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Ms Environmental Biology Capstone Project, Klaudia Sowizral Jan 2024

Ms Environmental Biology Capstone Project, Klaudia Sowizral

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Thelephorales fungi are considered important ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) in forest ecosystems, yet the patterns of diversity and distribution and the processes that shape them remain poorly understood. This study aims to address this research gap by conducting an exploratory analysis of Thelephorales fungi in soil and litter across various habitat types and environmental characteristics. To do so, we used data collected and synthesized by the Climush project, a multi-year, systematic sampling of macrofungal diversity across North America, that aims to assess sexual (sporocarp and spore trap data) and asexual (soil and endophyte metabarcode data) diversity and distribution in relation to …


Ms Environmental Biology Capstone Project, Denise Corona Jan 2024

Ms Environmental Biology Capstone Project, Denise Corona

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Land-use change (LUC) is a key driver of biodiversity loss, altering the structure and function of ecosystems through human activities such as urbanization and agriculture. This change has led to habitat loss and fragmentation, resulting in the rapid decline of avian populations globally. Wildlife rehabilitation centers are the primary responders for injured birds and their records provide valuable data to monitor potential factors impacting bird populations. However, these datasets are underutilized in research. This study examined how LUC in the Front Range affects the likelihood and circumstances of admission of injured birds to the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance (RMWA) in …


Enhancing Global Food Security: Opportunities For The American Meteorological Society, L. Stuart, M. Hobbins, E. Niebuhr, A. C. Ruane, R. Pulwarty, A. Hoell, W. Thiaw, C. Rosenzweig, Francisco Munoz-Arriola, M. Jahn, M. Harrar Jan 2024

Enhancing Global Food Security: Opportunities For The American Meteorological Society, L. Stuart, M. Hobbins, E. Niebuhr, A. C. Ruane, R. Pulwarty, A. Hoell, W. Thiaw, C. Rosenzweig, Francisco Munoz-Arriola, M. Jahn, M. Harrar

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Influence Of Virtual Fence On Heart Rate Response In Beef Cattle, K. Dozler, Y. Xiong, T. Mulliniks, Andrew R. Little, M. Stephenson Jan 2024

Influence Of Virtual Fence On Heart Rate Response In Beef Cattle, K. Dozler, Y. Xiong, T. Mulliniks, Andrew R. Little, M. Stephenson

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


A Functional Response In Resource Selection Links Multi-Scale Responses Of A Large Carnivore To Human Mortality Risk, Kyle Duncan Dougherty, J. A. Dellinger, B. Cristescu, D. J. Gammons, D. K. Garcelon, J. M. Higley, Q. E. Martins, S.P.D. Riley, J. A. Sikich, T. R. Stephenson, T. W. Vickers, G. M. Wengert, C. C. Wilmers, H. U. Wittmer, John F. Benson Jan 2024

A Functional Response In Resource Selection Links Multi-Scale Responses Of A Large Carnivore To Human Mortality Risk, Kyle Duncan Dougherty, J. A. Dellinger, B. Cristescu, D. J. Gammons, D. K. Garcelon, J. M. Higley, Q. E. Martins, S.P.D. Riley, J. A. Sikich, T. R. Stephenson, T. W. Vickers, G. M. Wengert, C. C. Wilmers, H. U. Wittmer, John F. Benson

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Theory suggests that animals make hierarchical, multiscale resource selection decisions to address the hierarchy of factors limiting their fitness. Ecologists have developed tools to link population-level resource selection across scales; yet, theoretical expectations about the relationship between coarse-and fine-scale selection decisions at the individual level remain elusive despite their importance to fitness. With GPS-telemetry data collected across California, USA, we evaluated resource selection of mountain lions (Puma concolor; n = 244) relative to spatial variation in human-caused mortality risk. With hierarchical resource selection, coarse-scale selection determines availability at finer scales. This simple relationship allowed us to demonstrate that …


Planet’S Biomass Proxy For Monitoring Aboveground Agricultural Biomass And Estimating Crop Yield, T. E. Franz Jan 2024

Planet’S Biomass Proxy For Monitoring Aboveground Agricultural Biomass And Estimating Crop Yield, T. E. Franz

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Groundwater Recharge Response To Reduced Irrigation Pumping: Checkbook Irrigation And The Water Savings Payment Plan, J. Gibson, T. E. Franz, T. Gilmore, D. Heeren, J. Gates, S. Thomas, C. M. Neale Jan 2024

Groundwater Recharge Response To Reduced Irrigation Pumping: Checkbook Irrigation And The Water Savings Payment Plan, J. Gibson, T. E. Franz, T. Gilmore, D. Heeren, J. Gates, S. Thomas, C. M. Neale

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Combined High Rates Of Alternative Breeding Strategies Unexpectedly Found Among Populations Of A Solitary Nesting Raptor, R. N. Rosenfield, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, W. E. Stout, T. G. Driscoll, A. C. Stewart, P. N. Frater, S. L. Talbot Jan 2024

Combined High Rates Of Alternative Breeding Strategies Unexpectedly Found Among Populations Of A Solitary Nesting Raptor, R. N. Rosenfield, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, W. E. Stout, T. G. Driscoll, A. C. Stewart, P. N. Frater, S. L. Talbot

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Ants And Spices: Investigating The Repellent Effects Of Household Spices On Ants: A Study Of Chili, Coriander, And Cumin Powders, Abhishikta Pradhan Jan 2024

Ants And Spices: Investigating The Repellent Effects Of Household Spices On Ants: A Study Of Chili, Coriander, And Cumin Powders, Abhishikta Pradhan

2024 REYES Proceedings

The aim of this study was to test the ant-repellent potential of household spices, namely chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder, against ants (Formicidae). The experiments were conducted using sticky note paper as a substrate, on which granulated sugar was placed as bait. In the control baits, only granulated sugar was used, while in the treatment baits, granulated sugar mixed with each spice was used. The baits were placed near ant nests. One hour after placing the baits, the number of ants on the control and treatment baits was counted for each control-treatment pair (five pairs in total, with …


Cardamom Spice: A Potential Ant Repellent, Deepanshi Gupta Jan 2024

Cardamom Spice: A Potential Ant Repellent, Deepanshi Gupta

2024 REYES Proceedings

This novel research has been conducted to identify the efficacy of cardamom powder to repel ants (Formicidae) in the households and analyze the ant behavior towards the spice. The study was done using a bait and a substrate along with a spice. Granulated sugar was used as a bait material with butter crackers as a substrate. The granulated sugar was topped over the substrate in the control sample while the cardamom powder was added on top of the sugar in the treatment sample. The control sample (no cardamom powder) and treatment sample (with cardamom powder) were kept at a distance …


Evaluating The Repellent Properties Of Paprika On Ants, Jonathan J. Toj Castellanos Jan 2024

Evaluating The Repellent Properties Of Paprika On Ants, Jonathan J. Toj Castellanos

2024 REYES Proceedings

Ants are a problem no matter where you are, which is why we should always have a way to repel them on hand. Spices can be an eco-friendly and cheaper alternative to common insecticides sold in supermarkets. These insecticides are generally made from toxic products, which can affect both humans and animals. This research aimed to find the perfect spice to replace insecticides. Paprika was chosen because it is very common, especially in Guatemalan territory. Several experiments were conducted to verify the effects of paprika on ants. It was tested on one of the most common ant species in Central …


Investigating Turmeric’S Sustainable Properties For Pest Control As An Ant Repellent, Sabyasachi Parija Jan 2024

Investigating Turmeric’S Sustainable Properties For Pest Control As An Ant Repellent, Sabyasachi Parija

2024 REYES Proceedings

Spices have long been known to possess various properties, including their ability to deter pests. This study investigates the potential of turmeric (Curcuma longa) as a natural ant-repellent. By testing the spice in various controlled environments, this research aimed to identify its efficacy compared to untreated baits. The results reveal that turmeric is a promising alternative to chemical pesticides, with significant effects in repelling ants without harm to the ecosystem.


The Ant-Repellant Activity Of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) And Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum), Nevil S Jan 2024

The Ant-Repellant Activity Of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) And Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum), Nevil S

2024 REYES Proceedings

Ants, while beneficial in natural ecosystems, can become pests when they invade human habitats. This study explored the potential of common household spices as a non-toxic alternative to chemical pesticides for ant repellency. Experiments were conducted using powdered ginger and crushed cardamom, which were applied to sugar biscuits (bait) in two ways: sprinkled on top and arranged in a circle around the bait. Ant activity was monitored over time, and data was analyzed using the Sign Test. The results indicated that both ginger and cardamom significantly repelled ants, demonstrating their effectiveness as natural ant deterrents. These findings suggest that spices …


White Pepper Powder Repels Ants, Mobashar Ahmad Jan 2024

White Pepper Powder Repels Ants, Mobashar Ahmad

2024 REYES Proceedings

In this study, I investigated ant responses to white pepper to see whether the spice can repel foraging ants. I performed several bioassays by placing control and treatment baits. The results demonstrated that white pepper powder significantly reduces ant activity.


An Updated Method For Identifying The Formative Factors In Soil Structure, A. D. Anderson, C. L. Burras, Judith Turk, R. Young, N. Jelinski, C. Moorberg, D. Presley, K. Osterloch, A. Dere, K. Clark Jan 2024

An Updated Method For Identifying The Formative Factors In Soil Structure, A. D. Anderson, C. L. Burras, Judith Turk, R. Young, N. Jelinski, C. Moorberg, D. Presley, K. Osterloch, A. Dere, K. Clark

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Evaluating The Risk Landscape Of Hawaiian Monk Seal Exposure To Toxoplasma Gondii, S. Robinson, K. Falinski, D. Johnson, E. Vanwormer, K. Shapiro, M. Barbieri Jan 2024

Evaluating The Risk Landscape Of Hawaiian Monk Seal Exposure To Toxoplasma Gondii, S. Robinson, K. Falinski, D. Johnson, E. Vanwormer, K. Shapiro, M. Barbieri

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Investigations Into The Ant Deterrent Properties Of Asafoetida Ferula Asafoetida And Star Anise Illicium Verum, Chinmayaram K Jan 2024

Investigations Into The Ant Deterrent Properties Of Asafoetida Ferula Asafoetida And Star Anise Illicium Verum, Chinmayaram K

2024 REYES Proceedings

This study assesses asafoetida and star anise as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical ant deterrents. It involved placing replicates of two bait types, a control (granulated sugar) and a treatment (granulated sugar and spice), on yellow paper substrates at five different ant-infested sites. The efficacy of the spice was evaluated by comparing the ant count on each bait every 10, 40, 60, 120, and 180 minutes. Percentage repellency (PR) was calculated for both the spices, and the data was analysed with the sign test. Further tests used only the treatment bait to evaluate the efficacy of the two varieties of asafoetida …


Context-Dependent Macroinvertebrate Responses To Prolonged Biological And Chemical Treatment In Urbanized Lentic Ecosystems, M. Chaffee, A. Mittelstet, S. Comfort, T. Messer, D. Uden, J. Mccoy Jan 2024

Context-Dependent Macroinvertebrate Responses To Prolonged Biological And Chemical Treatment In Urbanized Lentic Ecosystems, M. Chaffee, A. Mittelstet, S. Comfort, T. Messer, D. Uden, J. Mccoy

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Adsorption Of Perfluoroalkyl Substances With Activated Carbon: Characterizing Non-Hazardous Simulants, Jennifer Hensley Jan 2024

Adsorption Of Perfluoroalkyl Substances With Activated Carbon: Characterizing Non-Hazardous Simulants, Jennifer Hensley

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of great interest recently because some members of this class exhibit human health risks at extremely low levels, making them the current subject of proposed regulation and policy. Treatment of PFAS contaminated wastewater often is performed through adsorptive processes, e.g., with activated carbon. Due to complexities with PFAS laboratory analysis, assessing treatment efficacy through direct measurement of PFAS is expensive and time consuming, potentially delaying the design and implementation of site-specific treatment systems. This project identified and characterized potential suitable simulants for PFAS during wastewater treatment for which analysis can be timely and economical. …


Water, Feeding Efficiencies, And Development Of Dermestes Maculatus Degeer (1774), B. V. Adams, Leon G. Higley Jan 2024

Water, Feeding Efficiencies, And Development Of Dermestes Maculatus Degeer (1774), B. V. Adams, Leon G. Higley

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Thermalprofiles Of Cicindelidia Haemorrhagica(Coleoptera: Cicindelidae)Activity In Hot Springs In Yellowstone National Park, J. L. Bowley, C. Heveran, D. K. Weaver, B. Adams, M. Rohwer, K. Willemssens, E. Oberg, Leon G. Higley, R. K. D. Jan 2024

Thermalprofiles Of Cicindelidia Haemorrhagica(Coleoptera: Cicindelidae)Activity In Hot Springs In Yellowstone National Park, J. L. Bowley, C. Heveran, D. K. Weaver, B. Adams, M. Rohwer, K. Willemssens, E. Oberg, Leon G. Higley, R. K. D.

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Development Modeling Of Phormia Regina(Diptera:Calliphoridae), A. Roe, J. D. Wells, Leon G. Higley Jan 2024

Development Modeling Of Phormia Regina(Diptera:Calliphoridae), A. Roe, J. D. Wells, Leon G. Higley

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Bone Traces And Modifications From Feeding By Dermestes Maculatus, B. V. Adams, Leon G. Higley Jan 2024

Bone Traces And Modifications From Feeding By Dermestes Maculatus, B. V. Adams, Leon G. Higley

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

That Dermestes maculatus feeding can leave marks on bones is established in the literature - that D. maculatus routinely mark bones is not. Our results here, exposing fleshed bones to D. maculatus adults and immatures for almost two months after complete tissue removal, indicate that under natural conditions D. maculatus do not feed on bones. The key issue seems to be the ability of D. maculatus to seek new food sources versus being confined (and eventually starving) on bones. In a natural setting, once a food supply is exhausted, D. maculatus would seek new food …


Limitations Of Invasive Snake Control Tools In The Context Of A New Invasion On An Island With Abundant Prey, Shane R. Siers, Melia G. Nafus, Jereid E. Calaor, Rachel M. Volsteadt, Matthew S. Grassi, Megan Volsteadt, Aaron F. Collins, Patrick D. Barnhart, Logan T. Huse, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Diane L. Vice Jan 2024

Limitations Of Invasive Snake Control Tools In The Context Of A New Invasion On An Island With Abundant Prey, Shane R. Siers, Melia G. Nafus, Jereid E. Calaor, Rachel M. Volsteadt, Matthew S. Grassi, Megan Volsteadt, Aaron F. Collins, Patrick D. Barnhart, Logan T. Huse, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Diane L. Vice

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In October 2020, a new population of invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) was discovered on the 33-ha Cocos Island, 2.5 km off the south coast of Guam, United States. Cocos Island is a unique conservation resource, providing refuge for many lizards and birds, including endangered species, which were extirpated from mainland Guam by invasive predators including brown treesnakes. We sought to evaluate the usefulness of toxic baiting with acetaminophen-treated carrion baits and cage trapping, common tools for the control of brown treesnakes on mainland Guam, as potential eradication tools on Cocos Island. We evaluated multiple bait types and …


Site-Specific Space Use And Resource Selection By Black Vultures (Coragyps Atratus) In The Southeastern Usa, Betsy Evans, John S. Humphrey, Eric A. Tillman, Michael L. Avery, Bryan M. Kluever Jan 2024

Site-Specific Space Use And Resource Selection By Black Vultures (Coragyps Atratus) In The Southeastern Usa, Betsy Evans, John S. Humphrey, Eric A. Tillman, Michael L. Avery, Bryan M. Kluever

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

North American populations of Black Vultures Coragyps atratus have increased and expanded their distribution in the southern and eastern USA. In conjunction with these patterns has been a rise in human–vulture conflicts. To improve our understanding of space use patterns and better inform management, we evaluated the movements of Black Vultures (n = 23) in the southeastern USA using a long-term GPS tracking database. Our specific objectives were to: (1) quantify home-range sizes in relation to season and geographical study location and (2) examine within-home-range resource selection to identify landscape and anthropogenic factors influencing roost and diurnal space use. …


Antipredator Blood-Squirting Defense In Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma): Chemical Isolation Of Plasma Component(S), Pogonomyrmex Ant Dietary Origin, And Evolution, Wade C. Sherbrooke, Bruce A. Kimball Jan 2024

Antipredator Blood-Squirting Defense In Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma): Chemical Isolation Of Plasma Component(S), Pogonomyrmex Ant Dietary Origin, And Evolution, Wade C. Sherbrooke, Bruce A. Kimball

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

North American horned lizards of the genus Phrynosoma are largely myrmecophagous and squirt systemic blood from circumocular sinuses during encounters with certain mammalian predators. The predators react with distinct revulsion. Using bioassay-guided fractionation of blood plasma, we endeavored to identify the source and characteristics of the active chemical compound(s) responsible for this negative oral response. Our results of coyote bioassays and a series of novel mouse bioassay experiments were largely concordant. The active compound(s) was likely plasma-borne with a molecular weight (mw) of between 800 and 1,600. To identify the source of the active compound(s), we noted bioassay responses …


Eradication Of Feral Swine From A Barrier Island In Florida, Usa: An Examination Of Effort And Multi-Method, Multi-Species Population Indexing, Richard M. Engeman, Eric A. Tillman, Betsy A. Evans, John C. Griffin, Garrison Grobaski, Bradley S. Smith, John Stark, Bryan M. Kluever Jan 2024

Eradication Of Feral Swine From A Barrier Island In Florida, Usa: An Examination Of Effort And Multi-Method, Multi-Species Population Indexing, Richard M. Engeman, Eric A. Tillman, Betsy A. Evans, John C. Griffin, Garrison Grobaski, Bradley S. Smith, John Stark, Bryan M. Kluever

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) were targeted for and successfully eradicated from Saint Vincent Island (SVI), a National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) along the coast of Florida’s panhandle to protect its habitats and uncharacteristically high diversity of wildlife species for barrier islands in the region, including federal and state-listed threatened and endangered species. The eradication effort was initiated in early 2015 and concluded in 2019. A total of 438 feral swine were removed from the Island, 417 by federal control experts and 21 by recreational hunters. In general, the amount of effort needed to eradicate each feral swine slowly increased …


Downed Wood Removal Effects On Survival And Site Fidelity Of Woodrats In A California Oak Woodland, Timothy J. Smyser, Michael A. Hardy, Amy J. Davis, William L. Preston, William D. Tietje Jan 2024

Downed Wood Removal Effects On Survival And Site Fidelity Of Woodrats In A California Oak Woodland, Timothy J. Smyser, Michael A. Hardy, Amy J. Davis, William L. Preston, William D. Tietje

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Owing to the increasing intensity and frequency of wildfires in the western United States, the removal of woody debris (downed dead wood and snags) from fire‐prone landscapes is being evaluated for wildfire mitigation. Consequently, the study of the ecological value of coarse woody debris to sustain dependent species has become of foremost importance. From 2004–2009, we used a before‐after control‐impact (BACI) study design to assess the effects of downed wood removal on a population of big‐eared woodrats (Neotoma macrotis) in an oak woodland (Quercus spp.) in coastal‐central California, USA. Using Pollock's robust design mark‐recapture analyses (with 12 …


High Thermal Quality Rookeries Facilitate High Thermoregulatory Accuracy In Pregnant Female Rattlesnakes, Haley A. Moniz, Jack Henry Buck, Hayley L. Crowell, Scott M. Goetz, Trevor D. Ruiz, Emily N. Taylor, Scott M. Bobacks Jan 2024

High Thermal Quality Rookeries Facilitate High Thermoregulatory Accuracy In Pregnant Female Rattlesnakes, Haley A. Moniz, Jack Henry Buck, Hayley L. Crowell, Scott M. Goetz, Trevor D. Ruiz, Emily N. Taylor, Scott M. Bobacks

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Temperature is a primary factor influencing organismal development, and the fluctuating daily and seasonal thermal regimes of temperate climates may challenge the ability of viviparous reptiles to optimize body temperatures during gestation. Testing how viviparous reptiles navigate highly variable thermal conditions (e.g., relatively cold nights and/or highly fluctuating temperatures) is a powerful way to understand how they use microhabitats for thermoregulatory benefits. We assessed the thermal ecology of pregnant and non-pregnant female prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) inhabiting a high-elevation, montane shrubland in northwest Colorado throughout their short summer active season, addressing the thermal consequences of microhabitat selection with …


Characterizing Feral Swine Movement Across The Contiguous United States Using Neural Networks And Genetic Data, Rachael M. Giglio, Courtney F. Bowden, Ryan K. Brook, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Timothy J. Smyser Jan 2024

Characterizing Feral Swine Movement Across The Contiguous United States Using Neural Networks And Genetic Data, Rachael M. Giglio, Courtney F. Bowden, Ryan K. Brook, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Timothy J. Smyser

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Globalization has led to the frequent movement of species out of their native habitat. Some of these species become highly invasive and capable of profoundly altering invaded ecosystems. Feral swine (Sus scrofa × domesticus) are recognized as being among the most destructive invasive species, with populations established on all continents except Antarctica. Within the United States (US), feral swine are responsible for extensive crop damage, the destruction of native ecosystems, and the spread of disease. Purposeful human-mediated movement of feral swine has contributed to their rapid range expansion over the past 30 years. Patterns of deliberate introduction of …