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Title: Causes and consequences of blue-green eggshell colour variation in mountain bluebirds (Sialia Currucoides)
Contributors: Jeannine A. Randall (author), unknown unknow (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia College of Science and Management (Degree granting institution), unknown unknown (Committee member)
Abstract: The function and evolution of ornamental traits has been a major focus of evolutionary ecology. Despite this, female ornaments have received relatively little consideration, and are still poorly understood relative to those produced by males. However, presently, there is much interest in determining how sexual selection shapes female phenotypes. Blue-green eggshell colour, derived from the antioxidant pigment biliverdin, is one attribute produced by female birds that has come under scrutiny as a potentially sexually selected trait. Based on the possibility that biliverdin is limited and costly to produce, the sexually selected egg colour hypothesis predicts that blue-green egg colour has evolved in species with biparental care as an advertisement of female quality that elicits increased paternal effort from their social mate... .
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2016

Title: Ground beetles (coleoptera: carabidae) of the Chun T'oh Whudujut Park in eastern British Columbia, Canada, and their use as bioindicators of disturbance
Contributors: Ian Higgins (author), Brent Murray (thesis advisor), Lisa Poirier (thesis advisor), Daniel Erasmus (committee member), Staffan Lindgren (committee member)
Abstract: The Chun T’Oh Wudujut is a provincial park located in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone. My objective was to assess the use of carabid beetles as bioindicators of change in this unique interior temperate rain forest ecosystem. Using a combination of morphotyping and DNA barcoding, I examined the diversity of carabid beetles in three different habitat types: clear-cuts, undisturbed old growth, and disturbed old growth subject to frequent human traffic. Nineteen species of carabid were observed, with the highest diversity occurring in clear-cut sites. Carabid diversity in both old growth habitats was similar, but differed from that in the clear-cuts. Temperature and relative humidity proved more variable in clear-cut sites; this may impact carabid biodiversity, and should be measured in future bioindicative studies. Several species of carabid beetles (alone and in combination) were identified as possible bioindicators, including Scaphinotus marginatus, Trechus chalybeus, Pterostichus herculaneus, and Pterostichus riparius.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2019

Title: Use and selection at two spatial scales by female moose (alces alces) across central British Columbia following a mountain pine beetle outbreak
Contributors: Matthew Scheideman (author), Michael Gillingham (thesis advisor), Katherine Parker (committee member), Douglas Heard (committee member), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Moose are a keystone species and play a substantive role in predator-prey systems, nutrient cycling, and forest succession. Following a mountain pine beetle (MPB) spread across British Columbia, I quantified seasonal home-range selection, home-range size and daily movements, and within home-range selection of GPS-collared female moose in three study areas. I used case-matched logistic regressions with individual seasonal home-ranges, and mixed-effects logistic regressions for seasonal locations of female moose to determine habitat selection at two spatial scales. Individual variation was evident at both home-range and within-home-range scales. Female moose selected lodgepole pine-leading stands at both spatial scales regardless of mass die-off due to MPB. Clear-cuts following the MPB outbreak were avoided in drier locations, and trade-offs between cover and browse were evident where disturbance due to salvage logging was highest. My findings indicate that MPB salvage-logging reduced moose habitat, and thereby, influenced selection by female moose.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2018

Title: Parasite-host interactions between Protocalliphora Spp. (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor
Contributors: Daniel Williams (author), Russ Dawson (thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia College of Science and Management (Degree granting institution), Dezene Huber (committee member), Erin O'Brien (committee member)
Abstract: Many host-parasite relationships exist, and while some have been studied extensively, for others, our understanding of the influences the parasite and host impose on each other is limited. Ectoparasites live in close proximity to their host, often living on the host or within the nest of their host, and so are influenced not only by the individual host they exploit, but by the habitat choices of their host as well. Bird blow flies in the genus Protocalliphora (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are ectoparasites of the altricial young of many species of birds; the nests of tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor in particular are frequently infested by a number of species of Protocalliphora. Through the use of baited traps, experimental manipulation of the nests and nest sites of hosts, and observing the behaviours of adult tree swallows, I studied: (1) host location and host selection strategies of blow flies by testing the importance of nest feathers to blow flies; (2) the influence of the density and distribution of hosts and a reduction in available hosts on the size and density of parasites; (3) individual host selection; (4) the effect of sanitation behaviour by hosts on the size and density of blow flies. Traps baited with potential cues used by blow flies in host location were unsuccessful in attracting blow flies; however, traps installed in nests containing nestlings successfully captured adult blow flies, suggesting that a specific concentration or combination of cues may be necessary to attract blow flies. Additionally, the number of blow flies per nestling in nests where preen oil was removed from feathers used in nest construction was significantly higher than in control nests, which suggests that preen oil may play a role in masking olfactory cues used by blow flies to locate hosts. No clear influence of the number of occupied neighbouring nest boxes on the density of blow flies in nests was observed, although size (i.e., length) of pupae decreased as the number of occupied neighbouring nest boxes increased. A reduction in available hosts resulted in an increase in the number of blow flies per nestling, and unexpectedly, an increase in the weight of larvae and weight and body length of adults, perhaps because of higher quality hosts acquiring the remaining nest sites over lower quality hosts. The ability of blow fly larvae to feed and acquire resources from nestling tree swallows did not appear to be influenced by previous exposure of hosts to parasites, although lighter larvae were more likely to feed than heavier larvae, and acquired a larger blood meal. There also was evidence that the size of the blood meal varied among species of blow fly. The presence of blow flies in the nest did not appear to influence the rate or time spent performing sanitation behaviour by adult tree swallows, and there was similarly no significant influence of sanitation behaviour of hosts on density or size of blow flies, although there was some suggestion of a negative influence on the length of adult blow flies. Overall, more research is needed to understand better the host location strategies of blow flies. While the influence of hosts on the size of blow flies may be subtle, a positive influence was much more apparent after a reduction in available hosts, which may have unknown effects on future generations of hosts and implications for conservation efforts of hosts.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2017

Title: Pacific marten (Martes caurina) as an apex predator : the habitat and diet ecology of an insular population of mesocarnivore on Haida Gwaii
Contributors: David Norman Breault (author), Christopher Johnson (thesis advisor), Michael Gillingham (committee member), Melissa Todd (committee member), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Pacific marten (Martes caurina) may benefit from invasive or non-native species that occur across some coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest. I used remote-camera trapping and stable-isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to infer resource-use strategies of marten on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada. Marten are more likely to be detected in 3 ha patches with less logging and optimal amounts of road and forest edge habitat, and areas close to marine shorelines and streams. Findings from bulk carbon and nitrogen stable-isotope analysis suggest that terrestrial fauna, including birds, deer, small mammals, and invertebrates, contribute the most to diet; marine invertebrates are the second-most important prey group. Marten consume salmon and berries seasonally, but these are a relatively minor component of the diet. Knowledge of habitat and diet ecology of this generalist, apex predator should be integrated into ecosystem-based management and conservation of the globally rare old-growth forests that remain relatively intact on Haida Gwaii.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2020

Title: Seasonal behaviours of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) in the Kitimat River watershed: observations and influences
Contributors: Eric Adam Vogt (author), Allan Costello (thesis advisor), Mark Shrimpton (thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia College of Science and Management (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Coastal cutthroat trout (O. clarkii clarkii, CCT) are arguably the most poorly understood species of salmonid and little is known of their seasonal patterns of movement, particularly in British Columbia. My study was conducted to assess the overwintering and spawning behaviours of migratory CCT in the Kitimat River watershed and to evaluate how behaviours were influenced by a suite of biotic and abiotic metrics. Radio transmitters were surgically implanted into mature CCT in the late summer and fall of 2012 (Year 1; n = 41) and 2013 (Year 2; n = 68). In the late fall, CCT aggregated within deep, slow moving pools. During the winter, CCT either remained stationary within a single overwintering habitat, or were mobile, moving among 2 to 5 habitats. Spawning occurred in first to third order tributaries throughout the watershed, from April 14 to May 15. Spawning mortality was high, and 57% of radio tagged CCT did not survive spawning. ...
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2017

Title: Ecological restoration of biocrusts in alpine tundra biomes
Contributors: Annie-Claude Letendre (author), Darwyn Coxson (thesis advisor), Katherine Stewart (thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution), Paul Sanborn (committee member), Lauchlan Fraser (committee member)
Abstract: Biocrusts are complex communities of bryophytes, algae, fungi, lichens, and cyanobacteria living at the uppermost surface of soils. They have a global distribution and commonly colonize early successional and newly disturbed habitats, where they play important functional roles by facilitating key ecosystem processes. While several studies have examined biocrust development and function in arctic and alpine environments, the potential to use biocrusts in the restoration of disturbed soils in alpine tundra biomes has rarely been examined. In a greenhouse trial, we evaluated the restoration of biocrust through artificial inoculation of soils with mature biocrust. Our results suggest that artificial inoculation with biocrusts increases soil surface nitrogen-fixation rates. In a field study, we characterized alpine biocrust communities from cool mesic and xeric environments and conducted an inoculation experiment to assess the recovery of biocrust structure and function.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2018

Title: Local adaptation to cold temperatures by larval coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) from different populations throughout British Columbia
Contributors: Kimberley Tuor (author), Mark Shrimpton (thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia College of Science and Management (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The influence of environmental variables on larval development of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), with specific focus on the influence of near-freezing incubation temperatures, was examined across populations within British Columbia. A survey across the geographical distribution within British Columbia was conducted to determine the range and variability of incubation temperatures experience by incubating coho salmon. Temperatures throughout incubation differed significantly among locations, averaging approximately 1 °C in colder interior locations and approximately 5 °C in warmer coastal locations. Environmental variables influenced egg size, fecundity, female size and gonadal somatic index, such that higher latitude of spawning grounds increased, larger systems decreased, and increased temperatures experienced by a population increased the four life-history traits. Suggesting significant effects of latitude of spawning grounds, size of spawning system and temperatures experienced by a population on shaping patterns of reproductive investment. ...
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2017

Title: Spatial factors influencing northern mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus) survival and distribution in the Telkwa Range
Contributors: Laura Vivian Grant (author), Christopher Johnson (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia College of Science and Management (Degree granting institution), Michael Gillingham (Committee member), Conrad Thiessen (Committee member)
Abstract: Human-induced habitat alteration has led to the decline of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations across Canada. The many challenges in conserving caribou are exemplified by a herd of northern mountain caribou in the Telkwa Range of central British Columbia. Despite population augmentation in the 1990s, this herd has declined to 18 individuals, yet mechanisms driving this decline are largely unknown. I used location data from caribou collared between 1991–2015 to investigate the influence of human disturbances – including forestry, roads, and recreation – on survival (N = 224) and habitat selection (N = 76). Results suggested that the decline of this herd was largely driven by a shift in predator prey dynamics following forest harvest. Further exacerbating the decline were the cumulative effects of disturbance in the Telkwa Range. Roads, recreation, and forestry influenced the distribution of the Telkwa caribou herd, ultimately affecting habitat availability and the ability of caribou to successfully manage predation risk.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2017

Title: Why did the chickadee cross the road
Contributors: Jacob Mackenzie Bailey (author), Ken Otter (thesis advisor), Matt Reudink (committee member), Chris Johnson (committee member), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: I present a novel approach utilizing radio frequency identification (RFID) birdfeeders, coupled with playback experiments, to investigate the gap-crossing decisions of black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus). Results from my RFID experiments revealed that the best predictors of gap-crossing behaviors were gap-distance, and vegetation density. Birds were less likely to cross as gap distance increased. As the amount of vegetation within gaps increased, birds were more likely to cross. Playback experiments showed a decrease in gap-crossing behaviour after the RFID sampling period. Because birdfeeders were put out during this time, decreases in gap-crossing propensity suggests that birds may be engaging in a tradeoff between energy reserves and risk taking. Results from both experiments confirm that gaps do restrict movements of wintering black-capped chickadees. I recommend the primary way to increase connectivity for birds in fragmented habitats is to reduce the distance across gaps. Furthermore, increasing vegetation within gaps may also increase connectivity.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2017

Title: Avian hatching patterns in response to low-quality breeding environments and ecological stochasticity
Contributors: Sara Sparks (author), Russ Dawson (thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution), Erin O'Brien (committee member), Mark Shrimpton (committee member)
Abstract: Hatching patterns may be adaptations to optimize reproductive success in suboptimal breeding conditions, although the potential mechanisms remain unclear. Artificial eggs were used to control the onset of incubation to produce asynchronous or synchronous broods of mountain bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) breeding on food-limited reclaimed mine lands, which were compared to populations breeding in undisturbed habitat. Treatment was successful, but had negligible effects on nestling phenotype, suggesting environmental constraints may be responsible for hatching patterns in this species. Larger prey items and higher male condition also resulted in lower feeding rates for synchronous broods specifically. Broods of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) that hatched synchronously experienced faster growth when they had higher parasite loads, but were lighter near fledging, providing support for the ‘tasty chick’ hypothesis. Overall, my results suggest that hatching patterns may be indicative of environmental challenges during breeding.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2018

Title: Seasonal movement of marine-derived nutrients in riverine surface bed sediment and the floodplain hyporheic zone
Contributors: Kristy Rasmus (author), Ellen Petticrew (thesis advisor), John Rex (thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia College of Science and Management (Degree granting institution), Philip Owens (committee member)
Abstract: In the fall of 2014, 223,425 sockeye salmon returned to the Horsefly River in the Central Interior of BC. During and following the active spawn the river received a pulse of marine derived nutrients (MDN). The value of these nutrients to the functioning of the riverine ecosystem depends on if, where, and for what time period MDN is retained. Re-suspended fine bed sediment and floodplain hyporheic water were collected to determine the potential for MDN to be retained overwinter. During the spawn the proportional contribution of salmon to the fine bed sediment and associated biofilm was 25-50%. Following the winter, isotopic signatures had returned to pre-spawn levels. MDN was also transported into the floodplain hyporheic zone. Hyporheic flow pathways and nutrient concentrations were found to be spatially and temporally variable. More research is needed to determine the proportional contribution of MDN to the hyporheic nutrient pool and the retention time.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2017

Title: Sex and the city
Contributors: Erica Seon Bonderud (author), Ken Otter (thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia College of Science and Management (Degree granting institution), Matt Reudink (committee member), Brent Murray (committee member)
Abstract: Variation in individual condition and habitat quality influence reproductive tactics in many songbird species. The goal of this thesis was to gain insight into the reproductive tactics utilized by mountain chickadees. Specifically, I asked how individual condition and habitat urbanization influence a female's likelihood to engage in extra-pair copulations or produce a sex-biased brood. Over three breeding seasons, I monitored mountain chickadees nests in urban and rural habitat, and determined nestling sex and paternity using genetic techniques. I found extra-pair paternity is common in the mountain chickadee and can be attributed to the good genes hypothesis. I also found tenuous evidence to suggest sex allocation occurs in this species in response to habitat urbanization. However, in general, habitat urbanization had little effect on mountain chickadee reproductive tactics, suggesting the relative quality of urban vs. rural habitat is a complex dynamic and further characterization of this system is necessary.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2017

Title: Close encounters of the burned kind
Contributors: Kelsey L.M. Russell (author), Chris Johnson (thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution), Katherine Parker (committee member), Troy Hegel (committee member)
Abstract: Forest fire is the primary natural disturbance process influencing the distribution and abundance of terrestrial lichens across ranges of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), including the Klaza Caribou Herd in west-central Yukon. I used stand and understory data to understand variation in the abundance of lichens in burns of various ages. Focusing on the distribution of individual caribou, I used a dataset of GPS collar locations to examine resource selection on the winter range and within burns. Results suggested that burns provided suboptimal habitat for the KCH until 50 years post-fire; however, analyses focused on the use of burned habitat indicated that they regularly encountered burns and opportunistically used remnant lichen within the burn perimeter. The relationship between caribou and burned landscapes is complex and non-linear indicating that wildlife managers should look beyond burn age to account for the effects of fire on the availability and quality of caribou habitat.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2018

Title: Variability in susceptibility of nestling passerines to parasites
Contributors: Ilsa Griebel (author), Russ Dawson (thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution), Mark Shrimpton (committee member), Geoff Payne (committee member)
Abstract: Young birds face a diversity of nest-dwelling, blood-feeding ectoparasites. Size hierarchies among nest mates increase the variation within broods, and susceptibility to parasites may vary with this hierarchy. I investigated how nestling susceptibility to parasites differs both among and within broods. Experimental manipulation of nestling susceptibility to parasites showed that nestlings with reduced susceptibility benefitted morphologically and physiologically, while within broods, larger-sized nestlings benefitted more than smaller-sized nestlings. Experimental manipulation of nestling haemoglobin concentration, a common physiological effect of blood-feeding parasites, did not show strong support that reduced haemoglobin concentration could be the mechanism that causes changes in nestling phenotype in response to increased parasitism. Lastly, nestlings that received an anti-parasite treatment were more likely to survive a harsh weather event than non-experimental nestlings. Therefore, I demonstrated that nestling susceptibility to parasites does vary among and within broods and plays an important role in determining nestling phenotype and survival.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2018

Title: Smolt development in distinct populations of coho salmon (oncorhynchus kiutch)
Contributors: Rick Andrew Elsner (author), Mark Shrimpton (thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia College of Science and Management (Degree granting institution), Daniel Erasmus (committee member), Katherine Parker (committee member)
Abstract: Smolting is an important time in the life of anadromous salmon when juveniles undergo changes that prepare them for life in the ocean. Widely distributed salmon populations have evolved based on the selective pressures of their local environments. I examined population differences in the development, duration (smolt window) and loss of seawater tolerance, how temperature influenced development among populations, and temperature preference throughout smolting in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). For my first objective, I compared smolt development among three populations in British Columbia, Canada that each had different migration distances to the ocean. In year one, fish appeared to undergo an incomplete smoltification based on the biochemical marker Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA). Additionally, molecular markers (mRNA expression of gill NKA α1a, NKA α1b, as well as growth hormone (GHR), prolactin (PrlR) and glucocorticoid (GR1) receptors) suggest that fish also did fully develop physiological changes associated with smolting. In year two, the smolt window (approximately 300 accumulated thermal units – ATU) did not differ by population as evident by elevated NKA activity. Molecular markers (gill NKA α1a, NKA α1b, GHR, and PrlR) for smolting also did not show a population difference – indicating that distinct populations do not differ in their development, duration, or loss of seawater tolerance. For my second objective, I examined temperature preference in short- and long-distance migrating populations of coho salmon juveniles. Mean temperature preference did not differ between the two populations (15.9 °C and 16.1 °C) and did not change throughout smolting. Based on the observed temperature preferences, smolts do not prefer temperatures that are advantageous for prolonging the smolt window. Additionally, the disparity between temperature preference and what is likely available in the environment at the time of smolting demonstrates that temperature is not a selective pressure for juveniles to behaviourally regulate the development of seawater tolerance.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2017

Title: Local and geographic variation in the pheromone blend of the spruce beetle, Dendroctonus Rufipennis Kirby (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Contributors: Rylee Isitt (author), Dezene Huber (Thesis advisor), Katherine Bleiker (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia College of Science and Management (Degree granting institution), Deepa Pureswaran (Committee member)
Abstract: The use of aggregation and anti-aggregation pheromones by spruce beetles has enabled the development of synthetic lures and repellants for monitoring and management purposes. However, the successful application of these tools across the spruce beetle’s large range may be stymied by geographic variation in the beetle’s response to and production of pheromone blends. Furthermore, a relative lack of published data on spruce beetle pheromone dynamics and regional pheromone variation may impede further research and the development of improved lures. Here I provide quantitative measurements of pheromone blends from spruce beetles obtained from numerous sites across Canada. I provide new evidence of geographic variation between the pheromone blends of beetles from eastern and western Canada, as well as within British Columbia and Alberta. I also show that feeding appears to be a prerequisite for pheromone production by spruce beetles, and that females transition from producing an aggregation pheromone... .
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2016

Title: Temperature preference, aerobic scope and upper thermal tolerance in sympatric juvenile chinook slamon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho salmon (O. kisutch)
Contributors: Hannah Sungaila (author), Mark Shrimpton (thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution), Russ Dawson (committee member), Colin Brauner (committee member)
Abstract: Wild Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho salmon (O. kisutch) from the Horsefly River in central British Columbia vary in adult migration timing, but often rear sympatrically as juveniles. These species provide an interesting opportunity to investigate adaptations to the environment in the juvenile life-history stage, which may differ from adaptations at the adult stage. Temperature preference did not differ significantly between Chinook salmon and coho salmon. Aerobic scope (difference between maximum and routine metabolic rates) was also similar between the two species, and neither showed a distinct temperature optimum for peak physiological performance. Coho salmon had a significantly higher upper thermal limit compared to Chinook salmon, although differences were small and may not be biologically meaningful. Thus, these two populations appear to be well adapted for their current environmental conditions rather than show any tendencies to be differentially suited to selective pressures they will experience as adults.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2018

Title: Evolutionary and functional characterization of oxidative stress proteins in dendroctonus ponderosae hopkins (curculionidae: scolytinae)
Contributors: Luke Spooner (author), Dezene Huber (thesis advisor), Zoe Meletis (chair), Brent Murray (committee member), Philip Batista (committee member), Sarah Gray (committee member), University of Northern British Columbia NRES-Biology (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Understanding the mountain pine beetle detoxification systems is vital for predicting its continued spread into the novel jack pine host. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted for mountain pine beetle catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxiredoxin. These proteins were generally conserved, but there were differences in some key functional motifs. Specifically, a peroxiredoxin (DPPrx1) contained a unique combination of hyperoxidation motifs. DPPrx1 and a superoxide dismutase (DPSOD1) were selected for further functional analyses and demonstrated higher reactivity when compared to other SOD and Prx proteins. Also, DPPrx1 experiences hyperoxidation at a lower H2O2 concentration (~0.06 mM) than human peroxiredoxin (~0.12 mM). In other systems, hyperoxidized peroxiredoxin does act as a signal molecule for the expression of other oxidative stress proteins. Therefore, due to its relatively high reactivity and potential role as a cellular signal, DPPrx1 could serve as a future pest management target.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2020

Title: Incorporating an ethic of context and place in mechanistic research
Contributors: Aita Bezzola (author), Scott Green (thesis advisor), Roger Wheate (chair), Agnes Pawlowska-Mainville (committee member), Herb Hammond (committee member), Susan Burke (committee member), University of Northern British Columbia NRES-Biology (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Wildfires pose a significant economic and social challenge to communities throughout British Columbia. For some Indigenous communities, a large landscape fire has the potential to change their traditional territory and communities permanently. To allocate limited resources to the costly effort of wildfire mitigation, communities need a baseline for the spatial distribution of risk. For the Xáxli’p and their community forest, the wildfire risk is an urgent concern, locally effected by forest fuels, human ignition, and wind. Local knowledge of community members gathered through workshops were used to validate existing forest, wind, and access data. Using existing data and community data, areas of higher risk and other landscape considerations were identified and mapped to support planning by the Xáxli’p Community Forest to create a fire-resilient landscape.
Discipline: NRES-Biology
Content Model: info:fedora/ir:thesisCModel
Date added: 2020

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