Effects of Sea-level Rise on Marsh Bird Population

Alondra Cardona, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The study focuses on the effects of tidal change on marsh bird communities. A positive trend in sea level rise has been detected for the past years with approximately 20 cm increase of sea level rise per century. This can affect bird populations on wetland habitats. This study will provide data on bird species diversity at the study site and determine what bird species are more susceptible to population decrease based on habitat loss from sea level rise. The study results can call more attention on the most vulnerable bird species to prevent species extinction in marsh habitats.

Effects of Substrate Rugosity on Abundance and Gonad Condition of Purple Urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) in the Intertidal Zone

Victoria Johnson, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

In northern California, purple urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) populations have exploded, leading to an invasion of the intertidal zone with potential consequences for those communities. We aimed to determine if there was a relationship between surface rugosity and urchin abundance and condition in this recently invaded habitat. We found that urchins took advantage of any intertidal habitat, as abundance was independent of surface rugosity. However, surface rugosity was related to urchin condition, with urchins on rougher surfaces in better condition than those on other surfaces. Rocky intertidal surfaces may therefore provide refugia for overabundant subtidal urchin populations.

Effects of Supplemental Feeding on Migratory and Resident Hummingbirds

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This is my Senior project where I analyzed which feeding preference hummingbirds preferred in relation to hummingbird feeders and natural flowers given equal access to the two variables. Supplemental feeding has a massive effect on foraging behavior of all species, and research on how this effects populations is needed to inform citizens on how to safely and properly partake in this popular pastime.

Effects of the election of President Trump on the political dynamic of Humboldt State University.

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This research is on the political dynamic of the Humboldt State University community. Specifically, of the course of the past year and a half I have been conducting three separate ethnography projects focusing on the effects of the election of President Trump, the origin of political beliefs and cultural policing of political speech acts. This research was conducted using participant observation, interviewing, surveying, and observation, with individuals involved being both students and instructors at HSU. This research has the ability to give a greater understanding into the political dynamic of HSU university and the beliefs of it's community members.

Effects of tidal conditions on egret foraging behavior in Arcata Marsh

Tania Estrada Rodriguez, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study examines how tidal levels impact egret foraging behavior in the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS) in Humboldt County, California. This study aims to expand upon the limited existing research on the relationship between tidal conditions and egret foraging and to determine the effects of tide levels on egret foraging behavior. Additionally, the study assesses the influence of temperature, overcast, tide, and waterfowl presence on egret foraging behavior and measures egret strike rate and success as parameters for assessing the overall impact of high and low tides on their foraging behavior.

Effects of Tourism On Developing Countries With Ocean Access

College of Professional Studies

This project explores the positive and negative effect that tourism has on small island developing state.

Effects of Uncertainty and Rhetoric on Democrats' Views of Abortion

College of Professional Studies

This study highlights the interaction between uncertainty and rhetoric on the support for policies such as abortion. Clinton’s affirming rhetoric created higher support for abortion because highly uncertain individuals define the self by expressing polarized group-based attitudes (Gaffney et al., 2014). Political leaders may be able to gain support for causes that are salient to their party identity by utilizing affirming rhetoric rather than negating rhetoric.

Effects of Visual and Verbal Prompting on the Badminton Overhand Swing

College of Professional Studies

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of verbal and visual prompting during balloon badminton on the number of correct overhand badminton swings (OBS), also known as clears, of an 8-year-old female subject with spastic cerebral palsy. Using a 4-week ABAB design, the intervention was found to be effective at improving the rate of correctly performed OBSs by as much as 30% on a weekly average between baseline and intervention phases and by as much as 37.5% overall.

Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Growth and Pain Management Post-ACL Reconstructive Surgery

Abby Borg, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

For my project I conducted a literature review on the efficacy of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) on muscle growth and pain management among the population of post-operative ACL patients. BFRT is a proposed therapy for combatting quadriceps atrophy following ACLR. This therapy consists of placing cuffs that act as a tourniquet on the proximal part of the lower limbs and inflating them to a pressure that partially restricts blood flow to the lower limbs. Through this review, I found that BFRT is a promising therapy for ACLR patients.

Efficacy of Variable Density Thinning at Redwood National Park.

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Our group’s senior thesis investigated the physiological and water potential responses of redwood and tanoak trees to various thinning treatments that occurred during the Summer of 2017 in Redwood National Park. We selected 47 individual study trees among five different thinning intensities (No cut, 25%, 40%, 55%, and 75%) across three 1-hectare fixed-area plots. Our initial findings indicate a certain sweet spot which the trees seem to favor. Stop by our booth to learn more!