Emily Walters, 2011

Thesis:

Defining restoration goals for the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center, Manila, California based on an analysis of ecological processes in coastal dunes

Thomas Starkey, 2020

Thesis:

Daily and Season Variation in Benthic Macroinvertebrate Abundance and Species Composition on the Trinity River Below Lewiston Dam

Thomas's research assessed the differences in terrestrial invertebrate and benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) composition, biomass and abundance found in drift and benthos as well as in diets of juvenile Chinook salmon from two sites on the upper Trinity River, below Lewiston Dam. Further comparisons were made between daily and seasonal (February-April) variation found in drift and benthos and diets. The data collected will help to inform future research on the potential of experimental flow pulses released from Lewiston Dam to increase BMI drift forage abundance and other food resources available to juvenile Chinook salmon.

Grace Sparks, 2012

Thesis:

Conserving Working Landscapes and Open Space: A Socio-Spatial Analysis of Private Parcels Suitable for Conservation Easements in Calaveras County, California

Jennifer Mayberry, 2011

Thesis:

Community wildfire preparedness: Balancing community safety and ecosystem sustainablitity in southern California chaparral

Matt Mitchell, 2012

Thesis:

Community Structure of Terrestrial Invertebrates and Habitat Complexity Relationships in <em>Spartina</em>-Invaded and Restored Humboldt Bay Salt Marshes

Matt's research compared terrestrial invertebrate communities in Spartina densiflora-invaded and restored salt marshes along Humboldt Bay. Results showed significant differences in invertebrate community structure in S. densiflora invaded marsh when compared to samples taken in restored marsh. Richness and evenness of epibenthic and low canopy invertebrates was highest in the restored marsh. Both the invasive snail Myosotella myosotis and the native snail Littorina subrotundata displayed a strong association with invaded sites, while the native talitrid amphipod genus Orchestia was associated with restored sites. In restored Distichlis spicata dominated salt marsh, individuals in the order Hemiptera represented nearly 100% of all invertebrates sampled, the most abundant of which was in the family Delphacidae. The long-jawed orb weaver spider family Tetragnatha was found in relatively high abundance at invaded sites, but was nearly absent from Salicornia pacifica and D. spicata vegetation at restored sites. The taller height of S. densiflora (compared to native salt marsh vegetation) provides habitat niches and refugium at high tide not found in native salt marsh, and disrupts existing co-evolved relationships between invertebrates and native vegetation.

John Letton, 2007

Thesis:

Community Based Hazardous Fuel Mapping and Accuracy Assessment

Rylee Rawson,

Thesis:

Characterizing Ecosystem Response to Stream Crossing Removal in Redwood National and State Park

Rylee's project explores the impact of restoration efforts in Redwood National and State Park (RNSP) on stream ecosystems. In the 1950s and 1960s, over half of RNSP was clear-cut, resulting in hundreds of miles of old logging roads that have contributed to significant hillslope erosion and sediment pollution in streams. In some extreme cases, roads were constructed directly in stream beds, burying entire tributaries under 10 to 20 feet of sediment. To address these issues, the National Park Service, California State Parks, and Save the Redwoods League have partnered to restore the landscape through forest thinning and road removal. Rylee's project will assess how stream ecosystems respond after road fill is removed, providing insights into successional processes in headwater streams and informing future restoration efforts.

Judy Sears, 2012

Thesis:

Building local capacity for disaster response: An assessment of community emergency response models In rural areas

Holli Pruhsmeier, 2021

Thesis:

Building habitat suitability models to examine distribution shifts for the Black-headed Grosbeak, Hairy Woodpecker, and Yellow-rumped Warbler due to drought, fire, and bark beetle infestation in the Pacific Northwest

Kendall Archie,

Thesis:

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Response to Streambed Disturbance and Seasonal Inundation on the Trinity River

Kendall’s project aims to improve understanding of the relationship between flow management and food web development on the Trinity River. Altered hydrology from dam operations has disrupted natural flow patterns on the Trinity River, affecting the aquatic insect community composition and seasonal food availability for fish. Previous studies about the Trinity River focused on physical habitat needs, such as depth, velocity, and escape cover, but components such as temperature and food availability, particularly through benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs), have received less attention, despite their vital role in supporting juvenile salmonids. In collaboration with Trinity River Restoration Program and its partners, Kendall’s research seeks to address knowledge gaps regarding how BMI communities respond to disturbances and the recolonization of newly available habitats. The study’s results will help refine adaptive management strategies for flow regulation in the Trinity River.