Makenzie Henk, 2021

Thesis:

Using noninvasive genetic sampling with a Bayesian spatial capture-recapture analysis to estimate abundance of Roosevelt Elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti)

Makenzie is conducting a spatial capture-recapture analysis on Roosevelt elk in central Humboldt County. Her research utilizes non-invasive methods to collect fecal DNA in two primary habitat types, open grassy hillsides and forest. Her field work consists of using an unstructured search method and a detection dog to test different methodologies for finding elk scat. The scat will be genotyped to get individual identities, and Bayesian models will be developed to obtain population estimates for the elk in this area. The results are expected to help government agencies better manage the elk population in Humboldt County.

Andria Townsend, 2019

Thesis:

Tree squirrels and fishers in Northern California: The effects of masting hardwoods on stand use

In western North America, tree squirrels such as western gray (Sciurus griseus) and Douglas squirrels (Tamiasciurus douglasii) are potentially important prey for fishers (Pekania pennanti). Masting trees including black oak (Quercus kelloggii) and tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) produce an important food source for tree squirrels; therefore, forest stands containing these trees may be useful to foraging fishers. Using remote cameras, Andria investigated the effect of mast production capacity on tree squirreloccupancy in forest stands in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains,and how fisher stand use is influenced by the tree squirrel occupancy in a stand.The results of Andria's work indicate that the retention of masting hardwood trees across the landscape may improve foraging habitat for fishers, which will become increasingly important for a species facing the effects of large-scale wildfires, habitat loss, and climate change.

Rudy Mena, 2019

Thesis:

Targeting social cohesion in female roosevelt elk (cervus canadensis roosevelti) groups minimizes survey efforts for fecal dna capture-recapture estimates of abundance

Erika Anderson, 2023

Thesis:

Sympatric carnivores and vegetation structure influence the distribution and abundance of Humboldt martens in Northern California

Erika isbroadly interested in gaining insight on the ecological processes that contribute to the current distribution of Humboldt marten in Northern California. Specifically, she would like to compare space use, time of activity, and diet between marten, fisher, and bobcat to gain insight on the interspecific interactions that may influence marten populations.

Alyssa Marquez, 2019

Thesis:

Response of headwater amphibians to long-term logging impacts and assessing potential for restoration in Redwood National and State Parks

Alyssa is studying the long-term impacts of logging on headwater amphibian populations, specifically occupancy. Her research takes place in two adjacent watersheds in the Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California. One watershed is highly degraded from historic logging practices and the other is a pristine late-seral watershed untouched by logging. Her field work, in combination with various other student and park employee-run studies, will form the baseline for a restoration project aimed at restoring the logged watershed.

Leigh J. Marshall, 2021

Thesis:

Recreation, vegetation management, and disease impact sympatric carnivore activity in California's East Bay parks

Leigh used camera traps to survey urban parkland in California’s East Bay Area for mammalian carnivore presence to investigate the potentially additive effects of development, non-consumptive recreation, and invasive vegetation management on spatiotemporal dimensions of carnivore habitat use, apparent disease prevalence, and intraguild competition.

Ashley Harper, 2023

Thesis:

Identifying habitat suitability and connectivity for Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) on the North Coast of California

Ashleywill be assessing the movement and habitat use of Roosevelt elk in Humboldt and Del Norte counties, specifically looking at the effects of land use and forest management techniques on the connectivity of elk habitat. She will also be using remote game cameras to assess the density of elk across different land use types. Assessing the density and movement of elk will help inform effective land management decisions for increasing suitable elk habitat, and in turn, decrease the amount of human-wildlife conflict areas.

Jon Ewanyk, 2020

Thesis:

Habitat use and prey selection by mountain lions in an altered sagebrush steppe environment

Alyssa Roddy,

Thesis:

Examining conservation importance of slash pile management on private timberlands in northern California

Steffen Peterson, 2023

Thesis:

Estimating black bear population parameters with spatial capture recapture in a high desert mountain ecosystem