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Effects Of Salinity On Juvenile Cyclopterus Lumpus (Lumpfish) And Their Temproal And Spatial Distribution In The Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire, Jenna Leigh Rackovan

Master's Theses and Capstones

Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) is a semi-pelagic species that is broadly distributed in the temperate portions of the North Atlantic. The lumpfish is also a commercially important species in Iceland and the Netherlands, where it is fished for roe that is used for caviar. Moreover, several recent studies have shown that lumpfish juveniles are useful ‘cleaner fish’ in the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry. Despite the importance of the species, little is known about its physiology and ecology. The overall goal of this research was to investigate if, and how, salinity affects the physiology and ecology of juvenile lumpfish.

To determine the …

A Comparison Of Macrofaunal And Algal Communities In Oyster Aquaculture Gear, An Eelgrass Bed, Oyster Reef, And A Mudflat In Great Bay, New Hampshire, Megan Elizabeth Glenn

Master's Theses and Capstones

Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and eelgrass (Zostera marina) are important ecosystem engineers in Great Bay, NH, however despite restoration efforts they have been in decline. In addition to loss of the resource, this degradation results in loss of associated ecosystem services such as habitat provision. It is possible that the recent increase in oyster farming in Great Bay could help mitigate habitat loss. My research objective was to quantify the biotic communities present in three natural habitats (eelgrass beds, oyster reefs and mudflats) in Great Bay NH and compare those to communities living on the type of gear (“racks and bags”) …

Limiting Impacts Of Invasive Glossy Buckthorn In Southeastern New Hampshire Woodlands: Studies Of Intensive Control And Forest Dynamics, Nicholas Lanzer

Master's Theses and Capstones

Invasive glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus P. Mill) threatens forest communities in southeastern New Hampshire both ecologically and economically by outcompeting native regeneration and hampering forest management. Seventy-five white pine (Pinus strobus L.) seedlings surrounded mainly by buckthorn were identified at the MacDonald Lot property in Durham, NH. In spring 2015, fifty of these pines were encouraged to emerge from and overtop surrounding buckthorn by cutting all neighboring plants within 1 m; targeted herbicide was applied to cut stumps at 25 of these. Pine response was assessed after one growing season. Released pines showed increased diameter growth, foliar biomass, and stem …