Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons^™

Biological Degradation Of Acetaldehyde In Southern California Coastal Waters, Mary Senstad, Sovanndara Hok, Ori Barashy, Catherine D. Clark, Warren J. De Bruyn

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Oxygenated hydrocarbons are ubiquitous in the atmosphere with levels ranging from low ppt (acetaldehyde) to low ppb (methanol). As an OH sink and an atmospheric HOx and ozone source, oxygenated hydrocarbons have a direct impact on the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere. The oceans are one of the largest sources of uncertainty in current atmospheric budget estimates of these species. A better understanding of the processes that produce and destroy these species in seawater would improve our understanding of the role of the oceans in cycling these species into or out of the atmosphere. We have measured the degradation rate …

Assessing Water Quality In The Gulf Of Mexico Using Remote Sensing Data., Alliyah Thomas

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Hypoxia, or oxygen depletion, is a process that occurs in conjunction with eutrophication. In hypoxic conditions the dissolved oxygen levels in the water column sink to unlivable conditions for the marine organisms causing them to flee or die. Despite efforts of improvement, the annual summer Gulf of Mexico dead zone continues to be a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. The 2012 smaller than usual dead zone was a false indicator of future improvement. The 2012 dead zone decrease was connected to the drought and inability of large amounts of runoff to flow into the gulf. Water quality analysis was done …

Effects Of Human Recreational Activity On The Tameness Of Common Loons (Gavia Immer) In Northern Wisconsin, Seth Yund

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The Common Loon (Gavia immer) is an aquatic diving bird that lives in freshwater habitats in Canada and the northern U.S.. Human activity on a loon’s resident lake may affect its fitness and behavior, yet few studies identify or quantify these effects. We modified existing techniques that measure escape distances in other species to measure tameness as the distance at which individual loons dove in response to human approach by canoe. Tameness was similar between pair members, suggesting that common lake conditions or the behavior of a mate might influence the behavior. Sex, size within sex, and human activity did …

Comparing Pseudo-Environmental And Horizontal Plus Pseudo-Environmental Transmission Of A Probiotic Janithinobacterium Lividum Between Green Frog Tadpoles, Stephen Simonetti

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The gram-negative bacteria, Janthinobacterium lividum (J.liv) is able to kill the pathogenic fungus known as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which is known to be causing massive amphibian decline worldwide. The purpose of this research was to identify the ability of the probiotic bacteria, Janthinobacterium lividum (J.liv), to be horizontally transmitted from individual to individual and/or pseudo-environmentally transmitted from individual to environment and back to individual between Lithobates clamitans (green frog) tadpoles. Based on previous findings I hypothesized that pseudo-environmental and horizontal transmission will occur in tadpoles. This would be important for helping stop the decline of amphibians because it would provide …

Comparative Analysis Of Anti-Bd Bacteria From Six Malagasy Frog Species Of Ranomafana National Park, Kelsey Savage

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

As Malagasy amphibians are facing an impending extinction crisis from the lethal skin fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), it has become imperative to proactively mitigate the threat. Bd sporangia develop in the skin of infected amphibians and cause the skin to thicken, leading to ionic imbalance and eventual heart failure. It has been shown that certain bacterial species are able to inhibit Bd growth on amphibians by producing antifungal metabolites. Community-based probiotics are one approach used to combat chytridomycosis by inoculating an environment with Bd-inhibitory bacteria so that many amphibian species are treated at once. With this method, it is important …

Fishing For A Sustainable Future: Aquaponics As A Method Of Food Production, Richard Ramsundar

Student Theses 2015-Present

This thesis compares and explains the advantages aquaponics farming has over modern industrial intensive farming. Through a comparison natural capital usage, conservation, recycling and cost, the thesis advocates for the expansion of aquaponics usage in urban settings. The thesis also explains the history of intensive farming and aquaponics in America, the science of how aquaponics operates, the economic and environmental costs of modern intensive farming versus aquaponics farming, and the social implications of aquaponics. Lastly, I propose a policy that reallocates farm subsidies by modifying the Farm Bill. Then I propose policies that support creating a new standard of farm …

Using Capture-Mark-Recapture Techniques To Estimate Detection Probabilities & Fidelity Of Expression For The Critically Endangered James Spinymussel (Pleurobema Collina)., Alaina C. Esposito

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The critically endangered James Spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) is a species of freshwater mussel endemic to Virginia’s James and Dan River basins. In the last 20 years, P. collina has experienced a substantial decline in numbers and currently occupies approximately 10% of its original habitat; however, little information is known about this species to assist in conservation. A 230-meter reach of transitional habitat in Swift Run was selected for repeat observations to estimate detection probabilities using a Capture-Mark-Recapture framework. In June 2014, visual scouting began to locate and tag P. collina (including other mussels in the community) with PIT …

Analysis Of Relationships Between Water Quality Parameters And Stream Sediment With Fecal Bacteria In Hidden Creek, Rock Hill, Sc, Kaitlin J. Mcculloch

Graduate Theses

Hidden Creek, in Rock Hill, SC is in need of a watershed management program to decrease fecal coliform counts by 19% because currently, water samples measured for fecal bacteria exceed the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). One objective of this study was to locate the area/s along Hidden Creek with the highest fecal bacteria counts. The other objectives were to determine whether relationships existed between fecal bacteria and water quality parameters and whether the stream sediment was serving as a reservoir for fecal bacteria. Five sampling sites were established and samples were taken every 1- 2 weeks from June – …

Forest Sustainability In An Altered Landscape Requires Human Intervention, Adam C. Labatore

Biology Theses

Recruitment success determines the abundance and composition of plant communities. Successful recruitment can be summarized as a simple dichotomy of establishment versus seed limitations. Establishment limitation occurs when plant populations are inhibited by habitat availability and quality, whereas seed limitation occurs when seeds fail to arrive in necessary densities. Recruitment failure undermines overstory sustainability if the existing trees cannot replace themselves. Preliminary analysis indicated tree recruitment failure at an urban nature preserve with too few tree seedlings to replace mature canopy trees. These data suggested that the urban forest was not sustainable. The overarching goal of the study was to …

Observations On The Life History Of The Bayou Killifish, Fundulus Pulvereus (Everman 1899) In Mississippi Tidal Marshes, Leah Corrine Gaines

Master's Theses

This study provides insight into the life history of the relatively unknown intertidal marsh fish Fundulus pulvereus (Everman), the bayou killifish. Monthly sampling for F. pulvereus took place in three different Mississippi tidal marshes over a period of 17 months (n=445). Observations on the diet, parasite fauna, and fecundity of the bayou killifish were documented on all specimens collected. Percent Occurrence and Percent Number coupled along with multivariate analyses indicated seasonal, site, and ontogenetic shifts in the diet of F. pulvereus. Dominant prey items consumed by F. pulvereus were copepods, mites, chironomids, and terrestrial and aquatic insects. The bayou …

Effects Of Pre-Release Physical Stressors On Post-Release Success Of Hatchery-Reared Spotted Seatrout, Taylor Westbrook Guest

Master's Theses

Alteration of habitat associated with coastal development and increased demand for food and recreation can result in the depletion of fisheries resources such as the Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), the Gulf of Mexico’s most popular recreational fish. Stock enhancement, or the release of cultured fish to supplement wild populations, is one potential tool for managing important fisheries resources. Although much effort has gone into marine stock enhancement, the effectiveness of stocking is not well established, and techniques for ensuring success have not been developed. Although the basic biology of the Spotted Seatrout is well known, comparatively little is known about …

Acute Toxicity Of Β-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine (Bmaa) To Fathead Minnow (Pimephales Promelas) And Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Jiayi Wang

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a neurotoxic amino acid produced by most species of cyanobacteria. Exposure to BMAA has been hypothesized as a cause of ALS and possibly Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases for several decades. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that exposure to elevated concentrations of BMAA can damage motor neurons and cause motor dysfunctions. However, the exact mechanism of BMAA-induced neurotoxicity has not been well understood.

Based on the available literature and in spite of its water-soluble and non-protein nature, BMAA appears to be able to bioaccumulate in organisms. The ubiquity of cyanobacteria and the potential for bioaccumulation …

Genetic And Morphological Variation In Ecuadorian Astroblepid Catfishes, Katherine M. Lawry

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The Andean ichthyofauna remains a poorly understood component of Neotropical biodiversity, and stands in stark contrast to the lowland ichthyofauna in terms of number of species and range of distribution. The Climate Variability Hypothesis (CVH) predicts rapid turnover of species along elevational gradients in tropical climates, but it remains unclear whether stream fishes follow this pattern. Astroblepid catfishes represent a distinctive assemblage of species that inhabit high elevation streams throughout the Andes from Panama to Bolivia, and constitute the only native fish family present in the Ecuadorian highland region. In this research, population samples of Astroblepids collected throughout Ecuador’s Napo …

Plant Diversity Affects Performance Of Invasive Thistles In Restored Nebraska Grasslands, Katilyn J. Price

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Invasive plant species threaten native grasslands, affecting nutrient cycling, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and usable land for production. Consequently, preventing establishment of invasive species is critical before removal becomes difficult and expensive. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of grassland plant diversity on musk thistle (Carduus nutans) and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) establishment and determine which environmental factors (light penetration, soil moisture, plant diversity, and soil nitrogen) account for resistance to invasions. In a field experiment at The Nature Conservancy’s Wood River site (Nebraska), the two invasive thistle species were planted into replicated …

Coupling Soil Oxygen And Greenhouse Gas Dynamics, Karla M. Jarecke

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Dynamic soil hydrology triggers important shifts in soil biogeochemical and physical processes that control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Soil oxygen (O₂), a direct control on biogenic GHG production (e.g. nitrous oxide-N₂O, carbon dioxide-CO₂ and methane-CH₄), may serve as both an important proxy for determining sudden shifts in subsurface biogenic GHG production as well as the physical transport of soil GHG to the atmosphere. Recent technological advancements offer opportunities to link in-situ, near-continuous measurements of soil O₂ concentration to soil biogeochemical processes and soil gas transport. Using high frequency data, this study …

Ecology And Management Of Superabundant Fish Populations, Nathaniel T. Stewart

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Fish population biomasses can reach extreme levels; we term these populations superabundant fish populations. Superabundant fish populations may negatively affect aquatic communities and anglers, necessitating the effective management of the superabundant fish populations. However, there are gaps in our understanding of these populations. The gaps in our understanding hamper our ability to predict effects on valuable sportfisheries and to effectively manage superabundant fish populations. The overall goal of my thesis research is to provide further insight into the ecology of superabundant fish populations and to provide information that will aid in their effective management. First, we described a new method …

Bioenergetics And Habitat Suitability Models For The Chinese Mystery Snail (Bellamya Chinensis), Danielle M. Haak

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Relatively little is known about the invasive Chinese mystery snail (Bellamya chinensis). This research aims to elucidate some of the mystery surrounding this species. First, we place the species in context with other invasive freshwater snails of the USA and Canada, identifying current information gaps, categorizing shared characteristics among families and species, and comparing functional roles and ecological effects of freshwater snails. We conclude that more focus needs to be directed to regulating the aquarium, pet, and food trades if we are serious about preventing future invasions. Next, we develop a bioenergetics model for the species by quantifying …

Soil Preferences Of Nicrophorus Beetles And The Effects Of Compaction On Burying Behavior, Kelly A. Willemssens

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The American burying beetle, Nicrophorus americanus Olivier was declared federally endangered in 1989 and many efforts to prevent this species from going extinct are ongoing. The Nicrophorus beetles bury small carcasses for reproductive purposes. They also reside in the soil during times of daily and seasonal inactivity. To better understand why N. americanus is in decline, the importance of soil texture, moisture, vegetation, gravel, the burial depth, and the effect of compaction on their burying behavior was examined.

All tested species preferred moist soils with N. orbicollis having a significant preference for wet (pN. marginatus had a significant preference for …

Stomach Content Analysis Of Botulism-Affected Birds In Lake Michigan, David A. Essian

All NMU Master's Theses

Avian botulism type E has caused large-scale bird and fish die-offs on the Great Lakes annually since 1998, and continues to threaten breeding and migratory waterbirds in the region. From 2010 to 2012, several northern Lake Michigan beaches were monitored for avian mortalities by National Park Service, Common Coast Research and Conservation, and U.S. Geological Survey personnel, partners, and volunteers. Bird carcasses were collected and tested for the presence of botulinum toxin type E (BoNT/E) at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center. I compare the prey composition and prey sizes consumed by the birds that were collected. Additionally, I examine …

Consequences Of Pre-Inoculation With Native Arbuscular Mycorrhizae On Root Colonization And Survival Of Wyoming Big Sagebrush (Artemisia Tridentata Ssp. Wyomingensis) Seedlings After Transplanting, Bill Eugene Davidson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Inoculation of seedlings with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a common practice aimed at improving seedling establishment. The success of this practice largely depends on the ability of the inoculum to multiply and colonize the growing root system after transplanting. These events were investigated in Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (Wyoming big sagebrush) seedlings inoculated with native AMF. Seedlings were first grown in a greenhouse in sterilized soil (non-inoculated seedlings) or soil containing a mixture of native mycorrhizae (inoculated seedlings). Three-month old seedlings were transplanted to 24 L pots containing soil from a sagebrush habitat (mesocosm experiments) or to a recently …