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Title: The effects of organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on the morphology and anatomy of industrial fibre hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) grown in northern British Columbia, Canada.
Contributors: Charlene Forrest (author), Jane Young (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The effect of organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on the morphology and anatomy of 'Cannabis sativa' var. 'f~rina ' was investigated in both a greenhouse and field setting in Northern British Columbia. Plots (90 stems/m2) treated with 0, 75, 150 or 300 kg N/ha of inorganic nitrogen or fishmeal, bloodmeal or sea star organic fertilizer were also replicated with 90 kg inorganic P2 O5/ha application. The application of 150 and/or 300 kg N/ha of any nitrogen fertilizer type benefited field-grown plant morphology, secondary phloem fibre and xylem development, while greenhouse-grown plant morphology, secondary phloem fibre and xylem were positively influenced by 90 kg P 2O5/ha. Primary phloem fibre characteristics of both greenhouse and field-grown plants were benefited by the absence of either nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizer. This study determined that organic can be used in place of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer for the production of a majority of fibre characteristics of 'C. sativa' var. f~rina.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: The ecology of food and medicine plants and their gathering sites as defined by Tl'azt'en Nation.
Contributors: Leona R. Shaw (author), Jane Young (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Aboriginal people, including Tl'azt'en Nation, have close and long-standing relationships with the environment. Plants were, and still are, important for food, medicine, and cultural purposes. Western societies have had a negative impact on many Aboriginal communities which can be seen in the loss of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). An examples of this is with TEK regarding food and medicine plant use of Tl'azt'en Nation. This research was a collaborative project between Tl'azt'en Nation and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). Tl'azt'en community members participated in every stage of the research and assisted in the determination of the research goals and objectives. This ensured that the appropriate knowledge was being documented and it was in a form that was presentable and acceptable to all involved. The study was conducted to collect TEK about the ecology of food and medicine plant gathering sites, to gain an understanding of the criteria for gathering individual plants for food or medicine use, to understand why traditional food and medicine plant gathering sites may fall out of use, and to provide information for a frame work for the protection measure that will be necessary for the continuation of plant gathering activities and sites. In order to gather TEK, fifteen plants were selected to focus on and a total of ten Tl'azt'enne, considered to be knowledgeable about food and medicine plants, participated in various meetings, focus groups, interviews, and field sessions and shared their knowledge about the fifteen plants and their gathering sites. Tl'azt'enne who use plants for food and medicine purposes do not seem to have specific sites where plants must be collected for these purposes, as long as the plant is available in an undisturbed area, away from people and in Tl'azt'en Territory, it can be gathered. Tl'azt'enne community members possess a deep understanding of plants and their gathering sites and have many concerns including the loss of TEK, changing landscapes, and ecolo
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Morphological and molecular assessment of ectomycorrhizal communities associating with black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) in wetland and upland forests in central British Columbia.
Contributors: Susan Janet Robertson (author), Hugues Massicotte (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Study of mechanisms of methylmercury neurotoxicity and association with Parkinson's disease
Contributors: Yueting Shao (author), Laurie Chan (Thesis advisor), Chow Lee (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known neurotoxicant but the diverse mechanistic events associated with MeHg neurotoxicity have yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we explored the mechanisms of MeHg neurotoxicity particularly its possible roles in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease (PD) using dopaminergic neuronal cells and a non-human primate model. In the cell culture model, we compared effects of MeHg to those induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺), a well-established drug that can induce Parkinsonism-like symptoms. A proteomic approach was used to identify and analyze MeHg affected proteins and their biological functions and associated pathways in both the cellular and marmoset models. Our results showed that MeHg induced changes of gene/protein profiles are similar to the effects as MPP⁺. Evidence from proteomic results suggested MeHg caused neurodegenerative effects not only associated with PD but also other neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington’s disease (HD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We also found brain regional specific response to MeHg stimuli, based on the protein profiles affected in the following order: cerebellum > occipital lobe (OL) > frontal lobe (FL) of the cerebrum. In the cerebellum, carbohydrate derivative metabolic process, synaptic transmission, cell development and calcium signalling are dominant functions and pathways contributing to the motor deficit in MeHg-treated marmoset. MeHg was found to selectively target membrane proteins in the cerebellum particularly in synaptic membranes. MeHg affected proteins involved in energy metabolism in both OL and FL of the cerebrum through different proteins and biochemical pathways. In the OL, proteins were enriched in functions of carbohydrate metabolic process, lipid metabolic process, cellular amino acid metabolic process, homeostatic process, transportation, and regulation of body fluid level. In the FL, differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in the cell cycle and cell division, glycerolipid metabolic process, sulfur compound metabolic process, cellular amino acid metabolic process, microtubule-based process, and proteolysis. The dyshomeostasis of water transport and associated pathways observed in OL and FL was found to be the underlying mechanism for brain edema observed in the MeHg exposed marmoset. Novel proteins such as DLG4 (PSP95) in the cerebellum and APOE in OL were exhibited to be core proteins in linking multifunction targeted by MeHg. This study provides a new perspective upon understanding mechanisms behind MeHg mediated neurotoxic deficits, and suggests potential links between MeHg exposure and neurodegenerative disorders in humans.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Innovative strategies for the utilization of biomass ash.
Contributors: Adrian James (author), Steve Helle (Thesis advisor), Ron Thring (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Bioenergy production using woody biomass is a fast developing application since this fuel source is considered to be carbon neutral. The harnessing of bioenergy from these sources produces residue in the form of ash. As the demand for bioenergy production increases, ash and residue volumes will increase. Major concerns arising from the management of this byproduct include: storage availability, usage, product disposal and the implications of the presence of unburned carbon. This research studies various ash types, identifying specific fractions of technological, environmental and economic viability. Fractions of energy importance, inorganic distribution and catalytic properties of specific ash types are investigated. Ash from three systems were investigated, an industrial boiler, a fixed bed updraft gasifier and a wood pellet burner. Analyses of the boiler ash included particle fractionation, proximate and ultimate analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and bulk density. Samples were separated into various fractions based on particle sizes. The fixed carbon in the as-received boiler ash samples was 30 and 50 % and the higher heating value (HHV) ranged from 5 - 25 MJ/kg of the different fractions. 68 % or more of the energy could be recovered in fractions ≥ 425 μm. High carbon ash was successfully gasified in a fluidized bed reactor at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure. The pH of the as received samples for the gasifier, boiler and pellet burner were 10.36, 12.49 and 13.46, respectively. Ni with a concentration of 229 mg/kg in the pellet burner ash, exceeded the maximum limit for soil amendments (in British Columbia, Canada) within the particle size fraction ≥ 850 μm but <2000. All samples were significantly enriched in both Ca (50-61 %) and K (10-26 %). Wood ash derived catalyst obtained from a gasifier and a wood pellet burner influenced gasification reactivity. The pellet burner ash was a more effective catalyst than the gasifier a
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Forest values surrounding ancient cedar stands in British Columbia's Inland Temperate Rainforest.
Contributors: Jessica N. Shapiro (author), David J. Connell (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The Inland Temperate Rainforest (ITR) of British Columbia is a globally unique ecosystem containing areas of high biodiversity, including ancient cedar stands in the upper Fraser River valley. The forest is located in a region historically focused on the economic values of timber. Increased research about and recreational use of the forest, however, has demonstrated a wider array of forest values that is yet to be fully documented. The purpose of this research is to document the breadth of forest values surrounding the ancient cedar stands to gain a better understanding of the significance of this globally unique forest. Through content analysis, as well as surveys conducted in two communities in the ITR, data were collected from trail users, the public, and local residents. Results reveal a broad set of forest values that inform the ongoing debate currently surrounding the best and highest use of the ancient cedar stands. --Leaf i.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Creating sustainable economic development within two B.C. First Nations communities: A rights-based approach.
Contributors: Titilope I. Kunkel (author), Robert Ellis (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Rural First Nation peoples traditionally sustained their economy through hunting, gathering and fishing. These traditional ways are now threatened by the national and global economies of Westernized societies. For the continued independence and development of First Nations communities, there is a need for them to participate in the wider economy. These communities now face daunting obstacles to development. Some of these obstacles include low human capital and the means to develop it, long term effects of marginalization, lack of control over available natural resources, and distance from Service Centres. A rights-based approach offers unique ways of addressing some of the development challenges that are prevalent in some rural First Nations communities in British Columbia by transforming needs into rights. The approach offers solutions which are participatory. Individuals and communities are empowered beyond the charity and welfare models. A rights-based approach to development transforms needs into rights and places a responsibility on the government in question to provide sustainable solutions. The inquiry identified the economic situation and development challenges faced by two rural First Nation communities in British Columbia, the Esketemc and Nazko First Nations, and suggested a framework for development.--P.i.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Late Holocene Glacier fluctuations in southernmost Patagonia.
Contributors: Malyssa Kay Maurer (author), Brian Menounos (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Documenting past climate dynamics aids in our understanding of the climate system. In order to assess future climate change it is valuable to examine the connectivity of climatic phenomena between hemispheres. Although studies that estimate past climate fluctuations are common in the Northern Hemisphere, fewer well-constrained glacier chronologies exist in the Southern Hemisphere. The assessment of past glacier activity remains the most direct method of creating a climatic record for a region, and the comparison of these glacial chronologies tests the synchronicity of climatic change between regions. This study investigates inter-hemispheric synchronicity by developing a detailed glacier history in southern Patagonia for comparison to robust glacier chronologies from the northwestern North America. Five Neoglacial advances of Stoppani Glacier in the Cordillera Darwin of southern Patagonia broadly correspond to the Neoglacial activity documented in northwestern North America. This Stoppani Glacier chronology is based on radiocarbon-dated detrital and in situ plant material contained within the northeastern lateral moraine stratigraphy. The age range from dated plant material records the first Neoglacial expansion of Stoppani Glacier which, overlaps with the end of the 4.2 ka Advance' reported throughout northwestern North America. Stoppani Glacier advanced multiple times between 3500-1900 cal yr BP which overlaps with the 'Peyto-Tiedemann Advance' documented in northwestern North America. The lacustrine record from nearby Lago Roca also suggests that local sea level lowered during the 3500-1900 cal yr BP period, resulting in the isolation of the lake from the Beagle Channel ca. 2300 cal yr BP. Plant material from within till at Stoppani Glacier and lacustrine sediments from Lago Roca yield an age range for the last advance of glaciers in the Cordillera Darwin the range coincides with the end of the wide-spread Little Ice Age Advance' documented throughout northwestern North
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: The potential of novel phenol-derivative compounds for feeding deterrent control of several stored-product coleopteran pests
Contributors: Erin Clark (author), Dezene Huber (thesis advisor), Erika Plettner (committee member), Staffan Lindgren (committee member), Russell Dawson (committee member), Allan Carroll (committee member), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: The development of new tactics for the management of stored-product insects is important as more conventional methods may becoming less effective due to pesticide resistance and the increasing interest in developing chemical control options with fewer of the negative side effects (e.g., environmental and health impacts). I screened several libraries of phenol-derived compounds with varying substitutions and substituents for their potential as feeding deterrents and insecticides using flour disk no-choice feeding bioassays against a total of five species of stored-product coleopteran: Tribolium castaneum, T. confusum, Sitophilus oryzae, S. zeamais, and Rhyzopertha dominica. By using structurally similar compounds, I was able to determine some structure-activity relationships, in particular meta- and para-substituted rings with mid-sized substituents showed the highest feeding deterrent activity. I was also able to show that while there where some similarities in both feeding behavior and mortality between the closely related species, there were also differences which highlights the importance of not extrapolating behavior even to closely related species. There was also evidence that, in general, the primary pests (S. oryzae, S. zeamais, and R. dominica) showed more sensitivity to the test compounds compared to the secondary pests (T. castaneum and T. confusum), which may be explained by looking at these species as specialist and generalist feeders. Finally, during the course of the experiments, an alternative method of measuring feeding in the flour disk bioassays was developed (surface area) and compared to the established method (weight). The methods are comparable and surface area analyses may be a less expensive, alternative way of measuring feeding in some scenarios. Ultimately I was able to identify several compounds that show potential to be feeding deterrents for some stored-product coleopteran pests without significant mortality.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Municipal winter trail design standards: includes a winter trail design standards GIS analysis of the city of Prince George city-wide trail system master plan
Contributors: Gerald Christie (author), Orland Wilkerson (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Many cities in Canada have trail systems that provide recreational and commuting opportunities for their residents and visitors but have not developed or maintained their municipal trail system for winter snow-based trail activities. Trail standards exist for many types of trails, uses and environments but an integration of standards for winter recreational activities with that of municipal seasonal trail standards currently in use is necessary to encourage planning, design and maintenance of winter trails at the community level. Using a mixed-methods approach, research was conducted through a focused synthesis, questionnaires and a focus group towards developing an understanding of the existing level of winter trail planning knowledge and determining what the issues and desires of trail users are in regards to municipal winter trails. The results showed that very good standards exist for winter snow-based recreational and utilitarian purposes and that existing municipal multi-use trail standards only require maintenance to allow for snow-based trail activities. A GIS analysis of the city of Prince George was then conducted to illustrate the recommended winter trail standards from this research that can be used as part of the planning process to aid in the development of a winter trail system at the municipal level.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Environmental values and beliefs in university students.
Contributors: Alvaro Palazuelos (author), Annie Booth (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: People's personal values and beliefs are believed to be a key factor underlying their willingness to engage in environmental conservation. Values are learned throughout the individual's life, and educational institutions are assumed to be a vital part of that socializing process. The present research explores whether different academic programs at the university-level have an influence on the values of the students in those programs. In previous research, values that are associated with environmental conservation include: environmental values, values of equality and justice, and of benevolence towards others. The values that have been linked to anti-environmental orientations are beliefs in the importance of growth and technology, valuing power and wealth, and having an utilitarian approach to nature. Using a cross-sectional quasi-experimental design, students in the 1st and 4th year of five university programs, Environmental Studies (N= 22), Biology (B= 55), Health Sciences (N= 49), Environmental Engineering (N= 37) and Commerce (N= 67), completed a questionnaire that assessed the above values and beliefs. Contrary to predictions, within the different academic programs there were no significant value differences between 1st and 4th year students. This finding suggests that students' program of study does not have a strong influence on their values. Instead it appears that students select a program of study that matches the values they hold when they enter university. This is supported by the significant differences found amongst the results of students majoring in different academic programs. In addition to completing the values measures, fourth year participants were also asked to reflect upon the education they received over the course of their undergraduate degree and to indicate the following for a subset of the values: (1) which values were fostered the most by their academic program and (2) what values they believed had strengthened or weakened as a function of their education. In terms of values fostere
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Selected ecological impacts of outdoor recreation: the Berg Lake trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park
Contributors: Kularaj Bhandary (author), Sanjay Nepal (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Exploring the 'interface' between traditional and alternative food systems.
Contributors: Laura Gareau (author), David Connell (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: This study explores the interface' between First Nations traditional food systems and agricultural alternative food systems. Motivated by concerns about health, food security, ecological integrity and cultural heritage, both First Nations peoples and local food activists are engaging in activities, programs and policy-making to address food-related issues, yet for different reasons. In light of rising health concerns, contaminated resources and a declining land-base, First Nations peoples are recovering and revitalizing their traditional food systems. Concurrently, food localism has emerged as an alternative to the dominant industrial model of agricultural production. These two distinct food systems operate on a primarily local scale and promote healthy lifestyles and ecosystems by allowing citizens to exert greater control over the accessibility, safety and nutritive value of their food. This study aims to characterize the relationship between traditional and alternative food systems through semi-structured interviews with key informants and good activists involved or knowledgeable with both food systems. The interviews revealed parallels between the two systems on many issues, including methods of acquiring or producing food, language used and other defining qualities, and objectives relating to health and the environment however, differences relating to culture, history and identity were stressed repeatedly. Through examples, the interface was articulated as a collaboration, interaction or overlap between the two systems. When the interface took the form of collaborations or interactions, the boundaries between the two food systems were clearly defined. When it represented an overlap or shared space, those boundaries were fuzzy and there was a sense of concern both to underline the distinctions between the two systems and to highlight their parallels. As two food systems based around proximity, they are bound to share other qualities while remaining distinctly different. While there is a
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Persistence of soil moisture in the Cariboo Mountains, British Columbia.
Contributors: Tullia Upton (author), Stephen Dery (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: In the Cariboo Mountains of British Columbia, nearly 50% of the annual precipitation falls as snow. Over the winter, snow accumulates, is redistributed and metamorphoses until temperatures warm and the spring melt begins. In about 2-3 weeks, the water stored in the seasonal snowpack is released at the surface to infiltrate the soil and runoff into local streams and rivers. Soil moisture is an integral component of the hydrologic cycle and knowing the contribution and persistence of soil moisture from snowmelt is important to understanding the local hydrology. Here are presented hydrometeorological data spanning from 17 July 2008 to 14 July 2009 from a cut-block site in the Mt. Tom Forest Management Area, south east of Prince George, British Columbia. Data from this period are compared to the 1971-2000 climate normals at Barkerville. The winter of 2008-2009 saw higher than average snowfall with average monthly snowfall of 58 cm compared to 44 cm for 1971 to 2000. Maximum accumulation reached 156 cm on 2 April 2009. Temperatures for the 2008 to 2009 season were cooler than average (1.9°C) at both Mt. Tom (0.4°C) and Barkerville (0.7°C). There are no long term data available for Mt. Tom so climate comparisons are based on data collected at Barkerville. Persistence of soil moisture has implications for plant and tree growth as well as for the length of the work season for industry. With increased industrial activity and the current mountain pine beetle problem in the Cariboo region, it is likely that this area will undergo significant deforestation in years to come. Coupled with a wetter climate, as projected by climate change analysts, the capacity of the soil to retain water could become more important when trying to reduce impacts of industry, such as erosion and compaction of soil. --P.ii
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Defining the predator landscape of northeastern British Columbia.
Contributors: Brian Milakovic (author), Katherine Parker (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: My research represents the predator (wolves, Canis lupus, and grizzly bears, Ursus arctos) component of a collaborative endeavor to examine processes that structure the multi-predator multi-prey system of the undisturbed Besa-Prophet watershed in the northern Rocky Mountains, northeastern British Columbia, Canada. It incorporated seasonal movements and range use, resource selection models, and isotopic assessments of prey selection to better understand predator use of the landscape. Mean annual range sizes of five wolf packs and 13 female grizzly bears were 801[plus or minus]118 km² and 334[plus or minus]33 km², respectively. Sizes of annual, denning and late-summer ranges of wolves were proportional to the extent of conifer habitat and related to pack size, whereas winter and late-winter ranges appeared to be a function of movement rates. Most wolf packs used lower elevations during the winter and late-winter seasons and higher elevations during denning, late summers, and fall. Wolves showed highest selection for areas of high habitat diversity. They tended to select shrub habitats year-round and burned habitat classes seasonally, and avoided confer classes. For grizzly bears, sizes of annual home ranges were inversely related to the extent of available Elymus-dominated burns; and seasonal ranges and movement rates were a function of family status. Grizzly bears generally were found at higher elevations during spring, lower elevations during fall, and across elevational gradients during summer. Shrub and burned habitat classes were important to grizzly bears year-round, and conifer classes were consistently avoided. Habitat selection by grizzly bears was best predicted from habitat class, elevation, aspect, and vegetation diversity. Moose (Alces alces) and elk (Cervus elaphus) dominated the diets of wolves. Both male and female grizzly bears increased meat intake (primarily elk) in the fall and males consumed more meat that females throughout the year. Estimates of prey proportions in the diets of wolves and grizzly bears were highly sensitive to the fractionation values incorporated in isotope models. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of habitat selection and habitat use by wolves and grizzly bears that contributes to the long-term management and persistence of these populations.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Diploid and triploid Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (walbaum): An exploration of induction efficacy, performance and genomic architecture.
Contributors: Rachael M. Johnson (author), J. Mark Shrimpton (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: No abstract available.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Glacier change and contribution to streamflow in the Canoe Basin, British Columbia, 1948-2005.
Contributors: Teresa Bessie Brewis (author), Brian Menounos (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Glaciers provide late-summer runoff to the Columbia River Basin, but few studies quantify glacier runoff and its relation to recent climate variations. This study used digital photogrammetry to map glacier area and volume change in the Canoe Basin, headwaters of the Columbia River, from 1948 to 2005. Historic streamflow and glacier contribution to streamflow were simulated using the HBV-EC hydrologic model. From 1948 to 2005, glacier area and volume decreased by -3.8 ± 0.44 km² (-6.8 ± 0.79%) and -0.23 ± 0.14 km³, respectively. The majority of glacier change occurred from 1985 to 2005. Increasing streamflow from 1947 to 2006 is likely related to increased summer precipitation and not enhanced glacier wastage. Glacier contribution to streamflow decreased from 1947 to 2006, with a higher rate of decrease from 1985 to 2006 than from 1947 to 1985. From 1947 to 2006, glaciers contributed 14-16% (32-38%) of total annual (August) streamflow.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Effect of habitat quality on communication and signalling in the black-capped chickadee.
Contributors: Thibault Grava (author), Ken Otter (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: Vocal performance in songbirds describes the ability to repetitively perform energetically-expensive acts (vocal vigour) and/or to consistently perform difficult motor tasks (vocal skill). This concept is intrinsically correlated with the birds' condition - birds in better condition tend to signal with higher performance than birds in poorer condition (e.g. vocal performance is condition-dependent). Condition of birds, however, is also influenced by the habitat quality in which they settle, and has been well studied in the black-capped chickadee. My Ph.D thesis explores the links between habitat quality and vocal performance in this species. Previous studies have shown that habitat quality affects song output in this species (reduced vocal vigour in poor-quality habitat) and it was speculated that reduced song output may be linked to poorer condition of birds in these forests. To document the relationship between immediate food availability and vocal performance, I conducted a supplemental feeding experiment on male chickadees during the peak in dawn singing in early spring. My results demonstrate that food availability is an important factor influencing song output, and that song output reflects the condition of the birds at the time of singing. The difference in song output across habitats, thus, appears to relate to difference in food availability at the time of singing. The ability to maintain internal song structure (vocal skill) has previously been shown to be condition-dependent in chickadees, with dominant birds having better vocal skill than subordinate birds. My supplemental feeding study demonstrated that this vocal skill is not influenced by short-term resource availability to the signaller at the time of singing, but vocal skill is affected by habitat quality - birds in young forest habitats (poor-quality) are less able to maintain internal frequency ratios in their songs than birds in neighbouring mature forests (high-quality). The ability to maintain internal song ratios may rather reflect longer
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Do you know what you know?: Perspectives on traditional ecological knowledge
Contributors: Bruce David Low (author), Annie Booth (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: In order to achieve a meaningful and acceptable economic transition to a position of self reliance, the people of Kitsumkalum First Nation stress that all resource management within their territory should be cooperatively directed within their community by their members in association with the federal and provincial governments. Consequently, the Kitsumkalum First Nation recognize the importance of establishing a community-based land and resource management plan for their traditional territory, one that takes into consideration their Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), but which will also harmonize with Western Scientific Knowledge (WSK). Therefore, this paper is an examination of how TEK is understood within academic TEK literature, by academic TEK researchers, and within the Kitsumkalum First Nation traditional territory. The author hoped this study would produce a framework for integrating TEK with WSK. That framework was not attained. Upon completion of this study the author concludes that when it comes to defining TEK there are almost any many definitions and approaches put forward as there are researchers working on this topic. Further, the author concludes that the application of a Western reductionist approach for TEK does not work and it is folly to continue to try to separate and fit TEK into neat categories to fit within research paradigms. The fact is that TEK is so much a part of First Nation culture that it is just part of everyday lives aboriginal people never really stop to think about what TEK is. TEK is just what aboriginal people do. Methods of analysis include thematic and content analysis.
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

Title: Ensemble simulation and forecasting of South Asian Monsoon.
Contributors: Siraj Ul Islam (author), Youmin Tang (Thesis advisor), University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)
Abstract: This research thesis first examines the ability of Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) and Community Climate System Model (CCSM) in simulating the South Asian Monsoon (SAM) summer precipitation in a framework of ensemble. On this basis, the climatic relevant singular vectors (CSVs) perturbation theory is applied to investigate the optimal error growth of SAM seasonal forecast due to the uncertainties in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Then, the ensemble prediction of SAM constructed by CSVs is evaluated, and further compared with one traditional ensemble method. It is found that CAM4 adequately simulated monsoon precipitation, and considerably reduced systematic errors that occurred in its predecessors, although it tends to overestimate monsoon precipitation when compared with observations. In terms of monsoon interannual variability and its teleconnection with sea surface temperature (SST), CAM4 showed modest skill. In the CCSM4 coupled simulations, several aspects of the monsoon simulation are improved, including the cross-variability of simulated precipitation and SST. A significant improvement is seen in the spatial distribution of monsoon mean climatology where a too-heavy monsoon precipitation, which occurred in CAM4, is rectified. A detailed investigation of precipitation reduction, using sensitivity experiments, showed that the large systematic cold SST errors in the northern Indian Ocean reduces monsoon precipitation and delays the monsoon onset by weakening local evaporation. The CSV analysis using CAM4 revealed that the SST uncertainties in Indian Ocean can result in much larger error growth of SAM seasonal forecast than those in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. It is seen that the CSVs error growth rate changes significantly depending on the initial states whereas the CSVs patterns are insensitive to the initial conditions. The CAM4 comparison with CCSM4 coupled model indicated that the CSVs patterns from CAM4 are similar to those from CCSM4 while the error growth rate is lower in CAM4 than in CCSM4. CAM4
Discipline: Natural Resources & Environmental Studies

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