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Presenters & Abstracts: College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Habitat Selection of Northern Harriers in Grasslands and Coastal Wetlands in Humboldt County, CA
Riley Sullivan, Wildlife Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & SciencesHabitat 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
- Lee HeckerBiological SciencesGraduate Student
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
- Jahaira SierraWildlifeUndergraduate Student
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.
Harmonic Analysis of Currents in Humboldt Bay
Taylor Juchau, Physics & Astronomy Undergraduate Student
- TamaraBarriquandPhysics & AstronomyFaculty
- NoeCamarilloPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- StevenGracyPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
Multiyear time series of current data measured by two horizontal SonTek/YSI Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) placed mid-depth in the water column (~4.8m depth) at two locations in Humboldt Bay, CA, a shallow, tidally-driven estuary in northern California (USA), were analyzed to determine the contributions of the different harmonic frequencies within the bay. Spectral analysis of the time series revealed that the currents are dominated by several tidal harmonics. The three dominant frequencies include M2, K1, and O1, but their contribution varies spatially between the two station locations. Additional frequencies in the data indicate overtides and variable influences like wind.
Harmonic Analysis of Currents in Humboldt Bay
Steven Gracy, Physics & Astronomy Undergraduate Student
- NoeCamarilloPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- TaylorJuchauPhysics & AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- CaitlinWilliamsOceanographyUndergraduate Student
- TamaraBarriquandOceanographyFaculty
Currents can shape the structure and ecology of estuarine environments. Multiyear time series of current data measured by two Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) in Humboldt Bay, CA, one near the entrance channel and one at the Chevron Port, were analyzed to determine the contributions of the different harmonic frequencies. Spectral analysis of the time series data revealed that the flow is dominated by several tidal harmonics. The three dominant frequencies include M2, K1, and O1, but their contribution varies spatially between the two stations. Additional frequencies in the data indicate interference with topography as well as the more variable wind-induced currents.
Helena Fire Burn Severity and Effects on Vegetation
- Michael PilattiForestryUndergraduate Student
- Frederique M. GuezilleForestryUndergraduate Student
- Sonnette RussellForestryUndergraduate Student
- Buddhika MadurapperumaForestryFaculty
The Helena fire occured August 30th– November 15th as a consequence of a power line contacting a tree limb on Bureau of Land Management public lands and spread to Trinity Alps Wilderness and Weaverville in Trinity County, California. This study examines before and after effects of this devastating fire using the Burn Index (BI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) using Landsat 8 images and ENVI and ArcGIS software. Burn severity acreage was calculated within fire State Responsibility Areas (SAR) and the results summarized using high, moderate and very high burn categories. The BI showed a 61% area effected by wildfire resulting in a 53% NDVI decrease within Helena fire SAR.
Helping the Community Save Energy
- Nancy CharcoEnvironmental Resources EngineeringUndergraduate Student
- Aneika PerezEnvironment and CommunityGraduate Student
- Anh BuiEnergy Technology & PolicyGraduate Student
Our project is focused on developing educational materials on energy efficiency targeted to renters and student residence hall occupants. We are developing a checklist of possible actions that will include building energy efficiency, appliances, transportation, and energy purchasing options that are available to typical renters, who do not have the ability to make major improvements to their home. The main outcome will be a set of appropriate outreach materials to help deliver these messages. We will develop draft materials, workshop these with current renters, and improve the messages based on their feedback. The goal is to empower renters to make positive clean energy choices.
How Anthropogenic Disturbance Affects Terrestrial Wildlife Use and Presence in a California Coastal Dune Ecosystem
Joshua Zastrow, Wildlife Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & SciencesMy research looks at the influence of anthropogenic (human) disturbance upon the terrestrial mammalian community. The specific anthropogenic variables that I tested for against wildlife presence, use-rates, and species richness was human use intensity, human and domestic animal use intensity, building density (per mile), and distance to major roadway. The study area completed between February 20th and April 5th, 2023, within Humboldt County, California, USA. The transects were placed parallel to the coastline along an area of rural suburban, lite industrial, agricultural, and wildlands, within a coastal dune ecosystem.
How Different Tribes Harvest Their Deer
- Jedidiah ParkerWildlifeUndergraduate Student
I will be providing information on how different tribes utilize parts of the deer and add insight on how it varies throughout area and season. I will include tribes from Wisconsin, California, and Oregon.
How Does the Klamath Dam Effect Salmonid Species and Surrounding Indigenous Tribes?
- Charles RicciFisheries BiologyUndergraduate Student
- Nolan Santalafisheries biologyUndergraduate Student
Since the removal of the Klamath dams is such a current topic in today's society, we thought that it would be a great topic to research. The Klamath dams have since been an eyesore and a serious problem for organisms in the Pacific Northwest. Salmonid species cannot make their runs, water temperature increases, and Nitrogen blooms can occur with dams in place . These physical barriers, the Klamath dams, are not only a problem concerning the health of the salmon and other organisms, but the Indigenous tribes who live on these Pacific Northwest rivers as well. Their culture and way of life has become disrupted due to the lack of available salmon.