Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

12-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Richard J. Kline

Second Advisor

Dr. John H. Young Jr.

Third Advisor

Dr. Karl S. Berg

Abstract

Mortalities of wildlife caused by collisions with vehicles along roads are increasing in prevalence, threatening the existence of various species and populations. A better understanding of how mortalities change in response to natural and anthropogenic variables and efficient methods of obtaining mortality data are essential to mitigating such mortalities. This thesis investigates several key elements to improving road mortality surveys in south Texas. First, it was found that road mortality survey counts did not change under a pandemic-related lockdown and that 2 mortality survey observers detect more mortalities than 1. Analysis of brown pelican groundings on Texas State Highway 48 showed increased groundings with higher wind speed, lower air temperature, and lower air pressure. A pelican mortality mitigation effort was determined to have succeeded and use of an extensive citizen science dataset was validated. Lastly, road mortality video survey methodology was improved using more advanced cameras and optimized camera positions.

Comments

Copyright 2022 Bradley E. Beer. All Rights Reserved.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/wildlife-road-mortality-patterns-south-texas/docview/2802184627/se-2?accountid=7119

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