Ask a Librarian

Threre are lots of ways to contact a librarian. Choose what works best for you.

HOURS TODAY

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Reference Desk

CONTACT US BY PHONE

(802) 656-2022

Voice

(802) 503-1703

Text

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR EMAIL A QUESTION

Schedule an Appointment

Meet with a librarian or subject specialist for in-depth help.

Email a Librarian

Submit a question for reply by e-mail.

WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE RIGHT AWAY?

Library Hours for Thursday, March 28th

All of the hours for today can be found below. We look forward to seeing you in the library.
HOURS TODAY
8:00 am - 12:00 am
MAIN LIBRARY

SEE ALL LIBRARY HOURS
WITHIN HOWE LIBRARY

MapsM-Th by appointment, email govdocs@uvm.edu

Media Services8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Reference Desk10:00 am - 3:00 pm

OTHER DEPARTMENTS

Special Collections10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Dana Health Sciences Library7:30 am - 11:00 pm

 

CATQuest

Search the UVM Libraries' collections

UVM Theses and Dissertations

Browse by Department
Format:
Print
Author:
Lishawa, Shane C.
Dept./Program:
Forestry Program
Year:
2005
Degree:
M.S.
Abstract:
Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand, HWA), an introduced aphidlike insect from Asia, is threatening to eliminate eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) throughout much of its range. Among its many ecological functions, eastern hemlock provides winter cover and browse for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman) in areas that experience harsh winter conditions. In central and southern Vermont, eastern hemlock is the basic component of many white-tailed deer wintering areas (DWA) and is thought to reduce snow depths and moderate winter temperatures. Dominant overstory species replacing dying eastern hemlock are almost exclusively hardwoods which do not provide comparable winter coverage. The objectives of this thesis were two-fold. The first was to create a spatially explicit eastern hemlock coverage model and to assess the susceptibility to HWA invasion and vulnerability to HWA impact of eastern hemlock in DWAs in southern Vermont. Ground sampled vegetation data and landscape data gathered from a geographic information system (GIS) were used to create a model representing eastem hemlock forest importance values within DWAs. Relative susceptibilities and vulnerabilities were calculated and mapped using weighting algorithms of important risk factors. This research indicates that the DWAs of southeastern VT, specifically along the Connecticut River and West River, are at highest risk and should be the focus of immediate monitoring and early management efforts. The second objective was to quantify the effects of eastern hemlock cover on winter temperature and snow depth conditions. Temperatures and snow depths were recorded in six site-paired hemlock and hardwood stands in the winters of 2003-04 and 2004-05. Temperature extremes were significantly moderated and snow depth was significantly reduced within eastern hemlock stands as compared to site-paired hardwood stands. If eastern hemlock is killed by HWA, the elimination of these areas of moderated microclimate will greatly alter local ecosystems, affecting white-tailed deer already experiencing stress from deep snow and low temperatures in the northern limits of their range.