Uses of Traditional Ecological Knowledge

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The poster will be about how Native American studies go hand in hand with the field of Zoology and natural resources and management as well as wildlife and game management. It will delve into the benefits of applying Traditional Ecological Knowledge to conservation-related issues as well as some of the social and economic issues that we are facing. In particular, This poster will address some of the issues regarding the environment today and how TEK can help to both resolves and benefit from the initial problems. In addition to the management benefits that Traditional Ecological Knowledge offers, I want to include how TEK can help bridge the gap between different communities.

Using a UAV to Calculate a Very Low Hydraulic Gradient in a Coastal Karst Aquifer System: The Yucatan Aquifer System Example

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This research project explores the feasibility of using UAV´s (drones) to measure the hydraulic gradient in the Yucatán Peninsula Coastal karst Aquifer system. This karstic groundwater system is highly vulnerable to contamination by tourists and the growing local population. Although the hydraulic gradient does not necessarily predict groundwater flow, it is a good indicator as to groundwater flow directions. Determination of the hydraulic gradient is explored through the use of a UAV (Phantom 4), in combination with a DGPS (used to obtain the ground control points). Results using the drone without ground control points give an error that is in the tens of meters range.

Using an unmanned aerial vehicle (uav) to survey Black Brant use of Sand Island in Arcata Bay

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study was done on Black Brant commonly found in Arcata Bay during migration season. Preliminary camera trap data showed Brant to be utilizing Sand Island in the bay, so I used that to determine the optimal time to use a drone to survey the behavior of the birds. I conducted three different uav flights during the month of April, and obtained approximately 120 photograph stills and 15 videos. From these videos I'm going to count the number of Brant using the island within the timeframe of when the flights were conducted, and then calculate the proportion of birds engaged in gritting behavior- a process where birds swallow sand to help break down food in their gizzard.

Using Characterization of Androgen-Dependent and Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Metabolic Differences to Help Illustrate our Changing Marine Ecosystems

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Over the past summer, I worked as an intern at UCSF where I grew cell lines of PC3s (androgen independent) and LnCaps (androgen dependent) prostate cancer and performed biochemical assays to see the metabolic change from an androgen dependent to androgen independent cell. Theoretically you could use imaging such as hyper-polarized C13 imaging (a type of nuclear imaging) to see when the metabolic change happens instead of taking a biopsy which is very invasive to patients. By using the skills I learned and cellular metabolic change I hope to be able to apply this to my major by conducting further research on metabolic changes in marine organisms to help illustrate our changing ecosystems.

Using Ecological Niche Models to Predict the Distribution of Plant Species Through the Use of Python Programming

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Understanding the potential locations of where plant species will thrive is a fundamental necessity for resource managers who are concerned with controlling invasive species as well as promoting endangered ones. This study examines the credibility and usage of predicting ecological niche models developed through a Python program which uses in-situ data for counties within California (primarily climatic, elevation, and slope data). We tested its validity to predict the distribution of invasive species of plants by using an easily identifiable species known as Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass) with initial findings indicating an extremely high degree of success (well over 90% overlap).

Using eDNA to Detect Endangered Tidewater Goby, Eucyclogobius newberryi, in Northern California’s Lost Coast

Madison Richardson, Fisheries Biology Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This research project focuses on detecting the presence or absence of endangered tidewater goby, Eucyclogobius newberryi, in the Lost Coast in Northern California using environmental DNA. If presence is detected, the Lost Coast can be sampled annually in order to gather enough data on the population to study their dynamics for any existence of extinction-colonization dynamics and provide another opportunity to understand metapopulation dynamics in tidewater gobies, thereby aiding in the conservation efforts of this species.

Using qualitative clast and soil descriptions to investigate Tertiary gravels of the Klamath Peneplain erosional surface in Humboldt County, northwestern California

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Southern Cascadia marks the change between the northern San Andreas Fault System, and the subduction of the Juan-de-Fuca and Gorda tectonic plates beneath North America. This area is a region of complex deformation, high rates of erosion, and vertical uplift. A low relief, heavily dissected, relict surface that is visible as gently sloping ridges preserved along the coast of Southern Cascadia is known as the “Klamath Peneplain”, named by J.S. Diller in 1902. Because it represents a time period of extensive fluvial erosion and deposition, its age and origin are crucial in understanding paleogeographic development of what is now Southern Cascadia and was qualitatively described in this study.

Using the California Mussel as a Bioindicator for the Presence of Heavy Metals on the Humboldt County Coastline

Emily Curry, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The Humboldt coastline has a long history of industrial development and heavy disturbance. In 1999, the California State Water Resources Board surveyed Humboldt Bay, classifying it as a toxic hot spot. Clean-up efforts have been ongoing since the release of this report. Utilizing California mussels as bioindicators, we can quantify the levels of toxins found in the waters on our coasts with the help of Flame AA and correlate with the visual health of gill tissues. Using this new data, we can better understand the pollution problem and aid in the clean-up efforts.

Utilization of the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary by North American River Otters

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

North American river otters are a regular sight to see in the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary and have been observed to exhibit different behaviors and activities in various locations of the marsh. By using ArcGIS Pro, visual observations of river otters made by Jeff Black over the course of two years have been mapped out depending on their behavior and activity. I focused on mapping three main behaviors that otters exhibit in the marsh: fishing for fish or invertebrates, hunting for birds, or traveling to/from or through the marsh.

Validation of FLT3-ITD in CD34+ Human Cord Blood Cells using CRISPR-Cas9 editing to investigate pre-leukemic stem cells as therapeutic targets in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive cancer of the bone marrow that results from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) populations. The goal of this project is to characterize the mechanisms for the transformation of genetically engineered human primary HSCs to AML. My aim is to validate FLT3-ITD CRISPR-Cas9 reagents to contribute to the sequential editing matrix scheme of the larger project of investigating preleukemic stem cells as therapeutic targets in AML. Understanding the genetic components of preleukemia can help inform clinical decisions of which patients to provide transplants and in what stage of remission this therapy can be most effective.