Community relationships of the Hamilton fauna of New York state: An application of community and hierarchical models and theories to paleoecology.
Item
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Title
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Community relationships of the Hamilton fauna of New York state: An application of community and hierarchical models and theories to paleoecology.
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Identifier
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AAI9009771
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identifier
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9009771
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Creator
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Pilette, Ron.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Stanley N. Salthe
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Date
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1989
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Paleoecology | Biology, Ecology | Paleontology
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Abstract
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This work makes use of a hierarchical approach to describe Middle Devonian Hamilton assemblages as communities. Central to the study is the attempt to apply relevant neoecological models and theories to paleoecological situations. The study is based upon analysis of 107 sampling units and 132 species.;The descriptive component of the study relies upon multivariate analysis. Assignment of community types is according to robustness or corroboration. As part of this analysis, an evaluation of different scaling techniques is undertaken. For the sample evaluated, nothing abstracted further from actual counts than Percentages should be used. Deeper abstractions interfere especially in the identification of sampling units appropriate for use in structural and hierarchical analysis.;Seven community types are identified from the sample and are placed within the Hamilton paleoenvironmental model developed by Brett and Baird.;Population and community level contributions to structure are evaluated using a model developed by Levins and Lane. For the first time, this model is tested against Monte Carlo simulations. The existence of structure is determined and both population and community level contributions to this structure are found. The results are placed in the framework of Holling's stability-resilience model.;Finally, there is a direct empirical evaluation of hierarchical theory (especially as developed by Eldredge and Salthe). Levins's loop analysis model is used, and observed changes in population abundances are placed in Salthe's triadic framework. The result is a prediction in age structure (and accompanying size) changes for the dominant Chonetes in the community type evaluated. Preliminary testing supports the prediction, although not definitively, and invites further investigations.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
