Westfield State University

Department of Environmental Science

Fall 2020

Photo from the 2019 Galapagos Tropical Ecology course Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela Island

Table of Contents SENIORS CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECTS VIRTUAL CELEBRATION ...... 4

DECEMBER 8TH AT 7:00 PM ...... 4 ZOOM LINK TO VIRTUAL SYMPOSIUM: ...... 4 TIM PARSHALL, PH.D...... 5 SENIORS CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECTS VIRTUAL CELEBRATION ...... 6

DECEMBER 9TH AT 7:00 PM ...... 6 LINK TO VIRTUAL SYMPOSIUM: ...... 6 MICHAEL VORWERK, PH.D...... 7 MESSAGE FROM DR. JENNIFER HANSELMAN, DEAN ...... 8

DEAN JENNIFER HANSELMAN ...... 8 LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR NATIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN SOUTHAMPTON, MA ...... 9

SAMUEL ADAMS...... 10 DOES THE INCLUSION OF NATIVE COMMUNITIES IN CONSERVATION PROJECTS INFLUENCE OUTCOMES AND AVOID CONSERVATION REFUGEES? ...... 11

DAIZHA BAPTISTE ...... 12 THE IMPACT OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON CYANOBACTERIA COLONIZATION IN PLYMOUTH PONDS, MA ...... 13

MCKENNA BENTO ...... 14 IMPACTS OF SMALL MASSACHUSETTS’ RIVER IMPOUNDMENTS ON MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIES ...... 15

ERICA BURTON ...... 16 GILLIAN PINCIARO ...... 16 A COMPARISON OF FRESH WATER SURFACE ACIDITY IN MASSACHUSETTS BETWEEN 1990 AND 2020 ...... 17

DEAN CONRAD ...... 18 TRISTAN COURTEMANCHE ...... 18 A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIEL FLUCTUATIONS OF DISSOLVED OXYGEN AND PH BETWEEN A DEEP TAIL-WATER RELEASE RIVER AND A SHALLOW WHITE-WATER RIVER ...... 19

KRISTEN COUTURE ...... 20 RYAN JUDD ...... 20 THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES ON INVASIVE PLANTS AND ON IXODES SCAPULARIS (BLACK-LEGGED TICK) POPULATIONS ...... 21

BRYANT DANA ...... 22 CHRIS LECLAIRE ...... 22 CARY MARSHALL...... 22 A STUDY OF INVASIVE INSECTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE EASTERN HEMLOCK (TSUGA CANADENSIS) ...... 23

OLIVIA FOOTIT ...... 24 SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS ON LOWER TROPHIC LEVEL FRESHWATER ORGANISM DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE IN MASSACHUSETTS ...... 25

ERIC HARRIS ...... 26 CHAD HAUPTMAN ...... 26 PAUL SOUCY ...... 26 ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR RECREATION AND BIODIVERSITY AT SPRINGDALE FOREST IN WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS ...... 27

KAILYN LAPOINTE ...... 28 THE EFFECT OF RIVER IMPOUNDMENTS ON FISH CATCHABILITY AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM HEALTH ...... 29

JONPIERRE LEVESQUE ...... 30 THOMAS MORIN ...... 30 CREATING AN NOI PROPOSAL FOR RESTORING THE WSU RESEARCH AREA ...... 31

NICOLAS PIETRONIRO ...... 32 LAUREN DICARLO, PH.D...... 32 THE INFLUENCE OF URBANIZATION ON ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMANS ...... 33

PAIGE PRESSEY ...... 34 EFFECTS OF MOWING ON CARBON SEQUESTRATION ...... 35

PHOTO BY MATT ROWELL ...... 36 SANTUIT POND PRESERVE CRANBERRY BOG RESTORATION PLAN ...... 37

LIAM TOMASETTA ...... 38 ALFORD SPRINGS NATURE PRESERVE, FORESTRY PROJECT, AND INTERPRETIVE TRAIL SIGN...... 39

MICHAEL VIRGILIO ...... 40 DEAN JENNIFER HANSELMAN, PH.D...... 40

Program Layout and editing by Mary Masse, ENVS Administrative Assistant

hiking in beautiful Loveland, Colorado

Senior Capstone Projects by Student Name

Adams, Samuel …………………………………………………………………… 9-10 Baptiste, Daizha …………………………………………….……………….…… 11-12 Bento, McKenna ………………………………………………………………….. 13-14 Burton, Erica ……………………………………………………………………… 15-16 Conrad, Dean ……………………………………………………………………... 17-18 Courtemanche, Tristan …………………………………………………………… 17-18 Couture, Kristen ………………………………………………………………….. 19-20 Dana, Bryant ……………………………………………………………………… 21-22 Footit, Olivia ……………………………………………………………………… 23-24 Harris, Eric ……………………………………………………………………….. 25-26 Hauptman, Chad …………………………………………………………………. 25-26 Judd, Ryan ……………………………………………………………………….. 19-20 LaPointe, Kailyn …………………………………………………………………. 27-28 LeClaire, Chris …………………………………………………………………… 21-22 Levesque, JonPierre ……………………………………………………………… 29-30 Marshall, Carey ………………………………………………………………….. 21-22 Morin, Thomas …………………………………………………………………... 29-30 Pietronioro, Nicolas ……………………………………………………………… 31-32 Pinciaro, Gillian ………………………………………………………………….. 15-16 Pressey, Paige ……………………………………………………………………. 33-34 Rowell, Matt …………………………………………………………………….. 35-36 Soucy, Paul ……………………………………………………………………… 25-26 Tomasetta, Liam ………………………………………………………………… 37-38 Virigilio, Michael ……………………………………………………………... 39-40

Seniors Capstone research projects Virtual Celebration December 8th at 7:00 pm

Welcome!

I’m honored to be part of this year’s series of Senior Capstone Projects. Even thought this was not a “normal” semester, this group of students has stepped up to the challenge of showing what they can do. And they have done some amazing things! It’s been a pleasure to work with such a fine group of students before they go off into the wide world for their next step.

Our Senior Capstone course is designed to give students an opportunity to build on what they have learned at Westfield State, while diving into the details of a semester-long project and directing it from start to finish. These presentations are examples of where they ended up, but the journey they have been on throughout the semester has taken them in many different places.

Thank you for joining us!

Tim Parshall

Zoom Link to virtual symposium: https://westfield-ma.zoom.us/my/timparshall (or use ZOOM ID: 227 843 6683)

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Tim Parshall, Ph.D. with a green iguana on a study abroad course Belize

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Seniors Capstone research projects Virtual Celebration December 9th at 7:00 pm

Greetings!

Westfield State University’s Department of Environmental Science has a long history of hands-on field and lab research. This starts in the students’ very first semester, when they do an independent research project including formulating a question, designing a study, writing a research proposal, collecting data, analyzing data, making conclusions, and finally writing a formal scientific report.

As they work their way through the program, students develop more and more skills and a deeper knowledge about science, ecosystems, and other topics. Finally, the major culminates in this, the students’ Capstone Senior Seminar Presentations. As you’ll see, each student has developed a unique project designed to hone their skills in a specific area of interest and expertise. There is an incredible range of topics including invasive species, wildlife, restoration, impacts of dams, impacts of development on ponds, and others.

We’re very proud of the work they’ve done this semester, and in their academic studies in the Environmental Science Program. Thank you for joining us to celebrate this important event in their studies.

Michael Vorwerk

Link to virtual symposium: https://us.bbcollab.com/collab/ui/session/guest/ce241f30c0444c9d8721b175730e9266

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Michael Vorwerk, Ph.D. Otis Reservoir Otis, MA

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Message from Dr. Jennifer Hanselman, Dean College of Mathematics and Sciences

Congratulations on the successful completion of your Environmental Science Senior Capstone project. Your project is a culmination of years of preparation in the necessary content knowledge and skills required to develop a sound research question and methodology. I commend your persistence through the research process, which does not always go the way we plan. However, through this inquiry-based experience you refined paramount research and analytical skills and are now participating in one of the most important aspects of the process – communicating your results. I share a special message of gratitude to your instructors, Dr. Tim Parshall and Dr. Michael Vorwerk, for their mentorship and dedication to your education. This experience truly highlights the strength of an Environmental Science degree from Westfield State. Congratulations!

Dean Jennifer Hanselman (bottom left), Dr. Carsten Braun (top left), and 2019 Galapagos Tropical Ecology course students Floreana Island

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Land Management Plan for Native Plants and Animals in Southampton, MA

Samuel Adams

ABSTRACT

Land management plans are important in order to maintain a healthy and desired environment in a certain site or area. Without a proper plan to manage the site, problems can arise that could compromise the area or make it very difficult to remedy. Many different factors must be taken into consideration in order for the plan to be successful. Desired goals should be decided upon in order to prioritize the work that needs to be done and do it efficiently. The site this project focuses on encompasses different land types. With this comes variations in vegetation, animals, and human use. Mapping and determining what type of land was present was key to creating a successful management plan for the site.

The goal of my project was to create a management plan for native plants and animals at a wetland/upland site on my property in Southampton, Massachusetts. The fact that part of the site is a wetland is important, because minimal work is allowed to be done inside a wetland or within the one-hundred-foot buffer zone. The Southampton Conservation Commission was contacted to determine what kind of work could be done physically. Ultimately, a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) was decided upon as the best option to move forward. One of the goals of my project is to complete the RDA for future work. The main issues that were tackled in the plan include removal or management of invasive species, installation of birdhouses to attract and accommodate native bird species, delineation of the wetland, and planting native species.

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Samuel Adams Southampton, MA.

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Does the Inclusion of Native Communities in Conservation Projects Influence Outcomes and Avoid Conservation Refugees?

Daizha Baptiste

ABSTRACT

The growing issue of displacement and expulsion of native communities from their ancestrally- held lands as a result of conservation and biological protection has led to a considerable amount of human rights violations. With the growth of the global conservation movement, composed of several large multi-million-dollar organizations, the term “conservation refugees” has been assigned to native communities that have been directly affected in a physical sense, as well as on the socio-economic level. This issue has sparked much debate over environmental ethics and the inclusion of social institutions within conservation techniques as we continue to observe significant losses in biodiversity in addition to the oppression of disempowered groups in the name of environmental protection.

My research explores community-based inclusive conservation techniques and projects used in Costa Rica and Belize and their effect on the socio-economic level of communities involved. In addition, my research examines the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the conservation techniques involved in the presence of conservation refugees. My goal in exploring different approaches to conservation is to seek out the most socially-conscious yet biologically- effective method to address the issue of conservation refugees and the steady, global decline of biodiversity. I do so by reviewing scientific literature of case studies with varying conservation approaches in extremely biodiverse regions of Costa Rica, Belize, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I have observed trends and data that suggest a relationship between the number of protected areas created and the number of displaced people over time in the Central African Sub Region, an area known for less inclusive approaches of conservation management. I have also evaluated community responses and betterment regarding community-based techniques and have observed overall positive socio- economic outcomes when compared to conservation projects with less community involvement.

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Daizha Baptiste Costa Rica

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The Impact of Residential Development on Cyanobacteria Colonization in Plymouth Ponds, MA

McKenna Bento

ABSTRACT

Cyanobacteria are microscopic organisms found in ponds and other bodies of water, and when a bloom occurs it can be extremely toxic to the organisms and to the environment. Cyanotoxins can make people and other organisms sick, and there is no known remedy to counteract the effects. These blooms typically occur in late summer and early fall. The blooms may also not be visible, because they can occur under the surface of the water. This study analyzes the correlation of residential development and cyanobacteria in 10 Plymouth, Ma Pond. To collect the samples, I used empty mason jars and collected about 6 oz of water from each pond. The samples were taken on the shore of each pond, at no more than 3 feet of depth. Once the ten samples were collected, I kept them in a dark environment, so the data was not skewed by additional sunlight until I was able to use a spectrophotometer to test the samples and collect the results. To determine the amount of residential development I used satellite images and counted the number of houses around each of the ten ponds. Based on the research I have done; I believe that the ponds with more residential development will have higher concentrations of cyanobacteria. This because there are more septic systems and fertilizers in use, in areas with more residential development.

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McKenna Bento Plymouth Ponds, MA

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Impacts of Small Massachusetts’ River Impoundments on Macroinvertebrate Communities

Erica Burton and Gillian Pinciaro

ABSTRACT

Aquatic Macroinvertebrates serve as bioindicators of water quality, because species respond to the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the stream. The presence or absence of species in water bodies varies according to their tolerance levels for the pollution and oxygen concentrations. Implementing a dam in a natural waterway can disrupt the water quality by altering the temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, pollution content downstream, and many more environmental impacts. We sampled Aquatic Macroinvertebrates upstream of impoundments and downstream of ten dams that make the impoundments in Massachusetts to determine the impact that small dams have on aquatic ecosystems. Once our sampling has been evaluated, we will be able to determine whether dam impoundments have an impact on species richness and diversity. Evaluating the abundance and diversity has resulted in a defined difference in species upstream and downstream.

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Erica Burton (left) and Gillian Pinciaro (right) searching for aquatic macroinvertebrates in a sample collected with rectangular frame dip net downstream of Winnikenni Dam in Haverhill, MA.

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A Comparison of Fresh Water Surface Acidity in Massachusetts Between 1990 and 2020

Dean Conrad and Tristan Courtemanche

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to analyze and assess any improvements in acidity levels of water throughout Massachusetts since the 1990’s. pH levels in lakes and streams are a key factor in survivability, fecundity, and individual health of many organisms that inhabit these locations. New England states have been suffering from elevated acidity levels due to the combustion of fossil fuels used to generate power throughout the Midwest. The exhaust from these power plants are swept up by westerly winds and transported eastward. These sulfur and nitrogen laden exhausts react with water molecules in the atmosphere to create sulfuric and nitric acids. In turn, a weak acidic solution precipitates down onto earth's surfaces below, making its way into water bodies and wreaking havoc on various levels of biodiversity: from genetic to ecological. Regulations on fossil fuels usage have become more stringent over time in an effort to curb the effects of acid rain. Using YSI dual calibration pH monitors, we measured acidity levels of 69 lakes and streams across Massachusetts and compared this to measurements recorded by the Acid Rain Monitoring Project in 1990. We found the average pH across the state dropped from 6.4 to 6.2 and were statistically different (p= 0.02). While portions of Southeastern Massachusetts including Cape Cod, the pH increased, central portions of the state experienced a decrease in pH values. Overall, we found that our hypothesis was not supported; surface waters of Massachusetts are, as a whole, more acidic than they were in 1990.

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Tristan Courtemanche Dean Conrad measuring the pH of the water of the measuring the pH of river water with a Little River in Westfield, Massachusetts YSI EcoSense pH100 probe using a YSI EcoSense pH100 probe (Photo credit: Andrew Jennings)

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A Comparative Study of Diel Fluctuations of Dissolved Oxygen and pH between a Deep Tail-Water Release River and a Shallow White-Water River

Kristen Couture and Ryan Judd

ABSTRACT

Dissolved oxygen has a principal role in the environment, providing organisms with oxygen to sustain life. When dissolved oxygen concentrations are too high or low, aquatic life is put under stress, leading to declines in diversity. Dissolved oxygen concentrations fluctuate on a daily cycle, increasing during the day while the sun is out and plants are performing photosynthesis, and decreasing at night while organisms use the dissolved oxygen in the water through respiration. This leads to the least concentration around sunrise, and the greatest concentration in the early afternoon.

We wanted to determine if the Swift River in Belchertown, MA, has a different diel cycle of dissolved oxygen concentration than the Scantic River in Enfield, CT. The Swift River is narrow and deep, crystal clear, sandy, has few riffles, and supports an unusually large amount of vegetation. The Scantic River is wider and shallower, has a significant amount of hard bottom, rock, ledges, and riffles, and minimal amount of aquatic vegetation. We sampled the dissolved oxygen concentration on the Swift River and the Scantic River every half-hour for a 24-hour diel cycle each. We found the Swift River had dramatic diel fluctuations in Dissolved Oxygen and pH, while the Scantic River had only moderate diel fluctuations. This poster quantifies and examines these differences. The changes are also correlated with differences in habitat and macroinvertebrate density and diversity between the Swift River and Scantic River which are shown in another poster presentation.

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Kristen Couture Ryan Judd lowering the Hydrolab into the measuring the bankfull channel water at the Swift River width at the Scantic River (Photo taken by C.C., 2020) (Taken by R.J., 2020)

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The Effects of Different Management Techniques on Invasive Plants and on Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick) Populations

Bryant Dana, Chris Leclaire, and Carey Marshall

ABSTRACT

Previous research has demonstrated a relationship between invasive shrub abundance and tick populations, which may be related to microclimate conditions such as soil moisture and humidity. The purpose of this study was to investigate which type of invasive management method had the greatest effect on invasive shrubs one year after treatment, and whether management influenced tick abundance and microclimate. In Fall 2019, three management methods were employed in 15x15 meter plots containing Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), common privet (Ligustrum vulgare), and bush honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). The three treatments included 1) Removal of the entire plant, including roots, 2) Cutting all aboveground invasive plants, 3) Cutting all aboveground invasive plants and chemical treatment of the cut stem. These treatments were compared with a plot where no management had occurred as well as a nearby forest that does not have many invasive plants.

We found the plot with the most regrowth to be the chemically-treated plot, which conflicts with the findings of the previous study. Root removal had the most ticks over the course of our study. The plot with the most change was the stem-removal plot, which had the lowest regrowth and the least amount of ticks. There does not seem to be a relationship between tick counts and soil moisture, which contradicts our prediction. Our microclimate data were mostly consistent throughout all of our plots with the exception of lower soil moisture in the root-removal plot. Our research shows stem removal to be the most effective treatment method for reducing regrowth and tick abundance.

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Bryant Dana , Chris Leclaire , and Cary Marshall

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A Study of Invasive Insects and Their Impact on the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Olivia Footit

ABSTRACT

Non-native insects have the potential to dramatically reduce tree populations and lead to major changes in forest composition. Insects known as the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) and the elongate hemlock scale (Fiorinia externa) infest eastern hemlock trees, causing them to lose their needles and decline in population. Hemlock trees provide unique habitat within their ecosystems and are good indicators of a mature forest. In this senior seminar project, my goal was to determine the impact that these non-native insects have on hemlock trees and how the location of the tree on the landscape may affect the abundance of the insects. To determine the effect of elevation (and therefore climate), I studied two locations in western Massachusetts varying in elevation by approximately 1,066 feet; Chesterfield (elevation 1,328 feet) and Westfield (elevation 262 feet). At each location, I also studied both upland and lowland sites to determine if depth to the water table may influence susceptibility of hemlocks to infestation.

From my observations, I found that the hemlock trees at Chesterfield, MA were much healthier than those found at the locations in Westfield, MA. The hemlock woolly adelgid was only observed at the upland site in Westfield, MA, which is the most water-stressed site of the locations. The EHS are more abundant at the lower elevation, although there was no clear relationship with the nearness to water. The low abundance of the adelgid and high abundance of scale at the Westfield sites suggests that the adelgid may have been out competed by the scale

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Olivia Footit Recording the DBH of eastern hemlock trees along Westfield State University (Photo taken by O.F., 2020).

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Shoreline Development Impacts on Lower Trophic Level Freshwater Organism Diversity and Abundance in Massachusetts

Eric Harris, Chad Hauptman, Paul Soucy, and Dr. Michael Vorwerk

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to determine if shoreline development and low-trophic level species diversity and abundance are inversely correlated. We analyzed the effects of shoreline development along pond/lake ecosystems to determine its impact on lower trophic level aquatic life. We sampled fifteen pond/lake ecosystems in Massachusetts weekly for five weeks, using bait fish traps to measure species diversity, abundance, and characteristics, which was then compared to shoreline development using satellite imaging. The bait traps have a 1” diameter hole, which ensured that we captured juvenile or small aquatic organisms. The pH data was measured at all locations once per deployment and allowed us to observe how acidic or basic the water was to determine any correlation between the diversity and abundance of organisms recorded. Data taken from the bait traps was then analyzed through SPSS software to find if there are any correlations between different ecosystem characteristics like pH and shoreline development measurements and the characteristics of the lower level aquatic organisms measured, including length, diversity and abundance, and if they’re significant or insignificant correlations. The SPSS software determined that there were some correlations between the variables, but they weren’t significant. This means there is no correlation between shoreline development and low-trophic level species diversity and abundance. Determining if shoreline development affects lower trophic level aquatic organisms will help scientists find ways to minimize future human impact on bodies of water and push them to find which shoreline development factor affects the ecosystem the most.

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Eric Harris Chad Hauptman Prepping to Measure Aquatic Organisms Prepping to Measure Aquatic Organisms at Dudley Pond in Douglas, MA. at Dudley Pond in Douglas, MA.

Paul Soucy Deploying a Bait Trap at Mill Pond in Rochester, MA.

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Ecological Management Plan for Recreation and Biodiversity at Springdale Forest in Westfield, Massachusetts

Kailyn LaPointe

ABSTRACT

This paper is an ecological management plan for a forested area in Westfield, Massachusetts owned by the City of Westfield. The plan focuses on strategies to manage non-native plant species, while promoting passive recreation. A site analysis was conducted and field data collected on the number of native and non-native plant species found in designated “recreational” and “non-recreational” sampling sites. I predicted that there would be more non-native plant species in areas of recreation than in areas where no recreation was occurring. Slightly more non-native plants were found in recreational areas than non-recreational areas, but the margin was slim. The sites that did have non-native species present did not have very many non-native individuals, making a plan for their removal a fairly simple process. The forested area was relatively free from non-native species, meaning the recreational activities occurring on the land are not significantly introducing non-native species to the ecosystem. Continued promotion of recreational activity on the land is important for the enjoyment of local residents and aligns with the goals of the City of Westfield’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. A balance between the wellbeing of the ecosystem and the recreational enjoyment of local citizens is crucial for successful management of the forest.

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Kailyn LaPointe Springfield Forest, Westfield, MA

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The Effect of River Impoundments on Fish Catchability and Aquatic Ecosystem Health

Thomas Morin and Jonpierre Levesque

ABSTRACT

Impoundments in rivers may be having a greater impact on fish behavior than we know. Catchability of fish near these impoundments has not been researched heavily, but hopefully this study sheds some more light on the matter. For our study, we sampled 5 separate impoundments in Western Mass rivers to compare the catchability of fish upstream in the riverine section upstream from the dams and downstream. To sample, we will be fishing upstream and downstream from the impoundments to determine the catchability of each. Dams have been proven to affect fish behavior and certainly their ability to traverse rivers. Scientific studies have also proven that an assortment of fish species including rainbow trout and Largemouth Bass are more likely to be caught near impoundments or objects in the water. The study will take place over the course of 6-8 weeks and each of the dams we plan to sample will be fished 5 times. To avoid any bias, we plan to use the exact same bait and tackle, and when sampling, a 30-minute timer will be set for both up and downstream. Sampling days will also be fair weather days to avoid any weather bias. So far through our study, we have found inconclusive evidence to support our hypothesis that catchability will increase upstream from the impoundment rather than downstream.

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Jonpierre Levesque Thomas Morin sampling upstream from sampling downstream from the Little River Dam, the Knightville Dam, Westfield, MA. Huntington, MA.

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Creating an NOI proposal for Restoring the WSU Research Area

Nicolas Pietroniro and Dr. Lauren DiCarlo

ABSTRACT

Students and faculty from the environmental science and biology departments at Westfield State University have a history of improving habitat by removing invasive species on university properties abutting Rt. 20 in Westfield, MA. Due to the wetland and hydrologic resources found on these properties it is necessary for the departments to acquire a permit from the Westfield Conservation Commission to continue and improve the work that has already been completed. To acquire a permit, a master restoration plan has been created for the WSU research area. The master plan will be presented to the Westfield Conservation Commission along a Notice of Intent.

We propose a continuation of this work that will provide students with experience in site planning, preparation, management, and monitoring. The research area is composed of several different ecosystems with varying kinds of habitats. These habitats are degraded due to populations of invasive plant species moving in, and out competing native species. Our primary focus is to restore these degraded sites through the removal of invasive plants and subsequent colonization of native plant species. The project will take place in three sites on WSU property over the course of three years. Students, with assistance from Professors, will carry out the restoration on each site, and develop long term monitoring plans for each site.

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Lauren DiCarlo, Ph.D. Nicolas Pietroniro Westfield State University standing in a remnant of desired Research Area habitat found in project area

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The Influence of Urbanization on Ecosystems and Humans

Paige Pressey

ABSTRACT

Massachusetts has a long history of being progressive in relation to politics, but it is important to consider how well the state manages environmental justice issues. Urbanization rates have been increasing around the world, and Massachusetts is not an exception to this process. Some groups, such as BIPOC or low-income households, are disproportionately impacted by environmental changes that result, including air pollution. For this senior seminar project, I analyzed data for each county in Massachusetts to evaluate the relationships between different measures of urbanization (including population density, median household income, and race) and air pollutants (ozone, particulate matter, and overall air quality). The air pollutants that impact air quality in Massachusetts most are nitrous oxide, ozone, and PM2.5. Massachusetts needs to consider the impacts of air pollution from urbanization more seriously as nitrous oxide, ozone, and PM2.5 concentrations are higher in counties with greater population density. Further research may include looking at the town level because the county level analysis may be impacted by the size of the individual county, which is not regulated.

Urbanization may also affect other environmental health issues. For example, natural areas in urban zones may be more impacted by invasive species. I hypothesize that natural areas in urban zones have a greater abundance of invasive species than zones with more agricultural areas. The native species in unban zones are less able to survive and reproduce in these areas because of the worsening health from urbanization while invasive species may thrive in those conditions.

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Paige Pressey

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Effects of Mowing on Carbon Sequestration

Matt Rowell

ABSTRACT

Soil is a non-renewable resource that we have been draining carbon from through agriculture and land management. In this senior seminar project, I investigated how much carbon may be added back to soil after the cessation of mowing in the research area at Westfield State University. This was done by using soda lime to measure the amount of carbon dioxide released as a result of soil respiration to find out how much carbon is lost to the atmosphere. Soil samples were also collected and processed to see how much carbon was stored in the soil.

The mowed area had more carbon stored in the soils but more soil respiration, while the un-mowed area had less carbon but less soil respiration. These differences were not statistically significant. Not surprisingly, aboveground biomass was much greater in the un-mowed plots. Mowing may be less effective in keeping soil in the ground than keeping an area un-mowed. With this in mind a combination of the management in the two areas could lead to greater soil carbon sequestration. This could help with a few major problems like water retention and lack of nutrition, mainly carbon, but more importantly it could aid in our fight with climate change. Soil can hold immense amounts of carbon, along with the sheer amount of it, large amounts of carbon dioxide (or CO2) could be kept out of the air.

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Photo by Matt Rowell Westfield State University Research Area

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Santuit Pond Preserve Cranberry Bog Restoration Plan

Liam Tomasetta

ABSTRACT

Cranberry bogs throughout Plymouth, MA and Cape Cod have been abandoned or sold to use as conservation land due to the decreased demand for cranberries and low cranberry prices in recent years. These bogs have been cultivated for decades and have been severely degraded due to the cranberry growing process. Local town conservation committees and private conservation groups are restoring these degraded areas to a natural wetland habitat, which allows native plant and animal species to prosper.

This restoration plan is designed for the Santuit Pond preserve, which is in both Mashpee and Barnstable, Massachusetts. The entire bog complex consists of several abandoned cranberry bogs, but the focus of this plan is the largest bog in the south-east portion of the preserve nearly touching Santuit Pond. The bog was abandoned in the 1990s, and since then natural succession has started to take place. Currently, the abandoned bog still very much resembles a cranberry bog, more so than a natural wetland habitat. The goal for this restoration project is to restore the bog to a natural wetland habitat by improving water quality, eliminating invasive species, increasing native plant growth, and removing embankments and dams to promote water flow. There are two different restoration options that differ in both price and technique, some of the methods that these plans call for are removal of invasive species, implementing more native species, and removing culverts and dams that restrict water flow. If this land can be restored to a natural wetland habitat it will benefit the native plants and animals that call this area home.

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Liam Tomasetta Santuit Pond Preserve Plymouth County, Massachusetts

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Alford Springs Nature Preserve, Forestry Project, and Interpretive Trail Sign.

Michael Virgilio

ABSTRACT

In 2016 a timber harvest of approximately 25 acres was conducted in the Alford Springs property belonging to Berkshire Natural Resources Council in consultation with Mass Wildlife biologists and foresters. The goal of the timber harvest was to encourage high quality timber, as well as the addition of early successional habitat that supports wildlife. The focus of my senior seminar project was to evaluate the success of the forestry project in following the management plan. Following the forestry cutting, there has been concern from trail users as to why the cut happened and what the property will look like in the future. BNRC hopes to be able to use this information to install an educational interpretive sign on the trail that will engage recreational users with the significance of the property. I collected data using vegetation plot samples within the cut area as well as the forest around the outside perimeter of the cut. Observations of wildlife resources and habitat have also been recorded both inside and outside of the cut. Analysis of the shrubs and saplings vegetative layer shows that raspberry, gray birch, paper birch, black cherry, alder, red maple, American chestnut, and red oak have all emerged or are more dominant within the cut area. These species are typical of early-successional habitat and suggest that the cut has been successful in this aspect. Within the surrounding forest, witch hazel, striped maple, mountain laurel, beech, black birch, and sugar maple are more common in the shrub and sapling vegetative layer. Browse vegetation has increased as a result of removing the canopy in the cut, however the quality of the timber may not have been improved. More analysis of the tree vegetative layer is needed.

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Michael Virgilio measuring the radius of a vegetation plot and using flagging to mark each vegetative layer (Michael Virgilio, 2020)

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Dean Jennifer Hanselman, Ph.D. in the shell of a Galapagos Tortoise 2019 Galapagos Tropical Ecology Course El Chato Reserve, Santa Cruz Island

“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - Mark Twain

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Congratulations Environmental Science Majors on completing your Senior Capstone Projects!

Westfield State University Environmental Science Department online: https://www.westfield.ma.edu/academics/environmental-science-department facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestfieldStateENVS/

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