Juvenile survival is among the most important demographic parameters driving population dynamics in birds. However, because first-year (i.e. 1-year-old) migratory passerines are thought to return to breed at great distances ...

This research investigated the influence of management on indicators of soil quality and nematode community structure in systems transitioning from conventional to organic production. The goal was to improve soil assessment ...

Current declines in shrubland bird populations and habitats in eastern North America highlight the importance of understanding the nesting ecology of shrubland birds. The majority of the literature on shrubland birds has ...

The research in this thesis is made up of three related experiments, each concerned with nitrate (NO$\sb{3-})$ accumulation and reduction in hydroponically-grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), and its relationship to various ...

Yellow-breasted Chats (Icteria virens) are a Neotropical migratory bird species that breeds in shrubland habitat in Illinois. Chats are a diurnally active species but males are known to sing often at night. This behavior ...

Anthropogenic alterations to terrestrial habitat (e.g., urbanization, deforestation, agriculture) can have a variety of negative effects on riverine systems that flow through disturbed landscapes. These in-stream changes ...

This dissertation focuses on key issues in the analysis and application of sustainability in urban planning and household energy consumption. First, we address the need for a better method to translate the concept and tools ...

Wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide a wide range of services. Much attention has been focused on wetlands’ ability to retain and remove pollutants, in particular nitrogen, from streams and waterways. For example, ...

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as trinexapac-ethyl (TE) and paclobutrazol (PAC) are often routinely applied to highly managed turfgrasses to suppress clipping production, increase sward density, and enhance color. ...

Foodborne diseases are a persistent problem in the United States and worldwide. Fresh produce, especially those used as raw foods like salad vegetables, can be contaminated, causing illness. In this study, we determined ...