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ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATOR’S PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR NEEDS TO BEST SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITY
Title
ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATOR’S PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR NEEDS TO BEST SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITY.
Creator
Rolfe, Allison Elizabeth, College of Arts & Sciences
Abstract / Description
According to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2010), the demand for STEM-educated teachers in the United States is increasing. With limited time and space in the general classroom setting, Environmental Education (EE) is becoming increasingly more important to the education system. The Environmental Education Alliance of Southwest Florida (EE Alliance) is a community of practice that relies on participation of local experts to create successful environmental...
Show moreAccording to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2010), the demand for STEM-educated teachers in the United States is increasing. With limited time and space in the general classroom setting, Environmental Education (EE) is becoming increasingly more important to the education system. The Environmental Education Alliance of Southwest Florida (EE Alliance) is a community of practice that relies on participation of local experts to create successful environmental education programs. This study identifies the needs of environmental education in Southwest Florida through the EE Alliance by eliciting the perspectives of local EE professionals. A survey was sent to a total of 219 participants of the EE Alliance listserv; 50 responses were received. This study collects quantitative data from Likerttype survey response as well as qualitative data obtained from open response comments sections. The study identifies the perceived needs of material resources (resources that can be bought with funding), human resources (the knowledge, amount, and adequacy of staff), and social resources (the ability to create partnerships, relationships, and professional development opportunities) in order to run successful environmental education programs.
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Date Issued
2017
Identifier
Rolfe_fgcu_1743_10265
Format
Document (PDF)
Effect of Urbanization on Predatory Defense Mechanisms of Southern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus punctatus) Populations in South Florida
Title
Effect of Urbanization on Predatory Defense Mechanisms of Southern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus punctatus) Populations in South Florida.
Creator
Richards, Tesla, College of Arts & Sciences
Abstract / Description
The effect of urbanization on native wildlife is mostly negative. For example, the creation of urban habitats results in the loss of wild habitats, which can increase fragmentation, limit species dispersal and reduce access to resources. However, in some circumstances, urbanization can have positive effects on native wildlife. For example, some opportunistic and generalized species are able to tolerate urbanization by taking advantage of novel niches with reduced competition. Diadophis...
Show moreThe effect of urbanization on native wildlife is mostly negative. For example, the creation of urban habitats results in the loss of wild habitats, which can increase fragmentation, limit species dispersal and reduce access to resources. However, in some circumstances, urbanization can have positive effects on native wildlife. For example, some opportunistic and generalized species are able to tolerate urbanization by taking advantage of novel niches with reduced competition. Diadophis punctatus punctatus (Southern Ringneck Snakes) are a small, cryptic species found throughout the southeastern United States that thrive in both urban and wild habitats, indicating the snake’s tolerance to urbanization. Urbanization may have expanded D. p. punctatus’ niche. These snakes may be able to take advantage of the climate and landscape, availability of novel prey, and/ or refuge from predators within urban habitats. In this study, I examined if D. p. punctatus used urban habitats as refuge from predators by comparing the frequency of predator bite marks on clay snake models placed in urban and wild habitats. The snake models resembled different aspects of D. p. punctatus’ morphology and behavior. I also analyzed the placement of predator bite marks on the snake models to determine the function (i.e., aposematic, parasematic, or deimatic signaling) of D. p. punctatus’ tail-coiling display. The rates of predator attacks on the snake models were similar between urban and wild habitats, indicating D. p. punctatus used urban habitats for reasons other than a refuge from predators. In addition, this study supports the claim that D. p. punctatus’ tail-coiling display was an anti-predatory mechanism. Predators avoided the tail on snake models with red coloration and coiled tails, suggesting D. p. punctatus’ tail-coiling display may be used as a deimatic signal. Results of this study appear to contradict previous findings about the tail-coiling display. However, it is likely that the use of D. p. punctatus’ anti-predatory signal depends on the context. These snakes seem to show multi-modal signaling and flexible defense mechanisms, which may be important characteristics of urbanophiles.
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Date Issued
2017-07-27
Identifier
Richards_fgcu_1743_10263
Format
Document (PDF)