2026 Workshop On Bridging The Gaps: Tackling Microplastics And Nanoplastics Challenges In Coastal Ecosystems,
2026
University of South Alabama
2026 Workshop On Bridging The Gaps: Tackling Microplastics And Nanoplastics Challenges In Coastal Ecosystems, Shenghua Wu, Kaushik Venkiteshwaran, Melike Dizbay-Onat, Alexandra Stenson, Jinhui Wang, Tina Miller-Way, Ebenezer Nyadjro, Bhuvnesh Bharti, John Weinstein, Yi Bao, Shihui Shen, Valerie Longa, Shenghua Zha, John Cleary, Marty Lind
Workshops
This report presents the findings from the 2026 Workshop on Tackling Microplastics and Nanoplastics (MNPs) in Coastal Ecosystems, which took place in Mobile, Alabama. More than 140 experts from universities, government, industry, and community organizations gathered to address the increasing issue of MNPs in coastal regions.
Acute Effects Of The Psychoactive Pollutant Fluoxetine On The Antipredator Behavior Of The Gulf Killifish (Fundulus Grandis),
2026
University of South Alabama
Acute Effects Of The Psychoactive Pollutant Fluoxetine On The Antipredator Behavior Of The Gulf Killifish (Fundulus Grandis), Semyra Reus
Honors Theses
Pharmaceutical contaminants are increasingly prevalent in aquatic environments, yet their sublethal effects on ecologically relevant behaviors remain poorly understood, particularly in estuarine systems. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, are of particular concern due to the conserved role of serotonin in regulating behavior across vertebrates. Here, we investigated how acute exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of fluoxetine influences anti-predator behavior in Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis), a key estuarine fish commonly found in saltmarsh habitats. Killifish were exposed to control (0 ng/L), low (17.8 ng/L), and high (596 ng/L) fluoxetine concentrations and subsequently tested in the presence …
Bugs, Birds, Blue: Queer Ecologies Of Embodiment, Kinship, And Survival,
2026
CUNY Hunter College
Bugs, Birds, Blue: Queer Ecologies Of Embodiment, Kinship, And Survival, Celeste B. Newcomb
Theses and Dissertations
bugs, birds, blue is a multi-channel audiovisual installation that examines queer ecology as a framework for understanding transgender embodiment, kinship, and survival amid environmental crisis and ongoing political attacks on trans life (Mortimer-Sandilands and Erickson). Through sculpture, projection, sound, reflective surfaces, and biological imagery, the installation places human bodily matter alongside microbial and aquatic life forms to challenge narratives that frame trans existence as unnatural, recent, or isolated. Instead, the work proposes transness as relational, adaptive, and deeply entangled with broader ecological systems. The installation is composed of two interconnected environments. On one side of the space, three aquariums rest …
Population Structure And Connectivity Of Atlantic Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma Cirratum) In The Bahamas And Outlying Areas,
2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Population Structure And Connectivity Of Atlantic Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma Cirratum) In The Bahamas And Outlying Areas, Baylie A. Fadool
School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Understanding animal ecosystem dynamics and behavior at the individual and population levels is essential for identifying life-history patterns and important areas for management and conservation. Marine fish species often face minimal geographic barriers to movement, but environmental (temperature, salinity, current) or intrinsic barriers (philopatry, site fidelity) can dictate gene flow. Atlantic nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) are an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed ‘vulnerable’ species and present a unique opportunity to investigate patterns of population structure and connectivity in large-bodied sharks. They are benthic and display reproductive philopatry, with recent work suggesting they have the capacity …
Gaining Mussel: Evaluating Reintroduction Success Of Native Freshwater Mussels In Nebraska And Eastern Wyoming,
2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Gaining Mussel: Evaluating Reintroduction Success Of Native Freshwater Mussels In Nebraska And Eastern Wyoming, Travis A. Moore
School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of organisms in North America, with over two-thirds of species considered threatened, endangered, or of special concern. These long-lived bivalves are essential to stream ecosystems, acting as filter feeders that improve water quality and as indicators of aquatic health. In Nebraska and Wyoming, native mussel populations have declined sharply due to habitat modification, pollution, and reduced connectivity. Two species of particular concern are the Plain Pocketbook Lampsilis cardium, listed as Tier I at-risk in Nebraska, and the Fatmucket Lampsilis siliquoidea, a Tier II at-risk species. In response, state agencies …
Feeding Ecology In Coastal Systems,
2026
University of South Alabama
Feeding Ecology In Coastal Systems, Randi L. Cannon
Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)
Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) are critical foundation species in estuaries, providing numerous ecological and economic benefits. However, oyster populations have diminished worldwide. Effective oyster restoration and aquaculture require a mechanistic understanding of the physiological and environmental factors that govern oyster feeding, growth, and resilience under changing coastal conditions. We investigated how oyster ploidy and environmental conditions influenced oyster feeding and investigated how changes in abiotic conditions affected behavioral performance of oyster drills (Stramonita spp.), a key oyster predator. To better understand feeding responses and behaviors of both predator and prey we 1) used in-situ filter feeding assays to determine if feeding …
Enhancing Walleye (Ogaa) Recruitment: Evaluating Assisted Reproduction As A Mitigation Strategy,
2026
Bemidji State University
Enhancing Walleye (Ogaa) Recruitment: Evaluating Assisted Reproduction As A Mitigation Strategy, Douglass Keiser
Biology Graduate Theses
Over the past several decades, cold- and cool-water fish populations across the Upper Midwest, including Minnesota and Wisconsin, have shown troubling signs of decline. Among the most affected is the walleye/Ogaa (Sander vitreus), a species deeply embedded in the ecological balance, cultural identity, and economic vitality of the region, and central to the lifeways, treaty-reserved rights, and resource stewardship of Tribal Nations, including Ojibwe communities across the Upper Midwest. Despite ongoing stocking efforts and harvest regulations, many lake systems have experienced persistent declines in natural recruitment, prompting resource agencies to investigate the underlying causes. One such system is …
Forest Overstory Mortality & Recruitment Patterns Eight Years Following Wildfire In The Southern Appalachians,
2026
Clemson University
Forest Overstory Mortality & Recruitment Patterns Eight Years Following Wildfire In The Southern Appalachians, Ruth Cumberland
All Theses
In this study, we investigated patterns of forest overstory mortality and recruitment eight years after wildfire in a large wildfire site the Southern Appalachians, a topic that has not been thoroughly investigated to date. With evidence that pre-fire drought promotes post-fire mortality through impaired physiological function and increased fuel consumption, unknown patterns following wildfire are important to study under shifting climate and land-use conditions. In Chapter 1, three areas of interest were investigated: (a) functional group mortality response to wildfire effects, (b) temporal differences in early (1-3 years) and late (5-8 years) periods of delayed forest overstory mortality patterns following …
Twenty-Four-Hour Intermittent Fasting Extends Lifespan At The Expense Of Fecundity In Daphnia,
2026
East Tennessee State University
Twenty-Four-Hour Intermittent Fasting Extends Lifespan At The Expense Of Fecundity In Daphnia, Meridith L. Smith
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Dietary restriction (DR) is a well-established intervention for extending lifespan, yet the specific efficacy of intermittent fasting (IF) and its associated trade-offs remain under-explored in many Daphnia magna. This study investigated the effects of three IF intervals—2h, 24h, and 48h—on the longevity and fecundity of two clones of Daphnia. We hypothesized that longer fasting intervals would significantly extend lifespan at the cost of reproductive output, consistent with the disposable soma theory of resource allocation.
Our results demonstrate that 24h IF significantly increased longevity relative to ad libitum controls, even outperforming caloric restriction (CR) by reducing late-life mortality. In …
Degradation And Metabolic Analysis Of Synthesized Quorum-Sensing Signals By The Model Eukaryote Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii,
2026
Florida Institute of Technology
Degradation And Metabolic Analysis Of Synthesized Quorum-Sensing Signals By The Model Eukaryote Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Adam Josef Bach
Theses and Dissertations
Bacterial organisms can “talk” with one another on a colony-wide scale using a communication system known as quorum-sensing (QS) via chemical signals. These signals are produced at a basal rate throughout the life of the bacteria and are classified as autoinducers, which diffuse across the cell membrane. Once the critical concentration is reached, they begin to diffuse back into the cell and initiate a phenotypic change. As these signals exist outside the membrane of their producer, they are also accessible to other organisms. It has already been noted that some plant species uptake these compounds through their roots and break …
Aggression And Fish Welfare: Challenges And Opportunities,
2026
University of Oxford
Aggression And Fish Welfare: Challenges And Opportunities, Christine M. Soper, Peter D. Dijkstra
Animal Sentience
Oldfield & Bonano’s (2024) [O&B] target article discusses the wellbeing and sociality of bony fishes. Many fish species, such as cichlids, are not only social but territorial. Aggression is normal, but territorial aggression in a captive environment can have a negative impact on welfare. Aggression-related injuries and deaths are prevalent in pet stores as well as research settings. We discuss the need to develop effective methods to minimize the negative consequences of aggression.
Impact Of Pvc Microplastics On The Growth Of Raphanus Sativus,
2026
Belmont University
Impact Of Pvc Microplastics On The Growth Of Raphanus Sativus, Olivia Fawkes, Alissia D. Fulton, Darlene Panvini
SPARK Symposium Presentations
Microplastics have emerged as a growing concern due to their increasing prevalence in terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding how microplastics affect plant growth is crucial for the agricultural industry, as crop productivity and soil quality have a direct impact on food security and farm sustainability. This study examined the impact of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics on the germination and growth rate of Raphanus sativus. Seeds were grown for six weeks in a controlled growth chamber in petri plates and soil pots containing varying concentrations of PVC microplastics (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 mg/L), including untreated PVC and PVC artificially weathered through …
New Ways To Address The Plastic Problem,
2026
Dominican University of California
New Ways To Address The Plastic Problem, Andrew J. Hanna
The Penguin Review
Since 1950, the world has produced some 9.2 billion metric tonnes of plastic.1 Other sources place the total closer to ten billion metric tonnes Furthermore, nearly 500 million tonnes of new plastic are manufactured each year– a figure that's projected to increase to 1.2 billion tonnes by 2060.2 The environmental effects of all this plastic production and pollution are disturbing. Because most plastics are synthetic–meaning they contain "no molecules found in nature"– they can't decompose. Instead, they just break down into smaller and smaller pieces, becoming microplastics (less than five millimeters (5 million nanometers) across) and then nanoplastics (less than …
Evaluating The Impact Of Residential Landscape Audits Using 5-Second Water Use Data,
2026
Utah State University
Evaluating The Impact Of Residential Landscape Audits Using 5-Second Water Use Data, Mahmud Aveek, Camilo J. Bastidas Pacheco, David E. Rosenberg, Jeffery S. Horsburgh, Kelly Kopp, Belize A. Lane
Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Research
We used 5-s water use data to evaluate the effectiveness of residential landscape water audits in summer 2022. Fifty-nine households in two northern Utah cities were monitored for 2–5 weeks before and 3–10 weeks after an audit. We found that the distribution of weekly irrigation volumes postaudit was statistically less than the distribution preaudit (significant at the 1.9E10-5 level). Collectively, the participants reduced their landscape irrigation water use by approximately 379,000 L per week (100,300 gal per week; 0.3 acre-feet per week). We also analyzed changes in irrigation event volume, duration, frequency, and the number of days between events at …
Characterizing The Macroinvertebrate Community In Crissy Lake, An Impounded Reach Of The Pomme De Terre River, Prior To Channel Modification,
2026
University of Minnesota - Morris
Characterizing The Macroinvertebrate Community In Crissy Lake, An Impounded Reach Of The Pomme De Terre River, Prior To Channel Modification, Max Lundgren
Undergraduate Research Symposium (2026- )
The aging Crissy Lake Dam, on the Pomme de Terre River in Morris, has altered natural stream flow and impeded upstream passage of several fish species since 1939. In late 2026 the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will replace the dam with stone arch rapids and facilitate river channel formation upstream of the dam. In order to evaluate the river modification project, we characterized the macroinvertebrate community in Crissy Lake, the impoundment upstream of the dam before implementation of channel modification. In September 2025 we collected benthic macroinvertebrates from two sets of Ekman grab samples. We found 12 taxa (average …
Comparing The Effect Of Varying Concentrations Of Polytetrafluoroethylene On The Length And Fresh Weight Of Salvinia Minima,
2026
University of South Carolina, Columbia
Comparing The Effect Of Varying Concentrations Of Polytetrafluoroethylene On The Length And Fresh Weight Of Salvinia Minima, Talha Islam
Caroliniana Undergraduate Research Journal
The increasing usage of fluoropolymer pollution in aquatic environments has increased concerns about the ecological consequences of materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon. In the past decade, the usage of Teflon in American homes across the United States has risen by 37.7%, resulting in large amounts of aquatic pollution due to improper disposal of these harmful substances (Török et al., 2020). Although PTFE is chemically inert, its accumulation in freshwater systems can introduce matter that physically interacts with aquatic organisms. This study examined how varying concentrations of PTFE suspensions affect the growth of Salvinia minima, a …
Hot Cities, Cool Lizards: Do College Campuses Create Urban Oases For Wildlife?,
2026
Pepperdine University
Hot Cities, Cool Lizards: Do College Campuses Create Urban Oases For Wildlife?, Ethan Heck, Javier Monzon Phd
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Urban wildlife may experience stress due to the Urban Heat Island Effect. On the other hand, urban wildlife may experience relief, especially in arid ecosystems, due to the Urban Oasis Effect. The objective of this study was to test whether college campuses in southern California act as heat islands or oases for wildlife. We analyzed how temperature and water availability of microhabitats relate to the physiology of a widespread and common cold-blooded animal, the Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis). We logged environmental conditions in lizard hotspots at 11 university campuses across southern California and measured the hydration of lizards at …
Fish Community Assessment Of Goose Pond Natural Area,
2026
Arkansas Tech University
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 …
Understanding Local Ecological Context Through Historic And Contemporary Vegetation Maps,
2026
Portland State University
Understanding Local Ecological Context Through Historic And Contemporary Vegetation Maps, Ray L. Brunner
Institute for Natural Resources Publications
Oregon's historic vegetation map represents patterns of vegetation prior to widespread EuroAmerican settlement and subsequent land use changes. This map is based on General Land Office surveys from 1851 – 1910 and 1930s timber mapping and serves as a valuable resource to help understand historical context and potential vegetation. Over the past few hundred years, the vegetation composition and land cover of the Oregon and the Willamette Valley have been significantly altered, with wholesale conversion of prairies and riparian woodlands to agriculture and development and encroachment of woody vegetation in the absence of fire. Presented at the 2026 LIVE conference …
An Overview Of Herpetofauna Surveys At Fort Leavenworth Military Reserve.,
2026
Fort Hays State University
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 …
