Undergraduate theses

Human-crocodile conflict in Timor-Leste: attack characteristics and management implications

McVey, Domenic (2022)

Timor-Leste is a relatively new developing nation, having gained its independence from Indonesia in 2002. The people of this country have a traditional belief system in which the saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, ...

Wildfire mitigation strategies for increased wildfire resilience in wildland-urban interface communities

Overton, Ashton B. (2022)

Historic wildfire management strategies across the North American boreal forest have resulted in fire deficit forests. These landscapes are characterized by an unnatural build-up of wildland fuel, forest densification ...

The importance of container material in stored water quality

Raju, Nithin Abraham (2022)

Water is one of the primary resources to sustain human life. The quality of good water and air are important factors to protect human health and the environment. The impact of container material on stored water quality ...

A case study of moisture regime on Pinus banksiana across Ontario

Quirk, Kieran (2022)

With climate change affecting the boreal forest there are many consequences to plant species on different site types that can be detrimental to their longevity and productivity, affecting ecosystem health. In this ...

Evaluating the winter diet of a pack of coyotes (Canis latrans) in a periurban environment on Georgian Bay

Neumann, Axel (2022)

This thesis explores the diet of a pack of coyotes in a periurban environment on the southern extent of Georgian Bay, west of the Town of Collingwood. Coyotes have seen a massive expansion in their range, and even though ...

Moving towards self-care and self-determination: improving the role and organization of tribal councils in remote First Nations wildfire evacuations

Parenteau, Donovan (2022)

During climate change, wildfires will increase in frequency and size, equating to an increase in wildfire evacuation frequency and duration. Keewaytinook Okimakinak Tribal Council (KO) struggled to identify a role and ...

Effects of Lalrise Vita. Bacillus velezensis on Pinus banksiana and Picea mariana

Lachine, Autumn (2022)

Jack pine, Pinus banksisana, and black spruce, Picea mariana, are the top two species harvested and planted in the boreal forest of Canada. Sustainable forest management incorporates greenhouses and artificial fertilizers ...

The role of beavers in ecosystem restoration and the environment

Wang, Zifang (2022)

This thesis analyzes the role of beavers in ecological restoration and the environment. At the same time, it discusses controversies related to beavers and gives final recommendations. This paper analyzes the impact of ...

Invasive plant cover and density following emerald ash borer-induced mortality in southern Ontario forests

Kratky, Michelle (2022)

The emerald ash borer has caused widespread ash mortality in eastern North American forests, where forest managers are also facing challenges due to invasions of undesirable exotic plant species. This study aims to explore ...

Assessing progress toward an effectively managed, representative, and well-connected global protected area network

Gough, Heather (2022)

Protected areas are a cornerstone of conservation efforts to prevent biodiversity loss. Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity called for the area of protected areas to be increased to 17% of terrestrial ...

Assessment using TerrSet geovisualisation of the temporal and spatial effectiveness of the prescribed burn program in re-establishing the oak savannah habitat at the Pinery Provincial Park

Johnson, Jennifer (2022)

Oak savannah is a plant community of widely spaced deciduous trees with a canopy cover of between 25 to 35%, allowing grasses and other ground cover vegetation to thrive, providing habitats for numerous plant and animal ...

How to achieve meaningful consultation/accommodation with First Nation communities: The need/benefits for community-led forest management plans in Ontario’s forest industry

Flood, Tristan (2022)

The inherent Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations people continue to be infringed upon in Ontario’s forest industry. The province of Ontario continues to abuse its colonially obtained Section 92 powers and has ...

Harvest productivity analysis based on stand boundary length of Weyerhaeuser’s Pembina Timberlands

Garbutt, Ryan (2022)

Harvest productivity can be influenced by many different factors within a harvest block and knowing the impact of those factors allows harvest efficiency to be maximized. This thesis explored the effect that stand boundary ...

Comparing optimal and actual forest road locations using least-cost analysis in QGIS

Guenther, Matthew (2022)

For the Lakehead Forest licence, west of Thunder Bay, Ontario, a least-cost roads model was built in QGIS using provincial Digital Elevation Model (PDEM) data, and data provided by Greenmantle. A cost-surface was also ...

The benefits of implementing tire pressure control systems (TPCS) in northwestern Ontario

Caron, Jayme (2022)

Transporting raw forest products to processing facilities is one of the highest costs of overall timber production. Many forestry contractors and log truck owners are looking for feasible ways to minimize forest road ...

Effects of road construction cost in determining whether a block should be harvested in the summer or winter on the Romeo Malette Forest

Svec, Colin (2022)

Permanent and temporary forest roads are key infrastructures for the removal of raw forest products. Ensuring an efficient road network is laid out and proper construction methods are chosen will aid in reducing the total ...