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2018 Environment and Conservation Monitoring

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2018 Environment and Conservation Monitoring Research Project Title: Seabird conservation and censusing in the antarctic region: a systematic overview Student Presenter: Joanne Ash Faculty Mentor: Krissek Yes Faculty Mentor Department: Lawrence Research Abstract: Four main bird orders populate Antarctica and the surrounding ocean: Sphenisciformes, Procellariiformes, Pelecaniformes, and Charadriiformes. Seabirds are threatened on a global scale, due to threats such as climate change, fishery by-catch, and pollution. During a 10 day stint of Antarctic field research, a census was conducted on seabird populations. The census research contributed to the worldwide understanding of conservation through the bird collection database eBird and aided in the evaluation of how field results reflected the current seabird conservation statuses. Seabird census data was taken from a ship traversing the Drake Passage and the waters surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula. Observations were taken from the bridge of the ship four times a day for fifteen minute intervals along with detailed environmental variables, such as sea temperature, latitude, and longitude. All census data was submitted to the eBird database. A total of 922 birds were censused, with high frequencies of expected species such as gentoo penguins, Antarctic cormorants, black-browed albatrosses, and brown skuas, with overall census results presenting little deviation form the expected species counts. But with a small sample size and limited locations, no broad correlations between our studies and conservation statuses can be made. The data was compiled in eBird allowing for our contribution to benefit large-scale seabird conservation studies. Research Project Title: The effect of allogrooming on social group dynamics in captive bonobos, Pan paniscus Student Presenter: Chelsea Mascuch Faculty Mentor: Benderlioglu No Faculty Mentor Department: Zeynep Research Abstract: Social allogrooming among the members of the same species serves important functions across taxa. Observed in a range of animals from insects to humans, allogrooming helps reduce disease transmission, maintain social structure, and increase societal bonding. In bonobos (Pan paniscus) and other primates, allogrooming is an important part of the social repertoire that reduces tension, which may arise as a result of aggressive acts directed at individuals, thereby increasing the chances of reconciliation and group harmony. Our study aimed at understanding the correlates of allogrooming in a captive bonobo population at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio. Drawing upon our previous research at the Zoo on bonobo dominance relationships, we investigated whether low-ranking individuals engaged in more grooming and were more selective in exhibiting this behavior. We hypothesized that individuals would spend more time grooming others that are higher- ranking than themselves, presumably to gain favor, or, elevate their own status. Fourteen bonobos (8 males and 6 females) were observed at the Zoo. Fifty hours of interactions were videotaped in enclosures recording the frequency and duration of grooming among individuals. The target and initiator of the grooming behavior and dominance status of the individuals were noted by using a behavioral analysis software to be subsequently exported to a statistical program. The analyses are ongoing. Although identified as separate species in 1929, bonobos remain relatively understudied due to their endangered status, their only ecological niche in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, and low numbers in captivity. This study can be used to inform further research concerning bonobo societies, as well as providing valuable insights into the group dynamics of other closely related social apes, such as chimpanzees and humans. Research Project Title: The carbon footprint of "ecotourism"• in the Antarctic Student Presenter: Andrew Holden Faculty Mentor: Davis No Faculty Mentor Department: Thomas Research Abstract: Introduction/Background: Antarctica's icy, otherworldly landscape has been drawing increasing amounts of visitors to its shores over the last few decades. With a record number of 46,069 persons transported to the continent in 2009 (IAATO, 2010), an increased human presence in Antarctica has the potential to harm its vulnerable ecosystems. The Antarctic tourist industry prides itself on their “sustainable― practices and environmental activism, but the rapid industry growth has led to substantial emissions of CO2. The industry claims negative impacts are offset by the creation of “ambassadors,― or individuals who will advocate for the extended protection of Antarctica. Our research takes measure of the relationship between the carbon footprint of ecotourism in Antarctica and the potential offset of the Ambassador Effect. Methods: This project was driven by the following question: “How does the ambassador effect offset negative impacts from carbon emissions?― To explore this question, we employed research methods built on existing research on the effects of ecotourism to the Antarctic in three significant ways; calculating the carbon footprint from air travel to the port city, Ushuaia, the shadow price of carbon emitted, and administering qualitative surveys designed to measure the effectiveness of the Ambassador Effect. Results: Our research results revealed the shadow price for the carbon emitted during the voyage totaled $279- $352 per passenger depending on travel distance. Survey results indicated no significant change from individuals that would result in offsetting CO2 emissions from the trip. Conclusion: Under the current standard operating conditions for tourism to the Antarctica, our results indicate the current practices are not sustainable due to its massive carbon footprint. Research Project Title: Student Presenter: Madison Zimmerly Faculty Mentor: Benderlioglu No Faculty Mentor Department: Zeynep Research Abstract: Are bonobos really peace-loving? A study with captive populations Research Project Title: Can roadsides function as bumblebee habitat? Student Presenter: Audrey Bezilla Faculty Mentor: Jessie Lanterman Faculty Mentor Department: EEOB Research Abstract: There are 16 species of bumblebee in Ohio, including the endangered Bombus affinis and others which have suffered serious decline in recent years. These environmentally and economically vital species have declined in part due to habitat loss and fragmentation; as such, there is the tendency to automatically view human-altered landscapes as “bad― or unviable habitat for bumblebees and similar wildlife. However, this may not be the case when important habitat features can be maintained. Ohio’s extensive system of roadways offers vast stretches of wildflower-filled land for pollinators, including bumblebees. To determine whether roadsides offer bumblebee habitat comparable to more ‘natural’ settings, bee and flower data collected at 130 sites across Ohio from September-August 2017 were analyzed by one of five habitat ‘types’ (roadside, natural field, planted wildflower meadow, shrubby successional, and ‘other’) to determine whether bumblebee diversity or abundance varied based upon this designation. Analyses were conducted using full surveys (90 mins), as well as with bumblebee communities rarefied down to a minimum of 20 individuals and 10 individuals in order to compare full surveys with a number of half surveys (45 mins). There was a statistically significant difference between mean bumblebee diversity of roadside sites (H=0.55±0.28) and ‘other’ sites (H=0.91±0.21) in full surveys, and between roadside sites (H=0.56±0.3) and shrubby successional sites (H=0.3±0.27) in the rarefied10 data set. There was also a statistically significant difference between mean bumblebee abundance (bees/min) of roadside sites (0.67±0.61) and planted wildflower meadows (1±0.77). Additional calculations were made to explore potential explanations for these differences, which revealed a statistically significant difference between floral diversity of roadside sites (H=1.16±0.4) and planted/shrubby successional sites (H=1.36±0.49, H=1.50±0.34), and negative correlations between bee diversity and percent forest cover in a 2000m radius. Differences between mean values of diversity/abundance for roadside sites and all other sites were statistically insignificant, indicating roadsides offer largely equipollent habitat compared to other habitat types. These data suggest roadsides are not inherently poor bumblebee habitat, and provide a viable location for pollinators to forage. Future studies could explore whether roadsides planted with more diverse pollinator wildflowers improve bumblebee habitat relative to their unplanted counterparts. Research Project Title: Evaluating basin-specific early growth rates as a Lake Erie walleye stock discrimination tool Student Presenter: Taylor Brown Faculty Mentor: Stuart Ludsin Faculty Mentor Department: EEOB Research Abstract: The ability to accurately assign individuals to their source population is necessary to manage fisheries composed of discrete subpopulations. The Lake Erie walleye (Sanders vitreus) metapopulation is composed of several discrete spawning stocks in the lake’s three basins, with most spawning occurring in the west and east basins. The ability to discriminate among the major walleye subpopulations is vital in understanding their relative contributions to overall harvest and in helping predict population dynamics amidst future climate change. For example, maintaining the
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