Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Many emerging infectious diseases are caused by pathogens that possess free-living life stages, in which they interact with the environment directly rather than through the mediation of a host. These diseases represent major impediments to wildlife conservation; however, the dynamics of their interaction with the environment are poorly studied, often due to the difficulty of detecting… more Full Text: Assessing the environmental correlates of a lethal amphibian pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, in Ontario wetlands A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Macrophytes play an important role in aquatic ecosystems, and thus are integral to ecological risk assessments of environmental contaminants. In this dissertation, I address gaps in the assessments of contaminant fate and effects in macrophytes, with focus on glyphosate herbicide use for invasive plant control. First, I evaluated the suitability of Typha as future standard test species… more Full Text: Assessing effects and fate of environmental contaminants in invasive, native, and endangered macrophytes A dissertation submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Giardia intestinalis possesses four isotypes of cytochrome b5 (gCYTB-I-IV) that differ from their mammalian counterparts, suggesting different functions in this protozoan parasite. Although the recently discovered Giardia flavoenzyme, GiOR-1, reduces these cytochromes, its properties have not been thoroughly studied, owing to the difficulty in its expression. Here I describe successful… more Full Text: Expression of Giardia intestinalis flavoenzyme GiOR-1 and characterization of its electron transfer properties A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Martchenko, Daria, Thesis advisor (ths): Shafer, Aaron B. A., Degree committee member (dgc): Freeland, Joanna R., Degree committee member (dgc): Davy, Christina M., Degree committee member (dgc): Kyle, Christopher J., Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Evaluating the impact of climate change is arguably one of the main goals of conservation biology, which can be addressed in part by studying the demographic history of species in the region of interest. In North America, landscape and species composition during the most recent Pleistocene epoch was primarily influenced by glaciation cycles. Glacial advance and retreat caused species… more Full Text: Using genomic and phenotypic data to explore the evolution and ecology of the North American mountain goat A dissertation submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Recent agricultural land use change in east-central Ontario, including the expansion of intensive agriculture (corn and soybean crops) and tile drainage (TD) infrastructure, may alter the fluxes of both phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) to the Lower Great Lakes. Through intensive monitoring of several sub-watersheds that encompassed a range of row crop and TD extents, this study examined… more Full Text: Effects of Intensive Agriculture on Stream Nutrient Export in EastCentral Ontario, Canada A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate studies in partial fulfilment of the thesis requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>In endotherms, physiological functioning is optimized within a narrow range of tissue temperatures, meaning that the capacity to dissipate body heat is an important parameter for thermoregulation and organismal performance. Yet, experimental research has found mixed support for the importance of heat dissipation capacity as a constraint on reproductive performance. To investigate the… more Full Text: The effects of heat dissipation capacity on avian physiology and behaviour A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Sudbury, Ontario is an epicenter of research on industrially degraded landscapes. Regreening efforts over the past 40 years have changed the landscape, leading to an increase in forest cover in the "barrens", that once covered more than 100,000 ha. This study characterized changes in plant and insect composition using a space for time approach in the pine plantations. A total… more Full Text: Biodiversity patterns along a forest time series in a remediated industrial landscape A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on the Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Anthropogenic activities such as human activity and livestock grazing are responsible for the global rise in disturbance impacts on wildlife and may underlie regional changes in biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. Few studies have tried to disentangle the effects of different anthropogenic activities on wildlife behaviour, leaving a major gap in our understanding of conservation and… more Full Text: Robust assessment of changes in wild mammal occupancy and activity relative to livestock and human disturbance. A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in the …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>In recent decades, declining calcium concentrations have been reported throughout lakes across the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. This raises concern as Daphnia populations have shown to be decreasing as they require calcium not only for survival but to mitigate predation risks. Therefore, the purpose of my thesis was to study the adaptability of Daphnia under calcium limitation… more Full Text: CALCIUM STRESS IN DAPHNIA PULICARIA AND EXPOSURE TO PREDATOR-DERIVED CUES: MAKING A BAD SITUATION WORSE? 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 …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Identifying population declines and mitigating biodiversity loss require reliable monitoring techniques, but complex life histories and cryptic characteristics of anuran species render conventional monitoring challenging and ineffective. Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection is a highly sensitive and minimally invasive alternative to conventional anuran monitoring. In this study, I… more Full Text: Comparative efficacy of eDNA and conventional methods for monitoring wetland anuran communities A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are typically characterised by the aggregation of protein biomarkers into cytotoxic fibrils. Novel means of analysing these biomarkers are needed to expand the literature toward earlier diagnosis of these conditions. Electrochemical sensors could offer the sensitivity and… more Full Text: ELECTROCHEMICAL BIOSENSORS FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE BIOMARKERS: INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ORIGIN AND DIAGNOSIS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Soil and tree chemistry were measured across 15 limed sites that were established 14 to 37 years ago within the Sudbury barrens in Ontario, along with two unlimed pre-treatment condition reference sites and an unlimed remnant pine forest. Soil pH and base cation (calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K)) concentrations were elevated in surface organic [FH] horizons up to 37-years… more Full Text: Legacy Effects Associated with the World’s Largest Ongoing Liming and Forest Regeneration Program in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on the Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Forensic epistemology is the study of knowledge as it relates to forensic science and can be broken into four sources; intuitive, authoritative, logical and empirical. In a four-phase research approach, I explored reasoning skills (logical knowledge) used by crime scene experts and methods (empirical knowledge) for forensic case-specific experimentation. First, the reasoning skills of… more Full Text: FORENSIC EPISTEMOLOGY: STUDYING THE CRIME SCENE A dissertation submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences TRENT UNIVERSITY …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The waterborne protozoan Giardia intestinalis cycles between the environmentally-resistant and infectious cyst and the metabolically-active trophozoite that adheres to the epithelial lining of the small intestine. Adhesion can trigger the innate immune response in epithelial cells, including the synthesis of the free radical nitric oxide (NO) that inhibits cell proliferation and… more Full Text: Differential expression of cytochrome b5 proteins in Giardia intestinalis during nitrosative stress and encystation TRENT UNIVERSITY Peterborough, Ontario, Canada © Copyright by Kaitlyn Mowat 2020 Environmental and Life Sciences M. Sc. Graduate Program …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This thesis examines how dissolved organic matter quantity and quality and nutrients influence the flux potential of greenhouse gases (GHG) from sediments collected from streams across southern Ontario as well as Lake Erie. Sediments were collected and incubated in a laboratory setting where headspace gases and interstitial waters were analyzed. Results demonstrated that nutrients (… more Full Text: POTENTIAL FOR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM SEDIMENTS OF AGRICULTURAL STREAMS AND LAKE ERIE 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): LeGrand, Matthew Cody LeGros, Thesis advisor (ths): Buttle, James M, Thesis advisor (ths): Metcalfe, Robert A, Degree committee member (dgc): Lafleur, Peter M, Degree committee member (dgc): Aherne, Julian, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Water balance models calculate water storage and movement within drainage basins, a primary concern for many hydrologists. A Thornthwaite water balance model (H2OBAAS) has shown poor accuracy in predicting low flows in the Petawawa River basin in Ontario, so lake storage and winter snow processes were investigated to improve the accuracy of the model. Lake storage coefficients,… more Full Text: MODELLING MONTHLY WATER BALANCE: THE ROLE OF LAKE STORAGE AND SNOW-RELATED PROCESSES A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Environmental and seasonal processes are important watershed drivers controlling the amount, composition, and fate of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in aquatic ecosystems. We used ten months of water samples and eight months of bioassay incubations from two </p><p>contrasting catchments (agriculture and natural, forested) to assess the effects of seasonal variability on the… more Full Text: Effects of hydrologic seasonality on dissolved organic matter composition, export, and biodegradability in two contrasting streams A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Currently, UAVs are deployed to measure crop health in a timely manner by mapping vegetation indices. A study using two different fields was conducted in order to search for a relationship that may exist between crop health and soil fertility. A UAV equipped with sensor technology was used for mapping of vegetation indices which were then statistically compared to soil nutrient data… more Full Text: Proximal Soil Nutrient Sensing in Croplands through Multispectral Imaging from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for Precision Agriculture Applications A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Anthropogenic atmospheric emissions and subsequent deposition of nitrogen (N) can affect N-sensitive habitats and lead to shifts in plant species community composition. This study assessed the effects of N deposition on plant community composition for Jack pine forests across northwestern Canada and across a smaller subset of sites surrounding the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) using… more Full Text: The Influence of Nitrogen Deposition on Community Composition in Pinus banksiana Forests Across Northwestern Canada A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>One possible solution to acidification and losses of base cations in central Ontario forest soils may be the application of wood ash. Wood ash is generally high in pH and contains large amounts of calcium (Ca) and other nutrients essential for ecosystem health, however it also contains trace metals. Understanding the chemistry of soils following ash application to forests is crucial for… more Full Text: Effects of wood ash addition on soil chemical properties and sugar maple (Acer saccharum, Marsh.) seedling growth in two northern hardwood forest sites in central Ontario A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on the Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Water storage is a fundamental component of drainage basins, controlling the synchronization between precipitation input and streamflow output. The ability of a drainage basin to store water and regulate streamflow may mediate sensitivity to climate and land cover change. There is currently no agreement on the best way to quantify basin storage. This study compares results of a combined… more Full Text: ASSESSING BASIN STORAGE: A COMBINED HYDROMETRIC AND ISOTOPIC APPROACH FOR STREAMS DRAINING THE OAK RIDGES MORAINE, SOUTHERN ONTARIO A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is caused by the pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. Infected snakes exhibit dermal lesions, occasional systemic infections, and, in some cases, mortality. We studied snakes at Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, to explore whether ophidiomycosis develops during brumation or year-round. Throughout their active season, we quantified the… more Full Text: Disease ecology of ophidiomycosis in free-ranging snakes 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 Arts and Science TRENT UNIVERSITY …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This thesis investigated coloured and fluorescent dissolved organic matter in the Canada Basin, Arctic Ocean from 2007 to 2017. The first interannual time-series of its kind in the Canada Basin incorporated the use of EEM-PARAFAC to validate a seven-component model. Statistical temporal tests revealed (1) an increasing protein-like intensity in the upper polar mixed layer (UPML); (2)… more Full Text: Temporal Variability of Coloured Dissolved Organic Matter in the Canada Basin, Arctic Ocean (2007-2017) 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 …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This study examined dissolved organic matter (DOM) and labile Mercury (from diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT)) in the Quesnel river, British and the Goose creek tributary of the Churchill river, Manitoba. DOM properties were measured with optical measurements of absorption coefficient (a254), spectral slopes (S275-295, SR) and fluorescence indices (HIX, BIX, FI). The DOC proxy… more Full Text: Temporal variation of dissolved organic matter and diffusive gradient in thin films-labile mercury in the Quesnel river, BC, and the Goose Creek tributary of Churchill river, MB A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Warming climates have had various consequences on terrestrial and aquatic food webs that are expected to persist. There is evidence suggesting that certain organisms are better equipped to handle changing climates compared to others. Therefore, the purpose of my thesis was to study the adaptability of Daphnia under temperature stress and nutrient limitation. First, to examine the effects… more Full Text: DAPHNIA PULICARIA RESPONSES TO TEMPERATURE AND NUTRIENTS STRESS: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE HEAT IS ON? 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 …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Poo Palam, Kosheela, Thesis advisor (ths): NARINE, SURESH S, Degree committee member (dgc): Vreugdenhil, Andrew, Degree committee member (dgc): Hill, Stephen, Degree committee member (dgc): Metcalfe, Chris, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Energy storage efficiency and sustainability require advanced technologies and novel materials. Recently, bio-based phase change materials (PCMs) have received significant attention for thermal energy storage (TES) uses. Vegetable oils are versatile renewable feedstocks that are well suited for the development of sustainable, functional PCMs. PCMs derived from vegetable oil, which… more Full Text: NOVEL ALIPHATIC AMIDES FROM VEGETABLE OILS AS BIO-BASED PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS A dissertation submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The main goal of this thesis was to assess the potential impacts of discharges of treated effluent from a small facultative sewage lagoon serving approximately 300 residents of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation to freshwater mussel populations in Boston Creek, a small tributary of the lower Grand River. The current resident mussel populations inhabiting Boston Creek were… more Full Text: Wastewater Impacts on Freshwater Mussels and Water Quality in a Tributary of the Lower Grand River in Southwestern Ontario, Canada Nda-kendan/ dbaagan aanii enji aanseg moo -waaboo nibiing epiichiiyiik miiniwaa esenyik oodi nikeyaa Giiwedinong Mchi-Saagig …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Soils play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning, for example, soil minerals provide important provisioning and regulate ecosystem services. This study used major soil oxides from the North American Soil Geochemical Landscapes Project (n=560) to assess elemental associations and infer soil minerals through exploratory data analysis and to determined quantitative soil mineralogy using a… more Full Text: Soil Geochemistry and Normative Mineralogy across Canada 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 Arts and Science Trent University …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Understanding the complex genomic architecture underlying quantitative traits can provide valuable insight for the conservation and management of wildlife. Despite improvements in sequencing technologies, few empirical studies have identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) via whole genome sequencing in free-ranging mammal populations outside a few well-studied systems. This thesis uses… more Full Text: Genomic architecture of artificially and sexually selected traits in whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Janik, Gabrielle, Thesis advisor (ths): Ponce-Hernandez, Raul, Degree committee member (dgc): Hutchinson, Tom, Degree committee member (dgc): Beresford, David, Degree committee member (dgc): Thompson, Karen, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>This thesis uses three approaches to assess the potential of permaculture in Central Ontario. This was done using a vegetable field trial and modelling programs to determine the effectiveness of permaculture to decrease negative impacts of climate change based on projected climate values derived from regional circulation models. The first approach showed no statistical difference (P<0… more Full Text: ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL OF PERMACULTURE AS AN ADAPTATION STRATEGY TOWARDS CLIMATE CHANGE IN CENTRAL ONTARIO A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Mafic and ultramafic mine wastes have the potential to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) through enhanced weathering and CO2 mineralization. In this study, kimberlite residues from South African diamond mines were investigated to understand how weathering of these wastes leads to the formation of secondary carbonate minerals, a stable sink for CO2. Residues from Venetia Diamond… more Full Text: ENHANCED WEATHERING AND CARBONATION OF KIMBERLITE RESIDUES FROM SOUTH AFRICAN DIAMOND MINES: IMPLICATIONS FOR CO2 SEQUESTRATION A thesis submitted to Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Radionuclides occur in the environment both naturally and artificially. Along with weapons testing and nuclear reactor operations, activities such as mining, fuel fabrication and fuel reprocessing are also major contributors to nuclear waste in the environment. In terms of nuclear safety, the concentration of radionuclides in nuclear waste must be monitored and reported before storage… more Full Text: Automated Separation and Preconcentration of UltraTrace Levels of Radionuclides in Complex Matrices by Online Ion Exchange Chromatography Coupled with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) A Dissertation Submitted to the Committee of …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Extremely active dust sources within selected areas of Iceland that are comprised of particles supplied from both glacio-fluvial outwash systems and volcanic eruptions (Bullard et al., 2016; Gassó et al., 2018). The supply of sediments, sparsity of vegetation, high frequency of surface winds, and lack of adequate gravel pavement to reduce sand drifting are believed to influence the… more Full Text: Icelandic Dust Entrainment, Emission & Deposition A Dissertation Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Science. TRENT UNIVERSITY …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Species ranges are changing and the rate at which the climate is warming is faster than anything previously seen in the past, consequently species will need to adapt quickly, track the climate or perish. Cold adapted terrestrial species are the most vulnerable, because they are limited by the availability of land at the cold edge of their range. This means that many alpine, boreal and… more Full Text: Range dynamics of two closely related felids A dissertation submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Science Trent University Peterborough, …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Munro, Keith, Thesis advisor (ths): Patterson, Brent R, Thesis advisor (ths): Pond, Bruce A, Degree committee member (dgc): Schaefer, James, Degree committee member (dgc): Bowman, Jeff, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>The primary method used to maintain white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations at densities that are ecologically, economically, socially, and culturally sustainable is hunter harvest. This method considers only the removal of animals from the population (the direct effect) and does not conventionally consider the costs imposed on deer as they adopt hunter avoidance… more Full Text: White-Tailed Fear: The Human-Created Landscape of Fear and its Effect on WhiteTailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Behaviour. A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Microcontaminants originating from wastewater effluent and run-off from agricultural lands may be present in the sources of drinking water for rural and Indigenous communities in mixed-use watersheds. In this study, a convergent parallel mixed-methods design was applied to assess measured and perceived risks of contamination in the sources of drinking water for two communities; the Six… more Full Text: ASSESSING MEASURED AND PERCEIVED RISKS TO DRINKING WATER SOURCES: COMPARATIVE CASE STUDIES IN SMALL, RURAL COMMUNITIES A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): MacDonald, Amelia J., Thesis advisor (ths): Nol, Erica, Thesis advisor (ths): Smith, Paul A, Degree committee member (dgc): Murray, Dennis, Degree committee member (dgc): Bowman, Jeff, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Many shorebirds rely on small numbers of staging sites during long annual migrations. Numerous species are declining and understanding the importance of staging sites is critical to successful conservation. We surveyed endangered rufa Red Knots staging in James Bay, Ontario during southbound migration from 2009 to 2018. We used an integrated population model to estimate passage… more Full Text: Passage population size, demography, and timing of migration of Red Knots (Calidris canutus rufa) staging in southwestern James Bay A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>In the Wabigoon/English River system, mercury concentrations downstream from Dryden, ON, where there was a former chlor-alkali plant, remain elevated in sediments and biota. Understanding the current extent and severity of mercury contamination downstream from the former chlor-alkali plant is of great interest in furthering the clean-up of mercury within the traditional territory of… more Full Text: Tracking Mercury and Mercury Stable Isotopes Throughout the Wabigoon/English River System: A Preliminary Assessment A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Mackellar, Hannah, Thesis advisor (ths): Nol, Erica, Thesis advisor (ths): Brown, Glen, Degree committee member (dgc): Burness, Gary, Degree committee member (dgc): Smith, Paul, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Understanding breeding and migration habits of Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) in the Hudson Bay Lowlands is important for the conservation of this population. I monitored Whimbrel at two breeding sites: the Churchill region of Manitoba and Burntpoint, Ontario. Annual average nest initiation timing was highly variable and successful nests were initiated significantly earlier than those that… more Full Text: BREEDING PHENOLOGY AND MIGRATION HABITS OF WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) IN THE HUDSON BAY LOWLANDS, CANADA A Thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Thawing permafrost due to increasingly warm temperatures in northern subarctic regions is releasing mercury. The consequent formation of thaw ponds in the peatland palsa valley of the Sasapimakwananisikw (SAS) river in Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik, Québec may provide a pool for MMHg formation and a potential risk to aquatic and human life, if these ponds facilitate MMHg export through… more Full Text: ASSESSING LIMNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SUBARCTIC QUÉBEC THAW PONDS AND MERCURY METHYLATION AND METHYLMERCURY DEMETHYLATION WITHIN THEIR SEDIMENTS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This thesis investigated the role of the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis protein, Cln5, during autophagy. This was accomplished by performing well-established assays in a Dictyostelium cln5 knockout model (cln5-). In this study, cln5- cells displayed a reduced maximum cell density during growth and impaired cell proliferation in autophagy-stimulating media. cln5- cells had an increased… more Full Text: The role of Cln5 in autophagy, using a Dictyostelium discoideum model of Batten disease A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are declining across Ontario in both numbers and distribution, prompting concern for their future. Here, conventional, emerging, and predictive tools were combined to document brook trout occupation across seasons using streams in Haliburton County, ON as model systems. By using the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's (OMNRFs)… more Full Text: Assessing Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Seasonal Occupancy in Haliburton County, ON Using Environmental DNA A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Natural populations are often difficult and costly to study, due to the plethora of confounding processes and variables present. This is of particular importance when dealing with managed species. Ungulates, for example, act as both consumers and prey sources; they also provide economic benefit through harvest, and as such, are of high ecological and economic value. I addressed… more Full Text: POPULATION GENETICS AND GUT MICROBIOME COMPOSITION REVEAL SUBDIVISIONS AND SPACE USE IN A GENERALIST AND SPECIALIST UNGULATE A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>I examined how shorebirds respond to environmental change at a key subarctic migratory bird stopover site, the southwestern coast of James Bay, Ontario, Canada. First, I investigated if the morphology of sandpipers using James Bay during southbound migration has changed compared to 40 years prior. I found shorter, more convex and maneuverable wings for sandpipers in the present-day… more Full Text: Shorebird Stopover Ecology and Environmental Change at James Bay, Ontario, Canada A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Science …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The rapid expansion of the worldwide population has caused an urgent need for the development of new, more environment-conscious, food sources. In this context, algae, such as Euglena, are of interest thanks to their capacity to naturally produce essential nutrients such as proteins and oils commonly found in animals and plant sources. While these processes are currently being… more Full Text: The Effects of Recycled Media on Culture Growth and Hormone Profiles in Heterotrophic Euglena gracilis A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science In the Faculty of …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The ability of animal populations to compensate for harvest mortality provides the basis for sustainable harvesting. Coyote populations are resilient to exploitation, but the underlying mechanisms of compensation and how they inter-relate are not fully understood. Moreover, deficiencies in the quality and quantity of information about eastern coyotes preclude effective management. I… more Full Text: POPULATION DYNAMICS OF EASTERN COYOTES IN SOUTHEASTERN ONTARIO A Dissertation Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Detecting relevant and meaningful patterns from the complex, interconnected network of relationships between organisms and their environment is a primary objective of ecology. Ecological patterns occur across multiple scales of space and time. In this dissertation, I examine aspects of environmental structure that influence a species' distribution and are expressed in that species… more Full Text: ENVIRONMENTAL STRUCTURE, MORPHOLOGY, AND SPATIAL ECOLOGY OF THE FIVE-LINED SKINK (PLESTIODON FASCIATUS) AT HIGH LATITUDE RANGE LIMITS A dissertation submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The forestry sector has a well-developed history of using remote sensing to identify structural characteristics of forests and to detect and attribute changes that occur in forested landscapes. Monitoring the recovery of disturbed forests is an important factor in long term forest management. However, forest that is recovered spectrally may not be recovered when considered in terms of a… more Full Text: Interpretation of forest harvest recovery using field-based and spectral metrics in a Landsat time series in Northwestern Ontario A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Rising populations of Lesser Snow and Ross' geese (hereafter collectively referred to as light geese) breeding in the North American Arctic have caused significant environmental change that may be affecting some populations of nesting shorebirds, which in contrast to geese, have declined dramatically. In this thesis I examine the indirect effects of light geese on sympatric-nesting… more Full Text: Indirect Effects of Hyperabundant Geese on Sympatric-Nesting Shorebirds A dissertation submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Science …
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Irvine, Courtney Christine, Thesis advisor (ths): Patterson, Brent R, Degree committee member (dgc): Cherry, Seth G, Degree committee member (dgc): Pond, Bruce A, Degree committee member (dgc): Schaefer, James A, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>I investigated if spatio-temporal behaviour of grey wolves (Canis lupus) determined via GPS collar locations could be used to discriminate predation events generally, and among prey species, in Prince Albert National Park during winter, 2013-2017. I used characteristics of spatio-temporal GPS clusters to develop a predictive mixed-effect logistic regression model of which spatial… more Full Text: DISCRIMINATING GREY WOLF (CANIS LUPUS) PREDATION EVENTS IN A MULTI-PREY SYSTEM IN CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN 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: 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>Forestalling biodiversity loss through the establishment of protected areas is a universally accepted conservation strategy, yet despite established guidelines for protected area coverage and placement, much of the world is currently failing to meet its commitments to conservation planning and landscape protection. Calls for the United States to protect more land usually focus on the… more Full Text: ASSESSING CONNECTIVITY OF PROTECTED AREA NETWORKS AND THE ROLE OF PRIVATE LANDS IN THE UNITED STATES 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 …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Mixtures of metals occur in surface waters, toxicity of which has drawn world-wide attention due to their crucial role in both ecotoxicology and regulations. The present research was undertaken to study the acute toxicity of binary mixtures of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd to the freshwater organism, Daphnia magna. The experimental approach included single and binary metal toxicity tests based on… more Full Text: EFFECT ASSESSMENT OF BINARY METAL MIXTURES OF Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd TO Daphnia magna A Dissertation Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Science in the Faculty of …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Fisheries assessment and management approaches have historically focused on individual species over relatively short timeframes. These approaches are being improved upon by considering the potential effects of both broader ecological and evolutionary processes. However, only recently has the question been raised of how ecological and evolutionary processes might interact to further… more Full Text: ECO-EVOLUTIONARY DYNAMICS IN A COMMERCIALLY EXPLOITED FRESHWATER FISH A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The spatial and temporal variation in atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ammonia (NH3), and 17 elements (V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Mg, Al, Ca, Co, Se, Sb, Mn, and Na) were measured at 40 road side locations along a ~250 km traffic density gradient of 40,000–400,000 vehicles on the King's Highway 401, in Ontario, Canada. Elemental concentrations were measured over a year,… more Full Text: Near-road assessment of traffic related air pollutants along a major highway in Southern Ontario A thesis submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Pieper, Sara Jean, Thesis advisor (ths): Dorken, Marcel, Thesis advisor (ths): Freeland, Joanna, Degree committee member (dgc): Bowman, Jeff, Degree committee member (dgc): Wilson, Chris, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Interspecific hybridization is an important evolutionary process which can contribute to the invasiveness of species complexes. In this dissertation I used the hybridizing species complex of cattails (Typha spp., Typhaceae) to explore some of the processes that could contribute to hybridization rates. Cattails in northeastern North America comprise the native T. latifolia, the non-native… more Full Text: HYBRIDIZATION DYNAMICS IN CATTAILS (TYPHA SPP.,) IN NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA: NICHE SEGREGATION, POLLEN DISPERSAL, MATING PATTERNS, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCALSCALE PROCESSES A dissertation submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Three long-term mark and recapture/resight data sets of individually marked</p><p>Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus) were analyzed using Cormack-Jolly-</p><p>Seber models. Data came from two breeding populations (Churchill, Manitoba, Canada,</p><p>n=982, and Egg Island, Alaska, USA, n=84) and one overwintering population</p><p>(… more Full Text: Risk of Mortality for the Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) Throughout Its Life Cycle 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 …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>While the harvest of mammals is monitored in each jurisdiction across Canada and the USA, there has been no analysis of this wild harvest at a continental scale across North America. The recreational wild harvest of large mammals varies geographically across North America, and I hypothesized that this variation is influenced by both anthropogenic and other environmental factors on the… more Full Text: THE EFFECTS OF GEOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON THE WILD HARVEST OF LARGE MAMMALS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA 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: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Historically, entrances have been used for passage between two separate temperature environments, such as moving from inside to outside of a building. Energy loss through entrances is a cause for concern, as it has been known to increase energy consumption to replace the lost energy; and with the exchange of air masses and cold air entering the building, human discomfort may occur. In… more Full Text: Investigation of Air Recirculation and Thermal Efficiency within a Climate Controlled Passage A Thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science In the Faculty of Arts and …
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: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Cis-isomers of the cytokinin plant hormone family are thought to have low activity or impact on plant growth and development. Mutants with independent silencing of the pathway leading to cis-CK (cis-cytokinin) were investigated at the phenotype and metabolite levels. Phenotypic deviations were noted in trichome development, fresh weight, rosette diameter, number of non-rosette leaves,… more Full Text: cis-Cytokinins from the tRNA-degradation pathway impact the phenotype and metabolome of Arabidopsis thaliana: evidence from AtIPT2 and AtIPT9 null mutants A thesis submitted to the committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This thesis focused on expanding knowledge of Hybomitra, Chrysops and Tabanus (Diptera: Tabanidae) distributions north of Lake Nipigon, Ontario, in a managed boreal forest. As land use and climate changes accelerate, there is increased pressure to increase knowledge from which to monitor changes. In 2011 and 2012, 8928 individuals representing, 44 species were captured using sweep… more Full Text: THE SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF TABANID (CHRYSOPS, HYBOMITRA AND TABANUS) SPECIES IN THE NAKINA DISTRICT OF NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The parasitic protist Giardia intestinalis does not synthesize heme and lacks many common eukaryotic heme proteins, yet it expresses four cytochrome b5 (gCYTB5) isotypes of unknown function. These have low reduction potentials and distinct subcellular locations that are consistent with structural features and biological functions that differ from their mammalian counterparts. Isotype III… more Full Text: Expression optimization and NMR spectroscopy of Giardia intestinalis cytochrome b5 isotype III 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 …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The purpose of this thesis is to quantify the habitat characteristics, density patterns and environmental niches of two groups of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins: Chinese white dolphins (CWD) of the Pearl River estuary (PRE), and Taiwanese white dolphins (TWD, =Taiwanese humpback dolphin, THD) found in the eastern Taiwan Strait (ETS). Much work has already been done on the habitat use of… more Full Text: Habitat Characteristics, Density Patterns and Environmental Niches of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) of the Pearl River Estuary and Eastern Taiwan Strait A dissertation submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Since its introduction to North America in the 1990s, the Round Goby has spread throughout the Great Lakes, inland through rivers and is now moving into small tributary streams, a new environment for this species in both its native and invaded ranges. I explored density and temporal occupation of Round Gobies in four small streams in two systems in south-central Ontario, Canada in order… more Full Text: TEMPORO-SPATIAL PATTERNS OF OCCUPATION AND DENSITY BY AN INVASIVE FISH IN STREAMS 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: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Soil is an essential natural resource that supports provisioning services such as agriculture, silviculture, and mining. However, there is limited knowledge on forest soil properties across Canada. Digital soil mapping may be used to fill these data gaps, as it can predict soil properties in areas with limited observations. The focus of this study was to develop predictive maps of select… more Full Text: PREDICTIVE DIGITAL MAPPING OF SOILS IN KITIMAT, BRITISH COLUMBIA A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT UNIVERSITY …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Predation risk can elicit a range of responses in prey, but to date little is known about breadth of potential responses that may arise under realistic field conditions and how such responses are linked, leaving a fragmented picture of risk-related consequences on individuals. We increased predation risk in free-ranging snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) during two consecutive summers by… more Full Text: The cascading effects of risk in the wild: how snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) respond to the threat of predation A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Upland Sandpipers (Bartramia longicauda), like many grassland birds, are undergoing population decline in parts of their range. Habitat fragmentation and change have been hypothesized as potential causes of decline. I used citizen-science occurrence data from Wildlife Preservation Canada's Adopt-A-Shrike Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) program in conjunction with validation… more Full Text: DETECTABILITY AND ITS ROLE IN UNDERSTANDING UPLAND SANDPIPER (Bartramia longicauda) OCCURRENCE IN THE FRAGMENTED LANDSCAPE OF SOUTHERN ONTARIO A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Natural establishment of vegetation on mine tailings is generally limited. Understanding the processes leading to vegetation germination and the survival mechanisms that vegetation species employ in these harsh environments is critical to future remediation efforts. As metalliferous mine tailings are generally nutrient-poor, high in harmful metals, and acidic, vegetation species require… more Full Text: PATTERNS OF VEGETATION SUCCESSION ON NICKEL-COPPER MINE TAILINGS NEAR SUDBURY, ONTARIO A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on the Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Invasive species that alter habitats can have significant impacts on wildlife. The invasive graminoids Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud, hereafter Phragmites, and Typha × glauca Godr. are rapidly spreading into North American wetlands, replacing native vegetation. Invasive Phragmites is considered a potential threat to several species-at-risk (SAR), including some turtle… more Full Text: EFFECTS OF INVASIVE WETLAND MACROPHYTES ON HABITAT SELECTION BY TURTLES 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 Sciences TRENT …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The parasitic protist Giardia intestinalis possesses flavohemoglobin (gFlHb), an enzyme that detoxifies nitric oxide to the less harmful nitrate, and is a potential target for antigiardial drugs that act as ligands to the iron of its heme cofactor. In this work, the binding constants KD of gFlHb, three active-site variants (Q54L, L58A, Y30F) and the E. coli flavohemoglobin (Hmp) towards… more Full Text: Ligand Binding Properties of Giardia Flavohemoglobin 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 Arts and Science Trent University Peterborough, …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>To investigate cytokinins (CKs) in nematodes, CK profiles of a free-living Caenorhabditis elegans and a plant parasitic Heterodera glycines (soybean cyst nematode, SCN) were determined at the egg and larval stages. SCN had higher total CK level than C. elegans; however, CKs in SCN were mostly inactive precursors, whereas C. elegans had more bioactive forms. This is the first study to… more Full Text: Cytokinins in nematodes: the potential role of cytokinins in soybean (Glycine max) resistance to soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) A thesis submitted to the committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Microfibres, which are threadlike particles < 5 mm, are the most common type of microplastic reported in the environment. However, few studies have focused on their abundance in background natural environments. This study assessed the abundance of microfibres in rainfall samples (from four precipitation monitoring stations) and across three headwater lake catchments that were in… more Full Text: Anthropogenic microfibres in background natural environments in Ireland A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science Trent …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>In this thesis, aerosolization was studied as a possible means of water remediation for several environmentally relevant pharmaceutical pollutants, known for their persistence in wastewater effluent and potable water sources. Seven different pharmaceutical compounds and a well-known plasticizer were all shown to decrease considerably in concentration in aerosol that was produced and… more Full Text: STUDY OF AEROSOLS FOR USE IN WATER REMEDIATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL POLLUTANTS 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 TRENT …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Bees (clade Anthophila), are poorly studied in northern Canada, as these regions can be difficult to access and have a short growing season. This study examined bees from two such regions: Ontario's Far North, and Akimiski Island, Nunavut. I present this study as the largest biogeographical study of bees performed in these remote areas to enhance knowledge of northern native bees. I… more Full Text: The Diversity, Biogeography, and Functional Traits of Native Bees from Ontario’s Far North and Akimiski Island, Nunavut A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Due to their effective antibacterial and antifungal properties, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have quickly become the most commonly used nanomaterial, with applications in industry, medicine and consumer products. This increased use of AgNPs over the past decade will inevitably result in an elevated release of nanoparticles into the environment, highlighting the importance of assessing… more Full Text: THE EFFECTS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES ON LOWER TROPHIC LEVELS IN AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Science …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Sajer, Bayan, Thesis advisor (ths): Yee, Janet, Degree committee member (dgc): Rafferty, Steven, Degree committee member (dgc): Bates, Holly, Degree committee member (dgc): Brunetti, Craig, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>The parasitic protist Giardia intestinalis has five heme proteins: a flavohemoglobin and several isotypes of cytochrome b5. While the flavohemoglobin has a role in counteracting nitric oxide, the functions of the cytochromes (gCYTb5s) are unknown. In this study, the protein level and cellular localization of three gCYTB5 isotypes (gCYTb5-I, II and III) and flavohemoglobin were examined… more Full Text: THE EFFECT OF NITROSATIVE STRESS ON HEME PROTEIN EXPRESSION AND LOCALIZATION IN GIARDIA INTESTINALIS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Blanchard, Dane Alexander, Thesis advisor (ths): Aherne, Julian, Degree committee member (dgc): Watmough, Shaun, Degree committee member (dgc): Sager, Eric P.S., Degree committee member (dgc): McKenna Neuman, Cheryl L, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Recent developments at an aluminum (Al) smelter in Kitimat, BC resulted in a permitted increase of 27 to 42 tonnes of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions per day. Gaseous SO2 is a pollutant known to contribute to acidic deposition through processes of wet and dry deposition and can additionally react in-atmosphere to form particulate sulphate (pSO42-). Between June 2017 to October 2018, an… more Full Text: Observation-based assessment of atmospheric sulphur surrounding a major aluminum smelter in British Columbia, Canada A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Populations have long been delineated by physical barriers that appear to limit reproduction, yet increasingly genetic analysis reveal these delineations to be inaccurate. The eastern and mid-continent populations of sandhill cranes are expanding ranges which is leading to convergence and warrants investigation of the genetic structure between the two populations. Obtaining blood or… more Full Text: Do birds of a feather flock together: An investigation of sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) populations using non-invasive feathers as a source of DNA A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Elemental selenium has been extensively quantitatively measured in sediments; however, its physical composition is largely unknown, despite it being the dominant selenium species in some reducing environments. Here, for the first time, it is shown that small, cyclic selenium compounds can account for a quantitatively-relevant fraction of the total elemental selenium present. </p>… more Full Text: Characterization of Synthetic and Natural Se8 and Related SenSm Compounds by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry A thesis submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Environmental DNA (eDNA) is rapidly becoming an established method for the detection of species in aquatic systems and has been suggested as a promising tool to estimate species abundance. However, the strength of the relationship between eDNA concentrations and taxon abundance (density/biomass) can vary widely between species. I investigated the relationship between eDNA concentration… more Full Text: Making eDNA count: Using environmental DNA (eDNA) to quantify relative larval amphibian abundance 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 …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Ustilago maydis (D.C.) Corda is a biotrophic pathogen that secretes effectors to establish and maintain a relationship with its host, Zea mays. In this pathosystem, the molecular function of effectors is well-studied, but the regulation of effector gene expression remains largely unknown. This study characterized Zfp1, a putative U. maydis Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factor, as a modulator… more Full Text: CHARACTERIZATION OF A Zn(II)2Cys6 TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR IN Ustilago maydis AND ITS ROLE IN PATHOGENESIS A dissertation submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Glucocorticoids (e.g., corticosterone (CORT)) are hypothesized to mediate decisions regarding reproductive investment during breeding, but the directionality of the relationship is not clear. The CORT-fitness hypothesis posits that high levels of CORT arise from challenging environmental conditions in which an individual will conserve resources for future reproduction or self-maintenance… more Full Text: THE ROLE OF CORTICOSTERONE IN REPRODUCTIVE EFFORT AND BREEDING SUCCESS IN TREE SWALLOWS 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: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Interspecific hybridization rates can vary depending on genomic compatibilities between progenitors, while subsequent hybrid spread can vary depending on hybrid performance and habitat availability for hybrid establishment and persistence. As a result, hybridization rates and hybrid frequencies can vary across regions of parental sympatry. In areas around the Laurentian Great Lakes,… more Full Text: INVESTIGATING THE REGIONAL VARIATION IN FREQUENCIES OF THE INVASIVE HYBRID CATTAIL, TYPHA × GLAUCA 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 …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Wynia, Abby, Thesis advisor (ths): Whillans, Thomas H., Thesis advisor (ths): Doka, Susan E., Degree committee member (dgc): de Kerckhove, Dak T., Degree committee member (dgc): Sager, Eric P.S., Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Invasive Phragmites australis ssp. australis (herein "Phragmites") has established and rapidly spread throughout many coastal areas of the Great Lakes. Known to displace native vegetation communities as it forms large, monotypic stands, Phragmites has a bad reputation when it comes to losses of biodiversity and habitat provision for wildlife. However, the extent to which… more Full Text: Fish and invertebrate use of invasive Phragmites in a Great Lakes freshwater delta A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Coldwater streams are becoming increasingly impacted due to urbanization. Using environmental surveys, mark-recapture and telemetry, I assessed factors influencing seasonal brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) habitat use and movement in urban headwater streams in central Ontario between 2017-18. Generalized additive models were used to assess which habitat variables best explained… more Full Text: SEASONAL HABITAT USE AND MOVEMENT OF NATIVE BROOK TROUT (SALVELINUS FONTINALIS) IN URBAN HEADWATER STREAMS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Vezsenyi, Kathryn Anne, Thesis advisor (ths): Beresford, David V, Thesis advisor (ths): Schaefer, James A, Degree committee member (dgc): Skevington, Jeffrey H, Degree committee member (dgc): Crins, William, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Syrphids, also known as hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) are a diverse and widespread family of flies. Here, I report on their distributions from a previously understudied region, the far north of Ontario, as well as Akimiski Island, Nunavut. I used samples collected through a variety of projects to update known range and provincial records for over a hundred species, bringing into… more Full Text: Syrphidae (Diptera) of northern Ontario and Akimiski Island, Nunavut: new diversity records, trap analysis, and DNA barcoding A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Competition is known to impact population dynamics through both indirect and direct interactions, and direct interactions can often lead to injury in one or both parties. As such, response to injury through tissue regeneration can be important for surviving post-competitive interaction. However, the impacts of outside factors like temperature and genome size (e.g. polyploidy) are not… more Full Text: How Abiotic and Biotic Factors Can Alter the Competitive Landscape in an Aggressive Species Complex (Genus: Ambystoma) A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Environmental monitoring and investigation of metal biogeochemical cycling has been</p><p>carried out in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), an important and complex system in Southern</p><p>China. In this study, rare earth element (REE) patterns as well as isotope ratios (i.e., Zn and Cd)</p><p>were evaluated as tools to identify contamination sources in… more Full Text: AN INVESTIGATION OF RARE EARTH ELEMENT PATTERNS AND AN APPLICATION OF USING ZN AND CD ISOTOPE RATIOS IN OYSTERS TO IDENTIFY CONTAMINATION SOURCES IN AN ESTUARY IN SOUTHERN CHINA A Thesis Submitted the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Wild populations are notoriously difficult to study due to confounding stochastic variables. This thesis tackles two components of investigating wild populations. The first examines the use of niche modeling to quantify macro-scale predator-prey relationships in canid populations across eastern North America, while the second examines range-wide molecular structure in Canada lynx. The… more Full Text: ASSESSING MOLECULAR AND ECOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION IN WILD CARNIVORES 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 Trent …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in oceans provides nutrients and ultraviolet radiation protection to microbes. Some DOM compounds can chelate with metals, including copper, controlling their transport and bioavailability in marine systems. As copper functions as both a nutrient and toxicant, studies into the chemical structures of Cu-ligands is important, however currently limited. In… more Full Text: Fingerprinting of dissolved organic matter and copper ligands in the Canadian Arctic and North Pacific Ocean A thesis submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Aquatic contaminant mobility and biological availability is strongly governed by the complexation of organic and inorganic ligands. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a complex, heterogeneous mixture of organic acids, amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates and polyphenols that vary in composition and can complex to dissolved metals thereby altering their fate in aquatic systems. The research… more Full Text: Molecular Composition of Dissolved Organic Matter Controls Metal Speciation and Microbial Uptake A dissertation submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the faculty …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Contemporary evolution has the potential to help limit the biological impact of rapidly changing climates, however it remains unclear whether wild populations can respond quickly enough for such adaptations to be effective. In this thesis, I used the introduction of native North American Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) into the milder climate of Europe over 140 years ago, as a '… more Full Text: CONTEMPORARY ADAPTIVE SHIFTS IN THE PHYSIOLOGY AND LIFE HISTORY OF PUMPKINSEED (LEPOMIS GIBBOSUS) INTRODUCED INTO A WARM CLIMATE. A Dissertation Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Recent declines in North American shorebird populations could be linked to habitat loss on the non-breeding grounds. Sea-level rise and increased frequency of coastal storms are causing significant erosion of barrier islands, thereby threatening shorebirds who rely on shoreline habitats for foraging. I conducted shorebird surveys on Bulls Island, South Carolina in the winters of 2018 and… more Full Text: SHOREBIRD HABITAT USE AND FORAGING ECOLOGY ON BULLS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA DURING THE NON-BREEDING SEASON 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 …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Many rare and elusive species have low detection probabilities, thereby imposing unique challenges to monitoring and conservation. Here, we assess the detection probability of the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) in contrast to a more common and conspicuous species, the Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis). We found that patterns of detection probability differed between… more Full Text: A multi-faceted approach to evaluating the detection probability of an elusive snake (Sistrurus catenatus) A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Levasseur, Patrick, Thesis advisor (ths): Watmough, Shaun, Degree committee member (dgc): Aherne, Julian, Degree committee member (dgc): Eimers, Catherine, Degree committee member (dgc): Whitfield, Colin, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>In 2012, the Rio Tinto aluminum smelter in Kitimat, British Columbia increased sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from 27 to 42 tonnes/day. An initial study was conducted to investigate the effect of the increased sulphur (S) deposition on forest soils. A key uncertainty of the initial study was mineral surface area estimations that were applied to critical load calculations. The current… more Full Text: Estimating mineral surface area and acid sensitivity of forest soils in, Kitimat, British Columbia 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: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Effective population size (Ne) is a foundational concept in conservation biology, in part due to its relationship to the adaptive potential of populations. Although Ne is often estimated for wild populations, it is rarely calibrated against actual population estimates (Nc) other than to produce Ne/Nc ratios. This project used demographic and genetic data for from two intensively-studied… more Full Text: Ground-truthing effective population size estimators using long-term population data from inland salmonid populations A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>While both resource quality and predator-derived chemical cues can each have profound effects on zooplankton populations and their function in ecosystems, the strength and nature of their interactive effects remain unclear. We conducted laboratory experiments to evaluate how stoichiometric food quality (i.e., algal carbon (C):phosphorus (P) ratios) affects responses of the water flea,… more Full Text: STOICHIOMETRIC FOOD QUALITY AFFECTS RESPONSES OF DAPHNIA TO PREDATOR-DERIVED CHEMICAL CUES 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: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Stream solutes are strongly linked to hydrology, and as such, we sought to better understand how hydrology, particularly flooding, influences nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels. We used a long-term dataset of monthly water quality samples for many Ontario, Canada, catchments to assess the effects of landscape variables, such as land use and physiography, on the export of nutrients… more Full Text: HYDROLOGICAL AND FLOODING EFFECTS ON STREAM NUTRIENT LEVELS 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 Trent University …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): McClenaghan, Beverly, Thesis advisor (ths): Nol, Erica, Degree committee member (dgc): Nocera, Joseph J, Degree committee member (dgc): Beresford, David V, Degree committee member (dgc): Kerr, K, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) populations have declined in North America over the past 40 years and they are listed as Threatened in Ontario, Canada. Changes in the food supply have been hypothesized as a potential cause of this population decline. I used DNA barcoding to investigate the diet and food supply of Barn Swallows and to determine if the food supply affects their reproductive… more Full Text: USING DNA BARCODING TO INVESTIGATE THE DIET AND FOOD SUPPLY OF A DECLINING AERIAL INSECTIVORE, THE BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master …
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: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Chimney swifts are listed as Threatened nationally and in many provinces within Canada due to rapid population declines. I examined large-scale spatial variation in the maximum size of chimney swift roosts at the northern edge of their range to identify where larger roosts occur. I used multi-sourced data collected across Ontario and Quebec between 1998 and 2013. I found that larger… more Full Text: HABITAT USE WITHIN AND AMONG ROOSTS OF CHIMNEY SWIFTS (Chaetura pelagica) 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 TRENT …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Understanding the maintenance and spread of invasive diseases is critical in evaluating threats to biodiversity and how to best minimize their impact, which can by done by monitoring disease occurrences across time and space. I sought to apply existing and upcoming molecular tools to assess fluctuations in both presence and strain variation of frog virus 3 (FV3), a species of Ranavirus,… more Full Text: FROG VIRUS 3: TRACKING VIRAL SPREAD USING MOLECULAR TOOLS 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 Sciences TRENT UNIVERSITY …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Cowden, Phaedra, Thesis advisor (ths): Aherne, Julian, Degree committee member (dgc): Watmough, Shaun, Degree committee member (dgc): Sager, Eric, Degree committee member (dgc): Canners, Richard, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Atmospheric pollutant deposition poses a risk to ecosystem health; therefore, monitoring the spatial and temporal trends of deposition is integral to environmental sustainability. Although moss biomonitoring is a common method to monitor various pollutants in Europe, offering a cost-effective approach compared to traditional methods of monitoring, it is rarely used in Canada. The focus… more Full Text: Moss Biomonitoring of Trace Element Deposition in Northwestern British Columbia, Canada 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: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Introgressive hybridization between northern (Glaucomys sabrinus) and southern flying squirrels (G. volans) has been observed in some areas of Canada and the USA. However, existing molecular markers lack the resolution to discriminate late-generation introgressants and describe the extent to which hybridization influences the Glaucomys gene pool. I report the first North American flying… more Full Text: De novo transcriptome assembly, functional annotation, and SNP discovery in North American flying squirrels (genus Glaucomys) A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Wehtje, Morgan, Thesis advisor (ths): Bowman, Jeff, Thesis advisor (ths): Murray, Dennis, Degree committee member (dgc): Fortin, Marie Josee, Degree committee member (dgc): Wilson, Paul, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Range contractions and expansions are important ecological concepts for species management decisions. These decisions relate not only to rare and endangered species but to common and invasive species as well. The development of the broad spatiotemporal extent models that are helpful in examining range fluctuations can be challenging given the lack of data expansive enough to cover the… more Full Text: NEW INTERPRETATIONS FROM OLD DATA: CHANGES IN EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE AND AREA OF OCCUPANCY FOR CANADA LYNX AND SNOWSHOE HARE FROM FUR HARVEST AND MUSEUM RECORDS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding targets sequences with interspecific</p><p>variation that can be amplified using universal primers allowing simultaneous detection</p><p>of multiple species from environmental samples. I developed novel primers for three</p><p>barcodes commonly used to identify plant species, and compared amplification success… more Full Text: Using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to assess aquatic plant communities 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>Neuroblastoma (NB) has one of the highest mortality rates in pediatric oncology due to relapsed and refractory disease. Current aggressive multi-modal treatments are inhibited by dose-limiting toxicities and are associated with late-effects and secondary malignancies, emphasizing the necessity for novel therapeutics. Uniquely, most NB cells highly express disialoganglioside (GD2) a cell… more Full Text: Evaluation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and anti-GD2AgNP antibody-drug conjugates as novel neuroblastoma therapies A thesis submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Soluble uranium (U) has been observed continuously in the porewaters of Bentley Lake,</p><p>a lake with semi-permanent anoxic sediments, despite the fact that reduced U(IV) is known to be</p><p>insoluble. To be able to predict the fate and mobility of U that has been deposited in lake</p><p>sediments, it is very important to understand the factors that… more Full Text: CHANGES IN FORMS OF URANIUM IN ANOXIC LAKE SEDIMENTS AND POREWATERS NEAR AN ABANDONED URANIUM MINE, BANCROFT, ONTARIO A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Chemical presumptive tests are used as the primary detection method for latent bloodstain evidence. This work focuses on developing a forensic blood substitute which mimics whole blood reactivity to a luminol solution commonly used in presumptive testing. Designing safe and accessible materials that mimic relevant properties of blood is a recognized research need in forensic science.… more Full Text: Research and development of synthetic materials for presumptive testing in bloodstain pattern analysis: a luminol-reactive forensic blood substitute A thesis submitted to the committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Numerous prey taxa employ defensive postures for protection against attack by predators. Defensive postures mitigate predation risk at various stages of the predator-prey sequence, including through crypsis, mimicry, thanatosis, aposematism, and deflection. In terrestrial salamanders, defensive postures may be aposematic, or deflect attacks away from vital body parts and towards the tail… more Full Text: ENDURING ATTACK: DEFENSIVE POSTURE IN TERRESTRIAL SALAMANDERS (GENUS: AMBYSTOMA) AND THEIR PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS ON PELEE ISLAND, CANADA A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>I assessed how organisms having multiple biotic attributes may have conflicting niche determinants, and whether the realized niche reflects single or multiple attributes. All-female salamanders engage in two biotic states: hybridism and reproductive parasitism. Hybrids should occupy areas transitional to those used by parental species, whereas parasites that engage in competition with… more Full Text: Complex niche determinants in terrestrial salamanders: Does hybridism or reproductive parasitism explain large-scale patterns of distribution? A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Salamanders are capable of tissue regeneration throughout all life-stages, which requires the dedifferentiation of mature cells to regrow lost tissues. Dedifferentiation is promoted by degradation of the extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteases, as well as lysosomal degradation of intracellular and cell-surface proteins that mark cells as part of a mature lineage. Salamanders are… more Full Text: CORTICOSTERONE PROMOTES DEVELOPMENT OF CANNIBALISTIC MORPHOLOGY AND INHIBITS TISSUE REGENERATION IN AXOLOTLS (AMBYSTOMA MEXICANUM) A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Samkari, Bshayer A, Thesis advisor (ths): Beresford, David, Degree committee member (dgc): Hutchinson, Tom, Degree committee member (dgc): Sager, Eric, Degree committee member (dgc): Davy, Christina, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>This thesis looks at the genus Pollenia: historically where they were first introduced into Canada and spatially, where they are found now. This project involved me identifying 2211 files, sorted from the 3 years of field specimens obtained in 2011, 2012, 2013. P. pediculata was the most abundant and widespread, yielding 1272 specimens out of 2211, and it was found in all provinces… more Full Text: DISTRIBUTION OF CLUSTER FLY SPECIES (POLLENIA SPP, DIPTERA: CALLIPHORIDAE) ACROSS CANADA INCLUDING RANGE EXTENSIONS AND FIRST PROVINCIAL RECORDS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Cytokinins (CKs) are hormones that promote cell division. During the formation of tumors in the Ustilago maydis-Zea mays pathosystem, the levels of CKs are elevated. Although CK levels are increased, the origins of these CKs have not been determined and it is unclear as to whether they promote the formation of tumors. To determine this, we measured the CK levels, identified CK… more Full Text: CYTOKININ BIOSYNTHESIS, SIGNALING AND TRANSLOCATION DURING THE FORMATION OF TUMORS IN THE Ustilago maydis- Zea mays PATHOSYSTEM A thesis submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Increases in flooding due to anthropogenic influences such as climate change and reservoir creation will undoubtedly impact aquatic ecosystems, affecting physical, chemical, and biological processes. We used two approaches to study these impacts: a whole-ecosystem reservoir flooding experiment and a systematic literature review. In the whole-ecosystem experiment, we analyzed the impact… more Full Text: EFFECTS OF FLOODING ON NUTRIENT BUDGETS AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES A Thesis to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT UNIVERSITY Peterborough, …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Leaf litter decomposition represents a major pathway for nutrient cycling and carbon flow in aquatic ecosystems, and macroinvertebrates play an important role in the processing of this material. To assess the causes of variable leaf breakdown and nutrient fluxes, I measured decomposition rates and the nutrient release ratios of decomposing leaf material across a broad latitudinal… more Full Text: AQUATIC INVERTEBRATE STUDIES FROM TWO PERSPECTIVES: FUNCTION (SHREDDERS) AND DISTRIBUTION (DYTISCIDAE) 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 …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>To better understand species' resilience to climate change and implement solutions, we must conserve environments that maintain standing adaptive genetic variation and the potential generation of new beneficial alleles. Coding trinucleotide repeats (cTNRs) providing high-pace adaptive capabilities via high rates of mutation are ideal targets for mitigating the decline of species at… more Full Text: TIME TO ADAPT: CHARACTERIZING ADAPTIVE GENETIC VARIATION OF CANADA LYNX USING CODING TRINUCLEOTIDE REPEATS A dissertation submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This study seeks to clarify the way in which the differing canopy characteristics among tree species influence the partitioning of precipitation, and therefore the source of water available for plant water uptake, in the Plastic Lake catchment near Dorset, ON. Three dominant tree species were compared: red oak (Quercus rubra), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), and eastern hemlock (… more Full Text: THE INFLUENCE OF CANOPY WATER PARTITIONING ON THE ISOTOPIC SIGNATURE OF PLANT WATER IN A MIXED NORTHERN FOREST A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the …
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>According to the Invasional Meltdown Hypothesis (IMH), invasive species may interact in their introduced range and facilitate future invasions. This study investigated the possibility that Alliaria petiolata, an invasive allelopathic herbaceous plant in Ontario, is facilitating invasions by additional alien species. Two allelopathic focal species were chosen for this study: the native… more Full Text: Tests of the Invasional Meltdown Hypothesis in invasive herbaceous plant species in southern Ontario 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 …
