Current Search:  Forest ecology. (x)

View All Items

  • CSV Spreadsheet
(1 - 8 of 8)
BIODIVERSITY, CARBON, AND WILDFIRES IN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS: EXAMINING DEAD WOOD’S INFLUENCE BY INTEGRATING META-ANALYTIC, HIERARCHICAL & SIMULATION MODELING APPROACHES
Title
BIODIVERSITY, CARBON, AND WILDFIRES IN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS: EXAMINING DEAD WOOD’S INFLUENCE BY INTEGRATING META-ANALYTIC, HIERARCHICAL & SIMULATION MODELING APPROACHES.
Creator
Parajuli, Rabindra, Markwith, Scott H., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description
Forest ecosystems are critically important to biodiversity and the global carbon budget. Within forest ecosystems, dead wood has several ecological roles, including in carbon and nutrient dynamics and biodiversity conservation. However, surface fuels in forests also influence wildfire behavior and associated risks and hazards. Therefore, appropriate management of dead wood contributes directly to appropriate functioning of the forest ecosystem by conserving forest biodiversity, mitigating...
Show moreForest ecosystems are critically important to biodiversity and the global carbon budget. Within forest ecosystems, dead wood has several ecological roles, including in carbon and nutrient dynamics and biodiversity conservation. However, surface fuels in forests also influence wildfire behavior and associated risks and hazards. Therefore, appropriate management of dead wood contributes directly to appropriate functioning of the forest ecosystem by conserving forest biodiversity, mitigating extreme wildfire events and pyrogenic emissions, and enhancing carbon sequestration. Using data extracted from peer-reviewed journal articles, geospatial, and field inventory data, and integrating meta-analytic, hierarchical regression, and vegetation simulation modeling approaches, this dissertation project examined the influence of dead wood on biodiversity, carbon, and wildfires in forest ecosystems. The meta-analysis results suggest that dead wood quantity is an indicator of forest biodiversity, while dead wood types and decay stages had varied relationships with biodiversity. Generalized linear and additive mixed effects modeling of geospatial and human observed data demonstrated the predominant influences of weather conditions and moderate effects of live and dead fuels on exceptionally large wildfires’ behavior in the western United States. Consistently dominant effects of temperature on wildfire behavior highlight and emphasize the pressing need to address climate change's impact on western US forests. Lastly, vegetation and wildfire simulation modeling of forest stand inventory data and post-modeling carbon computations suggested that physical harvesting of dead wood, an approach analogous to traditional practice of firewood collection, when combined with modern mechanical fuel reduction treatments in Sierra Nevada, CA, mixed conifer forests has great potential to mitigate wildfire hazards, reduce fire emissions, and enhance carbon sequestration.
Show less
Date Issued
2024
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014456
Subject Headings
Forest ecology, Wildfires, Forest management, Forest biodiversity conservation
Format
Document (PDF)
Microbial Aspects of Plant Invasion: An Analysis of Soil Microbial Communities Associated with the Invasive Plant - (Schinus terebinthifolius) Brazilian Pepper Tree Across South-Eastern Florida.
Title
Microbial Aspects of Plant Invasion: An Analysis of Soil Microbial Communities Associated with the Invasive Plant - (Schinus terebinthifolius) Brazilian Pepper Tree Across South-Eastern Florida.
Creator
Dawkins, Karim, Esiobu, Nwadiuto, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
The Brazilian pepper tree (BP, Schinus terebinthifolius), introduced to the United States in the 1800s, has since become a category one invasive plant in Florida, aggressively spreading to 3000 km2 of prime habitat. There is a serious dearth of knowledge on whether the rhizobiome plays any roles in the displacement of native flora and the range expansion of BP. This thesis discusses the well-established plant invasion mechanisms of the BP and highlights key emerging mechanisms and gaps in (a)...
Show moreThe Brazilian pepper tree (BP, Schinus terebinthifolius), introduced to the United States in the 1800s, has since become a category one invasive plant in Florida, aggressively spreading to 3000 km2 of prime habitat. There is a serious dearth of knowledge on whether the rhizobiome plays any roles in the displacement of native flora and the range expansion of BP. This thesis discusses the well-established plant invasion mechanisms of the BP and highlights key emerging mechanisms and gaps in (a) the current understanding of the molecular, below-ground processes of BP invasion and (b) studies on the potential role of microbial interactions in the success of BP invasion already established for other select invasive species, and the intervention of soil metagenomic studies to elucidate plant invasive mechanisms. These poorly studied mechanisms could further explain the aggressive spread and resilience of BP and contribute significantly to the development of effective and sustainable control measures, enabling appropriate strategies for restoring native plants.
Show less
Date Issued
2016
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004697, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004697
Subject Headings
Brazilian pepper tree, Ecological risk assessment, Forest ecology, Invasive plants -- Ecology, Nonindigenous pests -- Geographical distribution, Plant invasions
Format
Document (PDF)
Mangrove Morphological Change Across an Environmental Gradients: Implications for Competitive Ability in a Changing Climate
Title
Mangrove Morphological Change Across an Environmental Gradients: Implications for Competitive Ability in a Changing Climate.
Creator
Standish, Hilary, Proffitt, C. Edward, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
In Florida, mangroves have responded to climate change by slowly migrating northward into traditional salt marsh habitat. However, little is understood about the relationships among mangrove growth form plasticity and environmental conditions. In addition, the effects of the mangrove northward expansion on pre-existing salt marsh communities are unknown, especially any influences of differences in tree morphology. The size, canopy structure, and root structure of the three mangrove species...
Show moreIn Florida, mangroves have responded to climate change by slowly migrating northward into traditional salt marsh habitat. However, little is understood about the relationships among mangrove growth form plasticity and environmental conditions. In addition, the effects of the mangrove northward expansion on pre-existing salt marsh communities are unknown, especially any influences of differences in tree morphology. The size, canopy structure, and root structure of the three mangrove species Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa were measured at six sites along the east coast of Florida. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the multivariate relationships between environmental and biotic variables. Mangrove growth form varied widely with environmental variables. The results of this study suggest that R. mangle expansion into salt marsh may rely on interactions with salt marsh and shading as well as on climatic variables, which has implications for future mangrove expansion northward in Florida.
Show less
Date Issued
2016
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004759, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004759
Subject Headings
Mangrove forests--Florida., Mangrove management., Mangrove ecology., Mangrove conservation., Marine ecosystem management--Florida., Coastal zone management--Florida., Forest ecology., Climatic changes--Florida.
Format
Document (PDF)
Exploring conservation: Piquigua, Heteropsis Ecuadorensis, in Ecuador
Title
Exploring conservation: Piquigua, Heteropsis Ecuadorensis, in Ecuador.
Creator
Fadiman, Maria
Abstract/Description
Colonists and indigenous groups living in and around Ecuador’s Mache-Chindul Reserve cultivate various subsistence food plants. The data reveal various differences between the two groups in regards to gendered agricultural spaces. Colonists maintain distinct planting areas, while the Chachi do so less. While each group plants some of the same crops, their basic staples differ: rice for the colonists and plantains for the Chachi. The gendered spaces are also distinct. In colonist households,...
Show moreColonists and indigenous groups living in and around Ecuador’s Mache-Chindul Reserve cultivate various subsistence food plants. The data reveal various differences between the two groups in regards to gendered agricultural spaces. Colonists maintain distinct planting areas, while the Chachi do so less. While each group plants some of the same crops, their basic staples differ: rice for the colonists and plantains for the Chachi. The gendered spaces are also distinct. In colonist households, women take primary care of plants closest to the home, while men’s domain is furthest from the home. Among the Chachi, the reverse pattern is the norm. This spatial organization is looked at in the context of previous theories regarding gender and agricultural. These distinctions are important to be considered in the context of better understanding gendered space among rural groups, and also for developing and implementing effective land use programs in and around protected areas. This manuscript is a version of an article published in Papers of Applied Geography Conferences 30 (2007) p. 427-436
Show less
Date Issued
2007
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/165383
Subject Headings
Ethnobotany, Ecuador, Rain forest plants, Conservation of natural resources--Ecuador, Weaving--Ecuador, Rain forests--Ecuador--Management, Rain forest ecology--Ecuador
Format
Document (PDF)
Ecological characterization of a disturbed hardwood forest
Title
Ecological characterization of a disturbed hardwood forest.
Creator
Dehring, Faith Jennifer., Florida Atlantic University, Austin, Daniel F.
Abstract/Description
The oak hammock within the Flamingo Road ESL in Broward County, Florida has been disturbed by a number of factors. Twenty-one permanent plots were established to characterize the vegetation of the site and to determine the impact of non-natives on diversity and stability of the hammock. Non-native species may reduce species diversity and stability of communities. Point quarter sampling was compared to quadrat sampling. High percentages of non-native species in hammock sampling plots reduced...
Show moreThe oak hammock within the Flamingo Road ESL in Broward County, Florida has been disturbed by a number of factors. Twenty-one permanent plots were established to characterize the vegetation of the site and to determine the impact of non-natives on diversity and stability of the hammock. Non-native species may reduce species diversity and stability of communities. Point quarter sampling was compared to quadrat sampling. High percentages of non-native species in hammock sampling plots reduced Sorensen index of community similarity values below the 50% minimum used to define intact communities. Hammock plots were placed in the same clade as non-native plots by average linkage cluster analysis. Additional analysis separated the hammock plots from the non-native plots. The percent of non-natives (individuals and species) did not reduce diversity in the hammock. The hammock remains intact despite disturbances and invasions by non-natives.
Show less
Date Issued
1998
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15573
Subject Headings
Hardwoods--Florida--Broward County, Environmentally sensitive areas--Florida--Broward County, Forest ecology--Florida--Broward County
Format
Document (PDF)
Resource stewardship: rain forest use among three ethnic groups of Ecuador
Title
Resource stewardship: rain forest use among three ethnic groups of Ecuador.
Creator
Fadiman, Maria
Abstract/Description
In looking at alternative forest use, it is imperative that the sustainability of these alternatives is addressed. This question is particularly pressing in The Mache-Chindul Ecological Reserve in northwestern Ecuador. The two plant resources on which this study focuses, a palm and a hemi-epiphyte (a vine-like plant that germinates in the ground, grows up a tree, and then sends down aerial roots), can be harvested in such a way that the plant continues to grow after harvested parts have been...
Show moreIn looking at alternative forest use, it is imperative that the sustainability of these alternatives is addressed. This question is particularly pressing in The Mache-Chindul Ecological Reserve in northwestern Ecuador. The two plant resources on which this study focuses, a palm and a hemi-epiphyte (a vine-like plant that germinates in the ground, grows up a tree, and then sends down aerial roots), can be harvested in such a way that the plant continues to grow after harvested parts have been removed. Thus, these two plants are potentially sustainable resources. The idea that non-indigenous groups are more detrimental to the forest than are indigenous people is addressed. This qualitative study falls into the body of research in which various authors have questioned the concept that indigenous people are inherently conservationist in nature.
Show less
Date Issued
2008
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/165387
Subject Headings
Ethnobotany--Ecuador, Indigenous peoples--Ecology--Ecuador, Biodiversity--Ecuador, Natural resources management areas--Ecuador, Rain forests--Ecuador--Management, Sustainable development--Environmental aspects--Ecuador, Rain forest plants
Format
Document (PDF)
Natural resource use and cultural change: Nipa hut shingle processing with Nypa fruticans, Arecaceae, in Palawan, Philippines
Title
Natural resource use and cultural change: Nipa hut shingle processing with Nypa fruticans, Arecaceae, in Palawan, Philippines.
Creator
Fadiman, Maria
Abstract/Description
Geographers are interested in how people utilize natural resources. The Philippines Nipa is the predominant mangrove species and plays an important role in the ecosystem. Cultural and economic uses make deforestation of the Nipa plant an important societal and environmental case to examine.
Date Issued
2008
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/165428
Subject Headings
Natural resources--Philippines--Management, Ethnobotany--Philippines, Mangrove forests--Philippines, Mangrove ecology, Land use--Environmental aspects--Philippines, Deforestation--Philippines
Format
Document (PDF)
Post-fire Succession and Carbon Storage in the Northern Everglades
Title
Post-fire Succession and Carbon Storage in the Northern Everglades.
Creator
Reger, Lisa Marie, Benscoter, Brian, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
Fire plays a key role in the ecology of the Everglades and is a ubiquitous tool for managing the structure, function, and ecosystem services of the Greater Everglades watershed. Decades of hydrologic modifications have led to the alteration of plant community composition and fire regime in much of the Everglades. To create a better understanding of post-fire recovery in sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) communities, sawgrass marshes in the northern Everglades were studied along a chronosequence...
Show moreFire plays a key role in the ecology of the Everglades and is a ubiquitous tool for managing the structure, function, and ecosystem services of the Greater Everglades watershed. Decades of hydrologic modifications have led to the alteration of plant community composition and fire regime in much of the Everglades. To create a better understanding of post-fire recovery in sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) communities, sawgrass marshes in the northern Everglades were studied along a chronosequence of time since fire and along a nutrient gradient. Areas closer to a water nutrient source and with fewer mean days dry contained greater total and dead aboveground graminoid biomass whereas live graminoid biomass was greater in areas with less time since fire and with fewer days dry. Post-fire characteristics of sawgrass marshes can provide insight on the effectiveness of fire management practices in the maintenance and restoration of quality habitat in the northern Everglades.
Show less
Date Issued
2016
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004625, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004625
Subject Headings
Everglades National Park (Fla.)--Environmental conditions., Swamp ecology--Florida--Everglades., Restoration ecology--Florida--Everglades., Forest fires--Florida--Everglades., Prescribed burning--Florida--Everglades., Ecosystem management--Florida--Everglades.
Format
Document (PDF)