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Marine Science Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Iron Isotope Transformations in Saanich Inlet , Claire Onak

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Environmental chemical analysis method optimization and application to northwest Cuban marine sediment , Thea R. Bartlett

Exploring the Impact of Eddies on Southern Ocean Biogeochemical Structure using BGC-Argo Float Observations , Nicola J. Guisewhite

Meta-Analysis of United States Seabird Populations Based on Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) Records (1965–2018) , Savannah Hartman

Stable Isotopic Investigation of the Hydrological Cycle of West-Central Florida , Toedsit Netratanawong

Examining paleoshorelines in the eastern Gulf of Mexico: Insights on sea level history and potential areas of interest for habitat management , Catalina Rubiano

Stable Isotope Analysis on Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna Eye Lenses Reveals Life History Patterns in the Gulf of Mexico , Kylee M. Rullo

Stable Isotope Analysis of Doryteuthis (Amerigo) pealeii Eye Lenses to Determine Migratory Patterns in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Using Statoliths for Age Determination , Hannah M. Schwaiger

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

The effects of temperature and oxygen availability on aerobic performance in three coastal shark species; Squalus acanthias, Carcharhinus limbatus, and Carcharhinus leucas , Alyssa M. Andres

Continuous Effort Required to Maintain Populations of Outplanted Acropora cervicornis in the Florida Reef Tract, USA , Tiffany S. Boisvert

Elucidating the Sources Supplying Aerosol Iron, Zinc, and Cadmium to the Surface of the North Pacific Ocean with Stable Isotopes , Zach B. Bunnell

Quantifying Environmental Sensitivity of Marine Resources to Oil Well Blowouts in the Gulf of Mexico , Emily Chancellor

Zooplankton Biodiversity in the Northeast Gulf of Mexico and on the West Florida Shelf from 2005 - 2014 , Megan Ferguson

Coupling 210 Pb and 14 C to constrain carbon burial efficiency of blue carbon ecosystems , Tynisha R. Martin

Empirical and Modeled δ13C and δ15N Isoscapes in the Gulf of Mexico and their Application to Fish Eye Lens Migration Studies , Brianna Michaud

Interactions between juvenile estuary-dependent fishes and microalgal dynamics , Ian C. Williams

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Metabolic Rate, Critical Oxygen Partial Pressure, and Oxygen Supply Capacity of Farfantepenaeus duorarum at their Lower Thermal Limit , Alexandra L. Burns

From River to Sea: Improving Carbon System Measurement Methods for use in Rivers, Estuaries, and Oceans , Ellie Hudson-Heck

Riverine and Estuarine CO2-System Studies on the West Coast of Florida , Christopher S. Moore

Past Ice-Ocean Interactions on the Sabrina Coast shelf, East Antarctica: Deglacial to Recent Paleoenvironmental Insights from Marine Sediments , Kara J. Vadman

Investigating the Recent History of a Changing Planet with Innovative Isotopic Techniques and New Geologic Archives , Ryan A. Venturelli

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Testing the Efficacy of Recompression Tools to Reduce the Discard Mortality of Reef Fishes in the Gulf of Mexico , Oscar E. Ayala

Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Organochlorine Pesticides, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Snapper (Family Lutjanidae) from Cuba and the Wider Gulf of Mexico , Brigid E. Carr

A Health Evaluation of Gulf of Mexico Golden Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) and Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) Following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill , Kristina Leigh Deak

A Process-based Approach to Evaluating the Role of Organic Ligands in Trace Metal Cycling in the Marine Environment , Travis Mellett

Investigation of Retention Versus Export of Planktonic Fish Eggs in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico , Bich Vi Viviane Nguyen

Development of a Benthic Foraminifera Based Marine Biotic Index (Foram-AMBI) for the Gulf of Mexico: a Decision Support Tool , Bryan O'Malley

Plio-Pleistocene Antarctic Ice-Ocean Interactions in the Ross Sea , Catherine Prunella

Mechanisms of Carbon Movement and Stabilization in Mangrove Wetlands , Carey Schafer

Hepatobiliary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Pelagic Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico , Madison R. Schwaab

Analytical Methods and Critical Analyses Supporting Thermodynamically Consistent Characterizations of the Marine CO 2 System , Jonathan D. Sharp

Large Thecosome Pteropods of the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Species Abundance, Spatial and Vertical Distribution With a Temporal Comparison of Shell Thickness , Sarah M. Shedler

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure, Hepatic Accumulation, and Associated Health Impacts in Gulf of Mexico Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) , Susan M. Snyder

Investigating the Isotope Signatures of Dissolved Iron in the Southern Atlantic Ocean , Brent A. Summers

Modeling Early Life: Ontogenetic Growth and Behavior Affect Population Connectivity in Gulf of Mexico Marine Fish , Kelly Vasbinder

Isotope-Based Methods for Evaluating Fish Trophic Geographies , Julie L. Vecchio

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Use of Spectrofluorometry to Detect Petroleum Hydrocarbons in the Marine Environment , Mary Iris Abercrombie

Can Florida's Springs Coast provide a Potential Refuge for Calcifying Organisms? Evidence from Benthic Foraminifera , Kyle E. Amergian

Iron-Virus Interactions: Development and Testing of the Ferrojan Horse Hypothesis , Chelsea Bonnain

DNA Barcoding of Fish Eggs in the Gulf of Mexico , Makenzie Burrows

Ecological Responses of Seascape Heterogeneity , Dinorah H. Chacin

Species Abundance, Spatial and Vertical Distributionsof Large Heteropods (Pterotracheidae and Carinariidae)in the Northern Gulf of Mexico , Kristine A. Clark

Zooplankton Community Structure in the NE Gulf of Mexico: Impacts of Environmental Variability and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill , Kate M. Dubickas

Life History Through the Eyes of a Hogfish: Evidence of Trophic Growth and Differential Juvenile Habitat Use , Meaghan E. Faletti

Population Demographics of Golden Tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps in the Gulf of Mexico , Greta J. Helmueller

Regeneration of Trace Metals During Phytoplankton Decay: An Experimental Study , Adrienne P. Hollister

Estimating Coastal Water Turbidity Using VIIRS Nighttime Measurement , Chih-Wei Huang

Untapped Potential of Gorgonian Octocorals for Detecting Environmental Change in Biscayne National Park, Florida, USA , Selena A. Kupfner Johnson

High-Resolution Investigation of Event Driven Sedimentation: Response and Evolution of the Deepwater Horizon Blowout in the Sedimentary System , Rebekka A. Larson

Variations of Sedimentary Biogenic silica in the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon and IXTOC-I Oil Spill. , Jong Jin Lee

Variations of Global Ocean Salinity from Multiple Gridded Argo Products , Chao Liu

Fish Communities on Natural and Artificial Reefs in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico , Elizabeth C. Viau

Reconstructing Geographic and Trophic Histories of Fish Using Bulk and Compound-Specific Stable Isotopes from Eye Lenses , Amy A. Wallace

Studies of the Long-term Change of Global Mean and Regional Sea Surface Height , Yingli Zhu

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Ecophysiology of Oxygen Supply in Cephalopods , Matthew A. Birk

Remote Estimation of Surface Water p CO 2 in the Gulf of Mexico , Shuangling Chen

Spatial Dynamics and Productivity of a Gulf of Mexico Commercial Reef Fish Fishery Following Large Scale Disturbance and Management Change , Marcy Lynn Cockrell

Quantifying the Probability of Lethal Injury to Florida Manatees Given Characteristics of Collision Events. , B. Lynn Combs

Diversity of ssDNA Phages Related to the Family Microviridae within the Ciona robusta Gut , Alexandria Creasy

Use of a Towed Camera System along the west Florida shelf: A Case Study of the Florida Middle Grounds Benthic Marine Communities , Katie S. Davis

Using Ecosystem-Based Modeling to Describe an Oil Spill and Assess the Long-Term Effects , Lindsey N. Dornberger

Extending Spectrophotometric pHT Measurements in Coastal and Estuarine Environments , Nora Katherine Douglas

Evaluating the use of larval connectivity information in fisheries models and management in the Gulf of Mexico , Michael Drexler

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Understanding Predator-Prey Relationships in a Changing Ocean: From System Design to Education , Ileana M. Freytes-Ortiz

Application of Image Recognition Technology to Foraminiferal Assemblage Analyses , Christian Helmut Gfatter

Evaluation of trace-metal and isotopic records as techniques for tracking lifetime movement patterns in fishes , Jennifer E. Granneman

The Stability of Sand Waves in a Tidally-Influenced Shipping Channel, Tampa Bay, Florida , John Willis Gray

Application of Modern Foraminiferal Assemblages to Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction: Case Studies from Coastal and Shelf Environments , Christian Haller

Integrating Towed Underwater Video with Multibeam Acoustics for Mapping Benthic Habitat and Assessing Reef Fish Communities on the West Florida Shelf , Alexander Ross Ilich

Evaluating Beach Water Quality and Dengue Fever Risk Factors by Satellite Remote Sensing and Artificial Neural Networks , Abdiel Elias Laureano-Rosario

Microbial Associations of Four Species of Algal Symbiont-Bearing Foraminifera from the Florida Reef Tract, USA , Makenna May Martin

Environmental controls on the geochemistry of Globorotalia truncatulinoides in the Gulf of Mexico: Implications for paleoceanographic reconstructions , Caitlin Elizabeth Reynolds

Dormancy in the Amphistegina gibbosa Holobiont: Ecological and Evolutionary Implications for the Foraminifera , Benjamin J. Ross

Optical Remote Sensing of Oil Spills in the Gulf of Mexico , Shaojie Sun

Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Pelagic Sargassum in the Intra-Americas Sea and Atlantic Ocean , Mengqiu Wang

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Packaging of Genetic Material by Gene Transfer Agents (GTAs) Produced by Marine Roseobacter Species and Their Effect on Stimulating Bacterial Growth , Shahd Bader Aljandal

Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Soil Composition and Accumulation Rates in Mangrove Wetlands , Joshua L. Breithaupt

Characterizing Benthic Habitats Using Multibeam Sonar and Towed Underwater Video in Two Marine Protected Areas on the West Florida Shelf, USA , Jennifer L. Brizzolara

Latitudinal Position and Trends of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and its Relationship with Upwelling in the Southern Caribbean Sea and Global Climate Indices , Kaitlyn E. Colna

Calibration-free Spectrophotometric Measurements of Carbonate Saturation States in Seawater , Erin E. Cuyler

Viruses in marine animals: Discovery, detection, and characterizarion , Elizabeth Fahsbender

Quantity Trumps Quality: Bayesian Statistical Accumulation Modeling Guides Radiocarbon Measurements to Construct a Chronology in Real-time , Devon Robert Firesinger

Characterizing Gross Lesions in Corals on Fringing Reefs of Taiwan and Hainan Island, China , Adrienne George

Reef Fish Biodiversity in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary , Megan E. Hepner

Investigating Marine Resources in the Gulf of Mexico at Multiple Spatial and Temporal Scales of Inquiry , Joshua Paul Kilborn

Southern Ocean Transport by Combining Satellite Altimetry and Temperature/Salinity Profile Data , Michael Kosempa

Role of viruses within metaorganisms: Ciona intestinalis as a model system , Brittany A. Leigh

Evaluating satellite and supercomputing technologies for improved coastal ecosystem assessments , Matthew James Mccarthy

Stable Isotopes in the Eye Lenses of Doryteuthis plei: Exploring Natal Origins and Migratory Patterns in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico , Brenna A. Meath

Genetic Identification and Population Characteristics of Deep-Sea Cephalopod Species in the Gulf of Mexico and Northwestern Atlantic Ocean , Amanda Sosnowski

Investigation of Sediment Ridges Using Bathymetry and Backscatter near Clearwater, Florida , Lewis Stewart

Resolving chronological and temperature constraints on Antarctic deglacial evolution through improved dating methodology , Cristina Subt

Subtropical benthos vary with reef type, depth, and grazing intensity , Kara R. Wall

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Diversity and Distribution of Diatom Endosymbionts in Amphistegina spp. (Foraminifera) Based on Molecular and Morphological Techniques , Kwasi H. Barnes

Abundance of Archaias angulatus on the West Florida Coast Indicates the Influence of Carbonate Alkalinity over Salinity , Sean Thomas Beckwith

Resource Use Overlap in a Native Grouper and Invasive Lionfish , Joseph Schmidt Curtis

Miocene Contourite Deposition (along-slope) near DeSoto Canyon, Gulf of Mexico: A Product of an Enhanced Paleo-Loop Current , Shane Christopher Dunn

Trophic Ecology and Habitat Use of Atlantic Tarpon ( Megalops atlanticus ) , Benjamin Neal Kurth

Characterization of Bacterial Diversity in Cold-Water Anthothelidae Corals , Stephanie Nichole Lawler

Whiting Events Off Southwest Florida: Remote Sensing and Field Observations , Jacqueline Long

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Scholars' Bank

Environmental studies theses and dissertations.

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• AN ACCUMULATION OF CATASTROPHE: A POLITICAL ECONOMY OF WILDFIRE IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES  Dockstader, Sue ( University of Oregon , 2024-03-25 ) This dissertation is an environmental sociological study of wildland fire in what is now the western United States. It examines wildfire management from roughly the 1900s to the present time employing a Marxist historical ...
• Managing Life's Future: Species Essentialism and Evolutionary Normativity in Conservation Policy, Practice, and Imaginaries  Maggiulli, Katrina ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) Folk essentialist and normative understandings of species are not only prevalent in popular layperson communities, but also end up undergirding United States conservation policy and practice due to the simplistic clarity ...
• Unsettled Ecologies: Alienated Species, Indigenous Restoration, and U.S. Empire in a Time of Climate Chaos  Fink, Lisa ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) This dissertation traces environmental thinking about invasive species from Western-colonial, diasporic settlers of color, and Indigenous perspectives within U.S. settler colonialism. Considering environmental discourses ...
• Futuremaking in a Disaster Zone: Everyday Climate Change Adaptation amongst Quechua Women in the Peruvian Cordillera Blanca  Moulton, Holly ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) Indigenous women in Peru are often labeled “triply vulnerable” to climate change due to race, gender, and economic marginalization. Despite Peru’s focus on gender, Indigeneity, and intersectionality in national adaptation ...
• Land Acts: Land's Agency in American Literature, Law, and History from the Colonial Period to Removal  Keeler, Kyle ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) This dissertation examines land’s agency and relationships to land in the places now known as the United States as these relationships appear in literature and law from early colonization to the removal period. Land Acts ...
• PALEOTEMPERATURE, VEGETATION CHANGE, FIRE HISTORY, AND LAKE PRODUCTIVITY FOR THE LAST 14,500 YEARS AT GOLD LAKE, PACIFIC NORTHWEST, USA  Baig, Jamila ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) The postglacial history of vegetation, wildfire, and climate in the Cascade Range (Oregon) is only partly understood. This study uses high-resolution analysis from a 13-meter, 14,500-year sediment core from Gold Lake to ...
• On Western Juniper Climate Relations  Reis, Schyler ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Western juniper woodlands are highly sensitive to climate in terms of tree-ring growth, seedling establishment and range distribution. Understanding the dynamics of western juniper woodlands to changes in precipitation, ...
• Stories We Tell, Stories We Eat: Mexican Foodways, Cultural Identity, and Ideological Struggle in Netflix’s Taco Chronicles  Sanchez, Bela ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Food is a biological necessity imbued with numerous social, cultural, and economic implications for identity production and everyday meaning-making. Food television is a unique medium for the meanings of food and foodways ...
• Soil Nutrient Additions Shift Orthopteran Herbivory and Invertebrate Community Composition  Altmire, Gabriella ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Anthropogenic alterations to global pools of nitrogen and phosphorus are driving declines in plant diversity across grasslands. As such, concern over biodiversity loss has precipitated a host of studies investigating how ...
• Multispecies Memoir: Self, Genre, and Species Justice in Contemporary Culture  Otjen, Nathaniel ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Liberal humanism articulates an individual, rational, autonomous, universal, and singularly human subject that possesses various rights and freedoms. Although the imagined subject at the heart of liberal humanist philosophy ...
• Understanding How Changes in Disturbance Regimes and Long-Term Climate Shape Ecosystem and Landscape Structure and Function  Wright, Jamie ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Long-term and anthropic climatic change intersecting with disturbances alters ecosystem structure and function across spatiotemporal scales. Quantifying ecosystem responses can be convoluted, therefore utilizing multiproxy ...
• Ikpíkyav (To Fix Again): Drawing From Karuk World Renewal To Contest Settler Discourses Of Vulnerability  Vinyeta, Kirsten ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) The Klamath River Basin of Northern California has historically been replete with fire-adapted ecosystems and Indigenous communities. For the Karuk Tribe, fire has been an indispensable tool for both spiritual practice and ...
• Grassland Restoration in Heterogeneous, Changing, and Human Dominated Systems  Brambila, Alejandro ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Ecological restoration is a powerful tool to promote biodiversity and ecosystem function. Understanding underlying system variability and directional change can help predict outcomes of restoration interventions. Spatial ...
• Restoring What? And for Whom? Listening to Karuk Ecocultural Revitalization Practitioners and Uncovering Settler Logics in Ecological Restoration.  Worl, Sara ( University of Oregon , 2022-05-10 ) What does it mean to restore a landscape degraded by settler colonialism? How might a well intentionedprocess like ecological restoration end up causing harm from underlying settler colonial logics? This thesis explores ...
• Instigating Communities of Solidarity: An Exploration of Participatory, Informal, Temporary Urbanisms  Meier, Briana ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) This dissertationexamines the potential for participatory, informal urbanisms to buildcollaborative relations across ontological, cultural, and political difference. This research contributes to thefield of urban, environmental ...
• The Holy Oak School of Art and Ecology: A Proposal for Arts-Based Environmental Education Programming  Best, Krysta ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) The following is a proposal for arts-based environmental education programming in elementary schools, after-school programs, and day-camp programs, entitled the Holy School of Art and Ecology. Ecophenomenological, arts-based ...
• Settler Colonial Listening and the Silence of Wilderness in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area  Hilgren, Bailey ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) The Boundary Waters Canoe Area soundscape in northern Minnesota has a long and contested history but is most often characterized today as a pristine and distinctly silent wilderness. This thesis traces the construction and ...
• Species Dynamics and Restoration in Rare Serpentine Grasslands under Global Change  Hernandez, Eliza ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) Conserving rare serpentine grasslands is a challenge with ongoing nitrogen deposition. Nutrient-poor patches are fertilized by nitrogen-rich smog and exotic grasses can rapidly spread. Water resources are also being altered ...
• Place-making and Place-taking: An Analysis of Green Gentrification in Atlanta Georgia  Okotie-Oyekan, Aimée ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) Despite the benefits of urban greenspace, Atlanta’s Westside Park is causing gentrification and displacement pressures in Grove Park, a low-income African-American community in northwest Atlanta, Georgia. This study used ...
• Prairie Plant Responses to Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest  Reed, Paul ( University of Oregon , 2021-09-13 ) Understanding how plants respond to climate change is of paramount importance since their responses can affect ecosystem functions and patterns of biodiversity. At the population level, climate change may alter phenology ...

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Novel extremophilic metalloproteases for consumer product application , biosynthesis of methacrylate esters in saccharomyces cerevisiae , evolution of the legume flower: case studies in the early-branching papilionoid legumes (papilionoideae, leguminosae) , investigating the genetic architecture of complex traits in soay sheep , dgcr8-dependent control of antiviral immunity in human cells , evaluating assumptions & predicting impact in antimicrobial resistance research , optogenetic manipulation of cellular energetics in escherichia coli , genetic validation of the function of pfemp1 in plasmodium falciparum rosette formation , deciphering essential roles of camp signalling during malaria parasite transmission , elucidating the arabidopsis phytochrome a shade-signaling mechanism , specificity and mechanism of rna trafficking from mouse to bacteria in the gut , single-cell physiological response of escherichia coli to suppressive antibiotic combinations , hob3 is required for sapk pathway dependent gef1 plasma membrane recruitment , mechanisms of pericentromeric crossover inhibition , development of high throughput metabolomics to aid the synthetic biology 'design-build-test-learn' cycle , improving monoclonal antibody production from chinese hamster ovary cells , enhancing glycosylated triterpenoid production in saccharomyces cerevisiae , biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles for use in anti-corrosion and anti-fouling agents , exploring s-nitrosoglutathione reductase function in the non-vascular plant, marchantia polymorpha , bioengineering inducible gene expression in leafy brassicas to address post-harvest-specific requirements .

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Wildlife Dissertation Topics

Published by Owen Ingram at December 29th, 2022 , Revised On May 28, 2024

Animals, plants, and microorganisms that can live in their natural habitat and are not domesticated or cultivated are considered wildlife. A wide range of animal and plant species are included in wildlife, including uncultivated mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish.

Numerous studies have been conducted in this area over the last couple of decades due to the continuously declining wildlife. Research on wildlife conservation, in particular, has received substantial funding. If you are thinking about the possible wildlife topics for writing a dissertation , our team has compiled many appealing wildlife dissertation topics that are sure to inspire you.

So, without further ado, here is our selection of trending and focused wildlife thesis topics and ideas for your consideration whether you are an undergraduate, Master or PhD student.

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List Of Excellent Wildlife Dissertation Topics

• The impact of avian migration patterns on illness transmission in seasonal host bird populations
• A study of the conservation efforts for the Himalayan snow leopard
• An investigation on how building railroads has affected the choice of habitat for moose in rural Canada
• Studying Wildlife Tours in Protected Areas: A Review of the Security Protocols & Procedures
• Optimising Wildlife Management on Crop Farms Using Site-Specific Modeling
• Protecting Wildlife Herbivores on Private Game Ranches in Africa
• A research project on avian ecology and protection in monsoon environments
• Researchers investigate the impact of shifting weather patterns on the migration patterns of Asian geese
• A review of the impact of selective annual hunting licenses on Pakistani markhor conservation
• A study of the successful rehabilitation of the declining Markhor communities in northern Pakistan under communal ownership
• Structure of the Network and Perceived Legitimacy in Collaborative Wildlife Management
• Costs of the Transaction Private versus Public Wildlife Management Trade-offs
• Considering Tax Policy Ideas to Support Nongame Wildlife Programs
• A research project is looking at how beaver dams impact fish biodiversity
• How many other wildlife species are still undiscovered? Theory and proof
• A review of flagship species’ significance to conservation efforts
• A study of how politics affects the conservation of the African rhino. Are our concerns about doing business with China preventing us from saving rhinos?
• A study of how politics affects whale conservation. Does the imperative to protect the whale trump our political worries about Japan?
• The results of aggressive initiatives for animal rights. How does it impact conservation efforts?
• Relationships between Humans and Wildlife: Coronavirus Evolution
• Possibilities for Interdisciplinary Science to Reduce Bio-security Risks from Illegal Wildlife Trade and Emerging Zoonotic Pathogens
• Opposition to animal testing. What progress has been made during the past 50 years?
• The impact of imprisonment on a grey wolf’s mating habits
• An investigation of the behavioural similarities and differences between domestic dogs and wolves kept in captivity
• Grey wolves’ responses to various confinement conditions focused on their mating habits
• The impact of the Fukushima nuclear disaster on local wildlife habitat and ecology
• The conservation efforts of commercial zoos
• The impact of industrial waste on the preservation of wildlife
• Global legislative impact of animal conservation
• The impact of climate change on the preservation of animals
• What Can Integrated Conservation and Development Projects Achieve in Tourism, Poaching, and Wildlife Conservation Areas?
• Increased tourist support for nature conservation, both financially and in other ways, including wildlife-based tourism
• Supporting Wildlife Tourism-Based Sustainable Livelihoods
• Urban Wildlife Health Surveillance Developing into Intelligence for Monitoring and Mitigation of Pests
• The Identification and Evaluation of Potential Wildlife Habitat Corridors
• What are some of the things that prevent the wildlife sector of the economy from growing?
• How can wildlife be improved so that people and various animals can benefit from it?
• Why shouldn’t these animals be handled gently and with respect by everyone?
• What is the impact of tourists on the poor performance of wildlife sections in developing nations?
• Is it permissible for the government to use different types of trees and animals for scientific research?
• The influence of citizen science on wildlife conservation efforts.
• The impact of habitat fragmentation on wildlife dispersal and connectivity.
• The role of artificial intelligence in wildlife monitoring and population analysis.
• The economic value of healthy wildlife populations for local communities.
• Mitigating human-wildlife conflict through innovative coexistence strategies.
• The potential of rewilding projects in restoring ecological balance.
• Investigating the impact of light pollution on nocturnal wildlife behaviour.
• Effectiveness of environmental education programs in fostering wildlife appreciation.
• Exploring the role of zoos and aquariums in wildlife conservation and education.
• Deciphering the effects of microplastics on wildlife health and ecosystem functioning.
• Investigating the link between climate change and the emergence of zoonotic diseases.
• Exploring the role of keystone species in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
• The impact of invasive species on native wildlife populations.
• Investigating the potential of assisted reproduction techniques in wildlife recovery programs.
• The impact of noise pollution on wildlife communication and behaviour.
• The role of traditional ecological knowledge in wildlife conservation strategies.
• Investigating the potential of citizen science in combating illegal wildlife trade.
• Deciphering the role of social media in raising awareness and promoting wildlife conservation.
• Role of marine protected areas in safeguarding ocean wildlife.
• Impact of climate change on migratory patterns and breeding cycles of wildlife.
• Exploring the potential of synthetic biology in conservation efforts for endangered species.
• Ethical considerations of wildlife trophy hunting practices.
• Investigating the link between the decline of pollinators and ecosystem health.

We recommend you pick more than one topic and conduct a little research on all of them. You can use the internet or your local library to gather sources that were created on issues similar to your selection.

If you do not find enough information on one topic, move to the next option. Researching multiple issues will help you collect enough data for various dissertation topics and choose the one you found the most information on.

Take inspiration from our list of wildlife dissertation topics, and get started with your dissertation without any further delay. You can also order a professional dissertation writing service from our expert writers, so you focus on other areas of life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to find wildlife dissertation topics.

To discover wildlife dissertation topics:

• Research conservation challenges.
• Explore biodiversity hotspots.
• Analyse habitat or species concerns.
• Review scientific journals.
• Consult experts or professors.
• Select a topic aligning with your passion and field of study.

You May Also Like

Your dissertation may seem daunting if you do not pace yourself. Getting started on it as soon as possible is the best thing you can do. Research and writing will take more time if your paper is better. Your corporate governance dissertation is giving you trouble if you picked the wrong topic.

Go through some of the dissertation topics related to Forensic science given below, with their research aim, and get an idea to begin your dissertation.

Need interesting and manageable psychology dissertation topics or thesis? Here are the trending psychology dissertation titles so you can choose the most suitable one.

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EDITORIAL article

Editorial: understanding the role of local knowledge and human emotions in wildlife conservation.

• 1 Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Mexico
• 2 Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

Editorial on the Research Topic Understanding the role of local knowledge and human emotions in wildlife conservation

Introduction

Our perceptions, emotions, and interactions with nature, which are crucial to understanding our actions toward wild species, have significantly shaped the empirical knowledge (henceforth, local or traditional knowledge) that human societies have built over millennia on how animals and their habitats can be used and managed for the benefit of both animals and people. This wealth of local knowledge developed by people living in close proximity to wildlife is a testament to their deep understanding of nature. Sustainable management of wildlife populations is usually a powerful tool for conserving species of interest, particularly those of economic value but also those at risk of extinction. Local knowledge of people interacting with wild animals has had a determinant role in sustainable wildlife management and conservation across regions and cultures. These interactions often produce a set of emotions (i.e., empathy, happiness, fear, disgust, and anger) that can strongly influence their current and future attitudes and behaviors toward wildlife.

It is widely recognized that local initiatives can be significantly improved by integrating scientific information from research into management and conservation processes. Nonetheless, traditional knowledge developed by local communities is frequently undervalued or neglected compared to scientific knowledge when government agencies design wildlife conservation policies and programs. In our view, scientific and local knowledge should not be regarded as incompatible but rather as complementary information sources to sustainably manage and conserve wildlife populations and the ecosystems they depend on for survival. Recognizing that local knowledge and human emotions toward wildlife management and conservation have been insufficiently documented and discussed in the scientific literature, we invited manuscripts that would contribute to improving and expanding our understanding of these aspects. The articles published within this Research Topic not only explore and discuss the richness and relevance of wildlife-oriented local knowledge and emotions but also serve as a call to action, inspiring further research and discussion on how these invaluable aspects could inform decision-making on wildlife management and conservation.

Local knowledge applied to wildlife conservation

The articles in this Research Topic describe the diverse underlying factors explaining the perceptions, emotions, attitudes, and practices of local communities (both rural and urban) regarding wildlife use, management, and conservation. This topic offers the readers a global perspective on how human-wildlife interactions and their implications for animal conservation are multidimensional and should be addressed under multidisciplinary approaches. It also highlights the importance of linking local and scientific knowledge to conservation agendas administered by governments.

Packer et al. present an interesting case of the impact of perceptions on wildlife conservation in Africa. They found that people’s beliefs in spirit animals prevented prompt actions by rural communities to control persistent carnivore predation on humans. On their side, Ortega-Álvarez and Casas discuss how both animal traits and people’s interests and needs influence their perceptions and interactions toward wildlife and why these factors explain biocultural salience in bird species as perceived by residents of a rural community in Mexico. These authors suggest using this multifactorial approach to inform public policy and conservation actions.

Three papers provide insights into the social and cultural dimensions of hunting practices in rural settings of tropical ecosystems around the world. In central Africa, Shephard et al. observed that external forces such as urbanization, monetization, and migration affect the transmission of traditional knowledge about hunting among members of an Indigenous group. This impacts local identities and capacities for wildlife management and conservation. Similarly, Pattiselanno et al. found that demographic growth, changing social and economic conditions, and the introduction of exotic animals have severely altered traditional hunting practices in Indonesian New Guinea. These authors suggest integrating local knowledge and governance with national regulations to improve wildlife conservation and preserve the region’s cultural heritage. In the Amazon, Paemelaere et al. analyzed how variables such as the geographic location of communities and the ethnicity and gender of their residents were determinants of their value orientations toward wild meat consumption. They advocate assertive communication to support better wildlife management policies through regulated consumption of resilient game species and protection of the vulnerable ones.

Two more articles investigate the social and ecological drivers of human-wildlife coexistence in North America. Benítez-Moreno et al. examined the negative consequences of weak regulations in wildlife-oriented tourism administered by the residents of a rural community in the Yucatan Peninsula. Their findings suggest that tourism services would benefit from environmental communication and outreach programs integrating traditional and scientific knowledge on targeted animals to promote better practices by local guides and visitors. Finally, in an urban setting in the southwestern United States, Haight et al. detected that the residents of suburban zones close to protected areas showed more positive attitudes toward “harmful” wildlife species than the inhabitants of fully urbanized neighborhoods. Complex sociodemographic and environmental factors, including cognitive judgment and previous experiences with animals, further influenced people’s perceptions of wildlife.

We agree with the authors in this Research Topic that humanity is in a critical moment in which human-wildlife interactions are rapidly changing and local knowledge appears to be losing ground in social perception and behavior toward animal species. I our view, this collection of articles expands our understanding of the importance of frequently understated local knowledge and human emotions in wildlife management and conservation. As shown by the authors, this kind of knowledge and people’s emotions and attitudes toward wildlife species depend on a multiple and complex array of social, cultural, and environmental variables converging in each person and community. Further research on these human dimensions of wildlife management under comprehensive, transdisciplinary approaches can contribute to improve our willingness to collaborate in local initiatives for sustainable use and inform global conservation policies and practices.

Author contributions

EN: Conceptualization, Investigation, Supervision, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. DS: Conceptualization, Investigation, Supervision, Writing – review & editing. NC: Writing – review & editing.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Keywords: conservation, wildlife management, TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge), local knowledge, emotions

Citation: Naranjo EJ, Santos-Fita D and Castillo-Huitrón NM (2024) Editorial: Understanding the role of local knowledge and human emotions in wildlife conservation. Front. Conserv. Sci. 5:1445681. doi: 10.3389/fcosc.2024.1445681

Received: 07 June 2024; Accepted: 02 July 2024; Published: 09 July 2024.

Edited and Reviewed by:

Copyright © 2024 Naranjo, Santos-Fita and Castillo-Huitrón. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Eduardo J. Naranjo, [email protected] ; Dídac Santos-Fita, [email protected]

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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• CAREER FEATURE
• 08 July 2024

Harrowing trends: how endangered-species researchers find hope in the dark

• Nikki Forrester 0

Nikki Forrester is a science journalist based in Davis, West Virginia.

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Luis Coloma at the Jambatu Center for Amphibian Research and Conservation with a female jambato harlequin frog born in the centre’s lab. Credit: Steven Guevara Salvador

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Luis Coloma grew up in Guaranda, Ecuador, a small city in the Andes nestled in a high valley near the Chimborazo volcano. “It was a paradise,” he says. “When I was a kid, the frogs were so abundant it was impossible to ignore them.” Beyond seeing various species living together along the riverbanks, he was elated by their boisterous calls.

In secondary school, Coloma paged through field guides and zoology encyclopedias, eager to find frog species that matched the stunning array of colours, shapes and sizes of the ones in his own back garden — but his searches always came up short. “Looking at these animals that didn’t fit the descriptions was fantastic. It was a world of discovery.”

Inspired by his childhood obsession with amphibians, Coloma moved to the United States in 1988 to pursue a PhD in systematics and ecology at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. But by the time he returned to Ecuador in the late 1990s, the frogs in the mountains where he grew up had already begun to disappear. “It became clear that there were apocalyptic extinctions happening,” he says. “That was the beginning of my conservation work.”

Want to make a difference? Try working at an environmental non-profit organization

In 2021, Coloma co-authored a paper in PLoS ONE stating that 57% of the amphibian species in Ecuador are endangered or vulnerable because of climate change, habitat loss and disease, particularly that caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a chytrid fungus 1 . But declines in biodiversity extend beyond amphibians. Some scientists argue that Earth is entering a sixth mass-extinction event, the first to be caused entirely by the activities of one species — humans. According to the wildlife charity WWF’s Living Planet Report 202 2 , since 1970 there has been a 69% decline in the average abundance of nearly 32,000 species populations, with the biggest reductions seen in Latin America and the Caribbean. “It’s heartbreaking,” says Coloma, who is now director of the Jambatu Center for Amphibian Research and Conservation in Quito.

Despite the harrowing trends, endangered-species biologists such as Coloma are striving to protect Earth’s biodiversity. But their work with species in danger of extinction brings special challenges — both in handling the organisms and in approaching the daunting odds of success. At times, these efforts can feel like a quixotic battle. Here, endangered-species biologists describe their best strategies for the high-stakes research and how they find reasons for hope.

The weight of a word

One of the major challenges in protecting threatened species is getting them listed as endangered in the first place. Juan Manuel Guayasamín, a biologist at the San Francisco University of Quito, has described 64 amphibian species and 15 reptile species. In 2004, he published a paper describing a new species, the Mache glass frog ( Cochranella mache ) 2 . On the basis of his data, he proposed that it should be listed as endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, a comprehensive source that describes the extinction risk for animals, plants and fungi around the world.

To get a species listed as endangered, researchers must provide adequate data on population sizes, geographic range and extinction probability, which are challenging metrics to estimate when individuals are hard to find and resources are limited. If scientists cannot estimate population size, Guayasamín recommends evaluating whether the species has a small distribution or a reduced or fragmented habitat. “We have more than 600 species of amphibians in Ecuador. It’s impossible to have a monitoring process for every single species — we don’t have enough people or the funds,” says Guayasamín.

But once a species is listed, it can open opportunities for funding and generate broad support. “It’s absolutely worth having species listed as endangered because that’s how you get the public on board with conservation,” says Danya Weber, a conservation biologist and artist in Hilo, Hawaii.

Juan Manuel Guayasamín demonstrates how to handle frogs at a workshop in Colombia. Credit: Pedro Peloso

Biologists often look to national legislation, alongside the IUCN Red List, to protect at-risk species. In 2008, Ecuador became the first country to give nature constitutional rights. It’s still the only country to have such legislation. “It is very unique,” Guayasamín says. “If you can prove that an area at risk has endemic and endangered species, the constitution gives you a lot of strength to take actions to protect it,” such as removing invasive organisms and protecting habitat. Many of the animals described by Guayasamín were key to protecting endangered ecosystems, mostly in the Andes and Chocó ecoregions, under this law.

Try to do no harm

Conservation researchers collect field data on abundance, population trends and threats. They also capture individuals as part of breeding and reintroduction programmes. But their actions can harm not only the species in question, but also the ecosystem. As a result, endangered-species biologists often grapple with the ethical trade-offs between the impacts of interference and the potential consequences of inaction, namely extinction.

“My biggest comfort comes when I start my day,” says Dechen Dorji, who grew up in Bhutan and now directs the WWF’s conservation efforts in Asia from his office in Washington DC. “I’m a Buddhist, and one of our common prayers is a simple verse — may all sentient beings be free from all forms of suffering.”

During his career at the WWF, Dorji has fought to protect Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ), tigers ( Panthera tigris ) and snow leopards ( Panthera uncia ), as well as lesser-known species such as the musk deer ( Moschus spp.), white-bellied heron ( Ardea insignis ) and ruddy shelduck ( Tadorna ferruginea ). Although a better understanding of these animals can improve conservation outcomes, it’s crucial to do research in a way that limits negative impacts, he says. For instance, Dorji and his team have trapped tigers to fit them with GPS tracking collars to study their ecology and movements, but the trapping process can injure the tigers’ limbs. “Humane treatment of tigers, careful planning and continuous monitoring are essential to minimize the risks of injury,” Dorji says.

Conservation biologist Danya Weber helps connect people to species through her artwork. Credit: Mahina Choy

To reduce their impacts, Dorji and his colleagues also sample environmental DNA, genetic material shed by organisms that is found in soil, water, faeces and other sources, to non-invasively track the presence of different species in a habitat. “It’s cost effective, accurate and we can detect a whole range of species without causing any harm,” he says.

In the Pacific Ocean, Jordan Lerma, a field biologist at Cascadia Research Collective, who is based in Hilo, uses another hands-off approach. As of 2021, the endangered and declining Main Hawaiian Islands population of false killer whales ( Pseudorca crassidens ) has about 138 individuals. Cascadia researchers want to study their habitat use, abundance, growth, movement patterns and threats. “They are really difficult to find, and once we find them, they don’t want to be around us,” says Lerma. In 2014, to lessen the impacts of boat-based research, Lerma started flying drones over whales and dolphins in Hawaiian waters. Although drones can’t entirely replace hands-on methods, using minimally invasive sampling techniques when possible reduces the number of direct human interactions with animals and provides effective ways to collect biological data.

For other researchers, the downsides of studying endangered species in the wild drive them to find alternative ways to protect the animals. Weber started her scientific career in 2016 as a conservation technician at the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project, a non-profit organization in Hanapepe, Hawaii, that works to conserve three federally endangered bird species, including the songbirds ‘akikiki ( Oreomystis bairdi ) and ‘akeke‘e ( Loxops caeruleirostris ). For the next two years, Weber wandered the forests in search of bird nests to monitor populations and collect eggs for captive breeding. “In Hawaii, we don’t have any native land mammals that walk around in the forest trampling vegetation,” she says. The only large creatures that do so are humans. “When we’re doing conservation work, we’re creating all these little routes for erosion.”

How we packed off the giant pandas from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Other protection efforts that involve the use of herbicides to remove invasive plant species can negatively affect native plants and soil microbes, Weber adds. “It’s easy to get laser-focused on the particular endangered species that you’re working with and not take into consideration our impacts on everything else in the area.”

In 2017, Weber founded Laulima, a fashion and art store that seeks to connect people with and preserve Hawaii’s native biodiversity through merchandise, including apparel, accessories, stickers and mugs designed by Weber and other artists. “With my artwork, I help people build relationships with these plants and animals they share a home with, since many people will never get the opportunity to visit pristine native forests,” she says. Every product comes with packaging that educates the buyer about the species in the design.

“The literal translation of laulima is ‘many hands’,” Weber says. “To protect native species, we need all hands on deck.” Many of Weber’s watercolours and digital illustrations are inspired by species that have political or social relevance. For example, Hawaii’s governor designated 2023 as the year of the kāhuli, so her artwork highlighted these native Hawaiian snails ( Achatinella spp.). Weber also raises awareness about endangered Hawaiian monk seals ( Monachus schauinslandi ), some of which have been killed by humans who mistakenly think the seals are not native and are competing with local fishers for food.

For Weber, pursuing a career in conservation art and outreach has been worthwhile. “When I was in the field, it felt like an uphill battle. It’s very hard to see the fruits of your labour. Whereas in outreach, you see people’s mindsets shift. I’ve noticed a lot more teenagers and university-age students getting into careers in conservation.”

Banding together

Perhaps the biggest challenge of endangered-species work is facing the fact that they might soon disappear. “The more you know, the sadder it gets, unfortunately,” says Lerma. And yet, Lerma and others maintain glimmers of hope and continue fighting for protections. For Weber, cracking sarcastic jokes with colleagues about being underfunded and battling invasive species can help to ease the heaviness. Guayasamín leans into his strong sense of moral responsibility: “Many species are in danger because of human activity, so it’s our responsibility to respect nature and address our impacts.”

Building collaborations that extend beyond the scientific realm is another way for scientists to find inspiration and camaraderie. In April in Paro, Bhutan, Dorji attended the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference, which kick-started an effort aiming to raise US$1 billion by 2034 to spend on the conservation of tigers and the landscapes where they live. More than 200 people from around the world attended, including private donors, government leaders and members of financial institutions. “To see that partnership, commitment and sense of urgency was hugely exciting,” says Dorji. “Those kinds of things keep us going.”

Dechen Dorji, who grew up in the Himalayan mountains in Bhutan and now oversees the WWF’s conservation efforts in Asia, says collaborating with local community members is essential. Credit: Dechen Dorji/WWF

In January 2023, Lerma founded Nēnē Research and Conservation, an organization that partners with government agencies and community groups to protect the nēnē ( Branta sandvicensis ), a goose species that is endemic to Hawaii. Nēnē were federally down-listed from endangered to threatened in 2019, thanks to successful conservation efforts that brought the population from 30 individuals in the 1950s up to more than 3,800 in 2022. But the species is still listed as endangered at the state level.

Over the past year, Lerma and his team have launched a database in which community members record nēnē sightings, injuries and deaths . Nēnē tend to gather in areas frequented by people, such as golf courses and parks, so they’re easy to find.

Lerma’s team used this database, which now has 1,055 contributors and 11,723 sightings, to identify a stretch of road on the Big Island where many nēnē were hit by cars. “We presented that data to the county and got speed tables and raised crosswalks installed. We’re protecting the community and the species. No nēnē have been killed since.”

Dorji also emphasizes the importance of collaborating with local and Indigenous communities whose efforts and lands play an essential part in conservation, he says. “We often tell conservation stories from a very utilitarian perspective of how beneficial other species are to humans, but many cultures have their own stories that we need to listen to and respect.”

I took my case to Nepal’s highest court to improve conservation

In many cases, community members uniquely understand the ecology and biology of local flora and fauna. At the Jambatu Center for Amphibian Research and Conservation, Coloma and his colleagues maintain colonies of about 2,600 individuals of 76 amphibian species, including 30 that are close to extinction. He attributes the success of these programmes to two staff members who were born in the jungles of Ecuador. “They are not PhDs. They are people that love these animals and have a specialized understanding of their needs,” he says.

In 2016, Coloma heard about the presence of a jambato toad ( Atelopus ignescens ) from a priest in Angamarca, Ecuador. “The jambato were part of the daily life of the Indigenous people here; they used them as a medicine, and they were part of kids’ games in the Andes,” says Coloma. But the once-abundant species hadn’t been seen since March 1988 and was declared extinct by the IUCN in 2004.

When the priest sent Coloma a photo of the toad, which was found by a ten-year-old boy on the child’s family’s farm, Coloma was stunned. “I couldn’t believe it. I lost the faith that I would see these frogs again. It was a dream,” he says. The species was re-listed as critically endangered in 2016. Now, Coloma’s organization is searching for more jambato toads in the wild and breeding them in captivity, with the hopes of reintroducing them in future. “We need to fight for our dreams.”

Nature 631 , 467-469 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02205-y

Ortega-Andrade, H. M. et al. PLoS ONE 16 , e0251027 (2021).

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