Select geomorphological components of wildlife habitat in the ridge and valley province of Virginia

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorMartin, Steven M.en
dc.contributor.committeechairGiles, Robert H. Jr.en
dc.contributor.committeememberStauffer, Dean F.en
dc.contributor.committeememberCampbell, James B. Jr.en
dc.contributor.committeememberCross, Gerald H.en
dc.contributor.departmentFisheries and Wildlife Sciencesen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T21:50:21Zen
dc.date.adate2012-11-20en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T21:50:21Zen
dc.date.issued1988-12-05en
dc.date.rdate2012-11-20en
dc.date.sdate2012-11-20en
dc.description.abstractI examined geomorphology as it relates to wildlife and wildlife habitat I sought to make dimensions of land surface shape (terrain) available for use by natural resource professionals. Most geomorphic processes operate on longer time scales than the life spans of organisms that inhabit a landscape. So, it is the shape of the land surface, not formative processes that are considered in most environmental sciences. Terrain molds and is molded by climate, vegetation, and geology. Terrain influences site-specific temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, and winds. Through these climatic effects, terrain influences the distribution of plant species and plant phenologies. I examined the role of terrain in applied environmental sciences including forestry, soil science, hydrology, and fisheries. Terrain also affects the distribution, movements, energetics, cover, and food habits of wildlife species. I identified 8 parameters of land surface shape: elevation, slope, aspect, relief, length, area, roughness and texture, pattern and shape. From physical science literature, I identified over 120 descriptors of surface shape that measure 1 or more of these parameters. Through an objective-weighting procedure, I selected 60 descriptors to include in a computer-based system for quantifying land surface shape. The resulting system, GEODES, integrates a raster-based GIS, vector mapping programs, and a relational data base management system to present these land surface shape descriptors. Specific applications of individual descriptors and of GEODES are suggested. Individual descriptors or the larger system (GEODES) may be used to reduce variance in wildlife research and management, and to increase managerial control.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.extentxi, 203 leavesen
dc.format.mediumBTDen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.otheretd-11202012-040255en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-11202012-040255/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/45921en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartLD5655.V855_1988.M3462.pdfen
dc.relation.isformatofOCLC# 19608951en
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subject.lccLD5655.V855 1988.M3462en
dc.subject.lcshGeomorphology -- Virginiaen
dc.subject.lcshHabitat (Ecology) -- Virginiaen
dc.titleSelect geomorphological components of wildlife habitat in the ridge and valley province of Virginiaen
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineFisheries and Wildlife Sciencesen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
LD5655.V855_1988.M3462.pdf
Size:
10.6 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download

Collections

Masters Theses