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Below is a poster that Dr. Nelson has co-authored on local conservation.They are at the Health Sciences bldg. on NGSSU campus and online as well. We found it ironic considering Dr. Nelson's wish to log the delicate Hurricane Creek area:
INFLUENCE OF WATERSHED LAND-USE ON STREAM FISH COMMUNITIES IN NORTH GEORGIA **, Michael Damron *, Kyle Stowe *, Wade Holcomb *, Lindsay Brotherton * and Thomas Nelson, North Georgia College and State University, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Aquatic biodiversity is high in the streams of north Georgia, but this region is experiencing unprecedented exurban growth and urban development. To investigate the relationship between local land use and fish communities in headwater streams, we analyzed the relationship between sub-watershed land use and two measures of stream quality, the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) and the Index of Well-Being (IWB) at 10 sites along 5 first- and second-order streams in the Chestatee River watershed. Sites were classified as urban, agricultural, or forested based on the predominant land-use in each sub-watershed. We hypothesized that both indices would decline from forested to urban sites. A total of 906 fishes of 25 species was processed during the study. Based on a composite of both indices, forested sites were usually good to excellent, agricultural sites were highly variable, and urban sites were fair to poor. Although sample sizes were small, our data suggest that increased intensity of local land use alters the composition of stream fish communities, lowering biotic integrity.
MOVEMENTS OF SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRRELS (GLAUCOMYS VOLANS) IN A FRAGMENTED FOREST **, Jamie Adams *, Lindsay Brotherton *, Paul Smith * and Thomas Nelson, North Georgia College and State University, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Southern flying squirrels are found in forested habitats throughout the eastern U.S., inhabiting deciduous and mixed forests in the Appalachian region. Because the species moves primarily by leaping and gliding among trees, forest fragmentation may impact movements, home range, and dispersal. Yet few studies have addressed the spatial ecology of this species. We initiated a long-term study to investigate: (1) home range size, (2) habitat use, and (3) impacts of road development on the movements of squirrels in a hardwood forest on the NGCSU campus. Squirrels were live-trapped, radio-collared, and tracked regularly from May-September 2009. We live-trapped a total of 13 squirrels, including 7 males and 6 females. The mean fixed kernel home range size for all squirrels was 8.3 ha (4.4 SE), whereas the core areas averaged 2.1 ha (1.2 SE). These home ranges are generally comparable to those reported by other researchers in the SE U.S, an indication that our study area provides high quality habitat. Of 16 den trees, 81% were either white oaks or poplars. Den trees tended to be living trees (not snags) with large diameters (mean = 136 cm; SD = 37.3). Midway through the study, the university built a 30-m wide road bisecting the study area. During road-building, squirrels shifted their home ranges away from the disturbance. Subsequently, the road proved to be no barrier to movements as individuals were sometimes located on both sides in a single activity period. Research is continuing to better quantify seasonal movements and microhabitat use.
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Nelson's Remarks, Environmental Leadership Page
Subpages (1):
Environmental Leadership?
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