Having already been mandated to complete both a 6-month and a 10-month report, I feel like I have the bare bones of my thesis laid out already, with some chapters and details requiring further definition.
As of this week, my thesis already comprises a introductory chapter (literature review) and two data chapters. Im currently working on the third data chapter which I expect to finish in time for the upcoming transfer report and viva. With this in mind, and following clarification of what I hope to achieve by the end of my PhD, my thesis will be as follows:
1. Introductory chapter - to be completed. A short 5-8 page introduction to project and motivation/methods.
2. Literature Review - completed, but needs refining.
3. Exploring and Integrating Least-Cost Models and Agent-Based Simulations in Fragmented Landscapes - completed, but needs some refining to aid potential publication
4. An Agent-Based Model of Jaguar Movement Through Conservation Corridors - completed and published.
5. Integrating and Validating an Agent-Based Model of Jaguar Movements with real-life GIS and Camera-Trap Data Collected in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Belize - currently in progress
6. Analysis of real-world corridor designs based on an agent-based model of jaguar movements in Belize - next step, transferring validated jaguar model to corridor area in central belize.
7. An analysis of the potential future impacts of increased human activities and major environmental events on jaguar movements in Belize - last step given enough time (!), Potential impacts and factors are wide-ranging and will depend on discussions with Bart and Beccie and findings from previous work.
8. General Discussion - final section, generally quite short - 6-8 pages, covering limitations and implications of current work and section of future work (although this needs to be specific and achievable).
Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are data chapters. Chapter 7 is best-case scenario and I would like to get this far, but some of this may be combined into chapter 6 if there is not enough time for a stand-alone chapter.
Some sample pages from my thesis to date.....
