Seabirds play an important role in transporting nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from sea to land that are vital for both plants and animals. My study investigates how seabird guano effects plant growth using native wild strawberries. I conducted a two-month long study where I transplanted native strawberries to grow in soil that I mixed seabird guano in and soil without guano to compare its impact on plant growth. I found there was no significant difference between the plant growth in the soil with compared to without seabird guano. However, I believe a more extensive study is required to determine the precise impact of seabird guano on the growth of native plants.

This research attempts to observe the effects organic decomposition has on the soil pH and aims to determine if pH levels are altered when remains are frozen opposed to unfrozen. Weekly qualitative observations and soil tests were conducted on six naturally decomposing swine limbs. We hypothesized that there would be a slight delay in the cycling of pH levels for frozen remains.Three frozen and three control limbs were deposited atop of undisturbed soil and observed for five consecutive weeks at the Simulated Archaeology Site at HSU. This research intends to address the correlation between pH levels and decomposition, which can be beneficial for future taphonomic research.

The project is based on a review study being done to understand different types of early interventions (0-8 years) that are available to help young children and their families in improving the future outcomes of the children. In this paper, I define early intervention, present different areas and formats, list various programs available in the Humboldt County, and make recommendations for parents and professionals who work with them.

The Agisoft project has generated three-dimensional reconstruction of excavation units, stela, and micro-scale cultural landscapes of the hinterland Maya near the large ancient Maya center of Dos Hombres. The components involved in producing such reconstructions include: an extensive collection of images obtained through drone technology, field photos, and Agisoft PhotoScan software. The produced three-dimensional models provide a medium to conduct various forms of analysis that construct and preserve the context of archaeological artifacts, sites, and features. The project has produce a medium to inquire about the Belize archaeological project without being physically present. Innovative.

We gathered biological materials from animals around Humboldt County and used their stable oxygen and carbon isotopic signatures to create an isotope map of the Humboldt area. Samples of bone, teeth and shell were collected in various areas of this county. Samples were processed at the HSU Biological Anthropology Research Center (BARC) and then sent to a stable isotope facility to be analyzed. This information will be distributed in a Geographic Information System (GIS) map. This project is part of an ongoing project at BARC that aims to create a map to help identify the region of origin of animal and human remains, and address ecological questions.

Facial reconstruction is a method whereby the likeness of a person is reconstructed from the cranial skeleton. This projects involved researching facial reconstruction techniques and applying them to casts of hominin fossil skulls in the anthropology teaching collection. Species/specimens chosen to reconstruct include: (1) a juvenile Australopithecus africanus (the “Taung Child”), a 2.5 million-year-old hominin from South Africa; (2) an adult Paranthropus boisei skull; (3) also an adult Homo neanderthalensis found at the La Chapelle Aux-Saint, in France. To complete the reconstructions, we used a combination of tissue depth markers for humans and chimpanzees.

Large woody debris (LWD) in rivers can increase fish and macroinvertebrate habitat, but also increases the risk of flooding and reduces channel navigability. This research aims to better understand the river hydraulics associated with LWD in order to find a balance between the beneficial and detrimental effects. By modifying equations of turbulent pipe flow, we attempt to estimate the vertical velocity profile of flow under LWD jams and compare the estimated profile to measured profiles from flume-simulated LWD jams.

My service learning site has consisted of research for County Supervisor Virginia Bass on the shelter crisis declaration. I will be presenting my research on how does this declaration help and what are the benefits to having a crisis shelter declaration. I will also provide research on what other Counties in California have made these declaration that are similar to Humboldt county in size and rural characteristics.

Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC) are nonprofit organizations whose purpose is to provide free resources to pregnant women. Currently, there is much controversy over CPCs and their legitimacy as a nonprofit resource for women. To ascertain the prevailing perceptions of CPCs, a literature review was conducted. Materials were analyzed and synthesized to produce a comprehensive view of current feelings about CPCs. Trends reveal a negative characterization of CPCs as dishonest. Several articles call for new legislation that would either restrict or compel speech for CPCs. This study examines the conflict between reproductive rights and free speech laws and how it emerged.

A common practice through the waves of environmental movements is for grassroots organizations to eventually form a non-profit that continues to support the environment. This was clearly observed at the Environmental Protection Information Center in Arcata, California. The study of this nonprofit and others like it have painted a clearer picture about how environmental nonprofits organize and mobilize. EPIC follows the patterns of other organizations, being a 45 year old environmental nonprofit, it has seen a lot of changes from its original grassroots mobilization. The focus is now on how to best fulfill its mission statement and maintain a complex membership based business.