The Effects of Climate Change on Native American Communities

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Currently climate change is altering landscapes all over the globe and Native American communities are at the forefront of this ongoing battle. Tribes near low-lying coastal areas are most at risk when talking about climate change and the I've chosen to focus on three tribes in Alaska, two tribes in Florida in the Everglades and four tribes in the bayous of Louisiana. In this poster I'll be talking about how climate change will not only affect the tribes' abilities to continue their subsistence lifestyle and culture but also their ability to collect traditional food sources and maintain their water rights held by the Winters v. United States court case.

The effects of simulated acid rain on web-spinning spiders in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Our objective of this study was to assess the effects of simulated acid rain on web-spinning spider assemblages in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, and we hypothesized that acid rain would decrease the richness and abundance of web-spinning spider taxa. Spiders are an ideal bioindicator to study the effects of anthropogenic pollutants due to their abundance, position as apex predators, various foraging behaviors and the feasibility in collecting them. In our field experiment, quadrats were sprayed with water of varying pH levels. After the treatments, all web-spinning spiders in the quadrats were collected and identified and results were statistically analyzed.

The Effects of Tribal Water Rights on Forestry Practices

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The United States, on behalf of numerous Native American tribes, brought action against the State of Washington, alleging that the State violated the fishing clause of the Stevens Treaties by building and maintaining barrier culverts that prevented salmon movement along rivers. This poster will show the effect of the 'right to fish' on tribal water rights and the lasting effects of these factors on forestry practices, especially road building.

The Effects of Water Temperature on Bluebird Hermit Crab (Pagurus samuelis) Behavior

Maddy Frost, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study investigates how water temperature influences Blueband hermit crab behavior from 4 different sites ranging from Southern to Northern California.

The Gap Between Indigenous People and the Access to Proper Health Care

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

By presenting the issue of the lack of access Indigenous people have with health care, which is ultimately none, will enlighten individuals of the pressing issue of increasing mortality rates and implement change within the government.

The Impact of Recreational Activity on Staging American Wigeon

Daniel Moore, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study was conducted to determine if human recreational activity, such as birdwatching or dog walking, has any appreciable impact on the amount of time American wigeon spend feeding in preparation to their spring migration. Due to the large energetic cost associated with migration, disruptions to this pre-migratory feeding could delay or impede their departure, potentially lowering the bird's chances of mating.

The Impacts of Copper use in Lily Bulb Cultivation on Juvenile Coho Salmon in the Smith River Plain

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Copper is used as a fungicide in the lily bulb industry and is water soluble. Previous laboratory studies have shown that acute copper toxicity in juvenile salmonids can occur at extremely low copper concentrations. These low levels of copper induce predatory avoidance behavior and the loss of olfactory sensory function, which lowers the survival rates of the juvenile salmonids. The objective of this study was to provide scientific information to determine whether the copper levels in the Smith River Plain are toxic to juvenile Coho salmon. Water quality parameters were measured to determine how lily bulb cultivation is altering the water chemistry in fish habitat.

The Impacts of the Boldt Decision

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

In 1974, Federal District George Boldt granted a 50/50 share of salmon and steelhead fisheries for tribes and commercial fishermen, as well as co-manager statues over their natural recourses. My poster is going to cover the regulations this decision established for both local fisheries and surrounding waters of the Puget Sound.

The importance of covariate spatial factors in building growth models for old growth sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) in the Sierra Nevada.

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

A century of fire exclusion in the Sierra Nevada has altered the structure and composition of many old-growth forests. As a result many older sugar pines (Pinus lambertiana) are more prone to mortality due to uncharacteristically severe wildfire, pathogens and insect outbreaks, drought, and competition-induced stress, and many of these factors are exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. Examining tree growth is an excellent approach to understanding the influence of these factors on sugar pine vigor and survival. This study is a preliminary analysis to understand the importance spatial factors such as slope and distance to creek as covariates in building growth models for sugar pine.

The Indian Health Service and the Sterilization of Native American Women

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

In the 1960’s, the Indian Health Service (IHS) introduced and provided native american women different methods of birth control. The US government agency personnel, including the IHS, targeted native americans due to their high birth rate. As opposed to popular belief, native women were often subsidized and used as test subjects with the goal of population control under the American Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW.) This lead to an abundance of native women becoming sterilized by their physician without their consent.