Natural Resources and Conservation Commons^™

Seasonality Of Submarine Groundwater Discharge Pathways In A Coastal Lagoon Revealed By Radium Isotopes: The Importance Of Porewater Exchange In Summer, Júlia Rodriguez-Puig, Valentí Rodellas, Marc Diego-Feliu, Andres Alcolea, Joaquín Jiménez-Martínez, Irene Alorda-Montiel, Aaron Alorda-Kleinglass, Francisco Pereira, Marisol Manzano, Javier Gilabert, Jordi Garcia-Orellana

OES Faculty Publications

Chemical fluxes supplied by Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) can be relevant for coastal ecosystems, particularly lagoonal environments. An appropriate understanding of SGD requires constraining the magnitude and composition of its different pathways. However, the evaluation of SGD pathways is often limited to independent estimations, lacking a comprehensive understanding of the groundwater processes at play. In this study, we combined a Ra mass balance and hydrogeological modeling to simultaneously estimate different SGD pathways flowing into a coastal lagoon. We assessed water fluxes derived from fresh SGD, long-scale recirculation of seawater, and porewater exchange (PEX) into Mar Menor, a highly anthropized coastal …

Successful Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica) Recruitment On Intertidal Artificial Substrates In Virginia, Usa, Rochelle D. Seitz, Kathleen E. Knick, Emily Suchonic, Amanda Pysher

OES Faculty Publications

Declines of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) populations and scarcity of natural oyster shell necessitate quantifying the effectiveness of artificial oyster reef substrates over varying environmental conditions. Oyster castles are often used in intertidal areas with moderate wave energy; however, new concrete, natural-looking substrates, GROW Reef Tiles, are now available. Eastern oyster recruitment and size on oyster castles (OC) and GROW Reef Tiles (GT), with 27% higher surface area on OC, were assessed three times over 25 months in locations with varying salinity. Four sites in the Chesapeake Bay region were examined: Cherrystone Inlet, Mockhorn Bay, Elizabeth River, and …

Evaluating Spatiotemporal Vegetation Index Variation To Detect Salt Marsh Dieback On The Georgia Coast, Emmanuella Bosompemaa Obeng

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Salt marshes, essential for coastal protection and carbon sequestration, are increasingly vulnerable to dieback events, threatening ecosystem resilience and vital services. Detecting these shifts early is essential for timely intervention. However, few studies have applied Early Warning Signals (EWS) to coastal marsh systems. Most EWS research has focused on lakes, forests, or climate tipping points, with limited application to salt marsh dieback in the southeastern U.S. Site-specific, long-term spatial analyses are also lacking, as prior work often examines short time frames or single disturbance events. This study investigates the spatiotemporal patterns of salt marsh dieback on the Georgia coast from …

Identifying The Impacts Of Land Use/Land Cover Changes On Ecosystem Services From A Geospatial Perspective In Albany County, Kyaw Khaung Thant Zin

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Ecosystem services encompass the broad array of direct and indirect advantages that people derive from nature and its ecosystems. Considering accelerating environmental change and degradation, recognizing the importance of these services is more crucial than ever, as they illustrate the many ways in which healthy ecosystems sustain human life. However, these services are diminishing at a rapid and unprecedented rate, raising global concern over both the transformations taking place and their root causes. Among the leading threats, land-use change stands out as a particularly significant one, influenced by a variety of driving factors. Albany County, New York, characterized by its …

A Swirling Offering: Climate Change Impacts On Incense And Other Useful Alpine Plants Of Bhutan, Nidup Gyeltshen, Choki Gyeltshen, Sangay Dema, Suresh K. Ghimire, Natalie Konig, Robbie Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Climate change impacts on social-ecological systems —such as useful plant harvest— can be elucidated through local perceptions and ecological monitoring. To better understand how these two approaches may show convergent or divergent perspectives on a shared system, we conducted semi-structured interviews on climate change impacts on useful plants in the alpine region of Central Bhutan, contextualized with results from ecological monitoring at the same site. Participants reported 42 useful alpine plant species. Incense plants were the most frequently cited and prioritized in free-lists (three times more likely to be mentioned first), ahead of other common uses (food, medicine). Most participants …

Modelling The Impacts Of Recreational Catch-And-Release Variability On Fish Stock Dynamics, Brett Crisafulli

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Recreational fisheries often lack sufficient data for robust stock assessments, and post-release mortality (PRM) of discarded fish, particularly demersal species, poses a significant threat to sustainability. Because demersal fish often experience higher PRM (often due to barotrauma and stress), the substantial global interest in their recreational fisheries (e.g., Australia, Gulf of Mexico, Western Baltic Sea) raises conservation concerns. This study employs three distinct modelling approaches, applied to four reef-dwelling demersal species, to support effective recreational fisheries management by addressing data uncertainty, unintended consequences of management changes, and PRM effects. Specifically, this thesis (1) evaluates variability in average weights of recreationally-caught …

Experimental Investigation On Hydrogen-Rich Syngas Production Via Gasification Of Common Wood Pellet In Bangladesh: Optimization, Mathematical Modeling, And Techno-Econo-Environmental Feasibility Studies, Md Sanowar Hossain, Mujahidul Islam Riad, Showmitro Bhowmik, Barun K. Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Since hydrogen produces no emissions, there is increasing interest in its production throughout the world as the need for clean and sustainable energy grows. Bangladesh has an abundance of biomass, particularly wood pellets, which presents a huge opportunity for gasification to produce hydrogen. Gasification of mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni-SM) and mango (Mangifera indica-MI) wood is performed in a downdraft gasifier to evaluate the impact of particle size, equivalence ratio, and temperature on hydrogen gas composition and gasifier performance. Under the optimal conditions determined by central composite design-response surface methodology (CCD-RSM) optimization, gasification of SM and MI wood can greatly increase hydrogen …

Snag Failure And Fuel Recovery Following Stand-Replacing Fire In The Klamath Mountains, Joseph R. Nicholas

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

High-severity wildfires can produce extensive patches of standing dead trees (snags), which later contribute to surface fuel loading and present a hazard as they decay and fall. In the Klamath Mountains of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon, recent increases in the occurrence of large stand-replacing wildfires have raised concerns about fuel and vegetation recovery trajectories, the likelihood of future fires, and resulting impacts to local communities. Nevertheless, the post-fire environment may offer opportunities to enhance ecological and community resilience. Estimates of snag failure and fuel loading can support land management planning and risk assessment following wildfire, though such work is …

Microbial Community Stabilization By Restored Oyster Reefs: Implications For Blue Carbon Storage, Natalie Boydstun

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Coastal ecosystems provide critical carbon sequestration services, yet the microbial mechanisms underlying carbon storage remain poorly understood, particularly in non-vegetated habitats. This study investigated whether restored oyster reefs (Crassostrea virginica) enhance sediment carbon storage potential by stabilizing microbial communities and promoting efficient organic matter processing. I hypothesized that reef-mediated sediment stabilization and organic deposition would create conditions favoring microbial degradation of complex carbon compounds into stable soil organic matter, ultimately supporting anaerobic carbon storage. To test this, I compared sediment biogeochemistry, enzyme activity, and microbial community structure between three restored oyster reef sites and two unstructured control sites …

Colorado River Insights, 2025: Dancing With Deadpool, Colorado River Research Group

Books, Reports, and Studies

No abstract provided.

Spatial Analysis Of American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) Distribution And Ecology In Kentucky’S Federal Lands, Jacob Raymond Pease

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Anthropogenic factors have been the cause of the decline of tree species across the globe. From unsustainable logging and development to disease and improper management, threats to forests have taken their toll. The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was once an integral basal tree species in Appalachian forests, but chestnut blight drove the species to functional extinction by the mid-1900s. The recent creation of genetically modified chestnuts gives hope for future restoration of the species throughout its historical range. Despite blight resistance, effective restoration will require optimal site selection for finding and planting chestnuts, which will maximize limited resources. …

Assessment Of The Genetic Population Structure And Extent Of Clonality In A Rare Serpentine Endemic, Lathyrus Biflorus T.W. Nelson & J.P. Nelson (Fabaceae), Using Ddrad Sequencing, Ashley Dickinson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Lathyrus biflorus, or the two-flowered pea, is a rare herbaceous perennial restricted to a single population in Northern California. The species is considered critically imperiled but remains unprotected under state or federal endangered species acts. Despite its rarity, little is known about its life history, reproductive biology, or genetic diversity. Using genome-wide reduced representation sequencing, this study aimed to address these gaps by investigating the molecular evidence of clonality, the number and diversity of genets (unique genetic individuals which can be made up of one or many clonal units or ramets), and overall genetic health of the population. My …

Home Range, Habitat Use, And Fall Migration Of Lewis’S Woodpeckers In The Eastern Cascade Range, Oregon, Cameron Piper

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Lewis’s woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis), a burn specialist, is experiencing range-wide population declines despite increasing fire activity in the western U.S. The White River Wildlife Area in Oregon hosts the state's only year-round population, raising questions about their breeding, habitat use, and migration. In summer 2024, we tracked nine woodpeckers using telemetry to estimate home range size and overlap. Full home ranges averaged 428 ha, with 66 ha core areas, and showed evidence of growing after nesting. Home ranges overlapped extensively (Full: 91 ± 13%; Core: 63 ± 29%), though individuals had distinct areas of intense use. Males had …

An Economic And Production Analysis Of Seaweed Farms In California And The Pacific Northwest, Brian Donovan

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Since the early 2010s, the seaweed aquaculture industry has steadily expanded in the United States, with states like Alaska, Maine, Hawaii, and Connecticut leading the way in the development of this emerging sector. However, information gaps remain concerning certain aspects of the domestic seaweed aquaculture industry. The purpose of this study was to examine the status of the seaweed aquaculture industry along the West Coast of the United States; specifically in the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Seaweed farmers in these states were invited to voluntarily complete surveys asking important production, economic, and commercial questions regarding their operations. Data …

Common Raven Habitat Selection Along The Northern California Coast, Alon Averbuj

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Nest predation by common ravens (Corvus corax) is considered one of the most significant barriers to the recovery of the population of the federally threatened western snowy plovers (Anarhyncus nivosus nivosus) in Northern California. To increase productivity of snowy plovers, conservation managers in Northern California employ three main techniques; placing symbolic fencing to deter pedestrian entrance to snowy plover nesting areas, invasive vegetation cutback, and deposition of oyster shells to increase snowy plover nest crypsis. However, little is known on how these techniques affect habitat selection of ravens in the area. I modeled habitat selection of …

Kelp Guardians Can Save The World: A Food Sovereignty Lab Report Of The Ghvtlh-K’Vsh Shu'-Srnelh-'I~ (Kelp Guardians) California Sea Grant, Delaney A. Schroeder-Echavarria

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

As partners of the Ghvtlh-k’vsh Shu'-srnelh-'i~ (Kelp Guardians) California Sea Grant project, the Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute has actively engaged with local educators, Tribal organizations, and Tribal Nations to create youth-centered curricula, researched through a community-based participatory research lens. This is demonstrated through an innovative approach to recruiting and retaining Indigenous youth and community interest in coastal and marine ecosystems and resources by connecting with Indigenous cultural practices, Indigenous sciences, and community-based programs to encourage future careers. The Kelp Guardians project is led by the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation (TDN or Nation) and includes various …

Mxene-Based Materials For Enhanced Water Quality: Advances In Remediation Strategies, Ali Mohammad Amani, Milad Abbasi, Atena Najdian, Farzaneh Mohamadpour, Seyed Reza Kasaee, Hesam Kamyab, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan, Mostafa Shafiee, Lobat Tayebi, Ahmad Vaez, Atefeh Najafian, Ehsan Vafa, Sareh Mosleh-Shirazi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Two-dimensional MXenes are promising candidates for water treatment because of their large surface area (e.g., exceeding 1000 m²/g for certain structures), high electrical conductivity (e.g., >1000 S/m), hydrophilicity, and chemical stability. Their strong sorption selectivity and effective reduction capacity, exemplified by heavy metal adsorption efficiencies exceeding 95 % in several studies, coupled with facile surface modification, make them suitable for removing diverse contaminants. Applications include the removal of heavy metals (e.g., achieving >90 % removal of Pb(II)), dye removal (e.g., demonstrating >80 % removal of methylene blue), and radioactive waste elimination. Furthermore, 3D MXene architecture exhibit enhanced performance in antibacterial …

A Critical Juncture: The Convergence Of Natural Resource Management And Tribal Sovereignty, Anna Aleta Butterfield

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio reflects the work I’ve done in my four years as a dual degree student, pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Studies and a juris doctorate degree, and focuses on policies and laws surrounding natural resource management. It touches on how those policies relate to and expand or constrict the exercise of sovereignty by indigenous populations.

This piece first considers the effects of plastic on salmon populations and those indigenous groups that rely on salmon for subsistence and cultural purposes. The remaining three pieces focus on various aspects of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes - Montana Water …

Monitoring Plastic Pollution Using Bioindicators: A Global Review And Recommendations For Marine Environments, Matthew S. Savoca, Neil Angelo Abreo, Andres H. Arias, Laura Baes, Matteo Baini, Elisa Bergami, Susanne Brander, C. Anela Choy, Illaria Corsi, Bavo De Witte, Camila Domit, Sarah Dudas, Emily M. Duncan, Claudia E. Fernández, Maria Cristina Fossi, Ostin Garcés-Ordóñez, Brendan J. Godley, Daniel Gonzalez-Parades, Victoria González Carman, Bonnie M. Hamilton, Britta Denise Hardesty, Sang Hee Hong, Shirel Kahane-Rapport, Lauren M. Kashiwabara, Mariana Baptista Lacerda, Guillermo Luna-Jorquera, Clara Manno, Sarah E. Nelms, Cristina Panti, Diego J. Pérez-Venegas, Christopher K. Pham, Jennifer F. Provencher, Sara Purca, Harunur Rashid, Yasmina Rodríguez, Conrad Sparks, Chengjun Sun, Martin Thiel, Catherine Tsangaris, Robson G. Santos

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Monitoring the movement of plastic into marine food webs is central to understanding and mitigating the plastic pollution crisis. Bioindicators have been a component of the environmental monitoring toolkit for decades, but how, where, and which bioindicators are used in long-term monitoring programs has not yet been assessed. Moreover, these programs have yet to be synthesized and evaluated globally. Doing so is imperative if we are to learn from these pioneering programs and expand on their efforts. We reviewed global monitoring programs using bioindicators that focus on plastic pollution and found 11 worldwide that met our definition of long-term monitoring. …

Building Heat-Resilient Caribbean Reefs: Integrating Thermal Thresholds And Coral Colonies Selection In Restoration, Macarena Blanco Pimentel, Johanna Calle-Triviño, Daniel J. Barshis, Sancia E. T. Van Der Meij, Megan K. Morikawa

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Caribbean reefs face increasingly frequent and intense bleaching events, adding to the numerous other threats impacting these ecosystems. Addressing these challenges requires global action to reduce climate drivers, along with local efforts like reef restoration. Active restoration using thermotolerant coral colonies offers a potential strategy to alleviate these impacts; however, gaps remain in identifying context-specific temperature thresholds to guide colony selection and standardize thermotolerance assessment methods. This study addressed these gaps in two phases. First, by determining practical thresholds to differentiate species responses to heat stress; and second, by developing a framework to identify and prioritize resilient colonies for restoration. …