Impacts of the edge effect on avian species distribution in the Arcata Community Forest

Christy Wheatley, Environmental Science & Management Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Our study aimed to discover the impacts of the edge effect on bird species distributions within the secondary redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) Arcata Community Forest (ACF). We used the Merlin Bird ID app to record the number of species present at three edge and three interior sampling sites to determine if there was a statistically significant difference between the number of species present. We found that edge sites averaged 7.3 species while interior sites averaged 5.5 species. Our results indicate that the edge effect is being represented in bird habitat selection.

Improved Measurement of the Newtonian Gravitational Constant

Alexandra Papesh, Physics & Astronomy Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The Newtonian gravitational constant, G, is one of the oldest known fundamental constants in nature, and yet it is known with the least precision of all other fundamental constants. The research group at IUPUI, in collaboration with Cal Poly Humboldt, will use multiple approaches within a singular torsion pendulum apparatus to precisely determine G. Specifically, measurements will be made using the angular acceleration feedback and time of swing methods in the same apparatus, which was carefully designed for reduced error in both techniques. We expect to obtain a measurement at the 2 ppm level using these new methods.

Improving Postmortem Intervals through Protein Degradation Analysis

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Analysis of protein degradation to assess postmortem intervals in a quantative approach.

In the Face of Drought: Do Fuel Reduction Treatments Promote Drought Resistance at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area?

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

In this study, we investigated the influence of thinning and prescribed fire on tree growth responses to multi-year drought conditions in the dry forests of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in northern California. Specific questions include: 1) Do fuel reduction treatments influence forest resistance to drought stress? 2) What individual tree-level and site-level factors (i.e. size, crown height, competition, pre-disturbance tree growth) influence tree growth responses? 3) Do tree growth responses change over years of successive drought stress?

Indigenous DNA: The Trauma Built Into It

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Purpose: To look at how trauma is passed down through Indigenous peoples’ generations and cross examine how they really still dealing with problems from colonization. Problem: Many indigenous people are experiencing the same oppression from settler colonialism. It is affecting the youth in their level of self esteem resulting in low grades or not making it to college. Literature review: Native American DNA by Kim TallBear is a book about how Native American DNA hold generational trauma, how it got to be there and why it is still persisting today. Another source is Dr. Evan Adams’ book “Indigenous people” issue of Visions, he talks about the ways of healing using resilience.

Indigenous Health and Wellness

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Indigenous peoples have always had a balanced nutritional diet. In my poster, I want to dive into the connection between Diabetes and its connection to Indigenous people. Modern day foods are nothing comparable to the cultivated food and resources the indigenous people thrived on. I feel that because of this epidemic, Indigenous people are more susceptible to having diabetes through their bodies not recognizing “modern day food” as real food. Due to the high concentrations of sugar and fatty foods today, this has created a wave of health issues for Indigenous peoples. More simply, their bodies struggle to process the unnecessary garbage that we choose to put in our bodies daily.

Indigenous Holistic Practices

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The goal of our research project is to inform our peers on the medicinal practices of tribes like the Cherokee, Creek, and Houma tribes used. We will provide some background information on these tribes and their regions they reside in. We will also discuss how they have used their developed practices to contribute to medicine today. We will then discuss what natural resources these tribes utilized to create these medications and conditions they may treat.

Indigenous People and Tiger Conservation

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

My poster will be an examination of current tiger conservation efforts and how indigenous people have contributed to the recent growth in tiger populations. Traditional beliefs surrounding tigers shape the perspectives of Indigenous tribes living alongside these powerful cats. Understanding the indigenous perspective of coexistence with tigers offers conservationists new insights for promoting tiger conservation elsewhere. The poster will outline where tigers fit into the attitudes and beliefs of indigenous people living alongside them, how it affects conservation efforts today, and why it is important.

Indigenous People the First Biologists: use of TEK in Sustaining the Wilderness

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

A study on how using Traditional Ecological Knowledge can help sustain the wilderness and natural resources

Indigenous Peoples and Uses of Plants in Spirituality and Healing

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Sophia and I will be creating our poster based around the ideas of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, as well as Indigenous plant-based medicines. We will take a look into how Indigenous peoples use plants to enrich their lives, heal, and further states of spirit and consciousness. The focus of the poster will be around common Indigenous plant-based medicines, some psychedelic allies, and we will finish it out by discussing how the gathering of these materials bring Indigenous peoples closer to their land.