Date of Award
Winter 11-28-2017
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science - Forestry
Department
Forestry
First Advisor
Dr. Daniel Scognamillo
Second Advisor
Dr. Gary Kronrad
Third Advisor
Dr. Jeremy Stovall
Abstract
ESTIMATING WILDLIFE BIODIVERSITY OF PINE PLANTATION EDGES OF CONTRASTING ROTATIONAL STAGES: A CASE STUDY
By: Joshua Harris, Dr. Daniel Scognamillo, Dr. Gary Kronrad, and Dr. Jeremy Stovall
Abstract
Wildlife biodiversity was estimated amongst three loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) intra-plantation edge types of contrasting rotational phases in a two-year case study. Three structurally varied rotational phases that occur throughout plantation rotations combine to make three different edges: A= pre-thinned - post-thinned, B= pre-thinned - pre-clearcut, and C= post-thinned - pre-clearcut. For two summer seasons (May-August 2015-2016), invertebrates, birds, medium mammals, and small mammals were sampled in each edge type. Richness, extrapolated richness, two indices for diversity, two measures of species evenness, and two measures of community dominance were estimated. Richness and abundance variation of vertebrate species among edge types was not great enough to separate one from the others. Invertebrate families were disproportionately found more so in edge type B, however sample sizes were too small to discern a significant difference. Each edge type contributed to diversity and abundance of certain wildlife groups and so we conclude that managing for landscape heterogeneity of plantation rotational phases spatially and temporally would benefit wildlife more-so than a disproportionate ratio of one edge type.
Repository Citation
Harris, Joshua Perry, "ESTIMATING WILDLIFE BIODIVERSITY OF PINE PLANTATION EDGES OF CONTRASTING ROTATIONAL STAGES: A CASE STUDY" (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 139.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/139
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
