Undergraduate theses: Recent submissions
Now showing items 221-240 of 324
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A partial review of electricity distribution reliability based vegetation management in North America
(2019)In recent years, utility vegetation management planners have incorporated a new framework into planning regimes: reliability based vegetation management. This report examines the vegetation management standards of forty ... -
Recent expansion of black-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, into the Thunder Bay region: Implications and putative role of climate change
(2019)The distribution of Ixodes scapularis is increasing in Ontario, thereby increasing the risk of contracting Lyme disease. Climate change is a likely factor in the northward expansion of I. scapularis populations. Here, I ... -
Lichen detectability under varying canopy closure
(2019)Monitoring lichen distribution is of increasing concern as mapping is critical in characterizing habitat for woodland caribou. Aerial photography collected using drones, the method used for this study, is a common method ... -
A script for the automatic delineation of canopy gaps from raster images and incorporation of analysis with Ontario’s FRI datasets
(2019)This thesis project serves as a tool for resource managers looking to delineate gaps in the forest canopy, where a Canopy Height Model raster is available. Once identified, analysis is performed in order to assess the ... -
Differences in dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) assemblages in different habitat types and habitat patches within the Verde Sumaco forest, Ecuador
(2019)Scarabaeinae, the dung-eating beetle subfamily, comprises keystone species that perform a host of ecological functions. They are easily surveyed and respond to habitat change, making them suitable indicators of effects of ... -
Impacts of different harvesting methods on forest environment
(2019)Harvesting methods are an important component of forestry management. Determining the impact of harvesting methods on forest environment can help us to do it more efficiently. In this paper, the methods, impact and intensive ... -
A comparison of the quality of hayfield and pasture soils on a Northwestern Ontario farm
(2019)This thesis examines aspects of soil quality between a hayfield and pasture site on a farm in Northwestern Ontario. Soil compaction, pH, and carbon were the main aspects looked at between the two sites. The purpose of this ... -
Literature review of aquatic invasive species management in the Great Lakes region
(2019)Invasive species are foreign organisms which out-compete and take over new landscapes and are ranked as one of the most destructive forms of habitat degradation (McCormick et al. 2009). Aquatic invasive species specifically ... -
The effects of nanosilver on northern pike
(2018)Nanosilver (nAg) is an effective anti-microbial agent that is being increasingly used in consumer products. With such an expansive list of products incorporating nAg, the risk of environmental release is high. Studies ... -
A framework for assessing skills training programs for building Indigenous capacity in natural resource development
(2019)Indigenous participation in natural resource development has become an integral part of the advancement of major projects both in Ontario and across Canada. This participation until the most recent decades was limited by ... -
Winter home range sizes of female woodland caribou in the boreal forest of Northwestern Ontario
(2019)Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou Gmelin) are listed as “threatened” under the Canadian Species at Risk Act. Fourteen ranges occur within the continuous distribution of caribou in Ontario and have been studied ... -
Estimating tanager densities in chakra agroforests in relation to plant species diversity and area of chakra
(2019)Chakra agroforests in the community of Verde Sumaco, Ecuador were surveyed to estimate tanager densities. Distance sampling using transects was the methodology used to record presence of tanager species. Using the data ... -
The restoration projects in Thunder Bay and further development
(2019)Ecological restoration is the scientific study and process that restore the ecosystem’s functions and services by field study and planning in order to enhance the value of the ecosystem and sites return to society. The ... -
Non-destructive evaluation for boreal tree species utilizing acoustic testing
(2017)Standing trees pertain a level of uncertainty, in regards to yield and end-use. Thus, it may be feasible to analyse the forest, at the ground level, in order to allocate the timber resources accordingly. Through stress-wave ... -
An examination of forest-dwelling birds in recreational areas within Thunder Bay, ON.
(2018)Forest-dwelling birds hold various social, economic, and ecological values. This study aims to identify the habitat elements that recreational areas provide or lack for various forest birds. Three recreational areas across ... -
A literature survey: the effects of forest fire on ecology and regeneration
(2019)The extreme natural disturbance could destroy the structure and the composition of the forest (Chen 2009). The damage caused by forest fire can be divided into three parts: natural resources, ecological factors and the ... -
The dynamic effects of tree species diversity on nitrogen in soil
(2019)The availability of nitrogen in soil is one of the most important factors for tree growth. Although tree species mixtures are known to increase forest productivity, it remains unclear how they affect soil nitrogen. In ... -
Role of woodlot licence program in BC forest sector
(2018)Woodlot licences in British Columbia are small area-based tenures, held by individuals, small groups or families. Woodlot licences are often located in or near local communities and are thought to be in a better position ... -
The economic value of recovering the town of Oakville's urban forest after the impacts of the emerald ash borer
(2019)The Town of Oakville is responsible for maintaining some 2,016,500 city trees planted within boulevards on the city’s streets (UFORE 2016). Prior to the emerald ash borer, ash trees represented the top 5 most trees planted ... -
North American pinewood nematode disease in China
(2019)The pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is an important alien invasive species in China. This pinewood nematode poses a serious threat to Chinese forests. It does have an important impact on forestry, including ...