Seasonal Change in Foraging Behavior of Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)

Elena Adams, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study aimed to measure the proportion of time that long-billed curlews (Numenius americanus) were actively feeding, preening, roosting, walking, flying, or defending their territory. I hypothesized that the proportion of time that curlews were actively feeding would increase as they prepared for migration. Surveys were conducted along Humboldt Bay’s Elk River to determine if the proportion of time curlews were observed feeding increased from February to April 2023. Understanding foraging response is critical to understand the importance of winter habitats for this species.

Sedimentation Risk Assessment in the Lagoa Feia Lake Basin in Brazil using Satellite and Geospatial Data

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Lagoa Feia Lake Basin is located in Rio de Janeiro-Brazil, which historically experienced sedimentation impacts due to channel ditching to manage water resources for agricultural practices. This study models the significance of sedimentation in the lake basin intergraded with land-use, soil types, and DEM data using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques. The erosion model was built using the above input variables by applying weighted overlay methods, and the vulnerable areas were mapped. Landsat 8 images were utilized for remote sensing analysis, such as image enhancement indices to detect sedimentation changes over time. The results of the study are useful to implement best management practices

Seeking Safety Fidelity Assessment

College of Professional Studies

The community need I addressed is part of the Department of Health and Human Services Mental Health branch of Hum WORKS. I evaluated the fidelity of Seeking Safety group facilitation compared to the specifics of the book. I collected data on how well the Seeking Safety group is facilitated through an assessment tool with a scale from 0 to 3. Addressing mental health needs for PTSD and substance use co-occurring disorders in Humboldt County. There are two rating scales one is the quality the facilitator is providing to the Seeking Safety group. The second is helpfulness of the facilitators quality of mental health services provided overall for the clients last twelfth classes.

Selection Effects on Diversity and Specific Ecosystem Functions in Pitcher Plant Associated Bacteria

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The purpose of the research was to determine if a relationship exists between biodiversity and specific functions. Specifically, if individual organism function influences the broad function of the ecosystem. To test this, a model system was devised using fluid collected from Darlingtonia californica, chosen for having a bacterial ecosystem with the observable broad function of insect degradation. A dilution series was used to modify the biodiversity of this system, expected to alter specific organism function, and by extension influence the broad function of the system. Initial results of the experiment indicated that broad function increased as individual specific functions decreased.

Self Determination Theory in Adapted Physical Education

Zachary Norton, School of Applied Health Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This research evaluates the success of utilizing Social Determination Theory (SDT) principles in an exercise program for disabled persons. According to SDT, social environments are essential for people to have autonomy, relatedness, and competence, which are essential for motivating exercise. In this study, the researcher looked into the exercise performance of an adult with Down Syndrome over a 6-week program held in a recreation facility in Northern California. The independent variables tested were walking, modified push-ups, and curl-ups. The findings of the study add to the existing literature on the efficiency of applying SDT for programming that caters to people with disabilities.

Self Determination Theory-Based Exercise Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disability

Yaxeny Moreno, School of Applied Health Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the three major components of self-determination theory (autonomy, relatedness, and competence) within a structured exercise program on the exercise performance of an adult with a disability. The study was conducted in the Student Recreation Center (SRC) with accessibility to the field house and the gym at Cal Poly Humboldt during a 6 week program. This study measures the total walking distance performed within 6 mins, as well as the number of push-ups, and the number of sit-ups performed in separate 1-minute opportunities.

Self-Determination Theory and Down Syndrome

Peggy Manuelita Scarborough, School of Applied Health Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of self-determination theory and structured exercise program to increase exercise performance for two adults with Down syndrome.

Self-Determination Theory and Fragile X Syndrome

Marcus Romero, School of Applied Health Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This study provides insight into the Self-Determination Theory with a participant with Fragile X syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study utilized a single-subject research design which measured the exercised performance by looking at walking distance, push-ups, and curl-ups over five weeks.

Self-Determination Theory and Intellectual Disability

Jacquelyn Matthews, School of Applied Health Graduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The purpose of this study was to increase physical fitness skills within adult populations with intellectual disabilities in the areas of walking, push-ups, curl-ups through a self-determination model. This was achieved through collaborative engagements with graduate-level students. Within this collaboration participants chose exercise goals and success criteria. An exercise program was established to increase participant skills over five sessions and teach participants how to be independent in their physical fitness endeavors and environments. The goal was to determine if experiences within this study would lead to increased skill level surrounding physical fitness through SDT.

Self-Determination Theory in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Juliana Jamison-Espinoza, School of Applied Health Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This research aims to explore the efficacy of using Social Determination Theory (SDT) principles with an exercise program for individuals with disabilities. The SDT theoretical framework highlights the importance of social environments to support individuals' basic psychological needs such as autonomy, relatedness, and competence as it relates to exercise motivation. In the study, the researcher measured the exercise performance of an adult with Austum during a 6-week program hosted at a recreation facility in Northern California. The independent variables measured included walking, modified push-ups, and curl-ups.