Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Population cycles are characterized by predictable temporal oscillations in population size and are influenced by densities of both predators and prey. These oscillations are influenced by the predator functional response, i.e. the influence of prey density on predator kill rate. The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) is a predatory mammal with cyclic northern populations driven by snowshoe… more Full Text: Behavioural responses of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) to cyclic declines in the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) A Dissertation Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of …
Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Miller, Hannah, Thesis advisor (ths): Murray, Dennis L, Degree committee member (dgc): Schaefer, Jim, Degree committee member (dgc): Burness, Gary, Degree committee member (dgc): Raby, Graham, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>I tracked summer movements and activity of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) in southwestern Yukon, Canada, during their population cycle (2015–2022) to assess the primary drivers of movement. Hares exhibited variable movement and activity during the cycle, exhibiting increased home range size and higher daily displacement during low population densities. Males exhibited more dramatic… more Full Text: SUMMER MOVEMENT ECOLOGY OF SNOWSHOE HARES (LEPUS AMERICANUS) DURING A POPULATION CYCLE A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Science in the Faculty of Arts and …
Year: 2023, 2023
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Migratory fish can influence the rivers where they spawn by depositing nutrients and organic matter which increase primary and secondary production. Past research in the Laurentian Great Lakes has focused on individual tributaries, accordingly, the spatial extent of subsidies and how environmental factors influence subsidies are not clear. To determine which tributaries received… more Full Text: Spatial Patterns of Resource Subsidies in Great Lakes Tributaries from Migratory Fishes A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Fromberger, Monica Ann, Thesis advisor (ths): Nol, Erica, Thesis advisor (ths): Campomizzi, Andrew, Degree committee member (dgc): Schaefer, Jim, Degree committee member (dgc): Nocera, Joe, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Populations of grassland birds, including the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), are experiencing steep declines due to losses of breeding habitat, land use changes, and agricultural practices. Understanding the variables affecting reproductive success can aid conservation of grassland species. I investigated 1) whether artificial nest experiments accurately estimate the impacts of cattle… more Full Text: THE EFFECTS OF LOCAL, LANDSCAPE, AND TEMPORAL VARIABLES ON BOBOLINK NEST SURVIVAL IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science In the Faculty of …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Range expansion by the bobcat (Lynx rufus) may be contributing to range contraction by the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), but interactions between them are not well understood. To investigate the potential for competition, I conducted a literature review of hierarchical habitat selection by these two species. I determined that the lynx and the bobcat select different resources at the… more Full Text: Habitat selection by sympatric Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) and bobcat (Lynx rufus) A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Pastures and hayfields provide surrogate habitat for many declining grassland birds. Understanding agricultural land use dynamics and habitat quality can impact conservation of grassland species. I investigated 1) patterns of land use change in protected and unprotected sites in relationship to Bobolink occurrence in Carden, Ontario, Canada and 2) whether continuous grazing at low… more Full Text: THE IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL LAND USE ON BOBOLINK OCCURRENCE, ABUNDANCE, AND REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN AN ALVAR LANDSCAPE A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in …
Year: 2015, 2015
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Around the world, many populations of migratory shorebirds appear to be declining. Conservation strategies to reverse declining trends rely on, among other information, a firm understanding of breeding ground population dynamics. From 2010 to 2014, I studied a breeding population of Dunlin (Calidris alpina hudsonia) near Churchill, Manitoba using mark-recapture methods. I found that… more Full Text: SEXUAL DIMORPHISM AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF SUB-ARCTIC BREEDING DUNLIN (Calidris alpina hudsonia) NEAR CHURCHILL, MANITOBA, CANADA A Thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Most grassland bird populations are in decline, so it is becoming increasingly important to understand how they use agricultural field types and form their communities. I performed point counts in cultural meadow, intensive agriculture, and non-intensive agriculture areas in 2011 and 2012. Generalized linear models were used to determine the habitat relationships of six focal species. I… more Full Text: HABITAT USE AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF GRASSLAND BIRDS IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and …
