Digital Commons Network^™

Habitat Assessment Of Suitable Areas For Three Rare Plant Species (Layia Carnosa, Erysimum Menziesii, And Gilia Millefoliata) In The Barr Parcel On Friends Of The Dunes Property, Sophia Grubb, Almond Dodge, Jeremy Cashen

Environmental Science & Management Senior Capstones

Native rare plants are an important component of ecosystems. It is critical to preserve these species because it facilitates growth of native plants. Ecological restoration provides the necessary conditions to encourage native plant growth. Gilia millefoliata, Erysimum menziesii, and Layia carnosa are three rare plants found on the Friends of the Dunes property in Arcata, CA. In this assessment, we surveyed these three rare plants and came up with a management plan for the Barr Parcel on the Friends of the Dunes property. Friends of the Dunes recently acquired the Barr Parcel and are waiting for restoration permits …

Trinidad State Beach Habitat Restoration Plan, Veronica Leah Farber, Marina Chow, Claudia Rodriguez

Environmental Science & Management Senior Capstones

California State Parks (CSP) is proposing to restore approximately 81 hectares (200 acres) of habitat at Trinidad State Beach (TSB). Over time, invasive non-native plants have established throughout TSB and are encroaching onto sensitive habitats. This project aims to restore coastal shrub communities and native forest understory by the removal of invasive non-native plant species currently inhabiting the area. The purpose of this project is to restore and protect these sensitive habitats while also preventing future degradation of these areas. The project will involve an integrated approach to invasive non-native plant control with treatment methods that will be determined by …

Comparison Of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Composition And Concentration In Marginally- Versus Perennially-Inundated Sites On The Trinity River, Tate E. Libunao, Chris Cervi, Colton Trent, Lesli Mounivong

Environmental Science & Management Senior Capstones

Flow regulation has significant impacts on river ecosystems including aquatic vegetation, benthic macroinvertebrates, and salmonids (Caldwell et al., 2018). The Trinity River is an example of a flow-regulated river that has experienced a decline in fish populations and ecological health (Beechie et al., 2015). This study uses benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs) as indicators of fish habitat quality. We compare the abundance and composition of BMI communities before and after a rain event that inundated marginal habitat. Samples were collected at marginally- and perennially-inundated sites on the Trinity River in Junction City, California in January and February 2020. The resulting data illuminated …

Habitat Monitoring For Salmonid Health At Headwaters Forest Reserve In Humboldt County, California, Allison Michelle Hutton, Jared Buller, Lauren Ayala

Environmental Science & Management Senior Capstones

The influx of fine sediment causes degraded habitat for salmonid species that are under federal monitoring protocols. Within Headwaters Forest Reserve, restoration efforts for salmonids such as road decommissioning have been conducted to reduce the influx of fine sediment into streams. Post-project monitoring of salmonid habitat in impacted streams is necessary to assess restoration effectiveness. Monitoring methods include assessing pool volume, large woody debris, and sediment particle size distribution in riffles. A one-kilometer study reach was examined to give indication of this progress. Thirty-one pools were counted along this study reach. A total of 149 large woody debris pieces were …

Jacoby Creek Site Inventory Assessment And Management Recommendations For Parcel 502-052-022, Sean M. Dent, Aida Tavakoli Ardakani, Mia C. Arnold

Environmental Science & Management Senior Capstones

Jacoby Creek is a 16.6 mi² watershed that discharges into Humboldt Bay in Humboldt County, California. Legacy use of this watershed consisted of unmanaged logging and diking to create pastureland for agriculture until the 1970’s. Currently, 187 acres of the Jacoby Creek watershed is owned by the Jacoby Creek Land Trust (JCLT). JCLT focuses on creating a space for recreation and conservation within the Jacoby Creek watershed.

The parcel (parcel 502-052-022) was assessed to identify social trails, invasive species, tree density, and upland understory vegetation to provide restoration recommendations. Non-native invasive species, such as Hedera helix (English ivy) …

Drought Effects On Germination Rate Of Two Sagebrush Species, Artemisia Cana And Artemisia Arbusula, And Comparison Of Seed Counts Using A Photography App And Weighing, Sam S. Kelly, Cessair E. Mckinney

Environmental Science & Management Senior Capstones

Sagebrush steppe ecosystems have been impacted by climate change, grazing, and invasive plants. While some widespread sagebrush species have been well-studied, including big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), others like silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) and low sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula) are understudied. To learn more about how to restore these important ecosystems, we conducted a germination study of two sagebrush species. We germinated seeds from A. cana in petri plates and in soil to compare the rates of germination in both methods, while A. arbuscula seeds were germinated only in petri plates. We also tested the efficiency …

Patrick’S Point State Park Habitat Restoration Plan, Christopher M. Glavan, Marina De Paul, Katie Moore

Environmental Science & Management Senior Capstones

Ongoing efforts at Patrick’s Point State Park (PPSP) seek to restore the ecosystems contained therein. Over time, non-native invasive plant species have become established within the Park. This habitat restoration plan (or Plan) aims to aid in restoring native and sensitive habitat through the removal of non-native invasive species. The Plan will take many different approaches to targeting the invasive non-native plant species depending on the target species and specific site conditions.

Management Recommendations For Jacoby Creek Land Trust’S Off-Channel Pond Site At The Kotke Ranch And Nature Preserve, Marcos Adrian Sosa Morales, Maeve Flynn, Auston Tague

Environmental Science & Management Senior Capstones

Now more than ever there is a need for conservation easements within California because of ongoing degradation, urbanization, clear cutting and loss of habitat to ecosystems due to wildfires. The Jacoby Creek Land Trust (JCLT) is in need of a restoration and conservation plan regarding constructed off-channel ponds along Jacoby Creek. One of the ponds is flourishing and supporting different types of fishes during their migration. The other pond, our project location, is struggling to meet the JCLT’s project objectives. The pond is overgrown with European grasses due to the surrounding grazing land and has yet to see the pond's …

Perceptions Of Academic Achievement In A Community College Sample, Devon Burg

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Self-reported GPA is often used in academic achievement research when gathering GPA as a variable, though it is not always completely accurate. Previous studies have shown that actual GPA affects self-report as those with higher GPAs tend to be more accurate. Those with lower GPAs tend to inflate their self-reported GPA. Race has also been identified as a variable that affects self-reported GPA as White students tend to be more accurate than non-White students. Gender has had mixed outcomes with accuracy of self-reported GPA.

Previous research showing self-reported GPA to be a valid measure of GPA has used samples from …

Intrasexual Competition: Effects Of Hormonal Contraceptives, Hannah Fergusson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Women’s intrasexual competition has been shown to fluctuate with fertility status, and in particular, with testosterone. It’s increasingly common that women take some form of hormonal contraceptives, especially the combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill which has been shown to decrease testosterone levels. Progesterone-only methods such as the implant or shot have been shown to have higher levels of free testosterone compared to the pill. The current study investigates the differences in intrasexual competition between pill users and progesterone-only users. 773 women took several surveys that obtained their information regarding menstrual cycle, contraceptive use, relationship status, and also took the Scale …

The Effect Of Shade Tree Species On Bird Communities In Central Kenyan Coffee Farms, Deven Kammerichs-Berke

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Shade coffee has been recognized as a well-studied example of a land-sharing management strategy that both creates habitat for tropical birds while also maintaining agricultural yield. Despite the general consensus that shade coffee is more “bird-friendly” than a sun coffee monoculture, little work has been done to investigate the effects of specific shade tree species on bird diversity and their capacity to help deliver ecosystem services. Previous studies in temperate regions have demonstrated that due to shared evolutionary histories, native plant species are better at promoting native arthropod numbers, which in turn support a greater number of birds. This study …

Effects Of Extreme Behaviors And Outbursts In Kindergarten Classrooms, Christine M. Ng

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This study explored extreme behaviors and violent outburst in kindergarten classrooms and the affect they had on other students as observed by their teachers. A mixed methods study design was used, and included a survey and interviews. Quantitative data was collected to understand what teachers are experiencing as a group, and qualitative data expanded on those experiences. The data revealed the variety of extreme behaviors exhibited by some students, and the ways other students and staff both in the classroom and at the school site are affected by them. One of the primary findings is that a lot of time …

One-Way Immersion Education Educación De Inmersión Unidireccional, Angela Renée Rivera

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Teachers in Spanish immersion schools, schools that teach a majority of English only speakers or in a one-way immersion model, face unique challenges in meeting their students' language and learning needs. The goal of this study is to identify the curriculum and resources teachers in one-way immersion schools use in their classroom to meet these student needs. The basic design of the study includes individual interviews with questions focused on the curriculum and assessment teachers use, the pedagogical practices they implement and the advice they have for other immersion teachers in the field. A qualitative analysis of the data indicates …

True North Organizing Network, Evan R. Morden

Sociology Senior Capstones

Internship Report. True North Organizing Network. SOC 482.

Skill Development And The Making Of The Global Citizen: An Analysis Of Student Experiences With Study Abroad At Humboldt State University, Kellie S. Wilkerson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Global citizenship is seen as an emerging necessity as work places are shifting to a more global environment and as challenges we face are becoming more global in nature. This thesis focuses on the creation and nurturing of global citizenship through participation in study abroad programming at Humboldt State University (HSU). Research has shown participation in study abroad has an impact on the participant’s skill development (Farraguia and Sanger 2017) and such skill development can be applied to advancement of global citizenship. This thesis utilizes a mixed methodology to develop a thorough understanding of the level of skills associated with …

Female Collegiate Student Athletes And The Perception, Attitudes And Experiences Of Psychological And Mental Health Services, Breonna Bejaran

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

This study explored eighteen National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II female student athletes’ experiences and opinions of help seeking for mental health concerns. A mixed methodological design was used. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected to gain an understanding of help seeking barriers for the participant and their beliefs about help seeking barriers for their peers. Results from the qualitative data identified several themes that assisted in understanding help seeking behaviors. Data suggest that there was a lack of motivation when it came to seek mental health services as a whole by the female student athlete population. Time, lack …

Shifting A Culture, Ardeshir J. Arjomand

Communication Senior Capstones

What is popular culture and how does it influence us? How can we be more critically aware consumers of media messages? Are we always "online", or is there some way we can disconnect? These are the questions I've attempted to define through my research and experience studying contemporary "pop culture". Consider this a beginner’s guide on how to become aware of and deal with the constant bombardment of media messages, and how to become a filter for content, rather than a sponge. As critical consumers of media we can cater our consumption to better suit our needs and lifestyles. This …

Healthcare, Foucault, And The Politics Of Covid-19, Canyon Smith

Communication Senior Capstones

As of April 2020, the United States is in a state of complete and utter crisis. This paper seeks to acknowledge and critique the inherent failings present in the neoliberal system of healthcare adopted by the United States. By identifying and criticizing components of insurance, employment, and the fetishization of marketplace competition, I will make a Foucauldian analysis of the flawed power structures existing within a privatized health system. The goal of this article is to articulate and make clear the case for the implementation of a single-payer system in the United States, which would see a much vaster and …

Consumerism And Covid - 19 : A Neoliberal Analysis, Taylor M. Roy

Communication Senior Capstones

This paper attempts to draw a line between consumer culture and COVID -19, while finding how it has been influenced by social media and targeted advertisements. Through exploring Foucault's understanding of neoliberalism and the homoeconomicus, articles and media news, this paper will have assessed the changes of consumer culture due to the “shelter in place” orders. Additionally, it will attempt to redefine Foucaults homoeconomicus to fit this new model as well as observe how electronic surveillance through social media platforms and their targeted ads will or have changed the landscape of neoliberalism. In summarizing the notable differences in the use …

Hsu Communicative Practices: Administration Must Include The Student Voice, Q Medina

Communication Senior Capstones

This paper examines the impact of communication practices of university administration (openness and inclusion) on the student body’s sense of satisfaction, value, and connectedness by focusing on a selected collection of past moments of communication from administration to students. A total of five current instances where official emails were sent out addressing a handful of the biggest impactful events at the university and the following reactions from the overall student body was used as the qualitative data to analyze the effectiveness of such communication choices. Results of the observations confirmed that the current practices of the university administration were no …

Doing Gender: Cars And Culture In The United States, Adrian L. Zavala

Communication Senior Capstones

This qualitative research study aims to define and describe gender stereotypes and car culture. It will also explain how these stereotypes influence car culture and vice versa. This paper aims to explain how the mass media uses car culture in the United States and imposes gender stereotypes. The mass media I will be discussing includes but is not limited to commercials and magazine adverts. This paper asserts that by portraying what it means to be a man and what it means to be a woman, car companies build car culture and use pre-existing constructs of gender for marketing it. According …

Pink Is The New Tax, Eliana Burns

Communication Senior Capstones

Historically women in America have made colossal advances that have proven they are just as capable as men. Women had fought and continued to challenge the system since 1919 with the 19th Amendment giving them a right to vote. However, even with this crucial progression, womens’ oppression can be found all around us only in much more subtle ways such as “ the pink tax”. As of 2020 there are currently no federal laws to outlaw companies from charging different prices depending on which gender they are meant to be marketed to. This rhetorical analysis will first address the concept …

Parenting In The Public Eye, Sarah Stauff

Communication Senior Capstones

This paper examines how parents share photos, videos and information about their children on social media websites, called sharenting. COPPA, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act is mentioned specifically because it does not protect children’s online presence from their parents. Multiple types of sharenting are examined such as; posts for family and friends to view, informational blogs and posts, punishment posts, and YouTube vlogging, or blogging in a video format. Vlogging is dissected by studying three different family vlog YouTube channels and the content that they create. The confidence and sense of self worth of children whose parents participate in …

Communication Classes That Help With Employment, Cole Savin

Communication Senior Capstones

The reasoning for this paper is to influence you to take communication classes not only for credits or units for your major, but to further your knowledge, skills, and experience as a person. To start off this paper I talk about an interview with a manager about interviews and resumes. Then I talk about all of the communication classes that you can take and how it helps. These communication classes that are mentioned in this paper will help you the most in your employment wherever that may be. This paper will go over what employers look for in you as …

Mankind, Humans, Congressman: It’S All Inclusive, Right Guys?, Rachael Thacker

Communication Senior Capstones

This paper takes a look at research surrounding the use of gendered language and how it impacts occupations and careers from ages as young as grade school, and all the way into adulthood. The use of gender-fair language creates a more gender inclusive attitude towards traditionally male occupations. The masculine generic language used in our culture perpetuates gender stereotypes among children as young as six and continues on into adulthood. Changing the language to include both women and men allows for both to self-identify beyond the stereotypical occupations and see themselves as successful. This can be seen in how children …

Representation In Animation, Michelle L. Benoit

Communication Senior Capstones

In this paper I’m addressing what is missing in representation in films today. I take the shows Avatar: The Last Airbender, Steven Universe and Fairy Tail to explain what proper representation should look like in the media. I look at this with the perspective of rhetoric as a communication major. Providing my comment on the shows. I’m examining this show with three factors. Do they have women in roles of leadership? Are characters overcoming adversity? Are there male characters experiencing complex emotions? I’m comparing these shows with most western films. That would usually tell stories through the white cisgendered straight …

Transgender Research Part A And B, Conor Jesse Finnegan

Communication Senior Capstones

A paper written to explain the struggles transgender people everyday and to explain how they have fought for equality. The paper also aims to educate the reader on ways that they can help trans people just by trying to understand them.

Academy Of The Redwoods, Kasey J. Detrick

Communication Senior Capstones

In this academic research paper I will be analyzing the procedures and practices of the high school that I attended, Academy of the Redwoods. Academy of the Redwoods is an early college preparatory high school located amongst the redwoods in Eureka, California. It was a very different school in comparison to average high schools around the country and thus, a unique experience. Therefore, I will be comparing the dynamics of Academy of the Redwoods in conjunction to normal high schools using academic journals and sources. Some of the areas that I focus on are the school atmosphere and student life, …

Bosch Creates The First Surreal Painting Of Hell, Sayed Ahmad Shah

Communication Senior Capstones

This paper creates a link to the surrealism art style and "The Garden of Earthly Delights," by Hieronymus Bosch. I wrote this paper for a hell assignment while attending Diablo Valley College. Main point was claiming Hieronymous Bosch to be the first painter to use the surrealism art style.

North Korea Vs United States Of America Relations, Michael Pitts

Communication Senior Capstones

Today we are currently faced with a dilemma between both the United States, and North Korea. It has slowly become increasingly difficult to fix due to many underlining issues such as politics, propaganda, and stereotypes. As we now approach a new decade, however, one may ask if it were possible at all for the two respected countries to actually have a conversation between both their leaders, and their citizens also.