Great Blue Herons and feeding ecology (title may change at a later date)

Thalia Contreras, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

How successful great blue herons are with their feeding strategies and how anthropogenic factors may influence behavior in the ardeids.

Great Egret (Ardea alba) Abundance Between the Brackish Pond and Restored Tidal Habitat During High Tide and Low Tide

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Brackish and tidal habitats are one of many habitat types that support an extensive amount of bird populations in wetland ecosystems (Stolen et al. 2007). However, tidal fluctuations can be of an influence in abundance for Great egrets between many habitat types. The objective of this study is to understand if Great egret abundance is influenced between the brackish pond and the restored tidal habitat as well as certain tide periods of the day.

Greenwood Cemetery

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

We are creating a digital archive of the greenwood cemetery to spark interest in the community.

Habitat Preferences and Distribution Patterns of Salamanders In the Arcata Community Forest

Tristan Ray, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study investigates the spatial distribution and habitat preferences of plethodontid salamanders within the Arcata Community Forest in Humboldt County, California. By examining salamander abundance in relation to surface water proximity and soil moisture content during the winter-spring period, I aim to identify key environmental factors influencing their distribution. This research highlights the importance of understanding seasonal variations and the complex interrelationships between salamanders and their habitat within diverse forest ecosystems.

Habitat Selection of American Crows in Eureka, CA

Christina Parra, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

I looked at habitat selection of crows within the city of Eureka. I conducted point count surveys to compare the number of crows within residential/commercial areas (urban) and park areas to see which habitat type crows prefer.

Habitat Selection of Black Bears Based on Heavy to Light Vegetation

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

A research project that investigates what type of habitat black bears choose when it comes to vegetation density.

Habitat Selection of Mule Deer in Northern California Coastal Ecosystem

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Determining if Mule deer select a specific habitat type in a Northern California ecosystem.

Habitat Selection of Northern Harriers in Grasslands and Coastal Wetlands in Humboldt County, CA

Riley Sullivan, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Habitat selection is a well-studied behavior that strongly influences how a species interacts with the surrounding ecosystem. Countless studies address the habitat selection of raptors in the interest of conservation, but the habitat preferences and selection of the Northern Harrier specifically are poorly studied. I conducted a series of point counts between the Arcata Bottoms and the Arcata Marsh to compare the rate of Northern Harrier sightings between each zone.

Habitat Suitability and Selection of Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes at Multiple Spatial Scales

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

An investigation into the distribution of suitable habitat for the northern Pacific rattlesnake at multiple spatial scales. Niche modeling techniques were used to determine where suitable habitat for this species actually exists within its known range. Additionally, I examined geological, thermal, and other differences in habitat characteristics between the rocky outcrops rattlesnakes use as hibernacula (i.e., dens) and unoccupied outcrops.

Habitat Use of Pacific Banana Slugs in Natural Recreational Areas in Humboldt County

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The goal of this study was to determine whether factors such as vegetation type, temperature, shrub canopy coverage, and tree canopy coverage contribute to Pacific banana slug habitat use in natural recreational areas in Humboldt County, CA.