Influence of Urban Land Use on Avian Diversity in Eureka, CA

Emma McGraw, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The objective of my research is to test if there is any correlation between avian diversity and preserved green areas in Eureka, CA. Additionally, how does the vegetation composition of these parks compare to the avian diversity. I visited a total of 30 sites including 15 urban parks or green areas, and 15 urban sites paired with each of the green sites, to see how diversity compared in the surrounding urban habitat. Using avian abundance and species richness data I collected, I calculated the Shannon Diversity Index (H') of each site. Overall, I observed significantly higher avian diversity at green sites and found positive correlation between avian diversity and plant species richness.

INRSEP + Diversity in STEM

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

HSU’s Indian Natural Resources, Science and Engineering Program (INRSEP) provides academic and research support services to historically underrepresented students in the Sciences, in order to support their academic success and degree completion, as well as connect them with the resources and opportunities to meet their career and graduate school goals.

Insight into the Morphology of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Josafath Aparicio, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Human induced pluripotent stem cells have revolutionized the medical world. These cells come from adult somatic cells and have the ability to differentiate into the three germs layers of development: mesoderm, ectoderm, and endoderm. To better understand the nature of these cells this project attempted to provide insight into the morphology through the use of scanning electron microscopy.

Interactions of Mycorrhizae, Native Grasses and Quercus douglasii in California blue oak woodlands

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Interactions of Mycorrhizae, Native Grasses and Quercus douglasii in California blue oak woodlands California’s endemic Quercus douglasii (blue oak) is not regenerating throughout the state and although many hypotheses have been made, no conclusive evidence has been brought forward as to why. The goal of this study is to find evidence of a relationship, if any exists, between Q. douglasii, mycorrhizae and the native grasses that once dominated the landscape.

Intergenerational Connections: Silvercrest Eureka, Salvation Army

Myranda Felton, College Corp Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Seniors at Silvercrest are a good example of the troubling statistics for Humboldt County. Over thirty people die of suicide in this county, ages ranging from forty to sixty, each year. BMC Public Health also says that “Approximately 50% of individuals aged over 60 are at risk of social isolation and one-third will experience some degree of loneliness later in life.” The answer is intergenerational connections. Harvard has found that people ages sixty five and older have “higher levels of energy with increased connections.” They have connected this with longer lifespans, which is what we are trying to implement at Silvercrest through volunteering.

Invasive plant removal at coastal dunes impacts invertebrate assemblages

Theodore Lee, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The effects of habitat restoration on invertebrate communities is poorly studied. This project compared the diversity, evenness, and differences in terrestrial invertebrate species composition between 5 local coastal dunes.

Invertebrate Biomass Effects on Abundance and Foraging Behavior of Dabbling Ducks

Mary-Kate Reed, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

My study assessed how invertebrate biomass effects the abundance and foraging behavior of the American Green-winged Teal and the Mallard in the restored Tidal habitat of the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Investigating Coseismic vs. Interseismic Uplift of Marine Terraces at the Southern Terminus of the Cascadia Subduction Zone: Cape Mendocino to Punta Gorda, Petrolia, Ca

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The Cascadia subduction zone of the Pacic Northwest terminates in the south at the Mendocino Triple Junction, a region of elevated seismic activity. Here, tectonically driven uplift is likely responsible for the formation of Holocene-aged marine terraces. In 1992, a M 7.1 thrust mainshock and two ~M 6.5 aftershocks occurred oshore of Cape Mendocino, resulting in 1.4 meters of uplift. However, it is unknown whether these marine terraces formed due solely to large episodic coseismic uplift caused by moderately large to large magnitude earthquakes, or whether interseismic deformation plays a role in their formation. This study seeks to investigate the formation of these terraces.

Investigating How LGL1 Loss Affects the Murine Brain Cytoarchitecture

Madison Gutierrez, Biological Sciences Graduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Lethal (2) giant larvae 1 (Lgl1) maintains cell polarity and regulates cell migration. Its dysregulation is linked to gliomas, suggesting a role in tumor development. Glioblastomas may originate from neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) accumulating mutations. Loss of Lgl1 in NPCs leads to cancer-like traits, including increased migration and altered signaling. Scanning electron microscopy can reveal morphological changes. This study compares WT and Lgl1 KO murine brain tissue, aiming to uncover changes associated with Lgl1 loss, offering insights into gliomagenesis.

Investigating Mycorrhizal Association Between the California Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii) and Native and Non-Native Grasses

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Interactions of Mycorrhizae, Native Grasses and Quercus douglasii in California blue oak woodlands. California's endemic blue oak is not regenerating and despite many studies, no one has found any reasons as to why. The trees make lot's of acorns, the acorns germinate fine, but the saplings fail to properly establish and typically die before reaching maturity. This investigation looks at a potential reason as to why this is, focused on invasive annual grasses that have almost entirely replaced the native perennial species. H1: Grass species affects the rate of mycorrhizal infection in Q. douglasii seedlings. H0: Mycorrhizal infection rate of Q. douglasii is independent of grass species.