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in Charlotte Harbor, FL." [Tampa, Fla] : University of South Florida, 2006. http://purl.fcla.edu/usf/dc/et/SFE0001614.

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Barton, Sheri L. "The Influence of Habitat Features on Selection and Use of a Winter Refuge by Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in Charlotte Harbor, Florida." Scholar Commons, 2006. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/3835.

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Investigating alternate winter refuges for Florida manatees is increasingly important as sustained warm-water discharges from industrial and some natural sites becomes more uncertain. This study examined habitat features of possible importance to manatees by comparing a winter refuge in Charlotte Harbor, FL (the Matlacha Isles canal system) to two nearby, seemingly similar sites that are not frequented by manatees during winter. Water temperature, salinity, boat traffic, canal depth, and tidal flushing were assessed at these sites. Additionally, this study examined when and how manatees use the Matlacha Isles refuge by documenting movements, habitat use, and behaviors of manatees during the winters of 1999/2000 through 2001/2002. Water temperatures had a profound influence on manatee selection of Matlacha Isles over the two comparison canal systems. Matlacha Isles did not experience the sudden drops in water temperature following cold fronts, extreme low temperatures, or long periods of temperatures below manatees’ reported thermal tolerance of 18-20 oC that were recorded in Matlacha Pass (ambient) and the two comparison canal systems. Heat retention within Matlacha Isles may be associated with greater water depth and lower tidal flushing. Salinity and boat traffic did not seem to influence site selection by manatees. During moderately cold weather, manatees occupying Matlacha Isles forage at night in nearby Matlacha Pass and return early in the morning to Matlacha Isles, where they primarily rest all day. Neither tidal state nor boat traffic levels affected manatee travel patterns into or out of Matlacha Isles. Manatees may passively thermoregulate in the warmer waters of Matlacha Isles during the day (when they are inactive) and sustain their body temperatures at night through the heat generated during traveling to feeding sites and during ingestion (chewing) and digestion. During extreme or prolonged cold weather, Matlacha Isles provides inadequate warmth for manatees; during such times, most of them travel to a power plant on the Orange River, approximately 50 kilometers away. Findings from this study may inform resource managers as they consider attributes manatees find desirable or necessary in winter. Such information will help managers create new or enhance existing winter refuges to protect manatees.

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Lindmark, Burk Sofia. "The effect of forest structure and vegetation on reindeer habitat choices : A study in the winter grazing grounds of Vilhelmina norra reindeer herding district, Västerbotten, Sweden." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för ekologi, miljö och geovetenskap, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-89790.

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The objective of this thesis was to examine whether forest structure and ground vegetation could explain the habitat choices of the reindeer within similar forest stands. The field work was carried out on 60 sites scattered across a part of the winter grounds for Vilhelmina Norra reindeer herding district. All sites were situated within so-called core and key areas, i.e. areas which the herding district sees as necessary for the reindeer husbandry in the area. Information from GPS-collared reindeer were used to create RIVO (by the Reindeer Identified [as] Important Areas) maps, where areas the reindeer preferred were shown. The results showed that the core and key areas were not significantly different from each other regarding the forest structure, nor the vegetation, but there were some differences in terms of the habitat choice of the reindeer and when the core and key areas were combined with RIVO. The differences concern mainly the coverage of ground lichens, epiphytic lichens and moose presence. Results from other studies suggest that the reindeer habitat selection is dependent on the weather and snow conditions, and looks very different from year to year. The snow conditions are in turn affected by the forest structure, so it is important that the grazing grounds have a heterogeneous forest landscape, including areas which under normal circumstances would not be seen as important for the reindeer husbandry.

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Nickley, Benjamin. "Red-headed Woodpecker Full Annual Cycle Ecology at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia." VCU Scholars Compass, 2018. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/5665.

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The red-headed woodpecker is a primary cavity excavator found throughout the Eastern Deciduous Forest and parts of the Great Plains. Although widespread, the red-headed woodpecker is generally considered uncommon, with patchily distributed populations. Over the past 50 years, this species has experienced precipitous, range-wide declines. The red-headed woodpecker uses a variety of cover types to meet resource needs across the annual cycle, ranging from oak savannas and wetlands, to mature beech forests and urban parks. Given their apparent adaptability to such a wide range of habitats, causes of declines are perplexing. To understand and stem declines, recent studies have focused on quantifying this species’ habitat requirements. Most of these studies have focused on a single cover type, often open forests, during the breeding season. However, effective management requires comprehensive knowledge of red-headed woodpecker habitat needs in a variety of cover types across the annual cycle. My thesis seeks to address this knowledge gap. I studied red-headed woodpecker habitat selection during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons at Fort A.P. Hill (FAPH) in Caroline County, Virginia. FAPH contains a variety of cover types that red-headed woodpeckers are known to use for breeding and overwintering, including: wetlands, open forests and closed forests. In Chapter 1, I investigated winter roost-site selection of red-headed woodpeckers in a burned forest stand. My study was the first to quantify winter habitat selection for this species. My aim was to identify variables driving winter roost-site selection at two relevant spatial scales, and estimate their parameter weights using logistic regression. I found that red-headed woodpeckers preferred habitat around the roost tree that contained a higher basal area of snags and mast-producing trees. They differentially selected roost trees based on taxon and decay state. My results indicate that managers should adopt practices that promote snag generation and retention, and mature oak recruitment. In chapter 2, I focused on red-headed woodpecker breeding season habitat requirements, as many other studies have done. However, unlike other studies that investigated habitat selection within a single cover type, I found and characterized nest-sites in three distinct cover types (wetlands, closed forests, open forests). I used a comparative approach to identify cover-type specific nest-habitat thresholds at the landscape, patch and tree scales using boosted regression trees (BRT). Although models at the landscape scale inadequately discriminated between nest and available sites, models at the patch and tree scales achieved excellent discrimination ability. I found that red-headed woodpeckers are consistent in their preference for a number of habitat features at the patch (high medium/large snag density, open canopy) and tree (large diameter tree with less bark) scales, irrespective of cover type context. However, I also found cover-type specific habitat preferences at the patch scale, indicating red-headed woodpeckers are flexible in their selection of features surrounding the nest and responsive to the broader habitat context. My findings suggest that there are a number of habitat features that facilitate breeding for red-headed woodpeckers generally, and management that promotes these features will be effective in a variety of habitat contexts. They also indicate that management can be tailored to provide the most suitable habitat for each of these three commonly used cover types. Together, Chapters 1 and Chapter 2 expand our knowledge of this declining keystone species’ habitat needs across the full annual cycle. But there is still much to know. The choices of habitat selection have consequences. Determining the conditions under which habitat features function to either help or harm populations is a necessary next step. While not a part of this thesis, I am currently investigating the factors that drive nest success among cover types, linking breeding-site selection to population dynamics. I also have behavioral data that will help reveal the mechanisms that either facilitate or constrain the exploitation of food resources across cover types. Finally, the red-headed woodpecker is a facultative migrant that often shifts habitat associations to take advantage of seasonally available resources. Data from my point count surveys—conducted over two successive winter and summer seasons—allow for development of dynamic occupancy models. Modeling shifts in occupancy across seasons will show the habitat factors underlying seasonal shifts. Site-specific differences in colonization, extinction and frequency of occupancy, within seasons but across years, will further our understanding of what constitutes habitat quality for this species, in both the breeding and non-breeding seasons.

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Knapik, Randall T. "Survival and Covey Density of Northern Bobwhites in Relation to Habitat Characteristics and Usable Space in Ohio." The Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1430738814.

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44

Arrignon, Florent. "Hover-winter : un modèle multi-agent pour simuler la dynamique hivernale d'un insecte auxiliaire des cultures (Episyrphus balteatus, Diptera: Syrphidea) dans un paysage hétérogène." Phd thesis, Toulouse, INPT, 2006. https://hal.science/tel-04574792.

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Dans le contexte de la lutte biologique par conservation et gestion des habitats, la répartition spatiale des ressources est un facteur clé dans la dynamique des espèces auxiliaires des cultures. Nous avons développé une approche modélisatrice appliquée à une telle espèce : Episyrphus balteatus. Les objectifs de la thèse étaient : i) déterminer quels facteurs influencent sa dynamique de population; ii) montrer comment ces facteurs influent sur sa survie hivernale et iii) proposer des aménagements visant à améliorer la survie. Une première approche empirique a identifié les points clés de la dynamique de population. Le développement du modèle multi-agent HOVER-WINTER a ensuite explicité l’utilisation par les individus, en hiver, des prairies et des lisières sud présentes dans le paysage. L’ étude de scénarios à l’aide du modèle a montré que la configuration du paysage avait un rôle sur la dynamique hivernale. Dans tous les cas, les aménagements proposés améliorent la survie hivernale.

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Davey, Cynthia Jane. "Winter track patterns of snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), red fox (Vulpes fulva) and lynx (Lynx canadensis) related to distance from corridors and habitat type near Cochrane, northeastern Ontario, Canada." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/nq26112.pdf.

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Saunders, Debra, and debbie saunders@anu edu au. "Ecology and conservation of the swift parrot - an endangered austral migrant." The Australian National University. College of Science, 2008. http://thesis.anu.edu.au./public/adt-ANU20081010.161656.

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The swift parrot (Lathamus discolor, Psittacidae) is an endangered, austral migrant that inhabits forests and woodlands of south-eastern Australia. With a small population size (2500 birds), broad winter distribution (1 250 000 km2) and often cryptic nature, the swift parrot is a challenging species to study. In autumn they migrate north from their Tasmanian breeding grounds in search of suitable food resources throughout their winter range on mainland Australia. They are therefore dependent on a combination of suitable wintering, migration and breeding habitats. Although they spend a large proportion of their lives within winter habitats, the spatial and temporal dynamics of habitat use in this part of their range is poorly understood. This thesis aims to provide a greater understanding of large-scale winter habitat use by swift parrots, in both historic and current contexts, and provide a basis for future conservation management. ¶ Swift parrots, or red-shouldered paroquets as they were previously known, were among the first Australian birds to be scientifically described and illustrated following European settlement in 1788. However, within 60 years of settlement, habitats throughout the range of the species were being impacted upon. An important aspect of this habitat loss is the speed and spatial extent with which it occurred throughout the parrots broad distribution. Although the most extensive habitat loss in some areas occurred during colonial times, habitats continue to be lost as a result of various land management practices. Such impacts are also likely to be exacerbated by the ongoing cumulative impact with rapid climate change. As a result the swift parrot is an endangered species and is the subject of an ongoing national recovery program, to which this thesis contributes. ¶ Conserving habitat for the swift parrot, and other wide-ranging fauna species, is challenging since impacts in one area tend to be dismissed based on the assumption that there is sufficient habitat in other areas. These conservation challenges are discussed in regard to the national swift parrot recovery program. Although recovery program implementation for this species has been successful in identifying and protecting some important habitats, there are still many gaps in our knowledge that need to be addressed through a continuing and adaptive recovery effort, including an understanding of variable habitat use throughout their winter range. ¶ A study of swift parrot winter habitat use was therefore conducted at 53 sites across New South Wales over five years (2001-2005). Swift parrots used a diversity of winter foraging habitats in coastal and/or western slopes regions of New South Wales each year, including several habitats that occur in endangered ecological communities. Landscapes containing winter foraging habitat included scattered trees, remnant vegetation and continuous forests, and swift parrots foraged extensively on lerp and nectar from a diversity of tree species within these. The occurrence of swift parrots at foraging sites was primarily associated with the abundance of lerp, nectar and non-aggressive competitors. Although swift parrot abundance fluctuated significantly between years and regions, over half of all foraging sites were used repeatedly, highlighting their likely importance for conservation. ¶ Patterns of habitat use throughout the species winter range were also studied across five states/territories using volunteer data from 4140 surveys. These surveys were conducted by up to 300 volunteers twice a year, for seven years (1998-2004) with swift parrots detected in 19% of surveys. As a result, this study provided the first demonstration of large-scale drought related movements by a migratory population throughout their winter range. It also demonstrated the dynamic spatial and temporal patterns of winter habitat use, including repeated use of sites, by an austral migrant. Four regions in central Victoria were used most consistently, although the birds also visited other regions each year. ¶ During drought swift parrot abundance was significantly correlated with rainfall, whereby most of the population either concentrated in a few regions or migrated longer distances (up to 1000km) to drought refuges in wetter coastal areas. However, swift parrot abundance was not associated with specific climate variables during years of average to high rainfall throughout most of their range. Instead they appeared to prefer habitats within particular regions. Importantly this study emphasises that conservation measures need to be implemented throughout the distribution of migratory species, including drought refuge habitats and areas outside conservation reserves.

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Horstkotte, Tim. "Contested Landscapes : social-ecological interactions between forestry and reindeer husbandry." Doctoral thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för ekologi, miljö och geovetenskap, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-66386.

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Throughout northern Fennoscandia, reindeer husbandry is a central part in the cultural heritage of the Sámi people. In its history, Sámi culture and reindeer husbandry have undergone significant adaptations to environmental, social and political challenges. Landscape changes on the winter grazing grounds were mainly driven by resource exploitation, especially by industrialized forestry. Important grazing resources were lost, i.e. terrestrial and arboreal lichens that constitute essential key elements in the herding year. In my thesis, I explore the consequences of these transformations in Swedish boreal forests for reindeer husbandry. The multi-disciplinary approach integrates interview studies, ecological fieldwork and theoretical modeling of forest development. I emphasize the understanding of landscapes as multi-dimensional concepts with ecological, social and economic components. They interact in determining the amount of landscape fragmentation in physical or administrative ways, or in enabling reindeer herders to move between different landscape elements. These elements, e.g. forest stands of different ages, can react differently to winter weather. Thus, they enable reindeer herders to adjust their grazing grounds according to the availability of forage, mediated by snow conditions. However, forestry practices have reduced the abundance of old-growth forests, and therewith the functionality of the landscape. By comparing snow conditions in different forest types, I show that multi-layered canopies can offer a more diverse pattern of snow hardness. However, the interaction between forest characteristics with snow is strongly dependent on weather conditions, e.g. the timing and intensity of warm spells. The prevalence of single-layered forest stands therefore can lead to a reduction in snow variability and potentially restricts the availability of suitable grazing grounds for reindeer. If snow conditions hinder reindeer in foraging on terrestrial lichens, old forests formerly supplied reindeer with arboreal lichens. I show how industrial forestry has reduced the availability of this emergency forage by the reduction of old forests and increased landscape fragmentation and analyze the consequences of different management strategies on future habitat availability for arboreal lichens. By integrating these results into a model of forest management, I offer insights into consequences arising from different priorities that either favor timber production or the development of lichen-rich grazing grounds. In conclusion, I emphasize the importance of landscape diversity, as well as the ability to make use of this diversity, as a source of adaptability of reindeer husbandry to changes in grazing conditions by e.g. winter weather dynamics. A shared future of reindeer husbandry and forestry could be fostered by encouraging the social-ecological co-evolution of multiple use landscapes and the enhancement of the cultural and biological significance of the Swedish boreal forests.

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Winslow, Christopher J. "Competitive interactions between young-of-the-year smallmouth bass (Micropterus Dolomieu) and round goby (Apollonia melanostomus)." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1288625667.

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Koljonen, S. (Saija). "Ecological impacts of in-stream restoration in salmonid rivers:the role of enhanced structural complexity." Doctoral thesis, Oulun yliopisto, 2011. http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9789514295690.

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Abstract Despite the great amount of in-stream restorations conducted in the past decades there is still a disturbing lack of knowledge about the outcome of these measures. The overall goal of this study was to assess the effect of enhanced streambed heterogeneity on the ecology of stream salmonids and stream retention efficiency. Substratum heterogeneity is often considered as one of the most important limiting factors for organisms living in running waters. Winter ecology of rivers has not been broadly studied regardless of the general belief that wintertime conditions strongly influence the survival and population size of stream salmonids. In an experimental study, the paucity of wintertime habitat in simplified channels caused temporary mass loss in age-0 trout. In late spring, channelized stream trout performed catch-up growth with potentially negative effects on long-term fitness. A management implication of this study is that increasing cover availability by in-stream restoration structures may enhance the long term success of juvenile salmonids although the short term effects were minor. Densities of salmon parr in the River Kiiminkijoki showed no response to streambed restoration. Suitable habitat area for salmon parr increased after restoration under summer conditions. However, restoration-induced benefits to winter habitats were marginal, with one study reach indicating even negative values. Most of the areas with good habitat values were located along river margins, indicating that restoration measures had only limited impact on the mid-sections of the river channel. Dredging of small streams may have caused depletion of allochthonous organic matter due to the reduction of retentive structures. In a leaf release experiment, moss cover enhanced retentiveness as well as did various restoration structures (boulders, large wood). Only a very high amount of wood clearly enhanced retention capacity. This underlines the importance of wood as an effective retention structure in headwater streams. This study indicates that habitat complexity as such may be less important than life-stage specific habitat requirements of fish (e.g. cover for overwintering salmonids). Importantly, restoration may only be successful if the measures used target the limiting factor(s) of the ecosystem or the species; for salmonids, habitat complexity does not seem to be this factor
Tiivistelmä Uiton jälkeisten kunnostustoimenpiteiden määrä Suomessa on ollut huomattava, mutta vaikutusten arviointi, pelkästään kalastonkin kannalta, on jäänyt vähäiselle huomiolle. Tässä työssä selvitettiin kunnostusten merkitystä lohen ja taimenen poikasvaiheille, huomioiden etenkin pohjan rakenteellisen monimuotoisuuden vaikutus. Työssä selvitettiin myös kunnostusten vaikutuksia lehtikarikkeen pidätyskykyyn, joka on erityisesti latvapurojen ekosysteemien tärkeimpiä perustoimintoja. Lohikalojen talviekologinen tutkimus on viime aikoihin saakka ollut vähäistä, vaikka talviolosuhteiden uskotaan rajoittavan pohjoisten virtavesien eliöstön elinmahdollisuuksia. Kokeellisessa työssä rännimäisissä uomissa talvehtiminen aiheutti taimenenpoikasille tilapäisen painon alenemisen ja nopean kompensaatiokasvun loppukeväällä. Kompensaatiokasvu voi vaikuttaa negatiivisesti koko kalan eliniän, joten kunnostusten tuoma hyöty sopivien suojapaikkojen lisääntymisenä voi edesauttaa lohikalojen pitkäaikaista menestymistä. Kiiminkijoella lohenpoikasten tiheydet eivät muuttuneet kunnostuksen myötä ja vuosien välinen vaihtelu oli kuuden vuoden seurantajaksolla huomattavan suurta. Elinympäristömallinnuksen perusteella soveltuvan elinympäristön lisäys ei ollut merkittävää, koska etenkin talviaikaisten alueiden puute jäi huomattavaksi. Suurin osa soveltuvasta elinympäristöstä sijaitsi joen reuna-alueilla, joten kunnostusvaikutus joen keskiosaan jäi odotettua pienemmäksi. Uittoperkaus on voinut johtaa latvavesien ekosysteemien köyhtymiseen maalta tulevan orgaanisen aineksen pidättymiskyvyn vähentyessä. Kokeellisen työn perusteella kuitenkin nykypäivän tilanne vuosikymmeniä uiton loppumisen jälkeen osoittautui lähes yhtä pidättäväksi kuin nykyisin käytetyt kunnostusrakenteet (kivi tai puu). Kunnostusrakenteeseen tulisi lisätä huomattava määrä puuta, jotta lehtikarike pidättyisi korkeallakin virtaamatasolla. Tulosten perusteella elinympäristöjen muuttaminen monimuotoisemmiksi ei takaa kunnostustoimien onnistumista, sillä etenkin kalapopulaatioita rajoittavat yleensä useat tekijät. Jos kuitenkin elinympäristö on populaatiota rajoittava resurssi ja sitä pystytään lisäämään (kuten talviaikaiset suojapaikat), voidaan kunnostuksella saada näkyviä tuloksia. On ilmeistä, että kunnostustoimien tulisi olla nykyistä kattavampia ja paremmin suunnattuja rajoittaviin tekijöihin, jotta tulokset näkyisivät

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Johnson, Levi E. "Understanding the Winter Habitats of Ohio’s Hibernating Bats." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1627304203570841.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Winter habitat'

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