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Short & Long-Term Restoration Dynamics Of Created Freshwater And Estuarine Wetlands, James Grant Mckown

Master's Theses and Capstones

The restoration of tidal and freshwater wetlands either through compensatory mitigationor voluntary efforts have become a major strategy to conserve remaining wetland resources after historic losses and in the face of current unprecedented threats. Prior efforts of wetland restoration have often fallen short of expectations due to the reliance of a compliance success framework, which requires short monitoring timeframes, misapplies successional theories, and defines success of projects into a yes or no dichotomy. Decades of advancement in restoration ecology theory and its application to wetland ecology and botany have led to the development of a functional success framework to improve …

Abundance Data Change Geographic Estimates Of Terrestrial Invasive Plant Risk In The Contiguous United States, Mitchell W. O'Neill

Master's Theses and Capstones

Invasive plants pose severe threats to ecosystems worldwide. Geographic invasion risk is often assessed using occurrence-based species distribution modeling, which estimates where species can occur but cannot represent variation in abundance, a crucial component of impact. I assembled an ordinal abundance dataset for 155 terrestrial invasive plant species in the contiguous United States based on reports to the Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System, a georeferenced invasive species data repository. I used maximum entropy models to estimate range boundaries and ordinal regression to estimate abundance within ranges. I predicted the areas where establishment is possible (potential establishment ranges), and where …

The Foliose Bangiales (Rhodophyta) In The Northern Part Of The North Atlantic And The Relationship With The North Pacific Foliose Bangiales - Diversity, Distribution, Phylogeny And Phylogeography, Agnes Mols-Mortensen

Doctoral Dissertations

Foliose Bangiales species have a long history of study in the North Atlantic, but regions, especially in the northern parts, need more attention. Based on both new collections and herbarium material from Iceland, the Faroe Islands, West Greenland, UK, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Northwest Atlantic coast (from Newfoundland to Florida) the aim was to document diversity and distribution of foliose Bangiales species in the North Atlantic and to make floristic comparisons between the geographical areas. Species Identification was based on DNA sequences using the mitochondrial cox1, chloroplast rbcL and 3' rbcL + 5' rbcL-S markers. The North Atlantic species …

Development Of Genomic Resources And Identification Of Marker-Trait Associations In Strawberry, Lise L. Mahoney

Doctoral Dissertations

Crosses were performed and progeny populations were developed in diploid and octoploid strawberry (Fragaria) species for the purposes of genetic analysis and breeding. A high throughput genotyping platform - the Affymetrix IStraw90® Axiom® strawberry SNP array - was evaluated and employed for these purposes. Phenotyping was conducted with respect to several traits of interest, including flower color, flower and fruit pigment compositions, and verticillium wilt resistance, for the ultimate purpose of identifying marker-trait associations useful in breeding. In the ancestral diploid species Fragaria iinumae, an F2 mapping population was developed from a cross between two accessions previously collected in Hokkaido, …

Characterization Of The Expression Profile Of Polyamine Biosynthetic Genes (Spermidine Synthase) And Polyamine Metabolic Regulation In Arabidopsis, Lin Shao

Doctoral Dissertations

Polyamines are ubiquitously distributed cationic compounds, which play important roles in numerous cellular functions in plants. This study was aimed at elaborating the regulation of polyamine biosynthetic gene expression and polyamine metabolism. The organ/tissue specific expression patterns of two genes encoding the polyamine biosynthetic enzyme spermidine synthase ( AtSPDS1 and AtSPDS2) were studied in Arabidopsis at different developmental stages using promoter::reporter approach. The two homologues showed similar ubiquitous expression with subtle differences being observed in certain tissues (e.g. root, siliques, and embryos). Neither transgenic manipulation by over-expression of AtSPDSI alone nor its concomitant expression with genes encoding other biosynthetic enzymes …

Engineering Lipases And Solvents For Trans/-Esterification Of Used Vegetable Oils, Michael Dore Gagnon

Doctoral Dissertations

Diminishing petroleum reserves and increasing environmental awareness has led to an urgent need to develop alternative fuels, such as biodiesel. However, the conventional method to produce biodiesel uses environmentally harmful chemical catalysts. A relatively new development in the production of biodiesel is through enzymatic trans/- esterification with a lipase catalyst. Despite several advantages, there are a few technical and economical obstacles that limit this process: (1) immiscibility of the hydrophilic methanol and hydrophobic triglyceride which results in the formation of an interface leading to mass transfer resistance, (2) insufficient availability of large quantities of inexpensive lipase suitable for catalysis, and …

Response Of Tree Growth And Water Use Efficiency To Climate And Nitrogen Deposition In A Temperate Deciduous Forest In The Northeastern Us, Katie Jennings

Master's Theses and Capstones

Nitrogen (N) deposition and climate change are altering tree growth and may have important consequences for water use in northeastern forests. Intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), the trade-off between water loss and carbon fixed during photosynthesis, directly links forest carbon and water cycles. Dendrochronology and stable isotopes (delta13C and delta18O) were used to assess Quercus velutina growth and iWUE within a chronic N deposition experiment (20+ years of fertilization at low- and high-N rates). Fertilized trees exhibited sustained growth enhancement, with the greatest response observed for high-N trees. All fertilized trees improved their iWUE through increased photosynthetic rates, but was …

Viability Of Butternut (Juglans Cinerea L) In The Northeastern United States: An Assessment Of The Genetic Diversity, Health, And Hybridization And Recruitment Of Butternut In The Northeast, Andre A W Boraks

Master's Theses and Capstones

Butternut (Juglans cinerea) trees are being extirpated from their natural range by means of an epidemic caused by a fungal pathogen. Widespread mortality is reminiscent of past epidemics on American chestnut (Castanea dentata) and American elm (Ulmus americana ). Understanding the course of contemporary decline of this tree species will provide greater insight on processes of potential extinction and the results of management to prevent it.

This thesis applies an interdisciplinary approach to characterize butternut of the northeastern Unites States. While there is evidence of weak genetic structuring, butternut appears to have maintained sufficient dispersal to prevent isolation and inbreeding …

Tracking Environmental Trends In The Great Bay Estuarine System: An Examination Of Water Quality And Nuisance Macroalgal Blooms, Jeremy C. Nettleton

Doctoral Dissertations

Monitoring macroalgae populations is an effective means of detecting long term water quality changes in estuarine systems. To investigate the environmental status of New Hampshire's Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, this study assessed the abundance/distribution of macrophytes, particularly Gracilaria and Ulva species, relative to eutrophication patterns; compared historical (1970s-1990s) and current algal biomass/cover at several sites; and compared Ulva and Gracilaria tissue N/P content to ambient and historical levels. Nitrogen and phosphorus testing revealed that the estuarine system has become eutrophic, and Ulva and Gracilaria biomass/cover have increased significantly. The percent cover of Ulva species, at seasonal maxima, was …

Eating Quality And Variability In Carotenoid Content And Profiles In Winter Squash And Sweet Potato, Jennifer Bonina Noseworthy

Doctoral Dissertations

A comprehensive study at the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station (NHAES) of 16 winter squash cultigens (Cucurbita spp.), including inbred lines and open pollinated and F1 hybrid cultivars from the University of New Hampshire breeding program, was undertaken to determine dry weight (%DW), soluble solids contents (%SSC) and carotenoid contents of mesocarp tissue, major attributes for determining acceptable eating quality and nutritional content. Data were recorded at harvest, either 40 or 60 days after pollination (DAP), and after 30 and 60 days of storage at 14 °C. Carotenoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically and using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

The …

The Effect Of Superman, Agamous, And Acs-7 Gene Manipulations On Sex Determination In Transgenic Fragaria Vesca 'Hawaii-4', Xin Ding

Master's Theses and Capstones

Sex determination is of interest to plant breeders who transfer useful genes from wild relatives to the cultivated strawberry. The potential roles in sex determination of seven candidate genes, which included five SUPERMAN genes, the AGAMOUS gene, and the ACS-7 gene, were studied by re-introducing them into diploid strawberry as overexpression and RNAi constructs by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. All of the transgenic calli expressed the GFP fluorescence marker. Among regenerated plants, some AGAMOUS-silenced plants transiently displayed a petalloid stamen or a vestigial petal phenotype, pointing to the AGAMOUS gene as negative regulator of A- and B-class genes according to the widely …

The Role Of Eelgrass (Zostera Marina L) Source Population Characteristics In Resilience To Stress And Restoration Success, Holly K. Bayley

Master's Theses and Capstones

Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.), an underwater marine flowering plant, has a high degree of morphological plasticity that allows it to survive and grow under a range of conditions and adapt to environmental changes. The degree to which resilience to stress varies among eelgrass populations is important for eelgrass conservation and management. Eelgrass plants from ten genetically differentiated populations were used in a mesocosm experiment where light availability and sediment organic content were manipulated. Productivity and survival were inhibited and morphology was altered by the stress treatments, with these plant responses differing significantly among populations. To further test differences in resilience, …

The Status Of Five State-Listed Tidal Plant Species In New Hampshire With Emphasis On Potential Impacts Of Sea Level Rise, Lauren A. Kras

Master's Theses and Capstones

Tidal habitat in New Hampshire is restricted to 162 miles along coasts and estuaries. Limited area combined with anthropogenic impacts has caused 27 tidal plant species to be listed as threatened or endangered. In 2009 and 2010, the status of four threatened species: Eleocharis parvula, Samolus valerandi, Lilaeopsis chinensis , and Agalinis maritima and one endangered species Salicornia bigelovii was examined. To guide management and conservation, the historic and current distributions were compared and habitat features were determined. All five species were stable; however, S. valerandi and L. chinensis appear threatened by sea level rise and coastal squeeze as they …

Development And Evaluation Of Interspecific Cucurbita Maxima X Cucurbita Moschata Hybrids For Processing Squash, Jacob Uretsky

Master's Theses and Capstones

Interspecific hybrids derived from crosses of Cucurbita maxima Duch. x C. moschata Duch. have been utilized for taxonomic studies and introgression of advantageous traits, as well as for cultivation for fresh market squash. The present study involves the development and evaluation of C. maxima x C. moschata F1 hybrids for use as processing squash. Crosses were performed in the summers of 2009, 2010, and 2011 between inbred bush C. maxima breeding lines and vine C. moschata cultigens, and the resulting progeny were evaluated in the greenhouse and field in 2010 and 2011 for phenological growth traits, fruit traits, and fruit …

Detection Of Trehalose In Porphyra Extracts Using Mass Spectrometry And Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Ying Huo

Master's Theses and Capstones

It is known that trehalose helps many plants to survive under desiccated environment26. This property of trehalose has also been proposed to explain why Porphyra could survive desiccation when left on dry land for a long period of time25. However, after extensive study25, effort at identifying trehalose in Porphyra has been unsuccessful, leaving the question of whether trehalose really exists in Porphyra unanswered. In my thesis research, in collaboration with Dr. Anita Klein, I set out to use ion-trap mass spectrometry and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to identify and quantify the amount of trehalose in Porphyra extracts. Using …

Satellite-Derived Fluorescence Quantum Yields As Indicators Of Phytoplankton Photophysiology, Deborah Goodwin

Doctoral Dissertations

Understanding and quantifying phytoplankton physiological variability is essential for analyses of biogeochemical cycling, climate change and ecosystem processes. Satellite measurements of chlorophyll indicate phytoplankton biomass but hold minimal direct information about the organisms' photosynthetic capabilities: however, remote sensing-derived fluorescence quantum yields have the potential for monitoring phytoplankton photophysiological states on a global scale. Recent research has demonstrated the effects of both nutrient stress and photoacclimation on fluorescence yield. Here, a novel satellite product comprising seven years of fluorescence quantum yields, derived from MODIS/Aqua normalized fluorescence line heights and corrected for pigment packaging effects, is evaluated and explored. Fluorescence yields are …

Effect Of Carex Rostrata Removal On Methane Emissions From A Temperate Peatland, Genevieve L. Noyce

Master's Theses and Capstones

Peatlands are a large natural source of atmospheric methane (CH4). Carex rostrata, a sedge species, has a critical role in the production, oxidation, and emission of CH4 from these systems. This study examined the changes in CH4 emissions from a temperate peatland after removing all aboveground C. rostrata biomass. Methane flux, dissolved CH4 concentration at various depths, C. rostrata green leaf area, temperature, and water table depth were measured from June 2008 to November 2010.

There is a strong positive correlation between C. rostrata green area and CH4 flux and the mean summer CH4 flux from the control plots was …

Analysis Of Arabidopsis Thaliana Protein Phosphatase 2a C Subunit Expression, Megan M. Thompson

Master's Theses and Capstones

Reversible protein phosphorylation is required for presumably most biological pathways. One of the major enzymes involved in eukaryotic dephosphorylation is Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A). PP2A is composed of three subunits: A (scaffolding), B (regulatory), and C (catalytic). Our lab is interested in determining the function of the five C subunits (C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5) in Arabidopsis thaliana. We have identified a Na+-induced altered root growth phenotype in c4 mutant plants. The goal of this project was to determine expression of the five C subunit genes throughout the life cycle of Arabidopsis with emphasis on correlating the location of …

Age And Age Structure Of An Invasive Plant, Lythrum Salicaria, Kimberly L. Therrien

Master's Theses and Capstones

My objective was to determine whether purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) individuals could be aged using the pattern of ramet production. Assuming current year loosestrife ramets produce new basal ramets only in the following year, plant age could be estimated by counting ranks of sequentially produced ramets. I found that in four New Hampshire wetlands the assumptions of the method were generally met, although some ramets were not produced sequentially. Using ramet counts I was able to estimate minimum age for individuals in each of the four populations. All populations were dominated by individuals > 1 year old. I tested whether …

Genomic Resource Development For A Diploid Mint: Mentha Longifolia, Zahra Hadadian

Master's Theses and Capstones

This research project aimed to develop genomic resources needed to enable construction of a genetic linkage map of the diploid mint species Mentha longifolia. Such a map would facilitate identification of plant genes involved in resistance to Verticillium fungal infection. For this purpose, a small genomic library was constructed from germplasm accession CMEN 585, 279 genomic inserts were sequenced and annotated and 19 PCR primer pairs were designed and tested on two resistant and two susceptible accessions. The Cleaved Modified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS) method of molecular marker genotyping was found to detect little variation between crossing parents CMEN 585 (resistant) …

Using Pentaploids As Tools For Studying Genomic Composition And Allele Transmission Patterns In Octoploid Fragaria, Elizabeth Poulsen

Master's Theses and Capstones

A unique pentaploid population of Fragaria (strawberry) was developed to gain insight into octoploid genome composition and allele transmission patterns. This population was produced by crossing representatives of two divergent subspecies of octoploid F. virginiana and then by crossing an octoploid hybrid plant with diploid F. vesca. To enable examination of allele transmission patterns, the intergenic region of the gRGA1-Subtilase gene pair locus was amplified, and PCR products were cloned, sequenced, and compared to define the allele composition of the hybrid octoploid. The sequencing data revealed three distinct major haplotypes and additional subtypes. The pentaploids were genotyped utilizing the FEL-CAPS …

An Assessment Of The Biodiversity And Bioremediation Potential Of Distromatic Ulva Spp (Chlorophyta) In The Great Bay Estuarine System Of New Hampshire And Maine, Usa, Laurie Carol Hofmann

Master's Theses and Capstones

Eutrophication of coastal ecosystems is a global problem, and algae have become an important resource for bioremediation. The goals of this study were (1) to assess the biodiversity of Ulva spp. in the Great Bay Estuarine System (GBES) of New Hampshire and Maine, and (2) to assess which Ulva populations are most appropriate for bioremediation by determining if environmental nutrient history and/or taxonomie differences affect ammonium uptake. Molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer nrDNA regions of Ulva spp. revealed four distinct distromatic taxa: Ulva lactuca Linnaeus, Ulva rigida C. Agardh, Ulva compressa Linnaeus, and U. pertusa Kjellman. The latter …

Regulation Of Polyamine Metabolism In Transgenic Poplar Cell Cultures, Smita Cherry

Master's Theses and Capstones

Polyamines (PA) are naturally occurring low molecular weight aliphatic amines found in all living organisms and essential for their growth and development. The present study uses the tool of transgenic manipulation to elucidate the regulation of PA pathway in poplar cells. This study was divided into two segments; the first segment provides insight into biochemistry of a putrescine overproducing cell line (HP) that overexpresses a mouse ornithine decarboxylase (mODC) under 35S-CaMV promoter, with respect to different treatments. The second segment focused on creation and biochemical characterization of a cell line (SOS1) that overexpresses ODC/SAMDC from Plasmodium falciparum controlled by the …

Ecology, Distribution, Quantification, And Impact Of Introduced, Asian Porphyra Yezoensis F Yezoensis Ueda And Porphyra Yezoensis F Narawaensis A Miura In The Northwestern Atlantic, Jeremy C. Nettleton

Master's Theses and Capstones

Invasive species pose a threat to the balance of intertidal ecosystems. Recently, two forms of the non-native species, Porphyra yezoensis Ueda, were found at multiple sites between New York and Downcast Maine. A 2007 New England survey confirmed the presence of P. yezoensis f. yezoensis at nine sites, including two beyond its reported distribution. Porphyra yezoensis f narawaensis A. Miura was found at four sites in Long Island Sound. To assess the ecological impact of f. yezoensis and f. narawaensis on Northwest Atlantic macroalgal communities, monthly density and biomass data were gathered in 2008 from seven southern New England sites …

Sexual Compatibility And Seed Germination In Nolana Species, Amy C. Douglas

Master's Theses and Capstones

Nolana L.f. is a large, diverse genus in the Solanaceae endemic to coastal deserts of Peru and Chile. Large showy flowers and drought tolerance give Nolana great potential for breeding and cultivar development for the ornamental plant industry. As a precursor to breeding efforts, studies of floral development, sexual compatibility, and seed germination were conducted involving eight Nolana species (N. adansonii, K aticoana, N. elegans, N. humijusa, N. ivaniana, N. laxa, N. plicata, N. rupicola) cultivated at UNH.

Stigma receptivity and pollen viability were evaluated at a range of stages of flower development. Floral development keys were developed to provide …

Can Plant Competition And Diversity Reduce The Success Of Exotic Phragmites Australis Invading A Salt Marsh?, Christopher R. Peter

Master's Theses and Capstones

The rapid proliferation of invasive Phragmites australis in New England has challenged resource managers to curb its expansion and reduce the loss of functional salt marsh. The interactive effects of sediment elevation, nutrient additions and community structure (plant competition and diversity) on the success and health of Phragmites were examined within a salt marsh in Hampton, NH. Along with four native halophytes, Phragmites was transplanted to vegetation plots (0.09 m2) comprising three community structure types (Phragmites alone, PA+1sp., PA+4spp.). Plots were arranged across elevation and nutrient enrichment gradients. Elevation and fertilization had no effect on Phragmites success, likely due to …

Expression Profiling Of The Spermidine Synthase3 (Spds3) And Spermine Synthase ( Spms) Genes During The Life Of Arabidopsis, Charles F. Rice

Master's Theses and Capstones

Polyamines are low molecular weight nitrogenous compounds found in all living organisms. These omnipresent molecules have been extensively studied in plant systems and have been implicated in a number of physiological responses including growth, development, and stress response. The proposed role of polyamines in vital processes such as cell division and differentiation has sparked enthusiasm in further investigation of this relatively small biosynthetic pathway. Very little is known about the regulation of polyamine biosynthetic genes, an aspect that can elucidate further functions of these ubiquitous compounds. In the following study, the expression profiles of two of these genes, spermidine synthase3 …

A Molecular And Morphological Investigation Of The Red Seaweed Genus Porphyra (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) In The Northwest Atlantic, Troy Lee Bray

Doctoral Dissertations

To evaluate the possible occurrence of cryptic Porphyra taxa in the Northwest Atlantic, extensive field collections were made during winter and spring periods when relatively few previous collections had been made. Approximately 100 different sites extending from Chance Harbor, New Brunswick, Canada to Rye, New York, USA, were sampled during multiple years (2001-2005). Historical specimens from several herbaria (NHA, FH, BM, WTU, MICH, US) were also examined for possible cryptic taxa. A combination of morphological and molecular tools was used to screen both recent and historical collections.

Sequences from the plastid-encoded, ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase large subunit (rbcL) gene and rbcL- …

Studies Of Flower Color In Anagallis Monelli L, Andrea Quintana Pinilla

Master's Theses and Capstones

One of the main goals for plant breeders in the floriculture industry is to develop plants with new attributes. Characteristics such as flower size, growth habit, resistance to pests and diseases, flower size, and particularly flower color are among the most important traits to breed and improve. One of the best ways to make a plant popular in the market is to offer a wide variety of flower colors. A. monelli is an ornamental plant used for hanging baskets and as a bedding plant, and until recently, cultivars available were only blue- or orange-flowered. Recent breeding research on this species …

Assessing The Suitability Of The Eelgrass (Zostera Marina L) Deep Edge As An Indicator Of Water Clarity In Estuarine Systems, David Omer Rivers

Master's Theses and Capstones

The suitability of the seagrass deep edge as an indicator of water clarity was assessed by examining the sensitivity and specificity of this indicator to changes in light. Indicator specificity was assessed by examining the extent to which seasonal variation in environmental parameters affected the location of the deep edge at five eelgrass meadows in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire. The mean location of the eelgrass deep edge was seasonally stable at three sites, confirming its suitability as an indicator. At two sites, the deep edge responded to long-term light reduction and changes in deep edge location of 1.3 …