Selective Logging and Mammal Diversity: Evidence of Ecological Stability

Zach Case, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study aimed to investigate the impact of selective harvest logging on mammal diversity and abundance in the Jacoby Creek Forest Tract in Humboldt County, California. The study compared two forest stands: one managed with selective harvest (recently harvested in October 2024) and one unmanaged (a 40-year-old even-aged forest). The goal was to assess how the recent selective harvest affects mammal diversity and abundance, and whether mammals are selective for certain habitat characteristics such as cover availability, understory vegetation, and forest structure.

Senior Project, Wildflower Rave: Spring Into the Arts

Lavender Deng, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This event organized in collaboration with the Student Activity Center brought a platform for student and community members to share their passion and craft. DJs coming from the community and students played 5 hours of electronic music on a 360 stage, student artists showcased their painting skills live, clubs, and organizations from both on and off campus shared helpful harm reduction resources, as well as tips for safety to spread awareness within the rave culture, and merchandise. This event being free and on campus made it accessible for students who enjoy electronic music, art, or are looking for a leisurely activity to participate in on a Thursday evening.

Shorebird Displacement in Response to Recreational Human Disturbance along the Humboldt County Coastline

Cindy Chavez, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This project focuses on the interaction between recreational use of local coastal beaches and shorebird disturbance patterns. Flight initiation distances and alert behaviors in relation to the proximity of humans, dogs, or other natural disturbances are observed to approximate recreational impact on shorebird foraging.

Shorebird Vigilance from Biological Influences

Ryan Abdilla, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

My research project involves researching two different species of wild shorebirds, Marbled Godwits and Eurasian Whimbrels, and studying which biological factors like predator abundance, tide height, foraging rates, and time of day play a role in vigilant behavior in these two shorebird species. We are looking to see how these rates and their factors differ between 5 different areas across the Arcata Marsh and if there are noteworthy changes in any of the listed factors between the two species and which ones play the biggest role in shorebird vigilance and which do not.

Should MDMA Be Used as Treatment for Psychological Disorders

Ashley Erbeck, Psychology Undergraduate Student

Other

Our presentation is on whether or not MDMA should be used as a therapeutic tool in psychological disorders. If so are they beneficial? Are they dangerous and pose potential risks, etc. We compiled 15 separate articles to produce our findings and conclusions.

Silent Struggles: Addressing Postpartum Depression in Rural Public Health

Jamie Gormly, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common mental health condition affecting birthing persons and is more prevalent in rural communities with limited behavioral health services. This quality improvement project uses the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice to reduce the impact of PPD in rural public health communities. Interventions include integrating social support into treatment plans, expanding home visiting programs, and implementing universal screening. Evaluation measures include increased service engagement and overall symptom reduction. Target goals include a ≥20% decrease in depressive symptoms and a ≥25% increase in screenings among Medicaid-insured individuals.

Stream Flow Rate on the Jolly Giant creek and the Strawberry creek

Arthur Frye, Department of Geography, Environment & Spatial Analysis Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

I decided to do scientific studies on the stream flow rate as well as water depth, width, and terrace height on two separate creeks in Humboldt county. The first creek is called the Jolly Giant creek which is located directly behind founders hall on campus, and the second creek that I decided to do my research on is the Strawberry creek, which is located directly behind my house. I used a measuring road, and measuring tape for my measurements, as well as three distinct objects to float down the creek which was a lemon, a kiwi, and a lacrosse ball.

Strength and Agility Training Could Reduce the Likelihood of ACL Injuries in Women's Soccer

Nevaeh Batrez, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

ACL injuries are on the rise in women's soccer. I looked into determining the effect of strength and agility training on ACL injury prevention in female player's.

Study of the Dietary Preferences of Collared-Doves Within an Expanded Range of Choices

Daniel Francois, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The Eurasian collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is an invasive columbiform that has spread across the continent of North America in under thirty years since its first introduction (Smith 1987, Romagosa and McEneaney 1999). Since then, it has competed with and dominated a variety of native passerines (Romagosa and McEneaney 1999, Romagosa and Labisky 2000). Our goal was to further discover its feeding habits and dietary preferences in order to gain a better understanding of its impact on native birds such as the mourning dove (Zenaida macroura). We hypothesized that collared-doves would prefer corn over millet seeds, and millet seeds over oats and sunflower seeds.

Temporal Habitat Usage of Columbian Black-tailed Deer Across Urban-wildland Interfaces in Arcata, California

Jaret Cross, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

In this study, we used motion-sensing camera traps to track deer’s habitat use in and out of urban areas, measuring key explanatory abiotic factors influencing their occurrence. The study took place in the public parks and community forest in Arcata, California.