Oyster Horizons: Spatial Prioritization For Oyster Restoration At Alabama Living Shorelines,
2025
California State University, Sacramento
Oyster Horizons: Spatial Prioritization For Oyster Restoration At Alabama Living Shorelines, Trinity Henry-Jack, Aaron Bland, Christa Russell, Ronald Baker
Gulf and Caribbean Research
No abstract provided.
Selective Nutrient Incorporation May Underestimate Heterotrophy Of A Mixotrophic Reef-Building Coral,
2025
University of Rhode Island
Selective Nutrient Incorporation May Underestimate Heterotrophy Of A Mixotrophic Reef-Building Coral, Connor R. Love, Marleen Stuhr, Michael D. Fox, Veronica Z. Radice, Maoz Fine, Kelton W. Mcmahon, David L. Valentine
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
Mixotrophic reef-building corals acquire nutrition via photosynthate translocation from endosymbiotic microalgae and by heterotrophic prey/particle capture. Heterotrophy promotes resistance to, and recovery from, environmental stress, but quantifying coral heterotrophy remains difficult due to complex resource exchanges within the coral holobiont. We interrogated the response of multiple biomarkers to coral heterotrophy using fatty acid profiling and stable isotope analysis of Stylophora pistillata grown along a controlled feeding gradient from pure autotrophy to pure heterotrophy. We found that fatty acids and nitrogen were effectively incorporated into both coral host and symbiont tissues, while carbon, which is the primary target for conventional heterotrophy …
“Nice To See You”: Addressing Plant Awareness Disparity With Locally Specific Ecological And Cultural Plant Education,
2025
Pomona College
“Nice To See You”: Addressing Plant Awareness Disparity With Locally Specific Ecological And Cultural Plant Education, Cecilia Muecke
Pomona Senior Theses
Plants form the basis of life on Earth. However, due to the phenomenon of plant awareness disparity, a self-perpetuating cycle whereby plants are overlooked on an individual and global level ensues. Lack of plant awareness leads to a lessened emphasis on plants in sustainability and conservation as well as biology education, resulting in negative impacts on biodiversity and food security. The severity of plant awareness disparity is dependent on cultural context, and Indigenous and/or traditional societies are less likely to experience plant awareness disparity because of they are typically more connected to plants for their everyday needs. Native plants are …
Assemblage Structure Of Large Carnivorous Coral Reef Fishes At Shallow And Mesophotic Depths In Two Of The Largest And Most Isolated Marine Protected Areas In The Philippines,
2025
Stanford University
Assemblage Structure Of Large Carnivorous Coral Reef Fishes At Shallow And Mesophotic Depths In Two Of The Largest And Most Isolated Marine Protected Areas In The Philippines, Rene A. Abesamis, Mikaela L. Salvador, Ryan Murray, Kymry Delijero, Segundo F. Conales, Jean T. Utzurrum, Christopher E. Bird, David T. Gauthier
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
Overfishing remains a threat to coral reef fishes globally, with large carnivores often the most vulnerable. Marine protected areas (MPAs) can restore fish populations and biodiversity, but their impact has been understudied in mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs – extensions of shallow reefs from 30 to 150 m). We analyzed baited remote underwater videos recorded in 2016 to investigate the assemblage structure of large carnivorous fishes at shallow (4–12 m) and mesophotic (45–96 m) depths in two of the largest and most isolated MPAs in the Philippines: Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP), a fully no-take MPA enacted in 1988; and Cagayancillo, …
‘Who’S Your Daddy?’: Ddradseq Parentage In Broodstock-Offspring Pairs Of Diadema Antillarum In A Population Restoration Initiative,
2025
University of Central Florida
‘Who’S Your Daddy?’: Ddradseq Parentage In Broodstock-Offspring Pairs Of Diadema Antillarum In A Population Restoration Initiative, Bianca R. Rosendahl
Undergraduate Scholarship and Creative Works
In the early 1980s Diadema antillarum, or the long-spined urchin, was hit by a catastrophic mass mortality event across the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, inclusive of the Florida Keys. The cause of this die-off event was likely triggered by a pathogen or environmental stressor that decimated native populations by up to 98%. The species has not yet fully recovered and is struggling with recruitment success which is why it may benefit from an ex-situ recovery program. In this study, I used single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify genetic variation and analyze parentage in a captive population of …
The Influence Of Bottom-Up And Top-Down Effects On The Density And Distribution Of Common Leopards In The Eastern Himalayas,
2025
South Dakota State University
The Influence Of Bottom-Up And Top-Down Effects On The Density And Distribution Of Common Leopards In The Eastern Himalayas, Karma Choki
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) are widely distributed across Asia, yet their conservation is overshadowed by the conservation status of other flagship predators like tigers (Panthera tigris), in the Eastern Himalayas. Despite their ability to coexist with other large carnivores, leopard populations are shaped by intricate ecological interactions and increasing human pressures. This thesis investigates the abundance and density, habitat use, and drivers of persistence of leopards across Bhutan to inform multi-species carnivore conservation planning. My first chapter provides an overview of the ecological roles of large carnivores and how they persist on the landscape. I review the mechanisms that facilitate …
The Spatial And Temporal Dimensions Of Plant–Soil Feedback In Native Perennial Monocultures,
2025
South Dakota State University
The Spatial And Temporal Dimensions Of Plant–Soil Feedback In Native Perennial Monocultures, Bret Lang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) describe how plants change their soil environment in ways that can either negatively or positively affect subsequent plant growth. In doing so, they offer an opportunity to connect ecological processes with agricultural practice. My dissertation examines PSFs created by native perennial monocultures, commonly used for native seed production, across time and space, and through soil legacies. Specifically, I focus on how plant species identity shapes both soil nutrient and soil microbial community responses. To address these questions, I conducted field experiments with monocultures of five forb species native to South Dakota and established plots with these species …
Aspen Stands Enrich Bird Communities Following A Wildfire In A Montane, Mixed Conifer Forest,
2025
University of Montana
Aspen Stands Enrich Bird Communities Following A Wildfire In A Montane, Mixed Conifer Forest, Cody Q. Lane
Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers
Fire is a major ecological force in most terrestrial systems, but the responses of animal communities to fire vary markedly across ecosystems due to variability in fire regimes and vegetation communities. Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is unique within coniferous forests of western North America for its ability to regenerate following wildfire via vegetative resprouting. As managers employ techniques to restore fire regimes and conserve declining aspen forests, it becomes important to understand how aspen alters postfire communities. Our objectives were to (1) assess how aspen interacted with fire severity and years since fire to influence avian species and …
Using Environmental Dna Metabarcoding To Investigate Diversity And Seasonal Variation Of Fishes In Humboldt Bay, California,
2025
Cal Poly Humboldt
Using Environmental Dna Metabarcoding To Investigate Diversity And Seasonal Variation Of Fishes In Humboldt Bay, California, Johnathon M. Richardson
Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects
This study applied environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to characterize fish diversity and temporal patterns in fish assemblage structure within Humboldt Bay, California. This work advances ecological understanding of Humboldt Bay’s ichthyofauna, regional natural history and ecosystem function. Over one year (February 2023–January 2024), triplicate surface-water samples were collected every two weeks from a fixed site in Humboldt Bay (n = 78). DNA was extracted from filters and amplified using MiFish 12S primers in six replicate PCRs per sample. Amplicon concentrations were normalized, pooled and sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform (2×150 bp). Sequences were processed using a custom bioinformatics pipeline, …
Journal Of Earth And Life Science, Academic Year 2024-2025,
2025
Bemidji State University
Journal Of Earth And Life Science, Academic Year 2024-2025, Megan Boche, Nathan D. Pyburn, Ben Hoover, Jayden R. Alsleben, Hector Montoya, Jr, Reed Cumberland, Rose Kuhlmann, Ray Anderson, Ellie Isakson, Seth Sisneros-Martinez, Zanden Mellen, Quady Bernu, Cian Verbridge, Benjamin D. Strei, Madelaine Adamich, Arian Garcia, Tegwen Romportl, Sandra J. Marcu, Bemidji State University
Journal of Earth and Life Science
No abstract provided.
Size Structure Of Black Crappie And Bluegill In Northern, Eastern, Western, And Southern Minnesota,
2025
Bemidji State University
Size Structure Of Black Crappie And Bluegill In Northern, Eastern, Western, And Southern Minnesota, Ray Anderson
Journal of Earth and Life Science
Fish size structure is an important factor in a fishery population. Panfish such as black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus and bluegill Lepomis macrochirus play a major role in the health of fisheries. Five lakes from southern, northern, eastern, and western Minnesota were selected for analysis. Data were collected using standard sampling methods, including gill nets, electrofishing, and fyke nets. Length-frequency distributions were created to assess size structure in each region. Relative abundance was measured using catch per unit effort. Data analysis included a one-way ANOVA to compare Proportional Size Distribution (PSD) values and the distribution of fish sizes among regions. Chi-square …
Comparison Of Hoop Nets To Trap Nets In Sampling Panfish,
2025
Bemidji State University
Comparison Of Hoop Nets To Trap Nets In Sampling Panfish, Jayden R, Alsleben
Journal of Earth and Life Science
Panfish including bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus are gamefish species of significance found in Minnesota. Hoop nets and trap nets are two types of gear that can be used to sample these fish. Fisheries managers and anglers alike are interested in the best tactics to capture panfish. The behavior of fish, including bluegill and black crappie, change throughout the sampling season and make it difficult to assume accurate representations. Trap nets have historically been adequate in sampling near shore populations, but questions surrounding the gear have allowed other options to be pursued. The objective of this study …
The Relationship Between Plant Density And Microplastic Concentration In The Water In Lake Bemidji, Mn,
2025
Bemidji State University
The Relationship Between Plant Density And Microplastic Concentration In The Water In Lake Bemidji, Mn, Arian Garcia
Journal of Earth and Life Science
Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are an increasing environmental threat, particularly due to their widespread distribution and toxicity. While much research has focused on larger freshwater and marine ecosystems, the presence and impacts of microplastics in smaller inland lakes remain less understood. This study investigates the relationship between plant density and microplastic concentrations in Lake Bemidji, a smaller freshwater lake. A total of 30 water samples were collected across varying vegetation conditions, ranging from open water (0%) to 90% plant coverage. Microplastics were identified and categorized into six morphological types: fibers, fragments, films, spheres/beads, and foam. The samples …
A Sample Of Fish Communities In Beaver Ponds Of Northern Minnesota,
2025
Bemidji State University
A Sample Of Fish Communities In Beaver Ponds Of Northern Minnesota, Reed Cumberland, Rose Kuhlmann
Journal of Earth and Life Science
The North American beaver Castor canadensis is an ecosystem engineer and a keystone species to the environment. Beaver inhabit ponds and construct dams to build ponds that provide habitat for certain fish. Little information is provided on the species of fish that live in beaver ponds. The objective of this study is to sample the fish communities in beaver ponds while comparing the effectiveness of two styles of minnow traps. Twelve beaver ponds were selected in the Bemidji area to be sampled. The quantity and species caught in each style of trap were recorded to compare effectiveness of each trap …
Effects Of Round-Up On The Environment,
2025
Bemidji State University
Effects Of Round-Up On The Environment, Sandra J. Marcu
Journal of Earth and Life Science
Many people around the world have used and still currently use Roundup but are unaware of the effects it has on the environment. Roundup is a spray on application weedkiller that is widely used around the world today both residentially and commercially. It enables its user to grow a garden or a field of crops with a no-tilling approach to eliminate weeds. It is a well-known and popular choice for killing weeds that has been around since the mid 1970’s (Oca, 2017). John Franz, a Monsanto scientist discovered that glyphosate (main ingredient in Roundup) was an herbicide or weedkiller, and …
The Effectiveness Of The Minnesota Buffer Law And Its Impacts On People,
2025
Bemidji State University
The Effectiveness Of The Minnesota Buffer Law And Its Impacts On People, Ellen P. Isakson
Journal of Earth and Life Science
In January 2015, the then-governor of Minnesota Mark Dayton announced new legislation that would require 50-foot vegetation buffers along all waterways in Minnesota; this legislation would come to be known as the Minnesota buffer law, exact requirements being “perennial vegetative buffers of up to 50 feet along lakes, rivers, and streams and buffers of 16.5 feet along ditches” (Albert, 2017; MN Board of Water and Soil Resources [MN BWSR] 4 ). A buffer in the context of vegetation and natural resource management is a strip of vegetation around a body of water “designed to intercept stormwater runoff and minimize soil …
Does Depth Affect Zebra Mussel Length In Scalp Lake?,
2025
Bemidji State University
Does Depth Affect Zebra Mussel Length In Scalp Lake?, Zanden Mellen
Journal of Earth and Life Science
Since its first sighting in 1996, zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha have been confirmed in hundreds of Minnesota lakes. Not only were they found in lakes, but they are also found in rivers too. With lack of effective treatments to impede their spread, zebra mussels continue to colonize new areas causing ecological as well as economic harm. The objective of this study was to see if there was a relationship between a zebra mussel length and the depth, they are found using shell length (mm) and depth (cm). The comparison of zebra mussel length and depth was done by performing a …
Age Class Is Not Related To Size Or Composition Of Home Ranges Among Suburban White-Tailed Deer During Parturition,
2025
Bemidji State University
Age Class Is Not Related To Size Or Composition Of Home Ranges Among Suburban White-Tailed Deer During Parturition, Nathan D. Pyburn
Journal of Earth and Life Science
How white-tailed deer use the landscape in an urban environment can help us understand the effects of urbanization on deer populations. White-tailed deer form observable matriarchal hierarchies in studied populations. This study examines the matriarchal structure, home range size, and home range composition of 25 collared white-tailed deer within the city limits of Bemidji, MN. The results found no significant difference between age class and home range size or composition. However, movement metrics from yearling and mature age classes were more similar than the juvenile age class females. I propose this is because social acceptance between mature females was higher …
Relationship Of Utricle And Trap Door Size On Common Bladderworts Utricularia Macrorhiza,
2025
Bemidji State University
Relationship Of Utricle And Trap Door Size On Common Bladderworts Utricularia Macrorhiza, Tegwen Romportl
Journal of Earth and Life Science
The common bladderwort Utricularia macrorhiza is a carnivorous aquatic plant that captures organisms with its bladders. This study was aimed at setting the stage for future research which might determine if U. macrorhiza could be a biological method of control for invasive species. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between utricle and trap door sizes and to gather data on the size ranges of these two morphological features. A regression analysis was used to obtain results which showed there was enough evidence to suggest that the size of bladderwort trap doors have a significant, positive relationship …
Evaluating Dietary Consequences On Body Mass And Thermal Heat Flux Of North American Bison (Bison Bison) Yearling Heifers,
2025
South Dakota State University
Evaluating Dietary Consequences On Body Mass And Thermal Heat Flux Of North American Bison (Bison Bison) Yearling Heifers, Kendall Marie Wald
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
No abstract provided.
