Life Sciences Commons^™

The Conservation Project: An Exploration Of Multimedia In Ocean Conservation, Ilaria Bardini

Honors College

The Conservation Project ties in many elements of multimedia and its possible applications in marine conservation. The purpose of this thesis was to develop new skills in videography, photography, podcast production, and website development through which to deepen my understanding of the multimedia as a tool in science, through the development of a website.

Understanding The Connection Between Water, Fish, And Pfas Concentrations: Implications Of Fish Diet And Species-Specific Variability, Ece Yeldan

Honors College

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” have emerged as a significant concern for both human health and the environment. These persistent compounds permeate various aspects of commerce, leading to widespread exposure and the cycling of these compounds through environmental feedback routes. Among the sources of exposure to humans, fish consumption stands out prominently. Recreational and sustenance fishing, cherished by Maine residents and indigenous communities alike, underscores the need to comprehend PFAS dynamics in fish and water. To explore the variability of PFAS accumulation in fish, water, and sediment, I conducted a comprehensive literature review. The …

Assessing The Influence Of Interseeded Cover Crops On Beneficial Arthropod Abundance In A Northeastern Agroecosystem, Charles Cooper

Honors College

Conservation agriculture approaches are gaining traction as the planet’s food system grapples with climate change, oil depletion, and rampant environmental degradation (Palm et al., 2014). Cover cropping is an integral practice of conservation agriculture. Ground dwelling arthropods play an important role in agroecosystems, providing ecosystem services including seed predation and nutrient cycling. Because the relationship between cover crops and arthropod abundance are likely influenced by management conditions, I investigated arthropod abundance in a field interseeded with cover crops on a research farm in Maine, United States. Interseeding is an emerging practice in the northeastern United States, with potential to address …

Comstock Point, Lubec, Maine - A Natural And Photographic History, Willaim H. Schlesinger, Lisa M. Dellwo

Documents from Environmental Organizations

A natural and photographic history of our lands compiled by Lisa Dellwo and Bill Schlesinger, with the help of many friends and neighbors.

Coral Restoration: Comparisons In Space, Time, Impacts, And Costs, Allison Fargo

Honors College

Seventy-five percent of coral reefs globally face crisis due to anthropogenic disturbances, prompting heightened global coral restoration initiatives to preserve these vital ecosystems. Various regions employ diverse active coral restoration methodologies, including coral gardening, transplantation, micro-fragmentation, artificial reefs, and sexual propagation. Of these methods, coral gardening stands out as one of the most common and highly successful methods, alongside widespread transplantation practices. Restoration efforts predominantly focus on acroporids due to their relatively rapid growth and asexual fragmentation; however, a diverse range of coral species, including large, slow-growing varieties, is also employed in these endeavors. Costs vary significantly, ranging from $10,000 …

Dr. Adam Daigneault Testimony To The House Committee On Small Business Subcommittee On Underserved, Agricultural, And Rural Development Hearing On “Sustainable Forestry’S Role In Climate Solutions”, Adam Daigneault

General University of Maine Publications

Adam Daigneault, University of Maine E.L. Giddings Associate Professor of Forest Policy and Economics, testified Sept. 29 before a U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Development, chaired by Maine Rep. Jared Golden.

A focus of the hearing was the role of sustainable forestry and how small businesses across this sector are helping to address climate change. Daigneault, whose research focuses on modelling economic impacts of environmental policy on the forestry and agricultural sectors, spoke about how we can manage U.S. forests for carbon, timber and other ecosystem services, and how we can …

Predicting Range Shifts For The Virginia Opossum In Maine, Sara Griffin

Honors College

Species distribution and movement are increasingly influenced by climate change and human expansion. The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) has been observed expanding their range northward due to the warming temperatures and urbanization. The Virginia opossums’ northern range is thought to be restricted by two abiotic winter factors, snow cover and low temperatures, which prevents foraging and ultimately leads to starvation. For this study, I predicted the movement of the Virginia opossum northward into central Maine and beyond based on current climate change trends. Microclimate temperatures were recorded using data-loggers and climate variable datasets were used to determine if …

Evaluating The Capacity Of Ascophyllum Nodosum Habitats To Act As Carbon Sinks In The Gulf Of Maine, Megan Sinclair

Honors College

Some coastal ecosystems are defined as being carbon sinks for their ability to absorb more carbon than they release as a result of their high primary productivity. There has been support for the claim that macroalgal communities can act as carbon sinks and reduce levels of CO2in seawater through photosynthesis and potentially mitigate some local effects of climate change (Chung et al., 2011; Chung et al., 2013; Hill et al., 2015; Sondak et al., 2017). Within the state of Maine, rocky intertidal zones are coastal ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to climate change and dominated by Ascophyllum nodosum (rockweed) communities …

Tapping The Sweet Spot: Predicting The Suitability Of A Woodlot’S Potential To Transition Into A Productive Sugarbush In Maine, Deven M. Teisl

Non-Thesis Student Work

Through conversations with Dr. Sara Velardi, a postdoctoral research associate who has been doing research on maple producers’ scale management decisions in Maine, most current owners and operators in the maple syrup industry have the common interest of expanding their current operations, but they are unsure of how to approach that problem. Due to these current issues, my research focused on creating a sugarbush assessment tool. This assessment tool consists of a set of guidelines which can be utilized by current or future producers and can be used to easily assess woodlots without having to hire a consulting forester to …

What’S Going To Happen To My Pancakes? The Impacts Of Climate Change Upon Blueberries And Sugar Maple, Ashley Kayser

Honors College

The United Nations believes that the foremost challenge of the future will be climate change. Because of human use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gases have been released into the atmosphere at unsustainable rates, which have resulted in an altered climate that will impact weather patterns around the globe. There have already been measurable shifts in precipitation and temperature in many regions; in the state of Maine the general trend has been toward higher temperatures and increased precipitation. This is resulting in impacts to agriculture throughout the state. Blueberries and sugar maple are two culturally and economically valuable crops which will …

Spruce Budworm In Maine 2020 Annual Report, Michael Parisio, University Of Maine Cooperative Forestry Research Unit, Maine Forest Service

General University of Maine Publications

As growing spruce budworm populations continue to fluctuate in Maine, the Maine Forest Service, University of Maine Cooperative Forestry Research Unit (CFRU), and our cooperator network are tracking populations carefully in anticipation of an approaching outbreak.

A comprehensive spruce budworm (SBW) monitoring program requires a multi-pronged approach. It relies on using methods such as pheromone trapping, light trapping, overwintering L2 larval sampling, and both ground and aerial survey. At the core of the Maine Forest Service (MFS) monitoring program lies the extensive pheromone trap network throughout western and northern Maine's spruce-fir forests. A permanent pheromone trap network was first established …

Effect Of Hydroculture Methods On Tomato Root Morphology And Anatomy, Lia Maclellan

Honors College

Three methods of hydroculture were compared for their effects on the root anatomy and morphology of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Defiant). A hydroponic deep water culture method, an ebb-flood system using expanded clay pellets as a solid medium and an aeroponic sub-mist system were compared, with a solid peat/perlite medium for control. The treatments were found to have significant effects on plant root and shoot length, as well as root and shoot biomass. Root morphology was visually distinct among treatments, and all methods of hydroculture were associated with a significant increase in vascular tissue in plant roots compared with the …

The Effect Of Embryonic Arsenic Exposure On The Sensorimotor Behavior Of Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Laura Paye

Honors College

The goal of this study is to determine the effect of arsenic exposure on vision in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The optic system of D. rerio is ideal for examining visual defects. Their eyes are similar to eyes of humans and can therefore be useful models in studies of human eye disease. Their optic system functions similarly to humans, so it is beneficial to observe how zebrafish are affected by contaminants in the environment. Arsenic is ubiquitous in groundwater, due to its natural presence in bed rock, but is elevated by human activities. In order to see any …

How Acidic Sediments And Seawater Affect Interactive Effects Of Predation On Survival, Growth, And Recruitment Of Wild And Cultured Soft-Shell Clams, Mya Arenaria L., Along A Tidal Gradient At Two Intertidal Sites In Eastern Maine, Brian F. Beal, William Otto

Miscellaneous Publications

No abstract provided.

Does Drought Affect Reproduction In The Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammodramus Caudacutus)?, Valerie K. Watson

Honors College

The Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus) is experiencing steep population declines, with extinction likely within the next few decades. Sea-level rise has been identified as a major threat to the species, but little has been done to examine the effects of other aspects of climate change on Saltmarsh Sparrow populations. In this study, I examine whether drought affects reproductive success in the Saltmarsh Sparrow. I use nest- and chick-monitoring data collected over five years across the northern half of the species range to test whether drought conditions affect four metrics of reproductive success in these birds: hatch rate, clutch …

Summary Report Of Enhanced Monitoring And Pollution Source Tracking Efforts In The Willard Beach Watershed, Maine, 2012-2016, M. Sims, K. Kaczor

Maine Sea Grant Publications

Willard Beach is a popular recreation area located in South Portland used primarily by families with young children. Routine monitoring at the beach revealed elevated bacteria levels, prompting the need for enhanced monitoring within the watershed to determine the nature and extent of potential bacteria inputs. Although the waste of domestic and wild animals can contribute to impaired water quality and pose a public health risk, efforts have focused primarily on identifying and removing human sources (e.g. malfunctioning septic systems, faulty sewer lines) of fecal pollution.

Maine Healthy Beaches Program 2016 Annual Report To U.S. Epa, K. Kaczor, M. Sims

Maine Sea Grant Publications

Maine Healthy Beaches (MHB) is managed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP) and coordinated by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMaine Extension). In 2016, this team worked with 28 local management entities to conduct routine monitoring, assessment, and public notification of water quality conditions for 60 beach management areas spanning Kittery to Mount Desert Island. MHB staff continued to build local capacity for well-informed beach management and to address pollution issues when they arose during the beach season.

Summary Report Of Enhanced Monitoring And Pollution Source Tracking Efforts In Goosefare Brook, Maine, 2012-2016, M. Sims, K. Kaczor

Maine Sea Grant Publications

The Goosefare Brook (GFB) forms the border between the City of Saco to the south and Town of Old Orchard Beach (OOB) to the north. In response to concerns over water quality in the mouth and adjacent beach water, the Maine Healthy Beaches (MHB) program has supported multi-year enhanced monitoring and pollution source tracking efforts, held Stakeholder Workshops, and more to address impaired water quality throughout the watershed. Over the past five years, the MHB program has focused primarily on paired enterococci and optical brightener samples in OOB’s New Salt Rd. Tributary (NSRT). This work identified widespread bacterial contamination throughout …

2016 Goosefare Brook Mst Summary And Next Steps, M. Sims, K. Kaczor

Maine Sea Grant Publications

No abstract provided.

Jordan River Monitoring Report, Ashley Taylor, Anna Farrell

Maine Sea Grant Publications

In congruence with the Maine Department of Marine Resources’ (DMR) efforts to monitor declining water quality in the Jordan River, Frenchman Bay, Maine, the Community Lab at MDI Biological Laboratory implemented regular water quality monitoring at additional sites in the watershed to supplement the work of the DMR. Water samples were collected weekly between June and August of 2017 by staff and students from the Community Lab. Samples were collected via boat and foot to reach additional intermittent streams and smaller tributaries that feed into the Jordan River. Samples were analyzed for Enterococcus bacteria, optical brighteners, and salinity. A goal …

Clamming In Maine, Brunswick High School

Maine Sea Grant Publications

To become good environmental stewards and gain knowledge of viable economic opportunities, students need opportunities to learn about their local ecosystem and natural resources. The project leader will provide Brunswick High School students with the hands-on experience and curriculum to directly learn about an important local marine habitat and resource. Drawing on curricula from organizations such as the Friends of Casco Bay, Downeast Institute, and the Island Institute, McCullough has designed a monitoring program in which students will take environmental measurements (oxygen, nutrients, temperature, salinity, predation, invasive species, and growth rate); monitor green crab populations; and collect wild oyster spawn …

Penobscot River Habitat Focus Area 2016 Annual Report, Matthew Bernier

Maine Sea Grant Publications

1 Penobscot River Habitat Focus Area 2016 Annual Report The Penobscot River is New England’s second largest river, draining nearly one-third of the state of Maine with a watershed area of 8,570 square miles not including tributaries to Penobscot Bay. The watershed is home to 11 migratory fish species, including three listed under the Endangered Species Act, and represents the largest run of Atlantic salmon in the United States. It has a rich cultural history of commercial, recreational, and sustenance fishing. It is also home to the Penobscot Indian Nation and includes the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The …

Measuring The Impact Of Pollution Closures On Commercial Shellfish Harvest: The Case Of Soft-Shell Clams In Machias Bay, Maine, Keith S. Evans, Kevin Athearn, Xuan Chen, Kathleen P. Bell, Tora Johnson

Publications

Temporary closures of polluted coastal waters to shellfish harvesting protect human health but also generate broad socioeconomic impacts on rural, fishing-dependent communities. Improved understanding of these impacts could help coastal managers prioritize investments to protect water quality and mitigate the effects of coastal pollution. Using a regression model of monthly landings, we explore the impact of temporary closures on the commercial harvest of soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria) in the Machias Bay region of Maine (USA). We find that economic losses are significant and depend heavily on tidal activity, and the size, frequency and timing of closures. Over the …

The Black Bear Food Guild: Student-Run Community Supported Agriculture From Roots To Fruition, Sara L. Lyons

Honors College

The University of Maine is a Land Grant Institution developed, among other reasons, to promote education in the agricultural sciences. Sustainable Agriculture emerged as a new discipline, reflecting the sentiment of the times. The concept of Community Supported Agriculture gained popularity in the United States in the late 1970s. In Maine, Community Supported Agriculture farms have increased steadily since their establishment in the United States. The University of Maine Black Bear Food Guild is an entirely student-run Community Supported Agriculture operation that provides several benefits to the university and the surrounding community. These benefits include: student learning, student work opportunities, …

Environmental Features Influencing Myotis Bat Presence In The Penobscot Experimental Forest In Central Maine, Usa, Emily K. Anderson

Honors College

Bat populations in the eastern U.S. continue to decline due to white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal pathogen known to produce abnormal behavior and tissue damage in bats. As a result, the composition of bat communities has changed significantly, in part due to the dramatic decrease of cave hibernating bat species. These species rely on forests for summer roosting sites and foraging. Maine is a heavily forested state where timber harvesting is a large source of revenue; therefore it is necessary to understand the factors influencing the presence of vulnerable bat species. However, little is currently known about suitable habitat for …

Modeling Spatiotemporal Variability Of The Bioclimate Envelope Of Homarus Americanus In The Coastal Waters Of Maine And New Hampshire, Kisei Tananka, Yong Chen

Publications

A bioclimate envelope model was developed to evaluate the potential impacts of climate variability on American lobster (Homarus americanus). Bioclimate envelopes were defined by season-, sex-, and stage- specific Habitat Suitability Indices (HSI) based on (1) bottom temperature, (2) bottom salinity, and (3) depth. The species’ association to each of these three environmental attributes was expressed using Suitability Indices (SIs) calibrated by standardized lobster abundance derived from 14 years of fishery independent survey. A regional ocean model (Finite-Volume Community Ocean Model) was integrated with the HSI to hindcast spatiotemporal variability of bioclimate envelopes for American lobster in coastal waters of …

Cooperative Extension Signs Of The Seasons: A New England Phenology Program Webpages, University Of Maine Cooperative Extension

General University of Maine Publications

Screenshots of the University of Maine's Signs of the Seasons: A New England Phenology Program webpages. Participants in the Signs of the Seasons program help scientists document the local effects of global climate change.

Evaluation Of A Waistband For Attaching External Radiotransmitters To Anurans, Luke Alexander Groff, Amber Pitt, Robert Baldwin, Aram J K Calhoun, Cynthia Loftin

Publications

Radiotelemetry provides fine-scale temporal and spatial information about an individual's movements and habitat use; however, its use for monitoring amphibians has been restricted by transmitter mass and lack of suitable attachment techniques. We describe a novel waistband for attaching external radiotransmitters to anurans and evaluate the percentages of resulting abrasions, lacerations, and shed transmitters. We used radiotelemetry to monitor movements and habitat use of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) in 2006 and 2011–2013 in Maine, USA; American toads (Anaxyrus americanus) in 2012 in North Carolina, USA; and, wood frogs, southern leopard frogs (L. sphenocephalus), and green frogs (L. clamitans) in 2012 …

Understanding Social Resilience In The Maine Lobster Industry, Teresa R. Johnson, Anna M. Henry

Publications

The Maine lobster Homarus americanus fishery is considered one of the most successful fisheries in the world due in part to its unique comanagement system, the conservation ethic of the harvesters, and the ability of the industry to respond to crises and solve collective-action problems. However, recent threats raise the question whether the industry will be able to respond to future threats as successfully as it has to ones in the past or whether it is now less resilient and can no longer adequately respond to threats. Through ethnographic research and oral histories with fishermen, we examined the current level …

Promotingclimate Change Awareness And Adaptive Planning In Atlantic Fisheries Communities Using Dialogue-Based Participatory Vulnerability Analysis, Mapping, And Collaborative Systems Dynamic Modeling, Thomas Webler, Seth Tuler, Esperanza Stancioff, Elizabeth Fly

University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports

The goals for the proposed project are twofold:

• First, the project will improve understandings of how a changing climate will affect fishing communities’ abilities to maintain marine fisheries and the local economies historically dependent upon them.

• Second, the project will investigate the role of a structured dialogue and participatory modeling process to support decision makers in fishing communities addressing consequences, vulnerabilities, and adaptive strategies in a context of climate stressors.