Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Cyanobacterium Gloeotrichia Echinulata In The Belgrade Lakes, Maine, Harriet T. Rothschild

Honors Theses

Gloeotrichia echinulata is a cyanobacteria species that has been increasingly forming blooms in oligotrophic lakes in the Northeastern United States. The Belgrade Lakes in central Maine have experienced increasing blooms over the past decades. Long Pond and Great Pond in the Belgrade Lakes region are popular locations for summer tourism and year-round residents. Research into G. echinulata is important to the Belgrade community because of potential effects to water quality, public health, and recreation. Studying G. echinulata bloom density throughout the summer and how it may affect the phosphorous cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and the plankton community will help scientists …

The Impact Of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals On Wildlife Conservation, Eda Reed

Honors Theses

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as those from plastics and pesticides, have been hypothesized to affect wildlife populations. According to the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, EDCs ‘are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife.’ A growing number of studies suggest wildlife are being exposed to EDCs, but how EDCs affect wildlife health and wildlife conservation is less well-understood. Through scientific literature analysis and a survey of wildlife conservationists and practitioners, this study aims to determine the current state of knowledge and data …

Analyzing Tuberculosis Diagnosis And Treatment In Kasungu, Malawi, Andrew Currier

Honors Theses

Despite Tuberculosis (TB) being a highly curable disease, it continues to result in over 5% of deaths in the Sub-Saharan African country of Malawi. Coupled with HIV, the disease remains one of the leading causes of death in Malawi. In the summer of 2015, I joined a research team from Partners in Hope to conduct a survey evaluating the health centers that provide TB care in the Kasungu region of Malawi. After visiting 23 health centers, the results of the 47-question survey were compiled and analyzed to provide information on the capabilities and practices at each health center. The results …

The Roles Of Introduced Eucalyptus In The Conservation And Expansion Of Ethiopian Orthodox Church Forests In The Northern Ethiopian Highlands, Janice Liang

Honors Theses

Species of the genus Eucalyptus (common name eucalyptus) are widely planted all across Ethiopia – including on large areas of land previously allocated to food production. In recent decades eucalyptus has also increasingly been planted on lands around and within “church forests,” sacred groves of old-aged Afromontane trees surrounding Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido churches. These revered holy sites have long been recognized for their cultural values and also for their ecosystem services – including their potential to support species conservation and restoration, as church forests are some of the only remaining sanctuaries for many of Ethiopia’s indigenous and endemic plant and …

Preferences For Coral Reef And Fishery Management In Okinawa, Japan, Nils Carlson

Journal of Environmental and Resource Economics at Colby

This study is an example of how a nonmarket valuation method – a choice experiment – can be used to influence and guide ecosystem conservation efforts. Using a choice experiment survey, this study estimates the willingness to pay (WTP) for certain hypothetical attributes of a restored and conserved coral reef in Okinawa, Japan. I find that an increase in the amount of fish available to catch in ten years as well as an increase in the extent and health of the coral reefs and the number of marine biodiversity found in the Okinawan waters after ten-years, both positively affect respondent’s …

Media

Colby Magazine

Terry Winters: Prints: 1999-2014, by Elizabeth Finch (Colby College Museum of Art) and Michael Semff

French Colonial Soldiers in German Captivity during World War II, by Raffael Scheck (History)

Photography, History, Difference, by Tanya Sheehan (Art)

Photography and Its Origins, edited by Tanya Sheehan (Art) and Andrés Mario Zervigón

Marine Historical Ecology in Conservation, by Loren McClenachan (Environmental Studies)

Montaigne, écrivain de la conciliation, by Valérie M. Dionne (French)

Haunted (The Arnaud Legacy), by Erika Mailman '91

Lean on Jesus: Christian Women in the Workplace, by Susie Yovic Hoeller '73

Find Your Voice: A Woman's Call to Action, by Tabby …

Shorter Takes (Short Form)

Colby Magazine

Students Reflect On Six Professors Newly Tenured

New to Colby, Not to Success

At the Head of the Class

Colby could soon be the first college in NESCAC to have synthetic turf fields for baseball and softball.

It's a Plan- for Performing Arts and Athletics

Robert Redford to Speak at 194th Commencement

New York Times Quote of the Day: "I see this as a call for action to close the gap between conservation on land and in the sea."

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Through Mayflower Hill and the Colby College Chamber Choir

Big Ideas for Waterville

New …

Full Issue

Colby Magazine

Colby Magazine vol. 104, no. 1 (Spring 2014): full issue

Full Issue

Colby Magazine

Colby Magazine vol. 103, no. 2 (Fall 2014): full issue

World-Class Research: Biomedical Science Beyond Experimentation

Colby Magazine

Faculty and relationships with Maine’s big-three research labs propel Colby’s opportunities in biomedical science

Could childhood nutrition set late-life brain function?

Hitting the lab running

Ahmad wins grant for study of neurodegenerative disease

"This Is Colby's Time": Inauguration Of President David A. Greene Showcases Faculty, Luminaries

Colby Magazine

Green's Inaugural Agenda

How to Make That Happen

A Vote of Confidence

Faculty Take Center Stage

Can We Talk?
With four high-profile guests on campus to receive honorary degrees as part of the inauguration of David A. Greene, the academic community seized the opportunity for a discussion of the liberal arts and citizenship. Ostrove Auditorium was packed for a 10:30 a.m. Saturday panel discussion, “The Role of the Liberal Arts in Developing Future Leaders: Toward a More Engaged— and Civil—Citizenry,” Sept. 13.

Predicting At-Risk Areas For Deforestation In Malawi, Andrew Currier, Robin Lewis

Atlas of Maine

One of the poorest nations in Africa, the small country of Malawi has recently experienced severe deforestation. From 1990-2010, Malawi lost 17% of its forest cover (FAO 2013). Malawi also has the 6th highest population growth rate in the world (3.3% per year) (CIA 2014). Given this information, our study aimed to predict areas of future deforestation in Malawi. We constructed a spatial model to predict deforestation using the following parameters: distance from roads, distance from major markets, and population density. Our model predicted tree cover loss from 2000-2010 with some degree of accuracy. We then applied this model to …

Human Elephant Conflict, Madeleine Johnson, Sara Miller

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Human elephant conflict is a serious issue around the world. There are various cases, all of which problematic, with many different solutions. By comparing human elephant conflict in various countries throughout the world, we seek to find possible solutions for Sri Lankan communities.

Examining Environmental Injustice In Florida, Samuel Wasserman, Jeffrey Vaz

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

This project analyzes potential areas of environmental injustice on a census tract level throughout Florida. Data on race and median household income were compiled into ArcGIS 10.2.2 along with Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) locations to determine if communities with low income or large minority population are disproportionately exposed to sources of heavy pollution. Statistical tests found that high minority and low income census tracts were more likely to be within two miles of a TRI site and that census tracts containing two or more TRI sites had significantly lower median household incomes than census tracts with only one or fewer …

Predicting At-Risk Areas For Deforestation In Malawi, Robin Lewis, Andrew Currier

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

One of the poorest nations in Africa, the small country of Malawi has recently experienced severe deforestation. From 1990-2010, Malawi lost 17% of its forest cover (FAO 2013). Malawi also has the 6th highest population growth rate in the world (3.3% per year) (CIA 2014). Given this information, our study aimed to predict areas of future deforestation in Malawi. We constructed a spatial model to predict deforestation using the following parameters: distance from roads, distance from major markets, and population density. Our model predicted tree cover loss from 2000-2010 with some degree of accuracy. We then applied this model to …

Human Activity Impacts On Belize Deforestation (1995-2010) And Future Trend Prediction, Xinyi Zheng, Rui Fan

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Belize is a small country located in Central America. It is known for its high biodiversity and large rainforest coverage. However, as the demand of wood products increases, the vast rainforest is facing the threat of deforestation and land degradation. The tropical rainforest ecosystem is extremely important not only because of the numerous tropical wildlife living there but also because of its medicinal values. What factors, other than human logging of the forest, affect the potential of land degradation of Belize? We propose that such factors may include the ecosystem type of the area, whether it is a national protected …

Identifying Suitable Canada Lynx Habitat In The Northeast, Carla Nyquist, Emily Berry

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) is a medium-sized predatory cat inhabiting the boreal and montane forests of North America, particularly Canada. However, their range does extend slightly into the subalpine forests of the western US as well as transitional forests in the eastern US. Canada lynx were listed as a federally threatened species in the states at the southern end of their range in 2000, and Maine is currently the only Northeastern state with a resident breeding lynx population, although sightings have been recently reported in New Hampshire and Vermont, which are part of the species historic range. The distribution …

The Utilization Of Spatial Analysis To Predict Areas Of High Shark Attack Risk, Emily Walker, Laurel Whitney

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

In the past twelve months, Australia has faced five fatal shark attacks. Some researchers have attributed this spike in shark attacks to increased populations. Since 1990, the Australian population has increased from 17 million to 23 million. As sharks are relatively common in Australia, the governments of some states have implemented culling as a shark attack mitigation strategy. However, under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 and the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, this program is listed as a Key Threatening Processes as it has harmed two or more threatened species listed under those acts, which has rendered it quite controversial …

Atlas Of Maine: Piping Plover And Least Tern Habitat, Jeffrey Vaz

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

This map highlights the locations of essential habitat for Piping Plovers and Least Terns, both of which are endangered in the state of Maine. Essential habitat is defined as areas that both species use for nesting, feeding, and brood-rearing. Conserved areas in Maine are also highlighted on the map.

Impacts Of Sea Level Rise On Plum Island, Ma, Jessica Batchelder

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

ArcGIS 10.2.2 and NAD1983 Massachusetts Stateplane Mainland FIPS 2001 projection was used to model sea level rise on Plum Island, Massachusetts. Under high sea level rise conditions of 3m, 81.9% of the buildings on the island will be inundated in addition to a total of 11.06km2 or 75.44% of the islands land area. 86.5% of the wetlands would be inundated, the most loss of any vegetation type on the island. Based upon elevation data, this model provides a basic analysis of the impacts of extreme sea level rise on Plum Island.

Case Studies Of Turtle Rehabilitation As Implicators Of Legislative Efficacy, Meredith Braun

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Six of the seven species of marine turtles occur in Australias waters. All species of marine turtle are listed as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). International legislation exists for the protection of biodiversity, habitats, and endangered flora and fauna, but the cohesion of these policies leaves much to be questioned. In cooperation with the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on Fitzroy Island, Queensland, Australia, this study aimed to take the stories of four turtles observed in rehabilitation in May of 2014 and use them as a launching pad for investigation and …

Preferences For Eco-Labels In Seafood And Underutilized Fish, Xiaojie Chen

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

The alarming decline of the global fishing economy has led to an increased recognition for the need to relieve pressure from the few commercially marketed and heavily overfished stocks, while regaining economic stability for struggling fishing communities. We can improve the longevity and well-being of both the fish stocks and the coastal communities by shifting consumer demand toward seafood that is more sustainably harvested or locally supplied. Currently, however, lack of transparency in the seafood supply chain is a severe impediment to consumer-driven solutions. In response, ecologically aware organizations have begun distributing a variety of eco-labels that help describe the …

Environmental Justice In California: An Analysis On The Correlation Between Toxic Release And Population Distribution, Maria Urrutia

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

No abstract provided.

Digital Commons @ Colby: Best Practices For Undergraduate Research, Susan W. Cole, Martin F. Kelly Iii

Faculty Scholarship: Colby College Libraries

Colby College's contribution to the bepress sponsored webinar. From bepress' description:

Undergraduate research initiatives are cropping up at institutions across the country, highlighting the need for undergraduate publication venues. Colleges and universities are finding that publishing undergraduate work not only completes the research cycle for emerging scholars; it also showcases the quality of an institution’s student work to prospective students and their parents, as well as to prospective faculty members.

At Colby College, Suzi Cole, Scholarly Resources & Services, Sciences Librarian, and Martin Kelly, Assistant Director for Digital Collections, collaborate with the Environmental Studies program to publish the Colby Environmental …

Environmental Justice In California: An Analysis On The Correlation Between Toxic Release And Population Distribution, Maria F. Urrutia Gonzalez

Atlas of Maine

Environmental Justice is a movement that was born in the early 1980s to assure fair distribution of environmental risks and benefits (Bullard 1996). In many occasions, minority communities are more affected by environmentally hazardous substances and activities than other population groups. This normally happens because they either ignore the problem or have less power to have an opinion about it (Cutter 2006). For this research project I used GIS tools to analyze the relationship between toxic release and population distribution by ethnic group in California. Overall, the results show that in California, TRI facilities are disproportionally located near minority group …

Using Gis To Model Probability Of Shark Attacks On Florida’S Coast, Laurel Whitney, Emily Walker

Atlas of Maine

Shark attacks represent a major human wildlife conflict in Florida. Florida consistently leads the United States in shark attacks annually, yet these shark attacks are not evenly distributed along the coastline. This exploratory analysis investigated various attributes to determine if some characteristics of a particular area off the coast correlated with higher shark attack incidents. Using geographic information system analysis and statistical tests, this project found proximity to beach, shorelines, and flood areas to be significant predictors of shark attack locations. This exploratory analysis, suggests that more rigorous spatial models may be able to predict shark human conflict in the …

Examining Environmental Injustice In Florida, Jeff Vaz, Samuel Wasserman

Atlas of Maine

This project analyzes potential areas of environmental injustice on a census tract level throughout Florida. Data on race and median household income were compiled into ArcGIS 10.2.2 along with Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) locations to determine if communities with low income or large minority population are disproportionately exposed to sources of heavy pollution. Statistical tests found that high minority and low income census tracts were more likely to be within two miles of a TRI site and that census tracts containing two or more TRI sites had significantly lower median household incomes than census tracts with only one or fewer …

Tourist And Maine Resident Drive Time To The Proposed Katahdin Woods & Waters National Park, Hannah E. Twombly, Harriet T. Rothschild

Atlas of Maine

We assess the drive times and the number of potential tourists and Maine residents that could visit the proposed Katahdin Woods & Waters National Park in Northern Maine. We used ArcGIS to calculate the drive times from potential North and South park entrances to eight locations: Acadia National Park, LL Bean (Freeport), Kennebunk, Bangor Airport, Portland Jetport, Boston Airport, Montreal Airport, and Quebec Airport. We also analyzed the number of households in Maine within a one, two, and three hour drive time of the proposed park. We conclude that there are 153,000 households within a three hour drive time of …

Optimal Areas For Backcountry Skiing In Maine, Isabel A. Holland, James E. Harvey

Atlas of Maine

This analysis identifies optimal areas for backcountry skiing in Maine using the following six parameters: elevation, distance to roads, average annual snowfall, aspect, slope, and population density. The most suitable areas correlated well with locations that were ski areas in the past, were once considered for ski area development, or are currently used for ski touring.

Identifying Suitable Canada Lynx (Lynx Canadensis) Habitat In Maine, New Hampshire, And Vermont, Emily Berry, Carla Nyquist

Atlas of Maine

This project was designed to identify suitable habitat for the Canada lynx in the Northeastern United States. We made a habitat suitability index model based on conserved areas, land cover, human population density, snowfall, snowshoe hare populations, and urban areas. Our model predicted that one third of the land was moderately suitable to Canada lynx. Our HSI is also compared to various other lynx distribution data. Our HSI has the added benefit of showing a gradient of suitability.