While there has been an expansion of investment into renewable energy sources, less research has emerged concerning how to balance the economic benefit and conservation costs of new developments. One of the most economically productive wind developments in Europe rests to the north of the Strait of Gibraltar, in Tarifa, Spain. This is also one of the largest annual migration points for migratory birds traveling between Africa and Europe. Using historical data of bird collisions and employee reports of turbine stops, this study investigates the success of human observers protocol in preventing avian fatalities across a decade of migration seasons.

Toxoplasma gondii is an extremely ubiquitous parasite that can be found in most terrestrial species, with the potential to infect marine species as well. T. gondii has been found to encyst in bivalve species across the world, with some cases finding market oysters testing positive. This study tested 22 oysters, 11 from 2 different farms in the Humboldt Bay, for Toxoplasma gondii utilizing Polymerase Chain Reaction and Gel Electrophoresis.

Interested in the affect of human presence on foraging behavior of geese, I conducted an observational study of Aleutian geese where I compared their behavior between two sites. Individual geese were chosen at random and observed for 5 minutes as average sound in decibels and human count was recorded. During this period the behaviors displayed were also recorded. The analysis outcome highlights the impact that human presence has on the behavior of Aleutian geese.

Comparing mammalian presence and diversity between different units of the Humboldt Wildlife Refuge

I tested the effects of differning landscape management practices at two different coastal dune systems in Humboldt County , California. I did this to see how ecological restoration of native plant compositions affected mammalian species richness and evenness.

This study aimed to understand the factors influencing extended periods of inactivity in barred owls. We analyzed environmental factors, such as temperature and seasonal variations, along with individual characteristics like sex, to better understand their activity patterns. The findings could aid in developing more effective management strategies for barred owls through targeted removal programs, ultimately improving conservation efforts for the threatened northern spotted owl.

An analysis of the biotic and abiotic factors that influence mammal crossing rates through culverts and bridges on a Northern segment of California U.S. Route 101. This study analyzes mammal crossing rates in relation to structure openness, and proximate vegetation density across forty-six remote camera sites.

A behavioral observation of captive male Chacoan peccaries at Sequoia Park Zoo to identify whether the males group by age, genetic relatedness, or personality.

The development of photovoltaic systems is increasing with growing demand for clean energy. Plant functional traits can be used to understand what plants are establishing in different microhabitats because traits respond to environmental constraints and fluctuations. We sampled three solar microgrids in coastal grasslands in Humboldt County for plant community composition and leaf traits. We found that plant traits varied by microhabitat indicating that microgrids apply an environmental filter in plant community assembly. Results from this study can be used to inform plant selection for habitat enhancement or restoration.

Multiyear time series of current data measured by 2 horizontal SonTek/YSI ADCPs placed mid-depth in the water column at 2 different locations in Humboldt Bay, CA, a shallow, tidally-driven estuary in northern California, were analyzed to determine the contributions of different harmonic frequencies within the bay. Spectral analysis of the time series revealed that the currents are dominated by several tidal harmonics. The 3 dominant frequencies include M2, K1, and O1, but their contribution varies spatially between the two station locations. Additional frequencies in the data indicate overtides, as well as potential interference with topography and the more variable wind-induced currents.