Effects of Anthropogenic Disturbance on Waterfowl at the Arcata Marsh

Joseph Meihak, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

A study was undertaken at the Arcata Marsh to determine how various anthropogenic disturbances affected waterfowl within ponds that have publicly accessible trails surrounding them. The disturbance types observed included walkers, walkers with dogs, bikers, and runners. A bird would be considered disturbed if it stopped its previous behavior to move away from a disturbance or become vigilant and observe the disturbance. The distance between the disturbance and the bird was then recorded to determine if a certain type of disturbance caused a disruption of behavior at further or closer distances. The type of waterfowl was recorded to determine if there was any difference in species or niche.

Effects of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation on Pulmonary Function and Quality of Life in Individuals with Chronic Asthma

Daisy Matias-Gutierrez, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

exploring several studies that have looked at the pulmonary function and quality of life effects of a variety of exercises for individuals with chronic asthma.

Effects of cleft lip and palate on visual scanning and neural processing of infant faces

Juergen Riedelsheimer, Psychology Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

The current study used a combination of eye tracking and EEG to investigate early visual processing of infant faces with cleft lip/palate as well as the impact cleft palate has on perceived cuteness. The results demonstrate a significant decrease in early visual attention to the eye region and increased visual attention to the mouth for infants with cleft lip. Differences in neural processing are evident at both early and late stage processing (N170, P2, LPP).

Effects of cleft lip and palate on visual scanning and neural processing of infant faces

Nathan Boone, Psychology Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Infant faces rapidly capture our attention and elicit enhanced neural processing compared to adult faces, likely due to their evolutionary significance. Cleft lip/palate is estimated to affect 1 in 700 live births worldwide and is associated with difficulties in early caregiver interactions. Behavioral studies have shown that cleft lip/palate reduces perceptions of cuteness; however, the underlying neural and perceptual mechanisms governing responses to cleft lip/palate remain relatively understudied. The current study uses eye tracking and electroencephalography (EEG) to explore visual scanning patterns and neural responses to infants with and without cleft lip/palate.

Effects of Competitor Species on Black-Crowned Night Heron Activity at Different Times of Day

Korinn Trinies, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Black-crowned night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) share the same niche with various competitor species, influencing and effecting their behavior accordingly. Recent studies show that black-crowned night herons are mainly active during dusk and dawn due to the decreased presence of competitor species at these times, suggesting there nocturnal behavior is an adaption. During my study, I observed the proportion of high and low activity of black crowned night herons in relationship to presence of competitor species and the time of day. My data suggest greater numbers of black-crowned night herons with high presence of competitors, and higher activity level with less competiton.

Effects of Environmental Pressures and Physical Characteristics of Tide Pools on Marine Invertebrate Community Ecology

Jessica Hoone, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Intertidal invertebrates are an integral part of tide pool ecosystems, so what is the intertidal invertebrate’s ideal habitat? Which tide pools foster the greatest abundance and species diversity? This study was conducted to determine whether five major players in the northern California invertebrate community fair better in the rocky tide pools of a sheltered bay or the sandy tide pools of a beach exposed to the full force of the waves.

Effects of Fog on the Intensity and Behavioral Patterns of Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Foraging

Lucky Ng, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This project investigates how fog influences the foraging behavior and activity levels of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in coastal northern California. By observing changes in foraging intensity and specific behaviors during foggy versus non-foggy conditions, this research aims to better understand how microclimatic factors like fog affect ant ecology. Findings may inform broader ecological studies on climate adaptation and the role of fog in shaping invertebrate behavior.

Effects of Freshwater on Purple Sea Urchin and Bull Kelp Dynamicx at the Mouths of Rivers Along the Mendocino Coast

Marina Storey , Biological Sciences Graduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Urchins are voracious herbivores that mow down kelp forests turning them into urchin barrens. This regime shift from kelp forests to urchin barrens has led to the closer of the red abalone fishery which had an estimated value of $44 million dollars. In Mendocino CA, bull kelp has been observed persisting at the river mouths in making an interest to local and scientific communities. Urchins are known to not do well with lower salinities possibly leading to this phenomenon.

Effects of Habitat on Mesocarnivore Activity in the Coastal Dunes of Northern California

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The Ma-le'l coastal dunes of northern California have been affected by the invasion of dense European beachgrass. In response, USFWS and BLM have removed beachgrass in an attempt to restore native ecosystem function. Mesocarnivores play vital roles in trophic webs, and previous research has suggested that they are more active in restored dunes than in areas with dense beachgrass. However, distance to nearby coastal dune forests could affect mesocarnivore activity and may have confounded previous work. We conducted an observational study using remote cameras and found the detection rate mesocarnivores declined with distance to forest.

Effects of High Screen Time Usage on Social-Emotional Development in Children Under Twelve

Morgan Lopez, Psychology Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Analysis of 12 research articles about the developmental and psychological effects of high screen time usage in children under the age of 12.