Biodiversity Commons^™

Developing Aero-Floating Treatment Wetland (Aeroftw) Scaffolds: A Non-Plastic Alternative To Conventional Plastic-Based Ftws, Ada C. Montoya Gomez

All Theses

This research was conducted to explore the possibility of constructing floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) without using plastic materials. FTWs are floating platforms that hold plants on the water’s surface, letting roots dangle within the water column, to help remove contaminants from contaminated water, especially in stormwater ponds. Many conventional FTWs are made with plastic components, such as mats and plastic cup containers, which can release microplastics into the environment over time. The goal of this project was to design and test a new type of FTW that does not depend on plastics to support FTW flotation. The study took place …

Cultivating Curiosity Across Academic Audiences: Biology And Evidence-Based Science Communication, Nathan D. Forbes

Whittier Scholars Program

Effective Science Communicators must speak to a variety of audiences, with varying quantities of prior interest and qualities of background knowledge. The purpose of this paper was to engage differing audiences in scientific learning. This was done through a hypothetical newsletter made up for four different segments exploring a variety of topics in biology. Each segment intends to speak to a different audience with a different level of interest and/or educational level. Simplifying or analogizing without sacrificing the statistical basis of this project was of paramount importance. In the two segments targeted towards younger audiences, the primary focus was on …

An Integrative Description Of Euscorpius Diagorasi Sp. N. From Rhodes, Greece (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae), Konstantinos Kalaentzis, Francesco Frigioni, Eliza Kaitetzidou, Alessio Iannucci, Alexandros Triantafyllidis

Euscorpius

The genus Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 comprises a diverse and taxonomically challenging group of scorpions in the Mediterranean, with Greece representing one of its principal centers of diversity. In this study, we provide an integrative description of Euscorpius diagorasi sp. n., a new species from Rhodes Island, Greece. The new species is described on the basis of adult male and female morphology and mitochondrial COI sequence data. It is a small oligotrichous species characterized by a total length of approximately 21–25 mm, pale yellow to light brown coloration with darker reddish-brown pedipalps, pectinal tooth count of 8 in the male …

Grassland Bird Community Responses To Fire Management, Mason H. Dillard

ATU Scholars Symposium

Vegetation structure plays a major role in determining avian community makeup. Controlled burn frequency changes vegetation structure and consequently the makeup of avian communities. To examine this relationship, I surveyed breeding birds in grasslands and savannahs of the Ozark Mountains, Arkansas River Valley, and Northwest Arkansas. I created models to outline the relationship between these three factors (avian community, fire management, and vegetation structure.) I also examined surrounding land cover and patch size as potential variables that may impact avian community structures.

I will outline the role fire management plays in determining the makeup of breeding bird communities in grasslands, …

Fish Community Assessment Of Goose Pond Natural Area, Macy Sparks

ATU Scholars Symposium

Natural areas play an integral role in the preservation and conservation of unique ecosystems (i.e., natural wetlands). However, many natural areas have never had a biological inventory of species utilizing these areas. Goose Pond Natural Area (Conway County and Pope County, Arkansas) is one of those natural areas lacking species occurrence data. We addressed this data gap by sampling fish species across multiple habitat types (shallow woody wetland, open grassy wetland, and stream). We employed multiple gear types (mesh umbrella minnow traps, seines, gill nets, mini-fyke nets, and backpack electrofishing) in hopes of increasing species detection. Sites within the natural …

The Effects Of Sun Exposure On The Intensity And Distribution Of Salamander Biofluorescence, Julianne Chairez

Scholars Week

Salamanders have been used in a variety of different experiments to  determine the health of various ecosystems. Biofluorescence was recently studied in  amphibians in a study done in 2020. Not much is known about all its functions,  more studies are needed to fully understand how it works and how it can be affected  by environmental factors. Learning more about the functions of salamander  biofluorescence could lead to a greater understanding of how pollutants and human  impacts can affect salamanders and the health of their ecosystems. This project  aims to focus on tiger salamander biofluorescence and how its distribution and  intensity …

An Overview Of Herpetofauna Surveys At Fort Leavenworth Military Reserve., Zane Smith, Sandra Guzman-Duran

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Herpetofauna surveys focused on Crayfish Frog, Spring Peeper, Eastern Tiger Salamander, Red-Bellied Snake, and Smooth Earth Snake were conducted concurrently with Bush Honeysuckle removal projects on the Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation.  Survey techniques included coverboard arrays, adaptive hunt drift fences, traditional pit fall traps and visual encounter surveys and were conducted between May and August in 2024 and 2025. The survey effort resulted in the detection of one of the target species, the Smooth Earth Snake. Based on our survey results we are confident that the Crayfish frog and Spring Peeper do not occur on Fort Leavenworth Military Reserve, but …

Storm-Drains As Ecosystems, Victoria E. Kennedy, Curtis Jang, Darlene Panvini

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Stormwater drains and culverts are installed across urban spaces to direct surface water and allow for proper drainage and prevent flooding and erosion. These structures and the water that they carry can provide unintended opportunities to wildlife. Previous research has shown that local ecosystems may utilize and adapt around these culverts in many ways. They can serve as habitats, connect fragmented habitats separated by roads or human traffic, serve as drinking spots, and promote biodiverse plant growth. This project aims to analyze these often-overlooked spaces as ecosystems themselves, so that we can learn more about their impact and significance.    Key …

Testing The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis On Anthropogenic Pressure In Central Alabama, Gavin Terrell

Theses

Biodiversity is fundamental to maintaining ecosystem structure and function globally. Prior to the late 20th century, ecological theory generally predicted that biodiversity would be highest in systems experiencing minimal disturbance. However, Joseph H. Connell challenged this view with the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (IDH), which posits that species diversity peaks at intermediate levels of disturbance and declines under conditions of both low and high disturbance. Although widely cited, the applicability of the IDH to natural systems remains debated, particularly in the context of anthropogenic disturbances and when diversity is measured beyond species richness alone.

This study evaluated the predictions of the …

Enhancing Urban Garden Capacity By Linking Biodiversity And Ecosystem Function, Mary T. Nguyen, Carleen Rauh, Shelby Gresch, Charlotte Correiro, Heidi Elmendorf, Adriane Fugh-Berman, Gina Wimp, Alexandra L. Decandia

Virginia Journal of Science

Urban agriculture broadly describes food and plant cultivation in metropolitan areas. While biodiversity is thought to support ecosystem health and resilience, the relationship between above-ground and below-ground diversity has been understudied in urban green spaces. This study examines plant, animal, bacterial, and fungal diversity across three distinct urban habitats: a turf lawn, a forb garden, and a farming space. Using bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS2 sequencing, soil nutrient analyses, and surveys of vegetation and wildlife, we connect diverse philosophies in urban agriculture to their role in advancing community diversity and ecosystem function. We found that different urban gardens support …

Alabama Prairie Reconstruction: Comparing Management Pathways For A Southeastern Landscape, Cecelia R. Geyer

Theses

Southeastern prairies are highly biodiverse yet increasingly threatened by land-use change, fire suppression, and habitat fragmentation. These disturbance-dependent systems rely on periodic fire and grazing to maintain plant diversity and ecosystem function. This study evaluates prairie restoration strategies by testing predictions from the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis and the Patch Mosaic Burn Hypothesis. The study site was divided into three treatments: prescribed burned only (B), prescribed burned with mowing (BM) to simulate grazing, and an undisturbed control (C). A standardized mix of native plant seeds was broadcast across all treatments. Ecosystem health and function were evaluated using plant community diversity and …

Ecological Studies Of Wolves On Isle Royale, Sarah R. Hoy, Rolf O. Peterson, John A. Vucetich

Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale

Annual Report 2025-2026

Just Unmasking Knowledge? A Critical Interpretation Of Fluctuating Jellyfish Populations For A Mass Media Audience, Wrenne R. Grone

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

While podcasts may not be the most popular form of mass media, they are growing in their accessibility and prevalence in educational discourse. My creative work, in the form of a podcast, unmasks scientific knowledge in an untraditional, mass-media form and will use podcast techniques, such as music transitions and storytelling techniques, to maintain engagement. Additionally, my podcast aims to transpose academic knowledge into a comprehensible, interesting form for a non-academic audience. Jellyfish have no brains, no heart, no blood, and no bones and yet, they have survived for millions of years. The goal of my podcast is to educate …

Morphological Characteristics Of The Mediophyceae Diatom Lampriscus Cf. Shadboltianus Var. Crenulatus Collected From Gili Meno, Indonesia, Arief Rachman, Riani Widiarti, Setiarti Sukotjo, Mark Wells

Makara Journal of Science

Diatoms are the most common and abundant microalgae group in seawater, with an estimated 200 genera and 200,000 species categorized into three distinct taxonomic classes: Mediophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, and Coscinodiscophyceae. This study describes the morphological characteristics of Lampriscus GM052022, a diatom belonging to the Mediophyceae family, which was collected from Gili Matra, Lombok, Indonesia. Analysis using light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM) showed that the morphological characteristics of the Lampriscus GM052022 specimen are similar to those of Lampriscus shadboltianus var. crenulatus due to the distinct crenulation lines on the frustule, which differentiate this variation from Lampriscus shadboltianus. However, the …

Status Of Soils In Protected Areas With Different Management Objectives In Lowland Rainforest, Southwest Nigeria, Bolanle Lisa Olajiire-Ajayi, Adeniyi Sulaiman Gbadegesin, Omotosho Ayodele Ogidan

Journal of Bioresource Management

Understanding soil properties is fundamental to sustaining the ecological integrity of protected forest ecosystems. This study examined the influence of two management categories; Strict Nature Reserve (SN) and Natural Park (NP) on soil physicochemical properties within the lowland rainforest of southwestern Nigeria. Fourteen composite soil samples, six from SN and eight from NP, were analyzed for texture, bulk density (BD), pH, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), exchangeable bases (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺), and cation exchange capacity (CEC); base saturation (BS) was also determined. Both management categories exhibited sandy loam to loamy sand textures, typical of gneissic …

Comparative Morphometric Study Of Saanen And Indigenous Goats, In Northern Pakistan, Nadar Khan, Ihsan Uddin, Sohail Khan, Hayat Ullah Khan, Muhammad Suleman

Journal of Bioresource Management

Goats play an essential role in sustaining rural communities in Pakistan by providing milk, meat, and income under diverse production systems. This study compared the morphometric features of exotic Saanen goats with local breeds (Beetal, Kaghani, Gaddi, and non-descriptive) in Swat, northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to evaluate growth patterns, body structure, and the potential for body weight estimation. A total of 500 animals were sampled from research stations and smallholder farms, with morphometric and qualitative traits recorded following FAO guidelines. Distinct differences among breeds were observed. Beetal goats exhibited the highest body weight (58.2 ± 2.0 kg), chest girth, and body …

Assessing The Impact Of Lampenflora Growth On Invertebrate Distribution And Food Resource Use In Ryusen-Do Cave, Japan, Kazuhide Nakajima, Kanato Ando, Shuji Watanabe, Masuo Komukai

International Journal of Speleology

Subterranean spaces, such as caves with openings to the surface, represent unique environments characterized by limited resources derived from photosynthetic primary production. Consequently, organic inputs from organisms inhabiting above- and belowground habitats, such as bats, play a crucial role in maintaining cave ecosystems. However, in show caves converted into tourist attractions, environmental changes have progressed without sufficient ecological assessment. One important factor is the impact of photosynthetic organisms colonizing around artificial lights, known as lampenflora, on cave ecosystems. Lampenflora growth may influence invertebrate distribution and resource use; however, its impact on both aspects has been poorly evaluated. In this study, …

Comparison Of Sampling Methods For Estimation Of Aquatic Insect Diversity And Abundance Across Seasonal Gradients In A Southern U.S. River System, Albert Henry Gasperecz

LSU Master's Theses

Determination of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage composition plays a vital role in assessment and management of lotic systems throughout the U.S. However, the validity of biomonitoring programs depends on accurate and precise measures of macroinvertebrate abundance, which in turn are dependent on sampling gears and protocols. The goal of this project was to assess how gear selection influences estimates of aquatic insect abundance and diversity, and how this selection can affect biological monitoring practices. I used 4 different gears in 3 southern Mississippi streams to aquatically and terrestrially collect aquatic insects seasonally throughout 2024. I identified and recorded all genera present …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 151 - Response To 2025 External Review Of Integrated Stock Assessments For Key Wa Demersal Indicator Stocks, Brett Crisafulli, Emily A. Fisher, Matias Braccini, Rubie Evans-Powell, Fabian I. Trinnie, Ainslie Denham, S. A. Hesp

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Consistent with national trends, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is transitioning to the globally recognised Stock Synthesis (SS) platform to support more robust, transparent, and internationally aligned assessments. To ensure this transition remains scientifically sound, DPIRD commissioned an independent expert review in 2025, following a previous review in 2024. The 2025 review was conducted by Professor André Punt and focused on integrated models for three key WA fish stocks: red emperor in the Kimberley, WA dhufish in the southern West Coast Bioregion, and sandbar shark at the statewide level. This publication summarises the findings and recommendations …

Fenced And Feral: Farming And Spread Of Flowerhorn (Amphilophus Spp.) In Lake Sampaloc, Philippines, Janice A. Ragaza, Hannah Nicole Gasmen

Environmental Sustainability

This study examines the spread and ecological impact of invasive Flowerhorn cichlids (Amphilophus spp.) in Lake Sampaloc, Philippines, driven by both accidental release and intentional aquaculture practices. Field observations and literature reveal that these highly adaptable and aggressive fish outcompete native species, contributing to biodiversity decline amid increasing pollution, eutrophication, and microplastic contamination. Their phenotypic plasticity allows them to thrive in degraded environments, further exacerbating ecological imbalance. While local communities have begun utilizing Flowerhorns for ornamental trade and potential aquafeed production, such practices risk reinforcing their proliferation. The study highlights the need for integrated management strategies combining biosecurity, pollution control, …

Cryptic Diversity Within Nyctixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae): A New Species, A Resurrection, And A Redescription, Jennifer Dever, Jimmy A. Mcguire, Djoko T. Iskandar, Amir Hamidy, Lee L. Grismer

Biology Faculty Publications

The examination of molecular markers confirms hidden diversity and reveals a new species within the Nyctixalus pictus (Peters, 1871) complex. Three genetically distinct clades were recovered: one from the Thai-Malay Peninsula; one from Sumatra, Indonesia; and one from Sarawak, Borneo, East Malaysia. Voucher specimens from each region were compared, and significantly different mean values were found through morphological analyses. The populations also differ significantly in morphospace, as determined by PCA, DAPC, and MFA analyses. The Thai-Malay Peninsula individuals have a distinct, rounded and slightly elongated snout shape compared to the other two clades. Based on these combined data, these three …

Effects Of Salinity On Interactions Between Epichloë Amarillans And Fusarium Spp. In American Beachgrass, Emma G. Mills, Dylan Habeeb, Natalie Christian, Connor Morozumi

The Cardinal Edge

Effects of Salinity on interactions between Epichloë amarillans and Fusarium spp. In American Beachgrass

Emma Mills, Dylan Habeeb, Natalie Christian, Connor Morozumi

Epichloë is a well-known genus of vertically transmitted fungal endophytes in many species of grasses. In Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass), Epichloë amarillans is a key endophyte species known to cause chemical and morphological changes to its host and provide protection from stressors. Additionally, Epichloë is thought to influence fungal endophyte community composition within its host. However, deepening research on the interaction of Epichloë with coexisting fungal endophytes may shed further light on its role in community composition. Additionally, …

Seeds Of Change - Building Community And Resilience With Plant Guilds, Roslynn Mccann, Liliane Dionne, Kevin White

All Current Publications

The goals of this Grade 6 living systems/biodiversity curriculum are to highlight Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) contributions to science, technology, and sustainable agriculture, with a focus on relational worldviews, permaculture practices, and respect for Mother Earth. Students will conduct plant experiments, learn Indigenous stories, make corn husk dolls, create a recipe, and enjoy eating their soup creation.

The Comparison Of Fresh And Dry Duckweed (Lemna Minor L.) On Metal (Cr6+, Cd2+, And Zn2+) Removal From Wastewater, Rahin Islam, Noah Smith, Ben Jang, Lin Guo

Student Publications

Heavy metals contaminating the environment is a global concern. Duckweed (Lemna minor) is a promising plant for the phytoremediation and biosorption of metal-contaminated water. Although studies have shown that duckweed can remove multiple metals, there is limited research comparing the efficiency of fresh and dried biomass for wastewater treatment. To evaluate the performance of both forms, fresh and dried duckweed were exposed to metal solutions containing varying concentrations of Cr6+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ (5 mg/LCr6+ +1mg/LCd2+ 10mg/LZn2+;10mg/LCr6+ +5mg/LCd2+ +50mg/LZn2+; or 50 mg/LCr6+ +25mg/LCd2+ +250mg/LZn2+)for a duration of 168 h. Metal uptake in fresh duckweed followed zero-order kinetics for Cr6+, Cd2+, …

Plaster Creek Watershed Management Plan: Chloride Addendum, Plaster Creek Stewards

Watershed Reports

This addendum complements the 2008 Plaster Creek Watershed Management Plan (WMP), which tells the full story of the Plaster Creek Watershed’s current condition, impairments, and need for restoration. This addendum focuses on chloride, an emerging pollutant of concern in Michigan that was not addressed in Plaster Creek’s 2008 WMP. This addendum meets the nine elements required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a watershed management plan to be officially approved; as such, its content and layout are intended for a technical audience.

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 150 - Response To 2024 External Review Of Integrated Stock Assessments For Key Wa Demersal Indicator Stocks, Rubie Evans-Powell, S. A. Hesp, Ainslie Denham, Emily A. Fisher, Rachel Marks, Fabian I. Trinnie, Brett Crisafulli

Fisheries Occasional Publications

In Western Australia (WA), stock assessments for key demersal species, including snapper and red emperor, have traditionally used bespoke integrated models developed in-house by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). In line with other Australian jurisdictions, DPIRD is transitioning to Stock Synthesis (SS) as its primary platform for integrated stock assessments of WA finfish. To support this transition, DPIRD commissioned an independent expert review of recent integrated models applied to three demersal stocks. This publication responds to recommendations from Professor André Punt (University of Washington and CSIRO) in his 2024 review, which examined assessments for Pilbara red …

Evaluation Of The Posterior Segment Of The Dromedary Camel’S Eye Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (Sd-Oct), Amine Berghiche, Djallal Eddine Rahmoun, Nassiba Reghaissia, Allaoua Chaouki Bentazir, Mohamed Kamal Merai Abdel Maksoud

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The dromedary camel possesses unique ocular adaptations enabling survival in harsh desert environments. This study aimed to characterize the posterior segment of the dromedary camel’s eye using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fundus photography. Fourteen healthy adult camels were sedated and imaged. High-resolution OCT images enabled clear visualization and measurement of the retina, choroid, and sclera. The retina exhibited well-defined layers, including the retinal pigment epithelium, photoreceptor layer, plexiform layers, and nerve fiber layer. Mean thicknesses of the retina, choroid, and sclera were 267 ± 2.54 μm, 299 ± 3.15 μm, and 155 ± 2.74 μm in the right …

A Revision Of The Psammophilic Genus Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), With A Description Of Four New Species From Central Asia, Victor Fet, František Kovařík, Graeme Lowe, Matthew R. Graham

Euscorpius

The rare Central Asian psammophilic scorpion genus, Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), is revised. Five species are delineated according to results from three species delimitation approaches using mitochondrial DNA. Results are supported by diagnostic morphology, including an assessment of the distinctive neobothriotaxy. The type species, L. kessleri Birula, 1898, is confirmed for Iran (northeast), Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (south). Four new species are described: L. atamuradovi sp. n. (Turkmenistan),  L. danovi sp. n. (Kazakhstan, northern Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), L. shukurovi sp. n. (southwestern Tajikistan), and L. vachoni sp. n. (southern Kazakhstan), The unique additive neobothriotaxy (on both pedipalp femur and patella) …

Ecology, Dna Barcodes And Microbial Communities Of Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) In Malaysia, Noor Izwan Anas

Student Works (2020-2029)

Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) are ecologically significant insects with complex interactions in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. In Malaysia, despite extensive research on their aquatic stages, knowledge of adult black fly ecology, distribution and microbial communities remains limited. This study addresses these gaps through three interconnected studies. The first objective investigated the ecological characteristics of wild-caught adult black flies in Peninsular Malaysia. Using Malaise traps across 41 ecological landscapes, 532 adult black flies, representing 14 species, were collected. The study found that lower elevation habitats harboured higher species richness, with Simulium roslihashimi being the most frequently captured species. Environmental factors such …

Monitoring Butterflies In Big Spring Hollow, Utah, Using Transect Walks: Species Richness, Indices Of Abundance, Species Diversity, And Flight Periods, Alan R. Myrup

Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist

Transect walks were used to collect data to determine species richness, indices of abundance, species diversity, and flight periods of butterfly species in Big Spring Hollow in the South Fork of Provo Canyon, Utah Co., Utah. Advantages and cautions are discussed for the use of this sampling method. A total of 26,493 butterflies were recorded from 232 transect walks during the 10 years of this study (2001–2005 and 2019–2023), with a mean annual total number of 2649.3 butterflies. A total of 86 butterfly species were identified along the Big Spring Hollow transect belonging to 5 families: 18 Hesperiidae, 19 Lycaenidae, …