Environmental Sciences Commons^™

Shifts In Plant Functional Composition Following Long-Term Drought In Grasslands, Robert J. Griffin‐Nolan, Dana M. Blumenthal, Scott L. Collins, Timothy E. Farkas, Ava M. Hoffman, Kevin E. Mueller, Troy W. Ocheltree, Melinda D. Smith, Kenneth D. Whitney, Alan K. Knapp

Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications

1. Plant traits can provide unique insights into plant performance at the community scale. Functional composition, defined by both functional diversity and community-weighted trait means (CWMs), can affect the stability of above-ground net primary production (ANPP) in response to climate extremes. Further complexity arises, however, when functional composition itself responds to environmental change. The duration of climate extremes, such as drought, is expected to increase with rising global temperatures; thus, understanding the impacts of long-term drought on functional composition and the corresponding effect that has on ecosystem function could improve predictions of ecosystem sensitivity to climate change.

2. We experimentally …

Overseas Chinese Environmental Engineers And Scientists Association (Oceesa) Report, Dec 2016., Yung-Tse Hung, Wen-Chi Ku, Lawrence K. Wang

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This Overseas Chinese Environmental Engineers and Scientists Association (OCEESA) report is 2016 Directory of Overseas Chinese Environmental Engineers and Scientists Association (OCEESA), Report number: OCEESA/JL-2016/33D1, December 2016, ISSN 1072 -7248. This report was prepared by Yung-Tse Hung, Permanent Executive Director, OCEESA. This report includes OCEESA contact information, list of OCEESA Directors, list of OCEESA past presidents, OCEESA membership data, constitutions and by laws of OCEESA (5 November 2000 edition), constitutions and by laws of OCEESA (14 February 2006 edition), constitutions and by laws of OCEESA (27 October 2013 edition), membership application form, letter from Wen-Chi Ku to confirm Yung-Tse Hung …

The Ecological Impacts Of Non-Native Species On River Otter Populations, Nadia Swit

The Downtown Review

Most nonindigenous species invasions can have negative consequences on an environment. Trophic systems may become altered as prey sources are depleted, which can have further implications on community and habitat structure. However, some species invasions can be positive as it can provide another food source for key stone species. The effects of invasive species are reviewed in the following paper for the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) and the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). In the case of the North American river, the introduction of the lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) has negatively impacted otter …

Water Resilient Cities: Climate Change, Infrastructure, Economies And Governance In The Great Lakes Basin, Wendy A. Kellogg

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Climate Change, Infrastructure, Economies, And Governance In The Great Lakes Basin, Wendy A. Kellogg

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of The Freshwater Mussel Community Of The Upper Mahoning River Watershed And Factors Influencing Diversity And Abundance In Small Streams, Matthew T. Begley

ETD Archive

Freshwater mussel communities have experienced drastic declines in diversity and abundance in many streams throughout North America. Among the reasons for these declines is the human-driven alteration of the landscape, as urban and agricultural use impart many known stressors to aquatic systems. Impairments include increased sedimentation, increased pollutants, increased flood frequency and intensity, and decreased diversity and abundance of many organisms, including fish, macroinvertebrates, and mussels. Attempts to explain the abundance and diversity of mussel communities using small-scale factors such as substrate type and flow velocity provided little to no predictive power. Instead, reach-scale variables, such as stream morphology and …

Anthropogenic Impacts As Revealed From Sediment Cores From Punderson Lake Ohio, Ronald A. Van Blarcum

ETD Archive

Sediment core archives provide a history of data useful for serving as a long-term monitoring reserve to evaluate chronological events of contamination to lake systems. This could be an effective tool for continual environmental management, monitoring and potential restoration efforts. This method is also very cost-effective without the addition of a water quality monitoring station on site. Taking 3 sediment cores from Punderson Lake Ohio for analysis has allowed associating variations in select metals to anthropogenic events or activities we can determine a time frame with limited uncertainty and resolve the intensity of anthropogenic contamination to the lake starting with …

Dispersal Capabilities Of Two Plecopteran Species And Macroinvertebrate Community From Four Watersheds In Northeast Ohio, Alison L. Yasick

ETD Archive

This dissertation focused on the insect order Plecoptera, and hypothesized that Allocapnia recta populations would have lower genetic diversity than Leuctra tenuis between adjacent Chagrin and Grand Rivers due to wing structure and season of terrestrial adult emergence. Genetic variations within the 16s rRNA region of mtDNA in A. recta, a winter emerging adult with rudimentary wing structure, and L. tenuis, a summer emerging adult with fully developed wings, were compared and revealed significant genetic variability between A. recta samples from the two rivers (FST = 0.20) but not between L. tenuis samples (FST = 0.07). Further genetic variation investigation …

Analysis Of Turning Behavior In The African Clawed Frog, Rachel Andrikanich, William Hein, Jeffrey Dean

Undergraduate Research Posters 2013

African Clawed Toads turn toward waves created by prey. We studied turning of four frogs. We concentrated on body movement, leg action and hip, knee and ankle movements, classified respectively as pushing/pulling or extension/flexion/ return. As expected, we observed symmetrical patterns for left and right stimuli. Very rostral stimuli (+- 30 °) generally elicited a forward movement as the legs extended and pushed; hips extended while knee and ankle movement varied according to turn angle. More lateral and caudal stimuli commonly elicited an initial backward movement of the rear of the body as one or both legs pulled, reflecting hip …

A Quantitative Evaluation Of Growth In Leptodea Fragilis Before And After The Arrival Of Zebra Mussels In Lake Erie, Elizabeth Barkett, Robert A. Krebs, Matthew T. Begley

Undergraduate Research Posters 2013

The arrival of zebra mussels in the Great Lakes in the 1980’s marked several environmental changes, most notably in freshwater mussels in the Unionidae. There are no studies of population demographics of native Great Lake species before this period of time. In this study, several recent shell collections of Leptodea fragilis, a fast-growing freshwater mussel, were made on various beaches along Lake Erie. To compare the effects of the zebra mussels on L. fragilis, we compared growth rates, determined from size and estimated age of shells, to additional collections of L. fragilis from 1941 to 1967available at the Cleveland Museum …

Examining The Levels Of Microcystin And Nutrient Inputs And Their Effects On Lake Quality In Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Tom Bienvenu, Julie Wolin

Undergraduate Research Posters 2013

The purpose of this project is to acquire baseline understanding of the urban lakes in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The researchers used canoes, a Van Dorn water sampler, 63μm Wisconsin net, and a modified Livingstone corer in the lakes to collect water, plankton, and sediment samples from the lakes that were visited. The Northeast Regional Ohio Sewer District (NEORSD) will analyze the water samples for quantitative and qualitative levels of microcystin. The remaining samples including diatoms in the sediment and the plankton in the water will be analyzed by the researchers in the labs at Cleveland State University. The data collected …

A Multi-Taxonomic Approach To Assess The Impact Of Overabundant White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) In Forest Ecosystems Across Northeast Ohio, Sara A. Laux

ETD Archive

Browsing by white-tailed deer has alters plant species diversity of the forest understory across much of North America. A reduced understory may lead to the simplification of the forest-floor microhabitat, causing broad scale shifts in the community composition and abundance of litter-dwelling arthropods and small mammals. The objectives of this study were to 1) document changes in the forest-floor microhabitat as a result of over-browsing by deer and 2) determine if differential browsing pressures indirectly affect faunal biodiversity (litter-dwelling arthropods and small mammals) of forest ecosystems. I predicted that browsing within the understory will reduce structural complexity of the forest-floor …

Singing Behavior And Geographic Variation In The Songs Of The Veery (Catharus Fuscescens) Across The Appalachian Mountains, Courtney L. Brennan

ETD Archive

The Veery (Catharus fuscescens) is a common Neotropical migrant thrush whose breeding distribution spans the Northern United States and southern Canada and continues south through the high elevations of the Appalachian Mountains. Despite its wide distribution, many aspects of Veery biology are largely unknown, including a clear characterization of song and knowledge of geographic song variation. I describe the song structure, repertoire size, and patterns of song delivery in the songs of the Veery and describe geographic song variation across four regions along the Appalachian Mountains. Visual analysis of song spectrogram images of territorial males revealed that Veeries' repertoire ranges …

Influence Of Earthworms On Plant And Soil Invertebrate Communities Of The Cleveland Metroparks, Anton F. Schermaier

ETD Archive

No native earthworms exist in the Great Lakes region of Ohio. All earthworms found in previously glaciated areas of the United States either migrated from unglaciated areas or were introduced as a result of human activities such as agriculture and sport fishing. Non-native earthworms may facilitate dramatic changes in structure and function of plant and invertebrate communities of forest ecosystems. This study examined how the presence of non-native earthworms within the Cleveland Metroparks may correspond with plant and soil invertebrate communities. Special attention was given to the Asian earthworm, Amynthas spp., a recent arrival to northeastern Ohio and a particularly …

The Effects Of Urban Land Use On Wasps: (Hymenoptera: Apocrita), Klaire Elise Freeman

ETD Archive

For the first time in human history, more than half of the human population lives in urban areas (Pickett et al 2011). It is essential that research occurs in urban ecosystems understanding both the biological and social aspects of urban ecosystems is needed for the sustainable management of urban ecosystems (Angold et al. 2006, Fetridge et al. 2008, Loram et al. 2008, Matteson et al. 2008, McIntyre 2000, Picket et al 2011, Pickett et al 2001, Sumoski et al. 2009) This study examines the role of insects, specifically wasps, in urban gardens and vacant lots in Cleveland, Ohio. This study …

Saline Adaptation Of The Microalga Scenedesmus Dimorphus: From Fresh Water To Brackish Water, Bethany Marie Gigante

ETD Archive

The fresh water microalga Scenedesmus dimorphus is of interest in the microalgae to biofuel field. With a 26 dry weight as lipid content and a potential doubling time of 60-70 hours, it is a viable candidate for biofuel production. Recent studies have focused on optimizing the growth rate and lipid content of S. dimorphus by finding ideal light, carbon-dioxide flow rates, nutrient composition of media, pH, temperature, and implementation of various stresses in the growth environment. Adaptation of S. dimorphus to a saline environment would make it a viable biofuel stock world-wide. This saline adaptation experiment was conducted in two …

Assessment Of Freshwater Mussel Communities Of Small Stream Mouths Along Lake Erie, Trevor J. Prescott

ETD Archive

Invasion of lakes and rivers by dreissenid mussels pushed out native species, particularly freshwater mussels in the Unionidae, across the northern hemisphere, and perhaps most infamously, within the Laurentian Great Lakes. However, several coastal areas along the shallowest of these lakes, Lake Erie, may be refugia for native species, but the conditions under which native species persist are unknown. I surveyed river mouths of small streams along the Lake Erie coastline and compared species abundance to land use assessed by remote sensing techniques and to standard measures of water chemistry. Sampling focused on stream zones influenced by lake-water levels for …

Lake Erie Water Assessment Study, Brandon Schaefer, Bill Weber, Buck Depew, Brett Kuharik

Undergraduate Research Posters 2012

Lake Erie’s water chemistry is ever-changing and depends primarily on the waters that comprise its 58,800 sq. km drainage basin. The Cleveland data is in concert with most river data collected along the Cuyahoga while the other 2 sites are similar to Lake Erie data.

Urban Lake Shoreline Characteristic Assessment In Cuyahoga County, Kathryn E. Johncock

Undergraduate Research Posters 2012

More than 100 mid-size inland lakes and reservoirs (greater than 2.5 acres) are located in highly urbanized Cuyahoga County. We assessed shoreline characteristics, macrophyte cover, and algal presence for 35 inland lakes within Cuyahoga County to determine whether there is a correlation between shoreline characteristics and the presence and abundance of algae and submerged plants.

Northeast Ohio Storm Water Training Consortium Strategic Plan: 2012-2014, Claudette Robey

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

The Next Steps Toward Consolidating Public Safety Dispatch Centers: Parma, Ohio, Daila Shimek, Scott Winograd, Kimberly Renee Vining, Eugene Kramer, Thomas Cozzens, Claudette Robey, Kevin E. O'Brien, Andrew Batson

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Fiscal Review Of The Cleveland Public Library And Scan Of State And National Trends In Library Funding, Claudette Robey, Kevin O'Brien, Kyle Julien, Scott Winograd

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Review Of The Operations Of Bay Village, Ohio, Daila Shimek, Kyle Julien, Scott Winograd, Claudette Robey, James Wyles, Kevin E. O'Brien

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Insect Signature Indicating Corpse Movement From Urban To Rural Areas Of Northeast Ohio, Krystal R. Hans

ETD Archive

The distribution of insects geographically may provide evidence that indicates the movement of human remains from one location to another. The aims of this study were: (1) to observe insect succession in an urban and rural area in northeastern Ohio to document differences in the entomofaunal succession, and (2) to determine if there is an insect signature associated with a body moved from an urban to a rural area. It was hypothesized that there would be a difference in species composition between the urban and rural sites and the body moved would retain insect evidence indicating initial exposure to an …

An Assessment Of Viable Habitat For Blanding's Turtle (Emydodidea Blandingii) In The State Of Ohio Using Gis And Remote Sensing, Bradley M. Poynter

ETD Archive

The Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) has received threatened status in the State of Ohio in 2010. The goal of this study is to provide information that can be used in conservation management to locate suitable habitat for conservation of the species as well as potential repatriation or trans location sites. Wetland Inventory and Land Use/Land Cover maps were combined with aerial photography to evaluate regions located in Ohio's Lake Erie Drainage Basin that would meet the essential requirements of the turtles life history by quantitative methods used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing programs. This study identified suitable …

Consolidated Dispatch Center Feasibility Study: Ohio Case Studies, Daila Shimek, Scott Winograd, Kimberly Renee Vining

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

This report describes the outcome of case study research of consolidated dispatch centers in the state of Ohio. Each case study includes descriptions of the governing and operating structure, consolidation process, funding and fee structure, and the successes, challenges, and lessons learned by each entity. The results suggest that while the experiences among consolidated dispatch centers varied, the elements that should contribute to a successful transition are building strong relationships, involving a center director and other stakeholders (including affected employees) in the planning process, having a willingness to compromise, providing training for dispatchers developing of standard operating procedures, and establishing …

Consolidated Public Safety Dispatch Centers: Us Case Studies, Daila Shimek, Scott Winograd, Kimberly Renee Vining

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

This report includes case studies of consolidated dispatch centers in the United States. Each case study includes descriptions of the governing and operating structure, consolidation process, funding and fee structure, and the successes, challenges and lessons learned by each entity. The results suggest that, although the experiences among consolidated dispatch centers varied, the elements that should contribute to a successful transition are strong leadership, communication with affected employees, ability to compromise, consistency in treatment of employees, development of standard operating procedures, stakeholder inclusion, and beginning consolidation with a clear plan that treats all participants as equal partners.

Feasibility Study Of Consolidating Public Safety Dispatch For The City Of Wooster, City Of Ashland, And Wayne County, Ohio, Daila Shimek, Eugene Kramer, Patrick Johnson, Scott Winograd, Kimberly Renee Vining, Thomas Cozzens, Kevin E. O'Brien

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Interactions Among Top-Down Regulators In A Temperate Forest Floor Ecosystem;Effects On Macrofauna, Mesofauna, Microbes And Litter Decay, Cari-Ann M. Hickerson

ETD Archive

High species diversity and complexity of forest-floor food webs present a challenge for understanding the role of species interactions (e.g. competition and predation) as regulatory mechanisms for ecosystem processes such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. In particular, we understand very little about the roles of forest-floor predators in regulating diversity and abundance of lower trophic levels and ecosystem processes. However, ecological theory and several studies suggest that interactions among intraguild predators (IGP) may be important controls of diversity and abundance of organisms and detritus in lower trophic levels within food webs. A key prediction is that interactions among predators weaken …

Effects Of Forest Edges, Exotic Ants And Nonnative Plants On Local Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Diversity In Urban Forest Fragments Of Northeastern Ohio, Kaloyan Ivanov

ETD Archive

Urbanization has resulted in massive transformation of natural habitats with profound effects on biodiversity. Addressing the problems associated with anthropogenic deterioration of the environment requires solid understanding of the factors driving these changes. Habitat patch size, edge effects, and the presence of invasive species are among the key features of the urban landscape affecting local communities. My study focused on the effects of habitat edges, the exotic ant Nylanderia flavipes, and the invasive herb garlic mustard on local ant diversity in deciduous forest fragments of northeastern Ohio. In addition, I explored the value of common ant collecting techniques for estimating …