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• 11. [Article] Determination of Trade-offs between Wetland Ecosystem Services in an Agricultural Landscape

  Wetland restoration mitigates effects of agricultural development on water quality, flooding, and habitat loss. Multi-objective optimization for wetland locations and sizes has not included objective functions ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Determination of Trade-offs between Wetland Ecosystem Services in an Agricultural Landscape Author: Garrison, Stacey L. Wetland restoration mitigates effects of agricultural development on water quality, flooding, and habitat loss. Multi-objective optimization for wetland locations and sizes has not included objective functions for water quality, hydrology, and habitat in unison, limiting analysis of trade-offs among these ecosystem services. This study establishes two methods to improve the accuracy of simulating wetland restoration with an optimization-simulation framework for analysis of trade-offs: identification of wetland type and constraining wetland and drainage area configurations to potential field-scale wetlands in the study area. Determination of a wetland habitat type used characteristics of the Hydrogeomorphic Method, and this type was utilized in a land-use/land-cover simulation linked to a species-habitat model. Multi-objective optimization identified optimal wetlands and drainage areas. These wetlands demonstrated redundancy among treatment ecosystem services. Modifying wetlands and drainage areas from the optimally-identified values caused shifts to the trade-off relationships. The habitat objective function conflicted with the treatment objective functions, but at low levels of confidence, demonstrating the necessity to incorporate all the objective function types together into a multi-objective optimization. The methods to increase accurate representation from this study can be incorporated into future studies to improve understanding of wetland ecosystem service processes for land-use planning. Title: Determination of Trade-offs between Wetland Ecosystem Services in an Agricultural Landscape Author: Garrison, Stacey L. Wetland restoration mitigates effects of agricultural development on water quality, flooding, and habitat loss. Multi-objective optimization for wetland locations and sizes has not included objective functions for water quality, hydrology, and habitat in unison, limiting analysis of trade-offs among these ecosystem services. This study establishes two methods to improve the accuracy of simulating wetland restoration with an optimization-simulation framework for analysis of trade-offs: identification of wetland type and constraining wetland and drainage area configurations to potential field-scale wetlands in the study area. Determination of a wetland habitat type used characteristics of the Hydrogeomorphic Method, and this type was utilized in a land-use/land-cover simulation linked to a species-habitat model. Multi-objective optimization identified optimal wetlands and drainage areas. These wetlands demonstrated redundancy among treatment ecosystem services. Modifying wetlands and drainage areas from the optimally-identified values caused shifts to the trade-off relationships. The habitat objective function conflicted with the treatment objective functions, but at low levels of confidence, demonstrating the necessity to incorporate all the objective function types together into a multi-objective optimization. The methods to increase accurate representation from this study can be incorporated into future studies to improve understanding of wetland ecosystem service processes for land-use planning. Close

• 12. [Article] Distribution of bats in Southeast Alaska and selection of day-roosts in trees by Keen’s myotis on Prince of Wales Island, Southeast Alaska

  We conducted capture and acoustic surveys for bats in six areas along a latitudinal gradient in Southeast Alaska from mid-May to September in 2005 and we continued surveys on Prince of Wales Island from ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Distribution of bats in Southeast Alaska and selection of day-roosts in trees by Keen’s myotis on Prince of Wales Island, Southeast Alaska Author: Boland, Julia L. We conducted capture and acoustic surveys for bats in six areas along a latitudinal gradient in Southeast Alaska from mid-May to September in 2005 and we continued surveys on Prince of Wales Island from mid-May to September in 2006. We determined the level of effort required to catch each species and documented ranges in morphology and periods of reproduction. We captured little brown myotis, Myotis lucifugus; California myotis, M. californicus; long-legged myotis, M. volans; and Keen’s myotis, M. keenii, and we acoustically detected and sighted the silver-haired bat, Lasionycteris noctivagans. Capture success varied by species, year, and type of capture site. Our surveys support prior research suggesting that the little brown myotis is the most abundant species in the region, although densities appear to be low relative to other parts of its range. California myotis and Keen’s myotis were captured as far north as Juneau. The long-legged myotis was captured on Wrangell and Prince of Wales Islands and the silver-haired bat was detected on Prince of Wales Island. Prince of Wales Island is the southernmost area we sampled and was the only area where all species were detected. Given low rates of detection, all species appear to occur in low densities in Southeast Alaska. Better understanding of population status and trends and examination of habitat ecology and response to forest management in the region is needed to prioritize conservation strategies. The Keen’s myotis is rare and has one of the most limited distributions of any bat species in North America. Understanding gender-specific roosting ecologies of bats at relevant spatial scales is necessary to effectively evaluate the impact of habitat alteration and prioritize conservation efforts for bats in temperate forests. We examined selection of day-roosts in trees by Keen’s myotis from mid-May to September, 2006 on Prince of Wales Island, Southeast Alaska. Our objectives were to 1) examine relationships between and determine relative importance of habitat characteristics on selection of day-roosts at three spatial scales and 2) determine if habitat associations for males and females differed at each scale. We tracked 13 females to 62 roosts in trees and 6 males to 24 roosts in trees. Features at each spatial scale appeared to influence selection of day-roosts by female Keen’s myotis, but associations were strongest at the tree scale and trees used as roosts were primarily large in diameter with structural defects and located in old-growth forests. Trees in plots around roosts of females had large mean diameters and these plots had a high abundance of roost-like trees. Roosts were generally located near to roads and streams and surrounded by landscapes with a high abundance of old-growth and riparian habitat. Associations were evident for male Keen’s myotis at each spatial scale, but associations at the landscape scale were strongest. Male Keen’s myotis exhibited flexibility with the types of roosts they chose, but tree roosts were primarily snags in early to intermediate decay surrounded by a high relative abundance of roost-like trees that were closer to roads and further from riparian habitat. Habitat associations differed between males and females at each spatial scale and differences are likely a reflection of higher energetic constraints associated with reproduction for females. Energetic benefits gained from optimal roosting habitat may be critical for successful reproduction by females. Females primarily roosted in old-growth habitat and we suggest that maintaining structural components characteristic of old growth will promote conservation of Keen’s myotis in Southeast Alaska. Title: Distribution of bats in Southeast Alaska and selection of day-roosts in trees by Keen’s myotis on Prince of Wales Island, Southeast Alaska Author: Boland, Julia L. We conducted capture and acoustic surveys for bats in six areas along a latitudinal gradient in Southeast Alaska from mid-May to September in 2005 and we continued surveys on Prince of Wales Island from mid-May to September in 2006. We determined the level of effort required to catch each species and documented ranges in morphology and periods of reproduction. We captured little brown myotis, Myotis lucifugus; California myotis, M. californicus; long-legged myotis, M. volans; and Keen’s myotis, M. keenii, and we acoustically detected and sighted the silver-haired bat, Lasionycteris noctivagans. Capture success varied by species, year, and type of capture site. Our surveys support prior research suggesting that the little brown myotis is the most abundant species in the region, although densities appear to be low relative to other parts of its range. California myotis and Keen’s myotis were captured as far north as Juneau. The long-legged myotis was captured on Wrangell and Prince of Wales Islands and the silver-haired bat was detected on Prince of Wales Island. Prince of Wales Island is the southernmost area we sampled and was the only area where all species were detected. Given low rates of detection, all species appear to occur in low densities in Southeast Alaska. Better understanding of population status and trends and examination of habitat ecology and response to forest management in the region is needed to prioritize conservation strategies. The Keen’s myotis is rare and has one of the most limited distributions of any bat species in North America. Understanding gender-specific roosting ecologies of bats at relevant spatial scales is necessary to effectively evaluate the impact of habitat alteration and prioritize conservation efforts for bats in temperate forests. We examined selection of day-roosts in trees by Keen’s myotis from mid-May to September, 2006 on Prince of Wales Island, Southeast Alaska. Our objectives were to 1) examine relationships between and determine relative importance of habitat characteristics on selection of day-roosts at three spatial scales and 2) determine if habitat associations for males and females differed at each scale. We tracked 13 females to 62 roosts in trees and 6 males to 24 roosts in trees. Features at each spatial scale appeared to influence selection of day-roosts by female Keen’s myotis, but associations were strongest at the tree scale and trees used as roosts were primarily large in diameter with structural defects and located in old-growth forests. Trees in plots around roosts of females had large mean diameters and these plots had a high abundance of roost-like trees. Roosts were generally located near to roads and streams and surrounded by landscapes with a high abundance of old-growth and riparian habitat. Associations were evident for male Keen’s myotis at each spatial scale, but associations at the landscape scale were strongest. Male Keen’s myotis exhibited flexibility with the types of roosts they chose, but tree roosts were primarily snags in early to intermediate decay surrounded by a high relative abundance of roost-like trees that were closer to roads and further from riparian habitat. Habitat associations differed between males and females at each spatial scale and differences are likely a reflection of higher energetic constraints associated with reproduction for females. Energetic benefits gained from optimal roosting habitat may be critical for successful reproduction by females. Females primarily roosted in old-growth habitat and we suggest that maintaining structural components characteristic of old growth will promote conservation of Keen’s myotis in Southeast Alaska. Close

• 13. [Article] Reconnecting aquatic habitats : validating historical habitat use by anadromous fishes using telemetry and stable isotope analysis above barriers

  I conducted a study to identify potential spawning habitat for anadromous salmonids above a 60-year-old hydropower dam in the headwaters of the North Umpqua River in Oregon. Like many other historical ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Reconnecting aquatic habitats : validating historical habitat use by anadromous fishes using telemetry and stable isotope analysis above barriers Author: Lewis, Sierra Koch I conducted a study to identify potential spawning habitat for anadromous salmonids above a 60-year-old hydropower dam in the headwaters of the North Umpqua River in Oregon. Like many other historical salmonid-bearing rivers, little documentation exists for anadromous fish presence above potential natural obstacles upstream of Soda Springs Dam. My prediction was that if migratory salmonids are allowed to move upstream of the dam using a new fish ladder they would utilize available upstream spawning habitat. I captured, radio-tagged, and transplanted wild adult summer steelhead, O. mykiss, above Soda Springs Dam and tracked daily movements for 1 year to observe habitat preferences. I also investigated evidence of historical anadromy throughout the North Umpqua River basin using stable isotope analysis of salmon-derived nitrogen (¹⁵N) in foliar samples from Douglas fir trees, P. menziesii, (>100 years old). I tested the hypothesis that I could identify undocumented, historical salmon spawning reaches above natural and anthropogenic obstacles based solely upon δ¹⁵N foliar deposition patterns. While tracking radio-tagged steelhead, I documented holding locations, the timing of spawning activities, and the outmigration of kelts. Tagged fish did not show any extensive movement in the river or tributaries above the dam. Most of the tagged adults showed incremental daily movements near the release site or downstream into the hydropower reservoir but did not travel further than 1 kilometer upstream in the main river channel. I recorded movements and localized activities that suggested some of the fish spawned and subsequently moved downstream towards the Pacific Ocean. My observations indicated that spawning behavior of tagged fish above Soda Springs Dam was delayed several weeks relative to fish spawning below the dam. There was no evidence from telemetry that any fish moved upstream in Fish Creek, the newly accessible habitat of interest in this project. My data suggest that steelhead will use restored habitat above dams, but that re-colonization activities are variable and may be affected by altered flow regimes within the restored habitat upstream of the dam and intra-specific density dependence. My stable isotope data indicated that the foliar δ¹⁵N deposition patterns were confounded with elevation. I documented potential "salmon-derived" false positives on the Umpqua National Forest above impassable waterfalls. Overall I found that foliar δ¹⁵N deposition patterns were highly variable and unexpectedly indicated a statistically significant negative correlation of foliar δ¹⁵N values with historical salmon presence. My linear mixed-effects modeling suggests that the presence of salmon is the most important indicator of foliar δ¹⁵N values, rather than the proximity of a sampled tree to stream flow above or below migratory barriers. I was not able to use the mixed effects model to identify previously undocumented salmon spawning habitat. My results from the foliar technique suggest that the method may not be universally applicable as has been previously suggested in the literature. Title: Reconnecting aquatic habitats : validating historical habitat use by anadromous fishes using telemetry and stable isotope analysis above barriers Author: Lewis, Sierra Koch I conducted a study to identify potential spawning habitat for anadromous salmonids above a 60-year-old hydropower dam in the headwaters of the North Umpqua River in Oregon. Like many other historical salmonid-bearing rivers, little documentation exists for anadromous fish presence above potential natural obstacles upstream of Soda Springs Dam. My prediction was that if migratory salmonids are allowed to move upstream of the dam using a new fish ladder they would utilize available upstream spawning habitat. I captured, radio-tagged, and transplanted wild adult summer steelhead, O. mykiss, above Soda Springs Dam and tracked daily movements for 1 year to observe habitat preferences. I also investigated evidence of historical anadromy throughout the North Umpqua River basin using stable isotope analysis of salmon-derived nitrogen (¹⁵N) in foliar samples from Douglas fir trees, P. menziesii, (>100 years old). I tested the hypothesis that I could identify undocumented, historical salmon spawning reaches above natural and anthropogenic obstacles based solely upon δ¹⁵N foliar deposition patterns. While tracking radio-tagged steelhead, I documented holding locations, the timing of spawning activities, and the outmigration of kelts. Tagged fish did not show any extensive movement in the river or tributaries above the dam. Most of the tagged adults showed incremental daily movements near the release site or downstream into the hydropower reservoir but did not travel further than 1 kilometer upstream in the main river channel. I recorded movements and localized activities that suggested some of the fish spawned and subsequently moved downstream towards the Pacific Ocean. My observations indicated that spawning behavior of tagged fish above Soda Springs Dam was delayed several weeks relative to fish spawning below the dam. There was no evidence from telemetry that any fish moved upstream in Fish Creek, the newly accessible habitat of interest in this project. My data suggest that steelhead will use restored habitat above dams, but that re-colonization activities are variable and may be affected by altered flow regimes within the restored habitat upstream of the dam and intra-specific density dependence. My stable isotope data indicated that the foliar δ¹⁵N deposition patterns were confounded with elevation. I documented potential "salmon-derived" false positives on the Umpqua National Forest above impassable waterfalls. Overall I found that foliar δ¹⁵N deposition patterns were highly variable and unexpectedly indicated a statistically significant negative correlation of foliar δ¹⁵N values with historical salmon presence. My linear mixed-effects modeling suggests that the presence of salmon is the most important indicator of foliar δ¹⁵N values, rather than the proximity of a sampled tree to stream flow above or below migratory barriers. I was not able to use the mixed effects model to identify previously undocumented salmon spawning habitat. My results from the foliar technique suggest that the method may not be universally applicable as has been previously suggested in the literature. Close

• 14. [Article] thesisFIGS.PPT

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: thesisFIGS.PPT Author: Nasby, Nicole M. Title: thesisFIGS.PPT Author: Nasby, Nicole M. Close

• 15. [Article] Nasby_Thesis.doc

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Nasby_Thesis.doc Author: Nasby, Nicole M. Title: Nasby_Thesis.doc Author: Nasby, Nicole M. Close

• 16. [Article] Integration of submersible transect data and high-resolution sonar imagery for a habitat-based groundfish assessment of Heceta Bank, Oregon

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Integration of submersible transect data and high-resolution sonar imagery for a habitat-based groundfish assessment of Heceta Bank, Oregon Author: Nasby, Nicole M. Title: Integration of submersible transect data and high-resolution sonar imagery for a habitat-based groundfish assessment of Heceta Bank, Oregon Author: Nasby, Nicole M. Close

• 17. [Article] A GIS investigation of indigenous intensification of native food plants : humans as environmental variable in maxent habitat suitability modeling of Camassia in Oregon

  This thesis merges the fields of Ecology and Anthropology by applying Habitat Suitability Modeling to the relationship between people and plants in the Pacific Northwest. In it, I create and optimize two ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A GIS investigation of indigenous intensification of native food plants : humans as environmental variable in maxent habitat suitability modeling of Camassia in Oregon Author: Elliott, Braden T. This thesis merges the fields of Ecology and Anthropology by applying Habitat Suitability Modeling to the relationship between people and plants in the Pacific Northwest. In it, I create and optimize two Maxent habitat suitability models for camas (Camassia spp.) in Oregon. The first model describes the physical environment of camas using precipitation and maximum temperature. The second model incorporates the cultural environment of camas by adding cultural centrality and cost distance to known earth ovens. Cultural centrality is inferred by combining culture and language area maps of the Pacific Northwest around Euroamerican contact. Centrality is measured by agreement between these maps, peripherality is measured by disagreement. Earth ovens, used to prepare camas for human consumption, are mapped on a slope map of Oregon to measure cost distance--the energy necessary to travel--to the nearest known oven. The first (ecological) model performs acceptably well, but the second (socioecological) model outperforms the first on standard measures which reward fit and penalize complexity. This demonstrates a strong relationship between indigenous cultural geography and the distribution of camas on the Oregon landscape, visible through centuries of nonindigenous landscape management with a necessarily incomplete dataset. Title: A GIS investigation of indigenous intensification of native food plants : humans as environmental variable in maxent habitat suitability modeling of Camassia in Oregon Author: Elliott, Braden T. This thesis merges the fields of Ecology and Anthropology by applying Habitat Suitability Modeling to the relationship between people and plants in the Pacific Northwest. In it, I create and optimize two Maxent habitat suitability models for camas (Camassia spp.) in Oregon. The first model describes the physical environment of camas using precipitation and maximum temperature. The second model incorporates the cultural environment of camas by adding cultural centrality and cost distance to known earth ovens. Cultural centrality is inferred by combining culture and language area maps of the Pacific Northwest around Euroamerican contact. Centrality is measured by agreement between these maps, peripherality is measured by disagreement. Earth ovens, used to prepare camas for human consumption, are mapped on a slope map of Oregon to measure cost distance--the energy necessary to travel--to the nearest known oven. The first (ecological) model performs acceptably well, but the second (socioecological) model outperforms the first on standard measures which reward fit and penalize complexity. This demonstrates a strong relationship between indigenous cultural geography and the distribution of camas on the Oregon landscape, visible through centuries of nonindigenous landscape management with a necessarily incomplete dataset. Close

• 18. [Article] Mason’s Run brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis): history, management challenges, and recommendations

  Graduation date: 2016

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Mason’s Run brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis): history, management challenges, and recommendations Author: Russell, Joseph D. III Graduation date: 2016 Title: Mason’s Run brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis): history, management challenges, and recommendations Author: Russell, Joseph D. III Graduation date: 2016 Close

• 19. [Article] Dungeness Settlement Paper.docx

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Dungeness Settlement Paper.docx Author: Heidmann, Sarah, Jaco, Erin Title: Dungeness Settlement Paper.docx Author: Heidmann, Sarah, Jaco, Erin Close

• 20. [Article] Dungeness Settlement Paper.pdf

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Dungeness Settlement Paper.pdf Author: Heidmann, Sarah, Jaco, Erin Title: Dungeness Settlement Paper.pdf Author: Heidmann, Sarah, Jaco, Erin Close