Habitat Variation and Shorebird Roosting Flocks: Examining Species Composition Across Arcata Marsh

Karl Vanuska, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This research project looks at how species composition in shorebird roosting flocks varies across different locations within Arcata Marsh. This research assess how environmental factors, such as substrate type, vegetation cover, proximity to foraging areas, and tidal conditions, influence species richness and diversity at roosting sites. As well as if behavior may change due to species composition within roosting flocks.

Harmonic Analysis of Currents in Humboldt Bay

Taylor Juchau, Physics & Astronomy Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

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

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

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

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

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

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

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 & Sciences

My 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

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

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 Habitat Ecological Resolution Effect Bat Population in Arcata CA and Trinity CA?

Katrina Maynez , Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Bat acoustic survey done in Arcata CA and Trinity CA across 6 different sites. How does habitat ecological resolutions effect bat population in Arcata CA vs Trinity CA?

How Does the Klamath Dam Effect Salmonid Species and Surrounding Indigenous Tribes?

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

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.

How Moon Illumination, Cloud Cover, and Temperature Influence Capture Rates for Small Mammals

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This research project uses small mammal trapping data that was collected over the summer of 2021 on Green Diamond Resource Company land in Humboldt and Del Norte County. There was a total of 841 captures (nocturnal = 694, diurnal =147) over the course of 39 trap nights. Data was extracted and analyzed to determine if there was any correlation between moon illumination levels and capture rate success. This study uses diurnal species as a control, however both diurnal and nocturnal species may be influenced by temperature.