Life Sciences Commons^™

Landscape-Scale Biogeographic Distribution Analysis Of The Whitefly, Bemisia Tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) In Kenya, Bester Tawona Mudereri, Emily Kimathi, Tavengwa Chitata, Moleseng Claude Moshobane, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Understanding the drivers of habitat use and the suitability of landscape patches by invasive insect species is crucial in their control and management. This simplifies the comprehension of the processes driving invasive insect population dynamics, their functioning, and potential disturbance within their introduced ecosystems. The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889), is ranked among the world’s 100 most invasive insect pests and is a major threat to many important cash and staple food crops. In this study, we identified levels and areas at risk of the invasive B. tabaci at a landscape scale in Kenya using elevation, land surface temperature, land …

Optimised Retrofit Strategies For Energy Reduction And Comfort In Dwellings For Future Climate Scenario In Southeast England, Bahaa El Dine Abou El Khoudoud

BAU Journal - Creative Sustainable Development

This paper aims to find an optimum retrofit scheme utilising adaptation and mitigation techniques to a Sub-urban English old house, for an inevitable future climate change. It seeks its aims by investigating the energy performance, as well as the summertime comfort of old dwellings in current and future weather predictions. Studies shows that pre-1990 building stock represents one of the least energy-efficient, as these houses were built before the introduction of building envelope directives in building regulation. Specifically, uninsulated semi-detached houses of the inter-war period can potentially be an essential target for retrofits to reach the 2030 carbon emission goal. …

Testing The Climatic Variability Hypothesis With Coastal And Inland Populations Of Mimulus Guttatus And Implications For These Populations Under Climate Change, Alec Chiono

Master's Theses

How climate shapes the niche of a species is a core interest in evolution and ecology. Research on the evolution of climatic niches can inform us on the historical relationship between organisms and their climate, and, in an era of great environmental change, what that relationship may look like in the future. In this study, I tested an essential idea in the history of climate niche research, the Climatic Variability Hypothesis, by comparing the thermal niche breadth of coastal and inland populations of Mimulus guttatus. Using thermal performance results from this experiment, I also forecasted how the suitability of …

The Changing Face Of Winter: Lessons And Questions From The Laurentian Great Lakes, Ted Ozersky, Andrew J. Bramburger, Ashley K. Elgin, Henry A. Vanderploeg, Jia Wang, Jay A. Austin, Guy Meadows, Et. Al.

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Among its many impacts, climate warming is leading to increasing winter air temperatures, decreasing ice cover extent, and changing winter precipitation patterns over the Laurentian Great Lakes and their watershed. Understanding and predicting the consequences of these changes is impeded by a shortage of winter-period studies on most aspects of Great Lake limnology. In this review, we summarize what is known about the Great Lakes during their 3–6 months of winter and identify key open questions about the physics, chemistry, and biology of the Laurentian Great Lakes and other large, seasonally frozen lakes. Existing studies show that winter conditions have …

Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Benefit To Climate-Displaced And Host Communities, Gül Aktürk, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Climate change is borderless, and its impacts are not shared equally by all communities. It causes an imbalance between people by creating a more desirable living environment for some societies while erasing settlements and shelters of some others. Due to floods, sea level rise, destructive storms, drought, and slow-onset factors such as salinization of water and soil, people lose their lands, homes, and natural resources. Catastrophic events force people to move voluntarily or involuntarily. The relocation of communities is a debatable climate adaptation measure which requires utmost care with human rights, ethics, and psychological well-being of individuals upon the issues …

Beyond Planning Tools: Experiential Learning In Climate Adaptation Planning And Practices, Kristen M. Schmitt, Todd A. Ontl, Stephen D. Handler, Maria K. Janowiak, Leslie A. Brandt, Patricia Butler-Leopold, P. Danielle Shannon, Courtney L. Peterson, Christopher W. Swanston

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

In the past decade, several dedicated tools have been developed to help natural resources professionals integrate climate science into their planning and implementation; however, it is unclear how often these tools lead to on-the-ground climate adaptation. Here, we describe a training approach that we developed to help managers effectively plan to execute intentional, climate-informed actions. This training approach was developed through the Climate Change Response Framework (CCRF) and uses active and focused work time and peer-to-peer interaction to overcome observed barriers to using adaptation planning tools. We evaluate the effectiveness of this approach by examining participant evaluations and outlining the …

The Potential Influence Of Abiotic Conditions On Mussel Species Abundance In San Francisco Bay, Alexandra G. Farrell, M. Christina Vasquez Dr.

Honors Thesis

Climate change has negatively altered seawater conditions, which may have severe implications for marine ecosystems. Mussels are susceptible to environmental changes since they are primary consumers and filter-feeding bivalves. Two species of particular interest to the West Coast of the U.S. are Mytilus galloprovincialis and M. trossulus. M. trossulus is native to the California Coast and was historically prevalent from Southern California to Washington. However, with increased shipping and rising seawater temperature, M. galloprovincialis, an invasive species from the Mediterranean, pushed the species range of M. trossulus poleward. M. trossulus is more tolerant of cold seawater with variable salinity while …

Aiming For The Sun- Averting The Fate Of Icarus: De-Risking Solar Energy Projects, Manu Srivastava

Asian Management Insights

Climate change is increasingly accepted as an existential threat to civilisation and ‘business as usual’ is considered a luxury we cannot afford any more.

Particle Tracking Reveals Pelagic Red Crabs As Indicators Of Climate-Driven Range Expansion In The California Current, Elizabeth Saraf

Senior Honors Projects

Since their first recorded occurrence in 1859, Pelagic Red Crabs (PRC; Pleuroncodes planipes) have experienced increased frequency of episodic mass stranding events in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. PRC’s are transported over 1,000 km northward of their central domain from the coast of central Baja California, Mexico. They have been reported by the thousands on the beaches of central and southern California. Their presence influences the surrounding ecosystem and commercial fisheries because they are nutritional prey items and large predators change their diet to incorporate PRC’s when they are available. Seasonal coastal currents and the California Undercurrent transport warmer waters …

Modeling Hydrochemical And Vegetation Responses Of High-Elevation Forested Watersheds To Future Climate And Atmospheric Deposition Changes In The Southeastern U.S., Hailong Huang

Dissertations

Changes in climate and atmospheric acidic deposition alter biogeochemical cycles in forested ecosystems. I investigated the responses of vegetation, soil, and hydro-related processes to changes in climate and acidic deposition at five high-elevation forests in the southeastern U.S. using a biogeochemical model - PnET-BGC model. I focused on change-points and thresholds concepts that were less studied in forest ecosystems as well as seasonal variability of responses and extreme events. I applied principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce the dimensionality of data. I developed a Bayesian multi-level model to derive key biogeochemical variables response to temperature and precipitation (local) and latitude …

Climate-Driven Impacts On Himalayan Aquatic Biodiversity: A Case Study Involving Snowtrout (Cyprinidae: Schizothorax), Riri Wiyanti Retnaningtyas

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring biodiversity, to include its relative dispersal and contraction, has become a conservation task of great importance, particularly given the catastrophic and ongoing loss of habitat due to climate change. However, the timing, direction, and magnitude of these rates vary across taxa and ecosystems. Predicting specific impacts of climate change can thus be difficult and this, in turn, hampers management action. Metrics are needed to not only quantify contemporary requirements of species, but also predict potential distributions that fluctuate in lockstep with climate.

Montane ecosystems in the Himalayas are highly impacted by climate change, yet remain largely understudied due to …

Media Analysis Of Coverage Of Environmental Issues In The Midst Of A Pandemic, Alexandria N. Miller, Lucia A. Bolles

Thinking Matters Student Research Symposium

This research aimed to answer the question “has the coronavirus impacted the print media’s coverage of important environmental issues?” The research analyzed 2 different print newspapers - The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal - to determine if there was a change in coverage of environmental news as the coronavirus spread in the US. Data for stories published in the first four days of every month from March through September was compiled for 2019 and 2020. Our findings showed a 78.85% decrease in coverage of environmental issues between 2019 and 2020 when stories related to the coronavirus pandemic …

Narrative Storytelling In Conjunction With Environmental Journalism, Abbey Edmonson

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the effectiveness of long-form narrative storytelling in relation to environmental journalism. It particularly focuses on effectively communicating the seriousness of climate change on a local level through narrative storytelling. The bulk of the information was gathered through multiple interviews with people experiencing the effects of climate change on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. By using interviews with local people interspersed with scientific data, I hope to be able to show the average reader that climate change is real and it can dangerously affect people on a local level, even in rural states like Mississippi.

Through my research, I …

Effects Of Tropical Cyclones On Incubation And Hatch Frequency Of Marine Turtles In Broward County, Fl: An Exploratory Look For Potential Cues Of Environmentally Cued Hatching (Ech), Alexis Peterson

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Due to climate change and warming sea surface temperatures (SST), the intensity and frequency of tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic are continuing to increase. Tropical cyclones have many direct and indirect effects on coastal and marine species, such as sea turtles. Sea turtles are extremely vulnerable to climate change, due to having life history, physiology, and behavioral traits that are heavily influenced by environmental factors (Fuentes and Porter 2013). This study examined whether tropical cyclones serve as a triggering event for environmentally cued hatching (ECH) in loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtle nests …

Detecting Recent Crop Phenology Dynamics In Corn And Soybean Cropping Systems Of Kentucky, Yanjun Yang, Bo Tao, Liang Liang, Yawen Huang, Christopher J. Matocha, Chad D. Lee, Michael Sama, Bassil El Masri, Wei Ren

Geography Faculty Publications

Accurate phenological information is essential for monitoring crop development, predicting crop yield, and enhancing resilience to cope with climate change. This study employed a curve-change-based dynamic threshold approach on NDVI (Normalized Differential Vegetation Index) time series to detect the planting and harvesting dates for corn and soybean in Kentucky, a typical climatic transition zone, from 2000 to 2018. We compared satellite-based estimates with ground observations and performed trend analyses of crop phenological stages over the study period to analyze their relationships with climate change and crop yields. Our results showed that corn and soybean planting dates were delayed by 0.01 …

Pheonolgy And Climate Change In The Tw Daniel Experimental Forest Meadow, Elise Riley

Student Research Symposium

As the earth’s climate warms many plant species are experiencing phenological stages (the timing of their seasonal life cycle events) earlier than they previously have. Dangers of phenological stages occurring earlier in the year include a greater risk of frost kill and the possibility of the speciation of already small populations, both of which could make species more susceptible to extinction. This research focused on determining if meadow forb species within Utah State University’s TW Daniel Experimental Forest (TWDEF) have experienced earlier phenology -specifically, earlier flowering dates- over the past 52 years. Historical phenological data was obtained from journals kept …

Climate Change's Destabilizing Impacts On Nigerian Economy Leaves Room For Boko Haram Expansion, Ellie Willard

Student Research Symposium

The impacts of climate change in Nigeria are extending beyond changes in the weather, leading to huge changes in the lives of individual Nigerians, the Nigerian Government and Boko Haram, a terrorist organization. The reduction of the agricultural industry and the oil industry are going to create a welcoming environment for Boko Haram to grow. Unless changes are made to the Nigerian economic sector, the immediate impacts of climate change is likely to increase Boko Haram recruits. Presentation Time: Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/84125172996?pwd=aDlRb3dhU3AyUzR2eXNMRytZWmF3dz09

Space Solar Power Mitigates Climate Change, Tests Global Energy Markets And Space Policies, Sierra Kline

Student Research Symposium

The harnessing of space solar power (SSP) has dynamic and disruptive potential in three connected threat categories: energy security (both from insecure sources and from depleting resources,) climate change, and the erosion of US space dominance and related reduction in international space security. GHG levels require a drastic shift from fossil fuels to renewables, yet current renewable systems (hydro, wind, solar,) are not capable of supporting the projected increases in energy needs going into the mid 21st century. SSP would provide a solution to the lack of stable energy sources that are proving disastrous in many parts of the world …

Functional Complementation Of The Ppgcn4 And Ppnhx2 Genes In Arabidopsis Thaliana To Study Salt Tolerance, Amanda Moravek

Student Research Symposium

Climate change induces unexpected weather and causes abiotic and biotic stresses in plants. These stresses negatively affect crop growth and production. Additionally, a steady increase in the world population has been leading to higher food demand. Therefore, the development of more stress-resilient crops is essential to combat these problems. One such stress is a salinity that affects crop production. Almond is a salt-sensitive crop, so there is a need to identify salt-tolerant almond rootstocks. AtGCN4 is a novel gene that was identified in Arabidopsis thaliana to play a significant role in host-pathogen interaction and drought tolerance when overexpressed. The preliminary …

Comparative Study Of The Microbiome Of The Native Plant Ceanothus Velutinus (Snowbrush) From Different Locations And Greenhouse Studies, Jyothsna Ganesh

Student Research Symposium

Climatic change is one of the biggest threats to the ecosystem and biodiversity by enhancing environmental stresses. Environmental stresses such as biotic and abiotic stresses affect plant health and reduce crop production. The rhizosphere microbiome of a plant plays a significant role in a plant's defense against various biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we are investigating the microbiome diversity of bulk soil, rhizosphere, and endosphere of Ceanothus velutinus, snowbrush. Ceanothus is an evergreen native plant that is usually found in dry areas and thrives well in harsh conditions. The snowbrush samples were collected from different locations 1920m, 1950m, …

Microbial Community Of The Rhizosphere Of Ceanothus Velutinus Improves The Plant's Growth And Development Under Greenhouse Conditions, Jyothsna Ganesh

Student Research Symposium

Climatic change-induced environmental stresses affect crop production. Drought is such a stress which affect crop production and landscaping adversely. Native plants are great for low water use landscaping and can adapt to the natural environment. USU Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping has released a list of native plants that can be used for this purpose. This study focuses on a native plant Ceanothus velutinus (snowbrush) which is an evergreen plant native to western North America. It thrives well in harsh conditions and can act as ornamental plant in low water use landscaping but is difficult to propagate under landscape conditions. Here, …

Climate Change's Impacts May Necessitate Innovative Delivery Models In Us Healthcare Systems, Max Mauldin

Student Research Symposium

Medicaid is a federal programs within the US whose goal is to provide healthcare to vulnerable populations such as low-income adults, children, pregnant women, older adults and persons with disabilities. These groups are also some of the same groups found to be most at risk for vulnerability to and exposure to effects of climate change, such as “heat waves, extreme weather events, poor air quality, food safety, infectious diseases, and psychological stressors that can arise from these experiences. As climate change and its effects continue to worsen financial strain will be place on states’ Medicaid programs because of the exacerbating …

Isolation & Identification Of Bacteria From The Rhizosphere Of Native Plant, Ceanothus Velutinus, And Their Potential As Biofertilizers, Katherine Webb, Hayden Johns

Student Research Symposium

Due to the ever-changing climate, plants face stressors that limit their growth. Therefore it is vital to find new ways to protect plants from biotic and abiotic stressors such as pathogen infection, drought, heavy metal poisoning, and salinity. With an increasing population, limiting the effects of stress on plant growth and development for agriculture is vital. One approach to this is focusing on beneficial plant-microbe interaction, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). These bacteria are found in the rhizosphere- the soil that is attached to the roots of a plant. Various PGPRs share a symbiotic relationship with plants and help …

Human-Accelerated Biodiversity Loss During Climate Change Threatens Human Health & Food Security, Miles Robertson

Student Research Symposium

Humans have been the single most impactful species to the biosphere for the past few thousand years. Usually, consequences of human-caused ecological changes come about on a time scale larger than our normal cause-and-effect perception allows. However, with the onset of climate change, the effects of human-accelerated biodiversity loss are set to expose vulnerabilities in human health and food security. My research explores three arenas in which climate change is set to exacerbate the effects of biodiversity loss: zoonotic disease, US corn crops, and the Chinese fishing industry. Presentation Time: Wednesday, 1-2 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/87892002075?pwd=Ym1Tcy9NOVhaaGZWczZWY1JCL3owUT09

Loved By People And The Environment: The Future Of Green Building Design, Marley Jackson

Student Research Symposium

CO2 levels have been rising exponentially for the last several years accounting for the increase in global warming and causing major climate changes across the world. When analyzing how to remove extra carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere, we often think of transportation in finding alternative fuel sources, but what about the spaces we spend almost 90 percent of our time in? Buildings account for 39 percent of CO2 released in the United States, which is more than any other sector. The United States has the second highest emission in the world. We have designed buildings without thinking of …

Bolstering Southeast Asia's Livestock Biosecurity And Climate Change Resilience Essential For Global Health, Madelyn Kunzler

Student Research Symposium

A large factor of climate change is its effect on infectious zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be transferred from animals into humans. Cases of zoonotic diseases have increased as humans have interacted more with animals, and as worldwide travel has become more frequent. It is predicted that 60% of emerging human diseases will be zoonotic. The cases will continue to increase to due climate change. As climate change continues, research has shown that new diseases will emerge from the melting permafrost and ice caps. It is also likely that pre-existing diseases will be able to migrate to …

Isolation Of Halotolerant Bacteria From The Rhizosphere Of Ceanothus Velutinus May Lead To Contributions In Plant Health In Saline Conditions, Jacob Davis

Student Research Symposium

As global temperatures have been steadily rising in the past few decades, soil salinity has been steadily increasing in many parts of the world as well. This increase in salinity has proven detrimental and especially challenging for many plant species. The soil directly in contact with the roots of plants is known as the rhizosphere. The rhizosphere hosts plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). PGPR plays a significant role in a plant's ability to deal with stressors such as drought, heavy metal contamination, and extreme cold temperatures. Native plants are known to show versatility to these stressors as well. One such native …

Terminal Lakes And Climate Change: Averting Catastrophe Dependent Upon Intervention Efficacy, Andrew Walker

Student Research Symposium

Terminal Lakes will drastically be affected by climate change. The Caspian Sea, by conservative estimates will drop 30 ft by the end of the century with minimal intervention uncovering an area the size of Portugal, concentrating the current ecological hardship, country conflict, and business contraction. Geoengineering, specifically Solar Radiation Management, poses a significant boon in limiting the damage with an injection of aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect the Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere to lower temperatures and reduce evaporation. So far, because of limits placed on field testing by the UN, there has been limited testing outside simulation of …

Historic Declines In Growth Portend Trembling Aspen Death During A Contemporary Leaf Miner Outbreak In Alaska, Melissa A. Boyd, Logan T. Berner, Adrianna C. Foster, Scott J. Goetz, Brendan M. Rogers, Xanthe J. Walker, Michelle C. Mack

Aspen Bibliography

Climate change-driven droughts and insect outbreaks are becoming more frequent and widespread, increasing forest vulnerability to mortality. By addressing the impacts of climate and insects on tree growth preceding death, we can better understand tree mortality risk under a changing climate. Here, we used tree stature and interannual growth (basal area increment; BAI) to assess processes leading to trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) survival or mortality during an unprecedented leaf miner (Phyllocnistis populiella) outbreak in boreal North America. We identified eight sites (22 plots) in the longest running forest monitoring network in Alaska, spanning ~350 km of …

Sustainability Of Genetically Modified (Gm) Crops, Abdul Hakeem, Wajid Ali Shah

CBER Conference

This proposal identifies the methods used in the modification of crops, their production, modification, expansion, benefits, and carbon emission. Moreover, the special focus of this proposal is to explain the need for GM crops for developing nations which are witnessing exponential growth of their populations. Additionally, it pursues to determine how in the environmental and economic context, the significance of GM crops is overwhelming and cannot be overlooked. The greenhouse ePect reduction is the other essential output of the GM crops as shown through the illustrations.